Concerns about U.S. armed seizure of Greenland ease, transatlantic rifts remain

Xinhua) 08:18, January 23, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 22, 2026. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

BEIJING, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- A freewheeling speech by U.S. President Donald Trump in the Swiss Alpine town of Davos on Wednesday stunned the audience, putting transatlantic rifts under the spotlight, despite eased concerns about a possible U.S. armed seizure of Greenland, a self-governing territory of Denmark.

CONCERNS EASE

In his speech, Trump ruled out taking Greenland by military force, saying he did not intend to use "excessive strength and force," while insisting the United States was uniquely positioned to secure the territory.

"I don't have to use force. I don't want to use force, I won't use force. All the United States is asking for is a place called Greenland," he said.

Trump called for "immediate negotiations" on a U.S. acquisition of the territory, describing it as "a strategic national and international security interest."

"His comments marked a strategic shift and a walkback for the White House," CNN said Wednesday in an analysis. "Trump's walkback notably comes after we saw something pretty unusual on Tuesday: foreign leaders standing up to him and talking about banding together to resist the United States."

"His pledge, if he sticks to it, makes much more unlikely the previously unthinkable prospect of the United States effectively invading a NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) ally," the analysis added.

Trump also announced on Wednesday his decision not to follow through on his threat to impose new tariffs on eight European countries over Greenland following a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. In a social media post, Trump said a framework had emerged from a "very productive meeting" with Rutte. "Based upon this understanding, I will not be imposing the Tariffs that were scheduled to go into effect on Feb. 1," Trump wrote.

While the concern is eased "at least for now," the CNN analysis warned, "the clash is hardly over."

Trump told Fox Business on Thursday morning that the United States will get everything it wants, in relation to Greenland, "at no cost," adding that a part of the Golden Dome missile defense system will be on the island.

Speaking at a press conference in Davos, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said that while he welcomed Trump's public statement ruling out military force over Greenland, he remained disappointed by the overall tone and substance of the remarks.

"He continued with rhetoric that was both threatening and scornful towards Denmark, Greenland, Canada and several European countries," Kristersson said.

U.S. President Donald Trump addresses the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

RIFTS REMAIN

Trump's Greenland-related tariff threats angered the Europeans, with European Council President Antonio Costa saying on Wednesday that the European Union (EU) will defend itself against any form of coercion.

"We stand ready to defend ourselves, our member states, our citizens, our companies, against any form of coercion. The EU has the power and the tools to do so," Costa said in a speech at the European Parliament.

"We cannot accept that the law of the strongest prevails over the rights of the weakest," Costa said, adding that "international rules are not optional, and alliances cannot just boil down to a sequence of transactions."

The European Parliament on Wednesday decided to put on hold approval of an EU-U.S. trade deal reached in July 2025 in response to U.S. tariff threats.

In Davos, French President Emmanuel Macron said that the EU "should not hesitate" to deploy its anti-coercion mechanism in response to the U.S. tariff threats linked to Greenland.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also expressed strong support for Greenland and Denmark and opposition to tariffs proposed by the United States.

Canada is a founding NATO member and Washington's key partner in the North American Aerospace Defense Command. Ironically, the Canadian Armed Forces have developed a conceptual model responding to a hypothetical military invasion by the United States, local media reported on Tuesday.

Two senior government officials were cited as saying that it is the first time in a century that Canada's military has created a model of an American assault.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Chinese mainland reaches 5.32 mln invention patents, trademarks close to 50 mln

Xinhua) 11:08, January 23, 2026

BEIJING, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- The number of valid invention patents held on the Chinese mainland had reached 5.32 million by the end of last year, the China National Intellectual Property Administration said on Friday.

The country's top IP regulator authorized a total of 972,000 invention patents in 2025, while processing time for invention patent applications was reduced to 15 months.

The average ownership of high-value invention patents had reached 16 patents per 10,000 people in 2025, it noted.

There were more than 4.2 million trademarks registered on the Chinese mainland last year, and the total number of effectively registered trademarks had exceeded 49.87 million by 2025.

Among the top 5,000 global brands, China's brand value amounts to 1.81 trillion U.S. dollars, ranking second globally, the administration said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Ciscos ThousandEyes division tracks global internet and cloud traffic and provides Network World with weekly updates on the performance of ISPs, cloud service providers, and UCaaS providers.

ThousandEyes, a Cisco company, monitors how ISPs, cloud providers and conferencing services are handling any performance challenges and provides Network World with a weekly roundup of events that impact service delivery. Read on to see the latest analysis, and stop back next week for another update on internet and cloud traffic performance.

Note: We have archived prior-year outage updates, including our reports from 2025, 2024, 2023, and the Covid-19 era.

Internet report for Jan. 12-Jan. 18

ThousandEyes reported 263 global network outage events across ISPs, cloud service provider networks, collaboration app networks, and edge networks (including DNS, content delivery networks, and security as a service) during the week of January 12 through January 18. The total of outage events increased by 3 per cent compared to the 255 outages from the week prior. Specific to the U.S., there were 149 outages, which is up by 10 per cent from 135 outages the week prior. Heres a breakdown by category:

ISP outages : Globally, ISP outages decreased from 115 to 113, a 2 per cent decrease. In the U.S., however, ISP outages increased from 39 to 53, up 36 per cent week-over-week.

: Globally, ISP outages decreased from 115 to 113, a 2 per cent decrease. In the U.S., however, ISP outages increased from 39 to 53, up 36 per cent week-over-week. Public cloud network outages: Globally, public cloud network outages increased from 76 to 87, up 14 per cent week-over-week. In the U.S., outages rose from 57 to 66, an increase of 16 per cent.

Globally, public cloud network outages increased from 76 to 87, up 14 per cent week-over-week. In the U.S., outages rose from 57 to 66, an increase of 16 per cent. Collaboration app network outages: Globally and in the U.S., collaboration application network outages decreased from one to zero.

Two notable outages

On January 16, 2026, Madgenius, a U.S.-based hosting and infrastructure service provider headquartered in Apple Valley, MN, experienced an outage that impacted multiple downstream partners across multiple regions, including the U.S., and the Netherlands. The outage, lasting one hour and 16 minutes, was first observed around 12:15 AM EST and appeared to center on Madgenius nodes located in Columbus, OH. The outage was cleared around 1:25 AM EST. Click here for an interactive view.

On January 17, TATA Communications (America) Inc., a global ISP and part of the Indian-owned TATA Communications, experienced an outage that impacted many of its downstream partners and customers in multiple regions, including the U.S., Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, the Philippines, the U.K., Thailand, Spain, Australia, South Korea, Greece, Japan, and India. The outage, lasting 23 minutes, was first observed around 12:03 PM EST, and initially appeared to be centered on TATA nodes located in Singapore. Five minutes into the outage, the nodes located in Singapore were joined by nodes located in Los Angeles, CA, and Santa Clara, CA, in exhibiting outage conditions. By 12:10 PM EST, the nodes located in Santa Clara, CA, appeared to clear and were replaced by nodes located in Tokyo, Japan, in exhibiting outage conditions. Around 12:15 PM EST, TATA nodes located in San Francisco, CA, joined nodes located in Singapore, Los Angeles, CA, and Tokyo, Japan, in exhibiting outage conditions. Shortly thereafter, the nodes located in San Francisco, CA, appeared to clear and were replaced by nodes located in Toyohashi, Japan, in exhibiting outage conditions. The outage was cleared around 12:30 PM EST. Click here for an interactive view.
by Dario Salvi

The clergyman talked to AsiaNews about the challenges and issues facing schools in the Holy Land, starting with young people who have lost their smiles and their confidence. Talking and listening help defuse the desire for revenge and attacks. The dispute with Israel over teachers' permits has been almost resolved. Being a teacher is a vocation. Meanwhile, Christians continue to leave.

Milan (AsiaNews)  Teachers and students at schools run by the Custody of the Holy Land, important centres of excellence, face huge hurdles and difficulties at present, this according to Father Ibrahim Faltas, Franciscan friar and director of the Custodys schools.

The picture the clergyman draws from the reality on the ground is one of enduring suffering fed by, among other things, Israels restrictions on teachers permits; the enduring trauma cause by the war that broke out on 7 October 2023, which has claimed hundreds of lives despite a fragile truce, more theoretical than real; and the makeshift classes in Gaza where schools, like most other buildings, have been razed to the ground.

The war has inflicted severe trauma that is still visible today in all its potency, the clergyman explained. Students have lost their smile, they have lost their confidence, they have lost everything, and they have changed. They are no longer the same kids they were before."

Students often ask questions, and it's hard to answer them. Like a 10-year-old girl who asks, Where is God in all this? It's normal for hatred to grow, which we ourselves must try to defuse, Fr Ibrahim said.

Some have told us that they wanted to carry out attacks, but we responded with talking and listening. We spoke with them to prevent acts of violence or revenge.

This too is rubble, human and social wounds left by the war. It will still be difficult to rebuild, much more so than the walls of a building. It's a huge challenge, especially for the new generations.

Father Ibrahim, a Franciscan born in Egypt, graduated in philosophy and theology. He served as parish priest in Jerusalem, and is responsible for the Status Quo of the Basilica of the Nativity.

From 2016 to 2022, he was a member of the discretorium of the Custody, then vicar and director of schools, advisor to the Custody, director of the Casa Nova in Jerusalem, and a member of the John Paul II Foundation.

"The children," he said, "still remember when the war began. It was the start of the school year, and while we were reciting the prayer of Saint Francis, we saw a missile pass by. At first, no one understood anything, then I got the students to safety, and their parents came to pick them up.

We went 15 days without classes, and when they returned, they had changed. Five- and six-year-old children asked to call home every half hour, to make sure their parents were alive and that they wouldn't be orphaned like their peers in Gaza.

Others," he added, "didn't want to eat anymore, out of solidarity with their brothers and sisters in the Strip. We had enormous problems."

For the Franciscan, Being a teacher in the Holy Land is a mission, a vocation in a historic institution. Christian schools are the oldest not only in this area, but in the entire Middle East, because the Franciscan school in Bethlehem, dating back to 1598, is the first in the entire region.

Without this institution, which has grown, setting up facilities in Jerusalem, Gaza, the Galilee, Haifa, Nazareth, and Jaffa, as well as Beit Jala and Ramallah, it is not possible to continue the educational process.

Christian schools are high quality institutions, not only for their level of education, but also for the model of coexistence and sharing they have always represented.

We have a music school," the priest explained, "that welcomes Christians, Jews, and Muslims. The other schools are attended by both Christians and Muslims, with the latter the vast majority.

We always try to keep them to teach coexistence," despite challenges, not least the ongoing exodus of Christians. At least 185 Christian families fled the Bethlehem area alone, a wound that keeps bleeding.

Recently, after the Christmas break, at least 12 Christian schools in Jerusalem went on strike in January after Israel did not renew the work permits of at least 171 teachers from the West Bank for entry during weekends.

The decision has affected more than 10,000 students from schools considered among the best in the Holy City. As a result, the latter decided to halt classes in solidarity with the teachers who, at least on some days, were turned back at checkpoints (over a thousand, according to Father Ibrahim).

The permits are temporary authorisations issued by the Jewish state to allow Palestinians from the West Bank to enter Israel and carry out regular work. They are subject to security checks, are limited in time, and are tied to the employer or working hours.

The vast majority were revoked after 7 October in response to Hamass attack that triggered the war in Gaza, with the sole exception of those issued to teachers and healthcare workers.

"The situation is being resolved, Father Ibrahim explained. At the start of the second semester, 335 teachers were affected by the measure, preventing them from travelling on Saturdays when we have classes. Later, they were blocked from travelling on Fridays and Sundays, and we protested this too. Now, almost 90 per cent of teachers can travel all week, without restrictions.

"The problem is almost settled, even if the rationale behind the measure is unclear. We spoke with the Ministry of Education and the military, but no one was able, or willing, to provide an explanation. However, critical issues and burdens remain because some teachers in our schools in Jerusalem come from Hebron and get up at 4 am to arrive at eight for the start of classes.

Father Ibrahim also spoke about education in Gaza, specifically at the Holy Family Latin parish, which bid farewell yesterday to Father Youssef Asad, who served as assistant parish priest for eight years, experiencing firsthand the atrocities of war when, during long months the parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli, was unable to return due to the blockade imposed by the Israeli authorities.

In Gaza, "everything is destroyed," but the parish is doing what it can to hold some classes, but the buildings have collapsed. One example is Rosary School, an excellent facility that no longer exists, along with many others.

We are trying to do something, but the situation is inhumane; people, especially the youngest, are dying of cold it's tragic, terrible.

Everything is still on hold, aid isn't enough even if some is coming in, and people continue to die. In 110 days of truce, more than 500 people have been killed by hunger, bombardments, cold, and thirst. For three years, there has been no schooling in Gaza, but education is just one of many emergencies.
by Andrea Ferrario

Women's rights organizations have also long been targeted by Beijing's crackdown. As a result, opportunities for women in traditional newsrooms have been drastically reduced, while alternative online spaces remain under constant pressure. The cases of Haze Fan, editorial assistant for Bloomberg in Beijing, and Zhang Zhan, the blogger who reported on Covid in Wuhan, who has been re-imprisoned.

Milan (AsiaNews) - In the few Chinese newsrooms that continue to practice investigative journalism, women remain vastly underrepresented compared to their male colleagues.

For those among them who seek to address gender issues or do their jobs fully, the obstacles go far beyond widespread censorship.

A deeply male-dominated editorial culture and increasingly fragmented and precarious working conditions also weigh heavily.

This situation is the result of a process that began more than a decade ago, during which the Chinese authorities gradually dismantled the infrastructure of the most progressive media outlets and feminist organizations.

From the arrest of the Feminist Five in 2015 to the banning of Feminist Voice three years later, to the last post published by the Women Awakening Network's Weibo account in 2021, the space for organized women's activism has shrunk to almost nothing.

Today, in fact, running a formally registered women's rights organization has become virtually impossible.

Li Sipan's professional trajectory offers an inside look at this reality. A journalist and activist, she has lived through both the expansion of commercial media and its gradual suffocation. When she joined the investigative department of the prestigious Southern Metropolis Daily in 2007, she was one of only two women in a newsroom of about 30 people.

At the time, the Nanfang Media Group, to which the newspaper belonged, was considered the most progressive media group in China, but despite this, the gender gap within it remained marked.

Editorial dinners were dominated by drinking contests between men and conversations that made female colleagues uncomfortable, while the most prestigious reports, those capable of building professional reputations, were assigned almost exclusively to male journalists.

The culture of newsrooms and the invisible gap

The division of labor reflected deep-rooted gender stereotypes. Reporting on social issues and legal matters often required dealing with local officials in informal settings, where sexual harassment was common.

Male journalists drank with these officials to establish informal relationships of trust, which later translated into tips.

Women, on the other hand, had to endure meetings that made them deeply uncomfortable, marked by harassment and vulgar jokes. Li Sipan preferred to settle for less-than-perfect results rather than subject herself to such situations.

Her meeting with Ai Xiaoming, a professor and feminist activist, marked a turning point in Li Sipan's career, as she pointed out in an interview with the China Media Project.

A training session organized by Ai Xiaoming on media and gender issues led to the creation of the Women Awakening Network, founded by twelve media professionals in Guangzhou.

From the outset, the organization adopted a pragmatic approach, aimed at connecting journalists with sources knowledgeable about gender issues and activists, rather than imparting lessons in professional ethics.

The goal was to make women's activism a visible presence in Guangzhou's public space through conferences, exhibitions, seminars, and events.

Unlike women's organizations active in northern China, which are often led by figures from the official media or government think tanks and therefore bound by the need to maintain good relations with the authorities, the Women Awakening Network has taken a more direct and autonomous approach. Women in the north described Guangzhou's initiatives as particularly effective.

The organization's work over the course of a decade helped create a favorable environment in which, when new generations of activists emerged in 2012, the local media already had a core group of journalists interested in the issue and with a basic understanding of how women's rights organizations work.

Repression and fragmentation

In 2014, following a case of sexual harassment at a university, the Women Awakening Network launched an eight-month campaign to support victims and work with academics to translate anti-sexual harassment policies adopted elsewhere.

At that time, traditional media were suffering from the collapse of the advertising market, and many veteran journalists were leaving the profession.

Online platforms offered greater flexibility and were more willing to accept contributions from non-governmental organizations.

The situation changed radically in 2017 with the enactment of the NGO law, which made the work of civil society organizations increasingly risky.

Li Sipan was forced by the authorities to leave the Women Awakening Network and turned to teaching. Although she has often thought of giving up because of the stress and personal risks, what keeps her going is the sense of fulfillment she gets from being able to convey something she considers important.

The women's movement has now been suppressed across the board, and the authorities are investing enormous energy in controlling its spread.

It is still possible to discuss issues ranging from domestic violence to less serious topics such as the cost of wedding ceremonies, but anything related to ideology or state institutions is closely monitored.

The sexual harassment case involving Liu Qiangdong, a private entrepreneur, can still be discussed, while the case involving Zhu Jun, a prominent figure in the state media, remains taboo.

Women seeking to work as journalists in China continue to face multiple risks. The case of Haze Fan, a Chinese editorial assistant for Bloomberg in Beijing, is emblematic: in 2020, she was taken away by agents of the Ministry of State Security on charges of endangering national security.

Released in 2022, she attempted to resume her journalistic work in Hong Kong, but was denied a visa. Her story highlights the particular vulnerability of female editorial assistants, who effectively perform full-fledged journalistic duties without having the professional status or protections guaranteed to those with journalist credentials.

Beyond organizations, repression also affects individuals. A citizen journalist and practicing Christian, Zhang Zhan had documented the initial response to COVID-19 in Wuhan, an activity that had already cost her a four-year prison sentence.

In September 2025, she was retried in Shanghai and sentenced to another four years, in a trial from which diplomats and international observers were excluded, on charges of spreading false information that seriously damages the national image on foreign social media.

Zhang Zhan's case shows that repression is not limited to organized feminism, but more generally affects independent journalists and activists operating outside recognized structures. After years of informal work and awareness-raising, many women's rights issues have now entered the public debate in a widespread form, conveyed by individual initiatives and unstructured networks.

At the same time, the conditions that made organized activism possible in the past have disappeared, and it is unlikely that the mainstream media will return to mobilizing in support of coordinated movements, whether feminist or more broadly civic.

Fragmentation and isolation no longer appear to be transitory, but rather the stable framework within which independent activism operates today, increasingly exposed to repression.

For young women aspiring to journalism in China today, the context is radically different from that encountered by Li Sipan at the beginning of her career.

Opportunities offered by traditional newsrooms have been drastically reduced, while alternative online spaces remain under constant pressure.

But the survival of independent female voices, however fragmented and precarious, indicates that the drive to tell stories and give visibility to marginalized perspectives has not been exhausted.

Even in such a restrictive environment, Li Sipan observed in her interview with the China Media Project, idealism and a sense of justice continue to find forms of expression and intervention, albeit limited ones.
23 January 2026 13:55 (UTC+04:00)

Elnur Enveroglu Read more

On one front, the war grinds on without respite: drone swarms, missile strikes and intelligence operations continue to define daily life along the Ukrainian frontline. On another, almost paradoxical front, two sworn enemies - Ukraine and Russia - appear ready, after nearly four years of relentless conflict, to sit across the same table. The prospect of a tripartite meeting involving the United States has therefore drawn intense scrutiny, not because expectations are high, but because exhaustion is deep.

Both Kyiv and Moscow are visibly worn down. Despite last-ditch efforts to mobilise remaining military, economic and political resources, neither side can plausibly claim momentum decisive enough to dictate terms outright. The war, it seems, must be paused or reshaped, if not resolved. For Ukraine, the urgency is acute. Repeated Russian drone attacks on energy infrastructure, combined with a harsher winter and a perceptible cooling of US generosity since Donald Trumps return to centre stage, have pushed Kyiv into a deepening energy and social crisis. Survival, not victory, is once again the immediate concern.

It is in this context that Trumps carefully calibrated pressure campaign must be understood. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, he delivered what appeared to be oblique remarks, but the message was unmistakable: the war must end, and delay would be an act of strategic folly. Kyiv, which continues to see US backing as existential, has little room to refuse such an invitation. With EU leaders locked in strained relations with Trump and Ukrainian civilians facing rolling blackouts and bitter cold, President Volodymyr Zelensky has scant political capital to issue counter-demands or to walk away from the table altogether.

All eyes are now fixed on Abu Dhabi, where the proposed tripartite meeting is expected to take place. Speculation has filled newsrooms and diplomatic corridors alike, not because a comprehensive peace is anticipated, but because even a temporary freeze would mark a fundamental shift. For many analysts, the Ukraine-Russia war is no longer merely a regional conflict; it has become a test case for Europes future security architecture. Brussels, in particular, finds its relevance under scrutiny.

This is not without precedent. Previous negotiation attempts faltered amid discord within the EU and sharp reactions from Brussels, where member states struggled to reconcile their strategic instincts. Trumps earlier peace packages, which blended ceasefire proposals with territorial ambiguity, collapsed either because Moscow rejected them as insufficient or because Kyiv, under European pressure, deemed them unacceptable. The EU repeatedly framed such initiatives as dangerously legitimising Kremlin gains.

Today, however, the calculus has changed. Trumps blunt assessment in Davos, that failure to make peace would amount to collective irrationality, signalled impatience not only with Kyiv and Moscow, but also with Brussels. Ukraine knows that reclaiming roughly 20 per cent of its lost territory through force, even with frozen Russian assets or symbolic European support, borders on fantasy. With the immediate task of getting through winter and preventing social collapse, Kyiv cannot afford to fight to the last transformer.

Moscow, meanwhile, finds itself in a curious position. Despite limited territorial advances, Russia has been unable to move decisively beyond entrenched lines. Yet recent activity near Polands border suggested a deliberate attempt to test NATOs nerves. Whether this reflects waning US attention to the alliance or a calculated warning to the EU remains open to interpretation. Either way, the Kremlin senses a vacuum and vacuums invite ambition.

Abu Dhabi, chosen deliberately, offers Trump a neutral stage, distant from European capitals and their reflexive objections. For Trump, symbolism matters. He appears keen to turn what he frames as an eight-year failure into a ninth-year breakthrough, regardless of who resists. Ukrainian realism and Russian recuperation plans may, for the first time in years, overlap just enough to permit a provisional arrangement.

Yet Trumps strategy does not end there. A crucial and often overlooked element of his approach lies in distraction. By resurrecting the Greenland issue, Trump has skilfully diverted European attention away from Ukraine at a moment when EU interference could again derail talks. Previously, Panama had featured in Trumps geopolitical signalling. Greenland, however, is far more potent: it touches NATO sensitivities, Arctic security, climate routes and European sovereignty anxieties all at once.

By floating Greenland as a strategic concern, Trump forces Brussels into a reactive posture. Instead of micromanaging Ukraine diplomacy, EU leaders are compelled to defend their northern flank and internal cohesion. The timing is not accidental. Trump understands that the EU has consistently resisted any provisional peace it did not shape, branding such efforts as Kremlin appeasement. Greenland, therefore, functions as a geopolitical decoy.

Even if the EU attempts to sabotage or delegitimise a temporary Russia-Ukraine arrangement - 'something it has never fully supported' - Trump retains leverage. Hovering over Greenland keeps Brussels distracted, divided and strategically overstretched. In this sense, Trumps approach is not about Greenland itself, but about neutralising European veto power over a US-driven settlement.

What, then, can realistically emerge? Almost certainly not a final peace. But a conditional ceasefire, territorial ambiguity without formal recognition, and security guarantees deferred rather than denied all remain plausible. Crucially, there is little indication that Ukrainian territory would be irrevocably absorbed by Russia under such terms, despite European fears. The arrangement would be fragile, temporary and deeply unpopular in some quarters, yet it may still be the only viable pause in a war that neither side can win outright.
23 January 2026 17:44 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

For more than three decades, global leaders have reassured themselves, and their publics, that the so-called rules-based international order remains the backbone of global stability. Even as wars multiply, institutions stall, and power politics return with renewed confidence, the language of multilateralism continues to dominate summit halls and diplomatic communiques. Davos is no exception.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos this year, the Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney, delivered an address with an unusual bluntness for the rarefied Alpine stage. "If we are not at the table, we are on the menu," Carney warned that the international order established after the Cold War is not merely evolving; it is fracturing. His message was stark: nostalgia for the "rulesbased international order" no longer suffices; that order is functionally bankrupt.

Carneys critique struck a nerve because it did not couch itself in the usual diplomatic euphemisms. He articulated what many policymakers privately feel but seldom state openly: the familiar architecture of global governance, from the United Nations to the OSCE, is straining under the weight of great power rivalry and selective enforcement of international law. "This is not naive multilateralism," he said, "nor is it relying on their institutions. Its building coalitions that work issue by issue with partners who share enough common ground to act together."

If the rules are still intact, why do they fail so consistently at moments of crisis? If international institutions remain central, why are they so often bypassed when real decisions are made? And if the order is merely "under strain," why are new frameworks and alternative coalitions quietly emerging to replace it?

Speaking to Azernews, German analyst Brendan Ziegler noted that the forum this year exposed a growing disconnect between diplomatic language and geopolitical reality. "Davos was less about celebrating global cooperation and more about managing its erosion," Ziegler observed:

"What made Carneys remarks stand out was not their novelty, but their candour. For decades, global leaders have continued to invoke the "rules-based international order" as a stabilising mantra, even as its mechanisms steadily lost relevance. In Davos, Carney said aloud what many policymakers privately acknowledge: nostalgia is no longer a strategy, and the old order is functionally bankrupt.

His critique was aimed squarely at the architecture of global governance itself. Institutions once presented as universal arbiters, from the United Nations to the OSCE, are increasingly paralysed by great-power rivalry and selective application of international law. Carney rejected what he described as naive multilateralism, arguing instead for coalitions that work "issue by issue" with partners sharing enough common ground to act. It was a tacit admission that universality has given way to utility.

This assessment came amid a deteriorating global backdrop. War in Ukraine, instability across the Middle East and the Red Sea, and mounting tensions around Taiwan have exposed how ill-equipped existing institutions are to prevent escalation or even manage crises. In practice, outcomes are now determined less by agreed rules than by the distribution of power. Where power can be imposed, it overrides norms; where it cannot, international law survives largely as text."

According to Ziegler, these questions were brought into sharp focus by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carneys unusually direct intervention. Carneys remarks did not signal a routine call for reform, but a recognition that the postCold War system is facing structural failure rather than incremental change. "What we are witnessing," Ziegler said, "is not a transition within the system, but a challenge to the system itself, one that forces states, particularly middle powers, to rethink how security, sovereignty, and cooperation can realistically be preserved:

"The United States, long the principal architect of the post-1991 system, increasingly advances its interests through unilateral measures, using tariffs, sanctions, and financial pressure as instruments of coercion. The European Union continues to speak the language of norms and values, yet often lacks the political cohesion or hard power necessary to enforce them. Meanwhile, traditional security arrangements and regional organisations are routinely bypassed. Conflicts erupt and escalate without credible institutional pathways for de-escalation. Structures built on the assumption of shared commitment to common rules now appear brittle, exposed by the very crises they were designed to manage. Carneys underlying message was unambiguous: the old rules no longer guarantee security or prosperity. Power fills the vacuum where institutions fail.

Seen through this lens, the signing of the "Board of Peace" in Davos carries symbolic weight. Officially presented as a peacebuilding initiative, it also reflects a quieter truth: existing frameworks, including the UN Security Council, are no longer trusted to manage real conflicts effectively. The proliferation of new platforms and charters is less a sign of institutional vitality than an admission that the old ones no longer function as advertised. No one in Davos declared the rules-based order dead. Yet the growing reliance on bespoke coalitions and issue-specific blocs suggests a decisive shift away from universalism toward selective, interest-driven cooperation. Carneys appeal to middle powers was especially telling."

The idea of "New World Order" has always been under discussion and has acted as a subject of scrutiny. If there is a "new system," as they claim, then there must be principles that support the fundamental; anything else would be considered nothing but an act of bravado or mere concept. The old order is not yet dead. But as Carney implied in Davos, it is no longer the engine of global stability it once claimed to be, and pretending otherwise may be the most dangerous illusion of all, the German analyst concluded his remarks.
23 January 2026 10:00 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Baku is hosting a roundtable discussion dedicated to International Clean Energy Day, along with the award ceremony of the Economic Cooperation Organization Clean Energy Centre (ECO-CEC) Clean Energy Hackathon 2026, Azernews reports.

The opening session of the event will feature speeches by Dr. Fariz Ismayilzada, Vice-Rector of ADA University and Member of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan; Aysel Yagubova, Executive Director of the ECO Clean Energy Centre; Elnur Soltanov, Deputy Minister of Energy of Azerbaijan; and Igor Garfulic, Acting United Nations Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan.

The event includes a roundtable discussion focusing on clean energy transition and regional cooperation models aimed at accelerating the expansion of renewable energy, followed by the official award ceremony honoring the winners of the Clean Energy Hackathon 2026.
23 January 2026 12:00 (UTC+04:00)

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23 January 2026 13:38 (UTC+04:00)

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Last year, Georgia imported aluminum and aluminum products worth $2.7 million from Azerbaijan, Azernews reports, citing Georgias National Statistics Office.

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23 January 2026 16:49 (UTC+04:00)

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In 2025, the total number of Azerbaijani citizens traveling abroad decreased by 2.3 percent compared with 2024, reaching 2 109.9 thousand people, Azernews reports via the State Statistical Committee. Of those who traveled abroad, 41.2 percent went to Turkiye, 14.5 percent to Russia, 10.7 percent to Georgia, 9.7 percent to...

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23 January 2026 18:15 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL), a part of AZCON Holding, has signed an agreement with Accelya, a global leader in airline technology solutions, to introduce NDC (New Distribution Capability) through FLX Select.

This agreement marks a deliberate step in the modernization of AZALs retail capabilities and aims to transform the way fares and ancillary services are created, distributed, and sold through indirect channels, including travel agencies and online platforms.

The implementation of FLX Select will enable AZAL to accelerate time-to-market for fares and ancillary products, ensure consistent and accurate content across all partner channels, and gradually move beyond the limitations of traditional distribution models. As a result, airline offers will become more transparent and relevant for passengers, while being more convenient and efficient for travel partners. FLX Select will also provide AZAL with direct connectivity to the global ecosystem of travel sellers and aggregators, allowing the airline to unlock the commercial value of NDC without complex and lengthy technical integrations.

FLX Select is part of Accelyas FLX ONE platform, powered by Amazon Web Services. Through its strategic collaboration with AWS, Accelya delivers scalable, secure cloud solutions that support the modernization of airline Offers and Orders. According to independent research firm T2RL, Accelya supports nearly 50 percent of global NDC transactions.
23 January 2026 17:56 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

A prominent composer, musicologist, public intellectual, and educator, Uzeyir Hajibayli laid the foundations of the country's professional music culture by bringing together Eastern musical tradition and Western compositional forms.

Through works that combined mugham with opera, symphonic thinking with folk intonation, he introduced a new musical language that was both national in spirit and modern in form. His legacy extends beyond composition: he established music education standards, wrote theoretical works, and helped define how Azerbaijani music would be taught, performed, and understood for generations.

It is in recognition of this enduring influence that the Uzeyir Hajibayli Award, established to mark the 140th anniversary of the composer's birth, has been presented in Baku, Azernews reports.

The award ceremony took place at Leopold and Mstislav Rostropovich No. 21 Eleven-Year Music School, with the participation of members of parliament and well-known figures from Azerbaijan's cultural and artistic circles.

Prior to the official proceedings, guests toured an exhibition dedicated to Uzeyir Hajibayli's life and creative path, offering a visual and archival perspective on his artistic journey.

Addressing the audience, Azerbaijan Culture Minister Adil Karimli stated that a wide range of projects commemorating the composer's 140th anniversary have been carried out both in Azerbaijan and abroad.

He underlined that improving the quality of arts education, raising professional standards, and strengthening the material and technical base of cultural institutions remain among the core priorities of state cultural policy.

The minister noted that these objectives are reflected in state programs, and that the Culture Ministry has recently initiated consistent reforms aimed at developing the music and arts education system.

It was emphasized that the competition held within the framework of the jubilee year holds particular importance for encouraging professional excellence among teachers working in music and arts education, revealing their creative potential, and ensuring the continuity of Azerbaijan's musical heritage.

A total of 66 teachers from music and art schools and centers in Baku and across the regions took part in the competition. Following the first round, selected participants advanced to the second stage, during which commission members reviewed video recordings of open lessons and assessed candidates according to professional criteria. As a result, 19 teachers were named winners.

In his speech, Adil Karimli expressed gratitude to the projects partners, with special thanks to the **Azerbaijan Trade Unions Confederation for its support.

The Chairman of the Azerbaijan Trade Unions Confederation, Sahib Mammadov, also addressed the event, noting the significance of holding such ceremonies in cultural institutions that have played an important role in the development of Azerbaijani music and the nurturing of young talent.

He pointed out that establishing the award and recognizing outstanding teachers in the field is a meaningful and exemplary initiative. Mammadov added that honoring 19 educators for their contributions serves as encouragement not only for the recipients but for the broader artistic community.

At the conclusion of his remarks, Sahib Mammadov thanked the organizers and the Culture Ministry, adding that close cooperation between institutions contributes to the successful realization of cultural projects.

The ceremony concluded with the presentation of cash prizes and diplomas to the award recipients, followed by a cultural program.
23 January 2026 14:13 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

The Hungarian National Museum has officially opened the international exhibition "Attila," dedicated to the ruler of the Hunnic Empire (434-453) and his legacy, Azernews reports Azertag.

Considered one of the largest cultural projects of recent years, the exhibition brings together approximately 400 rare artifacts from 64 museums across 13 countries.

The opening ceremony was attended by Hungary's Minister of Culture and Innovation Hanko Balazs, TURKSOY Secretary-General Sultan Raev, President of the International Turkic Academy Shahin Mustafayev as well as ambassadors from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Turkiye, along with numerous officials. Speakers highlighted Attila's role as a historical bridge between East and West.

Sultan Raev described the exhibition as a vivid expression of shared historical memory, emphasizing that Attilas legacy represents a unifying value for different peoples.

The exhibition showcases ornamental objects, weapons, and ceremonial items from Azerbaijan, Central Asia, and Europe, offering a unique glimpse into the cultural and material heritage associated with the Hunnic empire.

The exhibition titled "Attila" will remain open to visitors until July 12, 2026.
23 January 2026 15:24 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

Azerbaijan National Art Museum has hosted lecture on Mirza Gadim Iravani's artistic legacy, Azernews reports.

The lecture titled "The Memory Written in the Colors of Time: Mirza Gadim Iravani" was organized as part of the museum's "Lecture at the Museum" series.

The lecture was delivered by Ayten Ahmadova, Deputy Director for Research at the Azerbaijan National Museum of Art, PhD in Art History, and co-author of the book "Mirza Gadim Iravani: At the Crossroads of Time."

The presentation offered an in-depth exploration of the life and artistic legacy of Mirza Gadim Iravani, a prominent representative of 19th-century Azerbaijani visual art.

Particular attention was given to the historical and cultural environment in which the artist was formed, as well as to the defining features of his artistic style. Drawing on the results of extensive research conducted for the book, the lecture analyzed the historical context of Iravani's works, their artistic and aesthetic qualities, and their rich layers of symbolic meaning.

Held in the museum's exhibition hall, the lecture provided audiences with a unique opportunity to gain deeper insight into Mirza Gadim Iravanis oeuvre through his original and distinctive works.

At the conclusion of the well-received event, Professor Asgar Zeynalov, Doctor of Philology, a leading scholar who has conducted valuable research on Mirza Gadim Iravani's legacy, addressed the audience and shared his reflections on the artists personality and creative path.

Professor Zeynalov also presented the museum with a copy of his book "Intellectuals of Iravan" as a gift.

Founded in 1937, the Azerbaijan National Art Museum offers art connoisseurs some of the best examples of decorative-applied arts of Western Europe.

Over 3,000 items in 60 rooms are on permanent display at the museum, and around 12,000 items are kept in storage. Here, you can see masterpieces of the Italian, French, German, and Polish masters of the brush.

The museum has successfully organized and hosted numerous high-level international exhibitions, showcasing the works of renowned artists.

These exhibitions have not only attracted art enthusiasts but have also contributed to the cultural exchange between Azerbaijan and other countries.
23 January 2026 19:41 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

A concert program titled "Western Azerbaijan Ashig Art Today" has taken place at Shahriyar Cultural Center, Azernews reports.

The event is organized by the Culture That Unites Us Public Association (Bizi Birlsdirn Mdniyy), in partnership with the Agency for State Support to Non-Governmental Organizations and the Azerbaijan Ashigs Union.

In his speech, Chairman of the Culture That Unites Us Public Association Ramil Gasimov noted during the event that the concert was the first initiative within the organization's newly launched project titled "Our Musical Identity."

He pointed out that the project aims to shed light on the roots of Azerbaijani folk music, emphasize ashig art as an integral part of national identity, and present it more comprehensively to modern audiences, particularly to the younger generation.

Ramil Gasimov also noted that a series of events is planned within the framework of the project, adding that work is underway to organize "Epic Evenings". These programs will feature live performances, epic storytelling, musical accompaniment, and artistic presentation.

Chairperson of the Management Board of the State Support to Non-Governmental Organizations Aygun Aliyeva, stated that in recent years, the theme of return to Western Azerbaijan has become a priority in the agency's grant competitions. She emphasized that the issues arising from the "Concept of Return of Western Azerbaijanis", including peaceful return, are fundamental human rights.

In her speech, Aygun Aliyeva highly praised the Culture That Unites Us Public Association, which has been operating for about a year, for implementing a number of exemplary projects within a short period of time, and underlined that the agency will continue to support such professional and relevant initiatives.

Chairman of the Azerbaijan Ashigs Union, Maharram Gasimli spoke about the significant role of ashig art in shaping national and spiritual values.

He stressed the importance of preserving the rich heritage of the Western Azerbaijan Ashig tradition and passing it on to future generations. Gasimli also noted that in 2025, with the support of the State Support Agency for NGOs, the book titled "The Epic Repertoire of Western Azerbaijan Ashigs" was published.

The concert program featured various ashig melodies, folk tunes, and epic samples characteristic of the Western Azerbaijan Ashig tradition. Performances included "Irvan cuxuru" (lyrics by Ashig Ali) performed by Nabi Naghiyev and Nazim Guliyev, "Bas sartel" (lyrics by Ashig Alasgar) performed by Ali Panahoglu; "Bas muxmms" performed by Fatulla Goychali, Aladdin Goychali, and Imran Khalilov; "Huseyni" performed by Khanim Goychali; "Goyc gozllmsi" (lyrics by Isa Korpulu) performed by Imrali Fikratoglu; "Goycgulu"(lyrics by Mushgul Musa) performed by Aladdin Goychali; "Calpapaq" (lyrics by Iskandar Aghbabali) performed by Darya Mardanzade; and "Grayl" (lyrics by Algayit Khalilov) performed by Khanlar Algayit.

In addition, Ikhtiyar Hojayev, Leman Mirzayeva, Elmaddin Haji, and others presented outstanding examples of ashig art.
23 January 2026 18:32 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

An expanded meeting dedicated to the presentation of the "Azerbaijani Culture  2040" Cultural Concept has been held at the International Mugham Centre, Azernews reports.

The presentation was held with the participation of subordinate institutions of the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry.

The ceremony featured a speech by the Azerbaijan Culture Minister Adil Karimli, who provided a brief overview of the objectives of the Cultural Concept and the tasks ahead.

A specially prepared video clip about the concept was then screened, followed by a detailed presentation outlining its content.

Instructions were given to the Ministry's institutions regarding their roles and the projects to be implemented under this initiative.

On January 14, 2026, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree endorsing the "Azerbaijani Culture  2040" Cultural Concept, a long-term strategy intended to shape the country's cultural development over the next two decades.

The Concept focuses on balancing tradition with modernity, preserving national identity while promoting sustainable cultural growth and international engagement.

Its goal is to create a contemporary cultural framework that respects national and moral values and supports systematic, long-term development across all areas of culture.

Managed by the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry, the Concept outlines a phased, integrated approach to implementation in three stages: 20262030, 20312035, and 20362040, with each phase having defined objectives and institutional mechanisms to ensure progress.
23 January 2026 01:44 (UTC+04:00)

The post includes the words: President Ilham Aliyevs meetings on the margins of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting. Davos, January 19-22, 2026.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has shared a post on his social media account regarding the meetings he held on the margins of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, Azernews reports.

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23 January 2026 16:26 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Azerbaijans Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has received Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Vahid Jalalzadeh, who is on an official visit to Baku, to discuss bilateral relations, regional developments, and the latest situation in Iran, Azernews reports.

According to Azerbaijans Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meeting focused on the current agenda of Azerbaijani-Iranian cooperation in both bilateral and multilateral formats, as well as recent tensions inside Iran. Jalalzadeh briefed the Azerbaijani side on the unfolding developments, while Bayramov ed the importance of stability in Iran and conveyed condolences to the families of those killed in the recent events.

The sides highlighted that regular contacts between the presidents of the two countries, reciprocal visits, and sustained political dialogue have played a key role in strengthening friendly relations and expanding cooperation. The activities of the State Commission on Cooperation in the Economic, Trade and Humanitarian Fields between Azerbaijan and Iran were also positively assessed.

Special attention was given to cooperation in transport and communications. The ministers noted that several joint projects implemented by Azerbaijan and Iran contribute significantly to the development of regional transport corridors, enhancing connectivity and economic interaction across the wider region.

The meeting also included an exchange of views on other issues of mutual interest, reaffirming both countries commitment to continued dialogue and pragmatic cooperation.
23 January 2026 11:01 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

US President Donald Trump has proposed testing NATO forces by invoking relevant provisions of the alliances collective defense framework to prevent illegal migrants from entering the United States through its southern border.

Azernews reports, citing foreign media, Trump made the remarks in a post on his Truth Social platform.

He said that involving NATO would allow a significant number of US border patrol officers to be reassigned to other duties.

At the same time, in an interview with Fox Business, Trump stated that the United States has never truly needed NATO and has never seriously demanded anything from the alliance.

On January 20, the US president said that without his contribution to NATO, the alliance would not exist today. He also emphasized that no individual and no president has done more for NATO than President Trump.
23 January 2026 10:53 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Russian, Ukrainian and United States negotiators are set to hold talks in the United Arab Emirates on Friday, marking the first known meeting involving all three sides since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly four years ago, Azernews reports.

Officials describe the meeting as a cautious but significant diplomatic step amid stalled peace efforts and continued fighting.

The Kremlin confirmed Russias participation following a late-night meeting in Moscow between President Vladimir Putin and US envoys, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said the discussions were substantive, constructive and very frank, while stressing that any long-term settlement remains impossible without resolving territorial disputes.

According to Ushakov, Putin reiterated that Russia is sincerely interested in a diplomatic solution but made clear that Moscow would continue pursuing the objectives of its special military operation until territorial issues are settled. He referenced the so-called Anchorage formula, agreed during last years TrumpPutin summit in Alaska, as the basis for any durable peace.

Ukraine, however, remains firm that territorial concessions cannot be one-sided. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, President Volodymyr Zelensky criticised European allies for a lack of political will in confronting Russia, while acknowledging that the future status of eastern Ukrainian territories remains the central obstacle.

Its all about the land. This is the issue which is not solved yet, Zelensky said, adding that the Russians have to be ready for compromises, not only Ukraine.

One of the key sticking points is Moscows demand that Kyiv relinquish control over the remaining 25 percent of the Donetsk region still held by Ukrainian forces. Zelensky has countered with a proposal to withdraw troops by up to 40 kilometres from parts of Donbas to create a demilitarised free economic zone, provided Russia does the same. The US-backed plan reportedly links such an arrangement to robust security guarantees for Ukraine.

The seriousness of the Abu Dhabi talks is reflected in the seniority of the delegations. Ukraines team includes National Security and Defence Council head Rustem Umerov, intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov, negotiator David Arakhamia, and Chief of the General Staff Andrii Hnatov. Russias delegation will be led by GRU Director General Igor Kostyukov, while investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev is expected to hold parallel discussions with US representatives on economic issues.

Another unresolved issue looming over the talks is the future of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, seized by Russian forces in March 2022 and regarded by Kyiv as non-negotiable. Zelensky has also confirmed that he reached a preliminary understanding with Trump on future US security guarantees for Ukraine, though any agreement would require approval by both the US Congress and Ukraines parliament.

While expectations of an immediate breakthrough remain low, the Abu Dhabi meeting signals a shift from indirect contacts to structured trilateral engagement. Analysts suggest the talks could lay the groundwork for a phased process, beginning with confidence-building measures, energy and infrastructure security, and limited demilitarisation, before addressing the most contentious territorial questions.

For Washington, the talks offer a chance to test whether Moscow is prepared to move beyond battlefield logic toward a negotiated framework. Donald Trump stated on Thursday that it would be an act of 'stupidity' if Ukraine stalls the next steps of the negotiations. For Kyiv, they provide an opportunity to anchor any future deal in firm security guarantees. For Russia, participation allows it to reassert its conditions while probing the limits of Western unity.

Whether the UAE talks become a turning point or merely another diplomatic waypoint will depend on whether the land question, the core of the conflict, can move from rigid positions to negotiated compromise.
23 January 2026 11:21 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

United States President Donald Trump said a US naval armada was heading towards the Gulf region, with Iran being the focus, as officials said an aircraft carrier strike group and other assets would arrive in the Middle East in the coming days, Azernews reports via CNBC.

Were watching Iran, Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Thursday as he flew back from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. We have a big force going towards Iran, Trump said. Id rather not see anything happen, but were watching them very closely, he said.

And maybe we wont have to use it  we have a lot of ships going that direction, just in case, we have a big flotilla going in that direction, and well see what happens, he added. Trumps announcement on the US naval buildup comes after he appeared to back-pedal last week on his threats of military action against Iran after he said, receiving assurances that Tehran would carry out no executions of protesters.

Trumps confirmation of continued military preparations in the region follows US media reports from the past week that the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and its strike group of vessels were ordered to divert from maneuvers in the South China Sea to the Middle East. Speaking on Thursday, Trump reiterated that his earlier threats to use force against Tehran had stopped authorities in Iran from executing more than 800 protesters, and he again said he was open to talking with the countrys leadership.

Iranian officials have denied plans to execute people who had taken part in the widespread anti-government protests that began in late December and which Iranian state media said left 3,117 people dead, including 2,427 civilians and members of the security forces. Speaking to US broadcaster CNBC on Wednesday, Trump said he hoped there would not be further US military action against Iran, but also said the US would act if Tehran resumed its nuclear programme.

They cant do the nuclear, Trump told CNBC in an interview in Davos.

If they do it, its going to happen again, the president said, referring to US air strikes on Irans nuclear facilities in June 2025 when Washington joined Israels 12-day war on the country.

Washington last ordered a major military build-up in the Middle East in advance of its attacks in June, and officials later boasted about how it had kept its intention to strike Tehrans nuclear programme a secret at the time.
23 January 2026 13:17 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Iran has sharply responded to accusations voiced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the World Economic Forum in Davos, stressing that the country is fully capable of defending itself.

According to Azernews, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made the statement in a post on his official X account, directly addressing Zelenskys remarks and calls directed at the international community.

Zelensky has been rinsing American and European taxpayers to fill the pockets of his corrupt generals and to confront what he calls an unlawful aggression in violation of the UN Charter. At the same time, he openly and unashamedly calls for unlawful U.S. aggression against Iran in violation of the same UN Charter. The world has had enough of Confused Clowns, Mr. Zelensky. Unlike your foreign-backed and mercenary-infested military, we Iranians know how to defend ourselves and have no need to beg foreigners for help, Araghchi wrote.

The reaction followed Zelenskys speech at the World Economic Forum, where he accused the international community of remaining passive in the face of protests in Iran and failing to stand with the Iranian people.
23 January 2026 17:08 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Indias Reliance Industries Ltd is set to resume buying sanctionscompliant Russian crude oil in February and March, four sources told Reuters, even after a monthlong halt in imports of Moscowsourced barrels, Azernews reports.

The private energy giant, which operates the worlds largest refining complex in Jamnagar, Gujarat, will source Russian crude from nonsanctioned suppliers to comply with current Western restrictions. The company last received Russian barrels in December 2025 after securing a temporary waiver from the United States that allowed it to wind down dealings with the sanctioned producer Rosneft beyond a November 21 compliance deadline.

Sources said the volume of cargoes booked for February and March has not been disclosed, and it remains unclear whether Reliance will continue Russian imports beyond March. Analysts expect Indias total imports of Russian oil to remain limited in coming months as refiners recalibrate supply strategies amid tightened sanctions and shifting market dynamics.

Like other Indian refiners, Reliance will avoid sanctioned suppliers while expanding purchases of crude from alternative sources, particularly in the Middle East, as part of a broader diversification of crude procurement.

The decision to reprise Russian oil imports comes against a backdrop of evolving geopolitical pressure, including highlevel US and EU sanctions targeting Russian oil firms and refined product exports, prompting refiners to adapt operations to remain compliant with global trade rules.

Background: Reliance had paused Russian crude deliveries in January following an earlier halt in November, when it stopped imports under longterm arrangements to ensure compliance with new European Union productorigin policies. It had previously resumed discounted Russian supplies in late 2025 via nonsanctioned channels, reflecting ongoing commercial flexibility in a complex sanctions landscape.

The move highlights the continued interplay between sanctions policy and global oil trade, with major energy buyers like India balancing compliance pressures with the commercial imperative to secure costcompetitive energy supplies.
23 January 2026 14:47 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Germanys Federal Foreign Office announced on Thursday that it summoned Russias ambassador and informed him of the expulsion of a person accused of espionage in Germany, Azernews reports via Deutsche Welle.

The move follows the arrest of a woman suspected of providing information related to the war in Ukraine.

In a social media statement, the Foreign Office said the German government does not tolerate espionage on its soil, particularly under diplomatic cover, and confirmed that the individual was acting on behalf of Russia.

Separately, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said the person concerned at the Russian Embassy had been declared persona non grata with immediate effect.

The expulsion was said to relate to the arrested suspected spy's handler, the embassy's deputy military attache.

The detained German-Ukrainian national was named by the Federal Prosecutor General at the Federal Court of Justice as Ilona W., in accordance with German privacy rules. She was said to have been in contact with a man working for Russian intelligence at the Russian Embassy in Berlin since at least November 2023.

W. allegedly provided information about defense industry locations, drone tests and planned drone deliveries to Ukraine.

On several occasions, she allegedly helped her contact at the embassy attend political events in Berlin under a false identity in order to establish contacts there. She is also suspected of having compiled background information on participants in high-level political events.

The suspected Russian spy is in pretrial detention following her arrest in Berlin on Wednesday.

The expulsion will not go unanswered, the Russian Embassy said later on Thursday, claiming that Berlin "had chosen to further escalate Russian-German relations, using clearly fabricated pretexts to do so."
23 January 2026 15:04 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Peace talks between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States have officially started in Abu Dhabi, marking the first direct trilateral negotiations since the full-scale Russian invasion nearly four years ago, Azernews reports via Sky News.

It remains unclear whether Ukrainian and Russian delegations are meeting in the same room, but both sides have confirmed participation. The Kremlin stated that the talks will build on discussions held yesterday between President Vladimir Putin and US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Kyiv is sending lead negotiator Rustem Umerov and President Zelenskyys chief of staff Kyrylo Budanov, while Moscow will be represented by Admiral Igor Kostyukov alongside senior defence ministry officials.

Territorial issues expected to dominate

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that the talks will address territorial disputes, with the eastern Donetsk region as a major sticking point. Russia demands that Ukraine cede the 20% of Donetsk it still controls, while Kyiv refuses to give up territory it has defended at high cost over the past years.

The outcome of these talks could reshape the conflicts trajectory, potentially setting the stage for future security guarantees, economic zones, or demilitarized arrangements, but success remains uncertain given the high stakes and entrenched positions on both sides.
23 January 2026 20:09 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Spain will not take part in the Board of Peace initiative launched by U.S. President Donald Trump to tackle global conflicts, saying the decision was consistent with its belief in multilateralism and the United Nations system, Azernews reports.

"We appreciate the invitation, but we decline," Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told reporters late on Thursday after an EU summit in Brussels.

Washington says the body will help broker and monitor ceasefires, organise security arrangements and coordinate rebuilding in places emerging from war. The concept stems from Trump's Gaza peace plan.

Missing from the board's launch ceremony held at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland's Davos on Thursday were traditional U.S. allies such as Canada, Britain, and all European Union members except Hungary and Bulgaria.

Sanchez cited consistency with Madrid's commitment to international law, the U.N. and multilateralism as the main reasons it was declining to participate.

Sanchez also said the Board of Peace did not include the Palestinian Authority.

Around 60 countries received invitations from U.S. President Donald Trump to join the Board of Peace. The following countries have been invited to participate as founding members. Countries that wish to be permanent members of the Board of Peace must pay US$1 billion into a fund controlled by Chairman Donald Trump; otherwise, they will serve a 3-year term, which may be renewed at the discretion of the Chairman.

The full list goes like this:
23 January 2026 22:05 (UTC+04:00)

by Alimat Aliyeva

The trade union of Hyundai Motor in South Korea has firmly opposed the use of humanoid robots in production lines without the agreement of employees, Azernews reports.

No humanoid robot will be allowed on production lines without a clear agreement between workers and management, the union stated.

Representing around 40,000 members, the union expressed concern over Hyundais new robot, Atlas, unveiled at CES 2026 in Las Vegas. Industry representatives worry that the introduction of humanoid robots could threaten employment opportunities in factories, particularly in the automotive sector.

The robot, developed by Boston Dynamics, is intended for use in Hyundais industrial production, mainly in automobile plants. These robots cost about 200 million won (US$136,000) each, with annual maintenance around 14 million won (US$9,500). Unlike human workers, Atlas can operate 1824 hours a day, while a typical Hyundai employee works 810 hours at an annual cost of approximately 130 million won (US$88,200).

The announcement has also had a financial impact: Hyundai Motor shares have risen over 70% since the beginning of the year, as investors anticipate that advances in AI and robotics could significantly cut costs and boost productivity.

Interestingly, some analysts suggest that rather than fully replacing human workers, robots like Atlas could take over repetitive or hazardous tasks, allowing employees to focus on higher-skill roles. This raises the possibility of a hybrid factory model where humans and robots collaboratepotentially transforming the future of manufacturing.
23 January 2026 23:30 (UTC+04:00)

by Alimat Aliyeva

The Russian luxury brand Caviar, renowned for its custom smartphones, has taken a bold step into robotics by creating the worlds first luxury-designed robot, based on the Unitree G1 platform, Azernews reports.

The robot has been christened Aladdin, and its appearance lives up to its name: the case is adorned with gold inlays and precious stones, evoking the elegance of aristocratic robes. The design transforms a high-tech humanoid into a statement piece for collectors and enthusiasts of luxury tech.

As with all of Caviars creations, Aladdin is not a mass-market product. Each unit is made exclusively to individual orders, with prices estimated around $100,000 per robot.

The Unitree G1, developed by the Chinese robotics company Unitree, serves as a high-performance foundation. It is a compact, bipedal humanoid robot combining exceptional agilitycapable of running and performing somersaultswith functional manipulator arms. Its capabilities make it suitable for scientific applications, demonstrations, and even industrial tasks, blending luxury with utility.

Interestingly, some tech analysts suggest that this project could spark a new niche market where robotics meets high-end design. Future luxury robots may combine art, technology, and AI, serving not just as functional machines but also as status symbols for collectors and early adopters.
A HMO application for a house in the Tates Avenue area by the Belfast Juice Jar founder has been rejected.

The application was unanimously refused by elected representatives at the January meeting of the Belfast City Council licensing committee, on the basis of overprovision in the area.

The application was for 65 Tates Avenue, by Remark Group, which is directed by Sam Shephard, a former Royal Marine and hedge fund manager from Armagh city, who owns the Juice Jar chain in Belfast and beyond.

Speaking before the licensing committee on Wednesday at City Hall, Mr Shephard ironically referred to himself as the big bad landlord and said not succeeding in the application would halve his entire net worth.

Last year he won 150,000 for the top award at the North-South Business Cooperation Awards, a cash prize designed to aid the growth of business. The awards were set up by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, the easyJet founder.

Houses of Multiple Occupation, also known as a house-share residencies, which landlords lease out to three or more tenants from different addresses, have become increasingly controversial, with some arguing they have negatively affected communities and led to anti-social behaviour in places like the Holylands and Stranmillis in south Belfast.

Applications for new HMO licences have increased in other parts of the city in recent years. A series of applications have been refused across the city, but many applicants are successfully appealing the decisions via the Planning Appeals Commission.

HMO licence renewal cannot be refused on the basis of overprovision of such properties in an area, but new licences can be refused on this basis.

While the council policy is that HMOs should not account for more than 20% of any area of housing management, in reality many streets exceed this, with some in the Holylands reaching over 90%. Outside housing policy areas the threshold is 10%.

In the Tates Avenue case a new licence application was required from the council after ownership of the property was transferred from the individuals name to the individuals business.

The council report on the application states: The property had the benefit of an HMO licence issued by the council with a start date of 20 January 2021 and an expiry date of the 20 January 2026 in the name of Mr Sam Shephard.

The ownership of the property transferred to Remark Group Ltd, with an assignment date of 28 June 2023. Mr. Sam Shephard is a director of the Remark Group Ltd.

In accordance with Section 28 Change of ownership: effect on licence of the 2016 Act, the licence in the name of Mr Sam Shephard ceased to have effect on the date of transfer.

An application for a new HMO licence was received from Remark Group Ltd on 30 September 2025. The property was inspected on 17 October 2025 at which time it was vacant.

65 Tates Avenue is in the housing management area Edinburgh Street, where 48% of all dwelling units are made up of HMOs. This exceeds the 20% development limit.

Sam Shephard, Juice Jar owner. Picture by Peter Morrison

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Mr Shephard told the licensing committee on Wednesday: Obviously I am the big bad landlord here in the grand scheme of things, but for me personally this is a huge financial loss, and that is why I am here today. Effectively overnight this decision has halved my entire net worth, in other words this home is all I own.

He said the Tates Avenue property was a small nest-egg for his family and said the property transfer was an honest mistake after he was advised to move it to a limited company.

Sinn Fein Councillor Caoimhin McCann proposed the application be refused on the basis of overprovision, and the committee agreed.
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?
Belfast City Council is to suspend its use of X after widespread concern over the use of its AI chatbot Grok.

Elon Musks company X, formerly Twitter, has been under fire for the use of the platform Grok to create sexually exploitative content from peoples images.

The Belfast Telegraph understands that the decision is to be ratified at the councils first meeting in February.

The proposal for the councils official X account to be suspended was put forward by the SDLPs Seamas de Faoite and Brian Smyth from the Green Party.

It was voted for by 15 councillors from Alliance, Sinn Fein, SDLP, and the Greens  with four DUP members opposing.

When ratified, the decision means that Belfast City Councils handle or username is going to be suspended.

It wont be deactivated as that could lead to someone else taking the username, which is @belfastcc.

SDLP MLA Cara Hunter welcomed the news, stating: This is a fantastic step forward, protecting women and girls online must be a priority, and this decision shows the Council is taking it seriously.

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Grok is the conversational artificial intelligence software, built within X and designed to answer questions and generate content directly within the social media platform.

Grok also includes image-creation features, which have sparked widespread backlash this month due to those tools being widely used create sexualised and non-consensual images, including deepfake-style images of women and, in the most serious allegations, sexualised images of children.

The BBC has verified numerous examples circulating on the platform, with some victims reporting dozens or even hundreds of altered images made without their consent.

After mounting criticism, X said it had implemented technological measures to prevent Grok from editing images of real people in revealing clothing  including limiting features of Grok to paying customers.

But concerns have now prompted a formal investigation by Ofcom under the Online Safety Act. The regulator says it has received deeply concerning reports about the way Grok is being used, and will assess whether X failed to remove illegal material swiftly enough or put adequate safeguards in place to stop UK users from encountering it.

If breaches are identified, X could be fined up to 10% of its global turnover or 18 million, whichever is greater. In the most serious cases, Ofcom also has the power to seek a court order that could block access to the platform in the UK entirely.

X has argued that responsibility rests with users, citing a warning that anyone who prompts Grok to generate illegal content would face the same consequences as if they had uploaded it themselves. Elon Musk has gone further, claiming the investigation is politically motivated and accusing the UK government of seeking any excuse for censorship.

Belfast City Hall

X is acting to comply with UK law, Starmer tells MPs amid Grok row

Cara Hunter told the Belfast Telegraph that the use of online AI tools like Grok to create sexualised images of women and children has been an issue for some time, with thousands of new victims being created every single day.

" This is extremely distressing and dehumanising for victims and it happens because those in charge of these platforms allow it to happen, with a continued online wild west that lets people say and do whatever they like with almost total impunity, the East Derry MLA continued.

"These images stretch far beyond online abuse and could be used for bullying, blackmail, exploiting children and in domestic situations as a form of control.

There are no easy solutions to this problem, but we must learn from the work going on across Europe and around the world to try and force providers to take responsibility for material posted on their platforms and to ensure that perpetrators cant hide behind online anonymity.

We also need to see greater investment in the PSNIs cybercrime team to build on the good work already ongoing and for them to work in partnership with the Department of Justice to better understand these offences, create new laws and ensure that support is in place for victims.

Ms Hunter recently said she could not in good conscience continue to post on the app, and has since quit using it herself.
Sir Keir Starmer brands Mr Trump's remarks as insulting and frankly appalling

An MLA who lost both his legs while serving in Afghanistan has written to the US President outlining the harm and hurt his comments about British troops have caused to veterans.

Donald Trump suggested in an interview with Fox News that Nato allied troops "stayed a little off the front lines" in Afghanistan.

Andy Allen, who almost died when an improvised explosive device detonated during a patrol in Helmand Province in 2008, urged Mr Trump to apologise.

It came as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer branded the remarks as insulting and frankly appalling.

Mr Allens correspondence was sent to the White House this morning.

The former Royal Irish Regiment soldier said he had spoken to other veterans overwhelmed with emotion.

We are upset and disappointed that he would describe the contribution of UK forces in that way, Mr Allen told the Belfast Telegraph.

Andy Allen MLA

Trumps Afghanistan claim utterly ridiculous says minister and veteran Carns

"They certainly dont, and I certainly don't think we stayed a little back  we were certainly engaged on the front line, day and daily, in a war that was fundamentally to support our US allies after the brutal and barbaric 9/11 attacks.

Mr Allen, who also lost most of his eyesight on the frontline, has told President Trump that his view does not reflect reality.

It wasnt the experience of those of us on the ground. I highlighted the fact that I myself was injured in Afghanistan, while supporting our American allies in a shared NATO mission," he said.

British and allied troops were engaged in sustained frontline combat for many years, often in extremely dangerous conditions from Helmand to Kandahar.

He should also acknowledge the sacrifice made and service provided by other nations and NATO allies

"They faced daily enemy contact, constant threat from improvised explosive devices, and experienced significant loss of life."

A total of 457 UK Army personnel were killed during the Afghanistan campaign with thousands more wounded and left with life-changing injuries  405 of the fatalities were as a result of hostile military action.

Among them was Corporal Channing Day (25) from Comber.

The young medic was training local police in the Nahr-e-Saraj district of Helmand province when she was killed in a gun attack, which also claimed the life of Royal Marine Corporal David OConnor (27) on October 24, 2012.

The late Corporal Channing Day served with the 3 Medical Regiment.

Mr Trump was speaking to Fox News when he repeated his suggestion that NATO would not support America if asked to.

Weve never needed them," he added.

Theyll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.

Mr Allen branded the claim as deeply disrespectful and traumatic to all those who contributed to the mission  including those left disillusioned following the chaotic withdrawal under President Joe Biden in 2021.

The UUP representative has previously spoken about feeling let down as a result of the Afghan people being failed by the two-fold mission, which sought to dismantle Al Qaedas safe haven and give natives the tools to build a better country.

Mr Allen called on Mr Trump to say sorry and consider the impact of his remarks.

I know the president is an extremely busy man and not likely to read anything I have sent, but I hope enough people around him will take the time to make their feelings known and cause him to reflect and accept that his comments are not based in reality.

This is a man who doesnt understand service because he dodged the draft and now he is insulting those who served their country

"He should also acknowledge the sacrifice made and service provided by other nations and NATO allies  I have many American friends who certainly recognise our contribution and value the support we gave on the front line with them.

"An apology would be recognition that the president accepts his comments were not based in reality  is an apology too late for the hurt and trauma caused? I would say it probably is, but I still think it would be a good start.

Fellow UUP MLA and former Army captain Doug Beattie, who was awarded the Military Cross for his service in Afghanistan, said Mr Trump has trampled over the memories of those who perished in the conflict.

Doug Beattie while serving in the military

The veteran, who served three tours of duty, said people need to remember it was the US which invoked Article 5 of the NATO charter, before other member states responded to the call, as he urged leaders to stand up to Mr Trumps bullying.

This is a man who doesnt understand service because he dodged the draft and now he is insulting those who served their country, he added.

The Upper Bann representative, whose bravery during several days of intense fighting in September 2006, was acknowledged with the third-highest award for gallantry, accused the president of insulting Mr Allen, as well as many other veterans.

There was no sliding off to the back line, we fought together, Mr Beattie continued.

"I fought with US colleagues and I fought beside the Danish who lost more per capita than any other nation.

I shared their hardships, I shared their pain, I watched them wounded, I carried their bodies when they were killed, I felt their grief and we had to carry on together.

The Prime Minister condemned Mr Trump's remarks.

Sir Keir said: "I consider President Trump's remarks to be insulting and frankly appalling and I am not surprised they have caused such hurt to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured and, in fact, across the country."

Sir Keir said he would apologise if he had said the words used by Mr Trump.
The Presbyterian Church in Ireland has revealed its shortlist of nominees to become the 180th Moderator with a female cleric back on the ticket.

Four ministers are in the running to obtain the Churchs highest office with 19 Presbyteries due to meet on February 3 when they will choose the next leader to guide them through a turbulent time.

The PCI said that while that process has not changed, the position that PCI finds itself since the last election of February 2025 has changed.

Acting Clerk of the General Assembly, Dr Rev David Allen, reiterated his message first delivered at an emergency meeting in December that we cant unthinkingly behave as if it is business as usual.

On Friday he insisted that leaders recognise the role of Moderator would have a different emphasis and will be primarily a pastoral moderatorship.

Rev Mairisine Stanfield

As I said at the time, every Moderator plays a pastoral role, encouraging, praying for and being with the Church, being with members, elders and ministers, preaching on Sundays and visiting presbyteries, Rev Allen continued.

In our current circumstances that aspect of the role will increase and become more significant. It needs to be different and along with that, invitations to some public events will be respectfully declined."

Rev Mairisine Stanfield, who leads City Church in Bangor is once again among the contenders. She has previously been an unsuccessful candidate.

Rev Dr Jonathan Curry from First Magherafelt Presbyterian Church is also on the list alongside Rev Ker Graham who leads Clarkesbridge & First Newtownhamilton Presbyterian Church and Garmanys Grove and McKelveys Grove Presbyterian Churches.

Rev Dr Jonathan Curry

Rev Richard Kerr, the minister of Templepatrick Presbyterian Church, is also in the running.

Whoever gets the most votes will become the Moderator-Designate before being formally installed at the General Assembly meeting in June.

They will replace the current Moderator Rev Richard Murray who was re-installed to the position on December 1 2025 following the unprecedented resignation of Dr Rev Trevor Gribben.

Rev Gribbens shock departure as a result of the ongoing safeguarding scandal has left PCI grappling with a crisis of its own making.

Senior leaders have apologised to congregations across the island for inexcusable and distressing safeguarding failures.

Rev Dr Jonathan Curry, Rev Ker Graham, Rev Richard Kerr and Rev Mairisine Stanfield make PCI Moderator shortlist

Head of Presbyterian Church in Ireland to step down over safeguarding failures

Rev Allen has previously acknowledged that people have been let down through past actions or a lack of action.

We have put people at risk, and we know that some people have been harmed, he admitted.

A PSNI investigation into the safeguarding failures continues.

A spokesperson for PCI said the four nominees have a combined 110 years of experience of ministry as a result of serving in 10 congregations across the island over the past four decades.

Rev Richard Kerr

Names of candidates began being put forward in the autumn when the church was thrown into chaos in the run up to Christmas.

Those who made an initial long-list would have been contacted to confirm their willingness to take on the role before the shortlist was revealed.

Rev Allen said all ministers and the representative elder from each congregation within the presbyterys bounds will have a vote on their preferred candidate before the presbyterys single vote is then given to the person who receives the majority of ballots cast.

Rev Ker Graham

The minister with the support of most presbyteries at the end of the evening will become the Moderator-Designate.

"Should there be a tied vote when presbyteries meet, which last happened in 2014, they will remain in session and vote again. This time, only those who tied in the first round will be considered in the second, Rev Allen continued.

This is a prayerful, open, democratic and a very Presbyterian process. This year especially, I would ask my brothers and sisters in Christ across our Church, especially members of presbytery who will be voting, to pray earnestly for the Lords guidance and for the person chosen to be our Moderator in the times that we find ourselves.

"I look forward to working with them, whoever is called to serve and lead us.

Rev Stanfield, if successful, would become the first woman to hold the top position.

However, she has been unsuccessful in 2019, 2020 and 2024.

Rev Dr Jonathan Curry, Rev Ker Graham, Rev Richard Kerr and Rev Mairisine Stanfield make PCI Moderator shortlist

Evidence heard at Noah Donohoe inquest: Mother says disappearance "totally out of character"

Her last run for office would have seen her succeed Rev Dr Sam Mawhinney who was vocal about his opposition to women being ordained.

My own personal position is that I am not in favour of the ordination of women, he said previously.

Thats a position that I hold, but I respect the Presbyterian Churchs view and there are people that disagree with me on that.

I dont want to make it a primary issue, but it is something that I hold.
An extensive search operation is continuing for a missing Belfast man, as the police have said his family are enduring a very painful time.

Gary Bain, aged 37, was last seen in the Ormeau Bridge area of the city on Wednesday morning.

Police have said searches remain ongoing and are again appealing to the public for information.

Chief Inspector Mark Conway said officers are working closely with partner agencies, as the search enters its second day.

We understand the communitys concern and know that this is a very painful time for Garys family, he said.

Emergency services at an incident on the Ormeau Embankment this morning. - Photo Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press

We want to assure them that we are working hard to find Gary with the assistance of our colleagues from NI Fire and Rescue Service, Coastguard and voluntary partners from Community Rescue Service.

"All these enquiries are being coordinated by a Police Search Adviser (POLSA).

We are now on day two since Gary was last seen. The public will have seen police and emergency services in the area conducting ongoing searches and this will continue, with searches around the River Lagan area.

The Chief Inspector also thanked members of the public who have already come forward with information.

Wed like to thank those who have contacted us with details of Garys movements on Wednesday morning, he added.

Gary Bain

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Police are asking anyone who may have seen Gary in the days leading up to Wednesday, particularly on Tuesday in Belfast city centre, or in the Annadale Embankment, Botanic and Ormeau Road areas between 1am and 6am on Wednesday morning, to get in touch.

Drivers who were travelling in the Ormeau Road area during that time are also being urged to review dash-cam footage for any potential sightings.

This information would be key to our search, Chief Inspector Conway added.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Service of Northern Ireland on 101, quoting reference 174 of 21/01/2026. In an emergency, call 999.
Good Friday Agreement negotiator Sir Reg Empey has warned that efforts to model any future disarmament of Hamas on the Northern Ireland peace process, risk misunderstanding both conflicts.

The former UUP leaders comments come after reports that Jonathan Powell - the former Downing Street chief of staff who played a central role in the NI peace process - has been advising Sir Keir Starmer on the next phase of ceasefire negotiations in Gaza.
Irelands Justice Minister and the head of the Irish policy service have welcomed the establishment of a dedicated unit for handling Troubles-related legacy cases.

The Garda Troubles Legacy Liaison Unit was established as part of a joint framework on the Troubles announced by the British and Irish governments in September.

It is designed to act as a single point of contact for UK authorities seeking co-operation on cases, as well as a source for victims and families to inquire about Troubles-related investigations by An Garda Siochana.

Justice Minister Jim OCallaghan welcomed the move (Brian Lawless/PA)

Minister Jim OCallaghan said the unit was part of the Irish Governments commitment to play our full part in legacy processes and address the legacy of the conflict in this jurisdiction.

He added: Reciprocal co-operation is at the heart of the joint framework and it is my hope that engagement by the authorities on both sides of the border under the framework will assist families in their pursuit of truth, accountability and, where possible, justice.

I have heard from victims and families in Troubles-related cases that many feel that time is running out for them, so I want to thank the Garda Commissioner for moving quickly to establish this new unit.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said: The aim is that the unit will make the journey of navigating Troubles-related cases easier for the victims and families involved, while also supporting the wider work being conducted in securing truth, accountability and, where possible, justice.

The unit was also welcomed by Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn as good news for those seeking answers about the deaths of their loved ones.

However, TUV leader and MP Jim Allister described the unit as a whitewash of the Republic of Irelands role in the Troubles.

He said: The announcement of a Legacy Liaison Unit by the Garda is a gross insult to the countless innocent victims across Northern Ireland because of the fact that the Irish Republic acted as a safe haven from which terrorists could launch attacks at will.

An Garda Siochana Commissioner Justin Kelly (Niall Carson/PA)

The Irish Department of Justice said the unit will endeavour to answer questions from victims and provide family reports where possible.

Mr Allister said this wording falls short of a commitment to pursue justice or open garda files to examine alleged collusion.

He said: What a contrast with the legacy mechanisms being set up by the UK Government, which have been changed specifically because of Dublins demands.

It is an indictment of our own Government that they are keen to bow to Irish pressure when the arrangements in the south are so derisory.

In the Irish Republic there is to be no truth, no justice and no reckoning  merely a cosmetic exercise designed to manage victims expectations while protecting the state from scrutiny.

The investigation of Troubles-related incidents within the Republic of Ireland will continue to be undertaken by the relevant Garda division, in consultation with the new liaison unit.

The Department of Justice said the work of the liaison unit will depend on the progress made by the UK Government in enacting the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill and the full operation of the reformed Legacy Commission.
The Irish Government is agreed on whether to join Donald Trumps so-called Board of Peace, the deputy premier Simon Harris has said.

The Tanaiste said they had concerns about its very peculiar governance structure and the involvement of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Foreign affairs minister Helen McEntee said the Irish Government had asked for clarification on whether the groups remit would focus on Gaza and on the one billion dollar price tag.

The board approved by the UN in November had expected to be a small group of figures overseeing the ceasefire in Gaza, but appears to have evolved into a wider organisation.

At a signing event held at Davos on Thursday, the US president said the group had the chance to be one of the most consequential bodies ever created, and that he was honoured to be its chairman.

Among the invitees to the board are Mr Putin, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Belarusian leader Aleksandr Lukashenko.

Irish premier Micheal Martin said while they have concerns, Ireland is anxious to contribute to conflict resolution in Gaza, while deputy premier Simon Harris told the Irish Parliament he cannot see any scenario in which Ireland joins the board in its current guise.

Asked about whether the two comments indicate a divergence of stances, Mr Harris said the two things are consistent and he and Mr Martin were agreed on the very significant red flags.

I cant see any scenario in which Ireland can take (a) place on the Board of Peace, the Tanaiste said at Government Buildings in Dublin.

Helen McEntee, right, insisted the Government is at one on the issue (Brian Lawless/PA)

A board that President Putin has been invited to? I mean, theres a complete oxymoron, Putin and peace.

Secondly, youre paying a billion dollars? We wont be doing that. And thirdly, the idea that youd end up setting up some form of a structure that I think essentially would compete with the United Nations or something is very hard to understand.

I was reading its charter and its governance structure yesterday, the president of the United States would get to pick his successor, could decide who has to leave the board, who could come on the board.

So could you have a situation where somebody would raise a viewpoint and speak up for the values of their country, and youd be kicked off the board?

He said Ireland would consider joining a board that would oversee peace in Gaza and consider financially contributing in any manner or means.

I just think what weve seen in the last number of days, though, quite frankly and respectfully, has nothing to do with the UN decision (on) 17 November in relation to a comprehensive peace plan for Gaza.

Ms McEntee said earlier on Friday that her party leader Mr Harris and Mr Martin were at one on this issue.

We are very clear that the Board of Peace, as it was voted for in the UN Security Council, was to focus solely on Gaza, on the next stages of the peace plan, on rebuilding Gaza, but what has become very clear and apparent is that it has a much wider remit.

We have been asking for clarifications on whether or not the remit could focus solely on Gaza, so if that doesnt change, I think the Tanaiste is right. We dont see a way in which we can join this.

She said clarification is being sought on a number of issues, including the one billion dollar price tag for joining.

We cannot join a structure that essentially will try to mimic or undermine the UN Security Council, she said.

We do have to get clarification on a number of things, and one of them being the price tag, I suppose, or the request of financial support that is due to come in after three years of membership.

So again, its not clear if the boards main focus is on Gaza, on the reconstruction of Gaza.

We would hope that so much progress can be made within those three years, so what happens after that.

So the reason that were not saying no to this immediately is, I think we need to get more answers. We need to get more clarification.
Speculation is mounting in Westminster that Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham could use an upcoming by-election in Gorton and Denton to return to Parliament (Danny Lawson/PA)

Andy Burnham faces pressure to decide whether he will attempt to return to Westminster after a Greater Manchester MP announced he would quit the Commons.

Andrew Gwynne said on Thursday he would stand down as MP for Gorton and Denton citing significant ill health and advice from his doctor not to return to work.

His decision means a by-election in the constituency, which he won comfortably in 2024, and opens a possible route back to the Commons for the Greater Manchester mayor widely believed to have ambitions to lead the Labour Party.

Mr Burnham has yet to comment on whether he will apply to be Labours candidate in the up-coming by-election.

Andrew Gwynnes decision to leave Parliament has paved the way for a possible Westminster return for Andy Burnham (Jacob King/PA)

But before Mr Gwynnes announcement, the mayor said he was in the dark about the MPs plans, adding: People shouldnt rush to conclusions.

Some Labour backbenchers have suggested they would welcome Mr Burnhams return, with one telling the Press Association it would be lovely and things were looking up for the first time in 18 months.

Mr Burnham faces several hurdles if he is to use this moment to return to Westminster.

His candidacy will have to be approved by Labours National Executive Committee (NEC), which has been seen as under the control of Sir Keir Starmers supporters.

The Prime Minister himself would not be drawn on Thursday on whether Mr Burnham should stand, saying the NEC would set out the process for choosing a candidate and adding that he was doing an excellent job as mayor of Manchester.

But reports suggest Sir Keirs allies are already mobilising to block Mr Burnhams candidacy, arguing it would destabilise the Government.

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy called for party unity, regardless of Mr Burnhams intention.

He told the BBCs Political Thinking with Nick Robinson podcast: I dont know if Andy really wants to get back into Westminster politics.

He may do, and theres much merit to him. But I would caution those often around folk that start to destabilise the ship and say that we can have a new leader. No, we cant. Because immediately youd be forced to have an election, premature probably.

On Thursday, a source close to the NEC said it was hard to tell whether the mayor would be approved as a candidate for the contest, with support among the partys ruling body not clear.

But a backbench MP told PA Labour would be foolish to block him from standing, adding the party would be completely finished if it did so.

And Steve Wright, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said blocking Mr Burnhams candidacy would be a democratic outrage, adding the union would fiercely resist any attempts to stitch up the selection.

If selected, Mr Burnham would then face a potentially tough by-election contest.

Although Mr Gwynne won his seat with 51% of the vote, Labours support nationally has crashed since the election and Reform UK has vowed to throw everything at the seat.

And if elected he would have to give up his mayoralty as in that role he is also a police and crime commissioner and therefore legally barred from sitting as an MP.
Donald Trump addressed Mark Carney on social media, telling him Canadas invite to join the Board of Peace had been withdrawn (PA)

US President Donald Trump has said the newly-formed Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation for Canada to join the organisation.

The rescinded offer to sign up to the body  which Mr Trump has said could eventually rival the United Nations  is the latest twist in a series of public spats the US president has had with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canadas joining, what will be, the most prestigious Board of Leaders ever assembled, at any time, Mr Trump wrote to Mr Carney on social media.

Mark Carney warned of a rupture from an international order based on rules (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)

Mr Trumps comments came after Mr Carney delivered a provocative speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in which he warned of a rupture from an international order based on rules.

Mr Trump inaugurated his Board of Peace on Thursday to lead efforts at maintaining a ceasefire in Israels war with Hamas, insisting everyone wants to be a part of the body. But many US allies have chosen not to participate.

During a speech in Davos, Mr Trump sought to create momentum for a project to map out a future of the war-torn Gaza Strip that has been overshadowed this week, first by his threats to seize Greenland, then by a retreat from that push.

The new peace board was initially envisioned as a small group of world leaders overseeing the ceasefire, with Mr Trump as chairman, but it has morphed into something far more ambitious  and scepticism about its membership and mandate has led some countries usually closest to Washington to take a step back.

Norway and Sweden indicated they would not participate in the board. France declined, citing concerns the board could seek to replace the UN and the UK said it would not sign up because of potential Russian involvement in the plan.

It is not immediately clear how many countries have signed up. In Davos, Mr Trump told reporters were going to have, I think, over 50 countries join.

But at his launch, Mr Trump was joined by officials from 19 countries. He told the group, ranging from Azerbaijan to Paraguay to Hungary: Youre the most powerful people in the world.

Donald Trump inaugurated his Board of Peace at the World Economic Forum in Davos (AP/Markus Schreiber)

Flying back to Washington DC, Mr Trump told reporters: The letter only went out two days ago. We had almost 30 people already.

Mr Trump said some leaders have told him they want to join but first require approval from their parliaments, specifically naming Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Polish President Karol Nawrocki.

The charter for the board has not yet been publicly released. Asked whether the document would allow him to remain chairman beyond his time in office, Mr Trump said he would have the right to stay on if he chose to.

Its in theory, for life  but Im not sure I want that, Mr Trump said.

Mr Trump has spoken about the board replacing some UN functions, but in his speech on Thursday he said the two bodies would work together.

This isnt the United States, this is for the world, he said, adding: I think we can spread it out to other things as we succeed in Gaza.

Mr Trumps event featured Ali Shaath, the head of a new, future technocratic government in Gaza, announcing that the Rafah border crossing will open in both directions next week. But there was no confirmation of that from Israel, which said only that it would consider the matter next week. The Gaza side of the crossing, which runs between Gaza and Egypt, is currently under Israeli military control.

The idea for the Board of Peace was first laid out in Mr Trumps 20-point Gaza ceasefire plan and was even endorsed by the UN Security Council.

An Arab diplomat in a European capital said that Middle Eastern governments co-ordinated their response to Mr Trumps invitation to join the Board of Peace and that it was crafted to limit the acceptance to the Gaza plan as mandated by the UN Security Council.

Mr Trump was joined by officials from 19 countries during his Board of Peace inauguration (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

The diplomat said the announced acceptance is preliminary and that the charter presented by the US administration contradicts in some parts the United Nations mission. The diplomat also said that other major powers are unlikely to support the board in its current form.

Some countries, including the UK, have raised questions about invitations Mr Trump extended to Russian President Vladimir Putin and other authoritarian leaders. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper told the BBC that there were concerns about President Putin being part of something which is talking about peace, when we have still not seen any signs from Putin that there will be a commitment to peace in Ukraine.

Mr Putin has said his country is still consulting with Moscows strategic partners before deciding to commit. The Russian was hosting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday in Moscow.

The Kremlin said on Thursday that Mr Putin planned to discuss his proposal to send money to the Board of Peace and use it for humanitarian purposes during his talks with Mr Abbas  if Russia can use assets the US had previously blocked. Asked about that idea by reporters, Mr Trump said: If hes using his money, thats great.

Mr Trumps push for peace comes after he threatened military action this month against Iran as it carried out a violent crackdown against some of the largest street protests in years, killing thousands of people.

Mr Trump, for the time being, has signalled he will not carry out any new strikes on Iran after he said he received assurances that the Islamic government would not carry out the planned hangings of more than 800 protesters.

He said on Thursday that the US is moving a fleet of ships towards Iran just in case it wants to take action against the country over its crackdown.

And he said he was keeping in place a threat to slap 25% tariffs on countries doing business with Iran.

Were doing that, he said.

The White House has not yet provided details on that tariff plan, which Mr Trump announced more than a week ago.
The protests have led to demonstrations in support across the world (AP)

The death toll in Irans bloody crackdown on nationwide anti-government protests has reached at least 5,002, activists said.

They warned that many more are feared dead as the most comprehensive internet blackout in the countrys history crossed the two-week mark.

The challenge in getting information out of Iran persists due to authorities cutting off access to the internet on January 8.

Tensions are also rising between the United States and Iran as an American aircraft carrier group moves closer to the Middle East  a force US president Donald Trump likened to an armada.

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency offered the death toll, saying 4,716 were demonstrators, 203 were government-affiliated, 43 were children and 40 were civilians not taking part in the protests.

Donald Trump has warned the Iranian government over its crackdown (AP)

It added that more than 26,800 people had been detained in a widening arrest campaign by authorities.

The groups figures have been accurate in previous unrest in Iran and rely on a network of activists in Iran to verify deaths.

That death toll exceeds that of any other round of protest or unrest in Iran in decades, and recalls the chaos surrounding Irans 1979 Islamic Revolution.

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Later on Friday, Irans top prosecutor denied a claim by Mr Trump that his intervention halted the execution of 800 people detained in nationwide protests, calling his comments completely false.

The news agency of Irans judiciary, Mizan, quoted Mohammad Movahedi as making the comment. It again calls into question whether there will be mass executions over the nationwide protests.

Officials have already said some detainees face death penalty charges.

This claim is completely false; no such number exists, nor has the judiciary made any such decision, Mr Movahedi said, according to Mizan.

Mr Trump has said that mass executions and the killing of peaceful protesters are both red lines for a possible US military strike on Iran.

Irans government offered its first death toll on Wednesday, saying 3,117 people were killed. It added that 2,427 of the dead in the demonstrations that began December 28 were civilians and security forces, with the rest being terrorists.

Irans theocracy in the past has undercounted or not reported fatalities from unrest.

The Associated Press has been unable to independently assess the death toll, in part due to authorities cutting access to the internet and blocking international calls into the country. Iran also reportedly has limited journalists ability locally to report on the aftermath, instead repeatedly airing claims on state television that refer to demonstrators as rioters motivated by America and Israel, without offering evidence to support the allegation.

Thousands of people have died in Iran during the crackdown (AP)

The new toll comes as tensions remain high over Mr Trump laying down two red lines over the protests  the killing of peaceful demonstrators and Tehran conducting mass executions.

Irans attorney general and others have called some of those being held mohareb  or enemies of God. That charge carries the death penalty. It had been used along with others to carry out mass executions in 1988 that reportedly killed at least 5,000 people.

The US military meanwhile has moved more military assets toward the Middle East, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and associated warships traveling with it from the South China Sea.

A US official said on Thursday that the Lincoln strike group is currently in the Indian Ocean.

Mr Trump said on Thursday aboard Air Force One that the US is moving the ships toward Iran just in case he wants to take action.

We have a massive fleet heading in that direction and maybe we wont have to use it, Mr Trump said.

The US leader also mentioned the multiple rounds of talks American officials had with Iran over its nuclear programme prior to Israel launching a 12-day war against the Islamic Republic in June, which saw US warplanes bomb Iranian nuclear sites. He threatened Iran with military action that would make earlier US strikes against its uranium enrichment sites look like peanuts.

They should have made a deal before we hit them, Mr Trump added.

The UKs Ministry of Defence separately said its joint Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet squadron with Qatar, 12 Squadron, deployed to the (Persian) Gulf for defensive purposes noting regional tensions.
Stuff the turkey  you dont have to do Christmas if you dont want to. Which is why I opted out this year
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BENNINGTON  It was deja vu all over again  and again.

The Bennington Planning Commission on Thursday heard a zoning change request from a developer that has unsuccessfully sought permits for 12-plus years for solar facilities in the Apple Hill area.

The owners of Allco Renewable Energy LTD are seeking to rezone 27.3 acres in that hillside area from a rural conservation district designation to a rural residential zone, which would allow a wider range of development projects, including housing.

The commission is acting in an advisory role to the Select Board on the proposed zoning change. Following the hearing Thursday, commissioners voted unanimously to advise the Select Board that the request does not meet town policy criteria for such a change.

Among those criteria, said commission Chair Evan Yadeski, is that the proposed zone change will result in substantial benefit to the community as a whole; it could be accomplished without unconstitutional spot zoning, and that the zone change is necessary to advance a project; it is not speculative in nature.

However, the commission said the proposal could be reconsidered if more information is received from the company  including some sort of plan for use of the property if the change were to be approved.

The property is owned by PLH Vineyard Sky, LLC, a corporate entity associated with solar developer Allco Renewable Energy.

Although pressed by commission members to describe the companys plans for the 27.3 acres, company representative Rodney Galton insisted that the developer has no specific project planned for the site at this point, adding that the company simply believes the rural conservation district requirements are too restrictive and that the zone should be changed to rural residential.

He said that change would essentially reflect the current character of many residential properties in the Apple Hill area, including regarding building lot size. At one point, Galton termed the area Rural Conservation in name only.

As at past meetings involving the solar proposals from Allco Renewable Energy and its related corporate entities, Apple Hill residents attended the hearing to voice concerns about the effects of large commercial-size solar facilities on the prominent scenic hillside.

Potential impacts on the scenic area in a rural conservation district have been at the center of permitting battles before the state Public Utility Commission  the solar permitting authority  and during appeals to the Vermont Supreme Court.

The company, led by president and senior counsel Thomas Melone, has been rejected on several occasions concerning plans for solar arrays of 2-megawatt capacity or larger.

Apple Hill residents

Bill Knight, president of the Apple Hill Homeowners Association, said, I guess my question is, what benefit does the town get, or the citizens and taxpayers get, if you change it to residential? The only thing it is going to help is if Melone wants to use that for solar. I dont think it benefits anybody but them.

A large housing project, Knight added, would be just one more eyesore that could impact a scenic area of town that is visible to both residents and visitors coming to Vermont.

People from New York and New Jersey arent coming here to see more solar panels; they arent going to look for more housing development, he said. So... if it does go through, does it benefit anybody but Melone?

Planning Commission member Kenneth Swierad, also a member of the Apple Hill Homeowners Association, who recused himself from the commission for the zone change hearing, provided comment as a town resident.

He urged commissioners to press the developer on plans for the property if the zoning is changed.

Theyve got to be open about [it], Swierad said. I would not just say, carte blanche, go ahead and do it. Tell us what it [the development plan] is.

Yadeski said at one point about the lack of a specific project, You are asking us to buy a cat in a bag. We dont know what it is.

Spot zoning?

Dianna Leazer, a resident of the Apple Hill area, said the developers request appears to be for spot zoning, meaning a change that carves out a single parcel for one owner within a larger zone like the Rural Conservation district.

She also told the commission that the developer, always has an agenda. Nothing is ever straightforward. There is always an iron in the fire that they are going to somehow twist to make it beneficial to them.

Galton insisted that the company has no specific project, but we feel that [Rural Conservation] is not best for this property.

He added that if a project plan is a criteria the company must meet, they would not object to the commission closing or continuing the public hearing until the company can prepare a proposal for using the property.

How much longer should they have to prepare a plan? Leazer said, noting that such issues were raised around the time of the commissions initial meeting on the zone change proposal last summer.

I find it hard to believe they have no idea, Knight said.

He indicated he believes it will be another commercial solar project of the type first proposed 13 years ago.

After discussion, the commission voted unanimously to recommend to the Select Board that the proposal as currently presented be denied, pending possible further information from the developer.

The Select Board also will hold a required hearing on the proposal before voting.
BENNINGTON  A suspect in an attempted murder last December has been apprehended in New York State and is expected to be transported to Bennington on Tuesday for his arraignment

Cody Smith, 29, is charged with three felony counts, including attempted murder in the first degree, burglary into an occupied dwelling armed with a dangerous weapon, and aggravated stalking with a deadly weapon. Smith faces a possible life sentence on the attempted murder charge and 35 years on the remaining two felonies if convicted.

According to an affidavit int he case, on December 22, 2025, the Bennington Sheriffs Department was summoned to a residence on Ladd Road in Pownal for a 911 report of a woman screaming for a male to get off her property after she was allegedly attacked with a knife. When Sheriffs Deputies arrived, the female victim, who was in an on-again-off-again relationship with Smith, identified him to Deputies and told them that Smith had forced his way inside and had attacked her with a 12-inch knife as she attempted to remove a sweatshirt she was wearing. The victim told law enforcement that she believed Smith was trying to kill her. Ultimately, she was uninjured.

Smith could not be located after the alleged incident. An arrest warrant was issued soon after. Smith was reportedly arrested in Saratoga, New York, earlier this week and is being extradited to Vermont to face the charges. He is scheduled for an arraignment Tuesday in Bennington.

On January 12, 2026, additional charges were filed against Smith relating to a retail theft at Price Chopper in Bennington. An asset protection manager at Price Chopper met with local police and reported several alleged incidents involving Smith in November. Smith was given a citation to appear on January 12 to face the theft charges, though he was a no-show at that hearing. He is facing 90 days in jail on the three charges if found guilty.

In 2016, Smith was charged along with three other individuals in a theft from a hemp farm in Shaftsbury. The following year, Smith was sentenced to probation in the theft.
A Bennington man convicted of burglary and other charges was supposed to show up at the Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility in Rutland for the start of his sentence after his negotiated plea deal. He never showed up.
After it wreaked havoc on east Lee in 1886, Mud Pond  now known as Basin Pond  fell back into relative obscurity.

Mud pond is a repulsive sheet of water, wrote one commentator in the Berkshire Gleaner in 1910. Its edges are bordered with wild cranberry; pitcher plants abound. The surface of the water is dotted with faded pond lily pads, leaving no clear surface. Mud pond is a flagrant exception to the beauties of Berkshire and we do not encourage our readers to make the pilgrimage there.

A 1916 account in the same paper is no more flattering: Mud Pond is not a particularly attractive sheet of water as the shore is lined with swamp, stumps and brush, and the place is particularly wild and lonesome. They describe it as being one-third the size of its size before the 1886 dam break.

Another 1916 account calls the Mud Pond valley one of the wildest sections in all of this region.

Maps began referring to Mud Pond as Basin Pond by the early 20th century, though Mud Pond was still more used locally. The pond is seldom-mentioned in local papers after 1920, except in stories recalling the 1886 flood, and occasional mentions about fishing, for which the pond got very mixed reviews.

The pond only reenters public interest in a major way in 1964, when it was given a whole new name.

In late 1964, a partnership of Walter Cromwell and Hamilton Wright Jr. purchased nearly 300 acres made up of parcels from local families.

Cromwell was an established builder in New Canaan, Conn., while Wright headed a public relations firm in New York City. The same day the property sales were published, they announced in The Berkshire Eagle their plan to develop a new resort community, with an initial subdivision of 100 half-acre lots already planned. Cromwell-Wright announced the pond was now 10 acres and 35 feet in depth, and they planned to expand it to about 40 acres. The development would be known as Lake Lee.

Working on provisional zoning approvals, in 1965 Cromwell and Wright had a new dam built to impound more water, 25 feet high and 475 feet long, with a width of 185 feet at its base. It was completed in October 1965. Final lot plans were approved in March 1966 and the firm quickly began selling lots to interested parties. The first building permits for houses on the newly expanded Beaver Dam Road were issued in June 1966. The dam was last inspected by county authorities on May 26, 1967.

On March 17, 1968, heavy showers began across much of New England and continued for the next two days. Record rain fell in Boston, and flash flooding occurred in several parts of eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. On March 24, the Boston Globe predicted the worst was probably over, but warned that additional showers could still overwhelm riverbanks.

Around 1 p.m. Sunday, March 25, the swelling pond spilled over the wall, bringing down a 40 foot section with it. Millions of gallons flowed down the usually placid Basin Pond Brook and inundated East Lee, for the second time.

Two lives were lost as some of the worst deluge hit Cape Street. Caught completely off guard, Edward Gage, 61, was swept off the porch of his Cape Street home, which was also washed away.

His body was found later that day. Next door, the home of Olive Cordonier, was sliced in half. Olive had been one of the previous landowners the development had bought acreage from. Her body was found the following day.

Damage was estimated at up to $8 million. It proved particularly devastating for the Clark-Aiken Matik Co., the largest remaining employer in the village at the time.

Numerous officials, from local selectmen to U.S. Rep. Silvio Conte, along with a horde of engineers, toured the wreckage and failed dam over the next few days. Holyoke firm Tighe & Bond was hired to investigate, and began test borings in mid-April.

Their report in November 1968 cited numerous irregularities about the new dams construction, observing that it did not conform with the architectural plans theyd submitted.

Nowhere is the core of the dam built according to the plans and most importantly at least to the intent of the design, the report states.

The disaster led directly to new legislation in Massachusetts, known as the Mud Pond Bill, that transferred authority for inspecting dams to the state. It was signed into law by Gov. Francis Sargent in July 1970.

Together with the 1886 flood, a total of nine lives have been lost in past attempts to harness this wild little pond, now a protected reserve owned by Berkshire Natural Resources Council. The East Lee floods rank nearly up there with the 1867 central shaft disaster at the Hoosac Tunnel that killed 13, or the 1910 Morewood Lake ice company explosion in Pittsfield that cost 17 lives.

So many of the Berkshires most serious disasters werent natural, but triggered by efforts to squeeze profits from the land without sufficient safeguards.
The annual community food drive  with a twist  is organized by UNICO of Pittsfield, which is asking Berkshire residents to donate non-perishable foods that can be eaten from a bowl to a number of community partners serving as drop-off locations.
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Residents wrote down ideas and added stars to the concepts on large pieces of paper as a way of contributing to the input that will go into the towns open space plan, which is due in June.
GREAT BARRINGTON  Local police have seen an increase in crime reporting from immigrant residents over the past several years, a change Police Chief Adam Carlotto attributes to Great Barringtons 2017 Trust Policy.

The policy stops the department from participating in federal civil immigration enforcement, a boundary Carlotto said has helped build trust with the town's immigrant population.

I think I personally saw an uptick in the last probably four to five years in people reporting crimes, not that they weren't happening, we just didn't know about them, Carlotto said. That's probably one of the best things that came out of the trust policy was the community message that, Hey, we are here to help.

While the policy has strengthened trust, last springs Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in Great Barrington revealed gaps, residents and officials said. During Mondays meeting at Multicultural Bridge, they discussed the need for clearer guidance for residents and more flexibility for police to ask follow-up questions as they outlined priorities for a revised Trust Policy.

The conversation comes as ICE increases activity nationwide, prompting Great Barrington to reflect on the confusion and fear the town experienced last spring while preparing for the possibility of the agencys return.

The confusion on the ground was one of the worst feelings, said Select Board member Ben Elliott, who witnessed the May raid outside the Triplex Cinema. Not exactly knowing what the right thing to do was, even for me as a town official, and where to turn to help get information for the family.

Multicultural Bridge is working with the Select Board, town manager and police department, along with local nonprofits and concerned citizens, to put together an updated policy that reflects what has changed and what they have learned since the policy went into effect.

We're all watching the news or trying to navigate our way through what's happening regionally and nationally, and we are doing our part in Great Barrington to try and encourage trust and safety, Gwendolyn VanSant, executive director of Multicultural Bridge, said.

The Trust Policy emerged from a citizen-led effort after the town opted against becoming a Sanctuary City in order to keep open lines of communication and cooperation with local police. A Sanctuary City designation limits the extent to which local law enforcement and government agencies cooperate with ICE.

The policy is on track to be on the warrant for the annual Town Meeting on May 2, and it has the potential to be used as a model for other towns across the county, VanSant said.

In the past, when ICE conducted operations in Great Barrington, it called the police department to give officials a heads up, but provided little to no details. Carlotto added that the department does not broadcast when those calls come because ICE is not obligated to do so and would stop immediately if the department were to give out that information, leaving the town completely in the dark.

Its a one-liner. They say, Were in the area conducting law enforcement operations,' Carlotto said. We dont ask questions. Theyre essentially just advising us and thats it and I think there could be more conversation.

Carlotto said they are hoping for more room for communication so they can ask follow-up questions, which is currently prevented by the policy, like who is the focus of the investigation, where they were taken into custody and if so, where they are now.

Its the one thing I think I can do for the community to help them out, Carlotto said. Im your new local police chief. My job is the entire community and when theyre coming in to do an operation, I want to know a little bit ahead of time so I can hopefully provide information back to you, especially friends and family who were affected."

As a small town like Great Barrington works to keep its residents feeling safe, its important to remember that sometimes its best to be smarter and not necessarily louder," said state Rep. Leigh Davis, who also attended Monday's meeting.

I keep thinking about the Underground Railroad and how they came together and they helped the most vulnerable, Davis said. I feel like this is one version of that, of pulling together, going underground, in a sense that we want to make it work, but we don't necessarily want to bring the wrath of the federal government down on this.

Davis added that there are a number of bills before the state House of Representatives that are trying to combat the federal governments immigration efforts in Massachusetts, including one that would end voluntary ICE contracts with local officials and one that prohibits questioning by court and police officials about immigration status.

As a state representative, just know that we have your back, and Im so grateful to have the police department and members of this community, and the Select Board, and just so many others, Davis said.

VanSant said she encourages anyone who is concerned about what is happening to find a local group that is having these conversations because there is power in expressing feelings and knowing that no one is alone.

She added its important to engage with and listen to young people who have a fresh perspective.

There are other people that aren't immigrants, aren't Black, they were equally scared when we had the incident in downtown [Great] Barrington, because really, it's true that this impacts all of us, VanSant said.
From clearer guidance for residents when immigration officials are in town to more flexibility for police to ask them follow-up questions, community members and officials outlined what they want to see in a revised Trust Policy during a conversation on trust and public safety.
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Donald Morrison, a is an Eagle columnist and co-chairman of the advisory board. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of The Berkshire Eagle.
Nicholas Kristof is a New York Times columnist writing about human rights, health and global affairs. Contact him at Facebook.com/Kristof, Twitter.com/NickKristof or by mail at The New York Times, 620 Eighth Ave., New York, NY 10018.
Combining POCD tools with India's digital health platforms and national registries

January 23, 2026 | Friday | Views | By Dr Sabine Kapasi, CEO at Enira Consulting; Founder of ROPAN Healthcare and UN advisor

Over the next ten years, POCD is expected to become an integral part of Indias digital health ecosystem

Indias healthcare system continues to face rising disease burdens alongside limited access to timely diagnostic services. In many rural and peri-urban communities, people wait far too long for a diagnosis.Point-of-care diagnostic tools, or POCDs, provide a practical way to move testing from distant laboratories directly into the community settings where clinical decisions are made.

POCDs are diagnostic tests conducted at or near the site where the patient is receiving care and can deliver results within minutes or hours instead of days. Research summarized by Pai and colleagues shows that POCDs reduce the time between the onset of symptoms, diagnosis, and the start of treatment, enabling faster and more effective patient care. This closes one of the biggest gaps in healthcare delivery.

According to IMARC Group's industry analysis, the global market for point-of-care diagnostics was worth around $53 billion in 2024 and is expected to quadruple in the next ten years. This is mostly due to the use of these tests in infectious diseases and the growth of digital connection.

The value of POCD in India goes beyond just business growth numbers. It has the ability to fix a long-standing systemic inequity where reliable diagnostics are still only available in certain areas and for certain people. Konwar and Borse's study of the Indian healthcare system says that those who live far from metropolitan laboratories have to wait longer for or miss diagnoses of tuberculosis, maternity difficulties, and common non-communicable diseases because they have to rely on transportation and reporting lag. POCD devices fix this problem by making testing available at health sub-centers, mobile clinics, and village outreach initiatives.

The Value Of Public Health Goes Beyond Just Testing Individuals

From a public health perspective, POCD tools serve as instruments for population disease management rather than as standalone clinical equipment. The World Health Organization's global health estimates show that infectious diseases are still one of the top causes of illness and death in low- and middle-income nations. Quick diagnosis is important not only for the recovery of each person but also to stop the spread of the disease in the community.

Hospitals benefit as a whole when diagnostic decentralization moves screening volumes away from tertiary hospitals. According to study by Varghese and colleagues on the use of POCD in Indian public programs, huge groups of low-risk patients are well cared for in primary care systems, which keeps them from having to go to the hospital and frees up space for specialized care.

Making Decisions At The Front Line Of Care

One of POCD's best contributions to making healthcare more efficient is allowing local decision-making. Healthcare professionals utilizing rapid testing equipment can take action at the same patient visit instead of waiting for lab results to come back days later.

Uses in National Health Priorities

India has included POCD in its main programs for controlling diseases and improving the health of mothers. Molecular platforms are used in tuberculosis programs to find cases in the community. According to studies using the AideSmart platform, maternal and lactation support programs use multiplex POCD to test for HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis, trichomoniasis, and anemia.

Accredited Social Health Activist personnel are in charge of running things. According to evidence from Raghu and colleagues' cardiovascular risk screening campaigns, smartphone-based POCD solutions let ASHAs collect clinical information during home visits, do tests on the spot, and submit results right away. These platforms combine direct outreach with referral decision pathways, making it easier for groups of people who have not always had access to institutional healthcare to get the care they need.

POCD has grown beyond managing infectious diseases to managing diseases that don't spread from person to person. Thodika and colleagues have shown that mobile diagnostic clinics that include POCD testing for blood glucose, hemoglobin, and cardiovascular risk can be used for large-scale, low-cost community screening. These mobile machines connect testing with instant counseling, which cuts down on the time it takes to find out if you have a disease that is usually only found in clinics.



Validation, Precision, and Functional Dependability

POCD's quickness is its best feature, but precision is what keeps it real. Regulatory standards in health systems around the world call for multi-layered validation to make sure that decentralized operations don't affect reliability. Heidt and his colleagues say that validation includes checking for analytical accuracy, assessing clinical performance in real-world situations, and checking how easy it is for people to use the product.

In India, where tests are generally done by nurses, ASHA workers, or the patients themselves instead of professional laboratory technologists, human-factors validation is very important. Regulatory guidance from device oversight agencies stresses the need for training and simulated-use testing to cut down on operator mistakes.

The Real World of Regulation in India

Even though more pilots are being used, national rules for POCD procurement, validation, training, and scale-up are still not standardised. Agencies all across the world stress post-market surveillance, ongoing quality monitoring, and performance reporting. India's rules for medical devices include some parts of these frameworks, however there are still not enough national rules on how to integrate POCD into public health workflows.

Engel and colleagues found that when there are no nationally standardized certification procedures, clinicians do not trust each other since they are not sure how reliable the tests are. When gadget branding changes without similar quality standards, public trust also goes down.



Official Use in National Programmes

According to national operational standards, Ayushman Bharat's Health and Wellness Centres, also known as Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, clearly endorse the use of POCD for primary-level diagnostic services. More and more, testing for tuberculosis, anemia, diabetes, cardiovascular disease risk, and prenatal infections is done through POCD-supported workflows.

Land and colleagues' global response evaluations show that the widespread use of POCD antigen and molecular tests during the COVID-19 pandemic proved that decentralized countrywide testing strategies are possible. Emergency certification procedures enabled community clinics and residential users to conduct testing at an unparalleled scale.

This experience made POCD an essential tool for being ready for an outbreak. Decentralized diagnostics are increasingly a big part of emergency response planning frameworks.



Challenges

Even while POCD is becoming more legitimate, it still has operational problems that will not go away. In rural areas, infrastructure problems are the most common. Neogi and Engel's field tests show that deploying advanced devices is hard because of power outages, lack of room, and lack of storage.

Diagnostic routes continue to be disjointed. Engel's research showed that there are problems with the connections between screening, laboratory confirmation, referral, and starting therapy. These problems make it hard for POCD integration to reach its full potential. Patients frequently obtain favorable results without structured referral follow-up.



Cost limits make it even harder to grow. According to reviews by Thodika and Varghese, procurement costs, cartridge replacement costs, continuing maintenance, and calibration are all financial problems for basic health centers that don't have enough money.



Trust problems are still deeply rooted. Health workers often worry about the stability of calibration and the accuracy of results in devices that don't have recognized certification labels. When different brands of devices are used without consistent quality endorsements, community trust likewise goes up and down.

Proof of Public Health Impact

Field experience in India shows that it can lead to important results. Pant Pai's reviews of antenatal programs show that AideSmart-enabled POCD screening had a testing completion rate of over ninety percent and was accepted by everyone in the community. This made it possible to start treatment and referrals quickly. Thodika's mobile POCD clinic model proved that it was possible to do mass screening in areas that didn't have enough resources and that it was cost-effective.

These projects show that community diagnostics can help tertiary hospitals by doing a lot of early screening in primary care and saving specialist resources for more advanced illness management.

Policy Guidance

Meeting these goals will require sustained, coordinated action by the government at the national level. Policy reviews led by Pai and fellow researchers point to the need for standardized validation systems that clearly define procurement requirements, training protocols, post-market monitoring, and performance certification. Without these shared benchmarks, the reliability and quality of point-of-care testing remain uneven.

Equally important are investments in basic infrastructure. Field studies by Neogi and Engel underline how dependable electricity, stronger connectivity for rural health facilities, and reliable supply chains for consumables directly shape whether these diagnostic tools can function effectively on the ground. These fundamentals determine if point-of-care testing becomes part of routine healthcare delivery or remains confined to isolated pilot efforts.

Training programmes should teach health workers how to use digital consent tools and how to do their jobs in a way that is ethical. Longitudinal cost-effectiveness research ought to inform future public spending, a priority highlighted by Vargheses health-economics assessment.

Looking Ahead

Over the next ten years, POCD is expected to become an integral part of Indias digital health ecosystem. According to emerging clinical technology reviews discussed by Varghese, the integration of artificial intelligence will strengthen image interpretation, enable automated quality assurance, and support multi-disease testing through cloud-based analytics.

Smartphone platforms are likely to become routine clinical tools for ASHAs and auxiliary nurse midwives. Interoperability with ABHA databases will support the creation of lifelong digital health records for individuals. Integrated reporting systems will strengthen national registries by enabling better tracking of tuberculosis elimination targets, maternal health outcomes, and trends in non-communicable diseases.



Public-private partnerships are expected to make devices more affordable and speed up developments in rural manufacturing that are in line with how things work in India.

Dr Sabine Kapasi, CEO at Enira Consulting; Founder of ROPAN Healthcare and UN advisor


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Farmer's confidence in Bord Bia will only be restored with a new chairperson in place.

That is the warning from the IFA, after the majority of board members and the Minister for Agriculture expressed their confidence in Larry Murrin on Thursday.

The chief executive of Dawn Farm Foods had been facing pressure to resign after it emerged the company imported a small percentage of Brazilian beef last year.

Mr. Murrin said the nature of supply contracts means contingencies must be in place in the event of supply disruption in Ireland.

President of the Irish Farmers' Association, Francie Gorman, does not accept that explanation.

"I think it is a lame excuse, and I think the statement from the Minister was premature.

"On the ground, this has caught the attention of farmers hugely. The extra asks they have to do at the farm level, and then the chair is bringing in beef from Brazil."

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He said that while there is nothing illegal about it is still not right to do it.

It comes as Bord Bia met to discuss Mr Murrins position on Thursday after it emerged that Dawn Farm Foods, where he holds a senior position, had sourced Brazilian beef for the Irish market.

The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) and Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) representatives on the board called for his resignation over claims of a conflict of interest, given Bord Bias responsibility for promoting Irish food and enforcing standards on Irish beef that they do not believe are met by Brazilian farms.

However, Mr Murrin is set to remain in his post after their calls were not supported by a consensus at the board meeting.

The issue is particularly sensitive as the European Commission seeks to progress the Mercosur trade deal with Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

Ireland Expert warns of alarming rise in spinal cord damage from laughing gas abuse Read more

Irish farmers are concerned their beef exports to Europe would be at risk because of cheaper Brazilian beef entering the market.

Bord Bia chief executive officer Jim OToole said there had been a full, open and considered discussion about Mr Murrins position as chairman, which he has held since 2024.

Outlining the non-unanimous expression of support in Mr Murrin, he said: The board was guided by the need to protect the reputation of Bord Bia, Irelands agri-food sector and its clients over the longer term, and concluded that supporting the chairman was in the best interests of the organisation and the sector as a whole, including Irish farmers.

Mr OToole said a report on the meeting and associated issues will be provided to Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon, who has also expressed support for the chairman, as he has broken no rules.
The Justice Minister and the head of the Irish policy service have welcomed the establishment of a dedicated unit for handling Troubles-related legacy cases.

The Garda Troubles Legacy Liaison Unit was established as part of a joint framework on the Troubles announced by the British and Irish governments in September.

It is designed to act as a single point of contact for UK authorities seeking co-operation on cases, as well as a source for victims and families to inquire about Troubles-related investigations by An Garda Siochana.

Justice Minister Jim OCallaghan welcomed the move (Brian Lawless/PA)

Minister Jim OCallaghan said the unit was part of the Irish Governments commitment to play our full part in legacy processes and address the legacy of the conflict in this jurisdiction.

He added: Reciprocal co-operation is at the heart of the joint framework and it is my hope that engagement by the authorities on both sides of the border under the framework will assist families in their pursuit of truth, accountability and, where possible, justice.

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I have heard from victims and families in Troubles-related cases that many feel that time is running out for them, so I want to thank the Garda Commissioner for moving quickly to establish this new unit.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said: The aim is that the unit will make the journey of navigating Troubles-related cases easier for the victims and families involved, while also supporting the wider work being conducted in securing truth, accountability and, where possible, justice.

However, TUV leader and MP Jim Allister described the unit as a whitewash of the Republic of Irelands role in the Troubles.

He said: The announcement of a Legacy Liaison Unit by the Garda is a gross insult to the countless innocent victims across Northern Ireland because of the fact that the Irish Republic acted as a safe haven from which terrorists could launch attacks at will.

An Garda Siochana Commissioner Justin Kelly (Niall Carson/PA)

The Department of Justice said the unit will endeavour to answer questions from victims and provide family reports where possible.

Mr Allister said this wording falls short of a commitment to pursue justice or open garda files to examine alleged collusion.

He said: What a contrast with the legacy mechanisms being set up by the UK hovernment, which have been changed specifically because of Dublins demands.

It is an indictment of our own government that they are keen to bow to Irish pressure when the arrangements in the south are so derisory.

In the Irish Republic there is to be no truth, no justice and no reckoning  merely a cosmetic exercise designed to manage victims expectations while protecting the state from scrutiny.

The investigation of Troubles-related incidents within the State will continue to be undertaken by the relevant Garda division, in consultation with the new liaison unit.

The Department of Justice said the work of the liaison unit will depend on the progress made by the UK government in enacting the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill and the full operation of the reformed Legacy Commission.
An Irishman is on cloud nine after winning the solo class in the Worlds Toughest Row  a 4,800km trek across the Atlantic.

Galways Daragh MacLoughlin, 42, clutched a collar belonging to his beloved late dog Jasper  after whom his boat is named  on his final push into Nelsons Dockyard in Antigua early on Friday morning.

He left La Gomera in the Canary Islands on December 14th, battling treacherous seas in his bid to raise 10,000 for epidermolysis bullosa (EB) charity Debra and Irish Dogs for the Disabled.

To chants of Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole, the emotional businessman was met on dry land at 8.22am (Irish time) by his wife Suzanne and their daughters Maeve and Saoirse  and celebrated with a cold can of Coca-Cola.

It was everything I could have wanted and more, he said moments after stepping off The Jasper, his home for 39 days, 20 hours, and 16 minutes.

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I went in thinking this is going to be a race, a race only, thats what I trained for.

But after four days, the ocean told me its about a lot more than that.

It opened a lot of doors I didnt think Id ever open.

If youre willing, the ocean will bring you places, and it will show you things that you didnt think were possible about yourself.

Im really, really happy.

Daragh, from Clarinbridge, told of his frustration when slack winds slowed his progress on the mammoth crossing.

But he said he predicted he would win the race, given the punishing training regime he adopted.

Daragh MacLoughlin, 42, in the final moments before winning the solo class of the World's Toughest Row. Photo: World's Toughest Row

Im a big believer in visualising things. I knew I was going to win this race.

When I arrived in, my family were waiting for me, its fantastic, my two girls needed that father figure back, so it is so nice to be there for them again.

The solo oarsman managed to beat several three and four-person teams taking part in the race and came 14th in the overall rankings, out of 43 teams.

Supporters have helped him smash his charity target  now standing at 17,000 - and donations remain open here.

Daragh has delivered an exceptional performance to win the solo class of the Worlds Toughest Row, said Event Manager Nikki Holter.

His detailed preparation, focus, resilience, consistency, and unwavering resolve in the face of immense challenge represent the very spirit of this race and have given him a very well-deserved achievement and win.

Sport Football fans 'outraged' over price of new Ireland jerseys Read more

My two girls and my wife were the things that really drove me forward. It was really great to have them push me on.

"For my two young girls (Maeve and Saoirse), I dedicate my row to them, because I want them to know that in life, everything is possible.

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If you have a dream, and you apply yourself and you work hard, you can do, or have, or be anything you want.

"And I never rowed before, and look now, Ive just crossed an ocean. I just want them to know that thats possible; they were my inspiration," he said.
A High Court judge hearing a dispute over the control of the company behind the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland has recused himself from the remainder of the proceedings in an abundance of caution, after a barrister made claims of bias and sabotage against him.

Mr Justice David Nolan made the decision after Joseph Sallabi, a barrister who previously purported to act as in-house counsel for the centres operator, the Al Maktoum Foundation CLG, sought the judges recusal from the proceedings.

On Friday, the judge read in court a letter sent to him by Mr Sallabi earlier this month, in which the barrister accused the judge of sabotaging the proceedings, and whitewashing alleged criminal wrongdoing on the part of several directors of the Al Maktoum Foundation.

The judge said he was fully satisfied that hed done nothing wrong over the course of the proceedings. However, the judge said that in an abundance of caution, and seeking to avoid a side show in the case, he would recuse himself.

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Last year, Mr Sallabi brought a case on behalf of Dr Abdel Basset El-Sayed, alleging several of the foundations board directors were appointed unlawfully, and seeking to have them removed.

The directors are Ahmad Tahlak, Hesham Abdulla Al Quassim, Khalifa Aldaboos, Mohamed Musabeh Dhahi and Zahid Jami. The men are residents in Dubai, but have their place of business as Roebuck Road, Clonskeagh.

Dr El-Sayed, in sworn written evidence prepared by Mr Sallabi, made allegations of fraud, theft and money laundering against the directors.

Dr El-Sayed subsequently withdrew his case and the allegations, described as baseless by Mr Justice Nolan. The judge made an order directing Dr El-Sayed to pay legal costs incurred by the directors.

The mosque attached to the cultural centre in Clonskeagh, south Dublin has recently reopened following a prolonged closure on account of the dispute.

Lawyers for the five directors are also seeking an order for costs against Mr Sallabi. The directors are represented by Lyndon MacCann SC and barrister Niall O hUiginn, instructed by Mason Hayes & Curran.

At Fridays hearing, Mr Justice Nolan said the costs application would be dealt with by a different judge, after he stated he was recusing himself from the case.

In correspondence sent to Mr Justice Nolan earlier this month, an apparent pre-ligitation letter, Mr Sallabi made various allegations, Mr Justice Nolan said, levelling claims of sabotage and whitewashing of criminality against the judge.

In the letter, Mr Sallabi criticised what the barrister described as the judges refusal to hear evidence related to the claims of criminal wrongdoing, the judge said.

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Mr Sallabi said the judge exercised undue influence on Dr El-Sayed prior to the surgeons withdrawing his case, the judge said. Mr Sallabi also criticised the judges facilitation of a costs hearing.

If these actions do not constitute an effective sabotage of High Court proceedings and a whitewashing of criminal activities, money laundering, it is difficult to imagine what would, the letter read.

The letter went on to accuse Mr Justice Nolan himself of money laundering, the judge said.

Mr Sallabi said the judge had breached his judicial duty, and caused the barrister damage, according to the letter. The judge said Mr Sallabi sought an apology from the judge, and threatened to issue legal proceedings.

Mr Justice Nolan said the letter itself was not grounds for recusal, and that judges are often threatened with litigation.

However, he said that he did not want the recusal application to turn into a side show, and said he would accede to the application.

Mr Justice Nolan said the cost hearing would proceed before another judge on the date already assigned.

Last year, Mr Justice Nolan raised concerns regarding Mr Sallabis standing to act in the case, and he referred the matter to the Legal Service Regulatory Authority (LSRA) and the Kings Inns.

Separately, Mr Sallabi made a complaint to the Judicial Council accusing Mr Justice Nolan of conducting hearings in the case in an unfair manner, and making defamatory remarks about the barrister in court. The complaint was found to be not admissible by a council committee, the judge said.
Suspended Roscommon solicitor Declan O'Callaghan has been formally censured at the High Court on foot of an application made by the Law Society over an upheld finding of misconduct arising out of a 2006 Mayo land deal.

Last November, Mr O'Callaghan successfully appealed three allegations of misconduct relating to the same transaction but the court upheld one count of misconduct. A disciplinary tribunal had previously decided to strike Mr O'Callaghan off based on its findings.

The case related to the solicitor's handling of the land transfer where the vendor claimed they were owed 250,000.

However, while the appeal court was "deeply unimpressed" at Mr O'Callaghan's conduct when representing both sides of the sale, Mr Justice Micheal O'Higgins said he was not minded to conclude that the solicitor was guilty of dishonesty.

The solicitors' tribunal had upheld the complaints against Mr O'Callaghan made in 2010 by Mayo company Nirvanna Property Holdings Ltd, run by businessman Tom Fleming, and recommended that Mr O'Callaghan be struck off the roll of solicitors.

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Their July 2025 recommendation of striking him off the roll of solicitors was put on hold pending the outcome of the appeal.

Mr O'Callaghan took his appeal against Nirvanna Property Holdings Ltd, who were represented by barrister Ruadhan O Ciarain BL, instructed by Padraig Langsch solicitor, with the Law Society named as a notice party in proceedings.

Mr O'Callaghan appealed the tribunal's findings that he acted for both the vendor and the purchaser in a conflict of interest; that he provided inadequate professional services and that he continued to act for the purchaser, the late businessman Fred Preston.

In November last year, Mr Justice O'Higgins said he would uphold one ground against Mr O'Callaghan relating to the conflict of interest complaint.

In upholding the tribunal's finding of conflict of interest, Mr Justice O'Higgins said that any solicitor acting for both parties "does so at his peril".

"It is not remotely surprising that the appellant, by choosing to act for both sides in the one transaction on the facts of this case, gave rise not just to the risk but the actuality that the solicitors' profession would be brought into disrepute," he said.

"The decision to act for both sides in the circumstances, coupled with the failure to ensure the respondent was separately advised, represented a serious falling short of the standards expected of solicitors," said Mr Justice O'Higgins.

Mr OCallaghan had accepted his firm acted for both sides in the transfer but strenuously denied any impropriety.

Mr O'Callaghan submitted the land deal had to adhere to security requirements demanded by Bank of Ireland for a loan for Western Concrete, which was a joint venture between Mr Fleming and Mr Preston.

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Mr O'Callaghan said there had been no question of 250,000 being paid to Nirvanna for the transfer and that the figure referred to the valuation of the lands.

Mr Justice O'Higgins said Mr O'Callaghan should have advised Nirvanna and Mr Fleming to get independent legal advice.

Mr O'Callaghan has been suspended since 2018 on foot of a separate Law Society probe into matters at his practice.

At the High Court on Friday, Neasa Bird BL, for the Law Society, said the society only nominated a "censure" to be imposed on Mr O'Callaghan and that it was not seeking any legal costs.

Michael Mullooly BL, for Mr O'Callaghan, said his client had been substantively successful in winning three out of the four matters appealed and that this should be reflected in any ruling on costs.

Mr Justice O'Higgins said he would order the Law Society censure but made no order in favour of any party as to the costs of the appeal.
A man has been given a seven-and-a-half-year sentence for an aggravated burglary of two Carmelite brothers at a Dublin retreat centre.

Stephen Byrne (44) of Paramount Hotel, Exchequer Street Upper, Temple Bar, Dublin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to one count of aggravated burglary and one count of threatening to kill or cause serious harm at the Avila Carmelite Centre, Bloomfield Avenue, Donnybrook, on April 12, 2024.

The court heard the brother was born in 1947, and it was 1.30 am when he awoke to find Byrne standing over him with a scarf on his face and holding bolt cutters, saying: give me the money.

There were nine residents living in the premises at the time.

Passing the sentence on Thursday, Judge Orla Crowe said the incident must have been utterly and totally terrifying when the first injured party, who was quite advanced in years, woke up and found Byrne standing over him.

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Its hard to imagine a more terrifying experience, said Judge Crowe before handing down a seven-and-a-half-year sentence with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions.

Another Carmelite brother, who the court heard was born in 1975, saw Byrne frantically rifling through drawers. There was a struggle between them, and the injured party tried to hold on to Byrne, who said he would stab him.

They both fell down the stairs, and Byrne then ran off. The court heard that 350 was taken in the incident.

Byrne, who was on bail at the time, was identified through fingerprints and was arrested and detained.

The court heard Byrne was plagued by addiction problems and was homeless at the time of the incident. He did not have a drug problem until he was 42, when his relationship broke down, and he began drinking heavily and embarked on drug-taking.

The court heard he was remorseful, and he had written a letter of apology.

However, the judge said they were very serious matters and have to be marked with very serious penalty.

In mitigation, she noted Byrnes plea, that he was homeless at the time, had a serious addiction and worked productively for a very long period of time.

The court heard the maximum sentence for aggravated burglary was life imprisonment.

Judge Crowe set a headline sentence of 10 years, but considering mitigation, handed down a seven-and-a-half-year sentence with the final 12 months suspended for a period of two years on strict conditions.

She backdated it to December 15th 2025, for time spent in custody.
A Brazilian man who was convicted of the murder of his ex-girlfriend in a flat in Cork has accepted the verdict of the court and apologised to the family of the deceased for taking her life.

Miller Pacheco (32) of Formiga in Minas Gerais in Brazil was jailed for life at a sitting of the Central Criminal Court in Cork on Friday for the murder of Bruna Fonseca.

At the conclusion of the hearing, his senior counsel, Ray Boland, said that Mr Pacheco would not be lodging an appeal in the case. He said that his client wanted to express his remorse for the devastation caused to the Fonseca family.

Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford said that Bruna (28) was an exceptional young woman and a complete human being.

She stated that Miller Pacheco had failed to give Bruna her right to move on when their relationship ended in November 2022. Bruna was in a relationship with Miller for five years in their native Brazil.

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The university graduate and librarian moved to Ireland in September 2022 with her young niece. Miller arrived in this country in November 2022.

However, the pair broke up within days of his landing in Cork.

They had previously split up earlier that year for a few months.

Ms Justice Lankford noted that poignantly, Bruna had recorded a conversation with Miller in which she told him that she was not a trophy.

Bruna emphasised to Miller that it was her life and that no one was entitled to it other than her.

Ms Justice Lankford said that Bruna could not be won or lost as she had her own hopes and dreams.

On Thursday, the jury took just one hour and two minutes to find the accused guilty of the murder of the 28-year-old on New Years Day 2023 at his flat in Liberty Street in Cork.

Brunas older sisters, Izabel and Fernanda, her cousin Marcel and niece Maria all wore t-shirts bearing the image of their unforgettable loved one Bruna at the sentencing hearing.

Izabel, in her victim impact statement, said that at 4:45 am on January 1st, 2023, her family in Brazil received the most difficult phone call of their lives.

While we were celebrating the beginning of a new year, we were left floored, speechless and joyless. We were told our baby sister was gone.

"Then came the hardest task, telling our mother that her daughter would never return home. Then waiting for the remains, the wake and the burial.

"In the early hours of January 16th, Bruna arrived. She looked serene.

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"When our mother tried to touch her, she felt a coldness that should never be a part of that farewell. That scene marked our family permanently

"We fixed her hair and did her makeup with all our love, so that she would be as she always was.

Izabel said that the investigation made it clear that Bruna was not to blame for what had occurred, with the jury rejecting the position of the accused that he had put his ex-girlfriend in a choke hold to stop her from hitting him.

She stressed that Bruna was not a number but a wonderful person with dreams, plans, laughter and a whole life ahead of her.

She came to his country moved by the hope of building a better future. Bruna was strong. Even living in a relationship (with Miller) characterised by constant manipulation, she always tried to solve problems that were not her own.

"Among all the things taken from her was the chance to meet her youngest niece and to see her grow.

Izabel said that whilst Bruna was not there to defend herself, her family always would be.

Her name will be remembered with dignity, truth and love. Nothing will bring Bruna back. But it is fair to recognise the seriousness of what was done and clearly state that her life mattered.

Marcela Fonseca, a cousin of the deceased, was living in Cork when the murder occurred. In her victim impact she said that she made a promise to Brunas mother that they would bring her body back for burial.

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And that is what I did. I sent her body back to Brazil. My life was never the same again. I carry the trauma with me.

Marcela said that Bruna was not a statistic.

I do not see statistics. I see a familiar face. A name. A story. A man decides to take somones life. And the question that remains is how little is your life worth.

"A life that was taken because a woman was not allowed to move on, to choose, to love, to live her own life.

The evidence was that Miller sent Bruna over two thousand messages from when he arrived in Ireland on November 18th, 2022, to her death on January 1st, 2023.

Miller had claimed that he was trying to stop Bruna from hitting him when her death occurred. In garda interviews he said that he had caught Bruna in a choke hold around the neck in a move he had seen on TV. The jury unanimously rejected his explanation.

Bruna had gone to a New Years Eve party at the Oyster Tavern in Cork. In a text she told Miller she just wanted to dance and have fun. Her aim she said was to have peace and tranquility in her life.

Miller followed her around the venue. He also filmed her kissing another man and sent it to his friends back home in Brazil. At the end of the night she agreed not go to his apartment so that they could FaceTime his relatives back home in Brazil who were looking after their beloved dog, DEagle.

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Miller told gardai that he did not mean to kill Bruna. He said that he wasnt a a monster and insisted he was not that person who kills someone I love.

Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster save that Bruna died from asphyxia due to manual strangulation. Bruna has suffered over 65 external and internal bruises to her body.

Speaking after the hearing, her niece Maria said that Bruna was like a sunny day in the rainy season.

The Fonseca family thanked all those who assisted them since the murder of Bruna. They cheered and embraced on the steps of the courthouse.

Her sister Izabel had said in her evidence to the court that Brunas dream was to eventually live in France.

She said Bruna had big dreams, which she would have fulfilled if she had been given the opportunity to do so.

Bruna was laid to rest in a plot with her grandparents in a cemetery perched on a hill in her home town of Formiga.
A 23-year-old man who had been due to stand trial accused of attempting to murder a fellow patient at a psychiatric facility has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge at the Central Criminal Court.

James Greengrass (25), of Chapel Place, Lismore, Co Waterford, had been charged with attempted murder on February 3rd 2023 at the psychiatry department of University Hospital Waterford.

When originally arraigned before the court on Tuesday, Greengrass entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity and a jury had been empanelled to hear the case.

The jurors were told that the case would involve issues of mental health.

However, the defendant's legal team informed Ms Justice Karen OConnor on Friday that, following discussions between counsel over a number of days, progress had been made.

Greengrass was subsequently re-arraigned before the court and pleaded guilty to a charge of attempting to cause serious harm.

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Michael Delaney SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, said the plea was acceptable to the State on a full facts basis.

He said a nolle prosequi [a decision not to proceed] would be entered in due course in respect of the attempted murder charge.

Defence counsel Michael Bowman SC said his client, who is originally from the UK, has no previous convictions.

He told the court that Greengrass has very significant psychiatric difficulties and sought an extension of legal aid to cover a psychiatric report. Counsel also requested that probation and education reports be prepared.

Ms Justice Karen OConnor directed that a victim impact statement, along with probation and education reports, be prepared.

She also granted the extension of legal aid to cover a psychiatric report.

Addressing the jury panel previously sworn to hear the trial, the judge explained that, in light of a guilty plea to the lesser charge being acceptable to the DPP, their services were no longer required.

Ms Justice OConnor adjourned the case to March 25th for sentencing.
A man who hit a garda while he was trying to make his escape on a stolen motorbike has been jailed for four and a half years.

Christopher Reynolds (25) was also jailed for having cocaine worth almost 300,000 for sale or supply two and a half years earlier.

The court was shown footage of the incident in May 2025, when Reynolds drove a stolen bike through a very narrow gap in the forecourt of a garage. He rounded the corner and collided with a garda who had been pursuing him.

Reynolds also came off the bike, but he fled, running across a dual carriageway into the carpark of a nearby supermarket while being chased by gardai.

He was caught, immediately took responsibility and apologised. The garda suffered a dislocated foot and tore two ligaments.

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Reynolds later told gardai that it was not intentional. He said he bought the bike but knew it was stolen as he had to use a screwdriver to start it. He was on bail for the drugs offence at the time.

Defence counsel submitted that Reynolds himself said the garda was just out doing his job and did not deserve what happened. His plea of guilty was accepted by the Director of Public Prosecutions on the basis of recklessness.

Reynolds, of Thornwood, Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to driving a stolen motorbike and a charge of endangerment on North Road, Finglas on May 28th, 2025.

He also pleaded guilty to having 4.3 kg of cocaine, worth 297,346 for sale or supply on January 4th, 2023. He has nine previous convictions.

Judge Orla Crowe said the drugs offence involved a substantial amount of cocaine, although she noted Reynolds was an addict and said he was under pressure from a drug debt at the time.

In relation to the endangerment offence, she said it was particularly serious. This was endangerment on a stolen motorbike, she said.

She set a headline sentence of four years for the drugs offence, which she reduced to three years taking mitigation into account. She set a consecutive sentence of three years for the endangerment offence, reducing it to two years.

She suspended the final six months of the total five year sentence on a number of conditions.

Aoife McNickle BL, prosecuting, told the court that customs officials intercepted a suspect package that arrived into Dublin Airport from Colombia via Miami on December 31st, 2022.

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Preliminary tests confirmed it was cocaine and a joint operation was set up to make a controlled delivery of the package the following week.

On January 4th, 2023, the package was delivered to the address on the parcel, a cafe in an industrial unit in Dublin. An attempt was made to deliver it but nobody by the name of the addressee was there.

The phone number connected with the parcel was dialled and a male voice answered. He made arrangements to come via taxi and a surveillance operation was put in place. Reynolds was then caught collecting the package and placing it in the boot of a taxi.

He was arrested and later provided gardai with a pre-prepared statement taking responsibility for the drugs. It was accepted that he was acting under the instruction of someone else. He had agreed to get involved in order to reduce a drug debt.

Ms McNickle said on May 28th, 2025, two motorbikes were spotted driving at speed in the Dublin 11 area. They were suspected stolen vehicles and gardai followed until they pulled into the forecourt of a garage on the North Road in Finglas.

Gardai approached and the bikes took off at speed. Attempts were made to try and cut them off but Reynolds drove through a narrow gap by the front of the shop and ultimately collided with the garda.

Following his arrest, he acknowledged that he had panicked and that he struck the garda.

Giollaiosa O Lideadha SC, defending, said Reynolds, a father of two, is described by his partner as a good dad who has learned from his mistake.

He submitted that Reynolds expressed genuine remorse and is engaging well with services since his remand in custody. He is attending classes and counsel submitted he is trying to better himself.

Mr O Lideadha said his client wants to be a positive role model for his children before he submitted that his previous convictions were related to his drug addiction and a resulting chaotic lifestyle.
Two men who assaulted a couple nearly a decade ago, leaving a man with part of his ear bitten off, have been jailed for 13 months and eight months respectively.

After he bit the man, Ciaran Whelan (35) shouted: Look at how much of his ear I've got, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard.

Whelan, of Gloucester Place, Sean McDermott St, Dublin 1, and his co-accused Robert Costello (also 35) of Liberty House, Dublin 1, both pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm to the man and woman.

The offence occurred at Findlater Place, Dublin 1, on August 9th, 2016.

The maximum sentence for assault causing harm during that period is five years.

Night of assault

Garda Peter Byrne told Pieter LeVert BL, prosecuting, that the couple, originally from Mongolia, were walking home after a dinner to celebrate their anniversary.

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Costello and Whelan were walking ahead of the couple, and then Costello stopped to urinate. As the couple walked past him, Costello said: Hey, you fucking dickheads.

The man in the couple stopped and spoke with Costello. Costello then shouted up the street for Whelan.

The court heard that while Whelan was returning down the street, Costello told the couple to suck his dick. Whelan then picked up a traffic cone and threw it at the couple.

A fight broke out, with the injured party trying to defend himself. All three men ended up on the ground, and Whelan bit part of the man's ear off.

Whelan jumped up and said, Ive bitten him, Ive bitten him, look at how much of his ear Ive got.

Gda Byrne said the woman was also assaulted. Costello pulled her by the hair, took her handbag and hit her with it. She screamed for help.

Injuries

When the gardai arrived at the scene, both Costello and Whelan were aggressive and said the couple were liars.

An ambulance was called, and the couple was taken to hospital for treatment.

A medical report was handed into the court that outlined that the male injured party sustained an injury where one-third of his ear had become separated from the remainder of his ear.

He had a CT scan and had a skin graft from his scalp transferred to his ear. The woman sustained a fracture to her nasal bone and underwent surgery in Mongolia.

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Two victim impact statements were handed into the court on behalf of the couple who were not present in court as they have since returned to Mongolia.

Sentencing Whelan and Costello on Friday, Judge Munro said Whelan had engaged in the lifelong maiming of another person.

This is the devastation caused to two persons' lives, it's not a small thing, he said, adding the whole episode was so pointless, so avoidable.

He noted Whelan and Costello were at the wrong end of two days of drink and drug-taking and were highly intoxicated at the time of the offence.

He said they engaged in mindless abuse of the couple, who were out to enjoy their anniversary.

He noted that due to Whelan and Costello taking a trial date, the couple had to fly back to Ireland from Mongolia in 2024 for court proceedings, before the pair entered guilty pleas.

Effect of assault

The man said the attack had a profound effect on him, he said that he no longer felt safe in Ireland. He described feeling guilty for not being able to protect his wife.

His wife said that in the wake of the attack, she feels intense fear when walking alone. She also described being anxious and easily startled.

Costello has 29 previous convictions, with his last conviction dating back to 2017. Whelan has 33 previous convictions, with his last conviction in 2012.

Whelan had a sum of 4,000 in court as a token of his remorse to the victims, while Costello had a sum of 1000.

Judge Munro noted this was a good sum of money, but it would just about cover the victims for the medical costs they incurred as non-EU citizens and their flights back to Ireland for the trial.

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In relation to Whelan, Judge Munro set a headline sentence of four years. In mitigation, he noted that since this offence, Whelan has conquered a savage addiction to drugs and has rehabilitated himself.

He reduced the sentence to three years and four months and suspended the final 27 months of it on a number of conditions.

He noted a period of imprisonment will be devastating for Whelan given his personal family circumstances, but that avoiding a custodial sentence would be an affront to the injured parties.

He noted Whelan's sentence would have been three times more but for his mitigation and rehabilitation.

In relation to Costello, Judge Munro noted he didn't bite anyone's ear off but that the two men were in it together. He noted Costello has more serious previous offences than Whelan.

He set a headline sentence of two and a half years, which he reduced to two years taking mitigating factors into account. He suspended the final 16 months of that sentence on a number of conditions.

Gda Byrne agreed with Patrick McCarthy BL, defending Costello, that the guilty plea was beneficial to the prosecution and that his client was not responsible for the ear injury. The gardai accepted that Costello had addiction issues at the time but has now made strides in dealing with this.

Mr McCarthy said his client feels he was confronted by the couple, but he accepts that the matter escalated. He said Costello accepts his actions and is remorseful. The court heard that Costello had a very difficult childhood and drug addictions.

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Counsel said when his client viewed the CCTV footage, he described it as looking at someone else. Mr McCarthy asked the court to consider the strides his client has made, his guilty plea and his family obligations when sentencing.

Garreth McCormack SC, defending Whelan, said his client was of the belief that Costello was under attack, which is why he threw the traffic cone.

The garda agreed with counsel that Whelan took responsibility for biting the man's ear at the scene immediately.

He also agreed Whelan was highly intoxicated on the night in question and has addiction issues.
A variety of stories feature on Irish front pages on Friday, including the killer of Bruna Fonseca being found guilty of her murder and the arrest of five teenage boys over an alleged sexual assault on a girl in Dublin.

The Irish Times lead with Denmark's prime minister saying Denmark will not cede its sovereignty to the US over Greenland, gardai having yet to use tasers a month into the pilot programme, and a busy north Dublin road facing a year of traffic restrictions from next month.

The Irish Examiner lead with the killer of Bruna Fonseca facing life in prison for her murder, five teens being arrested after an alleged sexual assault on a girl, and the number of youths using "fast gas" being out of control.

The Irish Independent lead with the Taoiseach leaving the door open for Ireland to join Donald Trump's peace board.

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The Echo lead with the killer of Bruna Fonseca being found guilty of her murder in court.

The Herald, The Irish Daily Mirror and Irish Daily Star all lead with the arrest of five boys after an alleged serious sexual assault on a teenage girl, during which a video was taken.

The Irish Daily Mail lead with Michael Flatley claiming he is the "true owner" of a company seeking to bar him from any involvement in a Lord of the Dance tour.

The Belfast Telegraph lead with Fiona Donohoe speaking as the inquest into her son, Noah's, death begins, and fears of a gangland feud rising after the death of a man who was jailed over the killing of a couple.
Celebrities including actresses Anne Hathaway and Liz Hurley have gathered in Rome for the funeral of acclaimed fashion designer Valentino Garavani.

Former Vogue editor Anna Wintour was also pictured arriving at the service, which follows a two-day public viewing at the Valentino foundations headquarters in the Italian capital.

Anne Hathaway arrives for the funeral of fashion designer Valentino Garavani at the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels and Martyrs in Rome (Andrew Medichini/AP)

Anna Wintour arrives to attend the funeral of Valentino Garavani (Andrew Medichini/AP)

Known universally by his first name, Valentino died at his home in Rome on Monday at the age of 93.

Fellow fashion designers Tom Ford and Donatella Versace were seen attending the service at the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels and Martyrs in Romes Piazza della Repubblica.

Donatella Versace was among the mourners (Andrew Medichini/AP)

Fashion designer Tom Ford arrives at the funeral of Valentino Garavani (Andrew Medichini/AP)

Many famous names from the world of film and fashion have already paid tribute, including his long-time partner Giancarlo Giammetti, actress Gwyneth Paltrow, supermodels Cindy Crawford and Linda Evangelista, and reality TV star Kim Kardashian.

Valentinos long career saw him become synonymous with dressing high society, with Diana, Princess of Wales, actress Elizabeth Taylor and former US first lady Jacqueline Jackie Kennedy Onassis among his clients.

Fashion designer Valentino Garavani in 2009 (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)

Hundreds of members of the public paid their respects during the public viewing, with many also gathering outside the service on Friday.

Valentino transformed high fashion after co-founding his eponymous luxury brand in the 1960s alongside Giammetti, and became known for his shade of Valentino Red as well as his signature use of bows, ruffles and lace.

The coffin of fashion designer Valentino Garavani is carried into the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels and Martyrs in Rome (Andrew Medichini/AP)

His dresses became red carpet favourites for many Hollywood stars, including Sharon Stone, Hathaway and notably Julia Roberts, who wore a black and white vintage Valentino gown to the 2001 Oscars where she won the best actress award for legal drama Erin Brockovich.

Cate Blanchett wore a buttermilk yellow Valentino gown at the 2005 Oscars, when she took home the best supporting actress award for her role in The Aviator.
Immigration officials have detained at least four children, including a five-year-old, from the Minneapolis suburb of Columbia Heights, according to school officials and a lawyer for the family, who challenged the government narrative of the five-year-old's detention put forward by Vice President JD Vance.

The Ecuadorean boy and his father - both in the country legally as asylum applicants - were whisked off to a family detention facility in Dilley, Texas, said Marc Prokosch, an attorney representing the family who is attempting to gain their release.

Zena Stenvik, superintendent of the Columbia Heights Public School District, told a press conference that armed and masked ICE officers had apprehended four students as of this week, listing two 17-year-olds and a 10-year-old in addition to the five-year-old boy, Liam Conejo Ramos.

"ICE agents have been roaming our neighborhoods, circling our schools, following our buses, coming into our parking lots multiple times, and taking our kids," Stenvik said.

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"The onslaught of ice activity in our community is inducing trauma and is taking a toll on our children."

The detentions form part of US President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown, which has deployed about 3,000 federal law enforcement officers to the Minneapolis area, where people have been on edge since an immigration officer shot and killed Renee Good, 37, a U.S. citizen and mother of three, on January 7th.

Heavily armed federal officers have pursued suspects they say are dangerous criminals and immigration violators, while protesters, unnerved by the show of force, have responded with their own observer patrols, blowing whistles to warn people of ICE raids while voicing displeasure with Trump's escalation.

The Department of Homeland Security said Liam's father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, was in the country illegally, but did not provide details.

ICE just used a 5-year-old boy as bait, forcing him to knock on his own door so they could arrest his father. Trump, ICE and CBP dont see these families as people, and thats exactly how theyre treating them. pic.twitter.com/uNvo5KjHwH  Rep. Jimmy Gomez (@RepJimmyGomez) January 22, 2026

Liam, wearing a blue hat and a Spider-Man backpack, watched as masked agents took his father from the driveway of their home after the two returned from preschool on Tuesday, according to witnesses. Officers then attempted to use the boy as bait to lure his mother out of the house, at least two witnesses said.

Vance told a press conference on Thursday that immigration officers were pursuing Liam's father, who ran away, leaving officers no choice but to take the abandoned boy.

"What are they supposed to do? Are they supposed to let a five-year-old child freeze to death? Are they not supposed to arrest an illegal alien?," Vance held a press conference during a visit to Minneapolis to show support for ICE.

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However, school officials, an adult from the family home, and neighbors all offered to take the boy, only to be denied by ICE officials, according to witnesses, including Mary Granlund, the chair of the Columbia Heights school board. Granlund said school officials are authorized to take custody of a child in the absence of a parent.

The boy's mother was inside the home, but her husband instructed her to remain inside, most likely to avoid detention herself, Granlund told reporters. When asked if the boy was being used as bait, Granlund said, "Correct."

World US braced for storms threatening heavy snow and freezing rain Read more

"The sense of safety in our community and around our schools is shaken, and our hearts are shattered, and honestly, at the end of the day, children should be in school with their classmates," Granlund said.

The officers put the child in the back seat of a black SUV and sped away, said Rachel James, a Columbia Heights city council member who also witnessed the events.

"I can't imagine what was going through Liam's mind, but I can tell you what I saw on his face. He was frozen and paralyzed," James told Reuters on Thursday. "He was not crying, but he looked so scared."

Prokosch denied that Liam's father was in the U.S. illegally and said Minnesota records did not show any criminal history for the family. They were awaiting a hearing before an immigration judge, he said.
The death toll in Irans bloody crackdown on nationwide anti-government protests has reached at least 5,002, activists said.

They warned that many more are feared dead as the most comprehensive internet blackout in the countrys history crossed the two-week mark.

The challenge in getting information out of Iran persists due to authorities cutting off access to the internet on January 8.

Tensions are also rising between the United States and Iran as an American aircraft carrier group moves closer to the Middle East  a force US president Donald Trump likened to an armada.

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency offered the death toll, saying 4,716 were demonstrators, 203 were government-affiliated, 43 were children and 40 were civilians not taking part in the protests.



Donald Trump has warned the Iranian government over its crackdown (AP)

It added that more than 26,800 people had been detained in a widening arrest campaign by authorities.

The groups figures have been accurate in previous unrest in Iran and rely on a network of activists in Iran to verify deaths.

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That death toll exceeds that of any other round of protest or unrest in Iran in decades, and recalls the chaos surrounding Irans 1979 Islamic Revolution.





.@POTUS: "We're watching Iran. We have a lot of ships going that direction just in case... We have a massive fleet heading in that direction, and maybe we won't have to use it. We'll see." pic.twitter.com/eL0sRyJb6u  Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) January 23, 2026

Later on Friday, Irans top prosecutor denied a claim by Mr Trump that his intervention halted the execution of 800 people detained in nationwide protests, calling his comments completely false.

The news agency of Irans judiciary, Mizan, quoted Mohammad Movahedi as making the comment. It again calls into question whether there will be mass executions over the nationwide protests.

Officials have already said some detainees face death penalty charges.

This claim is completely false; no such number exists, nor has the judiciary made any such decision, Mr Movahedi said, according to Mizan.

Mr Trump has said that mass executions and the killing of peaceful protesters are both red lines for a possible US military strike on Iran.

Irans government offered its first death toll on Wednesday, saying 3,117 people were killed. It added that 2,427 of the dead in the demonstrations that began December 28 were civilians and security forces, with the rest being terrorists.

Irans theocracy in the past has undercounted or not reported fatalities from unrest.

The Associated Press has been unable to independently assess the death toll, in part due to authorities cutting access to the internet and blocking international calls into the country. Iran also reportedly has limited journalists ability locally to report on the aftermath, instead repeatedly airing claims on state television that refer to demonstrators as rioters motivated by America and Israel, without offering evidence to support the allegation.



Thousands of people have died in Iran during the crackdown (AP)

The new toll comes as tensions remain high over Mr Trump laying down two red lines over the protests  the killing of peaceful demonstrators and Tehran conducting mass executions.

Irans attorney general and others have called some of those being held mohareb  or enemies of God. That charge carries the death penalty. It had been used along with others to carry out mass executions in 1988 that reportedly killed at least 5,000 people.

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The US military meanwhile has moved more military assets toward the Middle East, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and associated warships traveling with it from the South China Sea.

A US official said on Thursday that the Lincoln strike group is currently in the Indian Ocean.

Mr Trump said on Thursday aboard Air Force One that the US is moving the ships toward Iran just in case he wants to take action.

We have a massive fleet heading in that direction and maybe we wont have to use it, Mr Trump said.

The US leader also mentioned the multiple rounds of talks American officials had with Iran over its nuclear programme prior to Israel launching a 12-day war against the Islamic Republic in June, which saw US warplanes bomb Iranian nuclear sites. He threatened Iran with military action that would make earlier US strikes against its uranium enrichment sites look like peanuts.

They should have made a deal before we hit them, Mr Trump added.

The UKs Ministry of Defence separately said its joint Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet squadron with Qatar, 12 Squadron, deployed to the (Persian) Gulf for defensive purposes noting regional tensions.
TikTok's Chinese owner, ByteDance, on Thursday said it has finalised a deal to establish a majority American-owned joint venture that will secure US data, to avoid a US ban on the short video app used by over 200 million Americans.

The deal is a milestone for the social media firm after years of battles that began in August 2020 when President Donald Trump tried to ban the app over national security concerns.

Trump later opted not to enforce a law passed in April 2024 requiring ByteDance to sell its US assets by the following January or face a ban - a measure upheld by the Supreme Court.

ByteDance said TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC will secure US user data, apps and algorithms through data privacy and cybersecurity measures. It disclosed few details about the divestiture.

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Trump praised the deal in a social media post, saying TikTok "will now be owned by a group of Great American Patriots and Investors, the Biggest in the World."

He thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping "for working with us and, ultimately, approving the Deal. He could have gone the other way, but didnt, and is appreciated for his decision."

The agreement provides for American and global investors to hold 80.1 per cent of the venture while ByteDance will own 19.9 per cent.

TikTok USDS JV's three managing investors - cloud computing giant Oracle, private equity group Silver Lake and Abu Dhabi-based investment firm MGX - will each hold 15 per cent.

A White House official told Reuters that the US and Chinese governments had signed off on the deal. The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately comment.

Trump last year said the deal met the terms of divestiture requirements under the 2024 law. The White House in September said the venture would operate TikTok's US app.

Interested parties have yet to disclose elements of the deal such as the business relationships between the venture and ByteDance.

The US president has more than 16 million followers on his personal TikTok account and credited the app with helping him win reelection.

He received a document from TikTok on December 22nd touting how popular he is on the app, showed a photo published this month by the New York Times. The White House also launched an official TikTok account in August.

TikTok said investors in the venture include Dell Family Office - investment firm of Dell Technologies founder Michael Dell - plus Vastmere Strategic Investments, Alpha Wave Partners, Revolution, Merritt Way, Via Nova, Virgo LI and NJJ Capital.

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Former TikTok USDS figures Adam Presser and Will Farrell have been appointed CEO and chief security officer respectively.

TikTok CEO Shou Chew was also named to the venture's board; he leads TikTok's global businesses and strategy.

The venture will retrain, test and update TikTok's content recommendation algorithm on U.S. user data and the algorithm will be secured in Oracle's US cloud, TikTok said.

In September, Reuters reported, citing sources, that ByteDance would maintain ownership of TikTok's US business operations but would cede control of the app's data, content and algorithm to the venture.

The venture will serve as backend operations to the US company and handle U.S. user data and the algorithm, sources said at the time. They said a separate division wholly owned by ByteDance would control revenue-generating business operations such as e-commerce and advertising.

The new venture will receive a portion of revenue for its technology and data services, the sources added.
The US states of Texas and Oklahoma are braced for heavy snow and ice from a winter storm threatening catastrophic damage, extensive power outages and bitterly cold weather.

A combination of heavy snow, freezing rain and sleet is in store from the Southern Rockies to New England until Monday and could affect more than 170 million people across the nation, the US National Weather Service said.

More than 800 flights within, into, or out of the United States were delayed or cancelled for Friday before the storm, including at airports in Dallas, Atlanta, and Oklahoma, according to the flight tracking website FlightAware.



A person shovelling snow amid cold weather in Evanston, Illinois (AP/Nam Y. Huh)

Oklahomas Department of Transportation pre-treated roads with salt brine. The state Highway Patrol cancelled days off so more workers can assist and said it was partnering with the National Guard to send teams out to help stranded drivers.

Travel is going to become more and more treacherous starting late Friday afternoon and lasting through the rest of the weekend, the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma, posted online.

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Oklahoma City Public Schools officials cancelled all classes and activities on Friday due to predicted deteriorating road conditions. Frigid temperatures closed Houston schools on Friday with an e-learning day for public school students. In Dallas, schools were expected to open, but officials said after-school activities were cancelled on Friday and throughout the weekend.

In the Houston area, a utility company had 3,300 employees ready to work.

Its all hands on deck, Houston mayor John Whitmire posted online. Were hoping for the best, but prepared for the worst.

The massive storm system is expected to bring a crippling ice storm from Texas through parts of the south, potentially more than a foot of snow from Oklahoma to Washington DC, New York and Boston, and then a final punch of bitterly cold air that could drop wind chills to minus 46C in parts of Minnesota and North Dakota.

Forecasters are warning the damage, especially in areas pounded by ice, could rival a hurricane. Many people were under winter storm or cold weather watches or warnings  and in many places both.

Cold air streaming down from Canada caused Chicago Public Schools and Des Moines Public Schools in Iowa to cancel classes on Friday. Wind chills predicted to be as low as minus 37C could cause frostbite within 10 minutes, making it too dangerous to walk to school or wait for the bus.

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The cold spell coming afterwards means it will take a while to thaw out, an especially dangerous prospect in places where ice and snow weighs down tree branches and power lines and cuts electricity, perhaps for days. Roads and pavements could remain icy well into next week.



A Nashville Department of Transportation vehicle applies salt brine to a road in Tennessee (AP/George Walker IV)

Ice can add hundreds of pounds to power lines and branches and make them more susceptible to snapping, especially in windy weather.

Freezing temperatures are expected all the way to Florida, forecasters said.

A severe cold snap five years ago took down much of the power grid in Texas, leaving millions without power for days and resulting in hundreds of deaths. Governor Greg Abbott said on Thursday that will not happen again, saying the power system has never been stronger.

Winter storms can be notoriously tricky to forecast, with forecasters saying the places with the worst weather cannot be pinned down until the event starts.

Governors in Georgia and Mississippi have declared states of emergency.

In Huntsville, Alabama, employees from Jomos Power Equipment, Parts & Service sold dozens of generators within about a day and ordered an emergency shipment to meet customer demand.

Id say 95% of the calls were generator-related or either service or Do you have any generators in stock, Bryan Hill, the stores manager, said on Thursday.

Lindsay Sylvester in Toney, Alabama, stocked up early in the week on bread and other supplies at her home and sent her son, who is in college, bread, gloves, candles and hand warmers.

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Ms Sylvester said she went to the shop early in the week because she knew supplies would be depleted close to the weekend.

A couple of people I heard talking about they had gone to Walmart and there was no milk, no bread, she said. All the necessities were gone.





A significant, long-duration winter storm will bring widespread heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain from the Southern Rockies to New England through Monday. Widespread travel disruptions, prolonged power outages, and vast tree damage is likely.



There is still time to prepare pic.twitter.com/ZoiSRrbjXx  National Weather Service (@NWS) January 23, 2026

As a precaution, North Carolinas largest public school system prepared for potentially several days out of physical classrooms next week, telling its teachers to create three days of assignments accessible online or through paper copies.

Virginia governor Abigail Spanberger told residents to prepare for days without power or the ability to leave their neighbourhoods. And in a nod to the politics of the time, the newly-inaugurated Democrat said people should not be scared to call the police in an emergency just because of the immigration crackdowns going on in places like Minnesota.

Arkansas Department of Transportation spokesman Dave Parker pleaded for people to be patient and stay at home if possible once the storm hits.

At a busy supermarket near Dallas city centre, Kennedi Mallard and Frank Green loaded two shopping trolleys full of supplies into their car. They said there were some bare shelves inside.

No water, no eggs, no butter, no ground meat, Mr Green said.
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To hell with delulu. Boo-hoo slop! The fuss surrounding Word of the Year gets old fast, with Decembers dictionaries crowning stuff like skibidi and 67, whatever 67 means. So lets widen the lens. Time to explore what other nations anointed. Sure, we may be deep in January but lets meet jernmarker.

Literally iron fields, the term won the Danish gong as a label for the solar farms dominating that country. Meanwhile, Luxembourg plumped for Trounwiessel (throne change), their shorthand for that countrys duke swap. And Austria fell for a moose.

Yes, a footloose moose called Emil. Over summer the beast strayed onto autobahns, raided orchards, stopped locomotives in their tracks. Emil was a nod to Czech long-distance runner Emil Zatopek, a four-time Olympic champ who never boasted 30,000 fans on Instagram. Eventually a taskforce sedated the nomad, driving him back to Bohemia. Though Moose Emil remains lodged in Austrian hearts, and now its dictionary, as an emblem of adventure.

Moose Emil, who roamed Lower Austria in 2024. APA-PictureDesk via AFP

Next door in Germany the panel chose KI-Boom as its 2025 darling. Sounds exciting until you twig that our AI  or Artificial Intelligence  is their KI: Kunstliche Intelligenz. Quirkier nominees were Wehrdienst-Lotto (military service lottery), klimamude (climate-tired), Vertiktokung (TikTok-ification) and the English import of deal, from Friedensdeal (peace deal), Geiseldeal (hostage deal), and Zolldeal (tariff deal).
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Whats good, whats bad, and whats in between in literature? Here we review the latest titles. See all stories .

From the chaotic evolution of a rock legend after the Beatles to the bone-chilling mysteries of the New Zealand bush, our reviewers cast their eyes over recent fiction and non-fiction releases. Fiction Might Cry Later

Kay Kerr, Macmillan, $34.99 Autistic author Kay Kerr has two YA fiction titles and the nonfiction Love & Autism under her belt; Might Cry Later is her adult fiction debut. We follow Nora Byrne, a 21-year-old whos just blown up her life in Melbourne and, in the prologue, gives an eccentric inside view of the burnout shes experiencing, alone on the top floor of her South Yarra terrace. Nora retreats to her ancestral home in Queensland, shiny new autism diagnosis in hand. Its the week before Christmas  a time of peak dysfunction for many families  and living with her parents again brings back childhood memories that Nora reinterprets, taking her freshly discovered neurodivergence into account. Also brought back is neighbour Fran, a childhood bestie whose heart Nora broke. Awkwardness ensues as Nora cant avoid Fran due to festive social occasions, which are always a little awkward but dont tend to overwhelm neurotypical folk the way they do Kerrs protagonist. Although Nora often feels like crying, throwing up, or that shes on the verge of total humiliation, she has a winning narrative voice. A blunt, often witty, observer of herself and others, Nora makes heavy mental health themes relatable, as she tries to regain balance post-crisis. The One Remaining

Paula McLean, Fearless Press, $34.99

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A patron and former deputy chair of the Stella Prize, Paula McLean turns from advocating for Australian literature to writing some herself. In The One Remaining, Hilary Mason, a successful novelist in her 50s, decides to write a memoir. A traumatic tale begs to be told  her sister Elaine vanished when Hilary was a teenager and, despite suspicions a family member was involved, nothing was said at the time. Drawn by old diaries she kept, Hilary re-examines that loss and the silence surrounding it. Her pursuit of truth leads to painful revelations, but also a meditation on a storied life dedicated to fiction. Philosophical and feminist concerns inform McLeans narrative structure, which functions to probe the vagaries of memory and the ways context can change it, as well as foregrounding its traumatic repression, both at an individual level, and  especially in relation to silence surrounding family violence  a societal one. Such complexity allows this novel to speak as poignantly and elegantly as it does to the necessity of storytelling and its liberating power. The First Law of the Bush

Geoff Parkes, Penguin, $34.99

This rural noir from Geoff Parkes takes us to rugged King Country, New Zealand, in the 1990s. A year previously, Bill Dickerson plunged to his death from a viaduct, but his employer denies responsibility, the coroner returned an open finding, and neither the local police sergeant nor Bills fellow workers Wati Reynolds and Gav Coates have been much use in illuminating what happened that fateful day. At a loss, and still without compensation for the accident, Bills widow Carol turns to lawyer Ryan Bradley. As the dogged, if naive, Ryan begins to ask questions, he uncovers a secret thats darker  and potentially more deadly  than a workplace safety issue. Parkes The First Law of the Bush does take some time to gather speed, largely due to scene-setting chapters from multiple perspectives, but the device does build suspense and immerses us in small-town ambience  rural decency, as well as secrets and menace. The pace picks up as Ryans investment in the case deepens, various players in it become more defined, and legal legwork veers into murder mystery terrain. An atmospheric crime novel from across the Ditch, it should appeal to readers seeking something Oz noir adjacent. Lost and Found

Liz Byrski, Macmillan, $34.99 Former journalist turned prolific author Liz Byrski delivers a tender tale of lost love and found friendship between women. Rose Walters has always been left wondering at the sudden end of her first romance with one Tom Stutchbury. Thirty years on, and now a middle-aged politician living in Perth, Rose makes an impulsive decision to visit her old flame in the UK. Shes tantalised by what might transpire (perhaps a second chance?) but begins to feel foolish as fantasy and reality collide. When Toms elderly mother Dora tells Rose the last thing she was expecting to hear  that Tom is dead  the two women develop an equally unexpected fondness for each other. Rose learns to see her youth with fresh eyes; Dora sees another side to her lost son. As hidden histories emerge, their companionship brings answers and acceptance. What begins with a slightly shaky premise (and implausible behaviour from Rose) soon transforms into a likeable page-turner as the more grounded Dora enters the scene, and the practised ease, warmth, and emotional directness of Byrskis writing get a chance to carry the reader along.

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Meet the Newmans

Jennifer Niven, Macmillan, $34.99 Its 1964, and the Newmans are rapidly becoming the face of the past. This picture-perfect American TV family have starred for years as themselves in a popular CBS sitcom. When husband and father Del has an accident and winds up in a coma, Dinah  homemaker extraordinaire in the series  must take the reins. She collaborates with Juliet, an outspoken young journalist, to write a script for a final episode that will project a more forward-facing image. Meanwhile, the shows famous sons Guy and Shep  one a closet homosexual, the other a budding rock star who impregnates a fan  have their own issues behind the scenes. Unfortunately, Meet the Newmans is too tame for effective satire. Its clunky, heavy-handed (perhaps deliberately so) in its narrative artifice. And it succumbs to period nostalgia without enough humour or authentic subversion to fly as a comedy of cultural collision between 50s repression and conformity, and the second-wave feminism, sexual revolution and counterculture that challenged and replaced them. Jennifer Niven undermines a viable idea with beige execution. Honestly, Leave It to Beaver is funnier, and thats a problem. Non-fiction Crash of the Heavens

Douglas Century, Scribe, $36.99 In the spring of 1943, as word filtered through from Nazi-occupied Eastern Europe about the mass extermination of Jews, David Ben-Gurion and others (including Golda Meir  all living in British Mandatory Palestine), formed an elite paratrooper group of 2000 volunteers (the Palmach) to go into Europe and rescue as many Jews as possible. But there was a problem. They had neither planes nor arms and needed the British with whom they eventually reached an agreement  to rescue downed RAF crews and Jews destined for the death camps. In the same year 22-year-old Hungarian-born Jew Hannah Senesh  a committed socialist/Zionist since she was 17 volunteered and became an elite paratrooper. And this is her story, a compelling one of an intellectually gifted young woman (her father was the playwright Bela Szenes) with a degree of self-certainty and sense of mission way beyond her years. And courage. Tasked with being the radio operator transmitting in British codes, she was captured, tortured (refusing to give up the codes), tried for treason in her birthplace of Budapest by Hungarian judges and shot. A dramatic, often gripping account of Seneshs short, concentrated life.

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Wings

Paul McCartney, Allen Lane, $79.99 In late 1969, as Paul McCartney notes in his foreword to this oral history of Wings,  the strangest rumour started floating around  that McCartney was dead. And he came to accept that there was a kind of truth in it. The Beatles were breaking up, the old Paul was dying and a new one was evolving. And central to that metamorphosis was Wings. Of course, nothing was ever going to come even close to the other band, but what comes across in this compilation of recollections (the McCartney family, the band, friends and associates, the major and the minor), is the excitement of doing something new. It takes us from when the still unnamed Wings (the name came to McCartney during his daughters difficult birth) hunkered down on the familys remote farm in Scotland, eventually emerging to do live gigs (often unannounced) at universities and pubs  to the end around 1980. Given they spent so much time in the Wings bus, its tempting to call this a sort of magical mystery tour. No, Wings werent the Beatles, but they were a bloody good band (albeit on the run) and this record of events captures the spirit of both the project and the times. Great Australian Road Trips

Smita Kunvarji, Simon & Schuster, $36.99 Great Australian Road Trips, the book version of the SBS travel show, features four guides: actor Claudia Karvan, writer Steph Tisdell, comedian Nazeem Hussain and food critic Melissa Leong. Together, they go on adventures. There are six trips in the book, in most of the states and the NT, and their range, in both the landscapes they pass through and challenges involved, reflect the diversity of the country. Melissa and Nazeem, for example, take the Red Centre Way, covering over a thousand kilometres, starting at the Alice and finishing at Uluru. Meanwhile, Claudia and Steph take the Grand Pacific Drive, which includes Thirroul (where D.H. Lawrence lived and wrote his Australian novel Kangaroo) and Kiama (where Charmian Clift grew up)  sadly neither Lawrence nor Clift get a mention. It comes with lots of photos, tips regarding recommended cars and permissions required. Good value for those ready to jump behind the wheel  as well as all those armchair travellers out there.

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U.S. House blocks resolution to bar Trump from using military force in Venezuela

Xinhua) 13:10, January 23, 2026

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday narrowly rejected a Democratic-led resolution barring President Donald Trump from further using military force in Venezuela without explicit congressional authorization.

Two Republicans joined all 213 Democrats in voting for the resolution, resulting in a 215-215 tie, which is enough to defeat it.

"This is crazy. We can't be asleep at the switch -- no oversight, no hearing, no votes, just blind obedience to the executive. That's not the way this place is supposed to run," House Rules Committee ranking member Jim McGovern, who led the resolution, said on the House floor.

Republicans dismissed the measure as unnecessary, saying the United States is not at war with Venezuela.

The Senate earlier this month rejected a comparable war powers measure after two Republican senators reversed course under pressure from the White House.

The U.S. military launched an attack on Venezuela and captured the country's leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife on Jan. 3.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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CultureBooksLiterature Sentenced by the subconscious: What if tech could predict your dreams? Jane Sullivan January 23, 2026  3:00pm 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

When Laila Lalami was growing up in Rabat in the 1970s and 80s, Morocco was enduring a notorious era known as the Years of Lead. Kidnappings, surveillance and using people as spies for the government were commonplace. Any time anybody brought up anything political, she says, my mother would say shh  the walls have ears. Nowadays, its the smartphones that have ears and eyes. Lalami discovered this one morning when she woke up, reached for her phone, and found a Google notification she hadnt scheduled, reminding her not to be late for yoga. It was very unsettling, she says. She joked to her husband that soon only our dreams would remain private. And that got her thinking: suppose the algorithms could snatch away our last shreds of privacy by invading our dreams? Writer Laila Lalami. Beowulf Sheehan That was in 2014, and it was the seed of her sixth book, The Dream Hotel. Its not even a question of whether our thoughts are private, she says via Zoom from her home in Los Angeles. Its quite easy for a company like Google or Amazon to follow your train of thought. Even when you take measures to try and protect yourself, its never enough.

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Lalami wanted to write in Arabic but doubted she knew the language well enough. But when she went on to college and a PhD in linguistics at the University of California, she realised English could be her chosen language as a writer. Since then, her books have been translated into 20 languages. Shes been awarded prizes and fellowships and has been a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award and Booker Prize. But it took 11 years from that first thought for The Dream Hotel to take shape. Lalamis initial idea was that a tech company would come up with a new device to ensure a good nights sleep. Shes an insomniac, and shed certainly get such a device. It led me to invent this tech company, Dreamsaver Inc, and a naive programmer who is just given a job. But I started losing steam 70 pages in. I was not terribly interested in what was happening inside a tech company. Many years ago I worked for one, and it gave me PTSD visiting it in the form of fiction. Laila Lalamis novel follows a woman detained after an AI algorithm analyses her dreams. She set the book aside and worked on another project, which became her bestselling and highly acclaimed novel The Other Americans. I didnt get back to it until 2020, during the pandemic. I pulled out the two pages I thought were salvageable. My main character was a man, so I took it from there and invented a place for him to live, a retention centre. Then I stepped back and realised if I really meant to explore surveillance in all of its forms, Id have to think about who is the most surveilled person in our society. Its a woman.

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Women internalise rules about their own surveillance. We absorb rules about fashion, or what our hair should look like. I thought it would be really interesting if the character was a woman. Then it was off to the races. So the story is about Sara, who, like Lalami herself, is a highly educated professional woman living in the US, but she comes from Morocco, which adds a racial element to her surveillance. Her problems begin at the airport while returning from a regular work trip, where she is pulled aside to see an immigration agent. Lalami has given Sara some of her own experiences as a migrant: Airports for me are places of great anxiety. Sometimes the officer can be having a bad day. What if I say the wrong thing? What if I make a joke? Airports for me are places of great anxiety. Sometimes the officer can be having a bad day. What if I say the wrong thing? What if I make a joke? Sara is told her risk score is too high  as determined by an algorithm that can see into her thoughts and dreams. To her amazement and horror, she must spend 21 days in a retention centre, a prison for people deemed to be at risk of committing a crime. And gradually she finds out that if her score is still high, that 21 days can be extended, again and again. As Margaret Atwood did in The Handmaids Tale, Lalami never gives us any detail about this sinister bureaucracy which hasnt been used in reality, either in the US or in other countries such as Israel and South Africa. She read up about the US criminal justice system, particularly immigrant detention run by private companies.

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Writers such as Kafka and Orwell come to mind, and perhaps particularly Philip K. Dicks short story Minority Report, which was made into the 2002 film starring Tom Cruise. When you see a film like Minority Report set in a far future, you feel this isnt going to happen in your lifetime. But the way I approached it in the book was to make it a lot less comfortable. Readers think this could happen while Im still alive. Editor's pick Literature Sixty books to look out for in the first half of 2026 Nor is this prison a Guantanamo Bay-style hellhole where inmates are raped and tortured. The reality is more subtle and banal, and the worst weapon is the humiliation peculiar to women: deprived of access to children, sometimes forced to go without washing and to wear filthy, bloodstained uniforms, or to confront the nasty supervising officer who finds out that Sara has dreamt of having sex with him. Sara and the other inmates internalise their suffering, doubting the nature of reality, wondering what they have done wrong, trying in vain to follow all the complicated rules. Essentially, the story is the process of her waking up to her reality, to make her realise she has a lot more in common with the people inside than with the people outside. The Dream Hotel was finally published in 2025. More than a dozen publications named it a best book of the year and it was hailed as being both thoughtful and gripping. Lalami agrees that after 11 years, her story has become even more realistic. I saw that a tech CEO wanted to have a zero-crime future. I thought, Oh God, I bet I know how he thinks that could happen.

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In the novel I had to make things feel very plausible. But believe me, reality is under no such constraints. I knew tech CEOs had a lot of influence over governments but I couldnt imagine Elon Musk would be wandering the halls of the White House, walking into the Oval Office and giving speeches to reporters  It was really, really strange, almost farcical. I kept shaking my head. The Dream Hotel (Bloomsbury) is out now. Laila Lalami appears at The Wheeler Centre in Melbourne on March 4 and the All About Women festival at the Sydney Opera House on March 8. The Booklist is a weekly newsletter for book lovers from Jason Steger. Get it delivered every Friday.
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Threatening letter sent to mosque in Sydneys west

A threatening letter sent to a mosque in Sydneys west called for Australia Day violence towards groups including Muslims, Indigenous Australians and supporters of Labor and the Greens parties.
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Australian Federal Police allege a Canberra woman assaulted a cabin crew member after becoming erratic during a flight to Perth in December.

The 52-year-old woman, who was flying to Perth on December 13, is set to appear in court on Friday charged with one count of assaulting crew of an aircraft, and one count of behaving in an offensive and disorderly manner on an aircraft.

A Canberra woman is removed from a flight at Perth Airport in December after allegedly assaulting a crew member. Australian Federal Police

She faces a maximum fine of $16,500 for each charge.

Police allege the woman behaved erratically towards another passenger as the plane was preparing to take off.
Europe will have to stand firm as Donald Trump splinters old alliances in his pursuit of Greenland.

The US president has not made America any greater by burning bridges with its allies and despite talks of a deal, European leaders cannot feel safe when Trump will resume his threats.

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Brussels: The crazy brawl over control of Greenland has come to a sudden halt while all sides claim victory and return to their corners. Donald Trump flew home from his meetings in Europe after declaring that he had everything he wanted at no cost. European leaders talked of their relief that Trump had backed down on his threat to punish them with tariffs. The bizarre prospect of an American strike to take Greenland by force, an idea kept alive by White House aides, has now been ruled out by Trump himself. The confrontation with NATO allies has been paused  and there is the vague chance of a framework that might settle the argument. But there are no winners after this week of dangerous games with European security and the NATO alliance. Trump has not made America any greater by threatening allies with economic pain in his obsessive quest to take ownership of the Arctic territory. European leaders cannot feel safe when Trump can resume his threats at any time. The alliance is weaker. Trust in America is being torched in every nation where Trump turns on his friends. European capitals are engaged in an urgent rethink about how they use hard power to counter the American president. After being hit, they are choosing to fight back. The lesson is that Europe will have to stand firm, says Kristina Spohr, a professor of international history at the London School of Economics and an expert on security strategy and the Arctic. Trump fails to understand one fundamental thing: that Americas strength since the Second World War came from its soft as much as hard power  as an empire by invitation, not an empire by coercion or imposition, she says. Europeans have to hold on to the principles of sovereignty, territory, integrity and self-determination  for the Greenlanders, the Danes and themselves altogether. Because only that ensures an international order where small and middle-sized powers are respected.

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Go on the warpath The fight about Greenland dates back to Trumps first term as president, when he declared his wish to add the island to the US and complained about Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen when she stared him down. It is a much bigger dispute in his second term because it is now about the terms of the alliance. Trump claims to have a framework to gain full access to Greenland at no cost allowing America to use the territory for its Golden Dome, the missile defence system that is being developed in the hope it can destroy enemy missiles if they approach the US. The plan is not public and is not endorsed by Greenland or Denmark, so it is too soon to know if the argument will end with a rational settlement. European leaders are not waiting for that outcome. Some of them have already reached the logical conclusion: when Trump goes after them, they have to go on the warpath. The European Union responded to Trumps tariff threat, for instance, by airing the idea of sanctions on US exports worth 93 billion  about $160 billion. Leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron pushed back hard at Trump. AP We have to remain vigilant, French President Emmanuel Macron said when he arrived at a meeting of EU leaders on Friday morning (AEDT). Macron expressed satisfaction that Europe had stopped Trump by reacting swiftly to his threats. The conclusion to be drawn is that when Europe reacts in a united manner, using the instruments at its disposal, when it is threatened, it can make itself respected, he said. We expect France to be respected, Europe to be respected, and every time they are not, we will speak out and act with clarity.

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Trump may still get what he wants, of course. His approach to negotiation is to make outlandish claims, take the other side to the brink and see how much he can extract. Just because he does not get the invasion of Greenland does not mean he retires hurt. If the framework gives the US guaranteed control over further bases in Greenland, he has more building blocks for the Golden Dome. Denmark and Greenland, and the rest of NATO, appear to be comfortable if that is the outcome. The trouble is they cannot be sure what Trump will demand. His address to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday, highlighted the risk in the way he threatened leaders who disagreed with him  such as Macron as well as Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Loading Even as he dropped the tariff threat, he hinted at future penalties for European leaders if they did not give him what he wanted. That is, Greenland. So they have a choice, he said of the NATO allies. You can say yes, and we will be very appreciative, or you can say no, and we will remember. Property developer in attack mode

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In this dynamic, how much Trump gets depends on how hard Europe pushes back. Spohr, who edited The Arctic and the World Order and is writing a global history of the Arctic, tells this masthead that Trumps approach has been like a bullying property developer in attack mode. She points to history showing that the US could have kept more bases on Greenland, or expanded its operations there under its 1951 treaty with Denmark. After 1991, America cashed in on the post-Cold War peace dividend, she says. The US withdrew from Greenland of its own volition, only retaining the northernmost Thule base, now Pituffik, manned by a mere 150 to 200 military personnel. This was in stark contrast to its 17 military installations and 10,000 troops stationed in the country during the Cold War. Given this context, we must wonder about Trumps obsession with Greenland and inability to calmly deliberate and negotiate with NATO allies as equals. Europeans should stay firm, all the while trying to de-escalate and find solutions face-to-face, working through diplomatic channels, as is the norm. Trump only understands clear red lines and therefore Europeans, as part of the EU and NATO, cannot allow themselves to be bullied.

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For Arctic security at large, from Alaska and Greenland to northern Norway and Finland, it is imperative that allies cooperate and collectively build up their deterrence and defence capabilities vis-a-vis their imperialist and belligerent Russian neighbour and an increasingly assertive China. The past week highlighted that sort of cooperation. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has handled Trump with royal generosity in the past, arranging a state visit last year and a lavish dinner at Windsor Castle with King Charles as host. On Greenland, however, Starmer was blunt. Related Article Analysis

World politics A rupture, not a transition: The Davos bombshell that Australia cant ignore I will not yield, Britain will not yield, on our principles and values about the future of Greenland under threats of tariffs, he told parliament. Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, has spoken in the past about an independence moment for the European Union. With Trump threatening tariffs, she added urgency to that message. In this increasingly lawless world, Europe needs its own levers of power, she told the European Parliament, a few hours before Trumps address in Davos. She admitted that Europe was not changing fast enough. We will need a departure from Europes traditional caution  just like we did on energy or on recovering from the pandemic, she said. Or like we are doing now on defence. The world is changing faster than our mindset.

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WorldEuropeTrump diplomacy Trump triggers fury in Europe over insulting Afghanistan claim David Crowe Updated January 24, 2026  6:14am ,first published 4:54am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

London: US President Donald Trump has provoked fury from war veterans and political leaders by claiming that allied troops stayed a little back from fighting alongside American soldiers in the war in Afghanistan, with Prince Harry joining the condemnation. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Trump should apologise for the remark  a stance backed by conservative political leaders  and the families of those who served denounced the US president for what they called a disgraceful slur on the veterans. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has had a good relationship with US President Donald Trump over the past year, said he should apologise for his remarks. AP The uproar dominated British media on Friday (Saturday AEDT) and spread to France and other US allies as veterans learned of Trumps remarks in an interview with Fox News on Thursday when he questioned the NATO pact and belittled the contribution of allied forces. We get along very well with NATO, I think, but Ive always said will they be there if we ever needed them, and thats really the ultimate test. And Im not sure of that, he said in an interview with Fox News at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

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Weve never needed them, we have never really asked anything of them. You know, theyll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan, or this or that, and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines... But weve been very good to Europe and many other countries. Loading The comments repeated Trumps complaint about the reliability of NATO allies but added the new slur on those who served in Afghanistan  a false claim because Australian soldiers and other allied troops served on the front line in that conflict. Trumps remarks also included the false claim that the US had never asked anything of NATO allies, when the facts show that the US invoked the NATO treaty and gained help from allies when Al-Qaeda launched terror attacks on New York and Washington DC on September 11, 2001.

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Starmer, who has had a good relationship with Trump over the past year, suggested the president should apologise. Related Article Trump diplomacy Europe learns how to counterpunch against Trump in Greenland brawl I will never forget their courage, their bravery and the sacrifice they made for their country, he said of the troops. I consider President Trumps remarks to be insulting and frankly appalling and I am not surprised they have caused such hurt to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured and, in fact, across the country. If I had misspoken in that way or said those words, I would certainly apologise. The intense criticism of the US president comes after a week of open dispute within the NATO alliance over his demand for Greenland and his threat to impose tariffs on eight nations including major allies that sent troops to Afghanistan.

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While Trump backed down on Wednesday by dropping the tariff threat and ruling out taking Greenland by force, his remarks about Afghanistan set off a new firestorm over the alliance. Prince Harry, who served in Afghanistan as an Apache helicopter co-pilot and gunner, joined the flood of criticism from veterans. Prince Harry patrols through the deserted town of Garmisir, Afghanistan, close to Forward Operating Base Delhi, in 2008. AP In 2001, NATO invoked Article 5 for the first  and only  time in history, he said in a statement. It meant that every allied nation was obliged to stand with the United States in Afghanistan, in pursuit of our shared security. Allies answered that call.

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I served there. I made lifelong friends there. And I lost friends there. The United Kingdom alone had 457 service personnel killed. Thousands of lives were changed forever. Mothers and fathers buried sons and daughters. Children were left without a parent. Families are left carrying the cost. Those sacrifices deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect, as we all remain united and loyal to the defence of diplomacy and peace. The fierce response in Britain raises questions about plans for King Charles III to visit the US later this year to mark the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence  an important visit given Trumps open admiration for the royal family. Former paratrooper Ben Parkinson told the BBC he was stunned to hear Trumps remarks. Parkinson was injured in Afghanistan in 2006 when his vehicle hit a mine; he had both legs amputated, among other injuries.

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His mother, Diane Dernie, called Trumps remarks disgraceful. The backlash spread to France and other NATO members given the number of veterans in each country with experience of the Afghanistan war. French military historian and retired colonel Michel Goya rebuked Trump on social media. May the ghosts of the 1000 European and Canadian soldiers who fell in Afghanistan come to haunt you, he wrote on X. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, a former prime minister of the Netherlands, mentioned Afghanistan to Trump in their talks at Davos on Wednesday after hearing the US president question whether allies would come to Americas aid in a crisis.

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Let me tell you, they will, and they did in Afghanistan, as you know, Rutte told Trump while media crews recorded the discussion. For every two Americans who paid the ultimate price, there was one soldier from another NATO country who did not come back to his family  from the Netherlands, from Denmark, and particularly from other countries. President Donald Trump speaks with reporters aboard Air Force One after leaving the World Economic Forum. AP Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk rebuked Trump on Friday in Europe (early on Saturday, AEDT) by recalling his visit to Afghanistan in 2011 after the deaths of five soldiers from Poland. Tusk was the Polish leader at the time and committed troops to the conflict. The American officers who accompanied me then, told me that America would never forget the Polish heroes. Perhaps they will remind President Trump of that fact, Tusk posted on X.

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One of Trumps statements, that the US has never asked anything of NATO allies, is factually incorrect because the US has called on allies in major conflicts since the World War II. Under Article 5 of the NATO pact, the allies agree that an attack on one member is treated as an attack on all. Editor's pick Trump diplomacy We do not have a plan B: Is Trumps Board of Peace destined to fail? US State Department records show that NATO invoked Article 5 of the NATO treaty at a special meeting on September 12, 2001, following the terror attacks on New York and Washington DC. NATO aircraft were deployed to protect US airspace. In addition, NATO allies joined the US in the war in Afghanistan against al-Qaida and the Taliban. The Australian prime minister at the time, John Howard, invoked the ANZUS alliance and committed troops to Afghanistan and, later, Iraq. Another of Trumps statements, that soldiers from NATO allies stayed a little back and off the front lines, is also factually incorrect because many of the allies sent their troops into front line positions.

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Allies were assigned different parts of the country and their forces served in front-line conditions, just as US forces did in other regions. Much of the Australian force was based at Tarin Kowt and other areas in Uruzgan province alongside the Netherlands. When Howard described the Australian soldiers in Afghanistan during a press conference in June 2002, he spoke of them as being in the front line campaign against terrorism. President Bush publicly praised the NATO military contribution after a visit to Afghanistan. A NATO presence in Afghanistan is really important, he said at the White House in March 2006. Thats one of the things that really important for our citizens to understand, that our relationship with NATO is an important part of helping us to win the war on terror. 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 This quiet, frozen frontier town is now key to Trumps global ambitions Anna Griffin January 23, 2026  4:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Nome, Alaska: To the unimaginative eye, the view of Nome, Alaska, from Joy Bakers well-heated SUV looked like a whole lot of nothing: the early winter sun was sliding below the horizon barely four hours after it had risen, the grey water of the inner harbour had already frozen over, and the only stirring came from a flock of hearty seabirds diving for dinner just offshore. But Baker has a vision that goes well beyond the subarctic calm: More traffic, more services, more jobs. More of everything for people here. Baker is director of the Port of Nome and thus the local overseer for a $US548 million ($805 million)-and-counting plan to expand the port, in one of Americas most remote cities on the Bering Sea. Nome is a quiet, frozen frontier town much of the year, known mostly for the Iditarod sled race, and reachable only by air except for a few summer months when the water thaws enough to allow boats through. Nome, population 3700, is accessible only by plane, apart from a few months when boats can pass through. Ruth Fremson/The New York Times Soon, however, Nomes existing dock will be turned into the countrys first deepwater Arctic port, a critical hub in US President Donald Trumps ambitions to make the United States master of the far north and compete with other world powers for untapped natural resources and shipping corridors.

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Trump didnt originate the decade-old plan to expand Nomes existing port, but his Arctic ambitions, including his efforts to take over Greenland, are long-standing and widely known. Joy Baker, a former harbour master who came out of retirement to manage its port expansion. Ruth Fremson/The New York Times Trumps aspirations for Nome were made clear near the end of his first term, when Congress authorised the port expansion with administration support. Last year, the project moved from paper to procurement as the Army Corps of Engineers awarded a $US399.4 million construction contract for the first phase amid an administration-wide push to treat the Arctic and critical minerals as strategic priorities. This summer, crews will start demolishing the existing port. The expansion should be complete, and Nome potentially remade, by 2033. Its not actually like the current administration is trying to open the Arctic  Mother Nature did that, said Baker, a gruff South Texan who moved to Alaska in 1987 and scoffs at ever returning to what Alaskans call, not always lovingly, the Lower 48. I just see the current administration as just capitalising in a way that will ensure our country is more self-sufficient. That cant be a bad thing.

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Whether the port expansion will be good for Nome is a big question for many of the towns 3700 year-round residents and an itinerant population of contractors, health workers and dog-mushing fans. Port expansion, and the economic growth that follows, is expected to double or even triple the population, and some in Nome worry about what could happen without a solid strategy for long-term economic health. Nomes existing dock will be turned into the countrys first deepwater Arctic port. Ruth Fremson/The New York Times This is something of a boom-and-bust town, said Jim West jnr, a long-time civic leader whose eclectic portfolio of businesses includes a gravel company, the local taxi service and the 125-year-old Board of Trade Saloon. We need to make sure this isnt just another economic cycle but something with lasting benefits for our children and grandchildren. Nomes boom began at the turn of the 20th century when prospectors immortalised as the Three Lucky Swedes found gold in nearby Anvil Creek. Their discovery briefly turned Nome into Alaskas largest city, with more than 20,000 residents. A second kind of gold rush came in 2011, prompted by surging gold prices and consisting largely of offshore dredging, but ebbed almost as quickly as it began.

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Today, the flat, treeless winter tundra around Nome is dotted with abandoned mining rigs, and the city is stuck in economic stagnation. Little is produced this close to the Arctic Circle, and everything must arrive either by plane or seasonal barge. Prices, in turn, would shock Lower 48 shoppers. On a recent visit, a gallon of petrol cost $US6.50 ($2.52 a litre), a gallon of milk went for $US6.99, and one browning honeydew melon was priced at almost $US12. Its hard to convince locals to stay and even harder to woo new year-round residents. The hospital and most construction companies bring in temporary workers and either build their own housing or provide housing subsidies that reduce supply and raise costs for year-round residents. The hospital and most construction companies bring in temporary workers and either build their own housing or provide housing subsidies that reduce supply and raise costs for year-round residents. Ruth Fremson/The New York Times Civic leaders like Baker, a former Nome harbour master who came out of retirement to manage the expansion, believe the project will lead to financial sustainability. But that presumes city officials can figure out how to pay for it all. Under its deal with the state and federal governments, Nome must cover 10 per cent of port construction costs and 100 per cent of its own port-related infrastructure needs, such as roads, street lights and sewer lines. The city does not know how much that will cost. Beyond Nome City Hall, optimism about the ports effect is the cautious sort.

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Teriscovkya Smith, the principal at Nome-Beltz Middle High School, estimated that 80 per cent of her students wont go to college and hoped the expansion could bring vocational internships and quality entry-level jobs. So far, however, she hasnt heard from anyone involved in the project. Students in a carpentry class at Nome-Beltz Middle High School. The principal hopes the expansion can bring vocational internships and quality entry-level jobs. Ruth Fremson/The New York Times People who stay build careers, they buy houses, they pay property taxes, said Smith, who fished in Alaska for 10 years before becoming a teacher. Theres a real risk that we just waste an amazing opportunity. In October, Nome voters agreed to increase the local sales tax to 6 per cent to avoid cuts to services such as pothole repair, as well as hours at the town recreation centre. The Nome school district balanced its budget last year by taking money from a fund set aside for teacher housing. Seeing money go into the port when other services face cuts can rankle. I see the point of this thing for some other people  for the military maybe, for big shipping companies, for cruise lines, said Keith Reddaway, co-owner of Builders Industrial Supply, a hardware store a block from the port. But Im not sure I see the point for Nome.

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Tribal members also worry about what this all could mean for the subsistence lifestyle that dominates their 15 Alaska villages of the Bering Strait region. Around Nome, 86 per cent of the population identifies as Indigenous. The port expansion and a new nearby graphite mine, fast-tracked by Trump, could bring more noise, air and water pollution, damage fishing and affect migratory birds and whales. Theyre scared that they will be forced to abandon their traditional homes and seasonal schedules. And they worry Nome, always a little gritty around the edges, will revert to its rougher early days. Workers from Anchorage have dinner at Milanos, a popular gathering place. Ruth Fremson/The New York Times Outsiders bring in drugs, said Shirley Martin, a member of the Yupik nation, whose village is across the Norton Sound. People from the villages come through all the time to see family, go to the doctor, mail packages, just eat out. Will this still be a place where we feel comfortable? This is not the first time Nome has played a part in American security. During the Cold War, the US military kept Air Force bases connected in case of a Soviet attack with an antenna installation atop nearby Anvil Mountain. Today, locals call the abandoned array Nomehenge.

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Now, with sea ice thawing and the United States, Russia and China all eyeing Arctic shipping lanes and natural resources, Nome has emerged again as one of the most strategically important places in the northern hemisphere. Related Article Updated

Trump diplomacy Trump retreats on Greenland threats as framework for a future deal discussed The expanded port wont be a military base, but Nome is an hours flight from Russia. Deepening the port from almost seven metres to about 12 metres will allow every type of US military vessel, except aircraft carriers, to dock in Nome. Im a small-town police chief, and Ive got intelligence officers from the Navy, the Coast Guard, the Air Force coming in here to sit with me, said William Crockett, Nomes retiring police chief. Something big is coming. 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.
A Modern Approach to Work in Ireland

Work in Ireland has changed significantly over the past decade. From bustling offices in Dublins Docklands to home workspaces along the Wild Atlantic Way, Irish organisations are adapting to new ways of working that value flexibility, sustainability and efficiency. While the tools we use every day may seem simple, the right workplace solutions can have a real impact on productivity, employee wellbeing and long-term business success.

Irish businesses today operate in a competitive, international environment. Whether you are a start-up, a public sector organisation or a long-established family business, having access to reliable workplace products and services is essential. From stationery and technology to furniture and facilities management, smart choices help teams focus on what truly matters: delivering quality work and serving customers well.

Designed for Irish Businesses and Teams

Irelands business landscape is diverse. Small and medium-sized enterprises form the backbone of the economy, while multinational companies bring global experience and innovation. Despite their differences, these organisations often share similar needs: dependable supply chains, transparent pricing and solutions that scale as the business grows.

Workplace suppliers that understand the Irish market can make a real difference. Local expectations around service, delivery and customer support are high, and rightly so. Businesses want partners that are easy to work with, responsive to change and aligned with Irish values such as trust, community and long-term thinking.

In recent years, sustainability has become a particularly important consideration. Irish companies are increasingly conscious of their environmental footprint and are looking for ways to reduce waste, improve energy efficiency and choose responsibly sourced products. Workplace decisions, even small ones, can contribute to broader environmental goals when made thoughtfully.

Supporting Hybrid and Flexible Working

Hybrid working is no longer a temporary solution; it is a permanent feature of modern working life in Ireland. Many employees now split their time between the office and home, while others work fully remotely. This shift has changed what people expect from their employers and from their work environment.

Businesses must now think beyond a single office location. Home offices need to be comfortable, safe and well equipped, while shared workspaces must support collaboration when teams come together. Ergonomic furniture, reliable technology and everyday essentials all play a role in creating a positive experience for employees, wherever they are based. A trusted supplier such as Viking Direct can help organisations source consistent, high-quality products for both office and home use, ensuring that employees feel supported and connected regardless of where they work.

Quality, Reliability and Long-Term Value

When choosing workplace solutions, price is important, but it should never be the only consideration. Quality and reliability often lead to better long-term value, reducing the need for frequent replacements and minimising disruption to daily operations. For Irish businesses, particularly those outside major cities, dependable delivery and clear communication are equally vital.

A well-organised workplace also contributes to employee satisfaction. Simple factors such as comfortable seating, organised storage and easy access to essential supplies can improve focus and morale. Over time, these small improvements can lead to higher engagement and better overall performance.

Looking Ahead with Confidence

The future of work in Ireland will continue to evolve, shaped by technology, social change and global trends. Organisations that invest in their people and their workplaces will be best placed to adapt and grow. By choosing partners who understand local needs and offer flexible, forward-looking solutions, Irish businesses can move into the future with confidence.

Ultimately, a workplace is more than just a physical space. It is an environment that supports ideas, collaboration and progress. With the right approach and the right support, Irish teams can continue to do their best work, today and in the years to come.
FOUR organisations in Co Carlow have received a total of 842,000 in Arts Council of Ireland development funding for 2026.

The four organisations are United Fall Dance Company, which received 245,000; Carlow Arts Festival, which received 235,000; the Visual Centre for Contemporary Art and the George Bernard Shaw Theatre, which received 257,000; and Carlow Co Council, which received 105,000.

The same organisations were awarded funding this year as in last years budget.

Carlow County Council received the same amount of funding as last year, funding for the Visual centre increased by 2,000 and funding decreased for Carlow Arts Festival and United Fall Dance Company. Funding for Carlow Arts Festival was down by 27,000 and funding for United Fall Dance Company was cut by the arts council by 5,000. The overall grants budget increased from 68 million last year to 72 million this year.

This budget represents more than half of the Arts Councils annual investiture but there will be further rounds of funding that organisations in Carlow can apply for.

Funds allocated elsewhere in this budget to national organisations like Arts and Disability Ireland, Children Books Ireland and Dance Ireland could also benefit arts organisations in Carlow.

The arts council will make further announcements in due course about how additional funding for disability access to promote more inclusive participation in the arts will be distributed.
Kenneth Fox

Farmer's confidence in Bord Bia will only be restored with a new chairperson in place.

That is the warning from the IFA, after the majority of board members and the Minister for Agriculture expressed their confidence in Larry Murrin on Thursday.

The chief executive of Dawn Farm Foods had been facing pressure to resign after it emerged the company imported a small percentage of Brazilian beef last year.

Mr. Murrin said the nature of supply contracts means contingencies must be in place in the event of supply disruption in Ireland.

President of the Irish Farmers' Association, Francie Gorman, does not accept that explanation.

"I think it is a lame excuse, and I think the statement from the Minister was premature.

"On the ground, this has caught the attention of farmers hugely. The extra asks they have to do at the farm level, and then the chair is bringing in beef from Brazil."

He said that while there is nothing illegal about it is still not right to do it.

It comes as Bord Bia met to discuss Mr Murrins position on Thursday after it emerged that Dawn Farm Foods, where he holds a senior position, had sourced Brazilian beef for the Irish market.

The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) and Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) representatives on the board called for his resignation over claims of a conflict of interest, given Bord Bias responsibility for promoting Irish food and enforcing standards on Irish beef that they do not believe are met by Brazilian farms.

However, Mr Murrin is set to remain in his post after their calls were not supported by a consensus at the board meeting.

The issue is particularly sensitive as the European Commission seeks to progress the Mercosur trade deal with Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

Irish farmers are concerned their beef exports to Europe would be at risk because of cheaper Brazilian beef entering the market.

Bord Bia chief executive officer Jim OToole said there had been a full, open and considered discussion about Mr Murrins position as chairman, which he has held since 2024.

Outlining the non-unanimous expression of support in Mr Murrin, he said: The board was guided by the need to protect the reputation of Bord Bia, Irelands agri-food sector and its clients over the longer term, and concluded that supporting the chairman was in the best interests of the organisation and the sector as a whole, including Irish farmers.

Mr OToole said a report on the meeting and associated issues will be provided to Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon, who has also expressed support for the chairman, as he has broken no rules.
Fiona Ferguson

A robber with 228 previous convictions who raided a Dublin petrol station armed with a knife has been given a three-year, three-month sentence with the final six months suspended.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard the victim left her job as a result of the robbery.

Lee O'Brien (39) of Reuben Walk, Rialto, Dublin 8, pleaded guilty to robbery at Circle K, Dundrum Road, Dundrum, Dublin 14, on June 3rd, 2021.

OBrien has 228 previous convictions for offences including robbery, possession of knives, theft, burglary, assault, as well as drugs and road traffic offences. He was not on bail at the time of this offence as he had recently been released from custody.

Passing sentence on Friday, Judge Orla Crowe said this had been a deliberate and organised offence with OBrien changing his clothes and bringing a knife to the shop.

She said it had been a deeply frightening offence for the victim, which impacted her job.

She said the woman had been doing a service for everyone and had to contend with this behaviour.

Judge Crowe noted since going into custody, O'Brien has attempted to detox and was looking for a suspended portion to the sentence. She took into account that he has apologised.

She said the case had been delayed by Covid and could have been dealt with earlier, but noted he had also taken a trial date, failed to appear and took a bench warrant.

Judge Crowe imposed a three year and three month sentence with the final six months suspended.

Sergeant Donal Tully told Liam Dockery BL, prosecuting, that OBrien approached a staff member at the counter armed with a knife and demanded all the notes in the tills. A total of 350 was handed over.

Sgt Tully said CCTV in the area was reviewed and OBrien was seen running into an apartment where he changed clothes and left on a bike. A backpack was retrieved from where he had been seen to delay behind a tree and his DNA was found on a cap and hoodie inside.

OBrien was identified on the CCTV footage and arrested in June 2023.

The injured party did not submit a victim impact statement, but the court heard she left her job as a result of the incident.

Sgt Tully agreed with Karl Monahan BL, defending, that the case had been delayed coming forward due to Covid and he had already been sentenced for matters which pre-dated and occurred around the same time as these offences.

The garda agreed with counsel that his client had long-standing drug difficulties and most of his offending was bound up with that.

Mr Monahan said OBrien had a difficult start in life and began dabbling with drugs at an early age after ending up in an industrial school, before beginning to use heroin and committing offences to get money for drugs.

He said OBriens life had been blighted by drugs and he was sick of the cycle he was in.

Counsel said his client apologised for the offence and to the lady in question for the shock she experienced. He said O'Brien was hopeful of putting his house in order.
Eoin Reynolds

The State dropped the charges against two parents, who were due to be re-tried for the female genital mutilation of their daughter, after a new report "broadly" agreed with the conclusions of an expert retained by the couple that the child had never suffered the procedure, a court has heard.

The Court of Appeal has now reserved judgment on a bid by the couple to have their conviction for the female genital mutilation (FGM) of the child, which was quashed in 2021, declared a miscarriage of justice.

The trial was the first of its kind in Ireland and was the subject of an RTE documentary late last year.

Lawyers for the couple, who are originally from a French-speaking region of Africa, say that an examination of the child by Swedish FGM expert Professor Birgitta Essen in December 2023 proved that she had never been subjected to the procedure.

Hugh Hartnett SC, for the child's father, said the couple's conviction in 2019 and subsequent two-year imprisonment amounts to a miscarriage of justice.

Brendan Grehan SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), argued that the trial proceeded in accordance with law and proper procedures.

He said the DPP had acted in good faith at all times and any review of the evidence would show there was a "full credible case for the bringing of charges".

Addressing the court on Friday, Mr Grehan said the then one-year-old child presented to the hospital in September 2016 with injuries, the cause of which has not been resolved.

The parents told doctors that the injuries were caused by a fall onto a plastic toy, an explanation that was rejected by experts who gave evidence at the first trial.

However, Mr Grehan said the DPP now has no intention of pursuing the charges against the couple.

Following Dr Essen's examination in December 2023, Mr Grehan said an expert retained by the DPP, Professor Cecilia Berger, reviewed the case and "broadly speaking, agreed with the conclusions of Professor Essen", resulting in the charges against the couple being dropped.

To issue a certificate of miscarriage of justice, the Court of Appeal must be satisfied that new evidence proves, on the balance of probabilities, that the couple is innocent.

Mr Justice John Edwards, presiding, with Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, said they have a lot to think about and reserved judgment.

The couple went on trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in November 2019, having pleaded not guilty to carrying out an act of FGM on their then one-year-old daughter at an address in Dublin on September 16th, 2016. It was the first trial of its kind in Ireland.

The 43-year-old man and 33-year-old woman also pleaded not guilty to child cruelty on the same day.

They were found guilty of the FGM charge in 2019, and it is this conviction that the couple wishes to be declared a miscarriage of justice.

They spent two years in prison before their convictions were quashed when the Court of Appeal found the trial had been "unfair" because of "serious and far-reaching inaccuracies" in how the parents' testimony was translated to the jury.

A jury was unable to agree on a verdict following a re-trial in 2023, and following Professor Essen's examination and a subsequent review, the DPP decided not to pursue the charges.
SINCE Carlow Co Council hired a second dog warden in May 2025, the number of dog licences issued has doubled.

In 2024, the government announced 2 million in funding for local authorities to support the resourcing and hiring of dog warden services in 2025.

Carlow Co Councils figures show that between May and December 2024, 1,259 dog licences were granted and for the same period in 2025 2,539 dog licences were issued, an increase of over 100%.

Liam Carroll, Carlow Co Councils environment officer, said: These figures show that the additional warden is having a big effect in terms of carrying out compliance checks and carrying out patrols.

Our wardens are very active around the county. They are engaging and speaking with dog owners and reminding them of their responsibilities, Mr. Carrol said. We have seen a reduction in the number of complaints related to dog fouling as well. Its not completely eliminated, but there has been an improvement in it. Funding for the scheme was prioritised, as the number of dog attacks in Ireland rose, in large part due to attacks by dogs from restricted breeds, many of whom were not licenced.
WHAT started as a creative solution to keep students engaged during online classes has blossomed into something much bigger for Neasa Egan. The home economics teacher at Presentation de la Salle College in Bagenalstown recently launched her cookbook Recipes For Life and its already making its way into classrooms around the country.

The Instagram account came about around four years ago. Because of lockdown (during the covid-19 pandemic), we were teaching online and I was just trying to come up with something to encourage not just the students but maybe the parents as well, trying to get a little bit of home cooking going on, Neasa explains. So I just started posting with that, thinking that would just be for a little bit and then I really loved doing it, so I kept going. That love for sharing recipes caught the attention of educational publisher Folens, who reached out through the Association of Teachers of Home Economics (ATHE), of which Neasa is a member. What began as an ebook became so popular that its now available as a printed copy in schools nationwide.

Neasa Egan pictured with her grandad.

But this isnt just any cookbook. Neasa has carefully crafted each recipe with the realities of modern home economics classes in mind. We needed skill-based recipes that were doable in an hour, she says, noting that while classes used to be a double 40-minute period, most schools now have hour-long sessions.

The stakes are high for students, too  the cooking exam accounts for 50% of their junior cycle grade and 50% for leaving certificate applied as well. Thats why the recipe book is tailored to make sure that they get it done within the hour, Neasa explains. This includes time for preparation and cleaning up afterwards.

The recipes are scaled down so students arent making a big, massive lasagne but something manageable that can be adapted at home if needed. The idea is that they get it baked and, hopefully, have it for lunchtime, she says, adding that students are often tucking into it and asking to bring a fork out for their lunch. When asked what recipes are crowd pleasers, Neasa laughs: Anything sweet. The recipe book has mouthwatering desserts, including chocolate lava pudding.

But shes also seen students light up over homemade pizzas and lasagne. For some of them, theyre making these things for the first time. Its great seeing them realise oh, I can make this myself. I dont have to depend on someone else to make it for me or I dont have to go out and buy a pizza, I can actually make it myself. Cost is another crucial consideration, especially with rising food prices. Not all schools can provide ingredients so students often have to pay for them. You dont want to put extra expense on families. So thats why I have the minimal ingredients, Neasa says. She plans lessons strategically too  if students buy a large pack of flour for one weeks baking, theyll use it again the following week.

Currently on maternity leave, Neasa has found time for a different culinary adventure a cooking from vintage Irish cookbooks. Its a project thats brought her closer to her granddad, whom she sees every day. My granny was a great cook and Im doing a lot of recipes for him from her old domestic science books. Her grandad has become an enthusiastic collector, buying old cookbooks every few weeks. When you look through some of the recipes, its so interesting, she says. Some discoveries have been surprising  like the egg flip, which turned out to be a drink rather than a cooking technique.

These historical recipes arent just a hobby. In home economics, you have to teach about the historical development of food and eating patterns, Neasa notes. Shes excited to bring these old cookbooks into class and show students what was popular decades ago. If you suggested eating liver or kidneys, things like that, the kids would be like, what? You can eat that. The vintage recipes shared on her Instagram  where she has over 15,000 followers  have struck a chord with people messaging to say theyve unlocked childhood memories.

People message me and say oh my God, my granny used to make me that. Its so nice that food can bring back memories. The popularity might even lead to a second cookbook featuring these nostalgic dishes.

Back at Presentation de la Salle, home economics is thriving. When I started teaching there were three classes and now were going up to four classes, Neasa says proudly.

The subject is also shedding old stereotypes.

Even in terms of the number of boys doing home economics that has definitely improved as well which is so great to see, she says. She points out to her students that most famous chefs people can name are men, adding: I always say to them that home economics is the only subject where you can eat your homework.

The change from years past is striking. I remember a teacher who has since retired telling me that the boys used to be asking if they could go out the fire exit because they didnt want to be seen doing home economics, whereas now its totally different. I give them wooden knives and forks so they can share their food and show the other lads what theyre after making and they would be delighted with themselves.

Even her grandad has got swept up in the cooking enthusiasm. Hed be reading the recipe books and saying oh God, we used to have that when we were kids.' And hes really getting into it. Its lovely." Recipes For Life is available at https://folens.ie/pages/recipes-for-life.

Neasas adventures in cooking and baking can be found on Instagram at @ComeDineOnline.
Dr. Phil Cook Dr. Maurice (Mo) Huggins Jentezen Franklin Jeremy Isaacs Previous Next

Lee Universitys spring Convocation will begin on Sunday, Feb. 1, and conclude on Wednesday, Feb. 4. This dedicated time at the beginning of the semester will allow the university to come together to reflect and worship.

The theme for the services is Unified, inspired by John 17:20-21, I pray for those who will believe in me through [my disciples] message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

Division seems normal in todays world, even expected, said Wes Lutes, Lee campus pastor. As believers, we could drift into that same current, but in Jesus High Priestly prayer (John 17), Jesus calls His followers to something different: oneness rooted in our shared fellowship with Him. In this Lee University Convocation, our prayer is that the Holy Spirit would gather us again and form in us a unity marked by love, service, and cooperation so that together we might reflect Christ in a fractured world.

Each service will welcome a different speaker, beginning with Lee President Dr. Phil Cook and concluding with Jeremy Isaacs, lead pastor at Generations Church in Canton, Ga.

Dr. Cook began his term as the universitys 18th president in July 2025, returning to Lee after serving as president and CEO of the North American Coalition for Christian Admissions Professionals from 2021-2025. He previously held several senior leadership roles at Lee, including vice president for enrollment. An ordained bishop in the Church of God, Dr. Cook holds a doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, a Master of Divinity from the Church of God School of Theology, and a bachelors degree in business from Lee. He and his wife, Tonya, have three children and three grandchildren.

On Monday, Dr. Maurice (Mo) Huggins will continue the sermon series. Dr. Huggins committed his life to Christ at a young age and has been serving in ministry for 13 years in various roles, such as student pastor, teaching pastor, and associate pastor. He currently serves as the lead pastor at Mountain West Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Huggins holds a Doctor of Ministry in biblical preaching, a masters degree in homiletics, and a bachelors degree in pastoral leadership. He is married to Tiana Huggins and has three sons.

Jentezen Franklin will deliver the message Tuesday. He is the senior pastor of Free Chapel, a multicampus church with a global reach, and influences generations through modern technology and digital media, including his televised broadcast, Kingdom Connection, and other outreach efforts. Mr. Franklin is a New York Times bestselling author who speaks at conferences worldwide and has been honored with the Martin Luther King Jr. Mantle of Destiny Award, the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference Micah Award, and the Jewish National Funds Tree of Life Shalom Peace Award for his work in racial reconciliation and commitment to Israel. He and his wife, Cherise, live in Gainesville, Ga.

Convocation will end on Wednesday evening with Lee alum Jeremy Isaacs. Prior to his appointment at Generations Church, Mr. Isaacs was campus pastor of Canton Church for five years at Mount Paran North before the church became autonomous as Generations Church. Mr. Isaacs co-authored the book Toxic Soul: A Pastors Guide to Leading Without Losing Heart. After completing his undergraduate degree in Christian studies and youth ministry at Lee, Isaacs went on to receive his masters degree in theological studies from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.

Evening services will take place at 7:30 in the Conn Center. Each service will begin with worship and praise led by LeeU Worship.

Lee encourages all students and guests to attend and participate in this semesters Convocation. For those wishing to view online, services will be available via livestream at leeu.live and on Facebook. A livestream viewing will also be available in the Dixon Center on Monday and Tuesday evening.

I look forward to Convocation because it brings unity to the student body through worship and praise, said Josh Johnson, a senior pastoral ministry major. Theres a hunger for the presence of the Lord that emerges during Convocation and sets the tone for the rest of the semester.

For more information about Convocation or other chapel events, contact the Campus Ministries office at (423) 614-8420 or email campusministries@leeuniversity.edu.
John Kenyon, assistant director of Marketing and Public Relations at Georgia Northwestern Technical College, received the Silver Medallion Award from District 2 of the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations in the Promotional Video-Long Form category.The award was presented to Mr. Kenyon, a resident of Rome, at the recent NCMPR District 2 Annual Conference in Virginia Beach. Mr. Kenyon was cited for his role as producer, videographer and video editor for GNTCs EMPOWER video.We are incredibly proud of John and this well-deserved recognition, said Dr.Heidi Popham, GNTC president. This award is a testament to Johns creativity, professionalism and commitment to excellence. His ability to tell our students stories in a powerful and meaningful way makes him an invaluable asset to Georgia Northwestern Technical College.The EMPOWER video features four past and present GNTC students who share their stories and describe how GNTC and the GNTC Foundation empowered them to overcome barriers and find success.Lauretta Hannon, executive director of Institutional Advancement at GNTC, selected the students that were featured in the video and served as the off-camera interviewer during the video shoot.The award is Mr. Kenyons sixth Medallion award since joining GNTC in 2010. Prior to GNTC, Mr. Kenyon was a videographer and news writer for Western Carolina University, where he received five awards from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District 3.Mr. Kenyon also has additional experience in the news, broadcast and post-production industries in the Charlotte, NC, area, including; Televisuals, WSOC-TV, Creative Sports/ESPN, Cable AdNet and as a freelancer.To view the EMPOWER video, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yu9ALkMERgY."NCMPR is the leading professional development organization exclusively serving two-year college communicators," officials said. "NCMPR provides regional and national conferences, webinars, a summer institute, relevant information on emerging markets and PR trends, and connections to a network of more than 1,600 members across the United States, Canada, and other countries. It is the only organization of its kind that exclusively represents marketing and public relations professionals at community and technical colleges."District Two of NCMPR includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands and The Bahamas.
The Annual Love Without Reason FatherDaughter Dance will take place on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 6:30 p.m. inside Collegedale Commons."The lights inside Collegedale Commons will soften, music will float through the room and something extraordinary will unfold," organizers said, "Fathers will arrive hand in hand with daughters of every age. Some little girls will wear sparkly shoes that click proudly across the floor. Teen daughters, a little taller now, will smile shyly as their dads straighten ties and corsages.There will be laughter, gentle spins and moments when time seems to pause - just long enough for a father to realize how quickly his little girl is growing."But this night will be about more than dancing."As couples sway beneath twinkling lights, the purpose behind the evening will quietly but powerfully fill the room. Love Without Reason will gather families not only to celebrate the sacred bond between fathers and daughters, but to raise funds for a mission far beyond the walls of Collegedale Commons - a mission to combat human trafficking and to provide free cranial and facial surgeries to children and adults across Africa and India."During the evening, stories will be shared - of lives saved, of children given new faces and new futures through life-changing surgeries, and of hope restored where despair once lived. Each ticket purchased, each donation made and each step taken on the dance floor will become an act of love extended across oceans and borders."Fathers will hold their daughters a little closer as they listen. Daughters will look up, understanding - perhaps for the first time - that love is not just something you feel, but something you do. Something that protects. Something that heals. Something that stands against injustice."When the evening draws to a close, the music will fade but the impact will not. The memories created, the generosity shared and the purpose embraced will linger - proof that when love is given without reason, it can change the world."And on Feb. 7, 2026 at Collegedale Commons, it will - one dance, one heart and one life at a time."Tickets can still be purchased at LoveWithoutReason.org
Robert Scott Langley, Jr. was born in Kinston, North Carolina, on March 27, 1950, to Roberta Huffman Langley and Robert Scott Langley. He died of cancer in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on January 12, 2026.

Scott is survived by his sisters, Martha Langley Perkins and Lee Anne Langley; his brother-in-law, William Stephen Perkins; his nieces, Scott Langley Jeffrey and Anne Scott Quinn and her husband Matthew Quinn; his nephews, Robert Langley Jeffrey and his wife Dorothea Jeffrey, David Langley Jeffrey and his wife Tiffany Jeffrey; and John Broaddus Livingston, Jr. and his wife Rieko Livingston; his great niece, Sophia Langley Jeffrey; his great nephews, Samuel Langley Jeffrey, Bo Lok-Man Jeffrey, and Owen Scott Quinn; and many cousins and friends.

As his family and friends attest, Scott was an unforgettable, unique individual, gifted with a towering intellect and a broad and deep curiosity about and knowledge of many different subjects, arcane and mundane, which he delighted in sharing with all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

His profound intellectual potential was first observed by his surprised mother when, at age four, he unexpectedly started reading to her from the newspaper. No logical reason for this precocious ability was ever determined, but it was assumed that he taught himself as she read books to him.

This auspicious beginning into the world of words presaged Scotts life-long journey of erudition, curiosity, and wonder. Like other young children, Scott watched and enjoyed Looney Tunes; but unlike other children, he also listened to and enjoyed Aida and Madame Butterfly. Whatever he took up, he did so with passion and determination, easily excelling in all school subjects. A naturally ungifted athlete, Scott became, through sheer grit and determination, an excellent competitive swimmer in middle-distance freestyle events.

He attended McCallie School in Chattanooga from 1965-1968, where he continued high achievement in academics and in swimming; thus began his life-long relationship with his beloved McCallie and the many friends he made there through the years. For Scotts many contributions to the life of the school, McCallie named him its 2010 Alumnus of the Year.

After graduating from McCallie, Scott attended the University of North Carolina on a Morehead Scholarship, graduating in 1972, with a B.A. in Latin.

In 1976 he earned an M.A. in cinematography at New York University (NYU) and followed that degree with an informal A.B.D. (all but dissertation) in cinematography. He was lured from D.W. Griffith by law school and graduated from New York Law School with a J.D. in 1981, followed by an LL.M. in taxation from NYU in 1982.

Scott began his legal career at Olwine, Connelly, Chase, ODonnell & Weyher in New York City (NYC), specializing in telecommunications mergers and acquisitions tax law. He reveled in the minutiae and arcania of corporate tax law and retired from Baker Botts in 2021. He then returned to Chattanooga to engage fully with the McCallie community and his many friends there.

Living and working in NYC allowed Scott to thrive as a passionate bon vivant. By day, he was a hard-working tax attorney, and by night, nearly every night of the year, he was a dedicated devotee of the arts. As his admiring family and friends attest, he loved to share generously his NYC with them, includingbut not limited toculinary extravaganzas, art shows, theatre, musicals, opera, ballet, symphonies. Many remember, with fondness and awe, Scotts hosting legendary dinners at Lutece and Le Bernardin, among other fabled restaurants, at which he instructed one and all in the finer points of wine tasting.

Scott was a dedicated and intrepid traveler and delighted in sharing his exotic adventures with family and a wide array of friends, priding himself on his stamina during arduous expeditions. He focused on three exotic destinations: (1) scuba-diving adventures in the Red Sea and the Cayman Islands; (2) Egypt; and (3) Morocco. He visited these locales at least once a year. Indeed, he visited Egypt and its valued antiquities so often that he was followed by the Egyptian secret police.

Closer to home, Scott set for himself the goal of walking the entirety of the Appalachian Trail, trekking a discrete distance on the trail for a number of years, always with family or friendsor both. He almost met that objective, nearly reaching Acadia National Park, before deciding that he had already broken too many bones to continue. Those treks invariably included stays at lovely inns and meals at lauded restaurants, both high-brow and low.

An extraordinary individual, Scott brought riotous joy to so many, animating the world around him, through his wit and humor, alternately sophisticated, or puerile, or bawdy (or all three simultaneously); his unquenchable curiosity; and his generosity in sharing his passion for gustatory delights, the performing and visual arts, exotic locales, and the magical wonders of being alive.

The week before he died, Scott observed, Ive had a great life, and Im ready to go. This statement is a genuine source of comfort for his bereft family and friends. Scott joyfully and deliberately grabbed onto life and lived it, always full of intellectual vigor, wit, discipline, determination, passion, humor, friendship, and generosity.

A Celebration of Scotts Life is scheduled on Saturday, March 7, at 10 a.m. at McCallie School in Chattanooga. Family and friends are cordially invited to attend and to share anecdotes and remembrances during the celebration.

In lieu of flowers, Scotts family respectfully requests donations in his honor made to the American Cancer Society.
Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee. | Mike Huckabee Facebook

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has publicly rebuked senior Orthodox and Catholic leaders in Jerusalem after they issued a joint statement describing Christian Zionism as a damaging ideology.

The dispute follows a Jan. 17 declaration titled A Statement from the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem on Unity and Representation of the Christian Communities in the Holy Land.

The Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in the Holy Land affirm before the faithful and before the world that the flock of Christ in this land is entrusted to the Apostolic Churches, which have borne their sacred ministry across centuries with steadfast devotion, the statement said.

Although the declaration did not name specific organizations or events, the church leaders criticized recent actions by local individuals promoting ideas such as Christian Zionism, claiming such efforts mislead the public, sow confusion, and harm the unity of our flock.

They added that these activities have found favor among certain political actors in Israel and beyond who seek to push a political agenda which may harm the Christian presence in the Holy Land and the wider Middle East, without offering further details.

The Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem include the Coptic and Greek Orthodox patriarchs; the Maronite, Melkite, Syrian, and Armenian Catholic patriarchs; the Armenian Apostolic patriarch; and Lutheran and Anglican leaders.

The statement came weeks after more than 1,000 American pastors and Christian influencers visited Israel during the Friends of Zion Ambassadors Summit, an event organized in partnership with Israels Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Referencing the book of Romans, the church leaders argued that anyone asserting authority outside the communion of the Church is to wound the unity of the faithful and burden the pastoral mission entrusted to the historic churches in the very land where our Lord lived, taught, suffered, and rose from the dead.

The statement also raised concerns about outside involvement in church affairs, noting that those promoting these views have been welcomed at official levels both locally and internationally. Such engagement, they said, amounted to interference in the internal life of the churches [which] disregard the pastoral responsibility vested in the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem.

The patriarchs further reaffirmed that they alone represent the Churches and their flock in matters pertaining to Christian religious, communal, and pastoral life in the Holy Land.

Huckabee, a conservative Evangelical and former Southern Baptist minister who previously served as governor of Arkansas, responded forcefully in a social media post Tuesday.

I love my brothers and sisters in Christ from traditional, liturgical churches and respect their views, but I do not feel any sect of the Christian faith should claim exclusivity in speaking for Christians worldwide or assume there is only one viewpoint regarding faith in the Holy Land, Huckabee wrote.

Labels such as 'Christian Zionism' are too often used in a pejorative manner to disparage free-church believers, of which there are millions across the planet. Christians are followers of Christ and a Zionist simply accepts that the Jewish people have a right to live in their ancient, indigenous, and Biblical homeland.

Its not a commitment to a particular government or government policy, but to the Biblical revelation as given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, he continued.

In my faith, there is certainly room for those who 'butter their bread' differently than me, and I would hope that there would be room in the hearts of other church bodies for me. We need to unite in those truths that should be agreed upon, such as the sanctity of life, the sacred act of marriage, the autonomy of the individual, the desire to lift up every human and alleviate human suffering, and the belief that grace is Gods gift to us all.
Former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams. | Screenshot: YouTube/ The Institute of Art and Ideas

Former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of committing heresy after the Russian leader suggested that his countrys military actions were being carried out at divine direction.

Williams, who led the Church of England from 2002 to 2012, made the remarks in a recent interview with The Independent while responding to a speech Putin delivered earlier this month to Russian troops during celebrations marking Orthodox Christmas.

According to reports, Putin told soldiers that Russias invasion of Ukraine was a holy mission and said their actions in the neighboring country were taking place as if at the Lords behest.

Id certainly say were talking about heresy, Williams told The Independent in comments published Sunday.

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.

Williams pointed to John 18:36, where Jesus is recorded as saying, my kingdom is not of this world, adding that if it were of this world, my servants would fight.

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, Williams said.

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

Williams remarks come at a time when diplomatic efforts toward a possible peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia continue, even as fighting between the two nations persists.

Earlier this month, Putin released a statement in honor of Orthodox Christmas in which he drew parallels between the salvation offered by Jesus Christ and service in the Russian military.

Today we are celebrating a wonderful and bright holiday of the birth of Christ. We often refer to Christ as the Savior because He came into the world to save all people, Putin said, according to an official transcript.

And the warriors, Russian warriors, always carry out this very mission as if by the command of the Lord, a mission of defending the Fatherland, defending our country and its people. People in Russia have always treated their warriors as those who, acting at Gods command, carry out this holy mission.

Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church has also drawn criticism for portraying the invasion as a holy struggle against what he has described as Western satanism.
Home News Christian teacher fired for sharing Evangelical views appeals employment dismissal ruling

Quick Summary AI Summary Christian lecturer Aaron Edwards appeals dismissal from Cliff College over comments on homosexuality.

Sheffield Tribunal upheld his dismissal for expressing traditional Evangelical views on social media.

Edwards claims the ruling undermines his freedom of religion and expression. An artificial intelligence-powered tool created this summary based on the source article. The summary has undergone review and verification by an editor. See Summary

A Christian lecturer was in court this week to appeal a tribunal decision that upheld his dismissal from a Bible college over a social media post expressing traditional Evangelical views on sexuality.

Aaron Edwards argues that the Sheffield Tribunal's ruling upholding his dismissal unlawfully undermined his freedom of religion and expression.

The Christian theologian was sacked by Cliff College in Derbyshire after tweeting comments defending the biblical view of sexuality in response to a debate in the Church of England in February 2023 to allow same-sex blessings.

In his tweet, Edwards said, Homosexuality is invading the Church. Evangelicals no longer see the severity of this b/c theyre busy apologizing for their apparently barbaric homophobia, whether or not its true. This is a Gospel issue, by the way. If sin is no longer sin, we no longer need a Saviour.

His comments prompted widespread reactions on social media, with some critics accusing him of homophobia. In subsequent tweets, he defended his comments as reflecting "the conservative view" on these issues, and insisted it was "not homophobic to declare homosexuality sinful."

He refused requests from Cliff College to remove his posts and was later investigated by the college, before being sacked for misconduct for bringing the college into disrepute.

He already received limited permission to appeal his sacking and appeared before the Employment Appeal Tribunal in London on Thursday, seeking to expand the grounds of his appeal.

Speaking ahead of the hearing, Edwards said he was praying for "justice."

"My legal case is essentially about challenging compromise. Cliff College seems to think you can still brand yourself 'Evangelical' while thinking or saying nothing about the threat to the Gospel posed by the radical incursions of LGBT ideology into previously faithful denominations, churches and colleges today. They fail to see that compromise is 'a Gospel issue,'" he said.



He added, "I hope and pray for justice this week."

Edwards is being supported in his case by the Christian Legal Centre (CLC), which says he has been unable to work as a Bible college lecturer since his dismissal and has suffered financial hardship and serious stress-related health issues.

Commenting on his case, CLC chief executive Andrea Williams said that "reputational concern" was "not a legitimate basis for penalizing protected Christian expression."

Edwards was dismissed for expressing an entirely mainstream Christian belief grounded in biblical morality. This is not a marginal or extremist view, but one protected under U.K. equality and human rights law," she said.



She went on, "This case raises serious questions about freedom of religion, freedom of expression, and the lawful limits of institutional authority.

"If Christian academics cannot express orthodox Christian convictions in so-called Christian institutions without fear of sanction, then the legal protections afforded to religious belief are being hollowed out. We will stand with Aaron until justice is done."

This article was originally published at Christian Today
Home News Maryland county quits reciting Lord's Prayer before meetings after atheist group protests

Quick Summary AI Summary Wicomico County Council stops reciting the Lord's Prayer before meetings.

Decision follows a complaint from an atheist legal group.

Council cites potential for costly litigation as a reason for the change. An artificial intelligence-powered tool created this summary based on the source article. The summary has undergone review and verification by an editor. See Summary

A county government in Maryland has announced that it will quit reciting the Lords Prayer at the start of meetings following a complaint from an atheist legal group.

The Wicomico County Council decided last week to discontinue its practice of having a biblical invocation, citing concerns about the potential for expensive litigation.

This decision was made by Council President John T. Cannon after receiving legal guidance indicating that the United States District Court for Maryland and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit have ruled against council-led sectarian prayer, stated county officials, according to CBS News affiliate WBOC.

Legal counsel advised that any challenge to this precedent would likely require litigation through the U.S. Supreme Court level, with no reasonable expectation of success in the Maryland courts or Fourth Circuit.

The Christian Post reached out to the Wicomico County Council for this report, however a response wasn't provided by press time.

For her part, County Executive Julie Giordano denounced the decision, lamenting in a social post quoted by WBOC that local officials bent the knee for one person at the expense of 104,000 people.

I dont think we wouldve been sued, Giordano added. Weve looked at the legal ramification of having the Lords Prayer at the beginning. It would definitely be an issue if we were forcing people to say the Lords Prayer, but you have the choice.

For months, Wicomico County Council President John T. Cannon would recite the Lords Prayer at the start of official meetings, with the Pledge of Allegiance being performed afterward.

Last October, the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation sent a complaint letter to Cannon, noting that a concerned community member had informed them of the practice.

An additional concern was regarding a meeting in September 2025 in which a county councilmember read from the Bible and then implored attendees to become Christian.

Prayer and proselytizing at government meetings is unnecessary, inappropriate, and divisive, wrote Charlotte R. Gude, legal fellow with the FFRF, in the complaint letter.

Council members are free to pray privately or to worship on their own time in their own way. They do not need to worship on taxpayers time.

On New Years Eve, Cannon wrote back to Gude explaining that the Wicomico County Council has determined that beginning in calendar year 2026, it will discontinue the recitation of the Lord's Prayer as part of the Council's meeting agenda.

In 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in Town of Greece v. Galloway that a town in New York could have explicitly Christian prayers before the start of their official meetings.

However, the 2014 decision was focused on whether invited clergy could give such invocations and did not address whether it was constitutional for elected officials to do the same.
Home News 'We bagged him and put him in the freezer': Ex-Planned Parenthood worker haunted by aborted baby remains 'We were just like robots'

When Nallely Perez started working for Planned Parenthood, she believed she was stepping into a job that would support her family while she was helping other women. Initially indifferent to abortion, Perezs views changed the day she was required to rinse and bag the remains of a 16-week-old aborted baby.

Perez accepted a job as a receptionist at a Planned Parenthood facility in Santa Maria, California, in the late 2000s because she believed the position would provide stability and help her support her children.

The former abortion worker had been a teen mom after becoming pregnant at 14, and after learning about her daughters pregnancy, Perezs mother had offered to take her for an abortion.

Fourteen-year-old Perez, however, kept the baby after her boyfriend  who eventually became her husband in 2016  told her that he would take the baby and raise it so Perez could live the life [she] want[ed.]

And I was like, 'No, that makes no sense. So, you know, I fell in love with that baby after that. And at seven and a half months, I had her, and she changed my life completely, Perez told The Christian Post.

By the age of 19, Perez had four children and a fragile relationship with the man who would later become her husband. After studying to become a medical assistant, Perez worked at a low-income clinic, but the salary wasnt enough to support her family.

When my review came up, they gave me like a 10-cent raise, and I was like, I need more. I have kids, Perez told CP. So, I started looking for a job, and I found that Planned Parenthood was hiring. It said that it was hiring for a receptionist. So I was like, 'OK, let me apply.'

For Perez, the receptionist job at Planned Parenthood seemed too good an opportunity to pass up, as it promised better pay than she earned at the low-income clinic.

At the time, Planned Parenthoods role as an abortion provider didnt bother Perez. During the job interview, Perez was asked how she felt about abortion, and her answer came easily: As long as I dont have one, I support others who choose it.

She also viewed Planned Parenthood as an organization that helped individuals with family planning, as her husband had gone there in 2006 for a vasectomy after the couple had their fourth child.

And I was like, You know, if they help me not to have kids, I can go and help people not to have a lot of kids, Perez said about her mindset at the time.

The mother of four started working at Planned Parenthood two weeks after her interview and worked there for a year. The facility trained Perez as a receptionist first, then asked whether she was interested in training for a counseling position.

I had no idea what that was, but then I started training, the mother said.

As a counselor, Perez would take women who had received a positive pregnancy test to a room to discuss their options: parenting, adoption and abortion. Perez said that she was taught to emphasize the urgency of scheduling an abortion, telling women they could end up having to travel far to have one if they waited too long.

If they wanted information about adoption, we gave them a pamphlet, the former Planned Parenthood worker recalled. If they wanted to parent, wed give them a pregnancy test confirmation, and then theyd be out. But most of our clients stayed to listen to the abortion options.

Perezs role at the facility evolved, and she eventually started working in the recovery room, monitoring women after abortions, and in the procedure room where the abortions took place.

There were a lot of women in there who looked like they didnt really want to be there, because they were crying, Perez remembered about the procedure room. Some women were there holding a rosary. Some women asked, Hey, can you hold my hand while Im going through this?

And I was like, 'Why are you asking this of me? Youre here; you made this decision, Perez remembered thinking about those women. My heart was so hard at the time. I had no feelings  nothing made me feel bad about what I was doing.

Planned Parenthood also assigned Perez to work in the products of conception lab, the room where the remains of the aborted children are counted to ensure nothing has been left inside the woman.

I cant even describe the smell. It smelled like metal, Perez said about the POC lab.

After each abortion, a jar containing the remains of the aborted child was brought into the lab, she recalled. Perez's task was to empty the contents into a petri dish lying under a bright light, and then an abortionist would come and count the pieces of the baby.

Then it was Perezs job to rinse the remains, seal them into a red bag, and place them in the freezer. By the end of the day, there were usually around 13 or 14 bags filled with remains stacked inside.

We were just like robots, she said. We were just handed the jar, we emptied it in the POC lab, had the doctor come in, and then we did that for the next one, and then the next one, and then the next one. It was just non-stop.

As is the case with most abortion facilities throughout the country, the Planned Parenthood where Perez worked had a pro-life presence outside of the facility. Perez remembered seeing two different types of pro-lifers during her time with Planned Parenthood.

One group of demonstrators would block the parking lot entrance, or they would scream at abortion-minded women or the Planned Parenthood employees entering the facility.

Perez remembered one day, when she was walking a girl to her car, one of the more aggressive protesters shouted at her, Theres a special place in hell for you.

And I was like, What does that even mean? Im not doing anything bad. Im just helping women, she remembered thinking to herself at the time.

The group of pro-lifers who stood out to Perez, however, were those who stood across the street and quietly prayed. Some in this group would bring an image of the Virgin Mary, which Perez could see from a window in the lab facing the street.

The image infuriated Perez at the time, even though she considered herself Catholic.

I would get so mad, she said. Id think, Why did they bring her here? Were not doing anything bad.

Her apathy fractured following an abortion being performed on a woman who was 16 weeks pregnant, four weeks beyond the facilitys usual 12-week limit, because someone had made a mistake when reading the womans ultrasound.

The Planned Parenthood in Santa Maria always had traveling abortionists, and the one who was there that day insisted that he was trained to abort babies beyond 12 weeks. After the abortion, Perez handled the remains in the POC lab, as she had always done, only this time, things were different.

In the past, I would see little arms, little legs, but this baby, his head was complete, Perez said, crying at the memory. The baby was just sitting there, and his arms were a little longer than the other babies.

You could even see his little spine, his little legs, and everything was just so fully formed. You could see the place where his little eyes were going to be, she continued. And the doctor came in and, just like with any other baby, he counted the pieces. And then we bagged him up and put him in the freezer.

That night, Perez had a dream about the aborted baby in the petri dish. The next day, she asked one of her co-workers at Planned Parenthood if she felt disturbed by what they had seen.

She told me, No, this is normal. We do it all the time, Perez said. She kind of just blew it off, but for me, this baby was always in my head. I couldnt get it out.

In 2009, the father of Perezs children began restoring his relationship with God. As he grew in faith, Perez felt something stir inside herself, and she began to question her work.

Eventually, she gave her two weeks notice and left Planned Parenthood.

Years later, Perez connected with Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood clinic director and founder of the pro-life group And Then There Were None. Perez had seen a trailer for the movie Unplanned during a 2019 youth conference in Los Angeles. The movie tells the story of how Johnson became pro-life and left the abortion industry.

After googling who Johnson was and learning more about her story, Perez realized there were wounds from her time at Planned Parenthood that had yet to heal.

She confessed to a priest but still didnt feel forgiven. Eventually, she reached out to Johnsons organization, which invited her to a healing retreat for former abortion workers.

Surrounded by other former abortion workers who knew the sounds, the smells, the machinery, the memories, something finally shifted.

There was no shaking of the head, no 'Oh, gosh, I can't believe she did that, Perez said. There was no shame.

For the first time, Perez felt forgiven, but she was also compelled to act.

While certain sights still trigger memories from her time at Planned Parenthood, such as bright lights and, one time, an ultrasound at a pregnancy center, Perez is no longer alone in carrying her guilt and pain.

At the end of 2025, Perez accepted a promotion as operations manager of ProLove Ministries, which includes LoveLine, a national hotline that Johnson founded to help connect pregnant women and families with resources. The mother of four now counsels women and offers encouragement by sharing her own experiences as a teen mom, a far cry from her work at Planned Parenthood.

Perez also speaks at pro-life events, and she appeared in the 2023 mini-documentary, She Was Stronger, which highlighted the stories of several former abortion workers and how Johnsons ATTWN ministry helped them.

God has uniquely equipped Nallely and redeemed every area of her life: in her faith, her family, and through her work in this ministry, Johnson said in a statement provided to CP. Her unique experience on both sides of this issue makes her an invaluable voice for the mothers and families we serve every day.
Home News Founding pastor of Cities Church warns 'Christ or chaos' only choices amid growing hostility

A pastor who helped plant Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, urged Christians to continue proclaiming the Gospel amid what he discerns as an escalating cultural hostility in the United States, leaving "Christ or chaos" as the only two options.

The Rev. Joe Rigney, who lived in Minnesota for 18 years and now serves as associate pastor at the Douglas Wilson-led Christ Church (CREC) in Moscow, Idaho, said during a Wednesday interview on "The Tucker Carlson Show" that the recent protest at Cities Church is symptomatic of a spiritual sickness in American society that he claims is abetted by some in the government.

Carlson's interview with Rigney begins at roughly the 1:10:00 mark in the video below:

Armed enforcers of the Great Replacement swarm ICE officers in Minneapolis. A report from the scene. pic.twitter.com/SPaOYSR7Rh  Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) January 22, 2026

A mob of left-wing protesters, accompanied by former CNN host Don Lemon, stormed Cities Church last Sunday during the sermon to protest one of its pastors, who also serves as the acting director of the ICE St. Paul field office.

They called on the pastor, David Easterwood, to resign amid ICE's crackdown on illegal immigration in Minnesota's capital region, and shouted slogans in the faces of the churchgoers, forcing the service to end.

The disruption prompted condemnation from some government officials, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, who announced on Thursday the arrest of three individuals involved in the disruption and their charges under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act of 1994.

Rigney, who served at Cities Church until 2023, said there is "escalating violence on the Left of normal Christian people, and I just want to underscore that piece of it." He noted that Cities Church is not populated by political activists.

"This is not a political church. These are normal, Bible-believing Evangelicals," he said, noting that their mission is worshiping Jesus, loving one another and seeking the good of the Twin Cities.

"And instead, this political chaos intrudes in the middle of a worship service and disrupted," Rigney continued, adding that he agreed with the Rev. Jonathan Parnell, lead pastor of Cities Church, who denounced the church storming as "shameful" when it was occurring.

Carlson said Jesus Himself has long been a target of revolutionaries in the past, and suggested the recent storming of the church was a direct attack against Him.

Rigney went on to observe "a deep sickness in our culture" that he claimed some in government authority are encouraging, and that only Jesus can fix.

"They're terrorizing normal, law-abiding citizens, and then they're encouraging the lawless and the lawbreakers," he said of government officials who refuse to punish evildoers. "And because of that, it's bubbling up. It's bubbling over, and it's tragic. It really is tragic. And the only way out is for people to turn from their sins and to turn back to Christ. That's the only hope this nation has. That's the only hope for any of us."

Rigney sees parallels between the trajectory of Christianity in the U.S. in recent decades and the early church, which saw escalating hostility from authorities against church leaders in Jerusalem that eventually broke out into a general persecution after the stoning of Stephen in the book of Acts.

"When you think about the last 20 years and the escalating collisions we've seen in our country  about, say, sex, sexuality, and people being harassed just because they won't make a cake or because they won't do flowers for a gay wedding  and you see that kind of escalating collision as Christians just try to live faithful lives," Rigney said,

"The lawlessness spreads, and now it doesn't matter if you're a leader or not. It doesn't matter if you're prominent or not. You could just be what normal people going to church on a Sunday in an American town, and now you're going to be harassed and intimidated," he continued, but exhorted Christians to keep preaching the Gospel, just like the early church.

Rigney later concluded by stating the choice before individuals and the U.S. is "Christ or chaos," and warned the country will continue to descend into violence, lawlessness and scapegoating if it chooses the latter.

Choosing Christ is often difficult, the pastor noted, because it requires admitting the biggest problem sinners face is themselves.

"If they can't admit that, then they're going to start blaming everybody, and eventually they get enough people sharing their grievance, that they're going to go take it out. And we saw that on Sunday. And so, the only hope is: own it, acknowledge 'I'm the problem, and God still loves me.' He sent Jesus to die for my sins, for goodness sake, and so He's welcoming me back."

"If you're the prodigal, running away from God, you can come home. He left the light on. He's got a really nice robe. He'll give you the ring, he'll kill the fatted cat, he'll throw a big party, because He loves you. So you can just come back. You don't have to keep running," he said.



If the nation increasingly returns to Christ, Rigney said, it will not solve all of its political problems, but "we'd have a foundation to build on."

"It's Christ or it's chaos. There is no third option, there isn't one. That's all you got," he added.

Rigney, who is also a fellow of theology at Wilson's New Saint Andrews College, previously served as president of John Piper's Bethlehem College & Seminary in Minneapolis before he stepped down in 2023 over what the school claimed were divergent views between him and other seminary leaders over the role Christianity should play in shaping society and government.

Rigney also played a role in planting Christ Church DC, a church plant by the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC) near Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

The church, which faces loud and disruptive protesters weekly outside their meeting space, claimed after the federal arrest of Cities Church protester William Kelly on Thursday that Kelly had also been spotted vulgarly harassing their worshipers.

The church issued an X post thanking law enforcement for Kelly's arrest.

"To those who have visited or attend Christ Church DC this man is familiar. For months he has been treating our worshipers to his limited and repetitive vocabulary. We celebrate the civil magistrate executing their duty to protect our right to worship by arresting William Kelly," the church said.
Home News Shane Claiborne appears to liken Cities Church protest to Jesus cleansing temple

Quick Summary AI Summary Shane Claiborne likened the Cities Church protest to Jesus cleansing the temple.

Claiborne defended the protest against ICE, stating, "Jesus literally staged a protest IN THE TEMPLE."

Three activists involved in the protest were arrested by federal agents. 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

Evangelical author and left-leaning activist Shane Claiborne appeared to defend the recent anti-ICE protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, while likening it to Jesus Christ cleansing the temple.

"Jesus literally staged a protest IN THE TEMPLE. Flipped some tables and drove out the folks pretending to be holy," Claiborne wrote in an X post Wednesday, a day before federal agents arrested three of the activists involved with the protest. "It seems pretty clear that one of the most offensive things to God is when people use religion to cover up their greed and bigotry. Rebuke it. In the name of Jesus."

The Irresistible Revolution author's post included a fake photo of a Fox News chyron that falsely claims Attorney General Pam Bondi said, "Jesus Christ would never have stormed a church in protest of the people who were running it."

While Bondi has condemned the church protest as a violation of federal law, there is no evidence she made the quote attributed to her in the meme. On Thursday, Bondi announced the arrest of three activists associated with the protest and warned against disrupting houses of worship.

Jesus literally staged a protest

IN

THE

TEMPLE.



Flipped some tables and drove out the folks pretending to be holy.



It seems pretty clear that one of the most offensive things to God is when people use religion to cover up their greed and bigotry.



Rebuke it. In the name of pic.twitter.com/4QFq7KF9yV  Shane Claiborne (@ShaneClaiborne) January 21, 2026

Claiborne, who signed his name with other left-leaning Evangelicals last year to a letter denouncing the Trump administration for deporting illegal immigrants, also promoted an event organized by clergy in the Twin Cities intended "to stand in solidarity against ICE raids."

"Salt melts ice, even in Minnesota! Praying for all there  and for everyone," he added.

Claiborne's Bondi post, which has amassed more than 512,000 views as of Friday morning, was met with pushback from some X users.

"Your affectionate uncle, Screwtape," wrote Center for Baptist Leadership Executive Director William Wolfe, jokingly referencing the crafty, manipulative demon in C.S. Lewis' famous book, The Screwtape Letters.

"Sure, frightening children and yelling at young mothers while impeding a constitutionally protected service in violation of federal law is definitely Christlike, you fraud. Shame on you," said Andrew T. Walker, an ethics and public theology professor at The Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.

"If you can't see the difference between the Temple cleansing and what happened at Cities Church, then your eyes are closed shut to the truth. Jesus is the incarnate God who never errs. The mob that descended on Cities Church were godless and profane accusers of the brethren (Rev. 12:10)," wrote the Rev. Denny Burk, also a professor at The Southern Baptist Seminary and an associate pastor at Kenwood Baptist in Louisville, Kentucky.

"Don't compare them to Jesus. Unregenerate priests and a corrupt Sanhedrin presided over the Temple at the time of Jesus. Faithful pastors lead the congregation called Cities Church. Moneychanging and other profane activities were going on in the Temple precincts when Jesus cleared it," Burk continued.

"Faithful preaching and worship were underway at Cities Church when a radical mob cleared them out. The difference between the two occasions is the difference between darkness and light," he added.

Carl E. Olson, an author who serves as an editor at Catholic World Report, said to draw "a parallel between the holy actions of the Incarnate Word  who is the new and everlasting Temple  with the despicable tactics of crude, leftist hooligans is pathetic."

"Defending it is just as bad, or even worse, because (again) it's an attempt to portray criminal acts as somehow divinely inspired and oriented. That is, in a nutshell, demonic vomit," he added.

"In Claiborne's Christianity, Jesus driving the thieving merchants out of the temple and raving lunatics crashing a church service while driving the children to tears are one and the same," said the popular Christian X account Protestia.

Claiborne's comparison of the church disruption to Jesus echoed the defense from alleged protest organizer Chauntyll Louisa Allen, a Black Lives Matter leader and member of the Saint Paul Public Schools Board of Education, who was one of the activists taken into federal custody Thursday.

"I grew up in the church and one of the things that I remember about Jesus Christ is that when things weren't going right in the church, he went in and he flipped tables," she told TMZ earlier this week.

Former CNN host Don Lemon, who accompanied the protesters but whose complaint from the U.S. Department of Justice was reportedly blocked by a federal magistrate judge, also recently likened the church storming to the temple cleansing.

"Jesus turned the tables over in the temple, right? He flipped the tables because He was tired of them not doing what they're supposed to do in His Father's house, and not living up to the tenets of Christianity," Lemon said during a Monday appearance on the liberal "I've Had It" podcast. He went on to imply the worshipers at Cities Church were "entitled" white supremacist homophobes.

Many Christian commentators agree that the episode in all four Gospels of Jesus cleansing of the Court of the Gentiles, which was the court furthest from the temple, was a unique task suited only to Him that affirmed His authority and messianic role.
Virginia Progressive Amendments, Minnesota Activist Arrests, Dallas Baptist University Evacuated Amid Threats

link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 06:52 06:52

Top headlines for Friday, January 23, 2026

In this episode, we dive into Virginias push for four new progressive constitutional amendments, the Justice Departments arrest of two Minnesota activists accused of orchestrating a disruptive protest at Cities Church, and the sudden class cancellations at Dallas Baptist University following an unspecified campus threat ahead of a scheduled speech by Trumps former HUD secretary.

00:11 4 constitutional amendments approved by Virginia Legislature

01:03 Cities Church anti-ICE protesters arrested, charged by DOJ

01:53 DBU evacuated amid threats ahead of speech by Scott Turner

02:42 Potential Democrat 2028 contender agrees that men can't be women03:36 US citizen accuses ICE of unlawfully detaining him in underwear

04:26 James Talarico: All religions have 'same truth' as Christianity

05:15 Dearborn pastor who clashed with Muslim mayor isn't backing down
Home Opinion The March for Life continues: Both political parties oppose pro-life causes

January 23 is the 52nd March for Life in Washington, D.C. Over the years, thousands have braved the cold to stand for the voiceless children in the crosshairs of abortion on demand. This years theme, Life is a Gift, contrasts those who see all preborn lives as inherently valuable and those who see their value as determined by convenience.

It was back in 1974, just one year after the infamous Roe v Wade Supreme Court decision, that a small group realized they needed to speak out. The March for Life is one of the most significant ongoing political acts in American history. In fact, its difficult to think of another movement with such a consistent testimony. Each year, tens of thousands of Christians and like-minded people show up and remind the world that life is sacred.

In the 1970s, many Evangelicals considered abortion a Catholic issue, and therefore not their cause. Because of notable efforts of people like Francis Schaeffer, more Protestants awakened to the realities of abortion. Since the movement has attempted to lay out the groundwork for a culture for life through speeches, rallies, and training. Contrary to the claims of pro-abortion propaganda, pro-lifers have built networks to provide real help for pregnant women in crisis and their children through thousands of pregnancy centers throughout the country. This work made the choose life slogan practical.

On the political front, the struggles have been palpable. The occasional small gains that were made were no match for the judicial overreach of Roe v Wade. Whenever a pro-life law was passed, it would be either shot down or seriously mitigated by the courts. Roe also provided cover for pro-life politicians in name only.

After years of activism and prayer, the Supreme Court ruled that Roe was unconstitutional in 2022. Roes aftermath has been mixed. The Dobbs decision didnt make abortion illegal, but it did mean that after years of hope and anticipation, pro-life communities were free from the immoral stranglehold of Roe and could enact laws for life. Several states, like Tennessee and Missouri, had laws in place to protect the unborn, but others, like Ohio and Kansas, put life and death on the ballot. Voters chose the latter. Meanwhile, pro-abortion states like Colorado and New York advanced draconian laws to enshrine abortion as a sacred right.

Today, the pro-life cause faces opposition within both major political parties. The Democratic Party has made abortion a non-negotiable, celebrated plank of its platform. For many within the Republican Party, the call to protect life is seen as a nuisance that threatens the rest of their platform. Pro-lifers owe President Trump a great deal for the Court appointees that delivered the Dobbs decision, but hes also proven an unreliable ally. Though ostensibly pro-life, the Trump administration has promoted under-regulated IVF and widened the availability of chemical abortion.

And so, the movement continues. It must. Events like the March for Life are a good place to start. The Marches that I have attended were both inspiring and instructive. If you cant make the national March in DC this month, go to their website to see if your state has its own March later this year.

Continuing to move the needle for life requires individual courage, movement-level efforts, and shrewd political maneuvering. All aspects are required if this decades-long effort to create a culture of life is to succeed, in which abortion, infanticide, and euthanasia are swept into the dustbin of history and made both illegal and unthinkable.

Originally published at BreakPoint.
Credit (image of Anand): Henry Smith Foundation Credit (image of Emma): UKCF

A new episode of the Civil Society Podcast has been published with Anand Shukla, chief executive of the Henry Smith Foundation, and Emma de Closset, chief executive of UK Community Foundations.

In this episode, Shukla and de Closset discuss the benefits of multi-year funding; the importance of creativity in grantmaking; the role of community foundations and the future of place-based philanthropy in the UK.

They also talk about their organisations joint care leavers programme and its recent expansion.

You can listen to the interview now below or on streaming platforms including Spotify , Apple Podcasts , Amazon Music and Pocket Casts .

AI-generated transcript

Emily Moss (EM): Hello and welcome to another episode of the Civil Society Podcast. I'm Civil Societys junior reporter, Emily Moss, and on today's show, Ill be speaking with Anand Shukla, the CEO at the Henry Smith Foundation, a 400-year-old endowed grantmaking charity, and Emma de Closset, the CEO at UK Community Foundations, which supports community foundations across the UK. Now, their two organisations have joined forces to expand the UK Community Foundations multi-year, flexible, match funded Care Leavers Programme, thanks to a 1.7 million donation from the Henry Smith Foundation. The expansion, after match funding, will result in a total value of 7m being awarded to individuals and organisations over five years, stemming from the seed funding in 2024 from Local Authorities' Mutual Investment Trust in collaboration with investment manager CCLA. Thanks to the expansion, support is spreading out to 14 new areas in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, meaning that 31 community foundations are now supporting care leavers and their support organisations around the UK through the programme. We discuss their thoughts, feelings and reflections on the partnership and the expansion of the care leavers programme so far; the benefits of multi-year funding; the importance of creativity in grantmaking; the role of community foundations and the future of place-based philanthropy in the UK. I hope you find this conversation with Anand and Emma interesting and useful, and I'll speak to you again at the end.

EM: So, can you please tell me a bit about why you're so excited about this new partnership and the expansion of the UKCF care leavers programme?

Emma de Closset (EDC): Sure, I think I can kick that one off. So, our care leavers programme is one that we really hold dear at UK Community Foundations. It was started in 2024 with seed funding from the local authorities, mutual investment trust, LAMIT, in partnership with CCLA Good Investment. And what it did was provide seed funding for a programme to support young people who are care experienced with transitioning to adulthood, and give them some additional support as they did that. And what's been really exciting is to see the impact that that programme has had in that first year, both for care experienced young people as individuals, but also the groups that are supporting them. And the partnership with Henry Smith is allowing us both to extend the programme for the community foundations already involved, but also expands to new community foundations, new areas and new places.

EM: Great. Thank you. Yeah.

Anand Shukla (AS): Thanks, Emma. And from a Henry Smith Foundation perspective, we're very excited about the programme because it shows a UK-wide foundation, coming together and bringing its strengths and resources and perspective together with UKCF, which is able to bring in the local conditions on the ground. So instead of a top down, here's a set of objectives, the programme can flex to local realities that community foundations, together, in partnership with their local authorities, can fund a range of individual care leavers who have different needs, and a range of charitable organisations that will have different needs, some of them we know, will be getting intensive support as they transition into independent accommodation, some will need employability support, health and wellbeing activities. So, there's a range of things, and this combination of national and local, I think, is really exciting.

EM : Yeah, and the programme is going to offer charities multi-year unrestricted funding. Why, in your opinions, is this really especially beneficial for charities? Do you think more grantmakers should be funding this way?

EDC: UKCF definitely believes that. I think the beauty of this programme, as Anand said, is that it is deeply responsive to both local need but also local capacity. So, what that does is, rather than prescribing a solution centrally or nationally, it allows the people that are working in a place who have the relationships with the individuals that you're trying to reach. And it goes with the grain of the energy of what's there, the capability of what's there, and what those young people are saying they need. So, it's inherently trust based. There's a lot of agency, both with the local groups who really know what they're doing, but it also allows us to put young people at the heart of the programme and respond to what it is they actually need, rather than what we think they need. And the multi-year element avoids cliff edges, which is super important for that sustainability longer term.

EM: Yeah, of course, of course. And how will the UKCF and HSF judge whether this funding model is working as the partnership, you know, develops?

AS: Sure, so so in a number of ways, really, we'll judge. We'll judge So there's two things, I suppose I would say. The first is: it'll be a combination of ongoing learning as the programme develops, and more formal reflection. So, this is a new way of working, both for us and for UK Communities Foundation. So, we've gone into it with the spirit that this is very much a learning partnership. So, we'll build in regular opportunities to reflect as the work goes on. There'll be structured discussions between us, there'll be conversations with funded organisations, but interestingly, we'll also be looking at what's happening on the ground as well as what was planned at the outset, and often grant processes don't allow for that. And then we will, as you would imagine, have an end of programme evaluation to understand what difference the partnership has made, as opposed to us doing our own separate programmes where it's added value and we'll be open about what we'll do differently next time.

EDC: Okay, yeah and just to build on that, what we want to do is publish those learnings as we go along. So, you may have seen in November, we published a report with a lot of the case studies, which reflect on what impact has been had in each place. What's the view of the practitioners who are supporting the young people, what's the difference that they believe the program's made? And we share that learning really actively as we go along, and we'll be hosting an event later this month to bring together some of the groups that have [been] delivering the programme and hear from them about how it's going. So, a combination of formal and informal, structured processes, as you'd expect of any sort of grant management, but also really qualitative, thoughtful learning about what's going on in each individual place.

EM: Okay, nice. So that'll be like you'll be in discourse a lot with the with the charities and the organisations yeah, brilliantand moving on, I want to talk a little bit about like creative solutions in difficult times. And obviously it's been a really challenging couple of years for the sector. But you know, these challenging periods also generate a lot of like creative kind of solutions, inventions. So, in your opinions, what does creativity actually look like in grantmaking?

AS: It's a really interesting question, actually, so and I think creativity can mean quite different things. And from a Henry Smith point of view, I don't think we see it primarily as a way of funders coming up with novel funding mechanisms or new ideas, but more about how we create the conditions for others to be effective. So one thing we touched on earlier is the importance of long term flexible funding, which is at the heart of this partnership, but how Henry Smith approaches the world in general [is] by providing long term flexible funding. You give organisations the time stability to adapt, to experiment and respond to the challenges they're facing, rather than constantly chasing short term outputs that you put down in your application form at the time of writing. Before coming to Henry Smith and the foundation sector, I spent [the] best part of 20 years in the sector applying for funding. The way in which we work, I suppose, reflects some of that experience. So there's something about enabling the real experts - organisations - to be creative. From a Henry Smith point of view, I suppose I see creativity and grant making as being how funders use their position within the wider system, and that means a stronger focus on collaboration, as we're doing here, on systems change, on collective impact. You know, both of our organisations sit at the centre of networks, yes, and are potentially very powerful when we're thinking about collective impact. They include other funders, they include civil society, they include local government. They could include private sector actors as well. So, I see creativity, it's less about doing things in isolation, in our own silos, but more about us, connecting people, aligning resources, reducing fragmentation. So, for example, Emma, a few minutes ago, talked about sharing learning, and we'll do that learning together, rather than every funder doing its own slightly disjointed approach. And then the final thing that you asked was about the question of risk. And my view is grantmakers should be willing to take on considered and proportionate risks. There may be occasions where you back up organisations, ideas, approaches that may not have a long track record, but could have strong leadership, local credibility and the potential to contribute to wider, longer-term change. I think that combining risk taking with good relationships with learning and with an openness to adapt is the key.

EDC: Yeah, yeah. Really strong thumbs up, all of the hats you'd expect. And I think you know on the question of risk, one thing that community foundations feel really strongly about at the local level, and I feel strongly about nationally, particularly as a former policymaker in central government, sitting in SW1 trying to figure out policies that would affect people all over the country, is a real humility that you don't always have the answer, and that you can find incredible ingenuity and creativity all over the place, if you look for it, and you're willing to accept that somebody else might know better than you. And I think what community foundations enable as a network is going beyond the usual suspects, going beyond charities that may have a really strong pedigree, years and years of delivery. Community foundations enable you to fund pop up grassroots initiatives that may be quite new, that may have come together as a product of a community deciding that they need something, and provide those links to that hyper local layer of civil society. And for me, if we can have more funders like the Henry Smith Foundation taking a chance with that layer, that will really strengthen the social fabric of the country. So that's the kind of risk taking that I hope community foundations can enable. And then in terms of that creativity I'm within, and it's for me, it's all about collaboration. Can we put ego to the side? Can we put organisational personality to the side a little bit, and think about what is the change that we're trying to see in this system, and the people who are at the heart of it, what do they need? And can we be more than the sum of our parts if we come together and think about that as our guiding North Star, rather than with our own individual and organisational hats on? And I think that's where this partnership is a real, really brilliant example of doing that in practice.

EM: Yeah, yeah, absolutely. And so, you were just talking about, well, I suppose you've sort of answered that question a little bit, because I was going to ask, like, how important do you think for strengthening the sector this, the role of community foundations is in, yeah, in the UK charity sector. But I feel like you've sort of answered it a little bit. But if you want to expand on that at all, then...?

EDC: Yeah, well, I joined UK Community Foundations almost exactly one year ago, and since then, I've been travelling all over the country, every nation of the UK, as many different places as I can manage. And what I have heard from that grassroots layer is that community foundations [are] the lifeblood with the local community sector. And that's a direct quote that I heard from one of them when I was out on a visit. And the more you look, the more you see the quiet impact that community foundations have. Just this weekend, I was in a church. I had gone to a repair cafe to try to get an appliance fixed by a community group that does that. And then on the other side of the church, I noticed that there was a community larder. It wasn't a food bank. It was a place for members, low-income families, to come and get fresh food, really nutritious food, so they could support their families, that they wouldn't otherwise be able to get. And I just thought, this is exactly the kind of thing we should be funding as community foundations. I'm going to look them up. Sure enough, they've received not just support from their local community foundation, but support for core running costs. So going back to that flexible, unrestricted, long-term support, that is what the Community Foundation is providing-- this very, very small community larder which is operating around a particular town in a particular county, and we are doing that all over the UK, all of the time, behind the scenes. That's the role that we're playing.

EM: Yeah, and what do you think supporting community foundation leadership through funding like this could unlock over the next few years for the charity sector and also for obviously, the local communities it supports?

AS: Ok, so, Henry Smith Foundation is working with UK Community Foundations and Clore Social Leadership to strengthen and support community foundation leaders across the UK, and what we want to be a long-term programme. And the reason that Henry Smith thinks this is important activity is because, as a foundation, we've been around for almost 400 years. You know, we have a focus on the long-term and long-term social impact. And in order to achieve that long-term social impact, we judge that supporting and strengthening local philanthropy infrastructure and the people within that infrastructure is absolutely crucial. So that's the idea. We want to invest in the next generation of community foundation leadership and build a strong and diverse pipeline of people working to improve the systems that shape people's lives over the longer term. And as well as building that pipeline, we want to connect them then going back to that collective impact approach. And it's, and you know were really excited about this. We see the people on the programme being able to contribute to that local insight that Emma was just talking about, advocating for local solutions, challenge structural barriers, all of those things. So, investing in the in the infrastructure, through long term patient funding to enable social impact is something that we we think is is incredibly important. And of course, we want to do it collaboratively and coherently with other funders.

EDC: And for me, I see community foundations as having the potential for real multiplier effect a place-based change where they live. So, if you can empower and equip that cohort of community foundation leaders, that is something that they can then pay forward to the grassroots layer that we were talking about, and they can have a wider systemic impact in the places where they are. And for me, we reflect a lot on the journey that we've been on. Community foundations were first established in the UK 50 years ago. I think about what we want them to be in 50 years time. And one of the trajectories that I think community foundations have been on has increasingly been, yes, responding to donor needs that's always going to be core to what we do, but increasingly putting local needs and community need right at the forefront of what they're doing, and partnerships like this, investment in leadership of community foundations, to me, is an acceleration of that trends to the people that can really support local areas to take the steps they need to thrive.

EM: Yeah, yeah. And more broadly, just looking towards the future, obviously, with policies like this in mind, well, partnerships rather but how does it make you feel about the state of place-based philanthropy in your country? Yeah.

EDC: For me, this is a moment, a huge opportunity for place-based philanthropy, I think the the understanding of place as an organising principle and as a sort of characteristic of how to make change happen, that has become the zeitgeist, if you like, in public policy at the moment, certainly around the areas that have a lot of energy for change, whether that's Tesla and grow and the Cabinet Office, Pride in Place and the Ministry of Communities and Housing Communities and Local Governments, or some of the work that the Department for Education is doing in terms of helping young people get their best start in life, I think that is enormously exciting, as you will have understood through the rest of the conversation. I think there's a lot of energy and expertise in local places, of the richness that makes up communities, some of the unique barriers, or the unique assets that communities might have that are difficult to understand, even at a regional layer, let alone a national layer. And my sense is that this is a government that really understands that and is keen to help match the energy that is in those places and help sort of take it to its full potential. So, I think from a policy perspective, it's the right moment to be championing place-based philanthropy.

EM: So on that note, like, are there any specific things that you hope to see as part of the government's upcoming place-based philanthropy strategy?

EDC: Yeah, I guess if I was going to rub my lamp and have three wishes, my sort of baseline would be just greater recognition for the power of place-based philanthropy and finding ways to reward that where it is happening and encourage it through that recognition, government has an amazing signalling role-- when it comes to that, I think we could make much more of. If I were to be a little bit more ambitious and look for sort of concrete actions above and beyond that recognition, I'd probably turn to incentives, whether that is really thinking creatively about how we can use tax relief or gift aid to encourage local giving, rather than just national giving, and also think about what has happened in the past that has really catalysed additional investment in that place-based layer and for us as community foundations, we know that endowment match challenges are incredibly effective at just accelerating that push to local giving. So I would encourage the government to consider that, yeah, and then my moonshot would be we could commit to every place having a permanent endowment that is a sustainable source of giving for that grassroots community layer in perpetuity that would require funding, and that's why it's my moonshot, but it would be if I could have anything those would be my three layers of ambition for the strategy.

EM: Yeah, yeah. So interesting to hear. Thank you. [To AS] Nothing to add? No, no, no. All right, great. Well, I guess again, a little bit broader, but what would you like to see more of from larger funders across the sector?

AS: So probably won't come as a surprise, given the conversation we've had, that I'm going to talk about collaboration and alignment, and we do get that happening. And it's not just Henry Smith that is that is doing it. But I suppose I want to see that type of work become more normal, more business as usual, become more mature. And there's a wide range of areas that you can think about when it comes to working together. It could be in shared objectives, for example, it could be in joint evidence and learning and insights, as we talked about earlier. But I suppose there's a couple of points I make here. So one is that - it's really important that we do this - the social challenges we're trying to address. You know, we've talked about early years development, we've talked about leadership development and civil society. They're too big for any organisation or funder to tackle alone, so it's absolutely essential if we want to achieve the impacts that we're trying to have the partnership. Work isn't easy. No, you know, it takes time. It takes openness. We need to be transparent. You need to take time to foster relationships. I don't know how many times Emma and I get captured on our calendar, but we spent a lot of time having these conversations and talking issues through. But in a nutshell, what I want is collaboration to be the default open philanthropy, which Emma has talked about earlier. Sharing our learning, sharing our knowledge, in a culture where funders work together to maximise impact, rather than operate in silos.

EDC: Again, I really agree with that. I think partnership is a bit like a muscle. You need to kind of exercise it and develop it, and the more you do that, the stronger it is, and the easier it is. And I think that one of the things I've learned about this partnership in particular is the power of really strong alignment on values and strategic direction and having that in place, and being really confident that that's in place before moving into the mechanics of how is this specific partnership on this specific area going to work. And the more that you do that, the easier it then becomes to say, well, there's an opportunity over here where we could work together. Or in some cases, it might be that there's a different coalition of funders that are working on something, and because of your partnership with someone else, you bring them to the table because you know that they have something to add, and that's where I think it's a sign that those muscles are being worked in a way that's going to lead to something really positive down the line. And I think we are seeing that materially in the sector at the moment, probably more so than in recent years, is my sense more of an active discussion about each other's strategies, things that we're working on, openness to bringing others into the tent, on things that are happening. And my hope is that that will really continue in 2026 and you'll start to see more coalitions, or groups of people coming together in collaborative ways to make change happen.

EM: Yeah, just less competitiveness and more, like you say, working together rather than silos, it's something I've heard a lot across, you know, echoed across the sector, like people saying they want less competition and more you know

AS: I think just building on Emma's point, I also detect this appetite to collaborate. Yeah, and you use a word competition just now, I didn't see that much competition between funders, actually. And I do detect a desire to collaborate, but it's what we've both just been touching on, making it the new normal. It's making it business as usual, rather than something you're trying to fit in alongside all of the other day job things. I think it's a cultural shift, isn't it? Yeah, but the desire is there, which is the starting point.

EDC: And I think it also requires a level of adaptability. Because what we will do when we have our get togethers, talk about the partnership, is we'll talk about the Henry Smith Foundation strategy, the UKCF strategy, we'll talk about areas of potential, alignment or opportunity. But what we're not doing is trying to impose something narrow and saying, well, we can work together if you stay within these really strict parameters. We have defined them. There's an openness to co creating that. And that is something that I sense elsewhere as well, that there's much more dialogue around the way that different priorities with a little bit of creativity could be seen as really aligned and could come together, yes, and that's exciting,

EM: Yeah, yeah, definitely, yeah. Are there any particular concrete lessons you've learned so far from the partnership between the two organisations that you think could help other funders with the with, you know, making progress on these sorts of areas?

AS: I don't think I've got anything to add on top of what we, what we've said really in terms of, you know the discussions between Emma and I just now have been focusing on understanding each other, strategies, understanding values, building the working relationships, getting a sense of the art of the possible. And then as we get into, you know, specific opportunities we've each of us have already got a sense of how it could land, or whether it's viable or not, so it does take time.

EDC: Yeah, I agree with that. And I think the thing that we recognised early on is that it wouldn't be enough for the two of us to get in a room and dream up an idea and make it happen. We both have sets of stakeholders. We would need to think through how to bring those stakeholders on a journey as well so that the partnership opportunities would be well supported when they came to fruition. And I think that's you can't shortcut the time involved. But to go back to my muscle analogy, I think the investment in doing that is really worthwhile because it then opens the door to other potential ways of working together. So that investment of time and energy and building a shared foundation of trust, of understanding, of stakeholder support, it really provides a base from which you can go in different directions afterwards, rather than just the individual partnership opportunity that you've identified at that moment in time.

EM: Yeah, fantastic. Thank you. Yeah so I guess final question is, do you have any advice for charities wishing to increase their funding from charitable foundations like yours?

AS: Shall I start off? So, I speak not just as a chief executive of the Henry Smith Foundation, but 20 years of experience before that applying to funders for funding and in many respects, the basics remain the same. You know, if you're applying for funding, read the criteria and guidance, carefully, understand the funder strategy, review their previous funding decisions to see what's being prioritised, take every opportunity there to engage in conversations with funders, which could be webinars, calls, meetings, build your understanding, clarify your expectations, and as well as demonstrating alignment with the funders, priorities show the difference that the work makes or could make. So, none of those things, I think, are particularly new. There was one thing - point - I just wanted to make about the use of AI that we are seeing at the moment. Now, we have no issue with this, but the one, the one point that I'd make is, when you're writing applications, make sure they don't feel generic. Yes, AI is a very helpful tool, but you know, what I think funders want to see is the organisation's authentic and unique story, impact and voice. So think about how you use AI to make your time efficient, to streamline the information, but make sure it is still recognisable [as] the story of your organisation. Yeah, I think that's

EDC: Yeah, I think thats very good advice. Yeah, yeah. I agree with all of that. And I think with my community foundation's hat on, I think that we really aspire to be more than just a funder, more than just a grantmaker, playing that sort of local convening role. And in parts of the country, I know that local charities are able to go to their community foundation and ask for advice or support if they're struggling with their funding. So, I think that would be my addition is that, as well as all the great advice that Anand has already given for local grassroots charities that aren't quite sure where to turn, yeah, not quite sure what they're eligible for, need support - their community foundation is a great port of call for understanding what's out there, who else they may who else they might be able to link up with, and what support might be available.

EM: Yeah, brilliant. Thank you so much.

EM: Thank you for listening to my chat with Anand and Emma. Please like and subscribe to the Civil Society podcast wherever you get your podcasts. Look out for another episode in the coming weeks, and in the meantime, I hope you stay safe and well.

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In 2007, Valleywag, Gawkers gossip column devoted to Silicon Valley, published a short piece about a then-little-known venture capitalist and tech founder, under the headline Peter Thiel is totally gay, people. Thiels sexuality wasnt a secret, nor was the piece mocking. Peter Thiel, the smartest VC in the world, is gay, it read. More power to him. But it was the first time this information was made public, and Thiel didnt welcome the attention. He vowed privately to get revenge on Valleywag, which he described as the Silicon Valley equivalent of al Qaeda, a Manhattan-based terrorist organization that was apparently terrifying tech bros into conformity. It took him almost a decade for his quest to succeed. In March 2016, a lawsuit against Gawker brought by Hulk Hogan over the publication of a leaked sex tape resulted in its bankruptcy. Hogan, like everyone else, only discovered the identity of his mysterious and dedicated benefactor after the trial.

The Gawker trial was a turning point, both for Thiel personally and for perceptions about the tech industry. His friends would say that, without the Gawker trial, Thiels early endorsement of Donald Trump that same year was unthinkable. To others, Thiels readiness to simply shut down an online publication that he did not like revealed, perhaps more than any other event up to that point, the authoritarian tendencies of the tech industry and how hollow its commitments to free information were. The outlook for digital journalism was ominous.

What are the lessons from the Gawker trial, ten years later? What is its political legacy? And how can digital journalism build a safe future in the face of such severe threats? In this episode of Journalism 2050, Emily Bell is joined by three guests. Maria Bustillos is a journalist, editor, and self-described information activist who reported from the courtroom during the Gawker trial. Samuel Earle is the author of Tory Nation: The Dark Legacy of the Worlds Most Successful Political Party and a PhD candidate at Columbia Journalism School. Marine Doux is the cofounder and editorial director of Medianes and a research fellow at the Tow Center for Digital Journalism at Columbia Journalism School.

SHOW NOTES:
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On January 11, just days after Renee Good was killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minnesota, the Associated Press witnessed ICE officers in heavy tactical gear use a battering ram to force their way into the home of Garrison Gibson, a Liberian man with a 2023 deportation order. After further investigation, the AP discovered that agents had used only a limited administrative warrant to justify their action, violating long-standing guidance that a judge has to authorize any raid on a residence.

Now, the AP is out with a bombshell report that offers a possible explanation. It obtained a secret internal memo that authorizes ICE officers to use force to enter a home based only on an administrative warrant, a move that asserts a sweeping power seemingly at odds with Fourth Amendment protections and reverses years of guidance shared with immigrant communities. The memo was signed last May by acting ICE director Todd Lyons.

According to the AP report, from Rebecca Santana, the directive was not widely distributed, but new ICE officers have been told to follow its guidance instead of other written DHS materials that directly contradict it. Santana writes that the shift is expected to trigger court challenges and backlash from advocates and local officials: For years, immigrant advocates, legal aid groups and local governments have urged people not to open their doors to immigration agents unless they are shown a warrant signed by a judge. That guidance is rooted in Supreme Court rulings that generally prohibit law enforcement from entering a home without judicial approval.

As the chaotic immigration crackdown continues in Minnesota and expands to Maine, its important reporting that will likely have a significant impact on how the administration conducts future operationsand tell us whether rule of law is still a functional concept in this country.

It has been nine days since FBI agents executed a shocking raid on the home of Hannah Natanson, a Washington Post reporter, seizing her phone, two laptops, a recorder, a portable hard drive, and a Garmin watch.

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The raid was immediately condemned by Matt Murray, the executive editor of the Post, who wrote in an email to the newsroom that the search was an extraordinary, aggressive action that raised profound questions and concern around the constitutional protections for our work. Later that day the Posts editorial board also condemned it, writing: The Justice Departments decision to send FBI agents to raid a Washington Post reporters home Wednesday was an aggressive attack on the press freedom of all journalists. Eventually, Will Lewis, the publisher, released a statement of his own, one strangely focused on Natansons spirit rather than possible government overreach, which he referred to only as an outrageous action that was taken against her.

But perhaps the most significant response has come from Jeff Bezos, the billionaire owner of the paper, who has maintained a shameful silence. Bezoss lack of engagement is not entirely surprising, given his many recent attempts to curry favor with the Trump administration, but its still disappointing. One staffer characterized it to Status as nauseating and irresponsible to have our owner remain silent given this unprecedented event. Another person at the Post told me that the topic of whether Bezos would comment was raised in a recent meeting and an editor was dismissive, saying they did not believe it was under consideration.

Nevertheless, the Post has vigorously defended Natanson in court. On Wednesday, the Post asked a judge to block federal agents from opening up Natansons electronic devices and demanded their return, saying in a filing with the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia that the seizure chills speech, cripples reporting, and inflicts irreparable harm every day the government keeps its hands on these materials. US Magistrate William B. Porter granted the motion the same day, blocking federal prosecutors from reviewing material seized by the FBI until a hearing scheduled for February.

A year after one of Californias most destructive wildfires tore through Los Angeles, taking at least thirty-one lives and incinerating almost every home in its path, thousands of survivors are still rebuilding their lives and adapting to an era of increasingly unpredictable fires.

In The Palisades Fire: A Sandcastles Special, a new podcast from PRX and WaveMaker Media, Adriana Cargill revisits the devastation by taking listeners behind the fire lines with a group of local volunteers trained by LA Countys Fire Department to help emergency responders during wildfires.

That group is the Community Brigade, a first-of-its-kind collaboration between citizens and professional firefighters. It began as a spontaneous grassroots effort led by Keegan Gibbs and Tyler Hopman, childhood friends and surfing buddies, in the wake of the Woolsey fires in 2018, in which they both lost family homes. There are now about fifty Brigade members, and they have received more than six hundred new applications in the past year.

In the two-part documentary special, Cargill explores whether the program can help shape a more secure future for people in high-risk fire zones: During these massive wildfires, there will never be enough first responders. So could they train everyday citizens to fill the resource gap? Ive been following this programs development for six years now, with a single question in mind. Could this new vision of civic engagement be the thing that finally moves the needle?

Its an emotional and intimate look at resilience in the face of profound loss and the power of a community that refuses to be rendered powerless. As Cargill puts it:

They have chosen to find a better way to live with wildfire, even if the path there isnt always clear. Defiantly, creatively, using whatever is available to them. They are alchemists, experts at turning their own suffering into purpose and service.

In the aftermath of the deadly Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017, Thomas Rousseau, a far-right activist, formed the Patriot Front, a white nationalist organization that has grown into one of the most prominent extremist groups in America.

When catastrophic and deadly floods hit Central Texas last July, the hate group shared a video with its members highlighting their participation in relief efforts. In the video, Rousseau explained their participation: We are prioritizing the interests of our people in this mission. While every other race and religion across the country and the world, for that matter, can establish charities, communities, and institutions that explicitly exist by and for their own, it is regrettably a revolutionary act to do so for Americans.

In an investigation for the Texas Observer, Steven Monacelli and Tristan Lee explore just how far Patriot Front is willing to go to create institutions that are entirely by and for their own. The group tries to hide the identity of its members but, through extensive reporting and analysis, Monacelli and Lee identify a network of businesses affiliated with the Patriot Front in Texas and map out how they are connected. Their work reveals that the group is developing an independent economic system to protect members from potential consequences if their ties to the group are exposed.

When people find out youre a racist or a white nationalist, you tend to lose your job pretty easily, Scott Ernest, of the Center for Extremism Prevention and Intervention, told the Observer. The idea behind their self-sustaining economy, its just common sense. If you build your own business, you dont have to worry about people getting you fired.

If you have a suggestion for this column, please send it to laurelsanddarts@cjr.org. We cant acknowledge all submissions, but we will mention you if we use your idea. For more on Laurels and Darts, please click here. To receive this and other CJR newsletters in your inbox, please click here.
A homeowners insurer was right to deny a grandmother coverage for a claim against her grandson because he did not qualify as a member of her household.

The Massachusetts Appeals Court agreed with Arbella Mutual Insurance Co. that the grandson, Steven, was not a member of his grandmothers household for insurance purposes just because she provided him with financial support.

The appeals court rejected the argument that financial support was by itself enough to prove the grandson was a resident and therefore covered under the homeowners policy. The appeals court also noted that financial support counts less as a factor in determining who is a resident in situations where there is no legal requirement to provide it.

With its ruling, the appeals court reversed a Norfolk County trial court that ruled that Arbella had to pay $300,000 to cover a personal injury judgment against the grandson Steven for injuring a police detective.

Because Steven was unable to satisfy the $300,000 judgment, the detective brought an action against Arbella to indemnify the grandson even though Steven did not himself have an insurance policy with Arbella.

Instead, the detectives suit alleged that Steven was covered by an Arbella insurance policy purchased by his grandmother for her East Longmeadow home. After a trial, a Superior Court judge found that Steven, at the time he injured the detective, was a resident of his grandmothers household because she owned and paid a lot of the costs on a house in Ludlow where Steven and his parents lived.

Although the grandmother asked Stevens parents for rent, she would frequently excuse their missed rent payments. The grandmother also paid the mortgage, the taxes, and the water and sewer bills. That was the nature and extent of the financial support Steven received from his grandmother.

The grandmother had policies for both properties she owned. The Ludlow policy was a dwelling policy that covered liability for insured members for injuries which accrue or arise on the property covered. The East Longmeadow policy was a homeowners policy that covered liability for insured members under the policy, regardless of where the alleged injury occurred. The injury to the detective did not occur on or arise on the Ludlow property. Thus, the Ludlow policy could not be used to indemnify Steven.

Therefore, the only policy at issue was the Longmeadow homeowners policy since it covered liability for insured members regardless of where the alleged injury occurred. Steven was not a named insured. The policy defined those covered by the policy as the named insured and residents of [their] household.

The plaintiff and the appeals court looked to a 1991 Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court opinion (Vaiarella v. Hanover Insurance Co.) for guidance on whether Steven could be considered a resident of [the] household.

In Vaiarella, the state Supreme Judicial Court set forth several factors to consider when deciding whether someone is an insured under an insurance policy, where the definition of insured is ambiguous. Those factors include: (1) whether the individual has an established connection to the named insureds household; (2) whether the individual uses the same address as the named insured for matters such as receiving mail, registering a car, or applying for a drivers license; (3) in the case of an accident, whether the individual went to the named insureds household after the accident; (4) whether the individual has a financially dependent relationship with the named insured; and (5) the subjective intent of the individual to become a member of the insureds household.

The plaintiff detective conceded that the only Vaiarella factor present in Stevens case was financial dependency. The plaintiff successfully argued at trial that it alone was enough to qualify the grandson as a household member under the policy.

The appeals court agreed that the financial support was the only factor in Stevens case but found that single factor was not by itself enough for him to be considered a household member under the policy.

The appeals court noted that it had previously found that weight given to financial dependency is lessened in the case of relatives for whom there is no legal responsibility to provide financial support. Stevens grandmother had no legal responsibility to provide for him.

Also, contrary to the detectives claim, financial dependency was not the sole basis for the courts holding in another case where an adult son was found to be a member of his fathers household. Rather, that opinion weighed several factors including that the son lived at the relevant address, received mail there, kept his belongings there, and his father remained actively involved with the family at that address.

The appeals court noted that there was little to no established connection between Steven and his grandmother. He spoke to or saw her just once in the years surrounding 2016, when the injury to the plaintiff occurred. The grandmother also did not claim Steven as a dependent on her taxes. Additionally, Steven did not receive mail at the East Longmeadow address, nor did he have a car registered to the East Longmeadow address or a drivers license with the East Longmeadow address.

Furthermore, the appeals court stressed, had the Supreme Judicial Court in Vaiarella thought that financial dependency outweighed other factors, the high court would have said as much. But it did not. Instead, in Vaiarella, the court addressed five nonexclusive factors and did not state, nor even suggest, that economic dependence is a trump card over the other factors, the appeals court explained.

The appeals court concluded that Steven, as a matter of law, was not a member of his grandmothers household and not insured under the East Longmeadow policy.
A Missouri spouse can collect loss-of-consortium damages separate from her husbands underinsured-motorist benefits, a federal appeals court ruled.

The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals concluded that an Auto-Owners Mutual Insurance Company auto policy was poorly drafted. Therefore, its ambiguity doesnt subject two spouses to a single per-person limit as an insurance policy normally would.

Beverly Granger filed a UIM claim for loss-of-consortium damages after her husband, Randy, suffered severe injuries in a car accident where the other drivers insurer paid out the policy limit of $25,000. The Grangers policy with Auto-Owners set a per-person limit of $250,000 and a total limit of $500,000 per occurrence.

Auto-Owners paid out its per-person limit of $250,000 to Randy but denied Beverlys request, claiming that the per-person limit for UIM benefits had already been reached. Beverlys loss-of-consortium claims were purely derivative of Randys bodily injuries, the insurer said.

Auto-Owners filed a lawsuit in district court seeking a declaration that it owed no more to the couple. The district court sided with the insurer, stating that Beverlys loss-of-consortium claim inseparably followed the one covering Randys injuries.

On appeal, the Eighth Circuit found there were reasonable ways to interpret the policy that could favor either the insurer or the couple. The key interpretive question is the identity of you in the policys scope of coverage.

One interpretation, as argued by the district court, finds that Auto-Owners is required to pay UIM benefits to you who sustained bodily injuries. Since Beverly sustained no bodily injuries, she cannot receive compensatory damages for loss of consortium or otherwise, the district court reasoned.

A more favorable interpretation for the Grangers emerges with a close look at Missouri law and the definition of you in the scope-of-coverage provision, the appeals court argued.

In Missouri, the cause of action for loss of consortium seeks to compensate the uninjured spouse.

The idea is that this background principle allows Beverly, who is the uninjured spouse,  to recover these damages, so the insurance policy must reflect that understanding too, absent language to the contrary, the appeals court panel wrote.

The one potential stumbling block for Beverly is that each reference to you in the policys scope-of-coverage provision ostensibly applies to the same person.

However, with a different reading, the and can be read disjunctively, the appeals court said, meaning that both Randy and Beverly independently qualified as you under the policy definitions.

The appeals court focused on a line that says [y]ou . . . means any named insured shown in the Declarations and . . . [the] named insureds spouse who resides in the same household.

Randys bodily injury, in other words, becomes the hook for the loss-of-consortium damages Beverly is trying to recover, consistent with how Missouri has defined the cause of action, the appeals court wrote.

Such an interpretation allows each spouse to recover their own damages up to the $250,000 per-person limit.

The appeals court summarized that the Auto-Owners policy is poorly drafted, leaving open the question of what it does or does not cover. Since Missouri law construes any ambiguity against the insurer, the appeals court said it is required to adopt the interpretation that favors Beverly, allowing her to recover loss-of-consortium damages.
The high-speed train crash that killed 45 people in Spain on Sunday may have been caused by a rail fracture that likely occurred before the accident, based on preliminary findings of a probe into the disaster.

Investigators with Spains Comision de Investigacion de Accidentes Ferroviarios identified consistent impact marks on the wheels of several cars, as well as similar marks on trains that had passed through the same section earlier, according to a statement on Friday. This suggests the rail fracture happened before the crash, they said.

The pattern of wheel damage supports a working hypothesis that the broken rail created a step that struck the first wheel of each set, progressively destabilizing the track until it tipped outward, and ultimately causing the following car to derail.

The findings are provisional and subject to verification, the commission said.

The accident occurred when the last two carriages of a high-speed train traveling to Madrid from Malaga derailed and collided with another train coming in the opposite direction.

The crash sent shockwaves across the country, prompting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to declare three days of national mourning and cancel his planned trip to Davos.

A second train crash occurred a few days later in the Barcelona area, killing one. As a result, train drivers in Spain called for a strike, citing frustrations over maintenance and safety.

The incidents has cast doubts over Spains rail system, a source of national pride until this week, and upped pressure on the left-wing administration of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, which manages infrastructure and the main passenger operator through state-owned companies.

The government is under intense scrutiny, with the transport ministry having seen repeated changes at the top and the premier facing regional elections in the coming months.

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Expect revisions to the states new artificial intelligence model policy, as AI continues to evolve, a top Ohio Department of Education and Workforce official said.

The states model is just a beginning.

We fully anticipate the need to continue to come back and revise this policy, said Chris Woolard, DEWs chief integration officer, at a Thursday meeting. This is a quickly evolving space.

The model does not contain many specifics. It is guide that Ohios school districts and charter schools can use as a starting point, borrowing part or all when forming their own AI policies tailored to their specific needs.

Lawmakers included a requirement in the state budget that local boards and schools adopt formal AI policies by July 1.

The state has not established learning standards for AI at this point. Learning standards specify the knowledge and skills a student needs to know in each grade in a subject.

Read More: Ohio releases model policy to guide school districts on AI use in classrooms

DEWs model policy outlines expectations for ethical AI use, bans AI tools for bullying or harassment, and limits student use of AI to situations where teachers explicitly allow it.

AI implementation should be human-centered and should empower students, educators, and communities, the policy states. It is a tool to support learning and teaching, not a substitute for student effort or the role of the educator.

Users must also follow the terms of service, including appropriate age limits, the policy states.

AI may be used for brainstorming or limited research, but it cannot be used to generate work that replaces student effort. Districts should set procedures to investigate suspected misuse, though the policy does not prescribe specific methods.

No assignment shall require the use of a tool that cannot be provided by the district, the model states.

Schools must also communicate with families about how AI is used in classrooms and the skills students need for future workplaces. They must also warn parents about the risks of unsupervised AI use, the policy states.

The model policy requires compliance with federal privacy laws, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

The document bans using AI for bullying, harassment or intimidation, including creating harmful images of students or staff. It also points districts to existing state laws on non-consensual intimate imagery and mentions House Bill 531, known as Bradens Law, which makes sexual extortion a felony.

The model policy builds on the statewide AI Toolkit released in 2024 and highlighted recently at a White House Artificial Intelligence Education Task Force meeting, where Ohio officials shared details of the new policy.
What was intended as a public grilling of special prosecutor Jack Smith by Congressman Jim Jordan instead became a platform for Smith to repeatedly and calmly state that former President Donald Trump engaged in criminal activity.

Today in Ohio podcast hosts wonder when Jordan will give up trying to discredit Smith.

Fridays episode covered how Jordan, as chair of the House Judiciary Committee, attempted to discredit Smiths investigation into Trumps retention of classified documents and efforts to overturn the 2020 election. According to podcast co-host Lisa Garvin, Jordan opened by declaring, This was always about politics.

But Smith was unflappable.

Smith stood strong, Garvin said. He stood by his decision to charge Trump for these things. He says, we develop proof beyond a reasonable doubt that Trump engaged in criminal activity. He caused the January 6 riot. It was foreseeable, and he sought to exploit the violence.

The podcast hosts noted the contrast between Jordans agitated demeanor and Smiths professional composure.

I wish Jordan would bring back Smith every day. Because every time Smith is sitting there, he points out yet again that Donald Trump is a criminal, said Chris Quinn. I love the way he sits there time after time while Jordan has his eyeballs spinning like a crazy man saying his crazy stuff for the base, and Smith sits there very sanely saying, Donald Trumps a criminal.

Garvin noted Smith maintained his composure even as Trump took to social media to attack him. The Trump tweet started immediately after the hearings. He called Smith a deranged animal. He was decimated by the committee, and he shouldnt be allowed to practice law, Garvin reported.

The podcast discussion suggested that Jordans attempt to discredit Smith may have backfired by giving the special prosecutor a high-profile platform to lay out the evidence against Trump again. Quinn argued that Smith has more credibility with the American public than Jordan does. I think the middle of America believes Smith, not Jordan. You can see it in the polls, Quinn stated.

The hosts also addressed Smiths concerns about potential retribution should Trump return to office. When asked by a committee member if he thought Trump would indict him, Smith reportedly responded that Trumps team would do everything in their power to do that because theyve been ordered to do so by Trump.

Listen to the discussion here.

Listen to full Today in Ohio episodes where Chris Quinn hosts our daily half-hour news podcast, with Editorial Board member Lisa Garvin, Impact Editor Leila Atassi and Content Director Laura Johnston.
Xi says China's high-quality development to provide more opportunities for cooperation with Brazil

Xinhua) 13:18, January 23, 2026

BEIJING, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- China's high-quality development via high-level opening-up will provide more opportunities for cooperation with Brazil, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday.

Xi made the remarks during a phone call with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Xi noted that he and Lula in 2024 jointly announced the elevation of China-Brazil ties to a community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet.

Over the past year, the building of a China-Brazil community with a shared future has gained solid momentum, with deepening alignment between their development strategies and setting an example of unity and cooperation between Global South countries, Xi added.

This year marks the start of China's 15th Five-Year Plan period, said Xi, voicing China's readiness to work with Brazil to comprehensively deepen mutually beneficial cooperation across various fields and push for greater development of bilateral relations so as to usher in an even brighter future.

Amid the current turbulent international situation, China and Brazil -- both important countries in the Global South -- are a constructive force in safeguarding global peace and stability and improving global governance, said Xi.

Xi called on the two countries to firmly stand on the right side of history, make more efforts to defend the common interests of both countries and of the Global South, and jointly safeguard the central role of the United Nations, as well as international fairness and justice.

China is committed to always being a good friend and partner to countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), and to jointly advancing the building of the China-LAC community with a shared future, he noted.

For his part, Lula said that Xi's historic visit to Brazil in 2024 has elevated bilateral ties to a new height of building a community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet and that bilateral cooperation in various fields has made remarkable progress.

Lula voiced Brazil's readiness to work with the Chinese side to push for greater growth in bilateral ties and the relationship between Latin America and China.

He depicted Brazil and China as important forces in defending multilateralism and upholding free trade.

Against a concerning international landscape, Lula said that Brazil is willing to work closely with China, uphold the authority of the United Nations, and strengthen cooperation among BRICS countries so as to safeguard peace and stability in the region and beyond.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The TikTok USDS (U.S. Data Security) logo appears on a smartphone screen in this illustration photo in Reno, United States, on Dec. 19, 2025.



President Donald Trump and TikTok said Thursday that the company had formed a joint venture to keep the video-sharing app operating in the U.S. under new American leadership.

The company said Adam Presser, who has been serving as TikTok's head of operations and trust and safety, will be the CEO of TikTok USDS Joint Venture. Presser has worked at TikTok for almost four years and was previously a senior executive at Warner Bros.

TikTok CEO Shou Chew will be a director of the newly formed venture, which will run as an "independent entity," according to Thursday's announcement.

TikTok USDS Joint Venture "will operate under defined safeguards that protect national security through comprehensive data protections, algorithm security, content moderation, and software assurances for U.S. users," the company said.

Trump hailed the deal in a Truth Social post on Thursday, stating that the company would now be owned by a "group of Great American Patriots and Investors, the Biggest in the World."

He also thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping for working with his administration, and "ultimately, approving the Deal."

"He could have gone the other way, but didn't, and is appreciated for his decision," Trump wrote. China has not issued an official statement confirming the agreement.

According to TikTok, the new venture will be governed by a seven-member board of directors, the majority of whom are American. In addition to Chew, the board is comprised of TPG Global's Timothy Dattels, Susquehanna International Group's Mark Dooley, Silver Lake co-CEO Egon Durban, DXC Technology CEO Raul Fernandez, Oracle 's Kenneth Glueck, and MGX's David Scott.

ByteDance, the Chinese parent of TikTok, will retain 19.9% of the new venture. Silver Lake, Oracle and MGX are the new managing investors. Other backers include Michael Dell's investment firm, Vastmere Strategic Investments, Alpha Wave Partners, Revolution, and General Atlantic affiliate Via Nova.

ByteDance was subject to a national security law, originally signed by former President Joe Biden, that required the company to sell its U.S. operations or be effectively banned in the country. That law was never enacted due to several executive orders signed by President Donald Trump last year.

Those orders kept the attorney general from enforcing the national security law while the app's leaders searched for a buyer.

"Interoperability enables the Joint Venture to provide U.S. users with a global TikTok experience, ensuring U.S. creators can be discovered and businesses can operate on a global scale," the company said. "TikTok global's U.S. entities will manage global product interoperability and certain commercial activities, including e-commerce, advertising, and marketing."

TikTok's prized content-recommendation algorithm will now be hosted within Oracle's American data centers, and it will be retrained, tested and updated on U.S. user data, the company said. The new structure also helps keep sibling apps like CapCut, Lemon8 and other unspecified services and websites operational in America, the statement said.



Although the Chinese government hasn't commented publicly on the deal, Semafor reported earlier on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter, that the U.S. and Chinese governments have signed off on the sale, and that the deal was set to close this week.

President Trump said in September that Chinese President Xi Jinping had agreed to move forward with the proposed deal that was codified that month via an executive order. At the time, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said there was "some resistance" from the Chinese government to support the deal, which he said would value TikTok's U.S. business at $14 billion.

Chew revealed the name of TikTok's U.S. entity to employees in December and said it signed an agreement to form a new U.S. joint venture, CNBC reported.

WATCH: TikTok signs agreement to create new U.S. joint venture:
Shares of Adani Group companies fell between 5 to 13% on Friday as court filings showed that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is looking to send summons to founder Gautam Adani and nephew Sagar Adani on charges of bribery and fraud.

Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, chair of India's Adani Group and one of the world's richest people, was indicted with seven other men in New York federal court in November 2024 on charges related to a massive bribery and fraud scheme.

The SEC has approached a U.S. District Judge, Nicholas Garaufis in Brooklyn, seeking permission to issue a legal summons to Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani and the executive director of Adani Green Energy, Sagar Adani, according to court filings. CNBC has reached out to Adani Group and the U.S. SEC for comment.

Shares of Adani Green Energy ended the session nearly 14% lower, while those of the flagship company Adani Enterprises closed 10.7% lower on Friday. Shares of Adani Power dropped 5.7%.

The Adani Group executives are charged with misleading U.S. and international investors about their company's compliance with anti-bribery and anti-corruption practices, as they raised more than $3 billion in capital to fund those energy contracts.

India's Ministry of Law and Justice has twice refused last year to deliver the summons to Gautam Adani and Sagar Adani under the Hague Convention, the SEC told the court. "The Ministry appeared to suggest that the SEC lacks authority to invoke the Hague Convention or seek service of the Summonses," it said.

Adani and several other defendants are accused of having paid Indian government officials more than $250 million in bribes to obtain solar energy supply contracts worth more than $2 billion in profits.
Earlier this month, Skyscanner published its annual report of the cheapest destinations for Americans in 2026. To determine the ranking, Skyscanner looked at destinations with economy round-trip flights booked on Skyscanner between January 1, 2025 and October 31, 2025, for travel between January 1, 2026 and December 31, 2026. The travel search engine, in partnership with OnePoll, an international market research company, surveyed 2,000 travelers in November 2025. The report found that cost is a major driving factor for travelers in 2026, with 57% of U.S. travelers stating they feel overwhelmed at the prospect of booking travel for 2026 due to cost concerns. "There are plenty of affordable destinations and ways to travel. It might take some planning, flexibility, and creativity, but where there is the desire to travel, there is a way to make it happen affordably," Lourdes Losada, Skyscanner Director of the Americas, tells CNBC Make It.

Skyscanner found that on average the cheapest day to fly in 2026 is Wednesday. D3sign | Moment | Getty Images

While the ranking of the cheapest destinations for Americans features some international places, the U.S. has five cities on the list, which Losada says highlights the fact that there are plenty of places for Americans to explore in their own backyard. "A passport and a big budget are not necessities to travel in 2026. For travelers who are able to be flexible and open to booking a trip closer to home, there are plenty of great value destinations that offer beach, outdoor adventures, city escapes, nightlife and more," Losada adds. For those travelers looking to take advantage of the best deals, Skyscanner's report found that, on average, the cheapest day to fly in 2026 is Wednesday. "For Americans looking to keep travel costs low this year, flexibility will be the key. As travelers are tracking flights and considering what days to fly, being flexible and opting to travel mid-week could make a real difference for those looking to trim their travel budget," Losada says.

No. 1 cheapest destination for U.S. travelers: Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada, ranked as the cheapest destination for U.S. travelers, and Losada says it's because it's one of the most competitive flight markets in the U.S. Factors like high airline capacity, frequent routes and strong demand all year round help keep flight prices to Las Vegas relatively low. "For those looking for a Las Vegas getaway on a budget, I recommend setting price alerts to track when the flights dip and you can easily score a budget-friendly getaway," Losada adds.

Las Vegas, Nevada Andrey Denisyuk | Moment | Getty Images

Las Vegas offers many attractions like the famous Fountains of Bellagio, the Sphere and of course, all there is to see and do along the Las Vegas Strip. "Sin City" is also close to other major destinations like the Grand Canyon and the Hoover Dam.

The 10 cheapest destinations for U.S. travelers

Las Vegas, Nevada San Salvador, El Salvador Miami, Florida Kahului, Hawaii Orlando, Florida San Juan, Puerto Rico Punta Cana, Dominican Republic Mexico City, Mexico Cancun, Mexico Milan, Italy San Salvador, El Salvador, ranked as the second-cheapest destination for U.S. travelers. Losada says it stood out in the ranking because it's not a destination that many travelers have at the top of their wish list. "In addition to its affordable airfares, San Salvador offers visitors excellent value once on the ground. There are plenty of low or no-cost activities," she adds. "It's not a traditional hotspot for travelers and costs are not driven by overtourism. Now is a great time to visit while costs are affordable and more airlines are adding routes."

San Salvador, El Salvador John Coletti | The Image Bank | Getty Images
U.S. President Donald Trump walks after charter announcement for his Board of Peace initiative aimed at resolving global conflicts, alongside the 56th annual World Economic Forum (WEF), in Davos, Switzerland, January 22, 2026.

Amid the recent uproar over U.S. President Donald Trump's aim of annexing Greenland, it's easy to lose track of another geopolitical tension that's been raging on the European continent for nearly 4 years: the Russia-Ukraine war.

On Friday, Ukrainian, Russian and U.S. ambassadors will hold trilateral talks in the United Arab Emirates that will last until Saturday.

Notably, Europe won't be involved in the meetings. Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on Thursday accused Europe of being "lost" and trying to persuade Trump to help them, rather than uniting for their own defense.

On another front, Denmark on Thursday signaled it was open to talks with the U.S. over its "Golden Dome" missile defense plan, which is part of the "deal" regarding Greenland that U.S. President Donald Trump had announced a day earlier.

But Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said that he doesn't know what's in the agreement  a response shared by many analysts and political watchers.

Ed Price, senior non-resident fellow at New York University, told CNBC on Thursday that striking a deal "requires two people to tango," describing Trump's speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, as "a monologue not a dialogue."

Still, Trump walking back on his tariff threats on EU countries and toning down the rhetoric on Greenland has lifted markets globally, reviving talks of TACO  "Trump Always Chickens Out"  trade.

The U.S. president also signed his Gaza "Board of Peace" into being on Thursday  and withdrew his invitation to Canada to join the board, conceived as a means to oversee the reconstruction of Gaza after a two-year war with Israel.

There's a slight dip in the temperature around Greenland, but geopolitical heat persists elsewhere.

 CNBC's Kevin Breuninger, Anniek Bao, Lucy Handley and Hugh Leask contributed to this report.
A flag with the CSG NV logo during the listing of their company at Euronext Amsterdam, Jan. 23, 2026.

Shares of Czech-based defense firm Czechoslovak Group, or CSG, soared over 30% on its stock market debut on Friday, underscoring sustained investor interest in defense companies amid Europe's growing push for military sovereignty.

CSG, one of the world's fastest-growing defense firms, made its debut on the Euronext exchange in Amsterdam.

Shares rose as much as 32% in the session before closing the session up 31.4%.

The Prague-based company, which makes armored vehicles, ammunition and advanced defense systems, raised a total of 3.8 billion euros ($4.5 billion) in its initial public offering.

Euronext said the listing marked the world's largest defense IPO ever recorded, both in terms of amount raised and market capitalization.

"Today marks a historic milestone for CSG as we join the Euronext Amsterdam market and we welcome the confidence shown in us by investors," Michal Strnad, chairman of CSG, said in a statement.

"Becoming a publicly listed company demonstrates our commitment to high standards of transparency, disclosure and corporate governance and strengthens our ability to invest in innovation, expand our global reach and deliver on our mission to be a critical long-term supplier of advanced defence and industrial solutions to NATO states and Government partners worldwide," he added.

The listing comes after weeks of mounting geopolitical tensions, with President Donald Trump threatening to use military force to seize Greenland from Denmark, a NATO ally.

In a surprise development on Wednesday, however, Trump said he had agreed to a framework of a future deal with respect to the self-governing Danish territory.

In Europe, meanwhile, investors have continued to pile into defense stocks, fueled by a mix of European Union, national and private capital funding.

Strategists have cited Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the end of the U.S. defense umbrella in Europe as underpinning a so-called mega-trend in the making.

 CNBC's Hugh Leask contributed to this report.
KANGERLUSSUAQ, GREENLAND - JULY 09: Passenger planes for local flights of Air Greenland stand on the tarmac at the airport as signs show the flight times to various global destinations on July 09, 2024 in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

A former official of U.S. President Donald Trump's first administration is planning a multi-billion-dollar data center project in a remote corner of Greenland, as hyperscalers scramble to build out capacity across the globe to keep up with the AI rollout.

The data center is aiming to be operational at 300 megawatts (MW) by mid-2027, before further expansion would see it hit 1.5 gigawatts (GW) by the end of 2028.

While that's currently several times the power capacity of any active data center in the world, there are plans to build multiple 1 GW-plus facilities across the globe over the next two years as the race to develop AI infrastructure continues to gather pace.

The Greenland data center project will cost billions of dollars to complete and has binding commitments with investors to finance half of its initial phase of development and half of the final phase, Drew Horn, a senior aide to Trump's first-term vice president Mike Pence and CEO of GreenMet, a company that's offering strategic support to the project, told CNBC.

The venture is eyeing a buildout in the Kangerlussuaq area, a small settlement at the end of a deep fjord on the southwest coast of the Arctic island, with an airport, he added.

Technical partners have been enlisted to help with the physical buildout, but the project has yet to secure land or approvals from the local authorities, Horn said. Plans are still in their early stages, and a spokesperson for Greenland Department of Business, Mineral Resources, Energy, Justice and Gender Equality told CNBC it has not engaged in a dialogue with Horn or GreenMet regarding the data center project. Horn declined to share the names of the other companies involved in the venture because the information isn't public yet.

Commercial opportunities in Greenland have been thrust into the spotlight in recent weeks as the Arctic island has become the center of a geopolitical firestorm after U.S. President Donald Trump doubled down on acquisition talk.

Critical minerals mining and freshwater reserves have been touted as potential prospects, though skeptics point to logistical challenges around tapping into them with Greenland's limited infrastructure.
Passengers are seen amid heavy crowds and chaotic scenes at Indira Gandhi International Airport after stringent new crew-rostering rules triggered widespread delays and cancellations in New Delhi, India, on Dec. 5, 2025.

India's largest airline, Indigo, that cancelled more than 2,500 flights within days last month causing massive disruptions, reported a 78% drop in profit in the December quarter, sending its shares down more than 3%.

The company, which reported results after market close on Thursday, made a provision of 5.8 billion rupees ($63 million) toward compensation following flight disruptions in December.

The larger impact on its earnings, however, was from a one-time charge owed to the implementation of new labor code and forex losses, together amounting to about 20 billion rupees.

The lack of progress on the U.S.-India trade deal has hurt investor confidence, contributing to capital outflows, and has weighed on the rupee, making it Asia's worst performing currency last year  down about 5%.

The currency was last trading at 91.52 and experts predict it to slip further to 92 rupee per dollar level by end of March, which could spell more trouble for forex-exposed businesses including Indigo.

The March quarter for the airline is "expected to be weaker" despite a 10% rise in available seat kilometers, or ASK, according to a report by Jefferies on Thursday. ASK is a key metric for measuring passenger capacity.

The brokerage added that the airline will see a "moderation" in passenger revenue per available seat kilometer (PRASK) and increase in cost per available seat kilometer as the company "continues to add aircraft."

Jefferies maintains a buy rating on the stock with a target price of 6,140 rupees per share.

Airlines in India face pressure on both costs and revenue fronts as a majority of the airlines get nearly 65% of their revenue from domestic travel, for which passengers pay in Indian rupees, but most of the costs are in dollars.

Indigo is adding more capacity because they need to grow, but the next 6-12 months will be tough, as we expect the rupee to weaken further and fuel costs to rise, said Mark Martin, founder and CEO of aviation consulting firm Martin Consulting.

He told CNBC that Indigo may need to fly on more international routes to improve its dollar earnings. This was also hinted at in the company's earnings call, with the management saying that new seat additions will be skewed toward international routes.
Oil prices rose Friday as President Donald Trump's renewed threats against Iran raise concerns about supply disruptions.

Iran is not a major oil producer. The country pumps about 3.4 million barrels per day, according to Kpler. That number pales in comparison with the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, which pump about 13.5 million barrels per day and 9.5 million barrels per day, respectively, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration and OPEC.

Yet a recent wave of protests in Iran spurred by the plummet in the nation's rial currency and Trump's subsequent suggestions that the U.S. could take military action in the country have rocked energy markets.

"Oil markets are moving on fear," Helima Croft, global head of commodity strategy at RBC Capital Markets, told CNBC. "It's basically a concern about disruption."

Market anxiety grew Friday as tensions between Iran and the U.S. escalated.

"We're watching Iran," Trump told reporters Thursday. "You know we have a lot of ships going in that direction just in case. We have a big flotilla going in that direction and we'll see what happens."

Trump's comments come as more than 5,000 people have died in Iran since the protests began on Dec. 28, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency.

"They were going to hang 837 people," Trump said in an interview with CNBC on Wednesday. "And I told them, you can't do that. If you do that, it's going to be bad."

While the market is well supplied for the time being, OPEC and its allies, which pump about 40% of the world's oil, hiked their output last year, cutting into spare capacity.

"If we were to get a confrontation between the U.S. and Iran that led to the loss of Iranian oil exports, there just isn't a lot left in the OPEC tank to cover that," Croft said.

Concerns around a larger regional conflict have also lifted prices given Iran's proximity to some of the world's largest oil producers -- namely Saudi Arabia.

"Iran's location is strategically very important when we think about critical waterways like the Strait of Hormuz, which is a major chokepoint for oil, and we have seen Iran and Iranian-backed groups before target tankers and target critical infrastructure in the Gulf," said Croft.

In 2019, Iran launched a series of attacks on oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. About 20% of global crude flows through the narrow waterway, according to the EIA.

Despite pulling back threats of military intervention, Trump confirmed to CNBC on Wednesday that 25% tariffs on countries doing business with Iran are "going forward."

Existing sanctions on Iran have already hampered the country's crude exports, with the vast majority going to independent Chinese refiners that buy the oil at a discount to benchmark prices.

"Can you really squeeze Iran much more given where their barrels are going?" said Croft. "[Have] sanctions now lost [the] ability to kind of move the needle when it comes to Iranian policy?"

Watch the video above to learn more about Iran's impact on oil markets and what it could mean for consumers.
It's one thing when the memory stocks are soaring. It's another thing when you can't get an iPhone.

We wrote two weeks ago about the jaw-dropping moves in names like SanDisk, Micron, and SK Hynix as it becomes clear that memory chips are the biggest bottleneck on AI capacity right now. SanDisk shares have doubled...this month! They priced around $52 in their spinoff last year, and closed at $503 yesterday. Wild.

It's all well and good if you're a shareholder. The analysts following these names say we're nowhere near the end of this upside move. "We had been in a seven-year down cycle," Cantor Fitzgerald's C.J. Muse told us yesterday. "I think we're going to be undersupplied for all of '26 and '27."

But that supply crunch is about to get really real for buyers. While the voracious new demand is happening way up high in the AI space, it has squeezed supplies for all kinds of memory chips up and down the supply chain. Memory prices are soaring, which is why the stocks are flying. But PC prices as a result are expected to rise 15-20% this quarter!

This could eventually even pass through to auto prices and yes, could mean more production disruptions by 2028, according to one analysis. It takes years for plants that will add more capacity, like the mega $100 billion Micron project in upstate New York, to come online.

"Our working assumption is that PC unit volumes will decline 10% this year, and that smartphone unit volumes will decline at least 5% because there's not enough memory chips," Muse told us. I asked him if that could possibly explain why Apple shares have been on an eight-week losing streak. He didn't rule out a potential impact on iPhone sales this year.

"What is less well-known is the pain that's coming to the handset market," he added, and said he expects customers will trade down to cheaper phones with less memory, which could affect suppliers like Qualcomm. Sure enough, Qualcomm shares are down 25% from their October highs.

The race to win in AI is not just pitting the Mag 7 against each other, as we talked about yesterday--it's also creating new headaches for the more mature parts of the tech industry.

See you at 1 p.m!

Kelly

Twitter: @KellyCNBC

Instagram: @realkellyevans
Nvidia founder and CEO Jensen Huang (R) speaks next to BlackRock chairman and WEF co-chairman Larry Fink during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 21, 2026.

BEIJING  Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang plans to visit China in the coming days ahead of the mid-February Lunar New Year, two people familiar with the matter told CNBC.

The trip comes as questions persist over the U.S. chip giant's ability to sell in the Chinese market, which once accounted for at least one-fifth of revenue from Nvidia's data center business.

U.S. export restrictions have prevented Nvidia from selling its most advanced chips to China as Washington seeks to maintain an edge over Beijing in chips used to develop cutting-edge artificial intelligence.

Huang is expected to attend an Nvidia company party in Beijing on Monday, said one of the sources, who requested anonymity to speak about the trip.

He is also set to meet with potential buyers in China and discuss recent logistical challenges in supplying U.S.-approved Nvidia chips into the market, according to a person with direct knowledge of the travel plans.

The Information reported last week, citing sources, that China would only approve local purchases of Nvidia's H200 AI chips for limited purposes such as research. When asked about the report Thursday, China's Commerce Ministry claimed it was unaware of the situation.

Bloomberg first reported news of Huang's China trip earlier this week. Nvidia declined to comment on executive travel plans.

Huang visited mainland China at least three times last year, including in January for Lunar New Year celebrations.
Oil prices slipped more than 1% on Friday from multi-month highs as the risk premium surged due to a potential U.S. attack on Iran that could disrupt supplies.

Oil prices rose on Friday after U.S. President Donald Trump ratcheted up pressure against Iran through fresh sanctions on vessels that transport its oil, and announced that an armada was heading towards the Middle Eastern nation.

Trump's statements renewed warnings to Tehran against killing protesters or restarting its nuclear program. The escalating pressure has caused concerns of oil supply disruptions in the Middle East. Kazakhstan has been struggling to resume output from one of the world's largest oilfields.

Brent crude futures for March rose $1.82, or 2.84%, to close at $65.88 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was up $1.71, or 2.88%, to settle at $61.07.

Warships, including an aircraft carrier and guided-missile destroyers, will arrive in the Middle East in the coming days, a U.S. official said. The United States conducted strikes on Iran last June.

The U.S. on Friday also imposed sanctions on nine vessels and eight related firms involved in transporting Iranian oil and petroleum products, the U.S. Treasury said in a statement.

At about 3.2 million barrels per day according to OPEC figures, Iran is OPEC's fourth-biggest crude oil producer behind Saudi Arabia, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates. It is also a major exporter to China, the world's second-largest oil consumer.

Chevron , opens new tab said oil output at Kazakhstan's Tengiz oilfield has yet to resume after Chevron-led operator Tengizchevroil announced a shutdown on Monday following a fire.

The incident exacerbated problems for Kazakhstan's oil industry, already challenged by bottlenecks at its main exporting gateway on the Black Sea, which has been damaged by Ukrainian drones.

JP Morgan said on Friday that Tengiz, which accounts for nearly half of Kazakhstan's production, could remain offline for the rest of the month and that Kazakhstan's crude output is likely to average only 1 million to 1.1 million bpd in January, compared with a usual level of around 1.8 million bpd.

Oil prices climbed earlier in the week on Trump's moves on Greenland, but dropped by about 2% on Thursday as he backed off tariff threats against Europe and ruled out military action.

Trump said on Thursday that Denmark, NATO and the U.S. had reached a deal that would allow "total access" to Greenland.
U.S. President Donald Trump's warning that a U.S. "armada" is heading toward Iran has deepened concern of potential military action in the Middle East, pushing oil prices higher amid fears of supply disruption.

"We're watching Iran," Trump told reporters Thursday on Air Force One. "You know we have a lot of ships going in that direction just in case. We have a big flotilla going in that direction and we'll see what happens."

The U.S. president also repeated his push for Tehran not to restart its nuclear program, echoing comments made to CNBC at the World Economic Forum earlier in the week.

Oil prices, which fell around 2% in the previous session, were trading higher Friday morning.

International benchmark Brent crude futures with March delivery rose 1.8% to $65.20 per barrel at around 1:04 p.m. London time (8:04 a.m. ET). U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures with March delivery, meanwhile, were last seen up 1.8% at $60.44.

Trump's comments come as the death toll from Iran's crackdown on nationwide protests reached at least 5,002, according to Human Rights Activists News Agency, with nearly 27,000 arrested. HRANA, a U.S.-registered nonprofit, relies on an activist network inside Iran for its reporting.

The demonstrations, which began in Tehran's bazaar on Dec. 28, have been fueled by growing frustrations over a long-running economic crisis, particularly the government's handling of a sharp fall in the nation's currency and soaring prices.
It's set to be a critical year for privately-held AI companies  especially OpenAI  as investors turn their attention to returns, analysts say. It will be "make or break" for companies whose sole business is selling their AI models, Deutsche Bank wrote in a note on Jan. 20. "OpenAI is particularly extended and may be most at risk as it seems not yet to have found a workable business model to cover its reported cash burn of $9bn last year and likely $17bn this year," Adrian Cox and Stefan Abrudan, analysts at the investment bank, said. They say that of an estimated 800 million weekly users, "only a fraction" are paying. At the same time, the AI bellwether has committed to data center projects worth an eye-watering $1.4 trillion. OpenAI's revenue was more than $20 billion last year, up from $6 billion in 2024, according to a blog post by its financial chief Sarah Friar. It is widely expected that the company will go public late this year, or early 2027. The company has inked deals with Nvidia and Microsoft , among others, and raised billions of dollars in the process, giving it a possible valuation of $500 billion . It secured $22.5 billion from SoftBank at the end of last year, on top of $40 billion already committed by the investment company. While it partners with many hyperscalers, OpenAI's moat is "relatively shallow" compared with larger competitors whose AI playbooks are subsidized by sound business fundamentals elsewhere, Cox and Abrudan wrote, adding "Its path to success appears to be looking narrower and narrower." "The pressure will only increase as it gets nearer to an IPO, mooted for early 2027 and forecast to potentially top $1trn," they said. In a blow to OpenAI, on Jan. 12, Apple opted to power its AI products with Google's technology. On Jan. 16, OpenAI announced it would soon test advertising in ChatGPT  a move founder Sam Altman said in 2024 was "a last resort" as a business model. It represents a new phase for foundation model developers, according to Dimitri Zabelin, a senior investment research analyst covering AI and cybersecurity at PitchBook, as "investor scrutiny shifts from scale to returns, or at minimum to credible improvement in unit economics." "The key question is whether enterprise monetization, pricing power, and inference cost declines can outpace rising compute intensity," he said, but added that "OpenAI's access to strategic compute and capital partners remains unusually deep" due to its multi-year capacity agreements that signal support for its scaling roadmap. Competitor Anthropic, which was founded by a group of former OpenAI employees, is also rumored to be targeting a public listing  potentially as soon as this year. The companies benefit from regulatory tailwinds, Zabelin said, "especially as they continue to embed themselves in government operations more domestically and overseas through sovereign AI initiatives." Market watchers expect the U.S. Federal Reserve to take a more dovish stance on rates, though concerns of interference have wobbled the market, which could accelerate generative AI funding further despite fears of a bubble, according to S & P Global. Deutsche Bank analysts are unconvinced, however. "It will prove almost impossible for smaller independent companies to afford the accelerating compute costs for models," they said. "It cannot be ruled out that Perplexity and others end up in the arms of the hyperscalers by the end of the year. Anthropic may be the exception, with a slower cash burn than OpenAI, a product that is particularly popular with coders and  paying  enterprises, and a more dynamic pricing model."
President Donald Trump gestures as he delivers a special address during the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 21, 2026. Mandel Ngan | Afp | Getty Images

U.S. President Donald Trump backed away from tariffs on European countries and ruled out using force to take Greenland during his time at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. But his free-wheeling special address to the forum, which lasted for more than an hour, included the kind of attacks that have become a trademark of his presidency. Trump touched on U.S. economic growth, his ongoing efforts to acquire Greenland from Denmark and wind energy in both Europe and China. The U.S. president also made his feelings known about some Western political leaders and, in a subsequent speech, renewed his criticism of one NATO member in particular. Here's a rundown of those who came under fire this week.

France

French President Emmanuel Macron spoke at Davos on Tuesday wearing dark, reflective sunglasses, prompting Trump to ask in his speech: "What the hell happened?" "I watched him yesterday with his beautiful sunglasses," Trump said on Wednesday, giving rise to some laughter in the auditorium.

France's President Emmanuel Macron looks on during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 20, 2026. The World Economic Forum takes place in Davos from January 19 to January 23, 2026. Fabrice Coffrini | Afp | Getty Images

Macron's office later said the president chose to wear aviator sunglasses to protect his eyes due to a burst blood vessel, Reuters reported. Macron, who didn't mention Trump by name, used his speech to warn of a shift to "a world without rules" and decried "bullies". In his own speech, Trump claimed he had cajoled Macron into agreeing to raise drug prices in France, saying: "You've been screwing us for 30 years." The French presidency responded that this was "fake news" in a social media post, alongside a GIF of Trump mouthing the same phrase in front of a microphone. "It's being claimed that President @EmmanuelMacron increased the price of medicines," the French presidency said on Wednesday. "He does not set their prices. They are regulated by the social security system and have, in fact, remained stable. Anyone who has set foot in a French pharmacy knows this," they added.

Canada

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney gave one of the most caustic speeches of Davos, calling out "great powers" for weaponizing their economic might, and urging "middle powers" to act together, "because if we're not at the table, we're on the menu." "Canada gets a lot of freebies from us by the way," Trump said in his speech the following day. "They should be grateful also but they are not. I watched your prime minister yesterday. He wasn't so grateful."

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks during the 56th annual World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 20, 2026. Denis Balibouse | Reuters

Trump added: "Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements." After leaving Davos, Trump announced he had withdrawn his invitation for Carney to join his "Board of Peace" for Gaza. Carney said last week that he intended to join the board but details, including financial terms, had yet to be worked out. Permanent members must pay $1 billion each.

Spain

Speaking at the signing ceremony for his "Board of Peace" on Thursday, Trump renewed his criticism of Spain over defense spending. The NATO military alliance agreed in June last year to more than double their defense spending from 2% of GDPt to 5% by 2035. But Spain successfully pushed for an exemption, allowing its expenditure to remain around 2%. "I don't know what's happening with Spain, why would they not do that? They want a free ride I guess, huh?" Trump said. "Every country but Spain increased to 5%. I don't know why. We're going to have to talk to Spain."

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez speaks during a plenary session at the Spanish Parliament on July 09, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. Pablo Blazquez Dominguez | Getty Images News | Getty Images

Trump has previously threatened to make Spain pay for its refusal to meet the defense spending target and recently said Madrid has "no excuse" for paying less during a meeting with Finnish President Alexander Stubb. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in June last year that he considers the country's current defense spending of 2% of GDP as "sufficient, realistic and compatible with the welfare state."

Switzerland

Switzerland's former president, Karin Keller-Sutter, also faced criticism from Trump this week. Referring to her as the Swiss "prime minister," Trump said on Wednesday that he had received a call from Keller-Sutter after threatening to raise tariffs on Swiss goods to 30%. "She said, 'no, no, no, you cannot do that, 30%. You cannot do that. We are a small, small country.' I said, 'yeah, but you have a big, big deficit,'" Trump said. "She just rubbed me the wrong way, I'll be honest with you."

(R to L) US Ambassador to Switzerland, Callista Gingrich, US President Donald Trump, Switzerland's Federal President Guy Parmelin and Switzerland's Economy Minister Federal councillor Karin Keller-Sutter react prior a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 21, 2026. Laurent Gillieron | Afp | Getty Images

Trump said he raised Swiss tariffs to 39% after that call, reflecting one of the highest tariff rates imposed on one country by his administration. The U.S. president agreed late last year to lower tariffs on Swiss products to 15%. Keller-Sutter's term ended in December.

'Loser' windmills

It wasn't just political leaders that drew Trump's ire. The U.S. president, a vocal critic of wind energy, took aim at windmills. "There are windmills all over Europe," Trump said during his Davos address. "There are windmills all over the place and they are losers. One thing I've noticed is that the more windmills a country has, the more money that country loses and the worse that country is doing." Trump added: "China makes almost all of the windmills, and yet I haven't been able to find any wind farms in China. Did you ever think of that? It's a good way of looking at it. They're smart. China's very smart. They make them, they sell them for a fortune, they sell them to the stupid people that buy them, but they don't use them themselves."

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President Donald Trump's push for mineral rights in Greenland may be the latest play in long-standing U.S. efforts to block China from accessing rare earths on the world's largest island.

Trump has disclosed few details about the Greenland framework deal that he announced after meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Wednesday. But he told CNBC that it includes mineral rights for the U.S. and other partners, presumably NATO allies though it's unclear at this stage.

"They're going to be involved in the Golden Dome, and they're going to be involved in mineral rights, and so are we," Trump said in an interview with CNBC's Joe Kernen at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

The Trump administration declined requests for further information when asked by CNBC. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said, "as details are finalized by all parties involved, they will be released accordingly."

"If this deal goes through, and President Trump is very hopeful it will, the United States will be achieving all of its strategic goals with respect to Greenland, at very little cost, forever," Kelly said in a statement.

Rare earths are used to make magnets that are key inputs for strategic industries like defense and robotics. China dominates the global supply chain and blocked exports in trade disputes with the U.S. last year.

Beijing declared itself a "near-Arctic state" and regional stakeholder in 2018.

Trump has made developing a Western rare earth supply chain a central objective of his industrial policy as he seeks to reduce U.S. dependence on China. Greenland has the eighth-largest rare earth reserves in the world at 1.5 million metric tons, according to 2024 data from the U.S. Geological Survey.

Beijing has a financial interest in the Kvanefjeld mining project in Greenland's south. It is the third-largest known land deposit of rare earths in the world, according the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

China's Shenghe Resources is the second-largest investor in Kvanefjeld's owner, Australia's Energy Transition Minerals. The project came to a halt after Greenland banned uranium mining in 2021 and it is now mired in litigation.

A framework that provides the U.S. with priority access to Greenland's rare earths "might ensure that a Chinese partner or somebody else doesn't come back to the table to develop those resources," said Ryan Castilloux, founder of Adamas Intelligence, a rare earth market research firm.
U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew the invitation to Canada to join his "Board of Peace," days after Prime Minister Mark Carney's address in Davos, warning against economic coercion by the world's superpowers.

"Dear Prime Minister Carney: Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canada's joining," Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Thursday night stateside.

Carney said last week that he intended to join the board but details, including financial terms, had yet to be worked out. States looking for a permanent seat need to pay $1 billion.

In his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, earlier this week, Carney said the world's "middle powers" must band together to resist coercion from the world's largest powers.

"Great powers have begun using economic integration as weapons. Tariffs as leverage, financial infrastructure as coercion, supply chains as vulnerabilities to be exploited," he said.

While Carney did not name any country, Trump responded later, saying on the sidelines of the forum that "Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements."

Hours before Carney's speech, Trump had posted on social media a digitally altered image of a map with Greenland, Venezuela, and Canada covered in an American flag.

Recent events have shown that "the rules-based international order" is effectively dead, while the world's superpowers "pursue their interests using economic integration as a weapon of coercion," Carney said in his speech.

Relations between the two longstanding allies have come under heavy strain in Trump's second term, who has referred to the neighboring country as the U.S.'s 51st state, besides targeting it with tariffs.
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A pharmacist displays a box of Wegovy pills at a pharmacy in Provo, Utah, Jan. 15, 2026. George Frey | Bloomberg | Getty Images

The future of the booming obesity drug market won't hinge on drugs that deliver greater weight loss alone. Top executives from drugmakers big and small told CNBC that the next phase of the space will be defined by a broader range of treatment options and improved access for patients. Those were among the themes that emerged at the annual JPMorgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco during interviews with top brass from Eli Lilly , Novo Nordisk , Pfizer and other drugmakers. "We really see the obesity market going from, in this year, a one-size-fits-all kind of idea to different medicines for different patients. We don't have a crystal ball to know how that all sorts out," Dan Skovronsky, Eli Lilly's chief scientific officer, told CNBC in an interview at the conference. "But I think by presenting people with options, they'll pick for themselves with their doctors, and I think we want to have something for everyone," he continued. "And we're not done yet." Over the coming years, executives expect an expanding menu of obesity treatments that can be tailored to an individual patient's needs  from pills and less-frequent injections to combination regimens and drugs designed to preserve muscle mass while promoting weight loss. Some also expect the direct-to-consumer market to become an even larger slice of the market, while hoping that hurdles preventing patients from getting treatment continue to fall. Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are widely credited with establishing the market through their weekly GLP-1 injections for obesity and diabetes, which have surged in popularity in recent years. The next chapter is already taking shape, with Novo launching the first GLP-1 pill for obesity earlier this month and Lilly preparing to bring an oral option of its own to market later this year. While those companies will play a critical role in how the space evolves, other players from pharma titan Pfizer to little-known upstarts could also enter the market  both threatening the two rivals' sales dominance and offering more treatment alternatives for consumers. While access remains a challenge for many patients, the ability to get GLP-1s has improved notably over the past year. Both Novo and Lilly have slashed cash prices for their injections and struck deals with President Donald Trump in November that will, for the first time, introduce Medicare coverage for obesity drugs later this year. More treatment options and wider access could boost the case for analyst projections that say the weight loss and diabetes drug market could be worth almost $100 billion annually by the end of the decade. In an interview at the conference, Novo Nordisk CEO Mike Doustdar said the company and Lilly currently have around 15 million people combined who have obesity taking GLP-1s. There is still a "long tail" to reaching the 110 million that are reportedly suffering from the condition, along with those who are overweight, he added. In a May report, McKinsey said it expects a range of 25 to 50 million U.S. patients to use GLP-1s by 2030. Here's what executives say the future of the space could look like.

The pill potential

Pills have not yet proven more effective than injections. Still, the consensus among executives is that oral options could expand the market, reaching entirely new patients. That may include people who are afraid of needles, as well as people who could benefit from existing injections but don't view their condition as severe enough to warrant a weekly shot. In an interview at the conference, Doustdar said it could also include people who travel frequently and can't easily refrigerate injections. "There is so much aligned exactly with this market expansion story  because there is a huge number of patients that are simply not interested in losing weight at the cost of injecting themselves," Doustdar said. The "real growth" and uptake of the pills is going to come from primary care physicians, who write the majority of prescriptions for Americans and typically prefer pills to injections, said Ray Stevens, the CEO of obesity market hopeful Structure Therapeutics . He said he believes his company's GLP-1 pill, aleniglipron, will be the third to enter the market after Eli Lilly's and Novo Nordisk's. Structure's oral drug will enter Phase 3 trials this year. Daily pills can offer more flexibility to patients. For example, Stevens said a patient could cut a pill in half to mitigate side effects on a day when they have an important meeting to attend. Lilly's Skovronsky said pills will also serve as a way for patients to "deescalate their therapy" after taking injections. The company in December released data showing that patients who initially took Wegovy or Zepbound shots maintained the majority of their weight loss after switching to Lilly's pill. "They say, 'I've lost the weight, I've got this, so I can maintain this on my own with something less strong,'" Skovronsky said. Structure is also developing an oral drugs that targets amylin, an emerging form of weight loss treatment that mimics a hormone co-secreted with insulin in the pancreas to suppress appetite and reduce food intake. Novo is developing a medicine called amycretin, which targets both GLP-1 and amylin to offer potentially enhanced weight loss.

Mixing and matching drugs

Stevens said combination regimens are "going to be the next phase of the field." For example, Structure hopes to combine its oral GLP-1 and amylin drugs to achieve even greater weight loss than one alone would, which he said will likely be "one of the best combos of the future." It's too early to say which patients would be the best fit for that regimen, but Stevens said it could achieve "good tolerability, really good patient experience and good efficacy." He said the company is already working on manufacturing the two ingredients together in a single pill, which is similar to what Novo's amycretin achieves. But he said combination regimens can also help treat certain obesity-related conditions better than one product alone. That could look like combining a GLP-1 with one of the existing treatments for fatty liver disease. "I feel like the winners are now starting to emerge for the monotherapy" treatments, he said. But Stevens said the treatment patients take will segment according to the other health conditions a person has on top of obesity, such as fatty liver disease, chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease. Lilly's upcoming pill is an oral GLP-1, but Skovronsky said the company can see the potential for a pill that targets that hormone along with another called GIP, since that's a "preferred formulation." That's how tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Lilly's blockbuster obesity and diabetes injections, works. That drug has proven to be more effective than semaglutide, the active ingredient in Novo Nordisk's rival injections, which only targets GLP-1. Skovronsky said, "we're working hard to create those medicines" in an oral form, but aren't ready to disclose any details. Pfizer inherited several experimental injections and pills with combination potential from its roughly $10 billion acquisition of the obesity biotech Metsera last year. But Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said the company is also developing an in-house oral drug that blocks the GIP receptor, which can significantly reduce side effects when combined with GLP-1. "I have very high hopes that it will also differentiate," Bourla said. One biotech, Wave Life Sciences , also sees combinations as part of its broader strategy, its CEO Paul Bolno said in an interview at the conference.

Different weight loss methods

Wave is taking a different approach to weight loss, targeting how the body burns fat rather than suppressing appetite. The goal is to achieve comparable weight loss to GLP-1s, without the associated muscle loss, and with less frequent dosing of once or twice a year rather than weekly. That push comes amid growing focus on the quality of weight loss with next-generation obesity drugs, as GLP-1 treatments have raised concerns around muscle loss, side effects and patient drop-offs. Wave has an experimental injection that uses RNA technology to lower levels of a protein called activin E  a liver-produced protein that slows fat burning. By reducing that protein, Wave believes the drug can increase fat loss, particularly harmful visceral fat, while preserving lean muscle mass. Bolno said the company is developing the injection, called WVE-007, as a monotherapy or a potential maintenance treatment that patients can switch to and take far less frequently after being on GLP-1s. But he also sees the opportunity to combine the company's injection with GLP-1s to "continue to drive benefits." "We can double the weight loss on GLP-1s in combination," Bolno said, referring to what the company is seeing in preclinical research. He said adding Wave's injection on top of a GLP-1 won't make it more difficult for patients to tolerate the treatment regimen, so it makes the company's drug "very amenable to combination" options. As for who can use Wave's injection, Bolno said it will work for any patient since "this happens to be a target that's actually in human genetics." The future of the industry will likely also include drugs that can achieve even greater weight loss than the current treatments on the market. Lilly in December released the first late-stage data on an injectable drug called retatrutide, the highest dose of which achieved more than 28% weight loss at 68 weeks among patients who stayed on the treatment. Lilly will read out data on seven other Phase 3 trials on the drug this year. Dubbed the "triple G" drug, retatrutide works by mimicking three hunger-regulating hormones  GLP-1, GIP and glucagon  rather than just one or two. That appears to have more potent effects on a person's appetite and satisfaction with food than other treatments. Skovronsky said the drug could serve patients who need additional weight loss or have other severe health conditions on top of obesity, such as arthritis knee pain. Novo Nordisk is racing to catch up: In March, it agreed to pay up to $2 billion for the rights to an early experimental drug from Chinese drugmaker United Laboratories International. The newly acquired treatment is a clear potential competitor to retatrutide because it similarly uses a three-pronged approach to promoting weight loss and regulating blood sugar.

Patient access to drugs
Xiaomi logo at an exhibition in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China on November 1, 2025.

Chinese tech giant Xiaomi saw its shares pop over 2% in trading on Friday after it announced a stock buyback program worth up to HK$2.5 billion ($321 million).

The repurchase plan comes as the electric vehicle and smartphone maker looks to reassure investors amid intensifying competition, rising component costs and recent product safety concerns.

Despite Friday's gains, Xiaomi's shares are down over 8% so far this year, reflecting sustained pressure on its valuation.

The company has regularly repurchased shares in recent years, including 4 million shares for HK$152 million on Jan. 13.

Critics of stock buybacks argue that the practice can boost share prices without improving a company's underlying business. They say buybacks divert cash from other investments, such as employee pay, factory expansion, job creation and innovation.

Xiaomi's latest buyback begins Jan. 23 and will be executed on the open market, subject to market conditions and regulatory approvals, according to a filing with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange late Thursday.
India's largest airline, IndiGo, on Friday (January 23) commenced non-stop flights between India and Greece, launching direct connectivity between Mumbai and Athens and becoming the first airline to operate scheduled direct services between the two countries.

The flights mark IndiGos entry into narrow-body long-haul operations with the deployment of Indias first Airbus A321XLR aircraft. The airline said it will also connect Delhi and Athens using the same aircraft starting January 24, 2026. IndiGo will operate three weekly flights on each of the MumbaiAthens and DelhiAthens routes.

With the new services, customers from Greece will gain direct access to Indias two largest metropolitan cities, along with onward connectivity to IndiGos domestic and Asian network.

Alongside the launch, the bilateral codeshare partnership between IndiGo and Greece-based carrier AEGEAN has gone live. Under the arrangement, IndiGo will place its 6E code on more than 10 European destinations operated by AEGEAN, including cities in Italy, Spain and Bulgaria. A

EGEAN passengers will, in turn, be able to connect to over 10 destinations on IndiGos network via Delhi and Mumbai, including Bengaluru, Chennai, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Colombo.

Athens is expected to attract Indian travellers for leisure, meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE), and wedding tourism. IndiGo said the new routes from Mumbai and Delhi are aimed at catering to this demand while expanding its European network.

Commenting on the launch, IndiGo Chief Executive Officer Pieter Elbers said the Athens route is the airlines first international service operated using the Airbus A321XLR and marks the first direct air link between India and Greece by an Indian carrier. He said the flights, supported by the codeshare partnership with AEGEAN, are expected to enhance connectivity between India, Greece and other European destinations.

Yiannis Paraschis, Managing Director and CEO of Athens International Airport, said January 23, 2026, marks the first scheduled direct air service between India and Greece. He said the launch of direct flights connecting Delhi and Mumbai with Athens is expected to support tourism, business and cultural exchanges between the two countries.
The World Bank Group has approved long-term financing for the 1,125 MW Dorjilung Hydropower Project in Bhutan, co-owned by Tata Power and Bhutans Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC), according to an exchange filing.

80% of power to be supplied to India

The project is being developed through Dorjilung Hydropower Ltd (DHPL), a special purpose vehicle in which DGPC holds a 60% stake and Tata Power owns the remaining 40%. Once operational, the project is expected to generate over 4,500 GWh of clean electricity annually, with around 80% of the power to be supplied to India. Tata Power Trading Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Power, will import the electricity into India and manage its onward distribution.

World Bank clears multi-layered financing package

The approved financing package includes a $150 million grant and a $150 million credit from the International Development Association (IDA), along with a $15 million enclave loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) to DGPC. In addition, DHPL will receive a $200 million IBRD enclave loan and a $300 million loan from the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The remaining funding requirements will be met through market borrowings, the filing said.

Bhutans largest hydropower project under PPP model

Dorjilung will be Bhutans largest hydropower project developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model and is expected to increase the countrys installed power capacity by nearly 40%, strengthening Bhutans position as a key exporter of clean energy. According to the exchange filing, the project is also expected to generate significant employment, support local entrepreneurship, and benefit communities in the Mongar and Lhuentse districts.

Also Read: India commissions first unit of 2,000 MW largest hydroelectric project

The approval follows Tata Powers announcement on November 21 that it had signed commercial agreements with DGPC for the development of the project. Dorjilung will be implemented as a run-of-the-river hydroelectric project comprising six units of 187.5 MW each on the Kurichhu river in Bhutans Mongar district, with six-hour pondage designed to support peaking requirements.

Under the agreement, Tata Power has committed an equity investment of about 1,572 crore, to be infused in tranches as per the agreed structure. With an estimated total project cost of 13,100 crore, Dorjilung will be Bhutans second-largest hydropower project and the countrys largest hydro project under the PPP framework.

The project is also expected to generate significant employment during construction and operations, support local entrepreneurship, and benefit communities in the Mongar and Lhuentse districts, according to the exchange filing.

Also Read: Worlds biggest dams: Inside the hydropower giants powering nations
Trump withdraws invite to Carney for Gaza Board of Peace.

United States President Donald Trump withdrew the invitation to Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney to join the Gaza Board of Peace on Friday, January 23.In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump wrote an open letter to Carney mentioning the decision to withdraw the invition."Dear Prime Minister Carney: Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canadas joining, what will be, the most prestigious Board of Leaders ever assembled, at any time. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" Trump wrote.The decision was perhaps taken after the two leaders appeared to be engaging in a war of words at and after the World Economic Forum (WEF) Summit 2026 in Switzerland's Davos.On January 20, Carney delivered a speed at Davos and stated that the world is in a "midst of a rupture, not a transition", as recently the "great powers have begun using economic integration as weapons. Tariffs as leverage. Financial infrastructure as coercion. Supply chains as vulnerabilities to be exploited.""The multilateral institutions on which middle powers have relied  the WTO, the UN, the COP  the very architecture of collective problem solving, are under threat," Carney had said.US President Trump, on January 21, fired back at Carney during his speech at the Davos Summit."I watched your Prime Minister yesterday. He wasnt so grateful," Trump had said, adding, "Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements."On January 22, in a national address ahead of the new legislative session, Carney shrugged off these statements, while also outlining the partnership between US and Canada."Canada and the United States have built a remarkable partnership in the economy, security and cultural exchange," Carney said in a national address in Quebec City."But Canada doesnt live because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadian," he added.
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A week ago, Google decided to add personal intelligence to Gemini, which gives the AI tool access to your searches, your photos, your YouTube history, and your Gmail emails.



Now TechCrunch reports reports that US users also have access to personal intelligence in Googles AI search.



With personal intelligence, recommendations not only match your interests  they fit seamlessly into your life, wrote Google Search Director Robby Stein in a blog post.


A group of researchers from Berkeley, Harvard, Oxford, Cambridge, and Yale warn that the rise of AI bots and AI agents could pose a serious threat to democracy.



For example, power-hungry politicians around the world can relatively easily create swarms of AI bots that flood social media and messaging services with propaganda and disinformation.



In this way, they can not only influence election results but also persuade parts of the population to replace parliamentary democracy with an authoritarian regime.


Modified: Thursday, 22 January 2026 21:05 BST

David Woodsmith

STORY LINK Pound-to-Euro Gives Back Gains after Early Data Boost

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The Pound to Euro exchange rate (GBP/EUR) edged lower on Thursday, surrendering earlier gains despite a run of stronger-than-expected UK economic data.At the time of writing, GBP/EUR was trading around 1.1464, down roughly 0.2% on the session.The Pound (GBP) found some initial support in early trade after a batch of mid-tier UK releases came in ahead of expectations.First, the latest public sector borrowing figures showed government borrowing undershot forecasts in December, helped by stronger-than-anticipated tax receipts.This was followed by a notably firmer reading from the Confederation of British Industrys distributive trades survey.The balance improved to -17 in January, well above expectations of -35 and a marked recovery from Decembers -44 reading.However, the upbeat data failed to translate into sustained demand for Sterling. As the session progressed, the Pound struggled to extend its gains and gradually slipped back, leaving GBP on the back foot by mid-afternoon.Meanwhile, the Euro (EUR) traded without clear direction as a sparse Eurozone data calendar left investors short of fresh catalysts.Attention briefly turned to the European Central Banks December meeting minutes, but with markets expecting the account to largely reiterate existing guidance, the release failed to generate meaningful interest in the single currency.Geopolitical developments also offered little support. Although US President Donald Trump ruled out military action over Greenland, shelved proposed tariffs on eight European nations and spoke of the framework of a future deal, the reaction was muted.Lingering uncertainty continued to temper optimism, leaving the Euro vulnerable to broader market swings.Looking ahead, Fridays session begins with the release of the UKs December retail sales figures.A forecast 0.1% decline would mark a third consecutive monthly contraction and could see Sterling start the day under pressure.Attention will then shift to Januarys preliminary PMI readings for both the UK and the Eurozone.While the surveys are expected to edge modestly higher, the data may struggle to drive momentum unless there is a clear surprise.Further volatility could stem from central bank commentary.Speeches from Bank of England policymaker Megan Greene and European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde may influence direction, with any notably hawkish signals from Greene likely to lend the Pound some support.

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Everyone knows Donald Trump is a cage-rattler, happy to use threats, insults and hyperbole to get what he wants. He clearly revels in his position as de facto head of the free world and enjoys using his power to make others feel uneasy.

When political leaders are the target, his aggressive stance can have positive effects. He helped negotiate a ceasefire in Gaza, convinced Iran not to execute dissidents following recent mass protests, and toppled a ruthless dictator in Venezuela.

Even the furore over Greenland, though misguided and wholly unnecessary, has jolted other Nato countries into taking their own obligations for the protection of Europe more seriously.

However, his latest outburst impugning the courage and resolve of the British soldier crosses a line. It is contemptible and, for many in this country, unforgivable.

Mr Trump claimed the US has never really asked anything of other European countries in times of war, and made the disgraceful suggestion that Nato troops  including British  stayed a little back from the front line in Afghanistan.

This is not only deeply offensive but also a downright lie, as anyone who remembers the tragic stream of bodies being driven through Royal Wootton Bassett on their way to being laid to rest will testify.

Over nearly 20 years of conflict, 457 British troops died in Afghanistan and hundreds more suffered lost limbs and other grievous injuries. The US President should try telling their families they werent in the front line of that murderous campaign.

Donald Trump clearly revels in his position as de facto head of the free world and enjoys using his power to make others feel uneasy

The President also needs a lesson in the history of the Second World War. After the fall of France in June 1940, Britain and her empire stood alone against the Axis powers

This was Americas war. It was they who triggered Article 5 of the Nato treaty after 9/11, asking for support from other members in their Afghan invasion  support they freely gave at great cost.

Denmark, who Mr Trump is trying to intimidate over Greenland, lost more troops per capita in that US cause than any other European country. Is this his idea of gratitude?

The President also needs a lesson in the history of the Second World War. After the fall of France in June 1940, Britain and her empire stood alone against the Axis powers of Nazi Germany, Italy and Japan until America entered the war following the bombing of Pearl Harbour in December 1941.

Had we not held firm for those 18 months against daunting odds, the Axis would have been hugely strengthened and the US would have faced a far steeper challenge.

Similarly, the British advance through Burma and Southeast Asia later in the war pinned down hundreds of thousands of Japanese troops who would otherwise have been fighting and killing Americans in the Pacific.

This is what true allies do. When tyranny threatens, they stand shoulder to shoulder against it, in a spirit of comradeship and mutual assistance. They do not carp at, traduce and denigrate one another.

Mr Trump has no military experience himself. He would have been conscripted to fight in the Vietnam War but was given five separate deferments, the last thanks to a diagnosis of bone spurs in his heel.

Opponents have accused him of draft-dodging and only he knows whether that is true. However, 58,220 Americans died in that war and many more came home with severe physical and psychological wounds, which means he was certainly fortunate.

The fact that Mr Trump didnt have to fight for his country should surely make him more respectful of those who did. Seeking to diminish their sacrifice demeans both the man and his office.
A mother-of-one has been left fighting for her life after using a counterfeit weight loss drug that caused seizures and left her needing a tube cut into her throat to breathe.

Kellen Oliveira Bretas Antunes, 42, from Brazil, began using a drug called 'Lipoless' last month. It is often marketed as a fat burning capsule but is illegal to sell in her home country because it is not recognized by Brazil's health agency.

Just three days after starting it, she began experiencing severe abdominal pain and body aches, prompting her to rush to the hospital.

Doctors diagnosed her with suspected drug intoxication, a reversible condition of altered consciousness or mental state because of drug intake, and kept her in the hospital for eight days before she was discharged.

Three days later, however, she returned to the hospital after suffering from muscle weakness and dark urine. She also started to have seizures.

Since she was admitted on December 28, it's been reported that she has had 16 seizures and has had to have a tracheostomy, where a hole is cut in the neck to help someone to breathe.

Her daughter Giulia Antunes said in a post today that her mother has been diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a disorder where the immune system attacks the body, causing muscle tingling, numbness and weakness.

Her daughter said: 'She is stable. There has been a significant improvement, but the process will be long, right?'

Kellen Oliveira Bretas Antunes, 42, from Brazil, was hospitalized after using a counterfeit weight loss drug, according to local reports (pictured)

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She told local media: 'Since she was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, it will take at least 12 months of treatment with physiotherapy, speech therapy and other specialists.'

The FDA has repeatedly warned the roughly 13 million Americans currently taking a GLP-1 medication for weight loss to steer clear of non-FDA-approved concoctions marketed online or from compounding pharmacies.

These versions can be more appealing because they are cheaper, but the FDA warned that they had not been through rigorous safety testing and could cause life-threatening side effects.

Maziar Mike Doustdar, CEO of Novo Nordisk, which makes Ozempic and Wegovy, added to the warnings last week, saying that 1.5 million Americans are currently taking 'unsafe, knock-off versions of our products'.

In Atunes case, it was not immediately clear how she had purchased the weight loss drug, taken the medication or how she was treated.

But her daughter has suggested that the weight loss drug came from Paraguay.

Antunes was hospitalized three days after using the counterfeit drug. She has since suffered 16 seizures and needed a hole cut in her neck to help her breathe

It was not immediately clear what caused the seizure but doctors say that seizures can be triggered by low blood sugar.

Doctors add that if a seizure causes prolonged breathing problems, it may also cause someone to need a tracheostomy to ensure they are receiving enough oxygen. If a patient is intoxicated from drugs, doctors may also insert a breathing tube because this can cause the airways to collapse.

Doctors treat drug intoxication, which Antunes was initially diagnosed with, by pumping the stomach, administering intravenous fluids and inducing vomiting. To treat a seizure, doctors may administer anti-seizure medications.

Local media has reported that the 'Lipoless' had been illegally imported into Brazil for use as a counterfeit weight loss drug. Some reports say it had the nickname 'Paraguayan pens'.

Antunes' daughter added, as reported by Need to Know: 'My dad took the product to the hospital for tests, but they wouldnt analyze it because it was medication from Paraguay.'

Antunes is shown above before her hospitalization

Flavia Coimbra, director of the Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism, told reporters that using medications that were not approved by Brazil's health authorities came with very high risks.

She said: 'There can be side-effects related to inadequate doses, hyperglycemia, and other adverse events such as contamination, serious infections, generalized infections, and worsening of pre-existing conditions.'

Yesterday, Brazil's health agency Anvisa banned two weight-loss drugs often marketed on social media but not registered with the agency.

A spokesperson said: 'The products were manufactured by unknown companies and are being advertised and sold through Instagram profiles without registration, notification, or listing with Anvisa.

'Because they are irregular products of unknown origin, there is no guarantee about their content or quality.

'Therefore, they should not be used under any circumstances.'

Authorities are investigating Antunes' illness.

In the US, at least 10 deaths have been linked to compounded medications since 2023, according to the FDA's monitoring system. These reports do not confirm the drug caused the fatalities, as the FDA has not yet completed investigations to establish a definitive causal link.

The agency's latest warning in September noted 605 adverse events linked to compounded semaglutide and 545 reports for compounded tirzepatide as of July.
Alzheimer's Society's symptoms checker can help spot the signs of dementia

Dementia is killing people at a faster-than-expected rate, with new figures revealing 2,500 excess deaths from the condition in England last year.

More than 68,000 people died from the disease in 2025 - accounting for around one in six deaths from leading causes recorded.

It marks a decade since dementia overtook heart disease as the UK's biggest killer  a grim title it has held since then, with the exception of the Covid pandemic in 2020 and 2021.

Official figures collected by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show in 2014, there were around 501,000 deaths registered in England and Wales.

Of those, heart disease was responsible for about 66,000 deaths, making it the leading cause overall.

Dementia  including the most common form, Alzheimer's disease  by comparison, accounted for just under 60,000 deaths that year.

By 2015, the balance had tipped. Out of approximately 530,000 total deaths in England and Wales, dementia and Alzheimer's disease were blamed for around 61,700 deaths, overtaking heart disease, which was linked to just over 61,000 deaths.

The new figure, released this week, measures excess deaths  a separate statistic collected by the ONS that tracks how many more people died than would normally be expected.

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Everyone experiences dementia differently. Use this checklist to help you make a note of your symptoms before you talk to your GP. Symptom Checklist

Excess deaths compare the number of deaths recorded in a given year with forecasts based on previous trends, population growth and ageing. Crucially, they show whether mortality is rising beyond what experts predicted, rather than simply reflecting the fact that more people are living to older ages.

In the case of dementia, the data shows that 2,588 more people died from the condition in England last year than expected, even after those factors were taken into account.

Overall, there were fewer deaths than expected in England last year  with dementia and flu driving the disparity.

Significantly less people died of heart disease and cancer than expected, reflecting improvements in funding, research and treatment options.

Official figures predicted more than 135,700 people would die of all cardiovascular diseases in 2025, 8 per cent more than the 124,218 deaths recorded.

Similarly cancer deaths were down 2 per cent on expected figures.

In total, 391,538 deaths were recorded from the six major causes - around four per cent lower than expected, making the sharp rise in dementia deaths an outlier.

Underlying causes included heart disease, cancer, influenza and pneumonia, chronic lower respiratory disease, dementia and Alzheimers, and liver disease.

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An NHS England spokesperson suggested the rise was due to better diagnostic techniques picking up more people than ever with the disease.

'Behind every statistic is a family  and we are determined to improve dementia care,' they added.

Currently, around 900,000 people in the UK are living with dementia. That number is expected to rise to 1.4 million by 2040, driven largely by Alzheimer's disease.

According to the Alzheimer's Society, more than a third of people with the condition do not yet have a diagnosis.

But the NHS insists that diagnosis is a crucial first step in the fight against the disease.

'Getting a diagnosis of dementia is the first step in supporting people, with a wide range of NHS services available to help,' the spokesperson said.

'If you have noticed that someone has symptoms, please encourage them to visit their GP for an assessment. The sooner someone is seen, the quicker the NHS can help.'

The figures come as fresh analysis shows dementia patients continue to face a postcode lottery of care, with the NHS failing to hit diagnosis targets in more than half of local authorities across England.

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Campaigners argue that people with dementia face a 'cruel injustice'  often paying higher care bills, while still having no drugs available on the NHS to cure, prevent or meaningfully slow the disease.

In 2024, NHS patients were denied access to a much-anticipated Alzheimer's drug, Lecanemab, after officials ruled it was not cost-effective.

The drug is the first treatment shown to slow the progression of Alzheimer's, which gradually damages memory, thinking skills and other mental abilities.

Despite the rising death toll and lack of new treatments, dementia was removed from official NHS planning guidance last year  prompting concerns it is no longer being treated as a priority.

In response to mounting criticism, the Government has pledged to deliver the first-ever Modern Service Framework for Frailty and Dementia, designed to set national standards and improve care quality.

However, analysis shows the NHS is still failing to meet the Government's ambition of diagnosing 66.7 per cent of dementia cases in most areas. The national average currently stands at 66.5 per cent.

London performs worst of all, with only around one in three cases diagnosed  less than any other region in the country.

Addressing the gap in diagnosis, Health Minister Stephen Kinnock said: 'Getting a timely diagnosis can be life-changing  it means people can access the care and support they need to live well for longer.

'This Government is making progress, with diagnosis rates rising, but there is much more to do.'

Dr Jeremy Isaacs, NHS national clinical director for dementia, added: 'The number of people diagnosed with dementia is at a record high and just 0.2 per cent away from our national ambition.

'The NHS urges anyone concerned about someone they know developing dementia to encourage them to see their GP for an initial assessment.'

The warning comes as world-leading experts this week set out 56 evidence-based recommendations aimed at cutting dementia risk, including better control of high blood pressure and stronger public-health messaging.

Kieran Winterburn, Head of National Influencing at Alzheimers Society, said: 'These figures remind us that dementia remains one of the biggest health challenges in the UK.

'Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial to unlock treatment, care and support that can help people manage dementia symptoms and avoid ending up in crisis.

'Right now, the UK Government is developing a new framework for the future of dementia. We are calling for this framework to be bold and ambitious to better support people living with dementia at earlier stages of the disease, and to ensure that overall harm, including the number of deaths, can be reduced through earlier support, innovation and community-centred care.'
They're the health food products now found in almost every supermarket, corner shop and pharmacy in Britain.

Protein bars, made by companies like Grenade, Trek, and Fulfil, are sold as health-boosting snacks, packed, not just with the crucial muscle-boosting nutrient, but other beneficial ingredients like fibre and vitamins.

And these snacks are proving increasingly popular in the UK. The protein bar industry is now worth more than 1.3billion and is projected to keep growing in size, with more and more new brands popping up every year.

However, a growing number of experts warn that protein bars also have a dark side.

Last year, TV fitness guru Joe Wicks released a documentary, Licensed To Kill, where he accused protein bar companies of packing their products with sugar, fat and ultra-processed ingredients  artificial compounds that studies have suggested, when consumed regularly, raise the risk of cancer, heart disease and even dementia.

And research appears to back up Wicks' claims about protein bars.

A 2025 study, published by Queen Mary University of London, found that, of more than 450 snack bars (which includes all protein bars) sold across ten supermarkets, 37 per cent were high in sugar while over half were high in saturated fat  a particularly harmful form linked to chronic health problems.

Last year, TV fitness guru Joe Wicks released a documentary, Licensed To Kill, where he accused protein bar companies of packing their products with sugar, fat and ultra-processed ingredients.

The researchers concluded that customers are being 'misled' by snack bar companies about the healthiness of these products.

It's a view shared by London-based nutritionist Pippa Campbell, author of Eat Right, Lose Weight.

'I'm not a big fan of protein bars in general and I wouldn't consider them a health food,' says Ms Campbell. 'There's a lot of marketing around protein content but many bars are still ultraprocessed and low in real nutrition. They can be useful occasionally, such as when travelling or when proper food isn't available, but they should never replace a balanced meal.'

However, experts say that not all protein bars are created equal. While most nutritionists argue that natural protein-rich snacks, like seeds, nuts, eggs and yoghurt, are better for the body, they say that some bars are more nutritious than others.

Ms Campbell has given her verdict on the best supermarket protein bars, and the ones to avoid. Read on to learn more...

The healthiest protein bars

Fulfil Chocolate Salted Caramel Vitamin & Protein Bar

2.90 for a 55-gram bar at tesco.com

Low in sugar and high in protein, Fulfil protein bars are one of the healthier protein bars on offer, according to experts.

The brand has a number of flavours including chocolate salted caramel, peanut butter, and chocolate brownie.

The Fulfil Chocolate Salted Caramel Vitamin & Protein Bar is low in sugar and high in protein.

Its main selling point that helps it stand out from the crowded field is that the bars are enriched with nine vitamins.

This includes folic acid, vitamins E and C as well as four different types of vitamin B.

Each bar is 204 calories, which is slightly more than other competitors. However, this is partly due to its 20 grams of protein  which is higher than many other British bars.

It is also low in sugar, containing just 1.7 grams. Ms Campbell says she was impressed by the Fulfill bar.

'It's high in protein with added vitamins and quite low in sugar,' she says. However, she does point out that it is relatively low in fibre  containing just 3.4 grams.

She also argues that the sweetness in this low-sugar snack comes from sugar alcohols  a highly processed artificial ingredient.

Fast 800 Dark Chocolate Raspberry Protein Bar

26.99 for 12 x 45-gram bars at thefast800.com

This raspberry-flavoured bar is high in protein and fibre.

Created by specialist meal-replacement firm Fast 800, its 14 grams of protein and 9 grams of fibre come primarily from peanut paste and chicory root fibre which, while not entirely natural, are not considered ultra-processed either.

The Fast 800 Dark Chocolate Raspberry Protein Bar is high in protein and fibre.

The protein level is around the average for these snacks  14 grams  and it does have an impressively low sugar content of 1 gram.

The 10 grams of fat are higher than other bars, but experts say this is largely natural forms of fat. The bar contains 192 calories, which is lower than other competitors.

However, Ms Campbell says it's not free of ultra-processed ingredients.

She says: 'It uses good quality protein and fibres, but it has added sweeteners and includes soya protein isolate which is a highly refined ingredient'.

The Protein Ball Co Blueberry Oat Muffin

1.85 for a 45-gram bag at healthysupplies.co.uk

An increasing feature on Britain's snack shelves are protein balls  and health experts say this particular brand wins top marks.

The Protein Ball Co has a number of flavours, which include blueberry oat muffin, peanut butter, lemon and pistachio and salted caramel.

The Protein Ball Co Blueberry Oat Muffin is made primarily with natural ingredients

Experts say all its products are made primarily with natural ingredients.

It's blueberry oat muffin flavour is made with dates, almonds, freeze-dried blueberries, gluten-free oats, and flax seeds.

They are also enriched with vitamins B12, vitamin C and D.

These 178 calorie balls are comparatively low on protein  containing just 6.5 grams. Its 3.6 grams of fibre are are also on the more marginal side.

Moreover, its 17 grams of sugar, combined with 7.3 grams of fat, may, at first glance, appear concerning.

But Ms Campbell says this sugar and fat comes from natural sources  such as dates, which also contain nutrients like potassium and magnesium  making it preferable for those looking to avoid ultra-processed products.

'These may be lower in protein and higher in natural sugars, but this primarily comes from the dates,' she says.

'This is one of the least processed options out there.'

Deliciously Ella Roasted Peanut Protein Ball

1.90 for a 40-gram ball at Waitrose.com

Another protein ball made with natural ingredients, this product also got two thumbs up from our expert.

It's made by Deliciously Ella, a food brand started by the eponymous social media influencer.

The Deliciously Ella Roasted Peanut Protein Ball is made primarily with dates, peanuts and peanut butter

Its three main ingredients are dates, peanuts and peanut butter.

The protein ball contains 150 calories, making it one of the least calorific products available. It also has just 5.2 grams of fat.

However, it is also lower on protein  4.6 grams  than other similar snacks. Its fibre content is also fairly unremarkable at just 5.9 grams.

And, like the other naturally-produced protein balls, its sugar content  16 grams  is high due to the dates.

But Ms Campbell says she would prefer to eat this product over one of the less sugary, but higher in ultra-processed ingredients, bars.

'The fibre, sugar and fats are coming from whole food ingredients,' she says. 'It lacks the artificial sweeteners and refined vegetable oils you might expect to find in other similar products.'

Pip & Nut Dark Chocolate Peanut Protein Bar

4 for 3 x 46-gram bars at tesco.com

This natural ingredients based bar is relatively high on protein and low on sugar.

Its two main ingredients are peanuts and dark chocolate. It also contains oats.

The Pip & Nut Dark Chocolate Peanut Protein Bar contains more protein than other natural bars

It contains significantly more protein  10 grams  than the other natural bars on this list. It also has less sugar  10 grams.

However, it does contain more calories  217  and fat  12 grams. It is also low on fibre  with just 2.7 grams.

Moreover, as Ms Campbell points out, it is not ultraprocessed ingredients free.

'It has natural sources of protein and fibre, from the peanuts and oats, as well as no artificial sweeteners and refined vegetable oils,' she says.

'It does use agave syrup, which is more refined than people realise.'

...And the unhealthiest protein bars

Trek Power Lotus Biscoff Bar

2.29 for a 55-gram bar at proteinpackage.co.uk

This protein bar is high in calories, fat and sugar. It's also filled with ultra-processed ingredients too, say experts. Perhaps it's no surprise given that it is based on the flavour of a sugary biscuit snack.

The Lotus Biscoff bar is made by Trek, one of the UK's most popular protein snack brands, who also sell protein flapjacks in flavours such as cocoa oat, salted caramel, and white chocolate and raspberry.

The Trek Power Lotus Biscoff has 239 calories, higher than most other comparable protein snacks

Its 239 calories per 55-gram bar is higher than most other comparable protein snacks. Meanwhile 8.9 grams of sugar and 12 grams of fat  the majority of which comes from artificial sources  are high too.

Ms Campbell says it contains a respectable amount of protein  15 grams  and a solid 8.6 grams of fibre.

However, she says that Lotus Biscoff bar is packed with ultra-processed ingredients. 'It contains candied sugar syrups, flavouring and refined vegetable oils, such as rapeseed oil,' she says.

'I'd put this in the very highly processed category'.

Grenade Oreo White Protein Bar

2.70 for a 60-gram bar at tesco.com

It may be the most popular brand of protein bar in the country, but experts have few good things to say about Grenade's products.

The UK firm has a made for itself by selling low-sugar protein bars that mimic the flavour of much-loved sweet treats. This includes a birthday cake flavour and, its most recent addition, a Creme Egg protein bar.

The Grenade Oreo White Protein Bar is one of the popular in the country but experts say it is packed with ultra-processed ingredients.

Its Oreo White Protein flavour is one of its best-selling products and it's certainly low in sugar  just 0.7 grams. Its 135 calories are also below average.

However, it has little-to-no fibre  0.9 grams.

And, while it is packed with protein  21 grams  experts say much of this comes from artificial ingredients.

Ms Campbell says the bar's long list of ultra-processed ingredients is reason enough to avoid it. 'It's only low in sugar because it contains sucralose, which is an artificial sweetener,' she says. 'Plus there are flavourings and refined vegetable oils. So it's very ultra-processed.'
Working long, gruelling hours as a plasterer, Kris Cooke was used to experiencing aches and pains - so he was floored when he was told that his 'backache' was cancer.

Earlier this month, Mr Cooke, 46, from Erith, southeast London was told that he has less than a year to live after being rushed to hospital with shortness of breath and pain in the top right of his back.

He had spent several months in discomfort before getting medical help - assuming it was just down to the grind of daily life - but X-rays revealed that his left lung had collapsed and he had multiple blood clots around his heart, as well as a lump on his pancreas.

A few days later, he received the devastating news that this lump was advanced pancreatic cancer, and he was referred to palliative care.

Speaking on behalf of Mr Cooke - a healthy conscious vegan - his close friend Louise Comiskey, 43, from Dartford, Kent, revealed that this news came as a total shock to everyone.

She said: 'He had a slight back pain for the last couple of months but assumed it was a pulled muscle. He figured he pulled it at work or just slept funny because he just got a new mattress.

'Obviously it was very concerning and upsetting for everybody involved. It is devastating. The cancer is aggressive and quick.

'He is a very kind and beautiful soul. He is such a well-loved, well-liked, fun, easy going, person. He has been so busy with people trying to visit him.

Kris Cooke has been told that he has less than a year to live

'We are just very shocked. He is vegan, he does yoga, and he has never had a health issue.'

Mr Cooke had been trying for a baby with his long-term girlfriend Maria, who is the sister of his late childhood best friend, and the pair were due to get married.

To make sure they were able to achieve their dream of becoming husband and wife, on Monday they had a wedding ceremony in his hospital room, wanting to tie the knot while they still could.

Sadly, the next day Mr Cooke was given the news that the cancer had spread to his liver, and he now only has 6-12 months to live.

His wife Maria, 42, who is a mum-of-three, said: 'It was a ridiculous shock. We are trying to cope as well as we can. He went to hospital because he thought he had strained a muscle.

'He was super healthy, he is a vegetarian, he doesn't eat any processed food. He was really careful about what he eats.

'We wanted to get married anyway, that was the plan. Kris had found a ring. But when we found out the news, we just didn't know how much time he had. We thought let's just do it now.

'It was nice. It wasn't what we wanted, but we are happy that we are married.'

Mr Cooke married his long-term partner Maria in a hospital ceremony on Monday

Now, Mr Cooke is undergoing chemotherapy to extend his life for as long as they can, but he is extremely tired and on a lot of morphine for the pain.

Ms Comiskey and some of his other friends have organised a GoFundMe page to help pay for Mr Cooke's funeral and to support his family.

The page has already raised over 5,500, which Louise says is due to him being a 'social butterfly' who everyone loves.

She added: 'When the doctors said he wasn't going to survive this he was very upset and almost catatonic at the time. Now he is trying to be positive and extend his life for as long as he can.

'He is a strong man. We just want the world for him. He just wants his partner not to have to worry about money. This is all very sudden. He just wants to look after his family.

'We started a GoFundMe page and within the first three days we got 5,000 which was amazing. He obviously never anticipated having to plan his own funeral.'

Mr Cooke's loved ones are now trying to encourage others to get their aches checked out, stressing that this can happen to anyone.

Mrs Cooke, who is a full-time carer, said: 'He wants builders especially to be more aware. He worked as a builder for years and they are used to having injuries and back pain. They need to stop ignoring it and get checked out.'

Mr Cooke hard at work as a plasterer

Louise added: 'It can happen to anybody. If you have an ache, even if you are fit and well, don't ignore it. Always get checked out.'

Dubbed the 'silent killer' due to its subtle symptoms, according to CRUK, Pancreatic cancer kills around 10,000 people in the UK every year.

This is the equivalent to one death every hour, with pancreatic cancer believed to be one of 14 cancers on the rise.

The pancreas is aids digestion and produces hormones, such as insulin and glucagon, which help convert sugar from food into energy.

Pancreatic cancer can inhibit the gland from making enough of these hormoneswhich can lead to unstable blood sugar levels.

According to the NHS, symptoms of indigestion, such as feeling bloated, are also warning signs.

Other common symptoms of the deadly cancer include loss of appetite, fatigue, a high temperature, feeling or being sick, and diarrhoea or constipation.

Research published last year suggested that more than half of patients diagnosed with the six 'least curable' cancersincluding lung, liver, brain, oesophageal, stomach and pancreatic cancersdie within a year of their diagnosis.

Pancreatic cancer has been dubbed a 'silent killer' due to its subtle signs that are often only spotted too late

More than 90,000 people are diagnosed with one of these deadly cancers in the UK every year, accounting for nearly half of all common cancer deaths, according to Cancer Research UK.

Around 10,500 people are diagnosed with the pancreatic cancer in the UK each year, and more than half of patients will die within three months of diagnosis. Less than eleven per cent live for five years.

There are currently no early detection tests and approximately 80 per cent of people are not diagnosed until the cancer has spread, meaning life-saving treatment is no longer possible.
For decades it's been known as the home of Alan Partridge - but now Norwich has a new claim to fame... it's the most depressed city in the UK.

Norwich, located in the rump-shaped county of East Anglia, is home to nearly 150,000 people - but it seems one in four of them is not in the best place - at least not mentally - right now.

The gloomy accolade comes after a new survey asked Britons about how they were faring during the darker months.

More than half of respondents - 57 per cent - admitted they are craving sunlight and warmth.

And digging further into the data, a quarter (25 per cent) of Norwich residents said that they feel genuinely depressed during mid to late January, blaming long stretches of overcast days and limited midwinter sunlight.

Norwich only narrowly took the crown, with joint second place holders Stoke and Swansea both polling 24 per cent.

Third place Manchester polled 21 per cent and fourth place Edinburgh 16 per cent.

Looking at the responses at a national level, four in ten (42 per cent) say they feel more depressed in January than any other month of the year.

Norwich, pictured during the cheerier, summer months, is the most depressed city in the UK

This is driven by the cold (47 per cent), endless hours of darkness (37 per cent) and a lack of natural sunlight (34 per cent).

More than half (54 per cent) wish January was a cheerier month, with 57 per cent craving more light in their lives, and half admitting their tolerance for other people is seriously tested.

To combat the 'January blues', the survey found that most people opt to stay indoors - but their chosen activities definitely share some overlap with behaviours typical of people who are diagnosed with depression.

Of the people surveyed, 41 per cent spend hours on the sofa and over a third (36 per cent) just refuse to get out of bed at all.

A third (34 per cent) avoid social situations, nearly a quarter (24 per cent) ignore phone calls, or they choose to doomscroll for hours (22 per cent) and leave people on 'read' for days (14 per cent) in the midst of their low mood.

The survey, conducted by British Gas, only quizzed 2,000 people, but their results feed into a wider picture of the country's overall level of wellbeing.

In May last year, data released by the Office for National Statistics pinpointed the happiest and unhappiest regions in the UK.

Every year they ask tens of thousands of people in the UK to rank their happiness, life satisfaction, anxiety levels and sense of worth out of 10.

Join the debate Is YOUR community in need of a wellbeing boost?

Stoke-on-Trent came second

Swansea came third in British Gas's poll

And in their most recent snapshot of contentedness, people living in the South West of England were found to be the most likely to be generally happy.

Residents living in the mainly rural area, consisting of Cornwall, Dorset, Devon, Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire, scored an average of 7.6 on the happiness index.

And more than a third of residents reported very high levels of happiness, scoring between nine and 10.

Conversely, the North East, North West and West Midlands jointly claimed the bottom slot, with residents ranking their happiness score as 7.3 on average.

Top 10 depressed cities in the UK Norwich

Stoke

Swansea

Manchester

Edinburgh

Glasgow

Oxford

Bristol

Plymouth

Cambridge Advertisement

Separately, in November housing website Rightmove ranked Norwich as the 49th best place to live in the UK. Skipton, in North Yorkshire, came in first place.

A mix of anxiety and depression is estimated to be Britain's most common mental health problem, affecting about 8 per cent of the population, with a similar rate in the US.

While it is normal to feel down from time to time, people with depression may feel persistently unhappy for weeks or months on end.

Depression can affect anyone at any age and is fairly common - approximately one in ten people are likely to experience it at some point in their life.

It is a genuine health condition which people cannot just ignore or 'snap out of'.

Symptoms and effects vary, but can include constantly feeling upset or hopeless, or losing interest in things you used to enjoy.

It can also cause physical symptoms such as problems sleeping, tiredness, having a low appetite or sex drive, and even feeling physical pain.

In extreme cases it can lead to suicidal thoughts.

Traumatic events can trigger it, and people with a family history may be more at risk.

It is important to see a doctor if you think you or someone you know has depression, as it can be managed with lifestyle changes, therapy or medication.
America is facing a 'severe' blood shortage amid warnings that the looming winter storm could slash supplies even further.

The American Red Cross declared the urgent shortage nationwide Tuesday, warning its blood supplies had fallen 35 percent within the past month.

The nonprofit, America's largest blood supplier, urged people to donate blood to ensure that lifesaving medical treatments and procedures could proceed without delay.

Blood donations tend to fall in winter because cold weather keeps people home, but this year stocks have tumbled further amid frozen weather and a severe flu season, the worst to hit the US in at least 25 years.

This week into Monday, about half of the country, 160 million Americans, will be under severe weather warnings for an incoming 'ice storm' set to drop up to 16 inches of snow and send temperatures to nearly 30 degrees below zero.

This is expected to further hit blood supplies because fewer people will be able to donate while demand remains the same or even grows if icy weather causes medical complications that require blood. Blood supplies often do not last for longer than five days.

Dr Courtney Lawrence, the Red Cross's medical director, said: 'This time of year is always challenging for blood collection, but right now, the perfect storm of a long holiday season, record flu activity and winter weather are all impeding donation efforts.

'Every person's blood can help save lives, plus you help ease the tremendous burden on our doctors and nurses, allowing them to focus on caring for patients.'

The Red Cross is the country's largest blood supplier. It is calling for more donations amid a drop in blood supplies (file photo)

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The Red Cross warned that cold weather had already disrupted 400 blood drives across the US last month alone.

It added that the shortage was especially serious for blood types O, A negative and B negative, which are among the rarest blood types in the US.

Patients who rely on blood transfusions include trauma victims, mothers in childbirth, cancer patients and those with sickle cell disease, an inherited blood disorder where red blood cells, which carry oxygen, do not function normally.

A person in the US needs a blood product about every two seconds and more than 40,000 units of blood, equivalent to 18,000 liters, are needed every day.

The Red Cross reports that 16 million blood products are transfused every year.

The organization also declared a blood shortage around this time in 2025, warning its supplies had reached a 'life and death' situation after plummeting 40 percent and hitting a 20-year low.

The American Red Cross accounts for about 40 percent of the nation's blood supply and products.

Its latest tracking data shows that seven percent of its 59 community blood centers, which serve more than 3,500 hospitals and 150 million people, have less than a day's worth of blood supply.

About 230 million people across 34 states are under a variety of watches, warnings and other alerts ahead of the historic storm

Meteorologists have predicted up to 16 inches of snow will fall over much of the country. The above is a picture of a snowstorm in New York City in January 2022

Twenty-two percent had a one-to-two-day blood supply, while only five percent had a supply of more than three days.

The organization warns online that only locations with a blood supply for three days or more have enough blood to meet normal operations.

Doctors warn that without enough blood hospitals are forced to limit blood use, which can lead to patients not receiving optimal care or life or death situations.

First-time mother Reihaneh Hajibeigi is among the many patients to have their lives saved by a blood transfusion.

She told the Red Cross how childbirth complications caused her to hemorrhage and lose nearly 40 percent of her blood. She recalled that, as she crashed, a team of doctors rushed to give her blood.

She said: 'It was about 10 minutes from the time I started to feel faint until they had the blood in my system, and I was basically coming back to life.

'I think about the people who made it possible for me to live.'

The American Red Cross is urging people to sign up to donate if they can. Patients are asked not to donate if they are suffering from a fever or a productive cough that brings up phlegm until symptoms subside.

January is National Blood Donor Awareness Month, a month-long campaign aiming to increase awareness of and participation in blood donation.

People can donate either whole blood or components of blood, including red blood cells, which are typically given to trauma patients or platelets, which help the blood clot and are used for cancer treatments and organ transplants.

Shown above is Reihaneh Hajibeigi, who said that a blood transfusion after her first pregnancy saved her life

Data shows that about two-thirds of Americans can donate blood, but only three percent do so annually.

Blood banks are consistently seeking more donations because most blood products, such as platelets, have a limited shelf life of just five days and hospitals constantly need new donations.

A single car accident victim can require as many as 100 units of blood, the Red Cross said, and blood cannot be manufactured - it must come from a donor.

All of the donations take between one to three hours and one volunteer donor can save multiple lives.

To donate blood in most states, you have to be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good general health.

Certain types of medications, chronic conditions and recent travel can all affect a person's eligibility to donate.

In an effort to urge people to donate, the Red Cross has teamed up with the Super Bowl to offer donors the chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip for two to the event next month.
As the historic winter storm continues to affect wide swaths of the US, public officials are sounding the alarm about the deadly consequences of not taking the ongoing weather event seriously.

Within minutes, being outdoors in freezing weather without proper gear can lead to frostbite, which can progress to hypothermia, a life-threatening condition.

It is not merely being cold'; hypothermia is a clinical, progressive drop in the body's core temperature below 95 degrees Fahrenheit, a state where the body loses heat faster than it can produce it.

This process represents a failure of the body's delicate thermoregulation system, which normally maintains our internal temperature within a narrow, life-sustaining range.

The descent into hypothermia, which can occur within half an hour of being outdoors in temperatures as cold as those forecast this weekend, follows a physiological cascade, where the body attempts to preserve its vital core - the heart, lungs and brain - at the expense of everything else.

And with the historic Arctic bomb settled over the East and Midwest, understanding this lethal cascade could be a matter of life and death.

More than 200 million Americans remain under a winter storm advisory. On Sunday, when the storm was at its worst, forecasters predicted that over half the people in the continental US would be dealing with some form of wintry mess, such as snow, sleet, or freezing rain, all at once.

A bitter cold front will continue to grip the nation Monday, bringing dangerous wind chills and unseasonable freezing conditions from the Northeast to the South. New York City and Boston will face brutal cold. Boston will endure snow showers and a morning wind chill as low as 2 degrees while New York will see a cloudy, frigid day before a sharp overnight drop into the teens. Despite some sun, neither city will climb above freezing on Tuesday.

The freeze will push into the deep South, with Nashville seeing a dangerous morning wind chill near 2 degrees and lows plunging into the single digits, though a brief warm-up will arrive Tuesday. Even Dallas will shiver, with a morning chill of 10F and highs stuck below 30 degrees before a modest recovery begins Tuesday.

Inadequate gear can cause frostbite within minutes, opening the door to hypothermia, a true medical emergency. Snowfall from earlier this year is pictured above in Illinois

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Panic buying has left store shelves completely empty as millions of Americans fret about an impending inability to drive through what could be up to 18 inches of snow in some parts of the US. Southern states, which typically do not see this extreme weather, are bracing for widespread power outages and school closures.

Dr Alina Mitina, an emergency room physician at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey, previously told the Daily Mail: 'For a properly dressed and healthy adult, exposure should be limited as much as possible. Taking breaks in a warm place every 20 to 30 minutes is good practice.

For vulnerable individuals, or if you are not adequately dressed, you could be in danger in as little as 10 to 15 minutes.'

Hypothermia sets in as wind and wet air suck the heat from your skin and your nervous system makes a calculation to sacrifice blood flow to the limbs to save the heart and brain.

Blood vessels in your hands and feet clamp down in a process called vasoconstriction, turning them cold and pale. This causes uncontrollable shivering, a manifestation of the muscles burning through fuel in a desperate bid to generate warmth.

This is mild hypothermia, when the body's core temperature falls to 90 to 95 degrees.

You are still alert, but the clock is ticking. Your speech slurs. You fumble with zippers. You might feel a bizarre urge to urinate as the body reduces blood volume to ease the strain of the blood vessels constricting.

Even if you recover from mild hypothermia, the severe, prolonged vasoconstriction can itself cause tissue damage in the extremities, setting the stage for frostbite and potential amputation.

The map scales the impact of the winter weather, taking into account snowfall, accumulated snow on rooftops, ice accumulation, the potential for a flash freeze and blowing snow

This map shows where heavy snow is most likely during the winter storm through Monday. Areas in the purple and pink have the highest chances of seeing the most snow accumulation

Temperatures over the weekend will be frigid across the south and up the east coast, posing the risk of widespread freezing on roads

This is the critical window to get warm. If you don't, you spiral into the next, deadly phase.

When your core temperature drops into the high to mid-80s, the shivering stops, a catastrophic sign, as it means your body's furnace has run out of gas.

Confusion sets in. You become lethargic and may make the fatal decision known as paradoxical undressing, or, stripping off clothes because your malfunctioning brain actually - and incorrectly - thinks your body is burning up.

This is when the real damage begins and immediate medical attention is necessary to avoid catastrophic complications or potential death.

This is severe hypothermia, below 82 degrees. Your heart slows to a dangerous crawl. The risk of it descending into a deadly, chaotic rhythm called ventricular fibrillation skyrockets.

Your brain, starved of warm, oxygenated blood, begins to shut down. You slip into a coma. Breathing becomes shallow, then sporadic.

The brain, severely deprived of blood flow and oxygen due to the extreme blood vessel constriction, slips into a coma. Breathing becomes very slow, shallow and irregular.

At this point, toxic lactic acid floods your bloodstream as your tissues become starved of oxygen, poisoning your organs from within. Meanwhile, the heart becomes increasingly unstable, eventually slowing to a dangerously sluggish state known as bradycardia.

The slide into unconsciousness is accelerated when you are wearing wet clothing, which increases heat loss 25-fold. Exhaustion, meanwhile, is emptying the bodys energy reserves.

Monday night will see temperature lows up and down the East Coast and into the Deep South will see temperatures sink to the teens and single-digits

The Northeast will remain locked in the deep freeze, with New York City and Boston staying well below freezing all day, despite some returning sunshine. The South, however, will see a rapid thaw. Nashville will enjoy a sharp warm-up into the 30s, while Dallas will surge even higher, with afternoon temperatures climbing into the upper 30s under increasing clouds

When your body temperature sinks to 75 degrees or lower, the body appears clinically dead. All signs of life  pulse, reflexes, breathing  may be undetectable due to their extreme slowness and weakness.

Yet, a crucial protective mechanism, the diving reflex, may come into play. This reflex, triggered by cold on the face and a lack of breathing, slows the heart to a near-standstill and drastically reduces blood flow to non-vital tissues, profoundly lowering the body's metabolic rate and conserving as much remaining energy as possible.

When metabolism plummets, the brains demand for oxygen drops, triggering a protective state called suspended animation that allows it to survive without oxygen for much longer than would be possible at normal body temperature.

Resuscitation efforts must continue while actively rewarming a hypothermic patient, as complete neurological recovery is possible even after prolonged cardiac arrest in a profoundly hypothermic state.

Hypothermia kills between 1,000 and over 3,000 Americans each year. CDC data shows 1,024 such deaths in 2023 and up to 3,500 in 2022.
The Carousel of Time by Bernard OKeeffe (Muswell Press 10.99, 360pp)

The Carousel of Time is available now

A leafy suburb of west London is an unlikely hotbed of crime. Even so, Inspector Garibaldi has more than enough to keep him busy. His latest case centres on the annual fair held on Barnes Common where, after closing time, the body of a woman is found on the carousel.

How and why shes there are questions that pit Garibaldi against a collective of old school friends on their annual get-together to remember one of their number who died in a car crash 30 years earlier.

A native of Barnes, OKeeffe does not hold back on skewering the pretensions of a social set who resent the police digging into their lives. It turns out that they have much to hide. It all goes to make a cleverly constructed story. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Sky High by Michael Gilbert (British Library 10.99, 256pp)

Sky High is available now

The calm of an English village is literally blown apart when a bomb explodes wrecking a house and killing the occupant.

Little is known of the victim, a retired Army officer, and it is soon clear that the explosion was no accident.

With the police baffled by the absence of motive, the case is taken up by a local activist with support from her son, a former commando with a close knowledge of booby traps. It soon emerges that the dead man was leading a double life. But it takes more than a false identity to explain his untimely end.

Gilbert was one of the greats of post-war crime fiction. A practising solicitor who held back from self-promotion, he did not get the acclaim he deserved. With the British Library reissues, we have the chance to make amends.

Lets Choose Executors by Sara Woods (Dean Street Press 10.99, 277pp)

Let's Choose Executors is available now

If there was a prize for the best recent rediscovery of a long-lost crime writer, Woods would be high on the list.

In this legal drama from 1966, Anthony Maitland QC, a young star of the Central Criminal Court, ventures out of town to defend a woman accused of poisoning her wealthy godmother.

The motive is clear. The victim had recently changed her will to leave everything to her godchild, cutting out the immediate family who get caught up in a web of deceit to protect each other from suspicion.

To add to the tension, a vociferous campaign against the accused soon turns to violence. But with the help of a local solicitor, a tough-minded woman with an advanced sense of justice, Maitland solves a mystery that is worthy of the best the Golden Age has to offer.
Theo of Golden is available now

Theo of Golden by Allen Levi (Fontana 12.99, 386pp)

When businessman Theo arrives in the small town of Golden, Georgia, he drops into a cafe-cum-art gallery and is transfixed by the 92 portraits painted by a local artist within.

Theo cant stop wondering about the stories behind the faces so decides to purchase each portrait, one by one, and reunite them with the people depicted.

In the process of meeting the subjects he learns about the various events that have impacted their lives and who they really are.

These stories form a patchwork of humanity. Theo is a wonderful protagonist  curious, humble and loving  who reminds us of the beauty of being truly seen.

Its brilliant on acts of kindness and the power of ripple effects. Thought-provoking.

Family Drama is available now from the Mail Bookshop

Family Drama by Rebecca Fallon (The Borough Press 16.99, 320pp)

The novel opens at a Viking funeral near Boston in 1997. Its snowing and seven-year-old twins Sebastian and Viola watch as their larger-than-life mother Susan Blisss body is thrown overboard.

Susan was a stunning soap opera star, passionate about her art and determined not to let motherhood get in the way of her career.

She achieved this by dividing her life in two  an exhausting arrangement that saw her alternating between New England housewife and appearing on the billboards of LA.

When Susan dies, her history professor husband and the twins father, Al, decides to destroy all memorabilia relating to her jet-set life and never tell their children of her fame.

Al thinks this will allow him to reclaim his wife as his own but such a big secret is only going to stay hidden for so long. Beautifully written.

The Fox of Kensal Green is available now

The Fox of Kensal Green by Richard Tyrrell (Salt 10.99, 240pp)

Wilf Kelly, an eccentric outsider, has lived alone in Londons Kensal Green since his mother died years before. Wilf really has only one friend, Felicia, who tells him that if he wants to be normal he should get a pet.

When Wilf sees a big dog fox in the cemetery one day he is determined that this is the pet for him, hoping that it will transform him in the eyes of his community.

People who know Wilf are kind but teenagers taunt him. Kensal Green is normally a quiet area  that is, until a violent assault takes place and suspicion takes over. Original and compelling.
Rifts followed by chasms, then a gorge of discord. Endless rows and misunderstandings, followed by the chilly cliff of non-speaks. Shattered mothers. Worried dads. Ungrateful children. Troubled siblings.

Look at these broken families wallowing in their privilege, unable to sit down, put the kettle on and make their peace. Unwilling to stop making fools of themselves and each other.

Nobody is reaching out, olive branches came there none, while little resolution nor happy ever after is in sight. And all of it played out in the public eye, with nearly everyone involved using social media to leverage their position either morally or financially. Sound familiar?

These ghastly family feuds with the Beckhams vs the Peltzes, the Ramsays vs the Peatys  and even the Sussexes vs the Windsors  are both an unedifying sight and a cautionary tale of our times.

They all prove one thing, which is that if you commercialise your life and your heritage, if you cash in on your name by spreading the thin jam of who you are  rather than what you do  onto the flaky pastry of public opinion, then there is always, always, a price to be paid. Not least that you are in danger of forgetting where business ends and family begins  and what is truly important.

For there can be no winners in these sagas of curdled love and twisted family dynamics, no one to emerge triumphant from these toxic situations amplified by fame, wealth and power.

There are families in war zones and on the poverty line who manage to be happier than this bunch of venal gargoyles.

Its no secret that the weddings of Brooklyn Beckham to billionaire heiress Nicola Peltz and Holly Ramsay (daughter of chef Gordon) to Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty have each been the catalyst for monstrous family eruptions.

Gordon Ramsay and David Beckham have found themselves at the heart of family feuds

Why? At their respective ceremonies things didnt go quite right for this quartet of spoilt kids, but there has been no hint of clemency, compassion or compromise from any of them.

Was Victoria Beckhams behaviour really so inappropriate that Brooklyn cant forgive her? Perhaps she was just merely embarrassing, like most madly doting mothers?

And why couldnt Holly and Adam find it in their hearts to invite Mrs Peaty to their wedding? What had Adams mum Caroline done that was so very terrible it deserved public humiliation?

Young people today are so self-important and over-sensitive, arent they? Its all about the me, never about the we.

The behaviour of this band of newlyweds gives rise to the suspicion that they care less about their messy but loving families and more about public perception; not to mention their lucrative magazine deals with Vogue  which had lavish, exclusive coverage of both weddings.

And I am struck by the chilly similarities between Brooklyn and Holly, who are both 26 and have each achieved little of note in life except take advantage of being the nepo babies of driven, successful parents.

Both Brooklyn and Holly spent their early lives being commodified  to a greater or lesser degree  by their family. But let us not forget they also reaped the benefits of that success and exposure.

Theyre the first of their generation of premier division pampered British nepos to grow up and graduate from the school of soft knocks  and this is how they react?

One wonders what the hell is coming next. And how will they behave when grandchildren start appearing on the scene?

Are they going to take a leaf out of the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs playbook and maintain steely years of froideur, depriving their little ones of grandparent love? What a sadness that would be.

Adam Peaty's decision not to have his parents at his wedding was unforgivable

All of this ugliness and unhappiness from some of the luckiest people on the planet? It reflects badly on them all.

That is one reason why it is hard to take sides here, because nearly everyone involved is so ludicrous, so egotistical, so selfish.

Brooklyn Beckham says he is free at last but he can barely write his own name, so dont tell me he single-handedly composed that six-page fusillade of pique and pettiness (my mum called me evil) all by himself.

During his brief tenure as a photographer  which came after he was a model, but before he became a breakfast sandwich chef  he published a book of wildlife photographs and wrote the accompanying text. Elephants in Kenya. So hard to photograph but incredible to see.

Now he is pleading for a life free from manipulation plus peace, privacy and happiness for us and our future family.

His bride Nicola Peltz, notable for her poor little rich girl baby-I-was-born-to-sulk face hardly seems any smarter or kinder.

Brooklyn's attempt at a photography career was hardly well received

Holly Ramsay looked grasping and ridiculous turning up at Bath Abbey with a silly druid cape hiding her wedding dress from public view. Adam Peaty refusing to stand up for his poor mother? Unforgivable.

Sir David (must we?) appearing at Davos to pontificate grandly about sons who make mistakes. And poor Victoria turned into a global laughing stock but still selling out her new 104 bottles of foundation drops.

Oh, the pain of an ungrateful turncoat child must be unbearable, but this lot know the show must go on. And at least Lady Beckham might just have the last, bitter laugh.

The former Spice Girl has bagged her first solo number one following a social media campaign from sympathetic supporters on Team Mum which has pushed her to the top of the charts.

Her 2001 single Not Such An Innocent Girl  a track which showcased her raunchy dance moves  has shot to number one on the iTunes chart in the UK and Ireland.

If blubtastic Brooklyn Beckham was embarrassed before, he had better prepare himself for the ultimate cringe now: Mum dancing in latex, complete with fake boobs and floor writhing.

So hard to photograph but incredible to see. Waaaaaah!

How was case of Cotswold slave allowed to happen?

How astounding that a case of modern-day slavery was happening in the middle of Tewkesbury, a picturesque market town known as the gateway to the Cotswolds.

It went on for quarter of a century  and no one noticed. Or cared.

A woman in her 40s was imprisoned in a Tewksbury home for nearly 25 years by Amanda Wixon, a mother of ten who comes straight from the darker pages of a Grimms fairy tale. Wixon assumed responsibility for the vulnerable victim in 1995, moved her into the family home and has been claiming benefits for her  and making her life a weeping misery  ever since.

The unnamed woman was kept in squalid conditions, beaten, deprived of food and dental care, forced to work around the house under the threat of violence and fed on scraps.

The victim told Gloucester Crown Court how Wixon would strangle her, put her head down the toilet and pour cleaning fluids on her face and down her throat.

This monster has been found guilty and faces a lengthy jail sentence, yet shows no remorse. In the meantime, she also claimed multiple benefits for herself and her brood of children. Every benefit going, said a neighbour.

It seems unlikely that such a calamitous household was entirely unknown to the authorities, dont you think? So you have to wonder where Gloucestershire social services were during all this cruel mayhem?

At the very least, did no one ever bother to assess the needs or the condition of the victim, who had been receiving benefits for nearly 30 years, never once collecting them in person or applying for a job or showing up on any record?

Where were all the checks and balances? Everything about this case is utterly horrifying.

Naughty Nigella on Bake Off, yes please!

Nigella can rescue The Great British Bake Off

Holy meecro-wah-vey. Is Nigella really going to host The Great British Bake Off?

I think we can all agree she is the only person who can rescue this moribund show, which is now a pancake-flat, sunken souffle of its former glory. She is the only flavour saviour! Accept no substitutes.

Nigellas last major UK television series was Cook, Eat, Repeat (BBC2) in 2020, but age has not dimmed her and hopefully neither has it withered her appetite for sugary smiles and huge dollops of utter sauce.

Does she still adore the way it comes bulging out over the rims? Are her empty vessels for ever ready to be loaded? And is a hint of inner thigh wibble still to be desired? I can hardly wait to find out.

If Nigella returns to the small screen to knead Paul Hollywoods buns and Alan Carr is installed as the new host of Strictly Come Dancing, then 2026 is suddenly looking a lot brighter.

Kevin Costner alert! Ladies, put down your half pints of sauv blanc and compose yourselves. For our Kev (71) has finally mended his broken heart and is dating again.

The Yellowstone star has almost  almost!  recovered from having to give his ex-wife Christine assorted homes and approximately 47,000 in monthly support following their divorce, only for her to go and marry one of his (former) friends.

Kevin Costner has been helped through a difficult period by Kelly Gores

Now he is with Kelly Gores, a blonde and bubbly 51-year-old divorcee who has reportedly been a grounding force for the handsome actor.

A grounding force? Poor Kelly! Who makes these thoughtless statements, leaving the ground wide open for equally thoughtless jokes about diggers and hoes  when lovely Kelly, above, is clearly none of these things.

Is she the kind of woman who knows how to operate Kevins motion-activated sprinkler and give him a good fork into the bargain? Stop it!

Id like to apologise for these appalling innuendos and blame it squarely on the return of Nigella (see opposite page). In the meantime, nobody say anything about planting a seed.

The NHS is using pop star Harry Styles to encourage women to get cervical smears.

A campaign using a meme-style format featuring the celeb was shared by NHS England over the weekend and rapidly gained attention. It paired an image of Styles aged 16 auditioning on The X Factor back in 2010, with his recent fourth studio album announcement, alongside the message: If you remember this Harry  and youre excited for this Harry  it may be time for your cervical screening!

Everybody means well, of course, and if the campaign reaches its target audience and the correct age demographic then perhaps we shouldnt complain.

So why do I still feel that it is a bit patronising and vaguely insulting to women?

Beatrice, left, and Eugenie

Royals staying loyal to Mum

No, he hasnt even moved in yet, but pest control experts have already been called to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsors new home on the Sandringham estate. There is a problem with moles, apparently.

Meanwhile, relations between the former Duke of York and his two daughters remain in the deep freeze, but Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie are still on good terms with their mother. Why? If they are punishing Andrew for his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, shouldnt they have issues with dear Mama, too?
A cafe has raised eyebrows with a handwritten sign singling out women for a dress code rule.

Channel 10 newsreader Narelda Jacobs was stopped in her tracks after noticing a beachside deli just north of Perth banning female customers dressed in revealing bikini bottoms.

'Ladies. If wearing G-string bikinis, please cover up before entering our store. Thanks,' the sign outside the store read.

The message ended with, 'No bare bums,' alongside a smiley face.

Narelda shared a picture of the controversial sign on Instagram, with the caption: 'Spotted outside a beachside deli... while inside shirtless men appeared quite welcome.'

She added a facepalm emoji suggesting her disapproval of the sign.

Her post sparked a heated debate, with many shocked by the 'revolting' sign.

'Ew! And why is this only addressed to "ladies"?' one pointed out.

A cafe has raised eyebrows with a handwritten sign singling out women over a dress code rule

'This has to be a joke! A store wants to control only what women wear. A man in a G is ok? Can we please stop commenting on women's bodies?' another suggested.

'I don't even wear G-string bikinis but this would turn me off going in this store, especially if it's located at the beach,' one added.

Many took particular issue with the store for not applying the rule equally to all genders.

'I reckon if a store puts a sign up saying don't wear your swimmers inside, it should apply to everyone. Don't you think that is reasonable?' one asked.

'The only thing wrong here is the word "ladies". Otherwise, yep. No bare bums in a store has my vote,' another suggested.

'I feel like just a general "no pants, no service" would be fair,' one shared.

'It should be "no G-string or visible nipples inside" - no genders, just equal standards,' another added.

'The request is reasonable but they could have just said "customers" rather than "ladies",' one said.

Narelda shared a picture of the controversial sign on Instagram, with the caption: 'Spotted outside a beachside deli... while inside shirtless men appeared quite welcome'

Some joked men should visit the cafe with a G-string just to see what happens.

'I'd buy male G-string swimmers just to visit. With a top on, of course,' one said.

'Seeing as this is addressed to the ladies, can we get some men in G-string budgies down there ASAP please?' another suggested.

However, some were more understanding of the cafe's decision to make the rule.

'It's their shop so they make the rules. Follow them or don't go in! Pretty simple really,' one said.

'It's their place of business... it should be ok for them to say what grosses them out. If these folks don't like looking at butt cheeks, then shouldn't it be ok for them to say that? Personally, I couldn't care less,' another shared.

'They own the business so if they make a rule people should abide by it. They may lose customers because of it but that's on them,' one revealed.

'I think a bare-chested man is totally different to someone's a*** cheeks hanging out,' another added.

Channel 10 newsreader Narelda Jacobs was stopped in her tracks after noticing a beachside deli just north of Perth had banned customers dressed in revealing bikini bottoms

Others pointed out since the deli serves food, the rule may apply due to hygiene.

'If it's a food service place where people eat in, then it's a matter of hygiene. Although I wouldn't want to be looking at hairy chests while eating either,' one said, laughing.

'So far I have seen thousands of women wearing G-strings and so far not one man. My point is, it's not fair making it about gender when it was clearly about good hygiene,' another added.

Meanwhile, some seemed to have missed the point of Narelda's post, with one reminding everyone: 'This post appears to highlight sexism rather than debating store policies, given guys are allowed to be topless without issue.'
A 'rogue' landlord has sparked outrage for charging a tenant an 'insane' fee after receiving her rent money one day late.

Property owner Martin sent a blunt text message to the renter, notifying her that a 25 ($A50) 'late fee' had been applied for overdue rent.

'Rent's late. 25 ($A50) late fee applies. I'll send the invoice,' he texted.

Confused, the tenant said she had already paid on the same day the rent was due.

However, the landlord insisted the payment was late.

'I received it today. Rent was due yesterday. That's late, hence the fine,' he said.

The tenant explained that she had been making the same payment at 3:15pm every month so the most recent rent was no different.

'I can show you the payment confirmation if you want,' she continued.

A 'rogue' landlord, known as Martin, has sparked outrage for charging a tenant an 'insane' fee after receiving her rent money one day late

Refusing to back down, Martin said: 'Not my problem. I go by when it hits my account.'

'Come on Martin. You know I didn't miss it. I paid it on the day it was due,' the renter responded, to which the landlord replied: 'Late is late.'

The tenant said the situation was 'stressing' her out so she asked if the owner could be more forgiving.

'It's 25 ($A50) over bank timing. Can you please let this one go?' she asked.

But Martin wasn't budging, saying: 'If I let it go once, it happens again and again. That's how these things start.'

She responded: 'I've never paid late before. You know that.'

The landlord stood his ground, saying: 'And I want to keep it that way. The fine is there to make sure rent isn't late again.'

The renter tried to explain that she was never late because the payment was made the day before so the timing was out of her control.

'Next time, make sure it clears before the due date,' Martin said firmly.

'The fine stands.'

The renter then asked, 'So you're teaching me a lesson now?' to which he replied: 'I'm enforcing rules. Invoice will be sent today.'

It's unclear what happened next between the landlord and renter but the heated text exchange was re-shared by British property strategist Jack Rooke on social media.

'Is this enforcing rules... or just being petty?' Jack said, adding that he was on the tenant's side.

In Australia, it's illegal for landlords or agents to charge tenants general 'late fees' for overdue rent. According to the NSW Government, if a tenant is frequently late paying rent, their tenancy can be ordered to end, even if they pay the amount they owe.

Jack's video has been viewed more than 40,000 times, with many sharing they would either refuse to pay the late fee or deduct $50 from their next rent payment.

'This would unlock a new level of petty inside me and I would have so much fun,' one said, laughing.

'I'd just laugh in his face and say no to paying it,' another suggested.

'Landlord needs to get a better bank obviously,' one shared.

'Here's what you do... Don't pay it. They can't evict you over a 25 ($A50) fine. It isn't going to be worth the court costs and any judge with sense will throw out the case,' another added.

Property owner Martin sent a blunt text message to the renter, notifying her that a 25 ($A50) 'late fee' had been applied for overdue rent

Many slammed the landlord over his 'illegal' act, with one sharing: 'He can't just add extra charges on for something beyond her control... She paid on time - him attempting to get more money is, if I'm correct, a form of extortion.'

'Late fees for rent are not a thing, illegal - paying rent late is also not grounds for eviction,' another pointed out.

'I'd say super petty landlord but then also don't pay it on the last day if you can avoid doing so because banks will always make it clear a transaction can take up to 48 hours to transfer,' one added.

Meanwhile, one tenant said he can 'relate' to the renter after he had a 'rogue' landlord who tried to issue him a late fee every month.

'At court, my case was upheld. The landlord had to pay for my barrister and hers. The total cost was 11,000 ($A21,700), including court costs,' they said.
Savannah Guthrie has revealed she felt like a 'failure' following her divorce from her first husband.

The Today show co-anchor, 54, was married to former BBC journalist Mark Orchard for four years until their split in 2009.

Reflecting on her heartbreak on the debut episode of Hoda Kotb's new YouTube series, Joy Rides, Guthrie remembered how the end of her marriage felt like her dreams were 'falling apart.'

'I was in my 30s. I felt old, but I now see that I was pretty young, and I was sad about it,' Guthrie recalled.

'And I was also starting a new job at a place called NBC and trying really hard to make my way and make my little dream come true while other dreams were falling apart.

'And it made me have to really dig deep, and I felt like a failure.'

Despite her heartbreak, the split helped Guthrie form a closer connection with her faith.

'I realized I didn't have to be perfect to be loved by God,' she continued. 'I didn't even have to be close because I was definitely a failure.

Savannah Guthrie felt like a 'failure' following the end of her first marriage

The Today show anchor was married to former BBC journalist Mark Orchard from 2005 to 2009

'And I really felt loved and carried by God, and that was such an important, integral moment of life.'

Guthrie previously said that her divorce from Orchard took her 'years to recover.'

During an appearance on Monica Lewinsky's podcast Reclaiming in 2025, she described the split as 'horrible' and 'sad.'

'I'm not blaming anyone but I don't really want to get into it,' she added. 'It's the one thing I didn't want to talk about.'

Guthrie avoided writing about the split in her 2024 book Mostly What God Does: Reflections on Seeking and Finding His Love Everywhere because she felt like divulging details was 'too personal' and 'too embarrassing.'

NBC broadcaster Guthrie is now married to public relations and communications consultant Michael Feldman.

The pair  who share daughter Vale, 11, and son Charley, nine - initially began dating in 2009 before tying the knot in Guthrie's hometown of Tucson, Arizona in 2014.

The journalist met the former Democratic political adviser at his 40th birthday party which she 'crashed,' attending as her gal pal's plus one.

Speaking to friend and former co-star Hoda Kotb, Guthrie said the divorce made her 'have to really dig deep'

Guthrie is now happily married to husband Michael Feldman and they have two children

She and Feldman hit it off and they began dating after he sent her an email 'a few days later.'

Guthrie has been absent from the Today show since mid-December after being forced to take time off to undergo a procedure to remove a nodules and a polyp from her vocal cords.

Since then, she has sporadically appeared on the morning show from home to give updates but has been on vocal rest.

Earlier this week, she spoke for the first time on air since going under the knife, and her co-hosts were stunned over her 'new voice.'

'So, I am still on vocal rest, but I'm allowed to talk for about five to ten minutes every hour,' Guthrie explained.

'This is my new voice, or my old voice, but my new voice,' she said.

Immediately, her co-stars shared their excitement.

'Savannah, you sound so good!' Sheinelle Jones gushed.

'It's beautiful,' Jenna Bush Hager agreed.

Al Roker, however, quipped: 'It sounds the same,' as Craig Melvin disagreed: 'No it sounds... you sound markedly better.'
Trump withdraws invitation to Canadian PM to join Board of Peace

Xinhua) 13:28, January 23, 2026

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday the Board of Peace he proposed is withdrawing its invitation to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney for Canada to join the body.

"Dear Prime Minister Carney: Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canada's joining", Trump wrote in a post on his social media platform Truth Social, with no explanations.

The move followed public exchanges between the two leaders earlier in the week. Earlier on Thursday, Carney rejected Trump's claim that Canada relies on the United States for its existence after returning from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, without meeting with the U.S. president.

"Canada and the United States have built a remarkable partnership. In the economy, in security and in rich cultural exchange," Carney said in Quebec City. "But Canada doesn't live because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadian."

At Davos, Carney warned of a "rupture" in the global order, voicing support for Greenland and Denmark and criticizing the use of tariffs and economic pressure by major powers. Trump, speaking at the forum, said, "Canada lives because of the United States."

Since returning to the White House, Trump has intensified trade and political frictions with Canada, imposing broad tariffs and repeatedly suggesting that Canada become the 51st U.S. state.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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Nothing boosts mood like a favourite scent. A dab of delicious perfume confers instant elegance and makes even the darkest midweek evening feel like an event.

From spicy winter classics to fragrance that offers a floral hint of spring, heres what Im wearing  or would love to wear  this season

1. Best affordable winter perfume: M&S Warmth Eau de Parfum

M&S Warmth Eau de Parfum

NOT just a perfume... You know the drill. Wow, M&S really have hit the mark with this delightfully moreish scent. Its all sandalwood, cedar and cinnamon deliciousness - and an absolute bargain at just 12.

It doesnt linger in the same way that a more expensive scent would, but at this price you can afford to keep it topped up. Its often touted as a rival to Le Labos iconic Santal 33 - which is a whopping 160 more expensive.

I love both, but the price makes this a perfect bit of January self-indulgence.

Scent notes: Cardamom, cinnamon leaf, cedar wood, sandalwood

Size: 50ml

2. Best unisex perfume for winter: Malin & Goetz Leather Eau de Parfum

Malin & Goetz Leather Eau de Parfum

NEW Yorks Malin and Goetz (its pronounced Gertz if youre wondering how to ask for it in John Lewis) products are always a treat and Leather is the ultimate spicy winter scent.

It does what it says on the tin and smells of expensive handbags and leatherbound books. Whenever I wear it, someone asks where its from. Even better? Its unisex.

At 89 for 50ml, its definitely in luxurious treat territory. Unless you bought it for your husband as an early Valentines gift and borrowed it straight back?

Scent notes: Pepper, clove, lotus flower

Size: 50ml

Maison Crivelli x Jordi Fernandez Cuir InfraRouge Extrait de Parfum

ONE of the sexiest scents Ive ever encountered, this is French parfumier Maison Crivellis cult hit for good reason.

A spritz or two and youll be captivated - as will everyone else. Its seriously expensive at more than 200 for 50ml, but it smells it too.

An intoxicating blend of leather and raspberry, with hints of vanilla and oud (but not enough for it to be cloying). If youre dating this year, bag a bottle!

Scent notes: Raspberry, citrus cedarwood, orris, cinnamon, osmanthus

Size: 50ml

4. Best woody/floral winter perfume: Year 2059 by Bibbi

Year 2059 by Bibbi

I was given a small sample of this before the scent hit stores and I couldnt get enough. I wore it to a birthday lunch and ended up spritzing all the women around the table as they loved it too.

If you dont know the brand  they launched in the UK a couple of years ago - youre in for a treat (though youll have to save up: a tiny 30ml costs 110).

Like nothing youve ever smelt before, this intoxicating blend of amber and musk is divine  I used up every drop of my bottle.

Scent notes: Nigerian ginger, cassis, Mexican lime, carnation, davana, saffron blossom

Size: 30ml

5. Best musky perfume for winter: Jo Loves Black Cashmeran & Tonka

Jo Loves Black Cashmeran & Tonka

What a treat - this is Jo Malones own brand, after she sold her eponymous label, and I have to agree with her and say I love it too.

With notes of orange, cardamon, vanilla and rum, it sounds like a foodies dream but in fact feels deeply sexy.

Not cheap at 105 for 50lm, it does last for hours, as youd expect from the queen of scent.

Scent notes: Orange, ginger, cardamom, rum, tonka bean, cedarwood, cashmeran

Size: 50ml

6. Best mood-boosting perfume: Charisma Moods

Charisma Moods

Heard of functional fragrance? The idea is to use scent to change how we feel, and lets be honest we could all do with a little lift right now.

I was introduced to Moods, a new brand which worked with University of Northumbrias Department of Psychology to help develop their products, just before I had to attend a party alone, so decided to give their charisma scent a whirl for a bit of courage.

The blurb says it gives you Main Character Energy, and while Im not sure about that, I have to say, I loved the scent: spicy with notes of orange, ginger, sage and vanilla.

Scent notes: Bergamot, lime, ginger, sage, rose, vanilla, sweet orange

Size: 100ml

7. Best subtle scent for winter: Molecule 01, Escentric Molecules

Escentric Molecules Molecule 01

Launched to great fanfare 20 years ago, this scent has long fascinated me. I spent years trying it out in the perfume halls in Liberty and Selfridges, in the hope that the magic Molecule 1 would do its thing before finally getting a bottle. Touted as a powerful aphrodisiac, it uses the Iso Super E aroma molecule, which was created in a lab and is supposed to work with your pheromones to create a truly unique scent.

I cant say it has people swooning at my feet, and its so subtle, its bordering on Emperors New Clothes on me. But the point lies in its different effects on different people. While I can only ever get vague hints of cedarwood, when I wafted it under the nose of colleagues, they both said it was lovely, with one getting quite a lot of musk.

Scent notes: Iso E Super

Size: 100ml

8. Best Diptyque perfume for winter: L'Eau Papier Eau de Toilette

L'Eau Papier Eau de Toilette

Nothing quite says French elegance to me like Diptyque. When I lived in Paris I used to visit the original store every year to buy a candle for my mum. Our favourite was always the classic Figiuer, and while I still love it for the living room, my tastes have changed when it comes to perfume for me.

These days Im a fan of the divine Eau de Papier  135 for 100ml- a woody, musky blend which conjures up a box of old love letters. Im not alone  its one of Space NKs best-sellers.

Scent notes: White musk, mimosa, toasted sesame, rice steam accord, blonde wood

Size: 100ml

9. Best sweet perfume for winter: Nuxe Le Prodigeuse parfum

Nuxe Le Prodigeuse parfum

I used to associate this with summer, but, actually, it works brilliantly all year round. Its the scent of the cult French brand Nuxes classic body oil huile prodigeuse, but bottled (IYKYK).

Another of those hits that people request the name of whenever I wear it. A sensual blend of vanilla and orange blossom, its curiously addictive, and a great bargain at just 32.

Scent notes: Orange Blossom, Magnolia and Vanilla

Size: 30ml

Penhaligon's Halfeti Leather Eau de Parfum

A classic for good reason, Halfeti is a rich blend of amber, leather, and rose with vanilla to boot.

The 100ml bottle (215) is utterly beautiful and will make you want to take a shelfie (or at least declutter your bathroom). Super-luxe, this is not one for every day. Special occasion scent at its finest.

Scent notes: Incense, plum, bergamot

Size: 100ml
Clutching my four-year-old daughter tightly, I couldnt hold back my tears.

Mummy is poorly, so youre going to go to stay with Daddy while I get better, I sobbed, the sight of her confused little face breaking my heart.

It had not been my decision to send her and her older brother away, however.

Social services had demanded they be separated from me after Id willingly admitted I was addicted to ketamine.

Its a drug more associated with young clubbers, but I had stumbled into addiction as a middle-aged, middle-class mother after being introduced to it by a fellow school-gate mum.

With that confession, and plea for help, my world came crashing down. Within hours, my children were ripped away from me.

It would be 18 torturous months before I would be trusted to spend time alone with them both again.

But the agony of that time also became my greatest motivation to kick the habit that had crept into my orderly and respectable life and destroyed it.

Victoria Vigors became addicted to ketamine in 2020 after one of her school-gate mum friends recommended it

Ketamine is an anaesthetic drug, used on humans and animals, and also used to treat depression

And it has made me determined to raise awareness of the dangers of drug use  and how women who do not appear to be like traditional addicts can fall victim.

My story of addiction began during the first national lockdown in 2020, when I was 35.

A single mum of two  my son was ten and my daughter three at that time  and living in Kent, I was juggling home-schooling with keeping a toddler entertained. Like so many mothers, I was stressed and exhausted.

Strung out, isolated and overwhelmed, it was alcohol that initially became my crutch.

Pre-pandemic, I wasnt a regular drinker, only partaking if I had an evening out. But now a couple of glasses of wine as I chatted with friends over Zoom in the evening took the edge off the stresses of yet another day trapped in a small home with two energetic children and no respite.

With so many others doing the same around the country, it didnt seem unreasonable.

As the weeks passed, though, that couple of glasses in the evening became three, then four, then the whole bottle. Then I was treating myself to a glass or two at lunch, too. By May 2020, I was getting through ten bottles a week.

I knew it was a lot, and I hated that I looked permanently puffy and hungover, waking every morning with a thumping headache, as well as gaining weight. I also felt guilty that it was affecting my energy levels and patience with the children.

I was complaining  glass in hand  to a friend one evening about how bloated and tired I was feeling when she smiled.

Why dont you try a bit of ketamine? she said. Thats what I do now and then for a little treat. All the mums are doing it. You should give it a go.

I was flabbergasted. Ketamine! A Class B drug. Was she serious?

Id heard about it vaguely; its an anaesthetic drug, used on humans and animals, and also used to treat depression. Its popularity as a recreational drug has surged in recent years  particularly among young people  largely because it is cheap compared to other drugs.

Victoria with her son and daughter. After they were taken away by social services it took six months before Victoria saw her son, and 18 months before reuniting with her daughter

Yet I never thought women like us  she was a mother of primary school-aged children with a respectable job and nice home  might be dabbling.

She explained that there were other mums in the area who used it recreationally, both socially pre-pandemic and now in lockdown, as a little pick-me-up.

Indeed, figures from the Office for National Statistics show that ketamine use among women is on the rise; in 2023, female deaths from ketamine were three times higher than pre-2020. In January last year, it was revealed that the Government was seeking advice on whether to reclassify the drug as Class A amid soaring use.

Despite my shock and concern  after all, this was an illegal drug  I admit I was intrigued.

It makes you feel a bit floaty, and chilled out, like youve had a couple of drinks  but without the calories and sore head, she told me. Just give this guy a ring. Hell sort you out.

By this guy she meant a dealer  yet it was said as casually as if she was passing me the number for a good babysitter.

Foolishly, I told myself it wouldnt do any harm to try a small amount to see if it helped reduce my drinking, not realising I was standing on the precipice of an addiction that would tear my life apart.

A few days later, I was waiting nervously outside my apartment block for the dealer to drop off a small bag of ketamine, costing 15.

It felt surreal, making this illicit connection while my children watched a film inside. But life was already so strange at that time  it just felt like yet another crazy moment.

That evening, with the children tucked up in bed and the dishwasher humming in the background, I chopped a very small amount of the white powder into a small bump, or tiny pile.

Id read all about k-holes, which is when too high a dose can leave users unable to speak or move and suffering hallucinations.

Victoria says the stigma around drug-addicted mums needs to end and more support and compassion is needed

I couldnt risk that with two young children in my sole care, so I resolved to only use a tiny amount, believing that microdosing would protect me from bad effects.

As the powder went up my nose for the first time, I immediately felt my body and mind unwind. It was exactly as my friend had described, the softening and soothing effect alcohol had, just in a different form.

And when I woke the next morning, with no desperate thirst or piercing headache from two bottles of wine, I felt elated, almost smug that Id discovered this new antidote to lifes strains.

I began inhaling a small amount of ketamine nightly once the children were safely tucked up in bed, my little Mummy treat as I thought of it, after a day of home school, arts and crafts and cleaning.

To begin with, two bags would last a week, costing 30, so it was significantly cheaper than my old wine habit. Another bonus, I thought.

It wasnt long, though, until, as with alcohol, my body began to demand more of the drug to achieve the same effect.

Although there was no comedown, the feeling I enjoyed only lasted a couple of hours and then Id be back to normal  which was what I was trying to escape.

So, one hit a night became two  and then one during the day, too.

I remember settling the children down in front of a movie after their lunch that first time, then locking myself in the bathroom with my small bag of powder.

I knew deep down that I was crossing another line by using during the day  but I told myself Id be a happier version of myself that afternoon, so wed all benefit.

I never used in front of the children, always taking it in a different room. When I was high I believed I was a better mum to them  happier, more chilled and less frazzled, and perfectly able to function as their mother. The lies we tell ourselves to rationalise drug use. I was dipping into my savings to pay for it and, of course, the more I used, the more money I handed over to my dealer. In total, I estimate I spent around 40,000.

By the time restrictions lifted and life became a bit more normal, ketamine was so firmly entrenched in my life I carried on using it in growing quantities. At my worst, I was using up to eight times a day.

It was around nine months after I first tried it, in the spring of 2021, that I began to suffer pain in my chest, between my breasts and towards the top of my stomach.

It felt like severe indigestion, so I didnt connect it to my ketamine use, but no amount of over-the-counter remedies helped with it.

Then, it didnt occur to me that something I was putting up my nose could cause pain in my chest and abdomen. But I know now the drug was affecting my bile ducts, a serious condition known as ketamine-induced cholangiopathy, where damage to the bile ducts can lead to inflammation, scarring and potential cirrhosis and liver failure. It can be fatal.

Throughout 2021, these bouts of pain became more frequent and intense, and on 14 occasions I went to A&E.

I was too scared and ashamed to tell the doctors about my ketamine use, so they were left scratching their heads trying to work out what was wrong with me.

As well as my shame, I knew that if I confessed I would have to stop taking it.

By then, life without ketamine as my emotional crutch was inconceivable. If I didnt take it, I felt low and lethargic.

However in October 2021, aged 36, matters were taken out of my hands.

By then, I was getting through five bags a day, at a cost of 525 a week, and had burned through my savings. My copious use meant there were days I was bedbound with pain, sending the children to relatives for the day, and I was terrified about the long-term effects on my health. I felt racked with guilt but unable to stop.

When I suffered a bout of pain so severe I believed I was having a heart attack, I dialled 999. When paramedics arrived, I knew I had no choice but to tell them the truth.

Im a ketamine addict, I told them. And I need help.

Hearing those words out loud after all the months of secrecy brought a sense of relief  but also fear.

I knew there would be consequences in terms of social services getting involved  and rightfully so  to ensure my childrens safety and wellbeing.

While I knew they might not be able to live with me for a time while I recovered, I never considered that I would be banned from having contact with them. After all, during my months of ketamine use they had never been neglected.

But by the time I was discharged from hospital later that same day, a social worker had contacted me to tell me my son was already on his way to his fathers, and that I would have only a brief opportunity to say goodbye to my daughter before she, too, left our family home.

I would not be allowed any contact with either of them for the immediate future.

I was shell-shocked. I thought I had done the right thing, but now it felt like I was being punished for trying to get help. I also felt so guilty that I was the cause of this shocking disruption to my childrens lives.

After a tearful goodbye with my little girl, I collapsed to the floor of my silent apartment in sheer disbelief.

The urge to use ketamine swept over me  unsurprisingly, given the months I relied on it as an antidote to any negative emotions  but I refused to give in.

This was rock bottom and I had to claw my way up and get my children back.

I chose to go cold turkey, rather than seek medical support to wean myself off the drug. I felt ashamed and believed that, as I had got myself into this mess, it was down to me to get out of it.

I moved in with my mum because I couldnt bear to remain in my home with all the childrens toys and clothes to remind me I was no longer trusted to care for them, nor even speak to them.

I began attending Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings, which were instrumental in my recovery. My sponsor became a lifeline. Meeting other women there, including mothers like me, I felt less alone.

As any addict knows, the voice of addiction is still in your mind during recovery but, whenever it spoke to me, I only had to picture my children to find the strength not to listen to it.

It was four long months before I was allowed to have video calls with them both. Seeing their faces on the screen, our call being monitored by a social worker, was bittersweet because I was desperate to have them in my arms.

I struggled to keep my emotions in check so as not to upset them, and reassured them I was getting better and wed be together again soon  even though it was largely out of my control.

Because they have different fathers, there were two separate legal processes to be followed before I could see them in person, with me having repeated drugs tests and endless meetings to prove I wasnt a risk to them.

I was reunited with my son, by then 12, after six months, initially in the form of supervised visits, then we were allowed to be together alone.

But it was almost 18 months before I could be with my daughter  then five  again in person. Reuniting with her after so long was deeply emotional. Having them both in my arms, I felt complete for the first time since that terrible day they had been taken away from me.

In early 2023, we all spent the night together in my new home, which Id moved into in late 2021. Falling asleep under the same roof as them for the first time in months, I felt overwhelmed with relief. Since then, I have shared custody with their dads and they spend weekends and holidays with me and my new partner, who has been a huge support to me.

Of course, I miss them terribly during the week, but they both settled into new schools when I was in recovery, and I dont want to disrupt their lives further. Whats best for them is the priority, and I cherish our time together.

My son is old enough now to know why we were apart for those months, and he understands I battled hard to bring us back together, both against addiction and the legal system. No mother wants their child to hear she was an addict, but I cannot change the past and hope my experience will mean he will never be tempted to try drugs. He knows the damage they wreak on lives.

My daughter is still too young to understand what happened, so continues to believe I was poorly all those months we were apart, but one day I will have that difficult conversation about why we missed so much precious time together.

My message to mothers tempted to use ketamine  or any drug  is its not a treat or a pick-me-up, its a dangerous, life-wrecking substance. Learn from my experience.

Now 40, I have made a full physical recovery from my cholangiopathy and still attend NA meetings, but now I am one of the people who reassure newcomers that there is hope.

So much stigma surrounds mothers who fall into drug abuse, and it keeps women silent and trapped in their addiction.

We must treat women like me with compassion and support, or they will never be able to step out of the darkness I found myself in.

As told to Eimear O'Hagan
Bari Weiss is reportedly set to continue putting CBS News veterans on the chopping block, with 60 Minutes correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Scott Pelley up next after criticizing their new boss.

Alfonsi clashed repeatedly with Weiss after she held back a segment on the Trump administration's deportation of migrants to a notorious El Salvador prison.

Pelley has repeatedly criticized CBS' owners at Paramount and it has reportedly angered new CEO David Ellison, The New York Post reported.

A source told The Post that CBS News staffers 'think their s**t doesn't stink' and 'its going to be a war' between them and Weiss, who CBS News hired to restore fairness to the network.

They added that 'CBS News is allergic to changes  especially 60 Minutes people' and that they lack respect for Weiss, who previously ran the anti-woke outlet The Free Press.

'They dont think Bari Weiss is qualified to be their boss.'

Alfonsi's contract is up in the next few months and while it isn't known how much longer Pelley's deal runs, the network is willing to buy people out to get them out of the building.

Another source said that the lifespan of a network executive is short and Pelley and Alfonsi may just try to 'wait out' Weiss.

Bari Weiss is reportedly set to continue putting CBS News veterans on the chopping block, with 60 Minutes correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi (pictured) and Scott Pelley up next after criticizing their new boss

Pelley has repeatedly criticized CBS' owners at Paramount and it has reportedly angered new CEO David Ellison

'Everyone at CBS News knows there will be a boss every two years,' the source said.

Alfonsi has been at 60 Minutes since 2015, while Pelley has been at the network dating back to 1989, having previously anchored CBS Evening News from 2011 to 2017.

It is questionable as to whether CEO David Ellison will remain steadfastly behind Weiss.

'Shes becoming a headache and Ellison doesnt need a headache. They will do the bare minimum in appeasing Bari Weiss in the hopes she flames out,' an insider said.

Another suggested the complete opposite: 'Everybody has a boss and they need to realize that Bari Weiss is theirs.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to CBS News for comment.

Alfonsi's piece eventually aired this past Sunday with new information after Weiss claimed it wasn't 'comprehensive and fair' without an on the record statement from a White House official.

The pair reportedly got into a shouting match alongside Weiss' deputy Adam Rubenstein, with Alfonsi saying: 'You dont get to produce me!'

A source said that CBS News staffers 'think their s**t doesn't stink' and 'its going to be a war' between them and Weiss (pictured), who CBS News hired to restore fairness to the network

Alfonsi clashed repeatedly with Weiss after she held back a segment on the Trump administration's deportation of migrants to a notorious El Salvador prison

She also accused Rubenstein of being 'a mouthpiece' for Donald Trump, while Rubenstein asked her not to take anything personally, Puck News reported.

By deciding not to run the segment, she claimed, Weiss was censoring her work and destroying 60 Minutes' reputation.

'I care too much about this broadcast to watch it be dismantled without a fight,' she warned, ominously.

Alfonsi told her colleagues in the email that the segment was 'screened five times and cleared by both CBS attorneys and Standards and Practices. It is factually correct.'

'In my view, pulling it now, after every rigorous internal check has been met, is not an editorial decision, it is a political one.'

She then went on to argue that that the segment was only killed because the Trump administration refused to comment on the segment, saying if that is a 'valid reason to spike a story, we have effectively handed them a "kill switch" for any reporting they find inconvenient.'

'If the standard for airing a story becomes 'the government must agree to be interviewed,' then the government effectively gains control over the 60 Minutes broadcast,' she claimed.

'We go from an investigative powerhouse to a stenographer for the state.'

In the segment that aired in Canada, Alfonsi spoke to a college student who was detained by US Customs before being deported to CECOT

The student described how he was tortured upon arrival at the El Salvadoran prison

The 'Inside CECOT' report by Sharyn Alfonsi was included in Sunday's lineup, and aired alongside a separate report from Cecilia Vega on the ongoing protests against Immigration an Customs Enforcement agents in Minnesota.

'CBS News leadership has always been committed to airing the 60 Minutes CECOT piece as soon as it was ready,' a spokesperson for the network told Deadline.

'Tonight, viewers get to see it, along with other important stories, all of which speak to CBS News' independence and the power of our storytelling.'

The decision to air the segment comes almost one month after it was unceremoniously cut from the show just two hours before it was set to air.

Newly-installed Editor-in-Chief Weiss argued at the time that the segment 'needed additional reporting' because it did not include an adequate response from the Trump administration, which Alfonsi said declined to comment on the story.

The decision, though, left network executives stumbling when the segment accidentally aired in Canada, and was shared online.

As questions about the scrapped segment continued, Weiss ordered Alfonsi on Thursday to interview a Trump official like Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem or Border Czar Tom Homan, CNN reports.

Weiss said she would personally book the interview with the Trump official, two sources familiar with the process told the outlet, which was the first to report that the segment would finally air.

It is questionable as to whether CEO David Ellison (pictured) will remain steadfastly behind Weiss

60 Minutes producers then flew to Washington DC from New York City and Alfonsi flew in from Texas.

'But the promised interview did not materialize,' Brian Stelter wrote in the CNN report. 'Everyone went home empty handed.'

As a result, the report did not include any direct interviews or exchanges onscreen with Trump officials, but did contain statements from several different US government agencies - something Weiss felt was lacking in the original piece, an unidentified executive told Variety.

In one clip from the updated segment, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt declared that those imprisoned at CECOT 'are heinous monsters, rapists, murderers, kidnappers, sexual assaulters, predators who have no right to be in this country and they must be held accountable.'

The White House also sent a statement to 60 Minutes, saying: 'President Trump is committed to keeping his promises to the American people by removing dangerous criminal and terrorist illegal aliens.'

The new report also included three more minutes of new reporting, including a statistic about the number of people who are deported from the US because they are a criminal.

The original piece that aired in Canada stated that only eight of the 252 men deported to CECOT had been convicted of violent crimes in the US, but the statistic sounded off to Weiss and CBS News President Tom Cibrowski, an anonymous source told the New York Post.

After they then pushed for more reporting, they learned that about half of the 252 men had contact with the American justice system - either criminal convictions or pending charges in the US.

Weiss's start as the head of CBS News has been plagued by missteps, including a town hall last year with Erika Kirk that proved to be a ratings flop. Weiss has never led a major news organization

Gayle King's future at CBS hangs in the balance according to sources who say the new boss of the network is eager to slash her eight-figure salary

The updated story also noted that one of the men interviewed by Alfonsi has tattoos that are known marks of gangs or Nazis - which the Trump administration uses to identify migrants for potential deportation.

But, Alfonsi notes, those symbols do not have any connection with the Tren de Aragua gang, and neither of the men she spoke with had been convicted of any crimes in the US.

Weiss, however, has denied her decision was political, arguing it is standard practice to hold back stories until they're perfect.

'My job is to make sure that all stories we publish are the best they can be. Holding stories that aren't ready for whatever reason  that they lack sufficient context, say, or that they are missing critical voices  happens every day in every newsroom,' she told The Times.

'I look forward to airing this important piece when it's ready.'

Weiss also told colleagues that she spiked the segment simply because it 'did not advance the ball' during the network's typical 9am editorial call on Monday, The New York Times reported.

She pointed out how the the Times and other publications have 'previously done similar work' while maintaining that fresh, through-provoking content was her 'north star.'

'To run a story on this subject two months later, we need to do more,' Weiss told staff.

Weiss was also behind the controversial hire of morning anchor Tony Dokoupil to host the CBS Evening News

'And this is 60 Minutes. We need to be able to get the principals on the record and on camera.

'Our viewers come first. Not the listing schedule or anything else,' she argued. 'That's my north star, and I hope it's yours too.'

Pelley and Alfonsi could follow morning anchor Gayle King out the door amid rumors Weiss wants to slash her salary by half, according to a new report.

Weiss, 41, is also mulling a move that would see King stripped of her role as co-host of 'CBS Mornings', sources told the New York Post Wednesday.

King, 71, is currently seen as too expensive, the insiders said. She currently makes about $13million-a-year, according to the Post.

Several other sources told Variety earlier in the day that Weiss wants to reduce King's salary. One source who spoke with the publication put King's pay, 'at around $15 million a year'.

King joined CBS News in 2011 and has hosted CBS Mornings since the start of the following year.

Her contract is set to expire in May. Sources told the Daily Mail back in August that King's contract would 'most likely' not be renewed when it does.

Weiss however, has offered King an olive branch in the form of multiple other positions that would keep her on, sources told both the Post and Variety.

Such options include a special correspondent role that would see King still make occasional appearances on CBS News, as well as one that would keep King on the air on CBS Mornings for another year at a lower salary, sources told Variety.

King is said to be considering the options, sources told both publications.

Her former costar, Tony Dokoupil, was recently elevated to host CBS Evening News.

The move from Weiss is one of many to come under a microscope lately.

The former opinion journalist took the reigns at CBS back in October at the behest of Paramount boss David Ellison, who rose to the position after the company's merger with Skydance in August.

Weiss founded the Free Press, but has no experience leading a major news organization.

Matt Gutman - a longtime but little-known former ABC journalist who previously worked at the Jerusalem Post - was Weiss's first hire as editor-in-chief. He is now the network's chief reporter.

Executives at ABC let the longtime correspondent go without a fight, a well-placed source told the Daily Mail last month. Others said the move showed Weiss's inexperience.

The rocky start continued with Weisss highly publicized town hall with Erika Kirk last month, which proved to be a ratings flop.
Former Today show host Hoda Kotb is facing humiliation at the hands of her ex-colleagues at NBC with her new YouTube venture Joy Rides, the Daily Mail can reveal.

NBC insiders say Kotb, 61, who stepped down as co-anchor on the morning slot a year ago, has been pestering her old team for favors to help boost her new passion project  and they're fed up with it.

They have also been mocking the whole Joy Rides concept, which notably featured currently absent Today co-host Savannah Guthrie in its January 21 launch episode.

Joy Rides is billed as a celebrity interview series featuring candid on-the-move conversations with guests in cars. Think of it as James Cordon's carpool karaoke serial, but without the singing.

Episodes are promised weekly, with the first having featured 54-year-old Guthrie, set to return to the sofa and main anchor desk in studio 1A at Rockefeller Center, New York City full time on January 26.

It was shot before she left on December 19 for surgery to remove vocal cord nodules.

But NBC sources have been mocking the crack-of-dawn interview - largely filmed in darkness - as a disastrous start for Kotb.

Hoda Kotb launched Joy Rides l last month  first guest on the celebrity interview series that NBC sources are privately mocking as 'forced and exhausting', was former colleague Savannah Guthrie

Hoda Kotb worked with Sheinelle Jones and Jenna Bush Hagar. She is allegedly facing eye-rolls from former colleagues over her new YouTube venture, Joy Rides, insiders tell the Daily Mail

'Even Hoda doesn't really know what this is,' one insider admitted. 'The staff call her a perpetual pest. She quit, now she keeps begging favors and everyone's over it.'

A second source, an NBC producer, was even more blunt: 'The staff are sick of it. It's not their job to find content for Hoda's app.

'They're burned out working for NBC News and just want her to go away.

'She's pushing her luck. The idea looked cute on paper, but in reality it's awkward, forced and exhausting. Hoda's charm only goes so far when people are tapped out.'

And of Guthrie's involvement in interview, another insider said: 'Savannah gave her fifteen minutes at 4am. That tells you everything.

'If anyone else with so few subscribers asked Savannah to do media, she wouldn't. It's basically Hoda forcing her way back into relevance, and no one's impressed.'

A representative for Kotb declined to give an on-the-record response to the NBC insiders' claims.

Kotb has 9,497 views so far for the Guthrie five-question interview on Joy 101, which has nearly 2,000 subscribers.

In it, a gushing Kotb was asked by Guthrie why they're doing this and replied: 'Because I love you and this is a little joy ride.'

Joy Rides is billed as a celebrity interview series featuring candid on-the-move conversations with guests in cars

Former co-star Savannah Guthrie appeared in the debut episode of Joy Rides, filmed during a pre-dawn drive to work shortly before her medical leave

Kotb is pictured with former NBC colleagues, Megyn Kelly, Savannah Guthrie, and Al Roker in 2018

Guthrie responded: 'OK, it's joy, I've got to tell you normally at this hour, joy is in scarce supply.'

Kotb appeared unable to stop giggling as her former co-host replied to the question, where are you in life right now?

'I think I'm in a moment of peace,' Guthrie said, adding 'and joy,' clearly fulfilling the interviewing message mission.

'And also transition, I have this whole thing going on with my voice and I'm going to address that.

'That's been a struggle. It's been a hard season trying to figure out what's going on with that.'

Next question between the pair in the back of an SUV: what was the most difficult time in your life and what did you learn from that?

'When I was getting separated and divorced from my first husband,' said Guthrie, her voice scratchy.

'I was in my 30s...I was sad about it and I was also starting a new job at a place called NBC trying really hard to make my way and make my little dream come true while other dreams were falling apart.

Guthrie is set to return full-time to Today after time off for vocal cord surgery, while Kotb continues to build her brand outside NBC

Sheinelle Jones and Craig Melvin have been filling in for Guthrie on the main anchor desk in Studio 1A at Rockefeller Center

'I felt like a failure and I think that's when my faith became even more solidified. I realized I didn't have to be perfect to be loved by God.'

At this point Kotb turned on maximum gush, telling Guthrie that the book she's been 'reading, again' is, pausing momentarily, 'yours'.

The co-anchor has written one adult book, Mostly What God Does: Reflections on Seeking and Finding His Love Everywhere.

Asked when she's been the happiest, Guthrie kept to the message with: 'I try to have joy inside. I'm not, like, into toxic fake joy

'I would say the most exquisite feeling of joy I've ever felt, sorry it's a cliche, is when those babies were born.

'When I laid eyes on those babies and I heard them cry and I held them. It is like an all encompassing, surpassing joy. so deep.

'It was everything I ever wanted. All I ever wanted.'

Insiders' condemnation of Kotb's latest venture follows the Daily Mail exclusively revealing Guthrie has been in 'full panic mode' due to her absence from the set.

She has been pressing doctors to get her back as soon as possible.

She video-called into the show on January 20 to give a health update, saying she would have a pre-return appearance Friday and get back full time on Monday, January 26.

Shock figures revealed Today won 12 per cent more viewers for the week covering the end of December and beginning of January while Guthrie was absent compared to the same seven days 12 months prior.

Sheinelle Jones has continued to fill in for her alongside Craig Melvin.

Some 2.86 million tuned in according to Nielsen TV ratings, capturing the top spot for Today over ABC's Good Morning America.

'Savannah is trying to laugh it off publicly, but privately she's completely shaken,' ' a source close to the show revealed.

'Seeing the ratings tick up without her hit a nerve she didn't know she had.

The source said Guthrie was constantly checking the latest figures, saying: 'She's refreshing the ratings reports like it's her full-time job right now. It's consuming her.

Despite recovering at home from her surgery, Guthrie was shocked to see Today's soaring ratings, fearing NBC could use this as leverage

Guthrie is happily married to husband Michael Feldman and they have two children

'She's hyper-aware now of every on-air decision, every co-host moment. It's like she's watching the show from the outside for the first time.

'Her biggest fear is that this changes how NBC sees her leverage. That thought alone is keeping her up at night.'

Insiders noticed an instant, more relaxed, 'warmer' and 'more human' change in the show after Guthrie went on her break.

'Without Savannah, the vibe shifted immediately. It stopped feeling like a classroom and started feeling like a group of equals,' said the source.

'She naturally takes charge, but when she's gone, everyone else finally breathes. It feels more collaborative, more relaxed.

'There's less tension on set now. No one's worried about stepping out of line or getting corrected mid-conversation.

'The show feels warmer. Instead of one authority figure steering everything, it's more like friends sharing the space.'

NBC said in response: 'Season-to-date, TODAY is posting its best ratings in 14 years.

Today with Jenna & Sheinelle kicked off on Monday, January 12. Kotb and her former cohost of the fourth hour, Kathie Lee Gifford, made appearances as the new segment's first guests

'Savannah Guthrie has been at the helm of the show for almost that entire time and she is one of the keys to its ratings success.'

Guthrie has co-hosted the Today show since July 2012 when she joined now disgraced Matt Lauer, who was fired in 2017 over inappropriate sexual behavior.

She is reported to earn $8 million a year for her role and lives with former Democratic political aide Michael Feldman at their $11 million townhouse in Brooklyn Heights, New York.

They moved there after selling their $7.1 million four-bedroom apartment in Tribeca. The couple, who married in 2014, are also reported to have a home in upstate New York.

Family life also revolves around their 11-year-old daughter Vale and eight-year-old son Charley.

She had Vale when she was 42 and Charley when she was 44 after rounds of IVF.

'I'll never get over it,' she said of being a mom, People reported.

'I got to have babies long past the time that anyone would really be hopeful (and) I had long given up hope.'

Guthrie told Health magazine in 2019: 'I knew it was winning the lottery ticket to have one child.

'So I never dreamed that I would have two. But with Charley, I did do IVF. So I would say Vale was a miracle and Charley was a medical miracle.'

Her first husband was British broadcast producer Mark Orchard. They married in 2005 and divorced in 2009.
Shepherd Neame has hailed a bumper Christmas despite Britains oldest brewer selling fewer pints.

The group, which runs 285 pubs in Kent and the South East of England, said like for like sales grew 4.5 per cent over the 26 weeks to 27 December.

It echoes a cheery update from rival Youngs yesterday, as booming pub sales managed to cut through gloom felt elsewhere on the High Street.

The brewers pub sales jumped 8.1 per cent over the festive period, driven by 12.6 per cent growth in greater London.

Despite a strong Christmas, total beer volumes fell 6.6 per cent, while sales of Shepherd Neames own beers - which include Spitfire Amber ale and Whitstable Bay lager - fell 11.6 per cent.

The figures echo concerns voiced by Europes brewers, which have seen volumes falling for years.

Britain's oldest brewer Shepherd Neame is the latest to report falling beer volumes

The most recent report from trade body The Brewers of Europe showed that production, consumption and exports had all fallen for a fifth consecutive year. Beer output in the EU was 345m hl in 2024, compared to 346.18million hl a year earlier and 367m hl pre-pandemic.

The fall has been blamed on the rising cost of living as businesses have also faced steeper costs, including higher energy bills.

Changing consumer tastes have also weighed on the sector due to an uptick in younger people opting for teetotal or sober curious lifestyles.

Shepherd Neame chief executive Jonathan Neame, said: Demand has remained resilient throughout this period in our pub business, and we have enjoyed a particularly strong Christmas trading period.

Whilst our sector continues to face cost headwinds, we expect these to ease as we progress through 2026. The company continues to trade in line with the boards expectations.

Neame has previously sounded the alarm over rising costs in the sector.

He told The Times: I think there is a real risk that Rachel Reeves is doing to our sector what Margaret Thatcher did to the miners.

He called the governments handling of the business rates socially, morally and economically wrong.

Many pubs have even banned Labour MPs in a backlash against their property tax bills going up in botched reforms.
The boss of Babcock is stepping down after overseeing a fivefold increase in the firm's share price during his five-year tenure.

David Lockwood joined Babcock as its chief executive in September 2020 and will exit the board and retire by the end of this year.

Shares in Babcock fell 1.3 per cent 1,445p following the update, having surged 186 per cent in the past year.

Since Lockwood joined the firm, shares have jumped by over 500 per cent.

Defence stocks have performed strongly in recent years as governments prioritise defence spending while the threat from hostile states grows.

Sharp rise: Babcock shares have risen sharply in the past year amid a rise in defence spending

Lockwood was previously chief executive of British aerospace firm Cobham, which was acquired in 2020 by US private equity firm Advent for 4billion.

Details of Lockwood's remuneration and the extent to which any of it will fall due for payment after he has retired will be disclosed in the Directors' Remuneration Report later in the year.

Babcock said it had appointed Harry Holt, the current chief executive of Babcock's Nuclear sector, as Lockwood's successor.

Holt previously spent more than a decade at Rolls-Royce and was previously an officer in the British army.

Holt said: 'I would like to pay tribute to Davids inspirational leadership that has put Babcock on an excellent footing from which we can continue to grow and am looking forward to working with him through the transition period.'

Retiring: David Lockwood is stepping down as Babcock's chief executive this year

Babcock nuclear arm drives revenue

Babcock also revealed its revenue had continued to grow in recent months, particularly within its nuclear arm which was being driven by new-build clean energy projects and submarine support work.

Babcock said it was likely to meet its full-year margin target of 8 per cent.

Dan Coatsworth, head of markets at AJ Bell, said: 'No chief executive wants to see their companys share price fall, but Babcocks David Lockwood might just afford himself half a smile at the drop on news he is stepping down later this year.

'His nominated successor Harry Holt has a hard act to follow. Someone who bought the shares when Lockwood took the top job in 2020 would have subsequently made more than five times their money.

'He transformed what was a struggling business into globally relevant defence outfit.'

He added: 'Lockwood has been helped by improved prospects for the defence space since Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022 as well as growth in the nuclear sector  another key area of expertise for Babcock.

Richard Hunter, head of markets at Interactive Investor, said investor appetite for Babcock shares remained 'undiminished given the global backdrop and the market consensus of the shares as a strong buy is unlikely to waver any time soon.'
Britain's 265.5billion investment trusts are a vital part of the nation's savings culture. The sector offers investors simple access to 'patient' savings, start-ups, pioneering tech and unlisted enterprises.

At a time when so much investment is driven by lower-cost tracking of indexes, investment trusts provide active management through stock market listings.

Baillie Gifford's Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust (SMIT) offers long-term holders early stakes in Silicon Valley.

Herald Investment Trust specialises in semiconductor innovators, such as Super Micro Computers, which are driving the AI revolution. Another group of funds, including Rothschild Investment Trust and Brunner, started out as managers of family wealth and gave ordinary savers access to their expertise.

Investment trusts are not without problems. I remember the great scandal of the 1970s  the collapse of a group of investment trusts run by a former Lord Mayor of London Sir Denys Lowson.

A probe by the Investors Chronicle revealed that the empire was a giant Ponzi scheme in which the Lowson trusts invested in each other.

Predator: Boaz Weinstein's Saba Capital has launched assaults on seven UK trusts

There was a smell of this when Neil Woodford's savings empire came to grief in 2019. As the once-respected guru sought to save his flagship Equity Income Fund, less liquid stocks were dumped in his Patient Capital investment trust, costing retail savers dearly.

When American Boaz Weinstein launched his assault on seven UK trusts last year, it exposed a complacent, cosy sector badly in need of reform.

Since then, there has been an effort to reach out to retail investors with opportunities to engage with managers at briefings with refreshments.

There is suspicion that it is not just the funds that are closed. In the case of some of the bigger management groups, hand-picked directors and managers receiving generous fees are drawn from a narrow gene pool. Shareholder democracy has been a chimera.

The sector has been an easy target for predators. A decade ago, Elliott Management dismantled Alliance Trust. Activist Edward Bramson successfully defenestrated Electra.

Next week it is Herald Investment Trust, managed by the intuitive Katie Potts, which will be on the line.

Under her leadership, Herald has achieved a fantastic 907.3 per cent increase in net asset value since 2009. In the same period, Weinstein's Saba Capital Master Fund produced returns of 150.9 per cent. Saba began its stake-building in Herald back in 2023 but bought most of its 29 per cent holding in the autumn of 2025.

As UK retail investors fled the trust  amid fears of Rachel Reeves raising capital gains taxes in November's Budget  Weinstein moved in for the kill.

There are two options at the upcoming vote. First, there is a special resolution requiring a 75 per cent majority. This offers Saba the chance to vacate, pocketing net asset value, leaving behind a smaller trust and allowing other investors to avoid a capital gains liability.

The nuclear resolution comes into play should Weinstein refuse to sell. A simple tender offer will essentially allow savers to exit and avoid their holding being left in the hands of the American.

Losing Herald would be a serious blow to investors wanting exposure to innovation in the US and Britain. In the interests of private investors, Boaz Weinstein would be advised to pick up his marbles, take a profit and go home.
JP Morgan Chase revealed it paid boss Jamie Dimon 32million last year  just hours after Donald Trump launched a multi-billion-dollar lawsuit against the bank.

In a filing to regulators after the President's bombshell attack, the Wall Street giant said Dimon's vast pay for 2025 included his annual salary of about 1million and a bonus of 31million.

The package was some 10 per cent higher than the 29million he was paid in 2024  and a record since he took charge of the bank in 2006.

Dimon, 69, is dubbed the King of Wall Street and widely seen as the most powerful banker in the world.

Cashing in: Jamie Dimon is dubbed the King of Wall Street and widely seen as the most powerful banker in the world

But he has long clashed with Trump and the simmering relationship deteriorated further just hours before the bumper pay award emerged, when the US President sued JP Morgan and its long-standing boss for 3.7billion over claims it 'debanked' him.

Trump accused JP Morgan of unfairly closing personal and business bank accounts for 'woke' reasons following the January 6 riots in the Capitol in 2021. 'You're not allowed to do what they did,' he told reporters on Air Force One, as he returned home from the World Economic Forum in Davos.

'Jamie Dimon, what he did, he's not allowed to do that. He shouldn't be debanking.'

A spokesman for JP Morgan said it 'does not close accounts for political or religious reasons' but added: 'We do close accounts because they create legal or regulatory risk for the company. We regret having to do so but often rules and regulatory expectations lead us to do so.'

And a statement from the bank said: 'While we regret President Trump has sued us, we believe the suit has no merit.'

With Trump seemingly at war with one of America's most high-profile executives, JP Morgan said the pay reflected Dimon's 'stewardship of the firm, with strong performance across our market-leading businesses and financial results, as well as a fortress balance sheet'.

He has now scooped more than 100million in pay over the past four years, though this is dwarfed by a personal fortune estimated at around 2.2billion  much of it held in JP Morgan shares.
This is the dramatic moment an 110ft replica of the Statue of Liberty came crashing down in Brazil after being struck by powerful winds.

Footage shows how the statue started leaning to one side as a storm tore through the city of Guaiba on Monday before it toppled into a car park and smashed into pieces.

Cars can be seen driving away from the statue as it began falling, but no injuries were reported, according to local authorities

The incident took place at around 3pm yesterday at the height of the storm that ripped through the entire state of Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil.

The statue - which was installed in the car park of a retail megastore - measured around 110 ft, but store officials said that only the upper section of the statue, which measured around 78ft, was damaged.

The original Statue of Liberty in New York City stands at around 305ft.

The car park was immediately cordoned off to protect customers and staff following the incident.

The megastore's operator confirmed that the replica had been in place since the store opened in 2020 and that it had the required certification.

A massive Statue of Liberty replica collapsed in Brazil on Monday after it was toppled over by powerful winds

Dramatic footage shows how the statue crashed onto a car park in the Brazilian city of Guaiba

No injuries were reported

It also said that specialist teams had been sent in to remove debris.

Guaiba's mayor Marcelo Maranata praised the quick response at the site and said that local teams had been working with the state's civil defence officials to secure the perimeter and ensure there was no additional damage nearby.

The dramatic incident came as the region in southern Brazil experienced wind gusts of up to 90 kilometres per hour.

Hours earlier the state had issued a severe weather warning for strong winds and heavy rain.

Other areas in the state reported power cuts, damaged roofs and fallen trees, while heavy rain also caused flooding in the nearby town of Lajeado.
A young single mother has been forced to put her life on hold as her brave toddler battles cancer - and she has revealed the warning signs every parent needs to look out for.

Namirah Carpenter, 2, has spent much of the past seven weeks in hospital since being diagnosed with Bcell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.

After countless tests, blood transfusions, and the start of highdose chemotherapy, the usually bright and bubbly toddler from Perth recently stopped talking due to the trauma of hospital stays and ongoing treatment.

Namirah returned home earlier this month, only to be rushed back to hospital three days later when she became unresponsive due to a possible seizure.

She was discharged again last week but has ended up back in hospital after being struck down with a fever.

Her mother, Concetta, 22, has paused her university studies and work to be a fulltime carer for her little girl due to the long-term treatment she needs.

Because of her weakened immune system, she can't play with her friends, go to daycare, or use playground equipment at the local park.

Even a trip to the shops is out of the question.

Namirah Carpenter, 2, was recently diagnosed with B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia

The Perth toddler has spent much of the last seven weeks in hospital

'Namirah needs at least two years of chemotherapy,' Ms Carpenter told Daily Mail.

'It's a new lifestyle we've had to adapt to.

I hate seeing her in hospital but she's safer there than anywhere else.'

Her world was turned upside down after Namirah was diagnosed on December 4.

Ms Carpenter had suspected for months that something wasn't right after noticing several telltale signs.

Her worst fears were finally confirmed after leukaemia spots appeared on the toddler's skin - initially dismissed as spider or insect bites.

'We had spent months going back and forth from the hospital, being told that she was fine and that nothing was wrong,' she said.

'She had excessive bruising and would randomly become very clingy and irritable, when she's usually very outgoing and independent.

Single mother Concetta has put work and studies on hold to care for her little girl full-time

The usually bright and bubbly toddler recently stopped talking due to the trauma of hospital and enduring treatment

'I knew it was some type of blood cancer after her lips turned white and her skin yellow.'

The toughest part was when Namirah stopped talking for several weeks after her diagnosis.

Some children develop communication problems from their cancer and lifesaving treatment.

'She would only speak when she was hungry - it was hungry,' Ms Carpenter said.

'She started talking again but she still isn't herself.'

As her third month of treatment approaches, Namirah is responding well to chemotherapy, despite the toll on her little body.

'Doctors have told us not to make any plans for 2-3 years to get through every stage of treatment,' Ms Carpenter said.

Doctors say that Namirah is responding well to chemotherapy so far

'Being an autoimmune child, Namirah can't play with her friends and asks every day when she can see them.

'She's very funny and smart, always wanting to learn.'

Ms Carpenter had dreams of becoming a social worker and taking overseas holidays with her daughter before those plans were cut short.

'I've gone from studying at uni and working in the disability field to becoming a full-time carer for my daughter,' she said.

An online fundraiser has been set up by friends to help ease the financial burden.

'As a single mother, this support will help me cover rent, parking, medication, medical bills, and the everyday essentials while I remain by her side,' Ms Carpenter wrote.

'Your generosity means I can focus completely on Namirah and the difficult journey ahead.'

Almost $13,000 has been raised, which will help Ms Carpenter get through the next six months.

Playing on her favourite attractions at the park is currently out of the question for Namirah

'A huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders,' she said.

Ms Carpenter also urged Aussies to register for the stem cell donor list.

Namirah's rare mix of Ethiopian/Italian/Irish ethnicity means it is much harder for to find a donor, as is the case for many children.

'We're hoping that Namirah won't need a stem cell donor but we've met so many other kids on the ward that do,' Ms Carpenter said.

'I had no idea about it until she was diagnosed.

'If they are a match, they will save someone's life.'

She had this advice for other parents.

'It's taught me to always advocate for your child,' Ms Carpenter said.

'Had I not gone back and forth with the hospital, the leukaemia may have never been picked up until it was too late.'
Residents of Britain's 'Big Brother town' are divided over Labour's new facial recognition cameras installed to catch criminals on their high street.

Some locals in Croydon, South London, said they feel safer doing their shopping since the cameras were installed - while others complained the 'dystopian' plan feels 'invasive' and is a violation of privacy.

The technology was fixed to lampposts at the entrance and exit to the town centre by Scotland Yard in October after the area was designated a 'crime hotspot'.

It came weeks after the Government announced controversial plans to introduce permanent facial recognition cameras in towns, cities and villages across the country, with Croydon the first to receive them.

Dubbed Britain's 'Big Brother town' as a result, some Croydon locals said the cameras have been 'great' for catching thieves and violent offenders - while others fear it won't make a difference in the long run.

On average, one suspect has been arrested every 34 minutes while the equipment is switched on, the Met Police said.

Local shopper John, 81, who comes to Croydon town centre to browse the shops, told the Daily Mail: 'I think it's an excellent idea.

'If you haven't been involved in any crime, why should you worry about it?'

Facial recognition cameras were installed on lampposts at the entrance and exit to Croydon high street after it was designated a 'crime hotspot'

The cameras are switched on periodically and hunt for criminals by scanning faces

John, 81, comes to Croydon town centre for the shopping and said the cameras are an 'excellent idea'

John, who described crime on the high street as 'rife' before the cameras arrived, said he feels safer since then.

'Particularly with all the scooters that go up and down here, it's the easiest thing in the world to just snatch something and be away,' he said.

'I've seen people have things snatched, so it's an excellent idea.'

Jean Baxter, 80, visits the high street to shop in Marks & Spencer, and is glad the cameras were installed.

'I'm quite happy with them, it's good. It's got to be a good thing,' she said.

'I've got nothing to hide. If you're not guilty then it doesn't matter.'

But stay-at-home mother Amy, 33, who has lived in Croydon her whole life, said that while the cameras might make crime move off the high street, it will just land elsewhere in the borough.

'Now people know exactly where it's all set up and where police are going to be waiting,' she said.

Pointing to her toddler, the mother added: 'He's two, and when it comes to high school I'll be moving out of the area, because I think that's where issues start to happen during the teenage years.'

And long-term Croydon resident David McDonald said that although the cameras are 'better than nothing', he fears they won't be enough to deter some criminals.

'It doesn't stop them. They don't care if they've got them, they'll just come out and carry on doing the same thing,' he said.

'People steal [...], I've seen police running, security guards running after them all the time.'

Some shops are boarded up in the area, while homeless people sit on the streets

University student Paulina Gomez, 20, said she does not feel safe in the area despite the cameras

The cameras are seen high up on a lamppost at the edge of Croydon high street

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How do the cameras work?

A digital image is taken of a passing pedestrian and fed into a computer using biometric software to measure facial features. The image is compared with a watchlist and if a match is detected, an alert is sent to officers to consider an arrest. If a member of the public is not wanted by police, their biometrics are immediately deleted. Advertisement

University student Maria, 20, also had mixed feelings on the cameras, admitting she finds them 'invasive' and 'like you are being watched'.

She praised the government's intention to catch criminals, but said she would like to have been told about the cameras, noting a lack of signposting in the area.

'I just feel to some extent people should have been notified. But then again maybe the whole point of it was to be secret so they can catch criminals,' she said.

'I can see the intent, but I do feel like, to some extent, we should have known that it would be a possibility.'

The Met Police noted that before the cameras are switched on, it publicises details of the date, time and location.

Maria's friend Paulina Gomez, who is from Croydon, also gave mixed reviews of the cameras.

The 20-year-old said: 'Statistically speaking, it's a bit more of a reassurance, but in terms of actually feeling safe walking here, no. I just feel like Croydon is always going to be Croydon.

'I think especially as a girl, we're automatically just more targeted anyway, so I think it's just common knowledge that you can't be walking down here alone.'

Ms Gomez added: 'I understand it's a stepping stone.'

Rose Jane Bowdry, 77, who comes to the town centre for shopping, said: 'I think they're good. If you've done nothing wrong, why should it bother you?'

On average, one suspect has been arrested every 34 minutes in Croydon while the equipment is switched on

Rose Jane Bowdry, 77, comes to the town centre for shopping and thinks the cameras are a 'good thing'

A security guard stands outside Greggs on Croydon high street - with locals saying crime in the area has been 'rife'

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The Met said that since the cameras were rolled out in Croydon, criminals wanted for kidnap, rape and strangulation have been caught.

In one instance, an alleged violent offender who had been on the run for over two decades was captured. The woman was wanted over an assault since 2004, but all previous attempts to locate her had failed.

A man wanted on suspicion of kidnap was also captured as a result.

So far, police have made 100 arrests, with a third being for offences of violence against women and girls including strangulation and sexual assault.

Critics previously hit out at Labour's 'dystopian' plan to roll out the technology across the country, citing concern at the 'erosion of civil liberties'.

It came after a series of controversial reforms by Labour, including mandatory digital ID cards and scrapping jury trials amid claims of a crackdown on free speech.

Former shadow home secretary David Davis raised concerns after police leaders said the cameras could be placed at shopping centres, stadiums and transport hubs to hunt for wanted criminals, missing people and monitor individuals on court orders.

'Welcome to Big Brother Britain,' he said. 'It is clear the Government intends to roll out this dystopian technology across the country.

'Something of this magnitude should not happen without full and detailed debate in the House of Commons.

'From mandatory digital ID, to proposals undermining jury trials, now the expansion of facial recognition, this Labour Government seems intent on eroding civil liberties and chipping away at our most fundamental freedoms.

Croydon high street features some popular shops including Marks and Spencer, Primark and Next

Long-term Croydon resident David McDonald said the cameras are 'better than nothing', but won't stop crime in the area

'We need clarity on what restrictions will govern live facial recognition, how long images can be held, whether children's photos are used, and what judicial oversight will apply.

'What happens to innocent people's photos? The Commons must decide the limits of state surveillance in a free society.'

Sir Keir Starmer is said to be keen to scale up the use of live cameras, which work by taking digital images of passing pedestrians and feeding them into a computer using biometric software to measure facial features.

The image is compared with a watchlist and if a match is detected, an alert is sent to officers to consider an arrest. If a member of the public is not wanted by police, their biometrics are deleted.

Some forces have seen impressive results with the technology, which is so accurate that only one in 33,000 scans results in a false alert, according to tests.

Policing Minister Sarah Jones described facial recognition as the 'biggest breakthrough for catching criminals since DNA matching'.

She said: 'It has already helped take thousands of dangerous criminals off our streets and has huge potential to strengthen how the police keep us safe.

'We will expand its use so that forces can put more criminals behind bars.'

But the Equality and Human Rights Commission called the Met's policy on live facial recognition technology 'unlawful'.

In July, it was reported that some 20 town centre and high street areas accounted for 10 per of knife crime, 24 per cent of theft person offences and 6 per cent of anti-social behaviour calls.

These areas included Croydon town centre - as well as Barking, Brixton, Ealing, Woolwich, Ilford, Kingston, Romford and Shoreditch.

A Met Police spokesperson said on Tuesday: 'The increase in Live Facial Recognition deployments across crime hotspots in London is driven by its proven impact and success - with more than 1,700 dangerous offenders taken off the streets since the start of 2024.

Met Police footage of arrests after using facial recognition cameras. On average, one suspect has been arrested every 34 minutes when the cameras are operating

Police have spotted suspects on the run for 20 years using facial recognition cameras

So far, police have made 100 arrests since the cameras were rolled out on the high street

'This is why we are trialling a static LFR pilot in Croydon. In just three months and 13 deployments, crime in Fairfield Ward, Croydon, is down by 12 per cent - and 103 arrests have been made, including those wanted for kidnap, strangulation and other violent offences.

'We have robust safeguards in place to protect people's rights and privacy. If a member of the public walks past the cameras, and is not wanted by the police, their biometrics are immediately and permanently deleted. The cameras are only switched on when officers are deployed and using the technology.'

Executive Mayor of Croydon, Jason Perry, said: 'Croydon Council has worked closely with the Metropolitan Police to support the trial of Live Facial Recognition (LFR) in our town centre to help identify suspects on police watchlists.

'The pilot has led to a significant number of arrests, including individuals suspected of serious offences and violence against women and girls, demonstrating that this pioneering technology is helping to make our streets safer.

'I look forward to continuing to work with the Met Police to tackle crime, as part of our zero-tolerance approach to fixing the "broken windows", restoring pride in our borough and making Croydon a safer place for all our residents.'
Shamima Begum must not be allowed back into Britain under any circumstances, the father of a 7/7 bombings victim said today - amid fears the ISIS bride could exploit chaos at her Syrian detention camp to stage an escape.

Ms Begum, 26, who was stripped of her British citizenship after leaving London to join the terror group in 2015, is currently living in al-Roj - a filthy, violent camp in north-east Syria.

The facility is controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which has now lost almost all of its territory in north-eastern Syria to an army loyal to the country's president, Ahmed al-Sharaa.

SDF soldiers have fled the nearby camp of al-Hol in face of the advancing forces, as residents - most of them women and many of them married to members of ISIS fighters - began rioting and staged an escape.

Video shared on social media showed dozens of women, all wearing black burqas, emerging from the camp after they knocked down the fencing.

The SDF also controls al-Roj, sparking fears that Ms Begum could also be able to leave detention.

Graham Foulkes, who lost his 22-year-old son, David, in the 7/7 London bombings, said he felt obliged to speak out after the 'concerning' developments, and urged the British Government to stay firm.

Graham Foulkes (left), who lost his 22-year-old son, David, (right) in the 7/7 London bombings, said he felt obliged to speak out after 'concerning' developments in Syria

Shamima Begum was stripped of her British citizenship after leaving London to join ISIS in 2015

'I am very concerned and completely against her being allowed to come back into the UK,' he told the Daily Mail.

'This matters to us because we know the pain that terrorism causes. We wouldn't want anyone to go through that if she returns and carries out an attack.'

Ms Begum's lawyers would have been encouraged by recent developments in her case, with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) calling for a new investigation into the Government's decision to take away her British citizenship.

But Mr Foulkes insisted the decision had been correct.

'Lawyers with security clearance would have examined the intelligence and been convinced there was sufficient evidence to take her passport off her,' he said.

'This is someone who devised a very clever, complicated plan to get out of the UK and go to join ISIS in Syria and convinced some of her friends to go with her.

'She spent quite some time as part of ISIS - showing she wasn't disillusioned at all.

'It was only when ISIS fell when she realised she was in trouble that she began posing as this naive, vulnerable woman.

'Throughout it all, she demonstrated sophisticated planning and an ability to persuade and deceive people.

'She also admitted seeing people beheaded and was not phased by that. So clearly extreme violence doesn't bother her.

'When you take all that together, it suggests she is a very dangerous person. Why would we want someone like that in our country?'

The wives of Islamic State members broke out of Al-Hol detention camp in northeastern Syria on Tuesday

Video shared on social media showed dozens of women, all wearing black burqas, emerging from the camp after they knocked down the fencing

Members of Syrian security forces in their vehicle enter al-Hol on January 21, 2026

The 2005 London bombings saw three suicide bombers detonate devices on the London Underground before a fourth struck a bus in Tavistock Square, killing 52 people and injuring over 770 others.

David Foulkes, a media sales manager at the Guardian, was killed after he boarded a Tube train to Edgware Road.

His father Graham suggested there were 'parallels' between the ISIS bride and Mohammad Sidique Khan, the terrorist who coordinated the attack.

'Like her, he was brought up and educated in this country but deceived everyone at home - family, friends, his mosque - then went to train with terrorists,' he said.

'So he has a similar profile [to Ms Begum].

'The last thing on earth I want is any other family having someone close to them killed by someone with that profile.

Ms Begum, who married an ISIS fighter and had children, was found in a Syrian refugee camp in 2019, and her citizenship was immediately revoked by then-home secretary Sajid Javid on national security grounds, kickstarting her lengthy legal challenge.

However, earlier this month, the ECHR formally requested that the Home Office clarify whether it had breached human rights and anti-trafficking laws  after Begum was stripped of her UK citizenship.

The latest intervention has sparked a major backlash, with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood vowing to defend the Government's decision at the time.

Conservative MP and Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said he would ask Ms Mahmood for guarantees in the House of Commons that Begum will not be allowed back.

He also urged Ms Mahmood to fight the case 'tooth and nail'.

Mr Philp called ISIS a 'violent terrorist regime that brutally murdered their opponents and raped thousands of women and girls'.

File photo: People walk among shelters at the Kurdish-run al-Hol camp in 2021

Syrian government troops stand guard at the entrance to the al-Hol on January 21

Ms Begum lost an appeal in February 2023 against the decision to revoke her citizenship after the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) ruled this was lawful.

She then lost a Court of Appeal bid in February 2024, before she was most recently denied the chance to challenge it at the Supreme Court in August 2024.

However, Ms Begum's lawyers warned at the time that they could still take her case to the European Court of Human Rights - which they later did.

The Home Office has now been instructed by the European Court to answer four questions regarding her citizenship.

The unrest in northeast Syria comes as the national army and the SDF announced a new truce after Kurdish-led troops were forced to abandon the al-Hol prison camp.

The Kurdish-led group has now lost almost all of its territory to forces loyal to Syria's president, Ahmed al-Sharaa.

The two sides have been clashing for two weeks, amid a breakdown in negotiations over a deal to merge their forces.

At least 1,500 ISIS detainees reportedly escaped from Shaddadi prison camp on Monday, which was also controlled by the SDF.

Syria's interior ministry has accused the SDF of allowing the release of 'a number of detainees' from ISIS, along with their wives and children.

Edgware Road Station shortly after the bombings on July 7, 2005

The SDF confirmed that its guards had withdrawn from the camp, but did not say whether any detainees escaped.

The group blamed 'international indifference toward the issue of the (IS) terrorist organisation and the failure of the international community to assume its responsibilities in addressing this serious matter.'

It said its forces had redeployed in other areas 'that are facing increasing risks and threats' from government forces.

The Syrian defence ministry, in a statement, said it is prepared to take over al-Hol and the prisons and accused the SDF of using them as 'bargaining chips.'
The Albanese government is bracing for a showdown with China as it considers imposing new quotas and tariffs on cheap Chinese steel, amid a surge in imports across Australia.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers confirmed to The Australian Financial Review that the government will this week order the Productivity Commission to investigate claims of steel dumping.

Figures show fabricated steel imports, mostly from China, are approaching 700,000 tonnes a year, leaving local manufacturers under severe strain.

'We all have an interest in making sure we get fair prices for the valuable products and resources that we sell to the world,' Chalmers said.

The Australian Steel Institute is demanding emergency World Trade Organisation safeguards, including a cap of 400,000 to 450,000 tonnes on imports and a 50 per cent tariff on anything above that threshold, warning the sector is at risk of collapse.

'The implementation of Safeguard measures would also prevent the erosion of critical steelmaking assets that represent a substantial long-term sovereign investment,' The Australian Steel Institute said.

'The Safeguard would support the nation's sovereign manufacturing capability for critical defence projects and help maintain and enhance a skilled Australian workforce by supporting apprenticeships and advanced fabrication trades, encouraging investment in new technologies and training.'

If the Productivity Commission backs the industry's case, Chalmers will then decide whether to trigger new restrictions.

The Albanese Government is considering new restrictions on Chinese steel imports

The Australian Steel Institute warns that the sector is at risk of collapse without the safeguard

Such a move risks reigniting trade hostilities after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spent years trying to repair Australia's relationship with Beijing, following its deterioration under the previous Coalition government.

AustraliaChina tensions intensified under Scott Morrison, with Beijing slapping steep tariffs and bans on local barley, wine, beef, timber, coal and seafood in response to Canberra's demands for transparency about the Covid-19 pandemic.

China has already invoked similar WTO safeguards to impose targeted tariffs and quotas on beef from several countries, including Australia, after claims from Chinese farmers that cheap foreign meat was undercutting their own market.

Unlike anti-dumping measures that target specific countries, WTO safeguards apply to all exporters if there's an import surge that threatens domestic industry.

In this case, China stands to be hit hardest, supplying nearly two-thirds of Australia's imported fabricated steel, aluminium and iron.

The clampdown comes as global trade volatility continues after Donald Trump's trade war, and marks another major Albanese government intervention to support manufacturing and keep smelters operating.

The government has poured billions into shoring up Australia's steel and smelting industries, backing facilities that were teetering on the edge due to skyrocketing energy costs and entrenched structural challenges.

A deal to keep NSW's Tomago aluminium smelter running includes taxpayerguaranteed renewable energy agreements and concessional finance, with the full federal bill yet to be revealed as talks continue.

Australia would likely face hostility from the Chinese Government in response to the safeguard

Separately, a $2.4 billion federal-state rescue package has been announced for Whyalla's steelworks in South Australia, covering immediate support, ongoing operational funds, and close to $1.9 billion in long-term infrastructure investment.

If Canberra proceeds, it would mark one of Australia's most dramatic trade moves in years and a new flashpoint in its fragile relationship with Beijing, which the government has been keen to claim credit for repairing.
Former United States Ambassador to Denmark Carla Sands said she is convinced that President Donald Trump will acquire Greenland in some form before the end of his second term.

'It will be under the United States control,' Sands told the Daily Mail in an interview, suggesting that the island could be the next Puerto Rico by the end of his second term, a territory owned by the United States with 'rights and representation' but under American security.

Trump's rhetoric, she conceded, had obviously upset a lot of people in Denmark and Greenland. But the point was to shake up the status quo.

'Suddenly, anything is possible, because the paradigm has shifted, the window has shifted, and what is impossible becomes possible,' she said.

Trump announced a preliminary 'framework' deal for U.S. access to Greenland at Davos on Wednesday, pausing tariff threats against Denmark and NATO allies after weeks of escalating rhetoric.

Greenland's Arctic location, rare earth minerals and potential military bases make it vital to counter Russia and China as ice melts open new routes; Trump calls it essential for NATO security, while Denmark resists full sale.

Greenland would benefit from US control of the nation, Sands said.

'The United States will be helping them develop, having infrastructure that they so much want, and perhaps having more prosperity in Greenland and less like a welfare state,' she said.

President Donald Trump gestures after his special address during the 56th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum

Icebergs drift by in Disko Bay on July 16, 2024 at Ilulissat, Greenland.

Former United States Ambassador to Denmark Carla Sands

After meeting with NATO officials on Wednesday at Davos, Trump claimed he had negotiated 'total access' to the territory without paying anything.

'Were gonna have all the military access that we want. Were going to be able to put what we need on Greenland because we want it,' he told Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo on Thursday. 'Were talking about national security and international security.'

Greenland residents were already floating the idea of declaring independence from the Danish during Trump's first term, Sands recalled.

But as soon as the Danes began to fear for the future of their hold of the Arctic territory, the government began what she describes as a fierce propaganda effort to frighten the populace from considering independence.

Sands accused the Danish government of running a 'psyop' campaign in Greenland to ramp up opposition to the United States.

'The people in Greenland are now so terrified of the United States. We are now the boogeyman because of what Denmark has done over the last year  these poor people, and they're, you know, they're not used to this kind of pressure,' she said.

Polling on the issue, she said, was incredibly biased as many of the polls were conducted by Danish universities and the Danes

But even many Americans are not enthusiastic about acquiring Greenland, according to recent polling, even as the president's attention on the issue has escalated.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll showed that just 17 percent of Americans were supportive of the idea with 47 percent against. Thirty-six percent said they were unsure.

But the leaders of Greenland and Denmark have long been upset by the idea, Sands said, citing the aftermath of the White House meeting between Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen and Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt and Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

President Donald Trump disembarks Air Force One as he arrives at Zurich Airport before attending the World Economic Forum

President Donald Trump shared an image online of him planting a US flag in Greenland as a US territory

'They understand there's going to be a process, but they don't like it,' Sands said. 'They don't agree. So President Trump will use the tools that he needs and the pressure he needs to get done whatever deal he thinks needs to get done.'

Sands cited the prime minister of Denmark's false promise to President Trump to build up security in Greenland to bolster its defense as one reason that he no longer took Denmark's leaders seriously.

'Denmark is like a parent that's abusing their child. So they're very torn in Greenland,' she said. 'They don't know what to do they, and they don't have any experience in stress like this.'

Trumps renewed focus on Greenland comes as the Arctic has become a front-line geopolitical issue, with the U.S., Russia and China competing over shipping lanes, mineral resources and missile-defence positioning.

Greenland hosts a critical U.S. military base and sits astride emerging Arctic routes, giving Washington a strong strategic interest in its future.

The president kicked of the new year with a renewed focus on the United States control over Greenland, angering European allies and even threatening the future of the NATO alliance after he refused to rule out using the military to take it from Denmark.

But he ultimately walked back his more dramatic threats of military force.

Sands predicted that Trump would continue to use a number of diplomatic tools to acquire Greenland, including the use of economic tariffs.

'I always thought of soft power in different ways,  but trade, it's like somewhere in that gray zone of of friendly coercion that is brilliant,' she said.
Israeli clubbers were allegedly told by a DJ to say 'Free Palestine' to continue playing music during a karaoke night at a West End bar.

Humanitarian activist Ahmed Alkhatib had arrived at the Munster Tavern with a colleague shortly after midnight on Sunday, where they witnessed the alleged 'antisemitic' incident.

The Gaza native claimed the DJ had begun playing the song Tel Aviv Ya Habibi, but repeatedly stopped it within seconds of starting.

Mr Alkhatib said he thought it was a technical issue at first, before realising the song was being interrupted deliberately.

He then approached the DJ to ask what was happening, as other revellers, including a group of Jewish people, had also become confused.

'You know what he tells me?' Mr Alkhatib told Jewish News, adding: 'He said, "If one of them comes out on stage and says Free Palestine out loud, I'll play it".'

Mr Alkhatib said he immediately objected, claiming the demand was unnecessary and targeted, and pointing out that the Jewish group was 'not bothering anyone'.

He has since condemned the incident as 'total antisemitism' and felt it was discriminatory.

The Munster Tavern in Leicester Square, where Israeli clubbers were allegedly told by a DJ to say 'Free Palestine' to continue playing music during a karaoke night

Jewish News claimed it had seen a receipt from Mr Alkhatib and his colleague, proving they visited the bar shortly after midnight.

The Daily Mail has contacted venue owner Shoreditch Bar Group for comment.
A Georgia teen died in the early hours of Sunday after the driver of the car she was riding in led police on a high-speed chase that ended in a fatal crash.

Naveah McGowan, 19, had originally planned to stay home on Saturday night but her sister, Tajjone McElyaher, said she decided to go out when a friend asked her to tag along.

McGowan and her friend got in a car being driven by Quintavias Martin. McElyaher said that her sister did not know Martin.

Officers with the Snellville Police Department pulled the car over for a traffic stop at around 2.30am on a highway in Lawrenceville, a city in the Atlanta metropolitan area.

But Martin took off and led the officers on a high-speed chase down the highway. McElya told WSBTV: 'Everybody in the car was asking, "Please just stop the car."'

Despite the pleas from his passengers, Martin did not stop. He hit the road's median, causing him to lose control of the vehicle and crash into a mailbox and a utility pole before flipping over several times, according to police.

The two passengers other than McGowan survived with serious injuries, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

'It is unbelievable. She was 19. She thought she was just going out to hang out with friends,' McElya told WSBTV.

Naveah McGowan, 19, died in the early hours of Sunday after the man driving the car she was riding in led police on a high-speed chase that ended in a fatal crash

The car's driver, Quintavias Martin, 19, was pulled over by police on Scenic Highway in Lawrenceville (pictured), before taking off and leading police on a high-speed chase

McElya, who spoke with the survivors, explained that all of the passengers had taken their seatbelts off during the chase, because they wanted to be prepared to get out of the car as quickly as possible if it stopped.

Police did not explicitly state why Martin sped off during the traffic stop, but according to Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office records, the young man was charged with possession of a firearm or knife during a crime and possession of a sawed-off shotgun, which is an illegal weapon in Georgia.

Martin was also charged with fleeing or attempting to elude police. He was arrested shortly after the crash and booked into the Gwinnett County Jail Sunday morning, where he is being held without bond, according to county sheriff's office records.

McGowan's family set up a GoFundMe to help cover funeral and memorial expenses. As of Thursday night, the campaign has raised $1,075 of its $5,500 goal.

On the fundraising page, McGowan was described as 'a bright light in the lives of everyone who knew her.'

The family also said she was 'kind, strong, and full of love' and that she 'had a beautiful way of bringing warmth and joy into any room, and her presence will be deeply missed.'

Martin led officers with the Snellville Police Department on the chase before losing control of the vehicle and flipping over multiple times, killing McGowan and seriously injuring the other two passengers in his car

According to Georgia law, possession of a sawed-off shotgun is a felony that carries a sentence of five years in prison.

Possession of a firearm or knife during a crime is also punishable by a five-year prison sentence that runs consecutively to other sentences.

Fleeing or attempting to elude police and subsequently causing a crash is punishable by one year in prison to ten years in prison.

In all, if Martin is convicted of all his charges, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
Texas's largest city is expected to see sub-zero temperatures for as much as 40 hours over the weekend as a massive winter storm loomed over a wide swatch of the United States.

Millions of Americans prepared for the a storm that would bring up to two feet of snow across some parts of the East Coast and leave many in frigid, life-threatening conditions.

The cold snap in Houston, a city of 2.4 million people, would be quite the departure for an area that rarely gets colder than the low sixties at this time of year.

By Saturday night, temperatures are expected to drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit in The Lone Star State, according to National Weather Service (NWS) forecaster Cameron Batiste.

'Subfreezing temperatures are expected area-wide Saturday night, Sunday night, and Monday night and a few more nights into next week,' he wrote.

While the city proper is expecting a little over three days of sub-zero cold, the outlying suburbs may experience 72 hours of these temperatures, Batiste wrote.

NWS Forecasters, he said, believe temperatures below 24 degrees will hit the Houston/Galveston area, while northern sections could drop to the low to mid teens.

'When we factor in the northerly winds, things will feel A LOT colder. Wind chill values on Saturday night and Sunday night will range from near 0 degrees in the Brazos Valley to the low to mid teens around the Houston metro area.

'This would likely necessitate an extreme cold warning, so be sure that you have ways to stay warm even in the event of power outages (mainly a concern for northern areas),' Batiste added.

Pictured: A hotel worker in Houston, Texas, shovels snow off a sidewalk after a storm on January 21, 2025

Pictured: An overhead shot of Plano, Texas, after snowfall on January 9, 2025

The warning was ominous for millions of Texans who dealt with days-long blackouts in February 2021 when Winter Storm Uri froze up the state's unprepared power grid.

At the height of the crisis, more than 4.5 million customers were without power. Many also had to deal with no running water since pipes across the state froze and burst.

There were also food shortages in grocery stores after people panic bought items ahead of the storm. Aid organizations had to step in to provide emergency distribution boxes with non-perishable items.

Hundreds of people died from cold exposure due to losing heat. The state of Texas puts the official death toll at 246, with victims ranging in age from less than one year old to 102 years old.

A BuzzFeed News investigation published in May 2021 said that the deaths were vastly undercounted based on the fact that many medical examiners were not told about how the cold exacerbated pre-existing cardiovascular problems victims had.

Many medical examiners did not review certain deaths that could have been spurred on by the frigid temperatures.

Governor Greg Abbott, who issued a disaster declaration for 134 counties in Texas on Thursday, said that the power grid won't be under stress like it was nearly five years ago due to upgrades.

'The ERCOT [Electric Reliability Council of Texas] grid has never been stronger, never been more prepared, and is fully capable of handling this winter storm,' Abbott said at a press conference.

Abbott said there could be localized power outages if rain manages to freeze a power line in a particular area.

Join the debate Is Texas prepared to protect its people from another deadly winter storm?

Pictured: Nearly empty shelves at a grocery store in Austin days after Winter Storm Uri hit Texas and dumped record amounts of snow on the state

Pictured: Volunteers pack emergency distribution boxes at the Houston Food Bank on February 20, 2021

The southern US is going to be hit the hardest by the incoming storm, where freezing rain of up to an inch is expected in Texas, the Carolinas and Virginia.

Snow and ice is also coming to the Great Plains and the Tennessee Valley, likely causing travel disruptions over the weekend and into the start of the week.

Roughly 160 million people - nearly half of the US population - were under a variety of watches, warnings and other alerts associated with the winter storm, NWS said Thursday.

Arkansas and Tennessee are also expected to see up to 24 inches of snow, while Weather Channel forecasters issued the most severe type of ice warning - 'crippling' - for parts of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee.

Pictured: Frozen power lines in Carrolton, Texas, on February 20, 2025. Governor Greg Abbott warned that power lines could freeze in certain localities due to this weekend's storm, leading to outages

Experts have advised preparing for the worst by stocking up on ice, heat sources, blankets and warm clothing in case power outages persist.

The Red Cross also recommends buying cheap Styrofoam coolers and ice to keep food fresh in the event of refrigerators being out of action.

The US-based charity also advises putting an emergency preparedness kit together to make sure you have everything you need to survive several days without power.

It includes one gallon of water per person, tinned food, a flashlight, a battery-powered radio, first aid kit, a seven-day supply of medications, portable phone chargers, and making a note of emergency contact information.
A priest at the University of Oxford was told to resign after allegations of grooming and misconduct were made against him by a student.

Father Damian Howard, who was appointed as a Senior Chaplain at the Oxford University Catholic Chaplaincy (OUCC) in 2023, has left the organisation after the 'vulnerable' student came forward with allegations of inappropriate sexual behaviour.

He alleged that Howard initiated sexual contact with him while the student was under the influence of alcohol, encouraged him to sleep in his bed and remove his clothing.

They added the priest, who described his role with the chaplaincy as 'pastoral', told them not to tell anyone about what was going on because it would 'ruin' him.

Following an investigation by the Jesuits in Britain, findings relating to inappropriate behaviour were substantiated, and Howard was asked to resign and has been out of ministry ever since, the Jesuits in Britain said in a statement.

Howard was the Provincial Superior of Jesuits in Britain, the leading role in the organisation, for six years before moving to the OUCC.

During that time he made a personal apology to one of the victims of Peter Orr, a Jesuit priest who was alleged to have sexually abused boys between the 1960s and 2000s.

Howard is said to have first met the student in 2023 and went on to invite him on day trips and dinners.

Father Damian Howard, who was appointed as a Senior Chaplain at the OUCC in 2023, has left the organisation after the 'vulnerable' student came forward with allegations of inappropriate sexual behaviour

The Oxford University Catholic Chaplaincy (pictured) asked Father Howard to resign after Jesuits in Britain found the allegations against him 'substantianted'

In a complaint submitted by the student, seen by Oxford paper Cherwell, he said the priest 'urged me to stay in the Chaplaincy accommodation in the 2024/5 academic year' before the alleged abuse began.

The student made a series of claims of inappropriate behaviour that is said to have taken place from late 2024 to 2025.

This included '[ending] nights in his office with intense, intimate hugs', initiating kisses with the student, encouraging him to sleep in his bed and remove layers of clothing.

He also said Howard groped his chest on several occasions and told him he loved him.

This is said to have taken place when the student was particularly vulnerable amid mental health difficulties.

In the complaint the student added: ''I have never been in love with him [Howard] nor have I ever initiated intimate contact with him.'

The priest allegedly became jealous when he tried to spend time on commitments outside the chaplaincy, and became an 'oppressive' force in his personal life.

Howard is said to have told the student not to tell anyone about what they did together, saying it would 'ruin' him if found out.

The student added: 'He witnessed the implosion of my faith, my life, and my emotional state; rather than offering the kind of disinterested support a Chaplain would, he used me as a crutch for his loneliness.'

Following an investigation into the complaint, Howard was told to resign in August, but this was not announced by the OUCC or Jesuits in Britain and no publication of his professional misconduct was made.

As well as stepping back from the OUCC, Howard has also had his Honorary Fellowship at Campion Hall revoked

In a statement, a spokesperson for Jesuits in Britain told the Daily Mail: 'We take every complaint extremely seriously and respond with care and diligence. When this complaint was received, the safeguarding team of Jesuits in Britain carried out an investigation.

'Based on their conclusions, immediate action was taken: Fr Damian Howard SJ was asked to step down on the grounds of professional misconduct and has not been in ministry since.

'All complaints are dealt with by following a structured process designed to ensure fairness, protection and care. Initial assessment is followed by appropriate action, and in cases requiring independent oversight, matters are referred for external review.

'In this case, the safeguarding investigation included interviews with relevant parties, as well as a careful examination of documented interactions between them. This comprehensive approach ensured that the matter was considered fully.

'We are now awaiting the recommendations from the independent review and stand ready to take any further actions as required.

'While we cannot comment on individual cases while the review is underway, we are confident that our procedures ensure complaints are addressed with integrity. We remain committed to transparency, accountability, and attending to the wellbeing of all involved.'

Jesuit bosses told the student in an email in October it has not found concrete evidence of 'grooming' - but an independent review into the handling of the complaint is now underway by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CCSA).

As well as stepping back from the OUCC, Howard has also had his Honorary Fellowship at Campion Hall revoked.

Campion Hall is one of four Permanent Private Halls, which are education institutions withing the university.

As an Honorary Fellow, Howard did not have any teaching or pastoral responsibilities.

Addressing his resignation, the OUCC said Howard 'was asked to step down from this role on the grounds of professional misconduct, following a complaint made by a student, which was investigated by the Jesuits in Britain and found to be substantiated.' The OUCC has been contacted for further comment.

The University of Oxford declined to comment when contacted by the Daily Mail, saying Father Howard was not a university employee.

Father Howard has been contacted for comment.
It was supposed to be the perfect crime.

Bryan Kohberger, a then-27-year-old loner and criminology PhD, made his living studying crime scenes  and how killers get away with murder.

In the early hours of November 13, 2022, he slipped through the back door of an off-campus student house in Moscow, Idaho. Armed with a knife and wearing a mask, he butchered four University of Idaho students in their beds.

But then the plan collapsed.

Kohberger, now 31, left behind crucial evidence which ultimately led to his conviction last July and can now be revealed for the first time in new photographs obtained by the Daily Mail.

Nearly 3,000 previously unseen crime scene images were quietly uploaded online by Idaho State Police on Tuesday before being quickly taken down. The Daily Mail downloaded the files in full before they vanished.

On Wednesday, we published more than a dozen photos, including heartbreaking shots from inside the bedrooms of victims Madison 'Maddie' Mogen and Xana Kernodle, who were age 21 and 20.

Blood can been seen soaked into bedding  sheets, comforters and pillows  and smeared across walls, furniture, rugs and personal belongings such as cellphones and laptops. There are signs of struggle, suggesting desperate attempts by the victims to defend themselves.

The Daily Mail has chosen not to publish the most graphic images.

Now, in a new batch of photographs, we can reveal two of Kohberger's catastrophic mistakes. The most damning: a knife sheath left behind at the scene.

Several images show the 13-inch tan leather sheath lying amid blood-soaked bedsheets in Mogen's bedroom.

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT

Clockwise from left: Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison 'Maddie' Mogen, 21, Ethan Chapin, 20, and Xana Kernodle, 20, were killed in their Moscow, Idaho, home by Bryan Kohberger in 2022

For the first time, new photos show the leather knife sheath Kohberger left behind

The sheath, seen here between the sheets in Mogen's bloodstained bed, was crucial in snaring the killer

The leather sheath was from a knife set the killer had purchased months before the crime

Investigators believe it may have been dropped in a moment of panic  possibly when Kohberger was confronted by Kernodle, who was awake on the floor below Mogen's room and may have headed upstairs after hearing commotion.

Leaving it behind was a massive error: forensic teams used it to recover a trace of DNA. Using genetic genealogy, investigators then built a family tree that ultimately pointed to Kohberger.

Other new images show appear to show his second crucial mistake: large footprints stamped into the snow outside the now-demolished home at 1122 King Road.

The prints lead straight to the property's rear sliding-glass doors and were consistent with a size 13 shoe  the same size as a pair of Nike's later seized from Kohberger's family home.

Another image shows footprints made visible by a chemical mix  used by police to detect blood  inside 1122 King Road.

And there are photos, too, that speak to the sheer brutality that unfolded.

One picture captures a tiny bloodstain above the door frame to Mogen's bedroom  nearly seven feet above the floor and a likely indicator of the force used by Kohberger.

Detectives took photos of large footprints in the snow outside the student house

Though not as important as the knife sheath, footprints were among the evidence used by prosecutors

Large footprints are also seen here in a chemical mix used by police to detect blood. The matching of footprints was key in snaring Kohberger

The chemical mix used to show blood that is not visible to the naked eye can be seen in one of the bedrooms

Kohberger is thought to have entered the home through an unlocked rear sliding door shortly after 4am. He went straight to the third floor, where best friends Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, were asleep together in Mogen's bed after a night out.

While they were being attacked, Kernodle was still awake on the second floor. She had just received a DoorDash delivery and brought the food into the kitchen.

Investigators theorize she may have heard something upstairs. Something wrong.

They believe Kernodle moved toward the sound and that a startled Kohberger, who then fled Mogen's room in a hurry, leaving the sheath behind. The murder weapon, believed to be a Ka-Bar hunting knife, has never been found.

What is known for certain is that Kernodle was then followed back to her bedroom, where she was stabbed more than 50 times. Her boyfriend, Ethan Chapin, 20, was also fatally stabbed as he lay in her bed.

Kohberger had no known connection to any of his victims  nor has he ever revealed a motive.

But investigators believe he planned out the killings meticulously.

He'd been stalking the area in the weeks prior to his attack, visiting more than 20 times, most often under the cover of darkness, his cell phone records show.

To avoid being identified on the night of the slayings, he dressed in all-black and wore a mask. He had switched off his phone.

After the murders, he thoroughly scrubbed his white Hyundai Elantra and cleaned his apartment in an apparent bid to conceal any evidence.

But these new photographs show how his fantasy of committing the perfect crime and getting away with it came undone.

Photos taken from outside Mogen's room show what looks like any ordinary student bedroom - only the blood-stained sheets hint at the heinous crime that took place

A small droplet of blood at the top of Mogen's door frame hints at how brutal the attack was

The speck reached nearly seven feet, the images suggest

The Idaho State Police said it recognizes the pain felt by victims' families but maintained that the release complied with Idaho public records laws and existing court rulings.

But the ISP said it had taken the images down after receiving several complaints that some photos showed victims' hair or other body parts.

Officials said they were reviewing the photos and planned to release them again soon.

Kohberger, who studied at Washington State University just miles away, pleaded guilty on July 2, 2025, to four counts of first-degree murder. He was sentenced to four life terms plus ten years.

In court, he showed little to no emotion as the victims' families tore into him. He has never revealed a motive and has refused to say where the knife is.

He will spend the rest of his life at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution. Guards there have already reportedly branded him a 'diva' inmate.

Since his sentencing, he has been held in isolation, locked in his cell for 23 hours a day with just one hour for exercise.

It is unclear how often he has visitors. His parents, Michael and Maryann, live in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains. He has two older sisters, Amanda and Melissa.

A small bloodstain on the banister of the stairway that Kohberger passed through on the gruesome night

Best friends Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen

Kohberger went to great lengths to conceal his identity, wearing a mask and masking his internet and phone trail

Melissa, 34, told the New York Times this month that while the family fully accepts the gravity and evil of his crimes, they continue to speak to him. She said he had a happy childhood and was close to his immediate family.

She also admitted to drawing a black heart sketch that Kohberger kept with him during his trial  later branded 'creepy' by online sleuths.

Reacting to the newly leaked photos, the Goncalves family publicly urged empathy and restraint.

'Please be kind and, as difficult as it is, place yourself outside of yourself and consume the content as if it were your loved one,' they said.
Was God an astronaut? Could space travellers have visited Earth thousands of years ago and kick-started human civilisation by sharing their technological secrets?

More mind-blowing still, did they mate with us? Are human beings different from all other animals because alien genes are mingled with our DNA?

The answer, according to mega-selling Swiss author Erich von Daniken, who died this month aged 90, is that we might never obtain definitive proof. But the circumstantial evidence is overwhelming.

The past teemed with unknown gods who visited the primeval Earth in manned spaceships, he declared in his first global bestseller, Chariots Of The Gods?, in 1968.

Though Von Danikens fame had largely evaporated by the time of his death, his impact as the godfather of extraterrestrial conspiracy theories has been immense.

His publisher, Penguin Random House, calls him arguably the most widely read and most copied non-fiction author in the world. His works have sold more than 70 million copies and been translated into 32 languages, inspiring sci-fi franchises from The X-Files to Marvel characters.

He was the first to propound the notion that aliens visited Stone Age humans and supplied the mechanical knowledge that made Stonehenge and the Pyramids possible. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, described in the Bible, was an atomic explosion, he argued, and the Ark Of The Covenant an intergalactic communications device or nuclear reactor.

Most famously, he claimed that an engraving on the tomb of the 7th century Mayan monarch, King Pakal, at Palenque in Mexico, depicted an astronaut astride a rocket.

Erich von Daniken was the godfather of extraterrestrial conspiracy theories

His seminal work, Chariots of the Gods?

Many scientists responded with scathing scepticism. Famed American astronomer Carl Sagan complained that Chariots Of The Gods? had made it impossible to give a lecture without infuriating questions from the audience about spaceships.

One of Von Danikens most persistent ideas was that the aliens who visited us must have seemed like gods to early hunter-gatherers. If I came down to a primitive people, he told Playboy magazine in 1974, they would look upon me as God... because I could fly, because I could kill animals with a single shot.

The memories of aliens passed into myth, sowing the seeds of every current religion. But he insisted his theories were not religious and that he was no guru: Religions promise that if you live a certain way, you will go to Heaven. Or if you do wrong, you will go to Hell. But in my books there are no promises at all.

Nevertheless, he frequently cited passages in the Bible, which he interpreted as clear descriptions of alien contact. In the Book Of Ezekiel the prophet told of a flying wheel that appeared out of a whirlwind, with lights all around it, like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning. This, Von Daniken said, sounds like a modern description of a UFO.

One persistent theory, based on drawings of gods from around the world, was that these aliens had elongated heads. It could be in imitation of this, Von Daniken thought, that ancient Egyptian pharoahs wore tall, tubular headdresses and why, even today, Christian clergy wear mitres.

More gruesomely, the practice of deforming babies skulls by binding them, popular among the Incas and other prehistoric South American cultures, could be an echo of some religious rite to make children resemble their alien forefathers. This idea led to one of the most bizarre encounters of Von Danikens life. In 1988 he was on holiday with friends in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivias largest city, when tragedy struck. One of the party, a Dutchman, suffered a heart attack in the hotel pool and drowned.

While they were trying to arrange for the body to be flown home, the hotel manager approached Von Daniken to announce a rich man wished to meet him and had sent a chauffeur.

Von Daniken, pictured in 2018, never wavered in his beliefs

Reluctantly, and wondering whether he was being kidnapped, Von Daniken got into the car. After a long drive, he arrived at a house in the hills near the city, surrounded by armed men, where he was greeted by several beautiful ladies clothed very sparingly.

A man with a moustache and a diamond-studded watch shook his hand, addressing him as Don Erich and introducing himself as Don Pablo, a rancher. Was there anything he needed, the man asked. Von Daniken explained about his friends body, which had to be repatriated, and the stranger promised this would be arranged immediately.

He seemed to know a lot about transporting bodies: The blood must be extracted and replaced with formaldehyde. Then he ordered two servants to bring in a long box, hinged on three sides. Inside was an elongated skull 19ins from crown to jaw.

This, said Don Pablo, is the head of an alien. He owned the archaelogical site where it was discovered, he explained.

Then he produced photos of smaller skulls, those of babies, similarly deformed. They had no fontanelles, the soft spots where the bones of the skull fuse as the brain grows. These children, it appeared, were born with their heads fully formed. These are not Earthlings, Don Erich, he said. They are aliens. But born here on Earth. Months later, at the Anthropological Institute of the University of Zurich, Von Daniken mentioned this encounter to the director. Flicking through newspapers to find a photo, the academic asked. This Pablo?

The stranger with the aliens skull was Pablo Escobar, a drug kingpin with a $30billion fortune and the worlds most wanted man.

Such adventures had befallen Von Daniken since childhood. Born in Zofingen, Switzerland, in 1935, he was eight when an American bomber crash landed near his home. He watched as its crew emerged in their flight suits and walked past him in silence, apparently without seeing him.

Decades later, when journalists wondered whether the incident might have triggered his obsession with visitors from the skies, he called the idea ridiculous.

His parents were Catholic and he was educated at a Jesuit school in Fribourg, where he developed a fascination with creation myths in every religion.

Because his grandmother owned a restaurant, he started work as a waiter and studied the hotel trade, becoming a receptionist and then director of a first class hotel in Davos.

He married Elizabeth in 1960 and they had two children: Peter, who died aged two, and Cornelia, his daughter who survives him along with his wife.

At 19, he was convicted of stealing money from a camp where he was a youth leader. He received a suspended sentence but, after a dodgy jewellery deal in Eygpt, he was jailed for nine months.

These were not to his only brushes with the law. One psychiatrist later noted he had a tendency to lie. Another labelled him a criminal psychopath.

Every holiday for 12 years after he married was spent travelling, collecting information for his first book. But the lifestyle was expensive and, after he racked up debts of $130,000 (nearly 1 million today), a court found he had been fiddling the hotel books, in repeated and sustained acts of embezzlement, fraud and forgery.

He was sentenced to 15 months in prison but was able to pay off his debt because, unexpectedly, the book he had been writing for years became an overnight bestseller. Originally titled Memories Of The Future, it was initially rejected by 25 publishers. In 1967 Von Daniken approached Thomas von Randow, science editor of the German weekly newspaper Die Zeit, and asked what he should do.

Von Randow picked up the phone to a publisher there and then: I have in front of me, he announced, a young Swiss who wrote a totally mad book.

But, the guy is not mad. Maybe you should listen to him yourself.

Retitled Chariots Of the Gods?, the mad book went through 30 reprints in two years and inspired a film that grossed $25 million and was nominated for an Academy Award. It was said to be the first in-flight movie shown on the new Boeing 747 jumbo jets.

For the rest of his life, he reworked his theories, trying to find ways to revive their popularity. In 2003, he opened a theme park in Interlaken, Switzerland, celebrating the great mysteries of the world, though it quickly went bust.

I am accused of ignoring scientific facts, he said defiantly. But scientists believe their facts are facts because other scientists told them so. Now I, with my own theory, came to the conclusion they are wrong. What is the truth? I dont know. But today, I know definitively that Earth, our home, has been visited by extraterrestrials in the distant past.

They will return  so humanity had better come to grips with that thought.
An elderly woman was euthanized within hours of her husband claiming she changed her mind after insisting she wanted to live.

Canada's Medical Assistance in Dying laws allow patients to request a painless death if an assessor agrees their terminal condition meets certain requirements.

Patients often wait weeks, but it can happen the same day the application is lodged if judged to be medically urgent by a MAiD provider.

But a report by the Ontario MAiD Death Review Committee raised concerns that safeguards were being eroded that led to questionable deaths.

One case study was that of a woman in her 80s referred to as 'Mrs B' who had complications after a coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

She went into severe decline and opted for palliative care, and was sent home from hospital with palliative support and her husband caring for her.

But as her condition got worse, her elderly husband struggled to care for her even with the help of visits by nurses.

'Mrs B reportedly expressed her desire for MAiD to her family. In response, and on the same day, her spouse contacted a referral service on her behalf,' the report read.

Doctor-assisted deaths are widely available in Canada, though heavily restricted in the US

However, she told the assessor she 'wanted to withdraw her request, citing personal and religious values and beliefs' and instead wanted inpatient hospice care.

Her husband took her to hospital the next morning where doctors found she was stable but her husband was 'experiencing caregiver burnout'.

Mrs B's palliative care doctor applied for in-patient hospice care due to her husband's burnout, but it was quickly denied.

Her husband asked for an urgent second MAiD assessment later that day and a different assessor showed up.

This one judged her to be eligible, but the original one, who was contacted as per protocol, objected.

'This MAiD practitioner expressed concerns regarding the necessity for "urgency" and shared belief for the need for more comprehensive evaluation, the seemingly drastic change in perspective of end-of-life goals, and the possibility of coercion or undue influence (i.e., due to caregiver burnout),' the report explained.

Their request to meet Mrs B the next day was declined by the MAiD provider as 'the clinical circumstances necessitated an urgent provision'.

Instead, a third assessor was sent who agreed with the second one, and Mrs B was euthanized that evening.

Nearly two-thirds of Canada's recipients of assisted suicides are sufferers of cancer

Ontario MAiD Death Review Committee members raised concerns about how Mrs B's case was handled, in the report released by the Office of the Chief Coroner.

Many members 'believed the short timeline did not allow all aspects of Mrs B's social and end-of-life circumstances and care needs to be explored'.

These included 'the impact of being denied hospice care, additional care options, caregiver burden, consistency of the MAiD request, and divergent MAiD practitioner perspectives'.

'Many members brought forward concerns of possible external coercion arising from the caregiver's experience of burnout and lack of access to palliative care in an in-patient or hospice setting,' the report noted.

Members were also concerned that Mrs B's spouse was the main person advocating and navigating access to MAiD, and there was little documentation that she actually asked for it herself.

The MAiD assessments were completed with her husband present, which raised additional concerns that she felt pressured to go along with it.

Dr Ramona Coelho, a family physician and member of the committee, wrote a review of the report that was extremely critical of Mrs B's case.

'The focus should have been on ensuring adequate palliative care and support for Mrs B and her spouse,' she wrote for conservative thinktank the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.

'Hospice and palliative care teams should have been urgently re-engaged, given the severity of the situation.

'Additionally, the MAiD provider expedited the process despite the first assessor's and Mrs B's concerns without fully considering the impact of her spouse's burnout.'

Dr Ramona Coelho, a family physician and member of the committee who is relentlessly critical of MAiD and assisted dying in general, wrote a highly critical review of Mrs B's case

Coelho is relentlessly critical of MAiD and assisted dying in general and savaged the Hollywood film In Love last year.

The film, based on Amy Bloom's 2022 memoir In Love: A Memoir of Love and Loss, follows a man with early-onset Alzheimer's who travels to Switzerland for an assisted suicide.

George Clooney starred as Bloom's husband Brian Ameche, an architect diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's in his mid-60s.

Coelho cared for her father Kevin Coelho, a businessman and teacher from Dorchester, Ontario, until his death from dementia in March last year.

She called the film 'dangerous' and 'irresponsible' and claimed it risked encouraging vulnerable people to end their lives.

'Turning assisted suicide into a Hollywood love story is dangerous,' Coelho told the Daily Mail in October.

'It romanticizes death for people who are vulnerable and afraid.

'If George Clooney makes death look beautiful, sexy and noble, what message does that send to people who are sick, elderly or disabled?' she said.

'When death is presented as an answer to suffering, it encourages suicide contagion - the opposite of what we teach in suicide prevention.'

Coelho savaged the Hollywood film In Love last year, which is based on the real-life Connecticut couple Brian Ameche and Amy Bloom (pictured together)

Canada legalized assisted dying in 2016, initially limited to terminally ill adults whose deaths were reasonably foreseeable.

But the law has since expanded to include people with chronic illness, disability, and soon - pending a parliamentary review - those with certain mental health conditions.

Dementia cases remain controversial because of questions about capacity and consent.

In the US, only a dozen states and Washington, DC, allow physician-assisted death under strict conditions.

Other cases highlighted by the committee's report included an elderly woman known as Mrs 6F who was approved for MAiD after a single meeting in which a family member relayed her supposed wish to die.

Her consent on the day of her death was interpreted through hand squeezes.

In another, a man known as Mr A with early Alzheimer's signed a waiver years earlier.

After being hospitalized with delirium, he was deemed 'capable' for a brief moment - and euthanized.
Two top reality TV stars took to Capitol Hill Thursday to advocate for a pair of issues that are getting a rare bout of bipartisan backing in Congress.

Angie Katsanevas, Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star and founder of the iconic hair salon brand Lunatic Fringe, was the first franchise cast member in over 15 years to testify before Congress as an invited witness.

During the hearing, she recalled the viral 'you do French Fries. I do franchise' statement she made on the show, which went viral and ultimately led her to the Capitol Hill visit on Thursday.

Dazzling members not only with her sleek hair but also with her decades of business acumen, she spoke numerous times about the empowering nature of the franchise business model, and noted that she and her husband, Shawn Trujillo, have been able to make a lasting impact on their employees and the greater community.

Katsanevas noted that she has seen people grow 'within our teams that have been loyal to us,' and those that 'had the skill set to become a salon owner, and we were able to provide them the blueprint to do that, and they could stay within our family and ... grow within the company.'

Testifying on behalf of the International Franchise Association before the House Small Business Committee, Katsanevas urged passage of the bipartisan American Franchise Act. The bill is currently sponsored by 70 House members, a list that includes 58 Republicans and 12 Democrats.

The bill seeks to codify the joint employer standard to provide clarity to both franchisors and franchisees, preventing the persistent whiplash on business owners of the past decade.

Outside of the Capitol, Paris Hilton joined a bipartisan group of congressional leaders to advocate for the passage of the DEFIANCE Act that would combat nonconsensual deepfake pornography.

Angie Katsanevas, Owner and Founder of Lunatic Fringe hair salon, and Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star, testifies in a House Small Business hearing titled Local Ownership, National Brands: How Franchising is a Pathway to Entrepreneurship on Thursday, January 22 2026

Paris Hilton attends a news conference promoting the passage of the DEFIANCE Act at the Capitol, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Washington

During the House Small Business hearing, Democrat Gil Cisneros of California admitted that although he has watched other shows in the Bravo TV universe, including Below Deck and the Real Housewives of Orange County, he had 'unfortunately ... not had time to see' The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City franchise.

Fellow Committee member Hillary Scholten, a Michigan Democrat, showed off her knowledge of the Salt Lake City Housewives series when she noted that the 'franchise system, especially the rules around them, can be incredibly confusing, more confusing even than Lisa Barlow trying to explain how she knows Ben Affleck, referring to another recent moment in the show.

At a Thursday press conference, Hilton noted that 'too many women are afraid to exist online, or sometimes, to exist at all... This isn't just about technology, it's about power.'

Hilton previously lobbied on Capitol Hill for the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act, which passed in 2024 and was praised Thursday by lawmakers of both parties for her legislative engagement.

New York Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wrote on X that 'people don't recognize enough how effective Paris Hilton is in her advocacy,' adding that outside of her public support, 'she also brings a fierce behind-the-scenes operation with her.'

Mike Lawler, a New York Republican Congressman, thanked Hilton for using her 'voice to stand up for victims', adding that he looks 'forward to continuing this important work together. '
A Georgia second-grader who fell asleep at the end of class woke up confused and all alone after missing his bus.

Oliver Stillwell, 7, a student at Suder Elementary School in Jonesboro, a suburb south of Atlanta, said his teacher told him and his classmates to rest their heads on their desks before dismissal.

In the process, he fell asleep. Eventually, he woke up to find that all the buses had already left the school.

'I dont know why they didnt wake me up. My teacher could have woken me up,' Oliver told WSB-TV.

So, Oliver began the trek back to his house, which is about 20 to 25 minutes away from the school on foot.

During his walk home, he flagged down a police officer and asked for help. The officer dropped what he was doing and took the boy home in his cruiser.

When Oliver's mother, Lindsey Barrett, was filled in on the situation by her son and the cop, she was furious.

'I was like, why is he walking on Lake Jodeco Road?' Barrett said.

Pictured: Suder Elementary School in Jonesboro, a suburb south of Atlanta

Barrett went to the school to complain and was told by the administration that her son was sent to a different classroom than usual ahead of dismissal.

She said that the teacher who was supposed watching Oliver told her that she hadn't seen him that day.

Barrett said her child should not have been left in class while everyone left, adding that the bus driver should have realized he wasn't there either.

'Its taken everything for me to stay calm. And all I get is, "Im sorry,"' she said of her communications with the school.

Clayton County Schools released the following statement about the incident.

'District leaders are aware of a matter involving a student enrolled at Suder Elementary school. The safety and well-being of all students remain the districts top priority. The matter is currently under investigation to address and determine the appropriate action,' the statement said.
So President Trump has finally dialled down his insane rhetoric on Greenland, first promising he would not use military force to seize the Danish overseas territory  which is generous of him  and later vowing not to raise tariffs further on his European allies.

But if Keir Starmer  who didnt show up to Trumps incoherent, hectoring address this week  and other Western leaders think the Presidential change of heart heralds peace in our time, then they need their heads examined.

Canadian premier Mark Carney put it best at Davos when he said Trumps chaotic second term has ushered in a new world order. No longer can the great democracies rely on frayed Cold War allegiances, treaties or even Starmers beloved international law.

The world is febrile, red in tooth and claw, and  as Nato countries have learnt by now  Trump is a fundamentally unreliable individual for whom the rules-based order isnt worth a damn.

Just look at how, Greenland aside, geopolitics remain in turmoil. Multiple crises are swirling  of which any could explode overnight.

War in Ukraine continues to rage: Trumps hollow claim that an end to the conflict is coming very soon should be taken with a large pinch of salt given his previous empty promises and multiple false dawns on the steppes.

Meanwhile, though thousands of protesters have been murdered by the security forces in Iran, the mullahs ugly regime, though unsteady, seems to be holding firm. Some have suggested that Trumps Greenland adventurism may have been a smokescreen to conceal his true purpose: an American bombing campaign to topple the Ayatollah once and for all. This would be disastrous for regional and global stability.

Danish soldiers take part in an Arctic endurance exercise on Greenland after Mr Trump's threat

After his sensational Venezuela coup earlier this month  yet another new flashpoint  the ageing President has evidently convinced himself that overwhelming American force is the answer to all the worlds problems. But even Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, no ones idea of a dove, has pleaded with Trump not to think naively that one bombing raid would solve the Iran problem for good. Instead, it would sink America into the soggiest of quagmires.

Then theres Trumps so-called Board Of Peace, first mooted to oversee the reconstruction of Gaza following two years of conflict, but which now appears  on the surface at least  to be a serious attempt to rival the United Nations as a global diplomatic framework under Trumps lifelong authority.

The Board Of Peace, as it stands, is a serious threat to Britains status as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. Any attempt to undermine the primacy of the UN sidelines us on the global stage  not that Trump will care.

The sight of the smirking President taking to the stage this week alongside some of the worlds most unscrupulous leaders  grubby post-Soviet dictators, ghoulish representatives from the Islamist autocracies of Saudi Arabia and Qatar  further suggests the Boards definition of peace may be sharply different from our own.

Britains refusal  for now  to join this motley crew has been spun as being due to concerns surrounding Vladimir Putins involvement in it, or the rumoured $1billion cost.

But it is far more likely to be an attempt to stand up for the UN and thus for our own national interest.

One thing is clear. In this new world order, strength is the only currency. And that should chill the European powers  Britain most of all.

The threat of invasion no longer hangs over Nuuk - for now

The President with the founding charter of his 'Board of Peace'

As the hoary Roman proverb has it: if you want peace, prepare for war. Never more than this week have our defences seemed so enfeebled. We have fallen alarmingly short on military spending over four decades, with our armed forces  once the terror of the world  being gutted and slashed since the end of the Cold War.

Rather than steeling ourselves for the worst, we have grown lazy and fat, assuring ourselves of the US military backstop and the flimsy authority of international agreements to fund absurdly over-generous welfare states.

If the Greenland crisis teaches us anything, it must be that the age of complacency is over. Europe can no longer rely on America to defend it  or even to be its friend  and the patient must now swallow an acrid dose of realism. As Americas Secretary Of War  a fresh and telling Trump coinage  Pete Hegseth made clear last year, Washington will no longer tolerate an imbalanced relationship with its allies. In other words, render unto Caesar whatever he demands.

The question facing the middle powers, as Mark Carney called them this week  among them Germany, Britain and Carneys native Canada  is how to respond. His conclusion was accurate: its better to have a seat at the table than be on the menu.

But re-arming, especially in Britain, will not be easy  nor cheap. Our armed forces have more than halved in personnel since 1989 to just 70,000 troops. Labours suggestion that the age of reservists could be increased to 65 is more Dads Army than serious military strategy.

We need to move production of our military arsenal in-house  fast. In a world in which our allies in the morning can become our enemies by dusk, we cannot rely on anyone else to produce our artillery shells, guns, drones, ammunition and vehicles.

The particular British problem is that producing the steel and ammonia needed for artillery is incredibly energy intensive. The demented drive towards Net Zero under Tory and Labour governments has left us shockingly incapable of scaling up production in any meaningful way.

Solar and wind may play a part in powering a few lightbulbs, but they cant  and never will  run heavy industry. If Starmers administration is serious about defence, as it endlessly claims, it must start by ditching Net Zero and  even if only for armaments  sparking up our coal or gas-fired furnaces once again. We have plenty of both.

Starmer must stand up to the Net Zero zealots and make the case for bolstering UK defences

That, of course, would be anathema to environmentalists  many of them in government, where the eco-zealot Ed Miliband now holds so much sway that insiders are even mooting him for a second terrifying tilt at No 10.

But ordinary Brits tend to be more sensible than the politicians who purport to lead them  and the man or woman in the street recognises what needs to be done in our tumultuous world.

This is not about turning our backs on international collaboration. If anything, beefing up our defences will manifestly make us a more attractive partner to the transactional Trump, strengthening our historic security ties and cultural links, which he  half-British himself and an ardent royalist  truly cherishes.

No doubt we will, too, remain a close collaborator on intelligence and nuclear deterrents with Uncle Sam.

Re-arming is like insuring your house: you hope youll never use it but youre grateful you have it when the fire starts. Even Neville Chamberlain, scorned by history for appeasing Hitler during the 1930s, prepared his country for war, building Spitfires and radar stations.

Churchill himself later admitted that Chamberlains policy was vital to winning the conflict.

Like Chamberlain, the awkward, bespectacled Starmer is not a martial man. But in a world being convulsed and shattered by a madman, he has no choice  and must summon the courage.

Mark Almond is Director of the Crisis Research Institute, Oxford.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has hit back at growing speculation over her leadership by firing off a blunt three-word declaration as the Coalition unravels around her.

The Coalition is again embroiled in crisis after Nationals leader David Littleproud walked from the alliance on Thursday, accusing Ley of bringing the partnership to an 'untenable position'.

Ley shunned media interviews on Thursday out of respect for the victims of the December 14 Bondi terror attack, as Australia marked a national day of mourning.

She broke her silence on Friday when she appeared on breakfast television, where she received a frosty reception.

'The government says the Coalition is a smoking ruin, a three-ring circus, that you can't stand each other and you can't work together, which part of that is untrue,' Sunrise host Nat Barr asked.

She then asked Ley point-blank if she would survive as leader.

'Yes, I will,' an adamant Ley replied.

Her defiance came as the Coalition plunged into chaos on Wednesday when all 11 Nationals frontbenchers quit Ley's shadow ministry.

Sussan Ley (pictured) vowed to stay on as Coalition leader, despite reports of a possible leadership challenge

The Coalition is again embroiled in crisis after Nationals leader David Littleproud accused Sussan Ley of bringing the partnership to an 'untenable position'.

Littleproud declared on Thursday that the partnership was 'done', telling reporters his MPs would not serve under Ley in any capacity.

Despite the extraordinary split, Ley insisted the Liberal-National partnership remained a powerful force when united.

'The leader of the Nationals and the leader of the Liberals represent two great democratic traditions within our parties, and we do have a responsibility to work constructively together, because the Coalition is always strong when it is together, and my focus is always on the Australian people,' she said.

She then delivered a pointed message to Littleproud and the Nationals.

'So I just want to say the door is not closed, but my eye is not on the door,' she said.

The latest rupture followed Ley's decision to sack three senior Nationals senators for breaking shadow cabinet solidarity by voting against Labor's hate-speech laws introduced after the Bondi attack.

Their rebellion prompted the resignation of the remaining eight Nationals frontbenchers, collapsing the Coalition for a second time since May.

Barr pressed Ley on 'unhinged' claims that Littleproud had called her and 'yelled down the phone'.

The Opposition Leader was grilled by Sunrise host Nat Barr on Friday

Sussan Ley (pictured with Nationals leader David Littleproud) insisted the Liberal-National partnership remained a powerful force when united

Ley did not dispute the description, instead conceding tempers had boiled over during what she described as 'a pressure cooker week'.

'I'm not going to reflect on private conversations, except to say yesterday people did in different forums, including the media, express anger and frustration,' she said.

'I understand that.'

Littleproud denied reports he yelled at Ley as 'nonsense' and said he wouldn't 'rush into anything' when pressed about a potential reconciliation.

'At the moment, we just can't see a pathway to that,' he later told Sunrise.

'I didn't make this determination to leave, Sussan Ley did when she accepted (the resignations) and that triggered us.'

The Coalition in-fighting has reignited speculation inside Liberal ranks that potential challengers, former rival Angus Taylor and WA conservative Andrew Hastie, are already manoeuvring.

'They are circling,' Barr told Ley.

'We've got Angus Taylor flying back from the ski fields of Europe. We've got Andrew Hastie not ruling out challenging. What's going to happen on February 3?'

Sussan Ley (pictured) said that the 'door was always open' to the National Party

Ley brushed off the speculation as 'political commentary', insisting she plans to return to Canberra still in charge.

'We will come back to the parliament in a couple of weeks and do what we have done very successfully, particularly over summer - as a team, as a team that has the interests of the Australian people front and centre,' she said.

Parliament will resume on February 3.
Millions of Americans face life-threatening conditions when a massive winter storm strikes over the weekend, bringing more than a foot of snow to some parts of the country and dangerous icy conditions to others.

Roughly 160 million people - nearly half the population of the United States - were under a variety of watches, warnings and other alerts associated with the winter storm, stretching from Arizona and Montana in the West to the Carolinas and Maine in the East, the National Weather Service announced Thursday.

Forecasters now warn that the deluge could crush trees and power lines and knock out power for days, as major cities including Washington DC, Philadelphia, New York and Boston get enough snow to make travel very difficult or nearly impossible.

'The next 10 days of winter will be the worst in 40 years across the United States,' meteorologist Ryan Maue posted on X.

He then urged Americans to 'think about where you go, what you can do and who needs even more help to survive this week ahead.

'This is not hype or a joke,' Maue insisted, as he warned that meteorologists' estimates for snowfall amounts across the country may be underestimated.

It came as New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani warned that the Big Apple may see up to 16 inches of slush.

The mayor insisted that the city is 'ready' for the storm, as outreach workers 'ramp up efforts to connect unhoused New Yorkers to safe shelter.

'Tomorrow, we'll begin pre-snow treatment, brining highways and major streets,' Mamdani continued. 'Once the storm hits, [New York City Sanitation] and city workers will be out around the clock, keeping our city moving.'

Millions of Americans face life-threatening conditions when a massive winter storm makes its way across the country over the weekend

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He went on to say that alerts about potential school closures may be forthcoming as he urged New York City residents to sign up for emergency notifications.

'Stay warm. Stay prepared. Take care of one another,' the mayor urged, as governors in several states declared states of emergency to deploy resources - including the National Guard.

In the meantime, experts have advised preparing for the worst by stocking up on ice, heat sources, blankets and warm clothing in case power outages persist.

The Red Cross also recommends buying cheap Styrofoam coolers and ice to keep food fresh in the event of refrigerators being out of action.

The US-based charity also advises putting an emergency preparedness kit together to make sure you have everything you need to survive several days without power.

It includes one gallon of water per person, tinned food, a flashlight, a battery-powered radio, first aid kit, a seven-day supply of medications, portable phone chargers, and making a note of emergency contact information.

Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp has also told residents to make sure they have electric space heaters to hand in case their central heating cuts out.

His office also published a list of winter survival tools needed in case of a getaway, including an ice scraper, extra blanket, and jumper cables for their cars.

Roughly 160 million people - nearly half the population of the United States - were under a variety of watches, warnings and other alerts associated with the winter storm as of Thursday

Some parts of the country could see more than a foot of snow once the storm passes

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani warned on Thursday that the Big Apple could see up to 16 inches of snow

'As forecasts continue to evolve, Georgians should be prepared for freezing precipitation that causes dangerous conditions and the potential for damage and power loss beginning Saturday,' Kemp said in a statement.

'I have been working closely with state and local officials to ensure we are prepared for all scenarios,' he added.

'I'm urging all Georgians to take necessary precautions now to ensure their families and pets can stay safe, warm, and fed over the coming days.'

The Peach State is among the states expected to be hit the worst by the storm on Sunday, with the Atlanta Police Department now warning that officers will only be responding to life-and-death emergencies when the storm comes.

Arkansas and Tennessee are also expected to see up to 24 inches of snow, whileWeather Channel forecasters issued the most severe type of ice warning - 'crippling' - for parts of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee.

People living in affected areas can expect to see one tenth of an inch of ice.

Those in southern states are accustomed to mild winters free of extreme winter weather, with even a small amount of snow or ice likely to cause widespread chaos and dangerous road conditions.

'Even for those that are experienced with winter weather, there's only so much you can do with freezing rain,' Matt Reagan, a lead forecaster with the National Weather Service in Nashville told NPR.

'You can't drive in it, even if you have four-wheel drive.'

Wind chill will make it feel as cold as -3 degrees Fahrenheit in Dallas, Texas and Arkansas. Pedestrians are pictured bundled up in Chicago, Illinois on Thursday

Along with the snow and ice, the US will face brutal, cold temperatures

By Friday night, meteorologists warn that a 'wintry mess' of 'snow, sleet and ice' will spread through the Central Plains, lower Mississippi Valley and parts of Tennessee before making its way up to the northeast

Stormy weather expected to begin by Friday afternoon, dumping snow, sleet and freezing rain on areas of Kansas, Oklahoma and western Texas before quickly moving through the south.

Some areas could even see up to two feet of snow, with wind chill making it feel as cold as -3 degrees Fahrenheit in Dallas, Texas and Arkansas.

By Friday night, meteorologists with Weather.com warn that a 'wintry mess' of 'snow, sleet and ice' will spread through the Central Plains, lower Mississippi Valley and parts of Tennessee.

The worst of the storm is expected to hit on Saturday and Sunday, covering the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, parts of the Carolinas and northern Georgia.

On Saturday night, major cities will be blanketed in heavy snow of up to two feet.

Affected cities are forecast to include Charlotte, Greenville-Spartanburg, Richmond, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, New York City, Kansas City, St. Louis, Chicago, Indianapolis, Louisville, Cleveland, and Cincinnati.

By Sunday, the storm is expected to end in the southern states of Texas, Oklahoma and the Mississippi Valley.

But areas of the Ohio Valley, Virginia and the Carolinas will continue to see bad weather, and much of the storm will stretch northeast to New York.

'Snow amounts could reach a foot or more in the I-95 major cities from D.C. to Boston,' said weather service forecasters on the East Coast, who are increasingly confident the storm will strike the big cities.

In Washington DC 'the combination of heavy snow and ice alongside prolonged very cold temperatures presents a unique and significant risk to life and property across virtually the entire region,' forecasters at the National Weather Service's Washington/Baltimore office warned.

Governors in several states have declared a state of emergency to deploy resources ahead of the storm. Snow plows are pictured driving through a street in Northbrook, Illinois on Thursday

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Wednesday that federal emergency management resources are available.

'We are anticipating a major winter weather event expected to impact much of the US population this weekend, especially the Midwest and East Coast,' she said.

'DHS is working with state and local authorities, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to monitor and prepare for this likely adverse weather.

'Please prepare and take precautions in the event of power outages, pipe-bursts, road closures, airport delays, flight cancellations, and freezing temperatures.

'Federal emergency management is positioning to effectively respond to these conditions, and is prepared to provide aid across the affected areas.'
Households around Britain might be squirming a little uncomfortably as they snuggle up in front of their wood-burning stoves against the January cold as environmental campaign groups this week mark their annual 'clean air night'.

Part of the mission by Global Action Plan, the charity behind the scheme, is to raise awareness that burning wood creates toxic smoke that can be inhaled deep into the lungs.

Independent research shows that wood smoke contains tiny particles  called PM2.5  which can work their way into the bloodstream and cause irritation and inflammation that can lead to heart disease, lung disease, stroke, cancer and dementia.

This has been shown to impact people in the home and also outside if levels of PM2.5 are allowed to build up in the air.

In 2022, a report by Sir Chris Whitty, then chief medical officer, found that even the most modern wood burners produce 450 times more toxic air pollution than gas central heating.

Last October, a report from Action For Clean Air calculated that stopping non-essential wood burning could save the NHS more than 54 million annually and prevent thousands of deaths.

The noose is tightening for wood burners in London and other British cities such as Bristol, Bath, Nottingham, Coventry, Oxford and Reading that now have Smoke Control Areas where you can be fined for burning wood in your sitting room.

But the wood burner industry is hitting back with claims that this popular middle-class heating method is being unfairly pilloried.

They insist the health risks are exaggerated and claim that the 'nanny state' is trying to take away a source of comfort.

Louise Atkinson (pictured) asks: 'Are you risking your health and that of your neighbours every time you light your wood burner?'

Louise bought a device that monitors PM2.5 emissions in the air to investigate the issue of harmful emissions in the home

'Frying eggs is more interesting as merely heating oil in the frying pan takes the PM2.5 levels to 80 and 109.6 when the eggs are cooked', Louise Atkinson writes

Some argue that wood is a green and renewable source of energy, and that the anti-burner campaign is probably backed by big energy companies keen to sell electricity and gas instead.

So, what is the truth? Are you risking your health and that of your neighbours every time you light your wood burner? Is it time to brick up your fireplace and gather the family around a radiator instead?

In search of an unbiased opinion, I talk to respiratory immunologist Dr Ross Walton. 'Wood smoke can cause irritation and damage,' he tells me, but adds it is important to understand that prolonged exposure causes the most damage.

He points out that in developing countries which cook on solid wood fires, incidence of lung conditions such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is significantly higher  particularly among women and children who spend more time near the fires.

He says certain populations  the elderly and the very young  are at greatest risk of damage from PM2.5 inhalation, but otherwise healthy people might also be vulnerable, for example, when recovering from a cold.

The debate is muddied by the fact that PM2.5 levels outside the home are massively raised by vehicle exhaust fumes, and inside, ordinary household activities such as cooking, cleaning and burning scented candles can raise PM2.5 levels far higher than a wood burner might.

On the Instagram page of his stove company, Firefly London owner Angus Muir shows a futuristic looking wood burner fully stoked, with a hand-held sensor recording a PM2.5 reading of 9.7 micrograms per cubic meter  firmly in the 'clean air' category (according to the World Health Organisation)  and the same sensor over a pot of bubbling bolognese sauce on a gas hob reading a 'hazardous' PM2.5 of 971.5 micrograms per cubic meter.

'How do you rationalise the harm to health caused by modern wood-burning stoves when the air quality in every domestic kitchen in the country is consistently hazardous?' he asks.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), a reading below five denotes perfectly clean air and anything between five and 15 is acceptable

'How can you be sure the exposure to PM2.5, which cause health problems, is generated by wood-burning stoves and not from the kitchen where we spend the vast majority of our time?'

To check this theory, I buy a hand-held device that monitors PM2.5 emissions in the air (it cost 150) and set up a series of tests to measure PM2.5 levels in my home. The results are eye-opening.

I am reassured to see the base level in my converted barn in the Cotswolds sits at seven micrograms per cubic metre.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), a reading below five denotes perfectly clean air and anything between five and 15 is acceptable.

Fifteen to 25 is considered 'poor' and anything over 25 'harmful'. When the numbers nudge above 100, you enter 'hazardous' territory.

Boiling a pan of water on the gas hob takes the level up to 26.6 with a peak at 31.7. Frying eggs is more interesting as merely heating oil in the frying pan takes the PM2.5 levels to 80 and 109.6 when the eggs are cooked.

Worryingly, the level continues to rise after I turn off the heat, peaking at 249.7 ('hazardous') and staying high for 15 minutes before returning to original levels.

Now time to toast a bit of bread. The monitor settles on 30.9, but as soon as the edges start to burn, the numbers fly up to 608.1, briefly hitting the max at 999.9 before coming down (slightly) to 970.4.

In 2022, a report by Sir Chris Whitty, then chief medical officer, found that even the most modern wood burners produce 450 times more toxic air pollution than gas central heating (File image)

Even after I turn on the extractor fan and open the door to let the smoke out, the PM2.5 levels stay worryingly high for 45 minutes.

5 steps to reduce emissions - Check if your wood burner is one of the energy-efficient 'eco-design' models manufactured after 2017. If not, consider upgrading. Newer models should produce 80 per cent less particulate emissions. Since January 2022, all new stoves sold in the UK must meet eco-design emissions and efficiency standards by law. - Ensure your wood burner was professionally installed and keep it well maintained. Cracked glass, a broken door handle, a damaged rope seal, broken fire bricks, damaged seal between the stove body and the flue can affect efficiency and allow emissions to leak. - Get your chimney swept annually  a blocked or partially obstructed flue forces the burner to work harder, often causing incomplete combustion and producing more smoke and particulate emissions. - Burn good wood (properly seasoned logs with a moisture content below 20 per cent) and nothing else. Wet or unseasoned wood generates more smoke and harmful particles. - Use the 'top-down' method of firelighting. Put two small logs on the base of the stove and build a Jenga stack of kindling on top, open the vents and drop one or two firelighters down the middle of the stack, leaving the stove door slightly ajar. This creates sufficient flue draft to pull the air into the stove and emit exhaust gases up the chimney. - Stoke up quickly and keep the door closed. Emissions spike when the door is open. Advertisement

'You're likely to get a much higher spike of PM2.5 when you burn food than you would from a wood burner,' says Dr Walton, 'but those brief spikes are not dangerous. It's the extended exposure that might create a cumulative load.'

So a quick blast of high PM2.5 might irritate airways and eyes, worsen asthma and potentially raise your blood pressure, but studies show vulnerable people (the very young, the very old, or those with asthma) start to see temporary cardiovascular changes after only one to two hours.

One short burst can cause irritation, repeated exposure causes lasting damage and long-term accumulation raises cancer risk.

But what if you spend most of your day in the kitchen, as I do?

Armed with my testing device, I try a spot of vacuuming. I was warned that this can kick up dust and I anticipate a big spike of PM2.5 because of the grime brought in regularly by our large dog.

But even enthusiastic vacuuming only lifts the reading from 4.7 to 5.5. Once I had put the vacuum away, the level rises a little further to 10.3 (presumably because of dust now in the air), staying there for 15 minutes before returning to the room's base level.

I'm not optimistic about generating a high reading by flicking a duster around, but ours is a very old house so dust accumulates quickly. Within a few minutes the reader jumps to 39.3, which the monitor declares to be 'unhealthy for sensitive groups'.

I move to the downstairs loo, throwing a bit of bleach around (no change on the PM2.5 monitor) and spritzing the air with a natural, aromatherapy air freshener. Just one blast takes the reading up to 90.5.

I'm clearly sensitive to housework and decide to stop for the sake of my health.

Curling up on the sofa with a book, I light a collection of scented candles. Surely these will be innocuous enough?

I keep a close eye on the monitor, which rises to 8.4 then stabilises at a perfectly reasonable 5.5. But when I stand close to the candles, the monitor goes completely crazy, peaking at 594.22.

I blow them out, thinking I had removed the problem but, to my horror, the smoke drifting up sends the monitor into orbit and a 999.9 reading.

Although the acrid whiff of snuffed candle dissipates in minutes, the monitor reading stays high. After 15 minutes, levels are still at 102 (unhealthy) and it takes a full hour for the reading to drop to 12 (good).

Could an evening of scented candles be just as unhealthy as one in front of a wood burner?

According to the Stove Industry Association (SIA), 1.9 million households in the UK use wood fuel indoors and their independent testing has shown that when used properly, modern wood burners (those manufactured after 2017) can reduce PM2.5 dramatically compared with open fires and with older stoves by up to 80-90 per cent.

So I fully expected the reading from our open fire to be appalling. We only light it occasionally but it is a much-loved part of our home.

I brace myself for a 'hazardous' reading as the flames crackle but, although the monitor does peak at 58.8, it quickly drops to 36.8 and the levels continue to fall over the next hour, settling at a perfectly reasonable 8.9 for most of the evening.

PM2.5 levels outside the home are massively raised by vehicle exhaust fumes

I can only assume that the emissions, like much of the heat, were going straight up the chimney.

The real test will be on a wood burner. Erica Malkin from the SIA informs me that emissions are likely to be higher in a home with an old burner (newer 'eco-design' models have been reconfigured for better efficiency) and an unswept chimney, particularly if you are in the habit of throwing any old wood and rubbish on to the fire.

Angus Muir sends me a fresh set of PM2.5 readings from the ultra-modern wood burner he has at home.

Although he gets a blast of PM2.5 up to 30.6 just after lighting the stove while the door is open, this falls to 15.3 when the door is closed and settles on 11.3, which is still in the 'clean air' category.

I ask two neighbours if I can measure the emissions from their wood burners. The first tells me her burner was installed in 2012 and she can't remember when the chimney was swept so I'm anticipating higher readings.

Sure enough, the monitor leaps up to 301 as she lights the fire, hovers between 60 and 70 for half an hour before eventually settling at 32.6 (levels that WHO would consider 'harmful').

But these are not laboratory conditions, and I later learn that she had been furiously cleaning the house in anticipation of my visit (which will have raised PM2.5 levels in the air) and had lit scented candles in my honour. This would certainly have skewed the results.

Another neighbour has a brand new burner and swept chimney. After lighting the fire and closing the door, my monitor reads a reassuring 19.2 but ribbons of dark smoke start escaping. The alarm on my monitor sounds as the numbers rattle up to the 100s.

My friend tells me this has never happened before, but it's usually her husband who lights the fire. She fiddles with the vents and we throw open windows.

The fire settles, but residual smoke takes a long time to dissipate and the monitor is reading 46.3 90 minutes later, eventually resting at 37.

One short burst of PM2.5 emissions can cause irritation, while repeated exposure causes lasting damage and long-term accumulation raises cancer risk

It is clear that emission levels fluctuate in any home and there are many factors that contribute to your PM2.5 exposure.

So what's the best advice if you really do love your wood burner?

Dr Walton says: 'The majority of risks for an otherwise healthy population can logically be mitigated by using the wood burner properly, and be considerate of who is in the house and how it might affect them.'

It's also probably a good idea to cook with your extractor fan on and to keep a very close eye on the toast.
Labour was descending into civil war last night as Andy Burnham was offered a route map towards replacing Keir Starmer.

Disgraced former minister Andrew Gwynne yesterday ended months of speculation by confirming he is standing down from his Greater Manchester seat, opening up a path for Mr Burnham to return to Parliament, from where he could launch a leadership bid.

The move triggered a furious response from allies of the Prime Minister, with supporters warning the by-election risks turning into a 'circus'.

It also briefly appeared to spark a backlash on the financial markets over fears that a leadership contest could destabilise the Government - and drag Labour even further to the Left.

But it was unclear last night whether Greater Manchester mayor Mr Burnham would even stand.

The self-styled 'King of the North' refused to say whether he would run in the election, saying 'people shouldn't rush to conclusions' as rumours swirled in the hours prior to Mr Gwynne officially stepping down.

Nevertheless, the PM's allies were lining up to try to scupper his chances.

And election experts pointed out that the once-safe red seat has become a three-way marginal with Reform - who vowed to throw everything at it - and the Greens.

Labour was descending into civil war last night as Andy Burnham was offered a route map towards replacing Keir Starmer

The Mayor of Greater Manchester could launch a leadership bid to oust the Labour leader

Shamed Labour MP Andrew Gwynne is leaving the Commons on medical grounds, which will trigger a by-election in his Gorton and Denton constituency

Sir Keir's chief of staff Morgan McSweeney is already weighing up whether to use the PM's majority on Labour's ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) to block Mr Burnham as a candidate.

Some allies have even urged the party to impose an all-women shortlist to keep him out. The PM yesterday refused to say whether he would support Mr Burnham's candidacy. Union leaders critical of Sir Keir's leadership warned against any attempt to 'stitch up' the nomination.

How route to Westminster looks

Andy Burnham would first have to secure a waiver from Labour's National Executive Committee (NEC) in order to give up his role as Mayor of Greater Manchester to run for Parliament or (more likely) quit the job before putting himself forward. SECOND, he would have to make it on to the longlist for the seat. This should, in theory, be relatively straightforward given his public profile. NEXT he would have to pass an interview stage with an NEC panel made up of five members (three officers of the NEC, a representative from the regional board and a local constituency representative) in order to make it on to their shortlist. This could be a potential stumbling block given the current makeup of the NEC, which is said to be aligned with the Prime Minister. STEP four for Mr Burnham, after being selected as a candidate on the shortlist, would be selection by Constituency Labour Party members. If he makes it this far, it is hard to imagine a scenario in which Mr Burnham does not win a ballot of Manchester Labour members at a selection meeting. THEN, finally, he would have to actually win the by-election as a Labour candidate. This is not such an easy feat while Reform UK is surging in the polls and the Greens are hovering close-by. Advertisement

Fire Brigades Union chief Steve Wright said it would be 'a democratic outrage if Andy Burnham was blocked from seeking selection as Labour's by-election candidate in this seat'.

Mr Wright, whose union has a seat on the NEC, said he would 'not stand by and allow senior Labour politicians like Andy to be carved out of this process'.

Mr Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester since 2017, is the favourite to replace Sir Keir among Labour Party members. But he can only challenge the leadership if he has a seat in Parliament.

The MP for Leigh from 2001 to 2017, Mr Burnham has stood for leadership on two occasions and has made little secret of his ambition to replace Sir Keir, leading to a cold shoulder from many at last year's party conference.

He refused to say yesterday whether he will seek to stand in Mr Gwynne's Gorton and Denton constituency, claiming he had been 'in the dark' about his colleague's intentions.

But his allies told The Mail On Sunday last month he was poised to secure a deal to fight a by-election to return to the Commons.

Mr Gwynne was suspended by Labour last year after The Mail On Sunday uncovered a series of offensive WhatsApp messages he had sent, including one in which he said he hoped for the death of an elderly constituent who complained about bin collections.

He is reported to have cut a deal to retire on health grounds in return for assurances about his MP's pension. Commons sources suggested the deal would see Mr Gwynne - who is only 51 - paid up until pension age, at which point he would receive a full Parliamentary pension. That package could be worth around 1million, according to one insider.

The ten-year bond yield rose minutes after reports emerged that Mr Gwynne was standing down. Yields on government bonds are small parcels of debt that are traded on financial markets. A sharp rise in yields is often a sign of concern among investors.

Prime Minister Keir Starmers allies have reportedly launched a campaign to stop Andy Burnham from returning to parliament

The departure raises the prospect of a nightmare by-election for Labour.

On paper, the constituency is a safe Labour seat, with Mr Gwynne winning in 2024 with a majority of more than 13,000. But recent polls suggest the seat could fall to Reform UK or even the Greens.

Nigel Farage yesterday said Reform would throw everything at a contest, in a region where it is growing in strength.

He told the Daily Mail: 'This by-election is by no means a certainty for Labour, the Left-wing Greens will split their vote and we will be the challenger. We will give it our all.'

Asked about the possibility of a leadership challenge, the Prime Minister last night told Channel 4 News: 'My message is to my entire party, and that is that every minute we waste talking about anything other than the cost of living and stability in Europe and across the globe is a wasted minute.'

Polling expert Professor Sir John Curtice said Mr Burnham's local popularity posed a dilemma for Sir Keir, adding: 'If Andy Burnham is not the candidate, particularly if he is stopped by Labour, and Labour then lose, Keir Starmer is going to get the blame.

'If Burnham fights the by-election he will be putting his alleged popularity and ability to turn around Labour's fortunes to the test. If he loses, that's the end, but if he wins that could raise questions for the PM.'

There were rumours that Mancunian Green Party leader Zack Polanski could throw his hat in the ring in a bid to win a seat at Westminster. Tory sources also confirmed they would stand a candidate.

Labour's rules mean Mr Burnham would have to quit as mayor in order to fight the seat, triggering a contest to replace him which the party could lose to Reform.

The board that could block Burnham

By Sam Merriman

For the general public the Labour Party's governing body appears to be an arcane and bureaucratic institution that has little bearing on their lives.

But Labour's National Executive Committee (NEC) will now have to make a decision that could have serious implications for the next General Election - and for Sir Keir Starmer's political future.

For Andy Burnham to run in the by-election triggered by Andrew Gwynne's standing down, and then potentially bid for the party leadership, he has to first get past the 44-strong board.

Many of those on it are not household names. One former member, however, was Sir Tony Robinson - best known as TV's Baldrick, a man with a 'cunning plan', which Mr Burnham could surely make use of now.

The NEC's current chair is Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who is loyal to the Prime Minister but is said to harbour her own leadership ambitions.

Mr Burnham was the MP for Leigh from 2001 to 2017. He has stood for leader on two occasions and has made little secret of his ambition to replace Sir Keir

There were rumours that Mancunian Green Party leader Zack Polanski could join a contest for the Greater Manchester seat

Other MPs on the body include Ellie Reeves, the Solicitor General and sister of the Chancellor, as well as centrist MPs Luke Akehurst and Gurinder Singh Josan.

Another on the panel is Chief Whip Jonathan Reynolds. He has been loyal to Sir Keir but his position is less straightforward - he is a Greater Manchester MP, said to be an unwilling Whip and his wife was recently shunted sideways out of a powerful role in Downing Street.

Then there is Sir Keir's bete noire Lucy Powell - a key ally of Mr Burnham, who was sacked from her Cabinet role by the Prime Minister last year before successfully running as deputy Labour leader.

Outside of the frontbenchers, the rest of the NEC is comprised of unions representatives, members of the Constituency and Parliamentary Labour parties and local councillors.

The trade unions - who have 13 representatives on the ruling body - will be important and could offer Mr Burnham a route if he can persuade them to back him, given grumblings from within about Sir Keir.

Ultimately, the decision to block the Manchester Mayor or not probably rests with the Prime Minister and his closest advisers.

Any blatant attempt to block Mr Burnham would carry its own risks, likely provoking a damaging public row that could damage the Prime Minister further.
Three high-profile fund managers who once backed the Liberal Party have donated a combined $300,000 to Pauline Hanson's One Nation after being enticed by an offer from Gina Rinehart to attend a private dinner with US President Donald Trump.

Douglas Tynan of GCQ Funds Management, Ben Cleary of Tribeca Investment Partners, and Angus Aitken of Aitken Mount Capital Partners told The Australian they had each pledged $100,000 to Senator Pauline Hanson's party.

The three donors reached their agreement on December 17 during a private lunch aboard The World, a 644-foot luxury residential vessel shared by 165 ultra-wealthy families.

Mrs Rinehart, Hanson, and the fund managers were all present at the lunch.

Mr Cleary organised the lunch after the Bondi terror attack, praising Hanson's firm 'stand against antisemitism'.

The revelation comes amid the Coalition's second major rupture in under a year, as pressure mounts on Sussan Ley following a Newspoll that showed One Nation outpolling the Coalition on primary votes for the first time.

Mr Aitken said One Nation's stronger conservative identity was drawing in disillusioned Liberal voters.

'The Liberals are too focused on chasing back inner-city teal seats with middle-of-the-road policies, rather than appealing to hardworking suburban Australians who are being smashed by the government on everything from housing to energy costs,' Aitken told The Australian.

Pauline Hanson (right) and Gina Rinehart (left) pictured at a 2024 One Nation fundraiser

The fundraising deal took place aboard The World, a 644-foot luxury vessel (pictured)

'That's why One Nation is winning over so many former lifelong Liberal voters as the party of common sense. I won't be donating another dollar to the federal Liberal Party.

'Most of them couldn't even agree to walk away from net zero  they're absolutely cooked as a party.'

The donor shock has sent waves through the federal Liberal Party.

One senior Liberal source told the Daily Mail they were increasingly concerned that One Nation, which they described as a 'fringe outlet', was gaining legitimacy in business circles.

Traditionally, the Liberals have relied on strong support from the corporate sector.

Last year, Hanson took centre stage at the 2025 Conservative Political Action Conference held at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

During her visit, Hanson drew cheers for a fiery speech in which she praised Trump's leadership, aligned herself with his tough immigration stance, and blasted Australia's major parties, accusing them of turning the country into an 'economic and social tinderbox'.

Hanson was also photographed attending Trump's Halloween party alongside Mrs Rinehart and stayed at Mar-a-Lago for the duration of the conference.

She is also known to be friendly with UK Reform leader and Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage.

Hanson's recent political rise closely echoes Farage's surge in the UK, where Reform is now polling ahead of both the Conservative opposition and the Labour government.
Donald Trump warned Iran that the United States is 'watching' and has an armada headed toward the region a week after violent protests that many believed would force Trump to strike Tehran.

Speaking on Air Force One on his way home from the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday, Trump reiterated that, 'We're watching Iran.'

That includes military ships that are headed toward the region should they be needed.

'We have a big flotilla going in that direction. Well see what happens. We have a big force going toward Iran,' Trump said.

'I'd rather not see anything happen but we're watching them very closely.'

Recent military movements have seen U.S. F-15 Strike Eagles arrive in Jordan as part of a broader strategic buildup that includes the westward transit of the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group.

Currently moving from the South China Sea toward the Persian Gulf, this naval force is equipped with destroyers, F-35 stealth fighters and electronic-jamming aircraft.

He warned that the US forces, including 'massive armada' may have to act with strikes on Tehran but added, 'Maybe we won't have to use it, we'll see.'

Donald Trump warned Iran that the United States is 'watching' and has an armada headed toward the region a week after violent protests that many believed would force Trump to strike Tehran

The Iranian government has remained on Trump's mind since then, with the president hitting back after state television aired threats of assassinating him. Pictured: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Trump also continued his claims that he was personally responsible for the cancelation of over 800 executions of protesters by the Iranian government.

'I stopped 837 hangings on Thursday, they would've been dead, everybody would've been hung,' he said.

He described Iran's tactics as 'from a thousand years ago', before he added: 'This is an ancient culture.

'I said if you hang those people, you're going to get hit harder than you've ever been hit. It'll make what we did to your Iran nuclear deal look like peanuts.'

The claim comes amid heightened tensions in the Gulf, where the US has continued to move military assets, including carrier strike groups and jet fighters.

When CNBC pressed him earlier on Thursday about whether the movement of these assets was a 'prelude to further action', Trump remained coy.

'Well, we hope there's not going to be further action, but, you know, they're shooting people indiscriminately in the streets,' the president said, referencing the civil unrest and protests.

Trump also used the interview to boast about the US military's capabilities. He pointed out the strike on the Fordow nuclear facility, which he claimed utilized B2 bombers to devastating effect.

Trump also continued his claims that he was personally responsible for the cancelation of over 800 executions of protesters by the Iranian government

Thousands of people gather in front of Tehran University, carrying banners and chanting slogans against the United States and Israel, as a funeral ceremony is being held for 100 security personnel who lost their lives during the protests

'We hit them hard, the B2 bombers,' Trump said, noting that the US has recently ordered 25 additional aircraft of that model.

'They were unbelievable, those things, that they were totally undetectable... with no moon, in the dark of night, late in the evening, every single one of those bombs, and they're giants, every single one of those bombs hit its targets and just obliterated the place.'

According to initial available intelligence assessments, the US severely damaged the Iranian programme, setting it back by months rather than fully destroying it.

CNBC's Joe Kernen noted that the Democrats had given the president 'grief' for his actions in Iran, suggesting that even if he 'walked on water', critics would say he 'can't swim'.

'It's, look, they're sick people. They really are,' Trump responded. 'They are, we call it Trump derangement syndrome.'

Trump ended the discussion by suggesting that the world should 'stay tuned' regarding further developments in Iran.

He made clear his red line would be nuclear activity in Iran, saying if the regime continues to experiment with the technology, 'It's going to happen again.'

Following Trump's calls for the Iranian Supreme Leader to step down, Iranian General Abolfazl Shekarchi warned that any hostile actions toward Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would face severe consequences.

'Trump knows that if any hand of aggression is extended toward our leader, we not only cut that hand but also we will set fire to their world,' Shekarchi said.
Michael Fanone, a former D.C. Metropolitan Police officer who was seriously injured defending the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, got into a heated clash with election denier Ivan Raiklin at Thursday's congressional hearing featuring former special counsel Jack Smith.

The confrontation between Fanone and Raiklin occurred after the House Judiciary Committee went into recess, several hours into a showdown between Smith  who defended his role in securing two indictments against President Donald Trump  and congressional Republicans, who argue that Smith overstepped his authority by subpoenaing their phone records.

Raiklin, far-right political activist who believes the 2020 election was stolen from Trump, could be heard calling over Fanone, who was sitting a row ahead of him, according to the livestream of the hearing.

'Hey buddy, go f*** yourself,' Fanone, who was wearing a shirt that read 'Fighting Nazis Since 1996', said in response to Raiklin's invitation to talk.

'Why do you have to swear at me?' Raiklin asked Fanone twice as he walked away.

'Don't pretend like we're not mortal enemies. Go f*** yourself,' Fanone said.

Raiklin then said he always communicates professionally with Fanone, before adding that the former cop needed people around him to 'contain' his 'Tourette's Syndrome'.

At this point, a visibly furious Fanone marched back up to Raiklin and called him 'a traitor to this f***ing country'.

Pictured: Former D.C. Metropolitan Police officer Michael Fanone argues with 2020 election denier Ivan Raiklin at Thursday's congressional hearing featuring Jack Smith, who prosecuted Donald Trump

Fanone, who was present at the January 6 riot in 2021 and was badly beaten, repeatedly told Raiklin to 'go f*** yourself'. He also called him a 'traitor'

Fanone ended his spat with Raiklin by accusing him of threatening his family and threatening to rape his children, both unverified claims

At the House Judiciary Committee hearing, Smith defended his prosecutions of Trump under Republican scrutiny

Raiklin continued the argument by calling Fanone 'spasmodic'. Fanone responded by repeating the phrase, 'Do something'.

By this point, Republican Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, had noticed the spat between the two men and was banging his gavel to try to get control of the room.

Reporters and photographers also noticed what was going on and swarmed the two men hoping to get a viral photo of them going at it.

'See how many people are restraining you, and look at me, totally in control over my mind and body,' Raiklin said to Fanone.

Harry Dunn, a former Capitol Police officer who was also present at January 6, tried to pull Fanone away to avoid any escalations. Two current Capitol Police officers also stepped into the mix to separate the two.

'This guy has threatened my family, threatened my children, threatened to rape my children, you sick bastard,' Fanone said to Raiklin while being escorted out of the room.

Fanone's claims are unverified, and Raiklin took to social media after the hearing to imply that he may sue Fanone for defamation.

Raiklin was one of the pioneers of the dubious legal theory that Vice President Mike Pence could unilaterally reject certified state electoral college votes that had went to Joe Biden, thereby setting up a situation where Trump could win the 2020 election.

Fanone was able to stay at the hearing and later told Republican Rep. Troy Nehls of Texas to go f*** himself while the congressman blamed the violence on January 6 on Capitol Police leadership

After Nehls was done speaking, he called Fanone out for flipping him off, saying the former police officer needed 'medication'

At the Smith hearing, Republicans pushed back on Smith's insistence that Trump (pictured speaking at the Ellipse before the January 6 Capitol Riot) was responsible for the violence that day

In a tweet on December 23, 2020, Raiklin dubbed the idea the 'Operation Pence Card'. At the time, Trump retweeted it.

Raiklin stayed at the Smith hearing after the confrontation with Fanone but left a short time later, according to The Hill.

Fanone was allowed to return to the hearing room and later said 'Go f*** yourself' to Republican Rep. Troy Nehls of Texas during his speaking time.

Nehls said the blame for the chaos on January 6 didn't lie with Trump but with Capitol Police leadership. After Nehls was done, Fanone flipped the congressman off.

'Your hand gestures, Mr. Fanone. You need medication,' Nehls responded.

Fanone was present at the US Capitol Building when rioters breached the doors and went inside. According to his body camera video, he was pulled into the crowd and beaten. He was also repeatedly tased with a stun gun.

Following the assault, he suffered a minor heart attack, a concussion and a traumatic brain injury.

Daniel 'D.J.' Rodriguez was later convicted for using the stun gun on Fanone and sentenced to 12 years in prison.

When Trump returned to the White House on January 20, 2025, Rodriguez received a full pardon and was released from prison that same week. Over 1,500 January 6 defendants were granted clemency by Trump.
A man accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend, her unborn baby and two others was granted bail for allegedly stalking and assaulting her, just weeks before the alleged killing spree.

Julian Ingram, 37, appeared at Lake Cargelligo Local Court, about 600km west of Sydney, on December 3 over allegations he stalked, intimidated and assaulted his ex-girlfriend Sophie Quinn, 25, and damaged her property.

Court records, obtained by the Daily Mail, show he pleaded not guilty and was granted bail on the condition that he report to Lake Cargelligo Police Station every day.

He was ordered to abide by an apprehended violence order police taken out against him on behalf of Sophie, banning him from contacting her and going within a 100m radius of her home or workplace.

Records also show Ingram was a known domestic violence offender at the time, having pleaded guilty in 2021 to assaulting another woman in Griffith.

He attended the courtroom in December when his bail was extended.

On Thursday, about seven weeks after his bail was extended, Ingram allegedly shot Sophie dead in a black Suzuki Swift with green P-plates on Bokhara Street, alongside her boyfriend John Harris, 32.

Sophie was due to give birth to her son, Troy, in March.

Mum-to-be Sophie Quinn, 25, had an apprehended violence order against her ex-boyfriend, Julian Ingram

Julian Ingram is pictured, left, with his father. He is now on the run from police

Pictured: The scene where Sophie Quinn and her boyfriend John Harris were allegedly shot

The tragedy has rocked Lake Cargelligo, small town in central-west NSW

Ingram then allegedly went to a nearby home and shot two people, killing Sophie's aunt, 50yearold Nerida Quinn, and seriously injuring 19yearold Kaleb MacQueen.

Mr MacQueen was rushed to hospital and is in a serious but stable condition.

Ingram is now on the run from police, with a large-scale manhunt launched in the small town, population 1,430, to find him.

On Friday morning, Western Region Command Assistant Commissioner Andy Holland confirmed the incident was linked to a 'domestic violence relationship.'

'We're conducting a wide-scale search of the area around Lake Cargelligo and the adjoining villages,' he told Sunrise.

'At this point, we're looking for the public to help us identify both the wanted alleged offender and his vehicle.'

Local woman Letitia Bardawil heard four gunshots on Thursday, but she thought it was fireworks or a car backfiring until children playing in a nearby pool started running and covering their heads.

She then started walking towards the scene and saw a black Suzuki with bullet holes on the curb, and people doing CPR.

Sophie Quinn, 25, was found dead inside a vehicle alongside her boyfriend, 32, at Lake Cargelligo

John Harris, 32, was Sophie Quinn's boyfriend who was also killed on Thursday

Nerida Quinn, left, who was killed in the shooting, with her daughter Mikaila

Kaleb Macqueen, 19, was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition following the shooting

'They told me what happened and I said I'm sorry, I don't know what to say and I hugged them,' she told the Daily Telegraph.

'And that moment is actually when, I think, their families arrived in a car and they fell to the ground and they were crying.'

She said described the scene as the worst thing she had ever seen.

'And it was honestly one of the worst things I've ever seen, just seeing them like that.'

She told the publication that she was scared because Ingram was still on the run.

Ingram is described as between 165cm and 170cm tall, with a medium build, short dark hair and brown eyes.

He was last seen driving a Ford Ranger utility with NSW registration DM07GZ, which has council signage, a metal tray back, highvisibility side markings and an emergency light bar on the roof.

On Friday morning, Sophie's sister Tegan wrote a heartfelt tribute for her family members.

Pictured: The black Suzuki where the bodies of Sophie Quinn and John Harris were found on Thursday

The town of Lake Cargelligo (pictured) was locked down after Julian Ingram allegedly murdered three people

'My sister and best friend,' she wrote on social media, alongside photos of the family.

'My aunty,' she wrote, alongside a photo of Nerida.

Specialist police personnel have been flown into the town by PolAir and the Defence Force, including the tactical operations unit, negotiators, and homicide investigators.

Commissioner Holland said: 'We have a large search in the area currently underway and we are requesting that people remain indoors.

'What I will say is that it's a tragedy that has taken place in a very small town that will have a big effect on the community.

'Any death in a small country town is confronting, but again, a scene where you have people shot by firearms is obviously going to make people very, very tense and very, very concerned.'

Roy Butler, the Independent MP for Barwon, said the tragedy was 'horrific' for the 'small and close' community.

'The tragic circumstances will affect everyone in town and across NSW and Australia. We don't have much detail, but it seems in devastating news, three people are dead, one, sadly a pregnant woman,' Butler said.

'I am in close contact with police and other members of the community.'.
Posh San Francisco moms are letting their teenagers ride around the city in robotaxis, which goes against state regulations and company policies.

The vast majority of those rides are being hailed through Waymo, which is the leading autonomous vehicle company in the US.

The Alphabet-owned business has its largest fleet of cars in San Francisco and has been operating in the city for years, so residents are familiar and comfortable with being chauffeured around by driverless cars.

They are so comfortable that parents with the means to shell out dozens of dollars for a single trip are happily letting their children as young as 11 ride around the city unaccompanied.

Laura Mancuso, a local parent who frequently hails Waymos for her 15-year-old daughter, told the San Francisco Chronicle: 'We just realized it would make our lives easier. My daughter grew up around Waymo.

'I dont think she had any hesitation about riding by herself. And in my peer group, its become totally acceptable to call a Waymo for your teen.'

But that practice shirks both Waymo's polices and California law, both of which state that robotaxi riders must be at least 18 years old if they are not with an adult chaperone.

The rule has not discouraged many wealthy, busy parents who see little risk of getting caught and love the convenience and peace of mind that robotaxis offer.

Wealthy San Francisco parents are allowing their children to ride in robotaxis unaccompanied, despite the practice going against state regulation and company policy (stock image)

The vast majority of the unaccompanied rides are being hailed through Waymo, which has its largest fleet in San Francisco (pictured)

Those parents believe that autonomous vehicles are safer and more reliable than public transit or allowing a 16-year-old who recently earned their license to get behind the wheel.

They also see the option as superior to ordering an Uber or similar human ride-hail service, because they don't want to leave their teenage daughters alone in a car with a stranger.

Megan Schmidt, another San Francisco mom who often calls Waymos for her 14-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son, told the San Francisco Chronicle that the practice has 'really become part of our culture.'

She also said that using robotaxis instead of driving her children around has freed up a lot of time for her, which she can use to relax and socialize with other parents instead.

The phenomenon presents a double-edged sword for Waymo. The company risks facing legal repercussions or damage to its reputation if it ignores unaccompanied teens riding in its cars, but those teens are also more likely to become lifelong customers the earlier and more often they use the company's services.

Enforcing the chaperone policy is difficult. Although there are cameras inside Waymo's cars, identifying a passenger's age through pictures or video alone is not reliable.

The company also tries to respect customers' privacy, so real people only monitor the camera feeds in emergencies.

Waymo is aware of the problem, as the company's attorney, Jack Stoddard, told a judge at a California Public Utilities Commission proceeding: 'There are instances we are aware of, as some of them are publicly reported, where parents have used Waymos for transportation of minors.'

Waymo has been operating in San Francisco for years, so residents are familiar and comfortable with being chauffeured around by driverless cars. Two Waymo cars in San Francisco are pictured

The lawyer said those parents are breaching the company's terms of service and are subject to having their accounts suspended.

The demand for teens to be able to ride robotaxis unaccompanied is clear, so last year, Waymo launched a pilot program in Phoenix, Arizona, that allowed parents to link their accounts to those of their children between the ages of 14 and 17.

A Waymo spokesperson told the San Francisco Chronicle: 'We have received significant interest from families to allow teenagers to ride independently, and were working to make this available where applicable laws allow.'

The spokesperson added that hundreds of families in Phoenix currently use the teen account program, which gives 'teens needed independence, parents time back, and everyone peace of mind.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to Waymo for additional comment.
President Donald Trump has revealed how he got a bruise on his left hand after he 'clipped it on the table' in Davos - while hinting at his intention to serve a 'fourth term'.

The president said on Air Force One that he received the large purple bruise at the Board of Peace event in Switzerland and was doing 'very good'.

'I clipped it on the table, so I put a little - what do they call it - cream on it, but I clipped it,' Trump told reporters en route to Washington DC on Thursday.

He then appeared to blame the noticeable bruise on aspirin he was taking.

'I would say take aspirin if you like your heart, don't take aspirin if you don't want to have a little bruising,' Trump advised, noting that he takes the 'big aspirin'.

'And when you take the big aspirin, they tell you, you'll bruise,' he continued.

'The doctor said, "You don't have to take that, sir, you're very healthy,"' Trump then claimed. 'I said, "I'm not taking any chances."'

'But that's one of the side effects of taking aspirin.'

Trump is apparently unconcerned about his health as he alluded to a potential 'fourth term' as president after praising the progress in his second.

In an astonishing climbdown after weeks of escalating threats about taking over Greenland, Trump announced a framework of a future deal that would settle the issue of the semi-autonomous territory of Denmark.

News of the deal came as Trump backed off tariff threats against Europe and ruled out taking Greenland by force, following fears of a retaliatory 'trade bazooka' from his allies.

President Donald Trump has revealed how he got a bruise on his left hand

The US president was seen with the new bruise on his left hand at the Board of Peace signing ceremony in Davos on Thursday

Speaking to reporters abroad Air Force One, Trump said he simply clipped his hand on the table

'Record numbers all over the place!' Trump said in an all-caps post on Truth Social. 'Should I try for a fourth term?'

The president has already teased a potential run in 2028, for what would be a third term in the White House.

However, presidents are term-limited to two four-year stints by the Constitution.

Trump has also previously falsely claimed that a hypothetical 'third term' would actually be his 'fourth term' - because 'the 2020 election was totally rigged', he told reporters last year.

He has long pushed the false claim that he lost the 2020 election due to widespread voter fraud.

The purple contusion suffered by Trump was seen on his left hand - not the one normally covered with makeup to conceal the discoloration of a bruise.

Trump did not appear to have the bruise at the start of the event, according to images, which showed the discoloration appeared later on.

The president has previously told The Wall Street Journal that he bruises easily because he is defying doctors by taking higher-than-recommended daily doses of aspirin to keep his blood thin.

But Trump was also diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, which can also increase chances of bruising.

The diagnosis appeared to swell his lower legs and ankles, causing him to have a brief stint wearing compression socks. But he stopped wearing them because he didn't like the socks, according to the Journal report.

He said he is dosing more aspirin than his doctors recommend because 'I'm a little superstitious.'

The president seemed to blame the bruising on aspirin that he takes. He is pictured looking down at his bruised hand at the Board of Peace event

'They say aspirin is good for thinning out the blood, and I don't want thick blood pouring through my heart,' Trump went on. 'I want nice, thin blood pouring through my heart. Does that make sense?'

Instead of listening to medical advice, the 79-year-old is defying doctors' orders and relying on what he calls his 'good genetics'.

Trump is taking 325 milligrams per day, which he says he's been dosing for 25 years. He admitted that doctors have encouraged him to take a lower dosage of aspirin.

A low dose is usually approximately 81 milligrams, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Taking higher dosages of aspirin can significantly increase the severity of side effects, including more serious ones like internal bleeding in the stomach, intestines and brain  especially in older patients. But the biggest benefit is potentially avoiding a heart attack by keeping blood thinner so the flow is stronger.

The thinned blood also stops blood cells from clumping together to form clots, which slows the body's ability to stop bleeding from broken capillaries and leading to more noticeable and larger bruising.

Trump's right hand has previously been pictured bruised and with globs of makeup that Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says concealed bruises he sustained for shaking hands

At the age of 79, Trump is the oldest person to be elected and serve as US president.

His right hand is often pictured with a glob of cover-up makeup that Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has confirmed is concealing bruising.

She claimed it was the result of the president regularly shaking people's hands.

Just hours after Trump's explosive speech in Davos, Switzerland at the World Economic Forum (WEF), Europe breathed a collective sigh of relief when he announced a major U-turn on Greenland.

After a 'very productive' meeting with Nato secretary general Mark Rutte, Trump dropped the threat of tariffs on European countries who opposed his plan to purchase Greenland, and announced a deal on Arctic security.

It was a dramatic reversal shortly after he insisted he wanted to get the island 'including right, title and ownership'.

Trump said 'additional discussions' on Greenland were being held concerning the Golden Dome missile defense program, a multilayered, $175billion system that for the first time will put US weapons in space.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen praised Europe for 'being firm' against the president, amid the biggest rupture in transatlantic ties in decades.

But tensions erupted again on Thursday after Trump claimed Nato troops stayed away from the frontline in Afghanistan, in a fresh barb against his European allies.

In an interview with Fox News, the president said: 'I've always said, will they be there if we ever needed them? That's really the ultimate test, and I'm not sure of that.'

'We've never needed them,' he said. 'They'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan ... and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the frontlines.'

Speaking in Davos on Wednesday, Trump made a similar swipe against the 32-member military alliance, saying: 'I know them all very well. Im not sure that theyd be there. I know wed be there for them. I dont know that they would be there for us.'

The claims, however, overlook the fact that Nato member countries suffered hundreds of deaths during the Afghanistan war, triggered after the September 11 attack on the World Trade Centre in New York.

Britain alone lost 457 troops, while another 2,000 military and civilian personnel were wounded in action. France, Germany, Italy and Denmark also suffered many deaths.

The total number of deaths amongst the coalition forces  US, Britain and allies  totalled 3,486 in Afghanistan. Over 2,300 were members of the US armed forces.

Denmark lost 44 soldiers, proportionately more than any other ally apart from the US. They also lost personnel alongside American forces in Iraq, where 179 British Armed Forces personnel died.

Calvin Bailey, a Labour MP and former RAF officer who served alongside US special operations units in Afghanistan, said Trumps claim 'bears no resemblance to the reality experienced by those of us who served there'.

Social care minister Stephen Kinnock said Trump's comments were 'deeply disappointing'.

He told Sky News: 'President Trump's comments are deeply disappointing. There is no other way to say that, I don't know really why he said them. I don't think there's any basis for him to make those comments.'

Trump holding a signed founding charter at the 'Board of Peace' meeting during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 22, 2026

Trump unveiled his new 'Board of Peace' at Davos on Thursday, casting himself again as a global peacemaker despite widespread scepticism over a plan that aims to rewrite the global order.

Trump officials also unveiled ambitious plans for a 'New Gaza' during the ceremony at the WEF, with the president describing the devastated Palestinian territory as 'great real estate'.

The board was created after Trump expressed frustration at failing to win the Nobel Peace Prize and ramped up his accusations that the United Nations had failed to resolve a host of international conflicts.

'Well this is exciting,' Trump said as he was joined on stage by leaders and officials from 19 countries to sign the board's founding charter in the Swiss ski resort.

'This board has the chance to be one of the most consequential bodies ever created,' he said.

The body, of which Trump is the chairman, was initially designed to oversee the Gaza truce and the reconstruction of the strip after the war between Hamas and Israel.

But its purpose has since morphed into resolving all sorts of international conflicts, sparking concerns that Trump wants to create a rival to the UN.

Key US allies including France and Britain have expressed doubts.

Countries have been asked to pay $1billion for permanent membership of the board, and the invitation for Putin, whose country invaded Ukraine in 2022, has drawn criticism.

Trump said the organisation would work 'in conjunction' with the UN.
Nigel Farage insisted on Thursday we will not be dictated to as he told global elites at Davos that the world has changed for good.

The Reform UK leader delivered the uncomfortable message as he attended the gathering of business and political classes at the World Economic Forum.

He also, however, suggested that the international organisation was now shifting away from the ideology that has dominated it for decades - and the old Davos Keir Starmer was being left behind.

Mr Farage said his message to global elites was: We will not be dictated to by you again.

'We will not be lectured on climate change, we will not be lectured on the benefits of open borders, we will not be beholden to you. We will work constructively with you under a national interest framework.

Earlier, he told a Bloomberg News event: The globalist idea we should all do the same thing, have the same regulations, have the same targets  and the EU is the epicentre of all of this for the globalists  thats now for the birds.

'Its a change of debate, theres now something called national interest. And thats the new politics that were seeing.

Mr Farage was visiting Davos for the first time in the long lead-up to a general election which  if polls are to be believed  could propel him into Downing Street.

We will not be dictated to by you again' ReformUK leader Nigel Farage told global elites at Davos, Switzerland (pictured)

He has been wooing business people and held a round table at Davos with top executives, who he said felt that the present Government was utterly disconnected.

Mr Farage revealed he wants to bring captains of industry into government and to create a beefed-up business ministry in a bid to boost growth.

He has previously been a critic of Davos and the globalisation ideology it represents, but now thinks it is changing.

He said he was surprised there is genuine debate on artificial intelligence, crypto and energy  unlike previous years when it was dominated by climate change and diversity.

Mr Farage brushed off the idea the world could revert back to how it was before Donald Trump was elected US President.

He added: I dont think its just about Trump. I think Trump is an emblem of looking at things differently. I think youre seeing it across Europe  things are changing.
A vile online rant praising an alleged triple murderer surfaced just hours after he was accused of killing his heavily pregnant ex-girlfriend and two members of her family.

Julian Ingram, 37, remains on the run over the alleged shootings of Sophie Quinn, 25, who was pregnant, and two of her relatives at Lake Cargelligo, a small town 600km west of Sydney, on Thursday.

Ingram is a known domestic violence offender and was charged last year with stalking and assaulting Ms Quinn, as well as damaging her property.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was on bail on Thursday when the alleged murders took place.

Shortly after the alleged murders, a foul rant was posted by fellow domestic violence offender Blake James Izzard, 27, who claimed he met Ingram - also known as 'Hoolio' - during a fight at a local pub before the pair became friends.

'I had a big fight with him at The Royal in Lake Cargelligo, the bloke turned out to be a good friend of mine who stood beside me.

'I'm sure Hoolio has his reasons, and I'm sure the bloke just f****** had enough finally.

'I rate the bloke as a f****** hard worker, I rate him as a father, and I respect the man from where he come from and who he was.'

Police on Friday released a photo of Julian Ingram, who is wanted on an outstanding warrant for murder

Blake James Izzard (pictured) wrote a vile rant online, praising the alleged murderer

Blake Izzard's foul rant (pictured) was heavily criticised by feminist groups

The rant has been heavily criticised online by women's groups, including Australian Femicide Watch, which reminded its followers that Ingram is accused of murdering a pregnant woman and two others in cold blood.

Izzard was found guilty of domestic violence offences in 2024, including assault occasioning bodily harm, damaging property by fire, and resisting arrest.

An apprehended violence order was taken out on behalf of the victim.

His good behaviour bond ended in December.

Sophie was found dead in a black Suzuki Swift with green Pplates after 4.30pm on Thursday, along with the body of her boyfriend, John Harris, 32.

Sophie was due to give birth to her son, Troy, in March.

Ingram then allegedly went to a nearby home and shot two people, killing Sophies aunt, 50yearold Nerida Quinn, and seriously injuring 19yearold Kaleb MacQueen.

Mr MacQueen was rushed to hospital and is in a serious but stable condition.

Sophie Quinn (pictured) was found dead inside a black Suzuki on Thursday

John Harris, 32, was killed in the alleged shooting. He was Sophie's boyfriend

Nerida Quinn, left, who was killed in the shooting, with her daughter Mikaila Elms

Ingram is now on the run from police, with a large-scale manhunt launched in the small town to find him.

On Friday morning, Western Region Command Assistant Commissioner Andy Holland confirmed the incident was linked to a 'domestic violence relationship.'

'We're conducting a wide-scale search of the area around Lake Cargelligo and the adjoining villages,' he said.

'At this point, we're looking for the public to help us identify both the wanted alleged offender and his vehicle.'

Ingram is described as between 165cm and 170cm tall, with a medium build, short dark hair and brown eyes.

He was last seen driving a Ford Ranger utility with NSW registration DM07GZ, which has council signage, a metal tray back, highvisibility side markings and an emergency light bar on the roof.

Anyone who sees him has been urged to contact CrimeStoppers.
Volodymyr Zelensky yesterday raged at 'fragmented' Europe's dithering in the face of Russian aggression in a fiery speech in Davos.

The Ukranian president accused the continent of being 'lost' as its 'kaleidoscope of small and middle powers' failed to stand up to bullying  in an echo of Donald Trump's frequent criticism of its leaders.

The message, which stunned political and business elites gathered at the World Economic Forum, comes at a sensitive time in peace negotiations.

Trilateral talks between Ukraine, the US and Russia are set to take place in Abu Dhabi today although Nato chief Mark Rutte and Britain's national security adviser Jonathan Powell are more cautious about chances of success than American negotiators.

Ukraine remains under ferocious attack from Vladimir Putin's invading armies nearly four years after Moscow's tanks rolled across the border and is going through a bitter winter of -20C temperatures starved of energy because of Russian attacks on infrastructure.

But while Europe has provided billions in funding to keep the country's economy alive  and munitions to keep its guns firing  Mr Zelensky, it seems, believes the help it has delivered falls short of the lofty rhetoric from the continent's leaders.

His angry speech appeared to signal that he has started to lose patience. Applauded as he walked on stage, Mr Zelensky launched into a bitter comparison of the situation with the film Groundhog Day  in which a TV weatherman is forced to repeat the same day over and over again.

'No one would want to live like that  repeating the same thing for weeks, months and, of course, for years,' he said. 'And yet that's exactly how we live now.

Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump shaking hands during their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 22, 2026

Vladimir Putin welcomes US special envoy Steve Witkoff and US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner during a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow on January 22, 2026

'Every forum like this one proves it: just last year here in Davos I ended my speech with the words "Europe needs to know how to defend itself". A year has passed and nothing has changed. We are still in a position where I must say the same words but why?'

He accused leaders of inaction over US threats against Greenland  and that they simply hoped it would pass  and of being too late to respond to the protests in Iran and the repressive response from the mullahs, leaving thousands 'drowned in blood'.

Mr Zelensky said Europe had failed to build a response to the world's bullies and attacked the failure to stop the flow of Russian oil or pursue a war crimes prosecution of Mr Putin. And he railed against the decision to block Ukraine from using Russian assets frozen in Europe to help Ukraine defend itself.

Mr Zelensky welcomed signs that the UK and France were ready to deploy their forces to enforce a hoped-for peace deal but said no security guarantees could work without the support of Mr Trump and America.

He added: 'Europe loves to discuss the future but avoids taking action today  action that defines what kind of future we will have.'

And he said every European leader was worried about what would happen if the US fails to come to the aid of the continent in the face of a Russian attack.

'Europe needs to know how to defend itself,' said Mr Zelensky.

'If Europe is not seen as a global force, if its actions don't scare bad actors, then Europe will always be reacting  catching up with new dangers and attacks.

A plane carrying U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner stands on the tarmac upon the arrival at Vnukovo International Airport before a scheduled meeting with a Russian delegation in Moscow, Russia, January 22, 2026

The meeting came ahead of planned talks between Russia, the US and Ukraine in the United Arab Emirates on Friday

'In Europe, there are endless internal arguments and things left unsaid that stop Europe from uniting and speaking honestly enough to find real solutions.

'And too often, Europeans turn against each other  leaders, parties, movements and communities  instead of standing together to stop Russia. Instead of becoming a truly global power, Europe remains a beautiful but fragmented kaleidoscope of small and middle powers.'

The speech came after Mr Zelensky met Mr Trump behind closed doors for about an hour in Davos. Mr Trump described the talks as 'very good', while Mr Zelensky said they had been 'productive and meaningful'.

Earlier, Mr Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff struck a bright tone on the prospects for peace talks.

He told an annual Ukrainian breakfast event in Davos: 'We're at the end now and I actually am optimistic. I think we've got it down to one issue it's solvable.'

But, at the same event, Mr Rutte took a more guarded stance, saying: 'Today, Kyiv, Kharkiv and Lviv but also so many smaller cities in Ukraine are being hit by Russan missiles, by Russian drones... So what we need is to keep our eyes on the ball of Ukraine  let's not drop that ball and that means: great, peace talks, fantastic.

'We will do everything to conclude them successfully but that will not happen tomorrow. And they need interceptors, military support tomorrow.'

Britain's Mr Powell said there had been no evidence from Mr Putin that he was prepared to compromise or negotiate.

US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner (left-right), pictured in Davos on Thursday

A residential building damaged by a Russian strike in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, on Thursday

'He's very indecisive. He's a judo player  keeps his options open. So what we have to do is apply pressure on president Putin  financial pressure, military pressure and have a deadline where he has to make a decision,' he said.

Mr Powell added: 'This won't be solved tomorrow. It's important to push as Steve [Witkoff] is doing... We have to remain committed to it and most of all we have to find a way for Putin seriously engaging.'

Last night, Mr Witkoff and fellow US envoy Jared Kushner flew from Davos to Moscow to meet Mr Putin for further talks on ending the war.
This is the moment a buffalo escapes death by wriggling free from the grips of a crocodile.

The jaw-dropping encounter shows the croc craftily ambushing the terrified animal in the Lower Zambezi River in Zambia.

The outcome of the attack is only revealed in the final moments when the shaken bovine staggers out onto the crumbling banks of the river.

It's a victorious but scary moment for the herbivore.

The footage was captured by Lazarus Mceric Bobota, 37, a safari guide from Chirundu, Zambia, who filmed it in Lower Zambezi National Park.

The waters are calm at first, and a line of buffalo is swimming through the river with their heads bobbing above the surface.

Suddenly, the crocodile appears out of the murky water and clamps its jaws onto its unlucky victim in an attempt to drag it under and drown it.

At one point, the buffalo's head is fully submerged and all seems to be over.

The crocodile erupted out of the murky water and attacked the massive horned buffalo

It seemed that the croc could not get proper purchase on the buffalo because of its horns

Lazarus Mceric Bobota has been following the Nyamangwe Island buffalo herd for the last two years and said this kind of attack was rare

The buffalo retreated back to land - shaken but victorious against the deadly crocodile

But then the pair breaks the surface again, and the resilient animal wrestles off the crocodile, who can't get a proper purchase around its neck with its terrifying jaws because of the buffalo's massive horns.

After this tense struggle, the buffalo manages to break free and escape, swimming over the bank and retreating back onto land.

Mr Mceric Bobota has spent the last decade documenting animal behaviour in the wild.

He has been following the Nyamangwe Island buffalo herd for around two years and says encounters like this are rare but unforgettable.

It was only the second time he had witnessed such an attack, the first involving a crocodile targeting an elephant calf.

Mr Mceric Bobota said: 'The crocodile was hungry and wanted to kill the buffalo to have food.

'It was such a great experience to witness, even though it was very intense.

'Crocodile vs buffalo. Nature drama. The true safari experience.

'I would love more people to come to Zambia's Lower Zambezi National Park to experience moments like this with us.'
Ministers pressed ahead with cancelling local elections in dozens of mostly Labour areas on Thursday - despite warnings the move is 'almost certainly illegal'.

Communities secretary Steve Reed said polls will be postponed in 29 local authorities this May to free up resources for a costly shake-up of local government.

The move will deprive 3.7million of the vote, but could boost Keir Starmer's chances of survival.

Some 21 of the councils involved are currently controlled by Labour - more than two-thirds of the total. In some cases, the elections are being delayed for a second consecutive year.

A final decision on whether to go ahead with elections for Essex County Council was delayed following a last-minute submission, but the council's Tory leader insisted it had 'never asked for a postponement'.

Polls suggest Labour is on course to take a drubbing in this May's elections, and the contests are widely seen as a litmus test of Sir Keir's survival prospects.

Although most elections will still go ahead, Thursday's decision on delays could limit Labour's losses - and deprive Reform UK of the chance to gain further political momentum against both Labour and the Conservatives.

Mr Reed insisted the process for delay was 'locally led' - and said holding elections for councils that are due to be abolished could slow down vital reforms that will save money in the long run.

Labour's move will deprive 3.7million of the vote, but could boost Keir Starmer's (pictured) chances of survival

Robert Jenrick, who defected to Reform last week, said: 'When I was secretary of state, the legal advice that I received, including from the government's chief legal adviser, was that it was not legally sustainable to delay for a second year'

Shadow communities secretary Sir James Cleverly said the scale of the cancellations was unprecedented - and accused Mr Reed of political 'cowardice'.

Addressing him in the Commons, Sir James said: 'What was it about Labour's collapse in the opinion polls that first attracted him to the idea of cancelling elections?'

Reform's deputy leader Richard Tice said: 'Dictators cancel elections.'

Nigel Farage has branded the decision the act of a 'banana republic' - and has already launched legal action to force the elections to go ahead.

The Electoral Commission has said the delays are not justified and warned that they risked 'damaging public confidence'.

The watchdog, which oversees elections in the UK, said it did not think 'capacity constraints are a legitimate reason for delaying long-planned elections'.

Mr Reed said council elections had been postponed by previous Conservative governments during periods of local government reorganisation.

But Robert Jenrick said the scale of the postponement was far greater than in the past - and said there was no precedent for cancelling elections two years running.

Mr Jenrick, who defected to Reform last week, served as communities secretary in the last Conservative government.

He told MPs: 'When I was secretary of state, the legal advice that I received, including from the government's chief legal adviser, was that it was not legally sustainable to delay for a second year.

'Hence, we didn't, even during Covid. We kept the elections going. Did not delay for two years.

'What the Secretary of State is doing is almost certainly illegal.'

Florence Eshalomi, Labour chair of the Commons housing, communities and local government committee, warned that 'democracy is not an inefficiency that should be cut out' during the reorganisation process.

She said councils 'should not have to face choosing between frontline services or elections'.
A fifth man has been charged with a string of offences in relation to an alleged international satanic child sex abuse material ring.

NSW Police set up Strike Force Constantine last year to investigate the online distribution of child sexual abuse material involving ritualistic or satanic themes.

In November last year, detectives uncovered a paedophile network in Sydney that was actively involved in possessing, distributing, and facilitating the material via a 'website administered internationally'.

Four men were charged at the time and currently remain before the courts. All four are due to face court next week.

Following further inquiries, detectives executed a search warrant at an address in Sydney Olympic Park on Thursday.

Police allegedly found and seized electronic devices relevant to their investigation into the network, along with a small amount of the drugs methamphetamine and ketamine.

David Turner, 42, was arrested at the home and taken to Auburn Police Station, where he was charged with five offences.

They included one count each of using a carriage service to access child abuse material, using a carriage service make child abuse available, possession of bestiality material and two counts of possessing a prohibited drug.

A fifth man has been charged with a string of offences in relation to an alleged international satanic child sex abuse material ring based in Sydney

Four men were arrested in November last year in relation to the alleged ring, including self-appointed independent journalist Landon Ashton Versace Germanotta-Mills (pictured)

NSW Police set up Strike Force Constantine last year to investigate the online distribution of child sexual abuse material involving ritualistic or satanic themes

Turner was refused bail to appear in Burwood Local Court later on Friday afternoon.

In November, detectives, along with the riot squad, executed six search warrants in Waterloo, Ultimo and Malabar before arresting four men.

Among those charged was Landon Ashton Versace Germanotta-Mills, 26, who was arrested at an apartment in inner-city Waterloo wearing a zebra-print outfit and covering his face with a blue beanie.

Police allege Germanotta-Mills played a leading role in the paedophile network.

He was charged with child abuse offences including seven counts of using a carriage service to make child abuse available, using a carriage service to access child abuse material, three counts of possessing child abuse data-use carriage service, two counts of disseminating bestiality material and possessing bestiality material.

The 26-year-old founded the Underground Media Network - an outlet described as an 'independent Australian investigative journalism platform committed to exposing institutional failures and the misuse of power'.

According to the Underground Media Network's website, the outlet investigates issues including police corruption and child protection.

Three other men were arrested at a unit block in Malabar and charged over their alleged involvement in the paedophile network.

Two months after the arrests, a fifth man - David Turner - has also been charged (pictured, Germanotta-Mills is put in a police van during his arrest wearing a zebra-print outfit)

Stuart Woods Riches, 39, was charged with possessing child abuse material, possessing bestiality material, using a carriage service to access child abuse material, five counts of failing to comply with reporting obligations and two counts of possessing a prohibited drug.

Mark Andrew Sendecky, 42, was charged with possessing child abuse data-use carriage service, using a carriage to access child abuse material and possessing child abuse material.

Benjamin Raymond Drysdale, 46, was charged with using a carriage service to make child abuse available, two counts of contravening a prohibition order, two counts of failing to comply with reporting obligations and possessing a prohibited drug.

Riches, Sendecky and Drysdale are due to appear in Sydney Downing Centre on January 27 for a committal. Germanotta-Mills will appear on January 29.

Strike force investigations continue.

Anyone with information about organised criminal activity into the distribution of child abuse material is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
READ MORE: Sussan Ley insists she WILL remain in charge after Coalition split

National Party Senator Matt Canavan's political future is under threat as senior figures in Queensland's Liberal National Party meet on Friday to deal with the fallout from the collapse of the Federal Coalition.

The emergency meeting of the LNP's Queensland state executive will consider whether to preserve the party's long-standing joint Senate ticket - a decision that could determine whether Canavan retains a safe position or is pushed into a far less secure one.

In Queensland, the Liberals and Nationals have traditionally shared the top two spots on the Senate ticket, positions widely regarded as safe.

Under the long-standing arrangement, the Liberal candidate takes the first position and the Nationals the second - a system that has protected Canavan's seat.

But the formal split between the Liberals and Nationals in Canberra has thrown that deal into doubt.

Senior party figures are now debating whether to maintain the shared ticket or abandon it altogether.

The crisis comes at a critical time, with the party preparing for a key March Senate preselection - as Liberal Senator James McGrath and Canavan both battle to retain their seats.

If the arrangement were to be scrapped, Senator Canavan could be forced to run on his own.

The split of the Coalition may have an impact on the preselection of Matt Canavan (pictured)

Daily Mail understands retaining the existing Senate ticket arrangement remains the preferred option, backed by influential figures including Queensland Premier David Crisafulli and Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner.

Supporters argue Canavan, a backbencher, should not be punished for the Coalition split, and say he played no role in decisions made by the federal leadership or Nationals leader David Littleproud.

However, those pushing for change point to Barnaby Joyce's 2004 election as evidence a split ticket can still succeed.

Joyce ran as a Nationals candidate on a separate Senate ticket in Queensland rather than sharing one with the Liberals, securing a seat despite warnings the move would fracture the conservative vote.

They argue the result shows the Nationals can compete independently, without relying on a joint deal with the Liberals.

The regional fall out comes after federal Nationals leader David Littleproud declared that no member of his party could serve in a shadow cabinet led by Opposition Leader Sussan Ley.

The standoff began on Tuesday, when three Nationals senators broke shadow cabinet convention by voting against Labor's hate-crimes legislation, despite a joint party room meeting with the Liberals endorsing the legislation.

Senior Nationals figures Bridget McKenzie, Ross Cadell and Susan McDonald subsequently tendered their resignations from the shadow cabinet.

Some senior LNP figures are hoping to maintain the status quo to avoid federal fallout locally

On Wednesday, Ley announced she had accepted the three resignations, despite Littleproud writing to her urging her not to do so.

By Thursday morning, Littleproud had declared his party 'cannot be part of a shadow ministry under Sussan Ley' marking the second split from the Liberals since the 2025 federal election.

'The Nationals' party room has determined that remaining in a coalition with the Liberal Party under the leadership of Sussan Ley has become untenable and cannot continue,' he said in a statement.

Writing in the Courier Mail on Friday, Canavan defended his National Party colleagues, saying he had 'never been prouder to be a member of the Nationals.'

He backed their opposition to the bill, saying there was 'no precedent for the sacking of Coalition shadow ministers for voting in accordance with a decision of their own party room'.

He said what mattered more than the Coalition was that the Nationals Party had done its job and fought for voters' rights.

'I have been inundated with support from people thankful for a group of politicians that have done what they think is right not what is best for their personal circumstances.

'My Shadow Ministerial colleagues face pay cuts to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars, and some of their staff face losing their jobs, but no one blinked an eye.

LNP figures such as David Crisafulli (pictured) are understood to be supportive of a joint ticket

In a letter sent to LNP members on Friday afternoon, party president Doug Hawkes reaffirmed his support for maintaining the Coalition, describing it as 'the pathway to Government at a federal level.'

He urged members not to be distracted by the turmoil unfolding federally, instead calling for unity.

Highlighting the party's recent successes in state and local elections, Hawkes encouraged members to 'do everything within your control to maintain that focus.'
Popular clothing company Patagonia has been called hypocritical for taking a drag queen and environmental activist to court, claiming she may undermine its activism.

The outdoor apparel company argues in the complaint, filed in the US District Court for the Central District of California on Wednesday, that drag performer Pattie Gonia's name competes 'directly' with the products and advocacy work that are core to Patagonia.

The drag queen has 1.5 million followers on Instagram, which feature posts of her in boots with six-inch tall heels or backpacking 100 miles in drag down the California coast to raise money for outdoor nonprofits.

The suit claims that the performer, whose real name is Wyn Wiley, creates 'confusion' by using the stage name on clothing and for advertising services that overlap with the brand's, including 'motivational speaking services in support of environmental sustainability' and 'organizing, arranging, and conducting trail and hiking events.'

It was filed in response to Wiley's business filing an application with the US Patent and Trademark Office to claim the exclusive right to the Pattie Gonia brand.

Lawyers for Patagonia now argue that they have tried to reach an agreement with Wiley over the use of the stage name in the past, but he continues to produce apparel and use the Pattie Gonia name for appearances across the country.

'We're not against art, creative expression or commentary about a brand,' Patagonia said in a statement as it filed the suit.

'We want Pattie to have a long and successful career and make progress on issues that matter- but in a way that respects Patagonia's intellectual property and ability to use our brand to sell products and advocate for the environment.'

But online, some netizens hit out at the company for being hypocrites, with Discovery Institute Senior Journalism Fellow Jonathan Choe saying it is 'another example of the left eating their own.

'Even woke Patagonia has limits,' he claimed.

Drag performer Pattie Gonia (pictured in July) is facing a lawsuit from popular clothing brand Patagonia over trademark infringement

The outdoor apparel company argues in the complaint, filed in the US District Court for the Central District of Californiaon Wednesday, that drag performer Pattie Gonia's name competes 'directly' with the products and advocacy work that are core to Patagonia

Some netizens hit out at the company as being hypocrites

According to the lawsuit, the outerwear company first approached Wiley about the potential conflict when he was discussing a fundraising partnership with Hydroflask and the North Face, one of Patagonia's rivals, in 2022.

But Hydroflask 'was concerned that Patagonia might view this type of promotional work under the Pattie Gonia name as likely to confuse consumers about an association between Hydroflask and Patagonia,' the complaint claims.

At that point, Patagonia reached out to Wiley to lay out an agreement, which the company's lawyers claim included that the drag performer not use her name 'in any form' on products, not use or display Patagonia's logo and not to use the same font that Patagonia uses.

In excerpts of emails included in the lawsuit, however, Wiley and his business partner did not seem to explicitly agree to the terms, but replied that they would 'keep note of it.'

Pattie Gonia then registered the domain name 'pattiegoniamerch.com' and began selling screen-printed t-shirts and hoodies reading 'Pattie Gonia Hiking Club' as well as stickers using the brand's font and silhouetted mountain logo as she promoted appearances at theaters and arenas across the country, the suit claims.

By September 2025, Wiley also sought to trademark the brand 'Pattie Gonia' for use on clothing and apparel and to promote environmental activism, at which point Patagonia says its lawyers reached out again.

'Patagonia remains supportive of your work, but must insist that the Pattie Gonia persona not be commercialized and continue to adhere to the commitments made in 2022,' company representatives wrote.

The drag queen has 1.5 million followers on Instagram, which feature posts of her in boots with six-inch tall heels or backpacking 100 miles in drag down the California coast to raise money for outdoor nonprofits

In 2024, the lawsuit claims, she started selling screen-printed t-shirts and hoodies

'Unfortunately, these latest product sales force Patagonia's hand and so I'm asking that you discontinue sales of t-shirts and stickers (or any product) using Pattie Gonia branding or designs substantially similar to Patagonia's logos.

At that point, emails show, Wiley claimed that Patagonia's view of their agreement was 'incorrect,' and said she told company representatives in a 2022 phone call that 'Pattie Gonia the drag queen and environmentalist is inspired by a region in South America.

'It's wonderful that both Patagonia the brand and Pattie Gonia the drag queen were inspired by Patagonia's beauty,' she wrote in 2025.

Wiley then claimed that any similarity between fonts and logos was 'done by a fan as fan art' and insisted 'we have never sold this fan-art.'

He and his business partner then went on to agree that they wanted to 'avoid any perceived association with the brand Patagonia' after discovering that a company it owned 'developed and sold tactical and military gear to the US government and police departments across the nation.

'Consumers have yet to hold the brand Patagonia responsible for NOT thinking beyond profit with the creation of Broken Arrow, which supports the very people and institutions destroying the planet - the US military is, after all, the world's largest global polluter,' Wiley wrote.

'It is a disconcerting fact that for a company that claims to be "in business to save our home planet,"' he added.

Pattie Gonia also allegedly started selling stickers using the brand's font and silhouetted mountain logo as she promoted appearances at theaters and arenas across the country

Wiley and his business partner then said they 'have never and will never reference the brand Patagonia's logo or brand' and insisted that there was 'plenty of room' for both Patagonia and Pattie Gonia to 'play in this box.'

They then said they 'trust Patagonia will stay on their side and we will stay on ours.'

Lawyers for Patagonia followed up about a month later, requesting a meeting to discuss 'a way forward.'

'We are genuinely interested in at least having a neutral relationship, in particular at a moment when the threats to public lands are so acute,' they wrote.

'And we are happy to discuss Patagonia's government business that was discontinued three years ago. If you think there are valid criticisms of the company about that business then by all means share that with your community.'

Wiley never responded to the email, Patagonia claims, and went on to celebrate one million followers on October 5, 2025 by displaying her copy cat Pattie Gonia logo on gloves.

'Pattie Gonia began using the Pattie Gonia trademark long after the Patagonia trademarks became famous,' lawyers for the brand argue.

'The Pattie Gonia trademark and Pattie Gonia Products are likely to dilute Patagonia's famous and distinctive marks by diminishing their distinctiveness and singular association with Patagonia.'

Some people have already confused Pattie Gonia with the brand, the lawyers claim, with screenshots of a Pattie Gonia social media post showing commenters praising the company.

One person even wrote that they 'genuinely thought this was a Patagonia ad.'

'To maintain our own rights, we must prevent others from copying our brands and logos,' the lawyers argue. 'If we do not, we risk losing the ability to defend our trademarks entirely.

'To put a finer point on it, we cannot selectively choose to enforce our rights based on whether we agree with a particular point of view.'

'For these reasons, Pattie Gonia's use of a near-copy of our name commercially... poses long-term threats to Patagonia's brand and our activism,' they added.

The company is now requesting a 'nominal' $1 in monetary damages and court orders blocking Wiley from selling infringing merchandise or receiving federal 'Pattie Gonia' trademarks.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Pattie Gonia for comment.
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen has praised Europe for 'being firm' against the US as the continent heaved a sigh of relief after Donald Trump backed down from threatening to invade Greenland.

Speaking at an emergency summit of European leaders in Brussels on Thursday, the European Commission president said 'we were successful in being firm' as the US president backtracked amid fears of 'trade bazooka'.

European leaders met in the Belgian capital on Thursday following a tense World Economic Forum in Davos.

It was convened after the US threatened steep tariffs and possibly even military action in Greenland, before pulling back from those threats.

Trump sparked anger after saying Nato troops stayed 'a little off the front lines' during the war in Afghanistan.

He also stoked transatlantic tension on Wednesday as he told Europe they would all be speaking German 'and a little Japanese' without the US, before doubling down on his demands for Greenland.

Despite avoiding a diplomatic disaster, Trump's threats badly shook Europe's confidence in its partner, EU officials and leaders said.

'Transatlantic relations have definitely taken a big blow over the last week,' the bloc's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said as she arrived at the meeting.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, pictured as she delivered a speech after an emergency meeting, has praised Europe for 'being firm' against the US and Donald Trump

Trump sparked anger after saying Nato troops stayed 'a little off the front lines' during the war in Afghanistan

'Transatlantic relations have definitely taken a big blow over the last week,' the bloc's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said

But she added: 'Europe is not willing to junk 80 years of good transatlantic relations because of disagreements ... we are willing to invest our time and energy in this.'

The EU 'will defend itself, its member states, its citizens and its companies, against any form of coercion,' European Council chief Antonio Costa said.

Most leaders said the relationship with the United States remained key for the EU and it was one they were ready to work hard to maintain - while expecting hard work, and respect, from Washington as well.

They agreed they want an EU-US trade deal to be back on track after the European Parliament suspended its ratification in protest over US pressure to acquire Greenland.

While saying they want to work on strengthening the transatlantic cooperation, the EU leaders warned that they were ready to act if Trump was to threaten them again.

'Things are quietening down and we should welcome that,' French President Emmanuel Macron said.

'We remain extremely vigilant and ready to use the instruments at our disposal should we find ourselves the target of threats again,' Macron said, referring to 'bazooka' trade sanctions the bloc had considered using.

Speaking on Thursday in Davos, Ms von der Leyen said Europe needed to prepare its own security strategy without relying on the US.

The emergency meeting was convened after the US threatened steep tariffs and possibly even military action in Greenland, before pulling back from those threats

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Donald Trump announce a deal in Davos to stave off fears of a diplomatic disaster

'The world has changed permanently, we need to change it,' the EU chief said.

'I believe Europe needs to adjust to the new security architecture and realities that we are now facing.

'This is why Europe is preparing its own security strategy, which we plan to publish later this year. As part of this, we are upgrading our Arctic strategy.

'Europe must speed up its push for independence  from security to economy, from defence to democracy. The point is that the world has changed permanently. We need to change with it.'

The EU chief added: 'When it comes to the security of the Arctic region, Europe is fully committed.

'And we share the objectives of the United States in this regard. For instance, Finland  one of the newest NATO members  is selling its first icebreakers to the US. This shows that we have the capability right here.'


A New York City judge blocked Dr. Phil's son from selling footage he took for a documentary series on the New York Police Department hours after Mayor Zohran Mamdani's administration sued over the release of the 'life-threatening footage.'

Jordan McGraw had been granted 'special' access to police operations to create an 18-episode docuseries that would 'highlight the extraordinary work of the NYPD,' according to the suit, filed in Manhattan Supreme Court on Wednesday.

McGraw obtained access to the NYPD under the previous administration of New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

In exchange for the access, the city retained 'reasonable discretion' over what footage could air, given the 'sensitive' nature of police work, according to court documents.

But attorneys for the city now argue that McGraw ignored requests to remove 'harmful footage' that could 'irreparably harm the NYPD, its officers and ongoing investigations.'

That footage that revealed the names of faces of undercover cops, witnesses and juveniles, as well as details of active investigations, and even a secret code to a precinct house.

'Any of this footage airing threatens to interfere with law enforcement investigations, judicial proceedings, deprive numerous arrestees' right to a fair trial and cause significant harm to the city and the department, as it would undoubtedly tarnish their reputation and goodwill,' reads the suit.

Within hours of its filing, Judge Carol Sharpe signed a restraining order banning McGraw from 'transferring, selling, disposing of, or in any way disseminating and/or distributing any video footage' unless he removes the harmful content, the New York Post reports.

Meanwhile, McGraw's lawyers have filed to move the case from New York state court to federal court as they argue that it is a matter of free speech.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's administration filed a lawsuit on Wednesday to prevent a Texas-based production company from releasing what it classified as 'life-threatening' footage

Jordan McGraw, son of television personality Dr. Phil, was granted 'special' access to police operations to create an 18-episode docuseries that would 'highlight the extraordinary work of the NYPD'

The docuseries in question, tentatively called 'Behind the Badge,' was greenlit in April 2025 under a contract signed by then-Mayor Eric Adams' Chief of Staff Camille Joseph Varlack.

It came as Adams' campaign paid $500,000 for another of Jordan McGraw's companies, Fairfax Digital, to produce social media ads, and the three-year contract was signed just one day after a federal judge dismissed federal corruption charges against Adams, NBC New York reports.

But Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch was reportedly never on board with the show, which sources familiar with the Adams administration told the Post was a project by two of Adams' top allies - former Chief of Department John Chell and Kaz Daughtry, who served in top positions in the department and city hall.

'Everyone was wildly concerned,' one administration official told NBC New York of the project, claiming Adams was intent on cutting the deal with McGraw and cutting the NYPD out of the decision.

However, the Adams administration seems to have lost control of the production, as Jordan McGraw and McGraw Media allegedly 'disavowed their obligations' and attempted to wrest editorial control over the project from the city.

Lawyers for the Big Apple claim that McGraw Media failed to submit proper rough cuts for the majority of episodes for the docuseries.

They say that the production company delivered rough cuts of just four episodes in December. The remaining 14 episodes were described by city lawyers as an 'unedited footage dump' that included raw, uncut interviews and segments without audio.

McGraw's lawyers are now seeking to move the case to federal court as they argue it is a matter of free speech

According to the Mamdani administration's lawsuit, McGraw included discussions of sensitive operations and the identities of undercover officers, crime victims and witnesses. NYPD officers are pictured standing guard outside the Metropolitan Detention Center earlier this month

City lawyers claim the footage 'portrayed the nation's largest police force negatively'

Of the footage that was made available, the city claims, there were discussions of sensitive operations and the identities of undercover officers, crime victims and witnesses, the lawsuit said.

'Intended to highlight the extraordinary work of the NYPD' with special behind-the-scenes access, "Behind the Badge" at times portrayed the nation's largest police force negatively, violating the agreement,' the lawsuit said.

Officials from the Adams administration sent written feedback twice flagging the issues and a letter on December 31, Adams' last day in office, sought to quash the project entirely, according to the suit.

In the letter, Varlack told McGraw that the city was 'no longer able to fulfill its obligations' to the project.

She noted that under the production agreement he signed, the city reserved the right to nix what it deemed 'Non-Usable Content,' including inaccurate or confidential material, footage that revealed investigative techniques and anything that could compromise public safety or public trust.

Among other things, the lawsuit said, the show contained footage of an officer inputting a security code at a police station entrance, discussions of encrypted police communications and the unblurred faces of people who were arrested by police but who have not yet been tried or convicted of crimes.

In her letter, Varlack warned McGraw that releasing any such footage would violate the contract.

But according to the lawsuit, McGraw Media indicated that it would not accept any of the citys edits and that it intended to distribute the flagged material and was looking for a buyer to air the show.

The contract between New York City and McGraw was signed under then-Mayor Eric Adams

Chip Babcock, a lawyer for Jordan McGraw and McGraw Media, said the lawsuit came as a surprise 'as publication of any programming was not imminent.'

McGraw Media, he said, 'had worked with the city to address the edits requested' and is willing to continue to do so.

He added that the company will now seek to remove the court order as soon as possible, calling it a presumptively unconstitutional prior restraint.

'It is our position that last night's order violates the First Amendment's near total prohibition of prior restraints,' Babcock told the Post.

Meanwhile, despite his administration apparently trying to end the project, Adams defended McGraw's work on 'Behind the Badge,' writing in a social media post on Wednesday that he 'brought exceptional talent in revealing the inside story of the dangers NYPD officers face every day.'

'He and his team meticulously addressed every concern raised by City Hall,' the former mayor wrote.

'I'm proud that the work they did tells the real story of our brave police officers. Heroes dont wear capes, they wear blue uniforms. I understood that. I hope America will get to see that too.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to the Mamdani administration for comment.
A charity has distanced itself from its former chairman, who has been accused of plotting with a private school teacher to drug and sexually abuse two children.

Tech entrepreneur Todd Anthony Soulas, 35, was arrested by police at his Randwick unit in Sydney's east in September last year and charged with 23 offences.

They include the aggravated sexual assault of a child, child prostitution, using a carriage service to solicit child abuse material, and possessing and disseminating child abuse and bestiality material.

Details of Soulas' alleged involvement in the plot emerged after his co-accused, former International Grammar School teacher Peter James Adam, 63, was arrested and charged last week.

Police swooped after finding allegedly incriminating messages between him and Soulas.

Court documents seen by news.com.au allege that Soulas sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl in Sydney's inner-west some time between August 8 and 27 last year.

Police allege he also procured a 13-year-old child for sexual activity between August 27 and 28.

Officers allege that Soulas paid a separate young girl $1,605 to send him nude images and videos, including instructing her to sexually touch herself, between November 2023 and August 2025, according to court documents.

Todd Anthony Soulas (pictured) was charged with 23 offences, including child prostitution

Soulas (pictured) and private school teacher Peter James Adam allegedly plotted the sexual assaults of two minors from June 2024 to July 2025

The businessman also allegedly supplied amounts of drugs, including methamphetamine, ketamine and cocaine.

Police say he allegedly dealt with $112,520 in proceeds of crime.

Soulas is a consultant and angel investor for digital companies in the public and private sectors, according to his LinkedIn account.

He has worked as a freelance strategy consultant since May 2023.

Last week, Reimagine Australia - a charity supporting children with developmental delays or disabilities - confirmed that Soulas had previously served as chairman.

'We are deeply distressed by recent media reports regarding alleged harm to children involving Todd Soulas who once held a limited, non-operational governance position as chairman at Reimagine,' the statement on social media said.

'For clarity, the individual previously served in an oversight capacity only and had no operational responsibilities, decision-making authority relating to programs, nor involvement in day-to-day activities.

'Police have confirmed that Reimagine is not involved in any related investigations.'

Soulas was allegedly in conversation with private school teacher Adam, from June 2024 to July 2025, to plot the sexual assaults of two minors.

Police swooped after finding allegedly incriminating messages between Peter James Adam and Soulas.

Soon after police publicised that Adam (pictured) had been charged, International Grammar School edited social media posts from October to remove any reference to him

Adam, who had been employed by International Grammar School in inner Sydney, was arrested in Bondi in the city's east on January 14.

He was charged with two counts of incitement to commit aggravated sex assault in company and using a carriage service to solicit child abuse material.

Police prosecutors described the alleged facts behind the case as 'abhorrent and concerning' when Adam first appeared in a virtual Bail Court last week.

'These facts depict the accused actively taking steps to allow (the children) to be drugged and sexually assaulted by the co-accused,' magistrate Margaret Quinn was told.

Adam watched the hearing by video link from a cell at Surry Hills police station.

In reading the alleged conversations, Ms Quinn said: '(They're) fairly revolting sort of messages I have to say - graphic'.

Prosecutors revealed the 63-year-old had talked about 'pimping' out a young boy so he could get extra cash and sending a girl's underwear to Soulas' home.

Adam took photos of both children in vulnerable positions, with his 35-year-old co-accused planning to use artificial intelligence to create child abuse material, police prosecutors said.

Prosecutors revealed Adam (pictured) had talked about 'pimping' out a young boy so he could get extra cash and sending a girl's underwear to Soulas' home

The teacher allegedly said the girl was going to be much harder to get involved in the plot.

'Well, that's fine, we can drug her,' Soulas allegedly said.

'We can record her having sex with a dog and own her anonymously.'

Legal Aid solicitor Julian Balloot urged the court to release his client, Adam, and proposed a suite of bail conditions to mitigate any risk.

This included living at a North Sydney address, reporting to police daily, surrendering his passport and being barred from using encrypted apps or more than one mobile phone.

Ms Quinn did not release the teacher on bail, finding the risk was too great and noting the exceedingly strong case against him.

Adam's wife, Genet Erickson-Adam, a deputy head at the prestigious private school Cranbrook, also listened the virtual hearing.

Police located the chats after three mobile phones were seized from Soulas' home when he was arrested in September.

Soon after police publicised that Adam had been charged, International Grammar School edited its website and social media posts to remove any reference to the teacher.

An International Grammar School spokeswoman said he would be stood down.

Adam remains in custody and will appear in Waverley Local Court on March 12.

Soulas also remains in custody and will appear in Burwood Local Court on February 4.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028

Lifeline 13 11 14

Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)
Donald Trump has disinvited Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney from his Board of Peace after the two world leaders criticized each other during their speeches at the World Economic Forum.

Carney spoke earlier this week about the invitation, saying Canada had 'preconditions' before paying the $1billion membership fee to help rebuild Gaza.

However, the pair sniped back and forth at one another in Davos, ending with Carney publicly repudiating Trump Friday for saying that 'Canada lives because of the United States.'

Trump wrote to Carney on Truth Social: 'Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canada's joining, what will be, the most prestigious Board of Leaders ever assembled, at any time.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to Prime Minister Carney for comment.

In Davos, Carney condemned coercion by great powers on smaller countries without mentioning Trump's name.

Upon returning home to Canada, Carney responded to Trump directly by referencing Trump's remarks in Davos.

'Canada doesn't live because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadian,' Carney responded Thursday.

Donald Trump has disinvited Mark Carney from his Board of Peace after a war of words between the two in their speeches at the World Economic Forum

The pair sniped back and forth at one another in Davos, ending with Carney publicly repudiating Trump Friday in Quebec City for saying that 'Canada lives because of the United States'

Carney said Canada and the U.S. have built a remarkable partnership in the areas of economy, security and rich cultural exchange, but said 'we are masters in our home, this is our own country, it's our future, the choice is up to us.'

Carney left Davos before Trump inaugurated his Board of Peace to lead efforts at maintaining a ceasefire in Israel's war with Hamas.

Trump has talked about making Canada the 51st state and posted this week an altered image of a map of the U.S. that includes Canada, Greenland, Venezuela and Cuba as part of its territory.

The president said in Davos that Canada gets many 'freebies' from the U.S. and 'should be grateful.' He said Carney's Davos speech showed he 'wasn't so grateful.'

Trump said Canada wants to participate in 'Golden Dome'  a multibillion dollar missile defense system that he says will be operational before his term ends in 2029.

In a speech before a cabinet retreat in Quebec City, Carney said staying true to Canada's values is key to maintaining its sovereignty.

'We can show that another way is possible, that the arc of history isn't destined to be warped toward authoritarianism and exclusion; it can still bend toward progress and justice,' Carney said.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks at the 'Board of Peace' meeting during the World Economic Forum

Carney said 'Canada must be a beacon  an example to a world at sea.'

He added that in a time of rising populism and ethnic nationalism, Canada can show how diversity is a strength, not a weakness.

'There are billions of people who aspire to what we have built: a pluralistic society that works,' Carney said.

He said Canada delivers shared prosperity and has a democracy that chooses to protect the vulnerable against the powerful.

'It's a great country for everyone. It is the greatest country in the world to be a regular person. You don't have to be born rich, or to a landed family. You don't have to be a certain color or worship a certain god,' he said.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick earlier complained about Carney's speech at the World Economic Forum.

'Give me a break,' Lutnick said on Bloomberg TV. 'They have the second best deal in the world and all I got to do is listen to this guy whine and complain.'

Canada has been shielded from the worst impacts of Trump's tariffs by the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement on trade, known as USMCA, but the agreement is up for a mandatory review this year.

Carney condemned coercion by great powers on smaller countries without mentioning Trump's name

Carney met with Trump shortly after his election in October of 2025

In Davos, Carney urged countries below the top tier of global power to continue multilateral cooperation with a new, 'dense web of connections' as a response to Trump's plans to take over Greenland.

'Great powers can afford for now to go it alone. They have the market size, the military capacity, and the leverage to dictate terms. Middle powers do not,' the Canadian prime minister said.

'In a world of great power rivalry, the countries in between have a choice: compete with each other for favor or to combine to create a third path with impact,' he said.

'(We) argue the middle powers must act together because if we're not at the table, we're on the menu.'

Carney strongly opposed US aspirations to expand its Arctic territory. 'We stand firmly with Greenland and Denmark and fully support their unique right to determine Greenland's future.'

Trump unveiled his Board of Peace in Davos Friday, including former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The current Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, and almost all other European nations are also holding off, with fears of a new standoff developing after a tentative solution was found to the bitter spat over Trump's demands for Greenland.

Critics have warned that the organization - which has a $1billion fee for permanent membership - appears to be an attempt to supplant the UN.

Originally meant to oversee the rebuilding of Gaza after the war between Hamas and Israel, the board's charter makes no reference to the Middle East crisis.

However, the charter reportedly makes no specific reference to Gaza, instead describing the board 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'.

Key US allies have expressed skepticism, with France outright refusing to participate and Italy also delaying a decision.

Denmark - at the heart of the row over Trump's Greenland grab - has not been invited even though Russian puppet regime Belarus is on the list.

The countries who had representatives at the event were Bahrain, Morocco, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Egypt, Hungary Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Mongolia, Pakistan, Paraguay, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the UAE and Uzbekistan.

Trump says he will serve as chairman of the board, control funds, and personally designate any successor.

The organization's rules apparently say that member states will 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.
Australia's largest mosque has been targeted with a written death threat explicitly calling for violence against minority groups, according to Islamophobia Register Australia.

The organisation said a 'deeply disturbing' hate letter was sent to the Imam of Lakemba Mosque, warning of violent attacks and urging the murder of multiple communities ahead of Australia Day.

The handaddressed letter was delivered by post on January 22, 2025.

In a statement, Islamophobia Register Australia said the letter contained 'explicit threats of violence, incitement, hate speech and calls for murder' directed at several groups, including Muslims, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Arabs and Palestinians.

One passage reportedly called for Australia Day protesters to be 'beaten to death in the street on January 26', while another stated: 'we will kill them if we get the opportunity'.

The Register said the language demonstrated an intent to incite violence and included references to the kidnapping of individuals 'from the street'.

Islamophobia Register Australia has referred the matter to law enforcement and relevant government agencies for investigation and threat assessment.

The group said the incident comes as political tensions run high following the passage of the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026.

Lakemba Mosque (pictured) received a death threat that called for violence against Muslims

A photo of the letter sent to Lakemba Mosque shared by the Islamophobia Register Australia

'Parliamentary debate surrounding the Bill included rhetoric that framed Muslim communities as security threats,' the Register said.

Islamophobia Register Australia chair Mariam Veiszadeh described the letter as 'an unambiguous call to violence and murder'.

She said the threats demonstrated how political discourse can embolden extremist behaviour.

'When irresponsible political rhetoric goes unchecked, it emboldens extremists,' she said.

'Urging people to be 'beaten to death in the street' is a serious and immediate threat to public safety. This letter demonstrates how dehumanising political narratives can translate into explicit calls for violence.'

Islamophobia Register Australia said it would continue to monitor threats ahead of Australia Day and provide support to communities facing anti-Muslim sentiment and targeted abuse.

The organisation operates a national reporting service for anti-Muslim incidents and urged anyone who feels threatened or unsafe to seek support and keep records of any harassment or intimidation.

Chris Minns confirmed he was aware of the letter.

'I just want to make it very clear that any kind of racial vilification or threats to violence are taken incredibly seriously by police,' he told reporters on Friday.

'We've got the strongest laws in the world when it comes to hate speech  We need to have big, bright red lines that if you encourage vilification or violence against a stranger, someone you've never met before, we're going to throw the book at you.'
Anthony Albanese will give a personal letter to the young daughter of a leading Labor strategist killed after an alleged one-punch attack.

The Prime Minister arrived in Perth on Friday for the funeral of Tim Picton, who died early Monday surrounded by his loved ones after spending three weeks in a coma.

The father-of-one, 36, was found unconscious outside a licensed premises in Northbridge, in the early hours of December 27 after Western Australian Police received reports of a disturbance.

Mr Picton fell after being allegedly assaulted, striking his head on the pavement, with police saying several bystanders rushed to his aid.

Albanese led the tributes to Mr Picton, a former political strategist who advised state and federal politicians and helped guide WA Labor to a landslide 2021 election victory.

As mourners gathered at Optus Stadium on Friday, Albanese penned a letter for Mr Picton's four-year-old daughter Charlotte to remember her late father.

'I have a letter today that I'll give to Priya, Tim's wife, for Charlotte so that when she grows up she has what are some of my personal reflections on her dad,' Albanese told ABC.

'For Tim, Charlotte was the apple of his eye.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is in Perth for the funeral of Tim Picton (right)

The Prime Minister has penned a personal letter addressed to Mr Picton's young daughter Charlotte

'And to think of Tim's passing allegedly after a one-punch attack in Northbridge, just so senseless, the circumstances are just horrible.

'It's just so senseless. Senseless violence is just beyond comprehension.'

A former political strategist, Mr Picton played an instrumental role in guiding WA Labor to a landslide 2021 election victory, which left the opposition with just two seats.

He also previously worked with former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews and Trade Minister Don Farrell in the federal Gillard government.

Mr Picton's most recent role was strategy director for mining company Mineral Resources.

He was also the brother of South Australian Health Minister Chris Picton, who shared a heartbreaking tribute on Monday.

'Whether it was running an election campaign, securing a mining deal, travelling the world, building magnetic tile castles or breeding fish, Tim never did things by halves - he always gave 200 per cent,' he wrote.

'His razor-sharp strategic mind and natural charisma meant he was always two steps ahead of everyone else.

Tim Picton (left) was an influential Labor campaigner who helped steer then-WA Premier Mark McGowan (centre) to a landslide election win in 2021

Mourners have gathered at Perth's Optus Stadium to remember Tim Picton (pictured)

'But above all, the most important thing to Tim was being a dad. The happiest I ever saw him was when he was with Charlotte.

'Joy overflowed from them both. From fairy dancing to swimming lessons to story time, they shared a magical bond.

'In the years ahead we will make sure Charlotte knows just how much Tim adored her, and share with her all the precious memories we have of them together.'

Brodie Jake Dewar, 20, was charged with grievous bodily harm following the alleged incident. He will appear in court in February.
An alleged triple murderer was granted bail over domestic violence-related charges because he hadn't committed a violent offence within the last five years, police say.

Julian Ingram, 37, appeared in Lake Cargelligo Local Court in December over DV-related offences allegedly committed against his ex-girlfriend Sophie Quinn, 25.

He had pleaded not guilty to assaulting Sophie, stalking and intimidating her, and destroying her property, and was released into the community on the promise that he would not go within 100m of her home or workplace.

On Thursday, just weeks after he was granted bail, Ingram allegedly gunned Sophie down in a black Suzuki hatchback, alongside her new boyfriend John Harris, 32 in Lake Cargelligo, located 600km west of Sydney.

He then allegedly went to another residence and killed her aunt Nerida Quinn, 50, and seriously injured 19yearold Kaleb MacQueen.

Ingram has been on the run since the alleged murders, with about 100 police officers searching for him in the surrounding areas.

On Friday afternoon, Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland answered questions about Ingram's bail status during a press conference.

When a reporter asked why Ingram was granted bail, he replied: 'A risk assessment would have been done at the time.

Police on Friday released a photo of Julian Ingram, who is wanted on an outstanding warrant for murder

Mum-to-be Sophie Quinn, 25, was allegedly murdered by Julius Ingram on Thursday

Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland (pictured) revealed Ingram was released on bail following DV allegations

'At that time, he he had not committed a violent offence in the last five years and, therefore, deemed fit.

'Where we can, we obviously grant people bail. We don't want to keep them in custody. With strict bail conditions and AVO in place, it's deemed suitable.'

Court records show Ingram pleaded guilty to assaulting another woman in Griffith in 2021.

During the press conference, Mr Holland confirmed the last sightings of Ingram were just outside Lake Cargelligo.

Asked whether Sophie's other family members should fear for their lives, he said there were police 'almost in every corner of Lake Cargelligo' and that squads were trying to locate him as quickly as possible.

Ingram allegedly fled in a council-owned car, which does not have a GPS.

Mr Holland also said Ingram has never held a gun licence.

'We are still using that as part of our investigation,' he said.

Sophie's boyfriend, John Harris, 32, was killed in the shooting

Nerida Quinn, pictured left with her daughter, was killed in the shooting

Kaleb Macqueen, 19, was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition following the shooting

'We will check on that where he had access to the firearms.'

Local woman Letitia Bardawil heard four gunshots on Thursday, but she thought it was fireworks of a car backfiring until children playing in a nearby pool started running and covering their heads.

She then started walking towards the scene and saw the Suzuki with bullet holes on the curb, and people doing CPR.

'They told me what happened and I said I'm sorry, I don't know what to say and I hugged them,' she told the Daily Telegraph.

'And that moment is actually when, I think, their families arrived in a car and they fell to the ground and they were crying.'

She said described the scene as the worst thing she had ever seen.

'And it was honestly one of the worst things I've ever seen, just seeing them like that.'

She told the publication that she was scared because Ingram was still on the run.

The tragedy has rocked Lake Cargelligo, a small town iof 1400 residents in outback NSW

NSW police specialists outside the police station in Lake Cargelligo on Friday

Sophie and John were shot inside a black Suzuki hatchback on Friday (pictured)

Ingram is described as between 165cm and 170cm tall, with a medium build, short dark hair and brown eyes.

He was last seen driving a Ford Ranger utility with NSW registration DM07GZ, which has council signage, a metal tray back, highvisibility side markings and an emergency light bar on the roof.

On Friday morning, Sophie's sister Tegan wrote a heartfelt tribute for her family members.

'My sister and best friend,' she wrote on social media, alongside photos of the family.

'My aunty,' she wrote, alongside a photo of Nerida.

Specialist police personnel have been flown into the town by PolAir and the Defence Force, including the tactical operations unit, negotiators, and homicide investigators.

Anyone who sees Ingram is urged to contact CrimeStoppers.
Linda Reynolds has heavy criticised Brittany Higgins and her husband for flying to the US for the premiere of a film at the Sundance Film Festival about the political fallout from her rape claims.

Higgins and David Sharaz were bankrupted by her former boss Linda Reynolds following Federal Court proceedings last year, after the former Liberal senator successfully argued the couple defamed her on social media.

Ex-staffer Higgins was ordered to pay about $340,000 in damages and interest to Reynolds plus 80 per cent of her legal costs, estimated at more than $1million. Sharaz owed about $750,000 in legal costs.

The couple are now subject to strict bankruptcy rules, including limitations on earnings, owning vehicles worth more than $9,600, and international travel.

Bankrupt individuals are allowed to travel internationally, but they must surrender their passports to the trustee appointed to recoup the funds, and ask permission from the trustee to fly to other countries.

The Daily Mail understands Higgins and Sharaz were granted permission from their trustees to travel to Utah for the premiere of the feature film Silenced, based on the book #HowManyMoreWomen by Australian human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson.

Higgins' rape claims against her former colleague Bruce Lehrmann were detailed in the book, along with sexual assault claims by Ms Robinson and Johnny Depp's ex-wife, Amber Heard.

In a statement to the Daily Mail, Reynolds said she found it 'astonishing' that Higgins considered it appropriate to promote a film concerning her court matters.

Brittany Higgins and David Sharaz (pictured) are off to Sundance Film Festival in Utah

Linda Reynolds successfully sued Higgins and Sharaz for defamation, forcing them into bankruptcy

On Friday, Sharaz shared a screenshot of Sundance Film Festival post featuring Higgins' name, alongside Amber Heard

WA Supreme Court Justice Paul Tottle found last year that Higgins lied about Reynolds' conduct during a defamation case she launched against Higgins and Sharaz.

In the statement, Reynolds said 'it beggars belief that in circumstances where she has been bankrupted for failing to pay the Court ordered damages for defaming me that she can indulge herself' in promoting such a film.

'It is a shame the important message of this film has been undermined.

'Two courts have now found that Ms Higgins made false allegations about how she was treated in her workplace after she was assaulted.

Silenced is directed by Australian director Selina Miles and highlights the 'personal cost and system bias shaping legal battles faced by' lawyer Ms Robinson and the likes of Heard and Higgins.

A blurb on the Sundance website said: 'After #MeToo broke the cultural silence on gender violence, international human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson fights against the weaponisation of defamation laws to silence survivors.'

'Silenced reveals a global pattern: When women speak out, powerful systems move to discredit and punish them.'

The film will premiere on Saturday, following by additional screenings on Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

According to the Associated Press, some big names who may make an appearance at the festival - the largest independent movie festival in the US - include Natalie Portman, Salman Rushdie, Olivia Wilde, Alexander Skarsgard and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Pictured: Brittany Higgins with her son Freddie on a Qantas flight. The photo was uploaded to Instagram on Tuesday

Pictured: An overview of the film Silenced that will premier at Sundance on Saturday

Ms Higgins at an event in late 2025

On Tuesday, Sharaz uploaded an Instagram photo showing Higgins and their 11-month-old son Freddie onboard a Qantas plane.

In the photo, Freddie was smiling and reaching over Higgins to the passenger in the seat behind.

In the caption, Sharaz joked: 'He's just...so introverted.'

The couple moved from France to Melbourne last year.

In December, about a week after bankruptcy proceedings, Higgins uploaded a photo to Instagram with her husband and son in Byron Bay.

In the caption, she wrote: 'Big thank you to dad for shouting us the flights for my b'day and making it happen.'

Higgins is represented by management agency, 22, which also represents David Koch, Jodi Gordon, Kerri-Anne Kennerley, and Sophie Monk.

Last year, Reynolds successfully argued that a series of social media posts by Higgins and Sharaz in 2022 and 2023 damaged her reputation and impacted her health.

Brittany Higgins and David Sharaz are living in Melbourne after relocating from France last eyar

Bruce Lehrmann was found on a civil basis to have raped Brittany Higgins in Parliament House in 2019

Sharaz conceded defeat early before the hearing took place in 2024, but Higgins hired a top Perth barrister to argue her case - and lost.

Justice Paul Tottle found Higgins' posts wrongly implied Reynolds engaged in a campaign of harassment against Higgins, mishandled her rape allegation, and engaged in questionable conduct during Lehrmann's criminal trial in 2022.

Along with damages and Reynolds' legal fees, she was also faced with her own legal costs, worth an estimated $600,000.

It came almost three years after she landed a $2.45 million settlement following her civil case against the Commonwealth.

That case was launched over the way her rape complaint.

She was 'diagnosed as medically unfit for any form of employment, and had been given a very poor prognosis for future employment,' according to her draft statement of claim.

More than half of the sum was in respect of her loss of earnings, while the rest was made up of medical expenses, legal costs and '$400,000 for hurt, distress and humiliation'.

The couple purchased a house in France using the proceeds of the settlement, of which she said she retained about $1.9 million.

Following the settlement, Higgins and Sharaz went on a series of holidays, rented a Gold Coast property for about a year, dressed in designer gear, bought a house in France, and spent more than $100,000 on their Australian wedding.

She then sold her house in France to cover her legal costs associated with the defamation case, gave birth to her first child, and relocated to Melbourne.

By the time bankruptcy proceedings commenced, the court heard Higgins' estate was worth about $10,000.
A woman was kicked off a plane and charged with assault after allegedly grabbing a flight attendant's head and arm.

Millie Jepkemboi Omonei, 52, was arrested after AFP officers boarded her flight when it landed in Perth from Canberra on December 13 last year.

The ACT woman had allegedly been behaving erratically towards another passenger when a crew member went to check on her.

Police allege Omonei then 'forcibly grabbed the arm and head' of the cabin crew member, leaving them with minor injuries.

When she was escorted off the plane by officers, police allege she was 'argumentative and aggressive towards' them.

Omonei was charged with one count of assaulting the crew of an aircraft and one count of behaving in an offensive and disorderly manner in aircrafts.

She fronted court on December 14 and will next appear in Perth Magistrates Court on February 20.

Millie Jepkemboi Omonei was escorted off her flight upon landing in Perth on December 13
Border Czar Tom Homan slammed the newly elected governor of Virginia who was compared to a 'Bond villain' by the Trump administration after she attempted to throttle ICE enforcements.

Tom Homan said on a podcast Thursday that he would do his best to defy the executive orders of Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger after she signed a liberal wish list on her first day in office, and while he hopes they can work together 'it doesn't look good'.

Spanberger's most controversial order reduces the state's cooperation with ICE to thwart President Trump's drastic immigration crackdown.

'I said it from Day 1: the thousands of agents we're bringing on - we're going to flood sanctuary cities,' Homan told the Ruthless podcast.

'We have to because you created a problem when you released some public safety threats in the streets.'

The border czar promised to devote more resources to Virginia now that the new administration 'makes our job harder.'

He added that liberal governors like Spanberger 'set the stage' but his team are going to do their job regardless - as they have in places like New York, California, Oregon and Illinois.

'They're not going to stop us,' he said. 'They can stand on the sidelines and watch. Shame on them, but they're not going to stop us from doing this mission.'

Homan expressed frustration because there are simple ways in which having the cooperation of governors makes his job easier.

Border Czar Tom Homan ripped into new Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger but said he'll work around her attempts to throttle Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger (pictured) signed a liberal wish list on her first day in office, drawing heavy criticism from Republicans

'If they work with us  I mean, one agent can arrest one illegal alien in a county jail,' he said.

'Give us access to the person that you locked in a jail cell, and they're in the country illegally. When you're done, you give them to us. That's the most efficient way to do it. But when you are knowingly going to release public safety threats in the community, now we've got to send a whole team out looking for them.'

Homan noted that he's especially disappointed with Spanberger as a Virginia resident, echoing complaints of his fellow conservatives that thought she campaigned as a moderate.

'I remember her campaign ads. "I'm a law enforcement officer. I rescued children from sex trafficking." I've seen the commercials,' Homan said.

'So, first day in office, she stops being a law enforcement officer and became a politician because where's all those commercials you did about supporting law enforcement and rescuing kids?'

He stated the Trump administration has found 130,000 missing children, many who he says victims of sex trafficking and forced labor.

'We're looking for these missing children. We're arresting criminal aliens, many of them like just [in] the last two weeks in Minnesota. A lot of them were sexual predators of children. Child rape.

'Where's she gone? I mean, she's a different person than what she ran on.'

Homan added that he respects Spanberger for serving as a CIA officer before her career in Washington but doesn't see them getting along while she's in office.

'I hope we can work together, but it doesn't look good,' Homan said.

Spanberger stormed to a blowout victory in November over sitting Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears in a momentum boost for Democrats.

The border czar promised to devote more resources to Virginia now that the new administration 'makes our job harder'

Homan expressed frustration because there are simple ways in which having the cooperation of governors makes his job easier

She is the first female governor in Virginia history, succeeding Glenn Youngkin, who rode frustration with the Biden administration to power back in 2021.

Her victory - along with that of Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey - was seen as a boost for Democrats in a state that has become increasingly competitive in recent years.

However, many conservatives have been horrified by some of Spanberger's first week executive orders, which includes reducing cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Spanberger campaigned on the order.

She also signed an executive order prohibiting discrimination in employment 'to foster a culture of inclusion, diversity, and mutual respect for all Virginians.'

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon, who is currently investigating anti-ICE protesters in Minnesota, wrote: 'She's like a Bond villain.'

The Lepanto Institute, a conservative Catholic organization, compared Spanberger to the White Witch from the Narnia series, writing: 'A long winter without Christmas has come to Virginia.'

The Spectator at Large Editor Ben Domenech added: 'It's like the CIA built the perfect Karen in a lab.'

Meanwhile, conservative journalist Greg Price noted what the state legislature is planning to put at Spanberger's desk, which reads like a liberal wish list.

Many conservatives have been horrified by some of Spanberger's first week executive orders, which includes reducing cooperation with ICE

They include sales taxes on the likes of Amazon and Uber Eats, several new tax brackets, banning gas-powered leaf blowers, expanding ranked-choice voting and getting rid of Columbus Day.

Democrats in the statehouse have vowed to work with Spanberger to push through their bullish agenda, which includes redrawing the states congressional district map ahead of the midterm elections this year.

The state Democrats picked up 13 seats in the House of Delegates a year after the partys stunning losses nationwide in the 2024 presidential election.

Spanberger defended her executive orders in a statement on social media, writing that they 'respond to the moment.'

'We're setting the tone for what Virginians can expect over the next four years: pragmatic leadership focused on lowering costs, growing our economy, and making sure that every parent knows that their child is set up for success,' she said.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Governor Spanberger for further comment.

Spanberger ran on a vow to protect Virginias economy from the aggressive tactics of Trumps administration.

On the trail, she spoke of the White Houses gutting the civil service, the rising costs of goods and changes impacting the states already fragile health care system.

In a thinly veiled dig at the president, Spanberger said it was time for Virginians to fix what was broken.

'I know many of you are worried about the recklessness coming out of Washington,' she said. 'You are worried about policies that are hurting our communities, cutting health care access, imperiling rural hospitals and driving up costs.'

Virginia's off-year gubernatorial elections are often seen as bellwethers for national political sentiment, and Spanberger's comfortable margin over Earle-Sears suggested Democrats may be better positioned heading into next year's midterm elections, which will help determine the trajectory of the final years of Trump's presidency.
An Arizona influencer was abducted in Sinaloa, Mexico on Tuesday by a masked gunman who disabled her Cybertruck with tire spikes - and the terrifying crime was captured on video.

Nicole Pardo Molina, 20, is an OnlyFans model with more than 180,000 followers on Instagram. She is known for driving a distinct lilac SUV, which investigators believe is likely how the kidnappers were able to find her.

Investigators said the content creator had been hawking merchandise bearing the image of drug cartel leader Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman before she disappeared.

Cybertrucks and other vehicles produced by Tesla are outfitted with security cameras, which is how the abduction was captured on camera.

The footage showed a white Toyota Corolla pull up next to her vehicle outside a shopping center in Culiacan, Sinaloa.

A gunman with a red and black sweater tied around his face emerged from the back seat and grabbed Molina while she tried to get into her Cybertruck.

The gunman and the driver of the Corolla then pushed her into the car's backseat before speeding off.

The attackers reportedly used tire spikes to stop her vehicle prior to the abduction, according to El Pais.

'According to initial investigations, three armed men in a stolen white vehicle threw tire spikes at the SUV the victim was traveling in, intercepted it, and then forced the victim into the car,' authorities told the outlet.

Nicole Pardo Molina, 20, is an OnlyFans model with more than 180,000 followers on Instagram. She was abducted by a masked gunman in Sinaloa, Mexico, on Tuesday

The abduction was captured on video thanks to the security cameras in Molina's Cybertruck

In the video, a gunman and the driver of the car that pulled up next to her Cybertruck can be seen pushing her into the back of their vehicle

Mexican police confirmed Molina's disappearance and opened a missing persons case. They are investigating whether the crime is related to an ongoing turf war between rival cartels.

El Pais reported that Molina was selling merchandise bearing the image of El Chapo at the time of the abduction.

The area where she lived and where her father is from is controlled by a rival faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, which El Chapo once led.

The Attorney General's Office of the State of Sinaloa said that authorities have no information or leads about Molina's whereabouts and that 'It is considered that her safety may be at risk, as she could be a victim of a crime.'

Molina was born and raised in the US, and her parents live in Phoenix, Arizona. She frequently travels between the city and Culiacan, El Pais reported.

The outlet also said that she was pursuing business ventures in Mexico after dropping out of school in the US after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Molina was reportedly selling merchandise bearing the image of former Sinaloa cartel leader Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman (pictured) at the time of the abduction. Investigators are looking into whether the kidnapping was part of an ongoing turf war between cartels

There were no reported links between Molina and any Mexican cartels before her kidnapping, but authorities now believe that may be the case.

According to the International Federation for Human Rights, in 2024 alone, 3,601 women were reported missing in Mexico, which was a 40 percent increase from the previous year.

In 2025, hundreds of women were kidnapped or disappeared just in Sinaloa.

Other influencers have also been victims of cartel violence in recent years, such as Valeria Marquez, a fashion model who had more than 600,000 followers on Instagram and was shot dead in May during a livestream.

Investigators believe that the shooter may have been tied to the Jalisco Nueva Generacion cartel based in Jalisco.
Six people have been injured, two of them critically, in a mass stabbing at a Kurdish protest in the Belgian city of Antwerp.

The attack unfolded near the busy square of Operaplein at around 7.20pm on Thursday evening.

Four people have been arrested in connection with the stabbing but police said they are yet to uncover a motive.

Police spokesman Wouter Bruyns added that officers were combing through CCTV footage to ensure no other suspects had evaded arrest.

The stabbings occurred during a demonstration by the local Kurdish community, where Kurdish and PKK flags were being waved.

It is understood that around 300 people, including families with young children, were present at the protest.

The group had gathered to show support for the Kurds in northern Syria, who have been fighting a government advance.

According to initial findings, the suspects mingled with the demonstrators before attacking them.

Six people have been injured, two of them critically, in a mass stabbing at a Kurdish protest in the Belgian city of Antwerp (picture from the scene)

Four people have been arrested in connection with the stabbing but police said they are yet to uncover a motive (picture from the scene)

Orhan Kilic, a spokesperson for Navbel, a group representing the Kurdish diaspora in Belgium, said: 'Just as the protest was disbanding, the Kurdish demonstrators were attacked by a group of men.

'These men had sneaked into the demonstration and suddenly pulled out knives and began stabbing people indiscriminately.

'It is clear that this attack is not an isolated instance of senseless violence, but a motivated attack on a community.'

Police said the incident was being investigated as a case of attempted murder, 'not terrorism'.

Witnessed described scenes of panic as the horror unfolded.

One person said according to The Sun: 'People were running in every direction; it was pure chaos.'

Another added: 'I saw the commotion from by window, but it was still scary.

'I saw one of the victims lying on the ground, receiving help from the paramedics. He could only move his arm weakly.'

More than 134,000 people have been displaced in northeast Syria, according to the United Nations, after clashes and a fragile ceasefire deal between government troops and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

Under military and political pressure from Damascus, which is seeking to extend its control across the country, the SDF has relinquished swathes of territory in recent days, withdrawing to parts of Hasakeh province, the Kurds' stronghold in the northeast.
A university is facing backlash after it was revealed it had set up a secret committee to prepare for what would happen if it needed to change its 'divisive' name.

Queensland's James Cook University (JCU) now has a group of people mapping out what will need to happen in the future if the name is changed.

But critics have blasted the committee and said the university's priority should be education and not debates around identity.

Executives at the university hand-selected the board who are expected to ensure a smooth name change should one take place.

The state government immediately lashed out at the proposal with Queensland Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek labelling it a distraction from bigger issues.

He also said Premier David Crisafulli, who is a JCU graduate, was blindsided and not informed about the new committee.

Other Australians also slammed the idea, with many agreeing it would be a waste of taxpayer money and burdensome for students.

A spokesperson for JCU said the new committee would explore how a name change might be handled but that there was no plan to remove Cook's name at present.

Queensland's James Cook University has established a new committee to oversee the process of a name change should the university undertake one in the future

Premier David Crisafulli is understood to not have been consulted regarding the new committee

Langbroek said it was time to stop focusing on division and instead aim to support students at JCU.

'We think Australians and Queenslanders are tired of this historical revisiting of issues that have helped to make us the country and the state that we are,' he told Sky News.

'James Cook University should be focusing on delivering a world-class education for their students, and it's a very complex issue to talk about changing your name.

'I certainly met with the Vice Chancellor, and encouraged him to reconsider that the university might even think about doing this.'

The university previously changed the name of its Townsville campus in 2020 to Bebegu Yumba in honour of Indigenous Australians.

It was done following consultation with Traditional Owners and Indigenous communities.

However, that rebranding was light work when compared to a full rebranding, Langbroek said.

The education minister said his government would have no time for a complete name change of the institution.

James Cook University previously renamed its Townsville campus in honour of Indigenous Australians (pictured, JCU Cairns campus)

Queensland Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek said the university should be focused on empowering its students instead of anything to do with a potential name change

The British explorer, James Cook, has sparked division in Australia with many statues in his honour vandalised in recent years.

Some have compared the monuments to 'symbols of colonialism and genocide' for Indigenous Australians.

But social media users were left unimpressed with the idea of a name change for the university.

'James Cook named Magnetic Island in 1770. The University started in 1961. It was named after him. It originated in Townsville - Magnetic Island sits opposite Townsville,' one person wrote.

'Why change it?'

'Leave it alone. Cook was a great navigator, explorer and an historical figure in our history and he is not offensive,' a second said.

'Actually, it should be renamed to CAPTAIN James Cook University. To acknowledge his achievements. Australia owes Captain James Cook a grateful debt of gratitude,' a third said.

A spokesperson for JCU reiterated that the university was not currently considering a name change in any capacity.

The Daily Mail has contacted James Cook University for further comment.
Keir Starmer led a chorus of fury against Donald Trump today after the president's vile slur against British soldiers who fought and died in Afghanistan.

Downing Street hit out at Trump for 'diminishing the sacrifice and service of our troops' in a television interview that worsened the deepest transatlantic rift in decades.

Politicians and military veterans reacted with outrage after the president told Fox News that Nato troops, including those from Britain, stayed 'a little off the front lines' during the war in Afghanistan.

Some 457 British service personnel were killed in the conflict in Afghanistan, fighting alongside the US, and countless more were severely wounded.

His remarks came after a week in which the president clashed with Nato allies, including the UK, over their refusal to agree to his demand that Greenland be brought under US control.

In what was branded a cheap shot at his country's allies he said he was 'not sure' the military alliance would be there for America 'if we ever needed them'.

'We've never needed them ... we have never really asked anything of them,' he told Fox.

'They'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan, and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the frontlines'.

No 10 today said that the president was 'wrong in diminishing the sacrifice and service of our troops', with the PM's spokesman saying: 'Their sacrifice and that of other Nato forces was made in the service of collective security and in response to an attack on our ally.'

And Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused the president of talking 'flat-out nonsense', about those who 'fought and died alongside the US', adding: 'Their sacrifice deserves respect not denigration.'

The mother of veteran Ben Parkinson, who is regarded as the most severely injured British soldier to survive in Afghanistan, said she was 'stunned as to how anyone could say such a thing' in reaction to US President Donald Trump's comments.

Diane Dernie said: 'I can assure you, the Taliban didn't plant IEDs miles and miles back from the front line.'

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In an interview with Fox News on Thursday, Trump launched another onslaught of insults against Nato troops, claiming European personnel stayed 'off the front lines' in Afghanistan

No 10 today said that the president was 'wrong in diminishing the sacrifice and service of our troops', with the PM's spokesman saying: 'Their sacrifice and that of other Nato forces was made in the service of collective security and in response to an attack on our ally'

Diane Dernie, whose son Ben Parkinson is regarded as the most severely injured British soldier to survive in Afghanistan, said she was 'stunned as to how anyone could say such a thing'

She told the Press Association Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer should call out Mr Trump and 'make a stand' in response to his remarks.

Ian Sadler, whose son, Trooper Jack Sadler, 21, was killed in Afghanistan in 2007, added: 'The British certainly were in the hot spots, they were on the front line, 457 of them were lost and there was probably three times as many seriously injured as deaths.'

Labour's Defence Secretary John Healey said: 'Those British troops should be remembered for who they were: heroes who gave their lives in service of our nation.'

And Armed Forces Minister Al Cairns, who did five tours in Afghanistan with the Royal Marines, said the president's words were 'utterly ridiculous'.

'Many courageous and honourable service personnel from many nations fought on the front line, many fought way beyond it,' he said.

'I served five tours in Afghanistan, many alongside my American colleagues. We shed blood, sweat and tears together and not everybody came home. These are bonds forged in fire, protecting US and shared interests, and actually protecting democracy overall.

'I would suggest whoever believes these comments come have a whisky with me, my colleagues, their families and importantly the families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for both of our nations.'

Reform MP Robert Jenrick said the president's comments were 'offensive and wrong'.

Party leader Nigel Farage, a close ally of Mr Trump, has yet to comment.

But a Reform spokesman said: 'Donald Trumps comments are plain wrong.

'For 20 years our armed forces fought bravely alongside America's in Afghanistan.

'We spent the same amount of money pro rata and we suffered the same losses.

'Those men and women deserve our undying respect.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused the president of talking 'flat-out nonsense', about those who 'fought and died alongside the US', adding: 'Their sacrifice deserves respect not denigration'

Health Minister Stephen Kinnock said the 'disappointing' comments 'don't really bear any resemblance to the reality' of British troops' sacrifice

Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty, who served in Afghanistan, said it was 'sad to see our nation's sacrifice, and that of our Nato partners, held so cheaply'.

Mr Obese-Jecty, a former captain in the Royal Yorkshire Regiment, added: 'I saw firsthand the sacrifices made by British soldiers I served alongside in Sangin, where we suffered horrific casualties, as did the US Marines the following year.

'I don't believe US military personnel share the view of President Trump; his words do them a disservice as our closest military allies.'

Calvin Bailey, a Labour MP and former RAF officer who served alongside US special operations units in Afghanistan, chimed in, saying Trump's claim 'bears no resemblance to the reality experienced by those of us who served there'.

And Tan Dhesi, chairman of the Commons Defence Committee, said the president's comments were 'appalling and an insult to our brave British servicemen and women, who risked life and limb to help our allies, with many making the ultimate sacrifice'.

Speaking on the BBC's Question Time, Labour MP Emily Thornberry, the chair of the foreign affairs committee, called it an 'absolute insult', adding: 'How dare he say we weren't on the frontline, how dare he. We have always been there whenever the Americans have wanted us, we have always been there.'

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: 'How dare he question their sacrifice?'

America is the only Nato member to have invoked the collective security provisions of its Article 5 clause - that an attack against one member is an attack on all.

That came after the September 11 attack on the World Trade Centre in New York in 2001, which led to a US-led invasion of Afghanistan.

The UK suffered the second-highest number of military deaths in the Afghanistan conflict at 457. The US saw 2,461 deaths. America's allies suffered 1,160 deaths during the conflict - around a third of the total coalition deaths.

Join the debate Should Trump apologise?

US President Donald Trump delivers a speech during the Board of Peace session held as part of the 56th World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, on January 22, 2026

Nato secretary general Mark Rutte delivered a reality check to Donald Trump, telling him that one Nato soldier died for every two Americans in Afghanistan after the US President doubted the Western alliance

Speaking in Davos yesterday, the US President made a similar swipe against the 32-member military alliance, saying: 'I know them all very well. I'm not sure that they'd be there. I know we'd be there for them. I don't know that they would be there for us.'

Following the speech, Nato chief Rutte corrected the record to the US President, telling him: 'There's one thing I heard you say yesterday and today. You were not absolutely sure Europeans would come to the rescue of the US if you will be attacked. Let me tell you, they will, and they did in Afghanistan.'

Rutte's rebuttal came after Trump called Denmark - which had the highest per capita death toll among coalition forces in Afghanistan - 'ungrateful' for US protection during the Second World War.

'For every two Americans who paid the ultimate price, there was one soldier from another Nato country who did not come back to his family  from the Netherlands, from Denmark, and particularly from other countries,' the Nato chief said.

'So you can be assured, absolutely, if ever the United States were under attack, your allies will be with you. There is an absolute guarantee. I really want to tell you that because it pains me if you think it is not,' Rutte told Trump.
British ISIS fighters could face execution in Iraq after their evacuation from Syria by the US military.

About 100,000 Islamic State members have been held in detainment camps guarded by Kurdish forces in Syria after their native countries refused to allow them back in.

Some of these are foreign nationals, who will be amongst the thousands of suspected terrorists moved to Iraq, The Telegraph reported.

In the last seven years, Iraq has executed hundreds of people for affiliation with the terror group under its strict anti-terrorism laws.

According to human rights organisation Reprieve, at least ten British-born men were being held in ISIS prisons in Syria. Most of them have been stripped of their UK citizenship.

Reprieve says these British prisoners are at risk of torture and execution, without an opportunity to contest the allegations against them.

Meanwhile, around 55 other Brits or former British citizens are also being held in detainment camps, including Shamima Begum who left London to join ISIS in 2015.

Roughly half of them are believed to be children.

The Syrian army deploys security personnel to Al-Hawl refugee camp, where families of ISIS, mostly women and children, are being held

Shamima Begum who left London to join ISIS in 2015 is being held in a detainment camp

SDF forces gather outside of Derik, also known as Al-Malikiyah, Syria

The camps have now been caught in the middle of a Syrian military offensive into areas dominated by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

Although the US previously backed the SDF in their fight against the Islamic State, the Wall Street Journal reported it is now considering withdrawing its 1,000 troops following the crumbling state of its Kurdish allies.

The ongoing clashes have led to security breaches at the centres, including in the Al-Hol prison camp where suspected ISIS wives rioted and tore down the fence before escaping.

Video footage shared on social media showed dozens of women, all wearing black burqas, emerging from the camp after they knocked down the fencing.

Another clip appears to show the camp's female residents shouting and throwing rocks at a military truck.

Videos shared on social media showed dozens of women, all wearing black burqas, emerging from the camp after they knocked down the fencing

Syrian government forces ride on the roof of a vehicle

The US military transferred 150 of the most dangerous militants in captivity to Iraq on Wednesday, and is planning to move another 7,000.

They are reportedly becoming increasingly concerned that prisoners could return to Europe to carry out attacks.

Iraqi sources told Reuters that British-born detainees were among those evacuated.

They added that the biggest group are Iraqis followed by Arab fighters from different countries and then British, French, German, Belgian and Swedish nationals. There are also people from other EU countries.

Katherine Cornett from Reprieve told The Telegraph that American plans to move 7,000 detainees 'would account for all the male prisoners previously detained by the SDF, including a handful of British nationals.'

She added there is no way to know how may Brits there actually are, 'because they have been held in dark prisons for years.'

A view from Al-Hawl refugee camp, where families of ISIS, mostly women and children, are being held

A view of Hol Camp, located in the south of Hasakah province, where families of ISIS, mostly women and children, are being held

Cornett, who serves as the deputy director of the organisation, criticised the British Government amid the recent chaos at the camps.

'It was warned, over and over again, that refusing to repatriate British nationals was a far greater security risk than bringing them home to face prosecution  but it refused to listen,' she said.

'The sheer negligence of this shameful refusal to take responsibility has now been exposed.'
US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held late-night talks with Vladimir Putin in Moscow in what the Kremlin described as a 'useful' meeting on a US-drafted plan to end the war in Ukraine.

The discussions stretched into the early hours of Friday before the American delegation prepared to fly on to Abu Dhabi, where US, Ukrainian and Russian officials are due to hold further security talks later today.

Video released by the Kremlin showed a smiling Putin warmly shaking hands with Witkoff, Kushner and White House adviser Josh Gruenbaum during the high-stakes meeting in Moscow.

The Kremlin confirmed the talks had paved the way for the first session of a trilateral working group, with Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov saying the discussions had been 'useful in every respect'.

A Russian delegation led by GRU intelligence chief Igor Kostyukov is also expected to travel to the UAE for the next round, Ushakov said, as diplomatic efforts to end Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II gather pace.

It comes ahead of a planned meeting between Russia, the US and Ukraine in the United Arab Emirates on Friday.

Zelensky, having earlier confirmed the trilateral meeting, said: 'Right now, our team is heading to the Emirates for meetings with both the American and Russian sides. We're waiting to see how it goes and will decide on the next steps.'

US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Moscow yesterday for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, amid talk of a peace deal being 'nearly, nearly ready'

The meeting came ahead of planned talks between Russia, the US and Ukraine in the United Arab Emirates on Friday

Zelensky and Trump said their meeting on Thursday regarding a peace deal was 'good'

He said that meetings would take place on Friday and Sunday.

Today at Davos, he said he had a 'very good' meeting with Donald Trump, adding that a peace deal is nearly ready.

But Zelensky also criticised Europe for what he described as a lack of 'political will' to deal with Putin.

Speaking in Davos on Thursday, the Ukrainian president said discussions with Trump had been positive, adding: 'We spoke about documents and about air defence.'

He added: 'I think this is the last mile.'

The US President also commented on the talks, telling reporters the meeting was 'good,' but 'we'll see how it turns out' adding: 'This war has to end.'

During his address at the World Economic Forum, Zelensky told the audience: 'We met with President Trump, and our teams are working almost every day. It's not simple. The documents aimed at ending this war are nearly, nearly ready.

'Ukraine is working with full honesty and determination and that brings results.'

A plane carrying U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner stands on the tarmac upon the arrival at Vnukovo International Airport before a scheduled meeting with a Russian delegation in Moscow, Russia, January 22, 2026

During his address, Zelensky told the audience: 'We met with President Trump, and our teams are working almost every day'

US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner (left-right), pictured in Davos earlier today

Accusing Europe of inaction over criminal investigations into Russia, Zelensky said: 'It's true many meetings have taken place, but still Europe hasn't reached even the point of having a home for the tribunal, with stuff and actual work happening inside.

'What's missing? Time or political will? Too often in Europe, something else is always more urgent than justice.'

He told the crowd in Davos: 'Why can President Trump stop tankers from the shadow fleet and seize oil, when Europe doesn't? If Putin has no money, there is no war for Europe.'

'Russian oil is being transported right along European shores. That oil funds the war against Ukraine, that oil helps destabilise Europe.

'If Europe has money, then it can protect its people. Right now, those tankers are making money for Putin and that means Russia continues to push its sick agenda.'

Zelensky said Europe needs a united armed forces to 'truly defend' it 'today'.

'Just last year here in Davos, I ended my speech with the words, 'Europe needs to know how to defend itself'. A year has passed and nothing has changed,' he said.

'We are still in a situation where I must say the same words.'

Zelensky said Europe needs a united armed forces to 'truly defend' it 'today'

A residential building damaged by a Russian strike in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, on Thursday

Continuing the searing criticism of his European allies, Zelensky said Europe looked 'fragmented' and 'lost trying to convince the US president to change'.

He continued: 'But he will not change. President Trump loves who he is, and he says he loves Europe, but he will not listen to this kind of Europe.'

Calling for a different in mindset, Zelensky said: 'Instead of becoming a truly global power, Europe remains a beautiful but fragmented kaleidoscope of small and middle powers.

'When united we are truly invincible and Europe can and must be a global force, not one that reacts late, but one that defines the future.'

He said Europe was yet to form a 'united position' on Donald Trump's Board of Peace and Greenland as examples of how it looks 'lost' while facing challenges from the US.

Zelensky added that Ukraine needs security guarantees from the US to prevent Russia from invading again.

While some European countries have committed to sending peacekeeping troops, the only way to stop Putin will be if the US is involved, he claimed.

Zelensky has repeatedly hammered home the claim that Ukraine needs concrete security guarantees before any can be made on issues including control of territory.

So far, the UK and France have committed to sending some troops to Ukraine in 'military hubs' in the event of a ceasefire.

Zelensky said that Ukraine needs security guarantees from the US to prevent Russia from invading again

But Zelensky said: 'The UK and France are ready to actually commit their forces on the ground... But the backstop of President Trump is needed.

'And again, no security guarantees work without the US,' Zelensky said in his address.

Trilateral talks between Ukraine, Russia and US will start on Friday in the UAE, according to the Ukrainian leader.

He suggested the idea was put forward by Washington during his speech on Thursday.

Zelensky said: 'I hope that the Emirates know about it. Yes. Sometimes we have such surprises from our American side.'

Witkoff himself has described the main sticking point between Russia and Ukraine, that of land ownership, as 'solvable.'

Zelensky himself confirmed that many of issues in negotiations are 'all about the land' in eastern Ukraine, where Putin's forces have been steadily increasing their foothold.
Sir Keir Starmer has been warned against a 'London stitch-up' that would prevent leadership rival Andy Burnham from returning to Westminster.

Labour MPs and trade union leaders are on the warpath amid claims Starmer loyalists will block the Greater Manchester mayor from standing in an upcoming by-election.

Mr Burnham, who publicly flirted with a return to the House of Commons, is seen as the leading candidate to replace Sir Keir as Labour leader and Prime Minister.

He can only mount a leadership challenge as a Labour MP - meaning he will first have to quit as Greater Manchester mayor and win a parliamentary by-election.

Mr Burnham has yet to declare if he will use the opportunity of a contest in Gorton and Denton to return to the Commons, which has been triggered by the resignation of local MP Andrew Gwynne.

But Labour figures are already said to be trying to put roadblocks in his way, should the so-called 'King of the North' look to return to Westminster.

Some sources have suggested that Labour's shortlist of candidates for the by-election - which could be held on May 7 alongside local elections - may be made women-only or ethnic minority-only to prevent Mr Burnham from being a candidate.

Others have suggested that Labour's ruling National Executive Committee, packed with Starmer loyalists, will look to block him in another way.

Meanwhile, it has also emerged how Mr Burnham might be lining up ex-Manchester United and England footballer Gary Neville as his replacement as Manchester mayor.

It is thought that having a famous Labour supporter as a candidate would boost the party's chances of retaining the mayoralty in the face of a challenge by Reform UK.

Sir Keir Starmer has been warned against a 'London stitch-up' that would prevent leadership rival Andy Burnham from returning to Westminster

Mr Burnham has yet to declare if he will use a contest in Gorton and Denton to try and return to the Commons, which has been triggered by the resignation of Andrew Gwynne (pictured)

Gary Neville is a Labour Party member and appeared alongside Sir Keir in a Labour campaign broadcast ahead of the 2024 general election

A Labour insider told The i Paper: 'If you're Andy it's better to have the promise of a big gun rather than popping some unknown council leader on the ballot as the mayoral candidate, then [the mayoralty] falling to Nigel Farage.

'I think he has somebody in mind in the shape of Gary Neville. Whether or not the party members would respond to that I don't know.'

Neville is a Labour Party member and appeared alongside Sir Keir in a Labour campaign broadcast ahead of the 2024 general election.

He has also previously appeared on stage at Labour's annual party conference.

Mr Gwynne's resignation as Gorton and Denton MP on medical grounds has plunged Labour into civil war amid the prospect of a looming leadership challenge by Mr Burnham.

A Labour MP told Politico's Playbook 'it would seem quite small-dick energy from No 10' if Mr Burnham was barred from running in the upcoming by-election just to prevent him challenging the PM.

Meanwhile, Bassetlaw MP Jo White, leader of the 'Red Wall' group of Labour MPs, said: 'Let the North decide who their Labour candidate should be for the Gorton and Denton by election. A London stitch up will be a disaster for Labour.'

She was backed by the new general secretary of the Unison union, who was expelled from Labour in 2022.

Andrea Egan said: 'We've seen enough control-freakery in the Labour Party and it has done our movement nothing but harm.'

Connor Naismith, the Labour MP for Crewe and Nantwich, said: 'Gorton and Denton deserves the best possible choice of candidates.

'I agree with the Prime Minister that our attention should be on delivering for the public, not speculating about future leadership contests.

'Any decision made to limit the choice would be wrong.'

Earlier today, a senior minister heavily suggested that Mr Burnham should stay in his comfort zone in Greater Manchester, where his term as mayor runs until 2028.

Health and Social Care Stephen Kinnock pointedly told BBC Breakfast that Mr Burnham is 'doing a great job in the role that he currently has' and is 'an incredibly talented and effective leader as the mayor of Greater Manchester'.

Sir Keir's chief of staff Morgan McSweeney is already weighing up whether to use the PM's majority on the NEC to block Mr Burnham as a candidate.

Party figures could also use the cost of running a mayoral election in Manchester against Mr Burnham. He will have to resign the role to even run in Gorton, and there are fears Reform could win in a major surge towards Nigel Farage's party.

Burnham's possible route to Westminster

Andy Burnham would first have to secure a waiver from Labour's National Executive Committee (NEC) in order to give up his role as Mayor of Greater Manchester to run for Parliament or (more likely) quit the job before putting himself forward. SECOND, he would have to make it on to the longlist for the seat. This should, in theory, be relatively straightforward given his public profile. NEXT he would have to pass an interview stage with an NEC panel made up of five members (three officers of the NEC, a representative from the regional board and a local constituency representative) in order to make it on to their shortlist. This could be a potential stumbling block given the current makeup of the NEC, which is said to be aligned with the Prime Minister. They are said to be considering making the shortlist women or BAME candidates only. STEP four for Mr Burnham, after being selected as a candidate on the shortlist, would be selection by Constituency Labour Party members. If he makes it this far, it is hard to imagine a scenario in which Mr Burnham does not win a ballot of Manchester Labour members at a selection meeting. THEN, finally, he would have to actually win the by-election as a Labour candidate. This is not such an easy feat while Reform UK is surging in the polls and the Greens are hovering close-by. Advertisement

Labour won Gorton and Denton with a majority of more than 13,000 in the 2024 election, but it is now seen as a three-way marginal between Labour, Reform and the Green Party.

The PM yesterday refused to say whether he would support Mr Burnham's candidacy.

But union leaders critical of Sir Keir's leadership warned against any attempt to 'stitch up' the nomination.

Fire Brigades Union chief Steve Wright said it would be 'a democratic outrage if Andy Burnham was blocked from seeking selection as Labour's by-election candidate in this seat'.

Mr Wright, whose union has a seat on the NEC, said he would 'not stand by and allow senior Labour politicians like Andy to be carved out of this process'.

Mr Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester since 2017, is the favourite to replace Sir Keir among Labour Party members. But he can only challenge the leadership if he has a seat in Parliament.

The MP for Leigh from 2001 to 2017, Mr Burnham has stood for leadership on two occasions and has made little secret of his ambition to replace Sir Keir, leading to a cold shoulder from many at last year's party conference.

He refused to say yesterday whether he will seek to stand in Mr Gwynne's Gorton and Denton constituency, claiming he had been 'in the dark' about his colleague's intentions.

But his allies told The Mail on Sunday last month he was poised to secure a deal to fight a by-election to return to the Commons.

Mr Gwynne was suspended by Labour last year after The Mail on Sunday uncovered a series of offensive WhatsApp messages he had sent, including one in which he said he hoped for the death of an elderly constituent who complained about bin collections.

He is reported to have cut a deal to retire on health grounds in return for assurances about his MP's pension. Commons sources suggested the deal would see Mr Gwynne - who is only 51 - paid up until pension age, at which point he would receive a full Parliamentary pension. That package could be worth around 1million, according to one insider.

Mr Kinnock this morning said: 'I know the Prime Minister and other members of the Cabinet hugely valued the role he (Burnham) played in the aftermath of those awful events at the synagogue in Manchester.

'So, it's absolutely clear that Andy's doing a great job in the role that he currently has.

'In terms of the selection process for this by-election, it will run according to Labour Party rules and procedures.

'The NEC will set out those rules and procedures in due course.'

Nigel Farage yesterday said Reform would throw everything at a contest, in a region where it is growing in strength.

He told the Daily Mail: 'This by-election is by no means a certainty for Labour, the Left-wing Greens will split their vote and we will be the challenger. We will give it our all.'

Asked about the possibility of a leadership challenge, the Prime Minister last night told Channel 4 News: 'My message is to my entire party, and that is that every minute we waste talking about anything other than the cost of living and stability in Europe and across the globe is a wasted minute.'

Polling expert Professor Sir John Curtice said Mr Burnham's local popularity posed a dilemma for Sir Keir, adding: 'If Andy Burnham is not the candidate, particularly if he is stopped by Labour, and Labour then lose, Keir Starmer is going to get the blame.

'If Burnham fights the by-election he will be putting his alleged popularity and ability to turn around Labour's fortunes to the test. If he loses, that's the end, but if he wins that could raise questions for the PM.'

There were rumours that Mancunian Green Party leader Zack Polanski could throw his hat in the ring in a bid to win a seat at Westminster. Tory sources also confirmed they would stand a candidate.
A former Tory councillor has admitted to drugging and raping his ex-wife in a harrowing campaign of abuse that stretched over more than a decade.

Fatherofthree Philip Young pleaded guilty to 48 sex offences at a hearing at Winchester Crown Court today.

The 49yearold admitted to repeatedly raping his former wife Joanne Young, 48, over a 13-year period.

A stony-faced Young pleaded guilty to drugging his unsuspecting wife before carrying out the string of assaults, sometimes acting alone and in several cases alongside other men.

Ms Young, who can be named after she bravely waived her right to anonymity, was present to witness the pleas entered in Court Two this afternoon, supported by her sister and a member of Witness Support.

Young, who was dressed in a prison issued grey tracksuit, lowered his eyes as his former wife of more than 20 years entered the court.

The disgraced business consultant admitted to 11 counts of rape, seven charges of sexual assault and four counts of sexual touching, all involving his ex-wife.

Young also admitted to raping his wife with an unidentified man  who the police are still trying to trace  between April and May 2022.

Fatherofthree Philip Young was charged with 56 sex offences against his 48-year-old ex-wife Joanne over a period of 13 years

Ms Young, pictured, was in court on Friday to hear Young admit the offences

The disgraced business consultant admitted to 11 counts of rape, seven charges of sexual assault and four counts of sexual touching, all involving his ex-wife

Young also admitted to multiple counts of 'voyeurism' including secretly recording his unsuspecting wife during 'private acts' more than 200 times for his sexual gratification between January 2010 and July 2024.

He also pleaded guilty to publishing 'obscene' material  including non-consensual intimate photographs and videos of Ms Young  more than 500 times.

However, Young denied eight charges during the hearing, including multiple counts of possession of indecent images of children  of which 139 are allegedly of the most serious category A, and 82 'extreme' images.

Originally from the upmarket Ash Brake area of Swindon but now living in Enfield, north London, Young was remanded in custody to be sentenced at a later date.

He had served as a respected Conservative councillor in the leafy Wiltshire town for several years, rising to be a cabinet member.

But in 2010 - the year when the abuse is believed to have begun - Young announced he was stepping down in order to spend more time with his family.

Also in the dock are five other men, none of whom have admitted any offences.

The group appeared again at Winchester Crown Court before Judge Angela Morris today.

Young was pictured in a court sketch at Winchester Crown Court today, where he admitted 48 sexual offences

A court sketch showed (left to right) Mohammed Hassan, Norman Macksoni, Richard Wilkins, Connor Sanderson Doyle and Dean Hamilton at Winchester Crown Court today

Connor Sanderson-Doyle, 31, from Swindon, is charged with sexual assault by penetration and sexual touching (Pictured arriving at Winchester Crown Court on Friday)

Dean Hamilton, of no fixed abode, 47, arrives at Winchester Crown Court today - he is charged with one count of rape and sexual assault by penetration and two counts of sexual touching

Richard Wilkins, 61, of Toothill, Swindon, arrives at Winchester Crown Court - he is also charged with one count of rape and sexual touching

Norman Macksoni, 47, of Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, arrives at Winchester Crown Court - he is charged with one count of rape and possession of extreme images

Mohammed Hassan, 37, from Swindon, is charged with one count of sexual touching

Young was charged with a string of sexual offences against his ex-wife alongside the five other men

Young is a former Tory councillor from the upmarket Ash Brake area of Swindon

Norman Macksoni, 47, of Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, entered a not guilty plea to one count of rape and one count of possession of extreme images.

Connor Sanderson-Doyle, 31, from Swindon also denied sexual assault by penetration and sexual touching.

While Richard Wilkins, 61, from Swindon, denied rape and sexual touching while Mohammed Hassan, 37, also from Swindon, pleaded not guilty to a single charge of sexual touching.

Dean Hamilton, 47, of Butleigh, Somerset, who faces one count of rape and sexual assault by penetration and two counts of sexual touching, is yet to enter a plea.

The six men stood in line in the dock for the 27 minutes it took for the charges to be read by the clerk.

The five men were all granted bail and are due to stand trial on October 5.

Speaking after the court hearing James Foster, Specialist Prosecutor of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: 'Philip Young has pleaded guilty to 48 serious sexual offences committed against his former wife, Joanne Young.

'We worked closely with Wiltshire Police to build a thorough and compelling case that resulted in him pleading guilty to dozens of offences today.'

Wiltshire Police Detective Superintendent Geoff Smith, the senior investigating officer in the case, said: 'Today's hearing is a significant landmark, which has seen Philip Young admit to dozens of serious sexual offences against Joanne Young.

'I'd like to pay tribute to Jo for her incredible bravery throughout this process. She continues to be supported by specially trained officers.

'I'd also like to commend the investigation team for their relentless hard work in getting the case to this stage and thank the Crown Prosecution Service for their support in ensuring Young faces justice for his abhorrent actions.

'The wider case is now continuing through the courts and we have no further comment to make.'

Young was formerly a council cabinet member for culture, regeneration and economic development, but in 2010 he said he was stepping down to spend more time with family.

Six months earlier, he described how he helped deliver the couple's third child at home minutes before paramedics could arrive. The couple have since split up.

Young has been involved in multiple consultancy businesses, including as a director, and describes himself online as an 'experienced business leader'.

He is listed as the chief operating officer for a salesforce consultancy firm based in London. He joined the business in June 2023 with '17 years' experience in the ecosystem running his own partner consultancy', according to his biography on the company website.

He previously worked on projects for household names including Aston Martin, Unilever, and BP.

Young graduated with a business studies degree from the University of Westminster in 1998, and previously went to school in Bishop's Stortford.
Storm Ingrid struck Britain with 60mph gusts, heavy downpours and large waves today as hundreds of flood alerts were activated amid rail line shutdowns.

The Met Office issued a 31-hour yellow weather warning for wind and rain for South West England and South Wales running from 2am today until 9am tomorrow.

The first band of rain from the storm, named by Portuguese weather service IPMA, will bring up to 20mm (0.7in) in a few hours on already saturated ground.

A drier interlude will follow before further bands of heavy rain push north into the warning area through the afternoon and into the evening, causing flooding.

Forecasters said they expect a further 20mm (0.7in) of rain to fall widely across the region by tomorrow morning, with up to 40mm (1.6in) possible in places.

This second period of rain will be accompanied by strong winds, coastal gales and large waves  with gusts of 45 to 50mph inland and up to 60mph near coasts.

Coastal routes and sea fronts in the area will be affected by spray and large waves, with the winds set to peak this evening before gradually easing overnight.

Meteorologists also warned of difficult driving conditions due to spray and flooding on roads, as well as power cuts and delays to trains, buses, planes and ferries.

Dog walkers pass strong waves hitting the coastline of Lyme Regis in Dorset this afternoon

Dog walkers in strong winds at Gyllyngvase Beach in Falmouth, Cornwall, this morning

Waves crash against South Shields Lighthouse in South Tyneside this morning

Country paths have turned into muddy quagmires today after rain in Dunsden, Oxfordshire

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Flooding remains a major risk, with the Environment Agency issuing 26 warnings and 163 alerts for England. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency had 24 warnings and seven alerts active, while Natural Resources Wales issued five alerts.

Met Office chief forecaster Neil Armstrong said: 'An area of low pressure, named Storm Ingrid by the Portuguese national weather service, will bring spells of heavy rain and strong winds across much of South West England on Friday before easing on Saturday morning.

'The system is slow-moving but will bring more than 20mm of rain for some which is falling on saturated ground, increasing the chances of impacts.

'In addition to rain, large waves and gusty winds are likely, especially along southern coasts, with 60mph peaks possible, with 45 to 50mph inland.'

The Met Office said low pressure will remain the driving force for much of the weather this weekend, with more strong winds and rain for many places.

Forecasters have also warned of 'wintry hazards' next week for the north and east of the UK, with the chance of snow for some places.

CrossCountry and Great Western Railway passengers were told the line between Exeter St Davids and Newton Abbot in Devon will shut from 8.30pm tonight due to the weather.

Large waves caused by Storm Ingrid strike Gyllyngvase Beach in Falmouth, Cornwall, today

Waves crash against South Shields Lighthouse in South Tyneside this morning

Dog walkers in strong winds at Gyllyngvase Beach in Falmouth, Cornwall, this morning

Large waves caused by Storm Ingrid strike Gyllyngvase Beach in Falmouth, Cornwall, today

Ponies graze on their hay breakfast in a quagmire of mud in Dunsden, Oxfordshire, today

Large waves caused by Storm Ingrid strike Gyllyngvase Beach in Falmouth, Cornwall, today

It will remain closed until at least 2pm tomorrow by which time engineers will have finished inspections of the line.

From 5pm, no CrossCountry services will run between Exeter St Davids and Paignton and Plymouth, while from 8.30pm, no Great Western Railway services will run between Exeter St Davids and Newton Abbot and Paignton.

Rail replacement transport will be operating from 5pm and disruption is expected until 4pm tomorrow.

Meanwhile the line between Liskeard and Looe in Cornwall will remain closed until at least the end of tomorrow following recent heavy rain which flooded the track.

On the Isle of Wight, South Western Railway said the railway was being flooded at Ryde Pier Head which meant the station could not be served - and trains instead were starting and terminating at Ryde Esplanade.

In Scotland, areas have been deluged by heavy rain following an amber warning in place yesterday  and a yellow warning remains in force for some areas until the end of the day.

This warned of up to 120mm (4.7in) of rain over the highest ground exposed to south-easterly winds  while rain will also fall increasingly as snow in some places.

Network Rail has brought in emergency speed restrictions on some routes for safety reasons  including between Stranraer and Ayr; and between Carlisle and Glasgow Central via Dumfries, both until 12pm.

The Environment Agency has issued 26 warnings (in red) and 163 alerts (in orange) for England

Yellow warning for South West England and South Wales from 2am today until 9am tomorrow

The Met Office has issued a rain warning for parts of Scotland running until the end of today

Restrictions are also in place until the same time between Glasgow Queen Street and Oban and Mallaig; between Glasgow Queen Street and Edinburgh and Inverness; between Edinburgh and Aberdeen and Inverness; and between Montrose and Aberdeen and Inverurie.

In Aberdeenshire, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service rescued three people whose vehicles had become immobilised due to floodwater yesterday.

Two people were taken from a minibus on the B977 near Kintore at around 8.30am.

In a separate incident at around the same time near Banchory, one person was rescued from a car on the B976.

Bear Scotland has warned of disruption to roads in the affected areas, including on the A85 between Crieff and Lochearnhead in Perthshire.

The Scottish Government's Resilience Room held a meeting discuss the flooding and how to respond.

Ferry operator CalMac said many of its services have been cancelled, with the risk of more being subject to delays or cancellation at short notice.
An Algerian asylum seeker convicted of sexual assault has been jailed for leading a 'cowardly' phone-snatching gang which terrorised commuters in a violent robbery spree.

Adel Kerari, 27, of Lisgar Terrace in Hammersmith and Fulham, was jailed at Inner London Crown Court for two years and eight months in prison, having pleaded guilty to six counts of robbery and one of fraud by false representation.

Kerari and four associates carried out a series of six thefts targeting lone travellers in June 2023, which saw a woman punched in the face and commuters attacked.

When he was identified by police Kerari had already left the UK, where he had lived for a year after leaving his native Algeria. He was in Ireland seeking asylum.

But within five days of his arrival he had sexually assaulted a 22-year-old woman in an attack that would see him jailed for more than two years.

He was arrested by officers from British Transport Police after returning to London following his release from prison.

The series of raids in 2023 included a robbery on June 1, where the gang cornered a woman on a train to Holborn and followed her through the station after she managed to escape.

She was then pushed from behind, punched in the face and robbed of her phone and headphones.

Algerian asylum seeker Adel Kerari, 27, has been jailed for two years and eight months for his role in a 'cowardly' phone-snatching gang

Kerari and four associates carried out a series of six violent robberies targeting lone travellers in June 2023, which saw a woman punched in the face and commuters attacked

During a second incident ten days later, the group stole a man's phone and wallet after attacking him at Leyton Underground station.

Hours later, the gang were captured on CCTV using the man's stolen bank card at an off-licence.

Over the course of 11 days, the group committed or attempted to commit robberies at stations including Holborn, Chancery Lane, Leicester Square, Russell Square, Notting Hill, Shepherd's Bush, Piccadilly Circus, and Leyton.

They stole phones, wallets and other personal effects with some of the devices valued at more than 2,000, court documents show.

The group resorted to violence or the threat of violence to rob commuters, going from station to station targeting lone travellers.

On one night the group targeted two people in just 10 minutes, robbing someone of their phone and wallet at Leicester Square before travelling on the train to Russell Square and robbing a second person of their phone.

It can now be revealed that Kerari is in fact an Algerian migrant who travelled to Ireland following his robbery spree, where he was convicted of sexual assault.

Kerari, who was in Ireland under the name Adel Kerai, declared his intention to seek asylum in the European country over alleged persecution for his political beliefs.

But within five days of his arrival he had assaulted a 22-year-old woman in the middle of a public street.

Kerari was arrested at a property in west London after his return to the UK following a jail term in Ireland for sexual assault

Kerari is seen on CCTV in an off-licence, where he and his fellow gang members used a bank card belonging to one of their victims

Kerari spotted the woman in Dublin on December 10, 2023 and began following her.

The woman, who was waiting for her boyfriend at the time, turned and walked away from Kerari after he approached and tried to speak to her.

The Algerian followed her into Henry Street, put his arm around her and tried to kiss her, a court heard.

As she tried to push him away, he then put his hand down her top and touched her genitals over clothing, before pushing his erect penis against her.

Kerari was convicted and handed a jail term of two years and three months.

At the time of his sentencing in Ireland, he already had four convictions for other offences in Britain, the court heard.

After being released from prison he returned to the UK, where he was arrested over the robberies in September.

Video footage shows how police officers raided his home while Kerari was still in bed.

It can now be revealed that Kerari is in fact an Algerian migrant who travelled to Ireland following his robbery spree, where he was convicted of sexual assault

Kerari's social media profiles show him enjoying life in the UK, where he now has at least five convictions

Kerari's co-conspirators Musa Lebdiri, 21, of Harlesden, Normane Draachour, 24, of no fixed address, Ali Mansour, 21, of Hatfield, and Brandon Reeves, 20, of Wembley were sentenced in 2023 and 2024 to a combined total of over ten years' imprisonment.

Lebdiri was convicted of three counts of robbery and one count of handling stolen goods and was sentenced to 33 months in prison on December 1, 2023.

Draachour was convicted of attempted robbery and theft, and was sentenced to 27 months behind bars on the same date.

Mansour was convicted of five counts of robbery, one count of attempted robbery, and one count of fraud by false representation and was sentenced to 27 months imprisonment on March 6, 2024.

Reeves was convicted of five counts of robbery, three counts of attempted robbery, and one count of possession of an offensive weapon and sentenced to 40 months imprisonment on July 18, 2024.

Detective Sergeant Tony Gittins, investigating officer in the case, said: 'Criminals like Kerari should know that we'll make sure they face justice for the crimes they inflict on members of the public.

'Tackling robbery on the London Underground is a top priority for us, and we're working around the clock to catch offenders and ensure they have their day in court.

'Kerari and the rest of the cowardly group worked together to intimidate and target passengers across London for their own benefit. The rail network is covered by extensive CCTV, which we successfully used to prove that they were behind this 11-day crime spree.

'Our uniformed and plain-clothes teams patrol the rail network every day to deter robbery and keep passengers safe.

'Fortunately, incidents like this are rare, but we take every report of robbery extremely seriously and will continue to come down hard on those who use the railway network for criminal gain.

'If a robbery has just happened, always dial 999 or speak to an officer or a member of staff  our officers can then quickly deploy to your location and begin immediate enquiries to trace the culprits.'
Donald Trump suggested that the US should have 'put NATO to the test' by invoking Article 5 to deal with illegal immigration at the country's southern border.

The comment came hours after the US President told Fox News that UK and NATO troops stayed 'a little off the front lines' during the war in Afghanistan, and that he was 'not sure' the alliance would be there for America 'if we ever needed them'.

In a Truth Social post on Thursday night, Trump wrote: 'Maybe we should have put NATO to the test: Invoked Article 5, and forced NATO to come here and protect our Southern Border from further Invasions of Illegal Immigrants, thus freeing up large numbers of Border Patrol Agents for other tasks.'

It comes amid Trump's relentless immigration crackdown, with the US President funnelling $85billion into the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the highest-funded US law enforcement agency.

Article 5 refers to NATO's mutual defence clause, which states that an 'armed attack' on one member is considered an attack on all 32 member states.

NATO says it assesses on a case-by-case basis what triggers Article 5 - such as the 'invasion by one state of the territory of another state' - but clarifies that 'events that lack an international element, such as purely domestic acts of terrorism, do not trigger' the mutual defense clause, even though member states may choose to assist.

In the military alliance's almost-80-year history, the mutual defence clause has only been invoked once - on the day following the September 11, 2001, terror attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York, which led to a US-led invasion of Afghanistan.

The US's NATO allies at the time backed the American response in Afghanistan, where more than 1,000 non-American NATO soldiers were killed.

Donald Trump has suggested putting the world's strongest military alliance 'to the test' in a controversial Truth Social post

In an interview with Fox News on Thursday, Donald Trump launched another onslaught of insults against Nato troops, claiming European personnel stayed 'off the front lines' in Afghanistan

Nato secretary general Mark Rutte delivered a reality check to Donald Trump, telling him that one Nato soldier died for every two Americans in Afghanistan after the US President doubted the Western alliance

ICE and other federal officers detain a person during protests as ICE operates in a residential neighborhood in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 13, 2026

Trump's latest Truth Social post comes just a day after he said of NATO: 'We've never needed them - we have never really asked anything of them.'

The US President made the comments to Fox Business on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Switzerland on Thursday.

'You know, they'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan or this or that, and they did: they stayed a little back, little off the front lines,' he added, in a remark which sparked fury in the UK.

The UK suffered the second-highest number of military deaths in the Afghanistan conflict at 457. The US saw 2,461 deaths. America's allies suffered 1,160 deaths during the conflict - around a third of the total coalition deaths.

Following Trump's remarks, Labour MP Emily Thornberry, the chair of the foreign affairs committee, called it an 'absolute insult' to the 457 British service personnel killed in the conflict.

Speaking on the BBC's Question Time, Dame Emily said: 'How dare he say we weren't on the frontline, how dare he. We have always been there whenever the Americans have wanted us, we have always been there.'

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: 'How dare he question their sacrifice?'

Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty, who served in Afghanistan, said it was 'sad to see our nation's sacrifice, and that of our Nato partners, held so cheaply'.

Tory MP Ben Obese-Jecty, who served in Afghanistan as a captain in the Royal Yorkshire Regiment, said it was 'sad to see our nation's sacrifice, and that of our NATO partners, held so cheaply by the president of the United States'.

He said: 'I saw firsthand the sacrifices made by British soldiers I served alongside in Sangin, where we suffered horrific casualties, as did the US Marines the following year.

'I don't believe US military personnel share the view of President Trump; his words do them a disservice as our closest military allies.'

Adding to the backlash, Calvin Bailey, a Labour MP and former RAF officer who served alongside US special operations units in Afghanistan, chimed in, saying Trump's claim 'bears no resemblance to the reality experienced by those of us who served there'.

Tan Dhesi, chairman of the Commons Defence Committee, said the president's comments were 'appalling and an insult to our brave British servicemen and women, who risked life and limb to help our allies, with many making the ultimate sacrifice'.

And Social Care Minister Stephen Kinnock said Trump's claim was 'deeply disappointing'.

British marines hold rifles during a patrol at the Bagram air base near Kabul 19 December 2001

US President Donald Trump delivers a speech during the Board of Peace session held as part of the 56th World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland on January 22, 2026

The Department of Homeland Security has sent immigration agents to Maine as part of their latest crackdown on Somali migrants

'There is no other way to say that, I don't know really why he said them. I don't think there's any basis for him to make those comments,' he told Sky News.

'We will always stand up for the values that we cherish: democracy, freedom, liberty to push back against dictators and anybody else that seeks to undermine our values and our way of life - and NATO is at the heart of that alliance.'

On Wednesday, Trump, in his meandering speech in Davos, hit out at NATO's seeming unreliability: 'I know them all very well. Im not sure that theyd be there. I know wed be there for them. I dont know that theyd be there for us.'

But following the speech, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte corrected the record to the US President, telling him: 'There's one thing I heard you say yesterday and today.

'You were not absolutely sure Europeans would come to the rescue of the US if you will be attacked. Let me tell you, they will, and they did in Afghanistan.'

Rutte's rebuttal came after Trump called Denmark, which had the highest per capita death toll among coalition forces in Afghanistan, 'ungrateful' for US protection during the Second World War.

'For every two Americans who paid the ultimate price, there was one soldier from another Nato country who did not come back to his family  from the Netherlands, from Denmark, and particularly from other countries,' the NATO chief said.

'So you can be assured, absolutely, if ever the United States were under attack, your allies will be with you. There is an absolute guarantee. I really want to tell you that because it pains me if you think it is not,' Rutte added.

In an astonishing climbdown following his meeting with Rutte, the US President declared that the two had agreed 'the framework of a future deal' on Greenland as well as 'the entire Arctic Region'.

It means Trump has now abandoned his plan to take over the semi-autonomous territory and dropped his threat to impose tariffs on the UK and seven other European nations for standing in his way.
A father who was 'doused in acid' over 120,000 debts after he gambled away a drug kingpin's money received chilling death threats weeks before his murder, a court has heard.

Danny Cahalane, 38, owed British drugs lord Ryan Kennedy tens of thousands of pounds after gambling with profits he made from dealing.

The father-of-two fitness instructor was drenched in acid on his doorstep in Plymouth, Devon, last year after Kennedy orchestrated the attack to show him 'who was boss', jurors heard. He died from his injuries in hospital 10 weeks later.

Mr Cahalane's ex-wife Paris Wilson, 35, who he shares a child with, is on trial accused of murder alongside five men.

During a hearing at Winchester Crown Court on Thursday, messages were read out between Mr Cahalane and Kennedy, who threatened to have his victim killed.

The drugs lord told him: 'You're gonna die, you just need to die. You've done me 80k. I'm going to give them 40k extra to take the eyes out of your head.'

Mr Cahalane replied: 'You're talking about switching me off. I have 46 covered. Sorting for you. Been long.'

Over the next two days, Kennedy grew increasingly tired of his victim and continued to send him death threats, the court heard.

On January 18, he messaged him: 'I'm just paying someone the bill to get you done. On my life, I ain't messaging you again, I'll find you by tomorrow.'

Danny Cahalane, 38, was murdered in a doorstep acid attack over his 120,000 debt after he gambled away a drug kingpin's money, a court heard

Mr Cahalane's ex-wife Paris Wilson, 35, who he shares a child with, is on trial accused of murder

Kennedy had become 'incensed' at Mr Cahalane's 'stalling' and failure to repay his debts, the prosecutor said, and organised a kidnap attempt on January 19, 2025.

Three men confronted the victim and attempted to open his car door, but he fled, jurors heard. Mr Cahalane was described as looking 'wide-eyed' and petrified by witnesses.

After the kidnap attempt failed, Kennedy texted the father: 'Close call? Mate I'm telling you they gonna burn gaffes down and your gonna die.'

On February 21, two men broke into the victim's home and doused him with sulphuric acid.

He was rushed to hospital but was unable to survive his 'horrific' injuries', dying in hospital 10 weeks later.

His ex-wife Wilson appeared in court alongside five men on murder charges on Thursday.

Mr Kennedy is not on trial and has not been charged with any crimes as he is 'almost certainly' in Dubai.

The other men accused of murder are Abdulrasheed Adedoja, 23, Ramarnee Bakas-Sithole, 23, Israel Augustus, 26, Isanah Sungum, 22, and Brian Kalemba, 23.

The defendants have all pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutor Jo Martin told the court that Mr Cahalane was killed by people acting on behalf of a 'drug dealer who wanted to enforce his debt and show Danny Cahalane who was boss'.

Mr Cahalane, pictured with ex-wife Wilson, was 'doused in acid' at his home in Plymouth

Ms Martin said: 'In the early hours of the morning of the February 21, 2025, two men broke into a house in Plymouth, the home address of the victim Danny Cahalane.

'By the time the two men had driven off, Danny Cahalane had been the victim of an acid attack - sulphuric acid had been thrown on him; burning into his whole body.

'Despite being treated in hospital for the next 10 weeks or so, Danny Cahalane died on the 3rd May 2025 as a result of the horrific injuries he had received that night.

'There can be no doubt, the prosecution said, that Danny Cahalane was murdered.

'Whoever threw acid over him, must have intended to, at the very least, cause him really serious bodily harm.'

Mr Cahalane was described as 'a sort of middle management in the drugs supply chain'.

It was also heard that someone below him in the chain had fled to New Zealand without giving him some of the money he was owed.

Speaking about messages exchanged between Kennedy and Mr Cahalane, Ms Martin said: 'What does become clear from the messages is that Danny owed Kennedy in the region of 120,000, and what is absolutely clear from the messages is that Frost was not happy about that.'

Following the acid attack, Mr Cahalane told police that this left him 'in the s***' with Kennedy.

Ms Martin said: 'Danny told the police he was in significant debt to Kennedy.

'Danny said he tried to organise some sort of "repayment plan" but it just didn't work.

'Instead he did a great deal of stalling and lying.'

Adedoja, Bakas-Sithole, Augustus, Wilson, Sungum, Kalemba, Jean Mukuna, 23, Arrone Mukuna, 25, and Jenna Said, 39, have all denied participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group.

Adedoja, Bakas-Sithole, Wilson, Jean Mukuna and Arrone Mukuna have pleaded not guilty to the attempted kidnap and attempted grievous bodily harm with intent of Mr Cahalane.

The trial continues.
A pair of Army instructors who had sex with a teenage recruit and texted each other about her in a 'disgraceful, indecent, and misogynistic' way have been jailed and sacked.

Lance Sergeant Antony Pugh, 36, and Sergeant Connor Forgan, 32, boasted to each other about their sexual relations with the 17-year-old trainee and described her as a 'little hotty' and 'naked maid', a court martial heard.

The two men, who both served in Afghanistan, each formed separate sexual relationships with the recruit, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

A military judge today condemned the behaviour from the instructors and said that in Pugh's case it amounted to 'grooming'.

Both soldiers were found guilty of having sex with a child in breach of a position of trust following a court martial at Bulford Military Court in Wiltshire.

It is forbidden for trainers and trainees in the British Army to have sexual relations.

LSgt Pugh was today jailed for 20 months and Sgt Forgan was jailed for 16 months.

LSgt Pugh, in his mid-30s, was accused of showering the victim with 'bondage equipment' and gifts from a lingerie and sex toy website.

The trainee, who can't be named for legal reasons, said she felt like she could not say 'no' to the higher ranking man twice her age when he came to her accommodation block.

Two Army instructors were convicted of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust. Pictured: Antony Pugh outside Bulford Military Court

At the time, the instructors and friends were based at Catterick, a North Yorkshire training establishment that turns civilians into soldiers.

LSgt Pugh was a member of the Grenadier Guards, the most senior infantry regiment in the British Army.

Sgt Forgan was in the Welsh Guards, the highest senior infantry regiment in Wales.

Commander Edward Hannah, prosecuting, said the victim was a 'vulnerable child', who was 'upset and lonely' at Catterick.

Cdr Hannah said the victim had been messaging LSgt Pugh over WhatsApp and had arranged a time to meet him.

She then told him that she did not want to meet him at that location because she was 'tired' but he went to her accommodation block anyway to have sex with her.

The court heard that after having sex with Pugh, the recruit had to take STD and pregnancy tests, and also suffered an internal injury during the encounter.

Pugh and Forgan also shared lewd messages about the teenager after sleeping with her.

'The messages between the defendants were degrading and demeaning,' Cmdr Hannah said.

Cmdr Hannah said both defendants had shown degrees of planning in committing the offences and that they were in positions of trust owing to their rank.

'The hierarchal structure of the military places power with rank, especially in a training facility,' he said.

LSgt Pugh and Sergeant Connor Forgan (pictured) boasted in their sexual relations with the 17-year-old trainee and described her as a 'little hotty', it was heard

The alleged victim eventually told her army padre that she had sex with a member of training staff, who then reported this to the service police.

Rachel Beckett, mitigating for LSgt Pugh, said that there was not a 'significant degree' of planning orchestrated by him.

She said that he had 'positive references' and had an eight-year relationship with two dependent children.

Ms Beckett said he had not had any criminal convictions since 2002, which was for criminal damage, and he had four unrelated service disciplinary offences.

Beverley Cripps, mitigating for Sgt Forgan, claimed that the victim could not be seen as vulnerable.

She said he had been a very 'talented' soldier with a 'very promising future'.

Ms Cripps said his behaviour did not constitute grooming because there was no evidence the victim felt 'uncomfortable'.

She said he had two dependent children.

Ms Cripps said he had no previous criminal convictions and had two unrelated service disciplinary offences.

The court heard that the victim did not give a personal statement because she said she 'just wished to move on'.

Sentencing, Assistant Judge Advocate General Jane England: 'There were rules in place at ITC Catterick to protect both trainees and instructors.

'One such rule that there was to be no fraternisation between instructors and recruits.

'Any communications were expected to be professional but you both engaged in unprofessional communication which quickly turned sexual.'

The judge said the offence they were convicted of existed to protect children from being 'groomed and exploited' by those in authority over them, and said both men in their own way had 'preyed upon a vulnerable young recruit'.

She added: 'As instructors you were well aware of where the line was, and you both willingly stepped over that line for your own sexual interests.

'Power imbalance is exacerbated within the services, and service personnel are taught to follow the orders of those senior to them.

The two soldiers were sentenced at Bulford Military Court in Wiltshire

'In an instructional environment such as this, instructors set the tone for the rest of the recruit's career.'

The judge said that LSgt Pugh had committed a 'significant' amount of planning by sending a picture of a made-up bed to the victim.

When she did not turn up to the agreed location, he decided to go to her accommodation block with 'lube and condoms'.

She also said that his actions constituted grooming and the messaging to the recruit had been 'grooming behaviour'.

But she said he did not solicit photos from the victim because it had been a two way exchange.

Judge England said the circumstances were different for Sgt Forgan because the victim had not wanted to say anything negative about him but that the seriousness of the offence was still high.

She said: 'In time, it might be that (the victim) sees what you did is on an even footing with LSgt Pugh.'

Judge England said: 'You both refer to (the victim) in a disgraceful, indecent, and misogynistic manner.

'She was a 17-year-old girl and she was not deserving of this.

'She said she wants to move on, and we hope that she can.'

Judge England said that neither of the instructors had taken responsibility for their actions and continued to 'deny' having sex with the victim.

She said this was an important in relation to Army recrutiment, adding: 'A female recruit choosing to go into a combat role and being targeted by her instructors in phase two training will have a chilling effect on other female recruits.'

Both men were dismissed from the Army and placed on the sexual offender register.

An Army spokesman said: 'We recognise the courage shown by the victim to ensure this extremely serious crime could be investigated and taken to a successful conviction.'

Louise Sandher-Jones, the Minister for Veterans and People, said: 'All those who choose to serve our country must be able to do so with dignity and respect.

'I commend the bravery of the victim for coming forward. Today's sentencing marks another step in rooting out criminal and unacceptable behaviour.

'We will ensure there is nowhere to hide for those who commit sexual violence.

'Through our Armed Forces Bill we are bringing about crucial reforms to better protect recruits and improve faith in the service justice system.'
Initial autopsy results have revealed Piper James had water in her lungs when her body was found on K'gari Island - but officials are still unsure how she died.

The 19-year-old Canadian backpacker's body was discovered on the shoreline of Queensland's world-famous island, formerly known as Fraser Island, on Monday surrounded by a pack of 10 dingoes.

Two people travelling in a four-wheel drive found the teen unresponsive at 6am near the Maheno Wreck with multiple defensive injuries on her body.

Police are still investigating the cause of Ms James' death and further testing is required to determine whether she may have drowned before or after she was attacked by the vicious animals.

However, these results could take another two months to be released.

Her father, Todd, decided to make the preliminary autopsy results public after he received them on Friday.

The release of the preliminary report means her body can now be released to her shattered family as further tests are undertaken.

Mr James is now planning on repatriating his daughter back to Canada now that the autopsy results have been released, he told 9News.

Piper James' body was found surrounded by a pack of 10 dingoes early Monday morning

The 19-year-old Canadian backpacker had been travelling with her friend, Taylor, and both were staying on K'gari at the time of her death

Dingoes roam on K'gari Island and have been known to attack tourists

Ms James' father and his wife, Angela, have both been invited to K'gari to attend an Indigenous smoking ceremony for their daughter.

Both will soon make their way to Australia for the tribute.

Ms James' body was found washed up on Seventy Five Mile Beach just one hour after she told friends she was heading out for an early-morning swim at about 5am.

Originally from Campbell River in British Columbia, Ms James had been travelling around Australia with her best friend Taylor for six weeks.

Taylor's mother, Marjorie Stricker, said Ms James' death had shattered their families.

'When the girls first left for Australia, we told them to always call, that there were no problems we couldn't face together, and that safety was the most important thing,' she said.

'This isn't how this was meant to play out. What has happened cannot be undone. It cannot be fixed.'

Ms Stricker said it was time to honour Ms James, who she said had befriended her daughter at a young age when both dreamed of coming to Australia.

Ms James' preliminary autopsy results revealed she had water in her lungs at the time of her death

Taylor's mother said the pair of teenagers had dreamed of turning 19 in Australia

Fraser Coast Council Mayor George Seymour warned people about K'gari

'Turning 19 in Australia was part of their dream and they worked tirelessly to make it come true,' she said.

'Their game plan was to return home at the end of March to Vancouver Island ready to embrace adulthood and all the responsibilities it entails.

'Their timeline was guided in part by Piper's drive to resume her firefighting training so she would be ready for the upcoming season.

'She was determined to continue to pursue building a life rooted in purpose, passion, and service.'

If authorities determine Ms James' death was caused by the wild dogs, it would be the first fatal dingo attack in 25 years.

Traditional owners of K'gari have accused the Queensland government of ignoring their safety warnings.

Fraser Coast Council Mayor George Seymour warned people to reconsider bringing their families to the island.

'I think if people are aware of the situation and look at the number of dingo attacks that have happened over the last few years, I think some parents will make that decision,' he told the Courier Mail.
A Labour MP has been slapped down for visiting the Venezuelan embassy to 'pay tribute' to those who died in Donald Trump's raid on the South American country.

Richard Burgon, the MP for Leeds East, was revealed to have made the trip to 'convey his condolences' for the 'heroes who fell' during US military strikes on 3 January.

In an extraordinary mission earlier this month, US troops entered Venezuelan capital Caracas to capture the country's leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife.

Mr Maduro, who had ruled Venezuela since 2013, and Cilia Flores were then flown to America where they are now facing drugs and weapons charges.

Mr Trump's astonishing action has been condemned by left-wing MPs in Parliament, with Mr Burgon having led outrage at a 'flagrant violation' of international law.

In a social media post on Tuesday, the Venezuelan embassy in London shared pictures of Mr Burgon signing what appeared to be a book of condolence.

The embassy said Mr Burgon had visited to 'convey his condolences and pay tribute to the heroes who fell on January 3 during the military attacks against our country'.

It added that Mr Burgon, described as a 'friend of Venezuela', had also been thanked for his role in a 'declaration denouncing the aggression against Venezuela'.

In a social media post on Tuesday, the Venezuelan embassy in London shared pictures of Richard Burgon signing what appeared to be a book of condolence

The MP for Leeds East, was revealed to have made the trip to 'convey his condolences' for the 'heroes who fell' during US military strikes on 3 January

Asked on Times Radio on Friday morning about Mr Burgon's visit to the Venezuelan embassy, Government minister Stephen Kinnock said: 'I wasn't aware of that visit.

'Maduro was a dreadful dictator who abused his own people, ran an incredibly repressive and authoritarian regime.'

Asked if the visit was without the blessing of Downing Street, Mr Kinnock added: 'I think that would certainly be safe to assume.

'The US took the action that it took. We will always support and defend the rule of law and international law does need to be respected.

'But what's also clear is that Mr Maduro himself was an authoritarian, appalling dictator.

'I don't think we should be expressing any sympathy with him or the people around him.'

Mr Burgon, who was a senior shadow minister when Jeremy Corbyn was Labour leader, has organised a motion in Parliament condemning the Venezuela strikes.

A total of 40 MPs, including Mr Corbyn and 25 Labour backbenchers, have signed the motion that criticises Mr Trump's action.

The early day motion states the US President's raid 'constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and the principles of the United Nations charter'.

It adds that Mr Trump's strikes, codenamed Operation Absolute Resolve, were 'aimed primarily at securing control over Venezuela's oil resources'.

It also describes the American mission as 'part of a wider attempt by the US to reassert colonial-style domination over Latin America'.

Speaking in the House of Commons on 5 January, Mr Burgon lashed out at Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for refusing to denounce Mr Trump's action.

He said: 'Is not the reality that the Prime Minister is willing to ditch international law and side-step the United Nations charter in order to appease Donald Trump?

'And does not that cowardly, craven approach drag this country's reputation through the dirt?'

In response, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper told Mr Burgon she found it 'hard not to remember' his 'support and welcome for the Maduro regime'.

'A regime that is currently being investigated for crimes against humanity,' she added.
The husband of a grandmother stabbed to death by a mentally ill knifeman at a bus stop has said her death has 'left a silence that nothing can fill' as her killer was detained indefinitely.

Jala Debella, 24, attacked medical secretary Anita Mukhey, 66, in front of shocked passers-by in north London at about 11.50am on May 9 2024.

He stabbed her 18 times before he 'casually' walked away while people rushed to help the victim.

Ms Mukhey's husband Hari criticised the NHS handling of Debella, who was not considered to pose a risk to the community.

He said: 'Anita was the centre of our home. She was an organiser, a steady presence. She held everyone together without asking for recognition.

'Her absence has left a silence that nothing can fill. As her husband I live with that absence every day.

'The man was known to mental health services. He was assessed by psychiatrists and was deemed stable to be managed in the community.

'It leaves me wondering how risk is truly assessed.

'Words spoken in an assessment room did not reflect the reality of his true intentions.'

At a hearing at the Old Bailey on Friday, Debella was sentenced to a hospital order under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act and a restriction order under Section 41  meaning he can be detained indefinitely.

Addressing his remarks to an empty dock as Debella was not in court, Judge Philip Katz KC said: 'Anita Mukhey was the heart of the family. She was a wife, mother and grandmother, aged 66 when she was stabbed to death by a complete stranger on a busy main road in north London.'

During a trial of issue, held after the defendant was deemed too unwell to stand trial for murder, the court heard Debella was obsessed with gory online videos and had been able to buy a hunting knife over the internet, despite living in a residential home supporting people with mental health problems.

The knife was delivered to his home in Colindale, north London, around an hour before he used it to stab Ms Mukhey to death, an act which mirrored violence he had watched.

Jala Debella, 24, attacked medical secretary Anita Mukhey, 66, in front of shocked passers-by in north Londonat about 11.50am on May 9 2024

Anita Mukhey was stabbed 18 times before Debella 'casually' walked away while people rushed to help the victim

Mr Mukhey thanked 'brave members of the public' who went to his wife's aide, but said the trial had forced him to confront 'deeply troubling' facts about the psychological assessments of her killer.

In a statement issued after the jury found Debella committed the act of killing Ms Mukhey, her family said: 'The court has heard that a man with a severe mental illness was known to services and assessed by consultant psychiatrists as psychologically stable and safe for the community.

'At the same time, he was engaging in escalating behaviour outside those assessments, including acquiring weapons and researching extreme violence  behaviour that ultimately mirrored the violence he later carried out.

'That disconnect is hard to accept. It raises serious questions about how risk is assessed, and about whether current models are equipped to detect danger that develops beyond the spoken words of the consulting room.'

They questioned why he was able to purchase weapons online while living in a staffed and Care Quality Commission (CQC) registered mental health rehabilitation home.

Jonathan Polnay KC, prosecuting, said an inquest into Ms Mukhey's death had been opened and adjourned.

Jalal Debella on CCTV running away after the vicious attack

Debella had viewed sickening footage of beheadings in the days leading up to the random killing

The killer had bought a 7.5" hunting knife with sheaf from knifewarehouse.co.uk which was delivered just over an hour before the killing

Judge Katz said he did not express an opinion on the 'safety of the regime' at the residential home but added: 'No doubt others will consider it, hopefully soon.'

Before the attack, Debella also searched on his computer for 'killing video' and visited a website containing graphic violent content, jurors heard.

CCTV picked up the defendant walking north in Edgware Road, past a bus stop, and then returning to the scene where Ms Mukhey was attacked in Burnt Oak Broadway.

Thirty seconds later, she could be seen collapsing in the road with the first 999 call being made at 11.48am.

A knife, identical to the one Debella had bought online, was later recovered by police and forensic analysis showed it had DNA from Debella and Ms Mukhey on it, the court was told.

Dr Melanie Higgins, Debella's medical consultant, confirmed he had been detained under the Mental Health Act on at least three occasions before he attacked Ms Mukhey.

She said he suffered from paranoid schizophrenia and arrangements had been made for his continued admission at Ashworth High Secure Hospital in Merseyside.

Chris Badger, chief inspector of adult social care for the CQC, said: 'We extend our condolences to the family of Ms Mukhey.

'Where care is being provided that falls into what are known as 'regulated activities', CQC regulates that provider.

'While this organisation has registered with CQC, having engaged with the police and with the care home at the time of this appalling incident, the services being provided at the time did not fall into CQC's scope of regulation and their registration was made dormant.

'As the services provided did not come under CQC's regulatory powers, we would not be able to formally pursue this matter or comment on the details of this tragic case.'
The Royal Navy has intercepted Russian ships in the English Channel, as the UK has warned Vladimir Putin it knows 'exactly what his navy is doing.'

Earlier this week, UK warships and aircraft were activated to shadow Russian vessels during a two-day operation in coordination with NATO allies.

Portsmouth-based patrol ships HMS Mersey and HMS Severn were dispatched alongside a Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron to intercept Russian corvette Boikiy and accompanying oil tanker MT General Skobelev as they sailed towards the North Sea.

Mersey first intercepted the Russian vessels on entry to the Channel, taking over shadowing duties from NATO allies after they had monitored them through the Bay of Biscay.

Near the Isle of Wight, Severn and Mersey combined with the Wildcat to monitor the group in close coordination, utilising powerful sensors to gather valuable information and report on their movements.

Severn continued to keep watch on the Russians as they sailed into the North Sea before handing over responsibility for the group to a NATO ally as they continued their journey north.

Minister for the Armed Forces Al Carns MP said: 'With this operation, our sailors have once again sent a message to Putin - we know exactly what his navy is doing.

'Every time a Russian ship comes near the UK, the Navy is ready to track, deter, and defend.

HMS Mersey and P282 HMS Severn shadow RFN Boikiy

Mersey first intercepted the Russian vessels on entry to the Channel, taking over shadowing duties from NATO allies

Lieutenant Commander Dan Wardle, Commanding Officer of HMS Mersey, said: 'In what has been a busy start to the year, this operation provided another opportunity for my ship's company to demonstrate their continued readiness and ability to safeguard the United Kingdom's maritime interests.

'Operating in close coordination with our sister vessel HMS Severn and alongside other NATO allies has enabled the sharing of experience and best practice, further highlighting the strength and unique nature of the relationships between our nations.'

Lieutenant Commander Ross Gallagher, Senior Observer and Executive Officer of 815 NAS, added: 'This activation once again demonstrated the extremely high readiness and professionalism that defines 815 Naval Air Squadron.

'I am immensely proud of our engineers who keep our aircraft at peak performance, and our aircrew who deliver precise surveillance, rapid reporting, and tactical clarity at pace.

'As Russian vessels transited the Channel, we kept the operational picture clear and seamlessly integrated with our colleagues in HMS Mersey and HMS Severn.

'815 Naval Air Squadron is built for this level of responsiveness - highly trained, tightly coordinated, and always prepared to deliver the aviation capability that protects and safeguards the nation's interests, all whilst supporting our NATO partners.'

The Russian vessels were returning from a deployment in the Mediterranean and were closely watched throughout their voyage by NATO warships.

In a separate operation in the Mediterranean, patrol boat HMS Dagger monitored the movements of the tanker Grinch, which was boarded by French forces.

The Russian vessels were returning from a deployment in the Mediterranean and were closely watched throughout their voyage by NATO warships

The Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron vessel tracked the tanker - one of 544 vessels in Russia's shadow fleet, which are subject to UK and European sanctions for their role in facilitating trade in sanctioned oil - through the Strait and also took photographs of the Grinch.

Britain's Armed Forces routinely track and monitor suspected Russian shadow fleet activity in the vicinity of the UK and UK waters - and share this information with our allies and partners.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said: 'Deterring, disrupting and degrading the Russian shadow fleet is a priority for this government.

'I can confirm that the UK has provided tracking and monitoring in support of the French operation to board the tanker Grinch. This support included HMS Dagger monitoring the vessel through the Strait of Gibraltar.

'Alongside our allies, we are stepping up our response to shadow vessels - to choke off the funds that fuel Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine.'

The Royal Navy's activations come just two weeks after HMS Mersey and a Wildcat from 815 NAS intercepted Russian Udaloy-class destroyer Severomorsk and the merchant vessels Sparta IV and MYS Zhelaniya in the North Sea.

The Royal Navy monitored the ships as they sailed through the Strait of Dover and the English Channel, before handing over monitoring duties to a NATO ally near the island of Ushant, off the coast of France, as the Russians continued a southbound voyage.
This is the sickening moment a knife-wielding mugger rifled through an elderly man's pockets while his friend held him in a headlock - as passersby fail to step in and help.

CCTV footage shows the pensioner being grabbed by the two masked men on Beaconsfield Road in Southall, west London, at 9.15pm on January 16.

One of the thieves wrapped his arm tightly around the man's neck so he couldn't wriggle free and held his hand over his mouth to stop him screaming for help.

While he had the defenceless elderly man completely overpowered, his vile accomplice rummaged through his pockets with a huge blade visible in his hand.

People are seen casually walking past the violent robbery but none of them stopped to help.

The men only stopped when a younger gentleman came outside of the house they were in front of, prompting them to sprint off in opposite directions.

One of the thieves wrapped his arm tightly around the man's neck so he couldn't wriggle free and held his hand over his mouth to stop him screaming for help

While he had the defenceless elderly man completely overpowered, his vile accomplice rummaged through his pockets with a huge blade visible in his hand

One angered local said: 'How sad are we to walk past this poor man.'

'And people just walked by and watched. Shame,' another agreed.

A third wrote: 'Oh my God. This is terrifying. I hope he's okay.'

It comes after grainy footage of the same mugging emerged on Wednesday.

A Met Police spokesperson said: 'Police have been investigating an allegation of robbery on Beaconsfield Road, Southall, on Friday, 16 January, which was reported by a third party.

'We have not been able to identify the victim and would urge him to get in touch with officers. No arrests have been made.

'Anyone with information is asked to contact us on 101, quoting CAD 8737/16JAN26, or anonymously, via Crimestoppers, by calling 0800 555 111.'
A man who allegedly shot dead his heavily pregnant ex-girlfriend and her new partner could have fathered her unborn baby, one of the victims' relatives has claimed.

Julian Ingram, 37, allegedly gunned down his ex Sophie Quinn, 25, in a black Suzuki hatchback, alongside her new boyfriend John Harris, 32 in Lake Cargelligo, 600km west of Sydney on Thursday.

He then allegedly went to another residence and killed her aunt Nerida Quinn, 50, and seriously injured her 19yearold neighbour, Kaleb MacQueen.

Ingram has been on the run since the alleged murders, with about 100 police officers searching for him in the surrounding areas.

Ms Quinn, who separated from Ingram last year and was in a relationship with Mr Harris at the time of her death, was due to give birth in March to a baby boy.

Mr Harris' cousin, Derek, claimed it was unclear who the biological father of Ms Quinn's unborn baby was.

'It could have been Julian's, it could have been John's. I suppose we'll never know now,' he told the Daily Mail.

'She told Julian a few months ago she doesn't want to go with him no more. She was seeing John before Julian, and then got back with John.'

Mum-to-be Sophie Quinn, 25, was allegedly murdered by Julius Ingram on Thursday

Police on Friday released a photo of Julian Ingram, who is wanted on an outstanding warrant for murder

Sophie's boyfriend, John Harris, 32, was killed in the shooting

Pictured is the house where Ms Quinn and Mr Harris were shot dead as they sat in a car

Derek said the family was 'not doing well' and he was on his way to see his grieving grandparents.

'John was (a) good (person). Sophie was good too,' he said.

Mr MacQueen, the only one who survived the horrific attack and who lived across the road from Nerida, was rushed to hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Another neighbour of Nerida's and Mr MacQueen's best friend, Jack Henschke, said he heard five gunshots ring out on Thursday afternoon.

He said Mr MacQueen was 'doing alright now' in hospital in Canberra.

On Friday, NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland confirmed Ingram was still on the run.

Ingram is described as between 165cm and 170cm tall, with a medium build, short dark hair and brown eyes.

He was last seen driving a Ford Ranger utility with NSW registration DM-07-GZ, which has council signage, a metal tray back, high-visibility side markings and an emergency light bar on the roof.

Mr Harris' cousin, Derek, (pictured) claimed it was unclear who the biological father of Ms Quinn's unborn baby was

Nerida Quinn, pictured left with her daughter, was killed in the shooting

Kaleb Macqueen, 19, was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition following the shooting

Police are seen at the scene of the murders on Friday

Indigenous police community liaisons are seen at an address linked with murdered pregnant woman Sophie Quinn.

Anyone who sees Ingram is urged not to approach him and to contact Triple Zero immediately.

It comes after it was revealed that Ingram appeared at Lake Cargelligo Local Court on December 3 over allegations he stalked, intimidated and assaulted Ms Quinn and damaged her property.

Court records, obtained by the Daily Mail, show he pleaded not guilty and was granted bail on the condition that he report to Lake Cargelligo Police Station every day and not go within 100m of her home or workplace.

Records also show Ingram was a known domestic violence offender at the time, having pleaded guilty in 2021 to assaulting another woman in Griffith.

When a reporter asked Assistant Commissioner Holland during a press conference on Friday why Ingram was granted bail, he replied: 'A risk assessment would have been done at the time.

'At that time, he he had not committed a violent offence in the last five years and, therefore, deemed fit.

'Where we can, we obviously grant people bail. We don't want to keep them in custody. With strict bail conditions and AVO in place, it's deemed suitable.'

Mr Holland also said Ingram has never held a gun licence.

'We are still using that as part of our investigation,' he said.
This is the moment a 'callous' thug on a bike sent an old lady crashing to the ground as he snatched her handbag on a busy shopping street.

Daniel Bell, 32, has been jailed for robbing the 84-year-old woman outside Marks and Spencer on The Pavement, York, in July last year.

CCTV footage from inside the shop shows Bell stalking up behind the pensioner in broad daylight and climbing onto his bike.

He then grabs her bag and begins to ride away, ripping it from her grasp.

The lady is thrown forcefully to the ground and left sprawling on the pavement.

She suffered a painful injury after smacking her head on the paving slabs.

A Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) who watched the footage immediately recognised Bell, having dealt with him several times over the previous year.

He was tracked down and arrested while wearing the same clothes as during the robbery.

An 84-year-old woman was outside Marks and Spencer on The Pavement, York, when she was robbed

Daniel Bell, 32, grabbed her handbag as he rode off in a brazen broad daylight robbery

The pensioner was left sprawled on the ground after being pulled over, and suffered an injury to her head

Daniel Bell was sentenced to three years and four months after pleading guilty to the robbery

Bell, of no fixed address, was jailed for three years and four months on Tuesday after pleading guilty to the robbery.

In a victim impact statement, the elderly woman said she had only just recovered from an operation when Bell targeted her.

Her injuries left her unable to drive and forced her to cancel a holiday with a friend that she had been looking forward to.

She said: 'The actions of the man who robbed me of my handbag have caused injury to my head and have re-injured my left shoulder.

'Being robbed in the street is something you never think would happen to you.

'You hear about these things happening in big cities like London, but not really in York.

'I'm a bit more apprehensive about going out now, but I am a sensible person, and I try to be careful.'

Sentencing him previously, Recorder Andrew Dallas told Bell: 'You are generally one of the people who are a menace to shopkeepers of small or large shops and you make their life hell.'

Detective Constable Ant Coleman, of North Yorkshire Police, said afterwards: 'This was a callous, opportunistic crime in which the elderly female victim was deliberately targeted as an easy mark.

'The robbery occurred in the early afternoon on a busy shopping street.

'York is widely regarded as one of the safest cities in the UK, making incidents like this exceptionally rare.

'The offender showed complete disregard for the impact of his actions, leaving the victim with a painful head injury after dragging her to the ground.

'I'm glad Bell is now behind bars where he belongs, and I hope the sentence handed down provides the victim with some reassurance and a sense of justice.'

Bell was also ordered to pay a 228 victim surcharge after pleading guilty to robbery and to obstructing or resisting a constable in the execution of their duty, as well as for breaching a suspended sentence handed down to him last year and a series of unrelated shoplifting offences committed in York and Harrogate.
A viral TikTok 'blind date' event descended into chaos last night as schoolchildren clashed with police on the streets of south London.

Videos on social media show more than 200 teenagers gathering in Sutton for the event that promised an 'exciting night of connections and fun'.

However, it quickly descended into mayhem with police officers seen raising their batons at the crowds.

The teenage organiser of the event also appeared to be pushed against the side of a car by cops, although he was not arrested.

False rumours spread online after the gathering that the chaotic scenes were linked to two stabbings, but this was denied by police.

Officers issued a Section 35 dispersal order, ordering all attendees to leave the area to prevent any further disturbances.

It is understood that the so-called 'blind dates', involve two teenagers asking each other questions, while they stand back to back or wear face masks.

And at the end of the meeting, the participants turn around to reveal who they were speaking to.

This is the moment the organiser of the event was swarmed by police officers

Police issued a Section 35 dispersal order, ordering all attendees to leave the area to prevent any further disturbances

The organiser of the event appears to have been pushed against a red car by police officers

According to The Met, no one attending the gathering in Sutton on Thursday was arrested, despite the heavy police presence.

It was advertised in advance on social media, with a start time of 4pm in the town centre.

The organiser, who has around 5,000 followers, posted on his TikTok account: 'Join us for Sutton blind dates this Thursday!

'Experience an exciting night of connections and fun. Don't miss out!'

In a video posted after the event to explain what happened he said: '[When I arrived] It's rammed, it's jampacked.

'I'm thinking I've caused something major so then I'm trying to start the blind dates and everyone starts pushing into the crowd.

'Then everyone starts running because I'm getting packed in and I want to move this down here as don't want it to crowd up this space too much.

'I did one blind date and I was about to do another one and the police officer comes up to me and she said do you want to have a chat, I said 'no'.

Videos on social media show hundreds of teens packed into the centre of Sutton

Some claimed that the blind date event was actually not real

'I walked away and she got four officers to come and chase me, they were pinning me against the car, one is trying to strangle me. It's mad.

'The stabbing is not connected to me. It is something else that happened in Sutton.'

Concerned Sutton residents called on the schoolchildren to leave the High Street on Facebook.

One person said: 'My daughter told me about this but so glad she listened to her mum and came straight home! It's a recipe for disaster.'

Another added: 'Call your kids home no need for them be there.'

Others said the event was an example of why social media should be banned for under 16s.

'This is why Australia banned social media for teens,' one person said.

Another added: 'Please just ban social media quickly for this lot so they can stop this online nonsense.'

Image from the scene shows dozens of teens at the blind date event

It is understood that another blind date event has been planned in south London for this evening.

A spokesperson for the Met Police said: Police were made aware at around 16:04hrs on Thursday, 22 January of a large gathering, involving around 200 young people.

'Officers attended and at around 16:42hrs, responded to a disturbance within the crowd.

'No injuries were reported and no arrests were made.

'A Section 35 dispersal order was put in place to prevent any further disturbances.'
Reform may have reached its popularity limit, a polling expert has said.

Support for Nigel Farage's party has cooled in recent weeks, with 29 per cent of voters saying they would back it at the next election. This is a drop from 32 per cent at Reform's polling peak.

The Conservatives are ticking upwards in the polls, with 19 per cent saying they would support them despite a series of high-profile defections to Reform.

But Sir John Curtice, a leading political scientist, says he imagines 32 per cent is 'the height of what Reform can achieve' because its vote is a 'very, very niche market'.

Sir John also said the two parties would have to evaluate by 2027 or 2028 'whether or not one or other of them has succeeded in winning this battle on the Right, or whether indeed it's in their respective interest to come to an accommodation'.

Mr Farage branded Sir John 'wrong on both counts' - on Reform hitting its peak, and potentially having to consider a pact with the Tories.

But what do you think - can Reform's popularity still grow? Have your say in the Daily Mail's latest poll:

In yesterday's poll, Mail readers were asked: 'Should Starmer take credit for Trump dropping his Greenland tariffs threat?' Out of more than 11,000 votes, 92 per cent of you said 'no' and 8 per cent said 'yes'.
A BMW driver has admitted killing a British teenager just months after he was freed from a Dubai jail for having sex with a 17-year-old girl.

Marwaan Mohamed Huseen, 20, was attempting to flee from pursuing Metropolitan Police officers when he crashed a BMW into a lorry, killing 19-year-old Marcus Fakana who was one of the vehicle's passengers.

Marcus was released from a Dubai prison in July last year after he was jailed over a holiday relationship with another British tourist in the popular holiday resort.

He was set free following a royal pardon by the emirate's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Three months later Marcus was killed in the crash which occurred in the early hours of October 3, 2025 in Tottenham, north London.

A second passenger in the vehicle was also badly injured.

At Wood Green Crown Court on Friday, Huseen appeared by videolink from HMP Pentonville to plead guilty to causing the death of Mr Fakana by dangerous driving.

Huseen, who admits being uninsured and unlicensed at the time, also pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving to another of the passengers in the BMW.

Marcus Fakana, 19, who was jailed in Dubai after having sex with a UK tourist was killed in a car crash in October last year - just months after being set free following a royal pardon

Marwaan Mohamed Huseen (pictured) has admitted killing his friend in the crash as he drove away from police

Tributes to Marcus left at the scene of the crash. The driver of the BMW - Marwaan Mohamed Huseen - has admitted to killing Marcus in the Tottenham car crash last October

At the time of the fatal car crash, the Met Police said officers had been attempting to stop a 'vehicle of interest' in Pretoria Road, Tottenham, but lost sight of it after a short pursuit.

The wreck of the BMW was discovered a short time later on the Roundway. Marcus was declared dead on arrival at hospital exactly three months after returning to Britain.

Huseen, of Argyle Road, Tottenham, has been in custody since his arrest at the scene of the crash.

Judge Emma Deacon KC remanded him back into custody on Friday after the guilty pleas.

He is due to submit a basis for his guilty pleas, and a sentencing date will be set at a hearing on February 27.

Huseen did not enter a plea to a third charge of driving without insurance and a licence, but the court was told he admits that he did not have a valid licence or insurance at the time of the crash.

Marcus had been on holiday in Dubai when he struck up a relationship with a British girl, then 17 and just a few months younger than him - a fact he was not aware of at the time.

He was reported to the authorities in the United Arab Emirates after the girl's mother saw pictures and messages on her phone.

Despite the relationship being consensual, Marcus was sentenced due to the Gulf state's laws that sexual intercourse with anyone under the age of 18 is an offence.

After relentless campaigning by his family, Marcus was freed from Al Awir prison - often dubbed the 'Middle East's Alcatraz' - on July 3 last year, and was reunited with his loved ones after the nightmare ordeal.

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Campaigners outside Westminster calling for Marcus's release. After relentless campaigning by his family, Marcus was freed from Al Awir prison - which is often dubbed the 'Middle East's Alcatraz' - on July 3 last year

Radha Stirling, chief executive of campaign group Detained in Dubai which had lobbied for his release from prison, said she was 'heartbroken' by the news of Marcus's death.

'Marcus spent the majority of this year in a Dubai prison which no doubt caused him long-lasting mental anguish', she said.

'It's sad that of all of 2025, he was only free for the three months from the 3rd of July until the 3rd of October.'

He had been reported to the authorities in the UAE after the girl's mother saw pictures and messages on her phone.

In a statement following the incident, the Metropolitan Police said: 'After pursuing the vehicle for around 60 seconds, police temporarily lost sight before locating the vehicle on The Roundway, N17, where it had been involved in a collision.

'Officers were supported by the London Ambulance Service and the London Air Ambulance, and a 19-year-old man was taken to hospital where he sadly died.

'He has since been named as Marcus Fakana from Tottenham.'
An 80-year-old man has been freed after being found living in a windowless basement room with no toilet, cooking facilities or access to hygiene for what police believe may have been several decades.

The man was discovered during a police search of a villa in northern Helsinki, Finland where officers say he had been residing in 'inhumane conditions' for years.

In a press release, Finnish police said the man's living space was a basement room with no windows and no possibility of hygiene, use of a toilet or cooking.

Officers said the man was found in poor physical condition and was in need of immediate assistance.

Police stressed that the man had not been physically locked in the room, but are now investigating whether he had the ability or opportunity to leave.

'We are now investigating whether he had the opportunity to move from the room or whether he lacked that ability,' Detective Inspector Jari Korkalainen said.

The grim discovery was made on Monday, January 19, when officers carried out a search of the villa, located in what police described as a 'normal residential area' in the capital city.

An 80-year-old man has been freed after being found living in a windowless basement room with no toilet, cooking facilities or access to hygiene for what police believe may have been several decades. Pictured: A stock image of a Finnish police car driving in Helsinki

The man was discovered during a police search of a villa in northern Helsinki, Finland where officers say he had been residing in 'inhumane conditions' for years. Pictured: A stock image of Helsinki cityscape

Two men and a woman in their 60s were arrested in connection with the case.

They were later released but remain suspects in the ongoing investigation.

Police said the suspects consist of a couple and their male relative, with the two men related to each other. The villa is owned by one of the men.

The 80-year-old man is not related to the suspects, but police confirmed that they were known to each other.

Although all of those involved were registered at the address, investigators said they had not lived there for the entire period.

All parties involved - including the victim and the suspects - are Finnish citizens, police said.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to determine how long the man lived in the basement and whether any criminal offences were committed.
Millions of Americans are bracing for a catastrophic ice storm that forecasters warn could be so dangerous that you may not be safe even when inside your home.

About 230 million people across 34 states are under a variety of watches, warnings and other alerts ahead of the historic storm, named Fern, that could crush trees and power lines and knock out power for days.

Panic buying has left store shelves completely empty in Washington DC as people prepare to spend the weekend buckled down inside their homes, NBC News's Gary Grumbach revealed.

The storm is expected to begin Friday in the Southern Rockies and travel east throughout the weekend, bringing heavy snow, freezing rain and sleet across the Southern Plains and into Oklahoma and Texas.

It will spread into Arkansas and Tennessee overnight, before pushing into the Midwest by Saturday morning and reaching Alabama, the Carolinas and Georgia by nightfall. The storm will reach New England by Sunday morning and is expected to taper off in the Northeast by Monday.

Some regions in the Southern Plains and Midwest could be hit with more than 12 inches of snow, while predictions show the potential for a half-inch of ice or more for many areas, including parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama and Tennessee.

That amount of ice in southern states accustomed to mild winters is likely to topple trees and cripple power lines, resulting in widespread power outages. Experts told the New York Times that it may be too dangerous to go outside - but that there's no guarantee of safety inside either if the power goes off for an extended period during a cold spell.

President Donald Trump blasted climate change experts as he warned Americans about the 'record cold wave' rolling in. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote: 'Rarely seen anything like it before. Could the Environmental Insurrectionists please explain  WHATEVER HAPPENED TO GLOBAL WARMING???'

A person rides a bicycle through blowing snow in Evanston, Illinois, on January 14

Panic buying has left shelves completely empty at a Trader Joe's store in Washington DC, NBC News's Gary Grumbach revealed

Store shelves were left barren in Washington DC as locals brace for the wicked weather

Matt Van Swol, a former nuclear scientist for US Department of Energy, has encouraged Americans to prepare for the storm before it hits Friday afternoon.

In a post on X, he advised families to fill their gas tanks and charged their devices before potential power outages strike.

Van Swol suggests stocking up on batteries, flashlights, lanterns and blankets in case your heat and electricity are wiped out. He advised against the use of candles.

He urged families to dress for 'ski season,' wearing layers and slippers or shoes inside to help keep warm. Change out of wet clothes immediately.

The scientist added that households should have enough non-perishable food for up to seven days and at least one gallon of bottled water per person per day.

Drivers should stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary, he added.

Meteorologists warn that 'freezing rain and ice make travel difficult, if not impossible.'

DC, Philadelphia, New York City and Boston could see enough snow to make travel very difficult or nearly impossible, forecasters warn.

Some areas are bracing for more than one foot of snow. This map shows the likelihood that your community will be hit with at least six inches of snowfall

Experts warn the storm will bring heavy snow, freezing rain and sleet across the country

About 230 million people across 34 states are under a variety of watches, warnings and other alerts ahead of the historic storm

Temperatures will rise into the teens and upper 30s to 40s by Tuesday

President Donald Trump blasted climate change experts as he warned Americans about the 'record cold wave' rolling in

Snow has already started to fall in Ohio on Friday morning as residents brace for the storm

'Snow amounts could reach a foot or more in the I-95 major cities from DC to Boston,' said weather service forecasters on the East Coast, who are increasingly confident the storm will strike the big cities.

In Washington, 'the combination of heavy snow and ice alongside prolonged very cold temperatures presents a unique and significant risk to life and property across virtually the entire region,' forecasters warned.

An atmospheric river of moisture could be in place by the weekend, pulling precipitation across Texas and other states along the Gulf Coast and continuing across Georgia and the Carolinas before heading northeast, forecasters said.

Several major US hub airports are in the path of this weekend's storm, with experts warning ice, sleet and snow could delay passengers and cargo: Dallas-Fort Worth; Atlanta; Memphis, Tennessee, and Charlotte, North Carolina.

Major airports on the East Coast could see delays later, as the storm barrels east.

More than 1,300 flights scheduled for Friday have been canceled as the US braces for the massive storm, according to flight tracking service FlightAware.

Airlines have already axed 1,325 flights from Saturday's schedule, the majority of which were out of Dallas.

American, Delta, JetBlue Southwest and United Airlines are all waiving change and cancellation fees for customers across 40 airports impacted by the storm.

In some instances, the airlines are even waiving fare differences to help get ticketed customers rebooked.

Pedestrians bundle up as they wait for a signal change to cross a street during a cold day in Chicago on Thursday

Snow plows drive through a street during cold weather in Northbrook, Illinois on Thursday

Matt Van Swol, a former nuclear scientist for US Department of Energy, has encouraged Americans to prepare for the storm before it hits Friday afternoon

Parts of at least 34 states in the storm's path were under winter storm watches and warnings by Friday morning, the Weather Channel reported. More watches and warnings are expected as the system approaches.

More than a dozen states have issued disaster or emergency declarations in preparation for the potentially catastrophic winter storm.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 134 counties on Thursday and warned residents to start preparing for the storm early.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore declared a 'State of Preparedness' in anticipation of the storm.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a State of Emergency for the entire state on Friday morning ahead of the dangerously cold weather and snow.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear also declared a state of emergency on Friday ahead of the winter storm.

'This is a serious storm that will likely cause dangerous conditions on our roads and potential power outages, which is why we are doing everything we can to keep Kentuckians safe,' Beshear said.

'We ask that everyone does what they can to prepare now. Run any necessary errands before the storm, avoid traveling while conditions are dangerous, and have weather alerts turned on to stay informed.'

A customer loads ice melt into their car at Lowes on January 22, 2026, in Little Rock, Arkansas

Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Missouri have also issued emergency declarations.

As the storm travels across the country, a blast of cold air from Canada will spread across the eastern two-thirds of the US, bringing 'bitterly cold temperatures and dangerously cold wind chills.'

Bann added: 'It's going to be hazardous for humans to step outside,' meteorologist Richard Bann told the New York Times.

Communities across the Southern Plains, Mississippi Valley and Mid-Atlantic are expected to battle dangerously cold temperatures and subzero wind chills, with the wind chill in North Dakota predicted to get as low as -50F.
Within weeks of Zohran Mamdani being sworn into office in New York City, homeless encampments have popped back up in Manhattan after he vowed on the campaign trail to stop clearing them away.

The democratic socialist, who took office on the first of the year, said in December he would stop the destruction of homeless encampments in the city - a hallmark of the previous administration led by Eric Adams.

'They are simply pushing New Yorkers who are living in the cold to another place where they will live in the cold,' Mamdani said at the time.

In the 23 days Mamdani has been in City Hall, encampments have popped up in Manhattan, including in the Upper West Side, Hell's Kitchen, and near the United Nations.

An East Village encampment showed a large display of suitcases, office chairs, trash bags, and tarps, among other items lined up along a graffitied wall.

Another in Chinatown showed two stolen shopping carts filled with reusable bags, trash bags, and more near Columbus Park.

As the days go on, more and more encampments are littering the streets - something rarely seen during the Adams Administration.

In 2022, Adams called for an initial sweep of 200 encampments when he launched his policy.

Within weeks of Zohran Mamdani being sworn into office in New York City, homeless encampments have popped back up in Manhattan after he vowed on the campaign trail to stop clearing them away

A Chinatown encampment showed two stolen shopping carts filled with reusable bags, trash bags, and more near Columbus Park

The democratic socialist, who took office on the first of the year, said in December he would stop the destruction of homeless encampments in the city - a hallmark of the previous administration led by Eric Adams

In 2025, he announced a $650million, five-year project to combat street homelessness and mental illness, which included more 'safe haven' beds - an alternative to the shelter system.

He also employed an outreach program to help get homeless people into shelters, which Mamdani criticized as ineffective.

Mamdani said Adams' approach to the homelessness crisis in the Big Apple just forcing unhoused New Yorkers to pack up shop and move to a different outdoor location.

'The previous administration, the approach to homeless encampments has been one where only three New Yorkers were connected with supportive housing over the entirety of a year,' he told CBS' Marcia Kramer during an unrelated press conference earlier this week.

'So right now, one of the focuses of our administration, as well as in conversations with the councilwoman [Gale Brewer], but also internally, is how we change those outcomes.'

Mamdani has not yet announced his new policy, but acknowledged the shelter system in the City The Never Sleeps isn't the greatest.

However, the newly elected mayor will face his first big problem concerning public safety this weekend as Winter Storm Fern is expected to dump up to 12 inches of snow on the city.

His office has already activated a Code Blue, which will send outreach workers into the street to help the homeless get into housing to brave the storm.

As the days go on, more and more encampments are littering the streets, including in Brooklyn (pictured)

Pictured: A homeless person sitting at a bus spot in Manhattan. The Mamdani Administration has not announced its new homelessness policy

In 2022, Adams called for an initial sweep of 200 encampments when he launched his policy (pictured a 2026 encampment)

Mamdani said Adams' approach to the homelessness crisis in the Big Apple just forcing unhoused New Yorkers to pack up shop and move to a different outdoor location

Wind chills are supposed to get as low as below zero starting on Friday evening.

'Outreach workers will ramp up efforts to connect unhoused New Yorkers to safe shelter,' Mamdani wrote on X on Thursday.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the mayor's office for comment.

The massive storm system is expected to bring a crippling ice storm and potentially around a foot of snow from Oklahoma through Washington DC, New York, and Boston over the weekend, leaving the Big Apple's 102,000 homeless people at risk.

Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency on Friday.
This is the moment an American internet star was abducted from her purple Tesla Cybertruck after moving from Arizona to Mexico to allegedly sell cartel merchandise.

Nicole Pardo Molina, 20, was cruising around Sinaloa, Mexico in her flashy vehicle on Tuesday when a masked gunman disabled her car with tire spikes and snatched her.

The OnlyFans star was seen getting out of her Tesla to confront a group of passengers in a white car. Molina attempted to keep the backseat passenger's door closed before heading back in, a social media video showed.

The masked attacker, who hid his face with a thick red scarf, seemed to struggle to get Molina out of the car, causing the unmasked driver to help him.

The two men hauled Molina out of her car and forced her into the backseat, alongside the masked driver, before reversing and pulling away.

Sinaloa is one of the most dangerous parts of Mexico, as the state is known for having high levels of organized crime and drug trafficking.

It is unclear when Molina moved, but she returned to her father's hometown, which is known to be controlled by a rival faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, which El Chapo once led.

Molina, whose car was highly recognizable, was allegedly selling merchandise bearing the image of El Chapo at the time of the abduction, El Pais reported.

Nicole Pardo Molina, 20, was driving around Sinaloa, Mexico, on Tuesday when a masked gunman disabled her car with tire spikes and snatched her

The OnlyFans star was seen getting out of her car to confront a group of passengers in a white vehicle

The OnlyFans star, who was born and raised in Arizona, frequently travels between the city and Culiacan, El Pais reported.

She was allegedly pursuing business ventures in Mexico after dropping out of school in the US after the COVID-19 pandemic. She previously operated a boutique in the area, but was forced to close it after someone smashed its windows, a woman who had worked nearby told AZ Family.

There were no reported links between Molina and any Mexican cartels before her kidnapping, but authorities now believe that may be the case.

Mexican police confirmed Molina's disappearance and opened a missing person case. They are investigating whether the crime is related to an ongoing turf war between rival cartels.

The Attorney General's Office of the State of Sinaloa said that authorities have no information or leads about Molina's whereabouts and that 'it is considered that her safety may be at risk, as she could be a victim of a crime.'

A Mexican band released a song allegedly about Molina in 2023 called The Lady from El Salado. In the song, it allegedly connected her to a cartel.

According to the International Federation for Human Rights, in 2024 alone, 3,601 women were reported missing in Mexico, which was a 40 percent increase from the previous year.

The man pulled her out of the car and thew her in the backseat and took off

Police are looking into if the attack had any involved with a cartel, as the Sinaloa area is one of the most dangerous parts of Mexico. The city is known for having high levels of organized crime and drug trafficking

Molina's purple Tesla Cybertruck was highly recognizable in the area

The OnlyFans star, who was born and raised in Arizona, frequently travels between the city and Mexico

In 2025, hundreds of women were kidnapped or disappeared just in Sinaloa.

Other influencers have also been victims of cartel violence in recent years, such as Valeria Marquez, a fashion model who had more than 600,000 followers on Instagram and was shot dead in May during a livestream.

Investigators believe that the shooter may have been tied to the Jalisco Nueva Generacion cartel based in Jalisco.
A public relations worker with ADHD has won almost 35,000 in compensation after successfully suing her workplace for labelling her 'disorganised.'

Nicole Hogger won claims of disability harassment, disability discrimination and unfair constructive dismissal against Genesis PR, based in Ipswich, Suffolk after her manager used the word to describe her.

Employment Judge Roger Tynan found that the term 'disorganised' can amount to daily discrimination under UK employment law and concluded the word 'undermined' Miss Hogger and 'violated her dignity'.

Cambridge Employment Tribunal ruled Miss Hogger was harassed on the grounds of disability for this because of her ADHD.

The term was used after Miss Hogger missed an important meeting without telling anyone she was absent.

Miss Hogger has now been awarded 34,686 in compensation from Genesis PR, where she worked from 2018 to 2023 as a Senior PR Account Executive before being promoted to PR Account Manager in 2020.

The tribunal heard Alison Straker, a member of the senior leadership team, 'championed' Miss Hogger's promotion because of her effective work and then became her line manager in 2021.

Miss Hogger was responsible for leading client projects, managing communication campaigns, and organising events.

Nicole Hogger won claims of disability discrimination and harassment after her manager described her as being 'disorganised' when she has ADHD (stock photo)

However, it was heard that she struggled with her workload, and her manager alleged she would miss calls because 'she had been out for a massage, to Starbucks, or to the supermarket.'

The worker was diagnosed with ADHD in 2021, with her doctor stating she showed 'poor organisation, forgetfulness and difficulty getting started on tasks requiring significant mental effort.'

A diagnostic report stated Miss Hogger had difficulty 'maintaining attention' and that 'procrastination has always been a problem'  but Miss Hogger never gave this report to her employers, instead mentioning the diagnosis to Ms Straker privately.

At the beginning of 2022, Miss Hogger's managers began noticing she was 'anxious' and not coping well with the increased workload. Ms Straker tried to help Miss Hogger by speaking to her and even transferred some of her workload to a colleague, the tribunal heard.

Miss Hogger said she felt like 'a weight had been lifted,' as a result, but she soon began missing calls and managers raised concerns about her performance.

It was only at this point that Ms Straker began to agree with the other managers, saying she found Miss Hogger's repeated performance issues 'concerning.'

In October 2022, a senior accounts manager said that Miss Hogger 'had gone dark again' and wasn't responding or communicating with her colleagues when 'critical' work was due. Ms Straker described this as 'not acceptable.'

In June 2023, Ms Straker spoke to Miss Hogger after she had missed the start of an important meeting.

Ms Straker said that when colleagues couldn't get hold of her, Miss Hogger would sometimes later tell them 'she had been out for a massage, to Starbucks or to the supermarket' while she was supposed to be contactable.

Ms Straker added that this could have led Miss Hogger's 'colleagues to think she was disorganised or uncommitted,' but her ADHD wasn't raised as a reason for why she'd missed the meeting.

As a result, Ms Staker put Miss Hogger on a Performance Improvement Plan.

However, Miss Hogger resigned from the company the next day and later set up her own business.

Employment Judge Roger Tynan concluded that Genesis PR did not consider Miss Hogger's ADHD in these circumstances and awarded her 34,686 in compensation.

On Miss Hogger being called 'disorganised', Judge Tynan said: 'In our judgement, even if this was not intended, Ms Straker's comments undermined [her].

'They served to highlight her disorganisation without, however, suggesting any practical steps to avoid a similar situation arising in the future.

'There was little, if anything, that [Miss Hogger] could usefully do with the feedback.

'Ms Straker maintains that it was intended as constructive feedback.

'We suggest that a more constructive approach would have been to explore with [Miss Hogger] whether and, if so, what steps might be taken to raise awareness of her condition, and indeed other neurodivergent conditions, within the workplace, or at least amongst [Miss Hogger's] immediate colleagues.'

Addressing the claim of constructive dismissal, Judge Tynan added: '[Genesis PR] acted in these matters without reasonable and proper cause.

'It discriminated against the [Miss Hogger] by: failing to make a reasonable adjustment; subjecting her to an adverse environment on 19 June, 2023; and taking a disproportionate approach to performance issues in July 2023.

'In the circumstances we uphold [Miss Hogger's] complaint that she was unfairly dismissed and her further complaint that her constructive dismissal was also an act of unlawful direct discrimination in so far as it was in response to contraventions of the Equality Act 2010.'
A five-year-old Philadelphia boy with brain cancer and an eating disorder risks dying after his Bolivian father was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), his family claimed.

Johny Merida, 48, was detained by immigration officers in September after having lived in the US without official permission for about 20 years.

His son Jair has brain cancer, autism and a grave eating disorder - which he survives by getting fed PediaSure nutrition drink.

The boy only accepted the food from his father, who would leave his job every day to take care of him.

With Merida in ICE detention for nearly five months, that has been impossible.

That will change soon, as Merida has accepted deportation - even though it could put his son's life at risk.

'Even if we wanted to go back to Bolivia, there's no hospital,' Merida told the Philadelphia Inquirer. 'The treatment is not adequate.'

Hospitals in Bolivia 'cannot handle serious conditions', according to the US State Department.

Jair Merida, five, has brain cancer, autism and an eating disorder that makes him reliant on his dad to get fed

Johny Merida, 48, was detained by ICE in September. He has accepted deportation to Bolivia instead of trying to remain in the US

Merida has decided to accept deportation to Bolivia, rather than attempt to stay in the US.

Jair, his siblings and mother will also leave the country, even though they do not need to and it could put the boy's life at risk.

They plan on reuniting with Merida in Cochabamba, Bolivia, although the exact date of his deportation remains unclear.

Jair's mom, Gimena Morales Antezana, said she could no longer afford basic necessities like rent, water, and heat to take care of her three children.

'We have been trying to survive, but it is difficult with the children because they miss their dad so much,' she told the Inquirer.

Merida is the family breadwinner but he cannot provide for his loved ones while detained.

Morales Antezana, 49, stopped working to take care of Jair's health since it requires around-the-clock treatment.

The boy finished chemotherapy in August 2022 but the brain tumor grew back, prompting him to begin oral chemotherapy less than two years later.

His eating condition is called avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder and he relies on PediaSure for nutrition.

Merida was the family breadwinner and his wife Gimena Morales Antezana (center) has struggled to afford the rent, water and heat following his detention

Merida is being held at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center in rural Pennsylvania, which his lawyer called a 'tough environment' that he 'couldn't do' any longer

Medical professionals also attested to Merida's importance for his sick son and desperate family.

'Jair's father's daily support in feeding his son is integral to his overall health,' wrote Cynthia Schmus, a neuro-oncology nurse practitioner at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

She added that Jair was 'at risk of significant medical decline' if he was not fed.

Mariam Mahmud, with Peace Pediatrics Integrative Medicine in Doylestown, said Jair would be unable to 'obtain effective medical care in Bolivia.'

She claimed Jair had consumed less than 30 percent of his necessary daily calories since his dad's ICE detention.

The boy was at constant risk of being hospitalized, as a result.

Jair cries whenever his father calls on the phone and asks why he can't be home, according to his mother.

Merida was arrested by ICE during a traffic stop on Roosevelt Boulevard in Philadelphia while driving home from a Home Depot store.

'He couldn't do it anymore,' John Vandenberg, an immigration attorney representing the family, told the Inquirer. 'He reached his limit.'

Merida's lawyer added that it was a 'tough environment in the jail.'

He is being held at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center, an ICE facility in rural Pennsylvania.

Jair depends on PediaSure nutrition drink to be fed, but he only accepted food from his father. Doctors said Merida's daily support was 'integral' to his son's health

Merida was previously deported from the US in 2008 when he attempted to enter the country from the Mexican border east of San Diego.

He was using a Mexican ID with the fake name Juan Luna Gutierrez and was stopped by Customs and Border Protection before being sent back to Mexico.

Merida secretly crossed into the US almost immediately after that. He was never charged with a felony after doing so, according to the Inquirer.

Vandenberg, his attorney, claimed Merida had no criminal record in the US and that documents from Bolivian authorities proved he had not committed any offenses there either.

In September, the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit issued an order temporarily blocking Merida's deportation.

A T-visa application for his wife was also sent, which is used to provide a path to citizenship for human trafficking victims and their families.

However, there have been no updates in the application for months.

All three of Merida's children, including Jair, were born in the US and are American citizens.

He and his wife were authorized to work legally in the United States under a 2024 asylum claim.

Jair and his family plan to reunite with their father in Cochabamba, Bolivia (pictured) after he accepted deportation from the US

Doctors told the family this month that Jair's brain tumor had not grown, which will allow them to seek medical help once they are back in Bolivia.

The US State Department has warned that Bolivian hospitals are unable to 'handle serious conditions.'

Medical care in large cities is 'adequate, but of varying quality,' the department added, but 'inadequate' elsewhere.

'This is going to be a constant struggle every day until God decides,' Morales Antezana said.

She added: 'It's scary to think that if something happens we don't have a hospital to take him to, but knowing his dad will be there makes it a little lighter to bear.'

A GoFundMe started by a family friend claimed that sending the family 'back to Bolivia would put Jair's life at serious risk, where pediatric cancer survival rates are far lower than in the US.'

A DHS spokesperson told the Daily Mail: 'On September 9, 2025, ICE arrested Johny Merida Aguilar, an illegal alien from Bolivia who was previously deported and has used false identities. He illegally entered the U.S. in 2008 using a fraudulent identity.

'He received full due process and was ordered removed by an immigration judge on July 15, 2008. He was removed and chose to commit a felony by illegally re-entering the U.S. at an unknown date and time.

'His children were in the care of their mother. Parents are asked if they want to be removed with their children, or ICE will place the children with a safe person the parent designates. This is consistent with past administrations immigration enforcement.

'Parents can take control of their departure and receive a free flight and $2,600 with the CBP Home app. By using the CBP Home app illegal aliens reserve the chance to come back the right legal way.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to Vandenberg, the Merida family attorney, for comment.
First it was a fight on the White House lawn, now it's a high-speed race around the US Capitol.

Donald Trump's Department of Transportation wants to celebrate America250 by hosting an IndyCar race on August 21, multiple sources familiar with the idea told Punchbowl News.

The speed bump is that Congress has to approve legislation to allow Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to move forward with holding the auto race.

And Democrats are already pumping the brakes on the proposal in its early stages, claiming it would be 'absurd' for Congress to approve such an event in Washington, DC, the report notes.

They feel an IndyCar race would put too much strain on US Capitol Police and the roads around the Capitol.

But their pushback on the idea also appears to mainly stem from political reasons, with one Democrat telling Punchbowl they aren't inclined to work with Republicans who have refused to hang a plaque in the Capitol honoring victims of the January 6, 2021 riot.

Others said they can't see the optics being good of holding a costly race in the city while also refusing to extend healthcare subsidies to millions of Americans.

The idea has made its way to the aides of the top four lawmakers in Congress  Republican Speaker Mike Johnson, Democrat House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Democrat Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

President Donald Trump's team is floating an IndyCar race on the National Mall in August to celebrate America250

Democrats are pushing back on the proposal for the race to start at the Supreme Court and go down the entire National Mall, including around the Lincoln Memorial. For the race to go on, it would need to pass a bill in Congress because of a ban on advertising on Capitol grounds

IndyCar vehicles and drivers' jumpsuits and helmets are famously littered with ads and sponsors

Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy's idea has made its way to the aides of the Big Four in Congress

The American open-wheel car race, if it went forward, would start at the Supreme Court and go down the entire National Mall, including around the Lincoln Memorial.

The so-called 'Pit Row' would be at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

Congress would need to pass a bill for the race to be held on the National Mall due to a ban on advertising on Capitol grounds and IndyCar vehicles and the drivers' jumpsuits are always adorned with loads of ads and sponsors.

A Transportation Department spokesperson said in a statement: 'The Grand Prix is an unprecedented opportunity to celebrate our nation's proud racing pedigree, showcase the beauty of the National Mall, and generate millions in critical tourism revenue for the Capital.'

'We'll keep working with our partners in Congress to outline the positive impacts it will have on the District and correct the record,' they added.

America250 is a yearlong celebration in the US to mark the Semiquincentennial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Trump officially kicked off the year-long America250 events with a rally at the Iowa State Fairgrounds on July 3, 2025.
The mother of a teenage British soldier who was killed by a US bomb in Afghanistan has demanded that Donald Trump apologise for saying that Nato troops stayed off the front lines during the conflict.

Lorraine McClure said she was angry and cut up about President Trumps insult to the memory of the 457 British troops including her son Aaron, 19, who died on active service in Afghanistan.

Aaron McClure and two other soldiers from the 1st Battalion of The Royal Anglian Regiment died in a friendly fire incident on August 23, 2007, when they were killed in a blast from a 500lbs a bomb dropped by a US F-15 jet.

Ms McClure of Ipswich, Suffolk, hit out at Trumps comments after he tried to argue in a Fox News interview that he was not sure that the Nato military alliance would be there for the US if we ever needed them.

In a statement which has sparked widespread outrage in the UK, he said: We've never needed them We have never really asked anything of them They'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, Ms McClure, 55, demanded he withdraw his comments, saying: He owes an apology to every servicemen who served through Nato.

'I think the guy is on a bit of an ego trip. He should definitely pull back from what he said. He should send out a public apology.

'I feel quite saddened about what he said, considering there were 457 of our guys and girls on the front line who are sadly no longer here with their families.

Ms McClure at her son's graveside. She said she was angry and cut up about President Trumps insult to the memory of the 457 British troops including her son Aaron, 19, who died on active service in Afghanistan

Aaron McClure (pictured) and two other soldiers from the 1st Battalion of The Royal Anglian Regiment died in a friendly fire incident on August 23, 2007, when they were killed in a blast from a 500lbs a bomb dropped by a US F-15 jet

Ms McClure's comments come after President Trump said NATO troops stayed off the front line during the war in Afghanistan

I am pretty angry and cut up about it. It is just an insult to our fallen and their memory, and the fact that they gave their all.

Ms McClure who works as a bus driver, added: I did not have many thoughts about Donald Trump before. He didnt faze me and I didnt take much notice of anything he said or did. I had no opinion of the man whatsoever, but I definitely have an opinion of him now. I wont put that into words.

She made her anger plain in an emotional Facebook post of pictures of fallen British soldiers including her son who was nicknamed Troy, and a crying emoji.

She wrote: Potus says our Nato troops were never in the Frontline in Afghanistan. I say he's forgotten very quickly. Here's the faces of 457 brave men and women who served in the British army who gave their all, most being FRONTLINE, including my son Aaron who was in the thick of it all, unfortunately Aaron was killed by the US in a blue on blue alongside 2 others fighting on the FRONTLINE....they gave their all.....never forget .

Ms McClure spoke out in 2021 when American forces left Afghanistan, leaving the Taliban to take back control of the country.

She said at the time that the move left her feeling that her sons death was for nothing and had left her absolutely knocked back after she had spent years trying to persuade herself that he had not died in vain.

Ms McClure today said she had never previously had any direct dealings with the American military after their bomb was dropped on the wrong target and Aaron and two others were killed outright.

She said: In the very beginning an investigation was happening into the three boys deaths and they were around in the background, but we never ever had any face-to-face dealings with them.

Ms McClure told the Mail: '[Trump] owes an apology to every servicemen who served through Nato. I think the guy is on a bit of an ego trip. He should definitely pull back from what he said. He should send out a public apology.

Aaron during his time in the army. Ms McClure today said she had never previously had any direct dealings with the American military after their bomb was dropped on the wrong target and Aaron and two others were killed outright

There was never any forthcoming apologies from the Americans for what happened, but that could just be me being a bit of a bitter mum, you know.

I dont hold them fully responsible, but they were part of that incident. There were a few mistakes made on both sides, so you cant point a finger at people.

Life goes on as well, and you have got to try and move on from these things, if you sit and think about it - I try not to - then I will get angry a little bit still, but he was doing a job he loved.

Ms McClure who has three other sons Lewis, 36, Daniel, 34, and Ryan, 31, said she had been active in keeping alive the memory of Aaron who has a huge mural in tribute to him on a wall opposite her home.

She said: I dont want anyone to forget Aaron. The locals where I live have never forgotten him. A lot of Ipswich has never forgotten him. I will always be proud of him. I dont want Aaron to be forgotten, or the sacrifice he made to be forgotten any more than any of the others.

Ms McClure said her son Lewis had been due to join the Army when his brother died, and had a train ticket booked to start his training at Catterick, but ended up not doing so.

She said she was heartened to wake up every morning and see the beautiful mural in memory of Aaron. She said: It makes me smile every day.

Aaron died along with Robert Foster, 19, and John Thrumble, 21, when the compound they were in was hit by an F-15 bomb after air support had been called in when they came under accurate fire from a determined Taliban force during a fighting patrol.

Ms McClure who has three other sons Lewis, 36, Daniel, 34, and Ryan, 31, said she had been active in keeping alive the memory of Aaron who has a huge mural in tribute to him on a wall opposite her home

Two other British soldiers were injured in the tragic incident north west of Kajaki, in northern Helmand Province.

Ms McClure's comments come after politicians from across the political spectrum reacted with outrage to President Trump's comments.

Sir Keir Starmer hit out at Trump for 'diminishing the sacrifice and service of our troops' in a television interview that worsened the deepest transatlantic rift in decades.

The PM's spokesman added: 'Their sacrifice and that of other Nato forces was made in the service of collective security and in response to an attack on our ally.'

And Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused the president of talking 'flat-out nonsense', about those who 'fought and died alongside the US', adding: 'Their sacrifice deserves respect not denigration.'

Labour's Defence Secretary John Healey said: 'Those British troops should be remembered for who they were: heroes who gave their lives in service of our nation.'

And Armed Forces Minister Al Cairns, who did five tours in Afghanistan with the Royal Marines, said the president's words were 'utterly ridiculous'.

Sir Keir Starmer with Donald Trump in September 2025. The PM hit out at Trump for 'diminishing the sacrifice and service of our troops'

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused the president of talking 'flat-out nonsense', about those who 'fought and died alongside the US', adding: 'Their sacrifice deserves respect not denigration'

Reform MP Robert Jenrick said the president's comments were 'offensive and wrong'.

Party leader Nigel Farage, a close ally of Mr Trump, has yet to comment.

But a Reform spokesman said: 'Donald Trumps comments are plain wrong. For 20 years our armed forces fought bravely alongside America's in Afghanistan.

'We spent the same amount of money pro rata and we suffered the same losses. Those men and women deserve our undying respect.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: 'How dare he question their sacrifice?'

America is the only Nato member to have invoked the collective security provisions of its Article 5 clause - that an attack against one member is an attack on all.

That came after the September 11 attack on the World Trade Centre in New York in 2001, which led to a US-led invasion of Afghanistan.

The UK suffered the second-highest number of military deaths in the Afghanistan conflict at 457. The US saw 2,461 deaths. America's allies suffered 1,160 deaths during the conflict - around a third of the total coalition deaths.
Nigel Farage's closeness to Donald Trump could cost Reform votes at the next election as suburban voters are put off by the president's increasing belligerence.

The Transatlantic relationship between the two men is the main reason voters say they would refuse to vote for Reform in a new poll - with women more likely than men to say it is a problem.

A quarter of women surveyed by More in Common said being allied to Trump would keep them away from the party at the ballot box, more than said they would be kept away by reports of racism by candidates and supporters.

At the same time, a focus group of 'Stevenage women', a shorthand for the group of suburban mothers whose support was vital for getting Sir Keir Starmer into power in 2024, laid it out in plain English.

While they are abandoning Labour in favour of Reform after 18 months of painful Starmer rule, they are not yet totally sold on Farage.

According to one quoted by Politico, Farage is seen as Trump's 'stooge' and another said: 'He might just be [Trump's] whipping boy. That kind of concerns me.'

Additionally, half of those polled said Farage was the 'British Trump' - with three in five saying this was not a good thing.

It comes as clamour grows for the two main rightwing parties to stop their infighting and unite to remove Keir Starmer from office at the next election.

The Transatlantic relationship between the two men is the main reason voters say they would refuse to vote for Reform in a new poll - with women more likely than men to say it is a problem.

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It comes as clamour grows for the two main rightwing parties to stop their infighting and unite to remove Keir Starmer from office at the next election.

The group of 30 women was put together before today's row over Trump's criticism of British troops who served - and died in Afghanistan.

But it was carried out in the Hertfordshire town in the middle of his scattergun blast at Nato over Greenland's future.

Jane, a 51-year-old stay-at-home mum of three, was reported as saying: 'There's no one who will actually stand up to him. Trump would say, ''do this, do that,'' and Nigel would be like 'yep, yep.''

Back in September the Reform leader posed with the president in the Oval Office.

But since then Trump has clashed heavily with America's allies in Nato, with a major stand-off over his demand that Denmark hand him Greenland.

It was only ended by a hastily cobbled together 'deal' that allowed him to back down without too much embarrassment.

It comes after a top pollster said Reform may have hit its popularity limit with voters.

Support for Nigel Farage's party has cooled in recent weeks, with around 29 per cent of voters saying they would vote for Reform come the next election - a drop from 32 per cent at the party's peak.

The Conservatives are ticking upwards in the polls however, with some 19 per cent of voters saying they would offer their support - despite a recent run of high-profile defections to Reform.

Leading pollster Sir John Curtice said he imagines 32 per cent is 'the height of what Reform can achieve' because its vote is a 'very, very niche market' - and forecast both parties will have to consider coming to 'an accommodation' at the next election.

Until then, however, he predicted the two sides will continue to fight over voters as they vie to be the main party of the right.

His analysis saw Mr Farage brand Sir John 'wrong on both counts', on Reform hitting its peak and potentially having to consider a pact.

He added there would be 'no deal with dishonest people that don't deserve our trust' and Reform believes it is 'still gaining solid support'.

The Tories have also ruled out any dealing.
While President Donald Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom jousted in public while both attending the World Economic Forum this week, during a meeting backstage, their interactions were jovial.

Longtime political journalist Mark Halperin reported Thursday night that Trump and Newsom encountered each other in the hallway area before the president's Wednesday afternoon speech to the assembly - the same speech Newsom later mocked as 'boring.'

The president 'laid it on thick, deploying that super charming winking manner that he uses in such cases,' Halperin described, noting that there was 'friendly banter all around' - with the exclusion of one top Trump aide.

'Gavin, we're good,' Trump reportedly told the Democratic governor, who he had disparaged the day before in front of the White House press corps.

During his surprise press briefing on Tuesday, Trump had been asked about a hypothetical run-in with Newsom, and he recalled how the two politicians used to have a 'close to the word exceptional' relationship.

'But now we seem not to,' Trump said, noting 'I just hate the way California is being run.'

During their actual run-in, after Trump was pleasant, Newsom was pleasant right back.

'Newsom, no stranger to faux towel snapping, gave Trump a little s*** in a jovial and jokey manner,' Halperin described.

President Donald Trump (left) and Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom (right) came face-to-face at Davos on Wednesday and had an affable reunion, journalist Mark Halperin reported Thursday night

California Governor Gavin Newsom listens to President Donald Trump's address in Davos Wednesday. They bumped into each other backstage ahead of Trump's speech. In the audience, Newsom is surrounded by Trump aides including Margo Martin (left)

Soon the California governor, who is openly talking about running for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028, was chatting it up with Trump's inner circle, including Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, press secretary Karoline Leavitt and Deputy Chief of Staff James Blair.

In the past, Blair has done some work with Newsom on state government issues.

Halperin described all of those interactions as friendly.

Stephen Miller was also part of Trump's entourage.

The immigration hardliner 'appeared to be less enthusiastic about engaging,' Halperin said.

Trump is known for being much kinder to his political rivals face-to-face.

On inauguration day 2025, he told President Joe Biden they would have been 'great friends' had it not been for politics, and encouraged the outgoing leader to 'stay in touch.'

Now Biden is represented at the White House as an autopen portrait.

California Governor Gavin Newsom reacts to President Donald Trump's Davos address in which he made demands to take control of Greenland, something the California governor called out as bluster

White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles (left), President Donald Trump (center) and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt (right) all exchanged pleasantries with Governor Gavin Newsom backstage at Davos

California Governor Gavin Newsom gave President Donald Trump's to the World Economic Forum an almost immediate bad review. Ahead of the speech, however, Trump and Newsom exchanged pleasantries

Similarly, it went back to politics as usual once Trump and Newsom went their separate ways.

Newsom watched Trump's speech and immediately gave it a bad review.

'It was remarkably boring. It was remarkably insignificant. He was never going to invade Greenland. It was never real,' the California governor said.

Newsom had been scheduled to speak at the USA House in Davos on a panel sponsored by Fortune Magazine, but was barred from entering the property - blaming the White House and State Department for leaving him out in the cold.

'How weak and pathetic do you have to be to be this scared of a fireside chat?' Newsom took to X to complain.

The White House's rapid response account hit back, saying that the 'failing' governor of California 'watches from the corner cuck chair as @POTUS delivers a true masterclass at Davos. Embarrassing!'

Newsom was still on Trump's mind during Thursday's trip back to Washington from Switzerland.

'Gavin Newscum, as a "Lame Duck" Governor of a Failing State, should not be at Davos running around screaming for the attention of Foreign Leaders, and embarrassing our Country,' Trump wrote. 'He made a mockery of himself, and everybody, including his staff, knows it!'

The president suggested that Newsom should be focused on helping Californians rebuild after last January's atrocious wildfires.

President Donald Trump concluded his trip to the World Economic Forum on Thursday and continued to trash California Governor Gavin Newsom on his way home, blasting him for 'running around screaming for the attention of Foreign Leaders'

'Then finish out his term, and GO HOME!' Trump said.

'With a record like he's got, the ruination of one of the most beautiful places on Earth, where people are leaving in droves, it is unimaginable that he could run for President but, who knows, it's a very strange World!' Trump offered.

A spokesperson for Newsom did not immediately respond to Daily Mail's request for comment on the governor's backstage run-in with Trump.

The White House declined to confirm Halperin's report.

'Refer you to the President's Truth Social post on Newscum last night,' a press aide told the Daily Mail.
Towering high above Taiwan's capital city at 1,667 feet (508 meters), Taipei 101 dominates the skyline.

The earthquake-proof skyscraper of steel and glass has captured the imagination of professional rock climber Alex Honnold for more than a decade.

On Saturday morning, he will climb it in his signature free solo style - without ropes or protective equipment. And Netflix will broadcast it - live.

The event's announcement has drawn both excitement and trepidation, as well as some concerns over the ethical implications of attempting such a high-risk endeavor on live broadcast.

Many have questioned Honnold's desire to continue his free-solo climbs now that he's a married father of two young girls.

Known for his legendary ropeless ascent up Yosemite National Park's El Capitan, documented in 'Free Solo,' Honnold is intent on pushing the limits of climbing around the world.

'When you look at climbing objectives, you look for things that are singular,' Honnold told The Associated Press late last year.

'Something like El Capitan where it's way bigger and way prouder than all the things around it.'

On Saturday morning, Alex Honnold will climb Taiwan's Taipei 101 tower in his signature free solo style - without ropes or protective equipment. And Netflix will broadcast it - live. Pictured: Alex Honnold in Taipei, Taiwan

The event's announcement has drawn both excitement and trepidation, as well as some concerns over the ethical implications of attempting such a high-risk endeavor on live broadcast. Pictured: People take photos with the iconic Taipei 101 skyscraper

Known for his legendary ropeless ascent up Yosemite National Park's El Capitan, documented in 'Free Solo,' Honnold is intent on pushing the limits of climbing around the world

Honnold won't be the first climber to ascend the skyscraper, but he will be the first to do so without a rope.

French rock climber Alain Robert scaled the building on Christmas Day in 2004, as part of the grand opening of what was then the world's tallest building.

He took nearly four hours to finish, almost twice as long as what he anticipated, all while nursing an injured elbow and battered by wind and rain.

Honnold, who has been training for months, doesn't think his climb will be hard. He's practiced the moves on the building and spoke with Robert on his climbing podcast.

'I don't think it'll be that extreme,' Honnold said. 'We'll see. I think it's the perfect sweet spot where it's hard enough to be engaging for me and obviously an interesting climb.'

The building has 101 floors, with the hardest part being the 64 floors comprising the middle section - the 'bamboo boxes' that give the building its signature look.

Divided into eight, each segment will have eight floors of steep, overhanging climbing followed by a balcony that Honnold would be able to rest on.

The 'Skyscraper Live' broadcast will be on a 10-second delay and begin Friday evening for viewers in the US and Saturday morning at 1am for viewers in the UK.

James Smith, an executive with event producer Plimsoll Productions, said he consulted safety advisers almost immediately after he first spoke with Honnold about attempting the climb.

The building has 101 floors, with the hardest part being the 64 floors comprising the middle section - the 'bamboo boxes' that give the building its signature look

Many have questioned Honnold's desire to continue his free-solo climbs now that he's a married father of two young girls

Smith works with a risk management group for film and TV called Secret Compass, which has supported productions in filming penguins in Antarctica and helping Chris Hemsworth walk across a crane projecting from an Australian skyscraper's roof, alike.

Smith and Honnold will be able to communicate throughout the event.

They'll have cameramen positioned inside the building, various hatches and places to bail during the climb and four high-angle camera operators suspended on ropes.

'These people all know Alex. They trust Alex. They're going to be close to him throughout the whole climb,' Smith said.

'They're going to get us kind of amazing shots, but they're also there just to keep an eye on him, and if there's any problems, they can kind of help.'

The production has also commissioned professional weather forecasters to provide updates leading up to climb day.

There's currently a small chance of light rain in the morning, Smith said. Ultimately, if conditions are bad, Honnold won't climb.

At his local gym, Taiwanese rock climber Chin Tzu-hsiang said he's grown up always looking up at the Taipei 101 and wondering if he could climb it.

Honnold is a household name among rock climbers even in Taiwan, and Chin said he has students who have only been climbing for a year or two who are excited to watch.

Honnold, who has been training for months, doesn't think his climb will be hard. He's practiced the moves on the building and spoke with Robert on his climbing podcast

The 'Skyscraper Live' broadcast will be on a 10-second delay and begin Friday evening for viewers in the US and Saturday morning at 1am for viewers in the UK. Pictured: Honnold's wife is Sanni McCandless

Based on watching Honnold in his other climbs, Chin said he trusts him to prepare for the challenge and not to recklessly take risks.

'For Alex Honnold to finish the climb, it's like he's helping us fulfill our dream,' Chin said.

The novelty and risk involved in the climb are almost built for television.

'This will be the highest, the biggest urban free solo ever,' Smith said. 'So we're kind of writing history and those events, I think, have to be broadcast and watched live.'

Those same factors are crucial when discussing the ethics of the climb, according to Subbu Vincent, director of media and journalism ethics at Santa Clara University.

It's important that Honnold has a 'back-off clause' and the production aspect of the event doesn't increase the risk he's already taking, Vincent said.

One action that Vincent believes is crucial is using a delay in the live broadcast so it can be stopped immediately if something goes wrong.

'I don't think it's ethical to proceed to livestream anything after,' Vincent said.

Taipei 101 officials declined to comment and Secret Compass did not respond to interview requests.

Another consideration is the influence Honnold may have on impressionable youth who may feel more emboldened to take risks after watching him climb, a debate that has existed since Evel Knievel's televised daredevil stunts.

Many climbers have died from free-soloing, including an 18-year-old rock climber from Texas who fell last June in Yosemite.

A trend called 'roof-topping' - where people gain access to the tops of skyscrapers, often illegally, to take photos of themselves dangling from the edge - has also led to several deaths.

Jeff Smoot, who authored the book 'All and Nothing: Inside Free Soloing,' shares those concerns. But what the general public might not understand is that embracing risk has always been a significant part of climbing culture, he said.

Smoot began climbing in the 1970s watching legendary climbers like John Long and John Bachar free-solo regularly.

'From the public's perspective, this is thrill-seeking. From the climber's perspective, it's a meditative art form,' Smoot said.

When he first heard Honnold would be ascending Taipei 101 without ropes, Smoot had questions - why do it at all, why do it without ropes, why film it live?

But, he concluded, 'If it wasn't dangerous, would people want to watch?'
A mother conspired with a drugs kingpin to murder her ex-husband in an acid attack because he 'deserved' to be hurt and she wanted to get rich, a court heard today.

Paris Wilson, 35, helped plot the murder of her fitness instructor ex Danny Cahalane, 38, after the 'acrimonious' breakdown of their marriage, prosecutors said.

The probation worker allegedly 'fed information' about Mr Cahalane's whereabouts to drugs lord Ryan Kennedy, who he owed 120,000 to after gambling with profits made from dealing.

She is also accused of setting up her ex to be ambushed the month before the attack which cost his life.

Wilson agreed to help Kennedy in exchange for 'a couple of grand' and because she thought her ex 'deserved' to get hurt, it was heard today.

Mr Cahalane was a drug dealer who was 'doused in acid' at his home in Plymouth, Devon, last year. He died in hospital from his injuries 10 days later.

Kennedy - known as 'Frost' in the criminal world - was operating out of Dubai and orchestrated the hit on Mr Cahalane to show him 'who was boss', jurors were told.

Kennedy is not on trial and has not been charged with any crimes as he is 'almost certainly' in Dubai, Winchester Crown Court heard.

Danny Cahalane, 38, was murdered in a doorstep acid attack over his 120,000 debt after he gambled away a drug kingpin's money, a court heard

Mr Cahalane's ex-wife Paris Wilson, 35, who he shares a child with, is on trial accused of murder

A total of 10 people are on trial at Winchester Crown Court.

Wilson, from Plymouth, is accused of murder, manslaughter, participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group, attempted kidnap and attempted grievous bodily harm with intent.

The others accused of murder are five men - Abdulrasheed Adedoja, 23, Ramarnee Bakas-Sithole, 23, Israel Augustus, 26, Isanah Sungum, 22, and Brian Kalemba, 23, and one woman, Jude Hill, 43.

These defendants all pleaded not guilty to a charge of manslaughter against Mr Cahalane.

Prosecutor Jo Martin KC told the court today: 'As you know, Paris Wilson was Danny Cahalane's ex-wife and they had a daughter together.

'Paris Wilson was fully aware of what Danny did to make his money.

'She was to tell the police that she first had contact with Danny when he was in prison for supplying drugs.

'They married after that, and then in about 2022 the relationship broke down.

'By 2025, the relationship between Paris and Danny was pretty acrimonious.

'Paris Wilson, was, this is our case, Frost's go to contact in Plymouth - through her Frost was trying to put pressure on Danny to pay up.

Mr Cahalane, pictured with ex-wife Wilson, was 'doused in acid' at his home in Plymouth

Jenna Said, 39, denied participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group

'Through her, Frost could get information about Danny's whereabouts.

'Paris Wilson, as you will hear was seemingly happy to give up all that information on the understanding Frost would make her wealthy.

'Paris Wilson's involvement ran throughout the January and February 2025 and she is charged with all counts on the indictment.'

The court heard that Wilson was in contact with Frost and texted her mother, Karen Wilson, about it.

Frost was after Mr Cahalane because he owed him tens of thousands of pounds in unpaid drugs profits, having gambled away huge sums.

Talking about the daughter they share together, Wilson wrote to her mother: 'I think he is keeping her so Frost doesn't go near him.'

On January 8, she messaged her mother saying: 'Like Frost is losing his mind.... Frost is saying he will pay me if I find where he is today... he said he will pay me a few grand and double what Dan owes you and give you an oz....so 600 and a oz.'

She added that he was 'minted' and said: 'They can't handle any more of his lies... he's in so much debt'.

Referring to Mr Cahalane's new partner Michaela, she said: 'They said they'd grab her and get her to take them to him... and she's a c*** tbh mum so I don't care.'

She also said: 'I'm worried about my karma, but at least nobody but Dan gets hurt, and he did f*** massively with my life...and he deserves it.'

The prosecutor added that there was 'no doubt' that she set him up because 'she told Frost exactly where Danny would be at about 10am on Sunday 19th January', and 'only she could have known that he was dropping off their daughter that morning at her house'.

Mr Cahalane was threatened on January 19, 2025 by men who tried to rip his car door open as he shut it. They were, according to Ms Martin, acting on Frost's orders.

Frost later told Mr Cahalane: 'Your mum's house going a light tonight as well. And your girls. And your gonna die. I'm a millionaire I ain't stopping until your dead.'

Speaking about messages between Wilson and her mother, Ms Martin said: 'What can be clear from these messages from the 8th of January is that Paris Wilson did set Danny up, and she set him up for Frost, and she set him up for two reasons - because she was going to get paid by Frost - a couple of grand; and because she thought Danny deserved to be hurt.'

Wilson shook her head in the dock as Ms Martin said this.

The prosecutor continued: 'Paris Wilson knew that Frost meant business.

'She knew the level of threat that Frost was issuing to Danny.

'On the 14th January she told her mum that Frost had messaged her the night before saying "get that bum to call me he's dead".'

The court previously heard that two men broke into Mr Cahalane's home on February 21, 2025, and by the time they had driven off 'sulphuric acid had been thrown on [Mr Cahalane]; burning into his whole body'.

He was treated in hospital for about 10 weeks before dying on May 3, 2025 as a result of his horrific injuries.

Adedoja, Bakas-Sithole, Augustus, Wilson, Sungum, Kalemba, Jean Mukuna, 23, Arrone Mukuna, 25, and Jenna Said, 39, have all denied participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group.

Adedoja, Bakas-Sithole, Wilson, Jean Mukuna and Arrone Mukuna have pleaded not guilty to the attempted kidnap and attempted grievous bodily harm with intent of Mr Cahalane, which allegedly took place on January 19, 2025.

The trial continues.
The CEO of Harold's Chicken has mysteriously died at the age of 55, the family announced.

Kristen Pierce-Sherrod's loved ones announced her death on social media last week, but remained tight-lipped about her cause of death.

'We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our Chief Executive Officer,' the family wrote in a now-deleted post.

'The family extends their sincere gratitude for the outpouring of prayers and condolences. At this time, we kindly ask that their privacy be respected during this time of bereavement.'

Pierce-Sherrod was the daughter of Harold Pierce, who opened the Chicago-based chicken chain.

Pierce founded the company in 1950 with his wife, Hilda, in Chicago, calling it H&H. The restaurant specialized in dumplings and chicken feet, its website said.

The local butcher gave him chicken and he used his recipe to make fried chicken - eventually opening Harold's Chicken Shack in the Kenwood neighborhood.

'My father was a young Black man from the South with a dream,' his daughter told ABC 7 in 2024.

'He worked hard during a time when African Americans weren't capable of obtaining any businesses or funding. And his hard work paid off.'

The family of Kristen Pierce-Sherrod announced her death on social media last week, but did not reveal her cause of death

She has been the CEO of Harold's Chicken since 2000. Her father (pictured together) started the restaurant in 1950

Her father started the business out of necessity, as many chain restaurants avoided black neighborhoods. In turn, he wasn't allowed to expand his restaurant business into more populated areas, such as downtown, due to legal and social obstacles.

At the time, Harold's was one of the few thriving black-owned businesses in the community, the company said.

It celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2024.

'It's the best chicken around,' Pierce-Sherrod said in 2024. 'That's why we're so successful. The others can't compete 'cause they can't compare.

'It's a part of Chicago.'

Harold's has since expanded across eight states since its inception. It has been name-checked by Chicago rappers, like Chance and Lupe Fiasco, ABC 7 reported.

Pierce-Sherrod began co-managing the family business with her mother in 2000, and she served as CEO for more than 20 years.

'I've been dealing with Harold's all my life,' she said in a 2022 video.

Pierce-Sherrod began co-managing the family business with her mother in 2000, and she served as CEO for more than 20 years

Pierce-Sherrod was also the CEO of the Chicago Children's Equestrian Center, which she co-founded with her husband, Vincent Sherrod, in 2021

Her father started the business out of necessity, as many chain restaurants avoided black neighborhoods

At the time, Harold's was one of the few thriving black-owned businesses in the community

Her father died in 1988 of prostate cancer.

Pierce-Sherrod was also the CEO of the Chicago Children's Equestrian Center, which she co-founded with her husband, Vincent Sherrod, in 2021.

It helps children learn equestrian and self-love.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Harold's for comment.
A former MMA fighter accused of raping a close friend of Barron Trump smashed up an air fryer in a fit of jealousy when he heard the woman call the US President's son 'sweetheart', a court heard today.

Russian national Matvei Rumianstev, 22, told jurors it was hard for (him) not to be jealous of Barrons persistent contact with his alleged victim during late 2024 and early 2025.

But Rumianstev denies raping and strangling the woman because he was furious about her contact 19-year-old Barron.

He allegedly raped her after spotting several missed calls on her phone from President Trumps youngest son on the day of the alleged attack last year.

He flew into a rage when he noticed Trump FaceTiming her in the early hours of January 18 before answering the call and attacking her as Barron watched in horror on FaceTime from across the Atlantic, it is said.

Barron would call 999 from America and spoke to the police, urging them to help his female friend, who he met online and became very close to.

She claims he saved her life, and that his FaceTime call to her that night was a 'sign from God'.

A friend of Barron Trump's who claims she was raped says the US President's youngest son saved her life and called her when she was being attacked in a 'sign from God'

Russian national Matvei Rumiantsev is accused of assault, actual bodily harm, two counts of rape, intentional strangulation and perverting the course of justice. Rumiantsev denies raping and strangling the woman because he was furious about her contact 19-year-old Barron

Wearing a blue suit, Rumiantsev continued his evidence today at Snaresbrook Crown Court in East London on Friday.

Prosecutor Serena Gates suggested he had violently smashed up an air fryer on around two months before the rape because he was upset about her referring to Barron Trump as sweetheart.

No, he replied.

He also denied assaulting the complainant later that night and raping her on another occasion.

Ms Gates asked him about the events of January 17 last year, the night on which he answered a FaceTime call from Barron Trump.

(The complainant) was making an effort, cooking you dinner, being nice to you - but you say there was tension?

There was a slight tension at times, he said.

The Russian said he shared a bottle of wine with dinner and a few glasses of whisky before going on to order at least one bottle of cognac via Deliveroo.

Rumiantsev said he was drunk but not very drunk and denied raping the complainant on the evening of January 17.

The two continued drinking spirits for several hours and the complainant cooked eggs for them both, the court heard.

Ms Gates asked: When you become aware of the first missed calls from Barron Trump, what stage is that - after the eggs are cooked or before?

I actually became aware throughout the day (that) she had missed calls from him, because the US is in a different timezone.

So, he was calling her in the morning and then apparently he went to sleep, and started calling her again in the evening.

She answered none of those calls but he was quite persistent, Rumiantsev said.

You said earlier it was tense that day, is that because you were angry about the situation?, asked Ms Gates.

No, he said.

Because you acknowledged already in the evidence what happened on the 3 November, you were jealous of the communication with Barron Trump?, the prosecutor said.

It was hard for me not to be jealous, but at that point - the point of 18 January - I was quite used to her receiving calls constantly from him, so I didnt attach much weight, he answered.

Ms Gates asked: Is that why you raped her? Because you were angry shed had calls that day from Barron Trump?

Rumiantsev replied: No.

He denied hitting the woman on the back of the head and spitting in the food she cooked.

Rumiantsev conceded that she ended up on the floor when the complainant lunged towards me to grab the phone.

Why was she trying to grab the from you?, he was asked.

Because Ive answered that call (from Barron Trump), he told jurors.

Ms Gates said whilst the complainant was on the floor Rumiantsev kicked her in the torso and rib area.

That never happened, the Russian insisted.

He said he wasnt angry but exhausted.

Ms Gates continued: You had been angry on the November 3 when thered been a text from Barron Trump, hadnt you, which was why you smashed up the air fryer?

Then you were upset on this occasion again, werent you?

Yes, Rumiantsev said.

And because you were upset thats why you hit her and then kicked her, isnt it?, the prosecutor asked.

No, I was upset because she hit me, he told.

Barron Trump phoned the City of London Police from the US and told a call handler: 'I just got a call from a girl I know. She's getting beaten up'. The man accused of raping the woman was 'upset' that she had been texting Barron

Jurors were then played a video taken by the alleged victim who is heard loudly crying while Rumiantsev asks her if she understands.

What were you trying to make her understand?, the prosecutor enquired.

He replied: Im not sure, it was just an expression in Russian, I was trying to make her understand that whatever she was doing was unreasonable - thats why I answer that phone call.

Rumiantsev told jurors he was asking her if she understands that probably (she) wont behave like that in front of other people, especially Barron Trump - hitting me, crying, shouting, screaming and threatening to kill me.

Ms Gates added: Shes upset, and you decide to grab her phone and answer a FaceTime call from Barron Trump?

Something like that, yes, Rumiantsev replied.

The prosecutor asked: What were you trying to demonstrate to him?

I wasnt trying to demonstrate anything to him, he replied.

You took the phone and turned the camera onto (the complainant), didnt you?, Ms Gates said.

Yes, he answered.

So you were trying to demonstrate something to him, werent you?, she continued.

I was trying to demonstrate something to her, Rumiantsev told jurors.

Were you trying to demonstrate to Barron Trump that this was your woman?, Ms Gates asked.

Rumiantsev replied: No. I was being hit for a long period of time, I was quite fed up with the situation, I was trying to perhaps find a solution.

Ms Gates then put to him: I suggest you werent being hit at this stage, it was you beating up the complainant, wasnt it? You hit her during that FaceTime call to Barron Trump?

No, Rumiantsev stated.

You held the phone in one hand and hit her with another hand, hit her in the face?, Ms Gates suggested.

No, he repeated, adding: I did not intentionally hit her in the face at any point, no.

Ms Gates noted that it was the complainant who terminated the FaceTime call with Barron Trump.

I suggest the reason you made no attempt to finish that call is because you wanted to physically show your dominance over the complainant, and you wanted to show that to the person at the other end of the phone, she put to him.

No, he again repeated.

Rumiantsev was then cross-examined on the complainant ringing the police and attempting to escape from the situation.

She was trying to get help, that was obvious to you, wasnt it?, Ms Gates asked him.

Im not sure what she was trying to do, Rumiantsev said.

The Russian denied strangling the alleged victim during a struggle in which he grabbed her phone and attempted to stop her from contacting the emergency services.

Jurors heard that he was arrested later that night and told police: Whats the problem? Theres no problem.

Ms Gates asked Rumiantsev a series of questions about his communication with both his close friend and the complainant while in custody following his arrest.

She said: 'You say: 'I realise that I deserve this' - what were you referring to, what you did on the night of 17 and 18 January?'

'No', the Russian replied.

'At that point I was naive to think that maybe the fact that I was unable to calm her down, or find the right words, or - I don't know - de-escalate the situation in some way, maybe I deserve this.'

The prosecutor continued: 'You go on to say: 'I realise this is possibly the biggest mistake in my life', what was the biggest mistake in your life?'

Rumiantsev replied: 'My mistake, possibly, answering the phone call after which she turned completely out of her mind'.

Ms Gates asked: 'When you grabbed her phone and showed her on FaceTime to Barron Trump?'

Rumiantsev said: 'Yes.'

Concluding her cross-examination, Ms Gates put to him: 'The reality of this case is that you were abusive to (the complainant) over the course of the relationship in the ways I've described, weren't you?'

'By no means', Rumiantsev replied.

'You could not control your anger?', the prosecutor suggested.

'No', he replied.

Ms Gates said: 'And that boiled over, culminating in the events of the night of 17/18 January when you saw those communications from Barron Trump?'

'No', the Russian repeated.

Rumianstev, who was living in a luxury Docklands apartment, denies raping the woman and strangling her later that night during a struggle in which she attempted to phone police.

Mr Trump told police he is very close to the woman, who claims he saved her life by calling 999 from the US last January.

Russian national Matvei Rumiantsev, 22, has admitted he was upset about the womans friendship with the Presidents youngest son.

The former MMA fighter is accused of answering a FaceTime call on the womans phone from Mr Trump before attacking her at his flat in London.

The couple had rowed earlier that evening about her relationship with the 19-year-old American, and the fact that she referred to him as sweetheart in text exchanges.

I started to explain that I felt upset as well about her talking to Barron Trump, Rumiantsev told Snaresbrook Crown Court.

I was in no way controlling but I was trying to make her know that if she feels unwell seeing messages I had with girls 10 years ago, she could maybe understand how I felt when she was sat there this moment texting someone else.

Mr Trump spent some time working out how to contact police in London and spoke directly with a call handler to report the alleged attack.

He told the operator: I just got a call from a girl I know. Shes getting beaten up. Its really an emergency, please.

He later told a Scotland Yard officer in an email that he had been racing with adrenaline when he made the call.

Rumianstev denies two charges of rape, intentional strangulation, perverting the course of justice, assault and actual bodily harm.

He is aided by a Russian interpreter despite speaking good English.

The trial continues.
An Albanian national has been jailed for ten years after admitting trying to smuggle five men into the UK in a lorry and possessing cocaine with intent to supply.

Ibrahim Sollaku, of Priory Road, Southampton, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration into the UK and possession with intent to supply class A drugs in December 2025 at Winchester Crown Court on Friday.

Sollaku, 33, was arrested on November 5 last year in Bournemouth by officers from the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU).

On the same day, a Belgian law enforcement operation arrested a taxi driver and stopped five Albanian men from boarding a lorry to the UK from Bruges.

Sollaku had arranged for the taxi to take the migrants to a Belgian port where they were to be loaded onto a lorry to cross the Channel.

There, a cab in the UK was set meet them, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.

During a search of Sollaku's address, 105g of cocaine was found wrapped in cling-film, along with more than 90 street deals of cocaine piped into plastic tubes and handwritten notes relating to supplying drugs.

Sollaku was sentenced to seven years and six months for the smuggling offence, and a further two years and six months for intent to supply, which will run consecutively.

Ibrahim Sollaku was sentenced to ten years imprisonment for conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration into the UK and possession with intent to supply class A drugs

During a raid of Sollaku's address, police seized a plastic container containing 105g of cocaine wrapped in cling film (pictured)

Sollaku had also stashed more than 90 street-ready deals of cocaine piped into plastic tubes (pictured during the raid)

Detective Chief Inspector Adam Smith, from the SWROCU, said: 'Sollaku is clearly a well-connected criminal, shown by his involvement in both organised immigration crime and class A drug dealing.

'He wasn't concerned with the risk or harm both of those offences cause - just in making money.

'Criminals like Sollaku look to make huge profits by facilitating illegal journeys.

'The high price tags they charge often help to strengthen their criminal networks, causing yet more harm to our communities.'

Anja Hohmeyer, from the CPS, said: 'Ibrahim Sollaku played a leading role in this criminal conspiracy to bring people from Albania illegally to the UK.

'This has been a successful joint operation between the UK and Belgium to capture and disrupt international people-smuggling gangs.

'Sollaku could have chosen to get a job and make a life for himself and his young family, but he's thrown that all away.

'Those who get involved in immigration crime not only risk destroying their lives but also those of their family members.'
A prestigious public school has announced its closure after more than 100 years - as Labour presses ahead with its controversial VAT raid on private education fees.

Rendcomb College announced in a letter to parents it would be shutting its doors because it is no longer 'financially viable' to remain open.

The boarding school, established in the Cotswolds in 1920, charges fees starting at 3,370 a term for juniors and 8,945 a term for seniors.

Chairman of Governors, Nicholas Ford, has now revealed Rendcomb's income is 'insufficient' due to the 'economic situation' facing independent schools across the country.

A statement on the school website reads: 'Despite Rendcomb College's extremely strong track record as a school, the reality is that current and projected pupil numbers, alongside the economic situation facing independent schools across the country, do not make the school financially viable in the future.

'It has therefore reluctantly been decided that the school will close at the end of the academic year.

'The staff and Governors have done everything to make Rendcomb College an excellent school, and its closure is highly unfortunate but sadly unavoidable.'

The statement added the College had benefited from 'significant funding' from the Rendcomb College Foundation for many years - but noted this support was no longer forthcoming.

Rendcomb College (pictured) announced in a letter to parents it would be shutting its doors because it is no longer 'financially viable' to remain open

'Whilst this has made the operation of the College possible until now, the enormous increase in the deficit for the current year, and the anticipated financial picture for next year, mean that such support is unsustainable.

'This is a very sad decision to have taken, and follows the exploration of every other feasible option including mergers and other forms of funding.

'Our focus now will be on helping pupils find appropriate alternative provision, and assisting our highly professional and dedicated staff to find posts elsewhere,' the statement said.

In his shock letter to parents conveying the extremely sad and very distressing news that the school - attended by former Champion Jockey Richard Dunwoody - was being closed, Mr Ford said it was a simply horrible day for everyone at the school or connected with the school who were a very close knit community .

He also confirmed that the school would be holding special meetings over the coming days to support devastated children as well as meetings with parents.

For over 100 years, the College has been a constant and vibrant presence in the area; it is devastating to us all that this decision has had to be made, he said.

We appreciate that there is a great deal for parents, staff and pupils to take in as a result of this announcement.

But pointing to the increasingly challenging financial climate for independent schools, he said: The impact of Covid, the rise in energy costs, the introduction of VAT on fees, and increases in National Insurance for employers have caused enormous problems for many people.

The boarding school, established in 1920, charges fees starting at 3,370 a term for juniors and 8,945 a term for seniors. Rendcomb's emblem is pictured

The effect of these on the independent schools sector has been significant, alongside the increased costs of running a school, coupled with a considerable drop in demand for places.

You will be aware of an increasingly large number of such schools that are having to close.

Rendcomb is therefore not alone, but that is of little comfort. The College has such an excellent track record.

It is a much-loved, cherished and exceptionally caring school, with an ethos that runs through everything.

It is important to stress that the closure in no way reflects on the amazing work of our staff; their dedication to the school and commitment to the pupils, which they have shown day in day out, year after year, is outstanding.

Mr Ford said the charitable foundation which had supported the school could sadly no longer afford to help.

Rendcomb College unfortunately does not own assets nor have the benefit of legacies that can be used to support its operations.

For many years, the College has been dependent upon the generous support of the Rendcomb Foundation; this has totalled over 7m across the last ten years.

Whilst this has made the operation of the College possible until now, the enormous increase in the deficit for the current year, and the anticipated financial picture for next year, mean that such support is unsustainable.

To continue to fund the school would require the sale of the buildings which the school currently occupies which would likewise make its continuation untenable.

Mr Ford said all other options had been explored by the governors and trustees but all avenues had been exhausted.

He confirmed the school would remain open until the end of the summer term.

Our priority is now to assist families in securing places at other schools for our pupils from September.

We have held urgent discussions with four local schools and organisations including Cheltenham College and The Kings School Gloucester.

The talks have discussed their fit for our pupils to transfer them in September and the extent to which they can help and support current Rendcomb parents.

The parish church, St Peter's (pictured), is located on the school site and is regarded as one of the finest remaining Norman works in Britain, dating back to the 12th century

Staff across the College will be working alongside families to ensure that each pupil is able to join the school most appropriate to their needs.

Everyone at Rendcomb realises that the sooner families have certainty for the next academic year the better.

We will be doing everything you would expect to support all the pupils in enjoying as full and normal an educational experience as possible: all external exams, trips and activities will go ahead as planned. 

Mr Ford added: The pastoral care of all pupils will be a key priority for all staff during the next two terms, as it always has been.

One parent said the schools announcement was a total bolt from the blue when all parents received a letter from the schools Chairman of Governors on Thursday evening.

My son is in his first year of GCSEs so its very disruptive. He would have been likely to go on into the sixth form for A levels, he said.

Pre Labour, Rendcomb was a strong, well funded nurturing school with no sign of financial pressures ,that has been around for over 100 years.

Like so many things at the moment I suspect the trustees and owners of the property (Wills estate) have decided that theres no point pushing water up hill.

I suspect they could see the problems ahead and reserves dwindling and chose to cut off now rather than further down the line.

We just had a new Head start in September and he was doing a fabulous job bringing new life to the school so its heartbreaking for all involved particular those with kids half way through exams.

Ive had 3 kids go through the school and theyve all been very happy there.

The school is popular with forces families, because of its proximity to a number of military bases, and they are offered discounted places at the Gloucestershire school.

It also has a unique admissions programme for the children of US service families who are based at nearby RAF Fairford, the key hub for US operations in Europe.

Neighbouring schools including Wycliffe and Westonbirt have been rallying around trying to help parents who will be left in the lurch.

News of Rendcombs shock closure means four private schools have already announced they are being forced to close just days into the new term.

Earlier this month the Mail on Sunday revealed a total of 105 mainstream independent schools had closed due to Labour's VAT raid on fees, affecting 25,000 children.

Marlborough College (pictured) is an independent fee paying co-ed boarding school that was founded in 1843

A third prestigious South West school - Warminster - has also announced it will sell off its prep school buildings and move all children onto its senior site to save money.

The grim tally was published by independent schools' leader Julie Robinson on the first anniversary of the policy being introduced on January 1 last year.

Ms Robinson, chief executive of the Independent Schools Council, warned of a bleak picture in 2026 as Labour pushes on with what has been called 'an ideological class war' against private education.

Ms Robinson told the Mail on Sunday: 'We are likely to see further closures over the coming months and years as the effects of VAT and other tax measures mount up.

'While there is a combination of factors contributing to school closures, we know that there are some for whom the Government's decision to tax education is a bridge too far.'

She said the total of 105 schools included 15 which had been merged with others.

A spokesman for Education not Taxation, a parent-led and volunteer-run group campaigning against VAT on school fees and for educational choice, said: 'In the last week, two schools announced closures due at least in part to the Governments tax on education.

'Over 594 students - including 202 with special education needs must now find a new school place.

'The Government initially claimed that no schools would close, but now it's clear that they were delusional.

'Over 100 schools have now closed, and the count will only continue to rise. This is on top of thousands more students who left schools that survive.

'It's time to end this tax, once and for all. The numbers never added up, and children are paying the pricein both independent and state schools.

'If the Government truly wants to improve education, it should encourage choice and innovation instead of taxing parents and economically destroying schools.

'It is time for the Government to listen to parents and affected children before further damage is done.'

Even some of the most famous schools in the country were among those hit by financial worries.

Marlborough College, the alma mater of the Princess of Wales, was forced to turn off the heating during the holidays to save money, according to one staff member who wished to remain anonymous.

The Wiltshire school, also mooted as a possible destination for Prince George, charges up to 61,800 a year. But it closed its annual summer school after 50 years, citing financial pressures including VAT on fees.

The figures make a mockery of Labour's initial forecasts that they did not expect any schools to close.

It was only in March last year, after a dozen schools had shut, that a Minister admitted the policy would have casualties.

Treasury Minister Torsten Bell then admitted 100 schools 'could close over three years'.

The government originally estimated as few as three per cent of private school pupils would leave the sector in total  18,000 pupils.

And while many schools in the North and the Midlands have been forced to shut their doors, 19  nearly one in five  of the closures have come in London and the surrounding area.

Wycliffe College, a feepaying, coeducational day and boarding school located around 25 miles away in Stonehouse, has already offered its support to Rendcomb students and families who will require school places from September.

Headmaster, Christian San Jose, said on the school website: 'I write, on behalf of the Wycliffe College community, to convey our deep sadness following the announcement that Rendcomb College will close at the end of the current academic year.

'We are in close contact with the Board of Governors and Leadership Team at Rendcomb, and we will be working together to support you as you consider options and next steps for your children. Our intention is to provide you with stability, continuity, reassurance and above all kindness at what is, understandably, a difficult time.'

Meanwhile, other schools around Gloucestershire, such as St Edward's senior school and Ashley Manor Prep School, have posted similar messages of support, encouraging parents to get in touch with their Admissions Team.

Rendcomb College is located in the village of Rendcomb, five miles north of Cirencester in Gloucestershire.

The College, which began as a boy's school but is now co-educational, owns some 230 acres of land, including Rendcomb Park.

The parish church, St Peter's, is also on the school site and is regarded as one of the finest remaining Norman works in Britain, dating back to the 12th century.

Rendcomb College was founded to offer a broad-ranging education to boys (as then was the case) from modest backgrounds and it was not until 1923 that fee payers were admitted.
Nigel Farage today distanced himself from his ally Donald Trump after the president lambasted Britain and other Nato allies over their role in the war in Afghanistan.

The Reform leader used an appearance in Davos to say that Trump was 'unfair' on the UK and other nations like Denmark whose soldiers gave their lives in the two-decade conflict.

Politicians and military veterans have reacted with outrage after the president told Fox News that Nato troops stayed 'a little off the front lines' during the war in Afghanistan.

Some 457 British service personnel were killed in the conflict in Afghanistan, fighting alongside the US, and countless more were severely wounded, a point Mr Farage made.

In a tweet he said: 'Donald Trump is wrong. For 20 years our armed forces fought bravely alongside America's in Afghanistan.'

And he liked to a clip of himself speaking at the World Economic Forum in which he said he would object 'politely', to what Trump said.

'When the decision was made to go into Afghanistan we went in with America and a coalition of the willing,' he said.

'We stayed by America for the whole 20 years, we proportionately spent the same money as America, we lost the same number of lives as America, pro-rata, and the same applies to Denmark and other countries too, so it is not quite fair.'

The Reform leader used an appearance in Davos to say that Trump was 'unfair' on the UK and other nations like Denmark whose soldiers gave their lives in the two-decade conflict.

In a tweet Mr Farage said: 'Donald Trump is wrong. For 20 years our armed forces fought bravely alongside America's in Afghanistan.'

Keir Starmer led a chorus of fury against Trump today after the president's vile slur.

Downing Street hit out at Trump for 'diminishing the sacrifice and service of our troops' in a television interview that worsened the deepest transatlantic rift in decades.

His remarks came after a week in which the president clashed with Nato allies, including the UK, over their refusal to agree to his demand that Greenland be brought under US control.

In what was branded a cheap shot at his country's allies he said he was 'not sure' the military alliance would be there for America 'if we ever needed them'.

'We've never needed them ... we have never really asked anything of them,' he told Fox.

'They'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan, and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the frontlines'.

No 10 today said that the president was 'wrong in diminishing the sacrifice and service of our troops', with the PM's spokesman saying: 'Their sacrifice and that of other Nato forces was made in the service of collective security and in response to an attack on our ally.'

And Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused the president of talking 'flat-out nonsense', about those who 'fought and died alongside the US', adding: 'Their sacrifice deserves respect not denigration.'

The mother of veteran Ben Parkinson, who is regarded as the most severely injured British soldier to survive in Afghanistan, said she was 'stunned as to how anyone could say such a thing' in reaction to US President Donald Trump's comments.

Diane Dernie said: 'I can assure you, the Taliban didn't plant IEDs miles and miles back from the front line.'
The trial into an alleged grooming gang in Rochdale collapsed after jurors set up a WhatsApp group to discuss the case.

The jury at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court was hearing the case of six men accused of rape and other sexual offences against two teenage schoolgirls in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, between 2003 and 2006.

The prosecution opened its case in October last year but the trial was halted two months later after one of the 12 jurors reported to court officials that several of them had messaged within the group about a broadcast on the topic of grooming gangs.

In one exchange a member warned the other jurors not to watch the broadcast to which one responded: 'I'm going to watch it anyway,' followed by a smiley emoji, the court heard.

Another juror was also said to have messaged they too would watch the broadcast.

An investigation was launched and the entirety of the WhatsApp communications was examined by Judge Matthew Corbett-Jones.

The pair who said they would watch it, along with the rest of the jury, were then questioned about the matter but said they had not actually viewed it.

Defence barristers suggested the pair may not be telling the truth and the prosecution invited the judge to further question the two jurors.

The jury at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court (pictured) was hearing the case of six men accused of rape and other sexual offences against two teenage schoolgirls in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, between 2003 and 2006

But Judge Corbett-Jones declined to do so and granted defence applications to discharge the jury.

He argued there were 'real concerns' it was not following legal directions by conducting research into grooming gangs and there was a risk it could happen again.

The judge ruled: 'With considerable regret and disappointment, I have reached the conclusion that the multiplicity of problems which have now arisen and the uncertainty as regards these issues means that whatever course of action I take, unanswered questions remain.

'In light of that, no course of action that I can reasonably take can cure the position that now exists because of these multi-layered difficulties.'

Reporting restrictions on the reasons for the discharge of the jury were lifted on Friday following an application from the Manchester Evening News.

A retrial will take place in August.

Tahir Rashid, 54, from Rochdale; Mohammed Saleem, 46, from Rochdale; Iftaq Hussain, 45, of Shawforth Lancs; and Sucklane Shah, 46, of no fixed abode, all deny rape.

Arshad Mohammed, 55, of Rochdale, denies rape and assault by penetration, while Amjad Mahmood, 53, of Rochdale, denies rape, indecent assault, indecency with a child and assault by penetration.

Rashid has also pleaded not guilty to the rape of another young girl in the late 1980s.
A Brit died after being struck with a chair during a brawl involving ten locals while on holiday in Cape Verde.

Dean Taylor, 25, died en route to Dr. Ramiro Figueira Hospital on January 7 after an 'altercation' in the tourist hotspot Santa Maria on the island of Sal.

Five men have been arrested in connection with the death of the sales worker from south-east London.

Police said the victim was 'involved in a disagreement with a group of about ten individuals of Cape Verdean nationality'.

During the attack, he was 'hit with chair blows' before suffering 'several punches and kicks' while on the ground.

The assailants then 'abandoned the scene immediately', officers said.

Dean's father, Alexander Taylor, also from London, says the family is 'devastated' by the loss.

The luxury brand manager added: 'My wife is completely devastated. I've got a daughter as well, and she's completely devastated.

Dean Taylor, 25, died en route to Dr. Ramiro Figueira Hospital on January 7 after an 'altercation' in the tourist hotspot Santa Maria on the island of Sal

Santa Maria on the island of Sal, Cape Verde (stock image)

'My brother-in-law that is in Cape Verde was the one that called me when I was at work on January 8 [to tell me Dean had died].

'It was terrible. I wouldn't wish that to anyone - not even my worst enemy.'

The country's Judicial Police said five men aged between 19 and 35 had been remanded in custody following Dean's death.

It stated: 'On the early morning of January 7 this year, around 3:00am, there was a disagreement between a group of national and international individuals on the pedestrian street of Santa Maria, next to the Calema Pub, which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old Irish citizen.'

The Foreign Office later confirmed Dean was a British citizen.

The police statement added: 'Following investigative efforts and with the support of the National Police, five suspects were identified, aged between 19 and 35 years old.

'The individuals were arrested between January 7 and 8 by the Criminal Investigation Department of Sal.'

According to Alexander, Dean travelled to the sun-kissed country - fast becoming a hotspot for British tourists - with three friends from school on December 28.

He was due to leave the day after he was killed.

Alexander said: 'There's a big thing about Cape Verde at the moment. They just wanted to go and spend some good times there.

'His friends say one of the boys was talking to a lady. A drunk guy that knew the lady got involved and when my son and his friend saw him being abused, they got involved to check what was happening and protect him.

'That's when the argument escalated. There were people walking around and those people got involved.'

The Foreign Office confirmed Dean was a British citizen

Dean's travel insurance did not cover repatriation, so the family was forced to pay 8,500 Euros to bring him home, his family says.

They have yet to organise his funeral as his body is still with a coroner.

Alexander issued a warning to British holidaymakers planning to visit Cape Verde, adding: 'Be very careful if you're going on holiday there and watch your back.'

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: 'We are the supporting the family of a British man who died in Cape Verde and are in contact with the local authorities.'
A Texas plastic surgeon who performed transgender surgeries on children falsely accused her colleague of rape, a lawsuit alleged.

Three years ago, Dr Eithan Haim exposed Texas Children's Hospital for secretly performing illegal sex change procedures are being on minors as young as 11.

Dr Kristy Rialon tried to 'destroy' his career by spreading 'malicious' lies about him after he blew the whistle on their program, according to a lawsuit obtained by the Daily Mail.

Rialon, 43, posted several 'anonymous defamatory reviews' on Haim's WebMD profile, alleging that he was 'mutilating and raping his patients', the complaint said.

In one post, she even pretended to be a patient and detailed how he allegedly raped her, the filing stated.

Rialon made the false accusations against Haim in an attempt to get the Justice Department to 'punish him' for exposing the hospital's gender transition efforts, the lawsuit stated.

The DOJ, FBI and Health and Human Services department launched an investigation into the allegations in 2024, but the Trump Administration has since dismissed the case with prejudice because it was 'founded on lies, not facts or law.'

Although Haim, 36, was not found guilty of any crime, his 'budding reputation' and career as a surgeon were 'severely damaged' by the allegations, the lawsuit alleged.

Haim's complaint is backed by billionaire Elon Musk and his social media platform X, which the doctor alleged enabled him to 'fight back against an unjust prosecution.'

Three years ago, Dr Eithan Haim exposed Texas Children's Hospital for secretly performing illegal sex change procedures are being on minors as young as 11. he is now suing the doctors and hospitals that allegedly tried to 'destroy' his career by spreading 'malicious' lies about him

Dr Kristy Rialon posted several 'anonymous defamatory reviews' on Haim's WebMD profile, alleging that he was 'mutilating and raping his patients', Haim's complaint said. In one post, she even pretended to be a patient and detailed how he allegedly raped her

Haim in May 2023 released medical files showing that Texas Children's Hospital (file photo) staff had provided puberty blockers and other sex-change treatments to kids, even after hospital officials said they had stopped doing so in March 2022

Haim in May 2023 released medical files showing that Texas Children's Hospital (TCH) staff had provided puberty blockers and other sex-change treatments to kids, even after hospital officials said they had stopped doing so in March 2022.

He publicly admitted he gave the files to journalist Christopher Rufo and repeatedly said the leaked documents did not include any patient's personal information.

The DOJ later accused Haim of violating the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA), which protect a person's protected health information.

He was indicted on four criminal charges, which have since been dismissed.

Haim's new lawsuit accuses TCH, Baylor College of Medicine, Rialon, Dr Larry Hollier Jr, and TCH SVP and general counsel Afsheen Davis of 'malicious prosecution'.

He claims the defendants retaliated against him for 'blowing the whistle on Texas Children's Hospital's efforts to conceal the existence of their Transgender Health Program.'

In addition to the fabricated WebMD reviews, which Rialon allegedly admitted to the FBI that she wrote, the complaint highlights how the trio lied 'concocted a story that Haim's disclosures to Rufo violated HIPPA.'

They then 'stridently pushed that narrative during numerous meetings with federal authorities' despite knowing it was false, the complaint stated.

Texas Children's Hospital (CH), Baylor College of Medicine, Dr Larry Hollier Jr (left) and TCH SVP and general counsel Afsheen Davis (right) are also named as defendants in the suit

Haim's whistleblower documents (pictured) showed that Texas Children's Hospital continued to provide sex change care for young patients after staff said they had stopped doing so

Haim is seeking $1,000,000 in damages. He has thanked Musk, X and his lawyers for their support, which he claims is the reason 'my wife has her husband and my daughter, her father'

The trio also found 'willing partners' at the Biden Administration's DOJ, HHS and FBI, the complaint states, 'particularly Assistant United States Attorney Tina Ansari.'

Ansari's family has 'substantial financial and political ties' to TCH and Baylor College of Medicine, which ultimately caused her to withdraw from the case.

Haim's complaint, citing her connections to the hospitals, names Ansari as a 'willing accomplice' to his unlawful prosecution.

'Because of the pretextual investigation and sham prosecution against him, Dr. Haim has been blacklisted from major hospitals and surgical practices, unable to obtain valuable credentialing or privileges despite being otherwise qualified,' the lawsuit said.

'Haim was forced to constantly fend off and refute false claims that he violated HIPAA and engaged in a host of other unethical behaviors, including the malicious accusations Defendant Dr. Rialon made about him on WebMD and other Google physician reviews.'

Haim's attorneys argue that his surgical and academic career have been 'irreparably limited' and that his 'standing in the community has been harmed to the point that he fears for his life.'

He has allegedly faced numerous death threats as a result of the false accusations made against him and was forced to take additional security measures to protect himself and his family.

Although Haim, 36, was not found guilty of any crime, his 'budding reputation' and career as a surgeon were 'severely damaged' by the allegations, the lawsuit alleged

Haim is seeking $1,000,000 in damages. He has thanked Musk, X and his lawyers for their support, which he claims is the reason 'my wife has her husband and my daughter, her father.'

'I am eternally grateful for Elon Musk, X Corp, and the legal teams at Schaer Jaffe and Burke Law Group for supporting me in this effort,' Haim tweeted.

'The only way I was able to fight back against an unjust prosecution was to tell the truth. And the only way for people to see the truth was because of X. For this reason, they have proven themselves to be an incalculable force for good at a time when it's most important.'
A man who sexually assaulted a woman after trapping her in a train toilet before assaulting a teenager only moments later has been jailed for six years.

Daniel Odubanjo, 27, was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday, January 12, for one count of false imprisonment and two counts of sexual assault after being found guilty at an earlier trial.

Obudanjo, of King Avenue in Clapham, London, received six years in prison, was ordered to pay a victim surcharge and given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

The order prohibits him being under the influence on public transport, at stations or on Network Rail property.

The court heard how Odubanjo repeatedly banged on a toilet door while it was engaged during an on-board service from Shenfield to Chelmsford on Friday 29 November, 2024.

The woman inside the toilet washed her hands before unlocking the door, expecting to find another passenger needing to use the facilities.

But instead, she came face to face with Odubanjo, who pushed her inside the cubicle, locked the door and grabbed her wrists before sexually assaulting her.

The woman, who was 21 at the time, managed to open the door and attempt to alert fellow passengers of the situation, but Odubanjo grabbed her and pulled her back into the cubicle where he continued the sexual assault as the woman screamed for help.

It was only when the woman lied about her age  telling Odubanjo she was 14  that he let go of her.

Daniel Odubanjo (pictured) was sentenced to six years in prison after assaulting a woman when trapping her in a train toilet and then assaulting a teenager minutes later

Hatfield Peverel Station, where the British Transport Police arrested Odubanjo after one of his victims escaped and reported the incident to officers

The distressed woman approached a member of staff for assistance and left the train at Chelmsford where she reported what happened to the British Transport Police.

Only moments following the attack, Odubanjo then approached a 17-year-old girl boarding the service and sat opposite her, asking her a series of inappropriate questions before exposing himself.

When Odubanjo left to go to the toilet, the teenager moved seats closer to other passengers and explained to them what had happened.

However, when Odubanjo returned, he sat next to the girl and sexually assaulted her.

A nearby passenger then grabbed Odubanjo off the girl. At Hatfield Peverel Station, just outside Chelmsford, the train was met by BTP officers and Odubanjo was arrested at the scene.

Sergeant Hayley Whyte, of the force, has welcomed the conviction, noting: 'Odubanjo preyed on a young woman and a teenage girl in terrifying attacks just minutes apart.

'Both were left distressed and traumatised by the vile assaults he subjected them to.

'Despite this, their courage and determination to see him brought to justice has resulted in a suitably lengthy prison sentence.

'I commend their bravery, and that of the bystanders who intervened in the second attack.

'If you experience or witness a sexual offence on-board a train or at a station, I urge you to report it to us by texting 61016, or dial 999 in an emergency.

'Every report is taken seriously and we will take swift action to trace sexual offenders like Odubanjo and ensure they face justice.'
Sir Keir Starmer today branded Donald Trump 'insulting and frankly appalling' as he led a chorus of fury over the US President's vile slur against British soldiers who fought and died in Afghanistan.

The Prime Minister said the American leader should apologise for astonishing remarks belittling Nato's role in the conflict in a television interview that worsened the deepest transatlantic rift in decades.

Politicians and military veterans reacted with outrage after the president told Fox News that Nato troops, including those from Britain, stayed 'a little off the front lines' during the war in Afghanistan.

Some 457 British service personnel were killed in the conflict in Afghanistan, fighting alongside the US, and countless more were severely wounded.

His remarks came after a week in which the president clashed with Nato allies, including the UK, over their refusal to agree to his demand that Greenland be brought under US control.

Speaking in Downing Street today Sir Keir said: 'I consider President Trump's remarks to be insulting and frankly appalling and I am not surprised they have caused such hurt to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured and, in fact, across the country.'

In response to comments from Diane Dernie, mother of severely injured veteran Ben Parkinson, he said: 'I've made my position clear, and what I say to Diane is, if I had misspoken in that way or said those words, I would certainly apologise and I'd apologise to her.'

Ms Dernie had earlier said the PM should call out Trump and 'make a stand' for Britain.

She said she was 'stunned as to how anyone could say such a thing' in reaction to US President Donald Trump's comments, adding: 'I can assure you, the Taliban didn't plant IEDs miles and miles back from the front line.'

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In an interview with Fox News on Thursday, Trump launched another onslaught of insults against Nato troops, claiming European personnel stayed 'off the front lines' in Afghanistan

No 10 today said that the president was 'wrong in diminishing the sacrifice and service of our troops', with the PM's spokesman saying: 'Their sacrifice and that of other Nato forces was made in the service of collective security and in response to an attack on our ally'

Diane Dernie, whose son Ben Parkinson is regarded as the most severely injured British soldier to survive in Afghanistan, said she was 'stunned as to how anyone could say such a thing'

Ian Sadler, whose son, Trooper Jack Sadler, 21, was killed in Afghanistan in 2007, added: 'The British certainly were in the hot spots, they were on the front line, 457 of them were lost and there was probably three times as many seriously injured as deaths.'

In what was branded a cheap shot at his country's allies he said he was 'not sure' the military alliance would be there for America 'if we ever needed them'.

'We've never needed them ... we have never really asked anything of them,' he told Fox.

'They'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan, and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the frontlines.'

No 10 today said that the president was 'wrong in diminishing the sacrifice and service of our troops', with the PM's spokesman saying: 'Their sacrifice and that of other Nato forces was made in the service of collective security and in response to an attack on our ally.'

And Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused the president of talking 'flat-out nonsense', about those who 'fought and died alongside the US', adding: 'Their sacrifice deserves respect not denigration.'

Labour's Defence Secretary John Healey said: 'Those British troops should be remembered for who they were: heroes who gave their lives in service of our nation.'

And Armed Forces Minister Al Cairns, who did five tours in Afghanistan with the Royal Marines, said the president's words were 'utterly ridiculous'.

'Many courageous and honourable service personnel from many nations fought on the front line, many fought way beyond it,' he said.

'I served five tours in Afghanistan, many alongside my American colleagues. We shed blood, sweat and tears together and not everybody came home. These are bonds forged in fire, protecting US and shared interests, and actually protecting democracy overall.

'I would suggest whoever believes these comments come have a whisky with me, my colleagues, their families and importantly the families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for both of our nations.'

Reform MP Robert Jenrick said the president's comments were 'offensive and wrong'.

Party leader Nigel Farage, a close ally of Mr Trump, has yet to comment.

But a Reform spokesman said: 'Donald Trump's comments are plain wrong.

'For 20 years our armed forces fought bravely alongside America's in Afghanistan.

'We spent the same amount of money pro rata and we suffered the same losses.

'Those men and women deserve our undying respect.'

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused the president of talking 'flat-out nonsense', about those who 'fought and died alongside the US', adding: 'Their sacrifice deserves respect not denigration'

Health Minister Stephen Kinnock said the 'disappointing' comments 'don't really bear any resemblance to the reality' of British troops' sacrifice

Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty, who served in Afghanistan, said it was 'sad to see our nation's sacrifice, and that of our Nato partners, held so cheaply'.

Mr Obese-Jecty, a former captain in the Royal Yorkshire Regiment, added: 'I saw firsthand the sacrifices made by British soldiers I served alongside in Sangin, where we suffered horrific casualties, as did the US Marines the following year.

'I don't believe US military personnel share the view of President Trump; his words do them a disservice as our closest military allies.'

Calvin Bailey, a Labour MP and former RAF officer who served alongside US special operations units in Afghanistan, chimed in, saying Trump's claim 'bears no resemblance to the reality experienced by those of us who served there'.

And Tan Dhesi, chairman of the Commons Defence Committee, said the president's comments were 'appalling and an insult to our brave British servicemen and women, who risked life and limb to help our allies, with many making the ultimate sacrifice'.

Speaking on the BBC's Question Time, Labour MP Emily Thornberry, the chair of the foreign affairs committee, called it an 'absolute insult', adding: 'How dare he say we weren't on the frontline, how dare he. We have always been there whenever the Americans have wanted us, we have always been there.'

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: 'How dare he question their sacrifice?'

America is the only Nato member to have invoked the collective security provisions of its Article 5 clause - that an attack against one member is an attack on all.

That came after the September 11 attack on the World Trade Centre in New York in 2001, which led to a US-led invasion of Afghanistan.

The UK suffered the second-highest number of military deaths in the Afghanistan conflict at 457. The US saw 2,461 deaths. America's allies suffered 1,160 deaths during the conflict - around a third of the total coalition deaths.

Join the debate Should Trump apologise?

US President Donald Trump delivers a speech during the Board of Peace session held as part of the 56th World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, on January 22, 2026

Nato secretary general Mark Rutte delivered a reality check to Donald Trump, telling him that one Nato soldier died for every two Americans in Afghanistan after the US President doubted the Western alliance

Speaking in Davos yesterday, the US President made a similar swipe against the 32-member military alliance, saying: 'I know them all very well. I'm not sure that they'd be there. I know we'd be there for them. I don't know that they would be there for us.'

Following the speech, Nato chief Rutte corrected the record to the US President, telling him: 'There's one thing I heard you say yesterday and today. You were not absolutely sure Europeans would come to the rescue of the US if you will be attacked. Let me tell you, they will, and they did in Afghanistan.'

Rutte's rebuttal came after Trump called Denmark - which had the highest per capita death toll among coalition forces in Afghanistan - 'ungrateful' for US protection during the Second World War.

'For every two Americans who paid the ultimate price, there was one soldier from another Nato country who did not come back to his family  from the Netherlands, from Denmark, and particularly from other countries,' the Nato chief said.

'So you can be assured, absolutely, if ever the United States were under attack, your allies will be with you. There is an absolute guarantee. I really want to tell you that because it pains me if you think it is not,' Rutte told Trump.
The Home Secretary will get new powers to send 'crack squads' of experts into failing police forces under new reforms to be announced next week.

Shabana Mahmood's new policing White Paper will set out new measures to bring under-performing forces up to scratch.

The Home Secretary had already announced earlier this month - in the wake of criticism of West Midlands Police's handling of the Maccabi Tel Aviv match in Birmingham last year  that she would take new powers to directly sack chief constables.

A Home Office spokesman said: 'Under new measures, the police will be made accountable to the Home Secretary.

'Ministers will be handed new powers to intervene directly in failing forces, sending in specialist teams to turn them around so they fight crime more effectively. '

They added that it would allow the Cabinet minister to 'send crack squads into failing forces to turn them around and sack chief constables'.

The experts who will be despatched to failing areas will be senior officers from the best-performing police forces, it is understood.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is set to announce sweeping police reforms on Monday

They could focus on improving crime detention rates or police response times, for example.

In separate measures, there will be a new set of policing targets.

It marks a new direction for the Home Office which since the Tony Blair and Gordon Brown era has shied away from imposing centralised targets.

Under the new measures, chief constables will have to meet new minimum thresholds for 999 response times, victim satisfaction, public trust and confidence.

'These results will be published and forces graded so communities can compare,' the Home Office spokesman confirmed.

His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary Fire and Rescue Services will also gain statutory powers to issue directions to forces if they fail to act on recommendations.

In addition there will be 'robust' mandatory vetting procedures for police officers in the wake of a series of shocking examples of offending or corruption.

Home Secretary Ms Mahmood said: 'It is essential that the people can determine what they expect from their forces.

'I will make police forces accountable to parliament  driving up standards so they fight more crime in their communities.'

The Daily Mail earlier reported this week how the reforms will slash the number of police forces in England and Wales.

The existing 43 police forces will undergo a series of mergers in the most wide-ranging changes since the 1960s.

It is not yet known how many police forces will remain, but it is widely expected to be as few as 10.

Police from best-performing forces will be sent into failing areas by the Home Secretary to drive up standards

Each new regional force will specialise in complex crimes such as murder investigations and organised crime.

But within each new larger force there will be 'local policing areas' created to focus on community problems such as shoplifting, mobile phone theft and anti-social behaviour.

The Home Office believes the mergers will save money on backroom administrative functions which can then be redirected to neighbourhood policing.

An independent review will be set up to determine the new number of forces, but concern has been raised that Ms Mahmood's policing shake-up will come with huge initial costs and absorb vast amounts of senior officers' time for years.

The last major reform of policing structures saw a series of amalgamations between 1964 to 1966, with the number fall from 158 forces to the existing 43 forces.

Further mergers have been discussed for more than 20 years.

The Home Office launched a plan to reduce the total to 24 forces in 2005 but it was dropped by then home secretary John Reid the following year.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is preparing multiple staging areas around the US for the 'life-threatening' effects of a brewing winter storm.

FEMA is readying for a major snowstorm that is currently gripping the Midwest before it makes its way to the East Coast and south.

A behemoth winter storm is forecast to deliver a severe ice event along with up to a foot of snow across a broad swath of the US from Oklahoma to Washington, D.C., New York City, and Boston this weekend.

The storm is expected to impact 34 states, bringing freezing cold temperatures that will impact more than 230 million Americans.

'Conditions will range from heavy snow and crippling ice in the South to life-threatening cold in the North,' an internal FEMA memo obtained by the Daily Mail warns.

'A large, long-duration winter storm is expected to bring widespread heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain from the Southern Rockies/Plains into the Mid-South beginning Friday, spreading eastward to the Mid-Atlantic and New England this weekend,' it states.

The storm system is expected to produce heavy snow, dangerous freezing rain, and deadly wind chill that could lead to widespread power outages, extensive tree damage and hazardous road conditions, a FEMA official told the Daily Mail.

The emergency management agency is preparing staging grounds in Louisiana - which is expected to receive significant icing - with 250,000 meals, 400,000 liters of water, 30 generators and 12 shuttle drivers.

'Conditions will range from heavy snow and crippling ice in the South to life-threatening cold in the North,' an internal FEMA memo obtained by the Daily Mail warns

FEMA has dispatched dozens of personnel all over the US to help with the weekend's winter storm which could impact up to 34 states

Dozens of shuttles are also being deployed to Fort Worth, Texas, Greencastle, Pennsylvania, and Atlanta. Over a dozen states have issued disaster or emergency declarations ahead of the storm, which is predicted to spread from New Mexico to Virginia on Saturday.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited FEMA HQ on Thursday to be briefed on the severity of the storm, a FEMA source revealed to the Daily Mail.

Noem also held meetings with governors from the states preparing for impact, giving out her personal cell phone number so the leaders could reach her quickly in an emergency.

'President Trump and DHS will be there for the American people during this storm,' the official told the Daily Mail. 'Were on mission, focused, and leaning in on ways to provide support to state and local governments who bear the majority of the response to this disaster.'

The acting leader of FEMA, Karen Evans, is also involved in preparations. Former acting director David Richardson left FEMA after just six months on the job in the wake of this summer's central Texas flooding, which left 135 dead.

The northern Midwest is expected to bear the brunt of the system as the Dakotas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska prepare for temperatures that could reach 40 - 50 degrees below zero, the FEMA document warns.

The southern plains are also expected to be battered by snow and ice that is atypical for the area.

'Central Oklahoma could see up to a foot of snow, while parts of Kansas and Arkansas expect 36 inches,' the memo states. 'A "wintry mess" of sleet and freezing rain will develop south of the snow axis, specifically in North and Central Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.'

FEMA staffers have been deployed to over 20 State Emergency Operation Centers ahead of the storm, in addition to the deployment of three Incident Management Assistance Teams.

Further, 28 Urban Search and Rescue teams are on standby to offer lifesaving support at the request of governors.
A chimpanzee who cheated death after being rescued from a German circus has begun a new life at Edinburgh Zoo.

Babsie, a 33-year-old Eastern chimpanzee, was saved from being put down after the death of her circus owner and has now been given a second chance in Scotlands capital.

Born into the circus world, Babsie was rescued by animal welfare charity AAP Animal Advocacy and Protection based in Almere in the Netherlands.

She arrived at Edinburgh Zoo in November 2025 after years in the care of the European rescue centre.

Zoo bosses say the remarkable primate has already won over keepers by settling in well and beginning to form bonds with some of the female chimpanzees.

Introducing a new chimp to an established troop is no easy task.

Babsie was rescued by an animal welfare charity from a German circus

The 33-year-old chimp is delighted with her new home at Edinburgh Zoo

Chimps are fiercely territorial and live within complex social hierarchies, meaning each introduction must be carefully planned and carried out at a slow, steady pace.

The process involves visual meetings through reinforced windows, followed by closely monitored one-to-one encounters with individual members of the troop.

Babsie now lives on the zoos Budongo Trail, which features a vast outdoor habitat complete with climbing frames, alongside a series of indoor pods designed to replicate the varied conditions of African forests.

Her arrival comes as the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) marks 20 years of work protecting chimpanzees in Uganda. Wild chimp numbers continue to fall due to habitat destruction, poaching and disease.

Since 2005, RZSS  with backing from the Peoples Postcode Lottery  has partnered with the Budongo Conservation Field Station in Uganda, combining cutting-edge research with hands-on conservation to safeguard the species.

Visitors hoping to catch a glimpse of Babsie and the rest of the troop can book tickets online.
Frigates maneuver at sea

China Military Online) 15:35, January 23, 2026

Guided-missile frigate Huaibei (Hull 516) attached to a naval flotilla under the Chinese PLA Eastern Theater Command maneuvers at high speed during a maritime training exercise in early January, 2026. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Yang Haifan)

Guided-missile frigates Huaibei (Hull 516) and Quzhou (Hull 517) attached to a naval flotilla under the Chinese PLA Eastern Theater Command sail in formation during a maritime training exercise in early January, 2026. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Yang Haifan)

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
A watchdog is taking SNP ministers to court after they failed to produce documents related to Nicola Sturgeons handling of complaints about Alex Salmond.

The Scottish Information Commissioner David Hamilton has instructed lawyers to refer the Nationalist administration to the Court of Session in an unprecedented move.

The action has been taken over the Scottish Governments failure to comply with an order requiring it to publish some information relating to probe into whether Ms Sturgeon broke the ministerial code.

It is the first time the Commissioner  who was appointed by the King on the nomination of the Scottish Parliament to oversee freedom of information legislation in Scotland  has ever reported non-compliance to the Court.

It will now be up to the Court to decide whether it treats the Scottish Governments failure to respond as contempt of court.

It follows a five-year-long battle by a member of the public who used freedom of information laws to press for the release of some evidence submitted to the investigation into Ms Sturgeon, which was carried out by James Hamilton KC in 2021.

Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser said: This unprecedented step from the information commissioner comes after the SNP have shamefully and repeatedly refused to comply with his deadlines for releasing these files.

It sums up John Swinneys approach to governing which is characterised by an addiction to secrecy and cover-up.

The Scottish Government has failed to produce documents related to Nicola Sturgeons handling of complaints about Alex Salmond

They are clearly more interested in protecting their own reputation and squandering taxpayers money rather than doing the right thing.

'Now that their sleekit behaviour is resulting yet more legal action being taken against them, SNP ministers must finally confirm when these documents will be published.

Otherwise Scots will only continue to wonder what the SNP have to hide in relation to the conduct of Nicola Sturgeon.

Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: This unprecedented action shows John Swinney and the SNP are taking their culture of secrecy and cover-up to new levels.

This arrogant SNP government thinks it is above the law. Not only are John Swinney and the SNP riding roughshod over transparency laws in order to protect their own reputations, but they are forcing taxpayers to pick up the bill.

It is clearer than ever that there is a rotten culture of secrecy and cover-up at the heart of this SNP government.

In a long-running dispute, the Scottish Government initially responded to the original FOI request to say it didnt have the information requested. It argued that Mr Hamilton KC was an independent adviser who carried out the investigation and was not subject to freedom of information legislation.

However, the Scottish Information Commissioner intervened, ordering the Government to look at the case again.

While ministers challenged this decision in the Court of Session, their appeal was refused.

In the wake of this, some information was supplied in January 2024 but the Government withheld further details, citing various exemptions under FoI laws.

The Commissioner had ordered the disclosure of some documents by last week and then, when the Scottish Government failed to release these, he then set a deadline of the end of Thursday, which was also missed.

In a statement released yesterday, the Scottish Information Commissioner confirmed that solicitors had been instructed to bring legal proceedings against the Scottish Government in the Court of Session.

It said: The Commissioner notes that the full and timely compliance with his Decision Notices is a key element ensuring the effective operation of FOI in Scotland. He will not hesitate in exercising his power to refer non-compliance to the Court of Session in circumstances where an authority fails to comply.

He has, therefore, instructed his solicitors to take the next steps in the certification process to the Court. This is the first time that the Commissioner has made such a report to the Court on non-compliance.

Once certified, the Court may then investigate the matter, and may treat a failure to comply as contempt of court.

On Thursday, First Minister John Swinney claimed that publishing some material could lead to jigsaw identification of those who lodged complaints which were part of a criminal trial and have anonymity.

Writing on social media, Mr Hamilton said: To be clear Im asking the Scottish Government to comply with the law not break the law.

If having reviewed the documents they havent looked at yet and they think there is a jigsaw identification issue, they have the opportunity to make that case. That would be compliance. Such a position could of course be appealed to me and would be considered fairly and thoughtfully.

My non compliance action then is about taking seven weeks to assess some files and still we dont have an intended completion date. FOI laws must be respected.

Benjamin Harrop, the member of the public who made the original request, said: Really quite remarkable it has come to this.

Remember the Scottish Government have had since 1 December to release a new response to me.

I am glad the SIC has initiated these steps, demonstrating that authorities cannot simply disregard legal deadlines without consequences.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: The First Minister has said that the Scottish Government will comply with the Commissioners decision on this case as soon as possible.

Court orders make it clear that the identities of those who complained in relation to allegations of sexual offences must be protected. We cannot publish information which would breach those court orders and amount to a contempt of court.

Accelerated work is underway to consider each document for release. The assessment is complex given the need to avoid jigsaw identification.
Millions of Americans and in the grips of a historic winter storm, with widespread heavy snow and ice.

The storm, named Fern, is dropping up to a foot of snow and producing catastrophic amounts of ice along its 1,500-mile path.

Texas and Oklahoma are among the states expected to have been hardest hit, wth dangerous road conditions, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

Arkansas and Tennessee have also seen record-breaking levels of snow, with Alabama, the Carolinas and Georgia also seeing unprecedented freezes.

As many as four in 10 flights have been cancelled across the country as the cold front reached New York and Washington D.C. on Sunday morning.

Here are the top 12 US cities forecasters predicted would be hit hardest, according to the Washington Post.

Oklahoma City

Winter Storm Fern is expected to hit the entire Sooner State on Friday, bringing snow, sleet, freezing rain and dangerously cold temperatures, according to the NWS.

Oklahoma City is forecast to accumulate between six and ten inches of snow and sleet, and wind chill values could drop to as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit.

City crews preemptively started treating the roads, and OKC police have advised residents to stay inside as much as possible.

'Limit time outdoors, dress in layers, bring pets inside, protect pipes, and check on neighbors,' police wrote on X.

Dallas/Fort Worth

The Dallas-Fort Worth area is forecast to experience life-threatening cold temperatures beginning Friday, according to the NWS.

More than 1,000 flights have been canceled for Friday and Saturday at DFW Airport and Dallas Love Field, according to FlightAware.

Ice accumulation totals are expected to reach up to half an inch, and wind chill values could drop to -10 degrees Fahrenheit.

'In addition to the wintry weather, we'll also have brutally cold temperatures and wind chills, particularly Saturday night and Sunday night with widespread single-digit lows,' the NWS said.

Little Rock

A customer loads ice melt into their car at a Lowe's in Little Rock, Arkansas, yesterday

Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared a state of emergency activated 168 members of the National Guard to support police during the winter storm.

Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. announced that the city's emergency management has moved to 24-hour operations, effective Friday morning, and that salt trucks are out pretreating the roads.

'If you do not have to be on the streets, stay off them,' Scott said.

NWS has forecast three to four inches of snowfall for Little Rock, and two to three inches of sleet accumulation Friday through Saturday.

Tupelo, Mississippi

An ice storm warning from the NWS is in effect for Tupelo, Mississippi, from Friday 6pm CT to Sunday 6pm CT.

Total snow and sleet accumulations are forecasted between one and two inches and ice accumulations between one-half and one inch.

'Expect power outages that last more than a day and extensive tree damage due to the ice. Travel could be impossible, NWS said.

Nashville

A truck treats the road with salt brine as Nashville braces to be hit with snow and ice

Winter Storm Fern is forecast to bring several inches of snow and some ice accumulation to Nashville, Tennessee.

'Significant impacts are expected, including dangerous travel, potential power outages, and possible downed trees and branches,' NWS said.

'Wintry precipitation will taper off Sunday and will be followed by a prolonged period of bitterly cold temperatures.'

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee issued a state of emergency ahead of the storm and the state legislature canceled sessions.

Cincinnati

Cincinnati, Ohio, is forecast to get at least eight inches of snow, creating hazardous travel conditions.

'A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for the entire area. Impactful winter weather begins Saturday with the worst conditions arriving on Sunday,' NWS said.

'Travel may remain difficult into next week as snow/ice removal will be difficult due to cold temperatures.'

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is bracing for up to a foot of snow this weekend.

'Our staff has been preparing for the last few days,' mayor Corey O'Connor said during a press conference on Friday.

'The priority this weekend is the safety of residents, crews and first responders.'

O'Connor said the city has 8,000 tons of salt to treat the roads and they are expecting another delivery to keep the roads safe.

'We are expecting the worst, and we should always expect something like that,' he said.

Charlotte

Some areas are bracing for more than one foot of snow. This map shows the likelihood that your community will be hit with at least six inches of snowfall

NWS issued an ice storm warning for Charlotte, North Carolina, in effect from 1pm ET Saturday to 1pm ET Monday.

Total snow and sleet accumulations up to two inches and ice accumulations between four-tenths and three-quarters of an inch are possible.

'Ice and snow-covered roadways will become treacherous and impassable. Widespread power outages are likely due to the weight of the ice and snow on tree limbs and power lines,' NWS said.

'The outages could last for days in some areas. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute.'

Richmond

Richmond, Virginia, is under a winter storm watch as forecasters predict heavy mixed precipitation of widespread snow, sleet, and freezing rain in the area.

'Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will become slick and hazardous,' NWS said.

'The combination of significant snow and ice accumulation on power lines and tree limbs may cause widespread and long-lasting power outages.'

Governor Abigail Spanberger declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm.

Washington, DC

Washington, DC's mayor issued a state of emergency ahead of the winter storm.

'We've officially declared a snow emergency and a state of emergency in Washington, DC,' Muriel Bowser wrote on X.

'A snow emergency, which goes into effect Saturday at noon, means residents must move vehicles off of snow emergency routes.'

The nation's capital is forecast to get blasted with heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain on Saturday.

Snow rates could reach over an inch per hour and the total is forecasted to be between six and ten inches.

New York

Up to 14 inches of snow is forecast in New York City. State governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency on Friday

The Big Apple is forecast to get up to 14 inches of snow over the weekend from Winter Storm Fern.

'The forecast doesn't always get it right, but what is being predicted right now, whether it's a foot of snow or even a little bit more, would be one of the biggest snowfalls that our city has seen in years,' Mayor Zohran Mamdani said at a Friday press conference.

'Tomorrow, as the storm nears, you're going to see thousands of DSNY collection trucks and agency partners transformed into the nation's largest snow fighting operation.'

New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for the entire state on Friday.

Boston

Boston, Massachusetts, could get up to 12 to 18 inches of snow Sunday into Monday, according to the NWS.

Police issued a warning to college students in the city ahead of the weekend, telling them to be careful when attending parties for the Patriots' playoff game on Sunday.
A mother accused of murdering her ex-husband in a doorstep acid attack told him he was 'insane' to think she was involved in an ambush because she 'wouldn't put their child at risk', a court heard today.

Danny Cahalane, 38, was 'in the s***' with a British drugs lord who was operating out of Dubai and threatened to kill him over unpaid money, prosecutors said.

He was ambushed the month before the acid attack on January 19, 2025, at his home and threatened.

Then on February 21, Mr Cahalane, a drug dealer, was 'doused in acid' in his own home in Plymouth, Devon, last year and died from his injuries in hospital 10 weeks later on May 3.

Jurors were told that drugs kingpin Ryan Kennedy, nicknamed 'Frost' in the criminal world, orchestrated the hit on Mr Cahalane to show him 'who was boss'.

Mr Cahalane's ex-wife Paris Wilson, 35, with whom he shares a child, is on trial accused of murder alongside five other men at Winchester Crown Court, while Mr Kennedy, believed to be in Dubai, has not been charged with any crimes.

His ex-wife Paris Wilson, 35, is accused of lying to her ex-husband and is on trial alongside five other men accused of Mr Cahalane's murder.

Prosecutor Jo Martin KC told the court today: '[Wilson] had of course, as you know, been in contact with Frost in the run up to what happened.

Danny Cahalane's ex-wife Paris Wilson (pictured), 35, is on trial accused of murder

Danny Cahalane (pictured) was murdered in a doorstep acid attack over his 120,000 debt after he gambled away a drug kingpin's money, a court heard

'We know that because she told her mother some days before about setting Danny up at her address, but immediately after the events, the prosecution say, she lied about her involvement in what happened that morning - not just to Danny but also to her mother.

'She sent Danny a series of messages asking him how those two black guys had known her address, telling Danny not to bring his 's***' to her house and asking what was going on.

'She told Danny that if he thinks she has anything to do with it, then he is insane as she is [the child]'s carer and wouldn't put [her] at risk.

'She said to Danny that she was going to go to the police.

'She sent similar messages of innocence telling her mother 'there was some black guys here who tried to grab Dan',' Ms Martin said.

She continued: 'She felt the need as well to tell her mother "it genuinely wasn't me...but now I'm scared people know my address".

'The prosecution say that Paris Wilson was clearly lying when she expressed her innocence to her mother and Danny because it was her who gave Frost her address.'

The court heard that on the day of the acid attack in February, police contacted Wilson to collect the child she shared with Danny 'in the early hours of the morning'.

Mr Cahalane, pictured with ex-wife Wilson, was 'doused in acid' in his own home in Plymouth

Following the acid attack, police spoke to Wilson, who said she knew very little about what happened in the January 19 incident.

She eventually told police that 'she had told Frost her address, and told Frost when Danny Cahalane would be there'.

Ms Martin said: 'She said that the reason she lied to the police in her interview was because she didn't want social services to know - in her words "I didn't want Social Services to think that I knew anything about crime, full stop. Let alone about this kind of level of organised crime that this was".

'What Paris Wilson maintained in her interviews however was that although she had been in contact with Frost, and clearly knew what Frost was like, she didn't realise who would turn up, nor what they might try to do to Danny.

'She maintained she didn't want Danny to be hurt.'

The other men accused of murder are Abdulrasheed Adedoja, 23, Ramarnee Bakas-Sithole, 23, Israel Augustus, 26, Isanah Sungum, 22, and Brian Kalemba, 23.

The defendants have all pleaded not guilty.

Mr Cahalane was described as 'a sort of middle management in the drugs supply chain'.

Jenna Said, 39, (pictured at Winchester Crown Court) is one of 11 people on trial over Cahalane's death

He owed Kennedy [Frost] money after gambling with profits he made from drug dealing.

It was also heard that someone below him in the chain had fled to New Zealand without giving him some of the money he was owed.

Speaking about messages exchanged between Kennedy and Mr Cahalane, Ms Martin said: 'What does become clear from the messages is that Danny owed Kennedy in the region of 120,000, and what is absolutely clear from the messages is that Frost was not happy about that.'

Following the acid attack, Mr Calahane told police that this left him 'in the s***' with Kennedy.

The court heard that Mr Cahalane was threatened in the months before the acid attack.

On January 19, 2025, men who 'tried to rip his door open as he tried to shut it' on Kennedy's orders had tried to intimidate him, Ms Martin said.

Kingpin Kennedy then messaged him that day 'Close call? Mate I'm telling you they gonna burn gaffes down and you're gonna die.'

Adedoja, Bakas-Sithole, Augustus, Wilson, Sungum, Kalemba, Jean Mukuna, 23, Arrone Mukuna, 25, and Jenna Said, 39, have all denied participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group.

Adedoja, Bakas-Sithole, Wilson, Jean Mukuna and Arrone Mukuna have pleaded not guilty to the attempted kidnap and attempted grievous bodily harm with intent of Mr Cahalane.

The trial continues.
Every police officer will be required to hold and regularly renew a GP-style 'licence to practise' or be removed from the profession, the Mail can reveal.

The radical shake-up of the way officers will be scrutinised comes as part of the largest reforms to British policing in 200 years.

The licence to practise will introduce a single national framework for officer training, supervision and development across England and Wales.

The model is based on the system for doctors and nurses, where professional licences are revalidated every five years subject to medics demonstrating they have refreshed their skills and undertaken training to the necessary standards.

Officers would need to pass interviews about their professional development, qualifications, activities and achievements.

Any officer who fails could receive further support including mentoring, but successive failures would result in them losing their licence.

The Home Office has not clarified how often officers would be expected to renew their licence, but said the plan will 'ensure officers are best equipped with problem solving and technological skills they need to catch more criminals.'

Policing minister Sarah Jones said the Licence to Practise will help to equip every officer with 'the skills and capabilities to do the job'

Critics described the scheme as 'an expensive, bureaucratic distraction' that would provide no benefits, however.

Former Bedfordshire police and crime commissioner, Festus Akinbusoye, attended a discussion with policing leaders about the proposals when they were in the early stages and said the plan was completely unnecessary.

'I challenged it directly then, and I challenge it now,' he said.

'How many frontline officers were ever asked whether this was needed, given that police officers already hold a warrant card?'

Police forces have been damaged by a succession of scandals, including the murder of Sarah Everard by Scotland Yard officer Wayne Couzens.

It is hoped that the licence to practise would help to rebuild confidence in policing and frontline officers by helping to weed out those not fit to serve.

But Mr Akinbusoye said: 'I am genuinely astonished that, of all the crises facing British policing such as collapsing recruitment, appalling retention, failure to get the basics right, deep-rooted cultural problems, and a serious leadership deficit  the Home Office has decided that the answer lies in forcing police officers to hold a Licence to Practise.

'This is a total waste of money and yet more evidence that British policing has drifted dangerously away from the priorities of the public. People do not want more regulation, more processes, or more box-ticking. They just want competent, effective, professional police officers keeping them safe.

'If a warrant card, rigorous training, and robust vetting are not enough to guarantee that, then the problem is leadership and accountability - not the absence of yet another licensing scheme.'

But former police and crime commissioner for Bedfordshire, Festus Akinbusoye, argued that the scheme was 'an expensive, bureaucratic distraction' that would provide no benefits

Although some areas of policing have mandatory training standards, such as firearms, there is no national system of evaluation.

The programme will be delivered in phases and will set consistent standards across various aspects of policing, the Home Office said.

It will set one national approach to performance and supervision, in place of the inconsistent current approach that differs force to force.

Crime and policing minister Sarah Jones said: 'Every police officer needs to remain match fit to protect their communities. As crime evolves, we expect police to evolve more quickly.

'The Licence to Practise will equip every officer with the skills and capabilities to do the job  whether new to the force or a policing veteran.

'Under these reforms, police forces will catch more criminals and protect their local communities.'
Prince Harry has lashed out at Donald Trump over his comments on Britain's war dead, saying that UK soldiers who sacrificed their lives ought to be treated with 'respect.'

Trump sparked fury around the world after claiming in a Fox News interview that NATO troops, including those from Britain, stayed 'a little off the front lines' during the war in Afghanistan.

The Duke of Sussex said following the comments that the 'sacrifices' of British soldiers who served and died in Afghanistan 'deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect.'

Some 457 British service personnel were killed in the conflict in Afghanistan, fighting alongside the US, and countless more were severely wounded.

But to Trump, this sacrifice appeared to mean very little. In what was branded a cheap shot at his country's allies he said he was 'not sure' the military alliance would be there for America 'if we ever needed them'.

'We've never needed them ... we have never really asked anything of them,' he told Fox.

'They'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan, and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the frontlines.'

Trump's remarks came after a week in which the president clashed with NATO allies, including the UK, over their refusal to agree to his demand that Greenland be brought under US control.

Prince Harry joins Sir Keir Starmer in the chorus of furious voices that have lashed out at the Republican leader for his remarks.

Prince Harry has slammed Donald Trump over his comments at Britain's war dead, saying that UK soldiers who sacrificed their lives ought to be treated with 'respect'

In an interview with Fox News on Thursday, Trump launched another onslaught of insults against Nato troops, claiming European personnel stayed 'off the front lines' in Afghanistan

Starmer said in Downing Street today: 'I consider President Trump's remarks to be insulting and frankly appalling and I am not surprised they have caused such hurt to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured and, in fact, across the country.'

In response to comments from Diane Dernie, mother of severely injured veteran Ben Parkinson, he said: 'I've made my position clear, and what I say to Diane is, if I had misspoken in that way or said those words, I would certainly apologise and I'd apologise to her.'

Ms Dernie had earlier said the PM should call out Trump and 'make a stand' for Britain.

She said she was 'stunned as to how anyone could say such a thing' in reaction to US President Donald Trump's comments, adding: 'I can assure you, the Taliban didn't plant IEDs miles and miles back from the front line.'

Ian Sadler, whose son, Trooper Jack Sadler, 21, was killed in Afghanistan in 2007, added: 'The British certainly were in the hot spots, they were on the front line, 457 of them were lost and there was probably three times as many seriously injured as deaths.'

America is the only NATO member to have invoked the collective security provisions of its Article 5 clause - that an attack against one member is an attack on all.

That came after the September 11 attack on the World Trade Centre in New York in 2001, which led to a US-led invasion of Afghanistan.

The UK suffered the second-highest number of military deaths in the Afghanistan conflict at 457.

The US saw 2,461 deaths. America's allies suffered 1,160 deaths during the conflict - around a third of the total coalition deaths.

Diane Dernie, whose son Ben Parkinson is regarded as the most severely injured British soldier to survive in Afghanistan, said she was 'stunned as to how anyone could say such a thing'

Keir Starmer (pictured) said in Downing Street today: 'I consider President Trump's remarks to be insulting and frankly appalling'

Speaking in Davos yesterday, the US President made a similar swipe against the 32-member military alliance, saying: 'I know them all very well. I'm not sure that they'd be there. I know we'd be there for them. I don't know that they would be there for us.'

Following the speech, NATO chief Rutte corrected the record to the US President, telling him: 'There's one thing I heard you say yesterday and today. You were not absolutely sure Europeans would come to the rescue of the US if you will be attacked. Let me tell you, they will, and they did in Afghanistan.'

Rutte's rebuttal came after Trump called Denmark - which had the highest per capita death toll among coalition forces in Afghanistan - 'ungrateful' for US protection during the Second World War.

'For every two Americans who paid the ultimate price, there was one soldier from another NATO country who did not come back to his family  from the Netherlands, from Denmark, and particularly from other countries,' the NATO chief said.

'So you can be assured, absolutely, if ever the United States were under attack, your allies will be with you. There is an absolute guarantee. I really want to tell you that because it pains me if you think it is not,' Rutte told Trump.
Dutch Queen Maxima fought back tears as her daughter Princess Amalia completed her military training.

Princess Catharina-Amalia, 22, the eldest daughter of the King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands officially completed her basic military course on Friday and earned the rank of Corporal.

An emotional Queen Maxima watched on proudly at the ceremony at the Ministry of Defence in Ermelo.

She could be seen holding back tears as she sat alongside other military mothers before snapping her own pictures.

The delighted Queen emotionally embraced her daughter, who will now wear military uniform when she carries out duties.

In a statement, the Dutch Royal Family said: 'Princess Catharina-Amalia completed the General Military Training Course (AMO) on January 23 and earned the rank of Corporal.'

Amalia, a student at the Dutch defence headquarters, has two younger siblings, Princess Alexia and Princess Ariane.

The princess has previously completed exercises with the Royal Navy, Air Force and Army.

Dutch Queen Maxima has fought back tears as her daughter Princess Amalia completed her military training

She could be seen holding back tears as she sat alongside other military mothers before snapping her own pictures

She flew a fighter jet and went behind the controls of a submarine as she was introduced to life in each branch of the Dutch armed forces in 2022.

The future Queen visited Volkel airbase, where she 'got acquainted' with life in the Dutch Royal Air Force.

She got behind the controls of an F-16 and took part in a training flight, as well as speaking to staff at the base.

The Royal entered a range of military vehicles, also going for a ride in a Leopard combat tank.

During her introduction to the Royal Navy, Amalia went aboard the submarine Zr.Ms. Sea Lion.

The Princess chatted with submariners before being given a tour and explanation about life underwater.

She also controlled the submarine under supervision and allowed it to resurface,

Amalia is not the only Dutch Royal involved in the nation's military.

The delighted Queen emotionally embraced her daughter, who will now wear military uniform when she carries out duties

Her father beamed as he jumped into the pilot's seat of an army plane last September.

The Dutch monarch is a licensed pilot and attended the international airborne exercise Falcon Leap at Eindhoven Air Base.

Decked out in military uniform, complete with a Dutch flag patch on his upper arm, the 58-year-old was all smiles as he captained the aircraft.

The yearly event brings together military personnel from countries all over the world, including the USA and UK, to practise their flying skills.

Service members run through exercises such as preparing and dropping cargo like relief supplies and conduct drops of paratroopers with planes from different countries.

Willem-Alexander greeted personnel and joined them in their practice exercises on the ground and in the air.
Police have launched a probe to trace a 'hairy' man wanted in connection with the 13-year campaign of abuse against an ex-councillor's wife.

Officers in Wiltshire released images of the suspect today after father-of-three Philip Young pleaded guilty to 48 sex offences at a hearing in Winchester Crown Court.

The 49-year-old admitted to repeatedly raping Joanne Young, 48, and drugging her.

A total of six people have now been charged.

Police today identified another man they still wish to speak to - described as of a 'large build, hairy' and with 'prominent lips'.

Warning that the images, taken around April-May 2022, may be 'triggering to some', a spokesman explained the force was 'really keen to identify and speak with' the individual.

Senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Geoff Smith said: 'This is a significant investigation in which several suspects have appeared in court charged with various serious sexual offences.

'This man remains unknown and we remain really keen to identify and speak with him in connection with the case.

The pictures of the heavy set man who police would like to speak to connection with sexual assault were believed to have been taken in 2022

A series of pictures of the large set man were released after father-of-three Philip Young pleaded guilty to 48 sex offences at a hearing in Winchester Crown Court

The man police want to speak to has a distinctive tattoo on his chest

'We appreciate the graphic nature of these images and that they may be triggering to some people, however we need the public's help to identify this man.

'It is unknown whether he lives in Swindon or from outside the county, which is why we request that this is shared as widely as possible to assist our bid to identify him.'

DS Smith clarified the appeal had 'once again been made with the pre-sight and support of the victim', Joanne Young, who had waived her right to anonymity.

Wiltshire Police said: 'The man is of a large build, hairy, with scarring on the back of his head, prominent lips, short or shaved hair, and a distinctive tattoo on the left side of his chest.

'Although the offences have taken place in Swindon, it is unknown whether the unidentified man lives locally or whether he has travelled from elsewhere.'

Ms Young was present at court to witness the pleas entered this afternoon by her ex-husband, supported by her sister and a member of Witness Support.

Philip Young, who was dressed in a prison issued grey tracksuit, lowered his eyes as his former wife of more than 20 years entered the room.

The disgraced business consultant admitted to 11 counts of rape, seven charges of sexual assault and four counts of sexual touching, all involving Joanne Young.

Ms Young's former husband business consultant Philip Young (pictured), appeared in court accused of 56 sexual offences, including multiple counts of rape, against her

Ms Young, pictured, was in court on Friday to hear Young admit the offences

The disgraced business consultant admitted to 11 counts of rape, seven charges of sexual assault and four counts of sexual touching, all involving his ex-wife

He also pleaded guilty to multiple counts of 'voyeurism' including secretly recording his unsuspecting wife during 'private acts' more than 200 times for his sexual gratification between January 2010 and July 2024.

Young further admitted to publishing 'obscene' material - including non-consensual intimate photographs and videos of Ms Young - more than 500 times.

However, Young denied eight charges during the hearing, including multiple counts of possession of indecent images of children - of which 139 are allegedly of the most serious category A, and 82 'extreme' images.

Originally from the upmarket Ash Brake area of Swindon but now living in Enfield, north London, Young was remanded in custody to be sentenced at a later date.

He had served as a respected Conservative councillor in the Wiltshire town for several years, rising to be a cabinet member.

But in 2010 - the year when the abuse is believed to have begun - Young announced he was stepping down in order to spend more time with his family.

Also in the dock were five other men, none of whom admitted any offences.

A court sketch showed (left to right) Mohammed Hassan, Norman Macksoni, Richard Wilkins, Connor Sanderson Doyle and Dean Hamilton at Winchester Crown Court today

The group were present again at Winchester Crown Court before Judge Angela Morris today.

Norman Macksoni, 47, of Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, entered a not guilty plea to one count of rape and one count of possession of extreme images.

Connor Sanderson-Doyle, 31, from Swindon also denied sexual assault by penetration and sexual touching.

While Richard Wilkins, 61, from Swindon, denied rape and sexual touching while Mohammed Hassan, 37, also from Swindon, pleaded not guilty to a single charge of sexual touching.

Dean Hamilton, 47, of Butleigh, Somerset, who faces one count of rape and sexual assault by penetration and two counts of sexual touching, is yet to enter a plea.

The six men stood in line in the dock for the 27 minutes it took for the charges to be read by the clerk.

The five men were all granted bail and are due to stand trial on October 5.

Speaking after the court hearing James Foster, Specialist Prosecutor of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: 'Philip Young has pleaded guilty to 48 serious sexual offences committed against his former wife, Joanne Young.

Connor Sanderson-Doyle, 31, from Swindon, is charged with sexual assault by penetration and sexual touching (Pictured arriving at Winchester Crown Court on Friday)

Dean Hamilton, of no fixed abode, 47, arrives at Winchester Crown Court today - he is charged with one count of rape and sexual assault by penetration and two counts of sexual touching

Mohammed Hassan, 37, from Swindon, is charged with one count of sexual touching

Norman Macksoni, 47, of Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, arrives at Winchester Crown Court - he is charged with one count of rape and possession of extreme images

Young is a former Tory councillor from the upmarket Ash Brake area of Swindon

'We worked closely with Wiltshire Police to build a thorough and compelling case that resulted in him pleading guilty to dozens of offences today.'

Wiltshire Police Detective Superintendent Geoff Smith, the senior investigating officer in the case, said: 'Today's hearing is a significant landmark, which has seen Philip Young admit to dozens of serious sexual offences against Joanne Young.

'I'd like to pay tribute to Jo for her incredible bravery throughout this process. She continues to be supported by specially trained officers.

'I'd also like to commend the investigation team for their relentless hard work in getting the case to this stage and thank the Crown Prosecution Service for their support in ensuring Young faces justice for his abhorrent actions.

'The wider case is now continuing through the courts and we have no further comment to make.'

Young was formerly a council cabinet member for culture, regeneration and economic development, but in 2010 he said he was stepping down to spend more time with family.

Six months earlier, he described how he helped deliver the couple's third child at home minutes before paramedics could arrive. The couple have since split up.

Young has been involved in multiple consultancy businesses, including as a director, and describes himself online as an 'experienced business leader'.

He is listed as the chief operating officer for a salesforce consultancy firm based in London. He joined the business in June 2023 with '17 years' experience in the ecosystem running his own partner consultancy', according to his biography on the company website.

He previously worked on projects for household names including Aston Martin, Unilever, and BP.

Young graduated with a business studies degree from the University of Westminster in 1998, and previously went to school in Bishop's Stortford.

Anyone who believes they recognise the 'hairy' man in the images has been asked to email 2651@wiltshire.police.uk and quote reference number 54240080286.

Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
A huge mob of 1,000 feral camels have been spotted rampaging through a town in the Australian outback searching for water amid record-breaking temperatures.

The rural town of Mount Liebig, roughly 200 miles west of Alice Springs, has been inundated with the herd of camels.

The humped animals have been seen marching into the town at night, targeting anything with even a hint of moisture as central Australia faces scorching daytime heats.

Even air conditioners are being damaged by the camels, as the mercury shows no sign of dropping any time soon.

Joshua Burgoyne, the Northern Territorys environment minister, said on Friday: 'Theyre coming into the community at night, when everyones asleep, drinking what water they can find, ripping taps off.

'And then, of a morning, council workers are having to go around, move these camels out, quite literally, herd them out of the community so that its safe for the residents to walk around.'

Parts of Australia are expecting to see record-breaking temperatures again this week.

The Times reported that in Marble Bar, infamous for being the country's hottest town, the official temperature reached 50C.

The rural town of Mount Liebig, roughly 200 miles west of Alice Springs, has been inundated with the herd of camels

Parts of Australia are expecting to see record-breaking temperatures again this week

But locals claim the actual temperatures were far higher. Neil Munro, who owns a caravan park in Marble Bar, said: 'The temperature gauge that I just bought, with the barometer and everything, I was very disappointed with it because it only goes up to 50C.

'It hit 50C yesterday, but the electronic one [gauge] got up above 53C.'

As a result, many are expecting camels to continue their rampage unless local authorities intervene.

Camels were introduced to Australia in 1840 as a way to transport explorers further inland.

There are an estimated 1million now roaming across the outback, covering parts of Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory.

Though they can survive for weeks without drinking water, they can only do so if they can access moisture from plants.

Mr Burgoyne said: 'A lot of homes have external taps, and Ive seen pictures where the taps have been ripped off the walls and theres essentially water all throughout the front yard.

'When theyre looking for water, theyre quite literally pushing over metal fences. It has been so dry for many months.'
A paedophile who sent 'utterly depraved' messages planning to rape children as young as six has been jailed for life after a slew of child sex offences.

Edward Gratwick, 68, was arrested at Stansted Airport, where he attempted to board a flight to Romania in March, the National Crime Agency (NCA) said.

The self-described 'paedo tourist' was apprehended after officers were told of a UK national who had been talking with another person about meeting to sexually abuse a nine-year-old girl.

And when officers took the paedophile into custody, they discovered items they believe he was planning to use to abuse children.

A later search of his home found he had been sharing indecent images of children and discussing child sexual abuse with people he thought had access to girls, aged between six and 10, the NCA added.

More than 1,300 indecent images of children were discovered on his electronic devices, including 632 that were in the most serious category A.

Depraved Gratwick had also been using encrypted apps, including Teleguard and Session, to communicate with offenders in the UK and around the world.

He was found guilty of 38 offences, including arranging or attempting to arrange the commission of a child sex offence, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, distributing indecent images of children and possessing indecent images of children.

Edward Gratwick, 68, was arrested at Stansted Airport, where he attempted to board a flight to Romania in March, the National Crime Agency (NCA) said

The paedophile who sent 'utterly depraved' messages planning to rape children as young as six has been jailed for life after a slew of child sex offences

Today, the 68-year-old was handed a life behind bars with a minimum term of 20 years at Guilford Crown Court.

Addressing the defendant, Judge Claire Harden-Frost said: 'You have shown yourself to be utterly manipulative, you have the tools to deceive and avoid detection.'

The judge added that his offences '[spoke] for themselves', noting how the sex offender had 'shown no remorse'.

She described one group of messages sent by Gratwick as 'the stuff of nightmares' and 'utterly depraved'.

Discussions were he sought to arrange the rape of a child showed 'just how dangerous' the paedophile is, the judge added.

And revealed what he is 'prepared to agree to in order to get [himself] into a position' where he could commit abuse.

During the trial, Gratwick said he was trying to 'investigate the world of child abuse', claim refuted as a 'desperate attempt to avoid conviction', by the judge.

The 68-year-old described himself as a 'paedo tourist' and discussed online 'prices' for abusing children and travel arrangements to commit abuse, the court heard.

Kathryn Wilson, defending, described the paedophile as 'somewhat of a Walter Mitty character'.

She added that some present in the courtroom may feel there 'is some degree of fantasy around the building of his belief in what [Gratwick] was doing'.

Ms Wilson continued that in the past, Gratwick had 'proved very useful to investigating authorities'.

Gratwick, who is from Mitcham, south London, and wore a blue puffer jacket and glasses, raised his eyebrows at members of the public as he left the dock.

The paedophile, whose offences spanned between February 2023 and March 2025, previously pleaded guilty to possession and supply of a Class B drug.

He was also found not guilty of one count of arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence.

Following the sentencing, Robbie Weber, specialist prosecutor for the CPS, said: 'The abuse Edward Gratwick described inflicting on young children with other like-minded individuals was abhorrent.

'It was clear from the evidence that he was intent on harming and abusing children and was willing to pay significant sums of money to do it.

'Not content with satisfying his own sexual desires, he also advised and encouraged others on how they could commit equally horrific crimes.'

Danielle Pownall, senior investigating officer at the NCA, said: 'The chat logs recovered from Edward Gratwick's devices are some of the worst seen by specialist child abuse investigators at the NCA.

'Gratwick has continually denied the offences he faced, despite overwhelming and indisputable evidence, which shows his lack of remorse and disregard for the safety and welfare of children.

'I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the members of the jury, who over the last six weeks have considered distressing evidence which no-one should ever have to hear.

'I echo the words of gratitude from Her Honour Judge Harden-Frost in light of what they have heard, culminating in guilty verdicts against Gratwick.

'Work continues with our international partners to identify those who Gratwick was engaging with, and we will do everything in our power to safeguard any children from harm, wherever they are.'
Scotland's scandal hit super hospital has still not had key checks carried out on its ventilation system, an inquiry has heard.

The concern over the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, in Glasgow, was raised at the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry today by the probes lawyer Fred Mackintosh KC as he made his final comments.

Mr Mackintosh also said that NHS Greater Glasgow and Clydes approach to the inquiry had severely impacted it, and there was precious little to show the health board had really changed.

Meanwhile, pressure continued to grow on First Minister John Swinney and his nationalist government to reveal what they knew about the serious issues at the hospital.

Amid growing demands, Nicola Sturgeon, who was First Minister when the hospital opened, denied that she applied pressure for the 1billion facility to open before it was ready.

The long-running probe has looked into the design and construction of the QEUH complex in the wake of deaths linked to infections.

As it came to a close yesterday, Mr Mackintosh, the Inquirys senior counsel, said: The whole hospital ventilation system has not been validated.

The general wards have not been validated. Its most concerning its still not been done.

The concern over the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, in Glasgow, was raised at the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry

Civil servant Andrew Slorance died there with a fungal infection during cancer treatment in 2020 at the age of 49.

Louise Slorance, his widow, said: The truth is that the entire ventilation system, as agreed by GGC, fails patients.

The UKs largest hospital has a 1970s standard of ventilation system unfit for modern healthcare.

This cannot and does not keep vulnerable adult patients safe.

Maureen Dynes husband Tony contracted two infections during his cancer treatment at the Queen Elizabeth and died in 2021.

Yesterday she also said she believes the ventilation is just not acceptable for our adults who are immunocompromised.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has said pressure was applied to open the hospital on time and on budget in 2015, and that it is now clear it opened too early and was not ready.

This has led to politicians and families of those affected piling pressure on Mr Swinneys government to reveal what they knew.

Kimberley Darroch, the mother of schoolgirl Milly Main who died after contracting Stenotrophomonas while recovering from leukaemia, said Nicola Sturgeon, John Swinney and Shona Robison - who were First Minister, finance secretary and health secretary respectively at the time the hospital opened - have questions to answer.

She said: I dont know what theyre not telling us, but theres something that theyre not telling us.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar yesterday praised whistleblowers Dr Teresa Inkster, Dr Chistine Peters and Dr Penelope Redding but that until they were happy with the hospital he would not be.

The MSP said: If Dr Peters, Dr Redding and Dr Inkster are not satisfied then Im not satisfied and nobody should be satisfied.

He also said it was not credible that the SNP Government did not know about issues.

But Ms Sturgeon, who was not asked to give evidence to the probe, said: Any suggestion that I applied pressure for the hospital to open before it was ready or that I had any knowledge of safety concerns at that time are completely untrue.

The families who lost loved ones in the QUEH have a right to have their questions answered.

That is why the independent public inquiry was established while I was First Minister.

The Inquiry has had sight of all relevant material and has also been able to take evidence from any individual with insight or information it thought necessary for its work.

For years the health board denied any link between the building and a spate of infections in vulnerable patients.

Kimberley Darroch, the mother of schoolgirl Milly Main who died after contracting an infection while recovering from leukaemia at the QEUH, said there are 'questions to answer

But in an eleventh-hour U-turn, it told the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry that some infections were probably linked to bugs in the water system.

Yesterday the inquiry, which has so far cost more than 31million, was told NHSGGCs delayed acceptance of infection problems severely impacted the probe investigating the issue.

Mr Mackintosh said the health board had now reached a delayed acceptance in relation to paediatric infections likely being linked to the water system.

He added: There needs to be some acknowledgment that how the health board approached the issue has severely impacted on the work of the inquiry.

In a statement, NHSGGC reassured patients and families that the QEUH and RHC are safe today.

A spokesman added: Comprehensive steps have been taken to address past physical defects in the building, and a significant and ongoing programme of maintenance and monitoring is in place. Our staff are committed to providing safe, high-quality care.

In our closing statements we have acknowledged issues with past culture and communication and we are committed to learning and continuing to improve our approach.

We have outlined the significant improvements undertaken as an organisation during this time to improve governance and oversight, and that issues are being addressed both proactively and reactively, and in a timely manner.
I wonder whether we can be certain that, asked what time it was, John Swinney would not reply that he was unable to answer for legal reasons. So pathologically secretive is our First Minister that he devotes much of his time and energy to avoiding even the slightest scrutiny.

In behaving as he does, Mr Swinney continues a tradition begun by the late Alex Salmond after he led the SNP to victory in 2007s Holyrood election.

Since then, the Nationalists time in power has been characterised by incompetence and cover-up, the former necessitating the latter.

But the problem with cover-ups is that, if you engineer too many of them, people start to notice. Ironically, that is something which cannot be covered up.

The SNPs obsessive secrecy is starting to make life difficult for Mr Swinney. Over recent weeks, hes been fighting fires on a number of fronts.

Despite an instruction from Scotlands Information Commissioner, David Hamilton, that the Scottish Government must publish papers relating to its handling of complaints of sexual assault made against Alex Salmond, Mr Swinney continues to resist.

If that astonishing defiance of an official appointed to ensure the publics rights, under the Freedom of Information Act, are upheld isnt enough to convince the doubter that the First Minister is less Honest John and more Shifty Swinney, perhaps his astonishing evasion over the governments decision to spend tens of thousands of pounds battling to preserve the right of trans-identifying male criminals to be held in womens prisons might tip the balance.

But if neither of these scandals  to which Ill return  is sufficient to make the case that Mr Swinney holds the idea of accountability in contempt, then surely his response to the crisis now engulfing NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is.

John Swinney and Nicola Sturgeon in 2015, before the opening of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital

Last weekend, after years of flat denial, the health board admitted problems with the water system at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital had probably caused infections in child cancer patients.

The families of those who died  including ten-year-old Milly Main  have waited a long time to hear something resembling the truth.

But even now, as the facts are slowly dragged into the sunlight, Mr Swinney seems more concerned with protecting the reputations of himself and others than with providing any real enlightenment.

The timeline of events at the QEUH is deeply disturbing.

The hospital was opened by then First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in April 2015, just weeks before that years general election.

Ms Sturgeon, who had been health secretary when the new hospital was commissioned, described it as one of the finest in the world. Nationalist backbencher and nodding dog, James Dornan, said: We have to accept the projects being delivered before schedule and under budget is one of the great achievements of the government.

Last week, in a statement to the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry, which was established to examine problems at the QEUH, the health board alleged: Pressure was applied to open the hospital on time and on budget, and it is now clear that the hospital opened too early. It was not ready.

With the 2015 general election falling on May 7, the timing of the hospital opening was, undoubtedly, helpful to Ms Sturgeon and the SNP, which went on to win 56 of Scotlands 59 Westminster constituencies (recent boundary changes mean there are now just 57 constituencies).

Was Nicola Sturgeon the mayor in Jaws, insisting the beach be opened despite the presence of a great white shark in the bay?

Naturally, Mr Swinney, who was Deputy First Minister at the time the QEUH opened, is appalled by the suggestion that this pressure may have come from either Ms Sturgeon or himself.

Opening Thursdays First Ministers Questions, Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay asked whether Ms Sturgeon or anybody else in the SNP government had applied political pressure to open the hospital before it was ready.

The direct answer to that, replied Mr Swinney, was no.

The First Minister then refused to say who he suspected might have applied that pressure.

Under pressure from Mr Findlay, Mr Swinney said he would release any government documents considered relevant to this matter. With, of course, appropriate redactions. You cant be too open about openness.

The families of those who died  including ten-year-old Milly Main (pictured)  have waited a long time to hear something resembling the truth

Mr Swinneys instinct to conceal is never difficult to discern. And, once discussion of the QEUH had concluded on Thursday, it was soon on display again.

Information Commissioner Mr Hamilton had given the government a deadline of January 22 to disclose internal communications and legal advice relating to its review of allegations of sexual impropriety.

Mr Swinney was asked about the matter on the day his government failed to meet its obligation.

Tory MSP Murdo Fraser wondered whether the First Minister appreciated what a bad look it was for his government to be spending huge sums of taxpayers money contesting rulings from the independent Information Commissioner.

The government, Mr Swinney replied, had made clear it believed Mr Hamilton had erred in law.

The murky case of the SNPs handling of allegations, made in 2018, about the behaviour of the former First Minister is perhaps the most shameless example of Nationalist secrecy.

In 2019, the government conceded, during a legal case brought by Mr Salmond, that its investigation had been flawed.

From private meetings  as the scandal was about to break  between Nicola Sturgeon and Mr Salmond to the current governments refusal, eight years later, to reveal the truth about how its investigation ended up costing taxpayers more than 630,000 in compensation and legal bills, the SNPs instinct for secrecy has run wild.

According to Mr Swinney, all he was doing in refusing to disclose the documents in question was upholding the law.

Later, the deputy leader of Scottish Labour, Jackie Baillie, declared that the arrogance and secrecy of Mr Swinney and the SNP knew no bounds.

Of course, she said, the Scottish Government should always uphold the law, but that includes abiding by the rulings of the independent Information Commissioner.

There was a great irony in Mr Swinneys answers on the Salmond files.

It was, he told MSPs, really important that he was clear with parliament why the government was acting in the way it is acting.

Such enthusiasm for openness stands in stark contrast to Mr Swinneys position on being clear with MSPs about the governments current efforts to protect the right of trans-identifying male criminals to be held in womens prisons.

Just two weeks ago, Nationalist MSP Michelle Thomson asked Mr Swinney to respond to a report that his government had asked the Court of Session to issue a declaration of incompatibility that would have the effect of undermining the Supreme Courts ruling in a case brought by the feminist organisation For Women Scotland that, in law, sex is a matter of biology.

Should such a move succeed, the government reckons it will be permitted to continue housing violent male criminals in female prisons.

Given the fact that Mr Swinney and members of his cabinet had previously told parliament they fully respected the Supreme Courts decision, Ms Thomson was confused.

How, she wondered, were statements made in the Holyrood chamber compatible with the actions being taken in secret by the Scottish Government?

Mr Swinneys response was a jumble of words in search of coherent meaning.

There were, he said, live legal proceedings under way that would restrict elements of his comments, but his government was simply taking steps to ensure it had the correct guidance in place to deal with the implications of the Supreme Court ruling.

That, he added, is the work the government is undertaking and is always undertaking in this respect.

There are no restrictions on the First Ministers ability to comment on its legal bid to keep men in womens jails. This is not a criminal case with a jury that might be influenced.

Mr Swinney refuses to explain his reasons for wishing to see rapists locked up alongside vulnerable women because he is scared or, perhaps, ashamed to do so.

Mr Hamilton has proved to be such an assiduous performer that one wonders how he managed to get through the SNPs net.

In Swinneys Scotland, cronies inhabit positions of authority across the public sector, but Mr Hamilton is a stickler for the rules.

When the Freedom of Information Act (Scotland) was passed in 2002, the SNP was one of the driving forces for more openness. And the party made good use of the law to dig out damaging information about the then Labour- Liberal Democrat Scottish Executive.

How bleak, then, that Mr Swinneys Nationalist government is now engaged in endless wars of attrition with the Information Commissioner as it fights to keep secrets from voters. Of course, even if Mr Hamilton succeeds in forcing the First Minister to hand over the Salmond files, we cannot be sure that there will be much to see.

It is not so very long ago, remember, that we learned the lengths to which senior SNP figures will go in order to hide their actions.

In January 2024, the Covid Inquiry heard that all of Ms Sturgeons WhatsApp messages sent and received during the pandemic had been deleted.

The timeline of events at the QEUH is deeply disturbing, writes Euan McColm

It also emerged that all of Mr Swinneys messages from the time had been wiped too.

In 2021, while she was First Minister and Mr Swinney was her deputy, Ms Sturgeon pledged that all correspondence relating to the pandemic would be retained and made available to any future inquiries. However, when she was asked to keep that promise, she could not.

It is not unreasonable to wonder whether the papers requested by Mr Hamilton still exist. We will soon, I hope, find out.

On Friday, the Information Commissioner instructed solicitors to begin legal action against the government over its failure to comply with his ruling on the Salmond files.

Mr Swinney will now use public money in a fight to keep secrets from the public.

The SNP has created a culture of cover-up which stretches beyond government and across the public sector.

And after Mr Swinneys performance over recent weeks, that truth can no longer be denied.

The secret is well and truly out. The SNP will stop at nothing to keep voters in the dark.
Sir Keir Starmer pulled his deal to surrender the Chagos Islands on Friday night.

Just days after Donald Trump blasted the UK for 'an act of great stupidity' in signing the strategically important archipelago away, Labour withdrew the legislation from a planned debate in the House of Lords on Monday.

While sources claimed the process was simply being delayed, critics warned that without US support it was effectively dead.

Conservative peer Daniel Hannan said: 'We have secured a breathing space. It is now up to Trump and the people around him. If the President sticks to what he said this week, the deal is off.

'If he allows himself to be talked around by the State Department's permanent officials, it will come back.

'It is, I admit, a humiliating thing for Britain that the final decision should be in the hands of our American allies. We ought to have put a stop to the whole business ourselves.

'Still, for the first time in 14 months I am starting to think we might win.'

If the sale is dropped, it would be the 15th U-turn of Sir Keir's time in office.

Keir Starmer tonight pulled his deal to surrender the Chagos Islands days after Donald Trump blasted the UK for 'an act of great stupidity' in signing the strategically important archipelago away

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Starmer's deal would see Britain cede sovereignty but pay billions of pounds to lease back the joint UK/US military base on Diego Garcia (pictured), the largest of the islands.

Last year, Sir Keir signed an agreement with Mauritius - an ally of China - in which Britain would cede sovereignty but have to pay billions of pounds to lease back the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, the largest of the Indian Ocean islands.

Despite the White House signing off the sale during the presidency of Mr Trump's predecessor, Joe Biden, there was hope among critics that Mr Trump would scupper it in his second term.

David Lammy, who was then foreign secretary, even said there would be no deal without Mr Trump's support.

Last May, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement that Washington 'welcomed' the deal, saying it secured the 'long-term, stable, and effective operation' of Diego Garcia, which he described as a 'critical asset for regional and global security'.

But this week, Mr Trump suddenly turned on the deal as he feuded with Nato allies in his bid to take over Greenland in the 'interests of US national security'.

In an angry post on his Truth Social site, he stated: 'Shockingly, our 'brilliant' NATO Ally, the United Kingdom, is currently planning to give away the Island of Diego Garcia, the site of a vital US Military Base, to Mauritius, and to do so FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER.

'There is no doubt that China and Russia have noticed this act of total weakness. The UK giving away extremely important land is an act of GREAT STUPIDITY, and is another in a very long line of National Security reasons why Greenland has to be acquired.'

He said later: 'I think when they originally were going to do it they were talking about some concept of ownership, but now they're looking to essentially just do a lease and sell it. And I'm against that.'

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Mr Trump is said to have changed his mind after warnings from his defence chiefs that the deal would make Diego Garcia less secure.

However, Downing Street vowed to press ahead regardless.

On Friday night, Labour sources insisted the deal was merely delayed and would be coming back to the table.

But Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel said: 'In the face of relentless Conservative pressure, Labour have pulled their shameful Chagos surrender Bill from Monday's order paper.

'This is a major victory for everyone standing against Keir Starmer's disgraceful Chagos surrender.

'The deal, which hands British sovereign territory and 35billion to an ally of China, should be dropped altogether. The Conservatives will continue to fight the surrender every step of the way.' Referring to the 'Chagos Bill ping-pong vote', crossbench peer Kate Hoey, a former Labour MP, posted on X: 'Government knows defeat was likely as many Labour Peers now realising this is a Bill which was not in the manifesto, not in the UK national interest, is costing taxpayers billions and is being pushed by lawyers and ignoring Chagossians views.'

It comes after Tory peers demanded to know if the agreement complied with international law. The Tories warned it would break a UN treaty between the UK and US in 1966 which stated: 'The territory shall remain under UK sovereignty.'

Shadow Foreign Office spokesman, Lord Callanan said this was 'in direct contradiction' of the 2025 deal and so would 'place the UK in breach of international law'.
A little girl whose father had an affair with her nanny asked if the pair were going to get married just hours after the pair allegedly killed her mother, a jury heard.

Brendan Banfield, 39, is on trial for the February 2023 killings of his wife, Christine Banfield, and a stranger, Joseph Ryan, at his home in northern Virginia.

He allegedly stabbed Christine, 37, to death in their bed as part of a twisted plot to be with his 25-year-old Brazilian au pair Juliana Peres Magalhaes.

A fake sex profile was created behind Christine's back claiming she wanted to experience a rape fantasy. Ryan responded and was also killed by Banfield as part of an elaborate scheme to be with Magalhaes, prosecutors say.

Mere hours after Christine's death, her then four-year-old daughter asked Magalhaes: 'Are you going to marry my daddy?', a police victim advocate testified Thursday, according to the Washington Post.

Magalhaes replied 'I wish,' the advocate said, claiming that she viewed the interaction as one of the first signs that Banfield was hiding something.

Banfield is charged with aggravated murder in the killings Christine and Ryan, 39. He has pleaded not guilty and could face life in prison if convicted.

The former IRS agent, whose daughter was at the house on the morning of the killings, is also charged with child abuse and felony child cruelty in connection with the case. He will face those charges during the trial.

Brendan Banfield (left) is on trial for the February 2023 killings of his wife, Christine Banfield, (right) and a stranger at his home in northern Virginia. His daughter (center) was home at the time of the murder

Mere hours after the murder, Banfield's daughter asked 25-year-old Brazilian au pair Juliana Peres Magalhaes (with Banfield) if she would planned to marry her father

The court was shown police body camera footage recorded in the hours after the slayings in which Banfield suffered what one officer called a 'breakdown.'

The footage showed Banfield breathing heavy and asking about his daughter as officers walked him to an ambulance, the newspaper reported.

A first responder, noticing how Banfield was covered in blood, asked if it was his blood. The former IRS agent struggled to answer, before saying he had been holding Christine's neck after the attack.

He repeatedly asked to be with his wife and, sobbing, questioned: 'What's going to happen with my daughter? Are they going to tell her? She's only 4.'

When he arrived at the hospital, a doctor told Banfield that Christine had lost a lot of blood and died. The accused killer explained how he called 911 and tried to apply pressure to her wounds - but the doctor insisted it was 'not a survivable injury.'

The footage also showed Banfield asking a hospital chaplain to pray for his wife, as well as the pair reciting the Lord's Prayer together.

'Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us,' Banfield choked between his sobs. 'Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.'

The chaplain recited the prayer in unison with him.

Banfield (in court earlier this month) was having an affair with Magalhaes. Prosecutors say the murders were part of an elaborate scheme for him and Magalhaes to be together

Magalhaes (in court earlier this month) will be sentenced at the conclusion of Banfield's trial. Depending on her cooperation with authorities, attorneys have said she could be sentenced to the time she has already served

Banfield's attorneys spent much of this week trying to convince the jury that investigators jumped to conclusions, the outlet reported.

The defense argued police were searching for evidence that would fit the narrative they created.

But a detective who took the stand Thursday disputed the claim, alleging that authorities initially probed 'two theories in the case.'

One theory involved 'catfishing' and the other, which emerged days after the killing, was that Banfield murdered his wife.

Detective Leah Smith added that 'investigators on this case knew to investigate with an open mind even if that might not be along the lines of what supervisors wanted us to investigate.'

Magalhaes, who took the stand earlier in the trial, told the court how she and Banfield lured Ryan to the house using a BDSM site. The two then shot him, staging the scene to look as if Ryan had been a predator stabbing Banfield.

'I just couldn't keep it to myself, the feeling of shame and guilt and sadness,' she said in court of the ruse. The former au pair was initially charged with second-degree murder in Ryan's killing, but has since pleaded guilty to a downgraded manslaughter charge.

Magalhaes testified that she and Banfield had created an account in Christine's name on a social media platform for people interested in sexual fetishes.

Christine Banfield was found stabbed to death in her bedroom on February 24, 2023

Banfield and Magalhaes allegedly tried to frame Joseph Ryan for Christine's murder after creating a fake account for Christine on a BDSM site and made plans to have 'rough sex' with Ryan before they were both killed

There, Ryan connected with the account, and the users made plans to meet for a sexual encounter involving a knife.

In her testimony, she described Banfield's plan to kill his wife and spend the rest of his days with Magalhaes. She testified to the months he had spent plotting their scheme, and the steps he took to manufacture their alibis.

John Carroll, Banfield's attorney, scrutinized her initial testimony and her motives behind pleading guilty.

He pressed her on who created the email address connected to the social media account and where she and Banfield were on the day it had been procured.

She testified that she did not remember who made the account or what room in the Banfield home they had been in.

The defense attorney repeatedly pressed her on specific messages sent on the social media account in Christine's name.

Magalhaes, seemingly annoyed, repeatedly testified that she had been unsure who had sent what. At one point, she told Carroll: 'I am not going to do this.'

Investigators took this photograph of the marital bedroom during a visit to the home eight months after the February 2023 killings, highlighting how the frame on the nightstand now featured a photo of Banfield and Magalhaes

Photographs in the bedroom that once featured the Banfields had been 'taken down and replaced with Brendan and Juliana together,' the investigator testified

Carroll also asked Magalhaes to read portions from letters she had written from jail to Banfield and others. They expressed depression and frustration with her situation. 'No strength. No courage. No hope,' she wrote at one point.

Magalhaes testified that her health in jail and isolation from loved ones also pushed her to turn on Banfield.

Last week, the trial also heard that Magalhaes moved into Banfield's marital bed very quickly after his wife's passing.

Police photographed the home in February 2023 as part of the investigation into the murders, including both the primary and Magalhaes's bedrooms.

When officials returned to the residence eight months later, it was clear that the au pair was already sleeping in the bed Banfield previously shared with Christine, the trial heard.

Fairfax County Sgt. Kenner Fortner told jurors earlier this month how 'red, lingerie-style clothing items' and a yellow t-shirt with green trim that had previously hung in the au pair's closet had been moved to the master bedroom.

'They had gotten new flooring, new bedroom furniture,' Fortner added, noting how photographs that once featured the Banfields had been 'taken down and replaced with Brendan and Juliana together.'

This is the knife used to stab Christine Banfield to death. Investigators found it tucked into her and Banfield's marital bed

Investigators also found two handguns in the master bedroom, which detectives later determined had been moved from their original locations

Magalhaes also claimed that Banfield did not feel he could just leave his wife and that they hatched a plan to 'get rid' of Christine so they could be together.

The nanny said Banfield told her that he couldn't split from his wife because she would end up having more money than he would, in addition to not being good for their child.

'Money was involved,' Magalhaes told the court. She added that Banfield had no plans to share custody of his young daughter with Christine.

Magalhaes will be sentenced at the conclusion of Banfield's trial. Depending on her cooperation with authorities, attorneys have said she could be sentenced to the time she has already served.
Vice President JD Vance torched a conservative influencer for condemning President Donald Trump's abortion messaging.

Laura Loomer, a far-right commentator, tried to slam the White House for its participation in Friday's March for Life event celebrating the overturn of Roe v. Wade.

'Why is the GOP pushing more abortion messaging in a midterm election year? Didn't they learn their lesson in 2018?' Loomer posted.

'Trump doesn't like when the GOP focuses on abortion. How many times does he have to say this? Trump gets it. The GOP will blow the midterms,' she continued.

Her comments immediately ruffled the feathers of Vance, who was a guest speaker at the Washington, D.C., rally, who spoke in addition to pre-recorded remarks from Trump.

'The president literally sent a video to the March for Life today and encouraged me to accept their invitation, which I was happy to do,' Vance replied to Loomer.

'It's interesting that some 'conservative influencers' spend all of their time attacking the administration and sowing division. Disgraceful actually.'

The president addressed the massive crowd in a prepared video where he celebrated the pro-life activists and noted how he wants to bring back God.

'In 2026, as we celebrate 250 years since our founding fathers recognized the right to life in our Declaration of Independence, I want to thank every single one of you who was out on this winter day,' Trump said in the video.

Conservative influencer Laura Loomer was slammed by JD Vance after she criticized the White House's messaging on abortion

'The president literally sent a video to the March for Life today and encouraged me to accept their invitation, which I was happy to do,' Vance replied to Loomer on social media

Pro-life activists participate in the National March for Life in Washington, DC, USA, 23 January 2026. National March for Life participants hear from lawmakers, anti-abortion activists and religious leaders, prior to the march and rally at the Supreme Court

Join the debate Should the GOP focus on abortion in elections or shift strategies to win more voters?

'This is a battle that must be fought, must be won, not only in the corridors of power, but above all, in the hearts and souls of the people,' Trump said. 'That is why, under the Trump administration, we're strongly defending religious liberty. We're bringing back faith in America. We're bringing back God.'

The March for Life on Friday was attended by tens of thousands of pro-life activists. The event regulalry held in January and typically brings massive crowds.

Loomer's overarching point touches on how the GOP was unable to gain traction with voters by being vehemently anti-abortion.

However, Trump and his closest advisors, including Vance, do maintain strict anti-abortion views.

The fallout between Loomer and Vance appears stark when considering the two reportedly met face-to-face in Washington over the summer.

Some in the president's orbit have recently expressed skepticism about Loomer to the Daily Mail, noting how she has increasingly been at odds with the president's agenda.

One former White House official flagged to the Daily Mail how Loomer was vehemently against Trump taking action against Venezuela until US special forces pulled off a miraculous snatch and grab to capture ex-dictator Nicolas Maduro.

The influencer also mocked the administration's $50 million bounty on Maduro, calling it performative and 'pathetic.'

Trump said that the reward did not lead to Maduro's capture, however, and he also joked that his administration possibly should be paid the bounty.

One person close to the White House shared that Loomer's posts 'aren't MAGA's views and are a bit puzzling.'
A solicitor who bought up hundreds of freeholds on leasehold properties and was reported to police for sending scaremongering and aggressive letters to buy the freeholds back is now accused of stalking a legal blogger and making unwanted sexual advances to him.

Andrew Milne, 63, is said to have sent the writer numerous unwanted sexualised messages including one which read: 'If you agree to be my total sex slave I will let you live in the garage.'

Lawyer Milne, who was already under professional investigation by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), has now appeared in a criminal case being heard at Stratford Magistrates Court in east London.

The court heard that Milne had stalked Daniel Cloake, the author of a legal blog called Mouseinthecourt.co.uk, between March and August 2024.

Mr Cloake, 36, said the pair had first met when he covered a court case Milne was involved in and after two lunches at the Law Society, the unwanted contact began.

Mr Cloake told District Judge Towell at the court: 'This is someone who has a very strange relationship with the truth and was a person not to be trusted.'

The unwanted attention was said to have included emails, letters, voice messages and the bizarre handwritten 'sex slave' note.

Andrew Milne (pictured), 63, is said to have sent the writer numerous unwanted sexualised messages. The court heard that Milne had stalked Daniel Cloake

The unwanted attention was said to have included emails, letters, voice messages and the bizarre handwritten 'sex slave' note (pictured)

Prosecutor Reem Khatib read out a series of emails, several of which asked Mr Cloake for a date and claimed he had an interest in older men, which Mr Cloake denied ever expressing.

Asked how one email made him feel, Mr Cloake said: 'It is just a bit creepy really. As far as I am aware, I never gave him any indication that I was interested.'

Mr Cloake eventually contacted police after receiving an email suggesting Milne might 'pop' over to his home the following day, adding: 'Perhaps we can suspend hostilities after lunch while I examine your Mouse Hole properly - it was ALWAYS going to happen one day LOL LOL LOL. I am very excited LOL LOL LOL.'

In the same email, Milne threatened Mr Cloake with 'substantial damages' mentioning the sum of 100,000 to 200,000.'

Mr Cloake told the court he left for work early to ensure he missed Milne, but on his return discovered a handwritten note in his letter-box in capital letters stating: 'Where are you? LOL LOL LOL. Are you suddenly very shy? I am amazed there is actually a property which can be seized. After you are bankrupt, if you agree to be my total [underlined] sex slave I will let you live in the garage.'

Mr Cloake told the court he found the note 'incredibly scary,' adding 'I perceived this to be him coming to my house to blackmail me to have sex and if I didn't he would launch legal proceedings I genuinely thought he was coming to my house to rape me.'

The trial is still ongoing and has been adjourned until February 2, reported Private Eye.

Milne, 63, is no stranger to the courts, having been accused of 'bullying, threatening and harassing' by an MP in the Commons

Milne, 63, is no stranger to the courts, having been accused of 'bullying, threatening and harassing' by an MP in the Commons for his practice of buying the freeholds of more than 200 properties then using legal threats to make leaseholders buy them back at inflated prices.

A judge had said: 'I do not consider him to be an honest or credible man' and accused him of 'intimidatory and threatening language'.

Among those watching the proceedings was Bolton councillor David Grant, who told the Daily Mail that Milne had 'plagued a number of elderly residents, playing on their vulnerabilities. I have reported him to the SRA and I believe they are currently interviewing witnesses.

'He buys up property freeholds at auctions and then embarks on a process of trying to extort residents. He looks for any alterations to the property and then he tells the leaseholder they are technically in breach of a covenant, so he's intending to forfeit their property.

'However, he asks them if they would like to purchase the freehold element from him for 25-30k, when they are worth a few hundred, I won't take you to court. Then he just tries to wear you and your own solicitor down by bombarding them with 20-page documents, which obviously send your own costs rocketing.'

Earlier this month, Bolton West MP Phil Brickell told the Commons: 'For years, solicitor Andrew Milne has been bullying, threatening and harassing leaseholders, including my Horwich constituents, into buying freeholds off him at massively inflated prices - sometimes as much as 25,000 - yet the Solicitors Regulation Authority has done nothing to stop his outrageous behaviour.'

He said homeowners 'should not have to live in fear of being ripped off by crooked lawyers and asked the Government to hold a debate on the SRA's lack of action.

Leader of the House Sir Alan Campbell described the case as 'concerning', adding: 'I am sure the whole House will join me in condemning the behaviour my hon. Friend describes.

The Minister for Courts and Legal Services is writing to [the SRA] to seek an update and assurance about what action is being taken or what action it intends to take.'

Milne was first referred to the SRA in December 2023 after an excoriating judgement from His Honour Judge Keyser KC at Wrexham County Court, who found against him.

The judge said of him: 'I do not consider him to be an honest or credible man. His counter-notice, which I have discussed at some length, is redolent of bad faith.

'For his own ends, he is willing to resort to intimidatory and threatening language, advancing allegations that he cannot possibly believe to be justified.'

Later he added: ' I shall refer this judgment to the Solicitors Regulation Authority for consideration and, if appropriate, investigation.'

Mr Milne was contacted by the Daily Mail.
Jewellery has always been a powerful symbol of royal authority, part of a historical and cultural narrative, that helps situate its individual members into the arc of history.

So it has proved with the former Kate Middleton and her rise from ingenue princess to future Queen.

Her 16-year-tenure as a member of Britains royal family has quite literally been told with jewels, as each passing year has seen her don ever more important and spectacular heirlooms  reserved only for those at the centre of royal succession.

A princess-in-training was no doubt the ethos behind her very first appearance in one of the Queens jewellery treasures.

For her transformation from Miss Middleton to Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge on 29 April 2011, the exquisite but noticeably petite Cartier halo tiara was deemed by the institution as the one most suited for what everyone knew would be a long jewellery wearing career.

Created in 1936 by the legendary French jewellery, the piece was the perfect size for a younger princess  and though gifted to Queen Elizabeth II for her eighteenth birthday in 1944 it became a trademark piece for both Princess Margaret and Princess Anne in their pre-marital days.

For a girl just beginning her royal path, the tiara, which Kate has never worn again, was the ideal beginning.

The exquisite but noticeably petite Cartier halo tiara was deemed by the institution as the one most suited for what everyone knew would be a long jewellery wearing career

The Cartier Halo tiara became a trademark piece for both Princess Margaretand Princess Anne in their pre-marital days

It took more than a year and a half for Kate to reappear in a second tiara. Arriving at the Annual Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace in November 2013, it was once more to the legacy of a starter princess that she turned  opting for the Lotus Flower Tiara  a piece that had (again!) been created for the Queen Mother but most often associated with Princess Margaret in her pre-marital life.

While the Cartier Halo Tiara had struggled to appear visible atop Kates veiled head, the Lotus Flower was unmistakable, sitting prominently atop her flowing brown locks  its diamond arches topped with pearls  a confident statement that yet again the still Duchess of Cambridge should be placed, at least in jewellery terms, in direct succession to the familys most important royal predecessors.

Yet when she reappeared in the tiara two years later at state banquet for President Xi of China, its resurrection was entirely overshadowed when pictures revealed that on her wrist sat one of the most important and most personal jewels in Queen Elizabeth IIs collection.

The platinum and diamond bracelet, made by Philip Antrobus in 1947, had been the then Prince Philip of Greeces engagement gift to his future wife.

Made from a tiara that had once belonged to his mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg which she had received from her uncle Tsar Nicholas II of Russia  the piece had only ever been worn by Elizabeth.

Its emergence on Kate was a coup of the first order, and a sign that she had the unequivocal endorsement of the Queen. That she was wearing on the opposite arm a choker turned bracelet that had once belonged to Queen Mary was just icing on a jewel-laden cake.

In the years since, a succession of pieces have emerged from the royal vaults to be worn again with splendour by the Duchess of Cambridge turned Princess of Wales.

In 2014 the Cartier made Nizam of Hyderabad Necklace, a wedding present to Queen Elizabeth II, and valued at around $85 million, accessorized her midnight blue Jenny Packham gown at the National Portrait Gallery.

Kate's Lotus Flower tiara was overshadowed by the platinum and diamond bracelet, made by Philip Antrobus in 1947

In 2014 the Cartier made Nizam of Hyderabad Necklace, a wedding present to Queen Elizabeth II, and valued at around $85 million, accessorized her midnight blue Jenny Packham gown

In 2015, the Cambridge Lovers Knot tiara, a piece made famous by Princess Diana emerged  a clear sign that she, from a jewellery perspective, was the heir to at least this aspect of her mother-in-laws legacy.

In 2017 she resurrected for use a diamond and ruby floral necklace made by Boucheron and part of the legendary Greville Collection which was inherited by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.

A wedding gift to the then Princess Elizabeth, it had disappeared from the Queens jewel rotation and dazzled on the low neckline of her pink lace-covered Marchesa gown as Kate played her role in state banquet given for the King and Queen of Spain.

A year later she delved even deeper into royal history when she wore for the first time not only the Royal Family Order of Queen Elizabeth II (a bejewelled gift from the sovereign in honour of service) but Queen Alexandra Wedding Necklace, a festooned-style necklace complete with eight sumptuous pearls connected by diamonds.

A favourite of the Queen Mother it had been gifted to the then Princess Alexandra of Denmark when she arrived in England to marry Britains future King Edward VII. Paired perfectly with the Cambridge Lovers Knot tiara, its appearance was a forceful reminder that Kate was now positioned in direct succession to the familys most important female matriarchs.

Unlike her mother-in-law whose royal career took place when both the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret were both making the most of the royal jewellery collection, Kate has acceded to her role as second lady of the land when the playing field is far sparser.

Shimmering in a bespoke Jenny Packham sequined gown complete with asymmetric neckline and a dramatic floor-length sheer cape, Kate crowned her look with one of the treasures of the royal jewel collection: the Oriental Circlet Tiara.

Catherine wore the Queen Alexandra Wedding Necklace, a festooned-style necklace complete with eight sumptuous pearls connected by diamonds, at a State Banquet in 2018

Kate crowned her incredible look with one of the treasures of the royal jewel collection: the Oriental Circlet Tiara which was made for Queen Victoria in 1853 by Garrard

The headpiece containing 2,678 diamonds was made for Queen Victoria in 1853 by Garrard for the princely sum of 2,200.

But it was Victorias German-born husband Prince Albert who took the lead on the design front creating a sumptuous headpiece which looked to an India-inspired design of lotus flowers and Mughal arches for its motifs.

The Germanic origins of the tiaras inception was a canny diplomatic nod to the evenings guest of honour.

Princess Anne, the Duchess of Edinburgh and the Duchess of Gloucester all rely on their own reserves all of which have been built up personally.

For Kate, who will one day come into possession of all the royal heirlooms on offer, her gradual induction has been, like her carefully choreographed public life, has been a slow but steady evolution designed to build her up in the eyes of both public and palace as the woman who will one day sit beside her husband on the throne.

We are on the cusp of a new royal era, one that will be without doubt be led by a future Queen Catherine.
An off-the-grid explorer has spotted a mysterious UFO-shaped aircraft flying over the top secret US military base Area 51.

Anders Otteson, a self-described backpacker and videographer, was documenting his trip to the desert surrounding the infamous Nevada facility on January 14 when the unidentified craft was seen flying overhead at around 3am local time (6am ET).

Otteson had already seen what appeared to be a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber flying over Area 51 two hours earlier and noted that this craft was shaped more like an 'equilateral triangle,' which UFO researchers have called the 'Dorito.'

Moreover, a scanner monitoring Area 51's unencrypted radio frequencies picked up a bizarre transmission full of code words themed around beer, food, and snacks instead of standard military jargon.

Otteson noted that this isn't the first time the mystery aircraft has been seen flying over the US.

Twice in 2014, photographers caught the same Dorito-shaped object on camera, revealing that the craft looked nothing like the US military's current stealth bomber planes or known drones.

Area 51 has been involved in the development and testing of revolutionary and experimental aircraft for decades, including the F-117 Nighthawk, America's first stealth bomber.

The explorer claimed that the latest sighting of the Dorito adds to recent reports of triangle-shaped objects seen over Southern California and Death Valley, near the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) where Area 51 sits.

Anders Otteson, a Youtuber and explorer, captured video of a triangle-shaped aircraft flying over Area 51's restricted airspace

Area 51, an area of more than 2.9 million acres, is located at the Nevada Test and Training Range

On his Uncanny Expeditions YouTube channel, Otteson said he was camping in the Tikaboo Valley of the Nevada desert, on public land near Groom Lake Road, which overlooks Area 51's restricted airspace and front gate area when the Dorito appeared.

Around 1am local time, he spotted and filmed what appeared to be the B-2 flying overhead from the northwest, which had allegedly originated from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri.

Hours later, Otteson observed the second aircraft performing a low flyover from the northwest, passing directly over his position before continuing onward.

The Dorito triangle's flight path was consistent with a low-altitude pass over the area like other military aircraft, though the explorer wasn't able to determine its exact heading.

Although the B-2 has a similar V-wing design, the Dorito had a drastically different body, with a noticeably flatter trailing edge, no wings, or jagged rear section like the stealth bomber.

'Are we looking at a classified test flight or run-of-the-mill training sortie?' Otteson said. 'I certainly think we have something interesting here.'

The mystery sighting over Area 51 played out very much like the Dorito sightings in 2014; one captured by photographer Jeff Templin in Wichita, Kansas and another by photographer Steve Douglas in Amarillo, Texas.

Both showed similar unidentified triangle-shaped aircraft that looked unlike known Air Force planes or drones. The main difference was this new incident took place over a base infamously tied to UFO sightings since the 1950s.

US Air Force F-117 stealth bombers (Pictured) were part of the top-secret projects being worked on at NTTR, which is home to Area 51

The US Air Force strictly enforces the perimeter around Area 51, a classified military facility linked to UFO sightings for decades

As for the strange radio code picked up on fellow UFO researcher Joerg Arnu's scanner, military personnel at Area 51 were heard using words such as 'pretzel snack,' 'corona pretzel snacks zero with cheese,' 'profile Michelob,' 'Imperial with garlic,' and 'fridge hydrate' to mask what they were saying.

While the familiar flight path of the Dorito and the military code words point to the craft being a manmade aircraft, triangle-shaped UFOs have been a frequent sighting over the US for decades.

According to the National UFO Reporting Center (NUFORC), there have been 10 UFO sightings throughout the US in January that mention a triangle-shaped object flying overhead.

Unlike the Dorito over Area 51 hover, the UFOs has bright or flashing lights that could be seen clearly by witnesses on the ground.

Overall, there have been 85 triangle-shaped UFO reports since November 2025 throughout the world, including in the UK, Canada, Germany, and Brazil.
The US and China have signed a deal that gives control of TikTok's US operation to a majority American-owned joint venture comprised of investors backed by Trump.

TikTok announced the deal on Thursday, just one day before the deadline set by Trump for the app's US assets to be sold off by its Chinese parent company ByteDance.

'The majority American owned Joint Venture will operate under defined safeguards that protect national security through comprehensive data protections, algorithm security, content moderation, and software assurances for U.S. users,' the announcement stated.

The joint venture, called TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, came in response to a law passed by former President Joe Biden.

The law threatened to ban TikTok in the US if ByteDance did not sell TikTok's operations in the country, which is the app's biggest market.

Silver Lake, Oracle and United Arab Emirates investment firm MGX each hold a 15 percent stake in the joint venture.

Oracle's co-founder and executive chair, Larry Ellison, is a longtime Trump ally. The president said last year that Ellison should purchase TikTok.

Other investors include Dell Family Office, affiliates of Susquehanna International Group and General Atlantic, and several other investment firms.

The US and China have signed a deal that gives control of TikTok's US operation to a majority American-owned joint venture comprised of investors backed by Trump

Oracle holds a 15 percent stake in the joint venture. The company's co-founder and executive chair, Larry Ellison (pictured), is a longtime Trump ally

ByteDance retains a 19.9 percent stake, which is just below the 20 percent threshold stipulated in the law passed by Biden.

The joint venture will have authority over trust and safety policies, as well as content moderation for US users. It also plans to retrain TikTok's algorithm on US user data, which will be stored and overseen by Oracle's cloud computing operation.

American users' data will be subject to data privacy and security review by third-party cybersecurity experts.

TikTok's global entities, which are still owned by ByteDance, will continue to manage international product integration and commercial activities, including e-commerce and advertising.

TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC will be governed by a seven-member, majority-American board including TikTok CEO Shou Chew and executives from major investment firms.

TikTok executive Adam Presser, who previously led the company's efforts to secure Americans user data in the US, was appointed CEO of the new entity.

Will Farrell, who led privacy and security under Presser's efforts, was appointed as chief security officer.

The requirement to create the joint venture came after bipartisan fears that China could use TikTok to mine Americans' data or exert influence through its algorithm.

The creation of the new joint venture came as a result of bipartisan fears that China could use TikTok to mine Americans' data or exert influence through its algorithm

TikTok executive Adam Presser (pictured), who previously led the company's efforts to secure Americans user data in the US, was appointed CEO of the new joint venture

Both Trump and Biden warned of national security concerns and pushed for a nationwide ban at different points.

Such a ban almost took effect about a year ago, when the original deadline for Biden's bill - which was upheld by the Supreme Court - came to pass.

But Trump, crediting the app for his appeal with young voters, delayed enforcement four times through successive executive orders, most recently extending the deadline to January 22.

Trump said in September that a new venture had been agreed with China and would meet the law's requirements.

At the time, he had already mentioned that Ellison would play a major role in the arrangement.

Ellison has returned to the spotlight through his dealings with Trump, who has brought his old friend into major AI partnerships with OpenAI.

Ellison has also financed his son David's recent takeover of Paramount and bidding war with Netflix for Warner Bros.
From '6,7' to 'vibecoding', new slang words and phrases seem to pop up on an almost daily basis.

But it's time to wind the clock back, as a 327yearold dictionary reveals the slang used in London in the 17th century.

The glossary of terms, titled the 'New Dictionary Of The Terms... Of The Canting Crew' was published in 1699 to help stop naive visitors to London from getting mugged or even killed.

Author B.E Gent documented hundreds of slang words that street criminals used to communicate with.

The vast majority of the terms have long gone out of use  including 'fuddlecups', 'catchfart' and 'fat cull'.

However, others  such as 'banter', 'mumble' and 'rabble'  have stood the test of time and are probably familiar to many people.

So, do you know your 'muck' from your 'baggage'?

Scroll down to test your knowledge of 17th century London slang.

It's time to wind the clock back, as a 327yearold dictionary reveals the slang used in London in the 17th century

The rare copy of the dictionary is going up for sale on January 28 at Dominic Winter Auctioneers of Cirencester, where it's expected to fetch between 3,000 and 4,000.

A spokesperson for the auction house said: 'This is a first edition of the first comprehensive dictionary of slang, and a rich source for the colourful language of England's low life and underworld.

'This dictionary is perhaps the most important dictionary of slang ever printed, since it had such an influence on later compilations.

'Little is known of the author, B.E. Gent, but from his dictionary one gathers that he was an antiquary.

'Some of his words bear no relation to slang or cant, but merely gratify his whim for his curiosities.

'It is an interesting piece on British social history.'

The cover of the dictionary states that it was 'useful for all sorts of people, especially foreigners, to secure their money and preserve their lives'.

Meanwhile, the inside is filled with hundreds of unusual slang words and phrases, alongside their definitions.

The dictionary explains that an 'Adamtiler' is a pickpocket's camerade, while a 'baggage' is a whore. While it sounds rather rude, 'cacklingfarts' are merely eggs, while a 'fat cull' is a rich man

17th century London slang Adamtiler : pickpocket's camerade Baggage : a whore Butter : to double or triple a bet Cacklingfarts : eggs Catchfart: a footboy Fatcull : a rich man Fuddlecup : a drunkard Hedgebird : a scoundrel Jenny : a shoplifting instument Muck : money Muddled : drunk Simkin : a fool Vampers : stockings Woolycrown : a fool Yellow : jealous Advertisement

The dictionary explains that an 'Adamtiler' is a pickpocket's camerade, while a 'baggage' is a whore.

While it sounds rather rude, 'cacklingfarts' are merely eggs, while a 'fat cull' is a rich man.

Further through the dictionary, we learn that a 'jenny' is an instrument used by shoplifters.

'An instrument used to life up a grate and whip anything our of a shopwindow,' the listing explains.

Meanwhile, one of the most comical phrases in the book reads: 'We'll go and suck our faces, but if they toute us, we'll take rattle and brush.'

The author explains that this means: 'Let's go to drink and be merry, but if we be smelt by the people of the house, we must scower off.'

The news comes shortly after experts from language learning app Preply discovered a spike in onceforgotten slang.

This includes 'lass', which has surged in popularity by 211 per cent, as well as 'owt' and 'scran'.

'Regional slang such as "gaff", "owt" or "scran" is often specific to certain regions, holding a unique cultural significance and sense of identity to those who use them,' explained Anna Pyshna, a spokesperson for Preply.

'While many of these terms were traditionally confined to local, regional communities, they are now starting to spread wider into everyday conversations.

'As these phrases gain popularity, theyre becoming a fundamental part of modern conversation, embracing the diversity of British regional dialects.'
It's the question that millions of Britons are desperate to know the answer to.

Who will win the final of The Traitors tonight?

Many viewers are rooting for Rachel and Stephen  the two remaining Traitors  who have largely managed to stay under the radar up until this point.

However, others are convinced that the Faithfuls (James, Jade, Jack and Faraaz) have what it takes to rat them out and take home the prize.

Now, Dr Sam Brzezicki, a mathematician at Imperial College London, has used game theory to predict the likely champion.

And according to his analysis, it's not looking good for the Traitors.

'My prediction is that Jack and Faraaz are going to figure it out,' he explained.

'They're smart guys. But let's see what happens.'

Dr Sam Brzezicki, a mathematician at Imperial College London, has used game theory to predict the likely champion

Dr Brzezicki's analysis is based on game theory  a branch of mathematics often used for elections and business negotiations.

Game theory relies on spotting irrational play, which indicates players are more likely to leave.

Due to the suspicions on them throughout the series, Dr Brzezicki suggests that Rachel, James and Jade are 'very likely to all go'.

That will leave Stephen, Jack, and Faraaz as the final three.

However, Stephen has a history of irrational play, which Jack and Faraaz will likely then pick up on, according to Dr Brzezicki.

'Fiona defended him and him her, and she was a Traitor,' he explained.

'And although he threw suspicion on Rachel yesterday, he voted with her again  they have voted identically since mid game.'

Stephen's real downfall was not voting for Rachel during last night's roundtable, the mathematician adds.

Many viewers are rooting for Rachel and Stephen  the two remaining Traitors  who have largely managed to stay under the radar up until this point. However, others are convinced that the Faithfuls (James, Jade, Jack and Faraaz) have what it takes to rat them out and take home the prize

Who is favourite to win? The latest bookies' odds Stephen: 2/9 Faraaz: 6/1 Jack: 13/2 Rachel: 9/1 James: 10/1 Jade: 12/1 Advertisement

'Stephen should have cut off Rachel and voted her out,' Dr Brzezicki explained.

'Even if she survives, she will go next and Stephen will have more attention drawn to him for this.

'Cutting her off masks his identity as a Traitor further.

'In the scenario where he wins, he also wants to win alone so he gets all the prize money.

'This was the time to cut her out of the picture.'

Dr Brzezicki's prediction comes shortly after scientists revealed why the Faithfuls find it so hard to spot who's lying  and say it's all down to their faces.

A study from the School of Psychology at the University of Aberdeen found when people encounter groups, they judge their trustworthiness by combining their facial features into one 'composite face', which researchers say can have serious implications for how they perceive them.

Postgraduate student Fiammetta Marini explained: 'We know that we subconsciously judge whether an individual is trustworthy based on facial characteristics.

'For example, high eyebrows that seem surprisedlooking in their shape, along with a Ushaped mouth, are usually perceived as trustworthy.

'On the other hand, eyes close together or lower eyebrows are often perceived as untrustworthy.'

Thankfully, there's not long to wait to find out if Dr Brzezicki's prediction is correct.

The Traitors final will air on BBC One tonight at 20:30.
Travelers across the US have been warned of mass flight cancellations ahead of Winter Storm Fern.

AccuWeather experts said the extreme weather could paralyze travel nationwide through Monday, with an estimated 6,000 US flights likely to be canceled this weekend.

The storm, expected to begin today and last through Monday, is forecast to drop a foot or more of snow and ice from Texas to the Northeast.

American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit and United Airlines are waiving change and cancellation fees to rebook at airports included in the path of the 2,000-mile storm.

Delta said there will be cancellations at some airports in North Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee to ensure the safety of customers and staff, and that travelers will be automatically rebooked onto the next best itinerary.

American Airlines gave a travel alert covering 34 airports and warned passengers to expect delays and cancellations through the weekend.

JetBlue issued a waiver for travel between Saturday and Monday, including key cities such as Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Providence.

Southwest also warned that rebooking may take longer due to the scale of disruption and that passengers should expect delays as the airline works to secure new itineraries.

More than 1,600 flights scheduled for Saturday have already been scrapped as the storm moved across the US, with Texas's Dallas-Fort Worth and Dallas Love Field hit the hardest.

Major US airlines are warning travelers to prepare for mass flight cancellations and delays (stock)

The storm is set to start on Friday and linger into Monday, covering a large swath of the US

Travel booking app Hopper estimates that upward of 15,000 flights could be delayed due to the storm.

The National Weather Service has warned that the mix of freezing rain, sleet and snow could make travel dangerous and lead to power outages and tree damage in parts of the Southeast, while heavier snow is expected further north.

The winter storm is expected to bring cold temperatures not seen since 2021, according to AccuWeather.

Jonathan Porter, AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist, told Newsweek: 'Air travel will likely be a nightmare this weekend into early next week.

'Travel chaos may ensue, making it very challenging for air passengers to make their way to their destinations, perhaps for days on end, as the US air system is impacted by the major storm and then begins the slow recovery process.'

The Dallas area was the worst hit area for travel disruption, with 900 cancellations at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and 139 at Dallas Love Field, each representing roughly half of the day's departures.

JetBlue said it will waive change and cancellation fees, as well as fare differences, for customers traveling Saturday through Monday, to or from Boston, Hartford, Long Island/Islip, Manchester, New York JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Providence, Westchester County, and Worcester.

Customers may rebook online through the 'manage trips' section of jetblue.com for travel through Saturday, January 31, as long as changes are made before the departure time of the originally scheduled flight.

Airlines have already scrapped more than 1,300 flights scheduled for Saturday as the storm moved across the US, bringing heavy snow, sleet and plunging temperatures (STOCK)

Southwest's waiver covers passengers traveling to, from, or through impacted cities from Friday through Monday, allowing rebooking or standby travel within 14 days of the original travel date without paying a change in fare.

The airline said customers whose flights are canceled or significantly delayed may be eligible for a refund for the unused ticket, even if the ticket was non-refundable, and for optional travel charges such as early check-in or upgraded boarding.

Southwest customers who booked via its website or the mobile app may reschedule online, while vacation package travelers must call Southwest's dedicated Getaways line.

Delta's travel waivers and American's winter storm alert span a wide swath of the country, covering more than 70 airports from the central US to the Northeast.

In the Southeast and southern Plains, the affected cities include Atlanta, Charlotte, Nashville, Memphis, Birmingham, Huntsville, Knoxville and Raleigh/Durham, as well as major Texas hubs such as Dallas/Fort Worth, Dallas Love Field, Austin, Houston Intercontinental, Houston Hobby, San Antonio and Lubbock.

The list also reaches into Louisiana and Arkansas with airports in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Monroe, Shreveport, Little Rock and Northwest Arkansas/Bentonville, and extends through Oklahoma and Kansas with Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Wichita.

In the Midwest and Ohio Valley, airports affected include Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Detroit, Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, Louisville, Lexington and St Louis, along with Kansas City.

The Northeast and Mid-Atlantic are also in the storm's crosshairs, with airports from Boston, New York JFK, LaGuardia and Newark to Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington Reagan, Washington Dulles and Richmond, as well as regional airports in Albany, Allentown, Bangor, Binghamton, Burlington, Hartford, Harrisburg, Ithaca, Rochester, Syracuse, Providence, Portland (Maine), Worcester and White Plains.

Additional airports covered under the warnings include Charleston, South Carolina; Charleston, West Virginia; Columbia, South Carolina; Greensboro/High Point; Greenville/Spartanburg; Asheville; Myrtle Beach; Jacksonville, North Carolina; Wilmington, North Carolina; Charlottesville; Roanoke; Norfolk; and the Tri-Cities region of Tennessee.

The advisories also include several smaller Midwest and southern airports such as Fayetteville, Arkansas; Fayetteville, North Carolina; Columbus, Georgia; Columbus, Mississippi; Jackson, Mississippi; Montgomery, Alabama; and Springfield/Branson, Missouri, plus cross-border coverage at Montreal and Toronto in Canada.

Meteorologists predict much of the US will see over a foot of snow

Southwest adds additional airports not previously listed in other airlines' alerts, including Amarillo, Buffalo, Kansas City, Little Rock, Midland/Odessa, Myrtle Beach, Rochester, San Antonio, St Louis, and Wichita, among others, all of which fall under the airline's waiver from Friday through Monday.

Delta further announced that it is shifting staffing resources to support operations at key airports, sending experts from cold-weather hubs to assist deicing and baggage teams in cities including Atlanta, Birmingham, Huntsville, Knoxville and Nashville.

The airline also noted that passengers who experience significant delays may be eligible for refunds under certain conditions, including delays of three hours or more on domestic itineraries.

American reiterated that it will waive change fees for affected flights and advised travelers to check their flight status and prepare for significant operational impacts as the storm moves through the country.

The potential for disruptions is particularly concerning because the storm is expected to hit some of the country's busiest travel corridors at a time when many passengers are planning weekend travel.

Experts said freezing rain and ice can be especially disruptive because they can quickly coat aircraft and runways, forcing airlines to delay departures while crews deice planes and clear surfaces.

Travelers are being urged to monitor their flights and prepare for the possibility of extended delays or cancellations.
Paris Hilton heads to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. to protest about the growing issue of AI deepfakes, over two decades after her sex tape was leaked online.

The 44-year-old showed that she backed the DEFIANCE Act (Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits Act) on Thursday, alongside lawmakers, advocates, and other survivors on Capitol Hill, which included politicians Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Laurel Lee.

The bipartisan bill would allow victims of AI deepfakes to sue individuals who produced and shared the nonconsensual content.

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO

Seeking legislative change: Paris Hilton was in Washington, D.C. on Thursday to protest the growing issue of AI deepfakes

Political backing: Hilton backed the DEFIANCE Act alongside lawmakers Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Laurel Lee

Hilton spoke about her own experience with online sexual abuse as she recalled the impact of her sex tape leak in 2004.

The 1 Night In Paris tape, filmed in 2001, featured a then-19-year-old Hilton and her then-boyfriend Rick Salomon, who later released it without her consent.

At the press conference, Hilton said: 'When I was 19 years old, a private intimate video of me was shared with the world without my consent.'

She then likened her experience as well as the experiences of other survivors of deepfakes and revenge porn to 'abuse', when she said: 'People called it a scandal. It wasn't. It was abuse.'

Hilton added: 'They called me names, they laughed, and made me the punch line.

'They sold my pain for clicks, and then they told me to be quiet, to move on, to even be grateful for the attention.

'This isn't about just technology. It's about power. It's about someone using someone's likeness to humiliate, silence, and strip them of their dignity.'

Another survivor, Angie Katsanevas of The Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City, also advocated for the bill and testified before Congress as an invited witness on the same day Hilton took a stand on Capitol Hill.

Socialite: The star hosted a lavish premiere for her new documentary Infinite Icon: A Visual Memoir in LA on Tuesday

The DEFIANCE Act followed the passage of another deepfake bill last year, the TAKE IT DOWN Act, which made it a federal crime to publish nonconsensual, sexually explicit deepfakes.

The deepfakes bill signed into law last year required platforms to remove child sexual abuse material and non-consensual intimate images within 48 hours of being notified by the victim.

The DEFIANCE Act would go beyond current law and address the production, distribution, and solicitation of non-consensual sexual imagery, and gave individuals the right to sue.

Explanation: The bipartisan bill would allow victims of AI deepfakes to sue individuals who produced and shared nonconsensual content

Her story: Hilton told a press conference that she was aged 19 when 'a private intimate video' of her 'was shared with the world' without her consent

Getting personal: Hilton likened her experience as 'abuse' (seen with Ocasio-Cortez)

Ocasio-Cortez explained: 'TAKE IT DOWN gave us removal and DEFIANCE will give us recourse and restitution.'

The politician wrote on X that 'people don't recognize enough how effective Paris Hilton is in her advocacy', and added that outside of her public support, the socialite 'also brings a fierce behind-the-scenes operation with her'.

Congressman Mike Lawler thanked Hilton for using her 'voice to stand up for victims', and added that he looked 'forward to continuing this important work together'.

Hilton had previously described the leaking of her infamous sex tape as one of the 'most painful' experiences she had ever gone through, and claimed she felt pressured into making it with Salomon.

Defiant: Hilton said she hoped to make a change and ensure nobody else went through the same as she did when she advocated for the bill and shared her story as a survivor

During a recent appearance on the On Purpose With Jay Shetty podcast, Hilton spoke about how painful it was 'to trust someone so much and then to be violated like that' and then to witness 'the entire world watching, laughing and talking about it'.

She told Shetty: 'I was a child, and I was in love and trusted someone.'

Hilton said she believed at the time that the tape was something she 'thought no one would ever see'.

By talking about the experience now, as well as advocating for the bill, she said she hoped she could help make sure that the same thing never happened to anyone else.

TV star: Angie Katsanevas, formerly of The Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City star, urged passage of the bipartisan American Franchise Act on Thursday

Katsanevas, who's the founder of hair salon brand Lunatic Fringe, was the first of the Housewives cast in over 15 years to testify before Congress as an invited witness.

During the hearing, she recalled the viral, 'You do French Fries, I do franchise' statement she made on the show, which went viral and ultimately led her to Capitol Hill on Thursday.

Katsanevas spoke about the empowering nature of the franchise business model, and noted that she and her husband Shawn Trujillo had been able to make a lasting impact on their employees and the greater community.

She noted that she'd seen people grow 'within our teams that have been loyal to us', and those that 'had the skill set to become a salon owner', and how the couple were able to 'provide them the blueprint to do that, and they could stay within our family and ... grow within the company'.

She testified on behalf of the International Franchise Association before the House Small Business Committee, and urged passage of the bipartisan American Franchise Act.

A bill sponsored by 70 House members, which included 58 Republicans and 12 Democrats, to codify the joint employer standard to provide clarity to both franchisors and franchisees, and so prevent the persistent whiplash on business owners of the past decade.
As U.S. troops carry out high-stakes missions from Venezuela to the Middle East, the Pentagon has waged an unlikely new battle at home: the war on sex toys.

In its latest culture-war skirmish, the Daily Mail can reveal military officials recently blocked the delivery of sex toys to troops overseas, igniting ridicule and debate over how far the military should police private life.

First came prohibitions on piercings and nail polish for male military members. Then followed a ban on books with LGBTQ+ and anti-discrimination themes in military libraries.

Strict: Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is facing ridicule after his Navy has blocked sex toys mailed to U.S. troops overseas in the name of discipline and cultural sensitivity

Then Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sniped at overweight troops, those with religious beards, and chaplains embracing what he deems as new-age beliefs.

Now the Department of War, as Hegseth has renamed the Defense Department, is taking aim at a new target - adult toys.

Hegseth's Navy reportedly sent two curt letters to an adult emporium in Toronto, slamming it for fulfilling an order to American personnel on a U.S. base in Bahrain.

The items in question: a bullet vibrator and a butt plug.

One letter sent from the base - with the subject line: 'Adult item identified during X-ray mail screening' - warned that 'Pornographic materials or devices are not allowed into the Kingdom of Bahrain.'

Another letter categorized the items as 'posing an immediate danger to life or limb or an immediate and substantial danger to property.'

Explicit: Adult pleasure devices, like vibrators and butt plugs, have long been used by deployed troops as stress relief during long and isolating overseas postings

The Pentagon has declined to comment on the letters, sent over the summer, which the Navy framed as acts of cultural sensitivity meant to avoid offending the conservative Muslim majority in the Persian Gulf island kingdom.

But official customs lists published by Bahrain's government don't explicitly list sex toys as forbidden, although they do prohibit the sale and importation of 'obscene or immoral materials' that  by either Bahraini or Hegseth's standards  could apply to personal pleasure devices.

A Navy instructional publication for trainees explicitly states that 'possession of adult sex toys in the barracks is prohibited'.

The letters have triggered a host of playful social media posts, including sex-toy war stories about which dildos, penis pumps, and anal beads current and former U.S. service members have been using to pleasure themselves on overseas bases.

Troops deployed to Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf countries face strict social restrictions and limited interaction with locals.

One of the Daily Mail's Pentagon sources notes that maintaining mental health among troops has been a challenge in the region, pointing most notoriously to the 2018 suicide of Vice Admiral Scott Stearney, the commander of the US Naval Forces Central Command and the Fifth Fleet based on Bahrain.

Warned: Grace Bennett, co-owner of Canadian sex toy business Bonjibon, claims the US Navy sent her a letter stating that 'pornographic materials or devices' are not allowed in Bahrain after intercepting a vibrator and butt plug during mail screening

Meanwhile, items considered obscene or pornographic to some are seen by others as healthy self-care essentials, especially for troops stationed in socially isolating regions.

Service members on long deployments on remote bases and in ships and submarines have long been known to bring sex toys for pleasure and stress relief when away from their partners.

One Navy chaplain said: 'My God, you'd never take toothbrushes or combs away from sailors, so why take away their dildos?

'Some things are basic necessities when it comes to morale.'

Rebecca Karpinski is the interim president and CEO of the American Sexual Health Association, a group promoting sexuality as 'a normal, healthy and positive aspect of human life'.

As part of its work, it pushes for stigma-free access to information, services, and products that keep Americans sexually healthy.

Overseas: General views of the US Naval base in Bahrain, where adult pleasure devices mailed to American troops were intercepted and returned over 'cultural sensitivity' concerns

Vibrators and butt plugs, in her view, are neither obscene nor pornographic.

She said: 'Obviously, I believe in respecting other countries' laws,' she said.

'But what's uncomfortable for me is when our own military makes it difficult for people who are serving to live their whole and complete lives.

'Sexuality is normal and healthy, and that shouldn't end when you enlist.'

Karpinsky sees limiting access to sex toys as akin to other sexuality-related restrictions imposed by Hegseth's military, including decreasing the availability of abortion and certain contraceptives.

'This feels like an expansion of those restrictions even further,' she told us. 'Our troops should have full access to rights that the rest of us  the people they're fighting for  are free to enjoy.'

Quick thinking: Bonjibon, which fulfilled the sex toy order, has turned the Pentagon's reprimand into a viral marketing moment

Bonjibon, the Toronto-based business whose products were shipped to Bahrain, has in the meantime parlayed the Pentagon's wrist-slapping into a marketing opportunity.

The company bills itself as 'an every-person sexual wellness shop and online magazine' that offers 'pleasure, for every body'.

Grace Bennett, co-owner of the company, posted an Instagram reel of herself framing one of the Navy's letters in a pink sequined frame to the tune of 'This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)' by Natalie Cole.

Her post snagged 144,572 likes, largely among Canadians who lately love to hate anything related to the Trump administration.

The president famously has mused that Canada could become the 51st US state, and for the past several months has been using economic force  tariffs and trade policies  to strong-arm that country.

Bennett's proud act of defiance prompted one follower to write: 'How do I nominate you for the Order of Canada?'

Target: Hegseth has already come under fire for allegedly trying to impose a narrow brand of Christian nationalism within the military

She told CTV News Toronto that the increased exposure following her run-in with the US military is much needed during a particularly tough time for her company.

Trump's tariffs and scrapping of the de minimis exemption  which allowed people one duty-free daily shipment worth less than $800  have caused Bonjibon's products to be held up at the border or shipped back to its warehouse, she said.

She wondered why the Navy took aim at her business in Canada rather than the service member who ordered the vibrator and butt plug in the first place.

She said: 'This sounds like a you problem.'

Meanwhile, pundits are having a field day blaming Hegseth for the butt plug story, with one Reddit poster writing: 'I suddenly feel an urge to order one and ship it to him.'

Meanwhile, Vinay Menon, a columnist for the Toronto Star, proposed a national Canada-wide effort 'in which our sex shops flood every U.S. base with free bedroom toys to gum up the foxholes'.
If you're looking for things to do around Britain, there are endless options: from historic museums to iconic landmarks, there's no shortage of tourist attractions to pick.

Plenty of holidaymakers might select Tripadvisor as their first port of call when planning an itinerary.

With ratings and reviews of the best spots to visit, it's a handy tool to use.

But Tripadvisor's top-rated attractions are not limited to the well-known, tried-and-tested tourist hotspots Britain is known for - such as the London Eye and Big Ben.

The site features many far more bizarre options that might surprise you.

Some are even hugely popular, racking up masses of positive comments and high ratings.

Here's our rundown of Britain's most bizarre top-rated attractions on Tripadvisor...

Waterfall that turns objects to stone

Mother Shipton's cave petrifying well in Knaresborough is an intriguing site

Mother Shipton's in Knaresborough is England's oldest visitor attraction, having been open since 1630.

For any fans of prophets and spirituality, it's truly fascinating - Mother Shipton's prophecies supposedly predicted the defeat of the Spanish Armada and the Great Fire of London.

This cave, her birthplace, also houses the Petrifying Well, a geological phenomenon with a sort of cascading waterfall that turns objects to stone.

It's hugely popular on Tripadvisor, with a rating of 3.9 and many rave reviews.

One wrote: 'If I could give more than five stars I would', while others praised the 'enchanting and magical place steeped in history and wonder.'

A Sainsbury's car park

The Bude tunnel which links a Sainsbury's store in Bude, Cornwall

The perspex supermarket tunnel has become one of best reviewed tourist attractions in the UK

In one popular Cornish town, there's an unlikely attraction drawing in the crowds.

Bude - known for its rugged coastline, award-winning pies and historic castle - has a supermarket tunnel that has emerged as the town's top-rated attraction on Tripadvisor, with an average rating of 4.7 stars.

The must-see tourist spot is a covered walkway that provides shelter for shoppers heading to Sainsbury's car park from Crooklets Road.

Hundreds of tongue-in-cheek reviews have flooded in on the travel platform over the years, with an overwhelming 1,367 out of 1,554 total reviews rating the tunnel 'Excellent'.

One person ranked it the 'eighth wonder of the world,' while one couple even got engaged under the plastic walkway.

A big rusty pole

A big rusty pole in the UK countryside has become a hotspot tourist sensation

Last year, a big rusty pole become a surprising tourist attraction.

The 19ft pole is located on Littledean Hill Road in Cinderford, Gloucestershire - and became a smash hit, Gloucestershire Live reported.

One fan wrote: 'Easier to find than the Loch Ness monster and imbued with similar ancient myth. The solstice alignment with the distant Haresfield Beacon has been the subject of many academic studies. Parking is a nightmare.'

Another added: 'Straight and reasonably long  the best pole I've seen in years.'

Pizza Express in Woking

Pizza Express in Woking, Surrey - previously visited by Royals

Pizza Express in Woking needs little explanation.

It soared in popularity after Prince Andrew claimed to have attended a children's party here on the day he was accused of having sex with a 17-year-old.

He declared: 'On the date that's being suggested I was at home with the children... I'd taken [Princess] Beatrice to a Pizza Express in Woking for a party at I suppose sort of four or five in the afternoon.'

He added: 'I didn't sweat at the time because I had suffered what I can only describe as an adrenaline surge... I can't sweat, you see.'

Visitors were quick to make fun of the scenario, with one writing: 'I went to pizza express in Woking and ordered an extra spicy pizza. It was delicious, and I remember it exactly as it was, detail for detail. The odd thing was: I didnt sweat! Im very alike Prince Andrew, arent I!'

The narrowest house in Britain

Tourists enjoy the house in Millport on Great Cumbrae Island, Ayrshire

The narrowest house in Britain, called The Wedge, has an impressive 4.4 star rating.

It's widely considered the narrowest house in Britain, measuring just 47 inches (1.2m) at its narrowest front.

It's a quirky attraction on the island of Great Cumbrae - although it's been pointed out Keret House in Warsaw beats it as the narrowest house in the world, despite Tripadvisor's page for The Wedge.

One former resident even posted a review on Tripadvisor: 'My mum and dad owned this house when I was between the ages of nine and 14.'

They added they 'loved living there'.

A visitor wrote: 'Something to see - it's quite unbelievable how small this house looks from outside.'

Another added: 'If you blinked you'd miss it! To find it, look for the board The Wedge located along the High Street.'

A NatWest hole in the wall

The NatWest Hole, a hole in a wall near the bank in Ilkeston

The top-rated attraction in Ilkeston on Tripadvisor is the famous 'NatWest Hole', which is literally a hole in a wall near the bank.

Since December 2018, glowing write-ups of the hole in the wall outside a NatWest branch in Bath Street, Ilkeston, Derbyshire, have propelled it to the top of Tripadvisor's rankings for the town.

One review reads: 'Move over Stonehenge, step aside Eiffel Tower  Ilkeston has its own architectural marvel: The NatWest Hole.'

And now, locals have been left stunned after a metal bar was placed through the hole.

On Monday, photos posted on social media showing a bar screwed to the inside of the hole prompted hundreds of stunned comments from devotees.

But by Monday afternoon, the bar had been removed, with a NatWest spokesperson telling the BBC the hole had been restored and 'customer and community feedback is very important to us'.

A Victorian public toilet

The marble and tile sinks of these Victorian toilets are part of the appeal

The site was built in 1899 by the Rothesay Harbour Trust

The West Pier Public Convenience or Victorian Toilets is a public toilet on a pier in Rothesay on the Isle of Bute.

It opened in 1900 after building commenced in 1899, and was renovated in 1994 - and remains open today for visitors to see.

It's popular, too, with a 4.4 rating on Tripadvisor - and the marble interiors show why.

Fans described visits positively, with one saying: 'This is the most amazing gents' toilet on earth.'

Another added: 'Amazing Victorian architecture, it was like going back in time. Absolutely well worth a visit for a wee and wee look around.'
The best pub in the UK was named today as a Staffordshire tap house that has claimed the title three times.

Located nearby the River Anker, the Tamworth Tap impressed with its community spirit, charity fundraising and scenic views.

The Tudor watering hole boasts a 16th century shop front, but the character doesn't stop there. It also has a historic courtyard beer terrace where customers can sip pints while overlooking Norman Castle.

The Tamworth Tap was founded in 2017 and is spread across three floors, with many of its period features still in tact including a Georgian triple frontage and is decorated throughout with brewery memorabilia.

Campaign for Real Ale, also known as Camra, judged the pub on its atmosphere, decor, welcome, service, inclusivity, overall impression and, most importantly, quality cask beer, real cider and perry.

Camra named the Tamworth Tap as National Pub of the Year 2025. Those hoping to visit the award-winning pub will have plenty of drinks to choose from, including eight cask beers from both local brewers and across the UK, as well as ciders, gins, wines and bottled beers.

The win is record breaking as the Tamworth Tap bagged the award in both 2022 and 2023.

The prestigious honour has been around since 1988 and no pub has managed to secure the title as many times before.

Located nearby the River Anker, the Tamworth Tap impressed with its community spirit, charity fundraising and scenic views

The Tamworth Tap was founded in 2017 and is spread across three floors, with many of its period features still in tact including a Georgian triple frontage and is decorated throughout with brewery memorabilia

It's rightly proud of its honours bestowed by Camra and even has a 'CAMRA Corner' where the stairs are decorated as a display of Good Beer Guides.

What's more, it even has a complete collection of Camra's pub guidebooks.

Owners George and Louise Greenaway described how they are 'stuck for words' over the win.

Camra Pub of the Year 2025 - Regional and National Finalists East Anglia: Blackfriars Tavern, Great Yarmouth

East Central: Orange Tree, Baldock

East Midlands: Burnt Pig, Ilkeston

London: Hope Carshalton

Merseyside - Cheshire: Cricketers Arms, St Helens

North East: Station House, Durham

North West: Cumberland Inn, Alston

Northern Ireland: Dog & Duck Inn, Lisbellaw

Scotland: Volunteer Arms, Musselburgh

South Central: Bell Inn, Aldworth

South East: Royston, Broadstairs

South West: Hole in the Wall, Bodmin

Wales: Rhos yr Hafod Inn, Cross Inn

West Central: Pelican Inn, Gloucester

West Midlands: Tamworth Tap, Tamworth

Yorkshire: Beer Engine, Skipton Advertisement

'When we won the first time we believed we'd reached the pinnacle of our achievements and were absolutely astounded with our second consecutive win,' they gushed.

'To have won for an unprecedented third time is beyond our wildest dreams; we are in awe of this recognition.'

They continued: 'The pub and its people are at the centre of everything we do.

'We don't just pour pints at the Tap, we strive to give a true sense of community and give our beloved Tappers a place they like to call home, with the warmest welcome, great atmosphere and beautiful surroundings.'

The pub hosts a range of events within its community daily including craft clubs, painting nights and faith groups.

George and Louise also support various local charities through the pub such as Royal British Legion Tamworth branch, and make Christmas hampers for St Editha's Parish Church.

They added: 'Quality beer comes first, yet the passion, knowledge and friendliness of our incredible "Team Tap" is key.

'A heartfelt thanks to every single person who has been part of our journey, from day one when we opened a "pop-up" in a shop window, with a make-shift counter and two barrels of beer.

'Thank you for supporting and believing in us, for turning up to everything we do and for making the Tamworth Tap a place where people want to be.'

Owners George and Louise have also been given the town's Freedom of the Borough award for the Tamworth Tap's continued commitment to the town and community.

Andrea Briers, CAMRA Pub of the Year Coordinator congratulated the Tamworth Tap and described the win as 'history in the making'.

Join the debate Is YOUR local on the list?

The win is record breaking as the Tamworth Tap bagged the award in both 2022 and 2023

Owners George and Louise Greenaway described how they are 'stuck for words' over the win

Andrea continued: 'I can't congratulate George, Louise and their team enough for the trailblazing feat of winning the National Pub of the year award for a third time.

'What can you possibly say about this fantastic pub that hasn't been said already?

'The local community are lucky to have an incredible pub with such dedicated staff on their doorstep. Please raise a pint, or three, to our triple champion!'

The award coordinator urged pub goers to visit their local and said: 'Even with a trio of national awards, the Tap still faces the same challenges felt by pubs across the UK.

'Pubs are hanging over a cliff edge with grossly unfair business rates, spiralling high costs and hikes to Employer National Insurance contributions heavy burdens on already tired shoulders.

'Government gave no support at all in the Budget which was disastrous for the industry, and a swift U-turn is desperately needed on the dangerous rise to business rates bills. I hope everybody can take the time to get out and support your local, especially as January is often such a difficult month for the trade.'
The entry/exit system is causing gates to crash in major tourist hotspot - and could cause chaos for the Easter holidays.

The passport gates crashed at Gran Canaria Airport, delaying flights on December 30, 2025 and January 10, 2026.

A Daily Mail writer was travelling to the airport at the time, explaining the situation.

They said: 'The European entry/exit system caused all the passport gates to crash on my way into Gran Canaria AND the way out.

'It delayed my flight back (Saturday, January 10) as obviously none of the Brits could get on the plane.

'They had to wheel out security guards to come and stamp us all, because the system completely shut down so many times.'

They said the machines all suddenly went red - causing many disgruntled passengers to start swearing.

They added: 'There are queues anyway because its quite tricky for a lot of people to master the finger printing. But when it all went red a second time, they just had to send us to security and abandon the finger printing.

The writer took photographs of the chaos in the airport on December 30

'Then on the way back (January 10) the same thing happened right in front of the gate - so we could all see our planes boarding. Nail biting!

'The poor staff are all so frazzled!!

'Half term, Easter and the summer holidays will be an utter horror show!'

It comes after holidaymakers were warned to allow extra time at the airport as new border controls cause significant delays for air passengers.

The entry/exit system - known as the EES - is an automated digital border system for non-EU nationals, including UK citizens, entering the Schengen Area.

Travellers are required to register biometric details, such as fingerprints and photographs.

The rollout began in October 2025 but airports and ports have until April to implement the technology.

The new system has already been causing significant delays for air passengers.

Gran Canaria Airport in Spain is a major travel hub for Brits visiting the popular region

Initially, the threshold for EU countries to register third-country arrivals was set at only 10 per cent - but has now increased to 35 per cent.

The new border checks are already causing headaches for passengers, who have reported long queues as people navigate the new system.

In some cases, delays have resulted in passengers missing their flights.

When contacted by the Daily Mail, a spokesperson for Gran Canaria Airport said: 'In Spain, border control is the responsibility of the Spanish National Police.

'The European Commission determined that the Entry/Exit System would enter into force on October 12. Its implementation will be gradual over a period of 180 days, until April 10, when its deployment will be fully completed.

'The deployment plan at Spanish airports is designed by the Ministry of the Interior, which is the authority that determines the milestones and deadlines to be met.'
The Foreign Office has issued a travel alert for anyone travelling to Portugal who is younger than 17 years old.

Hordes of Brits jet off to the popular European destination in the summer months, drawn in by its coast and hot weather.

But holidaymakers heading to Portugal should be aware of new advice issued by the British Government.

The FCDO issued updated guidance on its site yesterday (January 22) for those specifically aged under 17 years.

Any children aged 17 and under travelling alone or without their legal guardian to Portugal are required to have a letter of authorisation to travel.

This must be written by their parent or guardian. What's more, it should be presented alongside a copy of their parent or guardian's passport.

It is important the letter includes several specific things, such as the childs full name, date of birth and passport number, as well as the child's dates of arrival and departure.

According to the Foreign Office, the letter must also include 'the name of the adult in Portugal who will be responsible for them during their stay'.

Holidaymakers heading to Portugal should be aware of new advice issued by the British Government

'The full names, dates of birth, passport numbers and contact details of the parent or guardian,' should also feature on the document.

Meanwhile, it should include 'the parent or guardians signature and date of issue'.

Travellers have been warned that if the letter isn't provided, 'entry will be delayed and may be refused'.

'Teenagers aged 17 and under who travel alone, or with friends of the same age, and who are not being met on arrival by a parent or guardian, may be refused entry if they do not have a letter of authorisation,' the UK Government states on the website.

What's more a non-resident child aged 17 and under who is departing from Portugal alone or with someone who isn't their legal guardian must also have a letter of authorisation to do so.

That is, unless they are returning to their home country.

Whereas, the Foreign Office says, 'A child aged 17 or under who is resident in Portugal must carry a properly certified letter of authorisation if travelling without their parent or legal guardian'.

It comes as a Portuguese city was recently named as a top destination.

Any children aged 17 and under travelling alone or without their legal guardian to Portugal are required to have a letter of authorisation to travel (stock)

Located in northern Portugal, Guimaraes boasts characterful cobbled streets and a lively culture.

It recently made the BBC's '20 best places to travel in 2026' list, alongside destinations including Abu Dhabi and Montenegro.

The city is widely considered as the 'birthplace of Portugal' and was the country's first capital.

The broadcaster praised Guimaraes for its 'beautifully preserved medieval core' and range of restaurants and bars.
Holidaymakers jetting off to the Canary Islands might expect to take a dip in the sea and enjoy the beach.

But, beaches across Spain and the popular islands have been closed due to pollution and alleged risks to health.

The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) revealed the beloved destinations have failed to handle sewage discharge effectively in certain areas.

The CJEU condemned 12 locations across Tenerife for breaching the wastewater regulations, the Mirror reports.

It found discharges into the sea were not monitored enough, as well as insufficient collections and treatment.

Areas in Tenerife including San Isidro, Adeje, Puerto de Santiago, Arona, Candelaria, Playa la Arena and the Orotava Valley, amongst others were impacted by improper sewage collection.

Now, the Tenerife Association of Friends of Nature (ATAN) has put out a warning about its health concerns for those using beaches.

It reportedly alleges Tenerife has put the health of locals and tourists alike at risk for years.

The Court of Justice of the European Union(CJEU) revealed the beloved destinations have failed to handle sewage discharge effectively in certain areas

Sanctions could be implemented if the issue isn't resolved and the judgement looked at the situation as of 2020.

In 2024, beach-goers were banend from swimming in the sea at Playa Jardin, in Puerto de la Cruz, Birmingham Live reported at the time.

The restrictions were put in place after the water was contaminated by wastewater, which was discovered during tests for E.coli and led to the beach being closed for almost a year.

However, the situation across Tenerife still apparently continues with sewage and drainage systems not proving effective, especially during floods.

It has been a reoccurring issue over the years, and Spain received a 12million (10.4million) fine in 2019 for breaching rules repeatedly.

This included an additional 10.9million (9.4million) every six months it wasn't resolved.

Areas including Valle de Guimar, in Tenerife, were implicated as well as others.

In other news, back in November at least 12 beaches closed and a marine pollution alert was put in place in six municipalities on the east and south coast of Gran Canaria, by Canary Island government officials.

It found discharges into the sea were not monitored enough, as well as insufficient collections and treatment

Ingenio, Telde, Aguimes, Santa Lucia de Tirajana, San Bartolome de Tirajana and Mogan have all been affected.

The measure comes after a spill of decomposing organic material was detected off the coast. The incident has forced beaches to be closed to bathing as a precaution.

Officials explained the decision was made, 'in the presence of an episode of marine pollution, due to the dumping of decomposing organic matter from facilities located in the sea, off the coast of Telde'.

Analysis suggests the material is from aquaculture activities located offshore.
With the drizzly, grey weather across the UK, many Brits are dreaming of their next sunny escape.

Holiday companies expect a five per cent increase in demand for trips in the year to the end of September compared with the previous 12 months.

But Brits have been warned of unexpected airport dropoff fees  also known as 'kiss and fly' charges.

New research has revealed that airport drop-off zones now carry fines of up to 100, meaning a short delay unloading bags or a missed payment could lead to a penalty landing on your doormat weeks later.

Credit card company thimbl.com analysed the drop-off rules, overstay charges and penalty notices at major UK airports, and found that drivers can face fines ranging from 50 to 100, even when they exceed the time limit by only a few minutes.

With January one of the busiest months for booking Easter, summer and winter-sun trips, experts warn many holidaymakers are budgeting for flights and hotels without realising how costly a simple drop-off mistake can be.

At many airports, charges apply from the moment a vehicle enters the drop-off zone, with strict time limits and automated enforcement.

Some airports charge 1 per minute for overstaying, while others issue a fixed penalty regardless of how long the driver remains.

London Gatwick Airport South Terminal is pictured. The airport's drop off fee, designed to reduce congestion, has doubled in price over the last five years

As of January 6, 2026, the fee of dropping someone off at London Gatwick Airport increased to 10, making it the most expensive airport drop-off charge in the UK

At Bristol Airport (pictured) drivers face a 100 parking charge notice

Drivers dropping off holidaymakers at Gatwick Airport can face a 100 parking charge notice, reduced to around 60 if paid early.

As of January 6, 2026, drivers face a 10 charge for just 10 minutes.

Failure to pay this charge results in a 100 Parking Charge Notice, which is reduced to 60 if paid within 14 days.

The fee, designed to reduce congestion, has doubled in price over the last five years.

That makes it the most expensive airport in the UK for dropoff charges.

At Bristol Airport and Newcastle Airport, drivers face a 100 parking charge notice.

Drivers at Leeds Bradford Airport face a similar charge of 80100, while Manchester Airport charges 25 for 30 minutes in the drop-off zone.

According to Joe Lytwyn, personal finance expert at thimbl.com, the system leaves drivers with little room for error.

Dropping somebody off at Newcastle Airport (pictured) could land you with a 100 parking charge notice

UK airports ranked by highest drop-off fines 1. Gatwick Airport  100 parking charge notice (reduced to around 60 if paid early) 2. Bristol Airport  100 parking charge notice 3. Newcastle Airport  100 parking charge notice 4. Leeds Bradford Airport  80100 parking charge notice 5. Stansted Airport  60100 parking charge notice 6. London City Airport  80100 parking charge notice expected 7. Heathrow Airport  80 parking charge notice (40 if paid within 14 days) 8. Southampton Airport  5080 parking charge notice 9. Edinburgh Airport  70 for 24 hours, then 40 per day 10. Manchester Airport  25 for 30 minutes in the drop-off zone Source: Airport pricing pages Information correct as of 22 January 2026 Advertisement

The research also found that free or lower-cost drop-off options do exist at several airports, but are poorly signposted and often overlooked.

Travellers booking holidays in January are particularly likely to be caught out because drop-off rules are rarely checked in advance.

'People plan flights, hotels and luggage, but almost nobody plans the drop-off,' Joe said.

'By the time you realise there's a strict time limit or payment rule, you're already there.

'Spending five minutes before you travel checking drop-off rules, payment systems and free alternatives can be the difference between a free goodbye and a 100 fine.'
The Beauty (Disney+)

Rating:

Can supermodel Bella Hadid act? Sadly, we may never know because she detonates in her first starring role, splattering a cordon of French gendarmes with entrails and gore, before she gets to speak a line.

Hadid, aged 29, is the face promoting Disney+ horror thriller The Beauty, directed by Ryan Murphy, about a sexually transmitted virus that makes its victims instantly gorgeous.

Acting is a dream of mine, she told the Hollywood Reporter. The opening scene cant exactly have been a challenge.

Bella plays a supermodel, mooching sulkily up a Paris catwalk in a red leather jacket.

Overcome with thirst, she seizes a water bottle from one front-row fashionista, attacks another, then goes berserk and kills a few paparazzi.

By the time shes stolen a motorbike and crashed it, got into a gunfight in a pavement cafe, and finally exploded, the Press are already calling it Catwalk Carnage.

Its all very stylised and striking, much like Bella herself. We still dont know if she can act, though.

Maybe shes got one of those squeaky, nasal voices, like a silent cinema star left behind by the talkies.

Supermodel Bella Hadid plays Ruby in her first starring role in Disney+'s The Beauty

Nicola Peltz, aka Mrs Brooklyn Beckham, is set to appear in the final episodeof the show but there are currently only three out yet

We also dont know yet whether Nicola Peltz, aka Mrs Brooklyn Beckham, can act. She doesnt appear till part 11, the final episode, and so far only three are available.

Im betting shes got a whiny, high-pitched New Jersey accent, like Minnie Mouse guest-starring in The Sopranos.

Minnies boyfriend Mickey wasnt keen for me to watch The Beauty at all.

While other reviewers were granted previews of the show by Disney+, I was told that unfortunately, on this occasion, the PR department was unable to fulfil my request for advance screeners.

Could this be because I called Ryan Murphys last Disney series, Alls Fair, the most skin-crawling, toe-twisting, teeth-grinding, gut-squelching shovelful of TV ordure Ive ever had dumped on my desk?

Perhaps he took it personally. The Beauty isnt as bad as Alls Fair, but then neither is scabies.

Like all Murphys shows, its chief problem is its lurching pace.

Heart-racing action sequences are followed by long passages of exposition, in which characters explain the plot so pedantically that viewers can easily scroll through social media and post comments while watching it . . . which is, I suppose, the point.

The Beauty is about about a sexually transmitted virus that makes its victims instantly gorgeous

Evan Peters and Rebecca Hall play a pair of FBI agents constantly having sex with each other and anyone else who catches their eye.

As they track its victims through Paris and Venice, the virus is becoming a pandemic. An assistant editor at Vogue combusted in the Conde Nast cafeteria today, gasps Peters.

Jaquel Spivey is a fat, lonely loser, until he contracts the disease. Then he becomes the impossibly good-looking Jeremy Pope.

Plenty of people might think a messy death is a price worth paying to look like Jeremy Pope. And that, of course, is the message of The Beauty.
Love Island's Harrison Solomon has reportedly flown out to South Africa to make his bombshell All Stars return.

The TV personality, 22, only split with his ex Lauren Wood just two months ago, who he met in the villa last year.

Despite his recent break up, Harrison looks set to get his graft on and have another chance at finding love on the show.

A source told The Sun: 'Hes on the plane right now and will be making an explosive return to the villa in the next few days.

'Fans might be divided by his return but theres no question he makes good TV and girls LOVE him!'

As Harrison heads into the villa, Lauren has turned to fitness with former co-star Megan Moore to get her through her break up.

Love Island's Harrison Solomon has reportedly flown out to South Africa to make his bombshell All Stars return

The TV personality, 22, only split with his ex Lauren Wood just two months ago, who he met in the villa last year

Megan, who recently split from Dejon Noel-Williams posted a TikTok this week of the pair running.

She wrote: 'Laurens iconic 5k Runs getting us through break ups together @_laurenkwood #5krun #loveisland #bestfriend'

Daily Mail has contacted ITV and Harrison's representatives for comment.

Harrison opened up about the split for the first time last year and confessed he still has 'a lot of love' for Lauren, but it had become too hard to find time for each other.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, he revealed: 'Life's obviously been really full-on since leaving the villa.

'Obviously between work, travel, and everything going on, it just became really hard to find time to really focus on each other. I didn't want it to get to that point. I don't think either of us did, but we just had to have a conversation.

'We sat down, had an open and honest conversation and have decided to part ways, but there's no bad blood at all.

'We just drifted a bit after the show, which is it's unfortunate, but we're still on really good terms. I've still got a lot of love for her and I wish her all the best as well.'

Despite his recent break up, Harrison looks set to get his graft on and have another chance at finding love on the show

As Harrison heads into the villa, Lauren has turned to fitness with former co-star Megan Moore - who recently split from Dejon-Noel Williams - to get her through her break up

Harrison confessed his best Love Island pal Harry Cooksley has been a key pillar of support after the pair struck up a firm friendship in the villa.

'I've had conversations with him about it as well and he's been there for me.

'I went in obviously I found Lauren and I found H as well at the same time, as cringe as it sounds.

'Harry has been there for me, especially now as well as when there's been rumours and stuff of us breaking up and I feel like Harry's been there for me as well so I appreciate that from the boy.'

Harrison caused quite a stir during his time in the villa after his explosive love triangle with Lauren and US star Toni Laites.

Toni went on to win the show with her now boyfriend Cach Mercer and has since relocated to London.

Harrison dramatically quit the villa after Lauren was dumped from the villa, and came out to a furore of backlash following his treatment of the two women.

His actions were condemned by viewers, but much to his dismay, Women's Aid also criticised his actions by releasing a damning statement claiming his behaviour 'reinforces a culture that excuses and trivialises violence against women and girls.'

Harrison caused quite a stir during his time in the villa after his explosive love triangle with Lauren and US star Toni Laites (pictured)

Harrison dramatically quit the villa after Lauren was dumped from the villa, and came out to a furore of backlash following his treatment of the two women

Reflecting on his actions four months later, he explained: 'I acknowledged what was said about me when I was on the show.

'Obviously, it wasn't nice seeing any of that stuff when I first came out of the show and how it affected my family and stuff like that,

'But like I said before in previous interviews, I've made mistakes but, I like to think that I've grown from them.

'I feel like I'm a different person now than I was six months ago, and I feel like that's all I can really do is grow from the situation and grow from my experience in there.'

Confirming the split, Lauren said: 'Hi everyone, Harrison and I have decided to no longer continue our relationship, but will remain friends as everything was amicable and mutual.

'We share such amazing memories together, ones that not many can relate to. Please respect our privacy whilst we navigate going our separate ways.'
A guest on Antiques Roadshow was amazed as they learned the huge value of their rare box - as a show expert branded it the 'best he's ever seen'.

The BBC show's spin-off, Unseen Treasures, featured a previously unaired clip from the team's time at the Hill of Tarvit Mansion in Fife, Scotland.

Expert Gordon Foster met a guest who brought along a gold and quartz snuffbox dating back to 1815.

He told the visitor: 'Well, I've seen many snuffboxes on the Antiques Roadshow over the years but I have to say, the snuffbox that you've brought in is one of the best I have ever seen.

'It's 18 carat gold, it's Scottish, and it's got this fabulous faceted citrine on top. Tell us how it's come into your family.'

She explained how the box came from her husband's side of the family - detailing how the couple inherited it from his grandmother.

An Antiques Roadshow guest was surprised to discover the value of the snuffbox she brought in

Expert Gordon Foster assessed the item and was impressed by its quality, calling it 'one of the best' he's seen

During his inspection, Gordon discovered an inscription as well as the date marked as 1815. He remarked: 'It's a splendid inscription, isn't it?

'That's a specialist engraver who's done that part of the box, but there's many other specialists who've been involved in the making of it.

'The border is cast in 18 carat gold. The sides are incurved, and we have a special flush hinge on the back, so it's a specialist hinge maker who's done that. The stone itself will have been done by an Edinburgh lapidary specialist, who've cut the stones.

'The colour of that stone, sometimes you'll see that catalogued as smoky quartz. It's got that golden, almost honey, whisky colour, to a deep, deep colour.

'It's a fantastic stone in its own right', noting that it was made in Edinburgh.

Gordon added: 'That must have been one real special friend, to have given a box like that' and the guest clarified: 'Yes, we don't know why or what the relationship was between his friend.'

After a further examination, Gordon informed the guest: 'If that turned up on the market, you would be looking at an estimate of 10,000 to 15,000.'

The guest appeared to be stunned by this, as they replied: 'Oh, wow. That's very nice to hear. Gosh!'

In another episode, a guest was astonished to discover the eye-watering value of her soup bowls

The box includes an inscription on the base reading: 'From Andrew Tennant to his friend Andrew Blackie and his heirs forever.'

While Gordon replied: 'Thanks so much for bringing it today. It's made my day' with the guest responding: 'Well, it's made my day, unexpectedly!'

Elsewhere, another guest issued an apology for 'nearly swearing' after discovering the eye-watering value of her jewellery collection.

Fiona Bruce and the team headed to Cromford Mills in Derbyshire to uncover new treasures.

In particular, one guest brought along a set of gold and silver jewellery pieces, among them a brooch and a bracelet.

She showed off this collection to Joanna Hardy, one of the experts on the BBC show.

Joanna said: 'My goodness. My heart jumped when I saw these pieces.'

The guest shared she had purchased the first piece 35 years ago, admitting: 'I just thought it was diamantes and posh costume jewellery.'

In addition, the jewellery also bore the name of sculptor George Weil inscribed on them.

While the guest shared she had paid 'quite a lot' for the set, around 1,500 altogether - she was gobsmacked to learn the valuation.

Discussing one of the items, Joanna said: 'Well I think today they would be around 15,000.'

The guest replied: 'Oh never,' as her mouth dropped and she added: 'Sorry I nearly swore' before covering her mouth.

Joanna went on: 'You've got this brooch here, that's going to be between 5,000 and 7,000,' as the guest replied: 'Never!'

It was revealed another brooch would fetch for 3,000 and 5,000, while a ring would get 2,500.

Overall, this made the total amount for the collection ultimately end up as an incredible 25,000.

Antiques Roadshow airs on BBC One and iPlayer.
Netflix have cancelled a 'too good to miss' comedy series with an impressive 94% rating on review site Rotten Tomatoes, despite fans calling for more.

The Vince Staples show, which tells a fictionalised version of the life of American rapper Vince Staples, ran for two series from 2024 to 2025.

Similar to Donald Glover's Atlanta, the series followed Vince, 32, as he played a version of himself navigating a series of surreal events in his hometown in California.

The comedy used a mix of Vince's real-world life story and persona but exaggerated both him and the events of his life in a series of unexpected twists and turns.

Surrounded by old friends, and his newfound fans, the story followed how fame didn't free him from his upbringing, but brought in new problems.

The scenes followed Vince in everyday scenarios, like buying a house, going to a party and handling business deals, as they spiralled into chaos.

Netflix have cancelled a 'too good to miss' comedy series The Vince Staples Show, which has an impressive 94% rating on review site Rotten Tomatoes

The Vince Staples show, which tells a fictionalised version of the life of American rapper Vince Staples (pictured), ran for two series from 2024 to 2025

Unfortunately for the series, the viewing figures dropped from its first season when it returned for more, with Deadline reporting that while it was streamed 4.6million times in series one, series two was watched just 1.7million times.

Fans were full of praise for the series, which currently has a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes  and a 7.4/10 rating on IMDb.

One viewer penned: 'The dialogue was pretty funny and the acting wasn't bad at all. Vince has a lot more material to give the world. And we wanna see it!'

Another chimed in: 'I enjoyed the first season and watched it twice,' as a third wrote: 'Loved it. Great watch and a great job, Vince.'

'The show is hilarious and believable, given Vince Staples's life story. It's a must-watch; The script is superb, and all the actors bring A* performances in each episode,' someone else agreed.

While a fifth added: 'Damn good show. Entertaining as hell. This is one of the few shows on Netflix that is leaps and bounds better than anything else on the platform.'

'The Vince Staples show is a future classic in the making!' a sixth concluded. 'It's too good to miss and doesn't overstay its welcome.'

It comes after fans of the streaming service were left delighted after an 'underrated 00s gem' became available to stream  two decades after the show last aired.

Netflix fans were also left thrilled as an 'underrated gem' 00s sitcom is now available to stream on the platform

Set in New York City, the show stars Amanda Bynes and Jennie Garth as the two lead characters

UK viewers can now watch all four seasons of sitcom What I Like About You, which originally aired on The WB from 2002 to 2006.

Set in New York City, the show stars Amanda Bynes and Jennie Garth as the two lead characters.

The premise follows teenager Holly (Bynes) having to move in with uptight older sister Val (Garth) when their father takes a job in Japan, and while there's some initial friction, over time the pair gradually form a closer bond with one another.

The cast also included Wesley Jonathan, Leslie Grossman, Michael McMillan and Nick Zano.

All 86 episodes are now available on Netflix  with fans sharing their excitement about revisiting What I Like About You.

Taking to IMDb, one viewer described the show as an 'underrated gem' while giving it a 10/10 score.

They added: 'I have loved this show since I was a kid.

'Amanda Bynes shines as always, Jennie Garth proves her chops as a comedian after her 90210 days.

'Wesley Jonathan, Leslie Grossman and Allison Munn never fail to make you laugh.

'And of course, there are romances with beautiful women and hunky men. Plus, if anyone is interested in indulging in 2000s nostalgia, this show is chock full of it and then some.'

Another fan described the sitcom as 'One of my fav comfort shows of all time', adding: 'Used to watch this when I was in my early teens and now I'm in my mid 20's and still find this such a funny, light hearted and sweet show!'

'All the characters are amazing and the plot flows so well. I miss Amanda Bynes,' wrote a third viewer.

While a fellow fan wrote on X, formerly Twitter: 'I'm living my 10 year old dream what I like about you is on Netflix.'

Another added: 'oh my god what I like about you is on Netflix im soooooo excited I have not stopped thinking about that show for years!!!'

The Vince Staples Show is available to stream on Netflix now
Steal (2026 series)

Sophie Turner stars in a twisty thriller about the fallout from a digital heist

Year: 2026

Certificate: 15

Watch now on Prime Video

When an armed gang walk into a London investment company and steal billions of pounds' worth of ordinary people's pensions, back-room office worker Zara (Game Of Thrones' Sophie Turner) and her colleague, Luke (Saltburn's Archie Madekwe), find themselves right in the middle of it all. After the heist is over, DCI Rhys (Jacob Fortune-Lloyd) shows up and starts asking questions  then the security services get involved, and things really start to get complicated.

As you may have guessed, this six-parter is a thriller, and one of the kind that you'll want to know as little as possible about before watching, so we'll stick to general comments. The slick early feel of the show, along with its financial setting, make it feel like the BBC drama Industry but the overall experience is more like that of a gritty conspiracy thriller with the odd burst of brutal violence thrown in. The casting, of the arrogant supporting characters at the firm and elsewhere, is top-notch and features many seasoned actors  Peter Mullan, Anna Maxwell Martin, Andrew Koji  in supporting roles.

And as for the leads? This is a show and a story that lives in ambiguity and Turner and Fortune-Lloyd are both good at doing a lot with a look  that's just what Steal requires to work and, while you can feel the story dragging its heels in the second half, those two make you want to know how it all pans out. (Six episodes)

Drops Of God

A Franco-Japanese wine-tasting drama that's a delight to the senses, now back for series two

Year: 2023

Certificate: 12

Watch now on Apple TV

A high-end Franco-Japanese drama about fine wine doesn't sound accessible, or easy to watch. Yet that's exactly what Drops Of God proves to be from the start, partly because it looks so good  these actors are lit like movie stars  and partly because the basis of the drama is so personal.

A legendary French wine expert has died, leaving behind the greatest private collection in the world. His tense, thoughtful daughter, who doesn't drink, is in line to inherit it  but it's not as simple as that. Camille (Das Boot's Fleur Geffrier) hasn't seen her father since she was nine, and Issei Tomine (Tokyo Vice's Tomohisa Yamashita), a young Japanese wine expert, has become a kind of spiritual son in her absence, and the two must compete in a series of tasting challenges to see who will secure the bequest. It's fitting that a show so much about the senses should be so adept at conjuring an atmosphere in every scene and, were this a movie, it would be in the running for an Oscar of some kind. It's something to savour but easy to watch, too, and that's an impressive achievement.

The latest second series continues the tangled process of both the contest and Issei and Camille getting to know each other better, and makes for compelling viewing. (Two series)

Waiting For The Out

Provocative, moving drama about teaching philosophy in prison

Year: 2026

Certificate: 15

Watch now on BBC iPlayer

This drama from the multi-award-winning writer Dennis Kelly (Utopia, Matilda: The Musical) is an adaptation of Andy West's memoir, The Life Inside, which is about his work teaching philosophy in prisons. If that sounds heavy and downbeat, fear not  there's a lightness of touch and plenty of wry observations to lift the mood. And if it sounds odd to try to engage criminals in life's big questions, it very quickly makes an odd kind of sense.

Josh Finan (The Responder) stars as Dan, a scrappy, gentle young man, a fish-out-of-water amongst the tough guys he starts teaching in prison. When he asks, during his first lesson, 'Is the you from ten years ago the same you that sits in this room now?' he gets the kind of sweary, dismissive response you might expect ('No, cos I'm in prison'). But he also engages in plenty of lively back and forth that defies expectation, and grounds the philosophical in the real world in ways we can all relate to.

As time goes on, it becomes a revealing process for Dan, too, as he reflects on his childhood growing up with an abusive father who ended up in prison himself. It's a drama that also explores what it means to be a man, as Dan looks at who he was ten years ago, who he is now, and who he wants to become. (Six episodes)

Die My Love

Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson star in this searing relationship drama

Year: 2025

Certificate: 15

Watch now on Mubi

A lot of the time, new mothers are told things like, 'take some time for yourself', and 'you're no good to your child if you don't rest', but that's easier said than done and the consequences aren't always immediately obvious. Scottish director Lynne Ramsay's unhinged and, just occasionally, darkly funny drama stars Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson as a happy couple hitting the wall of mind-bendingly bad postnatal depression.

Lawrence and Pattinson both made their names in big Hollywood franchises, she in The Hunger Games and he in Twilight, and are friends (and parents) off-screen, and you can see their bond in the way they perform here, from the cheeriness when the couple are happy to the vicious abandon they bring to moments when they're not.

As you'd expect from the premise, Lawrence has more to do and she really goes the extra mile in achieving it. As such, if you like powerful, vanity-free performances then this checks that box in a film that, almost ironically, is also beautifully shot  although you won't always notice while watching, which is a compliment to the acting. The film takes some violent turns as it goes on and dog lovers may find themselves growing justifiably uncomfortable. (119 minutes)

Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere

Intense biopic starring The Bear's Jeremy Allen White as Springsteen

Year: 2025

Certificate: 12

Watch now on Disney+

Scott Cooper's Springsteen biopic isn't quite a top ten in the arena but, rather like the director's debut feature, Crazy Heart  about a washed-up country music star played by Jeff Bridges  it's crafted with passion and conviction.

The Bear's Jeremy Allen White makes a plausibly tormented Bruce Springsteen, on the cusp both of super-stardom and mental disintegration. As with Carmy in The Bear, family issues account for most of Bruce's demons, in particular his relationship with his brutish, alcoholic dad Douglas (Stephen Graham, deftly replacing his Liverpool vowels with those of blue-collar New Jersey).

Fleeting flashbacks to Bruce's childhood with an abused mother, Adele (Gaby Hoffmann), and a bullying father, are shot in monochrome.

Later, in colour, we see the grown-up, successful Bruce stopping outside his run-down former home, uneasily trying to connect his past with his present. The story unfolds mainly in 1981, in the wake of the thunderously triumphant tour to promote his hit album The River, as we see him belting out rock anthems before adoring crowds, and excited executives at Columbia Records are eager for another album in the same vein.

But Bruce does not play ball  and decides to make a solo album without his energetic E Street Band, of plaintive songs about loss and failure. The film chronicles the efforts of those around him, his sound engineers and above all his loving, endlessly supportive manager Jon Landau (charmingly played by Jeremy Strong), to accommodate his angst-ridden single-mindedness.

It isn't a fun watch, unlike A Complete Unknown, which also focused on a controversial artistic choice (Dylan's decision to go electric), and White is far better at being the Boss off-stage than he is on  but that ultimately doesn't really matter to what is an intense and commendably bold music biopic. (120 minutes)

The Beauty

Ryan Murphy's Substance-style drama about a world in which one shot makes you beautiful

Year: 2026

Certificate: 18

Watch now on Disney+

Ryan Murphy has been the force behind some terrific shows (Nip/Tuck, Glee, American Crime Story) and some stinkers (Ratched, Hollywood, All's Fair), but one thing they all have in common is a sense of style. That idea is also right at the core of The Beauty, a Substance-style drama that imagines a world in which one simple injection can make even the 'aesthetically disadvantaged' beautiful.

There's a catch, of course  there wouldn't be a show if there wasn't  and this wild 11-parter tracks the fallout when 'The Beauty' starts to mutate on a global scale, with explosive and deadly consequences.

Evan Peters, who has appeared in many Murphy shows down the years (from American Horror Story to Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story), plays one of two agents investigating The Beauty (Rebecca Hall is the other), while the cast also features Isabella Rossellini and Ashton Kutcher as the face of The Beauty. Look out for guest roles for Bella Hadid, Nicola Peltz Beckham and Meghan Trainor as the story unfolds. That story is based on a comic book, so there is actually a plot to follow, too  news that should give burned fans of Murphy's previous misses the confidence to give this a whirl.

Episode one takes off like a violent rocket and, fair warning to sensitive viewers, doesn't pull its punches. It also adds a new level of meaning to the phrase 'you're hot'. (11 episodes)

Confessions Of A Killer

Tapes of double murderer Colin Howell's confession are heard for the first time

Year: 2026

Certificate: 15

Watch now on BBC iPlayer

The confession of convicted murderer Colin Howell is heard for the first time in this two-parter. In 2009, he walked into a police station to report a double murder  of his wife Lesley Howell and Trevor Buchanan, the husband of his lover Hazel Stewart  that had been recorded as a suicide pact almost 20 years previously.

As well as the tapes of Howell's confession, there's a thorough look at the involvement of Stewart, who was also convicted at trial in 2011. Hazel denied being a murderer and we follow her lawyers as they petition for an appeal, with her involvement reframed as being down to coercive control from Howell who, by his own admission, had a 'strong influence' on Hazel that also extended to drugging her for sex.

In addition to the tapes, which are so revealing of the kind of man Howell was, we hear from friends and colleagues of the victims, as well as the journalists, investigators and legal experts with deep knowledge of the case. It is the very best kind of true-crime documentary, filled with careful reporting and illuminating detail. (Two episodes)

Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart

The inside story of the search for an abducted teenager, as told by her and her family

Year: 2026

Certificate: 15

Watch now on Netflix

In 2002, the 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart was taken in the middle of the night from her family home in Utah's Salt Lake City. She was missing for nine months and, during the long police search for the teen, suspicion fell on her family with detectives theorising  according to dad Ed  that Elizabeth may have been kidnapped for blackmailing purposes because of his homosexuality. Ed wasn't openly gay at the time but would come out to his family years later, divorcing his wife Lois in 2019.

Elizabeth was eventually found, after having endured a horrific ordeal at the hands of Brian David Mitchell and his wife Wanda Barzee. She tells her story here with depth and perspective, along with reflections from dad Ed and other members of the family.

This certainly isn't the first time she had done that, but Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart does a neat job of packaging the whole story into one documentary, and uses 'never-before-seen material' to flesh it out, too. Modern true-crime documentaries tend to focus on the impact on victims rather than sensationalising the acts of the perpetrators and, in line with that, the film does a good job of demonstrating the emotional toll of the abduction on both Smart and her family. And of showing that there is a happy life to be lived after such an ordeal. (91 minutes)

Sandokan: The Pirate Prince

Swashbuckling pirate drama based on Italian novels, with John Hannah and Ed Westwick

Year: 2026

Certificate: 15

Watch now on Netflix

Imagine Pirates Of The Caribbean but produced for Italian TV and on a pretty decent budget, then you'll have a good idea of this eight-part pirate epic. If you've seen One Piece, it has something of the broad strokes style of that to it, too, but this series has its own firm roots, in the swashbuckling books of Italian author Emilio Salgari.

The series is set in the South China Sea of the 1840s, a time when the power of the British Empire was keenly felt. The characters include Lady Marianna (Man Vs Baby's Alanah Bloor), daughter to Lord Guillonk (Owen Teale) a man who wants to marry his girl off to safety in London. Though, she wants a life  and an adventure  all of her own. Then into her existence washes the pirate prince Sandokan (Can Yaman) and a duo reminiscent of Pirates' Jack Sparrow and Elizabeth Swann seems to be born; and the adventure begins.

With a wider cast that includes John Hannah as the staunch Sergeant Murray and Ed Westwick as suave pirate hunter Lord Brooke, Sandokan has a lot to recommend it if you enjoy a broadly-played B-movie vibe of a show peppered with familiar faces and stunning settings, and delivered with an epic sense of scale. (Eight episodes)

Smiley's People

Alec Guinness excels in the sequel to Le Carre's Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Year: 1982

Certificate: 15

Watch now on BBC iPlayer

A sequel to the successful 1979 espionage thriller Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, this six-part BBC series was even more critically acclaimed, winning four BAFTAs, including a Best Actor award for its star Alec Guinness, and another in the Best Actress category for Beryl Reid, who played Connie Sachs, a government spook and expert in Soviet intelligence.

Guinness reprises his role as George Smiley, MI6's mild-mannered but wily and determined spy-catcher, who emerges from retirement when a former asset is murdered and ends up trying to make his old adversary, Karla, the Soviet spymaster, defect to the West.

The plot is less baffling than the one in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and the show is very atmospheric. There's also that familiar treat to be enjoyed with high-quality dramas from yesteryear  spot the star! Patrick Stewart, Eileen Atkins, Bill Paterson, Maureen Lipman, Alan Rickman and Barry 'Van der Valk' Foster are among those making guest appearances. (Six episodes)

Free Bert

Social-climbing comedy about a blue-collar US comedian relocating to Beverly Hills

Year: 2026

Certificate: 15

Watch now on Netflix

The blue-collar American comedian Bert Kreischer is known for his big, party-style sense of humour, and for performing shirtless. That second quality is at the centre of his self-deprecating, six-part comedy for Netflix, which opens with Rob Lowe flying Kreischer out to perform for his birthday  but he doesn't want jokes  oh, no. The actor just wants Bert to take his shirt off, over and over. 'It's universal. Shirtless fat guy,' Lowe reflects in the bar later. Bert takes the money, but he's not happy about it.

His identity issues come to the fore back at his fancy new home in Beverly Hills, where his wife is desperately trying to fit in with the rich mums at the school their children are now enrolled at. As you may have guessed, social climbing is a key plank to this fish-out-of-water comedy, with Kreischer constantly trying to do the right thing but just making things worse. There are touches of Roseanne to it all  if you remember that show, imagine what would happen if Dan Conner had rolled up to a fancy school to drop off Becky and Darlene and you've got at least a slice of it. (Six episodes)

Piglets

British Police Academy-style antics from the team behind Green Wing

Year: 2024-

Certificate: 12

Watch now on ITVX

This very silly comedy, from the team behind the hospital-set sitcom Green Wing, turns on its head the often-serious on-screen portrayal of the police from the riotous opening sequence.

We follow six new, very youthful recruits (hence the show's title, which didn't much please the Police Federation) as they start their training. Acting heavyweights Sarah Parish  unrecognisable in false teeth and a frumpy wig  and Mark Heap play two unsuitable cops showing the newbies the ropes.

Full of fruity language, slapdash slapstick and absurd situations, this was the very definition of Marmite TV  a love/hate show split down the middle. There were enough lovers, though, for it to return for a second series. (Two series)

His & Hers (2026 series)

Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal star in a twisty murder mystery thriller

Year: 2026

Certificate: 18

Watch now on Netflix

If you like a good twisty thriller then you're in luck with His & Hers, a six-parter that stars Tessa Thompson (Hedda) and Jon Bernthal (The Walking Dead) as a married couple torn apart by grief over the loss of their child, then brought back together  at least, geographically  by a murder in the Atlanta woods.

Thompson plays Anna, a steely news anchor whose grief took her so far away that even her detective husband Jack (Bernthal) couldn't find her. Jack has tried to move on with his life in her absence, but his new home life is far from ideal and his new partner at work could turn out to be a touch too inquisitive for his liking.

Based on the novel by British writer Alice Feeney  which was set in a very British village, not Atlanta  it's a series that aims to show both sides of the story, hence the title, and builds towards a powerhouse ending that you may not see coming. As Anna puts it in the voiceover that opens episode one, 'There are at least two sides to every story... which means someone is always lying.'

As you may infer from that, it's a very well-plotted show, and there's a lot of detail crammed into the opening scenes. Not all of them are possible to appreciate the first time you watch, so it's worth going back once you see how it ends. (Six episodes)

Industry

Addictive drama about ruthless bankers and their raunchy after-hours antics, now back for series four

Year: 2020-

Certificate: 18

Watch now on BBC iPlayer

This exhilarating drama is set in the toxic world of high finance in the City of London. There, at fictional bank Pierpoint & Co, a group of recent graduates, both British and American, are keen to make a name for themselves  and if that means indulging in a huge amount of drug-taking and sex, then so be it! There's certainly no shortage of the last element in Industry, and the show pushed the envelope for BBC audiences when it came to how it dealt with bedroom kinks on screen, especially in series one and three.

Brits Harry Lawtey (You & Me) and the BAFTA-winning Marisa Abela (who landed the role when she was still in drama school) lead the cast of bright young things who are sucked in by the promise of big money  but soon find that the 'greed is good' culture has its inevitable dark side.

Series two begins after the pandemic when Pierpoint's employees return to the trading floor to find that the London and New York teams have been pitted against each other in a fight for survival. The unlikeable cohort of young bankers are even more hedonistic to offset the cut-throat office antics, but we also understand them better after learning more of their respective backstories.

For the third series, Game Of Thrones' Kit Harington joins the cast as the CEO of a green tech company who has some surprising sexual preferences  brace yourselves for the shower scene  while Harper eyes a new start and Yasmin starts to come into her own.

In the latest fourth series there are some new faces, including Charlie Heaton (Stranger Things) as financial journalist Jim Dycker, Kiernan Shipka (Mad Men) as feisty assistant Hayley Clay and Max Minghella (The Handmaid's Tale) as Whitney Halberstram, a new breed of ruthless banker. You'll also notice that the humour has been turned up a notch and it's as dark, bold and aggressive as the greed and sex. Expect Harper, in her sky-high heels and sharp suits, to keep going for the jugular, while Yasmin settles into life as the lady of Muck manor, even if husband Henry (Harrington) is a man struggling to combat his own demons. (Four series)

A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms

Game Of Thrones prequel about a wandering knight and his squire

Year: 2026

Certificate: 15

Watch now on NOW

Watch now on Sky

This Game Of Thrones prequel is likely to be divisive, because it's very consciously not giving us what we're used to from Westeros. Largely absent is the usual back room scheming, incestuous unions and big, bloody sweeping battles. In its place we have Ser Duncan the Tall, a knight but not one who belongs to any big house like Stark, Lannister or Targaryen  no, gentle 'Dunk' is a hedge knight, a warrior who roams the land and is played with charm and instantly believable physicality by 6ft 5in Irishman Peter Claffey, who is also a former rugby union player.

Getting 'Dunk' right is critical to the gentle comic charm of this show, in which the hedge knight wanders Westeros trying to make his name as a proper knight, striking up an alliance with oddball child Egg (Emmerdale's Dexter Sol Ansell) along the way. When Dunk does encounter what we think of as the real Westeros  brutal jousts, callous aristocracy  you find yourself wishing he'd change his mind about the whole thing and become something safer, because we all know what happens to good men in Westeros. Don't we?

Based on George R R Martin's novella series Tales Of Dunk And Egg and unfolding at a steady pace over six parts, it has already been recommissioned for a second series. Fair warning, those with a dislike of toilet humour should be on their guard in the opening scene, and those expecting action will have to wait  but it's worth it, when it comes. (Six episodes)

Agatha Christie's Seven Dials

Christie mystery with a spirited young detective, starring Mia McKenna-Bruce

Year: 2026

Certificate: 12

Watch now on Netflix

First published in 1929, The Seven Dials Mystery isn't one of the core Christie tales we know today  there's no Marple or Poirot, for instance  but it was the second book to feature youthful aristocratic sleuth Lady Eileen 'Bundle' Brent. She'd previously turned up in The Secret Of Chimneys, a title that will be familiar to keen-eyed TV Christie fans, as ITV crowbarred it (and Bundle) into an episode of their Marple adaptations way back in 2010.

However, Netflix have clearly decided it's time for Bundle to take centre stage and she's the main detective in this lavish three-parter, in which she investigates the murder of a friend after a party at Chimneys  the creaking Brent family pile.

So, what does the Seven Dials of the title mean? That's key to the mystery. Does it refer to the area of London, or could it have something to do with all the clocks Bundle keeps coming across during her investigation? That's for the series to reveal, and reveal it does over a refreshingly succinct three parts that feel distinctly like a staging ground for future Bundle adventures.

That would certainly be welcome, if audiences approve  Mia McKenna-Bruce makes for a spirited and sympathetic Bundle, with Helena Bonham Carter pitch perfect as her mother, and Martin Freeman on enjoyably humble form as the keenly factual Superintendent Battle. The series overall feels more elaborately international than the average Christie, and is smartly written by Chris Chibnall  a 21st-century expert in TV whodunnits like Broadchurch.

So all the ingredients for more are certainly there, although appreciation for this starting point will be based on your expectations. Christie purists, for instance, who go in expecting a traditional Christie mystery and a well-tuned representation of the upper class Britain of the time, may not get what they want. (Three episodes)

The Lowdown

Ethan Hawke plays an oddball Tulsa writer turned private eye in this US crime caper

Year: 2025

Certificate: 15

Watch now on Disney+

Half-journalist, half-conspiracy theorist and self-described 'truthstorian', the scrappy Lee Raybon of Tulsa, Oklahoma, is definitely an outsider. He's the oddball centre of this eight-part crime drama from FX that has notes of comedy, modern western and classic noir, and is played to the hilt by Ethan Hawke.

In other hands, Raybon could have been a cliche, but Hawke gives him depth, particularly when it comes to his tricky relationship with his daughter, and adulthood in general. It adds intrigue that Raybon is loosely based on a real-life Tulsa figure  the writer Lee Roy Chapman  but Hawke's 'man who knows too much' is very much his own creation, capable of charm but all too capable of making a mess of things, too. Imagine if Columbo was actually as shabby in his manner as his mac implied, and you've got a piece of the puzzle.

Over eight episodes, we follow Lee as he probes the mystery of a local murder in the manner of a private eye. He's on the side of justice, of that we can be sure  whether justice really wants him there is anyone's guess.

It's been renewed for a second series. (Eight episodes)

Tehran

Thrilling Israeli spy series about a secret mission into Iran, now back for series three with Hugh Laurie

Year: 2020-

Certificate: 15

Watch now on Apple TV

With shows such as Hatufim (the inspiration for Homeland) and Fauda (Netflix), Israel has earned itself an impressive reputation for gritty action thrillers. Another series to justifiably earn plaudits is the tense and violent Tehran, which follows a Mossad spy/hacker named Tamar (Niv Sultan) as she's sent undercover into Iran to help destroy one of the country's nuclear reactors.

Impressive storytelling and a charismatic lead performance by Sultan helped it win Best Drama Series at the International Emmy Awards in 2021. The show's growing reputation resulted in Glenn Close signing up for the second series, and Hugh Laurie joins the cast in the third as South African nuclear inspector Eric Peterson. Tamar, meanwhile, after the events of series two, is on the run and in need of allies to survive. (Three series)

Star Search

The US talent contest that launched Britney Spears returns as a live show with audience voting

Year: 2026

Certificate: 12

Watch now on Netflix

Britney Spears, Beyonce, Ray Romano, Alanis Morissette, Adam Sandler, Justin Timberlake, Martin Lawrence  the number of stars launched by vintage US series Star Search is really quite something. Hosted by Ed McMahon between 1983 and 1995 and somewhat reminiscent of the UK's Opportunity Knocks, it featured children and adults competing across a variety of categories, from singing to dancing to comedy. The show was revived on US TV in 2003 with Arsenio Hall as host, but it didn't last  and now it's coming to Netflix as a live competition, with comedian and actor Anthony Anderson (star of the sitcom Black-ish) as its host.

Showing twice a week and with a similar structure to the old show for the contestants, the big difference with the Netflix version is in the voting  the audience will decide who continues in the competition by casting votes live during the episodes. And, while that live experience isn't well-timed to UK audiences  episodes arrive early at 2am on Wednesdays and Thursdays  the idea of a talent contest in which anyone across the world can vote is an intriguing premise.
Two former Love Island stars have 'revealed' who could be next to enter the Love Island villa - as they claimed Shaq Muhammed's ex is 'waiting' to head to the show.

Toby Aromolaran and Tyrique Hyde took to their live Twitch streaming channel to react to the ITV2 show live when they revealed 'a little birdie had told them' Tanya Manhenga was 'in South Africa' for the show.

Toby, who took to the villa in 2021, and Tyrique, who appeared in 2023, were discussing show pal Shaq when they made the claim about the possible bombshell.

Discussing his recent scenes on the dating show, which saw his partner AJ Bunker voted out of the villa after he re-coupled with her earlier this week, talk soon turned to Tanya.

While Shaq has still been getting to know former partner Helena Ford, who the public voted for him to be coupled up with at the show's launch, Toby suggested Tanya being brought in to turn up the heat was 'inevitable'.

The former Islander said: 'All I'm saying is, when the inevitable, when Tanya walks into that villa, I think that he's going to be rattled, bro.'

Two former Love Island stars have 'revealed' who could be next to enter the Love Island villa - as they claimed Shaq Muhammed's ex is 'waiting' to head to the show

Two former Islanders revealed 'a little birdie had told them' Tanya Manhenga, Shaq's ex, was 'in South Africa' for the show

Tyrique responded with a cheeky smile: 'A little birdie told me that Tanya's in South Africa and just waiting to go in. But hey, you didn't hear it [from me].'

Toby hit back: 'You're going to ruin her chances of going back in, they're going to tell her, "No, you're not going in anymore".'

ITV declined Daily Mail's request for comment.

Shaq and Tanya appeared in the villa together in 2021, when they coupled up on the first day of the ninth series and appeared smitten.

That series, they were the first pairing to tell each other they loved the other - despite the twists and turns of their relationship following a rocky Casa Amor.

Tanya decided to ditch Shaq when she got to know bombshell star Martin Akinola, but after deciding she still had feelings for Shaq, the pair re-coupled.

Tanya and Shaq finished in fourth place in the series, and continued to date after the ITV2 show ended, even moving in together.

Their romance came to an end after a year and a half, when it was reported they had split over Shaq's 'behaviour' on holiday with fellow Islander Dami Hope.

Tyrique and Toby were seen discussing Shaq on Twitch live stream

Shaq and Tanya appeared on the ITV2 show together in 2021

An insider told The Sun: 'Tanya was not happy about some of Shaqs behaviour on holiday. His communication really wasnt what it should have been.

'He was seen looking very close to another girl, nothing was going on but it looked bad.'

Shaq opened up to fellow Love Island: All Stars' Belle Hassan about his split from ex Tanya, admitting he got a lap dance while holidaying in Miami.

He explained: 'I went on holiday to Miami, and I got a lap dance. I was fighting for the relationship. I said it was wrong, and I thought it was something we could get past.'

Since Toby and Tyrique took to Twitch with suggestions she could soon enter the villa, fans have been busy digging out proof to prove the rumour true.

Taking to Reddit, viewers compiled their evidence in a thread, according to The Sun, which included the type of Instagram posts being shared on Tanya's account.

One poster penned: 'I was lurking on her IG to see if I would find any hints of her coming in as a bombshell and noticed she recently posted this photo that shed already shared a couple of months ago.

'Meaning, someone is probably running her account.'

The couple split after Shaq's 'behaviour' on a boys' holiday

Shaq recently revealed the 'real' reason behind his dramatic split from girlfriend Tanya Manhenga as he returned to the villa

Another viewer added: 'Im very aware that this is a stretch but also the caption says beautiful and Shaq said she dumped him for calling another girl beautiful lol.'

Last night, Maya Jama quizzed dumped Islander AJ Bunker and Shaq ahead of the brutal first dumping of the new series.

Maya, 31, wasted no time in getting down to business announcing the 'wild' results of the public vote, before revealing the Islanders would choose who went home.

But not before she gets some feedback from the recent bombshell arrivals, AJ, Konnnor Equdzi and Samie Elishi on their return to the ITV2 show.

AJ was quick to hit back at Shaq for being 'less physical' with her, admitting she felt that they had taken a 'back step'.

'AJ, you you obviously chose to couple up with Shaq. Are you happy with that decision?' Maya asked, to which AJ replied: 'Tonight we took a little bit of a back step.

'Weve gone into more deep stuff and I think he wants more light hearted fun and I respect that. And I guess he wants to do less cuddling and be less physical'

Shaq replied: 'I just want to make sure I see all sides to the person Im getting to know.

'I dont want it to be just a physical attraction, sexual tension, type of thing. I said lets just slow things down, carry on getting to know each other and see what happens.'

Love Island continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX
George Calombaris is set to throw I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! into chaos when he enters the jungle on Sunday.

Insiders have told Daily Mail Australia that cast members were quick to grill the once-celebrated foodie and restaurateur over his controversial past.

Calombaris suffered a public fall from grace following an assault charge in 2017, followed by a $7.8milion wage underpayment scandal in 2019.

'George doesn't just walk in and make small talk,' a production source said.

'He walks in, and suddenly the camp has opinions. Some are excited, some are wary, and some have been waiting for a chance to ask the questions everyone's been too polite to.'

According to the source, Calombaris, 47, 'knew exactly' what he was signing up for.

George Calombaris is set to throw I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! into chaos when he enters the jungle on Sunday. (Pictured)

George Calombarisis set to throw I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! into chaos when he enters the jungle on Sunday. (Pictured: Mia Fevola)

Continues the insider: 'The intruder twist isn't a quiet cameo. He gets grilled. People want answers. There are those who think he'll crumble.

'But then there are others [in the cast] who respect him for showing up and facing it.'

The insider said that Calombaris's inclusion in the cast reflects a format overhaul, which will see the show focusing more closely on internal camp politics and conflict.

Fans can also expect cliffhangers and stronger storytelling.

Appearing in a teaser during Wednesday's episode of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here, Calombaris said he was prepared to 'tell the truth' about his life.

'There's been adverse publicity in my world,' he says in the preview.

'I've been silent for a long time. But they're gonna get the truth. I live my life in the arena with my fists up, going for it.'

MasterChef fans were sent into shock back in 2017 when a video emerged of the TV star attacking a 19-year-old man at an A-League Grand Final.

According to the source, Calombaris, 47, 'knew exactly' what he was signing up for. Pictured alongside MasterChef judges Gary Mehigan (centre) and Matt Preston (right)

Calombaris was convicted of assault and fined $1,000.

On appeal, his conviction was overturned and he was placed on a 12-month good behaviour bond.

More trouble came for the once-popular TV star in 2019 - the same year he made his exit from MasterChef after a decade on the show, when he found himself at the centre of a $7.8milion wage underpayment scandal.

A year later, his company MAdE collapsed after being ordered by the Fair Work Ombudsman to pay workers millions in unpaid penalty rates.

He was also personally hit with a $200,000 penalty for the wage rorts, but always insisted the underpayments were simply a mistake he blamed on inexperience.

The ex-hospitality boss said the payment error was detected after the company made a self-report, but the publicity that followed made it impossible to keep his 21 businesses alive. He later reported that he lost around $3million in endorsements.

Last year, Calombaris revealed he battled an alcohol addiction after hitting rock bottom following the scandals.

'After Covid hit, I'm suddenly sitting in Melbourne, which is shut for now two years, sitting with my pyjamas on  looking at my phone, going there's no emails, there's nothing to do (and I) start drinking daily,' the chef admitted in an episode of the Ouzo Talk podcast.

'I'll never forget three months down the track, I lost it one night. I got in my car, drove down the road, I don't know where (I was). My brother found me pissed as a fart.

'And that was a moment, he really slapped it out of me and went enough is enough.'
Wuthering Heights star Alison Oliver has revealed she finds sex scenes 'uncomfortable' as she posed for a stunning shoot with ELLE UK while wearing Tiffany & Co.

The actress, 28, is set to play Isabella Linton in Emerald Fennell's racy adaptation of the famous novel, and during an interview with the publication, she shared that she 'couldn't imagine' filming sex scenes with an intimacy coordinator.

She said: 'I couldn't imagine not having them; sex scenes are uncomfortable for everyone. They take the discomfort out by making it professional.'

Following Emerald's last sizzling film Saltburn, fans of the writer and director are awaiting a steamy take on Wuthering Heights, with Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi leading the cast as star-crossed lovers Catherine and Heathcliff in the movie.

Alison shared insight into her role as Isabella Linton in the film, adding: 'She's a very repressed character who is desperate for love.

'Emerald's interpretation of Isabella's story is the reverse of Cathy's; there's an uncorseting of her. Like she becomes undone. There's something so powerful about being underestimated.'

Wuthering Heights star Alison Oliver has revealed she finds sex scenes 'uncomfortable' as she posed for a stunning shoot with ELLE UK while wearing Tiffany & Co

Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi are set to appear as star-crossed lovers Cathy and Heathcliff in the racy adaptation of the Emily Bronte novel

Alison revealed that she 'couldn't imagine' filming sex scenes with an intimacy coordinator, saying: 'They take the discomfort out by making it professional'

Alison added that she learned she'd got the role after Emerald sent her a text message, after she previously worked with The Crown star on Saltburn.

'She said, if you want Isabella, she's yours,' the star revealed.

In the wake of speculation that this version of Wuthering Heights will be racier than others, Alison said it will reflect Emerald's experience of reading the gothic book.

She revealed: 'It's how Emerald [Fennell] experienced the book when she read it as a teenager. So it's not what's on the page, and I don't think that's what it's trying to be.

'You'll never be bored by an Emerald Fennell film. I think it will make noise, but you never know how things are going to be taken. I've learned that it's not really my business to worry about that.'

Alison, who has nearly 100,000 followers on Instagram, admitted she 'often doesn't know' why she still uses the platform.

She added: 'I often don't know why I have it because my job is to make others believe I'm someone else.'

'It's also been a helpful way for me to educate myself on what's happening in the world, especially with the ongoing horrors in Gaza, and how I can help.'

Alison shared insight into her role as Isabella Linton in the film, adding: 'She's a very repressed character who is desperate for love'

She also revealed that she learned she'd got the role after Emerald sent her a text message, after she previously worked with The Crown star on Saltburn

In the wake of speculation that this version of Wuthering Heights will be racier than others, Alison said it will reflect Emerald's experience of reading the gothic book

Emerald Fennell herself previously said adapting Wuthering Heights was an impossible task as she explained why she changed the title of her movie.

The upcoming adaptation of Emily Bronte's classic novel starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi is named "Wuthering Heights", with the quotation marks.

Now Emerald has admitted why she chose to include the quotation marks in the title.

She said you simply can't adapt a book as 'dense, complicated and difficult' as Wuthering Heights, so you create a version of it rather than a replica.

Emerald said she consulted the Bronte Parsonage Museum and others who love the book as much as she does before deciding on the title, adding: 'It is Wuthering Heights and it isn't.'

Speaking to Fandango on Wednesday, Emerald said: 'I think it's a lot of things but I think primarily it's because the book means so much to me and it means so so much to so many people, and I've been doing a lot of talking to the Bronte Parsonage Museum and to other people who love this book too because it means a lot to me.

'It's every important that everyone who loves it as much as I do feels almost a part of it, I guess.'

She continued: 'But the thing for me is you can't adapt a book as dense and complicated and difficult as this book. I can't say I'm making Wuthering Heights. It's not possible.

'What I can say is I'm making a version of it. There's a version I remembered reading, which isn't quite real. And there's a version that I wanted to stuff to happen that never happened.

'And so it is Wuthering Heights and it isn't. But really I'd say any adaptation of a novel, and especially a novel like this, should have, you know, quotation marks around it.'

Read the full interview at ELLE.com
Dress designer to the stars Georgina Chapman was all smiles on the red carpet at the Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, last month  but woes are accumulating at her fashion label Marchesa, where she is being sued by 16 employees over unpaid wages.

Further, the company's offices in Manhattan, New York, were due to be repossessed on January 22, over unpaid rent.

Chapman, the 49-year-old British girlfriend of Oscar-winner Adrien Brody, founded the label in 2004 when she was dating film producer Harvey Weinstein, whom she later married.

Naturally, business took a hit after Weinstein's #MeToo reckoning  more than 80 women made accusations against him  and he was subsequently convicted on charges of sexual assault.

But Chapman kept going and with the help of influential friends, including Vogue boss Anna Wintour, she managed to weather the storm and stay in business.

However, last year it emerged that 12 separate entities were suing the business  and things appear to have gone from bad to worse. On January 15 of this year, 16 former employees requested a jury trial to try to recover wages they say they are owed.

In legal documents, they claim that Marchesa, Georgina Chapman and her brother Edward, who also runs the company, 'engaged in a pattern and practice of delayed wage payments and non-payment in violation of the New York labor laws.'

They say the situation began at the end of July last year, only four months after Chapman, wearing Marchesa, sailed up the red carpet at the Oscars on Brody's arm, and received his used chewing gum before he made his Best Actor acceptance speech.

From that point, the lawsuit alleges that payments were 'routinely delayed by days or weeks,' if they were paid at all.

Harvey Weinstein and his then-wife Georgina Chapman pose at the 2018 Oscars

Adrien Brody shocked the Oscars audience when he tossed a piece of gum he was chewing towards his girlfriend of five years, Georgina Chapman, before delivering his best actor acceptance speech on March 2

The employees include Marchesa's PR, Vice President of Operations, production manager, a number of designers, global logistics manager, couture production manager, accounts receivable manager and one design intern who had been with them since 2011.

Meanwhile, the company's landlord at 8th Avenue in Manhattan says that they are owed $1.4 million in unpaid rent and bills and was granted permission to turf them out of their four-floor space in the block.

The petition was filed in September last year and Marchesa haven't fought it  they haven't even named a lawyer in the matter.

The fashion company signed a lease in November 2019. They did not respond to the landlord's petition to evict, and so on January 7, a judgement of possession was handed down which means the landlord was able to repossess as of January 22.

Separately, a judge has also entered a notice of default on a case brought by a finance company called EN OD Capital, which claimed in October last year that Marchesa had not paid back a loan of $220,000 backed up by $303,600 of future sales.

A judge has also entered a default against Marchesa on behalf of DHL, the postal service, which claimed it was owed $12,704 in unpaid postage.

Chapman and Brody met through mutual friend supermodel Helena Christensen in 2019, and now live together in a massive property in New York State with her two children by Weinstein. She was at Brody's side - wearing Marchesa, naturally - at the Oscars last March when he took home his second gong for his performance in The Brutalist.

Georgina, who grew up in Wimbledon, South West London, started out as an actress, but then founded the label Marchesa with a friend after she met Weinstein

The company's landlord at 8th Avenue in Manhattan says that they are owed $1.4 million in unpaid rent and bills

On stage he said: 'I share this with my amazing partner Georgina, who has not only reinvigorated my own self-worth, but my sense of value and my values.'

It was reported that Georgina got $15million in her divorce settlement from Weinstein, but that's nowhere near enough to bankroll a fashion business.

Respected fashion journalist Lauren Sherman, who writes for the online newsletter Puck, said last year: 'How Marchesa was financed was always a bit of a mystery... Weinstein denied that he was funnelling money to the business, especially toward the end. But the question persists: Who is paying for Marchesa?

'Any operation that produces $5,000, $6,000, and $7,000 gowns for retailers - on top of creating custom pieces for private clients - needs a lot of cash.'

She added: 'Like many fashion brands built on a certain type of vanity, [Marchesa] had mounting debts and a lack of purpose.'

Georgina, who grew up in Wimbledon, South West London and went to Marlborough College, the Princess of Wales' alma mater, initially started out as an actress, but then founded the label Marchesa with a friend after she met Weinstein.

Cate Blanchett wore a Marchesa mini to the Rome premiere of the Miramax film The Aviator in 2004, while Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz and Diane Kruger have also graced the red carpet in the gowns.

Chapman wore her brand at the Oscars last March, when her partner Brody took home his second gong for his performance in The Brutalist

Indeed, the label was named Red Carpet Designer of the Year at the British Fashion Awards in 2007.

But this success came to a halt in 2017 when the New York Times published its expose accusing Weinstein of paying off sexual harassment accusers for decades.

Chapman canceled her fashion show and released a statement which ran: 'My heart breaks for all the women who have suffered tremendous pain because of these unforgivable actions. I have chosen to leave my husband.'

In the immediate aftermath, things looked bleak. #BoycottMarchesa began trending on Twitter. A New York fashion publicist was quoted as saying: 'No star is ever going to want to wear the brand again.'

Georgina retreated to London with the children.

Brody and Chapman attend the The Brutalist red carpet during the 81st Venice International Film Festival in 2024

In 2018 she gave an interview to Vogue and said: 'There was a part of me that was terribly naive - clearly, so naive. I have moments of rage, I have moments of confusion, I have moments of disbelief. And I have moments when I just cry for my children. What are their lives going to be? What are people going to say to them? It's like, they love their dad. They love him. I just can't bear it for them.'

She went on to say she 'never knew'. 'That's what makes this so incredibly painful: I had what I thought was a very happy marriage. I loved my life.'

A few months later, Vogue ran a piece asking if it was time to start wearing Marchesa again and soon after, Dame Anna herself told The Late Show: 'Georgina is a brilliant designer and I don't think she should be blamed for her husband's behaviour.'

Georgina returned to live in upstate New York and until last year produced four collections a year, all unveiled online.

Although the company did not post sales or profit figures, her people claimed that the business was 'doing well' and Marchesa's annual revenue was estimated at $38.5 million.

In an interview with Vogue, she said of Adrien Brody: 'Anything that comes into his life gets held. It's painful, good and bad, but he's able to draw on this enormous universe inside him. He's very sensitive, he has a thin veil emotionally with the world.'
Sarah Michelle Gellar has opened up about the marriage rule she and longtime husband Freddie Prinze Jr. abide by.

The 48-year-old actress and 49-year-old actor tied the knot in 2002 and share daughter Charlotte, 16, and son Rocky, 13.

Gellar told E! News that the key to their longevity is, 'Separate bathrooms. That's what I always say.'

She made the admission at the red carpet premiere of Netflix's Star Search reboot this week.

The former Buffy the Vampire Slayer star is a judge on the live five-week talent competition, alongside Chrissy Teigen and Jelly Roll.

And her kids, whose identities she and her husband keep private, were there to support her at Tuesday night's premiere.

Sarah Michelle Gellarhas opened up about the marriage rule she and longtime husband Freddie Prinze Jr. abide by; pictured January 20

The 48-year-old actress and 49-year-old actor tied the knot in 2002 and share daughter Charlotte, 16, and son Rocky, 13; pictured July 14

'Well my daughter was a little upset with some of my decisions,' Gellar told ET about her family's reactions to her judging skills.

'But my husband said I did very well and my son said I did a very good job which, from him, is huge.'

Gellar and Prinze Jr. met on the set of the 1997 horror film I Know What You Did Last Summer.

The '90s Hollywood 'it' couple went on to star as Fred and Daphne in both Scooby-Doo live-action films in 2002 and 2004.

On her husband's March 8 birthday last year, the blonde beauty paid tribute to him on Instagram, sharing throwback black and white images of them together.

She wrote in the caption, 'Happy Birthday @realfreddieprinze. The world got very lucky the day you were born, but no one more so than me (and our children) Im so glad I get to grow old with youand that you will always have a head start!!'

In July the father of two told Variety, 'Marriage is hard, no matter what business youre in.

'What works for us might not work for everyone else. We work at it. Im not perfect. Shes not perfect. We piss each other off, but we respect one another.'

Prinze Jr. and Gellar pictured in August 2001, about one year before they married

The actors keep their kids' identities private; the family pictured on vacation in January 2023

The Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum is judging up-and-coming talent for Netflix's Star Search reboot, hosted by Anthony Anderson (R), alongside Chrissy Teigen (L) and Jelly Roll (second from left)

The pair celebrated their 23rd wedding anniversary this past September.

Their children's birthdays are also in September, just one day apart.

The proud mom took to Instagram to acknowledge both of her kids' birthdays last year.

She shared baby photos of Charlotte, as well as a black Jeep Wrangler she and her husband gifted the teen.

The caption of the post read, '16 years ago today, you made me a mom. I believe the quote is  a daughter is just a little girl who grows up to be your best friend. Charlotte, you are that and so much more. You are strong, you are inspiring, you are kind, you are funny (almost as funny as me) and most importantly you are one of a kind, the best kind. Im so lucky to call you my best friend. And Im equally excited to finally be your passenger PRINZEss .'

The following day she continued gushing toward her son, 'And then three years later you sped into our lives Rocky. I should have known by the way you raced into this world, what your future would hold. Aside from being one of the fastest in the state, you are one of the most polite, kind and funny kids I know. I cant believe you are a teenager. I love you more than my words can express!!! '
Henri Thynne, who was found guilty of abusing his ex-girlfriend last year, is back behind bars after he was released on parole last June.

The younger brother of Tammy Hembrow admitted to charges of common assault, stalking and two counts of strangulation in the Brisbane District Court last year.

The 21-year-old walked free from court that same day, but has now found himself back behind bars at Brisbane Correctional Centre, according to public records.

Thynne's victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, also shared the news online as she celebrated him being arrested again.

'How life feels knowing my abusive ex is back in jail lol,' she wrote as she put her middle finger up in the video and played the song 'Not Like Us' by Kendrick Lamar.

'Parole is suspended lmao,' she added.

Henri Thynne, 21, who was found guilty of abusing his ex-girlfriend last year, is back behind bars after he got out on parole last June

Hembrow, 31, distanced herself from her younger half-brother last year after he was found guilty of crimes against his ex-girlfriend.

The fitness influencer disowned him, revealing on TikTok in October that she has 'nothing to do with him'.

The admission came in the comments in a vlog she posted at the time, showing herself and her children grocery shopping.

'How's your brother?' a follower wrote beneath the video.

Hembrow responded with two comments, writing in the first: 'I wouldn't know. I have nothing to do with my brother as I've addressed before, so leave me out of it.'

'I wouldn't know. Nothing to do with me,' she said in the second message.

Thynne was released from prison in June after pleading guilty to a series of domestic violence offences against his ex-girlfriend.

He was sentenced to a maximum of three years in prison, but a minimum sentence ended on June 19, given time already served at Queensland's high-security Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre.

The younger brother of Tammy Hembrow, 31, admitted to charges of common assault, stalking and two counts of strangulation in the Brisbane District Court last year

The court heard that during one incident, the then-couple were watching a movie together when Thynne hit her in the head and called her a 'c***'.

On another occasion, he pushed her against a wall and choked her while saying: 'I own you.'

Thynne's victim bravely read aloud a powerful victim impact statement recounting the impact his violence has had on her.

'I question my safety in everyday situations. This experience has left lasting marks on my life,' she began.

'[Before the assaults] I was a happy, confident and expressive person through my personality, social media and network interactions with other people.'

The court heard she was now so fearful that she packed up and moved interstate twice.

'Since experiencing the abuse and assaults from him, I have changed,' she said.

'I had to relocate homes two times in two different states to attempt to feel safe, but no matter where I went, it was flooded with anxiety and fear that I would be confronted by him.'

Thynne walked free from court that same day, but has now found himself back behind bars at Brisbane Correctional Centre, according to public records. Pictured (far right) with Tammy Hembrow and family

Thynne showed little emotion while sitting in the dock, occasionally rocking back and forth, his head bowed.

Defence barrister Greg McGuire said the couple had an 'odd' relationship, with both of them being bodybuilders who used steroids during their relationship.

A medical report stated Thynne had diminished emotional control and impaired judgement due to severe steroid use since the age of 16.

Thynne's parents, father Nathaniel Thynne and mother Nathalie Stanley, did not appear to be in court during the sentencing.

Soon after sentencing concluded, the victim posted a stark warning on her social media page.

'Lock your doors! A criminal has been set free in Brisbane even after pleading guilty to everything!' the post began.

'Pre-warninghe pleaded guilty to sexual assault, assault, strangulation x2 and unlawful charges like breaches of the DVO [domestic violence order] and bail and still got released on parole!'

'Law legislation needs some work this is not acceptable and best believe it will not be the last time you hear from me about it,' she concluded.

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit their website. In an emergency, call 000.
Antoni Porowski has responded to a fan who said the behind-the-scenes 'drama' among the Queer Eye cast 'kills the vibe' of the show.

Amid the reboot's tenth and final season, Karamo Brown cancelled multiple morning show appearances while saying he was scared of being bullied.

To mark a decade on the show Porowski, 41, took to Instagram to reflect and share memories from the series.

His caption read, 'Its not about how or even that it ended  the journey of it all was the part Ill hold close to my heart. thank you to each and every one of you who watched, laughed, cried, screamed, binged, and related to the stories we were lucky enough to be a part of for almost a decade. tenth and final season of @queereye is now on Netflix.'

One fan wrote in the comments, '[Not gonna lie], the backstage drama kinda kills the vibe of the show. Im not motivated to watch you all portray to be a big happy family on every episode knowing its all fake. If you cant work out your own mess, how can you be in charge of fixing someone elses life?'

The Canadian media personality responded, 'A lot of us come from complicated families and still have jobs and positive things were passionate about. Authenticity is about being honest about the complexities of life and knowing two things can exist at the same time .'

Antoni Porowski has responded to a fan who said the behind-the-scenes 'drama' among the Queer Eye cast 'kills the vibe' of the show; pictured in May 2024

Amid the reboot's tenth and final season, Karamo Brown cancelled multiple morning show appearances while saying he was scared of being bullied; the Queer Eye cast pictured in February 2025

In addition to Porowski and Brown, the Queer Eye cast includes Jonathan Van Ness, Tan France, and Jeremiah Brent  who replaced Bobby Berk in season nine.

Brown, 45, pulled out of a planned appearance on CBS Mornings on Tuesday.

In the wake of his absence, the remaining co-stars were quizzed by host Gayle King about what happened.

'We call it a "Fab Five" but one of the Fab Five is not here,' she said at the top of the interview.

'We received word less than an hour ago that Karamo Brown is not going to be joining us today.'

She went on to read a portion of Brown's statement, saying that the reality star 'apologized for not attending' and thanked the show's audience.

'I want to rip the Band-Aid off and just get it out of the way so we can really talk about the show,' King explained.

'I hope everyone remembers the main theme I have tried to teach them over the past decade, which is to focus on and to protect their mental health and peace from people or a world who seek to destroy it; which is why I cant be there today,' Brown wrote in the portion read by the host.

'His assistant also says he's worried about being bullied,' she added.

To mark a decade on the show Porowski, 41, took to Instagram to reflect and share memories from the series

One fan wrote in the comments, '[Not gonna lie], the backstage drama kinda kills the vibe of the show'

In addition to Porowski and Brown, the Queer Eye cast includes Jonathan Van Ness, Tan France, and Jeremiah Brent  who replaced Bobby Berk in season nine

L-R Bobby Berk, Karamo Brown, Antoni Porowski, Tan France and Jonathan Van Ness holding their Creative Arts Emmy Awards in January 2023

Porowski responded: 'I will say, our Queer Eye family  we've been doing this for almost a decade, which is pretty wild to believe. And families are complicated. And we're definitely not excluded from that.

'And while that is definitely true, we're also here to showcase these incredible heroes that we have and really honor the legacy of this past decade of our lives.'

Several cast members shared social media posts acknowledging the premiere of the shows final season on Wednesday.

France wrote on Instagram, 'Happy Final day of this Queer Eye journey, to my incredible cast mates, incredible heroes, incredible crew and you incredible audience who have made my wildest of wildest dreams come true the past 9 years of my life! I will love and miss you!'

Meanwhile, Van Ness wrote on his account, 'I stand in so much gratitude, I honor this experience and all it did, and I am so excited to see whats next.'

Brown has unfollowed his former castmates on Instagram, except for Jeremiah Brent, who joined the cast in season nine.
Annie Knight has raised eyebrows by inviting male fans to take her on a date, just months ahead of her wedding to Henry Brayshaw in March.

The sex worker, 28 - who has been dubbed 'Australia's most sexually active woman' - announced on Thursday that she has opened up her schedule for dating, posting a call-out on social media for men to apply.

'Have you always wanted to take me out? Or do you need a bit of confidence to learn how to ask girls out? Now's your time...' the blonde wrote next to a photo of herself posing in a bikini on Instagram Stories.

The post linked to a sign-up sheet, which specified her fee-per-hour for the pleasure of her company.

An hour-long date will set you back $1,700, while a 10-hour long experience costs a whopping $10,000.

'I am now offering you the opportunity to take me out to dinner, spend the day with me, go on trips together, catch up for coffee or a walk, etc,' Annie wrote in the sign-up form, before clarifying that her services do not include 'anything physical', including sex.

Annie Knight, 28, (pictured) has raised eyebrows by inviting male fans to take her on a date, just months ahead of her wedding to Henry Brayshaw in March

The sex worker, 28 - who has been dubbed 'Australia's most sexually active woman' - announced on Thursday that she has opened up her schedule for dating, posting a call-out on social media for men to apply

It comes just months ahead of Annie's wedding to Henry Brayshaw, son of AFL commentator James Brayshaw.

The happy couple, who have been friends for ten years, got engaged in March - just one week after rekindling their relationship.

Henry popped the question over a romantic dinner in Beverly Hills during a trip to LA.

Sparing no expense, Henry proposed to Annie with a three-carat diamond, which Daily Mail revealed earlier this year is worth up to $200,000.

The enormous oval cut stone takes up almost the width of Annie's finger and is placed on an elegant gold band.

Austen & Blake jewellery expert Tony French exclusively told Daily Mail 'a natural diamond of this carat could cost anywhere between $140,000-$200,000'.

Following their wedding, Annie has also revealed that a baby is on the cards for the couple's future.

She made a candid confession about her baby plans last month when she appeared on the One Night with Steiny podcast.

An hour-long date will set you back $1,700 while a 10-hour long experience costs a whopping $10,000

It comes just months ahead of Annie's wedding to Henry Brawyshaw (right), son of AFL commentator James Brayshaw

'I want to have kids eventually, for sure,' she said, before sharing how she plans on raising her children.

'I'm going to raise my kids the way I was, that you don't judge people. Don't waste your life judging people.

'If you don't like what I do, that's fine. But there is no need to hate on other people.'

Meanwhile, Annie revealed in October that Henry is estranged from his famous father.

'To be honest with you, Henry and James don't really have much of a relationship,' she said on Saucy Secrets with Jana Hocking when asked how James reacted to their recent engagement.

'So, he wasn't sort of part of the process at all. But the rest of Henry's family are super supportive, so that's all we care about.'
Robert Irwin has shared the 'weird' moment he met his doppelganger.

Queensland dad Ben Marshall was invited by the Wildlife Warrior to Australia Zoo this week after he won a 'Robert Irwin lookalike contest' on Saturday.

The Dancing With the Stars champion posted a clip of the moment he came face-to-face with Ben who bears an uncanny resemblance to Robert.

'It's kind of uncanny, holy moly,' a surprised Robert said in the video as he hugged Ben, who beat out 30 other hopefuls to win the competition and a prize of $500.

'This is actually quite weird, man,' Robert said with a laugh as he looked at Ben standing opposite, who was dressed identically in the TV star's 'uniform' of khaki shirt, shorts and work boots.

'Look at this theres two of us now about time!' Robert exclaimed.

Robert Irwinhas shared the 'weird' moment he met his doppelganger , Queensland dad Ben Marshall

The I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! host then declared he wanted to see how 'Robert Irwin' Ben really was - and shared images of the pair handling a giant Burmese python.

Ben appeared unfazed as Robert draped the huge reptile over his shoulders.

'Seeing double,' Robert captioned the Instagram post and added, 'thanks for stopping by, Ben.'

'Now we know who gets to be your stunt double when there is inevitably a movie made about your life,' joked one fan on the post, while another added: 'He can be your stand-in at the shows now.'

A third person said: 'This is wild.'

Ben appeared on the Today show following his win and said 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.

Ben launched into his best Robert impersonation with a fake snake around his neck.

Marshall was invited by the Wildlife Warrior to Australia Zoo this week after he won a 'Robert Irwin lookalike contest' on Saturday

'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 earlier this month, 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.

Robert himself was deeply amused by the contest, calling it 'classic' in a social media post.

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!

Robert still works at Australia Zoo, his family's Queensland-based conservation park, and carries on his late father Steve's conservation mission.
Rachael Ray has been given a multitude of awards during her career, and now she can add the Golden Heart Award to her collection.

The celebrity chef, 57, was bestowed with the esteemed trophy for her humanitarian work in Ukraine by that countrys president and leader Volodymyr Zelensky, per People.

Rays good works have involved several trips to Ukraine delivering medical supplies, kitchen equipment and toys, and hosting cooking classes for children and wounded soldiers.

She has been supporting Ukraines causes since mid-2022 after the Russian invasion and partnered with the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America.

Ray - who revealed a health woe back in October while hosting a cooking event with Brooklyn Beckham - has made seven missions to the war-torn country, even delivering first aid kits to frontline medical personnel. Shes also met with local authorities and youth centers.

According to the organization's release, the award is given to people who have made 'significant contributions to humanitarian aid and volunteerism, particularly in support of Ukraine during Russias military aggression.'

Rachael Ray, 57, has been honored with the Golden Heart Award for her humanitarian work in Ukraine by that country's president and leader Volodymyr Zelensky

'Through her platform, she has consistently highlighted the importance of supporting Ukraine and the urgency of humanitarian aid,' the release continued.

Rays reaction to the honor was one of modesty.

'Im overwhelmed and humbled and a little embarrassed to be noticed for something that should simply be done,' the one-time talk show host told People.

'Im profoundly grateful to President Zelenskyy for this honor, and I share it with our partners. I feel blessed to serve Ukraine, and Im already planning our eighth mission.'

Ray and Andriy Futey, former UCCA president and currently a Special Envoy to Ukraine, have partnered in numerous humanitarian trips to Ukraine.

'Our entire Ukrainian American community is thrilled that President Zelensky has recognized Rachael with this prestigious award,' Futey said in a statement.

'Her dedication, compassion, and partnership with UCCA have been an inspiration and a lifeline to the people of Ukraine.

'We are deeply grateful for her continued support and tireless contributions,' Futey shared.

The celebrity chef's good works have involved several trips to Ukraine delivering medical supplies, kitchen equipment and toys, and hosting cooking classes

Ray was moved to tears during one mission in war-torn Ukraine in 2022

During that visit in 2022, Ray put together packets of supplies for medical personnel on the front line

'Our entire Ukrainian American community is thrilled that President Zelensky has recognized Rachael with this prestigious award, said Andriy Futey, who has accompanied Ray on on her numerous humanitarian trips to Ukraine; Zelensky pictured in January

The honor comes after Ray sparked fears for her health after she appeared to be slurring in a cooking video shared to social media.

In September 2024, Ray shocked fans when she posted a preview from her show, Rachael Ray in Tuscany, which showed her cooking Ossobuco while paying tribute to the late Tony Bennett.

However, as an emotional Ray recounted Bennett hitting his head on her marble counter and fearing she had 'killed him' - fans were left enquiring about her own health.

One fan wrote: 'Is she slurring or am I slurring' while a second typed: 'I love you but are you ok? Im seriously concerned.'

Others penned: 'Rachel is in a bit of trouble?! I hope someone is just as concerned as I am?', 'Wait! Whats going on with Rachael Ray?' and 'She's aging like the rest of us. Maybe she has a medical condition, maybe she is on medication. Regardless, no need to be mean.'

Then in October 2024, the TV personality shared that she'd suffered 'a couple of bad falls' while carrying wood for a fire. But that, it seemed, was only part of the story.

At the time, an insider exclusively told the Daily Mail that Ray's family have been left worried for her well-being.

'Those close to Rachael are so concerned,' the insider said. 'She has shut people out and lives a very secluded life.

In February 2024, Ray posted a clip of herself cooking fajitas, but some of her comments throughout the video left her fans worried about her 'slurring' speech

'She seems lost and when anyone reaches out to her she doesn't respond,' they added.

'Rachael was always so meticulous about her appearance, and it is very telling and concerning that she now just doesn't care. It is indicative of a bigger issue.'

It has not helped that she has suffered a string of career setbacks including the end of her hit eponymous syndicated cooking show - The Rachael Ray Show - which premiered in 2006 and ran unhindered for 17 seasons until 2023.

She continues to whip meals on her current shows Rachael Ray Meals in Minutes and Rachael Ray in Tuscany.
One of Hollywoods longest-lasting love stories was on full display Wednesday as Maxwell Caulfield and Juliet Mills stepped out looking utterly smitten - 46 years after saying I do.

The Grease 2 heartthrob, 66, and the Passions icon, 84, turned heads at a Los Angeles screening of A Murder Between Friends, proving time has done nothing to dim their chemistry.

Holding hands and smiling for cameras, the couple looked more like newlyweds than a pair married since 1980.

Caulfield cut a sharp figure in a tailored suit paired with green leather trainers, blending classic polish with a modern edge.

Mills, meanwhile, radiated elegance in a brown fur-trimmed coat, sparkling black boots and statement earrings.

The moment underscored how rare their longevity is in Hollywood - a marriage thats survived fame, age gaps, and decades in the spotlight.

Juliet Mills and Maxwell Caulfield stepped out for the screening of A Murder Between Friends in LA on Wednesday

Holding hands and smiling for cameras, the couple looked more like newlyweds than a pair married since 1980

Their love story began back in 1980, when the pair met while starring opposite each other in a stage production of The Elephant Man.

At the time, Caulfield was just 21 and fresh-faced, while Mills, then 39, was already a seasoned actress with a famous surname - a combination that immediately raised eyebrows.

It didnt faze them, as the pair married later that same year.

'We were instant friends, immediately attracted,' she told Weekend Magazine in 2019.

'I believe in reincarnation and I believe I'd known Maxwell in another life. It was like saying, "Oh hello, there you are,"' she said.

'It was a full-blown romance,' Caulfield added.

Mills said: 'Maxwell is very romantic, very protective and my best friend.

'He planned our wedding too. It was the most romantic ever  at sunrise on a clifftop overlooking the Pacific.'

Their love story began back in 1980, when the pair met while starring opposite each other in a stage production of The Elephant Man; (pictured 1982)

At the time, Caulfield was just 21 and fresh-faced, while Mills, then 39, was already a seasoned actress with a famous surname - a combination that immediately raised eyebrows; (pictured 1986)

'We were instant friends, immediately attracted,' Mills said in 2019; (pictured 1987)

The pair sealed their romance with an intimate seaside wedding at Malibus Point Dume.

It marked Caulfields first trip down the aisle, while Mills was already a veteran of married life.

She shares son Sean Alquist with former husband Russell Alquist Jr and daughter Melissa Caulfield with ex Michael Miklenda.

Although Caulfield embraced his role as a devoted stepfather to Sean and Melissa, the couple did not go on to have children together.

Professionally, Caulfields life changed at lightning speed soon after the wedding, thanks to his breakout turn as leather-jacketed bad boy Michael Carrington in Grease 2.

The role transformed him into an 80s teen idol almost overnight, launching a career that spanned hit shows including Dynasty, Melrose Place and Beverly Hills, 90210.

By contrast, Mills was already an established star long before she met her future husband.

Mills was already an established star long before she met her future husband; (pictured in 1989)

Although Caulfield stepped into life as a devoted stepdad to Juliets two kids, the pair never had children of their own; (pictured 2006)

Born into acting royalty as the daughter of Sir John Mills and the elder sister of The Parent Trap favorite Hayley Mills, Juliet was practically raised backstage; (pictured 2021)

Born into acting royalty as the daughter of Sir John Mills and the elder sister of The Parent Trap favorite Hayley Mills, she was practically raised backstage.

Her resume spans acclaimed films such as Avanti! and The Rare Breed, while soap fans later embraced her as the deliciously devious Eve de Beauchamp on Passions.

And despite their nearly 20-year age gap, Caulfield insists Mills is the one setting the pace.

Speaking on Loose Women last year, he said: Funnily enough, shes the one who keeps me young.

Its like a reverse process going on, its kind of spooky. Its like Slow down, will you?

I dont mean in the age department, either!

More than four decades after saying I do, both stars are still booking work, too - with Mills recently appearing on Greys Anatomy and Caulfield landing roles on The Bay and Taylor Sheridans Landman, proving their love story has aged as gracefully as their careers.
Paris Hilton headed to Washington, D.C. on Thursday to protest the growing issue of AI deepfakes over two decades after her sex tape was infamously leaked online.

The 44-year-old showed backed the DEFIANCE Act alongside lawmakers, advocates and other survivors on Capitol Hill, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Laurel Lee (R-Fla.).

The bipartisan bill would allow victims of AI deepfakes to sue individuals who produce and share the nonconsensual content.

Hilton spoke about her own experience with online sexual abuse as she recalled the impact of her sex tape leak in 2004.

The tape, titled 1 Night in Paris, was filmed in 2001 and featured a then-19-year-old Hilton and her then-boyfriend, poker player Rick Salomon, who later released it without her consent.

'When I was 19 years old, a private intimate video of me was shared with the world without my consent,' Hilton said at Thursday's press conference.

She then likened her experience as well as the experiences of other survivors of deepfakes and revenge porn to 'abuse.'

Paris Hiltonheaded to Washington, D.C. on Thursday to protest the growing issue of AI deepfakes over two decades after her sex tape was infamously leaked online

It comes two days after the star hosted a lavish premiere for her new documentary

'People called it a scandal. It wasn't. It was abuse.'

'They called me names, they laughed and made me the punch line.

'They sold my pain for clicks, and then they told me to be quiet, to move on, to even be grateful for the attention,' Hilton said.

'This isn't about just technology. It's about power. It's about someone using someone's likeness to humiliate, silence and strip them of their dignity.'

Another survivor, the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City alum Angie Katsanevas, also advocated for the bill and testified before Congress as an invited witness on the same day Hilton took a stand on Capitol Hill.

The DEFIANCE Act follows the passage of another deepfake bill last year, the TAKE IT DOWN Act, which made it a federal crime to publish nonconsensual, sexually explicit deepfakes.

The deepfakes bill signed into law last year requires platforms to remove child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and non-consensual intimate images within 48 hours of being notified by the victim.

The DEFIANCE Act would go beyond current law by addressing the production, distribution and solicitation of non-consensual sexual imagery and giving individuals the right to sue.

'TAKE IT DOWN gave us removal and DEFIANCE will give us recourse and restitution,' Ocasio-Cortez explained.

Hilton showed backed the DEFIANCE Act alongside lawmakers, advocates and other survivors on CapitolHill, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Laurel Lee (R-Fla.)

The bipartisan bill would allow victims of AI deepfakes to sue individuals who produce and share the nonconsensual content

'When I was 19 years old, a private intimate video of me was shared with the world without my consent,' Hilton said at Thursday's press conference

She then likened her experience as well as the experiences of other survivors of deepfakes and revenge porn to 'abuse'

Hilton said she hoped to make a change and ensure nobody else goes through the same thing by advocating for the bill and sharing her story as a survivor

Hilton has previously described the leaking of her infamous sex tape as one of the 'most painful' experiences she has ever gone through.

Hilton previously claimed she felt pressured into making the sex tape with Salomon when she was 19.

During a recent appearance on the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast, Hilton spoke about how painful it was 'to trust someone so much and then to be violated like that' and then to witness 'the entire world watching, laughing and talking about it.

'I was a child, and I was in love and trusted someone.'

Hilton said she believed at the time that the tape was something she 'thought no one would ever see.'

By speaking up about the experience now, as well as advocating for the bill, she said she hoped she could help make sure that the same thing would never happen to anyone else.
Nicki Minaj has managed to avoid the sale of her $20 million Los Angeles mansion by satisfying a $500,000 judgment.

The 43-year-old music artist was previously ordered to pay about $503,000 after losing a lawsuit, jeopardizing ownership of her Hidden Hills home if she didn't issue the payment.

The half-million-dollar judgment was awarded to Thomas Weidenmuller, Minaj's former bodyguard who argued in court that that he was assaulted by her husband Kenneth Petty in March 2019 in Germany, TMZ reported.

The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Minaj for comment but has yet to hear back.

Weidenmuller's lawyer Paul Saso told Daily Mail Friday that Minaj 'has satisfied the judgment in full' and that his client 'is happy to put this matter behind him and to be properly compensated for the defendants attack on him years ago.'

'It is unfortunate that we had to go to such great lengths to enforce this judgment.'

Nicki Minaj has managed to avoid the sale of her $20 million Hidden Hills mansion by satisfying a $500,000 judgment; pictured in May 2025

The 43-year-old music artist was previously ordered to pay about $503,000 after losing a lawsuit, jeopardizing ownership of her home if she didn't issue the payment, according to documents obtained by Daily Mail

Saso said 'the motion to force the sale of Nicki Minajs mansion was always aimed at forcing her to pay the judgment and never calculated to actually remove her from her home.'

The attorney concluded, 'We believe that her belated satisfaction of the judgment establishes that, no matter how rich and famous you are, the law still applies and that physical violence is intolerable.'

It comes after the hitmaker sparked outrage over her social media attack against Don Lemon after he reported on an anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protest at a Minnesota church.

On Sunday, she erupted on X after Lemon, 59, livestreamed a confrontation at Cities Church in St. Paul, where protesters stormed a service to condemn the alleged presence of ICE leadership within the church.

Minaj wrote: 'DON 'C**K SUCKIN' LEMON IS DISGUSTING.'

Lemon, who is openly gay and married to real estate agent Tim Malone, was the target of further attacks as Minaj continued her tirade.

'HOW DARE YOU? I WANT THAT THUG IN JAIL!!!!! HE WOULD NEVER DO THAT TO ANY OTHER RELIGION. LOCK HIM UP!!!!!' she added.

In response to Minaj's social media attack, Lemon told TMZ: 'I'm not surprised Nicki Minaj does not understand journalism and is weighing in on matters that are above her capacity.'

Lemon further addressed her remarks while appearing on Monday's episode of the I've Had It podcast, stating, 'Nicki Minaj is not a Christian. She knows nothing about a Christian. What she is  is a grifter.'

Weeks ago Minaj raised eyebrows following an appearance at the Turning Point USA AmericaFest convention in Arizona

One month ago Minaj raised eyebrows following her appearance at the Turning Point USA AmericaFest convention in Arizona.

While there, she made clear that her politics have shifted, proclaiming she is a fan of both President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance and their direct styles of communication.

'This administration is full of people with heart and soul, and they make me proud of them,' the mom of one said. 'Our vice president, he makes me ... well, I love both of them.

'Both of them have a very uncanny ability to be someone that you relate to.'

During her conversation with slain Charlie Kirk widow Erika Kirk, the New York-bred star colloquially described Vance as an 'assassin' before immediately acknowledging her insensitive use of the word.

However, Kirk graciously excused the faux pas and said, 'If the internet wants to clip it, who cares? I love this woman.'
The Beckham family feud has got the nation talking, with social media awash with memes following Brooklyn's bombshell statement.

And now, even the West End musical Titanique has jumped on the bandwagon.

The show marked its one-year anniversary with a special gala performance at the Criterion Theatre on Tuesday night, during which the cast poked fun at the latest drama engulfing the famous family.

At one point, performers made gags about Victoria Beckham's alleged 'inappropriate dancing', while a reference to her 2001 solo single Not Such An Innocent Girl reportedly drew the biggest laughs from the audience.

Brooklyn's six-page statement, in which the 26-year-old launched an astonishing attack on his family, was also referenced during the tongue-in-cheek segment.

The anniversary gala was attended by a host of A-list stars, including, Denise van Outen, Dame Kelly Holmes, Dame Arlene Phillips, Vanessa Feltz, Tom Fletcher, and Chris O'Dowd, who attended with his wife Dawn.

The Beckham family feud has got the nation talking, with social media awash with memes following Brooklyn's bombshell statement. And now, even the West End musical Titanique has jumped on the bandwagon

The show marked its one-year anniversary with a special gala performance at the Criterion Theatre on Tuesday night, during which the cast poked fun at the latest drama engulfing the famous family (Brooklyn pictured 2024)

Denise, 51, wowed in a tiger-print coat paired with a black satin co-ord as she arrived at the theatre.

Kelly, 55, looked effortlessly chic in a black wrap top teamed with brown wide-leg trousers.

Arlene, 82, wrapped up in a black coat with a faux-fur trim, smiling for the cameras ahead of the show.

Vanessa, 63, lit up the red carpet in a baby blue dress adorned with silver polka-dot embellishments.

Tom, 40, cut a stylish figure in a brown co-ord, paired with a quirky yellow-and-brown striped polo shirt.

The event comes after aspiring chef Brooklyn published a scathing six-page statement about his family where he said he has no interest in reconciling with them, including dad David.

Despite once proudly declaring he was a 'mama's boy', Brooklyn focused on Victoria in the statement, with his vitriolic comments reportedly leaving her 'on the floor in pieces'.

Among Brooklyn's long list of claims was the accusation that his mum 'hijacked' his first dance at his wedding and 'danced very inappropriately on me in front of everyone', before accusing his parents of trying to ruin his relationship.

At one point, performers made gags about Victoria Beckham's alleged 'inappropriate dancing', while a reference to her 2001 solo single Not Such An Innocent Girl reportedly drew the biggest laughs from the audience (L to R) Madison Swan, Rose Galbraith, Astrid Harris, Luke Bayer and Ryan Carter

Brooklyn's six-page statement, in which the 26-year-old launched an astonishing attack on his family, was also referenced during the tongue-in-cheek segment (Brooklyn pictured with his parents David and Victoria in 2019)

Brooklyn is now estranged from his entire family - and he says he has no wishes to reconcile (pictured L-R: Cruz, Harper, Romeo, Victoria and David Beckham)

Now four days on from the statement a clip of another viral moment between Brooklyn's wife Nicola Peltz and Victoria from October 2022 during Paris Fashion Week has been doing the rounds on TikTok.

It shows Nicola speaking to a blonde woman at an event while Brooklyn's younger sister Harper stands nearby.

Nicola stands with her back to Brooklyn and Victoria to have her conversation while Victoria appears to awkwardly hang around behind her and struggles to be brought into the conversation.

Sharing the clip one TikTok user claimed: 'Leaked footage from 2022 of the Beckhams, Victoria is not the problem'

Under the video fans gave their divided opinions as some claimed: 'Even when talking to someone you turn and at least say hello and excuse yourself and say you're talking to a friend and won't be long.'.

'Having a conversation that didn't include queen Victoria? How dare she?',

'I never heard anything good about Nicola.'

Other leapt to Nicola's defense however as they penned: 'She's talking to someone she's not being rude.',

The anniversary gala was attended by a host of A-list stars, including, Denise van Outen, Dame Kelly Holmes (seen), Dame Arlene Phillips, Vanessa Feltz, Tom Fletcher, and Chris O'Dowd, who attended with his wife Dawn

Denise, 51, wowed in a tiger-print coat paired with a black satin co-ord as she arrived at the theatre

Arlene, 82, wrapped up in a black coat with a faux-fur trim, smiling for the cameras ahead of the show

Vanessa, 63, lit up the red carpet in a baby blue dress adorned with silver polka-dot embellishments

Tom, 40, cut a stylish figure in a brown co-ord, paired with a quirky yellow-and-brown striped polo shirt

'If she's talking to someone what's the problem.',

'What are you taking about shes having a conversation.',

'she was chatting to someone . not rude at all.'

It comes as Brooklyn and Nicola had the biggest smiles on their faces in their first sighting since the statement.

Despite the eyes of the globe being on the controversial couple amid the family drama, on Thursday they enjoyed a carefree walk with their dog in Malibu, with their arms around one another.

It marks the first outing for Brooklyn and the actress, 31, since they released a statement denouncing his family and pledging his allegiance to his wife.

But in stark contrast to his withering words, Brooklyn appeared happy and relaxed as he strolled along the beach with Nicola and their rescue dog, Lamb.
Euphoria actress Alanna Ubach has accused a Lyft driver of stealing a package containing $1,000, which led to the company permanently removing the driver from their platform.

The Downey, California-born actress, 50, told TMZ Thursday that she reported being the victim of grand theft after the driver defaulted on an arrangement to take a package from her in Hollywood, California in and deliver it to someone else.

Ubach said the driver misled her to believe that package delivery was a service provided by Lyft.

Ubach said she used paper towels and tape to secure a package containing $1,000 cash, but the driver never made it to where she wanted it dropped off.

Ubach, who plays the role of Suze on the series opposite Sydney Sweeney, Zendaya and Jacob Elordi, said that the driver turned off his phone when he arrived at the address she provided him with.

Daily Mail has reached out to the LAPD and Ubach's rep for further comment on this story.

Euphoria actress Alanna Ubach, 50, has accused a Lyft driver of stealing a package containing $1,000, which led to the company permanently removing the driver from their platform. Pictured in April of 2022 in LA

Ubach, who also has worked on shows such as The Last of Us, Family Guy and Mythic Quest, said that the person she intended to send the cash to waited outside for 45 minutes, but the driver failed to arrive.

Ubach told TMZ she contacted reps with the rideshare company to file a grievance.

At that time, Ubach said she was informed that package delivery was not a service offered.

Ubach said Lyft told her that the driver denied knowing about the transaction or being involved in any way.

A Lyft spokesperson told Daily Mail in a statement that immediate measures were taken upon receiving Ubach's report.

'We understand how distressing this situation is for the rider involved, and we take reports like this seriously,' the spokesperson said.

'Lyft is in contact with the rider and we have permanently removed the driver from the platform.'

The spokesperson clarified that 'using Lyft rides to transport or deliver unaccompanied goods is not permitted and violates our Terms of Service.

A Lyft spokesperson told Daily Mail in a statement: 'Lyft is in contact with the rider and we have permanently removed the driver from the platform.'

(L-R) Alexa Demie, Hunter Schafer, Eric Dane, Maude Apatow, Zendaya, Barbie Ferreira, Sydney Sweeney, Sam Levinson and Colman Domingo at a 2022 Euphoria screening in LA

Ubach said the transaction was tied to bills in the name of her late sister, who passed away in November. Pictured 2024

Sweeney pictured at an event at Chateau Marmont on January 10

'In cases involving alleged misuse of the platform, Lyft has established processes to assist law enforcement, including helping them obtain relevant records and conducting internal investigations as appropriate.'

Ubach said the transaction was tied to bills in the name of her late sister, who passed away in November.

Ubach's character on Euphoria, Suzane 'Suze' Howard is the storyline mother of Cassie Howard (Sweeney) and Alexis 'Lexi' Howard (Maude Apatow).

The character is estranged from ex Gus Howard (Nick Blood) and is depicted as having a drinking problem.
Bella Hadid showed off her super slim waist in behind-the-scenes footage from filming Hulu's new series The Beauty on Thursday evening.

The 29-year-old supermodel took to Instagram to share a series of photos and videos while portraying the character Ruby in the dark, sci-fi body horror series.

Hadid, who played her second minor acting role with the FX series following her guest appearance in Yellowstone, kicked off the first episode with a particularly grisly and wild action sequence.

After rocking the premiere in a revealing, red gown last week, she shared multiple social media posts to share her preparation for the part and filming on the set.

In her most recent post, she compiled several pictures and clips from inside her personal trailer and out on the set, captioning the photo series with her character's name Ruby and a red heart emoji.

One snapshot showed her in a comfy robe while sitting on the steps outside of her trailer as she juggled her purse, a journal and a shot of juice as she sipped from a travel mug.

Bella Hadid, 29, highlighted her very thin waist in a series of behind-the-scenes footage from The Beauty on Thursday evening

She also included pictures and clips from practicing the action sequence for her violent fight scene on the catwalk.

The star went on to share a snapshot of herself smiling and making a thumbs-up sign from what appeared to be the same day based on her same outfit  an all-black workout ensemble paired with crimson red, high-top sneakers.

She also included a behind-the-scenes look during a filming day as she was dressed up in head-to-toe red leather.

The look accentuated her super slim waist, and she also made a jaw-dropping display with the gory-looking prosthetics and fake blood on her body.

The clip showed her practicing but actually smashing a breakable, glass carafe prop over a crew member's head.

Another shot showed her riding in a van, bundled up in a puffer coat, while presumably on her way to the set.

Others gave fans a sneak peek preview of her getting ready process as costume designers helped her get dressed in the skintight, leather corset pants paired with a matching, cropped jacket.

Many of her photos showed her before and after getting realistic-looking, gory wound prosthetics applied to her face, arm and leg.

She showed off her waist-cinching, leather outfit as well as the gory prosthetics for her wild scenes in the show

Bella also showed off the grisly fake wounds on her arm

The supermodel also had a gnarly open wound on her knee

She rocked an all leather look

In her most recent post, she compiled several pictures and clips from inside her personal trailer and out on the set

The model shared other inside looks at her preparation for the opening action sequence as she got ready to practice her fight moves

While her post from the day before was mostly showing off her waist-cinching costume and the gory prosthetics, her Instagram photo series on Thursday was an inside look at her violent action scenes

Hadid included clips of her practicing one particular scene where she smashed a fake glass prop over someone's head

One notable snapshot, the one she ended her carousel post with, showed her wearing just a bra and puckering her lips as her hair and makeup team stood around her to get her in costume for the shoot.

Several hours earlier, she shared a separate post of her in less gory and more similar to day-to-day garb during a promo event for the show.

In the comments section, her mother Yolanda Hadid shared a red heart emoji and praised her, writing: 'Bravo baby.'

She was chatting with cultural commentator Evan Ross Katz as seen by the snaps and rocked a black, latex outfit for their sit-down interview.

She wore a shiny pencil skirt paired with a matching jacket, stiletto heels and a white tank top for the occasion.

The day before, she shared even more clips and posts of filming her opening scene in the show. Nearly all of them showed the aftermath of her battle sequence and faux injuries made with fake blood, prosthetics and latex.

In the trailer and her action-packed scene, Hadid portrays a supermodel character who is walking the runway when she becomes possessed by a severe reaction to a beauty-enhancing virus.

She becomes angry, violent and deadly as she attacks bystanders but seems unaffected by the injuries she sustains from people fighting back or when she gets in a horrifying motorcycle accident.

The show is centered on a deadly, transformative virus that takes over the high fashion world and the supermodel Hadid plays appears to be the first to go.

At the end of the clip, she feigned tears as she apologized to him with a hug

They also practiced the scene from a different angle, and Hadid shared another slide of her attacking him with the breakable glass prop

Hadid had to practice many violent fight moves as seen in more footage she shared of her going from walking on the catwalk to running to attack the actors sitting in the front row

One particular picture showed her seemingly excited expression as she appeared to be riding in a van on her way to the set to film one of her scenes

On the same day but several hours earlier, she shared a post without any fake blood or prosthetics while she was promoting the show

She wore a latex-looking, outfit as she posed with a poster of herself before doing a sit-down interview

In the pictures, she flaunted her slim physique in a tight-fitting pencil skirt paired with a matching, shiny jacket and a white tank top

More notable guest appearances in addition to Hadid are Meghan Trainor and Isabella Rosselini while the main, all-star cast consists of Evan Peters, Ashton Kutcher, Rebecca Hall, Anthony Ramos and Jeremy Pope.

In The Beauty, FBI agents Cooper Madsen (Peters) and Jordan Bennett) are sent to Paris to investigate a series of mysterious and gruesome deaths that begins plaguing the high end fashion and supermodel world.

Per the synopsis, as they continue on their journey to uncover the truth, the find its a sexually transmitted virus that causes people to transform into perfect-looking people, but the change in their physical appearances comes with consequences.

In the show, Kutcher plays a shady tech billionaire, the brains behind The Corporation and the 'miracle drug' called 'The Beauty.'

His right hand man is The Assassin, who is portrayed by Ramos.

And as the bone-chilling epidemic and chaos spreads wildly, an outsider named Jeremy and played by Jeremy [Pope], crosses paths with the agents and villains.

The first three episodes premiered on FX and Hulu on Wednesday, January 21, and new episodes will continue dropping weekly.
Blake Lively made rare remarks about hers and husband Ryan Reynolds's controversial 2012 wedding during her It Ends With Us deposition, it has just been revealed.

Lively, 38, and Reynolds, 49, married on September 9, 2012 at Boone Hall, a former slave plantation in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.

After facing backlash for their choice of wedding venue at the height of the Black Lives Matter movement, the couple publicly admitted they were 'uninformed' and made a $200,000 donation to the NAACP in 2020.

Lively, who is suing It Ends With Us director/co-star Justin Baldoni, was grilled by his lawyer Bryan Freedman last July about the 'negative press' she and Reynolds received at the time.

'It's true that you dealt with negative press with respect to being married on a plantation during, kind of, the height of Black Lives Matter; is that right?' Freedman asked, according to legal transcripts reviewed by Us Weekly.

Lively admitted that she and her husband were wrong to pick the venue for the ceremony due its past history of slavery.

Blake Lively made rare remarks about hers and husband Ryan Reynolds's controversial 2012 plantation wedding during her It Ends With Us deposition

Lively, 38, and Reynolds, 49, married on September 9, 2012 at Boone Hall, a former slave plantation in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina; Boone Hall Plantation pictured in 2004

'I feel like that negative press was deserved,' the mother of four said. 'It's a mistake we have publicly acknowledged and done a lot of work to reconcile for ourselves and others.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to reps for Baldoni, Lively and Reynolds for further comment but has yet to hear back.

In the July 2025 deposition, Lively said she took 'full accountability for that decision, as does [her] husband' Reynolds, implying that it was only being brought up to discredit her.

'But I don't know what weaponization of the past has been a part of [Justin Baldoni's alleged smear] campaign.' Baldoni  who directed and co-starred alongside Lively in It Ends With Us  has denied the claims.

She said of the backlash to the plantation controversy, 'I'm used to it after this many years in the industry,' adding, 'It's not something I've had to deal with often.'

Reynolds in August of 2020 told Fast Company that the wedding venue will forever be something 'impossible to reconcile' for the couple.

The Deadpool star added, 'It's something we'll always be deeply and unreservedly sorry for.'

Reynolds at the time said that they pair selected Boone Hall while looking for 'a wedding venue on Pinterest,' only learning after the event that it has been 'a place built upon devastating tragedy.'

Lively was grilled by Justin Baldoni's lawyer Bryan Freedman last July about the 'negative press' she and Reynolds received at the time; Lively and Reynolds seen in 2025

'It's a mistake we have publicly acknowledged and done a lot of work to reconcile for ourselves and others,' Lively said of their choice of venue; Boone Hall Plantation pictured in 2010

He added: 'Years ago we got married again at home  but shame works in weird way. A giant f***ing mistake like that can either cause you to shut down or it can reframe things and move you into action.'

'It doesn't mean you won't f*** up again, but repatterning and challenging lifelong social conditioning is a job that doesn't end.'

The interview came months after the couple pledged $200,000 to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in June of 2020 amid social unrest in the U.S. following the death of George Floyd.

They said in a joint statement at the time: 'We're ashamed that in the past we've allowed ourselves to be uninformed about how deeply rooted systemic racism is,' noting they had wanted to use their 'privilege and platform to be an ally.'

Lively and Reynolds said at the time, 'We've never had to worry about preparing our kids for different rules of law or what might happen if we're pulled over in the car.'

'We don't know what it's like to experience that life day in and day out. We can't imagine feeling that kind of fear and anger.'

The pair said that they had been raising their children 'differently than the way our parents taught us' with a sense of added social consciousness.

'We want to educate ourselves about other people's experiences and talk to our kids about everything, all of it especial our own complicity,' the duo said. 'We talk about our bias, blindness and our own mistakes.

'We look back and see so many mistakes which have led us to deeply examine who we are and who we want to become. They've led us to huge avenues of education.'

Lively and Reynolds said they were 'committed to raising our kids so they never grow up feeding this insane pattern and so they'll do their best to never inflict pain on another being consciously or unconsciously.'

The deposition transcript was made public as part of the ongoing bitter legal battle between Lively and her It Ends With Us director and co-star Justin Baldoni; Baldoni seen in 2024

Lively sued Baldoni and others in December 2024, alleging sexual harassment and retaliation  claims that he denies; Lively seen in 2024

They wrapped up in saying, 'It's the least we can do to honor not just George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and Eric Garner, but all the black men and women who have been killed when the camera wasn't rolling.'

The latest news in the It Ends With Us litigation comes as the contentious legal battle between Lively and Baldoni has gone on for more than a year.

In December of 2024, Lively named Baldoni in a lawsuit accusing him of sexual harassment, retaliatory conduct, and intentional infliction of emotional stress.

In her lawsuit, the actress accused Baldoni of sexually harassing her in multiple ways  including body shaming her  and orchestrating a smear campaign against her to damage her reputation.

In her lawsuit, Lively named a number of Baldoni's collaborators, including his company Wayfarer Studios, the studio's CEO and financial backer, and PR personnel.

Baldoni had initially asked for $250 million in damages from The New York Times, mentioning a report it published on the topic that he claimed was defamatory, then added it to the $400 million lawsuit he filed this past January.

In the suit, Baldoni named Lively, her spouse Ryan Reynolds and her publicist Leslie Sloane, citing the aforementioned report in legal documents. It was thrown out of court this past June. All parties have denied all of the allegations against them.
Dane Bowers has responded as his track with Victoria Beckham soars up the music charts - a day after she bagged the number one spot with her solo single amid her feud with estranged son Brooklyn Beckham.

On Thursday, Victoria achieved her first ever solo number one, landing the top spot with her 2001 hit Not Such An Innocent Girl following a viral campaign by fans.

It is a much-needed boost for Posh Spice, 51, following her eldest and estranged son Brooklyn's scathing six-page social media statement where he took aim at his family.

Now, as fans rally behind Victoria to make her Britain's number one star, her 2000 track Out Of Your Mind - a garage-pop collab with Dane Bowers and True Steppers - has reentered the charts.

At the time of publication, the song was sitting comfortably in sixth place on the iTunes chart in the UK, with hopes it could finally achieve number one, 26 years after its release.

Dane, 46, took to social media to comment, where he poked fun at the viral memes seemingly depicting Victoria at Brooklyn's 2022 nuptials to Nicola Peltz after the 26-year-old accused her of dancing 'inappropriately' on him.

Dane Bowers has responded as his track with Victoria Beckham soars up the music charts after she bagged the number one (pictured together in 2000)

On Thursday, Victoria achieved her first ever solo number one, landing the top spot with her 2001 single Not Such An Innocent Girl following a viral campaign by fans

Dane commented on their surprise chart success as he shared clip from their live performance of the track at Party In The Park 2000, showing Victoria's energetic dance routine

Dane reshared a clip from their live performance of the track at Party In The Park 2000, with Victoria's energetic and racy dance routine on full display as she wore a cut-out cropped white vest top.

Dane wrote: 'I mean... personally I'd pay to watch this dance routine at a wedding!'

He followed up with a screengrab showing the song sitting in seventh place at the time as Victoria's single remains at number one, before adding: 'Every cloud...silver lining and all that'.

Should the song make it to number one, it would finally be vindication for Victoria and Dane after Sophie Ellis-Bextor beat them to the top over two decades ago.

They had released Out Of Your Mind on the same day as the now 46-year-old's single Groovejet (If This Ain't Love).

Despite Victoria being ahead of Sophie in the chart race, Groovejet eventually overtook the track, with their battle being branded 'Posh vs Posher' at the time.

Victoria's chart success has been driven by a social media campaign which is determined to 'fix the national tragedy' that 'Victoria is the only Spice Girl without a solo #1.'

'Nothing says "British Culture" like collectively deciding to send Posh to the top of the charts because her son roasted her on Insta. Imagine both their faces,' read a viral post on Instagram which has been shared by the likes of Katherine Ryan and Luisa Zissman.

Dane followed up with a screengrab showing the song sitting in seventh place at the time as Victoria's single remains at number one, before adding: 'Every cloud...silver lining and all that'

At the time of publication, the song was sitting comfortably in sixth place on the iTunes chart in the UK, with hopes it could finally achieve the number one spot, 26 years after its release

Brooklyn Beckham's statement in full I have been silent for years and made every effort to keep these matters private. Unfortunately, my parents and their team have continued to go to the press, leaving me with no choice but to speak for myself and tell the truth about only some of the lies that have been printed. I do not want to reconcile with my family. I'm not being controlled, I'm standing up for myself for the first time in my life. For my entire life, my parents have controlled narratives in the press about our family. The performative social media posts, family events and inauthentic relationships have been a fixture of the life I was born into. Recently, I have seen with my own eyes the lengths that they'll go through to place countless lies in the media, mostly at the expense of innocent people, to preserve their own facade. But I believe the truth always comes out. My parents have been trying endlessly to ruin my relationship since before my wedding, and it hasn't stopped. My mum cancelled making Nicola's dress in the eleventh hour despite how excited she was to wear her design, forcing her to urgently find a new dress. Weeks before our big day, my parents repeatedly pressured and attempted to bribe me into signing away the rights to my name, which would have affected me, my wife, and our future children. They were adamant on me signing before my wedding date because then the terms of the deal would be initiated. My holdout affected the payday, and they have never treated me the same since. During the wedding planning, my mum went so far as to call me "evil" because Nicola and I chose to include my Nanny Sandra, and Nicola's Naunni at our table, because they both didn't have their husbands. Both of our parents had their own tables equally adjacent to ours. The night before our wedding, members of my family told me that Nicola was "not blood" and "not family." Since the moment I started standing up for myself with my family, I've received endless attacks from my parents, both privately and publicly, that were sent to the press on their orders. Even my brothers were sent to attack me on social media, before they ultimately blocked me out of nowhere this last Summer. My mum hijacked my first dance with my wife, which had been planned weeks in advance to a romantic love song. In front of our 500 wedding guests, Marc Anthony called me to the stage, where in the schedule was planned to be my romantic dance with my wife but instead my mum was waiting to dance with me instead. She danced very inappropriately on me in front of everyone. I've never felt more uncomfortable or humiliated in my entire life. We wanted to renew our vows so we could create new memories of our wedding day that bring us joy and happiness, not anxiety and embarrassment. My wife has been consistently disrespected by my family, no matter how hard we've tried to come together as one. My mum has repeatedly invited women from my past into our lives in ways that were clearly intended to make us both uncomfortable. Despite this, we still travelled to London for my dad's birthday and were rejected for a week as we waited in our hotel room trying to plan quality time with him. He refused all of our attempts, unless it was at his big birthday party with a hundred guests and cameras at every corner. When he finally agreed to see me, it was under the condition that Nicola wasn't invited. It was a slap in the face. Later, when my family travelled to LA, they refused to see me at all. My family values public promotion and endorsements above all else. Brand Beckham comes first. Family "love" is decided by how much you post on social media, or how quickly you drop everything to show up and pose for a family photo opp, even if it's at the expense of our professional obligations. We've gone out of our way for years to show up and support at every fashion show, every party, and every press activity to show 'our perfect family.' But the one time my wife asked for my mum's support to save displaced dogs during the LA fires, my mum refused. The narrative that my wife controls me is completely backwards. I have been controlled by my parents for most of my life. I grew up with overwhelming anxiety. For the first time in my life, since stepping away from my family, that anxiety has disappeared. I wake up every morning grateful for the life I chose, and have found peace and relief. My wife and I do not want a life shaped by image, press, or manipulation. All we want peace, privacy and happiness for us and our future family. Advertisement

Victoria's youngest son Cruz also helped with the promo effort, using his mum's song to soundtrack one of his Instagram Stories on Thursday.

The Instagram account Our_dream_house writes: 'I've seen more VB music promo in the last 24 hours than in the last 20 years and I am obsessed. Let's get her that #1 for the plot twist of the year.

'Download "Not Such An Innocent Girl". We are unhinged. Stream Posh. It's a national emergency.'

After Posh reached number one the Insta delightedly declared: 'WE ACTUALLY DID IT. Posh Spice finally has her solo #1 and the universe is finally in balance. Proof that you should never underestimate the British public when we decide to commit to a bit.'

'From a roast to the top of the charts VICTORIA WE LOVE YOU. History has been made. National tragedy: OVER.'

Victoria fans will have until 6pm Friday to wait and see if the track charts in the top 100 on the Official Singles Chart.

It comes after 65 per cent of Daily Mail readers said they would back Team Beckham over Team Brooklyn in Tuesdays Poll of the Day which attracted 26,000 votes.

Victoria's chart success has been driven by a social media campaign which is determined to 'fix the national tragedy' that 'Victoria is the only Spice Girl without a solo #1' (pictured in 2001)

After Posh reached number one the Insta delightedly declared: 'WE ACTUALLY DID IT. Posh Spice finally has her solo #1 and the universe is finally in balance'

Sources told the Daily Mail that Victoria has been left 'devastated' as the gulf that has publicly existed between mother and son widened into a seemingly unbridgeable chasm

The mum of four is said to have been left 'devastated' after taking the brunt in the vicious family fallout with son Brooklyn and Nicola.

Despite proudly declaring he was a once a 'mama's boy', Brooklyn focused mainly on Lady Beckham in his lengthy statement, with his vitriolic comments leaving her 'on the floor in pieces'.

Amongst Brooklyn's long list of claims was the accusation that his mum 'hijacked' his first dance at his 2022 wedding and 'danced very inappropriately on me in front of everyone'.

Tony's partner Stavros Agapiou has also backed up Brooklyn's 'inappropriate' dancing comment.

'I was there and she did, he's telling the truth,' he said in an Instagram comment, which has since been deleted - with Stavros instead posting: 'Good on him for finally speaking out!'

Brooklyn claimed that he had 'never felt more uncomfortable or humiliated in my entire life,' after Victoria's dancing.

He announced on Monday that he has cut all ties with his parents and does 'not want to reconcile with my family', adding, 'I'm not being controlled, I'm standing up for myself for the first time in my life.'

Brooklyn and Nicola have been at the heart of the acrimonious divide that has resulted in them snubbing all significant family celebrations over recent months, including his father Sir David's milestone 50th birthday and knighthood.
Amanda Holden has shared a gushing tribute to her daughter Hollie, as her youngest child turned 14 years old on Friday.

The Britain's Got Talent star, 54, who shares daughters Hollie and Lexi, 20, with her husband husband Chris Hughes, took to Instagram to mark the occasion.

She shared a stunning snap of the teenager looking like her double, while enjoying dinner at the legendary Beverly Hills Hotel, taken during the family's trip to Los Angeles in October.

Alongside, Amanda also posted an adorable throwback shot of Hollie as a toddler, sporting a Peppa Pig branded T-shirt and coordinating slippers.

The TV personality added a heartwarming video to the post of a little Hollie running towards her mum and dad in the park and declaring: 'BASH!'

And in the caption, she added little explainers for each of the photos and clips, writing: '1 -HRH -Beverly Hills Hotel. 2- HRH - sitting on the naughty step and was a huge fan of Peppa Pig'. 3- watch video until end -so cute!!!! (if ever she hurt herself) wed say BASH!'

Amanda Holden has shared a gushing tribute to her daughter Hollie, as her youngest child turned 14 years old on Friday

The Britain's Got Talent star, 54, who shares daughters Hollie and Lexi, 20, with her husband husband Chris Hughes, took to Instagram to mark the occasion (pictured together)

Alongside, Amanda also posted an adorable throwback shot of Hollie as a toddler, sporting a Peppa Pig branded T-shirt and coordinating slippers

Amanda also gushed: 'Our little HRH turns 14th today. Our fire cracker-our very sassy, hugely talented Hollie!! We love you darling Hollie Rose Hughes'.

Her post was flooded with congratulatory messages from her famous followers, with soap star and close pal Nicola Stephenson, commenting: 'Happy Birthday Hollie!! ' while Drag Race star Michelle Visage added: 'HAPPY HAPPY!!'

Amanda's Heart co-star Ashley Roberts also penned: 'That 2nd photo! Hbd Hollie' and interior designer Anouska Lancaster said: 'Happy Birthday gorgeous Hollie! Have a fabulous day xxx'.

Fellow radio presenter Myleene Klass commented: 'HBD Hollie x', while Simon Cowell's fiance Lauren Silverman joined in to write: 'Happy birthday Hollie! 

Actress Alice Evans gushed: 'Omg Amanda I think she came to our house as a tiny little baby! She is divine! And how has time passed! Alice ' as Hollyoaks star Lucy-Jo Hudson echoed: 'So beautiful'.

It has been a busy week for the family, as Holly's birthday comes just two days after her elder sister Lexi celebrated turning 20 years old.

Like she did with her youngest, Amanda also took to her Instagram to share a birthday tribute to Lexi, gushing over her 'strong, bright, kind, loyal, funny girl'.

The TV personality posted a glamorous shot of her eldest daughter dressed up as a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader and waving her pom-poms in the air.

The TV personality added a heartwarming video to the post of a little Hollie running towards her mum and dad in the park and declaring: 'BASH!'

Amanda gushed: 'Our little HRH turns 14th today. Our fire cracker-our very sassy, hugely talented Hollie!! We love you darling Hollie Rose Hughes'

Her post was flooded with congratulatory messages from her famous followers, with her Heart co-star Ashley Roberts commenting: 'That 2nd photo! Hbd Hollie'

Lexi, who was unveiled as the face of Superdrug after signing her first modelling contract last year, displayed her long legs and tiny waist in the squad's iconic white-and-blue hot pants and crop top.

While Amanda also shared a sweet throwback photo of Lexi as a little girl, showing her raising her arm in the air in a near-identical pose.

Captioning the post, the mother-of-two penned: 'Put your hands up if you're 20 today!!! (Miss @lexi.hughes) Mama and Dada love you so much - our strong, bright, kind, loyal, funny girl!!!! Little Lexi Lou '

For her birthday, Amanda and Chris treated their eldest child to a cosy cabin getaway in Exmouth, where they enjoyed a luxury meal out and a spot of pottery painting.

Sharing a glimpse into the wholesome celebrations, the star also showed off the inside of their 427-per-night accommodation in the woods.

Amanda showed off the pink shepherd hut, which featured a floral themed bedroom, a stainless steel bath and a small sitting area with a '20' balloon on padded seating.

While she also reposted snaps of the family working on their creations during their visit to seaside art studio, Arty Boat, and proudly posed with her finished painted wooden duck.

In the evening, the family got dressed up as they enjoyed a lavish meal out as Lexi was treated to a chocolate birthday cake.

It has been a busy week for the family, as Holly's birthday comes just two days after her elder sister Lexi celebrated turning 20 years old

Like she did with her youngest, Amanda also took to her Instagram to share a birthday tribute to Lexi, gushing over her 'strong, bright, kind, loyal, funny girl'

The TV personality posted a glamorous shot of her eldest daughter dressed up as a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader and waving her pom-poms in the air

While Amanda also shared a sweet throwback photo of Lexi as a little girl, showing her raising her arm in the air in a near-identical pose

For her birthday, Amanda and Chris treated their eldest child to a cosy cabin getaway in Exmouth, where they enjoyed a luxury meal out and a spot of pottery painting

Sharing a glimpse into the wholesome celebrations, the star also showed off the inside of their 427-per-night accommodation in the woods

The model, who stunned in a black sleeveless outfit complete with a swipe of red lipstick, enjoyed a glass of fizz as she cosied up for a photo with her parents, with Amanda captioned: 'Our little girl turned 20 on the 20th'.

It comes after the radio revealed her daughters weren't interested by her showbiz career, despite growing up with one of the most recognisable faces on British TV.

However, she said she has always encouraged her girls to stay grounded and to develop 'a thick skin' if they ever choose to follow her into the public eye.

Speaking about life at home with husband Chris, Amanda told The Sun: 'You do have to develop a thick skin, and they both know that mummy has one and that we take everything with a pinch of salt in our house. So I hope they've learnt enough from me.'

And while Lexi has already signed to top modelling agency Storm, she admitted Hollie has no interest in fame and even dodges being spotted with her mother at the school gates.

She recalled: 'I picked Hollie up from her new school the other day and she does not want any connection with me.

'I got out of the car, she saw me and literally crossed the road.'

Amanda laughed: 'She's like, "Mum, please get back in the car!" So they're both very down to earth.'

Despite her children's lack of interest in her fame, she said she was proud they'd grown up with their feet firmly on the ground, describing her family life as 'normal and chaotic' away from the cameras.
Nadia Sawalha stripped down to her bra as she poked fun at Nigella Lawson with a sultry crisp sandwich tutorial.

The food writer and TV cook, 66, will replace Prue Leith as the new Great British Bake Off host, it was reported on Thursday.

On Wednesday, Prue announced she's leaving the Channel 4 show after nine years of judging alongside Paul Hollywood - and according to a TV insider, contract talks are in the final stages for Nigella to take over, with bosses excited about how the presenter's 'cheeky banter' could liven up the show.

Said 'cheeky banter' was the focus of Loose Woman Nadia's video shared on Instagram on Thursday evening.

Impersonating Nigella's sultry presentation style, Nadia acted out a crisp tutorial narrated by the cook while wearing a lacy bra.

Wearing a busty sheer corset and fluffing up her hair, Nadia began her video by lip syncing to Nigella's voice saying: 'I adore bread, I adore crisps and together they are just rapturous!'

Nadia Sawalha stripped down to her bra as she poked fun at Nigella Lawson with a sultry crisp sandwich tutorial on Instagram on Thursday

The food writer and TV cook (Pictured), 66, will replace Prue Leith as the new Great British Bake Off host, it was reported on Thursday

Slathering her bread with lashings of butter, she continued in the husky voice: 'I believe in maximising pleasure, not curtailing it! A crisp sandwich provides that perfect carb on carb action!

As Nadia showed off her ample assets and fixed the camera with a seductive stare, she continued: 'I am a salt and vinegar person but you can try other flavours, heaven!'

Writing in the caption, Nigella said: 'The @loosewomen were talking about this as if its been confirmed !!!

'It's just a rumour for now my darlings .. you will be the first to know  keep your eyes peeled ..'

Nadia first shared the impersonation of Nigella back in 2022, but posted it again on Thursday following the Bake Off reports.

It's not the first time Nadia has impersonated Nigella, as back in 2023 she again slipped into sexy lingerie to film a jokey mashed potato tutorial as she acted out Nigella's flirty narration.

Putting on a very busty display in a lace slip and red bra the actress gazed seductively into the camera as she prepared the dish.

Nadia - grasping her kitchen implement suggestively - began her video saying: 'And I'm ready to set to with my electric masher'.

Said 'cheeky banter' was the focus of Loose Woman Nadia's video shared on Instagram on Thursday evening

Wearing a busty sheer corset and fluffing up her hair, Nadia began her video by lip syncing to Nigella's voice saying: 'I adore bread, I adore crisps and together they are just rapturous!'

She went on to press the masher into the spuds leaving very little to the imagination in her very sexy ensemble.

Adding milk to the dish she poked fun at 63-year-old Nigella's infamous pronunciation of microwave.

The former EastEnders star captioned the clip: 'Nagella / Nigella  no difference  #MICROWAVEEEE'.

Other stars Nadia has impersonated in the past include the likes of Kate Beckinsale and Kim Kardashian.

'Nigellas recognised worldwide. She's got the cheeky banter down to a tee, with all her work laden with the fun innuendos and naughty patter that are synonymous with Bake Off,' a source told The Sun.

'Prue has been wonderful but Nigella will be a sure-fire hit. Contract discussions are in the final stages and, all being well, Nigella will be heating up the famous tent soon.'

The Daily Mail has contacted Nigella and Channel 4 for comment.

In recent years, Nigella, 66, has served as a guest judge on MasterChef Australia and a main judge on Australia's My Kitchen Rules.

Nigella has hosted many cookery shows over the years and is widely known for her innuendos and descriptive, sensual language

Her debut cookbook, How To Eat (1998), became a bestseller, followed by How To Be A Domestic Goddess (2000), which won her Author of the Year at the British Book Awards.

Nigella has hosted many cookery shows over the years and is widely known for her innuendos and descriptive, sensual language.

Meanwhile, Prue, who replaced former show judge Mary Berry in 2017, confirmed she was waving goodbye to the hit baking series, admitting it felt like the 'right time to step back' and make way for someone else to join the team.

Paul, 59, and show hosts Noel Fielding, 52, and Alison Hammond, 50, will remain on the show.

Prue took to Instagram to confirm her departure. She wrote: 'After nine series and judging more than 400 challenges, I have decided to step down as a judge on The Great British Bake Off.'
Despite Brooklyn Beckham's scathing statement, his estranged family appear to be having the last laugh after receiving the support of the nation as they embark on a 'smart' PR strategy to fix their 'broken' brand.

Just days after sending the internet into a frenzy with his allegations - including a bizarre claim that Victoria 'danced inappropriately on him' at his wedding - a beaming Brooklyn, 26, was spotted breaking cover with wife Nicola Peltz, 31, on Thursday.

His brothers have also been out and about with Romeo, 23, spotted smiling in Paris while Cruz, 21, announced his first ever tour, in what PR expert Nick Ede said was likely to be their attempts to prove the family was 'not in meltdown'.

Meanwhile following a viral campaign by fans, Victoria achieved her first ever solo Number One this week, landing the top spot with her 2001 hit Not Such An Innocent Girl.

Nick told Daily Mail: 'When family issues become public, the smartest PR move is to keep life moving forward visibly and positively. You dont rebut emotion with statements you counter it with stability and continuity.

'I feel that if the success of Victoria's single and the onslaught of memes about her and Brooklyn have distracted from the feud organically'.

Despite Brooklyn Beckham's scathing statement, his estranged family have received the support of the nation (Brooklyn pictured on Thursday)

A Pr expert has claimed the family have embarked on a 'smart' PR strategy to fix their 'broken' brand (Romeo pictured in Paris on Thursday)

He sent the internet into a frenzy with his allegations - including a bizarre claim that Victoria 'danced inappropriately on him' at his wedding (Brooklyn's parents and siblings pictured)

Insisting that the internet's surprise decision to poke fun rather than take sides has 'taken the sting out' of things, which is a good thing for David and Victoria.

'Whats noticeable is a return to normality rather than reaction. David and Victoria continuing to work she has been posting her products on her grid and they continue to support their children publicly which sends a very clear message that its business as usual for them'.

'The younger boys getting on with their own lives Cruz promoting his music and Romeo being seen relaxed and smiling reinforces that this isnt a household in meltdown. It subtly reframes the story away from conflict'.

He continued: 'The advice [the Beckhams] will almost certainly have been dont engage, dont inflame, and dont personalise. When family issues become public, the smartest PR move is to keep life moving forward visibly and positively. You dont rebut emotion with statements you counter it with stability and continuity.'

Asked why he believed the family's PR strategy seemed to be working, Nick said it was all down to its 'authenticity'.

'Audiences are highly attuned to over-produced PR, and this doesnt look like spin. Brooklyn has highlighted the PR machine in his socials so the team will be well aware that all eyes will be on them if something feels like its contrived'.

Nick went on to say that he believed the Beckham brand would eventually recover mainly due to the fact the family had been 'part of the national fabric for decades'.

'One difficult chapter doesnt erase that history. If anything, it humanises them. its all part of the Parasocial phenomenon where members of the public feel they know the Beckhams,'

Nick insisted the internet's poking fun rather than take sides has 'taken the sting out' of the situation, which is a good thing for David and Victoria (Brooklyn and wife Nicola Peltz pictured)

He said: 'As they continue to support their children publicly which sends a very clear message that its business as usual for them'

Nick believed the Beckham brand would eventually recover mainly due to the fact the family had been 'part of the national fabric for decades' (Romeo with girlfriend Kim turnbull)

He said the family's beaming smiles 'subtly reframes the story away from conflict'

Following a a viral campaign by fans, Victoria achieved her first ever solo Number One on Thursday, landing the top spot with her 2001 hit Not Such An Innocent Girl (pictured 2001)

While Cruz, 21, announced his first ever tour, in what PR expert Nick Ede said was likely to be their attempts to prove the family was 'not in meltdown'

Brooklyn Beckham's statement in full I have been silent for years and made every effort to keep these matters private. Unfortunately, my parents and their team have continued to go to the press, leaving me with no choice but to speak for myself and tell the truth about only some of the lies that have been printed. I do not want to reconcile with my family. I'm not being controlled, I'm standing up for myself for the first time in my life. For my entire life, my parents have controlled narratives in the press about our family. The performative social media posts, family events and inauthentic relationships have been a fixture of the life I was born into. Recently, I have seen with my own eyes the lengths that they'll go through to place countless lies in the media, mostly at the expense of innocent people, to preserve their own facade. But I believe the truth always comes out. My parents have been trying endlessly to ruin my relationship since before my wedding, and it hasn't stopped. My mum cancelled making Nicola's dress in the eleventh hour despite how excited she was to wear her design, forcing her to urgently find a new dress. Weeks before our big day, my parents repeatedly pressured and attempted to bribe me into signing away the rights to my name, which would have affected me, my wife, and our future children. They were adamant on me signing before my wedding date because then the terms of the deal would be initiated. My holdout affected the payday, and they have never treated me the same since. During the wedding planning, my mum went so far as to call me "evil" because Nicola and I chose to include my Nanny Sandra, and Nicola's Naunni at our table, because they both didn't have their husbands. Both of our parents had their own tables equally adjacent to ours. The night before our wedding, members of my family told me that Nicola was "not blood" and "not family." Since the moment I started standing up for myself with my family, I've received endless attacks from my parents, both privately and publicly, that were sent to the press on their orders. Even my brothers were sent to attack me on social media, before they ultimately blocked me out of nowhere this last Summer. My mum hijacked my first dance with my wife, which had been planned weeks in advance to a romantic love song. In front of our 500 wedding guests, Marc Anthony called me to the stage, where in the schedule was planned to be my romantic dance with my wife but instead my mum was waiting to dance with me instead. She danced very inappropriately on me in front of everyone. I've never felt more uncomfortable or humiliated in my entire life. We wanted to renew our vows so we could create new memories of our wedding day that bring us joy and happiness, not anxiety and embarrassment. My wife has been consistently disrespected by my family, no matter how hard we've tried to come together as one. My mum has repeatedly invited women from my past into our lives in ways that were clearly intended to make us both uncomfortable. Despite this, we still travelled to London for my dad's birthday and were rejected for a week as we waited in our hotel room trying to plan quality time with him. He refused all of our attempts, unless it was at his big birthday party with a hundred guests and cameras at every corner. When he finally agreed to see me, it was under the condition that Nicola wasn't invited. It was a slap in the face. Later, when my family travelled to LA, they refused to see me at all. My family values public promotion and endorsements above all else. Brand Beckham comes first. Family "love" is decided by how much you post on social media, or how quickly you drop everything to show up and pose for a family photo opp, even if it's at the expense of our professional obligations. We've gone out of our way for years to show up and support at every fashion show, every party, and every press activity to show 'our perfect family.' But the one time my wife asked for my mum's support to save displaced dogs during the LA fires, my mum refused. The narrative that my wife controls me is completely backwards. I have been controlled by my parents for most of my life. I grew up with overwhelming anxiety. For the first time in my life, since stepping away from my family, that anxiety has disappeared. I wake up every morning grateful for the life I chose, and have found peace and relief. My wife and I do not want a life shaped by image, press, or manipulation. All we want peace, privacy and happiness for us and our future family. Advertisement

'And have a relationship with them, which reinforces their fame and as we have seen drives Victoria to achieve her first solo Number 1, 20 years after it was first released with no PR just fandom'.

Nick concluded the family should carry on 'keeping calm and not reacting' as they give Brooklyn's bombshell statement time to 'soften'.

'Eventually, the story moves on. The Beckhams understand better than to add any fuel to this story and they love their son so they will only want the best for him'.

In a six-page statement, Brooklyn publicly declared he did not want to reconcile with his family and accused his parents of trying to ruin his relationship to wife Nicola.

Following the explosive claims, 'devastated' Victoria received a much-needed boost with her chart success driven by a social media campaign which is determined to 'fix the national tragedy' that 'Victoria is the only Spice Girl without a solo #1.'

'Nothing says "British Culture" like collectively deciding to send Posh to the top of the charts because her son roasted her on Insta. Imagine both their faces,' read a viral post on Instagram which has been shared by the likes of Katherine Ryan and Luisa Zissman.

It comes after DJ Fat Tony appeared to support Brooklyn's allegations as he revealed the exact nature of Victoria's 'inappropriate' dance at her eldest son's wedding.

'One difficult chapter doesnt erase that history. If anything, it humanises them. its all part of the Parasocial phenomenon where members of the public feel they know the Beckhams,'

The 60-year-old DJ performed at the wedding party in April 2022, and on Friday he publicly backed Brooklyn as he branded the dance 'really awkward' and confirmed that Nicola fled the reception in tears.

Brooklyn stated in an explosive six-page statement that his mum had 'hijacked' his first dance with Nicola and 'danced very inappropriately on me', leaving him 'uncomfortable and humiliated'.

Tony, a longtime friend of the Beckhams, claimed that Marc Anthony was to blame, revealing the musician had called Victoria to the dancefloor with Brooklyn and instructed Brooklyn, 'place your hands on your mother's hips'.

Speaking on Friday's episode of This Morning, Tony shared: 'There was no slut dropping, there was no PVC cat suits, no Spice Girl action!

'The word "inappropriate", why I said it was as well, it was the timing, this is what happened...'

When asked if he couldnt counsel him to go and live his life and not blow this up, Tony said: 'The thing is, its drip fed.

'We live in a world where people make their own presumptions about everything and no, [theres nothing you can do about that], you cant, and the reason why Ive come on This Morning is because its a safe space.

It comes after DJ Fat Tony appeared to support Brooklyn's allegations as he revealed the exact nature of Victoria's 'inappropriate' dance at her eldest son's wedding

The 60-year-old DJ performed at the wedding party in April 2022, and on Friday he publicly backed Brooklyn as he branded the dance 'really awkward'

'Ive been inundated with "youre a liar", "youre this, youre that", and I havent even commented - my poor husband was in an argument and made a brief comment saying, "You werent there, I was, its true." Which then led onto [all those messages] it was ridiculous.'

On why he thought Brooklyn didn't approach his parents privately, Tony replied, 'Hes done all that. It got to the point for him where he cant take this anymore and wanted to step back from it, and that was his way of doing closure.

'Thats his decision. I couldn't think of anything worse [for his parents] and I can only talk as a dog dad, but I didnt talk to my own father for 30 years due my own understanding of a situation that I made up in my own head.

'And it wasn't until I reconciled with my father that I realised that I had to look at my part in it so of course its really sad situation. Do I think theyll talk again? Of course they will at some point, they are family. But the noise needs to die down, people need to step back from it.

'I didnt realise there were two and a half million people at that wedding, because everyone seems to think they were there! Everyone feels the need to comment on it. And Im sure they will have a field day with this, but thats the world we live in.'

Asked about what people were saying the morning after the wedding, Tony admitted: 'Well you know, when the bride and groom leave their wedding devastated, word trickles out and not many people turned up for the brunch, but everyone was talking about it, and how sad that part of it was.

'But Victoria was thrown into that situation, and I think too much has been read into it in the sense of too many stories being added to it. The dance is a very small part of the bigger problem.'
Laurence Fox has unleashed a furious rant claiming a school vaccinated his son without consent - while declaring he has now instructed lawyers to intervene.

The controversial actor-turned-activist, 47, posted a foul-mouthed meltdown alleging one of his two children was 'jabbed' without his permission and left 'really ill'.

Laurence, who shares two sons aged 16 and 12 with his ex-wife Billie Piper, accused the unnamed school of carrying out the vaccination against his wishes and branded modern schooling 'evil'.

He raged in a conspiracy-tinged video posted on X: 'How dare they touch a hair on my child's head? Evil, evil b******s, a lot of them.

'If they're not teaching them that they're all racists or white privileged, then they're jabbing them with some experimental f***ing pharmaceutical.

'It's insane. Get your kids out of school. Get your kids out of the system. Get your kids away from this evil. This is evil. It's being perpetrated on your children.'

Laurence Fox has unleashed a furious rant claiming a school vaccinated his son without consent - while declaring he has now instructed lawyers to intervene

Laurence, who shares two sons Winston, 16, and Eugene, 12, with his ex-wife Billie Piper, accused the unnamed school of carrying out the vaccination against his wishes and branded modern schooling 'evil' (pictured with Billie in 2014)

In the first profanity-laden video, Laurence claimed he had previously written to the school to state that he did not consent to his children receiving anything other than emergency medical interventions.

He said only became aware of the alleged jab after being told his son had suffered a 'horrible nosebleed' and appeared 'off balance'.

Laurence ranted: 'I really am absolutely beyond enraged. I say to my son... you know that we don't do these ridiculous jabs. I don't know which one it is.

'Someone will probably tell me it might be HPV. Who knows which one that they've decided to chuck in his arm despite me saying "No, please don't".

'So he's been jabbed today, he's had a huge nosebleed, he looks like he's lost half a stone, looks really f***ing ill, if I'm honest, and they did it anyway.

'That is modern schooling. It's absolutely f***ing disgusting that they would do that against the parent's wishes.'

Outspoken Laurence went on to claim that a teacher had attempted to call him for consent, but insisted he had no record of any such call on his phone, describing the situation as 'sinister'.

Laurence continued: 'Now I've got a kid who's not very well. Despite me saying "I do not consent". Where is the parent in 2026 in modern Britain?

The controversial actor-turned-activist, 47, posted a foul-mouthed meltdown alleging one of his two children was 'jabbed' without his permission and left 'really ill'

'Where do we fit in? I am absolutely f***ing livid.'

The five-minute meltdown continued: 'Schools are places where children should learn to read and write.

'They're not places where governments can fulfil their obligations, their medical contract obligations to Pfizer or whichever stupid f***ing pharmaceutical company you want to poison your children with next.'

It is unclear whether former pop star Billie, 43, who divorced Laurence in 2016, was contacted by the school or whether she provided consent for the vaccination.

Schools typically require consent from at least one person with parental responsibility before administering routine vaccinations.

Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Billie for comment.

In a second video posted the following morning, Laurence said he had instructed a lawyer to write formally to the school demanding answers - while revealing his son was feeling better.

He also walked back his initial claim that no consent was sought, admitting he had received an email with a consent form, but he hadn't opened it.

Laurence said: 'I finally got into my emails and I found a consent form so they did ask for my consent. I've had a problem with my emails recently but I didn't see this email.

It is unclear whether former pop star Billie, 43, who divorced Laurence in 2016, was contacted by the school or whether she provided consent for the vaccination (seen last year)

'I had to go through it through my laptop and I've now found a consent form email which I have not consented to.

'You seek consent and you don't act until you get it and schools need to understand that they are not places to jab our children, they are places to learn.'

He added: 'I also want to make it clear I'm not against all vaccinations...but I think that there are a huge number of vaccinations which are completely unnecessary.

'I still haven't the answer to which one this one is but I'm not against totally against vaccination.

'What I am pro is parental consent and I am pro... parents being informed about what the school is requesting your consent to do.

'But mostly I'm utterly against this taking place in school, especially in the shadowy and underhanded way it's taken place in this experience.'

Billie has previously said navigating co-parenting with Laurence amid his penchant for courting controversy, came with 'enormous difficulty'.

The former couple met in 2006, married a year later and divorced in 2016, stating an intention to 'co-parent their children with the utmost mutual respect for each other'.

Billie has previously said navigating co-parenting with Laurence amid his penchant for courting controversy, came with 'enormous difficulty' (pictured on their wedding day in 2007)

Speaking to British Vogue in 2024, Billie explained how she focused on protecting for her sons, and tries to avoid hearing anything about her ex-husband.

She said: 'I try to keep people from telling me stuff but it's really, really hard. I don't read it but everyone wants to talk about it.

'Sometimes I have to say to people, "Please don't bring this to me, now or ever". Of course, I have feelings on that, I'm not dead inside.'

'I close everything down and keep a very strict routine with the kids so that there's consistency. I keep them close. That's all I can do...', she continued.

'What is paramount for me is the privacy and anonymity of my children. They deserve not to be extensions of the parents and to forge their own identities.'

While she added that she isn't the best person to ask about Laurence, saying: 'Look, if people want to try and understand the workings of the guy, they ought to either ask him or his family.

'Ask [his brother-in-law, actor and comedian] Richard Ayoade what he thinks, or his wife [his actor sister] Lydia. They might have a more interesting take.'

Laurence previously confessed in a Sunday Times interview that he had fallen out with his brother-in-law, half-Nigerian comedian Richard, after his controversial race rant on Question Time.

He remarried last year, tying the knot with Californian conspiracy podcaster Elizabeth Barker, who has claimed the Moon landings were faked, described 9/11 as an 'inside job' and dismissed climate change as a government 'smokescreen'

Billie added: 'I've had to make some choices and a divorce speaks for itself... or at least it should! You have to laugh because it's a lot. It's a good way of kind of soothing yourself.'

While she added there had been one 'positive' in their divorce and custody battle, reasoning: 'It's made me feel stronger in many ways. I've learnt I have a lot of resilience I didn't know I had.

'I've had to learn the hard way that you can only control yourself and how you react to things. It's really f***ing hard. I hate that.'

Laurence hails from one of Britains most famous acting dynasties, including veteran father actor James Fox, 86, best known for playing Sherlock Holmes.

His brother Jack Fox, 40, appeared in ITVs Sanditon, and cousins Freddie Fox, 36, and Emilia Fox, 51, are also established actors.

Despite earlier attempts to follow in the family business, Laurence has since recast himself as a political activist and online provocateur.

He founded the right-wing Reclaim Party in 2020 and stood unsuccessfully as its candidate for London Mayor the following year.

Laurence later became a presenter on GB News, before departing the channel after making sexist remarks about journalist Ava Evans.

He remarried last year, tying the knot with Californian conspiracy podcaster Elizabeth Barker, who has claimed the Moon landings were faked, described 9/11 as an 'inside job' and dismissed climate change as a government 'smokescreen'.
Bankrupt Katie Price has jetted off to Dubai to scout luxury rentals in the tax-friendly emirate after reportedly being left stunned by what her money could buy.

The former glamour model, 46, who was declared bankrupt in 2024, flew out on Wednesday after hearing about the Middle East hotspots near non-existent tax system, amid her ongoing financial woes.

Currently renting a 4,500-a-month property in Horsham, the star is said to have been blown away by the lavish apartments and sun-soaked lifestyles on offer in Dubai for the very same price.

However, despite the promise of year-round sunshine, Katie may have mistimed her visit, with the emirate currently experiencing its rainy season  meaning therell be no lounging poolside or topping up her tan just yet.

Still, insiders say the lure of luxury living and financial incentives could prove hard to resist for the reality TV regular as she weighs up her next move.

Katie's ex-boyfriend JJ Slater is also busy soaking up the sun on a trip to Florida.

Katie Price has jetted off to Dubai to scout luxury rentals in the tax-friendly emirate after reportedly being left stunned by what her money could buy (pictured in July 2025)

Currently renting a 4,500-a-month property in Horsham, the star is said to have been blown away by the lavish apartments and sun-soaked lifestyles on offer in Dubai

The former Married At First Sight star took to his Instagram Stories on Friday and shared a snap of himself in the resort city of St. Pete Beach.

The Daily Mail revealed this month that Katie ended the romance after realising she didn't see a future with the former reality star, 14 years her junior.

Insiders say cracks in their relationship had become 'too obvious to ignore' in recent months, despite Katie insisting they were going strong.

The mother-of-five accepted their romance has run its course, and JJ will not become husband number four.

They began dating in February 2024, after JJ rose to fame on E4's MAFS UK. Katie even spoke of having a child together, her sixth, but in the end, it wasn't meant to be.

Katie was forced to sell her run-down 'Mucky Mansion' home in January last year for a knock-down price of 1.15million after failing to keep up with mortgage payments.

Katie planned to overhaul the nine-bedroom property in West Sussex as part of a TV makeover series but financial restrictions put paid to much needed major renovations.

After being booted out of their pad, the house was repossessed by her creditors who eventually found a buyer in furniture tycoon James Mercer, who 'fell in the love' with the property - despite its dilapidated state.

Katie's ex-boyfriend JJ Slater is also busy soaking up the sun on a trip to Florida

The Daily Mail revealed Katie ended the romance after realising she didn't see a future with the former reality star, 14 years her junior (pictured together in 2024)

Katie was forced to sell her run-down 'Mucky Mansion' home in January last year for a knock-down price of 1.15million after failing to keep up with mortgage payments

It comes after Katie said she is seeking medical advice after being left 'horrified' by photos of her 'gaunt' appearance.

Last week fans begged her to get help after she was pictured looking 'worryingly thin' while reuniting with daughter Princess Andre, 18, for a shopping trip.

Speaking on the latest episode of her podcast The Katie Price Show Katie told her sister Sophie that she is now having tests to get answers to her recent weight loss.

Reacting to the photos, Katie said: 'I know I look gaunt, I look like I'm ill  hence why I'm going to the doctors tomorrow.'

'I don't know how many times I have to say to people, 'Yes I know I've lost weight,' and there's obviously a reason, I said it to the doctor. We all know that we're trying to sort it all out and as soon as I know then I'll let everyone know.'

Katie explained that she has given herself 'a bit of a glow up' this week and had filler put in her face 'because I look so bad it's had an influence and that's why I've had filler put in my face which I didn't want to do.'

Katie added: 'I just wanna put on weight, I really do but I'm just not. Everyone knows I eat  I eat anything that I want, I've never had a problem with what I eat.'

Earlier in the podcast Katie had revealed she had booked a doctors appointment and blood tests.

After her sister asked her how she has been taking care of herself, Katie replied: 'I've been eating well and I've been drinking lots of water because I've got a blood test tomorrow, so I'll get the results back.'

'I went to the doctors and explained everything, it's a new doctors so I've got a full blood test tomorrow morning.'

She also said she has been enjoying a quiet January and has barely drunk alcohol in recent weeks aside from a glass of champagne at Christmas. 'I haven't been out in so long, I can't be bothered. I just love being at home,' she explained.

She recently called herself a 'stick woman' and said doctors were concerned about her low blood pressure in another health update on her podcast.

Katie added she was feeling the pressure from her mother Amy to go to the doctors as she told her sister : 'All I've had, since everywhere has been closed, is, "Have you phoned the doctors yet? Have you phoned?"

'I'm like, "Yes, mum. I went to the doctors today." I screenshotted the appointment.'

Sophie asked: 'Did you actually though? Because mum has been speaking to me about this.'

It comes after Katie said she is seeking medical advice after being left 'horrified' by photos of her 'gaunt' appearance

Katie said: 'I just wanna put on weight, I really do but I'm just not. Everyone knows I eat  I eat everything that I want, I've never had a problem with what I eat'

Katie replied: 'Yes. I'm going in there to talk about blood tests, MRI, everything she wants me to have to get to the bottom of why the price is  forget stick man  stick woman.'

The mother-of-five added she had to have her blood pressure done three times because doctors thought it was so low that there must have been an error.

In October, Katie confessed she had been hospitalised for her weight loss - which she initially conceded was her aim - however later insisted was baffling doctors and left needing tests to assess the situation.

Katie told fans on her Snapchat Story she 'doesn't know why' her frame is shrinking so much as she undergoes tests.

She began: 'I've been up early at the doctors so she could do some bloods and because my veins are so s*** they had three attempts.

'They could only fill two tubes up, so I've got to go back in two weeks. And I've got to have my stitches out then because they looked at my little stab wound that I did...'

Katie added: 'The reason I'm going to the doctors is because I keep losing weight and I don't know why. So that's that.'
Melissa Gilbert feared for husband Timothy Busfield's safety while he was behind bars facing child sex abuse charges.

The Little House on the Prairie star, 61, was 'sick with worry' over what could have happened to Busfield had he remained incarcerated while awaiting trial, per People.

But after spending seven days behind bars in a New Mexico jail, the West Wing actor, 68, was released on January 20 and that comes as a huge relief to his wife, who has been living in a 'nightmare' since Busfield's arrest.

'The court hearing was obviously very emotional and stressful,' a source told the outlet.

'Things are clearly far from over, but the main focus of getting Tim out of jail was accomplished. Theyre both very grateful. Melissa has been sick with worry that something would happen to him in jail.'

According to the source, the couple have a strong support system as they formulate a defense strategy with their lawyer.

Melissa Gilberts prayers have been answered now that husband Timothy Busfield is out of jail

A source told People that Gilbert was 'sick with worry that something would happen to him in jail' if he remained incarcerated while awaiting trial on felony child sex abuse charges

'They have this huge group of friends that support and check in on them every day. Melissa is very grateful for the support. She'll be attending all the court hearings with Tim,' the source said, adding: 'She believes he's innocent.'

The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Gilbert and Busfield for comment and has yet to hear back.

Gilbert has stood firmly beside her husband whom she wed in April 2013 since he turned himself into police on January 13.

At the hearing on January 20, Gilbert was there in the courtroom audience surrounded by her 89-year-old mom Barbara Cowan, her 30-year-old son Michael Boxleitner and Busfields civil lawyer Larry Stein.

When the judge announced his ruling that Busfield should be released on his own recognizance, a teary Gilbert clasped her hands and whispered, 'Thank you, God.'

Busfields reprieve comes with a list of conditions. While he is allowed to leave New Mexico to live at home, he must appear at all court proceedings and keep the court informed of his whereabouts.

He remains under the supervision of the Albuquerque pretrial services. He must have no contact with the alleged victims or their families and no unsupervised contact with any minor children, and he is forbidden from possessing any firearms or weapons, or consuming alcohol or illegal drugs.

On January 13, the actor and director best known for the West Wing and thirtysomething was officially charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor  child under 13  and one count of child abuse.

The charges stem from allegations that he inappropriately touched two twin boys  seven and eight at the time - who were child actors on the set of Foxs The Cleaning Lady, which Busfield directed from 2022 to 2024.

Gilbert wept and whispered, 'Thank you, God' when the judge ruled that her husband should be released from jail on his own recognizance

The 68-year-old actor and director was seen glancing at his devoted wife at the start of the January 20 hearing

The LIttle House on the Prairie star believes Busfield is innocent and is standing by his side through the 'nightmare'

Gilbert intends to attend all future hearings while keeping a strong support system in place; pictured in January 2025

Busfield vehemently denied the charges in a video statement to TMZ.

'They're all lies and I did not do anything to those little boys and I'm gonna fight it. I'm gonna fight it with a great team, and I'm gonna be exonerated, I know I am, because this is all so wrong and all lies,' he said.

Before his pretrial detention hearing, Gilbert penned an emotional letter of support for Busfield to the judge on the case.

'The reality is that Tim Busfield is my love, my rock, my partner in business and life,' Gilbert wrote. 'He is my comfort and my council. His joy, humor and quick wit bring sparkle to my life. Tim is, quite simply, the beating heart of our wild and wonderful extended family.'

She added, 'I can tell you, and anyone, that I know Tim better and more intimately than anything in his life ever has. Conversely, he knows me in the same way.

'Tim has the strongest moral compass of any human I have ever known. He has dedicated his spiritual self to always being of service to others. He starts every day with kindness and compassion.'

Gilbert continued: 'I am trying to tow a line between logic and all the feelings swirling through me. 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. So, I will close by asking you to please, please, take care of my sweet husband.

Busfield's civil lawyer Larry Stein said the couple are extremely relieved following the judges ruling but noted theyre still in shock and still distressed and taking one day at a time

'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 your to protect him for me.'

Ahead of the hearing, a source told People that 'the past week has been a nightmare for Melissa.'

'She's very concerned about Tim in jail. She wants him out so he's safe. The detention facility where he's being held has safety issue complaints. Her focus is to try and get him out this week,' the source described.

Upons Busfields release, his civil lawyer Larry Stein told the outlet that his clients were extremely relieved following the judges ruling but noted theyre 'still in shock' and 'still distressed' and taking 'one day at a time.'
Jason Momoa proved he was ever the gentleman when he gave his jacket to his girlfriend Adria Arjona as they left their hotel in London on Thursday.

The actor, 46, who has been dating the Andor star, 33, since May 2024, draped his velvet blazer over her shoulders to keep out the cold after attending the premiere of his new film, The Wrecking Crew.

Jason braved the weather in a dusty pink vest and velvet suit trousers with white braces.

Meanwhile, Adria wore a cut-out green gown, with a thigh-high leg slit and heels, and wrapped up in Jason's jacket.

The couple looked as loved-up as ever as they departed the W Hotel hand-in-hand.

He stars in the upcoming Amazon Prime comedy alongside fellow action star Dave Bautista, as estranged half-brothers uncovering a conspiracy after their father's death.

Jason Momoa proved he was ever the gentleman when he gave his jacket to his girlfriend Adria Arjon as they left their hotel in London on Thursday

The actor, 46, who has been dating the Andor star, 33, since May 2024, draped his velvet blazer over her shoulders after attending the premiere of The Wrecking Crew

Attending the premiere earlier in the day at Cineworld Leicester Square, the couple shared a steamy kiss on the red carpet.

The synopsis for the upcoming film reads: 'Estranged half-brothers Jonny and James reunite after their father's mysterious death.

'As they search for the truth, buried secrets reveal a conspiracy threatening to tear their family apart.'

Jason and his girlfriend Adria made their red carpet debut as a couple at the SNL50: The Homecoming Concert at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Valentine's Day in 2025.

Jason and Adria have been dating since at least May 2024 when he revealed he was in a relationship at the Basingstoke Comic Con.

Jason was previously married to actress Lisa Bonet, 57. Their divorce was finalised in January 2024.

The actor revealed their relationship when he was asked if he was single and said: 'I am very much in a relationship.'

He did not, however, reveal how long he's been in the relationship or how they met.

Jason braved the weather in a dusty pink vest and velvet suit trousers with white braces

In 2021, Adria played Amanda Cooper, wife of Jason's character Ray in Sweet Girl.

At that time, Jason was still with Lisa and Arjona was still married to her husband Puerto Rican-American lawyer Edgardo Canales, who she married in Guatemala in 2019.

Jason and Lisa wed in 2017. They announced their separation in January 2022, and eventually filed for divorce in January 2024 with the date of separation listed as October 2020.

He and his ex-wife share two kids  17-year-old daughter Lola and 16-year-old son Nakoa-Wolf.

Adria was born in Puerto Rico and lived in Mexico City until she was 12.
Romeo Beckham made sure to not let his family fallout ruin his big moment as he walked the Willy Chavarria show during Paris Fashion Week on Friday.

The model's supportive girlfriend Kim Turnbull, 24, bagged herself a seat in the front row as she watched her beloved boyfriend, 23, strut along the catwalk.

Romeo has turned his focus onto his work amid his explosive family feud, which saw his older brother Brooklyn, 26, release an extraordinary statement.

The wannabe photographer and food influencer accused his parents, David and Victoria Beckham, of 'controlling narratives,' sabotaging his marriage and attempting to pressure him into signing away the rights to his name in the run-up to his nuptials with Nicola Peltz.

Victoria, 51, has previously had her daughter-in-law Nicola sit in the front row at her shows for what is one of the fashion industry's biggest calendar events.

Kim posed up a storm in a rich navy blue trench coat before she sat down to watch the show.

Romeo Beckham, 23, made sure to not let his family fallout ruin his big moment as he walked the Willy Chavarria show during Paris Fashion Week on Friday

The model's supportive girlfriend Kim Turnbull, 24, bagged herself a seat in the front row as she watched her beloved boyfriend strut along the catwalk

Other snaps showed her sat amongst Lucky Love, Pa Salieu, Kim Turnbull, Arlo Parks and Davido.

The proud girlfriend shared a clip of the show on her Instagram account to fans, as Romeo walked by her.

She captioned the video: 'Gooooooooo baby go.'

On Thursday evening both Kim and Romeo brushed off Brooklyn's scathing post as they boasted big smiles.

They were snapped as they headed to the Costes party in Paris.

Snaps of the couple show they appear unfazed by Brooklyn's post, where he said he did 'not want to reconcile' with his family.

Brushing off the statement, Romeo and Kim cut a stylish appearance as they arrived for the party.

Meanwhile, on Friday, Brooklyn and Nicola's wedding DJ Fat Tony revealed exactly what happened during the 'inappropriate' dance Brooklyn had claimed took place with his mother Victoria.

Romeo has turned his focus onto his work amid his explosive family feud, which saw his older brother Brooklyn, 26, release an extraordinary statement

Kim bagged herself a seat in the front row at Paris Fashion Week amid the big family fallout

Previously Victoria Beckham's estranged son and daughter-in-law Nicola Peltz occupied the front row for her fashion week shows (pictured in 2024 in Paris)

The proud girlfriend shared a clip of the show on her Instagram account to fans, as Romeo walked by her

Davido beamed for the cameras as he showed off his chain

Alongside Davido, his sister Sharon Adeleke accompanied him to Paris Fashion Week

French singer Camelia Jordana showed off her toned abs as she donned a sheer bralet beneath a red bomber jacket with a pair of pinstripe trousers

The designer included BMX bikes in the show to highlight the street style designs

Singer and songwriter Thundercat also made an appearance at the star studded event

Kim posed up a storm in a rich navy blue trench coat before she sat down to watch the show in the French capital

Camilla Araujo and Usher were also pictured in attendance at the Willy Chavarria show in Paris on Friday afternoon

British model Erin O'Connor presents a creation by Willy Chavarria for the Menswear Ready-to-wear Fall-Winter 2026/2027 collection

Julia Fox wears red turtleneck top, white and red pied de poule jacket with black and white scarf detail on the front and black leather jacket for the show

US fashion designer Willy Chavarria stands by Italian-US actor and model Julia Fox after the show

Usher donned his classic ensemble keeping his style in keeping with the street style elements of the show

Brooklyn Beckham's statement in full I have been silent for years and made every effort to keep these matters private. Unfortunately, my parents and their team have continued to go to the press, leaving me with no choice but to speak for myself and tell the truth about only some of the lies that have been printed. I do not want to reconcile with my family. I'm not being controlled, I'm standing up for myself for the first time in my life. For my entire life, my parents have controlled narratives in the press about our family. The performative social media posts, family events and inauthentic relationships have been a fixture of the life I was born into. Recently, I have seen with my own eyes the lengths that they'll go through to place countless lies in the media, mostly at the expense of innocent people, to preserve their own facade. But I believe the truth always comes out. My parents have been trying endlessly to ruin my relationship since before my wedding, and it hasn't stopped. My mum cancelled making Nicola's dress in the eleventh hour despite how excited she was to wear her design, forcing her to urgently find a new dress. Weeks before our big day, my parents repeatedly pressured and attempted to bribe me into signing away the rights to my name, which would have affected me, my wife, and our future children. They were adamant on me signing before my wedding date because then the terms of the deal would be initiated. My holdout affected the payday, and they have never treated me the same since. During the wedding planning, my mum went so far as to call me "evil" because Nicola and I chose to include my Nanny Sandra, and Nicola's Naunni at our table, because they both didn't have their husbands. Both of our parents had their own tables equally adjacent to ours. The night before our wedding, members of my family told me that Nicola was "not blood" and "not family." Since the moment I started standing up for myself with my family, I've received endless attacks from my parents, both privately and publicly, that were sent to the press on their orders. Even my brothers were sent to attack me on social media, before they ultimately blocked me out of nowhere this last Summer. My mum hijacked my first dance with my wife, which had been planned weeks in advance to a romantic love song. In front of our 500 wedding guests, Marc Anthony called me to the stage, where in the schedule was planned to be my romantic dance with my wife but instead my mum was waiting to dance with me instead. She danced very inappropriately on me in front of everyone. I've never felt more uncomfortable or humiliated in my entire life. We wanted to renew our vows so we could create new memories of our wedding day that bring us joy and happiness, not anxiety and embarrassment. My wife has been consistently disrespected by my family, no matter how hard we've tried to come together as one. My mum has repeatedly invited women from my past into our lives in ways that were clearly intended to make us both uncomfortable. Despite this, we still travelled to London for my dad's birthday and were rejected for a week as we waited in our hotel room trying to plan quality time with him. He refused all of our attempts, unless it was at his big birthday party with a hundred guests and cameras at every corner. When he finally agreed to see me, it was under the condition that Nicola wasn't invited. It was a slap in the face. Later, when my family travelled to LA, they refused to see me at all. My family values public promotion and endorsements above all else. Brand Beckham comes first. Family "love" is decided by how much you post on social media, or how quickly you drop everything to show up and pose for a family photo opp, even if it's at the expense of our professional obligations. We've gone out of our way for years to show up and support at every fashion show, every party, and every press activity to show 'our perfect family.' But the one time my wife asked for my mum's support to save displaced dogs during the LA fires, my mum refused. The narrative that my wife controls me is completely backwards. I have been controlled by my parents for most of my life. I grew up with overwhelming anxiety. For the first time in my life, since stepping away from my family, that anxiety has disappeared. I wake up every morning grateful for the life I chose, and have found peace and relief. My wife and I do not want a life shaped by image, press, or manipulation. All we want peace, privacy and happiness for us and our future family. Advertisement

After an appearance on ITV's This Morning, the DJ spoke exclusively to the Daily Mail and said at one point Brooklyn's hands were on his mother's waist while her arms were placed around his neck.

Nicola, 31, was left devastated by the three minute dance to a love song performed on stage by latin artist Marc Anthony - and left the room in tears.

Her family left after Nicola and Brooklyn looked humiliated and also went to find his new wife after the 'awkward' dance took place.

Weeks before Beckham drama reached new heights, Kim had emerged as an unlikely figure that was to be at the centre of it all.

She rekindled her relationship with Romeo in October 2025 after they split when Brooklyn's feud with his parents put a strain on their relationship.

At the time of the breakup, it was alleged that Kim was being used as a 'scapegoat' in the row, following claims she had previously dated the chef.

Brooklyn seemed to allude to this in his statement, writing: 'My wife has been consistently disrespected by my family, no matter how hard we've tried to come together as one.

On Friday, Brooklyn and Nicola's wedding DJ Fat Tony revealed exactly what happened during the 'inappropriate' dance Brooklyn had claimed took place with his mother Victoria.

Romeo and Kim were all smiles on Thursday evening in the French capital ahead of his show as they attended the Costes party

Cruz, Brooklyn, Harper, and Nicola Peltz at Victoria Beckham's RTW Fall 2024

'My mum has repeatedly invited women from my past into our lives in ways that were clearly intended to make us both uncomfortable.'

Meanwhile, a video showing Victoria and Nicola awkwardly together at Paris Fashion Week in 2022 has been doing the rounds on social media.

It shows Nicola speaking to a blonde woman at an event while Brooklyn's younger sister Harper stands nearby.

Nicola stands with her back to Brooklyn and Victoria to have her conversation while Victoria appears to awkwardly hang around behind her and struggles to be brought into the conversation.

Sharing the clip one TikTok user claimed: 'Leaked footage from 2022 of the Beckhams, Victoria is not the problem'
Beverley Callard is facing fresh financial woes after reportedly failing to pay a 98,000 tax bill which could force her to become bankrupt for a second time.

The former Coronation Street actress, 68, who played Liz McDonald in the soap from 1985 until 2020, owed HMRC after her company JMBJ Limited went bust in 2023.

Beverley and her husband Jon McEwan, who are directors of the company, set the entity up after she left the ITV soap as a way to manage her money, before going into liquidation.

The firm is said to have only managed to pay off 7,500 of the 114,000 loans they took against the business, leaving an outstanding 51,000 tax bill and 47,000 owed in corporation tax.

In addiction the business also is in debt almost 3,000 to 'other creditors' due to 'insufficient funds' with liquidators also only being paid just 7,657 of their 33,164 bill.

Documents revealed: After taking into consideration the directors financial position and the likely additional costs to be incurred in continuing to pursue this matter further, the Joint Liquidators accepted the sum of 7,500 in full and final settlement of the outstanding balance owed.

Beverley Callard is facing fresh financial woes after reportedly failing to pay a 98,000 tax bill which could force her to become bankrupt for a second time (pictured earlier this month)

The former Coronation Street actress, 68, who played Liz McDonald in the soap from 1985 until 2020, owed HMRC after her company JMBJ Limited went bust in 2023 (pictured in the soap)

'This offer was deemed acceptable on the basis that, given the directors financial position, it was unlikely that any further recoveries would be possible and that the costs of continuing to pursue this matter would likely outweigh any potential further recoveries which would result in any benefit to the Companys creditors'.

The Sun went on to claim that liquidators said: 'Due to lack of realisations in this matter, the balance in hand of 1,454.82 plus VAT has been drawn in respect of the above outstanding remuneration. No further fees will be recoverable'.

Daily Mail ahave contacted Beverly's representatives for comment.

It is not the first time Beverley has faced financial struggles and in 2012 became bankrupt after she was hit with tax bill of 60,000.

The actress' money woes reached crisis point when she quit her role in the soap after suffering from ill health and depression. She was caring for her mother, who was in the late stages of Alzheimer's.

She told the Sunday Mirror at the time: 'Since the bankruptcy became public people think I'm a showbiz diva who frittered her cash away on expensive dinners and fancy clothes. That couldn't be further from the truth.

'Corrie schedules are full-on. It's all or nothing and I had to face a choice between The Street or Mum. I love everything about Corrie but there could only be one answer.'

Beverley and her husband Jon McEwan set up the firm, which has now gone into liquidation, to manage her income following her Corrie exit (pictured together 2016)

The firm is said to have only managed to pay off 7,500 of the 114,000 loans they took against the business, leaving an outstanding 51,000 tax bill and 47,000 owed in corporation tax.

She is also reported to have signed up for the upcoming I'm A Celeb All Stars series, five years after her initial stint (pictured 2020)

The actress had battles with money problems in the past. Beverley suffered a breakdown around February 2009, having worked double time at Corrie and at the pub which she owned with her fourth husband Jon.

Hit hard by the credit crunch and smoking ban, losses at the pub meant that the couple's debts grew out of control.

For a while the pair were reduced to borrowing cash off friends in order to afford the one meal per day they ate to survive.

At her lowest point, Beverly was unable to cover the cost of electric shock therapy for depression while in a psychiatric ward at The Priory in Altrincham.

Earlier this month Beverly made her soap comeback, but swapped Weatherfield for Ireland set Fair City.

She is playing Lily, the long-lost mother to already established character Gwen (Emily Lamey).

Earlier this month Beverly made her soap comeback, but swapped Weatherfield for Ireland set Fair City

Promo pics show Beverley getting into character, with the star wearing a black leather jacket in one.

Another shows the actress dressed in a cream ruffled jacket and denim jumpsuit as she poses next to a 'Welcome to Carrigstown' sign.

Her beloved character, Liz McDonald, first graced Coronation Street's cobbles more than three decades ago, when she arrived with her family.

The clan included husband Jim (Charles Lawson), as well as twin sons Andy (Nicholas Cochrane) and Steve (Simon Gregson) - the latter now a stalwart on the show.

Beverley initially left the role in 1998, with further stints from 2000 to 2001, 2003 to 2011 and most recently, 2013 to 2020.
Brooklyn Beckham insists his relationship with his famous parents broke down before his lavish 2022 wedding.

But it has now emerged that two years later he was still happily staying in their 31million London home and loved hanging out with his family.

In an extraordinary Instagram statement this week, the 26-year-old wannabe photographer and food influencer accused his parents, David and Victoria Beckham, of controlling narratives, sabotaging his marriage and attempting to pressure him into signing away the rights to his name in the run-up to his nuptials with Nicola Peltz.

But an interview he gave to The Times in 2024  two years after the wedding he now claims marked the collapse of family relations  paints a markedly different picture.

At the time, Brooklyn spoke fondly of his parents, siblings and trips home to the UK, telling journalist Julia Llewellyn Smith that when he visited London it was about hangin out with my family.

Llewellyn Smith said there seemed no doubt that he was close to his parents and siblings.

Llewellyn Smith said there seemed no doubt that he was close to his parents and siblings

David and Victoria Beckham 'have fears their son Brooklyn will be left with nothing' after he allegedly signed a rigid pre-nuptial agreement before he wed Nicola Peltz

Brooklyn even revealed that he still had his own bedroom at his parents six-bedroom Holland Park townhouse  purchased in 2013 and estimated to be worth 31million.

I really love London, I go back as much as I can, he said.

And when asked to choose between Miami  the base of the billionaire Peltz family  and the Cotswolds, where the Beckhams have a country home, he firmly replied: Cotswolds.

The comments sit uneasily alongside his claim this week that his parents had been trying endlessly to ruin his relationship since before his wedding, and that he had been controlled by his parents for most of his life.

During the 2024 interview, Brooklyn also spoke at length about cooking with his father, recalling how Sir David, 50, taught him to make spaghetti bolognese and that he loved hanging out with him in the kitchen.

It's my wife's favourite thing that I cook, he said. It means a lot to me just because my dad taught me how to make it when he was playing for AC Milan.

He added that when with his brothers, Romeo, 23, and Cruz, 20, they always cook together.

We never say it's like a competition, even though we give each other a bit of stick about it that's just what brothers do, he said. All of us in the kitchen. Just listening to music, cooking together, it's fun.

The ratio of mentions of his family to his wife, Llewellyn Smith noted, was about five to one.

Nicola's businessman and investor father Nelson Peltz, 83, is said to be worth an astonishing 1.2 billion (pictured with Nicola's mother Claudia and dad Nelson)

Brooklyn's choice to sign the pre-nup in 2022 means he will not gain any of the Peltz's billionaire family fortune if he and Nicola were to split

It comes after Brooklyn shared six stinging posts to Instagram on Monday night in which he said he did not want to reconcile with his family following a feud which saw him miss his father's milestone 50th birthday and knighthood earlier this year.

Sources told the Daily Mail that Victoria, 51, was left 'devastated' after taking the brunt of the vicious family fallout with her eldest son, Brooklyn, and his wife, Nicola, 31.

Despite once declaring he was a 'mama's boy,' Brooklyn focused mainly on Victoria in his lengthy statement, with insiders saying the vitriol left her 'on the floor in pieces'.

He claimed that Victoria cancelled making Nicola's wedding dress 'at the eleventh hour,' that his parents pressured him to sign away rights to his name, and that his mother 'hijacked' his first dance with his new bride, dancing 'inappropriately' on him in front of 500 guests.

DJ Tony, the man who watched Brooklyn's lavish 2022 nuptials unfold from behind the decks has since stepped forward to clear Victoria's name.

It was, he said, not Victoria who hijacked Brooklyns first dance  but Latin superstar Marc Anthony, 57, who summoned mother and son onto the stage and instructed Brooklyn to place his hands on his mothers hips.

Speaking on ITVs This Morning on Friday, the longtime friend of the Beckham family said: 'There was no slut-dropping, there was no PVC cat suits, no Spice Girl action.

Victoria was thrown into that situation, and I think too much has been read into it.

He added: 'Ive done an awful lot of Beckham parties in the past, and they are a very dancing, close-knit family and love to dance.

The DJ, whose real name is Tony Marnoch, told hosts Dermot OLeary and Alison Hammond that Mr Anthony was performing when he first called Brooklyn onto the stage  just as guests were expecting his romantic first dance with his bride Nicola Peltz, 31.

He said: Then Marc asked for the most beautiful woman in the room to come to the stage - and then he said "Victoria, come to the stage".'

The 60-year-old revealed that Brooklyn looked 'devastated' at the fact his first dance was with Victoria and not his wife, and that Nicola left the room 'crying her eyes out.'

The whole situation was really awkward for everyone in the room, he added.

Meanwhile, Sir David, 50, was heckled on Tuesday as he faced the media at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

When asked about the feud, he declined to answer any direct questions but he later spoke on the perils and virtues of children using social media.

In an interview on CNBC's Squawk Box, he said that he has tried to 'educate' his own children about the dangers of social media apps while also showing them how they can work for 'good.
Katie Price has revealed her engagement to entrepreneur Lee Andrews after he popped the question on a lavish Dubai break.

The model showed off her giant diamond ring on her social media on Friday - blindsiding her ex JJ Slater - a week after their split was revealed.

The former glamour model, 46, who was declared bankrupt in 2024, flew out to Dubai on Wednesday for a lavish break with her new fiance amid her ongoing financial woes.

And it seems the holiday started with a bang as Katie revealed she is now engaged for a ninth time - showing off her new man and huge ring.

Taking to Instagram on Friday, the mother-of-five shared a slew of snaps as she posed by a sea of red roses spelling out 'will you marry me?'

She also showed off her partner's hand, which had a fresh tattoo of her name inked on, and revealed the pair were celebrating with champagne, strawberries and chocolate cake.

Katie Price has revealed her engagement to entrepreneur Lee Andrews after he popped the question on a lavish Dubai break

The model showed off her giant diamond ring on her social media on Friday - blindsiding her ex JJ Slater- a week after their split was revealed

Documenting her trip, she shared a slew of snaps alongside a mystery man as she posed by a sea of red roses and flashed a giant diamond ring

The Daily Mail revealed last week that Katie ended her romance with MAFS UK star JJ after realising she didn't see a future with him (pictured in 2025)

Katie announced her engagement on the day her ex-husband Peter Andre released his brand-new single Rock You Right.

Katie has previously been engaged eight times and has three ex husbands - Peter, Alex Reid and Kieran Hayler.

She agreed to marry previous partners Warren Furman (1996), Scott Sullivan (2004), Leandro Penna (2012), Kris Boyson (2018) and Carl Woods (2021), but never made it down the aisle.

Katie also claimed that her 'Richard gear swept off my feet', adding 'manifesting does work' as she shared a snap of the Burj Al Arab, with an emoji of a ring.

Her engagement news will come as a complete shock to her ex JJ, who is currently in Miami where he's been 'healing his broken heart'.

The Daily Mail revealed last week that Katie ended her romance with the MAFS UK star, 32, after realising she didn't see a future with him.

Insiders say cracks in their relationship had become 'too obvious to ignore' in recent months, despite Katie insisting they were going strong.

They began dating in February 2024, after JJ rose to fame on E4's MAFS UK. Katie even spoke of having a child together, her sixth, but in the end, it wasn't meant to be.

Join the debate What do you think drives so many public proposals and whirlwind engagements among celebrities today?

Taking to Instagram on Friday, the mother-of-five shared a slew of snaps as she posed by a sea of red roses spelling out 'will you marry me?'

She revealed the pair were celebrating with champagne, strawberries and chocolate cake

Last Wednesday, Katie broke her silence on her split when she shared cryptic post about meeting the 'right person'.

Sharing an update to her Instagram Story, she posted a series of poems and quotes about soulmates and relationships.

The first, from Mike Poetry read: 'They say falling in love takes time. But it's not true. Falling in love only takes the right person - the one who knows exactly what you need, without having to ask.'

Another post was about recognising your soulmate and the 'divine' signs a person will notice when they meet them.

Finally, Katie shared another quote which read: 'My mum always says when you meet the male version of yourself is when you meet the love of your life.'

Katie's new romance comes while she battles a series of health woes.

Last week, fans begged her to get help after she was pictured looking 'worryingly thin' while reuniting with daughter Princess Andre, 18, for a shopping trip.

Speaking on the latest episode of her podcast The Katie Price Show Katie told her sister Sophie that she is now having tests to get answers to her recent weight loss.

Her engagement news will come as a complete shock to her ex JJ, who is currently in Miami where he's been 'healing his broken heart'

Reacting to the photos, Katie said: 'I know I look gaunt, I look like I'm ill  hence why I'm going to the doctors tomorrow.

'I don't know how many times I have to say to people, "Yes I know I've lost weight," and there's obviously a reason, I said it to the doctor. We all know that we're trying to sort it all out and as soon as I know then I'll let everyone know.'

Katie explained that she has given herself 'a bit of a glow up' this week and had filler put in her face 'because I look so bad it's had an influence and that's why I've had filler put in my face which I didn't want to do'.

Katie added: 'I just wanna put on weight, I really do but I'm just not. Everyone knows I eat  I eat anything that I want, I've never had a problem with what I eat.'

Earlier in the podcast Katie had revealed she had booked a doctors appointment and blood tests.

After her sister asked her how she has been taking care of herself, Katie replied: 'I've been eating well and I've been drinking lots of water because I've got a blood test tomorrow, so I'll get the results back.'

'I went to the doctors and explained everything, it's a new doctors so I've got a full blood test tomorrow morning.'

She also said she has been enjoying a quiet January and has barely drunk alcohol in recent weeks aside from a glass of champagne at Christmas. 'I haven't been out in so long, I can't be bothered. I just love being at home,' she explained.

Last week, Katie's fans begged her to get help after she was pictured looking 'worryingly thin' while reuniting with daughter Princess Andre, 18, for a shopping trip

She recently called herself a 'stick woman' and said doctors were concerned about her low blood pressure in another health update on her podcast.

Katie added she was feeling the pressure from her mother Amy to go to the doctors as she told her sister: 'All I've had, since everywhere has been closed, is, "Have you phoned the doctors yet? Have you phoned?"

'I'm like, "Yes, mum. I went to the doctors today." I screenshotted the appointment.'

Sophie asked: 'Did you actually though? Because mum has been speaking to me about this.'

Katie replied: 'Yes. I'm going in there to talk about blood tests, MRI, everything she wants me to have to get to the bottom of why the price is  forget stick man  stick woman.'

Katie added she had to have her blood pressure done three times because doctors thought it was so low that there must have been an error.

In October, Katie confessed she had been hospitalised for her weight loss - which she initially conceded was her aim - however later insisted was baffling doctors and left needing tests to assess the situation.

Katie told fans on her Snapchat Story she 'doesn't know why' her frame is shrinking so much as she undergoes tests.

She began: 'I've been up early at the doctors so she could do some bloods and because my veins are so s*** they had three attempts.

'They could only fill two tubes up, so I've got to go back in two weeks. And I've got to have my stitches out then because they looked at my little stab wound that I did...'

Katie added: 'The reason I'm going to the doctors is because I keep losing weight and I don't know why. So that's that.'
Fashion model Amelia Gray Hamlin is sending temperatures soaring in Los Angeles.

The star, 24, flashed her thong underwear and taut abs as she emerged in sheer Alexander McQueen trousers on Thursday.

From her leather jacket to her blue sunglasses, Hamlin was a vision of cool.

Hamlin, who is the daughter of Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin, looked straight off the pages of a fashion magazine as she stepped outside, one hand toying with her silky jet black hair.

And it's no wonder why, with Hamlin working in front of the camera for nearly 10 years now.

Hamlin began her modelling career in 2017 and has walked for high-end brands such as Saint Laurent, Chanel, Balenciaga, Moncler, Givenchy, Versace, and Vivienne Westwood.

Amelia Gray Hamlin put on an extremely racy display while out in Los Angeles on Thursday

Last year she starred in Michael Kors' holiday campaign with her sister Delilah Belle Hamlin, 27.

She has maintained a close relationship with her parents as she embarks on her personal rise to fame.

A lover of fashion, she's admitted to stealing designer garments from both of her parents' wardrobes.

She told People in 2023: 'I steal (but put back) a bunch of my dad's Calvin Klein white T-shirts and his Nike socks sometimes. He also has really comfy flannel pieces.'

'From my mom, I mostly take the tighter, chicer things. I've definitely stolen my fair share of Versace,' Hamlin confessed.

Meanwhile, Hamlin has recently found love.

In November, the star debuted a new boyfriend - Nicolai Marciano, the heir to the Guess? Inc fashion empire.

Marciano is the son of Paul Marciano, 73, the co-founder of the glitzy brand.

The couple were seen cuddling at the FRAME & Amelia Gray Celebrate Collaboration at the Chateau Marmont.

A sheer pair of Alexander McQueen trousers left little of her backside to the imagination

The fashion model looked straight off the pages of a fashion magazine

Hamlin's sheer bottoms exposed her black thong underwear

She has since made their relationship Instagram official.

He appeared in multiple photos on her December 31 Instagram post as she called 2025 the 'best year ever.'

And a previous photo dump included a closeup angle of her that she said was taken from her beau's perspective.

'My boyfriend's POV,' she wrote under the image before sharing another one that showed her topless while untying a bikini top to sunbathe.

'Also this,' she wrote, once again referring to Marciano's point-of-view.
Jana Duggar is celebrating the arrival of her first child with husband Stephen Wissmann.

On Friday, January 23, the former Counting On star, 36, and the bible studies leader, 32, made the joint announcement on Instagram.

Alongside the post was a trio of photos showing them cradling their newborn son, who was born on December 30.

'We took some time to settle into our new rhythm before sharing this sweet news,' Duggar explained in the caption. 'Archie Gerald Wissmann arrived on December 30, 2025, and our hearts have been completely changed.'

The new mom, who announced she was expecting one year after tying the knot, added: 'Were soaking in these early days, full of love, wonder, and so much gratitude.'

One of the photos showed Duggar and Wissmann beaming big smiles at the camera while nestling their son, who was wrapped in a green blanket.

Jana Duggar announced the arrival of her first child with husband Stephen Wissmann via Instagram on Friday, January 23

A second snap showed the doting twosome gazing down at their child with total adoration, while a third saw the pair planting a sweet kiss on the babys head.

The warm responses came pouring in with Duggars sister Jinger Duggar commenting, 'Ahhh we love Archie so much already and cant wait to meet him!!'

One follower shared, 'Why am I crying ??? So happy for YOU,' and another fan chimed in, 'Congratulations!!! He is beautiful!! What a sweet little family!! You have your happily ever after!!'

Back in August, Duggar announced that she was pregnant in a joint Instagram post with Wissmann, who is pastor of East Fairview Mennonite Church in Milford, Nebraska.

Included were three photos from a pregnancy announcement shoot including a black and white snap of them kissing.

'We are so excited, January 2026 is going to come with a little bundle of joy joining our family!' she shared in the caption.

'Were counting down the days and eagerly looking forward to this thrilling new chapter in our lives!'

Duggar is the eldest daughter of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggars 19 children and along with the rest of the famous family has starred in the TLC reality series 19 Kids and Counting and its spinoff Counting On.

The couple's son, Archie Gerald Wissmann, was born on December 30, 2025, and Duggar shared with her social media followers that they are 'full of love' and 'wonder' and 'gratitude'; pictured on Instagram at their baby's gender reveal party in November of last year

Duggar and the bible studies leader announced they were expecting one year after tying the knot in August 2024 front of 500 guests in Prairie Grove, Arkansas

The reality star kept her 855k Instagram followers updated on her pregnancy's progress

Duggar married Wissmann on August 15, 2024 at The Grand at Willow Springs in Prairie Grove, Arkansas in front of 500 guests just three months after getting engaged, describing it as a dream come true.

'I think it is one of those things that all girls envision someday,' she told People just days before she got married. 'For me, it felt like, "Okay, it's never coming." But now it's starting to sink in. Reality is starting to set in.

'And I'm like, "Wow, this truly is something that I've dreamed of." And just to see it coming about is incredible and kind of hard to believe. It's a dream come true.'

According to the publication, Duggars sister, Jessa Duggar, was her maid of honor, and her sister-in-law, Abbie Duggar, and sisters Joy-Anna Forsyth, Johannah Duggar, Jinger Duggar and Jordyn Duggar were bridesmaids.

Jill Duggar, 34, was notably not named as one of the bridesmaids as she has been estranged from the family for a long time now - though she came together with her family for the Christmas holiday last month.

In Amazon Prime's four-part docuseries, entitled Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets, Jill railed against her parents.

She accused Jim-Bob and Michelle of taking advantage of her and her siblings by tricking them into signing contracts and forcing them to be take part in the family's numerous reality shows against their will - without pay.

The new mom, pictured with her mom Michelle Duggar and her sisters, famously starred in the family's TLC reality series 19 and Counting and its spinoff Counting On

It's been reported that the Duggars received $18 million over the course of their 21 seasons on TV, but according to Jill, it all went into her fathers pocket.

When asked if they ever received money for their time in the show, Jill stated: 'No. I never received any payout.

'No check, no cash, no nothing. For seven-and-a-half years of my adult life, I was never paid. We were taken advantage of.'

Josh Duggar, 37, the eldest of Jim-Bob and Michelles brood, is currently serving a 12-year and seven month prison sentence in Seagoville, Texas after he was convicted of receiving child pornography.
President Donald Trump has revealed how he got a bruise on his left hand after he 'clipped it on the table' in Davos - while hinting at his intention to serve a 'fourth term'.

The president said on Air Force One that he received the large purple bruise at the Board of Peace event in Switzerland and was doing 'very good'.

'I clipped it on the table, so I put a little - what do they call it - cream on it, but I clipped it,' Trump told reporters en route to Washington DC on Thursday.

He then appeared to blame the noticeable bruise on aspirin he was taking.

'I would say take aspirin if you like your heart, don't take aspirin if you don't want to have a little bruising,' Trump advised, noting that he takes the 'big aspirin'.

'And when you take the big aspirin, they tell you, you'll bruise,' he continued.

Trump shrugs off health concerns

'The doctor said, "You don't have to take that, sir, you're very healthy,"' Trump then claimed. 'I said, "I'm not taking any chances."'

'But that's one of the side effects of taking aspirin.'

Trump is apparently unconcerned about his health as he alluded to a potential 'fourth term' as president after praising the progress in his second.

In an astonishing climbdown after weeks of escalating threats about taking over Greenland, Trump announced a framework of a future deal that would settle the issue of the semi-autonomous territory of Denmark.

News of the deal came as Trump backed off tariff threats against Europe and ruled out taking Greenland by force, following fears of a retaliatory 'trade bazooka' from his allies.

'Record numbers all over the place!' Trump said in an all-caps post on Truth Social. 'Should I try for a fourth term?'

President Trump teases 2028 run

The president has already teased a potential run in 2028, for what would be a third term in the White House.

However, presidents are term-limited to two four-year stints by the Constitution.

Trump has also previously falsely claimed that a hypothetical 'third term' would actually be his 'fourth term' - because 'the 2020 election was totally rigged', he told reporters last year.

He has long pushed the false claim that he lost the 2020 election due to widespread voter fraud.

The purple contusion suffered by Trump was seen on his left hand - not the one normally covered with makeup to conceal the discoloration of a bruise.

Trump did not appear to have the bruise at the start of the event, according to images, which showed the discoloration appeared later on.

Trump blames bruising on aspirin use

The president has previously told The Wall Street Journal that he bruises easily because he is defying doctors by taking higher-than-recommended daily doses of aspirin to keep his blood thin.

But Trump was also diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, which can also increase chances of bruising.

The diagnosis appeared to swell his lower legs and ankles, causing him to have a brief stint wearing compression socks. But he stopped wearing them because he didn't like the socks, according to the Journal report.

He said he is dosing more aspirin than his doctors recommend because 'I'm a little superstitious.'

'They say aspirin is good for thinning out the blood, and I don't want thick blood pouring through my heart,' Trump went on. 'I want nice, thin blood pouring through my heart. Does that make sense?'

Instead of listening to medical advice, the 79-year-old is defying doctors' orders and relying on what he calls his 'good genetics'.

Trump is taking 325 milligrams per day, which he says he's been dosing for 25 years. He admitted that doctors have encouraged him to take a lower dosage of aspirin.

A low dose is usually approximately 81 milligrams, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Taking higher dosages of aspirin can significantly increase the severity of side effects, including more serious ones like internal bleeding in the stomach, intestines and brain  especially in older patients. But the biggest benefit is potentially avoiding a heart attack by keeping blood thinner so the flow is stronger.

The thinned blood also stops blood cells from clumping together to form clots, which slows the body's ability to stop bleeding from broken capillaries and leading to more noticeable and larger bruising.

At the age of 79, Trump is the oldest person to be elected and serve as US president.

His right hand is often pictured with a glob of cover-up makeup that Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has confirmed is concealing bruising.

She claimed it was the result of the president regularly shaking people's hands.

Just hours after Trump's explosive speech in Davos, Switzerland at the World Economic Forum (WEF), Europe breathed a collective sigh of relief when he announced a major U-turn on Greenland.

After a 'very productive' meeting with Nato secretary general Mark Rutte, Trump dropped the threat of tariffs on European countries who opposed his plan to purchase Greenland, and announced a deal on Arctic security.

Trump backs down after Greenland ownership push

It was a dramatic reversal shortly after he insisted he wanted to get the island 'including right, title and ownership'.

Trump said 'additional discussions' on Greenland were being held concerning the Golden Dome missile defense program, a multilayered, $175billion system that for the first time will put US weapons in space.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen praised Europe for 'being firm' against the president, amid the biggest rupture in transatlantic ties in decades.

But tensions erupted again on Thursday after Trump claimed Nato troops stayed away from the frontline in Afghanistan, in a fresh barb against his European allies.

In an interview with Fox News, the president said: 'I've always said, will they be there if we ever needed them? That's really the ultimate test, and I'm not sure of that.'

'We've never needed them,' he said. 'They'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan ... and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the frontlines.'

Speaking in Davos on Wednesday, Trump made a similar swipe against the 32-member military alliance, saying: 'I know them all very well. Im not sure that theyd be there. I know wed be there for them. I dont know that they would be there for us.'

The claims, however, overlook the fact that Nato member countries suffered hundreds of deaths during the Afghanistan war, triggered after the September 11 attack on the World Trade Centre in New York.

Britain alone lost 457 troops, while another 2,000 military and civilian personnel were wounded in action. France, Germany, Italy and Denmark also suffered many deaths.

The total number of deaths amongst the coalition forces  US, Britain and allies  totalled 3,486 in Afghanistan. Over 2,300 were members of the US armed forces.

Denmark lost 44 soldiers, proportionately more than any other ally apart from the US. They also lost personnel alongside American forces in Iraq, where 179 British Armed Forces personnel died.

Calvin Bailey, a Labour MP and former RAF officer who served alongside US special operations units in Afghanistan, said Trumps claim 'bears no resemblance to the reality experienced by those of us who served there'.

Social care minister Stephen Kinnock said Trump's comments were 'deeply disappointing'.

He told Sky News: 'President Trump's comments are deeply disappointing. There is no other way to say that, I don't know really why he said them. I don't think there's any basis for him to make those comments.'

Trump unveiled his new 'Board of Peace' at Davos on Thursday, casting himself again as a global peacemaker despite widespread scepticism over a plan that aims to rewrite the global order.

Trump officials also unveiled ambitious plans for a 'New Gaza' during the ceremony at the WEF, with the president describing the devastated Palestinian territory as 'great real estate'.

The board was created after Trump expressed frustration at failing to win the Nobel Peace Prize and ramped up his accusations that the United Nations had failed to resolve a host of international conflicts.

'Well this is exciting,' Trump said as he was joined on stage by leaders and officials from 19 countries to sign the board's founding charter in the Swiss ski resort.

'This board has the chance to be one of the most consequential bodies ever created,' he said.

The body, of which Trump is the chairman, was initially designed to oversee the Gaza truce and the reconstruction of the strip after the war between Hamas and Israel.

But its purpose has since morphed into resolving all sorts of international conflicts, sparking concerns that Trump wants to create a rival to the UN.

Key US allies including France and Britain have expressed doubts.

Countries have been asked to pay $1billion for permanent membership of the board, and the invitation for Putin, whose country invaded Ukraine in 2022, has drawn criticism.

Trump said the organisation would work 'in conjunction' with the UN.

Karoline Leavitt explains bruise on Trump's hand

The White House has offered a new explanation for why Donald Trumps hands appear to be consistently bruised.

The Presidents press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, told CBS News that Trump 'hit his hand' on the corner of the signing table during the Board of Peace event on Thursday in Davos, Switzerland, 'causing it to bruise.'

The noticeable contusion was visible on Trumps left hand, which is not the hand typically covered with makeup to conceal bruising or discoloration.

In the past, Leavitt has said that Trumps right hand is frequently bruised due to the sheer number of times he shakes hands with people at public events.

The President told the Wall Street Journal in a New Years Day article that he bruises more easily because he is defying doctors advice by taking higher-than-recommended daily doses of aspirin to keep his blood thin.

At the start of the Board of Peace event at the World Economic Forum on Thursday, Trump did not appear to have a bruise, according to images and reporters who were present in the room.

However, photographs taken later in the day showed that a large purple bruise had developed on his hand. One White House official also pointed to Trumps aspirin use in comments to CBS, referencing the admission he made earlier this month.

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Aroundtown SA (OTCMKTS:AANNF  Get Free Report) was down 3.2% on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $3.00 and last traded at $3.00. Approximately 600 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 43% from the average daily volume of 1,050 shares. The stock had previously closed at $3.10.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a hold rating on shares of Aroundtown in a report on Monday, December 1st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold.

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Aroundtown Stock Performance

About Aroundtown

The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $3.51 and a 200 day simple moving average of $3.61.

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Aroundtown SA is a Luxembourg-based real estate investment and asset management company specializing in a diversified portfolio of office, residential, hotel and retail properties across Europe. The company focuses primarily on the German market, with assets in major economic centres such as Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich and Dusseldorf. By targeting high-quality properties in established business districts, Aroundtown aims to generate stable, long-term rental income and capital appreciation.

Founded in 2004, Aroundtown has grown through a combination of strategic acquisitions and development projects.

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Australian Foundation Investment (ASX:AFI) executives used the companys half-year results briefing to emphasize a long-term, low-cost investment approach while acknowledging a disappointing stretch of relative performance and outlining portfolio actions taken during the period.

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Half-year financial result and dividend update

CFO Andrew Porter reported half-year profit of AUD 147 million, down 4.6% from the prior corresponding period, equal to AUD 0.117 per share. Porter noted that AFIC maintained its interim ordinary dividend at AUD 0.12 per share despite earnings per share being lower than the payout, and declared a AUD 0.025 per share special dividend for the half.

Management said anotherspecial dividend is expected to be paid with the final dividend later in the year, and cited the listed investment company (LIC) structurealong with profit and franking reservesas a reason AFIC can seek to deliver consistent dividends through market cycles.

Porter attributed the decline in profit largely to lower dividend income from some large holdings. He cited examples including BHP (dividends received falling from AUD 23 million in the prior six-month period to AUD 19 million in the current period), as well as reductions from Woodside and Woolworths. He also flagged a higher-looking tax charge driven by a lower proportion of franked dividends versus unfranked income and a deferred tax timing difference that he said should sort itself out by the end of the year.

The company reported a management expense ratio (MER) of 0.11%, which Porter described as helped by the non-investing of incentives and the absence of certain one-off costs from the prior period. He said the MER is influenced by portfolio size, with the investment portfolio valued at about AUD 9.9 billion at December 31, down from AUD 10.4 billion a year earlier.

Performance backdrop and key drivers of underperformance

Portfolio manager Brett McNeill said AFICs short-term performance had been very disappointing. The companys NTA total return after costs and realized tax was -2% for the six months to December 2025 and 1.2% over one year, both trailing the ASX 200 accumulation index over the same periods. McNeill said this weaker recent performance has also weighed on longer-term three-, five-, and 10-year returns.

McNeill pointed to pronounced sector moves in the market over the past six months, with Materials contributing the most to index gainsdriven not only by large-cap miners such as BHP and Rio Tinto, but also by strong returns from small- and mid-cap resource companies, especially gold stocks. In contrast, he noted that Information Technology and Healthcare were among the poorest performing sectors over the period.

Management grouped AFICs underperformance into three main buckets:

Large-cap detractors: McNeill highlighted CSL (calendar 2025 total return of -37% ), James Hardie ( -38% ), and CAR Group ( -13% ). He described CSL as having suffered a huge de-rate, but said AFIC intends to maintain its large holding based on perceived long-term growth potential. On James Hardie, he cited a poorly received acquisition, prompting AFIC to reduce its holding due to concerns about the balance sheet and governance turnover. He said CAR Group continued to deliver good results and experienced a smooth leadership transition, and that AFIC sees long-term value at current levels.

McNeill highlighted (calendar 2025 total return of ), ( ), and ( ). He described CSL as having suffered a huge de-rate, but said AFIC intends to maintain its large holding based on perceived long-term growth potential. On James Hardie, he cited a poorly received acquisition, prompting AFIC to reduce its holding due to concerns about the balance sheet and governance turnover. He said CAR Group continued to deliver good results and experienced a smooth leadership transition, and that AFIC sees long-term value at current levels. Smaller company weakness: McNeill said Reece and ARB had faced largely short-term issues in 2025 despite strong long-term compounding track records. On IDP Education , he called it a very disappointing investment, saying AFIC bought too early but plans to hold for now while confidence in management and the balance sheet remains.

McNeill said and had faced largely short-term issues in 2025 despite strong long-term compounding track records. On , he called it a very disappointing investment, saying AFIC bought too early but plans to hold for now while confidence in management and the balance sheet remains. Gold exposure gap: McNeill said AFIC historically has not been a large investor in gold stocks, which hurt relative performance amid sharp gains in major names including Evolution (+170%), Northern Star (+78%), and Newmont (+156%). While he said the sector appears hot and difficult to value at current levels, management indicated it would keep an open mind toward gold stocks in the future.

Portfolio activity: additions, trims, and a small-cap diversification push

Assistant portfolio manager Winston Chong said transaction activity during the six months to December 31 was in line with long-run averages. Buying was concentrated in Woolworths and Telstra, which management said offered an opportunity to add to high-quality blue-chip businesses at more attractive valuations.

Chong said AFIC also increased its position in Sigma Healthcare, describing it as the owner of the Chemist Warehouse business. He said Chemist Warehouse is a market leader in health and beauty retail, a category experiencing secular growth, and that Sigma shares had underperformed over the past year despite progress on growth plans.

AFIC continued adding to CSL, and added to Macquarie Technology, with Chong citing an opportunity created by weakening sentiment toward AI-related stocks and pointing to the companys data center build-out and longer-term outlook.

The company also added three small-cap positionsLife360, Objective Corporation, and Temple & Websterwhich Chong said reflected a more refined, diversified approach to small caps, leveraging experience from the groups Mirrabooka team. He said the three additions together represented about 0.3% of the overall portfolio at the time of the briefing.

To fund purchases, AFIC trimmed holdings where valuations appeared stretched, including Wesfarmers, Netwealth, and the banks, and reduced James Hardie further due to balance sheet and governance risk. Chong also said AFIC exited WiseTech after reassessing governance risk.

In discussing specific valuation decisions, management said Wesfarmers was materially reduced at an average price around AUD 92, when the dividend yield was below 3%, and Netwealth was trimmed when its valuation exceeded 60 times earnings.

NTA discount, buybacks, and shareholder communication

Management addressed AFICs share price trading at a discount to net tangible assets (NTA). Porter said the discount was about 9% at the end of December 2025. He said the company has been conducting buybacks and intends to continue over the next six months if the market conditions allow.

CEO and Managing Director Mark Freeman said periods of discount are not unusual historically and suggested discounts have tended to occur when markets appear hot or speculative, a pattern he described as frustrating for shareholders. He said AFIC has increased marketing and shareholder communication efforts, including outreach to financial planners and greater use of podcasts and other channels aimed at engaging a younger investor audience.

International equities and outlook

McNeill said AFICs international equities portfolio continued to add value, but that the company is not considering listing a separate international fund at this time. Instead, management intends to invest internationally within AFIC in a more concentrated and complementary manner.

At December 31, the international portfolio was valued at AUD 170 million, representing 1.7% of AFICs total portfolio, and held 27 stocks. Management cited several holdings, including Nvidia, Microsoft, Netflix, and Visa. Freeman added that the initial investment was just over AUD 100 million and had grown to AUD 170 million, which he characterized as accretive to shareholders.

On outlook, McNeill cited extreme geopolitical uncertainty alongside equity markets near all-time highs, leaving the market moderately expensive in AFICs view when considering metrics such as price-to-earnings ratios and dividend yields. Still, he said the team has found selective opportunitieshighlighting Telstra and Woolworths for income, and Sigma, Macquarie Technology, and recent small-cap additions for long-term growthwhile reiterating that the focus remains on owning high-quality companies for the long term and improving execution after a period of underperformance.

About Australian Foundation Investment (ASX:AFI)

Australian Foundation Investment Company Limited is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm invests in the public equity markets of Australia and New Zealand. It invests in value stocks of companies. It benchmarks the performance of its portfolio against S&P/ASX 200 Accumulation Index. It invests in companies across diversified industries. The firm employs fundamental analysis with a focus on bottom-up research to make its investments. The firm conducts in-house research to make its investments.

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Caledonia Mining Corporation PLC (NYSEAMERICAN:CMCL  Get Free Report)s share price shot up 8.1% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $29.90 and last traded at $29.4270. 298,274 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 51% from the average session volume of 602,987 shares. The stock had previously closed at $27.22.

Caledonia Mining Stock Up 1.7%

The company has a current ratio of 1.78, a quick ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02. The stock has a market cap of $569.10 million, a P/E ratio of 11.48 and a beta of 0.50. The companys 50 day moving average price is $27.30 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $27.72.

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Caledonia Mining Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 5th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 21st were paid a dividend of $0.14 per share. This represents a $0.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 21st. Caledonia Minings dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 116.67%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Caledonia Mining

About Caledonia Mining

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. State of Alaska Department of Revenue purchased a new position in Caledonia Mining during the third quarter valued at $27,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Caledonia Mining by 6,486.2% during the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,910 shares of the companys stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 1,881 shares in the last quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Caledonia Mining by 65.7% during the 3rd quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 1,037 shares of the companys stock valued at $38,000 after acquiring an additional 411 shares during the period. Quarry LP bought a new position in shares of Caledonia Mining during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $50,000. Finally, Optimum Investment Advisors purchased a new stake in Caledonia Mining in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $54,000. 31.78% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Caledonia Mining Corporation PLC is a UKdomiciled gold producer listed on the NYSE American under the ticker CMCL and on the London AIM market. The companys flagship asset is the Blanket gold mine, located near Gwanda in southwestern Zimbabwe. Blanket is a conventional underground and surface gold operation that includes a carboninleach processing plant and tailings retreatment facilities, providing a structurally diverse resource base and established production infrastructure.

Caledonia acquired the Blanket mine in 2004, adding to its long operating history that traces back to the early 20th century.

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Shares of Campari Group (OTCMKTS:DVDCF  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $214,748.3647 and last traded at $214,748.3647, with a volume of 35000 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $6.70.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Barclays upgraded shares of Campari Group from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Campari Group presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy.

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Campari Group Stock Performance

About Campari Group

The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $6.64 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $6.90. The company has a quick ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 2.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62.

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Campari Group is an Italian-based global beverage company specializing in the production, marketing and distribution of premium spirits and wines. Founded in Milan in 1860 by Gaspare Campari, the company has built a diversified portfolio of iconic brands that span various categories, including aperitifs, liqueurs, vodka, whiskey, rum, gin and ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails.

The companys flagship product, Campari, is a bright red, bittersweet aperitif known for its distinctive taste and versatility in classic cocktails such as the Negroni and Americano.

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Douglas Emmett, Inc. (NYSE:DEI  Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week low on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $10.78 and last traded at $10.7550, with a volume of 229747 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $11.12.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts recently commented on DEI shares. Scotiabank decreased their target price on Douglas Emmett from $18.00 to $16.00 and set a sector outperform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 17th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on Douglas Emmett from $18.00 to $16.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed a neutral rating and set a $11.00 price objective on shares of Douglas Emmett in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Piper Sandler downgraded Douglas Emmett from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and cut their price objective for the company from $19.00 to $14.00 in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on shares of Douglas Emmett from $20.00 to $15.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, November 25th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Douglas Emmett currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $15.00.

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Douglas Emmett Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58, a quick ratio of 3.03 and a current ratio of 3.03. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $11.45 and its 200-day simple moving average is $13.70. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.81 billion, a PE ratio of 90.09 and a beta of 1.14.

Douglas Emmett (NYSE:DEI  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.34 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.34. Douglas Emmett had a return on equity of 0.62% and a net margin of 2.22%.The firm had revenue of $250.58 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $252.73 million. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.43 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up .0% on a year-over-year basis. Douglas Emmett has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.430-1.470 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Douglas Emmett, Inc. will post 1.45 EPS for the current year.

Douglas Emmett Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st were given a dividend of $0.19 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, December 31st. This represents a $0.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.0%. Douglas Emmetts payout ratio is currently 633.33%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Douglas Emmett

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in Douglas Emmett by 220.8% during the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,694 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 1,166 shares during the period. Westside Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Douglas Emmett by 100.0% in the 3rd quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,840 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 920 shares during the period. Advisory Services Network LLC purchased a new stake in Douglas Emmett in the third quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Hantz Financial Services Inc. lifted its stake in Douglas Emmett by 448.3% during the 3rd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 2,621 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 2,143 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Douglas Emmett by 24.8% in the third quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 5,320 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $83,000 after purchasing an additional 1,056 shares during the period. 97.37% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Douglas Emmett Company Profile

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Douglas Emmett, Inc is a publicly traded real estate investment trust headquartered in Santa Monica, California. The company specializes in the ownership, management and development of highquality office and multifamily properties, primarily concentrated in the coastal regions of Los Angeles County and the Greater Honolulu area. As a vertically integrated real estate platform, Douglas Emmett controls all aspects of property operations, leasing, capital improvements and tenant relations, positioning it to deliver stable, longterm cash flows.

The companys office portfolio consists predominantly of Class A buildings located in prime business districts, featuring modern amenities, campus-like settings and environmentally conscious design elements.

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Shares of DT Midstream, Inc. (NYSE:DTM  Get Free Report) have been assigned an average rating of Moderate Buy from the thirteen ratings firms that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price target among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $123.6667.

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on DTM shares. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on shares of DT Midstream from $121.00 to $133.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on DT Midstream from $126.00 to $137.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Wednesday, November 12th. Citigroup lifted their price objective on DT Midstream from $115.00 to $130.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on DT Midstream in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. They issued a buy rating and a $125.00 target price for the company. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of DT Midstream in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th.

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DT Midstream Trading Up 0.8%

NYSE:DTM opened at $121.41 on Tuesday. DT Midstream has a 52-week low of $83.30 and a 52-week high of $122.70. The company has a quick ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $119.05 and a 200-day simple moving average of $110.96. The company has a market capitalization of $12.34 billion, a PE ratio of 30.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.13 and a beta of 0.76.

DT Midstream (NYSE:DTM  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $1.13 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.03 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $314.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $309.21 million. DT Midstream had a return on equity of 8.83% and a net margin of 34.30%.During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.90 EPS. DT Midstream has set its FY 2025 guidance at 4.150-4.450 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that DT Midstream will post 3.8 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

DT Midstream Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th were issued a dividend of $0.82 per share. This represents a $3.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.7%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 15th. DT Midstreams dividend payout ratio is presently 82.83%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On DT Midstream

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. V Square Quantitative Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of DT Midstream in the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. Richardson Financial Services Inc. raised its position in shares of DT Midstream by 62.7% in the 4th quarter. Richardson Financial Services Inc. now owns 244 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 94 shares during the period. Mather Group LLC. purchased a new position in shares of DT Midstream in the 3rd quarter worth $30,000. Centerpoint Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in DT Midstream by 198.9% in the third quarter. Centerpoint Advisors LLC now owns 269 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 179 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Horizon Corp purchased a new stake in DT Midstream during the third quarter valued at about $32,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.53% of the companys stock.

DT Midstream Company Profile

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DT Midstream Inc (NYSE: DTM) is a midstream energy company that owns and operates infrastructure for gathering, processing and treating hydrocarbons and produced water. Its core business activities encompass natural gas gathering, cryogenic processing, natural gas liquids (NGL) fractionation, and produced-water handling services. These integrated operations enable the company to capture and transport multiple hydrocarbon streams from wellhead to market and to provide essential water management solutions.

The companys asset footprint is concentrated in the Delaware Basin in West Texas and southeastern New Mexico, where it serves a diverse range of exploration and production customers.

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JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated their neutral rating on shares of FedEx (NYSE:FDX  Free Report) in a research report sent to investors on Tuesday morning,MarketScreener reports.

A number of other research analysts have also issued reports on the stock. TD Cowen reissued a buy rating on shares of FedEx in a research note on Friday, December 19th. Sanford C. Bernstein boosted their price objective on FedEx from $250.00 to $306.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Friday, January 9th. Truist Financial increased their price objective on FedEx from $285.00 to $330.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, December 19th. Raymond James Financial lifted their target price on FedEx from $255.00 to $305.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, December 22nd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target on FedEx from $301.00 to $317.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, December 19th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have given a Buy rating, fourteen have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, FedEx currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $303.86.

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FedEx Trading Up 0.8%

Shares of NYSE FDX opened at $309.44 on Tuesday. FedEx has a 12-month low of $194.29 and a 12-month high of $318.83. The company has a market cap of $72.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.06, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.54 and a beta of 1.35. The company has a current ratio of 1.27, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $287.89 and its 200 day simple moving average is $253.83.

FedEx (NYSE:FDX  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, December 18th. The shipping service provider reported $4.82 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.02 by $0.80. The firm had revenue of $23.47 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $22.79 billion. FedEx had a return on equity of 16.63% and a net margin of 4.81%.The firms revenue for the quarter was up 6.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $4.05 earnings per share. FedEx has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.800-19.000 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that FedEx will post 19.14 EPS for the current year.

FedEx Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, January 6th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th were issued a $1.45 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 15th. This represents a $5.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. FedExs dividend payout ratio is 31.97%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On FedEx

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Grey Fox Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of FedEx in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $27,000. NewSquare Capital LLC boosted its holdings in FedEx by 121.8% during the second quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 122 shares of the shipping service providers stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in FedEx in the second quarter worth approximately $28,000. Wealth Watch Advisors INC acquired a new position in FedEx in the third quarter worth approximately $28,000. Finally, Ameriflex Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of FedEx by 103.3% during the 3rd quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. now owns 124 shares of the shipping service providers stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 63 shares during the last quarter. 84.47% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Key Stories Impacting FedEx

Here are the key news stories impacting FedEx this week:

About FedEx

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FedEx Corporation (NYSE: FDX) is a global logistics and courier company headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. Founded by Frederick W. Smith in 1971 and beginning operations in the early 1970s, the company pioneered overnight express shipping and has since expanded into a diversified portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and supply-chain services. FedEx operates an integrated air-and-ground network that moves parcels, freight and documents for businesses and consumers worldwide.

FedExs core operating segments include express parcel delivery via its FedEx Express division, domestic and residential parcel delivery through FedEx Ground, less-than-truckload (LTL) freight services, and logistics and supply-chain management solutions.

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Shares of Invesco MSCI USA ETF (BATS:PBUS  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $68.96 and last traded at $68.4090, with a volume of 38803 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $69.18.

Invesco MSCI USA ETF Stock Down 0.1%

The company has a market cap of $9.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.20 and a beta of 1.03. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $68.51 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $66.63.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Invesco MSCI USA ETF

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Invesco MSCI USA ETF by 99.2% during the second quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 9,010,335 shares of the companys stock worth $560,263,000 after purchasing an additional 4,487,218 shares during the last quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC grew its stake in Invesco MSCI USA ETF by 4,866.4% during the 2nd quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC now owns 2,150,484 shares of the companys stock worth $133,717,000 after buying an additional 2,107,183 shares during the last quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in Invesco MSCI USA ETF during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $102,553,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. increased its position in Invesco MSCI USA ETF by 200.8% during the third quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 1,477,106 shares of the companys stock worth $99,040,000 after buying an additional 986,113 shares during the period. Finally, Invesco Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of Invesco MSCI USA ETF by 141.0% in the third quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,294,760 shares of the companys stock valued at $86,814,000 after acquiring an additional 757,506 shares during the period.

Invesco MSCI USA ETF Company Profile

The Invesco PureBeta MSCI USA ETF (PBUS) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA index. The fund tracks a market-cap-selected and -weighted index of mid and large-cap US stocks. PBUS was launched on Sep 22, 2017 and is managed by Invesco.

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Invesco WilderHill Clean Energy ETF (NYSEARCA:PBW  Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $36.55 and last traded at $36.41, with a volume of 458707 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $35.12.

Invesco WilderHill Clean Energy ETF Stock Up 3.1%

The stock has a market cap of $828.71 million, a PE ratio of 0.93 and a beta of 1.77. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $31.94 and a 200 day moving average of $29.03.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Invesco WilderHill Clean Energy ETF

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. HighTower Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Invesco WilderHill Clean Energy ETF in the third quarter valued at approximately $23,465,000. Bank of America Corp DE boosted its holdings in shares of Invesco WilderHill Clean Energy ETF by 33.7% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 534,605 shares of the companys stock valued at $15,439,000 after buying an additional 134,682 shares in the last quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its position in shares of Invesco WilderHill Clean Energy ETF by 107.0% in the 2nd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 299,315 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,962,000 after buying an additional 154,712 shares during the last quarter. Allianz SE raised its stake in Invesco WilderHill Clean Energy ETF by 20.5% during the 2nd quarter. Allianz SE now owns 264,068 shares of the companys stock worth $5,260,000 after acquiring an additional 45,000 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its stake in Invesco WilderHill Clean Energy ETF by 25.3% during the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 237,587 shares of the companys stock worth $3,740,000 after acquiring an additional 48,043 shares in the last quarter.

About Invesco WilderHill Clean Energy ETF

The Invesco WilderHill Clean Energy ETF (PBW) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the The WilderHill Clean Energy (AMEX) index. The fund tracks a modified equal-weighted index of companies involved in cleaner energy sources or energy conservation. PBW was launched on Mar 3, 2005 and is managed by Invesco.

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Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE:ANF  Free Report) had its target price decreased by JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $130.00 to $128.00 in a research report sent to investors on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. currently has a neutral rating on the apparel retailers stock.

Other equities analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. Citigroup lifted their price target on Abercrombie & Fitch from $79.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 26th. Telsey Advisory Group restated an outperform rating and set a $125.00 price target on shares of Abercrombie & Fitch in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. UBS Group upped their price target on shares of Abercrombie & Fitch from $130.00 to $160.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Abercrombie & Fitch from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, December 27th. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on shares of Abercrombie & Fitch from $78.00 to $95.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 26th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $124.60.

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Abercrombie & Fitch Stock Performance

NYSE ANF opened at $97.16 on Tuesday. Abercrombie & Fitch has a 1 year low of $65.40 and a 1 year high of $133.11. The businesss fifty day moving average is $105.72 and its two-hundred day moving average is $93.18. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.32 and a beta of 1.17.

Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE:ANF  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 26th. The apparel retailer reported $2.36 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.14 by $0.22. Abercrombie & Fitch had a return on equity of 38.01% and a net margin of 10.07%.The business had revenue of $1.29 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.28 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $2.50 EPS. The companys revenue was up 6.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts forecast that Abercrombie & Fitch will post 10.62 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Abercrombie & Fitch

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. NewEdge Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Abercrombie & Fitch by 181.6% during the second quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 352 shares of the apparel retailers stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 227 shares in the last quarter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch during the 2nd quarter valued at about $38,000. Blue Trust Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch during the 3rd quarter valued at about $38,000. Hantz Financial Services Inc. raised its stake in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch by 108.2% in the 3rd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 481 shares of the apparel retailers stock valued at $41,000 after acquiring an additional 250 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bessemer Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Abercrombie & Fitch by 268.0% in the 3rd quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 666 shares of the apparel retailers stock worth $56,000 after purchasing an additional 485 shares during the last quarter.

About Abercrombie & Fitch

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Abercrombie & Fitch Co (NYSE: ANF) is an American specialty retailer that designs, markets and sells casual apparel and accessories for men, women and children. Founded in 1892 by David T. Abercrombie and Ezra Fitch, the company evolved from an outdoor gear outfitter to a global lifestyle brand renowned for its relaxed, preppy aesthetic. Its product assortment includes tops, bottoms, outerwear, intimates, swimwear, fragrances and personal care items.

The company operates under multiple brand names, including Abercrombie & Fitch, Abercrombie Kids, Hollister and Gilly Hicks, each targeting distinct consumer segments from teens to young adults.

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Nordex SE (OTCMKTS:NRDXF  Get Free Report)s stock price was up 0.1% on Thursday . The company traded as high as $39.23 and last traded at $39.23. Approximately 376 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 11% from the average daily volume of 338 shares. The stock had previously closed at $39.20.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

NRDXF has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a buy rating on shares of Nordex in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Nordex in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Citigroup reiterated a buy rating on shares of Nordex in a report on Friday, October 10th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an underperform rating on shares of Nordex in a research note on Tuesday, November 25th. Finally, Santander lowered Nordex to a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold.

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Nordex Trading Up 0.1%

About Nordex

The stock has a fifty day moving average of $33.28 and a 200 day moving average of $27.69.

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Nordex SE is a Germany-based manufacturer of onshore wind turbines, specializing in the design, development and production of turbine technology for renewable energy projects. Headquartered in Rostock, the company offers a range of turbine platforms tailored to various wind conditions, from low to high wind sites. Its core activities encompass engineering, manufacturing and assembling turbine components, including rotor blades, nacelles and towers, as well as providing control systems to optimize power output.

In addition to its manufacturing business, Nordex provides comprehensive services for the lifecycle of wind farms.

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Novagold Resources Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:NG  Get Free Report) (TSE:NG) has earned an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the six ratings firms that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year target price among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $10.1667.

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on the company. National Bank Financial raised Novagold Resources from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Citigroup increased their target price on Novagold Resources from $7.00 to $12.50 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. BMO Capital Markets began coverage on shares of Novagold Resources in a research note on Tuesday, November 4th. They set an outperform rating for the company. B. Riley upped their price target on shares of Novagold Resources from $9.00 to $11.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, September 30th. Finally, Zacks Research lowered shares of Novagold Resources from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, November 19th.

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Institutional Trading of Novagold Resources

Novagold Resources Stock Performance

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of NG. Hantz Financial Services Inc. bought a new position in Novagold Resources in the third quarter worth approximately $40,000. Shepherd Financial Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Novagold Resources in the 2nd quarter worth $41,000. Quadrature Capital Ltd bought a new position in shares of Novagold Resources during the 2nd quarter worth $44,000. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC purchased a new position in shares of Novagold Resources during the first quarter valued at $44,000. Finally, Abel Hall LLC bought a new stake in shares of Novagold Resources in the second quarter valued at about $47,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.56% of the companys stock.

Novagold Resources stock opened at $10.49 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 26.91 and a quick ratio of 26.91. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.27 billion, a P/E ratio of -41.96 and a beta of 0.83. Novagold Resources has a 1-year low of $2.26 and a 1-year high of $11.29. The companys 50-day moving average is $9.68 and its 200 day moving average is $8.04.

About Novagold Resources

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Novagold Resources Inc is a mineral exploration and development company headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. The firm is focused on advancing large-scale precious metals projects through disciplined project management, environmental stewardship and community engagement. Novagold maintains a lean corporate structure while leveraging partnerships and industry expertise to advance its projects toward production.

The companys flagship asset is the Donlin Gold project in Alaska, a 50/50 joint venture with Barrick Gold Corporation.

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Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO  Get Free Report) traded up 5% on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $62.44 and last traded at $62.28. 20,171,422 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 17% from the average session volume of 24,431,426 shares. The stock had previously closed at $59.32.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have recently commented on the company. Hsbc Global Res cut Novo Nordisk A/S from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, November 24th. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on Novo Nordisk A/S in a research note on Monday, October 27th. They issued an underperform rating for the company. Argus reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research note on Monday, December 8th. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a buy rating on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a report on Thursday. Finally, BMO Capital Markets restated a market perform rating on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a report on Wednesday, January 14th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have issued a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $56.21.

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Novo Nordisk A/S Price Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $278.08 billion, a PE ratio of 18.10 and a beta of 0.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a quick ratio of 0.57 and a current ratio of 0.78. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $51.59 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $54.80.

Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $1.02 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.77 by $0.25. The firm had revenue of $11.79 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.98 billion. Novo Nordisk A/S had a return on equity of 73.50% and a net margin of 32.76%. Equities analysts forecast that Novo Nordisk A/S will post 3.84 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Novo Nordisk A/S

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. True Wealth Design LLC raised its holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S by 209.8% during the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 443 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 300 shares in the last quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC raised its stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 174.1% in the 2nd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 444 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 282 shares in the last quarter. Guerra Advisors Inc bought a new position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC acquired a new stake in Novo Nordisk A/S in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, Mid American Wealth Advisory Group Inc. bought a new stake in Novo Nordisk A/S during the second quarter worth approximately $37,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 11.54% of the companys stock.

Novo Nordisk A/S Company Profile

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Novo Nordisk A/S is a Danish multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Bagsvrd, Denmark, best known for its leadership in diabetes care and metabolic health. The company traces its roots to early Danish insulin production in the 1920s and was established in its current form through a 1989 merger of predecessor companies. Novo Nordisk develops, manufactures and markets pharmaceutical products and devices that address chronic and serious diseases, with a strong emphasis on long-term treatment and patient support.

The companys core product portfolio centers on diabetes therapies, including a range of insulins and modern incretin-based treatments.

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Shake Shack, Inc. (NYSE:SHAK  Get Free Report) insider Stephanie Ann Sentell sold 200 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $99.19, for a total value of $19,838.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 9,507 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $942,999.33. This trade represents a 2.06% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website.

Stephanie Ann Sentell also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Friday, December 19th, Stephanie Ann Sentell sold 200 shares of Shake Shack stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $85.78, for a total transaction of $17,156.00.

On Tuesday, November 25th, Stephanie Ann Sentell sold 1,100 shares of Shake Shack stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $85.14, for a total transaction of $93,654.00.

Shake Shack Stock Performance

NYSE:SHAK traded down $2.41 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $92.40. The stock had a trading volume of 1,210,881 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,689,942. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 90.59, a PEG ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 1.68. Shake Shack, Inc. has a 1-year low of $72.93 and a 1-year high of $144.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a current ratio of 1.84 and a quick ratio of 1.81. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $86.79 and its 200-day simple moving average is $99.67.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Shake Shack

Shake Shack ( NYSE:SHAK Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $0.36 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.31 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $367.41 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $363.69 million. Shake Shack had a net margin of 3.10% and a return on equity of 10.43%. The businesss revenue was up 15.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.25 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Shake Shack, Inc. will post 1.26 EPS for the current fiscal year.

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Holocene Advisors LP bought a new position in shares of Shake Shack in the second quarter valued at approximately $115,432,000. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its holdings in Shake Shack by 21.0% during the 3rd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 2,590,911 shares of the companys stock valued at $242,535,000 after purchasing an additional 450,406 shares in the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP raised its position in Shake Shack by 285.2% in the 3rd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 586,999 shares of the companys stock valued at $54,949,000 after purchasing an additional 434,625 shares during the last quarter. Jennison Associates LLC boosted its stake in Shake Shack by 57.1% in the second quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 593,971 shares of the companys stock worth $83,512,000 after purchasing an additional 215,984 shares in the last quarter. Finally, 12 West Capital Management LP grew its holdings in shares of Shake Shack by 13.6% during the third quarter. 12 West Capital Management LP now owns 1,753,595 shares of the companys stock worth $164,154,000 after purchasing an additional 210,000 shares during the last quarter. 86.07% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have commented on SHAK. Barclays dropped their price target on Shake Shack from $115.00 to $110.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. Loop Capital upgraded shares of Shake Shack from a hold rating to a buy rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $98.00 to $127.00 in a research note on Friday, November 14th. Bank of America reiterated an underperform rating and set a $86.00 target price (down from $148.00) on shares of Shake Shack in a research note on Monday, October 6th. Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of Shake Shack from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and raised their price target for the stock from $115.00 to $125.00 in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Shake Shack from an underweight rating to a neutral rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $95.00 to $90.00 in a report on Thursday, December 18th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have given a Buy rating, fourteen have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $116.52.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on SHAK

About Shake Shack

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Shake Shack, Inc (NYSE: SHAK) is a publicly traded hospitality company known for its modern take on the classic American roadside burger stand. The company operates a chain of quick-casual restaurants offering premium hamburgers, hot dogs, crinkle-cut fries, frozen custard, milkshakes and a curated selection of beer and wine. Shake Shack emphasizes high-quality ingredients, including 100% all-natural Angus beef with no hormones or antibiotics, and works with local suppliers where possible to maintain its commitment to fresh, responsibly sourced food.

Shake Shack traces its origins to a hot dog cart opened in New York Citys Madison Square Park in 2001 by Danny Meyers Union Square Hospitality Group.

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Tesco PLC (LON:TSCO  Get Free Report) insider Ken Murphy acquired 32 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 16th. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 424 per share, for a total transaction of 135.68.

Ken Murphy also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Friday, January 9th, Ken Murphy bought 11,961 shares of Tesco stock. The shares were acquired at an average price of GBX 418 per share, with a total value of 49,996.98.

On Friday, October 24th, Ken Murphy purchased 30 shares of Tesco stock. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 454 per share, for a total transaction of 136.20.

Tesco Trading Down 1.2%

Shares of LON:TSCO opened at GBX 417.30 on Friday. The companys 50-day moving average price is GBX 439.85 and its two-hundred day moving average price is GBX 436.17. Tesco PLC has a one year low of GBX 310.30 and a one year high of GBX 480.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 126.35, a current ratio of 0.81 and a quick ratio of 0.60. The stock has a market capitalization of 26.54 billion, a PE ratio of 18.38, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 0.51.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

TSCO has been the subject of several recent research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on Tesco from GBX 500 to GBX 480 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 12th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their price objective on Tesco from GBX 500 to GBX 490 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. Shore Capital reissued a buy rating on shares of Tesco in a research note on Thursday, October 2nd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price target on shares of Tesco from GBX 450 to GBX 430 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 16th. Four 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, Tesco has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of GBX 465.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on TSCO

Tesco Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Tesco was built to be a champion for customers, serving them every day with affordable, healthy and sustainable food. Our commitment to our customers extends beyond our stores, and into every community we serve  in the UK, Republic of Ireland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Hungary. We invest in communities to help them thrive, through supporting schools and childrens groups, food banks and other good causes.

In challenging times, our purpose has guided every part of the Group. Serving our customers, communities and planet a little better every day is what we do.

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Victorias Secret & Co. (NYSE:VSCO  Get Free Report)s stock price was down 4.3% during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $62.30 and last traded at $62.2350. Approximately 721,109 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 62% from the average daily volume of 1,907,363 shares. The stock had previously closed at $65.04.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Zacks Research upgraded Victorias Secret & Co. from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, December 8th. TD Cowen reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Victorias Secret & Co. in a research report on Monday, December 8th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on Victorias Secret & Co. from $57.00 to $65.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, December 19th. Guggenheim started coverage on shares of Victorias Secret & Co. in a research note on Tuesday, December 9th. They issued a neutral rating for the company. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target on shares of Victorias Secret & Co. from $32.00 to $47.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Monday, December 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have issued a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Victorias Secret & Co. has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $54.60.

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Victorias Secret & Co. Stock Down 4.3%

The company has a current ratio of 1.30, a quick ratio of 0.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.96. The stock has a market cap of $4.99 billion, a PE ratio of 30.35, a P/E/G ratio of 2.55 and a beta of 2.21. The business has a 50 day moving average of $50.79 and a 200-day moving average of $34.57.

Victorias Secret & Co. (NYSE:VSCO  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, December 5th. The company reported ($0.27) EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.60) by $0.33. Victorias Secret & Co. had a net margin of 2.67% and a return on equity of 33.47%. The firm had revenue of $1.47 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.41 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned ($0.50) EPS. Victorias Secret & Co.s revenue for the quarter was up 9.2% on a year-over-year basis. Victorias Secret & Co. has set its FY 2025 guidance at 2.400-2.650 EPS and its Q4 2025 guidance at 2.200-2.45 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Victorias Secret & Co. will post 2.37 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of Victorias Secret & Co.

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Baird Financial Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Victorias Secret & Co. during the 1st quarter worth $233,000. Royal Bank of Canada increased its holdings in Victorias Secret & Co. by 279.1% in the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 47,839 shares of the companys stock valued at $888,000 after buying an additional 35,220 shares in the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. lifted its position in shares of Victorias Secret & Co. by 2.9% during the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 62,949 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,170,000 after acquiring an additional 1,797 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its holdings in Victorias Secret & Co. by 270.6% during the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 9,105 shares of the companys stock worth $169,000 after purchasing an additional 6,648 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fifth Third Bancorp grew its stake in Victorias Secret & Co. by 75.3% in the 2nd quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 4,801 shares of the companys stock valued at $89,000 after acquiring an additional 2,062 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.29% of the companys stock.

Victorias Secret & Co. Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Victorias Secret & Co is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of intimate apparel, beauty products and accessories for women. The company operates a portfolio of brands that includes Victorias Secret, renowned for its lingerie, bras and sleepwear; PINK, a line targeting younger consumers with activewear and lifestyle products; and Victorias Secret Beauty, offering fragrances, cosmetics and personal care items. Products are sold through retail stores as well as direct-to-consumer channels, including e-commerce platforms and mobile applications.

The origins of Victorias Secret date back to 1977, when founders Roy and Gaye Raymond opened the first store in San Francisco.

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A number of firms have modified their ratings and price targets on shares of United Community Banks (NYSE: UCB) recently:

1/21/2026  United Community Banks had its hold (c+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

1/15/2026  United Community Banks had its price target raised by analysts at Stephens from $37.00 to $39.00. They now have an overweight rating on the stock.

1/15/2026  United Community Banks had its price target raised by analysts at DA Davidson from $38.00 to $39.00. They now have a buy rating on the stock.

1/15/2026  United Community Banks was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Research from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating.

1/15/2026  United Community Banks had its price target raised by analysts at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods from $34.00 to $36.00. They now have a market perform rating on the stock.

United Community Banks Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, January 5th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th were paid a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 15th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.0%. United Community Bankss payout ratio is currently 38.31%.

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Insider Activity

In other news, CAO Alan H. Kumler sold 12,043 shares of United Community Banks stock in a transaction on Friday, January 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $35.36, for a total value of $425,840.48. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer directly owned 21,096 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $745,954.56. The trade was a 36.34% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Richard Bradshaw sold 1,654 shares of United Community Banks stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $30.23, for a total value of $50,000.42. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 75,226 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,274,081.98. This represents a 2.15% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Company insiders own 0.43% of the companys stock.

United Community Banks, Inc (NYSE: UCB) is a bank holding company headquartered in Blairsville, Georgia. It operates primarily through its subsidiary, United Community Bank, providing a broad range of banking and financial services to individual, business and governmental customers. The companys core offerings include deposit accounts, commercial and consumer lending, mortgage origination, treasury and cash management services, and wealth management.

In addition to traditional banking products such as checking, savings and money market accounts, United Community Bank specializes in commercial real estate financing, small business administration (SBA) loans, equipment financing and agricultural lending.

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BigBear.ai, Hut 8, SoundHound AI, Tempus AI, and Rezolve AI are the five Artificial Intelligence stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Artificial intelligence stocks are shares of companies whose primary business involves developing AI technologies (like machine learning platforms, AI chips, or data services) or whose products and services are materially enhanced by AI. Investors buy these stocks expecting growth from increased AI adoption but must weigh higher valuation, market hype, technical execution, and regulatory risks. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Artificial Intelligence stocks within the last several days.

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BigBear.ai (BBAI)

BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. provides artificial intelligence-powered decision intelligence solutions. It offers national security, supply chain management, and digital identity and biometrics solutions. The company also provides data ingestion, data enrichment, data processing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, predictive analytics, and predictive visualization solutions and services.

Hut 8 (HUT)

Hut 8 Corp., together with its subsidiaries, acquires, builds, manages, and operates data centers for digital assets mining, computing, and artificial intelligence in the United States. It operates in four segments: Digital Assets Mining, Managed Services, High Performance Computing Colocation and Cloud, and Other.

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SoundHound AI (SOUN)

SoundHound AI, Inc. develops independent voice artificial intelligence (AI) solutions that enables businesses across automotive, TV, and IoT, and to customer service industries to deliver high-quality conversational experiences to their customers. Its products include Houndify platform that offers a suite of Houndify tools to help brands build conversational voice assistants, such as Application Programming Interfaces (API) for text and voice queries, support for custom commands, extensive library of content domains, inclusive software development kit platforms, collaboration capabilities, diagnostic tools, and built-in analytics; SoundHound Chat AI that integrates with knowledge domains, pulling real-time data like weather, sports, stocks, flight status, and restaurants; and SoundHound Smart Answering is built to offer customer establishments custom AI-powered voice assistant.

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Tempus AI (TEM)

Tempus AI Inc. is a technology company advancing precision medicine through the practical application of artificial intelligence principally in healthcare. The company provides AI-enabled precision medicine solutions to physicians to deliver personalized patient care and in parallel facilitates discovery, development and delivery of optimal therapeutics.

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Rezolve AI (RZLV)

Rezolve AI Plc operates in the mobile commerce industry with its cutting-edge engagement platform powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning. It develops AI-based mobile commerce and engagement solutions, simplifying the purchasing process by providing relevant information and facilitating seamless transactions with a single tap.

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CACI International (NYSE:CACI  Get Free Report) had its price objective raised by stock analysts at Citigroup from $683.00 to $721.00 in a research note issued on Friday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a neutral rating on the information technology services providers stock. Citigroups target price would suggest a potential upside of 9.14% from the stocks previous close.

A number of other equities research analysts also recently weighed in on the company. Truist Financial set a $800.00 target price on CACI International in a research report on Thursday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of CACI International from $575.00 to $645.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, October 27th. UBS Group raised their price target on CACI International from $752.00 to $787.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price objective on CACI International from $670.00 to $765.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on CACI International from $567.00 to $624.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Eleven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $654.09.

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Read Our Latest Analysis on CACI International

CACI International Price Performance

Shares of CACI International stock traded up $5.18 during trading on Friday, reaching $660.64. The companys stock had a trading volume of 245,182 shares, compared to its average volume of 358,907. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $586.09 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $533.79. The stock has a market capitalization of $14.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.30 and a beta of 0.58. The company has a current ratio of 1.54, a quick ratio of 1.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. CACI International has a one year low of $318.60 and a one year high of $683.50.

CACI International (NYSE:CACI  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 21st. The information technology services provider reported $6.81 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.41 by $0.40. CACI International had a net margin of 5.77% and a return on equity of 16.20%. The firm had revenue of $2.22 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.28 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $5.95 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 5.7% compared to the same quarter last year. CACI International has set its FY 2026 guidance at 28.250-28.920 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that CACI International will post 23.94 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On CACI International

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in CACI. Farther Finance Advisors LLC raised its stake in CACI International by 2.3% during the third quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 1,090 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $544,000 after acquiring an additional 25 shares in the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp lifted its stake in shares of CACI International by 3.6% in the 3rd quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 739 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $359,000 after acquiring an additional 26 shares during the last quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc. increased its holdings in CACI International by 0.8% in the 3rd quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc. now owns 3,474 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $1,733,000 after purchasing an additional 28 shares in the last quarter. Hilltop Holdings Inc. boosted its stake in shares of CACI International by 5.8% during the third quarter. Hilltop Holdings Inc. now owns 545 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $272,000 after purchasing an additional 30 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cornerstone Investment Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of CACI International by 1.6% during the third quarter. Cornerstone Investment Partners LLC now owns 2,085 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $1,040,000 after purchasing an additional 32 shares in the last quarter. 86.43% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key Headlines Impacting CACI International

Here are the key news stories impacting CACI International this week:

About CACI International

(Get Free Report)

CACI International Inc is a leading provider of information solutions and services to the U.S. federal government, with a primary focus on defense, intelligence, homeland security and federal civilian agencies. The company delivers advanced technology and domain expertise to support mission-critical operations, offering capabilities in areas such as data analytics, cyber security, network integration, enterprise IT modernization and logistics support. By integrating software, hardware and professional services, CACI helps clients enhance situational awareness, improve decision making and maintain critical infrastructure resilience.

Founded in 1962 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, CACI has evolved from a small consulting operation into a global enterprise.

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QRG Capital Management Inc. lowered its holdings in CNO Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:CNO  Free Report) by 82.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 15,474 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 74,234 shares during the period. QRG Capital Management Inc.s holdings in CNO Financial Group were worth $612,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in CNO. First Horizon Corp purchased a new stake in CNO Financial Group during the 3rd quarter worth $32,000. Turning Point Benefit Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of CNO Financial Group during the second quarter worth about $32,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of CNO Financial Group by 123.1% during the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,176 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $45,000 after purchasing an additional 649 shares in the last quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. boosted its position in shares of CNO Financial Group by 39.2% in the second quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 1,194 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $46,000 after buying an additional 336 shares during the period. Finally, Geneos Wealth Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of CNO Financial Group by 637.4% in the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 1,438 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $60,000 after buying an additional 1,243 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.43% of the companys stock.

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CNO Financial Group Trading Up 1.0%

CNO opened at $41.47 on Friday. CNO Financial Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $34.63 and a 12-month high of $44.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45, a current ratio of 0.18 and a quick ratio of 0.18. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.95 billion, a PE ratio of 14.50 and a beta of 0.85. The firms fifty day moving average price is $41.80 and its 200 day moving average price is $39.85.

CNO Financial Group Announces Dividend

CNO Financial Group ( NYSE:CNO Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The financial services provider reported $1.29 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.95 by $0.34. The company had revenue of $1.19 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $975.35 million. CNO Financial Group had a net margin of 6.64% and a return on equity of 15.81%. The companys revenue was up 5.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.11 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that CNO Financial Group, Inc. will post 3.83 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 23rd. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 10th were paid a dividend of $0.17 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, December 10th. This represents a $0.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.6%. CNO Financial Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 23.78%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CEO Gary C. Bhojwani sold 31,430 shares of CNO Financial Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $41.99, for a total value of $1,319,745.70. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 195,926 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,226,932.74. This trade represents a 13.82% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CMO Rocco F. Tarasi III sold 9,283 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $42.60, for a total value of $395,455.80. Following the sale, the chief marketing officer directly owned 73,932 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,149,503.20. This represents a 11.16% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold a total of 89,378 shares of company stock valued at $3,722,146 in the last quarter. Insiders own 3.00% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Piper Sandler upped their price target on CNO Financial Group from $46.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, December 23rd. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of CNO Financial Group in a research note on Wednesday. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price target on shares of CNO Financial Group from $44.00 to $45.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Thursday, October 9th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of CNO Financial Group from a hold rating to a buy rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $42.00 to $47.00 in a report on Monday, December 15th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of CNO Financial Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, November 8th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, CNO Financial Group currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $46.75.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on CNO Financial Group

About CNO Financial Group

(Free Report)

CNO Financial Group is an Indianabased holding company that offers a range of insurance and retirement solutions through its operating subsidiaries. Its primary business activities include life insurance, annuities, and supplemental health insurance products designed to help individuals plan for retirement and manage healthrelated expenses. The company serves middleincome Americans, with particular emphasis on senior customers seeking guaranteed coverage and reliable income streams.

Originally founded as Conseco in 1979, the company underwent a financial restructuring and rebranded as CNO Financial Group in 2010.

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DBS Group (OTCMKTS:DBSDY  Get Free Report) and Toronto Dominion Bank (NYSE:TD  Get Free Report) are both large-cap finance companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, valuation, earnings, profitability, dividends, analyst recommendations and institutional ownership.

Dividends

DBS Group pays an annual dividend of $7.14 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.9%. Toronto Dominion Bank pays an annual dividend of $3.15 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.3%. Toronto Dominion Bank pays out 37.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Toronto Dominion Bank has raised its dividend for 12 consecutive years.

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Profitability

This table compares DBS Group and Toronto Dominion Banks net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets DBS Group N/A N/A N/A Toronto Dominion Bank 16.52% 13.90% 0.76%

Insider and Institutional Ownership

Valuation and Earnings

0.2% of DBS Group shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 52.4% of Toronto Dominion Bank shares are held by institutional investors. 0.1% of Toronto Dominion Bank shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

This table compares DBS Group and Toronto Dominion Banks revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio DBS Group $29.04 billion 4.52 $8.45 billion N/A N/A Toronto Dominion Bank $87.34 billion 1.83 $14.66 billion $8.43 11.29

Toronto Dominion Bank has higher revenue and earnings than DBS Group.

Risk and Volatility

DBS Group has a beta of 0.54, meaning that its stock price is 46% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Toronto Dominion Bank has a beta of 0.67, meaning that its stock price is 33% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for DBS Group and Toronto Dominion Bank, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score DBS Group 0 0 0 1 4.00 Toronto Dominion Bank 0 4 4 1 2.67

Toronto Dominion Bank has a consensus price target of $93.00, indicating a potential downside of 2.24%. Given Toronto Dominion Banks higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Toronto Dominion Bank is more favorable than DBS Group.

Summary

Toronto Dominion Bank beats DBS Group on 11 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.

About DBS Group

(Get Free Report)

DBS Group Holdings Ltd provides commercial banking and financial services in Singapore, Hong Kong, rest of Greater China, South and Southeast Asia, and internationally. The companys Consumer Banking/Wealth Management segment offers banking and related financial services, including current and savings accounts, fixed deposits, loans and home finance, cards, payments, investment, and insurance products for individual customers. Its Institutional Banking segment provides financial services and products for bank and non-bank financial institutions, government-linked companies, large corporates, and small and medium sized businesses. Its products and services comprise short-term working capital financing and specialized lending; cash management, trade finance, and securities and fiduciary services; treasury and markets products; and corporate finance and advisory banking, as well as capital markets solutions. The companys Treasury Markets segment is involved in the structuring, market-making, and trading in a range of treasury products. DBS Group Holdings Ltd was founded in 1968 and is headquartered in Singapore.

About Toronto Dominion Bank

(Get Free Report)

The Toronto-Dominion Bank, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial products and services in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking, U.S. Retail, Wealth Management and Insurance, and Wholesale Banking. The company offers personal deposits, such as chequing, savings, and investment products; financing, investment, cash management, international trade, and day-to-day banking services to businesses; and financing options to customers at point of sale for automotive and recreational vehicle purchases. It also provides credit cards and payments; real estate secured lending, auto finance, and consumer lending services; point-of-sale payment solutions for large and small businesses; wealth and asset management products, and advice to retail and institutional clients through direct investing, advice-based, and asset management businesses; and property and casualty insurance, as well as life and health insurance products. The company also provides capital markets, and corporate and investment banking products and services, including underwriting and distribution of new debt and equity issues; advice on strategic acquisitions and divestitures; and trading, funding, and investment services to corporations, governments, and institutions. It offers its products and services under the TD Bank and America's Most Convenient Bank brand names. The Toronto-Dominion Bank was founded in 1855 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

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Core Laboratories Inc. (NYSE:CLB  Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Friday . The stock traded as high as $20.36 and last traded at $20.0010, with a volume of 12153 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $19.63.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Core Laboratories in a report on Monday, December 29th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $12.50.

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Core Laboratories Trading Up 1.6%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41, a quick ratio of 1.76 and a current ratio of 2.37. The company has a market capitalization of $928.64 million, a P/E ratio of 29.78, a PEG ratio of 17.04 and a beta of 1.03. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $16.79 and its 200-day simple moving average is $13.94.

Core Laboratories (NYSE:CLB  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 22nd. The oil and gas company reported $0.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.19 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $134.52 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $130.92 million. Core Laboratories had a net margin of 6.21% and a return on equity of 12.85%. Core Laboratoriess revenue was up .1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.25 earnings per share. Research analysts predict that Core Laboratories Inc. will post 0.96 earnings per share for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Core Laboratories

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Ariel Investments LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Core Laboratories by 25.5% during the 2nd quarter. Ariel Investments LLC now owns 12,976,463 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $149,489,000 after purchasing an additional 2,634,438 shares during the last quarter. CWA Asset Management Group LLC acquired a new position in Core Laboratories during the 4th quarter valued at about $9,978,000. Disciplined Growth Investors Inc. MN increased its position in Core Laboratories by 9.7% during the 3rd quarter. Disciplined Growth Investors Inc. MN now owns 5,969,860 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $73,787,000 after buying an additional 528,976 shares in the last quarter. Gendell Jeffrey L raised its stake in Core Laboratories by 24.6% in the second quarter. Gendell Jeffrey L now owns 569,471 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $6,560,000 after buying an additional 112,475 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE boosted its holdings in Core Laboratories by 48.1% in the third quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 343,340 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $4,244,000 after acquiring an additional 111,527 shares in the last quarter. 97.81% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Core Laboratories Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Core Laboratories N.V. is a global provider of proprietary and patented reservoir description and production enhancement services to the oil and gas industry. The company applies specialized expertise in core and fluid analysis, advanced petrophysical interpretation, and reservoir engineering to optimize hydrocarbon recovery. By integrating laboratory testing with field services and digital analytics, Core Laboratories delivers insights that help operators maximize production and extend the life of their assets.

The companys portfolio spans two primary service lines: reservoir description and production enhancement.

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Barclays (LON:BARC  Get Free Report) had its target price lifted by equities research analysts at Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from GBX 480 to GBX 570 in a research note issued to investors on Friday,Digital Look reports. The firm presently has a buy rating on the financial services providers stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschafts price target suggests a potential upside of 17.60% from the companys current price.

Several other research analysts have also weighed in on the company. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price objective on Barclays from GBX 435 to GBX 500 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Jefferies Financial Group raised their target price on Barclays from GBX 455 to GBX 470 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. Citigroup lifted their target price on Barclays from GBX 440 to GBX 475 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of Barclays from GBX 500 to GBX 570 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, Shore Capital reiterated a buy rating on shares of Barclays in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Barclays has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of GBX 499.17.

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Check Out Our Latest Analysis on BARC

Barclays Trading Down 0.2%

Shares of BARC opened at GBX 484.70 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of 67.11 billion, a PE ratio of 11.94, a PEG ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.36. The stocks 50-day moving average price is GBX 453.82 and its two-hundred day moving average price is GBX 402.23. Barclays has a 12 month low of GBX 223.75 and a 12 month high of GBX 492.95.

Barclays (LON:BARC  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, December 16th. The financial services provider reported GBX 24.70 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Barclays had a return on equity of 6.97% and a net margin of 19.54%. Equities research analysts predict that Barclays will post 39.1062802 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Barclays Company Profile

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Barclays PLC provides various financial services in the United Kingdom, Europe, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The company operates through Barclays UK and Barclays International division segments. It offers financial services, such as retail banking, credit cards, wholesale banking, investment banking, wealth management, and investment management services. In addition, the company engages in securities dealing activities. The company was formerly known as Barclays Bank Limited and changed its name to Barclays PLC in January 1985.

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Direxion Daily Regional Banks Bull 3x Shares (NYSEARCA:DPST  Get Free Report)s share price traded down 5.6% during trading on Friday . The stock traded as low as $118.07 and last traded at $117.6620. 306,992 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 38% from the average session volume of 491,842 shares. The stock had previously closed at $124.66.

Direxion Daily Regional Banks Bull 3x Shares Stock Down 9.3%

The firm has a market cap of $606.86 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.48 and a beta of 2.67. The stocks 50 day moving average is $103.90 and its 200 day moving average is $99.10.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of DPST. Jump Financial LLC bought a new stake in Direxion Daily Regional Banks Bull 3x Shares in the second quarter worth about $6,448,000. IMC Chicago LLC grew its stake in shares of Direxion Daily Regional Banks Bull 3x Shares by 329.1% in the 3rd quarter. IMC Chicago LLC now owns 60,257 shares of the companys stock worth $6,029,000 after purchasing an additional 46,213 shares during the last quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of Direxion Daily Regional Banks Bull 3x Shares by 1.1% in the 2nd quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 33,282 shares of the companys stock worth $2,889,000 after purchasing an additional 356 shares in the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC lifted its position in shares of Direxion Daily Regional Banks Bull 3x Shares by 18.0% during the 2nd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 29,272 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,541,000 after acquiring an additional 4,463 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Elevatus Welath Management bought a new stake in shares of Direxion Daily Regional Banks Bull 3x Shares during the 4th quarter worth $2,082,000.

About Direxion Daily Regional Banks Bull 3x Shares

The Direxion Daily Regional Banks Bull 3X Shares (DPST) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the S&P Regional Banks Select Industry index. The fund provides 3x leveraged exposure to an equally-weighted index of US regional banking stocks. DPST was launched on Aug 19, 2015 and is managed by Direxion.

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Shares of EQT Corporation (NYSE:EQT  Get Free Report) have received a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the twenty-four brokerages that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nineteen have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12-month target price among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $63.8636.

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Stephens lowered their target price on shares of EQT from $69.00 to $68.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday. Scotiabank lowered their price objective on shares of EQT from $67.00 to $63.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday. Sanford C. Bernstein upped their target price on shares of EQT from $72.00 to $73.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday, January 5th. Capital One Financial raised their target price on shares of EQT from $52.00 to $55.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday. Finally, UBS Group reiterated a buy rating on shares of EQT in a report on Wednesday.

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Read Our Latest Report on EQT

EQT News Summary

EQT Stock Down 0.2%

Here are the key news stories impacting EQT this week:

EQT stock opened at $54.73 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $34.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.74, a P/E/G ratio of 0.41 and a beta of 0.68. EQT has a twelve month low of $43.57 and a twelve month high of $62.23. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $55.41 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $54.26. The company has a quick ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29.

EQT (NYSE:EQT  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 21st. The oil and gas producer reported $0.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.50 by $0.02. EQT had a return on equity of 6.88% and a net margin of 22.59%.The company had revenue of $1.75 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.78 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.12 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 52.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts anticipate that EQT will post 3.27 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at EQT

In other news, EVP J.E.B. Bolen sold 1,422 shares of EQT stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, October 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $52.79, for a total transaction of $75,067.38. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 69,486 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,668,165.94. The trade was a 2.01% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.65% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On EQT

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in EQT. Westpac Banking Corp increased its holdings in shares of EQT by 6.6% in the third quarter. Westpac Banking Corp now owns 2,671 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $145,000 after purchasing an additional 165 shares during the last quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC lifted its stake in shares of EQT by 95.6% during the 4th quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 573 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 280 shares during the last quarter. Private Trust Co. NA boosted its holdings in shares of EQT by 38.1% during the 2nd quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 1,026 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $60,000 after buying an additional 283 shares during the period. Rothschild Investment LLC grew its stake in EQT by 1.0% in the 2nd quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC now owns 46,436 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $2,708,000 after buying an additional 463 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Anchor Investment Management LLC grew its stake in EQT by 133.3% in the 2nd quarter. Anchor Investment Management LLC now owns 875 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $51,000 after buying an additional 500 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.81% of the companys stock.

About EQT

(Get Free Report)

EQT Corporation (NYSE: EQT) is a U.S.-based energy company focused on the exploration, development and production of natural gas. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the company concentrates its upstream operations in the Appalachian Basin, producing from major shale formations including the Marcellus and Utica. EQTs primary product is natural gas, with production activities supported by associated liquids and conventional gas assets where applicable.

In addition to drilling and well development, EQT operates and coordinates the infrastructure and commercial activities necessary to bring gas to market.

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FB Financial Corporation (NYSE:FBK  Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Thursday, January 22nd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 10th will be given a dividend of 0.21 per share by the financial services provider on Tuesday, February 24th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 1.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 10th. This is a 10.5% increase from FB Financials previous quarterly dividend of $0.19.

FB Financial has raised its dividend by an average of 0.2%annually over the last three years and has increased its dividend annually for the last 8 consecutive years. FB Financial has a dividend payout ratio of 17.4% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Research analysts expect FB Financial to earn $4.06 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $0.76 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 18.7%.

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FB Financial Price Performance

FBK stock opened at $60.09 on Friday. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $57.04 and a 200 day moving average price of $54.11. FB Financial has a fifty-two week low of $38.83 and a fifty-two week high of $62.37. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.04 and a beta of 0.98.

More FB Financial News

FB Financial ( NYSE:FBK Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 21st. The financial services provider reported $1.16 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.14 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $178.36 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $176.30 million. FB Financial had a return on equity of 11.56% and a net margin of 13.07%.During the same period last year, the company earned $0.85 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that FB Financial will post 3.64 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Here are the key news stories impacting FB Financial this week:

Positive Sentiment: Q4 beat and stronger profitability: FBK reported adjusted EPS of $1.16 (vs. $1.14 consensus) and revenue of $178.4M, with adjusted net income up year-over-year and improved margins  the primary fundamental support for the stock. Businesswire: Q4 Results

Q4 beat and stronger profitability: FBK reported adjusted EPS of $1.16 (vs. $1.14 consensus) and revenue of $178.4M, with adjusted net income up year-over-year and improved margins  the primary fundamental support for the stock. Positive Sentiment: Loan growth and margin strength highlighted on the earnings call, signaling core franchise momentum that should support forward earnings. TipRanks: Margin Highlights

Loan growth and margin strength highlighted on the earnings call, signaling core franchise momentum that should support forward earnings. Positive Sentiment: Dividend increase: the board raised the quarterly dividend to $0.21 (10.5% hike), showing confidence in the franchise and providing incremental income support for shareholders.

Dividend increase: the board raised the quarterly dividend to $0.21 (10.5% hike), showing confidence in the franchise and providing incremental income support for shareholders. Neutral Sentiment: Full call materials and transcripts are now available for investors to parse forward commentary and onetime items; these should clarify sustainability of margins and loan momentum. Seeking Alpha: Q4 Call Transcript Seeking Alpha: Slide Deck

Full call materials and transcripts are now available for investors to parse forward commentary and onetime items; these should clarify sustainability of margins and loan momentum. Neutral Sentiment: Analyst and media coverage is generally constructive  earnings beat writeups and an RS (relative strength) rating upgrade to 82 highlight market interest but dont guarantee nearterm price direction. MSN: RS Rating

Analyst and media coverage is generally constructive  earnings beat writeups and an RS (relative strength) rating upgrade to 82 highlight market interest but dont guarantee nearterm price direction. Negative Sentiment: Insider selling: an executive sale of 8,500 shares was reported, which can be perceived negatively by shortterm traders even if the sale is routine in size. AmericanBankingNews: Insider Sale

FB Financial Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

FB Financial Corporation, through its banking subsidiary FirstBank, is a Tennessee-based bank holding company that provides a broad range of financial services to individuals, small and medium-sized businesses, and commercial clients. Established to serve the banking needs of communities across the southeastern United States, the companys core offerings include consumer and commercial deposit products, commercial lending, and mortgage services.

In addition to traditional checking and savings accounts, FB Financials service portfolio encompasses treasury and cash management, equipment financing, and letters of credit to support the working capital and expansion needs of business customers.

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Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc. (NYSE:HPP  Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as $9.14 and last traded at $9.2460, with a volume of 1391733 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $9.96.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Citigroup decreased their price target on Hudson Pacific Properties from $20.30 to $13.30 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 24th. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on Hudson Pacific Properties to $14.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d-) rating on shares of Hudson Pacific Properties in a report on Monday, December 29th. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price target on shares of Hudson Pacific Properties from $17.50 to $16.80 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 13th. Finally, Zacks Research cut shares of Hudson Pacific Properties from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Thursday, January 1st. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $16.31.

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Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on HPP

Hudson Pacific Properties Stock Up 1.0%

The stock has a market capitalization of $514.64 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -0.56 and a beta of 1.49. The company has a quick ratio of 1.78, a current ratio of 1.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $11.56 and a 200 day moving average price of $16.04.

Hudson Pacific Properties (NYSE:HPP  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.04 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.02 by $0.02. Hudson Pacific Properties had a negative net margin of 59.61% and a negative return on equity of 16.24%. The business had revenue of $186.62 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $186.05 million. Hudson Pacific Properties has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 0.010-0.050 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc. will post 0.45 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. grew its position in shares of Hudson Pacific Properties by 122.4% in the 2nd quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 15,712,981 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $43,054,000 after buying an additional 8,646,463 shares during the last quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Hudson Pacific Properties by 357.1% in the second quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. now owns 10,686,082 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $29,280,000 after acquiring an additional 8,348,371 shares during the period. Conversant Capital LLC boosted its holdings in Hudson Pacific Properties by 293.6% in the second quarter. Conversant Capital LLC now owns 10,700,000 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $29,318,000 after acquiring an additional 7,981,580 shares during the last quarter. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH acquired a new stake in Hudson Pacific Properties during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $21,422,000. Finally, Sei Investments Co. increased its position in Hudson Pacific Properties by 18,343.2% during the 2nd quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 5,571,688 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $15,266,000 after purchasing an additional 5,541,478 shares during the period. 97.58% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Hudson Pacific Properties Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Hudson Pacific Properties (NYSE: HPP) is a self-managed real estate investment trust focused on the acquisition, development and management of high-quality office and studio properties. The companys portfolio spans strategic West Coast markets in the United States and key markets in Canada, providing space for technology, media and creative companies as well as major film and television producers. As an owner and operator of both traditional office buildings and specialized production facilities, Hudson Pacific seeks to deliver stable income through long-term leases and strategic property enhancements.

In its office segment, Hudson Pacific targets markets with strong job growth and limited supply, including Los Angeles, Silicon Valley, San Diego and Seattle, as well as Vancouver, British Columbia.

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AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO  Get Free Report) VP Richard Craig Smith sold 3,190 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $3,500.00, for a total transaction of $11,165,000.00. Following the sale, the vice president directly owned 2,627 shares in the company, valued at $9,194,500. This represents a 54.84% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link.

AutoZone Stock Performance

Shares of AZO stock opened at $3,692.15 on Friday. AutoZone, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $3,210.72 and a fifty-two week high of $4,388.11. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $3,588.83 and a 200 day moving average price of $3,848.33. The stock has a market capitalization of $61.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.75 and a beta of 0.42.

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AutoZone (NYSE:AZO  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, December 9th. The company reported $31.04 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $32.69 by ($1.65). The business had revenue of $4.63 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.64 billion. AutoZone had a net margin of 12.78% and a negative return on equity of 65.38%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 8.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $32.52 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that AutoZone, Inc. will post 152.94 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

AutoZone declared that its board has initiated a share buyback plan on Wednesday, October 8th that authorizes the company to repurchase $0.00 in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the company to repurchase shares of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are typically an indication that the companys management believes its stock is undervalued.

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price target on AutoZone from $4,262.00 to $4,234.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Robert W. Baird upgraded shares of AutoZone to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price objective on shares of AutoZone from $4,600.00 to $4,400.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Oppenheimer lowered their target price on shares of AutoZone from $4,600.00 to $4,150.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 9th. Finally, Truist Financial dropped their target price on AutoZone from $4,499.00 to $4,076.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-one have issued a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $4,285.00.

View Our Latest Report on AutoZone

Institutional Investors Weigh In On AutoZone

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Turning Point Benefit Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of AutoZone during the third quarter worth about $25,000. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in AutoZone during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $26,000. Aspect Partners LLC grew its stake in AutoZone by 700.0% during the 2nd quarter. Aspect Partners LLC now owns 8 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 7 shares during the last quarter. Global Trust Asset Management LLC increased its position in AutoZone by 600.0% during the third quarter. Global Trust Asset Management LLC now owns 7 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 6 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of Jackson Hole Trust purchased a new stake in AutoZone in the second quarter valued at approximately $33,000. 92.74% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About AutoZone

(Get Free Report)

AutoZone, Inc (NYSE: AZO) is a retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories. Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, the company supplies a wide range of aftermarket components, maintenance items and accessories for passenger cars, light trucks and commercial vehicles. Its product assortment includes engine parts, electrical components, batteries, brakes, filters, fluids and interior and exterior accessories, supported by inventory management and logistics systems to serve retail customers and professional service providers.

AutoZone serves both doityourself (DIY) consumers and commercial customers such as independent repair shops and service centers.

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Lockheed Martin Investment Management Co. increased its position in International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM  Free Report) by 25.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 38,300 shares of the technology companys stock after buying an additional 7,800 shares during the quarter. Lockheed Martin Investment Management Co.s holdings in International Business Machines were worth $10,807,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of International Business Machines by 2.1% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 95,051,475 shares of the technology companys stock worth $28,019,274,000 after purchasing an additional 1,913,708 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp boosted its holdings in International Business Machines by 0.3% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 54,536,963 shares of the technology companys stock worth $16,076,406,000 after buying an additional 147,721 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in International Business Machines by 1.9% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 21,936,235 shares of the technology companys stock worth $6,444,527,000 after buying an additional 400,131 shares during the last quarter. Legal & General Group Plc increased its holdings in shares of International Business Machines by 3.4% in the second quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 7,126,503 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $2,100,751,000 after buying an additional 234,318 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of International Business Machines during the 2nd quarter valued at $2,011,122,000. 58.96% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on IBM. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their target price on International Business Machines from $300.00 to $350.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, January 5th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of International Business Machines from a hold rating to a buy rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $300.00 to $360.00 in a research report on Monday, January 5th. BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on International Business Machines from $300.00 to $305.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Bank of America increased their price objective on International Business Machines from $315.00 to $335.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 13th. Finally, Erste Group Bank raised International Business Machines from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, December 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, International Business Machines currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $306.86.

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International Business Machines Stock Performance

Shares of IBM stock opened at $294.61 on Friday. International Business Machines Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $214.50 and a fifty-two week high of $324.90. The stocks 50-day moving average is $302.39 and its two-hundred day moving average is $282.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.97, a current ratio of 0.93 and a quick ratio of 0.89. The firm has a market cap of $275.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.24, a PEG ratio of 2.88 and a beta of 0.70.

International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The technology company reported $2.65 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.45 by $0.20. International Business Machines had a return on equity of 37.76% and a net margin of 12.09%.The business had revenue of $16.33 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.10 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $2.30 EPS. The firms revenue was up 9.1% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that International Business Machines Corporation will post 10.78 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

International Business Machines Profile

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International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) is a global technology and consulting company headquartered in Armonk, New York. Founded in 1911 as the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company (CTR) and renamed IBM in 1924, the company has evolved from early electromechanical machines to a diversified technology provider serving enterprises and governments worldwide. IBM is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol IBM.

IBMs principal businesses encompass cloud computing and software, infrastructure and systems, consulting and technology services, and research and development.

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IronBridge Private Wealth LLC acquired a new position in iShares China Large-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:FXI  Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 77,184 shares of the exchange traded funds stock, valued at approximately $3,175,000. iShares China Large-Cap ETF accounts for about 1.0% of IronBridge Private Wealth LLCs holdings, making the stock its 25th largest position.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the business. Prospera Financial Services Inc raised its stake in shares of iShares China Large-Cap ETF by 14.1% during the 2nd quarter. Prospera Financial Services Inc now owns 74,061 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $2,722,000 after purchasing an additional 9,161 shares during the period. Baldwin Wealth Partners LLC MA purchased a new position in iShares China Large-Cap ETF during the second quarter valued at approximately $202,000. Bfsg LLC bought a new stake in iShares China Large-Cap ETF during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $4,816,000. Cypress Capital Group increased its holdings in iShares China Large-Cap ETF by 107.9% during the 2nd quarter. Cypress Capital Group now owns 59,835 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,200,000 after acquiring an additional 31,055 shares during the period. Finally, Bay Colony Advisory Group Inc d b a Bay Colony Advisors purchased a new stake in iShares China Large-Cap ETF in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $576,000.

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iShares China Large-Cap ETF Price Performance

FXI opened at $39.48 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.78 and a beta of 0.28. iShares China Large-Cap ETF has a one year low of $29.20 and a one year high of $42.00. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $39.19 and a 200-day moving average price of $39.26.

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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Ridgewood Investments LLC boosted its position in shares of iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:SGOV  Free Report) by 66.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 51,353 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 20,420 shares during the period. iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF makes up approximately 2.2% of Ridgewood Investments LLCs holdings, making the stock its 3rd largest holding. Ridgewood Investments LLCs holdings in iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF were worth $5,171,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. New Wave Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF by 71.6% during the 3rd quarter. New Wave Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 10,338 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,041,000 after acquiring an additional 4,313 shares in the last quarter. Traub Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF by 113.6% in the 3rd quarter. Traub Capital Management LLC now owns 15,059 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,516,000 after buying an additional 8,009 shares in the last quarter. Triad Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new position in iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF in the third quarter valued at about $219,000. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC boosted its stake in iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF by 10.1% in the third quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC now owns 5,630 shares of the companys stock worth $567,000 after purchasing an additional 516 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sage Mountain Advisors LLC grew its holdings in iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF by 1.4% during the 3rd quarter. Sage Mountain Advisors LLC now owns 35,540 shares of the companys stock worth $3,579,000 after acquiring an additional 490 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF Price Performance

NYSEARCA SGOV opened at $100.58 on Friday. iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF has a 52 week low of $100.27 and a 52 week high of $100.74. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $100.48 and a 200-day moving average of $100.52.

iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF Profile

The iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF (SGOV) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund tracks a market-value weighted index of US Treasurys maturing in less than or equal to three months. SGOV was launched on May 26, 2020 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Kingdom Financial Group LLC. raised its position in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (BATS:EFG  Free Report) by 25.8% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 48,086 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 9,875 shares during the period. iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF comprises about 3.3% of Kingdom Financial Group LLC.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 6th largest position. Kingdom Financial Group LLC.s holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF were worth $5,476,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of EFG. Bangor Savings Bank acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF in the third quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Rice Partnership LLC acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF during the second quarter worth approximately $28,000. Pandora Wealth Inc. acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF during the second quarter worth approximately $28,000. Harbor Asset Planning Inc. purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $35,000. Finally, Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC raised its holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 50.2% in the 3rd quarter. Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC now owns 317 shares of the companys stock valued at $36,000 after acquiring an additional 106 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF Stock Up 23.8%

Shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF stock opened at $118.96 on Friday. iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF has a fifty-two week low of $88.66 and a fifty-two week high of $113.16. The businesss fifty day moving average is $115.00 and its two-hundred day moving average is $113.63. The firm has a market cap of $13.99 billion, a PE ratio of 24.98 and a beta of 0.96.

iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF Profile

iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Growth Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI EAFE Growth Index (the Index). The Index is a subset of the MSCI EAFE Index and constituents of the Index include securities from Europe, Australasia (Australia and Asia), and the Far East. The Fund invests in sectors, such as consumer staples, industrials, consumer discretionary, materials, healthcare, financials, information technology, energy, telecommunication services and utilities.

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MicroSectors FANG & Innovation 3x Leveraged ETN (NYSEARCA:BULZ  Get Free Report) gapped down before the market opened on Friday . The stock had previously closed at $272.81, but opened at $263.11. MicroSectors FANG & Innovation 3x Leveraged ETN shares last traded at $268.0960, with a volume of 49,413 shares.

MicroSectors FANG & Innovation 3x Leveraged ETN Trading Down 0.0%

The business has a fifty day moving average price of $261.89 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $242.43. The company has a market cap of $2.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.09 and a beta of 4.45.

About MicroSectors FANG & Innovation 3x Leveraged ETN

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The MicroSectors Solactive FANG & Innovation 3X Leveraged ETN (BULZ) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Solactive FANG Innovation index. The fund tracks 3x the daily price movements of an equal-weighted index of US-listed technology companies. BULZ was launched on Aug 20, 2021 and is issued by REX Microsectors.

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Europe should seriously consider building a China-Europe community with a shared future

15:36, January 23, 2026 By Global Times editorial ( Global Times

A series of events at the beginning of 2026 has dealt a severe blow to multilateralism and global governance. People cannot help but ask: is the world sliding back into the law of the jungle? However, a divided world cannot address the common challenges facing humanity. The way forward lies in upholding and practicing genuine multilateralism and advancing the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. As comprehensive strategic partners that both advocate a multipolar world and multilateralism, China and the EU working together to build a community with a shared future is of great significance and comes at a timely moment.

Proposed by President Xi Jinping, building a community with a shared future for humanity is a major original concept. It is the most important public good China has offered to the international community and represents China's answer to the fundamental question of our times: what kind of world to build and how to build it. This important concept has been incorporated into resolutions of the UN General Assembly and Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit declarations for several consecutive years, incorporated multiple times into key bilateral and multilateral documents, and its core principles have been included in the UN's Pact for the Future. It has increasingly become an international public good of major symbolic significance in today's world. Currently, dozens of countries have reached important consensus with China on building bilateral communities with a shared future. The Belt and Road Initiative family now covers three-quarters of the world's countries, and the four global initiatives have received support from more than 100 countries and international organizations.

The vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity has guided international relations toward a historic leap - from seeking common ground while shelving differences to sharing responsibility for our common planet - pointing the way forward for global development at a critical historical juncture, earning widespread praise from the international community. However, EU countries are still not part of the larger family striving to build a community with a shared future for humanity, which, it must be said, is regrettable. This stands in contrast to the close China-EU ties in trade, culture, science and technology, and education. The reasons behind this deserve serious reflection, and one important factor may lie in problems with Europe's overall perception of China - the "master switch" shaping its policy approach.

Can China and Europe build a community with a shared future together? The answer is yes. Especially against the current backdrop of global threats posed by hegemonism, China and the EU, as two major powers, two major markets, and two great civilizations in today's world, share the responsibility to uphold the authority of international law and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. Both sides need to move beyond trade frictions and political differences, using shared interests as a bond and common responsibilities as a guide to advance the building of a community with a shared future. In reality, both sides already possess a solid foundation to do so.

From the perspective of ideas and values, the Chinese nation has long upheld concepts such as "the world is one family," "everything under heaven belongs to the people," "giving consideration to both righteousness and profit," "upholding the path of benevolence and righteousness and live in amity with neighboring countries." These ideas lay a cultural foundation for the pursuit of fairness, justice, and win-win cooperation embodied in the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity. European philosophy, with its emphasis on cosmopolitanism, equality, and cooperation, likewise seeks to transcend ethnic and national boundaries in pursuit of the common interests of all humanity and universal peace. The European Community - the predecessor of today's EU - was itself a successful example of Europe exploring the idea of a community and putting it into practice.

From a material perspective, over the years, China and the EU have adhered to the principles of "extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits," with bilateral trade growing from $2.4 billion at the beginning of their diplomatic relations to $828.1 billion in 2025, and mutual investment stock increasing from almost zero to $280 billion. The China-Europe freight train service has operated 120,000 trips, reaching more than 200 cities in 26 European countries. China and the EU have played a significant leading role in addressing global challenges such as climate change and biodiversity conservation. During the China-EU summit in July 2025, the two sides issued a Joint statement on climate change by Chinese and EU leaders. China and the EU have formed a community of interdependent interests.

What can China and Europe do together to build a community with a shared future for humanity? Building a community with a shared future for humanity aims to "create five worlds" and is guided by the implementation of four global initiatives. Within this framework, China and Europe share broad common interests and a foundation for cooperation in areas such as climate change, technological innovation, health, and industrial and supply chains.

Specifically, both sides can strengthen dialogue and cooperation in maintaining international peace and security, and strive to build a new type of international relations characterized by mutual respect, fairness and justice and win-win cooperation; they can strengthen the alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative with the Global Gateway strategy, leverage their respective advantages, and promote global connectivity; they can strengthen people-to-people exchanges, promote a view of civilization based on equality, mutual learning, dialogue, and inclusiveness, and adhere to learning from each other's strengths and making progress together; and they can strengthen green cooperation, always acting as activists in green transformation and guardians of multilateral processes, and making China-EU contributions to addressing climate change and achieving energy transition.

Europe should be an important member of the community with a shared future for humanity. Differences between China and Europe are inevitable due to differences in ideology, history, culture, social systems, and stages of development. However, these differences should not lead to viewing each other as adversaries, nor should competition reduce cooperation, nor should disagreements lead to confrontation. Both China and Europe should act in accordance with their fundamental interests and the future of the world, stand on the right side of history, defend international rules and order, and jointly be pioneers of dialogue and cooperation, advocates of open development, practitioners of multilateralism, and promoters of mutual learning among civilizations, truly empowering one another and illuminating the world.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
MOKAN Wealth Management Inc. lowered its stake in shares of ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP  Free Report) by 26.9% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 33,339 shares of the energy producers stock after selling 12,278 shares during the period. ConocoPhillips accounts for 1.6% of MOKAN Wealth Management Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 19th biggest position. MOKAN Wealth Management Inc.s holdings in ConocoPhillips were worth $3,154,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in COP. Howard Hughes Medical Institute bought a new stake in ConocoPhillips during the second quarter worth $25,000. Bogart Wealth LLC grew its position in shares of ConocoPhillips by 136.8% in the 2nd quarter. Bogart Wealth LLC now owns 315 shares of the energy producers stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 182 shares during the period. Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of ConocoPhillips by 58.0% in the 3rd quarter. Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC now owns 316 shares of the energy producers stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 116 shares during the period. Activest Wealth Management increased its stake in shares of ConocoPhillips by 249.5% during the 2nd quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 325 shares of the energy producers stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 232 shares during the last quarter. Finally, BNP Paribas bought a new stake in shares of ConocoPhillips in the 2nd quarter valued at about $33,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.36% of the companys stock.

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ConocoPhillips Price Performance

Shares of NYSE COP opened at $96.81 on Friday. ConocoPhillips has a fifty-two week low of $79.88 and a fifty-two week high of $106.20. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $93.26 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $92.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 1.32 and a quick ratio of 1.18. The stock has a market capitalization of $119.63 billion, a PE ratio of 13.69, a P/E/G ratio of 2.87 and a beta of 0.32.

ConocoPhillips Increases Dividend

ConocoPhillips ( NYSE:COP Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The energy producer reported $1.61 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.41 by $0.20. ConocoPhillips had a net margin of 14.25% and a return on equity of 13.64%. The firm had revenue of $15.03 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.51 billion. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 14.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.78 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that ConocoPhillips will post 8.16 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 17th were issued a dividend of $0.84 per share. This is an increase from ConocoPhillipss previous quarterly dividend of $0.78. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 17th. This represents a $3.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.5%. ConocoPhillipss payout ratio is presently 47.52%.

Insider Buying and Selling at ConocoPhillips

In related news, CEO Ryan Michael Lance sold 500,708 shares of ConocoPhillips stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $92.50, for a total transaction of $46,315,490.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 325,972 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $30,152,410. The trade was a 60.57% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director William H. Mcraven acquired 5,768 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 10th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $86.68 per share, with a total value of $499,970.24. Following the purchase, the director owned 5,768 shares in the company, valued at $499,970.24. The trade was a  increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. 0.24% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts recently commented on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on ConocoPhillips from $108.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday. BMO Capital Markets cut their price objective on ConocoPhillips from $110.00 to $105.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Monday, December 15th. Evercore ISI decreased their target price on ConocoPhillips from $115.00 to $111.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 6th. Johnson Rice cut ConocoPhillips from an accumulate rating to a hold rating and dropped their price target for the company from $108.00 to $105.00 in a research note on Friday, December 5th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed a neutral rating and set a $98.00 price target on shares of ConocoPhillips in a report on Tuesday. Sixteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $111.00.

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ConocoPhillips Company Profile

(Free Report)

ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) is a Houston-based international energy company focused on exploration and production of oil and natural gas. Formed in 2002 through the merger of Conoco Inc and Phillips Petroleum Company, the firm operates as an independent upstream company that explores for, develops and produces crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids across a portfolio of global assets.

The companys activities span conventional and unconventional resources and include onshore and offshore operations in multiple regions around the world.

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UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH  Get Free Report) had its price objective cut by Morgan Stanley from $411.00 to $409.00 in a report released on Friday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has an overweight rating on the healthcare conglomerates stock. Morgan Stanleys price target suggests a potential upside of 15.07% from the stocks current price.

Other equities research analysts have also issued reports about the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $310.00 to $425.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, October 9th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c-) rating on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a report on Wednesday. Mizuho increased their price target on UnitedHealth Group from $300.00 to $430.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Barclays upped their price objective on UnitedHealth Group from $386.00 to $391.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, January 5th. Finally, KeyCorp upped their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $350.00 to $400.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have given a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $386.33.

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UnitedHealth Group Stock Performance

NYSE:UNH traded up $0.97 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $355.44. 3,755,189 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 6,790,447. UnitedHealth Group has a one year low of $234.60 and a one year high of $606.36. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. The firm has a market cap of $321.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.10 and a beta of 0.42. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $331.37 and its 200-day moving average price is $322.96.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $2.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.87 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $113.16 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $113.19 billion. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 4.04% and a return on equity of 19.23%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 12.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $7.15 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that UnitedHealth Group will post 29.54 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Capital World Investors grew its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 18.8% during the 3rd quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 21,766,922 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $7,516,107,000 after purchasing an additional 3,439,182 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 3.3% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 21,312,182 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock worth $6,624,411,000 after acquiring an additional 675,075 shares during the period. Capital International Investors lifted its position in UnitedHealth Group by 11.1% during the third quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 17,499,949 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $6,042,710,000 after purchasing an additional 1,747,337 shares during the period. Capital Research Global Investors lifted its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 126.9% in the 3rd quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 13,042,049 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $4,503,419,000 after buying an additional 7,293,009 shares during the period. Finally, Norges Bank purchased a new stake in UnitedHealth Group in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $3,837,207,000. 87.86% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

UnitedHealth Group News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting UnitedHealth Group this week:

About UnitedHealth Group

(Get 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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Shares of ProPetro Holding Corp. (NYSE:PUMP  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Friday . The company traded as high as $11.77 and last traded at $11.37, with a volume of 238591 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $11.00.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on PUMP. Barclays restated a neutral rating on shares of ProPetro in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. Citigroup boosted their price objective on shares of ProPetro from $6.00 to $12.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, October 31st. Zacks Research raised shares of ProPetro from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Piper Sandler lifted their target price on ProPetro from $16.00 to $17.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 14th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d-) rating on shares of ProPetro in a report on Monday, December 29th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $12.67.

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ProPetro Stock Up 3.5%

The firm has a market capitalization of $1.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -66.87 and a beta of 0.75. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $9.86 and a 200 day moving average price of $7.37. The company has a current ratio of 1.26, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11.

ProPetro (NYSE:PUMP  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The company reported ($0.02) earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.11) by $0.09. ProPetro had a negative return on equity of 0.06% and a negative net margin of 1.31%.The company had revenue of $293.92 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $266.25 million. During the same period last year, the company posted ($1.32) earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was down 18.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts anticipate that ProPetro Holding Corp. will post 0.25 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at ProPetro

In other ProPetro news, Director G Larry Lawrence sold 27,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $10.84, for a total value of $292,680.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 35,831 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $388,408.04. This represents a 42.97% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Michele Vion sold 6,916 shares of ProPetro stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $10.64, for a total transaction of $73,586.24. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 45,029 shares in the company, valued at $479,108.56. The trade was a 13.31% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Corporate insiders own 1.60% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Trek Financial LLC bought a new position in shares of ProPetro in the third quarter valued at $57,000. Dark Forest Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in ProPetro in the third quarter valued at $57,000. MQS Management LLC acquired a new stake in ProPetro in the third quarter valued at $58,000. PharVision Advisers LLC bought a new position in shares of ProPetro in the 2nd quarter valued at about $60,000. Finally, Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new position in shares of ProPetro during the 2nd quarter worth about $60,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.70% of the companys stock.

ProPetro Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

ProPetro Holding Corp is a publicly traded oilfield services company that specializes in hydraulic fracturing and well completion solutions for exploration and production operators. Headquartered in Midland, Texas, the company delivers a comprehensive suite of pressure pumping services designed to optimize reservoir stimulation and enhance hydrocarbon recovery. Its integrated approach encompasses well design, proppant selection, fluid systems and pressure management to support clients development targets across unconventional plays.

The companys core offerings include high-pressure fracturing, coiled tubing, cementing, acidizing and flowback services, all supported by in-house logistics and digital monitoring tools.

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ProShares UltraShort Silver (NYSEARCA:ZSL  Get Free Report) was the target of unusually large options trading activity on Friday. Stock traders bought 9,419 call options on the company. This is an increase of approximately 47% compared to the typical volume of 6,429 call options.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Bank of America Corp DE grew its holdings in shares of ProShares UltraShort Silver by 10,161.9% during the second quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 4,310 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $111,000 after buying an additional 4,268 shares in the last quarter. Flow Traders U.S. LLC boosted its position in ProShares UltraShort Silver by 159.2% during the second quarter. Flow Traders U.S. LLC now owns 50,666 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,308,000 after acquiring an additional 31,120 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Altfest L J & Co. Inc. purchased a new stake in ProShares UltraShort Silver during the 4th quarter valued at about $2,579,000.

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ProShares UltraShort Silver Price Performance

Shares of ProShares UltraShort Silver stock traded down $0.21 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $2.39. 52,338,905 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 158,134,188. The business has a 50-day moving average of $6.97 and a 200 day moving average of $14.62. ProShares UltraShort Silver has a fifty-two week low of $2.38 and a fifty-two week high of $40.13.

About ProShares UltraShort Silver

ProShares UltraShort Silver (the Fund) seeks daily investment results that correspond to twice (200%) the inverse (opposite) of the daily performance of silver bullion as measured by the United States dollar fixing price for delivery in London. The Fund will not directly or physically hold the underlying silver, but instead will seek exposure to silver through the use of financial instruments, whose value is based on the underlying price of silver to pursue their investment objective. The benchmark price of silver will be the United States dollar price of silver bullion as measured by the London fixing price per troy ounce of unallocated silver bullion for delivery in London through a member of the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) authorized to effect such delivery.

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QRG Capital Management Inc. cut its stake in PPG Industries, Inc. (NYSE:PPG  Free Report) by 51.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 4,952 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock after selling 5,297 shares during the period. QRG Capital Management Inc.s holdings in PPG Industries were worth $520,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC boosted its holdings in shares of PPG Industries by 127.6% in the 2nd quarter. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC now owns 223 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 125 shares during the last quarter. Steigerwald Gordon & Koch Inc. purchased a new position in shares of PPG Industries in the 3rd quarter worth $26,000. Gladwyn Financial Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in PPG Industries in the second quarter valued at $31,000. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC grew its position in PPG Industries by 100.7% during the second quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 273 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 137 shares during the period. Finally, Rothschild Investment LLC grew its position in PPG Industries by 184.0% during the second quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC now owns 284 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 184 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.86% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity at PPG Industries

In related news, CFO Vincent J. Morales sold 5,200 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, January 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $110.00, for a total value of $572,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 28,439 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,128,290. The trade was a 15.46% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Company insiders own 0.33% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the company. Zacks Research downgraded PPG Industries from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a report on Monday, November 10th. Mizuho reduced their price target on shares of PPG Industries from $135.00 to $125.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. UBS Group decreased their price objective on shares of PPG Industries from $115.00 to $110.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c-) rating on shares of PPG Industries in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Finally, Bank of America cut their target price on shares of PPG Industries from $118.00 to $116.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $120.86.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on PPG

PPG Industries Trading Up 1.1%

PPG opened at $113.81 on Friday. The firms 50 day moving average is $103.03 and its 200-day moving average is $105.74. PPG Industries, Inc. has a 52-week low of $90.24 and a 52-week high of $124.74. The company has a quick ratio of 1.08, a current ratio of 1.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74. The firm has a market capitalization of $25.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.81, a P/E/G ratio of 3.33 and a beta of 1.17.

PPG Industries (NYSE:PPG  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The specialty chemicals company reported $2.13 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.09 by $0.04. PPG Industries had a net margin of 6.35% and a return on equity of 23.61%. The business had revenue of $4.08 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.06 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.13 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. PPG Industries has set its FY 2025 guidance at 7.600-7.700 EPS. Analysts expect that PPG Industries, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

PPG Industries Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 12th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 20th will be given a dividend of $0.71 per share. This represents a $2.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 20th. PPG Industriess payout ratio is presently 64.40%.

About PPG Industries

(Free Report)

PPG Industries is a global supplier of paints, coatings and specialty materials that serves industrial, transportation, consumer and construction markets. Founded in 1883 as the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company, PPG has evolved from its origins in glass manufacturing into a diversified coatings and materials company headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The company develops and manufactures a broad array of products used to protect and enhance surfaces, from consumer paints to highly engineered coatings for demanding industrial applications.

PPGs product portfolio includes architectural and decorative paints, automotive original equipment and refinish coatings, industrial coatings for machinery and equipment, protective and marine coatings, aerospace and defense coatings, and packaging coatings and materials.

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QRG Capital Management Inc. trimmed its holdings in shares of Antero Midstream Corporation (NYSE:AM  Free Report) by 78.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 24,135 shares of the pipeline companys stock after selling 89,104 shares during the period. QRG Capital Management Inc.s holdings in Antero Midstream were worth $469,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of AM. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Antero Midstream in the 2nd quarter valued at about $80,504,000. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its stake in Antero Midstream by 56.6% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 3,874,379 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $69,739,000 after purchasing an additional 1,400,368 shares during the period. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd bought a new stake in Antero Midstream in the second quarter valued at approximately $20,044,000. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Antero Midstream during the second quarter valued at approximately $18,811,000. Finally, Boston Trust Walden Corp boosted its stake in shares of Antero Midstream by 24.4% during the second quarter. Boston Trust Walden Corp now owns 3,543,536 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $67,150,000 after purchasing an additional 695,233 shares during the period. 53.97% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Antero Midstream

In related news, Director Brooks J. Klimley sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $17.59, for a total value of $87,950.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 72,622 shares in the company, valued at $1,277,420.98. This trade represents a 6.44% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.86% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

AM has been the topic of several analyst reports. Zacks Research raised shares of Antero Midstream from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, January 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on shares of Antero Midstream from $19.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, December 23rd. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b+) rating on shares of Antero Midstream in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of Antero Midstream from $19.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Wednesday, November 12th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut Antero Midstream from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, November 1st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has assigned a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $19.17.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on AM

Antero Midstream Price Performance

Shares of NYSE AM opened at $18.78 on Friday. Antero Midstream Corporation has a 1 year low of $15.07 and a 1 year high of $19.82. The companys 50-day moving average is $17.89 and its 200 day moving average is $18.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.46, a current ratio of 1.26 and a quick ratio of 1.26. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.16 and a beta of 0.80.

Antero Midstream (NYSE:AM  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The pipeline company reported $0.27 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.25 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $294.82 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $287.30 million. Antero Midstream had a return on equity of 22.61% and a net margin of 40.07%.The firms revenue for the quarter was down 8.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.21 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Antero Midstream Corporation will post 0.95 earnings per share for the current year.

Antero Midstream Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, February 11th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, January 28th will be given a $0.225 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, January 28th. This represents a $0.90 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.8%. Antero Midstreams dividend payout ratio is currently 91.84%.

About Antero Midstream

(Free Report)

Antero Midstream Corporation is a publicly traded midstream service provider that was established in 2014 as a spin-off from Antero Resources. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, the company owns, operates and develops midstream infrastructure to support the gathering, compression, processing, transportation and storage of natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGLs) and crude oil. Antero Midstream plays a critical role in connecting upstream production in the Appalachian Basin to end-market pipelines and processing facilities.

The companys core operations include a network of gathering pipelines and compression stations that serve the Marcellus and Utica shale formations across West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Ohio.

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QV Investors Inc. purchased a new stake in Toronto Dominion Bank (The) (NYSE:TD  Free Report) (TSE:TD) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor purchased 507,584 shares of the banks stock, valued at approximately $40,595,000. Toronto Dominion Bank comprises approximately 3.5% of QV Investors Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 9th largest position.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board raised its stake in shares of Toronto Dominion Bank by 18.5% in the 2nd quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 12,470,618 shares of the banks stock valued at $917,832,000 after acquiring an additional 1,946,172 shares during the period. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company increased its holdings in Toronto Dominion Bank by 0.8% in the 2nd quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 13,815,706 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,010,852,000 after purchasing an additional 115,203 shares during the last quarter. Triasima Portfolio Management inc. purchased a new stake in Toronto Dominion Bank in the second quarter valued at approximately $8,492,000. Picton Mahoney Asset Management purchased a new stake in Toronto Dominion Bank in the second quarter valued at approximately $267,475,000. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its stake in Toronto Dominion Bank by 3.2% during the second quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 1,658,144 shares of the banks stock worth $121,791,000 after purchasing an additional 51,698 shares in the last quarter. 52.37% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Toronto Dominion Bank Price Performance

TD stock opened at $94.70 on Friday. The businesss 50-day moving average is $90.11 and its two-hundred day moving average is $81.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09, a current ratio of 1.03 and a quick ratio of 1.03. The firm has a market capitalization of $158.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.23, a P/E/G ratio of 1.31 and a beta of 0.67. Toronto Dominion Bank has a 1 year low of $54.14 and a 1 year high of $96.44.

Toronto Dominion Bank Increases Dividend

Toronto Dominion Bank ( NYSE:TD Get Free Report ) (TSE:TD) last released its earnings results on Thursday, December 4th. The bank reported $1.56 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.46 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $11.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.10 billion. Toronto Dominion Bank had a net margin of 16.52% and a return on equity of 13.90%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down .1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.72 earnings per share. Analysts anticipate that Toronto Dominion Bank will post 5.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Saturday, January 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 9th will be given a $1.08 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 9th. This represents a $4.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.6%. This is a boost from Toronto Dominion Banks previous quarterly dividend of $1.05. Toronto Dominion Banks payout ratio is currently 37.37%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on TD shares. Natl Bk Canada raised Toronto Dominion Bank from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. Jefferies Financial Group downgraded Toronto Dominion Bank from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. Raymond James Financial upgraded shares of Toronto Dominion Bank to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, November 24th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Toronto Dominion Bank in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Toronto Dominion Bank from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Saturday, January 10th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Toronto Dominion Bank presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $93.00.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Toronto Dominion Bank

Toronto Dominion Bank Company Profile

(Free Report)

Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) is a Canadian multinational banking and financial services company headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. Formed through the 1955 merger of the Bank of Toronto (founded 1855) and the Dominion Bank (founded 1869), TD is one of Canadas largest banks and offers a broad range of financial products and services to individual, small business, commercial and institutional clients.

TDs core businesses include Canadian and U.S. personal and commercial banking, wealth management, wholesale banking and insurance.

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QV Investors Inc. lowered its position in Sun Life Financial Inc. (NYSE:SLF  Free Report) (TSE:SLF) by 16.1% in the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 1,002,763 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 191,936 shares during the period. Sun Life Financial makes up approximately 5.2% of QV Investors Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 3rd biggest holding. QV Investors Inc.s holdings in Sun Life Financial were worth $60,228,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Grey Fox Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Sun Life Financial in the 3rd quarter valued at $62,000. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Sun Life Financial by 38.2% during the third quarter. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC now owns 16,338 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,018,000 after purchasing an additional 4,516 shares in the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC increased its holdings in Sun Life Financial by 21.5% in the third quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 12,694 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $772,000 after buying an additional 2,250 shares during the last quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System raised its stake in Sun Life Financial by 10.3% in the third quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System now owns 59,476 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $3,570,000 after buying an additional 5,560 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Gold Investment Management Ltd. raised its stake in Sun Life Financial by 4.7% in the third quarter. Gold Investment Management Ltd. now owns 42,868 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,575,000 after buying an additional 1,917 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 52.26% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Cibc Captl Mkts cut Sun Life Financial from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Evercore ISI reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Sun Life Financial in a report on Thursday, October 9th. UBS Group initiated coverage on shares of Sun Life Financial in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. They issued a neutral rating on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada restated a sector perform rating and set a $84.00 price objective on shares of Sun Life Financial in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Finally, National Bankshares restated a sector perform rating on shares of Sun Life Financial in a report on Thursday, November 6th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $86.50.

Sun Life Financial Stock Up 0.3%

SLF opened at $62.65 on Friday. Sun Life Financial Inc. has a 52 week low of $52.44 and a 52 week high of $66.81. The businesss 50 day moving average is $60.89 and its two-hundred day moving average is $60.43. The firm has a market cap of $34.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.66 and a beta of 0.87.

Sun Life Financial (NYSE:SLF  Get Free Report) (TSE:SLF) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The financial services provider reported $1.35 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.30 by $0.05. The business had revenue of $944.53 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $944.53 million. Sun Life Financial had a return on equity of 16.93% and a net margin of 7.53%.During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $2.33 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that Sun Life Financial Inc. will post 5.19 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Sun Life Financial Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 26th were given a dividend of $0.92 per share. This represents a $3.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, November 26th. This is an increase from Sun Life Financials previous quarterly dividend of $0.64. Sun Life Financials payout ratio is 69.68%.

About Sun Life Financial

(Free Report)

Sun Life Financial Inc, founded in 1865 and headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, is an international financial services organization that provides a range of insurance, wealth management and asset management solutions. The company serves individual and institutional clients, offering products designed to protect against life and health risks, help clients save for retirement, and manage investments on behalf of customers and third parties.

Core business activities include life and health insurance, group benefits for employers, retirement and pension products, and wealth management services such as mutual funds and segregated fund solutions.

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Rakuten Investment Management Inc. bought a new position in Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU  Free Report) during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm bought 47,824 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $4,961,000.

A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in PRU. Brighton Jones LLC grew its holdings in Prudential Financial by 3.7% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 3,681 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $436,000 after buying an additional 133 shares in the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC boosted its position in shares of Prudential Financial by 30.5% during the 1st quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 17,690 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,976,000 after acquiring an additional 4,134 shares during the last quarter. Accurate Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Prudential Financial by 3.3% in the second quarter. Accurate Wealth Management LLC now owns 8,063 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $864,000 after purchasing an additional 261 shares during the period. Patron Partners LLC increased its position in Prudential Financial by 8.4% during the second quarter. Patron Partners LLC now owns 6,909 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $742,000 after purchasing an additional 533 shares during the last quarter. Finally, ST Germain D J Co. Inc. raised its stake in Prudential Financial by 80.2% during the second quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 1,508 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $162,000 after purchasing an additional 671 shares during the period. 56.83% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, SVP Timothy L. Schmidt sold 8,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $107.69, for a total transaction of $861,520.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 11,535 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,242,204.15. This represents a 40.95% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Chairman Charles F. Lowrey sold 48,164 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $107.39, for a total transaction of $5,172,331.96. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman directly owned 165,564 shares in the company, valued at approximately $17,779,917.96. This trade represents a 22.54% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold a total of 62,719 shares of company stock worth $6,796,067 in the last quarter. 0.25% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have recently weighed in on PRU. Evercore ISI increased their price target on shares of Prudential Financial from $120.00 to $122.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Wall Street Zen lowered Prudential Financial from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, January 10th. Piper Sandler lifted their target price on Prudential Financial from $110.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 23rd. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price target on Prudential Financial from $117.00 to $118.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, Mizuho began coverage on shares of Prudential Financial in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. They issued a neutral rating and a $125.00 price objective on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $120.78.

Get Our Latest Research Report on PRU

Prudential Financial Trading Down 0.7%

NYSE PRU opened at $108.70 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58, a quick ratio of 0.16 and a current ratio of 0.16. The firm has a market cap of $38.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.93, a PEG ratio of 0.93 and a beta of 0.97. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $112.28 and a 200-day simple moving average of $107.23. Prudential Financial, Inc. has a one year low of $90.38 and a one year high of $123.88.

Prudential Financial (NYSE:PRU  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The financial services provider reported $4.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.72 by $0.54. Prudential Financial had a net margin of 4.65% and a return on equity of 16.60%. The company had revenue of $17.89 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.77 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $3.48 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Prudential Financial, Inc. will post 14.36 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Prudential Financial Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 11th. Investors of record on Tuesday, November 18th were issued a $1.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, November 18th. This represents a $5.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.0%. Prudential Financials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 74.18%.

Prudential Financial Company Profile

(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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Rakuten Investment Management Inc. bought a new position in Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT  Free Report) in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 11,244 shares of the aerospace companys stock, valued at approximately $5,613,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Vest Financial LLC lifted its position in Lockheed Martin by 25.3% during the third quarter. Vest Financial LLC now owns 6,085 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $3,038,000 after acquiring an additional 1,229 shares during the last quarter. Joel Isaacson & Co. LLC increased its position in shares of Lockheed Martin by 347.2% during the third quarter. Joel Isaacson & Co. LLC now owns 5,152 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $2,572,000 after purchasing an additional 4,000 shares in the last quarter. Silver Coast Investments LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Lockheed Martin by 13.5% during the 3rd quarter. Silver Coast Investments LLC now owns 1,512 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $755,000 after purchasing an additional 180 shares during the last quarter. Boomfish Wealth Group LLC boosted its position in shares of Lockheed Martin by 6.8% in the 3rd quarter. Boomfish Wealth Group LLC now owns 5,737 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $2,864,000 after purchasing an additional 367 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Grey Fox Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Lockheed Martin in the 3rd quarter worth $27,000. 74.19% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

LMT has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Wall Street Zen lowered Lockheed Martin from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, December 13th. Sanford C. Bernstein restated a market perform rating and set a $586.00 price target on shares of Lockheed Martin in a research note on Monday, January 12th. Robert W. Baird upped their price objective on shares of Lockheed Martin from $550.00 to $640.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, January 16th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Lockheed Martin in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Truist Financial set a $605.00 target price on shares of Lockheed Martin and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, January 9th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $543.82.

Key Headlines Impacting Lockheed Martin

Here are the key news stories impacting Lockheed Martin this week:

Lockheed Martin Trading Up 1.2%

Lockheed Martin stock opened at $592.99 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $493.46 and a 200 day moving average price of $475.11. The company has a market capitalization of $137.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.11, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.67 and a beta of 0.24. Lockheed Martin Corporation has a 52 week low of $410.11 and a 52 week high of $595.95. The company has a quick ratio of 0.97, a current ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.32.

Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 21st. The aerospace company reported $6.95 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $6.33 by $0.62. Lockheed Martin had a net margin of 5.73% and a return on equity of 111.84%. The company had revenue of $18.61 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $18.45 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $6.84 EPS. Lockheed Martins revenue for the quarter was up 8.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Lockheed Martin Corporation will post 27.15 EPS for the current year.

Lockheed Martin Profile

(Free Report)

Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE: LMT) is a global aerospace and defense company that designs, develops and manufactures advanced technology systems for government and commercial customers. Formed through the 1995 merger of Lockheed Corporation and Martin Marietta, the company is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, and focuses on providing integrated solutions across air, space, land and sea domains. Its primary customers include the U.S. Department of Defense, NASA and allied governments around the world.

Lockheed Martins product and service portfolio spans military aircraft, missile and fire-control systems, missile defense, space systems and satellite technologies, sensors and precision weapons.

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Rakuten Investment Management Inc. bought a new position in Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation (NYSE:BAH  Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund bought 65,072 shares of the business services providers stock, valued at approximately $6,504,000. Rakuten Investment Management Inc. owned approximately 0.05% of Booz Allen Hamilton as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of BAH. Nicholas Company Inc. raised its holdings in Booz Allen Hamilton by 7.2% during the second quarter. Nicholas Company Inc. now owns 57,892 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $6,028,000 after buying an additional 3,875 shares in the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership increased its holdings in shares of Booz Allen Hamilton by 227.4% during the 2nd quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 698,930 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $72,780,000 after acquiring an additional 485,425 shares during the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC raised its stake in shares of Booz Allen Hamilton by 720.6% in the 3rd quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 52,189 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $5,216,000 after acquiring an additional 45,829 shares in the last quarter. Renaissance Group LLC raised its stake in shares of Booz Allen Hamilton by 2.7% in the 2nd quarter. Renaissance Group LLC now owns 242,586 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $25,260,000 after acquiring an additional 6,390 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC boosted its position in Booz Allen Hamilton by 49.7% during the third quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 2,345,982 shares of the business services providers stock worth $240,698,000 after purchasing an additional 779,156 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.82% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have recently commented on BAH. Bank of America lowered shares of Booz Allen Hamilton from a buy rating to an underperform rating and set a $90.00 price target on the stock. in a research report on Friday, October 24th. UBS Group dropped their target price on shares of Booz Allen Hamilton from $115.00 to $93.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 27th. Truist Financial set a $90.00 target price on shares of Booz Allen Hamilton in a research report on Friday, October 24th. Weiss Ratings downgraded Booz Allen Hamilton from a hold (c-) rating to a sell (d+) rating in a research report on Monday, January 12th. Finally, TD Cowen lowered Booz Allen Hamilton from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have given a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and four have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Booz Allen Hamilton has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $109.46.

Insider Activity at Booz Allen Hamilton

In other news, CEO Horacio Rozanski acquired 23,800 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 30th. The shares were bought at an average price of $84.66 per share, with a total value of $2,014,908.00. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer owned 687,745 shares of the companys stock, valued at $58,224,491.70. This trade represents a 3.58% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.91% of the companys stock.

Booz Allen Hamilton Stock Performance

NYSE:BAH opened at $95.74 on Friday. The firms 50-day moving average is $87.92 and its 200-day moving average is $97.34. The company has a market cap of $11.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.62, a PEG ratio of 1.68 and a beta of 0.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.89, a quick ratio of 1.76 and a current ratio of 1.76. Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation has a 52-week low of $79.23 and a 52-week high of $146.95.

Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE:BAH  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, October 24th. The business services provider reported $1.49 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $1.49. Booz Allen Hamilton had a return on equity of 71.87% and a net margin of 7.06%.The business had revenue of $2.89 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.99 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.81 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 8.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts anticipate that Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation will post 6.44 earnings per share for the current year.

Booz Allen Hamilton Profile

(Free Report)

Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation is a publicly traded management and technology consulting firm headquartered in McLean, Virginia. The company provides a wide range of professional services and solutions in strategy, analytics, digital transformation, engineering and cyber security. Its expertise spans from supporting federal civilian agencies to defense, intelligence and homeland security organizations, as well as select commercial industries.

Key offerings include data analytics and artificial intelligence applications, software development and modernization, systems integration, and cyber risk management.

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Rakuten Investment Management Inc. acquired a new position in Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT  Free Report) in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 12,109 shares of the industrial products companys stock, valued at approximately $5,778,000.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Caterpillar by 36,842.1% during the second quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 7,299,751 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $2,833,836,000 after acquiring an additional 7,279,991 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Caterpillar during the 2nd quarter valued at $2,165,899,000. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA raised its position in Caterpillar by 1,851.8% in the 3rd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 1,830,414 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $873,382,000 after purchasing an additional 1,736,631 shares during the period. Marshall Wace LLP lifted its stake in Caterpillar by 425.2% in the second quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 761,800 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $295,738,000 after purchasing an additional 616,739 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Voya Investment Management LLC boosted its position in Caterpillar by 36.9% during the third quarter. Voya Investment Management LLC now owns 1,777,589 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $848,177,000 after buying an additional 478,972 shares during the period. 70.98% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Transactions at Caterpillar

In other Caterpillar news, insider Lange Bob De sold 14,638 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $562.36, for a total value of $8,231,825.68. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 80,209 shares in the company, valued at approximately $45,106,333.24. This represents a 15.43% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Anthony D. Fassino sold 8,184 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, November 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $570.18, for a total transaction of $4,666,353.12. Following the sale, the insider owned 41,512 shares in the company, valued at approximately $23,669,312.16. This trade represents a 16.47% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last three months, insiders have sold 54,729 shares of company stock worth $31,084,308. 0.33% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Key Stories Impacting Caterpillar

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Here are the key news stories impacting Caterpillar this week:

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on CAT shares. Oppenheimer boosted their target price on Caterpillar from $645.00 to $700.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday. Robert W. Baird lifted their price target on Caterpillar from $612.00 to $680.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Erste Group Bank raised Caterpillar from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 3rd. Hsbc Global Res raised shares of Caterpillar from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Finally, Raymond James Financial reiterated a market perform rating on shares of Caterpillar in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have given a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $633.35.

Read Our Latest Report on Caterpillar

Caterpillar Stock Performance

Shares of CAT stock opened at $648.27 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $303.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.28, a PEG ratio of 2.49 and a beta of 1.57. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $592.97 and a 200 day moving average of $508.92. Caterpillar Inc. has a 52 week low of $267.30 and a 52 week high of $655.78. The company has a quick ratio of 0.86, a current ratio of 1.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.34.

Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 3rd. The industrial products company reported $4.95 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.52 by $0.43. The business had revenue of $17.64 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.72 billion. Caterpillar had a net margin of 14.34% and a return on equity of 47.16%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 9.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $5.17 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that Caterpillar Inc. will post 19.86 earnings per share for the current year.

Caterpillar Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 19th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, January 20th will be issued a dividend of $1.51 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, January 20th. This represents a $6.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.9%. Caterpillars dividend payout ratio is 31.01%.

About Caterpillar

(Free Report)

Caterpillar Inc is a global manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and locomotives. The companys product portfolio includes earthmoving machines such as excavators, bulldozers, wheel loaders and offhighway trucks, as well as a range of power generation products including generator sets and power systems for industrial and commercial use. Caterpillar serves customers across heavy construction, mining, energy, transportation and related industries with both equipment and integrated technology solutions.

In addition to manufacturing, Caterpillar provides a broad range of aftermarket parts and support services, including maintenance, repair, remanufacturing and fleet management tools.

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Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Get Free Report) had its price objective cut by stock analysts at Raymond James Financial from $146.00 to $130.00 in a report released on Friday,MarketScreener reports. The brokerage currently has an outperform rating on the healthcare product makers stock. Raymond James Financials price target would indicate a potential upside of 19.61% from the stocks previous close.

Other equities analysts have also issued reports about the company. Daiwa Capital Markets upped their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $134.00 to $136.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $152.00 to $140.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $162.00 to $169.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Sanford C. Bernstein boosted their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $150.00 to $154.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, January 9th. Finally, BTIG Research dropped their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $145.00 to $140.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have given a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $143.37.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on ABT

Abbott Laboratories Stock Up 0.1%

ABT traded up $0.08 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $108.69. The company had a trading volume of 2,307,181 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,972,974. The company has a market capitalization of $189.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.65, a PEG ratio of 2.00 and a beta of 0.72. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $125.23 and its 200 day moving average price is $128.54. The company has a quick ratio of 1.24, a current ratio of 1.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23. Abbott Laboratories has a 52 week low of $105.78 and a 52 week high of $141.23.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, January 22nd. The healthcare product maker reported $1.50 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.50. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 17.60% and a net margin of 31.88%.The company had revenue of $11.46 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.80 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.34 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 4.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Abbott Laboratories has set its Q1 2026 guidance at 1.120-1.180 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 5.550-5.800 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Abbott Laboratories

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. IMG Wealth Management Inc. increased its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 759.1% during the second quarter. IMG Wealth Management Inc. now owns 189 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 167 shares during the last quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Cloud Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Abbott Laboratories in the third quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Guerra Advisors Inc purchased a new stake in Abbott Laboratories in the third quarter worth $31,000. Finally, Anfield Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 81.3% in the second quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC now owns 232 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 104 shares during the period. 75.18% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Key Stories Impacting Abbott Laboratories

Here are the key news stories impacting Abbott Laboratories this week:

Positive Sentiment: Several sellside analysts kept constructive ratings and still see meaningful upside  Piper Sandler cut its price target to $135 but remains overweight, and BTIG trimmed its target to $140 while keeping a buy call, signaling continued analyst confidence despite the pullback. Benzinga

Several sellside analysts kept constructive ratings and still see meaningful upside  Piper Sandler cut its price target to $135 but remains overweight, and BTIG trimmed its target to $140 while keeping a buy call, signaling continued analyst confidence despite the pullback. Positive Sentiment: Med tech (devices) and Established Pharmaceuticals delivered strong growth (doubledigit devices, midsingle to high single pharma), which management says helped offset weakness in other segments and supports the companys multiyear growth thesis. Blockonomi

Med tech (devices) and Established Pharmaceuticals delivered strong growth (doubledigit devices, midsingle to high single pharma), which management says helped offset weakness in other segments and supports the companys multiyear growth thesis. Positive Sentiment: Market commentators view the pullback as a potential buying opportunity for longterm investors because Abbott remains a cashgenerative Dividend King with capacity for buybacks and continued margin improvement. MarketBeat

Market commentators view the pullback as a potential buying opportunity for longterm investors because Abbott remains a cashgenerative Dividend King with capacity for buybacks and continued margin improvement. Neutral Sentiment: Adjusted EPS of $1.50 matched consensus, showing underlying earnings resilience even as revenues lagged; GAAP results included items that lowered headline net income. Press Release

Adjusted EPS of $1.50 matched consensus, showing underlying earnings resilience even as revenues lagged; GAAP results included items that lowered headline net income. Neutral Sentiment: Company guidance: Q1 2026 adjusted EPS of $1.1201.180 (below the ~1.20 consensus) and FY 2026 adjusted EPS of $5.555.80 (around consensus). Guidance tempered nearterm expectations but keeps mid/longerterm growth intact. Press Release

Company guidance: Q1 2026 adjusted EPS of $1.1201.180 (below the ~1.20 consensus) and FY 2026 adjusted EPS of $5.555.80 (around consensus). Guidance tempered nearterm expectations but keeps mid/longerterm growth intact. Negative Sentiment: Revenue missed Street estimates (~$11.4611.5B reported vs. ~$11.811.9B expected); the Nutrition business declined sharply (near9% yearoveryear) and Diagnostics weakened (lower COVID testing and volatility), which triggered the market selloff. Reuters Blockonomi

Revenue missed Street estimates (~$11.4611.5B reported vs. ~$11.811.9B expected); the Nutrition business declined sharply (near9% yearoveryear) and Diagnostics weakened (lower COVID testing and volatility), which triggered the market selloff. Negative Sentiment: Unusual bearish positioning: intraday put option volume spiked sharply, indicating heavy hedging or speculative bearish bets that can amplify downward price moves. (Reported market activity)

Unusual bearish positioning: intraday put option volume spiked sharply, indicating heavy hedging or speculative bearish bets that can amplify downward price moves. (Reported market activity) Negative Sentiment: Regulatory/legal overhang: documents show India regulators are scrutinizing supply of a codeinebased cough syrup tied to abuse investigations, introducing potential reputational and compliance risk. Reuters

Abbott Laboratories Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Abbott Laboratories is a global healthcare company headquartered in Abbott Park, Illinois, that develops, manufactures and markets a broad portfolio of medical products and services. Founded in 1888, Abbott operates through multiple business areas that focus on diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and established pharmaceuticals. The company supplies hospitals, clinics, laboratories, retailers and direct-to-consumer channels with products intended to diagnose, treat and manage a wide range of health conditions.

In diagnostics, Abbott provides laboratory and point-of-care testing platforms and assays used to detect infectious diseases, chronic conditions and biomarkers; its Alinity family of instruments and rapid-test solutions are examples of this capability.

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Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK  Get Free Report) had its target price reduced by stock analysts at Royal Bank Of Canada from $143.00 to $140.00 in a research note issued to investors on Friday,MarketScreener reports. The brokerage presently has a sector perform rating on the utilities providers stock. Royal Bank Of Canadas target price points to a potential upside of 19.74% from the companys previous close.

Several other analysts have also recently commented on the stock. Morgan Stanley reiterated an underperform rating and set a $130.00 target price on shares of Duke Energy in a research report on Wednesday. Mizuho upped their price target on Duke Energy from $132.00 to $140.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price objective on shares of Duke Energy from $126.00 to $125.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 14th. Scotiabank increased their target price on shares of Duke Energy from $137.00 to $146.00 and gave the stock a sector outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. Finally, UBS Group decreased their price target on shares of Duke Energy from $135.00 to $126.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have issued a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Duke Energy currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $134.94.

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View Our Latest Report on DUK

Duke Energy Price Performance

Duke Energy stock traded down $0.79 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $116.92. 265,866 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,464,835. Duke Energy has a 1-year low of $108.74 and a 1-year high of $130.03. The company has a quick ratio of 0.40, a current ratio of 0.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.54. The business has a fifty day moving average of $118.58 and a 200 day moving average of $121.38. The company has a market capitalization of $90.92 billion, a PE ratio of 18.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.59 and a beta of 0.50.

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The utilities provider reported $1.81 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.75 by $0.06. Duke Energy had a net margin of 15.76% and a return on equity of 9.98%. The business had revenue of $8.54 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.51 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.62 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Duke Energy will post 6.33 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Robert Alexander Glenn sold 8,200 shares of Duke Energy stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $123.80, for a total transaction of $1,015,160.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 11,367 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,407,234.60. The trade was a 41.91% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 0.14% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Duke Energy

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of DUK. Dorato Capital Management acquired a new position in Duke Energy in the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. KERR FINANCIAL PLANNING Corp acquired a new position in shares of Duke Energy in the third quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC bought a new position in shares of Duke Energy during the second quarter worth approximately $28,000. Mascoma Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in Duke Energy by 53.7% in the 2nd quarter. Mascoma Wealth Management LLC now owns 249 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 87 shares during the period. Finally, Lodestone Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Duke Energy in the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. 65.31% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Duke Energy

(Get Free Report)

Duke Energy Corporation is a U.S.-based electric power holding company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. The companys core business is the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity to residential, commercial and industrial customers. Duke Energy operates a mix of regulated electric utilities and non-regulated energy businesses, providing essential energy infrastructure and services across multiple states.

Its operating activities include owning and operating generation assets across a portfolio that encompasses nuclear, natural gas, coal, hydroelectric and an expanding array of renewable resources, as well as battery storage and grid modernization projects.

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Associated Banc (NYSE:ASB  Get Free Report) had its target price increased by research analysts at Royal Bank Of Canada from $29.00 to $30.00 in a report issued on Friday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a sector perform rating on the banks stock. Royal Bank Of Canadas price target suggests a potential upside of 10.53% from the companys current price.

Other equities analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. UBS Group reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $28.00 price objective on shares of Associated Banc in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Piper Sandler upped their price objective on shares of Associated Banc from $27.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their target price on shares of Associated Banc from $29.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Friday. Truist Financial upped their target price on Associated Banc from $27.00 to $29.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Monday, December 22nd. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut Associated Banc from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, January 3rd. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $29.10.

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View Our Latest Analysis on Associated Banc

Associated Banc Stock Down 1.2%

Shares of NYSE ASB traded down $0.33 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $27.14. 249,033 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,250,842. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 0.90 and a quick ratio of 0.90. Associated Banc has a 1-year low of $18.32 and a 1-year high of $28.02. The stock has a market cap of $4.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.86, a PEG ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 0.79. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $26.19 and a 200 day simple moving average of $25.79.

Associated Banc (NYSE:ASB  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 22nd. The bank reported $0.80 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.69 by $0.11. The firm had revenue of $393.52 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $382.06 million. Associated Banc had a return on equity of 9.45% and a net margin of 7.23%.During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.72 earnings per share. On average, analysts expect that Associated Banc will post 2.43 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Patrick Edward Ahern sold 30,489 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.70, for a total value of $783,567.30. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 24,055 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $618,213.50. This trade represents a 55.90% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP John A. Utz sold 2,135 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $26.41, for a total value of $56,385.35. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 109,842 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,900,927.22. This represents a 1.91% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold a total of 35,951 shares of company stock worth $925,756 over the last 90 days. 1.45% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Associated Banc

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Norges Bank purchased a new position in Associated Banc during the second quarter valued at approximately $48,373,000. First Trust Advisors LP boosted its holdings in Associated Banc by 679.4% in the 3rd quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 2,223,694 shares of the banks stock valued at $57,171,000 after purchasing an additional 1,938,393 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Associated Banc by 139.1% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 2,748,667 shares of the banks stock valued at $61,927,000 after purchasing an additional 1,598,951 shares during the period. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. grew its position in shares of Associated Banc by 4,883.7% during the 3rd quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 1,385,666 shares of the banks stock valued at $35,625,000 after purchasing an additional 1,357,862 shares in the last quarter. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Associated Banc by 32.5% in the third quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 2,629,549 shares of the banks stock worth $67,606,000 after purchasing an additional 645,676 shares during the period. 82.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Key Stories Impacting Associated Banc

Here are the key news stories impacting Associated Banc this week:

About Associated Banc

(Get Free Report)

Associated Banc-Corp, through its primary subsidiary Associated Bank, N.A., is a regional financial services company headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The bank operates more than 200 branches across the Midwest, offering community-focused banking solutions for individuals, small businesses and commercial clients. Its emphasis on personalized service and regional decision-making supports long-standing customer relationships.

On the consumer side, Associated Bank provides checking and savings accounts, residential mortgages, home equity lines of credit, auto financing and credit card products.

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Secom Co. (OTCMKTS:SOMLY  Get Free Report)s share price gapped up before the market opened on Friday . The stock had previously closed at $9.13, but opened at $9.58. Secom shares last traded at $9.14, with a volume of 61,665 shares trading hands.

Secom Trading Up 0.2%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02, a quick ratio of 2.43 and a current ratio of 2.59. The company has a market capitalization of $17.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.79 and a beta of 0.30. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $8.84 and its 200-day simple moving average is $8.99.

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Secom (OTCMKTS:SOMLY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 11th. The company reported $0.10 earnings per share for the quarter. Secom had a net margin of 8.65% and a return on equity of 7.49%. The firm had revenue of $2.07 billion during the quarter.

Secom Company Profile

Secom Co, Ltd. is a leading provider of security and safety solutions based in Tokyo, Japan. The companys core business centers on integrated security services, including electronic alarm systems, 24-hour monitoring, on-site guard services and emergency response. Secom also develops and installs access control systems, video surveillance equipment and intruder detection technologies designed for residential, commercial and government clients.

Founded in 1962, Secom introduced Japans first automated security alarm service and has since expanded its offerings to encompass a broad range of safety-related products.

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Strs Ohio cut its stake in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 13.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 292,858 shares of the companys stock after selling 46,646 shares during the quarter. Eli Lilly and Company accounts for about 0.8% of Strs Ohios portfolio, making the stock its 15th biggest position. Strs Ohios holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $223,451,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. purchased a new position in Eli Lilly and Company during the 2nd quarter worth $27,000. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. bought a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company during the second quarter worth $29,000. Steph & Co. grew its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 290.0% in the 3rd quarter. Steph & Co. now owns 39 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares during the period. Financial Gravity Companies Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 2nd quarter valued at $31,000. Finally, Bare Financial Services Inc raised its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 263.6% during the 2nd quarter. Bare Financial Services Inc now owns 40 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.53% of the companys stock.

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Eli Lilly and Company News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Eli Lilly and Company this week:

Eli Lilly and Company Trading Up 0.8%

Shares of LLY stock opened at $1,087.63 on Friday. Eli Lilly and Company has a 1 year low of $623.78 and a 1 year high of $1,133.95. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $1,056.39 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $878.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71, a current ratio of 1.55 and a quick ratio of 1.24. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.03 trillion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 53.21, a PEG ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 0.35.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $7.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $6.42 by $0.60. The company had revenue of $17.60 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.09 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 109.52% and a net margin of 30.99%.The firms revenue for the quarter was up 53.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.18 EPS. Eli Lilly and Company has set its FY 2025 guidance at 23.000-23.700 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that Eli Lilly and Company will post 23.48 earnings per share for the current year.

Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 13th will be issued a $1.73 dividend. This is an increase from Eli Lilly and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.50. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 13th. This represents a $6.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.6%. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 29.35%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

LLY has been the subject of several research reports. CICC Research increased their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $801.00 to $1,060.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. Sanford C. Bernstein reissued an outperform rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Friday, December 19th. Guggenheim lowered their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $1,163.00 to $1,161.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday. Scotiabank started coverage on Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Thursday, November 13th. They set a sector outperform rating and a $1,165.00 price objective for the company. Finally, UBS Group started coverage on Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. They issued a buy rating and a $1,250.00 target price for the company. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have assigned a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $1,174.61.

View Our Latest Research Report on Eli Lilly and Company

Eli Lilly and Company Company Profile

(Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) is a global pharmaceutical company founded in 1876 and headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. The company researches, develops, manufactures and commercializes a broad range of medicines and therapies for patients worldwide. Eli Lilly maintains operations and commercial presence across North America, Europe, Asia and other regions, serving both developed and emerging markets. The company has been led in recent years by President and Chief Executive Officer David A.

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Strs Ohio decreased its stake in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) by 4.7% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 478,298 shares of the companys stock after selling 23,844 shares during the period. Strs Ohios holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $77,580,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Philip Morris International in the second quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Traub Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Philip Morris International during the second quarter worth $25,000. Marquette Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 1,677.8% during the third quarter. Marquette Asset Management LLC now owns 160 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 151 shares during the period. Briaud Financial Planning Inc increased its position in Philip Morris International by 266.7% in the second quarter. Briaud Financial Planning Inc now owns 165 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 120 shares during the period. Finally, Estabrook Capital Management bought a new stake in Philip Morris International during the 2nd quarter worth about $30,000. 78.63% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

PM has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Stifel Nicolaus set a $180.00 price objective on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Barclays reduced their target price on Philip Morris International from $220.00 to $180.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 17th. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a buy rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of Philip Morris International from $190.00 to $185.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 26th. Eleven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $184.56.

Philip Morris International Price Performance

Philip Morris International stock opened at $170.00 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $264.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.80, a P/E/G ratio of 1.82 and a beta of 0.40. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $158.87 and a 200-day moving average of $161.65. Philip Morris International Inc. has a one year low of $122.76 and a one year high of $186.69.

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, October 24th. The company reported $2.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.10 by $0.14. The business had revenue of $10.85 billion for 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%.Philip Morris Internationals revenue was up 9.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.91 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 7.14 earnings per share for the current year.

Philip Morris International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 26th were given a dividend of $1.47 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 26th. This represents a $5.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.5%. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 106.52%.

Philip Morris International Profile

(Free Report)

Philip Morris International Inc (NYSE: PM) is a global tobacco company that manufactures and sells cigarettes, other nicotine-containing products and a growing portfolio of smoke-free alternatives for adult smokers. The firm traces its corporate roots to the 19th century Philip Morris enterprise and was established as an independent, publicly traded company following a 2008 separation from what is now Altria. Since the spin-off, the company has focused on serving international markets outside the United States.

PMIs product mix includes traditional combustible cigarettes as well as smoke-free offerings such as heated tobacco systems and other reduced-risk products.

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Strs Ohio raised its position in Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE  Free Report) by 52.1% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 688,036 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after acquiring an additional 235,801 shares during the quarter. Strs Ohios holdings in Alexandria Real Estate Equities were worth $57,341,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Alexandria Real Estate Equities during the 2nd quarter valued at about $1,195,306,000. State Street Corp raised its holdings in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 1.7% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 10,873,745 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $803,863,000 after buying an additional 181,674 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 1.9% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 4,318,035 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $312,407,000 after buying an additional 82,591 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. raised its stake in Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 16.8% in the 2nd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 3,676,318 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $267,011,000 after acquiring an additional 528,575 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its position in Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 4.9% during the 2nd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,655,204 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $192,848,000 after acquiring an additional 125,020 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.54% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

ARE has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on Alexandria Real Estate Equities in a research note on Friday, January 9th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $55.00 price objective for the company. BNP Paribas Exane dropped their price objective on shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $72.00 to $50.00 and set an underperform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, December 4th. Citigroup reduced their target price on shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $61.00 to $52.00 and set a neutral rating for the company 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 research report on Thursday, December 4th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $65.00 to $63.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 14th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $63.57.

Trending Headlines about Alexandria Real Estate Equities

Here are the key news stories impacting Alexandria Real Estate Equities this week:

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Alexandria Real Estate Equities news, Director Sheila K. Mcgrath bought 3,100 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 10th. The shares were bought at an average price of $45.60 per share, with a total value of $141,360.00. Following the purchase, the director directly owned 8,392 shares in the company, valued at $382,675.20. This trade represents a 58.58% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders own 1.08% of the companys stock.

Alexandria Real Estate Equities Stock Performance

NYSE:ARE opened at $58.12 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.04 billion, a PE ratio of -23.53, a P/E/G ratio of 7.06 and a beta of 1.31. The company has a fifty day moving average of $50.90 and a two-hundred day moving average of $67.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.24 and a current ratio of 0.24. Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $44.10 and a fifty-two week high of $105.14.

Alexandria Real Estate Equities (NYSE:ARE  Get Free Report) last released 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). Alexandria Real Estate Equities had a negative return on equity of 1.89% and a negative net margin of 13.43%.The company had revenue of $751.94 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $752.90 million. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.37 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 5.0% on a year-over-year basis. Alexandria Real Estate Equities has set its FY 2025 guidance at 8.980-9.040 EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. will post 9.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Alexandria Real Estate Equities Cuts Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 15th. Investors of record on Wednesday, December 31st were paid a $0.72 dividend. This represents a $2.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, December 31st. Alexandria Real Estate Equitiess dividend payout ratio is currently -116.60%.

Alexandria Real Estate Equities declared that its board has authorized a share buyback program on Monday, December 8th that allows the company to repurchase $500.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the real estate investment trust to purchase up to 6.4% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are generally a sign that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Alexandria Real Estate Equities Company Profile

(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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Strs Ohio decreased its holdings in shares of Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA  Free Report) by 3.0% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 465,260 shares of the specialty retailers stock after selling 14,455 shares during the quarter. Strs Ohios holdings in Alibaba Group were worth $83,156,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of BABA. Verde Servicos Internacionais S.A. raised its holdings in shares of Alibaba Group by 6.9% in the second quarter. Verde Servicos Internacionais S.A. now owns 67,773 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $7,686,000 after acquiring an additional 4,373 shares in the last quarter. NTV Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Alibaba Group by 127.4% in the 3rd quarter. NTV Asset Management LLC now owns 15,143 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $2,707,000 after purchasing an additional 8,484 shares during the period. Ninety One UK Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Alibaba Group in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $15,318,000. Marex Group plc purchased a new position in Alibaba Group during the second quarter valued at approximately $17,139,000. Finally, Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd raised its stake in Alibaba Group by 197.0% in the second quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd now owns 34,225 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $3,881,000 after buying an additional 22,701 shares in the last quarter. 13.47% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Alibaba Group Trading Up 5.2%

BABA opened at $177.46 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 1.46 and a quick ratio of 1.46. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $156.58 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $149.26. The firm has a market capitalization of $423.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.63 and a beta of 0.37. Alibaba Group Holding Limited has a 1-year low of $84.96 and a 1-year high of $192.67.

Trending Headlines about Alibaba Group

Positive Sentiment: Alibaba is preparing an IPO for its AI chipmaking arm, T-Head, restructuring it into a standalone unit (with partial employee ownership) before a potential listing  a move investors view as value-unlocking and timely given strong demand for AI chip plays. Read More.

Alibaba is preparing an IPO for its AI chipmaking arm, T-Head, restructuring it into a standalone unit (with partial employee ownership) before a potential listing  a move investors view as value-unlocking and timely given strong demand for AI chip plays. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Reports say Alibaba formed or plans a JV with state-owned CNNC to secure nuclear power for its AI/data center operations  this addresses the energy needs and cost/availability risks of large-scale AI workloads. Read More.

Reports say Alibaba formed or plans a JV with state-owned CNNC to secure nuclear power for its AI/data center operations  this addresses the energy needs and cost/availability risks of large-scale AI workloads. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Analyst sentiment is turning more bullish: Arete Research upgraded BABA to a buy with a $190 target, reinforcing the positive narrative around growth and AI investments. Read More.

Analyst sentiment is turning more bullish: Arete Research upgraded BABA to a buy with a $190 target, reinforcing the positive narrative around growth and AI investments. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: Industry context: Chinese tech peers are aggressively building AI-powered agentic commerce superapps  a structural trend that benefits Alibaba but also intensifies competition. Read More.

Industry context: Chinese tech peers are aggressively building AI-powered agentic commerce superapps  a structural trend that benefits Alibaba but also intensifies competition. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: Details on the planned T-Head spinout include internal restructuring and employee ownership plans ahead of any IPO  positive for alignment but adds execution and timing risk. Read More.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Here are the key news stories impacting Alibaba Group this week:

BABA has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Citigroup lifted their price target on Alibaba Group from $218.00 to $225.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, November 26th. Benchmark reiterated a buy rating and issued a $195.00 target price on shares of Alibaba Group in a research note on Tuesday, November 25th. Loop Capital set a $140.00 price target on Alibaba Group in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Erste Group Bank upgraded Alibaba Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein reduced their price target on Alibaba Group from $200.00 to $190.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 26th. Eighteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $192.72.

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Alibaba Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

Alibaba Group Holding Limited is a Chinese multinational conglomerate founded in 1999 in Hangzhou, China, by Jack Ma and a group of cofounders. The company built its business around internet-based commerce and related services and has grown into one of the largest e-commerce and technology companies in the world. Alibaba completed a highprofile initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange in 2014.

The company operates a portfolio of online marketplaces and platforms serving different customer segments: Alibaba.com for global and domestic B2B trade, Taobao for consumer-to-consumer shopping, and Tmall for brand and retailer storefronts targeted at Chinese consumers.

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Strs Ohio lowered its position in Visa Inc. (NYSE:V  Free Report) by 4.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 508,517 shares of the credit-card processors stock after selling 21,740 shares during the quarter. Visa accounts for approximately 0.6% of Strs Ohios investment portfolio, making the stock its 21st largest position. Strs Ohios holdings in Visa were worth $173,598,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. BankPlus Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of Visa by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter. BankPlus Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,338 shares of the credit-card processors stock valued at $1,185,000 after buying an additional 29 shares during the last quarter. Transcendent Capital Group LLC boosted its holdings in Visa by 2.9% in the second quarter. Transcendent Capital Group LLC now owns 1,013 shares of the credit-card processors stock valued at $360,000 after acquiring an additional 29 shares during the last quarter. Insight Wealth Strategies LLC raised its holdings in Visa by 1.6% during the 3rd quarter. Insight Wealth Strategies LLC now owns 1,875 shares of the credit-card processors stock worth $640,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares during the last quarter. Old Port Advisors lifted its position in shares of Visa by 0.9% in the 3rd quarter. Old Port Advisors now owns 3,423 shares of the credit-card processors stock worth $1,169,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares during the period. Finally, Interchange Capital Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of Visa by 0.5% in the 2nd quarter. Interchange Capital Partners LLC now owns 6,413 shares of the credit-card processors stock valued at $2,276,000 after purchasing an additional 30 shares during the last quarter. 82.15% 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 weighed in on V shares. Bank of America raised Visa from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $382.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. Citigroup upgraded Visa to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. HSBC upgraded Visa from a hold rating to a buy rating and increased their price target for the stock from $335.00 to $389.00 in a report on Sunday, December 7th. Evercore ISI set a $380.00 target price on shares of Visa in a research report on Friday, December 12th. Finally, KeyCorp restated an overweight rating and issued a $405.00 price target on shares of Visa in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nineteen have issued a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $401.52.

Insider Activity at Visa

In related news, insider Paul D. Fabara sold 2,172 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $325.93, for a total value of $707,919.96. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 26,413 shares in the company, valued at $8,608,789.09. The trade was a 7.60% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Ryan Mcinerney sold 10,485 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $341.00, for a total transaction of $3,575,385.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 537 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $183,117. The trade was a 95.13% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last three months, insiders have sold 24,042 shares of company stock valued at $8,247,289. Corporate insiders own 0.12% of the companys stock.

Visa Price Performance

NYSE V opened at $325.97 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $593.83 billion, a PE ratio of 31.93, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.91 and a beta of 0.81. The company has a quick ratio of 1.08, a current ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $338.57 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $342.71. Visa Inc. has a 52 week low of $299.00 and a 52 week high of $375.51.

Visa (NYSE:V  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The credit-card processor reported $2.98 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.97 by $0.01. Visa had a net margin of 50.15% and a return on equity of 60.31%. The company had revenue of $10.72 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.60 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.71 EPS. Visas revenue for the quarter was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts predict that Visa Inc. will post 11.3 earnings per share for the current year.

Visa Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 12th were paid a dividend of $0.67 per share. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.8%. This is an increase from Visas previous quarterly dividend of $0.59. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, November 12th. Visas dividend payout ratio is presently 26.25%.

Visa News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Visa this week:

About Visa

(Free Report)

Visa Inc is a global payments technology company that facilitates electronic funds transfers and digital commerce by connecting consumers, merchants, financial institutions and governments. The firm operates one of the worlds largest payment networks, providing processing, authorization, clearing and settlement services for credit, debit and prepaid card transactions. Visas network-based model enables partner banks and other issuers to offer branded payment products while Visa focuses on the infrastructure, standards and technologies that move money securely and efficiently around the world.

Visas product and service portfolio includes card-based payment products for consumers and businesses, real-time push-payment capabilities, tokenization and authentication services, fraud and risk-management tools, data analytics and APIs for fintech and merchant integration.

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Teacher Retirement System of Texas lifted its stake in shares of CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS  Free Report) by 97.0% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 682,987 shares of the pharmacy operators stock after buying an additional 336,333 shares during the period. Teacher Retirement System of Texas holdings in CVS Health were worth $51,490,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of CVS. Flagship Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in CVS Health by 67.0% in the 3rd quarter. Flagship Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 581 shares of the pharmacy operators stock valued at $44,000 after buying an additional 233 shares during the period. Naples Global Advisors LLC raised its position in CVS Health by 2.8% during the third quarter. Naples Global Advisors LLC now owns 8,246 shares of the pharmacy operators stock valued at $622,000 after purchasing an additional 221 shares in the last quarter. Strs Ohio lifted its stake in CVS Health by 24.6% during the third quarter. Strs Ohio now owns 1,043,250 shares of the pharmacy operators stock worth $78,651,000 after purchasing an additional 205,718 shares during the last quarter. Woodard & Co. Asset Management Group Inc. ADV boosted its holdings in shares of CVS Health by 15.1% in the 3rd quarter. Woodard & Co. Asset Management Group Inc. ADV now owns 28,383 shares of the pharmacy operators stock valued at $2,140,000 after purchasing an additional 3,721 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CNB Bank raised its holdings in shares of CVS Health by 21.3% during the 3rd quarter. CNB Bank now owns 1,179 shares of the pharmacy operators stock worth $89,000 after buying an additional 207 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 80.66% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have issued reports on CVS shares. Wall Street Zen cut CVS Health from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, November 1st. Truist Financial set a $100.00 price target on shares of CVS Health in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. TD Cowen upped their price objective on shares of CVS Health from $100.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c-) rating on shares of CVS Health in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an outperform rating on shares of CVS Health in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. Nineteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $94.86.

CVS Health Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:CVS opened at $82.65 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83, a quick ratio of 0.63 and a current ratio of 0.83. CVS Health Corporation has a 52 week low of $52.69 and a 52 week high of $85.15. The firm has a market cap of $104.92 billion, a PE ratio of 217.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.75 and a beta of 0.48. The firms fifty day moving average is $78.95 and its 200-day moving average is $74.62.

CVS Health (NYSE:CVS  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The pharmacy operator reported $1.60 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.36 by $0.24. CVS Health had a return on equity of 11.45% and a net margin of 0.12%.The firm had revenue of $102.87 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $98.85 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.09 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 7.8% on a year-over-year basis. CVS Health has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.550-6.650 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that CVS Health Corporation will post 5.89 earnings per share for the current year.

CVS Health Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 2nd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 22nd will be given a $0.665 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 22nd. This represents a $2.66 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.2%. CVS Healths payout ratio is 700.00%.

CVS Health News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting CVS Health this week:

CVS Health Company Profile

(Free Report)

CVS Health Corporation is a diversified healthcare company that operates a large network of retail pharmacies, pharmacy benefit management services and health care solutions. Headquartered in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, the company traces its roots to the early 1960s and has grown into an integrated provider of prescription drugs, overthecounter products, clinical services and health insurance offerings. Its operating model combines retail pharmacy locations and instore clinics with broader pharmacy and health plan capabilities.

Key business activities include CVS Pharmacy retail operations, MinuteClinic walkin medical clinics and HealthHUB locations that offer expanded clinical services.

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Teacher Retirement System of Texas lowered its position in shares of Arista Networks, Inc. (NYSE:ANET  Free Report) by 41.1% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 395,148 shares of the technology companys stock after selling 275,222 shares during the quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas holdings in Arista Networks were worth $57,577,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Walkner Condon Financial Advisors LLC grew its stake in Arista Networks by 0.4% during the third quarter. Walkner Condon Financial Advisors LLC now owns 18,509 shares of the technology companys stock worth $2,697,000 after buying an additional 70 shares during the last quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc boosted its holdings in shares of Arista Networks by 56.7% in the 3rd quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc now owns 199 shares of the technology companys stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 72 shares in the last quarter. Crown Wealth Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Arista Networks by 2.4% in the 3rd quarter. Crown Wealth Group LLC now owns 3,175 shares of the technology companys stock worth $463,000 after acquiring an additional 75 shares in the last quarter. Fragasso Financial Advisors Inc grew its holdings in shares of Arista Networks by 1.8% during the third quarter. Fragasso Financial Advisors Inc now owns 4,237 shares of the technology companys stock worth $616,000 after purchasing an additional 76 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Stablepoint Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of Arista Networks by 0.8% in the second quarter. Stablepoint Partners LLC now owns 9,406 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $962,000 after buying an additional 77 shares in the last quarter. 82.47% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Transactions at Arista Networks

In other news, Director Charles H. Giancarlo sold 8,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, January 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $133.79, for a total value of $1,070,320.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 17,784 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,379,321.36. The trade was a 31.03% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Kenneth Duda sold 30,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, November 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $128.61, for a total transaction of $3,858,300.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 12,976 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,668,843.36. This represents a 69.81% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold a total of 216,464 shares of company stock valued at $27,687,068 over the last three months. 3.39% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Arista Networks Price Performance

Shares of ANET stock opened at $138.41 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $174.30 billion, a PE ratio of 52.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.14 and a beta of 1.41. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $128.52 and a 200-day moving average of $133.47. Arista Networks, Inc. has a one year low of $59.43 and a one year high of $164.94.

Arista Networks (NYSE:ANET  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The technology company reported $0.75 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.72 by $0.03. Arista Networks had a net margin of 39.73% and a return on equity of 30.28%. The business had revenue of $2.31 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.26 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.40 EPS. Arista Networkss quarterly revenue was up 27.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Arista Networks, Inc. will post 2.2 earnings per share for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms recently issued reports on ANET. Erste Group Bank cut Arista Networks from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, November 10th. Rosenblatt Securities reaffirmed a neutral rating and issued a $140.00 target price on shares of Arista Networks in a research note on Monday, November 24th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on Arista Networks from $171.00 to $159.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Barclays reaffirmed an overweight rating and issued a $183.00 target price (up previously from $179.00) on shares of Arista Networks in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Arista Networks in a report on Monday, December 29th. Seventeen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $164.44.

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Arista Networks Profile

(Free Report)

Arista Networks, Inc is a technology company that designs and sells cloud networking solutions for large-scale data centers and enterprise environments. The company is best known for its high-performance switching and routing platforms, which are used to build scalable, low-latency networks for cloud service providers, internet companies, financial services, telecommunications, and enterprise IT. Aristas offerings emphasize programmability, automation and telemetry to support modern, software-driven network architectures.

Central to Aristas product portfolio is its Extensible Operating System (EOS), a modular network operating system that provides consistent programmability, stateful control and advanced visibility across the companys hardware platforms.

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Teacher Retirement System of Texas trimmed its position in The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX  Free Report) by 4.8% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 569,298 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock after selling 28,469 shares during the period. Teacher Retirement System of Texas holdings in TJX Companies were worth $82,286,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in TJX Companies by 0.7% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 101,141,056 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $12,489,909,000 after acquiring an additional 727,292 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its position in TJX Companies by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 48,595,536 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $6,001,063,000 after purchasing an additional 285,737 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of TJX Companies by 1.2% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 26,070,916 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $3,205,927,000 after purchasing an additional 301,127 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of TJX Companies during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,808,774,000. Finally, Invesco Ltd. raised its stake in shares of TJX Companies by 0.9% during the second quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 9,081,087 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $1,121,423,000 after buying an additional 80,487 shares during the last quarter. 91.09% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Buying and Selling at TJX Companies

In other TJX Companies news, CEO Ernie Herrman sold 24,363 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $151.31, for a total transaction of $3,686,365.53. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 510,780 shares of the companys stock, valued at $77,286,121.80. The trade was a 4.55% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Director Amy B. Lane sold 500 shares of the firms 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 transaction, the director owned 22,212 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,362,896.80. The trade was a 2.20% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold a total of 54,863 shares of company stock worth $8,226,366 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

TJX Companies Stock Down 1.6%

TJX stock opened at $153.32 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a current ratio of 1.09 and a quick ratio of 0.43. The stock has a market capitalization of $170.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.85, a P/E/G ratio of 3.27 and a beta of 0.75. The TJX Companies, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $112.10 and a fifty-two week high of $159.48. The business has a 50-day moving average of $153.77 and a 200-day moving average of $142.55.

TJX Companies (NYSE:TJX  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, November 19th. The apparel and home fashions retailer reported $1.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.22 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $15.12 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.80 billion. TJX Companies had a return on equity of 58.30% and a net margin of 8.68%.TJX Companiess revenue for the quarter was up 7.5% compared to the same quarter last year. 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. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that The TJX Companies, Inc. will post 4.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

TJX Companies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 5th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 12th will be given 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 yield of 1.1%. TJX Companiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 37.53%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on TJX shares. Bank of America raised their price objective on shares of TJX Companies from $150.00 to $168.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b+) rating on shares of TJX Companies in a research note on Wednesday. Guggenheim upgraded TJX Companies to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Telsey Advisory Group reissued an outperform rating and issued a $170.00 target price on shares of TJX Companies in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on TJX Companies from $150.00 to $154.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and twenty-two have assigned a Buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, TJX Companies presently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $163.86.

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TJX Companies Profile

(Free Report)

TJX Companies, Inc is a leading off-price retailer of apparel, footwear, home fashions and other consumer goods. The company operates multiple retail concepts that offer discounted brand-name and designer merchandise, including well-known banners such as T.J. Maxx and Marshalls in the United States, HomeGoods for home furnishings, TK Maxx in parts of Europe, and Winners and Homesense in Canada. Merchandise categories span womens, mens and childrens apparel, accessories, beauty, home decor, kitchenware and small furniture, with frequent changes in assortment that create a treasure-hunt shopping experience for consumers.

The companys business model centers on opportunistic buying, purchasing excess, irregular or out-of-season inventory from manufacturers, department stores and other suppliers, and passing savings to customers through lower prices.

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Travelers Companies (NYSE:TRV  Get Free Report) had its price objective upped by investment analysts at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods from $317.00 to $320.00 in a report issued on Friday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has an outperform rating on the insurance providers stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods price objective indicates a potential upside of 14.89% from the stocks current price.

A number of other equities research analysts have also recently weighed in on TRV. Evercore ISI boosted their price objective on Travelers Companies from $309.00 to $317.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered shares of Travelers Companies from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $304.00 price objective on the stock. in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Mizuho decreased their target price on shares of Travelers Companies from $315.00 to $304.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Thursday. UBS Group boosted their price target on Travelers Companies from $284.00 to $287.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Piper Sandler lifted their target price on Travelers Companies from $320.00 to $322.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating, twelve have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $299.67.

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Travelers Companies Price Performance

Shares of TRV opened at $278.53 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 0.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $285.38 and its 200-day simple moving average is $275.51. The firm has a market capitalization of $62.13 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.12, a PEG ratio of 2.60 and a beta of 0.52. Travelers Companies has a twelve month low of $230.43 and a twelve month high of $296.85.

Travelers Companies (NYSE:TRV  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 21st. The insurance provider reported $11.13 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $8.34 by $2.79. The company had revenue of $12.43 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.13 billion. Travelers Companies had a return on equity of 20.70% and a net margin of 12.88%.Travelers Companiess quarterly revenue was up 3.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $9.15 earnings per share. Equities analysts forecast that Travelers Companies will post 17.02 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Travelers Companies announced that its board has approved a share repurchase plan on Wednesday, January 21st that allows the company to repurchase $5.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the insurance provider to buy up to 8.3% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are typically an indication that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Activity at Travelers Companies

In related news, Vice Chairman William H. Heyman sold 2,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $287.50, for a total value of $575,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 255,086 shares in the company, valued at $73,337,225. This trade represents a 0.78% 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, EVP Maria Olivo sold 8,920 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $295.73, for a total transaction of $2,637,911.60. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 117,596 shares in the company, valued at $34,776,665.08. The trade was a 7.05% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last quarter, insiders sold 46,295 shares of company stock valued at $13,011,918. Company insiders own 1.46% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Travelers Companies

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of TRV. Avalon Trust Co increased its position in shares of Travelers Companies by 23.4% in the 2nd quarter. Avalon Trust Co now owns 7,541 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $2,018,000 after buying an additional 1,429 shares in the last quarter. Liberty One Investment Management LLC raised its position in shares of Travelers Companies by 32.3% during the third quarter. Liberty One Investment Management LLC now owns 26,228 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $7,323,000 after purchasing an additional 6,408 shares during the period. CWM LLC grew its position in shares of Travelers Companies by 11.3% in the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 135,143 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $37,735,000 after purchasing an additional 13,758 shares during the period. Nordea Investment Management AB increased its stake in Travelers Companies by 1,641.3% during the 3rd quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 379,480 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $105,537,000 after purchasing an additional 357,687 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI raised its holdings in Travelers Companies by 21.9% during the 3rd quarter. Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI now owns 45,078 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $12,587,000 after buying an additional 8,090 shares during the period. 82.45% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key Headlines Impacting Travelers Companies

Here are the key news stories impacting Travelers Companies this week:

Travelers Companies Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

The Travelers Companies, Inc (NYSE: TRV) is a leading provider of property and casualty insurance products and services. The company underwrites a broad range of commercial and personal insurance lines, offering coverage designed to protect individuals, small and midsize businesses, and large corporate clients against property loss, liability, and other operational risks. Travelers is known for combining underwriting, claims management and risk control services to help clients prevent losses and recover when incidents occur.

On the commercial side, Travelers writes primary and specialty coverages including property, general liability, commercial auto, workers compensation, professional and management liability, surety and inland marine.

Further Reading

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Truist Financial Corporation (NYSE:TFC  Get Free Report) has received an average rating of Hold from the fourteen research firms that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price target among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $53.20.

A number of analysts recently issued reports on TFC shares. UBS Group set a $55.00 price target on shares of Truist Financial in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Raymond James Financial raised their price objective on shares of Truist Financial from $50.00 to $56.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a buy rating and issued a $58.00 target price on shares of Truist Financial in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Piper Sandler increased their price target on shares of Truist Financial from $50.00 to $53.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price target on Truist Financial from $49.00 to $53.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th.

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Truist Financial Trading Up 0.6%

NYSE:TFC opened at $50.30 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $64.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.20, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.95 and a beta of 0.89. Truist Financial has a one year low of $33.56 and a one year high of $51.51. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a current ratio of 0.87. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $48.65 and its 200 day simple moving average is $46.14.

Truist Financial (NYSE:TFC  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 21st. The insurance provider reported $1.00 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.09 by ($0.09). Truist Financial had a return on equity of 9.03% and a net margin of 17.09%.The business had revenue of $5.30 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.32 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.91 earnings per share. Truist Financials revenue for the quarter was up 3.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Truist Financial will post 4 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Truist Financial declared that its board has approved a share repurchase program on Tuesday, December 16th that allows the company to repurchase $10.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the insurance provider to reacquire up to 15.7% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are usually an indication that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Truist Financial Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 14th were given a $0.52 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 14th. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.1%. Truist Financials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 55.91%.

Key Headlines Impacting Truist Financial

Here are the key news stories impacting Truist Financial this week:

Positive Sentiment: TD Cowen raised its price target on TFC to $60 and maintained a buy rating, implying roughly ~19% upside from current levels  supportive analyst sentiment that can lift the stock. Benzinga

TD Cowen raised its price target on TFC to $60 and maintained a buy rating, implying roughly ~19% upside from current levels  supportive analyst sentiment that can lift the stock. Positive Sentiment: Some outlets report Truist delivered an adjusted Q4 EPS beat (reported $1.12 vs. the Zacks consensus $1.09), and year-over-year EPS improvement  this stronger-than-expected profitability on an adjusted basis is a near-term positive for shares. Zacks: Earnings Beat

Some outlets report Truist delivered an adjusted Q4 EPS beat (reported $1.12 vs. the Zacks consensus $1.09), and year-over-year EPS improvement  this stronger-than-expected profitability on an adjusted basis is a near-term positive for shares. Neutral Sentiment: Truist posted its full Q4 release, slide deck and earnings call materials  useful for investors who want to dig into line-item trends (NII, fees, loan growth and provisioning). PR Newswire: Q4 Release

Truist posted its full Q4 release, slide deck and earnings call materials  useful for investors who want to dig into line-item trends (NII, fees, loan growth and provisioning). Neutral Sentiment: Company updated Q1 and FY2026 revenue guidance with ranges slightly below consensus (Q1: ~$5.15.2B vs. consensus ~$5.2B; FY: $21.321.5B vs. ~$21.4B)  guidance is broadly in line but offers limited upside visibility. Slide Deck

Company updated Q1 and FY2026 revenue guidance with ranges slightly below consensus (Q1: ~$5.15.2B vs. consensus ~$5.2B; FY: $21.321.5B vs. ~$21.4B)  guidance is broadly in line but offers limited upside visibility. Negative Sentiment: Other reports show a weaker headline EPS (MarketBeat cited $1.00, missing estimates) and revenue slightly shy of expectations  conflicting presentations of GAAP vs. adjusted results can pressure sentiment. MarketBeat: Q4 Results

Other reports show a weaker headline EPS (MarketBeat cited $1.00, missing estimates) and revenue slightly shy of expectations  conflicting presentations of GAAP vs. adjusted results can pressure sentiment. Negative Sentiment: Analysts and coverage note rising operating expenses and higher credit provisions offsetting NII/fee gains, and commentary that growth is muted  Seeking Alpha highlighted a downgrade and skepticism that buybacks will offset slower underlying growth. Those factors are weighing on the stock. Seeking Alpha: Downgrade

Insider Buying and Selling at Truist Financial

In other news, Director K. David Jr. Boyer sold 5,160 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $46.45, for a total value of $239,682.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 10,153 shares in the company, valued at approximately $471,606.85. This trade represents a 33.70% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.17% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Truist Financial

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of TFC. Aspect Partners LLC grew its holdings in shares of Truist Financial by 71.5% during the second quarter. Aspect Partners LLC now owns 643 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 268 shares during the last quarter. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. acquired a new position in Truist Financial during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC bought a new position in Truist Financial during the 2nd quarter worth $30,000. Capital A Wealth Management LLC increased its position in Truist Financial by 1,189.5% in the second quarter. Capital A Wealth Management LLC now owns 735 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 678 shares during the period. Finally, Darwin Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in Truist Financial by 631.6% in the third quarter. Darwin Wealth Management LLC now owns 695 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 600 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.28% of the companys stock.

About Truist Financial

(Get Free Report)

Truist Financial Corporation is an American bank holding company that provides a broad range of financial services through its primary subsidiary, Truist Bank, and other operating units. The company offers traditional retail banking products and services such as deposit accounts, consumer and residential mortgage lending, and credit and debit card services. Truist also serves commercial clients with middle-market and corporate lending, treasury and payment solutions, and specialty finance products.

Beyond core banking, Truist operates wealth management, asset management, insurance and capital markets businesses.

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Maryland State Retirement & Pension System reduced its position in shares of United Community Banks, Inc. (NYSE:UCB  Free Report) by 51.1% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 17,463 shares of the companys stock after selling 18,244 shares during the period. Maryland State Retirement & Pension Systems holdings in United Community Banks were worth $547,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in United Community Banks during the 2nd quarter worth $42,061,000. Stieven Capital Advisors L.P. acquired a new stake in shares of United Community Banks during the second quarter valued at about $5,362,000. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of United Community Banks by 427.6% during the second quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 139,984 shares of the companys stock worth $4,170,000 after acquiring an additional 113,454 shares during the last quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd increased its position in shares of United Community Banks by 35.7% during the second quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd now owns 372,289 shares of the companys stock worth $11,090,000 after acquiring an additional 97,851 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Invesco Ltd. boosted its holdings in United Community Banks by 6.2% in the second quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,607,186 shares of the companys stock valued at $47,878,000 after purchasing an additional 93,853 shares during the last quarter. 82.29% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, EVP Richard Bradshaw sold 1,654 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $30.23, for a total transaction of $50,000.42. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 75,226 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,274,081.98. This represents a 2.15% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.43% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

United Community Banks Stock Performance

Shares of UCB opened at $35.13 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.27 billion, a PE ratio of 13.46 and a beta of 0.83. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $31.93 and its 200 day moving average price is $31.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03, a current ratio of 0.81 and a quick ratio of 0.81. United Community Banks, Inc. has a 12-month low of $22.93 and a 12-month high of $35.72.

United Community Banks (NYSE:UCB  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, January 14th. The company reported $0.71 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.73 by ($0.02). United Community Banks had a return on equity of 9.49% and a net margin of 21.35%.The business had revenue of $278.39 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $273.80 million. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.61 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 11.0% on a year-over-year basis.

United Community Banks declared that its Board of Directors has approved a share buyback program on Monday, December 8th that authorizes the company to buyback $100.00 million in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the company to repurchase up to 2.6% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are generally an indication that the companys board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

United Community Banks Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, January 5th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 15th were issued a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 15th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.8%. United Community Bankss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 38.31%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

UCB has been the topic of several analyst reports. DA Davidson lifted their price objective on United Community Banks from $38.00 to $39.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, January 15th. Stephens lifted their price target on shares of United Community Banks from $37.00 to $39.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, January 15th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price target on shares of United Community Banks from $34.00 to $36.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Thursday, January 15th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of United Community Banks in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded shares of United Community Banks from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 15th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have assigned a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, United Community Banks presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $37.50.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on United Community Banks

United Community Banks Profile

(Free Report)

United Community Banks, Inc (NYSE: UCB) is a bank holding company headquartered in Blairsville, Georgia. It operates primarily through its subsidiary, United Community Bank, providing a broad range of banking and financial services to individual, business and governmental customers. The companys core offerings include deposit accounts, commercial and consumer lending, mortgage origination, treasury and cash management services, and wealth management.

In addition to traditional banking products such as checking, savings and money market accounts, United Community Bank specializes in commercial real estate financing, small business administration (SBA) loans, equipment financing and agricultural lending.

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Shares of Valeo S.A. (OTCMKTS:VLEEY  Get Free Report) gapped up before the market opened on Friday . The stock had previously closed at $6.93, but opened at $7.2425. Valeo shares last traded at $7.2299, with a volume of 486 shares trading hands.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on VLEEY shares. Sanford C. Bernstein cut Valeo from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a hold rating on shares of Valeo in a research note on Thursday, January 15th. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a hold rating on shares of Valeo in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Citigroup restated a neutral rating on shares of Valeo in a research note on Monday, October 6th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reissued an overweight rating on shares of Valeo in a report on Thursday, January 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has assigned a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold.

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Valeo Stock Performance

Valeo Company Profile

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.23, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a current ratio of 0.79. The firms 50 day moving average price is $6.70 and its 200-day moving average price is $6.32.

(Get Free Report)

Valeo is a global automotive supplier headquartered in the Paris region, with its American depositary shares trading OTC under the symbol VLEEY. Founded in France in the early 20th century, the company has grown to serve original equipment manufacturers, automakers and the aftermarket with a comprehensive portfolio of mobility solutions. Valeos mission centers on providing innovative systems and components that enhance vehicle performance, safety and environmental sustainability.

The company operates across four main business segments.

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Vanguard Capital Wealth Advisors trimmed its position in Sibanye Gold Limited (NYSE:SBSW  Free Report) by 73.0% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 23,663 shares of the companys stock after selling 64,027 shares during the period. Vanguard Capital Wealth Advisors holdings in Sibanye Gold were worth $266,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in SBSW. Foster Group Inc. acquired a new position in Sibanye Gold in the third quarter worth about $1,424,000. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership grew its holdings in shares of Sibanye Gold by 1,136.5% in the 2nd quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 3,495,525 shares of the companys stock worth $25,238,000 after purchasing an additional 3,212,833 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its position in shares of Sibanye Gold by 112.2% during the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 4,213 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 2,228 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its position in shares of Sibanye Gold by 32,992.0% during the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 6,405,288 shares of the companys stock worth $46,246,000 after purchasing an additional 6,385,932 shares in the last quarter. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. lifted its holdings in Sibanye Gold by 31.2% during the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,996,606 shares of the companys stock valued at $14,415,000 after purchasing an additional 474,386 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 34.93% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on SBSW shares. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Sibanye Gold from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 1st. Wall Street Zen upgraded Sibanye Gold from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, December 22nd. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d-) rating on shares of Sibanye Gold in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has given a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $6.90.

Sibanye Gold Price Performance

Sibanye Gold stock opened at $18.17 on Friday. Sibanye Gold Limited has a 1 year low of $3.05 and a 1 year high of $18.53. The companys 50-day moving average is $14.15 and its two-hundred day moving average is $11.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.96, a quick ratio of 1.53 and a current ratio of 2.89.

Sibanye Gold Company Profile

(Free Report)

Sibanye Gold (NYSE:SBSW) is a precious metals mining company headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa. The companys core operations focus on the extraction, processing and exploration of gold. Through its South African gold mining operations, Sibanye Gold produces dore bars, gold in concentrate and carbon-in-leach product, leveraging both underground and surface mining techniques. The company also generates by-products such as uranium, copper and nickel, reflecting its commitment to maximizing resource recovery.

In addition to its South African footprint, Sibanye Gold has expanded into the platinumgroup metals (PGM) sector through its acquisition of Stillwater Mining Company in 2017.

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Vest Financial LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Old Republic International Corporation (NYSE:ORI  Free Report) in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor purchased 35,731 shares of the insurance providers stock, valued at approximately $1,517,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of ORI. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Old Republic International by 55.7% in the second quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 5,779,156 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $221,457,000 after purchasing an additional 2,066,965 shares in the last quarter. Hamlin Capital Management LLC grew its stake in Old Republic International by 0.3% in the 2nd quarter. Hamlin Capital Management LLC now owns 5,207,228 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $200,166,000 after buying an additional 15,920 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its holdings in shares of Old Republic International by 3.1% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 3,009,780 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $115,696,000 after buying an additional 91,544 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Old Republic International during the 2nd quarter valued at $115,071,000. Finally, LSV Asset Management lifted its holdings in shares of Old Republic International by 43.7% during the 2nd quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 2,702,316 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $103,877,000 after acquiring an additional 821,975 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.92% of the companys stock.

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Old Republic International Stock Performance

Old Republic International stock opened at $39.08 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $44.48 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $41.33. The company has a quick ratio of 0.26, a current ratio of 0.26 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. Old Republic International Corporation has a twelve month low of $34.43 and a twelve month high of $46.76. The company has a market capitalization of $9.67 billion, a PE ratio of 13.07 and a beta of 0.76.

Old Republic International Dividend Announcement

Old Republic International ( NYSE:ORI Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 22nd. The insurance provider reported $0.74 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.89 by ($0.15). Old Republic International had a net margin of 9.53% and a return on equity of 17.11%. The company had revenue of $2.39 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.31 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.90 earnings per share. Research analysts expect that Old Republic International Corporation will post 3.17 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a special dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 2nd were given a $2.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, January 2nd. Old Republic Internationals payout ratio is presently 38.80%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently commented on ORI shares. Piper Sandler reissued a neutral rating and issued a $38.00 target price (down previously from $51.00) on shares of Old Republic International in a research note on Thursday. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (a) rating on shares of Old Republic International in a report on Wednesday, December 24th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $42.50.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Old Republic International

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Therace Risch purchased 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 3rd. The stock was bought at an average cost of $39.14 per share, for a total transaction of $39,140.00. Following the acquisition, the director directly owned 10,625 shares of the companys stock, valued at $415,862.50. This represents a 10.39% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, SVP Carolyn Monroe sold 6,680 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, November 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $44.54, for a total transaction of $297,527.20. Following the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 29,075 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,295,000.50. The trade was a 18.68% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Corporate insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock.

Old Republic International News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Old Republic International this week:

Positive Sentiment: Title insurance shows momentum, especially in commercial segments, which management highlighted as a growth driver for the business and a bright spot in Q4. Read More.

Title insurance shows momentum, especially in commercial segments, which management highlighted as a growth driver for the business and a bright spot in Q4. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Top-line beat  Q4 revenue of $2.39B exceeded consensus (~$2.31B), supporting the view that core businesses are growing even as underwriting strains appear. Read More.

Top-line beat  Q4 revenue of $2.39B exceeded consensus (~$2.31B), supporting the view that core businesses are growing even as underwriting strains appear. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Investment portfolio described as conservative and yield-accretive, which helps interest-rate sensitivity and supports future investment income. Read More.

Investment portfolio described as conservative and yield-accretive, which helps interest-rate sensitivity and supports future investment income. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: Company provided full earnings materials (press release, slide deck) and an earnings-call transcript  useful for investors digging into reserve detail and segment metrics. Read More.

Company provided full earnings materials (press release, slide deck) and an earnings-call transcript  useful for investors digging into reserve detail and segment metrics. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: GAAP net income rose year-over-year, but net operating income (excluding investment gains/losses) fell to $184.7M from $227.0M  a mixed profitability signal. Read More.

GAAP net income rose year-over-year, but net operating income (excluding investment gains/losses) fell to $184.7M from $227.0M  a mixed profitability signal. Read More. Negative Sentiment: EPS miss: Q4 EPS of $0.74 missed consensus ~$0.89, prompting investor concern over earnings momentum and contributing to downward pressure on the stock. Read More.

EPS miss: Q4 EPS of $0.74 missed consensus ~$0.89, prompting investor concern over earnings momentum and contributing to downward pressure on the stock. Read More. Negative Sentiment: Underwriting weakness: a ~96% combined ratio in Q4 (driven by trucking reserve additions) raised margin concerns and suggests potential for continued pressure on underwriting profitability into 2026. Read More.

Underwriting weakness: a ~96% combined ratio in Q4 (driven by trucking reserve additions) raised margin concerns and suggests potential for continued pressure on underwriting profitability into 2026. Read More. Negative Sentiment: Analyst reaction and downgrade: Piper Sandler cut ORI to Neutral and trimmed its price target to $38 (from $51), citing the earnings miss and margin risk  a near-term negative for sentiment. Read More.

About Old Republic International

(Free Report)

Old Republic International Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in the insurance underwriting and related services business primarily in the United States and Canada. It operates through three segments: General Insurance, Title Insurance, and Republic Financial Indemnity Group Run-off Business. The General Insurance segment offers aviation, commercial auto, commercial multi-peril, commercial property, general liability, home and auto warranty, inland marine, travel accident, and workers' compensation insurance products; and financial indemnity products for specialty coverages, including errors and omissions, fidelity, directors and officers, and surety.

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Vest Financial LLC grew its position in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP  Free Report) by 36.5% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 13,294 shares of the railroad operators stock after acquiring an additional 3,556 shares during the quarter. Vest Financial LLCs holdings in Union Pacific were worth $3,142,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Scissortail Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 2.7% in the third quarter. Scissortail Wealth Management LLC now owns 21,532 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $5,090,000 after purchasing an additional 572 shares in the last quarter. Boomfish Wealth Group LLC grew its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 4.0% in the 3rd quarter. Boomfish Wealth Group LLC now owns 7,543 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $1,783,000 after buying an additional 291 shares in the last quarter. Grey Fox Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the 3rd quarter worth about $49,000. First Interstate Bank increased its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 9.0% in the 3rd quarter. First Interstate Bank now owns 19,635 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $4,641,000 after buying an additional 1,625 shares during the last quarter. Finally, McAdam LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the 3rd quarter valued at about $212,000. 80.38% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Union Pacific Trading Up 0.9%

Shares of NYSE UNP opened at $231.44 on Friday. Union Pacific Corporation has a 1-year low of $204.66 and a 1-year high of $256.84. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $231.09 and a 200 day moving average price of $226.98. The stock has a market capitalization of $137.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.64 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 Announces Dividend

Union Pacific ( NYSE:UNP Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.08 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.99 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $6.24 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.24 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 28.73% and a return on equity of 42.23%. The firms revenue was up 2.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.75 earnings per share. Equities research analysts expect that Union Pacific Corporation will post 11.99 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 5th were given a $1.38 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 5th. This represents a $5.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.4%. Union Pacifics payout ratio is presently 46.90%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts recently commented on UNP shares. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $263.00 price target on Union Pacific and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Barclays reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $285.00 target price (up previously from $270.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. TD Cowen reissued a buy rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, October 24th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada set a $280.00 target price on Union Pacific in a research report on Thursday, December 18th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Buy rating and eleven have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $259.58.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on UNP

About Union Pacific

(Free Report)

Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP) is one of the largest freight railroad companies in the United States. Its principal operating subsidiary, Union Pacific Railroad, has roots that trace back to the Pacific Railway Act of 1862 and the construction of the first transcontinental rail link completed in 1869. The company is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, and operates as a holding company for rail transportation and related services.

Union Pacifics core business is the movement of freight by rail across an extensive rail network serving the western twothirds of the United States.

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WBH Advisory Inc. decreased its position in iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:DGRO  Free Report) by 42.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 59,816 shares of the companys stock after selling 43,238 shares during the period. WBH Advisory Inc.s holdings in iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF were worth $4,072,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Dagco Inc. boosted its position in shares of iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF by 2.4% in the 3rd quarter. Dagco Inc. now owns 510,449 shares of the companys stock worth $34,751,000 after purchasing an additional 12,022 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can increased its holdings in iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF by 25.8% during the second quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 48,384 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,094,000 after buying an additional 9,936 shares during the last quarter. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp raised its position in iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF by 39.4% in the second quarter. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp now owns 10,612 shares of the companys stock worth $679,000 after acquiring an additional 3,001 shares during the period. American Trust boosted its stake in shares of iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF by 44.5% during the 2nd quarter. American Trust now owns 917,657 shares of the companys stock worth $58,675,000 after acquiring an additional 282,505 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Asset Dedication LLC boosted its stake in shares of iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF by 21.4% during the 2nd quarter. Asset Dedication LLC now owns 118,356 shares of the companys stock worth $7,568,000 after acquiring an additional 20,867 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF Price Performance

NYSEARCA:DGRO opened at $71.23 on Friday. iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF has a one year low of $54.09 and a one year high of $71.66. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $69.81 and a 200-day moving average price of $67.88. The firm has a market capitalization of $37.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.66 and a beta of 0.84.

iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF Profile

The iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Morningstar US Dividend Growth index. The fund tracks an index of US stocks that are selected by dividends, dividend growth and payout ratio, then weighted by dividend dollars. DGRO was launched on Jun 10, 2014 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Wendell David Associates Inc. reduced its stake in Danaher Corporation (NYSE:DHR  Free Report) by 5.1% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 49,167 shares of the conglomerates stock after selling 2,665 shares during the period. Danaher makes up approximately 1.0% of Wendell David Associates Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 28th largest holding. Wendell David Associates Inc.s holdings in Danaher were worth $9,748,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of DHR. WFA of San Diego LLC acquired a new position in Danaher during the second quarter worth $26,000. Howard Hughes Medical Institute acquired a new stake in shares of Danaher in the 2nd quarter valued at $27,000. TruNorth Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Danaher in the 3rd quarter worth about $28,000. Tripletail Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Danaher during the 3rd quarter worth about $31,000. Finally, Red Tortoise LLC increased its position in shares of Danaher by 175.0% during the 2nd quarter. Red Tortoise LLC now owns 154 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 98 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 79.05% of the companys stock.

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Danaher Stock Down 0.9%

Shares of DHR opened at $239.99 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $169.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 49.48, a PEG ratio of 3.68 and a beta of 0.89. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a current ratio of 1.52. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $229.99 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $212.84. Danaher Corporation has a 52 week low of $171.00 and a 52 week high of $258.23.

Danaher Dividend Announcement

Danaher ( NYSE:DHR Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Monday, October 20th. The conglomerate reported $1.89 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.72 by $0.17. Danaher had a return on equity of 10.92% and a net margin of 14.44%.The company had revenue of $6.05 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.71 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 4.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts predict that Danaher Corporation will post 7.63 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 26th will be issued a dividend of $0.32 per share. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 26th. Danahers payout ratio is currently 26.39%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have commented on the stock. Guggenheim boosted their price target on shares of Danaher from $250.00 to $275.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, January 2nd. Rothschild & Co Redburn reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $220.00 target price (down previously from $245.00) on shares of Danaher in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on Danaher from $265.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on Danaher from $260.00 to $270.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Finally, Redburn Partners set a $220.00 price objective on Danaher in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Twenty research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $252.09.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Danaher

In other Danaher news, SVP Georgeann Couchara sold 5,174 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $210.42, for a total transaction of $1,088,713.08. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 2,625 shares in the company, valued at approximately $552,352.50. This represents a 66.34% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Brian W. Ellis sold 21,776 shares of Danaher stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $219.23, for a total transaction of $4,773,952.48. Following the sale, the senior vice president owned 14,553 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,190,454.19. This represents a 59.94% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last three months, insiders have sold 30,248 shares of company stock worth $6,609,663. Company insiders own 11.10% of the companys stock.

About Danaher

(Free Report)

Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR) is a global science and technology company that designs, manufactures and markets products and services for the life sciences, diagnostics, and environmental and applied markets. The company organizes its operations into business segments focused on Life Sciences, Diagnostics, and Environmental & Applied Solutions, supplying instruments, reagents, software and related services that support research, clinical testing, biopharmaceutical development, and industrial and environmental monitoring.

Products and services in Danahers portfolio include analytical and diagnostic instruments, laboratory consumables and reagents, digital and software solutions for workflow and data management, field and industrial monitoring equipment, and service and maintenance programs.

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Atalaya Mining (LON:ATYM  Free Report) had its target price hoisted by Royal Bank Of Canada from GBX 1,000 to GBX 1,075 in a research report report published on Thursday, Marketbeat reports. Royal Bank Of Canada currently has an outperform rating on the stock.

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Several other brokerages have also recently issued reports on ATYM. Canaccord Genuity Group restated a buy rating and set a GBX 830 target price on shares of Atalaya Mining in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. Berenberg Bank boosted their price objective on Atalaya Mining from GBX 930 to GBX 1,000 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 14th. Finally, Peel Hunt restated a buy rating and set a GBX 705 price objective on shares of Atalaya Mining in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat, Atalaya Mining currently has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of GBX 902.50.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Atalaya Mining

Atalaya Mining Price Performance

About Atalaya Mining

Atalaya Mining stock opened at GBX 956 on Thursday. Atalaya Mining has a 52-week low of GBX 275.29 and a 52-week high of GBX 974. The company has a quick ratio of 1.64, a current ratio of 1.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.71. The firms fifty day moving average is GBX 801.46 and its 200 day moving average is GBX 646.34. The company has a market cap of 1.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.86, a PEG ratio of -2.02 and a beta of 1.64.

(Get Free Report)

Atalaya is a European copper producer that owns and operates the Proyecto Riotinto complex in southwest Spain. Atalayas shares trade on the London Stock Exchanges Main Market under the symbol ATYM.

Atalayas operations include the Cerro Colorado open pit mine and a modern 15 Mtpa processing plant, which has the potential to become a central processing hub for ore sourced from its wholly owned regional projects around Riotinto, such as Proyecto Masa Valverde and Proyecto Riotinto East. In addition, Atalaya has a phased earn-in agreement for up to 80% ownership of Cobre San Rafael S.L., which fully owns the Proyecto Touro brownfield copper project in the northwest of Spain, as well as a 99.9% interest in Proyecto Ossa Morena.

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Shore Capital reissued their hold rating on shares of Debenhams Capital (LON:DEBS  Free Report) in a research report released on Thursday morning, MarketBeat Ratings reports.

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Debenhams Capital Stock Up 4.5%

DEBS opened at GBX 23 on Thursday. Debenhams Capital has a fifty-two week low of GBX 10.30 and a fifty-two week high of GBX 29.50. The firm has a market capitalization of 309.94 million and a P/E ratio of -2.27. The stocks fifty day moving average price is GBX 20.78.

Debenhams Capital (LON:DEBS  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 27th. The company reported GBX (0.51) EPS for the quarter.

About Debenhams Capital

Founded in the heart of Manchesters historic textile district in 2006 by Mahmud Kamani and Carol Kane as boohoo, the group today is home to a portfolio of innovative fashion brands targeting style and quality conscious consumers with up-to-date and inspirational fashion. What started as one brand, growing extensively in the UK and Internationally, is today a platform of multiple brands servicing customers globally, generating sales in excess of 1bn.

Almost half of our products are designed and sourced in the UK and distributed globally from our international distribution centres based in the North of England.

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Facet Wealth Inc. grew its holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:IVV  Free Report) by 37.9% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 8,729 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 2,399 shares during the period. Facet Wealth Inc.s holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF were worth $5,842,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

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Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Nvwm LLC increased its position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 210.5% in the second quarter. Nvwm LLC now owns 59 shares of the companys stock worth $37,000 after buying an additional 40 shares in the last quarter. Hager Investment Management Services LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $61,000. Rice Partnership LLC increased its holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 460.0% in the 2nd quarter. Rice Partnership LLC now owns 112 shares of the companys stock worth $70,000 after acquiring an additional 92 shares in the last quarter. Creative Capital Management Investments LLC bought a new stake in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $80,000. Finally, Missouri Trust & Investment Co raised its stake 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 worth $83,000 after acquiring an additional 33 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.12% of the companys stock.

Trending Headlines about iShares Core S&P 500 ETF

Here are the key news stories impacting iShares Core S&P 500 ETF this week:

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Price Performance

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Profile

IVV opened at $691.96 on Friday. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $685.31 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $666.00. The firm has a market cap of $762.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.10 and a beta of 1.00. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF has a 1-year low of $484.00 and a 1-year high of $699.17.

(Free Report)

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Standard & Poors 500 Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the large-capitalization sector of the United States equity market. The component stocks are weighted according to the total float-adjusted market value of their outstanding shares. The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index.

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iA Global Asset Management Inc. cut its holdings in Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) by 9.0% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 530,810 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 52,770 shares during the quarter. iA Global Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Bank of America were worth $27,384,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

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A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of BAC. Quaker Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in shares of 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 purchased a new stake in shares of Bank of America in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Steph & Co. grew its stake in shares of Bank of America by 224.3% in the 3rd quarter. Steph & Co. now owns 548 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 379 shares during the last quarter. CGC Financial Services LLC increased its position in Bank of America by 585.4% during the 2nd quarter. CGC Financial Services LLC now owns 610 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 521 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Marquette Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Bank of America during the third quarter valued at $30,000. 70.71% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

More Bank of America News

Here are the key news stories impacting Bank of America this week:

Positive Sentiment: Q4 fundamentals and last years performance remain a tailwind: analysts point to strong revenue growth and improving profitability that powered BACs rally into 2025. Article Title

Q4 fundamentals and last years performance remain a tailwind: analysts point to strong revenue growth and improving profitability that powered BACs rally into 2025. Positive Sentiment: Major brokerage support: Morgan Stanley remains bullish on BAC after strong Q4 results, which can underpin investor confidence and buying. Article Title

Major brokerage support: Morgan Stanley remains bullish on BAC after strong Q4 results, which can underpin investor confidence and buying. Positive Sentiment: Macro/earnings backdrop is supportive: multiple industry notes (Zacks) show Q4 earnings estimates are being revised higher, a favorable environment for large banks including BAC. Article Title

Macro/earnings backdrop is supportive: multiple industry notes (Zacks) show Q4 earnings estimates are being revised higher, a favorable environment for large banks including BAC. Neutral Sentiment: BofA research is active in tech and energy ideas (e.g., highlighting small-cap chip names tied to AI), showing the firms revenue/analyst franchise but with limited direct impact on BAC stock moves. Article Title

BofA research is active in tech and energy ideas (e.g., highlighting small-cap chip names tied to AI), showing the firms revenue/analyst franchise but with limited direct impact on BAC stock moves. Neutral Sentiment: Analyst activity from BofA Securities (e.g., upgrading Oklo and sector calls on semiconductors) signals the banks influential equity research but affects BAC indirectly. Article Title Article Title

Analyst activity from BofA Securities (e.g., upgrading Oklo and sector calls on semiconductors) signals the banks influential equity research but affects BAC indirectly. Negative Sentiment: Regulatory risk: CEO Brian Moynihan warned a proposed 10% credit-card rate cap would curb spending and tighten credit availability  any move toward strict caps could pressure card revenue. Article Title

Regulatory risk: CEO Brian Moynihan warned a proposed 10% credit-card rate cap would curb spending and tighten credit availability  any move toward strict caps could pressure card revenue. Negative Sentiment: Political/PR friction: reports that BofA (and peers) may consider 10% card offers to appease political pressure, and Moynihans exclusion from a Trump Davos reception, introduce headline risk and potential policy-driven business changes. Article Title Article Title

Political/PR friction: reports that BofA (and peers) may consider 10% card offers to appease political pressure, and Moynihans exclusion from a Trump Davos reception, introduce headline risk and potential policy-driven business changes. Negative Sentiment: Short-term sentiment swings: options commentary mentions Greenland-related fears and other narrative-driven worries that can amplify stock volatility even if fundamentals remain intact. Article Title

Bank of America Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE BAC opened at $52.42 on Friday. The firms 50-day moving average price is $54.08 and its 200-day moving average price is $51.31. Bank of America Corporation has a 52-week low of $33.06 and a 52-week high of $57.55. The company has a market cap of $382.80 billion, a PE ratio of 13.69, a PEG ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 1.29. The company has a quick ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15.

Bank of America (NYSE:BAC  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 14th. The financial services provider reported $0.98 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.96 by $0.02. Bank of America had a net margin of 16.23% and a return on equity of 11.07%. The company had revenue of $28.53 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $27.73 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.82 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 12.3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts anticipate that Bank of America Corporation will post 3.7 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have recently commented on BAC. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on Bank of America from $68.00 to $64.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 15th. Evercore ISI set a $59.00 price objective on shares of Bank of America in a research report on Thursday, January 15th. Phillip Securities lifted their target price on shares of Bank of America from $50.00 to $56.00 in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. Wolfe Research downgraded shares of Bank of America from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Finally, Dbs Bank raised shares of Bank of America to a moderate buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-three have assigned a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $59.74.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on BAC

About Bank of America

(Free Report)

Bank of America Corporation is a multinational financial services company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. It provides a broad array of banking, investment, asset management and related financial and risk management products and services to individual consumers, small- and middle-market businesses, large corporations, governments and institutional investors. The firm operates through consumer banking, global wealth and investment management, global banking and markets businesses, offering capabilities across lending, deposits, payments, advisory and capital markets.

Its consumer-facing offerings include checking and savings accounts, mortgages, home equity lending, auto loans, credit cards and small business banking, supported by a nationwide branch network and digital channels.

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Rio Tinto Group (LON:RIO  Free Report) had its target price increased by Royal Bank Of Canada from GBX 6,000 to GBX 6,100 in a research note published on Thursday, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The firm currently has a sector perform rating on the stock.

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Several other analysts have also weighed in on RIO. Citigroup boosted their target price on shares of Rio Tinto Group from GBX 4,600 to GBX 5,700 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, November 17th. Berenberg Bank reaffirmed a hold rating and issued a GBX 5,200 price target on shares of Rio Tinto Group in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Rio Tinto Group from GBX 6,100 to GBX 6,950 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of GBX 5,830.

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Rio Tinto Group Price Performance

Insider Buying and Selling at Rio Tinto Group

Shares of LON RIO opened at GBX 6,492.49 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 1.70, a quick ratio of 1.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 25.28. The company has a market capitalization of 105.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.34, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of -0.64 and a beta of 0.59. Rio Tinto Group has a twelve month low of GBX 4,024.50 and a twelve month high of GBX 6,676. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of GBX 5,814.17 and a 200-day simple moving average of GBX 5,147.52.

In other news, insider Peter Cunningham sold 3,108 shares of Rio Tinto Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 5,464, for a total transaction of 169,821.12. Company insiders own 0.10% of the companys stock.

About Rio Tinto Group

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We operate in 35 countries where our 60,000 employees are working to find better ways to provide the materials the world needs. Our portfolio includes iron ore, copper, aluminium and a range of other minerals and materials needed for people, communities and nations to grow and prosper, and for the world to cut carbon emissions to net zero. We continuously search for new projects that can support the energy transition, currently exploring for 7 commodities in 17 countries.

We have more than 150 years of mining and processing experience guiding our work.

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Shore Capital restated their buy rating on shares of Tritax Big Box REIT (LON:BBOX  Free Report) in a research report released on Thursday, MarketBeat.com reports.

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Several other brokerages have also issued reports on BBOX. Peel Hunt reissued an add rating and issued a GBX 160 price target on shares of Tritax Big Box REIT in a report on Monday, October 13th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on Tritax Big Box REIT from GBX 180 to GBX 184 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, October 28th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of GBX 214.67.

View Our Latest Analysis on BBOX

Tritax Big Box REIT Stock Up 0.4%

About Tritax Big Box REIT

Shares of LON:BBOX opened at GBX 161.39 on Thursday. The company has a 50 day moving average price of GBX 151.31 and a two-hundred day moving average price of GBX 146.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 43.99, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a current ratio of 0.54. The company has a market capitalization of 4.36 billion, a PE ratio of 9.36, a PEG ratio of 2.05 and a beta of 0.89. Tritax Big Box REIT has a 52 week low of GBX 121.90 and a 52 week high of GBX 165.80.

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Tritax Big Box REIT plc (ticker: BBOX) is the largest listed investor in high-quality logistics warehouse assets and controls the largest logistics-focused land platform in the UK. BBOX is committed to delivering attractive and sustainable returns for Shareholders by investing in and actively managing existing built investments and land suitable for logistics development. The Company focuses on well-located, modern logistics assets, typically let to institutional-grade tenants on long-term leases with upward-only rent reviews and geographic and tenant diversification throughout the UK.

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Berenberg Bank restated their buy rating on shares of Yellow Cake (LON:YCA  Free Report) in a report issued on Thursday, MarketBeat.com reports. The brokerage currently has a GBX 704 target price on the stock.

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A number of other equities research analysts have also recently commented on YCA. Citigroup raised their target price on Yellow Cake from GBX 670 to GBX 700 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, January 15th. Canaccord Genuity Group lowered their price target on Yellow Cake from GBX 695 to GBX 680 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, December 4th. Finally, Panmure Gordon upgraded Yellow Cake to a buy rating and boosted their price objective for the company from GBX 550 to GBX 630 in a research report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of GBX 666.80.

View Our Latest Stock Report on Yellow Cake

Yellow Cake Stock Performance

About Yellow Cake

YCA opened at GBX 669.50 on Thursday. The company has a fifty day moving average of GBX 573.06 and a two-hundred day moving average of GBX 542.79. The stock has a market capitalization of 1.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -167.38 and a beta of 0.27. Yellow Cake has a fifty-two week low of GBX 359 and a fifty-two week high of GBX 691.

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Yellow Cake is a London-quoted company, incorporated in Jersey, which offers exposure to the uranium spot price. This is achieved through its strategy of buying and holding U3O8. It may also seek to add value through other uranium-related activities. Yellow Cake and its wholly owned subsidiary (the Group) seek to generate returns for shareholders through the appreciation of the value of its holding of U3O8 and its other uranium-related activities in a rising uranium price environment. The business is differentiated from its peers by its ten-year Framework Agreement for the supply of U3O8 with Kazatomprom, the worlds largest uranium producer.

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Are you or someone you support living with a disability and dreaming of starting a business?

Derry City Strabane District Council in collaboration with Enterprise North West and Go Succeed, are hosting an event exploring best practice examples in inclusive entrepreneurship, with a particular focus on disability/long term health conditions in to order to help inform delivery enterprise supports.

For many disabled people or those with long term health conditions wishing to enter the workforce on their own terms, self-employment and entrepreneurship can be a very worthwhile and empowering option to achieve more independence. It provides the flexibility and freedom to choose your own hours and working conditions however, it can be an extremely daunting experience navigating the support on where to start.

Through this event, attendees will hear from keynote speakers who will provide inspirational, lived-experience stories about their successful pathways to entrepreneurship alongside specialist support organisations who will help directly with the startup process and identify the appropriate sources of expertise, funding and any additional support.

There will also be a Live Q&A examining further barriers into employment.

READ NEXT: Derry students receive entrance awards from Trinity College Dublin

Please note as this is an in-person event, the registration numbers for this are restricted. Whilst Go Succeed operates across NI, this event is being hosted by Enterprise North West, therefore should the event reach capacity and a waiting list be created, priority access will be given to Businesses based in the Derry City Strabane Council area.

Registration instructions: This event is free for participants, there will be no charge applied during the booking process. Please note your email confirmation and eTicket will come from noreply@glistrr.com, please add this to your list of trusted accounts to prevent information going into your junk folder.

This workshop is brought to you as part of Go Succeed NI. Go Succeed represents a significant investment in local entrepreneurs and businesses, funded by the UK government.

CLICK HERE to register for the event on Thursday, February 19.
East Derry MLA Claire Sugden has asked the Minister of Education for an update on the long-term future of Sandelford School in Coleraine, following the temporary relocation of a number of pupils to Balnamore Primary School.

The recent relocation of pupils has been unsettling for families and pupils alike, and it underlines wider concerns that have existed for some time about the long-term sustainability of the current arrangements at Sandelford School, she said.

Sandelford provides essential support for children with special educational needs, and that is a credit to the dedication and professionalism of the staff who work there. With demand for SEN places expected to continue to grow, it is all the more important that the Department has a clear, long-term plan in place, rather than relying on short-term or temporary solutions.

For children with special educational needs, stability and routine are critical. Parents need certainty about where their children will be educated, and children need time and consistency to settle into their learning environment without the disruption caused by ongoing uncertainty.

I am asking the Minister to provide clarity on how the Department intends to secure the long-term future of Sandelford School. This is about ensuring that SEN provision in this area is planned properly, is fit for purpose, and gives families the confidence they need to plan for the years ahead.
A man has been returned for trial to Derry Crown Court on charges of burglary and attempted burglary following a Preliminary Enquiry at Derry Magistrate's Court.

John Paul McGilloway (43) of Collon Terrace in Derry was charged with burglary with intent to steal at commercial premises between February 1 2023 and April 1 2023 and attempted burglary with intent to steal on April 19 2023 and between May 5 and May 9 2023.

It was accepted that there was a case to answer and there were no contrary submissions.

McGilloway chose not to make any statements and not to call any witnesses.

He was returned for trial to Derry Crown Court on February 19.

Following the PE the defendant applied for bail on the grounds he had been in custody for a lengthy period of time.

Defence counsel Stephen Mooney said that his client had an atrocious record but had not ever carried out a domestic burglary.

Deputy District Judge Brian Archer said that McGilloway had 'one of the worst records I have ever seen both as a solicitor and a judge'.

He said that there was 'no gap' in McGilloway's offending since 1998 with 75 convictions for burglary.

The judge said that the defendant had 'brought this on himself' and refused bail and McGilloway was returned for trial to Derry Crown Court on February 19 in custody.
Police are conducting an extensive search operation amid concern for the welfare of missing Belfast man Gary Bain.

Mr Bain, aged 37, was last seen in the area of Ormeau Bridge on Wednesday morning.

The police search is being conducted with the NI Fire and Rescue Service, the Coastguard and the Community Rescue Service.

The PSNI have asked for the publics assistance in its ongoing searches.

Chief Inspector Mark Conway said: We understand the communitys concern and know that this is a very painful time for Garys family.

We want to assure them that we are working hard to find Gary with the assistance of our colleagues.

He added: We are now on day two since Gary was last seen.

The public will have seen police and emergency services in the area conducting out ongoing searches and this will continue with searches around the River Lagan area.

Wed like to thank those members of the public who have already contacted us with information on his movements on Wednesday morning.

If anyone did see Gary in the days leading up to Wednesday, particularly the previous day in the city centre or in the areas of Annadale embankment, Botanic and Ormeau Road on Wednesday morning from 1am-6am to get in contact.

Also, to any drivers in the Ormeau Road area, please review your dash-cam recordings for any potential sightings of Gary.

This information would be key to our search.

We can be contacted on 101 quoting reference 174 of 21/01/2026.

Always call 999 in an emergency.

The online reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport can also be used or information provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
Saudi Arabia-headquartered global artificial intelligence company Humain and the National Infrastructure Fund, the Kingdoms lead development financing partner for infrastructure, have announced a strategic financing framework agreement of up to US$1.2 billion.

The funding is to support the expansion of AI and digital infrastructure projects in Saudi Arabia.

The agreement was announced on the sidelines of this weeks World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, Switzerland. It outlines non-binding financing terms for Humains development of up to 250 MW of hyperscale AI data centre capacity. These data centres will deploy leading-edge GPUs for AI training and inference and support Humains local, regional and global customers.

In addition, the National Infrastructure Fund (known as Infra) and Humain have agreed to explore the establishment of an AI data centre investment platform. This would be anchored by the two organisations and structured to facilitate participation by global and local institutional investors to support further scaling of Humains AI strategy.

Infra says that this framework agreement underscores its key role in partnering with its counterparts to accelerate the delivery of infrastructure assets that are foundational to economic transformation and long-term productivity. It adds that the deal also demonstrates Humains commitment to deploying scalable computing capacity to capture growing commercial demand for advanced AI and data processing services.

It also keeps Humain, established as recently as May 2025, in the news. In December Saudi Arabian telco stc group announced a strategic joint venture partnership with Humain to build AI data centres in the country. There was also a flurry of announcements from Humain in November.
Motorola has launched its new smartphone lineup, called Signature, starting at Rs 59,999. The Motorola Signature is the brands entry into the mainstream flagship segment. It features a traditional candy-bar form factor that positions it alongside the existing Razr and Edge premium offerings.

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Speaking with Digit, Shivam Ranjan, Head of Marketing, APAC at Motorola, shared insights into why the company felt the need to create an entirely new flagship series and how Signature differs from everything else in Motorolas current lineup. What was concluded from the discussion is a carefully thought-out strategy where each premium franchise serves a different purpose, with Signature filling a specific gap that neither the foldable Razr nor the value-focused Edge could address.

Filling a gap in the portfolio

When asked about the thinking behind creating a new Signature device, Ranjan explained that Motorola already had a strong presence in the premium segment, but there was a specific gap that needed to be addressed. Till now, the company had three main franchises: Moto G for the mass market, Moto Edge for the premium segment, and Razr for the foldable flagship space. However, something was missing.

What we felt was that there was a need for a mainstream flagship franchise, which we lacked, Ranjan said. We did have Edge and Razr in the premium segments, but both of them stood for something else.

Each of Motorolas existing franchises has a clear identity and purpose. For instance, the Razr line is associated with foldable technology. Razr stands for iconic or bespoke innovation when it comes to foldable technology. It takes design and form factors into consideration and brings those experiences to life, Ranjan explained, adding that many people still remember the V3 flip phone. Because the form factor is so important to what Razr represents, the company didnt want to touch that identity by extending it to traditional candy-bar phones.

Meanwhile, the Edge series has its own distinct positioning. When you look at Edge, the proposition is to bring premium experiences to consumers through cutting-edge technology at more accessible price points, Ranjan noted. Edge targets a younger group, particularly Gen Z consumers, offering flagship features at price points that dont break the bank. Its about delivering value and making premium technology accessible.

Motorola Signature: A different kind of flagship

So where does Signature fit in? According to Ranjan, this new franchise addresses a different set of consumer needs entirely. With Signature, the idea was to give that flagship experience to consumers, but with a mix of design and innovation focused on lifestyle experiences, he said. Thats the difference. Signature has a very different positioning compared to both the premium franchises we already have, whether its Edge or Razr.

The Signature is also created to meet a specific customer need. There are consumers in the flagship space who arent necessarily looking for the most affordable option or the most experimental form factor, Ranjan explains. They want a traditional smartphone design but with true flagship capabilities and experiences.

There is a lot of demand in the flagship space from consumers who are not just looking for affordability. They are looking for a mainstream candy-bar form factor device, he said. If you combine these two things, we need one candy-bar flagship phone in that segment. We believed that the positioning of Razr and Edge was not what we wanted for our candy-bar flagship, which is why you see Signature.

A true signature experience

When asked to summarise in one line why users should be excited about the new series, Ranjans response revealed the thinking behind Signature: Motorola Signature is a truly signature experience. Its beyond premium. It focuses on creating the perfect fusion of design, innovative technology, and lifestyle experiences.

Whats worth noting is how Motorola managed to pack all these premium features without compromising on form factor. When you pack so much into a device, typically devices become bulkier, heavier, and bigger, Ranjan said. But weve maintained that distinction and differentiation by delivering a super-premium, super-slim, super-sleek device with a luxurious finish, premium lifestyle access, and incredible camera experiences. Its the perfect balance of power, experiences, and design.

More Signature devices

While the first Motorola Signature device has just launched, this isnt intended to be a one-off product. Since this is a new franchise, Motorola Signature is the first device of the franchise. You will see more devices as part of this franchise.

However, he stopped short of providing specific details about future models or variants. We dont commit to future details of our portfolio, he noted.

The flagship strategy

In terms of product cycles and release strategy, Signature will follow what Ranjan calls a flagship strategy, which aligns more closely with the Razr approach than the Edge lineup. The Edge series has seen various release patterns, with some variants like the Ultra appearing in certain years but not others. For instance, while the Razr had an Ultra variant last year, the Edge did not. But that doesnt mean these options wont return in the future.

The variants we launch in any franchise depend on consumer demand, market scenarios, and perspectives. These things vary year over year, Ranjan explained.

Signature: A device made with care

What becomes clear from the conversation is that Signature takes a different approach to flagship smartphones. Rather than focusing purely on specifications and features, Motorola has tried to create a device that connects with users on an emotional level, according to Ranjan.

Signature is a device weve created with a lot of love, care, and affection. Weve tried to do something truly differentiated because we believe that consumers looking for a flagship experience are not just looking for hardware specifications, he said. Of course, weve packed in the best hardware, but our approach with Signature is driven by creating an emotional connection with consumers through lifestyle experiences.

The 24/7 concierge service is one of the key parts of Signatures lifestyle-focused approach Weve also focused on effortless convenience through 24/7 butler services, available 365 days a year, catering to customised needs at the tip of your fingertips, he said. This makes consumers feel valued and privileged, and builds aspiration for the device.

Of course, lifestyle features wouldnt mean much without the performance to back them up. According to Ranjan, Signature doesnt hold back on the technical specifications. Performance and AI are top-notch as well, with the Qualcomm Gen 5 platform, on-device AI, best-in-class camera ISPs, and more, he said.

But even with all this power under the hood, what Ranjan believes will really set Signature apart is how it all comes together. Beyond all that, Signature stands out on a table full of flagship devices because of how its designed, how it feels, and how it approaches the user experience, he said. Its a device that truly lives up to its name: a Signature that is very different from anything else in the flagship market.

The bigger picture

The launch of Motorola Signature shows how Motorola views the flagship market and where it wants to position itself. By creating three different premium franchises, Motorola has given itself the flexibility to address different consumer needs without diluting any individual brand identity.

Razr is for those who want a foldable phone, Edge targets buyers looking for good features at reasonable prices, and Signature is aimed at people who want a flagship phone with lifestyle extras.

Motorola Signature shows a clear shift in how the company is thinking about flagship smartphones. Rather than competing only on specifications, the focus is on design, camera performance, and added services that aim to enhance the overall user experience. It is positioned as a mainstream flagship phone that sits separately from the Edge and Razr lines, without overlapping their identities.

How well this strategy works remains to be seen. For now, Signature adds a new dimension to Motorolas flagship lineup and gives buyers another option in the high-end smartphone segment.
KLA Strengthens Taiwan Presence, Investing NT$465M in Talent and Technology

The semiconductor industry stands at one of its most pivotal moments. As AI drives explosive demand for computing power, chip manufacturing grows exponentially - die sizes are scaling, tolerances are tightening, and the margin for error has nearly vanished.

"Explaining the complexity isn't easy," says Ahmad Khan, President of Semiconductor Products and Customers at KLA. "Picture a six-lane highway. A decade ago, you could cruise down the middle, drift left or right - no problem. Today? Same highway, but cars are doing 200 miles per hour with gaps the width of a human hair between them. One wrong move causes catastrophe." This isn't traditional manufacturing anymore, he notes. "It's artisanal work. Exceptionally difficult work."

KLA's philosophy in this environment is fundamental yet profoundly important: the company doesn't change the wafer - it observes it. That distinction defines KLA's entire approach. While other equipment modifies, deposits or etches, KLA provides the visibility and insights that allow customers to more tightly manage the complexity of semiconductor manufacturing. In this era where advanced wafers cost $15,000 to over $30,000 each and fabs produce 100,000 monthly, the ability to "see" every nanometer with absolute precision is essential.

This capability is important for almost all semiconductor manufacturers, and particularly in Taiwan, which is home to nearly 90% of the world's advanced semiconductor production. The gravity of this ecosystem is one of the key reasons KLA recently opened its new Hsinchu headquarters and its largest Learning and Knowledge Services (LKS) Training Center - a combined US$15.5 million (NT$465 million) investment that underscores the company's commitment to staying close to customers.

35 Years Strong: A $15.5 Million Vote of Confidence

KLA's new Taiwan headquarters in Hsinchu's Tai Yuen Hi-Tech Industrial Park, with WELL certification. Credit:KLA

The investment breaks down to US$10.5 million (NT$315 million) for the new office and US$5 million (NT$150 million) for the training center. Located in Tai Yuen Hi-Tech Industrial Park Phase IX, the headquarters spans 10,000 square meters across two floors, accommodating up to 1,000 employees. The facility earned WELL certification - reflecting KLA's focus on employee wellbeing.

KLA first set up shop in Taiwan in 1990. Khan himself has been coming here since those early days. "Back in the '90s, downtown Hsinchu had one hotel. One," he recalls. "The semiconductor sector was just getting started." What he found were engineers trickling back from Motorola, Texas Instruments, and Intel - talented people who returned when Morris Chang and other pioneers decided Taiwan was ready to build fabs.

"The transformation has been remarkable," Khan says, attributing the growth to what he calls "the Taiwan spirit" - relentless work ethic, intense collaboration, and a willingness to challenge conventions and push for excellence. "This industry is incredibly challenging," Khan acknowledges. "There's nothing harder. You can work yourself to the bone, pour in capital, and still fail completely. But so many of the players in Taiwan have figured it out and continue finding success. Were honored to be a part of it."

Today, KLA Taiwan employs roughly 1,800 people spread across Hsinchu, Kaohsiung, Tainan, Taoyuan, Linkou, and Taichung, with plans to surpass 2,000 by year-end 2026 as customer demand surges.

KLA's Largest Training Center: Where Innovation Meets Education

The LKS Training Center covers 2,950 square meters, including 825 square meters of Class 100 cleanroom, and features 14 classrooms, an AR/VR immersive learning center, four engineering labs, and a chemical analysis lab.

With millions of configuration modes, KLA's systems can't simply be switched on. Customers often need PhD- and master's-level engineers who can dial in exact settings for their specific needs. That's one of KLAs primary motivations for investing in training infrastructure close to customers.

The new training center combines classroom instruction, hands-on practice, and immersive simulations to accelerate learning. Beyond training KLA's own people, it is also designed to help customers' fab teams sharpen skills and get to yield faster on new technologies.

Building Talent for the Long Haul

While the larger semiconductor industry continues to face a talent crunch, KLA emphasizes steady hiring and long-term career growth. The company runs disciplined forecasts to determine staffing needs, avoiding boom-and-bust waves.

KLA Taiwan values talent development and their long-term career growth, building a young and dynamic team. Credit:KLA

KLA's talent strategy rests on three pillars:

Extensive Campus Recruiting: KLA hires substantial numbers of fresh graduates and promotes from within, building loyalty and institutional knowledge over time.

80-90% Internal Promotion: The company thinks long-term when hiring, creating clear career paths from customer support teams to application teams and engineering teams . People can climb technical ladders or switch to management based on their strengths.

University Partnerships: KLA engineers give tech talks and teach courses at leading local universities. The company sees it as paying forward, training the next generation who'll work across the industry.

The company seeks candidates with physics, mechanics, math, and computer science backgrounds. "We're mainly physics folks because we deal in optics, photons, electrons," Khan explains. With the new facilities, KLA Taiwan is actively recruiting positions across application engineering, field service, R&D, customer support, and sales and marketing.

Why Process Control Became Make-or-Break

As die sizes grow and devices get more complex, process control has gone from important to mission critical. Each new node brings tighter design rules, smaller features, and narrower process windows. Customers are printing tinier features, and yield becomes inversely proportional to the smallest printable feature.

The stakes are incredibly high, both technologically and financially. When something goes wrong, thousands of wafers stack up behind the problem, with each carrying enormous economic weight.

The AI chip challenge compounds the problem: mobile chips packed 20 billion transistors, but today's AI chips contain hundreds of billions of transistors. Die sizes have exploded. The math is brutal - if you have 10 dies per wafer and one fails, you still have nine. But if you only get two giant dies per wafer and one fails, you've lost 50%. All AI chips use massive dies, creating brutal complexity for customers.

KLA's comprehensive portfolio - from BBP optical inspection to e-beam platforms to overlay metrology - monitors thousands of parameters across more than 1,000 process steps. If one step fails, yield can very quickly drop to zero.

The industry shift is clear: customers are buying significantly more process-control tools because they need yield faster. Khan describes it through a straightforward lens - As semiconductor manufacturing becomes harder, KLA's capabilities become more critical, especially when a single excursion can cost hundreds of millions of dollars.

AI Integration and What's Next

Khan frames AI not as a trend or fashion, but as an inevitable evolution. After millions of years of biological evolution produced human neural networks - networks that gave humanity its competitive edge - the next step was always going to be artificial neural networks. This wasn't any individual's invention; it was the natural progression of how intelligence develops and scales. The universe, he suggests, essentially selects for the species with the most connected neurons. Now that same principle is extending to how we use machines to amplify our own neural connections.

KLA is integrating AI directly into its tools to sharpen defect classification and speed root-cause analysis. The technology also transforms service support: every engineer now essentially walks around with an expert in their pocket. When an engineer encounters a problem, the AI network can instantly surface solutions from decades of collective troubleshooting experience. Ultimately, AI is enabling faster solutions, more productive engineers and more satisfied customers.

This matters because KLA's systems use AI, customers build AI chips, and AI is reshaping every part of the manufacturing chain. It's a fundamental transformation, not a passing phase.

Looking ahead, KLA is developing panel-based inspection systems (volume production expected around 2028) and high-NA EUV systems. Khan, who's spent about 30 years in the industry, maintains the semiconductor industry hasn't peaked. His reasoning is straightforward: computing demand will always trend upward, not downward. Until the walls aren't made of silicon, there's room to grow.

Join the Team

Khan sums up KLA's hiring philosophy simply: maintain a stable plan, partner with universities, train people well, and grow them over time. They become advocates, which brings company successand through that success, customers succeed.

For engineering graduates and professionals interested in joining KLA Taiwan's 1,800-plus team, opportunities span application engineering, R&D, customer support, and sales and marketing. To explore opportunities, you may visit our KLA Careers or follow KLA Taiwan Facebook Fan page.
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January is cervical cancer awareness month and over 250 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in Ireland every year.

According to the Mary Keating Foundation, Ireland has one of the highest rates of cervical cancer in Western Europe and 82 women die from the disease in Ireland annually.

Cervical cancer mostly affects women aged 30 to 50 and it is very rare to be diagnosed under age 25, according to the foundation.

Aine Lawrence (44) from Dundalk, Louth, was diagnosed with cervical cancer at 27-years-old in 2008 when she was experiencing some irregular bleeding.

Aine ended up in A&E and it was there she says a doctor was really dismissive towards her and her situation.

He told her: "I don't have time for this, this is so stupid, and anyway, you're 27, women your age just don't get cancer.

Aine was shocked at this reaction from the doctor because cancer didn't even cross her mind at that point.

"I was like, what? Cancer? Oh my gosh. So they took me back in for tests and within a week and a half they told me I had cancer.

"I'd had a smear test done earlier in the year and I hadn't got the results yet, but the results came in that week while I was waiting and it showed I had irregular cells. In the time it took for me to end up in A&E, it had progressed rapidly into cancer.

"So I went to St James's and I had a total radical hysterectomy and they'd hoped that it would get all the cancer, but it didn't."

At that point, the cancer had spread to Aine's lymph nodes and she had to stay in St Luke's for seven weeks where she had chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

"I finished in St Luke's Christmas week and I was able to come home and we did like follow-up scans and everything was fine. I was given the all-clear in March and we all went to Disneyland," she recalled.

READ NEXT: Man who admits killing but denies murdering mother in Dundalk accepts he caused multiple fractures to skull

A year on from this, in 2009, Aine went back to college and her life carried on as normal.

She had an appointment with her radiologist and she asked for another scan to be done because it had been a year.

Her radiologist told her it wasn't really necessary but they did the scan anyway.

"He was like, 'well, not really, but I'll give you one anyway...but you're fine'.

"I was actually up in St James's with my gynecologist about something else and I was like, 'oh yeah, there's a scan on the system for me if you want to just check it'.

"And they were like, 'you've cancer in your lungs and your lymph nodes at stage four, which is terminal', which was crazy. They basically said like get your affairs in order kind of thing, it was a lot to take in."

This period in Aine's life was beyond difficult, she was at a point where she was told she had about a year left to live.

"I had palliative care nurses coming to see me all the time. I got married, like it was a big rush cause, we thought I was going to die the next year. I was really unwell. I lost my hair this time and I looked really, really unwell, I felt awful, of course."

By nothing short of a miracle, however, Aine started treatment that October and when she went back up for a scan more or less halfway through the treatment, the cancer was gone.

"They were like, 'this is amazing'...but the doctor said, 'it's still going to come back and it's still going to kill you.' That's a direct quote from my oncologist...s o that was crazy."

Aine said that after this, she and her family still thought she was terminal despite the scan showing the cancer was gone.

"I just tried to just love the kids and love my family as much as I could. I was in remission, waiting all the time for it to come back.

"And I started having pain in my hips and it was my palliative care nurse who noticed it, so t hey sent me for MRIs and CT scans and things like that, and they found that I had radiation damage in my pelvis.

"So my left hip is really badly affected by it a nd it continues to be badly affected. At that stage, we thought I was going to be in a wheelchair because the bone was just degrading. T hey put me on oxycodone, oxycontin and fentanyl and Lyrica as pain relief because I think they thought I was at end of life, so they were giving me end of life drugs."

Aine ended up being on those end of life drugs for 13 more years.

"I was just dealing with pain every day, chronic pain every day, mobility problems...all from radiation damage. It's affected my bladder, my bowel, my kidneys, my bones, my nerves, everything in that area.

"I still deal with that every day. It's not a typical thing to have this kind of reaction to radiation, but I won the side affects lottery with radiation, which is great."
The Irish language is "well and truly alive" in Dundalk following almost a year of pop-up Gaeltacht meetings in the town.

Tristan Graves is a 25-year-old primary school teacher who had heard about the idea of pop-up Gaeltachts through social media and decided to set one up himself last March.

He started a WhatsApp group with eight people and asked them to invite some friends to the pub where they were holding their first session.

15 people showed up, and more joined as they were passing by and heard Irish being spoken.

READ NEXT: Dundalk Business Expo opens doors to future careers for local students

At the end of the night, there were over 20 people involved.

"We had people there who had Gaeilge liofa, and then there were people there who just wanted to give it a go. They had a couple of words, but not a whole lot. We played a few board games, we played a bit of Connect Four, a few card games as well, and it was a great night. We had a great craic doing it," Tristan said.

After that night, the WhatsApp group that started with eight people had 23.

It has "snowballed" since, and there are now 145 people in it, with Tristan explaining how there is a "massive demand for opportunities to speak our national language in Dundalk."

"We're trying to break down that kind of idea that the Irish language is something to be scared of, something to be intimidated by. It's something that we can all take part in, whether it's through using something as simple as sea or nil. It's our role to try and create this welcoming environment where anybody can come, whether you have fantastic Irish, whether you're an absolute tosaitheoir (beginner), you come along, you use your Irish," he said.

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Since that first night in March last year, around 15 pop-up Gaeltachts have been held in different pubs across Dundalk.

"Everybody who comes to them seems to have the same experience. They say they've had a great time and want to come back. We have them on all different nights during the week and in different locations to try and raise awareness that the Irish language is well and truly alive in the town, and to pick up more and more people who might just be passing by, who might not have heard of what we're doing, who might have been looking for an opportunity, whether consciously or subconsciously, to reignite that love of Irish that they might have had," Tristan explained.

He says some of the people who were at that very first one are regular attenders, and he has seen a huge improvement in how they speak Irish.

"Whether it be the confidence that they have in their own Irish or whether it be the Irish that they picked up, or their actual vocabulary has improved, we've seen that they've come on leaps and bounds, because you're not studying for it like you would an exam. You're using it in a natural way. You're using it in the way that realistically a language should be used," he said.

The way many of us learned Irish in school is a big part of the reason that there are so few fluent speakers, and until recently, there was a concern that the language would dissipate.

"We have this vision of the Irish language that you learn essays, you learn your sraith pictuirs, you pray for a certain topic to come up for your essay on your Leaving Cert, and once you leave school, you don't have to worry about it again," Tristan said.

READ NEXT: Electrician bit a man in the face during a row in a Louth hotel

"There was that time period when I was in school where people were thinking, 'Geez, this language might die,' and it would have been an absolute shame. It would have been a heartbreaking thing for the Irish identity for it to go because it is an essential part of our national identity," he added.

Tristan believes podcasts, media, social media, and music, Kneecap particularly, have had a huge part to play in the "revitalised sense of national pride."

He commended young people and highlighted that they have been the "driving force" behind a huge part of it.

"They're seeing it, not just as a subject, they're seeing it as part of who they are," he said.

Although the young people may be the main drivers behind the new love for our language, Tristan highlighted that everyone can make a difference.

"Everybody's coming together with the shared intention. It's loads of different cogs working together, which has caused this absolute explosion in interest, which is something that I'm so proud to see, especially in Dundalk," Tristan said.

The most recent pop-up was in mid-January, with 52 people showing up; a turnout much higher than expected following the Christmas period.

READ NEXT: RIP: 'One in a million'- Louth woman (24) wishes people wear sunset colours to funeral

"We're trying to create the space for those people to come and to develop their Irish in their own way, in a fun way, an inclusive way, and in really the way a language should be learned," Tristan said.

It's hoped that the next pop-up Gaeltacht in the town will be held to coincide with either St Brigid's Day or Valentine's Day.

If you would like to attend, you can find out the details through Instagram @dundalkpopupgaeltacht, on Facebook, or by joining the WhatsApp group through a link on either social media channel.

"As long as you come and you're willing to take part and willing to have a bit of craic, every single person is welcome from all backgrounds, all ages, all walks of life," Tristan concluded.
Louth businesses supported by the Local Enterprise Office created nearly 220 jobs in 2025 according to new figures.

The annual results of the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) for 2025 were announced by Minister of State Alan Dillon. The results show LEO supported companies in Louth created 219 jobs, representing a 61 per cent increase on 2024.

Cllr Sean Kelly, Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council said the increase in job creation is hugely positive for Louth.

"Every new job created supports a family, strengthens a community, and contributes to a more vibrant and sustainable local economy," he said.

David Conway, Chief Executive of Louth County Council said creating sustainable jobs is central to making Louth an attractive place to live and work.

"These results demonstrate the impact of longterm investment in local enterprise, and the strength of the entrepreneurs who are driving growth across our county.

Louth has its own unique opportunities, and thats why targeted supports from the Local Enterprise Office are vital in helping local businesses to grow and to deliver these results," he said.

Mr Conway encouraged businesses owners in need of help or support to contact their Local Enterprise Office.

Read Next: Cancellation of Dundalk's St Patrick's Day parade "unthinkable" according to councillor

Nikki Campbell, Head of Enterprise, Louth LEO said the figures highlight the impact the Local Enterprise Offices and their clients are making.

"The creation of over 219 jobs created is only a small part of the role that Louth LEO play in fostering entrepreneurship and growing enterprise in Louth," she said.

The figures show that 82% of new jobs were created outside Dublin.

Anne Lanigan, Head of Local Enterprise and Regions, Enterprise Ireland, said the figures show that entrepreneurs can start, grow and scale their businesses from anywhere in Ireland.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Ministerial visits to the US and elsewhere for St Patricks Day are part of a plan to double down on international trade promotion, the Minister for Foreign Affairs has said.

Helen McEntee is to chair the Government Trade Forum for the first time on Friday.

The forum is meeting for the 10th time since it was established last year an will discuss the action plan for market diversification and trade promotion.

It comes after a week of uncertainty in the trading relationship between the US and the EU, which culminated in President Donald Trump withdrawing a threat of tariffs against the UK and other European allies over his ambitions for territory in Greenland  with Washington citing a favourable deal with Nato for its decision.

Speaking ahead of Fridays meeting, Ms McEntee said: As recent days have demonstrated, uncertainty remains the prevailing character of the global trading environment.

She said the Irish Government has always been of the view that the only way forward to resolve issues of concern on international trade is through dialogue and engagement.

Ms McEntee said: Ireland has been and is committed to working closely with our EU and wider European partners in response to these issues.

She said trade promotion plans for 2026 includes State engagements across the globe during the St Patricks Day celebrations.

She added: Recent events have shown the need for us to double down on our efforts and our St Patricks Day programme will reflect that with a heavy emphasis on economic and trade promotion.

The meeting will also be attended by the Tanaiste and Minister of Finance, Simon Harris TD, as well as Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers.

Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon and Minister of State for European Affairs Thomas Byrne will also be attending as the Government continues to deal with farmers frustration over the EU-Mercosur deal, while the Minister of State for artificial intelligence Niamh Smyth participates amid garda investigations into alleged child sex abuse material created through the Grok AI tool.
The Irish Government is agreed on whether to join Donald Trumps so-called Board of Peace, the deputy premier Simon Harris has said.

The Tanaiste said they had concerns about its very peculiar governance structure and the involvement of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Foreign affairs minister Helen McEntee said the Irish Government had asked for clarification on whether the groups remit would focus on Gaza and on the one billion dollar price tag.

The board approved by the UN in November had expected to be a small group of figures overseeing the ceasefire in Gaza, but appears to have evolved into a wider organisation.

At a signing event held at Davos on Thursday, the US president said the group had the chance to be one of the most consequential bodies ever created, and that he was honoured to be its chairman.

Among the invitees to the board are Mr Putin, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Belarusian leader Aleksandr Lukashenko.

Irish premier Micheal Martin said while they have concerns, Ireland is anxious to contribute to conflict resolution in Gaza, while deputy premier Simon Harris told the Irish Parliament he cannot see any scenario in which Ireland joins the board in its current guise.

Asked about whether the two comments indicate a divergence of stances, Mr Harris said the two things are consistent and he and Mr Martin were agreed on the very significant red flags.

I cant see any scenario in which Ireland can take (a) place on the Board of Peace, the Tanaiste said at Government Buildings in Dublin.

A board that President Putin has been invited to? I mean, theres a complete oxymoron, Putin and peace.

Secondly, youre paying a billion dollars? We wont be doing that. And thirdly, the idea that youd end up setting up some form of a structure that I think essentially would compete with the United Nations or something is very hard to understand.

I was reading its charter and its governance structure yesterday, the president of the United States would get to pick his successor, could decide who has to leave the board, who could come on the board.

So could you have a situation where somebody would raise a viewpoint and speak up for the values of their country, and youd be kicked off the board?

He said Ireland would consider joining a board that would oversee peace in Gaza and consider financially contributing in any manner or means.

I just think what weve seen in the last number of days, though, quite frankly and respectfully, has nothing to do with the UN decision (on) 17 November in relation to a comprehensive peace plan for Gaza.

Ms McEntee said earlier on Friday that her party leader Mr Harris and Mr Martin were at one on this issue.

We are very clear that the Board of Peace, as it was voted for in the UN Security Council, was to focus solely on Gaza, on the next stages of the peace plan, on rebuilding Gaza, but what has become very clear and apparent is that it has a much wider remit.

We have been asking for clarifications on whether or not the remit could focus solely on Gaza, so if that doesnt change, I think the Tanaiste is right. We dont see a way in which we can join this.

She said clarification is being sought on a number of issues, including the one billion dollar price tag for joining.

We cannot join a structure that essentially will try to mimic or undermine the UN Security Council, she said.

We do have to get clarification on a number of things, and one of them being the price tag, I suppose, or the request of financial support that is due to come in after three years of membership.

So again, its not clear if the boards main focus is on Gaza, on the reconstruction of Gaza.

We would hope that so much progress can be made within those three years, so what happens after that.

So the reason that were not saying no to this immediately is, I think we need to get more answers. We need to get more clarification.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your work:

I am a proud Corkman, went to school in Bishopstown, took the soup and now sniffing around dirty Dublin. I come from a big family of sound, supportive, beautiful humans. I have been acting, writing and making theatre for nearly 15 years. I love the work and am grateful for it but the graft of the craft would test your metal. I am proudest and most fulfilled exploring the world with my four year old precious daughter Mila. She keeps me on my toes and brings me back to my essence.

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night?

Id be beside myself with a few creamy pints, good company and a quality show of some sort.

Lie ins or up with the lark.. which is it for you?

Love the bed, but I am better when I get up, get out and get at em. Love an auld sunrise. Enjoying getting up these days and doing the mornings and bringing Mila to school on the bike.

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

If there is time on the weekend and something needs to be done, Ill get stuck in, but usually fall in with Milas rhythm, which is us floating about looking for people or nature.

Timmy grew up in Cork and went to school in Bishopstown. Today, he lives in Dublin.

If money was no object where would you head to on a weekend city break? And who would you bring with you?

I would go to the mountains, to the snow, with my partner, Fiona, and Mila and teach them to snowboard.

Closer to home, is there some place you like to head to recharge the batteries?

Ceann Tra, Ventry in West Kerry is where my heart is. The simplicity is life-affirming. We have a cosy little mobile home there, in the magic landscape, by a gorgeous beach, what more would you need?

Do you like to catch up with family/friends at the weekend?

Seeing close people on the weekend fills my cup up for the week, which I cherish more and more as I get older.

Do you get to indulge any hobbies? Even as a spectator?

A good film or a play would have me buzzing. A surf in Kerry if I am lucky. A dip in the sea anywhere.

Entertain or be entertained? If its the latter do you have a signature dish?

I appreciate the act of feeding people. Curries and stews would be the regular, but recently I have been making a soup made from the vegetables growing around the mobile home in Kerry  pumpkin, artichoke, onion and garlic.

We have so many places to eat out in Cork  where are your go to spots for coffee/lunch/special meal?

Its been a while and I was walking around today trying to remember where the spots are. Went for a sandwich at the stall in the English market. Myo for a coffee and Cafe Paradiso if I am all out. Open to suggestions while we are rehearsing......

Sunday night comes around too fast.. how do you normally spend it?

Usually nice dinner and a wind down and some figuring out what needs to happen for the week.

What time does your alarm clock go off on Monday morning?

Seven oclock these days.

Anything else you are up to right now...

Loving being back in Cork, working on this show with a talented team. I am developing a number of theatre projects, and a group of us in Dublin have started an Irish language theatre company to try and get more plays as Gaeilge on the stage.

Timmy will be playing the role of Elliot in the Cork Arts Theatre Production of Infinity by Hannah Moscovitch, directed by Julie Kelleher, opening on February 5. Infinity is the first of the Re:Directing programme 2026, a series of contemporary plays platforming three Cork theatre directors, produced by Cork Arts Theatre and funded by the Arts Council.
The European Parliaments decision to refer the Mercosur trade deal to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has been described as the right decision by Cork Irish Farmers Association (IFA).

The EU-Mercosur partnership agreement is the deal proposed between the EU and the South American-based Mercosur trade countries which include Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

On Wednesday, more than 600 MEPs assembled in Strasbourg to vote on the deals referral to the ECJ, with 334 voting in favour of the motion, and 324 opposing.

While this result could potentially see the implementation of the deal delayed by up to two years, Munster chairman of the IFA, Conor OLeary, said pending approval of the trade conditions, the EU could still apply the agreement on an interim basis.

I can say that were very relieved, and this development should provide some reassurance to farmers about the EUs democratic structures, Mr OLeary said.

The vote in the parliament will be delayed [now] until the findings come back from the ECJ, which could be somewhere between one and two years  [but] my belief in the meantime is that they could go ahead with it on an interim basis.

Its illogical to think this deal wont put the price of our product under pressure, and I think the greater farmers anger is that we are so regulated here, at extreme standards, the highest in the world  and theres no such traceability systems in Brazil.

Farmers understand how we need tariff-free trade deals, but whats coming in has to be produced to the same standard.

IFA president and Bord Bia director, Francie Gorman, said this outcome lays down an important marker for how trade issues are negotiated.

The referral was the right decision for this trade deal and future trade deals, said Mr Gorman. This is a great result  the ECJ will now test the deal and see if it stands up to scrutiny.

For this, and for future trade deals, it is important that the legality is established before any further steps.

The EU Commission has been too hasty in trying to push this through, he added.

"The IFA will continue to work with our colleagues across Europe to have this deal set aside, he added.
Cultural tourism thrives at Lingjiatan relics site in China's Anhui

Xinhua) 16:00, January 23, 2026

A tourist makes pottery with guidance from a staff member at the Lingjiatan National Archaeological Site Park in Hanshan County, Ma'anshan, east China's Anhui Province, on Dec. 25, 2025. The Lingjiatan relics site in east China's Anhui is a Neolithic settlement dating back 5,300 to 5,800 years, with an area of about 1.6 million square meters.

In recent years, the local government has explored ways to combine relic preservation with cultural tourism. In 2023, the Lingjiatan National Archaeological Site Park was officially inaugurated. In 2025, the Lingjiatan Site Museum opened to the public, and has welcomed nearly 200,000 visitors to date.

Lingjiatan-themed cultural and creative products as well as immersive experiences have been developed to help promote the relics site among the public. (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)

A staff member presents an archaeology-themed blind box at the Lingjiatan Site Museum in Hanshan County, Ma'anshan, east China's Anhui Province, on Dec. 24, 2025. The Lingjiatan relics site in east China's Anhui is a Neolithic settlement dating back 5,300 to 5,800 years, with an area of about 1.6 million square meters.

In recent years, the local government has explored ways to combine relic preservation with cultural tourism. In 2023, the Lingjiatan National Archaeological Site Park was officially inaugurated. In 2025, the Lingjiatan Site Museum opened to the public, and has welcomed nearly 200,000 visitors to date.

Lingjiatan-themed cultural and creative products as well as immersive experiences have been developed to help promote the relics site among the public. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)

A visitor tries on a VR headset at the Lingjiatan Site Museum in Hanshan County, Ma'anshan, east China's Anhui Province, on Dec. 24, 2025. The Lingjiatan relics site in east China's Anhui is a Neolithic settlement dating back 5,300 to 5,800 years, with an area of about 1.6 million square meters.

In recent years, the local government has explored ways to combine relic preservation with cultural tourism. In 2023, the Lingjiatan National Archaeological Site Park was officially inaugurated. In 2025, the Lingjiatan Site Museum opened to the public, and has welcomed nearly 200,000 visitors to date.

Lingjiatan-themed cultural and creative products as well as immersive experiences have been developed to help promote the relics site among the public. (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)

A tourist reads a book at an education center of the Lingjiatan relics site in Hanshan County, Ma'anshan, east China's Anhui Province, on Dec. 25, 2025. The Lingjiatan relics site in east China's Anhui is a Neolithic settlement dating back 5,300 to 5,800 years, with an area of about 1.6 million square meters.

In recent years, the local government has explored ways to combine relic preservation with cultural tourism. In 2023, the Lingjiatan National Archaeological Site Park was officially inaugurated. In 2025, the Lingjiatan Site Museum opened to the public, and has welcomed nearly 200,000 visitors to date.

Lingjiatan-themed cultural and creative products as well as immersive experiences have been developed to help promote the relics site among the public. (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)

A staff member guides a student to assemble a pottery replica at the Lingjiatan National Archaeological Site Park in Hanshan County, Ma'anshan, east China's Anhui Province, on Jan. 13, 2026. The Lingjiatan relics site in east China's Anhui is a Neolithic settlement dating back 5,300 to 5,800 years, with an area of about 1.6 million square meters.

In recent years, the local government has explored ways to combine relic preservation with cultural tourism. In 2023, the Lingjiatan National Archaeological Site Park was officially inaugurated. In 2025, the Lingjiatan Site Museum opened to the public, and has welcomed nearly 200,000 visitors to date.

Lingjiatan-themed cultural and creative products as well as immersive experiences have been developed to help promote the relics site among the public. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)

Students visit the Lingjiatan Site Museum in Hanshan County, Ma'anshan, east China's Anhui Province, on Jan. 13, 2026. The Lingjiatan relics site in east China's Anhui is a Neolithic settlement dating back 5,300 to 5,800 years, with an area of about 1.6 million square meters.

In recent years, the local government has explored ways to combine relic preservation with cultural tourism. In 2023, the Lingjiatan National Archaeological Site Park was officially inaugurated. In 2025, the Lingjiatan Site Museum opened to the public, and has welcomed nearly 200,000 visitors to date.

Lingjiatan-themed cultural and creative products as well as immersive experiences have been developed to help promote the relics site among the public. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)

An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 25, 2025 shows a view of an education center of the Lingjiatan relics site in Hanshan County, Ma'anshan, east China's Anhui Province. The Lingjiatan relics site in east China's Anhui is a Neolithic settlement dating back 5,300 to 5,800 years, with an area of about 1.6 million square meters.

In recent years, the local government has explored ways to combine relic preservation with cultural tourism. In 2023, the Lingjiatan National Archaeological Site Park was officially inaugurated. In 2025, the Lingjiatan Site Museum opened to the public, and has welcomed nearly 200,000 visitors to date.

Lingjiatan-themed cultural and creative products as well as immersive experiences have been developed to help promote the relics site among the public. (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)

Students visit the Lingjiatan Site Museum in Hanshan County, Ma'anshan, east China's Anhui Province, on Jan. 13, 2026. The Lingjiatan relics site in east China's Anhui is a Neolithic settlement dating back 5,300 to 5,800 years, with an area of about 1.6 million square meters.

In recent years, the local government has explored ways to combine relic preservation with cultural tourism. In 2023, the Lingjiatan National Archaeological Site Park was officially inaugurated. In 2025, the Lingjiatan Site Museum opened to the public, and has welcomed nearly 200,000 visitors to date.

Lingjiatan-themed cultural and creative products as well as immersive experiences have been developed to help promote the relics site among the public. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)

An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 13, 2026 shows a view of the Lingjiatan Site Museum in Hanshan County, Ma'anshan, east China's Anhui Province. The Lingjiatan relics site in east China's Anhui is a Neolithic settlement dating back 5,300 to 5,800 years, with an area of about 1.6 million square meters.

In recent years, the local government has explored ways to combine relic preservation with cultural tourism. In 2023, the Lingjiatan National Archaeological Site Park was officially inaugurated. In 2025, the Lingjiatan Site Museum opened to the public, and has welcomed nearly 200,000 visitors to date.

Lingjiatan-themed cultural and creative products as well as immersive experiences have been developed to help promote the relics site among the public. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)

An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 21, 2025 shows visitors taking photos at the Lingjiatan Site Museum in Hanshan County, Ma'anshan, east China's Anhui Province. The Lingjiatan relics site in east China's Anhui is a Neolithic settlement dating back 5,300 to 5,800 years, with an area of about 1.6 million square meters.

In recent years, the local government has explored ways to combine relic preservation with cultural tourism. In 2023, the Lingjiatan National Archaeological Site Park was officially inaugurated. In 2025, the Lingjiatan Site Museum opened to the public, and has welcomed nearly 200,000 visitors to date.

Lingjiatan-themed cultural and creative products as well as immersive experiences have been developed to help promote the relics site among the public. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Siptu members working as healthcare assistants in the HSE home support service in Cork are to engage in strike action in February.

The strike will be on a regional basis  including workers from Cork and Kerry, as well as Clare, Limerick, and Donegal  in a dispute arising from their employers failure to honour agreements on terms and conditions.

Healthcare assistants in the HSE home support service will implement 24-hour work stoppages in Cork and Kerry on February 19 and 26, with other dates being chosen for the other regions.

More than 1,000 Cork Siptu members voted overwhelmingly for strike action this month.

Cork Siptu representative Natasha Linehan Treacy told The Echo at the time: Striking is the last thing our members want to do.

Detriment

Siptu organiser Graham Macken said: The failure of the HSE to honour agreed improvements in [healthcare assistants] terms and conditions has negatively impacted services, to the detriment of workers and the clients they care for.

The issues which remain unresolved include underpayments dating back to 2018 and the non-implementation of rostering agreements.

There are also ongoing breaches of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, resulting in worker burnout due to excessive split shifts and inadequate breaks.

During the work stoppages, staff will not be available for their normal roster, and pickets will be placed at the offices of their employers.

Contingency arrangements for emergency issues relating to service users will be agreed with the employer.

Siptu sector organiser Liz Cloherty said the union is available to engage with the HSE in order to resolve the dispute: However, our members will be left with no alternative but to withdraw their labour should no meaningful engagement be forthcoming.
The Brazilian family of the 28-year-old woman whose former boyfriend was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder today were not driven by hate but by love and the search for justice for the irreparable harm caused by the murder of Bruna Fonseca and the deep loss for those left behind.

Izabel Fonseca, Brunas sister, spoke for the family today as 32-year-old Miller Pacheco was given the mandatory life sentence by Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford, ten days after the trial began at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork.

While Miller Pacheco contested the case, his senior counsel Ray Boland said today on the 32-year-olds behalf: He accepts the jurys verdict that he murdered Bruna. He will not appeal. He wants to apologise for the devastation he caused.

ONE HOUR AND TWO MINUTES

The jury took only one hour and two minutes to reach their unanimous verdict that he was guilty of murdering his former girlfriend, 28-year-old Bruna Fonseca, at his apartment at Liberty Street in Cork on January 1 2023.

Sympathising with the Fonseca family and praising the bravery of the victim impact statements from Izabel and Brunas cousin Marcella Fonseca, Ms Justice Lankford said it was clear that the deceased was a thoroughly decent, loving and complete human being who had been in a relationship with Miller Pacheco characterised by neediness and a refusal to let her on with her life.

The judge made particular reference to a recorded phone call where Bruna told Miller: There is no winner here. It is not fighting for a trophy. I am not a trophy. To say someone won or lost it. It is my life  no one is entitled to it other than me. But the judge said the young woman was regarded as a trophy by Miller. She could not be won or lost. She had her own dreams and hopes. She could not be treated as a trophy, the judge said.

Speaking outside afterwards, family and loved ones said they would never forget Bruna and they were happy and relieved to get justice, even though nothing would bring her back. Bruna was described as their rainbow, breaking through the dark clouds.
THE dangers of the AI tool Grok have been very prominent in the news agenda recently with parents across the country, including Cork, being understandably concerned about its use.

It emerged in recent weeks how the tool, owned by Elon Musks X social media platform, was being used to digitally undress images of women and children.

It has placed a further spotlight on the dangers for young people across Cork of what they may encounter online.

One month into Australias world first social media ban for children under the age 16, Australian government data showed that social media companies have revoked access to 4.7m accounts suspected of belonging to Australian teenagers.

So, what do the young teenagers of Cork feel about the recent dangers highlighted by social media?

At Colaiste Chriost Ri in Turners Cross, students recently spoke about their views on the ever-growing online world.

TY student Addison Crowley told The Echo said the social media ban for under 16-year-olds is something he would like to see introduced in Ireland.

This, he feels, is because of the inappropriate and harmful material which can be frequently encountered online by young people.

I definitely think it should be in place in Ireland because it will benefit every teenager.

You have so much darkness and despair when it comes to social media. You have things from online bullying to cyberattacks.

I dont think any harmful material like that will ever come out again if social media is limiting it.

I have been a victim of cyberbullying myself. So, as a personal decision, I totally cut that out of my life.

Addison mentioned the changes he has noticed in his life since moving away from social media.

I would definitely say that my mood and my overall humour as a person has definitely benefited from deleting social media.

I think the trouble with teenagers is that they have a harder time actually getting themselves involved in social interactions, because they are too busy stuck behind a phone.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin said recently that the Government will adopt an evidence-based approach to control the impact of social media on young people, while also not reacting in a knee-jerk fashion to bans being imposed by other countries.

Although student Calvin OConnor feels that a social media ban for youngsters across Ireland could be seen as helpful, logistically this is something that would be difficult to implement and police.

I think it would help, but I dont think a social media ban would completely work.

There are always going to be people who can find a way around it and tell their friends how to get around it. So, I think a lot of people will still be on social media.

A study commissioned by the Australian government earlier in 2025 found that 96% of children aged 10-15 used social media, with 70% having been exposed to harmful content.

This included misogynistic and violent material, along with content promoting eating disorders and suicide. One in seven children also reported experiencing grooming type behaviour from adults or older children, while more than half said they had been the victim of cyberbullying.

Rather than an outright social media ban for Ireland such as in Australia, Calvin outlined how he feels young people should be educated more often about the dangers of social media.

I think it would be great to educate people about that and also teach them about digital footprints  that would help as well.

That is because you might see online a lot of people think they can comment stuff and get away with it, without realising that there might be repercussions when it comes to applying for college or trying to get a job interview.

Student Luke Sweetman agrees that there should be greater policing online in terms of the content which can be seen by young children in particular.

I wouldnt say that a ban is necessary. But I definitely think that there should be limits and restrictions on what minors can do online.

There definitely is stuff that under 16-year-olds shouldnt be seeing.

But I think if we are able to cut down on harmful material and make it safer, it would be a lot better.

Luke continued with how he feels that the use of social media overall has a more positive impact than negative.

I think it is really good to be able to connect with friends in that way and talk online when you are far away.

I think there are a lot of people who spend too much time on social media. But I think that having a balance is pretty healthy.

Noris Iurisniti also thinks that a total social media ban in Ireland would be excessive. But he feels that some form of limitation or restriction on what those under can see online would be beneficial.

On the recent controversy surrounding Grok AI being used to digitally undress images of women and children, Noris said: That is dangerous. If anything, they should wipe out AI on social media, rather than just wiping out social media for people under 16.

I think classes to teach people about the dangers of social media would be a good idea.

Pouches take seven or eight hours of social media time out of students lives

Colaiste Chriost Ri introduced a phone pouch system recently to create a phone-free zone during school hours and to help improve student interaction in the classroom.

The phone pouches are lockable and students carry the pouches with them throughout the day.

Pupils attending the school place their device in the pouch upon arrival at school at 8.30am and do not have access to their phones  unless permitted by teachers for educational purposes  until school ends at 3.25pm. The pouches are sealed with a magnetic lock upon arrival and can only be opened at designated unlocking stations at the end of the school day.

Deputy principal at Colaiste Chriost Ri, Liam Shorten, told The Echo: It has worked very well and none of our students are on their phones from the time they pass in through the gate every morning until they leave.

So that takes seven or eight hours of social media time out of the students lives.

He said that sometimes the teacher may need a phone in class for an educational project.

We have mobile unlocking stations that teachers can bring into class to unlock the phones, said the deputy principal.

Mr Shorten added: This is my sixth year in the school and you can definitely see a huge increase from when I started here.

He said a lot of the boys were visibly on their phones before the pouches were brought in.

Calvin O'Connor with one of the lockable YONDR mobile phone pouches. Picture: Larry Cummins.

We have stopped that now with the pouch system. We have seen a huge increase in the level of engagement in the class.

Also, socially, the boys are talking to each other a lot more now, as opposed to having the phone out the side of their pocket, looking down and not concentrating on what their friends are saying.

Mr Shorten feels Ireland could benefit from greater restrictions to protect young people online.

I think, with the proper controls, it would be very beneficial. Particularly when you see everything going on with AI at the moment, with Grok and images of young boys and girls.

There are youngsters in Ireland as young as eight and nine years old who have social media accounts, who are not even out of primary school yet.

So I would be very much in favour of something to protect young people as much as possible from the dangers that are there online.

TikTok begins rollout of new age verification technology across the EU

As calls for an Australian-style social media ban for under-16s increase, including here in Ireland, TikTok is beginning the roll-out of new age verification technology across the European Union in the coming weeks.

The system, which has been piloted in the EU over the past year, analyses profile information, posted videos and behavioral signals to predict whether an account may be belong to a user under the age of 13.

Accounts flagged by the TikTok system will be reviewed by specialist moderators rather than face an automatic ban, and may then be removed.

VERIFICATION

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, uses the verification company Yoti to verify ages of users on its social media platforms.

Last week, in response to a parliamentary question about age verification for private online platforms, communications minister Patrick ODonovan said: I am committed to working with all stakeholders, nationally and internationally, to ensure robust online safety measures are in place, in particular, to protect children and young people from inappropriate, harmful and illegal online content.

We are not yet at the stage where all of the issues raised can be answered.

"However, I can confirm that the introduction of age verification through the government's digital wallet will be in line with EU law and that all necessary steps will be taken to ensure that data protection and other rights of users will be protected.

Online safety is a top priority for me and I plan to make online safety a key theme of Ireland's presidency of the European Union.

"In my view, age verification is an essential component of any online safety framework and that is why I am committed to developing this age verification tool as part of Irelands digital wallet."
TDs, mayors and councillors across Cork have paid tribute to former MEP Brian Crowley, who died at CUH in the early hours of this morning, after a long illness.

The Lord Mayor of Cork, councillor Fergal Dennehy, described Mr Crowley as one of Irelands most enduring and successful representatives in the European Parliament.

He told The Echo: Over a career that spanned a quarter of a century, he became one of the countrys most recognisable political figures and one of its consistently strongest votegetters.

Despite playing a major role on the European political stage, he never lost touch with his roots. He had and always maintained a strong connection to Cork and to the communities he represented.

Fianna Fail TD Christopher OSullivan, who represents Cork South West, said that the late MEP was the closest to the complete politician that I ever met.

His ability to connect with people was unmatched. I remember canvassing with him in Clonakilty during the toughest of times. He would always take time to debate an issue with constituents and always shake hands with that person and part ways on good terms.

He was a superb musician too. I grew up listening to him sing in Shanleys bar in Clonakilty. He was a proud Bandonian. Above all else though he was a gentlemen who was loved by many.

Cork North Central Fine Gael TD Colm Burke, who served as an MEP alongside Mr Crowley from 2007 to 2009 said he was a dedicated public servant.

Brian served Cork and Ireland with distinction in Europe and was a thoughtful, committed representative who cared deeply about public service.

North Cork Fianna Fail TD Michael Moynihan described Brian as a person of incredible character and resilience, with a personality that drew people to him like very few I have witnessed.

Mr Crowleys intelligence shone through in every encounter and engagement, he said, adding: I have such fond memories of the times spent with Brian who was wonderful company, and I will always be deeply grateful for the incredible encouragement and help he gave me personally when I started my journey in politics.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Mary Linehan Foley, said that Mr Crowley was a great friend of Cork, a man who cared deeply for the entirety of Cork county and someone who always remained engaged with the people he represented, advocating tirelessly on their behalf.

The legacy he leaves as a legislator in the European Parliament, and as a public representative who helped shape Irelands and Corks place within the European Union, will stand the test of time.

Throughout his career, he retained a determination to always make a difference, a most admirable quality in a man with such a demanding role and public profile. My thoughts at this difficult time are with his family and friends.

Fianna Fail Cork county councillor for Macroom, Michael Looney, said: Brian was one of the greatest vote catchers we ever had in this country. He topped the poll every time he went out.

He had a disability, but he worked as an MEP for years and a highly respected one. Unfortunately, he had to give up due to health. It is a sad day for Fianna Fail and a sad day for the locality.

Requiem Mass for Brian will take place on Monday at 12 noon in St Patrick's Church in Bandon, with the family in attendance from 11am, with burial afterwards to adjoining cemetery.
GOING OUT

Theatre

Saturday

Reeling In The Years, Cork Opera House, 8pm: This Ronan Collins Showband Show has been a smash hit for the past 15 years, and returns to Cork this weekend. Tickets 32.

Never Going Back There, The Everyman, 8pm: Hunters Moon Theatre brings a new Irish play by Philip OByrne, to The Everyman stage. Never Going Back There depicts the story of a powerful Irish woman who would not allow religion, or the Magdalene laundries, to define her. Tickets 26.

Lovesong, Cork Arts Theatre, 8pm: The story, by Abi Morgan of one couple, told from two different points in their lives, as young lovers in their thirties and as worldly companions looking back on their relationship. Their past and present selves collide in this beautiful tale of togetherness. Tickets 19.

Sunday

Joanne McNally, Cork Opera House, 8pm: Pinotphile follows the runaway success of Joannes smash hit The Prosecco Express  a show that set off on its maiden voyage in initial previews back in 2019 before becoming a critically acclaimed global riot. Ticketmaster.ie crowned the show its Comedy Event of the Year following an unprecedented 78- show run at Dublins Vicar Street. Tickets 45.90

Music

Saturday

DMode, Cyrpus Avenue, 7pm: Irelands number one Depeche Mode tribute. This homage to the English band spans everything from the electro-pop of New Life right through to I Feel Loved and beyond. Tickets 19.26.

CC Outpost, Clancys Skybar, 8pm: The Skybar comes alive this Saturday with house, techno and garage tunes from Keefe, Jazelle, Leezur, Block A and Andrew McCarthy. Tickets 12.

Jenny Greene, Cyprus Avenue, 11pm: Jenny has been at the forefront of the Irish dance music scene for almost 20 years. Her long-running RTE 2FM show Electric Disco has been the soundtrack to countless weekends, cementing her as a defining voice of Irish club culture. Tickets 24.

Sunday

Sunday Sessions, Cronins Pub, Crosshaven, 6pm: Live music every Sunday from local and international artists, both original work and covers, often rocknroll, always good. Free.

Other Events

Saturday

Danza Beginners Workshop, Collective Cork, Triskel Arts Centre, 3pm: Discover the beauty and rhythm of Mexican folk dance while exploring its rich roots in European, African, and Indigenous traditions. Tickets 8.55

Sunday

Bartender Course, Kino Events House, 9am: Ready to shake things up? Join this in-person bartender and barback course to learn the ropes behind the bar. Tickets 70.

Our top 5 films at the cinema

1. Hamnet: Devastating and beautiful, this story is a five star must see.

2. Saipan: The infamous showdown between Roy Keane and Mick McCarthy.

3. Marty Supreme: Timothee Chalamet shines as an upstart in this electric underdog tale.

4. The History Of Sound: Paul Mescal and Josh OConnor play ill-fated lovers in the early 1900s.

5. Rental Family: Brendan Fraser stars as an out of work actor in Japan who gets an unusual gig.

STAYING IN

Television

Saturday

Dolly Parton At The BBC, BBC2, 8.35pm: A selection of archive appearances by the country superstar, who has just turned 80.

Sunday

Confessions Of A Killer, BBC2, 9pm: The story of how dentist Colin Howell walked into a police station in Coleraine, Co. Antrim, in 2009, and confessed to killing two people 18 years earlier.

Streaming

Star Search, Netflix: The U.S talent show ran from 1983 to 1995 and was resurrected briefly in 2003. Now its been dusted down for a third time.

Steal, Prime: Six-part thriller about an ordinary officer worker who is the victim of a heist at work.
By Cillian Sherlock, Press Association

The Justice Minister and the head of the Irish policy service have welcomed the establishment of a dedicated unit for handling Troubles-related legacy cases.

The Garda Troubles Legacy Liaison Unit was established as part of a joint framework on the Troubles announced by the British and Irish governments in September.

It is designed to act as a single point of contact for UK authorities seeking co-operation on cases, as well as a source for victims and families to inquire about Troubles-related investigations by An Garda Siochana.

Justice Minister Jim OCallaghan welcomed the move (Brian Lawless/PA)

Minister Jim OCallaghan said the unit was part of the Irish Governments commitment to play our full part in legacy processes and address the legacy of the conflict in this jurisdiction.

He added: Reciprocal co-operation is at the heart of the joint framework and it is my hope that engagement by the authorities on both sides of the border under the framework will assist families in their pursuit of truth, accountability and, where possible, justice.

I have heard from victims and families in Troubles-related cases that many feel that time is running out for them, so I want to thank the Garda Commissioner for moving quickly to establish this new unit.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said: The aim is that the unit will make the journey of navigating Troubles-related cases easier for the victims and families involved, while also supporting the wider work being conducted in securing truth, accountability and, where possible, justice.

However, TUV leader and MP Jim Allister described the unit as a whitewash of the Republic of Irelands role in the Troubles.

He said: The announcement of a Legacy Liaison Unit by the Garda is a gross insult to the countless innocent victims across Northern Ireland because of the fact that the Irish Republic acted as a safe haven from which terrorists could launch attacks at will.

An Garda Siochana Commissioner Justin Kelly (Niall Carson/PA)

The Department of Justice said the unit will endeavour to answer questions from victims and provide family reports where possible.

Mr Allister said this wording falls short of a commitment to pursue justice or open garda files to examine alleged collusion.

He said: What a contrast with the legacy mechanisms being set up by the UK hovernment, which have been changed specifically because of Dublins demands.

It is an indictment of our own government that they are keen to bow to Irish pressure when the arrangements in the south are so derisory.

In the Irish Republic there is to be no truth, no justice and no reckoning  merely a cosmetic exercise designed to manage victims expectations while protecting the state from scrutiny.

The investigation of Troubles-related incidents within the State will continue to be undertaken by the relevant Garda division, in consultation with the new liaison unit.

The Department of Justice said the work of the liaison unit will depend on the progress made by the UK government in enacting the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill and the full operation of the reformed Legacy Commission.
Alison O'Riordan

An associate of the Dundon McCarthy gang who fatally shot Noel Campion 19 years ago told multiple people - including a police officer in the US - that he had killed a man, the Central Criminal Court was told on Friday evening.

The court heard during today's sentence hearing for 42-year-old Darragh Quinlivan that he later characterised what he had said as "sh**e talk" and sarcasm.

Quinlivan had originally been charged with the murder of Mr Campion (35) on the northside of Limerick city on April 26th, 2007.

However, when arraigned before the Central Criminal Court last week, Quinlivan, originally from Limerick City but with an address at Ranswell Close, Bolton, Manchester in the UK, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life at or about the junction of High Road and Thomondgate in Limerick.

He has also pleaded guilty that on the same occasion with the purpose of enhancing the ability of a criminal organisation, being the Dundon McCarthy organised criminal group, to commit a serious offence in the State, to wit the murder of Mr Campion, did knowingly participate in the activity of that criminal organisation by shooting dead the said Mr Campion.

Mr Campion was shot dead as he was riding as a back passenger on a motorbike at Thomondgate in Limerick City - close to St Munchin's Church.

Prosecution counsel, Dean Kelly SC, previously told the court that Quinlivan was not pleading guilty to the offence of murder.

Sentence hearing

Inspector Fergal Hanrahan detailed the events of the morning of April 26th, 2007, telling Mr Kelly that the deceased Noel Campion had been due to appear in Limerick District Court for road traffic offences.

Mr Kelly said Mr Campion had travelled towards the city as a pavilion passenger on a motorcycle being driven by Brian 'Spider' Scanlan, who was in a relationship with the deceased's sister.

The Insp said the men were stopped in traffic behind a truck when 'lone male' Darragh Quinlivan walked out from a nearby phone booth and discharged a firearm a number of times, leading to the death of Mr Campion.

An eyewitness, who later rang 999, said that as he was parking his van a man in a red hoodie, who was about to open the door of the phone kiosk, had pulled a hood down over his forehead.

The witness said the shooter outstretched his right hand as the motorcycle passed him and fired four shots into the back of the pavilion passenger.

Insp Hanrahan said Quinlivan made his getaway in a Volkswagen Passat and left the scene at speed in the direction of Moyross. The vehicle was later found partially burnt out.

The court heard that an "extremely quick response" was made by gardai and paramedics, who commenced cardiopulmonary resuscitation on Mr Campion.

This continued en route to the hospital where it was noted that Mr Campion was in cardiac arrest with gunshot wounds to the front of the abdomen, said counsel.

Mr Campion, the lawyer said, was ultimately pronounced dead at 11:25am that morning; around 40 minutes after the shooting. There were eight gunshot wounds with four entry and four exit wounds. He died from blood loss from those injuries and had significant damage to the aorta.

At 8:45pm that night, gardai observed Quinlivan accompanied by seven other members of the McCarthy-Dundon gang drinking and behaving in a celebratory mood.

A short time later on May 1st, 2007, the court heard, Quinlivan went to the garda station to have a passport signed.

On May 2nd, 2007, the witness said Quinlivan appeared before Nenagh Circuit Court on an unrelated matter regarding the taking of a car. Quinlivan gave evidence, where he said it was his intention to leave Ireland to move to the US, where work was waiting for him. The defendant said it was his desire to leave the country as soon as he possibly could due to his involvement in a feud.

Mr Kelly said in 2007 there was a feud between the Keane-Collopy and the McCarthy-Dundon gangs.

The barrister said that gardai later received confidential information which caused the investigation to focus on Quinlivan. On May 10th, 2007, two gardaimet the defendant by appointment and took a voluntary cautioned interview about the morning of April 26th.

Asked to account for his movements, Quinlivan told officers he had stayed in his parents house on the night of April 25th. The defendant said he woke the next morning around 10:45am to a phone call from someone at the courthouse to say Mr Campion had been shot. "In essence he provided his own alibi and the news of the shooting caused him to get up," remarked Mr Kelly.

Quinlivan said he left his parents house that morning and went to visit the grave of his friend Frankie Ryan, who had died in 2006. Insp Hanrahan said Gary Campion is a brother of Noel and is serving a life sentence for this murder.

When gardai spoke to Quinlivan again four days later, the defendant said he recalled driving around in convoy with other cars and had gone to a party in John Dundon's house.

On May 25th, 2007, George Quinlivan was asked to account for his son's movements and he said Darragh was asleep in bed on the morning of April 26th.

Darragh Quinlivan, Mr Kelly said, left Ireland on June 6th, 2007, with his passport obtained in the days after the shooting. The defendant travelled to Tacoma in Washington State, where he lived and worked for the next six months.

Counsel said in the early hours of January 13th, 2008 local police were called to a domestic incident in a house, where the defendant and his uncle had a significant argument which strayed into violence.

One of the officers arrested Quinlivan and observed he was so drunk that when he was travelling to the police station he had trouble talking and walking.

The policeman said Quinlivan told him: "You know why I'm here, I killed a man in Ireland" and then named the man as being 'Noel'.

The defendant said he had shot the man in the back of the head "execution style". The officer also stated that Quinlivan said all the bullets were to the deceased man's trunk, none to the head and that he had killed him in retaliation for 'Noel' having killed a friend of his.

Another family friend said in a statement to police in August 2007 that Quinlivan had told her he had done something back home. She asked Quinlivan if he had killed someone, and she said he neither admitted nor denied that was the case.

Another woman said the defendant told her he was in the US as he had killed a member of an opposing gang and she recollected a motorbike being mentioned. She said Quinlivan told her he walked out and shot "the guy with a handgun". She said the defendant made the gesture of a handgun and said 'bang bang'.

The wife of Quinlivan's uncle also told police that while the defendant was living with them, he said he had killed someone but hadn't mentioned the name. Mr Kelly said these revelations were brought to the attention of gardai in Ireland to see if they were of assistance.

Quinlivan later denied to police in the US that he had murdered Mr Campion, adding that he hadn't fled there and that it was a planned trip. The defendant said he was closest to the Dundons and "couldn't get closer".

The defendant, Mr Kelly said, was deported back to Ireland from the US in 2008 and characterised what he said to the officer in the US as "sh**e talk" and sarcasm. Insp Hanrahan said the evidence in the case had been available to gardai some years ago and it was recommenced as a cold case review in 2022.

The witness said Quinlivan was a close associate of the McCarthy-Dundon criminal gang and was believed to have accidentally discharged a firearm at a house party in 2006, where a woman was injured.

"It was believed to have been not an incident of deliberate criminality but rather highly reckless horseplay, which led to her suffering a gun wound," said Mr Kelly.

Quinlivan has 24 previous convictions, including those for robbery with a firearm and the unauthorised taking of a MPV.

Under cross-examination, the Insp agreed with Seamus Clarke SC, defending, that a significant amount of evidence the State was to rely on at trial in essence came from Quinlivan's own mouth, including what he had said to people in the US with drink on board.

The detective further agreed with the lawyer that his client had removed himself from Limerick City after 2012 and moved to the UK, where he got a job, settled down and "took a turn in the road for the good".

The detective agreed with the prosecutor that gardai are of the view that the killing of Noel Campion was directed by the McCarthy-Dundon criminal organisation.

In his submissions, Mr Clarke said that his client wasn't somebody who was tight-lipped and had kept to himself in the past, but he was now the epitome of a family man and had worked hard the last 13 years for his three children.

Mr Justice Paul McDermott remanded Quinlivan in custody until February 9th, when he will be sentenced.
After being one of the first countries in the world to block Elon Musks Grok chatbot, Malaysia has now lifted its ban. Along with Indonesia, the country moved swiftly to temporarily halt access to X's frequently controversial AI chatbot earlier this month, after multiple reports emerged of it being used to generate deepfake sexualized images of people, including women and children.

At the time, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said the restrictions would remain in place until X Corp and parent xAI could prove they had enforced the necessary safeguards against misuse of the above nature.

Malaysian authorities appear to be taking X at its word, after the MCMC released a statement confirming it was satisfied that Musks company has implemented the required safety measures. It added that the authorities will continue to monitor the social media platform, and that any further user safety breaches or violations of Malaysian laws would be dealt with firmly.

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At the time of writing, only Malaysia and Indonesia have hit Grok with official bans, though UK regulator Ofcom opened a formal investigation into X under the countrys Online Safety Act, in the wake of the non-consensual sexual deepfake scandal. X has since changed its image-editing policies, and on January 14 the company said Grok will no longer allow "the editing of images of real people in revealing clothing such as bikinis."
Nicola Peltz's wedding to Brooklyn Beckham became more than a star-studded celebration; it spiralled into legal chaos.

The scandal has attracted a lot of attention, with court records showing a row of disagreements that were on the point of overshadowing the party.

Wedding planning fiasco gives rise to lawsuits

It seemed like the 3 million wedding of Brooklyn and Nicola was more difficult than expected.

The couple, however, used several wedding planners - their first team quit in six weeks after the ceremony, until they settled with a team that was headed by Nicole Braghin and Ariana Grijalba of Plan Design Events. However, Plan Design was fired after only nine days.

The planners and the disagreement soon grew out of proportion. Their resignation caused a big financial controversy since they never refunded a deposit of $159,000, leaving Nelson Peltz to sue to collect it, citing misrepresentation and non-professionalism.

Nelson Peltz claimed that Plan Design 'seriously misrepresented their skills and abilities and, in fact, lacked the necessary skills to perform.'

The backlash spilled over into legal action.

The wedding planners thus responded by counter-suing Nelson Peltz in February 2023, alleging breach of contract by him and the Peltz family. They wanted damages in the form of $50,000 and legal costs, claiming that they were well-established professionals who were wrongly targeted.

The legal papers outlined that Nicola and her mother, Claudia Peltz, wanted to lock out Victoria Beckham, the mother of Brooklyn, in the inner planning process, supposedly to cover up errors and misunderstandings.

The document also stated that it was also alleged that Nelson Peltz had spent more than $100,000 on Nicola's hair and make-up, and such disclosure would make him furious.

'Claudia mentioned to Braghin [a wedding planner] that Nelson could not know the cost of the hair and makeup, or he would 'kill her, and be so mad,' the lawsuit claimed.

Text, emails, and more wedding drama

Sections of letters were contained in court filings, and they were used to depict the stressful planning process. Nicola seemed to be frustrated with the problems with the guest list.

She mentions her exhaustion at dealing with RSVP and not being able to get her numbers right.

'I'm tired of catching mistakes on this rsvp list, honestly,' Nicola texted, pointing to a certain Lewis Hamilton as a wedding guest, although he hasn't responded to the invite.

She also expressed concerns about the schedule of the after-party, whereby she stressed that certain particular features were required, such as a water aisle and a corresponding water dance floor.

Brooklyn Beckham also brought in a playful idea, such as a Brooklyn burger with a lettuce bun and special fries, and how to incorporate personalised touches the couple wanted to take.

'We should do a Brooklyn burger. Likea double or single burger and a Nicola burger, which is no bun and it's lettuce instead of bun and meat for the girls,' Brooklyn chimed.

The explanatory messages created a vivid image of a wedding with inventive conflicts, logistic challenges, and expectations.

There were also tensions between the family members as the texts were found to have the team of Nicola trying to keep some of the details hidden from Victoria Beckham, which further complicated the planning process.

There was no trial, only settlements

The case did not even go to trial, although the disputes were growing. In March 2023, Nicola Peltz and her mom submitted a motion to drop active legal action.

In September 2023, the claim made by Nelson Peltz was dismissed, as well as the counterclaim made by the wedding planners.

The parties settled and provided that Plan Design Events should contribute to the CARE Ukraine Crisis Fund as a charitable donation to Nicola and Brooklyn.

Both parties released a joint statement, saying 'The parties believe that this contract dispute between Nelson Peltz and Plan Design should be resolved on the terms agreed. As part of the settlement, PDE will make a donation in the name of Nicola and Brooklyn to the CARE Ukraine Crisis Fund. PDE wishes Nicola and Brooklyn Peltz Beckham happiness and a fruitful life together.'

Originally published on IBTimes UK
Paris Hilton was back at Capitol Hill on Thursday to advocate for the DEFIANCE Act. This bill seeks to help victims of AI, generated pornographic content through legal recourse.

Recalling her personal ordeal, the socialite revealed the emotional pain of a private footage leak when she was only 19 years old.

According to Business Insider, Standing alongside Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Hilton told lawmakers, "When I was 19 years old, a private, intimate video of me was shared with the world without my consent."

"People called it a scandal. It wasn't. It was abuse." She said at the time there were no laws to protect her, noting that the internet was new and cruelty online was just beginning.

Hilton reflected on the public reaction, recalling that people "laughed and made me the punchline. They sold my pain for clicks, and then they told me to be quiet, to move on, to even be grateful for the attention."

She emphasized the long-lasting impact of losing control over her privacy. "I lost control over my body, over my reputation. My sense of safety and self-worth was stolen from me," she said.

AI Threats Intensify the Problem

Emphasizing the risks of AI technology, Hilton mentioned that the upsurge of deepfake pornography has made abuse more accessible and widespread.

"I believed that the worst was behind me, but it wasn't. What happened to me then is happening now to millions of women and girls in a new and more terrifying way," she said.

She explained that AI allows anyone to generate sexually explicit images without consent, turning imagination into victimization at scale.

Hilton disclosed that over 100,000 deepfake images of her have been created online. None of them is genuine, none of them is consensual, she said, describing the constant fear and violation that come with every new image.

The blonde beauty also pointed out that one out of every eight girls is affected by similar abuses, and she referred to the figures as staggering.

Speaking for Survivors

Hilton framed her advocacy as a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. "I had the platform to reclaim my story, but so many others don't," she said.

She encouraged lawmakers to see the bill as a measure of both justice and protection, particularly for young women.

"Now I have a daughter who's just two-and-a-half years old, and I would go to the ends of the earth to protect her. But I can't protect her from this, not yet," Hilton said.

She urged legislators to view the law as a tool for both justice and protection, especially for young women.

"I am Paris Hilton, a woman, a wife, a mom, a survivor, and what was done to me was wrong. And I will keep telling the truth to protect every woman, every girl, every survivor, now and for the future."
Harry Styles is trading his globe-trotting tour schedule for a more compact series of dates this year, a move fans say shifts the burden of travel from the artist to the audience.

The former One Direction star is promoting his new album Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally with a 50-date residency-style tour that will see him perform in seven major cities, including New York, London, Amsterdam, Sao Paulo, Mexico City, Melbourne, and Sydney, between May and December.

Unlike his last album cycle, which featured an epic 173-date tour lasting nearly two years, Styles' new residency will be concentrated.

Fan Frustration Mounts

The residency format, however, has drawn criticism from fans online.

On X, one fan wrote, "Maybe unpopular opinion, but I hate this residence type touring because it basically shifts the costs of travel to the fans. It used to be the artists trying to get to many fans as possible, now WE have to spend extra money on flights and hotels if we want to see the show."

as someone who goes to many many concerts i have serious beef with harry playing residencies like most people cannot afford concert tickets AND travel costs why are we setting the standard of concert accessibility like this  nat (@tatooinebarnes) January 23, 2026

Another added, "This. I fucking hate residencies with a passion. It's YOUR job to go see everyone, it's YOU who's got the money to travel to every city! Not your fans."

why don't artists understand that tour means you're supposed to come to US, we're not supposed to come to YOU https://t.co/RsYutJ5hb3   (@wandasattorney) January 22, 2026

Others complained about logistical difficulties, noting that tickets, flights, hotels, and time off work add up quickly.

"So fans of an artist are expected to buy tickets for 800 with two days notice, book flights and other travel, book hotels and take time off work because the artist is staying in one location and they call that a tour," one comment read.

he couldve just spread out the us shows this is so unfair  EMPRESS  (@YourXEmpress) January 22, 2026

residencies actually suck and should never be considered to even be a tour and especially not a world tour btw that trend is greedy and needs to gtfo  oli  (@guccixvans) January 22, 2026

Interesting approach. Will be interesting to see if enough people across North America will travel to New York for Harry Styles to sell out 30 nights at MSG. Surprised he didn't do like 10-15 in NY, 5-10 in Chicago/ midwest and 10-15 in LA.  Dare W (@darewecan) January 22, 2026

Music and Release Plans

Styles' new album, produced by longtime collaborator Kid Harpoon, will be released on March 6, with lead single "Aperture" dropping this Friday.

This will be Styles' fourth solo album and comes amid renewed competition with former One Direction bandmate Louis Tomlinson, who will release How Did I Get Here? the same day.

Fans have been given clues about the return through cryptic marketing, which included a puzzling website, webelongtogether.co, where a clock hit 5 P.M. with the word DISCO perfectly placed on its hands, hinting at an announcement that is about to be made.

On the album cover, Styles can be seen dancing under a disco ball, the cover continues the disco-inspired theme that has been revealed through various promotional posters worldwide.

Originally published on Music Times
H.W. Chip Gross began his professional career as an Ohio Wildlife Officer, but his skills as a writer, photographer and communicator could not be ignored, and the Division of Wildlife quickly capitalized on those skills.

Id gotten to know Chip early in my career, and to say I had respect for his abilities would be a terrible understatement. I envied his ability to put together a good story.

While I was chronicling the history of the division, I asked if I could include a story of his choosing. Without hesitation, he sent me the following account. It concerns an undercover wildlife agent and the work he did to try to nab a few of Ohios most serious violators. This is that story.

Undercover agent. You aint no damn game warden, are ya? the poacher snarled.

I looked him straight in the eye and lied. Game warden? I aint no game warden!

The poacher paused, mulling over my answer and added quietly, Then why you askin so many questions?

Thus begins the true story of R.T. Stewarts career as an undercover wildlife law enforcement officer with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife. For nearly two decades  late in the 20th century and early in the 21st  Stewart used his specialized skills to infiltrate poaching rings throughout Ohio, the Midwest and beyond.

In his book, Poachers Were My Prey: Eighteen Years as an Undercover Wildlife Officer, Stewart chronicles his many exciting undercover adventures, detailing the techniques he used in putting poachers behind bars. It also reveals the secrets employed by undercover wildlife officers in catching the bad guys.

Poaching, the illegal taking of wildlife, goes on every day across the United States and other countries throughout the world. Multi-millions of dollars change hands annually from the illegal sale or trade of antlers, hides, horns, meat, feathers, fur, teeth, claws, gall bladders and other wild animal parts. As a result, wildlife populations suffer  including some endangered and threatened species  and legitimate, law-abiding sport hunters get a black eye.

R.T. Stewart dedicated his professional career to stopping such slaughter, actually living with poachers for months or even years on end.

In essence, being an undercover officer involves living a lie, said Stewart. Youre always pretending to be someone youre not.

Undercover law enforcement work is dangerous and, as a result, extremely stressful. In addition, there are also psychological dangers. Stewart recalls during one particular case, nearly getting too far under and coming close to forgetting his real identity. Many undercover officers have crossed the line and become the very person they initially swore to stop.

In Stewarts book, you get an up-close and personal chance to look over his shoulder as he deals with the many temptations offered an undercover officer  money, sex, drugs, etc.  yet gets the job done and brings the poachers to justice.

Humorous sides. But Poachers Were My Prey is not all seriousness; it also has its lighter moments. In his open, honest, straight-from-the-shoulder storytelling style, Stewart recounts some of the more humorous sides of undercover wildlife law enforcement work. Such as the time, early in his career, when he was so nervous around a group of poachers that he inadvertently put a lit cigar in his mouth backwards, burning his lip.

The first time R.T. Stewart thought he was going to be shot and killed by poachers occurred during his very first undercover operation. He was staying with a group of poachers in a sleazy motel in southern Ohio when the incident happened.

Driving into the motel parking lot, I pulled up and parked in front of the door to the poachers room, Stewart remembers. I had one of the poachers with me  we were sitting in my truck eating sandwiches and talking  when I saw the door to the poachers room slowly begin to swing open. I continued watching the door and all of a sudden, I saw the muzzle of a 12-gauge shotgun pointed directly at me, not 20 feet away!

The first thought racing through my mind was that the bad guys had set me up and were going to kill me. I dropped the sandwich I was eating into my lap and started to reach for the handgun concealed under my coat. About that time, however, the guy pointing the shotgun at me broke up laughing  it had all been a joke!

It may have been a joke to the poachers, but it scared the hell out of me. I jumped out of the truck and started cussing the poachers, who were all laughing their heads off. I tried to hide my real feelings by acting tough, but in reality, I was just glad to be alive.

Operation Clanbake. One of R.T. Stewarts most lengthy and complex undercover investigations involving white-tailed deer was known as Operation Clanbake, so named because one of the two groups of poachers targeted in the case called themselves The Clan.

It began in the spring of 1992 and involved the illegal killing of hundreds of whitetails in southeast Ohio, as well as the illegal snagging and sale of walleyes from the Maumee River, a major Lake Erie tributary.

Over a period of several months, Stewart slowly infiltrated the two groups of poachers and eventually introduced the leaders of each group to one another.

The two poachers took such a liking to one another during that very first meeting that we all went out after dark that night and shot three deer together illegally, said Stewart. We drove the rural roads shining the woods and fields with a flashlight, then shot the deer in the head or neck from the vehicle with a .22 magnum caliber rifle, equipped with a telescopic sight.

Something that really bothered me during that very first night of poaching with those guys was that all three of the deer we killed were does carrying unborn twin fawns. White-tailed deer in good habitat normally give birth to twins each spring, sometimes even triplets or quadruplets. It bothered me to know that not only the deer wed killed were females, but that they had unborn young in their wombs.

Stewart continued, These poachers, it seemed, simply didnt care. To them, each deer was just another slab of meat with a dollar sign on its head. That was my first up-close encounter with men who appeared to have no conscience about killing wildlife illegally. It shocked me, and I vowed to myself that I would do whatever it took to eventually see these guys behind bars.

One of those first three deer did not die immediately when shot, so one of the poachers jumped out of the truck and beat it in the head with a tire iron to kill it. I could hear the doe bawling in the road ditch as he continued beating her until dead, said Stewart, it sickened me. Thats when I first realized that these guys were hardcore poachers, and I wanted to see them arrested and go to jail in the worst way. And I was willing to place my life on the line to make it happen.

Many months later, following many such poaching incidents, teams of uniformed Ohio Division of Wildlife officers were assigned, assembled and briefed. The takedown in the case happened the next morning at dawn, Feb. 10, 1993. All the suspects were arrested simultaneously without incident and transported to either Chillicothe or Gallipolis, Ohio, for incarceration.

Clan members and others, a total of 20 people, were charged with 256 wildlife law violations. Found guilty, they were assessed fines in excess of $24,000, ordered to pay restitution to the state of Ohio for the loss of wild animals in excess of $14,000, and received revocation of hunting privileges in Ohio for a combined total of 88 years.

In addition, the Clan forfeited one vehicle and four guns to the state, were sentenced to 86 days in jail (with 30 years probation), and were ordered to do community service work involving 19 different programs.

I will never forget the emotions I experienced that night, said Stewart. When I finally got home and realized that everything was over, that Operation Clanbake was completed and a success, I cried like a baby. No doubt that emotional letdown was a relief from the mental stress I had been under for nearly a year and a half.

Truth be told, R.T. Stewart is not the author of his own book. R.T. and Chip had an agreement for years that when his undercover wildlife law enforcement career was finally over, Chip would write his story. Both thank Kent State University Press and their editors for publishing Poachers Were My Prey in 2012.

The book is available in print or audio from Amazon.com. Other books written by Chip include: Pro Tactics Steelhead and Salmon; Young Beginners Guide to Shooting and Archery; Trolling Big-Water Walleyes; Ohio Wildlife Viewing Guide; Home, at last, is the Hunter and How to Become a Freelance Outdoor and Nature Writer.

Learn more about Chip Gross and his writing at www.chipgross.com.

And if you ever consider stepping across the line when it comes to wildlife laws, concludes Stewart, just remember, were out there. Catch ya later

Theres a simple way to solve the crime problem, obey the law; punish those who do not.

 Anonymous
The Mayor of York and North Yorkshire has unveiled a major overhaul of the Grow Yorkshire programme after a report found more than half of the regions 7,000 commercial farms are not making sustainable profits.

Approved at a Combined Authority meeting, the changes will see Grow Yorkshire reshaped into an expert advisory panel for the farming sector, focused on improving farm resilience and long-term sustainability.

The findings highlighted a range of pressures facing farmers, including market volatility, the impacts of climate change and ongoing policy changes.

Since its establishment in 2019, Grow Yorkshire has funded more than 100 audits and tests on farms, alongside developing special interest groups and training programmes.

However, the authority's review concluded that further intervention is now urgently needed.

Our farmers are the backbone of York and North Yorkshire, but with more than half of farms currently making unsustainable profits, we cannot afford to stand still, said David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire.

He said the changes would strengthen Grow Yorkshires role in representing the sector.

Grow Yorkshire has already been so important at speaking up for farmers, today weve strengthened their role, giving a stronger voice to those who know farming and rural communities best, he said.

Skaith added that rural areas must play a central role in shaping future support. Rural communities cant just survive, they have to thrive and be at the centre of telling us how to achieve this, he said.

Under the new format, Grow Yorkshire will focus on implementing national recommendations to help more farms achieve sustainable profitability.

It will also back new farming methods to reduce environmental impact and work to remove barriers to training and farmer wellbeing support.

The initiative works with a range of regional and national partners representing the farming sector, including the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, the NFU and the Country Land and Business Association.

Harriet Ranson, director north at the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), welcomed the expanded role for Grow Yorkshire.

"The CLA has been an active participant since Grow Yorkshire was first established, and we welcome Mayor David Skaiths recognition of its importance and the expansion of its role into an Expert Advisory Panel, she said.

She added: The CLA is always ready and willing to represent our farmers and rural businesses within local government fora to ensure they implement policies that are fit for purpose, that stimulate farm profitability and wider rural economic growth.

The revamped Grow Yorkshire panel is expected to play a central role in shaping future support for farms and rural businesses across York and North Yorkshire.
A petition signed by nearly 80,000 people is calling on ministers to crack down on supermarket food labels accused of making imported produce appear British.

The campaign, launched by Fidelity Weston, a farmer at Romshed Farm in Kent, says misleading branding is undermining domestic producers and confusing shoppers.

Ms Weston argues that some supermarkets are using Union Jack imagery and phrases such as Made in Britain on food grown abroad, creating the impression it is UK-produced while relying on cheaper imports.

In the petition, she says supermarkets need to stop misleading us so that they can undermine British farmers who have higher standards.

She claims unclear labelling allows retailers to blur food origins, undercutting farmers who operate to stricter animal welfare, environmental and food safety standards.

Ms Weston says transparency matters for consumers as well as producers, adding: No one should be misled about where their food comes from.

The campaign argues the issue has become more urgent, as pressure grows on ministers to protect domestic food production and maintain standards.

Its time ministers crack down on rogue supermarket tactics  and protect farmers, customers and standards, the petition states.

Supporters say food origin labels must be clear and meaningful, rather than relying on branding that risks misleading shoppers at the point of sale.

The petitions rapidly growing support, now nearing 80,000 signatures, is being used to push the issue higher up the political agenda.

Ms Weston says that level of backing should force this issue up the agenda and ensure ministers act to protect British food standards.
Britains biggest supermarkets are under growing pressure to publicly rule out chlorinated chicken, as campaigners and farmers warn that food standards risk being traded away in UK-US negotiations.

Retailers including Tesco, Sainsburys, Asda, Aldi and Waitrose have been asked to clarify whether they will continue to keep lower-standard imports off their shelves, amid renewed scrutiny of how food origin and standards are communicated to shoppers.

The pressure follows a campaign led by 38 Degrees, which says consumer concern is intensifying as trade talks with the US continue, building on a framework agreement reached in June 2025.

More than 150,000 shoppers have backed the campaign, urging supermarkets to commit to rejecting chlorinated chicken and hormone-treated meat.

Polling commissioned by the group and carried out by Savanta suggests supermarkets could face significant public backlash if such products were allowed onto shelves.

The survey found 68% of UK adults oppose selling chlorinated chicken or hormone-treated meat in UK supermarkets, even if it helped secure a trade deal with the US, while just 9% said they would support the move.

Opposition spans the political spectrum, with majorities of Labour, Conservative and Reform voters against the products appearing in stores.

For farmers, the issue goes beyond consumer choice. Industry groups have long warned that allowing imports produced to lower standards risks undercutting domestic producers already operating under stricter welfare, environmental and food safety rules.

Chlorine-washed chicken and hormone-treated beef are currently banned in the UK, and standards have repeatedly been cited by farming organisations as a red line in trade negotiations.

Alongside the polling, more than 75,000 shoppers have also signed a separate petition calling on retailers to rule out stocking chlorine-washed chicken and hormone-treated beef.

In a letter to supermarket chief executives, 38 Degrees warned that selling such products would be a red line for many customers.

Campaigners argue that chlorine washing is linked to poorer animal welfare standards in parts of the US poultry sector, while hormone-treated meat remains banned in the UK on public health grounds.

They also warn that cheaper imports produced to lower standards would put further pressure on British farmers margins at a time of rising costs and ongoing market volatility.

Supermarkets sit at the centre of the debate, having made voluntary commitments in 2020 to keep such products off their shelves, even as trade policy remains the responsibility of government.

Retailers have now been given until 2 February to confirm whether they will renew those commitments, as pressure grows for clear assurances on food standards and sourcing.

For the farming sector, the outcome is seen as a key test of whether standards promised in policy are upheld at the checkout, or eroded through imports that UK producers are not allowed to match.
Family and farming partnerships operating on trust rather than paperwork have been put on notice after the Court of Appeal ruled that unwritten promises can force a compulsory buy-out.

In a decision with wide-reaching consequences, the court confirmed that long-term reliance on an informal assurance can justify blocking an open market sale where that outcome would be unfair.

The ruling arose from a dispute between brothers Matthew and Daniel Cobden, equal partners in the Witcombe Farm Partnership, a substantial dairy business in Somerset.

The partnership had operated since 2006 as a partnership at will, with no written agreement setting out exit arrangements or dispute resolution mechanisms.

Evidence showed Matthew was the driving force behind the business, leading major developments including the construction of a large dairy unit between 2013 and 2015. Daniels role focused primarily on machinery and vehicles.

At the heart of the case was an unwritten understanding formed during a 2005/2006 conversation, under which Matthew believed Daniel would eventually leave the partnership and be bought out at a fair price.

Matthew relied on that assurance by committing himself to the long-term expansion and development of the farm, believing he would ultimately continue the business alone.

Relations deteriorated in 2021, and in August 2022 Matthew served notice dissolving the partnership. He then applied for a court order compelling Daniel to sell his share to him at a valuation determined by experts.

Daniel opposed the claim, arguing that dissolution required an open market sale of all partnership assets under the Partnership Act 1890, allowing both brothers to bid.

The High Court rejected that approach. Judge Russen KC found Matthew had established an equity akin to proprietary estoppel and ruled that an open market sale would be unfair and unjust.

He pointed to Matthews long-term reliance on the assurance, as well as the tax consequences of a sale, the impact on a related dairy herd company and the disruption that would be caused to farm workers.

The court granted a Syers order compelling Daniel to sell his interest to Matthew. Daniel appealed.

The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, confirming that Matthew was entitled to buy out his brother rather than see the business sold on the open market.

Lord Justice Newey rejected the argument that Syers orders are confined to four narrow categories identified in earlier case law, saying those examples were not exhaustive.

He confirmed that the key test remains whether an open market sale would serve the interests of justice or instead produce an unfair result.

Crucially, the court confirmed that a proprietary estoppel-ish equity can itself make a market sale unjust, even where the facts do not fit neatly within established categories.

The decision expands the circumstances in which courts can order a compulsory buy-out at valuation, rather than applying the default statutory remedy of selling all assets under Section 39 of the Partnership Act 1890.

It also elevates the importance of historical conduct, informal conversations and shared expectations over strict statutory mechanics when partnerships break down.

The dispute stands as a clear warning to farming and family businesses operating without formal partnership agreements.

Where exit routes are undocumented, long-term assurances may now carry decisive legal weight, exposing partners to outcomes they never expected when relationships unravel.
Calling it a moment to cherish, Prakash Raj met National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronaut Sunitha Williams at the Kerala Literature Festival in Kozhikode on Thursday. The National Award-winning actor took to social media to share delightful pictures from the meeting. In the photos, he is seen posing for the camera and enthusiastically showing something on his phone to Williams.



The event brought together the worlds of cinema and space in a manner that deeply moved audiences. Prakash Raj and Sunithas brief interaction soon became one of the most talked-about highlights of the festival. Expressing his delight at meeting the world-renowned astronaut, Prakash Raj wrote, What a moment to cherish to meet to have conversed with such a courageous woman of our times #SunithaWilliams at #KLF sharing with you all my over-the-moon memories, accompanied by three heart emojis. Fans soon flooded his comments section with messages of love, pride, and emotion.



Meanwhile, Prakash Raj recently revealed that he is part of SS Rajamoulis next directorial venture, starring Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, tentatively titled Varanasi. The actor has already completed a brief shooting schedule for his role in Hyderabad.





What a moment to cherish . to meet .. to have conversed with such a courageous woman of our times .. #SunithaWilliams at #KLF  sharing with you all my over the moon memories  pic.twitter.com/YN5JfyP9Tt  Prakash Raj (@prakashraaj) January 22, 2026
Critic's rating 3.5 /5

Few Hindi war films carry the emotional heft and cultural memory of Border (1997). J.P. Duttas thunderous ode to sacrifice, camaraderie and wounded patriotism has lived on in public imagination not merely as cinema but as ritual, quoted, replayed and revered. Border 2, directed by Anurag Singh, steps into that formidable shadow with reverence, ambition and technical polish. It is a film that clearly wants to honour the legacy, update the grammar for contemporary audiences, and still deliver the chest-thumping emotion expected of the franchise. What it achieves is a handsome, stirring war spectacle, though one that occasionally plays it safe where its predecessor dared to be operatic.



Drawing inspiration from real-life heroes of the 1971 IndiaPakistan war, the film weaves together three strands of military bravery. Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya (Varun Dhawan), Param Vir Chakra awardee of the 3 Grenadiers, anchors the narrative with his battlefield leadership at the Battle of Basantar. Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon (Diljit Dosanjh), the Indian Air Forces only PVC recipient, brings soaring aerial heroics and tragic valour. Lt Cdr M. S. Rawat (Ahan Shetty) represents the Navys quieter but no less decisive theatre of conflict. Sunny Deols Lt Col Fateh Singh Kaler functions as a composite figure, part mentor, part myth, embodying the steely command and moral authority of senior Army leadership.



The screenplay opens with a tense skirmish led by Sunny Deols larger-than-life officer, hinting at a looming enemy offensive. A flashback then introduces the trio as cadets under his command at a training institute, competitive, idealistic, bonded by youthful bravado and emotional loyalty. The camaraderie is familiar territory, yet effective in establishing emotional stakes. When war erupts in 1971, the narrative fractures into parallel heroics: Diljits lone aerial dogfights against multiple enemy aircraft; Ahans high-seas confrontation with a Pakistani submarine even as his ship sinks beneath him; and Varuns prolonged ground battle against overwhelming enemy forces, with soldiers fighting to their last breath. Sunny Deol arrives, almost mythically, smashing tanks and turning the tide when all seems lost.



The performances largely sustain the films emotional engine. Diljit Dosanjh is effortlessly charismatic as the cocky flying ace, balancing swagger with vulnerability. Ahan Shetty brings quiet sincerity and physical conviction to his naval officer, while Varun Dhawan shoulders the films emotional weight convincingly, inhabiting the grit and accent of a Haryanvi Jat officer with surprising restraint. Sunny Deol, ageing into the archetype he helped create, remains the patriarchal anchor, a commanding presence haunted by the loss of his son in the 1965 war.



The women characters, though limited by screen time, add texture to the domestic cost of war. Medha Rana leaves a gentle imprint as Varuns steadfast wife Dhanvanti Devi Dahiya. Sonam Bajwa glows as Diljits newly-wed spouse, while Anya Singh appears fleetingly as Ahans partner, more symbolic than substantial. Mona Singh makes her presence felt as Sunny Deol's loving, supportive wife.



Where Border 2 subtly falters is in its directorial temperament. Anurag Singh is technically assured and narratively disciplined, but he lacks J.P. Duttas unapologetic romanticism and painterly excess. Dutta framed war like epic poetry, loud, messy, emotionally indulgent. Singh, by contrast, stays within the lines. The film moves efficiently from beat to beat, inserting calibrated doses of jingoism and deploying impressively polished CGI for its action set-pieces. The result is a war film that ticks all the commercial boxes, scale, patriotism, star power, visual effects but rarely surprises or overwhelms emotionally.



Yet, this restraint may also be its contemporary strength. In an era of heightened nationalism and performative outrage, Border 2 largely avoids slipping into shrill propaganda, even if it occasionally panders to crowd-pleasing rhetoric. Its respect for the armed forces feels sincere rather than exploitative, its violence stylised but not gratuitous, its emotions earnest if slightly controlled.



Ultimately, Border 2 works best as a tribute, not a reinvention. It honours real heroes, celebrates inter-service unity, delivers rousing action and solid performances, and provides audiences with the comforting familiarity of patriotic spectacle. What it lacks is the raw, unfiltered emotional abandon that made the original Border an enduring cultural artefact. This is a safe, well-mounted successor, stirring in parts, respectable in intent but one that reminds us that legacy is not merely inherited; it must also be boldly reimagined.



Also Read: Varun Dhawan Shares Intense Soldier Look From Border 2, Says The Film Changed Him for Good


Los Angeles, California--(Newsfile Corp. - January 22, 2026) - Buy California Luxury Homes Realty LLC, brokered by Keller Williams Realty, has officially launched operations in California's luxury real estate market. The company also announced the release of its corporate website, buycalifornialuxuryhomesrealty.com, providing buyers and sellers direct access to curated listings, market resources, and professional agent representation.

Buy California Luxury Homes Realty enters the market with a clear focus: serving high-net-worth clients who require confidentiality, disciplined preparation, and experienced negotiation. The firm's launch reflects the rising demand for luxury representation backed by real analysis, not surface-level marketing.

Today's luxury clients arrive informed. They evaluate value, long-term risk, property condition, and transaction structure before moving forward. Buy California Luxury Homes Realty was built to match that mindset, with a process-driven model designed to support serious buyers and sellers at the highest price points.

Founder Komla Sobakin commented on the firm's market entry:

"We're witnessing a generational shift in wealth. Analysts project that approximately $31 trillion will be transferred over the next decade, with a major portion moving to Millennials and Gen X. These buyers approach real estate differently. They want data-driven evaluation, not just a polished presentation. My background managing multi-million-dollar federal construction contracts equips us to deliver the technical due diligence and disciplined transaction oversight this new class of luxury clients expects."

The website launch reflects the company's ambition to serve high-net-worth clients throughout California's most coveted markets. The platform supports statewide engagement across prestigious enclaves, including Atherton, Hillsborough, Los Altos Hills, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Los Gatos, Saratoga, Ross, Kentfield, Belvedere, Tiburon, Sausalito, Pebble Beach, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Beverly Hills, Holmby Hills, Bel Air, Trousdale Estates, the Bird Streets of the Hollywood Hills, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Hidden Hills, Calabasas, Palos Verdes Estates, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Newport Coast, Newport Beach, Corona del Mar, Crystal Cove, Laguna Beach, Dana Point, San Clemente, Rancho Santa Fe, Fairbanks Ranch, Del Mar, La Jolla, and Coronado, among others. Through its brokerage relationship with Keller Williams Realty, the firm combines expansive platform reach with localized market expertise.

With operations now underway, Buy California Luxury Homes Realty will focus on expanding brand visibility across California, engaging property owners and qualified buyers, and showcasing Los Angeles luxury homes for sale.

About Buy California Luxury Homes Realty LLC:

Buy California Luxury Homes Realty is a veteran-owned luxury real estate company headquartered in Los Angeles, operating under the Keller Williams Realty banner and specializing in representing buyers and sellers of high-value residential properties throughout California.

Founded and led by Komla Sobakin, the firm is recognized for combining elite-level client representation with extensive expertise in construction contract management, an uncommon advantage in today's luxury marketplace. This specialized background enables the company to bring a more analytical, detail-driven approach to every transaction, supporting a stronger negotiation strategy, clearer risk evaluation, and more informed decision-making for clients.

With a focus on discretion, service excellence, and results, Buy California Luxury Homes Realty delivers concierge-level guidance for discerning buyers and sellers from initial consultation through closing.

Media Contact





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Source: GetFeatured
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 22, 2026) - Alma Gold Inc. (CSE: ALMA) ("Alma Gold" or the "Company") announces that Jean-Marc Gagnon has retired from the Company's board of directors and as Vice President, Exploration, effective January 12, 2026.

Mr. Gagnon has had a long career in the mineral industry, with a particular focus on gold exploration in West Africa. His contributions to Alma Gold and to the broader exploration sector have been invaluable. The Company wishes to thank Mr. Gagnon for his contributions and dedication during his tenure with Alma Gold and wishes him the very best in his retirement. Mr. Gagnon has agreed to remain with the Company as a consultant to support an orderly transition.

The Company is in the process of evaluating candidates to fill the vacancy and will provide an update in due course.

Gregory Isenor, President and CEO of Alma Gold, stated, "I have worked with Jean-Marc for 25 years in West Africa, and he played a key role in the gold discoveries we made with Jilbey Gold, Merrex Gold, Roscan Gold and Sylla Gold. He has helped position Alma Gold with an excellent land package in Guinea that is ready to drill."

About Alma Gold Inc.

Alma Gold Inc. is a gold-focused exploration company based in Bedford, Nova Scotia. Alma Gold Inc. through its subsidiary Karita Gold Corp. is exploring the Karita West Project in northern Guinea, the Dialakoro project permits under application in the Siguiri Basin of Guinea..

For more information on Alma Gold Inc., please visit our website at: https://www.almagoldinc.ca.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

"Gregory Isenor"

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements in this news release may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company's plans to identify and appoint a replacement Vice President, Exploration, and the timing thereof. Forward-looking statements are based on management's expectations, assumptions and beliefs as of the date hereof and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/281350

Source: Alma Gold Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 22, 2026) - RED METAL RESOURCES LTD. (CSE: RMES) (OTC Pink: RMESF) (FSE: I660) ("Red Metal" or the "Company") announces that it has closed the first tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement financing (the "Offering") (see news releases dated January 7, 2026, and January 19, 2026) by issuing 9,125,000 units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of $0.06 per Unit for gross proceeds of $547,500 (the "First Tranche").

Caitlin Jeffs, President & CEO, commented: "We are very pleased with the strong support shown in this first tranche. The participation from both new and existing shareholders, including our insiders, reflects continued confidence in Red Metal's strategy and the potential of our projects in Chile. This funding strengthens our position as we advance our exploration plans for 2026."

Each Unit is comprised of one common share of the Company (a "Share") and one Share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"), with each Warrant exercisable to acquire one additional Share at a price of $0.09 for the first 12 months from the date of issuance, $0.12 for the 12-24 month period from issuance, and $0.15 for the 24-36 month period from issuance.

The securities issued under the First Tranche are subject to a statutory four month hold from the date of issuance. In connection with the First Tranche, the Company paid $1,260 in cash finder's fees and issued 21,000 finder's warrants. Each finder's warrant entitles the holder to purchase one Share of the Company at a price of $0.06 per Share for a period of two years from the date of issuance.

The proceeds from the First Tranche will be used for general working capital purposes and to advance exploration on the Company's Carrizal copper project in Chile.

MI 61-101 Disclosure

Two insiders participated in the First Tranche for aggregate proceeds of $300,000. Each insider's participation in the Offering constitutes a "related party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company is relying on the exemptions under section 5.5(a) and section 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101, as the fair market value of the Units issued to each of the related parties and the consideration paid by each of the related parties under the First Tranche did not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization, as determined in accordance with MI 61-101. The Company did not file a material change report in respect of the related party transactions at least 21 days before the closing of the First Tranche due to the Company's desire to close the First Tranche expeditiously.

Early Warning Disclosure

Ms. Caitlin Jeffs, an officer and director of the Company, acquired 2,500,000 Units pursuant to the First Tranche of the Offering. Immediately prior to the closing of the First Tranche, Ms. Jeffs owned, or had control or direction over, directly or indirectly, 1,911,774 Shares and 346,667 stock options of the Company representing approximately 4.78% of the then issued and outstanding common shares of the Company on an undiluted basis and approximately 5.59% of the Company's issued and outstanding Shares on a partially diluted basis, assuming that Ms. Jeffs exercised all of her stock options, and no other securities of the Company were issued. Immediately after the closing of the First Tranche, Ms. Jeffs owned or had control or direction over, directly or indirectly, 4,411,774 Shares, 2,500,000 Warrants and 346,667 stock options of the Company, representing approximately 8.97% of the Company's issued and outstanding Shares on an undiluted basis, and approximately 13.96% of the Company's issued and outstanding Shares on a partially diluted basis, assuming that Ms. Jeffs exercised all of her Warrants and stock options, and no other securities of the Company were issued. Ms. Jeffs acquired the securities for investment purposes. She may acquire or sell additional securities of the Company either on the open market or through private acquisitions or dispositions in the future depending on market conditions, reformulation of plans and/or other relevant factors.

The disclosure respecting the securityholdings of the Company of Ms. Jeffs contained in this press release is made pursuant to National Instrument 62-103 The Early Warning System and Related Take Over Bids and Insider Reporting Issues, and Ms. Jeffs will file any early warning report respecting her acquisition with the applicable securities regulators in Canada with respect to the foregoing matters pursuant to NI 62-103, a copy of which will be available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

About Red Metal Resources Ltd.

Red Metal Resources is a mineral exploration company focused on growth through acquiring, exploring and developing clean energy and strategic minerals projects. The Company's current portfolio includes the 100% owned Ville Marie claims in Quebec, Canada, as well as the Company's Chilean projects, which are located in the prolific Candelaria iron oxide copper-gold (IOCG) belt of Chile's coastal Cordillera. Red Metal is quoted on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol RMES, on the OTC Link alternative trading system on the OTC Pink marketplace under the symbol RMESF, and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol I660.

For more information, visit www.redmetalresources.com

Forward-Looking Statements - All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws including, without limitation, statements related to the Offering and expected use of proceeds, the Company's plans to advance exploration on the Carrizal copper project in Chile, the Company's exploration plans and objectives for 2026, and any expectations regarding the completion of additional tranches of the Offering. Red Metal provides forward-looking statements for the purpose of conveying information about current expectations and plans relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. By its nature, this information is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to the ability to raise adequate financing, receipt of required approvals, as well as those risks and uncertainties identified and reported in Red Metal's public filings under its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Although Red Metal has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Red Metal disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise unless required by law.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISSEMINATION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/281349

Source: Red Metal Resources Ltd.
Austin, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - January 22, 2026) - Duramax Sheds Online, today announced the release of its interactive Shed Size Calculator, a new online tool designed to help residential and commercial buyers determine the minimum size of an outdoor storage shed based on their specific storage requirements.

The Shed Size Calculator allows users to input common items such as lawn equipment, tools, bicycles, vehicles, or workspace needs, and receive a calculated minimum shed size in square feet. By converting the user's items into approximate square-footage requirements, the tool helps users better understand how much space is needed before selecting a product.

The calculator is intended to address a common challenge faced by storage buyers: underestimating or overestimating space requirements. Many buyers struggle to visualize how individual items translate into usable floor space, particularly when comparing different shed dimensions. The Shed Size Calculator provides a structured approach by organizing storage needs into a clear minimum size recommendation.

In addition to item-based inputs, the recommended size reflects practical walking and access space, rather than a tight, item-only fit.

The Shed Size Calculator is accessible directly on the Duramax Sheds Online website and can be used prior to browsing product listings. It is designed to support more informed decision-making by helping users narrow down suitable size categories before reviewing specific models or configurations.

The introduction of the Shed Size Calculator reflects a broader trend toward interactive planning tools in e-commerce, particularly for larger purchases where size, layout, and long-term use play a significant role in buyer satisfaction.

Why Duramax Sheds Online Is a Leading Choice for Outdoor Storage Solutions

Duramax Sheds Online is trusted by homeowners and businesses across the United States for providing durable, factory-direct priced vinyl sheds, detached garages, and insulated buildings. Customers benefit from clear specifications, helpful assembly resources, and friendly service, ensuring a seamless experience from selection to setup. The new Shed Size Calculator further enhances this experience by removing the guesswork from determining the correct size outdoor storage solution.

Top Products Offered by Duramax Sheds Online

Vinyl Sheds: Durable and weatherproof storage options for various needs.

Durable and weatherproof storage options for various needs. Detached Garages: Providing secure and spacious storage options for vehicles and equipment.

Providing secure and spacious storage options for vehicles and equipment. Insulated Buildings: Structures ideal for workshops, offices, or storage designed for year-round use.

Duramax Sheds Online Differentiates Itself by Offering

Durable Quality: Well-built vinyl sheds, detached garages, and insulated buildings designed for long-term outdoor use and backed by strong manufacturer warranties.

Well-built vinyl sheds, detached garages, and insulated buildings designed for long-term outdoor use and backed by strong manufacturer warranties. Factory-Direct Pricing: Factory-direct pricing that delivers strong value for backyard storage solutions plus complimentary shipping across the contiguous United States.

Factory-direct pricing that delivers strong value for backyard storage solutions plus complimentary shipping across the contiguous United States. Easy Assembly: Products designed for straightforward DIY installation, supported by clear instructions, manuals, and helpful assembly resources.

Products designed for straightforward DIY installation, supported by clear instructions, manuals, and helpful assembly resources. Friendly Service: Knowledgeable, responsive customer support that helps customers choose the right outdoor storage solution with confidence.

Knowledgeable, responsive customer support that helps customers choose the right outdoor storage solution with confidence. Customer-Focused Tools: Practical tools like the Shed Size Calculator that help buyers determine the right size upfront, avoiding overspending on unnecessary space or needing to upgrade later.

About Duramax Sheds Online

Duramax Sheds Online is a leading online retailer specializing in vinyl sheds, detached garages, and insulated buildings for residential and commercial customers. Headquartered in Austin, TX, Duramax Sheds Online offers durable, factory-direct priced outdoor storage solutions, supported by clear specifications, helpful assembly resources, and friendly service. Visit https://duramaxshedsonline.com for more information.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280845

Source: Niche Ranker
SYDNEY and DUBLIN and JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Sigenergy, a global energy storage innovator, has been ranked the No. 1 energy storage brand in multiple international markets, including Australia, Ireland, and South Africa, according to the latest reports from SunWiz, an independent solar and energy consultancy.

Across these markets, SunWiz data confirms Sigenergy's market leadership in energy storage system market share by total installed capacity across the 0-1000 kWh range, reflecting broad installer adoption and strong customer preference. In Australia, Ireland, and South Africa, Sigenergy is the most widely selected energy storage brand among installers, reinforcing its position as a leading supplier in both mature and fast-growing energy markets.

In addition, Sigenergy has maintained its position as the No. 1 battery manufacturer in Australia by blended capacity[1] since March 2025. Based on SunWiz data, the company has held this top ranking for ten consecutive months, underscoring sustained market leadership rather than a short-term surge.

Sigenergy's strong regional performance reflects a consistent global growth trajectory. On a worldwide basis, Frost & Sullivan has ranked Sigenergy No. 1 in the stackable all-in-one Distributed Energy Storage System category. In 2024, Sigenergy shipped 475 MWh in this segment, capturing a 28.6 percent share of the global market.

Founded in 2022, Sigenergy has rapidly emerged as one of the fastest-growing companies in the global energy storage industry, driven by a focus on innovation, product reliability, and installer-centric design.

[1] Blended capacity refers to the total energy capacity (in kilowatt-hours, kWh) of residential battery systems proposed, sold, and installed.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2867285/3_countries.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/sigenergy-ranked-no-1-energy-storage-brand-across-multiple-global-markets-according-to-sunwiz-302667904.html
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / January 22, 2026 / Core Capital Partners Inc. ("Core") will exhaustively pursue all available avenues to appeal the decision rendered by the panel of British Columbia Securities Commission ("BCSC" or "Commission") Commissioners. Core agrees with the panel on their decision regarding Reliq Health, however, strongly disagrees with its findings regarding Integrated Cannabis and Block One Technologies. Core has been steadfast in its defense and contention that the investigation itself and ultimately the resulting accusations were without merit, and after an eight-year investigation our resolve remains unchanged.

This matter has spanned over eight years and was riddled with glaring prejudice, blatant disregard for basic investigative procedure and a complete disregard for public interest. Throughout this ordeal, Core, its principals and partners have experienced the Commission's overreaching powers, lack of due process, suppression/ignorance of exculpatory evidence and retaliatory behaviour.

Shortly after commencing the investigation in 2018 and five years before putting forth an accusation of wrongdoing, the Commission froze the bank accounts, brokerage accounts, and real assets of Core, its principals and partners. This seizure of assets would become the central pressure point the Commission relied on to produce its desired outcome: inflict extreme financial distress such that the respondents have no choice, but to come to the table for an egregious settlement while acquiescing to baseless accusations or some variation thereof. The value of the frozen assets is in excess of $35 million; and they remain frozen today.

In July 2023 the Commission issued a Notice of Hearing outlining the accusations against Core, its principals and partners.

The Hearing

A hearing into the matter commenced in March 2024 - spanning sixteen days over eight months, ultimately concluding on January 20, 2025. Throughout the hearing, it became abundantly clear that the BCSC developed a narrative in October 2018 and then spent the next five years attempting to backfill their narrative by cherry picking evidence to support their predetermined conclusions, all while decisively ignoring any exculpatory evidence. Plainly put: any shred of evidence that contradicted the BCSC's narrative was completely ignored.

At the hearing the Commission called a single witness, Ms. Alisa Smith, a senior investigator who spent five years primarily focused on the case. Ms. Smith gave testimony over twelve days, during that testimony she demonstrated a tenuous grasp of the facts on hand. Her testimony was almost entirely of hearsay, which constituted her reading aloud various documents and emails but offering no firsthand evidence.

Ms. Smith was combative under cross examination. On 247 occasions she was unable to recall simple and seemingly obvious steps she would have taken in her investigation. When asked if she investigated the management teams of the impugned companies she responded, 'I don't recall'. When asked if she contacted the purchaser of a company the BCSC purported was a sham company and did not exist she responded, 'I don't know.'. She would go on to answer with some variation of 'I don't know', another 245 times. Furthermore, she admitted to not contacting key third parties or reviewing large volumes of potentially relevant material.

This investigation itself is a tale of what was investigated and more importantly, what was not investigated.

The Commission argued that it put forth a full body of evidence against Core. However, over 114,000 emails the Commission had seized were marked irrelevant and were never read, despite having been in the Commission's possession for over five years. Furthermore, Commission staff did not accurately track how they deemed the 114,000 emails 'irrelevant'. In 2024 when the 'irrelevant' emails were provided to Core's counsel they found exculpatory evidence within them using search terms the Commission purports it used before deeming them 'irrelevant'. Furthermore, it has recently come to light that in September 2025 the Executive director was notified that Ms. Smith accessed a privileged email in August 2025. Despite the gravity of this breach, the information was not disclosed to respondents' counsel until three months later in December 2025. The delayed disclosure raises serious concerns regarding transparency, procedural integrity, and oversight within the BCSC.

The Commission, alleged that the companies involved in this matter issued misleading news releases, however, chose not to interview directors or officers of the companies - all but absolving them of any wrong-doing. Notably, some of those same individuals - purported by the Commission to be nominees of Core - continued to serve, and in some cases still sit on the boards of the companies' years after Core's involvement ended.

Despite spending five years investigating this matter the Commission chose not to speak to Core, its principals or employees.

Onward

Core Capital categorically denies any wrongdoing and rejects the allegations in their entirety. The firm remains resolute and fully prepared to vigorously challenge these matters once again before the Court of Appeal at the appropriate time. Further updates will be provided when procedurally and legally appropriate.

For media enquiries:

media@ccpartnersinc.com

SOURCE: Core Capital Partners Inc.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/banking-and-financial-services/core-capital-partners-statement-on-bc-securities-commission-findings-1130127
HONG KONG, Jan 23, 2026 - (ACN Newswire) - The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) has collaborated with Microsoft Hong Kong to launch the Microsoft AI Adoption Programme, which will support Hong Kong SMEs in harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance productivity and operational efficiency. The programme includes three thematic workshops featuring industry experts who will share insights on how businesses can effectively apply AI in real-world scenarios to improve workflow efficiency. In addition, a series of exclusive AI solution offers will be provided to help companies accelerate AI adoption and drive digital transformation.Patrick Lau, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC said: 'Through our Transformation Sandbox (T-box), the HKTDC has been committed to supporting companies in strengthening their competitiveness'across market expansion, brand building, operational upgrading and digital transformation. Following our collaboration with Microsoft Hong Kong in 2022 on the Go Beyond Your Limits programme, which offered solution discounts to support SMEs in accelerating digital transformation, we are delighted to work with Microsoft Hong Kong again to introduce exclusive offers for Tbox companies. This collaboration will empower businesses to adopt AI technology at a lower cost and with greater efficiency, opening up new business opportunities.'Leo Liu, General Manager of Microsoft Hong Kong and Macau shared: "We are delighted to continue our collaboration with the HKTDC to support local SMEs in adopting AI in their daytoday operations and accelerating their digital transformation journey. In this rapidly evolving era of AI, we are committed to empowering every company, as they take steady steps toward becoming Frontier Firms. We look forward to further deepening our collaboration with the HKTDC to support more businesses and help them drive meaningful impact and sustainable growth."The first workshop, held two days ago, was titled 'The Intelligence Chain - How AI Connects Every Workflow in Your Business.' The session featured Fred Sheu, National Technology Officer at Microsoft Hong Kong; Frankie Lam, Go-To-Market Lead of AI Business Solutions at Microsoft Hong Kong; and Vincent Chak, Solutions Director ' Modern Workplace at SOS Group Limited. Through product demonstrations and reallife case sharing, the speakers introduced AI solutions designed for the modern workplace and provided an indepth look into core strategies and best practices for effective AI adoption in business operations.Two additional workshops will take place in March and April, titled 'Building AI Applications and Intelligent Processes: Practical Experience with Azure AI' and 'AI Leading a New Era of Operational Automation'. The March session will showcase how intelligent solutions can be used to analyse data, and we will explore how automation and predictive analytics can streamline workflows and enhance efficiency in April. The Microsoft AI Adoption Programme also offers exclusive Microsoft discounts to companies participating in T-box, helping SMEs adopt AI technologies in a more costeffective manner. For details, please visit the programme website: https://smesupport.hktdc.com/en/s/sme-microsoft/Photo Download: https://bit.ly/4sSXkpuPatrick Lau, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDCLeo Liu, General Manager of Microsoft Hong Kong and MacauThe HKTDC and Microsoft Hong Kong coorganised the first AI workshop the day before yesterday, exploring how AI can be integrated into business processes to create a new model of efficient operationsJoining the workshop were: (from right to left) Frankie Lam, Go-To-Market Lead, AI Business Solutions at Microsoft Hong Kong; Cherry Lee, Associate Director, Marketing & Customer Service, Corporate Communications & Marketing at the HKTDC; Fred Sheu, National Technology Officer at Microsoft Hong Kong; and Vincent Chak, Solutions Director ' Modern Workplace at SOS Group LimitedMedia EnquiriesFor enquiries, please contact:HKTDC's Communication & Public Affairs Department:Serena Cheung Tel: (852) 2584 4272 Email: serena.hm.cheung@hktdc.orgMicrosoft Hong Kong:Katie Kwong Tel: (852) 2804 4222 Email: v-katiekwong@microsoft.comHKTDC Media Room: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/enAbout HKTDCThe Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With over 50 offices globally, including 13 in the Chinese Mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus.Source: HKTDCCopyright 2026 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
HERMOSILLO, MEXICO / ACCESS Newswire / January 23, 2026 / Tocvan Ventures Corp. (the "Company" or "Tocvan") (CSE:TOC)(OTCQB:TCVNF)(WKN:TV3/ A2PE64) is pleased to announce the first analytical results from its maiden drill program on the North Block of the Gran Pilar Project Sonora, Mexico. The initial five drillholes reported demonstrate a strong emerging silver-rich polymetallic system, with high-grade Ag zones hosted within veins tied to silicified andesitic dikes and silicified andesite, accompanied by elevated lead, zinc, antimony, and arsenic, key pathfinder elements typical of productive epithermal systems.

Results include multiple wide Ag-bearing intervals, strong quartz-vein and alteration intensity, and clear structural-lithological controls that together establish a compelling framework for expansion drilling.

Highlights

The maiden program identified 25 Ag-rich composite intervals. The strongest interval, 4.58 m at 35.7 g/t Ag, including 1.5 meters of 91.6 g/t Ag (JES-25-124), 200 meters vertically below artisanal underground workings that have returned up to 3.2 g/t Au and 1,225 g/t Ag. This interval also carries supportive Cu, Pb, Zn, Sb, and As values. The accompanying geologic indicators reinforce the grade significance.

Three of five drillholes intersected greater than 1 oz/t Ag, across two targets 1.8 km apart. Multiple additional intervals delivering 3-5 m composites grading 15-20+ g/t Ag , with coincident Au, Zn, Pb, and Sb enrichments. Includes 1.5 meters of 54.3 g/t Ag (JES-25-125) and 1.5 meters of 37.2 g/t Ag, 1.2% Pb and 0.4% Zn (JES-25-127).

Second drill rig secured with CANMEX Drilling for February to accelerate follow-up drilling on priority targets.

Video Summary: TOCVAN ANNOUNCES MULTIPLE SILVER ZONES IN DEBUT DRILL RESULTS AT THE GRAN PILAR PROJECT NORTH BLOCK

Why This Matters

Demonstrates a new mineralized system separate from the South Block/Main Zone.

Silver mineralization correlates with strong sericite-chlorite-carbonate alteration and silicified dikes acting as fluid pathways.

Geochemistry (Ag-Zn-Pb-Sb-As) and alteration place the discovery in the core of a low-sulfidation epithermal system, supporting significant depth and strike potential (see Figure 3.).

Next Steps for North Block

Step-out drilling around the JES-25-124 dike corridor to test continuity along strike and down-dip.

Systematic follow-up on JES-25-126's shallow polymetallic intervals.

Expanded alteration mapping to refine vectors using AI-CCPI zonation.

Correlation to recently completed drone magnetic survey.

3D geologic modeling integrating structure, lithology, and multi-element geochemistry.

"These first holes at the North Block immediately confirm a new silver discovery over five kilometers from our Main Zone. The combination of high-grade silver, strong polymetallic support, and textbook hydrothermal alteration signals we are into a significant mineralized system. Particularly exciting is the discovery of a high-grade silver zone hosted within a silicified dike, structures like this are known to focus mineralizing fluids in productive epithermal environments. With multiple stacked intervals across several holes, we are rapidly building confidence that Gran Pilar has the grades, continuity, and scale potential to make this an exciting new growth area for Tocvan. With a second drill rig arriving in February, we are positioned to rapidly build on these results" - Brodie Sutherland, CEO

Figure 1: 3D View of the Gran Pilar Project and the debut drilling of the North Block.

Figure 2: Long Sectional View across the entire Gran Pilar Project looking east.

Table 1: Summary of Drill Results in today's release.

Table 2: Drill hole information.

Technical Discussion

Strong Silver Grades with Polymetallic Support

The maiden program identified 25 Ag-rich composite intervals above the 10 g/t Ag threshold. The strongest interval, 4.58 m at 35.7 g/t Ag, including 1.5 meters of 91.6 g/t Ag, also carries supportive Cu, Pb, Zn, Sb, and As values. The accompanying geologic indicators reinforce the grade significance.

The shallow interval in JES-25-126 (79.3-82.35 m), yielding 3.1 meters of 28 g/t Ag (85.5 Ag-ppmm), is enriched in Sb and Zn and occurs within moderately to strongly silicified andesite, consistent with the zoned alteration halos expected around epithermal feeder zones.

Alteration Index Vectoring

Alteration mapping using Ishikawa Alteration Index (AI) and Chlorite-Carbonate-Pyrite Index (CCPI) highlights zones of intense sericite-chlorite-carbonate alteration. Several of the top composite intervals plot in the high-AI, high-CCPI quadrant, indicative of proximity to mineralized fluid pathways. These zones will guide next-phase drilling.

Lithological & Structural Controls

The integration of lithology logs shows a strong correlation between grade and silicified dikes and andesitic hosts. No significant Ag intervals were found directly within fault gouge zones, but faults may act as feeder structures for the mineralized dikes and veins.

A particularly important control is the silicified andesitic dike in JES-25-124, which hosts the highest-ranked target and represents an excellent structural corridor for follow-up drilling.

Exploration Model Placement and Potential

The Gran Pilar North Block drilling intersects the central portion of a low-sulfidation epithermal system, positioned within the quartz-sericite-sulfide stockwork and feeder-vein zone. Alteration (AI-CCPI) and lithology indicate strong silicification and sericite-illite assemblages, while metal associations (Ag-Zn-Pb-Sb-As  Cu) correspond to the mid-level Ag-rich epithermal environment shown in the model-between the shallow argillic cap and deeper base-metal zones.

Figure 3: Schematic of an Epithermal System highlighting the location of initial drill results. After these initial results, primary target remains deeper.

100% CONTROLLED PRIORITY TARGETS FOR TRENCHING & DRILLING

South Block Main Zone Expansion Follow-up on 2025 Drill Success 19.4 g/t Au over 3.1 meters within 106.6 meters of 0.6 g/t Au (February 25, 2025 News Release) 5.4 g/t Au over 6.1 meters within 41.2 meters of 1.0 g/t Au (May 7, 2025 News Release) 136 g/t Ag over 10.7 meters within 42.7 meters of 41 g/t Ag (June 25, 2025 News Release) South Block (November 12, 2024 News Release) Placer Corridor (900-meter strike length) Soil samples up to 21.2 g/t Au and >2,000 g/t Placer Source Area Soil samples up to 2.4 g/t Au and 22 g/t Ag Rock samples up to 7.3 g/t Au and 389 g/t Ag North Block North Alteration Zone (3.2 km by 1.5 km area) 2-meter chip sample, 5.6 g/t Au and 106 g/t Ag (October 19, 2023 News Release) Historic mine working sample, 3.2 g/t Au and 1,225 g/t Ag (March 8, 2024 News Release)

Figure 4. Gran Pilar Project Overview, > 22km2 of prospective ground with two primary targets: South Block, the direct extension and expansion of the historic Main Zone defined by an expanding vein field of untested drill targets; North Block a 3.2-km by 1.5-km pyrite and clay alteration zone that coincides with high-grade gold-silver, the area remains largely untested

Gran Pilar Drill Highlights:

2025 Diamond Drilling Highlights include: 83.5m @ 1.3 g/t Au, including 9.7m @ 10.3 g/t Au (March 11, 2025 News Release) 97.4m @ 0.7 g/t Au, including 36.3m @ 1.6 g/t Au (March 19, 2025 News Release) 64.9m @ 1.2 g/t Au, including 3.0m @ 21.6 g/t Au and 209 g/t Ag (March 26, 2025 News Release) 46.9m @ 0.5 g/t Au, including 2.6m @ 7.2 g/t Au and 80 g/t Ag (April 16, 2025 News Release)

2025 RC Drilling Highlights include: 106.8m @ 0.6 g/t Au, including 3.1m @ 19.4 g/t Au (February 25, 2025 News Release) 41.2m @ 1.0 g/t Au, including 6.1m @ 5.4 g/t Au (May 7, 2025 News Release)

2024 RC Drilling Highlights include ( all lengths are drilled thicknesses ): 42.7m @ 1.0 g/t Au, including 3.1m @ 10.9 g/t Au 56.4m @ 1.0 g/t Au, including 3.1m @ 14.7 g/t Au 16.8m @ 0.8 g/t Au and 19 g/t Ag

2022 Phase III Diamond Drilling Highlights include ( all lengths are drilled thicknesses ): 116.9m @ 1.2 g/t Au, including 10.2m @ 12 g/t Au and 23 g/t Ag 108.9m @ 0.8 g/t Au, including 9.4m @ 7.6 g/t Au and 5 g/t Ag 63.4m @ 0.6 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag, including 29.9m @ 0.9 g/t Au and 18 g/t Ag

2021 Phase II RC Drilling Highlights include ( all lengths are drilled thicknesses ): 39.7m @ 1.0 g/t Au, including 1.5m @ 14.6 g/t Au 47.7m @ 0.7 g/t Au including 3m @ 5.6 g/t Au and 22 g/t Ag 29m @ 0.7 g/t Au 35.1m @ 0.7 g/t Au

2020 Phase I RC Drilling Highlights include ( all lengths are drilled thicknesses ): 94.6m @ 1.6 g/t Au, including 9.2m @ 10.8 g/t Au and 38 g/t Ag; 41.2m @ 1.1 g/t Au, including 3.1m @ 6.0 g/t Au and 12 g/t Ag ; 24.4m @ 2.5 g/t Au and 73 g/t Ag, including 1.5m @ 33.4 g/t Au and 1,090 g/t Ag

15,000m of Historic Core & RC drilling. Highlights include: 61.0m @ 0.8 g/t Au 21.0m @ 38.3 g/t Au and 38 g/t Ag 13.0m @ 9.6 g/t Au 9.0m @ 10.2 g/t Au and 46 g/t Ag



Pilar Bulk Sample Summary:

62% Recovery of Gold Achieved Over 46-day Leaching Period

Head Grade Calculated at 1.9 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag; Extracted Grade Calculated at 1.2 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag

Bulk Sample Only Included Coarse Fraction of Material (+3/4" to +1/8")

Fine Fraction (-1/8") Indicates Rapid Recovery with Agitated Leach Agitated Bottle Roll Test Returned Rapid and High Recovery Results: 80% Recovery of Gold and 94% Recovery of Silver after Rapid 24-hour Retention Time



Additional Metallurgical Studies:

Gravity Recovery with Agitated Leach Results of Five Composite Samples Returned 95 to 99% Recovery of Gold 73 to 97% Recovery of Silver Includes the Recovery of 99% Au and 73% Ag from Drill Core Composite at 120-meter depth.



About Tocvan Ventures Corp.

Tocvan Ventures Corp. is a dynamic exploration and near-term producer advancing high-potential gold and silver projects in the mine-friendly jurisdiction of Sonora, Mexico. At its flagship Gran Pilar Gold-Silver Project, Tocvan holds a 100% interest in over 21 km of prospective ground, bolstered by the pivotal 2023 land acquisition that provides ample space for scalable mine infrastructure, including a planned 50,000-tonne pilot production facility. The Company also maintains a 51% interest in a 1 km joint venture area with Colibri Resources, further expanding its footprint. Recent exploration successes, including near surface 3.1 meters at 19.4 g/t Au, underscore Gran Pilar's potential as a premier gold-silver asset. Additionally, Tocvan's 100% owned Picacho Gold-Silver Project, located in the prolific Caborca Trend-home to some of Mexico's largest gold deposits-positions the Company for further growth. With robust metallurgical results (up to 99% gold and 97% silver recovery) and a strategic capital to bolster growth, Tocvan is poised to deliver significant shareholder value in a market buoyed by record-high gold prices. With approximately 67 million shares outstanding, Tocvan is committed to unlocking the full potential of its assets through innovative exploration, strategic development, and investor-focused initiatives.

Quality Assurance / Quality Control

Rock and Drill samples were shipped for sample preparation to ALS Limited in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico and for analysis at the ALS laboratory in North Vancouver. The ALS Hermosillo and North Vancouver facilities are ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 17025 certified. Gold was analyzed using 50-gram nominal weight fire assay with atomic absorption spectroscopy finish. Over limits for gold (>10 g/t), were analyzed using fire assay with a gravimetric finish. Silver and other elements were analyzed using a four-acid digestion with an ICP finish. Over limit analyses for silver (>100 g/t) were re-assayed using an ore-grade four-acid digestion with ICP-AES finish. Control samples comprising certified reference samples and blank samples were systematically inserted into the sample stream and analyzed as part of the Company's robust quality assurance / quality control protocol.

Soil Samples were shipped for sample preparation to ALS Limited in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico and for analysis at the ALS laboratory in North Vancouver. The ALS Hermosillo and North Vancouver facilities are ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 17025 certified. Gold and multi-element analysis of soils was completed by aqua regia digestion and ICP-MS finish using a 50-gram nominal weight. Over limit gold values greater than 1 g/t were re-assayed with a more robust aqua regia digestion ad ICP-MS finish. Over limit analyses for silver (>100 g/t) were re-assayed using an ore-grade four-acid digestion with ICP-AES finish. Control samples comprising blank samples and certified reference materials were systematically inserted into the sample stream and analyzed as part of the Company's robust quality assurance / quality control protocol.

Notes & limitations

AI/CCPI assumptions: Indices are computed from bulk chemistry, which is a proxy for mineralogy; CCPI uses FeO approximated from total Fe, good for mapping trends but not a substitute for modal mineralogy. These indices are best interpreted comparatively along holes and between holes

Alteration indices (Ishikawa AI and CCPI) follow the Alteration Box Plot definitions

(AI =100(K2O+MgO)/(Na2O+CaO), CCPI = 100(FeO+MgO)/(Na2O+K2O)); they're standard tools for mapping sericite-chlorite-carbonate-pyrite development near epithermal systems

Brodie A. Sutherland, CEO for Tocvan Ventures Corp. and a qualified person ("QP") as defined by Canadian National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the

Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains "forward-looking information" which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Forward-looking information in this news release includes statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Offering. Such forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words and phrases such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved.

These forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our business. Management believes that these assumptions are reasonable. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, risks related to the speculative nature of the Company's business, the Company's formative stage of development and the Company's financial position. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

For more information, please contact:

TOCVAN VENTURES CORP.

Brodie A. Sutherland, CEO

1150, 707 - 7 Ave SW

Calgary, Alberta T2P 3H6

Telephone: 1 888 772 2452

Email: ir@tocvan.ca

STAY CONNECTED:

LinkedIn: TOC LinkedIn

X: TOC X

Facebook: TOC Facebook

YouTube: TOC YouTube

Web: tocvan.com

SOURCE: Tocvan Ventures Corp

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/tocvan-announces-multiple-silver-zones-in-debut-drill-results-from-the-gran-pilar-1130157
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN, INTO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, JAPAN OR THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU No. 596/2014) ("MAR"). UPON THE PUBLICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT VIA A REGULATORY INFORMATION SERVICE, THIS INSIDE INFORMATION IS NOW CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.

Direct Equity Subscription of US$10 million and Issue of Warrants

TORONTO, ONTARIO / ACCESS Newswire / January 23, 2026 / Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas Ltd. (AIM:ECO)(TSX-V:EOG) is pleased to announce it has entered into binding agreements with Israeli based institutional investors (together, the "Subscribers") to subscribe for new common shares in the capital of the Company ("Common Shares") (the "Subscription" or the "Private Placement").

Pursuant to the non-brokered Private Placement, the Company expects to raise aggregate gross proceeds of US$10 million (approximately 7.4 million, CAD $13.8 million) through the issue of 26,909,091 new Common Shares (the "Subscription Shares") at an issue price of 27.5 pence (CAD 0.51) per share (the "Issue Price"), being the closing price of the Company's Common Shares on AIM on 22 January 2026.

In addition, the Company will issue one warrant for each Subscription Share (the "Warrants"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to subscribe for one new Common Share at an exercise price of 40 pence (CAD 0.74) per share and will be exercisable for a period of three years from the date of issue.

The Subscription Shares will, when issued, rank pari passu in all respects with the existing Common Shares, including, without limitation, the right to receive dividends and other distributions declared, made or paid after the date of issue.

The Subscription Shares, when issued, will represent approximately 8.54 per cent. of the existing issued share capital of the Company (on a non-diluted basis) and 7.86 per cent. of the Company's issued share capital as enlarged by the Subscription (on a non-diluted basis).

Details of the Subscription

The Subscription is conditional upon, inter alia, AIM Admission becoming effective, the subscription agreement not being terminated in accordance with its terms and receipt of money pursuant to the Subscription. Closing of the Subscription is also subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

Gil Holzman, President & Chief Executive Officer of Eco Atlantic, commented:

"We are delighted to welcome a number of leading Israeli institutional investors to our share register through this US$10 million direct subscription. Their participation and long term commitment represents a strong endorsement of the quality of our Atlantic Margin portfolio, our exploration and value-creation strategy, and our disciplined, capital-efficient approach.

This funding strengthens our financial position and provides us with the flexibility to accelerate key technical and corporate work programmes across our licences in Guyana, Namibia and South Africa throughout 2026 while maintaining a strong balance sheet and preserving significant upside for shareholders."

Use of Proceeds

The net proceeds of the Subscription will be used for:

US$5.0 million on planned Geological and Geophysical work;

US$2.5 million on identifying and pursuing potential new ventures; and

US$2.5 million for general & administrative purposes.

Admission and Total Voting Rights

Application is being made to the London Stock Exchange for admission of the Subscription Shares to trading on AIM. It is expected that AIM Admission will take place at 8.00 a.m. (GMT) on or around 30 January 2026. Application will be made to the TSX-V for the Equity Fundraise Shares to be admitted to trading on the TSX-V, with listing subject to the approval of the TSX-V and the Company satisfying all of the requirements of the TSX-V.

Following Admission, the issued share capital of the Company will be 342,141,027 Common Shares. The above figure may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the share capital of the Company under the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

For more information, please visit www.ecooilandgas.com or contact the following:

Eco Atlantic Oil and Gas c/o Celicourt +44 (0) 20 7770 6424 Gil Holzman, President and Chief Executive Officer

Alice Carroll, VP, Business Development & Corporate Affairs Strand Hanson (Financial & Nominated Adviser) +44 (0) 20 7409 3494 James Harris, James Bellman Canaccord Genuity Capital Markets (Joint Broker) +44 20 7523 8000 Henry Fitzgerald-O'Connor, Charlie Hammond Berenberg (Joint Broker) +44 (0) 20 3207 7800 Mathew Armitt Celicourt (PR) +44 (0) 20 7770 6424 Mark Antelme, Charles Denley-Myerson

For the purposes of MAR and Article 2 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1055 (as transposed into the laws of the United Kingdom), the person responsible for arranging for the release of this Announcement on behalf of the Company is Gil Holzman, Co-Founder and CEO of Eco Atlantic.

Notes to editors

Eco Atlantic is a TSX-V and AIM-quoted Atlantic Margin-focused oil and gas exploration company with offshore license interests in Guyana, Namibia, and South Africa.Ecoaims to deliver material value for its stakeholders through its role in the energy transition to explore for low carbon intensity oil and gas in stable emerging markets close to infrastructure.

In Offshore Guyana, in the proven Guyana-Suriname Basin, the Company operates a 100% Working Interest in the 1,354 km2 Orinduik Block. In Namibia, the Company holds Operatorship and an 85% Working Interest in three offshore Petroleum Licences: PELs: 97, 99, and 100, representing a combined area of 22,893 km2 in the Walvis Basin. In Offshore South Africa, Eco holds a 5.25% Working Interest in Block 3B/4B and a 75% Operated Interest in Block 1 CBK, in the Orange Basin, totalling approximately 37,510km2.

Additional Information

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in the United States or in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration requirements is available.

This Announcement should be read in its entirety.

Currency conversion in this announcement is calculated US$1/0.74/CAD1.38

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, that address events or developments that Eco expects to occur, are "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "does not expect", "plans", "anticipates", "does not anticipate", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential", "scheduled", "forecast", "budget" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could", "should" or "might" occur.

All such forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of the relevant management as of the date such statements are made and are subject to certain assumptions, important risk factors and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Eco's ability to control or predict. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In the case of Eco, these facts include the Company's anticipated use of proceeds of the Subscription, statements respecting closing of the Subscription and receipt of all regulatory approvals in respect of the Subscription, including final approval of the TSXV, as well as anticipated operations in future periods, and plans related to its business and other matters that may occur in the future. This information relates to analyses and other information that is based on expectations of future performance and planned work programs.

Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Should one or more risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in the forward-looking information or statements.

Eco's forward-looking information is based on the reasonable beliefs, expectations and opinions of the Company's respective management on the date the statements are made, and Eco does not assume any obligation to update forward looking information if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions change, except as required by law. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. For a complete discussion with respect to Eco and risks associated with forward-looking information and forward-looking statements, please refer to Eco's continuous disclosure documents which are filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

SOURCE: Eco (Atlantic) Oil and Gas Ltd.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/oil-gas-and-energy/eco-atlantic-oil-and-gas-ltd-announces-direct-equity-subscription-and-issue-of-w-1130169
- "HIRO's CHOICE": A Solo, Non-Stop Crossing of the Pacific Ocean-

Mitsuhiro Iwamoto, a blind Japanese sailor based in San Diego, delivered a speech at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 on January 21 (local time). He is undertaking the world's first solo, non-stop trans-Pacific crossing by a blind person as part of the "Blind Sailor Single-Handed Pacific Crossing Project 2027."

WEF URL: https://www.weforum.org/

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260121469502/en/

Hiro Iwamoto Global Keynote Speaker, First Totally Blind Sailor to Cross the Pacific

In the spring of 2027, he will attempt a solo, non-stop trans-Pacific crossing, sailing a 28-foot yacht single-handedly from San Diego on the U.S. West Coast to Amakusa, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, without making any port calls.

Project URL: https://hiros-choice.com/

The theme of his speech was "Sailing Through Barriers." He spoke about how, since losing his sight at the age of 13, he has consistently chosen challenge as his path forward. Among his most powerful words was the reflection: "In that darkness, I faced a choice-to surrender, or to live. And I chose to live."

Even after failing in his first attempt to cross the Pacific Ocean, Iwamoto once again chose challenge. That choice led him to successfully complete the crossing in 2019, a moment he described by saying: "A dream that once drowned in darkness finally reached the shore-filled with light."

Looking ahead to his planned solo, non-stop trans-Pacific crossing in 2027, he concluded by saying: "Not to prove what I can do, but to explore what is possible. Boundaries are not decided by others. They are transcended by choice."

His remarks were met with resounding applause from the audience.

WEF URL: https://www.weforum.org/meetings/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-2026/sessions/sailing-through-barriers/

A press conference related to this voyage will be held on January 28, 2026, at 1 p.m. (local time) Point Loma Marina in San Diego, USA.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260121469502/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact: San Diego

Christy Fritts

Challenged Athletes Foundation

christy@challengedathletes.org

+1.858.442.9570

Contacts: Japan

Blind Sailor Single-Handed Pacific Crossing Project 2027

Email: press@hiros-choice.com awamura@hiros-choice.com

Phone: +81-90-3100-3976 (Kaori Awamura)
2026 startet mit einem Paukenschlag: Der DAX outperformt den US-Markt, Nachzugler holen auf. Ein erstes Signal, dass der Bullenmarkt an Breite gewinnt. Wahrend viele Anleger weiter auf die groen Tech-Namen setzen, hat sich im Hintergrund langst ein Umschwung vollzogen. Der Fokus verschiebt sich weg von uberteuerten KI-Highflyern hin zu soliden Qualitatswerten aus der zweiten Reihe.



Anleger, die jetzt clever agieren, setzen nicht auf das, was war, sondern auf das, was kommt. Unternehmen mit gesunder Bilanz, unterschatztem Potenzial und begrenztem Abwartsrisiko konnten 2026 zu den groen Gewinnern zahlen. Die Gefahr einer scharferen Korrektur bleibt real, gerade fur passiv aufgestellte Investoren.



In unserem neuen Spezialreport stellen wir funf Aktien vor, die genau jetzt das Potenzial fur uberdurchschnittliche Renditen bieten. Stark, gunstig und bislang kaum im Fokus.



Jetzt kostenlosen Report herunterladen  bevor es andere tun!



Dieses exklusive PDF ist nur fur kurze Zeit gratis verfugbar.
KALMAR CORPORATION, STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE, 23 JANUARY 2026 AT 10:45 AM (EET)

Shareholders' Nomination Board's proposals to the Annual General Meeting 2026

The Shareholders' Nomination Board ("Nomination Board") of Kalmar Corporation proposes to the Annual General Meeting ("AGM") in 2026 that the number of members of the Board of Directors to be eight (currently 8 members).

The current member of the Board, Mrs Teresa Kemppi-Vasama has announced that she will not be available for re-election.



The Shareholders' Nomination Board proposes that the current members Mr. Jaakko Eskola, Mr. Lars Engstrom, Mr. Marcus Hedblom, Mr. Vesa Laisi, Mr. Casimir Lindholm, Mrs. Sari Pohjonen and Mrs. Emilia Torttila-Miettinen would be re-elected as members of the Board. The Nomination Board further proposes that Mrs. Carita Himberg would be elected as a new member of the Board.



Carita Himberg is an experienced people and culture executive with a background from several different companies and industries.



Furthermore, the Nomination Board recommends that the Board of Directors re-elects from among themselves Jaakko Eskola as the Chair of the Board of Directors and Casimir Lindholm as the Vice Chair.

All the proposed Board members have given their consent to be elected and have been assessed to be independent of the company and its significant shareholders.

Carita Himberg's resume is attached to this release. The proposed current members of the Board of Directors are presented on Kalmar's webpage: https://www.kalmarglobal.com/investors/governance/board-of-directors/ .

The Nomination Board would already at this stage thank Teresa for her long-standing and valuable work for the benefit of Kalmar, culminating in its successful transition to an independent listed company.

With regard to the selection procedure for the members of the Board of Directors, the Nomination Board recommends that shareholders take a position on the proposal as a whole at the General Meeting. This recommendation is based on the fact that in Kalmar Corporation, in line with a good Nordic governance model, the Nomination Board is separate from the Board of Directors. The Nomination Board, in addition to ensuring that individual nominees for membership of the Board of Directors possess the required competencies, is also responsible for ensuring that the proposed Board of Directors as a whole has the best possible expertise and experience for the Company and that the composition of the Board of Directors meets other requirements of the Finnish Corporate Governance Code for listed companies.

Proposal for the remuneration of the Board of Directors

The Nomination Board proposes fixed annual remuneration to the Board members as follows:

Chair of the Board: EUR 168,000 (EUR 160,000 in 2025)

Vice Chair of the Board: EUR 100,000 (EUR 95,000 in 2025)

Members of the Board: EUR 84,000 (EUR 80,000 in 2025)

An additional fixed remuneration is proposed to be paid to the Board members that are elected as members of committees as follows:

Chair of the Audit and Risk Management Committee: EUR 21,000 (EUR 20,000 in 2025)

Members of the Audit and Risk Management Committee: EUR 10,500 (EUR 10,000 in 2025)

Chair of the Personnel and Remuneration Committee: EUR 16,000 (EUR 15,000 in 2025)

Members of the Personnel and Remuneration Committee: EUR 10,500 (EUR 10,000 in 2025)

Chair of any other committee possibly constituted by the Board in accordance with a separate decision by the Board: EUR 16,000 (EUR 15,000 in 2025)

Members of any other committee possibly constituted by the Board: EUR 5,500 (EUR 5,000 in 2025)

In addition to the fixed annual fee, a meeting fee of EUR 1,000 would be paid to the Board member participating in a Board or Committee meeting when the meeting takes place in the member's country of residence. For meetings held in a different country than where the Board member is domiciled, the meeting fee would be EUR 2,000 and for meetings held on a different continent than where the Board member is domiciled, the meeting fee would be EUR 3,000. For remote and telephone meetings or when attending a regular meeting remotely, the meeting fee would be EUR 1,000.

Approximately 40% of the fixed yearly remuneration would be paid in Kalmar's class B shares and the rest in cash. The aim is that the purchase of the shares from the market at a price formed in public trading would be commenced after the Q1 2026 interim result publication. Kalmar would cover the transfer taxes related to the remuneration paid in shares.

The expenses of Board members related to travel and accommodation as well as other costs directly related to board and committee work would be reimbursed in accordance with Kalmar's policies.

The members of Kalmar's Nomination Board are:

Ville Herlin (appointed by Wipunen varainhallinta oy)

Heikki Herlin, Chair of the Nomination Board (appointed by Mariatorp Oy)

Timo Sallinen, Chief Investment Officer, Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Company (appointed by Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Company)

Mikko Mursula, CEO, Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance Company (appointed by Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance Company)

In accordance with the Charter of the Nomination Board, the Chair of Kalmar's Board of Directors participates in the Nomination Board's work as an expert without having the right to participate in the decision-making of the Nomination Board.

The proposals of the Nomination Board will be included in the invitation to the Annual General Meeting, which will be published later.

For further information, please contact:

Carina Geber-Teir, SVP, IR, Marketing and Communications, tel. +358 40 502 4697

About Kalmar

Kalmar

Attachments
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR RELEASE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.

CSG N.V.



CZECHOSLOVAK GROUP announces admission to trading on Euronext Amsterdam

Successful completion of IPO with total gross proceeds of 3,800 million (assuming full exercise of the Over-Allotment Option), representing 15.20% of the Company's issued share capital

Offering consists of the issuance of 750 million new shares, secondary offer of 2,554 million by the Selling Shareholder and an Over-allotment Option of up to 496 million

IPO values CSG at 25.0 billion at the final offer price

Market opening ceremony undertaken at Euronext Amsterdam to mark admission and first day of trading

Amsterdam and Prague, 23 January 2026 - CZECHOSLOVAK GROUP a.s. ("CSG" or the "Group"), a leading defence group based in Prague, Czech Republic, operating in Europe, the United States and in other regions including Asia Pacific, today announces the admission of ordinary shares of CSG N.V. (the "Company") to listing and trading on the regulated market of Euronext Amsterdam, operated by Euronext Amsterdam N.V. ("Admission").

The admission follows the successful completion of the Company's initial public offering ("IPO") of ordinary shares with total gross proceeds of 3,800 million (assuming full exercise of the Over-Allotment Option), representing 15.20% of the Company's issued share capital immediately following Settlement. This comprised a primary offering of newly issued shares raising 750 million, a secondary offering of existing shares totalling 2,554 million by CSG FIN a.s. (the "Selling Shareholder") and an over-allotment option representing a maximum amount of c. 496 million (the "Over-Allotment Option").

The IPO attracted strong demand from leading global institutional investors, with cornerstone commitments totalling 900 million from Artisan Partners, certain funds and accounts under the management of BlackRock and Al-Rayyan Holding LLC (a wholly owned subsidiary of Qatar Investment Authority), subject to customary conditions.

The IPO values CSG at 25.0 billion at the final offer price, with the intention to use the net proceeds from the primary component for general corporate purposes.

To mark the first day of trading on Euronext Amsterdam, Chairman Michal Strnad and members of CSG's executive team participated in the traditional gong ceremony at Beursplein 5, marking the Company's transition to a publicly listed entity.

Michal Strnad, Chairman, comments:

"Today marks a historic milestone for CSG as we join the Euronext Amsterdam market and we welcome the confidence shown in us by investors. Our successful listing is a testament to the hard work, dedication and ingenuity of our people, and to the trust our customers and partners place in us. Becoming a publicly listed company demonstrates our commitment to high standards of transparency, disclosure and corporate governance and strengthens our ability to invest in innovation, expand our global reach and deliver on our mission to be a critical long-term supplier of advanced defence and industrial solutions to NATO states and Government partners worldwide. We are proud of the combination of our Czech industrial heritage and our global manufacturing footprint, and we look forward to creating long-term value for all our stakeholders in the years ahead."

CSG N.V.'s shares are traded on the regulated market of Euronext Amsterdam under the Ticker Symbol "CSG". The International Security Identification Number (ISIN) is NL0015073TS8.

Ends

Media and Investor Contacts

CZECHOSLOVAK GROUP media relations:

Tomas Kotera, Director of Communications

tomas.kotera@czechoslovakgroup.com



Andrej Cirtek, Spokesperson

+420 602 494 208

andrej.cirtek@czechoslovakgroup.com

CZECHOSLOVAK GROUP investor relations:

Zdenek Jurak, Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

zdenek.jurak@czechoslovakgroup.com

Peter Russell, Head of Investor Relations

peter.russell@czechoslovakgroup.com

FGS Global:

Charlie Chichester / Richard Webster-Smith / Frank Jansen

+44 (0)207 251 3801 / +31 6 21542369

csg@fgsglobal.com

About CSG

CSG N.V. ("CSG") is a Dutch company and a leading European defence group, with its principal management headquarters located in Prague, Czech Republic.

CSG develops and supplies defence and industrial technologies that contribute to a safer and more stable future.

CSG focuses on the development and production of strategically important products, systems, and technologies across the defence and ammunition sectors and other related industries, such as aerospace.

The Group operates key manufacturing facilities in the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Serbia and India, and exports its products worldwide. CSG continues to invest in the growth of its portfolio companies and the expansion of its core business activities.

Key members of the Group include Excalibur Army (Czech Republic, land systems), Tatra Trucks (Czech Republic, vehicles), MSM Group (Slovakia, artillery ammunition) and The Kinetic Group (United States, small-calibre ammunition).

CSG employs more than 14,000 people across its integrated and affiliated companies. In 2024, the Group's annual reported revenues amounted to EUR 4.0 billion.

CSG is traded on Euronext Amsterdam under the symbol CSG.

For more information, visit: https://czechoslovakgroup.com/en

Disclaimer

These materials are not for release, distribution or publication, whether directly or indirectly and whether in whole or in part, in or into the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan or any other jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a violation of the relevant laws of such jurisdiction.

The information contained in this announcement is for background purposes only and does not purport to be full or complete. No reliance may be placed by any person for any purpose on the information contained in this announcement or its accuracy, fairness or completeness.

This announcement is not for publication or distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States, Australia, Canada, or Japan. This announcement does not constitute a prospectus or form part of any offer to sell or issue, or any invitation or solicitation of an offer to buy, Offer Shares to any person in any jurisdiction to whom or in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful, including the United States of America (including its territories or possessions or any State of the United States and the District of Columbia, Australia, Canada, or Japan.

The Offer Shares have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") or the laws of any state of the United States. The Offer Shares may not be offered, sold or otherwise transferred in the United States, except to qualified institutional buyers ("QIBs") as defined in, and in reliance on, Rule 144A under the Securities Act ("Rule 144A") or pursuant to another exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The Company has no intention to register any part of the offering in the United States, or make a public offering of securities in the United States.

In the United Kingdom, this announcement is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, persons who are "qualified investors" within the meaning of paragraph 15 of Schedule 1 to the Public Offers and Admissions to Trading Regulations 2024, and who: (A) are "investment professionals" specified in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Order") (B) fall within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (and only where the conditions contained in those Articles have been, or will at the relevant time be, satisfied); and/or (C) are persons to whom it may otherwise lawfully be communicated (all such persons being "relevant persons").

In the European Economic Area (the "EEA"), this announcement is addressed only to and directed only at, persons in member states who are "qualified investors" within the meaning of Article 2(e) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 ("Qualified Investors").

This announcement must not be acted on or relied on (i) in the United Kingdom, by persons who are not relevant persons, and (ii) in any member state of the EEA, by persons who are not Qualified Investors. Any investment or investment activity to which this announcement relates is available only to (i) in the United Kingdom, relevant persons, and (ii) in any member state of the EEA, Qualified Investors, and will be engaged in only with such persons.

This announcement may include statements that are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms "believes", "estimates", "plans", "projects", "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "may", "will" or "should" or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy, plans, objectives, goals, future events or intentions. Forward-looking statements may and often do differ materially from actual results. Any forward-looking statements reflect the Group's current view with respect to future events and are subject to risks relating to future events and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to the Group's business, results of operations, financial position, liquidity, prospects, growth and strategies. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made.

In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the events in the forward-looking statements may not occur or the Company's or the Group's actual results, performance or achievements might be materially different from the expected results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. BNP PARIBAS, Jefferies GmbH, J.P. Morgan SE, UniCredit Bank GmbH, Milan Branch, Ceska sporitelna, a.s., COMMERZBANK Aktiengesellschaft, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft and Morgan Stanley Europe SE (together, the "Underwriters"), the Company or any member of the Group, or any of such person's affiliates or their respective directors, officers, employees, agents or advisers expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update, review or revise any such forward-looking statement or any other information contained in this announcement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable law.

Any subscription or purchase of Offer Shares should be made solely on the basis of information contained in the Prospectus dated 20 January, 2026 (the "Prospectus"). The information in this announcement is subject to change. Before subscribing for or purchasing any Offer Shares, persons viewing this announcement should ensure that they fully understand and accept the risks which will be set out in the Prospectus. No reliance may be placed for any purpose on the information contained in this announcement or its accuracy or completeness. Neither this announcement, nor anything contained in the Prospectus, shall constitute, or form part of, any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer to acquire, whether by subscription or purchase, any Offer Shares or any other securities, nor shall it (or any part of it), or the fact of its distribution, form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, or act as any inducement to enter into, any contract or commitment whatsoever.

Acquiring investments to which this announcement relates may expose an investor to a significant risk of losing all of the amount invested. Persons considering making investments should consult an authorised person specialising in advising on such investments. Neither this announcement, nor the Prospectus, constitutes a recommendation concerning a possible offer. The value of shares can decrease as well as increase. Potential investors should consult a professional advisor as to the suitability of a possible offer for the person concerned.

Nothing contained herein constitutes or should be construed as (i) investment, tax, accounting or legal advice, (ii) a representation that any investment or strategy is suitable or appropriate to your individual circumstances or (iii) a personal recommendation to you.

In connection with the Offering, the Underwriters or any of their respective affiliates acting as an investor for their own account may take up as a proprietary position any securities mentioned in this announcement and in that capacity may retain, purchase or sell for their own account such securities. In addition, they may enter into financing arrangements and swaps with investors in connection with which they may from time to time acquire, hold or dispose of such securities. They do not intend to disclose the extent of any such investment or transactions otherwise than in accordance with any legal or regulatory obligation to do so.

The Underwriters are acting exclusively for the Group and no one else, and they will not regard any other person as their respective clients in relation to the Offering and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Group for providing the protections afforded to their respective clients, nor for providing advice in relation to the Offering, the contents of this announcement or any transaction, arrangement or other matter referred to herein.

None of the Underwriters or any of their respective affiliates or any of their or their affiliates' directors, officers, employees, advisers or agents accepts any responsibility or liability whatsoever for, or makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to, the truth, accuracy or completeness of the information in this announcement (or whether any information has been omitted from the announcement) or any other information relating to the Company, the Group or its associated companies, whether written, oral or in a visual or electronic form, and howsoever transmitted or made available, or for any loss howsoever arising from any use of the announcement or its contents or otherwise arising in connection therewith.

Certain data in this announcement, including financial, statistical, and operating information has been rounded. As a result of the rounding, the totals of data presented in this announcement may vary slightly from the actual arithmetic totals of such data. Percentages in tables may have been rounded and accordingly may not add up to 100%.

For the avoidance of doubt, the contents of the Group's website or any website directly or indirectly linked to the Group's website, are not incorporated by reference into, and do not form part of, this announcement.

Information to Distributors

Solely for the purposes of the product governance requirements contained within: (a) EU Directive 2014/65/EU on markets in financial instruments, as amended ("MiFID II"); (b) Articles 9 and 10 of Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2017/593 supplementing MiFID II; and (c) local implementing measures (together, the "MiFID II Product Governance Requirements"), and disclaiming all and any liability, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, which any "manufacturer" (for the purposes of the MiFID II Product Governance Requirements) may otherwise have with respect thereto, the Offer Shares have been subject to a product approval process, which has determined that such Offer Shares are: (i) compatible with an end target market of retail investors and investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties, each as defined in MiFID II; and (ii) eligible for distribution through all distribution channels as are permitted by MiFID II (the "Target Market Assessment"). Notwithstanding the Target Market Assessment, "distributors" ?(for the purposes of the MiFID II Product Governance Requirements)? should note that: the price of the Offer Shares may decline and investors could lose all or part of their investment; the Offer Shares offer no guaranteed income and no capital protection; and an investment in the Offer Shares is compatible only with investors who do not need a guaranteed income or capital protection, who (either alone or in conjunction with an appropriate financial or other adviser) are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of such an investment and who have sufficient resources to be able to bear any losses that may result therefrom. The Target Market Assessment is without prejudice to the requirements of any contractual, legal or regulatory selling restrictions in relation to the Offering. Furthermore, it is noted that, notwithstanding the Target Market Assessment, the Underwriters will ?only procure investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties.?

For the avoidance of doubt, the Target Market Assessment does not constitute: (a) an assessment of suitability or appropriateness for the purposes of MiFID II; or (b) a recommendation to any investor or group of investors to invest in, or purchase, or take any other action whatsoever with respect to the Offer Shares.

Each distributor is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the Offer Shares and determining appropriate distribution channels
HIGHLIGHTS

2,100m of historical drill core is currently being assayed which is expected to confirm continuity of high-grade mineralization along strike and down dip in the northwest and high-grade southern portions of the Akyanga deposit

Significant progress has been made towards launching exploration activities as, following a successful tender process and site visits, a drilling service agreement is expected to be signed in the coming weeks

The 2026 exploration programme has increased from 15,000m as initially published to 42,000m, with fully-funded Phase 1 programme expected to prioritize the Akyanga deposit and the second phase on satellite targets

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2026) - Avanti Gold Corp. (CSE: AGC) (FSE: X370) (OTCQB: AVTGF) ("Avanti" or the "Company") is pleased to report that 2,100m of historical drill core from the Akyanga deposit at the Misisi Project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo ("DRC") are currently being assayed, with results expected to be published later this quarter. In addition, the 2026 drilling programme is expected to begin later in Q1-2026 as the Company is in the final phase of selecting a drilling contractor, following supplier site-visits conducted in mid-January.

The historical drilling occurred prior to 2018, by the previous owners, however were not assayed due to the Company's previous financial situation. Following the successful permitting process, the samples were exported from Kalemie on 15 January 2026 and arrived at the SGS assay lab in Mwanza-Tanzania on 23 January 2026, where they are currently undergoing fire assay testing.

The Akyanga Deposit, located centrally in the Misisi Project, hosts an NI 43-101 compliant Inferred Mineral Resource of 40.8 million tonnes averaging 2.37 g/t gold containing 3.11 million ounces which was based on 19,956m of historic drilling, including 105 diamond drillholes ("DD") totalling 19,070m and six reverse circulation ("RC") drillholes totalling 887m. The 2,100m of samples therefore represent approximately 10% of the total diamond drilling completed by the previous operator, and targeted both the northwest extension and the high-grade southern zones of the Akyanga deposit at depth.

The Company believes that the assays from these untested core samples have the potential to confirm continuity of high-grade mineralization along strike and down dip in the southern portion of Akyanga as well as provide valuable data to refine the 2026 exploration programme.

Avanti is also pleased to have made significant progress toward launching its 2026 drilling programme. Following a successful tender process a drilling service agreement is expected to be signed in the coming weeks. Most recently, the Avanti team conducted a supplier site-visit to Misisi as part of the tender process where potential drilling contractors were able to survey the site conditions and security. In parallel, Avanti has completed a review and revaluation of prior exploration data, including trenching, soil samples, airborne magnetics and drilling to prioritize the drilling programme across the three contiguous 30-year mining licenses, in conjunction with Minecon Resources and Services Ltd ("Minecon"), to refine the 2026 exploration programme.

The revised and enhanced 2026 exploration programme will entail a total of approximately 42,000m of diamond drilling, split between two phases, as outlined in Table 1 below.

Table 1: 2026 Misisi Project Drilling Programme - meterage by target

Trend Name Phase 1 Drilling

(Mar - July 2026) Phase 2 Drilling

(Aug - Dec 2026) 2026 Drilling Akyanga 12,500m 83% 14,500m 55% 27,000m 64% Akyanga East 2,500m 17% 2,000m 7% 4,500m 11% Ngalula - - 3,500m 13% 3,500m 8% Tulonge - - 2,000m 7% 2,000m 5% Lubitchako - - 2,500m 9% 2,500m 6% Kilombwe - - 2,500m 9% 2,500m 6% Total Planned Meters Drilled 15,000m 100% 27,000m 100% 42,000m 100% Note: Totals may not sum due to rounding











As previously published, the initial Phase 1 exploration programme will entail approximately 15,000m of diamond drilling and remains scheduled to being in late Q1-2026. Phase 1 is fully funded by the Company's LIFE Private Placement which closed on 23 October 2025. The Phase 1 programme will prioritize an increased footprint expansion effort at the Akyanga deposit, and high-priority target testing on the Akyanga East deposit, due to its close proximity to Akyanga. During Phase 1, early exploration works including ground truthing, sampling, and mapping will be conducted on Ngalula, Tulonge, Lubitchako and Kilombwe to assist in guiding the Phase 2 drilling program on those targets.

The envisaged Phase 2 programme will entail approximately 27,000m of diamond drilling, and is scheduled to being in late Q3-2026. Phase 2 is expected to continue to expand on the resource extensions at Akyanga while also introducing drilling onto the high priority targets. The phased approach serves to provide drill service providers time to ramp-up efforts to include the additional targets while leveraging the early exploration methods conducted in Phase 1 to better inform drilling target locations.

Next Steps

Drilling and laboratory service contracts: announcement of signed contracts for exploration service providers for the Misisi Project.

announcement of signed contracts for exploration service providers for the Misisi Project. Refurbishment of camp: Increase capacity of exploration camp facilities at the Misisi Village to support increased exploration activities.

Increase capacity of exploration camp facilities at the Misisi Village to support increased exploration activities. Key appointments: Key in-country management appointments including Security & HSE, Admin & Logistics, Exploration and Community managers

Key in-country management appointments including Security & HSE, Admin & Logistics, Exploration and Community managers Assay results: Assay results from 2,100-meter of historic diamond core that targeted both the northwest extension and the high-grade southern zones of the Akyanga deposit

Assay results from 2,100-meter of historic diamond core that targeted both the northwest extension and the high-grade southern zones of the Akyanga deposit Launch of the fully-funded Phase 1 exploration programme: A 15,000m drill programme covering the Akyanga and Akyanga East deposits

ABOUT AVANTI GOLD CORP

Avanti Gold Corp. is a gold exploration company with a robust portfolio of projects in Africa. The Company's flagship asset is the Misisi Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), home to the Akyanga gold deposit. The Akyanga deposit has an Inferred Mineral Resource of 44.3 million tonnes (Mt) at an average gold grade of 2.37 grams per tonne (g/t), totaling 3.1 million ounces (Moz) of gold. The Misisi Project spans three contiguous 30-year mining leases covering 133 square kilometers (km) along the 55-kilometer-long Kibara Gold Belt, a prominent metallogenic province known for hosting significant gold deposits.

1 QUALIFIED PERSONS STATEMENT

Ephraim Masibhera, a "Qualified Person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"), has reviewed the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release and has approved the disclosure herein. Historical information contained in this news release cannot be relied upon as the Company's Qualified Person, as defined under NI 43-101, has not prepared nor verified the historical information.

1 As disclosed in the Misisi Project August 1st 2023 Technical Report available on Avanti's website and on SEDAR+

CONTACT INFORMATION

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When or if used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target, "plan", "forecast", "may", "schedule" and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risk factors set out in Avanti's annual and/or quarterly management discussion and analysis and in other of its public disclosure documents filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, as well as all assumptions regarding the foregoing. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/281353

Source: Avanti Gold Corp.
Regulatory News:

GeNeuro (Euronext Paris: CH0308403085 GNRO), has requested Euronext Paris to suspend trading of its shares (ISIN: CH0308403085) as of the opening of markets on Friday, January 23, 2026, pending the publication of a press release announcing the judgment of the Geneva Court of First Instance concerning its debt moratorium.

As previously announced, on September 26, 2025, GeNeuro SA obtained a four-month extension of its definitive moratorium until January 27, 2026.

The ruling of the Geneva Court of First Instance is expected on Tuesday, January 27, 2026; it will be published in the Official Gazette of the Canton of Geneva and the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce, and a new press release will be issued at that time.

About GeNeuro

GeNeuro's mission is to develop safe and effective treatments against neurological disorders and autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, by neutralizing causal factors encoded by HERVs, which represent 8% of human DNA. GeNeuro is based in Geneva.

About the debt-restructuring moratorium

Under Swiss law (the law applicable to GeNeuro SA), a debt moratorium, or stay of execution, is a preventive measure to bankruptcy proceedings. The purpose of this procedure is to enable a company in financial difficulty to restructure its debts with its creditors and find measures to improve its situation. The stay protects the Company from legal action by its creditors while it works with the "commissaire au sursis", an independent expert appointed by the judge to supervise the process, help draw up a draft composition agreement and validate possible recovery measures. This process may result in a recapitalization of the company, a restructuring of its debt or a sale of all or some of its assets, among other things, with the proviso that if this fails, the company may be forced into bankruptcy.

The aim of this procedure is to reach an agreement that will enable the Company to continue its operations while satisfying its creditors.

Disclaimer

This press release contains certain forward looking statements and estimates concerning GeNeuro's financial condition, operating results, strategy, projects and future performance and the markets in which it operates. Such forward-looking statements and estimates may be identified by words, such as "anticipate," "believe," "can," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "is designed to," "may," "might," "plan," "potential," "predict," "objective," "should," or the negative of these and similar expressions. They incorporate all topics that are not historical facts. Forward looking statements, forecasts and estimates are based on management's current assumptions and assessment of risks, uncertainties and other factors, known and unknown, which were deemed to be reasonable at the time they were made but which may turn out to be incorrect. Events and outcomes are difficult to predict and depend on factors beyond the company's control. Consequently, the actual results, financial condition, performances and/or achievements of GeNeuro or of the industry may turn out to differ materially from the future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by these statements, forecasts and estimates. Owing to these uncertainties, no representation is made as to the correctness or fairness of these forward-looking statements, forecasts and estimates. Furthermore, forward-looking statements, forecasts and estimates speak only as of the date on which they are made, and GeNeuro undertakes no obligation to update or revise any of them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law..

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260123358974/en/

Contacts:

GeNeuro: investors@geneuro.com
Mark43 proudly hosted the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and Deputy Mayor Kate Green with Deputy Chief Constable of GMP Terry Woods and senior leaders from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) at its new Manchester offices on Monday 19 January 2026. The visit underscores Mark43's significant commitment to the region, choosing Manchester as the home of its first UK base.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260123491304/en/

Mark43 meets with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester and Greater Manchester Police leaders.

Mark43, the supplier appointed by GMP to deliver a new Records Management System (RMS), has established a growing local team of more than 20 employees, with further recruitment underway to expand its pool of technology and policing experts from across Greater Manchester. In addition, Mark43 will soon launch an apprenticeship programme focused on developing technical skills in AI and cloud-based software skills and data science to enable police operations to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and public safety.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: "Mark43 choosing Greater Manchester for their UK headquarters is a strong vote of confidence in our city region and its future. Having a permanent technology base here will support the ongoing transformation of policing in Greater Manchester and bring high-value jobs and new opportunities for apprenticeships and training.

"We are the UK's leading digital and data-driven city region, with the skills, infrastructure, and ambition that international technology companies are looking for. This is exactly the kind of investment that will help drive our economy forward and modernise policing for the benefit of our communities."

Matt Polega, Co-founder, President, and Managing Director, UK, added: "It was a privilege to welcome the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester, along with senior management from Greater Manchester Police to our Manchester office. Our partnership with GMP is grounded in a shared commitment to delivering the very best technology for policing, developed in close collaboration with the officers and staff who rely on it every day.

"Manchester is a natural home for Mark43 in the UK. The city has a strong public service tradition, exceptional talent, and a growing technology ecosystem. We are proud to be investing here, expanding our presence, and building long-term partnerships that support UK policing while contributing to economic growth across the region. By working together, we can ensure police forces have access to modern, resilient technology that helps them protect and serve the public."

Assistant Chief Officer Dougie Henderson, GMP's IT and Digital Portfolio Lead, said: "GMP has made a significant financial commitment to Mark43, working with them to deliver our new RMS, and it's reassuring to see that commitment echoed in their decision to base themselves in Manchester.

"I am delighted that Mark43 has embraced Manchester, supporting the local economy, creating jobs, and furthering Greater Manchester's ambition as a global digital hub. We have a considerable amount of work ahead to achieve everything we need with the new RMS, and having Mark43 on our doorstep, both now and after we go live, will be fantastic and a very valuable resource."

The visit included a tour of the new offices, meetings with staff, and an update on the progress of GMP's new RMS, which is scheduled to go live in Spring 2027.

About Mark43

Mark43 brings modern technology to public safety, helping policing and emergency services work faster, smarter, and keep communities safer. Its integrated Records Management, Command Control, and Data Analytics solutions form a unified, real-time platform that streamlines workflows and improves response times. Trusted by more than 300 agencies across the UK and U.S., Mark43's cloud-native platform equips public safety professionals with innovative tools, AI capabilities, and a robust cybersecurity foundation to help agencies meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. Visit www.mark43.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260123491304/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact

Devora Kaye

Press@mark43.com


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - President Donald Trump has ratified the Charter of the Board of Peace - establishing it as an official international organization.



Trump, who is serving as the Board's Chairman, was joined by Founding Members representing 19 countries who have committed to building a secure and prosperous future for Gaza that delivers lasting peace, stability, and opportunity for its people.



Trump had sent invitation to dozens of countries to join the board that he touted as a future replacement for the United Nations for resolving conflicts, but most of the United States' western allies were not present at a signing ceremony held on the margins of the World Economic Forum in Davos Thursday.



Besides Trump, leaders from only 19 countries - mostly from the Middle East, Asia and South America - attended the ceremony.



Also Thursday, Trump said on Truth Social that he is withdrawing an invitation he sent to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to join the Board of Peace.



For any country to become a Permanent member of the new international organization, it will have to pay $1 billion for funding the board, headed by Trump.



The White House describes the formation of the Board as 'another pivotal step forward in realizing President Trump's vision of transforming Gaza from a region plagued by conflict and despair into one defined by opportunity, hope, and vitality'. 'The Board of Peace stands ready to mobilize global resources, enforce accountability, and guide the implementation of the next critical phases of demilitarization, governance reform, and large-scale rebuilding,' it added.



Addressing the leaders, Trump said, 'This Board has the chance to be one of the most consequential bodies ever created, and it's my enormous honor to serve as its Chairman. Today, the first steps toward a brighter day for the Middle East and a much safer future for the world are unfolding right before your very eyes. Together, we are in a position to have any credible chance to end decades of suffering, stop generations of hatred and bloodshed, and forge a beautiful, everlasting, and glorious peace for that region.'



Chief Commissioner of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza Dr. Ali Sha'ath, High Representative for Gaza Nickolay Mladenov, Special Envoy for Peace Missions Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, who is acting as a key architect for post-war Gaza and unveiled a master plan for the reconstruction of the war-torn Palestinian enclave, spoke on the occasion.



Copyright(c) 2026 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

 2026 AFX News


EQS Newswire / 23/01/2026 / 11:45 CET/CEST

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 23 January 2026 - Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), wrapped up his attendance at the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland yesterday (January 22). During the WEF Annual Meeting 2026, themed "A Spirit of Dialogue", Mr Chan met with political, business and financial leaders to brief them on the latest situation in Hong Kong as well as the city's new opportunities for partnership and investment.



A day earlier (January 21), Mr Chan spoke at the 2026 Davos-Caixin CEO Luncheon themed "Beyond Old Models: Designing Growth That Works". He outlined the steady progress Hong Kong has made over the past couple of years, and shared the city's development vision and strategic positioning in its three key growth engines - finance, trade, and innovation and technology.



The Financial Secretary highlighted that breakthroughs in technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain are driving profound industrial transformation and economic growth. Under the "one country, two systems" policy, Hong Kong is actively exploring and piloting initiatives in financial and technological innovation. With strong collaboration among neighbouring cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area that boast robust innovation and technology industrial chains, Hong Kong holds tremendous development potential and is a worthwhile investment destination.



HKSAR's Financial Secretary Paul Chan delivers keynote remarks at the 2026 Davos-Caixin CEO Luncheon in Davos, Switzerland.

Mr Chan also spoke at a dinner themed "China in Focus", sharing his views on China's development, international relations, as well as capital market developments in both the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong.



During a business exchange session of the WEF Annual Meeting, Mr Chan interacted with nearly 100 leaders from various sectors and regions. The discussion covered topics such as the outlook for the United States and global economies, strategies to enhance economic resilience, and ways to promote growth.



The Financial Secretary also held bilateral meetings with the Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia, Mr Sun Chanthol, and the Minister of State for Financial Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, Mr Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini respectively. They exchanged views on the global economic and trade landscape and matters of mutual interest, and explored ways to strengthen bilateral economic and trade co-operation.



On the final full day of his visit to Switzerland (January 22), Mr Chan spoke at a WEF Annual Meeting thematic session titled "How to Finance Decarbonization?". The event examined how public-private collaboration can continue to support the goal of achieving carbon neutrality, amid global economic slowdown, high debt levels in advanced economies and geopolitical developments.



Mr Chan (second left) speaks at a WEF Annual Meeting thematic session titled "How to Finance Decarbonization?"

Mr Chan shared Hong Kong's strategies in striving to achieve the city's target for carbon neutrality by 2050. These strategies include leveraging government policy to steer behavioural changes among enterprises and consumers, such as providing tax concessions for electric vehicles and incentives for green buildings. He also mentioned financial support for trials of innovative technologies, such as sustainable hydrogen-powered transport, to encourage innovation.



Hong Kong actively facilitates private capital participation in the decarbonisation process through a rich green finance ecosystem, such as green bonds and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) funds. The HKSAR Government also encourages financial innovation, including the issuance of tokenised green bonds to allow wider investor participation in green projects, and the securitisation of loans for infrastructure projects to release capital for reinvestment into new projects.



Mr Chan also met with leaders from political, business and international organisations, including the President and Chief Executive Officer of the WEF, Mr Brge Brende, and the First Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Mr Dan Katz. Moreover, Mr Chan held separate meetings with the Global Chairman of PricewaterhouseCoopers, Mr Mohamed Kande; the Chief Executive Officer of AXA Group, Mr Thomas Buberl; and the Vice President of Global Public Policy of Amazon Web Services, Mr Michael Punke, to exchange views on the current global economic and market situation, as well as technological development.



Mr Chan was among some 3,000 leaders from various sectors around the world who attended the WEF Annual Meeting 2026.







Hashtag: hongkong brandhongkong WEF internationalhub trade finance

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

News Source: Information Services Department, Hong Kong SAR Government

23/01/2026 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News .

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2026) - Aegis Critical Energy Defence Corp. (CSE: QESS) (OTCQB: QESSF) (FSE: JG6) ("Aegis") is pleased to congratulate Quantum eMotion Corp. (TSXV: QNC) (OTCQB: QNCCF) (FSE: 34Q0) on filing its Form 40-F registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission-an important milestone toward listing its common shares on the NYSE American exchange. This achievement underscores Quantum eMotion's growing leadership in quantum-based cybersecurity and advanced technology solutions.

This milestone builds on the companies' collaboration, including the launch of Tough Bhoy, a quantum-secured energy storage system engineered for extreme environments and mission-critical operations.

Aegis also announced several ecosystem partnerships integrating Quantum eMotion's quantum-security technologies into next-generation energy systems:

Aegis & Malahat Energy Systems Inc. - Co-development of quantum-secured BESS units for defence and critical infrastructure, with pre-orders for 261 kWh systems scheduled for delivery in early 2026.

SuperQ Quantum Computing Inc. (CSE: QBTQ) (OTCQB: QBTQF) (FSE: 25X) - Application of hybrid quantum-classical optimization to enhance energy-management efficiency across Aegis's resilient infrastructure.

SEETEL New Energy (TWSE: 7740) - Co-development of UL-certified hybrid BESS with integrated quantum security for data centers, utilities, and marine applications.

Malahat Battery Technologies Rebrands as Malahat Energy Systems Inc.

Aegis has further announced that its strategic energy partner has rebranded from Malahat Battery Technologies Corp. to Malahat Energy Systems Inc. (MES), reflecting an expanded focus on integrated energy systems and advanced storage technologies. As part of this transition, Ramtin Rasoulinezhad has been appointed to the Board of Directors of MES, bringing deep expertise in energy systems and commercialization. "We are entering a new phase of innovation and capability," said a spokesperson for Aegis Critical Energy Defence. "The name Malahat Energy Systems Inc. better reflects the company's mission, and we are pleased to welcome Ramtin Rasoulinezhad as we accelerate next-generation energy development."

About Quantum eMotion





Quantum eMotion Corp. (TSXV: QNC) (OTCQB: QNCCF) (FSE: 34Q0) is a Canadian deep-tech company developing quantum-safe cybersecurity solutions based on its patented Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG) and Entropy-as-a-Service platform, securing data and communications for the quantum era. For more information, visit https://www.quantumemotion.com/

About SEETEL New Energy





SEETEL New Energy Co. Ltd. (TWSE: 7740) is a Taiwan-based manufacturer and systems integrator specializing in high-performance lithium battery modules and energy-storage systems for global industrial and grid applications.

About Malahat Energy Systems Inc.

MES, an Indigenous-led enterprise affiliated with the Malahat Nation, will play a central role in system development, manufacturing, and Indigenous participation across defence and clean energy. For more information, visit https://malahatbattery.com.

About SuperQ Quantum Computing Inc.







SuperQ Quantum Computing Inc. (CSE: QBTQ) (FSE: 25X) (OTCQB: QBTQF) is reducing the technical and financial barriers to quantum and supercomputing commercialization. It is defining the next era of enterprise transformation, emerging as a partner for global organizations seeking direct quantum and supercomputing ROI. We are also putting quantum computing in the palm of consumers' hands through ChatQLM to drive widespread adoption.

About Aegis Critical Energy Defence Corp.





Aegis Critical Energy Defence Corp. (CSE: QESS) (OTCQB: QESSF) (FSE: JG6) develops and integrates advanced battery energy storage systems for defence, critical infrastructure, industrial, and AI data centre applications. Through strategic partnerships with Indigenous communities and global technology leaders, Aegis delivers rugged, intelligent, and secure energy systems designed for the next generation of mission-critical operations.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Aegis Critical Energy Defence Corp.'s actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in the industry to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/281370

Source: Aegis Critical Energy Defence Corp.
Highlights

Hole 25MN-036 returned 0.76 g/t gold over 25.02 metres , including 2.23 g/t gold over 7.47 metres .

, including . 12 unreported holes, totalling 3,322 m, have been completed and are pending assays (25MN-037 through 25MN-045, 26MN-046 through 26MN-048).

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2026) - Scorpio Gold Corp. (TSXV: SGN) (OTCQB: SRCRF) (FSE: RY9) ("Scorpio Gold", or the "Company") is pleased to announce results from three holes from its 2025 drilling program at the Manhattan District Project ("Manhattan"), Nevada, USA: from the Phase Two program (25MN-034 through 25MN-036). The results are tabulated in Table 1 and discussed below. Scorpio Gold has drilled 38 drill holes to date from its Phase Two diamond drilling program, 25MN-011 through 25MN-045 and 26MN-046 through 26MN-048, for a grand total of 11,906 m. With the results herein, Scorpio Gold has reported assays on 26 of these (25MN-011 through 25MN-036), totalling 8,584 m, and assays are pending from 12 holes (25MN-037 through 25MN-045 and 26MN-046 through 26MN-048), totalling 3,322 m. The pending results will be reported as they come available and the holes are discussed briefly below.

"We have started the year with strong operational momentum, with drilling progressing steadily across the Manhattan District and twelve completed holes currently in the lab awaiting results. Our focus in 2026 is on delivering results to the market in a consistent and disciplined manner while working towards adding inventory to our resource and continuing to advance our geological understanding of the district. In parallel with drilling within the current resource area, we are positioning one of our three active rigs to test targets outside the core resource footprint, beginning with a two-hole program at Black Mammoth commencing the last week of January. This work is designed to evaluate the broader district-scale potential of Manhattan and to identify new zones of mineralization that could support future resource growth," commented Zayn Kalyan, CEO and Director of Scorpio Gold.

Two holes were drilled along the Reliance Trend (25MN-034 and 25MN-036), one hole was drilled at the southern end of the West Pit (25MN-035), see Figure 1. These holes tested laterally and below the Inferred Resource Constraining Pit ("IRCP"), modelled at a gold price of US$2,500 with a 0.3 g/t gold only cutoff grade, along with other inputs including: mill recovery of 90%, 50 degree pit slope angle for in-situ rock, mining costs of $3.00 per tonne for both ore and waste, milling costs of $15.00 per tonne processed, general administration cost of $3.50 per tonne processed and 2% royalty costs, and ore loss and dilution not applied. For further details see "Mineral Resource Estimate and NI 43-101 Technical Report, Manhattan Property, Nye County, Nevada" with an effective date of June 4, 2025, on Scorpio Gold's website, here.

The mineralization noted in previous and current reported drill holes is consistent with the Company's existing geological model. The mineralization controls and geometries are closely related to district scale structural features and preferred host lithologies. The Company started collecting oriented core since mid-2025, and continues to do so on all drilling, which has increased confidence in structural features. Dilatational structures and structural intersections continue to be the primary focus of the mineralizing fluids, with many of the recognized structures hosting low sulphidation epithermal gold vein assemblages in their hanging walls.

Figure 1. Surface Plan Map of Drill results over 2025 MRE Block Model.

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Drill Hole ID Target

Azimuth / Dip From (m) To (m) Intercept (m) Gold (g/t) 25MN-034 West Pit 125.12 144.51 19.39 0.51 308 m 052 / -58 154.84 160.32 5.49 0.2



215.75 225.55 9.8 0.24 25MN-035 West Pit 82.6 89.61 7.01 0.25 276 m 060 / -64







25MN-036 West Pit 113.76 121.62 7.86 0.31 288 m 045 / -45 138.35 163.37 25.02 0.76

including 139.75 147.22 7.47 2.23



176.48 178.64 2.16 1.20  Intervals contain no more than 3 continuous metres grading less than 0.1 g/t gold.

Table 1. Results from the latest batch of drill holes. Note: There is insufficient geological information to estimate a true width for the drill intercepts reported.

Completed hole summaries, reported results, see Figure 1:

Hole 25MN-034, contained three intervals, all hosted in fine grained clastic units, of 19.39 m, 5.49 m and 9.8 m grading 0.51 g/t gold, 0.20 g/t gold and 0.24 g/t gold respectively. The first two intervals fall within the IRCP and the last intercept is located approximately 47 m below the IRCP. See Figure 2, section A to A'.

Hole 25MN-035, contained one significant interval, hosted in fine grained clastic units, of 7.01 m grading 0.25 g/t gold, within the IRCP. See Figure 3, section B to B'.

Hole 25MN-036, contains three intervals, all hosted in fine grained clastic units, of 7.86 m, 25.02 m and 2.16 m grading 0.31 g/t gold, 0.76 g/t gold and 1.20 g/t gold respectively. All these intervals fall within the IRCP. See Figure 2, section A to A'.

Figure 2. Section A-A, along trace of holes 25MN-034 and 25MN-036, showing gold grades with reported intervals highlighted.

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Figure 3. Section B-B', along trace of holes 25MN-035, showing gold grades with reported intervals highlighted.

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Completed hole summaries, assays pending, see Figure 4:

25MN-037: drilled at the southern end of the historic West Pit, 100 m to the north of 25MN-035.

25MN-038: drilled at the southern end of the historic West Pit, within a structurally complex zone.

25MN-039: drilled as a 50 m step out to drill hole 25MN-036, to the north-northwest, on the Reliance Trend.

25MN-040: drilled as a 50 m step out on hole 25MN-038, to the east-northeast, in a structurally complex area to the south of the historic West Pit.

25MN-041: drilled within the Gap Zone to test the faulted contact zone between caldera volcanics and older sedimentary units that host the current Inferred Mineral Resource.

25MN-042: drilled as a 50 m step out on drill hole 25MN-039 to the north northwest, on the Reliance Trend.

25MN-043: drilled directly north of the historic East pit, to test for a northerly extension of a westerly mineralised fault splay.

25MN-044: drilled near Mustang Hill, to the north, to test the faulted contact zone between caldera volcanics and older sedimentary units that host the current Inferred Mineral Resource.

25MN-045: drilled near Mustang Hill, to the north-northeast to test the faulted contact zone between caldera volcanics and older sedimentary units that host the current Inferred Mineral Resource.

26MN-046: drilled directly north of the historic East pit, to test for a northerly extension of a westerly mineralised fault splay. A 50 m step-out from drill hole 25MN-043.

26MN-047: drilled as a 50 m step out on drill hole 25MN-042 to the north northwest, on the Reliance Trend.

26MN-048: drilled at Goldwedge to test the faulted contact zone between caldera volcanics and older sedimentary units that host the current Inferred Mineral Resource.

Figure 4. Location and surface traces of completed holes with assays pending, with modelled structures and current Inferred Mineral Resource Block Model2.

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QA/QC

HQ sized diamond drill core samples were cut in halves, then bagged and secured with security tags to ensure integrity during transportation to the Reno, NV, Paragon Geochemical facility for preparation. For quality assurance ("QA"), unmarked coarse blanks, unmarked certified reference materials, and requested laboratory duplicates were inserted into the sampling sequence. QA samples were systematically inserted into each batch of samples, amounting to approximately 10% of the run of samples. Samples were analyzed for gold using method PA-AU02 (~500 g), a two-cycle PhotonAssayTM analysis of crushed material (70% passing 2 mm). All Paragon Geochemical facilities comply with ISO 17025:2017.

About the Manhattan District

Manhattan, located in the Walker Lane Trend of Nevada, USA, is road accessible and lies approximately 20 kilometers south of the operating Round Mountain Gold Mine, which has produced more than 15 million ounces of gold. For the first time, the Company has consolidated Manhattan's past-producing mines under a single entity that holds valuable permitting and water rights. Historically, Manhattan has produced approximately 700,000 ounces of gold from high-grade placer and lode operations dating from the late 1890s through to the mid-2000s. The maiden mineral resource estimate (the "Maiden MRE") covering the Goldwedge and Manhattan Pit areas of Manhattan is comprised of 18,343,000 tonnes grading 1.26 g/t gold for a total of 740,000 oz contained gold in the inferred category.

A historical mineral resource estimate (the "Historical MRE") covers the Black Mammoth, April Fool, Hooligan, Keystone, and Jumbo areas of Manhattan and comprises 1,652,325 tonnes grading 5.89 g/t gold for a total of 303,949 oz contained gold. The deposit is interpreted as a low-sulfidation, epithermal, gold-rich system situated adjacent to the Tertiary-aged Manhattan caldera in the Southern Toquima Range of Nevada. A "Qualified Person" as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") has not done sufficient work to make the Historical MRE current, and the Company is not treating the Historical MRE as current.

Notes

Adjacent Properties: The Company has no interest in, or rights to, any of the adjacent properties mentioned, including the Round Mountain Gold Mine, and exploration results on adjacent properties are not necessarily indicative of mineralization on the Company's properties. Any references to exploration results on adjacent properties are provided for information only and do not imply any certainty of achieving similar results on the Company's properties.

Historical Data: This news release includes historical information that has been reviewed by the Company's qualified person. The Company's review of the historical records and information reasonably substantiate the validity of the information presented in this presentation. The Company encourages readers to exercise appropriate caution when evaluating these data and/or results.

Third-Party Mineral Projects: These deposits are cited solely for geological context. The Company cautions that these properties are not necessarily adjacent to, nor does the Company or have any interest in or control over them. Although certain geological features may be similar, there is no assurance that mineralization comparable to these deposits will be discovered on any of the Company's properties. Information regarding the aforementioned deposits is taken from publicly available sources and technical reports believed to be reliable, but has not been independently verified by the Company. The Company encourages readers to exercise appropriate caution when evaluating these data and/or results.

Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE): All scientific and technical information relating to Manhattan pertaining to Maiden MRE contained in this news release is derived from the Technical Report dated October 23, 2025 (with an effective date of June 4, 2025) titled "Mineral Resource Estimate and NI 43-101 Technical Report" (the "Technical Report") prepared by Matthew R. Dumala, P.Eng (BC) of Archer Cathro Geological (US) Ltd., Patrick Loury, M.Sc., CPG (AIPG) of Daniel Kunz & Associates, Annaliese Miller, LG (WA) of Geosyntec Consultants, Inc. and Art Ibrado, PhD, PE (AZ) of Fort Lowell Consulting PPLC. The information contained herein in respect of the Maiden MRE is subject to all of the assumptions, qualifications and procedures set out in the Technical Report and reference should be made to the full text of the Technical Report, a copy of which has been filed with the applicable securities regulators and is available under the Company's profile on www.sedarplus.ca.

Historical MRE: A Qualified Person has not done sufficient work to make the Historical MRE current, and the Company is not treating the Historical MRE as current.

The Company considers the Historical MRE relevant as it demonstrates the presence of significant gold mineralization across multiple zones within Manhattan; however, its reliability is uncertain because it was prepared prior to the adoption of the current CIM Definition Standards and current QA/QC practices. The Historical MRE provides limited disclosure of assumptions, parameters, estimation methods, cutoff grades, and QA/QC protocols, and therefore these cannot be fully verified by the Company. The categories used in the historical estimate predate, and are not directly comparable to, current CIM Definition Standards, and the Company is not treating the Historical MRE as a current Mineral Resource Estimate. To upgrade and verify the Historical MRE in order to make it a current Mineral Resource Estimate, the Company would be required to undertake confirmatory drilling, modern QA/QC sampling, validation and digitization of historical datasets and updated geological modeling followed by the preparation of a new Mineral Resource Estimate in accordance with CIM Definition Standards and NI 43-101. The Company encourages readers to exercise appropriate caution when evaluating the Historical MRE.

All scientific and technical information relating to Manhattan pertaining to the Historical MRE contained in this news release is derived from the Technical Report dated May 1997 titled "Exploration and Pre-Production Mine Development, Manhattan District Project, Nye County" (the "Historical Technical Report") prepared by New Concept Mining, Inc.. The information contained herein in respect of the Historical MRE is subject to all of the assumptions, qualifications and procedures set out in the Historical Technical Report and reference should be made to the full text of the Historical Technical Report.

References: (1) Strachan, D. G., and Master, T. D., 2005: Update and Revision of the Gold Wedge Project Development, Nye County. Report prepared for Nevada; Royal Standard Minerals, Inc. and dated March 31, 2005; (2) Dumlala, M. R., and Lowry, P., 2025: Mineral Resource Estimate and NI 43-101 Technical Report, Manhattan Property, Nye County, Nevada. Report prepared for Scorpio Gold Corporation and dated October 23, 2025 (with an effective date of June 4, 2025); and (3) Berry, A., and Willard, P., 1997: "Exploration and Pre-Production Mine Development, Manhattan District Project, Nye County". Report prepared for New Concept Mining, Inc. and dated May 1997.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed, verified and approved by Thomas Poitras, P. Geo., Chief Geologist of Scorpio Gold, a "Qualified Person", as defined under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Verification included review of laboratory certificates, review of field logs and chain-of-custody records, inspection of blank/standard/duplicate performance, and review of collar and down-hole survey data. No limitations or failures to verify were identified.

About Scorpio Gold Corp.

Scorpio Gold holds a 100% interest in the Manhattan District located in the Walker Lane Trend of Nevada, USA. Scorpio Gold's Manhattan District is ~4,780-hectares and comprises the advanced exploration-stage Goldwedge Mine, with a 400 ton per day maximum capacity gravity mill, and four past-producing pits that were acquired from Kinross in 2021 (see news release dated March 25, 2021). The consolidated Manhattan District presents an exciting late-stage exploration opportunity, with over 140,000 metres of historical drilling, significant resource potential, and valuable permitting and water rights.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Connect with Scorpio Gold:

Email | Website | Facebook | LinkedIn | X | YouTube

To register for investor updates please visit: scorpiogold.com

(TSXV: SGN) | (OTCQB: SRCRF) | (FSE: RY9)

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or developments to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur.

Forward-looking statements in this news release include, among others, statements relating to the timing, scope and interpretation of assay results; potential for resource growth; the potential continuity, extent and characteristics of mineralization along the Reliance Trend, Gap Zone, Zanzibar Trend and Mustang Hill; the intended follow-up exploration activities and timing of future disclosures, and other statements that are not historical facts. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks include, among others: the Company may require additional financing from time to time in order to continue its operations which may not be available when needed or on acceptable terms and conditions acceptable; compliance with extensive government regulation; domestic and foreign laws and regulations could adversely affect the Company's business and results of operations; the stock markets have experienced volatility that often has been unrelated to the performance of companies and these fluctuations may adversely affect the price of the Company's securities, regardless of its operating performance.

The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/281357

Source: Scorpio Gold Corp
Hong Kong, SAR--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2026) - Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), wrapped up his attendance at the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland yesterday (January 22). During the WEF Annual Meeting 2026, themed "A Spirit of Dialogue", Mr Chan met with political, business and financial leaders to brief them on the latest situation in Hong Kong as well as the city's new opportunities for partnership and investment.

A day earlier (January 21), Mr Chan spoke at the 2026 Davos-Caixin CEO Luncheon themed "Beyond Old Models: Designing Growth That Works". He outlined the steady progress Hong Kong has made over the past couple of years, and shared the city's development vision and strategic positioning in its three key growth engines -- finance, trade, and innovation and technology.

The Financial Secretary highlighted that breakthroughs in technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain are driving profound industrial transformation and economic growth. Under the "one country, two systems" policy, Hong Kong is actively exploring and piloting initiatives in financial and technological innovation. With strong collaboration among neighbouring cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area that boast robust innovation and technology industrial chains, Hong Kong holds tremendous development potential and is a worthwhile investment destination.





HKSAR's Financial Secretary Paul Chan delivers keynote remarks at the 2026 Davos-Caixin CEO Luncheon in Davos, Switzerland.To view

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Mr Chan also spoke at a dinner themed "China in Focus", sharing his views on China's development, international relations, as well as capital market developments in both the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong.

During a business exchange session of the WEF Annual Meeting, Mr Chan interacted with nearly 100 leaders from various sectors and regions. The discussion covered topics such as the outlook for the United States and global economies, strategies to enhance economic resilience, and ways to promote growth.

The Financial Secretary also held bilateral meetings with the Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia, Mr Sun Chanthol, and the Minister of State for Financial Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, Mr Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini respectively. They exchanged views on the global economic and trade landscape and matters of mutual interest, and explored ways to strengthen bilateral economic and trade co-operation.

On the final full day of his visit to Switzerland (January 22), Mr Chan spoke at a WEF Annual Meeting thematic session titled "How to Finance Decarbonization?". The event examined how public-private collaboration can continue to support the goal of achieving carbon neutrality, amid global economic slowdown, high debt levels in advanced economies and geopolitical developments.





Mr Chan (second left) speaks at a WEF Annual Meeting thematic session titled "How to Finance Decarbonization?"



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Mr Chan shared Hong Kong's strategies in striving to achieve the city's target for carbon neutrality by 2050. These strategies include leveraging government policy to steer behavioural changes among enterprises and consumers, such as providing tax concessions for electric vehicles and incentives for green buildings. He also mentioned financial support for trials of innovative technologies, such as sustainable hydrogen-powered transport, to encourage innovation.

Hong Kong actively facilitates private capital participation in the decarbonisation process through a rich green finance ecosystem, such as green bonds and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) funds. The HKSAR Government also encourages financial innovation, including the issuance of tokenised green bonds to allow wider investor participation in green projects, and the securitisation of loans for infrastructure projects to release capital for reinvestment into new projects.

Mr Chan also met with leaders from political, business and international organisations, including the President and Chief Executive Officer of the WEF, Mr Brge Brende, and the First Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Mr Dan Katz. Moreover, Mr Chan held separate meetings with the Global Chairman of PricewaterhouseCoopers, Mr Mohamed Kande; the Chief Executive Officer of AXA Group, Mr Thomas Buberl; and the Vice President of Global Public Policy of Amazon Web Services, Mr Michael Punke, to exchange views on the current global economic and market situation, as well as technological development.

Mr Chan was among some 3,000 leaders from various sectors around the world who attended the WEF Annual Meeting 2026.

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The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/281381

Source: Media OutReach
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2026) - Compass Gold Corp. (TSXV: CVB) (Compass or the Company) reports that the Malian Ministry of Mines is expected to issue a Small Mine Permit for the Company's Massala prospect located along the 15 km Tarabala Trend, before the end of March.

Highlights:

Small Mine Permit for Massala remains on track

Completing the second bulk sample testing using fine-grind processing

Completing metallurgical testing at Blue Coast Research

Finalizing initial high-grade processing solution on Compass permit area

Compass CEO Larry Phillips said, "We continue to wait for the grant of the final Small Mine permit for our Massala project. While this process has taken longer than we anticipated, we are in almost daily contact with the Malian Ministry of Mining and have been assured that there are no issues or obstacles relating to our application, and we still expect to be amongst the first to receive a Small Mine Permit. The timeline, however, is not within our control.

"While the permit process moves forward, our team has been busy advancing in several important ways. We have arranged for a second bulk sampling of 90 tonnes of material from the first zones at Massala but using a finer grind of less than 2mm compared with the 8mm grind that was previously used. We believe this adjustment will optimize recoveries.

"We have also commissioned a detailed metallurgical study by Blue Coast Research here in Canada, which will provide additional data for the design of processing facilities on the Massala site.

"Finally, we have incorporated some of the recent gold price escalation into our planning and have determined that a streamlined, high-grade approach to the initial work under a Small Mine Permit provides extremely compelling economics and attractive alternatives to a toll-treatment, co-production scenario. We expect to report on these initiatives in the coming weeks.

"Altogether, these developments make for a very exciting few months for Compass Gold and our shareholders."

Bulk Sampling Near Completion

Previous bulk sample testing using a nearby plant indicated that gold was not being effectively liberated during the gravity separation tests. As a result, a new set of bulk tests is currently being undertaken from several locations along the 6 to 10 metre wide, 150 metre long exposed mineralized zone. These samples are being tested by Bagama Mining (a mid-sized Malian mining company) at its plant to see if crushing and grinding the oxidized material improves the gold yield. Concurrent with this work, metallurgical testing is taking place at Blue Coast Research (British Columbia, Canada) on two samples of Massala mineralization and one sample from the nearby Tarabala mineralized zone. The aim of this work is to independently test the samples for gold recoveries and the optimal processing method.

About Compass Gold Corp.

Compass, a public company incorporated in Ontario, is a Tier 2 issuer on the TSX-V. Through the 2017 acquisition of MGE and Malian subsidiaries, Compass holds gold exploration permits located in Mali that comprise the Sikasso Property. The exploration permits are located in three sites in southern Mali with a combined land holding of 1,173 sq. km. The Sikasso Property is located in the same region as several multi-million-ounce gold projects, including Morila, Syama, Kalana and Komana. The Company's Mali-based technical team, led in the field by Dr. Madani Diallo and under the supervision of Dr. Sandy Archibald, P.Geo, is conducting the current exploration program. They are examining numerous anomalies first noted in Dr. Archibald's August 2017 "National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report on the Sikasso Property, Southern Mali."

Qualified Person

This news release has been reviewed and approved by EurGeol. Dr. Sandy Archibald, P.Geo, Compass's Technical Director, the Qualified Person for the technical information in this news release under National Instrument 43-101 standards.

Forward-Looking Information



This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the Company's planned exploration work and management appointments. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by such information. The statements in this news release are made as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by applicable law.

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/281333

Source: Compass Gold Corporation
Edmonton, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2026) - Peruvian Metals Corp. (TSXV: PER) (OTC Pink: DUVNF) ("Peruvian Metals or the Company") is pleased to provide an update on the progress made by the Company in 2025 and its plans for exploration and development for 2026 on the Mercedes Silver-Gold property ("Mercedes" or the "Property"). The Company is also pleased to announce it has completed its obligations to acquire a 50% interest in San Maurizo Mines Ltd. ("San Maurizo"), a private Manitoba company, which holds a 100% direct interest in the Property via its wholly owned Peruvian subsidiary, Basic Minerals SAC. The new metallurgical results show that high silver (Ag) recoveries and gold (Au) recoveries are achievable. The new venture will be jointly developed with Hudson Heartland Ltd (50% partner) and development and exploration costs will be equally shared.

The Mercedes property is located in the Junin Department in central Peru and covers an area of approximately 1,345 hectares. Mercedes is accessible from the town of Concepion located on the central highway by approximately 40 kilometres of a well-maintained gravel road. Peruvian Metals team has assisted San Maurizo's Peruvian subsidiary in the permitting by submitting the documentation needed for bulk sampling extraction.

Mercedes has extensive historical underground workings with horizontal drifts and shafts totaling approximately 900 metres. Previous operators from the early 1980's focused on three main structures called Victor I and II veins and the Kelly vein. In total over 15 mineralized structures were identified crossing Upper Cretaceous and Late Tertiary Sucllamachy granites. Historic reports indicate a total of over 15 mineralized structures/veins identified crossing Upper Cretaceous and Late Tertiary Sucllamachy granites. These structures generally trend NNW-SSE and are subparallel to a large U shape gully allowing easy underground access to these mineralized structures. To date the Company has located six mineralized veins.

Recent metallurgical results have confirmed the high recoveries of silver and gold at Mercedes. The lead and zinc content is determined to be insignificant compared to the Ag-Au. To achieve the higher recoveries, metallurgical work and future processing only focused on the recoveries of Ag-Au. Therefore, the Company will design its process method to produce only one Ag-Au concentrate. Concentrates are expected to contain low to moderate amounts of lead.

One large composite sample over several tens of meters was recently taken in the Victor II workings. The head grade of the composite sample returned 3.69 grams Au/mt and 9.4 ounces Ag/mt. Metallurgical results using flotation methods produced a concentrate grading 33.03 ounces Ag/mt and 12.23 grams Au/mt. Silver-Gold recoveries returned 97.85% and 92.19% respectfully. Mineral to concentrate ratio of 3.50 to 1 was also achieved. The Victor II vein is well exposed in two levels in the underground adits. The mineralized structure ranges in width from 0.30 to 1.0 meters in width as reported by Company geologists

The Company recently located a fourth mineralized structure called the Charo Vein. This mineralized structure is located 475 metres west of the Victor II vein and on the opposite side of the U-shaped gully. A historic 45-metre adit was located and cleaned out. The adit opening was re-established and secured for access. Initially three samples were taken in the adit, and assays returned an average of 1.33 grams Au/mt, 14.83 ounces Ag/mt and 1.36% Pb. Assays ranged from 0.25 to 2.59 grams Au/mt, 0.398 to 41.697 ounces Ag/mt, and 0.17 to 3.67% Pb over an average width of 0.35 meters. One large composite sample was taken over the length of vein for metallurgical work. The head grade of the composite assayed 0.63 grams Au/mt and 6.10 ounces Ag/mt. Metallurgical results using flotation methods produced a concentrate grading 48.42 ounces Ag/mt and 4.01 grams Au/mt. Silver-Gold recoveries returned 92.3% Ag and 74.7% Au. The mineral to concentrate ratio of 8.54 to 1 was achieved.

Mercedes has secured access agreements with the local community. A camp has been established and new road access to the upper showings is currently underway. During the first quarter of 2026, two groups of miners will start extracting mineral from the Victor II and Charo Veins. Once the weather improves, the Company will start the development of a 225-meter 2.5 X 3.0 meter crosscut to intersect the Kelly, Victor I and Victor II veins. This adit is designed to provide access to multiple mineralized faces and establishing underground drill sites. Mineral material will be processed at a local toll mill 12 kilometres from the Project. The Project is subject to a 20% Net Profit Interest ("NPI") and will be eliminated once US$4 million is paid to the holder of this NPI.

Mercedes will continue to be managed by Eric Hinton P.Eng and Jeff Reeder P.Geo. Mr. Hinton is the sole shareholder of Hudson Heartland Ltd. and is a member of the Professional Engineers of Ontario, Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of the Province of Manitoba and a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and is a designated Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 guidelines. Mr. Hinton has over 35 years of underground and open pit mining experience in Canada, the United States, Ghana and Zimbabwe. Peruvian Metals will continue to be involved in the project by providing administrative, accounting, permitting and geological services.

Jeffrey Reeder, the chief executive officer of Peruvian Metals, states: "Our Company is excited to jointly develop and explore the prospective Mercedes property with Hudson Heartland Ltd. The Property has several high-grade precious metal veins ready to be explored and bulk sampled. When Peruvian Metals acquired an interest in the property, silver was trading at US$23 per ounce. Now that silver is in the US$90 per ounce range, the economics has greatly improved. The new metallurgical work suggests we focus on achieving the highest silver recoveries by producing only one concentrate, rich in silver and gold. Our agreement with San Maurizo follows our business model by associating with small miners throughout Peru by providing them capital, permitting and geological expertise. San Maurizo's Peruvian subsidiary is well established and permitting is almost complete. Partnering with a private company will enable both entities to generate substantial cash flow."

Jeffrey Reeder, P.Geo, a qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101, has prepared, supervised the preparation or approved of the scientific and technical disclosure contained in this news release. The metallurgical work was performed by Ing. Jose Orlando Moncada Rejas who is the main metallurgist at the Aguila Norte Plant owned by the Company. Assaying of the material was performed by Procesmin Ingenieros SRL located in Caraz Ancash by fire assay for Au-Ag.

About Peruvian Metals Corp.

Peruvian Metals Corp. is a Canadian exploration and mineral processing company. Our business model is to acquire and develop precious and base metal properties in Peru and to provide clients with toll milling services and produce high-grade marketable concentrates from mineral purchases. The Aguila Norte processing plant has an environmental permit ("IGAC") from the Peruvian government which provides the Company with the ability to expand operations past the current 100 tonnes per day level.

ON BEHALF OF PERUVIAN METALS

CORP.

(Signed) Jeffrey Reeder

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. We use words such as "might", "will", "should", "anticipate", "plan", "expect", "believe", "estimate", "forecast" and similar terminology to identify forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Such statements and information are based on assumptions, estimates, opinions, and analysis made by management in light of its experience, current conditions and its expectations of future developments as well as other factors which it believes to be reasonable and relevant. Forward-looking statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements and information and accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on such statements and information. Risks and uncertainties are more fully described in our annual and quarterly Management's Discussion and Analysis and in other filings made by us with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and available at www.sedarplus.ca.While the Company believes that the expectations expressed by such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information and the assumptions, estimates, opinions, and analysis underlying such expectations are reasonable, there can be no assurance that they will prove to be correct. In evaluating forward-looking statements and information, readers should carefully consider the various factors which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements and forward-looking information.





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Source: Peruvian Metals Corp.
Area of AuRORA Now Measures 1.4 km by 0.8 km

Deposit Remains Open to Expansion

+4 km2 NWG Target Area that Hosts AuRORA Shows More Potential

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / January 23, 2026 / Amarc Resources Ltd. ("Amarc" or the "Company") (TSXV:AHR)(OTCQB:AXREF) is pleased to announce all remaining assay results from the 2025 expansion drilling at the AuRORA Deposit. The AuRORA Deposit hosts high grade near surface, copper-gold-silver ("Cu-Au-Ag") mineralization that has exceptional vertical and lateral continuity (see Amarc releases January 17, 20 and February 28, 2025) and remains open to further expansion to the north, east, south and southwest. Amarc believes the rare combination of high grade near surface geometry and emerging scale at AuRORA are the hallmarks of a Tier One asset in the making.

Twenty-four core holes (9,687 m) were completed at the AuRORA Deposit in 2025 of which 23 are expansion step-out holes. Eleven of these holes have already been announced and assay data from the remaining 12 expansion holes is provided in this release. These holes show similar host rocks, alteration and mineralization types to those previously reported. Mineralization at AuRORA has now been intercepted over an area of 1.4 km by 0.8 km (Figure 1).

"Amarc remains highly focused on disciplined, discovery-driven growth and on advancing its assets in a manner that maximizes the creation of shareholder value," said Amarc's President and CEO, Dr. Diane Nicolson. "A year ago, Amarc announced the discovery of the exciting new, high grade near surface, gold-rich AuRORA Deposit in the JOY District. AuRORA has rewritten the exploration playbook in the Toodoggone and stands as one of the most important recent porphyry copper-gold discoveries in British Columbia. With the hallmarks of a Tier One asset in the making, AuRORA is integral to bringing rapidly forward the potential of the JOY District and stands to be the key to the emergence of a world-class porphyry copper-gold district in the Toodoggone."

AuRORA Deposit Expanded to the North

Results previously announced in late 2025 from eight holes completed on Sections 8000N, 8100N and 8200N successfully expanded AuRORA +300 m to the north (Figure 1, and Amarc releases November 3 and December 10, 2025). Today, we are announcing drill hole JP25119 located on Section 8300N, which has expanded AuRORA a further +100 m to the north (Figures 1 and 2, and Tables 1 and 3), for a cumulative +400 m northern extension of the deposit in 2025. This sector of the Deposit requires further drilling.

The Cu-Au-Ag mineralization in JP25119 occurs well outside the strong magnetic high that hosts the high grade AuRORA mineralization discovered in 2024. Significant grade intersections (117 m of 0.19% Cu, 0.49 g/t Au and 2.2 g/t Ag including 93 m of 0.20% Cu, 0.54 g/t Au and 2.4 g/t Ag; and 98 m of 0.13% Cu, 0.52 g/t Au and 2.6 g/t Ag, Table 1) in JP25119, occur in rock with a comparatively weak magnetic signature and outside of the main core of Induced Polarization ("IP") chargeability responses. The recognition that mineralization is not restricted to magnetic highs or the strongest IP chargeability responses in the JOY District opens up exciting potential for further discovery and development of a world class porphyry Cu-Au district at JOY.

Also, even further to the north, a single large step out scout hole (JP25120) was completed +500 m to the east-northeast of hole JP25119, and some 350 m north of AuRORA hole JP25103 on Section 8200 N (Figures 1 and 2). This hole, which was targeted on a magnetic high within the comparatively lower contrast area of the NWG Target IP chargeability anomaly, intercepted significant Cu-Au-Ag mineralization at depth (33 m of 0.22% Cu, 0.58 g/t Au and 5.4 g/t Ag; and the last 36 m of the hole returned 0.29% Cu, 0.28 g/t Au and 5.9 g/t Ag, Table 1). This was the last hole underway on JOY in 2025. It was terminated prematurely in strong mineralization due to 2025 drill program demobilization constraints. Additional drilling is required to establish if this hole represents expansion of the AuRORA Deposit to the northeast or is another potential deposit.

AuRORA Deposit Expanded to the East and Southeast

Results from three holes announced in 2025 on Sections 7900N and 7600N successfully expanded AuRORA approximately 200 m to the east and 300 m to the southeast (Figure 1). Today's results are from seven additional drill holes located on Sections 7800N, 7700N, 7600N, 7400N and 7450N (Figures 1, 3 and 4, and Tables 1 and 3), which have cumulatively expanded the AuRORA Deposit from the 2024 discovery drilling 550 m to the east, +500 m to the southeast and 50 m to the south. AuRORA remains open to expansion in each of these directions. This sector of the Deposit requires further drilling.

Like hole JP25119 that extends AuRORA to the north, it should be noted that Cu-Au-Ag mineralization intersected in holes JP25096 (42 m of 0.11% Cu, 0.36 g/t Au and 2.9 g/t Ag; and 80 m of 0.24% Cu, 0.27 g/t Au and 3.2 g/t Ag), JP25097 (134 m of 0.18% Cu, 0.32 g/t Au and 2.8 g/t Ag), JP25102 (38 m of 0.11% Cu, 0.59 g/t Au and 2.4 g/t Ag; and 91 m of 0.18% Cu, 0.31 g/t Au and 4.1 g/t Ag), JP25112 (75 m of 0.31% Cu, 0.22 g/t Au and 7.7 g/t Ag), JP25118 (85 m of 0.23% Cu, 0.20 g/t Au and 4.8 g/t Ag including 22 m of 0.34% Cu, 0.28 g/t Au and 4.7 g/t Ag) and JP25115 (115 m of 0.29% Cu, 0.26 g/t Au and 3.1 g/t Ag) again occurs well outside the strong magnetic high that hosts the AuRORA mineralization discovered in 2024.

Of note in this area of AuRORA, five drill holes have returned significant molybdenum ("Mo") which, like Cu is a Critical Mineral. Long intercepts of 133 to 356 ppm Mo (Table 2) were encountered, for example, hole JP25112 returned 165 m of 0.22% Cu, 0.19 g/t Au, 5.3 g/t Ag and 292 ppm Mo. Further drilling in this sector of the Deposit is required to determine the extent and significance of the Mo mineralization.

AuRORA Deposit Expanded to the Southwest

Results from three holes - JP25087 (66 m of 0.25% Cu, 0.65 g/t Au and 2.7 g/t Ag) on Section 7700N, and JP25088 (75 m of 0.33% Cu, 0.76 g/t Au and 3.6 g/t Ag) and JP25090 (48 m of 0.15% Cu, 0.42 g/t Au and 1.3 g/t Ag) on Section 7600N have expanded AuRORA 125 m to the southwest (Figures 1, 3 and 4, and Table 1). AuRORA remains open to expansion to the southwest. This sector of the Deposit requires further drilling.

New Potential in Northwest Gossan ("NWG") Target

Hole JP25114 drilled 550 m south of the AuRORA Deposit within the NWG Target area (Figures 1 and 4), intercepted promising Au-Ag-Cu mineralization (12 m of 0.40 g/t Au and 0.5 g/t Ag; and 74 m of 0.05% Cu, 0.92 g/t Au and 0.6 g/t Ag). These strongly anomalous Au grades may mimic the anomalous Au concentrations in plumes observed above the Kemess East Cu-Au Porphyry Deposit in the Kemess Mining District 1 located adjacent to the south of the JOY District, where the plumes overlie the main porphyry centres below.

Hole JP25114 was drilled to test rock chip sampling of gossanous outcrop in non-selective samples that returned significant concentrations of Au (20 ppb to 390 ppb) and Ag (0.1 ppm to 0.6 ppm) within the NWG IP chargeability anomaly (Figure 1). It is noted that a similar Au and Ag anomaly exists at surface vertically above the mineralized zone in hole JP25118 on Section 7700N (Figures 1 and 3, and Table 1). This area, and other locations with similar Au and Ag concentrations in surface rock chip samples within the NWG IP chargeability target area require drill testing for additional porphyry Cu-Au centres.

JOY District drilling in 2024 and 2025 now totals 75 drill holes (32,624 m). Of this total, 45 holes (17,586 m) have been completed at AuRORA and 31 holes (14,678 m) were completed across the District. Thirty-five holes (15,381 m) were drilled at JOY in 2025; of these, assay results from 10 holes drilled across the District are now being compiled for release shortly.

Figure 1 (Drill Plan Map): AuRORA Deposit Discovery High Grade Near Surface, Exceptional Continuity, Deposit Continues to be Open to Expansion

Figure 2 (Sections 8400N, 8300N, 8200N and 8100N): AuRORA Deposit Discovery 2025 Step-out Drilling is Discovering

More Open-Ended, Continuous Mineralization

Figure 3 (Sections 8000N, 7900N, 7800N and 7700N): AuRORA Deposit Discovery 2025 Step-Out Drilling is Discovering More Open-Ended, Continuous Mineralization

Figure 4 (Sections 7600N, 7500N, 7450N and 6900N): AuRORA Deposit Discovery 2025 Step-Out Drilling is Discovering More Open-Ended, Continuous Mineralization

Table 1: AuRORA Porphyry Cu-Au-Ag Deposit Expansion

Sections 8400N, 8300N, 7800N, 7700N, 7600N, 7500N, 7450N and 6900N

Section Drill Hole Incl. From (m) To (m) Int. 1,2,3 (m) Au (g/t) Cu (%) Ag (g/t) 8400N JP25120 564.00 597.00 33.00 0.58 0.22 5.4 639.50 675.40 35.90 0.29 0.28 5.9 8300N JP25119 461.00 577.65 116.65 0.49 0.19 2.2 Incl. 470.00 563.00 93.00 0.54 0.20 2.4 602.00 700.00 98.00 0.52 0.13 2.6 Incl. 602.00 627.53 25.53 0.93 0.21 2.5 7800N JP25102 308.00 346.05 38.05 0.59 0.11 2.4 376.70 468.00 91.30 0.31 0.18 4.1 7700N JP25087 78.00 243.00 165.00 0.38 0.16 1.7 Incl. 162.00 228.00 66.00 0.65 0.25 2.7 JP25096 182.75 225.00 42.25 0.36 0.11 2.9 257.00 336.50 79.50 0.27 0.24 3.2 JP25118 240.00 477.00 237.00 0.19 0.15 2.9 Incl. 327.00 412.40 85.40 0.20 0.23 4.8 Incl. 422.50 444.00 21.50 0.28 0.34 4.7 7600N JP25088 194.00 300.00 106.00 0.62 0.27 3.1 Incl. 213.00 288.00 75.00 0.76 0.33 3.6 JP25090 117.00 279.40 162.40 0.22 0.10 0.9 Incl. 192.00 240.00 48.00 0.42 0.15 1.3 JP25097 144.00 278.45 134.45 0.32 0.18 2.8 Incl. 180.00 278.45 98.45 0.30 0.22 3.5 and 180.00 231.00 51.00 0.35 0.23 3.4 JP25112 270.00 435.00 165.00 0.19 0.22 5.3 Incl. 360.00 435.00 75.00 0.22 0.31 7.7 7500N JP25092 207.00 273.00 66.00 0.12 0.12 1.7 Incl. 210.00 249.00 39.00 0.13 0.16 2.0 7450N JP25115 213.00 289.7 4 76.70 0.20 0.15 3.3 303.00 417.80 114.80 0.26 0.29 3.1 6900N JP25114 5 27.00 39.00 12.00 0.40 0.00 6 0.6 7 96.00 169.55 73.55 0.92 0.05 0.6

Notes to Table 1:

Widths reported are drill widths, such that true thicknesses are unknown. All assay intervals represent length-weighted averages. Some figures may not sum exactly due to rounding. Drill hole JP25115 interval 234-235.2 m comprised broken ground, no core was recovered, and it was therefore averaged at zero grade. Drilled in Northwest Gossan (NWG) Target. Value rounded to two decimal places; underlying result for Cu (%) is 0.0049%. Values rounded to one decimal place; underlying results for Ag (g/t) are 0.55 and 0.62, respectively. Drill hole JP25101 was lost and redrilled at JP25103 which was previously released.

Table 2: AuRORA Porphyry Cu-Au-Ag Deposit Drill Holes from the

Southeast Area with Significant Mo

Drill

Hole From

(m) To

(m) Int. 1,2,3

(m) Au

(g/t) Cu

(%) Ag

(g/t) Mo

(ppm) JP25098 4 223.00 289.00 66.00 0.49 0.18 4.8 133 JP25102 321.00 346.05 25.05 0.65 0.14 3.1 167 376.70 468.00 91.30 0.31 0.18 4.1 139 JP25112 270.00 435.00 165.00 0.19 0.22 5.3 292 JP25115 222.00 289.70 67.70 0.19 0.16 3.2 251 300.00 378.00 78.00 0.24 0.30 3.3 356 JP25118 264.00 369.00 105.00 0.24 0.12 2.7 164

Notes to Table 2: 1, 2 and 3, see Table 1

4. Drill Hole JP25098 was previously released.

About Amarc Resources Ltd.

Amarc is a mineral exploration and development company with an experienced and successful management team focused on developing a new generation of long-life, high-value porphyry Cu-Au mines in BC. By combining high-demand projects with dynamic management, Amarc has created a solid platform to create value from its exploration and development-stage assets.

Amarc is advancing the JOY, DUKE and IKE porphyry CuAu Districts located in different prolific porphyry regions of northern, central and southern BC, respectively. Each District represents significant potential for the development of multiple and important-scale, porphyry CuAu deposits. Importantly, each of the three districts are located in proximity to industrial infrastructure - including power, highways and rail.

Freeport-McMoRan Mineral Properties Canada Inc. ("Freeport"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. at JOY and Boliden Mineral Canada Ltd. ("Boliden"), an entity within the Boliden Group of companies at DUKE, can earn up to a 70% interest in each District through staged investments of CAD $110 million and CAD $90 million, respectively. Together, this provides Amarc with potentially up to CAD $200 million in non-share dilutive staged funding for these Districts. In addition, Amarc completed self-funded drilling at its Empress Cu-Au Deposit in the IKE District in 2024. Amarc is the operator at the DUKE and IKE Districts.

The CAD $16+ million JOY exploration program expenditures in 2025 were 100% funded by Freeport. As previously announced (Amarc May 29, 2025 and September 4, 2025 releases), Freeport has completed Stage 1 requirements under the May 2021 JOY agreement, earning a 60% interest by spending CAD $35 million, and has elected to proceed to Stage 2to earn a further 10% interest by spending an additional CAD $75 million within 5 years at a rate of no less than CAD $10 million per year. While Freeport is now the Operator of JOY, Aurora Minerals Ltd., the joint venture company is currently owned by Freeport (60%) and Amarc (40%), has appointed Amarc as the primary contractor to continue to manage the JOY exploration programs under a separate Services Agreement.

Amarc's exploration is led by an internationally successful team of experienced geologists specializing in porphyry Cu-Au deposits. Members of this team have been involved in and have tracked porphyry Cu-Au exploration advancements in the Toodoggone region since 1990. Their experience and early recognition of the porphyry potential at the NWG Target in terms of a shallowly overburden covered and underexplored transitional epithermal-porphyry geological setting, led to the discovery of the Au-rich AuRORA porphyry Cu-Au-Ag Deposit.

Amarc is associated with HDI, a diversified, global mining company with a 35-year history of porphyry Cu deposit discovery, development and transaction success. Previous and current HDI projects include some of BC's and the world's most important porphyry deposits - such as Pebble, Mount Milligan, Southern Star, Kemess South, Kemess North, Gibraltar, Prosperity, Xietongmen, Newtongmen, Florence, Casino, Sisson, Maggie, PINE, IKE, DUKE and AuRORA. From its head office in Vancouver, Canada, HDI applies its unique strengths and capabilities to acquire, develop, operate and monetize mineral projects.

Amarc works closely with local governments, Indigenous groups and stakeholders in order to advance its mineral projects responsibly, and in a manner that contributes to sustainable community and economic development. We pursue early and meaningful engagement to ensure our mineral exploration and development activities are well coordinated and broadly supported, address local priorities and concerns, and optimize opportunities for collaboration. In particular, we seek to establish mutually beneficial partnerships with Indigenous groups within whose traditional territories our projects are located, through the provision of jobs, training programs, contract opportunities, capacity funding agreements and sponsorship of community events. All Amarc work programs are carefully planned to achieve high levels of environmental and social performance.

Qualified Person

Mark Rebagliati, P.Eng., a Qualified Person ("QP") as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical and scientific information in this news release. Mr. Rebagliati is not independent of the Company.

Quality Assurance/Quality Control Program

Amarc drilled HQ (63.5mm) and NQ (47.6mm) size core in 2025 at the JOY project. All drill core was logged, photographed, and cut in half with a diamond saw. Half core samples from the AuRORA Deposit and other drilling across the JOY District were sent to ALS Canada Ltd., Kamloops, Canada, for preparation and to North Vancouver, Canada for analysis. Both facilities are ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited. At the laboratory, samples were dried and crushed to 70% passing -2 mm, followed by pulverization of a 250 g split to better than 85% passing 75 microns; however, for AuRORA Deposit samples, a 1,000 g split was pulverized to the same particle-size specification. All samples were analyzed for Au by fire assay fusion of a 30 g sub-sample with an ICP-AES finish, and for 60 elements including Cu, Mo and Ag by a four-acid digestion, multi-element ICP-MS package. In addition, all samples from the AuRORA Deposit were also analyzed for Cu by single element four-acid digestion ICP-AES, for oxidized Cu by quick sulphuric acid / ferric sulphate leach AAS and for soluble Cu by sulphuric acid leach AAS. As part of a comprehensive Quality Assurance/Quality Control ("QAQC") program, Amarc control samples were inserted in each analytical batch of the core samples at the following rates: standards one in 20 regular samples, duplicate sets (half core, coarse reject, and pulp split) one in 20 regular samples and one coarse blank in 20 regular samples. The control sample results were then checked to ensure proper QAQC.

For further details on Amarc Resources Ltd., please visit the Company's website at www.amarcresources.com or contact Dr. Diane Nicolson, President and CEO, at (604) 684-6365 or within North America at 1-800-667-2114, or Kin Communications, at (604) 684-6730, Email: AHR@kincommunications.com .

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF AMARC RESOURCES LTD.

Dr. Diane Nicolson

President and CEO

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking and other Cautionary Information

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All such statements, other than statements of historical facts that address exploration plans and plans for enhanced relationships are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Assumptions used by the Company to develop forward-looking statements include the following: Amarc's projects will obtain all required environmental and other permits and all land use and other licenses, studies and exploration of Amarc's projects will continue to be positive, and no geological or technical problems will occur. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, potential environmental issues or liabilities associated with exploration, development and mining activities, exploitation and exploration successes, continuity of mineralization, uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary permits, licenses and tenure and delays due to third party opposition, changes in and the effect of government policies regarding mining and natural resource exploration and exploitation including the effects of land use plans that may impact activities on or access to properties, exploration and development of properties located within Aboriginal groups asserted territories may affect or be perceived to affect asserted aboriginal rights and title, which may cause permitting delays or opposition by Aboriginal groups, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Amarc Resources Ltd., investors should review Amarc's annual Form 20-F filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov and its home jurisdiction filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca .

Table 3: Announced Drill Hole Information

Drill

Hole Easting Northing Elevation Azim

() Dip

() EOH

(m) JP25087 622688 6347704 1411 270 -67 309.0 JP25088 622698 6347600 1444 90 -65 375.0 JP25090 622693 6347602 1445 270 -60 279.4 JP25092 622884 6347505 1421 90 -60 297.4 JP25096 623037 6347699 1395 90 -56 364.5 JP25097 623074 6347598 1395 91 -60 314.3 JP25102 623497 6347805 1609 270 -81 521.2 JP25112 623322 6347599 1453 90 -61 553.0 JP25114 623123 6346917 1553 90 -55 486.0 JP25115 623303 6347442 1418 91 -71 486.0 JP25118 623301 6347700 1492 90 -70 504.0 JP25119 622610 6348301 1362 270 -75 700.0 JP25120 623059 6348417 1609 90 -85 675.4

Note: Collar locations are in UTM NAD83, Zone 9N coordinates.

Figure 1 (Drill Plan Map): AuRORA Deposit Discovery High Grade Near Surface, Exceptional Continuity, Deposit Continues to be Open to Expansion

Figure 2 (Sections 8400N, 8300N, 8200N and 8100N): AuRORA Deposit Discovery 2025 Step-out Drilling is Discovering More Open-Ended, Continuous Mineralization

Figure 3 (Sections 8000N, 7900N, 7800N and 7700N): AuRORA Deposit Discovery 2025 Step-Out Drilling is Discovering More Open-Ended, Continuous Mineralization

Figure 4 (Sections 7600N, 7500N, 7450N and 6900N): AuRORA Deposit Discovery 2025 Step-Out Drilling is Discovering More Open-Ended, Continuous Mineralization

1 Rebagliati, C.M., Duuring, P., Dickinson, J.M., and McKinley, B., and Fagan, A.J., 2020, Geology and exploration of the Jurassic porphyry-style Cu-Au-AgMo mineralization in the Kemess-Pine area of the Toodoggone District of British Columbia, Canada, in: updated CIM Special Volume 57, Society of Exploration Geologists, pp. 253-266.

SOURCE: Amarc Resources Ltd.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/amarc-and-freeport-continue-expanding-high-grade-aurora-copper-gold-silver-deposi-1130134
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2026) - Gold Runner Exploration Inc. (CSE: GRUN) (FSE: CE7) ("Gold Runner" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an Option Agreement with the B-ALL Syndicate Ltd. ("B-All" or the "Optionor") to acquire a 100% interest in the Golden Girl Property ("Golden Girl Property", "Golden Girl" or "Property"), from the B-ALL Syndicate.

Chris Wensley, CEO of Gold Runner states, "We are excited to begin exploration on the Golden Girl property located in an underexplored part of British Columbia's renowned Golden Triangle. The excellent work done by the B-ALL Syndicate team who generated the property allows us to get right into it with follow up prospecting and mapping of known high-grade gold targets in preparation for future drilling. This is the same team that generated and staked Goliath Resources (TSXV: GOT), Surebet Discovery and contributed to advancing that discovery to where it is today. The B-ALL Syndicate also generated and staked the Big One discovery that was subsequently optioned to Juggernaut Exploration (TSXV: JUGR), who are actively exploring the project with drilling to commence this summer. We are looking forward to unlocking the full potential of this brand new discovery and bring long term value to our share holders."

Golden Girl is only 17 kilometers (km) from the Snip Mine and 14 km from the Bronson Air Strip, making for cost-effective exploration in the heart of the Golden Triangle of North-Western British Columbia.

Recent exploration, conducted by B-ALL, has identified a large new gold-silver system measuring 12 km by 7 km on the Golden Girl Property. The system features a gold-rich core surrounded by a silver-rich halo. Highlights from the 2024 exploration program include grab samples assaying up to 11.28 g/t Au, 3,262 g/t Ag, 5.37% Cu, 20% Pb, and 14.15% Zn and channel cuts assaying up to 3.74 g/t Au, 2105.45 g/t Ag, 0.88% Cu, 5.48% Pb and 7.42% Zn. Forty-seven (47) samples collected on the Property returned values exceeding 1 g/t AuEq (see table below for samples >1 g/t AuEq).

The Golden Girl property covers an area of 8,471 hectares (ha) located in the Iskut River region of Northwestern British Columbia. This acquisition places the Company in a richly endowed, underexplored geologic terrane in the heart of the Golden Triangle, approximately 17 km from the past-producing Snip Gold Mine, which historically produced approximately 1 million ounces of gold, 390,000 ounces of silver and 249,276 kilograms of copper (at an average 127.5 grams per ton gold over 8 years). Eskay Creek, which lies approximately 60 km east of Golden Girl, produced approximately 3.3 million ounces of gold and 160,000 ounces of silver between 1994 and 2008 (with an estimated 3.3 million ounces of gold, 88 million ounces of silver in reserves). Golden Girl is also located approximately mid-way between Goliath Resources Limited's Gold Digger/Surebet discovery and Juggernaut Exploration Ltd.'s Big One property, almost next door to Newmont's Galore Creek. The reader is reminded that the information provided herein from neighbouring projects and properties is not necessarily indicative of resources and should not be relied upon for the determination of mineralization or potential results of the Company's properties.





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High-grade mineralization at Golden Girl occurs in structurally controlled shear zones within sulphide-rich veins, stockwork, and breccias, similar to the nearby Snip Gold Mine. Hydrothermal fluids took advantage of pre-existing structures to deposit gold-silver rich mineralization as well as sulphides such as chalcopyrite, galena and sphalerite associated with quartz-carbonate rich veins. Pervasive alteration associated with fluid infiltration is often observed surrounding the zones of strong gold-silver mineralization.

More than 95% of the Golden Girl property remains unexplored. Rapid glacial retreat and snowpack abatement over the last 35 years have revealed vast areas of new outcrop that have never seen historical surface exploration. The Company is planning additional prospecting, sampling and mapping in areas surrounding the known mineralized showings, as well as detailed work augmented by geophysical survey in areas around the known drill ready targets in preparation for the inaugural drill program.

The Golden Girl Property is strategically located near major regional infrastructure with year-round helicopter access from the Forrest Kerr Road (39 km east), as well as in close proximity to a maintained power line and an active air strip. The project exploration qualifies for the Critical Mineral Exploration Tax Credit (CMETC).

Table 1: Golden Girl Property Samples with assays >1 g/t AuEq.

Sample ID Sample Type Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu (%) Pb (%) Zn (%) AuEq (g/t) D751631 Grab 5.50 3261.82 1.09 8.78 0.45 45.16 D751628 Grab 8.59 1769.68 2.86 17.40 10.60 38.39 D751915 Grab 0.92 2531.45 1.89 3.40 10.40 35.12 D751738 Channel 3.74 2105.45 0.88 5.48 7.42 31.66 D751551 Grab 11.28 1465.23 0.23 0.51 0.41 28.14 D751629 Grab 1.32 1828.17 2.10 7.18 0.27 25.60 D751807 Grab 0.17 1558.66 0.37 8.07 14.15 24.06 D751554 Grab 0.25 1114.15 0.63 1.22 0.09 13.66 D751552 Grab 5.48 644.81 0.13 0.27 0.39 13.00 D751735 Channel 0.44 812.73 0.65 2.45 1.82 11.29 D751516 Channel 1.80 82.99 0.05 20.00 12.30 10.89 D751723 Float 5.07 2.75 5.37 0.10 0.46 10.86 D751919 Chip 10.51 24.31 0.01 0.06 0.11 10.84 D751535 Grab 3.44 369.77 0.28 5.95 1.30 9.56 D751617 Grab 0.74 215.28 0.03 20.00 5.11 9.09 D751514 Channel 2.52 2.75 0.18 11.95 3.42 6.39 D751886 Grab 0.02 337.96 0.16 1.59 4.65 5.74 D751664 Grab 0.59 411.92 0.22 0.01 0.03 5.44 D751614 Chip 0.23 75.70 0.02 3.46 6.69 3.89 D751515 Channel 0.27 90.68 0.01 6.12 3.02 3.55 D751543 Grab 0.25 230.57 0.34 0.54 0.49 3.44 D751736 Channel 0.22 247.74 0.13 0.84 0.10 3.34 D751663 Grab 0.60 127.98 0.21 2.00 1.62 3.18 D751659 Grab 0.65 131.22 0.18 0.74 0.65 2.67 D751612 Chip 0.08 37.65 0.02 2.93 4.30 2.47 D751615 Grab 0.36 83.42 0.07 2.95 0.47 2.15 D751906 Grab 0.08 70.23 0.03 2.11 2.61 2.15 D751825 Grab 0.22 39.98 0.07 1.58 2.27 1.77 D751737 Channel 1.27 33.97 0.04 0.12 0.02 1.73 D751534 Grab 0.98 57.04 0.01 0.18 0.06 1.69 D751513 Talus 0.13 95.98 0.02 0.59 0.65 1.55 D751002 Channel 0.03 2.75 0.04 5.10 1.09 1.54 D751508 Chip 0.47 31.23 0.68 0.01 0.01 1.54 D751959 Chip 0.03 32.57 0.03 0.12 3.43 1.50 D751645 Chip 0.09 73.95 0.38 0.05 0.04 1.34 D751646 Grab 0.06 87.81 0.27 0.02 0.04 1.34 D751003 Channel 0.02 33.09 0.01 2.41 1.17 1.28 D751809 Grab 0.01 11.20 1.06 0.00 0.01 1.24 D751547 Channel 0.05 53.39 0.08 0.84 0.97 1.21 D751745 Float 0.83 6.46 0.27 0.01 0.01 1.19 D751883 Grab 0.02 16.52 0.00 1.22 2.29 1.17 D751922 Float 0.16 15.51 0.78 0.01 0.01 1.15 D751899 Channel 0.01 14.97 0.00 0.70 2.51 1.10 D751549 Channel 0.04 23.75 0.01 1.24 1.65 1.09 D751546 Channel 0.05 41.31 0.02 0.93 1.08 1.06 D751608 Talus 0.09 7.30 0.55 0.08 0.92 1.05 D751509 Grab 0.25 21.33 0.50 0.01 0.01 1.02

Terms of the Option Agreement

The Terms of the Option Agreement are as follows:

the Company will pay a non-refundable deposit of $250,000 to B-All (the "Escrow Funds") in trust and subject to the approval by the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") (the "Regulatory Approvals") by September 2, 2026, as the initial payment under the Option Agreement, and if such approvals are not obtained by September 2, 2026 the Escrow Funds will be provided to B-All in full as a break fee; The company will issue to B-All 1,830,000 common shares of the Company at the closing price of the date of execution of the Option Agreement and 1,830,000 common share purchase warrants ("Warrants"), with such Warrants being exercisable within five (5) years from the date of issuance at an exercise price equal to the closing price of the common shares of the Company on the CSE on the day prior to issuance plus $0.01 per Warrant (the common shares and Warrants, shall herein be referred to as, the "Trigger Date Securities"), and the Trigger Date Securities shall be issued in escrow and remain in escrow until receipt of the Regulatory Approvals regarding any necessary approvals for the Option Agreement and if such approvals is not obtained, the Trigger Date Securities shall be cancelled and returned to treasury of the Company; The Company will incur a minimum of $1,500,000 in exploration expenditures, prior to October 1, 2027; Upon each of the 1st through 6th anniversaries, the Company will pay $250,000 in cash to B-All no later than the respective anniversary (1st through 6th) of the Regulatory Approvals and issue 1,830,000 common shares at a deemed price equal to the closing price of the Company shares on the CSE on the last trading day prior to such issuance date and 1,830,000 common share purchase warrants (respective "First through Sixth Anniversary Warrants") exercisable within 5 years from the date of issuance at an exercise price equal to the closing price of the shares on the CSE on the last trading day prior to such issuance date plus $0.01 per each respective anniversary warrant; the Company will incur a minimum of $3,000,000 in total exploration expenditures prior to October 1, 2029; the Company will issue to B-All, not later than the seventh anniversary of the Regulatory Approvals, 4,000,000 common shares at the closing price of the Company shares on the CSE on the last trading day prior to the date of issuance and 4,000,000 common share purchase warrants ("Seventh Anniversary Warrants") exercisable within 5 years from the date of issuance at an exercise price equal to the closing price of the common shares of the Company on the CSE on the last trading day prior to the date of issuance plus $0.01 per Seventh Anniversary Warrant; the Company will incur a minimum of $10,000,000 in Exploration Expenditures (including the previous annual expenditure amounts) not later than the seventh anniversary of the Regulatory Approvals (for total exploration expenditures of a minimum of $10,000,000) and filing and registering a work/assessment report under the Mineral Tenure Act for 100% of such exploration expenditures and delivering and filing on SEDAR+, not later than the seventh anniversary of the Regulatory Approval Date, a National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report on the Property (the "Initial NI 43-101 Report") which is based on the results of all exploration expenditures incurred on the Golden Girl Property prior to December 31 of the immediately preceding calendar year and includes a resource estimate of gold equivalent mineral reserves (proven and probable) and gold equivalent mineral resources (measured, indicated and inferred categories) (such resource estimate being herein referred to as the "Initial Resource" and each ounce of gold equivalent reserves and resources set out in the Initial NI 43-101 Report and all other NI 43-101 technical reports published in respect of the Property or part thereof being herein referred to as an "Ounce"), and paying to the Syndicate within five (5) Business Days of the date of such delivery and SEDAR+ filing (in such names and amounts as shall be set out in the Syndicate List most recently provided by the Syndicate), USD $3.00 in respect of each Ounce contained in the Initial Resource. Having met and satisfied all of the above, Gold Runner will have exercised the Option.

If the option is exercised and the Company acquires the Golden Girl Property, there are additional bonus payments in cash that may be provided by the Company to B-All, based on additional Ounces defined in future National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report filed by the Company, subject to certain extensions.

Upon exercise of the Option, a royalty will be reserved to the Syndicate and the Company will pay the Royalty to the Syndicate (in cash or in kind [i.e. gold] at the option of the Syndicate); provided that the Company shall have the option to reduce the royalty from four percent (4%) to three Percent (3%) by paying USD $2,000,000 to the Syndicate not later than 24 months after the date of exercise of the Option.

The Option Agreement will be filed on SEDAR+ and the full terms of the Option can be found therein on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

Gold Runner CEO, Chris Wensley further states: "We are thrilled to have acquired the Golden Girl Option, and we are excited to begin work to build on the initial high grade poly metallic findings generated by the B-ALL Syndicate with a view to confirming a significant discovery. We are also very pleased to welcome the B-All Syndicate, Goliath Resources (TSXV: GOT), and Juggernaut Exploration (TSXV: JUGR) as significant corner stone shareholders as we move forward together."

Qualified Person

This News Release has been approved by Alan Morris, M.Sc., CPG #10550. Alan J. Morris is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and has reviewed the scientific and technical disclosure included in this news release.

About Gold Runner Exploration Inc:

Gold Runner Exploration is an experienced exploration company focused on the exploration of gold and silver properties located in the prolific and Geopolitically stable mining districts of North Western British Columbia and Nevada.

The Rock Creek gold project is Gold Runner's flagship asset, with 74 unpatented lode mining claims wholly owned and controlled by the Company. Emboldened by the results coming out of Rock Creek, the Company strategically expanded the land position with the acquisition of the nearby Dry Creek prospect and the acquisition of the Falcon silver-gold prospect in September 2022. Between the three properties, all targeting similar mineralization and likely the same hydrothermal system, Gold Runner Exploration now holds 239 total claims in close proximity of one another. These three gold prospects are situated in a region with proven "world-class" gold deposits (including Midas, Jerritt Canyon, Betze-Post, Meikle, and Gold Quarry), where the potential of finding large, high-grade gold-silver deposits is favourable.

Gold Runner also holds a 10% carried interest in the Cimarron project located in the San Antonio Mountains of Nye County, Nevada, and comprises 31 unpatented lode mining claims, including control of 6 historically producing claims associated with the historic San Antonio mine. The property is located in the prolific Walker-Lane trend, approximately 44 km south of the "world-class" Round Mountain deposit.

About B-ALL Syndicate Ltd.

The B-ALL Syndicate is a highly specialized geologic team of project generators with a proven track record of success. The Syndicate is focused in unexplored areas of glacial and snowpack retreat providing new opportunity for material discovery in renowned geologic terrain. Projects generated by the same team include Goliath Resources' Surebet discovery on the Golddigger Property, Juggernaut Exploration's Big One discovery as well as multiple additional material discoveries. More information is available at https://www.ball-syndicate.com/.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release includes certain information that may be deemed "forward-looking information" under applicable securities laws. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, including but not limited to those statements relating to the properties exploration work and its results and potential, interpretations prospecting and exploration activities, geological, geophysical, and geochemical surveys, studies and interpretations of historical exploration and geological information, permitting, licences, environmental laws and regulations, changes in government regulations and laws, obtaining social licence to explore and operate, community engagements, timing of exploration activities, economic, competitive, reliance on third parties, the actual results of operations, and other risks of the natural resources industry, and mineral resource and reserve potential, exploration activities and events or developments that the Company expects is forward-looking information. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the statements. There are certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking information. These include the results of the Company's due diligence investigations, market prices, exploration successes, continued availability of capital financing, and general economic, market or business conditions, and those additionally described in the Company's filings with the Canadian securities authorities.

Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. For more information on the Company, investors are encouraged to review the Company's public filings at www.sedarplus.ca. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward- looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.

NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER HAS REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/281374

Source: Gold Runner Exploration Inc.
New office strengthens Infosys' 25-year presence in Switzerland and deepens client collaboration

ZURICH, Jan. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Infosys (NSE: INFY) (BSE: INFY) (NYSE: INFY), a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, today inaugurated its new office in Zurich, Switzerland. Relocating the Swiss headquarters to The Circle at Zurich Airport marks a major milestone in Infosys' 25-year presence in the country, reinforcing its commitment to guiding clients through their digital and AI-led transformation journey. The launch was attended by Dr. Nik Gugger, Member of the National Council of Switzerland; Mr. Florin Muller, Consulate General of Switzerland in India; and Philippe Reich, Chairman of the Swiss Indian Chamber of Commerce, along with many of Infosys' clients, and partners.

The new strategic location serves as a hub for innovation and co-creation and brings teams closer to clients across manufacturing, financial services, life sciences, energy & services, telecom, and retail sectors, among others. By leveraging Infosys Topaz, an AI-first offering powered by generative AI technologies, and Infosys Cobalt, a set of services, solutions and platforms for enterprises to accelerate their cloud journey, the Zurich office will support Swiss enterprises accelerate their digitalization journey. These capabilities enable clients to improve operational resilience, harness data at scale, and deliver enhanced experiences while maintaining high standards of security and compliance.

Infosys has built a strong foundation in Switzerland through key acquisitions like Lodestone Consulting, enhancing its SAP consulting capabilities and the establishment of a specialized Turbomachinery and Propulsion Center of Excellence in Baden. Over the years, Infosys has partnered with leading Swiss and multinational organizations across sectors delivering large-scale transformation programs and long-term business value.

The new office also adds to Infosys' existing presence in the country with offices in Geneva, Basel, Baden, Lausanne, and Baar to support local ecosystem, and facilitate deeper collaboration with policymakers, industry partners, and academic institutions. Infosys has consistently strengthened the local talent ecosystem through InStep, its flagship global internship program. As part of this, it has forged deep relationships with students and faculty at leading Swiss institutions including Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, Eidgenossische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zurich, Universitat St. Gallen, and IMD Business School, and has hosted over 100 students from these institutions over the last two decades.

Infosys' local impact extends beyond business growth to include a strong focus on corporate social responsibility and community engagement in Switzerland. As part of this commitment, it has awarded a grant to Little Scientists, supporting a one-year partnership to advance STEM education. This initiative will develop a multilingual virtual learning environment on the Infosys Springboard platform, offering coding and STEM courses in German, French, and Italian. The program aims to reach 1,000 students in its first year, with a focus on inclusive education for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Dr. Nik Gugger, Member of the National Council of Switzerland, said, "Switzerland has long been a global center for innovation, engineering excellence, and responsible business. Infosys' continued investment in Zurich underscores the country's attractiveness as a technology and innovation hub and highlights the important role that global companies can play in strengthening the local ecosystem, creating skilled jobs, and supporting inclusive digital growth."

Dinesh Rao, EVP & Chief Delivery Officer, Infosys, said, "The launch of our new Zurich office is a significant step in bringing the full strength of Infosys' enterprise AI and digital innovation ecosystem closer to our clients in Switzerland. Rooted in a strong partner and talent network, our AI-first capabilities empower enterprises to accelerate transformation journeys with agility and precision. Designed to amplify human potential, these capabilities drive measurable business outcomes, enabling clients to lead with innovation and deliver impactful results in a rapidly evolving marketplace."

About Infosys

Infosys is a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting. Over 330,000 of our people work to amplify human potential and create the next opportunity for people, businesses, and communities. We enable clients in 63 countries to navigate their digital transformation. With over four decades of experience in managing the systems and workings of global enterprises, we expertly steer clients, as they navigate their digital transformation powered by cloud and AI. We enable them with an AI-first core, empower the business with agile digital at scale and drive continuous improvement with always-on learning through the transfer of digital skills, expertise, and ideas from our innovation ecosystem. We are deeply committed to being a well-governed, environmentally sustainable organization where diverse talent thrives in an inclusive workplace.

Visit www.infosys.com to see how Infosys (NSE, BSE, NYSE: INFY) can help your enterprise navigate your next.

Safe Harbor

Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects, or our future financial or operating performance, are forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the 'safe harbor' under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding the execution of our business strategy, increased competition for talent, our ability to attract and retain personnel, increase in wages, investments to reskill our employees, our ability to effectively implement a hybrid work model, economic uncertainties and geo-political situations, technological disruptions and innovations such as artificial intelligence ("AI"), generative AI, the complex and evolving regulatory landscape including immigration regulation changes, our ESG vision, our capital allocation policy and expectations concerning our market position, future operations, margins, profitability, liquidity, capital resources, our corporate actions including acquisitions, and cybersecurity matters. Important factors that may cause actual results or outcomes to differ from those implied by the forward-looking statements are discussed in more detail in our US Securities and Exchange Commission filings including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. Infosys may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company unless it is required by law.

Correction: An update was made to the third paragraph.

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West Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2026) - Millennial Potash Corp. (TSXV: MLP) (OTCQB: MLPNF) (FSE: X0D) ("MLP", "Millennial" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, in response to its previously announced LIFE Financing being fully subscribed including the overallotment for a total of $17,357,500, it will conduct a private placement (the "Concurrent Offering") of up to approximately 245,900 units (the "Concurrent Units" at a price of $3.05 per Unit for proceeds of approximately $750,000.

Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each full warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at an exercise price of $4.00 at any time until the date which is three years from the date of issuance of the Warrants.

The Company intends to use the proceeds of the Concurrent Offering for future development of its Banio Potash Project and for general working capital.

Farhad Abasov, Millennial's Chairman, said: "We are very pleased to see Cantor Fitzgerald as lead underwrite the LIFE Financing for Millennial. These financings reflect very strong confidence in our project. Millennial has been developing a potentially low-cost and large-resource potash project that could become a significant supplier of this critical mineral to the United States, Africa and Brazil. These financings strengthen our balance sheet at a crucial juncture of our development as the Company has launched a definitive feasibility study, along with an environmental and social impact study, while advancing work on offtakes, project financing and other strategic matters."

The Concurrent Units, together with any Common Shares underlying the Warrants in the Concurrent Units, will be subject to a four-month resale restriction.

The Concurrent Offering is being engaged in concurrently with the Company's previously announced private placement (the "LIFE Financing") of 5,000,000 units of the Company (the "LIFE Financing Units") at a price of $3.05 per LIFE Financing Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of $15,250,000. The LIFE Financing provided for an overallotment (the "Underwriters' Option") which has been fully exercised for a total of $17,537,500 (including the $15,250,000). Details of the LIFE Financing can be found in the Company's news release of January 19, 2026 as well as in the Offering Document for the LIFE Financing filed on SEDAR and on the Company's website at www.millennialpotash.com.

Total proceeds of the Concurrent Offering, the LIFE Financing and the full exercise of the Underwriters' Option are approximately $18,287,500.

The Concurrent Offering is expected to close on or about January 29, 2026 or such other date as the Company may determine. The Company will pay a commission in connection with the Concurrent Offering, as permitted by applicable securities laws and the rules of the TSX Venture Exchange. The commission will consist of cash commission equal to up to 6% of the gross proceeds raised and commission warrants equal to up to 4% of the aggregate number of Units. Each commission warrant will be exercisable for one Common Share at an exercise price of $3.05 per Common Share for 36 months following the date of issuance.

The closing of the Concurrent Offering is subject to receipt of the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

The securities issued pursuant to both offerings have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons in the absence of U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from the U.S. registration requirements. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. This announcement has been prepared for publication in Canada and may not be released to U.S. wire services or distributed in the United States.

MILLENNIAL POTASH CORP.

"Farhad Abasov"

Chairman of the Board of Directors

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This document may contain certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target, "plan" or "planned", "forecast", "intend", "may", "schedule" and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to future prices of commodities, accuracy of mineral or resource exploration activity, reserves or resources, regulatory or government requirements or approvals including approvals of title and mining rights or licenses and environmental (including land or water use), local community or indigenous community approvals, the reliability of third party information, continued access to mineral properties or infrastructure, changes in laws, rules and regulations in Gabon or any other jurisdiction which may impact upon the Company or its properties or the commercial exploitation of those properties, currency risks including the exchange rate of USD$ for Cdn$ or CFA or other currencies, fluctuations in the market for potash or potash related products, changes in exploration costs and government royalties, export policies or taxes in Gabon or any other jurisdiction and other factors or information. The Company's current plans, expectations and intentions with respect to development of its business and of the Banio Potash Project may be impacted by economic uncertainties arising out of any pandemic or by the impact of current financial and other market conditions on its ability to secure further financing or funding of the Banio Potash Project. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political, environmental and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/281371

Source: Millennial Potash Corp.
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You can find more information on Youtube and axinocapital.de Europe's gas prices are surging, storage levels are low, and the energy transition is under pressure. In this interview, ADX Energy Chairman Ian Tchacos explains why oil & gas are back, what's driving demand in Europe, and why 2026 could be a key year for his company. oil gas europe energy No investment advice! Always trade at your own risk! More insights at ? axino.com For 35 years, we have known how to earn money sustainably with shares in the commodities sector and build up a fortune in the process. The axinocapital channel offers insights into our actions, our many years of experience and access to high-growth stocks in the precious metals, commodities and technology sectors from Australia and Canada. As Seybold Investment GmbH & AXINO invests its own money in the companies we feature, there is a potential conflict of interest as defined by MiFID II. We would like to point out that axinocapital is a playback channel of AXINO Capital GmbH and therefore a purely commercial provider. The videos broadcast does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell. We recommend that you seek advice from your bank or an independent asset manager before making any decision. The content shown may be subject to conflicts of interest in accordance with MiFID, which we are happy to disclose. Please therefore note our disclaimer! www.axinocapital.de/disclaimer This is the English version of youtube.com/@axinocapital Enthaltene Werte: XC0009677409,XC0007924514,AU000000ADX9

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Following PoC (Proof of Concept), early adoption is progressing at Fortune 500 companies.

HONG KONG, CHINA / ACCESS Newswire / January 23, 2026 / Specific AI announced that it has secured a million-dollar angel investment. Founded by a team from Cambridge in 2024, the AI agent company is dedicated in information gathering for global enterprises in multilingual and multicultural environments. It is currently focusing on expanding Japanese and U.S. markets, with official launch in 2026.

Investment Background

The angel round investment was led by investors with overseas industry backgrounds, who is specializing in TMT (Technology, Media, and Telecom) and hard-tech sectors. Investors have been involved in the early stages of multiple pioneering technology companies.

Established for just over a year, it has already completed proof-of-concept (PoC) projects and deployed its solutions across numerous enterprises through a beta version focused on "accelerating overseas business expansion," including Fortune Global 500 companies, publicly listed firms, and well-known Japanese companies.

Technology and Product Impact

Specific AI's core technology is based on a multi-agent system, capable of automating decision-making, business optimization, and resource allocation in complex environments involving multiple languages, cultures, and markets. This helps companies reduce costs, accelerate market expansion, and mitigate cross-border operational risks. By interacting seamlessly with AI-driven agents, companies can quickly adapt to market demands in different countries, leading to significant business growth.

Future Development Plans

Looking ahead, Specific AI plans to deepen its technology development and enhance the capabilities of its multi-agent platform, particularly in areas such as overseas market tracking, risk management, international bidding projects, and global supply chain management. Specific AI has already laid out a strategy to expand into the Japanese and U.S. markets, and plans to launch its next funding round in Q1 2026 to expand product development and market outreach.

According to Yang Jinguang, the co-founder of Specific AI, "Faced with the massive global market for enterprise expansion, traditional tools can no longer meet the complex and diverse business needs. We see AI agents as a historic opportunity to become the 'new infrastructure' for global business operations." This presents a massive market opportunity for Specific AI to address these challenges with its innovative AI solutions.

About Specific AI

Founded by a team from Cambridge, Specific AI is an artificial intelligence company providing standardized AI agent employees for global expansion and high-value information gaps in the internationalization sector. It aims to assist businesses with overseas growth and risk management, redefining how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) expand globally.

Media Contact:

Organization: Specific AI Limited

Contact Person Name: Sisi Tang

Website: https://specific-ai.com

Email: info@specific-ai.com

City: Hong Kong

Country: China

SOURCE: Specific AI Limited

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/computers-technology-and-internet/overseas-expansion-specialized-ai-agent-specific-ai-completes-1-m-1130184
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2026) - Arizona Gold & Silver Inc. (TSXV: AZS) (OTCQB: AZASF) ("Arizona" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that it will be exhibiting at the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference (VRIC), taking place on January 25-26, 2026, at the Vancouver Convention Centre. The Company will be located at Booth 1105.

Members of Arizona Gold & Silver's management team will be available throughout the conference to meet with investors, analysts, and industry participants, including:

Mike Stark , President and CEO

, President and CEO Lex Lambeck , Senior Vice President of Exploration

, Senior Vice President of Exploration John McVey , Director

, Director Rose Athena, Vice President of Corporate Communications

The Company will be open to discussions regarding its portfolio of gold and silver exploration assets in the southwestern United States, including its flagship Philadelphia Project in Arizona, as well as the Sycamore Canyon and Silverton projects.

Arizona Gold & Silver invites conference attendees to visit Booth 1105 to meet with management, review recent drilling results, and discuss the Company's exploration strategy, upcoming catalysts, and long-term growth objectives.

About Arizona Gold & Silver Inc.

Arizona Gold & Silver Inc. is an exploration company focused on uncovering precious metal resources in Arizona and Nevada. The Company's flagship asset is the Philadelphia gold-silver property in Arizona's historic Oatman Mining District, where ongoing drilling continues to define a high-grade, scalable mineralized system. Arizona Gold & Silver is committed to responsible exploration and value creation for shareholders.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/281308

Source: Cambridge House International
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2026) - Pacifica Silver Corp. (CSE: PSIL) (OTCQB: PAGFF) ("Pacifica" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced, upsized private placement offering (the "Offering") of 15,870,000 common shares of the Company (the "Common Shares") at a price of $1.45 (the "Offering Price") per common share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $23,011,500, which included the exercise in full of the agents' option.

The Offering received broad-based support from new precious metal funds and investors, as well as continued commitment from established strategic shareholders Vizsla Silver Corp., First Majestic Silver Corp., Silvercorp Metals Inc., and renowned investor Eric Sprott.

"We are grateful to close our upsized brokered offering with robust participation from sophisticated new institutional investors possessing extensive expertise in the mining and silver sectors, as well as the support of our existing strategic shareholders," stated Todd Anthony, Chief Executive Officer of Pacifica Silver. "Their collective endorsement reflects strong conviction in the untapped potential of our flagship Claudia Silver-Gold Project in Durango, Mexico, and the proceeds from this financing will enable us to accelerate exploration efforts, systematically test high-priority targets, and unlock the project's high-grade potential through year-round, multi-rig drilling operations. We sincerely appreciate the confidence placed in our team and strategy by these valued partners, and we look forward to delivering meaningful exploration progress and creating long-term value for all stakeholders in the months and years ahead."

Raymond James Ltd. acted as lead agent and sole bookrunner in connection with the Offering, on behalf of a syndicate of agents, which included Research Capital Corporation (collectively, the "Agents").

Four insiders subscribed for 180,000 Units for gross proceeds of $261,000 and such participation will be considered a "related-party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company expects to be exempt from the requirement to obtain a formal valuation and minority shareholder approval in connection with the three insiders participation in the Offering in reliance of Sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(a) of MI 61-101, respectively, on the basis that their participation in the Offering did not exceed 25% of the fair market value of the Company's market capitalization.

The net proceeds of the Offering will be used to advance exploration and drilling activity at the Company's Claudia Project (the "Project"), located in Durango, Mexico, and for working capital and general corporate purposes.

Pursuant to an agency agreement among the Company, Raymond James Ltd. and Research Capital Corporation dated January 23, 2026, the Company: (i) paid a cash fee of $1,260,690 to the Agents; and (ii) issued 414,031 compensation warrants (the "Compensation Warrants") to the Agents. Each Compensation Warrant is exercisable into one Common Share at the Offering Price for a term of two years expiring on January 23, 2028.

The Offering was made pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption available under National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions as amended by Coordinated Blanket Order 45-935 - Exemptions from Certain Conditions of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption, in each of the provinces and territories of Canada other than Quebec. The Common Shares were also offered for sale in the United States pursuant to available exemptions from the registration requirements under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"). The Common Shares issued under the Offering will not be subject to a statutory hold period pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein in the United States. The securities described herein have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act, or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold within the United States unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration requirements is available.

About Pacifica Silver Corp.

Pacifica Silver Corp. is a Canadian resource company led by a proven management team with decades of mining and exploration experience in Mexico. The Company is focused on its 100% owned Project located in Durango, Mexico. Spanning 11,876 hectares, the Project encompasses most of the historic El Papanton Mining District where at least nine small mines operated throughout the 20th century. Since 1990, sampling and drilling within have returned high-grade silver and gold intercepts across multiple vein systems, with approximately 10% of over 30 kilometres of known veins having been drilled. Today, the Project is a prime target for modern exploration and holds exceptional potential for new high-grade discoveries.

"Todd Anthony"

Chief Executive Officer

Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation as may be amended from time to time, including, without limitation, statements regarding: the perceived merit of the Project, potential quantity and/or grade of minerals and the potential size of the mineralized zone; the intended use of proceeds of the Offering; and receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals for the Offering. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts which address events, results, outcomes or developments that the Company expects to occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made, and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Certain material assumptions regarding such forward-looking statements were made, including without limitation, assumptions regarding: the price of gold and silver; the accuracy of mineral resource estimates; that there will be no material adverse change affecting the Company or its properties; that all required approvals will be obtained, including concession renewals and permitting, as well as in respect of the Offering; that political and legal developments will be consistent with current expectations; that currency and exchange rates will be consistent with current levels; that there will be no significant disruptions affecting the Company or its properties; and the Company using the net proceeds of the Offering as anticipated. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements involve significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These risks include, but are not limited to: the Company does not use the proceeds from the Offering as expected; risks related to not receiving regulatory approval of the Offering; risks associated with the business of the Company, including the execution of the Company's objectives and strategies, including costs and expenses; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; delays and costs inherent to consulting and accommodating rights of local communities; environmental risks; title risks, including concession renewal; commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations; delays in or failure to receive access agreements or amended permits; risks inherent in the estimation of mineral resources; changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets; changes in laws (including regulations respecting mining concessions); and other risk factors as detailed from time to time. For a description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business and affairs, readers should refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis, available on www.sedarplus.ca. Except as required by the securities disclosure laws and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

OR THROUGH U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/281358

Source: Pacifica Silver Corp.
HAMILTON, BERMUDA / ACCESS Newswire / January 23, 2026 / Altamira Therapeutics Ltd. ("Altamira" or the "Company") (OTCID:CYTOF), a company dedicated to developing and commercializing nucleic acid delivery technology for targets beyond the liver, announced today that it will be presenting at the 5th mRNA-Based Therapeutics Summit Europe, being held January 28-29, 2026, in Berlin. Covadonga Paneda, Ph.D., Altamira Therapeutics' Chief Operating Officer, will give a presentation entitled "CycloPhore & SemaPhore enabling next-generation delivery solutions for circular RNA & mRNA therapeutics".

"There is a strong and growing interest in the use of different RNA modalities for therapeutic purposes" commented Dr. Paneda. "Both linear mRNA and circular RNA are non-integrating modalities that enable transient protein expression. These modalities primarily differ in the onset, duration, and kinetics of protein expression. Consequently, the choice of modality is highly dependent on the disease to treat. Whereas linear mRNA is excelling where speed, controllability and transient expression are required, circular RNA is typically the modality of choice when enhanced or prolonged expression or reduced dosing are favored. With SemaPhore and CycloPhore we are providing safe, efficient and versatile delivery platforms which maximize the advantages of each of these RNA modalities to treat and prevent acute and chronic indications."

About SemaPhore and CycloPhore

SemaPhore and CycloPhore are versatile platforms designed to enable safe and effective delivery of mRNA and circular RNA, respectively, into target cells, using systemic or local administration. It is based on a proprietary 21 amino acid peptide that can engage any type of RNA in rapid self-assembly into a polyplex. The polyplex has a size, charge, and other physical features that allow it to escape hepatic clearance and thus reach target tissues other than the liver. SemaPhore and CycloPhore protect the RNA payload from degradation in the circulation and allow for rapid and effective cell entrance. Efficient delivery and positive treatment outcomes have been demonstrated in multiple murine models of disease so far.

About Altamira Therapeutics

Altamira Therapeutics is developing and supplying peptide-based nanoparticle technologies for efficient RNA delivery to extrahepatic tissues (xPhore platform). The versatile delivery platform is suited for different nucleic acid modalities, including siRNA, mRNA, circRNA, as well as DNA, and made available to pharma or biotech companies through out-licensing. The Company has two proprietary programs based on xPhore and siRNA payloads: AM-401 for KRAS driven cancer and AM-411 for rheumatoid arthritis, both in preclinical development beyond in vivo proof of concept. Founded in 2003, Altamira is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda, with its main operations in Basel, Switzerland. For more information, visit: https://altamiratx.com/

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are statements other than historical facts and may include statements that address future operating, financial or business performance or Altamira's strategies or expectations. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as "may", "might", "will", "should", "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "estimates", "predicts", "projects", "potential", "outlook" or "continue", or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, developments and business decisions to differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to the clinical utility of Altamira's product candidates, the timing or likelihood of regulatory filings and approvals, Altamira's intellectual property position and Altamira's financial position. These risks and uncertainties also include, but are not limited to, those described under the caption "Risk Factors" in Altamira's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2024, and in Altamira's other filings with the Securities Exchange Commission ("SEC"), which are available free of charge on the SEC's website at: www.sec.gov. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated. All forward-looking statements and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to Altamira or to persons acting on behalf of Altamira are expressly qualified in their entirety by reference to these risks and uncertainties. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Altamira does not undertake any obligation to update them in light of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable law.

Investor Contact:

Hear@altamiratx.com

SOURCE: Altamira Therapeutics Ltd.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/healthcare-and-pharmaceutical/altamira-therapeutics-to-present-at-mrna-based-therapeutics-summit-1129961
LONDON, UK / ACCESS Newswire / January 23, 2026 / Certified translations are mandatory for official applications in countries worldwide. Immigration authorities, courts, universities, and government agencies routinely ask for this type of translation to verify the accuracy and authenticity of foreign-language documents.

With over 300 million people migrating each year, there's a greater demand for the best certified translation services to ensure 100% acceptance. Here are some well-known companies to check out.

Quick Comparison Table

Feature Translayte USCISTranslation LegalTranslator Services Certified translations

Professional translation

Sworn translations

NAATI translators USCIS certified translations MOJ-approved legal translation services in Dubai, UAE Best for Immigration documents

Personal documents

Business documents

Official documents USCIS related documents for immigration, courts, universities, and government organisations. Dubai UAE focused documents translations of immigration, courts, business and government. Turnaround time 12 hours 24 hours 24 hours Pricing Starts from $24.99 per page Starts from $24.99 per page Starts from $19.48 (AED 71.55) per page

1. Translayte

Translayte offers the best certified translation services for immigration, court proceedings, visa applications, university admissions, citizenship, and other official purposes globally. Translayte has over 15 years of industry experience and has served 100,000 clients, with 100% acceptance from global authorities. One feature that gives Translayte a unique advantage is its hybrid approach, which combines human expertise and technology to deliver certified translation services fast and accurately.

According to Tayo Ademolu, Founder and CEO of Translayte, "We've built something unique in the translation industry. While others rely solely on human translation or automated systems, we've developed a hybrid model where technology handles consistency checks, formatting, and initial quality control, while our certified translators provide linguistic accuracy and cultural understanding that no machine can replicate. This is why we can guarantee acceptance while delivering in 12 hours; our system is built for both speed and absolute accuracy."

Translayte holds memberships in the American Translators Association (ATA), the Association of Translation Companies (ATC), and the European Association of Translation Companies (EUATC). In 2024, they won the ATC " Innovator of the Year " award, recognizing their advances in secure digital workflows, automation, and client-focused translation technology. They were also featured in the 2025 Slator Language Service Provider Index.

What Makes Translayte the Best Choice for Certified Translation Services

Affordable certified translation services at $24.99 per document

Guaranteed 100% acceptance for all certified translations by USCIS, IRCC , UKVI, courts, and government agencies

Urgent certified translation is delivered in 12-24 hours

Translation services in over 150 languages

Certified translation by translators who are native speakers and subject-matter experts

Proven experience with 100,000+ official translations

Customer review and approval before final delivery, allowing you to confirm the accuracy of names, dates, and technical terms before receiving your translation

Proper certification and translator credentials for all translations

Secure, web-based ordering system with 24/7 customer support.

What Customers Say

Translayte's position as the best certified translation service is evident in over 7,000 positive reviews across different platforms. Here's what some customers had to say in their 5-star Trustpilot review:

"Very quick and very accurate translation. When asking for 24-hours urgency have got a translation draft in 5 hours with no need of any amendment or correction. Very well done!"

In another 5-star review, a customer who has used Translayte's services numerous times had this to say,

"I have used this service numerous times over the past few years, as I have been relocating between nations. I have translated medical documentation, administrative paperwork as well personal credentials. They have all been dealt promptly, efficiently and with the upmost professionalism."

2. USCISTranslations.com

USCISTranslation offers USCIS-certified translation services, focusing mainly on immigration-related documents for residency, visa, and university applications in the USA. The company delivers accurate and compliant translations that meet USCIS formatting, certification, and submission requirements, helping applicants avoid delays and rejections.

What makes USCISTranslation one of the best options for certified translation services in the USA is the in-depth understanding of US immigration requirements, transparent pricing starting from $24.99, and fast turnaround times.

USCISTranslation offers top certified translation services for a wide range of commonly requested immigration documents, including birth certificates, marriage and divorce certificates, academic records, police clearances, and other supporting documents.

If you need a certified translation for an immigration document urgently, USCISTranslation offers a 24-48-hour standard time, with urgent requests delivered under 12 hours.

3. LegalTranslator.ae

LegalTranslator is a trusted provider of Ministry of Justice-certified translation services in Dubai, UAE, with 100% guaranteed acceptance rate. They provide legally valid translations that are accepted by UAE courts, governments, universities, embassies, and other authorities.

LegalTranslator's unique advantage lies in its network of over 100 MOJ-approved translators with subject expertise, fast turnaround times, confidentiality, and reliable customer support.

These features make it the best choice for individuals, professionals, and businesses needing legal translation across Dubai and the UAE.

The company assigns MOJ-approved translators to handle your documents and includes the specific certification format required by your receiving authority.

They also translate a wide range of documents, including academic transcripts, degree certificates, contracts, court documents, immigration paperwork, and corporate records. Every translation undergoes rigorous quality checks to ensure accurate legal terminology, proper formatting, and consistent language throughout.

About Translayte

Translayte (trading name of BDXL Ltd) is a global translation services platform that provides certified, professional translations in over 150 languages. The company supports individuals and businesses with compliant translations for immigration, legal, academic, and official use, with guaranteed acceptance by authorities worldwide.

Media Contact:

Sophia Orji

Content Manager

Email: sophia.orji@translayte.com

Website: https://translayte.com

SOURCE: BDXL Ltd

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/who-offers-the-best-certified-translation-services-1130189
To Establish World's First Global Mid-TRL Innovation Acceleration and Skilling Institute for Aerospace, Space, Energy and Deep Technology

DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- CANEUS International, in partnership with the Government of Maharashtra (India), today announced plans to establish the world's first dedicated Mid-TRL (Technology Readiness Level 4-6) Institute in Mumbai, Metropolitan Region (MMR) aligning with the World Economic Forum's 2026 theme of deploying innovation at scale, responsibly.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri Devendra Fadnavis and Dr. Milind Pimprikar of CANEUS at WEF-Davos. The proposed institute will focus on Mid-TRL Innovation, Acceleration and Skilling in frontier technologies-Aerospace, Space, Energy and Deeptech. Canada-based CANEUS International, is a first-of-its-kind global organisation accelerating next-generation systems since 2000. The project is also powered by the Inspire4tomorrow Foundation, an NGO mandated to accelerate the agenda items of the UN Pact for the Future.

Hon'ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis, on this occasion reaffirmed the State's strong commitment to the global investor community. He emphasized, "Maharashtra is well equipped and proud to partner with CANEUS to pioneer the creation of innovation centres across dynamic sectors, frontier technologies. The State takes pride in partnering with this prestigious institute near Mumbai-the commercial capital of India, the world's fourth-largest economy-perfectly aligning with Maharashtra's aspirations to scale its innovation ecosystem globally."

According to Dr. Milind Pimprikar, Chairman of CANEUS International, "This Institute will bridge the 'valley of death' by advancing Mid-TRL innovations through rapid prototyping, systems integration, validation, and flight/field trials, taking breakthroughs from lab to qualification and early production for real-world deployment and global competitiveness. As a Canadian of Indian Origin, I take pride in launching this new initiative, which will strengthen business relationship between Canada and India, especially in strategic sectors."

Professor Dr. Simonetta Di Pippo, former director of The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), Professor at New York University Abu Dhabi and co-founding member of this institute, expressing her appreciation said, I am looking forward to bringing additional founding partners/countries which share vision and mission of this global first and one-of-a kind institute.

The Institute, spread over a sprawling 10 million square feet, will be developed in collaboration with OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, regulators, research institutions and centres of excellence. This would be a true game changer, serving as a powerful magnet to attract global conglomerates to India.

The partnership strongly aligns with the Government of Maharashtra's increasing emphasis on industry-aligned skilling through PPP, building demand-driven training programs, strengthening institutional capacity and creating workforce pathways that directly support emerging and strategic sectors.

www.caneus.org

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2868018/Caneus_International_Partnership.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/caneus-international-entered-into-strategic-partnership-with-maharashtra-province-of-india-at-wef-davos-302668982.html
SINGAPORE, Jan. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- CGTN launched China Crafted, the latest season of its CGTN Art Series, alongside a curated display of the previous three seasons of the series at ART SG 2026 in Singapore on Friday.

Notable personalities as well as a large number of art enthusiasts visited CGTN's booth, themed "When Classics Inspire," at the fair and appreciated ancient Chinese art and heritage.

China Crafted is a virtual exhibition that invites viewers to immerse in the beauty of ancient Chinese artifacts from four major Chinese dynasties: Shang, Han, Tang and Song.

The multimedia product features over 100 representative artifacts from more than 30 partner museums worldwide.

Through four interactive webpages and four original video productions featuring animations and expert interviews, the exhibition explores the intricate techniques behind the artifacts as well as the spiritual and cultural values embedded in them.

China Crafted uniquely blends historical storytelling with cutting-edge digital technology, creating an experience that is both educational and visually captivating.

The exhibition unfolds through four sections:

"Sacred Shang" traces the ritual symbolism of Shang Dynasty jade, leading into the legendary story of Fu Hao, one of China's earliest recorded female generals.

"Heavenly Han" draws from the Mawangdui Han tombs to reveal refined Han Dynasty lifestyles and the philosophical pursuit of longevity embodied in lacquerware and silk.

"Treasured Tang" captures the splendor of the Tang Dynasty through exquisite gold and silver ware objects once used in imperial banquets.

"Serene Song" focuses on the forms and textures of Song Dynasty ceramics, interpreting the poetic sensibility and Neo-Confucian ethos they convey.

With the launch of the global digital art tour, China Crafted aims to create a dynamic cultural ecosystem that connects online and offline experiences, linking past with the future through innovation, elegance and narrative-driven expression.

Speaking at the exhibition's opening, Cai Shandi, the cultural counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Singapore, said that CGTN's presentation marks an important milestone for the CGTN Art Series' international outreach.

The exhibition, he said, serves not only as a global platform for showcasing outstanding traditional Chinese culture, but also as a new opportunity for cultural exchange between China and Singapore.

In his remarks, Seng Yu Jin, director for curatorial, research and exhibitions at the National Gallery Singapore, praised the CGTN Art Series as a compelling example of how media in the digital era can actively participate in the preservation and transmission of cultural heritage.

Now in its fourth edition, this year's ART SG brings together 106 galleries and art institutions from over 30 countries and regions, attracting collectors, artists, curators, representatives of global brands, museum professionals, and academic communities.

As the official media partner of ART SG, CGTN is also presenting the previous three seasons of the CGTN Art Series: The Song, Painted - People, The Song Painted - Nature and Tang Architecture: Building Timeless Glory. These digital exhibitions have toured cities including Paris, Madrid, Malaga, Hong Kong and Osaka.

At CGTN's booth, art lovers can explore all four seasons of the series, experience interactive digital installations and discover a wide range of cultural treasures.

ABOUT CGTN

China Global Television Network (CGTN) is an international media organization committed to providing global audiences with accurate and timely news coverage as well as rich audiovisual services. Headquartered in Beijing, CGTN operates three production centers in Nairobi, Washington, D.C., and London, with its TV channels available in more than 160 countries and regions worldwide.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2868060/image.jpg

Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZcytpxT0xg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2868062/A_screenshot_virtual_exhibition_showing_hairpins_Shang_Dynasty_CGTN.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2868063/A_screenshot_virtual_exhibition_showing_a_gilded_cup_CGTN.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2868064/Cai_Shandi_cultural_counsellor_Chinese_Embassy_Singapore_speaks_CGTN_s_exhibition.jpg

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Flin Flon, Manitoba--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2026) - Boreal Gold Inc. (CSE: BGLD) ("Boreal") has received silver, zinc and copper assay results from 12 samples collected from the bulk sample pit where underground vein material extracted from a sill 224m long at the 100-foot vertical level was stored on surface. The underground sample from the 100 feet vertical level averaged 0.29 Au oz/t in the north part of the sill and 0.27 Au oz/t in the south part of the sill. (Foran Mining Corporation (FOM) Press Release May 25, 2004). 12 samples were selectively collected from the underground material that was stored sequentially at surface. The sampling occurred at regularly intervals (approximately 8 meters), along the length of the pit by Boreal Gold in the fall of 2025, to confirm and verify the rough grade of this material for corporate purposes of confidence. The samples assayed 0.3 g/t Au to 81.4 g/t Au in sample 336277 with 6 of the samples assaying over 20.3 g/t Au and two samples assaying over 36.8 g/t Au. The samples also assayed 0.9 g/t Ag to 29.8 g/t Ag in sample 336280; assayed 0.07% Zn to 7.20% Zn in sample 336279 and assayed 0.13% Cu to 2.52% Cu in sample 336279. A complete list of assay results from all 12 samples are found in the table below.

Sample Rock Name Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Zn (%) Cu (%) 336274 Quartz Vein 31.6 6.0 1.99 1.94 336275 Quartz Vein 6.1 13.8 0.49 0.13 336276 Quartz Vein 14.1 6.5 1.39 0.26 336277 Quartz Vein 81.4 16.1 2.07 0.32 336278 Quartz Vein 8.7 6.7 1.31 0.28 336279 Quartz Vein 36.8 14.6 7.20 2.52 336280 Quartz Vein 8.4 29.8 0.74 0.45 336281 Quartz Vein 0.3 0.9 0.07 0.16 336282 Quartz Vein 7.5 2.6 0.80 0.13 336283 Quartz Vein 20.3 7.7 1.72 0.40 336284 Quartz Vein 32.0 13.2 2.15 0.73 336285 Quartz Vein 33.3 25.1 1.66 0.80

The samples assayed by ICP were sent to SRC Laboratories of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (certification ISO/IEC 17025:2017). Analytical methods included multielement characterization by four-acid digestion with ICP OEC finish (method ICP1) was completed on all samples collected.

The samples were collected along the bulk sample pit from grid coordinates 49+30N to 50+30N, 50E to 50+ 25E at UTM coordinates U 14 400098 6077288 to 400101 6077360. These values offer significant encouragement in this property and validates why its acquisition is transformational and brings accretive value to a company that has been public for just over a year.

Of note in the ICP data, levels of arsenic in the veins of North Star are negligible similar to Gold Rock and lead only at low levels. Historically the lead levels are higher at Gold Rock with lower copper and zinc values.

Milestones

The first milestone was the acquisition of the large Fay Lake Property (2719 Ha) located between Hudbay's Vamp Lake Deposits and Minnova's Puffy Lake Gold Mine which was covered by a new airborne EM survey. The Fay Lake properties contained the Redwin Deposit with significant gold and copper along a similar VMS horizon as Vamp Lake (now completely mapped), as well as other gold showing similar to Puffy Lake Mine style mineralization.

The second milestone was bringing Boreal Gold public on December 17, 2024 on the CSE;

The third milestone was obtaining the North Star-Gold Rock Group that because of the work that has already been completed and the milestones made by previous explorers, will bring accretive value to Boreal's shareholders, as further work on these high-grade deposits will only grow the deposits which are open along strike and depth.

Boreal Gold is now poised to bring real growth, (the fourth milestone to be obtained) by drilling the selected targets on its Fay Lake Property, but more importantly further drilling to enhance and grow the Gold Rock Deposit as well as other targets on this structure that could lead to a new discovery. Boreal focussing more on gold is on the backdrop of rising gold and silver prices that are at record levels with gold over $4800/oz US or greater than $6700/oz Canadian today and silver over $95/oz US or greater than $130/oz Canadian today.

In 2026, gold exploration will be mainly focussed on Boreal Gold's North Star and Gold Rock gold deposits located west of Snow Lake, with the first phase focused of the Gold Rock vein structures: Drilling is planned for this winter and spring, subject to financing and permitting with additional prospecting and detailed mapping in the summer of 2026 to locate additional drill targets along the under explored one km intervening area between the North Star and Gold Rock Deposits respectively located at the north and south ends of the 2 km long structure. In addition, drilling of both base-metal targets and gold targets on the Fay Lake property; the details of which will be released in another press release.

As mentioned in Boreal's April 17, 2025 News Release:

Since 2003 the North Star Group property became an advanced exploration property where more than $9 million has been spent on it in the last 20 years with the following work completed:

Five major drilling programs, 135 drill holes at North Star and 143 drill holes at Gold Rock

Ramp access and underground development and sampling;

Large surface blast hole sampling and trenching together with extensive assaying for gold, trace elements and whole rock geochemistry. Average grade from blast holes and trench faces was over 0.35 oz/t gold. (Foran Mining Corporation (FOM) Press Release April 16, 2003). Gold on April 16, 2003 was $332.60 to 333.40 oz (https://www.usagold.com/daily-gold-price-history/) compared to over $4800/oz US or greater than $6700/oz Canadian today.

Extensive metallurgical testing at Lakefield established 85% recovery of gold by gravity alone. LR10572-002-Progress Report #1(Foran Mining Corporation (FOM) Press Release May 3, 2003).

A large grid covers the gold shear with mapping, prospecting and geophysical surveys carried out. The Shear is still open to the north and south and the grid can be extended to follow the shear on strike (unexplored). The shear zone in between the Gold Rock and North Star deposits has seen little drilling.

There is a two km of all-weather road to the North Star site, as well as 15 km of the Dickstone road being brought back to all weather road status with creek crossings improved and adjoining swamps lowered to improve road quality plan for this summer.

Numerous environmental surveys were completed, including: ungulate, rare plant, raptor, fish surveys and other surveys required for the establishment of tailings facilities.

A digital topographical airborne survey was carried out over the main area of the vein, and potential areas for tailings disposal and water intake.

Camp site and storage areas were established and permitted. These permits are still valid as is the road permit. A mill foundation; a concrete slab shop floor and a water waste disposal pond were completed.

A VTEM survey was carried out over the entire claim group in 2010.

Highlights from the history above were:

At North Star

2003 A 6,000 tonne bulk sample was extracted from a 120m long pit that was blasted to a depth of 6m and an average width of approximately 5m. The average grade from the pit face and blast hole is 0.35 oz/ton gold (13 g/t Au). Blast holes were drilled at 1.35 m (4 foot) centers. (2003 Foran Mining Corporation (FOM) Press Releases February 26, March 11, March 17, March 19, March 31, April 16). 2003 -2004 48 NQ drill holes with selected examples of NS-03-02 24.29 g/t Au over 2.2m, NS-03-05 14.94 g/t Au over 4.8m, NS-03-11 23.4 g/t Au over 2.5m, NS-03-32 31.98 g/t Au over 1.7m and NS-03-45 21.83 g/t Au over 1.5m. (2003 Foran Mining Corporation (FOM) Press Release August 5, August 25). 2003-2004 Geophysical ground surveys, environmental studies and geological mapping 2004 Spring Underground Development/Bulk Sample. Overall grade of 0.28 oz Au/ton over 2.2 m true width. An 8,000-tonne bulk sample was extracted from a sill 224m long at the 100-foot vertical level. The underground sample from the 100 feet vertical level averaged 0.29 Au oz/t in the north part of the sill and 0.27 Au oz/t in the south part of the sill. (Foran Mining Corporation (FOM) Press Release May 25, 2004).

All weather Road Completed 2003-4 Winter Metallurgical Testing by SGS Lakefield Research Limited, A gold recovery of approximately 97% with a gravity, flotation, and cyanidation process and 85% by gravity alone. (Foran Mining Corporation (FOM) Press Release May 3, 2003).

Drilled 35 NQ diamond drill holes, 4979.9m. Several drill holes returned excellent gold intersections. For example: NS-04-57 assayed 23.34 g/t Au over 1.9m and NS-04-71 16.33 g/t Au over 1.4m. 2005 Fall New Resource Estimate (North Star Only) 19,100 t, grading 10.6 g/t, at a cut-off grade of 7.0 g/t and are classified as indicated resources based on the close spacing of the data. Note high cut-off grade as gold was at $400/oz. (Roscoe Postle Associates Inc., Wayne W. Valliant NI43-101 Technical Report September 23, 2005), The estimate supersedes Pearson and Hogan (May 3, 2004) report of 28,000 t grading 9.3 g/t Au with a cut off of 5 g/t Au which was based on an Inverse Distance Squared technique on a resource block model using only diamond drill data. Using a 1 g/t Au cut off grade, the tonnage is 160,900 tonnes with an average grade of 3.61 g/t Au. 2005 Winter Drilled 50 NQ diamond drill holes on the extremities of North Star Zone. Stephen Masson departs as President of Foran. 2006 Copper Reef Mining Corp. acquires the North Star Group from Foran Mining Corp.

At Gold Rock (The Resource for this Vein System has not been calculated)

2007 Geological Mapping and Prospecting, Discovery of the new Richard quartz vein, where a grab sample assayed 0.91 oz/ton gold. 2008 Drilling at Gold Rock, Drilled 79 HQ diamond drill holes, 2,873.7m. Several drill holes returned excellent gold intersections, such as: GR-08-06 24.14 g/t Au over 3.9m, GR-08-14 61.2 g/t Au over 1.8m, GR-08-30 24.6 g/t Au over 2.9m, GR-08-31 81.73 g/t Au over 1.6m, GR-08-43 27.85 g/t Au over 1.8m, GR-08-50 104.39 g/t Au over 3.4m, GR-08-52 22.42 g/t Au over 5.4m, GR-08-59 30.61 g/t Au over 2.4m, GR-08-78 25.54 g/t Au over 2.0m. (Voyageur Mineral Explorers Corp. (VOY) Press Release October 16, 2009). 2009 Drilled 33 HQ diamond drill holes, 1,176.9m. Several drill holes returned excellent gold intersections, such as: GR-09-81 11.02 g/t Au over 3.8m, GR-09-91 15.95 g/t Au over 2.9m, GR-09-95 6.95 g/t Au over 1.9m, GR-09-108 6.66 g/t Au over 3.95m, GR-09-111 5.78 g/t Au over 1.9m. (Voyageur Mineral Explorers Corp (VOY) Press Release January 27, 2010, July 30, 2010). 2010 Step out drilling at Gold Rock Drilled 23 HQ and 1 NQ diamond drill holes, 3,350.6m. Significant values from step outs are: the Richard Vein (A new vein to the North East) assayed 14.41 g/t Au over 3.3m (11 ft.) in hole GR-10-114 and on the Gold Rock Vein in a new deeper lens to the south assayed: 7.79 g/t Au over 2.1m. in hole GR-10-119 and 7.01 g/t Au over 2.3m in hole GR-10-125. (Voyageur Mineral Explorers Corp. (VOY) Press Release April 28, 2010). 2011 Extension of the North Star Grid 1 km to the north of the Gold Rock Vein with detailed mapping, included the Richard Vein Area.

Sampling Methods and Quality Control

The Company employs QA/QC protocol on all aspects of its analytical procedures. When samples were taken in the field, the sample location was marked in the field book and the grid and/or GPS coordinates were entered in the sample book with the sample description. The sample number was written on flagging tape that was tied to a rock or a tree at the sample site. When collecting samples for protolith whole rock analysis, every effort was made to get representative samples with minimal alteration, veining and sulphide content, so that lithological classification is not skewed by introduced material. In the case of samples collected, to measure the degree of alteration only veining is avoided. For each sample two rocks were collected, with one rock sent for analysis and one kept as a representative sample. The rock samples were placed in standard plastic bags which were then were placed into rice bags that were wired shut for shipment. The rice bags were delivered to Gardewine North Trucking by staff of M'Ore Exploration and shipped to SRC Laboratories in Saskatoon. Gardewine delivered the samples directly to the lab in Saskatoon.

Stephen L. Masson, M.Sc., P.Geo. is the "Qualified Person" as defined by NI 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects for this property has confirmed the visual descriptions, supervised the Quality Control and all aspects of the exploration program. Mr. Masson acts as a consulting geologist for the company.

Sample preparation and analytical work is conducted at SRC laboratories in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (certification ISO/IEC 17025:2017) utilizing the gravimetric overlimit analysis (method Au 9).

About Boreal Gold Inc

Boreal Gold Inc is a Canadian junior mineral exploration company with a specific focus on mineral properties in northwest Manitoba and northeast Saskatchewan, Canada. All of the Issuer's properties are currently at the exploration stage. The Issuer has assembled a portfolio of base metal and precious metal prospects in strategic locations in the Provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities laws. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "does not anticipate", or "believes" or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", or "will be taken", "occur", or "be achieved". Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking information that involves substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including the advancement of the Company's mineral properties. The forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of the management of the Company at the time such statements were made and is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including risks associated with the exploration; future commodity prices; changes in regulations; political or economic developments; environmental risks; permitting timelines; capital expenditures; technical difficulties in connection with exploration activities; employee relations; the speculative nature of mineral including the risks of diminishing quantities of grades of resources, contests over title to properties, the Company's limited operating history, future capital needs and uncertainty of additional financing, and the competitive nature of the mining industry; the need for the Company to manage its future strategic plans; global economic and financial market conditions; uninsurable risks; and changes in project parameters as plans continue to be evaluated. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Although the forward-looking information contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking information, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information, or the material factors or assumptions used to develop such forward-looking information, will prove to be accurate. The Company does not undertake any obligations to release publicly any revisions for updating any voluntary forward-looking information, except as required by applicable securities law.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/281386

Source: Boreal Gold Inc.
A national delegation of six Costa Rican companies aims to enter and consolidate its presence in the Middle East and North Africa coffee market

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, Jan. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- From January 18 to 20, a group of Costa Rican companies participated in World of Coffee Dubai 2026, with the goal of showcasing and positioning the country's specialty coffee offering, accelerating business opportunities in the region, and connecting with new international buyers.

The national delegation carried out a comprehensive agenda that included technical and commercial visits to key roasters and coffee shops within the specialty coffee ecosystem in the United Arab Emirates, meetings with buyers at the essential COSTA RICA country-brand stand, individualized cupping sessions, and tastings of differentiated products, among other activities aimed at strengthening the international positioning of Costa Rica's coffee offer.

"Coffee is one of Costa Rica's main export products and an iconic product for the country, which makes platforms like this essential to diversify markets and expand access to specialized and strategic buyers. At PROCOMER, we coordinate these initiatives so companies can reduce their reliance on a limited number of destinations and move toward more robust export strategies aligned with markets that value origin, quality, and traceability in Costa Rican coffee", said Laura Lopez, CEO of the Trade and Investment Promotion Agency of Costa Rica (PROCOMER).

Costa Rica's participation in World of Coffee Dubai 2026 was a joint effort between PROCOMER and the Costa Rican Coffee Institute (ICAFE) and marks the fourth time the country has taken part with an essential COSTA RICA stand at this fair, which this year is expected to attract more than 17,000 visitors from around the world.

"Costa Rica's participation -led by ICAFE and PROCOMER together with six national coffee companies- in the trade mission and at World of Coffee Dubai 2026 represents a strategic platform to open new markets, consolidate commercial alliances, and reinforce the presence of Costa Rican coffee as a product of excellence in the Middle East, boosting business opportunities and the global visibility of our country brand," said Andres Piedra, Promotion Manager at ICAFE.

This year's participating companies include CoopeTarrazu (high-quality export coffee); Tertulia Brugge (a coffee and cocoa offering focused on retail, horeca, and food service); Monte Copey (specializing in nano-lots and limited editions for high-end roasters); Beneficio La Eva (micro- and macro-lots and commercial coffees supported by quality and traceability processes); Cafe Don Mayo (micro-lots with full traceability by process and variety); and Beneficio Brumas del Zurqui (a boutique, high-end profile offering).

"Our role is to create the conditions that allow companies to access more sophisticated and demanding markets. In this context, this is the fourth time we have accompanied the sector at this fair, as part of a long-term strategy to strengthen the international presence of Costa Rican coffee and open new business opportunities for companies",Lopez concluded.

As of November 2025, Costa Rican coffee ranks among the country's top five export products and is also among the three most dynamic products within agricultural exports, the second most important goods-export sector for Costa Rica.

COSTA RICAN COMPANY ACHIEVES HIGHEST AUCTION PRICE DURING THE EVENT

As part of World of Coffee Dubai 2026, Costa Rican company Monte Copey participated in the Producers Discovery Auction, which brought together coffee producers from prestigious farms and brands around the world.

Monte Copey became the first Costa Rican coffee to take part in an auction of this format and recorded the highest number of bids at the fair-57 in total-from international buyers. The lot also achieved the highest price of the event, closing at US$91 per kilogram.

"This result represents not only a win for our company, but also for Costa Rican coffee as a whole, demonstrating the competitive potential of our coffees on high-level global stages," said Enrique Navarro Porras, CEO of Monte Copey.

The strong response to the auctioned lot led organizers to invite the company to participate again next year, this time in the World Series Auction 2027, an auction that brings together some of the world's most prestigious coffee farms.

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see Dutch Press release here

see Danish Press release here

see German Press Release here

E1 has acquired 12Build, reinforcing long-term investment in product innovation, people, and customer value.

The acquisition brings together two established construction tendering platforms with a shared focus on entrepreneurship, culture and sustainable growth.

12Build's leadership team remains unchanged, ensuring continuity in strategy, culture, and customer commitment. Patrick Aarbodem stays involved as CEO and 12Build's founder Erik Nieuwenhuis stays actively involved as minority shareholder, board member in the E1 group and director at 12Build.



NIJVERDAL, Netherlands and MELBOURNE, Australia, Jan. 23, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 12Build, a leading European construction tendering platform, today announces that it has been acquired by E1 (formally known as EstimateOne), the market-leading bidding and tendering marketplace in Australia and New Zealand. The acquisition is supported by E1's long-term investor, Potentia Capital, with Stifel acting as financial advisor to 12Build. This milestone marks an important next step in strengthening the 12Build platform, team and long-term roadmap.

For 12Build's customers, the focus remains unchanged. 12Build will continue to serve the European construction market with the same product, people and commitment. The acquisition enables increased resources in technology, product development and talent, while preserving 12Build's identity, culture and way of working.

Founded nearly 19 years ago on nearly identical principles, both 12Build and EstimateOne were built to improve and simplify the estimation and tendering process in construction. Over time, each company has grown into a market standard in its respective region. Becoming part of the same group allows both platforms to share learnings, data and capabilities; while remaining focused on their local customers.

Continuity in leadership and direction

12Build will continue to operate as an independent platform within the group, with its existing leadership team fully in place. Patrick Aarbodem remains CEO of 12Build, continuing to lead the company's strategy, product direction and day-to-day operations.

Erik Nieuwenhuis, founder of 12Build, remains closely involved as minority shareholder and board member in the E1 group and active contributor to the company's long-term vision and development. His continued involvement reflects the shared commitment to culture and strategy and his belief in the long term opportunity.

"For me, the cultural and strategic alignment was a decisive factor," said Erik Nieuwenhuis, Founder of 12Build. "From the first conversations, it was clear that E1 shares our way of thinking about construction technology and how to build a company with a strong culture for the long term. That alignment gives me confidence that this step will strengthen our ability to innovate and continue building what 12Build stands for."

"We found more than just a partner in E1," said Patrick Aarbodem, CEO of 12Build. "We found a team that speaks our language, is closely aligned in culture and has the same passion for the construction industry. This milestone marks an important step for 12Build. First and foremost for our customers. Our focus remains exactly where it should be: delivering a reliable, high-quality tendering platform, now with greater strength to invest in our product and our people."

E1 co-founders Michael Ashcroft and Andrew Ritchie said the acquisition represents a defining moment in the company's evolution. "E1 was built in Australia with the ambition to fundamentally improve how the construction industry communicates. Joining forces with 12Build allows us to take that ambition global, combining two deeply aligned platforms while preserving what customers value most in each market."

Accelerating innovation and customer value

As part of the group, 12Build will benefit from increased investment capacity and shared expertise, enabling the team to further strengthen the platform, accelerate innovation, and invest in the people behind the product. The focus remains on building a reliable, high-quality platform while supporting the teams and capabilities needed to deliver long-term customer value.

Key areas include:

Product & AI Innovation: Continued investment in core tendering workflows, document processing, data quality, and AI-driven capabilities for smarter extraction, matching, and automation.

Continued investment in core tendering workflows, document processing, data quality, and AI-driven capabilities for smarter extraction, matching, and automation. People & Teams: Ongoing investment in attracting, developing, and retaining talent across product, engineering, and customer-facing teams, while preserving 12Build's culture and way of working.

Ongoing investment in attracting, developing, and retaining talent across product, engineering, and customer-facing teams, while preserving 12Build's culture and way of working. Platform & Learnings: Leveraging combined insights across pricing, packaging, feature adoption and proven platform capabilities to support sustainable growth and decision-making.

Leveraging combined insights across pricing, packaging, feature adoption and proven platform capabilities to support sustainable growth and decision-making. Measured Expansion & Acquisitions: The group will actively pursue "Buy & Build" opportunities to add complementary technologies such as BIM analysis, take-offs, and supply-chain pre-qualification.

E1 and 12Build will continue to serve their respective markets with dedicated teams, products and customer relationships. The acquisition is designed to strengthen both platforms over the long term, without disrupting customers, culture, or day-to-day operations. Stifel is serving as financial advisor to 12Build.

About 12Build

12Build is a cloud-based procurement platform that streamlines the tendering and bidding process for the construction industry. Based in the Netherlands and supported by 73 FTE, it connects General Contractors with subcontractors and suppliers to foster more efficient collaboration and smarter project execution.

About E1

E1is Australia and New Zealand's leading tender management platform and successfully entered the UK market. E1 provides a centralized marketplace that allows the construction industry to manage biddings and find new opportunities with ease. E1 recently acquired C-link which is a post-award contract management solution that helps builders manage contracts and project information after a tender has been awarded. By the end of 2025, E1's ARR is projected to be roughly double that of 12Build, supported by a team of 117 FTE.
As a company registered in Singapore and listed on the Euronext Oslo Brs ("OSE") and the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"), BW LPG Limited ("BW LPG" or the "Company", OSE ticker code: "BWLPG", NYSE ticker code: "BWLP") is by default, subject to Singapore, U.S. and Norwegian take-over rules. The Company has been granted a waiver from the Singapore Code on Take-overs and Mergers (the "Singapore Code") and accordingly, the Company is currently subject to both U.S. and Norwegian take-over rules.

The Company considers that being subject to a single set of U.S. take-over rules provides adequate shareholder protection, greater regulatory clarity, and the ease for major shareholders to provide support in a softer market. On this basis, the Company submitted an application to the Norwegian Financial Supervisory Authority (the "NFSA") for an exemption from the provisions on voluntary and mandatory offers in Chapter 6 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act (the "STA"). In its decision dated 16 January 2026, the NFSA decided not to grant the exemption. The NFSA's assessment and reasoning are set out in its decision, which has been published on the NFSA's website.

On 7 September 2023, the Company was granted a waiver by the Securities Industry Council of Singapore (the "SIC") from the general application of the Singapore Code to the Company following its proposed redomiciliation from Bermuda to Singapore (the "Redomiciliation"). On 24 April 2024, the SIC confirmed that the said waiver (the "Waiver") would continue to apply upon the completion of the Company's listing on the NYSE in addition to its current listing on the OSE and its Redomiciliation (the "2024 Ruling"), subject to the Company disclosing in the document to shareholders on the scheme of arrangement in relation to the Redomiciliation under the Bermuda Companies Act (the "Scheme") that the Company had obtained the Waiver from the SIC and that the Singapore Code would not apply to the Company following completion of the Redomiciliation (the "2024 Ruling Disclosure Condition").

In this regard, the Company had, in the document to shareholders in relation to the Scheme, referenced the obtaining of the Waiver as a condition to the Scheme and subsequently announced that all conditions to the Scheme had been satisfied. However, the SIC (in its 17 December 2025 ruling set out below) stated that these disclosures did not comply with the 2024 Ruling Disclosure Condition to make the requisite disclosures to shareholders and the Waiver granted under the 2024 Ruling did not come into effect.

In September 2025, the Company submitted an application to seek the SIC's confirmation that the Waiver would still apply to the Company assuming the application to the NFSA for an exemption be successful. On 17 December 2025, the SIC granted the Waiver, and confirmed it would remain in effect regardless of the NFSA's decision.

Accordingly, there will be no change to the take-over rules that apply to the Company, which will continue to be subject to both U.S. and Norwegian take-over rules.

About BW LPG

BW LPG is the world's leading owner and operator of LPG vessels, with a fleet of more than 50 Very Large Gas Carriers (VLGCs), including 22 vessels powered by LPG dual-fuel propulsion technology. Building on over five decades of LPG shipping experience, the company is strengthened by an in-house LPG trading division and the commercial expertise to explore investments in value chain assets. Together, these capabilities enable BW LPG to provide trusted and reliable services for sourcing and delivering LPG to customers worldwide.

Delivering energy for a better world more information about BW LPG can be found at www.bwlpg.com.

BW LPG is associated with BW Group, a leading global maritime company involved in shipping, floating infrastructure, deepwater oil gas production, and new sustainable technologies. Founded in 1955 by Sir YK Pao, BW controls a fleet of over 450 vessels transporting oil, gas and dry commodities, with its 200 LNG and LPG ships constituting the largest gas fleet in the world. In the renewables space, the group has investments in solar, wind, batteries, and water treatment.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260123551964/en/

Contacts:

Kristian Srensen, CEO, BW LPG

Samantha Xu, CFO, BW LPG

E-mail: investor.relations@bwlpg.com
Singapore-based Embedded LLM brings AI sovereignty solution to Europe





VILNIUS, Lithuania, Jan. 23, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A groundbreaking AI infrastructure project between Telecentras and technology partner from Singapore, Embedded LLM will see the first EU AI GRID network offering GDPR data and EU AI Act compliance as well as full digital sovereignty.

Yesterday, the parties signed a multilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the launch held in Vilnius at the symbolic TV Tower -- location of the tragic January 13th, 1991 confrontation with Soviet tanks.

"With deployment of EU AI Grid launched in the symbolic Vilnius TV Tower demonstrated commitment to digital sovereignty and AI as a fundamental, strategic and critical utility," says Ghee Leng, founder of Embedded LLM.

"Our mission is to offer AI users in Europe transparency, data protection to fully harness the potential of the AI revolution. The EU must live up to its promise of establishing AI sovereignty at a foundational infrastructure level similar to grid approach in energy, air traffic control, telecoms and banking," said Paulius Kuncinas, managing partner of Embedded LLM Europe incorporated in Vilnius, Lithuania.

"Telecentras is proud to be the first in Europe to test this new approach. We plan to offer the concept and experience to our partner network in Estonia, Latvia, Germany, Finland, Sweden and other EU countries in the near term," says Remigijus Seris, CEO of Telecentras.

"We support the EU AI grid initiative because it establishes a path towards EU strategic autonomy and offers another layer of protection to our critical digital infrastructure," says Edvinas Kerza, co-founder of Scalewolf Ventures in Vilnius.

Project partners, Lithuanian Innovation Centre (LIC) have already identified a list of companies and municipalities who expressed an interest to take part in the pilot project.

"AI users would like to know that their sensitive legal, technological and commercial information stays on servers in the EU jurisdiction. This technology will offer them confidence and access to the AI resources to unlock productivity and lead to higher sales and profits," says Sigitas Besagirskas, Director at Lithuanian Innovation Centre (LIC).

Charles Schoenhoeft, CEO of Neural AI, one of successful technology start-ups seeded by Scalewolf, says "EU AI GRID is much needed for the innovation eco-system to operate in a collaborative manner and share valuable information in a secure way. We don't want others to obtain sensitive information that we share on a daily basis."

CBRX is proud to join EU AI Grid as a cybersecurity and governance partner to secure AI deployment practices. We can see potential for EU AI Grid to be established in the whole of the EU in line with basic principles set out in the EU AI Act and other regulations," said Kazimieras Sadauskas, CEO and co-founder of CBRX.

After the Vilnius launch, the EU AI Grid team will present its new initiative at the Munich Cyber Security Conference (MCSC) on February 12th, 2026.

For more information, please contact Paulius Kuncinas, Managing Director, Embedded LLM Europe pkuncinas@embeddedllm.com | +32 492 105579 WhatsApp | +37062199755 Mobile Number

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/06b7aeac-68cc-48e9-9e5b-b096937b9edb
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2026) - Wallbridge Mining Company Limited (TSX: WM) (OTCQB: WLBMF) ("Wallbridge" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it will be exhibiting at the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference (VRIC) in Vancouver, BC, Canada on January 25th and 26th. Wallbridge welcomes conference attendees to visit Booth 1123 for an update on the Company's plans for 2026.

A corporate presentation will be given by Brian Penny, Wallbridge's CEO on Sunday, January 25th at 1:30 pm in Workshop 1.

The Vancouver Resource Investment Conference (VRIC) will take place on January 25th-26th, 2026, at the Vancouver Convention Centre West, 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver: Exhibition Hall A-C on the lower level.

This year's conference will have 300 mining companies exhibiting and is expected to welcome 9,000 attendees including investors and industry leaders.

For more information and/or to register for the conference please visit:

https://cambridgehouse.com/vancouver-resource-investment-conference

Upcoming Marketing: Q1 2026

Vancouver Resource Investment Conference, Vancouver, Canada

January 25-26, 2026

BMO Global Metals and Mining Conference, Hollywood, US

February 23-26, 2026

PDAC Convention, Toronto, Canada

March 1-4, 2026

John Tumazos Very Independent Research, Virtual Conference

March 2026

About Wallbridge Mining

Wallbridge is focused on creating value through the exploration and sustainable development of gold projects in Quebec's Abitibi region while respecting the environment and communities where it operates. The Company holds a contiguous mineral property position totaling 598 km2 that extends approximately 82 km along the Detour-Fenelon gold trend. The property is host to the Company's flagship PEA stage Fenelon Gold Project, and its earlier exploration stage Martiniere Gold Project, as well as numerous greenfield gold projects.

For further information please visit the Company's website at https://wallbridgemining.com/ or contact:

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

The information in this document may contain forward-looking statements or information (collectively, "FLI") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. FLI is based on expectations, estimates, projections and interpretations as at the date of this document.

All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are FLI that involve various risks, assumptions, estimates and uncertainties. Generally, FLI can be identified by the use of statements that include, but are not limited to, words such as "seeks", "believes", "anticipates", "plans", "continues", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "expects", "forecasts", "intends", "projects", "predicts", "proposes", "potential", "targets" and variations of such words and phrases, or by statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "will", "could", "would", "should" or "might", "be taken", "occur" or "be achieved."

FLI in this document may include, but is not limited to: the continuity of and expansion potential of the Martiniere gold system; the growth potential and continuity of mineralization of the Detour Fenelon Gold Trend Properties in general, including Martiniere, Fenelon, Casault and Grasset Gold; the value creation potential of the Company; and the significance of historic exploration activities and results.

FLI is designed to help you understand management's current views of its near- and longer-term prospects, and it may not be appropriate for other purposes. FLI by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such FLI. Although the FLI contained in this document is based upon what management believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders and prospective purchasers of securities of the Company that actual results will be consistent with such FLI, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, and neither the Company nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any such FLI. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake, and assumes no obligation, to update or revise any such FLI contained in this document to reflect new events or circumstances. Unless otherwise noted, this document has been prepared based on information available as of the date of this document. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on the FLI, or information contained herein.

Furthermore, should one or more of the risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in FLI.

Assumptions upon which FLI is based, without limitation, include: the results of exploration activities, the Company's financial position and general economic conditions; the ability of exploration activities to accurately predict mineralization; the accuracy of geological modelling; the ability of the Company to complete further exploration activities; the legitimacy of title and property interests in the Company's mineral properties; the accuracy of key assumptions, parametre or methods used to estimate the mineral resource estimates and in the preliminary economic assessment; the ability of the Company to obtain required approvals; geological, mining and exploration technical problems; failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; the evolution of the global economic climate; metal prices; foreign exchange rates; environmental expectations; community and non-governmental actions; and, the Company's ability to secure required funding. Risks and uncertainties about Wallbridge's business are discussed in the disclosure materials filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada, which are available at www.sedarplus.ca.

Cautionary Notes to United States Investors

Wallbridge prepares its disclosure in accordance with NI 43-101 which differs from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Terms relating to mineral properties, mineralization and estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources and economic studies used herein are defined in accordance with NI 43-101 under the guidelines set out in CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Council on May 19, 2014, as amended. NI 43-101 differs significantly from the disclosure requirements of the SEC generally applicable to US companies. As such, the information presented herein concerning mineral properties, mineralization and estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements under the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/281388

Source: Cambridge House International
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2026) - Dream Companion announced major improvements in the application, it includes advanced features like improved customization, context awareness and memory status.

Image 1

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Dream Companion, a cutting-edge AI companion platform, has set a new standard in the field of AI girlfriend applications. By utilizing advanced context awareness and memory systems, Dream Companion provides users with ongoing, personalized conversations that evolve over time. These features go beyond basic chatbot functionality, enabling the AI to remember past interactions, emotional cues, and user preferences, creating a more immersive and emotionally coherent experience.

Unlike traditional chatbots designed mainly for information retrieval or customer service, Dream Companion enables sustained interaction, offering text-based conversations, voice communication, and even holographic engagement. Through its innovative persistent memory architecture, Dream Companion adapts to each user's emotional state and interaction patterns, ensuring a deeper, personalized experience with every session.

A key feature of Dream Companion is its use of context awareness, which allows the platform to retain and utilize conversation history over multiple interactions. This ensures that each interaction feels more realistic and emotionally connected. Advanced memory systems, such as those implemented in Dream Companion, incorporate long-term user profiles, emotional signal recognition, and dialogue state tracking, allowing for the development of meaningful, ongoing relationships between users and their AI companions.

Testing across various platforms reveals that context awareness involves complex layers of memory and data processing. Those platforms employing advanced memory architectures, such as Dream Companion, provide a consistent and emotionally rich user experience, while basic systems often produce fragmented and less engaging interactions.

Dream Companion takes personalization a step further by adapting to the user's unique preferences and communication styles. Beyond simple cosmetic changes to the AI companion's appearance or personality, the platform's adaptive learning systems refine future interactions based on past emotional responses, communication patterns, and user behavior.

Key personalization features include:

Preference Modeling : Adapting interactions based on historical conversations and emotional cues.

: Adapting interactions based on historical conversations and emotional cues. Tone and Pacing Adaptation : Adjusting the rhythm and style of conversation according to the user's interaction patterns.

: Adjusting the rhythm and style of conversation according to the user's interaction patterns. Behavioral Pattern Recognition : Enhancing future dialogues based on repeated user interactions.

: Enhancing future dialogues based on repeated user interactions. Character Consistency: Ensuring the AI maintains a consistent personality and communication style across all sessions.

The effectiveness of AI girlfriend applications is assessed across multiple criteria, including:

Conversational Continuity : Ensuring that the AI retains topics, emotional consistency, and accurate references throughout multiple sessions.

: Ensuring that the AI retains topics, emotional consistency, and accurate references throughout multiple sessions. Memory Architecture : Evaluating the system's ability to store and recall user data and previous conversations.

: Evaluating the system's ability to store and recall user data and previous conversations. Adaptive Dialogue Behavior : Assessing how well the AI adjusts its tone and style based on user inputs.

: Assessing how well the AI adjusts its tone and style based on user inputs. System Performance : Testing response latency, stability, and clarity in the user interface.

: Testing response latency, stability, and clarity in the user interface. Interaction Modalities : Evaluating support for text, voice, and multimedia communication.

: Evaluating support for text, voice, and multimedia communication. Safety and Predictability: Ensuring safeguards to protect user privacy and ensure appropriate behavior.

AI girlfriend applications such as Dream Companion are advancing the field of affective computing, digital well-being, and ethical AI design. These platforms not only provide emotional support and companionship but also enable creative roleplay and social interaction. However, experts emphasize the need for responsible AI design, urging developers to focus on promoting positive user experiences while safeguarding mental health and real-world social relationships.

About the Application

AI girlfriend applications, particularly those like Dream Companion, which incorporate advanced context awareness and personalization features, are setting new benchmarks for personalized digital companionship. By leveraging long-term memory architectures and adaptive learning systems, Dream Companion offers a groundbreaking user experience that brings the future of AI companionship closer to reality.

For more information about Dream Companion and its features, visit www.dreamcompanion.io.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/281256

Source: Pinion Partners
Saudi Arabia will host the World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Collaboration and Growth Meeting: Building Common Ground and Reviving Growth in Jeddah on 22-23 April 2026, it was announced on the closing day of the 56th Annual Meeting of the Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260123725881/en/

HE Faisal F. Alibrahim, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Economy and Planning, announces that the Kingdom will host the World Economic Forum Global Collaboration and Growth Meeting in Jeddah in April 2026 (Photo: AETOSWire)

His Excellency Faisal F. Alibrahim, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Economy and Planning today confirmed the details for the regular high-level WEF meeting, which was announced at the 2025 WEF Annual Meeting.

Calling for pragmatism and collaboration against a backdrop of geopolitical fragmentation, HE Alibrahim said "stability can't be quickly built, and it can't be bought".

"Stability needs to be founded, nurtured, protected, reinforced, and guided. Stability is non-negotiable," he told an audience of global leaders.

HE Alibrahim stressed the need for continual dialogue in reviving global growth: "No single convening, no matter how well intentioned, will resolve every global challenge. But each time, there is an opportunity, an opportunity for us to be resolute and deeply invested, and for us to build the culture that allows cooperation to function in the first place. A culture that nurtures strength and progress, and unlocks the potential of the global economy in all its diversity."

Inviting delegates to attend the Global Collaboration and Growth Meeting: Building Common Ground and Reviving Growth, HE Alibrahim said the meeting will build on the momentum of the WEF Special Meeting held in Riyadh, adding that Saudi Arabia has become "a global capital of pragmatism and of consequence".

HE added: "At a time when the global economy is confronting long-standing structural challenges, this effort helps move cooperation from intent to outcome, by setting clear expectations, anchoring responsibility, and ultimately, making dialogue count."

Commenting on the announcement, Brge Brende, President of WEF, highlighted the Forum's deepening engagement with the Kingdom. He said: "We are pleased to return to Saudi Arabia in 2026 to carry forward the conversations started at our Annual Meeting creating space for leaders to work together, build trust, and ensure dialogue leads to meaningful collaboration and action."

The Global Collaboration and Growth Meeting reflects Saudi Arabia's role as a reliable partner in fostering dialogue and supporting international stability to unlock prosperity. The Kingdom continues to bring together perspectives from developed and developing economies to co-author growth and address shared global challenges.

*Source: AETOSWire

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260123725881/en/

Contacts:

Danah Alhumaid

dalhumaid@mep.gov.sa
San Juan, Puerto Rico--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2026) - Puerto Rico is currently evaluating the possibility of hosting the Miss Universe 2026 pageant in coordination with The Miss Universe Organization (MUO). Relevant authorities and stakeholders are reviewing the institutional, logistical, and operational considerations associated with hosting an international event of this scale. No final decision has been announced.

Photo Source by MOU

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Puerto Rico is currently evaluating the possibility of hosting the Miss Universe 2026 pageant in coordination with The Miss Universe Organization (MUO). Relevant authorities and stakeholders are reviewing the institutional, logistical, and operational considerations associated with hosting an international event of this scale. No final decision has been announced.

As part of its standard evaluation process, Puerto Rico is examining the requirements necessary to host the Miss Universe owner and pageant, including venue preparation, production capabilities, security planning, accommodation capacity, and coordination with public and private sector entities. These assessments are conducted to ensure that any potential host location is able to meet the organizational and operational standards required by MUO.

Historically, the Miss Universe pageant involves the participation of national delegations, production teams, sponsors, and international media. In past host countries, sectors typically engaged in supporting the event have included hospitality, transportation, audiovisual production, event services, and local suppliers. The scale and scope of these activities vary by host location and are dependent on local infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and organizational arrangements.

The Miss Universe pageant is one of the world's most recognized international events, with more than 75 years of history and participation from over 130 countries. The annual competition has been hosted in diverse international destinations and is produced in accordance with MUO's global operational standards.

Puerto Rico's ongoing evaluation focuses on institutional alignment, logistical feasibility, and compliance with applicable requirements. Any future announcements regarding the Miss Universe 2026 pageant will be made directly by the Miss Universe owner and organization through official channels.

About The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) The Miss Universe Organization is an international organization responsible for producing the Miss Universe pageant, an annual global event featuring national representatives from around the world. MUO oversees the pageant's production, operations, and international broadcast in accordance with its established standards and governance framework.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/281241

Source: Stankevicius Pacific Limited
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2026) - Magma Silver Corp. (TSXV: MGMA) (OTCQB: MAGMF) (FSE: BC21) (WKN: A411DV) (the "Company" or "Magma") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an investor relations agreement (the "Agreement") dated January 23, 2026 with Proconsul Capital Ltd. ("Proconsul"), an arm's length party to the Company. Pursuant to the Agreement, Proconsul has agreed to provide strategic communication services to the Company, in consideration for a fee of $7,000, plus applicable taxes per month during the term of the Agreement and the issuance of stock options in the Company (the "Consultant Options"). The Agreement is in effect until July 23, 2026, and renewable automatically on a month-to-month basis unless terminated by either party in accordance with the termination provisions contained in the Agreement. Proconsul's business address is 100 Richmond St. W. Suite 200, Toronto, ON M5H 3K6 email: acurkovic@proconsulcapital.com, telephone: 416-577-9927. Proconsul currently owns no securities of the Company.

The Consultant Options are exercisable to purchase 150,000 common shares (each, a "Share") in the capital of the Company at a price of $0.33 per Share, for a 2-year term. The Consultant Options vest 25% each of three, six, nine and twelve months. The Options were granted pursuant to the Company's stock option plan.

AGORACOM

The Company also clarifies that the 128,409 Shares announced in its December 1, 2025 news release were issued at a deemed price of $0.22.

About Magma Silver Corp.

Magma Silver Corp. is a natural resources exploration company focused on acquiring, exploring, developing, and operating precious metal mining projects. Listed on the TSX Venture Exchange ("MGMA"), OTCQB ("MAGMF"), and Frankfurt Exchange ("BC21"), the Company's primary focus is on exploring and developing the advanced Ninobamba pure silver-gold project in the mining-friendly country of Peru. Ninobamba spans an 8 km mineralized corridor in a prolific geological belt of a high-sulphidation and low-sulphidation epithermal system. Extensive exploration by Newmont Corporation, AngloGold Ashanti Limited, Bear Creek Mining Corporation, and Rio Silver Inc. has demonstrated significant resource potential for a low-cost open-pit mine, with over C$14.5 million invested to date. Magma Silver is advancing its Ninobamba project using modern geological modelling and a strategic development plan. The property has excellent infrastructure, strong relationships with local communities and a regional technical team with over 50 years of mining experience in Peru.

Reader Advisory

This news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All information and statements other than statements of current or historical facts contained in this news release are forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning the specific factors disclosed here and elsewhere in Magma Silver Corp.'s periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. When used in this news release, words such as "will", "could", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "potential", "should," and similar expressions, are forward- looking statements. The information provided in this document is necessarily summarized and may not contain all available material information. Forward-looking statements include those in relation to (i) the agreement with Porconsul and the performance thereof, (ii) the expected benefits to the Company from the agreement and the scope of services to be provided by Proconsu land (iii) the potential of the Ninobamba project. Although the Company believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can't make any assurances that its expectations will be achieved. Such assumptions may prove incorrect. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those contained in the forward- looking statements, there can be other factors that cause results, performance, or achievements not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate or that management's expectations or estimates of future developments, circumstances, or results will materialize. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, no assurance can be given that any events anticipated by the forward-looking information in this news release will transpire or occur, or, if any of them do so, what benefits that the Company will derive therefrom. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise such information, except as required by applicable law.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/281391

Source: Magma Silver Corp.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / January 23, 2026 / Prospect Ridge Resources Corp. (the "Company" or "Prospect Ridge") (CSE:PRR)(OTCQB:PRRSF)(FRA:OED) is pleased to announce the receipt of final 2D inversions from an induced polarization ("IP") survey completed on the Company's 100%* owned Excalibur copper-gold calc-alkaline porphyry project. The survey was carried out by Simcoe Geosciences Limited and covered 26.3 line-kilometers along six east-west oriented IP profiles. The road-accessible Excalibur Property consists of 13 contiguous mineral claims covering 27.71 km2 that are located ~70 km north northeast of Smithers and ~55 km northeast of Hazelton, British Columbia (Figure 1).

The IP survey successfully identified a geophysical target that measures ~ 1 km x 2 km defined by coincident chargeability, resistivity, and magnetic responses. This geophysical target overlaps with the copper in soil anomalies collected in previous exploration campaigns and during the summer 2025 program. Together, these results suggest a strong potential for porphyry-style mineralization.

Henry Awmack, Excalibur Property co-vendor and member of Prospect Ridge's Technical Committee, states: "The IP survey has certainly helped define potential drill targets at Excalibur, identifying a very large volume of rock with moderate chargeability, hypothesized to represent chalcopyrite and pyrite. This drill target is partially flanked to the west by coincident high chargeability and low resistivity interpreted to be a pyrite halo so common to classic porphyry deposits and consistent with surface mapping. The moderate magnetic anomaly coincident with the moderate chargeability may be caused by magnetite alteration commonly found in the copper-bearing potassic core. When you take these positive geophysical features in combination with anomalous copper, gold and molybdenum soil samples, it is not hard to see why Prospect Ridge is excited to drill this target which has never seen previous drilling."

Prospect Ridge President and CEO, Len Brownlie, Ph.D, states: "It has taken six months, but we have used each well-planned exploration step to remove as much risk as possible ahead of the decision to drill Excalibur. My thanks go to Equity Exploration Consultants, an invaluable partner in this scientific enterprise, Simcoe Geosciences, our outstanding Technical Advisory Committee for their diligence and guidance, and to our shareholders who have made this possible. Over the next few weeks, we will confirm collar locations for multiple drill targets in a minimum 2,000 metre diamond drill program contemplated to begin as early as June, 2026, pending favourable weather conditions and receipt of a drill permit that was applied for on November 30, 2025."

IP Survey Results

Inverted sections were generated through six east-west lines covered by the IP survey, illustrate zones of elevated chargeability (greater than 20 mV/V) and low resistivity (less than 200 ohm-meters), characteristic of a pyrite-rich halo outboard of the target copper-bearing core of calc-alkaline porphyry deposits. The target area has moderate chargeability which is expected as the total sulphide content should be less than the pyrite halo. The coincident magnetic anomaly is interpreted to be caused by secondary magnetite commonly found in copper-bearing potassic core of porphyry copper deposits whereas high resistivity can be interpreted as the causative intrusion. The asymmetrical development of the system around the intrusive can be attributed to mapped, east to northeast dipping, faults that juxtapose Skeena Group sedimentary rocks against Kasalka Group volcanics in the east. An example of these features are shown in the cross section for line 6 including results from a previously completed magnetic survey, which was modelled using magnetic vector inversion (MVI) to highlight variations in magnetic susceptibility (Figure2, Figure 3, Figure 4).

*subject to option payments totalling $159,000 and 920,000 shares and a 1.5% NSR royalty that may be bought down to 0.6% for a payment of $400,000 prior to the definition of an indicated mineral resource

Figure 1 - Excalibur Property location in relation to the past producing Bell and Granisle porphyry mines and Amarc/Boliden's Duke deposit

Figure 2 - Excalibur target area in relation to the prominent French Peak Gossan, 2D IP lines and areas of elevated soil geochemistry

Figure 3 - Plan map showing the location of the six 2025 IP survey lines together with copper soil geochemistry results (see legend). Note the east-west line labeled A - A' which serves as a reference line for cross-sections shown in Figure 4.

About the Excalibur Property

On the Excalibur Property, suspected Bulkley and Babine intrusions cut Cretaceous stratified rocks, comprising Skeena Group clastic rocks to the west and Kasalka Group andesitic rocks to the east. A 50 to 500 metre wide by >1,600 metre long, east-west trending, Babine feldspar  hornblende  biotite porphyry dyke has been affected by a complex pattern of alteration, ranging from unaltered to propylitic and phyllic assemblages. Several outcrops of quartz-feldspar porphyry and granodiorite to the west are believed to be apophyses of the Bulkley stock exposed south of the Excalibur Property. No significant copper gold mineralization has been found in the main target area where there is less than ~2% outcrop.

Historic work has included mapping, soil sampling, IP, and ground magnetic surveys done by Canadian Superior in 1971-721. No significant work was conducted until 2019, when a former operator1 cut five north-south trending 2500-2700 m long lines separated by 400 to 800 m in preparation for a planned IP survey which was not completed before the project was returned to the Vendors. One hundred and forty soil samples were then collected at 50 to 100 m intervals along the cut lines. Another former operator completed a 259-line kmairborne magnetic survey in 20212 and collected 207 soil samples in 20222. In 2025, Prospect Ridge collected another 50 soil samples along east-west lines and completed 26.3 line-km of IP surveys on six east-west trending lines.

A buried porphyry exploration target is supported by Prospect Ridge's 2025 IP survey, a magnetic vector inversion of the 2021 airborne magnetic survey2 and the 20191,20222 and 20252 soil geochemistry results, in an area that otherwise lacks outcrops. Prospective features of the buried target area include anomalous Mo- and Cu-in-soil, moderate IP chargeability response, and moderately high magnetic response on the flanks of a chargeability high. The geophysical and geochemical signatures together could represent a mineralized potassic alteration zone surrounded by a pyrite halo, similar to the nearby Granisle and Bell Copper porphyry deposits of the Babine Plutonic Suite. The Property has never been drilled.

Figure 4 - Cross-sections showing 2D inversions of chargeability (top panel) resistivity (middle panel) and magnetics (lower panel) on the east-west line A - A'. The zone of coincident moderate chargeability and magnetism is interpreted to be a copper-bearing drill target, with high chargeability rocks to the west interpreted as the pyritic rich phyllic halo. The lack of pyrite halo to the east, i.e., the asymmetry of the system, can be attributed to a fault mapped between Skeena sedimentary rocks and Kasalka volcanics in the east.

Funded and Positioned for Extensive 2026 Drilling

Subject to receipt of drill permits and favourable weather conditions, Prospect Ridge expects to finalize drill targets and commence a maiden drill program at the Excalibur Project beginning in June 2026.

Investor Outreach

Management of Prospect Ridge has recently recorded a new corporate video, available on the Company's website, that provides further details on the Company's transformative initiatives in 2025 and plans for 2026.

Prospect Ridge welcomes shareholders and investors to visit us at booth #114 at the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference on January 25 and 26, 2026. A corporate presentation by Len Brownlie, President and CEO is scheduled from 1:30 pm to 1:40 pm on Sunday, January 25 in Workshop #2.

Drill core from the Company's recent Camelot drill program will be on display at Orogen Royalties Inc.'s booth at the Association for Mineral Exploration Roundup from January 27 to January 29.

In addition, the Company will have Exhibitor booth #2412B at the Prospector and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) conference on March 1 - 4, 2026 in Toronto, ON.

First Nations Land Acknowledgement

Prospect Ridge acknowledges that Excalibur is situated within the traditional territory of the Lake Babine First Nation. Prospect Ridge is committed to developing positive and mutually beneficial relationships with First Nations based on trust and respect and a foundation of open and honest communications.

Qualified Person Statement

All technical information that forms the basis for the written disclosure in this press release, has been approved by Ron Voordouw, Ph.D., P.Geo., Director of Geoscience for Equity Exploration Consultants Ltd., who is an independent consultant to the Company, and a qualified person as defined under the terms of National Instrument 43-101.

About Prospect Ridge Resources Corp.

Prospect Ridge Resources Corp. is a British Columbia-based exploration and development company focused on critical metals and gold. Led by a seasoned management and technical team with over 100 years of combined mineral exploration experience, Prospect Ridge is advancing its north-central B.C. located Golden Horseshoe and Cariboo projects - high-potential copper-gold systems positioned within one of Canada's most under-explored yet geologically endowed mineral belts.

Contact Information

Prospect Ridge Resources Corp.

Mike Iverson - Chairman, Director

Email: mike@miverson.ca

Sources of Technical Information

See Prospect Ridge News Release dated July 8, 2025 See Prospect Ridge News Release dated October 9, 2025

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This release includes certain statements and information ("FLI") that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. FLI relates to future events or future performance and reflect the current expectations or beliefs of the Company's management. Anything that is not historical fact is FLI. Generally, FLI can be, without limitation, identified by the use of forward-looking wording such as "plans", "intends", "believes", "expects", "anticipates" or "estimates", and statements or phrases that certain actions, events or results "may", "might", "could", "should" or "would" occur, and similar expressions. FLI is not historical fact, is made as of the date of this news release and includes, without limitation, statements and discussions of future plans, intentions, expectations, estimates and forecasts, and statements as to management's intentions and expectations with respect to, among other things, positive exploration results at the Excalibur project. FLI involves numerous risks and uncertainties, and are based on assumptions, and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any FLI. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the availability of financing to continue exploration activities, the availability and cost of qualified exploration personnel and service providers, and that future exploration results at the Excalibur project will not be as anticipated. In making any FLI in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that future exploration results at the Excalibur project will be as anticipated. Although management has endeavored to evaluate and use reasonable assumptions and to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in FLI, these assumptions may prove incorrect and there may be other factors that cause results not to be as intended, expected, anticipated or estimated. There can be no assurance that FLI will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those expressed in FLI. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on FLI, and are further cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any FLI expressed or incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor.

SOURCE: Prospect Ridge Resources Corp.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/excalibur-ip-survey-results-confirm-high-priority-copper-gold-drill-targets-1130242
Commenting on the markets, Tom Holl and Mark Hume, representing the Investment Manager noted:

Of the Company's three components, mining delivered the strongest performance, energy transition generated positive but more moderate returns, and conventional energy declined. The Trust's sector positioning relative to its neutral allocation of 40:30:30 proved beneficial in this environment.

Within mining, the diversified miners made the largest positive contribution to absolute returns. The sub sector benefited from a 1.9% rise in the iron ore (62% Fe) price, reflecting a modest improvement in Chinese steel demand despite ongoing challenges in the property sector. Industrial activity in China strengthened, driven primarily by increased domestic orders, with the Caixin Manufacturing PMI rising from 49.9 in November to 50.1 in December. Meanwhile, gold equities continued their strong run, supported by a 3.0% increase in the gold price.

In energy transition, the European Union tightened its carbon border levy to curb emissions from imports and launched a 30 ? billion public investment fund to accelerate clean energy deployment. These initiatives aim to reinforce Europe's leadership in climate policy and the energy transition. In parallel, Google announced a $4.8 ? billion acquisition of Intersect Power, a U.S.-based developer of utility scale solar and battery storage projects. This appears to be a strategic move to secure dedicated renewable energy capacity for Google's rapidly expanding AI and cloud data centre operations, which face growing power constraints as electricity demand accelerates.

In conventional energy, crude prices fell over the period, driven by persistent oversupply. This aligns with our outlook for continued market surplus through the first half of 2026. Brent declined by 4.2% and WTI by 2.3%, ending the month at $61/bbl and $57/bbl respectively. This occurred despite concerns surrounding tanker disruptions in Venezuela and OPEC's continued pause in restoring supply. Tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE added further geopolitical uncertainty, with no immediate resolution expected.

23 January 2026
Strategic consolidation strengthens partner enablement and accelerates growth across the U.S. and Canada

AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- GFI Software , a global leader in AI-powered security and communications solutions for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), today announced the consolidation of its North American distribution under Zebra Systems LLC (Zebra Systems). Effective April 21, 2026, Zebra Systems will serve as GFI's principal distribution partner across the United States and Canada.

This move reflects GFI's commitment to simplifying its channel strategy and investing in stronger partner enablement. Zebra Systems brings deep expertise in GFI products, a dedicated North American GFI team and a proven track record of reseller success.

For over 15 years, Zebra Systems' European operation has been GFI's top-performing distributor across all geographies. That consistent excellence led GFI CEO Eric Vaughan to meet with Zebra CEO Zdenek Binek two years ago to encourage expansion into the U.S. market.

"Zebra has been GFI's strongest distributor globally for years," said Vaughan. "When I met with Zdenek, I told him the North American market needed what they'd built in Europe, with the same partner-focused, technically capable approach. They invested in a U.S. team and brought that same expertise here. This consolidation is the natural next step."

Strengthening the partner experience

Resellers working with Zebra Systems will benefit from a purpose-built webshop for streamlined ordering, hands-on technical and sales support from GFI specialists and training programs designed to help partners grow their business. Zebra Systems was recognized by GFI Software as a Top Growth Partner and Innovation Award winner in 2025.

"We're committed to being the growth engine for GFI partners in North America," said Paul Trefonas, VP of GFI Sales North America at Zebra Systems. "Our team has deep experience with these products and we're investing in the resources and support that resellers need to succeed."

GFI's distribution agreement with Climb Channel Solutions will conclude on April 21, 2026. "We're grateful for Climb's past partnership and their efforts supporting our reseller community," said Vaughan.

Resellers currently working with Climb are encouraged to connect with Zebra Systems to ensure service continuity. Existing subscriptions and licenses will transfer seamlessly and the Zebra Systems team is prepared to support onboarding.

About GFI Software

GFI Software delivers AI-powered security and communications solutions for small and medium-sized businesses. GFI's platform GFI AppManager AI provides cloud-based IT management with All Customers, All Products, One Single Screen. GFI Software products are available through thousands of dedicated partners worldwide. Learn more at https://gfi.ai .

About Zebra Systems LLC

Zebra Systems LLC North America delivers customized IT solutions through strategic technology alliances and an extensive suite of services. With over 15 years as a leading European distributor for GFI Software, Zebra Systems expanded to the U.S. market in 2024 to bring that same expertise to North American partners. The company's focus on client success, continuous improvement and technical expertise positions Zebra Systems as a premier distributor in the North American market.

For transition inquiries: usa@gfi.ai or paul.trefonas@zebra-systems.com

For media inquiries: jeannie@firecrackerpr.com

For business inquiries: sales@gfi.com

Follow GFI: LinkedIn | X

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/gfi-software-elevates-zebra-systems-as-principal-north-american-distribution-partner-302669057.html
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK / ACCESS Newswire / January 23, 2026 / Feed the Children is marking International Day of Education by reaffirming its commitment, as a global movement to end childhood hunger, helping children access the food, essentials, and resources they need to learn, grow, and reach their full potential.

Access to essential resources and nutritious meals boosts students' enthusiasm for attending school and participating in their education. Photo courtesy of Feed the Children.

Observed annually on January 24, International Day of Education highlights the power of education and emphasizes the necessity for inclusive, equitable, quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for everyone. Yet millions of children continue to face barriers that prevent them from learning. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization ( UNESCO ), more than 270 million children and youth worldwide are out of school. For children experiencing hunger, poverty, and instability, education is often disrupted-placing them at higher risk of falling behind academically and socially. Feed the Children helps families by providing essential resources necessary for children to thrive, enabling them to concentrate on their education.

Hunger remains one of the most significant-but solvable-education barriers. In the United States, nearly 30 million children rely on the National School Lunch Program each school day , providing critical nutrition that supports concentration, attendance and academic success, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Research has consistently shown that children who have access to regular, nutritious school meals demonstrate improved academic performance and classroom behavior.

"Education is one of the most powerful tools we have to break the cycle of poverty, but children cannot learn when they are hungry," said Emily Callahan, president and CEO of Feed the Children. "When children are nourished, supported, and equipped with food and essential resources, they are better prepared to learn and succeed. On International Day of Education, we celebrate the resilience of students and educators and renew our commitment to helping create pathways to brighter futures."

Feed the Children works alongside schools, community organizations, and partners to complement school meal efforts by providing food, essentials, and educational resources. Addressing hunger, an issue that can affect both academic performance and attendance, the organization helps children succeed inside and outside the classroom.

Over the last fiscal year, Feed the Children's Food & Essentials Hub program supported 600 schools , including an emergency Hub established to serve families displaced by the California wildfires. This program provides students and their families with food, personal care essentials, books, and school supplies so that children are prepared for the classroom and ready to attend school with confidence. In total, the program provided over 549,000 meals , and the take-home supplies from the Hubs help families build more stable, food-secure environments in which children can thrive.

At Feed the Children's Food & Essentials Hub in Paramount, California, students are provided with important items such as food, personal care products, books, and school supplies.

Photo courtesy of Feed the Children. (above and below)

Globally, the World Food Programme reports that at least 466 million children rely on school meals ( WFP ). For many students, a school meal is the only guaranteed nutritious meal they receive all day and a critical incentive for families to keep their children enrolled in school.

Feed the Children provided more than 4.5 million meals through school feeding programs across Africa, Central America, and Asia. Beyond classroom nutrition, the organization supports children's overall development by offering reading initiatives, community tutoring, and training for teachers and parents. These efforts aim to create improved learning environments that can boost literacy and graduation rates.

"I want to study hard, tell the stories of our village, and show how we can achieve great things together." Halima, 12 years old, Tanzania.

"We can't talk about a child's learning journey without addressing hunger," said Bre Jefferson, president of international programming and operations. "When families have greater food stability, children are better able to stay in school, focus on learning, and build a stronger future. That connection is at the heart of Feed the Children's work on International Day of Education and every day."

Feed the Children supports community-driven programs that strengthen access to education while improving food security and family livelihoods. According to UNESCO, children experiencing poverty, conflict, and hunger are more likely to drop out of school ( UNESCO ). By providing integrated support that combines education, nutrition, and family stability, it increases the likelihood that children will remain in school and achieve their goals.

Feed the Children partners with local schools in Africa and globally to help ensure students receive nutritious meals, which improves attendance and concentration. Photo courtesy of Feed the Children.

Feed the Children urges communities, partners, and supporters to take action on International Day of Education, recognizing the vital role that education and nutrition play in helping children grow and thrive. Learn how you can help create a world where no child goes to bed hungry at feedthechildren.org .

About Feed the Children

Feed the Children is a global movement committed to ending childhood hunger. The organization believes that no child should go to bed hungry, and so it provides children and families in the U.S. and around the world with the food and essentials kids need to grow and thrive. Through its programs and partnerships, the organization feeds children today while helping their families and communities build resilient futures. In addition to food, Feed the Children distributes household and personal care items across the United States to help parents and caregivers maintain stable, food-secure households. Internationally, it expands access to nutritious meals, safe water, improved hygiene, and training in sustainable living. As responsible stewards of its resources, Feed the Children is driven to pursue innovative, holistic, and child-focused solutions to the complex challenges of hunger, food insecurity, and poverty. For children everywhere, the organization believes that having enough to eat is a fundamental right. Learn how you can help create a world without childhood hunger at feedthechildren.org .

Feed the Children | Create a world where no child goes to bed hungry

For media inquiries, please contact:

Richard Presser

405-247-0345

richard.presser@feedthechildren.org

SOURCE: Feed the Children

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/learning-starts-with-nutrition-feed-the-children-observes-intern-1130271
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2026) - iPark CEO and President William Lerner has reaffirmed his long-standing commitment to transforming the company's operations into a fully paperless ecosystem-an initiative that has been steadily progressing over recent years. This ongoing transition reflects iPark's broader sustainability mission and its dedication to reducing environmental impact through modern, eco-conscious business practices.

iPark CEO and President Billy Lerner has reaffirmed his long-standing commitment to transforming the company's operations into a fully paperless ecosystem.

Bill Lerner's push toward paperless operations has already reshaped much of the company's internal and customer-facing processes. By replacing traditional paperwork with streamlined digital systems, iPark continues to significantly reduce its carbon footprint. Studies show that digital processing can cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to, underscoring the meaningful environmental impact of iPark's continued shift away from paper.

This initiative aligns seamlessly with Billy Lerner's vision of marrying technological innovation with responsible corporate stewardship. For iPark, going paperless is not only beneficial for the planet-it also enhances day-to-day efficiency, reduces waste, and creates a more seamless experience for customers and staff alike.

iPark's environmental efforts extend far beyond its digital transition. Under William Lerner's leadership, the company has steadily expanded its network of electric vehicle charging ports across numerous locations throughout New York City. This investment supports the growing EV community while reinforcing iPark's role in promoting greener urban transportation.1

The company's continued focus on sustainability reflects its belief that environmentally responsible practices and operational efficiency can work hand in hand. From modernized payment systems to energy-conscious facility upgrades, iPark's initiatives exemplify Bill Lerner's dedication to building a more sustainable future for the parking industry.

By pursuing a fully paperless operation, Billy Lerner positions iPark as a forward-thinking leader in sustainability.

By pursuing a fully paperless operation, Billy Lerner positions iPark as a forward-thinking leader in sustainability. The company's ongoing efforts not only reduce waste and preserve natural resources but also set a model for how urban service providers can meaningfully contribute to environmental progress.

Further information about iPark's comprehensive range of parking solutions can be found via their website https://ipark.com/.

1. iPark. "Go Green." ipark.com, 2024, https://ipark.com/go-green/. Accessed 12 January 2026.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/281405

Source: Honest Media , LLC
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2026) - Zodiac Gold Inc. (TSXV: ZAU) ("Zodiac Gold" or the "Company"), a West African gold exploration company, is pleased to announce that, due to continued strong investor demand, it has further upsized the listed issuer financing exemption offering previously announced on January 12,13 and 15, 2026 (the "Offering") from gross proceeds of up to $5.0 million to gross proceeds of up to $6.1 million.

Each unit is priced at $0.20 (the "Unit). Each Unit will consist of (i) one common share of the Company (a "Share") and (ii) one-half of one non-transferable common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will be exercisable for a period of 36 months from the Closing Date (as defined herein) (the "Warrant Term") and will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one additional common share (a "Warrant Share") at an exercise price of $0.30 per Warrant Share if duly exercised on or before the date that is 36 months following the Closing Date

In connection with the upsizing, the Company will be filing a third amended and restated offering document related to the Offering and the use by the Company of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption under the Company's profile on www.sedarplus.ca and will also made it available on the Company's website at www.zodiac-gold.com. Prospective investors should read the third amended and restated offering document before making an investment decision.

It is expected that closing of the LIFE Offering will take place in tranches, with the final closing to occur not later than January 30, 2026, or such other date(s) as may be determined the Company. Closing of the LIFE Offering is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, receipt of all necessary approvals, including the approval of the TSXV.

Proceeds from the LIFE Offering will be used primarily to fund a diamond drilling program at the Company's Ben Ben target, aimed at expanding resource development and building on the Company's recent discovery success at Arthington, within the broader Todi Gold Project in Liberia and for other exploration activities, technical studies, and general working capital.

The Company anticipates paying finder's fees in connection with the LIFE Offering to certain eligible finders who introduce investors to the Company. Any commissions or finder's fees payable will be in accordance with the policies of the TSXV.

The securities being offered have not, nor will they be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent such registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. This release does not constitute an offer for sale or the solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, a U.S. person. "U.S. Person" and "United States" are as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act, or elsewhere.

About Zodiac Gold

Zodiac Gold Inc. (TSXV: ZAU) is a West-African gold exploration company focused on its flagship Todi Gold Project situated in Liberia-an underexplored, politically stable, mining friendly jurisdiction hosting several large-scale gold and iron ore deposits. Strategically positioned along the fertile Todi Shear Zone, Zodiac Gold is developing a district-scale gold opportunity with additional iron ore potential, covering a vast 2,316 km2 land package. The Todi Gold Project has undergone de-risking, showcasing proven gold occurrences at both surface and depth, with five drill-ready targets, of which two have been drilled and high-grade gold intercepts.

For further information, please visit the Zodiac Gold website at www.zodiac-gold.com or contact:

Forward Looking Information

This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation.

Forward-looking statements include predictions, projections, and forecasts and are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "forecast", "expect", "potential", "project", "target", "schedule", "budget" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's planned exploration programs and drill programs and potential significance of results are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Company's expectations include actual exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital, and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials, and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events, or results to differ from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause such actions, events, or results to differ materially from those anticipated. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and accordingly readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/281418

Source: Zodiac Gold Inc.
The "Croatia Construction Market Size, Trends, and Forecasts by Sector Commercial, Industrial, Infrastructure, Energy and Utilities, Institutional and Residential Market Analysis to 2029 (H2 2025)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Construction industry in Croatia is estimated to have grown in real terms by 4.8% in 2025 and 2.5% in 2026. supported by the government's investment in renewable energy and transport infrastructure projects, coupled with an increase in new construction orders.

According to the Croatian Bureau of Statistics (CBS), the construction industry's value-add grew by 7.1% year-on-year (YoY) in Q2 2025, preceded by YoY growth rates of 7.6% in Q1 2025 and 13% in Q4 2024. The average volume index for construction production grew by 8.4% YoY in the first eight months of 2025. In terms of segmentation, the construction production volume index grew by 10.9% YoY for building works and 3.2% YoY for other building works, during the same period.

The Croatian construction industry is expected to grow at an annual average rate of 2.2% in real terms from 2026 to 2029, supported by public and private sector investments in transport infrastructure, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure projects coupled with investments in energy infrastructure to support its long-term energy targets. 2030 National Energy and Climate Plan, which targets an increase in the share of renewable energy in total energy consumption from 28.5% in 2022 to 36.4% by 2030.

To support this, the government's initiative to develop several national infrastructure and energy projects using European Union (EU) recovery funds is also anticipated to boost the construction industry's output throughout the forecast period. In July 2025, the European Investment Bank (EIB) granted a EUR150 million ($163.4 million) loan to the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development (HBOR) to support green and other projects for Croatian companies, including mid-caps and public entities.

This loan is the first part of a larger EUR350 million ($381.4 million) financing agreement aimed at expanding access to funding, with at least 30% dedicated to green investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable construction, and clean transport.

Report Scope

Historical (2020-2024) and forecast (2025-2029) valuations of the construction industry in Croatia, featuring details of key growth drivers.

Segmentation by sector (commercial, industrial, infrastructure, energy and utilities, institutional and residential) and by sub-sector

Analysis of the mega-project pipeline, including breakdowns by development stage across all sectors, and projected spending on projects in the existing pipeline.

Listings of major projects, in addition to details of leading contractors and consultants

Reasons to Buy

Identify and evaluate market opportunities using our standardized valuation and forecasting methodologies

Assess market growth potential at a micro-level with over 600 time-series data forecasts

Understand the latest industry and market trends

Formulate and validate business strategies using the analyst's critical and actionable insight

Assess business risks, including cost, regulatory and competitive pressures

Evaluate competitive risk and success factors

Key Topics Covered:

1 Executive Summary

2 Construction Industry: At-a-Glance

3 Latest news and developments

4 Project analytics

5 Construction Market Data

6 Risk Profile

7 Appendix

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/jcustg

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260123621156/en/

Contacts:

ResearchAndMarkets.com

Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com



For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470

For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900
The "France Construction Market Size, Trends, and Forecasts by Sector Commercial, Industrial, Infrastructure, Energy and Utilities, Institutional and Residential Market Analysis to 2029 (Q4 2025)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



Construction industry in France to contract in real terms by 1.3% in 2025, owing to political uncertainty, labor shortages, and low business confidence. According to Eurostat, the average construction production index declined by 4.4% year-on-year (YoY) in the first eight months of 2025, owing to a decline in the index for the construction of buildings (-6.2% YoY), specialized construction activities (-4.5% YoY), and civil engineering (-2.8% YoY) during the same period.



The French construction industry is however expected to register an average annual growth of 2.4% from 2026 to 2029, supported by the public and private investments in energy, industrial, and transport projects. Growth over the forecast period will also be supported by the France Railway Network Redevelopment Program, which involves upgrading 800km of railway tracks by 2030, with an investment of EUR1.4 billion ($1.5 billion).

The industry's growth over the forecast period will also be supported by investments as part of the National Hydrogen Strategy, under which, the government plans to invest EUR9 billion ($9.8 billion) by 2030 to strengthen domestic industry and achieve 4.5GW of electrolysis capacity by that year, up from 6.5GW established in 2020.

The energy sector will also benefit from initiatives under the third Multiannual Energy Programming (PPE3), which targets the generation of 65-90GW of solar power and 18GW of offshore wind energy by 2035, along with the construction of 14 new nuclear reactors by 2050. For instance, earlier in July 2025, the government signed an agreement with the EU to boost hydropower development as part of Europe's energy transition. The deal includes constructing new plants, modernizing existing ones, and enforcing strict environmental safeguards such as impact assessments and habitat protection, supported by EU funding and technical aid.

Report Scope

Historical (2020-2024) and forecast (2025-2029) valuations of the construction industry in France, featuring details of key growth drivers.

Segmentation by sector (commercial, industrial, infrastructure, energy and utilities, institutional and residential) and by sub-sector

Analysis of the mega-project pipeline, including breakdowns by development stage across all sectors, and projected spending on projects in the existing pipeline.

Listings of major projects, in addition to details of leading contractors and consultants

Reasons to Buy

Identify and evaluate market opportunities using our standardized valuation and forecasting methodologies

Assess market growth potential at a micro-level with over 600 time-series data forecasts

Understand the latest industry and market trends

Formulate and validate business strategies using the analyst's critical and actionable insight

Assess business risks, including cost, regulatory and competitive pressures

Evaluate competitive risk and success factors

Key Topics Covered:



1 Executive Summary



2 Construction Industry: At-a-Glance



3 Context

3.1 Economic Performance

3.2 Political Environment and Policy

3.3 Demographics

3.4 Risk Profile



4 Construction Outlook

4.1 All Construction

Outlook

Latest news and developments

Construction Projects Momentum Index

4.2 Commercial Construction

Outlook

Project analytics

Latest news and developments

4.3 Industrial Construction

Outlook

Project analytics

Latest news and developments

4.4 Infrastructure Construction

Outlook

Project analytics

Latest news and developments

4.5 Energy and Utilities Construction

Outlook

Project analytics

Latest news and developments

4.6 Institutional Construction

Outlook

Project analytics

Latest news and developments

4.7 Residential Construction

Outlook

Project analytics

Latest news and developments

5 Key Industry Participants

5.1 Contractors

5.2 Consultants



6 Construction Market Data



7 Appendix



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/mjjklu

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260123977054/en/

Contacts:

ResearchAndMarkets.com

Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com



For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470

For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2026) - Transatlantic Mining Corp. (TSXV: TCO) (the "Company") is pleased to provide assay and sample results from its Phase 1, 25 hole drill program at the Miller Gold Mine in Montana, USA.

The assay and drill highlights are:

Surface reverse circulation drilling

Focused on sampling and assaying of the granodiorite/sediment contact with drill results up to 1.5 metres at 6.0 g/t Au and 13.71 g/t Ag in hole MMRC_2514.

The complete set of drillhole assays is shown in Table A.

Surface sample in drill sump (Table B)



0.5 metres true width at 370 g/t Au and 270 g/t Ag sample # 2021543552



Rock Chip Samples may not reflect the average grade of mineralisation.

The drilling and returned assays indicate mineralisation at or close to the rock contacts. There is likely to be a high nugget affect which may not be reflected in the drilling results but is evident in the historical gold grades and historical gold observed. This is further evidenced by the sample of the veins within the surface drill sump.

"The drilling confirms the contact of the granodiorite and metasediments exists along strike and down dip," said Transatlantic CEO Bernie Sostak. This maiden drill program also uncovered vein and contact extension to the south and north of the existing mine workings. The deposit remains open along strike and at depth resulting in future drill target programs."

Table A - Intersections in Sediment /Granodiorite Contact

Drillhole

Number From (m) To (m) Downhole Length (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) MMRC_2501 117.3 118.9 1.5 1.20 9.60 169.2 172.2 3.0 1.20 7.54 MMRC_2502 120.4 121.9 1.5 1.61 6.17 MMRC_2503 89.9 94.4 4.5 2.66 10.74 MMRC_2504 123.5 125.0 1.5 5.76 21.94 129.5 131.0 1.5 4.15 15.43 MMRC_2506 114.3 117.3 3.0 1.65 6.86 MMRC_2507 141.7 143.2 1.5 1.23 12.00 144.8 146.3 1.5 2.88 9.60 147.8 149.3 1.5 2.26 8.57 MMRC_2508 97.5 99.0 1.5 1.17 7.54 114.3 115.8 1.5 1.23 6.17 MMRC_2509 6.1 7.6 1.5 1.65 4.11 16.8 18.3 1.5 1.03 8.57 MMRC_2510 13.7 15.2 1.5 2.40 10.97 89.9 91.4 1.5 1.20 20.57 MMRC_2512 120.4 121.9 1.5 1.51 9.60 134.1 135.6 1.5 1.65 7.54 140.2 141.7 1.5 1.03 6.17 MMRC_2513 135.6 137.1 1.5 1.10 5.14 MMRC_2514 13.7 15.2 1.5 6.00 13.71 15.2 18.2 3.0 2.30 8.57 MMRC_2523

Waste dump 1.5 3.0 1.5 5.49 18.86



The relationship of downhole width to true width of mineralisation is unknown

Holes MMRC2511, 2515 to 2522, 2524 and 2525 returned no significant intercepts.

The drilling of holes 2518 to 2524 were to test if any grade in the waste dump, though one hole returned 1.5 metres at 5.49 g/t Au and will be reviewed further in 2026 with other dumps on the property.

Tables of the full results can be found in Appendix A (assays) and B (outcrop)

Fig 1. Section on Hole 14 at the Miller Mine in Montana (see Appendix A also)

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4652/281432_transatlantic_figure1.jpg

Transatlantic drilled down dip of the existing levels and more than 100 metres along strike, to the north and south of the mine footprint on the principal vein/contact. Transatlantic completed 2070 metres (m) in 25 holes for the phase 1 campaign.

The hole depth range was from 10 to 160 metres. Phase 1 comprises of a total of 25 holes. Of the 25 holes completed, eight have been drilled under the existing workings in the upper target area (Figure 2), ten have explored extension to the north and south and seven shallow holes have tested an old mine waste dump. The main target and focus is the vein/s on the contact of the sediment and granodiorite.

The drilling identified and extended the granodiorite -metasediment contact 200 metres to the north with Hole MMRC2504, an intersection of 1.5 metres at 5.76 g/t Au , 21.94 g/t Ag and 150 metres to the south where MMRC2514 is situated with 1.5 metres at 6 g/t Au and 13.71 g/t Ag

With the known workings and the latest drilling, the contact has now been intersected over a strike of 500 metres.

The planned drilling (Lower Target Drilling) on the underground has been moved to 2026 as the permit expired for the 2025 drill season. An extension application has been submitted to the government bodies for the 2026 season.

Figure 2 - Miller Mine Overview and Drilling Target Areas

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4652/281432_transatlantic_figure2.jpg

Webinar: CEO Bernie Sostak will host an interactive webinar on Monday, January 26 at 2:00 pm PT discussing the company's drill results and future plans at Miller: Click HERE to register.

Golden Jubilee Drilling Postponed

Drilling at the Golden Jubilee project previously disclosed Sept 8, 2025 was postponed due to oncoming winter weather conditions. Drill contractors were unable to safely mobilize before the interim permit terminated December 1, 2025. An extension to the interim permit will be sort by the company for drilling in 2026.

Monitor Project - Anvil prospect - Muon Geophysical Trial

The Company is waiting on the outcome and results for the muon trial at the Anvil prospect.

About the Miller Mine and Claim Group:

The Miller Gold Mine is located in the Broadwater County in the State of Montana, USA. The mine is approximately 29 miles northeast of Townsend in Montana USA. The presence of gold mineralisation has been confirmed by previous sampling in areas of the mine where access is possible. Transatlantic is earning into the historic Miller Gold Property by means of a gold production royalty near Helena, Montana.

A historical Report (*) on the Miller Mine notes that historically, gold bearing ore was mined on a small scale by individual owners with sporadic production between 1901 and 1948. The mine is being re accessed by Transatlantic to review existing ground conditions and infrastructure for ongoing rehabilitation.

Located at the top end of the Confederate Gulch near what is now a ghost town in Diamond City, of which once had a population of + 10,000. Placer gold was abundant and rich in this Gulch.

Miller had an average recovered mine grade of 7.94 Oz /ton Au ( 248 g/t Au ) and 4.65 Oz /ton Ag (145 g/t Ag ) (*)





) and 4.65 Oz /ton Ag (145 ) (*) Hole #1 was drilled 300 feet below the lowest recorded workings and recorded 14.7 Oz /ton Au (516 g/t Au)

The Miller Mine mineralisation occurs in quartz veins within and on the contact of a quartz granodiorite stockwork. The discrete veins dip between 30 and 80 degrees whilst the stockwork has multiple veinlets that range in width from a few centimetres to 2 metres. The contact zone of alteration has been noted as over 15 m wide (50 feet). Mining has been undertaken on both an open cut and underground methodology. The mine is at an elevation of 2000 m (6650 feet)

Highlights of previous sampling (see news release dated June 14, 2023)

Miller Mine -Lower Level

Opened up Lower Winze Level immediately below the Lower Level.





First grab samples from Lower Level Winze include 27.6 g/t Au (**), visual gold has also been observed.





Extended Lease Agreement to first renewal term with option to purchase by production royalty.

About the Miller Mine and Claim Group:

Transatlantic has access to the Upper and Lower Level of the mine. The Miller Mine is situated amongst patented and unpatented claims at an elevation of 1920 m (6,400 feet) and accessible by roads 50 miles from Helena, Montana USA. Should mining occur at any time, an 8.5 % royalty on ounces is to be paid. During the term of the agreement, the Company may purchase the property for US $4,500,000, less the royalty payments made above, with a perpetual 1 % NSR to the vendor thereafter.

The gold and silver mineralisation generally occurs on the contacts of sediments and igneous intrusive with native gold and sulphides including pyrite often observed amongst the 4 known adits located on the property.

Qualified Person and NI 43-101 Disclosure

Aslam Awan PhD MAusIMM (CP Geo) is the Qualified Person pursuant to National Instrument 43-101 for having reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release. Mr. Awan is the Principal for AAA Geo Consultants and is Independent of the Company.

Rock Chip Samples may not reflect the average grade of mineralisation.

QA/QC and Core Sampling Protocols

(**) The rock chip samples are grabs from the winze level drive of 5 kg in weight. The samples were crushed in whole to plus 70 % passing 2 mm and then split and pulverised with analysis for gold and silver at the Christofferson Laboratory, Smelterville, Idaho USA. The Laboratory is an independent assay and umpire laboratory that follows industry techniques. The samples after being pulverised are analysed with a 15 to 30 grams fire assay charge and gravimetrically finished.

(***) The reverse circulation drilling samples had a standard inserted every 25 samples. The samples were crushed in whole to plus 70 % passing 2 mm and then split and pulverised with analysis for gold and silver at the Christofferson Laboratory, Smelterville, Idaho USA. The Laboratory is an independent assay and umpire laboratory that follows industry techniques. The samples after being pulverised are analysed with a 15 to 30 grams fire assay charge and gravimetrically finished.

(*) Hemsworth FJ: Report on the Miller Mine Helena Montana (July 2 1969)

(**) Company News Release dated June 14, 2023

About Transatlantic Mining Corp.

Transatlantic Mining (TSXV: TCO) is an emerging precious and base metal explorer. The Company has a focus on converting projects into mines within stable mining jurisdictions. The Company currently has property interests including an 80% Joint Venture position on the Monitor Copper-Gold project in Montana-Idaho (USA) and 100 % of the Golden Jubilee Gold Project with its associated mining rights. The Company has an extended lease, right to mine and purchase arrangement for the Miller Gold Mine in Montana to 100% ownership by way of payment royalty.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release

Appendix A





To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Figure 3: Highlighting surface claim area and 2025 drill program (Black Lines) with historical development (Blue)

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4652/281432_transatlantic_figure3.jpg

Appendix B





To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4652/281432_transatlantic_appendixb.jpg

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/281432

Source: Transatlantic Mining Corp.
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2026) - High Times publisher and RAW founder Josh Kesselman announced the highly anticipated return of the iconic Cannabis Cup, bringing the legendary competition to New York for the first time since recreational cannabis legalization in 2021. The latest edition introduces a consumer-driven People's Choice format, giving cannabis enthusiasts the power to crown the state's best products.

Judge kits were available at select New York City dispensaries, including Torches NYC and The Flowery NYC, and are available online at CannabisCup.com. The kits allow participants to sample entries across multiple categories, submit scores via the official Cannabis Cup Judging Portal, and share their experiences on social media for recognition during the awards show.

"The Cup is BACK, baby, and this time, the power is back to the people," Joshua Kesselman said. "Consumers are the judges, and we're celebrating the plant, the people, and the pure joy of getting lifted together. We're not just bringing it back we're taking it higher and elevating human consciousness."

Launched in the late 1980s, the Cannabis Cup has long been a benchmark for quality and innovation in the industry. Under the stewardship of Matt Stang and the Cannabis Cup team, the New York edition replaces traditional expert judging with a crowdsourced approach, offering up to 228 kits per category and unprecedented transparency.

"As a native New Yorker, I can't be more excited about bringing the Cannabis Cup to New York," Matthew Woodstock Stang said. "It's the greatest feeling in the world to bring it back to the greatest city in the world."







"The community finally gets to help crown the champions of cannabis, and I couldn't be happier that this next chapter kicks off in my home state of New York," Josh D Kesselman said.

Each kit provides official competition entries, a physical scorecard, and access to the judging portal, where participants evaluate products on aesthetics, aroma, taste, effects, and overall quality. High Times Editor-in-Chief Javier Hasse emphasized the impact of the new format: "Good cannabis doesn't need hype. It needs tasters. This Cup puts hundreds of them on every entry and gives brands the kind of feedback they can build on-no influencers, no mystery judges; just people who know good weed when they feel it."

Josh Kesselman said the event marks a new era of community-driven recognition in the cannabis industry. "The community finally gets to help crown the champions of cannabis, and I couldn't be happier that this next chapter kicks off in my home state of New York," he said.

For more information, visit cannabiscup.com or follow High Times on Instagram @hightimesmagazine.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/281429

Source: Honest Media , LLC
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2026) - 1290448 B.C. Ltd. ("1290448 BC" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed a non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") for aggregate gross proceeds of C$120,000, through the issuance of 80,000 common shares in the capital of the Company (each, a "Common Share") at a price of C$1.50 per Common Share.

All Common Shares issued pursuant to the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus one day from the date of issuance, in accordance with applicable securities legislation.

One insider of the Company, Jennifer Goldman, participated in the Offering and subscribed for an aggregate of 40,000 Common Shares. Such participation constitutes a "related-party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company has relied on the exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements under sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, as neither the fair market value of the securities issued to the insider, nor the consideration paid by her, exceeded 25% of the Company's market capitalization (as determined in accordance with MI 61-101).

A material change report in respect of the related party participation was not filed 21 days before closing as the details of such participation had not been confirmed until shortly prior to closing and the Company wished to complete the Offering expeditiously.

In connection with the Offering, Gillian Lustig, a resident of Vancouver, British Columbia ("Lustig"), acquired beneficial ownership of and control over an aggregate of 40,000 Common Shares, increasing her beneficial ownership and control to an aggregate of 199,554 Common Shares.

Prior to the completion of the Offering, Lustig beneficially owned 159,554 Common Shares, representing approximately 9.99% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company on a non-diluted basis.

Following completion of the Offering, Lustig beneficially owns and controls 199,554 Common Shares, representing approximately 11.91% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company on a non-diluted basis. As a result of the Offering, Lustig has become a 10% securityholder of the Company. The Company has no outstanding convertible securities.

The Company has been advised that Lustig holds her Common Shares as part of a strategic investment in the Company. Lustig intends to review her holdings on a continuing basis and may purchase or sell Common Shares in the future, either on the open market or in private transactions, depending on a number of factors. Lustig may formulate other purposes, plans, or proposals regarding the Company or any of its securities, or may change her intentions with respect to any and all matters. Lustig, in consultation with the Company, may also propose or seek to effect certain corporate transactions involving the Company.

In addition, as a result of her participation in the Offering, Jennifer Goldman, a resident of Toronto, Ontario, acquired 40,000 Common Shares, increasing her beneficial ownership and control to an aggregate of 837,778 Common Shares. Immediately prior to the Offering, Ms. Goldman beneficially owned 797,778 Common Shares (approximately 50.0% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on an undiluted basis). Following completion of the Offering, Ms. Goldman beneficially owns and controls 837,778 Common Shares (approximately 50.0% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on an undiluted basis). Ms. Goldman's purchase represents an acquisition of approximately 2.51% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares since her most recent early warning report, thereby triggering the requirement to file an updated early warning report under National Instrument 62-103 - The Early Warning System and Related Take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues ("NI 62-103").

The Company has been advised that Ms. Goldman holds her Common Shares as part of a strategic investment in the Company. She intends to review her holdings on a continuing basis and may purchase or sell Common Shares in the future, either on the open market or in private transactions, depending on a number of factors. She may formulate other purposes, plans, or proposals regarding the Company or any of its securities, or may change her intentions with respect to any and all matters. Ms. Goldman, in consultation with the Company, may also propose or seek to effect certain corporate transactions involving the Company.

This news release is issued pursuant to NI 62-103 which also requires a report to be filed with the applicable securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities in Canada, which report will contain additional information with respect to the foregoing matters. Copies of the early warning reports filed by Gillian Lustig and Jennifer Goldman may be obtained on the Company's SEDAR+ profile or by contacting Grant Duthie at (416) 869-1234.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking statements.

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements." All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release, including, without limitation, those regarding the Company's strategy, plans, objectives, goals and targets, and any statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words "believe", "expect", "aim", "intend", "plan", "continue", "will", "may", "would", "anticipate", "estimate", "forecast", "predict", "project", "seek", "should" or similar expressions or the negative thereof, are forward-looking statements. These statements are not historical facts but instead represent only the Company's expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual results may differ materially from what is expressed, implied or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Management provides forward-looking statements because it believes they provide useful information to investors when considering their investment objectives and cautions investors not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and other cautionary statements or factors contained herein, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect subsequent information, events or circumstances or otherwise, except as required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/281438

Source: 1290448 B.C. Ltd.
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2026) - Anteros Metals Inc. (CSE: ANT) ("Anteros" or the "Company") provides the following update for the Seagull Critical Minerals Project (the "Project"), located approximately 80 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay, Ontario. Drilling is being carried out by Rift Minerals Inc. ("Rift"), as operator, pursuant to the option agreement announced on October 9, 2025, under which Anteros may earn up to a 49% interest in the Project. The Project is being evaluated for platinum group elements, base metals, and naturally occurring gases, including hydrogen and helium.

Further to the Company's news release dated January 21, 2026, Anteros reports that during drilling at the Project, gas was encountered at a depth of approximately 877 metres in the early morning hours of January 23, 2026. Drilling has been temporarily suspended and the hole secured while the Company and the project operator evaluate downhole conditions and determine appropriate next steps for continued safe drilling and gas sampling.

The nature, composition, volume, and significance of the gas are currently unknown. Specialized sampling equipment has been mobilized to site to support further evaluation. The originally planned target depth of the drill hole is approximately 1,350 metres. The Company will provide further updates as information becomes available.

ABOUT THE SEAGULL PROJECT

The Project is located approximately 80 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay, Ontario, and covers the interpreted mafic-ultramafic Seagull Intrusion within the Nipigon Basin. Historical exploration between 1998 and 2012 included airborne geophysical surveys and approximately 20,000 metres of diamond drilling, which reported disseminated to semi-massive sulphide mineralization containing nickel, copper, and platinum-group elements along parts of the intrusion's basal contact. These results are historical in nature and have not been independently verified by Anteros.

In 2024, Rift completed an Ambient Noise Tomography ("ANT") survey to refine the internal geometry of the Seagull Intrusion and to help define a deeper subsurface target. The survey outlined contrasting velocity domains interpreted to reflect lithological and alteration variations. These interpretations remain unverified by Anteros, and the ongoing Phase 1 drill program is intended to provide the first subsurface evaluation of the deeper ANT anomaly.

QUALIFIED PERSON

The scientific and technical information in this news release relating to the Seagull Project was prepared by Rift Minerals Inc. and has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Geoff Heggie, P.Geo. (Ontario), a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101. This information has not been independently verified by Anteros Metals Inc. and is provided for geological context only.

ABOUT ANTEROS METALS INC.

Anteros Metals Inc. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on advancing a pipeline of projects across Newfoundland and Labrador and select Canadian jurisdictions. The Company applies a technically driven, data-supported exploration approach targeting critical minerals and emerging strategic commodities relevant to the global energy transition.

ABOUT RIFT MINERALS INC.

Rift Minerals Inc. is a private corporation based in Thunder Bay, Ontario, founded in 2024 by Steven Stares, Michael Stares, Cliff Hickman and Abraham Drost, M.Sc., P.Geo. (Ontario). Rift has completed early-stage exploration work on the Seagull Project, including an Ambient Noise Tomography survey completed by Sisprobe, France. The resulting assessment report has been filed with the Ontario Ministry of Energy and Mines for assessment credit. Additional information about Rift Minerals Inc. is available through publicly accessible sources.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release may contain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All information contained herein that is not historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements herein include but are not limited to statements relating to the prospects for development of the Company's mineral properties, and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to business, market and economic risks, uncertainties and contingencies that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/281447

Source: Anteros Metals Inc.
China urges all parties to exercise restraint as U.S. claims sending massive fleet toward Iran

Xinhua) 16:29, January 23, 2026

BEIJING, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- China hopes that Iran will maintain national stability, and urges all parties to cherish peace, exercise restraint and resolve differences through dialogue, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Friday.

Spokesperson Guo Jiakun made the remarks at a daily news briefing in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's statement that the United States has a "massive" naval force heading toward Iran.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2026) - Renegade Gold Inc. (TSXV: RAGE) (OTCQB: RENGF) (FSE: 0700) ("Renegade" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it will be attending the 2026 Vancouver Resource Investment Conference ("VRIC"), to be held January 25 to 26, 2026, at the Vancouver Convention Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia.

VRIC Event and Booth Details

Event: Vancouver Resource Investment Conference 2026

Vancouver Resource Investment Conference 2026 Dates: January 25 to 26, 2026

January 25 to 26, 2026 Location: Vancouver Convention Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia

Vancouver Convention Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia Booth Number: 916

Attendees are invited to visit Booth 916 to learn more about the Company and its exploration activities in the Red Lake Mining District of Northern Ontario.

About Renegade Gold Inc.

Renegade Gold Inc. is a growth focused company engaged in the business of acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties located in the Red Lake Mining District of Northern Ontario. As part of its regional-scale consolidation strategy, the Company has assembled one of the largest prospective land packages in and around the Red Lake Mining District in proximity to major mines and deposits, as well as along the Confederation Lake and Birch-Uchi greenstone belts. The 1320 km2 prospective and diversified exploration portfolio has significant potential for gold and critical minerals on trend with the major structures hosting known gold occurrences in the Red Lake Mining District today.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/281444

Source: Renegade Gold Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2026) - Lion Rock Resources Inc. (TSXV: ROAR) (FSE: KGB) (OTCQB: LRRIF) (the "Company" or "Lion Rock") is pleased to announce that it will be attending the 2026 Vancouver Resource Investment Conference ("VRIC"), to be held January 25 to 26, 2026, at the Vancouver Convention Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia.

VRIC Event and Booth Details

Event: Vancouver Resource Investment Conference 2026

Vancouver Resource Investment Conference 2026 Dates: January 25 to 26, 2026

January 25 to 26, 2026 Location: Vancouver Convention Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia

Vancouver Convention Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia Booth Number: 916

Lion Rock will have its leadership and technical personnel on site and looks forward to engaging with the investment and resource community. The Company welcomes attendees to visit Booth 916 to learn more about its exploration programs in South Dakota's Black Hills.

About Lion Rock Resources Inc.

Lion Rock Resources Inc. is a Canadian mineral exploration company committed to advancing high-grade gold and lithium projects across North America. The Company's flagship asset, the Volney Project, is located in South Dakota's Black Hills, a mining-friendly jurisdiction surrounded by active gold operations. The Company is led by an award-winning team with a proven track record of mineral discoveries, project development, and financing.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/281443

Source: Lion Rock Resources Inc.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2026) - James Bay Resources Limited (CSE: JBR) ("James Bay" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed the second tranche of its non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") of common shares (the "Common Shares") announced on October 28, 2025. The first tranche of the Offering raised gross proceeds of $75,000 from the issuance of 3,750,000 Common Shares at a price of $0.02 per Common Share. The second tranche of the Offering raised gross proceeds of $157,000 from the issuance of 7,875,000 Common Shares at a price of $0.02 per Common Share.

The Common Shares issued pursuant to the second tranche of the Offering will be subject to a four month plus one day regulatory hold period commencing from the date of closing of the second tranche.

The securities offered have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About James Bay Resources Limited

James Bay is a Canadian company with 90,201,241 issued and outstanding as of the date of this news release, and trades on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol "JBR".

Disclaimer

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the Corporation's operations, exploration and development plans, expansion plans, estimates, expectations, forecasts, objectives, predictions and projections of the future. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "projects", "intends", "anticipates", or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or "variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "can", "could", "would", "might", or "will" be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of James Bay Resources Limited to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: risks related to the Company's proposed Offering, as well as those factors discussed in the sections relating to risk factors of our business filed in James Bay Resources Limited's required securities filings on SEDAR+. Although James Bay Resources Limited has attempted to identify important factors that could cause results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results to be materially different from those anticipated, described, estimated, assessed or intended.

There can be no assurance that any forward-looking statements will prove accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. James Bay Resources Limited does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE U.S.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/281456

Source: James Bay Resources Limited
Strong early performance fuels franchise expansion plans as brand targets additional UK locations

MAIDSTONE, England, Jan. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Captain D's, the iconic American seafood and chicken restaurant brand that was recently ranked the #1 in the seafood category by Entreprenuer's Franchise 500 for the 8th consecutive year, officially opened its second UK restaurant on Monday, December 22, 2025, at The Mall Maidstone in Kent, England. The new location marks another significant milestone in the brand's international expansion following the highly successful debut of its first UK restaurant in Broadstairs in October of 2025.

The new Captain D's location, operated by CD's Holdings, the brand's UK master franchisor, is a counter-service restaurant situated within the Mall Maidstone food court, offering seating for 48 guests. The format reflects Captain D's flexible development strategy, allowing the brand to succeed across a range of footprints and non-traditional locations.

The Maidstone restaurant will feature the same menu introduced at the Broadstairs location in October, which has been met with strong demand and positive customer feedback. Since entering the UK market, Captain D's has quickly gained traction with local guests, who have praised both the quality of the food and the fresh, modern restaurant design.

"The response to Captain D's in the UK has been exceptional," said Naveed Chattha, spokesperson for CD's Holdings. "Guests have connected immediately with the food, the flavors, and the overall experience. Opening our second location so quickly after Broadstairs demonstrates both the strength of the brand and the opportunity we see for growth across the UK."

Early performance data from the UK mirrors the brand's success in the U.S. The classic batter-dipped fish continues to lead sales, while the chicken sandwich and fish burger are also strong performers. UK guests have shown particular enthusiasm for Captain D's Nashville-inspired flavors, which have exceeded expectations.

According to Hair Parra, Senior Vice President of International Operations and Development, the early success validates the brand's international growth strategy.

"Our UK launch has confirmed what we've seen in other global markets-Captain D's travels extremely well," Parra said. "The brand delivers a compelling combination of menu differentiation, operational simplicity, and strong unit economics. Seeing this level of consumer response so early gives us great confidence as we continue expanding throughout the UK and beyond."

The Maidstone opening represents the second restaurant under CD's Holdings, with plans underway to open a third UK location within the next six months, subject to final site selection. The master franchisor is also actively seeking qualified local entrepreneurs and multi-unit operators interested in bringing Captain D's to additional UK markets and throughout Europe.

About Captain D's (UK)

Headquartered in?Nashville, Tenn., Captain D's has more than 530 restaurants in 23 U.S. states and Canada. Captain D's is the nation's leading fast casual seafood restaurant and has been ranked #1 in the seafood category for 8 consecutive years in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500. It was also named the #1 seafood chain in the QSR 50, ranked by AUV. Founded in 1969, Captain D's has been offering its customers high-quality seafood at reasonable prices in a welcoming atmosphere for over 50 years. Captain D's serves a wide variety of seafood and chicken that includes freshly prepared entrees and the company's signature batter dipped fish. The restaurants also offer premium-quality, grilled items such as shrimp, and Salmon, as well as hushpuppies, desserts and freshly brewed coffee. The brand is now expanding in Europe with the launch of its first UK restaurants in 2025. For more information, please visit?https://captainds.co.uk or www.captaindsfranchising.com

Media Contact:

Jennifer Williams

Tidehouse Agency

jwilliams@tidehouseagency.com

919-459-3592

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2868373/Captain_Ds_Maidstone_storefront.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2819115/Captain_D_s_International_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/captain-ds-accelerates-uk-growth-with-second-restaurant-opening-in-kent-302669258.html
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2026) - Silver Elephant Mining Corp. (TSX: ELEF) (OTCQB: SILEF) (FSE:1P2) ("Silver Elephant" or the "Company") announces that, further to its news release dated January 19, 2026, it has closed the first tranche of its non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") raising gross proceeds of $565,000 through the sale of 2,260,000 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.25 per unit. Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company (each, a "Share") and one share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant") with each warrant entitling the holder to purchase one additional Share at a price of $0.32 per Share for a period of three years from issuance.

In connection with the Private Placement, the Company issued 21,000 finder's units (the "Finder's Units") to eligible finders. The finder's warrants underlying the Finder's Units have the same terms and conditions as the Warrants comprising the Units.

A 10% insider of the Company and an officer of the Company (collectively, the "Insiders") participated in the Private Placement for an aggregate total of 210,000 Units, which participation constitutes a "related party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company relied on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements provided under sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(a) of MI 61-101 on the basis that the Insiders participation in the Private Placement did not exceed 25% of the fair market value of the Company's market capitalization. The Company will file a material change report in respect of the related party transaction.

The securities issued under the Private Placement will be subject to a regulatory hold period of four months plus one day from the date of issue. Proceeds of the Private Placement are expected to be used for general corporate purposes. The second and final tranche of the Private Placement is expected, subject to regulatory approval, to close on or around January 27, 2026.

This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the Units in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of that jurisdiction.

About Silver Elephant Mining Corp.

Silver Elephant is a mineral exploration company focused on the development of its silver-lead-zinc project in Bolivia

Further information on Silver Elephant can be found at www.silverelef.com.

SILVER ELEPHANT MINING CORP.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"John Lee"

CEO and Executive Chairman

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is generally identifiable by use of the words "believes," "may," "plans," "will," "anticipates," "intends," "could", "estimates", "expects", "forecasts", "projects" and similar expressions, and the negative of such expressions. Such forward-looking information, which reflects management's expectations regarding Silver Elephant's future growth, results of operations, performance, business prospects and opportunities, is based on certain factors and assumptions and involves known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking information in this news release includes the use of proceeds raised from the Private Placement.

Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, and should not be read as guarantees of future performance, events or results, and may not be indicative of whether such events or results will actually be achieved. A number of risks and other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results discussed in the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: market conditions; changes in business plans; ability to secure sufficient financing to advance the Company's mining projects; and general economic conditions. Additional risk factors about the Company are set out in its latest annual and interim management's discussion and analysis and annual information form available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions by management as of the date of this news release, and there can be no assurance that actual results will be consistent with any forward-looking information included herein. Readers are cautioned that all forward-looking statements in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information in this news release to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date of this news release, except as required by applicable securities laws.

Not for distribution to the United States Newswire Services or For Dissemination, Distribution, Release or Publication, Directly or Indirectly into the United States

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/281482

Source: Silver Elephant Mining Corp.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2026) - Turnium Technology Group Inc. (TSXV: TTGI) (FSE: E48) ("Turnium" or the "Company"), a global leader in Technology-as-a-Service (TaaS) and partner enablement services, announces that it has postponed its annual general meeting ("AGM") which was originally rescheduled for January 23, 2026. The AGM will now take place on March 13, 2026. The specific time and location of the AGM are not yet determined but will be announced when the Company files its management information circular and related proxy materials in connection with the AGM.

The Company further announces the resignation of Mr. Johan Arnet from the Board of Directors, effective January 22, 2026. Mr. Arnet was a co-Founder of the Company and remains one of its largest shareholders. The Company thanks Mr. Arnet for his contributions during his tenure as a director and wishes him continued success in his future endeavors.

About Turnium Technology Group Inc.

Turnium acquires companies that complement its Technology-as-a-Service (TaaS) strategy, integrates them to generate efficiencies, and delivers their solutions through a global channel partner program to customers worldwide. Turnium's mission is to provide IT providers with a complete, white-labelled portfolio of business technology solutions, enabling them to quickly add new services in response to customer demand.

In essence, Turnium is building a TaaS platform that incorporates all the services, platforms, and capabilities that ISPs, MSPs, IT Providers, VoIP/UCaaS, CCaaS, or Cloud Providers might need. Additionally, Turnium provides deployment resources, hardware, delivery, support, and marketing and sales enablement to help channel partners go to market quickly and deliver exceptional quality.

Turnium delivers secure, cost-effective, uninterrupted, and scalable global IT solutions to its channel partners and their end-customers-because "Connectivity Matters."

CAUTIONARY NOTES

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/281470

Source: Turnium Technology Group Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2026) - Silver47 Exploration Corp. (TSXV: AGA) (OTCQX: AAGAF) ("Silver47" or the "Company") announces the results of its annual general and special meeting of shareholders held on January 21, 2026, in Vancouver, British Columbia (the "Meeting"). Shareholders voted in favour of all matters and business before the Meeting.

The shareholders elected Gary R. Thompson, Galen McNamara, Thomas O'Neill, and Ryan Goodman as directors of the company.

The shareholders also approved (i) the appointment of MNP, LLP as the auditor of the Company for the ensuing year and authorized the Board of Directors to fix the remuneration of the auditor; and (ii) the adoption of an omnibus incentive plan (the "Omnibus Plan").

The Omnibus Plan is a 10% rolling plan, pursuant to which the Board of Directors may grant to eligible participants stock options, restricted share units, performance share units and deferred share units to acquire common shares of the Company (each, a "Share"). An aggregate of 20,798,878 Shares are issuable under the Omnibus Plan, representing 10% of the issued and outstanding Shares as of January 21, 2026. The Omnibus Plan replaces the previous 10% rolling share compensation plan. Please see the Company's management information circular dated December 8, 2025 (the "Circular") for further information on the Omnibus Plan.

For further information regarding the matters considered at the Meeting, readers are encouraged to review the Circular, a copy of which is available under the profile for the Company on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and available on the Company's website.

About Silver47 Exploration

Silver47 Exploration Corp is a mineral exploration company, focused on uncovering and developing silver-rich deposits in North America. The Company is creating a leading high-grade US-focused silver developer with a resource totaling 236 Moz AgEq at 334 g/t AgEq inferred and 10 Moz at 333 g/t AgEq indicated. With operations in Alaska, Nevada and New Mexico, Silver47 Exploration is anchored in America's most prolific mining jurisdictions. For detailed information regarding the resource estimates, assumptions, and technical reports, please refer to the NI 43-101 Technical Report and other filings available on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca. The Company trades on the TSXV under the ticker symbol AGA and OTCQX under the ticker symbol AAGAF.

For more information about the Company, please visit www.silver47.ca and see the Technical Report filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and titled "Technical Report on the Red Mountain VMS Property Bonnifield Mining District, Alaska, USA with an effective date January 12, 2024, and prepared by APEX Geoscience Ltd."

Follow us on social media for the latest updates:

X: @Silver47co

LinkedIn: Silver47

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Mr. Galen McNamara

CEO & Director

No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this release. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain information contained herein constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "potential," "we believe," or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including: the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, capital expenditures and other costs, financing and additional capital requirements, completion of due diligence, general economic, market and business conditions, new legislation, uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans, political uncertainties, and the state of the securities markets generally. Although management of the Company have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/281463

Source: Silver47 Exploration Corp.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2026) - Flow Metals Corp. (CSE: FWM) ("Flow Metals" or the "Company") advises that further to its news release dated December 8, 2025, the Company has closed its fully subscribed private placement (the "Private Placement"), raising gross proceeds of $400,000 through the issuance of 8,000,000 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.05 per Unit.

Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company (a "Share") and one-half of one transferable common share purchase warrant (with two such half warrants being a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder, for a period of twenty-four (24) months from the date of issue, to purchase one additional Share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.10 per Share.

All securities issued in connection with the Private Placement are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day expiring on May 23, 2026.

The Company paid finders' fees of $4,350 in cash and issued 33,000 Warrants on the same terms as the Warrants issued as part of the Units.

The Company plans to use the net proceeds of the Private Placement to fund exploration and the development of its projects in the Yukon and British Columbia, and for working capital and general corporate purposes.

Insider Participation: One insider of the Company participated in the Private Placement and subscribed for an aggregate of 1,000,000 Units. Such participation constitutes a "related party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company has relied on the exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 set out in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, on the basis that neither the fair market value of the securities issued to, nor the consideration paid by, the related party exceeded 25% of the Company's market capitalization, as determined in accordance with MI 61-101.

Additionally, the Company announces that it has entered into debt settlement agreements dated January 23, 2026 (the "Agreements") with certain insiders of the Company (the "Insiders") to settle an aggregate of $78,000 in indebtedness (the "Debt Settlement"). Pursuant to the Agreements, the Company will complete the Debt Settlement through the issuance of 1,200,000 common shares of the Company (the "Debt Settlement Shares") at a deemed price of $0.065 per Debt Settlement Share.

The Debt Settlement Shares will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. Completion of the Debt Settlement remains subject to the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") and all other required regulatory approvals.

The Debt Settlement with the Insiders constitutes a "related party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The issuance of the Debt Settlement Shares to the Insiders is exempt from the formal valuation requirements of MI 61-101 pursuant to section 5.5(b) thereof, as the Company's securities are not listed on a specified market, and is exempt from the minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 pursuant to section 5.7(1)(a) thereof, as the fair market value of the Debt Settlement Shares issued to the Insiders does not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization, as determined in accordance with MI 61-101.

About Flow Metals

Flow Metals Corp. is focused on advancing its two 100%-owned, road-accessible projects located in established mining districts. The Company's flagship asset is the Sixtymile hard-rock gold project in Yukon, situated in the heart of the historic Sixtymile placer camp.

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding: (i) the anticipated use of proceeds from the Private Placement; (ii) the scope and timing of the Company's planned exploration and development activities, including any planned drill campaign in 2026; and (iii) the completion of the Debt Settlement, including the receipt of approval of the CSE and other required regulatory approvals.

Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, events or developments to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation: the risk that the Company may not use the proceeds as currently intended; changes in economic, market and business conditions, including fluctuations in commodity prices and investor sentiment; unanticipated expenses or liabilities; the risk that the Company may not complete the Debt Settlement on the terms described or at all; the risk that required approvals, including approval of the CSE, may not be obtained in a timely manner or at all; and risks disclosed in the Company's public disclosure documents, including those filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Forward-looking information is based on management's reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions as of the date of this news release, including assumptions that the Company will use the proceeds from the Private Placement substantially as currently intended, that the Company will be able to carry out its planned exploration activities, and that the Company will be able to complete the Debt Settlement on the terms described and obtain the required approvals. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/281446

Source: Flow Metals Corp.
HALIFAX, NS / ACCESS Newswire / January 23, 2026 / Silver Tiger Metals Inc. (TSXV:SLVR) and (OTCQX:SLVTF) ("Silver Tiger" or the "Corporation") is pleased to announce the filing of a Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") on the underground at El Tigre and an updated Pre-Feasibility Study ("PFS") on the Stockwork Zone for its 100% owned, silver-gold El Tigre Project (the "Project" or "El Tigre") located in Sonora, Mexico. The Technical Report supports the scientific and technical disclosure in the Company's news release dated January 20, 2026, announcing the results of an updated Pre-Feasibility Study and new underground Preliminary Economic Assessment. The Technical Report is available at www.sedarplus.ca under the Company's profile.

The bolt-on PEA is centred on the underground mining economics of the high-grade El Tigre, Sulphide, Black Shale and Seitz Kelly zones. The underground PEA and updated PFS is based on new Consensus Economics metal prices of $38 per ounce silver and $3,200 per ounce gold. The PEA mine design can be constructed independently of the Stockwork Zone development and is focused on the underground Mineral Resource. Prospective areas exist outside of the areas defined by the PEA and PFS with the historic "El Tigre North Mine" Mineral Resource located 700 metres to the North.

Highlights of the PEA, with a base case silver price of $38/oz and gold price of $3,200/oz are as follows (all figures in US dollars unless otherwise stated):

After-Tax net present value ("NPV") (using a discount rate of 5%) of $304 million with an After-Tax IRR of 42.8% and Payback Period of 2.6 years (Base Case);

15-year UG mine life with 3-year historical tailings processing recovering a total of 38 million payable silver equivalent ounces ("AgEq") or 453 thousand gold equivalent ounces ("AuEq"), consisting of 34 million silver ounces and 130 thousand gold ounces;

Total Project undiscounted after-tax cash flow of $496 million;

Initial capital costs of $83.5 million, including $10.9 million in contingency costs, over an expected 18-month build, and sustaining capital costs of $213 million over the life of mine ("LOM");

The 2026 PEA mine plan is designed as stand-alone to the PFS, with a potential overlap of initial capital cost of $17M (e.g., grid power, offices);

Average LOM operating cash costs of $1,351/oz AuEq, and all in sustaining costs ("AISC") of $2,019/oz AuEq or Average LOM operating cash costs of $16.05/oz AgEq, and AISC of $23.98/oz AgEq;

Average annual production of approximately 2.3 million AgEq oz or 27.8 thousand AuEq oz, consisting of 2.1 million silver ounces and 8.0 thousand gold ounces; and

PEA Study of the Southern Veins does not include the 38 million ounces AgEq contained in the Northern Veins.

Highlights of the updated PFS, with new base case silver price of $38/oz and gold price of $3,200/oz are as follows (all figures in US dollars unless otherwise stated):

After-Tax net present value ("NPV") (using a discount rate of 5%) of $456 million with an After-Tax IRR of 65.7% and Payback Period of 1.4 years;

10-year mine life recovering a total of 43 million payable silver equivalent ounces ("AgEq") or 509 thousand payable gold equivalent ounces ("AuEq"), consisting of 9 million silver ounces and 408 thousand gold ounces;

Total Project undiscounted after-tax cash flow of $625 million;

Initial capital costs of $86.8 million, which includes $9.3 million of contingency costs, over an expected 18-month build, expansion capital of $20.1 million in year 3 and sustaining capital costs of $6.2 million over the life of mine ("LOM");

Average LOM operating cash costs of $997/oz AuEq, and all in sustaining costs ("AISC") of $1,238/oz AuEq or Average LOM operating costs of $11.7/oz AgEq, and all in sustaining costs ("AISC") of $14.5/oz AgEq;

Average annual production of approximately 4.8 million AgEq oz or 56.5 thousand AuEq oz; and

Three (3) years of production in the Proven category in the Phase 1 Starter Pit with 60% of overall final pit Mineral Reserve in Proven category.

Qualified Persons

The Technical Report was prepared by:

Mineral Resource Estimate: Dave Duncan P. Geo. VP Exploration of Silver Tiger and Charles Spath P.Geo., VP of Technical Services of Silver Tiger, and Fred Brown, P.Geo., RM-SME Senior Associate Geologist of P&E Mining Consultants and Eugene Puritch, P.Eng., FEC, CET, President of P&E Mining Consultants are the Qualified Persons as defined under National Instrument 43-101.

PEA and PFS: Andrew Bradfield, P. Eng., COO of P&E Mining Consultants, Eugene Puritch, P.Eng., FEC, CET, President of P&E Mining Consultants, David J. Salari, P. Eng. President of D.E.N.M. Engineering Ltd, and James Smith, P. Eng., Senior Geotechnical Engineer at WSP are the Qualified Persons as defined under National Instrument 43-101.

David R. Duncan, P. Geo., V.P. Exploration of the Corporation, is the Qualified Person for Silver Tiger as defined under National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Duncan has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release.

Silver Tiger Metals Named to 2026 OTCQX Best 50

Silver Tiger Metals (OTCQX:SLVTF) is pleased to announce it has been named to the 2026 OTCQX Best 50, a ranking of top performing companies traded on the OTCQX Best Market last year.

The OTCQX Best 50 is an annual ranking of the top 50 U.S. and international companies traded on the OTCQX market. The ranking is calculated based on an equal weighting of one-year total return and average daily dollar volume growth in the previous calendar year. Companies in the 2026 OTCQX Best 50 were ranked based on their performance in 2025.

Stock Option and RSU Grant

On January 23, 2026, the Corporation granted 2,640,000stock options at an exercise price of $1.22 with a term of 10 years and vesting over 3 years and 2,625,000 RSU's vesting over 3 years to directors, officers, employees, and consultants of the Corporation.

January 2026 Upcoming Mining Conference Attendance

In January 2026, Silver Tiger will be attending the following conferences:

Mineral Investment Forum MIF - Vancouver (January 23 - 24)

Corporate Presentation Saturday January 24, 5pm PST

Vancouver Resource Investment Conference VRIC - Vancouver (January 25 - 26)

Booth #432

2026 Silver Forecast Panel Monday January 26, 9:00am PST

Corporate Presentation Monday January 26, 10:50am PST

About Silver Tiger

Silver Tiger is constructing the El Tigre Stockwork Zone Project, a silver and gold surface mining heap leach project located in Sonora, Mexico. The project is 100% owned by Silver Tiger and covers over 28,000 hectares. The previous Technical Report titled Pre-Feasibility Study of the El Tigre Silver-Gold Project, Sonora, Mexico dated October 22, 2024 is available on SEDAR+ and under the Corporation's profile as well as on the Silver Tiger website at www.silvertigermetals.com

VRIFY Slide Deck and 3D Presentation - Silver Tiger's El Tigre Project

VRIFY is a platform being used by companies to communicate with investors using 360 virtual tours of remote mining assets, 3D models and interactive presentations. VRIFY can be accessed by website and with the VRIFY iOS and Android apps.

Access the Silver Tiger Metals Inc. Company Profile on VRIFY at: https://vrify.com

The VRIFY Slide Deck and 3D Presentation for Silver Tiger Metals Inc. can be viewed at: https://vrify.com/decks/20888 and on the Corporation's website at: www.silvertigermetals.com.

Procedure, Quality Assurance / Quality Control and Data Verification

The diamond drill core (HQ size) is geologically logged, photographed and marked for sampling. When the sample lengths are determined, the full drill core is sawn with a diamond blade drill core saw with one half of the drill core being bagged and tagged for assay. The remaining half portion is returned to the drill core trays for storage and/or for metallurgical test work.

The sealed and tagged sample bags are transported to the Bureau Veritas facility in Hermosillo, Mexico. Bureau Veritas crushes the samples (Code PRP70-250) and prepares 200-300 gram pulp samples with ninety percent passing Tyler 200 mesh (Code PUL85). The pulps are assayed for gold using a 30-gram charge by fire assay (Code FA430) and over limits greater than 10 grams per tonne are re-assayed using a gravimetric finish (Code FA530). Silver and multi-element analysis is completed using total digestion (Code MA200 Total Digestion ICP). Over limits greater than 100 grams per tonne silver are re-assayed using a gravimetric finish (Code FA530).

Quality assurance and quality control ("QA/QC") procedures monitor the chain-of-custody of the samples and includes the systematic insertion and monitoring of appropriate control materials (certified reference materials, blanks and duplicates) into the sample strings. The results of the assaying of the QA/QC material included in each batch are tracked to ensure the integrity of the assay data. All results stated in this announcement have passed Silver Tiger's QA/QC protocols.

For further information, please contact:

Devin Devarennes

VP Business Development & Investor Relations

902 233 3656

devin@silvertigermetals.com

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT:

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This News Release includes certain "forward-looking statements". All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, resources and reserves, the ability to convert Inferred Mineral Resources to Indicated Mineral Resources, the ability to complete future drilling programs and infill sampling, the ability to extend Mineral Resource blocks, the similarity of mineralization at El Tigre to Delores, Santa Elena and Chispas, exploration results, and future plans and objectives of Silver Tiger, are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "may", "is expected to", "anticipates", "estimates", "intends", "plans", "projection", "could", "vision", "goals", "objective" and "outlook" and other similar words. Although Silver Tiger believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Silver Tiger's expectations include risks and uncertainties related to exploration, development, operations, commodity prices and global financial volatility, risk and uncertainties of operating in a foreign jurisdiction as well as additional risks described from time to time in the filings made by Silver Tiger with securities regulators.

SOURCE: Silver Tiger Metals Inc.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/silver-tiger-announces-filing-of-a-pea-for-the-underground-and-a-1130376
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2026) - Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits Inc. (TSXV: DWS) ("Diamond Estates", or the "Company") announces today that Lassonde Industries Inc. ("Lassonde") acquired a 10.0% unsecured convertible debenture of Diamond Estates with a stated maturity date of November 9, 2026 in the principal amount of $1,304,000 from a third party for total consideration of $1,330,079.78, representing the principal amount plus accrued interest thereon, through a privately negotiated transaction entered into on January 19, 2026 (the "Acquisition"). The head office of Diamond Estates is located at 1067 Niagara Stone Road. Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, L0S 1J0 and the common shares of Diamond Estates (the "Common Shares") are traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "DWS".

Prior to the Acquisition, Lassonde directly owned 32,846,506 common shares of Diamond Estates (the "Common Shares"), $500,000 in principal amount of 10.0% unsecured convertible debentures of Diamond Estates and 847,603 deferred share units, which may be settled, at the discretion of Diamond Estates for up to 847,603 Common Shares. Additionally, 3346625 Canada Inc., a corporation controlled by Mr. Pierre-Paul Lassonde and a joint actor of Lassonde ("Lassonde Holding" and together with Lassonde, the "Lassonde Group") directly owns 2,117,824 Common Shares and $2,850,000 in principal amount of 10.0% unsecured convertible debentures of Diamond Estates. As such, prior to the Acquisition, the Lassonde Group held 34,964,330 Common Shares, representing approximately 51.56% (on a non-diluted basis) of the issued and outstanding Common Shares, $3,350,000 in principal amount of 10.0% unsecured convertible debentures of Diamond Estates and 847,603 deferred share units.

Following the Acquisition, Lassonde directly owns 32,846,506 Common Shares, $1,804,000 in principal amount of 10.0% unsecured convertible debentures of Diamond Estates and 847,603 deferred share units. As such, the Lassonde Group now holds 34,964,330 Common Shares, representing approximately 51.56% (on a non-diluted basis) of the issued and outstanding Common Shares, $4,654,000 in principal amount of 10.0% unsecured convertible debentures of Diamond Estates and 847,603 deferred share units.

If Lassonde was to convert all of its debentures of Diamond Estates, it would own, directly or indirectly, 41,046,506 Common Shares, representing approximately 54.00% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares (based on the then current number of issued and outstanding Common Shares, assuming no additional issuance or conversion) and if Lassonde Holding was to convert all of its debentures of Diamond Estates, it would own, directly or indirectly, 15,072,369 Common Shares, representing approximately 18.66% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares (based on the then current number of issued and outstanding Common Shares, assuming no additional issuance or conversion). If both Lassonde Industries and Lassonde Holding were to convert all of their debentures of Diamond Estates, the Lassonde Group would own, directly or indirectly, 56,118,874 Common Shares, representing approximately 63.07% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares (based on the then current number of issued and outstanding Common Shares, assuming no additional issuance or conversion).

The Acquisition was undertaken for investment purposes. The Lassonde Group may, from time to time, acquire additional securities of Diamond Estates for investment purposes and to assist Diamond Estates with the execution of its strategic plan and may, from time to time, increase or decrease its beneficial ownership or control of Diamond Estates depending on market or other conditions, general economic conditions, Diamond Estates' business and financial condition and other factors.

This news release is being issued as required by National Instrument 62-103 - The Early Warning System and Related Take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues and National Instrument 62-104 - Take-Over Bids and Issuer Bids and relates to Lassonde, whose head office is located at 755 rue Principale, Rougemont, Quebec, J0L 1M0. A copy of the early warning report with additional information in respect of the foregoing matters will be available under Diamond Estates' profile on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca or by contacting:

Eric Gemme, Chief Financial Officer

Lassonde Industries Inc.

755 rue Principale, Rougemont, Quebec, J0L 1M0

450-469-4926, ext. 10456

About Diamond Estates Wines and Spirits Inc.

Diamond Estates Wines and Spirits Inc. is a producer of high-quality wines and ciders as well as a sales agent for over 120 beverage alcohol brands across Canada. The Company operates four production facilities, three in Ontario and one in British Columbia, that produce predominantly VQA wines under such well-known brand names as 20 Bees, Creekside, D'Ont Poke the Bear, EastDell, Lakeview Cellars, Mindful, Shiny Apple Cider, Fresh Wines, Red Tractor, Seasons, Serenity and Backyard Vineyards.

Through its commercial division, Trajectory Beverage Partners, the Company serves as the sales agent for a wide range of leading international beverage brands.

Wine Portfolio:

Trajectory represents renowned wine brands, including Fat Bastard and Gabriel Meffre from France; Kaiken from Argentina; Kings of Prohibition from Australia; Yealands, Kono, Tohu, and Joiy Sparkling Wine from New Zealand; Talamonti and Cielo from Italy; Porta 6, Julia Florista, Boas Quintas, Catedral, and Cabeca de Toiro from Portugal; as well as C.K Mondavi & Family, Charles Krug, Line 39, Harken, FitVine, and Rabble from California. Trajectory also represents a broad portfolio of wines sold exclusively to restaurants, bars and private consumers.

Spirits Portfolio:

The Company also represents distinguished spirit brands such as; Cofradia Tequila and Hussong's Tequila from Mexico; Islay Mist and Waterproof blended Scotch whiskies from Scotland; Glen Breton Canadian whiskies from Nova Scotia; Five Farms Irish Cream Liqueur and Broker's Gin from the UK; Tequila Rose Strawberry Cream, 360 Vodka, and Holladay Bourbon from the USA; Giffard Liqueurs from France; and Becherovka from the Czech Republic.

Beer, Cider, and RTD Portfolio:

In the beer, cider, and ready-to-drink (RTD) categories, Trajectory represents Darling Mimosas from Ontario; Rodenbach beer from Belgium; La Trappe beer from the Netherlands; and Warsteiner beer from Germany.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/281499

Source: Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits Inc.
TOURISE advanced tourism's role as a vital sector connecting industries, economies, and regions to address shared global challenges at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260123950180/en/

His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia and Chairman of TOURISE, convenes executives from Trip.com, Visa, TikTok, PayPal, Salesforce, Forbes, Avolta, ByteDance, and more at Davos 2026

Often overlooked as a siloed industry, TOURISE pressed the importance of tourism being recognized as a strategic sector, contributing one in every $10 to global GDP and uplifting every industry it touches.

His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia and Chairman of TOURISE said alliances and collaboration across sectors will see tourism continue to rise.

"Tourism is more than a lifestyle sector, it functions as a strategic economic system. TOURISE serves as a platform where leaders form alliances to build shared solutions, where technology aligns with community development, finance with sustainability, and education with mobility. These partnerships will shape the next decade of tourism, creating trust and shared purpose to move the world forward."

During the World Economic Forum in Davos, TOURISE hosted and participated in several key engagements, including Reshaping Tourism: A World of Possibility at Axios House, where His Excellency Al Khateeb joined global leaders to discuss tourism's expanding strategic relevance amid economic transformation and shifting geopolitical dynamics.

Two strategic workshops anchored TOURISE's Davos program. 'Can Tourism Save the World?' convened senior leaders from across the tourism ecosystem and connecting sectors to examine how tourism can contribute to economic resilience and sustainable development. The session will inform TOURISE's year-round agenda and the 2027 summit.

The second workshop, 'Agentic Tourism: From Insight to Action', brought together global executives, technologists, and investors to explore tourism's next frontier. Building on the Agentic Tourism Initiative launched at the Summit in November, the session advanced the development of an Agentic Tourism Protocol, a shared framework designed to enable safe, connected, and interoperable AI systems across the tourism sector.

Leaders and executives from Trip.com, Visa, TikTok, PayPal, Salesforce, Forbes, Avolta, ByteDance, and others participated in the TOURISE workshops, underscoring the breadth of industries now engaging with tourism as a platform for growth and innovation.

TOURISE also sponsored the annual Women Leaders Reception alongside Adecco Group, Pinterest, Bayer, and APCO. During the reception, TOURISE Advisory Board Member and Saudi Arabia Ministry of Tourism Deputy Minister of International Affairs, Hawazen Nassief, spoke to attendees to underscore the need to advance women into leadership roles across a sector where women represent nearly half of the global workforce.

Davos marked the start of TOURISE's 2026 global calendar, which will include cross-sector workshops, industry insight reports, and new partnerships designed to propel tourism to the center of global transformation.

The future of tourism is being shaped now. Join the journey at tourise.com and be part of the next chapter at the next TOURISE Summit in March 2027.

TOURISE is the world's premier platform shaping a new horizon for global tourism.

Under the umbrella of the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, the inaugural TOURISE Summit took place in November 2025 in Riyadh, bringing together global leaders to accelerate transformative deals and chart the sector's future.

As a year-round platform, TOURISE drives coordinated action across innovation, mobility, culture, and investment. Throughout 2026, leading into its second Summit in March 2027, TOURISE will expand its global community, launch insight reports, and advance its initiatives that turn bold ideas into real-world solutions.

Together, we can shape the next 50 years of tourism. For more information, visit www.tourise.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260123950180/en/

Contacts:

For media inquiries, please contact Media@TOURISE.com.
India and the European Union are expected to announce the conclusion of protracted negotiations for a free trade pact on Tuesday, opening the way for reduced tariffs on European cars and wine and expanded market for Indian electronics, textiles and chemicals

Antonio Luis Santos da Costa, the President of the European Council, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi

India and the European Union are expected to announce the conclusion of protracted negotiations for a free trade pact on Tuesday, opening the way for reduced tariffs on European cars and wine and expanded market for Indian electronics, textiles and chemicals, two Indian and EU government sources said.

The announcement could follow Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis meeting with European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who will co-chair an India-EU summit during their visit to India from January 25 to 28, one of the Indian government sources said.

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If finalised and ratified by the European Parliament, a process that could take at least a year, the trade pact would boost Indian exports such as textiles and jewellery, the official said. Negotiations were relaunched in 2022 after a nine-year pause, gaining traction last year amid rising trade tensions.

In August, President Donald Trump doubled tariffs on Indian imports to as much as 50%, among the highest in the world.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday, von der Leyen signalled progress, stating the European Union is close to concluding the agreement but acknowledged that additional work remains.

The agreement comes days after the EU signed a pivotal pact with the South American bloc Mercosur, following deals last year with Indonesia, Mexico and Switzerland.

During the same period, New Delhi finalised pacts with Britain, New Zealand and Oman.

The spate of deals underscores global efforts to hedge against the United States as Trumps bid to take over Greenland and tariff threats on European nations test longstanding alliances among Western nations.

Bilateral trade between India and the EU totalled $136.5 billion in 2024/25 fiscal year ending March, making the 27-nation bloc one of Indias biggest trading partners.

Negotiators are still trying to bridge differences on several sensitive issues, including Indias reluctance to sharply cut tariffs on auto imports, an EU government source said.

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Indian and EU government sources declined to be identified as the matter is not yet public. Indias commerce ministry did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment.

NON-TARIFF BARRIERS

A key concern for New Delhi is a range of non-tariff barriers such as the newly introduced carbon levies on imports of goods including steel, aluminium, cement, with industry experts saying there was little scope for relaxation.

Duty-free access to the EU could help offset losses for Indian textile and jewellery exporters in the U.S., Ajay Srivastava, founder of the Delhi-based think tank Global Trade Research Initiative, said, while noting regulatory hurdles remain.

An IndiaEU FTA would cut tariffs on textiles, garments and leather, letting Indian exporters compete more evenly with Bangladesh and Vietnam, he added.

The EU imports nearly $125 billion of textiles annually, where India holds a 56% share versus Chinas 30%, highlighting the potential gains from an FTA amid rising U.S. tariffs.

Indias autos, electronics, textiles, pharmaceuticals and chemicals are likely to emerge as key beneficiaries of a potential IndiaEU free trade agreement, according to Jefferies.

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Some sensitive agricultural items have been excluded from negotiations, an Indian trade ministry official earlier said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.)
Even at discounts of up to 30 per cent, foreclosed homes across Chinas hinterland are failing to attract buyers. What looks like a property glut is fast morphing into a banking stress test

Inside China's economic woes: No buyers for properties seized by rural banks despite discounts. File/Reuters

Chinas deepening property crisis has entered a more dangerous phase, one that now sits squarely on the balance sheets of its most fragile lenders.

Hundreds of thousands of foreclosed homes, seized by banks after borrowers defaulted, are failing to find buyers, even when offered at steep discounts. The sellers are not developers but Chinas rural and regional banks, institutions already strained by weak capital buffers and rising bad loans.

A Reuters review of bank-supplied listings on JD.com Asset Trading Platform, one of Chinas largest online auction marketplaces, shows a sharp surge in bank-initiated property sales in 2025, particularly in less-developed regions that have suffered the steepest home price declines.

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Yet despite prices being slashed by 20 to 30 per cent below prevailing market rates, many auctions are drawing little interest, a worrying signal for both the banking sector and the broader economy.

Property as collateral  no longer safe

For decades, property was considered gold-standard collateral in Chinas financial system. Rising home prices masked credit risk, encouraged aggressive lending, and gave banks confidence that defaults could be absorbed through asset sales.

That assumption has collapsed.

The prices are shockingly low, Li Youcai, a real estate agent in Dalian, in northeastern Liaoning province, told Reuters. Currently, banks have a very large supply of foreclosed properties, he said.

For example, a 160-square-metre apartment auctioned by the Dalian branch of Bank of Jilin was listed at 1.35 million yuan (about $192,000)  far below its roughly 2 million yuan market valuation at the time. Even then, the property failed to sell after two auction rounds in November.

Such cases are no longer isolated. They reflect a broader collapse in confidence in Chinese housing, particularly outside top-tier cities, where falling prices, excess supply, and weak income growth have chased away buyers.

A crisis years in the making

Chinas property downturn, which began in 2021, is now the longest and deepest in the countrys modern history. It has become the single largest drag on the worlds second-largest economy.

Official data show average home prices in 2025 fell to levels last seen in 2018. New home sales by floor area plunged roughly 50 per cent from their peak, sliding back to 2009 levels.

According to Moodys Analytics, weak sales and declining prices are expected to persist into this year, with no meaningful turnaround in sight.

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The collapse of giants such as Evergrande and the debt defaults of dozens of other developers exposed a sector built on leverage, speculation, and perpetual price appreciation. But the second-order effects are now proving just as destabilising.

As developers failed and homeowners defaulted, banks were forced to seize collateral and are now struggling to offload it.

Rural banks under mounting pressure

The data show that smaller rural and regional lenders are bearing the brunt of the crisis.

In northwestern Gansu province, banks offered 4,292 properties for sale in 2025, nearly double the 2,398 listed in 2024, according to Reuters calculations based on JD.com auction listings.

In Sichuan, one of Chinas most populous provinces, banks listed 1,909 residential and commercial properties last year, up from just 370 a year earlier.

Jilin province saw listings jump to 1,696 properties in 2025 from 371 in 2024, while Shanxi province recorded 519 listings, marginally higher than the previous year.

These regions share two vulnerabilities: weaker economic growth and sharper property price declines. As a result, demand for distressed housing is thin, and banks are often forced to hold onto properties that generate no cash flow while eroding capital.

A backlog created by legal delays

The current wave of sales is also the result of delayed judicial processes.

Many of the properties now flooding auction platforms were seized in 2022 and 2023 through lengthy court proceedings after borrowers and developers defaulted. Those processes typically took two to three years, leaving banks stuck with illiquid assets they could neither rent nor sell.

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Unless selling prices are very attractive or the projects are in good locations, its almost impossible to find clients for these banks, Andy Lee, CEO of Centaline China, told Reuters.

According to UBS estimates, Chinese banks have cumulatively listed around 1.35 million foreclosed properties acquired through defaults since mid-2024, a staggering figure that underscores the scale of stress building up in the system.

A second wave of bad loans is coming

Worse, analysts warn this may only be the beginning.

Chinese banks are now facing a fresh wave of distressed assets as small business loans issued during the COVID-19 period mature. Many borrowers are struggling to refinance amid a sputtering recovery, forcing lenders to seize collateral, often property, once again.

UBS estimates that foreclosed housing units linked to bad loans will surge from 640,000 units in 2025 to 2.43 million units by 2027.

Sales of such properties are still small relative to Chinas vast credit market, which includes roughly 37 trillion yuan in outstanding mortgages and 25 trillion yuan in household business loans, but the trend is troubling.

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It would be unsustainable if this becomes widespread, Ming Tan, a director at S&P Global Ratings, told Reuters.

Falling prices, rising risk

Property prices are expected to remain under pressure. UBS forecasts prices will decline by about 10 per cent in 2026 and a further 5 per cent in 2027.

The entire industry still has oversupply, John Lam, head of Asia property research at UBS, told Reuters.

For banks, that means collateral values continue to fall even as disposal volumes rise, a dangerous combination that can rapidly erode capital adequacy.

Xiaoxi Zhang, an analyst at Gavekal Dragonomics, told Reuters the trend could mark the beginning of a much broader non-performing asset disposal cycle.

Were definitely in the largest non-performing-asset disposal cycle historically, she said, warning that the ultimate impact will depend on how much loss banks capital buffers can absorb.

Why this matters beyond China

Chinas leadership has repeatedly sought to ring-fence the property crisis, insisting it does not pose systemic risks. But the struggles of rural banks tell a different story.

These lenders play a critical role in financing agriculture, small businesses, and local governments. If they weaken further, credit transmission in already-fragile regions could seize up, deepening economic divergence within China.

More broadly, a banking sector weighed down by distressed property assets limits Beijings ability to stimulate growth and raises the risk of slow-burn financial instability rather than a sudden crash.

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For now, Chinas unsold homes are more than just empty buildings. They are silent markers of a system where falling property prices are no longer just a drag on growth but a direct threat to financial stability itself.
TikToks Chinese parent, ByteDance, has finalised a deal to place the apps US operations under a new majority American-owned joint venture, effectively averting a nationwide ban on the short-video platform used by more than 200 million Americans.

The agreement marks a major milestone in a dispute that began in August 2020, when then US President Donald Trump first attempted to ban TikTok over national security concerns related to data access and foreign influence.

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Under the deal, a newly formed entityTikTok USDS Joint Venture LLCwill be responsible for securing US user data, applications, and TikToks powerful recommendation algorithm through enhanced data privacy and cybersecurity safeguards, the company said.

American and global investors will collectively hold a controlling 80.1 per cent stake in the new venture. These include Oracle, private equity firm Silver Lake, and MGX, an Abu Dhabi-based investment firm focused on artificial intelligence. ByteDance will retain a 19.9 per cent minority stake.

The structure aligns with an earlier agreement outlined by TikTok CEO Shou Chew, who had said in December that while a binding deal had been signed with investors, regulatory approvals were still pending. With the transaction now finalised, it clears a major obstacle in US-China relations amid broader geopolitical tensions.

The deal also meets a January 22 deadline set by the Trump administration under an executive order that granted a temporary 120-day pause on enforcement of a federal ban.

In 2024, former President Joe Biden signed legislation requiring ByteDance to divest TikToks US business or face a ban, citing national security risks.

While financial details were not disclosed, US Vice President JD Vance had previously said the transaction could value TikToks US business at around $14 billion. It remains unclear how much ByteDance ultimately received or how ownership of TikToks algorithm has been ring-fenced, a key sticking point that derailed earlier negotiations.

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According to Chews memo, the new US entity will be governed by a seven-member board with a majority of American directors and will exercise independent control over data protection, content moderation, and algorithm security.

US authorities, Oracle, and Silver Lake did not immediately comment on the finalised structure. A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington said Beijings position on TikTok has been consistent and clear, without offering further details.

The agreement closes one of the most high-profile tech disputes between Washington and Beijing, bringing regulatory certainty to TikToks US operations after nearly five years of legal and political uncertainty.
Border 2 Movie Review: The film revisits the 1971 war with new heroes, but the only person constant is Sunny Deol. Why does Bollywood attempt war movies without proper research is my question.

Director: Anurag Singh

Language: Hindi

Cast: Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, Ahan Shetty, Mona Singh, Sonam Bajwa, Anya Singh and Medha Rana

This years highly anticipated sequel to the 1997 blockbuster Border, Border 2, has not evolved much and doesnt really strike a chord with our truly evolved and refined audiences. Border may have been a blockbuster then, but now with the kind of exposure the viewers have to war films, it doesnt really give us goosebumps. If one has watched The Bridge on the River Kwai or Black Hawk Dawn, then they can understand how powerful and thought-provoking war films can be. They are not just action-packed tales of heroism, but these films show how complex situations can get.

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Border 2 is just an extension of the J.P. Dutta-directed blockbuster, and it was indeed one of the biggest hits of the 1990s, but filmmakers and craftsmen need to understand that our audiences were different in 1997; now they have much more exposure with the OTT boom in the country. Patriotism is one thing, and chest-thumping patriotism is another thing. The film has nothing new to say. It has just underestimated the audiences intellect. There are major complexities of historical war-films, but Border 2 just fails to show that.

Though Sunny Deol still continues to impress with his fitness even at this age, I just wish that the film was a little less noisy and a little more subtle when it came to dialogue baazi. The film could have been a heartwrenching homage to the Indian Armed Forces and a tribute to their sacrifice, especially those who didnt make it home. But somehow, I feel there was a gap in the intent of the film and its execution. Courage can be silent, but some filmmakers fail to understand that. Despite having J.P. Dutta on board as a producer, Border 2 was unable to strike a chord or evoke a memory.

A still from Border 2

Not running down the efforts of the filmmaker and the actors, when the backstories were shown of each of the central characters, somehow I felt emotional and could relate to a lot of it. You do feel sad for the families, especially the children who miss their fathers while they are at war. The heart does bleed to see the sacrifices made by the families. In fact, rather than the defective war scenes, that should have been the focus of the film.

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Cinematic liberty is one thing, but one should understand that too much cinematic liberty can also be called poor research. And thats exactly what happened to an extremely long, overstretched film like _Border 2_. Have you ever seen the naval officers on war patrol fighting in their blue uniforms or rather going for sailing in their blue fitted shirts and navy-blue trousers? Well, this film will show you how the naval officers are fighting and even swimming in this particular uniform.

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This isnt the case; actually, they fight in their dungarees or overalls. That poor was the research of the film. But the one thing that I liked about Border 2 is that unlike other war films, it doesnt just show the Army and the Air Force, but the Indian Navy too, which is indeed a very silent, yet powerful force in a war. Another thing, with limited screen time, Mona Singh, Sonam Bajwa, Anya Singh and Medha Rana played their roles well.

Border 2

Just when you think the film is picking up, there comes a song and massacres the whole thing all over again. Border 2 could have emphasised the inner battles that each of the soldiers fights, but I guess it relied entirely on its previous glory. Out of due respect to each of the soldiers who fought for our country, I sat through the entire film. If you want to watch good war films, I suggest you watch _Ikkis_, but definitely not Border 2.

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Unnecessary jingoism cannot make a film succeed. And most importantly, if the film doesnt handle its own serious theme of the 1971 war with solid research, how can we take it seriously? I guess it is a mass-targeted film and doesnt challenge viewers to think critically. Towards the end, it does get exhausting. You dont act like a soldier, rather your performance needs to be so authentic and honest that you become believable enough to honour the armed forces!

Rating: 2 out of 5

WATCH the trailer of Border 2 here:
Varun Dhawans character seems to have been inspired by Colonel Hoshiar Singh Dahiya, the Param Vir Chakra awardee who was one of Indias bravest soldiers

Border has long been a favourite among the masses. When it was released in 1997, the times were rife with nationalistic sentiment. India had seen major wars with its neighbouring nation, Pakistan, and the film managed to strike the right chord. Such was its impact that it became a blockbuster, a go-to film to rouse patriotic feelings across the country and one whose sequel audiences have been waiting for ever since. Those wishes were finally fulfilled when Border 2 was announced.

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The reel vs real of Border 2

Sunny Deol as Lt Col Fateh Singh Kaler

A WW2 Paratrooper (Burma campaign), hero of Haji Pir (1965), and one of the liberators of Dacca in 1971. As Commander of 95 Mountain Brigade, he led his men from Tura  Kamalpur  Bakshiganj  Jamalpur  Tangail  Dacca, promising to reach Dacca in 12 days  and he did.

Within 10 days of combat, he secured the surrender of the first senior Pakistani POW, Brigadier Qadir (12 Dec 1971), and was among the first Indian officers to enter Gen Niazis office after surrender. The details were revealed by the actors fan on X:

Sunny Deol plays Major General Hardev Singh Kler (named Fateh Singh Kaler in the film)  a real-life legend of the Indian Army 



A WW2 Paratrooper (Burma campaign), hero of Haji Pir (1965), and one of the liberators of Dacca in 1971.

As Commander of 95 Mountain Brigade, he led pic.twitter.com/qaqybP3VEw  Kashinath 2.0 (@TheDeolsFC) December 17, 2025

Varun Dhawan as Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya

Varun Dhawan's character seems to have been inspired by Colonel Hoshiar Singh Dahiya, the Param Vir Chakra awardee who was one of Indias bravest soldiers. But who was Colonel Hoshiar Singh? Read on to know about his life and his exemplary bravery during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war.

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Hoshiar Singh was born on 5 May 1937 in the village of Sisana, located on the RohtakSonipat road in Haryana. His father, Chaudhary Hira Singh, was a respected farmer, and his mother, Mathuri Devi, was a homemaker known for her warmth and simplicity.

Diljit Dosanjh as Fg Offr Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon

Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, PVC was an officer of the Indian Air Force. He was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, Indias highest military honour, in recognition of his lone defence of Srinagar Air Base against a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) air raid during the IndiaPakistan war of 1971. He is the only member of the Indian Air Force to be honoured with the PVC.

Ahan Shetty as Lt Cdr M. S. Rawat

Ahan Shetty plays Lieutenant Commander M. S. Rawat from INS Khukri, highlighting the Indian Navys vital role in the war.
Produced by Karan Johar and Adar Poonawalla, the Hindi language film has enjoyed a strong festival run, beginning with its premiere in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival in May last year

Filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywans acclaimed drama Homebound is out of Oscars 2026, failing to get a nomination in the best international feature film category.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the nominations for the 98th Academy Awards in Los Angeles on Thursday. Indias entry was in the Academys shortlist of 15 in the category but couldnt make it to the final five.

Produced by Karan Johar and Adar Poonawalla, the Hindi language film has enjoyed a strong festival run, beginning with its premiere in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival in May last year.

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Inspired by an article headlined Taking Amrit Home by journalist Basharat Peer in The New York Times, the film stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor in lead roles.

It chronicles the childhood friendship between a Muslim and a Dalit, who aspire to join the police force in search of dignity and social acceptance long denied to them because of their surnames. Hollywood filmmaker Martin Scorsese is attached to the project as an executive producer.

Karan Johar reacts

Karan Johar, who produced the film, shared a collage from the movie on his Instagram Stories and wrote , Proud!!!! Love you @neeraj.ghaywan for allowing us to bask in your light! Ghaywan shared it on his Stories and wrote, Thank you, @karanjohar! You have been an absolute rock. Couldnt have come this far without you. Love you! The 98th Academy Awards ceremony will be held on March 15 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

What Vishal Jethwa said

While we didnt make the final nominations, being shortlisted among the final 15 films is an honour in itself. Seeing Homebound travel this far and represent India globally has been incredibly special. I will forever be grateful to have been part of this film, Vishal told Hindustan Times.

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Even though we say that we should not expect anything, but ab jab itna aage aa gaye the to thoda expectations to thi. No matter how many people saw the film, they liked it and called it a strong story and that in itself feels like an achievement, the actor added.

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The final nominees in the category are Brazils The Secret Agent, French drama It Was Just an Accident, Norways Sentimental Value, Spains Sirat and Tunisian feature The Voice of Hind Rajab.

Only three Indian films have made it to the last round  Mehboob Khans Mother India (1957), Mira Nairs Salaam Bombay! (1988) and Ashutosh Gowarikers Lagaan (2001). While all three earned nominations, none went on to win the Oscar.

With added inputs from agencies
Director Ryan Coogler spoke about writing his blues-infused vampire film Sinners, nominated for a record 16 Oscars, for his late uncle, whom he imagined celebrating the occasion with some blues music.

Rose Byrne, who learned of her best actress nomination in the middle of the night in Australia, talked about the intensive work of fine-tuning her turbulent character during a five-week rehearsal process.

Leonardo DiCaprio hailed the deep communal experience of people sitting in a theater together, immersing themselves in a movie.

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And Amy Madigan said her little dog was looking up at her, seemingly asking: Why are we up so early?

Across Hollywood and beyond, Oscar nominees reflected in interviews with The Associated Press on the work that led to their recognition. Remarks have been edited for clarity and brevity.

Ryan Coogler, for Sinners

I wrote this script for my uncle who passed away 11 years ago. I got to imagine that hes listening to some blues music right now to celebrate. I love making movies. Im honored to wake up every day and do it. I was writing last night. Thats why I didnt get too much sleep. Honestly, bro, I still feel a little bit asleep right now.  In an interview. Coogler is nominated for best picture, director and original screenplay.

Leonardo DiCaprio, for One Battle After Another

At the end of the day its about trying to be in films that are memorable. To me what matters is great ideas and original filmmaking. The only thing I feel strongly is inherent in us as a species is the idea of us getting together and feeling any great piece of music, of opera, the communal experience of watching a film together and picking up on emotions with a population of people around you.  In an interview. DiCaprio is nominated for best actor.

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Rose Byrne, for If I Had Legs Id Kick You

We did the movie in 27 days for like $8.50, and it was two takes, maybe three. And the blessing was, for five weeks, (director Mary Bronstein) and I met three days a week and just rehearsed. We just talked through the script, page after page after page. That preparation was such a gift. And Mary pushed for that. This role was an absolute gift for an actress to have. I just didnt want to (expletive) it up.

On receiving the news: Its the middle of the night in Australia. I was falling asleep and then (husband Bobby Cannavale) starts FaceTiming me (from New York) because I wanted to try and stay up but it was so late. And then he started screaming, it was like They said your name! and then my parents came in the room, theyre like Oh my God and then we were all screaming, and that was it. Now Ive had a shot of adrenaline and Im wide awake.  In an interview. Byrne is nominated for best actress.

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Delroy Lindo, for Sinners

It took a few beats for it to kind of sink in. And right after, as I was on the phone with my son, I saw that I had 179 texts. The totality of the excitement of my son, my gratitude, hearing it from my son, with the number of texts that were on my phone, I was able to kind of relax and enjoy the moment.  I didnt start looking at any of the texts for another hour or so. I didnt look at the full list of nominees.  In an interview. Lindo is nominated for best supporting actor.

Ejae, for Golden from KPop Demon Hunters

It just doesnt feel real even right now. Im just still trying to digest the situation. Its just definitely a dream come true. And thats why, you know, we write  to have a song that everyone can sing, and not just sing, but make them feel good, because the lyrics (are) very uplifting, and challenge them to sing those high notes.

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For me, also, its the fact that there are Korean lyrics in it. It is just kind of really crazy to see everyone from all different countries and races singing it. So, Im just forever grateful to be a part of this incredible film that I wish I grew up watching, too.  In an interview. Ejae is nominated for best original song for Golden from KPop Demon Hunters.
The Kerala Story talks about a group of women from Kerala who are forced into converting to Islam and joining the Islamic State

Vipul Shahs The Kerala Story 2 is titled Beyond The Kerala Story and is all set to release on February 27. This happens when March is blocked by Ranveer Singhs Dhurandhar 2.

 _The Kerala Story_ talks about a group of women from Kerala who are forced into converting to Islam and joining the Islamic State. Based on a true story, the film is premised on the Hindutva conspiracy theory of love jihad and claims that thousands of Hindu women from Kerala have been converted to Islam and recruited into the Islamic State.

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It made over Rs 250 crore at the box-office in India and was the highest-grossing female-oriented film in Hindi cinema. And as the film turned two, Vipul Shah spoke exclusively to Firstpost and said, It became the highest ever grossing film in the history of cinema in the female-centric films genre. Now, this cannot be predicted by anybody. However, the most important thing for us was to expose the truth. And there was a lot of opposition against this, and a lot of people were trying to discredit us.

On what inspired him to make the film

When I heard the story, I felt it was my duty to make this film . If something like this is happening in our country, its a shocker. When we were doing our research, we realized this is not something that is happening only in Kerala, but all over the country. This has been happening blatantly, and the political silence is extremely dangerous. We decided to make a film on this subject and expose it in front of the audience so that some action can be taken against the perpetrators, and there is a conversation.
The nominations for the 98th Academy Awards were announced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Los Angeles

Indian-American filmmaker Geeta Gandbhir on Thursday earned two Oscar nominations  for her short The Devil Is Busy in the best documentary short category and The Perfect Neighbor in the best documentary feature segment.

The nominations for the 98th Academy Awards were announced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Los Angeles.

Gandbhir and Christalyn Hampton have co-directed The Devil Is Busy, which will compete against All the Empty Rooms, Armed Only with a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud, Children No More: Were and Are Gone and Perfectly a Strangeness in the best documentary short segment.

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The 31-minute film follows Tracii, the head of security at a womens healthcare clinic in Atlanta, Georgia, over the course of a day as she works to ensure the safety of patients and staff amid tighter abortion restrictions and persistent protests.

In the documentary feature film category, Gandbhirs The Perfect Neighbor is among the nominees, alongside The Alabama Solution, Come See Me in the Good Light, Cutting through Rocks and Mr. Nobody against Putin.

The Netflix documentary chronicles the shooting incident in June 2023 where a white female, Susan Louise Lorincz, fatally shot her black female neighbour Ajike Owens in Ocala, Florida.

Who is Geeta Gandbhir?

Gandbhir has also produced the movie along with Alisa Payne, Nikon Kwantu and Sam Bisbee. Gandbhir, a director mentored by Sam Pollard and Spike Lee, was born to Indian parents who emigrated to the US in the 1960s.

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She has built a distinguished career in documentary filmmaking over nearly two decades, earning multiple Emmy and Peabody Awards along the way.

Some of her acclaimed projects include I Am Evidence (2017), which exposed systemic delays in processing untested rape kits across the United States, and Lowndes County and the Road to Black Power (2022), which won industry accolades for its historical depth and narrative strength.

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She has also directed the Emmy-winning short Through Our Eyes: Apart in 2022.

The 98th Academy Awards ceremony will be held on March 15 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

The filmmaker on making history

Gandbhir said in a statement, To get media attention around the murder, because it was not really being covered. It was only covered by very local news at best. Without media attention, law enforcement may not be as quick to act. (Lorincz) hadnt been arrested because of Stand Your Ground laws in Florida, and that ongoing investigation. We were able to get the family on the news there (and) amp up the noise around it. This was in context of the subject of her documentary.

With added inputs from agencies
A woman in Andhra Pradesh, identified as Lakshmi Madhuri, allegedly killed her husband by smothering him with a pillow after feeding him biryani laced with sleeping pills. After spending the night watching pornographic videos next to the body, she tried to convince neighbours that her husband died of a heart attack

The woman allegedly tried to hide the murder by claiming her husband had suffered a heart attack. Image courtesy: @venom1s/X

A chilling murder has come to light in Andhra Pradeshs Guntur district, where a woman killed her husband by feeding him biryani laced with sleeping pills.

What is more shocking is that the accused, identified as Lakshmi Madhuri, spent the whole night watching pornographic videos beside her husbands body.

The police said that she tried to conceal the murder as a heart attack. Lakshmi and her lover suffocated her husband with a pillow to kill him.

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Here is how the murder unfolded.

How was the murder committed?

On January 18, the accused Lakshmi Madhuri cooked biryani for her husband, Lokam Shiva Nagaraju and allegedly laced it with 30 sleeping pills. Once he fell into a deep sleep, the next phase of the plan was set in motion.

Madhuris alleged lover, Gopi, arrived at the residence around 11:30 pm. According to Duggirala police, Gopi restrained Nagaraju by sitting on his chest, while Madhuri suffocated her husband using a pillow. This led to Nagarajus death on the spot.

After making sure he was no longer alive, Gopi is said to have left the house, leaving Madhuri behind with the body. Investigators reveal she then stayed inside through the night without calling for help or informing neighbours, reported News18.

Madhuri allegedly tried to hide the murder by claiming her husband had suffered a heart attack. She later alerted neighbours in the early morning hours, describing his death as sudden.

However, her explanation failed to convince those around her. Neighbours and acquaintances, aware of the couples frequent quarrels and Madhuris alleged extramarital relationship, began to grow suspicious.

Concerns were raised when Nagarajus father and friends saw injuries and bloodstains on the body. They approached the police, triggering an inquiry that later revealed through post-mortem findings that the death was caused by suffocation and chest injuries, not natural causes.

During interrogation, Madhuri confessed to the crime and admitted to spending the night watching pornographic videos after killing her husband. The police have booked a case of murder and took the woman into custody for questioning. According to the news website Deccan Chronicle, the police said, We are on the lookout for her paramour to take him into custody for questioning.

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What led to the murder?

According to the police, the woman used to work at a ticket counter in a film theatre in Vijayawada. This is where she developed a friendship with Kondaveeti Gopi, leading to an illicit relationship.

The husband had been working in the onion business, but she allegedly forced him to give it up, describing it as an embarrassment to the family. She then arranged for him to work in Hyderabad at a car travel company owned by Gopi, which provided security for women employees travelling at night.

A few months later, Nagaraju was made aware of his wifes illicit relationship with Gopi, leading to problems within the family. Then, about two months ago, he quit his job in Hyderabad and returned to his village to stay there. Police allege the wife, annoyed by his presence at home, plotted his murder with the help of her paramour.

A similar case

In a similar case, a woman killed her husband in Uttar Pradeshs Sambhal district and chopped off his body parts with the help of her lover. Ruby, a resident of Mohalla Chunni in Chandousi area, filed a missing person complaint of her husband Rahul, stating that her husband had not returned home on November 18.

A month later, the police recovered a severely decomposed torso inside a black bag from a drain near their home. The body was missing its head, arms, and legs, becoming a challenge for investigators. To identify the body, it was taken into custody.

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On investigation, Rubys story did not match her earlier claims, and police began suspecting her. Later, the police arrested her along with her lover, Gaurav, for the Murder of her husband.

In yet another crime of the same kind, a Merchant Navy officer was killed by his wife in Uttar Pradesh. The woman, Muskan Rastogi, had been allegedly plotting to kill her husband, Saurabh Rajput, along with her lover Sahil Shukla. Rastogi later admitted to her parents that she had killed Rajput under heavy intoxication. The two were later arrested.

With inputs from agencies
A beach in England has been covered in a layer of uncooked French fries and onions after a container ship spilt its cargo. A cleanup operation began on Tuesday (January 20) along the coastline of East Sussex in southeast England. Heres the science behind why onions and chips keep washing up on Englands south coast

Over Christmas, vegetables, bananas and insulation foam washed up on beaches along Englands south-east coast. They were from 16 containers spilt by the cargo ship Baltic Klipper in rough seas. In the new year, a further 24 containers fell from two vessels during Storm Goretti, with chips and onions among the goods appearing on the Sussex shoreline.

For most people, this is a nuisance  or perhaps a bit of fun. For oceanographers like me, who study tides and currents, it is also an accidental experiment  a rare chance to watch the ocean move things around in real time. Think of it as a very large message in a bottle.

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In reality, cargo has been falling off ships since traders first went to sea. What has changed is that, in the modern world, most goods are transported in standardised containers. Apart from oil, gas, vehicles, bulk grain, aggregates, and people, pretty much everything is moved this way.

Joel Bonnici, who lives in Eastbourne, said that a call-out for volunteers has been issued on a community Facebook page to encourage residents to help clear up the chips. Image courtesy:@Miss_Rosso/X

More than 250 million containers are shipped around the world each year, and it is likely that over 80 per cent of goods in your home travelled at some point in a container by sea.

Losses are rare. Industry group the estimates that over the past ten years, an average of 1,274 containers a year have been lost globally, out of hundreds of millions transported. This figure does vary: in 2020, a single huge ship, the ONE Apus, lost around 1,800 containers of its 14,000 load in a Pacific storm, while in 2024 global losses were estimated at just 576.

Ducks go global

Some losses make the news in unexpected ways. In January 1992, 12 containers washed off the Ever Laurel in the North Pacific. One of these contained 28,800 bath toys  plastic beavers, frogs, turtles and ducks  which spilt into the ocean and washed up on beaches around the Pacific over the next decade or more.

Curt Ebbesmeyer and James Ingraham, oceanographers from Seattle, tracked these so-called friendly floatees around the world and used them to improve scientific models of ocean circulation. In more recent years, Ive looked at the progress of these floatees into the Arctic and beyond.

Onions were among the food items. Image courtesy: ClownWorldYT1/X

Not all cargoes are this benign or useful. In January 2007, the MSC Napoli was hit by a major storm in the Channel and lost 114 containers, 80 of which washed up on beaches around Branscombe in Devon. Containers of wine, BMW motorbikes and perfumes drew locals to scour the beach for prizes, but there were also far more sinister containers of explosives, weed killers, fertilisers and acid.

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Both the cargoes and the containers themselves pose serious risks. Chemicals can destroy habitats, while containers can sometimes lurk one or two metres below the surface, kept semi-buoyant by trapped air, making them difficult to detect and capable of causing serious damage in a collision.

Designed for speed  not 100% security

Modern container ships are designed for speed and efficiency in port. A single 400-metre vessel can carry up to 25,000 containers, many towering high above deck like a block of flats. The containers interlock and are secured using industry standard fixings  one reasons cranes are able to rapidly move them around a port. In severe storms, however, the forces involved can exceed the fixings design limits, and containers can be dislodged, particularly those at the edges.

It is almost impossible to secure cargo 100 per cent safely. To do so would mean smaller ships, with cargo held internally, reversing decades of efficiency gains. That would mean far more ships required to move the same volume of goods, higher costs for consumers, great fuel use per tonne of goods, and a higher overall risk of accidents. It would also clog up ports around the world.

The English Channel is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world and is regularly battered by storms. Southampton, the UKs second busiest container port, is also one of only a few worldwide that can accommodate the largest container ships. It is therefore no surprise that container losses are often visible along Englands south coast.

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Looking ahead, the risks are unlikely to diminish. Climate change is intensifying storms as oceans warm, while international trade continues to grow and ships become ever larger.

The ship owners  usually through their insurance companies  are responsible for cleaning up spills, but the system only works if the losses are reported. Until now, containers lost at sea have often gone unreported, or their contents have been barely documented.

However, from January 1 2026, new international rules introduced by the World Shipping Council working with the International Maritime Organisation (the UN Agency responsible for shipping) will require ship owners to report all cargo losses and their contents. While this may not prevent containers from being lost at sea, it should improve tracking, recovery and accountability.

If you see a container on a beach, resist the temptation to see it as an early Christmas present. You should report it immediately to the coastguard  scavenging wrecks can count as theft. In the UK, who owns what washes up is decided by a single civil servant with the grand title of the Receiver of Wreck. Critically, that container may contain a far less pleasant cargo that could ruin your Christmases for years to come.

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Simon Boxall, Senior Lecturer in Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is set to dissolve parliament and call a general election today. The announcement of a snap election comes just three months after she became the nations first woman PM. Meanwhile, an official day of mourning will take place in Minneapolis for Renee Nicole Good, who was killed by ICE agents

Japans Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will dissolve parliament and call a general election to seek voter backing for her spending plans and other policies. Meanwhile, Minneapolis will observe an official mourning day for Renee Nicole Good today.

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is scheduled to hold its 39th special session to address the human rights situation in Iran. Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is set to address a media gathering.

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The funeral of legendary Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani is set to take place in Rome today. In India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Kerala and flag off four new trains.

Here is all that is set to take place today across the world.

Japan PM to dissolve Parliament, call for elections

Japans Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will dissolve parliament on Friday and call a general election to seek voter backing for her spending plans and other policies.

The announcement of a snap election comes just three months after she became the nations first female prime minister. Addressing a news conference on Monday (January 19), she said, Today, I, as the prime minister, have decided to dissolve the lower house on January 23.

By calling an early election, she could ride a wave of public support to consolidate her control of the LDP and reinforce her coalitions shaky majority.

Minneapolis day of mourning for Renee Good

Community members, labour unions, and faith leaders in Minneapolis and across Minnesota will be participating in a Day of Truth and Freedom to mourn the death of Renee Nicole Good. Good was shot dead by an Ice official, Jonathan Ross, on January 7.

Residents are urged to participate by observing a day of no work, no school, and no shopping. A major peaceful march and rally is scheduled for 2:00 pm in downtown Minneapolis. The action seeks to demand the immediate removal of Ice from Minnesota, justice for Renee Good, and an end to federal funding for immigration enforcement surges in the state.

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UNHRC to hold urgent meeting on Iran

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) will hold its 39th special session on Friday to address the "deteriorating human rights situation" in Iran. The session is scheduled to begin at 2:00 pm in the Assembly Hall at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

Protesters gather as vehicles burn, amid evolving anti-government unrest in Tehran, Iran. File image/Reuters

While figures vary, Iranian state media reported at least 3,117 deaths as of January 21. Human rights organisations and some media outlets estimate the toll could be significantly higher, ranging from 3,400 to 20,000 fatalities in ongoing protests in the country.

Meanwhile, Irans diplomatic mission has refuted these reports, claiming the clashes followed armed attacks on security forces and accusing foreign powers of inciting the unrest.

Sheikh Hasina to address media gathering

Ousted former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to deliver a major address via an audio message on Friday. The message will be played at an event titled Safe Democracy in Bangladesh at the Foreign Correspondents Club (FCC) of South Asia in Delhi.

The gathering will feature in-person participation from Human Rights Watch Secretary General Engineer Mohammad A. Siddique and former Education Minister Nowfel, with other senior Awami League figures appearing virtually. Earlier, there were rumours of a personal appearance, but reliable sources later confirmed that Hasina will not attend in person. Instead, her recorded audio message will open the programme.

Valentinos funeral to take place

The funeral for legendary Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani will be held in Rome today. The designer died at the age of 93 on January 19.

The funeral will be held at the Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri in Romes Piazza della Repubblica. The ceremony is expected to draw leading figures from the international fashion industry, cultural institutions, and public life, alongside the designers longtime partner, Giancarlo Giammetti.

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Designer Valentino Garavani arrives for the 2019 CFDA Awards at The Brooklyn Museum in New York, US. File image/Reuters

A public lying-in-state was held on Wednesday, January 21, and Thursday, January 22, at the headquarters of his foundation in Rome. Mourners, including his creative successor Alessandro Michele, visited to pay their respects next to a wooden coffin topped with a single red rose.

PM Modi to visit Kerala

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Kerala on Friday, where he will lay the foundation stone, inaugurate, and flag off various developmental projects in Thiruvananthapuram.

In a major boost to rail connectivity, Prime Minister Modi will flag off four new train services, including three Amrit Bharat Express trains and one passenger train. These include the Nagercoil-Mangaluru Amrit Bharat Express, Thiruvananthapuram-Tambaram Amrit Bharat Express, Thiruvananthapuram-Charlapalli Amrit Bharat Express, and a new passenger train between Thrissur and Guruvayur.

With inputs from agencies
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, speaking at the WEF in Davos this week, was met with a standing ovation. While he never mentioned Donald Trump by name, the target of his message was unmistakable. Here is how the Canadian leader is gaining a reputation for standing up to the US

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has emerged as a political star.

And it is largely thanks to US President Donald Trump and the World Economic Forum (WEF) at Davos. Most world leaders have learned to flatter Trump or try not to provoke him. But not Carney.

The Canadian Prime Minister took on Trump directly at Davos and called out the US administration to its face. But how did the Canadian economist and banker-turned-Prime Minister emerge as a political star? Lets take a look.

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Carneys speech at Davos

Carney, speaking at the WEF in Davos this week, laid out a prescription for the world. We live in an era of great power rivalry  that the rules-based order is fading, that the strong do what they can, and the weak suffer what they must, Carney said.

Compliance will not buy safety. The old order is not coming back. We should not mourn it. Nostalgia is not a strategy.

Carneys speech, which did not directly address Trump or the United States by name, was met with a standing ovation.

If were not at the table, were on the menu, he added.

Carney is said to have written the 30-minute speech defending Canadian sovereignty and independence himself. He also took aim at Trump over tariffs the US president announced on European allies who refuse his attempts to take over Greenland.

Canada strongly opposes tariffs over Greenland and calls for focused talks to achieve our shared objectives of security and prosperity in the Arctic, Carney said. If great powers abandon even the pretence of rules and values for the unhindered pursuit of their power and interests, the gains from transactionalism will become harder to replicate, he added.

We are in the midst of a rupture, not a transition, Carney said, pointing to how great powers were using economic integration as weapons and tariffs as leverage. We can show that another way is possible, that the arc of history isnt destined to be warped towards authoritarianism and exclusion; it can still bend towards progress and justice, Carney said.

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Other countries, particularly middle powers like Canada, are not powerless. They have the capacity to build a new order that embodies our values, like respect for human rights, sustainable development, solidarity and sovereignty. Carney said Canada must be a beacon and an example to a world at sea. In a time of rising populism and ethnic nationalism, he argued Canada can show how diversity is a strength, not a weakness.

Carney, speaking at the WEF in Davos this week, laid out a prescription for the world.

There are billions of people who aspire to what we have built: a pluralistic society that works, Carney said. He added that Canada delivers shared prosperity and has a democracy that chooses to protect the vulnerable against the powerful. Its a great country for everyone. It is the greatest country in the world to be a regular person. You dont have to be born rich, or to a landed family. You dont have to be a certain colour or worship a certain god, he said.

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Carney, a former head of both the Bank of England and the Bank of Canada who struck a deal with China last week, said it was important for Canada to have a web of connections.

But within those clear guard rails are huge opportunities in energy, both clean and conventional, in agriculture and in financial services  all of which is mutually beneficial.

Trump fires back, Carney responds

During his own speech in Davos, Trump hit back at Carney, claiming that Canada receives many freebies from the US and should be grateful. He said Carneys Davos speech showed he wasnt so grateful. Trump claimed Canada wants to participate in Golden Dome  a multibillion-dollar missile defence system he says will be operational before his term ends in 2029.

Trump, who has repeatedly threatened to annex Canada, also shared an AI image depicting Canada and Greenland as part of the United States.

Carney on Thursday responded to Trumps comment that Canada lives because of the United States by saying Canada thrives because of Canadian values. Canada and the United States have built a remarkable partnership in the economy, in security and in rich cultural exchange, Carney said.

During his own speech in Davos, Trump hit back at Carney, claiming that Canada receives many freebies from the US and should be grateful.

But Canada doesnt live because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadian. Carney said Canada and the US have built a remarkable partnership in the areas of economy, security and cultural exchange, but stressed, We are masters in our home. This is our own country. Its our future. The choice is up to us.

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Trump responded by saying that Canada was no longer welcome on his Peace Board, launched on Thursday. He publicly disinvited Carney from the Gaza board after the Prime Minister delivered his high-profile speech on the end of the US-led world order, during which he issued a rallying cry to world leaders to unite.

During his speech, Trump claimed the US would use excessive strength of force to acquire Greenland. He demanded right, title and ownership, adding: You can say no  we will remember.

What do experts say?

Experts have praised the speech wholeheartedly.

Jack Cunningham, a professor of international relations at the University of Toronto, said Canadians responded overwhelmingly to Carneys speech in part because the Prime Minister dared to push back against Trump and appears still to command the Presidents respect.

For a long time, every other leader has tried to treat Trump as if he were a difficult grandfather you had to manage, Cunningham said. Theres a sense of pride among Canadians that Carney is the leader who has been able to confront Trump. We just hope now that were no longer alone.

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Leaders in other Western capitals have alluded to dangerous departures Trump has taken from norms, but they always return to the possibility that he can be appeased or accommodated. Carney has exposed that as simply inaccurate, Cunningham told The Guardian.

Carney is the first major Western leader to acknowledge the reality. A lot of leaders abroad are looking for somebody to set a direction. And this speech is planting a flag. Bob Rae, Canadas former ambassador to the United Nations, pointed the finger at countries rather than institutions like the UN.

Superpowers  like Russia and the United States  have decided theyre going to take the law into their own hands, he told The Guardian. The Prime Minister was clear in his message: you dont abandon those institutions, and you dont give up on them. But you do need to recognise that in the real world theyre very challenged. Too many countries are breaking all the rules and asking everybody else to break those rules.

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Laura Stephenson, a political science professor at the University of Western Ontario, said, Canadians will feel a sense of pride  and possibly some concern  because our Prime Minister has been so blunt. Carney is displaying courage by saying these things so publicly, and there will be pride that the global reception to his speech has been largely positive.

James Moore, a former Minister of Industry under Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper, posted a clip of Carneys speech while calling on people to put down your partisan swords today and take a moment and listen to this speech.

Michelle Rempel Garner, a Conservative Member of Parliament from Alberta, wrote in the National Post that Carneys speech rightly named the hard realities of a fractured geopolitical system and the urgent need for middle powers like Canada to step up with resolve and realism, and called on him to follow through with action.

With inputs from agencies

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Donald Trump was all set to take over Greenland. But the only thing that seemed to stopped him was Nato chief Mark Rutte. The Nato secretary-general may have been instrumental in persuading the US president to climbdown on his plans to acquire the Arctic territory

President Donald Trump (right) meets with Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte during a meeting on the sidelines of the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. File image/AP

For days, it seemed there was no way out of the latest standoff between Europe and the United States: US President Donald Trump insisted he must have Greenland  and would settle for nothing short of total ownership.

Even after he dropped the threat of force in a speech in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday, the impasse remained. Enter: Mark Rutte.

The Nato secretary-general may have been instrumental in persuading Trump to scrap the threat of slapping punitive tariffs on eight European nations to press for US control over Greenland  a stunning reversal shortly after insisting he wanted to get the island including right, title and ownership.

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In a post on his social media site, Trump said he had agreed with Rutte on a framework of a future deal on Arctic security at the World Economic Forum in Davos, potentially defusing tensions that had far-reaching geopolitical implications.

Little is known about what the agreement entails or how crucial Ruttes intervention was, and Trump could change course again. But for now, Rutte has earned his reputation as a Trump whisperer.

Thats only the latest nickname for the man long known as Teflon Mark during his domination of Dutch politics for a dozen years.

Trump whisperer

Ruttes reputation for successfully charming the US president took flight last year when he referred to Donald Trump as daddy during an alliance summit in The Hague and sent him a flattering text message.

Matthew Kroenig, vice president and senior director of the Atlantic Councils Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, said the dramatic scenes in Davos underscored Ruttes ability to keep Natos most powerful leader on board.

I think Secretary-General Rutte has emerged as one of Europes most effective diplomats and Trump whisperers, Kroenig said. He does seem to have a way of speaking to Trump that keeps the United States and the Trump administration engaged in Nato in a constructive way.

Trump himself highlighted Ruttes effusive friendliness before he set off for Davos this week, publishing a text message from the Nato chief on his Truth Social platform. File image/AP

Ruttes success in dealing with Trump appears to revolve around his willingness to use charm and flattery while revealing little of what the two leaders discuss. Its a tactic that Rutte used to marshal coalition partners in nearly 13 years as Dutch prime minister.

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Trump himself highlighted Ruttes effusive friendliness before he set off for Davos this week, publishing a text message from the Nato chief on his Truth Social platform. In it, Rutte addresses Mr President, dear Donald and praises Trump for his diplomacy in Syria, Gaza, and Ukraine.

I am committed to finding a way forward on Greenland. Cant wait to see you. Yours, Mark, the message ended.

Teflon Mark

Rutte became a poster boy for Dutch consensus politics while leading four often fractious ruling coalitions on his way to becoming the Netherlands longest-serving leader, surviving a number of domestic political scandals over the years and earning the nickname Teflon Mark because the fallout never seemed to stick to him for long.

The back cover of a 2016 book about Rutte by Dutch journalist Sheila Sitalsing, who followed him when he was prime minister, calls him a phenomenon.

With indestructible cheerfulness, he navigates the fragmented political landscape, recklessly forges the most extraordinary alliances and steadily works towards a new Netherlands, it adds.

Rutte and his government resigned in 2021 to take responsibility for a child care allowance scandal in which thousands of parents were wrongly accused of fraud. But he bounced back to win national elections two months later with a slightly larger share of the vote and began his fourth and last term in office.

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In another scandal that he survived, Rutte said in an interview that he couldnt recall being informed about the Dutch bombing of Hawija that killed dozens of Iraqi civilians in 2015. In 2022, he survived a no-confidence motion in parliament in a debate about deleting messages from his old-school Nokia cellphone. Critics accused him of concealing state activity  but he insisted the messages just took up too much space in his phone.

Opposition lawmaker Attje Kuiken quipped: It appears that the prime ministers phone memory is used just as selectively as the prime ministers own memory.

His winning smile and enduring optimism, along with his habit of riding his bicycle to work while chomping on an apple, seemed to help cement his popularity in the Netherlands, where such down-to-earth behavior is prized. When his last coalition collapsed in 2023 in a dispute over reining in migration, Rutte again leaned on that image, driving an old Saab station wagon to a royal palace to hand his resignation to King Willem-Alexander.

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From The Hague to Brussels

Just landing the Nato chiefs job showed how adept Rutte is at navigating turbulent geopolitical waters. He managed to convince entrenched doubters, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to back his candidacy.

It took a very long time. Its a complicated process, but its an honor that it appears to have happened, Rutte told reporters after securing all the support he needed to become secretary-general.

Ruttes soft diplomatic skills were seen as a key asset for the leader of the 32-nation alliance as it faced Trumps repeated criticism while navigating how to support Ukraine in the war against Russia.

Several hours before Trump made his dramatic reversal on Greenland, Finnish President Alexander Stubb  another European leader credited with having a way with Trump  was asked during a panel discussion on European security in Davos, who or what can diffuse the tensions over Greenland?

Oh, Mark Rutte, Stubb said, to laughter in the audience and among the panel that included the Dutchman himself.
Pakistan has a dubious record of unqualified medical professionals. These so-called doctors operate without registration numbers or even legal authorisation to practise. In most cases, they keep reusing resources and devices that should be thrown out after the first use, risking the people who come to them for treatment

An unlicensed clinic on the outskirts of Pakistan's Hyderabad city in Sindh province. AFP

Rusted nails hold used infusion tubes on the wall of a clinic run by one among hundreds of thousands of unqualified doctors operating across Pakistan.

Dozens of patients visit the small roadside shop each day in the southern Sindh province, where a few chairs are arranged around wooden tables used to lay patients down.

These patients have faith in me. They believe I can treat them well, said Abdul Waheed, who opened the facility a few months ago outside Hyderabad city.

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During the day, the 48-year-old works at a private hospital in Hyderabad. In the evenings, he comes to the village of Tando Saeed Khan to see patients at his clinic, charging 300 rupees ($1) per consultation.

I have spent so much time in this field. I have worked with several doctors. Thanks to God, I have confidence to diagnose a patient and treat the disease, Waheed told AFP.

Abdul Waheed (left) can be seen trying to diagnose a minor in his unlicensed clinic on the outskirts of Hyderabad city in Sindh province. AFP

There is no signboard, no registration number, and he has no legal authorisation to practise as a doctor.

Waheed, who has a diploma in homeopathy and has completed a four-year nursing course, speaks with confidence.

After examining two young children, he insisted that patients come to him willingly and trust his abilities.

No one has questioned me yet. If someone comes, I will see what to do, he said, reflecting the ease with which unqualified individuals practise medicine in Pakistan.

Such unlicensed clinics are often the first, and sometimes the only, point of care for poor communities.

Dangerously reusing equipment

Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, secretary general of the Pakistan Medical Association, said there are more than 600,000 fake doctors operating across Pakistan.

This nationwide figure has been confirmed by the Sindh Healthcare Commission (SHCC), based on estimates from the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council.

Calling the practice a public health epidemic, Shoro said that such practitioners work with doctors, learn a few things there, and then open their own clinics.

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An unlicensed clinic on the outskirts of Hyderabad city in Sindh province. AFP

Unqualified doctors dont know the side effects and exact dosage of medicines. If a disease is not properly diagnosed, it can become dangerous, Shoro said.

The instruments they use are not sterilised. They simply wash them with water and continue using them. They reuse syringes, which increases the spread of hepatitis and Aids.

As AFP journalists visited Tando Saeed Khan, another unqualified doctor immediately closed his clinic and disappeared.

Outside Waheeds shop, villager Ali Ahmed said there are multiple such clinics in the area.

None of them have qualified doctors. People arent educated and cant recognise qualified doctors, the 31-year-old told AFP.

Lifelong damage

Medical experts say this unchecked practise has a direct impact on Pakistans already strained healthcare system, with tertiary care hospitals overwhelmed by patients whose conditions worsen after improper treatment.

Khalid Bukhari, the head of Civil Hospital Karachi, said the facility regularly receives such cases from across the country.

They misdiagnose and mistreat patients. Our hospital is overloaded. Most of the cases we receive are those ruined by them, said Bukhari, whose public hospital is one of the largest in the country.

Khalid Bukhari, the head of Civil Hospital Karachi, speaks during an interview with AFP in Karachi. AFP

These people are playing with the lives of poor citizens. If people go to proper doctors and receive precise treatment, they will not need to come to us.

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Regulatory authorities acknowledge their failure to control the problem.

We have limited resources. This practice cannot be eliminated easily. If we shut down 25 outlets, 25 new ones will open the very next day, said Ahson Qavi Siddiqi, the head of Sindh HealthCare Commission (SHCC).

The commission recently sealed a bungalow in Karachi that had been operating as a hospital  complete with intensive care units for children and adults  because it was unregistered.

The law against it is weak. We file cases, but the accused get bail the next day because it is a bailable offence, Siddiqi told AFP.

The official also described serious security threats faced by inspection teams.

These people are influential in their areas. In many cases, our teams are taken hostage. We are fired upon. I dont have the force to take strong action, the SHCC head said.

Shoro said the practice also financially destroys families who are left with big hospital bills when something goes wrong.

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Many people die or become disabled, and their families suffer for the rest of their lives.
Negotiations on a trade deal between India and the European Union are likely to be finalised in the coming week. This pact will boost Indian exports like textiles, chemicals, and electronics. However, there are some challenges yet to be overcome

On Tuesday (January 27), India and the European Union are expected to finalise negotiations on the much-awaited Free Trade Agreement. Earlier, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the two sides have reached a pivotal moment and are close historic trade agreement with far-reaching implications for global commerce.

Speaking at Davos, von der Leyen said, And right after Davos, the next weekend, I will travel to India. There is still work to do, but we are on the cusp of a historic trade agreement. The agreement would create a combined market of around two billion people and account for nearly a quarter of global GDP.

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The agreement is expected to cut tariffs on European cars and wine and create broader market opportunities for Indian electronics, textiles, and chemicals.

Here are some key elements of the trade deal.

What will be the impact of the trade deal?

Once signed and ratified by the European Parliament, a process that could stretch beyond a year, the pact could expand bilateral trade and provide a boost to Indian exports such as textiles and jewellery, hit by 50 per cent US tariffs since late August.

Indian electronics, textiles, and chemicals will get a great boost with the trade deal. File image/Reuters

However, a vote by EU lawmakers earlier this week to challenge the EU-South America pact in the blocs top court highlights how parliamentary hurdles could delay or complicate ratification. Investment protection and geographical indications (GIs) are being negotiated separately, narrowing the FTAs focus to goods, services, and trade rules.

Why does it matter now?

The pact would mark Indias ninth trade agreement in four years, highlighting its drive to expand market access amid rising global protectionism. For the EU, it offers a chance to diversify supply chains and tap into Indias $4.2 trillion economy while reducing dependence on China.

What are the benefits for India?

The EU is among Indias top trading partners, along with the United States and China, with total bilateral goods and services trade exceeding $190 billion in 2024/25. India exported about $76 billion in goods and $30 billion in services to the 27-nation bloc.

Average EU tariffs on Indian goods are relatively low at about 3.8 per cent, but labour-intensive sectors such as textiles and garments face duties of around 10 per cent, according to Global Trade Research Initiative, a Delhi-based think tank.

The FTA would help restore competitiveness lost after the EU began withdrawing tariff concessions under Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) in 2023, on products including garments, pharmaceuticals and machinery, and offset the impact of higher US tariffs.

What are the benefits for European Union?

EU exports to India face much higher barriers, with a weighted-average tariff of about 9.3 per cent on $60.7 billion of goods in 2024/25.

Duties are particularly steep on automobiles, auto parts, chemicals and plastics. Tariff cuts would open opportunities in cars, machinery, aircraft and chemicals, while improving access to services, procurement and investment in one of the worlds fastest-growing large markets.

Are there any sticking points in the trade deal?

Agriculture and dairy are excluded. India is resisting EU demands to eliminate tariffs on more than 95 per cent of goods, signalling closer to 90 per cent.

Autos, wine and spirits remain sensitive. India is considering phased cuts or limited quotas rather than sharp tariff reductions, citing risks to domestic manufacturing.

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What are the rules?

India wants data-secure status under EU data rules, easier movement of professionals and relief from double social security payments.

The EU is seeking broader access to Indias financial and legal services and commitments on labour, environment and intellectual property - areas where New Delhi prefers flexibility.

What are Indias red flags?

Two major concerns are the EUs carbon border levy, which could blunt tariff gains for Indian exporters, and high non-tariff barriers such as regulatory delays, stringent standards and certification costs.

What comes next?

Analysts say geopolitics and trade shocks have pushed both sides towards a pragmatic, executable compromise. Whether the pact delivers balanced gains will depend on how carbon levies, services mobility and non-tariff barriers are ultimately handled.

With inputs from Reuters
A huge purple bruise was spotted on United States President Donald Trumps left hand during a signing ceremony for the Board of Peace at the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Thursday (January 22) in Davos, Switzerland. Addressing the issue, Trump said that he bumped his hand on furniture

Photos show a purple blemish as Donald Trump spoke at the 'Board of Peace' event, which was held in Davos, Switzerland. Image courtesy: @GeopolitixM/X

At the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026, United States President Donald Trump made headlines for many reasons. From his Iceland and Greenland faux pas to his ended eight wars claim, Trumps gaffes at Davos went viral. However, something else caught peoples attention: a large purple bruise on the presidents left hand, once again drawing renewed concern about his health.

Previously, similar marks were witnessed on his right hand. This time, the bruise appeared on the back of his left palm, which Trump downplayed.

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Big purple bruise on Trumps hand

A large purple bruise was seen on Trumps left hand during his speech at the unveiling of the Board of Peace at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland. At the start of thesigning event, in a video, there was no visible bruising on his hand. However, it became noticeable roughly 10 minutes in, when the president was signing several documents at the table, according to a media report.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president hit his hand on the corner of the signing table, resulting in a large bruise on his left hand. AFP.

The Republican leaders right hand has shown signs of persistent bruising in the past. According to CNN, last year, bruising on Trumps left hand revived questions about his health, and now a similar mark was photographed at Davos as well.

Trump downplays the fresh bruising

While speaking to CNN aboard Air Force One, Trump addressed bruising on his hand. I clipped it on the table, he said. I put a little  what do they call it?  cream on it. But I clipped it, he furthered.

Trump noted that since he is consuming high doses of aspirin, he has been prone to bruising, a similar reason that his doctor, US Navy Captain Sean P Barbabella, cited.

President Donald Trump sported a bruise on the back of his left hand during a signing ceremony for the Board of Peace at the World Economic Forum on Thursday. Image courtesy: @EyeonPalestine/X

I would say, take aspirin if you like your heart, but dont take aspirin if you dont want to have a little bruising. I take the big aspirin, and when you take the big aspirin, they tell you, you bruise, he told the media outlet.

The president asserted that his doctor had told him not to take aspirin as he is very healthy. But, I said, Im not taking any chances, he added.

Reporter: We saw the bruising on your hand. Are you okay?



Trump: Im very good. I clipped it on the table. So I put a littlewhat do they call itcream on it. I clipped it. I would say take aspirin if you like your heart, but dont take aspirin if you dont want to have a little pic.twitter.com/68iiqzbMDb  Acyn (@Acyn) January 22, 2026

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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the same in a statement to The Independent. At the Board of Peace event today in Davos, President Trump hit his hand on the corner of the signing table, causing it to bruise, Leavitt said.

The White House also released the photos of the president in Davos on Wednesday (January 21) and Thursday (January 22). Pictures from yesterday and this morning clearly show no bruising," it told CNN.

Trumps past hand bruises & health rumours

The frequent burnishing of Trumps hands has swirled speculations about the 79-year-old leaders health and fitness. Hand bruising, swelling in his legs, and moments of dozing off at public events have been a subject of intense speculation.

Last year in February, Trumps large bruise on the back of his right hand made headlines when he hosted French President Emmanuel Macron for meetings at the White House.

White House linked the cause to shaking hands all day every day. Leavitt explained in a statement, President Trump has bruises on his hand because hes constantly working and shaking hands all day, every day. She also added that the president takes the aspirin as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention

President Trump is a man of the people. His commitment is unwavering, and he proves that every single day.

According to NBC News, visible bruising or redness appeared on the presidents right hand on at least two other occasions in August and November 2024. In a Times article published in December 2024, Trump said, Its from shaking hands with thousands of people.

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In a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Trump addressed his health and admitted that he puts makeup on his hands. I have makeup thats, you know, easy to put on, takes about 10 seconds."

He also told the media outlet that he consumes a higher dose of daily aspirin than his doctors recommend. According to him, Aspirin is good for thinning out the blood.

Im a little superstitious. They say aspirin is good for thinning out the blood, and I dont want thick blood pouring through my heart. I want nice, thin blood pouring through my heart. Does that make sense?" he told WSJ.

Trump also suffered leg swelling as disclosed by his administration last summer. They attributed the leg swelling to chronic venous insufficiency, a common condition in which faulty vein valves allow blood to accumulate, leading to swelling, cramps, and changes in the skin, reported Hindustan Times (HT)

However, last October, Trumps doctor said that the president remains in exceptional health after a comprehensive medical checkup at Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre.

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President Donald J. Trump Completes Comprehensive Follow-Up Evaluation at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center pic.twitter.com/OuB4whYm6K  Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 11, 2025

With inputs from agencies
Shehbaz Sharif was all smiles as he shared the stage with Donald Trump at the unveiling of the Board of Peace at Davos. However, Pakistans entry into the group has triggered immense criticism back home, with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, the countrys leading opposition party, demanding a withdrawal and asking for a referendum to be held

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif along with other world leaders applaud as US President Donald Trump holds a signing founding charter at the "Board of Peace" meeting during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos. AFP

Oh Pakistan! Islamabads wooing of Donald Trump continues  the latest being the Asian country being among the handful of nations that have joined the US presidents Board of Peace, which was unveiled on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum at Davos on Thursday (January 22).

On Thursday, Trump took to stage to unveil the Board of Peace in Davos surrounded by what can only be described as the American leaders superfans. There was the ever-smiling Javier Milei of Argentina, Indonesias Prabowo Subianto, a former military general, and Viktor Orban, who over decades has turned Hungary into an illiberal state. Perhaps, the most glaring inclusion was that of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, who is popularly known as Europes last dictator.

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Joining them and Trump on stage at the event was Pakistans Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as well.

However, Pakistans decision to join this bloc has sparked sharp criticism from within the country, with leaders and activists warning that Islamabad may have misread the political cost of trying to align itself closely with Washington.

Pakistan enlists for Trumps Board of Peace

On Thursday, Pakistans Shehbaz Sharif was on stage with US President Donald Trump as the latter unveiled his ambitious Board of Peace at Davos. Endorsed by the United Nations Security Council last November, it was originally established to oversee the rebuilding of Gaza, but now has a far broader mandate, including promoting global stability and conflict resolution around the world.

Since its charter has been released, many have speculated that the board is an attempt by Donald Trump to replace the United Nations. Moreover, questions have been raised about the agenda of the grouping as well as the $1 billion price tag attached to gain permanent membership as well as the leadership of it  Trump will remain the chairman of the Board even after his presidential tenure ends.

But despite these concerns, on Thursday, many nations, including Pakistan signed the charter of the Board. At the event, Trump said they were in most cases very popular leaders, some cases not so popular.

Thats the way it goes in life, he added, Every one of them are friends of mine. I like every single one of them. Just about every country wants to be a part of it. We sent out the letters a couple of days ago and countries that are here just happened to be in Davos.

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According to the Foreign Office, Pakistan is hopeful that with the creation of this framework, concrete steps will be taken towards the implementation of a permanent ceasefire, further scaling up of humanitarian aid for the Palestinians, as well as reconstruction of Gaza.

Pakistans Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif speak with US President Donald Trump at the Board of Peace meeting during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos. AFP

The backlash begins against Sharif

However, not everyone is happy about Sharifs decision to join Trumps Board of Peace. It has triggered a firestorm, with many politicians as well as academics labelling Sharifs move as non-transparent and morally indefensible.

Senate opposition leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas denounced Pakistans decision in a post on X, calling it morally incorrect and indefensible, both on principle and on policy. The initiative was problematic from the outset. Conceived as an externally managed arrangement for post-war Gaza, it effectively removes the right of governance from the Palestinian people themselves. By placing reconstruction, security and political oversight in the hands of outside actors, the project carries the unmistakable imprint of a neo-colonial enterprise. Such frameworks rarely end at administration, he said.

Trumps initiative will, over time, erode the very right to self-determination it claims to safeguard, he wrote, adding, What makes Pakistans participation more troubling is that an initiative initially sold as a limited mechanism for rebuilding after the genocide in Gaza is now being openly expanded. Statements by its principal sponsor and the contents of its draft charter suggest ambitions well beyond Palestine, with little regard for the United Nations. The absence of clear UN oversight and the boards widening mandate point towards an attempt to supplant, or at the very least marginalise, the existing multilateral system.

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He further added, Foreign policy decisions driven by short-term calculation often produce lasting consequences. By associating itself with a project that undermines both Palestinian agency and the UN system, Pakistan risks diluting its moral standing and strategic coherence. It is a decision Pakistan will regret, he said.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the party led by former PM Imran Khan, also denounced the move, demanding that Sharif withdraw the countrys participation from the Board of Peace. Decisions of such international significance must always be undertaken with full transparency and inclusive consultation with all major political stakeholders, said the PTI in a statement, adding that it calls upon the Government of Pakistan to withdraw any formal participation in the Board of Peace until a complete consultative process has been conducted.

The Imran Khan-led party even wants a national referendum on the decision.

Another political leader, Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar noted that the decision to join the board without any public debate or input from Parliament smacks of the disregard this regime has of the Pakistani nation.

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He also asked What the h*** are we binding ourselves to?

Pakistans decision to join Board of peace without any public debate or input by the parliament smacks of the disregard this regime has of the Pakistani nation. The decision is wrong on following counts ;



1) The so called board of peace is a colonial enterprise to not only  Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar (@mustafa_nawazk) January 21, 2026

But its not just opposition figures who have criticised Sharif on his decision to enlist for Trumps Board of Peace. Former ambassador to the US, UK and UN, Maleeha Lodhi, termed Pakistans participation an unwise decision. Writing on X, she said, An unwise decision for many reasons. The government has overlooked the fact that Trump wants states to join the board to secure international support and legitimacy for what are and will be unilateral actions by him. The boards remit is v broad and beyond Gaza, another reason not to join.

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Pakistan has signed up to an 'organisation' ( Board of Peace) which Trump projects as an alternative to the UN. And which is tied to Trump's person and cannot last beyond his term in office. Is pleasing Trump more important than adhering to principles ?  Maleeha Lodhi (@LodhiMaleeha) January 22, 2026

Even author and journalist Zahid Hussain slammed the Sharif administration for joining the group. Speaking to Dawn, Hussain said, Pakistan has done it in a hurry. They should have waited. It would give them ample time to see what other countries are doing.

It raises questions about Pakistans foreign policy: do we just want to follow Trumps diktat? We seem to only want to be in Trumps good books, he explained. Trumps imperialism has changed the power structure.

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Author and activist Fatima Bhutto also told The Dawn, So Pakistan will be sitting with Israel on this board of piece - very perpetrators of the Palestinian Holocaust? What a disgrace.

Pakistans continuous wooing of Trump

Pakistans decision of joining the Board of Peace, notwithstanding the criticism and the hefty price tag, is part of Shehbaz Sharifs administrations continued wooing of US President Donald Trump. In fact, since Operation Sindoor last May, Islamabad has doubled down its efforts to strengthen its ties with the Trump administration, spending millions of dollars in lobbying efforts and also endorsing the US president for the Nobel Peace Prize  he missed out on it.

US President Donald Trump and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The Pakistani leader has been wooing Trump since the latters return to the White House. File image/Reuters

Last October, Sharif even endorsed Trumps claim that he mediated peace between India and Pakistan, saying the American leader prevented a possible nuclear conflict between the two countries. Speaking at Egypts Sharm El-Sheikh to discuss Gazas post-war future, Sharif said: Today is one of the greatest days in contemporary history because peace has been achieved after untiring efforts led by President Trump, who is genuinely a man of peace.

 SHEHBAZ SHARIF : Today again I am nominating Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Price 



Watch Georgia Meloni's reaction  pic.twitter.com/QtaqTTOhxg  News Algebra (@NewsAlgebraIND) October 13, 2025

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Pakistan has nominated President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his extraordinary efforts to first stop the war between India and Pakistan and then achieve a ceasefire, along with his very wonderful team, he added.

Besides this, Sharif and his Field Marshal Asim Munir, who was watching the event at Davos from the crowds, have also signed deals with Trump on Islamabad supplying critical minerals and rare earth elements to the US, and also discussing joint ventures in cryptocurrency.

And it seems that Pakistans approach seems to be working with Trump. The US president levied only a 19 per cent tariff on the country, the lowest for any South Asian nation.

The question is will this wooing of Trump continue and how far will it go.

With inputs from agencies
After weeks of threats, Donald Trump has announced that a framework of a future deal on Greenland has been secured. While nothing has been put down on paper, there are indications that additional US forces would be allowed. Moreover, it could include specific provisions barring Beijing and Moscow from operating in the Arctic territory

A large reading 'Greenland is not for sale' is pictured outside of a clothing shop in Nuuk, Greenland. AFP

Until Wednesday, a Donald Trump takeover of Greenland seemed imminent. The United States president had even announced that he would impose a tariff on the eight nations blocking his effort to acquire the Arctic territory.

But in one of the most surprising climbdowns, prompting many to believe it was a Taco' moment  Trump always chickens out  the American leader announced that he and Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte had reached a framework of a future deal on Greenland on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland.

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With this, Trump withdrew his tariff threat on the European nations and seemed to put a pause on the US-European tensions that had emerged.

But whats in the deal? Will it be acceptable to Denmark and Greenland, both of which have made it clear they will not relinquish sovereignty of the worlds largest island in the Arctic?

Whats been said about Greenlands framework deal?

Two days after Trump and Rutte said that they had reached a framework of a future deal on Greenland, details remain scant on what exactly have the two sides agreed upon. As of Thursday evening, there was no pen to paper. There is no deal on the table and nothing has been agreed to, according to multiple sources familiar with the discussions.

As of now, Trump has said that further information will be made available as discussions progress, and that he had picked US Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to take on the negotiations.

What are the details we know about the Greenland deal?

As of now, what we do know about the deal is that it has given Washington everything we wanted and will be in force forever. The time limit is infinity, meaning there is no time limit. Its forever. You know, youre about 99 years, 50 years. Its forever. That was discussed, Trump told reporters. We can do anything we want. We can do military, we can do anything we want, and its being negotiated. And lets see what happens. I think itll be good.

According to officials who wish to remain anonymous, the US and Denmark will renegotiate a 1951 defence pact on Greenland. The decades-old agreement, updated in 2004, already essentially gives Washington carte blanche to ramp up its troop deployments provided it informs the authorities in Denmark and Greenland in advance.

The earlier deal already permitted the United States free reign to travel between the defence areas. And it even said the laws of Denmark couldnt be used to prevent key personnel and their families from entering or exiting the defense areas. And CNN reported that its possible the new agreement could include even more US free reign.

US President Donald Trump speaks with Natos Secretary-General Mark Rutte during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos. AFP

Additional discussions are also being held about Trumps Golden Dome as it pertains to Greenland. Inspired by Israels Iron Dome, the Golden Dome is a multi-layered missile defence programme, which is expected to be completed by the end of Trumps term in 2029.

The new deal may also involve an enhanced role of Nato in Greenland, with Rutte saying that he discussed with Trump how to ensure that the Chinese and the Russians will not gain access to the Greenland economy, or militarily.

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There are also conflicting reports on granting access to Greenlands critical minerals. Rutte told Reuters that minerals exploitation was not discussed during his meeting with Trump. However, the Telegraph reports that talks have been held on rare earth mining.

What about Greenlands sovereignty?

The matter of Greenlands sovereignty, which has been at stake since Trump began his Greenland talks, was not discussed when Rutte sat down with the American leader.

Denmarks Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who spoke to Rutte before and after his meeting with Trump, reinforced this message, saying: The position of Denmark and that of Greenland are the same, and no negotiations were held yesterday with Nato about our sovereignty.

Its also unclear whether Denmark and Greenland have signed up to the deal. On Wednesday night following the Rutte-Trump meet, Aaja Chemnitz Larsen, a Greenlandic member of the Danish parliament, said that the idea that Nato should have anything to say about the territorys sovereignty or minerals was completely out of the question.

Some Danish MPs were also angered by Greenlands exclusion from Wednesdays negotiations. Its not real negotiations; its two men who have had a conversation, said Sascha Faxe to Sky News. There cant be a deal without having Greenland as part of the negotiations.

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The statue of missionary Hans Egede stands overlooking the city of Nuuk, Greenland. AFP

What comes next?

Following Trump and Ruttes meeting, the American leader announced he was pulling back his threats to impose tariffs on eight of the United States closest European allies. This solution, if consummated, will be a great one for the United States of America, and all Nato nations, Trump said a social media post. Based upon this understanding, I will not be imposing the tariffs that were scheduled to go into effect on February 1st.

These economic sanctions pushed transatlantic relations to near-crisis levels over the weekend, as the European nations contemplated responding with a powerful series of economic and trade moves.

As Sky News reported, we are now back at the position we were in last week when the Danish and Greenland foreign ministers met Trumps team. They agreed then to form a working group to seek a middle ground which addressed Trumps security concerns while not handing over Greenlands sovereignty.

Now, both sides will look for a middle ground that doesnt hand over Greenland to America. The question is will Trump accede to this?

With inputs from agencies
Months before Nicolas Maduro was seized by US forces, backchannel talks connected Venezuelas Delcy Rodriguez and the Trump administration. CIA Director John Ratcliffe later met the acting president in Caracas. Washington is now engaging Venezuelas interim government, pursuing oil sector reforms, and a phased reopening of the US embassy

Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodriguez waves as she walks to deliver her first annual address to the nation at the National Assembly, in Caracas, Venezuela, January 15, 2026. File Image/Reuters

The dramatic US military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in early January did not unfold in diplomatic isolation.

Behind the scenes, months of discreet conversations and quiet reassurances had already reshaped Washingtons understanding of who might steer Venezuela once Maduro was gone.

At the centre of that recalibration was Delcy Rodriguez  Maduros long-serving vice-president  and her brother Jorge Rodriguez, one of the most powerful political figures in the country.

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Multiple accounts from US and diplomatic sources to The Guardian now indicate that channels of communication between Rodriguez and the Trump administration were active well before helicopters descended on Caracas.

These interactions, which involved intermediaries and foreign governments, appear to have influenced Washingtons confidence that Venezuela could avoid total institutional collapse after Maduros removal.

According to several sources involved in high-level discussions, Delcy Rodriguez and her brother began quietly signalling their willingness to cooperate with the United States months before Maduros seizure, reported The Guardian.

These communications reportedly took place through intermediaries and included both US and Qatari officials. At the time, Rodriguez was still serving as vice-president under Maduro.

The outreach reportedly intensified in the fall of 2025 and continued even after a consequential phone call between Donald Trump and Maduro in late November. During that call, Trump pressed Maduro to leave Venezuela  a demand Maduro rejected.

However, that rejection appears to have sharpened Washingtons focus on alternative interlocutors within Venezuelas power structure.

By December, US officials were receiving messages indicating Rodriguez was preparing for a political transition if Maduro exited the scene.

One American involved in the discussions described the message, Delcy was communicating Maduro needs to go.

Another person familiar with the exchanges said Rodriguez made clear her intent to engage after Maduros departure, saying, She said, Ill work with whatever is the aftermath.

Sources pointed out that while Rodriguez and her brother pledged cooperation in a post-Maduro scenario, they did not agree to assist in removing him.

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According to those familiar with the talks, this was not an internally coordinated effort to overthrow the president, but rather a promise to help stabilise the country once he was gone.

She feared him, one official told The Guardian, describing Rodriguezs position inside the Maduro government.

How Washington acted accordingly

Inside the Trump administration, the idea of engaging figures from within Maduros inner circle was initially contentious.

US Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Marco Rubio was reportedly sceptical at first, particularly given his long-standing opposition to the Maduro regime.

However, as intelligence assessments increasingly warned of the risk of civil conflict or institutional breakdown following Maduros removal, Rodriguezs assurances began to carry weight.

According to sources, Rubio eventually concluded that working with regime insiders who retained bureaucratic and political control could be the most effective way to prevent Venezuela from fracturing.

One source described the overriding concern in Washington as preventing a descent into lawlessness. The biggest thing was trying to avoid a failed state, the source told The Guardian.

These concerns were reinforced by intelligence reporting indicating that other powerful Venezuelan figures were also quietly engaging Washington.

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Reuters later reported that Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, who oversees Venezuelas police and security forces, had held discussions with US officials months before the operation against Maduro.

At the same time, official channels between Washington and Caracas never fully closed. Shortly after Trumps inauguration, Maduro himself met with Ric Grenell, a senior Trump aide, to discuss US detainees. The prisoners were released soon after.

Separate sources said US officials continued regular contact with Delcy and Jorge Rodriguez on operational issues, including deportation flights for Venezuelans removed from the United States, the destination of those flights, the status of Venezuelans detained in El Salvador, and the possible release of political prisoners.

How Qatar facilitated a backchannel

Rodriguez maintained close personal ties with senior figures in Doha, where members of the ruling family reportedly considered her a trusted interlocutor.

Qatars relationship with the Trump administration  bolstered by its donation of a $400 million luxury jet for Trumps use  helped open doors for Rodriguez during the sensitive negotiations, according to sources.

In October, the Miami Herald reported that Rodriguez had proposed a transitional arrangement in which she would lead an interim government if Maduro agreed to retire to a prearranged safe haven.

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The proposal did not materialise, and Rodriguez publicly denounced the report. However, US officials began reassessing her political approach, concluding that she was more flexible than previously assumed.

Those who have interacted with Rodriguez described her as pragmatic and personally engaging, traits that reportedly helped her navigate diplomatic circles.

Her familiarity with the oil sector, and her connections with American energy executives, further distinguished her from other figures within the Maduro government. An ally described her orientation, saying, Delcy is the most committed to working with US oil.

By late fall, sources said even officials within the US administration who had favoured maximal pressure against Maduro were increasingly open to working with Rodriguez, viewing her as a stabilising figure capable of maintaining state continuity.

Where Rodriguez was when Maduro was captured

When US attack helicopters entered Caracas in early January, Rodriguez was not present in the capital. Rumours circulated that she had fled to Moscow, but two sources said she was on Margarita Island, a Venezuelan resort destination.

Within days, US forces seized Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, during an operation in the capital. The couple were transferred to New York, where they pleaded not guilty to charges including drug trafficking.

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On January 5, Rodriguez was sworn in as interim president.

Trump appeared to publicly acknowledge prior contacts shortly after the raid, telling the New York Post, Weve spoken to her numerous times, and she understands, she understands.

How formal engagement began

Less than two weeks after Maduros capture, CIA Director John Ratcliffe travelled to Caracas at Trumps direction, marking the first visit by a US cabinet-level official to Venezuela in years.

The two-hour meeting between Ratcliffe and Rodriguez was described by a US official as historic and aimed at rebuilding trust and establishing direct lines of communication, reported BBC.

According to the official, discussions focused on potential economic cooperation and security assurances, including the expectation that Venezuela can no longer be a safe haven for Americas adversaries.

The meeting took place on the same day Rodriguez delivered her first state of the union address as interim president.

That address revealed the policy direction she intended to pursue. Rodriguez announced reforms to Venezuelas oil sector designed to attract foreign investment, signalling a break from Maduro-era economic controls.

She proposed changes to the countrys hydrocarbon law, which had previously required foreign partners to operate through the state-owned oil company PDVSA with majority ownership.

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Under the proposed reforms, investment would be permitted in new fields without the existing ownership restrictions. Rodriguez also said she had instructed lawmakers to approve the changes.

As part of a broader transition strategy, the United States has appointed Laura Dogu, a two-time ambassador, as its top envoy for Venezuela. According to the US embassy website, Dogu will serve as charge daffaires for the Venezuela Affairs Unit based at the US embassy in Bogota.

A senior State Department official said, The Trump Administration continues to work with the interim authorities to stabilize Venezuela as part of the three-phase plan Secretary Rubio laid out for Congress and the American people.

The US has also begun preparations for a potential reopening of its embassy in Caracas. Diplomatic and security personnel travelled to the Venezuelan capital on January 9 to assess the feasibility of a phased resumption of operations.

The embassy was closed in 2019 amid political unrest.

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With inputs from agencies
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained Liam Conejo Ramos, a five-year-old boy, and his father while returning home from school. Ramos and his father have now been taken to a facility in Texas

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) detained Liam Conejo Ramos, a five-year-old boy, and his father while returning home from school. Reuters

Minnesota is in an uproar.

This comes after US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained Liam Conejo Ramos, a five-year-old boy, and his father while returning home from school.

Ramos and his father have now been taken to an ICEfacility in Texas. Ramos is the fourth student of the Minneapolis suburb, including two 17-year-olds and a 10-year-old, to be detained by ICEin recent weeks.

Minneapolis has hit headlines ever since an Ice agent shot and killed Rene Good, a mother of three, earlier this month. The city has witnessed protests against the immigration agents, leading US President Donald Trump to threaten to invoke the Insurrection Act.

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But what happened? Who is Ramos? What has the reaction been?

Lets take a closer look.

What happened?

According to reports, Ramos and his father Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias were detained by masked and armed Ice agents after they returned home from his school.

The Department of Homeland Security has claimed that Adrian is an illegal alien from Ecuador. However, those close to the family, including their lawyers, say that they arrived in America in 2024 and are currently in the legal process of applying for asylum.

Photos show the masked and heavily armed ICE agents nabbing the five-year-old, who is in a blue hat and has a Spider-Man backpack. The child, who looks visibly afraid, is seen watching agents arrest his father from the driveway of their home.

Columbia Heights Public Schools Superintendent Zena Stenvik told reporters on Wednesday that federal agents grabbed Liam from a running car in the familys driveway on Tuesday afternoon. The officers told him to knock on the door to his home to see if other people were inside, essentially using a 5-year-old as bait, she said.

The father told the childs mother, who was inside the home and has not been named, not to open the door to avoid being detained herself, Stenvik told reporters on Thursday.

Mary Granlund, the chair of the Columbia Heights school board, added that school officials, an adult from the Ramos family home and all of their neighbours offered to take the child, but ICE officials refused. Granlund told reporters on Thursday that she had told agents she would take the child before they left with him.

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Rachel James, a Columbia Heights city council member who lives nearby the family, said she saw another neighbour from across the street tell the agents they had papers authorising them to take care of Liam on behalf of the parents. The agents ignored them, James said.

Liams older brother, a middle schooler, came home 20 minutes later to find his father and brother missing, Stenvik added.

The family lawyer Marc Prokosch, and Zena Stenvik, Superintendent, Columbia Heights Public Schools, at a press conference after 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos was detained by federal agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Reuters

The familys lawyer, Marc Prokosch, was quoted as saying by The Guardian, The family did everything they were supposed to in accordance with how the rules have been set out. They did not come here illegally. They are not criminals.

Prokosch said on Thursday that he assumes Liam and his father are in a family holding cell but that they have not been able to have direct contact with them.

Were looking at our legal options to see if we can free them either through some legal mechanisms or through moral pressure, he said at a news conference.

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Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin denied that the agency used the child as bait.

ICE did NOT target a child, McLaughlin told The Independent. As agents approached the driver, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias fled on foot  abandoning his child. For the childs safety, one of our ICE officers remained with the child while the other officers apprehended Conejo Arias.

McLaughlin said in an online post that the father asked for the child to stay with him and that they are together at an immigration lock-up in Dilley, Texas.

Parents are asked if they want to be removed with their children, or ICE will place the children with a safe person the parent designates, McLaughlin continued. This is consistent with past administrations immigration enforcement.

Fourth incident in two weeks

This isnt the first time the community has been targeted. According to school authorities, a 17-year-old Columbia Heights High School student was taken by armed and masked agents on their way to school on the same day as Liam and his father were detained.

The student was removed from their car and taken away, the school said.

Last week, ICE agents pushed their way into an apartment and detained a 17-year-old student and her mother. Two weeks ago, a 10-year-old 4th grader was taken by ICE agents on her way to one of our elementary schools with her mother."

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During the arrest, the child called her father to tell him the ICE agents were bringing her to school. The father immediately came to the school to find that both his daughter and wife had been taken, school authorities said. They added that the mother and child were taken to a detention camp in Texas.

What has the reaction been?

School authorities are flummoxed.

Why detain a five-year-old? Superintendent Zena Stenvik was quoted as saying. You cannot tell me that this child is going to be classified as a violent criminal.

Over the last few weeks, ICE agents have been roaming our neighbourhoods, circling our schools, following our buses, coming into our parking lot multiple times and taking our kids, Stenvik said, adding that this is causing trauma.

The Independent quoted Stenvik as saying the incidents have shattered the sense of safety in our community and staff and students have been left shaken.

Staff wear brave faces throughout the day for their students, while facing so many uncertainties, Stenvik added. As soon as the school day ends, they are not sure if they will see their students tomorrow morning while taking attendance.

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Ella Sullivan, Liams teacher, described him as kind and loving, and a very friendly student who brightens the room when he comes into class. His friends havent asked about him yet, but I know that theyll catch on, she said. All I want is for him to be back here and safe.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris has taken to X to slam the Trump administration.

Liam Ramos is just a baby. He should be at home with his family, not used as bait by ICE and held in a Texas detention centre. I am outraged, and you should be too, she wrote.

The incident has left the school authorities flummoxed and students upset. Reuters

However, the administration remains unmoved.

Vice President JD Vance, who met with Minneapolis leaders on Thursday, said he heard the terrible story but later learned the boy was only detained, not arrested.

Well, what are they supposed to do? Are they supposed to let a 5-year-old child freeze to death? Are they not supposed to arrest an illegal alien in the United States of America? Vance asked, noting that hes the parent of a 5-year-old.

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Greg Bovino, a US Customs and Border Protection official who has been the face of the crackdowns, said immigration officers have made about 3,000 arrests in Minnesota in the last six weeks.

Families are reporting that children are malnourished, extremely ill, and suffering profoundly from prolonged detention at the Dilley lock-up, where conditions are worse than ever, said Leecia Welch, chief legal counsel at Childrens Rights. Welch visited the facility last week as part of a lawsuit over the welfare of immigrant children in federal custody.

The number of children had skyrocketed and significant numbers of children had been detained for over 100 days, Welch said. The administration in December acknowledged that about 400 children had faced extended detention.

Nearly every child we spoke to was sick, Welch said.

With inputs from agencies
On the 129th birth anniversary of Subhas Chandra Bose, his daughter, Anita Bose Pfaff, has once again pleaded with PM Narendra Modi to help in the repatriation of Netajis ashes from the Renko-ji Temple in Tokyo. Despite many pleas over the years, the freedom fighters mortal remains continue to be in Japan

Today (January 23) marks the 129th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, one of Indias most well-known freedom fighters. On the occasion, known as Parakram Diwas in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid glowing tributes to Bose, saying he epitomised fearless leadership and unwavering patriotism.

On the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, which is commemorated as Parakram Diwas, we recall his indomitable courage, resolve and unparalleled contribution to the nation. He epitomised fearless leadership and unwavering patriotism. His ideals continue to inspire generations to build a strong India, PM Modi noted on X.

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But while the PM and the country marks this event with pride, the freedom fighters daughter, Anita Bose Pfaff, has once again sought the governments intervention to repatriate the ashes of her father that have been preserved at Tokyos Renko-ji Temple.

More from Explainers Japan visa now lets Indian travellers enter multiple countries more easily. Here's how

As Netajis daughter I invite the Indians of today who still revere him to support his posthumous return from exile; to support the transfer of his mortal remains to India for a final and fitting disposal, Pffaf said in a statement issued from her home in Germany.

But what are Boses ashes doing in Japan in the first place? We explain it.

Where are Netajis ashes?

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is widely believed to have died in a plane crash in Taiwan. An RTI response in 2017 stated, After considering the reports of Shah Nawaz Committee, Justice GD Khosla Commission and Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry, the Government has come to the conclusion that Netaji had died in the plane crash on 18.8.1945.

According to official accounts, Bose died on August 18, 1945, after his Japanese military aircraft crashed in Taipei. Badly burned, he was said to have died two days later and his remains were cremated and brought to Japan where his ashes were entrusted to the Tokyo Indian Independence League and placed in Renko-ji Temple following a memorial service.

A statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is displayed at the Renko-ji temple in Tokyo. File image/AFP

According to official documents, on September 14, 1945, the remains were placed at the Renko-ji Temple near Tokyo and they rest there until this day. The urn was received by Reverend Kyoei Mochizuki, the priest of the temple, who vowed to take care of the ashes until they were taken to India. Every year since, on Netajis death anniversary, a memorial service is held at the temple by its chief priest. It is attended by prominent Japanese and Indian citizens, including officials from the embassy.

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According to the declassified Netaji files released by the government in 2016, India has been paying for the upkeep of the remains at the temple. Between 1967 and 2005, India paid Rs 52,66,278 to the temple.

Have there been attempts to bring Boses remains to India?

It is said that several governments have tried to bring back the remains starting with Indias first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru but none have succeeded.

The Netaji files show that the Nehru government had, in the early 1950s, taken custody of Boses ashes but was reluctant to bring them home because the leaders family refused to accept his death.

Thereafter, there were many attempts made by the Japanese government to approach New Delhi but there was no response from the Congress which was in power at the Centre.

In 1979, when Morarji Desai was PM, a Japanese military intelligence officer who had close ties with Boses Indian National Army (INA), urged India to take his remains and was assured that the issue would be taken care of in a year or two. However, Desai lost the prime ministers chair and could not keep his promise, according to a report in India Today.

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A year on, during Indira Gandhis regime, former Japanese army officers had informed her that Ryoichi Sasagawa, chairman of the Japan Shipbuilding Industry Association, offered to bear all the expenses for taking Boses remains to his motherland for a permanent repose, according to the report. But Gandhi made no efforts to take the matter forward.

The PV Narasimha Rao governments plan to bring back the ashes from Renko-ji to celebrate Netajis birth centenary in 1997 was shelved. Back then his daughter Pfaff had met Pranab Mukherjee, the then external affairs minister, in Germany and she said that she needed to consult with the family.

She had reportedly suggested taking the remains to Germany if Boses family and the political parties in India did not reach a consensus. However, this was not acceptable to both New Delhi and Tokyo.

Followers of Subhas Chandra Bose pay homage at the Renkoji temple in Tokyo where his ashes lie. File image/AFP

In 1998, Pfaff, met IK Gujral after he took over as prime minister and also wrote a letter to him in February that year, requesting the government to make arrangements to have the ashes of my father returned from Tokyo to his homeland, especially to Delhi, which after all was the goal of his INA campaign, reports India Today. The ashes should be immersed in the Ganga or parts of the ashes in different rivers of India, she wrote in the letter, adding that political parties in the country could join together in this effort, irrespective of their political programme.

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Gujral could do little to pay heed to the plea as he resigned a month later.

During his time as prime minister, Dr Manmohan Singh exchanged letters with his Japanese counterpart Yoshiro Mori, in 2006, regarding the transfer of Netajis remains to India. But nothing came out of it.

What does Netajis family have to say?

Over the years, several members of Netajis family have been in communication with the Indian governments to bring back his ashes from Japan. Boses younger brother Sailesh Bose wrote to Indira Gandhi in 1982 to pass an order not to bring the remains to India as he believed that there is no convincing proof that the remains are genuine, reports India Today.

A similar letter was sent to then PM VP Singh by his nephews, Ashoke Nath Bose, Amiya Nath Bose and Subrata Bose in May 1990. Most of the Bose family members did not believe that Netaji died in the plane crash.

In 2007, Pfaff wrote to Dr Singh asking how the Indian government intended to be involved in the return of her fathers remains.

She also wrote to the priest of the Renko-ji Temple on July 16, 2007, saying, I would be willing to take charge of my fathers, Subhas Chandra Boses, remains after which you and your late father have looked in such exemplary fashion for so many years. Let me express my great regard and gratitude to you and your family for your dedication to the task.

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She added that she was willing to attempt a DNA test on the fathers remains, which she had earlier deemed unnecessary.

In 2018, Boses grandnephew and author Ashis Ray said that no government had made an effort to bring back the remains. In his book, Laid to Rest: The Controversy over Subhas Chandra Boses Death, he collated the findings of 11 different investigations and concluded that the freedom fighter died in the plane crash in Taipei.

From the Nehru government to the Modi government, every single Indian administration has been convinced about the truth but has told to bring the remains to India, Ray told PTI in 2018.

PM Narendra Modi pays tribute to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his birth anniversary, at Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan in New Delhi. File image/PTI

What has been the Modi governments move on this?

Before coming to power in 2014, Narendra Modi had promised to bring Netajis remains back to India if voted to power. However, since coming to power, theres been little success on the matter. In 2016, and 2019, Pfaff, Dwarka Nath Bose, a well-known physicist and son of his elder brother, and Ardhendu Bose, another nephew of Netaji, had requested the government to order a DNA test of the ashes at Renkoji, in a bid to end the controversy. However, this has not been done so far.

When PM Modi visited Japan last year, Pfaff had made a fresh appeal to help bring her fathers remains to India.

I certainly would request him to take up the idea which the Narasimha Rao government did They tried to bring back the remains of my father to India, she was quoted as telling NDTV, adding, The reason why I also feel this gets a bit more urgent for me personally is my own age.

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She said she wants to have closure on this issue.

Will 2026 be the year Pfaff gets closure on the matter? We shall have to wait and watch.

With inputs from agencies
India has unveiled the Responsible Nations Index (RNI), a first-of-its-kind global framework that ranks countries not just on economic or military power, but on ethical governance, social welfare, environmental stewardship, and international responsibility.

India has launched a global ranking index of its own to grade countries beyond their economic muscle and geostrategic dominance. Called the Responsible Nations Index (RNI), it is a first-of-its-kind global framework designed to evaluate countries on ethical governance, social well-being, environmental stewardship, and international responsibility.

Unlike traditional rankings that focus primarily on economic or military power, the RNI presents a broader, more inclusive approach to assessing national success.

Former India President Ram Nath Kovind was chief guest of the index launch event, hosted by the World Intellectual Foundation (WIF) at Dr Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi earlier this week. Kovind hailed the initiative as an effort to prioritise ethical governance over conventional measures of influence and wealth.

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India ranks 16th globally in inaugural RNI

In the first global RNI rankings for 2026, India secured 16th place, ahead of major powers such as the United States (66th) and China (68th). The index, which covers 154 countries, ranked Singapore first, followed by Switzerland and Denmark. Countries facing severe challenges, such as Syria (153rd) and Central African Republic (154th), were placed at the bottom of the list.

Indias ranking reflects its performance across governance, social responsibility, environmental stewardship, and contributions to global peace and cooperation, with an overall score of 0.551513.

Framework and methodology

The RNI is structured around three core pillarsdignity, well-being, and commitmentand evaluates nations across seven dimensions:

Quality of life

Governance

Social justice and empowerment

Economic performance

Environmental protection

Peace and security

International economic relations

The index draws on 58 quantitative indicators grouped under 15 sub-themes, using data from trusted sources including the World Bank, UN agencies (WHO, ILO, FAO), and the World Justice Project.

The RNI examines three types of responsibility:

Internal responsibility: How governments safeguard citizens rights and welfare.

Environmental responsibility: Sustainability outcomes and resource protection.

External responsibility: Contributions to global peace, diplomacy, and international public goods.

Academic collaboration and research

The index is the outcome of three years of research, led by the World Intellectual Foundation, with scholarly contributions from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and methodological support from Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Mumbai. Experts helped design the evaluation framework, ensuring that ethical, social, and environmental metrics are incorporated alongside traditional economic and power-based indicators.

An expert panel discussion titled From Human Well-being to Global Stewardship: Rethinking Responsibility, Prosperity and Peace in the 21st Century was held as part of the launch. Chaired by N K Singh, Chairman of the 15th Finance Commission of India, the session focused on responsibility-led development and cooperative global progress.

Global response and significance

Indias former President Ram Nath Kovind described the RNI as an important step towards understanding what makes a nation responsible in the 21st century, adding that responsibility should be valued alongside economic strength or military might.

Sudhanshu Mittal, founder of WIF, said the index reflects how nations use their power to protect human dignity, safeguard the environment, and contribute constructively to global peace.

Analysts and experts have welcomed the RNI as a novel benchmark that could reshape policy debates and international comparisons. A commentator from Economic Times noted that the index marks a shift in how global leadership is evaluated, recognising that prosperity without responsibility is unsustainable in an interconnected world. Some academics cautioned that the credibility of the RNI will depend on transparency in methodology, indicator weightings, and independent review.

A new way to define national success

The Responsible Nations Index seeks to move global discourse beyond GDP and hard power, promoting a value-based model of success. By evaluating nations on how they treat citizens, handle environmental challenges, and contribute internationally, the RNI encourages ethical governance, social inclusion, and sustainable policy outcomes.

The launch of the report marks the start of a broader global dialogue on responsible nationhood, shared international progress, and the future of ethical governance.

You may read the inaugural RNI report below:
This year, India will mark the 77th Republic Day. The celebrations will carry strong diplomatic significance. European Council President Antonio Luis Santos da Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will attend the Republic Day as chief guests.

Indian soldiers march during a rehearsal for the upcoming Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, January 20, 2026. REUTERS

As January 26 draws closer, India is preparing to celebrate one of its most meaningful national occasions. In 2026, the country will mark the 77th Republic Day, commemorating 77 years since the Constitution of India came into force and laid the foundation of the worlds largest democracy.

More than a public holiday, Republic Day is a reminder of Indias democratic spirit, cultural richness and constitutional values that continue to shape the nation.

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This years celebrations have an added importance as India marks the 150th anniversary of its national song, Vande Mataram, lending the ceremony a deeper historical and cultural resonance.

Looking back

Republic Day marks the day India officially became a republic on January 26, 1950, when the Constitution replaced the Government of India Act of 1935. While independence was achieved in 1947, it was the Constitution that gave Indians the power to govern themselves through a democratic framework. The first Republic Day was celebrated in 1951, setting the stage for an annual tradition of pride and unity.

Chief guests from the European Union

This years celebrations will carry strong diplomatic significance. European Council President Antonio Luis Santos da Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will attend the 77th Republic Day as chief guests. Their visit also coincides with the 16th EU India Summit scheduled for January 27, highlighting Indias growing partnership with the European Union.

India and the European Union are expected to announce the conclusion of a free trade agreement, finalise a security and defence partnership pact and unveil a framework to facilitate the mobility of Indian professionals during summit-level talks next week, Reuters reported on Monday.

Their presence underlines shared commitments in areas such as trade, climate action, technology and global cooperation.

India is fast emerging as a global anchor in a world rocked by uncertainty. The European Union has announced a new defence and security pact with New Delhi, covering maritime safety, cybersecurity, and counterterrorism. EU leaders, set to attend Indias Republic Day, are also finalising a sweeping trade agreement dubbed the mother of all deals.

Themes rooted in patriotism and progress

The Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path, New Delhi will revolve around two central themes. Swatantrata ka Mantra Vande Mataram celebrates the emotional and historical power of Indias national song, which completes 150 years. Samriddhi ka Mantra Aatmanirbhar Bharat reflects Indias journey towards self reliance and economic growth.

Together, these themes connect the countrys freedom struggle with its present day ambitions.

Tableaux showcasing culture and development

A total of 30 tableaux will roll down Kartavya Path during the parade. Seventeen will represent states and union territories, while thirteen will come from various ministries and departments. These displays will highlight Indias cultural diversity, innovation, social progress and achievements across sectors.

The tableaux aim to blend tradition with modernity, offering a visual story of how India continues to evolve while staying rooted in its heritage.

A special tribute to Vande Mataram

One of the most striking elements of this years celebrations will be the focus on 150 years of Vande Mataram, written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. As per the reports, Paintings created in 1923 by artist Tejendra Kumar Mitra to illustrate the verses of the song will be displayed along Kartavya Path as view cutters. Originally published in the Bande Mataram Album, these artworks add a historical and artistic layer to the parade experience.

Celebrating heritage, strength and global ties

According to the Ministry of Defence, the 2026 Republic Day programme is designed to balance cultural heritage, military capability and Indias expanding global relationships. From ceremonial marches to artistic displays, the parade reflects a confident nation that honours its past while engaging with the world.

As India celebrates its 77th Republic Day, the occasion serves as a moment of reflection, pride and hope. It is a reminder that the values enshrined in the Constitution continue to guide the countrys journey towards unity, prosperity and self belief.

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For India, the best option is to take cues from other major powers, and there is no need to bend too far forward or backward. Anything that brings global peace and allows free trade is desirable

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair initially proposed placing the Gaza Strip under international administration in August 2025. United States President Donald Trump presented a similar plan in late September 2025, which was partially accepted by both the Israeli government and Hamas the following month. Trumps proposed Board of Peace was to be an organisation that was nominally to promote stability, restore dependable and lawful governance, and secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict. It was part of a second phase of the US-brokered 20-point Gaza ceasefire plan. Trump declared the war is over and that the Board of Peace (BoP) would be formed quickly.

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The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) backed the plan based on how it was presented at the time. It was passed as UNSC Resolution 2803 on November 17, 2025, giving it international legitimacy, and authorised the establishment of the board as a transitional administration in Gaza for the purpose of coordinating reconstruction efforts. It was treated as an external initiative and not as an official UN body, and as such was not accountable to the General Assembly and lacked treaty-based foundations.

Trumps Board of Peace Takes a Turn

The BoP establishment was announced by Trump on 15 January 2026. A few days earlier, the former United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Nikolay Mladenov, had been chosen to serve as the director-general of the BoP. Mladenov subsequently held meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh.

With the commencement of the second phase of the Gaza Peace Agreement on 14 January 2026, it was reported that the United States had sent invitations to several countries to join the board and that it would have its first meeting on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) summit the following week. Trump obviously had different longer-term plans, and the charter draft now circulated described the BoP as an international organization promoting stability, peace, and governance in areas affected or threatened by conflict.

On January 20, 2026, Trump referenced the BoP and said the United Nations never helped me as a reason for its existence, claiming his board might replace the United Nations (UN). Interestingly, the membership is presently being determined by Donald Trump alone, and it is to be paid for. It is governed by its own private charter, which only names one person, Chairman Trump, who may adopt resolutions or initiatives on its behalf without consulting the board, and who is a member for life. Is Trump trying to create an organisation that is an alternative to the UNSC where only he will have veto power? When proposed earlier, the board was presented as seeking to support the administration, reconstruction, and economic recovery of the Gaza Strip as part of a peace plan for the aftermath of the October 7 attacks and Gaza war, and it invoked easy endorsement from the UNSC. Critics fear that the institution now outlined bears little resemblance to what was presented at the time of the endorsement.

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Countries that wish to be permanent members of the BoP must pay $1 billion into a fund controlled by Chairman Donald Trump; otherwise, they will serve a three-year term.

Just a few world leaders have publicly accepted Trumps invitations or said if they have paid for membership. But it has failed to gain support from some important countries, notably the United Kingdom, France, Norway, and Sweden, all of which are also angered by Trumps plans to acquire/annex the Nato territory of Greenland. Interestingly, Russias President Putin has endorsed it, as long as it causes splits in Nato, which is good for Russia. France has voiced concern that it seeks to usurp the role of the UN, for which Trump threatened 200 per cent tariffs on French wine and champagne. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has clarified that he was not invited to Trumps BoP. The board could be indefinitely chaired by Trump, as long as he is in power, or even beyond, as per the charter.

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Role and Structure of the Board

The White House says this body will focus on issues such as governance capacity-building, regional relations, reconstruction, investment attraction, large-scale funding, and capital mobilisation. In invitation letters sent to world leaders, Trump said the body would embark on a bold new approach to resolving global conflict. At the heart of the plan is the BoP, the most impressive and consequential board ever assembled, which will be established as a new International Organisation and Transitional Governing Administration, Trump wrote.

The charter of the BoP outlines a multi-level structure for the organisation, which includes Donald Trump as chairman and a member for life. The main BoP is composed mainly of the leaders of countries. The Executive Board will focus on diplomacy and investment. Seven members have been appointed. The Gaza Executive Board will direct the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, which will administer the territory.

Founding Executive Board

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The founding Executive Board includes Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner. It will also include billionaire US financier Marc Rowan, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and Robert Gabriel, a loyal Trump aide on the National Security Council. The UN has coexisted with other bodies, a spokesperson says, on Trumps Gaza BoP.

Members of the Gaza Executive Board

A Gaza Executive Board supports the High Representative and the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza. On January 17, 2026, Bulgarian diplomat Nikolay Mladenov was appointed as the High Representative for the Board of Peace, tasked with leading the transition from Hamas governance to a Palestinian administration of technocrats known as the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG). Mladenov was a Member of the European Parliament from 2007 to 2009.

The NCAG is headed by Ali Shaath, a former deputy minister of the Palestinian Authority, and is responsible for reinstating public services and stabilising daily life in the region. The NCAG will have, along with Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Tony Blair, international leaders such as Mladenov, Sigrid Kaag, the Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Qatari diplomat Ali Al-Thawadi, and General Hassan Rashad from Egypts intelligence agency.

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The White House proposal includes a Gaza Executive Board that will collaborate with the Office of the High Representative and the NCAG to support effective governance and deliver essential services for the people of Gaza. Minister of State for International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates Reem Al-Hashimy, businessperson Yakir Gabay, and United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Sigrid Kaag will also be there.

Major Concerns about the Proposal

Many leaders, thinkers, and officials have expressed major concerns over the expanded remit of the board, Trumps indefinite chairmanship, and the potential damage it could cause to the UNs work. The boards charter mentions institutions that have too often failed, without naming the UN, an organization Trump has repeatedly criticized. Should the world allow Trump to create a body that supersedes the one established 80 years ago to maintain global peace?

Initially, the member states will serve for three years, after which they must pay $1 billion for a permanent seat. The funds raised will go toward rebuilding Gaza, according to a US official. Some have criticized the move as being vulnerable to corruption.

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Countries On-Board

Trump has invited leaders of at least 60 countries to join the BoP. About 35 of the 60 invited nations are expected to attend a signing ceremony on the sidelines of the WEF in the Swiss resort of Davos. In the letters sent to various world leaders inviting them to be founding members of the board, the US President says the body would embark on a bold new approach to resolving global conflict. US adversaries Russia and China, as well as the so-called repressive state Belarus, are among those invited to join the board. European allies, the worlds largest democracy India, oil-rich Gulf states, former Soviet republics, and even the Pope have also received offers to join.

The charter draft, which was sent along with the invitations, does not even reference Gaza, and the purpose seems to have been expanded to tackle conflicts across the world. The invitation has had a mixed response and is still struggling to attract Western allies. Those who want to impress Trump for short-term gains for themselves or their countries have immediately agreed to join. He has garnered the support of Middle Eastern monarchs.

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The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Bahrain, Pakistan, Turkey, Hungary, Morocco, Kosovo, Argentina, and Paraguay have accepted Trumps invitation, as have the Central Asian states of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan and Southeast Asian nations Indonesia and Vietnam. Israels Benjamin Netanyahu is also on board, even though he has fumed at the inclusion of Turkish and Qatari officials on the Gaza Executive Board and faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court. Armenia and Azerbaijan, which signed a US-brokered peace agreement last year in a deal that would give the US exclusive development access to a critical transit corridor in the region, have also agreed.

Hungarys PM Viktor Orban, known for his nationalist stance and one of Mr. Trumps strongest allies in the European Union, is on board. The UAE, a key partner of the US, has also expressed support.

Trump claimed that Putin has agreed to join. Meanwhile, Putin has floated the idea of using Russian assets frozen in the US to pay the $1 billion fee for a permanent seat. Putins potential inclusion has raised alarm about how a country actively waging war could be involved in an effort to secure peace. Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, a key ally of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, has signed up.

Canadian PM Mark Carney, an economist who has repeatedly criticised Trump for ripping apart the global rules-based order and imposing punishing tariffs, intends to join with conditions, saying the details, including financial ones, were yet to be worked out. The Canadian government expressed that Canada would not pay for a seat on Trumps proposed BoP.

Who Have Declined

Some European Union ambassadors reportedly raised serious doubts and said they would examine the legal framework before taking a position. France and Norway have declined because they feel that the BoP must operate in conjunction with the UN. France voiced concern that it seeks to usurp the role of the United Nations. In response to France stating its intention to not answer favourably to Donald Trumps invitation to join his BoP, Trump threatened 200 percent tariffs on French wine and champagne. Germany, Slovenia, and Sweden have declined to join.

The UKs PM Keir Starmer called Putins role concerning. Brazil, under President Lula da Silva, viewed the proposal with caution, expressing concern that it could concentrate excessive power in the US presidency and overshadow the role of the UN.

Uncommitted or Unresponsive

China has confirmed receiving the invite but has not decided either way. A foreign ministry spokesperson has said that China will stay firmly committed to safeguarding the international system with the UN at its core. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said it was difficult to see being together with Russia and Belarus in any council. Italian PM Meloni said there could be constitutional issues with joining and that she would not attend the signing ceremony. The Irish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee said they will give the invitation careful consideration.

Options and Challenges for India

PM Narendra Modi welcomed Trumps comprehensive peace proposal for Gaza, saying it provides a viable pathway to long-term peace, but India has yet to give any official confirmation regarding its participation. Indias involvement with the proposed BoP presents opportunities to boost its global leadership and influence in West Asian reconstruction but faces challenges such as potential undermining of the UN, high costs, and navigating regional sensitivities, especially given its balanced ties with Israel and Palestine and the presence of Pakistan and Turkey on the board, requiring careful strategic balancing of multilateralism, autonomy, and financial commitment.

Opportunities for India include an elevated role. Participation validates Indias status as a global leader (Vishwaguru) and a key player in West Asia. It offers a platform to shape reconstruction efforts, promote long-term stability (de-radicalisation, vocational training), and support the Global South. It allows India to advance its energy security and diaspora interests in the region while maintaining distinct ties with all parties and promoting strategic autonomy. It aligns with the trend of smaller groups addressing specific issues, bypassing larger, slower bodies like the UN.

Challenges for India include the multilateralism dilemma. It risks undermining Indias traditional support for UN-centric multilateralism and potentially alienating the Global South. The reported $1 billion annual cost for permanent membership requires careful cost-benefit analysis. Navigating the polarised Gaza conflict and balancing ties with Israel and Arab nations is complex, though both parties seem to be on board currently. Sharing the platform with Pakistan and Turkey could draw domestic scrutiny and complicate diplomatic optics, but India and Pakistan already share memberships in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc), as well as global platforms like the UN and its agencies. They also interact within the global trade system (WTO).

The boards exact role, governance, and long-term scope beyond Gaza remain ambiguous. India must engage pragmatically, participate to maintain influence and support peace, but clarify that involvement is for strategic interests, not alignment with specific US goals. India must work with key Arab stakeholders (UAE, Saudi Arabia) to ensure the framework is viable.

To Conclude

Trumps plan has been described as a vanity project. After not getting the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, Trump said he no longer feels an obligation to think purely of peace. The Guardian called it a Trump-dominated pay-to-play club, a global version of his Mar-a-Lago court aimed at supplanting the UN itself, arguing that the body ultimately outlined bore little resemblance to what the UNSC believed it was endorsing. The charter circulated to national capitals two months after the resolutions adoption made no reference to Gaza, instead presenting the BoP as a permanent global institution.

The proposal is focused on internal rules granting sweeping authority to the chairman, Donald Trump, the only individual named, including sole power to appoint and dismiss members, set agendas, and issue resolutions, while other members could obtain permanent status only by paying the hefty fee, leaving effective control concentrated in Trumps hands, with him holding the boards ultimate decision-making power.

Is the world so weak that no one is willing to stand up against him? Is it the end of multipolarity? Are we heading for a unipolar world? Is it a fixed match between Trump and Putin? Europe becoming weak helps Russia increase its dependency on them. Will China also be a gainer by staying low-key and then taking Taiwan as a prize?

For a long time, the UN has been seen as a weak body. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) and many other institutions also have blunt teeth. Will Trump shake up the entire global system? Will everyone start asking, What is in it for me?

For India, the best option is to take cues from other major powers, and there is no need to bend too far forward or backward. Take calls on moral positions. Anything that brings global peace and allows free trade is desirable. India must work to ensure engagement complements, rather than replaces, existing UN frameworks and carefully evaluates the financial and diplomatic costs versus the strategic influence gained.

(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.)
Donald Trump has exposed the rules-based international order as a selective posturing, triggering an internal Western reckoning that could open space for a new global order led by rising powers like Bharat

For decades, the Western world sold a lie  and a convenient one  about the existence of a rules-based international order. It was presented as unbiased, principled and universal: an enlightened, democratic alternative to raw power politics. In reality, it was more of a club, if not a cartel, whose rules were written by the powerful few, enforced selectively, and ignored whenever inconvenient. And like all successful cartels, it endured not because it was fair, but because everyone pretended it was.

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That pretence is now collapsing, amidst the disruptions caused by US President Donald Trump.

What makes this moment remarkable is not that the illusion is fading away, but where the reckoning is coming from. The challenge to the Western order is no longer led by rival ideologies or external power centres. Instead, it is emerging from within the West itself.

Recent remarks by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos illustrate this shift. Carney described the US-led order as being in the midst of a rupture and urged so-called middle powers to unite against coercion by aggressive superpowers.

The irony is striking. The very order Carney now questions is one from which Canada has benefited immensely. Until a year ago, Ottawa was among the most zealous enforcers of this system. It moralised sanctimoniously, sanctioned recklessly, and certified other nations democracies with missionary zeal. It thrived in an arrangement where virtue signalling carried no cost and alignment with American power guaranteed insulation from consequences. It enjoyed power without responsibility. For nearly eight decades, the broader Western world saw the system operate almost flawlessly in its favour.

With Trump in the White House, that insulation has now vanished, and the Wests internal contradictions are no longer discreetly managed. Suddenly, Canada speaks of coercion. Europe worries about instability. And the language of moral certainty is replaced by the language of vulnerability. The same order that was defended until yesterday is now quietly described as a lie, as Carney did in Davos.

Carneys invocation of Czech leader Vaclav Havel is equally revealing. In his 1978 essay The Power of the Powerless, Havel argues that systems of domination persist not because people believe in them, but because they behave as if they do. The greengrocer, as per Havel, displays the slogan Workers of the world, unite not out of conviction, but out of fear and convenience. Everyone knows the slogan is hollow, yet no one dares to remove it. That collective performance itself becomes power.

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The Western global order functioned in precisely the same manner  convenience of holding on to pre-eminence, greed of retaining a big-power aura, and anxiety about losing out to the non-Western world. Everyone knew the rules were selectively, often dubiously, applied. Iraq was invaded by inventing a lie. Libya was destroyed in the name of democracy and human rights. Yugoslavia was bombed without UN approval. Coups were endorsed, elections overturned, and dictators embraced  so long as Western interests were served. All the Western powers had to do was keep the slogans of Democracy, Human Rights and International Law displayed in bold letters.

This very week, one saw another display of the hollowness of the rules-based order when Trump publicly released a private message from French President Emmanuel Macron proposing a transactional bargain: European alignment with the United States on Iran in exchange for American backing on Ukraine. The disclosure once again stripped away the high-sounding rhetoric about international rules and universal norms. It confirmed what much of the Global South had long witnessed  there was one rulebook for the West and another for everyone else.

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There is no denying that Trump, over the past year, has been a major disappointment, even among those who refused to see him through a Left-liberal lens, thanks to his tendency to combine madman diplomacy with extreme ego-centric policymaking and his familys dubious financial interests. But he deserves to be given credit for exposing Western liberal doublespeak. Perhaps Trump could do this, unlike his more competent predecessors, because he has refused to treat European approval as a moral necessity for American policymaking.

For decades, American elites behaved as though Europe functioned as a kind of Vatican, its accent conferring legitimacy on American power. Europe enjoyed this arrangement immensely. It allowed it to posture as a moral authority while outsourcing hard power to Washington.

Trump shattered this consensus.

This is why Trump terrifies Europe  not because he is reckless, which he no doubt is, but because he exposes the lie on which Europes power and prosperity are based. Europe enjoyed a unique historical condition: power without responsibility. It lectured the Global South while sheltering beneath the American protective umbrella. It sanctioned, interfered and provoked but never paid the bill. Trump is finally asking Europe for accountability.

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The European (Canada included) party is thus over. And the hangover has hit hard. Europe now knows it has to manage Russia  a country that has been a victim of European humiliation, arrogance and virtue signalling  knowing full well that America would always intervene if matters escalated. Cooperation was possible, but arrogance was chosen.

The table has turned for Europe, and this explains the new sense of urgency in Western capitals. The rhetoric of middle powers resisting coercion reflects not moral awakening, but strategic anxiety. Adding to Europes woes is Greenland, which represents a clear and present danger. Trumps words may not be taken literally, but they do carry a directional message. He may not pursue the Greenland mission exactly as promised, but he will surely make a move sooner rather than later. And once Greenland is gone, the fate of Ukraine and Taiwan may not be far behind.

Yet Europe cannot be dismissed outright. Historically, it has shown remarkable adaptability. In 1945, it recognised American primacy almost instantly and subordinated its great-power ambitions without hesitation. If abandoned by a Trumpian America, Europe would seek accommodation elsewhere  with Moscow, Beijing and increasingly New Delhi. This is why talk of a mother of all trade deals with Bharat has suddenly gained urgency.

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This is where Trumps disruption becomes unexpectedly beneficial for the non-Western world. For Bharat, Trump has been a disruptive force and a disappointment, particularly as he imposed high tariffs on Delhi. But history teaches that setbacks often precede breakthroughs, especially for an entrepreneurial nation like Bharat. One may recall how Bharats 1991 economic crisis, painful as it was, catalysed reforms that transformed the country into a major economic power. Bharatiyas, who are innately entrepreneurial and adaptive, often awaken fully only in moments of crisis.

The current tariff shock could serve a similar purpose. It may force Bharat to become more competitive and less complacent. In the long run, such pressure can strengthen rather than weaken. From this perspective, Trumps challenge may prove to be a disguised opportunity.

At a broader level, the American world order might have persisted longer had Trump not unsettled it. For a rising power like Bharat, this period is both perilous and promising. No emerging power ascends without enduring turbulence. The current rapturous moment tests strategic maturity, political will and institutional resilience. Bharats present leadership appears well placed to navigate this transition.

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If managed with clarity and confidence, Bharat could emerge as one of the biggest beneficiaries of the Trumpian disruption  much as the United States itself benefited from the systemic upheavals of the 1930s and 40s. The challenge is formidable, but the rewards could be transformative. Either way, Trump will be remembered: first for exposing the lie of the Western world order, and then for creating a moment of opportunity for countries like Bharat to step beyond it.

As the lie fades and the performance ends, Trump has become a catalyst for a new world order. He may have intended to protect American hegemony, but his acts of omission and commission may instead have facilitated the rise of a new global arrangement. Whether this results in a multipolar world led by Bharat or another hegemonic order led by China, only time will tell.

(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 world where strategic impatience increasingly defines great-power behaviour, Indias measured pause may be its most valuable contribution

US President Donald Trumps offer to India to become a member of the Gaza Peace Board has as yet elicited no formal response. Since there are several countries on the offer list, the absence of an immediate Indian response has prompted speculation. It is not a binary choice; several factors are at play while analysing the invitation and any eventual decision on it.

India is rightly not indicating any urgency in taking a decision on the invitation, which was reportedly conveyed through a formal letter from the US President on January 18. With the kind of churn in international geopolitics and competing issues up for consideration, deliberations would probably be underway to assess the legal, political, and strategic implications of the proposal.

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This restraint is consistent with Indias long-standing emphasis on strategic autonomy, particularly in theatres marked by deep polarisation and institutional contestation. Undoubtedly, decisions of this nature require calibration rather than haste.

Understanding the Board of Peace

The Board of Peace, announced by President Trump this month, is a mechanism to oversee Gazas post-war reconstruction and transitional governance. It is envisaged as a high-level body, chaired by Trump himself, with participation from select political leaders, international figures, and invited states. Among those reportedly associated with the initiative are World Bank President Ajay Banga and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Media reports suggest that between 25 and 35 countriesincluding Israel, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAEhave accepted invitations to participate. A leaked draft charter has added another layer of complexity, indicating that permanent membership could be secured through a financial contribution of $1 billion, ostensibly to fund reconstruction and administrative functions.

Alongside the governance board, the proposal also refers to an International Stabilisation Force (ISF). Here, Indias position is clearer. New Delhi has already ruled out contributing troops, as the force would not operate under a UN peacekeeping mandate.

Recent commentary emerging from the World Economic Forum at Davos, including remarks attributed to Jared Kushner, further underlines this ambiguity. Gazas future has been spoken of increasingly in the language of reconstruction models, economic potential, and redevelopment frameworksalmost as a post-conflict economic project.

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While investment and rebuilding are indispensable, the emphasis on reconstruction without an accompanying political roadmap risks treating Gaza as a technical or commercial challenge rather than a longstanding, deeply rooted political dispute. Development, however ambitious, cannot substitute for legitimacy.

Why caution is understandable?

Any Indian assessment of the proposal is likely to revolve around three core concerns, and understandably so.

First is the centrality of the United Nations. India has historically supported UN-led multilateralismnot because the system is flawless, but because alternatives that bypass established frameworks risk further fragmenting global governance. The Board of Peace is viewed by many observers as operating outside, and potentially parallel to, the UN Security Council. At a time when the international order is already strained by selective rule-making and competing institutional architectures, additional breaches could weaken the worlds ability to manage conflict or even sustain stability.

Second is the absence of a clearly articulated political end state. India has consistently supported a negotiated two-state solution as the only durable path to peace between Israel and Palestine. Yet, in the current articulation of the Gaza plan, this framework barely features. Stabilisation, reconstruction, and transitional governance are necessarybut without a credible political horizon, they risk becoming mechanisms for managing conflict rather than resolving it.

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Third is domestic and political sensitivity. While foreign policy is not made by consensus, political undercurrents cannot be ignoredparticularly on issues with strong moral and historical resonance.

A Yes But as an Analytical Lens

It is in this context that in a television discussion I alluded to the phraseology Yes butnot as a declaration of policy, but as a way of thinking through Indias options.

Yes to humanitarian relief, reconstruction, and efforts to end violence in Gaza.

Yes to dialogue with all stakeholders, including the US and key regional actors.

I stated in addition

But not at the cost of undermining multilateral legitimacy and diluting the authority of the United Nations.

But not without clarity on long-term political settlement.

But not in ways that compromise Indias strategic autonomy or entangle it in awkward governance arrangements.

There remain other options toounconditional endorsement, outright rejection, or studied silence but each of these carry costs. With information at premium, I consider full endorsement as risking premature alignment with an initiative whose legal footing and longevity remain uncertain. Rejection would diminish Indias ability to shape outcomes. Silence cedes diplomatic space to others.

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Under the explained circumstances and with the above analysis, the conditional engagement being recommended, by contrast, could be seen to be preserving flexibility.

Strategic Autonomy in a Fractured Order

Indias broader concern is not limited to Gaza alone. The steady erosion of shared norms, the proliferation of ad hoc arrangements, and the weakening of collective decision-making mechanisms are reshaping the global landscape. Each additional deviation from agreed frameworks makes future cooperation hardernot easier. It does not make the Gaza task any easier, but the sustainability of a wholly untested format could remain in suspense. For a country that seeks a larger role in global governance, the challenge is to engage without endorsing disorder.

If parallel proposals emerge that credibly advance a political settlement rooted in long-held international positionsincluding Palestinian statehood and Israels securityIndia would have every reason to support them. Until then, caution is not hesitation; it is an expression of responsibility. Peace initiatives that weaken established norms may deliver speed, but they rarely deliver sustainability.

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In a world where strategic impatience increasingly defines great-power behaviour, Indias measured pause may be its most valuable contribution. For much of 2025 we have witnessed Indian restraint as a policy. Restraint continues to spell responsibility, not hesitation. Sooner rather than later the world will realise how correct India has been.

(The writer is the former Commander of Indias Srinagar-based Chinar Corps. Currently he is the Chancellor of the Central University of Kashmir and a member of the National Disaster Management Authority. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.)
Are AIs benefits unevenly distributed? Recent reports and discussions at Davos suggest that artificial intelligence may not be the universal boon as many expected. While some top executives claim its boosting efficiency and saving time, many employees paint a far less optimistic picture.

Ever since artificial intelligence began weaving its way into our daily workflows  especially after the 2022 ChatGPT launch  the question of whether artificial intelligence (AI) will replace or empower humans has become the never-ending debate.

While some tech leaders claim AI is here to save time and elevate creativity, others argue its quietly widening the divide between decision-makers and doers. Both could be right, depending on where you sit in the corporate food chain.

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A new wave of reports is revealing a fascinating truth. AI isnt levelling the playing field at work. Its reshaping it, and not always in the way we expect.

Executives love AI, employees arent convinced

The Wall Street Journal reported citing research from the AI consulting firm Section, theres a glaring gap between how senior executives and everyday workers experience AI.

The survey, which covered 5,000 white-collar professionals, found that two-thirds of non-management employees saved less than two hours a week, or no time at all, using AI tools. Over 40 per cent executives, on the other hand, reported AI saved them over eight hours of work per week.

Thats an entire days worth of tasks automated away, but for leaders, not for the led.

The study paints a clear picture, while AI is already helping the C-suite polish presentations, crunch data and write reports faster, the average worker is often stuck figuring out how to use it effectively. And sometimes, theyre spending as much time fixing AI-generated content as they would have spent writing it from scratch.

Employee assisting AI at work (AI generated image)

Another study, from business software giant Workday, calls this frustration an AI tax. Out of roughly 1,600 employees surveyed, 85 per cent said AI saved them between one and seven hours a week, but much of that was wiped out by the time they spent correcting mistakes or reworking flawed outputs.

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Does AI really boost productivity?

AI is often billed as a productivity booster, but in reality, it could be a time-neutral tool, especially where accuracy matters. For writers, analysts and junior staff, AI can feel less like a personal assistant and more like a promising intern who needs constant supervision.

The emotional toll is also striking. Sections survey found that workers were more anxious or overwhelmed about AI than excited, a feeling completely flipped among senior executives. Nearly 40 per cent of respondents even said they would be happy never using AI again.

Meanwhile, CEOs at the World Economic Forum in Davos this month admitted that, financially, the payoff isnt as big as advertised.

This sits perfectly with PwC survey of 4,454 chief executives across 95 countries and territories between late 2024 and November 2025. The findings show that more than half of business leaders, 56 per cent, have yet to see any financial gains from AI, whether in revenue or cost savings.

Some companies did report selective benefits. About one-third said AI had boosted their revenue in the past year, while 26 per cent credited it with lowering operational costs. However, only 12 per cent of CEOs said AI had achieved both goals simultaneously, underscoring that while adoption is widespread, tangible success remains concentrated among a relatively small group of firms.

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Its uneven, but who does really benefit from AI at work?

So, whats really happening? AI seems to benefit people who already have control over time, resources, and decisions. Executives can use generative AI for big-picture strategy, market summaries, or drafting complex communications. But for workers buried under daily tasks, the same technology often creates extra steps, including reviewing, editing, and ensuring compliance.

That difference might not sound like much, but it subtly shapes who gains from the AI revolution. The higher up you are, the more AI becomes an amplifier, a multiplier of output and influence. For everyone else, its another tool to manage, learn, and justify.

And while many companies insist that AI adoption wont replace humans, the recent wave of layoffs across Google, Meta, Microsoft, and more suggest otherwise. Officially, theyre called restructurings. Unofficially, AI automation plays a quiet, growing role.

Big tech has been laying off employees under the name of restructuring (AI generated image)

The irony is that the very technology meant to democratise productivity might be reinforcing old hierarchies. AI isnt replacing everyone, its rewarding those who already know how to delegate.

For now, workers are still figuring out how to make AI genuinely useful rather than just an office buzzword, studies and surveys show. They also make one thing clear, whether youre writing software codes, managing teams or sending e-mails to the board, the benefits of AI depend less on what it can do, and more on who gets to use it best.

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At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Elon Musk emphesised that AI is evolving faster than most experts anticipated. He linked this comment to the rapid development of humanoid robots, which he said could dramatically transform the global economy.

Elon Musk has once again sounded the alarm over the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, predicting that AI could surpass human intelligence entirely within the next few years, a development he believes will reshape how people live, work and even define purpose.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos during a conversation with BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, the Tesla and SpaceX chief said AI is evolving faster than most experts anticipated. AI could be smarter than any individual human this year, Musk said, adding that within five years, it may be smarter than all of humanity combined.

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From robots to driverless cars: Musks AI vision

Musk was not just talking about AI at work, but he linked this accelerating intelligence to the rapid development of humanoid robots, which he said could dramatically transform the global economy. Teslas Optimus robots, he revealed, are already carrying out basic tasks in company factories, with more complex functions expected soon.

If things go well, we expect to sell humanoid robots to the public by the end of next year, Musk said, stressing that safety and control would be paramount before any mass rollout.

On autonomous vehicles, Musk claimed Teslas Full Self-Driving (FSD) software has reached a point where insurers are offering significant discounts to drivers using it.

The company is now seeking regulatory approval to expand supervised self-driving across Europe, potentially as soon as next month, followed by China.

If regulated and supervised, it will be widespread, Musk said, reaffirming his long-standing vision of a world where driverless cars dominate roads and drastically reduce accidents.

Just after this comment, Tesla officially began operating its Robotaxi service in Austin, with no human safety driver inside.

In a post on X, Musk confirmed the milestone, writing, Just started Tesla Robotaxi drives in Austin with no safety monitor in the car. Congrats to the @Tesla_AI team! The announcement marks Teslas first public rollout of completely driverless rides, allowing passengers to travel with no one behind the wheel.

Just started Tesla Robotaxi drives in Austin with no safety monitor in the car.



Congrats to the @Tesla_AI team!



If youre interested in solving real-world AI, which is likely to lead to AGI imo, join Tesla AI. Solving real-world AI for Optimus will be 100X harder than cars. https://t.co/OnP8gredWD  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 22, 2026

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Powering the AI future and beyond Earth

While Musk was characteristically upbeat about AIs potential, he cautioned that the biggest obstacle to its growth might not be computing power, but energy. AI chips are being produced faster than we can power them, he said, warning that electricity generation is failing to scale at the pace of AI infrastructure, especially in the United States.

He described solar power as the most viable solution to meet the immense energy demands of future AI systems, noting that China is far ahead in large-scale solar deployment. Policy barriers and tariffs are slowing down progress elsewhere, he added, urging governments to accelerate renewable energy adoption.

Looking further ahead, Musk painted a striking picture of where the AI industry might go next, into space. He suggested that orbit could become the most efficient environment for running advanced AI systems. The lowest-cost place to put AI will be space, he said. Solar panels in orbit produce more energy, and the vacuum of space provides natural cooling for data centres.

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Musk predicted that solar-powered AI infrastructure in orbit could become a reality within the next few years, creating a future where human intelligence and machine intelligence evolve far beyond Earth itself.

On SpaceXs ambitions, Musk said the company is close to achieving full rocket reusability with its Starship vehicle, which he believes could reduce the cost of access to space by a factor of 100.

Asked what continues to drive him after decades of technological breakthroughs, Musk simply replied, Curiosity and the desire to understand reality. And when pressed on whether he would go to Mars himself, he smiled, Yes, just not on impact.
Instagram is reportedly working on a premium subscription feature that would let creators build unlimited audience lists, a capability currently restricted for most users.

A teenager poses for a photo while holding a smartphone in front of a Instagram logo. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

Instagram may soon expand its subscription offerings with a new paid tier that gives creators extra tools and insights, according to details uncovered by a developer.

The feature, still unannounced, appears to build on the companys existing Meta Verified programme, suggesting Instagram is doubling down on monetisation and creator-focused upgrades.

X user and reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi (@alex193a) shared screenshots hinting that Instagram is working on a premium subscription feature that would let creators build unlimited audience lists, a capability currently restricted for most users.

 #Instagram is working on a new paid subscription** that will offer new perks, including the ability to create unlimited audience lists, see the list of followers who dont follow you back and sneak a peek at a story without showing that youve viewed it  pic.twitter.com/cQp6xUEzOY  Alessandro Paluzzi (@alex193a) January 22, 2026

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The new plan could also include advanced analytics tools, such as viewing followers who dont follow back, and even the option to watch Instagram Stories anonymously without appearing in the viewers list.

Another experimental feature, dubbed Super Like, may also be bundled into the plan.

 Some of the features I mentioned a while ago, such as Super Like and the ability to search within the list of story viewers, could become part of this new subscription



**or be included among the benefits of Meta Verified  Alessandro Paluzzi (@alex193a) January 22, 2026

According to Paluzzi, this function would allow users to express extra appreciation for a Story by pressing and holding the like button, potentially signalling stronger engagement to creators. Instagram may also introduce the ability to search within Story viewers, helping users identify interactions more easily.

Its unclear whether these features will arrive as part of a new subscription altogether or simply be added to the Meta Verified plan.

Paluzzi noted that the company could integrate them under the existing verification services umbrella, positioning the upgrade as a premium experience for active creators and influencers.

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Meta Verified could get an upgrade

Instagrams parent company, Meta, already offers the Meta Verified subscription on both Facebook and Instagram. In India, pricing starts at Rs 639 for a single app, with higher-tier plans costing up to Rs 21,000 per year.

The package includes a blue verification badge, identity authentication through a government-issued ID, and access to dedicated customer support, features aimed primarily at content creators and small businesses.

Beyond verification, subscribers receive enhanced account protection and proactive monitoring against impersonation, a problem that has become increasingly common for public figures and digital creators.

If the new paid subscription materialises, it could signify Metas growing interest in tiered premium experiences, where creators pay for deeper insights and engagement tools. Such a move would also align with Metas broader strategy to diversify revenue streams amid slowing advertising growth.

More features and localisation efforts

Instagram has been steadily rolling out new interactive and localised features in recent months. In December, the company introduced a Your Algorithm option, giving users more control over the content they see on their feed and in Reels.

It also expanded language support for Indian audiences, adding Bengali, Kannada, Marathi, Tamil, and Telugu, along with corresponding Indian language fonts for captions and in-video text.

While Instagram has not officially confirmed the existence of the new paid plan, the companys ongoing push toward personalisation and monetisation suggests that more subscription-based tools could be on the horizon.
Reza Pahlavi has called for continued anti-regime activities by Iranians living abroad in the form of gatherings, sit-ins, and marches. He said that these movements must be focused on six demands

As the protests in Iran subside, Reza Pahlavi, the exiled prince, has sought international support to overthrow the Islamic Republic from power. He has asked anti-regime protestors across the world to keep their voices raised to help Iranians overcome the hardships under Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.

Your large and remarkable marches in recent days, in all corners of the world, from Australia to across Europe, to Canada and the United States, have given strength and hope to our brave compatriots in our occupied homeland, Pahlavi said.

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He added, Today, at a time when the Islamic Republic, through ruthless killings and martial law, has raised the cost of people taking to the streets in Iran, your responsibility to rally international support for our compatriots is heavier than ever.

Pahlavi lays down 6 demands

The son of Irans last shah has called for continued anti-regime activities by Iranians living abroad in the form of gatherings, sit-ins, and marches. He said that these movements must be focused on six demands:

Protect the people of Iran by weakening the regimes machinery of repression, especially by targeting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), its commanders, its command structure, and its infrastructure Maximum economic pressure by blocking the regimes assets around the world and targeting its clandestine network of oil tankers, known as the shadow fleet Provide internet for Iran through Starlink and other secure communications tools, and disable the regimes ability to shut down the internet Expel the regimes diplomats and pursue legal action against perpetrators of crimes against humanity The immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners Prepare for a democratic transition in Iran and recognise a legitimate transitional government

Trump mounts pressure on Iran

President Donald Trump said Thursday a US naval armada was heading toward the Gulf, maintaining pressure on Iran although he has recently downplayed the prospect of imminent military action.

Last week, Trump pulled back from a threat to strike Iran over its deadly crackdown on anti-government protests after the White House said Tehran had halted planned executions of demonstrators.

But the Republican president on Thursday confirmed continuing military preparations. US media have reported in the past week that the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group was ordered from maneuvers in the South China Sea to the Middle East.

Were watching Iran, Trump told reporters on Air Force One as he flew back from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

With inputs from agencies
The country is building three frigates at Gdynia on Polands northern Baltic coast. It will also purchase three Swedish submarines in November this year. From launching new minesweepers to constructing a rescue ship, Poland is making sure its navy does not lag

People watch from boats as Polish Navy vessels Multi-task rescue-salvage ship ORP Piast and Guided-missile frigate ORP General Tadeusz Kosciuszko participate in a naval parade on Armed Forces Day, commemorating Poland's victory over the Soviet Red Army in 1920, in Gdansk Bay, Poland, August 15, 2025. Reuters file

Poland has upgraded its navy, the biggest of its kind since the Cold War, building advanced capabilities that were long overdue amid Russias continued military activity in the Baltic Sea.

The country is building three frigates at Gdynia on Polands northern Baltic coast. It will also purchase three Swedish submarines in November this year. From launching new minesweepers to constructing a rescue ship, Poland is making sure its navy does not lag.

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These acquisitions aim to remedy decades of naval under-investment. The current fleet is ageing significantly, consisting of a single Soviet-era submarine transferred in 1986 and two US frigates dating back to the 1970s.

Pawe Bejda, Polands deputy defence minister, said, The Russian threat is spreading and we cannot ignore now their hybrid warfare, as seen for example with the rupturing of cables. Poland needs to be a very active participant in ensuring security in the Baltic Sea.

Zero to hero

As Moscow continues to threaten European security, the Polish navy has upgraded itself from zero to hero, said Jan Grabowski, a board member of PGZ, which owns the Gdynia yard.

The warships are being built under a budget of 3.5 billion, with a partnership with PGZ and British defence manufacturer Babcock.

In 2025, Poland became NATOs top spender by GDP percentage (4.7 per cent), investing tens of billions to overhaul its military. These funds have primarily fueled a massive procurement of American and South Korean equipment for its land and air branches.

The cable incidents triggered the need to protect critical infrastructure, as a result of which, Poland and Sweden staged their first joint military exercise in September last year.

The construction of three frigates in Gdynia marks a dramatic turnaround for a shipyard once on the brink of collapse. After the cancellation of a previous frigate program due to budget cuts, the yard was left to spend 17 years on a single patrol vessel, the Slazak. These new ships, slated for service between 2029 and 2031, represent a long-awaited revival for Polish naval manufacturing.

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How is Russia threatening security?

Growing concerns over NATOs Baltic Sea vulnerabilities have been fueled by Russias recent hybrid warfare tactics. While Moscow maintains its Baltic fleet in the Kaliningrad exclave, regional neighbours have accused it of orchestrating sabotage against undersea power and data infrastructure. These provocations are further compounded by frequent drone incursions into NATO airspace.

Additionally, allies are increasingly targeting Russias shadow fleet, a network of oil and cargo vessels used to bypass Western sanctions. Enforcement is tightening; Swedish authorities boarded a sanctioned vessel in December, while Baltic nations recorded six suspicious cable-related incidents in just a six-day window earlier this month.
As Bangladesh prepares for its 2026 general elections, a sharp diplomatic rift has emerged with Washington alleging external interference while Beijing accuses the United States of destabilising regional sovereign processes.

As Bangladesh moves toward its highly anticipated general elections in April 2026, the domestic political equation has transformed into a high-stakes geopolitical battleground. What began as a transition toward democracy under Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has evolved into a direct confrontation between the worlds two largest superpowers.

The friction reached a boiling point this week when the new US Ambassador to Bangladesh articulated a sharp agenda focused on countering foreign malign influence, prompting an immediate and forceful rebuttal from Beijing. This clash reflects a deeper reality: the future of Dhaka is no longer just a local concern but a central pillar of the Indo-Pacific power struggle.

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Washingtons warning: Guarding the ballot from malign influence

The United States, through its newly appointed ambassador to Bangladesh, has openly voiced concerns about Beijings expanding footprint in Dhakas politics. Washingtons critique comes as part of a broader strategy to counter Chinas influence in Asia, particularly among countries within Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) network. US officials have framed their engagement as support for democratic processes and regional cooperation, but critics argue that such statements risk being seen as interference in Bangladeshs sovereign affairs.

US officials argue that their involvement is rooted in the promotion of free, fair, and inclusive polls, a stance reinforced by the 2021 sanctions on the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and more recent visa restrictions on those deemed to be undermining democracy. However, the American focus has shifted from merely criticising internal authoritarianism to actively warning against the strategic footprint of China. For Washington, a Bangladesh that leans too heavily into Beijings security and digital architecture represents a significant breach in its Indo-Pacific strategy.

Analysts view these concerns as part of Washingtons broader attempt to counter Chinas influence globally. From Myanmar to Sri Lanka, the US has grown increasingly wary of Beijings ability to translate economic investment into strategic allegiance. In the context of Bangladesh, the stakes are high: Dhaka sits at a crossroads of regional connectivity, a potential linchpin for Indo-Pacific strategies promoted by both Washington and Beijing.

Beijings rebuttal and broader geopolitical implications

China has responded to American statements with alacrity, dismissing the allegations as baseless and emphasising its respect for Bangladeshs sovereignty. Chinese officials have stressed that Beijings interactions with Dhaka are rooted in mutually beneficial cooperation rather than political engineering.

State media and official spokespersons in Beijing have framed US concerns as part of a broader strategy to contain Chinas rise and to frame its global engagement in negative terms. From Beijings perspective, efforts to cast its relationships as problematic  especially in the context of elections  serve US geopolitical objectives more than they protect democratic processes.

Chinas strong rebuttal highlights the broader context of the USChina rivalry, in which both powers are fiercely protective of their influence and legitimacy. For Beijing, Southeast Asia  including Bangladesh  is a critical arena for securing economic partnerships and strategic footholds, particularly under the umbrella of the Belt and Road Initiative. Any suggestion that China seeks to influence domestic political outcomes is both politically sensitive and diplomatically provocative.

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Observers note that the escalation of rhetoric from both capitals reflects wider global competition. Bangladesh, like many countries in its region, must navigate these pressures while maintaining its own political autonomy and development priorities. The nations leaders have consistently emphasised sovereignty and non-alignment, resisting attempts to frame Dhakas domestic politics as a proxy battleground for foreign powers.

Election at a crossroads: Domestic system or global rivalry?

As Bangladesh heads toward a crucial election, the interplay between domestic politics and external influence campaigns will remain under scrutiny. While Washington portrays its stance as defending democratic norms, Beijing insists it is safeguarding sovereign cooperation and mutual development.

For Bangladesh, the real challenge will be managing great-power competition without allowing external narratives to overshadow local political discourse. If handled deftly, Dhaka could emerge with strengthened democratic credibility and strategic autonomy. If mismanaged, the election could deepen perceptions of foreign interference, a scenario that would reverberate across the broader Indo-Pacific region.

Ultimately, Bangladeshs vote may be less about choosing a government and more about how a rising nation charts an independent path amid intensifying USChina rivalry.
Carney has hit back at President Donald Trump after the US leader claimed that Canada lives because of the United States and accused Ottawa of enjoying American freebies, saying Canada thrives on its own strength and identity.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday sharply rebutted President Donald Trumps controversial claim at the World Economic Forum that Canada lives because of the United States. In a national address, Carney said, Canada and the United States have built a remarkable partnership, adding, Canada doesnt live because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadian.

Trump criticises Carney for ingratitude

Trump responded by slamming Carney for what he described as a lack of gratitude for US military protection. The US president was referring to Carneys speech in Davos, where the Canadian leader encouraged mid-sized nations to unite against aggressive superpowers.

Canada gets a lot of freebies from us, by the way. They should be grateful also, but theyre not. I watched your prime minister yesterday. He wasnt so grateful, Trump said. Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements," he added.

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Carney warns of coercion in global economic order

Carneys speech at the World Economic Forum on Tuesday drew widespread attention. He declared the international rules-based order essentially defunct and warned that the world has entered an era where the most powerful pursue their interests using economic integration as coercion.

The remarks stood out given Canadas longstanding economic dependence on and military partnership with the US. However, Carney, a former central banker, has pledged to reduce that reliance since taking office last year.

Canada diversifies trade and defence

Under Carney, Canada has signed a limited trade agreement with China and begun implementing billions of dollars in new defence spending. The country is also reportedly evaluating investments in Trumps proposed Golden Dome missile shielda system the US president has estimated at $175 billion, though Bloomberg analysts suggest costs could reach $1.1 trillion. The shield, relying on untested space-based technology, is intended to defend North America against threats including ballistic missiles, hypersonics, and advanced cruise missiles.

Existing North American defence collaboration

Canada already works with the US through the North American Aerospace Defense Command (Norad). In 2022, Canada announced a C$38.6 billion ($28 billion) plan to modernise the system, including a new radar network developed in Australia to detect incoming missilesunveiled by Carney in March.
Chinas embassy said the ship capsized 55 nautical miles northwest of Chinas Huangyan Dao, using Beijings name for the disputed Scarborough Shoal

An aerial view shows a China Coast Guard vessel operating near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. (FIle/Reuters)/Representational image

The Chinese Coast Guard on Friday rescued 13 sailors from the Philippines in the disputed waters of the South China Sea after their cargo vessel capsized.

The ship, Singapore-flagged M/V Devon Bay, sent a distress call on Thursday evening, the Philippine Coast Guard confirmed.

Chinas embassy said the ship capsized 55 nautical miles northwest of Chinas Huangyan Dao, using Beijings name for the disputed Scarborough Shoal.

This area is about 261 kilometres (162 miles) off the coast of the northern Philippines.

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China Coast Guard immediately dispatched two vessels to the site for search and rescue. As of now, 13 crew members have been rescued, and rescue operations are ongoing, the embassy said Friday.

The Chinese Embassy later released photos that showed the sailors, who were carrying iron ore in the vessel from the Philippines to China, receiving medical treatment.

The fish-rich Scarborough Shoal is a flashpoint of sometimes violent standoffs between the Philippines and China, which both claim the shoal and its waters as part of their territory.

A Philippine Coast Guard statement said the countrys own vessels were headed to the area where the vessel had capsized, noting the ships position was within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone.

The ship was already listing 25 degrees when it called for help, it added.

With inputs from agencies
Two people were dead and four others missing after a Singapore flagged cargo ship with 21 Filipinos on board capsized in the South China Sea, Chinese authorities said Friday.

Two dead, four missing after Singapore-flagged cargo ship capsizes near disputed Scarborough Shoal

Two people were dead and four others missing after a Singapore-flagged cargo ship with 21 Filipinos on board capsized in the South China Sea, Chinese authorities said Friday.

The Chinese Coast Guard and navy operations from the Peoples Liberation Armys Southern Theater Command have rescued 15 people in the ongoing operation. Among them, 14 were in stable condition, according to the PLAs Southern Theater Command.

The boat capsized about 100 kilometers (60 miles) northwest of Scarborough Shoal, said the Chinese Coast Guard in a statement. Scarborough is one of the most disputed shoals in the South China Sea.

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Contact was lost Thursday night with the cargo ship that was on its way to Guangdong province in Chinas south.

The Philippines Coast Guard said in a statement Friday that they sent two vessels and aircraft to assist in rescue operations with the crew of the cargo ship it identified as the Devon Bay.

The area is the site of frequent showdowns between Chinese and Philippine ships. Both countries make claims to the territory and patrol the waters near the shoal. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also have overlapping claims in the South China Sea.

A Chinese navy ship accidentally collided with a Chinese Coast Guard ship in August while trying to block a Philippine Coast Guard vessel near Scarborough Shoal.

____

A previous version of this report incorrectly described Scarborough Shoal as claimed by Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan in addition to China and the Philippines. Only China, the Philippines and Taiwan claim the Scarborough Shoal, while Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei claim other parts of the South China Sea near their onshore territories.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.)
British MPs and veterans condemn US presidents remarks, citing allied deaths and sacrifices during the 20-year war

US President Donald Trump speaks during a briefing in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2026. AFP File

US President Donald Trump has drawn sharp criticism from British politicians and military veterans after claiming that Nato troops avoided frontline combat during the war in Afghanistan.

The US president made the remarks in an interview with Fox News, in which he again suggested that Nato allies would not support the United States if called upon. His comments prompted condemnation across the UK political spectrum, with critics citing the deaths of 457 British service personnel in Afghanistan and questioning Trumps own record of military service.

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A total of 3,486 Nato troops were killed during the 20-year conflict, including 2,461 US personnel. Canada lost 165 troops, while Denmark suffered 44 combat deaths  the highest per capita toll outside the US.

In the Fox News interview, Trump said, Weve never needed them. Theyll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan  and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the frontlines.

British junior minister Stephen Kinnock described the comments as deeply disappointing, stressing the sacrifices made by European allies.

Many, many British soldiers and many soldiers from other European Nato allies gave their lives in support of American-led missions in places like Afghanistan and Iraq, he told Sky News.

I think anybody who seeks to criticise what [our armed forces] have done and the sacrifices that they make is plainly wrong, he added.

Calvin Bailey, a Labour MP and former RAF officer who served alongside US special operations forces in Afghanistan, said Trumps claim bears no resemblance to the reality experienced by those of us who served there.

Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty, who served as a captain in the Royal Yorkshire Regiment in Afghanistan, told The Guardian it was sad to see our nations sacrifice, and that of our Nato partners, held so cheaply by the president of the United States.

Tan Dhesi, chair of the Commons defence committee, called the remarks appalling and an insult to our brave British servicemen and women, who risked life and limb to help our allies, with many making the ultimate sacrifice.

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Emily Thornberry, chair of the foreign affairs committee, said the comments were so much more than a mistake and amounted to an insult to the families of those who had died.

Trump has previously faced criticism for avoiding conscription during the Vietnam war after being diagnosed with bone spurs, a claim that has been widely questioned.

Stephen Stewart, a former soldier and author, said, Trumps comments are as offensive as they are inaccurate. Its hugely ironic that someone who allegedly dodged the draft for the Vietnam war should make such a disgraceful statement.

He has desecrated the memory of hundreds of British soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan, people who we called friends and comrades. If he was a man of honour, he would get down on bended knees to ask forgiveness from the families of the fallen.

The Liberal Democrat leader, Ed Davey, wrote on X, Trump avoided military service 5 times. How dare he question their sacrifice. Farage and all the others still fawning over Trump should be ashamed.

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Bailey added that allied forces were united by shared values.

As I reminded the US forces I served with on 4 July in 2008, we were there because of a shared belief, articulated at Americas founding, that free people have inalienable rights and should not live under tyranny. That belief underpinned the response to 9/11, and it is worth reflecting on now.

The United States remains the only country to have invoked Article 5 of Natos collective defence clause, following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

With inputs from agencies
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni privately defended Donald Trump to EU leaders this week, urging caution in dealing with the US president and warning against escalating conflict with America

US President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte amid negotiations to end the Russian war in Ukraine, at the White House. Reuters File

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni privately defended Donald Trump to EU leaders this week, urging caution in dealing with the US president and warning against escalating conflict with America, according to a Politico report, citing sources briefed on the discussions.

At a Brussels summit on Thursday, Meloni told her EU counterparts that fighting Trump would be counterproductive, as Europe has everything to lose from a conflict with America, reported Politico, citing four anonymous officials who spoke to the media.

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She encouraged leaders not to dismiss Trump as crazy or unpredictable, a description some officials have used privately given his whirlwind start to 2026 in international affairs.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, speaking after the summit, said the leaders had learned that responding to Trump in a firm but non-escalatory manner was effective and should continue.

The emergency EU summit was called in response to Trumps threat to impose tariffs on eight European countries for opposing his demand to take control of Greenland from Denmark. The crisis dominated discussions in Brussels and other European capitals, with leaders meeting Thursday evening to outline a strategy.

Following threats of trade retaliation from the EU and negative market reactions, Trump backed down and expressed interest in an amicable deal regarding Greenland.

Reports of Melonis intervention suggested she favored a more cautious, diplomatic approach compared with other leaders at the table. On Friday, she hosted German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Rome to discuss expanding defense and industrial cooperation.

EU leaders also agreed to reconvene next month for a strategic brainstorming session to navigate a new world order marked by great power rivalries and a diminishing role for international law.

Our impression was that a large majority of leaders really identified the last weeks as a turning point, and that Europe should act quickly on several fronts to be able to defend its core interests, a fifth source familiar with the discussions said, adding that there were no illusions that the crisis is over.

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With inputs from agencies
Liam Ramos, a preschooler, was with his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, when ICE agents approached the duo earlier this week

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have been given a particularly free rein under Donald Trump 2.0 File image/Reuters

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has detained a five-year-old boy during one of its operations in Minnesota, the childs school officials and the familys lawyer have said.

Liam Ramos, a preschooler, was with his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, when ICE agents approached the duo earlier this week.

In a statement on X, the Department of Homeland Security said, ICE did NOT target a child, and that the operation was directed against his father, an illegal alien who abandoned his son when approached.

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The Republican administration has deployed about 3,000 officers around Minnesotas largest city, where residents have been on edge since an immigration officer shot and killed a U.S. citizen this month. Democrats and local leaders have accused federal agents of aggressive and unnecessary tactics that have left many immigrant communities afraid.

What happened?

Marc Prokosch, a lawyer representing the family, said that Liam and his father are being held at a detention centre in San Antonio, Texas, and that their attorneys are trying to get in touch with them.

The lawyer said that the boy and his father had come to the US in 2024 from Ecuador to seek asylum. This family was not eluding ICE in any way. They were following all the established protocols.

According to Superintendent Stenvik, the incident began just as the boy arrived home from preschool. School officials alleged that an agent instructed the child to knock on his own front door to check for other occupants. Despite another adult in the home asking to take the boy inside, the agent reportedly refused the request.

What has ICE said?

The Department of Homeland Security said that Liams father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, was in the country illegally but did not provide details or mention any criminal history.

Spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said parents targeted in ICE operations are asked if they want their children taken with them or have them placed with a person designated by the parents.

ICE did NOT target a child, she said, adding that Conejo Arias fled the scene as agents approached, leaving his child behind.
The proposed deal would lower tariffs on European cars and wine while opening up new markets for Indian electronics, textiles, and chemicals

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrive for a photo opportunity ahead of their meeting at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, on February 28, 2025. Reuters File

India and the European Union are expected to announce the conclusion of long-running negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) on Tuesday, according to a Reuters report, citing two government sources from India and the EU.

The proposed deal would lower tariffs on European cars and wine while opening up new markets for Indian electronics, textiles, and chemicals.

The announcement could come following Prime Minister Narendra Modis meeting with European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who are set to co-chair the India-EU summit in India from January 25 to 28, Reuters quoted one Indian official as saying.

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An EU official added that the bloc aims to conclude negotiations on the free trade agreement during the summit, after which both sides will follow internal procedures to formally sign the pact.

In addition to the FTA, India and the EU are expected to sign a security and defence agreement  Europes third in Asia after deals with South Korea and Japan  as well as a mobility agreement covering high-skilled workers and students, the official said.

Trade boost looms

If finalised and ratified by the European Parliament  a process that could take at least a year  the India-EU free trade agreement is expected to boost Indian exports such as textiles and jewellery, Indian official told Reuters.

Negotiations were relaunched in 2022 after a nine-year pause and gained momentum last year amid rising global trade tensions.

In August, former US President Donald Trump doubled tariffs on Indian imports to as much as 50%, among the highest globally, highlighting the growing need for alternative trade partnerships.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU was close to concluding the agreement but noted that additional work remains.

The potential pact follows recent EU agreements with the South American bloc Mercosur and other trade deals. India has also signed agreements with the UK, New Zealand, and Oman, reflecting a broader global effort to diversify trade partnerships and hedge against US tariff threats and geopolitical pressures.

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Bilateral trade between India and the EU reached $136.5 billion in the 2024/25 fiscal year ending in March, making the 27-nation bloc one of Indias largest trading partners.

Negotiators are still trying to bridge differences on several sensitive issues, including Indias reluctance to sharply cut tariffs on auto imports, Reuters quoted an EU government source as saying.

Lowering car import taxes would allow automakers such as Volkswagen and Renault to expand in India by making imported models more competitive. While India is the worlds third-largest car market, high tariffs have limited growth for foreign automakers.

Non-tariff barriers

A key concern for New Delhi is a range of non-tariff barriers such as the newly introduced carbon levies on imports of goods including steel, aluminium and cement.

Duty-free access to the EU could help offset losses for Indian textile and jewellery exporters in the US, Ajay Srivastava, founder of the Delhi-based think tank Global Trade Research Initiative, said.

An IndiaEU FTA would cut tariffs on textiles, garments and leather, letting Indian exporters compete more evenly with Bangladesh and Vietnam, Reuters quoted Srivastava as saying.

The EU imports nearly $125 billion of textiles annually, where India holds a 56% share versus Chinas 30%, highlighting the potential gains from an FTA amid rising US tariffs.

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Indias autos, electronics, textiles, pharmaceuticals and chemicals are likely to emerge as key beneficiaries of a potential IndiaEU free trade agreement, according to Jefferies.

Some sensitive agricultural items have been excluded from negotiations, an Indian trade ministry official said earlier.

With inputs from agencies
Starmer has strongly criticised US President Donald Trump for what he described as insulting and frankly appalling remarks about Nato troops role in Afghanistan, and said Trump should apologise for the comments

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has strongly criticised US President Donald Trump for what he described as insulting and frankly appalling remarks about Nato troops role in Afghanistan, and said Trump should apologise for the comments.

Trump made the remarks in an interview with Fox News at the World Economic Forum in Davos, claiming that the United States had never needed Nato support and that allied forces had stayed a little off the front lines during the Afghanistan war.

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Responding on Friday, Starmer pointed to the human cost borne by British forces, noting that 457 UK troops were killed and many others injured during the conflict.

So I consider President Trumps remarks to be insulting and frankly appalling, The Guardian quoted Starmer as saying.

Im not surprised theyve caused such hurt to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured, the prime minister added.

Starmer also suggested that Trump should issue an apology.

If I had misspoken in that way or said those words, I would certainly apologize, he said.

Trump has repeatedly questioned whether Nato allies would come to the United States aid if needed, reiterating those doubts in the same Fox News interview.

Ive always said, Will they be there, if we ever needed them? And thats really the ultimate test. And Im not sure of that. I know that we would have been there, or we would be there, but will they be there? he said.

Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the United States became the first and only Nato member to invoke Article 5, the alliances collective defence clause. Nato allies and partner nations fought alongside US forces in Afghanistan for two decades, a contribution critics say Trump has repeatedly downplayed.

Trumps comments have angered Nato allies at the end of a week in which he has already strained relations within the alliance, including through repeated threats to seize control of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, another Nato member.

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With inputs from agencies
More than 5,000 people have reportedly died in Irans nationwide crackdown on protests, activists said Friday, as the country endures its longest internet blackout in history, now entering its third week.

At least 5,002 people have been killed in Irans nationwide crackdown on protests, activists said Friday, warning that many more could be dead as the country endures its most extensive internet blackout in history, now lasting over two weeks, The Associated Press reported.

Authorities cut off internet access on January 8, making independent verification extremely difficult. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported that 4,716 of the dead were demonstrators, 203 were government-affiliated personnel, 43 were children, and 40 were civilians not participating in the protests.

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The group also said more than 26,800 people have been detained in the widening crackdown. In contrast, Irans government, in its first official toll, claimed 3,117 fatalities, labeling some of the dead as terrorists while listing civilians and security forces separately.

Rising tensions with the United States

The crackdown comes amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran, with an American aircraft carrier group moving toward the Middle East. President Donald Trump described the deployment as an armada, saying the fleet is heading toward Iran just in case military action becomes necessary.

Analysts note that the buildup could give Trump the option to carry out strikes, though he has so far refrained, likely under pressure from regional leaders. The UK Defense Ministry also confirmed that its joint Eurofighter Typhoon squadron with Qatar has been deployed to the Gulf amid rising regional tensions.

Historical context and legal charges

Trumps red lines over the killing of peaceful demonstrators and Iran conducting mass executions remain points of concern. Some detainees have been charged as mohareb, or enemies of God, a designation historically used to justify mass executions, including in 1988 when at least 5,000 people were reportedly killed. Analysts note that the ongoing arrests and charges echo some of the most violent periods in Irans recent history, recalling unrest dating back to the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

State media response

Iranian authorities have restricted journalists access to affected areas, instead broadcasting claims on state television portraying protesters as rioters allegedly influenced by the United States and Israel, without offering supporting evidence.

On Friday, to mark the annual Day of the Guardian, state television aired the Revolutionary Guard showcasing military drones, including Shahid drones that have also been used by Russia in Ukraine. A masked security official issued a veiled threat to Israel, declaring, We are closer to you than you think.

With inputs from AP
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Elon Musk predicted AI could overtake human intelligence within years and delivered a subtle jab at Donald Trumps newly launched Board of Peace initiative.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk used the global stage of the World Economic Forum in Davos to lay out an ambitious vision of a future powered by artificial intelligence and robotics while slipping in a pointed, if understated, jab at US President Donald Trumps newly announced Board of Peace.

Speaking during a session focused on technology and the global economy, Musk described a future of what he called sustainable abundance, where rapid advances in AI and automation fundamentally reshape productivity and human capability.

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According to Musk, the pace of development is accelerating so fast that artificial intelligence could soon outstrip human intelligence altogether.

I think we might have AI that is smarter than any human by the end of this year, and I would say no later than next year, Musk said. He went further, predicting that by 2030, AI systems could surpass the collective intelligence of all humanity, a milestone he framed as both transformative and inevitable.

As Musk spoke about intelligence, power and decision-making in a future dominated by machines, his comments took on a political edge when he briefly alluded to Trumps Board of Peace, which the US president officially launched on the sidelines of the Davos summit earlier this week. The initiative was unveiled amid ongoing global conflicts, including the IsraelHamas war, and has been pitched by Trump as part of a broader push for international stability.

Musks remark  phrased lightly but laden with irony  questioned the substance behind the initiative, drawing attention online for its timing and tone. The moment quickly circulated on social media, with viewers interpreting the comment as a critique of performative diplomacy at a time of deep geopolitical fractures.

The juxtaposition was striking. On one hand, Trumps administration was promoting a formal platform for peace-making at a gathering of political and corporate elites. On the other, Musk was suggesting that the most disruptive forces reshaping global power may no longer be political institutions but artificial intelligence systems advancing far faster than governance frameworks can adapt.

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Musk has long positioned AI as both humanitys greatest opportunity and its most serious risk. At Davos, his message reinforced that the coming decade could redefine intelligence, labour and decision-making whether or not traditional political mechanisms are prepared.
The Israeli Embassy did not clarify whether PM Modi has accepted the invitation, leaving questions over the timing and feasibility of the trip

Prime Minister Narendra Modi listens as Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during their meeting at the King David hotel in Jerusalem, on July 5, 2017. AP File

Israel on Friday confirmed that it has extended an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the country, though the timing and status of the proposed trip remain uncertain amid speculation of a possible February visit.

According to a News18 report, a spokesperson for the Israeli Embassy in New Delhi said, I can confirm Israel has invited him, but declined to provide details on dates or confirm whether the visit has been finalised.

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The confirmation comes against the backdrop of increased diplomatic engagement between India and Israel and growing anticipation over whether PM Modi will make another high-profile visit to the country, nearly eight years after his landmark trip in 2017.

However, the Indian government has not issued any official statement on the proposed visit.

The Israeli Embassy also did not clarify whether PM Modi has accepted the invitation, leaving questions over the timing and feasibility of the trip.

According to the report, citing diplomatic sources, while both sides remain keen on a high-level engagement, no formal announcement has yet been made by New Delhi.

India-Israel ties

PM Modis landmark visit to Israel in July 2017 marked a turning point in bilateral ties, making him the first Indian prime minister to travel to the country. Since then, India and Israel have significantly expanded cooperation in areas including defence and security, advanced technology, agriculture, water management and innovation.

Defence ties have deepened in particular, with Israel now among Indias top three arms suppliers, alongside growing collaboration in counter-terrorism, cybersecurity and intelligence sharing.

Speculation over a possible PM Modi visit gained traction earlier this month after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he hoped to meet the Indian leader in the near future.

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The remarks followed a telephone conversation between the two leaders and came after Netanyahus planned visit to India in November 2025 was cancelled.

We discussed the strength of India-Israel relations and how we can unleash the boundless potential of this partnership for the benefit of our peoples. I look forward to meeting Prime Minister Modi in the near future to continue these discussions in person, Netanyahu said in a social media post.

With inputs from agencies
Brazils Lula reached out to India and China to discuss multilateralism, the UN and shared Global South priorities, signalling deeper Brics coordination on global governance and international stability.

In a series of high-stakes diplomatic calls, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva talked to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, indicating a robust consolidation of the Global Souths agenda.

Against a backdrop of escalating international volatility including recent US interventions in Latin America and shifting trade dynamics, the trio of Brics leaders highlighted a shared commitment to reformed multilateralism and a revitalised role for the United Nations. These conversations come at a pivotal moment as Brazil prepares to pass the Brics baton to India, emphasising a seamless transition of leadership within the influential bloc.

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The conversation with PM Modi took place against a backdrop of growing concern among emerging economies about unilateral trade policies and protectionist measures from major powers, a theme that Lula has stressed repeatedly on global platforms.

The global souths shield

A Unified Defence President Lulas dialogue with President Xi Jinping cantered on the urgent need to jointly protect the interests of the Global South. According to readouts from the call, Xi emphasised that China and Brazil are constructive forces essential for maintaining world peace. The conversation was heavy with the weight of recent geopolitical shifts, specifically the Trump administrations arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, which has sent ripples of concern across Latin American capitals regarding sovereignty and international law.

The two leaders advocated for the United Nations to remain the central arbiter of global governance, opposing the impunity of unilateral actions. By aligning Chinas Belt and Road Initiative with Brazils national development goals in infrastructure and energy transition, the leaders are not just talking about diplomacy; they are building a concrete economic alternative to Western-led systems.

Xi call reinforces unity on multilateral principles

Just a day after speaking with Modi, Lula also held a lengthy phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping on January 23, 2026, marking another key step in consolidating unity among Brics partners. In this exchange, Xi reiterated Chinas support for Brazil and other Global South nations amid complex global dynamics, urging them to jointly protect the interests of developing countries on the international stage.

Xi highlighted the centrality of multilateralism and the United Nations foundational role in global governance, emphasising that both China and Brazil should serve as constructive forces in safeguarding world peace and stability. He highlighted the strategic partnership between the two countries  now elevated to a community with a shared future and pointed to ongoing cooperation that aligns with broader goals of economic development, infrastructure growth and sustainable energy transitions.

The Chinese president also discussed the importance of addressing global challenges through collective action, including advocating for international fairness and justice. Such rhetoric resonates with Lulas own criticisms of unilateralism and protectionism, particularly as nations navigate tensions on trade, climate negotiations and security. A strong UN system in this context, is seen as essential to equitably mediating competing interests and holding all actors to agreed international norms.

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Multilateralism, Brics and global governance in focus

Taken together, Lulas dialogues with Modi and Xi reflect a broader diplomatic strategy by Brazil  currently chair of the BRICS bloc  to re-energise multilateral cooperation and strengthen the voice of the Global South within global governance structures. BRICS, originally composed of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa and now expanded to include several other emerging economies, has been positioning itself as a counterbalance to a world order perceived by some members as overly dominated by Western powers.

For Lula, these conversations are not merely symbolic. They signal a coordinated push to defend multilateralism, fortify the UNs role, and promote equitable solutions to world issues from peace and conflict resolution to economic stability and sustainable development. With shifting geopolitical landscapes and rising calls for reform of international institutions, Lulas phone diplomacy with Modi and Xi highlights a concerted effort among BRICS leaders to champion collective decision-making and shared prosperity.

By aligning closely with India and China on these themes, Brazil hopes to deepen strategic partnerships across continents and to present a united front within international forums such as the UN, G20 and COP summits. As global challenges become increasingly complex and interconnected, such cooperation among major emerging powers may prove pivotal in shaping the future contours of global governance.

With inputs from agencies
Portugals Finance Minister Joaquim Miranda Sarmento has ruled out any political upheaval following the upcoming presidential run-off, expressing confidence that the centre-right government will maintain fiscal discipline and stability.

Portugals Finance Minister Joaquim Miranda Sarmento has said the country is unlikely to experience political turbulence following the upcoming presidential run-off election. He expressed confidence that the centre-right minority government would remain stable, allowing it to sustain budget surpluses and continue reducing public debt despite growing political polarisation.

Run-off between moderates and far-right

The second round of the presidential election, set for February 8, will see a contest between Antonio Jose Seguro of the centre-left Socialist Party and Andre Ventura, leader of the far-right populist party Chega. Although the presidency in Portugal is largely ceremonial, the campaign has drawn considerable attention due to Venturas rising influence among disaffected voters.

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Most analysts predict a victory for Seguro, though Venturas strong performance in the first round has unsettled the political landscape. His growing popularity could harden opposition in parliament to Prime Minister Luis Montenegros administration, which already governs without a majority and must rely on shifting alliances to pass legislation.

Confidence in stability and investor outlook

In an interview with Reuters in Davos, Miranda Sarmento dismissed concerns of instability, emphasising that investors retain faith in Portugals economic and political steadiness. Investors look at Portugal as a stable country. I speak to many of them, and I have never heard any concerns, he said.

He pointed out that, despite being a minority government, the administration has managed to conduct business smoothly, passing legislation through cooperation with both the Socialist Party and Chega when necessary. This pragmatic approach, he argued, has preserved the countrys fiscal credibility and ensured effective governance.

Fiscal discipline and responsible governance

The minister credited parliament for showing restraint in spending, noting that both the left and right have refrained from introducing populist measures that could undermine financial discipline. I think the opposition learnt their lesson in the May election, he explained, referring to the Socialists decision to side with Chega in rejecting a confidence motion against the government.

He added that fiscal caution remains the consensus across political lines. No one in Portugal wants a return to deficits, Miranda Sarmento said. The 2026 national budget was passed in November after the Socialist Party abstained, allowing its approval in the name of maintaining stability.

Focus on growth and debt reduction

Portugal has made significant progress since the austerity years that followed the 2011 financial crisis and international bailout. Miranda Sarmento predicted that the country will record a 0.1 per cent budget surplus this year, even after expanding tax relief and raising public salaries and pensions. This figure is slightly below the governments earlier forecast of a 0.3 per cent surplus for 2025.

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He reiterated the governments commitment to reducing the national debt ratio from 90 per cent of GDP last year to 87.8 per cent by year-end. Public debt had peaked at over 134 per cent of GDP during the pandemic in 2020, but has since fallen steadily.

Path ahead for reforms

Looking forward, Miranda Sarmento said the government is engaged in discussions with trade unions and employer associations to finalise a new labour reform aimed at improving productivity and economic competitiveness. The goal, he added, is to raise annual growth to around three per cent by 2029, compared to 2.3 per cent projected for this year.

The minister concluded that the election results, whatever they may be, are unlikely to derail Portugals economic progress or fiscal discipline. The fundamentals are strong, and the political system remains responsible, he said, projecting confidence that the country will stay on track toward stability and growth.
High-level diplomatic engagements between Russia, Ukraine and the US have renewed speculation that the nearly four-year war may be nearing an end. Putin has held talks with US envoys, while Trump has met Zelensky amid renewed efforts to push for a peace deal.

A series of high-profile meetings has fuelled speculation that the RussiaUkraine war may be approaching an end. Late on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with three US envoys on a possible framework to end the conflict, the Kremlin said.

The discussions came as President Donald Trump said that both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had expressed a willingness to reach a deal to end the nearly four-year war. Earlier in the day, Trump met Zelensky on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Switzerland.

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US envoys meet Putin in Moscow

The US delegation included Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, along with Josh Gruenbaum, recently appointed by Trump as a senior adviser to the Board of Peace, which is tasked with resolving international conflicts.

Putin met the American envoys shortly before midnight in Moscow, after Trump said a deal was reasonably close and Witkoff indicated that negotiations had narrowed to a single unresolved issue.

The Kremlin said Putin was joined by foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov and special envoy Kirill Dmitriev. Video footage released by the Kremlin showed Putin greeting the US envoys and inviting them to sit at a long oval table.

Military signalling during negotiations

Minutes after the talks began, Russia announced a patrol by strategic bomber aircraft in what it described as a routine show of military strength. The defence ministry said Tu-22M3 long-range bombers flew for more than five hours over the Baltic Sea, escorted by Russian fighter jets.

The aircraft have been used during the war to launch missile strikes on Ukrainian cities, military targets and energy infrastructure.

Territory and Nato remain sticking points

Trump has repeatedly pushed for an end to the conflict, the deadliest in Europe since World War Two, and said this week that Putin and Zelensky would be stupid not to reach an agreement.

While Witkoff did not specify the remaining point of disagreement, territorial control has consistently been cited by all sides. Putin has demanded that Ukraine cede the 20 per cent of the eastern Donetsk region it still controls, a condition Zelensky has rejected after years of heavy fighting.

Russia has also insisted that Ukraine abandon its ambition to join Nato and has ruled out any post-war presence of NATO troops on Ukrainian soil.

Trilateral talks planned in Abu Dhabi

Witkoff and Kushner travelled to Moscow from Davos, where they met Ukrainian officials earlier this week. Zelensky said security guarantees for Ukraine had been finalised but confirmed that the territorial issue remained unresolved.

He added that trilateral talks involving Russia, Ukraine and the US would take place for the first time in Abu Dhabi on Friday and Saturday.

War continues amid winter hardship

Ukraine is facing its harshest winter of the war amid sustained Russian missile and drone attacks on energy infrastructure, leaving hundreds of thousands without power or heating.

Asked about his message to Putin, Trump said: The war has to end.

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Moscow has warned that, after a late-night meeting between President Vladimir Putin and three US envoys, a durable peace would not be possible unless territorial issues were resolved

As the US ramps up talks between Russia and Ukraine in hopes of ending the long-drawn war, the Kremlin is less optimistic about the scope of the meeting. Russia, Ukraine and the US are all set to hold talks in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

Moscow has warned that, after a late-night meeting between President Vladimir Putin and three US envoys, a durable peace would not be possible unless territorial issues were resolved.

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Nevertheless, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov has told reporters that talks between Putin and Trumps envoys, which began shortly before midnight and lasted some four hours, had been substantive, constructive and very frank.

Most importantly, during these talks between our president and the Americans, it was reiterated that without resolving the territorial issue according to the formula agreed upon in Anchorage, there is no hope of achieving a long-term settlement, he said, referring to last years Trump-Putin summit in Alaska.

Ushakov said Putin underlined that Russia was sincerely interested in a diplomatic solution.

He added, however: Until this is achieved, Russia will continue to consistently pursue the objectives of the special military operation. This is especially true on the battlefield, where the Russian armed forces hold the strategic initiative.

Doing it for Europe

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has expressed optimism that the trilateral talks would prove productive. Anytime we meet, its good. If we dont meet, nothings going to happen. In the first three years, nobody met So we are meeting, and well see what happens. I hope we can save a lot of lives, thats all, he said.

Everybodys making concessions to get it done. Europe is going to be a part of it. Its more for Europe than for me. I mean, Im doing this more for Europe than for me. Im doing it to save lives. Im doing it for Europe It doesnt affect us very much, the president added.

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The full details of the upcoming talks in the United Arab Emirates have not been released, and it is not clear whether the Russian and Ukrainian officials will meet face-to-face.

Zelenskyy said these talks would last two days.
Trump has announced plans to visit China in April and host Chinese President Xi Jinping in the United States later this year, outlining a fresh round of high-level engagement between Washington and Beijing.

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping talk as they leave after a bilateral meeting at Gimhae International Airport, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, in Busan, South Korea, October 30, 2025. Reuters File

US President Donald Trump said he plans to visit China in April and host Chinese President Xi Jinping in the United States later this year, signalling renewed high-level engagement between the two countries.

Speaking as he boarded Air Force One while returning to the US after a two-day trip to Davos, Trump said, Were gonna make a trip. Im going in April. He added that the two leaders are expected to meet twice in 2026 and said Xi would visit the United States toward the end of the year.

Trump on ties with Xi Jinping

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Trump described his relationship with Xi in positive terms, saying, Ive always had a great relationship. He acknowledged that ties were strained during the COVID-19 period but said relations have since improved. It was a very strained relationship during COVID, but now its an excellent relationship, he said.

Trade cited as sign of improving relations

The US president pointed to trade as evidence of warming ties, saying China is buying more US farm products. Look at all the farm products theyre buying now, Trump said, referring in particular to soybeans. He said the purchases benefit American farmers, adding, That makes our farmers happy, and that makes me happy.

Trump also praised Xi personally, calling him an amazing guy and speaking positively about the Chinese leaders wife, indicating an emphasis on personal diplomacy.

Timeline for US-China engagement

Trumps remarks offer the clearest timeline so far for senior-level US-China engagement during his second term. A visit to China in April would be his first since returning to office, while Xis expected visit later in the year would mark the first such visit hosted by Washington during this term.

US-China relations have faced sharp tensions in recent years, particularly over trade, technology and security. Despite this, the two sides have continued commercial cooperation, especially in agriculture and energy. China remains a key market for US farm exports, with soybean purchases often seen as a signal of improving political ties.

China says ties remain broadly stable

Commenting on bilateral relations earlier this week, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said China-US ties have experienced ups and downs over the past year but have remained broadly stable. He said this stability serves the common interests of both countries and meets the expectations of the international community.

Guo added that cooperation benefits both China and the US, while confrontation harms both sides. He said the two countries should, based on equality, mutual respect and reciprocity, explore the right way for major powers to coexist.

Previous engagements and talks

In November, Trump said he had agreed to visit Beijing in April and invited Xi for a state visit later next year following a phone call between the two leaders. Trump and Xiwho met nearly a month ago in South Koreadiscussed issues including trade, Russias invasion of Ukraine, fentanyl and Taiwan, according to Trump and Chinas foreign ministry.
Trump withdrew Canadas invitation to join his proposed Board of Peace, following Carneys public criticism of US tariffs related to Washingtons effort to acquire Greenland. The move adds to growing tensions between the two longtime allies.

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney and US President Donald Trump attend the draw for the 2026 Fifa Football World Cup taking place in the US, Canada, and Mexico, at the Kennedy Center, in Washington, DC, on December 5, 2025. (Photo: AFP)

US President Donald Trump on Friday revoked an invitation for Canada to join his proposed Board of Peace, following Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carneys public opposition to US tariffs tied to Washingtons push to acquire Greenland.

The move marks a further strain in relations between the two long-standing allies, already tense after sharp exchanges at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.

Trump shared the decision in a post on his Truth Social platform, attaching a letter addressed to Carney.

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Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canadas joining, what will be, the most prestigious Board of Leaders ever assembled, at any time, he wrote.

The Board of Peace is a Trump initiative envisioned as a high-level grouping of global leaders to resolve international conflicts. Few details about its structure, membership, or mandate have been publicly disclosed.

Tensions trace back to Davos remarks

The withdrawal came after Trump had criticised Carney during the WEF in Davos. Carney had delivered a keynote address warning that the global rules-based order was fracturinga speech that earned a standing ovation from delegates.

They should be grateful to us, Canada. Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements, Trump said in response.

Carney, without naming Trump or the US directly, had stressed that the world faced a fundamental rupture rather than a gradual transition.

We are in the midst of a rupture, not a transition, he said, adding that major powers were increasingly using economic integration as a weapon and tariffs as leverage.

If great powers abandon even the pretence of rules and values for the unhindered pursuit of their power and interests, the gains from transactionalism will become harder to replicate, Carney said.

Carney rebuffs Trump

After the withdrawal, Carney used a post on X to reject Trumps claim that Canada lives because of the United States. He emphasised that Canada thrives on its own strengths while maintaining close ties with Washington.

Canada thrives because we are Canadian, Carney wrote, adding that the two neighbours have built a remarkable partnership, in the economy, in security, and in rich cultural exchange, but insisted that Canada does not live because of the United States.

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Trump has renewed his criticism of Nato, questioning whether the alliance would come to Americas defence and suggesting it should be put to the test by deploying forces to the USMexico border.

President Donald Trump (right) meets with Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte during a meeting on the sidelines of the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. File image/AP

US President Donald Trump has once again questioned Natos reliability, suggesting the alliance should be put to the test by deploying its forces to the USMexico border, reigniting tensions with Americas long-time allies.

Trump suggests invoking Article 5 at southern border

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Natos collective defence clause could have been invoked to address illegal immigration into the US, arguing that such a move would free up American Border Patrol agents for other duties.

Maybe we should have put NATO to the test: Invoked Article 5, and forced NATO to come here and protect our Southern Border from further invasions of illegal immigrants, thus freeing up large numbers of Border Patrol Agents for other tasks, Trump wrote.

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Doubts over Natos commitment to the US

Trumps remarks followed comments at the World Economic Forum, where he said he was unsure whether Nato would come to the defence of the United States, even though he maintained that Washington would defend its allies if required.

His latest criticism also comes after some European countries deployed troops to Greenland, a development that has drawn Trumps attention as Nato faces renewed scrutiny under his presidency.

Afghanistan war cited by Trump

Trump has repeatedly criticised Americas Nato allies over their role in Afghanistan, claiming allied troops stayed a little back, a little off the frontlines during the US-led campaign against the Taliban.

Nato has invoked its mutual defence clause only once in its history, following the September 11 attacks, when member states sent thousands of troops to Afghanistan. More than a thousand non-US service members were killed during the conflict, and Trumps comments are expected to further strain ties between the US and its allies.

Ultimate test of the alliance

As he escalates his grievances, Trump has repeatedly questioned whether the 31 other Nato members would come to Americas defence in a crisis.

Speaking to Fox News on Thursday, he said he was not sure Nato would pass the ultimate test of defending the US if it were under threat.

Weve never needed them Theyll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the frontlines, Trump said, adding that the US has been very good to Europe and to many other countries and that the relationship has to be a two-way street.

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Casualties among Nato allies

In total, 3,486 Nato troops died during the 20-year war in Afghanistan, including 2,461 US service members. Britain lost 457 troops, with around 2,000 military and civilian personnel wounded. Canada suffered 165 deaths, including civilians, during its 12-year deployment, its longest and deadliest combat mission since the Korean War.

Other Nato countries, including Italy, Germany and France, also lost soldiers during the conflict.

Denmark and Greenland remarks

Trump has also singled out Denmark, which controls Greenland, describing it as ungrateful for US protection during World War Two. Denmark lost 44 soldiers in Afghanistan, the highest per capita toll among Nato allies outside the US.
Donald Trumps Board of Peace faces an awkward overlap, with at least 11 participating countries also affected by a US immigrant visa processing pause announced by the State Department.

US President Donald Trumps recently launched diplomatic initiative named the Board of Peace is being touted as a novel path to resolving global conflicts, starting with the war in Gaza and later expanding its scope.

On one hand, the administration has championed the Board of Peace, a high-profile coalition of nations tasked with mediating global conflicts, most notably the war in Gaza. On the other, a sweeping executive mandate has placed at least 11 of these essential partners on a visa suspension list, citing risks associated with public benefit usage and national security. This emerging peace paradox raises a critical question: Can the United States effectively lead a diplomatic renaissance while slamming its doors on the very delegates it invited to the table?

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The Board of Peace was marketed as a revolutionary approach to transactional diplomacy. By involving regional powers and stakeholders in a structured dialogue, the Trump administration aimed to decentralise peace-making efforts. However, the optics of this initiative were quickly clouded by the State Departments latest immigrant visa processing updates.

According to recent data and policy shifts, countries like Egypt, Jordan and several others involved in the mediation efforts now find their citizens subject to stringent visa pauses. The administration justifies these restrictions under the umbrella of protecting the American economy from high-risk public benefits usage. Yet, for the diplomats and citizens of these nations, the message is conflicting. The paradox lies in the fact that while their governments are deemed trusted enough to broker peace in the worlds most volatile regions, their people are deemed risks to the American social fabric.

Diplomacy vs immigration policy: A policy clash

The overlap between the Board of Peace membership and the visa pause list lays bare tensions in US foreign policy: at once seeking to build a coalition of states around peace initiatives while restricting permanent movement from many of the same nations. For countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nigeria, which have signalled or confirmed their intention to participate, the visa pause could complicate high-level exchanges, personnel mobility, and broader bilateral engagement with Washington.

Critics of the Board of Peace argue that including countries under immigration restrictions undermines the credibility of the initiative. How can the United States champion global stabilisation and cooperation if its own visa policies send mixed signals to would-be partners? one former diplomat questioned. Analysts also note that participation in the board, while flattering in diplomatic terms, does not automatically translate into unfettered access or improved relations if broader immigration policy remains restrictive.

Moreover, the visa pause policy itself has drawn its share of controversy. Critics argue that linking immigrant visa processing to subjective assessments of public charge risks disproportionately affects developing nations and could damage long-term ties with key partners, especially at a moment when US global leadership is being tested on multiple fronts.

Broader implications for global diplomacy

The paradox embodied in Trumps peace initiative highlights broader clashes in US foreign policy: an attempt to assert new forms of global leadership while maintaining hardline domestic immigration measures. For many countries on both lists, the policy overlaps could strain bilateral cooperation or dampen enthusiasm for long-term engagement.

Some nations might see their participation in the Board of Peace as an opportunity to gain influence with Washington and shape peace outcomes, even as visa restrictions signal a tougher US stance on migration flows. This dual reality may force capitals in Asia, Africa and the West Asia to navigate a careful diplomatic balancing act, reinforcing ties through peace frameworks while managing public perception of US travel policies that limit family reunification or permanent relocation.

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While Trump and White House officials emphasise the Board of Peace as a bold platform for conflict resolution, the visa policy paradox illustrates how domestic politics and immigration priorities can reverberate through foreign policy, complicating Americas efforts to build cohesive international partnerships in the years ahead.
Ugandas military chief said on Friday that authorities had detained 2,000 opposition supporters, killed 30, and were hunting for more following a disputed presidential election in which his father, Yoweri Museveni, won a seventh term

Lt. General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni, who leads the Ugandan army's land forces, looks on during his birthday party in Entebbe, Uganda on May 7, 2022. Reuters File

Ugandas military chief said on Friday that authorities had detained 2,000 opposition supporters, killed 30, and were hunting for more following a disputed presidential election in which his father, Yoweri Museveni, won a seventh term.

The elder Museveni, 81, has led the East African nation for nearly four decades. He was declared to have resoundingly defeated Bobi Wine, leader of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), in the January 15 vote, held during an internet blackout.

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Wine, a former musician whose legal name is Robert Kyagulanyi, rejected the result, alleging widespread irregularities including ballot stuffing, and went into hiding.

Army chief condemns opposition terrorists'

In a series of overnight social media posts, military chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Musevenis son, gave the first details of the arrests and killings of NUP supporters, describing them as hooligans and terrorists.

So far we have killed 30 NUP terrorists, Kainerugaba said on X, without explaining the circumstances of the deaths. Most NUP terrorist leaders are in hiding. We shall get them all, he said in another post.

The government has accused Wines supporters of violence during the election while the opposition says its members were attacked by security forces. Reuters has not been able to authenticate the allegations.

A police spokesperson declined to give any further comment on the situation. Military spokesperson Chris Magezi could not be reached for comment.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern on Thursday over the arrests and violence involving opposition figures and supporters.

He (the Secretary General) notes the importance of restraint by all actors and respect for the rule of law and Ugandas international human rights obligations, his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said.

Wine has alleged that hundreds of his supporters have been illegally detained in recent months for their political affiliation, and accused authorities of intimidation.

Ugandas opposition parties and rights activists say some of those arrested are held in unofficial detention centres where some are tortured.

The crackdown intensified with the detention of Muwanga Kivumbi, a lawmaker and Wines deputy in the NUP, on Thursday. Two other senior NUP figures have been reported missing for days.

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On Friday, Kivumbi appeared in court in Butambala to be charged with terrorism. He was remanded in custody until February 3, the rights group Agora Discourse said in a post on X. It did not say how Kivumbi had pleaded and the identity of HIS lawyer was unclear.

Wine, 43, has said he fled his residence after a raid by security personnel shortly after the election.

Museveni is widely believed to be grooming Kainerugaba, who has expressed presidential ambitions, as his successor.
Three-way talks between Russia, Ukraine and the US opened in Abu Dhabi, the UAE said Friday, as Moscow said it was not dropping its demand that Kyiv pull out of its eastern Donbas region.

This handout photograph taken and released by the UAE Presidential Court on January 23, 2026 shows UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan (C) speaking with the heads of delegations participating in the UAE-hosted trilateral talks between the US, Russia and Ukraine, at the Al Shati Palace in Abu Dhabi.- AFP

In a diplomatic breakthrough, senior delegations from Ukraine, Russia and the United States have met in the United Arab Emirates for their first trilateral talks since the full-scale war began in February 2022 even as Moscow reiterated it would not drop its demand that Kyiv withdraw from the eastern Donbas region.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said territory remained the key issue and would be on the agenda for the talks.

They are the first direct public negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv on a plan being pushed by the US President Donald Trump to end the almost four-year-long war.

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The talks commenced today in Abu Dhabi and are scheduled to continue over two days, as part of ongoing efforts to promote dialogue and identify political solutions to the crisis, the UAE foreign ministry said in a statement.

A rapid diplomatic blitz

The Abu Dhabi summit follows a whirlwind of shuttle diplomacy led by the Trump administration. Just 24 hours prior, President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Simultaneously, US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held late-night discussions with Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

Despite the movement, the Kremlin has not softened its stance. Moscow continues to demand that Kyiv fully cede the Donbas industrial regiona maximalist requirement that remains a non-starter for Ukrainian sovereignty.

Frozen ground realities

While diplomats talk in the warmth of the Emirates, the situation on the ground remains dire as just before the talks began, Kyiv said Russian strikes had killed three people Friday in the Kharkiv region and four people  including a father and his five-year-old son  overnight in the east.

While diplomacy to end Europes worst conflict since World War II has gained pace, Moscow and Kyiv remain at odds, in what looks like a deadlock, over the issue of territory.

Kyivs energy minister said on Thursday that Ukraines power grid had endured its most difficult day since a widespread blackout in November 2022, when Russia first began bombing energy infrastructure.

Russian President Vladimir Putins demand that Ukraine surrender the 20% it still holds of the Donetsk region of the Donbas - about 5,000 sq km (1,900 sq miles) - has proven a major stumbling block to a breakthrough deal.

Donetsk is one of four Ukrainian regions Moscow said in 2022 it was annexing after referendums rejected by Kyiv and Western nations as bogus. Most countries recognise Donetsk as part of Ukraine.

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Zelenskyy said on Friday that a deal on US security guarantees for Kyiv was ready, and that he was only waiting on Trump for a specific date and place to sign it.

For its part, Russia has floated the idea of using the bulk of nearly $5 billion of Russian assets frozen in the United States to fund a recovery of Russian-occupied territory inside Ukraine. Ukraine, backed by European allies, demands that Russia pay it reparations.

Asked about Russias idea, Zelenskyy dismissed it as nonsense.

Russia says it wants a diplomatic solution but will keep working to achieve its goals by military means as long as a negotiated solution remains elusive.

With inputs from agencies
The United States has formally completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization, ending its role in the UN health agency a year after President Donald Trump ordered the exit and leaving behind millions of dollars in unpaid dues.

US President Donald Trump speaks during a briefing in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2026. AFP File

The United States on Thursday formally completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), a year after President Donald Trump ordered the move on his first day back in office.

US exits WHO, leaves unpaid dues

The withdrawal ends all US participation in the UN health agency but leaves behind unpaid dues estimated at about $260 million, according to Bloomberg and Reuters. The Associated Press, citing a WHO official, put the outstanding amount at more than $130 million.

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said all funding to the WHO has been terminated and American personnel have been recalled from the agencys headquarters and offices worldwide. Washington has also ended its participation in WHO leadership bodies, technical committees and working groups, Bloomberg reported.

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Trump cites Covid response and lack of reform

Trump ordered the withdrawal through an executive order, citing the WHOs mishandling of the Covid pandemic, failure to adopt reforms and a lack of independence from inappropriate political influence.

Administration rejects obligation to clear dues

Senior administration officials said there was no obligation to settle outstanding dues before the withdrawal. An HHS official told reporters there is no statutory requirement to pay pending contributions, despite a 1948 Congressional resolution that mandates one years notice and settlement of dues.

The US has not paid its WHO contributions for 2024 and 2025.

WHO loses its largest contributor

The US exit deprives the WHO of its biggest donor. According to Bloomberg, Washington contributed nearly $1.3 billion to the organisation between 2022 and 2023.

Its a very messy divorce, said Lawrence Gostin, director of the WHO Collaborating Center on National and Global Health Law at Georgetown University.

Gostin warned the decision would weaken the global response to future outbreaks and hinder the ability of US scientists and pharmaceutical companies to develop vaccines and treatments. In my opinion, its the most ruinous presidential decision in my lifetime, he said.

Global health implications

The WHO coordinates responses to global health emergencies, provides technical support to poorer countries, distributes vaccines and treatments, and sets international health guidelines. Nearly every country in the world is a member.

Health experts have warned that the US withdrawal could undermine initiatives ranging from polio eradication to maternal and child health programmes, as well as research on emerging viruses.

Dr Ronald Nahass, president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, described the move as shortsighted and misguided and scientifically reckless.

By ending participation in WHO technical and advisory bodies, the US has also lost access to global influenza surveillance data, which informs vaccine development and enables rapid responses to outbreaks.
Trump has said the United States is deploying a large naval force towards the Gulf to keep pressure on Iran, even as tensions remain high following months of unrest inside the country.

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday (January 22) that a US naval armada was moving towards the Gulf to maintain pressure on Iran, while playing down the likelihood of immediate military action.

Meanwhile, US officials cited in a report said an aircraft carrier strike group and other military assets would arrive in the West Asia in the coming days.

Were watching Iran, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as he returned from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

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Iran issues warning

Trumps remarks prompted a sharp response from Tehran, with the commander of Irans Revolutionary Guards warning that the force had its finger on the trigger, amid continuing unrest following mass anti-government protests.

Military preparations continue

Although Trump stepped back last week from a threat to strike Iran over its violent crackdown on protesters  after the White House said Tehran had halted planned executions  he confirmed that military preparations were ongoing.

US media reported that the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group had been redirected from exercises in the South China Sea to the Middle East.

You know we have a lot of ships going that direction, just in case. We have a big force going toward Iran, Trump said, adding that he would prefer to avoid conflict.

Open to talks, claims deterrence

Trump described the deployment as a massive fleet but said it might not need to be used. He also repeated his claim that his warning of military action had stopped 837 executions of protesters and said he remained open to talks with Iran.

Protests death toll

Iranian authorities on Wednesday released their first official death toll from the protests, saying 3,117 people had been killed. Rights groups have said the actual number could be significantly higher.
Less than three weeks after the US ouster of Nicolas Maduro, MPs endorsed on first reading a bill allowing private companies to independently engage in oil exploration and extraction

After Washington imposed sanctions in 2019, the Biden administration granted Chevron a waiver in 2022 in order to keep importing Venezuelan oil amid rising energy prices. File image/Reuters

Venezuelan lawmakers on Thursday gave their initial backing to plans to throw open the oil sector to private investors, paving the way for the return of US energy majors  a key demand of President Donald Trump.

Less than three weeks after the US ouster of Nicolas Maduro, MPs endorsed on first reading a bill allowing private companies to independently engage in oil exploration and extraction.If adopted on a second reading, the bill would roll back decades of state controls over Venezuelas oil sector, which were tightened by Maduros late mentor, socialist firebrand Hugo Chavez, in the mid-2000s.

The bill has been promoted by Maduros former deputy, acting president Delcy Rodriguez, who has overseen a lightning-fast thaw in ties with Washington since taking the helm.

On Thursday, Trump called her leadership very strong and said the United States is already taking a cut of Venezuelas oil.

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Our country will become richer and that means our taxes will be going down and they will do better  Venezuelas going to do better than theyve ever done, Trump said.

Another change unfolded in Caracas Thursday, with the United States confirming Laura F. Dogu  a former ambassador to Nicaragua and Honduras  as the new charge daffaires to Venezuela.

That was seen as a step toward restoration of full diplomatic ties.

Warming relations

Caracas and Washington severed relations after Maduros first widely disputed claim to reelection in 2019.

Within days of Maduros January 3 capture in Caracas, US diplomats travelled to the Venezuelan capital to discuss reopening the embassy.

Trump has boasted that he is working really well with Rodriguez, who was vice president and petroleum minister  a position she still holds  in Maduros fiercely anti-US government.

On Wednesday, a senior US official said Rodriguez would soon visit the United States, despite still being under Washington sanctions.

Maduro was toppled after a monthslong US pressure campaign and flown to New York with his wife to face trial on drug trafficking charges.

Rodriguez has appeared ready to comply with Trumps open interest in Venezuelas oil.

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We are in a process of dialogue, of working with the United States, without fear, she said Wednesday.

Lost opportunities

This week she ploughed $300 million from a US-brokered oil sale into propping up the ailing national currency, the bolivar.

The mere anticipation of the injection drove down the price of dollars, the currency in which many Venezuelans conduct their business.

But economists warned that true relief from spiraling prices would require a sustained influx of dollars  which in turn requires foreign investment.

Venezuela has the worlds largest proven reserves of oil but output has fallen from over three million barrels per day in the early 2000s to around 1.2 million today.

The energy reform bill before parliament ends a Chavez-era requirement for private companies to form joint ventures with state-owned oil firm PDVSA, which insisted on holding a majority.

Having oil underground serves no purpose, parliament speaker Jorge Rodriguez, the interim presidents brother, told lawmakers Thursday, urging them to back the reform.

Every day that passes is a day lost and a day of (oil reserves) that we cannot use.

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To win the support of both Venezuelans and Washington, Delcy Rodriguez needs to quickly show improvements in the economy and signal an end to a decade of worsening repression under Maduro.

In the past two weeks, her government has slowly freed dozens of political prisoners from the hundreds behind bars.

On Thursday, authorities released the son-in-law of opposition figure Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who was serving a 30-year sentence on terrorism charges.

Gonzalez Urrutia, in exile in Spain, is widely considered the rightful winner of Venezuelas 2024 election.

His son-in-law Rafael Tudares was arrested by masked men in January 2025 while heading to school with his two children.

Since Maduros ouster, Trump has ramped up pressure on another Latin American arch-foe, communist Cuba, a longtime Venezuela ally.

Trump has vowed to cut off all oil supplies to Cuba, which has relied for years on heavily-subsidized Venezuelan oil and cash to remain afloat.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said Thursday he spoke by telephone with Rodriguez to express his support and solidarity.

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In the one-party state, Lam was re-elected to Vietnams most powerful job by all 180 party officials from a newly formed committee at the end of a congress held every five years to set key targets and make leadership decisions, the party said

Vietnams Communist Party General Secretary To Lam speaks ahead of the voting session of the 14th National Party Congress in Hanoi, Vietnam, January 22, 2026. Reuters

Vietnams top leader To Lam was re-appointed on Friday as head of the ruling Communist Party for the next five years after a unanimous vote by its central committee, as he pledged to turbocharge growth in the export-reliant nation.

In the one-party state, Lam was re-elected to Vietnams most powerful job by all 180 party officials from a newly formed committee at the end of a congress held every five years to set key targets and make leadership decisions, the party said.

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Viewed as a bold reformist, before the vote Lam promised two-digit growth. Immediately after re-election, he told the congress he wanted a system based on integrity, talent, courage, and competence, where performance is assessed against tangible results.

SWEEPING REFORMS

During his brief prior stint as party chief since mid-2024, Lam presided over fast growth underpinned by sweeping reforms that won him strong support but also criticism, as tens of thousands of civil servants lost their jobs while he promoted faster decision-making and less red tape.

Aware of the discontent stirred by those reforms, Lam moved early to secure support from rival factions within the party, including the powerful military, according to officials familiar with the process.

As concerns mounted about his plans to bolster private conglomerates at the expense of state-owned firms, Lam issued a directive ahead of the party congress underscoring the leading role of state enterprises, which include army-controlled telecom and defence giant Viettel.

He normally meticulously prepares for his moves, said Le Hong Hiep, senior fellow at the ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute, noting that Lam, as state security minister, had manoeuvred deftly to reach the apex of Vietnams political system in 2024 when his late predecessor Nguyen Phu Trong was facing prolonged health issues.

In an address to the congress after his re-election, Lam, 68, said he would maintain party unity. He is also seeking to become Vietnams president, with a decision expected to be announced later.

Lams re-election as party chief sends a reassuring message to foreign investors who value political stability, Hiep said.

Hiep added, however, that Lams bid to combine the two top roles  a system resembling the model under Xi Jinping in neighbouring China  could pose risks to Vietnams political system, which has traditionally depended on collective leadership and internal checks.

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LAM TARGETS 10% ANNUAL ECONOMIC GROWTH

Earlier this week, addressing congress delegates sitting in red-upholstered seats in a red-carpeted conference hall under a towering statue of party founder Ho Chi Minh, Lam promised annual growth above 10% through the decade - an ambitious target which differs from World Bank forecasts of an average 6.5% yearly expansion this year and next.

Lam wants to achieve that by changing Vietnams growth model, which has hinged for decades on cheap labour and exports, turning the Southeast Asian nation into a high-middle-income economy by 2030 thanks to a boost in innovation and efficiency.

In his first months as party chief, he launched the most comprehensive overhaul of the countrys public administration and government in decades, and has promised to continue with his reform drive, despite concerns over financial risks, controversial infrastructure and favouritism.
Samsung India has announced Fit India Walk-a-thon 26, a step-count challenge hosted on the Samsung Health app. The challenge is scheduled around Republic Day 2026 and runs for a fixed duration, requiring participants to meet a defined step target within the challenge period.

Step target and tracking

Participants must complete 200,000 steps during the challenge window. Step counts are recorded through the Samsung Health app, while a leaderboard enables users to track progress and view their ranking among other participants.

Rewards and lucky draw

Users who complete the step target qualify for a lucky draw. Eligible participants receive a scratch card in the Samsung Members app under the Benefits section.

The reward structure includes three winners receiving Amazon gift cards worth Rs. 10,000 each, along with 1,000 additional winners receiving Amazon gift cards worth Rs. 500 each.

Registration and challenge timeline

Registrations open on January 22, 2026 via the Samsung Health app. The challenge begins on January 26, 2026, and concludes on February 24, 2026, covering a 30-day period.

Availability

Fit India Walk-a-thon 26 is open exclusively to users in India and is accessible through the Samsung Health app.
motorola just launched the motorola signature, the companys latest flagship smartphone in the new signature series in India, as it had promised.

Design and Display

The motorola signature distinguishes itself with an ultrathin profile, measuring just 6.99mm. The chassis is constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum and features a quad-curved design.

Durability is a focal point of the build; the device is rated IP68 and IP69 for resistance against dust, high-pressure water, and submersion (up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes). It also adheres to MIL-STD-810H military standards for durability against environmental extremes. The front is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2.

The device features a 6.8-inch Extreme AMOLED display with a variable refresh rate of up to 165Hz Super HD with peak brightness of up to 6200 nits, Pantone Validated with support for Dolby Vision.

The phone is available in two Pantone-curated colorways with distinct finishes: Martini Olive: A golden-green hue with a twill-inspired finish and Carbon: A navy blue shade with a linen-inspired texture.

Camera System

The device is first in the category to feature four 50MP cameras, earning a Gold Label from testing firm DXOMARK. The system utilizes Sonys LYTIA sensors across the board.

Main Camera: 50MP Sony LYTIA 828 sensor (Motorolas largest to date). Supports Dolby Vision video recording and 8K video capabilities.

Telephoto: 50MP Periscope lens with 3x optical zoom, utilizing the Sony LYTIA 600 sensor. It supports up to 100x digital zoom (Super Zoom Pro) and has a 71mm equivalent focal length.

Ultrawide: 50MP lens with a 122 field of view; also functions as a macro camera.

Selfie Camera: 50MP Sony LYTIA 500 sensor with Quad Pixel technology and 4K video support.

Image processing is supported by the moto ai Photo Enhancement Engine, which manages noise reduction, color accuracy, and exposure adjustments.

Performance and Hardware

Internally, the motorola signature is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Mobile Platform. Manufactured on a 3nm process, the chipset features a CPU capable of speeds up to 3.8 GHz.

Thermal management is handled by a copper mesh liquid metal cooling system, designed to sustain performance during intensive tasks like gaming or high-resolution video capture. The device includes dual stereo speakers tuned by Sound by Bose, with support for Dolby Atmos and Snapdragon Sound (aptX Lossless).

Battery and Charging

Despite its thin profile, the device houses a 5200mAh silicon-carbon battery. This battery technology generally allows for higher energy density in smaller form factors compared to traditional lithium-ion cells. There is 90W TurboPower (claims power for the day in 7 minutes) and wireless charging supports up to 50W.

Software and Support

The motorola signature launches with Android 16. Motorola has committed to a long-term support window, offering up to seven years of Android OS upgrades and security updates.

The device also integrates moto ai features with expanded language support (including German, French, Polish, Romanian, Italian, and Japanese). Future updates are set to include white-glove assistance, a service offering users exclusive access to travel and lifestyle amenities.

motorola signature specifications

6.8-inch (2780 x 1264 pixels) 1.5K AMOLED display with 165Hz LPTO Extreme AMOLED display, 6200 nits peak brightness, Dolby Vision, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection

Octa Core Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 3nm Mobile Platform with Adreno 840 GPU

12GB / 16GB LPDDR5X RAM, 256GB / 512GB UFS 4.1 storage

Dual SIM (1 Nano SIM + 1 Nano SIM)

Android 16 (7 OS + 7 Years SMR)

50MP rear camera with 1/1.28 Sony LYT-828 sensor, f/1.6 aperture, OIS, 50MP 122 ultra-wide Auto focus camera with f/2.0 aperture, macro, 50MP 3x telephoto camera with 1/1.56 Sony LYT-600 sensor, OIS, 100x Super Zoom, up to 8K 30 fps / 4K 60 fps Dolby Vision video recording

50MP front-facing camera with 1/2.93 Sony LYT-500 sensor, f/2.0 aperture

In-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor

USB Type-C audio, Stereo speakers with Sound by Bose, Dolby Atmos

Dimensions: 162.1 x 76.4 x 6.99mm; Weight: 186g

Dust and water resistant (IP68 + IP69), Military-grade durability (MIL-STD 810H)

5G SA/ NSA, Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 7 802.11 be (2.4GHz + 5GHz + 6GHz), Bluetooth 6.0, GPS, AGPS, LTEPP, SUPL, Glonass, Galileo, NFC, USB Type-C USB 3.2

5200mAh (typical) battery with 90W TurboPower fast charging, 50W TurboPower wireless charging, 10W Wireless reverse charging

Pricing and availability

The motorola signature is priced at Rs. 59,999 for the 12GB + 256GB model, the 16GB + 512GB model costs Rs. 64,999 and the 16GB + 1TB model is priced at Rs. 69,999.

The phone will be available from Flipkart, motorola.in and offline stores starting from January 30th.

The motorola signature is Indias first smartphone with 24 x 7 exclusive privileges such as bespoke assistance and always-on support across travel, dining, wellness, lifestyle, and exclusive club access, said the company.

Launch offers

Rs. 5000 discount via HDFC and Axis Banks

Exchange Bonus up to Rs 5,000 (For select models, exchange bonus is up to Rs 7,500)

No-cost EMI up to 12 months

signature CLUB membership worth Rs. 20,000 free for 1 year, complimentary on your first use up to Rs. 6000

Get up to Rs. 5000 discount on moto watch

Perplexity Pro plan free for 6 months

Free Access to 10 Premium OTT apps for 6 months worth Rs. 15,000, on recharging with Jio prepaid plan of Rs. 1199.

Commenting on the launch, T.M. Narasimhan, Managing Director, Motorola India, said,

With the Motorola Signature, we are creating a new benchmark for ultra-premium smartphones in India, one that goes far beyond specifications. This launch reflects our commitment to combining world-class innovation, refined design, and meaningful experiences that truly elevate everyday living. By bringing together breakthrough camera technology rated for gold standards by DXOMARK, flagship performance, exclusive Signature Club privileges first time in Indian smartphone industry, and a wellness-focused ecosystem with the moto watch powered by Polar, we are delivering a holistic premium offering crafted for consumers who seek distinction, performance, and purpose in everything they choose.
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.
Colorados entire congressional delegation has thrown its weight behind an appeal by Gov. Jared Polis asking President Donald Trump to reconsider his denial of Federal Emergency Management Administration aid for fires and floods last year in western Colorado.

U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet led the delegation in writing to Trump to ask him to reconsider his denial of disaster declarations for last years Lee and Elk fires in Rio Blanco County and for heavy flooding in southwest Colorado in October. Bennet was joined in signing the letter by fellow Democratic Sen. John Hickenlooper, and the states eight House members, including Rep. Jeff Hurd, R-Grand Junction.

Each event independently meets the statutory and practical criteria for a Major Disaster Declaration, and the consequences of continued denial will be severe, long-lasting, and far more costly if left unaddressed. Disaster funds are critical for the safety and well-being of some of Colorados most rural residents, the delegations letter says.  A Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for each of these events would unlock Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation programs that are indispensable to recovery, mitigation, and long-term resilience.

The lightning-caused Lee and Elk fires burned more than 150,000 acres, an area larger than the city of Chicago. FEMA has validated more than $27 million in damage from that fire, most of it to White River Electric Association infrastructure. Damages also include post-fire flooding.

The flooding in Archuleta, La Plata and Mineral counties caused extensive damage to homes, businesses, roads, and wastewater and drinking water infrastructure. According to the delegation letter, FEMA has already validated more than $13.8 million in eligible damages, with additional losses still being identified.

After Trump denied the initial disaster declaration requests, Polis and Bennet called those decisions political, while state Attorney General Phil Weiser said he considers the denials to be part of a retribution campaign for Colorados imprisoning of Tina Peters. The former Mesa County clerk is serving a state prison sentence for election-related fraud and misconduct despite Trump trying to free her by issuing her a pardon.

A Trump spokesperson has told media there is no politicization to Trumps decisions on disaster aid, and told Colorado Public Radio he responds to each request 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.

Among other Colorado-related actions, the Trump administration also has said it will break up the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, and Trump vetoed a bipartisan Arkansas River water project bill benefiting southern Colorado.

It befuddles me sometimes, Mike Samson, part of Garfield Countys all-Republican county commission, said with a heavy sigh this week before the commission approved a letter supporting the appeal of the FEMA decision involving Rio Blanco County. Ive said it many times, I support President Trump in many of the things hes doing. But I think he made a terrible mistake, Ill say it publicly, with the water situation down in southern Colorado. I hope that can be rectified. I dont think this is a good idea either, not having support for Rio Blanco Countys disaster declaration.

He said he and fellow Garfield Commissioner Perry Will will be going to Washington, D.C., where they would try to work with the powers that be to get the Rio Blanco County aid denial rectified and to stress that both parties have been working on the southern Colorado water project for years and to see it not go through is unwise.

Initially the White River Electric Association faced an estimated $23.7 million cost to replace distribution and transmission lines destroyed by the fires. But that assumed the replacement poles would be made of wood, and the utility has decided that due to fire risk it needs to use metal poles, adding $2 million to its cost, according to the appeal letter by Polis. It also may have to reroute some lines to make its system more resilient, which also might cost more. It is hoping for FEMA financial aid to limit its costs to its members.

The fires impacted more than 26 miles of electrical transmission lines, knocking out the regions primary and secondary sources of electric power, according to the appeal letter. That left residential and commercial customers in a precarious situation relying on an older, tertiary line that can only carry a lower load and has no backup.

The situation is impacting the countys oil and gas infrastructure. According to the Polis appeal letter, White River Electrics largest customer, the Enterprise Products Meeker Gas Plant, can operate with 80 megawatts but is limited to 40 megawatts due to the utilitys limited capacity, and a second Enterprise plant can only run at one-third of its output due to reduced electrical capacity.

These limitations have a direct and adverse impact on employment, as there are fewer hours of work available for employees, the Polis appeal letter notes.

It says that transportation of up to 10% of the nations natural gas is reliant on the infrastructure now at risk due to these fires, leaving the nations energy infrastructure reliability and security at risk.

The appeal notes that the fires started on federal Bureau of Land Management land.

The fires were exacerbated by the BLMs decades-long failure to mitigate fires and flood risks adequately. Across previous administrations, this area has been allowed to become overgrown and undergrazed, resulting in a very high fuel load that burned powerlines hundreds of feet above the ground, the appeal says.

It said that the BLM says it doesnt plan to reseed all of the burn scar, greatly increasing the time it will take for native vegetation and ecosystems to return, and leaving the producers in this area vulnerable to substantial impacts from the debris and sediment that will continue to run off the untreated burn scar areas for prolonged periods. As a result, agricultural producers and private property owners in the area are likely to continue to have to pay for the consequence management for years to come without federal support, resulting from unmitigated burn scars on federal property.

The Polis appeal letter regarding southwest Colorado pointed to flood impacts along the San Juan River, such as to parks and trails, and pointed to impacts to tourism, recreation and fish habitat. It also said that hydrologists predict debris dams and blockages upstream of Vallecito Reservoir may damage the reservoirs intake structure and force future costly debris and sediment removal operations.

Vallecito Reservoir is a critical water source for the region, the appeal said.

Inside

Most of Colorado delegation pens letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to unfreeze funds. Page 2A
Trump rolls out his Board of Peace at the Davos forum, but many top US allies aren't participating

President Donald Trump says Italy's prime minister and Poland's president are two leaders who have told him they want to join his Board of Peace, but first need the approval of their parliaments
Maryland Man Indicted on Unlawful Transmission and Retention of Classified National Defense Information Charges

Thursday, January 22, 2026

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

Today, a federal grand jury indicted a Laurel, Maryland man on five counts of unlawfully transmitting and one count of unlawfully retaining classified national defense information, in violation of 18 U.S.C.  793(e).

"Illegally disclosing classified defense information is a grave crime against America that puts both our national security and the lives of our military heroes at risk," said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. "This Department of Justice will remain ever-vigilant in protecting the integrity of America's classified intelligence."

"Perez-Lugones allegedly printed and removed classified documents from his workplace on multiple occasions, took them home, and later passed them to a reporter who used the information in news articles," said FBI Director Kash Patel. "Protecting our country's secrets is essential to the safety of our most sensitive intelligence, military, and law enforcement operations. The FBI will continue to aggressively investigate everyone who seeks to undermine our national security and hold them accountable."

"The indictment charges that Perez-Lugones willfully transmitted national defense information to a news reporter, placing our national security at risk," said U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland. "Protecting sensitive national security information is a core responsibility of the Department of Justice, and the U.S. Attorney's Office and our law enforcement partners will pursue accountability when that trust is violated. Putting it simply, risking our national security cannot and will not be tolerated."

"Today's indictment sends a clear message to all clearance holders that the FBI and our partners will spare no resource to immediately identify and hold accountable those who violate the law by disclosing classified information without authorization," said Assistant Director in Charge Darren B. Cox of the FBI's Washington Field Office. "This alleged brazen betrayal posed the threat of exceptionally grave damage to national security, including endangering our warfighters and ongoing military operations."

Aurelio Luis Perez-Lugones, 61, a long-time holder of a Top-Secret security clearance who has worked as a government contractor for the past two decades, is charged with the unauthorized transmission and retention of national defense information. Since at least 2002, Perez-Lugones has worked as a system engineer and information technology specialist for a government contractor. In that role, Perez-Lugones worked on contracts for the U.S. Intelligence Community. Perez-Lugones was previously charged by criminal complaint on January 9, 2026, with the unlawful retention of national defense information.

Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg, U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland, and Assistant Director in Charge Darren B. Cox of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)'s Washington Field Office announced the indictment.

According to the indictment, between October 2025 and January 2026, Perez-Lugones repeatedly accessed classified reports, printed or copied the information in these classified reports, and then removed this classified information from the sensitive compartmented information facility (SCIF) where he worked. Thereafter, Perez-Lugones transmitted the classified national defense information to a reporter (referred to as "Reporter 1" in the indictment), who was not authorized to receive it. In turn, Reporter 1 co-authored and contributed to at least five articles that contained classified information Perez-Lugones provided, resulting in the dissemination of the information to the public.

Perez-Lugones was arrested on Jan. 8, 2026. During the execution of a court-authorized search warrant for his mobile phone, investigators reviewed messages between Perez-Lugones and Reporter 1 discussing the classified information that Perez-Lugones had provided. These messages also showed Perez-Lugones transmitting to Reporter 1 two documents that contained classified national defense information. After sending one such document, Perez-Lugones sent a message stating, "I'm going quiet for a bit . . . just to see if anyone starts asking questions." Additionally, during the execution of a court-authorized search warrant for Perez-Lugones's vehicle, investigators recovered a hard-copy document classified at the SECRET level.

If convicted, Perez-Lugones faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for each count of retention and transmission of national defense information. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patricia McLane and Thomas Sullivan of the District of Maryland and Trial Attorneys Menno Goedman and Brendan Geary of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. The FBI's Washington Field Office is investigating.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt. Individuals charged by indictment are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Topic: National Security

Components: Office of the Attorney General

National Security Division (NSD)

Press Release Number: 26-56

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Contracts

Contracts for Jan. 22, 2026

NAVY

Moffatt & Nichol - Burns & McDonnell Hawaii, Large Business, Honolulu, Hawaii, is awarded an $84,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity modification to a previously awarded contract (N62478-20-D-5035) for architect-engineer services. This award brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $264,000,000. The contract modification is for design and engineering services for various waterfront projects. Work will be performed at various locations within the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC), Hawaii area of responsibility, including Hawaii (95%); and other South Pacific islands (5%), and is expected to be completed by March 2026. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Fiscal 2026 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds and military construction funds will be obligated on individual task orders. NAVFAC Hawaii, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, is the contracting activity (N62478-20-D-5035).

Corvid Technologies LLC,* Mooresville, North Carolina, is awarded a $21,152,050 modification to previously awarded contract (N6339425C0003) for the design, manufacture, and delivery of short/medium range sub-orbital vehicles, including provision of ground test hardware, special test equipment, and materials and engineering and launch support services. This contract combines purchases for the Navy (70%); and the government of Japan (30%), under the foreign military sales program. Work will be performed in Moorestown, North Carolina (37%); White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico (24%); Glen Burnie, Maryland (20%); Benbecula, Scotland (6%), Las Cruces, New Mexico (4%); Woomera, Australia (3%); Conroe, Texas (2%); Huntsville, Alabama (1%); San Nicolas Island, California (1%); Kekaha, Hawaii (1%); and Wallops Island, Virginia (1%), and is expected to be completed by January 2027. Fiscal 2026 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $3,105,020 (70%); and fiscal 2026 Foreign Military Sales (Japan) funds in the amount of $1,351,992 (30%), will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme, White Sands Detachment, Port Hueneme, California, is the contracting activity.

Lockheed Martin Corp., Rotary and Mission Systems, Moorestown, New Jersey, is awarded a $9,582,053 cost-plus-incentive-fee, and cost-only modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-21-C-5105) to exercise options for combat system ship integration and testing on littoral combat ships and unmanned surface vessels. Work will be performed in Seattle, Washington (45%); Moorestown, New Jersey (32%); San Diego, California (7%); Camden, New Jersey (6%); Pascagoula, Mississippi (4%); Jacksonville, Florida (3%); Washington, D.C. (1%); Virginia Beach, Virginia (1%); and Marinette, Wisconsin (1%), and work is expected to be completed by February 2027. Fiscal 2026 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,500,000 (88%); and fiscal 2025 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $195,057 (12%), will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.

DEFENSE THREAT REDUCTION AGENCY

Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, Ohio, was awarded a $52,876,517 hybrid, firm-fixed-price, time-and-material, and cost-reimbursable contract (HDTRA1-26-C-0004) for the Scientific and Technical Engagement Partnership 2.0 effort. This contract provides for scientific and technical services to strengthen the capabilities of partner nations and the international community to prevent, detect, and prepare for disease outbreaks through mentorship, training and assessment activities. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition. SAM.gov was used to solicit proposals and four proposals were received. The principal place of performance is Columbus, Ohio, as indicated in the contract award. Work is expected to be completed by Jan. 25, 2031. Fiscal 2025 cooperative threat reduction funds in the amount of $9,500,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Ft. Belvoir, Virginia, is the contracting activity.

ARMY

Mantel Technologies Inc.,* Fort Collins, Colorado, was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract for Small Business Innovation Research Phase III efforts to advance the Scalable, Modular Canine Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance System. The amount of this action is $49,862,009. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 21, 2031. Army Contracting Command, Adelphi Division, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W911QX-26-D-A001).

V-Line Services LLC,* Canton, Georgia, was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract for construction of a consolidated parachute rigging facility at Hunter Army Airfield. The amount of this action is $45,399,480. Bids were solicited via the internet with six received. Work will be performed in Savannah, Georgia, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 22, 2029. Fiscal 2024 military construction, Army funds in the amount of $45,399,480 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, is the contracting activity (W912HN-26-C-A011).

CORRECTION: The $400,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract awarded to AECOM + Tetra Tech JV, Boston, Massachusetts (W912DY-26-D-A008); Black & Veatch Special Projects Corp., Overland Park, Kansas (W912DY-26-D-A009); Burns & McDonnell Engineering Co. Inc., Kansas City, Missouri (W912DY-26-D-A010); Dewberry & Power Engineers MDA JV, Fairfax, Virginia (W912DY-26-D-A011); HDR Architecture Inc., Omaha, Nebraska (W912DY-26-D-A013); Jacobs Government Services Co., Arlington, Virginia (W912DY-26-D-A014); and Michael Baker-Cardno JV, Coraopolis, Pennsylvania (W912DY-26-D-A015), for full spectrum facility engineering and architectural services was announced with the wrong date. The correct date is Jan. 21, 2026.

AIR FORCE

Geneva Technologies Inc., Monument, Colorado, has been awarded a $17,739,312 firm-fixed-price contract. This contract provides for FalconSAT-11 with Modular Propulsion Unit, namely maturing the FalconSAT-11 bus from CDR-level design through assemble, integration, and test to include delivery to a launch site. Work will be performed at Monument, Colorado and is expected to be completed by May 26, 2028. This contract is the result of a competitive acquisition with one offer received. Fiscal year 2026 research and development funds in the amount of $4,000,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Test Center, Edwards AFB, California is the contracting activity. (FA9300-26-C-6000)

*Small business

https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4385874/

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Data on interceptions of aircraft completed near the Baltic States' borders on January 12 - 18, 2026

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence

2026-01-19

International cooperation | Uncategorized

On January 12 - 18 fighter aircraft of the NATO Air Policing Detachment were scrambled in response to international flight regulation violations twice.

On January 16 NATO Fighter aircraft were scrambled to intercept one SU-24 flying from the mainland of the Russian Federation to Kaliningrad. Its onboard transponder was switched on, the crew was maintaining radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre but had no pre-file flight plan.

On January 16 NATO air policing fighter jets were alerted in response to one BE-200 flying through international airspace from mainland Russia to Kaliningrad with its onboard transponder on, without the flight plan, but maintaining radio communication with the regional air traffic control.

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29th ID Participates in Warfighter Exercise in Finland

By Mike Vrabel | Virginia National Guard January 21, 2026

KOUVOLA, Finland -- Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Fort Belvoir-based 29th Infantry Division Headquarters participated in the Finnish training exercise Operation Karelian Spear Nov. 28 - Dec. 4, 2025.

The training, featuring the Finnish Karelian Brigade and other members of the Finnish Army Headquarters, as well as other foreign partners, was conducted in support of the State Partnership Program, in which Virginia and Finland have been formal partners since 2024.

The training brought together military personnel from multiple NATO nations alongside the Virginia Army National Guard. Over the course of the week, participants supported warfighting functional cells during a simulated warfighting training exercise. The VaARNG personnel also observed tactical troops in a field environment linked with the exercise.

The 29th contingent was directly integrated within the Finnish 4th Army Corps Headquarters as they simulated a Warfighter Exercise, supporting current and future operations.

"This was an excellent opportunity to evaluate our critical path and execution of operations against a partner's, enabling us both to grow and learn," said Lt. Col. William Pearson.

"What a great opportunity to enhance interoperability and exchange best practices with a partnering nation," added Sgt. 1st Class David Granfield.

In addition to tactical training, the Virginia Soldiers gained insight into Finnish military culture and practices, as well as concluding the week with a networking dinner with the senior headquarters staff.

Karelian Spear reflects the ongoing partnership between the Virginia National Guard and Finnish Defense Forces, building on past exchanges such as Arctic Forge, Karelian Sword, and marksmanship competitions. These efforts highlight the Virginia Guard's role in strengthening partner capacity, professional development, and joint readiness.

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'No Time to Waste', Security Council Speakers Stress, as Gangs, Arm Flows Threaten Electoral Progress in Haiti

Meetings Coverage

Security Council

10093rd Meeting (PM)

SC/16279

21 January 2026

While the new year carries "high expectations" for progress in Haiti, the Security Council heard today that achieving this requires sustained security efforts, focused international engagement and assumed political responsibilities.

"The country has no time to waste on prolonged internecine fighting," said Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti and Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH). All national stakeholders, he urged, must find common ground ahead of 7 February  the date on which the current transitional arrangement will end.

Steps taken in recent months to advance electoral preparations are "particularly encouraging", he continued, spotlighting the 1 December adoption of an electoral decree and the 23 December publication of an electoral calendar.

Additionally, he said new legal provisions on voter registration, diaspora participation, women's political inclusion and decentralized vote tabulation  if effectively applied  can contribute to credible, inclusive elections. Noting that Haiti's Prime Minister "declared 2026 an electoral year", he said that achieving this goal will require sustained institutional coordination, predictable financing and security conditions that allow participation without fear.

However, he reported that gangs continue to mount coordinated attacks, exert control over key economic corridors and agricultural regions, force displacement, stretch humanitarian-response capacity and push police resources to their limits. Intentional homicides in 2025 increased by nearly 20 per cent compared with 2024.

Sustained Pressure on Gangs 'Yielding Results'

Yet, at the same time, "sustained pressure on gangs has yielded results", he said, pointing to the reopening of some road networks and restored State presence in some parts of Port-au-Prince and Artibonite. The challenge now lies in expanding and sustaining security gains, as well as in creating conditions for the delivery of basic services. "Without this, security improvements clearly risk reversal," he stressed.

In that context, he welcomed progress towards establishing the United Nations Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH) and underlined the "urgent need" for Member States to provide the Gang Suppression Force with the resources necessary to execute its mandate. Additionally, a nationally led approach for disarmament, dismantling and reintegration must complement enforcement measures. He also urged support for the humanitarian response  which was "one of the least-funded global humanitarian appeals" in 2024. "Managing the political calendar, supporting still-fragile stabilization efforts and addressing persistent humanitarian needs will directly determine [Haiti's] ability to progress towards credible elections," he concluded.

A Call to Enforce Arms Embargo as Criminal Networks Evolve, Expand

John Brandolino, Acting Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), then presented the entity's report on sources and routes of illicit arms and financial flows in Haiti, warning that fragmented local gangs and vigilante forces have evolved into structured criminal networks with defined leadership, territorial ambitions and diversified revenue streams.

Organized violence in Haiti is closely linked to arms trafficking and, since 2022, UNODC has documented increased inflows of high-calibre and military-grade weapons through maritime, air and land routes. Trafficking networks operate with notable flexibility, he added, reporting: "When one corridor is disrupted, another quickly emerges."

Citing the Dominican Republic's response as instructive, he noted that strengthened border controls and joint operations led to significant seizures in 2025, which disrupted supply chains. Traffickers have since adapted, however, shifting towards weaker Haitian ports, offshore transfers and indirect routes to evade embargo controls.

He also warned that private security companies and informal self-defence groups are driving the illicit firearms trade, while money-laundering networks rely on cash smuggling, unregulated remittance channels, trade-based schemes and front companies. In 2025, Haiti's Financial Intelligence Unit processed nearly 1.5 million transaction reports; yet, major enforcement gaps persist.

"What these findings ultimately reveal is that the situation in Haiti has grown beyond a national crisis into a broader, interlinked supply-chain challenge and regional security threat," he said. He called for stronger enforcement of the UN arms embargo, sustained anti-corruption efforts and adequate support for the Gang Suppression Force and UNSOH to help restore stability and the rule of law.

In the debate that followed, Colombia's representative said that the deployment of the Gang Suppression Force will help improve security conditions. However, she stressed that "security gains will only be sustainable if they go hand-in-hand with the effective strengthening of civic institutions and the rule of law". To that end, the representative of Denmark underscored the need for judicial and prison reform  a point made by several other members today. "It must also address the high number of pre-trial detainees currently serving indefinite sentences in dangerously overcrowded prisons," she added.

Relatedly, Greece's representative called for the establishment of a national institution for disarmament, dismantlement and reintegration to "provide safe exit strategies  especially for children". Other Council members also acknowledged the plight faced by Haitian children, with the representative of the United Kingdom pointing to extreme food insecurity, inability to access education and exposure to forced recruitment and sexual exploitation. "Enough is enough," stressed Latvia's representative, urging a "radical shift" that includes the creation of the necessary security conditions for credible elections.

"In only 18 days, the mandate of the Transitional Presidential Council will conclude," observed Panama's representative, highlighting another area of concern. Against that backdrop, he appealed to Haiti's political class  "and Haitian society as a whole"  to maintain constructive dialogue and reach a consensus-based solution. He stressed: "The Haitian people need national interest to be placed over and above political differences."

"The fundamental solution to the Haitian crisis", stressed China's representative, "lies in establishing a legitimate, effective and accountable Government as soon as possible." He added that political transition "must not become an excuse for procrastination or evading responsibility". He also urged all parties  "especially the main source country of weapons and ammunition to Haiti"  to step up border control and weapons regulation to cut the flow of illegal munitions at their source.

Expressing her country's determination to tackle those undermining Haiti's security, the representative of the United States said that Washington, D.C., will use all tools at its disposal  from financial sanctions to immigration restrictions  to counter this impunity. She also urged Member States to contribute to the trust fund for the Gang Suppression Force, stressing that the Force will be well-positioned to recover lost territory and restore safety and security. Stressing the need to "free Haiti from the tyranny of gangs", France's representative welcomed announcements from States ready to provide troops to the Force. For its part, France is contributing to this effort through the relevant trust fund and the peacekeeping budget.

Meanwhile, the representative of the Russian Federation, pointing to "drone strikes with the participation of American private companies", said that "not a single gang leader has been liquidated" while dozens of civilians have been killed. "We believe that far more effective would have been real steps by the US side to stem trafficking in weapons and ammunition, which continue to reach Haiti from Florida without any impediment," he stated. Further, he called for a "full accounting" of the Gang Suppression Force before the Council.

The representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, also speaking for Liberia and Somalia, stressed that the credibility and efficacy of the new security architecture for Haiti will depend on "clear rules of engagement, adequate oversight mechanisms and strong coordination with the Haitian authorities". Pakistan's representative, similarly, said that international support "cannot be a substitute for intra-Haitian solutions" and must be well-coordinated and aimed at building the capacity of the Haitian State in line with its needs. The representative of Bahrain urged the international community to support Haitian dialogue "in a manner that respects Haiti's sovereignty and independence".

Haiti's representative, for his part, noted that the upcoming 7 February deadline "places the Haitian transition in a delicate and decisive phase". He reported that the Transitional Presidential Council is working to achieve, through national consensus, "another political agreement to usher in an orderly transition and to avoid any institutional vacuum". He also noted that, while the Gang Suppression Force addresses "strictly security-related challenges", the Haitian crisis is multifaceted. Therefore, he called on BINUH to continue its electoral assistance; enhance support for a national policy for disarmament, demobilization and reintegration; and help combat prolonged detention. "Absent credible and operational justice, there can be no lasting peace envisaged in Haiti," he concluded.

Also taking the floor was the representative of Barbados, speaking for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), who stressed that transparent, inclusive and credible elections are key to returning long-term stability to Haiti. In that vein, Mexico's representative spotlighted her country's continued bilateral cooperation with Haiti to build electoral capacity and strengthen its Armed Forces. "The situation in Haiti must be addressed through a balanced combination of humanitarian, peacebuilding and development initiatives," she urged.

The representative of the Dominican Republic also detailed his country's assistance to Haiti, noting the provision of $10 million for medical care and logistical support, as well as efforts to combat arms trafficking. However, he joined others in stressing that security efforts alone will not address broader governance issues. "Young Haitian people need real opportunities for education and decent work," he stressed, warning that any security gains will be short-lived without them.

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PM Pashinyan holds brief meetings in Davos

Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia

Press releases

22.01.2026

During his brief visit to Davos, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan held meetings with international partners and representatives of the technology sector.

In particular, the Prime Minister discussed opportunities for cooperation with Oliver Blum, CEO of Schneider Electric, Michael Dell, founder and CEO of Dell Technologies, and businessman Noubar Afeyan.

During the meetings, the developments taking place in the high-tech sector in our country, existing opportunities, prospects for program implementation, as well as Armenia's economic development priorities and reforms being implemented to improve the investment climate were discussed.

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Europe remains wary as Trump cancels Greenland tariff threat

Global Times

'Trust gap with US widens' as allies brace for tougher transatlantic ties

By Feng Fan and Liu Caiyu Published: Jan 22, 2026 11:47 PM

Though US President Donald Trump walked back threatened tariffs on eight European countries, claiming that a "framework for a future deal" on Greenland had been reached and that Washington would not use force over the island, European allies remained wary. An emergency summit of leaders of the EU's 27 member states is set to convene in Brussels late Thursday, according to multiple media reports.

Chinese experts said the US has not abandoned its objective of acquiring Greenland, and that after years of long-term pressure and policy flip-flops from Washington, Europe finds its trust gap with the US had greatly widened. But whether Europe can ultimately unite to confront US pressure remains to be seen, they noted.

US President Donald Trump has claimed that he would not impose tariffs he had threatened to impose on eight European nations that had been set to take effect on February 1 unless those nations allowed the US to take control of Greenland, according to multiple media reports.

In a social media post on Wednesday, Trump claimed that based upon a meeting he had with Mark Rutte, Secretary General of NATO, they have "formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland and, in fact, the entire Arctic Region." He added that "based upon this understanding, I will not be imposing the Tariffs that were scheduled to go into effect on February 1st."

Much about the potential deal remained unclear on Thursday, though Trump claimed in a Fox Business interview that the US is going to have total access to Greenland, including all the military access the US wants, Washington Times reported.

Trump claimed the deal, if completed, will also allow for the US to install an element of his "Golden Dome," part of a multibillion dollar missile defense system, in Greenland.

Notably, hours before Trump's announcement, the European Union's parliament halted final approval of a critical trade deal that Trump reached with the bloc last summer.

Trump's threat to put tariffs on European countries over Greenland was likely a negotiating tactic and a form of leverage against Europe, and the decision to withdraw the tariffs may have reflected a calculation that such measures would do more harm than good to the US, Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Thursday. "But even with the tariffs shelved, Europe has already been thoroughly disappointed with the US," Li noted.

Divided responses

European countries showed divergent reactions to Trump's claims. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen welcomed talks between Trump and Rutte that led to the "framework for a future deal" on Greenland, but stressed that the island's sovereignty was non-negotiable, according to Politico.eu.

"NATO is fully aware of the Kingdom of Denmark's position. We can negotiate about everything politically - security, investments, the economy. But we cannot negotiate about our sovereignty," Frederiksen said in a statement published Thursday morning, Politico.eu reported.

Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said on social media that Rutte "cannot negotiate an agreement on behalf of Denmark or Greenland," France 24 reported, "We have a clear red line," he added. "We will not cede sovereignty over parts of the kingdom."

French Finance Minister Roland Lescure welcomed Trump's decision to drop the tariff threat, calling it "a first positive sign that is moving in the right direction," but said he remained "vigilant," according to France 24.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also welcomed Trump's shift and urged Europeans not to rush to write off the transatlantic partnership. "Despite all the frustration and anger of recent months, let us not be too quick to write off the transatlantic partnership," he said, according to France 24. At the same time, Merz warned that "a world where only power counts is a dangerous place," noting that the US is "radically reshaping its foreign and security policy," the report said.

Speaking at a press conference in Davos, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said that while he welcomed Trump's public statement ruling out military force over Greenland, he remained disappointed by the overall tone and substance of the remarks, Xinhua reported on Thursday.

Trump's recent moves in Europe - including his Davos speech and statements on Greenland - have failed to elicit a swift positive response largely because he has not abandoned demands over Greenland's sovereignty, while continuing to criticize Europe politically and shift policies frequently, keeping transatlantic ties tense, Cui Hongjian, a professor at the Academy of Regional and Global Governance at Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times on Thursday.

"For Europe, this is no longer simply about trust, but about vigilance and precaution," Cui said, adding that Europeans are preparing for the possibility that the US could sideline Europe or even NATO, forcing Europe to rely more on itself.

Despite Trump's apparent partial retreat on Greenland, European allies remain unconvinced - a sentiment reflected in European media commentary and in the muted reception to Trump's "Board of Peace" signing ceremony in Davos.

Politico.eu reported Thursday that "Trump steps back from the brink on Greenland. But the damage has been done," adding that "the president's effort to acquire Greenland, even with the threat of force off the table, has changed the way allies see the US."

"European governments have reached a difficult conclusion: The Americans are the baddies now," wrote Politico.eu., in another report, adding that as leaders of the EU's 27 countries assemble in Brussels for an emergency summit Thursday, that assessment is "predominant across almost all capitals in Europe," citing to nine EU diplomats.

The BBC reported that US allies "won't forget" the Greenland crisis, noting that while details of the Rutte-Trump deal may soon emerge, the fact that Trump triggered weeks of high drama and a sense of existential crisis within NATO "will not easily be forgotten."

Trump held a signing ceremony Thursday in Davos for his new "Board of Peace." According to CNN, the event featured representatives from fewer than 20 countries - and few of the US' European allies.

The total number of attendees is fewer than the roughly 35 that a senior administration official predicted to reporters earlier this week. And it did not include any Western European nations, CNN said.

The Greenland episode may have touched a psychological red line for many European countries, Cui added, as there were genuine fears that US-EU disputes could escalate from interest-based differences to the use of force. "For Europe, this may mark a definitive shift," he said.

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Upon Instruction of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, Chairman of the Al Quds Committee, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates Mr. Nasser Bourita proceeded to sign on Thursday in Davos, Switzerland the founding Charter of the Board of Peace, during a ceremony chaired by President of the United States of America H.E. Donald J. Trump.

Morocco Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Thursday 22 January 2026

This signing follows His Majesty the King's acceptance to join, as a Founding Member, this initiative proposed by the U.S. President, which aims to "bolster peace efforts in the Middle East and adopt a new approach to resolving conflicts in the world."

Morocco and Bahrain were the first two countries to sign the Charter, following which President Trump announced the Charter's official entry into force, thereby marking the official creation of the Board of Peace.

The signing ceremony of the Charter of the Board of Peace, held on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, was attended by some twenty Heads of State and government, as well as Foreign Ministers of the signatory countries, namely Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, Indonesia, Azerbaijan and Argentina among others.

Participation in this Board is reserved for a select group of leaders of international stature, committed to ensuring a safe and prosperous future for coming generations. This invitation comes in recognition of the enlightened Leadership of His Majesty the King and His stature as a key actor for peace.

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From Infrastructure to Operations: NISRF takes another step toward Full Operational Capability

NATO Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Force (NISRF)

Jan 22 2026

SIGONELLA, Italy -- The NATO Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Force (NISRF) continues to make tangible progress toward achieving Full Operational Capability (FOC). A key step on this path is the build-up of the new Mission Operations Support Center (MOSC) in a recently security-accredited building at the Italian Air Force Base Sigonella, Sicily.

The MOSC, which serves as NISRF's central mission operations hub during active ISR missions, is currently being established in the new facility. Workstations and supporting IT systems are being installed and integrated, and the MOSC is undergoing a structured testing phase to validate systems, workflows and technical interfaces before any transition into operational use.

Until this process is completed, NISRF continues to conduct mission operations from its existing MOSC located in the unit's interim infrastructure. This arrangement ensures uninterrupted mission execution while the new facility is prepared in a controlled and secure manner.

The security accreditation of the newly installed system a month ago created the essential precondition for this next step. It confirmed that the facility meets NATO security requirements and allows the installation and testing of mission-critical systems. The new system allows the use of state-of-the-art technology in direct support of NISRF's mission.

Brigadier General John B. Creel, Commander of NISRF, highlighted the significance of this milestone: "This facility gives our personnel the tools and workspace they need to conduct NATO ISR operations effectively. Each step we take here moves us closer to Full Operational Capability."

The phased relocation from interim infrastructure to the new MOSC reflects NISRF's deliberate approach toward Full Operational Capability. Each milestone - accreditation, installation, testing and eventual transition - contributes to building a resilient and sustainable operational framework for the future.

Story by NISRF Public Affairs Office

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NATO Secretary General discusses transatlantic security, champions defence investments and Ukraine support in Davos

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

22 January 2026

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte attended the World Economic Forum in Davos (20-22 January 2026), engaging in high-level discussions on global security and resilience.

Participating in the panel "Can Europe Defend Itself?", Mr. Rutte stressed the importance of transatlantic cooperation and highlighted the need for European Allies to continue investing more in defence, while urging industries to ramp up production and innovation in areas like AI and drones. "NATO is crucial, not only for the defence of Europe, but also for the defence of the United States... So when the question is, is Europe safe? Yes, Europe is safe because of what Europe is doing itself within NATO, but also because we have that strong transatlantic relationship."

Later in the day, the Secretary General had a productive meeting with President Trump during which they discussed the critical significance of security in the Arctic region to all Allies, including the United States.

At the Davos Ukrainian Breakfast hosted by Yalta European Strategy and the Victor Pinchuk Foundation, the Secretary General expressed confidence in progress towards securing a just and lasting peace in Ukraine but underscored how important it is that support continue. "These incredibly courageous Ukrainian soldiers, the Ukrainian military, the Ukrainian population, are defending their country against Russia," Rutte said. "They need our support. It's also about our collective security, that's what is at stake here."

While in Davos Mr. Rutte also met with a range leaders and officials including the Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Milojko Spajic, Norwegian Minister of Finance, Jens Stoltenberg, Japanese Minister of Defence, Shinjiro Koizumi, and a US Congressional Delegation, among others.

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Top NATO military authorities meet in Brussels

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

22 January 2026

Brussels, NATO HQ, 21-22 January 2026 -- The 194th NATO Military Committee in Chiefs of Defence session took place at NATO Headquarters in Brussels. The Chair of the NATO Military Committee (CMC), Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, the 32 Allied Chiefs of Defence and the two Strategic Commanders, General Grynkewich and Admiral Vandier, met to discuss how NATO, from a military standpoint, can address the security challenges and opportunities of the current global security environment.

Admiral Cavo Dragone highlighted that this week's discussions held three main conclusions. First: "The Alliance is united. We may have robust exchanges of views, at times, but I saw a clear and distinctive convergence: on the military threats we face, and on the direction of travel we must undertake." Next: "The Alliance is resilient. We are absorbing shocks and learning fast, so we are ready in this demanding environment." Finally: "The Alliance is dynamic, not static; we are adapting, because we must, in order to deliver on our core tasks," he stated.

The two-day session included briefings and meetings on various topics from the top military leaders across the Alliance, including dedicated sessions on the Supreme Allied Commander Europe's assessment of readiness, deterrence, and defence, as well as the Supreme Allied Commander Transformation's views on how NATO is accelerating the delivery of key capabilities. Additionally, the Allies focused on partnerships, including the NATO-Ukraine Council, and engagement with Indo-Pacific partners and Georgia.

During the session, CMC also emphasized the following message: "To the citizens of the Alliance. Security involves everyone. It is not only a matter for politicians, or for the military of the 32 Allies and this Committee that represents them. It concerns every family, every community, and every workplace. That is why we need not only support, but real engagement from the more than a billion people we are committed to defend."

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NATO-Azerbaijan relations on a solid track, as Deputy Secretary General wraps up her visit to Azerbaijan

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

22 January 2026

On 21-22 January 2025, NATO's Deputy Secretary General, Radmila Shekerinska, visited Azerbaijan. She met Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, Speaker of the Parliament Sahiba Gafarova, and Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Special Assignments Elchin Amirbayov.

They took stock of Azerbaijan's partnership with NATO, and shared views on a range of topics of common interest, including the normalisation process between Armenia and Azerbaijan and NATO's role supporting stability across the Black Sea region.

Ms. Shekerinska welcomed Azerbaijan's long-standing partnership with NATO, as attested to by over three decades of political dialogue and practical cooperation in areas of mutual benefit, including military interoperability and defence education. She reiterated NATO's appreciation for Azerbaijan's participation in past NATO-led missions in Afghanistan. The Deputy Secretary General praised Azerbaijan's contributions to Europe's energy independence, including that of Ukraine, and underscored that gas exports have bolstered the energy independence of several NATO Allies, especially since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. She stressed that NATO stands ready to further its political dialogue and cooperation with Azerbaijan, and to continue to assist Azerbaijan with its security and defence reforms, including by finalising an Individually Tailored Partnership Programme between NATO and Azerbaijan (ITPP). The ITPP is a multi-year programme which will provide Azerbaijan with access to different partnership activities, including in defence education modernisation, demining, human security, Building Integrity, countering information threats, and cyber defence. It will also allow for enhanced support to NATO's missions and operations.

Ms. Shekerinska announced that NATO has appointed a new Special Representative for the South Caucasus and Central Asia, who is expected to take up his duties soon.

During her visit, the NATO Deputy Secretary General also met students at ADA University and with experts and representatives of the national think-tank community, as well as with Allied Ambassadors.

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NATO Special Representative concludes his visit to Israel

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

22 January 2026

The NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for the Southern Neighbourhood, Javier Colomina, conducted his first official visit to Israel, from 19 to 21 January 2026. He met senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defence, and the National Security Council, with whom he discussed the regional security situation, bilateral relations, as well as Iran's destabilising activities.

Special Representative Colomina highlighted the importance of stability in the Middle East. He further reaffirmed NATO's continued commitment to working with all of its partners to contribute to security and stability in the region.

The NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for the Southern Neighbourhood is responsible for enhancing NATO's dialogue and cooperation with the Middle East, North Africa and Sahel regions, as well as coordinating, and increasing the visibility of, the Alliance's efforts in the region.

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Israel's continuous assaults on Birzeit University are an attack on education itself: UN experts

Press releases

Special Procedures

22 January 2026

GENEVA -- Israel's military assault on Birzeit University in the occupied West Bank is not episodic violence but a systematic policy, UN experts* said today.

"Raids, arrests, intimidation, and the criminalisation of student life are tools used to undermine the right to education by attacking Palestinian institutions at their core," the experts said. "Israel's collective punishment measures are an extension of decades-old military occupation policies that seek to destroy the education sector."

They warned that the raid constitutes a dangerous escalation in Israel's systematic assault on Palestinian higher education and a clear violation of international law.

On 6 January 2026, Israeli soldiers and military vehicles stormed the Birzeit University campus with more than 8000 students present. Israeli forces reportedly smashed the university's main gate before firing indiscriminately across campus. Students fled for safety as live ammunition, tear gas, and stun grenades were fired. At least 41 people were injured, several by gunfire, with multiple students still hospitalised.

"The recent storming of Birzeit University in broad daylight, during the academic semester, was a militarised assault on a civilian educational institution. The use of live fire during teaching hours cannot be justified as 'crowd control' or 'law enforcement,'" the experts said.

This last assault coincided with a student union protest addressing violence against Palestinian prisoners and Israel's system of mass political detention. Raids on Palestinian universities have been carried out without any justification, the experts noted.

Birzeit University, one of the most prominent Palestinian institutions in the occupied West Bank, has long been targeted by Israeli forces. The raid on 6 January was the 26th on the university since 2002. Between October 2023 and December 2025, the Israeli military killed 37 university students and injured 259 others in the West Bank. It also detained 463 university students - 148 of whom are from Birzeit University - and 27 higher education staff, most held under administrative detention.

"The purpose is disruption," they said. "To deny Palestinians any sense of normalcy, and to fracture spaces that nurture critical thought, political consciousness, and collective identity. Universities are targeted precisely because they sustain Palestinian social and national life."

The assault flagrantly violates the rights to education and international humanitarian law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention, they warned.

"Universities are civilian objects. Attacking them and injuring unarmed students breaches the principles of distinction, necessity, and proportionality. Israel is fully aware of these obligationsand acts in defiance of them."

The experts situated the raid within Israel's broader policy of scholasticide, a term recognised by the United Nations to describe the systematic destruction of education through attacks on students, educators, and academic infrastructure.

"From the obliteration of every university in Gaza to the daily strangulation of academic life in the West Bank, this is an assault on a people's past, present, and future," they said.

"It is unconscionable that States continue to treat as an ally a government that wages war on education and even reward it with academic partnerships," the experts said. "Education is not a privilege; it is a right. States must act now: ensure accountability, suspend military cooperation, and impose meaningful diplomatic and economic measures to bring Israel back to a path of legality."

*The experts:

Francesca Albanese , Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967

, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967 Farida Shaheed , Special Rapporteur on the right to education

, Special Rapporteur on the right to education Paula Gaviria, Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons

Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons Ben Saul, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism

Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism Gina Romero, Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association

Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association Reem Alsalem , Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences

, Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences Ashwini K.P., Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance

Special Rapporteurs/Independent Experts/Working Groups are independent human rights experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Together, these experts are referred to as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. While the UN Human Rights office acts as the secretariat for Special Procedures, the experts serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organization, including OHCHR and the UN. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the UN or OHCHR.

Country-specific observations and recommendations by the UN human rights mechanisms, including the special procedures, the treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review, can be found on the Universal Human Rights Index https://uhri.ohchr.org/en/

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Navy boosts reach with new ships as Army modernizes tactics

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno

January 22, 2026, 12:56 pm

MANILA -- The country's new fleet of modern naval ships is expected to enhance the Philippine Navy's (PN) reach and patrol to protect the country's vast maritime domain, its spokesperson said on Thursday.

"With the addition of more ships, we will be able to extend the operational reach of the Navy across the maritime domain," PN spokesperson Captain Marissa Martinez told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) when asked about the benefits of acquiring newly-commissioned guided missile frigates, BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06) and BRP Diego Silang (FFG-07), along with the soon-to-be commissioned, offshore patrol vessel (OPV) BRP Rajah Sulayman (PS-20).

The guided missile frigates were commissioned, respectively, on May 20 and Dec. 2 of last year, while the OPV had a welcoming ceremony last Jan. 20, effectively reinforcing the two Jose Rizal-class guided missile frigates placed in service in 2020 and 2021 and considered as the PN's first modern surface combatants.

The five other OPV sister ships of BRP Rajah Lakandula are expected to be delivered within the next two to three years.

She said brand-new naval assets mean that the PN can create more "Surface Action Groups" (SAGs) if needed or called upon. "Having more ships also means expanding options for forming SAG(s)," she added.

"SAG is already practiced in the Navy... and it is employed depending on the mission it will undertake. During exercises ginagawa din ito (it is also done)," she added.

She described SAGs as "ad hoc" or being "organized to accomplish a specific mission for a defined period, and based on the threat environment."

Refined, modernizing capabilities

For its part, the Philippine Army (PA) said, also on Thursday, it is modernizing and refining anti-tank or armor tactics and capabilities in the wake of ongoing global conflicts, including the war between Ukraine and Russia.

This was the response of Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala when asked by the PNA on whether the service is enhancing or developing its anti-tank or armor capability for future conflicts.

"The PA already possesses an established anti-armor capability through existing anti-tank weapons, doctrine, and trained units. What it is doing now is enhancing and modernizing that capability - rather than starting from scratch - by refining tactics through exercises, improving soldier skills and proficiency, and acquiring more modern systems under ongoing modernization programs," he said.

Anti-tank or armor capabilities refer to a service's ability to detect, track, and, if necessary, disable or neutralize tanks and armored vehicles in times of hostilities or conflict.

"Lessons from recent conflicts, including Ukraine, are being observed to inform training and doctrine, but these are applied as capability enhancements to an already existing anti-armor capability, not as the creation of a new one," Dema-ala said.

In the ongoing Ukraine and Russia conflict, both sides are shown to use a variety of tactics and weaponry to destroy opposing tanks and armored forces.

These include the use of anti-tank guided missiles, hunter-killer drones, and anti-tank guns fitted to various military vehicles, and even aircraft for anti-armor missions.

Asked if the PA has similar anti-tank assets or weapons, the military official declined to comment for now. "For security reasons, I cannot give the details," Dema-ala said. (PNA)

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Iran condemns Israeli demolition of UNRWA headquarters in occupied al-Quds

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 22 January 2026 6:48 PM

Iran has strongly condemned the Israeli regime's attack on the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in occupied al-Quds and the destruction of buildings belonging to the UN body.

Speaking on Thursday, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei recalled the immunity of UN premises, property, and personnel under international instruments, particularly the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, as well as the rules of international humanitarian law.

He said the attack on UNRWA's headquarters and the occupation of its buildings constitute a criminal act and an unprecedented assault on the United Nations, calling for an effective and responsible response by the international community, especially the UN itself.

Israeli forces demolished structures at the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in occupied East al-Quds, drawing strong condemnation from the UN agency, which labeled the action as an unprecedented breach of international law.

In a statement released on Tuesday, UNRWA reported that Israeli troops invaded its compound in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, confiscated equipment from staff, and forcibly expelled employees before demolishing buildings within the premises.

Baghaei noted that the demolition of UNRWA facilities is part of Israel's "systematic policy" to deprive the Palestinian people of basic humanitarian services, noting that the move comes amid the ongoing genocide against Palestinians.

He also underlined the responsibility of Israel's supporters, particularly the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany, in contributing to the current situation.

Referring to Israel's continued violations and crimes in the occupied Palestinian territories and across West Asia, the Iranian diplomat warned that "continued inaction against such dangerous actions has not only further weakened the effectiveness and credibility of the United Nations, but has also exposed international peace and stability to unprecedented threats."

Separately, Hamas issued a statement condemning the demolition, describing it as a "flagrant violation of international laws," urging strong and unequivocal international condemnation of the "reckless criminal act."

The demolition comes amid mounting international criticism of Israel's restrictions on aid groups operating in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

In recent weeks, Israel has revoked the licenses of at least 37 international organizations, including Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and the Norwegian Refugee Council, citing non-compliance with new regulations requiring detailed disclosures on staff, funding, and operations.

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Trump launches 'Board of Peace' seen as bid to control Gaza

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 22 January 2026 3:49 PM

US President Donald Trump has launched a new "Board of Peace" under the banner of supporting ceasefire in the besieged Gaza Strip, a move mostly seen as an attempt to weaken the United Nations and replace multilateral diplomacy with US-dominated decision-making.

Trump on Thursday launched his so-called "Board of Peace", initially presented as a mechanism to shore up Gaza's fragile ceasefire but openly framed by him as a tool with far broader ambitions.

"Once this board is completely formed, we can do pretty much whatever we want to do. And we'll do it in conjunction with the United Nations," said the American president, while again portraying the UN as an underused institution in need of US-led direction.

In September last year and at the 80th UN General Assembly, Trump slammed the UN, claiming the world body "wasn't there for us" in helping resolve conflicts.

"What is the purpose of the United Nations? The UN has such tremendous potential ... but it's not even coming close to living up to that potential," he asked at the time.

Chaired by Trump himself, the board includes US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the US Gaza negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, as well as former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Trump, who claims he wants the board to address challenges beyond the stuttering Gaza ceasefire, invited dozens of world leaders and demanded that permanent members contribute $1 billion each.

While Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Indonesia joined, traditional US allies and major powers reacted cautiously, fearing the board could erode the UN's central role in diplomacy.

Apart from the United States, none of the other permanent members of the UN Security Council has committed. France declined, Britain said it was not joining for now, and China has stayed silent, while Russia said late on Wednesday it was studying the plan after Trump claimed it would participate, with President Vladimir Putin stating that Moscow was ready to pay $1 billion from frozen US assets "to support the Palestinian people."

Although the board was endorsed by a UN Security Council resolution as part of Trump's Gaza plan, UN spokesperson Rolando Gomez stressed that UN engagement would be strictly limited to that framework.

Despite Trump's long-standing hostility toward multilateral institutions, he claimed the initiative could reshape global governance.

"There's tremendous potential with the United Nations, and I think the combination of the Board of Peace with the kind of people we have here ... could be something very, very unique for the world," he said.

Israel, Argentina and Hungary, all closely aligned with Trump, have said they would join, reflecting alliances more than genuine international consensus.

The board's immediate focus is Gaza, where the October ceasefire has repeatedly broken down amid Israeli attacks and a deepening humanitarian crisis within the war-ravaged Palestinian territory.

Kushner said reconstruction funding and Hamas disarmament would dominate the next phase, warning, "If Hamas doesn't demilitarize, that would be what holds this plan back."

"The next 100 days we're going to continue to just be heads down and focused on making sure this is implemented," he added.

The Palestinian technocratic committee leader, Ali Shaath, said the Rafah crossing would reopen next week, but both Israel and Hamas continue to accuse each other of violations - while each side rejects the other's accusations - underscoring how Washington's heavily branded initiative has done little so far to deliver real peace.

Although the first phase of the truce is struggling, the next stage will need to tackle far more difficult long-term challenges that have stalled previous talks, including Hamas disarmament, Gaza's security management, and Israel's eventual withdrawal.

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Israeli minister authorizes gun permits for illegal settlers in occupied West Bank

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 22 January 2026 9:34 AM

Far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has authorized personal firearm permits for residents of 18 more illegal West Bank settlements amid growing settler violence aimed at displacing Palestinians.

According to a statement released on Wednesday from his office, the decision applies to settlements in the occupied West Bank and is part of an expansion of Ben-Gvir's so-called firearms reform policy.

Under the new decision, those living in the recently integrated settlements can now apply for personal gun licenses. The minister's office has purportedly characterized this initiative as a step towards enhancing self-defense, improving personal security, and strengthening the emergency response capabilities of settlement teams.

Ben-Gvir noted that over 240,000 settlers have obtained gun permits following the recent policy expansion - a significant increase compared to the approximately 8,000 permits issued each year in the past, which he described as an unprecedented figure.

He alleged that numerous armed settlers had thwarted Palestinian reprisal operations prior to the arrival of Israeli forces, claiming that "weapons save lives."

The newly approved list includes settlements across the northern, central and southern West Bank as well as the settlement of Goder in the Jordan Valley.

"I am pleased today to approve the addition of 18 more settlements in Judea and Samaria to the list of communities eligible for personal firearms," Ben-Gvir said. "They deserve the basic and moral right to protect themselves and their families."

Ben-Gvir initiated a policy to broaden civilian access to firearms, including among unauthorized settlers in the West Bank, in late 2023, coinciding with the onset of Israel's genocidal campaign in Gaza. This decision has generated significant debate within the Israeli-occupied territories, especially in light of a number of accidental shootings that led to Israeli casualties.

Meanwhile, illegal Israeli settlers regularly launch armed assaults on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, aiming to forcibly displace communities and confiscate land, with violence escalating significantly since October 2023.

Palestinian authorities report that the recent escalation has resulted in over 1,100 fatalities among Palestinians, with approximately 11,000 individuals injured and over 21,000 abductions made throughout the West Bank.

The development came on the same day that Israeli settlers set up a new outpost in Khan al-Ahmar, located to the east of occupied al-Quds, and erected tents on Palestinian land situated south of Nablus.

Hani Odeh, the leader of Qusra's municipal council, reported that settlers began bulldozing village lands early Wednesday morning and set up tents in the area referred to as Ras Ain Ainyah.

He expressed concern that the villages, particularly Qusra, are now encircled by settlements on the north, east, and south sides. If the western side is also taken over by settlers, it would result in the village being completely surrounded.

Later that evening, a large group of settlers, supported by Israeli forces, launched an assault on the residents of Qusra. Eyewitness accounts described intense gunfire and fierce confrontations. In response, local Palestinians stood their ground to protect their village, resulting in clashes.

More than 700,000 Israelis live in over 230 settlements built since the 1967 Israeli occupation of the West Bank and East al-Quds.

The international community views the settlements as illegal under international law and the Geneva Conventions due to their construction on occupied territories. The UN Security Council has condemned Israel's settlement activities in several resolutions.

In July 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) declared Israel's decades-long occupation of historical Palestine illegal. The ICJ demanded the evacuation of all existing settlements in the West Bank and East al-Quds. It was mere words.

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After Greenland Tensions, A Tentative Deal Comes Out Of Davos

By Rikard Jozwiak January 22, 2026

There may be a solution to the recent tension over Greenland. US President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, in a much-touted meeting held in Davos, Switzerland, on January 21, reached a framework agreement.

Earlier that day, Trump had reiterated his wish to bring the Danish island under American sovereignty but ruled out force to accomplish this. But after his meeting with Rutte, he posted on social media that "we have formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland and, in fact, the entire Arctic Region."

"This solution, if consummated, will be a great one for the United States of America, and all Nato Nations," he added.

The agreement, which multiple RFE/RL sources insist has yet to be officially drawn up, will apparently be worked out in the coming weeks. While NATO facilitated the initial meeting, the talks will now mainly be held between the foreign ministers of the United States, Denmark, and Greenland with the potential involvement of the US Vice President JD Vance, as well.

Sovereign Base Areas

Several NATO officials and European diplomats speaking under condition of anonymity told RFE/RL that while concrete details will be ironed out later, there are some "contours" that have been sketched out.

One of the sticking points will continue to be the issue of sovereignty -- perhaps not of the entire island, but part of it.

There have been media reports that the United States would control parts of Greenland by potentially designating them as "sovereign base areas." This would be something like Britain's currently setup in Cyprus, with some bases remaining under London's control to date despite the island gaining independence in 1960.

NATO officials whom RFE/RL has spoken to insist that "the Cyprus model was not mentioned in the meeting," with one saying that media reporting on this was likely based on speculation by officials on the direction the talks could take.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also issued a statement after the Trump-Rutte meeting, noting that "NATO is fully aware of the Kingdom of Denmark's position. We can negotiate on everything political; security, investments, economy. But we cannot negotiate on our sovereignty."

Brushing Up An Old Treaty

Some other contours of the framework might, however, be easier to agree on.

One includes a "brush up" of the 1951 treaty between the United States and Denmark that allowed Washington to keep its bases on Greenland and establish new ones if the United States and NATO deemed it necessary.

That deal was reworked in 2004 so that consent by both Denmark and Greenland is needed for any US troop increases or new military installments. At the moment, the United States has one base there, which hosts some 200 officers working on ballistic-missile early warnings and space surveillance. During the Cold War, there were up to 10,000 US soldiers on the island.

The reworking is likely to include the incorporation of the proposed American Golden Dome anti-missile system that would cover the North Atlantic, including Greenland -- a move that both Copenhagen and Nuuk are reportedly fine with.

Another aspect of the framework includes investment screening. The United States wants a say in who is allowed to invest in Greenland, with the clear intention of staving off China and Russia from gaining a foothold there. A rare-earth deal, meaning special rights for mining, would also be included and is expected to be agreed on relatively expediently.

More NATO In The North Atlantic?

A third aspect is greater NATO involvement in and around Greenland. This could involve the military alliance as a whole or just the so-called Arctic-7 members of the club: Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and the United States.

Whether this entails an expanded number of exercises or something more permanent remains to be seen. Along these lines, there has been much talk in Brussels of a NATO-led Arctic Sentry mission.

Speaking in Brussels on January 22 after a regular meeting of all the NATO countries' chiefs of defense, the alliance's Supreme Allied Commander Europe Alexus Grynkewich said there was no "political guidance yet" for an Arctic Sentry-type of mission just yet.

"We are doing some thinking but no planning yet but we are ready and we have a ton of expertise," he said. He also said there was "never a military dimension in those (Davos) talks that came down to us."

He also confirmed that no NATO exercises are expected on Greenland in the coming months but that a regular joint US-Canadian exercise with Denmark's blessing called Norad -- involving military aircrafts from both nations -- is under way

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/greenland-trump- nato-denmark-davos/33656891.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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Trump Launches Board Of Peace, Putin Seeks To Use Frozen Assets For Sign-Up Fee

By Ray Furlong and RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service January 22, 2026

US President Donald Trump launched the Board of Peace, a new body for resolving international conflicts, repeating his belief that a peace deal to end Russia's invasion of Ukraine "is coming very soon."

The new body was originally focused on implementing the deal for ending the Israel-Gaza war, as approved by UN Security Council resolution 2803 in November, but Trump said it would work to ensure peace worldwide.

"We'll work with many others, including the United Nations," Trump said at a signing ceremony in Davos, Switzerland, on January 22, possibly a nod to concerns that the board would seek to supplant the UN, which Trump has often criticized.

The ceremony was attended by leaders from Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Mongolia, Morocco, Pakistan, Paraguay, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Uzbekistan. All have agreed to join the board.

Other countries that have signaled a willingness to join include Belarus, Israel, and Vietnam. None of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council other than the United States were present, though all were invited to join.

Putin Seeks To Unfreeze Funds

Russia has said it is willing to pay the $1 billion permanent membership fee by using assets held abroad that were frozen due to its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to this offer during a meeting with Palestinian Authority leader Mahmud Abbas in Moscow on January 22.

"Perhaps you have heard that we are ready to disburse $1 billion to the new body, the Board of Peace, above all and mainly to support the Palestinian people, to direct the funds toward restoration of the Gaza Strip and the overall solution of Palestine's problems," Putin said. "As I have said, I believe this is quite possible using the funds immobilized in the United States under the previous administration."

Trump has not commented on Putin's proposal.

British Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper said on January 22 that Putin's possible role on the board was problematic.

"We do also have concerns about President Putin being part of something which is talking about peace, when we have still not seen any signs from Putin that there will be a commitment to peace in Ukraine," she said.

Ukraine has also been invitedto join the board, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also said Russian participation is a barrier.

"It is still very difficult for me to imagine how we and Russia can be together in one or another council," he said on January 20. He said the presence of Russian ally Belarus was also a problem.

Zelenskyy was due to meet with Trump later on January 22 for further discussions on the stalled peace talks.

Meanwhile, Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner were due to head to Moscow for talks with Putin.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-board-of -peace-putin-un/33656659.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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Explainer: Trump Signs 'Board Of Peace' Into Existence

By RFE/RL January 22, 2026

US President Donald Trump has signed into existence a Board of Peace, an initiative he says will seek to resolve global conflicts and promote stability, peace, and governance "in areas affected or threatened by conflict."

The board, which some fear could undermine the United Nations, was originally proposed to oversee the rebuilding of the Gaza Strip as part of a deal to rebuild the devastated territory following the war between Israel and Hamas, which the United States and European Union have designated as a terrorist organization.

The board's charter, however, does not limit its role to Gaza.

The following are the main points of the initiative, presented by Trump in Davos, Switzerland, on January 22.

Who Will Lead The Board of Peace?

The Board of Peace's inaugural chairman is Trump, who will hold the post until he designates a successor. He can only be removed from the post by voluntarily stepping down "or as a result of incapacity, as determined by a unanimous vote of the Executive Board."

A founding Executive Board composed of public officials and private individuals has been created. The appointed members are: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US special envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, Former British Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair, billionaire businessman and chief executive officer of Apollo Global Management Marc Rowan, American business executive Ajay Banga, and US national-security adviser Robert Gabriel.

In addition, Nickolay Mladenov, a Bulgarian politician and former UN Middle East envoy, will be the Board of Peace's representative on the ground in Gaza.

Who Are The Members?

The Trump administration sent out more than 50 invitations to countries around the world. Members are invited to join for free for three years. At the end of the three-year period, the chairman of the peace board may then decide to renew a country's membership. However, if a country wishes to become a permanent member, they can do so by paying a $1 billion fee within the first year of joining the group.

The White House has not published a list of those countries who were extended invitations, but the following countries were signatories to the document presented on January 22: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Turkey, Hungary, Bulgaria, Argentina, Mongolia, Morocco, Pakistan, Indonesia, Kosovo, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Paraguay, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.

In addition, Israel, Egypt, Belarus, Albania, and Vietnam have also agreed to join the board. Trump has said Russia has accepted as well, though the Kremlin has not officially confirmed his comments.

Meanwhile, several nations have said they are still looking at the possibility. Those include China, Canada, Britain, Germany, and Japan.

Many European nations have already rejected the offer they received, including Sweden, Norway, and France.

Ukraine has said it has to wait to see Russia's decision as it is hard to envision being on a peace board with a country it is at war against.

The Vatican has said Pope Leo, the first American pontiff and a critic of some of Trump's policies, has been invited to join the board, though no decision has been announced.

What Is The Board's Mandate?

The board initially had a mandate from the UN Security Council as part of the Gaza peace deal; it was to focus solely on the peaceful rebuilding of Gaza, with a lifespan lasting until 2027.

Trump's vision for the board -- which will be funded through voluntary funding from member states, other states, organizations, and other sources -- is to undertake peace-building functions in areas affected or threatened by conflict.

Member states will vote on the pursuit of new peace-building initiatives in accordance with international law.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-board-of- peace-charter-davos/33656782.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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Romania has handed over command of the European Union Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Romania - Ministry of National Defence

Press release No. 12

22.01.2026

State Secretary for Defence Policy, Planning and International Relations, Sorin-Dan Moldovan, and the Deputy Chief of Defence Staff for Operations and Training, Lieutenant General Iulian Berdila, participated today, January 21st, in Camp Butmir, Sarajevo, in the command handover/takeover ceremony of the European Union Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUFOR ALTHEA), the largest multinational operation in the Western Balkans, conducted under the aegis of the European Union's Common Security and Defence Policy.

After 12 months since Romania had taken over the command of EUFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina, our country handed it over to Italy. Thus, Major General Florin Marian Barbu handed over the command of the European Union Force to Major General Maurizio Fronda.

Romania's involvement in this theater of operations, within EUFOR ALTHEA, was clear proof of our firm commitment to the stability of the Western Balkans," State Secretary Sorin-Dan Moldovan said.

As a token of appreciation for his exceptional dedication and leadership, the operational commander, Lieutenant General Ludovic Pinon de Quincy, awarded Major General Florin Marian Barbu the European Union Medal for Common Security and Defence Policy for Extraordinary Merits.

The Romanian Armed Force has increased its level of representation within the operation by taking over the leadership of the most important multinational force in the Western Balkans. Lieutenant General Iulian Berdila highlighted that exercising EUFOR command has increased the prestige and respect enjoyed by the Romanian soldiers within the Euro-Atlantic community.

"Romania reaffirmed its status as main contributor to the multinational stabilization force deployed by the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina," Lieutenant General Berdila emphasized.

It is worth mentioning that, starting May, Romania will man, through Brigadier General Traian Magherca, the position of Chief of Staff of EUFOR ALTHEA in the Bosnia and Herzegovina Theater of Operations, as a firm proof of Romania's commitment to the Western Balkans.

Romania manned several essential positions within the operation, including the command of the multinational battalion able of reacting promptly, when necessary, in support of the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, to maintain a safe and stable environment.

The stability of the Western Balkans region is a priority for Romania and has strategic importance for European and Euro-Atlantic security.

Also, starting January 20th, the Romanian Air Force Detachment handed over 24/7 medical evacuation responsibilities (MEDEVAC), as well as airlift and reconnaissance missions, to the Italian Land Force Detachment.



The Press Office

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Joint Task Force-Bravo receives Denton Delivery in Honduras

News | Jan. 22, 2026

Joint Task Force-Bravo Public Affairs

SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras. -- A C-5M Super Galaxy from the 433rd Airlift Wing Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, delivered 90,000 pounds of humanitarian cargo to Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, Jan. 12, 2026.

The shipment contained 33 pallets of medical supplies valued at $28,000 as part of the Denton Humanitarian Assistance program, which is a Department of War and Department of State initiative that moves humanitarian cargo donated by non-governmental organizations to nations in need around the world.

For over 25 years, Joint Task Force-Bravo has been at the center of the Denton mission in Honduras. Getting this aid to the right place requires careful teamwork between military planners and local partners on the ground.

"Success in our mission hinges on the seamless collaboration between Joint Task Force-Bravo, U.S. Transportation Command, the U.S. Department of State, and the leaders of local non-profits. While the coordination is complex, the strong relationships we forge and the critical importance of the Denton Program make it all worthwhile, "stated U.S. Army MAJ Jacob Wilson, JTF-Bravo director of civil-military operations.

The 612th Air Base Squadron offloaded the pallets, and JTF-Bravo personnel logged the cargo and coordinated its transfer to a local non-governmental organization, Helping Hands for Honduras.

Ronald Roll, co-founder of the organization, said the Honduran Army will help move the equipment to a warehouse. From there, it will be distributed to hospitals and clinics across the country.

"This program is truly incredible," said Roll. "Without these Denton missions it would be near impossible for this aid to get to the Honduran people."

This is the second Denton delivery this fiscal year after a ten-month pause in the program, demonstrating JTF-Bravo's unwavering commitment to being a good partner and neighbor to our partner nations and their citizens.

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Albares defends Europe's sovereignty in Davos

Spain - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

PRESS RELEASE 007

The minister reiterates that the principle of equality and territorial integrity of States is 'non-negotiable' and appeals to the UN Charter

22 JAN 26

During his participation in the Davos Forum, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Jose Manuel Albares, defended the principle of sovereign equality and territorial integrity of States, which he considered 'non-negotiable'. At the same time, he advocated for the defence of the principles of the United Nations Charter.

During a day with a busy schedule, Albares told his interlocutors that 'we cannot govern a multipolar world without multilateralism' and argued that Spain's voice 'is a humanist voice' that defends such basic principles as sovereignty and territorial integrity in Greenland, but also the need for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and Gaza.

In this vein, the minister expressed the solidarity of Spain, as well as the entire European Union, with Denmark and with the basic principle of sovereignty, recalling that 'the Greenlanders want to remain part of Denmark, they want to remain part of a Member State of the European Union'.

Albares, who is participating for the fifth time in this annual meeting, the theme of which for this edition is 'A Spirit of Dialogue', stated that "Spain is where it should be: at the centre of the European Union, showing solidarity with a European Union partner such as Denmark, defending the fundamental principles that govern virtuous relations between States - which are the principles of the United Nations Charter - and speaking clearly.

Bilateral meetings

In addition to his speeches at various points throughout the day, the minister also had the opportunity to greet French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, Egyptian Minister of Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat and Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya.

Albares also held bilateral meetings with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, his counterparts from Switzerland, Ignazio Cassis, South Africa, Ronald Lamola, and Saudi Arabia, Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, as well as with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Barham Salih.

The Spanish minister also met with Alexander de Croo, Administrator of the UNDP, the United Nations agency that has chosen Spain as the location for one of its headquarters and will relocate around 100 employees from its headquarters in New York.

As this was an economic event, the minister also had the opportunity to engage in economic diplomacy through meetings with the President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), Nadia Calvino; Alexander Soros of the Open Society Foundations; and the CEO of AstraZeneca, Michel Demare.

-NON OFFICIAL TRANSLATION-

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Israel Fails to Pull Troops From Gaza in 1st Phase of Peace Deal - Palestinian Official

Sputnik News

20260122

Israel has failed to complete its obligations to withdraw troops from the Gaza Strip under the first phase of US President Donald Trump's peace plan for the Palestinian enclave, retaining its presence on 60% of newly occupied Palestinian territories, Palestinian General Supervisor of Official Media Ahmad Assaf told Sputnik on Thursday.

"Unfortunately, we proceeded to the second phase before Israel withdrew troops from Gaza. President Abu Mazen [Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas] took a clear stance: Israel must leave all territories it reoccupied in Gaza," Assaf said.

The Israeli military controls over 60% of Gaza's territory since October 7, 2023, which is unlawful, he added. The first phase of Trump's peace plan provided for the "withdrawal of Israeli ... troops from territories occupied in Gaza," Assaf added.

"All this was part of the first phase, and unfortunately, Israel failed to meet these conditions," the minister said.

Assaf called on the deal's guarantors to compel Israel to comply with the agreement that it had accepted. Aside from the withdrawal of troops, the deal also included opening the Rafah crossing, ensuring sufficient aid and delivery mechanisms, the official added.

On October 10, a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Palestinian movement Hamas went into effect.

On October 13, Trump, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Sisi, Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a declaration on the Gaza ceasefire.

On January 14, US special presidential envoy Steve Witkoff announced the start of phase two of Trump's 20-point plan to end the war in Gaza, moving from a ceasefire to demilitarization, technocratic governance and reconstruction.

On the same day, the foreign ministries of Egypt, Qatar and Turkey announced 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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US to Have Full Military Access to Greenland - Trump

Sputnik News

20260122

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The United States will have unimpeded access to Greenland as part of the deal being negotiated, President Donald Trump said on Thursday, adding that Washington will be able to deploy all the required equipment to the island.

"We're going to have total access to Greenland. We're going to have all military access ... We're going to be able to put what we need on Greenland because we want it. We're talking about national security and international security," Trump told Fox Business.

The US and Europe continue to have good relations despite current disagreements, Trump added.

Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Nevertheless, US President Donald Trump has been seeking its acquisition, citing the Arctic island's strategic importance to American national security. In response, Danish and Greenlandic authorities have warned Washington against any such move, asserting their sovereignty and demanding respect for their territorial integrity.

Trump has repeatedly insisted on acquiring Greenland and making the island part of the US, framing the move as crucial for national security and "defending the free world," particularly from China and Russia. Danish and Greenlandic officials warned the US against seizing the island, demanding respect for their shared territorial integrity.

 Sputnik

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Putin Praises 'Special, Deep-Rooted' Russia-Palestine Ties

Sputnik News

20260122

Relations between Russia and Palestine have deep roots and are of a special nature, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday.

"Relations between Russia and Palestine have deep roots and are of a special quality," Putin said at a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Moscow.

Putin called the trend towards an increase in trade between Russia and Palestine obvious, adding that Russia continues to train personnel for Palestine.

"Our attitude towards the issues of Palestine and the settlement in the Middle East is principled and non-circumstantial," Putin said.

Relations between Russia and Palestine are developing despite all difficulties associated with the situation in the region, and Russia welcomes continued contacts with Palestine, the president added.

Only a fully functioning Palestinian state can lead to a settlement in the Middle East, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"We believe that only the formation and full-fledged functioning of a Palestinian state can lead to a final settlement of the Middle East conflict," Putin said during a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Moscow.

Russia provided humanitarian aid during the most difficult times of crisis in Gaza, Putin added.

Russia's attitude to Middle East settlement is non-circumstantial, Putin says during the talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Putin also invites Abbas to discuss situation in Gaza and Trump's initiative to create the Board of Peace.

Key statements by the Russian president:

Trump's initiative to create the Board of Peace is primarily aimed at resolving situation in Palestine and Gaza Strip

Russia is ready to send $1B to board of peace to support Palestinian people

Transfer of funds from frozen assets to the Board of Peace has been already discussed with the US

Russia provided humanitarian aid during most difficult times of crisis in Gaza

Palestine is ready to work with Russia to resolve the situation in the Middle East, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said.

"We are ready to work together with your support, your help, and we hope that we will reach a solution," Abbas said at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

Abbas also called Russia a great friend of Palestine.

"And we know that Russia has always supported and was the first to support Palestine, and has taken a strong position in support of our people," Abbas added.

Palestine needs peace and hopes that with Russia's support it will be able to achieve this, Abbas concluded.

The Israeli occupation leads to destruction in the Gaza Strip, Mahmoud Abbas said.

"We, Mr. President, have suffered greatly in our Palestinian land, as you know very well, during the Israeli occupation, which is leading to destruction in the Gaza Strip and on the West Bank of Jerusalem," Abbas said.

The scale of the destruction in the Gaza Strip is catastrophic, Abbas added.

"I would like to provide some figures and numbers. The number of dead and wounded in the Gaza Strip has reached 260,000. There are thousands more wounded in the West Bank. The scale of the destruction is catastrophic; the Strip is almost completely destroyed. Eighty-five percent of the infrastructure is destroyed," Abbas said.

Palestine opposes attempts by the US and Israel to resettle Palestinians outside their territory, Abbas said.

"The Palestinian people stick to and hold on to their land. We categorically oppose attempts by Americans and Israelis to expatriate Palestinians outside their territory," Abbas said.

 Sputnik

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Rutte Did Not Offer Trump Compromises on Greenland's Sovereignty at Davos Meeting

Sputnik News

20260122

US President Donald Trump said that thanks to his productive meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, a framework for a potential future agreement concerning Greenland and the broader Arctic region had been developed.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte did not offer US President Donald Trump compromises regarding Greenland's sovereignty during a meeting in Davos, NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said.

"The Secretary General did not propose any compromise to sovereignty during his meeting with the President in Davos," Hart was quoted as saying by Reuters.

Earlier, Axios reported that the draft agreement on Greenland does not imply a transfer of sovereignty over the Danish island to Washington, but does include the deployment of the Golden Dome missile defense system.

The deal also includes an update to the 1951 "Greenland Defense Agreement" between the United States and Denmark, as well as provisions on increasing security in Greenland and NATO activity in the Arctic, and additional work on raw materials, the report said.

 Sputnik

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Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York

22 January 2026

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

** Noon Briefing Guest

All right, good afternoon. In a short while we will be joined in person by our friend Carlos Ruiz Massieu, who, as you know, is the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Haiti.

** Deputy Secretary-General

Meanwhile, our Deputy Secretary-General, [Amina J Mohammed], is in Denmark, in Copenhagen, where she delivered a keynote address to the Parliament of Denmark on "the future of the United Nations in a turbulent world".

In her remarks, she underscored that the UN Charter remains our moral compass and called for a renewed commitment to multilateralism rooted in solidarity, international law, and human dignity. Ms. Mohammed warned that the erosion of the rules-based international order and urged Member States to protect and modernize the multilateral system, by securing peace, investing in sustainable development, and helping to reset the United Nations to deliver more effectively for people and planet.

While in Copenhagen, the Deputy Secretary-General met with Lars Lkke Rasmussen, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Denmark. Not surprisingly, they discussed Denmark-UN collaboration, including Denmark's long-standing leadership in development cooperation, and particularly its support for the UN Resident Coordinator system. They also discussed Denmark's current membership on the Security Council. The Deputy Secretary-General also met with Lars Aagaard, the Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities. In that meeting, they discussed priorities on climate action.

The Deputy Secretary-General also met with representatives from Nordic countries to discuss ongoing UN reforms and shared development priorities.

Tomorrow, she will travel to Paris at UNESCO Headquarters to mark the International Day of Education.

** Syria/Al Hol Camp

Turning to the situation in Syria, and more particularly Al Hol camp. Our colleagues from the UN refugee agency and from UNICEF tell us that yesterday their teams reached the Al Hol camp following its takeover by the Syrian Government. Our colleagues tell us that the situation in the camp remains rather tense and volatile, with reports of looting and burning. As a result, it was not possible for them to enter the camp itself, and this was the same situation today when they tried again. The teams, however, held some constructive discussion with representatives of the Syrian Government at Al Hol camp.

The Government of Syria has expressed its willingness to provide security and support to UNHCR and humanitarian partners so that humanitarian operations can continue.

We are continuing to underscore the importance of ensuring that the transfer of ISIL detention facilities presently under Syrian Democratic Forces control to the Syrian Government takes place in an orderly manner, in line with international standards.

** Syria/Security Council

Back here in the Security Council, Council members also held a discussion on Syria.

Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari reiterated the Secretary-General's concern over the ongoing violence. He called for respect for international law, and for the protection of civilians, reaffirming our support for an inclusive Syrian political transition.

For her part, Edem Wosornu, the director of OCHA's Crisis Response Division, said that recent clashes displaced tens of thousands of people in Aleppo, disrupting basic services and humanitarian delivery, as we've been telling you.

She stressed that Syria can make progress in reducing humanitarian needs, but this depends on increased investment in recovery and sustained humanitarian funding as well as active diplomacy to prevent renewed violence.

** Occupied Palestinian Territory

Turning to the situation in Gaza, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that people across the Gaza Strip are struggling to meet their needs as the humanitarian scale-up remains restricted.

Yesterday, the UN Population Fund said that there are increased risks of gender-based violence, child marriage and exploitation of women and girls. It says that damage to health facilities, to safe spaces and clinics  all of that combined with displacement that we have been seeing, and movement restrictions and not to mention the flooding that we have also been seeing  all of that has sharply limited access to psychosocial support and medical care.

Since Sunday and as of yesterday, our partners leading on emergency shelter assistance have reached over 13,000 households, distributing hundreds of tents and [thousands] of tarpaulins.

Our partners also continued to distribute mattresses, sleeping bags, blankets, warm clothes, cooking utensils, as well as solar lights.

Our partners responsible for site management report that  due to capacity and funding constraints  they are currently able to provide support in just about 40 per cent of the existing 970 displacement sites that exist across Gaza.

Moving to the West Bank, our humanitarian colleagues at OCHA tell us that over 100 Palestinian Bedouin and herding households from five communities across the central West Bank were displaced in just two weeks  between January 6th and 19th  all of that due to ongoing settler attacks, threats and intimidation by settlers. These attacks have prevented residents from reaching their homes, reaching their pastural lands and reaching sources of water.

Yesterday, UNFPA reported that the ongoing operations by Israeli forces along with settler violence and movement restrictions continue to disrupt people's access to schools, workplaces, markets as well as healthcare.

The agency estimated that more than 230,000 women and girls, including nearly 15,000 pregnant women, have limited access to reproductive health services due to the escalation of violence.

** South Sudan

And I want to flag a number of humanitarian crises, notably two that received some emergency funding. First in South Sudan, escalating conflict in Jonglei State has prompted our Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, to release $10 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund to deliver urgent assistance to nearly 180,000 displaced human beings in that area.

The funds will support food assistance, healthcare, shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene services, as well as to help on the prevention of gender-based violence as well as violence against children.

Since the end of December, conflict has forced more than 200,000 people from their homes. Women and girls, children, people with disabilities, and older persons face heightened risks of violence and exploitation in these circumstances.

A Government-declared no-fly zone in Jonglei State, alongside insecurity and bureaucratic constraints, continues to put limits on our ability to access those in need as well as the ability of our partners to do so.

Around 15 non-governmental organizations are providing essential aid with the limited resources available.

This year, we and our partners are appealing for nearly $1.5 billion to support more than 4 million people in need in South Sudan.

** Mozambique

[...] Also, in Mozambique, our Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher allocated $5 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund to respond to the widespread floods in Mozambique. The new funds will support the Government-led response in the flood-affected districts in Gaza and neighbouring provinces. That includes Maputo and Sofala.

Meanwhile, our colleagues at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tell us that a total of 350,000 people are estimated to have been displaced due to this flooding in Mozambique.

We, along with our partners, continue to step up our efforts, with boats available for search-and-rescue operations. Two World Food Programme amphibious vehicles have also been dispatched to the area to try to get to people who are otherwise inaccessible.

WFP is stretching its limited resources to the maximum to support 375,000 men, women and children with a seven-day emergency food kits. OCHA also says that a revised 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan will be launched tomorrow by the Government of Mozambique and the UN to reflect the humanitarian needs related to these floods.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has teams working across priority locations to improve conditions in accommodation centres, strengthen coordination, and ensure the protection of those most at risk.

** Sudan

Turning to Sudan, I can tell you that we are alarmed by the growing impact of drone attacks in North Kordofan State, which is endangering civilians and further constraining the already limited humanitarian access.

On Tuesday, multiple drone strikes were reported in some villages located south-east of the state capital El Obeid. These areas lie along a critical logistics corridor and the attacks risk severing the city's eastern supply lines.

Another strike was reported on the same day in the village of Wadi Al-Hout, about 30 kilometres north of El Obeid, underscoring the increasing frequency and geographic spread of aerial attacks across that state.

At the same time, the International Organization for Migration estimates that yesterday, more than 2,400 people were displaced from several villages in the locality of Um Dam Haj Ahmed in North Kordofan.

Continued insecurity is placing civilians at heightened risk and further restricting the movement of humanitarian supplies. We again underscore that all parties must protect civilians and must protect civilian infrastructure, and must ensure the safe, rapid and unhindered access for humanitarian goods and staff.

Meanwhile, in the locality of Tawila in North Darfur, our partners report serious shortfalls in food assistance for newly arrived displaced families in Daba Naira camp, highlighting the urgent need to scale up food distributions.

Also on food, the World Food Programme says that despite severe access and funding constraints, it reached 3.6 million people in December in Sudan, including 1.7 million alone in Darfur. However, WFP warns that by the end of March, it will have exhausted its food stocks in Sudan and urgently requires $700 million to sustain life-saving operations through June of this year.

We urge donors to step up support. In 2026, we and our partners are calling for $2.9 billion to reach more than 20 million people who are in urgent need of assistance.

** Democratic Republic of the Congo

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo our humanitarian colleagues say that the humanitarian situation in the provinces of North and South Kivu continues to worsen, marked by more civilian casualties, displacement and mounting threats to humanitarian operations.

In the Rutshuru territory of North Kivu, our partners say that, between 12 and 19 January, at least 50 civilians were killed and about a dozen others injured during a series of armed attacks and clashes.

In the Uvira territory in South Kivu, local civil society reports that at least 12 civilians have been killed by armed groups since 18 January. Fearing more violence, at least 2,400 people fled from the city of Uvira to Kamanyola, where they are staying with host families and in collective centres in an effort to seek safety. Their most urgent needs include food, shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene services, protection and healthcare.

Humanitarian access as you can imagine remains a challenge in South Kivu, particularly in Fizi territory, where dozens of key roads are closed due to insecurity, and that has disrupted operations, including the delivery of medical supplies in response to the cholera outbreak.

Yesterday, in Baraka, armed people entered some compounds of our humanitarian partners. They threated staff and attempted to requisition humanitarian assets.

We strongly condemn any attacks on civilians and threats against humanitarian workers. We urge all parties to comply with their obligations under international [humanitarian] law, which is to protect civilians and to protect civilian infrastructure, and to facilitate safe, unhindered and rapid humanitarian response.

** Venezuela

Back in this hemisphere in Venezuela. We, with our partners, continue to deliver aid in the country.

The Pan American Health Organization reports that a shipment of 23 metric tons of medical supplies arrived in Venezuela two days ago, on 20 January. That was from Brazil, to support the national hemodialysis and nephrology programmes in Venezuela. This is part of a 300 metric ton assistance package, coordinated with Venezuelan health authorities, for treatment to continue for around 8,000 patients, including 500 children who need dialysis.

Our humanitarian colleagues said that our partners are also providing psychosocial and mental health support where resources allow, as reports of cases of psychological and emotional abuse, as well as gender-based violence is on the rise.

As a reminder, Venezuela was [among] the most underfunded humanitarian operations in 2025, with the protection sector, which includes child protection and gender-based violence, among the least funded within that least funded humanitarian appeal. This year, we need $606 million to support 5.4 million people.

** Microsoft

A couple of things I want to flag. First, that yesterday Microsoft announced that it will support our UN80 reform efforts. The measures include support for a proposed UN80 Innovation Fund, initiatives to improve the affordability of core digital tools across the UN system, expanded training to strengthen AI and digital readiness among the UN workforce, that would include me, and the convening of private sector partners to complement UN led reform efforts.

Through this initiative, Brad Smith, President of Microsoft, in his role as an SDG Advocate, is offering practical support to help equip the UN to respond effectively to today's global challenges amid rising demands and constrained resources.

** The State of Finance for Nature 2026/Report

I want to flag that the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) today released a report showing that for every $1 the world invests in protecting nature, it spends $30 on destroying it. The report, "The State of Finance for Nature 2026", which uses data for 2023, found $7.3 trillion in total nature-negative finance flows.

Inger Andersen, the Executive Director of UNEP, noted that while financing nature-based solutions crawls forward, harmful investments and subsidies are surging ahead. She said that that report offers leaders a clear road map to reverse this trend and work with nature, rather than against it.

** Staff Security

And our staff union today released a press release on security of UN staff. The press release is available but obviously pretty grim.

At least 21 UN personnel  12 peacekeepers and 9 civilians  were killed in deliberate attacks in 2025. That's what the Staff Union says.

** Honour Roll

And I have a quiz for you today because we are getting some money.

With an area of only 13 square kilometres, this country is the world's smallest island nation and is larger than just two other countries. Those two countries that are slightly smaller than the one I am talking about is the Holy See, Vatican City, and Monaco. [...]

I will save you time and I will thank our friends in Nauru as they have paid up in full and they are on the Honour Roll. [...] They paid $31,865. That's their contribution to the Regular Budget.

** Uganda

Before I go to questions, I just have a note and I forgot to read an important one on Uganda. I can tell you that the Secretary-General is following with concern the post-election situation in Uganda, including reports of arrests, detentions and violent incidents involving opposition figures and supporters. He notes the importance of restraint by all actors and respect for the rule of law and Uganda's international human rights obligations, that includes the right to freedom of expression, association and of peaceful assembly.

The Secretary-General stresses the importance of due process and humane treatment for all those in custody and underscores the need to safeguard civic space.

Now, Edie, all yours.

** Questions and Answers

Question : Thanks, Steph. A few follow-up questions. First, does the Secretary-General have any comment on the President's decision to drop tariffs against Europeans that support Greenland's independence and on whatever deal is in the works that no details have really been given... [cross-talk]

Spokesman : As you say, no detail has emerged, but it's clear. I mean, it appears at least that the pressure has gone down. Our position was and remains the same, is that we believe in the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark, as well as the issue of self-determination, which are both enshrined in the Charter.

Question : And secondly, on Syria. Edem Wosornu told the Security Council this morning that UNICEF and UNHCR reached Al-Hol camp yesterday and that the refugee agency has taken over the management of Al-Hol. Is that still holding? I was somewhat confused by what you...

Spokesman : I can only go with the information that I have, and we checked with some of our colleagues that they weren't able to physically enter the camp. I do know that we are in talks with the Syrian authorities, which are securing the camp. We want to be able to operate and provide the services that we need to operate, but we'll try to get you a bit more detail.

Question : Maybe you can try and...

Spokesman : Yes, I will do that. Yes. Dezhi?

Question : Yes, couple of questions. Yesterday, there's a launch of the Board of Peace, which President Trump actually take a positive tone toward the UN, asked for cooperation. Has the UN been in any kind of discussion with the Board of Peace personnel on the possible cooperation?

Spokesman : Look, let's be clear. We are committed to doing whatever we can to ensure the full implementation of Security Council resolution 2803, which as you will recall, welcomed the creation of the Board of Peace for Gaza. And as you know, because I know you pay very close attention to what I say here every day, part of that resolution and the plan put forward by President Trump talked about the UN leading on humanitarian aid delivery. I think we have delivered a massive amount of humanitarian aid in Gaza, as much as we've been able to allow. And we've talked about the restrictions, but you know how much more we've been able to do since the ceasefire. As part of that, we've worked very well with the US authorities, and we will continue to do so.

Question : So no discussion yet, as I understand?

Spokesman : The UN remains the only international organization with universal membership. We've obviously saw the announcements made in Davos yesterday and again today. The Secretary-General's work continues with determination to implement the mandates given to us, all underpinned by international law, by the Charter of the UN. I mean, our work continues.

Question : Another follow-up on the demolished UNRWA compound in East Jerusalem. After the statement by the Secretary-General, is there any follow-up measures that the UN has taken recently?

Spokesman : As Farhan explained we've sent letters, and then Secretary-General sent a very direct letter to the Government of Israel. I don't want to say discussions continue because there's really nothing to discuss. This went against the obligations of Israel under the immunities, privileges of this organization.

Question : The argument from the Israeli Ambassador Danon is that in the first phase, when after the Knesset, they passed their legislation, UN staff actually respected the legislation and leave that compound. So this is just a next step.

Spokesman : This was not, when people left, this was not done following the law. It was more done in terms of the safety of our staff. Right? I'm not going to enter into a debate with Ambassador Danon. The obligations of Israel, as of every other Member State of the UN, remains to respect the privileges and immunities of the Organization. In this case, and we've seen in some other cases around the world, it's not always done.

Yes.

Question : Hello, Stephane. Thank you. Do you have an update on the situation in Kobane? Many call it a humanitarian crisis because many residents have been without water and electricity for over a week.

Spokesman : Unfortunately, I do not have one today.

Farnoush, and then Linda.

Question : Thanks, Steph. I wanted to talk about another announcement that was made during the Board of Peace, Davos, announcement that Rafah Crossing is going to be open next week. Have you guys, have UN officials been told that? Obviously, the crossing is controlled by Israel who has not yet commented. Anything you can share about what you guys have...

Spokesman : No. I mean, we've just like you, I saw what the announcement was made. We've not heard anything officially, but we continue to hope that Rafah will reopen for people and especially for cargo. I mean, it's a critical, critical point of entry for humanitarian aid as it is for commercial goods, especially, and for Palestinians wanting to come back or wanting to leave.

Question : And separately, I'm wondering if you saw the logo for the Board of Peace, if it looked familiar...

Spokesman : I mean, it's the first time I saw it.

Question : Yeah. Is there any copyright or trademark?

Spokesman : No.

Question : Issues that the UN can raise?

Spokesman : No.

Question : Okay. Just wondering.

Spokesman : But, you know, I mean, as I said, we're continuing our work. We're keeping calm and carry on, to paraphrase a famous phrase.

Sorry. Linda, and then Sinan.

Question : Thank you, Steph. On the terrible situation in Sudan, I was just wondering, I mean, I know the SG engages in, you know, extends his good offices for trying to bring about peace in various crises. I was just wondering, I mean, I know he's on record as calling for the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF to come to the peace table. Are there, can you just shed some light perhaps, in terms of, is there any reaction from these two groups on any level?

Spokesman : They're obviously, in the context that the Secretary-General has had, whether it's Mr. Lamamra, his Special Envoy for Sudan, or Tom Fletcher or Denise Brown, our Head of Humanitarian in Sudan, they talk to the various parties. There are reactions, of course. I mean, you and I look at the same thing. We have not had face to face talks between the RSF and the Government of Sudan. And we've pushed in different ways.

Mr. Lamamra was in Cairo recently, where he worked with the Egyptian called meeting on the coordination. We've been talking to Mr. Boulos, the US Envoy. We're talking to all the parties. First of all, making sure that all those who want to see the end of conflict in Sudan work in concert, right? Whether it's individual Member States, whether it's regional organizations like the AU, like IGAD, or like us. Because, I mean, you just heard what I just described on the humanitarian situation today. I mean, millions and millions of people who are suffering because two leaders have refused to stop fighting, and we'll continue our efforts. But diplomacy is complicated. It's time consuming, but we will continue with determination.

Sinan, and then I'll go back. Yes, go ahead.

Question : Thank you, Steph. In Turkiye, many accounts of journalists and media organizations have been banned, including me this morning. What is the Secretary-General's position on, when it comes to the freedom of press and freedom of speech?

Spokesman : I haven't seen that particular news, but I can tell you our position across the table is what we've often talked about here, is that we need journalists to be able to do their work on their own terms, right? We need freedom of the press. Journalists need to be able to do their work and ask questions, however unpleasant they may be, even in this room, without fear of harassment or retribution or worse.

Yes.

Question : Hi, Steph. Mitch McCann, Feature Story News. Today is reportedly the day that it's finalized the US is withdrawing from the WHO. Does the Secretary-General have a message for the US about potentially re-joining in the future? And secondly, according to US law, they have to pay all the fees that they already owe before they can actually leave. So does the Secretary-General consider them having left or not yet because they haven't paid those fees?

Spokesman : Look, I think for all intents and purposes, they are no longer participating in the work of the World Health Organization. Those legal details will likely have to be worked out. It is clear we would love to see the United States be a full participant in the work of the World Health Organization, like we want to see every country. I mean, if there's an issue that is clearly, that knows no border, that doesn't respect territorial integrity, so to speak, are health issues, right? Viruses, non-communicable diseases, all of these issues need and should be worked out with international cooperation. The World Health Organization is the place to do it.

Dulcie.

Question : Can you give some more details on this Microsoft contract and what exactly it will entail and the value of the contract?

Spokesman : It's a very good question. Let me try to get more details as soon as I leave the podium.

Edie, and then we'll go to our guest.

Question : Thank you, Steph. A follow-up to Linda's question on Sudan. Did we ever get a readout from that meeting in Cairo on whether all of the divergent players actually have agreed on a single way to try and get both sides to negotiate?

Spokesman : I'm not aware that there was a final communicate, though I can check. But we do very much hope that no one's efforts will work in a way that makes the others' efforts more complicated. I mean, the people of Sudan deserve a coordinated approach to peace. All right. Stay in your seats, and don't go.

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Gaza: War crimes probe pledges to continue work for justice and accountability

By Daniel Johnson in Geneva

22 January 2026 - As President Trump launched the international Board of Peace plan for Gaza on Thursday, top independent rights experts tasked by the UN Human Rights Council with investigating grave abuses linked to the Hamas-Israel war pledged to continue their work seeking justice and accountability for all.

"The Board of Peace has been set up pursuant to a plan that was submitted to the Security Council that has been voted upon and accepted," said Srinivasan Muralidhar, Chair of the Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and in Israel.

"As a Commission of Inquiry, we see our task as investigating into violations of human rights. And that task we understand to be the mandate that the UN has given us."

The Commission of Inquiry - one of the Human Rights Council's top investigative mechanisms - was set up by the forum's 47 Member States in May 2021.

In November last year, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 2803 welcoming the establishment of the Board of Peace as a "transitional administration" and to oversee the redevelopment of Gaza.

In November last year, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 2803 welcoming the establishment of the Board of Peace to oversee the redevelopment of Gaza.

Genocide claim

Last September, the Commission's then Chair, former UN human rights chief Navi Pillay, declared that Israel had committed genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, in response to Hamas-led terror attacks that killed some 1,200 people in Israel in October 2023, sparking the war. Israel strongly denied that claim.

"We need to investigate violations of human rights by all duty-bearers and in both territories," said Mr. Muralidhar, who expressed hope that the Commission's earlier findings "will feed into some adjudicatory system to deliver lasting justice to the people in these two territories".

On the agenda this year, the Commission plans to investigate "attacks by armed Palestinian militias on others within these two territories", he continued, before stressing the independent nature of the panel.

Responding to questions about the Board of Peace, the chief investigator said that he expected the peace plan it was pursuing "to accommodate the interests of all the people in the conflict zone".

At a press conference in Geneva, the panel of independent human rights experts - who do not work for the UN and are not paid for their work - also condemned the reported killing of three Palestinian journalists in central Gaza in an Israeli airstrike on Wednesday.

"When you're killing a journalist, it means you have something to hide," said Commissioner Florence Mumba.

UNRWA focus

The panel also gave its reaction to the dramatic destruction of the headquarters of UN Palestine relief agency UNRWA in occupied East Jerusalem on Wednesday, highlighting its key role in supporting Palestinians for decades.

"Israel needs to think very carefully before it rejects the work that UNRWA has done, the important work that has relieved Israel of its obligations," said Chris Sidoti. "Of course, there will be consequences for human rights...children have a right to education, all people have a right to the highest attainable standard [of] physical and mental health."

Ms. Pillay retired last October at the age of 83, followed by fellow commissioners Chris Sidoti and Miloon Kothari.

Last November, a new panel was appointed by the Human Rights Council - reintegrating Mr. Sidoti - along with fellow jurists Mr. Muralidhar of India and Ms. Mumba of Zambia.

The Commission chair noted that funding shortages had prevented the panel from investigating the supply of arms and settler violence, despite this being part of its mandate from the Human Rights Council.

"Because of a shortage of finances, we could not go into those areas," Mr. Muralidhar explained to journalists.

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World News in Brief: Winter attacks in Ukraine, looming food aid cuts in Nigeria, drought in Kenya

22 January 2026 - Russian forces launched a fresh wave of strikes across Ukraine this week which have left hundreds of thousands of families without electricity and heating amid freezing temperatures.

They include attacks in Odesa region on Wednesday that killed a 17-year-old boy, according to UN child rights agency UNICEF which called for an "end to attacks on civilian areas and the infrastructure children rely on."

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that attacks on the southeastern city of Kryvyi Rih on Wednesday had recommenced on Thursday.

Aid deliveries

"Teams delivered shelter materials to cover damaged homes and provided protection services to the affected residents," OCHA said in a tweet, stressing that "the cold weather is worsening the needs, requiring urgent aid."

Russia continues to target energy infrastructure in Ukraine, knocking out heat, electricity and water supply, UN human rights chief Volker Turk said on Tuesday.

"Civilians are bearing the brunt of these attacks. They can only be described as cruel. They must stop," he said.

Nigeria: Looming food aid cuts put one million at risk

More than a million people in northeast Nigeria could lose emergency food and nutrition assistance unless funding can be found "within weeks", the World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Thursday.

Nigeria is facing one of the worst hunger crises in recent times, with nearly 35 million people projected to face acute and severe food insecurity during the lean season.

They include roughly 15,000 people in Borno state who risk falling into catastrophic hunger, which is one step away from famine. These are the worst levels of hunger recorded in a decade, WFP said.

The crisis is unfolding amid renewed violence in the north which has devastated rural communities, displaced families and destroyed food reserves.

'Catastrophic' consequences

"Now is not the time to stop food assistance," said David Stevenson, WFP's Nigeria Country Director.

He warned of "catastrophic humanitarian, security and economic consequences" for Nigeria's most vulnerable people, who had been forced to flee their homes in search of food and shelter.

WFP is urgently seeking $129 million to sustain its operations in the northeast over the next six months, warning that this work could shut down unless funds are received.

Kenya drought impacts over two million people

More than two million people in Kenya are facing worsening food insecurity in the wake of the October to December 2025 rainy season - among the driest on record, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday.

The prolonged drought has led to rising malnutrition rates, increased risk of disease outbreaks and disrupted access to essential health services.

Regional drought

The impacts are also being felt in neighbouring Somalia, Tanzania and Uganda, where millions more people are at risk due to similar weather patterns and water shortages.

In Kenya, 10 counties are currently experiencing drought conditions, one of which is in the "alarm" phase. Furthermore, another 13 counties in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) regions are showing signs of drought stress.

While severe, the emergency was part of a known seasonal risk, WHO said. The UN agency has supported the Kenyan authorities including by providing cholera kits, pneumonia kits and essential supplies, as well as pre-positioning equipment in high-risk counties before the drought intensified.

WHO stressed the need to mobilize urgently to ensure both people and livestock have access to adequate food supply and safe water, and to prevent the situation from worsening.





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Today's top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, South Sudan, Venezuela, Mozambique

UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Occupied Palestinian Territory

UN, partners step up response in Gaza despite constraints

OCHA reports that people across the Gaza Strip are struggling to meet their needs as the humanitarian scale-up remains restricted.

Yesterday, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) reported that there are increased risks of gender-based violence, child marriage and exploitation.

It says that damage to health facilities, safe spaces and clinics - combined with displacement, movement restrictions and flooding - has sharply limited access to psychosocial support and medical care.

The UN and its partners continue to respond to existing and emerging humanitarian needs across the Strip. Since Sunday and as of yesterday, humanitarian partners leading on emergency shelter assistance have reached over 13,000 households, distributing hundreds of tents and thousands of tarpaulins.

The UN and its partners also continued to distribute mattresses, sleeping bags, blankets, warm clothes, cooking utensils and solar lights.

Humanitarian partners responsible for site management report that - due to capacity and funding constraints - they are currently able to provide support in just around 40 per cent of the existing 970 displacement sites across the Strip.

OCHA reports that over 100 Palestinian Bedouin and herding households from five communities across the central West Bank were displaced in just two weeks - between 6 and 19 January - due to ongoing settler attacks, threats and intimidation. These attacks have prevented residents from reaching their homes, pastures and water.

Yesterday, UNFPA reported that the ongoing operations by Israeli forces along with settler violence and movement restrictions continue to disrupt people's access to schools, workplaces, markets and health care.

The agency estimated that more than 230,000 women and girls, including nearly 15,000 pregnant women, have limited access to reproductive health services due to the escalation of violence, particularly in the governorates of Jenin, Tulkarm and Tubas .

*Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in Gaza with urgent support.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Civilians killed, displaced as violence surges in country's east

OCHA reports that the humanitarian situation in the provinces of North and South Kivu continues to worsen, marked by further civilian casualties, displacement and mounting threats to humanitarian operations.

In the Rutshuru territory of North Kivu, the UN and its partners report that, between 12 and 19 January, at least 50 civilians were killed and about a dozen others injured during a series of armed attacks and clashes.

In the Uvira territory of South Kivu, local civil society indicates that at least 12 civilians have been killed by armed groups since 18 January. Fearing further violence, at least 2,400 people fled from the city of Uvira to the locality of Kamanyola, where they are staying with host families and in collective centers. Their most urgent needs include food, shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene services, protection and health care.

Humanitarian access remains a major challenge in South Kivu, particularly in Fizi territory, where the closure of key roads due to insecurity has disrupted operations, including the delivery of medical supplies to respond to cholera. And yesterday, in the town of Baraka, armed people entered some compounds of our humanitarian partners, threatening staff and attempting to requisition humanitarian assets.

The UN strongly condemns attacks on civilians and threats against humanitarian workers and urges all parties to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and to facilitate safe, sustained and unhindered humanitarian access.

Sudan

Drones strikes escalate civilian suffering in North Kordofan

OCHA indicates it is alarmed by the growing impact of drone attacks in North Kordofan State, which are endangering civilians and further constraining humanitarian access.

On Tuesday, multiple drone strikes were reported in the villages of Rehaid Al Nuba, Al-Shaatout and Um Andaraba, around 90 to 110 kilometres south-east of the state capital El Obeid. These areas lie along a critical logistics corridor and the attacks risk severing the city's eastern supply lines.

Another strike was reported on the same day in the village of Wadi Al-Hout, about 30 kilometres north of El Obeid, underscoring the increasing frequency and geographic spread of aerial attacks across the state.

At the same time, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimatesthat yesterday, more than 2,400 people were displaced from several villages in the locality of Um Dam Haj Ahmed in North Kordofan.

OCHA warns that continued insecurity is placing civilians at heightened risk and further restricting the movement of humanitarian supplies. All parties must protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and ensure rapid, safe, unhindered and sustained humanitarian access.

Meanwhile, in the locality of Tawila in North Darfur State, the UN and its partners report serious shortfalls in food assistance for newly arrived displaced families in Daba Naira camp, highlighting the urgent need to scale up food distributions.

Also on food, the World Food Progamme (WFP) says that despite severe access and funding constraints, it reached 3.6 million people in December, including 1.7 million in Darfur. However, WFP warns that by the end of March, it will have exhausted its food stocks in Sudan and urgently requires $700 million to sustain life-saving operations through June.

The crisis is also deepening for children. Yesterday, Save the Children reported that more than 8 million children across Sudan have been out of classrooms for about 500 days.

In North Darfur State, only 3 per cent of more than 1,100 schools remain open, while schools in West Kordofan, South Darfur and West Darfur states are operating at just 15, 13 and 27 per cent respectively, according to data from our partners.

Months of unpaid salaries have eroded teacher morale, forcing some to abandon their posts. Without urgent funding to pay teachers, rehabilitate learning spaces and provide essential supplies, Sudan's education system risks collapse.

OCHA once again urges donors to step up support. In 2026, the UN and our partners are calling for $2.9 billion to reach more than 20 million people who need assistance.

*Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in Sudan with urgent support.

South Sudan

UN mobilizes $10 million to boost aid to thousands forced from their homes in Jonglei

The Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC), Tom Fletcher, has allocated $10 million dollars from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to swiftly help nearly 180,000 people uprooted by conflict in Jonglei State in the east of the country.

The funds will go towards food; healthcare; shelter; water, sanitation and hygiene; and the prevention of gender-based violence and violence against children.

Since the end of December, conflict has uprooted more than 200,000 people. Women and girls, children, people with disabilities, and older people are increased at increased risk of violence and exploitation.

A no-fly zone in Jonglei State declared by the government, insecurity and red tape continue to restrict movement. Some 15 NGOs continue to provide life-saving aid with the resources available to them.

This year, we and our partners are calling for nearly $1.5 billion to help more than 4 million people in need this year.

Venezuela

UN, partners continue to support people in need

OCHA reports that the UN and its partners continue to deliver aid in the areas of food, health, nutrition, protection, water and sanitation, and education.

The Pan American Health Organization reports that a shipment of 23 tonnes of medical supplies arrived in Venezuela on January 20th from Brazil to support the national hemodialysis and nephrology programme. This is part of a 300-tonne assistance package, coordinated with Venezuelan health authorities, for treatment to continue for around 8,000 patients, including more than 500 children.

The UN and its partners are also providing psychosocial and mental-health support where resources allow, as reports of cases of psychological and emotional abuse, as well as gender-based violence are on the rise.

As a reminder, Venezuela was among the most underfunded humanitarian operations in 2025, with the protection sector, which includes child protection and gender-based violence, among the least funded. This year, the UN and its partners need $606 million to support 5.4 million people in need.

*Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in Venezuela with urgent support.

Mozambique

UN allocates $5 million to support flood relief efforts

ERC Fletcher has allocated $5 million from CERF to respond to the widespread floods in the country.

The new funds will support the Government-led response in the flood-affected districts in Gaza and neighbouring provinces, including Maputo and Sofala.

Meanwhile, OCHA reports that a total of 350,000 people are estimated to have been displaced by the flooding. The UN and its partners continue to step up our efforts, with boats available for search-and-rescue operations. Two WFP amphibious vehicles have been deployed to reach areas inaccessible by road. WFP is stretching its limited resources to the maximum to support 375,000 of the most affected people with seven-day emergency food kits.

OCHA indicates that a revised 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan will be launched tomorrow by the Government of Mozambique and the UN to reflect the humanitarian needs related to the widespread floods.

*Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in Mozambique with urgent support.

Posted on 22 January 2026

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Oral conclusions drawn by President Antonio Costa following the informal meeting of the members of the European Council of 22 January 2026

European Council / Council of the European Union

European Council

Statements and remarks

23 January 2026 00:40

The European Union and the United States have long been partners and allies. We have built a transatlantic community forged by history, anchored in common values, and dedicated to the prosperity and security of our peoples.

We believe that relationships between partners and allies should be managed in a cordial and respectful way.

Europe and the United States have a shared interest in the security of the Arctic region, notably working through NATO. The European Union will also play a stronger role in this region.

In this context, I want to be very clear: the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenland have the full support of the European Union. Only the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland.

This is a reflection of our firm commitment to the principles of international law, territorial integrity and national sovereignty, which are essential for Europe and for the international community as a whole. These principles will continue to guide our action.

Against this backdrop, yesterday's announcement that there will be no new US tariffs on Europe is positive. The imposition of additional tariffs would have been incompatible with the EU-US trade deal. Our focus must now be on moving forward on the implementation of that deal. The goal remains the effective stabilization of the trade relations between the European Union and the US.

At the same time, the European Union will continue to stand up for its interests and will defend itself, its member states, its citizens and its companies, against any form of coercion. It has the power and the tools to do so and will do so if and when necessary.

Looking ahead, we remain ready to continue engaging constructively with the United States on all issues of common interest, including on creating the conditions for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

We have serious doubts about a number of elements in the charter of the Board of Peace related to its scope, its governance and its compatibility with the UN Charter.

We are ready to work together with the US on the implementation of the comprehensive Peace Plan for Gaza, with a Board of Peace carrying out its mission as a transitional administration, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2803.

Let me conclude by recalling that the European Union is focused on delivering an ambitious agenda for our citizens: on defense, on competitiveness, on building a more strategically autonomous Europe.

That is why the next Leaders' meeting, on the 12th of February, will be a strategic brainstorming dedicated to strengthening the Single Market in a new geoeconomic context.

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Milei says Argentina doesn't have to choose between US and China: media

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Jan 23, 2026 01:09 AM

Argentine president Javier Milei said his country does not have to choose between the US and China as he appeared at the ongoing World Economic Forum in Davos, according to the Telegraph.

"I want an open economy. And if you look at the weight of China in the world economy, you will understand that I need to trade with China," he told a Bloomberg event at the summit on Thursday.

The report cited him as saying that his responsibility was to act in the best interests of the 47.5m Argentines. "My plan is to open up to the EU, to the US, to China. ... The US does trade with China. The way we see it, China is a great trading partner," per report.

When asked to confirm reports that Argentine President Javier Milei plans to pay a visit to China in 2026 and whether China is open to receiving him, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press conference on January 14 that she has no information to share at the moment regarding the visit.

Meanwhile, "China attaches great importance to developing relations with Argentina and is willing to strengthen exchanges at all levels with the Argentine side, deepen political mutual trust and promote practical cooperation to deliver benefits to the peoples of both countries," said Mao.

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U.S. House blocks resolution to bar Trump from using military force in Venezuela

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 13:10, January 23, 2026

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday narrowly rejected a Democratic-led resolution barring President Donald Trump from further using military force in Venezuela without explicit congressional authorization.

Two Republicans joined all 213 Democrats in voting for the resolution, resulting in a 215-215 tie, which is enough to defeat it.

"This is crazy. We can't be asleep at the switch -- no oversight, no hearing, no votes, just blind obedience to the executive. That's not the way this place is supposed to run," House Rules Committee ranking member Jim McGovern, who led the resolution, said on the House floor.

Republicans dismissed the measure as unnecessary, saying the United States is not at war with Venezuela.

The Senate earlier this month rejected a comparable war powers measure after two Republican senators reversed course under pressure from the White House.

The U.S. military launched an attack on Venezuela and captured the country's leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife on Jan. 3.

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10 army troopers killed, 10 injured as vehicle falls into gorge in India-controlled Kashmir

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 10:11, January 23, 2026

NEW DELHI, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- At least 10 Indian army troopers were killed and 10 others injured Thursday after a vehicle carrying them skidded off the mountainous road and fell into a gorge in Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said.

The accident took place at Khanni top along the Bhaderwah-Chamba interstate road in Doda district, about 252 km southeast of Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

Immediately after the accident, a joint rescue operation was launched by the army and police to retrieve the bodies and help the injured.

Reports said the bullet-proof vehicle carrying 20 personnel was headed towards a high altitude post when the driver lost control of it and plunged into a 200-feet-deep gorge.

Deadly road accidents are common in India, often due to overloading, bad conditions of roads and reckless driving.

India's federal minister of road transport and highways, Nitin Gadkari, revealed in December 2024 that road accidents claim approximately 178,000 lives each year in India, and around 60 percent of those fatalities occur among individuals aged 18 to 34 years.

Last year, over 480,000 road accidents were recorded in the country.

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Denmark says NATO chief has no mandate to negotiate on Greenland

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 09:21, January 23, 2026

The statement followed comments from U.S. President Donald Trump, who said Wednesday that his meeting with Rutte produced "the framework of a future deal" concerning Greenland and the broader Arctic region.

OSLO, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated on Thursday that NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte does not have a mandate to negotiate on behalf of Denmark or Greenland.

The statement followed comments from U.S. President Donald Trump, who said Wednesday that his meeting with Rutte produced "the framework of a future deal" concerning Greenland and the broader Arctic region.

Frederiksen told Danish media that while Denmark has coordinated with a number of partners, including Rutte, to address the challenges facing Greenland, Rutte is not authorized to negotiate on behalf of Denmark or Greenland.

"The aim is to find a path that respects international law as well as the sovereignty of Denmark and Greenland," she added.

Frederiksen said that NATO can only negotiate matters on NATO's behalf relating to its own Arctic operations. She added that all parties agreed Arctic nations should strengthen cooperation and maintain a long-term presence in the region.

Frederiksen also reaffirmed Denmark's red lines, saying that Greenland's future should be decided by Greenland and sovereignty is not negotiable.

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Concerns about U.S. armed seizure of Greenland ease, transatlantic rifts remain

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 08:18, January 23, 2026

BEIJING, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- A freewheeling speech by U.S. President Donald Trump in the Swiss Alpine town of Davos on Wednesday stunned the audience, putting transatlantic rifts under the spotlight, despite eased concerns about a possible U.S. armed seizure of Greenland, a self-governing territory of Denmark.

CONCERNS EASE

In his speech, Trump ruled out taking Greenland by military force, saying he did not intend to use "excessive strength and force," while insisting the United States was uniquely positioned to secure the territory.

"I don't have to use force. I don't want to use force, I won't use force. All the United States is asking for is a place called Greenland," he said.

Trump called for "immediate negotiations" on a U.S. acquisition of the territory, describing it as "a strategic national and international security interest."

"His comments marked a strategic shift and a walkback for the White House," CNN said Wednesday in an analysis. "Trump's walkback notably comes after we saw something pretty unusual on Tuesday: foreign leaders standing up to him and talking about banding together to resist the United States."

"His pledge, if he sticks to it, makes much more unlikely the previously unthinkable prospect of the United States effectively invading a NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) ally," the analysis added.

Trump also announced on Wednesday his decision not to follow through on his threat to impose new tariffs on eight European countries over Greenland following a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. In a social media post, Trump said a framework had emerged from a "very productive meeting" with Rutte. "Based upon this understanding, I will not be imposing the Tariffs that were scheduled to go into effect on Feb. 1," Trump wrote.

While the concern is eased "at least for now," the CNN analysis warned, "the clash is hardly over."

Trump told Fox Business on Thursday morning that the United States will get everything it wants, in relation to Greenland, "at no cost," adding that a part of the Golden Dome missile defense system will be on the island.

Speaking at a press conference in Davos, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said that while he welcomed Trump's public statement ruling out military force over Greenland, he remained disappointed by the overall tone and substance of the remarks.

"He continued with rhetoric that was both threatening and scornful towards Denmark, Greenland, Canada and several European countries," Kristersson said.

RIFTS REMAIN

Trump's Greenland-related tariff threats angered the Europeans, with European Council President Antonio Costa saying on Wednesday that the European Union (EU) will defend itself against any form of coercion.

"We stand ready to defend ourselves, our member states, our citizens, our companies, against any form of coercion. The EU has the power and the tools to do so," Costa said in a speech at the European Parliament.

"We cannot accept that the law of the strongest prevails over the rights of the weakest," Costa said, adding that "international rules are not optional, and alliances cannot just boil down to a sequence of transactions."

The European Parliament on Wednesday decided to put on hold approval of an EU-U.S. trade deal reached in July 2025 in response to U.S. tariff threats.

In Davos, French President Emmanuel Macron said that the EU "should not hesitate" to deploy its anti-coercion mechanism in response to the U.S. tariff threats linked to Greenland.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also expressed strong support for Greenland and Denmark and opposition to tariffs proposed by the United States.

Canada is a founding NATO member and Washington's key partner in the North American Aerospace Defense Command. Ironically, the Canadian Armed Forces have developed a conceptual model responding to a hypothetical military invasion by the United States, local media reported on Tuesday.

Two senior government officials were cited as saying that it is the first time in a century that Canada's military has created a model of an American assault.

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Russo-Ukraine War - 22 January 2026 - Day 1429

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, 196 combat clashes have taken place since the beginning of this day. Ukrainian defenders continue to decisively give an offence to the Russian enemy's attempts to advance deep into Ukrainian territory.

Russian zagarbniki made one rocket and 70 aviation strikes, used one rocket and dropped 171 controlled bombs. In addition, 2862 kamikaze drones were recruited to impress and carried out 2,717 shelling positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements.

Three attacks of Russian attackers took place in the North Slobozhansky and Kursky directions. The Russian enemy launched three air strikes, dropping five controlled bombs and carrying out 58 shelling of positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements, one of which was from a reactive arson system.

Today, Russian forces attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders eight times in the South Slobozhansky direction in the areas of the settlements of Prylipka, Vovchansk, Vovchansky Khutory and towards Izbitskyi, one confrontation is ongoing.

In the Kupyansky direction, Ukrainian soldiers repelled the Russian attack in the area of the Sinkivka settlement.

In the Lyman direction, the Defense Forces repelled seven Russian assault actions in the areas of populated areas of Mirne, Drobisheve, Kolodyazi, Zarichne and Yampolivka.

In the Slavic direction from the beginning of the day, the Russian opponent twice attacked near the settlement of Svyato-Pokrovskke.

In the Kramators komu direction today, seven Russian assault actions in the areas of the settlements of Orikhovo-Vasilivka, Times of Yar and towards Markovy.

20 combat clashes took place in the Konstantinivsky direction today. The Russian enemy stormed the positions of Ukrainian units in the settlements of Predtecina, Pleshiyivka, Ivanopylya, Yablunivka, Rusin Yar and Sofiyivka.

In the Pokrovsky direction since the beginning of this day, the Russian enemy attacked 62 times in the areas of settlements Shahove, Ivanivka, Dorozhne, Rodinske, Suhetske, Pokrovsk, Kotline, Udaachne, Molodetske, Gorihove, Dachne and towards Novopavlivka. In some locations, the fights are still ongoing.

Today in this direction, according to preliminary data, 192 Russian invaders were defecated, 150 of which - irrevocably. In addition, Ukrainian soldiers destroyed 11 units of automotive equipment, 40 bpla and antenna communication. Also Ukrainian defenders have struck eight coverings of the Russian enemy's personnel.

In the Oleksandrivsky direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled 12 Russian attacks in the areas of settlements Zeleny Gai, Verbove, Stepovo, Vyshneve, Krasnogirsk and towards Nechaivka, two more clashes are ongoing so far.

In the direction of Gulyaipil, the Russian aggressor 34 times tried to advance on the positions of Ukrainian troops in the areas of Solodky, Varvarivka, Gulyaipol and towards Zelenoy and Dobropil, two confrontations are still ongoing.

In the Orihivs komu direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled the attack in the area of the settlement of Plavna.

In the Pridniprovsky direction had one failed Russian attempt to improve his position.

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. Manpower and hardware of a mechanised brigade, an assault regiment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and a territorial defence brigade have been hit close to Belopolye, Novaya Sech, and Khoten (Sumy region).

In Kharkov direction, units of two mechanised brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and a territorial defence brigade have been hit close to Volchanskiye Khutora, Zakharovka, and Okhrimovka (Kharkov region).

The enemy losses amounted to up to 140 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, 15 motor vehicles, a U.S.-made MLRS multiple launch rocket system, and two 155-mm Bogdana self-propelled artillery systems. Three materiel depots were destroyed.

The Zapad Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions. Russian troops hit three mechanised brigades, an assault brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and two national guard brigades near Berezovka, Kovsharovka (Kharkov region), Aleksandrovka, Drobyshevo, and Krasny Liman (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses amounted to up to 200 troops, five armoured fighting vehicles including a U.S.-made Stryker armoured personnel carrier, 25 motor vehicles, and three artillery guns. Four field ammunition depots were eliminated.

The Yug Group of Forces improved the tactical situation along the front line. Four mechanised brigades, a motorised infantry brigade, an airmobile brigade, and a mountain assault brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been hit near Berestok, Konstantinovka, Kurtovka, Nikiforovka, Reznikovka, Slavyansk, and Stepanovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to more than 145 troops, a tank, an armoured fighting vehicle, seven motor vehicles, and five field artillery guns including a U.S.-made 155-mm Paladin self-propelled artillery system. Three electronic warfare stations, two ammunition and materiel depots were neutralised.

The Tsentr Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions. The Russian Armed Forces engaged three mechanised brigades, a jaeger brigade, two air assault brigades, two assault regiments of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, a marine brigade, a territorial defence brigade, and two national guard brigades near Artemovka, Belitskoye, Grishino, Dobropolye, Novopavlovka, Sukhetskoye, Toretskoye, Udachnoye of the Donetsk People's Republic, and Novopodgorodnoye in Dnepropetrovsk region.

The AFU losses amounted to more than 445 troops, two tanks, two armoured fighting vehicles, 10 motor vehicles, three artillery guns, and one electronic warfare station.

The Vostok Group of Forces continue to advance into the depths of the enemy's defence. Strikes were delivered against four mechanised brigades, an assault brigade, three assault regiments of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and a territorial defence brigade near Skotovatoye (Dnepropetrovsk region), Blagodatnoye, Vozdvizhevka, Dolinka, Zalivnoye, Zarnitsa, Komsomolskoye, and Tersyanka (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy lost up to 250 troops, two armoured personnel carriers, four armoured fighting vehicles, seven motor vehicles, two field artillery guns, and a Grad MLRS system.

The Dnepr Group of Forces units inflicted losses on units of a mountain assault brigade and a coastal defence brigade of the AFU near Magdalinovka and Novoyakovlevka (Zaporozhye region).

More than 60 troops, five motor vehicles, two electronic warfare stations, a Kupol-M1 radar, a materiel depot were neutralised.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack drones, missile troops and artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have inflicted damage on energy infrastructure facilities employed for the interests of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, ammunition depots, temporary deployment areas of Ukrainian armed formations and foreign mercenaries in 142 areas.

Air defence units shot down nine guided aerial bombs and four HIMARS MLRS projectiles as well as 224 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.

In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 670 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 110,748 unmanned aerial vehicles, 646 anti-aircraft missile systems, 27,267 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,650 MLRS combat vehicles, 32,755 field artillery guns and mortars, and 52,531 units of support military vehicles have been neutralised.

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Treasury Sanctions One of the Caribbean's Largest Narcotics Traffickers and His Network

U.S. Department of the Treasury

January 22, 2026

OFAC Continues to Target Costa Rica-Based Cocaine Trafficking to the United States

WASHINGTON  Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated five Costa Rican nationals and five Costa Rica-based entities for their involvement in narcotics trafficking and money laundering. A key global cocaine transshipment point, Costa Rica has become an increasingly significant waypoint for criminal organizations trafficking cocaine to the United States. The network designated today is responsible for transporting multi-ton quantities of cocaine from Colombia, storing the drugs in Costa Rica, and ultimately shipping them to the United States and Europe. Luis Manuel Picado Grijalba, the leader of this network, is one of the most prolific drug traffickers operating in the Caribbean.

"The Trump Administration will not allow narcotraffickers to poison Americans," said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. "The entire drug trafficking supply chainfrom shipping facilitators to money launderersbears responsibility for American addictions and deaths. We will continue to hold them accountable for the devastation they cause in our homeland."

Today's action reflects the culmination of a coordinated Homeland Security Task Force-led investigation involving the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) San Jose Country Office and Dallas Field Office, as well as Costa Rica's Office of the Attorney General, Drug Control Police, Office of Judicial Investigation, Public Force (Fuerza Publica), and Financial Intelligence Unit. OFAC works in close coordination with the Homeland Security Task Forces, which targets the proliferation of illicit drugs and the networks, enablers, and financial mechanisms that support their production and distribution. This unified, whole-of-government approach ensures operational coordination to maximize the impact against transnational criminal networks. This action was taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14059, which targets the proliferation of illicit drugs and their means of production.

TREASURY'S DISRUPTION OF COSTA RICAN NARCOTICS TRAFFICKING

Since it opened in 2019, Moin seaport in Limon, Costa Rica, has become a key regional transshipment hub for cocaine. Criminal groups have continually fought to control the port and its surrounding territory to ship cocaine inside containers leaving the port. Costa Rican security and police officials attribute the increase in violence to drug trafficking organizations fighting over control of territory and drug trafficking routes in the country.

OFAC has continued to build on its previous collaboration with the DEA in Costa Rica to address the increase in drug trafficking and related violent crime in Costa Rica. On November 15, 2023, OFAC designated Costa Rican drug trafficker Gilbert Hernan de Los Angeles Bell Fernandez (Bell) pursuant to E.O. 14059 for the significant role he played in Costa Rica's transformation into a major narcotics transit hub. On August 15, 2025, OFAC designated major drug traffickers Celso Manuel Gamboa (Gamboa) and Edwin Danney Lopez Vega (Lopez) pursuant to E.O. 14059 for the significant role they played in facilitating the movement of tens of millions of dollars' worth of cocaine through Costa Rica. Today's action targeted associates of Bell and Lopez and the largest cocaine trafficking organization in Costa Rica  a group led by Luis Manuel Picado Grijalba (a.k.a. "Shock") and his brother, Jordie Kevin Picado Grijalba (a.k.a. "Noni").

TREASURY'S CONTINUED EFFORTS TO COMBAT COCAINE TRAFFICKING IN COSTA RICA

Shock and Noni established themselves as two of the most prolific cocaine traffickers in Costa Rica through their direct contact with cocaine suppliers in Colombia. Shock and Noni are responsible for importing cocaine to Costa Rica, largely via maritime routes, and storing the cocaine at warehouses throughout the country. They expanded their business by forming alliances with other prominent traffickers, such as Bell and Lopez, as well as armed groups, including a gang of sicarios, orhitmen, controlled by Tonny Alexander Pena Russell (Pena Russell). Shock and Noni used these relationships to consolidate power and exert control over key regional drug trafficking routes. In December 2024, Shock was arrested in the United Kingdom and is currently being held pending a final decision on extradition to the United States.

Costa Rican authorities have taken proactive measures to counter Shock and Noni's illegal activities. In August 2025, Noni was arrested in Costa Rica and is also being held pending a final decision on extradition to the United States. Pena Russell was arrested in 2024 and charged with 78 counts of murder, many of which were on Shock's orders. In November 2025, Costa Rican police launched a large-scale operation targeting Shock and Noni's organization in Limon and San Jose, leading to the arrest of 30 individuals and the seizure of 14 tons of drugs and many luxury assets.

Today, Luis Manuel Picado Grijalba and Jordie Kevin Picado Grijalba are being designated pursuant to E.O. 14059 for having engaged in, or attempted to engage in, activities or transactions that have materially contributed to, or pose a significant risk of materially contributing to, the international proliferation of illicit drugs or their means of production.

Tonny Alexander Pena Russell is being designated pursuant to E.O. 14059 for having provided, or attempted to provide, financial material, or technological support for, or good or services to or in support of, Luis Manuel Picado Grijalba.

A FAMILY-RUN MONEY LAUNDERING NETWORK

In addition to these key alliances, Shock also worked closely with family members to facilitate his drug trafficking operations and launder illicit proceeds. Shock's wife, Estefania Mc Donald Rodriguez (Estefania McDonald Rodriguez),and his mother-in-law, Anita Yorleny Mc Donal Rodriguez (a.k.a. Anita McDonald Rodriguez), used their businesses to launder money for Shock. Anita McDonald Rodriguez also notarized fraudulent transactions on Shock's behalf.

Estefania McDonald Rodriguez and Anita McDonald Rodriguez are being designated pursuant to E.O. 14059 for being owned, controlled, or directed by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Luis Manuel Picado Grijalba.

The companies operated by Estefania McDonald and Anita McDonald to facilitate Shock's criminal activities include: Asociacion de Lideres Limonenses del Sector Pesquero (ASOLIPES), 3-101-507688 SA, Celajes de York CDY SA (Celajes de York CDY), Magic Esthetic Salon SA (Magic Esthetic Salon), and Inversiones Laurita L&L SA (Inversiones Laurita L&L). ASOLIPES, 3-101-507688 SA, and Inversiones Laurita L&L have been temporarily suspended by Costa Rican authorities due to their links to money laundering and drug trafficking.

Asociacion de Lideres Limonenses del Sector Pesquero isbeing designated pursuant to E.O. 14059 for being owned, controlled, or directed by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Anita McDonald Rodriguez.

3-101-507688 SA, Celajes de York CDY SA, and Inversiones Laurita L&L SA are being designated pursuant to E.O. 14059 for being owned, controlled, or directed by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Estefania McDonald Rodriguez.

Magic Esthetic Salon SA is being designated pursuant to E.O. 14059 for being owned, controlled, or directed by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Estefania McDonald Rodriguez and Anita McDonald Rodriguez.

SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS

As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of the designated or blocked persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC's regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of blocked persons.

Violations of U.S. sanctions may result in the imposition of civil or criminal penalties on U.S. and foreign persons. OFAC may impose civil penalties for sanctions violations on a strict liability basis. OFAC's Economic Sanctions Enforcement Guidelines provide more information regarding OFAC's enforcement of U.S. economic sanctions. In addition, financial institutions and other persons may risk exposure to sanctions for engaging in certain transactions or activities involving designated or otherwise blocked persons. The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any designated or blocked person, or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person. Non-U.S. persons are also prohibited from causing or conspiring to cause U.S. persons to wittingly or unwittingly violate U.S. sanctions, as well as engaging in conduct that evades U.S. sanctions.

The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC's ability to designate and add persons to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List), but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, or to submit a request, please refer to OFAC's guidance on Filing a Petition for Removal from an OFAC List.

To view the chart on the persons designated today, click here.

For more information on the persons designated today, click here.

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China's first full-scale commercial crewed spacecraft test capsule unveiled, opening new chapter in space economy

Global Times

By Liang Rui in Chengdu Published: Jan 22, 2026 09:57 PM

InterstellOr, the only private company in China approved to undertake a national-level commercial crewed spaceflight project, on Thursday unveiled China's first full-scale commercial crewed spacecraft test capsule, Suborbital Spacecraft Crosser 1 (hereafter CYZ1), at a launch event in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan Province. The CYZ1 technical team revealed that more than three spacecraft have already been booked, involving over 20 space tourists in total. The company expects to conducts its first crewed flight in 2028.

The CYZ1 crewed spacecraft is China's first crewed spacecraft designed with full reusability as a core development goal. Building on the development experience of the Shenzhou spacecraft and the new-generation crewed spacecraft, which have achieved partial reusability of their return capsules, CYZ1 places user experience at its core and draws on international design concepts, according to the company.

The spacecraft aims to achieve a reusability rate of 99 percent by mass, through innovative configuration design and the reusable key systems, the company said.

During the event, the technical team introduced the project's current progress and outlined the key technological challenges they have overcome. The first group of space tourists also appeared at the event, sharing their plans for space travel and the training they have undergone.

According to the InterstellOr, in order to enhance space tourists' ability for suborbital flight and ensure a positive flight experience, participants are required to undergo systematic, professional training before any space mission.

Wu Jie, a Chinese spaceflight training expert, told the Global Times that for ordinary people who are interested in traveling to space, age may not be the primary factor to consider.

"The requirements for space tourists will not be as strict as those for professional astronauts, but they do need to understand basic knowledge," Wu said. Unlike aviation simulation experiences, space travel requires participants to acquire general aerospace knowledge, specialized technical knowledge, and space medicine fundamentals first. Suborbital flights, in particular, demand targeted training. For example, participants must learn about rockets, spacecraft, landing sites, launch facilities, tracking and communications systems, and become familiar with the various phases and procedures of a flight.

"We must make sufficient preparation on the ground, master the response measures at each stage, and learn how to handle emergencies quickly," he said.

At the venue, visitors lined up to experience the hand-cranked space ring, a program designed to simulate space environment adaptation training.

Considering the perspective of industrial opportunities, Lei Shiqing, founder and CEO of InterstellOr, told the Global Times that she believes the current moment represents a "historic strategic window."

"Today, China has many outstanding companies in related fields, with intense competition across both the rocket and satellite sectors. To catch up more quickly with international advanced levels, China's commercial space industry should work together, complementing one another's strengths and pursuing cooperation for mutual benefit," Lei said.

Meanwhile, launching a new industrial direction in China's commercial crewed spaceflight sector and tapping into the vast growth potential of the global space economy are expected to drive the development of a wide range of related upstream and downstream industries, including commercial launch vehicles, spacecraft manufacturing, space biomedicine, artificial intelligence, and aerospace components, according to the company.

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Local defence manufacturing industry receives funding boost

The Hon Pat Conroy MP

Minister for Defence Industry

Minister for Pacific Island Affairs

23 January 2026

More than $17 million has been allocated to 44 Australian businesses in the latest rounds of the Defence Industry Development Grants (DIDG) program.

This new round brings the current total grant allocation to more than $51 million awarded through the program to date across four delivery streams: Exports, Skilling, Security and Sovereign Industrial Priorities.

The DIDG program represents a total investment of $170 million. This demonstrates Australia's commitment to expanding and modernising our sovereign defence industrial base - a key priority of the Defence Industry Development Strategy and National Defence Strategy.

Through the program, defence industry businesses across the country will expand export opportunities and improve global competitiveness. They will strengthen cyber, physical and personnel security to meet Defence standards and deliver technical training to grow Australia's skilled defence workforce.

This latest round of grants will also continue to drive investment in advanced manufacturing; aligned with sovereign defence priorities such as submarines, aerospace, guided weapons, explosive ordnance and advanced technologies.

The grants include eight projects funded by the Australian Submarine Agency, totalling $2.9 million; to support the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine program. This will help build a strong, sovereign submarine enterprise, critical for Australia's National Defence in the decades to come.

The DIDG program continues to provide matching grants of up to 50 per cent to eligible Australian defence suppliers, with applications open year-round until 2028.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Pat Conroy MP:

"We're backing Australian businesses, Australian workers and Australian innovation to deliver the capabilities the Australian Defence Force (ADF) needs.

"These new grants will help local companies scale up, modernise and grow, ensuring our nation has the industrial strength and skills base to meet future challenges.

"Every one of these projects contributes to a stronger, more resilient and sovereign defence industry - creating jobs, driving innovation, and building a future made in Australia."

The latest grant recipients (by stream) include:

Sovereign Industrial Priorities Stream

 Australian Textile Group (Vic) will receive $1,000,000 to acquire a high-performance stenter for precision textile finishing of fabrics used in ADF combat uniforms and personal protective equipment.

 Catten Industries (Vic) will receive $1,000,000 to procure automated laser cutting machine and fibre laser welding systems to enhance the supply into armoured vehicle and naval defence programs, particularly the Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle and components for naval valve systems to be delivered under the AUKUS program.

 DVR Engineering (Vic) will receive $1,000,000 to procure a 5-axis computer numerical control (CNC) machining centre to enhance the supply into AS9 Huntsman SPH and AS21 Redback IFV vehicles.

 Franmarine (WA) will receive $1,000,000 to commission a mobile underwater sustainment system to enable critical underwater submarine maintenance and sustainment.

 GPC Electronics (NSW) will receive $1,000,000 to acquire an electronic component testing capability to support the production of printed circuit assemblies (PCAs) for the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile program and other Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) subassembly supply chains.

 Prestige Precision Tools (Qld) will receive $1,000,000 to establish the manufacturing capability for high-precision carbide tooling inserts, delivering tooling solutions that meet the stringent requirements of platforms such as the Joint Strike Fighter and other advanced weapons systems.

 Van Munster Boats (NSW) will receive $969,084 to procure specialised composites manufacturing equipment to support the production of Bluebottle uncrewed surface vessels for autonomous maritime surveillance.

 Rivierra (Vic) will receive $998,568 to procure a CNC vertical machining centre and a multitasking CNC lathe to enhance the manufacture of entrenching tools.

 Rosebank Engineering (Vic) will receive $781,739 to establish a state-of-the-art cold spray facility supported by advanced robotic control and precision part manipulation to support surface and sub-surface vessels and future AUKUS class submarines.

 Levett Engineering (SA) will receive $766,551 to procure a 5-axis CNC machine to enhance the fabrication of complex aluminium components for guided weapons, explosive ordnance and munitions.

 Stella Engineering (NSW) will receive $650,158 to acquire capital equipment to commission advanced anodising capability for multiple high-value suppliers within the defence sector.

 Airspeed (SA) will receive $599,118 to procure a 5-axis CNC machine to enhance manufacturing processes and achieve a higher production rate for the skirts of carbon fibre solid rocket motor cases in support of the GWEO program.

 Benelec (NSW) will receive $503,222 to establish an RF antenna testing laboratory to enable development and verification of advanced mesh radio systems, uncrewed systems, counter-uncrewed systems, and electronic warfare antennas.

 Alsop Engineering (NSW) will receive $502,774 to procure a CNC turning centre and a 5-axis vertical machining centre to increase production capacity, precision, and supply chain responsiveness across key Defence programs, particularly Ghost Shark and the Young Endeavour reconstruction.

 Advanced Navigation (NSW) will receive $499,129 to acquire and integrate a new dual-axis inertial sensor calibration system to enable next-generation Defence solutions for long range autonomous navigation platforms and precision guided munitions.

 Australian Steel (Vic) will receive $472,449 to procure a CNC cutting machine and robotic handling systems to enhance the manufacturing capability of critical specialised steels for multiple platforms, principally the Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle the Hunter class frigate.

 MCHND (SA) will receive $400,000 to procure a CNC 5-axis machine to enhance the manufacturing of faceplates for Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicles and components for Defence's passive radar systems.

 Craig International Ballistic (Qld) will receive $263,663 to acquire an automated polyurea coating system for defence armour and vehicle protection, and for future applications in the naval and land ballistic composite panel manufacture.

 Applied Measurements Australia (Vic) will receive $250,196 to procure a laser welding table and testing and calibration instrumentation for the manufacture of pressure transducers to support the Collins Class life of type extension and future AUKUS submarines.

 Global Welding Technologies Group (SA) will receive $226,471 to establish an advanced welding manufacturing and training centre designed for industrial-grade manual and robotic welding applications, to support shipbuilding capabilities including the Hunter-class frigates and future AUKUS submarines.

 Jack Thompson Engineering (Vic) will receive $154,841 to procure a coordinate-measuring machine and supporting equipment to establish a precision quality assurance and certifying capability of steel plate for the AUKUS program.

 Ballistic and Mechanical Testing (Vic) will receive $50,519 to acquire and commission an advanced optical system to enhance its ballistic testing capabilities for armour solutions.

Exports stream

 Cowan Manufacturing (NSW) will receive $250,000 to procure a fiber laser cutter to modernise the manufacture of recompression chambers used in diving and undersea operations.

 HTA (Vic) will receive $250,000 to acquire and install a drop-bottom furnace to support heat treatment processes for land, air, and sea components that must meet stringent defence and aerospace standards.

 Levett Engineering (SA) will receive $250,000 to procure a DMC75 monoBLOCK 3 pallet milling machine to manufacture precision components for export opportunities to the US and UK in several defence capability areas including the SSN AUKUS nuclear powered submarine program and repair and overhaul of components for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

 Nu Metric Manufacturing (SA) will receive $250,000 to acquire precision assembly equipment, including collaborative robotics and a high-precision portable measuring arm equipped with a laser scanner, for the assembly, automated inspection, and validation of aircraft components.

 Thrust Maritime (Vic) will receive $167,831 to procure a 32 tonne gantry crane for manufacturing operations that involve the fabrication, assembly and testing of heavy components and systems used in submarine rescue and subsea infrastructure operations.

 Defendtex Research Labs (Vic) will receive $135,503 to acquire a selective laser sintering 3D printer for prototyping and producing military grade components used in autonomous vehicles, guided weapons and explosive ordnance munitions deployed by allied defence forces.

Skilling stream

 Quality Maritime Surveyors (SA) will receive $239,404 to upskill workforce in non-destructive testing to support critical requirements in submarine and ship sustainment activities.

 Eptec Marine (NSW) will receive $140,600 to upskill its technicians in industrial coating application and inspection in line with defence standards recently adopted by US.

 Rosebank Engineering (Vic) will receive $67,891 to upskill its workforce in non-destructive testing, CAD/CAM programming, robotics, quality assurance, materials technology, explosives handling, IT proficiency.

 Ocius Technology (NSW) will receive $48,667 to upskill technicians in systems engineering and maritime autonomy to sustain the Bluebottle uncrewed surface vehicle capability.

 K39 Consulting (Qld) will receive $24,601 to upskill its workforce in specialist areas of explosive ordnance safety, sustainment logistics, and defence project delivery.

 Asset Reliability Inspections (WA) will receive $22,920 to develop its workforce in high-quality inspection services to support critical defence infrastructure.

 International Centre for Complex Project Management (ACT) will receive $22,896 to deliver a complex project leadership training course for Australian defence businesses.

 Fusion Engineering Consulting Services (Vic) will receive $20,767 to enhance competencies of its technicians in the acceptance of printed boards, cables and harness assemblies.

 C4I (Vic) will receive $5,845 to enhance critical workforce skills, ensuring voice communication solutions meet the evolving needs, operational environment, and mission requirements of the ADF.

 JVAT Solutions (Vic) will receive $5,498 to develop key staff on systems engineering, hypersonic flight vehicle design, performance analysis and professional project management.

 Shoal Group (SA) will receive $5,139 to develop workforce capability in formal project management, strengthening business performance and ensuring alignment with Sovereign Defence Industrial Priorities.

Security stream

 Luminact (Vic) will receive $100,000 to uplift cybersecurity controls and enhance physical security to meet Defence security requirements.

 Secure State Consultants (SA) will receive $100,000 to uplift cybersecurity controls to meet Defence security requirements.

 Stahl Metal (Vic) will receive $73,700 to uplift governance, physical and cybersecurity posture to meet Defence security requirements.

 Danger Solutions (NSW) will receive $51,178 to uplift cybersecurity controls and enhance physical security to meet Defence security requirements.

 Falcon (Vic) will receive $20,840 to uplift governance, physical and personnel security posture to meet Defence security requirements.

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Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's telephone conversation with Foreign Minister of Belarus Maxim Ryzhenkov

22 January 2026 12:55

59-22-01-2026

On January 22, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had a telephone conversation with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Belarus Maxim Ryzhenkov.

The ministers discussed current issues of bilateral cooperation and foreign policy coordination, as well as a number of current issues on the international agenda. In particular, they exchanged views on US President Donald Trump's invitation to set up a Board of Peace extended to several countries, including the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus, and further steps to promote the joint Russian-Belarusian initiative for developing a Eurasian Charter of Multipolarity and Diversity in the XXI Century. The ministers also discussed a schedule of upcoming meetings and events, to be held at the highest and high levels.

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Canada prime minister hits back at Trump's remarks

Iran Press TV

Friday, 23 January 2026 1:26 AM

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has hit back at US President Donald Trump's assertion at the World Economic Forum in Davos that "Canada lives because of the United States."

On Thursday, Carney stated that Canada thrives due to its own people, not merely as a byproduct of its relationship with the US.

Carney's comments followed his address at the Davos Summit in Switzerland, where he indirectly criticized Trump, stating that the US-led global governance system is facing significant challenges.

During Trump's speech at the Forum, he suggested that Carney should be thankful for Canada's reliance on the US.

In a nearly 30-minute speech that preceded a Liberal cabinet meeting in Quebec City, Carney emphasized, "Canada and the United States have built a remarkable partnership in the economy, security, and cultural exchange. But Canada doesn't live because of the United States; it thrives because we are Canadian."

Carney noted that middle powers like Canada, which have prospered during the era of American hegemony, must acknowledge a new global reality and understand that mere compliance will not protect them from major power aggression.

He called for these countries to unite in defense of key international values, a sentiment widely interpreted as a critique of Trump's impact on global affairs.

Since taking office, Carney has been critical of Trump's global tariffs, which have adversely affected Canada's auto, aluminum, and steel industries, and of Trump's threats to annex Canada.

Carney's remarks, delivered to an international audience, also contained a domestic focus, promising to uphold Canadian values of inclusivity and fairness.

"There are long periods of history when these values can prosper unchallenged. Ours is not one of them," he stated, opting not to take questions from reporters.

He stated that "Canada must be a beacon  an example to a world at sea."

He stressed the importance of demonstrating that a nation can be both open and secure, welcoming and strong, principled and powerful, especially in times of democratic decline and rising nationalism.

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UN experts alarmed by reports of forced labour of Uyghur, Tibetan and other minorities across China

Press releases

Special Procedures

22 January 2026

GENEVA -- UN experts* today expressed deep concern regarding persistent allegations of forced labour affecting Uyghur, Kazakh and Kyrgyz minority groups as well as Tibetans within the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and across other parts of China.

"There is a persistent pattern of alleged State-imposed forced labour involving ethnic minorities across multiple provinces in China," the experts said. "In many cases, the coercive elements are so severe that they may amount to forcible transfer and/or enslavement as a crime against humanity."

According to the experts, forced labour in China is enabled through the State-mandated "poverty alleviation through labour transfer" programme, which coerces Uyghurs and members of other minority groups into jobs in Xinjiang and other regions. They are reportedly subjected to systematic monitoring, surveillance and exploitation, with no choice to refuse or change the work due to a pervasive fear of punishment and arbitrary detention. Xinjiang's five-year plan (2021 to 2025) projects 13.75 million instances of labour transfers. The actual numbers have reached new heights.

The experts said Tibetans are also subject to forced labour through similar schemes such as the Training and Labour Transfer Action Plan, with calls for systematic training and transfer of "rural surplus labourers." "These policies justify coercive methods such as military-style vocational training methods. The number of Tibetans affected by labour transfers in 2024 are estimated to be close to 650'000.

Tibetans are also reportedly displaced through the "whole-village relocation" programme which applies coercion to manufacture consent, such as repeated home visits, implicit threats of punishment, banning of criticism, or threats of cutting essential home services.

"Between 2000 and 2025 some 3.36 million Tibetans have been affected by government programmes requiring them to rebuild their house for nomads to become sedentary, whilst official statistics say that around 930,000 rural Tibetans have been relocated through either whole village relocation or individual household relocations," the experts said.

"The labour transfers are part of a government policy to forcibly re-engineer Uyghur, other minorities and Tibetans' cultural identities under the guise of poverty alleviation," they warned.

"Labour and land transfers forcibly change their agriculture-based or nomadic traditional livelihoods by displacing them to locations where they have no choice but to pursue wage labour," the experts said. "Consequently, their language, chosen communities, ways of life, as well as cultural and religious practices are eroded, which causes irreparable harm and loss."

They also expressed serious concern over goods produced through forced labour which enter global supply chains indirectly via third countries, raising broader questions about the overall effectiveness of targeted trade restrictions and human rights due diligence in the regulation of supply chains.

The experts urged investors and businesses operating and sourcing from China to conduct human rights due diligence in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights by taking the supply-chain related risks into consideration.

"Companies must ensure that their operations and value chains are not tainted by forced labour," they said, reiterating their call for unfettered access by independent UN human rights mechanisms to China.

The experts have previously been in contact with China.

*The experts:

Tomoya Obokata, Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and consequences

Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and consequences Alexandra Xanthaki , Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights

, Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights Ashwini K.P., Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance

Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance Siobhan Mullally , Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children

, Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children Damilola Olawuyi (Chairperson), Robert McCorquodale (Vice-Chairperson), Fernanda Hopenhaym, Lyra Jakuleviciene and Pichamon Yeophantong, Working Group on business and human rights

Special Rapporteurs/Independent Experts/Working Groups are independent human rights experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Together, these experts are referred to as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. While the UN Human Rights office acts as the secretariat for Special Procedures, the experts serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organization, including OHCHR and the UN. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the UN or OHCHR.

Country-specific observations and recommendations by the UN human rights mechanisms, including the special procedures, the treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review, can be found on the Universal Human Rights Index https://uhri.ohchr.org/en/

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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun's Regular Press Conference on January 22, 2026

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: January 22, 2026 20:53

At the invitation of Premier of the State Council Li Qiang, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo will pay an official visit to China from January 25 to 28.

CCTV: China just released the information on the official visit of the Finnish Prime Minister Orpo to China. Could you give further information on the program of this visit? What expectations does China have on this visit?

Guo Jiakun: During Prime Minister Orpo's visit to China, President Xi Jinping will meet with him, and Premier Li Qiang and Chairman Zhao Leji of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress will hold talks and meet with him respectively. They will have an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interests.

Finland is one of the earliest Western countries to recognize and establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. In recent years, under the guidance of the two heads of state, the China-Finland future-oriented new-type cooperative partnership continues to be deepened, and practical cooperation across the board has been continually advanced. China attaches great importance to the development of China-Finland relations, and stands ready to work with Finland to have closer high-level exchanges, strengthen political mutual trust, enhance economic and trade cooperation, promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges, step up mutual understanding and coordination on multilateral affairs, and jointly bring the China-Finland relationship to new heights.

AFP: NATO said yesterday that its Secretary General Mark Rutte had talks with Donald Trump on security in the Arctic. A spokesperson said that there will be negotiations between Denmark, Greenland and the United States "aimed at ensuring that Russia and China never gain a foothold economically or militarily in Greenland." How does China view this and recent developments regarding Greenland?

Guo Jiakun: China always advocates handling state-to-state relations in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. The so-called "China threat" is groundless. China opposes fabricating baseless narratives and using China as a pretext for seeking selfish gains.

Rudaw Media Network: Qutaiba Idlbi, an official from the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated: "There have been no official requests from the Chinese government to the Syrian government regarding the Uyghur fighters to return them back to China." They believe if China has such a request, they will reply accordingly. What's your comment on that?

Guo Jiakun: The Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) is a terrorist organization designated by China in accordance with the law and listed by the UN Security Council. Syria commits itself to not allowing any entity to use the Syrian territory to engage in activities that undermine China's security, sovereignty, and interests.

Hubei Media Group: It's reported that Pakistani police said yesterday the massive fire that ripped through a shopping mall on January 17 in Karachi, the capital of the province of Sindh in southern Pakistan, has so far killed 60 people. What's China's comment?

Guo Jiakun: China noted the tragic fire and expresses deep condolences for the lives lost and heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured. We wish the injured a speedy recovery.

NHK: The consul general position in Chongqing has remained unfilled for more than a month since the Japanese consul general left the city last month. Some say that China has not yet allowed Japan to send a new consul general. Can I have your comment on that?

Guo Jiakun: China is handling the relevant matter in accordance with procedures.

Reuters: At Davos last night, Trump said China made lots of wind turbines but he had not "been able to find any wind farms in China." He also said China has been selling wind turbines to "stupid" people. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment?

Guo Jiakun: China has developed the world's most complete policy system on reducing carbon emissions, as well as the world's largest renewable energy system, and actively shares its achievements in green development. China's installed capacity of wind power has ranked 1st in the world for 15 consecutive years. Up till the end of November, 2025, China's installed capacity of wind power has exceeded 600 million kw. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the wind power and photovoltaic products China exported helped reduce around 4.1 billion tonnes of carbon emissions in other countries in total. China's efforts in combating climate change and advancing the global development and application of renewable energy are widely recognized. As a responsible major developing country, China stands ready to work with all sides to continue to promote global green and low-carbon transition, and jointly build a clean and beautiful world.

China Daily: China recently criticized the disinformation and smear campaign against China by a spokesperson of the Philippine Coast Guard. The Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines yesterday in a statement affirmed its support for publicly elected officials and government institutions performing their lawful duties in defense of Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction. It also reiterated that differences between States are best addressed through established diplomatic channels rather than public exchanges. Can I have your comment on that?

Guo Jiakun: Earlier this week, we've stated China's serious position on the remarks by this "spokesperson" of the Philippine Coast Guard. The head of the Chinese MFA's Department of Asian Affairs summoned the Philippine Ambassador to China this morning to once again lodge serious protest.

It must be stressed that the Philippine side has long turned a blind eye to its Coast Guard "spokesperson" making inflammatory, confrontational, misleading and baseless remarks against China on maritime issues. China does not accept that. Time for the Philippine side to undo the negative impact as soon as possible and stop tolerating the smear campaign and provocations, lest they disrupt normal diplomatic communication or further harm bilateral relations.

AFP: Donald Trump is expected to hold a signing ceremony in Davos today for his Board of Peace. A senior Trump administration official said yesterday that about 35 of 50 world leaders have accepted invitations to join. How does China view this Board of Peace and is it considering joining?

Guo Jiakun: We have answered questions regarding the Board of Peace and have nothing to add at the moment.

Reuters: Also at Davos, President Trump said that he is working to make sure that America remains the crypto capital of the world. He said that China "wanted that market" and he said that "we have to make it so that China doesn't get hold of it." Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment on his remarks?

Guo Jiakun: China actively involves itself in multilateral and bilateral monetary and financial cooperation, global macro policy coordination and international financial rulemaking. For anything specific, I'd refer you to competent authorities.

AFP: French company Lactalis announced a major recall of infant formula in several countries including China. This follows similar recalls by Nestle this month. French authorities say that they have linked these recalls to a single Chinese supplier, which they have not named. Does the Foreign Ministry have any more information or comment on the situation?

Guo Jiakun: I'm not familiar with that. The Chinese government attaches high importance to food safety and will continue taking effective measures to protect the legitimate rights and interests of consumers.

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Chinese mission to EU expresses strong dissatisfaction over EP reports' China-related content

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Jan 23, 2026 10:09 AM

When asked to comment on that the European Parliament on Wednesday adopted the Implementation of the common foreign and security policy - Annual report 2025 and the Implementation of the common security and defence policy - Annual report 2025, which contain multiple references to China, the spokesperson of the Chinese Mission said on Friday that the relevant reports of the European Parliament disregard facts, distort the truth, and crudely interfere in China's internal affairs on issues related to the Taiwan region, Hong Kong, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the Xizang Autonomous Region, and the South China Sea. China expresses strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to this, according to an official release from the Chinese Mission to the EU.

The Taiwan question concerns China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is the core of China's core interests and a red line that must not be crossed. The one-China principle is a fundamental norm governing international relations and the political foundation for the development of China-EU relations. China urges the European Parliament to abide by the one-China principle and stop sending any wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.

China also urges the European Parliament to take concrete steps to correct its erroneous claims and actions on issues related to the Taiwan Region, Hong Kong, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the Xizang Autonomous Region, and the South China Sea, and to uphold the overall interests of China-EU relations through practical actions, according to the release.

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HKSAR govt opposes latest resolution by European Parliament on prosecution of Jimmy Lai

Global Times

By Chen Qingqing Published: Jan 23, 2026 12:17 PM

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government strongly opposed on late Thursday the so-called resolution adopted by the European Parliament against Hong Kong, condemning the Parliament for using the Lai Chee-ying case to make baseless allegations about Hong Kong and smear the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL) and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO).

The European Parliament has made sweepingly generalized and grandstanding comments, completely disregarding the profound historical significance of the HKNSL and its undeniable positive impact on the HKSAR, the HKSAR government's spokesperson said, according to a statement in English released on early Friday.

It has rather distorted the facts and smeared the HKSAR and the HKNSL as well as other laws safeguarding national security in Hong Kong. On the contrary, they never utter a word about the strict enforcement of national security laws by other governments against activities that endanger their national security, the spokesperson said.

This is an entirely despicable political manipulation, and we must sternly denounce wrongdoing of the European Parliament to set the record straight and to expose its shameless 'double standards' to the world, the spokesperson added.

The European Parliament has adopted a resolution on Thursday claiming that the so-called "arbitrary prosecution" of anti-government rioter Jimmy Lai in the HKSAR could result in life imprisonment,the Brussels Times reported. The MEPs claimed that the EU member states should suspend extradition treaties with the Chinese mainland and the HKSAR and claim that sanctions to be imposed on the HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee and other officials, the Brussels Times said.

The European Parliament has entirely no respect for the HKSAR court's independent judgment of the Lai's case, which had been made on the basis of facts and evidence, the HKSAR government's spokesperson said.

They also refused to acknowledge the evidence set out in the reasons for verdict, and refused to understand the court's considerations and the reasons for verdict. Instead, they wantonly launched attacks, slandered and attacked the HKSAR Government. With the European Parliament distorting facts and confounding right and wrong, its malicious intentions are clearly revealed, the spokesperson added.

The HKSAR's High Court on December 15, 2025 ruled Jimmy Lai, an instigator of anti-China riots in Hong Kong, guilty on two charges of conspiring to collude with external forces and a charge of conspiracy to publish seditious materials.

At the opening ceremony of the Legal Year 2026 in the HKSAR on Monday, the Chief Justice Andrew Cheung of Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal also addressed the prosecution of Lai.

Sentencing remains pending, and appeals may or may not be forthcoming. As expected, the outcome of this high-profile trial has attracted significant international attention and commentary. Also as expected, given the prevailing geopolitical tensions, some of these responses have been critical not only of the prosecution and verdicts, but also of the courts and the rule of law in Hong Kong generally, Cheung said.

Hong Kong's Basic Law and general laws, along with the national security laws, all guarantee the independence and impartiality of the courts, and the right to a fair trial. They require that court decisions be based on the evidence and legal arguments presented, and not on extraneous considerations or public pressure, Cheung said.

"I have every confidence that the Court of Appeal and ultimately the Court of Final Appeal will, as always, act with integrity and professionalism in handling any appeals or reviews," he added.

Hong Kong is a place adopting the rule of law. The European Parliament's act by applying external pressure attempting to intervene Hong Kong's affairs should be condemned, Chu Kar-kin, a veteran commentator based in the HKSAR and member of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, told the Global Times on Friday.

"The convicted should be punished for what he has done which had hurt Hong Kong for decades. Jimmy was treated fairly and in good health conditions under the Hong Kong Correction Service's custody and his healthy should not be an excuse for any mitigation for sentencing," Chu said.

The European Parliament's resolution is based on a misinterpretation of and interference in China's internal affairs, and does not conform to international law or the basic norms governing international relations, Willy Fu, a law professor who is also the director of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong & Macao Studies, told the Global Times on Friday.

The Basic Law and the HKNSL ensure that the human rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents, as well as judicial independence, are fully respected and protected, Fu said.

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Buoyed by Venezuela interference, Trump now seeks 'regime change' in Cuba: Report

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 22 January 2026 7:43 AM

The administration of US President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing a new regime-change push against Cuba, less than a month after the forcible removal of Venezuela's president, relying on economic warfare and internal destabilization to break Havana's political system.

Washington is seeking "regime change" in Cuba by the end of the year, according to US officials cited by The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday, despite the long record of US failures against the island country and the risk of a humanitarian catastrophe there.

The officials said that their confidence rests on two developments, namely, a January 3 "surgical attack" that led to the abduction and ouster of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, and the belief that Cuba's economy - long dependent on Venezuelan oil - is nearing collapse without him.

US intelligence analysts claim frequent blackouts and severe shortages of food and medicine, with nearly 90 percent of Cubans living below the poverty line. Despite this pressure, officials admitted there is no concrete plan to overthrow the Cuban government established after Fidel Castro's 1959 revolution.

Instead, the White House is focusing on identifying figures inside the Cuban state who might be willing to collaborate with US interests, a strategy modeled on Venezuela, where an insider allegedly turned on Maduro.

That operation culminated in a military assault on Caracas that killed 32 Cuban soldiers and roughly two dozen members of Maduro's security forces.

At the same time, the US is escalating economic warfare against Cuba by cutting off oil supplies from Venezuela, with economists warning the island could run out of fuel within weeks. The US military's seizure of oil tankers linked to Venezuela now apparently is aimed not only at punishing Caracas for nationalizing its oil industry, but also at strangling Cuba's energy lifeline.

The WSJ further reported internal disagreements within the US government over how to proceed. Hardliners, including Florida-based Cuban exiles allied with Trump, are pressing for an aggressive end to nearly seven decades of communist rule. Others, however, point to the Bay of Pigs invasion and the decades-long embargo - imposed in 1962 - as proof that US coercion has consistently failed.

Despite acknowledging the danger of triggering a humanitarian crisis, Trump views toppling the Cuban leadership as a way to secure his so-called foreign-policy legacy and outdo John F. Kennedy, who failed to remove Fidel Castro.

US officials have become increasingly explicit, with State Department acting undersecretary Jeremy Lewin saying that Cuba "has to make a choice to step down or to better provide for its people," while Trump warned on January 11 that no more Venezuelan oil or money would arrive, writing, "I strongly suggest they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE."

Cuban leaders have rejected the threats outright, with President Miguel Diaz-Canel declaring, "There is no surrender or capitulation possible nor any kind of understanding based on coercion or intimidation."

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Speech by Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul at the German Embassy in Addis Ababa

Germany Federal Foreign Office

22.01.2026 - Speech

Who paid the first official state visit to the Federal Republic of Germany after the Second World War? This question was for many years part of the selection process for young German diplomats. All candidates who thought it was the French President Charles de Gaulle, a US president or the British Queen were mistaken.

It was the Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie who visited Germany for six days in November 1954. Only five years after the founding of my country, the Federal Republic. A glance at the programme booklet - which can still be found in the archives of the Federal Foreign Office in Berlin - shows how carefully the monarch's visit was prepared. Upon his arrival in Bonn, the Emperor was greeted by former Federal Chancellor Adenauer - besides also the first Foreign Minister. During his visit, he received an honorary doctorate, saw the opera "The Marriage of Figaro," and visited the Cologne Cathedral and the port of Hamburg.

Unsurprisingly, the focus of this state visit was on economic relations, and for Germany, also on finding its way back onto the international stage. Haile Selassie was interested in selling Ethiopian coffee to Germany. At the same time, he wanted to import German technology and medical equipment to his country.

But Haile Selassie was not only the first official state visitor in Germany. He also made Ethiopia a founding member of the United Nations - long before Germany joined. And he played a key role in founding the Organization of African Unity, the predecessor of the African Union. Securing Addis Ababa as the continent's political and diplomatic centre - which it is still today.

Ladies and gentlemen, we live and work in very uncertain times - in Ethiopia and Germany, as well as in Africa and Europe. We are facing a multitude of challenges: From the eroding respect for international law to the global security risk arising from terrorism. From challenges posed by irregular migration to disinformation campaigns. From the ever more visible impacts of climate change to the challenges and opportunities arising from the current technological revolution.

I am convinced that in these challenging times, our joint answer must be an investment in our partnership. Because both in Ethiopia and in Germany, in Africa and Europe, we are only strong, we are only able to move forward, if we stand together.

As Africa's second most populous country and seat of the African Union, Ethiopia is one of Germany's most important African partners. Our partnership is built on mutual respect, shared values, and a strong commitment to exchange between our societies.

To promote language learning, we have a branch of the Goethe-Institute and a German Embassy School in Addis Ababa. Through the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), thousands of Ethiopian students have pursued higher education in Germany, also creating a strong network of alumni. And that is not all: Archaeologists from the German Archaeological Institute are working in Yeha, in Tigray alongside their Ethiopian colleagues to help preserve your country's rich heritage - 120 years after the famous German Aksum expedition!

Ladies and gentlemen, in addition to our vital cultural exchange, we share further interests.

Namely security, development and the preservation of multilateralism.

On the security side of things, Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine is an ongoing violation of the most fundamental norms of the UN Charter. Norms that constitute the basis of our peaceful coexistence. Norms that need to be protected - in our shared interest. Germany is therefore supporting Ukrainian defence - politically, diplomatically, and also economically.

At the same time, I am very well aware that the Sudan - one of your neighbouring countries - is facing a brutal war for more than thousand days and the world's largest humanitarian crisis. Germany wants to promote peace and further advance the mediation efforts in the Quad and Quint process. This is why we are organizing an international conference on Sudan April 15th in Berlin. The Horn of Africa region has also been destabilised by extremist violence and climate change, with many people fleeing - also to Ethiopia.

In this challenging situation, Ethiopia and the AU are committed to securing peace and security in Africa. Ethiopia's contribution as troop deployer, for example to AUSSOM, is indispensable for regional stabilisation and for fighting terrorism. I commend Ethiopia for its support.

Ladies and gentlemen, crossing Addis Ababa today, I had the chance to see the city's impressive economic development for myself. My delegation and I saw skyscrapers, green parks and hustle and bustle everywhere. Wherever you look, you see modernisation happening in real time. You can sense that Ethiopia is on the path towards a market-based liberal economy - one that is competitive globally.

This morning, I also visited the Cargo Terminal at the current Bole International Airport, built by a German company with export guarantees from KfW IPEX. I am confident that the construction of the new airport - set to become one of the largest airports in the world - will lead to further cooperation between German and Ethiopian companies.

In addition, the creation of a pan-African free trade area is making Ethiopia an increasingly attractive market. Let us work together to further strengthen our economic cooperation! Because it is in our mutual interest.

Ladies and gentlemen, Ethiopian infrastructure projects are changing rapidly. So is the global situation. We are witnessing crises and conflicts around the world. Long-established certainties are eroding. Trust in multilateralism and the rules-based international order is declining. The trend of withdrawal from the UN is concerning.

However, Ethiopia and Germany, just like the African Union and the European Union are firmly convinced that global issues can only be solved globally. We are convinced, that none of us can solve these problems alone. That multilateral cooperation matters. That tackling climate change requires our collective commitment, which Ethiopia is displaying by hosting COP 32 in 2027. That when shaping the digital transformation or preventing the proliferation of weapons we must work together. That we need to protect the international order based on international law as a foundation of international relations.

But the truth is: the UN is not perfect. But at this time of unprecedented global upheaval, it is more relevant than ever, however. Germany wants to assume a special responsibility for peace and security at global scale. That is why we are running for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council 2027 / 28. And why we support Africa's call for two permanent African seats. When decisions are made about Africa, Africa must be at the table.

Ladies and gentlemen, at the narrowest point, Europe and Africa are less than 14 kilometers apart. Both of our continents share access to the Mediterranean Sea, which has been the hub for economic and cultural links for centuries. This close geographical proximity reminds us of a fundamental truth: What happens on one continent directly affects the other.

Therefore, we are meeting today - in these challenging times - to show that what matters is not just geographical proximity, but the strength of our ties and the determination to work together. Let's unlock further potential in our bilateral relationship. Be it in economic cooperation, in people-to-people exchange, innovation or legal migration. Now - and over the next 120 years.

Thank you.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives a telephone call from the President of Brazil (January 22, 2025)

India - Ministry of External Affairs

January 22, 2026

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi received a telephone call today from the President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, His Excellency Mr. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

2. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the India-Brazil Strategic Partnership and take it to even greater heights in the year ahead.

3. Recalling their meetings last year in Brasilia and South Africa, the two leaders noted with satisfaction the significant progress achieved across diverse areas of bilateral cooperation, including trade and investment, technology, defence, energy, health, agriculture, and people-to-people ties.

4. The leaders also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. They also underscored the importance of reformed multilateralism in addressing shared challenges.

5. Prime Minister Modi conveyed that he looked forward to welcoming President Lula to India at an early date.

New Delhi

January 22, 2026

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Senior general vows swift response to any aggression on Iran

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 22 January 2026 2:20 PM

An Iranian military commander has warned that any attack on the country's soil will be met with a swift, precise, and devastating response following recent threats by US President Donald Trump to strike the country.

"Any type of attack on the territory, security, and interests of the Iranian nation will immediately and as a first step, turn all US interests, bases, and centers of influence into legitimate, definitive, and accessible targets for the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran," Major General Ali Abdollahi, commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said on Thursday.

In late December, Iran saw sporadic economic protests that were quickly hijacked by rioters incited by US and Israeli leaders and aided by their spy operatives on the ground.

Trump openly and publicly encouraged violence by calling on armed rioters to take over state institutions and threatening military action against Iran if they were confronted.

General Abdollahi noted that "Today, the US President's baseless threats and statements have not only faced widespread condemnation in the Islamic world, but have also faced serious protest and criticism within the United States and even in its Congress; a reality that clearly indicates the increasing isolation and decline of America's hostile, adventurous, and failed policies."

He added that the United States and Israel showed "strategic stupidity" by openly supporting recent seditions, riots, and terrorist acts against Iran, adding that these actions exposed the failure of hostile plans.

The Iranian people's "decisive, intelligent, and enemy-breaking response" during the January 12 rallies demonstrated national unity and vigilance, and served as "clear evidence of the complete failure of hostile projects", he said.

On January 12 rallies began across the country, with Fars News Agency reporting around three million participants in Tehran alone. The demonstrations came in response to days of foreign-backed riots, during which dozens of security personnel were killed in terrorist attacks.

Abdollahi emphasized that the public reaction sent "a serious and lasting warning" to the planners and supporters of the conspiracies, stressing that external pressure and interference would not succeed against the Iranian nation.

He said the strength of Iran's armed forces, backed by the "decisive support of the people," has not only disrupted the enemy's strategic calculations but has also been "objectively and undeniably proven" on numerous occasions in the field.

He added that the adversaries of the Iranian nation, "especially the United States," are fully aware of the consequences of this power.

General Abdollahi said Iran has "repeatedly and clearly" demonstrated that it has never initiated war and has no intention of doing so. However, Iran would deliver a "swift, decisive, harsh, and regret-inducing response" to any act of aggression, threat, or attack, he said.

The commander stated that the era of "hit and run" has ended forever, noting that Iran's response "will be much faster, more precise, and more devastating than the US and the Zionist regime could even imagine."

Meanwhile, Deputy Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Ahmad Vahidi responded to the "nonsense" of Trump, saying the US president has "apparently grown accustomed to such baseless statements."

Speaking on Thursday on the sidelines of a ceremony commemorating IRGC Day and honoring the late Major General Hossein Salami, Vahidi added that the brave and vigilant Iranian people's actions on January 12 were "a firm and practical response to those same empty claims and attempts to belittle the defenders of this nation's security."

Vahidi emphasized that Iran "will never yield or submit to such nonsense, and will continue its path of progress and advancement with dignity and strength."

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Senior cmdr. strongly warns Trump following rhetorical remarks concerning Leader

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 22 January 2026 12:08 AM

A senior Iranian military commander has strongly warned Donald Trump following the US president's rhetorical remarks concerning Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, deputy chief of the Iranian Army for Coordination, made the comments on Wednesday with regard to Trump's recent remarks calling for an end to Ayatollah Khamenei's leadership.

"Trump was dead wrong," the commander asserted, echoing similar strong reactions by high-ranking Iranian officials to the US president's rhetoric that came amid the latter's repeated verbal threats targeting the Islamic Republic.

On Tuesday, General Abolfazl Shekarchi, spokesperson for the General Staff of the Armed Forces, cautioned that any hostile action directed towards the Leader would result in a devastating military retaliation. "We do not attach significant importance to Trump's clamor," the official stated.

Prior to that, President Masoud Pezeshkian had warned that any attack against Ayatollah Khamenei would amount to a "full-fledged war" with the Iranian nation.

In late December, Iran began witnessing sporadic economic protests that were ensued by the US president's alleging that Washington would stage fresh military aggression against the Islamic Republic in the event of what he called Tehran's confronting the protesters.

Earlier in January, numerous riotous elements infiltrated the protests in a move that was confirmed by Iranian intelligence to have been supported by and coordinated with the United States' and the Israeli regime's spying apparatuses.

Iranian intelligence and security forces sprang into action, robustly confronting the trend by rounding up terror ringleaders and seizing substantial volumes of arms, confrontation that promptly reestablished calm throughout the nation.

Referring to the Islamic Republic's approach towards the United States and the Zionist regime and their role in the recent acts of sedition, Sayyari said, "They tried in various ways to weaken the Islamic Republic, but the people's epic action on January 12 and their insight neutralized the enemies' plot against the country's Islamic establishment and its Islamic Revolution."

The commander was referring to the day when millions took to the streets across the Islamic Republic to voice strong support for the Leader and vow sustained preservation of the country's security and national sovereignty in the face of Washington's and Tel Aviv's plots.

Sayyari also credited Iran's Armed Forces with having increased their capabilities following the duo's imposed war on the country last June, declaring, "Rest assured that we are becoming better and stronger than before with each passing day."

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EU To Target Iranian Minister, Security Chiefs Over Deadly Crackdown On Protesters

By Kian Sharifi January 22, 2026

The European Union has proposed sanctions against Iran's interior minister and 14 other senior officials for their role in a violent crackdown on nationwide protests that erupted in late December, documents obtained by RFE/RL show.

Protests erupted on December 28 over economic woes including currency collapse but morphed into anti-regime demonstrations that were met with lethal force.

The bloc's foreign ministers could adopt the measures, which include asset freezes and visa bans, when they meet in Brussels on January 29. All member states must vote in favor for the sanctions to be adopted.

The proposal, dated January 20 and circulated within the EU Council, targets Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, who oversees Iran's Law Enforcement Forces (LEF), and security units of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) that are blamed for hundreds of protester deaths.

Prosecutor-General Mohammad Movahedi-Azad faces designation for threatening demonstrators with death penalties on charges of "enmity against God" during the unrest.

Momeni, also deputy commander-in-chief, commanded forces that "suppressed street protests," which saw thousands of casualties, according to the EU document.

Regional IRGC commanders including Heydar Olfati in Ilam Province and Ahmad Ali Feyzollahi of the IRGC Ground Forces elite Saberin Brigade are accused of ordering troops to open fire on peaceful crowds.

The town of Malekshahi in the western Ilam Province experienced some of the deadliest clashes, with video footage documenting security forces firing at protesters in broad daylight.

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) says that as of January 22 it had verified 4,902 deaths, including 201 security forces, with more than 9,300 deaths still under investigation.

The proposed EU measures also hit six entities enabling repression, from the Iranian Audio-Visual Media Regulatory Authority (SATRA) for censoring dissent to tech firms Yaftar and Douran developing VPN blockers and facial recognition tools. The Working Group for Determining Instances of Criminal Content (WGDICC), a judicial body filtering and censoring Internet access, is also being targeted.

Iranians have been cut off from the outside world since January 8, when the authorities imposed a near-total nationwide Internet shutdown as the crackdown on protests intensified. It remains unclear when services will resume, but even when they do, experts fear the authorities will force Iranians to use a domestically designed "intranet" that works independently from the world's Internet.

IRGC Designation Unlikely

The proposed asset freezes and visa bans come as the bloc has been under pressure for years -- both externally and internally -- to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization. However, no such measure will likely be adopted next week.

Unanimity is needed to blacklist the elite force, which is deeply embedded in Iran's economy and drives the Islamic republic's regional policies. However, Italy, France, and Spain are the three countries in the 27-member bloc opposed to the designation and there is no indication they will shift their position.

Sanctions For Helping Russia

A separate proposal dated January 16 targets four individuals and six firms tied to Iran's ballistic missile and drone programs supplying Moscow.

The entities include Sahara Thunder and Khojir Missile Development and Production Complex.

The document describes Sahara Thunder as a Defense Ministry front company acting as an import-export cover to ship drones, components, and technology to Russia, receiving payments in return.

The Khojir complex, meanwhile, is involved in the production of Fath-360 close-range ballistic missiles allegedly sent to Russia, where troops are being trained to use them. It is managed jointly by the IRGC and Defense Ministry and builds solid-propellant missiles used against Ukrainian targets, according to the document.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-eu-sanctions-protests- deaths/33656694.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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The United States Applauds Iraqi Leadership on Countering ISIS

US Department of State

Press Statement

Marco Rubio, Secretary of State

January 22, 2026

The United States welcomes the Government of Iraq's initiative to detain ISIS terrorists in secure facilities in Iraq, following recent instability in northeast Syria. The United States appreciates the Iraqi government's leadership and supports this bold initiative to ensure that ISIS terrorists cannot roam freely throughout the region.

As a member of the Coalition to Defeat ISIS, Iraq is on the front line in confronting the threat that ISIS still poses to all countries. Non-Iraqi terrorists will be in Iraq temporarily; the United States urges countries to take responsibility and repatriate their citizens in these facilities to face justice. This is a critical part of a long-term framework to prevent an ISIS resurgence, in line with proper burden sharing among Coalition members.

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Davos Conference 2026

Ministry of Defense of Japan

(Press Release: Provisional Translation)

January 22, 2026

Ministry of Defense

1. Davos Conference

From January 20 to 21, Defense Minister Koizumi joined the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, also known as Davos Conferece, held in Davos, Switzerland, for the first time as Defense Minister of Japan. At the Country Strategy Dialogue on Japan on January 20, he explained Japan's security and defense policies to the participants from various countries.

2. Meeting with Ministers etc. (Jan 20-21)

(1) Meeting with Minister of Defence, Federal Councilor Martin Pfister of Switzerland.

Both Ministers discussed regional affairs, and confirmed that the security of Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific is inseparable. As Japan and Switzerland share common values such as rules-based international order, both Ministers concurred that they would continue cooperation.

(2) Meeting with Minisfer of Defence of the Netherlands, Mr. Ruben Brekelmans

Defense Minister Koizumi welcomed the Netherlands' strengthening of its engagement to the Indo-Pacific in a tangible manner, and discussed bilateral defense cooperation. Both Ministers welcomed the signing of ACSA the other day, and concurred to further advance bilateral defense cooperation.

(3) Meeting with Secretary General of NATO, Mr Mark Rutte

Defense Minister Koizumi and Secretary General Rutte discussed regional affairs and Japan-NATO cooperation. Both sides confirmed that the security of Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific is inseparable and concurred to further advance defense cooperation under the recognition that Japan-NATO cooperation is strategically important.

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Secretary Lazaro Hosts Myanmar Stakeholders' Meeting in Tagaytay

Republic of the Philippines - Department of Foreign Affairs

TAGAYTAY 22 January 2026 -- Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, in her capacity as the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar, hosted a Myanmar Stakeholders' Meeting in Tagaytay earlier this month, the first under the Philippines' Chairship of ASEAN.

Special Envoy Lazaro welcomed multiple Myanmar stakeholders, composed of various political and ethnic groups, and encouraged them to share their constructive and meaningful perspectives on issues related to Myanmar.

The Meeting recognized the important role of the Special Envoy in fostering "constructive dialogue among all parties concerned" and "facilitating mediation of the dialogue process," in accordance with the Special Envoy's mandate under the Five-Point Consensus.

The participants exchanged views on the full and effective implementation of the Five-Point Consensus, including how to advance de-escalation, facilitate humanitarian assistance, effectively address transnational crime, and foster political dialogue among relevant stakeholders.

Special Envoy Lazaro underscored that the Stakeholders' Meetings form an integral part of the ASEAN Chair's strategy to engage the diverse Myanmar stakeholders, emphasizing that "lasting peace can only be achieved through an inclusive process." END

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Republic of Korea: High Representative/Vice-President Kallas holds second Strategic Dialogue with Foreign Minister Cho in Brussels

European External Action Service (EEAS)

22.01.2026

Brussels, Belgium

EEAS Press Team

The High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union/European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Cho Hyun held the second EU-RoK Strategic Dialogue in Brussels on 22 January.

In their discussions, High Representative Kallas and Foreign Minister Cho reaffirmed their unwavering joint commitment to peace, stability and prosperity, grounded in shared values and common interests. They highlighted the importance of continued closer collaboration on regional and global security, with particular focus on the interconnected security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific. They commended the good progress in the implementation of the 2023 Summit commitments and in the EU-RoK Security and Defence Partnership. They welcomed that the first EU-RoK Dialogue on Security and Defence took place in November 2025 and agreed to explore the possibility to negotiate a bilateral Security of Information Agreement.

The High Representative and the Foreign Minister reiterated their unwavering commitment to maintaining support to Ukraine as it defends its freedom, sovereignty and territorial integrity against Russia's war of aggression, and their condemnation of third-country support to Russia's illegal war of aggression. They also shared their joint grave concerns over Russia's military cooperation with the DPRK, notably the deployment of DPRK troops to participate in Russia's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, and arms transfers between the DPRK and Russia, which flagrantly violate multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions, as well as over Pyongyang's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

The High Representative and the Foreign Minister reaffirmed their strong opposition to any unilateral attempts in the South China Sea to change the status quo by force or coercion and increase tensions that could undermine regional stability and the international rules-based order. Both reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

High Representative Kallas and Foreign Minister Cho discussed the security situation in Europe, Indo-Pacific, and the Middle East. They also exchanged about most recent developments in Venezuela.

Background

The establishment of a Strategic Dialogue at foreign ministerial level was agreed at the 2023 EU-RoK Summit. The first EU-RoK Strategic Dialogue took place on 4 November 2024 in Seoul.

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Russian-Palestinian talks

Vladimir Putin held talks with President of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas, who has come to Russia on a working visit.

January 22, 2026

13:30

The Kremlin, Moscow

The agenda includes the current state and future prospects of bilateral ties in trade and the economy, cultural and humanitarian affairs, as well as the situation in the Middle East, emphasising the state of affairs in the Gaza Strip.

Taking part in the talks on the Russian side were Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office and Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov, Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov, Minister of Labour and Social Protection and Chairman of the Russian Part of the Intergovernmental Russian-Palestinian Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation Anton Kotyakov, Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina, and Chief of the Main Directorate of the General Staff and Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Federation Armed Forces Igor Kostyukov.

* * *

Beginning of Russian-Palestinian talks

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr President, friends,

I am happy to see you. Welcome to Russia, to Moscow.

Relations between Russia and Palestine have deep roots and a special quality. Back in 1988, the Soviet Union recognised the Palestinian state, and we maintain the same position today.

Our approach to the issues of Palestine and to a settlement in the Middle East is principled and consistent. We believe that only the establishment and full functioning of the Palestinian state can lead to a lasting settlement of the Middle East conflict.

We remember your visit last year for the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, and we thank you for your participation.

I would like to note that our relations continue to develop today despite any challenges related to the situation in the region. Of course, in absolute figures, our trade remains rather modest, although a trend for increase is emerging. Our mutual trade has tripled recently.

We continue our humanitarian cooperation - in particular, we continue training workers for Palestine. This year, some 150 young Palestinians are studying and will continue to study in higher education institutions and other educational organisations in Russia.

Security certainly remains one of the vital topics. You know that, during the toughest times of the crisis in Gaza, we provided humanitarian aid - primarily at your request. We have sent over 800 tonnes of cargo to Gaza through around 32 humanitarian missions. At your request, we have sent wheat directly and via international organisations.

Of course, we will discuss the current developments in the Gaza Strip and Palestine in general, and on the Israeli-Palestinian track.

We will talk about the US President's initiative to establish a new body that will mainly focus, judging from what we have seen, on settling the situation in Palestine, in Gaza.

You may have heard that we are willing to provide $1 billion to this new body, the Board of Peace, primarily to support the Palestinian people, assist in the restoration of the Gaza Strip, and address the general resolution of problems facing Palestine, as I have mentioned, from the funds that were frozen in the United States by the former administration. I believe this is possible. We discussed this option earlier with members of the US administration. A meeting and a conversation are scheduled today in Moscow on this matter.

Overall, we are delighted to continue our contacts. They take place at different levels, but we are pleased to see them continue at the top level as well.

We are glad to see you in Moscow. Welcome, Mr President.

President of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas (retranslated): Mr President, thank you very much for this opportunity and for receiving us here in Moscow.

We are friends of Russia and the Russian people. For over 50 years, our nations have been bound by a strong friendship that has developed over the decades and continues on the correct path. Russia is a great friend and a nation upon which we rely in many spheres.

Historically, Russia has supported and stood by the Palestinian people at the political and diplomatic levels. Your economic and financial support is both significant in scale and crucial in importance.

You have referenced only a part of it, yet our people are deeply pleased and grateful to Russia for this aid, support, and for Russia's unwavering stance in support of Palestine.

Mr President, as you well know, we have suffered greatly on our land under the Israeli occupation, which has led to destruction in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and Jerusalem.

I would like to cite some statistics. The number of killed and wounded in the Gaza Strip has reached 260,000. There are also many thousands of wounded in the West Bank. The scale of destruction is catastrophic. The Gaza Strip has been almost entirely destroyed, with 85 percent of infrastructure - educational (schools, universities), religious sites (mosques, churches), and so forth - lying in ruins.

Nevertheless, I would like to assure you, Mr President, that the Palestinian people are holding onto their land, and we categorically oppose attempts by the Americans and Israelis to expatriate Palestinians beyond Palestinian territory. The Palestinian people are resolved that they will not abandon their land, whatever the cost.

We are now forced to live in tents. These tents are washed away by the rains, subjected to destruction, and the ground is eroded. Yet, we will not be displaced from our land.

What we need is peace, and we hope that with your help and support, we can achieve it - a peace built on the basis of international legal resolutions, decisions of the United Nations, and the principles established following the wars of 1967 and 1973.

East Jerusalem remains the capital of Palestine, and we know that Russia has always supported - indeed, was the first to support - Palestine, maintaining a firm stance in support of our people.

Mr President, we hope to discuss with you today our vision for the future and the details of the current situation. We are ready to work together with your support and assistance, and we hope to reach a solution.

Russia has been our friend for over five decades. Every time we visit your remarkable country - whether in summer or winter, in snow or rain - we feel that a part of our hearts is here, that we are bound by a spiritual connection. We regard Moscow as a second home. We are here among our friends.

Thank you, Mr President.

<...>

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Meeting on the microelectronics industry

Vladimir Putin held a meeting on expanding domestic integrated electronics.

January 22, 2026

20:25

The Kremlin, Moscow

Keynote speaker - Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov. President of the Russian Academy of Sciences Gennady Krasnikov, Chairman of the Management Board of Sberbank German Gref, Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov, Mayor of Moscow Sergei Sobyanin, and Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media Maksut Shadayev spoke during the meeting as well.

* * *

Opening remarks at the meeting on the microelectronics industry

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good evening, colleagues.

Today, we will review issues related to the development of the domestic electronics industry, specifically the design and production of electronic component bases and modern integrated circuits. These technologies are among the most complex and knowledge-intensive areas.

Leading countries and unions, such as the United States, China, and the EU countries, are focused on strengthening sovereignty over the key elements of the electronics production chain and concentrating their efforts accordingly, because everyone is absolutely clear that ensuring economic and technological development, achieving technological leadership in AI, outer space exploration, communications, digital technologies, and quantum computing is not merely challenging, but is impossible without competitive integrated circuits and a solid electronic component base. This is, as the saying goes, the foundation of the foundations.

Finally, regarding security and defence, all modern, and even more so advanced, types of weaponry are increasingly demanding in terms of the efficiency of the electronic component base. It is clear that the Russian Armed Forces must be equipped with intelligent technology built on our own solutions. This fully applies to the civilian sector as well.

Notably, we have made some progress in this sensitive technological field; we have strong scientific schools in a number of areas, and the appropriate infrastructure for testing and producing electronic products is being developed. At the end of last year, a photonics centre opened. This facility will produce integrated circuits capable of significantly increasing data transmission speeds.

At the same time, efforts must be intensified to create a domestic technological platform in microelectronics. Many of us present here have been revisiting this issue constantly over many months both in private discussions and in larger meetings. We need to further strengthen the areas where we already have advantages and closely integrate the work of researchers with companies and the real industrial sector.

Overall, the efficiency of managing the development of domestic electronics must be radically improved. I am aware of the idea to establish a corresponding interagency commission. Here, it is obviously important not merely to form and outline such an entity, but to use its capabilities to ensure prompt consideration of all issues and decision-making in this field.

I am asking both the Presidential Executive Office and the Government to outline the specifics of this commission's work. I believe it must be chaired by First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov and Aide to the President Andrei Fursenko.

Let's get to work.

<...>

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Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's answer to a question from Rossiya Segodnya about the situation involving Russian crew members of the Marinera oil tanker seized by the US authorities

22 January 2026 16:29

61-22-01-2026

Question: What is your comment on the situation involving the Marinera's Russian crew members, whom US President Donald Trump has promised to set free?

Maria Zakharova: It is long since Russia has received a confirmation that US President Donald Trump has responded to our appeal and decided to release two Russian crewmen of the Marinera oil tanker, which was seized by US armed forces during their operation in the international waters of the Northern Atlantic.

We are perplexed and disappointed by the protracted pause in efforts to settle this urgent issue of high importance for us. We hope that this will happen shortly and these Russian citizens will be able to return to their homeland.

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Russia willing to allocate 1 bln to Gaza Peace Board from U.S.-frozen assets

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 10:18, January 23, 2026

MOSCOW, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Russia is willing to allocate 1 billion U.S. dollars from Russia's U.S.-frozen assets to the Board of Peace for Gaza, a move that would require the unblocking of the assets, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that U.S. President Donald Trump had invited Russia to join the U.S.-initiated Board of Peace, and that Russia would hold consultations with its strategic partners on the matter, according to a statement published on the Kremlin's official website on Wednesday.

Given the special ties between Russia and the Palestinian people, even if Russia had not yet decided whether to participate in the work of the Board of Peace for Gaza, it would still consider allocating 1 billion dollars from its U.S.-frozen assets to the initiative, Putin said.

"This step would require the assets to be unblocked," said Peskov. "It is not yet clear how the contribution will be legally formalized; all of this will need to be discussed."

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Foreign Minister Signs Board of Peace Founding Charter

Saudi Press Agency

Thursday 03/08/1447

Davos, January 22, 2026, SPA -- Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah signed today the founding charter of the Board of Peace in the presence of President Donald Trump of the United States of America and leaders and representatives of a number of countries, welcoming the establishment of the board. The signing took place during the board's launch ceremony on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, Switzerland.

The foreign minister's signing of the charter comes in welcome of the peace efforts led by the US president. It reaffirms the Kingdom's commitment to supporting the Board of Peace's mission as a transitional body to end the conflict in the Gaza Strip, as endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution No. 2803. It also reflects support for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and efforts toward a just and lasting peace, paving the way for enhanced security and stability for the countries and peoples of the region.

-- SPA

17:51 Local Time 14:51 GMT

0051

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Chinese FM responds to Syrian official claim that China has not requested repatriation of ETIM militants

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Jan 22, 2026 04:28 PM

The ETIM is a terrorist organization designated by China and listed by the UN Security Council in accordance with the law, and Syria has committed to not allowing any entity to use Syrian territory to engage in activities that undermine China's security, sovereignty and interests, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun.

Guo made the remarks on Thursday at a regular press briefing in response to media inquiry that Syrian foreign ministry officials claimed that Chinese government has not formally requested the Syrian government for the repatriation of ETIM militants.

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The UK is deeply concerned about events in north-east Syria: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Speech

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Charge d'Affaires to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Syria.

From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and James Kariuki CMG

Published 22 January 2026

Location: United Nations, New York

Delivered on: 22 January 2026 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

I will make three points today.

First, the UK is deeply concerned about events in North-East Syria. This is a critical moment for Syria's future and we are watching developments closely. We call for adherence to the ceasefire agreement, continued dialogue and an end to violence.

It is essential that all parties focus on protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure; and unimpeded humanitarian access both within Syria and across borders.

Second, we are alarmed by reports that Daesh fighters have escaped from detention facilities in North-East Syria.

A robust transition plan for securing and managing the camps and detention facilities is critical and we encourage close international co-ordination to mitigate any shared national security risks.

Third, the fighting seen throughout January brings has repercussions for an already difficult humanitarian situation. Tens of thousands of Syrians have been displaced and their access to essential infrastructure - including water, food supplies, internet and electricity- has been severely disrupted.

Access for humanitarian organisations must be facilitated, and aid allowed to reach those in need without obstruction. The UK is providing life-saving humanitarian assistance to those affected by the violence and displacement in North-East Syria, where it is safe to do so and where access allows.

UK aid is supporting hospitals, clinics and the deployment of medical teams alongside the provision of food, shelter, winter supplies and cash transfers.

Colleagues, the Syrian people deserve peace and stability. The UK strongly supports an inclusive political transition that guarantees rights and protections for all communities and delivers for all Syrians.

We welcome the commitments of the Syrian Government in this regard. Respect for diverse identities and inclusive, representative governance are essential pillars for long-term stability and prosperity - and for a safer, more secure future for Syria.

As we look towards a renewed UN-Syria relationship in the year ahead, I encourage this Council to offer their collective support to ensure that Syria remains on the path towards a more stable and peaceful future.

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Syria: Renewed clashes risk derailing fragile transition

By Vibhu Mishra

22 January 2026 - A tense standoff between the Syrian Government and Kurdish-led forces in the country's northeast risks igniting wider instability just as Syria struggles to emerge from years of conflict and authoritarian rule, senior UN officials told the Security Council on Thursday.

They urged swift implementation of recent agreements to prevent renewed fighting, protect civilians and preserve fragile gains made during the country's transition.

A country still on edge

One year into Syria's post-Assad transition, nearly three million refugees and internally displaced people have returned home, a sign of cautious progress.

But UN officials cautioned that the country remains extremely fragile after more than a decade of war.

The ISIL/Da'esh terrorist group continues to pose a persistent threat, sectarian and ethnic tensions remain unresolved, and the presence of foreign fighters and unsecured detention facilities raises serious security concerns.

At the same time, humanitarian needs remain acute, with only about a quarter of the funding required for winter assistance secured, leaving millions without adequate support amid extreme cold.

Regional dynamics are adding further strain. UN officials warned that continued incursions by Israel in southern Syria undermine the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and risk further destabilizing an already volatile environment.

Against this fragile backdrop, the situation in northern and northeastern Syria has deteriorated sharply in recent weeks.

Talks stall, fighting resumes

Repeated attempts at dialogue and mediation between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have failed to prevent renewed violence, Khaled Khiari, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, told ambassadors.

A further round of talks earlier this month did not advance implementation of a March 2025 agreement aimed at integrating the SDF into state institutions, UN officials said. Shortly afterward, clashes erupted in SDF-controlled neighbourhoods of Aleppo, forcing tens of thousands of civilians to flee.

"Following several days of intense fighting...tens of thousands fled, most of whom have started to return, dozens were killed, hundreds were wounded, and persons are still missing," he said.

Although a ceasefire and "full integration agreement" was announced on 18 January with mediation by the United States and other partners, implementation quickly faltered.

Fighting resumed after talks broke down the following day, and clashes were still being reported in parts of Al-Hasakeh governorate and around Ayn al-Arab, also known as Kobane.

"We strongly appeal for both sides to immediately adhere to a ceasefire...and engage in fleshing out and implementing the details of this latest understanding swiftly and in a spirit of compromise," Mr. Khiari said, warning of an "alarming humanitarian and protection crisis" if the violence continues.

He said recent government decrees recognizing the linguistic, cultural and citizenship rights of Syrian Kurds were "encouraging initiatives" but stressed that they must be followed by inclusive political processes to build trust and national cohesion.

Fragile gains, deep needs

The political tensions are unfolding against a backdrop of immense humanitarian strain.

Edem Wosornu, Director of Crisis Response at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said recent fighting had once again exposed how vulnerable Syria remains after 14 years of war.

Clashes this month forced tens of thousands from their homes in Aleppo and triggered new displacement across Ar-Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor and Al-Hasakeh governorates.

As of 18 January, more than 13,000 people had fled Ar-Raqqa alone, many seeking refuge in overcrowded collective centres.

"The fighting has cut people off from clean water, some hospitals have been forced to close, and many children cannot attend school," Ms. Wosornu said, adding that damaged roads, unexploded ordnance and winter storms were hampering aid deliveries.

Displaced families are facing "bitter winter conditions," she said, with urgent needs for shelter, food and heating. Heavy snow and extreme cold have affected nearly 160,000 people living in camps, damaging shelters and contributing to the deaths of two infants.

Despite access challenges, UN agencies and partners continue to deliver aid, including food, shelter, medical supplies and protection services. Emergency funding has been released to support displaced families, and reception centres have been established in Al-Hasakeh and Qamishli.

"Syria can make further progress," Ms. Wosornu said, but this hinges on sustained humanitarian funding, increased investment in recovery and development, and active diplomacy to prevent further violence and protect civilians.

UN teams blocked from accessing Al Hol amid unrest

UN teams attempting to assess conditions at Al Hol camp in Syria's northeast were unable to enter the site this week following its takeover by Syrian authorities, amid reports of looting and fires that left the situation tense and volatile.

Staff from UNHCR and UNICEF reached the camp on Tuesday and again on Wednesday but were prevented from accessing it due to security concerns. The teams nevertheless held constructive discussions with Syrian government representatives on site.

The Syrian authorities have indicated their willingness to provide security and other support to UNHCR and humanitarian partners to allow life-saving operations to continue.

The UN also stressed the need for any transfer of detention facilities holding suspected ISIL members from SDF control to the Syrian government to be carried out in an orderly manner and in line with international standards.

Al Hol camp, located in Hasakeh governorate, has for years housed tens of thousands of people  many of them women and children  including family members of suspected ISIL fighters, and has long been plagued by insecurity, humanitarian needs and limited access for aid agencies.

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Briefing to the Security Council on the humanitarian situation in Syria by Ms. Edem Wosornu, Director, Crisis Response Division, OCHA, on behalf of Tom Fletcher, USG and Emergency Relief Coordinator

UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

As delivered

Thank you, Mr. President

As Syria enters the second year of its new chapter, the determination of its people to build a better future is both palpable and encouraging.

Recent weeks have underscored how acutely vulnerable the country is to the impacts of hostilities and natural disasters such as winter storms - and why humanitarian needs remain substantial.

Earlier this month, clashes in Aleppo city forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes, though most have been able to return since the 11 January ceasefire we just heard about.

Fighting also spread into eastern Aleppo, and parts of Ar-Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor and Al-Hasakah governorates.

As of 18 January, more than 13,000 people had fled from Ar-Raqqa governorate. Many families sought refuge at collective centres in Qamishli.

The fighting has cut people off from clean water, some hospitals have been forced to close, and many children cannot attend school. The closure of the main artery between Homs and Ar Raqqa and damaged bridges - along with explosive ordnance - have affected humanitarians' ability to deliver aid.

Displaced families face bitter winter conditions and desperately need shelter, food and heating.

Mr. President,

Despite fighting and access challenges, the United Nations and its partners continue to deliver aid.

In Aleppo, we have been providing shelter, food, medicines, nutrition support and protection services, in close coordination with the Government of Syria. We are also supporting people returning to their homes in neighborhoods affected by the upheaval.

Reception centres have been set up in Al Hasakeh and Qamishli, and the UN and our partners are providing food across Ar-Raqqa, Tabqa and Al-Hasakeh.

The Syria Humanitarian Fund has released US$2.5 million to rapidly assist displaced people and cushion the effects of severe winter conditions.

At Al-Hol camp - as we have just heard - hosting thousands of women and children with suspected family to ties to ISIL - SDF forces withdrew from their positions on 20 January, and the Syrian Internal Security Forces established a security perimeter around the camp premises.

Yesterday, UNHCR and UNICEF teams reached the camp, and UNHCR - which has taken over camp management responsibilities - is actively coordinating with the Syrian Government to urgently resume the safe delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance.

Mr. President, Members of the Council,

In As-Sweida, in southern Syria, though the situation remains calm, 155,000 people who have been uprooted since July last year cannot return home due to the fragile security.

Commercial supplies and basic services remain insufficient to meet people's needs, leaving many to rely on humanitarian assistance. The United Nations and our partners continue to support nearly 400,000 people every month in As-Sweida and neighbouring governorates.

Meanwhile, clearing explosive remnants remains a critical priority across Syria, with over 540 people killed and nearly 1,000 injured in 2025. Widespread contamination continues to impede people's return to their homes and the rebuilding of livelihoods, particularly for farmers.

Mr. President,

Recent weeks have also shown how vulnerable Syria is to extreme weather.

Heavy snowstorms and extreme cold in northern areas have affected nearly 160,000 people living in camps, damaging shelters and contributing to the deaths of two infants.

The United Nations is providing heating fuel and winter assistance, but only a quarter of the $112 million needed to support people this season has been received, leaving our partners able to reach only a fraction of the 2 million people they hoped to support this winter.

Syria is still reeling from the impact of drought-like conditions, which damaged 70 per cent of the last wheat harvest. While increased rainfall has helped to restore water levels in some areas, it has also flooded and damaged land across several governorates.

Mr. President,

In spite of these challenges, Syrians across the country continue to work to build a brighter future.

More than 3 million refugees and internally displaced people have returned to their homes since December of 2024.

And we have started to see some encouraging, if still limited, improvements in humanitarian indicators. Food security has improved slightly, but only one in five families are consistently meeting their nutritional needs.

Syria can make further progress in reducing humanitarian needs, but this hinges on three requirements from international partners, including this Council:

First, increased investment in recovery and development.

Years of conflict and underinvestment have left communities across Syria with significant shortfalls in services, infrastructure and financial access.

Government-led efforts are underway to help address these gaps. But given the scale of the challenge, international partners must step up with swift and sizable support and provide targeted development finance so that the most vulnerable are not left behind.

Second, sufficient and sustained humanitarian funding in the near term.

Large-scale development investments will take time to mobilize and bear fruit. In the meantime, immediate lifesaving assistance must continue.

In 2025, the United Nations and our partners received only one-third of the $3.2 billion we needed. With this, we were able to do a lot. We were able to reach 3.4 million people with critical aid every month, out of the 10.3 million people we targeted.

We thank all donors who have helped Syrians - both inside Syria and in neighbouring countries - over the years. We welcome the recent announcement by the United States that Syria is among the humanitarian operations it will support through OCHA-managed pooled funds. We are also grateful to those donors, who have already made early contributions for 2026.

And third, active diplomacy to prevent further violence and protect civilians.

The recent clashes in Aleppo and beyond show how instability continues to force families from their homes, strains already limited humanitarian resources and slows development and recovery efforts.

We hope the recent ceasefire agreement will translate into the stability that the people of Syria need.

Mr. President,

Reversing a humanitarian crisis of the scale and complexity of Syria's was never going to be easy.

But we must do all we can to support the people of Syria in this effort.

We owe it to people like Hanan, who lost the restaurant she owns in Aleppo during recent clashes and told us: "We have endured so much, especially in this bitter cold, and we are exhausted. All we want is safety and security." Despite the hardship, she conveyed her belief in a Syria of hope, joy, and solidarity.

Thank you.

Posted on 22 January 2026

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Situation in Syria Still 'Very Tense', Top Political, Peacebuilding Official Tells Security Council, Reviewing Progress towards Ceasefire, National Integration

Meetings Coverage

Security Council

10094th Meeting (AM)

SC/16280

22 January 2026

The situation in Syria remains "very tense with exchanges of fire", a senior United Nations political and peacebuilding official said today as he briefed the Security Council on progress in halting the fighting and ensuring the full integration of all three north-east governorates under central Government control.

Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for Middle East, Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, shared updates on the United States- and partner-mediated "Ceasefire and Full Integration Agreement" between Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Syrian Democratic Forces' (SDF) leader General Mazloum Abdi announced on 18 January.

"The subsequent meeting on 19 January between them failed to resolve implementation and fighting resumed," he told Council members, adding that the following day, Syria's President announced a shared understanding that included a four-day period for consultation. "The situation on the ground remains very tense," Mr. Khiari said, describing an alarming aid crisis with urgent needs.

He pointed to forthcoming milestones, such as the full formation of the People's Assembly and drafting of a permanent constitution, and welcomed the recent "Decree no. 13" announced by President al-Sharaa concerning the linguistic, cultural and citizenship rights of Syrian Kurds within the Syrian State.

However, one year after the fall of the Bashar al-Assad Government, Syria remains extremely fragile. "ISIL is still a persistent threat," he continued, highlighting concerns about detention sites and al-Hol camp transfers, possible escapes, and the United States announcement of a mission to move detainees to Iraq, with 150 Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) members transported to a secure facility.

Mr. Khiari also flagged persisting sectarian and ethnic tensions, condemned attacks on civilians and religious sites after a deadly strike on a mosque in Homs and an attempted church attack in Aleppo. "The wounds along Syria's coast in the north and the south remain unhealed with triggers all around to upset the fragile stability," he said.

Mr. Khiari further warned that Israeli incursions in southern Syria continue to undermine Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity. In the same vein, he welcomed the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) mandate renewal and urged respect for the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement.

Syria Humanitarian Fund Allocates $2.5 Million amid Widespread Suffering

"Reversing a humanitarian crisis of the scale and complexity of Syria's was never going to be easy," Edem Wosornu, Director of the Crisis Response Division at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, told the Council, as well, as she outlined UN efforts to ease Syrians' suffering.

Recent weeks have exposed the country's vulnerability to conflict and winter hazards, with fighting in and beyond Aleppo displacing tens of thousands and causing over 13,000 to flee Ar-Raqqa. In southern Syria, 155,000 people remain displaced since July.

Violence has disrupted water, healthcare, education and humanitarian access. Explosive remnants continue to block returns and livelihoods, killing over 540 and injuring nearly 1,000 in 2025. Moreover, extreme weather has affected almost 160,000 in northern camps, damaged shelters and killed two infants, while funding gaps limit winter assistance.

For its part, the UN is providing protection assistance in Aleppo, supporting returns and operating reception centres in Al-Hasakeh and Qamishli, and along with aid partners it is assisting nearly 400,000 people monthly in As-Sweida and neighbouring governorates. The Syria Humanitarian Fund has allocated $2.5 million to support displaced families through winter.

"In spite of these challenges, Syrians continue to build a brighter future," she said, calling for increased investment in recovery efforts, sustained humanitarian funding and active diplomacy to prevent further violence.

Alarm over Continued Da'esh Threat

In the ensuing discussion, the United States delegate underscored Washington, D.C.'s, long counter-terrorism role through Operation Inherent Resolve and "our partnership" with the Syrian Democratic Forces, whose sacrifices have been instrumental in achieving enduring gains against terrorism. "Now, the situation has fundamentally changed," she said, noting that the new Syrian Government has joined the global coalition to defeat ISIS in late 2025. She commended both sides for reaching a four-day ceasefire to work out the modalities of the 18 January agreement and expressed hope that they would make much-needed progress.

Other Council speakers expressed alarm over Syria's latest security developments with Panama's delegate saying that recent events in the north are a "stark reminder that the transition remains vulnerable". "The [United Kingdom] is deeply concerned about events in north-east Syria," added the United Kingdom's delegate, as he urged adherence to the ceasefire accord. "We are alarmed by reports that Da'esh fighters have escaped from detention facilities," he added.

The representative of France said that Syria recently joined the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, a framework in which France is fully engaged, as demonstrated by joint strikes with the United Kingdom on 3 January. Denmark's delegate spotlighted the dire civilian situation, saying: "The lack of funding remains a major concern, and we urge all donors to do more to meet the needs."

Historic Decree Recognizes Civil, Cultural Rights of Syrian Kurds

Several Council members welcomed the historic decree recognizing the civil and cultural rights of Syrian Kurds. "Inclusive participation of all ethnic and religious groups [...] is at the core of the political transition," said Latvia's delegate. The representative of Greece noted that a transition in Syria must ensure the meaningful participation of all Syrians, whether Muslim, Alawite, Kurd, Christian or Druze. "Syria's wealth lies in its diverse social fabric," she said.

Bahrain's delegate welcomed Syria's positive steps towards political reform. "Achieving equality and justice are [the] main elements for civic peace, stability and sustainable development," she said. The representative of Somalia, Council President for January, speaking also for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Liberia, said that granting full citizenship to the Kurdish community by annulling the discriminatory measures of the 1962 census "corrects decades of injustice".

Opposition to External Interference into Syria's Affairs

Several Council speakers, including China's delegate, voiced opposition to the external interference in Syria's affairs. The international community, he said, is broadly on the same page about hoping Syria will advance an inclusive political transition, combat terrorism, protect minority rights and "swiftly revive its economy and embark on the path of sustainable development".

Despite Syria's continued efforts to exercise restraint and pursue diplomatic avenues, repeated violations of Syria's sovereignty by Israel undermine stability and risk further escalation, said Pakistan's delegate. Syria's challenges "cannot be understood solely through a domestic lens", added Colombia's representative. They must be considered in the context of regional factors affecting stability.

The representative of the Russian Federation said that his delegation is "acutely disquieted" by information from Syria's Ministry of Defence regarding a ceasefire violation by the Syrian Democratic Forces in Hasakah on 21 January. "We urge all parties involved to cease efforts to sabotage the negotiation process and to refrain from any further confrontation," he said. Underlining the importance of a "pan-national dialogue" to long-term, sustainable stabilization, he spotlighted the Syrian President's 16 January decree on the protection of Syrian Kurds' linguistic and cultural rights.

Regional Countries Express Alarm over Security Situation

Regional countries weighed in, with the representative of Turkiye saying that the events of the past two weeks and the violations committed by this terrorist organization, confirmed that the so-called "SDF" was neither Syrian, nor democratic, nor a force. It was an extension of PKK/YPG [Kurdistan Workers' Party/People's Protection Units] terrorists. The representative of Iraq, meanwhile, expressed grave concerns over the situation in detention centres holding Da'esh terrorists, stressing that "any laxity in controlling these sites gives a terrorist organization like Da'esh an opportunity to regroup and reorganize in a manner that threatens the security of our borders".

"The unity, stability and security of Syria is a pillar for the security of the entire region," echoed Jordan's speaker, on behalf of the Arab Group, as he also condemned Israeli actions in the south as a blatant violation of Syria's sovereignty. He urged the Council to oblige Israel to immediately withdraw from the occupied Syrian Golan and fully abide by the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement.

Israel's representative said that the situation in southern Syria directly affects the safety of Israeli civilians, underscoring that "there can be no armed militias, no terrorist infrastructure and no weapons positioned along our border". Also expressing concern over reports that Da'esh prisoners are being released, he stressed: "We will not accept conditions that allow terrorists to regroup, rearm or expand." If Syria is "serious about a different future", then it must remove terrorist elements. He reiterated: "Without action, intentions mean nothing."

Syria Lays Out Achievements in Past Year, Responds to Israel's Claims

Syria's representative detailed his Government's many achievements over the past year, adding that Syria's "rich and diverse national social fabric was also protected". "This is the new Syria, which embraces all its sons and daughters without any discrimination." Turning to recent events involving the Syrian Democratic Forces, he said: "At every stage in which we approached the moment of truth and integration, we would witness attacks, mortar fire and drones." Thus, the Government was compelled to conduct a "limited security operation", which was later expanded due to the "intransigence" of the Syrian Democratic Forces and the "PKK terrorist organization". Condemning attempts by the former to exploit the issue of Da'esh detainees, he welcomed the United States operation to transfer such detainees out of Syrian territory.

Noting that Israel's representative repeatedly mentioned "intentions", Syria's representative took the floor a second time to point out that Syrian Jews are celebrating their holidays in synagogues, Syrian Druze are participating in discussions in Washington, D.C., and Syrian Christians celebrated Christmas in Damascus "for the first time in decades". He also recalled that Israel's representative mentioned borders, stating: "Syria shares no borders with Israel. Syria shares a separation area where UNDOF is for many, many years, followed by the occupied Golan Heights."

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U.S. envoy pledges support for Taiwan defense industry, cites new ammo test range

ROC Central News Agency

01/22/2026 07:42 PM

Taipei, Jan. 22 (CNA) Raymond Greene, the U.S. representative to Taiwan, said Thursday that Washington is committed to expanding Taiwan's domestic defense industrial base, citing a new medium-caliber ammunition test range installed in Taiwan and other initiatives to help build secure drone supply chains.

Greene highlighted the ammunition test facility established by Northrop Grumman in remarks delivered at a seminar hosted by the Institute for National Defense and Security Research, a think tank affiliated with Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND).

The facility allows Taiwan's MND "to test ammunition to global industry standards, enabling the advancement of indigenous development projects through the transfer of technology, proprietary procedures, and expert training," Greene said.

Northrop Grumman has been deepening its cooperation with Taiwan in recent years. Last September, the U.S. defense contractor signed a memorandum of understanding with Taiwan's National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology to explore collaboration on air and missile defense modernization for the MND. It has also formed a consortium with local firms to deliver the AN/TPS-78 Advanced Capabilities Radar to Taiwan, according to the company's website.

Greene also underscored efforts to develop secure drone supply chains, noting that Anduril, a U.S. defense technology company specializing in autonomous systems, sources Taiwanese components to diversify production of its Ghost-X unmanned aerial system.

He added that Shield AI has invested heavily in local components while teaming with Aerospace Industrial Development Corp., Taiwan's largest prime defense contractor.

"Taiwan is a key partner in advancing the frontiers of defense technology," said Greene, who is the director of the American Institute in Taiwan, which represents U.S. interests in Taiwan in the absence of formal diplomatic ties.

By combining U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence research and innovation with Taiwan's manufacturing and hardware capabilities, the two sides can develop edge-computing and embodied-AI applications for drones, command-and-control systems, air defense and other platforms, further strengthening deterrence, Greene said.

"The objective of all of these efforts is to establish conditions for dialogue free from coercion. The United States has always insisted on the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait differences," he added.

(By Wu Shu-wei and Shih Hsiu-chuan)

Enditem/kb

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PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

ROC Ministry of National Defense

2026.01.23

Issuing AuthorityPolitical Warfare Bureau

PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

1.Date:

6 a.m. Jan. 22 (Thu.) to 6 a.m. Jan. 23 (Fri.) (UTC+8)

2.PLA activities:

11 sorties of PLA aircraft and 5 PLAN ships operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 9 out of 11 sorties crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy ships, and coastal missile systems in response to detected activities.

3.PRC balloon activities:

2 PRC balloons were detected during this timeframe.

1150123_PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan_1

1150123_PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan_2

1150123_PLA air activities in the vicinity of Taiwan

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PM call with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte: 22 January 2026

Press release

The Prime Minister spoke to the NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte, this afternoon.

From: Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street and The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP

Published 22 January 2026

The Prime Minister spoke to the NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte, this afternoon.

The leaders discussed the Secretary General's meetings at Davos, and the progress made by allies on Arctic security in recent days.

It was vital that NATO Allies continued to work together to step up security cooperation in the region, they agreed. The UK stood ready to play its full part, the Prime Minister said.

The leaders looked forward to speaking again soon.

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PM meeting with Prime Minister Frederiksen of Denmark: 22 January 2026

Press release

The Prime Minister hosted the Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, at Chequers this afternoon.

From: Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street and The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP

Published 22 January 2026

The Prime Minister hosted the Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, at Chequers this afternoon.

The leaders began by reflecting on recent developments. They agreed that security in the Arctic was a matter for the entire NATO alliance, and Europe and NATO would continue to drive forward progress.

The leaders also discussed how the UK and Denmark could deepen broader security cooperation, both bilaterally and across Europe, including through increasing interoperability between militaries.

On Ukraine, the Prime Minister condemned Russia's vicious attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, and the leaders discussed next steps for the Coalition of the Willing.

The leaders also discussed the situation in the Middle East, and the Prime Minister said it was vital phase two of the Gaza peace plan was reached.

The Prime Minister also raised migration, and the leaders spoke about the need to increase cooperation on innovative solutions to stem the flow of illegal migrants across the continent.

The leaders looked forward to speaking again soon.

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Britain won't sign Trump's "Board of Peace" treaty at signing ceremony: foreign secretary

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 10:16, January 23, 2026

LONDON, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Britain will not sign U.S. President Donald Trump's so-called "Board of Peace" treaty on Thursday, said British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.

"There's a huge amount of work to do, we won't be one of the signatories today," she told British media.

Trump will launch his "Board of Peace" on Thursday in what has been billed as a signing ceremony in Davos, Switzerland.

This is about a legal treaty that "raises much broader issues," Cooper stressed.

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Ukraine and the United Kingdom are already implementing joint defence manufacturing projects under the One Hundred Year Partnership

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

21 January, 2026, 3:06 PM EET

Within the framework of the One Hundred Year Partnership, Ukraine and the United Kingdom have already achieved tangible results in defence innovation and industrial cooperation. In particular, one Ukrainian defence company localised its operations in the United Kingdom over the course of a year, integrating into the British industrial ecosystem. At the same time, British technology partners are rolling out manufacturing and engineering projects in Ukraine, including in the unmanned systems domain.

This was stated by Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Anna Gvozdiar, at the UK-Ukraine One Hundred Year Partnership event, where she moderated the panel discussion titled "A Century of Defence Innovation and Industrial Cooperation." The discussion brought together representatives of government procurement bodies and defence innovation companies from both countries.

"We are already moving beyond intentions to joint projects, manufacturing, and the mutual strengthening of industrial capabilities. We thank the British side for its cooperation and support, as well as for its willingness to work together on practical solutions. The next steps include scaling up joint projects, advancing engineering and R&D cooperation, and developing new formats of practical interaction, including joint technical hackathons and exchanges of expertise," said Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine Anna Gvozdiar.

At the event, she also expressed gratitude to the Government of the United Kingdom for the systematic training of Ukrainian service members, ranging from basic recruit training to specialised courses for those with combat experience. She noted that the professionalism of British instructors and a consistent approach to training have substantially strengthened the capabilities of the Defence Forces of Ukraine.

The Deputy Minister of Defence stressed that combining personnel training, joint innovation, and industrial cooperation is a key factor in strengthening Ukraine's defence capability and advancing a long-term strategic partnership with the United Kingdom.

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Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko: Restoration of the power grid continues throughout the country, with a special focus on Kyiv and frontline regions

Ukraine Government

Department of Information and Public Communications of the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, posted 22 January 2026 12:32

Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko held a daily energy conference call with key ministries and heads of regional military administrations.

According to her, the restoration of the power grid continues throughout the country. The situation remains most complicated in Kyiv city, Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Chernihiv, Sumy, and Kharkiv regions.

Currently, more than 160 teams of energy workers, utility workers, and railway workers, including those sent from other regions, are working around the clock to restore electricity and heat.

During the conference call, special attention was paid to providing the capital with alternative energy sources and distributed generation facilities. The Government is committed to provide all the necessary support.

"We expect active work from the Kyiv city authorities. There should be no obstacles or delays in connecting," Yulia Svyrydenko emphasized.

The Prime Minister also stressed that the Government had created all the necessary conditions for the rapid and unhindered connection of distributed generation facilities. A single window for business inquiries is available on the Pulse platform  pulse.gov.ua.

"The Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture, the Ministry of Energy, and the NEURC are ready to provide maximum assistance," added the Head of Government..

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Update 338 - IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

International Atomic Energy Agency

22 January 2026

Vienna, Austria

5/2026

Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) was reconnected to its last remaining backup power line on Monday after successful repairs were completed under a temporary ceasefire negotiated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said today.

The backup 330-kilovolt (kV) line was damaged and has been disconnected since 2 January, reportedly because of military activity. Since then, ZNPP relied on its last remaining 750-kV main power line to provide the off-site power needed to operate safety systems to cool the ZNPP's six shutdown reactors and spent fuel pools.

After the repair site was cleared of any unexploded ordinance on Saturday, a specially deployed IAEA team monitored the repairs conducted on the frontline by Ukrainian technicians on Sunday and Monday.

"The IAEA continues to play a vital role to maintain nuclear safety and security at the ZNPP. This was the fourth temporary ceasefire agreement that we have negotiated between both sides, for five separate repairs of power lines connected to the ZNPP," Director General Grossi said. "Now that the site has regained connection to both off-site power lines, I once again call on both sides to abide by the Five Concrete Principles to avoid a nuclear accident at the ZNPP by making all efforts to avoid any future damage to these lines."

The team continues to monitor nuclear safety and security at the site, especially in consideration of winter conditions. Under normal operations, residual heat from the operating reactor units keeps the water temperature in the cooling pond and sprinkler ponds warm. With the reactors shut down, less heat is generated, potentially increasing the risk of the water freezing.

During a walkdown on Sunday, the IAEA team observed large ice formations on fountain pipes in some sprinkler ponds. A follow-up walkdown today confirmed that the ice formations were no longer present. The team also confirmed that all 11 groundwater wells remain operational and continue supplying water to the sprinkler ponds, despite the sub-zero conditions. The IAEA team will continue to monitor this issue.

The IAEA team also conducted walkdowns of the Unit 4 reactor building and its safety system rooms, the turbine halls of Units 3 and 4where the team could not gain access to the western part of the buildingand the Unit 6 electrical, instrumentation and control rooms. They also observed routine testing of an emergency diesel generator (EDG) of Unit 3.

Elsewhere in Ukraine, IAEA teams reported military activities in proximity of nuclear power plants (NPPs). Last Friday, one drone was reported approximately 10 kilometres (km) from the South Ukraine NPP. On Tuesday morning, three drones were reported about 5 km from the Chornobyl NPP site, and military activities on Tuesday damaged a critical substation, resulting in the disconnection of power lines to the Chornobyl NPP site and one of the operating NPPs.

At the Chornobyl NPP, one 750-kV power line and two 330-kV lines were lost on Tuesday morning. Though the site received power from other off-site power lines, the EDGs for the New Safe Confinement operated three times during the day, and the EDGs for the Interim Spent Fuel Storage Facility-2 operated once during the day either as a result of the line disconnection or due to power fluctuations. A 110-kV line was also disconnected on Tuesday and again on Wednesday.

An IAEA mission will deploy on Monday to assess the condition of Ukraine's critical substations and their implications for nuclear safety at Ukraine's nuclear facilities. "These critical substations are essential for ensuring reliable off-site power, a key requirement under Pillar 4 of the Seven Indispensable Pillars of nuclear safety," Director General Grossi said. "Any damage to this infrastructure undermines nuclear safety and must be avoided."

This week, IAEA teams at the Chornobyl NPP site and the Rivne NPP safely rotated.

The Agency continued with deliveries under the comprehensive programme of assistance to help Ukraine maintain nuclear safety and security amid the on-going conflict. This week, five electric all-terrain vehicles were delivered to the State Specialized Enterprise "Association Radon" to support the needs of its physical protection department. Within the scope of the medical programme, the medical unit of the Chornobyl NPP received medications for the needs of their staff.

The deliveries, which brought the total number of shipments to Ukraine to 198 and totalling 21.9 million worth of equipment since the start of the conflict, were made possible with funds from the United Kingdom and the European Union.

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Lithuania handed a diplomatic note to Russia expressing strong protest

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Updated 2026-01-22

On 20 January, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania handed a diplomatic note expressing strong protest to the representative of the Russian Embassy in Lithuania over the massive attack of Ukraine by the Russian Federation's air forces the previous night. At least three hundred different types of long-range drones, dozens of cruise and ballistic missiles were launched in the attack. Due to the damage caused by the Russian strikes, residents of the capital of Ukraine and six other areas face significant disruptions to power, water, and heating services.

The note stresses that such unjustifiable actions by the Russian armed forces, targeting the country's infrastructure and causing suffering among civilians, constitute gross violations of the norms of international humanitarian law and are war crimes. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminds that these war crimes are not subject to any statute of limitations, allowing for prosecution of the commissioners and perpetrators of such acts.

The Republic of Lithuania demands that the Russian Federation immediately ceases its aggression against Ukraine, withdraws its occupying forces from the entire internationally recognised territory of Ukraine, and compensates for all damage suffered by Ukraine as a result of the Russian aggression.

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Budrys: the post war Wolf Children story is today being repeated by aggressor Russia in Ukraine

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Updated 2026-01-22

On 20 January, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Kestutis Budrys opened the exhibition "German 'Wolf Children': The Forgotten History of World War II", which features the history of orphaned German children, who were left in East Prussia after World War II, experienced violence by the Soviet army, and later found refuge in Lithuania.

"Children from East Prussia are victims of the brutality of the Soviet army. By telling the world about the experiences of 'wolf children', we not only perpetuate historical memory, but also open our eyes to the scale of Soviet war crimes and the cost of impunity. Today we see that the perpetrator, who escaped accountability at the time, is now continuing violence against the Ukrainian children," Budrys said.

The dialogue between Lithuania and Germany on the subject of 'wolf children' was established thanks to Wolfgang von Stetten, the Honorary Consul of Lithuania in Germany. The Consul brought to light the long-forgotten stories and experiences of these people.

By supporting 'wolf children' living in Germany and Lithuania and their organizations, archival and commemorative projects, von Stetten made a significant contribution to the legal and political visibility of 'wolf children'. In 2021, he published the book "Wolfskinder - Glucksmomente. 30 Jahre deutsch-litauische Begegnung "("Wolf children - moments of happiness. 30 years of German-Lithuanian meetings").

The Seimas of Lithuania designated 14 September as Wolf Children Remembrance Day, marking the first gathering of 'wolf children' in Klaipeda in 1991. The date is now officially recognized as a memorable day and marked annually.

The story of 'wolf children' is also documented in Alvydas Slepikas's novel "Mano vardas - Maryte" ("In the Shadow of Wolves"), which has been translated into eleven foreign languages. The exhibition was prepared by the Genocide and Resistance Research Centre of Lithuania and toured German cities and European Union institutions.

The exhibition "German 'Wolf Children': The Forgotten History of World War II" showcases personal belongings, original photographs, and documents of 'wolf children'. The exhibition was prepared by the historian Ruta Matimaityte, Director of the non-governmental organization "Memory Bridges" and the artist Saulius Valius.

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Lithuania hands over power generators to Ukraine as a matter of urgency

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence

2026-01-22

International cooperation

Lithuania responds to the especially difficult situation in Ukraine, particularly in Kyiv, where power supply is only available during several hours at night due to the persistent Russian fire and central heating is also seriously disrupted in most of the areas, with an urgent donation of power generators worth over EUR 2 million. The aid is targeted to support consistent functioning of key services: heating, electricity and critical infrastructure.

"Temperatures in Kyiv have been significantly below zero for a while, especially during the night, and thousands of citizens are facing real health and survival risks. Power generators come as critical humanitarian aid. Lithuania has been and will be a reliable donor to Ukraine", says Minister of National Defence Robertas Kaunas.

The decision is consistent with the continued commitment of the Republic of Lithuania to ensure comprehensive support to Ukraine. Lithuania will aim to support Ukraine defence with EUR 223 million in 2026 which will translate into weaponry, amnion, military training, etc.

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Zelenskyy Urges Trump For More Air Defense Amid 'Groundhog Day' Of Words Without Actions

By Ray Furlong and RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service January 22, 2026

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had urged US President Donald Trump to provide more Patriot missiles and other air defense systems during a meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on January 22, as US envoys prepared for further talks in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Zelenskyy also raised the prospect of three-way talks between Russian, Ukrainian, and US teams taking place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on January 23-24.

Trump and Zelenskyy met for more than an hour at the World Economic Forum in Davos, in talks that Trump said were positive.

"The meeting was good with President Zelenskyy. We'll see how it turns out," Trump said during a brief doorstep opportunity with reporters at the conference center, adding his message to Putin was "The war has to end."

Shortly after Trump's comments, Zelenskyy took the floor to make a speech followed by a brief question-and-answer session in which he said his main message was Ukraine needed additional defenses against Russian drone and missile strikes that have left up to 1 million people without heat and light in sub-zero temperatures.

"My last words...to President Trump [were]: Don't forget about air defense, don't forget about Patriots," Zelenskyy said. "This is very important to us during this winter."

Groundhog Day

Zelenskyy has made such pleas many times, and he began and ended his speech by speaking of a global Groundhog Day in which crises led to strong words but no decisive action.

"Every forum like this one proves it. Just last year here in Davos, I ended my speech with the words, 'Europe needs to know how to defend itself.' A year has passed and nothing has changed."

This also applied to Iran, Zelenskyy said, where "there was so much talk...but they drowned in blood," and that it applied to stalled efforts to create an international criminal tribunal for Russian aggression in Ukraine.

Slamming a "lack of political will" in Europe, he also contrasted how US naval forces were seizing shadow fleet tankers while "Russian oil is being transported right along European shores" without being intercepted.

Zelenskyy concluded by saying, "Let's end this Groundhog Day," and that peace talks with Russia were now entering "the final mile."

That mile begins with a US delegation led by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner heading to Moscow for talks with Putin later on January 22.

Earlier, Witkoff himself made upbeat remarks at a breakfast meeting saying that "we are at the end now. I'm actually optimistic."

"I think we've got it down to one issue, and we have discussed iterations of that issue, and that means it's solvable. So, if both sides want to solve this, we're going to get it solved," Witkoff said.

In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on Witkoff's optimism, noting merely that "discussion will continue on the Ukrainian settlement issue and other related topics."

The Kremlin said the talks would take place in the evening, and Witkoff said the US delegation would not stay overnight in Moscow - instead flying straight to the UAE.

However, there was no immediate word from Russian or US officials on the trilateral talks mentioned by Zelenskyy.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/witkoff-ukraine-peace- talks-one-issue-davos/33656523.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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Trump Expects Resolution to Ukraine Conflict 'In The Near Future'

Sputnik News

20260122

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he expects to reach a settlement to the conflict in Ukraine "pretty soon."

"We have settled eight wars, and I believe another one is coming pretty soon. You know what that is? The one that I thought was going to be an easy one, it has turned out to be probably the most difficult... But we have meetings, and we think we are making a lot of progress," Trump said at the signing ceremony of the charter of the Gaza Board of Peace, held on the sidelines of the Davos forum.

The Board of Peace for Gaza will cooperate with the United Nations, US President Donald Trump vowed.

"We will work with many others, including the United Nations," Trump said.

The conflict in the Gaza Strip is nearing its end, the US leader said.

"And of course, the war in Gaza, which is really coming to an end," Trump said at the signing ceremony of the charter of the Gaza Board of Peace, held on the sidelines of the forum in Davos.

 Sputnik

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Russia's escalating assault shows no intent to seek peace: UK statement to the OSCE

Speech

UK Charge d'Affaires, Deputy Ambassador James Ford, sets out the evidence of Russia's escalating assaults - rising civilian casualties, unprecedented mass drone and missile attacks, and systematic strikes on healthcare and energy. Yet there are zero credible signs that Russia is serious about peace negotiations. The UK will continue its steadfast support for Ukraine, and for a just and lasting peace.

From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and James Ford

Published 22 January 2026

Location: Vienna

Delivered on: 22 January 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)



Thank you, Mr Chair.

As we enter yet another year of Russia's illegal and unjustifiable war against Ukraine, it is important to cut through the disinformation and focus on the facts. And the facts tell a very clear story. Here are some of the numbers that give us essential context to Russia's war in Ukraine.

Russia claims to want peace. But in 2025 alone, Russia killed 2,514 Ukrainian civilians and injured 12,142 more, according to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission. The total of 14,656 civilian casualties is a 31% increase on 2024, and a 70% increase on 2023. Far from de-escalating, Russia has intensified its assault on the Ukrainian people every single year.

Russia has dramatically expanded its use of drones and missiles. From June to December 2025, Russia launched an average of over 5,300 drones every month, which is more than five times the 2024 monthly average. Across the whole of 2025, Russia fired over 1,900 missiles at Ukrainian cities, averaging more than 155 missiles per month. These numbers expose a campaign designed not only to kill, but to terrorise and exhaust the Ukrainian nation.

Last year Russia began to carry out mass combined attacks on a scale not previously seen in this war. Before the peace talks in Istanbul in May last year, no single day during the fullscale invasion had seen more than 350 drones and missiles launched. Since its attendance at the peace talks, Russia has carried out 39 such largescale attacks, including 11 barrages exceeding 600 drones and missiles in a single day. These are not the actions of a state seeking compromise. They are the actions of a state intent on overwhelming Ukraine's defences and shutting down any path to peace.

Russia's assault on civilian infrastructure continues with devastating consequences. In 2025 alone, Russia attacked nearly 600 Ukrainian health facilities, accounting for 42% of all health-care attacks worldwide. This scale of strikes against hospitals, clinics, ambulances and medical workers is systematic and utterly indefensible.

Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, including a major drone strike in Kyiv this week, have triggered a severe crisis and a state of emergency. Millions of Ukrainians face prolonged blackouts, lack of water, and limited heating during freezing conditions. Over 63,000 energy facilities have been damaged and Ukraine has lost 70% of its pre-war generation capacity after four winters of such attacks.

Mr Chair, these numbers tell a clear story. They show a pattern of relentless escalation. They expose a strategy built on terror, destruction, and the deliberate targeting of civilians. And they underscore a simple truth: President Putin has no interest in ending this war, only in prolonging it. One final figure to emphasise is the number of credible signs that Russia is seeking to resolve this conflict through negotiation. This figure stands at zero.

Meanwhile, Ukraine and its partners continue to pursue a just and lasting peace, one that respects Ukraine's sovereignty, restores its security, and upholds the principles of the international rules-based order. That is why the UK's support for Ukraine will remain steadfast. We will continue to help Ukraine defend itself, protect its people, and strengthen its resilience in the face of Russia's aggression.

Thank you.

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UK response to the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly: UK statement to the OSCE

Speech

UK Charge d'Affaires, Deputy Ambassador James Ford, thanks the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly for his strong and effective stance in supporting Ukraine, and unequivocally condemning Russia's aggression.

From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and James Ford

Published 22 January 2026

Location: Vienna

Delivered on: 22 January 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)



Mr President, welcome back to the Permanent Council. It has been nearly five months since your inaugural address as President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, and in that time, the deep challenges facing our region have continued - most significantly, of course, Russia's war against Ukraine.

The UK is a firm supporter of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, and particularly of the strong and effective stance it has taken in supporting Ukraine. Thank you, Mr President, for your personal focus on supporting Ukraine and its people - including throughout this winter as Russia's barbaric attacks continue unabated, causing significant damage to critical civilian infrastructure and severe humanitarian consequences. We are grateful to you for unequivocally condemning Russian aggression and for your consistent support for Ukraine in its efforts to secure a just peace.

The UK remains and will remain a steadfast supporter of Ukraine. We are pleased to see that stance strengthened in the OSCE PA by your appointment of the UK Parliament's Head of Delegation Sharon Hodgson MP as Chair of the OSCE PA Parliamentary Support Team for Ukraine.

Beyond Ukraine, we reiterate our support for the OSCE PA's vital work in protecting and promoting democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms across the OSCE region, not least through the Parliamentary Assembly's contribution to OSCE election monitoring missions.

The UK looks forward to another year of close collaboration with the OSCE PA across the breadth of our shared agenda.

Thank you.

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Andrii Sybiha held phone talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Kestutis Budrys

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

22 January 2026 16:17

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "I had a meaningful conversation with my Lithuanian colleague and friend Kestutis Budrys.

Sincerely grateful for the important news that Lithuania is providing Ukraine with critically important additional energy assistance - a large number of generators to strengthen our resilience.

It is vital and timely assistance.

I briefed my colleague on the battlefield situation and recent dynamic in the peace talks.

We agreed on further contacts at various levels and coordinated our positions ahead of next week's international events. We paid special attention to the next steps in advancing Ukraine's integration to the EU.

On this symbolic day  Ukrainian Unity Day  I expressed my gratitude to Kestutis for his personal efforts in support of Ukraine and congratulated him on being awarded the Order of Merit by the President Volodymyr Zelenskyy."

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Andrii Sybiha held phone talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands David van Weel

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

22 January 2026 15:17

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "It was good to catch up with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands David van Weel today. Over the phone call we shared thoughts on recent geopolitical developments.

I informed about the situation on the battlefield and humanitarian challenges in Ukraine, caused by Russian brutal attacks on our critical infrastructure.

Thanked the Netherlands for steadfast and urgent support, in particular to Ukraine's energy resilience.

I also briefed my Dutch colleague on peace efforts and the dynamic of Ukrainian-American consultations."

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Ukraine is Ready to Be Part of a Europe of Real Power, Great Power - President

President of Ukraine

22 January 2026 - 22:58

Ukraine is ready to help Europe become a true power, guarantee peace, and prevent destruction. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated this during a special session of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

The Head of State emphasized that Europe has so far failed to find answers to today's global threats, noting in particular that the recent crimes of the Iranian regime have gone without a dignified response.

The President noted that the United States managed to arrest the Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro, while Vladimir Putin has still not been held accountable in Europe. At the same time, Russia even continues to fight for its frozen assets.

"Thankfully, the EU decided to freeze Russian assets indefinitely - and I am grateful for that - thanks, Ursula, thanks, Antonio, and all the leaders who helped. But when the time came to use those assets to defend against Russian aggression, the decision was blocked," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The Head of State separately highlighted the work of the Coalition of the Willing on security guarantees for Ukraine and thanked the United Kingdom and France for a declaration that provides for the deployment of a reassurance force in Ukraine after a ceasefire.

"We are doing everything to make sure that our Coalition of the Willing truly becomes a Coalition of Action. And again - everyone is very positive, but - always but - but the backstop of President Trump is needed. And again - no security guarantees work without the U.S.," the President emphasized.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Europe to tighten sanctions against Russia's shadow fleet in order to halt oil exports and deprive Russia of the funds it uses to wage the war. Because Russian oil funds the war against Ukraine and helps destabilize Europe, it must be stopped, confiscated, and sold for Europe's benefit.

"Europe must do more, so its sanctions block enemies as effectively as American sanctions. Why is that important? Because if Europe is not seen as a global force, if its actions don't scare bad actors, then Europe will always be reacting - catching up with new dangers and attacks," the Head of State emphasized.

The President also emphasized that Europe must create united armed forces capable of guaranteeing its real security.

"Right now, NATO exists thanks to belief - belief that the United States will act, that it will not stand aside, and will help. But what if it doesn't?" Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked.

Separately, the Head of State recalled that the Belarusian people did not receive sufficient support in 2020, and that Russia has now deployed the Oreshnik missile system on the territory of Belarus, which is capable of attacking European cities. Likewise, Europe today is not helping the Iranian people or the democracy they need.

The President is convinced that Europe must demonstrate global strength and take a principled stance to prevent any threats from those who endanger its unity. Instead, Europe is expending significant effort on internal disputes rather than uniting and stopping Russia.

"We must remember what separates Russia from all of us. The most fundamental line of conflict between Russia and Ukraine and all of Europe is this: Russia fights to devalue people, to make sure that when dictators want to destroy someone - they can. But they must lose power, not gain it," the Head of State noted.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Russian missiles are produced only because sanctions-evasion schemes still exist. He noted that Russia is now trying to freeze Ukrainians to death at temperatures of -20C. Russia would not be able to produce a single missile without critical components sourced from China, Europe, the United States, and Taiwan.

"And I thank every country, of course, and every company that helps Ukraine repair its energy system. This is crucial. Thank you to all who support the PURL program, helping us buy Patriot missiles. But wouldn't it be cheaper and easier to just cut Russia off from the components it needs for missile production? Or even destroy the factories making them?" the Head of State added.

According to the President, Europe must demonstrate an active stance in order to build a better world without war. Ukraine is ready to help Europe with everything necessary to guarantee peace and prevent destruction.

"We are ready to be part of a Europe that truly matters - a Europe of real power - great power. Today, we need that power to protect our own independence. But you need Ukraine's independence, too, because tomorrow, you may have to defend your way of life. And when Ukraine is with you, no one will wipe their feet on you," Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.

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Diplomatic Efforts and Support for Ukraine: Volodymyr Zelenskyy Held a Phone Call with the Prime Minister of Norway

President of Ukraine

22 January 2026 - 22:18

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone call with Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Stre.

The Head of State informed him about his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Davos, as well as about diplomatic plans for further negotiations and ongoing work on documents.

"Our team is currently en route to the United Arab Emirates for meetings with both the American and Russian sides. We will see how this proceeds and then determine our next steps," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The leaders also discussed the outcomes of this year's World Economic Forum. The President of Ukraine emphasized that everyone in Europe must become stronger and work together more.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Jonas Gahr Stre paid particular attention to the situation in Ukraine and the needs to protect people. The President thanked Norway for all its support, especially its energy support.



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President Met with Representatives of International Business, Financial Institutions, and Energy Companies

President of Ukraine

22 January 2026 - 20:13

In Davos, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part in a panel session of the International Advisory Council for Ukraine's Recovery. Representatives of international business, financial institutions, and energy companies attended the event.

The Head of State thanked participants for their attention to Ukraine and for their support, which is especially important now, as Russia - through such strikes - seeks to destroy both people and cities by the cold. The President stressed that everything must now work toward Ukraine's resilience and the strength of the people of Ukraine.

"We must be realistic and implement specific things now that people can actually feel. We will work productively with everyone who stands with Ukraine," Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted.

One of the main topics of discussion was ways to help overcome challenges in the energy sector caused by Russian shelling. The meeting also addressed increasing investment in projects in Ukraine after a dignified peace is achieved. Volodymyr Zelenskyy is convinced this will become possible as soon as Ukraine receives robust security guarantees.

"Security guarantees for our people are extremely important. But they are also essential for investment and for business - for everyone. And that is a good thing. We are now at a point where we understand this, Europeans understand it, and Americans understand it as well: we all need security guarantees, first and foremost from America, and then from Europe. I hope we will be able to finalize the reconstruction package, the prosperity package that our teams are currently working on," the President said.

The participants also discussed how business operates in Ukraine amid the full-scale war. The Head of State noted that despite the war, domestic businesses continue to operate and grow - and, most importantly, to implement modern technologies and innovations.

Participants included European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity Valdis Dombrovskis, President of the World Bank Ajay Banga, United Nations Development Program Administrator Alexander De Croo, Chairman and CEO of BlackRock Larry Fink, as well as founders and executives of the following companies: Fortescue (Australia), Vestas (Denmark), Schneider Electric (France), Siemens Energy (Germany), TenneT (Netherlands), Equinor (Norway), Sonae (Portugal), Vattenfall (Sweden), ABB (Switzerland), Koc Holding (Turkiye), Bank of America (United Kingdom), Arup Group (United Kingdom), Henry Schein (United States), AES (United States), Bunge Global (United States), Citi (United States), and Goldman Sachs.

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The President of Ukraine and the President of Switzerland Discussed Possibilities for Supporting Ukraine's Energy Sector

President of Ukraine

22 January 2026 - 19:40

In Davos, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held his first meeting with President of Switzerland Guy Parmelin.

The Head of State congratulated Guy Parmelin on his election to office and thanked Switzerland for its steadfast support for Ukraine since the very beginning of Russia's full-scale aggression.

The Presidents discussed diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a dignified peace and the importance of strengthening sanctions against Russia. Ukraine values Switzerland's sanctions policy and expects more important decisions in the future.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy briefed his counterpart on the situation in Ukraine amid Russia's ongoing attacks on energy facilities during this cold winter, as well as on the around-the-clock work of repair crews and energy specialists to restore electricity, heating, and water supply in Ukrainian cities and communities.

The President outlined the needs for supporting the energy sector and strengthening the air defense capabilities. The leaders also discussed the possibility of Switzerland making an additional contribution to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund.

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The President of Ukraine and the President of the United States Held a Productive and Substantive Meeting in Davos

President of Ukraine

22 January 2026 - 16:47

In Davos, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a productive and substantive meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.

The Head of State thanked President Trump for his efforts to stop the bloodshed and bring the war to an end.

The leaders discussed the work of the Ukrainian and U.S. negotiating teams, which operate practically every day through meetings or communications. According to the President of Ukraine, the documents are now even better prepared.

Particular attention was given to strengthening Ukraine's air defense. Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the previous meeting with President Trump on December 28 in Florida helped strengthen the protection of Ukrainian skies, and Ukraine is counting on further reinforcement this time. The President of Ukraine expressed gratitude for the previous package of air defense missiles and requested an additional supply.

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Deputy Secretary-General's remarks to the Danish Parliament: "The Future of the United Nations in a Turbulent World" [as delivered]

United Nations Secretary-General

22 January 2026

Copenhagen, Denmark

Statements | Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Sren Gade,

The Chair of the Committee on Foreign Policy, my dear friend Christian Friis Bach,

Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen,

Honourable Members of Parliament here, many friends,

But I'd also like to give a shout out to my friend Michael Mller who worked for us many years in the same Palais that Christian spoke about.

Excellencies,

Thank you so much for welcoming me back to Copenhagen.

Every time I come, I am reminded of what Denmark stands for: steadfast commitment to international cooperation and solidarity with humanity.

Since the founding of the United Nations, the Danish Government and people have exemplified what it means to stand up for the values and the principles of the Charter.

In every corner of the globe, Danish professionals bring expertise and integrity to the work of the UN.

To the world, Denmark is a humanitarian powerhouse.

And a driving force behind the Secretary-General's Call to Action on Human Rights.

As a member of the Security Council, you have been relentless in advancing critical agendas  on women, peace and security, on climate  and unequivocal in calling for women to exercise real power, not merely fill the seats.

And I commend the Prime Minister for her leadership on this path.

Our divided and unequal world desperately needs to summon the kind of courage that Denmark has shown on the global stage.

That's why it is fitting for this conversation to happen here, in Folketing, the people's house.

Because the United Nations Charter begins with three words: "We the peoples."

Not "we the governments."

Not "we the powerful."

"We the peoples."

Excellencies,

Our world today is caught in a turbulent tailspin.

To break out of it, we would need to make use of the proven instruments of solidarity, of human rights, a rules-based order centered in multilateralism.

Sadly, today, our founding Member States undermine the very institution they established in 1945 for peace, human rights and development.

Regressing to a time when power, not principle, ruled the day.

The disastrous results were evident.

The legacy of that era lies at the heart of the unmet vision of the Charter, seen in the crises we are still grappling with today.

We are seeing threats to sovereignty and territorial integrity, including some that are closer to home, threats that strike at the heart of the Charter's fundamental obligations.

We must not stand by and be mere spectators at the chipping away of multilateralism, veto by veto, until one day we look up and we realize the scaffolding that protected our peace and prosperity has collapsed.

Make no mistake, we stand to undermine the Charter, and by extension the United Nations, a space that allows us all to come together for humanity, all with equal voice, but I often say not equal muscle. But we do give visibility and hope for the hopeless.

We must protect the Charter.

It is our moral compass, it points to our North Star: the inherent worth and dignity of every human being on a safe planet.

To keep this compass, to reclaim this space, we must have the courage of our convictions I believe on three fronts.

First, we must fight to secure and invest in peace.

The Security Council and the General Assembly have continued to affirm this through resolutions on Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and through decades of resolutions supporting a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians to live side by side.

The General Assembly has interrogated the veto, making clear the will of the masses and the majority of nations.

These are the Charter's values that have been brought to life, but the very foundation those resolutions rest on is being attacked.

On the eve of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Kenyan Ambassador to the UN, Martin Kimani, spoke at the Security Council, and he spoke of, I quote, "nations that looked ever backward into history with a dangerous nostalgia."

Dangerous nostalgia is what's threatening international cooperation now, that the rule of law can be interpreted by the whims and caprices of a strong arm.

The belief that empires can be rebuilt, and that might makes right.

And as the Secretary-General reminds us recently, the Charter is not an a la carte menu. All countries have an obligation to uphold it.

To respect international law.

To safeguard peace.

And to uphold human rights.

And ensure the dignity of all peoples.

Today, the Member States with the greatest courage of their convictions are often not those that are leading with military might.

They are South Africa stepping up for Palestine.

Or The Gambia taking a stand for the people of Myanmar.

In fact, it's the courage and the audacity of smaller countries that are holding the line on the Charter.

They understand this simple truth: that if the rules don't protect the vulnerable, they offer protection to no one.

You either stand up for a rules-based order, or you pay the price of ignoring it.

Yesterday, the price was Venezuela, tomorrow it may be Greenland.

Second: we must endeavour to accelerate sustainable development, because it is the only sustainable investment in peace and human rights.

Since 1990, extreme poverty has been halved, and halved again.

Over 130 million children survived who would not have otherwise.

In a single generation maternal mortality reduced by 40 per cent.

And we have seen increasing numbers of girls in school.

But geopolitical tensions are turning back that clock on these gains, threatening the promise of the 2030 Agenda.

Trade wars are closing off markets that have lifted millions out of poverty. And we're watching a global rollback of the hard-won rights of women and girls.

There's a direct line from political instability to development emergencies  you cannot separate the two.

Here's what we know: without sustainable development, peace cannot and will not hold.

It is no coincidence that nine out of the ten countries with the lowest Human Development Indicators are currently experiencing conflict.

Inequalities loom large when people are left behind.

The Sustainable Development Goals are an expression of our common values, and an investment in our shared prosperity and stability.

And yet - - - the money is flowing in the wrong direction.

In 2024, military spending hit 2.7 trillion dollars  a record high. Meanwhile, we fall short by 4.2 trillion dollars every year for basic development needs.

And this really must change.

Davos this week will see the rich getting richer - profits going into the hands of very few. Last year, the wealth of billionaires grew by 2 trillion dollars while the poorest half of humanity owns just 2 percent of global wealth.

Last year, in Sevilla, the UN conference on financing for development showed us how to create fiscal space for sustainable development, address the debt crisis, and reform the international financial architecture that keep so many outside.

Third: if we are to be fit for purpose, 80 years on, we must reset the UN to preserve multilateralism, an important space for humanity.

When COVID-19 hit, international cooperation made it possible to mobilize vaccines at lightning speed, albeit many were left behind.

When Ebola threatened to spread across continents, that same spirit of cooperation, through the UN system, stopped it in its tracks.

The Pact for the Future brought 193 nations to consensus when everyone said it was impossible.

Each of these example shows global solidarity and what it can deliver.

But the hardware of international cooperation - our institutions  is showing its age.

And the software is long overdue for a reboot.

The disruption rattling our world today is an opportunity to build a newer, more networked multilateralism.

That is exactly what we aim to do with the UN80 Initiative that the Secretary-General has put forward for Member States to consider.

To build a UN that can help humanity keep its bearings in turbulent times.

It is about building a UN system that delivers more effectively, with greater impact, amid the reality of fewer resources and greater needs on the ground in countries.

UN80 sets out a series of paradigm shifts to strengthen the UN system and to prepare us for the challenges ahead - across human rights, peace and security, humanitarian and sustainable development.

We are breaking down silos and strengthening collaboration across our agencies to enable impact in the lives of people.

Countries face challenges that do not fit into neat categories or boxes. They are complex, interconnected, and we need to deliver solutions that reflect that reality.

This is how we make the UN future-ready, how we renew and we protect multilateralism.

Crucially, none of it will happen without the support of Member States.

So, I am asking all countries, including Denmark, lead the charge and commit to a reformed UN that delivers on the promise of the Charter and the realities of today.

Excellencies,

Our world is facing immense turbulence, and there are some who would be happy to see the UN on its deathbed.

We have lost ground.

Some even have lost faith.

But we have not lost sight of hope.

We continue to look forward with determined resolve.

Countries like Denmark show us that renewal is possible when there is the courage to stand up, to engage, to adapt, and to rebuild for a changing world.

This building where we meet today has burned to the ground twice. In 1794. In 1884.

Each time, Denmark chose to rebuild.

But you did more than restore what was lost. You built for a new era.

The first palace was made for a monarchy.

The second, a constitutional age.

But the current iteration of the Christiansborg Palace was designed for democracy, bringing all three pillars of governance under one roof.

The United Nations was born in the same way, out of the ashes, to say "never again".

Today, in a turbulent and uncertain world, we are again being called to rise to the occasion.

The question is who will muster the courage to lead the way?

Will it be small states, like Denmark?

Will it be developing nations?

Will it be a call to action that cuts across all nations?

We know what brought us to this moment, the question is who will turn the tide against "might is right".

The decision to act requires the courage of one's convictions, to put back "we the peoples" at the center of our human endeavors, as we navigate the UN in a turbulent world.

As Nelson Mandela taught us for many decades in prison, "it always seems impossible until it's done".

Thank you.

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TORONTO, Jan. 22, 2026 - Cerrado Gold Inc. ("Cerrado" or the "Company") announces that, pursuant to applicable provisions of Portuguese environmental law, the Environmental Impact Assessment ("EIA") for the Lagoa Salgada Project, located in the Iberian Pyrite Belt of southern Portugal (the "Project"), is considered by Cerrado and its counsel, to be tacitly approved by operation of law.

Under the Portuguese Environmental Impact Assessment legal framework (Decree-Law no. 151-B/2013, as amended), the Portuguese Environmental Agency (Agencia Portuguesa do Ambiente - "APA") is required to issue an Environmental Impact Declaration ("DIA") within a statutory deadline following submission of a reformulated project. That deadline has now lapsed without a final decision being lawfully issued, resulting in tacit approval (deferimento tacito) of the EIA and the revised project submitted by the Company on 8 November 2025.

As a consequence, and in accordance with Article 19(2) of the EIA regime, the Company views the Project deemed approved for environmental purposes, enabling Cerrado to proceed to the Final Execution Project and Environmental Compliance Report (RECAPE) phase.

Mark Brennan, Chief Executive Officer of Cerrado Gold, commented: "The tacit approval of the Lagoa Salgada EIA reflects the operation of a legal framework designed to ensure procedural certainty and proportionality. The DIA is a milestone which allows the Project to progress into the execution phase (RECAPE). The Company's reformulated project submission maintains full respect for environmental standards, regulatory oversight, and stakeholder engagement. We look forward to working with APA and other relevant authorities through the RECAPE phase and beyond."

The Company intends to request formal certification of tacit approval to further progress the permitting process. The process remains ongoing since APA's opinion on the matter currently remains uncertain and there is no assurance that APA will not object or issue an unfavourable opinion notwithstanding that the deadline has lapsed.

About Cerrado

Cerrado Gold is a Toronto-based gold production, development, and exploration company. The Company is the 100% owner of the producing Minera Don Nicolas and Las Calandrias mine in Santa Cruz province, Argentina. In Portugal, the Company holds an 80% interest in the highly prospective Lagoa Salgada VMS project through its position in Redcorp - Empreendimentos Mineiros, Lda. In Canada, Cerrado Gold is developing its 100% owned Mont Sorcier Iron project located outside of Chibougamau, Quebec.

In Argentina, Cerrado is maximizing asset value at its Minera Don Nicolas operation through continued operational optimization and is growing production through its operations at the Las Calandrias heap leach project. An extensive campaign of exploration is ongoing to further unlock potential resources in our highly prospective land package in the heart of the Deseado Masiff.

In Portugal, Cerrado focused on the exploration and development of the highly prospective Lagoa Salgada VMS project located on the prolific Iberian Pyrite Belt in Portugal. The Lagoa Salgada project is a high-grade polymetallic project, demonstrating a typical mineralization endowment of zinc, copper, lead, tin, silver, and gold. Extensive exploration upside potential lies both near deposit and at prospective step-out targets across the large 7,209-hectare property concession. Located just 80km from Lisbon and surrounded by exceptional infrastructure, Lagoa Salgada offers a low-cost entry to a significant exploration and development opportunity, already showing its mineable scale and cashflow generation potential.

In Canada, Cerrado is developing its 100% owned Mont Sorcier high-purity, high-grade, Direct Reduced Iron project, located on the traditional Cree territory of Eeyou Istchee James Bay in the municipality of Chibougamau. The Mont Sorcier high purity high grade DRI Iron project, which has the potential to produce a premium iron concentrate over a long mine life at low operating costs and low capital intensity. Furthermore, its high grade and high purity product facilitates the migration of steel producers from blast furnaces to electric arc furnaces, contributing to the decarbonization of the industry and the achievement of sustainable development goals.

For more information about Cerrado please visit our website at: www.cerradogold.com.

Mark Brennan

CEO and Chairman

Mike McAllister

Vice President, Investor Relations

Tel: +1-647-805-5662

[email protected]

Disclaimer

NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that discusses predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, without limitation, statements regarding the business and operations of Cerrado, the assumption that the EIA legal framework will be respected and upheld by relevant authorities or court of law; that the EIA legal framework will be interpreted by relevant authorities or a court of law in the manner that the Company and its legal advisors have determined is prescribed by law; that APA will either not object to the deemed approval by operation of law or that a court of law with competent authority will issue a judgment in the Company's favour; and that the Company will succeed in obtaining requisite approvals during the RECAPE phase. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain all necessary approvals, licenses and permits that may be required to advance the Project, including formal certification of approval in connection with the DIA. In making the forward- looking statements contained in this press release, Cerrado has made certain assumptions. Although Cerrado believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this press release. Except as required by law, Cerrado disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise.
Vancouver, January 23, 2026 - Blende Silver Corp. (the "Company") (TSX.V: BAG) is pleased to advise shareholders and commodities-focused investors that the Company will exhibit at Jay Martin's Vancouver Resource Investment Conference (VRIC) on January 25-26, 2026, 8:30am-6:00pm (PST).

Attendees are invited to visit Booth #1019 to meet the team and learn more about Blende's exploration activities in the Yukon Territory.

"VRIC is one of the most important resource investment conferences in North America, and we are excited to participate in this year's event," said Andrew H. Rees, Director of Blende Silver Corp. "The conference provides an excellent opportunity for us to engage directly with shareholders, potential investors, and industry peers. We invite attendees to stop by Booth 1019 to learn more about our projects, review recent progress, and discuss our growth strategy as we continue to advance Blende's exploration and development initiatives."

About VRIC

The Vancouver Resource Investment Conference (VRIC) is an annual two-day event organized by Cambridge House International that has become one of North America's premier gatherings for investors, industry professionals, and companies in the commodities and natural resource sectors. Scheduled for January 25-26, 2026 at the Vancouver Convention Centre West Building in Vancouver, British Columbia, VRIC brings together a large and diverse audience-typically thousands of investors, analysts, executives, and deal-makers-from around the world to explore emerging trends and investment opportunities in mining, precious metals, critical minerals, and related hard commodities.

At the heart of the conference is a rich agenda featuring over 120 keynote speakers comprising mining CEOs, legendary investors, macroeconomic thinkers, and sector specialists who share actionable insights into market forces such as de-dollarization, geopolitical shifts, technological transformation, and supply-demand dynamics. Register HERE

Event Details

Conference:Vancouver Resource Investment Conference (VRIC)

Dates:January 25-26, 2026

Exhibit Location:Booth 1019

Venue:Vancouver Convention Centre West Building

About Blende Silver Corp.



Blende Silver Corp. is a Vancouver-based junior resource company focused on silver-zinc-lead exploration and development at the company's flagship Blende Deposit in north-central Yukon. The 100% owned property is the largest carbonate-hosted Ag-Zn-Pb deposit in Yukon and one of the largest undeveloped Ag-Zn-Pb deposits in Western Canada. It is winter-road accessible, 5,345 ha and situated 63 km northeast of Keno Hill, Yukon. The property has had more than $9.2M in past exploration ($5.2M by Blende Silver); including 25,195 meters of drilling in 132 drillholes.

For further information please contact:

Blende Silver Corp.

"Andrew H. Rees"

Andrew H. Rees, Director

Tel: 604-669-6463

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements which involve known and unknown risks, delays, and uncertainties not under the control of Blende Silver Corp. which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of Blende Silver Corp. to be materially different from the results, performance or expectation implied by these forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on factors that will or may occur in the future. Actual results may vary depending upon exploration activities, industry production, commodity demand and pricing, currency exchange rates, and, but not limited to, general economic factors.

Copyright (c) 2026 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
Germanium Mining Corp. (GERMANIUM MINING", "GMC", OR THE "COMPANY") (CSE: GMC; OTCQB: EMSKF; FSE: FW0) announces they will be attending the upcoming Vancouver Resource Investment Conference (VRIC), taking place at the Vancouver Convention Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia January 25-26, 2026. Further information and registration for the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference can be found here.



Click Image To View Full Size

The Vancouver Resource Investment Conference is one of the premier global events for the mining and resource investment sector, bringing together exploration and development companies, institutional and retail investors, analysts, and industry experts from around the world. Hosted annually in Vancouver, the conference provides a high-profile platform for companies to showcase their projects, engage directly with the investment community, and discuss macro trends shaping the commodities markets. VRIC is widely recognized for its strong investor attendance, influential speaker lineup, and its role as a key meeting place for capital markets and the natural resources industry at the start of the year.

Mario Pezzente, Chief Executive Officer, commented "Attending the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference is an important opportunity for Germanium Mining's team members to engage directly with investors and industry stakeholders. With our portfolio of Critical Mineral projects across North America, VRIC provides a platform to highlight our exploration strategy, share recent progress, and build relationships as we advance our assets and create long-term shareholder value."

About the Lac Du Km 35 Germanium Property

The Lac du Km 35 Property is located 40 kilometres east of Chibougamau in Quebec's Nord du Quebec region and benefits from excellent road access via Highway 167 and a network of forestry roads. The project covers volcano sedimentary rocks of the Roy Group and the Laganiere Gneissic Complex, situated within the northeastern Abitibi greenstone belt near the Grenville Front, a major structural boundary.

The key target is the historical Laganiere Germanium showing, discovered in 1998, which returned 0.02 percent (186 parts per million) Germanium from peridotite hosted within gneissic rocks. The showing lies beside a cluster of untested electromagnetic anomalies and close to the Faribault shear zone, a major structure that may have acted as a conduit for mineralizing fluids. Historical results have not been verified by a qualified person.

Limited regional work has been completed, and the area remains largely underexplored. Recent 2024 prospecting returned encouraging values in nickel, cobalt, copper, and gold from outcrop samples, supporting the potential for a broader polymetallic system.

Qualified Person

Benoit Moreau, P.Eng., a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, and vice-president of exploration for Germanium Mining Corp., has reviewed and approved and is responsible for the technical information contained in this news release.

About Germanium Mining Corp.

Germanium Mining Corp. is a publicly traded mineral exploration company focused on the exploration and advancement of discovery-stage mineral properties in top tier mining jurisdictions across North America. Germanium Mining Corp is a member of the Nevada Mining Association, National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) and the Canadian Association of Defense and Security Industries (CADSI).



Make sure to follow the Company on X.com & Linkedin as well as subscribe for Company updates at www.germaniummining.com

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Mario Pezzente

___

CEO & Director

For more information on Germanium Mining Corp. please contact:

Phone: 604-717-6605

Corporate e-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.germaniummining.com

Corporate Address: 2905 - 700 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC, V7Y 1C6

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact that address activities, events, or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the intended use of proceeds of the Offering and other matters regarding the business plans of the Company. The forward-looking statements reflect management's current expectations based on information currently available and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements including that the Company may use the proceeds of the Offering for purposes other than those disclosed in this news release; adverse market conditions; and other factors beyond the control of the Company. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and, accordingly, undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to their inherent uncertainty. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include general market conditions and other factors beyond the control of the Company. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

The Canadian Securities Exchange (operated by CNSX Markets Inc.) has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents or accuracy of this press release.


VANCOUVER, January 23, 2026 - Golden Cariboo Resources Ltd. ("Golden Cariboo" or "Company") (CSE:GCC | (OTC:GCCFF | WKN:A402CQ | FSE:3TZ) is pleased to advise shareholders and commodities-focused investors that the Company will exhibit at Jay Martin's Vancouver Resource Investment Conference (VRIC) on January 25-26, 2026, 8:30am-6:00pm (PST).

Attendees are invited to visit Booth #1019 to meet the team and learn more about Golden Cariboo's exploration activities in British Columbia's historic Cariboo Gold District.

"VRIC is one of the most important resource investment conferences in North America, and we are excited to participate in this year's event," said J. Frank Callaghan, President & CEO of Golden Cariboo Resources Ltd. "The conference provides an excellent opportunity for us to engage directly with shareholders, potential investors, and industry peers. We invite attendees to stop by Booth 1019 to learn more about our projects, review recent progress, and discuss our growth strategy as we continue to advance Golden Cariboo's exploration and development initiatives."

About VRIC

The Vancouver Resource Investment Conference (VRIC) is an annual two-day event organized by Cambridge House International that has become one of North America's premier gatherings for investors, industry professionals, and companies in the commodities and natural resource sectors. Scheduled for January 25-26, 2026 at the Vancouver Convention Centre West Building in Vancouver, British Columbia, VRIC brings together a large and diverse audience-typically thousands of investors, analysts, executives, and deal-makers-from around the world to explore emerging trends and investment opportunities in mining, precious metals, critical minerals, and related hard commodities.

At the heart of the conference is a rich agenda featuring over 120 keynote speakers comprising mining CEOs, legendary investors, macroeconomic thinkers, and sector specialists who share actionable insights into market forces such as de-dollarization, geopolitical shifts, technological transformation, and supply-demand dynamics. Register HERE

Event Details

Conference:Vancouver Resource Investment Conference (VRIC)

Dates:January 25-26, 2026

Exhibit Location:Booth 1019

Venue:Vancouver Convention Centre West Building

About Golden Cariboo Resources Ltd.

Golden Cariboo Resources Ltd. is rediscovering the Cariboo Gold Rush by proceeding with highly targeted drilling and trenching programs on its Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property which is bordered by Osisko Development (NSE:ODV/TSXV:ODV), partly intertwined with them at the north end of the Cariboo Gold Project, and located along a favourable corridor adjacent to the Spanish and Eureka thrust faults over a 94,899 hectare (234,501 acre) area. Historically, over 101 placer gold creeks on the 90-kilometer (56 mile) trend, from the Cariboo Hudson mine north to the Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property, have recorded production with successful placer mining continuing to this day.

Golden Cariboo's Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property is 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) northeast of, and road accessible from, Hixon in central British Columbia. The Property includes the Quesnelle Quartz gold-silver deposit, which was discovered in 1865 and developed over a footprint of about 150m x 150m (< 6 acres) at the Main zone straddling Hixon Creek. Overall, the geological setting of the gold mineralization at the Company's Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property shows strong similarities with the Spanish Mountain gold deposit, situated 120 km (75 miles) towards the southeast along the same geological trend. As a sediment-hosted vein (SHV) deposit, the Spanish Mountain deposit is considered to belong to the epizonal orogenic subclass of gold deposits which include some of the world's largest deposits such as Muruntau, Uzbekistan and Bendigo, Australia.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

"J. Frank Callaghan"

J. Frank Callaghan, President & CEO

For further information please contact

J. Frank Callaghan, President & CEO

Tel: 604-669-6463

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS

www.goldencariboo.com

LIKE AND FOLLOW

Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn

Neither the "CSE" Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statements:

This news release contains statements which constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company with respect to future business activities and plans of the Company. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" or similar expressions and includes information regarding; the expectation that the Company will receive all necessary exemptions and approvals to complete the Offering; the expectation that the Company will complete the Offering on the terms disclosed, or at all; the expectation that the proceeds will be used for property exploration and for general working capital; the Company's exploration plans with respect to its Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property; and the anticipated participation of the insider in the Offering.

Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions of management, including, without limitation, that the Company will receive all necessary exemptions and approvals to complete the Offering; that the Company will complete the Offering on the terms disclosed, or at all; that the proceeds will be used for property exploration and for general working capital; that the Company will have the resources required to proceed with its exploration plans; that the Company will not run into regulatory or other barriers in carrying out its business plans; that the insider will participate in the Offering, on the terms and conditions and in the amount currently expected by management; and that the Company will be able to rely on the exemption from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements on the basis anticipated.

Additionally, forward-looking information involve a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, without limitation: that the Company will not receive the necessary exemptions and approvals to complete the Offering; that the Company will not complete the Offering on the terms disclosed, or at all; that the Company will be unable to use the proceeds for property exploration and for general working capital; that the Company may incur unanticipated costs; that the Company may not have the resources required to pursue its exploration plans; that the Company's operations could be adversely affected by possible future government legislation policies and controls or by changes in applicable laws and regulations; that the insider may not participate in the Offering on the terms and conditions and in the amount currently expected by management, or at all; and that the Company may not be able to rely on the exemption from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements on the basis currently expected. Such forward-looking information represents management's best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. Neither the Company nor any of its representatives make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, sufficiency or completeness of the information in this news release. Neither the Company nor any of its representatives shall have any liability whatsoever, under contract, tort, trust or otherwise, to you or any person resulting from the use of the information in this news release by you or any of your representatives or for omissions from the information in this news release.

The forward-looking statements herein speak only as of the date they were originally made. The Company has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

###

Copyright (c) 2026 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. NOT AN OFFER OF SECURITIES FOR SALE IN THE UNITED STATES/

Fredonia Mining Inc. ("Fredonia" or the "Company") (TSXV: FRED) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Cormark Securities Inc. (the "Sole Agent") to act as sole agent for and on behalf of Fredonia in connection with a "best efforts" private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of up to approximately C$5,000,000 (the "Offering").

The Offering will consist of the issuance and sale of 12,500,000 units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of C$0.40 per Unit (the "Issue Price"). Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (each, a "Unit Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant shall entitle the holder thereof to purchase one common share of the Company (each, a "Warrant Share") at a price of C$0.56 for the period that is 36 months following the Closing Date (as defined below).

The Company has granted the Sole Agent an option, exercisable in whole or in part, at any time prior to the Closing Date, to increase the size of the Offering to raise additional gross proceeds of up to C$1,000,000.

The Company intends to use net proceeds from the Offering for the exploration and advancement of the Company's El Dorado Monserrat Project in Santa Cruz province, Argentina, and for general corporate and working capital purposes, all as further described in the offering document relating to the Offering.

The Company is conducting the Offering pursuant to Section Part 5A.2 of National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions, as amended by Coordinated Blanket Order 45-935 - Exemptions from Certain Conditions of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption (the "Listed Issuer Financing Exemption") to purchasers in each of the provinces of Canada (other than the province of Quebec). The Sole Agent will also be entitled to offer the Units for sale in the United States and other jurisdictions outside Canada pursuant to available exemptions from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and in certain other jurisdictions outside of Canada and the United States pursuant to applicable regulatory requirements and in accordance with OSC Rule 72-503 - Distributions Outside Canada ("OSC Rule 72-503"); provided it is understood that no prospectus filing or comparable obligation, ongoing reporting requirement or requisite regulatory or governmental approval arises in such other jurisdictions. The Unit Shares and Warrants comprising the Units issued pursuant to the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption to investors resident in Canada or to investors outside of Canada pursuant to OSC Rule 72-503, as well as the Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, will not be subject to a hold period in Canada.

The securities described herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold to, or for the account or benefit of, persons in the "United States" or to "U.S. persons" (as such terms are defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act), absent registration under the U.S. Securities Act and all applicable U.S. state securities laws or in compliance with an exemption therefrom. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

There is an offering document with respect to the portion of the Offering being conducted pursuant to the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption that can be accessed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and the Company's website at https://www.fredoniamanagement.com/. Prospective investors of Units issued under the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption should read this offering document before making an investment decision.

The Offering is expected to close on or about February 4, 2026, or on such other date as may be agreed to by the Company and the Sole Agent, subject to compliance with applicable securities laws (the "Closing Date"). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the closing of any Units issued pursuant to the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption must occur no later than the 45th day following the date of this news release.

The completion of the Offering is subject to customary conditions, including, but not limited to, the negotiation of an agency agreement between the parties with respect to the Offering and the receipt of all necessary approvals, inclusive of (if applicable) the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

About Fredonia

Fredonia holds gold and silver license areas totaling approximately 18,300 ha. in the prolific Deseado Massif geological region in the Province of Santa Cruz, Argentina, including its flagship advanced El Dorado-Monserrat project (approx. 6,200 ha.) located close to AngloGold Ashanti's 300,000 oz./yr Au-Ag Cerro Vanguardia mine, the El Aguila project (approx. 9,100 ha.), and the Petrificados project (approx. 3,000 ha).

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Information: This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. "Forward-looking information" includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including, without limitation, the anticipated timing of closing of the Offering or at all; the anticipated terms of the Units and the Warrants; the anticipated use of the net proceeds of the Offering; and the anticipated receipt of all necessary approvals in respect of the Offering. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negative connotation thereof or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotation thereof.

In disclosing the forward-looking information in this release, Fredonia has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based on Fredonia's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Fredonia including, among other things, that the Offering will close on the anticipated timeline or at all; that the Units and the Warrants will have the anticipated terms; that the Company will use the net proceeds of the Offering as anticipated; and that the Company will receive all necessary approvals in respect of the Offering. Although Fredonia considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect, and the forward-looking information in this release is subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking information.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Fredonia does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

SOURCE Fredonia Mining Inc.
Vancouver, Jan. 23, 2026 - Skyharbour Resources Ltd. (TSX-V:SYH) (OTCQX:SYHBF) (Frankfurt:SC1P) ("Skyharbour", "SYH", or the "Company") would like to cordially invite you to visit us at Booth #205 at the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference ("VRIC") to be held at the Vancouver Convention Centre West (1055 Canada Place, Vancouver) on Sunday, January 25, and Monday, January 26, 2026.

During the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference, Skyharbour's President and CEO, Jordan Trimble, will be giving a Skyharbour corporate presentation on Sunday, January 25 at 11:50 AM in Workshop 1.

The Vancouver Resource Investment Conference 2026 will feature over 120 expert speakers, including globally respected economists, legendary money managers, and investors. This year's conference promises an array of exceptional opportunities, including exclusive keynote sessions featuring 120 renowned speakers, unparalleled networking with over 5,000 industry professionals and investors, and interactive exhibits showcasing groundbreaking innovations across the resource sector. Attendees will gain invaluable insights into the commodities landscape, exploring emerging trends in precious metals, energy, critical minerals, and beyond.

For more information and/or to register for the conference please visit: https://cambridgehouse.com/vancouver-resource-investment-conference.

Metals Investor Forum - January 2026:

Skyharbour will also be at the Metals Investor Forum Vancouver, where the Company will have a booth during the two-day event. President and CEO, Jordan Trimble, will provide a corporate presentation today at 11:50 AM during Session 2. The conference will take place at the Fairmont Pacific Rim (1038 Canada Place, Vancouver, B.C.) from Friday, January 23 to Saturday, January 24, 2026.

About Skyharbour Resources Ltd.:

Skyharbour holds an extensive portfolio of uranium exploration projects in Canada's Athabasca Basin and is well positioned to benefit from improving uranium market fundamentals with interest in forty-three projects covering over 662,887 hectares (over 1.6 million acres) of land. Skyharbour owns a 100% interest in the Moore Uranium Project, which is located 15 kilometres east of Denison's Wheeler River project and 39 kilometres south of Cameco's McArthur River uranium mine. Moore is an advanced-stage, uranium exploration property with high-grade, shallow uranium mineralization at the Maverick Zones. Adjacent to Moore, Skyharbour is advancing several uranium properties within the Russell Lake project area with its joint venture partner and large strategic shareholder Denison Mines. Collectively these projects host multiple zones of high-grade uranium mineralization across a highly prospective land package with significant exploration upside, and the Company is actively working these assets through exploration and drilling programs.

Skyharbour now has joint ventures with industry-leaders Denison Mines and Orano Canada Inc. at the Russell Lake properties and the Preston project, respectively. The Company also has several active earn-in option partners, including CSE-listed Nexus Uranium Corp. at the Mann Lake Uranium Project; TSX-V listed North Shore Uranium at the Falcon Project; UraEx Resources at the South Dufferin and Bolt Projects; Hatchet Uranium at the Highway Project; CSE-listed Mustang Energy at the 914W Project; and TSX-V listed Terra Clean Energy at the South Falcon East Project. In aggregate, Skyharbour has now signed earn-in option agreements with partners that total to potentially over $76 million in partner-funded exploration expenditures and over $42 million in cash and share payments coming into Skyharbour, assuming that these partner companies complete the earn-ins at their respective projects.

Skyharbour's goal is to maximize shareholder value through new mineral discoveries, committed long-term partnerships, and the advancement of exploration projects in geopolitically favourable jurisdictions.

Skyharbour's Uranium Project Map in the Athabasca Basin:

https://www.skyharbourltd.com/_resources/images/SKY_SaskProject_Locator_2025-12-16.jpg

To find out more about Skyharbour Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: SYH) visit the Company's website at www.skyharbourltd.com.

SKYHARBOUR RESOURCES LTD.

"Jordan Trimble"

Jordan Trimble

President and CEO

For further information contact myself or:

Nicholas Coltura

Corporate Communications Manager

Skyharbour Resources Ltd.

Telephone: 604-558-5847

Toll Free: 800-567-8181

Facsimile: 604-687-3119

Email: [email protected]

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.

Forward-Looking Information:

This news release contains "forward?looking information or statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, which may include, without limitation, completing ongoing and planned work on its projects including drilling and the expected timing of such work programs, other statements relating to the technical, financial and business prospects of the Company, its projects and other matters. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the price of uranium, the ability to achieve its goals, that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner, that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms. Such forward-looking information reflects the Company's views with respect to future events and is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including the risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of exploration results, risks related to the inherent uncertainty of exploration and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, and those filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions, adverse weather or climate conditions, failure to obtain or maintain all necessary government permits, approvals and authorizations, failure to obtain or maintain community acceptance (including First Nations), decrease in the price of uranium and other metals, increase in costs, litigation, and failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations. The Company does not undertake to update forward?looking statements or forward?looking information, except as required by law.
Vancouver, January 23, 2026 - Orestone Mining Corp. (TSXV: ORS) (OTC Pink: ORESF) (FSE: O2R2) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Phase I exploration program has been initiated on the Francisca Gold Project in Salta Province, Argentina.

The Phase I program will consist of detailed mapping and sampling of a 200x500 metre grid covering the surface exposure of the South gold zone. Sampling will consist of 600 rock chip, channel and grab samples including the resampling of the 11 existing trenches which cross-cut the zone along its 500 metre strike length. Detailed data from Phase I will be used to refine drill hole orientation for a Phase II reverse circulation (RC) drill program. At this time the Phase II program is planned to be 1500 metres of RC drilling in 10 drill holes designed to cross-cut the presently defined gold-silver mineralized zone on a spacing of 40 to 80 meters. Several of these drill holes will test the larger porphyry target at depth below the oxide horizon.

David Hottman, Orestone's CEO, stated: "The Francisca property covers a robust gold system discovered during a period of historically very low gold prices, with no meaningful exploration being conducted during the last 20 years. We are excited to get the surface exploration under way in preparation for drilling to test this large gold target. Our goal is to define an oxide gold deposit that can be mined by open pit."

PREVIOUS SAMPLING

The South gold zone outcrops over an area 50 to 100 metres wide with a strike length of 500 metres, and is the most prominent target outlined to date. A confirmation sampling program consisting of 20 rock chip samples taken over lengths varying from 0.1 to 5 metres* was completed in 2025 as announced March 27, 2025. The assay values confirm the high-grade nature of the target ranging in value from 0.03 to 33 g/t gold and 2.0 to 160 g/t silver, averaging 5.78 g/t gold and 29.2 g/t silver (for averages the gold grades have been cut to 10 g/t and silver grades cut to 60 g/t). 11 samples assayed greater than 6.0 g/t gold and 8 samples assayed between 0.36 and 4.5 g/t gold. (for Francisca maps click here)





To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4752/281364_layout_francisca%20property.jpg

OXIDE GOLD STOCK-WORK MINERALIZED TREND

Geologic mapping has outlined an oxide gold stock-work mineralized trend over a northwest strike length of 1100 metres outcropping on the crest of a hill with moderate relief. Two zones (North and South) are surrounded by a 500 to 1000 metre wide area of strongly hornfels altered sediments with the South zone underlain by a 400x500 metre circular IP changeability anomaly indicating potential for a larger mineralized intrusive body at depth. The oxide gold quartz limonite stock-work trend is associated with quartz feldspar porphyry intrusive dykes and intense sericite alteration along NW trending faults.

Gary Nordin, P.Geo, a Director of the Company, is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Nordin has reviewed and approved the technical information in this press release.

Orestone can earn up to an eighty five percent interest in the Francisca property for cash payments and exploration expenditures totaling US$4,200,000 over seven years. The Francisca property is located in Salta Province, northwestern Argentina approximately 80 kilometres northwest of the city of Salta. The property is in the eastern Puna-Altiplano region at an elevation of 3300 to 3650 metres with moderate terrain, limited vegetation and is easily accessible via paved and gravel roads. Exploration can be conducted year-round. Salta Province is a region of good infrastructure where numerous large-scale copper, gold and lithium projects are being developed.

* The "previous sampling" detailed above consisted of individual to contiguous chip and chip channel samples depending on the exposure. Samples were transported under chain of custody to the Alex Stewart International Argentina S.A., an internationally recognized analytical facility located in Palpala, Jujuy Province, Argentina. Samples varied in weight from 1.77 to 3.38 kilograms, and were analyzed by fire assay for gold and ICP for 39 multi-element analysis including silver. Duplicate samples were analyzed for quality control, as well as the standard QA/QC internal controls used by Alex Stewert International Argentina S.A.

About Orestone

Orestone Mining Corp. is a well-funded, Canadian based company with an internationally experienced management team. The Board of Directors and management team have experience in all aspects of the mining business having been involved in numerous corporate and project level successes. Orestone's property portfolio includes exposure to gold, silver and copper on projects located in Canada and Argentina. Our near-term objective on the Francisca Gold Project, located in Salta, Argentina is to define an oxide gold deposit mineable by open pit methods. The Company's 100 percent owned Captain Gold-Copper Project, located in British Columbia, Canada hosts a large gold dominant porphyry system that is permitted for 79 drill locations. Both projects are road accessible and suitable for exploration year-round.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. This news release has been prepared by management and no regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/281364
Rockport, January 23, 2026 - MetalQuest Mining Inc. (TSX.V: MQM; OTCQB: MQMIF) ("MQM" or "Company") is pleased to announce that it has acquired through staking the Fishhook Polymetallic Project, a volcanogenic massive sulphide ("VMS") and nickel-copper-platinum group metal ("Ni-Cu-PGM") exploration property located in northern Ontario within the broader Ring of Fire geological corridor, expanding the Company's exploration portfolio.

The Fishhook Polymetallic Project is situated on the western margin of the Fishtrap Intrusive Complex, within the same regional volcanic-intrusive belt that hosts several significant mineral discoveries in the Ring of Fire. The Company has staked approximately 1,094 contiguous mining claim cells covering ~22,000 hectares (54,360 acres), securing a large, continuous land package that captures prospective volcanic stratigraphy, intrusive contacts, and multiple conductive trends identified by historical airborne geophysical surveys.

Chairman and CEO Harry Barr stated, "We are seeing a convergence of factors in the Ring of Fire that we believe is highly compelling for shareholders, growing government engagement, meaningful First Nations participation, and renewed industry interest, including recent acquisitions by companies such as New Age Metals, one of MetalQuest's significant shareholders. Our strategy is to position early by securing large, prospective land packages at low entry cost, and the Fishhook Polymetallic Project does exactly that by giving MetalQuest district-scale exposure as momentum across the region continues to build."

Highlights

MetalQuest has staked approximately 1,094 contiguous claims covering ~22,000 hectares (54,360 acres) in the Ring of Fire region of northern Ontario.

Growing federal and provincial government engagement, alongside increasing First Nations participation, is supporting infrastructure planning and renewed exploration momentum in the Ring of Fire.

The Fishhook Polymetallic Project is located on the western margin of the Fishtrap Intrusive Complex, within a volcanic-intrusive belt considered prospective for VMS and Ni-Cu-PGM mineralization.

The project is situated within the same broader geological corridor that hosts the Eagle's Nest Ni-Cu-PGM deposit and multiple VMS copper-zinc occurrences discovered by previous operators in the area.

Previous helicopter-borne VTEM and magnetic surveys outlined numerous electromagnetic conductors across the property, many of which remain untested by drilling.

Limited previous drilling in 2008 intersected widespread sulphide mineralization, anomalous zinc values, and a pyrite-rich interval interpreted by previous operators as a potential VMS cap, indicating a favourable mineralizing environment.

Large portions of the property remain underexplored, with multiple conductive trends and favourable stratigraphic horizons yet to be systematically evaluated.

The Company plans to compile and reinterpret historical datasets and to design staged exploration programs to prioritize and advance drill-ready targets.



Click Image To View Full SizeFigure 1: Location map showing the Fishhook Polymetallic Project (outlined in red) and the previously acquired ROF-1 Projects (outlined in blue) within the Ring of Fire geological corridor, Northwestern Ontario. The proposed Ring of Fire Road is shown as an orange line. The map also illustrates the relative position of nearby exploration projects and properties held by other operators for regional context.

The Fishhook Polymetallic Project complements the recent acquisition of the Northern Shield Project part of the Fishtrap Lake Intrusive Complex by MQM's significant shareholder New Age Metals (NAM) and reflects growing industry interest in district-scale critical metals opportunities within the Ring of Fire. New Age Metals' activities are independent of MetalQuest's operations. https://newagemetals.com/acquisition-of-the-northern-shield-platinum-group-metals-copper-nickel-critical-minerals-project-in-the-ring-of-fire-northern-ontario/

The timing of the Fishhook Polymetallic acquisition is deliberate. The Ring of Fire is entering a new phase of attention driven by increasing government engagement, advancing infrastructure planning, growing First Nations participation, and renewed exploration activity across the district. MetalQuest believes this creates a compelling window to secure large, underexplored land positions early, ahead of the next cycle of sustained exploration in the region. The scale of the Project provides MetalQuest shareholders with multiple potential pathways for value creation, including staged exploration, data-driven target advancement, and long-term strategic optionality as regional activity continues to evolve.

Exploration and development activity within the Ring of Fire is being supported by increasing engagement from both the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada, including initiatives related to infrastructure planning, access corridor development, and regional economic participation. These efforts are being advanced with a focus on meaningful participation by First Nations communities, recognizing their central role in land stewardship, consultation, and long-term regional development. Growing government involvement, together with increased engagement with Indigenous communities, underscores the strategic importance of the Ring of Fire as a critical minerals district and provides a supportive backdrop for responsible, early-stage exploration and land consolidation activities.

In late 2025, the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada announced a cooperation agreement aimed at streamlining regulatory processes and accelerating the advancement of major infrastructure projects, including those associated with the Ring of Fire (Figure 2). The agreement is intended to reduce duplication between federal and provincial reviews, improve certainty for project proponents, and support responsible resource development in collaboration with First Nations communities, with implementation progressing into 2026.



Click Image To View Full Size

Figure 2: Premier of Ontario, Mr. Doug Ford and Prime Minister of Canada, Mr. Mark Carney finalizing Major Projects Deal to Accelerate Ring of Fire. https://thedeepdive.ca/ontario-ottawa-ring-of-fire-deal/

"With this historic agreement, our two governments are working together to protect Ontario and Canada by removing the unnecessary red tape and regulatory duplication that has stood in the way of nation-building projects for too long and help us unlock the enormous economic opportunity of the Ring of Fire." - The Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario https://thedeepdive.ca/ontario-ottawa-ring-of-fire-deal/

Regional Exploration Context

The region has been the focus of sustained exploration by junior and major mining companies over the past two decades following the recognition of extensive mafic-ultramafic intrusions and laterally continuous volcanic sequences considered prospective for both magmatic sulphide and VMS mineralization. Early exploration by Spider Resources, KWG Resources, and De Beers resulted in the discovery of multiple VMS-style copper-zinc occurrences, indicating the fertility of the regional volcanic stratigraphy. Subsequent work by Noront Resources Ltd. led to the discovery of the Eagle One (now Eagle's Nest) Ni-Cu-PGM deposit in 2007, establishing the district as a regionally significant critical minerals camp.

More recently, Canterra Minerals Corp. announced that it had entered into an option agreement with Teck Resources Limited, granting Teck the right to acquire a Ring of Fire exploration property located within the same regional geological corridor, location of property is shown in Figure 3. The Fishhook Polymetallic Project is located along trend and adjacent to this optioned ground, further underscoring the strategic interest of major mining companies in this portion of the Ring of Fire. While nearby properties and transactions are not necessarily indicative of mineralization on the Fishhook Polymetallic Project, they highlight the prospectivity and ongoing exploration activity within the broader district.

Project-Specific Exploration History

Historical helicopter-borne VTEM and magnetic surveys completed over the Fishhook Polymetallic Project by previous operators outlined numerous electromagnetic conductors associated with volcanic and intrusive rock units considered favourable for VMS and Ni-Cu-PGM mineralization. A limited diamond drilling program completed in 2008 tested a subset of these anomalies and intersected widespread sulphide mineralization within bimodal rhyolite-basalt volcanic rocks. Notably, drill hole FH-08-11 intersected approximately 20 metres of semi-massive to massive pyrite-pyrrhotite mineralization, which was interpreted by previous operators as a possible pyritic cap to a VMS system. Additional drill holes, including FH-08-05 and FH-08-07, intersected intervals of sulphide-bearing volcanic rocks with anomalous zinc values over metre-scale widths, while several other holes encountered disseminated to stringer-style sulphides over broad intervals. While the limited drilling program explained the source of certain geophysical anomalies, the majority of identified conductors and favourable stratigraphic horizons across the property remain untested by drilling, highlighting the need for additional follow-up exploration. All historical information referenced herein is derived from publicly available Ontario Geological Survey assessment reports filed by previous operators, specific drill hole results are found here: Ontario Geological Survey. (2008). Diamond drilling and geophysical survey results, Fishhook Property, Ontario (Ontario Geological Survey Assessment File No. 20008372). Ontario Ministry of Mines.

Exploration Upside

MetalQuest intends to advance the Fishhook Polymetallic Project through a phased, data-driven exploration program focused on refining and prioritizing targets while managing technical and financial risk. Initial work is expected to include the compilation and validation of historical geological, geophysical, geochemical, and drilling datasets, followed by reinterpretation of existing magnetic and electromagnetic surveys to improve structural and target models. The Company also plans to conduct targeted geological mapping, prospecting, and surface geochemical sampling to ground-truth interpreted features and identify priority zones for follow-up.

Results from these programs are expected to be integrated to rank targets and design a staged, cost-effective drill program focused on the highest-priority anomalies. In parallel, MetalQuest plans to advance permitting, logistics planning, and ongoing engagement with local stakeholders and First Nations communities to support future field and drilling activities.



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Figure 3: Property outline of the Fishhook Polymetallic Project overlain on Ontario Geological Survey ("OGS") regional geophysical and geological datasets, including residual total magnetic intensity (RMI) aeromagnetic data (1:200,000 scale) and OGS Preliminary Map P.3806 (Precambrian geology of the McFaulds Lake area, Ring of Fire region - eastern sheet; Metsaranta & Houle, 2017). Regional magnetic trends appear to extend beyond the Project boundary into neighbouring claim groups held by Wyloo Metals and Teck Resources. Interpreted geological features, including inferred lithological contacts, faults, and dyke trends, are derived from OGS regional interpretations and have not been independently verified by the Company.

Qualified Person

Troy Gallik, P.Geo. (Member ID 3550), a Practising Registrant and Qualified Person ("QP") as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. Mr. Gallik is a geological consultant to MetalQuest Mining (MQM) and is not independent for the purposes of NI 43-101.

The QP has reviewed available assessment files, historical drill logs, geophysical datasets, government geological data, and public technical reports relevant to the Company's newly acquired claims. The QP has not completed sufficient work to independently verify all historical exploration data referenced herein, particularly data generated by previous operators; however, the QP considers the historical information to have been collected using industry-standard practices of the time and to be reasonably reliable for the purposes of early-stage exploration and target generation.

Issuance of Options

The Company also announces that it has granted 2,055,000 incentive stock options to directors, officers and consultants of the Company. Each Option will entitle the holder to purchase one common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.40 per share for a period of five (5) years from the date of grant in accordance with the Company's Stock Option Plan. The options are subject to acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange and will be subject to regulatory hold period of four months plus one day in accordance with applicable Canadian Securities Laws.

MetalQuest Mining 2026 Conference Attendance

MetalQuest Mining will be attending the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference ("VRIC") on January 25-26, 2026, where Company representatives will be available at Booth #817. Shareholders and interested parties are invited to visit the booth and meet with management.

The Company will also be attending the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada ("PDAC") Convention in Toronto on March 1-4, 2026, where management will be representing MetalQuest Mining and plans on scheduling meetings with investors and other stakeholders. In addition, management recently attended the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, held on January 13-15, 2026, supporting ongoing outreach and relationship-building efforts.

About MetalQuest Mining

MetalQuest Mining (MQM) owns 100% of Lac Otelnuk and is working to develop one of the largest Iron projects in North America. The Lac Otelnuk Iron Project is located in Quebec's Labrador Trough and is approximately 165 km by air northwest of the Town of Schefferville, and 1200 km northeast of Montreal by air. The Company has recently acquired a portion of the underlying net smelter return (NSR) royalty on the Project, (subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval). https://metalquestmining.com/news/metalquest-mining-amends-royalty-on-its-lac-otelnuk-iron-project-in-quebec/.

The Quebec government has transferred 100% of the claims into MQM's name and management is accumulating a vast amount of technical data as approximately $120 million has been expended on the project to date. Going forward, one of our primary objectives will be to continue to work with Naskapi First Nation of Kawawachikamach with whom we have an Exploration and Pre-Development Agreement as of November 2023. In June 2025, MQM signed an agreement with AtkinsRealis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear company with offices around the world to conduct a comprehensive Gap Analysis of the historic 2015 Feasibility Study (FS) for the Lac Otelnuk Iron Project. The new studies will identify areas requiring updates to align the historic 2015 Feasibility Study with current market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, engineering best practices, and environmental standards.

On December 3rd, 2025, MetalQuest Mining (MQM) announced the acquisition of the ROF-1 Project, a critical minerals land package in Ontario's Ring of Fire totaling 1,034 claims (~20,800 hectares, ~52,000 acres). The Ring of Fire is one of Canada's most important emerging critical minerals districts, supported by growing infrastructure and government attention as the region advances toward potential development. ROF-1 Project is located approximately 10 km from major nearby deposits and has identified exploration potential for VMS-style mineralization and multiple untested target corridors based on historic work and technical review. https://metalquestmining.com/news/metalquest-secures-critical-minerals-project-in-northern-ontarios-ring-of-fire-region/

Today's acquisition of the Fishhook Polymetallic Project represents MetalQuest's second step in building a broader multi-project Ring of Fire strategy, with the Company continuing to review additional opportunities in the region.

New Age Metals Inc., a significant shareholder of MetalQuest Mining Inc., has recently advanced into the Ring of Fire through the acquisition of new exploration properties, reflecting increasing exploration momentum within the district.

New Age Metals is focused on the discovery and advancement of platinum group metals and other critical minerals projects in North America and has identified the Ring of Fire as a strategic area for long-term growth. The expansion of its exploration portfolio within this emerging district highlights continued industry interest in early-stage, district-scale opportunities supported by improving infrastructure, government engagement, and regional exploration activity.

Together, New Age Metals Inc. and MetalQuest Mining Inc. have assembled approximately 62,800 hectares (~155,200 acres), consisting of 3,067 mining claims, subject to a 1.0% NSR with a 0.5% buyback, forming a portfolio of early-stage exploration ground considered prospective for critical minerals. The companies will continue to evaluate further acquisitions in the district.

MetalQuest believes that the alignment of shareholder interest and regional exploration focus further supports the Company's strategy of disciplined land acquisition and systematic exploration within the Ring of Fire. https://newagemetals.com/acquisition-of-the-northern-shield-platinum-group-metals-copper-nickel-critical-minerals-project-in-the-ring-of-fire-northern-ontario/

The initial phase of work, planned for Winter/Spring 2026, at the recently acquired Superior Iron Project will comprise systematic ground truthing, detailed geophysical surveys, and comprehensive environmental baseline studies. These programs are designed to enhance the geological model, refine the understanding of mineralized zones, and delineate high-priority drill targets to support the next stage of exploration and project development.

The Company also owns ~1.8 million free trading shares and 2.5 million warrants at a strike price of $0.125 of Canadian Copper (CCI) as of the closing of trading on January 19th, 2026, CCI shares were trading at $0.61.

Two NSR royalties totaling 1% in the Murray Brook PEA Stage Zinc-Polymetallic Deposit, situated in the famous Bathurst Mining District, New Brunswick, Eastern Canada.

Canadian Copper Inc. (CCI) must pay MQM a pre-production cash payment of $1 million before the project goes into production and has the right to purchase half of a 0.33% royalty for $1 million dollars.

In the event that CCI purchases half of the 0.33% royalty, MQM will retain 0.82% royalty in perpetuity.

The Company has indicated that it is completing a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) on processing the Murray Brook deposit at the Caribou Processing Complex. Release date is expected in the first half of 2026. CCI recently secured a financing to acquire the Caribou complex. The Caribou Process Complex is approved and maintains all required operating permits. See CCI's website for further details.

Investors are invited to visit the MetalQuest Mining website at www.metalquestmining.com where they can review the company and its corporate activities. Any questions or comments can be directed to Harry Barr at [email protected] or Max Kaczmer [email protected] by telephone at 613 659 2773.

Opt-in List

If you have not done so already, we encourage you to sign up on our website (www.metalquestmining.com) to receive our updated news.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and Management, we thank you for your continued support and trust in MetalQuest Mining.

"Harry Barr"

Harry G. Barr

Chairman and CEO

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements: This release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements may differ materially from actual future events or results and are based on current expectations or beliefs. For this purpose, statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements include statements in which the Company uses words such as "continue", "efforts", "expect", "believe", "anticipate", "confident", "intend", "strategy", "plan", "will", "estimate", "project", "goal", "target", "prospects", "optimistic" or similar expressions. These statements by their nature involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially depending on a variety of important factors, including, among others, the Company's ability and continuation of efforts to timely and completely make available adequate current public information, additional or different regulatory and legal requirements and restrictions that may be imposed, and other factors as may be discussed in the documents filed by the Company on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca), including the most recent reports that identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake any obligation to review or confirm analysts' expectations or estimates or to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Copyright (c) 2026 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
Vancouver, January 23, 2026 - Silver Elephant Mining Corp. (TSX: ELEF) (OTCQB: SILEF) (FSE:1P2) ("Silver Elephant" or the "Company") announces that, further to its news release dated January 19, 2026, it has closed the first tranche of its non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") raising gross proceeds of $565,000 through the sale of 2,260,000 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.25 per unit. Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company (each, a "Share") and one share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant") with each warrant entitling the holder to purchase one additional Share at a price of $0.32 per Share for a period of three years from issuance.

In connection with the Private Placement, the Company issued 21,000 finder's units (the "Finder's Units") to eligible finders. The finder's warrants underlying the Finder's Units have the same terms and conditions as the Warrants comprising the Units.

A 10% insider of the Company and an officer of the Company (collectively, the "Insiders") participated in the Private Placement for an aggregate total of 210,000 Units, which participation constitutes a "related party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company relied on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements provided under sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(a) of MI 61-101 on the basis that the Insiders participation in the Private Placement did not exceed 25% of the fair market value of the Company's market capitalization. The Company will file a material change report in respect of the related party transaction.

The securities issued under the Private Placement will be subject to a regulatory hold period of four months plus one day from the date of issue. Proceeds of the Private Placement are expected to be used for general corporate purposes. The second and final tranche of the Private Placement is expected, subject to regulatory approval, to close on or around January 27, 2026.

This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the Units in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of that jurisdiction.

About Silver Elephant Mining Corp.

Silver Elephant is a mineral exploration company focused on the development of its silver-lead-zinc project in Bolivia

Further information on Silver Elephant can be found at www.silverelef.com.

SILVER ELEPHANT MINING CORP.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"John Lee"

CEO and Executive Chairman

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is generally identifiable by use of the words "believes," "may," "plans," "will," "anticipates," "intends," "could", "estimates", "expects", "forecasts", "projects" and similar expressions, and the negative of such expressions. Such forward-looking information, which reflects management's expectations regarding Silver Elephant's future growth, results of operations, performance, business prospects and opportunities, is based on certain factors and assumptions and involves known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking information in this news release includes the use of proceeds raised from the Private Placement.

Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, and should not be read as guarantees of future performance, events or results, and may not be indicative of whether such events or results will actually be achieved. A number of risks and other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results discussed in the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: market conditions; changes in business plans; ability to secure sufficient financing to advance the Company's mining projects; and general economic conditions. Additional risk factors about the Company are set out in its latest annual and interim management's discussion and analysis and annual information form available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions by management as of the date of this news release, and there can be no assurance that actual results will be consistent with any forward-looking information included herein. Readers are cautioned that all forward-looking statements in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information in this news release to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date of this news release, except as required by applicable securities laws.

Not for distribution to the United States Newswire Services or For Dissemination, Distribution, Release or Publication, Directly or Indirectly into the United States

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/281482
Vancouver, January 23, 2026 - Vanguard Mining Corp. ("Vanguard" or the "Company") (CSE: UUU | OTC: UUUFF | Frankfurt: SL51) is pleased to announce assay results from its recently completed Phase 1 of its 2025 diamond drilling program, which included Holes 25-01 and 25-02 at its 100%-owned Redonda Copper-Molybdenum Project (the "Project"), located in the Vancouver Mining Division, approximately 40 kilometres northeast of Campbell River, British Columbia.

2025 Drill Results Highlight System Growth

Hole 25-01, drilled at a dip of -65, intersected extensive copper-molybdenum mineralization over much of its length:

From 3.05 m to 29.12 m (27.07 m), a weighted average of 0.3252% copper and 78 ppm molybdenum

From 37.65 m to 387.70 m (350.05 m), a weighted average of 0.244% copper and 112 ppm molybdenum

These intercepts extend the higher-grade mineralized zone by an additional 199.05 metres, more than doubling the length of higher-grade mineralization intersected in the 2023 drilling in cross-section.

Hole 25-01 reached a total depth of 510.74 metres and returned a weighted average grade of 0.1801% copper and 86 ppm molybdenum over its entire length. Lower-grade mineralization continues beyond the end of the hole, indicating the system remains open at depth.

Hole 25-02, drilled vertically and located approximately 30 metres east of the 2023 drilling, intersected:

From 3.05 m to 132.00 m (129.26 m), a weighted average of 0.1344% copper and 128 ppm molybdenum

Together, these results demonstrate that copper-molybdenum mineralization at Redonda is laterally and vertically extensive in cross-section. A valid drill permit is currently in place, allowing for continued drilling at the Project during the 2026 exploration season.

Table 1: Summary of 2025 Redonda Drill Results

Hole ID Dip From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Cu (%) Mo (ppm) 25-01 -65 3.05 29.12 27.07 0.3252 78 25-01 -65 37.65 387.70 350.05 0.2440 112 25-01 -65 0.00 510.74 510.74 0.1801 86 25-02 Vertical 3.05 132.00 129.26 0.1344 128

Reported intervals are downhole lengths; true widths have not yet been determined.

Samples were submitted to ALS Canada Ltd. ("ALS Laboratories") for geochemical analysis. Industry-standard quality assurance and quality control protocols were employed, including the insertion of certified reference materials and blanks at regular intervals within the sample stream.



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Figure 1: Molybdenite (MoS?) observed in drill core as fracture-controlled mineralization with tourmaline

David Greenway, CEO of Vanguard Mining Corp., commented: "These results represent a meaningful step forward for the Redonda Project. The 2025 drilling successfully expanded the mineralized system well beyond the limits of the 2023 program, confirming continuity and scale. As copper demand continues to grow in support of the global energy transition, results such as these reinforce our belief that Redonda has the potential to host a large copper-molybdenum system. With a drill permit in place, we are well positioned to advance the project through additional drilling in 2026 and continue unlocking value for shareholders."

The 2025 drill program was guided by targets and structural corridors interpreted from a previously announced airborne geophysical survey conducted by Precision GeoSurveys, Inc. ("Precision"), integrated with historical drilling and surface sampling data. As reported by the previous operator, Stamper Oil & Gas Corp. ("Stamper"), in a January 25, 2024 news release, historical drilling at Redonda intersected intervals of up to 142.6 metres grading 0.279% Cu and 0.0281% Mo, while surface sampling returned near-surface intervals ranging from 3.1 metres to 48 metres grading up to 0.529% CuEq. These results are historical in nature and should not be relied upon as an indication of current mineral resources or mineral reserves. Copper equivalent ("CuEq") values are provided for illustrative purposes only and were calculated using metal prices and recovery assumptions disclosed in the January 25, 2024, Stamper news release.



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Figure 2: 2024 Airborne Magnetics (RTP) with lineaments - See release

Collaboration with Klahoose First Nation

Vanguard further announces the Company has made it a priority to work in close collaboration with the Klahoose First Nation ("Klahoose") throughout the campaign, prioritizing local labour, training opportunities, and the use of Klahoose-affiliated service providers for logistics where practicable. The Company will maintain ongoing engagement throughout the program, including regular updates on work plans and timelines, incorporation of feedback into field operations, and adherence to cultural heritage protocols and environmental best practices within Klahoose Traditional Territory. Vanguard will coordinate site access, safety, and environmental monitoring with Klahoose representatives and will continue to explore additional opportunities for additional capacity-building and economic participation.

About Redonda

The Redonda Project comprises nine mineral claims totaling 2,746.46 hectares, located approximately 40 kilometres northeast of Campbell River, British Columbia. The property is accessible year-round via scheduled barge service from Campbell River, with on-site access provided by approximately 5 kilometres of recently upgraded logging road from Redonda Bay. Active forestry operations maintain an extensive network of forest service roads across the claims.

Redonda lies within the Coast Suture Zone between the Wrangellia Terrane and the Coast Plutonic Complex. Early Cretaceous dioritic intrusions of the Coast Plutonic Complex are cut by at least three later intrusive phases: (i) a quartz plug; (ii) a wide, hornblende-rich dike locally brecciated over approximately 600 metres of exposed strike length; and (iii) several smaller feldspar dikes near the southwestern margin of the hornblende body. Copper-molybdenum mineralization is most strongly developed along the hornblende-rich dike, particularly within brecciated zones.

Drilling completed in fall 2025, including Hole 25-01, confirms that copper-molybdenum mineralization associated with the hornblende dike extends to significant depths and thicknesses in cross-section. Hole 25-01 intersected continuous mineralization over much of its 510.74-metre length, substantially extending the vertical and downhole extent of mineralization previously defined by 2023 drilling and demonstrating that the system remains open at depth.

The geological setting at Redonda shares several characteristics with other porphyry-style copper-molybdenum systems in southwestern British Columbia, including the OKover and Gambier Copper deposits.

Field work has been conducted under a Letter of Support from the Klahoose First Nation within their Traditional Territory, together with a Free Use Permit, Drill Permit, and IP Exemption issued by the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. Consultation with the Homalko First Nation has concluded, and a permit for additional drill sites has been issued.

Quality Assurance and Quality Control

Quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) procedures included the insertion of certified reference materials, blanks, and preparation duplicates into the sample stream. QA/QC samples were submitted to ALS Laboratories as blind samples. Analytical results demonstrate acceptable accuracy and precision, with no evidence of significant contamination or analytical bias.

Analytical Procedures

Sample preparation and analysis were conducted by ALS Laboratories at its sample preparation facility in North Vancouver, British Columbia. Analytical work was completed at ALS laboratories in Vancouver, British Columbia. ALS Laboratories is independent of the Company and is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 standards for the analytical methods employed.

Core samples were prepared using ALS method PREP-31A, which includes crushing and pulverizing to produce a representative pulp. Multi-element analyses, including copper and molybdenum, were performed using four-acid digestion with ICP-MS (ME-MS61). Samples returning over-limit copper values were re-analyzed using ore-grade four-acid digestion with ICP-AES (Cu-OG62), and over-limit multi-element values were determined using ME-OG62.

The analytical detection limits for copper and molybdenum using the ME-MS61 method are 0.001% Cu and 0.1 ppm Mo, respectively. Sample sizes and preparation protocols were consistent with ALS Laboratories standard procedures.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by J. T. Shearer, M.Sc., D.I.C., P.Geo. (BC & Ontario), a consulting geologist who is a "Qualified Person" as defined under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43- 101"). Mr. Shearer is not at arm's length with Vanguard Mining, as he has provided consulting geological services to the Company.

About Vanguard Mining Corp.

Vanguard Mining Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on the discovery and development of high-value strategic minerals. The Company is currently advancing exploration projects in Argentina, Canada and Paraguay, with a focus on identifying and developing assets critical to the global energy transition. Vanguard is committed to responsible exploration and value creation through the acquisition and advancement of highly prospective uranium properties.

All Stakeholders are encouraged to follow the Company on its social media profiles on LinkedIn, X.com, Facebook and Instagram and sign up for updates at Vanguardminingcorp.com

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

"David Greenway"

David Greenway, CEO

For further information, please contact:

Vanguard Mining Corp.

Brent Rusin

Phone: +1 672-533-0348

E-Mail: [email protected]

Website: vanguardminingcorp.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, intentions, objectives, strategies, future performance, and anticipated events or results. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations, estimates, and assumptions, which may prove to be incorrect, and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance, or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied. There can be no assurance that the events anticipated in forward-looking statements will occur, or, if they do, what benefits Vanguard will obtain from them. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, exploration results, availability of financing, commodity prices, permitting and regulatory risks, operating risks, and other risks described in the Company's public disclosure. Forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof, and Vanguard undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

###

Copyright (c) 2026 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
Giant Mining Corp. (CSE: BFG | OTC: BFGFF | FWB: YW5 | CSE: BFG.WT.A | CSE: BFG.WT.B.) ("Giant Mining" or the "Company") welcomes U.S. Presidential Proclamation 11001 ("Proclamation 11001"), issued on January 14, 2026 under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, titled Adjusting Imports of Processed Critical Minerals and Their Derivative Products into the United States. The proclamation seeks to strengthen secure, reliable, and allied supply chains for processed critical minerals and their derivative products entering the United States.

"Copper has become a foundational material for the U.S. defense-industrial base-it is essential to national security, military readiness, electrification, advanced weapons systems, AI infrastructure, and America's long-term economic strength," said David Greenway, Chief Executive Officer of Giant Mining Corp. "The U.S. government's Section 232 proclamation reinforces the strategic imperative to secure reliable, American-sourced copper supply chains that reduce foreign dependence and support the Pentagon's growing demand for critical minerals. With Majuba Hill located in a premier U.S. mining jurisdiction, we believe the project is well positioned to contribute to domestic manufacturing resilience, defense readiness, and the rebuilding of America's critical mineral supply base."

Proclamation 11001 follows a comprehensive Section 232 investigation that found the United States to be significantly dependent on foreign sources for many critical minerals essential to national security, energy transition technologies, and advanced manufacturing. The proclamation calls for enhanced engagement with allied partners and outlines potential measures to strengthen domestic and allied critical mineral supply chains.

Relevance to Copper and Electrification

Copper is a cornerstone metal underpinning U.S. electrification, grid expansion, electric vehicles, renewable energy infrastructure, and advanced data-center and defense applications. As the U.S. accelerates investments in AI infrastructure, clean energy, and domestic manufacturing, secure access to copper supply from stable jurisdictions has become increasingly strategic.



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Giant Mining Corp.'s Majuba Hill Copper-Silver-Gold Deposit ("Majuba Hill"), located in Nevada, sits within one of the world's most established mining jurisdictions and directly aligns with the objectives outlined in the proclamation. Nevada hosts existing mining infrastructure, skilled labor, and regulatory frameworks that support responsible domestic mineral development.

Strategic Implications for Majuba Hill

The Company believes the Section 232 proclamation reinforces several favorable long-term fundamentals for Majuba Hill, including:

Formal recognition of copper as a strategic metal critical to U.S. infrastructure modernization, grid hardening, electrification, advanced manufacturing, and defense readiness, reflecting copper's growing role in military systems, AI-enabled technologies, and national security applications.

Heightened U.S. government emphasis on domestic and allied sourcing, reinforcing policy momentum toward reducing foreign dependence on critical minerals and strengthening supply-chain sovereignty. This policy environment may support enhanced investment interest, greater permitting certainty, and potential strategic partnerships for U.S.-based copper development projects.

Support for downstream processing capacity and end-to-end supply-chain resilience, underscoring the importance of developing not only mineral resources, but fully integrated North American copper supply solutions capable of supporting U.S. manufacturing, infrastructure deployment, and the defense-industrial base.

Majuba Hill is an advanced copper-silver-gold system with a history of exploration and mining, located near existing infrastructure in Nevada. The project's geological setting, scale potential, and proximity to U.S. end-markets position it as a compelling asset as domestic copper demand continues to accelerate.

Majuba Hill's critically important characteristics are as follows:

Location: Nevada, USA - a globally top-ranked mining jurisdiction, ranked #1 in the Fraser Institute's 2022 Annual Survey of Mining Companies. Project Size: 9,684 Acres Infrastructure: The Majuba Hill property is located 113 road kilometers (70 miles) southwest of Winnemucca, Nevada, and 251 kilometers (156 miles) northeast of Reno. It is accessible via well-maintained county roads from the Imlay, Nevada exit on U.S. Interstate 80, followed by a 23-mile drive west. People, roads, power, and water are fundamental considerations for infrastructure, and Majuba Hill already benefits from a strong foundation in all these areas. This existing infrastructure provides a significant advantage, offering substantial cost savings compared to more remote projects. History: Historical Producer Drilling: Approximately 89,395 feet of drilling to date. Rough replacement value of drilling USD $12.1 Million using current costs. Mineralization: The project shows indications of a potentially large Cu - Ag +/- Au mineralized body with many features in common with both large porphyry copper, silver, and gold projects. Expandability: The IP survey, deep drilling, and step-out drilling indicate significant expansion potential, with mineralization open in all directions. Fully Financed: The Company has secured funding for its next phase of drilling at Majuba Hill.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by E.L. "Buster" Hunsaker III, CPG 8137, a non-independent consulting geologist who is a "Qualified Person" as such term is defined under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43- 101").

About Giant Mining Corp.

Giant Mining is focused on identifying, acquiring, and advancing late-stage copper and copper/silver/gold projects to meet the growing global demand for critical metals. This demand is driven by initiatives like the Green New Deal in the United States and similar climate-focused programs worldwide, which require substantial amounts of copper, silver, and gold for electric vehicles, renewable energy infrastructure, and the modernization of clean and affordable energy systems.

The Company's flagship asset is the Majuba Hill Copper, Silver, and Gold District, located 156 miles (251 km) from Reno, Nevada. Majuba Hill benefits from a mining-friendly regulatory environment and strong local infrastructure. While still an exploration-stage asset, the geological footprint and scale of mineralization indicate that further work is clearly justified and that the system may host significant copper potential.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

On Behalf of the Board of Giant Mining Corp.

"David Greenway"

David C. Greenway

President & CEO

For further information, please contact:

E: [email protected]

P: 1 (236) 788-0643

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS

www.giantminingcorp.com

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Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward?looking information. Such information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by statements herein, and therefore these statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. All forward?looking statements are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to it as well as other factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward?looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified by the Company in its public securities filings, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. These statements involve known and unknown risks, including exploration, metallurgical, permitting, environmental, commodity price, and market risks. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward?looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

###


Coniagas Battery Metals Inc. (TSX-V: COS) ("Coniagas" or the "Company") announces the appointment of Ms. Heidi Gutte as Chief Financial Officer effective January 23, 2026. Ms. Gutte is replacing Remantra Sheopaul. Mr. Sheopaul resigned from the CFO position effective January 21, 2026.

Ms. Gutte is a Chartered Professional Accountant and a member of Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia and Canada and has over 15 years of experience with publicly-traded mineral exploration and mining companies. She specializes in corporate finance, IFRS financial reporting, audit preparation and response, tax optimization, and corporate compliance for the mineral exploration and junior mining sector. Ms. Gutte holds a bachelor's degree in computer engineering from the University of Applied Sciences in Brandenburg, Germany.

The Company thanks Mr. Sheopaul for his contributions to the Company and wishes him well in his future endeavors.

About Coniagas Battery Metals Inc.

Coniagas Battery Metals Inc. is a Canadian junior mining company focused on nickel, copper and cobalt and platinum group metals in Quebec. Coniagas' strategy is to create value for shareholders through the development of its mineral properties, with the intention to develop Coniagas into a critical metals supplier to the electric vehicle (EV) market.

At its 100% owned Graal project near Saguenay, Quebec, Coniagas has conducted successful exploration involving geophysics as well as shallow drilling that hit mineralization in almost every hole. It has confirmed an open-pit deposit model at Graal along a 6 km strike length of high-grade nickel and copper with cobalt, platinum and palladium byproducts. The Company plans in the near-term to conduct additional drilling leading to the production of a Ni 43-101 resource report, metallurgical testing and consultations with First Nations. The Graal project and immediate work plan are outlined in detail in the "NI 43-101 Technical Report Graal Nickel & Copper Project, Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean, Quebec, Canada" dated January 17, 2024. The report is available along with other information at the Company's website https://coniagas.com/.

"Frank J. Basa"

Frank J. Basa, P. Eng. Member of Professional Engineers Ontario Chief Executive Officer

For further information, contact:

Frank J. Basa, P. Eng. Ontario

Chief Executive Officer

416-625-2342

or:

Wayne Cheveldayoff, Corporate Communications

P: 416-710-2410 E: [email protected]

You can follow Coniagas on Social Media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coniagas-battery-metals/

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/coniagasmetals

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coniagas/

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

This news release includes certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, "forward-looking statements"). All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the extension and repricing of the Warrants. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events may vary from those anticipated in such statements. Important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's plans or expectations include the risk that regulatory changes, fundraising, and risk associated with mineral exploration, including the risk that actual results of exploration will be different from those expected by management. The forward-looking statements in this news release were developed based on the expectations of management and that the risks described above will not materialize. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation.


The graduate and fixed term employees organization (GFTEO) hold a rally to unionize graduate employees in front of the Old Main building at Penn State University on Monday, Sept. 30, 2002, in State College, Pa. The goal is to create a labor union to represent graduate teaching assistants and graduate research assistants. (AP Photo/Pat Little) PAT LITTLE/AP

at the University of Connecticut had many reasons to feel unhappy. An increasing share of their stipends was being eaten up by fees, sometimes for services and facilities they mostly didnt use. The health-care plan theyd traditionally been offered was taken away, leaving them with coverage many found to be inadequate. Finally, their teaching load -- already pretty heavy -- was being increased, with students in some programs being pressured to teach an additional course every semester for no additional pay. Consistently, things that we cared about didnt matter to the administration, says Cera Fisher, a Ph.D. student in biology, and we felt they could change our conditions on a whim.That led to what Fisher describes as a Norma Rae moment. A couple of grad students sent out an email to some friends, raising the idea of joining a union. The notion had been floated before at UConn, without any success, but this time it took root. This past April, just a few months after the first email was sent out, 2,100 UConn graduate students formed a bargaining unit within the United Auto Workers. Fisher was a part of the organizing committee. A union is the first thing that Ive ever felt offered me some power, some control over my life.For the first time in many years, unions see a chance to make themselves more attractive not just to graduate students, but to young workers in general. Todays young people -- the millennial generation, who are now 32 and under -- are currently trending leftward in their attitudes about many economic issues. Specifically, they are much more likely to hold favorable opinions about unions than older adults. Polling by Gallup and the Pew Research Center shows that about 60 percent of those under 30 express support for unions, compared to about 40 to 45 percent of older Americans. The resentment that turned young people away from organized labor in the 1970s and 1980s -- when there was a widespread perception that unions were in place mainly to protect the status quo for a select group -- has largely faded away. Its been replaced by at least a small uptick in feeling that unions can return to their roots as vehicles for collective action aimed at improving the lot of lower- and middle-class workers across the board.All this has to be kept in perspective. Young people are not joining unions in droves, and wont be doing so anytime soon. For one thing, the job market is too weak. Young workers in particular have faced slim pickings for a half-dozen years now. Theyre especially unlikely to find the type of manufacturing and industrial work that is still the most unionized in the private sector. In the public sector, where about a third of all workers belong to unions, hiring freezes, furloughs and layoffs have been more common than job openings until recently. As a result, only 5 percent of workers 25 and under are represented by unions. That number doubles to about 11 percent among those who are between 26 and 34. Union membership among the young has grown in the past couple of years -- while declining among most other age groups -- but the increase is by such tiny amounts its impossible to rule out statistical error.Employment sectors that are growing, such as retail and technology, have proven stubbornly resistant to organized labor. A pending Supreme Court case could make matters more difficult if the justices decide to make it easier for public employees to opt out of unions. (At press time, no ruling had been released.) The crucial questions are the legal and political blockages against unionization, says Nelson Lichtenstein, a labor historian at the University of California, Santa Barbara. If we just took polls of people and said, Do you want to join a union, the union movement would be three times larger.The very fact that so many young people have felt locked out of successful careers, however, is part of what offers unions an opening. At a time when quality jobs are scarce and income inequality is front of mind, the idea of banding together to press for better terms has increased appeal. There has been a flurry of labor-related activity lately, from the campaigns that have helped convince several states and cities to increase the minimum wage, to groups protesting pay and working conditions at Walmart, to the fast-food workers regularly getting arrested as they picket for higher wages. Unions have been heavily involved in such alt-labor conflicts, even if the protesters themselves are rarely union members.Still, translating a more positive attitude toward collective labor activity into union membership will be a huge challenge. Unions have to fight unfriendly legal and political conditions, particularly in Republican-dominated states, as well as global economic forces that have driven down union numbers in rich nations around the world. In order to seize the chance to sign up young workers, unions will also have to make internal changes, shedding old habits such as a lack of transparency that is especially off-putting to millennials.Unions may be getting a friendly hearing from some among the young, but they also have longstanding habits of seeking to protect benefits of current workers at the expense of new hires. That may be especially true in the public sector, where two- and even three-tier pension systems, for example, are becoming more common. Its going to be increasingly difficult and more complex for the public sector to attract these young millennials, because they dont have the same panoply of benefits that their parents and grandparents had in the past, says Sujit CanagaRetna, a fiscal analyst with the Council of State Governments.comprises more than 80 million people. By 2025, its members are expected to make up 75 percent of the global workforce. Lots of labor organizations, including the AFL-CIO and the American Federation of Government Employees, have ongoing youth outreach programs of various kinds.Millennials are more likely to be only children than any generation that came before, but they are also more likely to be inculcated with a belief in group effort, due to fashions in classroom instruction styles and an emphasis on teams. There are a number of surveys that show that millennials are favorable to unions because they stand for community and solidarity, which millennials are all into, says Neil Howe, who coined the term millennials and consults with corporations on generational attitudes and behaviors.If theres one thing that observers of millennials agree on, including sociologists, union officials and managers, its that they communicate differently than older generations. Part of this simply reflects changing technology. While little if any communication was conducted electronically when older managers were growing up, todays young people are accustomed to constant digital interaction. When millennials walk into work -- into a realm of landlines, email and face-to-face encounters -- it is not unusual to feel like they are stepping back in time, writes Lauren Stiller Rikleen, a workplace expert at Boston College, in her book about managing millennials calledOlder managers complain that millennials want constant feedback and handholding through assignments, she says. They expect a constant flow of news and information and were raised with a sensibility that leads them to think its a good thing to question whether the options being presented to them are the best ones possible. This is a generation that wants to be consulted. When they question authority, they want to know why thats the best way to do something, says Robert Suarez, president of the Miami branch of the International Association of Fire Fighters. Theyre a little more interested in the substance of the issue than prior generations. If you make the mistake of saying to the younger generation, shut up and just do it because everybody else is doing it, youre going to have a problem.The millennial desire to collaborate creates challenges not just for unions but management as well. But listening to young peoples concerns can be profitable, Suarez notes. Not all that long ago, schedule changes for firefighters in Miami were handled using telephone trees, and certain types of health data were copied using carbon paper. Incorporating ideas from young people willing to question standard operating procedures ultimately led to beneficial changes. That also happened across the country, in Redlands, Calif., where the police department embraced changes in technology that seemed like common sense to younger officers. From an organizational standpoint, trying to fight these changes is like standing on the shore and ordering the tide not to come in, says Jim Bueermann, who served as the police chief in Redlands for 13 years.As is always the case for older generations, its sometimes easy to dismiss the interests and concerns of young people as a waste of time, Bueermann says. When he was coming up in the force, officers simply saluted and carried out the orders. Todays young officers, by contrast, want to have departmental strategies and new directions explained to them. This can cause eye-rolling. Theyre doing this not to be malicious or annoying, Bueermann says. They just really care about whats going on.He found that habits of continuing consultation were ultimately more helpful than not. Younger workers want to be consulted all the time, but just listening to them can make a big difference. Rather than engaging with workers strictly through formal channels, Bueermann kept up a regular round of conversations, meeting with union officials and rank-and-file officers in coffee shops and other relaxed environments. Talking in casual settings -- something that tends to appeal to millennials, who on the whole dont like confrontation -- allowed the Redlands police to smooth out many issues before they could become real problems. The result was that in more than a dozen years, Bueermann never had a grievance filed against a disciplinary action he had taken.The discussions he held were rarely about salary and benefits. Instead, in Redlands, the younger officers cared most about work schedules. Many wanted to serve longer shifts on fewer days of the week, in order to carve out time for family. Thats common. Millennials sometimes express less concern about traditional benefits -- particularly regarding retirement, which can seem hopelessly far off to them -- than quality-of-life issues. New hires generally want work to be more flexible, whether its different shifts or opportunities to work remotely, says Jill Leka, general counsel for the National Public Employer Labor Relations Association. The types of issues being raised by new workers are different than they were in the past, she says.of teachers, police officers and firefighters have been laid off over the last few years, but theres still enough churn in those fields that some young people are finding jobs. Not all of them are happy with what theyve seen from the unions in those fields, particularly in teaching. Education has been struggling with enormous amounts of policy change, such as the rise of charter schools, increased teacher accountability, Common Core standards and merit pay. Teachers unions have mostly -- although not monolithically -- been opposed to all these approaches. There are so many ways that teachers feel deprofessionalized, says Dan Montgomery, president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers, with thing after thing saying you cant use your judgment.Some young people drawn to the teaching profession may appreciate that their unions are fighting for better benefits and higher pay, but not all of them like the way unions can seem stubbornly recalcitrant. During his years teaching in a public school in San Jose, Calif., Andrew Elliott-Chandler grew frustrated that his union was so resistant even to discussion of matters such as measuring teacher quality or extending the work day because, he was told, that could undermine contract negotiations. Now 32, Elliott-Chandler gave up and went to work running a charter school. As a teacher, I very much voted with my feet, he says.Hes not alone. Plenty of young people in teaching have grown fed up with unions, concerned less about pay and working hours than the lack of a shared sense of high expectations. If being in a union means protecting the status quo of an industry that young people want to change, that is by definition a problem, Howe suggests.As sociologist Jake Rosenfeld points out in his new book, many unions long ago lost their sense of grassroots militancy and switched to a service provider model, in which individual members receive care and attention in exchange for dues. Thats what put off 26-year-old Ari Goldstein, who recently quit teaching after four years at a high school in San Francisco. Like a lot of teachers, he essentially had to belong to the union -- under California law, he could opt out, but hed have to pay a fee equivalent to the amount hed owe in dues. In his experience, United Educators of San Francisco seemed mainly concerned with filing grievances against the administration, defending employees who slept or even drank on the job. Its awful, its disgusting what the union does, Goldstein says. Were a bottom 5 percent school in the whole state, so theres obviously a lot of room for growth, but nothing innovative is happening here because administrators are afraid of grievances and harassment.Its the worst stereotype about unions -- that they defend the personal interests of their members at the expense of the enterprise as a whole, blocking all evaluation that isnt positive and dictating behavior down to the length of bathroom breaks. It was clear that many of the younger teachers new to the profession were concerned about a union whose sole purpose was to defend members against disciplinary charges or dismissals, says Jackson Potter, of the Chicago Teachers Union. That was the perception.In order to change not just that perception but the reality of how the union operated, Potter was part of an effort several years ago to elect new union leadership and return the local to its original purposes. It worked. Karen Lewis was elected as the unions president and stared down Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel in a 2012 strike that was arguably the most dramatic win for labor anywhere in the nation during the past five years. It led to a 17 percent salary hike for teachers as well as changes in evaluation and hiring policies for laid-off workers. You have to draw out the issues people care about, says Potter. If you dont, youll become one of these top-down unions that have lost connection with the people theyre supposed to represent.Whats really important is not just that unions listen to their existing members, but that they make themselves attractive to potential recruits. The only way to grow is by broadening their appeal, whether its through collaboration with other allied groups -- which unions have been doing on many issues for years -- or simply speaking to young people, who by all accounts appear ready to give them a hearing.For many coming out of college over the past several years, and for others who entered the workforce directly out of high school, income inequality is not some abstract notion. For the past few years, most workers young and old were willing to accept nearly any salary offered to them, since jobs were so scarce. But now the young are starting to feel like theyre being left behind or, worse, cheated. Perhaps partly as a result, union organizers maintain that young people are more open to recruitment pleas than older workers, who tend to be more skeptical or even cynical about unions. The older generations, they had bad experiences with unions in their time, says Jacquita Berens, a 30-year-old who is working to organize home health workers in Minnesota for the Service Employees International Union. Young people are more receptive to unions, to change.Berens was introduced to union activity through her experience working with a nonprofit group seeking to raise the minimum wage. Few young workers may belong to unions, but many like the idea that they can be part of the campaign against wage stagnation and income inequality. If the unions play their cards right, more of them might be prone to sign up.
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13th Januaryin West Africas History!

Brig. Gen. Dan Frimpong (Rtd) Opinion Jan - 23 - 2026 , 09:57 8 minutes read

Given the trend of our conversation, the question caught me off guard temporarily, though it did not totally surprise me!

It was Tuesday, 13th January, 2026, the 54th anniversary of Gen. Acheampongs coup that overthrew Prime Minister Dr Busia in 1972.

The question was, General, dont you think apart from Osagyefo, the best head-of-state we have ever had is Gen. Acheampong?

Noncommittally, I simply asked, why? as my mind raced back to my Philosophy professor at Legon, Prof. Kwame Gyekye, who humorously advised us in his Logic class to be careful about insisting on logic in discourses.

He explained that life is not logical most of the time.

Indeed, many arguments are based on emotions, religion, ethnicity, superstition, politics etc, with no middle-ground for compromise and sometimes commonsense/reasonableness.

For many, therefore, arguments are take it or leave it, a recipe for conflict.

He advised us to make our point strongly and logically, and then let go in the face of obstinate illogicality, especially with educated people who argue for reasons other than logic.

In an earlier discussion of this topic, I stated that:

13th January

On Saturday, 13th January 2024, another 13th January slipped by quietly.

For anyone born on that day in 1972, it was the 52nd anniversary of then Lt Col (later Gen) IK Acheampongs overthrow of Ghanas Second-Republic led by Prime Minister Dr KA Busia.

While some Ghanaians opine that the day does not deserve remembering, as it was a coup by the military against a constitutionally elected government, others say the day cannot also be wished away/erased from Ghanas history.

This is because, given the fallible nature of the human-being, no nation can catalogue only good deeds as constituting its history.

Lifes reality is that every countrys history is a mixture of the good, the bad and the ugly! Past mistakes must be acknowledged and corrected for the future.

Prof. Baffour Agyeman-Duah has written a book on General IK Acheampong (2023) titled General Acheampong: The Life and Times of Ghanas Head of State.

13th January Significant?

Like the Ides (15th) of March (44 BC) in Shakespeares Julius Caesar, the date 13th January is significant. Why? On 13 January 1963, West Africas first coup detat took place in Togo.

On that day, President Sylvanus Olympio was overthrown and killed by Sgt Eyadema leading a group of colonial Togolese soldiers demobilised by France after service in French Indo-China.

Eyadema subsequently made himself the Head-of-State.

In Ghana on 13th January 1972, the government of Prime Minister Dr Busia was overthrown by then Lt Col IK Acheampong. This was not Ghanas first coup detat though.

It started on 24th February 1966, when then Colonel EK Kotoka (later Lt Gen), Commander 2-Infantry-Brigade-Group headquartered in Kumasi, and his Brigade-Major, Major AA Afrifa (later Lt Gen), supported by Police Commissioners Harlley and Deku, overthrew the government of President Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah. The bloody coup saw the killing of the Army Commander Maj Gen CM Barwah. Lt Gen JA Ankrah (Rtd) became the Head of State.

President Nkrumah who was then on his way to Vietnam ostensibly to broker peace for the Vietnam War was left stranded. Eventually, President Sekou Toure of Guinea made Osagyefo co-President of Guinea until his death in Romania on 27th April 1972 aged 62.

On 17th April 1967, the 2 Recce (Reconnaissance) Squadron based in Ho, staged an unsuccessful countercoup named OPERATION-GUITAR-BOY against the military junta.

The three young officers who led the coup were Lt SB Arthur, Lt Moses Yeboah and 2/Lt Osei-Poku. Arthur and Yeboah were executed by firing squad while Osei-Poku was jailed for thirty years.

Incidentally, like Col Kotoka killed the Army Commander Gen. Barwah in the first coup, Lts Arthur/Yeboah killed Lt Gen. Kotoka.

1979-1992

Apart from the period between 24th September 1979 and 31 December 1981 when Dr Hilla Limann served as President in the Third Republic, the rest of the period from 1979 -1992 was dominated by Flt Lt Rawlings, the bloodiest in Ghanas history.

Significant events include the execution of the Generals and the killing of the Judges, and the disappearance of an estimated 150 Ghanaians.

Executed Generals in June 1979 included three former Heads-of-State, Gen. IK Acheampong, Gen. FWK Akuffo and Gen. AA Afrifa.

The rest were a former Army Commander Gen. REA Kotei, the Navy Commander Rear-Admiral Joy Amedume, the Air-Force Commander Air-Vice-Marshal GY Boakye and the Border-Guards Commander Gen. EK Utuka. Colonel Roger Felli who was the Minister of Foreign Affairs was executed with the Generals.

Gen. NA Odartey-Wellington, the Army Commander was killed in action while opposing the 4th June 1979 insurrection.

That same morning, Colonel Joseph Enninful who was the president of the Court-Martial trying Flt Lt Rawlings for his May 15th 1979 coup-attempt, was executed with his wife in their home at Burma Camp by the revolutionaries.

On 30th June 1982, three judges and a retired Major were abducted from their homes.

Their charred bodies were found at a Military range outside Accra. They were Justice Cecilia Koranteng-Addow, Justice KA Agyapong, Justice FP Sarkodie and Major Sam Acquah (Rtd).

Discussion

The question of the militarys engagement in Politics has been extensively discussed in academia. Harvard Professor Samuel Huntington and University of Michigan Professor Morris Janowitz have written profusely on the subject. Like it is the case with most subjects in academics, opinion is divided.

Some argue that the Military as an institution of discipline does not stage coups. It is individuals within the Military who stage coups. However, Pakistan and Myanmar (Burma) are cited as examples of countries where the Military top hierarchy have led coups and governed.

Others opine that for developing third world countries, a strong visionary military hand of discipline is needed for direction.

In 1970, a new theory called the SCHNEIDER DOCTRINE came into being.

The Schneider Doctrine

Gen. Rene Schneider was the Army Commander of Chile in 1970 when Marxist Professor Salvador Allende won the presidential elections at the fourth attempt.

Reacting to US objection to Chile having a Marxist President, Gen. Schneider stated as follows:

The Armed Forces are not a road to political power, nor an alternative to that power.

They exist to guarantee the regular work of the political system, and the use of force for any other purpose than its defence, constitutes high treason

The only limitation to this is in the case that, the State stopped acting within its legality.

In that case, the Armed Forces have a higher loyalty to the people, and are free to decide an abnormal situation beyond the framework of the Law.

On 24th October, 1970 Gen. Schneider was assassinated.

Teodoro Nguema has been President of Equatorial Guinea for 45 years. Paul Biya of Cameroons has been President for over 40 years.

Eyadema was President of Togo for 38 years from 1967-2005. His son Fuare Gnassingbe has since been President of Togo from 2005.

Examples like this give credence to and support the Schneider Doctrine. In 2016, ECOWAS forced out President Yahyah Jammeh after he refused to hand over after being defeated.

While academics have been divided on the propriety of coups, with hindsight, did 1979/1981 coups stop corruption in Ghana after all the bloodshed?

Sadly, when military rule is lambasted, Ghanaians conveniently forget, and in most cases for those born after 1979/1981, do not know about prominent civilians/academics who contributed immensely to the bloodshed in 1979/1981! It is also not mentioned that, Ghanas Army Commander in 1966, Maj Gen CM Barwah was murdered together with 10 soldiers guarding him, in then Colonel Kotokas 1966 24th February coup which overthrew Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah.

For Ghana, we have seen it all, and we should know better. At age sixty-seven on 6th March 2024, all we want is peace, not multidimensional corruption. That way, Ghana can develop the way Malaysia which gained independence in 1957 like Ghana, has done.

UNQUOTE Summary

In recent times, military governments in Mali, Guinea and particularly neighbouring Burkina Faso have been hailed as more development-oriented and humane than civilian rule.

While coming in through a coup may not make Gen. Acheampong a darling-boy of democracy, one cannot deny his contributions to national development.

Some are the Kpong Dam, Dansoman Estates, El Wak Stadium, accommodation for the Armed Forces, Dawhenya Irrigation Scheme and above all Operation Feed Yourself which immensely enhanced Ghanas food security.

Sadly, his Achilles heel was factoring himself into his Union Government proposal.

Fifty-four years after his execution, many Ghanaians believe, despite his imperfections, Gen. Acheampong and his colleagues did not deserve their violent deaths in the June 4, 1979 coup/mutiny.

While his bloodless coup on 13th January 1972 did not meet democracys prescriptive fit, it cannot be erased from Ghanas history, just like Eyademas 13 January 1963 coup in Togo.

Leadership, lead by Example/Integrity! Fellow Ghanaians, WAKE UP!

The writer is a former CEO, African Peace Support Trainers Association, Nairobi, Kenya and Council Chairman, Family Health University, Accra


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Guinea-Bissau coup leaders set December election date

BBC International News Jan - 23 - 2026 , 18:48 1 minute read

Military authorities in coup-prone Guinea-Bissau have scheduled presidential and legislative elections for December 6, despite calls for a swifter transition to civilian rule.

Transitional President, Horta N'Tam, signed a decree last Wednesday after meeting members of the National Transitional Council, military and government officials, as well as representatives of the electoral commission.

He told reporters the conditions for free and fair elections had been met.

Since seizing power from President Umaro Sissoco Embalo in November, Guinea-Bissau's coup leaders have been under pressure from the West African regional body, ECOWAS, to organise elections within a short transitional timeframe.

The regional bloc had previously rejected the junta's notion of a one-year timeline, suspended the country from its decision-making bodies and threatened further sanctions.

It remains unclear how ECOWAS will react to the election timetable now that it has been formally announced by the junta.

The November 2025 coup drew widespread criticism, with many challenging the military's decision to seize power on the eve of the official proclamation of presidential election results.

At the time, both President Embalo and his main challenger Fernando Dias claimed victory. The military said it intervened to thwart a plot to destabilise the politically fragile and unstable West African nation.

But some regional observers, including former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, argued the coup was staged.

Many now wait to discover the identities of those aspiring for the country's top job. The transitional charter adopted shortly after the coup already bars interim leader N'Tam and his prime minister from running.
Strengthening foundational education: Government reaffirms commitment through strategic partnerships

Daily Graphic Education Jan - 23 - 2026 , 09:57 3 minutes read

The government has reaffirmed its strong commitment to strengthening the countrys foundational education system, recognising education from Kindergarten to senior high school as essential to national development, equity, and future workforce readiness.

Speaking during a courtesy call with the Jacobs Foundation Board, the Vice-President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, underscored the importance of education to Ghanas transformation agenda.

Education remains central to Ghanas development and transformation agenda. We commend the strong partnerships that have been built to support foundational learning, and we welcome continued collaboration that strengthens teaching, learning, and evidence-based policymaking for the benefit of every Ghanaian child, she said.

Jacobs Foundation

The Jacobs Foundation is a Swiss-based philanthropic foundation dedicated to improving the learning and development of children and young people globally.

In Ghana, the Foundation partners the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders to promote evidence-based approaches, strengthen education systems, and support scalable solutions that improve learning outcomes for children.

During their visit, the Jacobs Foundation Board is also engaging with the Ghana Education Service, development partners, civil society organisations, the World Bank, and private sector actors, as well as visiting schools to gain practical insights into classroom implementation and learning environments.

The visit underscores the Jacobs Foundations commitment to partnership, evidence-based practice, and collaborative action in advancing foundational learning in Ghana.

The engagement formed part of a high-level courtesy call by the Jacobs Foundation Board, during which both parties reaffirmed their shared commitment to improving learning outcomes for Ghanaian children.

Engagements

The Jacobs Foundation Board of Trustees will undertake an official visit to Ghana from January 20th to 23rd, 2026, to engage with senior government leaders and key education stakeholders on strengthening foundational learning outcomes.

The visit includes courtesy calls, technical engagements, and stakeholder dialogues aimed at reviewing progress, aligning priorities, and deepening collaboration in support of Ghanas national education goals.

The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, highlighted the governments continued focus on the importance of collaborative philanthropy in strengthening the education system:

Through initiatives such as GALOP AF2, largely supported through Jacobs Foundation efforts, Ghana continues to strengthen its education systems and invest in teacher development to ensure that foundational learning remains a national priority, he explained.

A key element of Ghanas reform agenda is the Ministrys leadership in advancing an innovative blended financing model that brings together government resources, philanthropy, private sector investment, and development partner support.

Diverse funding sources

This approach is helping to create sustainable funding for the scaling of capacity-building initiatives for teachers, school leaders, and education institutions across the country.

By aligning diverse funding sources around shared national priorities, Ghana is strengthening accountability, expanding the use of evidence-based interventions, and accelerating progress in foundational learning outcomesparticularly in underserved communities.

Together, the Government of Ghana and the Jacobs Foundation continue to support reforms to improve learning outcomes nationwide, with a focus on strengthening instructional quality, building teacher capacity, and enhancing system effectiveness at the foundational level.

These reforms are designed to ensure that every child acquires the essential skills needed for lifelong learning and productive participation in the economy.

During a visit with the Jacobs Foundation delegation, the Deputy Minister of Education, Dr Clement Apaak, emphasised the value of philanthropic partnership.

The Ministry of Education applauds the Jacobs Foundation and its partners for their contribution to Ghanas foundational learning reforms, which have helped extend and strengthen learning interventions across the country, he said.
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Ghana Fire Service rescues dog trapped in well at Amamorley

GraphicOnline Jan - 23 - 2026 , 07:51 1 minute read

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has rescued a dog that was trapped in a well at Amamorley Canada Junction in the Greater Accra Region, following a swift emergency response.

According to a statement issued by the Service, a distress call was received on January 20, 2025, reporting that a dog had fallen into a well and was unable to escape. A three-member rescue team, led by ADO1 Nana Kobina Biney, was immediately dispatched to the scene and arrived within minutes.

The team deployed standard rescue procedures to safely retrieve the trapped animal from the well, ensuring that no harm came to the dog during the operation.

The prompt response and professional handling of the incident, the GNFS said, underscored its commitment to protecting lives and property, including animal life, and its readiness to respond effectively to emergencies across the region.

The incident, which occurred at Amamorley Canada Junction, has since attracted praise from residents and social media users, who commended the firefighters for their swift action and dedication to duty.

The statement, filed by the Public Relations Officer of the GNFS in the Greater Accra Region on Wednesday, January 22, 2026, reaffirmed the Services resolve to maintain high standards of emergency response and public safety.
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27 Drivers arrested for overcharging

Joyce Timbillah Awuni Jan - 23 - 2026 , 12:37 3 minutes read

A task force of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) arrested 27 commercial bus drivers and conductors at various locations in Accra across the last two days Wednesday for charging unauthorised transport fares.

The arrests were made during an enforcement operation aimed at curbing unapproved fares, particularly following recent transport disruptions, which have triggered complaints from commuters.

The operation covered major terminals and transport routes, including Pokuase, Odorkor, Ablekuma and Kingsway.

Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the National Guard Commander of the GPRTU, Drumond Ekow Gaisie, said 26 drivers and conductors were arrested in the morning and handed over to the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service for further investigation.

He said two of the drivers were subsequently discharged after their offences were considered very lenient, while the remaining 21 were still in police custody.

Mr Gaisie explained that the arrests were carried out under L.I. 2180, which mandates every professional driver to belong to a recognised transport union.

According to him, many of the arrested drivers were floating drivers who did not belong to any recognised transport association and therefore operated outside established regulatory controls.

He said officers conducted spot checks by boarding commercial vehicles in plain clothes to verify compliance with approved fares, and immediately arrested drivers and conductors who insisted on charging unlawful fares.

Some Ghanaians in a queue waiting for commercial transport. Picture: ERNEST KODZI

The operation was necessary because some drivers had been charging passengers above approved fares after the recent transport disruptions, he said.

Mr Gaisie said the operation had restored order and compelled drivers to follow the approved fare schedule.

He added that he personally boarded a vehicle without wearing his uniform to test the situation, and confirmed that drivers were charging the correct fares.

I joined the vehicle myself while I was not in uniform, and I could see that the uniform presence is also scaring them back, he said.

He described the practice of overcharging as widespread, but said the days operation had sent a strong message to drivers.

What happened this morning has shaken some areas.

I believe the drivers know what they are doing, and when they hear that we are working, they become cautious, he added.

More operations planned

Mr Gaisie said monitoring continued into the evening, with further operations planned for the following days to sustain compliance.

He said enforcement teams would target additional locations in the morning and later move to other transport corridors in the evening.

We are planning to hit another place in the morning, and in the evening, we will hit another area.

We do not want to disclose specific locations, but areas around Circle and Lapaz will be monitored, he said.

He added that officers would intensify undercover operations to ensure that drivers maintained discipline even in the absence of uniformed personnel.

Mr Gaisie said the GPRTU would continue to collaborate with the police to prosecute offenders and stabilise public transport operations across Accra.

Concerns

Some passengers waiting for commercial vehicles at various stations expressed concern about long waiting times, overcrowding and alleged fare exploitation.

Deshaun Nelson, who was waiting to board a vehicle to Oyibi, said he had spent over an hour in the queue without getting a vehicle.

He recalled past experiences in public transport vehicles, popularly known as Aayalolo, where overcrowding created dangerous conditions.

People collapsed due to suffocation, while others became nauseous and vomited because of poor ventilation and overcrowding, he said.

Another passenger lamented that drivers usually charged approved fares at stations when GPRTU officials were present, but increased fares mid-journey, leaving passengers with little choice.
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Aayalolo BRT hits operational peak- Management calls for stronger coordination, lane enforcement

Joshua Bediako Koomson Jan - 23 - 2026 , 10:41 5 minutes read

Accras flagship Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, Aayalolo, has reached its operational peak and any further expansion will be ineffective without dedicated bus lanes, strong enforcement and better inter-agency coordination.

The Monitoring and Enforcement Manager of the Aayalolo Bus Service, Theodore Ocansey, said while Aayalolo had expanded significantly in terms of fleet size, routes and staff strength, congestion on Accras roads had neutralised the gains the system was designed to achieve.

Operationally, the service is more efficient than when we started. We have expanded from one corridor to at least six corridors and increased both buses and staff but in terms of intention, we are not running what we set out to run, Mr Ocansey said during an interview with the Daily Graphic.

He explained that the original BRT model was designed around scheduled services with time intervals, supported by dedicated lanes that allowed buses to move faster than general traffic.

That model, he said, had largely collapsed.

He said the system had reached a point where adding more buses would no longer make any economic or operational sense.

We are buying fuel at full cost. There is no subsidy. So the more buses you add and keep them stuck in traffic, the more losses you incur, he said.

Mr Ocansey disclosed that about 150 buses were currently in operation, with fewer than 10 grounded, while others were deployed for special assignments, such as private hires.

Each Ayalolo bus, he said, was 13 metres long and could carry up to 89 passengers, making it unsuitable for inner roads and best suited to main arterial routes.

The buses are meant to move people along the main roads. Trotros should feed passengers from inner communities to the main corridors, he explained.

Traffic congestion

Mr Ocansey identified slow speeds due to traffic congestion as Aayalolos biggest challenge, linking the problem to poor road-space management and the dominance of single-occupant private vehicles.

Theodore Ocansey (left), Monitoring and Enforcement Manager of the Ayalolo Bus Service, explaining a point in the meeting. Those with him are Joshua Bediako Koomson (middle), a Reporter with the Daily Graphic and Justice K. Safo (right). Public Relations Officer of the Ayalolo Bus Service

He cited a 2007 transport study, which predicted that Accra would grind to a halt by 2035 without a proper public transport system.

We are beginning to see it now.

Everybody is driving alone in their cars. No matter how much you expand the road, congestion will always come if the road space is not properly managed, he said.

He argued that dedicating lanes exclusively for buses would significantly improve mobility.

If the government decides that one lane is dedicated as a bus lane and it is enforced, you will see people park their vehicles and ride the bus, he stated.

He recalled that when dedicated lanes existed from Circle to Tesano, Aayalolo buses saved commuters up to 30 minutes compared to trotros, but that advantage had since been lost.

Now we are stuck in traffic. We are not moving, he said.

He said Aayalolo extended its operating hours from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and added more buses during the Christmas period, but operational realities, including driver welfare and costs, limited further expansion.

We are not supported by any subsidy. We buy fuel at full cost like everybody else.

The more buses you add and spend time in traffic, the more losses you make, he stressed.

Comfort, safety

Mr Ocansey said the Aayalolo buses were deliberately designed to encourage people to abandon private vehicles, citing onboard cameras, phone charging ports and Wi-Fi, all of which were successfully tested during the early days of the service.

The buses ticked all the boxes. They were safe, comfortable and moved a lot of people.

Even development partners who supported the projects were envious when the bus arrived, especially those from France.

They said the buses in Paris were not as nice as the ones we have, he said.

Coordinated transport planning

Mr Ocansey indicated that Ayalolo had reached a point where further growth depended on dedicated lanes and a national conversation on public transport, involving all stakeholders.

He called for the Greater Accra Passenger Transport Executive (GAPTE) to be strengthened and elevated to coordinate effectively with the Department of Urban Roads (DUR), metropolitan and municipal assemblies, the regional coordinating council, the police and other agencies.

Everyone has to be on the coordinating board so that when roads are being designed, transport considerations are factored in before contracts are awarded, he said.

Dedicated lanes

The Public Relations Officer of the Aayalolo Bus Service, Justice K. Safo, also emphasised that Aayalolo was established strictly as an intra-city transport system mandated to operate within Accra to help decongest the city and improve travel times.

He said the effectiveness of the system hinged mainly on the enforcement of dedicated bus lanes, without which the very purpose of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) concept would be defeated.

Aayalolo is basically a Bus Rapid Transit.

The buses are not meant to be caught up in general traffic like they are doing now, so the very purpose for which the system was set up is being hindered, Mr Safo stated.

He questioned the relevance of describing the service as rapid when buses were forced to move at the same pace as other vehicles.

Mr Safo, therefore, appealed to the authorities to enforce existing dedicated lanes and to explore alternative traffic management solutions in areas where such lanes were not in place, noting that the buses were designed to have priority on the traffic infrastructure.
AGI advocates full-scale industrialisation to curb raw material dependency

Maclean Kwofi Jan - 23 - 2026 , 09:57 3 minutes read

Ghana must take advantage of the global economic shift as a rare opportunity to pursue a full-scale industrialisation agenda anchored on manufacturing-led growth, the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has proposed.

The association explained that decades of missed opportunities had left the country overly dependent on raw material exports, particularly under a globalisation model that positioned Africa and Ghana mainly as a supplier of raw materials and a market for finished goods.

It stated that the present moment demanded bold and deliberate policy choices such as the development of a well-structured manufacturing policy with clear implementation programmes, strong cross-sector linkages and a value-chain approach to drive industrial growth and job creation.

This is a once-in-a-century opportunity to allow manufacturing to grow and thrive at the bedrock of this economy, a former President of AGI, Dr Tony Oteng-Gyasi, said at the investiture dinner of the association in Accra last Wednesday.

Investiture

The investiture was used to swear in the new President of the AGI, Kofi Nsiah-Poku, the Founder and Managing Director of Kinapharma, and the national council members.

The new president, the Vice-President, Mukesh Thakwani and members of the national council are to steer the affairs of the association for the next two years.

It was attended by government officials, business executives and trade associations, including the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah; President of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), Clement Boateng; and President of the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI), Stephane Miezan.

Economic backbone

Dr Oteng-Gyasi, who was the chairperson for the occasion, said the countrys manufacturing sector had the potential to drive inclusive growth by stimulating activity across banking, insurance, construction and distribution.

He explained that no economy in the world had achieved sustained development without a strong industrial base.

He stressed that placing manufacturing at the centre of economic planning would help generate sustainable jobs for the countrys growing youthful population and reduce vulnerability to external shocks.

Private sector leadership

Dr Oteng-Gyasi called for closer collaboration between the government and the private sector to ensure that industrial policies were practical, well coordinated and effectively implemented.

He said the establishment of a presidential advisory group on the economy, made up of experienced private sector leaders, presented an opportunity to align policy decisions with the realities of manufacturing and industry.

This is the time for deliberate coordination between policymakers and industry players to ensure that manufacturing truly becomes the bedrock of our economy, he added.

The new president said his election represented a clear mandate to serve and reposition the association as a stronger force in national development.

He said that the responsibility placed on the new leadership went beyond ceremonial duties; it came with high expectations from members to deliver tangible results.

He explained that the association would prioritise collaboration with national programmes such as the 24-hour Economy to expand production, boost exports and create sustainable jobs.

Together, we must strengthen AGIs influence, deepen its capacity, sharpen its advocacy, and enhance its contribution to the industrialisation agenda of Ghana, he stated.

Central role

The Chief of Staff at the Presidency said the central role of the private sector in driving industrial transformation, sustainable job creation and economic resilience could only be realised through strong collaboration between government and business..

Mr Debrah stressed that Ghana stood at a critical juncture where long-standing calls for diversification and value addition had to translate into concrete outcomes, rather than rhetoric.

He argued that this would require an innovative, export-oriented private sector, supported by a predictable and accountable public sector.

Policies alone will not transform our economy; what will make the difference is execution, and here AGI has a critical role to play, he added.
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Central North Police train 80 officers in readiness for NPP presidential primary

Shirley Asiedu-Addo Jan - 23 - 2026 , 07:57 3 minutes read

The Central North Regional Police Command has successfully concluded a three-day intensive capacity-building and high-risk tactical training for 80 security personnel at Assin Fosu, aimed at strengthening security ahead of the New Patriotic Party presidential primary.

The participants comprised 70 officers, 10 each drawn from seven police districts in the Central North Region and 10 officers from the Ghana Immigration Service.

The training was facilitated by experienced security experts from the National Police Headquarters in Accra, who were deployed to equip participants with practical, field-oriented and election-related security skills.

Assignment

The NPP is set to hold its presidential primaries on January 31, 2026.

A total of 211,849 delegates are expected to vote at 333 polling centres across 276 constituencies nationwide, with polls opening at 7am and closing at 2pm.

The aspirants include former Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, former Member of Parliament, Assin Central, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, Member of Parliament for Abetifi and former minister for Food and Agricultural, Dr Bryan Acheampong, Member of Parliament for Bosomtwe and former minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, and a former general secretary of the party, Kwabena Agyei Agyapong.

Operational readiness

Speaking at the end of the training last Wednesday, the Central North Regional Police Commander, DCOP Abraham Acquaye, said the programme was designed to enhance the operational readiness, professionalism and tactical competence of personnel to effectively respond to any security eventuality.

He explained that the training formed part of strategic security preparations ahead of the upcoming NPP Presidential Primary election and sought to promote a coordinated, tactical and professional approach to election security in collaboration with the Ghana Immigration Service.

DCOP Acquaye said the beneficiary units included the Formed Police Unit (FPU) and other operational teams, whose participation was expected to enhance inter-agency coordination, tactical deployment and overall effectiveness in maintaining law and order during election-related duties and other security operations.

He said the course focused on tactical operations, public order management, border patrol duties and other critical operational skills to ensure officers are adequately prepared to manage challenges that may arise before, during and after the elections.

He further stated that the exercise would significantly boost officers confidence and enable them to effectively counter any threats capable of undermining the peace before, during and after the primaries and future security operations.

DCOP Acquaye explained that the initiative aligned with the vision of the Inspector-General of Police to build a highly professional, disciplined and well-equipped police service capable of safeguarding public safety and maintaining peace, particularly during major national political activities.

Caution

The Central North Regional Police Commander further cautioned supporters of various political aspirants to remain law-abiding and refrain from acts that could disturb the peace, stressing that the security agencies are well-equipped to deal with any eventuality.

The Deputy Central North Regional Commander, ACP Felicia Ayesu, encouraged the participants to remain guided by the lessons acquired and to continuously practise the skills learned to ensure heightened efficiency and professionalism as the election period approaches.
Prospective Hajj pilgrims to undergo mandatory medical examination

Daily Graphic Jan - 23 - 2026 , 09:57 3 minutes read

The national Hajj programmes coordinating agency, the Pilgrims Affairs Office of Ghana (POAG), has introduced a mandatory medical examination and certification for all prospective pilgrims.

This means all prospective candidates for the Hajj 2026 pilgrimage must obtain the medical certification before embarking on the religious exercise to Saudi Arabia.

This directive is in accordance with new guidelines governing the issuance of Hajj visas by the Saudi Ministry of Health and the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, which require comprehensive medical screening to determine the health eligibility of pilgrims before visa approval, a statement issued by the POAG said.

It emphasised that the Certificate of Medical Fitness issued upon completion of the medical examination is a mandatory prerequisite for Hajj visa application and approval.

Accredited screening centres

Consequently, the POAG has said the Ghana Hajj Medical Team, in collaboration with accredited health institutions, would conduct the mandatory medical examinations across all accredited centres in the various regions of the country.

The medical screening process will include the submission of medical, surgical, and drug history, a physical examination, and a series of laboratory and diagnostic tests, the statement signed by the Head of Medicals, POAG, Dr Alhaji Abdul Samad Tanko, added.

Aside from the regular basic tests, there would also be urine pregnancy tests, an Electrocardiogram (ECG), as well as any other investigations deemed necessary by medical professionals.

POAG is working with accredited Hajj agents to reach out to all prospective pilgrims to schedule them for designated centres.

To ensure a smooth, orderly, and timely process, applicants are to wait for their designated turn and adhere strictly to the communicated schedules, the statement added.

It assured all Hajj 2026 applicants that strict confidentiality would be maintained regarding all medical records, in line with professional medical ethics and data protection standards.

Background

A fortnight ago, POAG stopped receiving payments for the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage with immediate effect.

The decision was intended to effectively manage pilgrim numbers and ensure a smooth, orderly and well-coordinated pilgrimage process for all confirmed participants.

Ghanas quota for the 2026 Hajj is around 6,000.

President John Dramani Mahama last year slashed the Hajj fare for Ghanaian Muslims from GH75,000 to GH62,000 for the 2025 pilgrimage, making it more affordable and the lowest in the sub-region.

He further reduced the fare to GH60,000 for this year.

The decision followed negotiations by the Hajj Taskforce with service providers in Mecca and Medina, aiming to ease the financial burden and promote accessibility, despite past debts left by the previous administration.

Making the pilgrimage accessible was a key promise of President Mahama to the Muslim community.

The government, through PAOG, signed key agreements between Ghana and Saudi Arabia in November last year during the 2026 Hajj and Umrah Conference in Jeddah.

The deal marked a major milestone for this years pilgrimage.
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Kumasi: Labourer jailed 10 months for stealing GH12,000 at Santasi

GNA Jan - 23 - 2026 , 07:56 2 minutes read

A 29-year-old labourer has been sentenced to 10 months imprisonment by the Kwadaso Circuit Court in the Kwadaso Municipality of the Ashanti Region for stealing GH12,000 at Kumasi-Santasi.

Emmanuel Frimpong, also known as Ebo Noah, pleaded guilty to the charge and was convicted on his own plea.

Police Chief Inspector David Opoku Kwabi, prosecuting, told the court, presided over by Mr Jephthah Appau, that the complainant, Blackjew Appiah, was a sales officer with a Unilever products distribution company at Santasi, where Frimpong was employed as a labourer.

He said that on January 7, 2026, the complainant went to a mobile money vendor, Leticia Gyamfi, now a witness in the case, to withdraw GH12,000 from his mobile money wallet.

After a successful cash-out process, the vendor was unable to raise the full amount and requested a few minutes to mobilise the cash, to which the complainant agreed.

The prosecutor said that when the vendor later raised the full amount, she noticed the convict, who had also come to deposit money into his wallet.

She subsequently contacted the complainant by phone and informed him that she intended to hand the money over to the convict to deliver to him at the office, an arrangement to which the complainant agreed.

The prosecution said that after receiving the money, the convict diverted from the agreed plan and travelled straight to a hotel in Cape Coast in the Central Region, where he spent four days with commercial sex workers.

It said the convict later travelled to Wromanso in the Amansie East District of the Ashanti Region.

A report was subsequently made to the police at Suntreso, leading to the arrest of the convict at Wromanso.

After investigations, he was charged and put before the court, which sentenced him accordingly.
Begging for wedding money shows you are not ready for marriage  Duncan-Williams

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Police arrest 19 suspects including three soldiers for possessing 'wee'

Emmanuel Bonney Jan - 23 - 2026 , 16:49 2 minutes read

A total of 19 suspects including three serving soldiers have been arrested by the police in Tamale for possession and use of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp [wee].

The Inspector General of Polices (IGP) Special Operations Team arrested them in Tamale.

Seven additional suspects were arrested within the barracks enclave for possessing various quantities of the suspected substance, along with quantities of Koffex cough syrup.

In separate operations, two other individuals were arrested in the Water Works area for offences including the possession of suspected narcotics, while seven persons were picked up at the Aboabo Market for possessing various quantities of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.

All the suspects were arrested last Monday during the teams routine operational activities within the Tamale metropolis, as part of an intensified security initiative aimed at combating criminal activities, including robbery, kidnapping, drug peddling, sexual offences, attacks on mobile money vendors, and other related crimes.

Additionally, three individuals who identified themselves as military persons were arrested at the same location for possession and use of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, a police situational report said.

Following formal verification of their identities by the team, which confirmed that they were military persons, arrangements were made for their collection by the regional Military Police Command for further action to be taken, it added.

It said the action was carried out strictly in accordance with Police Service Instructions (SI) 167, which governs the handling of service personnel involved in criminal matters.

All other suspects, it said, were detained at the Sakasaka Police Station pending further investigations.

All exhibits were secured and retained for forensic examination and evidential purposes, the report said.

The report said a total of 105 personnel, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Bawah Abdul Jalil and DSP Philip Perdison, conducted operations within the metropolis.
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Police arrest 22 foreign nationals over illegal mining activities

Jemima Okang Addae Jan - 23 - 2026 , 12:45 1 minute read

The Savannah Regional Police Intelligence Department has arrested 22 Togolese nationals suspected of engaging in illegal mining activities within the West Gonja Municipality of the Savannah Region.

The arrest was carried out on January 23, when a team of police officers intercepted a Kia truck with registration number BA 223-12, driven by Abdul Majeed Yakubu.

Preliminary interrogation revealed that the occupants of the vehicle are nationals of Togo who were travelling to Tuntumba, a community identified as a hotspot for illegal mining activities, with the intention of engaging in galamsey operations.

The suspects are currently in police custody and are expected to be handed over to the Ghana Immigration Service for the necessary immigration and legal processes.

Police say investigations are ongoing, and further updates will be communicated as the case progresses.
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President Mahama urges Global North to back Accra Reset at Davos

GNA Jan - 23 - 2026 , 07:41 4 minutes read

President John Dramani Mahama has appealed to advanced nations in the Global North to support the Accra Reset Initiative, describing it as a new framework for equitable global partnership and shared prosperity.

The President made the appeal when he formally unveiled the Accra Reset Initiative at the Davos Commitment on the sidelines of the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Friends, we didnt come here to ask for charity. We came to propose a global partnership of the willing, based on a shared vision and mutual respect, he stated.

The Accra Reset is building the architecture for a new kind of cooperation. One where Global South countries dont just receive programmes but co-design them with our partners in the global north. Where we dont just attract investment but shape it around our priorities. We want to create Prosperity Spheres across regional platforms where countries coordinate on investment, infrastructure, and jobs.

Touching on the legacy he hoped to leave behind, President Mahama said he envisioned a continent where young people would no longer risk their lives crossing the Mediterranean because opportunities existed at home.

We want to leave systems that work, industries that thrive, and nations that stand tall. Ghana cant do it alone. Africa cant do it alone, he said.

This is a call to every leader in this room. If you believe in a world where prosperity is shared, not just based on narrow interests, join us. If you believe the Global South deserves partnership, not a pity, join us. If you believe the next chapter of human progress will be written in Accra, Nairobi, Kigali, Abuja, and Cairo, join us.

The President stressed that the Accra Reset was not about seeking permission but about building momentum for collective action.

Recalling past global cooperation, President Mahama noted that 20 years ago, former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan and several world leaders, including former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, made a compelling case that HIV/AIDS was killing millions in Africa and required a coordinated global response.

He said that courage led to the creation of the Global Fund, which saved millions of lives in Africa and around the world, because leaders chose to act together with urgency and without excuses.

Today, I am not so sure, he said, citing cuts in funding by the United States to the United Nations system and other global organisations that had saved millions of lives.

We face an unpredictable world. This is why Africa must be responsible for its destiny. Today, we face a different pandemic: the pandemic of unfulfilled potential, he added.

President Mahama pointed to millions of young people without jobs, fragile health systems that collapse at the first crisis, and economies that extract resources without building lasting value.

If we could mobilise the world to fight a disease, why cant we mobilise to fight poverty? To fight dependency? To fight the systems that keep brilliant young Africans locked out of the future?

He said Ghana was demonstrating that effective execution mattered more than excuses.

Were cutting government spending and have reduced the size of government to a record low: 58 ministers and deputy ministers, he said.

Were digitising services to end corruption. Were training young people for tomorrows jobs, not yesterday. We have renegotiated our debt so we can invest in our people, not just service loans. This is the Resetting Ghana agenda.

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, who leads the Guardian Circle of the Accra Initiative, said the intention was to embed the initiative within the NorthSouth Dialogue to engage development partners on critical reforms and concrete projects, including improving access to health facilities and technology.

The future will not be given to the unprepared. It will be negotiated. It will be built. And it will belong to those who prepare, unite, and organise for it, he said.
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Cocobod CEO Randy Abbey refiles GH20million defamation suit against Abronye using private lawyer

Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson Jan - 23 - 2026 , 10:32 2 minutes read

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Randy Abbey, has refiled his GH20million defamation suit against the Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwame Baffoe, also known as Abronye, this time around, using a private legal practitioner.

This was after the Accra High Court earlier dismissed the writ as procedurally defective because it was filed by the Legal Department of COCOBOD, instead of a private legal practitioner.

Related article: Court throws out Randy Abbey's defamation suit against Abronye for being procedurally defective



Plaintiffs case



In the new writ issued by his lawyer, Alex Owoo, the plaintiff accused Abronye of tarnishing his reputation after making comments on radio to the effect that he visits cocoa farms and meets with cocoa farmers with his own chair driven from Accra.

Again, he averred in his writ that Abronye, on the same radio platform, accused him (plaintiff) of replacing the Director of Finance at COCOBOD with the intention to steal COCOBOD money to the detriment of cocoa farmers.

Randy Abbey refuted the assertions by Abronye, describing the statements by the politician as a calculated attempt to cause injury to his reputation and reduce his standing in the eyes of public.

The Defendant made the defamatory statements with a clear and deliberate intent to harm the Plaintiff's personal and professional reputation knowing that such statements would cause substantial damage to the Plaintiff's standing i n society particularly as the acting Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Cocoa Board.

Apart from the damages, the COCOBOD CEO is also seeking an order from the court directed at Abronye for an unconditional retraction, unqualified apology and complete removal of the defamatory publication to be published within 14 days from the date of judgment.

Also, the plaintiff is a perpetual injunction restraining Abronye or anyone acting on his behalf from publishing defamatory words against him.
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Single company contracted by DVLA to produce number plates joins suit blocking introduction of new number plates as defendant

Enoch Darfah Frimpong and Joselyn Kafui Nyadzi Jan - 23 - 2026 , 17:50 3 minutes read

The single entity that was recently contracted by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) to produce number plates for the DVLA in 2026 has been joined as a defendant in the suit filed by the Vehicle Embossment Manufacturers Association of Ghana (VEMAG) and others against the DVLA.

Original Manufacturers and Embossment Company Limited, the company owned by one Nyarko Esumadu Appiah, also known as Daasebre, is now a defendant together with the DVLA in the case in which the Vehicle Embossment Manufacturers Association of Ghana is challenging the decision of the DVLA to discontinue using their services in the production of number plates, but to solely rely on one company.

The Vehicle Embossment Association of Ghana (VEMAG) in December 2025 filed an injunction at the High Court in Accra, asking that the DVLA, should be restrained from rolling out digital or any new vehicle number plate registration system beginning January 2026.

The suit was filed by BEMENCO Embossment Ltd and other plaintiffs, all members of the Vehicle Embossment Association of Ghana (VEMAG).

The injunction application is asking that the DVLA should be restrained from introducing digitalised vehicle number plates or any new registration plates until the court determines the merits of the case.

They are also asking that the DVLA should be prevented from implementing any alternative arrangement for the embossment and supply of vehicle number plates outside the existing framework involving the plaintiffs.

It is their argument that the DVLA had awarded both manufacturing and embossment contracts to a single entity, an act which they termed as unprecedented and contrary to established practice.

They are therefore seeking an order compelling the DVLA to continue engaging licensed embossers for 2026 and beyond.

Joinder

The High Court in Accra, presided over by Justice Isaac Addo, granted the application to join Original Manufacturers and Embossment Company Limited to the suit on Friday, [January 23, 2026], after counsel for the plaintiffs and the DVLA indicated they had no objection.

Counsel for the plaintiffs told the court that they had been served with the application for joinder filed by Original Manufacturers and Embossment Company Limited, with a return date of February 24, 2026.

They explained they were not opposed to the application and prayed the court to abridge the time to allow the motion to be heard immediately.

Counsel for the DVLA, Sigiri Edmund Kadiri, also told the court that the defendant did not oppose the joinder application.

Granting the request, Justice Addo the court had considered the motion papers and affidavit in support and accordingly granted the application and ordered that Original Manufacturers and Embossment Company Limited be joined as the second defendant in the case.

The court also directed the plaintiffs to amend the writ of summons and statement of claim to reflect the joinder.

It further ordered that all processes filed in the suit be served on the newly joined defendant.

The case has been adjourned to February 6, 2026, for further proceedings.

Background

VEMAG and others are challenging the DVLAs decision to exclude them in the introduction of a digital vehicle number plate embossment system.

The plaintiffs contended that the implementation of the system and the processes leading to its rollout affected their operations and raised concerns about procurement, regulation and participation in the vehicle registration and embossment process.

The DVLA, on its part, maintains that the introduction of the digital number plate system fell within its statutory mandate and was aimed at improving vehicle identification and registration.

Original Manufacturers and Embossment Company Limited is the company involved in the production and embossment of the digital number plates and applied to be joined to the suit on the grounds that the outcome of the case could affect its interest.
TWOTAP Ministry launches GH800,000 monthly support scheme for widows and orphans

Gilbert Mawuli Agbey Jan - 23 - 2026 , 16:50 2 minutes read

The Word of Truth and Prayers (TWOTAP) Ministry has launched a social intervention programme to provide sustained financial support to widows and orphans within the Christian community in Ghana.

The initiative, dubbed Care for Widows and Orphans, is designed to provide monthly financial assistance to 2,000 Christian widows and orphans, with each beneficiary receiving GH400. In total, the ministry will commit GH800,000 monthly to fund the programme.

The scheme, which is open to both members and non-members of TWOTAP who are Christians, was officially unveiled on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at a press briefing in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.

Addressing journalists, the Founder and General Overseer of TWOTAP Ministry, Evangelist Francis Awusi, said the intervention is intended to ease the economic burden on vulnerable persons while reinforcing their sense of belonging and spiritual support.

According to him, the initiative also seeks to challenge perceptions that church activities are primarily designed to enrich religious leaders, stressing that the Church has a responsibility to care for the needy within its community.

Evangelist Awusi, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Holy TV, a Kumasi-based media outlet affiliated with the ministry, noted that the programme goes beyond financial assistance, as beneficiaries would be periodically monitored to assess their spiritual growth and overall well-being.

He explained that the initiative was born out of what he described as a divine directive received last year.

I received a command from God to take care of 2,000 Christians who are widows and orphans, he said.

Evangelist Awusi also appealed to individuals and institutions to support the programme to ensure its sustainability, underscoring the importance of collective responsibility in improving the living conditions of vulnerable groups in society.

There is more blessing in giving than in receiving. Many people are in difficult situations, and we must all help to put smiles on their faces by extending support to them, he added.
Featured

UniMAC mourns student killed in hit-and-run near South Legon campus

Jemima Okang Addae Jan - 23 - 2026 , 17:10 2 minutes read

The University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC) has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic death of one of its students, Nelson Blay Nokotey, a Level 300 Top-Up Journalism student, who died after being knocked down by a vehicle on the highway near the universitys campus.

In a statement issued on Thursday, January 22, the University described the incident as a painful and untimely loss that has plunged the entire UniMAC community into mourning and disbelief.

Management, on behalf of the Governing Council, faculty, staff and students, extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, friends and loved ones of the late student.

The University described Nelson Blay Nokotey as a valued and promising member of the UniMAC family, whose passing represents not only a loss to the institution but also to the nation as a whole.

Following the incident, UniMAC management, led by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Eric Opoku Mensah, formally met with the bereaved family and also held separate engagements with the Students Representative Council and the wider student body to commiserate with them and reaffirm the Universitys solidarity during this difficult period.

The statement further disclosed that the University is working closely with the Ghana Police Service, through its representatives including the Dean of Students Affairs and the Chief Security Officer, to support ongoing investigations aimed at identifying, apprehending and prosecuting the perpetrator responsible for the incident.

UniMAC described the incident as a grave violation of the sanctity of human life and assured the public of its full cooperation with law enforcement agencies until justice is served.

Beyond the immediate response, management said it has re-engaged relevant state and municipal authorities, including security agencies, transport and road safety institutions and local government bodies, to review and implement enhanced road safety measures within and around the South Legon community to prevent future occurrences.

These actions are aimed at protecting students, staff and residents, and ensuring that they can live, move, and learn in safety, the statement noted.

The University also appealed to students, staff and the general public to remain calm, law-abiding and cooperative as investigations continue, while honouring the memory of the late Nelson Blay Nokotey with dignity and restraint.

UniMAC assured the public that it will remain resolute in its pursuit of justice and the implementation of concrete safety interventions, stressing that Nelsons life mattered and that his memory will remain etched in the conscience of the UniMAC community.

Read the full statement below;
Next article: Who succeeds Toure as primary looms in Ayawaso East

Featured

NPP presidential primary: Compromised polling station results will be annulled

Daily Graphic Politics Jan - 23 - 2026 , 09:57 3 minutes read

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has warned that results from any polling centre compromised by misconduct or breaches of rules during its January 31 presidential primary will be cancelled.

The Chairperson of the NPP Presidential Elections Committee, Joseph Osei-Owusu, told the Ghana News Agency that the party would annul results where evidence showed that irregular conduct had influenced the outcome.

Any conduct that we can determine has had an adverse effect on the election will lead to the committee cancelling the results of that particular polling centre, he said.

Rules

Mr Osei-Owusu said a strict set of election-day rules had been agreed to and signed by all five aspirants and submitted to the Electoral Commission (EC) and the Ghana Police Service for enforcement.

He said proxy voting had been abolished as a deliberate measure to prevent disputes and protect the credibility of the process.

In this election, there is no space for anybody to vote by proxy. It is a strategic decision to protect the integrity of the election, he said.

Mr Osei-Owusu said aspirants and their supporters would not be allowed to bring branded materials, camp delegates or aggregate voters at any location.

You walk in, you vote and you go back. Nobody is permitted to put groups together or hold delegates anywhere, he said.

Mr Osei-Owusu said voting would take place in the open and no individual would be permitted to direct voters or loiter around polling centres after voting.

He said only accredited persons and eligible delegates with valid identification, including a voter ID, Ghana Card or passport, would be allowed into polling centres.

If you are a regional chairman, a national officer or even a former appointee, your only role is to come and vote.

You are not permitted to give instructions, he said.

Mr Osei-Owusu warned that mobile phones would not be allowed in voting areas and that the use of private security or macho men would attract severe sanctions.

If anybody misbehaves and we arrest him, I wont listen to any big man coming to say he is my boy, he quoted the Inspector-General of Police as saying at a recent meeting.

Mr Osei-Owusu said the police had begun training party executives on the rules to ensure compliance.

Vote buying

On vote-buying, he said although crowding at polling centres would be restricted, any credible evidence of inducement elsewhere would be investigated.

If it is established that money was distributed to influence the election, and it affected the outcome, the results will be cancelled, he said.

The NPP presidential primaries will be held at 333 polling centres across 276 constituencies, with 211,849 delegates eligible to vote.

Polls will open at 7.00 a.m. and close at 2.00 p.m., after which counting and declaration will take place at the polling centres.

Results will be transmitted to regional collation centres and subsequently to the EC headquarters in Accra for final declaration, before being formally announced by the party.

The five aspirants contesting the January 31, 2026, NPP presidential primary are Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, Ken Ohene Agyapong, Dr Bryan Acheampong and Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum. GNA
Featured

Who succeeds Toure as primary looms in Ayawaso East

Samuel Duodu Politics Jan - 23 - 2026 , 09:57 3 minutes read

The race to succeed the late National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Ayawaso East, Mahama Naser Toure, has heated up as the party opens nominations on Saturday, January 24, 2026, for prospective aspirants to file to contest the party's parliamentary primary scheduled for Saturday, February 7, 2026.

Before the party could open nominations, some key personalities' names had popped up as possible contenders to slug it out for the partys ticket in the primary.

Possible aspirants

They are Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed and Dr Yakubu Azindow, both of whom contested the late MP in the last NDC parliamentary primary.

Apart from these individuals, some supporters of the NDC in the constituency are pushing for the widow of the late MP, Hajia Amina Adam, to succeed her husband.

Baba Jamal declared his intentions to contest the by-election just days after the Electoral Commission (EC) scheduled the Ayawaso East Constituency parliamentary by-election for Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

Baba Jamal, a legal practitioner and Ghanas Ambassador to Nigeria, is framing his candidacy as a homecoming. Despite being famously associated with the Akwatia constituency in the Eastern Region, he said he was born and raised in Nima, the heart of the Ayawaso East Constituency.

It is true, by Gods grace, I will contest in the Ayawaso East constituency by-election. I see it as a call to come and serve the good people of Ayawaso East, Baba Jamal said in a recent radio interview.

But before his bid becomes a reality, he has to go through his partys nomination process and contest the primary to get the nod to be the governing partys candidate for the by-election.

The widow of the late MP, Hajia Amina Adam, whom some supporters of the party are rooting for to succeed her husband, is yet to declare her intentions, with just a day to the partys opening of nominations.

Others who have already declared their intention ahead of the partys primary include Yahaya Alhassan, the National Chairman of the Zongo Political Groupings.

Background

The Ayawaso East Constituency has been a stronghold of the governing NDC since the inception of the Fourth Republic that has delivered electoral victories in both the presidential and parliamentary elections for the NDC.

In the last parliamentary elections in 2024, the late NDC MP, Naser Toure, won with 22, 139 votes representing 70.85 per cent, while his sole contender, Zak Rahman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), obtained 9,110 votes representing 29.15 per cent out of the total votes of 31, 249.

The NPP has declared its intention of contesting the Ayawaso East constituency by-election, but the party is yet to announce whether it will hold a primary to elect a candidate or maintain its 2024 parliamentary candidate, Zak Rahman.

The Liberal Party of Ghana has also expressed its intentions of putting up a candidate in the by-election.
From the Sweetwater County Elections Office:

Set to go into effect in July 2026, the law requires a person to provide proof of state residency and U.S. citizenship when registering to vote.

(a) Any one of the following forms of acceptable identification shall accompany the Voter Registration Application Form and shall meet the registration requirements of federal and state law without providing any other form of identification or proof of Wyoming residence, provided that, to establish proof of Wyoming residence, the identification lists a Wyoming address. For purposes of providing proof of Wyoming residence under this Chapter, a Wyoming address includes a Post Office box located in the State of Wyoming, provided the individual registering is still required to list their Wyoming residential address as required on the voter registration application form. If the provided documentation does not list a Wyoming address, the voter shall also supply documentation from Sections 5(b), 5(c), or 6 of this chapter to establish proof of Wyoming residence:

(i) An unexpired, valid Wyoming drivers license;

(ii) An unexpired, valid Wyoming digital drivers license as defined in W.S. 31-

7-102(a)(xlix); or

(iii) A tribal identification card issued by the governing body of the Eastern

Shoshone tribe of Wyoming, the Northern Arapaho tribe of Wyoming or other federally

recognized Indian tribe that contains the applicants Wyoming drivers license number and/or the last four (4) digits of the applicants social security number (SSN).

For questions, contact the Sweetwater County Elections Office at 307-872-3733 or email at [email protected].
Taxes and revenue took center stage at the Sweetwater County Town Hall that took place last Thursday. Jan. 15, although multiple questions from community members were discussed. It was a packed house for the meeting, which was hosted by local elected officials at the Sweetwater County Events Complex.

Many of the Sweetwater County elected officials were in attendance to answer questions from citizens and explain some of the challenges the county is facing. Some of the elected officials in attendance included County Commissioners Island Richards, Robb Slaughter, Keaton West, Mary Thoman and Taylor Jones, as well as County Treasurer Mark Cowen, County Assessor Dave Divis and County Attorney Daniel Erramouspe. The audience was encouraged to write down questions for the governing body, and there were also questions submitted by citizens online prior to the event. Questions spanned many topics including planning and zoning, noise ordinances, and mental health. However, the bulk of the questions were directly related to taxes and revenue.

Diminishing revenues and increasing financial pressures are the driving forces behind upcoming budget discussions, according to many of the officials in attendance. It was all about caution, as officials explained the county simply does not have the funding as it did in previous years.

According to County Treasurer Mark Cowan, the mineral tax revenue that county receives has regularly decreased over the last several years. Cowan stated that in 2023 the county brought in approximately $105 million in mineral tax revenue, but in 2024 that same revenue slipped to $87 million, and it decreased to around $80 million in 2025.

"Those decreases in revenue are very significant to our county," Cowan said.

County Assessor Dave Divis also chimed, in saying that the county's total valuation has also declined, driven largely by reduced mineral production.

Several County Commissioners, including Rob Slaughter and Island Richards, echoed that those losses have significantly restricted the county's capacity to fund services, including many that residents find essential like the "Meals on Wheels" senior meal service program, The Boys and Girls Club, Climb Wyoming and the Youth Home.

Commissioner Richards spoke about how essential services are being prioritized first, followed by county sub-agencies and then non-county-affiliated nonprofit organizations. Richards also explained how the county employs approximately 100 fewer employees than roughly 10 years ago, as a necessity to budget health.

"In 2010, we had 323 employees. Presently we have 215," he explained. "That's a drastic savings. That was combining departments and facilities."

Other topics of discussion at the town hall event included inquiries about drones seen flying through Sweetwater County, concerns about ICE and the Sweetwater County Detention Center and the Sheriff's Office involvement with the organization, and the possible repercussions for Sweetwater County if the Wyoming Business Council is defunded.

Regarding the drones, citizens noted that they are sometimes seen on a nightly basis. Sheriff's Department Representative Lieutenant Rich Fischer explained that they actually don't know who is operating the drones, and that part of the air space is under FFA control.

"We don't know," he explained simply. "The Sheriff's department had conversations with state and federal, leaders, and agencies, and no one can report to us what exactly they are. Technically we are only in supervision of the first 400 feet of airspace, beyond that it is in FFA control."

In regard to the immigration questions, County Attorney Daniel Erramouspe reminded those in attendance that ICE agents and other cooperating agencies are federally protected and have been tasked with doing a specific job, also stating that being in the country illegally is in fact a crime.

"At what point did we get to where it's okay to interfere with law enforcement doing their duties?" he asked.

As for the possible repercussions for the county if the Wyoming Business Council is defunded, several county commissioners emphasized the lack of communication on such matters from the Wyoming Freedom Caucus. Commissioner Richards talked about alternatives like economic development memberships.

"It needs to be a partnership between existing businesses, because everyone benefits when the economy grows," he said. "The government needs to be members of that, they need to be at the table."

Event Moderator Melissa Atkinson, a Wyoming Business Council board member, reminded everyone that the town of Kemmerer was almost completely revitalized from projects funded by the Wyoming Business Council.

Eric Bingham was one of the event organizers and facilitators. Bingham also serves as the County Public Land Use Director and a Rock Springs City Council Member. He said he was very pleased with the event turnout, and he has committed to hosting future events.

"I was so glad to be here with everyone tonight," Bingham said. "I think it means a lot when this many people show up and care about the community."
9/29/1947 - 12/10/25

Donald LeRoy Anderson, of Riverton, Wyoming, passed December 10, 2025 in Rock Springs, Wyoming

Donald was born on September 29, 1947, in Riverton, Wyoming, to Clarence F. Anderson and Leona Sinner.

He grew up in Riverton, where he made lifelong friends and graduated with the Riverton High School Class of 1965. Later, he continued his education at Casper College, proudly earning his Bachelor's Degree in 1993 - a milestone that reflected his determination and lifelong love of learning.

Donald was a man of unwavering faith and quiet strength. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam era, earning an honorable discharge. His service shaped much of who he was, humble, disciplined, and fiercely loyal to those he loved. He was also a proud member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, where he found camaraderie and purpose among fellow servicemen.

On August 3, 2001, Donald married the love of his life, Christine Cook, in Ketchikan, Alaska. Together, they built a life full of laughter, adventure, and love. They shared many wonderful years together until her passing on September 18, 2021, and his love for her never faded.

Throughout his life, Donald wore many hats - from Safeway manager to uranium mine mechanic - but his heart truly found its calling in caring for others. He spent 15 years serving as an EMT and Captain of the Fire Department in Douglas, Wyoming  a role he was deeply proud of. He became a registered nurse, dedicating over three decades to emergency medicine and spent a year as a flight nurse. His calm presence and compassion brought comfort to countless patients and families. For 10 years, he traveled the country as a nurse, blending his love of service with his love of adventure.

When he returned to Riverton, Donald devoted himself to family, caring for his mother and mother-in-law with the same dedication he gave to his patients.

Outside of work and service, Donald found peace in the simple joys of life. He loved fishing, photography, and camping, but more than anything, he cherished time spent with his family. Whether gathered around a campfire or sharing a quiet moment at home, those were the memories that mattered most to him. Donald's gentle heart, steady faith, and quiet humor will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Survivors include one son, Troy Anderson and wife Emily of Colorado Springs, Colorado; two daughters, Tina Frullo and husband Pete of Rock Springs, Wyoming; Tami Petty of Riverton, Wyoming; one sister, Linda Kay Nelson and husband Brad of Cheyenne, Wyoming; five grandchildren, Lindsey Anderson; Briana Moss; Kelli Frullo; Kayle Petty; Joey Petty; five great-grandchildren, Lazzlo; Joseph; Lydia; Kolton; Willow, one nephew, Blaine Nelson and fiance Brittany; one niece, Bradi Coe Preble and husband Chris; one great-nephew, Cinch Preble as well as several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Leona Anderson; his beloved wife, Christine L. Anderson and other cherished family members who no doubt welcomed him home with open arms.

Cremation has taken place and there will be no services at his request.

Condolences may be left at http://www.vasefuneralhomes.com.
3/24/1947 - 1/18/26

Larry Don Curry, a cherished husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and beloved member of the Green River community passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 18, 2026 at his home in Green River.

Born on Monday, March 24, 1947 in Hunter, Missouri, Larry was the loving son of Samuel Edward Curry and Daisy Pearl Lawrence.

Larry's journey was marked by love, dedication, and craftsmanship. He was a proud graduate of Lincoln High School in Green River, class of 1965, and went on to serve his country honorably in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. For his bravery and service, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device 1960.

After returning from the war, Larry pursued a passion that would define his career-crafting beauty from nature as a gem apprentice and goldsmith. He owned and operated 14 Karat Creations, where he created stunning jewelry that brought joy to many.

Larry found love and companionship with Maxine Grace McKenzie, whom he married on February 14, 1998 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Their life together was filled with laughter, adventure, and boundless love.

By his side, Larry leaves behind his devoted wife, Maxine Grace Curry, and a legacy of family. This includes his four sons: Jason T. Curry and wife Mikel of Bountiful, Utah; Andrew Davis of Alaska; Luke Davis and wife Mandy of St. Anthony, Idaho; and Jed Davis of Tooele, Utah. He is also survived by five daughters: Jackie Finch and husband Robert, Jo Lynn Beckum and husband Mike, and Jennifer Curry, all of Green River, Wyoming; Neeley Ussing and husband Jeff of Tooele, Utah; and Sarah Boyle and husband Josh of Taylorsville, Utah.

Larry's legacy extends to his cherished sister, Ida Chailland of Green River; his sixteen grandchildren, James Byrd, Clarence Curry and wife Morgan, Stephen Curry, Chris Byrd, Brendon Curry-Hobbs and wife Mari, Robin Januzik and husband Ryan, Maxwell Curry and wife Amanda, Felicia Finch, Breelyn Banta and husband Skylar, Coy Davis, Neal Ussing, Steten Ussing, Hannah Waddell and husband Dylan, Terry Ussing, Ben Cady, and Bethany Cady; and seventeen great-grandchildren who were the light of his later years. He will be warmly remembered by several cousins, nieces, nephews, and countless friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Robert Kinnaman and Daisy; biological father, Samuel Curry; brother, James Chailland; and sister, Jill Cordova.

A man of rich interests, Larry was a die-hard fisherman who cherished the serenity of the water. He found joy in knife making, jewelry crafting, and camping under the stars, always treasuring time spent with his grandchildren. His welding skills demonstrated his artistry and precision, contributing to both his hobbies and his profession.

Though Larry requested no public service, his family will honor him privately following cremation.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made in Larry's memory to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 1815 Oklahoma Drive, Green River, Wyoming 82935 as a gesture reflecting his commitment to fellow servicemen and women.

Expressions of sympathy and memories may be shared by leaving condolences at http://www.vasefuneralhomes.com.

Larry Don Curry's departure leaves a profound void in our hearts, but his legacy of love, artistry, and service continues to inspire all who knew him. May he rest in eternal peace.
2/2/1940 - 1/1/26

Shirley Nichols Roberts, 87, passed away peacefully on January 1,2026 after a lengthy illness.

She was born on February 2, 1940, in Cokeville, Wyoming; the cherished daughter of Clarence "Nick" Nichols and Bessie Patterson Nichols.

Shirley was heavily involved in the community while completing her primary education before graduating cum laude from the University of Wyoming in 1962.

After college she returned home to marry her high school sweetheart, Lynn Roberts and worked for the school district. They later relocated to Rock Springs where they started a family. Shirley was employed by Sweetwater School District #1 as a teacher and later became the food service director until her retirement after 29 years. Retirement didn't last long, and she and Lynn relocated to Pinedale, Wyoming where she owned and operated the Huckleberry Patch Quilt Shop for several years. They remained there until Lynn's passing in February 2020. Shirley spent her final years enjoying the sunshine or dodging tornados in Oklahoma. For those familiar with her, entering and exiting the storm shelter was always an experience for her and her two dogs.

Shirley was an accomplished pianist and loved playing for various services and churches in the community, making a great many friends along the way. She devoured books throughout her life while also enjoying many activities from quilting or sewing to fishing from the boat. Campfires were always a special time for her to reflect on life, and she could often be seen there with a Dutch oven or hot dog stick.

Shirley is survived by her two children, Rich Roberts of Pinedale, Wyoming; Kym Kalivas (Paul) of Lexington, Oklahoma; two grandchildren, Colton Kalivas (Cami) of Edmond, Oklahoma; Taylor Keller (Wyatt) of Rock Springs, Wyoming; along with numerous extended relatives in Utah and Wyoming.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Lynn Roberts and grandson Wyatt Kalivas.

The family respectfully requests donations be made in Shirley's memory to Rock Springs Humane Society, 310 Yellowstone Road, Rock Springs, Wyoming 82901.

At her direction and wishes, cremation has taken place with plans to return her to Wyoming in the Spring.

Condolences and memories may be left at http://www.vasefuneralhomes.com.
When Mark Gordon was sworn in as Governor in 2019, he submitted a budget request under $9 billion. This year, Gordons total budget seeks to spend well over $11 billion. In just a few years the state budget has grown roughly 30%.

Has your household budget grown that much?

If state spending continues to increase at this rate, our own projections put us $800 million in the red by 2029  thats three short years away.

That reality is why the Joint Appropriations Committee (JAC), now controlled by fiscal conservatives for the first time in decades, is working to slow the growth of government. But if you relied solely on hysterical media coverage and the online outrage machine of Democrats, youd think government had been slashed to the bone.

The JAC budget limits runaway government growth by cutting waste while fully funding the necessary functions of government.

Under the conservative JAC budget, snowplow drivers and state troopers receive long-overdue raises. Vulnerable Wyomingites who rely on developmental disability waivers get additional funding, and the dedicated caregivers who serve them will finally be paid more. Classroom teachers are set to receive pay raises, with more dollars targeted directly into classrooms where they belong. Community colleges receive increased funding for career and technical education. University students will see a 30% increase in the Hathaway scholarship payout. The Hathaway scholarship has not been adjusted for fifteen years.

Whats being cut? Ineffective and expensive government agencies that funnel your money into private businesses.

Take the Wyoming Business Council. Like many government programs that fail up, it has spent nearly a billion dollars since its inception, yet struggles to demonstrate meaningful returns. Despite that record, it continues to receive more funding every budget cycle.

Thats exactly the kind of spending taxpayers are tired of underwriting.

We will continue fighting to cut programs that waste your hard-earned money. And its no accident that those crying loudest about cuts are often the same ones who benefit most when government grows unchecked.

Slowing the growth of government isnt gutting it. Its restraint. But under Democrat math, unless spending is exploding  unless taxpayer dollars are being sprayed out of the Capitol dome through a firehose  its labeled a cut.

The people most alarmed by right-sizing government fail to consider the taxpayer. More often, theyre the ones who profit from governments expansion and largesse.

My three tax and spend colleagues on JAC, along with their allies in the press, are sounding the alarm. Conservatives will not be bought off. We remain resolute in defending the taxpayer, and we are determined to put Wyoming on a sustainable fiscal path.
Emelio Uy, a businessman, civic leader and one of the most respected champions of Guam and its Filipino-American community, died peacefully on Friday, according to his family, government of Guam officials and civic organizations. He was 75.

Hes a towering advocate for community, service, and the Filipino-American experience on the island, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero and Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio said.

Through business leadership, civic engagement, and extraordinary generosity, he helped ensure that service, faith, and compassion remained central to how we care for one another, the governor said in a statement. His life reflected a deep belief that success carries responsibility.

In recognition of a lifetime of faith-driven service and community leadership, Uy was awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontificeone of the highest honors bestowed by the Roman Catholic Church upon laypersons for distinguished contribution to the Church and society.

Emilio Uy believed in lifting others and building bridgesbetween communities, generations, and cultures, Tenorio said in a statement. His advocacy for Guam and for the Filipino-American community was unwavering, and his generosity left a mark that will endure far beyond his lifetime.

Uy served in key roles within GovGuam, including as director of the Guam Museum Foundation, and board member of the A.B. Won Pat International Airport Authority. He was the fundraising and finance chairman of the Guam Delegation to the 1996 Pacific Arts Festival, FestPac, in Western Samoa.

His family established National Office Supply on Guam and Saipan, and Uy served as its vice president and executive general manager of the Guam branch and president and CEO of the Saipan office. He was also vice president and board director of Benison Corporation of Guam.

Generous person

Uy was a former president of the Filipino Community of Guam and later chairman of its board of trustees. He was chairman emeritus of the FCG.

Edna Rebanal, current president of the FCG, said Uy led the FCG with his heart.

Yes, he was a very generous person. He never turned away anyone who asked for assistance. I was a vice-president during his second term as president of FCG and I personally witnessed how strongly he was committed to the organization. He worked very hard and ensured that all activities were carried out without a snag, Rebanal said in a statement.

Uy was not just a colleague in the FCG but also a dear friend, Rebanal said.

And I will surely miss him, she added.

Uys legacy is defined not by titles, but by action, Adelup said.

He devoted his time, resources, and leadership to causes that strengthened lives and brought people together, supporting organizations such as the Ayuda Foundation, Lions Club International, and the Red Cross, among many others committed to service, relief, and human dignity.

Bringing honor to community

Uy received the 1996 Presidential Award for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas, conferred during the administration of President Fidel V. Ramos.

It recognized not just what he achieved, but who he wasa leader who brought honor to the Filipino community abroad through service, unity, and selfless dedication, Tenorio added.

Sen. Will Parkinson said Uy represented the very best of our islands Filipino heritage.

A pillar who proved that hard work, humility, and malasakit are not abstract values, but daily practices. Through National Office Supply, he built opportunity, stability, and dignity for countless families on Guam, Parkinson said. He lived the principle of bayanihan. He gave without fanfare, led without ego, and uplifted others simply because it was the right thing to do. In doing so, he brought honor not only to the Filipino community, but to Guam as a whole.

Uy served as past district governor of Lions Clubs International District 204, and president of the Guahan Lions Club.

He was the founder and first president of the Filipino Cultural Center (Eskuwelahang Munti) and was a long-time member and supporter of the United Chinese Association of Guam, the FCG said.

His other affiliations included the Fil-Am Chamber of Commerce, the Fil-Guam Charities Foundation, the Guam Filipino Artists, and the Metro Manila Association of Guam.

Guam-Philippines relations

The FCG said Uy played a significant role in strengthening GuamPhilippines relations, helping bring distinguished Philippine leaders to Guam, including Presidents Corazon C. Aquino and Fidel V. Ramos, senior justices, senators, cabinet members, and local government officials.

He also received a Magalahi Award for the Arts, was named U.S. Small Business Administrations 2009 Guam State Small Business Person of the Year, and a recipient of the University of the Philippines Outstanding Filipino-Americans Award.

Uy also received commendations associated with U.S. Presidents George H. W. Bush, Al Gore, and Dan Quayle, the FCG said.

Emelio leaves behind a legacy of service, leadership, and dedication to the people of Guam, Nita Baldovino, chair of the FCG board of trustees, said in a statement. He didnt just support organizationshe supported people, quietly and consistently, always asking how he could help. His generosity, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to uplifting our community will be felt for generations.

Former senator Mary C. Torres, in a statement, said Uys life reflected the very best of what it means to serve others.

Emilio lived his faith not through words, but through action. He believed that charity was not an obligation, but a callingone that required showing up, giving generously, and standing with those in need, often without recognition or expectation of praise, she said. I extend my heartfelt prayers to his family and loved ones, and I join our community in giving thanks for a life lived in service, generosity, and faith.
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Haiti - FLASH : Dismissal of the PM raises tensions between the international community and the CPT





The Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) appears determined to stand up to the Trump administration, despite pressure from the U.S. Embassy, the Office of the U.S. Western Hemisphere Minister, the State Department, and several other countries, including Canada. A majority of CPT members have decided to dismiss Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime.



It should be noted that on Wednesday, January 21, Presidential Advisor Smith Augustin (one of the five signatories) withdrew his signature from the resolution calling for the Prime Minister's dismissal (https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46685-haiti-flash-attempt-to-revoke-the-pm-defeated-by-the-usa.html). After this initial reversal, Smith Augustin reversed his decision again and confirmed on Thursday, January 22, via WhatsApp that he was ultimately maintaining his signature : "Four other colleagues and I signed in favor of the Prime Minister's dismissal."



However, the transmission and implementation of this resolution dismissing the Prime Minister is being blocked by Laurent Saint-Cyr, President pro tempore and Coordinator of the Presidential Transitional Council, who has so far fiercely opposed "[...] any resolution aimed at undermining governmental stability as February 7th approaches [...]" as he wrote in his letter to the members of the CPT. Download the full correspondence from Saint-Cyr (PDF in French): https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/correspondance-Laurent-SAINT-CYR-CPT.pdf



Official International Reactions :



U.S. Embassy :

"The U.S. objective for Haiti remains the establishment of baseline security and stability. The U.S. would regard any effort to change the composition of the government by the non-elected TPC at this late stage in its tenure to be an effort to undermine that objective and as such null and void. The U.S. would consider anyone supporting such a disruptive step favoring the gangs to be acting contrary to the interests of the United States, the region, and the Haitian people and will act accordingly."



U.S. Department of States Western Hemisphere Office :

Chronic instability in Haiti is not due to any defect in the Haitian character, culture or constitution. It is the choice of corrupt Haitian politicians who use gangs and other armed groups to create chaos in the streets and then insist on a role in government to turn down the chaos they themselves have created. Real stability will come when political leaders get their power from the support of voters rather than their ability to sow chaos. The members of the CPT who have followed this path are not Haitian patriots. They are criminals like the gangs they conspire with.



State Department :

The United States maintains its unwavering support for Haiti's stability and security. We view the recent announcement by the CPT as illegal. Haitian Prime Minister Alix Fils-Aime's tenure as Haiti's Prime Minister remains integral to advancing efforts to combat terrorist gangs and stabilize the country.



To the corrupt politicians supporting vicious gangs and who are wreaking terrorism on the country: the United States will ensure there is a steep cost.



The current violence caused by gangs can only be stopped with consistent, strong leadership, and with the full support of the Haitian people.



Canada :

Canada remains committed to supporting efforts to restore the security of the Haitian people and their sovereign and constitutional right to choose their leaders democratically.



Canada is deeply concerned by the attempts by several members of the CPT to replace the Prime Minister just days before the end of their term. This action can only weaken the stability and security of the country at a crucial moment in its history.



Once again, we call on all members of the CPT to respect their commitment to step down on February 7 and to refrain from further hindering progress toward free and fair elections. Canada remains ready to take action against any actor whose actions jeopardize the peace, security, and stability of Haiti.



European Union :

The Delegation of the European Union to Haiti and the Embassies of Germany, Spain, and France issue the following statement : "The European Union, Germany, Spain, and France, like many other actors in the international community, are committed to supporting Haiti in its efforts to regain security, prosperity, and democracy. This exceptional commitment, demonstrated through direct support for the national security forces and the deployment of the Anti-Gang Force, reflects the renewed solidarity of the international community with Haiti and the Haitian people. It calls on the Haitian transitional authorities to act responsibly and in the public interest.



Any change at the head of government just days before the end of the Presidential Transitional Council would jeopardize the encouraging momentum of the security forces against criminal gangs. Restoring security must remain the absolute priority of the transition."



United Kingdom :

"The United Kingdom continues to support efforts to strengthen security and stability in Haiti. Inopportune and destabilizing government changes would undermine these efforts as the mandate of the Presidential Transitional Council approaches its expiration on February 7, 2026. We call on all Haitian stakeholders to come together and place Haiti at the heart of their priorities, fighting against gangs and moving towards democratic elections.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46685-haiti-flash-attempt-to-revoke-the-pm-defeated-by-the-usa.html



SL /HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Education : Launch of the National Conference on the Refounding of the Education System





The Ministry of National Education officially launched the National Conference on the Refounding of the Haitian Education System this week in Petion-ville. Under the theme "For Transformative Education" this event marks a decisive turning point for the future of Haitian schools.



This conference, taking place from January 21 to 23, 2026, aims to diagnose the structural problems of the education sector in order to develop strategic solutions. The objective is clear : to restore the authority of schools and guarantee quality civic education for young people.



The 4 Pillars of the MENFP Reform :

The strategic framework defined during these consultation sessions is structured around four major axes :



1 - Operationalization of the High National Council for Education (HCNE);



2 - Restoration of educational governance and school authority;



3 - Improvement of the learning climate and the physical environment of schools;



4 - Combating academic failure, school dropout, and the erosion of learning outcomes.



10 Key Themes for Rebuilding the Haitian School System:

In line with the Ten-Year Education and Training Plan 2020-2030 (PDEF), discussions focus on crucial issues :



1 - Access to education, equity, and inclusion;



2 - Educational governance and system management;



3 - Quality of learning and combating academic failure;



4 - Teacher development;



5 - School infrastructure and school zoning;



6 - Digital education and innovation;



7 - Financing and efficiency of the education system;



8 - Technical and vocational training and the socio-economic integration of young people;



9 - School safety and protection of educational spaces;



10 - Resilience of the education system in the face of crises.



Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime, represented by Ms. Axene Joseph, reiterated the Government's commitment to allocating 4% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to the education sector. Faced with a systemic crisis affecting both educational and socio-economic aspects, the Prime Minister considers this overhaul an "imperative national necessity".



"These national consultations aim to engage the nation's vital forces in a profound reflection to achieve social and economic mobility," the Prime Minister emphasized.



Minister Antoine welcomed the large turnout of teachers' unions, parents' associations, experts, representatives from the private sector, and members of the diaspora. This mobilization demonstrates a shared commitment to resolving the multidimensional crisis that jeopardizes the future of young Haitians.



These three days of discussions and proposals should lead to strategic documents capable of turning the tide. As Guy Serge Pompilus, the Coordinator of the Conference, reminded everyone, "the success of this transformation depends on the contribution of each participant".



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





IMPORTANT : Brazil Visa, Family Reunification

The Brazilian Visa Application Center (CAVB) in Haiti informs that Haitians who arrived in Brazil without a visa can apply for family reunification, provided they submit proof of regularization of their status. Haitians who entered with a VITEM XI visa are not eligible. We remind everyone that the refugee protocol is the applicable procedure for submitting an application if you did not enter with a visa.



Call Center Telephone : open from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM and our agents are available at the following numbers: 2817 0320 / 3163 6075 / 3170 9307 / 4910 1117 / 3668 8490

Email : iomhaitivrf@iom.int



"Barbecue" has disappeared !

The prolonged disappearance of Jimmy Cherizier, alias "Barbecue" leader of the "Viv Ansanm" terrorist coalition, is fueling speculation and rumors. Haitis most wanted terrorist has vanished from the public eye and the social media platforms he frequently used. For more than seven days, "Barbecue" has not posted any messages, contrary to his usual practice. The authorities also appear to be unaware of the terrorist's whereabouts, while rumors are rife regarding his condition after the destruction, using kamikaze drones and heavy equipment, of three residences that were part of his headquarters.



MSF : More than 100 wounded treated in 2 weeks

In a press release published Thursday, January 22, 2026, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported a resurgence of clashes between the Haitian National Police (PNH) and armed groups. MSF stated that it has treated more than 100 wounded victims of violence in its Port-au-Prince clinics over the past two weeks.



UN : Message to Haitian Politicians

On Thursday, January 22, 2024, Carlos Ruiz Massieu, invited by the UN Spokesperson to a press briefing, reiterated his appeal to Haitian political actors to set aside their political differences in order to preserve institutional continuity and focus on organizing elections.



WFP : More than 1,000 tons of grain for Haiti

The ship "Calao" has just docked in Cap-Haitien with 62 containers destined for the World Food Programme (WFP), carrying 1,110 tons of grain. In the coming weeks, WFP teams on the ground will deliver this essential food aid to the communities hardest hit by instability and violence, bringing hope where hunger persists.



New Haitian Representative to the OAS

On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, Jean Josue Pierre, the new Permanent Representative of Haiti to the Organization of American States (OAS), presented his credentials to Secretary General Albert R. Ramdin at a ceremony held at the Organization's headquarters in Washington, D.C.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















(HedgeCo.Net) Quant hedge funds sell a simple promise: rules over emotion, diversification over concentrated bets, and a repeatable process that can compound across cycles. Yet when quant funds hit a rough patch, the drawdowns can feel abruptand eerily synchronizedbecause many systematic strategies are ultimately responding to the same market microstructure, the same factor regimes, and the same crowding dynamics.

That is exactly what has been resurfacing in early 2026. Prime-brokerage and market commentary point to a difficult start for systematic longshort equity managers, with losses concentrated in U.S. equities and linked to crowded positioning and violent reversals in the stocks that dominate quant signals.

The bigger story isnt that quants had a bad week. Its why quant drawdowns can be the worst when they happen: because they are often less about being wrong on fundamentals and more about the rapid unwinding of shared exposuresmomentum, quality, low volatility, short baskets, liquidityand the mechanical de-risking that follows.

What quant hedge funds really means in 2026

Quant is an umbrella label that covers multiple strategy families with very different risk profiles:

Systematic longshort equity / equity market neutral: Models trade cross-sectional signals (value, momentum, quality, revisions, sentiment, alternative data) and attempt to hedge market beta.

Models trade cross-sectional signals (value, momentum, quality, revisions, sentiment, alternative data) and attempt to hedge market beta. Statistical arbitrage (stat arb): Short-horizon mean reversion and relative-value trades; typically high turnover and dependent on stable correlations and liquidity.

Short-horizon mean reversion and relative-value trades; typically high turnover and dependent on stable correlations and liquidity. Trend-following CTAs: Time-series momentum across futures (rates, FX, equity index futures, commodities). Often marketed as crisis alpha, but prone to whipsaws in fast reversals.

Time-series momentum across futures (rates, FX, equity index futures, commodities). Often marketed as crisis alpha, but prone to whipsaws in fast reversals. Systematic macro / risk premia: Rules-based allocations across carry, value, momentum, defensive, volatility, and cross-asset signals.

Different quant species can struggle for different reasons. But when markets become dominated by sharp factor rotations, short squeezes, and liquidity air pockets, multiple quant buckets can draw down togethercreating the perception of quant carnage even if the pain is concentrated in one sleeve (most commonly: systematic equity).

Why the drawdowns are showing up now

1) Crowding turns alpha into a shared macro trade

Quant models are designed to exploit persistent patterns. The problem is that when many sophisticated players converge on the same patternsmomentum leadership, quality screens, factor tilts, similar short basketsthose patterns become positioning. And positioning can unwind faster than fundamentals can justify.

Recent reporting highlights crowded U.S. equity bets as a key driver of early-2026 systematic longshort weakness, with the sector experiencing its worst short-term drawdown since October (as framed by prime brokerage data and market coverage).

Crowding doesnt require explicit coordination. It emerges because:

The investable universe is shared.

The most liquid names are easiest to scale.

Risk models herd portfolios toward efficient implementations.

Similar signals tend to select similar longs and shorts.

When the unwind comes, it arrives as slippage, widening spreads, and correlations going to one inside books that were built on the idea of diversification.

2) Garbage stock rallies and short squeezes punish the same shorts

Another ingredient that reliably hurts quant longshort equity is a sharp rally in heavily shorted, lower-quality namesoften the exact cohort that systematic models are short. A recent Financial Times column noted a resurgence in garbage stocks early in 2026 and tied the move to short squeezes and hedge-fund pain, with quant strategies highlighted as being pressured by crowded trades and momentum reversals.

This matters because a large portion of systematic equity risk is not market direction but longshort spread behavior: do the stocks youre long outperform the stocks youre short? In a squeeze, the short book can gap against you in days, and the model may not be able to exit without paying upespecially if many peers are exiting at once.

3) Factor correlations break at the worst possible time

One of the underappreciated features of quant drawdowns is that they can be driven by unusual factor correlation regimes. A model may assume that its signals diversify each other; in stress, those signals can become the same trade.

MSCIs research on the summer 2025 quant fund wobble emphasized how unusual factor behavior and crowding contributed to longshort equity quant underperformance, using factor-model lenses to explain what happened beneath the surface.

In practice, this shows up as:

Momentum and quality behaving like a single long tech / short junk macro trade.

Liquidity becoming a risk factor (you cant get out when you need to).

Short interest acting like embedded convexity (small moves can trigger squeezes).

4) Deleveraging is mechanicaland it feeds on itself

Quant firms tend to have explicit risk budgets. When volatility rises or losses breach internal limits, gross and net exposure is cut. This creates a feedback loop:

Losses increase realized volatility. Risk models reduce position sizes. Selling pressure pushes prices further. Liquidity worsens; correlations rise. More funds hit limits; more selling follows.

This is why quant drawdowns often feel sudden. Theyre not always the result of a single bad prediction. Theyre frequently the result of a crowded ecosystem all stepping back at the same time.

The worst drawdowns narrative: equity quants vs. trend CTAs

Its important not to flatten all systematic strategies into one storyline. In fact, 2025 offered a reminder that some quant platforms can deliver excellent returns even in volatile environments.

A Reuters report, for example, described strong 2025 performance at AQR, including double-digit gains across several flagship strategies. That doesnt negate todays drawdowns elsewhere; it illustrates the dispersion within quant.

At the same time, trend-following CTAsanother major quant buckethave faced their own challenges in recent periods, particularly when markets chop sideways and reverse sharply. Industry commentary and research have highlighted 2025 as a difficult environment for trend, with whipsaw dynamics undermining the classic payoff profile.

Put differently:

Systematic equity tends to blow up on factor rotations, short squeezes, and crowding-driven deleveraging.

tends to blow up on factor rotations, short squeezes, and crowding-driven deleveraging. Trend tends to bleed in V-shaped reversals and range-bound regimes.

Both can have worst drawdowns, but for different structural reasons.

What allocators often misunderstand about quant risk

Market neutrality is not immunity. A market-neutral book can still have:

Factor beta (momentum, quality, size, low vol, profitability).

(momentum, quality, size, low vol, profitability). Liquidity beta (it owns what it can tradeuntil it cant).

(it owns what it can tradeuntil it cant). Crowding risk (everyone owns the same best exposures).

(everyone owns the same best exposures). Short convexity (short squeezes can be nonlinear).

When the market narrative shifts from fundamentals matter to positioning matters, market-neutral portfolios can experience equity-like painwithout taking much net market exposure.

Shouldnt models adapt instantly?

Models can update signals quickly. They cannot instantly escape impact costs. In stress regimes, the limiting factor isnt forecastingits execution. If your peers are all trying to unwind similar books, the exit door becomes narrow.

Arent quants diversified across thousands of names?

Breadth helpsbut only if those names represent truly independent bets. In a factor storm, thousands of positions can still collapse into a handful of common drivers.

How risk is evolving inside the quant complex

The quant industry has spent the past decade industrializing research and scaling infrastructuremachine learning pipelines, alternative data ingestion, faster execution, and tighter risk controls. Those are real advantages. But they also have side effects:

Faster signal decay: Crowded insights get arbitraged away more quickly.

Crowded insights get arbitraged away more quickly. More similar architectures: Common toolkits can lead to similar solutions.

Common toolkits can lead to similar solutions. Greater dependence on market microstructure: If liquidity conditions change, the whole ecosystem feels it.

In a normal market, this looks like stable Sharpe and consistent compounding. In a regime shift, it can look like synchronized drawdowns.

What to watch next: indicators that drawdowns could persistor stabilize

If youre monitoring quant stress (as an allocator, risk manager, or market observer), four signposts matter:

Short-squeeze intensity and breadth

If the most shorted cohort continues to rip higher, quant short books can remain under pressure. The FTs early-2026 observations around highly shorted and unprofitable names surging is the kind of tape that keeps this risk elevated. Momentum reversals

Quant pain often peaks when trend leadership flips rapidlyparticularly in mega-cap vs. junk, defensives vs. cyclicals, and quality vs. trash. Prime-brokerage deleveraging signals

When PBs flag broad de-grossing in systematic books, the unwind can become self-reinforcing (and can spill into other strategies). Liquidity conditions

Watch funding markets, bidask spreads, and intraday depth. If liquidity improves, quant execution improves, and drawdowns can mean-revert.

Practical allocator takeaways: how to underwrite quant through drawdowns

Quant drawdowns are not inherently disqualifyingmany systematic strategies have historically recovered after crowding events. But allocators should demand better underwriting than its diversified or its a black box with good backtests.

What good looks like in due diligence:

Exposure transparency: Not the secret sauce, but factor, sector, and crowding diagnostics.

Not the secret sauce, but factor, sector, and crowding diagnostics. Capacity discipline: How does the strategy behave as AUM scales? Whats the internal capacity estimate?

How does the strategy behave as AUM scales? Whats the internal capacity estimate? Stress testing: Not just 2008-style macro stress, but microstructure stress (short squeezes, liquidity gaps, factor crashes).

Not just 2008-style macro stress, but microstructure stress (short squeezes, liquidity gaps, factor crashes). Execution and slippage controls: Evidence the manager can trade in stressed conditions without blowing through expected transaction costs.

Evidence the manager can trade in stressed conditions without blowing through expected transaction costs. Clear kill-switch governance: Predefined risk limits and decision-making processes for extraordinary regimes.

And perhaps most importantly: portfolio fit. If you already have heavy momentum and quality exposure elsewhere, adding a quant equity sleeve can duplicate risk rather than diversify it.

The bottom line

Quant hedge funds see worst drawdowns is less a headline about models failing and more a signal that markets have entered a regime where positioning and factor flows can dominate fundamentalsat least temporarily. Early 2026s pressure on systematic longshort equity strategies, linked to crowded U.S. equity bets and sharp reversals, fits the classic pattern of quant stress.
(HedgeCo.Net) On January 22, the total cryptocurrency market capitalization rebounded modestly, rising approximately 1.5% after recent declines as traders and investors repositioned across tokens. About 87 of the top 100 cryptocurrencies appreciated in the last 24 hours, supported by recovering risk sentiment and broader macro backdrop improvement.

Even with renewed strength, prices remain volatile: Bitcoin briefly dipped below key technical levels  trading under $89,000 earlier today  before recapturing near-term support. Ethereum also faced pressure, sliding below $3,000 before recovery attempts.

This mixed price action reflects a market still trying to find equilibrium between macro headwinds and crypto-specific narratives  an environment increasingly dominated by institutional flows, regulatory anticipation, and UX improvements.

Catalysts Behind Todays Movements

Geopolitical and Macro Influence

Market participants tracked broader economic narratives that spill into crypto trading flows. With easing geopolitical pressures (such as reduction in tariff threats) and risk sentiment improving in traditional markets, Bitcoin and several altcoins received an uplift.

Conversely, fresh data suggesting slowing risk appetite  and the earlier macro drawdown  pressured risk assets in the crypto sector. These macro drivers underscore how, in 2026, cryptocurrencies are increasingly correlated with broader financial markets, altering their role from pure diversification assets to macro risk barometers.

Innovation Spotlight: AI Meets On-Chain Tools

In a major product development today, Binance Wallet unveiled new AI-powered tools designed to enhance crypto discovery, research, and trend tracking across blockchains. These AI features aim to help users identify token narratives, social-momentum signals, and early adoption patterns  blurring the line between traditional market analytics and decentralized data.

This trend is part of a broader technological shift where machine learning and AI capabilities are embedded within crypto infrastructure, not just external trading interfaces:

Advanced wallets now include predictive analytics and narrative clustering.

On-chain datasets feed into real-time behavioral insights across wallet cohorts.

AI is increasingly used for automated risk signals and anomaly detection.

These developments suggest that crypto is no longer just about decentralized finance  it is becoming a data-centric ecosystem, leveraging AI to make on-chain data actionable and accessible.

Scams and Security: Address Poisoning on Ethereum

Not all developments today are positive. Citi analysts reported a new pattern of scam activity on the Ethereum blockchain referred to as address poisoning.

Unlike classic phishing scams or rug pulls, address poisoning involves sending dust transactions or crafted interactions to a wallet address to manipulate reputational signaling and mislead unwary users or automated systems. These tactics can distort on-chain analytics, degrade signal quality, and trick users into risky transactions.

Security professionals warn this represents a new class of threat that leverages information and analytics layers, not just direct theft techniques  underscoring the sophistication of modern on-chain adversarial behavior.

Investors and traders must increasingly prioritize signals from trusted nodes and analytics sources rather than surface-level activity that could be artificially manipulated.

Regulatory and Institutional Backdrop

The crypto landscape in 2026 is shaped as much by policy as by markets and tech. While not todays headline, ongoing legislative developments  such as the Crypto Market Structure Bill under review in the U.S. Senate  are drawing attention from exchanges, institutional treasuries, and compliance leaders. These proposals would clarify regulatory authority over spot digital commodity markets and digital asset brokers.

Across global jurisdictions, clarity around digital asset frameworks continues to expand  with regulators focusing on stablecoins, custody rules, and market integrity.

Increasing regulatory certainty has encouraged institutional participation, even as compliance requirements rise.

Corporate Adoption Moves: Bitcoin Bonuses and Mainstream Integration

In a noteworthy cultural shift, Steak n Shake announced that it will pay hourly employees a Bitcoin bonus, blending crypto as both an investment asset and compensation tool.

Such use cases, while novel and still rare, signal broader societal experimentation with digital assets beyond pure trading or speculation  blurring lines between payroll tech, compensation innovation, and consumer adoption.

Profile Shift: Notorious Figures Return to Public Focus

A dramatic human-interest development today is the release of former FTX executive Caroline Ellison from federal custody after serving part of her sentence tied to the FTX collapse.

The FTX saga was one of the most consequential collapses in crypto history, reshaping risk perceptions and prompting reevaluation of exchange and counterparty risk globally. Ellisons release brings this chapter back into public conversation, illustrating that the industrys past scandals remain part of its evolving narrative.

Whats Ahead: Market Structure and Momentum

Despite the noise, the structural trends shaping crypto in 2026 remain consistent:

Institutional adoption is rising , with holdings migrating from retail wallets into regulated vehicles, ETFs, and custody solutions.

, with holdings migrating from retail wallets into regulated vehicles, ETFs, and custody solutions. Stablecoins and real-world assets are maturing as infrastructure rails , rather than mere trading tools.

, rather than mere trading tools. Regulatory clarity is improving, enabling deeper integration with traditional financial systems.

Todays market behavior  modest recovery, AI innovation, and elevated security risk awareness  reflects a crypto ecosystem transitioning from its experimental roots toward financial infrastructure status.
Delegations are to arrive in the United Arab Emirates on Friday, following high-level meetings in Moscow and Davos.

The meeting marks the first time officials from all three countries have sat down together since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.

Ukraine , Russia and the United States will begin trilateral security talks in Abu Dhabi.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the talks were a step  hopefully towards ending the war, but added that territorial issues remained unresolved.

Zelensky confirmed that discussions would focus on eastern Ukraine, particularly the Donbas region.

The Ukrainian delegation includes senior figures such as National Security and Defence Council head Rustem Umerov, intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov, negotiator David Arakhamia, and General Staff head Andrii Hnatov.

On the Russian side, the delegation is led by GRU deputy chief Igor Kostyukov, with Kremlin investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev also attending.

From the United States, the Trump administration envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are representing President Donald Trump.

The trilateral meeting comes after four hours of talks between Witkoff, Kushner and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on Thursday.

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov described the discussions as very frank, adding that they led to an agreement to hold the working-level talks in Abu Dhabi.

Speaking after the Kremlin meeting, Witkoff said the negotiations were close to completion, but admitted one key issue remained unresolved.

The issue centres on territorial control in eastern Ukraine, particularly Donetsk and Luhansk. Putin is demanding Ukraine surrender areas still under its control. Zelensky has ruled this out.

Speaking in Davos on Thursday, Zelensky said, Its all about the land, referring to Moscows demand that Ukraine abandon claims to occupied regions.

Ukraine has proposed freezing the front line and creating a demilitarised free economic zone in Donetsk under Ukrainian administration.

The Kremlin insists any resolution must follow what it calls the Anchorage formula, a reference to a 2025 summit in Alaska between Putin and Trump. That proposal included Russias full control of Donetsk, a cap on Ukraines military at 600,000 troops, and a halt to NATO expansion in Ukraine.

An updated draft circulated by US officials in December raised Ukraines troop ceiling to 800,000 and included provisions for security guarantees from the United States, but still falls short of Ukraines demands.

Zelensky said in Davos the guarantees were finalised but require ratification in both countries parliaments.

Trump told reporters on Air Force One that both leaders now wanted a deal. There were times when Putin didnt want it. Times when Zelensky didnt want it. Now they both do. Well find out, he said.

The meeting takes place amid ongoing Russian strikes on Ukraines civilian infrastructure, particularly energy facilities.

On Thursday, Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko urged residents to evacuate as nearly 2,000 apartment blocks remained without heating in sub-zero temperatures.

The attacks have left large parts of Ukraines energy grid damaged or destroyed, with temperatures in the capital hovering around -10C. Emergency shelters have been set up across the city.

Zelensky accused Russia of using winter as a weapon. They are exploiting the cold, he said.

US and Ukrainian officials say the future status of Ukraines power plants, including the Zaporizhzhia nuclear facility, remains a critical issue in the talks.

Talks are scheduled to continue through Saturday.

HT
The officers were sent to the Arctic territory last week at the request of Denmark. Their role was to assess logistical and operational conditions on the ground in relation to Denmarks Arctic Endurance training initiative.

Two Finnish liaison officers deployed to Greenland have completed their assignment and will return to Finland by the end of the week, the Finnish Defence Forces confirmed to Finnish news outlets Helsingin Sanomat and Yle .

The mission was part of a multinational response involving eight NATO countries. Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Finland all sent personnel following a short-notice call from Copenhagen. The United States was also invited.

According to Finnish broadcaster Yle, which first reported the officers return, the objective was not direct military training but a preparatory visit. Defence Forces Commander Janne Jaakkola confirmed earlier in the week that the task would end once the objectives were met.

The Arctic Endurance operation was designed by Denmark to demonstrate the ability to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Danish realm, which includes Greenland.

Denmark incorporated international components into the drill after US pressure on the territory increased earlier this month. Talks between Denmark, Greenland and the US began on 13 January, though no details of the discussions have been made public.

At least some contingents from other participating countries have already returned home. German and Dutch troops were among the first to depart.

HT
Nurse practitioners honor Four Seasons VP for outstanding service

Jamie Rouse

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners honored Jamie Rouse, Four Seasons vice president of palliative care, with its 2026 State Award for Outstanding Contributions, the Hendersonville-based end-of-life care provider announced.

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The AANP honors just one individual per state with the prestigious award. The award honors individuals who have made significant strides in advancing health care through practice, education, advocacy, research and leadership (PEARL), and have demonstrated efforts to advance the image, profile and visibility of nurse practitioners.

This recognition is incredibly meaningful to me  not just as a personal milestone, but as a reflection of the work we do together every day at Four Seasons, Rouse said. Im grateful to be part of an organization that believes in strong leadership, compassionate care, and the importance of advocacy at every level of our profession.

This award reinforces why Im so passionate about speaking up for our patients, our teams, and the future of healthcare.

Four Seasons President & CEO Millicent Burke Sinclair praised Rouses contributions.

Her wisdom elevates and advances our ability to serve our

community with excellent care, she said. Her compassion and expertise brings reassurance to our patients and families as well as those providers and team members who she leads.
A WOMAN who works at a Henley vets has been recognised for her work training her search and rescue dog.

Sarah Allwood is a volunteer with Berkshire Search and Rescue Dogs and has worked as a dispenser at the Henley Veterinary Centre, in Reading Road, for nearly five years.

She received the Skye Award, which is awarded annually, to recognise both her and her dogs tenacity.

The award was donated to the rescue team by a previous handler, whos dog, Skye, was the most tenacious dog ever. Skyes ashes are kept in the glass of the award.

Mrs Allwood and her two-year-old Border Collie, Pasha, received the award at the rescue teams Christmas dinner held last month.

She said: Pasha can be quite challenging at times. She has her own mind, shes a very full-on working dog and shes very eager.

Mrs Allwood has had Pasha since she was a nine-week-old-puppy even though she never intended to have a search and rescue dog.

She said: When I joined, I was a hydrotherapist and I used to swim with some of the dogs in the team. I then volunteered hiding as, what I like to call, a dogs body, or pretending to be a missing person.

You go and lay out in the woods in all weathers, often in the dark, and you wait for the dogs to find you. Its a really nice volunteer role. Then I trained as a search technician, and I qualified in 2022.

Pasha is currently a trainee search dog and is expected to qualify as part of the dog team later this year.

Until then, she and Mrs Allwood support both foot and dog teams that are part of the rescue service. Mrs Allwood said: When I received this award, I was delighted. Its quite an honour.

Im part of a lovely team, and because of the nature of what we do, theyre very supportive, kind people and its nice to be recognised. Its not easy training a dog, and its nice to have that support. It was amazing to receive this award, and for Pasha, that her hard work is recognised as well.

Mrs Allwood told of her husband, Paul, who passed away about four years ago. She said: Pasha is called Pasha because its Russian for Paul, and he always told me, no Border Collies and no female dogs. So, I got a female Border Collie and named her after him!

Lou Holmes, who chairs the Berkshire Search and Rescue Dogs, said: Both Sarah and Pasha work very hard to improve their training and be part of the operational team.

Theyve overcome injuries, stuck at it, and they are definitely going in the right direction.
THE first Reform UK representative on Reading Borough Council, who defected from the Conservatives last week, said he wants to bring his experience to the party.

Councillor Clarence Mitchell, who has represented the Emmer Green ward since 2021, was one of 20 councillors to join the party, which is led by Nigel Farage, last week.

It leaves three Conservative representatives on the council, along with 32 from Labour, eight from the Green Party, three Liberal Democrats and one Independent.

Cllr Mitchell, who until last week was the Tory leader on the council, said his former party had moved away from its core principles.

He said: Ive been a member of the Conservative Party for more than 16 years, so it wasnt an easy decision to make  you dont take these things lightly.

Im still conservative with a small c and the original ethos of it being a party that stands for low taxation, small state and allowing working people to be able to keep as much money of their own as possible.

I felt that, while the party still champions some of those, that they were losing their focus and there was a drift towards a slightly more centrist attitude.

Cllr Mitchell was elected to the former Peppard Ward in 2021 and was re-elected as the councillor for Emmer Green in 2022 following a boundary change.

He said while he acknowledges his limited influence as the sole Reform representative on the council, he hoped he would offer experience to the party.

Cllr Mitchell said: Reform has won a number of county councils in other areas and a lot of those councillors are absolutely new to politics, so I feel that they need some experience locally if they are going to be effective councillors.

Can I effect change in policy locally? No. But I have been a political agent running a campaign for the local Conservatives here for the last three elections so I can offer that experience to the party.

In Reading, its almost been a Labour stronghold since the Eighties and thats very difficult to overcome overnight.

He dismissed the need for a by-election and said that making the announcement of his new affiliation ahead of the local elections on May 7 was the morally responsible thing to do.

Ive got three or four months to prove myself to the electorate again, Cllr Mitchell said.

I felt it was the honest thing to do to make the change now and declare my change of party affiliation rather than do it after May, which would have been dishonest.

I want to reassure my residents in my ward at a very local level that I am still going to be as effective and committed a councillor as I have always been, the colour of my rosette in that sense doesnt matter.

Councillor Raj Singh, who now leads the Conservatives on the council, said residents were interested in who will serve them best on local issues.

He said: If Cllr Mitchell believes he can better serve the residents of Reading as a Reform councillor, I wish him well and time will tell.

As local Conservatives, we remain focused on holding Labours leadership to account at the council while delivering for our communities.

Council leader and Labour councillor Liz Terry said that Reform UK was becoming a retirement home for failed Tory politicians.

She said: Im disappointed  hes jumping from one sinking ship to another, joining a group shouting from the sidelines about division and decline.

This defection is not about focusing on Reading and delivering for people  just another failed Tory jumping ship. It [Reform] does seem like a retirement home for failed Tory politicians.

The announcement came as former Conservative shadow minister Robert Jenrick joined the party after being sacked by the Tories when evidence of his intention to leave came to light.

Former chancellor Nadhim Zahawi, along with 20 former Tory MPs, have also joined. the party, which currently has six sitting MPs in the House of Commons.
Services at Congregation Shalom Aleichem in Kissimmee, Florida, were almost done. Marilyn Glaser, the president, had completed the announcements, and our "rabbi" was about to lead us in Adom Olam. I rose to make an announcement.

"I think we need to do a Shehecheyanu blessing in honor of Asher driving himself to services tonight. He's finally old enough to make the trip on his own!"

"Great idea," said Glaser. We recited the prayer in honor of living to this moment, and then even sang "Simon Tov, Mazel Tov" for good measure.

Wait! Old enough to drive himself? But Asher Tomberg, who leads our Fri...
When a member of the Jewish community passes from this world, the way they are escorted to their final rest speaks volumes about the values of that community.

Recently in Orlando, JOIN Orlando had the privilege and responsibility of facilitating the funeral and burial of Harold Cohen, ensuring he was laid to rest with the dignity and honor every Jew deserves.

Mr. Cohen was a quiet presence in the community and, at the time of his passing, had no immediate family living locally. His niece, who shared a close and meaningful relationship with him, reached out to Rabbi Yachnes seeking guidance and...
Senior Chinese official urges sustained crackdown on cross-border gambling

Xinhua) 08:38, January 23, 2026

BEIJING, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- A senior Chinese official on Thursday urged maintaining a high-pressure stance against cross-border gambling, while strengthening comprehensive and coordinated measures.

Wang Xiaohong, a member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and state councilor, emphasized the urgency and importance of tackling cross-border gambling during a national video conference.

He stressed the need to focus on key cases, major fugitives, and criminal gambling networks, applying persistent and precise operations.

Wang also called for systematic approaches and stronger organizational support, along with improved mechanisms and professional capacity, to achieve greater results in combating cross-border gambling.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
When the federal buildings in Washington, D.C., finally empty out and the capital quiets down for the night, Howard Lutnick is often still working. Colleagues in the administration say he routinely puts in 19-hour days, a stamina that belies his being in his mid-60s. Recently, Lutnick remarked publicly on President Trumps famously short sleep schedule  about four to five hours a night  expressing admiration for the presidents constitution and noting that he himself needs closer to six. But for Lutnick, this relentless pace reflects something deeper than professional drive or political ambi...
Dr. Lilian Steiner isn't really listening.

Yes, she hears the thunderous strains of the Talking Heads' "Psycho Killer" playing from an upstairs neighbor's apartment above her psychiatry practice in a tony arrondissement of Paris. She is committed to recording the sessions on mini-discs for future reference, even if she has to bug her digital native son to buy replacements on Amazon. But when a patient dies from an apparent suicide, without any of the usual warning signs, she knows she's missing something.

French director Rebecca Zlotowski's A Private Life, a semi-dark comic mystery takes Lilia...
(JNS) - The wind cuts down from the Mount of Olives as three Jewish men named Cohen hunch their shoulders against the cold and start up the wooden ramp to the Temple Mount, breath clouding in the Jerusalem air.

In a scene that could stand in for countless real family journeys, their grandparents' stories trace lines through Poland, Tunisia and Iran, but here the paths merge: walking the worn stone their Israelite forefathers once crossed in white linen, lips shaping the same psalms those priests sang when the Temple still stood and the smoke of offerings climbed into the winter sky.

If this tr...
In June 1866, just over a year after the Civil War ended, young Jewish men in Richmond, Virginia, removed their coats and set to work among the graves of their fallen comrades. Some were frail of limb, a newspaper noted. They wheeled gravel and turf, filled the graves, and tamped the earth down in a very substantial manner. It was the last sad tribute they could offer.

The work that day was organized by Jewish women in the city. Their aim was permanence: to enclose the soldiers graves, to mark them, and to ensure they would not disappear before the relentless finger of time.

The Hebrew...
Jewish Pavilion Senior Services hosted a highly successful Sponsors Breakfast on Thursday morning, Jan. 15, at 8:30 a.m. at Legacy Pointe. The event brought together 30 board members, sponsors, and community leaders for an inspiring gathering focused on collaboration and shared dedication to supporting seniors throughout the Orlando area.

The breakfast created a warm and welcoming atmosphere where attendees enjoyed meaningful conversation, relationship-building, and productive networking. Guests connected over a mutual passion for enhancing the quality of life for seniors, blending business di...
(JNS)  A landmark natural gas deal with Israel is a strictly commercial arrangement with no political dimensions, Egypt said on Thursday.

The Egyptian government reaction, which came the day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the $34 billion, 15-year agreementthe biggest gas sale in Israels historyis seen as Cairos attempt to shield itself from Arab criticism over the mammoth agreement with the Jewish state.

The deal is a purely commercial transaction concluded exclusively on the basis of economic and investment considerations and does not involve any political d...
(JNS)  David Cunio, one of the Israelis abducted by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7, 2023, gives a harrowing account of his nearly two years in Hamas captivity in Gaza, describing starvation, psychological torment, underground imprisonment and the struggle to survive for the sake of his family.

In an interview aired on Channel 12, Cunio detailed his abduction alongside his wife, Sharon, their twin daughters Yuli and Emma, and other family members, as well as the brutal conditions he endured during 738 days in Hamas captivity.

The ordeal began in the early hours of Oct. 7, 2023, when air sirens and...
(JNS)  Former hostage Moran Stella Yanai called out U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, claiming he was not interested in hearing her claims of sexual violence while in Hamas captivity.

Yanai was selling jewelry at the Nova Music Festival when she was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists during the groups invasion of southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. She was held for 54 days before her release as part of a ceasefire.

Yanai told Israels Channel 12 that she and fellow hostage Nili Margalit, a nurse taken from her home in Kibbutz Nir Oz and released at the same time as Yanai, met with Guterres on...
(JNS)  It feels necessary, due to political pressure, to accuse the Jewish state publicly of committing genocide in Gaza even though that charge is untrue, a New England legislator told JNS on background.

I dont think that genocide is a term that can be used in the moment, in the fog of war, the legislator told JNS. But there has been so much mounting pressure after lawmakers in the legislators state began accusing Israel of genocide, the lawmaker said.

Nobody was going to engage with me, or even talk to me, or not just throw me in some bucket if I wasnt willing to say that, th...
(JNS)  Israeli authorities on Tuesday began demolishing UNRWAs headquarters in Jerusalem, after a new law banning the organizations operations in Israel took effect.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir hailed the move as a historic day, a holiday, a very important day for governance, saying the government was finally expelling terror supporters  with everything they built here and vowing that this is what will be done to every terror supporter.

Yisrael Beiteinu MK Yulia Malinovsky, who played a leading role in introducing the legislation, shared the Shehecheyanu prayer in an X...
(JNS)  Canadian authorities detained Israeli comedian Guy Hochman for six hours at Torontos main airport after an anti-Israel organization filed war crimes charges against him in connection with his service in the Israel Defense Forces, Hochman said on Tuesday.

They tried to stop me from entering Canada, but after 6 hours of being detained, I got in. They tried to prevent me from performing in front of the Israeli community, I performed. And while they kept shouting free Palestine to themselves in minus 10 degrees, we warmed up with laughter400 Israelis inside. Thats what victory feels...
(JNS)  Yitzhak Wasserlauf, Israels minister for the Negev, Galilee and National Resilience, said Sunday that security agencies had identified attempts by Hezbollah to gain a foothold in Upper Galilee city of Kiryat Shmona through apartment purchases by Arab citizens of the Jewish state.

Hezbollah used Israeli Arabs to purchase apartments in Kiryat Shmona during the war in order to try to take control of the city from within, the minister said behind closed doors at the weekly Cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, according to Hebrew media reports.

An official with knowledge of the matter told JNS...
(JNS)  Kibbutz Beeri has decided to keep as is one of the homes burned in the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led assault on southern Israel as a testimony to the horrors of the worst single-day attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust.

The move by the community, located five miles from the Gaza Strip, to move on and demolish the rest of the homes destroyed in the attack is opposed by some bereaved families, but is seen as an attempt to move on and rebuild.

The house selected is on the edge of the community and belongs to a family that was abroad at the time of the terrorist invasion.

My positio...
(JNS)  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that there would be no Turkish or Qatari troops deployed to Gaza as part of Phase 2 of the Trump administrations Mideast peace plan.

Speaking at a Knesset debate on violence and crime in the Arab sector within Israel, Netanyahu acknowledged the dispute between his government and the Trump administration over the post-war management of Gaza.

We have a certain argument with our friends in the United States over the composition of the executive board that will oversee the processes in Gaza, he said.

In the Gaza Strip, we stand...
7% tariff on all countries doing business with Iran, Trump says

(JNS)  U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday evening that effective immediately, any country that does business with the Iranian regime will be subject to a 25% tariff on any and all business being done with the United States of America.

This order is final and conclusive, Trump said.

Nikki Haley, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and former South Carolina governor, wrote that it was a strong move by President Trump.

Jewish charter school pursues Oklahoma bid, though state bars religious charters

(JNS) ...
(JNS)  For decades, victims of Iranian-sponsored terrorism have been told to be patient.

We were told the regime was permanent. That the Islamic Republic of Iran was too entrenched, too ruthless and too strategically important to ever be held fully accountable. Courts might rule in our favor, we were advised, but enforcement was another matter entirely. Justice, if it came at all, would come slowlyif ever.

Now, as the Iranian regime shows visible signs of strain, victims are watching events unfold with something closer to quiet vigilance than celebration. Not because we doubt what the Irania...
(JNS)  Israeli television anchors repeat the same message: There is no immediate alarm. Shelters will open if needed. Hospitals are ready. Experts even joke that life will continue as usualdrink a glass of water, go down to the shelter, return to work. Iran has fierce ballistic missiles, but after tasting Israeli air power during the 12-day war, the ayatollahs may think twice.

More importantly, had Israel not seized its destiny after Oct. 7, 2023confronting Hamas, Hezbollah and ultimately Iran alongside the United Statesit is hard to imagine that the Islamic Republics vulnerability would...
(JNS)  A conversation titled The Jewish Tent at a Crossroads, held at Bnai Jeshurun, a synagogue on Manhattans Upper West Side, on Jan. 6 featured Rabbi Jill Jacobs (Truah); Esther Sperber, the founder of Smol Emuni US, a self-described movement of Orthodox Jews committed to justice, equality and dignity for Jews and Palestinians; far-left journalist Peter Beinart; and Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove (Park Avenue Synagogue). It was moderated by Rabbi Irwin Kula, president of the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership.

A year ago, Kula informed that he remembers his father, who came to...
(JNS)  The British Broadcasting Corporation recently asked British Jews whether Israels actions in Gaza were responsible for the terrorist attack in Bondi, Australia. The watchdog organization CAMERA rightly criticized this absurd line of questioning. How could random Jews in London possibly bear responsibility for the tactical decisions of a government thousands of miles away, let alone for the heinous actions of a terrorist in yet another country?

Yet in our rush to defend ourselves against this inappropriate premise, the Jewish community often misses a deeper truth that lies at the heart...
Avi Brosh's Palisociety is set to debut its first hotel in Beverly Hills this spring, The Hotel Lili, a completely reimagined intimate hotel that combines European-inspired style and personality with the timeless charm of classic Los Angeles. The property was originally built in 1939 as a private residence and brings a uniquely boutique point of view to Beverly Hills' hotel landscape with intimate interiors, richly crafted details and a convenient yet quiet setting steps from the internationally renowned city's most storied streets.

"Los Angeles is full of hidden gems that make up the city's one-of-a-kind heritage, and this is certainly one of them," said Brosh. "There is a sense of 'only in LA' history layered throughout the hotel's bones, and we've embraced that classic vintage glamour and modernized it with our signature style, bringing to light something that feels very special and decidedly unique for Beverly Hills."

Brosh and team have completely updated the property's three stories and 44 guest rooms, alongside The Bar, an intimate setting for hotel guests and locals alike. The hotel's new design story weaves together Brosh's signature styling with a color palette of soft whites, pale greys, juxtaposed with warm camel, orange and mustard hues. Palisociety touches such as striped patterns, wallpapered ceilings, noteworthy lighting, wood flooring, custom-made furniture and bold, enveloping draperies used in expected - and unexpected - ways are found throughout the common areas and guest rooms. The lobby welcomes guests with complimentary bubbles and a quaint arrival setting by day and a small bar by evening, serving a menu of classic cocktails, house-crafted drinks, small bites and more. Within the guest rooms, travelers will find the comfort of Bellino fine bed linens, Grind espresso machines, Diptyque bath amenities, Palisociety's signature curated mini bar assortment and more.

Debuting as the Los Angeles-based brand's ninth hotel in the city, The Hotel Lili is a new addition to Palisociety's Los Angeles independent hotels collection, alongside Silver Lake Pool & Inn in Silver Lake. The hotel is located at 140 S. Lasky Dr in Beverly Hills and is scheduled to open in .

Hotel website
The Compton has appointed Songmin Han as Sales Coordinator, further enhancing the hotel's growing commercial team.

Han is an emerging hospitality professional with hands-on experience across several major hotel brands, including Hilton, Marriott and Hyatt. She brings a global perspective and strong operational foundation, having excelled in front office leadership, event support and guest service management.

At The Compton, Han supports the sales team with coordination, reporting and business transient client engagement. Her multilingual background and technical expertise make her an invaluable asset to the hotel's opening team as it positions itself as a leading lifestyle and meetings destination in Northwest Arkansas.
The Compton has welcomed Kelsey McIntyre as Sales Manager, bringing strong community ties and a creative approach to sales and guest engagement.

Prior to joining The Compton, McIntyre led membership and engagement at BlakeSt, Bentonville's most coveted wellness and social club, where she cultivated meaningful partnerships and helped grow one of the region's most respected lifestyle brands. Her background spans community relations, marketing and guest engagement.

At The Compton, McIntyre oversees short-term group business, with a focus on creating authentic, long-lasting relationships. Her natural warmth, local connections and drive for excellence help position The Compton as a go-to choice for gatherings on Bentonville's historic Square.
The Neighborhood Hotel (TNH) announced the promotion of Matthew Shanley to Chief Operating Officer.

The promotion reflect the continued evolution of The Neighborhood Hotel platform as it executes on its growth plans in its current locations (Illinois & Michigan) and expand into new cities.

Matt helps manage the cross-functional teams supporting the brand's growth. He oversees operations, revenue strategy, marketing, and technology, with a focus on performance management, system scalability, and consistent guest experience.

Previously, Shanley served as Head of Revenue and Operations at The Neighborhood Hotel, where he led revenue management, pricing strategy, demand generation, and operational excellence initiatives. His background includes management consulting roles at Huron Consulting Group and Civic Consulting Alliance, as well as experience with Equity Lifestyle Properties and Merrill Lynch. Shanley earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and a master's degree in Entrepreneurship from Columbia College.

About The Neighborhood Hotel

The Neighborhood Hotel is a design-forward hospitality brand rooted in urban culture and community. TNH offers thoughtfully appointed, residential-style accommodations and curated amenities that reflect the character of their neighborhoods, while delivering consistent, guest-focused experiences grounded in comfort and local discovery. The brand is owned and operated by Experiential Capital Group.
Today, hospitality industry leaders Anna Blue, CEO of Blue Moss Group, and Anthony Melchiorri, speaker, author, and television host, announced the launch of the Hospitality Creator Summit (HCS)a groundbreaking, invite-only convening designed to bring together content creators, innovators, executives, and storytellers who are shaping the future of hospitality.

The inaugural one-day Summit will take place June 15, 2026, co-located with HITEC, the worlds largest and longest-running hospitality technology conference.

A New Kind of Gathering for the Industry

The Hospitality Creator Summit creates a powerful, curated space where hospitality leadership meets the creator economy. It is designed to bridge the gap between operators, vendors, technologists, and modern storytellers; and to accelerate how the industry communicates, collaborates, and competes. In addition to the leadership of Anna and Anthony, the Summit is guided by a powerful Creator Council made up of the industrys leading influencers, thought leaders, brand marketers, and community builders who help shape the creative direction of the Summit.

Hospitality has always been a people-powered industry, and today, influence is one of its most valuable currencies. The Hospitality Creator Summit is the movement this industry has been waiting for. Anna Blue

Were bringing together a highly curated community of content creators and innovators who are shaping the narratives that drive demand, brand trust, and economic growth, added Anthony Melchiorri.

The Summit features high-impact keynotes, fireside conversations, live podcasts, creator-led workshops, strategic networking, and real-time content production through The Creator Lab. Because the Summit centers on meaningful dialogue and high-impact collaboration, attendance is strictly invite-only and sponsorship opportunities are intentionally limited to ensure quality, integrity, and depth of experience.

A Strategic Partnership With HITEC

By partnering with HITEC, the Hospitality Creator Summit is positioned inside the most influential gathering of hospitality technology and business leadership in the world. The combination of HITECs business influence and HCSs creative power establishes a new platform for modern hospitality leadership.

HFTP is proud to partner with Anna and Anthony to bring the Hospitality Creator Summit to life at HITEC 2026. Hospitality sits at the intersection of experience, technology, and storytelling. This Summit represents the forward-thinking, future-focused vision our industry needs, and we are excited to welcome creators, innovators, and leaders into the HITEC ecosystem. Frank Wolfe, CEO of HFTP

Through this partnership, the Hospitality Creator Summits signature content engineThe Creator Labwill sit directly on the HITEC show floor, offering creators and industry leaders unparalleled access to the global hospitality marketplace. Creators will capture live interviews, conversations, and rapid insight sessions directly from the HITEC show floor, amplifying the ideas and innovations shaping the global industry.

About the Hospitality Creator Summit

The Hospitality Creator Summit is a new, invitation-only annual gathering at the intersection of hospitality, technology, and the creator economy. Founded by strategist Anna Blue, in partnership with hospitality expert and television host Anthony Melchiorri, the Summit is designed to accelerate influence, innovation, and storytelling across the global hospitality sector. Its signature feature, The Creator Lab, brings real-time content creation onto the conference floor, amplifying voices and insights across digital platforms.

About HFTP

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP), established in 1952, is a hospitality nonprofit association headquartered in Austin, Texas USA with an offices in the EU. HFTP is recognized as a group supporting the finance and technology segments of the hospitality industry with an international network of members and stakeholders. HFTP offers expert networks, educational resources, career development programs, research, leadership opportunities and conferences and events. HFTP produces international events throughout the year, including the world's largest hospitality technology tradeshow and conference brand: HITEC. In addition, it oversees the publication of the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI), Hotel Online and Hospitality Upgrade Magazine. For more information about HFTP, visit www.hftp.org.

Kayla Beardsley

(540) 207-4086

HFTP
Palladium Hotel Group enters a new phase of international growth, supported by a solid business model, a strong commitment to product quality, and a clear focus on maximizing value and profitability. The company closed 2025 with a managed business volume of 1.162 billion, reflecting moderate but sustained growth in line with overall sector performance.

Within this framework, the group of owners who place their trust in Palladium Hotel Group has committed more than 1.1 billion to strategic investments aimed at new openings and repositioning projects in key destinations across the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and Asia. This development plan will accelerate the expansion of a portfolio built around brands with strong individual identities and differentiated value propositions, ensuring a qualitative evolution of both the product and the guest experience

Stable Perfomance and Development of Direct Sales and Loyalty

The group reported a year-end performance in line with an environment moving toward more moderate growth, with a managed business volume of 1.162 billion in 2025 and like-for-like growth of 2% compared to the previous year. In this context, the main operating indicators remained broadly in line with 2024 levels, including RevPAR, which recorded an increase of around 3%.

From a distribution perspective, direct sales grew by 5% year-on-year, reaching 32% of total business in 2025 and consolidating their position as one of the main commercial drivers of the hotel group.

This evolution has enabled the company to strengthen a strategy focused on direct customer relationships and loyaltytwo key levers that continue to demonstrate their ability to generate repeat business, greater value, and improved commercial efficiency.

Palladium Hotel Group Drives its International Growth with a Strategy Focused on Value and Profitability  Source: Palladium Hotel Group

In this regard, the B2C and B2B loyalty programs of Palladium Hotel Group, which already account for 79% of direct-channel bookings, generated more than 210 million in revenue in 2025, representing growth of 5%.

Palladium Rewards stands out with more than 1.7 million loyal customers, representing a 60% increase compared to the previous year, while Palladium Travel Club, with 25,800 active memberships, grew its member base by 10%. Meanwhile, Palladium Pro, the loyalty program aimed at professional clients, now brings together close to 23,000 active travel agents, strengthening its position in the B2B segment.

This consolidation of the relationship with guests is also reflected in the experience delivered by the group. In 2025, the company improved its global recommendation and loyalty index by 24% compared to 2024. As a result of this progress, 92% of its hotels outperform the industry average, reinforcing the strength of the product and the consistency of service delivery.

Our New Openings Planned for 2026

In recent years, Palladium Hotel Group has strengthened the qualitative evolution of its portfolio through new openings, brand launches and repositioning projects, reinforcing its presence in the upscale and luxury segments. Building on this foundation, the group is now entering a new phase of expansion that will materialize in 2026 with four openings: The Site Ibiza, BLESS Hotel Barcelona, Only YOU Hotel New York and Palladium Hotel Peniscola.

The Site Ibiza is conceived as a destination that brings together hospitality, retail, art and culinary creativity within a unique Mediterranean ecosystem. The project comprises two luxury hotelsThe Site Hotel Ibiza, fully renovated under the direction of Lazaro Rosa-Violan, and The Unexpected Ibiza Hotel, inaugurated last summeralong with Ibiza Gallery, a high-end retail space featuring an exclusive contemporary art venue curated by Cardi Gallery. The concept is completed by a gastronomic hub that brings together renowned brands such as Hells Kitchen by Gordon Ramsay, StreetXO by Dabiz Munoz, Coya, Lena by Dani Garcia, Sublimotion by Paco Roncero and Tatel, creating a first-class culinary destination. With this combination, The Site Ibiza is positioned as one of the Mediterraneans new flagship destinations, where hotel excellence and creative experiences converge.

In Barcelona, the group will open BLESS Hotel Barcelona, a 119-room property located in Plaza de Cataluna, which will become the third hotel under the luxury brand BLESS Collection Hotels. Meanwhile, Only YOU Hotel New York, with 138 rooms in the heart of Manhattan, will mark the first international opening for Only YOU Hotels, strengthening the brands urban and lifestyle positioning. Lastly, Palladium Hotel Peniscola, featuring 315 rooms and located just minutes from the beach and the historic old town, will further expand the groups presence along the Mediterranean coast.

Expansion Plan 2027-2029: Nine New Openings and Debut in Asia

Through 2029, Palladium Hotel Group plans nine additional openings beyond those already confirmed for 2026, a pipeline that consolidates its expansion in strategic destinations, most notably marking the groups entry into Asia.

In 2027, BLESS Collection Hotels will open a new property in Ninh Van Bay (Vietnam), comprising 80 villas. This project will become the groups first opening in Southeast Asia and represents a decisive step in the global expansion of its contemporary luxury brand. This will be followed by the brands debut in Milan with a 100-room project scheduled to open in 2029.

Within the lifestyle segment, Only YOU Hotels will continue to strengthen its international positioning with three confirmed openings: Venice (162 rooms) and Ibiza (156 rooms) in 2027, as well as a new hotel in Madrid (74 rooms) planned for 2029, further expanding its presence in iconic destinations.

Meanwhile, The Unexpected Hotels will advance its international growth following the brands launch in Ibiza, with a new opening planned for 2027 on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.

The development of the all-inclusive segment will gain significant momentum in 2028 with the addition of 948 rooms in Jamaica, integrating TRS Hotels and Grand Palladium Hotels & Resorts brands, as well as the Family Selection club, which will complement the complex already operated by the group in Montego Bay. That same year, the group will also celebrate the opening of its second Grand Palladium Hotels & Resorts property in Imbassai, Brazil, adding 208 rooms to the existing resort in the destination.

2025 has put our robust business modelfocused on long-term value creationto the test. The growth plan we will deploy through 2029 strengthens our presence in strategic markets and enables us to take a decisive step with our entry into Asia. We will continue to promote projects that elevate product quality and reinforce our high-value experience proposition, always with a commitment to generating a positive impact in the destinations where we operate. Abel Matutes, Chairman of Palladium Hotel Group
Tina Patel, Co-Principal and Chief Financial Officer of Promise Hotels, today testified before Congress on behalf of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), highlighting how the franchise model helps small business owners grow locally while operating under nationally trusted brands.

During the U.S. House Committee on Small Business hearing, titled Local Ownership, National Brands: How Franchising is a Pathway to Entrepreneurship, Patel emphasized that hotel franchising remains one of the most accessible pathways to entrepreneurship, giving owners the ability to build their businesses with the support of well-known brands that provide marketing, standards, training, and loyalty programs that drive demand.

Franchising works because it is a true partnership, and because small business owners stay in the drivers seat, said Patel. Our team, our guests, and our community benefit when franchisees have the clarity and stability to focus on running great hotels.

Patel, a first-generation American and hotelier from Eastern Oklahoma, is an executive at Promise Hotels, a family-owned company based in Tulsa that owns and operates seven hotels across the greater Tulsa area, representing 713 rooms and employing more than 165 associates. At the hearing, she urged Congress to advance the bipartisan American Franchise Act (H.R. 5267) to establish a permanent, common-sense joint employer definition and provide long-term certainty for franchisees planning for hiring, financing, and future growth.

Im so grateful to Tina Patel for her sharing her American dream story with Congress today and underscoring how the hotel franchising model has helped her and her husband create an incredibly successful small business. Franchising is a vital pathway to the American Dream for so many hard-working hoteliers. We encourage Congress to pass the bipartisan American Franchise Act, which will safeguard the hotel franchise business model that supports nearly 3 million jobs nationwide and creates economic opportunity in every community across this country. Rosanna Maietta, American Hotel & Lodging Association President & CEO

The hearing brought together franchise owners from across the small business economy, including Angie Katsaneva, salon franchise owner and Bravo reality television star, Clement Troutman, Tropical Smooth Cafe franchisee, and Rico Macaraeg, CEO of StriveWell.Co. The group underscored a simple truth behind the household franchised brands: Americans recognize that every day local owners are the ones taking risks, creating jobs, and building lasting businesses in their communities.

The hearing underscored what franchising looks like in real life, whether it is a hotel in Tulsa or a salon with a national following. AHLA will continue working with Congress to protect the franchise model and ensure small business owners have the certainty they need to grow with confidence.

About the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA)

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) is the largest hotel association in America, representing more than 30,000 members from all segments of the industry nationwide  including iconic global brands, 80% of all franchised hotels, and the 16 largest hotel companies in the U.S. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AHLA focuses on strategic advocacy, communications support, and workforce development programs to move the industry forward. Learn more at www.ahla.com.
AAHOA extends condolences following the passing of Ravi Patel, who served as AAHOA Chairman from 1992-93. Ravi was a founding member of the association and the Chairman of Charlotte-based SREE Hotels.

The AAHOA family is deeply saddened by the loss of a true visionary and a foundational pillar of our association. Ravi was not just a leader; he was an architect of this organization. During his tenure as Chairman, he took a formative idea and gave it a homeliterally and figurativelyby drafting our bylaws and establishing our first headquarters. His transition from chemical engineering to hospitality is a testament to the American Dream, and his legacy lives on in the 30-plus hotels he built and the thousands of hoteliers he inspired. AAHOA Chairman Kamalesh (KP) Patel

Ravi's journey in the hospitality industry began in 1980 with the acquisition of a roadside motel in Florence, SC. Drawing on his engineering background, he renovated and repositioned the property as an EconoLodge, turning it into a success that became the cornerstone of SREE Hotels, which he co-founded with Chandra Patel.

As Chairman from 1992-1993, Ravi's leadership was instrumental in the association's infancy. He focused on providing hoteliers with the tools to gain professional expertise in ownership and management, ensuring that the next generation of Asian American owners had a seat at the table.

A native of Nadi, Fiji Islands, Ravi studied chemistry and physics at Saint Xavier's College before earning his bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Auburn University. Before his legendary career in hospitality, he served as an engineer for Goodyear. His analytical mind and entrepreneurial spirit helped SREE Hotels grow into a premier management and development group, partnering with global brands including Marriott, Hilton, and IHG.

Ravi's commitment to education and his 'do-it-yourself' work ethic defined the early spirit of AAHOA,. He believed that through knowledge and unity, our community could achieve anything. He was a mentor to so many and will be deeply missed. We extend our prayers and deepest condolences to his wife, his children, and the entire SREE Hotels family. AAHOA President & CEO Laura Lee Blake

Ravi lived in Charlotte, NC, where he remained active as SREE's Chairman and a cherished mentor to many in the industry. His contributions to the hospitality landscape of the Southeast and his service to AAHOA will be remembered for generations to come.

About AAHOA

AAHOA is the largest hotel owners association in the nation, with Member-owned properties representing a significant part of the U.S. economy. AAHOA's 20,000 members own 60% of the hotels in the United States and are responsible for 1.7% of the nation's GDP. More than 1 million employees work at AAHOA member-owned hotels, earning $51.3 billion annually, and member-owned hotels support 4.2 million U.S. jobs across all sectors of the hospitality industry. AAHOA's mission is to advance and protect the business interests of hotel owners through advocacy, industry leadership, professional development, member benefits, and community engagement.
For most hoteliers, seasonality means fluctuating demand and shifting rates. For Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos in Finnish Lapland, seasonality defines the business. The team rebuilds an entire hotel from snow and ice every winter, only for it to melt away again in spring.

In a recent MattTalks episode, Sales Director Maria Manty shared how the hotel balances that seasonal rhythm with revenue, guest expectations and the logistics of operating 30 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle.

Even Santas Village has a strategy

Maria joined the conversation from Santa's Village in Rovaniemi, where she works just meters away from real-life reindeer. While the setting feels magical, the business behind it is highly strategic.

Despite being a small city, Rovaniemi has Finlands second busiest airport. It fields direct flights from several major European cities. Maria and her team track air access closely to understand demand. More direct flights mean more independent travelers and a better booking flow. They've spent 18 years building strong relationships with airlines and other partners to support year-over-year growth.

Getting customers there is only half the battle. Maria says sales are much easier when they have a well-equipped team of seasonal workers, ready to handle the demand. When they are talking about our peak season with enthusiasm and not stress, I know we have a strong team, Maria explains.

A hotel rebuilt every winter

Arctic SnowHotel offers two distinct products. Glass igloos open from September onwards, offering panoramic views of the Arctic sky, while the snow hotel opens on December 15 after being rebuilt from scratch each year.

The snow hotel features 20 ice-carved rooms, an ice chapel, a 150-seat ice restaurant and a large ice bar. Walls are around one meter thick, designed by snow-building experts to last all winter. Thanks to this expertise, weather-related risk is minimal, and the hotel remains open until the end of March.

Chasing the northern lights

Seeing the aurora borealis is a big attraction for most guests, but Maria considers it an extra gift . The hotel is clear about the fact that the infamous auroras are never guaranteed.

What the hotel can offer is opportunity. Guests in glass igloos have access to an aurora alarm, monitored by a real person who wakes them up when the lights appear. Snow hotel guests can also opt for manual wake-up calls and step outside to watch the sky.

The ultimate bucket list stay

Whether the lights appear or not, Maria says the hotel is an experience in itself. Staying in a hotel made of ice is something most guests will only do once, and the hotel leans into that.

They curate unforgettable activities, like reindeer sled rides and ice sculpting, and focus heavily on guest interactions. Maria says some check-ins take up to 20 minutes, so staff can immerse guests in the history and uniqueness of the property.

A standout experience is the snow sauna: a traditional Finnish sauna built entirely from snow and ice. As steam fills the room, guests hear the ice crackle and feel the walls slowly melt. Its amazing, Maria raves. Even for a local, its an experience.

Its through niche touches like this that a melting hotel can sustain itself year after year. They have built a reputation as a once-in-a-lifetime stay, and occupancy rates show customers will travel for it. Even if they have to get there by reindeer.

How do you run a hotel that melts?

Operating an ice hotel is complex, especially with multiple food and beverage outlets that are rebuilt every year. Before implementing Mews, the team relied on manual processes and disconnected systems. Maria says this posed countless challenges and created chaos for staff.

To solve these challenges, the property integrated Mews PMS, POS and Payments. Maria says the improvement has been substantial. Payments are faster, errors are fewer and table management is far more flexible. Each restaurant employee now saves one hour per shift  time they can redirect to guests. Unsurprisingly, tip averages have also improved.

Best of all, the Mews Terminal S2 tech works reliably in sub-zero temperatures. (The ice restaurant operates at around minus 5 degrees).

Selling winter all year long

Although the snow hotel operates for just a few months, the sales team works year-round. Summer is spent planning future seasons, selling up to two years ahead and refining strategy.

Pricing is surprisingly simple. With limited room inventory and consistently high demand, the hotel opts not to use day-to-day dynamic pricing. Instead, rate campaigns are planned well in advance, with a focus on growing shoulder-season demand in autumn. Their revenue strategy is a well-oiled machine, and Matt and Maria both agree: If something works, dont break it.

Evolving with each season

Despite its niche offering, the team continues to innovate. This season, Arctic SnowHotel introduced separate areas for day visitors and overnight guests, so they can better serve each unique segment. They also upgraded lounges and facilities, opened an entirely new business, and launched concepts to improve the guest journey.

For hoteliers, this conversation is a reminder that seasonality doesnt have to be a limitation. With creativity, a strong guest focus and the right technology, even an ice hotel that only operates half of the year can do so with full confidence (and success).

And maybe its time to add a snow sauna to the bucket list.

For more insights into seasonal hospitality, watch the full Matt Talks episode.

About Mews

Mews is the operating system for hospitality, unifying workflows across revenue, operations and the guest journey so teams can automate the mundane and focus on memorable guest experiences. The Mews platform spans PMS, POS, RMS, Housekeeping and Payments, helping hoteliers move from property management to profit management. Powering 15,000 customers across 85 countries, the company was named Best PMS (2024, 2025, 2026), Best POS (2026) and listed among the Best Places to Work in Hotel Tech for six years running by Hotel Tech Report.

www.mews.com
The Erosion of Booking.com - Image Credit Unsplash

Excerpt from Hospitality.today

The OTA built a $170 billion business by controlling what travelers see. That control is fragmenting across a dozen AI platforms  and management is pretending otherwise

Key takeaways

Booking.com's real business is selling visibility, not processing bookings. Commissions are just the starting point. Preferred Partner fees, Genius participation, and sponsored placements extract the real margin. Remove interface control, and the margin structure collapses.

Commissions are just the starting point. Preferred Partner fees, Genius participation, and sponsored placements extract the real margin. Remove interface control, and the margin structure collapses. AI platforms are taking control of discovery  and will monetise it themselves. Google, OpenAI, Perplexity, Microsoft, and Amazon are all building agentic travel booking. AI recommendations will still have visibility hierarchies worth monetising. But those platforms will collect the payment, not Booking.com.

Google, OpenAI, Perplexity, Microsoft, and Amazon are all building agentic travel booking. AI recommendations will still have visibility hierarchies worth monetising. But those platforms will collect the payment, not Booking.com. The "partnerships" are capitulation. Booking.com provides inventory; the platforms control discovery and recommendations. Hotel brands connect directly through their CRSs. Independent hotels connect through channel managers and GDS providers. Neither needs Booking.com as the aggregation layer for AI distribution.

Booking.com provides inventory; the platforms control discovery and recommendations. Hotel brands connect directly through their CRSs. Independent hotels connect through channel managers and GDS providers. Neither needs Booking.com as the aggregation layer for AI distribution. The market hasn't priced this risk. At 34x earnings, the valuation assumes continued growth and sustained margins  not visibility economics migrating to AI platforms within five years.

The visibility business

Booking.com doesn't just charge hotels for bookings. It charges them for placement.

Base commissions run 10-25%, with most properties paying around 15%. But that's just the entry fee. Preferred Partner status costs additional points. Genius program participation requires funding discounts. Sponsored placements cost extra. Mobile-first positioning costs extra. Every pixel of the interface has a price.

The margins reflect this. Booking engines, customer service, and payment processing are valuable but commoditised functions. Controlling what travelers see  and charging suppliers for better placement  is where the exceptional margin lives. Booking.com has built both, but investors have valued it based on the latter.

There's also a payments layer most travelers never see. Booking.com has shifted aggressively to a "merchant model"  collecting payment upfront, paying hotels later. They earn interest on the float and capture foreign exchange spreads. They pay hotels through Virtual Credit Cards, which cost properties around 3% to process  and Booking.com almost certainly receives rebates on this volume. Merchant revenue now accounts for roughly 60% of total revenue.

In 2024, Booking Holdings spent $7.3 billion on marketing  roughly 31% of revenue. That spend wins when travelers search Google or open booking apps. If they ask AI assistants instead, that journey never reaches Booking.com's interface. The marketing isn't misdirected  it's optimised for a world where travelers actively seek out booking sites.

Click here to read complete article at Hospitality.today.
Shanghai tops the list with a projected 7,457 new rooms. - Image Credit Unsplash

Major cities like Shanghai, London, and Dubai are set to add thousands of new hotel rooms by 2026, signaling strong growth in global travel demand.

The Asia Pacific region is expected to see the largest increase in hotel room openings, followed by significant expansions in Europe, the Middle East & Africa, and the Americas.

The global hotel industry is gearing up for significant expansion, with Shanghai, London, and Dubai emerging as frontrunners for new hotel room openings in 2026. According to recent CoStar data, these cities are expected to add thousands of rooms, reflecting renewed confidence in travel and tourism.

In the Asia Pacific region, hotel development is accelerating rapidly. Shanghai tops the list with a projected 7,457 new rooms, followed by Beijing with 3,991. The region as a whole is set to open over 251,000 rooms in 2026, a substantial increase from the nearly 190,000 rooms opened in 2025.

Europe is also experiencing a surge in hotel construction. London is expected to lead with 5,822 new rooms, followed by Istanbul with 3,017. The continents total projected room openings for 2026 stand at nearly 124,000, more than doubling the previous year's total.

The Middle East and Africa are not far behind, with Dubai planning to add 5,053 rooms and Qatar 2,406. The regions total projected room openings for 2026 reach 54,238, almost tripling the 2025 figure.

In the Americas, the U.S. continues to dominate hotel development. New York City is set to add 4,852 new rooms, while Phoenix is set to add 3,650. Cancun also stands out in the region with 1,839 new rooms. Overall, the Americas are expected to see more than 132,000 new hotel rooms open in 2026.

This surge in hotel openings highlights the industrys optimism about the future of global travel. As cities invest in new accommodations, travelers can look forward to more choices and enhanced experiences in the years ahead.
Tina Patel, Co-Principal and Chief Financial Officer of Promise Hotels, today testified before Congress on behalf of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), highlighting how the franchise model helps small business owners grow locally while operating under nationally trusted brands. - Image Credit AHLA



Promise Hotels Tina Patel spotlights local ownership, job growth, and the need for clear, consistent rules for franchisees

Tina Patel, Co-Principal and Chief Financial Officer of Promise Hotels, today testified before Congress on behalf of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), highlighting how the franchise model helps small business owners grow locally while operating under nationally trusted brands.

During the U.S. House Committee on Small Business hearing, titled Local Ownership, National Brands: How Franchising is a Pathway to Entrepreneurship, Patel emphasized that hotel franchising remains one of the most accessible pathways to entrepreneurship, giving owners the ability to build their businesses with the support of well-known brands that provide marketing, standards, training, and loyalty programs that drive demand.

Franchising works because it is a true partnership, and because small business owners stay in the drivers seat, said Patel. Our team, our guests, and our community benefit when franchisees have the clarity and stability to focus on running great hotels.

Patel, a first-generation American and hotelier from Eastern Oklahoma, is an executive at Promise Hotels, a family-owned company based in Tulsa that owns and operates seven hotels across the greater Tulsa area, representing 713 rooms and employing more than 165 associates. At the hearing, she urged Congress to advance the bipartisan American Franchise Act (H.R. 5267) to establish a permanent, common-sense joint employer definition and provide long-term certainty for franchisees planning for hiring, financing, and future growth.

Rosanna Maietta, American Hotel & Lodging Association President & CEO said, Im so grateful to Tina Patel for her sharing her American dream story with Congress today and underscoring how the hotel franchising model has helped her and her husband create an incredibly successful small business. Franchising is a vital pathway to the American Dream for so many hard-working hoteliers. We encourage Congress to pass the bipartisan American Franchise Act, which will safeguard the hotel franchise business model that supports nearly 3 million jobs nationwide and creates economic opportunity in every community across this country.

The hearing brought together franchise owners from across the small business economy, including Angie Katsaneva, salon franchise owner and Bravo reality television star, Clement Troutman, Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchisee, and Rico Macaraeg, CEO of StriveWell.Co. The group underscored a simple truth behind the household franchised brands: Americans recognize that every day local owners are the ones taking risks, creating jobs, and building lasting businesses in their communities.

The hearing underscored what franchising looks like in real life, whether it is a hotel in Tulsa or a salon with a national following. AHLA will continue working with Congress to protect the franchise model and ensure small business owners have the certainty they need to grow with confidence.
Rodeway Inn Buffalo - Image Credit Hotel Brokers International

Prime Investment Properties LLC, a leading hospitality real estate brokerage and advisory firm and member of Hotel Brokers International, is pleased to announce the successful closing of the sale of the Rodeway Inn Buffalo, a strategically located hospitality asset in Buffalo, Wyoming.

Situated at 610 E Hart Street, the Rodeway Inn Buffalo represents a compelling investment in a high-traffic travel corridor near the junction of Interstates 25 and 90, positioning the property as a natural lodging choice for regional and long-distance travelers. The asset benefits from year-round demand driven by its proximity to major destinations including Yellowstone National Park and Mount Rushmore, as well as access to outdoor recreation in the Bighorn Mountains.

The property features 27 guest rooms and complimentary amenities including Wi-Fi, free parking, and an outdoor pool, catering to both leisure and business travelers. Designed as a budget-friendly hotel option, Rodeway Inn Buffalo delivers steady performance grounded in its strong regional fundamentals.

We are proud to have facilitated the successful closing of Rodeway Inn Buffalo, said Dan Emert, Managing Principal at Prime Investment Properties. This transaction underscores continued investor interest in well-positioned limited-service hospitality assets that demonstrate durable demand characteristics and strategic location advantages.

Prime Investment Properties continues to support clients across the hospitality real estate sector by offering tailored transaction services, strategic advisory, and access to a broad investor audience domestically and internationally.

About Prime Investment Properties LLC

Prime Investment Properties LLC is a premier hospitality real estate brokerage and advisory firm specializing in the acquisition and disposition of hotel, motel, resort, and lodging assets across the United States and global markets. With deep industry expertise, strategic marketing, and a wide network of hospitality investors and operators, the firm delivers exceptional outcomes for property owners and buyers.

About Hotel Brokers International

Hotel Brokers International (HBI), founded in 1959, is the hospitality real estate industrys most established network of professional brokers, with over 11,000 successful hotel transactions. HBIs website features an extensive selection of hotels for sale, attracting global investors and industry professionals. HBI is the founder and administrator of the Certified Hotel Broker (CHB) Program, the only professional designation recognizing expertise in hotel brokerage. The organization also offers affiliate memberships to professionals in related fields such as franchising, lending, appraisals, and investment services, fostering a comprehensive network of hospitality specialists. Visit www.hbihotels.com.

For more information, please contact:

Dan Emert, Lead Broker

Prime Investment Properties LLC

Steamboat Springs, CO

970.658.8098

dan@primeinvestmentprops.com

www.primeinvestmentprops.com

Glenda J. Webb

Executive Director

Hotel Brokers International

816.505.4315 | hbihotels.com
Weekend Outlook: Snow Days

Check out the events happening in Berkshire County this weekend including fundraisers, snow events, and more.

Editor's Pick



Community Free Day

Mass MoCA, North Adams

Time: Saturday, 10 to 5

Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art opens its galleries for a community celebration. Includes thematic museum tours and art-making in Kidspace and a performance by devynn emory at 4 p.m. in Building 5 to activate Jeffrey Gibson's exhibition "Power Full Because We're Different.

More information here.

Friday

Nothing Birds with Eleanor Levine

Studio 9, River Street, North Adams

The Nothing Birds are a four-piece indie rock band from North Adams and Elenor Levine has been writing music for almost two decades, performing on stages including Mass MoCA.

Held in Studio 9 at the Porches inn. Tickets are $15 here.

Tunes for Tots

Lenox Community Center

Time: 10 a.m. This weekly parent-child music program allows youngster to learn about instruments and move along to the beat. This is best suited for ages 1 to 5. Registration is required at southbershirekids@gmail.com. More information here. Common Craft Night

165 East Main St., North Adams

Time: 6 to 8 p.m. Bring the craft you have been working on and join others to socialize. More information here.

Saturday

Murder Mystery Dinner and Show

Greenock Country Club, Lee

Time: 6 p.m. The Lee Middle and High School travel group is hosting an '80s murder-mystery fundraiser at the club. Buffet-style dinner and active participation in the show. Tickets are $60, and only 75 tickets will be sold. Contact travel2027@leepublicschools.net for tickets. More information here.

Bousquet Mountain Grommie Jam

Bousquet Mountain, Pittsfield

Time: 11 a.m.

Grommie Jam is a community get-together where skiers and riders ages 16 and younger come together. Open to all with a valid lift ticket or season pass; prizes from Berkshire Bike & Board.

More information here.

Family Friendly Outdoor Adventures

Mount Greylock Visitor Center, Lanesborough

Time: 1 to 3 p.m.

Enjoy winter at Mount Greylock with hot cocoa and campfires. Also enjoy outdoor activities like snow tubing, a snowshoe walk, and a mindfulness hike along the Bradley Farm trail.

Registration is required for the walk; call the visitor center at 413-499-4262.

More information here.

Ghost Tour with Robert Oakes

Ventfort Hall and Mansion, Lenox

Time: 7 to 9 p.m.

The Gilded Age mansion hosts a tour with "Ghosts of the Berkshires" author Robert Oakes, who will lead guests through the rooms and halls of the estate, sharing tales of its hauntings.

Admission is $30 and the minimum age to attend is age 12. Reservations are required. Purchase tickets here.

More information here.

Friends & Film Night

Bright Ideas Brewing, North Adams

Time: 6 p.m.

Screening of the documentaries "Queen of the Catskills" and "Still Excited to Ski" followed by a Q&A session afterward. There is a suggested $10 donation at the door.

More information here

Multiple Days

Vertical Challenge Tour Stops

Ski Butternut, Great Barrington

Time: Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Jiminy Peak, Hanock

Time: Sunday, 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Vertical Challenge is a series of free, casual ski and snowboard races held throughout the Northeast. Includes activities and prizes. Bring your skis or snowboards and join others with some fun free competition.

More information here.

Sunday

'The Firemen's Ball'

Door Prize, North Adams

Time: 4 p.m.

Door Prize restaurant in DownStreet Hotel is partnering with Images Cinema for movie screenings twice a month through March. "Firemen's Ball" by Milos Forman is a Czech satirical film about volunteer firefighters -- putting on a ball.

More information here.
Adams Fire District Officials Make Case for Full-Time Chief, Appointed Clerk

ADAMS, Mass.  If Adams Fire Chief John Panescchi had his choice, the town would continue to run as an entirely call/volunteer operation indefinitely, but that is not realistic.

"We have less and less firefighters, less and less people around during the day," he told the audience at an information session on Wednesday afternoon. "In August, we had a garage fire. And we had two people to respond: myself and my driver, who is 72 years old.

"It's nowhere near the department I joined where a call came in and everyone responded. It's scary."

Panescchi appeared with the three members of the Prudential Committee that oversees the district to explain their reasons why the chief's position should be made full-time and the district's clerk/treasurer should be changed from an elected to an appointed position.

Both questions will be put to residents at a special fire district meeting, likely to be held in February.

If approved by the meeting, both decisions would need to then go to a ballot vote  likely this May for the clerk/treasurer question and spring of 2027 for the fire chief decision.

The timing of the ballot votes is slightly different in part because Panescchi's current part-time position, to which he is elected, is up for re-election this May. Officials think it would be confusing to hold a ballot vote on changing the position's nature in the same election where voters would be asked to choose someone to fill the position.

But change  in the form of professionalizing the clerk/treasurer spot and appointing a full-time fire chief  is needed, the Prudential Committee agrees.

A ballot measure to make those changes failed last May on an 81-85 vote.

Among the questions from the 20 or so attendees at Wednesday's session: Why ask the same questions again so soon?

"Five years ago, we put it out there," Panescchi said. "My argument was the same as it is today. Things have gotten worse."

Increased rules and regulations, increased training requirements, increased demand for inspections and a nationwide trend of decreased volunteerism all have aligned to make the post of Adams Fire Chief a full-time job, Panescchi explained.

In 2024 and '25, Panescchi worked more than 1,950 hours over the course of a year, nearly the equivalent of a 40-hour work week (2,080 hours), according to a slide show presented at the meeting.

The Adams department's call volume rose by 63 percent  from 265 to 433  from 2004 to 2025.

"Medical responses, motor vehicle accidents, fire alarms activated, sprinklers activated, carbon monoxide detectors activated," Panescchi said, ticking off some of the non-fire calls that account for most of that volume.

Most of the questions about the full-time fire chief proposal centered on the cost and whether the change would bring about any increases that officials had not thought about related to benefits or pension expenses.

"I've been in the pension system for 30-plus years," Panescchi said, referring to his day job. "You can only collect one pension. Any money I paid into the pension system up to now would be transferred to the Adams system [if he was hired as a full-time chief]."

District bookkeeper Victoria Lassonde explained that an employee would need to be in the system for 10 years in order to collect a pension, and the benefit would be based on the years served.

Although the only proposal before voters this year is whether to make the chief a full-time position, Panescchi indicated that the day could be coming when towns of Adams' size, given the lack of volunteer firefighters, will have to think beyond one full-time employee.

"The reality is you're going to see a two- or three-man fire department across the country in small communities like this," he said. "Whether that happens next year or 10 years down the road, I can't tell you. But it's coming."

Along with the move to the full-time chief position, the Prudential Committee is asking residents this winter to make the clerk/treasurer an appointed position. The benefits, they say, include ensuring that the person in the position is professionally qualified and can be required to pass a drug and CORI  none of which is possible for an elected official.

The panel did get some pushback on the idea of making the change for the clerk/treasurer.

One resident argued that having an elected treasurer ensures that person in the position is independent and not beholden to the members of the Prudential Committee.

"What happens if you get a person elected who is not qualified?" Prudential Committee Chair Thomas Satko asked rhetorically.

"We elect a lot of people who aren't qualified for the job," another attendee said, drawing chuckles from the crowd. "I'm not naming names."

The Prudential Committee has yet to set a date for the special district meeting on the fire chief and clerk/treasurer questions. On Wednesday, the committee members said they were considering Feb. 19.
A back-to-back weather threat is developing as an Extreme Cold Warning tonight gives way to a major Winter Storm Warning starting Sunday morning. Dangerously cold wind chills of 25 to 35 below zero will persist through Saturday afternoon, creating a high risk of frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes. Conditions will remain life-threatening for those without proper shelter or heating, and pets should be kept indoors.

Beginning at 7 AM Sunday and lasting through 7 PM Monday, a long-duration winter storm will then impact all of eastern New York and western New England, bringing 12 to 18 inches of heavy snow. Travel will become very dangerous, particularly Sunday night when snowfall rates may exceed one inch per hour, severely reducing visibility. If you must travel, the National Weather Service advises keeping an emergency kit in your vehicle with a flashlight, food, and water.




iciHaiti - Health : Workshop to prioritize departmental needs





Friday January 16, 2026, in the commune of Caracol the Economic and Social Assistance Fund (FAES) and the Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP) launched a "Workshop for prioritizing departmental needs."



This three-day Workshop organized by the FAES brought together Dr. Sinal Bertrand, Minister of Public Health, Serge Gabriel Collin, Director General of the FAES, as well as numerous technical executives from different departments. The central objective of the Workshop was to strengthen concerted planning and prepare the operational tools necessary for the implementation of the services component of operation HA-J0008.



Minister Sinal Bertrand invited the various actors to make strategic decisions aimed at providing sustainable responses to the pressing challenges facing Haiti. He stressed to the many technical executives present at this workshop the importance of not being satisfied with a simple list of needs. "We must approach our work with rigor and professionalism," insisted the Minister. A project, to be effective, must result in concrete results on the ground, and not remain locked into theoretical documents.



Several specific objectives guided the activities of this workshop :

 Present the main lines and governance structure of the operation (MSPP/FAES/BID);

 Identify and document the priority and strategic needs of the departments based on data and technical arguments;

 Develop standardized frameworks for the preparation of specifications linked to the recruitment of operators;

 Finalize the specifications of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) in the context of technical assistance, health decentralization and emergency interventions;

 Define a clear mechanism for monitoring, supervision and accountability at the departmental level.



Corine Catala, Representative of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), reaffirmed the IDB's commitment to supporting the Haitian State. She expressed the hope that these three days of fruitful discussions will make it possible to identify a realistic and achievable agenda to help vulnerable populations across the different departments of the country.



Serge Gabriel Collinn in his intervention underlined the seriousness of the current context in which this Workshop is taking place. The latter must serve to clearly define the strategic lines necessary to initiate appropriate actions in the face of current priorities "The work of these three days must be oriented towards results," he affirmed, welcoming the commitment of the IDB and the leadership of the Ministry of Public Health, considered decisive for the success of this joint initiative.



This workshop constitutes a crucial step in determining concrete and adapted actions to face the challenges faced by the departments of Haiti in health matters.



IH/ S/ iciHaiti


















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Chinese authorities have detained two men for allegedly spreading false information claiming that two male giant pandas had successfully mated in the wild, according to police.

Authorities said they opened an investigation after receiving reports that online accounts were circulating a fake screenshot about the city of Chengdu, Chinese media reported citing a statement from the Chengdu Public Security Bureau.

The image carried the headline: Chengdu: two male Sichuan giant pandas successfully mate in the wild for the first time.

The men, identified by police only by their surnames Dong, 29, from Liaoning province, and Gao, 33, from Zhejiang province, were found to have deliberately distorted facts and used technical means to forge the image, the statement said.

Authorities said the pair posted the fabricated content online to attract attention, leading to what police described as widespread false interpretations, disruption of online order, and a negative social impact.

Both men were placed under administrative detention and their online accounts were shut down, police said, citing laws against spreading false information and disturbing public order.

The case was first reported by Chinese state media outlet Global Times, which said the claim was false and that male giant pandas in Chengdu were not engaging in same-sex mating behaviour. Chengdu is home to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, a major panda conservation centre.

The Washington Post reported that the image circulating online appeared to have been generated or altered using artificial intelligence, and that it spread widely on social media before being removed.

Chinese authorities did not reference the sexuality of the pandas in their official statement and framed the detentions as a case of fabricated news and online misinformation.

Chinas internet is heavily censored and controlled and the country has strict laws over spreading AI generated misinformation. In 2023, Chinese police arrested a man they alleged used ChatGPT to create a fake news article about a train crash.
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A leading pro-democracy activist who helped organise Hong Kongs long-running vigil marking the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown told a court on Friday that her groups call for ending one-party rule was aimed at democratic reform, not at dismantling the Chinese Communist Party.

Chow Hang-tung, 40, a former leader of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, made the argument during proceedings under the sweeping national security law that has largely silenced organised dissent in the city.

She was charged with inciting subversion in September 2021 under the law Beijing imposed following massive anti-government protests in 2019. She was accused of inciting others to organise, plan or act through unlawful means with a view to subvert the state power.

Lee Cheuk-yan, another former group leader, also pleaded not guilty on Thursday to the charge that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years of imprisonment.

Hong Kong democracy advocates Lee Cheuk-yan, 68, Albert Ho, 74, and Chow Hang-tung, 40, all former leaders of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, are accused of inciting subversion of state power.

A closely watched national security trial involving them began on Thursday.

The case is among the most significant brought under the legislation, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and has resulted in convictions in nearly every prosecution so far.

Prosecutors have centred their case on the alliances long-standing demand for ending one-party rule, arguing that the slogan amounted to a call to end the Communist Partys leadership of China, an outcome they said would violate the constitution and had no lawful path.

Ms Chow, a barrister who is defending herself, countered the prosecutions claim on Friday while appealing to the court to admit an experts evidence, standing outside the courtroom dock while presenting her argument.

The alliances position is not to end the Chinese Communist Partys leadership, but to end one-party dictatorship, said Ms Chow, who smiled when supporters in the courtroom wished her well for her birthday on Saturday.

The court was also told that co-defendant Albert Ho had stated in 2018 that the demand was not intended to abolish the Communist Party, and that the party could retain power through fair elections. Mr Ho pleaded guilty on Thursday, a move that could lead to a lighter sentence.

For 30 years, the Hong Kong Alliance organised the only large-scale public commemoration of the crackdown on the 1989 pro-democracy protests within China. The vigil in Hong Kong drew tens of thousands each year to remember the victims until authorities banned the event during the Covid-19 pandemic. The alliance also called for building a democratic China.

The group voted to disband in September 2021 after its leaders were prosecuted under the security law, which Beijing deemed necessary for the citys stability following the protests.

After the pandemic, the former vigil site was occupied instead by a carnival organised by pro-Beijing groups on 4 June, the crackdowns anniversary.

Analysts say the disappearance of the candlelight vigil has become a powerful symbol of shrinking civil liberties in the former British colony, which was handed back to China in 1997 and now operates as a special administrative region.

Despite a degree of autonomy signified by the designation, Beijing has increasingly made its presence known in the way it oversees the territory, while Hong Kongs government said its law enforcement actions were evidence-based and strictly in accordance with the law.

Meanwhile, the human rights organisations and overseas observers have criticised the case as emblematic of Hong Kongs shrinking civic space.

This case is not about national security  it is about rewriting history and punishing those who refuse to forget the victims of the Tiananmen crackdown, said Sarah Brooks, Amnesty Internationals deputy regional director for Asia was quoted as saying by Reuters.
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Japan suspended the restart of the worlds largest nuclear power plant just a day after it began operating for the first time since the 2011 Fukushima disaster, after an alarm sounded during start-up procedures.

An alert from a monitoring system was triggered while workers were starting up the reactor number six at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, prompting the decision to halt operations, its operator Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco) said. The company said it did not yet know how long it would take to resolve the issue.

Tepco said the reactor was stable and that there had been no radioactive impact outside the plant.

We dont expect this to be solved within a day or two. There is no telling at the moment how long it will take, site superintendent Takeyuki Inagaki told a news conference. We will for now fully focus on trying to identify the cause of what happened.

The issue was linked to malfunctioning electrical equipment connected to the control rods, which are crucial for the safe operation of reactors, according to Tepco.

open image in gallery The Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc.'s Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant is seen in Kashiwazaki, Niigata prefecture, Japan, Wednesday, 21 Jan 2026 ( Kyodo News )

The restart had already been delayed earlier this week after another technical problem was detected during preparations to remove the rods, a problem the operator said had been resolved before operations began.

Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, located in Niigata province about 220km northwest of Tokyo, is the worlds largest nuclear power plant by potential generating capacity. Only one of its seven reactors had been scheduled to restart. The No 6 reactor alone is capable of generating about 1.35 million kilowatts of electricity  enough to power more than one million households in the Tokyo region.

The facility was taken offline in 2011 after a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami triggered meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, also operated by company. Japan subsequently shut down most of its nuclear fleet amid public opposition and tighter safety regulations.

In recent years, the government has moved to revive nuclear power to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, cut emissions and meet rising electricity demand, including from data centres and artificial intelligence. Fourteen reactors have restarted across Japan since 2011, but Kashiwazaki-Kariwa is the first Tepco-run plant to resume operations.

open image in gallery A woman holds a banner that reads, "Against Restart" near auditors seated on the day Niigata Prefectural Assembly lawmakers take part in a vote of confidence ( REUTERS )

In December 2025, a vote in the regional assembly in Niigata removed the final political hurdle for the plant to be reopened. The assembly passed a vote of confidence in governor Hideyo Hanazumi, who backed the restart last month.

This is nothing other than a political settlement that does not take into account the will of the Niigata residents, an assembly member opposed to the restart said during the session..

Outside the assembly building, around 300 people protested against the decision, holding banners reading No Nukes, We oppose the restart of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa and Support Fukushima.

I am truly angry from the bottom of my heart, Kenichiro Ishiyama, a 77-year-old protester from Niigata city, told Reuters after the vote. If something was to happen at the plant, we would be the ones to suffer the consequences.

Public opinion in Niigata remains sharply divided. Around 60 per cent of residents oppose the restart, while 37 per cent support it, according to a survey conducted in September. Earlier this month, seven anti-nuclear groups submitted a petition signed by nearly 40,000 people to Tepco and Japans Nuclear Regulation Authority, citing seismic risks at the site.

Kashiwazaki-Kariwas proposed restart has been put off for years by extensive safety upgrades and tighter security rules introduced after Fukushima, including measures to prevent deliberate attacks on nuclear facilities.

Japans former prime minister, Fumio Kishida, has previously said nuclear energy would play a role in achieving the countrys target of carbon neutrality by 2050, though Thursdays setback highlights the technical and political challenges facing the policy shift.
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At least two crew members were reported dead after a cargo vessel carrying 21 Filipino sailors capsized near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, triggering search-and-rescue operations on Friday.

The Chinese military said it received a report at around 1.30am on Friday that a foreign cargo vessel was in distress in waters near the shoal. It said 17 crew members were rescued, and two of them later died. Four are still unaccounted for.

The military deployed an aircraft to search the area, while the Chinese coast guard sent two vessels to support the rescue operation.

The Philippines coast guard (PCG) said it had sent two ships and two aircraft to assist the Filipino crew members aboard the Singapore-flagged cargo ship carrying iron ore and bound for the southern Chinese port of Yangjiang.

The vessel overturned about 55 nautical miles (101km) northwest of Scarborough Shoal.

The PCG command centre acquired information from the Hong Kong Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre that 10 of the 21 Filipino crew members were rescued by a passing China Coast Guard vessel, it said earlier.

At least two crew members were reported dead after a cargo vessel carrying 21 Filipino sailors capsized near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea ( Chinese embassy/Manila )

Scarborough Shoal is among the most hotly disputed maritime features in the region and has long been a flashpoint over sovereignty claims and fishing rights in the South China Sea. The waters around the shoal are where Chinese and Philippine vessels regularly confront each other. Both countries assert claim and maintain patrols in the area, which is also claimed by Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.

The PCG said it continued to closely monitor the situation and remains fully committed to ensuring the safety of the remaining crew members, according to spokesperson, Captain Noemie Cayabyab.

This comes after China summoned the Philippine ambassador in Beijing, Jaime Florcruz, over a social media post made by the Philippine coast guard officer Commodore Jay Tarriela. The social media post allegedly included cartoonish images of Chinese president Xi Jinping, according to reports.

It must be stressed that the Philippine side has long turned a blind eye to its coast guard spokesperson making inflammatory, confrontational, misleading and baseless remarks against China on maritime issues. China does not accept that.

Time for the Philippine side to undo the negative impact as soon as possible and stop tolerating the smear campaign and provocations, lest they disrupt normal diplomatic communication or further harm bilateral relations, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said in a 21 January briefing, according to Rappler.

In response, Mr Tarriela said, "threatening a public servant for telling the truth will not intimidate us".
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Some 55 million people are set to endure crisis level hunger this year in Central and West Africa, the World Food Programme (WFP) has warned, as humanitarian aid cuts from the US and other countries take hold.

Four countries  Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger  account for 77 per cent of that the food insecurity, with some 15,000 people in Nigeria currently at risk of food catastrophe, or famine-level hunger , for the first time in nearly a decade.

Conflict is a key risk factor in these countries, including with the jihadist Boko Haram . The escalating impacts of the climate crisis is also contributing to the humanitarian situation, with recurrent extreme weather events - including floods and droughts - devastating the farming activities that employ roughly 60 percent of the workforce in West and Central Africa.

In 2025, for example, torrential rains and severe flooding affected more than 841,000 people across the region, with Nigeria (334,000 affected) and Niger (305,000) among the hardest hit.

The humanitarian sector has then largely been left helpless in the face of these escalating humanitarian challenges as a result of cuts to overseas aid from wealthy nations.

In 2025, WFP only received 41 per cent of the $2bn (1.48bn) it required to meet needs in West and Central Africa - and the agency says it urgently needs some $453m (335m) over the next six months to continue providing life-saving humanitarian assistance across the region.

Now is not the time to stop food assistance, said David Stevenson, WFPs Nigeria Country Director. This will lead to catastrophic humanitarian, security and economic consequences for the most vulnerable people who have been forced to flee their homes in search of food and shelter.

Humanitarian solutions are still possible and are one of the last stabilising forces preventing mass displacement and regional spillover.

People affected by floods are escorted through flood water in Maiduguri, Northeastern Nigeria ( AFP/Getty )

Nigeria is at the centre of the crisis in West and Central Africa, with some 35 million people projected to experience acute and severe food insecurity during the 2026 lean season .

This week, WFP Nigeria announced that - without urgent funding - the agency is set to only be able to reach 72,000 people in February, representing a serious reduction from the 1.3 million assisted during the 2025 lean season.

In Borno State, which is at the heart of the conflict with Boko Haram in northeast Nigeria , some 150 clinics treating malnutrition were closed in July 2025, leaving 300,000 children at risk of severe malnutrition.

But the pressure on WFP services is by no means limited to Nigeria, with the agency also reducing the number of people it is planning to assist in neighboring Cameroon by around 60 per cent this year.

More broadly, WFP - which is an agency of the UN, and considered the worlds largest humanitarian agency - is expecting to only reach around half of the 110 million food-insecure people it had originally planned to reach in 2026 due to aid cuts from wealthy nations.
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Not all fat is bad for you and some extra weight around your stomach could play a vital role in fighting infections and inflammation, a study has suggested.

Excess fat around the belly and internal organs, known as visceral fat, has long been seen as harmful. Its associated with type 2 diabetes, heart disease, some types of cancer, stroke and high blood pressure.

But researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden have suggested abdominal fat is not a uniform issue and some types of fat can be beneficial.

Jiawei Zhong, the lead author of the study, said: Fat tissue doesnt just store energy  it also functions as an active organ, sending signals that affect the entire body.

A common misconception is that abdominal fat is uniform, when in fact it consists of several distinct depots.

Researchers found some belly fat could be helping the body to fight infections ( Alamy/PA )

For the study, published in the journal Cell Metabolism, researchers took samples of five different abdominal fat types in eight individuals with severe obesity. Fat was taken from under the skin, around the stomach, and close to the bowel.

The results show clear differences between these fat types. Most striking is the so-called epiploic fat tissue along the colon, which contains an unusually high number of inflammatory fat cells and immune cells.

Lab experiments suggested that bacterial signals can prompt fat cells to produce proteins that activate immune cells within the tissue to fight infection.

Researchers said the results suggest fat tissue near the gut has a unique function. It may be an adaptation to the gut microbiome - the ecosystem of microbes that live in your intestines.

Since the study was conducted on individuals with obesity, it remains unclear whether the findings apply to people of normal weight.

Jutta Jalkanen, co-first author of the study, said: The next step is to understand the role of fat tissue around the colon in inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohns and ulcerative colitis. Now that we know it contains both fat cells and immune cells, we want to investigate how their interaction influences disease activity.

Our goal is to find out whether this fat tissue contributes to amplifying or sustaining inflammation by sending signals that affect immune cells locally.

Previous studies have also suggested fat isnt always a bad thing. One Danish study tracking more than 85,000 adults suggested being slightly overweight might not shorten your life, but being very thin might.

Researchers found that people with a BMI below 18.5 were nearly three times more likely to die early than those in the middle to upper end of the so-called healthy range.
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A driver has admitted causing the death of a British teenager in a car crash in north London, shortly after the 19-year-old's release from a Dubai jail.

Marwaan Mohamed Huseen, 20, pleaded guilty after crashing a BMW into a lorry during a Metropolitan Police pursuit.

The collision, in Tottenham in the early hours of October 3 last year, killed passenger Marcus Fakana, 19. Fakana had recently been freed from a Dubai jail term for a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl. A second passenger in the vehicle was also seriously hurt.

At Wood Green Crown Court on Friday, Huseen appeared by videolink from HMP Pentonville to plead guilty to causing the death of Mr Fakana by dangerous driving.

Huseen, who admits being uninsured and unlicensed at the time, also pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving to another of the passengers in the BMW.

The crash happened just three months after Mr Fakana, from Tottenham, north London, was set free from a prison in Dubai.

He had been with his parents in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the summer 2024 when, at the age of 18, he had a holiday romance with a 17-year-old girl from London.

The teenager spent around a year in prison before being freed thanks to a royal pardon from Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

open image in gallery Marcus Fakana died in hospital ( PA Media )

At the time of the fatal car crash, the Met Police said officers were attempting to stop a vehicle of interest in Pretoria Road, Tottenham, and after a short pursuit they temporarily lost sight of the vehicle.

When officers then drove in to The Roundway, they found the vehicle had been involved in a crash.

Police were on patrol at around 00.52hrs when they attempted to stop a vehicle of interest on Pretoria Road, N18, Scotland Yard said in a statement.

After pursuing the vehicle for around 60 seconds, police temporarily lost sight before locating the vehicle on The Roundway, N17, where it had been involved in a collision.

Officers were supported by the London Ambulance Service and the London Air Ambulance, and a 19-year-old man was taken to hospital where he sadly died.

He has since been named as Marcus Fakana from Tottenham.

Huseen, of Argyle Road, Tottenham, has been in custody since his arrest at the scene of the crash.

Judge Emma Deacon KC remanded him back into custody on Friday after the guilty pleas.

He is due to submit a basis for his guilty pleas, and a sentencing date will be set at a hearing on February 27.

Huseen did not enter a plea to a third charge of driving without insurance and a licence, but the court was told he admits that he did not have a valid licence or insurance at the time of the crash.

After Mr Fakanas death, Radha Sterling, chief executive of campaign group Detained in Dubai which had lobbied for his release from prison, said she was heartbroken by the news.

Marcus spent the majority of this year in a Dubai prison which no doubt caused him long-lasting mental anguish, she said.

Its sad that of all of 2025, he was only free for the three months from the 3rd of July until the 3rd of October.

He had been reported to the authorities in the UAE after the girls mother saw pictures and messages on her phone.

In Dubai, if an adult has a sexual relationship with a person under 18, they can be prosecuted for having a sexual relationship with a minor.
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Police officers are seeking to identify a man as part of the investigation in which six people have been charged with serious sexual offences against Joanne Young.

Wiltshire Police say the images were taken around April to May 2022, the force said.

He is described as being of large build, hairy, with scarring on the back of his head, prominent lips, short or shaved hair, and a distinctive tattoo on the left side of his chest.

It is unknown whether the unidentified man lives locally or whether he has travelled from elsewhere, the force added.

Senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Geoff Smith said: This is a significant investigation in which several suspects have appeared in court charged with various serious sexual offences. This man remains unknown and we remain really keen to identify and speak with him in connection with the case.

We appreciate the graphic nature of these images and that they may be triggering to some people, however we need the publics help to identify this man. It is unknown whether he lives in Swindon or from outside the county, which is why we request that this is shared as widely as possible to assist our bid to identify him.

This appeal has once again been made with the pre-sight and support of the victim, Joanne Young, who has waived her right to anonymity. If you think you recognise this man, please email 2651@wiltshire.police.uk and quote reference number 54240080286.

Information can also be left anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

open image in gallery Wiltshire Police are seeking to identify in connection with the investigation into sexual offences against Joanne Young, describing him as being of large build, with scarring on the back of his head and a distinctive tattoo on the left side of his chest ( Wiltshire Police )

Former Tory councillor Philip Young admitted to drugging and raping his ex-wife with other men for more than 10 years.

The 49-year-old pleaded guilty to 48 offences against Joanne Young, who has waived her right to anonymity, including 11 counts of rape and administering a substance with intent to stupefy.

Mr Young, of Enfield in north London, admitted to administering a substance and raping his ex-wife on 11 occasions.

He also pleaded guilty to seven counts of assault by penetration, four counts of sexual touching and voyeurism by recording Ms Young without her consent on at least 200 occasions between 2010 and 2024.

He further admitted to publishing an obscene article, namely non-consensual intimate photographs and videos of Ms Young, on at least 500 occasions in the same period.

open image in gallery Wiltshire Police say they appreciate the graphic nature of these images and that they may be triggering to some people, however we need the publics help to identify this man ( Wiltshire Police )

However, he denied three counts of possessing indecent images of children, one charge of possessing prohibited images of children and four counts of possessing extreme pornography.

Five other men appeared in court accused of sexual offences against Ms Young, 48. They were released on bail for a further case management hearing on 5 May.
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A former Tory councillor has admitted to drugging and raping his former wife with other men for more than 10 years.

Philip Young, 49, pleaded guilty to 48 offences against Joanne Young, who has waived her right to anonymity, including 11 counts of rape and administering a substance with intent to stupefy.

Appearing at Winchester Crown Court wearing a grey sweatshirt on Friday, he clasped his hands together and spoke clearly and calmly as the charges were put to him. Ms Young was present in court for the hearing.

open image in gallery Philip Young pleaded guilty to 48 offences at Winchester Crown Court ( Crown Prosecution Service )

Mr Young, of Enfield in north London, admitted to administering a substance and raping his ex-wife on 11 occasions.

He also pleaded guilty to seven counts of assault by penetration, four counts of sexual touching and voyeurism by recording Ms Young without her consent on at least 200 occasions between 2010 and 2024.

He further admitted to publishing an obscene article, namely non-consensual intimate photographs and videos of Ms Young, on at least 500 occasions in the same period.

However, he denied three counts of possessing indecent images of children, one charge of possessing prohibited images of children and four counts of possessing extreme pornography.

Mr Young served as a Conservative Swindon borough councillor for Covingham and Nythe between 2007 and 2010. He was remanded in custody by Judge Angela Morris, the Recorder of Winchester.

open image in gallery From left: Mohammed Hassan, Norman Macksoni, Richard Wilkins, Connor Sanderson Doyle and Dean Hamilton in the dock at Winchester Crown Court ( PA )

Five other men appeared in court accused of sexual offences against Ms Young, 48. They were released on bail for a further case management hearing on 5 May.

Norman Macksoni, 47, from Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, pleaded not guilty to one count of rape and possession of extreme images

Dean Hamilton, 47, of Compton Dundon, Somerset, did not enter pleas to one count of rape and sexual assault by penetration and two counts of sexual touching

Conner Sanderson Doyle, 31, from Swindon, pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual assault by penetration and sexual touching

Richard Wilkins, 61, from Swindon, pleaded not guilty to charges of one count of rape and assault by penetration

Mohammed Hassan, 37, from Swindon, pleaded not guilty to a charge of sexual touching

A trial lasting six weeks has been scheduled for 5 October.

open image in gallery Joanne Young waived her right anonymity ( Wiltshire Police )

James Foster, specialist prosecutor of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: Philip Young has pleaded guilty to 48 serious sexual offences committed against his former wife, Joanne Young.

We worked closely with Wiltshire Police to build a thorough and compelling case that resulted in him pleading guilty to dozens of offences today.

Following the hearing, Wiltshire Police detective superintendent Geoff Smith, the senior investigating officer, paid tribute to Ms Youngs incredible bravery.

open image in gallery Police want to identify this man in connection with the case ( Wiltshire Police )

He said: Todays hearing is a significant landmark, which has seen Philip Young admit to dozens of serious sexual offences against Joanne Young.

Id like to pay tribute to Jo for her incredible bravery throughout this process. She continues to be supported by specially trained officers.

Id also like to commend the investigation team for their relentless hard work in getting the case to this stage and thank the Crown Prosecution Service for their support in ensuring Young faces justice for his abhorrent actions.

Police previously appealed for help to identify another man in connection with the case. The man, seen in images taken in 2022, is of large build and has a distinctive tattoo on the left side of his chest.

Anyone who recognises the man should call 101 and quote reference number 54240080286.
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A Russian man accused of rape has denied being controlling but told jurors he was upset by the womans sending messages to Donald Trumps youngest son.

Matvei Rumiantsev, 22, is on trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court in London, accused of assault and two counts of rape, among other charges, against the alleged victim, who jurors have heard is friends with Barron Trump.

The defendant said he later regretted his behaviour but denies all six charges.

Giving evidence on Thursday, Mr Rumiantsev said he became aware of the womans friendship with Mr Trump, 19, while on a holiday in October 2024.

The Russian citizen, who lives in London, told the court: She [the alleged victim] came up to me in the hotel room and she asked me to take a picture of her phone on which there was a chat with Barron Trump.

The kind of chat they had didnt allow her to take a screenshot so she came up to me and asked me to take a photograph with the phone.

Jurors heard that on 3 November 2024, Mr Rumiantsev and the alleged victim had an argument at her flat, and Mr Rumiantsev left the apartment after damaging her air fryer and dropping her kettle.

He said that after he left, he received phone calls and text messages from the alleged victim, which made him concerned for her welfare, so he called the police.

open image in gallery Barron Trump is the youngest son of US president Donald Trump ( Getty )

Jurors have heard that after police arrived, in body-worn footage the woman can be heard apparently telling officers: It was like jealousy, controlling of like who I can be friends with.

Asked by his barrister, Sasha Wass KC, whether this was about the US presidents son, the defendant said that it was.

Mr Rumiantsev, who wore a blue suit and white shirt in the witness box, told jurors that earlier that evening, the alleged victim had brought Mr Trump up and started showing him her messages with the 19-year-old.

I started to explain that I felt upset as well about her talking to Barron Trump, he said.

I was in no way controlling but I was trying to make her know that if she feels unwell seeing messages I had with girls 10 years ago, she could maybe understand how I felt when she was sat there this moment texting someone else.

The court heard that later that day, Mr Rumiantsev sent the alleged victim a text in Russian, translated into English, which said: I honestly cannot believe what a f*** up I caused.

This is just f***ing nuts.

I behaved like an arsehole. Im very ashamed that I grabbed your phone, you started calling him sweetheart. I felt so unwell.

Asked who him was, Mr Rumiantsev said Barron Trump.

Jurors heard Mr Rumiantsev and the woman had been drinking together on the evening of 17 January 2025 and into the early hours of the next day.

Mr Rumiantsev said they had consensual sex twice during that time.

Giving evidence on Thursday, the defendant told jurors that before he answered a call from the US presidents son on the alleged victims phone, the woman had been in a stage of complete breakdown, partly because she had been drinking.

She was just completely hysterical crying, screaming, shouting at me, said Mr Rumiantsev, who wore a blue suit and white shirt in the dock.

I noticed her phone next to me on the sofa and it was ringing with a Barron Trump face call, the defendant told the court.

I dont know what went through my head but I answered yes.

At that point I was standing up, I stepped away from her maybe for a couple metres  I answered the call and I immediately put the camera towards her. I dont know why I did that.

Maybe I thought she would realise that her behaviour was unreasonable, that she wouldnt behave like this in front of someone else.

Mr Rumiantsev denies assault, actual bodily harm, intentional strangulation, perverting the course of justice and two counts of rape, in charges dating between 1 November 2024 and 23 January 2025.

The trial continues.
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The armed forces are spending 7.8m to scrap their traditional paper-based medical record system and transition to a digital one.

By 2027, the current archaic paper-based system, which has been around since the First World War, will be replaced with digitised records currently used by the NHS.

The move comes as the armed forces hope to boost recruitment, improve deployability and make it easier for personnel to enter civilian life, the Ministry of Defence said.

Veterans and people minister Louise Sandher-Jones said: "Our armed forces deserve a healthcare system as modern as they are. For too long, paper-based records have slowed down recruitment and created unnecessary headaches for those leaving the military.

"This new system will cut through the bureaucracy, getting recruits into uniform faster and ensuring veterans transition smoothly to civilian life.

open image in gallery Louise Sandher-Jones said the current system had created unnecessary headaches for those exiting the military ( AFP/Getty )

The decades-old paper-based system has meant that the transfer of health records between the NHS and defence medical services is reliant on time-consuming paperwork, which slows both recruitment and personnel exits, the ministry said.

Currently, personnel leaving the armed forces have to chase paperwork and wait for health records to reach the NHS.

It's a concrete example of this government delivering on our promise to renew the nation's contract with those who serve  and proof that defence investment means British jobs and British growth, Ms Sandher-Jones said.

The 7.8m contract to deliver the new system was given to Leeds-based software company The Phoenix Partnership.

It follows a 2.5m investment for the Mercury application in January, which allows defence medics to securely access military medical records during operations and exercises.

open image in gallery Sir Jim Hockenhull, left, said the modern system would speed up recruitment ( PA Wire )

The Phoenix Partnerships chief executive, Charlotte Knowles, said: We are extremely proud that the Ministry of Defence has chosen our modern electronic health record system. It is an immense honour to support the delivery of GP, community and rehabilitation services for our armed forces and their families across all four nations of the UK.

The partnership between the Ministry of Defence and The Phoenix Partnership will deliver the worlds most advanced digital health platform for the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force  now and into the future.

General Sir Jim Hockenhull said: "This new electronic health records system will give our armed forces the digital infrastructure they need  speeding up recruitment, improving the flow of information, and ensuring our people can focus on the mission rather than paperwork.

It's exactly the kind of modernisation we need to keep pace with the threats we face."
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Over Christmas, vegetables, bananas and insulation foam washed up on beaches along Englands south-east coast. They were from 16 containers spilled by the cargo ship Baltic Klipper in rough seas. In the new year, a further 24 containers fell from two vessels during Storm Goretti, with chips and onions among the goods appearing on the Sussex shoreline.

For most people this is a nuisance  or perhaps a bit of fun. For oceanographers like me, who study tides and currents, it is also an accidental experiment  a rare chance to watch the ocean move things around in real time. Think of it as a very large message in a bottle.

In reality, cargo has been falling off ships since traders first went to sea. What has changed is that, in the modern world, most goods are transported in standardised containers. Apart from oil, gas, vehicles, bulk grain, aggregates  and people  pretty much everything is moved this way.

More than 250 million containers are shipped around the world each year, and it is likely that over 80% of goods in your home travelled at some point in a container by sea.

Losses are rare. Industry group the World Shipping Council estimates that over the past ten years an average of 1,274 containers a year have been lost globally, out of hundreds of millions transported. This figure does vary: in 2020 a single huge ship the ONE Apus lost around 1,800 containers of its 14,000 load in a Pacific storm, while in 2024 global losses were estimated at just 576.

Ducks go global

Some losses make the news in unexpected ways. In January 1992, 12 containers washed off the Ever Laurel in the North Pacific. One of these contained 28,800 bath toys  plastic beavers, frogs, turtles and ducks  which spilled into the ocean and washed up on beaches around the Pacific over the next decade or more.

Curt Ebbesmeyer and James Ingraham, oceanographers from Seattle, tracked these so-called friendly floatees around the world and used them to improve scientific models of ocean circulation. In more recent years Ive looked at the progress of these floatees into the Arctic and beyond.

How the friendly floatees made their way around the world ( NordNordWest / wiki, CC BY-SA )

Not all cargoes are this benign or useful. In January 2007, the MSC Napoli was hit by a major storm in the Channel and lost 114 containers, 80 of which washed up on beaches around Branscombe in Devon. Containers of wine, BMW motorbikes and perfumes drew locals to scour the beach for prizes but there were also far more sinister containers of explosives, weed killers, fertilisers and acid.

Both the cargoes and the containers themselves pose serious risks. Chemicals can destroy habitats, while containers can sometimes lurk one or two metres below the surface, kept semi-buoyant by trapped air, making them difficult to detect and capable of causing serious damage in a collision.

Designed for speed  not 100% security

Modern container ships are designed for speed and efficiency in port. A single 400-metre vessel can carry up to 25,000 containers, many towering high above deck like a block of flats. The containers interlock and are secured using industry standard fixings  one reasons cranes are able to rapidly move them around a port. In severe storms, however, the forces involved can exceed what the fixings are designed to withstand, and containers can be dislodged, particularly those at the edge.

It is almost impossible to secure cargo 100% safely. To do so would mean smaller ships, with cargo held internally, reversing decades of efficiency gains. That would mean far more ships required to move the same volume of goods, higher costs for consumers, great fuel use per tonne of goods, and a higher overall risk of accidents. It would also clog up ports around the world.

The English Channel is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world and is regularly battered by storms. Southampton, the UKs second busiest container port, is also one of only a few worldwide that can accommodate the largest container ships. It is therefore no surprise that container losses are often visible along Englands south coast.

About the author Simon Boxall is a Senior Lecturer in Ocean and Earth Science at the University of Southampton. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Looking ahead, the risks are unlikely to diminish. Climate change is intensifying storms as oceans warm, while international trade continues to grow and ships become ever larger.

The ship owners  usually through their insurance companies  are responsible for cleaning up spills, but the system only works if the losses are reported. Until now, containers lost at sea have often gone unreported or their contents have been barely documented.

However, from January 1 2026, new international rules introduced by the World Shipping Council working with the International Maritime Organisation (the UN Agency responsible for shipping) will require ship owners to report all cargo losses and their contents. While this may not prevent containers being lose at sea, it should improve tracking, recovery and accountability.

If you see a container on a beach, resist the temptation to see it as an early Christmas present. You should report it immediately to the coastguard  scavenging wrecks can count as theft. In the UK, who owns what washes up is decided by a single civil servant with the grand title of the Receiver of Wreck. Critically, that container may contain a far less pleasant cargo that could ruin your Christmases for years to come.
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Police have launched a murder investigation after the death of a three-month-old baby boy.

Atijus Elertaite, was taken to hospital in a life-threatening condition, after police officers found him at a property in St Johns Chase, March, in Cambridgeshire, just after 11am on Saturday 3 January.

The baby died five days later on 8 January. A post-mortem examination has revealed the preliminary cause of death was a head injury, pending further medical investigation, police said.

Prior to his death, a 25-year-old woman and 22-year-old man, both from March, were arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm.

open image in gallery Cambridgeshire Police officers arrived a property in St Johns Chase, March, just after 11am on Saturday 3 January ( Google street View )

The police said the pair were then re-arrested on Thursday on suspicion of murder and held in custody, but have since been released on bail on until 22 April.

Detective inspector Verity McCann said: We know the local community will be shocked and deeply saddened, and our thoughts remain with those affected by Atijus death.

We are working hard to establish exactly what happened and urge everyone to be mindful and not speculate on the case, particularly on social media, as this could affect our investigation.

The force said that the baby was initially taken to Peterborough City Hospital before he was transferred to Addenbrooke's Hospital, in Cambridge, where he died.

Officers are appealing to the public to get in touch with any information about the case via the website, by calling 101 or speaking anonymously to Crimestoppers.
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The number of police forces in England and Wales is set to be slashed under major a major overhaul of the system.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is preparing to unveil what government sources describe as the largest shake-up in decades on Monday, aimed at tackling "an epidemic of everyday offences".

Under the proposed changes, the number of forces, currently standing at 43, will be significantly cut.

The remaining, larger forces will be tasked with focusing on serious and organised crime, alongside complex investigations such as homicides.

At a local level, each town, city and borough will be designated a "local policing area", where neighbourhood officers will concentrate on community issues like shoplifting and anti-social behaviour.

Ms Mahmood believes the existing system, which requires each of the 43 forces to maintain separate headquarters and administrative staff, leads to a wasteful expenditure of funds that could otherwise be directed towards combating crime.

Sources indicate these reforms are designed to generate savings by merging back-office functions, thereby freeing up resources to invest in more police officers.

The reforms also seek to address inconsistencies in performance across forces, with ministers suggesting smaller forces often lack the necessary resources to manage major incidents effectively.

The remaining, larger forces will be tasked with focusing on serious and organised crime, alongside complex investigations such as homicides ( Joe Giddens/PA )

A government source highlighted Wiltshire Police's response to the 2018 Salisbury poisonings, which necessitated support from 40 other forces, as well as significant disparities in charge rates for certain offences, as key examples of the current system's shortcomings.

They said: Under this new structure, all forces  regardless of where they are  will have the tools and resources they need to fight serious crime.

Where you live will no longer determine the outcomes you get from your force.

But the changes will take time to come into effect, with the mergers only expected to be completed by the end of the next Parliament in the mid-2030s.

And it is not yet known how many forces will remain after the reforms, with the number and location of the new forces to be decided by an independent review.

Similar cuts have been proposed before, with then-Labour home secretary Charles Clarke announcing plans to cut the number of police forces to 24 in March 2006.

But Mr Clarkes proposals were abandoned by his successor John Reid just four months later after the proposed merger of Lancashire and Cumbria police forces collapsed and senior officers turned against the idea.

Allies of Ms Mahmood stressed her commitment to the reforms, saying the Home Secretary was a moderniser and not scared of bold reform and a political fight.

But Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp said there was no evidence that merging police forces would cut crime or improve performance.

He said: Top-down reorganisation risks undermining efforts to fight crime, inevitably leading to centralised control that will hit towns and villages across the country hardest.

The biggest force, the Met, has the lowest crime solving rates and falling police numbers. Big is not necessarily better.
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Prince Harry has hit out at Donald Trump over the US presidents false claims made against British troops who fought in Afghanistan.

The Duke of Sussex, a former Army Air Corps co-pilot gunner who undertook two frontline tours to Afghanistan, said the sacrifices of Britons who fought and died in the country deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect.

Among the remarks that have enraged Nato allies, Trump claimed that allies stayed away from the frontline in the conflict and suggested he is not sure the alliance would be there if we ever needed them.

Harry joined veterans and politicians from across the political spectrum in his condemnation of the US presidents false claims, with Sir Keir Starmer earlier calling them appalling and demanding an apology.

Critics have pointed to both the number of non-US coalition deaths in Afghanistan and Trumps own avoidance of military service in Vietnam.

The duke paid tribute to the 457 British personnel who died in the conflict, after the prime minister earlier said he would never forget their courage, their bravery and the sacrifice they made for their country".

open image in gallery The Duke of Sussex said the sacrifices of British soldiers who fought and died in Afghanistan deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect ( PA )

In a statement released on Friday afternoon, Harry said: In 2001, Nato invoked Article 5 for the first  and only  time in history. It meant that every allied nation was obliged to stand with the United States in Afghanistan, in pursuit of our shared security. Allies answered that call.

I served there. I made lifelong friends there. And I lost friends there.

The United Kingdom alone had 457 service personnel killed.

Thousands of lives were changed forever. Mothers and fathers buried sons and daughters. Children were left without a parent. Families are left carrying the cost.

Those sacrifices deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect, as we all remain united and loyal to the defence of diplomacy and peace.

open image in gallery Prince Harry, or Captain Wales as he was known in the British Army, making his early morning pre-flight checks in the cockpit at Camp Bastion in southern Afghanistan ( PA )

During his decade-long full-time military career, the duke fought the Taliban in 2007 and returned to Afghanistan for a second tour of duty in 2012, and qualified as an Apache aircraft commander.

Harry  who was dubbed the Warrior Prince, Harry the Brave, and One of Our Boys by the press for fighting for his country  left the Army in March 2015.

His comments come after Trump, who famously avoided the draft for the Vietnam War five times in the 1960s and 1970s, suggested in an interview with Fox News that Nato allied troops stayed a little off the front lines in Afghanistan.

More than 1,100 non-US coalition fighters died in the conflict that began in 2001, according to veteran charity Help for Heroes, the overwhelming majority of them being from Nato countries, while more than 2,300 members of the US armed forces were killed. The UK suffered the second-highest number of military deaths, behind the US.

Trump also claimed America had never needed its Nato partners, despite being the only member state to have ever invoked the alliances all for one, and one for all clause, in the wake of 9/11.

open image in gallery Donald Trump famously avoided the draft for the Vietnam War five times in the 1960s and 1970s ( Getty )

Hitting back at the US presidents comments, Sir Keir said earlier on Friday: I consider President Trump's remarks to be insulting and frankly appalling, and I am not surprised they have caused such hurt to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured.

Earlier, No 10 said the US president was wrong to diminish the role of Nato troops, including British forces, in Afghanistan and said their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Sir Tony Blair, who was the UK prime minister who first sent British troops to support America in Afghanistan, also intervened.

Avoiding direct criticism of Trump, a spokesperson for Sir Tony said: Tony Blair knows  and will always remember with deep gratitude  the enormous contribution and sacrifice British troops made in Afghanistan on the front line of the fight against terrorism, following the 9/11 attacks on the US.

Earlier, the former head of the Royal Navy led those criticising Trumps claim, calling the comments disgraceful. Former first sea lord, Admiral Lord West, who coordinated the naval activity in Afghanistan, told The Independent: It is wrong and a disgraceful thing for anyone to say, let alone the head of state of an allied nation.

open image in gallery British soldiers with the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) pictured prior to a night patrol in Kabul in 2008 ( AFP/Getty )

Defence secretary John Healey said British troops killed in Afghanistan were heroes who gave their lives in service of our nation, while defence minister Al Carns, who himself served five tours in Afghanistan, invited anyone who believes Trumps claim to meet him and the bereaved families of the more than 400 British personnel who died in the conflict.

Mr Carns took to X to say: Id suggest whoever believes these comments, come have a whisky with me, my colleagues, their families, and importantly, the families of those that have made the ultimate sacrifice for both of our nations.

He also uploaded a video of himself during his time in uniform, which he described as a small snapshot of what its like to be on the frontline in Afghanistan to LinkedIn, warning viewer discretion advised.

Reacting to Trumps comments, the mother of a young British rifleman killed in Afghanistan said the president had no compassion whatsoever for anyone who doesnt serve him.

open image in gallery Sir Keir Starmer has demanded an apology from Trump over his false claims ( AFP/Getty )

Lucy Aldridge, whose son William died aged 18, told The Mirror the US presidents remarks were extremely upsetting.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch also condemned Mr Trumps claims as flat-out nonsense.

British, Canadian, and Nato troops fought and died alongside the US for 20 years, she wrote on X. This is a fact, not opinion. Their sacrifice deserves respect, not denigration.

And Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: Trump avoided military service five times. How dare he question their sacrifice?
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Britain's Royal Navy shadowed Russian vessels sailing through the English Channel in a two-day operation coordinated with NATO allies, the navy said on Friday.

It comes as the military alliance steps up monitoring of Russian shipping.

The navy said two patrol ships, supported by a Wildcat helicopter, were dispatched to intercept the Russian warship Boikiy and accompanying oil tanker MT General Skobelev as they headed north, before handing the monitoring over to a NATO ally.

The operation comes a day after Britain said it provided support to a French operation to board a sanctioned Russian oil tanker as it passed through the Straits of Gibraltar, in a bid to choke off the funds that fuel Russian's invasion of Ukraine.

Britain's navy routinely conducts shadowing missions to monitor any potential threats to national security, including to critical infrastructure such as undersea cables or pipelines.

open image in gallery Royal Navy frigate HMS Somerset (left) monitors the movement of, what the Royal Navy said, was the Russia's Boikiy warship escorting the merchant vessel Baltic Leader through UK waters ( via REUTERS )

Also on Friday Russian Tu-22M3 long-range strategic bomber planes carried out a scheduled patrol over neutral waters of the Baltic Sea, the Defence Ministry reported via its Telegram channel. The bombers were accompanied by Sukhoi Su-35S and Su-30SM fighter jets, the ministry said.

Russia regularly conducts such patrols as a show of strength. The announcement was made minutes after President Vladimir Putin began a meeting with three U.S. envoys in the Kremlin to discuss proposals for ending the war in Ukraine.

Ukraine is under mounting U.S. pressure to reach a peace deal in the war triggered by Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, with Moscow demanding Kyiv cede its entire eastern industrial area of Donbas before it stops fighting.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the territorial dispute would be a top priority of the next round of talks in the United Arab Emirates.

"The question of Donbas is key. It will be discussed how the three sides..., see this in Abu Dhabi today and tomorrow," he said, responding to questions in a WhatsApp media chat a day after talks with U.S. President Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos that both leaders described as positive.

The talks in the Gulf were due to begin on Friday evening, a Zelenskiy aide said, and resume on Saturday morning.
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The Met Office has issued multiple weather warnings over the weekend as Storm Ingrid descends upon the UK with heavy rain, lashing winds, and snow.

Three separate yellow weather warnings for rain are in place over the weekend for the south west of England, Wales, parts of eastern Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

The south west of England and Wales has been under a heavy rain warning since 2am on Friday, set to last until 10pm Saturday, as the Met Office warns Storm Ingrid (named by IPMA, the Portuguese Met Service), will slowly drift northwards over the Celtic Sea during Saturday.

Bands of frequent heavy showers revolving around its centre, merging into longer spells of rain at times. An additional 20-40 mm, and in a few exposed locations, 50 mm of rainfall is expected to fall.

Meanwhile, eastern parts of Scotland will see a further 20-30 mm of rain, and a few spots could see 50 mm, after three days of wet weather across the region, set to last until 9am on Sunday. Some places have already seen in excess of 100mm of rain. Above 400-500 metres, however, a lot of this will fall as snow, with rain confined to areas of ground below this level.

Northern Ireland will see heavy rain overnight from 8pm Saturday into Sunday at 9am. As part of the slow-moving low-pressure system, 10-20 mm is expected widely and in a few spots as much as 25 mm could fall in a 12 hour period, leading to localised flooding and difficult driving conditions.

It will also become windy with easterly winds gusting 30 to 35 mph inland and to 45 to 55 mph on some coasts and over high ground. Winds will ease after midnight.

open image in gallery A third weather warning covers Northern Ireland ( Met Office )

Perth and Kinross Council said many roads in the region were closed due to flooding as of 6am on Friday, including the A94 between A93 Meikleour crossroads and A923 Bendochy crossroads, and the Queens Bridge in Perth.

Two people were rescued from a minibus on the B977 near Kintore at around 8.30am on Thursday, while another person was brought to safety from a car in a separate incident at around the same time near Banchory.

Across the south west of England and Wales, gusts of 45 to 50mph battered the inland, with winds peaking during Friday evening before gradually easing overnight into Saturday morning.

The Environment Agency has issued 30 flood warnings, where flooding is expected, and 152 flood alerts, where flooding is possible. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency issued 11 flood warnings and four flood alerts. Three alerts are in place across Wales, according to Natural Resources Wales.

open image in gallery Waves crash against South Shields lighthouse on the North East coast ( Owen Humphreys/PA Wire )

Met Office Chief Forecaster, Andy Page, said: Unsettled weather continues for many across the UK with persistent and heavy rain in parts of Scotland with snow over higher ground, and strong winds and heavy rain in southwestern England and southern Wales. Elsewhere, while itll be a breezy weekend, there will be brighter and drier spells with occasional showers passing through fairly quickly.

The areas affected are:

Cornwall

Devon

Dorset

Plymouth

Somerset

Torbay

Blaenau Gwent

County Antrim

County Armagh

County Down

County Fermanagh

County Londonderry

County Tyrone
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The mother of a British soldier who suffered horrendous injuries in Afghanistan has described Donald Trumps comments about the role of Nato troops in the war as the ultimate insult.

The US president made his comments in an interview with Fox News in which he reiterated his suggestion that Nato would not support America if asked, before making false claims about the role of Nato troops in the conflict.

He said: Weve never needed them. Theyll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan  and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.

More than 1,100 non-US coalition fighters died in the conflict that began in 2001, according to veteran charity Help for Heroes, the overwhelming majority of them being Nato countries, while more than 2,300 members of the US armed forces were killed.

Diane Dernie, the mother of Ben Parkinson, who is regarded as the most severely injured British soldier to survive in Afghanistan, said: I can assure you, the Taliban didnt plant IEDs miles and miles back from the front line.

To say that British troops, Nato forces, were not involved on the front lines  its just a childish man trying to deflect from his own actions, and its just beyond belief.

I mean, it is so insulting, its so hard to hear. Wed be very interested to see what our own prime ministers response is to this, because this is just disgraceful.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One after leaving the World Economic Forum in Davos for Washington ( AP )

About the presidents comments, Ian Sadler, whose son, Trooper Jack Sadler, 21, was killed in Afghanistan in 2007, while serving with the 4/73 Special Observation Battery, Brigade Reconnaissance Force, said: Trump is just ill-advised by his military aides and the people around him.

Some of the Nato troops were not on the front line in the same way the British and US troops were, thats true.

Mr Sadler, from Exeter, Devon, added: The British certainly were in the hot spots, they were on the front line, 457 of them were lost and there was probably three times as many seriously injured as deaths.

Ms Dernie added: In 2008, General [David] Petraeus, who was head of the American forces, actually came and met with Ben and with several of the wounded. He gave them all a medal, and he commented what an incredible ally the British forces were and what an amazing job theyd done, and the incredibly high price theyd had to pay.

open image in gallery Ben Parkinson survived a landmine in Musa Qala, Afghanistan, which left him with severe injuries ( Alamy )

She said: For Trump then to come up with this statement is just, its insulting.

Mr Parkinson suffered severe injuries when an Army Land Rover hit a landmine near Musa Qala in 2006. The blast left the former lance bombardier with both legs amputated, a twisted spine and brain damage.

Asked what Keir Starmer should do in response to Mr Trumps comments, Ms Dernie said: Hes got to refute whats said. Hes got to come out.

Hes got to stand up for his own armed forces, and hes got to absolutely refute what Donald Trump said.

Call him out. Make a stand for those who fought for this country and for our flag, because its just beyond belief.

Come and look at us, the life that Ben leads  19-and-a-half years on, still fighting for his care, still fighting for him to have a decent life, recovering from a recent operation.

open image in gallery Ben Parkinson and his parents, Andrew and Diane, meeting the then-Prince Charles ( Getty )

To hear this man say, Oh, well, you just fannied about behind the front lines. Its the ultimate insult.

Sir Keirs spokesperson hit back at the comments on Friday, saying: Many hundreds suffered life-changing injuries from their service alongside the US and our allies in Afghanistan. Their sacrifice and that of other Nato forces was made in the service of collective security and in response to an attack on our ally. We are incredibly proud of our armed forces and their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Defence secretary John Healey said: Natos Article 5 has only been triggered once. The UK and Nato allies answered the US call. And more than 450 British personnel lost their lives in Afghanistan.

Those British troops should be remembered for who they were: heroes who gave their lives in service of our nation.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said Donald Trumps comments were nonsense.

She said: Trump saying Nato allies werent on the front line in Afghanistan is flat-out nonsense.

British, Canadian, and Nato troops fought and died alongside the US for 20 years. This is a fact, not opinion. Their sacrifice deserves respect, not denigration.
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Independent readers have been quick to criticise Labour for trying to block Andy Burnhams potential Westminster return, warning it risks making Sir Keir Starmer look timid and out of touch.

The controversy follows the departure of former Labour MP Andrew Gwynne, whose resignation opens up a route for Burnham to contest the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election.

Reports suggest Starmers allies on the partys NEC are preparing to block him, with one source describing an overwhelming anti-Burnham coalition spanning the partys left and right.

Many argued that allowing Burnham to return could energise the party and offer a credible alternative to counter populist threats such as Nigel Farage.

Several readers highlighted Starmers perceived disconnect with the electorate, pointing to repeated policy U-turns and a tendency to make decisions on the fly. Critics suggested his approach alienates rank-and-file members and leaves Labour vulnerable to vote losses, particularly in the face of regional challenges and local elections in May.

Burnham was widely praised for his communication skills and perceived ability to appeal across Labours factions, with some describing him as the only figure capable of building a broad coalition of left and centre-leaning voters.

A common theme was concern over internal party management, including reports of potential loyalty pledges and NEC attempts to block challengers. Many readers framed these moves as short-term fixes that could backfire, warning that credibility and trust within the party are at stake.

Heres what you had to say:

Blocking Burnham would be a mistake

Blocking Burnhams return would be a very big mistake because it would give the message that Starmer is unwilling to fight for what he believes. It would be better to welcome Burnham with open arms and invite him to fight the battle against Farage.

Pomerol95

Starmer out of touch with reality

Well, as they say, the sign of madness is repeating the same thing over and over again hoping for a better result. This is clearly demonstrated by Starmers choice to dismiss rank-and-file party members. He clearly thinks he knows what the UK electorate needs, but he does not and is determined to fight off any challenges despite his woeful poll ratings.

Even Labour voters on 4 July 2024 have ditched Starmer. The plain fact is, if he remains in 10 Downing Street, he will drag Labour down to its worst-ever electoral drubbing.

Starmers biggest problem is that he is perceived as out of touch with political reality. More so when he and Reeves make policy on the hoof, only to have to u-turn later because they have seriously misjudged the electorates mood. Even when the partys rank and file at conference warned that the electorate increasingly sees FPTP as out of date, Starmer, benefiting from a landslide courtesy of 9.7 million votes out of an electorate of 46 million, sits pretty and does not see the bigger picture.

This is thanks to woeful Labour, and yes, Badenochs Tories no longer representing mainstream opinion in the UK. Both the Tories and Labour have ditched their broad-church appeal. They are faced by more and more political parties appealing to selective segments of the electorate. Therefore, Farage may well get the keys to 10 Downing Street  and on a lower poll share than Starmer got in July 2024.

OldBuzza2026

Starmer is scared of Burnham

When the PM makes it a point to say that Andy Burnham is doing an excellent job as Mayor, you know he is scared of Andy challenging him.

The PM stood at the Dispatch Box the other week and berated the Tories over the number of Secretaries and Prime Ministers they had over 14 years. Labour seems to be in a desperate rush to catch up and even surpass the Tories sad record.

If I had voted Labour in 2024 (I did not), I would be pulling my hair out. The Labour Party is tearing itself inside out. Starmer and Reeves are making Truss and Kwarteng look plausible on the economy. Even worse, the Labour voters choices at the next election are dysfunctional Labour, purposeless Lib Dems, or the equally useless Greens  or Corbyn's strange outfit.

The Labour voter deserves our sympathy.

Krispad

Starmer should welcome a challenger

What is Starmer afraid of? There is nothing wrong with having a challenger in the House. It wouldn't be an issue if Starmer could cut through and deliver for working people.

BrianStone

Burnham is a good communicator

I have always thought Burnham seemed like a good sort. He is a good communicator and more likely to get closer links with the EU again, therefore boosting British business. I don't see a downside.

scud10000

Burnham could save Labour

Burnham is about the only person who can save Labour and make it acceptable to a coalition of the left  but the right of Labour will do everything it can to stop Burnham and sabotage him if he does get in.

Robin Baldock

Starmers errors are unforced

Keir Starmer has made a succession of unforced errors and subsequent u-turns. The UK deserves a leader who will be able to fend off the populists, which would be catastrophic. There should be a conversation about the way forward; it has not worked very well to date.

wolfie

Focus on northern devolution

Burnham should stay up here and work on devolution for the North. Going to London is heading into a cesspit, which will just suck him down. We need devolution for the North  a northern government to deal with our affairs and control over how things are done up here  rather than constantly being shafted by the South.

saghia

Party credibility is at stake

Once a party starts to control behind the scenes who can do what, their credibility to govern in a democratic manner has gone through the window. Isnt that so, Nigel?

If Burnham wants to stand, he should stand. If he wants to challenge Starmer, he should be able to do so. It would be up to party members to decide, not an operation 'Save Big Dog' run in the background keeping a crumbling facade up. It might work short term, but it will backfire massively long term.

Rasputin007

Some of the comments have been edited for this article for brevity and clarity.

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Speculation is growing that Andy Burnham may soon make his move towards Labour leadership, after throwing his hat in the ring for the Gorton and Denton by-election.

The mayor of Greater Manchester has asked Labours powerful ruling body, the National Executive Committee (NEC), whose membership includes many Starmer loyalists, for permission to stand in the contest.

Andrew Gwynne, the MP for Gorton and Denton, had previously denied that he was intending to vacate the seat, saying in September that it was not a route to No 10. But the former Labour minister, who has been away from parliament on sick leave, announced his resignation on Thursday afternoon.

His departure creates a potential route for the King of the North to return to the Commons for the first time in nearly a decade, putting him in a position that would allow him to challenge Sir Keir Starmers position.

open image in gallery Several members of the committee told the media that Andy Burnhams chances of being selected are zero ( PA )

Just hours after the by-election was confirmed, Sir Keir warned his MPs to stop talking about potential leadership challenges, saying in an interview with Channel 4 News: Every minute we waste talking about anything other than the cost of living and stability in Europe and across the globe is a wasted minute.

Mr Burnham has not yet indicated if he intends to run for Labour leader. On Thursday, he said: People shouldnt rush to conclusions.

But if the mayor of Manchester does want to become Labour leader, heres what would need to happen.

Step one: Getting selected

Now he has submitted his intention to stand, Mr Burnham will now need to wait to be approved by the NEC.

While it is the constituencys local members who vote for their candidate, the NEC oversees this process and holds the power to veto or override the selection.

And in the rare case that a sitting mayor is seeking to be a parliamentary candidate, the Labour rulebook states that they must seek the express permission of the NEC even before seeking nomination.

open image in gallery Home secretary Shabana Mahmood is current chair of Labours national executive committee ( Getty )

The NEC is currently chaired by home secretary Shabana Mahmood, with other MPs including Ellie Reeves, the solicitor general and sister of the chancellor, chief whip Jonathan Reynolds, and allies of Sir Keir like Luke Akehurst and Gurinder Singh Josan.

Also working against Mr Burnham is the fact that he would need to resign as Manchesters mayor in order to run, with a re-election in the city set to cost about 2m.

In recent days, several members of this executive body have told the media that Mr Burnhams chances of being selected are zero.

However, such a high-profile intervention by the NEC could be seen by the public as undemocratic and demonstrating a lack of confidence in the prime ministers ability to see off a leadership challenge  a factor which may sway the bodys decision.

Step two: Winning the by-election

If Mr Burnham is selected to run in Gorton and Denton, he would then have the task of running an election campaign and winning the seat.

While Labour secured a comfortable victory in the constituency in 2024 with 50.8 per cent of the vote, figures suggest that the party could have more of a struggle on its hands this year.

open image in gallery Andrew Gwynnes decision to leave parliament has paved the way for a possible Westminster return for Mr Burnham ( PA )

Recent polling by More in Common finds that Reform UK has risen in popularity in the area, while the Greens eat into Labours base. The latest MRP puts Nigel Farages party on 30 per cent, Labour on 28, and Greens on 23.

However, the seat has returned a Labour MP at every election since its creation as Denton and Reddish in 1983.

Mr Burnhams personal popularity is also high, especially in Greater Manchester, where he has been a high-profile politician in some form since 2001.

Step three: Challenging the prime minister  and winning

After overcoming these two major obstacles, Mr Burnham would find himself in the Commons again for the first time in nearly a decade with another task on his hands  manoeuvring his way to leadership.

To do this, he would first need the support of 20 per cent of Labour MPs. With the partys massive majority, this would be at least 81 members.

It is likely Mr Burnham would be able to find the requisite support within the Commons should he want to launch a leadership bid. Several Labour MPs in recent months have privately suggested they are dissatisfied with the direction and dire polling of the party under Sir Keir.

In November, MP for Norwich South Clive Lewis publicly backed Mr Burnham for leader, going so far as to say he would give up his seat for the mayor of Manchester to run.

This would lead to the last hurdle: a leadership election. Shortlisted candidates are selected by Labour members nationwide, with the victor automatically becoming the prime minister due to the partys parliamentary majority.

Crucially, this has never happened before. It would be a historic achievement if Mr Burnham were able to secure victory at this stage. But with his current ranking by YouGov as the UKs most popular politician, while three-quarters now view Sir Keir unfavourably, the odds may well be in his favour.
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Sir Keir Starmer has slammed Donald Trumps false claims that Nato troops stayed away from the front line in the conflict in Afghanistan as insulting and frankly appalling and demanded an apology.

The prime minister joined veterans and politicians from across the political spectrum in his condemnation of Mr Trump, who has enraged Nato allies by claiming he is not sure the alliance would be there if we ever needed them.

And he was joined by Prince Harry, who said the sacrifices of British soldiers who served and died in Afghanistan deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect.

Sir Keir said: I consider President Trumps remarks to be insulting and frankly appalling, and I am not surprised they have caused such hurt to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured.

open image in gallery The US president has provoked condemnation from across the political spectrum after he made the comments in an interview on Thursday ( Getty )

The White House responded to the criticism on Friday night, without issuing an apology.

President Trump is absolutely right  the United States of America has done more for NATO than any other country in the alliance has done combined, White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers told The Independent in a statement.

It came after the prime minister paid tribute to the 457 British personnel who died in the conflict, saying he would never forget their courage, their bravery and the sacrifice they made for their country.

In response to comments from Diane Dernie, the mother of severely injured veteran Ben Parkinson, Sir Keir said: Ive made my position clear, and what I say to Diane is, if I had misspoken in that way or said those words, I would certainly apologise and Id apologise to her.

Earlier, No 10 said the US president was wrong to diminish the role of Nato troops, including British forces, in Afghanistan and said their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Sir Tony Blair, who was the UK prime minister who first sent British troops to support America in Afghanistan, also intervened.

Avoiding direct criticism of the US president, a spokesperson for Sir Tony said: Tony Blair knows  and will always remember with deep gratitude  the enormous contribution and sacrifice British troops made in Afghanistan on the front line of the fight against terrorism, following the 9/11 attacks on the US.

Earlier, the former head of the Royal Navy led those criticising Mr Trumps claim, calling the comments disgraceful. Former first sea lord, Admiral Lord West, who coordinated the naval activity in Afghanistan, told The Independent: It is wrong and a disgraceful thing for anyone to say, let alone the head of state of an allied nation.

open image in gallery British soldiers in Nad-e-Ali district, Helmand province, 16 years ago ( AFP/Getty )

Defence secretary John Healey said British troops killed in Afghanistan were heroes who gave their lives in service of our nation, while defence minister Al Carns, who himself served five tours in Afghanistan, invited anyone who believes Trumps claim to meet him and the bereaved families of the more than 400 British personnel who died in the conflict.

More than 1,100 non-US coalition fighters died in the conflict that began in 2001, according to veteran charity Help for Heroes, the overwhelming majority of them being from Nato countries, while more than 2,400 members of the US armed forces were killed.

But Mr Trump, who avoided the draft for the Vietnam war five times during the 1960s and 1970s due to a diagnosis of bone spurs in his heels, told Fox News: Theyll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan  and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.

Mr Carns said: Id suggest whoever believes these comments, come have a whisky with me, my colleagues, their families, and importantly, the families of those that have made the ultimate sacrifice for both of our nations.

He also uploaded a video of himself during his time in uniform, calling it a small snapshot of what its like to be on the front line in Afghanistan.

open image in gallery Keir Starmer has condemned Trumps remarks ( PA )

A former defence secretary, Sir Malcolm Rifkind, told The Independent: President Trump is either willing to make accusations without bothering to check the facts, or he is just lying and knows he is lying. Either way, he is destroying his reputation and that of the United States.

It just doesnt really add up what he said, because the fact of the matter is the only time that Article 5 has been invoked was to go to the aid of the United States after 9/11, care minister Stephen Kinnock told Sky News.

He added: Many, many British soldiers and many soldiers from other European Nato allies gave their lives in support of American missions, American-led missions in places like Afghanistan and Iraq.

The United States remains the only country to have invoked the collective security provisions of Natos Article 5, which considers an attack on one Nato nation as an attack on all, with the alliance providing support to the US after the terrorist attacks of September 11.

open image in gallery Tory leader Kemi Badenoch condemned Trumps claims as flat-out nonsense ( AP )

Britain suffered the second-highest number of military deaths in the Afghanistan conflict, behind the US, which saw 2,461 deaths. In total, Americas allies suffered 1,160 deaths in the conflict, around a third of the total coalition deaths.

The mother of a young British rifleman killed in Afghanistan said the president had no compassion whatsoever for anyone who doesnt serve him. Lucy Aldridge, whose son William died aged 18, said the remarks were extremely upsetting.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch also condemned Mr Trumps claims as flat-out nonsense.

open image in gallery Defence minister Al Carns uploaded a video of himself, which he described as a small snapshot of what its like to be on the front line in Afghanistan ( Al Carns )

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: Trump avoided military service five times. How dare he question their sacrifice?

Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty, who served in Afghanistan as a captain in the Royal Yorkshire Regiment, said it was sad to see our nations sacrifice, and that of our Nato partners, held so cheaply by the president of the United States.

Labour MP Calvin Bailey, a former RAF officer who served alongside US special operations units in Afghanistan and was awarded the Air Medal by the then US president Barack Obama in 2013, said: Political leaders are just like a hand in a bucket of water. They pass. I know that Trump is one man, but behind him are 300 million, most of whom disagree [with him]. I served with Americans; they are my friends. They told me to rise above those comments.
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Sir Keir Starmers allies are planning to block potential leadership rival Andy Burnhams route back to Westminster, according to reports.

Former Labour minister Andrew Gwynne, who had the whip removed over offensive WhatsApp messages, stood down as an MP on Thursday.

His departure creates a route for Mr Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, to make a Commons comeback that would allow him to challenge Sir Keirs position, following speculation that he could stand in the upcoming by-election for Gorton and Denton.

However, the prime ministers allies on Labours national executive committee (NEC) have vowed to try to block Mr Burnham from standing in the May by-election, The Times has reported.

There is an overwhelming anti-Burnham coalition that spans left and right on the NEC, according to one of its members.

open image in gallery It has even been reported that No 10 is toying with the idea of imposing a loyalty pledge in which candidates would have to confirm their allegiance to Sir Keir ( PA Wire )

Another told the newspaper that the prospect of a Manchester mayoral election is worrying even the most anti-leadership members.

A third said they would support a Burnham leadership in a utopia but conceded the reality is itll be so bad in areas we are already bleeding votes.

It has even been reported that No 10 is toying with the idea of imposing a loyalty pledge in which candidates would have to confirm their allegiance to Sir Keir. Consequently, if Mr Burnham launched a leadership bid, he could be painted as a traitor.

Despite repeatedly declining to rule out a Commons comeback or leadership challenge, the Manchester mayor urged people not to rush to conclusions following Mr Gwynnes resignation.

If successful, Mr Burnham could return to parliament just as the prime minister reaches his lowest ebb, with Scottish and Welsh elections and English council elections in May expected to be disastrous for Labour.

Just hours after the by-election was confirmed, Sir Keir warned his MPs to stop talking about potential leadership challenges, saying in an interview with Channel 4 News that every minute we waste talking about anything other than the cost of living and stability in Europe and across the globe is a wasted minute.

open image in gallery Speculation is mounting in Westminster that Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham could use an upcoming by-election in Gorton and Denton to return to parliament ( PA Wire )

Mr Gwynne, who has been away from parliament on sick leave, had previously denied that he was intending to vacate the seat, saying in September that the route to No 10 was not going to be through his seat.

He was sacked as health minister and suspended from the Labour Party in February last year over comments made in a WhatsApp group. He reportedly posted sexist comments about Angela Rayner, racist remarks about the Labour MP Diane Abbott and joked in a closed group chat with Labour figures based around Manchester about an elderly woman dying. At the time, he publicly apologised and said he regretted the badly misjudged remarks.

On Thursday afternoon, he confirmed he would stand down from his Gorton and Denton constituency, citing health reasons.

In a post on Facebook, the MP wrote: I havent got everything right and Ive certainly made mistakes, but Ive always tried my very best and I have helped tens of thousands of constituents with their issues along the way. Indeed its been helping people thats given me the greatest pleasure in these jobs."

Mr Gwynne said he had suffered significant ill-health over most of the 21 years I've served as an MP, which had been greatly exacerbated by the impact of last years events regarding leaked text messages.

Before the by-election was confirmed, Sir Keir would not say whether he supported the idea of Mr Burnham standing as an MP if a vacancy were to arise, but added that Mr Burnham was doing an excellent job as mayor.

open image in gallery Andrew Gwynnes decision to leave parliament has paved the way for a possible Westminster return for Andy Burnham ( PA Archive )

Meanwhile, there has been widespread speculation over Mr Burnhams leadership ambitions, with the mayor regularly tipped as the leading candidate to take over should Sir Keirs position as prime minister become untenable.

Mr Burnham was the focus of such rumours at the Labour Party conference in September, when he revealed that MPs were privately urging him to challenge Sir Keir.

But he later criticised reports of a leadership bid, and wrote on X in December: Quite a lot of rubbish in the papers today. Reminds me why I left Westminster in the first place!

On Thursday afternoon, he said he was in the dark over a potential by-election. He said: Its not been confirmed to me. Ive had no contact on this issue with Andrew or anyone close to him. I know him of old, of course, but Im as in the dark about this as anyone.

He added: People shouldnt rush to conclusions.

Any by-election looks likely to be called to coincide with Mays elections. That would give Labour a greater chance of keeping the seat, and potentially the Greater Manchester mayoralty, against Nigel Farages Reform UK, currently riding high in nationwide opinion polls.

Mr Farages outfit, which does not have the infrastructure of larger parties, is already expected to be spread thin fighting for votes in Scotland, Wales and across English councils on 7 May.

But the timing raises the prospect that Mr Burnham could become an MP, a prerequisite for getting the top job, just as Sir Keir suffers his most significant blow in office.

There are fears Labour could face a wipeout in some areas at the upcoming local elections, in what could be a key moment in Sir Keirs time as prime minister.

The most recent YouGov MRP, which was carried out in September 2025, projected a Labour hold in the constituency with Labour on 30 per cent and Reform UK on 24.

Earlier this month, the leading pollster Professor Sir John Curtice said Mr Burnham represented Labours best hope of keeping Nigel Farage out of No 10.

Sir John told The Independent he believed only Mr Burnham had the support within the Labour Party, and appeal to the wider electorate, to be an effective replacement for Sir Keir, who he said doesnt have the skill set for Downing Street.

A YouGov poll last month also showed Mr Burnham was the clear frontrunner among the candidates tipped to succeed Sir Keir, ahead of former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and Mr Streeting. But there was a backlash among some Labour MPs against the idea of Mr Burnham standing. One Labour MP told The Independent that it would be nothing more than a distraction that can roll on for months that we frankly dont f***ing need.

The Independent has contacted both Mr Gwynne and Mr Burnham for comment.
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New year, new Keir. At least, that was the plan.

The prime minister started 2026 with a promise of renewal and a vow the UK would turn a corner after a dismal first full year in power. In a video released on New Years Day, he pledged to bring down living costs and get Britain back on track, in an attempt to rescue his relationship with disillusioned voters and his own disgruntled MPs.

Well, just over three weeks into the new year, its fair to say Sir Keir Starmer hasnt started as hed hoped. While the prime ministers allies might claim his attention has been diverted by the ongoing international crises over Venezuela and Greenland, this year has started much like last year ended.

There have been more humiliating U-turns  on business rates for pubs and compulsory digital ID, Labour remains stagnant in the polls, miles behind Nigel Farages Reform, and murmurings about whether Starmer is the right man to lead the party have grown louder.

Meanwhile, Sir Keirs attempts to woo his own MPs by inviting them to drinks at the prime ministers grace and favour country house, Chequers, have hit a stumbling block. Some of them are even planning to boycott the event.

If I went, it would only be to read him the riot act, one Labour MP told The Independent, and I dont think it is the right venue for that.

Others feel snubbed. My invite is not for weeks, another complained. Clearly, I am not top of the list.

One previously loyal minister was in despair when talking to The Independent: We just dont seem to know what we are doing, where we are going. Colleagues go out on the morning round (on the broadcasters) to defend something and then find out we have changed our minds. Its chaotic.

open image in gallery Keir Starmer could soon have possible leadership rival Andy Burnham in parliament ( PA Archive )

The mood within the party remains despondent, but the need for Sir Keir to curry favour with his backbenchers has become even more urgent now that a potential path has opened up for a return to parliament for Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, the man many want to replace Sir Keir as Labour leader and prime minister.

The spectre of the return of Mr Burnham to parliament is dominating the conversation in the party  a man that one backbencher described as the only person who can save us from Nigel Farage and fascism.

Speculation had swirled around Westminster for months that Andrew Gwynne, the MP for Gorton and Denton, would quit, allowing Mr Burnham to be elected as an MP in the resultant by-election. Mr Gwynne announced on Thursday that he was stepping down, although the mayor of Greater Manchester has yet to throw his hat in the ring. And on Saturday, Mr Burnham confirmed he would be seeking permission to stand.

But a vote, which would take time to organise, opens up the possibility that his rival could arrive in the Commons just as the prime minister reaches his lowest ebb, after what are widely expected to be disastrous Scottish and Welsh elections and English council elections, including London at the start of May.

The issue now is whether Sir Keir and his powerful chief of staff Morgan McSweeney will even let Burnham stand. There are murmurings of mechanisms like an all-women or all-Bame shortlist being used to prevent him from throwing his hat into the ring.

A senior minister and Burnham ally warned The Independent as far back as September last year that Starmer would block Burnhams candidacy and has since confirmed that they think this will happen. After all, the Greater Manchester mayor would not be just running to be an MP but running to be prime minister.

open image in gallery Speculation is mounting in Westminster that Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham could use an upcoming by-election in Gorton and Denton to return to parliament ( PA Wire )

But angry MPs have already made it clear they are not willing to put up with such Machiavellian machinations and there will be a backlash.

One ally said: I think the backlash against Andy being blocked would be so bad that MPs would be up in arms and it would probably hasten Starmers departure.

Others are less convinced. Andy who? said one MP. Now is not the time for these games.

But why Burnham, and not one of the other candidates already in parliament?

The Greater Manchester mayor now appears to have the backing of the Socialist Campaign Group of MPs, as well as other groups across the party. MPs who support him believe that, given the public mood, if the prime minister is replaced, it will have to be by someone untarnished by Starmers government and its unpopular decisions.

That would rule out Sir Keirs former deputy Angela Rayner. She left government last year after it emerged that she had failed to pay enough tax on a new flat. But she is thought to believe that that is not a fatal barrier to her return to government  potentially in the top job.

The problem is that she is no longer a minister because she was forced to resign over her taxes, rather than because she resigned on principle over welfare or two-child benefit, one MP noted.

It would also take out health secretary Wes Streeting, whose position as a leadership candidate appears to have been strengthened by attacks against him from Starmers allies. And then theres Ed Miliband, who remains popular with Labour members. Friends insist he was inoculated against the top job by a previous, unsuccessful stint as Labour leader between 2010 and 2015, though this has failed to quell speculation over his future.

open image in gallery Briefings against the health secretary Wes Streeting appear to have made his position stronger ( PA Wire )

When it comes to Mr Burnham, two issues remain. Even if he is allowed to run as the Labour candidate, could he actually win the by-election, at a time when Labour is so far behind Reform in the opinion polls?

Meanwhile, during any run for parliament, his campaign would be so high-profile that he would have a target on his back, as one ally put it. George Galloways threat to run and speculation Green leader Zack Polanski would have a go, as well as former Reform chair Zia Yusuf, has been taken as confirmation that a by-election would not exactly be straightforward to win, as one ally noted.

Regardless of whether Mr Burnham returns to Westminster, there are various other pitfalls awaiting the beleaguered prime minister.

The peril Sir Keir faces is perhaps represented by the Monday flight from Glasgow Airport, which carries the bulk of Scottish MPs down to London to start the parliamentary week. Just before Christmas, this flight revealed a dividing line within the party.

Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, was holding an event in Scotlands biggest city, when the split over views on Starmers future became apparent. As one MP said: MPs who wanted [another leader] went to Anass event, those who still support Keir took the flight south. They added: There werent many people on that flight.

There appears to be a resignation among some that Starmer will go this year, largely as a result of Labours struggle in the polls. A number of MPs across the north of England and the Midlands tell the same story. If there was an election tomorrow, I would lose my seat to Reform, said one MP whose seat was safe even in the 2019 wipeout election, when Boris Johnson led the Tories to a massive victory. Another told a similar story: If I lose my seat, I will be the first Labour MP in 100 years to do so; I really dont want that. But I would certainly lose to Reform at the moment.

Even loyalists are now beginning question whether Starmer will take them into the next election. One MP said: Look, I dont think we should be talking about ditching Keir in May or even this year. The Tories showed us that it does not solve any problems and sends us into a doom loop. But if the polls are still bad a year before the election, then I would be the first to say to Keir I think you need to give somebody else a go.

At his first dinner with Labour MPs and their partners at Chequers earlier this month, Sir Keir served chilli and rice. The prime minister will be hoping that an enjoyable evening of food and wine in a stately home at the foot of the Chiltern Hills will at least partly win his disgruntled Labour MPs away from potential rivals. Those who attend, that is.
After a week that pretty much shook the world, the Greenland crisis subsided just as rapidly as it blew up. But its far from over and, given Donald Trumps stated desire to acquire the whole island, it may never be finally resolved despite his spectacular climbdown under pressure from Congress, European allies and financial markets.

A peace framework emerged from a meeting with Mark Rutte  Nato secretary general and Trump whisperer. As a result, Trump now says he wont use force, has dropped his demand for complete and total control of Greenland and says he wont use tariffs as a diplomatic weapon against Europe. He claims he now has everything he wanted

Is this a victory for Trump?

No. Almost certainly he would have got all thats now on offer in any case by using normal diplomatic channels  but the threats, and the crisis he provoked, left Nato badly fractured and Vladimir Putin delighted.

Given the legal framework in existing treaties between the US and Denmark, the shared security interest, the fact that Greenland  through Denmark  is in Nato, Washington could have negotiated a greater presence on the territory in all kinds of ways. Ironically, Trumps predatory, erratic and disrespectful behaviour has left the Danes and the Greenlanders suspicious of his ultimate territorial ambitions.

Whats in the framework?

It has not been published, but indications are there wont be much to which Denmark or Greenland would object. This would include; a larger US army and naval presence; bases for a Golden Dome missile defence system; a strengthened force from Nato, and some mining concessions.

What could go wrong?

An underlying problem is that the framework was negotiated by Rutte, on behalf of Nato, with no direct involvement by anyone from Denmark or Greenland. This doesnt inspire confidence, but a particular problem is the red line of sovereignty  the idea that Greenland territory would in some way be ceded to US ownership or complete legal control. Rutte has said he didnt talk about sovereignty with Trump, but there are rumours that America might be offered sovereign bases on Greenland (probably military but possibly civilian in connection with mining of minerals). This could be problematic for Denmark and Greenland, and may require constitutional change.

What is a sovereign base?

A small enclave of land administered by another power, usually with a proper basis in international law. There are examples of these, including the US base at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, established for about 120 years, and British sovereign bases in Cyprus set up as part of the independence settlement in 1960. More topical still is the US base on Diego Garcia, within the British Indian Ocean Territory; that is not a sovereign base as such, and is a shared facility with the UK, but it illustrates how a major US asset can operate freely on a non-US territory.

Is sovereignty necessary?

Not in practice, provided theres a basis of trust. Where Denmark and Greenland need to be most careful isnt so much with the military installations but the possibility of a US land grab to gain control of valuable mineral resources for financial benefit; such arrangements are in progress in Ukraine and Venezuela.

Similar objections have been raised about the riviera resort project for Gaza. Indeed, Trumps motives in acquiring Greenland may be more about plunder than security; he said as much back in 2019, describing the annexation of Greenland as a real estate deal. Last year Mike Waltz, then national security adviser designate and now US ambassador to the UN, stated: This is not just about Greenland. This is about the Arctic. You have Russia that is trying to become king  this is about critical minerals, this is about natural resources  its oil and gas. Its our national security. Its critical minerals.

Will Trump be back for more?

His track record suggests so.
Even in these turbulent times, it is highly unusual for a vote in the unelected House of Lords to push the House of Commons into defeating a government bill, but the controversial question of banning under-16s from social media has brought such a prospect into view.

Rather suddenly, the question seems to be when and how such restrictions will be introduced, rather than whether they are needed at all. A ban will be perceived in some quarters as yet another government policy flip-flop, affecting millions of families. It also tells us something about the state of politics.

Whats going on?

Labours fairly uncontroversial Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill is quietly winding its way through parliament, but it has been ambushed. A determined effort by Tory peers and some Labour rebels saw an amendment inserted that would require social media companies to ban children under 16 from using their platforms. If adopted, it would require social media sites to introduce highly effective age checks within 12 months of the bill becoming law.

Cant the government just reverse this?

In principle, that would be the normal course of action when a bill returns to the House of Commons, especially given Labours substantial working majority of almost 150. However, another Labour backbench rebellion is being organised by some of the same people who forced a government retreat on welfare reform last year. Theyve already gone public, with the publication of an open letter to the prime minister calling for an under-16s ban, signed by 60 Labour MPs. The Conservatives want an immediate ban, and the official policy of the Liberal Democrats is the same.

Labours other problem is that it cannot say its current policy  of no immediate ban  is backed by a clear manifesto commitment. Its pre-election document stated only: Children and young people face significant harm online, with inappropriate content too easily available at their fingertips on a smartphone Labour will build on the Online Safety Act, bringing forward provisions as quickly as possible, and explore further measures to keep everyone safe online, particularly when using social media. So a defeat is perfectly possible.

What does the government want?

To pause and see how things are going in Australia, which introduced such a ban in December. Keir Starmer is said to be open to, or even in favour of a ban in principle, but sceptical about the practicalities. Lisa Nandy, culture secretary, has warned of real concerns raised by the NSPCC and others about whether it pushes children to darker, less regulated places on the internet. Technology secretary Liz Kendall has announced a swift three-month public consultation on the question, but this wont be able to fully take into account the Australian experience. So the government would like to buy time, but the opposition parties and Labour rebels want immediate action.

What might happen?

A compromise in which the bill is passed as originally drafted, without a ban, but with some mechanism to introduce a ban at some point later. Of course, the obvious question is why the Bill was brought prior to a public consultation (which could have been launched shortly after Labour came to power).

Whats the political impact?

An actual defeat in the Commons, or withdrawing the bill, would be seen as a setback for Starmer and Kendall and a bonus for Kemi Badenoch  who has been vocal on the issue, allied to her campaign to ban smartphones in schools. By some counts, it would be the governments 14th U-turn in about 18 months. On the other hand, theres also the danger that another tragic suicide of a teenager from online bullying will be blamed on ministers failure to act.

What does the public want?

Parents and experts vary on the merits and practicalities of a ban, but theres no doubt its a popular policy. A YouGov poll in December suggested 74 per cent of people supported or strongly supported a ban, with only 19 per cent opposed. Teachers, a sizeable pressure group within Labour, also want it. It seems a ban is on the way, so why has the government and Starmer landed on the wrong side of public sentiment once again?
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Britain and a host of other major US allies have snubbed Donald Trumps high-profile signing ceremony to kickstart his Gaza board of peace.

Canada, Italy, and a series of other Western powers swerved the event at the World Economic Forum in Davos amid concerns over the proposal itself, as well as the membership of the board. France, Norway and Sweden have indicated they will not join.

After arriving at the conference yesterday and treating delegates to a rambling speech on his plans to take over Greenland, President Trump has on Thursday switched his attention to the board of peace, unveiling details of the redevelopment plans for Gaza, including proposals for cities called New Gaza and New Rafah.

But while the US says 35 countries have agreed to join the project, including Israel, dozens more have yet to formally accept their invitations.

Trump holds a signed founding charter at the board of peace meeting in Davos ( AFP/Getty )

What are the concerns?

On Thursday Yvette Cooper, the foreign secretary, hit out at President Trumps decision to include one Vladimir Putin on the board, at a time when Russia has become a global pariah for its war in Ukraine.

Ms Cooper slammed the idea of the Russian president being part of something which is talking about peace when we have still not seen any signs from Putin that there will be a commitment to peace in Ukraine.

Apart from the UK, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden and New Zealand have opted out of the Board of Peace.

On the other hand, more than 20 countries, including Argentina, Albania, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Paraguay, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and others have agreed to join.

But the UK is understood to have multiple concerns about the new international organisation.

Mr Trump has said permanent membership will cost each nation a whopping $1bn each, a demand which has alienated a number of allies.

There are also fears that he intends to use the new board to replace the United Nations, an organisation set up to try to keep peace across the globe in the wake of the Second World War.

The US president has insisted that his board will work alongside the UN, but his reassurances are struggling to hit their target after his threats against Greenland, which is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, a Nato ally, this week.

At the televised launch of the board, Mr Trump did nothing to ease concerns. He said that the group, initially designed to cement the ceasefire in Gaza, would take a wider role, a move that will dispirit many nations.

Speaking in Switzerland he said: Once this board is completely formed, we can do pretty much whatever we want to do, words that will ring alarm bells across Europe and further afield.

What is Trumps response to the snub?

It is fair to say that the US president is refusing to take no for an answer.

Earlier this week, when asked about Frances decision not to attend the signing ceremony, Mr Trump told reporters that he would respond by putting a "200 per cent tariff" on French wines and champagne. He added of the French president Emmanuel Macron: he'll join.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he will be part of the board, after his office earlier criticised the makeup of the committee charged with overseeing Gaza.

But Mr Trump will also be keenly aware that of the countries that have committed to join, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Turkey and Belarus, few are democracies, potentially limiting his groups legitimacy and scope.
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A senior Labour politician has accused Donald Trump of double standards after he claimed British troops did not fight on the Afghan War front line, despite having avoided fighting in the Vietnam War himself.

Dame Emily Thornberry, chair of the foreign affairs select committee, joined widespread condemnation of Mr Trumps statement that British troops were a little off the front line in the war in Afghanistan.

It was an absolute insult to the 457 [British] families who lost someone in Afghanistan, she said. How dare he say we werent on the front line. How dare he.

She also added that the comments came from a man who had never seen any action himself.

President Trump famously avoided the draft for the Vietnam War five times in the 1960s and 1970s, including for a bone spur in his heel.

Dame Emily said: We have always been there whenever the Americans have wanted us.

How dare this man who has never seen any action, who somehow or other when there was a draft for everybody else in the US, managed to avoid it and yet is now commander in chief and knows nothing about how it is that America has been defended.

open image in gallery Trumps statement that British troops in Afghanistan were a little off the front line has been widely condemned ( Getty )

I mean, seriously, it is an absolute insult.

Dame Emily won loud applause for her remarks from the audience on BBCs Question Time.

The controversy over Mr Trumps own military record first emerged nearly a decade ago when it was revealed that he was granted five deferrals from the Vietnam War draft.

Mr Trump said at the time he could not recall which heel had been affected, stating the issue had been temporary and minor and over a period of time, it healed up.

He was challenged over the matter in a 2019 interview by Piers Morgan, who asked him: You were not able to serve because of a bone spur condition in your feet. Do you wish you'd been able to serve? Would you like to have served your country?

open image in gallery It is an absolute insult: Britain lost 457 troops during the conflict ( PA Media )

Mr Trump responded: I was never a fan of that war. I thought it was a terrible war, it was very far away. Nobody had heard of Vietnam this wasnt like fighting against Nazi Germany or Hitler. I wasnt out on the streets marching or saying I would move to Canada, but I wasnt a fan.

Mr Trump argued he would have been honoured to have served in the US military and had since made up for not having done so by boosting defence spending.

Dame Emily accused Mr Trump of trying to bully the UK and the rest of Nato: You wonder where this will end. It is as if he has no anchor, no off button.

She was proud that Britain and its allies had joined forces and said no Donald Trump, enough, no more of this, you are not getting Greenland, you are not introducing tariffs, you are not going to take military action, this is the line, do not cross it.
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New York mayor Zohran Mamdani has received a baby box from the Scottish Government.

Scotland's Social Justice Secretary, Shirley Anne-Somerville, said the gift aims to help the city leader develop his own "baby basket" plans.

The 34-year-old's proposal was a part of his mayoral campaign, focused on the cost of living.

Mr Mamdani has previously cited Scotland, Chile, and Finland as examples of where the policy has been introduced.

More than 360,000 baby boxes have been given out to Scottish parents since the launch of the scheme in 2017.

open image in gallery Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks at a press conference. ( Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images )

Every new mother is entitled to a box, which is delivered a few weeks before her due date, and includes items such as books, clothes and a digital thermometer, while the box itself can be used as a sleeping space.

This week Ms Somerville wrote to the mayor of New York City and delivered a baby box to the Mayor's Office for International Affairs in Manhattan - a more than 3,000-mile journey.

The Scottish Government offered to work with the administration in New York City on child poverty and cost-of-living policies.

The Social Justice Secretary said: "I read with interest that Mayor Mamdani was considering a baby basket scheme in New York and hope that, by sending a Scottish example, it will provide inspiration to help him to refine and develop his exciting policy.

"Scots share much in common with the people of New York, not least our history and heritage - as celebrated every year during New York Tartan Week.

open image in gallery The baby box scheme was launched in Scotland in 2017 (Scottish Government/PA) ( PA Media )

"I'm proud that we can also share a commitment to tackling child poverty and addressing the cost-of-living for the people that we serve.

"Scotland's baby box provides much needed essentials for when a child enters the world, and it recognises the financial burden of those first few months of parenthood.

"More than 360,000 children in Scotland have been supported since the programme was introduced in 2017, with around 90% of families continuing to take up the offer of a baby box for their new child.

"Over the years we have learnt a lot, and my door is always open as the New York City administration develops its new scheme."
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A young mother claims her bosses at a New York City-area Amazon fulfillment center made it so unpleasant for her to milk at work, she felt she had no choice but to stop breastfeeding her infant twins altogether for fear of losing her job, according to a federal civil rights lawsuit obtained by The Independent.

In it, Isharae Jackson, who worked the overnight shift as a picker at an Amazon warehouse in Staten Island, says she wanted to continue pumping, if not for the companys constant harassment and discriminatory practices.

Among other things, Jackson, 29, accuses Amazon managers of monitoring her approved lactation breaks down to the minute, docking her pay for the time it took her to walk to and from the distant mothers room and peppering her ceaselessly with accusatory questions and comments, such as:

Why dont you pump on your lunch time?

Why do you need to pump so often?

Who told you could pump?

Why [did] it [take] you so long to pump?

How many times are you going to pump?

Why [cant] you use [your] 15-minute break to pump?

Your computer indicates you are away from your station [while pumping]; you will be penalized for that!

However, Jackson contends, human resources ignored her concerns and ultimately fired her anyway.

An Amazon spokesperson did not respond on Friday to a request for comment.

open image in gallery A nursing mother working at an Amazon warehouse is suing the company over claims she was forced to stop pumping breast milk during breaks on the job ( Getty Images )

Although the right to pump at work is protected by federal law, nursing mothers have brought, and won, past lawsuits against large corporations they alleged stood in the way. In 2019, an Amazon warehouse employee in Riverside County, California, sued the company over similar claims to those in Jacksons lawsuit. The company later settled; the terms of the agreement remain confidential.

That same year, an Arizona jury awarded $3.8 million to a nursing paramedic after the Tucson Fire Departments HR manager reportedly told her that pumping seem[ed] excessive, and that it rendered her unfit for duty.

Last February, New York City settled a lawsuit brought by five nursing NYPD officers who claimed their supervisors refused to provide a clean space to pump, then disciplined them when they objected.

Jackson began working at Amazon in May 2024, according to her complaint against the company, filed Thursday in Brooklyn federal court.

As a picker, [Jackson] worked closely with a variety of warehouse workers and was responsible for picking up orders and sending them to delivery platforms, the complaint states.

It says she worked from 6:15 p.m. to 6:45 a.m., Thursday to Sunday, at a rate of $21.25 per hour. Amazon allowed Jackson and her colleagues a standard 15-minute paid break and a 45-minute unpaid lunch break during each shift, the complaint continues.

open image in gallery The Amazon fulfillment center in Staten Island where Isharae Jackson worked. She is now suing the company for discriminating against her as a lactating mom. ( Google Maps )

On September 28, 2024, Jackson took maternity leave to care for her newborn twins, returning to work on December 4, the complaint goes on. Upon her return, Jackson contacted Amazons Disability and Leave Services department to request a reasonable accommodation regarding her intention to express breast milk at [the] workplace, according to the complaint. A short time later, Jackson was approved to take a 30-minute lactation break every two hours, the complaint explains.

Amazon, which was founded by the worlds third-richest person, did not have a firm, meaningful or up-to-date policy on providing accommodations to nursing mothers, Jacksons complaint states.

To that end, Jackson contends, the pumping room provided to her was not in a reasonable proximity to her work area, and it took [her] 10-15 minutes one-way to get there, making it impossible to express milk, clean her pumping supplies, and return to her station in a half-hour. She was also instructed to clock out before she left for the pumping room, effectively docking her pay, the complaint states.

If she was late coming back, Jackson was reprimanded for missing for too long, according to the complaint. Yet, at the same time, Jacksons supervisors kept assigning her to work in spots further and further away from the pumping room, the complaint maintains.

In January 2025, the complaint says Jackson emailed Amazons on-site HR representative, telling her that she felt targeted for pumping during her shift, and requested the matter to be investigated and addressed. Yet, Jacksons concerns were not properly addressed, the complaint alleges.

The following month, Jackson escalated her concerns to the Amazon Ethics Line, receiving an email back less than a week later from a senior HR investigator, according to the complaint. It says he told Jackson that he had conducted a thorough investigation, and that he did not find a violation of Amazon policy.

Thats when the retaliation started, Jackson claims. On April 15, 2025, Jackson was written up for allegedly miscounting an item, the complaint states.

To cancel out a counting mistake, an employee must scan 5,000 items, it continues. Because [Jackson] took pumping breaks, she could not scan 5,000 items, and as such was held accountable for mistakes, other non-nursing/male employees could rectify by scanning the number of items required.

open image in gallery The right to breastfeed or pump milk at work is a right protected by federal law. Amazon warehouse worker Isharae Jackson is now suing the company over what she alleges were discriminatory practices towards her and other nursing moms ( AFP via Getty Images )

Jackson asked her coworkers if they had ever been written up for similar infractions, and they all said they had not, according to the complaint.

[Jackson] complained that the write-up was retaliatory, but her complaints fell on deaf ears, the complaint states. Each time [Jackson] complained about discrimination[,] she was written up in retaliation against her.

By May, the complaint says Jackson was not able to tolerate the ongoing harassment, and made the decision to stop pumping, in fear [of losing] her job. If it was not for [Amazons] discriminatory practices, [Jackson] would continue nursing her twins.

Jackson again contacted Amazon HR about what she says was happening, and was called into a meeting two weeks later.

There, she was told that the matter was closed, the complaint states, criticizing Amazon for not having instead taken immediate corrective action.

Further, Jackson was told that two of her coworkers, who the complaint says had encouraged [her] to exercise her rights as a nursing mother, had been removed from the site.

To add insult to injury, [Jackson] was asked whether she intended to continue pumping, the complaint alleges.

In mid-June 2025, Jackson was terminated, according to the complaint, which claims she was let go because she opposed [Amazon]s discriminatory practices.

Jacksons complaint says the experience caused her emotional pain, suffering, inconvenience, and severe emotional and physical distress.

She is now seeking an injunction barring Amazon from engaging in any form of discrimination against lactating mothers; lost wages and benefits; compensatory damages for mental and emotional injuries; and punitive damages, in a total amount to be determined by a jury, plus court costs and attorneys fees.
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Jury selection in the federal murder trial of Luigi Mangione, accused in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is set to begin Sept. 8, a judge ruled Friday.

U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett said the remainder of the trial schedule, including opening statements and witness testimony, will depend on whether prosecutors are permitted to seek the death penalty, one of several matters still under consideration.

If capital punishment remains an option, the next phase of the trial would start Jan. 11, 2027, more than four months after jury selection begins. If not, opening statements are scheduled for Oct. 13. Capital cases require significantly more preparation time due to their complexity.

Mangione, 27, has pleaded not guilty to federal and state murder charges that carry a potential life sentence. A date for the state trial has not yet been set.

Mangione, 27, has pleaded not guilty to federal and state murder charges, which carry the possibility of life in prison ( Shannon Stapleton/Pool Photo via AP, File )

Garnett set the dates as Mangione returned to court for a hearing on procedures governing the police seizure of his backpack after his Dec. 9, 2024, arrest in Altoona, Pennsylvania. The city is about 230 miles (about 370 kilometers) west of Manhattan, where Thompson was killed five days earlier.

Mangiones lawyers want Garnett to bar prosecutors from using certain items found in the backpack, including a gun police said matched the one used to kill Thompson and a notebook in which Mangione purportedly described his intent to wack a health insurance executive.

Separately, Garnett is considering a defense request to bar prosecutors from seeking the death penalty.

Mangione's lawyers argue that the charges enabling prosecutors to seek capital punishment are technically flawed and that the government prejudiced Mangione by publicly declaring its intent before obtaining an indictment.

Fridays hearing was limited to the backpack issue, with just one witness: Altoona Police Department Deputy Chief Nathan Snyder. He testified for about 90 minutes, answering questions from a prosecutor, a defense lawyer and even the judge herself.

Garnett called the hearing because she wanted to hear from a police official about the established or standardized procedures in use at the time of Mangiones arrest for securing, safeguarding, and, if applicable, inventorying the personal property of a person arrested in a public place."

Prosecutors said Snyder, who was promoted to the post three weeks ago, was not involved in Mangiones arrest, had no involvement in the Altoona police investigation of Mangione and has not had substantive conversations with officers who participated in the arrest about their actions that day.

Garnett said she found the hearing very helpful, but issued no rulings.

Mangione, his feet shackled, wore a tan jail suit and sported a chinstrap beard at Friday's hearing, a departure from his usual clean-shaven look. He's scheduled to be in federal court again on Jan. 30 for a status conference.

Echoing their arguments at a recent state court hearing, Mangiones lawyers contend the Altoona Police Departments search of his backpack was illegal because police had not yet obtained a warrant. The judge in the state case said hell rule on evidence issues in May.

As she began the hearing, Garnett warned: Im not going to allow this to turn into some extension of the state hearing by proxy."

Thompson was killed Dec. 4, 2024, as he walked to a Manhattan hotel for UnitedHealth Groups annual investor conference. Surveillance video showed a masked gunman shooting him from behind.

Officers began searching the backpack at the McDonalds restaurant where Mangione was arrested while eating breakfast. Prosecutors say officers searched the bag legally because Altoona police protocols require promptly searching a suspects property at the time of arrest for dangerous items and police later obtained a warrant.

A loaded gun magazine was among the items found at the McDonalds.

Officers continued searching the bag at a police station and found the gun and silencer. They performed whats known as an inventory search and found the notebook and other notes, including what appeared to be to-do lists and possible getaway plans, according to testimony.

That search, which involves cataloging every piece of a suspects seized property, is also required under Altoona police policy, prosecutors said. Laws concerning how police obtain search warrants are complex and often disputed in criminal cases.

As part of her inquiry, Judge Garnett ordered federal prosecutors to provide her with a copy of the affidavit submitted to obtain a federal search warrant in the matter. Mangione lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, questioned Snyder about a police department general order effective Feb. 1, 2016, regarding arrest, search and seizure procedures.

The defense contends that searching the backpack before getting a warrant may have influenced how the affidavit was written, but prosecutors say no specific details about items, such as the notebook writings, were mentioned in the document.
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A Pentagon contractor has been indicted on charges of illegally removing and sharing classified national defence information with a journalist, a development that has garnered significant national attention following a federal search of a reporters home as part of the investigation.

Aurelio Luis Perez-Lugones faces five counts of unlawfully transmitting and one count of unlawfully retaining classified national defence information, the Justice Department announced on Thursday. The proceedings are linked to last weeks search of Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson's home in Virginia, an incident that has drawn considerable scrutiny from press freedom advocates across the nation. These groups contend the situation reflects an increasingly aggressive posture by the Justice Department towards leak investigations involving journalists, sparking widespread concerns about the future of journalistic freedoms.

Perez-Lugones is accused of taking home printouts of classified documents from his workplace and later passing them to a reporter, FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement. A Justice Department news release doesn't name the reporter or the reporter's employer, and the indictment itself wasn't immediately made public. The reporter co-wrote and contributed to at least five articles that contained classified information provided by Perez-Lugones, authorities said.

Investigators found phone messages between Perez-Lugones and the reporter in which they discussed the information that he provided, authorities said. Im going quiet for a bit ... just to see if anyone starts asking questions, Perez-Lugones said after sending one of the documents, according to the news release.

Illegally disclosing classified defense information is a grave crime against America that puts both our national security and the lives of our military heroes at risk, Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement.

Attorneys for Perez-Lugones didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

Perez-Lugones, 61, of Laurel, Maryland, has remained jailed since his Jan. 8 arrest. He held a top secret security clearance and is accused of printing out classified and sensitive reports from where he works as a systems engineer and information technology specialist for a government contractor.

In October, Perez-Lugones took a screenshot of a classified intelligence report involving an unspecified foreign country and pasted the image into a Microsoft Word document that he printed out, according to an FBI agents affidavit.

Authorities found documents marked SECRET, including one in a lunchbox, when they searched his home and car this month, according to court papers.

On Wednesday, the Washington Post asked for a court order requiring authorities to return electronic devices that they seized from reporter Natansons home last week. Federal agents seized a phone, two laptops, a recorder, a portable hard drive and a Garmin smartwatch, according to a court filing.

A federal magistrate judge in Alexandria, Virginia, temporarily barred the government from reviewing any material from the seized devices. The judge also scheduled a Feb. 6 hearing on the newspapers request.

The outrageous seizure of our reporters confidential newsgathering materials chills speech, cripples reporting, and inflicts irreparable harm every day the government keeps its hands on these materials, the Post said in a statement.

Natanson has been covering Republican President Donald Trumps transformation of the federal government. The Post recently published a piece in which she described gaining hundreds of new sources from the federal workforce, leading one colleague to call her the federal government whisperer.
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As extreme weather hits Houston, locals are using a helpful hack to prevent frozen pipes.

The Whataburger Cup has become a legitimate last-resort option, according to deputies from Harris County Precinct 4.

Typically, to protect pipes from freezing, a faucet cover is recommended. Click2Houston reports that store shelves are quickly emptying.

Harris County Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman said people needed to remember the four Ps of winter safety: People, pets, plants, and pipes.

Viral hack claims a Whataburger cup could help save Texans' pipes freezing during storm this weekend ( Harris County Precinct 4 )

The way to protect pipes with a Whataburger cup includes, firstly, preparing the cup. People should poke a small hole in the bottom of the styrofoam.

Then, people should run a rubber band or cord through the hole.

Thirdly, it should be secured on the outside of the cup bottom with a pen, pencil, or small stick to hold the rubber band in place.

Then, it should be attached by stretching the rubber band's loop over the faucet handle so the cup snaps against the wall.

Finally, for double insulation, stack two cups together.

A viral Texas freeze hack says you can protect exposed outdoor faucets using a Styrofoam cup, and experts at Texas A&M University - Central Texas say its true! Herman said in a Facebook post.

Styrofoam is full of tiny air bubbles that act as insulation  the same reason it keeps your coffee hot also helps keep freezing air out.

However, while styrofoam works, some attempts have failed, such as pool noodles, hand towels, and duct tape, Chron reported.

In Texas, coverage of outside pipes during a freeze is crucial, as water expands when it freezes. This can cause pipes to crack or burst, which leads to water damage once temperatures rise again, according to Chron.

Currently, more than 30 states have issued weather advisories or warnings as an "unusually large and severe winter storm is set to impact more than 170 million Americans across dozens of states this week.

Wind chills could even drop temperatures to minus 50 degrees in some states.

Dangerously cold air remains in the forecast for more than half of the U.S. population through the weekend and into early next week, the National Weather Service said.
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The United States has formally completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), a move that has drawn sharp criticism and raised concerns about global health security.

The decision comes as the US reportedly owes the global health agency more than $130 million. Officials within Donald Trump's administration have conceded that unresolved issues remain, including the potential loss of access to crucial international data that could provide early warnings of future pandemics.

Public health law expert Lawrence Gostin, from Georgetown University, warned that the withdrawal would severely hamper the international community's ability to respond to new outbreaks. He added that it would also impede American scientists and pharmaceutical firms in their efforts to develop vital vaccines and medicines against emerging threats. "In my opinion, it's the most ruinous presidential decision in my lifetime," Mr Gostin stated.

The WHO is the United Nations' specialised health agency and is mandated to co-ordinate the response to global health threats, such as outbreaks of mpox, Ebola and polio. It also provides technical assistance to poorer countries; helps distribute scarce vaccines, supplies and treatments; and sets guidelines for hundreds of health conditions, including mental health and cancer.

open image in gallery A sign of the World Health Organization (WHO) displayed at their headquarters in Geneva on March 13, 2025. ( AFP via Getty Images )

Nearly every country in the world is a member.

US officials helped lead the WHO's creation, and America has long been among the organization's biggest donors, providing hundreds of millions of dollars and hundreds of staff members with specialised public health expertise.

On average, the US pays 111 million dollars (82 million) a year in member dues to the WHO and around 570 million dollars (421 million) more in annual voluntary contributions, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services.

In an executive order issued immediately after taking office, Mr Trump said the US was withdrawing from WHO because of the organization's mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic and other global health crises. He also cited the agency's "failure to adopt urgently needed reforms" and its "inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states".

WHO, like other public health organizations, made costly mistakes during the pandemic, including at one point advising people against wearing masks. It also asserted that Covid-19 was not airborne, a stance it did not officially reverse until 2024.

Another Trump administration complaint was that none of WHO's chief executives - there have been nine since the organization was created in 1948 - have been Americans. Administration officials view that as unfair given how much the WHO relies on US financial contributions and on US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention personnel.

Experts say the US exit could cripple numerous global health initiatives, including the effort to eradicate polio, maternal and child health programmes and research to identify new viral threats.

Dr Ronald Nahass, president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, called the US withdrawal "shortsighted and misguided" and "scientifically reckless".

The US has ceased official participation in WHO-sponsored committees, leadership bodies, governance structures and technical working groups. That would appear to include the WHO group that assesses what flu strains are circulating and makes critical decisions about updating flu jabs.

It also signals the US is no longer participating in global flu information-sharing that guides vaccine decisions.

Such disease intelligence has helped Americans be "at the front of the line" when new outbreaks occur and new vaccines and medicines are quickly needed to counteract them and save lives, Mr Gostin said.

Trump administration officials say they already have public health relationships with many countries and are working to ensure direct sharing of that kind of information, rather than having WHO serve as a middleman. But US officials did not give specifics about how many such arrangements are in place.

Mr Gostin, an expert on international public health treaties and collaborations, said it is unlikely the US will reach agreements with more than a couple dozen countries.

Many emerging viruses are first spotted in China, but "is China going to sign a contract with the United States?" Mr Gostin said. "Are countries in Africa going to do it? Are the countries Trump has slapped with a huge tariff going to send us their data? The claim is almost laughable."

Mr Gostin also believes Mr Trump overstepped his authority in pulling out of WHO. The US joined the organization through an act of Congress and it is supposed to take an act of Congress to withdraw, he argued.

The US is legally required to give notice one year in advance of withdrawal - which it did - but also to pay any outstanding financial obligations.

The US has not paid any of its dues for 2024 and 2025, leaving a balance of more than 133 million dollars (98.31 million), according to WHO.

A Trump administration official denied that requirement on Thursday, saying the US had no obligation to pay prior to withdrawing as a member.
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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) teamed up with celebrity Paris Hilton to push once again for her bill to restrict nonconsensual deepfake pornography generated by AI.

Ocasio-Cortez and Hilton held a press conference with Ocasio-Cortezs Republican co-sponsor, Rep. Laurel Lee of Florida.

The legislation, called the DEFIANCE Act, would establish a civil cause of action for individuals who are the subject of deepfake AI porn created without consent.

Since the public release of AI tools, we have seen an absolute explosion in AI generated images used to sexually harass victims and children, she said, pointing out how a vast majority of AI-generated deepfakes are nonconsensual pornography.

I as well as many others here have spoken about our experience being targeted by AI deepfake pornography, she said. Not only is this a coalition of legislators, this is a coalition of survivors of sexual harassment and in some cases, abuse and assault.

open image in gallery Paris Hilton, left, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at a bipartisan press conference in support of the Defiance Act ( AP )

The legislation already passed the Senate earlier this month by unanimous consent with Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) leading the charge. House Speaker Mike Johnson has also gotten behind the legislation.

Hilton for her part relayed how similar deepfake AI pornography was to leak of the video of her having sex when she was 19 years old in the 2000s.

People called it a scandal, Hilton told reporters. It wasn't. It was abuse. There were no laws at the time to protect me. There weren't even words for what had been done to me.

Hilton said that women and girls face much worse prospects than what she experienced at the time.

open image in gallery The legistlation would establish a civil cause of action for individuals who are the subject of deepfake AI porn created without consent ( (Photo by Heather Diehl/Getty Images) )

Before someone had to betray your trust and steal something real, she said. Now, all it takes is a computer and a stranger's imagination.

Hilton said that more than 100,000 deepfake images of her exist online. Ocasio-Cortez has also spoken about being a victim of deepfake AI porn.

But the proposed legislation has stalled in the past. In 2024, it passed the Senate by unanimous consent as well before the end of the last Congress.

open image in gallery Hilton spoke of her own experience after an explicit tape of her was leaked: People called it a scandal. It wasnt. It was abuse ( AP )

Ocasio-Cortez has said that she has spoken with Johnson about the legislation and told reporters that they were running up against limited time in the last Congress.

The press conference included advocates and other survivors as well as other female legislators from both parties, including MAGA members such as Reps. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, Claudia Tenney of New York and Nancy Mace of South Carolina.

open image in gallery The proposed legislation has attracted bipartisan support ( Getty Images )

Luna and Ocasio-Cortez have also worked on other legislation including banning members of Congress and their spouses from trading stocks and capping credit card interest at 10 percent, a proposal supported by President Donald Trump.

I mean, you have to be able to put pressure on your own party, Luna told The Independent, saying Ocasio-Cortez did so the way that Luna does for Republicans.

Still, Ocasio-Cortez did not try to take major credit for the legislation.

I think weve all worked together very well on this, I dont think its about individual credit but as a team, she said. I think bipartisanship has been tremendously important. Of course, Republicans hold the majority in the House.

But, the press conference could not avoid the ongoing fights in the House of Representatives.

Mace, who is perhaps the loudest anti-trans voice in Congress, posted a video of Rep. Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender person elected to Congress, saying McBride didnt belong and he will never be one of us.
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Only seven Democrats joined all but one Republican to fund the Department of Homeland Security as many Democratic voters continue to speak out against crackdowns by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Reps. Don Davis of North Carolina, Tom Suozzi of New York, Henry Cuellar of Texas, Vicente Gonzalez of Texas, Laura Gillen of New York, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington and Jared Golden of Maine voted to fund the Department of Homeland Security. All of them hail from districts that voted for President Donald Trump.

Only Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, a perpetual gadfly in the House, joined the rest of the Democrats to oppose the bill.

The vote came as many Democrats have criticized tactics by ICE, particularly after the killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis earlier this month. Rep. Angie Craig, who represents the Minneapolis area and is running for Senate in the state, said she was a hell no on the legislation.

In response to the killing, the Homeland Security appropriations bill included $20 million for body cameras that ICE would have to wear during operations.

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.) was one of only seven Democrats who voted to fund the Department of Homeland Security ( Getty Images )

I want to see standards around use of force, Rep. Seth Magaziner of Rhode Island, a member of the Homeland Security Committee, told The Independent. I want to see due process or a judicial warrant requirement before people's houses are broken into, I mean basic civil liberty protections. You know, they already have billions and billions of dollars that they haven't spent yet from the from the reconciliation bill.

Magaziners words echoed what many other Democrats said about the billions of dollars Republicans gave to ICE in the One Big, Beautiful Bill that passed last year.

And even Democrats from other districts that voted for Trump expressed hesitation. On Wednesday, Rep. Adam Gray, who represents a district that voted for Trump and who only won his seat by 187 votes, expressed hesitation about voting for the bill.

One of the negotiating points that I'm most concerned about is what provisions and guardrails are in the bill to make sure that no, not one, zero US citizens are detained unlawfully, he told The Independent. It needs to be like a red line. You don't cross it, and the penalty for crossing it is severe.

Democrats who voted for the bill expressed their anger at ICEs tactics. Gonzalez, who represents the Rio Grande Valley, told The Independent that he voted for the bill because it included funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Coast Guard. But he also said that the bill did not defund ICE.

Now, you put a bill on this floor that will defund ICE operations in my district and around the country, and I'll vote a yes for it, Gonzalez said.

Davis of North Carolina said that he wanted to see safeguards.

I mean, obviously I think we should have the honest conversations about warrants, he told The Independent. We should have the honest conversations about taking off the mask.

The House rushed to pass the final spending bills to keep the government open until the end of the fiscal year. While other spending bills were coupled together in what are called minibus spending bills, the Homeland Security spending bill received a standalone vote.

In addition, many Democrats who had missed votes showed up to oppose the bill, such as Rep. Greg Casar of Texas who just had a son and Rep. Eric Swalwell of California, who is campaigning for governor.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, who has long called for the abolition of the agency established in 2003 in response to the global war on terror, expressed satisfaction.

Im very proud of our caucus, Democrats voted against DHS appropriations and I think it was the right thing to do in this moment, she told The Independent.
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Were going to Davos  its going to be an interesting trip, Donald Trump told reporters, just before boarding a delayed Air Force One flight to the annual World Economic Forum.

Hours later, the US president was tearing into his European and Nato allies in a characteristically combative speech to world leaders and CEOs in Switzerland.

He threatened France with tariffs over drug prices, said Denmark had fallen to Nazi Germany within six hours, and that without the US, everyone in the room would all be speaking German... and a little Japanese perhaps.

Trump branded Canadas leadership ungrateful, Europe unrecognisable and mixed up Iceland and Greenland repeatedly while still vowing to take the latter for security reasons.

And then came an entirely unveiled threat to those opposing his ambitions for the Danish territory: You can say yes and we will be very appreciative. Or you can say no and we will remember.

Since Trump first came to power a decade ago, presidents and prime ministers alike have been left struggling to know how best to navigate his behaviour and Davos was no different.

European leaders in particular have been accused of trying too hard to please him, failing to push back and taking one tone in public and another behind closed doors.

open image in gallery US president Donald Trump speaking at the annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland ( PA )

Trumps whirlwind visit to the global gathering of political and business leaders saw the president cut deals and offer vital concessions in one breath and then publicly humiliate his supposed allies with the next.

But after a year of aggressive foreign policy that has seen the US force regime change in Venezuela and use widespread tariffs to start destructive trade wars, there is a sense that patience among some nations is finally wearing thin.

Some world leaders, like British prime minister Sir Keir Starmer  notably absent from the event  have attempted to forge a reputation as a Trump whisperer in a bid to keep him on side.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen, former Nato secretary general and president of Denmark, said the Greenland crisis proves any bid to pander to Trump was pointless.

The time for flattering is over, he told reporters in Davos. It doesnt work. The fact is Trump only respects force and strength. And unity. Thats exactly what Europe should demonstrate right now.

Critics like Canadian prime minister Mark Carney and French president Emmanuel Macron took shots at Trumps new world order in their keynote speeches, though neither dared name him directly.

open image in gallery Emmanuel Macron offered a rousing defence of Europe in his speech ( AP )

We prefer respect to bullies, we prefer science to conspiracies, and we prefer the rule of law to brutality, Macron said, while sporting headline-grabbing Aviator sunglasses.

But rhetoric in public does not always match reality in private, something Trump has openly acknowledged.

In a press conference before his trip, the president said he gets on with Macron and Starmer in person, but that they get a little bit rough when Im not around.

When Im around they treat me very nicely, he noted, before saying that both leaders needed to straighten out their countries and that Macron would not be around for long anyway, with his term set to end next year.

Before his plane touched down in Switzerland, Trump went further and shared personal text messages he had received by the French president, on his Truth Social platform.

My friend, one message from Macron began. We are totally in line on Syria. We can do great things on Iran. I do not understand what you are doing on Greenland. Let us try to build great things:

1) i can set up a G7 meeting after Davos in Paris onThursday afternoon. I can invite the ukrainians, the danish, the syrians and the russians in the margins. 2) let us have a dinner together in Paris together on Thursday before you go back to the US. Emmanuel.

open image in gallery Mark Rutte pushed back against Trump on the claim Nato would not come to the USs aid ( AP )

Trump also shared a message from Nato secretary general Mark Rutte, who often lavishes praises on the president and infamously referred to him once as Daddy.

His text read: Mr. President, dear Donald  what you accomplished in Syria today is incredible. I will use my media engagements in Davos to highlight your work there, in Gaza, and in Ukraine. I am committed to finding a way forward on Greenland. Cant wait to see you. Yours, Mark.

At first Ruttes flattery seemed to be successful, on the thorny subject of Greenland at least. Hours after his speech, Trump reversed course and abandoned plans to impose tariffs on a group of US allies that had objected to his push to acquire the territory, after what the president described as a very productive meeting with the Nato secretary general.

Rutte batted off a question at the forum on whether he was the true Trump whisperer, uniquely able to steer the president, arguing that there was no need for a special strategy when Trump was already doing the right stuff around Nato and the Arctic.

But it did not take long for tensions to return to the surface. During his speech, Trump had questioned whether Nato would come to Americas rescue if needed.

Sat before the worlds cameras on Wednesday night, Rutte chose his moment to tell Trump that Europe absolutely would  and had done before in Afghanistan.

For every two Americans who paid the ultimate price, there was one soldier from another Nato country who did not come back to his family  from the Netherlands, from Denmark, and particularly from other countries, he said, as Trump sat quietly, nodding.

open image in gallery Gavin Newsom urged Europe to push back against Trump ( AFP/Getty )

Trump poured fuel on the fire in a subsequent interview with Fox News on Thursday, questioning the dedication of European troops in the war and sparking widespread backlash.

I've always said, will they be there if we ever needed them? Thats really the ultimate test, and Im not sure of that, he said. Weve never needed them. Theyll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan... and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the frontlines.

For California governor and potential presidential candidate Gavin Newsom, who also attended Davos this week, the only response to what he called the Rule of Don was fighting back.

Upon his arrival in Switzerland, Newsom found himself pleading with European leaders to stand up for themselves and take a stronger stance against Trump.

People are rolling over. I should have brought a bunch of kneepads for all the world leaders, the Democrat told reporters. Its just pathetic.

The Europeans should decide for themselves what to do, but one thing they cant do is what theyve been doing. They've been played. This guy [Trump] is playing folks for fools.

Georg Riekeles, associate director of the European Policy Centre, agreed that Europe has for too long... clung to a comforting belief that it should avoid fighting back because it depends upon Washington for security.

open image in gallery Volodymyr Zelensky met with Trump in Davos for talks but then gave a stark address criticising European efforts to stop global conflicts like Ukraine ( AFP/Getty )

This argument is wrong, he wrote in The Guardian. Moreover, it is strategically corrosive. In a world of open coercion, appeasement and restraint do not buy stability. They invite further pressure.

Trade conflicts, like coercive bargaining and military deterrence, are shaped in large part by escalation dominance  the ability to convince the other side that you are more willing and more capable of sustaining pressure.

That dominance does not rest on size and leverage alone, but on unity and determination. On both counts, Europe has recently failed itself.

The message that European leaders were coming up short was hammered home by a clearly frustrated Volodymyr Zelensky, in a stinging speech on Thursday.

Instead of taking the lead in defending freedom worldwide  especially when Americas focus shifts elsewhere  Europe looks lost trying to convince the US president to change, the Ukrainian president said, shortly after meeting Trump.

But he will not change. President Trump loves who he is. And he says he loves Europe, but he will not listen to this kind of Europe.
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A two-year-old girl and her father are in federal custody after immigration officers broke the mans car window and arrested them on their way home from the grocery store, according to Minneapolis officials.

The detention of Chloe Renata Tipan Villacis and Elvis Joel Tipan Echeverria has fueled outrage in an city that has seen a dramatic surge of federal law enforcement officers who have arrested hundreds of people, including a five-year-old boy pictured in a viral image wearing a Spider-Man backpack and blue cap as officers arrested him on his frozen driveway.

Two-year-old Chloe and five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos are among at least five Minneapolis-area children swept up in Donald Trumps mass deportation campaign in recent days.

Chloe and her father were coming back from grocery shopping when a suspicious vehicle followed her fathers vehicle home, according to Minneapolis City council member Jason Chavez.

When the father pulled into his private property, ICE agents got out of the vehicle, broke his window and kidnapped them, Chavez said. No judicial warrant was provided.

open image in gallery Border patrol officers were pictured arresting Elvis Joel Tipan Echeverria and his two-year-old daughter Chloe in Minneapolis January 22 ( AP )

The councilman said he has started a GoFundMe and shared the familys story with the permission of the girls mother, Deicy Villacis Ruiz. The fundraiser has collected more than $61,000 as of publication.

No family should ever go through this, Chavez wrote.

A spokesperson for Homeland Security said the girls father was stopped by Customs and Border Patrol officers who accused him of driving erratically with a child in the vehicle.

He refused multiple lawful commands to open his door or lower his window, the spokesperson said.

Homeland Security claims that the girls mother refused to take custody of her child, and Chloe and her father are now reunited at an immigration detention facility, according to the spokesperson.

open image in gallery Chloe and her father are now in federal detention, the latest Minneapolis-area child to be swept up by Trumps mass deportation campaign in the city ( AP )

Minneapolis schools and families are reeling after a wave of recent child detentions. At least four students from the Columbia Heights Public Schools system were detained by immigration officers within the last week alone, according to the district.

Two weeks ago, a 10-year-old 4th grader was taken by ICE agents on her way to one of our elementary schools with her mother, the district said in a statement.

During the arrest, the child called her father to tell him the ICE agents were bringing her to school, according to the district. The father immediately came to the school to find that both his daughter and wife had been taken.

The same day Liam and his father were arrested, a 17-year-old Columbia Heights High School student was arrested by armed and masked agents on the way to school without any parents present, according to the school.

open image in gallery Chloes arrest comes just days after 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, who was detained with his father in their driveway ( Columbia Heights Public Schools )

In another alleged incident last week, immigration officers pushed their way into an apartment and detained a 17-year-old student and her mother.

The now-viral image of five-year-old Liam standing in the snow during his arrest is fueling outrage in a city that has emerged as the latest backdrop to Trumps mass deportation efforts, which have drawn several lawsuits and demonstrations across the country..

Why detain a 5-year-old? asked Columbia Heights schools superintendent Zena Stenvik during a news conference Thursday.

The boy and his father are originally from Ecuador and seeking asylum in the United States.

These are not illegal aliens. They came legally and are pursuing a legal pathway, family attorney Marc Prokosch said at the briefing.

Vice President JD Vance and ICE officials said they had no choice but to detain the preschooler and his father, claiming that the boys mother refused to take custody of her child.

open image in gallery Border patrols boots-on-the-ground chief Greg Bovino and ICE officials Marcos Charles defended Liams arrest and detention in a press conference January 23 ( Getty Images )

Sweeping immigration enforcement operations have interrupted schools in communities across the country and put families, teachers and administrators on edge as they brace for agents showing up on campus and at home.

In Chicago, thousands of students were marked absent as federal officers swarmed the city last year, according to school officials.

Officers were also filmed dragging a teacher out of daycare, reportedly in front of children, and traumatized high schoolers who were beat up by officers before they arrived homeroom, their teachers said.

Parents have also been arrested near schools in at least 10 states last year, according to a review of incidents from The Washington Post. School attendance plummeted in Chicago and Charlotte, North Carolina, in the days after the Trump administration surged agents in the Democratic-led cities, schools said.

Immigration agents have also fired tear gas, joined car chases and shot at least one person in areas nearby schools, prompting campus lockdowns and alarm among students, their parents and school staff.

After taking office, the Trump administration abandoned previous policy to prevent enforcement operations near so-called sensitive areas such as school campuses. Homeland Security has repeatedly stressed that schools are not being targeted in the operations, but the operations have derailed class schedules and forced some schools to shut down entirely.

Taken in total, this enforcement activity is injecting chaos and trauma in the lives of children regardless of their immigration status, more than 70 Democratic members of Congress wrote to Education Secretary Linda McMahon in November. It is undeniable that it will have a harmful and lasting impact on whole communities of school aged children.
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Maines senate race is undergoing upheaval as Donald Trump and his administration put a thumb on the scale in a manner that could cost one of the most senior Republicans in Congress their seat.

Sen. Susan Collins, a five-term Republican, is hoping to once again secure victory for her party and help them protect the majority in the upper chamber this fall. Typically, shed be doing so in her usual fashion: As a maverick but reliably red centrist Republican known for breaking with her party on some issues but generally remaining a loyal member of the Senate GOP caucus.

This year, however, things are different. After spurning the president on a War Powers resolution meant to constrain further hostilities with Venezuela, Collins finds herself running with Trumps anti-endorsement: He urged his Republican voters to leave Collins and four other GOP senators at the altar this election season and beyond, in a Truth Social post. Days after the Senate GOP leader insisted he didnt mean it, Trump doubled down, calling her a disaster.

And this week, Homeland Security officials confirmed that a surge of ICE operations will soon begin in Collinss home state  provoking a furious response from her two declared Democratic opponents, one of whom is the states current governor, Janet Mills.

Dubbed Operation Catch of the Day, it will target Maines Somali-American community based largely in Lewiston, according to CBS News, as well as other locations in the state where the administration says undocumented immigrants from other African nations are located. It follows the Trump administration and the president leaning into a wave of targeted enforcement against Minnesotas Somali-American community and Trumps own heavy criticism of Somali-Americans, which has been called overtly racist by Democrats. A DHS official who spoke to Fox News said that the administration wanted to arrest 1,400 people in the state.

open image in gallery Sen. Susan Collins found herself on the wrong end of Donald Trump's ire after a vote on Venezuela ( Getty Images )

Across the country, a larger-scale ICE surge in Minneapolis has become the site of rising tensions and angry demonstrations after an ICE agent shot and killed a woman in her car, Renee Good, during a confrontation on a street. Thousands of people have begun protesting the ICE presence, including in Maine.

On Thursday, both Mills and Collinss Democratic-caucusing independent colleague in the U.S. Senate, Angus King, briefed reporters in Portland, Maine, about the ICE surge. Both raised concerns about reports of an ICE memo supposedly rationalizing agents entering homes and businesses without warrants to detain suspected targets for immigration enforcement. Collins was conspicuously absent and has been since the enforcement surge was announced.

Mills said that she was also concerned that the surge would not target individuals with criminal backgrounds, and would instead involve broad sweeps to pick up anyone with problems in their immigration background.

"We take allegations of criminal activity seriously, no matter who the person is. I don't sense that there's any greater incidence of crime among non-citizens than there is among citizens; in fact, I think probably the opposite," Mills said at a news conference. "But that's not what we're hearing about.

King issued a forceful statement on Wednesday, condemning what he called the most dangerous assault on our economy, our democratic system, and our people since the Civil War, perpetrated (he said) by the White House. He pledged to vote against ICE funding once it reaches the Senate.

open image in gallery Janet Mills, Maines governor, now has the opportunity to respond to Donald Trumps ICE surge in the spotlight as she runs for Senate against Susan Collins ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Collins also released a statement with a notable amount of nuance to it on Wednesday, her first on the situation since telling HuffPost a week ago that she didnt see the rationale for a large number of ICE agents to come in.

There are people in Maine and elsewhere who have entered this country illegally and who have engaged in criminal activity. They could be subject to arrest and deportation pursuant to the laws of the United States, and people who are exercising the right to peacefully gather and protest their government should be careful not to interfere with law enforcement efforts while doing so, said the senator.

I have advocated for providing body cameras and de-escalation training for ICE personnel. At this time of heightened tensions, these steps could help improve trust, accountability, and safety, Collins went on. Our proposed funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security includes $20 million for body cameras and $2 million for de-escalation training, which could help protect both ICE agents and the general public. I hope that Congress will adopt these measures quickly.

As a centrist Republican, Collins has always been in a tough spot  one that grew immeasurably tougher under the rise of Donald Trump. But before now, Republican leaders and Trump himself have always been willing to give her some slack on the rope to work outside of the party lines. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has said that Collins is the only Republican who can win in the state, and the Senate Leadership Fund (Thunes Senate GOP campaign PAC) said this week that it is dumping $42m into Collinss race to boost her, meaning that Washington has far from given up her seat.

open image in gallery Donald Trump lashed out and called Susan Collins a disaster after her vote to invoke the War Powers Act over his strike on Venezuela ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Shell be running against powerful anti-Trump headwinds in her home state, where, according to an Economist/YouGov tracking poll, the presidents net approval rating is more than 18 points underwater.

And Donald Trump has made very, very clear in recent days that, despite Thunes insistence to the direct contrary, he actually does not care if Collins wins her seat again this year. His ICE raids in her home state, weeks after a tough vote that comforted Democrats with her drift from GOP doctrine, signal that the president is completely fine with centering an uncomfortable national fight in Collinss backyard, and giving her opponents ammunition at a very bad time.
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio personally approved the arrest and removal of five international student activists for their Palestinian advocacy and writings against the war in Gaza, according to government documents unsealed by a federal judge.

The release of the documents follows a months-long legal battle which has accused the Trump administration of an unconstitutional and retaliatory campaign against campus activists.

Last week, District Judge William Young, a Reagan-era appointee, found that Trump officials including Rubio and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem engaged in an unconstitutional conspiracy and failed in their duties to protect the Constitution by violating the First Amendment rights of students and faculty with threats to strip them of visas and arrest and deport them.

Dozens of internal government documents unsealed Thursday reveal how Rubio directed officials to deport several high-profile activist figures, including Columbia Universitys Mahmoud Khalil, before their arrests and detentions last year.

One senior diplomat repeatedly cautioned Rubio against targeting those students and stressed that stripping their visas and green cards over actions inextricably tied to speech protected under the First Amendment would likely face an avalanche of lawsuits, the documents show.

open image in gallery Secretary of State Marco Rubio personally gave permission for immigration officials to arrest and deport international students over their pro-Palestine activism, according to unsealed government documents ( AFP via Getty Images )

A memo related to Palestinian Columbia student Mohsen Madhawi, a green card holder who was arrested at a citizenship interview in April, stated: Given the potential that a court may consider his actions inextricably tied to speech protected under the First Amendment, it is likely that courts will scrutinize the basis for this determination.

The unsealed government documents include dossiers prepared by activists like pro-Israel group Canary Mission that largely relied on news clips about pro-Palestine campus demonstrations. The group describes its work as collecting information about people who promote hatred of the USA, Israel and Jews.

Trump officials also repeatedly acknowledged that there was virtually no basis to deport the students other than invoking a rarely used Red Scare-era law that allows the Secretary of State to deem noncitizens deportable over perceived threats to U.S. foreign policy.

Rubio and other officials alleged that demonstrators against Israels war in Gaza were promoting antisemitism and providing material support for terrorist groups. The targeted students, their attorneys and advocates have roundly rejected those accusations.

In public statements, Rubio sought to justify the students arrests by claiming their presence in the U.S. undermines foreign policy interests to prevent antisemitism. He has said he proudly revoked hundreds of student visas over campus activism.

open image in gallery Legal battles brought by foreign students, including Mahmoud Khalil, accused the Trump administration of infringing on their First Amendment rights by trying to deport them in retaliation for their activism against Israels war in Gaza ( REUTERS )

Documents show that even Homeland Security officials acknowledged that they had not identified any alternative grounds to deport the students, including the ground of removability for aliens who have provided material support for a foreign terrorist organization or terrorist activity.

In a statement to The Independent on Judge Youngs order, a State Department official said the Trump administration is using every tool available to get terrorist-supporting aliens out of our country.

A visa is a privilege, not a right, the official said. We abide by all applicable laws to ensure the United States does not harbor aliens who pose a threat to our national security.

Four students at the center of the case  Khalil, Mahdawi, Tufts University PhD student Rumeysa Ozturk, and Georgetown scholar Badar Khan Suri  were all granted release from Immigration and Customs Enforcement by federal judges last year.

Another, Columbia student Yunseo Chung, had obtained a restraining order before ICE could arrest her.

The five students remain free from ICE custody. But the Trump administration is still trying to re-arrest and deport them.

Earlier this week, administration officials threatened to deport Khalil to Algeria after a federal appeals court reversed a lower-court decision that released him from ICE custody.

open image in gallery Memos unsealed in court show that the Trump administration did not have any evidence against Tufts University Phd student Rumeysa Ozturk, who was held in an immigration detention center for six weeks and threatened with deportation because she co-wrote an op-ed critical of Israel ( AFP via Getty Images )

While administration officials publicly accused Ozturk of engaging in activities in support of Hamas, an internal State Department memo said there was no such evidence that she engaged in any antisemitic activity or made any public statements indicating support for a terrorist organization or antisemitism generally.

The Turkish scholar, who had written an op-ed for a campus newspaper critical of Israels war, was arrested by masked agents off the street near her Massachusetts home last March and held in a detention center in Louisiana for more than six weeks.

I find it breathtaking that I have been compelled in the evidence to find the conduct of such high-level officers of our government, cabinet secretaries, conspiring to infringe the First Amendment rights, Judge Young said in closing remarks from the bench last week.

Ive never had a case that approached that level of consequence, he said. But Ive asked myself, why? How did this happen? How could our own government, the highest officials in our government, seek to so infringe the rights of people lawfully here in the United States?

He said he was convinced by evidence in the case that high-ranking government officials, including the president, have a view of freedom by whos excluded as though they fear First Amendment protections and exclude from participation everyone who does not agree with them.

In Thursdays ruling, the judge ordered that any further attempts to deport members of the groups that sued would likely be considered unlawful retaliation.
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A former Washington, D.C. police officer who defended the Capitol from a mob of Donald Trumps supporters on January 6 had to be pulled away from a heated argument with a prominent election denier in the middle of Jack Smiths first-ever public testimony.

Michael Fanone, an outspoken and heavily tattooed former officer with the citys Metropolitan Police Department, wore a Dropkick Murphys T-shirt with the slogan fighting Nazis since 1996 as he sat with other former police officers to watch Smiths testimony to the House Judiciary Committee.

Those former officers had to hold back Fanone before things got physical with Ivan Raiklin, a far-right activist who was filming the interaction during a recess at Thursdays hearing.

Fanone repeatedly told him go f*** yourself and called him a traitor to this f****** country before officers tried to pull him away.

Raiklin, a Trump loyalist who named himself the secretary of retribution, was among key voices amplifying a bogus conspiracy theory urging then-Vice President Mike Pence to reject the results of the 2020 presidential election.

open image in gallery Former Washington DC officer Michael Fanone, right, called far-right activist and election denier Ivan Raiklin a traitor during Jack Smiths testimony to the House Judiciary Committee January 22 ( Getty Images )

Fanone  who was dragged down the Capitol steps, beaten with pipes, pepper sprayed and threatened with his own gun during a mobs assault in the halls of Congress on January 6, 2021  got a front row seat to the former special counsels testimony.

There, Republican members of Congress accused Smith of joining a long-running Democratic conspiracy to undermine the president, whose false narrative of a stolen and rigged election fueled riots at the Capitol.

More than 600 people were charged with assaulting, resisting or impeding law enforcement officers in connection with the attack, including nearly 200 defendants charged with using a deadly or dangerous weapon or causing serious bodily injury to an officer.

Trump issued sweeping pardons for all of them on his first day in office.

On Thursday, Republican Rep. Troy Nehls appeared to absolve Trump of any wrongdoing and blamed law enforcement failures that day on Capitol officials. At least 170 officers were injured in the riots, and four others later died by suicide. Fanone suffered a heart attack after he attack.

According to the White House, which has adopted Trumps alternate history of the attack, Democratic leadership, not then-President Trump and administration officials, put peoples lives in danger, while Pence failed to dispute Joe Bidens victory in an act of cowardice and sabotage.

In the audience, Fanone, who was flipping off Republican members during the hearing, coughed out go f*** yourself" loud enough for microphones in the room to hear.

open image in gallery Fanone, who was among law enforcement officers beaten by Jan 6 rioters, said Raiklin had threatened his family ( Getty Images )

Raiklin introduced himself to Fanone during a recess in Thursdays hearing.

Dude, dont pretend were not mortal enemies, Fanone said. Youre a traitor to this f****** country.

Raiklin told him to contain your Tourettes syndrome.

You threatened my family, and you threatened my wife, Fanone said.

Why are you so spasmodic? asked Raiklin.

Fanone challenged him to do something.

Why should I? Im communicating with you, trying to calm you down, Raiklin said. Look at your face right now. I think you need to control yourself.

F*** you, Im using a lot of restraint right now, said Fanone as former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn tried to pull him away.

See how many people are restraining you? Look at me, said Raiklin as another Capitol Police officer tried to get between them. Total control over my mind and body and Im dominating you.

As Fanone was pulled away, he accused Raiklin of threatening his family and called him a sick bastard.

After the hearing, Fanone wrote on Substack that when someone who made violent threats against your family walks up to you inside the Capitol  smiling, filming, and trying to humiliate you  restraint is the only thing preventing that moment from turning into something much worse.

Raiklin, meanwhile, shared posts on X accusing Fanone of defamation and suggested he would sue the former officer.
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The City of Philadelphia is suing the Interior Department, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, the National Park Service, and its acting director, Jessica Bowron, after a slavery exhibit was removed from the Presidents House Site in Independence National Historical Park.

The location is the former executive mansion of Founding Father George Washington, who lived there with nine African slaves from 1790 to 1797, before his successor, John Adams, occupied it for three years, ending in 1800, at which point he moved into the newly constructed White House.

The display in question  which was taken down by an NPS work crew Thursday afternoon  was first installed in 2010 and told the story of the lives of Washingtons slaves, who had been sent from the first presidents plantation home in Mount Vernon, Virginia, to serve him in Pennsylvania.

The citys lawsuit, filed in federal court, requests a preliminary injunction to restore the information boards and assumes their removal complied with an executive order signed by President Donald Trump last March titled Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.

Without notice to the City of Philadelphia, the National Park Service has removed artwork and informational displays at the Presidents House site referencing slavery, presumably pursuant to the mandate in the executive order, the lawsuit states.

open image in gallery Workmen with the National Parks Service remove the information boards from the Presidents House Site in Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Thursday January 22, 2026 ( ABC6 Philadelphia )

Defendants have provided no explanation at all for their removal of the historical, educational displays at the Presidents House site, let alone a reasoned one.

An Interior Department spokesperson told The Independent: The Department of the Interior is implementing Secretarys Order 3431, which carries out President Donald J Trumps Executive Order on Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History. All federal agencies are to review interpretive materials to ensure accuracy, honesty, and alignment with shared national values.

Following completion of the required review, the National Park Service is now taking appropriate action in accordance with the order. We encourage the City of Philadelphia to focus on getting their jobless rates down and ending their reckless cashless bail policy instead of filing frivolous lawsuits in the hopes of demeaning our brave Founding Fathers who set the brilliant road map for the greatest country in the world  the United States of America.

The Independent also reached out to the White House and the National Park Service for comment.

Trumps order claims that a corrosive ideology has been allowed to undermine the remarkable achievements of the United States by casting its founding principles and historical milestones in a negative light.

open image in gallery Part of the slavery exhibit at the President's House Site, seen last summer prior to its removal ( Getty )

Under this historical revision, our nations unparalleled legacy of advancing liberty, individual rights, and human happiness is reconstructed as inherently racist, sexist, oppressive, or otherwise irredeemably flawed, it states.

The order instructs Burgum to take action, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, to ensure that all public monuments, memorials, statues, markers, or similar properties within the Department of the Interiors jurisdiction do not contain descriptions, depictions, or other content that inappropriately disparage Americans past or living (including persons living in colonial times).

It also explicitly references Independence National Historical Park and directs Burgum to make funding available for improving its infrastructure by July 4 this year, when the U.S. will celebrate its 250th anniversary.

The American Historical Association was critical of Trumps order when it appeared last spring, saying: Historians explore the past to understand how our nation has evolved. We draw on a wide range of sources, which helps us to understand history from different angles of vision.

Our goal is neither criticism nor celebration. It is to understand  to increase our knowledge of  the past in ways that can help Americans to shape the future.

open image in gallery The slavery exhibit was intended as a memorial to the nine slaves kept by George Washington when he lived at the residence from 1790-97 ( Getty )

Among those expressing anger over Thursdays removal was Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson, who said: Removing the exhibits is an effort to whitewash American history.

History cannot be erased simply because it is uncomfortable. Removing items from the Presidents House merely changes the landscape, not the historical record.

Michael Coard, founding member of the advocacy group Avenging the Ancestors Coalition, which originally campaigned for and installed the display, called its removal outrageous and blatantly racist in a Facebook post.

The Black Journey, which offers historical walking tours of Philadelphia, commented on the same platform: Just because Trump ordered the panels taken down doesnt erase the history. The truth still lives here.
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One year into Donald Trumps second presidency, hes historically unpopular.

A New York Times/Siena College poll showed that nearly half of voters said that their life was worse off than it was four years ago. Despite his talk of affordability being a Democratic hoax, roughly 51 percent of voters said their life is less affordable now and 64 percent say that Trump mismanaged efforts to handle the cost of living.

Of course, no matter how much Trump teases it and no matter what Steve Bannon says, Trump will never be on a presidential ballot again. As per usual, he will make others pay the price for it; namely Republicans in Congress.

Survey after survey shows that Democrats lead the generic ballot, which determines whether voters would vote for a generic Democrat over a generic Republican in Congress. The generic often serves as a major indicator of how the country will vote in a midterm.

But dont expect Republicans to find religion and stand up to the president anytime soon. If anything, this week shows just how much they are willing to allow Trump to do whatever he pleases.

open image in gallery Despite President Donald Trumps sagging approval numbers, House Speaker Mike Johnson continues to give him almost everything he wants. ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

As The Independent wrote this week, Republicans have done little to stand up to Trump - who had a 40 percent approval rating in the latest Associated Press poll - in terms and only a handful of Republicans have defected.

House Speaker Mike Johnson has regularly helped Trump and often either says he has not seen Trumps latest remarks, refuses to comment on them or sometimes even defends them.

On Thursday, the House pushed the final spending bills across the finish line, including a spending bill for the Department of Homeland Security that provides $10 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Thomas Massie, the perpetual critic of Trump, was the only Republican who voted against the bill, as public opinion has turned on ICE after the killing of Renee Good.

By contrast, seven Democrats  all of whom hail from districts that voted for Trump  voted for the legislation, even as many other moderates from frontline districts opposed the bill.

During the same series of votes, Johnson and the Republicans kept the vote open during a vote for War Powers Act resolution on Venezuela pushed by Rep. Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.) to allow for Republican Rep. Wesley Hunt to arrive in time for the vote. Hunt has routinely skipped votes as he runs a quixotic campaign for Senate in Texas. But his late arrival allowed a majority to kill the resolution that would have limited Trumps ability to conduct further strikes in Venezuela.

Republican leadership holding a vote open so they can give away Congresss single most important power  the decision to send our young men and women into harms way, Ryan later said on social media.

open image in gallery Trump currently has a 40 percent approval rating in the latest, Associated Press poll ( Getty Images )

It was a repeat of last week, when Republican Sens. Josh Hawley of Missouri and Todd Young of Indiana reversed their votes on a War Powers Act resolution after Trump chastised them on Truth Social.

Part of this is due to the fact that Republicans have limited margins in the House and Senate. Marjorie Taylor Greenes exit from the House and Doug LaMalfas death reduced the Republican margins to 218, the exact number needed to pass anything in the House.

And on the Senate side, Republicans have only 53 seats, which means they cannot overcome a filibuster and can only afford to lose three senators at any time before Vice President JD Vance comes to break a tie as he did with Pete Hegseths confirmation and the One Big, Beautiful Bill.

But contrast today with the Democratic side during Joe Bidens presidency, wherein then-senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia regularly torpedoed parts of Bidens agenda and numerous nominees. The fact Manchin hailed from a state that overwhelmingly supported Trump meant Democrats deferred to him to keep their majority.

In the same token, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries will likely not chastise the seven Democrats who voted for the Homeland Security bill despite his own opposition to the bill because he recognizes he needs to give those frontliners leeway to vote with Trump, even if it angers progressives.

That relative independence allows Democrats with tough races to have a better shot at winning. But Republicans in swing races are increasingly tied to the least popular parts of Trumps agenda, which could spell doom for the midterms and Republican hopes of keeping a majority in Congress.

That could ultimately lead to the unraveling of the majority and Trumps best bulwark against any sort of accountability. By forcing Republicans to walk the plank on his policies, Trump weakens himself in the long term.
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After nearly blowing up more than 80 years of friendship with Americas closest allies by threatening tariffs against them in a fit of pique over his desire to acquire Greenland, President Donald Trump closed out his visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos this week by trying to replace the United Nations with something more like his Florida social club  membership dues included.

At a signing ceremony emceed by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and featuring stagecraft reminiscent of the television reality show that cemented Trump as a pop culture figure years before he mounted his first campaign for the presidency, Trump and a ragtag group of autocrats, representatives of Middle East monarchies, and other leaders from a group of seemingly random nations seeking his favor  plus ex-British prime minister Tony Blair  inked documents launching the Board of Peace that had been teased since he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a U.S.-brokered deal for a ceasefire in Israels two-year-old war against Hamas in Gaza.

Seated in front of a large screen showing a logo that appeared to be ripped off from the United Nations own branding but with North America centered on it, the president and his new friends took turns putting their signatures on what was described as the groups charter before each of them held their documents up for the cameras in Trumpian fashion.

Trump, who the organizations charter lists as its chairman  a position he can hold for the rest of his life if he so desires  said it has the chance to be one of the most consequential bodies ever created and end decades of suffering, stop generations of hatred and bloodshed, and forge a beautiful, everlasting, and glorious peace in the Middle East region.

In theory, the ceremony was yet another step in implementing the deal hammered out between American, Israeli and Hamas negotiators over months of talks. The organization, as originally envisioned and endorsed by the U.N. Security Council, is supposed to spearhead implementation of the ceasefire agreement and set up a new civilian administration in Gaza.

open image in gallery Trump applauds himself at the launch of his Board of Peace in Davos on Thursday ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Had Trump simply gone along with the plan he and Netanyahu rolled out last year, his Board of Peace might have gotten a better reception from traditional American allies.

But in the months since it was unveiled, as he has continued to bully his countrys closest friends with threats of tariffs  and in the case of Greenland, invasion  he has expanded the groups supposed remit to something more in line with his outsized ambitions to position himself as a transformational American leader and an indispensable man of world history.

Rather than a purpose-built body to oversee the Gaza ceasefire and reconstruction as intended by the U.N., the charter signed by Trump and his new friends make no mention of the Gaza conflict or the fact that the boards mandate is limited to Gaza and expires at the end of 2027.

Instead, it describes itself 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 that is composed only of States invited to participate by the Chairman  thats Trump  and willing to donate $1 billion for a permanent membership (unless Trump decides to kick a member out later on).

Trump will also serve as the first American representative to the board  a position that will pass to his successor as president  but hell remain the boards chairman for life, which could well give him the ability to remove the United States from the organization in the event he is succeeded by someone he doesnt particularly like.

If the groups mission statement sounds decidedly similar to the United Nations, its because thats what Trump has been envisioning in the months since his Gaza ceasefire triumph.

According to people close to him, he truly sees himself as a peacemaker nonpareil who should have been a no-brainer decision for last years Nobel Peace Prize  an honor he covets largely because it was once awarded to his forever nemesis Barack Obama.

open image in gallery Trumps Board of Peace charter membership does not included any traditional American allies ( AFP/Getty )

And had Trump simply gotten on with the task of setting up the Board of Peace as initially envisioned  for Gaza and Gaza alone  he might have had a shot at next years award had he not spent months upon months openly lusting for it.

But having alienated the Norwegian Nobel Committee by engaging in an uncouth campaign for the prize that has been given to some of the worlds most renowned statesmen, the president is now embarked on a quest to render it  and other organizations that have rejected him  irrelevant.

Thats why the traditional U.S. allies and fellow U.N. Security Council members such as France and the United Kingdom have bowed out of Trumps new group, citing fears that hes positioning it as an alternative to the U.N. itself.

And though Canada never appeared to be much interested in the new body, Trump made a show of rescinding Ottawas invitation in a Truth Social post on Thursday after Canadian prime minister Mark Carneys pointed speech at Davos earlier in the week.

open image in gallery Trump disinvited Canadas Mark Carney in a fit of pique after the Canadian leaders speech to the World Economic Forum tacitly criticized him ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Instead, hes now surrounded himself with he called the most prestigious Board of Leaders ever assembled, at any time, consisting of leaders from Argentina, Turkey, Hungary, Bulgaria, Bahrain, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Qatar, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Morocco, Paraguay and Pakistan.

He also invited Chinese and Russian dictators Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin for good measure, with Putin indicating this week that hed accept if he can pay Trumps billion-dollar initiation fee with funds that have been frozen to punish him for the extremely not-board-of-peace-like act of launching an unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in 2021.

While several of the countries are NATO members, none are nuclear powers (though hes invited Russia and China to join if they pay the billion-dollar fee). And none are counted among traditional world powers or even as close allies of the U.S.

But for Trump, that doesnt matter. What matters is that the leaders who are joining his new club say nice things about him and share his disdain for woke concerns such as human rights  as well as his disdain for elections (when he loses).

They will praise him and support whatever efforts he undertakes to bully countries into ending conflicts he can take credit for ending, Nobel Peace Prize be damned.

Whether this new organizations plan for Gaza succeeds or not is yet to be seen. But as long as Trump can continue to take credit for whatever it does, hell be happy to participate surrounded by his dues-paying autocratic friends. And after alienating most of Americas closest allies even further this past week, his new paying customers may be all he has left.
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President Donald Trump has disinvited Canada from his Board of Peace days after Prime Minister Mark Carney gave a blistering speech in Davos, Switzerland, warning of an era of great power rivalry and suggesting the US-led world order was over and was not coming back.

The speech, given at the World Economic Forum on Tuesday, was seen as a rebuke of Trumps policies, including his tariffs regime, his threats to force Canada to become the 51st state of the United States, and his efforts to acquire Greenland.

In a Truth Social post Thursday night, Trump wrote in the format of a letter, Dear Prime Minister Carney:

Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canadas joining, what will be, the most prestigious Board of Leaders ever assembled, at any time.

Last week, Carneys office said he planned to accept Trumps invitation to the Board of Peace, Reuters reported. The Independent has reached out to Carneys office for comment.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump has disinvited Canada from his 'Board of Peace' days after Prime Minister Mark Carney gave a blistering speech in Davos about 'an era of great power rivalry' ( Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images )

Trump signed the charter of his Board of Peace in Davos Thursday. He plans to chair the international organization and has invited world leaders to join.

More than 20 countries have said they will join the board, which will focus on securing peace in conflict zones, NBC News reported. Russian president Vladimir Putin has been invited, while those who have accepted include Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Argentinas Javier Milei, Hungarys Victor Orban and the leaders of countries including Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Morocco and Pakistan.

Notably, several European countries, including the United Kingdom and France, have indicated that they would not be joining the board at this time.

Trump has said permanent members will have to pay $1 billion to join, although he has not explained in detail what that money would be used for. When asked on his flight back to the U.S. on Thursday he said: That's a lot of money, but it's nothing compared to the value of peace.

He has also suggested he could be head of the Board of Peace for life. Asked about France turning down the offer to join and Britain not committing to it so far, citing Putins possible involvement, Trump said: Well, I think they're going to want to. There are some countries like Italy who told me she wants to sign. She wants to be in desperately. But I think she has to go back to her legislative branch.

In Carneys Davos speech, which prompted a standing ovation and received widespread praise, the Canadian prime minister said: It seems that every day we're reminded that we live in an era of great power rivalry, that the rules based order is fading, that the strong can do what they can, and the weak must suffer what they must.

This past week, tensions between the United States and Europe reached a boiling point after Trump threatened to place tariffs on several European countries to pressure the sale of Greenland, a mineral-rich, semi-autonomous territory of Denmark.

open image in gallery Carneys speech, given at the World Economic Forum, was seen as a rebuke of Trumps efforts to acquire Greenland ( Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images )

During his own speech in Danvos Wednesday, Trump said, No nation, or group of nations, is in any position to be able to secure Greenland other than the United States. We're a great power, much greater than people even understand.

The president tried to reassure Americas allies that the U.S. acquisition of Greenland would not be a threat to NATO, the military alliance that both the U.S. and Denmark are part of. He added, The United States is treated very unfairly by NATO.

He also hit back at Carneys speech the day before, apparently stung by the Canadian prime ministers implicit criticism, saying, Canada gets a lot of freebies from us. They should be grateful, also, but theyre not. I watched your prime minister yesterday. He wasnt so grateful.  Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements.

Trump continued his rant against NATO Thursday, writing on Truth Social shortly before disinviting Canada from his international peace organization, Maybe we should have put NATO to the test: Invoked Article 5, and forced NATO to come here and protect our Southern Border from further Invasions of Illegal Immigrants, thus freeing up large numbers of Border Patrol Agents for other tasks.

The president also railed against Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom for attending the global economic meeting.

open image in gallery Trump also railed against California Governor Gavin Newsom Wednesday night after he told European leaders to 'have a backbone' against Trump ( Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images )

Gavin Newscum, as a Lame Duck Governor of a Failing State, should not be at Davos running around screaming for the attention of Foreign Leaders, and embarrassing our Country, Trump wrote on Truth Social Thursday night.

While in Davos, Newsom told European leaders to have a backbone against Trump. I cant take this complicity. People rolling over. I shouldve brought a bunch of knee pads for all the world leaders, he said.

In response to Trumps Truth Social post Wednesday, Newsom wrote on X that he lives rent free in the presidents head, meaning that Trump is constantly thinking of the governor.
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A judge in America has raised a provocative hypothetical during legal arguments around President Donald Trumps use of an 18th-century wartime statute to deport Venezuelan gang members: Could a president deport The Beatles?

Jennifer Walker Elrod, chief judge of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, asked whether the same law could be deployed against a "British invasion" deemed to be corrupting young minds.

She described her reference to the 1960s moral panic surrounding The Beatles and other British bands as "fanciful". However, a government attorney responded unequivocally that the president possessed such power, and the courts would be unable to prevent its exercise.

These sort of questions of foreign affairs and the security of the nation are specifically political issues, said Drew Ensign, an assistant attorney general who was arguing the administrations case before the full 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Ensign said it would be up to Congress to check the president in that scenario.

open image in gallery A Venezuelan deported from the U.S. shows his hands in handcuffs and chains after landing at Simon Bolivar International Airport on a plane of deportees in Maiquetia, Venezuela, Jan. 19, 2026 ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

The unexpected exchange came in the administration's appeal of a ruling by a three-judge panel of the 5th Circuit, one of the most conservative courts in the country, that found Trump inappropriately used the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 when he targeted the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua last year.

The act has only been invoked three other times in American history, during the War of 1812 and both world wars. A majority of the three-judge panel agreed in last year's ruling with multiple lower court judges and immigration lawyers who brought the case that it cannot be deployed against a gang rather than a belligerent foreign power.

The administration appealed to the full 5th Circuit, and all 17 judges on the court were present for the arguments in New Orleans on Thursday.

Tren de Aragua is committing ordinary crimes that are being dealt with by law enforcement, Lee Gelernt, an attorney for the ACLU, told the judges. The Alien Enemies Act is about wartime and it's about the military.

Several of the judges were concerned about second-guessing the president's determination of a threat to the country. Ensign noted the law allows it to be invoked in attempts of invasion or predatory incursion and argued that courts should accept a president's declaration that that is happening.

A predatory incursion is less than an invasion, Ensign said, arguing that cases involving other laws have determined it happens when foreign fishing boats enter U.S. waters. He also noted that Trump alleged the gang was acting at the behest of recently ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government  an assertion that has been challenged by some law enforcement analysts.

It's unclear when the circuit will issue its ruling, and the final decision on the constitutionality of Trump's action will likely be made by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The nation's highest court has already had to wade into the tangled legal saga of Trump's invocation of the act twice before. His administration used the act to fly 252 Venezuelans from the United States to a notorious prison in El Salvador, where it contended that U.S. judges had no authority. The Supreme Court ruled that anyone else the administration tried to remove under the act needed a reasonable opportunity to challenge their designation as a gang member in court.

The following month, as the administration hurried to prepare another flight from Texas, the high court issued an unusual midnight ruling halting flights. It also barred removals under the act until the 5th Circuit could sort out the proper procedures. The high court never weighed in on the constitutionality of Trump's use of the act, giving the 5th Circuit first crack at that question as well.
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Donald Trump says that hell give more details on his Greenland deal with Europe in two weeks, reviving an oft-given timeline from his first term.

During his first administration, Trump became infamous for promising landmark announcements that were coming in two weeks time. Now, flying back from Davos yesterday, he promised yet another major announcement on his concept of a deal on Greenland.

Well have something in two weeks, he said, according to Mediaite. Theres a good spirit to get something done, and we have to have a strong freedom.

We have to have the ability to do exactly what we want to do. We have a great military. I built a great military. I did this in my first term and continuation, big continuation.

open image in gallery Donald Trump says a deal on Greenland is coming in two weeks although he has promised big news in two weeks before ( AP )

When the journalist asked how that would differ from the United States current deal with Greenland, which allows the United States to maintain a military base on the island, Trump promised that things would soon be so much better.

Much different, much more detail, much more generous to the United States, the president rambled. Its a much more generous deal. It has to be. And were building a Golden Dome. And you see the way it works. That is so much better for us and for Europe to have that piece of ice covered by the Golden Dome.

As world leaders buckle down for a two-week wait on details about Trumps Greenland deal, the president has finally unveiled his Great Healthcare Plan.

The bill, which will be voted on by Congress, is another of Trumps two-week promises, although he actually gave the two-week timeline around five years ago.

His plan will see the government directly pay consumers, with the aim that the funds be used for health insurance costs. However, critics have suggested that simply paying money into government-run healthcare plans would be a more efficient use of funds.

Other two-week promises from Trump include his ominous warning in June 2025 that he would announce a possible U.S. intervention in Iran in two weeks. He launched strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities two days later.

open image in gallery Trump has repeatedly threatened to take control of the island which he says is vital for his Golden Dome defense system ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

He has often floated the infamous timeline during negotiations on ending Russias war on Ukraine, although Putins attack is still ongoing.

Trump did deliver on one of his two-week promises, though, when he pledged to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement.

Taking the U.S. out of the international agreement to mitigate the effects of climate change had been one of the then-presidents campaign promises.

In late April 2017, Trump said he would decide whether to withdraw the country from the accords in two weeks.

He pulled the country out of the agreement on June 1, meaning that although he did deliver, it was actually 4 weeks after, not 2.
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President Donald Trump and California Gov. Gavin Newsom reportedly had a friendly encounter at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, this week, despite exchanging bitter personal insults in public.

According to journalist Mark Halperin, The two men engaged in affable small talk backstage in a wide hallway area before the presidents speech, which he delivered Wednesday, reiterating his demands that Greenland become a U.S. territory.

No one who knows Donald Trump will be surprised to hear that he laid it on thick, deploying that super charming, winking manner that he uses in such cases, Halperin wrote on X (Twitter).

There was friendly banter all around, and mutual laughter when the president announced, Gavin, were good.

Newsom, whom the journalist described as no stranger to faux towel snapping, is said to have given the president a little s*** in a jovial and jokey manner, before also sharing friendly words with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, her deputy James Blair, and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

open image in gallery California Gov. Gavin Newsom looks on at members of President Donald Trumps cabinet watch his speech to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Wednesday ( Reuters )

Only Homeland Security Adviser Stephen Miller is said to have been less enthusiastic about engaging.

Trump and Newsom sparred last year over the response to Californias deadly wildfires and the presidents deployment of ICE agents and the National Guard to Los Angeles. Also speaking on Wednesday, the former referred to the governor surprisingly warmly, saying he used to get along so great with Gavin and calling him a good guy.

Those remarks drew an incredulous stare and a chuckle of bemusement from Newsom, watching on from the rear of the auditorium, and by Thursday evening, Trump was back to lashing out at him on Truth Social.

Gavin Newscum, as a Lame Duck Governor of a Failing State, should not be at Davos running around screaming for the attention of Foreign Leaders, and embarrassing our Country, the president wrote.

He should get the permits so that people can build their homes destroyed by the fire that he could have prevented if he would have allowed water to flow from the Pacific Northwest.

open image in gallery Trump, surprisingly, told Davos he previously had a good relationship with Newsom  only to then resume attacking him on Truth Social ( AP )

He should finish his monstrously overbudget and behind schedule Railroad, from San Francisco to L.A., one of the Greatest Public Disasters in History, and focus on stopping Crime in the streets of California Cities  Then finish out his term, and GO HOME!

He made a mockery of himself, and everybody, including his staff, knows it. With a record like hes got, the ruination of one of the most beautiful places on Earth, where people are leaving in droves, it is unimaginable that he could run for President but, who knows, its a very strange World!

Earlier in the day, the governor had taken part in an event hosted by Semafors editor-in-chief Ben Smith after a prior speaking engagement at USA House was abruptly cancelled, a development Newsom blamed on the Trump administration.

He used his 30-minute slot to label the president an invasive species and accuse him of caring only about personal enrichment and cosplaying on the world stage, saying he had been forced to conclude that the only way to take on Trumpism was to fight fire with fire.

Newsom also rebuked Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent for insulting him at the forum by saying: Gov. Newsom, who strikes me as Patrick Bateman meets Sparkle Beach Ken, may be the only Californian who knows less about economics than Kamala Harris.

open image in gallery Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also engaged in a lively exchange of insults with the governor in Switzerland ( AP )

The Treasury Secretary talked about a Barbie doll, the governor responded. It was as if he was reading a diary and had just broken up with someone. I mean that was the Secretary of the Treasury using valuable time yesterday on the world stage.

Bessent hit back again in an interview with Politico on Thursday, saying, I think Gavin Newsom may be cracking up, some of these things hes saying. I think he may be in over his hairdo.

He also went after the governor for saying strange things about the president, for brandishing satirical Trump-branded kneeling pads in Davos, and for posing for a photograph with Alex Soros, son of the billionaire philanthropist and conservative hate figure George Soros.

To say strange things like President Trump is a Tyrannosaurus rex, what the hell does that mean? Bessent asked. I can say Gavin Newsom is a brontosaurus with a brain the size of a walnut. And, if you brought the knee pads, maybe that was for his meeting with Alex Soros.
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President Donald Trump indulged in a midnight Truth Social spree shortly after returning from Davos, Switzerland, where he railed against familiar political foes and promoted the first ladys upcoming documentary.

Trumpshared a flurry of more than 70 posts and reposts from midnight to 1 a.m. ET having arrived back in Washington, D.C. after traveling some 4,200 miles from the World Economic Forum.

Truth Social is often the first port of call for the president to share major policy news that impacts Americans, although only 3 percent use the platform, according to a Pew Research Center study.

In between launching attacks at longtime targets, including Minnesota congresswoman Ilhan Omar, former President Joe Biden, California Governor Gavin Newsom and former presidential Democratic opponent Kamala Harris, Trump took the time to promote the trailer for MELANIA, the $40 million Amazon documentary centered on his wife.

In the early hours of Friday, the president repeated false claims about 2020 election fraud, and also took credit for saving TikTok after a deal was reached Thursday to allow the Chinese-owned social media giant to operate in the U.S.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump indulged in a midnight Truth Social-posting spree, where he shared a flurry of more than 70 posts and reposts in just over an hour ( AFP via Getty Images )

I only hope that long into the future I will be remembered by those who use and love TikTok, the president wrote.

Other posts shared by the president were clips from pro-Trump news channels including Fox, NewsMax and Breitbart. He also shared an article from news site The Hill titled, The Trump Obsession.

After a few hours of online silence, the president was posting again at 7 a.m. ET.

House Speaker Mike Johnson told The Independent that the president, 79, sleeps about three hours a night when questioned about Trumps slurring of words and appearing to mix up Greenland with Iceland in Davos.

Is this a serious question? This president sleeps about three hours a night, Johnson said. He outwears everybody in this building by a factor of two or three. He's gotten more done in the first year of his presidency than anybody in history. I cannot even believe you asked me that question.

open image in gallery Trump was rapidly posting on Truth Social shortly after arriving back in Washington, D.C. from Davos, Switzerland ( Getty Images )

While delivering a speech about his Gaza board of peace at the conference, Trump was spotted with a large bruise on his left hand.

I clipped it on the table. So I put a littlewhat do they call itcream on it, he told reporters. I clipped it. I would say take aspirin if you like your heart, but dont take aspirin if you dont want to have a little bruising.
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JD Vance has claimed that European allies are more reasonable about Donald Trumps covert interest in Greenland.

His comments come as European leaders made unprecedented attacks on the U.S. government at the World Economic Forum in Davos, suggesting that the trans-Atlantic relationship between the U.S. and the E.U. might be more strained than ever.

Despite the anger from some of the U.S.s closest allies, the vice president, who remains a controversial figure in Europe, boasted to the Washington Examiner that defiance of Trump was simply posturing.

open image in gallery JD Vance has claimed that Europe is secretly reasonable when it comes to US plans to take over Greenland ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images )

Theyve been incredibly hostile in public, and a lot of this is posturing, right? If youre a European leader, they have to seem like a tough guy against Donald J. Trump, Vance said. So a lot of this, what weve seen, is more symbolic posturing for the Europeans. Behind the scenes, theyre much more reasonable.

Like Trump, Vance has long claimed that a U.S. seizure of Greenland was necessary to ensure the national security of the United States. Both men have openly coveted the Danish territorys wealth of rare-earth minerals and claimed that Russian and Chinese aggression was already threatening the island's sovereignty.

According to Vance, Danish officials privately admitted that the United States would need to play a significant role in defending Greenland.

Theyve also acknowledged that, God forbid, something significant happened in Greenland, the United States would have to play the leading role in defending it, he continued.

So theres a broad recognition that much of what we said about Greenland is actually true, and its interesting to juxtapose the public posturing with the very reasonable private negotiations that weve had with the Europeans.

open image in gallery Meanwhile, European leaders have closed ranks in defending the Danish territory ( PA Wire )

In contrast to Vances claims, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has publicly called for Europe to play a greater role in defending the region. She has already mobilized more troops on the island.

Vance, though, doubled down on his claims while speaking to the Washington Examiner, repeating disputed claims of an imminent threat from Russian or Chinese forces.

If Greenland were to fall into the hands of the Russians and the Chinese, something that even the Danes themselves have admitted could happen at least over the medium and long term, it would make our security weaker, Vance claimed. It would give them power projection abilities.

It would make our missile defense weaker, and so these things all counsel in favor of us shoring up that area, making sure its properly secure.

Despite Vances suggestion that European leaders have been cooperative in private, they have been excoriating about the Trump administration in public.

open image in gallery French President Emmanuel Macron even accused the US of new imperialism ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Speaking at Davos, French President Emmanuel Macron accused the U.S. Government of useless aggressivity over Greenland and railed against new imperialism and colonialism.

President Ursula Von Der Leyen, who leads the European Unions executive branch, also threatened an "unflinching, united and proportional retaliation against the United States if it moved against Greenland.

Even British Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned that the U.K. will not yield to the U.S. president.

In recent days, Trump has rolled back some of his incendiary rhetoric about Greenland after he allegedly agreed on a framework for the future of the Danish territory.

open image in gallery Trump says a framework has been agreed on Greenland, but more details have not yet been released ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

In a public statement, Prime Minister Frederiksen doubled down on her assertions that the island will never fall under total U.S. control.

NATO is fully aware of the Kingdom of Denmarks position. We can negotiate about everything politically  security, investments, the economy. But we cannot negotiate about our sovereignty, she declared.

And, of course, only Denmark and Greenland themselves can make decisions on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland, she continued.

The Kingdom of Denmark continues to seek a constructive dialogue with allies on how we can strengthen security in the Arctic, including the United States Golden Dome, provided that this takes place with respect for our territorial integrity.

The Independent has contacted the U.K. Foreign Office, the Danish Foreign Office, the Nalaakkersuisut, and the United Nations for comment.
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A U.S. judge has cast significant doubt on the legality of President Donald Trumps administrations plans to construct a $400m ballroom at the White House, questioning whether it had the authority to proceed without congressional approval. The proposed 90,000-square-foot facility is slated for the site of the recently demolished East Wing.

During a hearing concerning a lawsuit brought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, U.S. District Judge Richard Leon expressed strong reservations.

He questioned whether President Trump possessed the statutory power to dismantle the East Wing and build a ballroom in its place without explicit oversight or authorization from the US Congress.

Judge Leon sharply rebuked a lawyer for the administration, stating, "Come on, be serious," after comparisons were drawn to minor renovations, such as the installation of a swimming pool during the Gerald Ford administration in the 1970s.

The judge indicated he would issue a ruling in the coming weeks on the National Trust's request for a preliminary injunction, which aims to halt construction work.

The National Trust initiated legal action against Trump and several federal agencies in December, arguing that the project has advanced without the necessary approvals, environmental review, or congressional authorization. The group contends that federal law prohibits construction on federal parkland in Washington without express congressional authority.

The judge sharply rebuked a lawyer for the administration, stating, Come on, be serious, after comparisons were drawn to minor renovations ( Getty Images )

It further argues that the National Park Service violated federal law by issuing an environmental assessment instead of a full impact statement, and by releasing it only after the 120-year-old East Wing had already been demolished.

While Judge Leon declined to issue a temporary restraining order in December, the White House and other federal defendants are urging the court to deny a preliminary injunction, which would force an end to construction while the lawsuit continues.

The administration has defended the project's legality, asserting it follows a long tradition of presidential renovations, including Franklin D. Roosevelt's original construction of the East Wing. In a court filing, the administration stated the ballroom is essential for state functions, its design is still evolving, and above-ground construction is not planned until April, rendering an injunction unnecessary. Justice Department lawyer Jacob Roth affirmed at Thursday's hearing that the ballroom plans serve the public interest.

Earlier this month, the National Capital Planning Commission held its first public hearing on the ballroom plans, following the White House's submission of an application to both the NCPC and the Commission of Fine Arts last month.
Close Winter storm grips the south

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A major winter storm continued to blanket parts of the U.S. with snow and ice on Sunday, leaving more than a million energy customers without power and disrupting travel throughout the western half of the country.

More than 10,000 flights were cancelled on Sunday, while another 934 were delayed.

Heavy snow was reported from the Ohio Valley to the U.S. northeast. In the south, ice accumulation caused power outages for hundreds of thousands.

Since Friday, 24 states have declared emergencies to get ahead of the cleanup and response work that will no doubt be needed once the storm has passed.

The snow will continue to fall throughout Sunday evening and into Monday. Several places received record-breaking snowfall on Saturday and Sunday.

After the initial storm has passed, a record period of cold is set to follow for some parts of the country, locking the snow and ice in while workers fight to restore power in sub-zero windchill.
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Police have launched a manhunt for a suspected shooter who remained at large a day after shooting dead three people, including a pregnant former partner, in remote New South Wales, Australia.

Police said the suspected shooter, identified on Friday as Julian Hoolio Ingram, or Julian Pierpoint, was out on bail after being arrested on a domestic violence related charge. He was believed to be on the run in a moving vehicle, they said.

The man allegedly shot at four people in Bokhara Street, Lake Cargelligo, killing three and leaving one seriously injured when police responded to reports of a shooting at about 4.20pm on Thursday. According to local media reports, the woman who was shot dead was 25-year-old Sophie Quinn, a former partner of Mr Ingram who was about seven months pregnant. According to The Age, two other people  John Harris, 32, and Nerida Quinn, 50  were also killed in the attack. Kaleb Macqueen, 19, remains in a serious condition.

Police described the 37-year-old man as armed and dangerous, urging residents of the Lake Cargelligo community to stay indoors.

The man is described as being Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance, about 165cm-170cm tall, of a medium build with short dark hair and brown eyes, police said.

He was last seen driving a Ford Ranger utility with NSW registration DM-07-GZ described as having council signage, a metal tray back, high visibility markings on the side and an emergency light bar on the roof, they said, urging people to inform the police if they spot him.

"The [alleged] offender was on police bail initially, three days later he went before the court, and the court saw fit to continue the police bail," assistant commissioner of the Western Region Command, Andrew Holland, told the media.

According to the police and court documents, the man was arrested last year over domestic violence-related charges. He was released on bail on 30 November, on condition of reporting daily to the Lake Cargelligo police station.

The order that barred him from going within 100m of Quinn, her home or her workplace, was due to be reviewed in court on 3 February.

Mr Holland was quoted as saying by 9News, Mr Ingram had not previously breached the bail conditions prior to the alleged shooting, which he said was a domestic-violence-related incident.

"All the victims appear to be related to the offender," he said.

Mr Holland, said: "Our last sighting was on a road out of Lake Congelligo, hence our concerns for making sure the public is safe at all times.

"We are concerned about the local villages. We have concerns when he has gone to those villages before."

He added that Mr Ingram's knowledge of the local area could make him difficult to find.

He said Mr Ingram did not have a firearms licence. "[But] he has access to firearms, which are unknown, and that will form part of the investigation as well," he said.

The shooting comes a month after two gunmen opened fire at an event on Bondi Beach celebrating the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, killing 15 people in Australia's worst mass shooting in nearly three decades.

In response to the shooting, Australia's parliament passed new laws on Tuesday enabling a national gun buyback scheme and tougher background checks for firearm licences.

New South Wales, which has the highest number of firearms of any Australian state, has also introduced laws limiting individuals to owning no more than four guns and requiring licence holders to be members of a gun club.

Additional reporting by agencies
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Six people, including two teenagers, are missing after a landslide ripped through a holiday campsite on the east coast of New Zealand on Thursday morning.

Families were enjoying the summer school holidays at Beachside Holiday Park in Mount Maunganui in Tauranga, when a massive landslide struck after heavy rain had battered parts of the North Island for days.

Mount Maunganui is one of the most important landmarks in the Bay of Plenty region. Hundreds of thousands of tourists visit it every month and it is popular with both international visitors and holidaying New Zealanders.

The landslide-struck campsite sits at the base of Mount Maunganui, also known as Mauao, an extinct volcano thats a popular tourist destination and a sacred Maori site.

open image in gallery ( AP )

Police on Friday confirmed two teenagers, the youngest being 15 years old, were among those unaccounted for.

Prime minister Christopher Luxon arrived in Tauranga on Friday afternoon and described the scene as an absolute tragedy, as he met with the families of those impacted.

They are grieving incredibly hard, and I know that New Zealand grieves with them. Its a highly anxious time.

All we can do is make sure that were offering the very best support to those families, and I feel very confident that we are.

open image in gallery A search is underway by local emergency services for missing people at Mount Maunganui in Tauranga on January 22, 2026 ( AFP/Getty )

We have 25 personnel working alongside contractors, using diggers and police dogs, as well as police operations, to ensure that every inch of soil removed is thoroughly examined, said David Guard, a fire and emergency official.

However, the scale of the disaster and the risks at the site could delay rescue efforts, New Zealand police commissioner, Richard Chambers, told the New Zealand Herald.

It could be days. We appreciate that everybody is anxious and waiting for their loved ones, and for some answers, but we also have to be very careful, Mr Chambers said.

Three other foreign tourists who had not checked out and were on a list of campers are also considered unaccounted for.

open image in gallery New Zealands prime minister Christopher Luxon speaks with residents to assess the damage after the landslide ( Reuters )

We dont believe theyre here, but we still got to do that inquiry, police district commander Tim Anderson said.

Mr Anderson said they have not found any signs of life under the rubble, but we live in hope and we were still working 24/7 and leaving no stone unturned.

We have six people that we know are unaccounted for, and we have a further list of three that were working through, he told reporters.

Its unlikely that those other three are within the environs of our scene that were working with, but we would like the publics information on that.

open image in gallery A resident from Tairua helps clean up a land slip following the recent storm that struck New Zealand ( Reuters )

Footage from the campsite showed rescue workers and sniffer dogs working through crushed caravans and flattened tents.

A tourist said he saw the huge landslide coming down and jumped out of the pool, understanding the emergency of the situation, according to broadcaster TVNZ.

Another landslide struck the nearby Welcome Bay, Tauranga, where two people, a grandmother and her grandchild, have died.

One was a Chinese citizen, Chinese Ambassador Wang Xiaolong said on X/Twitter on Friday.

open image in gallery A vehicle stands amid debris and fallen trees in the aftermath of a flood in the Gisborne region ( Reuters )

The landslide comes after days of torrential rain linked to a tropical weather system, which has dumped extraordinary volumes of rain across large parts of the North Island.

New Zealands emergency management minister, Mark Mitchell, said parts of the east coast resembled a war zone, with helicopters deployed to rescue families trapped on rooftops and local states of emergency declared across several regions.

Authorities said the Bay of Plenty region recorded its wettest day on record, with the nearby city of Tauranga receiving about 295mm of rain in just over 30 hours  roughly two and a half months worth of rainfall.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand said it had responded to more than 230 weather-related callouts since Tuesday, including rescues from rooftops and flooded homes.
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French authorities are investigating the deaths of two infants who had consumed baby formula products subject to a precautionary recall earlier this month.

The French health ministry confirmed the ongoing examinations on Friday.

One of the babies, who died in Pessac, southwestern France, had been fed Guigoz powder milk, manufactured by Swiss group Nestle. The Bordeaux prosecutor's office stated that an investigation into the possible cause of this death is underway.

This development follows recalls by Nestle and the privately owned French group Lactalis, who recalled batches of infant milk sold in France due to potential contamination with cereulide.

This toxin is known to cause symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. The specific infant formula consumed by the second baby has not yet been identified.

Despite the investigations, the ministry emphasised that there is currently no evidence linking the infant deaths directly to the recalled baby formula products. Nestle has acknowledged the ongoing inquiries.

open image in gallery Nestle and the privately owned French group Lactalis this month recalled batches of infant milk sold in France due to possible contamination with cereulide, a toxin that can cause nausea and vomiting ( PA Wire )

"As stated by the authorities, at this stage nothing indicates any link between these tragic events and the consumption of our products," it said in an email to Reuters.

Lactalis said it had not received any reports from the health authorities.

"Two reports of infant deaths have been brought to the attention of the health authorities, involving children who were reported to have consumed the infant formula affected by the recalls. To date, no causal link has been scientifically established," the health ministry said in a statement.

"Further analyses are underway and these cases are being investigated by the relevant public prosecutors," it added.

The launch of an inquiry is a standard procedure after the suspicious death of a baby.

The offices of the public prosecutor in Angers, western France, where the other death occurred did not respond to Reuters' request for comment.

open image in gallery One of the babies, who died in the town Pessac in southwestern France, had been fed with Guigoz powder milk made by Swiss group Nestle and an investigation was ongoing into the possible cause of the death, the Bordeaux prosecutor said ( Getty/iStock )

Lactalis, the world's largest dairy group, recalled baby milk products in 18 countries and Nestle in dozens. Another French group, Danone, blocked a batch of infant formula specifically manufactured for the Singaporean market.

All three companies said the steps were precautionary.

The French farm ministry said on Wednesday the results of a first judicial inquiry were expected in the coming 10 days.

It said its investigations had identified an oil rich in arachidonic acid, or ARA, that was produced by a Chinese supplier as the source of the contamination.
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The formidable reality confronting any US, NATO, or European plans for Greenland is its ice. The relentless frozen expanse obstructs harbours, encases valuable minerals, and transforms coastlines into treacherous fields of white and blue shards, posing a year-round threat to shipping.

Navigating this challenging environment necessitates a specific solution: icebreakers. These colossal vessels, equipped with powerful engines, reinforced hulls, and heavy bows, are engineered to crush and cleave through thick ice.

However, the United States currently possesses only three such ships, with one reportedly in such disrepair as to be almost unusable. While agreements are in place to acquire an additional eleven, procurement faces significant geopolitical hurdles, as potential sources include either adversaries or recently alienated allies.

Despite toning down his rhetoric, U.S. President Donald Trump seems set on the U.S. owning Greenland for security and economic reasons: to keep what he calls the big, beautiful piece of ice out of the hands of Moscow and Beijing, to secure a strategic Arctic location for U.S. assets, and to extract the islands mineral wealth including rare earths.

open image in gallery Finnish icebreaker Polaris is moored in Helsinki, Finland, Thursday Sept. 27, 2018. (AP Photo/David Keyton, File) ( Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Without specifying any plan, he told world leaders gathered in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday that to get to this rare earth you got to go through hundreds of feet of ice.

Yet there is no meaningful way to do that  or anything else in the semiautonomous Danish territory  without icebreakers crucial ability to cut trails through frozen seas.

Even if they decided to surge U.S. material into Greenland tomorrow, they would have two or three years gap in which theyre not really able to access the island most of the time, said Alberto Rizzi, a fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations.

On a map, Greenland looks surrounded by sea, but the reality is that the sea is full of ice, he said.

If the U.S. wants more icebreakers, there are only four options: the shipyards of strategic adversaries China and Russia or longtime allies Canada and Finland, both of whom have recently weathered blistering criticism and threats of tariffs by Trump over Greenland.

open image in gallery A Danish serviceman climbs out of a hatch on the bow of the military vessel HDMS Knud Rasmussen of the Royal Danish Navy docked in Nuuk, Greenland, on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka) ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Icebreakers are expensive to design, build, operate and maintain and require a skilled workforce that can only be found in certain places like Finland, with expertise forged in the frigid Baltic Sea.

Finland has built roughly 60% of the worlds fleet of more than 240 icebreakers and designed half the remainder, Rizzi said.

Its very niche capabilities that they developed as a necessity first and then they have been able to turn it into geoeconomic leverage, he said.

Russia has the worlds largest fleet with about 100 vessels, including colossal ships powered by nuclear reactors. Second comes Canada, which is set to double its fleet to around 50 icebreakers, according to a 2024 report by Aker Arctic, a Helsinki-based icebreaker design firm.

Our design and engineering work order books are pretty full at the moment and the near future looks promising," said Jari Hurttia, business manager at Aker Arctic, as he describes rising interest in the firm's unrivalled special competence which is not available anywhere else in the world.

China currently has five compared to the U.S. three, and is rapidly building more as they expand their ambitions in the Arctic, said Marc Lanteigne, a professor at the University of Troms in Norway who teaches often at the University of Greenland in Nuuk.

China is now in a position to develop indigenous icebreakers, and so the U.S. feels it must do the same, he said.

open image in gallery Pieces of ice move through the sea in Qoornoq Island, near Nuuk, Greenland, on Feb. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti, File) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Washington has to play catch up, and fast, said Sophie Arts, a fellow at the German Marshall Fund focused on Arctic security.

President Trump has really bemoaned this lack of icebreakers, especially in comparison to Russia, Arts said. The current U.S. icebreaker fleet is basically past their life cycle already."

So he turned to the undeniable expertise of the European Unions northernmost nation and the U.S.s neighbor to the north.

Both Canada and Finland are really, really vital to this, Arts said. Cooperation is what makes this possible ... the U.S. doesnt really have a pathway to do this on its own at this time.

During his first administration, Trump prioritized the U.S. militarys acquisition of ice-capable vessels, a strategy that the Biden administration followed up on by signing an agreement called the Ice PACT with Helsinki and Ottawa to deliver 11 icebreakers constructed by two corporate consortiums with Finnish designs.

Four would be built in Finland, while seven would be constructed in a Canadian-owned billion-dollar American Icebreaker Factory in Texas as well as a shipyard in Mississippi under joint U.S.-Canadian ownership.

Any mining of critical minerals would face high costs in the harsh conditions at sea and on land in Greenland. Investments there would take years if not decades to pay off, Lanteigne said.

Even with adequate icebreakers, the price to build and maintain mining or defensive facilities  like those envisioned in the yet-unfunded $175 billion Golden Dome missile defense network linking detectors and interceptors in space and on the ground  would be enormous.

That means U.S. allies in the Arctic might still welcome more investment by Washington in Greenland.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said in a statement that she would be open to strengthening Arctic security including the U.S. Golden Dome program provided that this is done with respect for our territorial integrity.

open image in gallery A woman walks with her dog in Nuuk, Greenland, on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka) ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

While both the U.S. and the 27-nation European Union including Denmark and Finland have pledged to vastly increase investment in Greenland, it is clear who currently has the hard-power capability to actually reach the vast frozen territory roughly three times the size of Texas.

Its kind of absurd because I dont think Finland would scrap the deal with the U.S. as a response to threatening to invade Greenland, Rizzi said. But if Europe wants to exercise significant leverage to the USA, they could say Were not going to give you any icebreakers and good luck reaching the Arctic, or projecting power there, with those two old ships that you have.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reminded world leaders Tuesday at Davos of the key EU-technology base for any Arctic endeavors.

Finland  one of the newest NATO members  is selling its first icebreakers to the U.S., von der Leyen said at the World Economic Forum.

This shows that we have the capability right here, in the ice so to speak, that our northern NATO members have Arctic-ready forces right now, and above all, that Arctic security can only be achieved together.

She announced after an emergency summit of the 27 EU leaders in Brussels on Thursday that the EU would surge defense spending in Greenland including an icebreaker.
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The Greenland government has encouraged citizens to ensure they can be self-sufficient for five days in the event of a crisis by stockpiling food, medicines, ammunition and fishing equipment.

In an 11-page manual released yesterday, households were offered practical and simple advice about how to respond in a crisis, including guidance on drinking water, food, medicine, heating, communication and care for special needs.

Among the items the citizens are encouraged to make sure they have are firearms, ammunition and fishing equipment since hunting can be a source of food in a crisis.

The manual also recommends ensuring access to three litres of water per person per day and stocking up on foods such as dried meat and fish, as well as canned goods.

According to the government, work to revise preparedness advice for Greenlanders began last year against the backdrop of a series of long-term and short-term power outages.

The manual was launched on the same day that the US president, Donald Trump, ruled out a takeover of Greenland by military force during a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, but doubled down on his intentions to annex the territory.

Peter Borg, Greenlands minister for fisheries, hunting, agriculture and self-sufficiency, said the manual is not an expression of anticipation of a crisis, but rather to strengthen the overall preparedness and security of society.

The 11-page manual released by the Greenland government ( Prepared for Crises/Getty )

The advice states that if households can take care of themselves for five days, the authorities can focus on helping the most exposed and normalising the situation.

Following Mr Trumps statements at Davos, Greenlanders have expressed a sense of uncertainty about their future. Nuuk residents told The Independent that they do not trust the US president and are living under a cloud of worry.

Julie Rademacher, chair of Uagut (the National Organisation for Greenlanders in Denmark), said Greenlanders have been sleeping with their boots on since Mr Trump announced his intentions to acquire the territory.

She added: They have to find their weapons, their rifles. They have to be ready to take care of themselves for five days.

This is a new era now, and we need to be ready.
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European shares fell on Friday, set to end their longest run of weekly gains since May, as investors weighed the potential fallout from renewed trade tensions linked to Greenland.

The pan-European STOXX 600 edged 0.2 per cent lower by 0803 GMT, poised to snap a five-week winning streak.

The benchmark index has lost 1 per cent this week. Markets were jolted by US President Donald Trump's threats to impose tariffs on eight European countries until Washington was allowed to buy Greenland.

Trump rescinded his tariff threats on Wednesday and said that he had secured total and permanent US access to Greenland through a deal with NATO.

European Union leaders were ready to revive an EU-US trade deal, while warning they would respond if Trump renewed his threats.

While Mr Trump has since dropped the threat, investors remain wary of tariffs being used as a bargaining chip.

Elsewhere, purchasing managers' index figures are due in Europe and the US, with investors watching the surveys for fresh clues on economic momentum.

The German share price index DAX graph is pictured at the stock exchange in Frankfurt, Germany ( REUTERS )

"They are likely to confirm the ongoing resilience of the euro zone's gradual recovery despite geopolitical headwinds," economists at ING wrote in a note.

Among individual movers, BASF dropped 2 per cent after preliminary figures showed the German chemical giant's profit fell in 2025 due to lower margins and negative currency effects.

French lender BNP Paribas BNPP.PA was down 0.7 per cent. The bank plans to cut around 1,200 jobs at its asset management unit by the end of 2027, Reuters reported on Thursday.

Meanwhile emerging market equities and currencies extended gains on Friday, with some geopolitical jitters subsiding after U.S. President Donald Trump softened his rhetoric towards Europe over Greenland.

The MSCI's gauge of emerging equities .MSCIEF rose 0.3 per cent to notch a fresh all-time high and was set for a fifth week of gains, while the corresponding currencies index .MIEM00000CUS climbed 0.2 per cent.

Both indexes were poised for weekly gains after stalling earlier this week due to Trump's tariff threats against European allies over his push to control Greenland, which sent investors fleeing from risk assets.
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More than 15 years ago, Danish platoon commander Martin Tamm Andersen was leading his countrymen and U.S. Marines through the heat and sand of southern Afghanistan after a Taliban attack.

As Andersens vehicle moved at the rear of the column, everything was normal  until in one instant the world turned sand-colored. His body shook violently. I had no idea what was going on, he recalled. He ran his hands over his arms and legs to make sure they were still there.

When the dust settled, he saw one of his soldiers bleeding heavily from his face. Another had been hurled from the turret and lay on the ground, groaning in pain, his back broken in two places. The blast had torn the vehicle apart.

Andersen called in help from the U.S. Marines, who halted a firefight with the Taliban, returned to secure the site, treated the wounded and helped prepare them for evacuation.

At the time, American and Danish troops were comrades in arms who risked their lives for each other in a common cause.

open image in gallery Former Platoon Leader Martin Tamm Andersen poses for a photo at the Danish War Museum in Copenhagen ( AP )

Andersen can barely believe what has come of the U.S.-Danish alliance today as President Donald Trump escalates his threats to seize Greenland, a semiautonomous territory belonging to Denmark. Trump has repeatedly said the United States must take control of the strategically located and mineral-rich island, and views force as one way to get it.

When America needed us after 9/11 we were there, the 46-year-old veteran said.

As a veteran and as a Dane, you know, you feel sad and very surprised that the U.S. wants to take over part of the Kingdom of Denmark," he said.

Its a betrayal of the loyalty of our nation to the U.S. and to our common alliance, NATO.

He spoke from the Danish War Museum in Copenhagen, where his armoured personnel carrier that hit the improvised explosive device in 2010 in Helmand Province is on display.

Before his deployment to Afghanistan, Andersen had also served in Iraq. Good friends were killed and wounded in both wars. He believed his service in the U.S. wars served the cause of freedom and democracy.

It feels surreal

As the U.S. intensifies its threats to seize Greenland, that initial shock felt by many across Europe has evolved into a profound sense of sadness, betrayal and fear of what such a move could mean for Europes security at a time of Russian aggression. Denmarks prime minister has said it would mean the end of NATO.

For Danish veterans, it feels profoundly personal.

open image in gallery Then Colonel Soren Knudsen poses for a photo on the outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan, in 2012 ( Soren Knudsen )

A NATO member since 1949, Denmark has been a stalwart ally to America. Forty-four Danish soldiers were killed in Afghanistan, the highest per capita death toll among coalition forces. Eight more died in Iraq.

It feels surreal. It feels like its a bad joke somehow, Andersen said. " I mean, you cant really fathom that this is actually something that is being said out loud. It just seems too crazy.

Packing away a medal and a U.S. flag

Sren Knudsen, a Danish veteran who served twice in Afghanistan, was watching television last year when he heard U.S. Vice President JD Vance say on Fox News that Denmark was not being a good ally.

Vance was making Trumps argument that the United States needed to take more territorial interest in Greenland for the sake of U.S. security, and accusing Denmark of not doing its job."

He could not believe it. In his Copenhagen home, the 65-year-old Knudsen keeps a photo of himself flanked by children in the Afghan city of Qalat. The mission, as Knudsen understood it at the time, was to help the Americans safeguard the future of Afghanistan's youth. At the end of his second tour, U.S. service members gave him an American flag as a parting gift.

For years, he proudly displayed the framed flag and a U.S. Bronze Star honouring his service in Afghanistan alongside other medals from his military service.

open image in gallery Former Colonel Soren Knudsen and his wife, Gina Schaar ( AP )

He removed the medal and the flag in anguish and packed them away.

He told his wife that he would take them out of storage only when the U.S.-Danish alliance is restored.

Knudsen, who is the deputy president of the Danish Veterans Association, said he hears daily from other veterans who express sorrow and hurt at how the U.S. administration has turned against Denmark.

Many veterans who have wounds, whether on their souls or their body, certainly feel this as an offence straight to their heart, he said.

Understanding U.S. security needs

Danish veterans are furious at how the White House rhetoric disregards the right to self-determination of Greenland and Denmark. They also strongly object to Trumps claim that Denmark, after fighting alongside U.S. forces in wartime, is incapable of protecting the Wests security interests in the Arctic.

Both Andersen and Knudsen say they understand concerns about security in the region, but are convinced that Denmark is ready to continue doing whatever it takes within the NATO alliance to defend the region.

Both men describe maintaining a bond and friendship with American troops they served with. Knudsen's wife is American-born, and his brother-in-law is a U.S. Marine. They are convinced that their onetime comrades do not share Trump's views about the Danes.

open image in gallery Martin Tamm Andersen, a former Platoon Leader of the US Marines, shows a destroyed Army vehicle in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in 2010 ( Martin Tamm Andersen )

Danes often note that the U.S. already has access to Greenland under a 1951 defense agreement, and northwestern Greenland already houses the U.S. Pituffik military base that falls under the Pentagons Space Force. It is the U.S. that has chosen to reduce its military footprint in Greenland in recent years  and Denmark and Greenland say they would accommodate a beefed-up American military presence.

But Trump told The New York Times last week that ownership gives you things and elements that you cant get from just signing a document.

Knudsen says a U.S. invasion of Greenland would probably bring me to tears.

I would be very sorry if it happened, because I would also see this as the final moments of the NATO alliance, he said. And I would probably see it as the final moment of my admiration and love of what has been the American experiment for 250 years.
" " To be clear, we're talking about tigers that don't live in captivity (so zoos don't count). Elen Marlen / Shutterstock

If you are asking about the country with the most wild tigers, the answer is clear, but the story behind it spans conservation, habitat loss, and decades of recovery work.

A century ago, wild tigers ranged across much of Asia. Today, only a few countries still support a surviving population.

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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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US president Donald Trump has provoked anger among British politicians and veteran fighters by claiming Nato soldiers avoided the front lines in the war in Afghanistan.

Over 1,100 non-US coalition fighters died in the conflict that began in 2001, according to veteran charity Help for Heroes, the overwhelming majority of them being Nato countries, while more than 2,300 members of the US armed forces were killed.

But Mr Trump ramped up tensions with Nato on Thursday, saying he was not sure the alliance would be there if we ever needed them.

He told Fox News: Theyll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan  and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.

Lord Sedwill, a former British ambassador to Afghanistan, told Times Radio that Mr Trumps claim was offensive and simply wrong, and that Afghanistan veterans and the families of those who died would be right to feel deeply offended.

open image in gallery Mr Trump saw US Afghanistan veterans bodies repatriated ( Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

He said: The Americans took the burden but the UK and Denmark, for example, had a higher rate of casualties than the Americans.

I was in Afghanistan, that was certainly the case there, and [they] were engaged in some of the most vicious fighting in some of the most dangerous areas. And so he is completely wrong to be dismissive.

British families of soldiers killed in Afghanistan told The Times there was no front line in Helmand because the Taliban planted improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and hid among the public.

Ian Wright, whose son, Gary Wright, 22, a Royal Marine from Scotland, was killed in 2006, when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device in Lashkar Gah, Helmand province, said: There was no such thing as a front line in Afghanistan. The Taliban were not in any form of unit and not identifiable. They relied on IEDs and mixing with the public.

He said normally people would be shocked at the lack of diplomacy and factual accuracy shown by a president of the USA. Sadly this is not the case in respect of the current incumbent.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: Trump avoided military service five times. How dare he question their sacrifice.

Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty, who served in Afghanistan as a captain in the Royal Yorkshire Regiment, said it was sad to see our nations sacrifice, and that of our Nato partners, held so cheaply by the president of the United States.

He said: I saw first hand the sacrifices made by British soldiers I served alongside in Sangin where we suffered horrific casualties, as did the US Marines the following year.

I dont believe US military personnel share the view of President Trump; his words do them a disservice as our closest military allies.
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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Watch live from Rome as Valentino Garavanis funeral takes place on Friday (23 January), as mourners gather to say goodbye to the fashion icon.

On Monday (19 January), the designer known mononymously as Valentino, died at the age of 93, surrounded by his loved ones, a statement from Fondazione Valentino Garavani e Giancarlo Giammetti said.

Throughout his career, he made his high-glamour gowns and trademark red an iconic symbol of Italian elegance, as he built his fashion house in the country's capital.

Global fashion celebrities are joining the public to pay respects to the 93-year-old at his funeral service at the central Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri.

The service comes after a two-day public viewing on Wednesday and Thursday at the Valentino foundations headquarters in Rome, where some 10,000 people queued to view, and those bidding farewell included his beloved pugs.

Anne Hathaway and Elizabeth Hurley are among the famous faces that have gathered to mourn the legendary designer, who worked with generations of royals, first ladies and celebrities.

Also in attendance are some of the fashion industrys most powerful figures, including Anna Wintour, as well as numerous Valentino designers who helped bring his visions to life.
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A man fighting for the life of his country against an invader should be forgiven the passion and colour of his language when calling for help from his friends.

Volodymyr Zelenskys stinging rhetoric was very much his own at Davos when he called Europe a salad.

Dear friends, we should not degrade ourselves to secondary roles, not when we have a chance to be a great power together. We should not accept that Europe is just a salad of small and middle powers, seasoned with enemies of Europe, the Ukrainian president thundered.

The World Economic Forum was silent at the rebuke. Global leaders, business titans, European bureaucrats, squirmed.

Here they were faced with the grizzled figure that Vladimir Putins special forces have consistently failed to kill, who leads a nation freezing at home at -20C while its soldiers defend Europe and had to swallow their diminished proportions.

open image in gallery Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky pulled few punches in his speech to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland ( AP )

As his country approaches the fifth anniversary of Putins full-scale invasion but the 12th year of its defence against Russia, Zelensky reminded the Europeans in the audience just how little they had done.

They had failed to come up with a united front on Greenland, he told them. They had failed to support the bloodbath in Iran. He was grateful for the support Ukraine had had  but he was looking for more from Europe in an age when the old order was being torn up.

He goaded Europe by marking the actions that the man who is doing most to shatter the old order has taken.

President Trump led an operation in Venezuela and Maduro was arrested. And there were different opinions about it. But the fact remains, Maduro is on trial in New York.

Sorry, but Putin is not on trial. And this is the fourth year of the biggest war in Europe since World War II, Zelensky observed.

open image in gallery Zelenskys speech came after a meeting with Donald Trump ( AFP/Getty )

Ukraines president was picking up on a theme that has emerged at Davos: that it is time for the middle powers in Europe to realise that, along with the UK and Canada, they can form a powerful block in their own right.

Too often, Europeans turn against each other, leaders, parties, movements, and communities, instead of standing together to stop Russia, which brings the same destruction to everyone.

Instead of becoming a truly global power, Europe remains a beautiful but fragmented kaleidoscope of small and middle powers.

Instead of taking the lead in defending freedom worldwide, especially when Americas focus shifts elsewhere, Europe looks lost trying to convince the US president to change, but he will not change.

President Trump loves who he is, and he says he loves Europe, but he will not listen to this kind of Europe.

Another dig from Zelensky there  this kind of Europe. He means a spineless Europe that is slow to stand up for the values it claims it has.

He didnt need to spell it out, but it was clear that when Europeans did stand up to Trump and threaten a trade war over Greenland, the US president backed down.

open image in gallery The Ukrainian leader highlighted how the US were quick to remove Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro from power by force ( @realDonaldTrump/Truth Social )

One of the biggest problems in todays Europe, though its not often talked about in their mindset. Some European leaders are from Europe, but not always for Europe. And Europe still feels more like geography, history, a tradition, not a real political force, not a great power.

Some Europeans are really strong, its true, but many say we must stand strong and they always want someone else to tell them how long they need to stand strong, preferably until the next election. But thats not how great power works, to my mind. Leaders say We must defend European interests, but they hope someone else will do it for them.

Zelenskys was the loudest, most impressive voice in calling on Europe to step up to embrace its own potential power.

Mark Carney, Canadas prime minister and the president of Finland, Alexander Stubb, made the same calls to arms along with Keith Kellogg, until recently Trumps special envoy to Kyiv.

The latter two both argued that Russia could not win the war against Ukraine.

There has been a marked shift in the understanding of the war, with expert opinion now subverting the Russian and American narrative that Kyiv is losing and cannot win. Military experts and Davos delegates have been hearing and saying the opposite.

Zelenskys address was a call for help to get his country into a winning position and with an eye on a future European Union with Ukraine inside it. He was the underdog shaking Europe by the scruff of the neck.
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Donald Trumps new billion-dollar real estate plan for a New Gaza is a moral failure and the first step towards the end of any future state of Palestine, civilians in the war-ravaged strip have warned.

The $30bn blueprint to rebuild the besieged enclave from scratch will be built on the graveyards of countless unidentified Palestinians, a UN official also added.

Jared Kushner, Mr Trumps son-in-law and Middle East adviser, revealed US plans to build New Gaza in a presentation in Davos that featured sparkling cities, AI-generated skyscrapers, glitzy seaside resorts and industrial zones.

In a telling lack of Palestinian participation, Mr Kushner also announced a transitional committee to run Gaza, but the name of the body was written backwards in Arabic and split up into unintelligible individual Arabic letters.

Unperturbed, Mr Kushner implored the international community to put away your concerns and get on board, adding that it was part of the presidents efforts to move to phase two of a truce between Israel and Hamas.

We need you to come, take faith, invest in the people, try to be a part of it, he said, adding that they have already started removing the rubble and doing some of the demolition in the Israel-controlled city of Rafah.

open image in gallery The master plan for New Gaza, put forward by Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law ( Board for Peace )

Under Israels ferocious bombardment, nearly a million Palestinians were forced to flee the city, which is located along the Egyptian border, with many still displaced and living in a tent city north of it.

There, in the so-called humanitarian zone, displaced families told The Independent that Palestinians had no say in whether they approve or reject the plan or the unilateral move to destroy their homes, and feared the real purpose was to take control.

Hekmat al-Masri, 46, a social development specialist and a mother of one, said the fact that Americans and Israelis were already carrying out demolitions in Rafah without the consent of homeowners was transforming forced displacement into a development opportunity.

Rajai al-Shatli, a Palestinian media producer who is also displaced, said it was the first step towards ending the entire Palestinian national project.

Kushner, in the first year of the war, declared that Gaza's beaches are among the most beautiful in the world and should be developed.

This is where the plan begins: to take control of the Gaza Strip as if it were the private property of investors worldwide.

Israel launched an unprecedented bombardment and siege on Gaza in the aftermath of Hamass 7 October attacks on southern Israel, during which more than 1,100 people were killed and 250 taken hostage.

In the two years since, Palestinian health officials say Israels bombing has killed more than 70,000 people, including thousands of children.

The UN says Gaza is covered in more than 60 million tonnes of rubble  enough to fill nearly 3,000 container ships  and will take at least seven years to clear.

Even with a Trump-brokered ceasefire in place since 10 October, Israeli troops have killed at least 470 Palestinians in Gaza, including three journalists this week alone and children, according to Palestinian officials. Israel says it has opened fire in response to violations of the ceasefire, but dozens of civilians have been among the dead.

open image in gallery Palestinians walk through the ruins of destroyed buildings in Gaza City on 4 January 2026 ( AP )

Last week, the White House announced it was moving into the next phase of the shaky ceasefire, which is supposed to include the disarmament of Hamas, reconstruction, and the creation of a transitional authority to oversee the process.

On Thursday, Mr Trump inaugurated his controversial board of peace, which is initially tasked with implementing a post-war plan for Gaza.

Representatives from a hodgepodge of 29 countries  including Gulf nations, Azerbaijan, Paraguay and Mongolia  signed on, in the notable absence of the USs traditional Nato allies, the UK, the European Union and Canada.

Alongside the signing ceremony was the announcement of the New Gaza initiative, spearheaded by Mr Kushner.

open image in gallery A woman mourns the death of her nephew in Gaza, on 21 January ( AP )

A senior UN official, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal, warned that the new cities were being developed on the rubble of peoples homes, without efforts to retrieve the dead trapped underneath it.

Real estate development is always a great project  except when its developed on the rubble of peoples homes, the official added.

These new residences will be built on graveyards of countless unidentified Gazans who were killed during the war.

Mustafa Barghouti, a Palestinian politician in the occupied West Bank, said the biggest stumbling block was the lack of representation.

How can they have a plan for Gaza without consulting its people: the Palestinians? he asked.

This was echoed by families in Gaza.

Gaza does not need political real estate brokers, but rather an end to the aggression, a guarantee of accountability, Mr Masri said. Any plan that bypasses the Palestinians is a moral failure.
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Thousands of Islamic State group prisoners are being transferred from detention facilities in northeast Syria to Iraq, following a request from Baghdad officials that has been welcomed by both the US-led coalition and the Syrian government.

The move comes after the US military announced on Wednesday that it had begun relocating some of the approximately 9,000 IS detainees currently held in more than a dozen centres across northeast Syria, which are controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The initial transfer involved 150 IS members, moved from Syrias northeastern province of Hassakeh to "secure locations" in Iraq, with up to 7,000 detainees potentially being transferred to Iraqi-controlled facilities.

This significant relocation effort is unfolding amidst growing instability in northeast Syria. Syrian government forces recently took control of the sprawling al-Hol camp, which houses thousands of mostly women and children, from the SDF as part of a ceasefire agreement. The chaos has extended to prisons, with state media reporting that troops seized a facility in the northeastern town of Shaddadeh on Monday, where some IS detainees escaped before many were recaptured.

Further escalating tensions, the SDF reported on Thursday that government forces shelled al-Aqtan prison near the northern city of Raqqa with heavy weapons, simultaneously imposing a siege around the facility with tanks and deploying fighters. Al-Aqtan prison, which holds some IS prisoners, had been surrounded by government forces earlier in the week, with negotiations ongoing regarding its future.

The transfers underscore the persistent threat posed by IS, which, despite being defeated in Iraq in 2017 and Syria two years later, continues to operate through sleeper cells carrying out deadly attacks in both countries ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Concerns have mounted in Baghdad that the instability resulting from the government's push into northeast Syria, particularly along the Iraqi border, could allow detainees to escape and pose a direct threat to Iraqs security. An Iraqi security official confirmed that the decision to transfer the prisoners was an Iraqi initiative, driven by the nation's security interests, rather than leaving them in Syria. This sentiment was echoed by a senior US military official, who told The Associated Press that Iraq had "offered proactively" to take the prisoners. Both officials spoke anonymously due to not being authorised to comment publicly.

The SDF, which played a crucial role in defeating IS, has previously handed over foreign fighters, including French citizens, to Iraqi authorities for trial and sentencing. While the SDF still manages over a dozen detention facilities housing around 9,000 IS members, these are slated for handover to government control under an ongoing peace process that also envisions the eventual integration of the SDF into government forces.

The transfers underscore the persistent threat posed by IS, which, despite being defeated in Iraq in 2017 and Syria two years later, continues to operate through sleeper cells carrying out deadly attacks in both countries.
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Donald Trump doesnt like heroes. Not real men and women who have made the kind of sacrifice he avoided when he swerved the Vietnam draft on medical grounds. For he cannot stand to be seen as less of a global superstar than Volodymyr Zelensky.

In February 2022, the Ukrainian president stayed on with his wife and young family in Kyiv, certain in the knowledge that Vladimir Putin had sent his finest assassins to kill them all. Whether Trump would have hung around is harder to tell.

And there should be no surprise when he disparages the war dead from the UK and other Nato countries who were killed as a result of the ill-fated war on terror that was prompted by an American call to arms answered by Nato.

open image in gallery US marines in Helmand province, 2008 ( AFP/Getty )

Trump, after all, has scorned Americas own war dead on numerous occasions and openly sneered at its most celebrated heroes of combat.

I saw US marines race over notoriously dangerous roads and choke points, riddled with hidden bombs, without a moments hesitation to aid British troops in Musa Qala, Helmand  a front line Nato operation.

They were there because Afghanistan had harboured al-Qaeda, which had plotted the 9/11 atrocities. From day one of the US-led invasion of Afghanistan and later of Iraq, British troops were there.

Men like Sergeant Major Gaz ODonnell, who won a George Medal for diffusing bombs in Iraq. He shuttled around Helmand, painting the sand with a household brush to expose trip wires and hidden weapons rigged to kill.

He was good-looking, a former musician, a gym fanatic and an iconic member of the bomb disposal teams in Britain who sported a Felix the Cat badge. I saw him crunching mountains of salad in Camp Bastion between helicopter trips into the front lines and dust of Helmand to clear paths and roads for Natos troops.

Then he was dead. A bomb-disposal expert has to score 100 per cent 100 per cent of the time. His friend, Mike Webb, had to crawl to his remains in full view of the Taliban to retrieve Gazs body in the dusty river valley close to Musa Qala.

open image in gallery Sam Kiley during his six month assignment with 16 Air Assault Brigade in Helmand ( Sam Kiley/The Independent )

So much for Trumps remarks that Nato troops stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.

In Helmand in 2008, the Nato mission to close down the ungoverned spaces in Afghanistan being used by militant groups had mutated into a war that no Nato officers could accurately explain.

Were they there, having toppled the Taliban in 2001, to protect the new government, get female children into schools, eradicate opium poppies? Maybe all of the above  but they were not there because any Nato country was still in any danger from whoever remained in Afghanistan.

But Nato stayed alongside America.

Its members also fought alongside the US in the ill-fated and stupid mission to invade Iraq in 2003 on the falsified premise that Saddam Hussein was building a nuclear weapon.

British intelligence, foreign office and military officials argued against the mission because they knew it would end in disaster, but they followed orders and went anyway.

Those who did not come back were, in Trumps view, obviously losers.

In 2018, thats how he described American war dead buried near Paris when he shrugged off a trip there because of the rain.

open image in gallery Donald Trump speaks to the press before departing the White House for Paris in November 2018 ( AFP/Getty )

Why should I go to that cemetery? Its full of losers, he was reported to have said.

He also called the 1,800 US marines killed at Belleau Wood during the First World War suckers.

According to The Atlantic magazine, on the same trip to France, he asked aides: Who were the good guys in this war? He also said that he didnt understand why the United States would intervene on the side of the Allies.

Trump avoided the Vietnam draft due to bone spurs in his feet. In contrast, senator John McCain served his country. He was shot down there in 1967, held as a prisoner and tortured until 1973.

McCain won the Silver Star, three Bronze Stars, the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Legions of Merit for valour in combat, and was awarded two Purple Hearts for wounds he sustained, which left him with lifelong pain to manage.

In 2015, Trump said: Hes not a war hero. I like people who werent captured.

open image in gallery A Taliban roadside bomb explodes in Mian Poshteh, Helmand, in 2009 ( Peter van Agtmael/Thames&Hudson )

He would never have heard of Jay Bateman and Jeff Doherty. They were killed when Taliban snipers triggered an ambush against them in the Helmand Valley as they were patrolling back to a British fort known as Forward Operating Base (FOB) Gibraltar in June 2008.

The rest of their platoon fought off the ambush, dragging the bodies of their dead comrades while several others were wounded. They carried Jeff and Jay in wheelbarrows and heaved them into the back of a stolen station wagon to get them home to the base.

For C Bruneval Company of the 2nd Parachute Regiment in FOB Gibraltar, the fighting and dying went on for six months and a third of the men and women there were killed or injured.

When they were not fighting, they played like puppies in the sand in the base, scavenging joy wherever they could  bombarding their officers with flour-soaked water bombs fired from catapults made of jock-straps and surgical tube.

open image in gallery Sam Kiley in Helmand, Afghanistan, in 2008 ( Sam Kiley/The Independent )

They fought alongside Danish artillery experts and Nato forces from all over the alliance. One senior British officer, who has seen an Estonian platoon in action, said they were such ferocious warriors in assault that once they were unleashed I thought we might never be able to call them back.

It would be naive to say these men and women fought with such ferocity simply for Nato. And British troops have long been celebrated as the attack dogs of the alliance, even if the armed forces are much diminished.

Trumps contempt for their efforts, though, now means that the US president should avoid British garrison towns.

British soldiers wont hurt the US president, but theyre good with catapults and hed be lucky if theyre loaded with only flour.
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President Donald Trumps Board of Peace has faced fresh ridicule after it emerged that nearly half of the countries on it are banned from entering the US under his travel ban.

Trump unveiled his alternative to the United Nations with great ceremony on Thursday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

He welcomed representatives from several countries on to the stage and said he was friends with all of them.

They included Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bulgaria, Hungary, Indonesia, Jordan, Kosovo, Mongolia, Morocco, Pakistan, Paraguay, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan.

Notably absent from the address were any European countries amid reports that Russian leader Vladimir Putin had been invited to join.

But earlier this year the American leader imposed an even more stringent travel ban to restrict immigration and entry into the US. The administration indefinitely suspended immigrant visa processing for people from 75 countries  and many of them are on his Board of Peace.

open image in gallery At least 18 countries were represented on the stage at the opening of the Board of Peace, which seeks to pose an alternative to the UN ( Reuters )

Armenia, Azerbaijan, Jordan, Kosovo, Mongolia, Morocco, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan are all subject to the restrictions on immigrant visas, raising questions about the efficacy of the initiative that he said has the chance to be one of the most consequential bodies ever created.

The Board emerged following Trumps involvement in a US-brokered deal for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and members are expected to contribute $1bn to join.

His son-in-law Jared Kushner unveiled bizarre new pictures of a New Gaza at the opening of the board, which featured a data centre, luxury apartments and coastal tourism.

open image in gallery Trump unveiled pictures for his new vision of Gaza at the launch of the Board of Peace ( Getty Images )

The presentation contained CGI-generated images of luxury apartments and data centres, as well as plans to build more than 100,000 housing units and 75 medical facilities.

Former prime minister Tony Blair was controversially named as a member of the board, which will be chaired by Trump himself.

When America booms, the entire world booms, the president told the gathering. This board has the chance to be one of the most consequential bodies ever created and its my enormous honour to serve as its chairman.

open image in gallery ( AFP/Getty )

He explained: The board of peace is composed of the top leaders in the world, actually. Last October, we released a plan for the permanent end to the conflict in Gaza  and Im pleased to say that our vision was unanimously adopted by the United Nations Security Council.

The American leader said the peace board would ensure that Gaza is demilitarised. His secretary of state, Marco Rubio, added that it would also be a board of action.

The new plans appeared to mirror an AI-generated video released last year of the war-torn strip transformed into a riviera and featuring Mr Trump and Tesla billionaire Elon Musk.
What do you do to stand out in a country where every EV is good, and nobody worries about range and charging?

Nio showed up to CES 2026 with the ET9 Horizon Edition.

China's market is crowded with many EV brands, many of them not turning a profit.

Nio says that focusing on branding and customer experience is the way to stand out in a very crowded market.

There are a lot of car brands in Chinatoo many of them. Despite the scale of Chinas car market and its level of innovation, a reset is bound to happen soon. Many of these car companies are either going to naturally fail, or combine, or probably be sunsetted at the behest of the state, but at least right now, its not entirely clear which ones will be the ones to go.

But as the number of auto brands inevitably declines, what determines exactly what consumers will get to choose at the end of the day? I brought this up with representatives from Nio, the tech-savvy Chinese carmaker famous for its battery-swapping technology, at CES 2026.

Nio came to the show with the Nio ET9 Horizon Edition, its most expensive car ever, and showcased its Dolby Atmos sound system. There, Ted Li, the head of Nio product experience, said the company isnt worried when the chips start to fall.

Nio ET9

Nio thinks focusing on brand is what separates the wheat from the chaff and will be how it weathers an impending storm. And yeah, Dolby Atmos is kind of part of that.

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William [Li] started [Nio] having a vision, not as a car company, said Li, who is not related to Nios founder. That's very important. The core and the starting point of this journey is actually marching toward an end point of holistic experience.

He was referring both to the ET9 at the show and answering the question as to just how Nio sees itself remaining relevant in China, and, in turn, the world.

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InsideEVs has driven the ET9 before. Both Patrick George and I were impressed with just how much well-executed tech the car hadand yes, the ET9 is the dancing car youve probably seen blow up your social media feed. The Bose-inspired predictive suspension, being the car's piece de resistance, was able to absorb bumps and iron out body motions with an almost alien and slightly unnerving level of composure and flatness.

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The same suspension tech can be used for an experience that Nio says is 5D, in which the car moves its body around (while parked) in concert with on whats going on on the infotainment screen. Add in Dolby Atmoss 3D spatial sound, and youll find a six-figure luxury doing of the most out-of-left-field impressions of an amusement park ride. At least, one that has massaging seats and tufted leather on every surface. Its delightfully over-the-top.



Experiences like this are what Li insists will drive more sales. He insisted that too many car brands, including Western ones, draw comparisons to Apple products, but fail to really consider what a brand means outside of tech gizmos and gadgets. How do those parts work as a whole? What kind of experience is the brand offering to its clientele, either existing or desired?

Many Chinese cars are technically impressive. For example, the Nio ET9 competes with the Huawei-backed Maextro S800. The two cars are also competing against cars like the BYD-based Yangwang U7. Even on the lower end of Nios sedan and crossover models, its not hard to find competitive EVs, PHEVs and EREV from brands like Zeekr, Xiaomi, Xpeng and more.

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Ive had similar conversations with other Chinese brand managers, like Zeekrs Andy An, who said in 2024 that, for the most part, Chinese consumers are generally satisfied with the range, speed and charging ability of their EVs.

Thus, automakers need to find other draws to bring in consumers. Batteries that can reach 80% in less than 15 minutes are common now in China. What else can you do? Based on my time in China, it seems like Nio has always tried to be on the cutting edge there.

It was one of the first to start the almost airline-lounge style Nio House user experience centers for owners. Ive experienced them, from the services they offer (like childrens play areas, or co-working spaces) to the snacks and refreshments they serve in their cafes. Theres a level of cohesion that I dont think Ive ever seen from any other car brand. Xiaomi or Huaweis tech store-style sales channels wont give you this sort of white-glove premium treatment.

Nios branding and holistic approach are strong and evident, but its still not entirely clear if it will pay off. Nio has had some wins in its home market lately with the relatively strong sales of the ES8 large EV crossover. It also plans to launch a Range Rover-sized ES9, which will be its largest and most luxurious crossover yet. But its openly struggled with profitability, with a stock price that has struggled to clear $5 per share within the past year.

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Nios performance in European markets has been weak, with high prices making its EVs uncompetitive against models from Audi and BMW. Nio does operate its Nio House user centers in some European cities, but the experience hasnt been enough to sway buyers to get more drivers to purchase a Nio car.

Nio ES8

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Still, the brand has been reorganizing its operations to get more right-brained people to buy into its aspirations as a lifestyle brand. When the all-new ES8 was launched in the middle of 2025, Nio cut prices while adding more standard equipment, making the crossover more attractive to buyers. Also, Nios premium small car brand, Firefly, follows many of the same principles as Nio, but in a package thats smaller and cheaper.

(Nio) Firefly (2025)

Whatever the case, Nio has a lot of work to do to stay relevant in a hugely competitive EV market, both in China and across the globe. Yet this speaks volumes about how advanced the Chinese EV sector really is: people are so satisfied with the electric status quo that cars have to dance to stand out. Meanwhile, in the U.S., automakers are still trying to convince buyers that they can do an electric road trip without having to call AAA.

Contact the author: kevin.williams@insideevs.com




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President Donald Trump has warned that an armada of US military ships is sailing towards Iran, as the death toll from the regimes brutal crackdown on protesters surpassed 5,000, according to a human rights group.

We have a lot of ships going that direction, just in case, the American leader told reporters on Air Force One on his return from the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Id rather not see anything happen, but were watching them very closely... We have an armada... heading in that direction, and maybe we wont have to use it.

The US military moved more assets towards the Middle East after protests began in Iran late last month. These included the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and associated warships travelling with it from the South China Sea, according to the Associated Press.

Human rights groups shared an alarming update on the death toll from the protests on Friday. The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), a US-based group, said that the 5,002 people killed in protests comprised 4,716 protesters, 203 government-affiliated individuals, 43 children and 40 civilians not taking part in demonstrations.

Donald Trump speaks to reporters on Air Force One after leaving the World Economic Forum in Davos ( AP )

The group added that at least 26,541 people had been arrested. The country is under the most comprehensive internet blackout in its history, with almost no coverage for over two weeks.

Mr Trump, who has been busy with negotiations over the acquisition of Greenland after backing down on threats to invade the territory, said that he had engaged with multiple rounds of talks with Iran over its nuclear programme prior to its attacks on facilities in June last year conducted alongside Israel.

He threatened the Islamic Republic with military action that would make the 12-day war look like peanuts. They should have made a deal before we hit them, he added.

Mr Trump has repeatedly said he prevented the execution of 800 people detained in the protests. On Friday, Iran's top prosecutor Mohammad Movahedi strongly denied that in comments carried by the judiciary's Mizan news agency. "This claim is completely false; no such number exists, nor has the judiciary made any such decision," Mr Movahedi said.

Protesters, including 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, were reported to have been sentenced to death by hanging. The president had previously promised demonstrators that help is on its way as he urged them to continue protesting.

Iranian state TV has suggested that the death toll reported by activists is exaggerated and released the first official death toll from recent protests, saying that 3,117 people were killed in the unrest.

In an opinion piece for the Wall Street Journal, Irans foreign minister Abbas Araghchi promised a powerful response if the country came under attack.

Unlike the restraint Iran showed in June 2025, our powerful armed forces have no qualms about firing back with everything we have if we come under renewed attack, he wrote.
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Torontos neighbourhoods are a love letter to inclusivity. From the vibrant murals that line the Church-Wellesley Village to the city-wide Pride celebrations that feel more like a warm embrace than a parade, the Canadian metropolis wears its allyship proudly on its sleeve.

As a queer traveller, Ive learned that the place I choose to rest my head matters just as much as the location Im exploring. Its not just about plush pillows and champagne at check-in (though, yes please), but about feeling safe, seen, and celebrated. Whether youre visiting for Pride Month, a milestone, or a much-needed escape, the hotel you choose can set the tone for your entire trip.

Toronto has long been a beacon of progressive values, but its the people behind these properties (queer-owned businesses, Rainbow Registered hotels, and affirming front desk staff) that truly bring the magic to life. And with Canada's legal protections and cultural celebrations of LGBT+ rights, this is a destination where you can authentically be yourself.

Ive rounded up seven hotels that dont just tolerate difference but celebrate it. Each one offers something uniquely special for LGBT+ travellers, whether youre seeking artistic flair, downtown buzz, or a cosy home-away-from-home.

For the best hotels for LGBT+ travellers in Amsterdam, San Francisco, Brighton and Berlin, see our guides.

The best LGBT+ friendly hotels in Toronto for 2026

At a glance

1. Gladstone House hotel

open image in gallery Gladstone House has an LGBT+ legacy ( Gladstone House )

Gladstone House welcomes you like youve come home. Set in the beating heart of West Queen West, the iconic Victorian building has been lovingly reimagined as a boutique hotel that wears its LGBT+ legacy with pride. For decades, its been a gathering place for artists, drag performers and activists.

Today, that energy still pulses through every corridor. Each room is designed by a different local artist, many from within the community, so no two are the same. And then theres the Melody Bar, where drag brunches, queer cabaret, and late-night dancing are the norm. Its loud, proud, and bursting with the kind of creative joy that makes you feel more alive.

Address: 1214 Queen St West, Toronto

Price: From 152

Read more: Dreaming of your next ski holiday? The best destinations in Canada to book now

2. The Anndore House hotel

open image in gallery The Anndore House is Rainbow Registered ( The Anndore House )

The Anndore House is effortlessly stylish. Just south of Bloor-Yonge, it offers a perfectly placed launchpad for exploring the Church-Wellesley Village, Yorkville, or Downtown Toronto on foot.

The rooms are a vibe with exposed concrete ceilings, vintage-style record players and Grown Alchemist amenities. The hotel has that moody, minimalist flair without being too try-hard. But, what makes this spot stand out for LGBT+ travellers is its Rainbow Registered status. That stamp isnt just a badge, it means the entire team has been trained in delivering safer, more welcoming experiences for LGBT+ guests.

Address: 15 Charles Street East, Toronto

Price: From 159

Read more: Forget New York and Chicago  this friendly Canadian gem is the North American city I return to time and again

3. The Drake Hotel

open image in gallery The Drake Hotel offers creative and stylish rooms ( The Drake Hotel )

The Drake Hotel doesnt just offer you a room; it offers you a front-row seat to Torontos creative soul, and an open invitation to join in. Located in the heart of Queen West, this hotel is loud in all the right ways. Think: vibrant street art, rotating in-house galleries, rooftop cocktails and DJs that know how to keep the energy alive. From the moment you walk in, you get the sense this place thrives on expression, inclusion and unapologetic vibes.

The staff are sharp, switched-on, and casually affirming. And it doesnt feel like a diversity initiative; its the default. Whether youre gallery-hopping by day or dancing under the stars on the rooftop by night, The Drake allows you to lean into who you are. If your version of a great stay includes bold design, electric atmosphere and queer-friendly energy, this is your scene.

Address: 1150 Queen St. W, Toronto

Price: From 176

Read more: Why Victoria is the overlooked Canadian city you need to visit

4. Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Toronto Downtown hotel

open image in gallery This hotel is only a few blocks away from the Church-Wellesley Village ( Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton )

As a queer traveller who regularly reviews hotels, I notice when one tries too hard, or not at all. Hampton Inn & Suites is easy-going, with no assumptions made by staff. There are no awkward moments, just a team that treats you with genuine warmth.

Not every LGBT+ traveller is after the artsy boutique experience, and thats where the Hampton Inn & Suites is strong. Just a few blocks from the Church-Wellesley Village, this downtown Hilton delivers exactly what it promises: its clean and comfortable with a refreshingly inclusive attitude. The vibe is more unfussy than flamboyant fanfare. And sometimes, thats exactly what you need.

Address: 300 Jarvis Street, Toronto

Price: From 100

Read more: Inside the mad world of Canadas hair-freezing competition

5. Chelsea Hotel

open image in gallery Chelsea Hotel is Canadas largest hotel ( Chelsea Hotel )

Chelsea Hotel is one of those iconic city stays that seems to have something for everyone, and that very much includes LGBT+ travellers and families. As Canadas largest hotel with 1,590 rooms, it somehow manages to be big in scale yet surprisingly thoughtful in its approach to inclusivity.

Set smack in the middle of Downtown, this is a place where youre minutes from everything: Eaton Centre, Queen Street shopping, and Church-Wellesley Village. Inside, its all about comfort and convenience. This isnt just a corporate mega-hotel, its Rainbow Registered, too. That means LGBT+ travellers and families can trust that the staff are trained to welcome all guests with respect and awareness. And it shows  from check-in to breakfast service, the vibes are inclusive and easy.

Address: 33 Gerrard St W, Toronto

Price: From 110

Read more: As an LGBT+ person, visiting the same places isnt boring  its vital

6. Courtyard Toronto Downtown hotel

open image in gallery To stay right next to Church-Wellesley Village, head to Courtyard Toronto Downtown ( Courtyard Toronto Downtown )

Sometimes you want the predictability of a trusted hotel brand, though with a location and service thats well suited for LGBT+ travellers. Thats exactly what Courtyard Toronto Downtown delivers. Its the largest Courtyard by Marriott in the world, and its located right at the gateway to Church-Wellesley Village, Torontos queer beating heart.

Ive stayed here solo and felt completely at ease. The staff are warm, respectful and switched on without being overbearing. Its a great central base that makes it easy to step out and explore queer Toronto  from its brunch spots to bars, and everything in between  then retreat to a comfy bed when youre ready to recharge.

Address: 475 Yonge St, Toronto

Price: From 132

Read more: The best LGBT-friendly holiday destinations around the world, from honeymoons to partying

7. The Yorkville Royal Sonesta Hotel

open image in gallery For a touch of elegance, head to The Yorkville Royal Sonesta Hotel ( The Yorkville Royal Sonesta Hotel )

If youre craving five-star finesse without the frosty stares that sometimes come with it, let me introduce you to The Yorkville Royal Sonesta. Set in Torontos leafy and elegant Yorkville neighbourhood, this hotel brings together art, architecture and top-tier service, minus the pretension.

Its across the street from the Royal Ontario Museum and a short walk from the University of Toronto and the upscale shops on Bloor. The hotel is also quietly one of the most LGBT+ affirming hotels in the area. It makes you feel seen without making a song and dance of it. So if youre after a grown-up getaway with style, soul and a solid guarantee that your identity wont be questioned, this one delivers. Yorkville elegance, but make it inclusive.

Address: 220 Bloor Street West, Toronto

Price: From 156

Read more: Move over Brighton, this northern city is ready to snatch Englands queer crown

Why trust us

Aidy Smith is an award-winning broadcaster, TV presenter, journalist and inclusivity spokesperson. Aidy writes on food and drink and presents Amazon Primes award-winning The Three Drinkers series, as well as being The Independents LGBT+ and neurodivergence travel specialist. The only global TV presenter with Tourette syndrome and a proud inclusivity advocate, he aims to offer wisdom and inspiration to help his community get the very best out of their travels. He has visited Toronto multiple times, ensuring a personal and informed perspective. When picking which hotels to include, he considered his own experience staying in the hotels and evaluated location, facilities, service and all the other details that make for an exceptional stay for all types of travellers.

FAQs

When is the best time of year to visit Toronto?

The best time to visit Toronto is between May and September, when the warm weather is at its peak.

Where are the most LGBT+ friendly areas to stay in Toronto?

Toronto Gay Village is the most popular area among the citys LGBT+ community.

What is the best LGBT+ nightlife in Toronto?

Woodys, Crews & Tangos and Pegasus On Church are some of Toronto Gay Villages top bars and clubs.
Donald Trump has been branded a draft dodger by Emily Thornberry after the US president claimed Nato troops stayed a little off the front lines during the war in Afghanistan.

Speaking on Question Time on Thursday (22 January), the Labour MP described Trumps remarks as an absolute insult to the 457 British service personnel who lost their lives in the conflict.

How dare he say we werent on the frontline? she said, before accusing Trump of avoiding military service during the Vietnam War draft.

She added: How dare this man, whos never seen any action, and who somehow managed to avoid the draft when everyone else in the United States had to face it?
Donald Trump has falsely claimed China makes windmills but doesnt use wind energy.

 They sell them to the stupid people that buy them, the US president said while addressing the World Economic Forum on Wednesday, 21 January.

In reality, China is one of the worlds largest users of wind power. As of 2024, around 16% of Chinas electricity generation came from wind energy alone, according to the Environmental Impact Assessment.

Trump also dismissed renewable energy as the greatest hoax in history, telling the crowd that windmills destroy your land.

But the facts tell a different story: China uses roughly twice as much wind energy as the United States or the European Union, according to Ember.
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The rumble of moving trucks through neighborhoods isnt nearly as common as it was five years ago.

The number of Americans moving has dropped by more than half since 2021, according to a new migration study from Bank of America. While moves are becoming rarer, so are long-distance relocations. Instead, people are swapping state-to-state moves for city-to-city transitions within regions depending on their financial situation, the study noted.

Fewer Americans are packing up each year, yet when they do move, they overwhelmingly stay in their home region, the study said. The big story isn't a national reshuffle - it's people trading one nearby city for another that fits their budget and lifestyle a little better.

The study did not address why the moving rate in the U.S. has plummeted by more than 50 percent. However, a report last year, from the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, suggested that a combination of factors, including an aging U.S. population and womens pay trends, has led to a significant slowdown in moves.

Some of the explanations for the decline in mobility involve long-term trends - such as population aging or increased earnings opportunities for women - that make moving costlier, the study said. Others appeal to changes in the geographic distribution of earnings, urban amenities and housing prices, all of which make moving less rewarding.

open image in gallery The number of Americans who move has plummeted over the past five years ( AFP via Getty Images )

For those who do choose to relocate, the Midwest has been a hot spot. Indianapolis, Columbus (Ohio), Denver, Austin and Cleveland saw the biggest population increases in the last three months of 2025.

On the flip side, Miami, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., San Jose and Boston lost the most residents over the same time period.

Lone Star love

Austin, in particular, represented the national trend of moving to a nearby city rather than switching states. A quarter of Austins new residents came from Texas other major cities of Houston, Dallas and San Antonio.

In our view, Austin is likely a target locale for people looking for a growing city that retains a small town feel with comparatively less expensive housing, the study noted.

open image in gallery Midwest cities saw big influxes of residents while Los Angeles and New Yorksaw their population decline ( Bank of America Institute )

Leaving La La Land

Further West, Bank of America found that the style and sparkle of Los Angeles wasnt enough to keep residents from moving. The West Coast culture hub saw its net population (those coming minus those going) decline by 0.8 percent year on year.

It lost its biggest share of residents to two California metropolitan areas: San Francisco/San Jose, which took 6 percent of L.A.s outbound migration, and San Diego, which brought in 5 percent of those who left L.A.

A bite out of the Big Apple

New York City lost 0.5 percent of its residents year on year. Instead of people moving to other parts of New York, though, the Big Apples residents converged on Philadelphia and the South. Some 7 percent of the citys outgoing residents moved to nearby Philadelphia, while another 7 percent went to Miami and 3 percent put down roots in Washington D.C. and Atlanta.
Donald Trump is back to his self-defined peace agenda, presenting his Gaza Board of Peace with a platform full of national leaders and holding more talks with Ukraines hastily summoned president, Volodymyr Zelensky. In the light of such familiar scenes, it was almost possible to believe that Sunday to Wednesday, with the US threatening to annexe Greenland, had not happened.

But it did, and it was probably the most acute crisis for the transatlantic alliance since Suez  and arguably more serious, given that the alliance, and the UKs post-war weakness, were then relatively recent phenomena. As such, the questions it has raised need to be answered and not expunged from the collective memory.

It may take days, months or even years to uncover what really happened here. Was it Trumps overt threat of force against the territory of a European ally, coupled with threats of new trade tariffs, that allowed him to get most of his way? What did he really want, and how much of what he wanted did he actually get? Or did he retreat  as the European gloss would have it  in the face of their solidarity with Denmark and a realisation of the wider implications if the US invaded an ally?

As ever, the idea of Trump as an inveterate dealmaker may be the key, with brinkmanship at the outset and the apparent U-turn reflecting a perceived change in the actual situation in Iran, and/or a reappraisal of the risk-to-reward ratio in the context of the US national interest. But it is also worth noting that, whatever the terms of the framework said to have been negotiated by Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte, Greenlands situation has changed. Nor is it likely that the Greenlanders and Danes will have the last word, as the UK, among other European countries, insisted.

As seen from Washington, at least some of Trumps grounds for wanting the US to own Greenland are not without merit, including geography and the navigational security questions raised by the opening of Arctic trade routes. These take on added significance if, like Trump, you adhere to a latter-day Monroe Doctrine. An argument could also be made, perhaps, that the defence of Greenland, and of Nato in that part of the Atlantic, would be more effectively served if the territory were under direct US control, and that such a change could be enacted by agreement, without jeopardy either to Nato or to Danish sovereignty.

Trump fancies himself as an inveterate dealmaker and he has Europe in his sights ( AFP/Getty )

The sequence would appear to be the classic one. Trump set out his maximalist position as a bargaining chip, that was then overinterpreted by most Europeans as his last word, leading to panic in the ranks, an emergency military dash to Greenland on the part of the Europeans, and the intervention of Rutte, which calmed everything down and produced the deal, which is thought to entail long-term leases for the US of parts of Greenland territory.

From the European perspective, however, it was the implications for Nato that loomed largest and which cannot be dismissed even as the immediate crisis may have passed. The very suggestion that the US would even contemplate the use of force against an ally, along with the tone of US rhetoric that betrayed a degree of contempt for the Europeans, conveys several messages to Europe that need to be heeded.

Zelensky urged Europe to wake up and shift out of Greenland mode if it wants to be taken seriously. It is clear that Trump still has little faith in the Europeans ability to defend their continent or to perform their duties as allies, should that be required. Any reciprocity either way, as enshrined in the famed Article 5, must now be in extreme doubt. Trumps passing reference to Denmarks short-lived resistance to the Nazis shows that such ingrained historical truth outweighs the more recent Danish losses in the US-led intervention in Afghanistan  especially, but perhaps not exclusively, to Americans of Trumps generation.

A logical conclusion from this is that the Europeans need to look to a time when the US security umbrella is no longer there, get their defence act together, or broach their own security arrangements for Europe. A more short-term response might rest in the hope that Trump and Trumpism are disempowered by a combination of Supreme Court judgments, the mid-term Congressional elections, and finally by a victory for a non-Trumpist president in 2028.

But such hopes are more likely to be vain. Trump has a democratic mandate and his view of Europe as in decline and a burden, the Western hemisphere as the US priority, and China, not Russia, as the potential threat, goes beyond his own Maga constituency. This is why it might be a better bet for the Europeans to prepare  at something like Trump-speed  for Macron-style strategic autonomy.

This will be particularly difficult, both for the UK, because of everything entailed in the special relationship, and for the new Europeans, whose faith in Article 5 was a big reason why they were so determined to join Nato. But it may have to be. A Greenland-shaped monument placed outside Nato HQ and the European Commission in Brussels, and even at the Ministry of Defence in London, might be a good reminder of the new reality.
Hattie Wrixon and her housemates made significant savings when they moved from a pay-as-you-go gas meter to a credit meter

At the end of each month, there is no getting away from the fact that household bills need to be paid  none of us like to do it, but it is a necessary evil. But while handing over our hard-earned money to pay for utilities is a fact of life, there are ways to reduce monthly outgoings, as Hattie Wrixon can attest to.
Businessman John Purdy dies aged 63, just a day after completing business sale

The entrepreneur had just completed the sale of his company, Ergo, for an estimated 100m

John Purdy

Donal O'Donovan Fri 23 Jan 2026 at 19:15

Well-known entrepreneur John Purdy has died, just a day after completing a sale of Ergo, the Irish IT services business he co-founded in 1993 and where he was non-executive chairman.
Fiction

Leicesters Belgrave Road is home to a vibrant South Asian culture, hosting the largest Diwali celebrations outside of India. In Victorian times it was best associated with industry, and long before that, the road roughly traced the line of a Roman path from Leicester to Newark and Lincoln.
A life was taken, because a woman was not allowed to move on  family of murdered Bruna Fonseca speak out

The family of the young woman who was strangled by her jealous ex-boyfriend pleaded for an end to violence against women

Bruna Fonseca's family welcome verdict as her ex-boyfriend is convicted of her murder

Ralph Riegel Fri 23 Jan 2026 at 15:12

Brazilian woman Bruna Fonseca (28), who was strangled by her jealous ex-boyfriend just weeks into her new life in Ireland, was hailed by her heartbroken family as "the rainbow between the rain clouds.
British motorists are adopting a Chinese-built SUV in numbers that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago, and the vehicles rapid rise is turning heads in the global auto industry.

The SUV in question, the Jaecoo 7, has become known among UK buyers on social media and automotive forums as the Temu Range Rover, a nickname that captures its premium-looking design and sharply lower price compared with established luxury SUVs of the same class.

The Jaecoo 7 is a brand under Chinas Chery Automobile Co. The Jaecoo somehow struck a chord with British consumers since its launch in early 2025. Despite being a relative newcomer to the market, factual sales figures show it is not just a niche curiosity.

Image Credit: Retired electrician - Own work, CC0, Wikimedia.

By late 2025, it had become the best-selling Chinese car in the UK for October, with more than 2,600 units sold in that month alone. Over the first ten months of the year, combined Jaecoo 7 sales in Britain exceeded 20,000 units.

Better Than the Real Thing

Industry commentary in the UK suggests that buyers are drawn to the Jaecoo 7 because it offers the look and many features of a luxury SUV while costing significantly less than a Range Rover model. The term Temu Range Rover ties back to Temu, an online marketplace known for inexpensive versions of popular products and conveys how drivers see the Jaecoo 7 as an affordable alternative with aspirational styling.

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Pricing for the Jaecoo 7 in the UK starts from around 30,115 (roughly $40,000), with mid-range plug-in hybrid versions priced nearer 35,000. By contrast, UK entry prices for Range Rover Evoque models typically begin closer to 44,000 and rise steeply with options, making the comparison between the Chinese SUV and established luxury offerings stark.

Retired electrician - Own work, CC0, Wikimedia.

Beyond pricing, British buyers and reviewers report that the Jaecoo 7s interior tech and comfort features are impressive for the class. Owners have highlighted elements such as large infotainment screens, panoramic roofs, heated seats, and other amenities that in some cases mirror what buyers would expect in far more expensive cars. Motor 1 ran the story of a woman who even swore the Temu Range Rover is better than the real thing.

The Naysayers

That said, not all reactions have been uniformly positive. Independent assessments suggest that performance and driving dynamics are less refined than those in premium brands, and concerns about long-term reliability and servicing infrastructure remain common among skeptics. After all, Jaecoo just got here.

Its easy to see how the Jaecoo 7s performance in Britain points to a wider shift in the global automotive landscape. Chinese brands overall have rapidly expanded in the UK, taking an increasing share of new car registrations.

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Data through 2025 shows that vehicles from Chinese manufacturers such as BYD, MG, Omoda, and Jaecoo collectively account for a growing percentage of the UK market, rising from a tiny fraction of sales a few years ago to a notable presence today.

Image Credit: Alexander Migl - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia.

This Chinese boom partly reflects pent-up demand among buyers seeking value amid cost-of-living pressures, a factor that resonates strongly in the UK auto market as it does in the United States.

Some industry insiders argue that middle-class buyers who might have once traded up to a premium European SUV are now prepared to consider alternatives if they deliver similar design and perceived quality at much lower cost. Canada has just recently struck a deal with China to import nearly 50,000 of its EVs.

Dealer networks for Jaecoo and other Chinese brands have also expanded quickly, helping to build consumer confidence by ensuring after-sales support and warranty coverage. In addition, brand awareness has been boosted by marketing campaigns and digital buzz, with searches for Chinese SUVs surging among British car shoppers. The Jaecoo was spotlighted as the UKs most Googled Chinese auto brand.

Coming Not to America

Where does this leave the walled off American market? The Temu Range Rover phenomenon offers a glimpse into how Chinese automakers are challenging traditional automotive hierarchies in advanced markets, not just through electrification but through competitive pricing and rapid adaptation to local tastes.

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The Jaecoo 7 itself is highly unlikely to show up on US shores, but its UK success may presage broader ambitions by Chinese OEMs as they explore export opportunities and global expansion.

The global car market is fated to keep evolving, in which automobiles like the Jaecoo 7 will continue to rise, signaling a shift that could influence how brands differentiate themselves and how consumers evaluate value and design in the decade ahead.

Sources: Bloomberg
Judge recuses himself from Islamic Cultural Centre case in abundance of caution after claims of bias and sabotage

Mr Justice David Nolan fully satisfied he had done nothing wrong but says he wants to avoid side show in the case

The Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland in Clonskeagh, Dublin

Tim Healy Fri 23 Jan 2026 at 19:55

A High Court judge hearing a dispute over the control of the company behind the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland has recused himself from the remainder of the proceedings in an abundance of caution, after a barrister made claims of bias and sabotage against him.
Brazilian librarian (28) was unable to escape Miller Pachecos jealousy and attempts at control

The 28-year-old Brazilian librarian, who was determined to forge a dream future for herself in Ireland, just could not abandon the ex-boyfriend with mental health problems who was emotionally dependent on her.
Two Dublin men are being held under organised crime legislation over a nationwide vehicle theft scam carried out through the Done Deal website.

The gang are suspected of using a fake payment app to con dozens of unsuspecting sellers across the country out of tens of thousands of euro.
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
From left, Special needs assistant Samantha OFlanagan, assistant principal Cliodhna Puirseil and teacher Carla Hayes at Stapolin Educate Together National School.

A Dublin school calling for autism classes has described a proposed solution from the Department of Education as ludicrous.

Stapolin Educate Together National School, located in Dublin 13, launched a campaign last year for two additional autism classes to be opened to provide for the numerous children on a waiting list for special educational needs places locally.
Fair City actor Gerard Jordan and partner expecting ninth child

Jordan, who plays Steo Nash on the soap, started his family with partner Jo when he was 25

Gerard Jordan met his partner Jo 11 years ago and have eight children together, with one on the way (Photo: Gerry Mooney)

Sarah O'Mahony and Kirsty Blake Knox Fri 23 Jan 2026 at 19:16

Fair City actor Gerard Jordan (34) and his partner Jo have announced they are expecting their ninth child.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs has condemned Israels destruction of buildings belonging to a UN agency delivering life-saving assistance in the occupied Palestinian territories

Helen McEntee said the the bulldozing of buildings at a UN headquarters in east Jerusalem by Israeli authorities earlier this week represented part of a sustained effort to undermine the United Nations Relief and Works Agency..
St Mellas cell. Lemanaghan surrounded by fallen trees in the aftermath of Storm Eowyn. Photo  Kevin ODwyer.

Human burials in Co Offaly that were exposed during Storm Eowyn last year have been confirmed as more than 1,300 years old.
Doctors at Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown worked at trying to resuscitate George Nkencho for 17 minutes after he had been shot by gardai outside his home, before he was pronounced dead, an inquest has heard.

A consultant in emergency medicine at CHB, Siobhan Maguire, provided evidence of efforts to save Mr Nkenchos life after he had been involved in an incident with members of the Garda Armed Support Unit (ASU) in the driveway of his home at Manorfields Drive, Clonee, Co Dublin on December 30, 2020.
Most workers would not apply for a role without hybrid or remote working arrangements, according to a major survey of the jobs market last year.

Research from hiring platform IrishJobs published today reveals that 56pc of professional job candidates want the option to work outside the office for at least part of the week.
WASHINGTON, Jan 23 (Reuters) - The National Transportation Safety Board said Friday it is opening an investigation into self-driving car company Waymo after its robotaxis illegally passed stopped school buses in Austin, Texas at least 19 times since the start of the school year.

The Alphabet unit in December recalled more than 3,000 vehicles to update the software that had caused vehicles to drive past stopped school buses that were loading or unloading students, increasing the risk of a crash. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened a probe in October into Waymo vehicles near school buses.

(Reporting by David Shepardson in Washington)
The company Switzer obtained a temporary injunction to stop Michael Flatley from interfering in the shows

Lord of the Dance creator Michael Flatley allegedly has a beneficial shareholding in the company suing him over the running of the multi-million-euro stage show, the High Court in Belfast heard yesterday.

Counsel for the star claimed he may be able to take control of Switzer Consulting Ltd and end the legal action brought against its master.
MetroLink boss Sean Sweeney has estimated that the cost of buying homes in south Dublin will be more than 30m, but says some may not choose to sell their houses as the value is likely to go up once the project is completed.
Mother of Belfast teenager Noah Donohoe pleads for answers at inquest into his death

Fiona Donohoe describes living nightmare when her son went missing

An inquest into the death of Noah Donohoe is taking place at Belfast Coroners Court. Photo: PA

Jonathan McCambridge Press Association Fri 23 Jan 2026 at 06:30

The mother of schoolboy Noah Donohoe has said she is desperate for answers over the death of her son.
My two girls and my wife drove me forward  Daragh MacLoughlin ecstatic after winning 4,800km Worlds Toughest Row

Galway man set off on the colossal journey 39 days ago, rowing every day without any assistance

Daragh MacLoughlin (42) from Clarinbridge in Co Galway won the World's Toughest Row after 39 days crossing the Atlantic Ocean. Photo: World's Toughest Row.

Keith Kelly Fri 23 Jan 2026 at 17:18

The solo class of the Worlds Toughest Row race has been won by an Irishman after spending 40 days at sea, crossing 4,800km of treacherous waters in the Atlantic Ocean.
Government at one on joining Donald Trumps Board of Peace  McEntee

Helen McEntee said: We cannot join a structure that essentially will try to mimic or undermine the UN Security Council

Helen McEntee addressed the issue outside Government Buildings, Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA)

Grainne Ni Aodha Press Association Fri 23 Jan 2026 at 11:40

The Irish Government is at one on the issue of whether the country should join Donald Trumps so-called Board of Peace, Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee has said.
Former president Mary Robinson has criticised Trumps Board of Peace, describing it as the board of the power of one Trump imperial idea.

The US President Donald Trump launched his Board of Peace this week where representatives from 19 countries signed the document. Mr Trump described the board could be one of the most consequential bodies ever created, although detail on the scope of the board was scant.
LATEST | Simon Harris doubles down on opposition to Trumps Board of Peace after Taoiseach leaves door open

Absurd plan will have Vladimir Putin, Victor Orban, Benjamin Netanyahu and Aleksandr Lukashenko among members

Tanaiste says Donald Trump 'backed down' over Greenland after EU response

Mary Regan and Maeve McTaggart Fri 23 Jan 2026 at 11:50

Tanaiste Simon Harris has said he "can't see any scenario" in which Ireland could take part in US president Donald Trump's Board of Peace.
Sexual violence survivors deliver shredded counselling notes as Justice Minister concedes they will still be used in some cases

The Criminal Law and Civil Law Bill 2026 proposes a judicial hearing to determine if the therapy records can be used in court

Campaigners with bags of shredded counselling notes outside the Department of Justice on St Stephen's Green. Photo: Frank McGrath

Sarah O'Mahony Thu 22 Jan 2026 at 19:21

Minister for Justice Jim OCallaghan has said an outright ban on the use of counselling records in criminal trials would be unconstitutional.
Credit: Ishika Samant/Getty Images; 94 WIP

Nearly a week has passed since Bo Bichette spurned a long-term deal from the Phillies to sign with the New York Mets, and the Philadelphia faithful still havent moved on. They might never move on.

Their NL East rivals are having an offseason to remember, while the Phillies run it back with the same underperforming core. The Mets have added Bichette, Freddie Peralta, Tobias Myers, and Luis Robert Jr., among others. But one Philadelphia broadcaster remains unconvinced that the team in Queens is committed to winning.

Ben Davis, who often fills in as the Phillies color voice for John Kruk, called the Mets losers, dismissing Bichettes claim at his introductory press conference that New Yorks commitment to winning attracted him.

Its a joke, Davis said. Youre just going to go where you get the best deal for you and get the most money. Whether you stunk or not, youre still going to get the most money possible. And the fact that thats a losing organization up there. It just is Theres something about them that they give off the vibe that theyre losers.

Ben Davis says the Mets give off the vibe that theyre losers: The fact that he [Bichette] says theyre committed to winninglike the Phillies arent? Come on man. Blow that smoke somewhere else. pic.twitter.com/Cg2cgqeFuf  SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) January 22, 2026

Theyre the Mets, so naturally, by virtue, theyre losers  even though the Phillies own the worst winning percentage in MLB history.

They give off the vibe that theyre just a losing organization, Davis added. And the fact that he says that Theyre committed to winning. Theres only a handful of teams that arent committed to winning. But the fact that he says that like the Phillies arent? Cmon man. Blow that smoke somewhere else.

The Phillies offered Bichette a seven-year, $200 million contract, or $28.5 million annually. The Mets countered with three years and $126 million  $42 million per year with opt-outs after each of the first two seasons. Bichette chose the Mets deal.

The difference came down to structure. The Phillies dont offer opt-outs. Bryce Harper doesnt have one. Trea Turner doesnt have one. Dombrowski said Tuesday he doesnt believe in them and wont change that philosophy. So Bichette took the Mets flexibility and higher annual salary over Philadelphias long-term security.

The Phillies responded by re-signing J.T. Realmuto and running back the same core that flamed out in the NLDS two straight years. But Davis insists the Mets are the team that still gives off loser vibes.
The mother of a woman who died after suffering crushing injuries from a horse has described the harrowing wait for information as her daughters condition worsened

Bryonny Sainsbury (25), a hairdresser from Co Longford, was crushed while assisting a vet inspection of the animal in a stable on August 26, 2021, succumbing to massive cerebral injuries in Beaumont Hospital five days later.
In a new project, photographer Ruth Medjber is asking ordinary people to share their extraordinary tales. This week, she meets MJ OBrien, who left Dublin for America in the 1960s with her biracial sons

I meet MJ OBrien in her home in the middle of Dublin city centre. Her back garden is the canal dock, which makes for a wonderful vista. Shes funny, charming and flirting with my sound engineer/partner who is recording our podcast interview today.

MJ is a woman who seems to have always broken societys divides with love and laughter. Like when she first met her lifelong friend Ann, at the time she started studying nursing in Essex. She was from the northside of Dublin, and whenever I opened my mouth, she used to tell everybody: Dont pay any attention to her, shes from Northumberland Road. And then Id tell people: Dont listen to her. Shes a commoner. Shes from the northside. Even to this day we joke about it, she still calls me Dublin 4.

MJs talks me through her life, with some poignant ups and downs, but what hits me most is the disparity between her life and the obstacles she faced in the 1960s in Ireland and how different todays society is.

MJ O'Brien photographed by Ruth Medjber for the series, Sin Sceal Eile.

News in 90 seconds Friday, January 23

I got into some trouble, MJ begins with a little smirk on her face  the kind that tells me there was a man involved. She recounts how her nursing college in the UK was located near to a US Army base, and they would send bus loads of soldiers over for dances. MJ would wait all night for ladies choice, describing herself as a bit of a plain Jane who was constantly looked over.

It was at one of these dances where she met Al and fell madly in love with him. I was 17 and I thought he was the second coming. He was lovely and, of course, he was a different shade.

MJ O'Brien photographed by Ruth Medjber for the series, Sin Sceal Eile

As I look around MJs apartment, the family photos come into focus, and the smiling faces of all different skin tones start to make perfect sense.

MJ and Al went on to have two sons, but being of mixed heritage wasnt straightforward in the 1960s. MJs parents  both well educated and respected doctors  were supportive, and MJ had so much love for them and for her siblings. However, she made the difficult decision to leave Ireland with her two small children and move to America.

She felt it would be the less scandalous option for her family, and would also take the pressure off her mother (who had tried to convince the neighbours that the children were half Spanish).

With Al unfortunately gone from the picture, MJ raised her two sons by herself. She worked hard her whole life, living all across America, from New Jersey to New Mexico.

Now, with her children grown, she has come back to Ireland to get to know her siblings and friends again.

It hasnt been an easy journey, she has faced all kinds of hardships, losses and injustices, but MJ feels its important to forgive those who have done you wrong, or even inadvertently hurt you. However, its most important to forgive yourself  something she says she has only learned to do later in life.
Irish tourists are travelling more in Asia this year with Vietnam a favoured destination, according to experts at the Holiday World SHow in Dublin.

The event, which is running in the RDS Simmonscourt this weekend, is hosting a range of travel professionals who are offering advice on over 50 countries.

From Peru to Vietnam, the Mediterranean and beyond, experts are on hand to recommend packages, tours, cruises and more. For more on this story, click here.
Mary Regan: Davos was a wake-up call for EU leaders on transatlantic change

The prospect of an all-out trade war with Donald Trump might be off the table for now, but he still seems determined to upend international order

EU leaders gather but following Trump's announcement on Wednesday, the context for the talks have changed

Mary Regan Fri 23 Jan 2026 at 06:30

EU leaders gathered in Brussels for what was supposed to be an opportunity to forge a united front against Donald Trumps threats to impose tariffs on countries that stood in the way of his Greenland ambitions.
Us president Donald Trump said at the World Economic Forum in Davos that the US will not use force to take over Greenland. Photo: Reuters

The captains of industry are not known for their sense of humour, but you cant help wondering if whoever came up with the theme for this years Davos gathering in the Swiss Alps was having a laugh. The economic summit was titled: A spirit of dialogue.

Even without the snowscape, US president Donald Trumps threats and badgering of European leaders was going to guarantee him a cool reception.

Earlier, his commerce secretary Howard Lutnick had been heckled at a World Economic Forum dinner when European Central Bank president Christine Lagarde walked out during his speech. Widespread jeering followed when Mr Lutnick told his audience the world should focus on coal as an energy source instead of renewables.

He had written an article for the Financial Times in which he declared: We are here at Davos to make one thing crystal clear: With President Trump, capitalism has a new sheriff in town.

But when the sheriff arrived, he showed no inclination to shoot up the town over Greenland.

People thought I would use force. I dont have to use force. I dont want to use force. I wont use force, Mr Trump said. His threats were less overt, and the air of menace more nuanced, but the edge remained.

We want a piece of ice for world protection, and they wont give it. They have a choice. You can say yes and we will be very appreciative, or you can say no and we will remember, he said.

As one analyst put it, if Vladimir Putin had been in the audience, he would have applauded.

When friends shake hands, it should mean something

The new dispensation seems to be one born of coercion, not co-operation. Denmarks foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen welcomed Mr Trump ruling out the use of force, but noted that the US presidents ultimate intention is intact.

The strongest country in the world has merely said it is not going to bludgeon its friends into submission. Well, not yet, at least.

So the mystery remains as to why Mr Trump insists on VIP treatment for Nato adversaries like Putin while carpeting Americas loyal allies.

There will be some relief that the rules-based order has survived the latest transatlantic strop, but Europe is being pushed to breaking point. The slight change in tone is a respite from the sneering rhetoric, but as EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said in her Davos address: Nostalgia will not bring back the old order. Its time to seize this opportunity and build a new independent Europe.

She, like the rest of the world, has been shocked at the weaponising of trade by Mr Trump. Europes tolerance is exhausted.

When friends shake hands, it should mean something, she said.

EU restraint has been read as spinelessness by the Trump administration. As it wages a savage war on Ukraine, Moscow will relish the rift Mr Trump has opened up. Now, more than ever, Europe must show its resolve in the stand for democracy.
US president Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he said he would not use force to take over Greenland. Photo: AP

Trust is the foundational principle on which relationships are built, but it is also known to be one of the easiest things to lose and hardest to recover. After the rupture in transatlantic ties, the emergency meeting of EU leaders to assess the damage was a sober affair.

The crisis created by Donald Trumps threat to take Greenland by force and thus attack a fellow Nato member was not something that would have been simulated in military exercises. Nerves are frayed.

Leaders know that Mr Trumps second tenure is a rickety roller coaster. That they should have been better prepared for the turmoil is clear. This was the man who passed off an attempted takeover of the US Capitol as over-exuberance by patriotic Americans and decried a legitimate election.

Mr Trumps Arctic U-turn was based more on a recognition that the instability he was creating could rebound on the US economy than a softening of ambition. Where other American presidents valued building bridges in a multilateral world, Mr Trump engineers emergencies and crises to blow them up.

Therefore, Europe is still unclear as to whether the Greenland issue is settled or if there are more tempests on the horizon, with tariff threats and gunboat ultimatums to be weathered. The doubts over Nato and worries about Ukraine, Greenland and trade have far from gone away.

Mr Trump has said he will negotiate on Greenland. This entails a commitment to respecting both sides of the argument. And therein lies the rub. As Lars Lokke Rasmussen, Denmarks foreign minister, said: It is not going to happen that the USA will own Greenland.

Thus, many leaders remain sceptical that a diplomatic solution is sustainable.

The Continent knows it has seen too much sacrifice to accept vassal status

One senior official in Brussels was quoted by news agencies as saying of Mr Trump: He is patently unstable. He can come back tomorrow and decide every EU country is getting tariffs.

Or he can flip on the use of force in Greenland, they added.

For decades, Europe rightly recognised the US as a powerful, valued and utterly dependable ally, but relationships cannot work if it means one side must sacrifice its dearest values. Total respect for freedom and integrity of borders has been challenged by Mr Trump.

The US and Europe are so much stronger together, but the Continent knows it has seen too much sacrifice to accept vassal status. To reassert itself, it must speak with one voice and act resolutely.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has chosen to call out Europes leaders in his Davos address for failing to do so. His country has been at the forefront in defending all that Europe purports to cherish. He accused them of waiting for leadership from Mr Trump on Ukraine, rather than taking action themselves.

Europe remains in Greenland mode. Maybe someone, somewhere will do something, he said.

If America is so aggressive about where its interests lie, Europe can no longer shirk from standing up for itself.
The Dail bike shed is just one example of wasteful spending by the Government

Has an Irish political party ever included a cost-saving programme in its manifesto? There are no investigations into widespread excessive expenditures by governments.

This is an area that opposition parties do not question. Why? Its because they, too, would not want to be questioned on this taboo subject if they were to assume office.

Governments search under every stone to find areas to levy taxes to extract cash from the overburdened taxpayer, only to waste it frivolously.

Are there too many representatives? We have more than other EU countries. Is bicameral an unnecessary, big-budget luxury? Do we need a sinecure that is the presidency?

Is the mass, expensive exodus to all corners of the globe for St Patricks Day necessary? No tangible benefits derive from these junkets.

The colossal expenditures for the National Childrens Hospital, a security hut, a bicycle shed and other debacles are disgraceful and testimonies to unbelievable crass mismanagement.

No accountability, no heads rolling, no resignations. Are those responsible still in situ and capable of repeat performances?

An external committee of academics, celebrated captains of industry and the like could be formed to examine and report on all of the foregoing, without Government interference, to prevent a reoccurrence.

Opportunities to cut costs should be a continuous process.

To set up a Department of Internal Affairs, manned by forensic financial professionals, would be a positive step in guaranteeing that governments operate with integrity and ensure disciplined expenditures and accountability.

A revolution in administration  a fundamental, innovative shift in governance  is what the country needs.

JA McArdle, Carlow

There is no defending US presidents crass modus operandi of coercion

When a US president openly toys with the idea of invading Greenland, we are no longer in the realm of colourful rhetoric or unconventional negotiation (Ireland is at the mercy of a bully until we get our defences in order, Irish Independent, January 21).

We are in the realm of threats. We are nonetheless told, with weary predictability, that this is simply Donald Trumps way of doing deals.

That defence insults both language and intelligence. Threatening allies with tariffs, mocking their institutions, posting annexation memes and dangling military force is not negotiation; it is coercion.

Those who excuse it would presumably see nothing amiss in buying a house by turning up with a crowbar, hinting at broken windows and calling it hard bargaining. The seller might comply, but only a fool would describe the outcome as voluntary.

For Ireland and Europe, this matters. We are deeply integrated into a European economy that Trump treats as a rival to be bullied, rather than a partner to be consulted. Dependency on US security has narrowed Europes options and encouraged a culture of accommodation that now looks dangerously like appeasement.

Europes supposed weakness is not feebleness, but restraint. Trumps doctrine is cruder: power is whatever frightens the other side most at the time. That approach may work in property disputes and protection rackets, but it corrodes alliances, destabilises markets and rewards the very behaviour it claims to deter.

If this conduct is indulged as mere style, it will be repeated, escalated and normalised. For Ireland, honesty about defence and co-operation is no longer optional, even for a neutral state. Crowbars are not a negotiating tool. They are a confession.

Enda Cullen, Tullysaran Road, Armagh

Government should deny use of Shannon Airport to US

US president Donald Trump continues to threaten to annex Greenland and has steadfastly refused to rule out the use of military force to achieve his objective.

The doctrine that might is right has replaced international law as far as the US is concerned.

It is important that Ireland raises its voice strongly in defence of international law and sovereign rights. Indeed, as a country that has experienced colonialism, Ireland should be particularly supportive of small countries threatened by larger imperialist states.

One thing the Government here could do immediately  and should have done decades ago  is end the US military presence at Shannon Airport. It is entirely wrong that Ireland continues to facilitate the US war machine that Trump has now threatened to turn on Greenland.

Fintan Lane, Lucan, Co Dublin

Why I disagree with letter writers assessment of Trump and his actions

The Irish Independent is to be congratulated for allowing a plurality of views in its Letters page.

Sometimes there is a perception that only views that conform to the zeitgeist are permitted, but it certainly would be a boring old world if we all had the same views.

In this context, I was pleased to read Jimmy OBriens letter (How can you praise Trump while he emboldens rival nations by ruining Nato?, Letters, January 20) taking issue with my contribution, which advanced a favourable view of Donald Trumps presidency.

Of course, I, in turn, would disagree with Mr OBriens analysis.

First, given Denmarks role as a colonising power in Greenland, involving a policy of effective ethnic cleansing of the Innuit population, I would be wary of lending undue support to Denmark.

Second, the EU itself, in the guise of the European Central Bank, was less than considerate of the Irish taxpayer during the so-called bailout.

Third, from a purely self-interested point of view, our main preoccupation should be the handful of US Big Tech companies that effectively bankroll the State.

Finally, judging by the military reaction of Nato and some of the larger EU countries, it looks like Trump is well on his way to achieving his goal of avoiding Greenland becoming a Russian or Chinese satellite. Time will tell. Regarding the Nobel Peace Prize, it would appear to be a case of possession is nine-tenths of the law.

Eric Conway, Navan, Co Meath

Offering of hay to baleful leader could be the last straw for multinationals

I read in yesterdays Irish Independent that a letter writer has suggested that Micheal Martin should offer a bale of hay to US president Donald Trump. Surely that would be the last straw, as a lot of Irish people earn their corn working for US companies.

Noel Kelly, Doonbeg, Co Clare
The right-wing dating site Whitedate.net, dubbed Nazi Tinder, has dozens of members from across Ireland.

Only one of those on the site mention love as a motivation, but many mentioned the need to breed for the white race.

The sites thousands of profiles were leaked online after a hack, Whitedates owner says, there will be repercussions.

Some of its 48 users on the island of Ireland, including a 56-year-old woman from Moy and multiple men from Belfast, Derry, and Bangor.

The Black Mountain man said he was looking for a lady who has never been soiled by other races and a bride willing to have children, in order to stop the destruction of our people.

How did extremist dating website start?

How did its data end up being exposed online?

And who are the dozens of people who signed up?

Today on The Indo Daily, Olivia Peden is joined by Belfast Telegraph reporter Kurtis Reid, to take a closer look at the controversial site and its profiles in Northern Ireland and in the Republic.

*This podcast was first published by our sister podcast The BelTel on Mon Jan 19th 2026.*
Ban can ang nhap e thuc hien chuc nang nay!
The much-loved Mallow Swimming Pool is due to re-open in the North Cork town in June this year.

The facility closed in March last year following the appointment of a contractor to carry out renovations.

The works include the provision of modern changing facilities, improved staff facilities, energy upgrades for improved thermal efficiency/energy rating and replacing the existing mechanical and electrical services installations to provide economies and efficiencies in terms of the day to day building operations.

The total investment to fully renovate and future-proof the pool has totalled 5.2m, with Cork County Council funding 4.2m of the cost, and national grants making up the rest.

Unforeseen ground, utility and structural issues caused delays in the project, which was due to have been finished in January 2026.

Now, the works are expected to conclude in May this year, and the facility will re-open in June.

Labour-based Mallow Councillor Ronan Sheehan told The Corkman that having a swimming pool in the locality is phenomenal.

We are one of the lucky towns to have a public swimming pool, and there are very few of them left around the country nowadays, he said.

Mr Sheehan said the upgrades to the facility were badly needed for locals and community groups.

It badly needed this upgrade, and for the Mallow Swans, they have to look for alternative places to go to, but it will absolutely fantastic when it is completed, he said.

The Labour man commended Cork County Council for their phenomenal investment in the facility.

It is a phenomenal amount of money and its a huge investment into Mallow.

There are so many towns across the county that would absolutely love what we have here and for Cork County Council to commit the money is great, he concluded.
Over 200,000 was spent in 2025 on replacement bus services between Mallow and Cork, arising from works on the Cork commuter rail network and Cork tunnel maintenance.

The figures were recently released to Cork TD Eoghan Kenny after he submitted parliamentary questions seeking greater transparency on the cost of rail disruptions.

The figures provided to Deputy Kenny also showed that Irish Rail spent over 389,000 on taxi services between 2021 and 2025 for staff and passengers.

In addition, 202,368 was spent in 2025 alone on replacement bus services between Mallow and Cork, arising from works on the Cork commuter rail network and Cork tunnel maintenance.

Deputy Kenny who is the Labour Party TD for Cork North Central said greater transparency and accountability is required from Irish Rail after the figures showed substantial public spending on taxis and replacement bus services due to ongoing rail disruptions. I fully accept that buses and taxis are sometimes necessary to allow essential upgrades to our rail network to proceed. Investment in rail is vital, and disruption during works can be unavoidable. However, what these figures show is a clear lack of proper planning and coordination.

Mr Kenny said the scale of spending on private replacement transport was a cause for concern: We are talking about hundreds of thousands of euros in public money being spent on taxis and privately contracted buses. This cannot be the default approach. Taxpayers deserve to know why these costs are being incurred and what steps are being taken to reduce them.

Highlighting the situation on the CorkMallow line, Deputy Kenny said over 200,000 was spent in a single year on replacement buses between Mallow and Cork. That level of expenditure demands scrutiny. Where major works are planned well in advance, public bus services should be integrated into the solution instead of relying so heavily on private contractors.

The Cork TD said that better coordination across public transport bodies was essential: We need far stronger coordination between Irish Rail, Bus Eireann and the National Transport Authority. Public transport must work as a system. Better planning would reduce disruption for passengers and deliver far better value for money.

Passengers are frustrated, and rightly so, said Deputy Kenny who called for improved transparency. They face delays, cancellations and unclear information, while the taxpayer picks up the tab. Irish Rail must be far more transparent about these costs and demonstrate that every euro is being spent efficiently.

I will continue to raise these issues in the Dail and press the Minister for Transport for clear answers and real accountability, he added.
Gardai have called on the Council to install lighting in Carrigalines public park

Gardai in Corks largest town are requesting lighting to be installed in its public park where gangs of youths have been throwing things at passing cars and then disappearing into the darkness before the guards can apprehend them.

Cllr Jack White brought a motion before this weeks meeting of Carrigaline Municipal District (MD) calling for lighting to be installed in Carrigaline Community Park in the interest of public safety and said that the request is actually coming from the gardai.

The Fine Gael councillor said there were a number of incidents centring around youths congregating in the park. The guards were going in trying to track them down from firing fireworks at cars or throwing stones and whatever they were doing and there was no lighting in there and so the youths were dispersing too easily. The guards said if there was lighting there that would make it much easier for them to patrol it and manage it, he said.

I think they're willing to formalise that request in writing. I would hope that we could drive that [lighting request] as an MD to make sure that it doesn't get lost as an idea and make sure we can see it through the various stages of planning and funding that might be necessary as well, Cllr White said.

He added that installing lighting in the park would also bring benefits for law-abiding people who want to use it at night.

I think lighting in there is an important but basic ask from an amenity point of view and public safety, he said, noting that thankfully public order and crime issues there have calmed in recent months.

The motion was seconded by Cllr Patrick Donovan who said the lighting is certainly needed. I know myself as I saw around Halloween there were major issues in the park and the guards did have a hard time, purely because it was dark and you couldn't see where people were going.

"I think it would be well worth the investment to put in whatever lighting we can because it's badly needed there. It helps the guards and it helps the wider community as well.

The other councillors at the meeting were also supportive of the motion. Cllr Una McCarthy said lighting would help alleviate the anti-social behaviour in the park and encourage people to use the facility a lot more while Cllr Ben Dalton OSullivan said that if the gardai are looking for it theres obviously a reason for it. If they think itd help Im supportive of it.

Cllr Eoghan Fahy said he would 100pc support the motion.

In a written response to the motion, Cork County Council Senior Executive Engineer Alan Cogan said the lighting request will be referred to the councils public lighting section.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Cork and Ireland are poorer for his loss, declared Independent Ireland TD for Cork North Central Ken OFlynn following the death of former Ireland South MEP Brian Crowley (61) on Friday, January 23

Mr Crowley - who was left paralysed after an accident as a teenager - had been receiving treatment in Cork University Hospital (CUH).

He died early on Friday morning after a long illness.

Mr Crowley stepped down before the 2019 European Parliament elections because of chronic health problems.

He was the son of the late Cork South West TD Flor Crowley.

Read more Former Fianna Fail MEP Brian Crowley dies aged 61

Deputy OFlynn said the late Mr Crowley was a wonderful friend and a true gentleman. I am deeply saddened by the passing of Brian Crowley. Brian was a wonderful friend and a thoroughly decent man. Kind, thoughtful and a true gentleman in public life. He treated people with respect and warmth, regardless of politics. Cork and Ireland are poorer for his loss. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this difficult time.

Fianna Fail TD for Cork North West Michael Moynihan also paid tribute to his great friend Brian who was a wonderful mentor. We are so saddened to hear of the passing of our exceptional friend and colleague Brian Crowley. Brian was a wonderful friend and mentor to us when we started out.

Read more Former Fianna Fail MEP Brian Crowley dies aged 61

In the first election I stood in he was an inspiration and we have been great friends since. Brian thank you for all your support and help. We treasure the memories of the many great days we had together. May you rest in eternal peace, he added.

He was always there for advice on the other end of the phone, said Fianna Fail TD for Cork North Central Padraig OSullivan said: Truly shocked this morning to hear of the passing of the legend that was Brian Crowley. He will be missed greatly within the Fianna Fail family and beyond.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) has committed to carrying out works this year at Kilcrea Abbey, which is one of the most significant sites in the mid-Cork area.

In 2026, the Office of Public Works hopes to undertake stone conservation, and repair works on the area under its care.

Other planned works include reinstating a piece of stonework at the entrance to Kilcrea Abbey which is currently lying on the ground and consolidating the masonry surrounding it.

The commitment was made by the Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW Kevin Boxer Moran following a parliamentary question from Cork TD Thomas Gould.

Minister Moran said the work will be completed as soon as Ministerial Consent is obtained from the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage.

The minister added that In addition, Ministerial Consent will soon be submitted to undertake a programme of localised consolidation and wall top repairs, including to an area at the front of the church.

It is also intended to shortly commission an Arborist's Report, with a view to concentrating on the cutting back of the ivy from the structure.

Kilcrea Abbey/Friary was founded and built by Observant Franciscans in Kilcrea, near Ovens, in the mid fifteenth century.

It is a national monument and is in state ownership.

It was built near an earlier Christian site, which was named after Saint Cyra or St. Creidh, the original abbess of the nunnery associated with this site and situated east of Kilcrea Abbey.

The upright remains of the Abbey are in the care of the OPW, while the graveyard is in the care of Cork County Council.

Sinn Fein councillor for the South-West ward Joe Lynch who has strong family connections to Kilcrea said he was contacted by a constituent regarding the deteriorating condition of the site at Kilcrea Abbey. Generations of my family are from Kilcrea, with my grandmother still living in the area. Kilcrea Abbey is an incredible site, and I have many fond memories of being there as a child.

Cllr Lynch said in recent years the site at Kilcrea Abbey has deteriorated. In recent years unsurprising perhaps for a structure that is over 500 years old, the site has deteriorated, and it is in urgent need of works so that subsequent generations can visit and enjoy the site into the future.

Having contacted the Office of Public Works on the issue at various times, I am pleased that they have now confirmed that a programme of works - including stone conservation works - in being prepared for 2026. It is badly needed. The sooner these works happen the better, he added.

Sinn Fein TD for Cork North Central Thomas Gould requested further information on a plan for improvement works at Kilcrea Abbey given the increasingly poor condition of the site.

A written reply from the OPW which was read out in the Dail by Minister Moran confirmed that the OPW hope to undertake stone conservation, and repair works on the area under its care this year.

Minister Moran said: At the entrance to the Abbey, a piece of stonework is lying on the ground. It appears to have fallen from a window reveal. It will be reinstated and the masonry surrounding it consolidated, as soon as Ministerial Consent is obtained from the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage to carry out this work.

Minister Moran also confirmed that Ministerial Consent will soon be submitted to undertake a programme of localised consolidation and wall top repairs, including to an area at the front of the church. It is also intended to shortly commission an Arborist's Report, with a view to concentrating on the cutting back of the ivy from the structure.
Tralee native Doireann O'Carroll has been named repetiteur with the Irish National Opera Studio for the 2025/2026 season.

Kerry-born pianist Doireann OCarroll has been named repetiteur with the Irish National Opera Studio for the 2025/2026 season, marking a significant milestone in her fast-developing career. She is among a small cohort of emerging artists selected to take part in the Studios intensive programme of professional training and performance with Irelands national opera company.

As part of the year-long appointment, the Tralee native will work on a number of major operatic productions, including Janaceks The Cunning Little Vixen, Dvoraks Rusalka and Bellinis Norma. The programme will also see her involved in concerts and masterclasses delivered by leading international figures in the operatic world.

Doireann is a graduate of the Royal Irish Academy of Music, where she completed a Masters degree in Piano Performance in 2022, studying under Therese Fahy and Dearbhla Collins.

Her professional experience includes working closely with acclaimed artists Simon Lepper and Ingrid Surgenor through the Peter Rankin Internship at the Northern Ireland Opera Festival of Voice between 2022 and 2023. Operatic highlights to date include Luke Byrnes Bloody Murder with Opera Workshop Limerick and the world premiere of Stephen McNeffs Spirits Unsurrendered, conducted by David Brophy at Kilmainham Gaol.

International engagements have also played a key role in her development. In 2023, Doireann joined the Vienna Opera Academy as repetiteur for Mozarts Don Giovanni, alongside performing in concert at the Mozarthaus. That same year, she achieved notable competition success, winning both the Milne Cup and the Contemporary Music Competition at the Feis Ceoil.

Recent performance credits include appearances with the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival in 2023 and 2024, Jesus Christ Superstar with the Light Opera Society of Tralee, and recital performances at the American Irish Historical Society in New York and the French Library in Boston in April 2025. She also served as repetiteur for Haydns The Creation with the Esker Festival Orchestra in August 2025.

Since 2024, Doireann has worked as repetiteur on the Young Artist Programme at Wexford Festival Opera, contributing to productions of Leoncavallos Pagliacci and Handels Deidamia, and appearing in numerous concerts on the stage of the National Opera House.

Her musical education began way back when at the Kerry School of Music, which was founded by her father, Aidan OCarroll, where she was immersed in a wide range of musical and performance activities from a young age, including orchestral playing, choir, ballet and stage school, alongside instrumental study.

I would not be where I am today without the complete immersion I experienced at the School of Music. I cannot emphasise enough the value of being part of an ensemblewhether its a choir, an orchestra, or even stage school. It allows you to grow into a well rounded musician while also building meaningful connections and friendships.

Looking ahead to her upcoming season with the Irish National Opera Studio, she said,

I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the Irish National Opera Studio. It is a privilege to work alongside such inspiring artists and continue developing as a musician within Irelands vibrant operatic community.
Francie's biddy in action at the Mid-Kerry Biddys Day Festival last year.

Danny Healy Rae TD getting the thumbs up from The Francie Sheahan Biddy Group during The Biddy's Parade in Killorglin

The Cliffords Bar Biddy in action at the Mid-Kerry Biddy Festival last year.

Members of The Kilgobnet Biddy Group pictured in Library Place Killorglin after The Biddy Parade.

The Mid-Kerry Biddys Day Festival returns this winter with an expanded and programme of events celebrating one of Irelands most distinctive living traditions.

Founded in 2017, the Mid-Kerry Biddys Day Festival has been instrumental in reviving a tradition that had been in serious decline.

From just two active Biddy groups less than a decade ago, the region now supports a growing network of groups, with children, families and new communities actively involved.

The 2026 festival continues this work, blending heritage with creativity and ensuring the tradition remains relevant, inclusive and alive.

Running from Thursday, January 22 to Monday, February 2 2026, the festival will take place across Killorglin, Cromane and the wider Mid-Kerry region, bringing together craft, music, language, ritual and community in the lead-up to St Brigids Day.

At the heart of the festival is the ancient Biddy tradition, rooted in Imbolc and the honouring of St Brigid a time associated with light, renewal, creativity and protection.

Over twelve days, the festival offers a wide mix of family-friendly, traditional and contemporary events, culminating in its most anticipated moment of the year: The Biddys Parade.

The Biddys Parade, taking place on Saturday, January 31, is the centrepiece and defining event of the festival.

On parade night, Killorglin town is transformed as Biddy groups from across Mid-Kerry gather in straw hats and traditional costume, carrying Brideogs through the streets in a powerful procession of fire, music, movement and celebration.

A strong emphasis on children and families runs throughout the 2026 programme.

The much-loved Kids Lantern Making workshop is back this year facilitated by Jane McMorrow, giving children the opportunity to create lanterns that become part of the parade itself.

Young dancers are invited to take to the floor at the Kids Ceili  the Kids Biddy Ball.

Music, dance and social gatherings form another key strand of the festival. The Biddys Ball in Francies takes place on parade night, offering a late-night celebration filled with traditional music, dancing and community spirit.

Singing sessions, ceilis and informal gatherings will take place across local pubs and venues throughout the festival, reinforcing the social heart of Biddys Day.

Cultural heritage and language remain central to the festivals identity. A series of Irish language events, including Caint & Comhra, invite both fluent speakers and learners to take part in relaxed, welcoming settings.

Traditional craft workshops, including straw hat making, felting, pottery, Brigids cross making, storytelling and folklore sessions continue the festivals long-standing commitment to preserving and passing on skills that are intrinsic to the Biddy tradition.

The intimate Lighting of the Brigid Flame offers a reflective ceremonial moment, marking renewal, hope and the return of light.

Cromane and Beaufort once again play an important role in the programme, hosting a range of community-led events that reflect the areas strong connection to landscape, tradition and seasonal ritual.

These events form part of the festivals wider Mid-Kerry reach, ensuring the celebration extends beyond Killorglin town and into Mid-Kerry.

Many events across the programme are free and family-friendly, with a small number of workshops ticketed. Booking details for paid events are on our social media.

The Mid-Kerry Biddys Day Festival warmly invites locals, visitors and the wider public to take part. whether by joining a workshop, dancing at a ceili, attending a talk, or lining the streets for the parade.

Full programme updates and booking information: Instagram & Facebook: @biddys_day and Email biddysday@gmail.com
Limerick City and County Council has apologised after the gates of Mount St Oliver Cemetery were not opened on Christmas Day, leaving grieving families locked out on what is traditionally one of the most important days of the year for visiting loved ones graves.
Survivors of gender-based violence and sexual abuse are preparing to take to the streets of Limerick on Friday to urge Limerick TD Kieran ODonnell to support them in calling for a full ban on the use of counselling notes in gender-based violence trials.
A 33-year-old childcare worker who admitted her involvement in assisting organised crime has been jailed for two years.

Michaela Fitzpatrick, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to, on January 24, 2024, participating in/facilitating organised crime and possession of drugs with a value in excess of 13,000 for sale or supply.

Further charges, including money laundering and other drugs offences were taken into consideration.

The defendant was apprehended when gardai intercepted a suspicious package and set up a controlled delivery to her Drogheda address of what turned out to be 2kgs of cannabis valued almost 40,000.

She said to officers after her arrest, You do what you have to do to survive.

A previous sentence hearing at Dundalk Circuit Court was told that Ms Fitzpatrick was funnelling money to a family member.

Evidence was given that she took a box from an undercover Garda detective at her Rathmullen Park address. It contained 1,998.8g of cannabis valued 39,976.

Investigators saw a voice note she sent, reading, Thats here. What will I do with it now?

As part of an ongoing investigation three bank accounts belonging to the accused were identified.

Between dates in October 2023 and the following January, 42,850 was placed into the accounts and 36,200 taken out, predominantly in Thailand.

The money was forwarded to a Revolut account that Gardai were satisfied was controlled by an Organised Crime Group.

In a series of interviews Ms Fitzpatrick made no admissions. Her excuse that she didnt know what was in the box was not accepted by Gardai. Neither was her claim that she was not involved in organised crime.

Stock image.

News in 90 seconds Friday, January 23

She told them, You do what you have to do to survive"; and that she had a brain injury which affected her memory.

Judge Dara Hayes said that the defendant had co-operated to a degree and had not come to garda attention since.

The court was told that she had diabetes and a brain injury. The mother of a seven-year-old daughter she had lost another child in infancy.

The judge continued she was involved in serious criminality at the behest of overbearing family members.

An aggravating factor was the assistance her offending gave to serious criminality.

The court noted Ms Fitzpatricks early plea, her previous clean record, and that she had a young child and significant medical issues.

A three-and-a-half year sentence was imposed, the final 18 months suspended, and backdated to October 30, 2025. when she went into custody.

A destruction order was made for the drugs.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
Horseshoe has been met with rave reviews since its release in cinemas

The acclaimed comedy-drama Horsehoe, that was filmed in Co Sligo, is being screened this Sunday in the Art Deco in Ballymote.

When Colm Canavan dies, his adult children gather in the family home. All have a difficult relationship with the rest of their family. When Colms will is read out, it has a surprising provision - the four siblings must agree on how the estate is divided up. The problem? They can barely have a conversation without getting into an argument.

Winner of Best Irish First Feature at the 2025 Galway Film Fleadh, co-directors Edwin Mullane and Adam OKeeffe have crafted a keenly observed comedy-drama about a very Irish family. While many will be able to relate to its amusing portrayal of squabbling siblings, its also a genuinely emotional journey as these four characters navigate through serious personal and familial crises.

Reviews include:

Balancing oddball charm with psychological insight, Horseshoe stands as a tribute to rural Ireland and a promising introduction to these two emerging voices in Irish cinema. - Dora Matijevic, Film Ireland

A heartfelt tale of four bereft siblings explores the generational impacts of troubled domestic history and the ways in which family can still be there for one another even in the most difficult of circumstances. - Ben Nicholson, The Film Verdict

The directors deserve credit for tackling difficult themes with a light touch.. - Amber Wilkinson, Screen Daily

Horseshoe is being screened in the Art Deco on Sunday, January 25 at 6pm. Tickets 10.
Sligo/Leitrim TD and Sinn Fein spokesperson on Agriculture, Food, and the Marine, Martin Kenny has called for Chairperson of Bord Bia, Larry Murrin, to resign saying, It is simply untenable for him to remain in his position while he is part of a company that is marketing and selling Brazilian beef to Irish and European consumers.

Deputy Kenny made the call for Mr Murrin's resignation in the wake of revelations that Dawn Farm Foods, which Mr Murrin is the co-founder and Managing Director of, sources Brazilian beef as a raw material for products it supplies.

Deputy Kenny said, It is very shocking to hear that an Irish food processor is importing Brazilian beef into Ireland, and then to find out that the managing director of that company is also the Chairperson of Bord Bia.

Bord Bia is responsible for promoting Irish food, drink and horticulture around the world and developing new markets for Irish produce. Bord Bia operates a quality assurance scheme for Irish farmers and ensures that our farmers produce food to the highest quality. This scheme involves increased paperwork and record keeping for farmers, ensuring that animal movements are between quality assured farms, records of what animals are fed, what vaccines or remedies are given to animals.

It is not acceptable that the Chair of Bord Bia demands these standards and regulations of Irish farmers while at the same time in his own company he sources beef from Brazil where there is little or no animal welfare standards.

Reiterating his view that Mr Murrin should resign, Deputy Kenny said if that does not arise he should be relieved of his position with Bord Bia.

I dont believe it is acceptable that the Chair of Bord Bia, Larry Murrin can remain in his position, and if he is not prepared to resign then I would call on the Minister for Agriculture to remove him from this position.

Bord Bia have indicated a board meeting will be held on Thursday, January 22 to discuss the matter.

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Dr George Leslie with friends and family at his film premiere in India.

The beauty of Irish culture and landscape were on show for a large crowd in India at the premiere of a Wexford GPs short film premiere.

Though Dr George Leslie of Enniscorthy is a respected GP and a proud Peace Commissioner, he is also a creative who has spent the last year working on his short film debut.

In collaboration with director Michael Benson, his film Kathleen explores the idea of facing the solitude of old age, as the main character Kathleen grapples with feeling lost despite the presence of unidentified companions.

Set against the backdrop of Irish rural life, the film explores a universal family narrative. Kathleen, deliberately isolated from her nearby community, encounters traditional folklores but struggles to find joy. The death of her cherished companion, Jack the dog, intensifies her stress, leading her to contemplate ending her life due to prolonged neglect from her only daughter.

The story takes a turn when Kathleen's life intersects with unexpected events brought about by the arrival of her 6-year-old grandchild. The movie aims to convey the positive aspects of life, emphasizing that every challenge has a solution.

Filmed exclusively in Enniscorthy, the piece is filled with scenes showcasing traditional houses, landscapes, and folklores. The production involved a predominantly Irish creative team for both pre and post-production as well as members of the Irish-Indian community in Ireland.

Recently a premiere was held in Dr Leslie's hometown in Kerala, India which received great acclaim.

"It was a truly wonderful experience to screen Kathleen in my hometown. Many members of the media, along with friends from the theatre and film community attended the screening. They were delighted by the beauty of Ireland portrayed in the film as well the relationships and emotions it conveys, he explained.

"The response was very positive, and the film received good media attention, especially as I directed an Irish movie that promotes Irish culture, traditions, and folklore, he added.

Furthermore, he felt a an immense sense of accomplishment seeing the finished project on the big screen after months of writing, casting, filming, and editing.

Im truly happy with the film and the final result. Watching it myself on the big screen, with different audio tracks, felt so much better than watching it on the small screen. Experiencing it alongside friends who share the same passion made it even more special.

He was also thrilled to be able to showcase the place he now calls home to his friends and family back in India, who are now more interested in learning about Irish culture.

"Many people there had never experienced the beauty of Ireland  its landscapes, traditions, and folklore, especially the Banshee character. They were full of questions and genuinely curious to learn more. It was wonderful to see them discovering our beautiful Emerald Island, and their happiness meant a lot to me, he explained.

"Im also very proud that I was able to do even a small thing to represent and celebrate the country I now live in.
Eir has written to Wexford County Council (WCC) to voice its concerns regarding the planning conditions for new housing developments in the county. The company was responding to an article published by The Wexford People on December 15 which revealed that houses in The Paddocks in Wexford town were being delivered without any telecommunications ducting, thus limiting the number of broadband options available to residents.

Although it was subsequently confirmed that those who purchase the homes will be able to avail of SIROs broadband service, the lack of telecommunications infrastructure means that National Broadband Irelands (NBI) fibre-optic service  which includes Eir  will not be available.

The issue was initially raised by Councillor Jim Codd at the December meeting of WCC and, following his comments, Eir issued a letter to directors of services Eamonn Hore and Liz Hore in which they requested an amendment to the councils current planning regulations so as to to ensure that multiple fibre network providers are catered for in an equal and fair fashion for the benefit of all new homes.

Issued by managing director of open eir, Una Stafford, the letter (seen by The Wexford People) outlines Eirs concerns regarding the current wording of planning conditions for new developments in Co Wexford and how it is impacting on the roll-out and availability of high-speed broadband connectivity choices to new homes in your local authority area.

The key issue facing open eir when trying to deliver broadband connections to new housing developments around the country is that the wording of planning conditions relating to broadband connections varies and, in many cases, is very unclear, continued Ms Stafford.

Due to this lack of clarity and lack of consistency, many developments nationwide only provide for electrical ducting to be installed, rather than a dedicated telecommunication ducting facilitating open access broadband installation. Electrical ducting is not available to other network infrastructure providers to access and therefore restricts multi-network broadband deployment.

It's been alleged that the new houses in Wexford town will not be able to avail of fibre optic broadband.

This in turn is leading to a reduction in choice and competition for the provision of broadband infrastructure in new developments, by effectively restricting access to a single infrastructure provider using electrical ducting.

Referencing planning conditions in Dublin City and Meath County Council, Ms Stafford said those councils facilitated all broadband providers by operating pragmatic and fair arrangements. Rather than simply benefitting Eir and increasing its customer base, Ms Stafford said altering the conditions for developers would have a positive effect for WCC in the long-run.

The benefit of allowing for open access connectivity arrangements is that it will avoid future disruption and costs due to road openings, which will be a major benefit for the council and occupants of the dwellings. It also has the added, and vital benefit, of increasing the overall resilience and capacity of overall telecommunications networks.

At the January meeting of WCC, a vindicated Cllr Codd asked officials how, in light of Ms Staffords letter, they intended to proceed.

Following the publication of that article, there were phone calls and irate people contacting me, telling me I didnt understand what I was talking about, but according to that letter I was correct, he said. I would like the council to comment on how we are going to deal with this.

"Im not interested in defending any huge companies but I do want to defend the taxpayer. Are we creating a monopoly here? Is there a danger that when this reaches the courts we are going to be tearing up pavements?

In response, chief executive Eddie Taaffe said he could not discuss specific cases but that if there are issues with ducting we will look at it through the planning system and ensure the services provided in every development are as they should be, in accordance with national policy.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
My exam was literally a concert that you conduct  Trailblazing Irish conductor on her roller coaster career

On Sunday, Sinead Hayes and the Wexford Sinfonia will take to the National Opera House stage

Wexford Sinfonia musicians pictured during their rehearsals in the Presentation Wexford on Saturday afternoon. Photo: Jim Campbell

Cillian Boggan Wexford People Fri 23 Jan 2026 at 07:40

This Sunday, one of Irelands trailblazing conductors, Sinead Hayes will return to the National Opera House stage for Wexford Sinfonias winter concert.
Photos taken by chief inspector Conor Dowling of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA).

Photos taken by chief inspector Conor Dowling of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA).

Photos taken by chief inspector Conor Dowling of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA).

Photos taken by chief inspector Conor Dowling of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA).

Photos taken by chief inspector Conor Dowling of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA).

Photos taken by chief inspector Conor Dowling of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA).

Photos taken by chief inspector Conor Dowling of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA).

Karen Saunderson (69), originally from Liverpool and with an address in England leaving Bray Courthouse.

A dentist has pleaded guilty to multiple animal welfare offences after inspectors uncovered shocking conditions at a rural Wicklow property where dogs were found living amid faeces, urine and the stench of ammonia, with two dead animals concealed beneath a horse rug.

Karen Saunderson (69), originally from Liverpool and with an address in England, pleaded guilty to 14 offences at a sitting of Bray District Court, contrary to the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, after 17 dogs were seized from her property at Templelusk, a townland near Aughrim, Co Wicklow.

Chief inspector Conor Dowling of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) told the court that he attended the accuseds property in June 2020 following concerns about the welfare of animals kept there.

Mr Dowling said that upon arrival he entered a concrete shed containing stables, where he discovered two sets of German shepherds, one male and one female in each enclosure.

He told the court there was a strong smell coming from the stables and that while large containers of dry dog food were present, the water supplied was not fresh.

The dogs had severely matted fur, and the male German shepherd displayed extremely defensive behaviour, the court heard.

In a separate yard, inspectors discovered a wild boar living in what Mr Dowling described as okay condition, but he noted several hazards, including a piece of wood with nails protruding from it close to the animal.

Mr Dowling told the court that in a loft dwelling above the property he uncovered two further dogs with no source of water. He described an overwhelming smell of ammonia in the air, caused by old dog urine and faeces, which caused him to gag.

The court was told that a garda sergeant accompanied Mr Dowling and also remarked on the smell inside the living area, noting that wooden floors and a mattress were soaked with faeces.

Five additional dogs were discovered in another room, while two puppies were found in a bathroom. In total, 17 dogs were seized from the property due to the conditions in which they were living.

Mr Dowling further told the court that beneath a horse rug in a basement area, two dog carcasses were found.

They were later identified as an Irish mastiff and a terrier.

A veterinary report was handed into court which stated that several of the animals had severely matted coats, while others were suffering from worms and parasites living on or inside them.

During interview, Ms Saunderson replied no comment to all questions, the court heard.

Mr Dowling returned to the property later in June 2020 for a follow-up inspection, during which the German shepherds acted erratically towards the accompanying garda sergeant. Ms Saunderson refused both men entry to the house on that occasion.

The court also heard that a man named Ian Marshall also lived at the property.

Mr Marshall told gardai during interview that he had been living in Templelusk for 13 months and looked after the dogs when the accused was working in the UK. Ms Saunderson is a qualified dentist.

The court was told that Ms Saunderson had faced a similar prosecution in May 2025, when she received a fully suspended four-and-a-half-year prison sentence and a lifetime ban on owning animals after pleading guilty to 10 offences under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.

Those charges related to causing unnecessary suffering, neglect, failure to provide adequate food and water, and failing to safeguard the health and welfare of animals at the same Templelusk property.

Sentencing her in that earlier case, Judge Patrick Quinn described it as one of the most appalling cases of animal neglect he had ever encountered and said the conditions in which both the defendant and the animals were living amounted to absolute squalor.

Mr Dowling told the court in the previous case, that gardai and animal welfare officers were unable to breathe properly when they entered the living area of the property due to the overpowering smell of ammonia from animal urine, which caused their eyes to burn.

Inspectors discovered a total of 43 dogs, five horses, a pig and a wild boar on the property, with many animals found living in muck and faeces without access to water. Mr Dowling described the environment as stressful and chaotic, telling the court that dogs spilled out of a loft area when the door was opened, with faeces throughout the living space and pooled urine visible on the floor.

The court heard that an overweight pig found squealing and unable to stand in a filthy stable had to be euthanised later that day to prevent further suffering, while a mastiff with a withered leg was put down a week later.

A pregnant German shepherd later gave birth to nine puppies, some of which were deformed. None survived.

Judge Quinn questioned how the situation had been allowed to develop without intervention, remarking that somebody must have known, and stated that it was irrelevant whether the accused had been exploited by others.

While accepting that the neglect was not intentional and linked to Ms Saundersons declining mental health, the judge said the suffering caused was severe. He suspended the prison sentence in full and ordered her to pay 15,000 in costs.

Counsel for the defendant, Sorcha Dianamh Ni Neill Fulham BL, acting for Michele Ballance of Harringtons Solicitors, told the court that Ms Saunderson has since paid the 15,000 in full.

The court was told by state solicitor Brian Robinson that the two matters did not travel together, as one was a Director of Public Prosecutions case, while the most recent prosecution was brought by the Department of Agriculture.

Judge David Kennedy told the court that he could not increase the penalty imposed in the earlier case. He asked Mr Dowling whether the ISPCA was seeking any costs, to which Mr Dowling replied that no costs were being sought.

Ms Fulham told the court there was significant mitigation, citing Ms Saundersons severe health issues.

Judge Kennedy fined Ms Saunderson 1,000 on one count, took the remaining charges into consideration, and imposed a ban preventing her from keeping animals.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
A Dublin man has pleaded guilty to theft after fleeing without paying a taxi fare, Bray District Court has heard.

Ryan Spellman (19), of Balgaddy, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, pleaded guilty at a sitting of Bray District Court to one count of theft.

Sergeant Mick Canavan told the court that on January 14 of this year, the accused arranged a taxi to take him from Tallaght Hospital to Rathnew. When the taxi arrived at its destination, Mr Spellman fled into a nearby apartment complex without paying the fare.

Gardai were called to the scene and Mr Spellman was subsequently arrested.

The unpaid fare totalled 160.

The court heard that the defendant has 39 previous convictions.

Counsel for the defence, Ciara OBrien BL, said her client is originally from Tallaght and has had a limited education, having dropped out of school after completing his Junior Certificate.

Ms OBrien told the court that Mr Spellman was once a promising amateur boxer who competed at European level for Team Ireland, but was high on drugs at the time of the offence.

The court also heard that the defendants father is a taxi driver and that Mr Spellman is extremely remorseful for his actions on the night in question.

Judge Ramsey ordered that a probation report be prepared prior to sentencing.

Sgt Canavan noted that the Probation Service is currently experiencing a three-month backlog, and the matter was adjourned until a later date.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
Two brothers who argued they could not receive a fair trial in Wicklow due to their surname, later plead guilty to an affray charge at Wicklow Circuit Court.

Michael and Larry Connors, both of no fixed abode, appeared before Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court for a pre-trial hearing seeking a change of jurisdiction to Dublin Circuit Court.

The siblings initially faced three charges, including violent disorder, causing serious harm, and threatening to kill or cause serious harm.

The court was told the brothers believed they would not receive a fair trial in County Wicklow due to their surname. Defence counsel said the Connors family is well known locally, particularly in the Kilcoole area, and has a large extended family involved in the local community.

Barrister for the defence, Gregory Murphy BL, told the court that the Connors surname carried negative connotations due to criminal proceedings involving members of the family over the past two decades in Wexford and surrounding counties.

Mr Murphy said the brothers believed a jury would speculate and be prejudicial towards them, adding that jurors may have formed a negative view due to what he described as family links to criminality.

The court heard the Connors family name had featured in numerous local media reports over the years. Mr Murphy referred to a long list of articles, and a file of recent media coverage was handed to Judge Patrick Quinn.

Defence counsel argued the brothers would benefit from a trial in a wider jurisdiction where their surname would not be tarnished.

The prosecution opposed the application, arguing that any surname could potentially give rise to prejudice. Counsel for the prosecution, James Kelly BL, said the jury would be properly warned to decide the case solely on the evidence presented by witnesses and counsel.

Judge Patrick Quinn refused the defence application and sent both men forward for trial.

In a separate sitting on January 20, the court heard that full disclosure had not been received by defence counsel until Sunday, January 18.

The brothers were then arraigned and pleaded guilty to one count of affray on an amended indictment. The court was told both men admitted that on September 6, 2019, in Dunlavin, County Wicklow, they committed affray.

Judge Quinn dismissed the jury, telling them Its the same result as if you stayed for all of next week and brought in a verdict of guilt. Adding Some of you might be unhappy, some of you might do the lotto.

Both men remain on remand and will be sentenced on Tuesday, January 27.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
Tanaiste Simon Harris among those present for the recent opening of Aldborough Manor in Baltinglass.

It was a benchmark day recently for west Wicklow as Tanaiste Simon Harris officially opened the Aldborough Manor housing estate in Baltinglass.

The ambitious development is spearheaded by Fitzpatrick and Heavey Homes and features 89 homes and a creche, including 22 affordable housing units.

The development will be located on an elevated site with stunning views of the surrounding countryside and overlooking the River Slaney. Aldborough Manor will comprise of one, two, three and four-bed homes, with plenty of demand expected.

The first 22 houses of the development will all be three-bed semi-detached houses ranging in size from 1,250 sq ft to 1,300 sq ft, with affordable home prices starting at just 260,000.

These units fall under the Affordable Housing Scheme, thereby increasing their appeal to first-time buyers.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Harris said this was an important milestone.

Private homes, affordable homes and social homes - creating a truly inclusive community. This is what housing delivery looks like when everyone pulls together locally and nationally. We need much more of this right across the country.

Ciaran Fitzpatrick, CEO of Fitzpatrick and Heavey Homes who delivered the project believes the development serves as an affirmation of their commitment to address the housing needs in Wicklow and rural Ireland.

This development will not only provide homes but also support a thriving community, nestled within the beautifully landscaped surroundings of Baltinglass."

The ceremony was also graced by representatives from Wicklow County Council, including chief executive Emer OGorman, who has been supportive of the project since its inception.

Ms OGorman said she was proud to have cooperated in a development that aligns so closely with our own goals for community growth and environmental sustainability.

Aldborough Manor will be a great addition to the Baltinglass community, and we're excited to see the positive impact it will make," she added.

Meanwhile Cathaoirleach Melanie Corrigan said it will provide a boost for those looking to secure a home

This scheme comprises of 89 homes with a balanced mix of 22 social units, 12 affordable units and 56 private homes reflecting the developers strong commitment to creating sustainable, inclusive communities. The development also includes a creche and extensive landscaping to support families and enhance community life.

Baltinglass is considered an attractive and convenient location for potential purchaser and the town is rich in history with several natural, archaeological, and built heritage sites, such as Baltinglass Hills, Baltinglass Abbey, St. Marys Church, and the River Slaney Special Area of Conservation.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
A woman who was very close to Barron Trump took photographs of messages she was sent by the US president Donald Trumps son, a court has heard.

The woman, who was allegedly saved from an assault at the hands of her Russian boyfriend because of a 999 call from Barron, took a picture of a message he sent her while she was staying at a hotel in Morocco, jurors heard.
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Husband to appear in UK court accused of drugging and raping ex-wife

Philip Young is charged with 56 offences over a 13-year period between 2010 and 2023

Philip Young appearing at Swindon Magistrates Court (Elizabeth Cook/PA)

Claire Hayhurst and Ben Mitchell Press Association Fri 23 Jan 2026 at 07:57

A husband accused of drugging and raping his wife over a 13-year period is due to appear before a crown court, along with five other men who are charged with sexual offences against her.
Danish prime minister vows not to hand over any territory in Greenland to the US

Mette Frederiksen says country cannot negotiate on our sovereignty after Donald Trump makes claims around deal

Mette Frederiksen speaks ahead of a special summit of European Union leaders in Brussels. Photo: Reuters

Verity Bowman Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd Fri 23 Jan 2026 at 06:30

Denmark has rejected any suggestion of handing parts of Greenland over to the US after Donald Trump claimed he had reached a framework of a future deal over the island.
Jared Kushner announces plans for Dubai-style New Gaza development

Donald Trumps son-in-law presented a master plan for residential towers and seaside resorts in the war-torn enclave

Kushner spoke after a signing ceremony for Trump's 'Board of Peace' in Davos, Switzerland. Photo: Getty

Steve Holland, Rami Ayyub and Nidal al-Mughrabi Reuters Fri 23 Jan 2026 at 06:30

The United States announced plans yesterday for a New Gaza, rebuilt from scratch to include residential towers, data centres and seaside resorts, part of Donald Trumps push to advance an Israel-Hamas ceasefire shaken by repeated violations.
A five-year-old boy arriving home from pre-school in Minnesota has been taken by US agents along with his father to a detention facility in Texas, school officials and the family's lawyer said.
Donald Trump was looking for ways to stay in power after Biden loss

Special council says he expects the US president to try charge him

US president Donald Trump lost the 2020 election to Democrat Joe Biden. Photo: Reuters

Andrew Goudsward and Nolan D McCaskill Reuters Fri 23 Jan 2026 at 06:30

Former US special counsel Jack Smith, who unsuccessfully prosecuted president Donald Trump, told a House of Representatives panel yesterday that Mr Trump was looking for ways to stay in power following his defeat in the 2020 election as he confronted Republican criticism of his investigation.
ICE agents arrest little boy (5) on his way home from school

Child and father, who live north of Minneapolis, are now in custody in Texas

Five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos is taken into custody by ICE agents in Minneapolis. Photo: Columbia Heights Public School

Harriet Barber Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd Fri 23 Jan 2026 at 06:30

ICE agents took a five-year-old boy into custody as he walked home from school with his father.
Massive snow storm expected to hammer 33 states in US  with wind chills of minus 34C forecast

Storm to impact 150 million Americans with snow, rain, frigid coldAgricultural benefits and risks for crops due to stormLocal preparations include emergency declarations and shelter provisions

Pedestrians walk during cold weather in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. Photo: Reuters

Rich McKay and Julia Harte Reuters Fri 23 Jan 2026 at 07:40

Travel disruptions, power outages and frigid temperatures are expected to affect 150 million Americans on Friday and through the weekend as a massive storm clobbers the U.S. with heavy snow and freezing rain from the Central Plains to the East Coast, the National Weather Service said.
How the trouble started

Image credit : Instagram @taylorswift | Emails suggest Scooter Braun tried selling Taylor Swift her masters back

Scooter's side of the story

Variety

Perezhilton

Image credit : X @admirerOx | Scooter says he tried to return Taylors masters.

The secret paper fight that stopped the deal

The messy back-and-forth over a new NDA

Image credit : Instagram @taylorswift | Scooter Braun made two offers that Taylor Swift reportedly turned down.

Scooter's 2 offers that Taylor turned down

PerezHilton

Taylor Swift (2006), Fearless (2008), Speak Now (2010), Red (2012), 1989 (2014), and Reputation (2017)

Imagine your favourite toys get sold to someone else without asking you. That's how Taylor Swift felt when her early songs were bought by Scooter Braun. Fans called him the bad guy for years. But now the old emails show he tried to give them back to her. Did Taylor lie? Heres everything to know.Scooter Braun, a 44-year-old music business leader, bought Taylor's first six albums when he paid $300 million for Big Machine Label Group in 2019. His company, Ithaca Ventures, got the songs. Taylor said she learnt about it like everyone else on the news. She felt shocked because she wanted to buy her own music first, but missed the chance.This made Swifties, Taylor's big fans, very mad at Scooter. They saw him as the villain. Taylor got even more upset in November 2020 when Scooter sold the songs to Shamrock Capital. She said his team wanted her to sign a strict secrecy paper. It would stop her from ever saying bad things about Scooter unless they were nice ones. But Scooter always said Taylor got the story wrong.Scooter toldin 2023 that he felt sad about Taylor's anger. I regret, and it makes me sad, that Taylor had that reaction to the deal.  All of what happened has been very confusing and not based on anything factual. I dont know what story she was told. I asked for her to sit down with me several times, but she refused. I offered to sell her the catalogue back and went under NDA, but her team refused.Now, according to, proof backs him up. The portal shared that the Music Business Worldwide got old emails from 2023 between Scooter's team and Taylor's. On May 15, 2020, 11 months after the buy and before selling to Shamrock, Jay Schaudies from Taylor's 13 Management wrote to Scooter.Schaudies said, We last spoke on May 5 when you asked me to call you after I emailed you saying that we were still interested in purchasing all of the Taylor Swift assets and rights held by BMLG. You said you were not interested in selling BMLG as a whole, but that you were interested in selling Taylor her masters. You have told me and others, such as Ed Sheeran, that youd like to see Taylor own these, and I appreciate any efforts on your part to help make that happen.This shows Scooter really wanted Taylor to have her songs back. He even told others, like Ed Sheeran, about it.Taylor's team had issues with secret papers called NDAs. Back in November 2019, both sides signed one. It let Taylor's people check Big Machine's money information to maybe buy the masters. Music Business Worldwide saw this NDA. It had no rule stopping Taylor from talking about Scooter.Talks went on into 2020. Schaudies emailed Scooter about delays. As you know, we discussed a possible transaction in November and December last year, and we both signed an NDA, but then David Bolno said he wanted to stop the process and did not allow us to look at any of the underlying financials. In our recent call, you said you would respond to me in 48 hours. Since it has now been almost two full business weeks without further communication from you on this point, I wanted to repeat, again, my desire to get inside the data room and allow Ernst & Young to conduct necessary due diligence.Schaudies added, "I offered to sign a new NDA, and you said you wanted to think about that, considering more stringent restrictions beyond the deal itself. You suggested that both Taylor and her publicist, Tree Paine, should be prohibited from speaking at all about you or your investors. I said that cant happen, but that the details of the deal could be protected.Schaudies ended with, The NDA cannot serve as a one-sided, surrogate gag order. Taylor must be free to promote her music, and when she re-records old songs, she should be free to speak without inappropriate limitations. Nevertheless, we are more than happy to sign a customary NDA, as we did before.Things got tricky in spring and summer 2020. Ithaca sent a new NDA draft on June 29, 2020. It named 13 Management acting for Taylor and called her the Artist. But Clause 4 worried her team. On July 29, Schaudies replied it still feels like an attempt to muzzle Taylor.Then, on August 25, Ithaca's lawyer said they could use the old November 2019 NDA instead. So why no deal? A senior ex-Ithaca employee who helped with talks said Scooter made two big offers.First offer: November 2019, before the American Music Awards. Scooter offered the six masters for $300 million. Ithaca had money ready from 23 Capital. Taylor's team said no. Second offer: October 2022. Scooter asked $305 million, less than the $405 million Shamrock later paid. Turned down again. So Scooter sold it to Shamrock.Taylor's source hit back: In 2020, the ability to evaluate any opportunity for Taylor to purchase her catalogue was conditioned on signing a gag order NDA prohibiting her from ever speaking the truth about Scooter and the situation. Taylor has completely moved on from this saga and has turned what started out as an extremely painful situation into one of the most fulfilling creative endeavours of her life.The ex-employee said no: there was never a gag order NDA about Scooter. There were multiple offers for [Swift] to purchase her masters from [Braun], and at no point in the NDA was she ordered to be silent by Scooter. In fact, he isnt even mentioned. Her narrative was always very confusing to me.All the emails shared byreveal a very different side of this long-running story. Scooter says he made serious efforts to sell the masters back. This comes months after Swift officially bought back the master recordings of her first six albums,, from Shamrock Capital, finally ending the years-long ownership battle. What do you think about this whole drama?
Trumps board of peace and its expanding ambitions

Image credit : X/ElonMuskPD | Tech billionaire Elon Musk

Musk and Trumps evolving relationship

Image credit : X/ElonMuskPD | Musk brings humor to Davos

Robotics, automation and Musks predictions for the future

AI controversy and Musks unusual presence at Davos

Image credit : X/ElonMuskPD | Elon Musk pokes fun at Trumps New Gaza Peace Board

Tech billionaire Elon Musk made a pointed remark about US President Donald Trumps newly formed Board of Peace during a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum in Davos, drawing quiet laughter from the audience. Musk appeared on the panel alongside BlackRock chief executive Larry Fink, where he briefly shifted the discussion toward Trumps initiative related to Gaza.Musk questioned the naming of the board, suggesting that peace might not have been the intended term. Referring to the announcement, he said he initially wondered whether it meant piece rather than peace, before adding a comment referencing Greenland and Venezuela. He followed the remark by saying, All we want is peace, which prompted light chuckles from those in attendance.The board, chaired by Trump, was initially envisioned as a small group of global leaders tasked with overseeing the Gaza ceasefire plan. However, the scope of the initiative has since widened. The Trump administration has extended invitations to dozens of countries, signaling broader ambitions for the board beyond its original mandate.Trump has also indicated that the group could eventually take on a larger role as a mediator in international conflicts. Musks comments came against this backdrop of expansion, as the board continues to evolve from a narrowly focused effort into a wider diplomatic platform.Musks remarks also come at a time when his relationship with Trump appears to be stabilising after a turbulent period. The tech entrepreneur has previously been an ally of the Republican leader, though the past year saw a dramatic public falling out between the two, followed by a reconciliation.Against this context, Musks light-hearted jab at the boards name stood out as both humorous and politically notable, reflecting a relationship that has shifted but remains publicly visible.Beyond politics, Musk used the panel to revisit his long-held views on robotics and automation. He said robots would play a major role in transforming society by significantly reducing the need for human labour. Musk predicted that robots would eventually manufacture more robots, leading to an unprecedented level of production.There will be such an abundance of goods and services, he said, adding that there would ultimately be more robots than people. He also suggested that everyone on Earth would want a robot to help care for elderly parents or children.Musk said Tesla plans to begin selling robots to the public by the end of next year.Musks appearance at the World Economic Forum came at a time when Grok, an artificial intelligence developed by his startup xAI, is facing controversy over the generation of sexually explicit images.His presence at Davos was also notable given his long-standing criticism of the forum. Musk has repeatedly described the annual gathering as elitist, unaccountable, and disconnected from ordinary people. On his social media platform X, he has mocked Davos as boring and characterised the WEF as an unelected world government that the people never asked for and dont want.Despite those criticisms, Musks participation ensured that the panel drew attention, blending political commentary, technological predictions, and sharp humour into a single high-profile appearance.
The chief of Greeces AKTOR Group held high-stakes meetings with Saudi Arabias investment minister and the Trump Organization at the World Economic Forum this week, aggressively pitching Athens as a prime destination for energy and real estate capital.

Alexandros

Exarchou, chairman and CEO of AKTOR, met with Saudi Investment Minister Khalid A. Al-Falih to discuss funding for Greeces expanding energy infrastructure, specifically liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects and the "vertical energy corridor" pipeline network

The meeting, attended by U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle, underscored the strategic alignment between Athens, Riyadh, and Washington regarding regional energy security.

Mr. Al-Falih, a former CEO of Saudi Aramco, has been a key figure in strengthening Saudi-Greek economic ties.

Separately, Mr. Exarchou sat down with Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organization, to explore opportunities in the Greek real estate market. Sources familiar with the talks said Mr. Trump discussed the country's economic recovery and potential development projects.

The outreach comes as the Greek government seeks to cement the nation's role as a logistics and energy gateway for Southeastern Europe.

By targeting high-profile investors like the Saudi sovereign wealth structures and the U.S. president's family business, Mr. Exarchou is aiming to secure capital for AKTORs project portfolio amid a global reshuffling of supply chains.

   iefimerida.gr
Greece will not tolerate attempts to silence its sovereign rights through threats of war, Defense Minister Nikos Dendias warned this week, drawing a firm line on national security even as diplomats from both countries seek to thaw relations.

In a televised interview, Mr. Dendias asserted that Athens retains the exclusive right to extend its territorial

waters to 12 nautical milesa move Ankara has long declared a casus belli.

Greece neither threatens nor seeks to revise anything, Mr. Dendias said. But it cannot remain silent in the face of a challenge to international law.

While expressing readiness for dialogue, the defense chief insisted that engagement cannot occur under the rule of the strong.

He explicitly rejected Turkeys Blue Homeland expansionist doctrine and the Turkish-Libyan maritime memorandum as non-starters for genuine normalization.

The comments underscore the delicate dual-track approach adopted by Athens: pursuing "low-politics" cooperation in trade and tourismas seen in this week's successful "Positive Agenda" talkswhile maintaining strict military deterrence on core sovereignty issues.

Mr. Dendias also highlighted Agenda 2030, a comprehensive overhaul of the Greek armed forces aimed at boosting combat readiness, symbolized by the recent acquisition of the French-built frigate Kimon.

Accepting a threat of war as something normal would be dangerous, Mr. Dendias concluded. We cannot allow the illusion that Turkey can impose silence on us.

   iefimerida.gr
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has warned that while Europe must defend its "red lines" regarding Greenlands sovereignty, it is vital to keep the transatlantic relationship functional to prevent permanent diplomatic damage.

Speaking after an emergency European Union summit in Brussels, Mr. Mitsotakis addressed the turbulence caused by President

Donald Trumps pressure on Denmark.

He noted the situation had slightly improved after the U.S. clarified it would not use force or impose immediate tariffs on nations supporting Copenhagen.

There can be no question of challenging Greenlands territorial integrity, Mr. Mitsotakis said. Only Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark can decide Greenlands future.

While acknowledging legitimate U.S. security interests in the Arctic, the Prime Minister insisted these must be addressed through NATO, not unilateral coercion.

Using the adage good fences make good neighbors, he argued for clear boundaries to stabilize the alliance.

Mr. Mitsotakis also confirmed that Greece, along with most EU partners, cannot participate in Mr. Trumps proposed Peace Council for Gaza in its current form.

However, he left the door open for European initiatives to refocus the body on its original mandate of transitional administration.

Concluding his remarks, Mr. Mitsotakis renewed calls for EU strategic autonomy.

We must move from the strength of our values to the value of our strength, he said. Any tension in euro-Atlantic relations harms both Europe and the United States.

   iefimerida.gr
The United States has called on the Nigerian government to take stronger and more decisive action to protect Christian communities.

Allison Hooker, the US under secretary for political affairs, spoke during a high-level USNigeria working group meeting in Abuja on Thursday.

Hooker said the meeting was to discuss how both countries can work together to deter violence against Christian communities, prioritise counterterrorism and insecurity, investigate attacks and hold perpetrators accountable, and reduce the number of killings, forced displacements and abductions of Christians, particularly in the north-central states.

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She said that while some progress had been made in recent months, recent attacks showed that Nigeria must do more to guarantee the safety of Christians and their right to practise their faith freely.

On the protection of Christians, the Nigerian government recently secured the release of 38 Christians abducted from a church in Kwara state, and another 265 abducted from St. Marys Catholic School. This real progress is a direct result of our engagement with the Nigerian government, Punch quoted Hooker as saying.

However, we are concerned about recent reports that gunmen kidnapped more than 170 Christians in Kaduna State on January 18. The Government of Nigeria must do more to protect Christians and their right to practise their faith freely and safely.

Hooker said advancing religious freedom and security would deepen USNigeria relations in other areas, including trade, economic cooperation, health response and the fight against terrorism.

She said the US would also support the return of internally displaced persons to their communities.

Advancing religious freedom and security will help the United States and Nigeria enhance the reciprocal benefits of our relationship: solidifying trade and economic deals, degrading terrorist groups that threaten our interests, and strengthening health responses, among many other areas, she said.

We hope to identify ways to return internally displaced persons to the communities from which they were expelled in the north-central states, interdict weapons and funding going to terrorist groups, expand investigations, and ensure the prosecution of individuals and groups committing atrocities.

In response, Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser (NSA), acknowledged the gravity

of the security challenges and said the government was intensifying military and law enforcement operations in affected areas.

He reiterated that attacks framed along religious lines were unacceptable and would be met with force and justice.

Nigeria is a deeply plural society, and the protection of all citizensChristians, Muslims and those of other beliefsis non-negotiable. Violence framed along religious lines is treated as an attack on the Nigerian state itself, Ribadu said.

Our response, therefore, integrates security operations, the rule of law, humanitarian safeguards and strategic communication, ensuring that operational successes translate into public confidence and strengthened social cohesion.

At the national level, and under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria has taken deliberate and decisive steps to confront insecurity.

The President has formally declared national security emergencies in vulnerable and high-risk areas, authorised intensified joint operations, and directed the sustained deployment of security forces to priority locations, particularly communities experiencing recurrent attacks on civilians and religious groups.

These directives have been matched with concrete action. Nigeria is expanding early-warning and rapid-response mechanisms and developing a national database to serve as a single, authoritative source of accurate and verifiable data on deaths and casualties arising from violence.

This effort will strengthen evidence-based decision-making, accountability and the effectiveness of security responses. In parallel, investigations and prosecutions related to attacks on religious communities have been intensified to ensure that violence is met not only with force, but with justice and accountability.
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has formally resigned his membership of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), citing deepening internal crises and persistent leadership disputes within the party.

The governors decision was contained in a statement issued on Friday by his spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.

According to the statement, Yusuf conveyed his resignation in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the NNPP in Diso-Chiranchi Ward, Gwale Local Government Area, with effect from January 25, 2026.

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I write with a deep sense of gratitude to formally notify the leadership of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) of my decision to resign my membership of the party, the governor said in the letter.

Governor Yusuf expressed appreciation to the party for providing him a political platform and for the support he received from its leadership and members across Kano State.

I remain sincerely appreciative of the opportunity given to me by the party, its leadership, and members across Kano State to be part of its political journey since 2022, as well as the support, goodwill, and cooperation extended to me during my time in the party, he stated.

However, the governor attributed his decision to what he described as unresolved internal disputes and prolonged legal battles that have continued to unsettle the partys structure at both state and national levels.

In recent times, the party has been confronted with persistent internal challenges arising from leadership disagreements and ongoing legal processes, many of which are presently before the courts for judicial determination, he noted.

He added that the disputes have led to growing disenfranchisement among party members, widening divisions and weakening internal cohesion.

The growing disenfranchisement among party members has created deep divisions within the party structure, resulting in cracks that appear increasingly irreconcilable and have generated uncertainty at both state and national levels, Yusuf said.

The governor said his resignation followed careful reflection and was guided by what he considered the best interest of the people of Kano State.

After careful reflection, and without prejudice to the partys capacity to resolve its internal challenges, I have come to the conclusion that my resignation is in the best interest of the people of Kano State, he added.

Yusuf stressed that the decision was taken in good faith and without bitterness, reaffirming his commitment to peace, unity and the development of the state.

Meanwhile, the statement disclosed that the governors resignation was accompanied by that of 21 members of the Kano State House of Assembly, eight members of the House of Representatives, and 44 local government chairmen across the state.

The NNPP Secretary of Diso-Chiranchi Ward, Hon. Kabiru Zubairu, who acknowledged receipt of the governors resignation letter, commended Yusufs performance while in office.

I wish to concur with His Excellency on the lingering crisis in our party. Though we are trying our best to contain it, we have no option than to accept the resignation of one of the most performing governors of the NNPP, Zubairu said.

He praised the governor for what he described as notable achievements in infrastructure, urban renewal, health, education and economic empowerment.
Social media influencer, Saida Boj has expressed disappointment in Seun Kuti over his ongoing feud with Afrobeat star Wizkid, criticizing how the musician has handled the issue online.

Reacting to the on-going feud, Saida Boj said the public argument has gone too far and is beginning to overshadow the legacy of Afrobeats pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

According to her, Wizkids actions already show respect for Fela, making Seun Kutis continued reactions unnecessary.

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The person wey you dey drag get tattoo of your papa for him body. What does that tell you? Isnt that enough proof that he knows your father is a legend? Isnt that enough proof that he respects your father? she said.

Saida Boj further explained that Seun Kuti had taken the matter into needless debates, stressing that some things do not need to be proven publicly.

These are things you dont need to prove. Respect is already clear. Dragging it this way only ends up disrespecting Felas legacy, she added.

She emphasized that the man in question has already shown admiration for Fela by having a full tattoo of him on his body, describing Seun Kutis reaction as unnecessary drama.

I feel like hes trying to create drama out of something that is already obvious. The respect is already there, so why make it an issue? she said.

Saida Bojs comments echo the frustration of many Nigerians online, who believe the ongoing feud between Wizkid and Seun Kuti has gone too far.
Linus Williams, the Nigerian tech entrepreneur and social media personality, who is popularly known as Blord, has claimed that his recent online exchanges with activist and influencer Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, were deliberately staged.

Blord said the controversies and heated back-and-forth between both men were part of a coordinated plan to promote the Ratel app and build online engagement.

According to him, the posts, arguments and public tension were not spontaneous but pre-arranged, adding that both sides agreed to work together to create buzz and drive attention to their respective platforms.

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Blord also stated that the recently announced Blunt Gadget Rally was part of the same plan, insisting that the online drama was designed for publicity rather than personal conflict.

The revelation follows weeks of intense social media exchanges between Blord and VeryDarkMan, which had drawn heavy reactions from users, with many interpreting the feud as a genuine fallout.

Blords post has since triggered fresh debate online, with some users expressing disappointment at being played, while others described the move as a calculated publicity strategy in todays attention-driven digital space.

Neither VeryDarkMan nor representatives of the Ratel platform have issued a separate statement in response as of the time of filing this report.
Justice Florence Fiberesima of the Oyigbo High Court of Rivers State, sitting in Port Harcourt, has adjourned indefinitely the suit filed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Professor Ngozi Nma-Odu, challenging the impeachment processes against them by the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, 26 other members of the House, and the Clerk of the House.

Ruling on the application, the presiding judge, Justice Fiberesima, adjourned sine die following proof of two separate appeals that have been entered, a decision she says will enable the Appeal Court to determine the suit before it.

Recall that this same court had issued an interim order of injunction against the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and 32 others, including the Clerk of the House and the Chief Judge of Rivers State.

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The order restrained the Speaker and others from forwarding articles of impeachment or other documents or communication to the Chief Judge with the sole aim of setting up a panel to investigate alleged gross misconduct.

The order also restrained the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi, from receiving, considering, or however acting on any request, resolution, articles of impeachment, or other document or communication from the first to 27th defendants for the purposes of constituting a panel to investigate the purported allegations of misconduct against the governor and his deputy for seven days.
The General Overseer of Salvation Ministries, Port Harcourt-based pastor David Ibiyeomie, has described the ongoing conflict between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike as spiritual in nature.

According to him, there is nothing any mortal man can do to stop the conflict, adding that only God can end the political logjam.

Addressing members of his congregation in a video that has gone viral, the pastor recalled that Peter Odili fought his benefactor, Rufus Ada George; Chibuike Amaechi fought Peter Odili, who helped him become governor; Nyesom Wike battled Amaechi, his boss; and now Fubara is taking on Wike.

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Ibiyeomie noted that the same scenario would play out should Fubara decide to pick a successor after his tenure.

Because if God speaks to me, I will say it. No mortal man, I repeat, can solve the problem of Rivers State. No mortal man. Its not a physical problem.

Has the President been able to solve it? No. I will give you a story so you can understand. Im a man of God. Ada George was a governor and Peter Odili was under him. Odili fought him.

Amaechi was Odilis boy; Amaechi fought him. Wike was Amaechis boy; Wike fought him. Sim was the boy to Wike and they are fighting. It can never be solved by any physical man, except by the hand of God.

This is because its not a physical problem. Even if Sim picks somebody today, the person will fight him. Its a spiritual problem. They have tried all means, even the President, and have not been able to solve the problem.
Comcast is one step closer to settling 24 class-action lawsuits over a 2023 data breach that potentially impacted over 30 million former and current customers.

A $117.5 million settlement agreement received preliminary approval from a federal judge in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania last week.

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Impacted customers would be able to receive three years of financial monitoring and identity-theft-protection service and choose between reimbursement of expenses up to $10,000 or a $50 cash payment, if the current terms of the agreement gain final approval.

Comcast did not oppose the request for preliminary approval of the agreement, but noted in court records that it does not agree with the facts as told by the representatives of the customers and denies all liability.

Neither a representative for the Philadelphia-based telecommunication giant nor its attorneys responded to requests for comment.

The settlement resolves 24 lawsuits, filed in federal courts nationally and consolidated under one judge in Philadelphia.

The flurry of litigation centers on a data breach that took place between Oct. 16 and 19, 2023, when hackers gained access to Comcasts internal system. The hack was possible because the company delayed implementing a patch to fix a vulnerability in the Citrix Systems cyber software that Comcast has relied on, court records say.

Citrix warned customers of the problem and offered a solution in an Oct. 10 bulletin, court records say. The class attorneys accuse Comcast of having failed to heed the cyber-companys advice, allowing hackers to take advantage of the vulnerability.

The data breach made the usernames, passwords, names, contact information, privacy questions and answers, and last four digits of Social Security numbers for more than 30 million customers potentially available to hackers, according to court records.

The settlement agreement was reached following a November negotiation session after multiple attempts at mediation.

The $117.5 million would be used to compensate customers, administer the settlement process that includes notifying customers and processing claims, and pay attorneys fees. The class attorneys could pocket as much as one third of the total settlement amount, according to court filings, but the exact amount will be decided later.

U.S. District Judge John Milton Young has set a final approval hearing for July. Once the settlement is approved, Comcast and Citrix will be released from all claims related to the data breach.

Citrixs attorneys did not respond to a request for comment.
A Florida fraudster who fooled 60 mostly Philadelphia-area investors into contributing $5 million to develop biometric anti-addiction systems, then fled investigators and spent five years as a multinational fugitive before surrendering, was sentenced Wednesday to 5 years in federal prison.

Henry Ford, also known as Cleothus Lefty Jackson, had pleaded guilty to securities fraud and seven counts of wire fraud for forging documents from insurance companies to inflate the prospects of Fallcatcher, a company he said he was developing to track people in recovery and reduce the risk they would fall back into addiction.

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At his plea hearing last year, Ford insisted his idea for a platform that would track people in recovery was legitimate but admitted that he had falsified claims that insurers and state agencies supported the project and would soon make it profitable. The goal had been to sell the company at a big profit for its investors.

He was sentenced Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Joel H. Slomsky to the prison term, plus three years supervised release and $2.1 million in restitution.

Ford started the business in Florida in 2017 but by 2018 was running out of money, according to prosecutors. He then incorporated the company in Delaware and hired managers and a board. He paid Montgomery County insurance salesman Dean Vagnozzi to recruit private investors from Vagnozzis network with email pitches and free meals in Montgomery County and South Jersey. But he gave Vagnozzi and the investors false information about Fallcatchers prospects.

Ford fled Philadelphia in 2019 after giving SEC investigators phony documents in an attempt to disprove allegations that he was exaggerating Fallcatchers prospects and after learning that he and Fallcatcher were subjects of a criminal investigation.

He went to Miami, then flew to Morocco, according to federal investigators. Ford later told officials he lived and worked in the United Arab Emirates; Thailand; Malaysia; Indonesia; Tunisia; Guinea; and Mexico.

Ford filed a Freedom of Information Act request from Mexico in 2024 with the U.S. Marshals Service to see if they were still looking for him.

Ford crossed the border into Arizona in April 2024, where he was arrested on a warrant for the Fallcatcher case. He was sent to Philadelphia for trial and detained in the federal jail as a flight risk. In 2011, he had been convicted of mortgage fraud in federal court in Arizona as Cleothus Lefty Jackson and served a prison term before starting Fallcatcher.

Part of the money Ford raised for Fallcatcher has been collected for investors from business and personal accounts seized from him in 2019 after Scott Bennett, a company executive, became suspicious that Ford was collecting improper payments from the company and reported him to the SEC.

According to prosecutors, Ford gave salesman Vagnozzi and investors false and misleading information about Fallcatcher and showed them phony documents about an insurers promise to fund a pilot Fallcatcher program. Ford paid Vagnozzi $500,000, which Vagnozzi refunded as part of a civil settlement with the SEC, plus 4 million shares of Fallcatcher stock, which proved worthless.

Vagnozzi is suing that agency, alleging that federal officials improperly seized his former business, A Better Financial Plan, as part of the 2020 court-ordered government takeover of Par Funding, a Ponzi scheme whose unregistered securities Vagnozzi also sold to clients. He later sued his lawyer, former Eckert Seamans partner John Pauciulo, who Vagnozzi said gave him bad advice about Par, Fallcatcher, and other investments.

The case against Ford was investigated by the FBI and the SECs New York regional office.
An artistic rendering of the holograms PETA is offering to replace Punxsutawney Phil. Read more

As certainly as Bill Murrays character in Groundhog Day awakes to I Got You Babe every morning at 6 a.m., every year around this time, PETA calls for Punxsutawney Phil to be retired to a sanctuary and replaced by some perennially preposterous proxy.

Past Phil-ins suggested by PETA include: an animatronic groundhog, a giant gold coin, a vegan weather-reveal cake, persimmon seeds, and a 36-year-old woman named Amber Canavan from Portland, Ore., who volunteered herself as tribute to take Phils place, livestream her monotonous life all year long, and give an equally unscientific weather forecast.

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This year the animal-rights organization has offered to replace Phil with a giant, state-of-the-art, 3D projection hologram of a groundhog like he was Tupac Shakur.

The best part of this proposal is that this year, PETA included an artistic rendering of its idea, which shows that if hologram Phil predicts six more weeks of winter, he will be blue and surrounded by snowflakes, and if he predicts an early spring, he will be pink and surrounded by flowers.

Either way, this would be one mammoth marmot. Hologram Phils paws appear to be about the size of a human head, which, if youve ever encountered a groundhog in real life, is both an adorable and terrifying prospect.

PETA even says the hologram would come complete with vocal weather predictions, which I also shudder to think about. Groundhogs sound like squeaky dog toys, which is perhaps not the best sound to rally a drunken crowd in a small Pennsylvania town at the crack of dawn.

In response to the proposal, Gov. Josh Shapiro  a noted fan of Phil whos hosted the wondrous whistle-pig at the governors residence and has attended Groundhog Day celebrations in Punxsutawney  posted a photo of Phil on X this week with the words DONT TREAD ON ME.

I reached out to the Governors Office to see if Pennsylvanias boss hog was serious about his support of the states famous groundhog.

He is indeed very serious about his defense of Phil, Alex Peterson, a spokesperson for the Governors Office, told me.

Prince or a pawn?

PETAs position, as stated in a letter from founder Ingrid Newkirk to Tom Dunkel, president of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Clubs Inner Circle, is that groundhogs are timid prey animals who want to avoid humans at all costs.

They dislike human smells, fear loud noises, abhor gatherings, and prefer to stay in their burrows, Newkirk wrote. Yet every year, this terrified little animal is subjected to loud announcers and noisy crowds and held up and waved around without any regard for his feelings, welfare, or instincts.

I see their point  Phil never particularly looks happy to predict the weather. Mostly he just seems confused at why hes being asked to do so and what this life is all about.

Plus, there are plenty of other Groundhog Day traditions that happen in Pennsylvania and across the country without a real animal. At the John Heinz Wildlife Refuge in Southwest Philly, a puppet named Tinicum Tim pops out of the ground to predict the weather. In Reading, a bucktooth groundhog mascot with a fancy pink bow gives her prognostication atop the Reading Pagoda. And in Quarryville, a mounted taxidermy groundhog gives predictions from the top of a manure spreader called the Pinnacle of Prognostication.

Michael Venos, who runs the website Countdown to Groundhog Day and has been to many of the alternative celebrations, said he considers the events just as fun and the predictions just as valid.

Venos said he shares PETAs concerns for Phil and all prognosticating animals.

While Im sure in the past, the animals welfare was not the primary concern for the people who organize these events, I believe, and am trusting, that nowadays, the utmost care is being taken to make sure that the animals are safe and well cared for, he said. Punxsutawney Phil in particular seems to live a very cushy life and appears to be well taken care of.

The perks

Phil lives one of the bougiest lives of any Pennsylvania resident, and whos to say he woodchuck it all away, if given the choice?

According to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, theres only ever been one Phil. He drinks a special elixir of life every summer, which has kept him young for going on 140 years. He does not, however, share that elixir with his wife or two kids, a burrowed secret thats shadier than seeing your shadow on a cloudy day.

When not predicting the weather, Phil lives with his family in a climate-controlled burrow in the town library, which is connected by underground tunnels to a brand-new home the Inner Circle had built for them last year at Gobblers Knob.

Two homes and a secret underground tunnel network  in this economy?!? Lucky.

Phil also finds time to travel and has his own party bus. As I mentioned before, he visited Shapiro at the governors residence in 2023, and this year, he attended the Pennsylvania Farm Show as a celebrity guest.

I see both sides of the argument here, but given that our second-most famous groundhog in Pennsylvania is already computer-generated and heavily into gambling, I say we keep the real Phil around for now.
Someone snowboards down the steps of the Masterman school, on Spring Garden Street, in this 2022 photo. Philadelphia schools will be closed Monday because of snow. Read more

All Philadelphia schools will be closed Monday, Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. said.

Officials made the call Friday in advance of a major winter storm thats expected to hit Philadelphia over the weekend, possibly dumping the biggest snowfall in a decade on the region.

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Students are going home from school Friday with charged computers, but Watlington, speaking at a city emergency services news conference, said he wanted students to focus on having fun.

Were inviting students and staff to enjoy this snowfall, which will be the most Ive seen during my nearly four years here in Philadelphia, the superintendent said. Sledding is appropriate. Snow angels are appropriate, and [Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel] gave us permission to have one or two safe and fun snowball fights.

If conditions require more days out of school buildings, every subsequent day will be a remote learning day, Watlington said.

Philadelphia Achdiocesan high schools and parochial elementary schools also will have a virtual day Monday.

Suburban schools prep

Philadelphia isnt the only district that has already announced plans or warned that closures were likely.

In Upper Darby, school officials told families Thursday night to prepare for the prospect of virtual instruction on Monday, and possibly Tuesday.

If the weather is more significant than anticipated, and there are power outages in the area, we will shift to a snow day, with no virtual school, Superintendent Daniel McGarry said in the message.

In the Cheltenham School District, Superintendent Brian Scriven told families that if weather conditions require us to close schools and offices, the district will have a traditional snow day Monday. Tuesday is to be determined  and Wednesday could be virtual instruction, if conditions are significant enough, Scriven said.

In the wake of the pandemic, area schools have taken different approaches on whether to have traditional snow days or online learning.

Colonial School District Superintendent Michael Christian told parents Friday that if the accumulation is as high as some meteorologists are projecting, we would call for a traditional snow day on Monday and quite possibly Tuesday as well. And Wednesday could be a virtual instruction day, Christian said.

Meanwhile, the Council Rock School District said that if school buildings must close on Monday, students would have virtual instruction.
This colorized electron microscope image, released by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in 2024, shows avian influenza A H5N1 virus particles in yellow. New Jersey has identified 2026's first case of the virus in a commercial flock, officials said Thursday. Read more

Federal and state agriculture officials announced Thursday that they have identified a case of highly pathogenic avian flu on a commercial bird farm in Burlington County.

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture said in a news release that the case was the first confirmed in the state in 2026.

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The farms owner contacted agriculture officials after birds on the farm began dying, and highly pathogenic avian influenza was later found in samples submitted to state officials.

The farm has been quarantined and no new birds will arrive there until a thorough cleaning and disinfection to eliminate the virus, officials said in a news release.

Health and agricultural officials have been monitoring outbreaks of HPAI in commercial flocks across the country since 2022, including in the Philadelphia area. Though the virus has also spread in dairy cattle elsewhere in the country, it has not been detected in cattle in Pennsylvania or New Jersey.

HPAI has infected humans, although none in either state, and New Jersey officials said there is little risk to the public.

Human infections typically occur after close or lengthy unprotected contact with infected birds or cattle, or the places they have touched, officials said.

People who have had unprotected contact with infected birds should monitor themselves for symptoms for 10 days, including fever, cough, a sore throat, eye irritation or redness, aches, and diarrhea. If symptoms emerge, they should call a doctor.

Poultry farmers should notify state officials if they notice their birds exhibiting symptoms of avian flu, including coughing, sneezing, lethargy, eating or drinking less, or dying suddenly, officials said.

State officials said they are also monitoring cases of avian flu in wild birds after an outbreak of wild bird deaths in various parts of the state.

The rise in cases in wild birds, which started in November, affects a number of species of wild birds, including but not limited to waterfowl, raptors, and scavenger birds, officials said.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection asked residents to avoid directly touching sick or dead wildlife. If they find a dead wild bird on their property and want to dispose of it, residents should wear personal protective equipment and thoroughly wash their hands and disinfect non-disposable gear afterward.

Dead birds should be double-bagged in trash bags with a zip tie and placed in an outdoor trash can that pets or other wildlife cannot access.
A shirtless Edward Leigh Hunt Jr. is surrounded as he gives himself up to FBI agents in Los Angeles. Read more

A Brooks armored truck pulled up to the main PSFS Bank office in Center City on the morning of Jan. 20, 1988, but guard Edward Leigh Hunt Jr. didnt get out.

Two other employees of the Wilmington-based company, a driver and another guard, went inside the bank office on 13th Street near Market. When they returned about 30 minutes later, the 24-year-old Hunt was gone.

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He fled the vehicle carrying two canvas bags containing used bills totaling $651,000, or more than $1.7 million in todays dollars.

See ya soon

A few days after the robbery, Hunt, who went by Leigh, had made his way to Los Angeles, and phoned a friend from back home  mainly asking how much publicity he was receiving.

And then Hunt went silent for nearly 20 months.

In the meantime, he was twice featured on Americas Most Wanted and attracted national attention as well as a following.

The whole incident has been bizarre since day one, the fugitives father, Edward Leigh Hunt Sr., a former prosecutor for the Delaware Attorney Generals Office, would say later.

As the two-year anniversary of the heist approached, editors from the Wilmington News Journal newspaper inexplicably received a handwritten letter.

It was from Hunt, and he said the money was gone.

The University of Delaware graduate said he gambled it all away in an attempt, he wrote, to quadruple the sum and then return half the proceeds.

He missed his family, he wrote, and wanted to surrender on the second anniversary of the theft, Jan. 20, 1990, at noon in front of the Chamber of Commerce offices in downtown Los Angeles. He enclosed a photo of himself emerging from a swimming pool.

He sent a second letter to the newspaper a few days later, reiterating that he would be turning himself in. Just a reminder, he wrote.

Im sorry about the problems I have caused, he added. Its nobodys fault but mine. See ya soon.

Going downtown

Hunt, now 26, arrived shirtless and five minutes late, but nonetheless surrendered as planned to members of the FBI.

I love America, Hunt said as he was taken into custody. America is a great country.

As he was taken away, according to the Los Angeles Times, a few supportive spectators shouted, Free Leigh.

Six months later, Hunt pleaded guilty to interstate theft, and a federal judge in Philadelphia sentenced him to eight years in prison. In hopes of getting his sentence reduced, Hunt later came clean and confessed to having hidden most of the money in a Hollywood storage locker. The FBI recovered nearly $574,000, and Hunts sentence was cut down to six years.
Pieces of the Lawrence N. Mckenzie, a 98-foot schooner that sank off the coast of New Jersey in 1890, were discovered on the shore of Island Beach State Park. Read more

Remnants of a 136-year-old shipwreck have been discovered at Island Beach State Park in Ocean County. Large, wooden chunks of the Lawrence N. McKenzie, a 19th-century schooner that sank in the Atlantic Ocean on March 21, 1890, surfaced on the shoreline following weeks of beach erosion caused by persistent high winds and rough surf, according to a statement from State Park officials.

Beach erosion during the winter months is common at Island Beach State Park and is part of a natural, cyclical process, the statement said. Most beaches recover from the erosion during the calmer summer months  but for now, this winters erosion has revealed a glimpse into the parks maritime history.

The 98-foot McKenzie was hauling oranges from Puerto Rico to New York City when it encountered a thick fog near Barnegat, New Jersey. According to a report that Captain Lawrence McKenzie filed with the insurance company, there was six feet of water in the vessels hold when members of the Cedar Creek U.S. Life Saving Service rescued the eight-person crew.

Barnegats coastline is notorious for its constantly shifting shoals and channels. The Army Corps of Engineers estimates that between 1705 and the introduction of the steamship, there were 40 shipwrecks each year off the coast of Barnegat, earning the coast of New Jersey the nickname the graveyard of the Atlantic.

Island Beach State Park officials are currently monitoring the area. They reminded visitors to respect the parks historic artifacts. Touching or removing any part of such objects is prohibited and subject to summonses issued by the New Jersey State Park Police.
News / National

by Gideon Madzikatidze

ZVISHAVANE  A sixyearold girl from Kasvoro Village under Chief Masunda in Zvishavane has died after she was allegedly subjected to two days of severe beatings by her uncle, who was attempting to teach her how to spell her name.

Zimbabwe Republic Police Midlands spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko said the child, Praise Tsomeka, was repeatedly assaulted with Mopane tree switches and later a rubber sjambok on 18 and 19 January 2026.It is alleged that on 18 January 2026 at about 17:00 hours, the suspect, Takudzwa Wellington Chimuka (28), returned from work and started teaching the nowdeceased Praise Tsomeka, his cousins daughter, to write her name. During the process, he was beating her repeatedly using Mopane switches whenever she failed to write her name correctly, Mahoko said.On 19 January 2026, the same process happened again, and this time, when the switches broke, Chimuka sought and used a rubber sjambok. On 21 January 2026, Praise began showing signs of weakness and experiencing excruciating pain, he added.Mahoko said that upon noticing the childs deteriorating condition, Chimuka and his wife took her to a prophet for prayers before eventually taking her to Zvishavane District Hospital, where she died upon admission.Police investigations led to the arrest of Chimuka, in whose custody the child had been staying.Mahoko urged parents and guardians to treat children humanely, warning that not every perceived wrongdoing should be met with physical punishment.
Left to right, Melany Merida, 13, Gimena Morales Antezana, Jair Merida, 5, and Matias Merida, 7, posed for a portrait at their home in October in Philadelphia. Gimenas husband, Johny Merida Aguilar, has decided to accept deportation after being arrested by ICE in September. Read more

In the end, the pressure on the family simply became too great.

Johny Merida Aguilara, the detained immigrant father of a 5-year-old son with brain cancer, has decided to drop efforts to stay in the United States and accept deportation to Bolivia.

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His wife and three American-citizen children will also leave the country, though they are not required to do so, departing their Northeast Philadelphia home to reunite with their husband and father in the central Bolivian city of Cochabamba.

The decision to go comes as Merida Aguilara, 48, approaches his fifth month in immigration detention  with no end in sight. The familys forced separation has been emotionally devastating, friends and supporters said. And with Merida Aguilara in custody and unable to work, the financial situation for his wife and children was growing desperate.

 READ MORE: He was caring for his 5-year-old son with brain cancer. Then he was detained by ICE.

Merida Aguilara had been a main caregiver for his son, Jair, who has been treated at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, and whose future is now deeply uncertain. Quality healthcare can be lacking in Bolivia, where the U.S. State Department warns that hospitals cannot handle serious conditions.

Jair has autism and a severe eating disorder, surviving on PediaSure nutrition drink delivered through a plastic syringe. He generally would accept food only from his father, and Merida Aguilara would leave work during the day to feed his son.

The father was arrested by ICE for an immigration violation during a September traffic stop on Roosevelt Boulevard near Hunting Park Avenue, having lived in the United States without official permission for nearly 20 years.

I am tired, Gimena Morales Antezana, his wife, said in an interview with The Inquirer. We have been trying to survive, but it is difficult with the children because they miss their dad so much.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials did not reply to a request for comment on Thursday.

The family has received strong community support, Morales Antezana said, but that could not continue indefinitely, and at this point she can no longer afford rent, water, or heat,

Son Matias, 7, cries himself to sleep most nights, calling out for his father to come home. His sadness deepened after Christmas, turning into anger when Morales Antezana finally revealed that his father was not away on an extended work trip, but was being held by immigration authorities at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center, an ICE facility in central Pennsylvania.

Daughter Melany, 13, now feels unsafe in the U.S., her mother said. Teenage insecurities have bloomed into a persistent sense of danger, and she told her mom that leaving might be the only way to feel comfortable again.

Jair cries inconsolably every time he sees or hears his father on the phone, asking why his dad cant be home, Morales Antezana said.

All three children were born in this country and are U.S. citizens by law.

Some good news came this month. Doctors told Morales Antezana that Jairs brain tumor had not grown, allowing time to try to find care in Bolivia.

This is going to be a constant struggle every day until God decides, Morales Antezana said. Its scary to think that if something happens we dont have a hospital to take him to, but knowing his dad will be there makes it a little lighter to bear.

Morales Antezana, 49, had to stop working in 2020 to handle the nearly full-time demands of Jairs health, taking him to see specialists and undergo treatments while also caring for Melany and Matias.

She has not been ordered deported while she has pursued legal means to stay in the country. Mother and children plan to voluntarily depart this month, while the precise timing of Merida Aguilaras deportation is uncertain.

He couldnt do it anymore; he reached his limit, said Philadelphia immigration attorney John Vandenberg, who represents the family. Its a tough environment in the jail.

Vandenberg won relief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, which issued a Sept. 30 order to temporarily block Merida Aguilars deportation. The lawyer also applied on Morales Antezanas behalf for a T visa, which can bestow a path to citizenship on victims of human trafficking and their families.

But time has gone on with no sign from the government as to when that visa application might be considered.

Merida Aguilar and his wife were given permission to legally work in the U.S. under her 2024 claim for asylum, which could enable both to live here permanently if granted. The Trump administration, however, has made it increasingly difficult for people to succeed on those claims.

Vandenberg said Merida Aguilar has no criminal record in the U.S., and Bolivian authorities provided documentation showing he had committed no offenses in that country.

His efforts to remain in the U.S. have been complicated by a previous deportation, when he tried to enter the U.S. east of San Diego in 2008. Immigration officials sent him to Mexico, but Merida Aguilar secretly crossed back into the U.S. almost immediately.

Now he and his wife want their children to be in Bolivia in time for the new school year, which starts in February.

I want to make sure our kids can study, Morales Antezana said, so they can decide who they want to be in the future, and come back [to the U.S.] as professionals with a different story than us.

Her parents, and a son from a previous relationship, are eager to see them in Bolivia.

She said she is looking forward to what many people might take for granted  hugging her partner, watching him play with their children, enjoying a meal as a family. That helps ease the pain of saying goodbye to a city she sees as home and to the friends who tried to help.

They kept me strong and helped me not get more depressed, Morales Antezana said. Im going to miss everything about Philadelphia. It hurts a lot to have to leave because there are good people here.
President Donald Trump departs the White House to travel to Davos, Switzerland: Trump said the federal government would halt any payments to sanctuary cities, or states having sanctuary cities." Read more

The Trump administration has ordered Cabinet agencies to review federal funding for a group of Democratic-controlled states, according to a White House budget official and records reviewed by The Washington Post, as the administration looks to cut off resources for sanctuary jurisdictions that refuse to collaborate with immigration enforcement authorities.

The White House Office of Management and Budget ordered all federal agencies except the Defense and Veterans Affairs departments to report every grant, loan, contract, subcontract and other monetary awards to a group of 14 states and Washington, D.C.

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The memo, sent Monday with instructions to report back by Jan. 28, says the exercise is meant to facilitate efforts to reduce the improper and fraudulent use of those funds through administrative means or legislative proposals to Congress.

This is a data-gathering exercise only, the memo states later. It does not involve withholding funds and therefore does not violate any court order.

President Donald Trump declared in a speech last week that as of Feb. 1, the federal government would stop making any payments to sanctuary cities, or states having sanctuary cities, because they do everything possible to protect criminals at the expense of American citizens.

The Trump administration has surged immigration enforcement in Minneapolis as prosecutors focus on nonprofits there that have received federal grants. Many of the targeted organizations are affiliated with the citys large Somali community, and Trump has used the situation to call for a crackdown on both federal benefits fraud and immigration from East Africa.

During a speech Wednesday at the World Economic Forum in the Swiss resort town of Davos, Trump described the investigations targets as Somalian bandits.

We are moving forward with taking fraud seriously, said an OMB spokesperson, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal proceedings.

The jurisdictions included in the budget offices request are: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington state. It also includes the District of Columbia.

The memo was reported earlier by RealClearPolitics and CNN.

It requests agencies provide detailed information on all funds to those states, including money routed for state and local governments, nonprofit organizations and higher education institutions.

The memo includes a worksheet that asks agencies to report money sent to those recipients in the 2025 fiscal year and estimated spending for the 2026 fiscal year.

White House budget director Russell Vought has faced off with Democratic-controlled states before.

During the 43-day government shutdown that stretched from the start of October into mid-November, Voughts office paused billions of dollars for New York subway and rail projects; Democrats leaders in Congress, Sen. Charles Schumer and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, both represent the Empire State.

Vought also attempted to cancel $8 billion in clean energy funds for a group of 16 Democratic-run states. A federal judge said this month that the move was unlawful and reinstated the money.

Defendants freely admit that they made grant-termination decisions primarily - if not exclusively - based on whether the awardee resided in a state whose citizens voted for President Trump in 2024, Judge Amit Mehta, of the District Court of the District of Columbia, wrote in his ruling.
Rep. Brian Mast speaks to reporters at the Capitol earlier this month after a closed-door briefing about President Donald Trump directing U.S. forces to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Read more

WASHINGTON  The House rejected a Democratic-backed resolution Thursday that would have prevented President Donald Trump from sending U.S. military forces to Venezuela after a tied vote on the legislation fell just short of the majority needed for passage.

Democrats forced the vote on the war powers resolution to direct the president to remove U.S. troops from the South American nation, bringing up a debate in the Republican-controlled Congress on Trumps aggressions in the Western Hemisphere.

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The Trump administration told senators last week that there are no U.S. troops on the ground in Venezuela and committed to getting congressional approval before launching major military operations there. But Democrats argued that the resolution is necessary after the U.S. raid to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and since Trump has stated plans to control the countrys oil industry for years to come.

Thursdays vote was the latest test in Congress of how much leeway Republicans will give a president who campaigned on removing the U.S. from foreign entanglements but has increasingly reached for military options to impose his will in the Western Hemisphere. So far, almost all Republicans have declined to put checks on Trump through the war powers votes.

Rep. Brian Mast, the Republican chair of the House Armed Services Committee, accused Democrats of bringing the war powers resolution to a vote out of spite for Trump.

Its about the fact that you dont want President Trump to arrest Maduro, and you will condemn him no matter what he does, even though he brought Maduro to justice with possibly the most successful law enforcement operation in history, Mast added.

Still, Democrats stridently argued that Congress needs to assert its role in determining when the president can use wartime powers. They have been able to force a series of votes in both the House and Senate as Trump in recent months ramped up his campaign against Maduro and set his sights on other conflicts overseas.

Donald Trump is reducing the United States to a regional bully with fewer allies and more enemies, New York Rep. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said during a floor debate. This isnt making America great again. Its making us isolated and weak.

Last week, Senate Republicans were only able to narrowly dismiss a Venezuela war powers resolution after the Trump administration persuaded two Republicans to back away from their earlier support. As part of that effort, Secretary of State Marco Rubio committed to a briefing next week before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Response to Trumps foreign policy

When the House voted on a similar Venezuela war powers resolution last month, three Republican House members  Reps. Don Bacon of Nebraska, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, who has since resigned from Congress  joined Democrats in voting for the legislation. Trump has since carried out the attack on Venezuela to seize Maduro, as well as turned his ambitions to possessing Greenland.

Trumps insistence that the U.S. will possess Greenland over the objections of Denmark, a NATO ally, has alarmed some Republicans on Capitol Hill. They have mounted some of the most outspoken objections to almost anything the president has done since taking office.

Trump this week backed away from military and tariff threats against European allies as he announced that his administration was working with NATO on a framework of a future deal on Arctic security.

But Bacon still expressed frustration with Trumps aggressive foreign policy and planned to vote for the war powers resolution, even though it only applies to Venezuela.

Im tired of all the threats, he said.

Trumps recent military actions  and threats to do more  have reignited a decades-old debate in Congress over the War Powers Act, a law passed in the early 1970s by lawmakers looking to claw back their authority over military actions.

The war powers debate

The War Powers Resolution was passed in the Vietnam War era as the U.S. sent troops to conflicts throughout Asia. It attempted to force presidents to work with Congress to deploy troops if there hasnt already been a formal declaration of war.

Under the legislation, lawmakers can also force votes on legislation that directs the president to remove U.S. forces from hostilities.

Presidents have long tested the limits of those parameters, and Democrats argue that Trump in his second term has pushed those limits farther than ever.

The Trump administration left Congress in the dark ahead of the surprise raid to capture Maduro. It has also used an evolving set of legal justifications to blow up alleged drug boats and seize sanctioned oil tankers near Venezuela.

Democrats question benefits from Venezuelan oil licenses

As the Trump administration oversees the sale of Venezuelas petroleum worldwide, Senate Democrats are questioning who is benefitting from the contracts.

In one of the first transactions, the U.S. granted Vitol, the worlds largest independent oil broker, a license worth roughly $250 million. A senior partner at Vitol, John Addison, gave roughly $6 million to Trump-aligned political action committees during the presidential election, according to donation records compiled by OpenSecrets.

Congress and the American people deserve full transparency regarding any financial commitments, promises, deals, or other arrangements related to Venezuela that could favor donors to the Presidents campaign and political operation, 13 Democratic senators wrote to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles Thursday in a letter led by Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff of California.

The White House has said it is safeguarding the South American countrys oil for the benefit of both the people of Venezuela and the U.S.
The potato section at Sprouts on Jan. 22. Sprouts is eyeing Phoenixville, among a slew of new grocery stores coming to Chester County. Read more

From national chains to homegrown operations, as Chester County continues to grow, so too do the grocery store offerings.

Heres a look at some of the stores opening around the county.

Kimberton Whole Foods expanding

This spring, locally owned Kimberton Whole Foods will open its largest location in the county in Eagleview Town Center. Construction began in 2024, roughly 20 years after the location in Kimberton Village opened at a former hardware store.

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We look forward to serving Eagleview and the surrounding communities with healthy, locally sourced grocery options in a customer-focused environment, Ezra Brett, chief operations officer for Kimberton Whole Foods, said in a statement.

The new 14,000-square-foot facility will continue the stores offerings of organic produce, grass-fed meats, specialty cheese, grab-and-go meals, and more.

The store will join the growing Eagleview Town Center, which offers restaurants, salons and spas, professional offices, daycares, and more.

West Chester Cooperative slated for opening

West Chester is slated to get a brick-and-mortar member-owned grocery this year, with West Chester Cooperative at 204 W. Market St.

Permits were submitted to the borough in December, according to the grocerys website.

The cooperative kicked off more than a decade ago, formed by a group of borough residents who wanted sustainable, local alternatives to chain grocery stores.

Over the next 10 years, the group launched outreach efforts, opened a pop-up market, and did curbside pickup and limited in-store shopping hours. In 2022, it reached 500 member-owners.

The grocery will be open to all shoppers, but member-owners will receive select benefits.

Kennett Square is also getting its own cooperative grocery store

West Chester isnt the only municipality in Chesco getting a different model of grocery store. Also nearly a decade in the works, Kennett Squares Kennett Community Grocer is expected to open this spring at 625 E. Cypress St.

Renovations began in 2025, and the store will offer locally grown produce; dairy, eggs, and meat from county farms; local baked goods and prepared foods; pantry staples from local producers; and a cafe for community members. It will also hold educational and other events led by healthcare professionals and farmers.

It felt like doing this was to highlight for everyone that we have this precious land thats quite beautiful, that is very bountiful with products, not just mushrooms, but meat, dairy, produce, fruit, vegetables, said Edie Burkey, president of the nonprofit board leading the grocer. We felt that bringing people together for the common cause of supporting the land that were very, very proud to be part of was a good thing.

Farmers will get a free cup of coffee at the cafe, which will sell locally roasted coffee, and local teas and honey. The store hopes to partner with the high schools culinary students for an internship program. Products that dont sell will be donated to organizations like Philabundances Mighty Writers, Childrens Advocacy Centers of Pennsylvania, and others, Burkey said.

We all eat, and to create a community around eating  things that are grown around here  and protecting the land so that maybe farmers dont sell their land to developers, youre just creating a sense of community in and around an activity that is so vital to every part of your day, every day of the year," Burkey said.

Other national chains coming to the county

Meanwhile, bigger chains are also looking to call the county home. Phoenixville could see two national stores coming in the coming months.

Construction for an Aldi, an international discount supermarket, began over the summer at 297 Schuylkill Road.

Meanwhile, Sprouts Farmers Market, the Arizona-based organic and natural grocery store, is also eyeing a location in Phoenixville. Most of the grocers local footprint is within Philadelphia, but a Phoenixville location would broaden the stores reach further west.

The Phoenixville location is proposed at 808 Valley Forge Road, where the former Royal Bank used to sit. It would operate 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, next to an indoor self-storage facility.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld the suspension of former Philadelphia Common Pleas Judge Mark B. Cohen, who was ejected from the bench in 2024 after refusing to stop posting political statements on Facebook.

Justice Kevin Dougherty, writing for a unanimous court, said that protecting the efficiency of justice including the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary is more important than Cohens interest in posting partisan political content on Facebook where the volume and tone of his posts cast him as little more than a spokesperson for the Democratic Party.

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The former judge was suspended without pay for the remainder of his term in October 2024 by the Pennsylvania Court of Judicial Discipline. The court said Cohen violated the Code of Judicial Conduct when he posted Facebook comments that skewered Republicans and praised Democratic politicians or left-leaning causes.

The Court of Judicial Disciplines opinion called Cohens behavior unprecedented, especially his refusal to stop posting after having been warned by his superiors.

No other case in the history of the Court of Judicial Discipline has involved such defiance post decision, the opinion reads. Judges are not allowed to broadcast their political leanings. People appearing before judges deserve fair, unprejudiced jurists.

Cohen, 76, is a former member of the statehouse who represented lower Northeast Philadelphia for 42 years. He was elected to the bench in 2017 and was suspended months before the end of his term. Regardless of his suspension, Cohen was ineligible to run for a second term because of Pennsylvanias judicial mandatory retirement age, which is 75.

The Inquirer was unable to reach Cohen based on publicly available contact information.

Cohen appealed his suspension to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, telling The Inquirer at the time, this is a pathbreaking case seeking to severely limit freedom of speech.

The exact limit on the First Amendment rights of sitting judges is an open question of law that neither the Pennsylvania Supreme Court nor the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled on previously.

Judges have the right to free speech, including some degree of political speech during their own elections, wrote Dougherty, who campaigned vigorously for his own retention on the states highest bench this fall.

The task of the Supreme Court was to balance the right of a sitting judge freedom of speech with the integrity of the courts in Pennsylvania.

Cohen advocated for legislation, cheered on Democratic politicians, and criticized the policies of predominately Republican legislatures, Dougherty wrote. The former judge made more than 60 posts that were of concern, all from a Facebook page identifying himself as a judge.

An ordinary citizen comparing Judge Cohens posts with the posts of our state politicians would likely see little distinction, Dougherty wrote.

The ruling does not intend to muzzle judges or dissuade all social media use, the opinion said. But judges should, like everyone else, make sure that their social media use comports with the rules of the position they have voluntarily attained or the organization they have voluntarily chosen to join.

Justice David Wecht also wrote a concurring opinion in which he said it was important to distinguish whether political speech from a judge was made during a retention campaign, in which avoiding politics completely is impossible.

If the people of this Commonwealth wish to imagine their judiciary to be as pure as the driven snow, and if the people are under some impression that elimination of judicial elections would advance such purity, they are free to alter their Constitution, Wecht wrote.
Workers remove the display panels about slavery at the Presidents House site in Independence National Historical Park Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. The fate of exhibits at the site, which serves as a memorial to the nine people George Washington enslaved there during the founding of America, had been in limbo since President Trumps executive order, Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History," directed the Department of the Interior to review over 400 national sites to remove or modify interpretive materials that "inappropriately disparage Americans past or living. Read more

For some, the removal of exhibits about slavery at the Presidents House Site at Independence National Historical Park on Thursday came as a shock.

For John Garrison Marks, a historian and author who writes and researches about Americas early years, it looked like history repeating itself.

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In April, Marks will publish his book Thy Will Be Done: George Washingtons Legacy of Slavery and the Fight for American Memory. The book delves into George Washingtons life, his relationship with slavery, and how that relationship has been manipulated by politicians and activists over the last 2 centuries to serve various narratives.

Marks talked to The Inquirer about how the removal of the slavery exhibits at the Presidents House will become another chapter in the nations struggle to reconcile how a man renowned for fighting for freedom forced so many into bondage.

The following interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

Can you tell me a little about the specific history of this site?

While [Washington] was there, he enslaved at least nine people. He had enslaved people for the entirety of his adult life. He had grown accustomed to being served by enslaved people at his home in Virginia.

So he brought these people from Mount Vernon to the Presidents House in Philadelphia while he was serving as president there, and the major complication that came up with this, and this is one of the things that the historic site did a great job of explaining, is that the state of Pennsylvania passed a law to gradually abolish the institution of slavery in 1780.

As part of that law, any enslaved person who remained in residence in Pennsylvania for more than six months would be entitled to their freedom. George Washington discovered this soon after assuming the presidency and relocating to Philadelphia, and he also learned, as many future presidents would learn, that the law also would apply to him. He wanted to keep the labor of these people that he enslaved, and so he devised a scheme he very much wanted to be kept secret to rotate enslaved people in and out of Pennsylvania before they had arrived at that six-month mark and would be entitled to their freedom.

Sometimes he would send people back to Virginia. Sometimes he would just take them across the river to New Jersey for a little while, but he was very aware of this gradual abolition law and worked very hard to make sure that it wouldnt apply to the people he personally enslaved.

The tragic irony in that is, at the very same time, George Washington was expressing in letters to people, in private correspondence, how much he supported these Northern gradual abolition laws.

Was there some sort of moral struggle that we have evidence of that he was experiencing? How was he reconciling these things?

He writes to people in private, talking about how he recognizes the hypocrisy inherent in him leading a revolution to found a nation dedicated to liberty and equality and his own involvement with slavery.

There were these statements that he made limiting the nature of his involvement, of trying to establish some limits for himself of how he would and would not engage with the institution of slavery, but he also proved flexible on that point.

Hercules Posey, the chef that he enslaved in Philadelphia, escapes from slavery and escapes from the Washingtons.

After that happens, Washington writes in a letter that hes disappointed because he vowed never to gain another enslaved person by purchase but then says, Now this is a vow I must break. So it seems he never even considered the possibility of hiring and paying a free chef.

How has Washingtons experience with slaves, in general but particularly there, been sort of warped over time?

In the months after Washingtons death, almost every American would have known that he freed the people he enslaved in his last will and testament, and yet almost no one talked about it.

There are dozens of biographies of Washington that get published in the decade after his death, and almost none of them acknowledge slavery in any way.

But there have always been people in America who are dedicated to lifting up that history, to resurfacing Washingtons involvement in slavery. So during the 1932 bicentennial [of Washingtons birth] you have Black educators and activists, Black newspapers who say, if this is going to be about getting back to the real George Washington, now is the time that we have to reckon with his involvement in slavery.

It happens again, to varying extents, during the Civil Rights Movement as theres a greater scholarly attention to the histories of slavery and African Americans. Youve seen it over the course of the last couple decades about what kinds of things can and cant be taught in American schools.

Always, the conversation is about Washington, but its never just about Washington. It is always about America and what America stands for, and depending on peoples assessment of what the nation is and what it means, that often dictates how they think the story of George Washington and slavery should be treated.

Why do you think its important we have the Presidents House as a memorial with the plaques that have been removed? What do you make of the removal of them?

Trying to hide the nations history of slavery has never worked. Weve been trying it over and over again throughout American history, but there have always been other people who insist that we reckon with this past, that we face it head on, that we include the full story so we can learn from it.

As we approach the nations 250th anniversary, I cant help but think how many people are going to be visiting Independence Hall, are going to be visiting Independence National Historical Park, who would have had the opportunity to encounter this history of slavery that is so closely tied to our history of the founding and maybe learned it for the first time.

Eliminating the ability for people to learn from that history, to have conversations about that history, to reckon with what that history should mean for us today is only going to set us farther back. It is going to make much more challenging any effort to move the United States to becoming a more just society.
Blagony is caused by the sustained emotional labor, the relentless vigilance, the pressure of representation and racialized perception  all while trying to meet the explicit performance metrics of any job, writes Jack Hill. Read more

There is a word I want us to consider: blagony. Its a portmanteau of Black and agony, and it captures a specific psychological space.

Its not merely being the only Black person in the boardroom. Its the sustained emotional labor, the relentless vigilance, the pressure of representation and racialized perception  all while trying to meet the explicit performance metrics of any job.

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The only Black engineer in a meeting. The single Black adviser on a team. The only Black teacher, the only Black graduate student. The Black female leader whose presence is always under the magnifying glass.

This is the daily landscape for many, and it is, in its quiet omnipresence, exhausting.

To understand blagony is to understand that workplace stress isnt just about deadlines and deliverables. In the last decade, a significant body of research has reminded us that burnout  the chronic stress response the World Health Organization formally recognizes in the workplace  emerges not only from workload but from identity threat, lack of psychological safety, and perpetual masking of ones authentic self. Burnout has been with us for decades, yet we are only beginning to grasp its intersecting causes.

In Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle, Emily and Amelia Nagoski explain that stress has a physiological component that often isnt resolved by self-care alone. Stressors accumulate, and without mechanisms to complete the stress cycle, our bodies and minds remain in distress.

Now imagine experiencing the ordinary stress of overwork while also managing the extraordinary stress of visibility  being watched, categorized, and held up as both token and template for an entire community. Thats blagony. Its not just about being in the room; its about being on stage in every room.

Organizational research shows this isnt abstract. Studies probing wellness in underrepresented groups report that women of color  and particularly Black women  face compounded barriers in professional settings.

They are both underrepresented and overlooked, which research connects to diminished career progression, reduced well-being, and heightened psychological strain.

This isnt about victimhood. Its about recognition. True psychological safety  the freedom to bring all of who you are to work  is one of the major predictors of organizational success. Yet, for Black employees, that safety is often a mirage. They must code-switch, temper their expertise with humility, and constantly evaluate whether being authentic will be rewarded or punished.

This labor  unmeasured, unpaid, and deeply internalized  is blagony.

Of course, we talk about inclusion and equity, about diversity plans and affinity groups. But intention isnt impact. A reading of workplace wellness literature reveals a troubling tendency: The wellness industry urges individual strategies  meditation, resilience, boundary setting  while often ignoring structural stressors that are built into the workplace.

Jennifer Moss, in her widely discussed book, The Burnout Epidemic: The Rise of Chronic Stress and How We Can Fix It, argues that organizations must stop treating burnout as an individual failure and instead redesign workplaces to reduce chronic stress.

Yet, most corporate wellness programs remain superficial: apps, yoga classes, snack bars, mindfulness sessions. None of these treats the root of blagony: the constant cognitive load of being the sole representative of a marginalized group. Psychological research calls this identity threat, and its real.

In higher education and STEM settings, scholars highlight how Black professionals must mask parts of themselves  hide cultural cues, soften speech, temper humor  to conform to dominant norms. Every day, they must decide: Be fully me and risk being misunderstood? Or mold myself into the organizational ideal and risk losing touch with my own sense of self, or possibly risk losing my job?

In a striking parallel, centuries of research on microaggressions show how seemingly small, everyday slights accumulate into a wear and tear on the psyche. One corporate DEI consultant who has developed mindfulness tools for Black workers notes that these workers face not only the standard burnout of their peers, but additional layers  microaggressions, coded language, isolation, and stereotypical assumptions  which add up over the years.

That is blagony.

Some might raise the counterargument: Isnt this just the cost of progress? The pain inherent in entering spaces that were never designed for everyone? But that is precisely the problem. Organizations and societies that value innovation, creativity, and collective intelligence must also value plurality of perspective, and the racial and ethnic components that come along with it. If we ignore the emotional costs paid by minoritized workers, we will degrade our own workplaces and squander human potential.

Consider the economys current preoccupation with wellness. Most wellness initiatives are rooted in an individualistic self-care model that assumes stress arises from personal habits. But when stress is born of organizational dynamics, personal adjustment alone isnt enough.

Nagoski reminds us: Stress is physiological, yes, but its also social. You cannot meditate your way out of an environment that constantly signals that your presence is provisional.

Blagony demands more than corporate slogans or pulse surveys. It demands structural change. It demands that we rethink hiring, promotion, and evaluation criteria. It demands that we foster climates where people dont feel the need to mask their identities to fit in. It demands sustained effort to build genuine psychological safety.

There is also a cultural dimension. We must shift from valuing perfection to valuing wholeness. We must recognize that human beings  especially those carrying the cumulative weight of historical and structural marginalization  cannot compartmentalize identity from performance. Workplaces that expect competence without empathy will find neither.

In my own conversations with Black professionals, what emerges over and over is not a desire for special treatment, but for authentic belonging. They dont want to be tokens. They want to be colleagues whose full humanity is recognized and respected.

Blagony demands more than corporate slogans or pulse surveys. It demands structural change.

So lets retire the idea that burnout is merely overwork. Lets broaden our understanding to include blagony: the strain of being seen as a single voice for a whole community, the chronic vigilance against bias, the emotional taxation that is neither acknowledged nor compensated.

If we want workplaces that are not just more diverse but more human, then we must reckon with this. Because until we address the unique stressors Black employees carry  and redesign institutions to reduce them  we will continue to lose not just talent, but our shared moral coherence.

Blagony is not a symptom of individual weakness. It is a signal that our workplaces  and our culture  still have far to go.

Jack Hill is a diversity consultant, child advocate, journalist, and writer.
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker unveils her long-awaited plan to build or preserve 30,000 units of housing during a special session of City Council in March. Read more

This weeks Shackamaxon covers the return of City Council, an update on the water wars, and the weekends potential snowpocalypse.

Closer to H.O.M.E.

Both City Council and Mayor Cherelle L. Parker are calling the compromise agreement on the $800 million housing spending plan a win.

For councilmembers, the Housing Opportunities Made Easy, or H.O.M.E., proposal was altered to prioritize households at the bottom of the income scale, their main demand throughout the process. For the mayor, Council has approved her signature proposal and done so without significant alterations. That means the city will borrow and spend the first tranche of money soon.

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Frankly, Im surprised the income limits for just two of the dozens of programs included in the initiative became such a source of contention. Council is right that the neediest should be prioritized, while the mayor is correct in saying that raising the limits is unlikely to create a flood of interest that will squeeze out lower-income homeowners.

If a house needs modification to facilitate a residents physical needs, or has one of the qualifying repairs (like a major roof leak) for the Basic Systems Repair Program, most homeowners with means will address the problem as soon as they can  even if it means spending their own money. Getting help from the city can take months. Thats a lot of time to deal with a leaking roof, crumbling joists, or an inability to access your entire home.

Perhaps the argument suited both sides. For the mayor, arguing with Council about income limits meant not arguing about whether borrowing nearly a billion dollars for her housing initiative is a good idea. It also meant new concepts like One Philly Mortgage or the property-based Shallow Rent Program mostly went unscrutinized. For councilmembers, it was an opportunity to demonstrate their compassion and score a win over a mayor who doesnt like to lose.

Burning desire

The biggest controversy during Councils first session of the year was whether or not the city should continue sending trash for incineration at the Reworld Delaware Valley Resource Recovery Facility.

Chester residents and 3rd District Councilmember Jamie Gauthier want the city to stop a practice they view as unneighborly, blaming Reworld for poor air quality and medical issues. Reworld says incineration is better than the alternative: landfills. Both options lead to increased local emissions. Which one is considered worse often depends on whom youre talking to.

One way to reduce the impact of the citys trash would be to begin a municipal pilot program for composting. While many residents utilize composting services, extending access could lead to a significant reduction in waste. This would mean less impact on the environment and local communities, no matter which option the city ultimately chooses.

Water wars

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Chester Water Authority, a win for advocates of publicly owned water utilities. The financially distressed Delaware County city had claimed ownership of the authority and its assets, based on the fact that it had originally established the agency decades ago. In the meantime, however, the coverage area has spread, even including much of neighboring Chester County.

Despite this, the state-appointed receiver for the city of Chester came to see a sale of the authority as a way to rebalance the books. Chester has been under state supervision since 1995 and was placed into receivership by former Gov. Tom Wolf in 2020. When Aqua America offered more than $400 million for the authority, it was hard for the city, which has around $500 million in liabilities, to refuse  even when the authoritys board opposed the deal.

The courts ruling ends the push to privatize the authority, which is a win for ratepayers, especially the many who dont live in the city but still rely on the authority for water. But it leaves Chester City in need of another way out of its long municipal nightmare.

No Zoom school

With Philadelphia expected to receive a huge helping of snow this weekend, I think it is worth reminding regional school administrators that kids deserve better than Zoom school.

Weather models that are much more accurate than the ones they used back in John Bolaris day are predicting a foot or more of snow. That could be enough to make getting to class on Monday unrealistic, especially given how many teachers travel in from the suburbs.

Losing a day of school is a challenge, but it doesnt justify forcing kids to spend the day on their laptops, especially given the growing body of evidence showing that digital learning tools simply arent as effective. The National Assessment of Educational Progress test scores, often called the Nations Report Card, show that students have regressed across the board, erasing decades of progress.

This decline roughly correlates with the explosion of technology in the classroom. Additionally, childrens behavior worsened overall during the pandemic, with some researchers blaming the shift to screens. UNESCO went as far as to blame it for increasing educational inequality.

Psychologist Jonathan Haidt wrote a book called The Anxious Generation, which blames a surge in screen time (including for school) and a severe curtailment of unstructured free time for growing teenage anxiety.

Sadly, too many adults who grew up in a time when children were allowed more freedom and spontaneity keep imposing policies on kids that leave them with less of both.
Workers remove the display panels about slavery at the Presidents House site in Independence National Historical Park, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. The fate of exhibits at the site, which serves as a memorial to the nine people George Washington enslaved there during the founding of America, had been in limbo since President Donald Trumps executive order, Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History, directed the U.S. Department of the Interior to review over 400 national sites to remove or modify interpretive materials that inappropriately disparage Americans past or living. Read more

It hurts my soul that the Trump administration has made good on the presidents threats to destroy the Presidents House slavery exhibit at Independence National Historical Park, something Philadelphians fought long and hard to get. It would hurt President Donald Trumps soul, too, if only he had one.

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None of this makes America great again. It doesnt bring down the cost of groceries. It doesnt help Americans whose healthcare premiums have skyrocketed. It doesnt make our streets safer. It doesnt do anything but rile up Confederate flag-waving racists in Trumps base. They had an awful lot to say about preserving history when monuments honoring traitorous soldiers who fought for the Confederacy and the right to own Black folks were torn down. But not so much when it comes to the destruction that happened at Sixth and Market Streets Thursday afternoon.

I hope the spirits of the enslaved Africans whose stories had been immortalized in that display adjacent to the Liberty Bell will forever haunt Trump. It is my sincere wish that he and the henchmen who took down signs and dismantled the panels documenting the sad history of the nine enslaved Black people owned by our nations first president will never forget what theyve done.

From this day forward, may they toss and turn each night as they remember the destruction they have wrought, as well as the names of the enslaved whose memorial they defiled: Austin, Paris, Hercules, Christopher Sheels, Richmond, Giles, Oney Judge, Moll, and Joe.

Trump and his enablers can try to hide the facts, but chattel slavery is an undeniable part of Americas founding. This nation wouldnt be what it is now without the free labor of Africans dragged to these shores against their will and forced to toil for free in brutally inhumane conditions. Its our story and one that should be acknowledged  not played down because Trump says so.

What will he do next? Take a sledgehammer to the Martin Luther King Jr. statue in Washington, D.C.? Empty out the Smithsonians National Museum of African American History and Culture? Burn the books about slavery and Black codes that have been for sale in museum gift shops and national parks?

The exhibit at the Presidents House was the first Id ever seen that, instead of glorifying the nations first president, humanized the poor people Washington held in the worst kind of bondage. The offices of The Inquirer are right across the street, and Ive walked through the free outdoor exhibit many times. I used to enjoy seeing the expressions of tourists as they learned about the side of Washington thats left out of most history books.

Now all thats left are the empty spaces where the various signs used to be. These sudden omissions at Independence Park make it feel like the historical account now being told at the site is a lie  not unlike the foundational lie of white supremacy that was used to justify the sin of slavery in the first place.

The removals are just another step in Trumps brutal agenda to take things in America back to how they used to be when white men had everything and Black people had nothing.

Since his return to power, it has been one thing after another: his attempts to destroy all vestiges of diversity, equity, and inclusion, including his decision to no longer allow free admission to national parks on the federal holidays celebrating the late Rev. Dr. King and Juneteenth. Instead, parkgoers can enjoy free admission on Trumps birthday, as if thats really a thing.

The president would destroy Black History Month, too, if he could, and I dont put it past him to try. Hes been clear about his racial animus, restoring the names of Army bases to those of Confederate military figures and using U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to inflict a reign of terror on Black and brown people.

Im proud Philadelphia has filed suit to take back what was removed from the Presidents House. This is the beginning of the City of Brotherly Love, showing the Trump administration that, in the words of Sheriff Rochelle Bilal, You dont want this smoke.
President Donald Trump applauds during a signing ceremony on his Board of Peace initiative at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday. Read more

Donald Trumps sudden retreat from his military and economic threats to seize Greenland from NATO ally Denmark shows it is still possible to block the president from further foreign policy folly.

Trump did a complete U-turn at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, shortly after berating European allies and NATO in a lengthy, lie-filled speech, insisting he must own Greenland. Just two hours later, after a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, the president suddenly announced he had a framework for a deal that would satisfy all U.S. needs.

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Make no mistake. No matter how the White House spins Trumps sudden about-face, he staged a total climb-down from a mess of his own making. Based on early reports, he got almost nothing he couldnt have agreed on with Denmark months ago, based on a 1951 treaty that permits the U.S. to open multiple bases in Greenland.

All Trumps bluster achieved was to totally alienate Americas European allies and deeply wound the NATO military alliance, whose help he needs to block Russian and Chinese aggression in the Arctic and elsewhere.

So what caused Trumps sudden reversal? No one can penetrate the presidents aging brain, but the likely reasons have to do with economics and his base, the only factors that seem to move him.

The financial markets tanked early this week from fear that Trump would invade Greenland. No doubt tech moguls at Davos were warning him. New polls also showed 90% of Americans opposed an invasion.

Yet, as late as Wednesday afternoon, he was insisting, in his Davos speech, on the need for title and ownership of Greenland, and was threatening to impose new tariffs on Denmark and other European allies if they didnt surrender. You need the ownership to defend [Greenland], Trump contended. Who the hell wants to defend a license agreement or a lease?

Parse those words, and you see they intimate an end to NATO and its Article 5 defense mechanism. After all, if the U.S. doesnt own Poland or the Baltics or Finland, why should Trump defend them if Russia ever attacks?

Still, even in his aggressive speech, Trump was hinting he was seeking an off-ramp, stating he wouldnt use force.

No doubt he recognized that, despite his open disdain for Europe, its key leaders had abandoned their conciliatory stance and were determined to strike back economically. Last week, the European Union discussed imposing $108 billion worth of retaliatory tariffs on the U.S., as well as restricting American companies from the blocs market. The EU-U.S. trade deal agreed to last July was also put on hold.

 READ MORE: The madness of King Trump threatens U.S. and global security | Trudy Rubin

European leaders had been reluctant to wage such a trade war, but recognized they had no choice, as Trump threatened the future of the NATO alliance. Instead of focusing on the immediate security threat to the West  namely, Vladimir Putins war on Ukraine  Trump was helping the Kremlin by splitting with his European allies.

Instead of working with Canada and other allies whose territory abuts the Arctic, the White House leader was telling them to get stuffed. No wonder the language heard from once close European allies at Davos was unlike anything heard since NATO was founded.

Until now, we tried to appease the new president in the White House, hoping to get his support for the Ukraine war, admitted Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever. We were dependent on the United States. But now so many red lines are being crossed  Being a happy vassal is one thing, being a miserable slave is something else.

Even more blunt was Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney (whom Trump later threatened for his critique).

The United States under President Donald Trump is no longer a reliable or predictable ally, Carney said frankly. We are in the middle of a rupture in the world order  where the large, main power  is submitted to no limits, no constraints.

Intermediate powers like Canada, however, are not powerless, Carney added. Acting together, Canada and European leaders helped force Trump to face that reality this week.

But the fight over Greenland, and the future of NATO, is far from over, and Trumps retreat may only be temporary. Denmark and Greenland may or may not agree that the U.S. can have sovereign rights to the territory housing new military bases (a provision under discussion).

Denmark will not sell or surrender Greenland, however. In fact, there will be no deal at all unless Copenhagen and Greenland approve the terms.

 READ MORE: The view from Greenland: Trumps yen to take over makes no economic or security sense | Trudy Rubin

Moreover, as was clear at Davos from Trumps speech and actions, he still believes he is the most brilliant leader the world has ever witnessed, which leaves him wide open to Russian and Chinese manipulation.

Nothing so clearly illustrated the presidents megalomania as his inauguration of a so-called Board of Peace. Originally envisioned as a group of world leaders overseeing Gazas reconstruction, the boards newly released charter doesnt even mention Gaza, but presents its mission as an alternative United Nations, tasked with making peace around the world.

In reality, it is a mammoth Trump vanity project: He heads the board, and its every action is subject to a presidential veto, according to its charter.

The 20-plus initial participants were mostly Mideast sheikhs, emirs, and kings who can pay the $1 billion fee for permanent membership, along with several other autocrats and military-backed rulers. (The only Europeans signed up so far are pro-Russia Hungary and Bulgaria.)

War criminal Putin, busy bombing Ukraines civilian infrastructure to smithereens, may accept his invitation to the peace board if the United States releases $1 billion in frozen Russian assets to pay the fee. This, according to the Kremlin.

Meantime, Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, gave a slide presentation in Davos describing how Gaza could become a futuristic city with apartment towers and resorts in two to three years, a reprise of Trumps earlier pitch for a Gaza Riviera. This, while the Gaza ceasefire is falling apart, and Israel has banned scores of humanitarian agencies from delivering food or medical treatment to desperate civilians.

Trumps link to reality is so tenuous that the president could still resume his war on NATO. Instead of benefiting from his successful push for Europeans to spend more on defense, he may prefer to fight Europeans while conciliating with Russia.

European allies have finally demonstrated that a unified stand can check some of Trumps foreign policy delusions. Gutless GOP senators and business leaders who moan privately about Trumps madness but shut up in public should take note.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Flashy businessman Wicknell Chivayo has splashed out about US$34 million on a long-range Gulfstream G550 private jet, further cementing his reputation for conspicuous displays of wealth.Chivayo, 45, who has built his fortune through lucrative State-linked contracts, revealed the purchase on his social media platforms, where he also disclosed the aircraft's hefty price tag.Flight tracking platform FlightAware lists the previous owner of the jet, bearing tail number N550GA, as Gulfstream Leasing, a United States-based company. The aircraft first entered service in 2012.The Gulfstream G550 is powered by twin Rolls-Royce BR700 engines and boasts an intercontinental range of approximately 12 500 kilometres, enabling non-stop flights between continents. It typically accommodates between 14 and 19 passengers, cruises at altitudes of up to 41 000 feet and can reach top speeds of about 941 km/h.Although payment for the aircraft has reportedly been completed, aviation sources say the jet is expected to undergo interior customisation and possibly repainting before its anticipated delivery in March.Chivayo, a close associate of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, has over the past year been travelling in a Bombardier Challenger 300. It remains unclear what will become of that aircraft once the newly acquired Gulfstream G550 enters service.The purchase has already drawn attention on social media, where Chivayo frequently showcases his luxury assets, often sparking public debate about wealth, business and politics in Zimbabwe.
Seranthony Dominguez had a 3.16 ERA and two saves in 67 games with the Orioles and Blue Jays last season. Read more

CHICAGO  The Chicago White Sox added former Phillies reliever Seranthony Dominguez to their bullpen on Friday, agreeing to a $20 million, two-year contract with the right-hander, according to a person familiar with the deal.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the move was pending a physical.

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Dominguez, 31, played for Baltimore and Toronto last year, going 4-4 with a 3.16 ERA and two saves in 67 games. He was traded to the Blue Jays on July 29.

Chicago had some additional payroll flexibility after trading center fielder Luis Robert Jr. to the New York Mets on Tuesday night. Dominguez likely will close games with his new team.

 READ MORE: Are the Phillies running it back? Maybe, but thats not the most important question for 2026

The rebuilding White Sox finished last in the AL Central last year with a 60-102 record, a 19-game improvement from the previous season. They signed Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami to a $34 million, two-year contract in December, and speedy infielder Luisangel Acuna came over in the Robert trade.

The White Sox also have a promising group of young position players that includes Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel and Chase Meidroth.

Dominguez made his major league debut with the Phillies in 2023. He is 23-23 with a 3.50 ERA and 40 saves in 322 career games. He also has 360 strikeouts in 306 innings.

Dominguez pitched in 12 postseason games in 2025, helping Toronto reach the World Series. He went 2-0 with a 3.18 ERA.
Election workers process mail-in ballots for the 2024 General Election at the Chester County, Pa., administrative offices, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in West Chester, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) Read more

Independent and unaffiliated voters were left off Chester Countys poll books in Novembers election due to human error exacerbated by insufficient training, poor oversight and staffing challenges in the county office, an independent firm has concluded.

In November, more than 12,000 Chester County voters were forced to vote by provisional ballot after the county included just registered Democrats and Republicans in the poll books for the general election. Every voter who wanted to was able to cast a ballot, county officials said, but it resulted in a chaotic scene and the county had to issue an unusually high number of provisional ballots  which require more steps to cast and count.

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 READ MORE: Chester County poll book error forces independents to vote provisionally through the afternoon

On Thursday, the county released a 24-page report from a West Chester law firm detailing how the county failed to include more than 75,000 registered voters in its general election poll books, and evaluating the state and countys response as it scrambled to ensure those voters could cast ballots.

Importantly, our investigation found no evidence of intentional wrongdoing, misconduct, or bad faith on the part of any of the employees who generated the Poll Books. The error was inadvertent and occurred in the course of performing assigned duties under significant time constraints, the report, prepared by Fleck, Eckert, Klein and McGarry LLC, said.

Though the initial selection constituted a human error, the investigation found that the error occurred within a system lacking in: (i) sufficient safeguards, (ii) training, (iii) sufficient supervision, and; (iv) verification controls, investigators added.

Whats next in Chester County?

The firms report detailed more than a dozen recommended steps for the county and Department of State to take to prevent future errors.

In an action plan released Thursday, Chester County officials said they intend to abide by the vast majority of those recommendations, as well as additional steps identified by the countys Chief Experience Officer.

Chester County Chief Executive Officer David Byerman said in a statement that the recommendations would be completed within a year, with the most critical steps coming ahead of Mays primary election.

The action plan included improved training and more strenuous review processes, reevaluation of Voter Services staff levels and pay, and a review of human resources policies in the department. It did not include personnel changes within its Voter Services Department.

 READ MORE: Nearly 30 employees have left Chester Countys election office since 2021 amid allegations of toxic work culture

The 25-person department has faced unusually high turnover among staff in recent years, losing 29 employees to resignations, firings and transfers since the current director, Karen Barsoum, took over in 2021.

Barsoum has faced allegations of fostering a toxic work environment, which Thursdays report acknowledged. However, the firm concluded that those complaints were not connected to the poll book error and said in its report that employees directly connected to the poll book blunder spoke positively about department management.

Moreover, the various causes of the Poll Book issue that we have identified do not appear to have any causal nexus with the types of concerns raised, the report said.

How did the error happen?

According to the report, two employees inadvertently chose the wrong selection of Chester County voters when they used the statewide voter roll software to create Novembers poll books. Those employees, the report said, were inexperienced and had never been formally trained on the system they were using. While the employees had a copy of written training materials from the Department of State, the report noted that they worked with little direct supervision for their level of experience.

After the wrong set of voters were chosen  leaving off third party and unaffiliated voters  the report said no one in the department checked the books until a poll worker noticed the problem shortly before polls opened on Election Day.

The report noted the departments high turnover, which it said could be the result of the high-pressure environment of election-related work and Chester Countys low pay compared to surrounding counties. That turnover, the report said, created increased operational risk which contributed to the error.

Following the incident, the county said it will review staffing and pay levels for the office as well as its human resources policies.

We know that working in elections is an extremely difficult job  one that involves long hours and many personal sacrifices," Byerman said. We are truly grateful for the commitment and dedication of the staff in Voter Services, and want to ensure that we are doing everything we can to provide the resources, tools, and support they need to be successful in their roles.

The department, the countys action plan said, will also establish additional approval checks for poll books and other procedures that impact all Chester County voters.

County officials also said they intend to improve training for the department, including working with the Pennsylvania Department of State to implement formal training on the states voter roll system.

The Department always stands ready to assist counties with training of employees on the [Statewide Uniform Registry of Electors] system and other aspects of election administration and is happy to engage Chester further to improve its training process, the Pennsylvania Department of State said in a statement.

The agency added that its ongoing effort to modernize the statewide voter roll system will include checks and alerts for unusual poll book configurations once completed.

Chester County is scheduled to hold a public meeting Tuesday evening to present its plan to the public. If the forecasted winter storm closes county offices that day, the meeting will be postponed to Feb. 3.
The Department of Homeland Security has paused terminations of employees working on the Federal Emergency Management Agencys disaster response as it ramps up preparations for a massive and life-threatening winter storm that will pummel half the country this weekend.

Earlier this month, the Washington Post reported that the agency planned to terminate disaster response and recovery workers in waves. On New Years Eve, agency officials eliminated about 65 positions that were part of FEMAs largest workforce, known as the Cadre of On-Call Response and Recovery (CORE)  staffers who are among the first on the ground after a disaster and often stick around for years to help communities recover.

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But on Thursday night, DHSs head of human resources sent an email notifying teams that just a few minutes ago, FEMA headquarters decided the agency would halt their process of non-renewing dozens of federally funded employees. These roles, hired by FEMA for multiyear terms under the Stafford Act using the disaster relief fund, have been up for renewal on a rolling basis.

Earlier that day, about 30 disaster workers received notices that their jobs would not be renewed. The pause then prompted human resources staff to backtrack, notifying those same workers that they still had jobs, according to the email and an official familiar with the process. Like others interviewed for this story, the official spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the matter.

I didnt even know what was happening until it happened, the official said, adding that as human resources initially emailed people informing them that their jobs would not be renewed, senior leaders were learning that FEMA was pausing terminations.

In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security said that the agency regularly changes staffing levels for its disaster response and recovery efforts.

The CORE program consists of term-limited positions that are designed to FLUCTUATE based on disaster activity, operational NEED, and available funding, the department said in its statement, which included text in all-caps.

FEMAs National Response Coordination Center has been activated in response to a historic winter storm, in line with this mission FEMA is following standard protocol to ensure mission functions are being met, it added.

Officials would not comment on how long the pause would last.

While states and local authorities handle most of their preparation and response to winter storms, FEMA will often deliver resources ahead of time, including generators and personnel if the potential for disaster seems high. Stafford Act employees, such as CORE members, will deploy to a state if they request an emergency or disaster declaration and the president approves it.

The sudden shift in staffing direction has caught officials across the agency by surprise, six officials said. In recent weeks, their teams were told to prepare to lose a substantial number of people over the next few months.

Since December, DHS has terminated more than 100 people across the agency who FEMA employs under the Stafford Act.

Some were informed on New Years Eve; others were given only a day or two to turn in their equipment; and still more were cut after their supervisors sent detailed memos explaining why their roles remained vital to FEMAs mission. The agency also lost veteran employees who oversaw finances for Hurricane Helene recovery, as well as civil engineers who assist states with mitigation and rebuilding roadways, bridges and schools. Some offices in the Midwest have lost experienced managers who typically help lead operations during emergencies and big disasters.

On Wednesday, FEMA cut nearly 85 local hires from several regions, including a handful who were still working on Hurricane Helene recovery projects in North Carolina  a state now readying itself for potential power outages  according to two people with knowledge of the situation. FEMAs call center in Puerto Rico lost many of their local hires Wednesday as well, one FEMA official said. If multiple states are hit hard enough and ask the president for federal assistance, those workers could have helped out, two officials said.

The same day the department halted the terminations, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem visited the agencys headquarters to help guide national coordination and preparation for the sweeping storm. Noem, whose department oversees FEMA, also hosted a call Thursday morning with governors from 21 states that are bracing for dangerous, chilling weather. She assured them that DHS and FEMA will support them.

We can pre-deploy any needs that you may have, as far as generators or supplies to different parts of your state if you think you have a weakness in some area thats going to be hit pretty hard, Noem told the governors, reiterating that if there is certain responses or requests specific to this event, feel free to reach out and use that contact information, and well do all that we can to be helpful.

During the call, Karen Evans, FEMAs agencys interim administrator, and Gregg Phillips, who is now overseeing the Office of Response and Recovery, also offered their personal cell phone numbers in case any governor needs to get in touch with them immediately.

Noem has instructed FEMA to be aggressive in preparing for the heavy snow and ice forecast to blanket a large portion of the United States and has promised a rapid and well-coordinated response, according to an official with knowledge of the situation. FEMA has delivered tens of thousands of meals and liters of water to various states, and it has positioned drivers who shuttle supplies outside distribution centers from Louisiana up to Pennsylvania.

The decision to pause the terminations also coincides with the Houses approval Thursday of a spending bill that would fund FEMAs disaster relief fund and help the agency maintain staffing levels, including a reservist workforce and its Cadre of Response/Recovery Employees, necessary to fulfill the missions required under federal law.

Ahead of the storm, 10 officials from different parts of the agency who spoke to the Post said they were nervous about their ability to properly respond, given how their ranks have thinned over the past year, with the agency losing about 20% of its staff.

Noem, who has exercised strict oversight over FEMA since taking over DHS, has repeatedly expressed a desire to shrink or eliminate the agency. The Post reported that she previously recommended cutting agency staffing by about half.

In a previous statement, FEMA spokesperson Daniel Llargues said the agency had not issued and is not implementing a percentage-based workforce reduction.

Employees in CORE roles are typically renewed every two to four years. When the end of an employees contracted term approaches, their supervisors typically seek approval to renew those roles. Most positions are usually reinstated, according to four current and former FEMA officials, in part because recovery work is long and complex.

But in recent weeks, DHSs process for renewing these temporary roles has changed frequently, according to officials with knowledge of the situation. Last week, supervisors in each region had to write memos justifying every role coming up for renewal this year, which would then be sent to FEMAs temporary top official and then to Noem, according to two people familiar with the process. Guidance then shifted earlier this week. In a memo from Thursday, obtained by the Post, FEMA officials said that DHS will be making the calls without collecting justifications, and that only extensions approved by DHS will be processed and they will be limited to 90 days.

One CORE employee said DHS suddenly cut her job without warning after her manager had submitted a memo urging to keep her on. Because some firings have been abrupt, some were not able to transition their work, she said.

And to be clear, I think most of us expected there to be staffing cuts this year, the person said. Just not in the bulldozer approach that didnt take into account your job or performance.
Workers remove display panels about slavery at the Presidents House site in Independence National Historical Park Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. The fate of exhibits at the site, which serves as a memorial to the nine people George Washington enslaved there during the founding of America, had been in limbo since President Trumps executive order, Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History," directed the Department of the Interior to review over 400 national sites to remove or modify interpretive materials that "inappropriately disparage Americans past or living. Read more

The National Park Service dismantled exhibits about slavery at the Presidents House Site in Independence National Historical Park, provoking a lawsuit from Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers administration.

The Presidents House, which serves as a memorial to the nine people George Washington enslaved there during the founding of the United States, has come under increased scrutiny from President Donald Trumps administration. The president and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum last spring ordered displays at national parks that inappropriately disparage the U.S. to be reviewed and potentially removed.

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Around 3 p.m. Thursday, an Independence Park employee who would not give his name told an Inquirer reporter that his supervisor had instructed him to take down all the displays at the iconic site earlier that day. Three other individuals later joined the employee to help remove the educational exhibits. The final display was removed at 4:30 p.m. The displays were then loaded into the back of a white Park Service pickup truck.

 READ MORE: Here is what the Trump administration removed from Independence Park

Im just following my orders, the employee repeatedly said, not acknowledging if he was tasked with removing the displays because of the executive order.

One by one, the exhibits  including those titled Life Under Slavery and The Dirty Business of Slavery  were taken down.

The demolition Thursday, with wrenches and crowbars, elicited questions  and exclamations, like this is crazy and damn shame  from a few passersby.

At least one asked if the exhibits are coming down because of this administration.

Another, Jali Wicker, 74, was walking through Independence Mall when he stopped and asked why the content was being removed.

Wicker, who recorded as NPS workers unscrewed bolts from the brick walls, said the sight overwhelmed and disturbed him.

You can try to erase our history, but were still going to survive, Wicker said. History has shown that, slavery has shown that.  And you want to go back?

Michael Coard, leader of the Avenging the Ancestors Coalition, which has helped lead an effort to protect the Presidents House from the Trump administration, said in an interview Thursday that the removal of the displays is an abomination and called Trump a monstrosity in the White House.

 READ MORE: Trump can try to hide it, but slavery is part of Americas story | Opinion

Its a disgrace, and thats an understatement, Coard said. I cannot say what Im thinking, because as a criminal defense attorney, I know better. Whats going on now is absolutely unheard of in the history of the United States of America.

Jack Williams, 47, shouted at NPS workers as they loaded the panels into the bed of a department pickup truck.

Its absolutely sickening, Williams said. He took issue with workers complying with the executive order, and urged defiance by federal employees.

Williams message: Take a day off, call in sick. Dont be the one on the news  whitewashing history.

Mijuel Johnson, a community organizer who leads the Black Journey: African American History Walking Tour and works with Avenging the Ancestors, called the action outrageous.

We see how brave [NPS employees] are, Johnson said. My ancestors were brave enough to run from tyranny and these guys cant be brave enough to oppose an order to take down some plaques.

Johnson added: Our history will be taught  itll be taught as it should be, warts and all.

Representatives of the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service did not immediately return a request for comment.

The move comes in advance of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States on July Fourth, when Philadelphia and its historic exhibits will be in the national spotlight.

The fate of exhibits at the Presidents House has been in limbo for months since the Department of the Interior signaled it would review and potentially remove flagged displays.

More than a dozen displays about slavery were flagged for the Trump administrations review, with the Presidents House coming under particular scrutiny, The Inquirer reported. Removal of noncompliant displays was initially slated to come on Sept. 17.

But that didnt happen  until now.

Instead, Philadelphians continued their advocacy and efforts to protect the Presidents House. Leading the charge is the Presidents House/Slavery Memorial Alliance, spearheaded by Avenging the Ancestors and other stakeholders who helped shape the site in the early 2000s.

Coard said Thursday that his team anticipated something like this happening and that we have a plan.

Elected officials, including Gov. Josh Shapiro and members of Philadelphia City Council, previously condemned the sanitization of historical exhibits.

Parker on Thursday, after her administration filed its lawsuit, said that the city and federal government in 2006 signed a cooperative agreement that may require advance notice for changes to the site. The city is reviewing its options, she said.

We are right now researching and reviewing the cooperative agreement between the City of Philadelphia and federal government that dates back to 2006, she said. It requires parties to meet and confer if there are any changes to be made to any exhibit, so anything that is outside that agreement, it requires that our Law Department review it.

Parker, the citys first Black female mayor, has avoided confrontation with Trump since he took office last year. Asked what her personal feelings are about the federal government removing material on slavery, Parker demurred.

In moments like this, it requires that I be the leader that I need to be for our city, and I cant allow my pride, ego, or emotions to dictate what my actions will be, she said.

The citys lawsuit names Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and acting National Park Service Director Jessica Bowron. The complaint asks a judge to order that the removal of interpretive panels referencing slavery was an arbitrary and capricious act, making it unlawful.

There is no dispute over the fact that slaves resided at the Presidents House or that Washington owned slaves, the suit says.

Furthermore, the Presidents House has been designated a National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site pursuant to a 1998 act of Congress. In removing exhibits referencing slavery, the Trump administration acted without statutory authority, the city argues.

Defendants have provided no explanation at all for their removal of the historical, educational displays at the Presidents House site, let alone a reasoned one, the lawsuit says.

Independence Park employees were tasked with evaluating displays for content that inappropriately disparage Americans past or living, according to Trumps March 2025 executive order.

A total of 13 items across six exhibits at the Presidents House were initially flagged for the Trump administrations review, but on Thursday everything was taken down.

This included parts of displays titled: Life Under Slavery, History Lost & Found, The Executive Branch, The Dirty Business of Slavery, The House and the People Who Worked & Lived In It, and an illustration with the words An Act respecting fugitives from Justice.

Other exhibits across the park were flagged for review, but it is unclear if there are plans for park employees to also remove those displays.

Staff writers Abraham Gutman and Sean Collins Walsh contributed to this article.
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, center, on Tuesday unveiled a new public-private partnership to redevelop the Brith Sholom House. Read more

Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers housing initiative is back on track.

In its first meeting of the year, City Council on Thursday reapproved a bill to authorize the administration to issue $800 million in bonds to fund the Housing Opportunities Made Easy, or H.O.M.E., initiative.

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Parker wasted no time, signing the bill into law at a news conference Thursday afternoon to fast-track the process for the city to sell the first $400 million tranche of bonds in late March or early April. The administration plans to sell the second $400 million in 2027.

We are signing into law the largest and most significant investment in housing in the city of Philadelphias history, a $2 billion plan that will create and preserve 30,000 units of housing here in the city of Philadelphia, Parker said, citing a sum for H.O.M.E.s budget that also includes other funding steams and the value of city-owned land the administration hopes to redevelop into housing through the plan.

In March 2025, when Parker unveiled her housing plan  with the goal of helping the city build or preserve 30,000 units of housing in her first term  she wanted to issue the bonds that fall. Council initially approved the bond authorization and other legislation related to H.O.M.E. in June.

But in the fall, lawmakers made significant changes to a related piece of legislation  which details the $277 million first-year budget for spending the bond proceeds  that triggered a redo of the bond bill.

The most notable changes, championed by progressive Councilmembers Jamie Gauthier and Rue Landau, lowered the income thresholds for some of the programs funded by H.O.M.E. to prioritize lower-income Philadelphians.

Parker opposed the amendment, and administration officials testified that H.O.M.E. was meant to serve residents at a variety of income levels, including middle-class households that are struggling but often make too much to qualify for government support programs.

But Council members argued that even with the new infusion of funds, Philadelphias resources are too limited to help the citys hundreds of thousands of impoverished residents  let alone aid middle-income residents as well.

City Council demonstrated through its actions  not just its words  that its serious about putting City Hall to work for communities that have too often been left behind," Gauthier, Landau, and their allies said in a group statement Thursday.

 READ MORE: Philly Council votes against Mayor Parkers vision for her signature housing plan, signaling a win for progressives

The dispute proved to be the most significant public disagreement to date between Parker and Council President Kenyatta Johnson, who sided with Gauthier and Landau.

The changes required Council to pass an updated bond authorization before moving forward because the previously adopted version no longer aligned with the language in the budget resolution. Lawmakers ran out of time to pass the new bond bill before adjourning for their winter break in December.

They approved it unanimously on Thursday.

A couple of hours later, Johnson and Parker profusely praised each other at the bill-signing ceremony, going out of their way to show that their strong working relationship remains intact now that the conflict was behind them.

My commitment is to make sure that our 100th, first woman, mayor is successful, Johnson said.

The moment of congeniality was a stark contrast to the dynamic between the two late last year.

Parker at one point said Councils delay means homes are not being restored and homes are not being built or repaired. Johnson fired back, Councils responsibility is not to rubber-stamp legislation.

But on Thursday, there was enough feel-good energy between the mayor and Council that it extended beyond Johnson to members who have more frequently clashed with the administration.

Gauthier and Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, who questioned the mayors agenda last year over concerns that she was taking out too much debt for housing, also stood alongside the mayor at Thursdays news conference.

After the delays to her agenda at the end of last year, the mayor appears to be trying to regain control of the narrative this week. Thursdays bill-signing ceremony marked Parkers third major update related to H.O.M.E. in three days.

On Tuesday, she announced that her administration was partnering with the citys building trades unions and the Philadelphia Housing Authority to redevelop the Brith Sholom House, a notoriously dilapidated senior facility that closed in 2024, into affordable housing for seniors.

And on Wednesday, she laid out a vision to build a modular housing manufacturing facility on the long-vacant Logan Triangle tract in North Philadelphia. The city issued a request for information from developers potentially interested in building such factories in the city, with a deadline in late March.

Parker on Thursday only indirectly responded to a question about how many units could be built or repaired in the two years left in her term.

But she said that her administration is working on a second package of zoning legislation to accelerate home construction in Philadelphia, and that she is working with Council to speed 1,000 properties through the land bank.

She also expects Gov. Josh Shapiro, at his forthcoming budget address, to announce state-level housing reforms that would help as it relates to streamlining state processes [to] run more efficiently.

Staff writer Anna Orso contributed to this article.
City Council President Kenyatta Johnson speaking at the City Councils first session of the year in Philadelphia, Pa., on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. Read more

City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier said the Philadelphia School District showed just a complete lack of thought and consideration for really important programs when crafting its long-anticipated facilities plan, released Thursday.

Council President Kenyatta Johnson said his members had a lot of concerns.

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And City Councilmember Jeffery Jay Young Jr. went so far as to propose amending the city Home Rule Charter to allow Council to remove the school board members who will consider the proposed closures.

If you are closing schools during a literacy crisis, then you should be held directly accountable to the people you serve, Young said.

To put it mildly, the districts plan did not go over well in Council.

 READ MORE: Live updates: 20 schools slated for closure as school district unveils master plan

In many ways, its unsurprising Council members would speak out against a plan that would close or consolidate schools in their districts. But the pushback from lawmakers Thursday was notably strong, and Youngs proposal to allow Council to remove school board members could dramatically reshape the politics of the district.

Currently, the mayor appoints the nine members of the school board, and Council votes to confirm them. Allowing lawmakers to remove board members would shift the balance of power toward the legislative branch and effectively leave the districts leaders with 18 bosses  the mayor and the 17 Council members.

Significantly, Johnson immediately endorsed Youngs plan, which would have to be approved by city voters in a ballot question.

Its a good check-and-balance in terms of the process, and also allows us to have the ability and the opportunity to make sure that anything that the school board does is done with transparency, Johnson told reporters. Im always for, as members of City Council and this body in this institution, having the opportunity to provide accountability.

 READ MORE: Whats happening to your Philly school under the proposed facilities master plan?

Left unsaid was that the long-awaited facilities plan did not come from the school board  its members have yet to approve the proposal, which was presented to lawmakers this week by Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr.

Still, the pushback was notable in part because it came from lawmakers who are often on opposite sides of debates about education policy. Johnson is an advocate for charter schools, while Gauthier is a progressive ally of the teachers union who is often critical of the so-called school choice movement.

Gauthier said the plan would limit opportunities in her West Philadelphia-based 3rd District. She pointed to changes including Robeson High School and Parkway West ceasing to exist as standalone schools (Robeson would merge into Sayre and Parkway West into SLA Beeber), and the Workshop School colocating with Overbrook High. (The Workshop, however, would remain a distinct school, just in a new location.)

What are people supposed to do for good high school options in West Philadelphia? Gauthier said in an interview.

Gauthier added that while Watlington has talked at length about the district avoiding the mistakes of its widely criticized 2012 school closure plan, it appears doomed to repeat that history.

Thats a great thing to hold up every time we have this conversation, but how are you solving for it? Gauthier said. You cant state all of the things that went wrong and then present a plan that seems to lack care in the same way as the plan in 2012.

Johnson said the discussion over the plan was far from complete.

Im sure its going to be a very, very robust process, he said. These are only recommendations. This isnt the final product.

Watlingtons plan will touch every part of the city. It includes 20 school closures, six colocations, with two separate schools existing inside a single building, and more changes. It also includes modernizing more than 150 schools over 10 years, though officials have not yet revealed which buildings will get the upgrades.

In total, the blueprint would cost $2.8 billion  though the district is proposing funding only $1 billion of that with capital borrowing. The rest of the money would come from the state and from philanthropic sources, and if those dollars dont come through, fewer repairs could happen.

Nearly all Council members on Thursday said they understood the need to consolidate schools, but each had concerns about how individual closures would affect the communities they serve.

Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr., whose district includes parts of West and Northwest Philadelphia, said some of the changes are encouraging, including an expansion of career and technical education planned for some schools, including Overbrook High.

But, he said, others could combine students who come from different neighborhoods and backgrounds, and the district must consider the social impacts of merging those populations.

The places where the kids come from, that is always a dynamic that is under-considered, Jones said. If I live in this neighborhood and got to travel to that neighborhood, what are the historical dynamics?

And Councilmember Cindy Bass, who represents parts of North and Northwest Philadelphia, said two of the schools in her district slated for closure  Fitler Academics Plus School and Parkway Northwest High School  are models of great public education.

I dont understand why they are targeted when they are very well-regarded and lots of kids want to go there, Bass said. If its not broken, why are we trying to fix this?

Its unclear how much sway members will have over where the district ultimately lands. Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, who chairs the Education Committee and represents the city at-large, warned of a long and emotional journey ahead.

Theres always an emotional attachment to schools, he said. They are a pillar in a lot of neighborhoods.

Staff writer Jake Blumgart contributed to this article.
The coffins of seven British soldiers killed in Afghanistan are driven through the town of Wootton Bassett, England, after repatriation on June 29, 2010. Read more

LONDON  British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has signaled that President Donald Trump should apologize for his false assertion that troops from non-U.S. NATO countries avoided the front line during the Afghanistan war, describing Trumps remarks as insulting and appalling.

Trump said that he wasnt sure NATO would be there to support the United States if and when requested, provoking outrage and distress across the United Kingdom on Friday, regardless of individuals political persuasion.

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Weve never needed them, we have never really asked anything of them, Trump said of non-U.S. troops in an interview with Fox News in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday. You know, theyll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan, or this or that, and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.

In October 2001, nearly a month after the Sept. 11 attacks, the U.S. led an international coalition in Afghanistan to destroy al-Qaeda, which had used the country as its base, and the groups Taliban hosts. Alongside the U.S. were troops from dozens of countries, including from NATO, whose mutual-defense mandate had been triggered for the first time after the attacks on New York and Washington.

U.K. sacrifice

In the U.K., the reaction to Trumps comments was raw.

Starmer paid tribute to the 457 British personnel who died and to those have been left with profound life-long injuries.

I will never forget their courage, their bravery and the sacrifice they made for their country, Starmer said. I consider President Trumps remarks to be insulting and frankly appalling and I am not surprised they have caused such hurt to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured and, in fact, across the country.

Prince Harry weighed in too, saying the sacrifices of British soldiers during the war deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect.

Thousands of lives were changed forever, said Harry, who undertook two tours of duty in Afghanistan in the British Army. Mothers and fathers buried sons and daughters. Children were left without a parent. Families are left carrying the cost.

After 9/11, then Prime Minister Tony Blair said that the U.K. would stand shoulder to shoulder with the U.S. in response to the al-Qaeda attacks. British troops took a key role in many operations during the Afghan war until their withdrawal in 2014, particularly in Helmand Province in the south of the country. American troops remained in Afghanistan until their chaotic withdrawal in 2021 when the Taliban returned to power.

More than 150,000 British troops served in Afghanistan in the years after the invasion, the largest contingent after the American one.

Ben Obese-Jecty, a lawmaker who served in Afghanistan as a captain in the Royal Yorkshire Regiment, said that it was sad to see our nations sacrifice, and that of our NATO partners, held so cheaply by the president of the United States.

Trump and Vietnam

Anger was further fueled by the fact that the comments came from someone who didnt serve in the Vietnam War at a time when he was eligible.

Its hugely ironic that someone who allegedly dodged the draft for the Vietnam War should make such a disgraceful statement, said Stephen Stewart, author of The Accidental Soldier, an account of his time embedded with British troops in Afghanistan.

Trump received a deferment that allowed him to not serve in Vietnam because of bone spurs, but he has been unable to remember in which foot, leading to accusations of draft dodging.

Repeated NATO slights

It wasnt the first time that Trump downplayed the commitment of NATO countries over the past few days. It has been one of his pivotal lines of attack as he escalated his threats to seize Greenland, a semiautonomous territory belonging to Denmark.

Trumps allegation that NATO countries wont be there when requested stands in stark contrast to reality.

The only time Article 5 of NATOs founding treaty has been used was in response to the 9/11 attacks on the U.S. The article is the key mutual defense clause, obliging all member countries to come to the aid of another member whose sovereignty or territorial integrity might be under threat.

When America needed us after 9/11 we were there, former Danish platoon commander Martin Tamm Andersen said.

Denmark has been a stalwart ally of the U.S. in Afghanistan, with 44 Danish soldiers killed there  the highest per capita death toll among coalition forces. Eight more died in Iraq.

The latest controversy surrounding Trump comes at the end of a week when he has faced criticism  and pushback  for his threats to Greenland.

Trump also threatened to slap tariffs on European nations opposed to his ambitions to annex Greenland, which raised questions over the future of NATO. And though Trump backed down after a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in which he said they formed the framework for a deal over Arctic security, trans-Atlantic relations have taken a hit.

His latest comments are unlikely to improve relations.

Diane Dernie, whose son Ben Parkinson suffered horrific injuries when a British Army Land Rover hit a mine in Afghanistan in 2006, said that Trumps latest comments were the ultimate insult and called on Starmer to stand up to Trump over them.

Call him out, she said. Make a stand for those who fought for this country and for our flag, because its just beyond belief.

Taking her up on that, Starmer said what I say to Diane is, if I had misspoken in that way or said those words, I would certainly apologize and Id apologize to her.
News / National

by Staff reporter

President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has reportedly ordered a major review of salaries for employees of the ruling Zanu-PF party, with the lowest-paid workers expected to earn close to US$700 per month, while senior Politburo members could receive more than US$3,500.According to reports, the salary adjustments range from 50 percent to as much as 300 percent and are intended to correct pay disparities, align remuneration with prevailing market rates and retain skilled personnel within the party's administrative structures.Dandaro Online quoted party insiders as saying the move is consistent with President Mnangagwa's broader vision of transforming Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy by 2030. Employees are reportedly welcoming the changes, describing them as a morale booster and a sign of recognition for their work.Zanu-PF online activist Kudzai Mutisi appeared to confirm the revised salary structure on social media, saying working for the ruling party had become "an awesome thing" under President Mnangagwa's leadership."These are the current salaries of Zanu-PF workers," Mutisi wrote. "Lowest paid employees get US$700 per month, and senior officials get as much as US$3,500 per month."Gone are the days when party bigwigs would come to the party headquarters manned by hungry people, especially during the G40 period. Zanu-PF deserves leaders who care about others, especially those who work for the party."However, the reported salary increases have also triggered criticism and renewed debate over wage disparities in the country, particularly between political party employees and public sector workers.Former opposition legislator Fadzayi Mahere questioned the justification for senior Zanu-PF officials earning as much as US$3,500 a month while teachers and other civil servants reportedly earn around US$270."What about teachers?" Mahere asked. "How can a teacher earn US$270 when US$3,500 is being paid at Zanu-PF? Are you saying the party is more important than serving the public?"Neither Zanu-PF nor Government officials have issued an official statement confirming the new salary structure, but the reports have already stirred widespread discussion on social media and in public forums about priorities in remuneration and the broader cost-of-living challenges facing ordinary Zimbabweans.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The High Court has set aside the conviction and three-year jail sentence imposed on a local businessman after ruling that the criminal proceedings were conducted without lawful jurisdiction.Businessman Tinaapi Nyawo successfully challenged his conviction and sentence, which had been handed down by former regional magistrate Clever Tsikwa shortly before Tsikwa assumed office as a judge of the Labour Court.Nyawo approached the High Court arguing that the trial and sentencing, conducted between July 2 and July 7 last year, were unlawful as Tsikwa had already been appointed a judge at the time. The appointment had been formally published in the Government Gazette.The judgment under review had been delivered by regional magistrate Feresi Chakanyuka on behalf of Tsikwa.Represented by Advocate Garikai Sithole, instructed by Admire Rubaya, Nyawo argued on appeal that once Tsikwa was appointed and gazetted as a judge, he ceased to have authority to preside as a magistrate.Nyawo's legal team submitted that the appointment automatically terminated Tsikwa's position as a magistrate by operation of law, rendering the continuation of the criminal proceedings a nullity."The appointment as a judge automatically terminated the appointment as a magistrate," the lawyers argued. "He could not be a judge and a magistrate at the same time in the same body."They further contended that the judicial officer had become functus officio and that the proceedings should have been halted and recommenced before a properly constituted court."The decisions of Chakanyuka cannot withstand scrutiny in terms of the law. They are invalid and grossly irregular as to implicate this Honourable Court's powers of review," the lawyers said, adding that the magistrate had exercised non-existent jurisdiction.The appeal was heard by Justices Benjamin Chikowero and Takuva, who ruled in Nyawo's favour, quashing both the conviction and sentence.In their ruling, the judges also questioned whether the State, represented by prosecutor Fortunate Kachidza, appreciated the legal process surrounding the appointment of judges in Zimbabwe.The court agreed with the defence that a person becomes a judge upon appointment, even before taking the oath of office, noting that the oath is administered to someone who is already a judge.As a result, the judges found that Tsikwa lost jurisdiction to preside over Nyawo's criminal trial on July 2, 2025, the date of his appointment as a judge, despite only taking the oath of office on July 4."In the exercise of the court's powers of review, the conviction is quashed and the sentence set aside," the High Court ruled.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has vacated a lower appeals court ruling that had found ride-hailing firm Ubers clickwrap mandatory arbitration agreement unenforceable because it would deprive a husband and wife of their right to a jury trial for their injury claims without explicit notice.

The states high court said the Superior Court jumped the gun in taking the plaintiffs appeal from a trial courts ruling that compelled them to arbitrate. The high court said that the plaintiffs  Shannon Chilutti and her husband Keith must first honor the arbitration agreement and, if unhappy with the final judgment following arbitration, then they may appeal that judgment to the Superior Court.

The case arose out of a motor vehicle accident that occurred in 2019. Shannon Chilutti, who is wheelchair bound, was injured while riding in a car provided by Uber on the way home from a medical appointment. After Uber insisted her injury claims must go to arbitration, Chilutti and her husband both filed suits.

Uber argued that when riders register for its service they signify that they agree to be bound by the mandatory arbitration provision found in the hyperlinked terms and conditions, thereby relinquishing their right to a jury trial.

The Chiluttis argued that they did not enter into an arbitration agreement because they never clicked on, viewed, or read the hyperlinked agreement on Ubers website or smartphone application and thus should not be forced to arbitrate or lose their right to a jury trial.

Stricter Burden

A trial court granted Ubers motion to compel arbitration but on appeal the Superior Court reversed, finding that a stricter burden of proof is necessary to demonstrate a partys assent to arbitration where the important right to a jury trial is at stake.

The Superior Court opinion called for more judicial scrutiny of the growing use of arbitration agreements. The court ruled that the Uber approach is inadequate because it does not inform users in an explicit and upfront manner that they are giving up a constitutional right to seek damages through a jury trial proceeding.

As a result of what it found was the inadequate notice, the Superior Court found that the parties did not have a valid arbitration agreement. The plaintiffs could not be compelled to arbitrate where there was no agreement, the states appeals court concluded in reversing the trial court order.

Final Order

Now the states high court has found fault with the Superior Court for accepting the Chiluttis appeal before there was a final order from the trial court. Generally speaking, Pennsylvanias appellate courts have jurisdiction to entertain appeals from the final orders of trial courts.

The final order rule reflects the long-held limitation on review by both federal and state appellate courts. Considering issues only after a final order maintains distinctions between trial and appellate review, respects the traditional role of the trial judge, and promotes formality, completeness, and efficiency, the Supreme Court stated.

In this case, the high court said the trial courts order indisputably was not final, as it merely granted Ubers petition to compel arbitration and stayed further court proceedings until the completion of arbitration. In other words, the order did not dispose of all claims or all parties.

The Supreme Court said the Superior Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the merits of the Chiluttis substantive claim regarding the parties alleged lack of a valid arbitration agreement.

In a January 21 opinion, the high court, by a 5-0 vote, vacated the Superior Courts judgment and remanded the matter to that court with instructions to quash the Chiluttis appeal.

Topics Sharing Economy Pennsylvania Ridesharing
Egan-Jones Ratings Co. has been removed from the Bermuda Monetary Authoritys list of recognized credit ratings providers, according to recent guidance from the watchdog.

The regulator is no longer listing Egan-Jones among the ratings providers that can inform an insurers solvency capital requirements in the region, something it had done for several years beforehand. Egan-Jones had been listed alongside others such as Standard & Poors, Moodys and KBRA.

We are looking into this issue as it has just come to our attention, an Egan-Jones spokesperson said in an emailed statement. Our performance and compliance remain superb and we are confident we can resolve this issue and address any concerns.

The spokesperson said Egan-Jones has no clients headquartered in Bermuda at this time. The BMA did not respond to requests for comment.

Egan-Jones has been facing scrutiny over the past year as regulators seek to better understand the risks of insurers increasing exposure to private capital markets. Around a third of the $6 trillion invested by US life insurers was allocated to various forms of private credit, Moodys Ratings has said.

The role that credit ratings have played in the industrys boom has been in the spotlight over the past year. Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey recently told UK lawmakers hed had conversations with industry figures who assured him that everything was fine in their world, apart from the role of the rating agencies. Soon after, UBS Group AG Chairman Colm Kelleher said hes beginning to see huge rating agency arbitrage in the insurance business.

Meanwhile, the US Securities and Exchange Commission has been probing Egan-Jones business practices, with SEC enforcement attorneys looking into whether the firm and some of its senior executives exerted improper commercial influence on its ratings procedures, Bloomberg previously reported.

An Egan-Jones representative said at the time that the firm takes compliance very seriously and remains in good standing with our regulator. He added that the business remains dedicated to serving our clients and the global capital markets.

Egan-Jones built a dominant position early in the rapidly expanding private credit market as bigger ratings agencies focused on serving the larger public sectors. The firm has touted itself as one of the key raters in private credit, and in 2024 rated more than 3,000 private credit investments with about 20 analysts.

In the BMAs latest capital and solvency handbook for insurers, issued last month, the regulator names the recognized credit ratings firms as S&P, Moodys, Fitch, AM Best, DBRS, Japan Credit Rating Agency and KBRA. The previous year, and the year before that, it had also named Egan-Jones alongside these firms.

Related:

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.
An oil tanker thats under sanction for its role in transporting Russian oil appears to have run into trouble off the coast of Algeria and is now drifting in the Mediterranean Sea, according to tracking data compiled by Bloomberg.

The LR2-class vessel Progress was sailing east along the North African coast toward the Suez Canal, carrying a cargo of about 730,000 barrels of Russias flagship Urals crude. After passing Algiers on Wednesday afternoon, the vessel abruptly turned north and left the shipping lanes. In the early hours of Thursday, its navigation status changed to Not under command, and its speed fell to about one knot, the data show.

Western authorities are scrutinizing the tankers moving Russian oil closely with over 600 of the vessels blacklisted for their role in moving the barrels. Another tanker hauling Russian crude along a similar route was boarded by the French and allied navies on Thursday.

By Friday midday, the Progress was continuing to drift eastward at a speed of about 1 knot, the tracking data show.

The Equasis international shipping database lists the manager of the Progress as Legacy Marine LLC, based in St. Petersburg, Russia. Calls and an email to the company werent answered.

The move out of shipping lanes, subsequent change in navigation status and drop in speed point to some kind of mechanical issue.

Not under command: The Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, defines Not Under Command as follows: The term vessel not under command means a vessel which through some exceptional circumstance is unable to manoeuvre as required by these Rules and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel. https://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/UNTS/Volume%201050/volume-1050-I-15824-English.pdf Such circumstances generally include, but are not limited to: Steering gear failure

Engine failure/propulsion loss

Loss of power

Unexpected damage

The Progress is under sanction by the European Union and the UK for its involvement in the Russian oil trade. The 19-year-old ship, whose name has been changed twice since it was blacklisted, recently switched its flag to Russia and was entered onto the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping in November.

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.

Topics Energy Oil Gas Russia
French authorities received a report of a second infant death, as a tainted formula crisis thats engulfed Nestle SA, Danone SA and Groupe Lactalis widens.

Both babies drank formula that has been recalled, the French health ministry said in a statement late Thursday. No causal link between the deaths and the affected products has been established at this point, health minister Stephanie Rist told BFM TV Friday.

One of the babies drank Nestles recalled Guigoz formula in early January, the prosecutors office in Bordeaux said. Tests showed that the formula didnt contain the Bacillus Cereus bacteria, which was linked to the recall, though authorities are waiting for results for the toxin cereulide, as well as from the autopsy.

Read more: Dairy Giants Rush to Recall Infant Formula After Expanding Contamination Scare

Prosecutors in Angers, in western France, are probing the death of a second baby who also drank the Nestle formula, Agence France-Presse reported. The office didnt immediately respond to a request for comment from Bloomberg.

As stated by the authorities, at this stage nothing indicates any link between these tragic events and the consumption of our products, a Nestle spokesperson said Friday. We are following developments with due attention and remain fully available to the authorities, cooperating with complete transparency.

The Swiss foodmakers shares fell as much as 1.4%, while Danone dropped as much as 1.7%.

Nestle has been the most affected manufacturer, with products pulled from shelves in more than 60 countries worldwide. But concerns over tainted formula deepened in recent days as Danone and Lactalis also recalled products over potential contamination.

Lactalis has recalled six batches of Picot brand infant formula in France, an issue related to an international supplier that affects 18 countries including Spain.

Danone removed one of its Dumex Dulac products at the request of Singapores food safety regulator, prompting the stock to plunge on Wednesday by the most in more than three decades. The Singapore Food Agency also instructed local manufacturer SMC Nutrition to stop exporting some products that used the same ingredient.

Singapores food agency had previously recalled five Nestle products after the Swiss food group disclosed that several brands, including BEBA, SMA and Alfamino, and multiple production sites had been affected by the discovery of cereulide in arachidonic acid oil, an ingredient from one of its suppliers.

Photograph: A bottle of milk prepared from infant formula. Photo credit: Giulia Marchi/Bloomberg

Related:

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.

Topics France
Prudential Financial Inc.s Japan insurance head vowed to bolster governance after revelations that improper actions by more than 100 current and former staff cost customers about $20 million.

The chief executive officer of the unit, Kan Mabara, deeply apologized for multiple inappropriate cases, at a news conference in Tokyo. Prudential Life Insurance Co. had said in a statement last week that employees had received 3.14 billion ($20 million) from customers through improper acts. It said last week that Mabara will step down on Feb. 1.

Company executives at the news conference said the pay structure relied heavily on commissions, distorting employee incentives to follow rules.

We have attracted those who have an excessive desire to make money, Mabara said. We had to take extra care in managing them, but we were not as alert to risks as we should have been.

Japanese policymakers are trying to boost investment activity by individuals as the nations shrinking and aging population puts pressure on government finances. Troubles with customer accounts at financial firms would go against that drive. At Prudential Life, staff have been checking with customers since August 2024 following the discovery of multiple cases of impropriety.

An internal investigation showed that about 106 current and former employees solicited around 500 customers for investment products that werent approved by the firm, including cryptocurrencies.

Photograph: The Prudential Tower building in Tokyo. Photo credit: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.
Nearly five years after Winter Storm Uri sparked widespread power outages and killed hundreds of Texans, officials and residents are once more girding for a round of severe winter weather that will blanket large parts of the state.

Dangerously cold temperatures from an arctic blast will descend upon the state beginning Friday morning, and with the cold come chances of wintry precipitation in the form of snow, sleet and freezing rain. That winter blast is expected to grip the state from Friday evening to early next week.

Gov. Greg Abbott said at a press conference Thursday morning that he was issuing a disaster declaration for more than 130 counties. He also said the northern two-thirds of the state  from the Panhandle to potentially as far south as the San Antonio region  was expected to be hit the hardest.

The severity of it is not quite as great, and the size of it is not quite as great as winter storm Uri, Abbott said. That said, people would be making a mistake if they dont take it serious.

Officials dont expect widespread power outages, though Texans could still see local power outages if ice or falling tree branches knock out power lines.

Officials this week have set about making preparations for the weather. Abbott announced a series of steps state departments are taking that include working with local governments to update local warming center maps and monitor water and wastewater. State officials are also helping set up teams of firefighters, state patrol agents and the National Guard.

Additionally, crews with the Texas Department of Transportation began treating roadways on Wednesday to prevent them from accumulating ice. The department will be at peak operations over the next few days, with 5,000 personnel as well as hundreds of vehicles and equipment working across the state to prepare roads, according to TxDOTs Executive Director Marc Williams.

Still, officials told Texans they should stay home during the worst of the winter weather if they can help it.

If you dont have to go outside, please dont, Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux said during a news conference Wednesday afternoon.

State officials reiterated the warning Thursday, while adding that the Texas Department of Public Safety will have crews deployed to respond to road accidents and help stranded motorists. The National Guard will also provide assistance, on top of delivering food and water for those in need, according to Abbott.

The goal is to make it through with no life lost, the governor said.

Is the Texas grid ready for ice and cold?

Years after Uri dropped record amounts of snow onto the state, left millions of Texans without power and killed at least 246 people, officials say Texas is better prepared to handle winter weather.

Perhaps the most crucial part of that preparedness is the stability of the states electrical grid. The grid, managed by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, failed catastrophically during the February 2021 storm. Questions about whether the grid will hold up come up any time the state faces severe weather, hot or cold. Texans have grown particularly attentive to how the grid will hold up in a cold snap.

The grid is in better shape than it was in February 2021, state officials and energy experts have said. So far, the agency is projecting that Texas will have enough power to meet demand throughout the weekend.

At this time, we are not anticipating any reliability concerns on the statewide electric grid as a result of this weather event, ERCOT CEO Pablo Vargas said Thursday.

Thats owing to two factors, said Matthew Boms, executive director of the Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance, an industry trade group. For one, theres more power on the grid than there was in 2021, and most of that new generation is in the form of solar panels, wind turbines and battery storage, Boms said.

Thats a gigantic change, Boms said. We didnt really have battery storage on the grid during Winter Storm Uri, and now we have thousands of megawatts of batteries. Thats a huge asset when we have this kind of winter event.

Texas lawmakers also forced natural gas plants to harden their facilities against severe cold, Boms noted.

Natural gas is the backbone of Texas electricity, especially during extreme cold. More than half of the states power comes from natural gas. When gas production freezes, power plants lose fuel and shut down. At the same time, winter storms drive up demand for both heating and electricity. If gas facilities arent running, the electricity simply cant be generated.

After Winter Storm Uri in 2021, the Texas Legislature directed the Railroad Commission of Texas, which oversees the states oil and gas industry, to strengthen how the state prepares natural gas facilities for weather emergencies and power outages. That directive led to the creation of the Critical Infrastructure Division, which focuses on identifying key natural gas facilities as critical and making sure theyre ready for all-weather emergencies, including winter storms. This designation also ensures these facilities receive power first in hopes it will prevent blackouts like those from Winter Storm Uri.

The agency inspected more than 7,400 natural gas facilities last year, the agency said.

Abbott also assured Thursday that there is an abundance of natural gas.

Bottom line: no concern about any loss of access to the natural gas to make sure power generators stay on in ERCOT, he said.

Are cities and other utilities prepared?

Just because theres more power on the grid doesnt mean there wont be any power outages, officials caution. The storm brings a strong chance of ice for most of the state, which can build up on power lines and tree branches, causing lines to break and people to lose power. Utilities said Wednesday they have crews at the ready to restore power as quickly as possible.

Mark Bell, president of the Association of Electric Companies of Texas, which represents companies like Oncor, El Paso Electric and CenterPoint Energy, said his members were ready.

In areas that will be affected by the winter storm, electric generating companies and utilities are implementing their emergency operations plans, mobilizing staff, re-checking weatherization measures, procuring needed fuel and equipment, among other activities, he said.

Even a thin layer of ice can add several hundred pounds of weight to a power line, causing it to sag and break. Ice buildup can even bring down utility poles.

In a worst-case scenario with ice loading, youll get a domino effect with poles, said Chester Brown, an operations director for Xcel Energy in Amarillo. One finally gives up and breaks, and then youll have a whole string of poles that could break it at a certain time.

The year before Uri, a winter storm brought heavy ice to the Panhandle, bringing down power lines and causing widespread power outages. Xcel in the years since has continually replaced poles with ones made of stronger material, Brown said.

That ice buildup was a key factor in leaving tens of thousands of Austin households and businesses without power in the wake of a severe winter storm in early 2023.

Thats a tough problem to fix, officials and experts said Wednesday. Cities and utilities in the past several years have tried to beef up their vegetation management to pare tree branches to prevent them from falling on power lines during severe weather.

On Thursday, Public Utilities Commission Chair Thomas Gleeson said there has been historic investment into vegetation management in recent years. Gleeson pointed to House Bill 2555 from 2023, which he said got Oncor to do vegetation management on 8,000 extra lines. The utility company also replaced almost 20,000 additional distribution poles, he said.

But the most straightforward solution, officials have said, would be to bury above-ground power lines. Doing so, however, would be enormously costly. Burying Austins city-owned network of above-ground power lines would cost $50 billion, according to a city-commissioned estimate published last year. Instead of burying every power line, utilities in Houston and Austin have focused on burying lines in places most at risk of power outages, Homs said.

If you did it everywhere, that would cost tens of billions of dollars and ultimately raise electric bills, Homs said.

Austin Energy, the citys publicly owned utility, doesnt expect widespread power outages, General Manager Stuart Reilly told Austin City Council members this week, though the utility continues to monitor the situation and prepare for the ice storm, KUT reported.

A lot can move between now and Friday night, and so well just keep an eye on it, he said. But so far, the predictions arent for the worst-case scenario.

Other preparations abound. In Dallas, officials will open up facilities at Fair Park, the site of the State Fair of Texas, to shelter folks experiencing homelessness from the cold. If the city sees widespread power outages caused by the storm, officials plan to open up additional facilities for people to get warm and charge their phones, they said Wednesday.

Those facilities didnt have backup power to open as warming centers during Uri, Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert said Wednesday. In the years since, the city drew down federal dollars to outfit them with generators in the case of severe cold weather, she said.

 Camila Beraldo Maia and Alex Nguyen contributed.

Disclosure: CenterPoint Energy, El Paso Electric Company and Oncor have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribunes journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

This article first appeared on The Texas Tribune.

Topics Texas Windstorm
An exoskeleton system developed initially by Vanderbilt University researchers decreased strain, sprain and lifting injuries by as much as 62% over months of study, signaling a way to reduce some of the most common workers compensation claims.

The HeroWear company, based in Nashville, said trials over eight to 23 months show that workers at distribution centers who wore the Apex 2 exosuit had a significantly lower injury rate. Strain and sprain injuries dropped from about 10.2% per 100 workers per year to 3.8%.

The system works like an extra set of back muscles to limit strain, fatigue and discomfort, the company said in a statement this week. The suit did not shift injuries to other body parts, overcoming a longstanding concern about exoskeleton systems.

The suit was tested at five distribution centers, including food and beverage, retail, manufacturing and warehouse sites for more than 311,000 work hours. Thats equivalent to 155 full-time employees working for more than a year, the company said.

Back injuries and strains and sprains have produced some of the most-often seen workers compensation claims, accounting for about 23% to 30% of all U.S. claims, according to Work Health Solutions and the National Safety Council.

Photo: HeroWear
A bill to provide restitution to policyholders harmed by their insurer or agent passed the Washington Senate on Wednesday on a 29 to 20 vote.

The bill, sponsored by Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer and sponsored by Senator Adrian Cortes (DBattle Ground), would also provide fining parity for all insurance entities regulated by the Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

Related: Washington Commish Tells Insurers to Give Relief on Payments, Cancellations

The bill grants the commissioner the authority to require a company or person violating insurance laws to pay restitution.

Currently, when an insurance company uses rates that havent been approved by the commissioner, there is no mechanism to order repayment to policyholders who have overpaid. If an unauthorized insurer defrauds policyholders, the commissioner can fine the company but cannot order it to repay the money it took. If an insurance agent collects premiums but doesnt forward that money to the insurance company, the Insurance commissioner cant require them to repay the money they took.

Related: Washington Commissioner Tells Thin Blue Line to Stop Selling Unlicensed Coverage

Also, the commissioners authority to fine certain property/casualty insurers is limited to $10,000, regardless of the number of violations. For health insurers, the limit is $10,000 per violation or offense. SB 5331 would align the two, allowing for per-violation fines of up to $10,000 for property/casualty insurance companies.

SB 5331 now heads to the House Consumer Protection & Business Committee for consideration.

Topics Washington Politics
Relation Insurance Services has acquired the assets of PT Business Solutions in South Pasadena, California.

PT Business Solutions is a provider of employee benefit, HR, payroll, workers compensation and group retirement plans. The agency has been serving clients since 2003.

Relation Insurance Services is an insurance brokerage that offers risk management and benefits consulting services across the U.S. with a reported 1,350 employees across more than 100 locations. It is a privately held corporation backed by Aquiline Capital Partners, a private equity firm based in New York and London.

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News / National

by Staff reporter

South Africa's Border Management Authority (BMA) and the Department of Social Development (DSD) on Wednesday participated in a high-level diplomatic engagement with the Zimbabwean Embassy in Pretoria, aimed at strengthening bilateral co-operation on border management and social development issues.The engagement comes amid tightened controls at the Beitbridge border post by authorities in both countries, particularly during major public holidays, in an effort to curb child smuggling and other forms of irregular cross-border movement.Held as a meet-and-greet session, the engagement brought together representatives from the BMA, the DSD and the Zimbabwean Embassy. In a joint statement released on Thursday, the two South African departments said discussions focused on critical cross-border social protection challenges, with particular emphasis on the handling and safeguarding of unaccompanied minors crossing through the Beitbridge Port of Entry without the required travel documentation."The meeting also addressed broader concerns related to irregular cross-border movements by adults, including instances where individuals possess valid passports but deliberately avoid entering through designated ports of entry," the statement said.The departments noted that the engagement builds on a Memorandum of Understanding signed in December 2025 between South Africa's Minister of Social Development, Ms Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe, and her Zimbabwean counterpart. The agreement provides a formal framework for co-operation on social development priorities, child protection and cross-border co-ordination.During the meeting, BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato reaffirmed that South African and Zimbabwean border management authorities continue to work closely and effectively together. He assured the Zimbabwean Embassy of continuity in joint border management efforts and stressed the importance of collectively addressing shared challenges.Dr Masiapato also highlighted the need for collaboration on public awareness initiatives to educate travellers on migration issues and improve compliance with immigration requirements.According to the joint statement, the Zimbabwean Embassy expressed appreciation for the commitment shown by both the BMA and the DSD in responding to the increase in cases involving unaccompanied minors."The Embassy was encouraged by the seriousness with which the matter is being handled and confirmed that Zimbabwean authorities are equally committed to addressing the issue," the statement said.The Embassy further underscored the importance of joint public awareness campaigns targeting specific traveller groups to ensure that travellers are well informed about the travel regulations of both countries.The departments said officials from all sides emphasised the need for sustained dialogue, collaboration and integrated approaches to addressing migration challenges in the Southern African region. This includes enhanced information sharing, joint public awareness initiatives and proactive engagement with key stakeholders such as transport operators, parents and guardians.The parties also agreed to establish a joint technical task team to proactively address operational and policy issues related to cross-border movements, with a particular focus on the protection of minors.The engagement concluded with a shared commitment to continued co-operation and regular engagement between South Africa and Zimbabwe.In closing, the Zimbabwean Embassy conveyed its condolences to the Government and people of South Africa following a recent school transport tragedy involving learners, as well as the devastating floods in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, which resulted in loss of life and significant damage to property.
Start-up firms should optimise for surprise and dont spend a lot of time doing things that nobody will notice in order to grab peoples attention, marketing guru Rory Sutherland has said, pointing to Ryanair's chief executive as someone who is able to keep things fun.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner at the Pendulum Summit in Dublin, Mr Sutherland said that competing with entrenched competitors is unlikely to be effective and instead companies should consider new angles of attack.

Given geopolitical tensions, and the increasing push to move away from US tech firms and for people to find European alternatives, he said it would be a mistake for homegrown tech firms to try and compete with an entrenched network entity head on.

You've got to come in obliquely, he said.

"Find a territory which has been completely obscured by the fact that your competitors' metrics are placing the spotlight somewhere else. Explore that territory with a torch and you will find something where you can shine."

Robotics

In terms of where European tech firms could focus, Mr Sutherland said he is not the biggest fan of Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg, but that his bet on connected spectacles is actually the right bet.

"Robotics is going to be big in another five to 10 years as well but don't try and replicate what they've done, he said.

"Instead, create a European augmented reality (AR) layer for wearable devices. It would be really interesting to produce a distinctively European AR which is slightly less liable to enshittification.

Enshittification is the gradual decay of online systems whereby they increasingly become poorer user experiences in order to maximise profit for the company.

Ryanair

In terms of companies, and chief executives, who are very effective at getting attention, Mr Sutherland pointed to Ryanair boss Michael OLeary as someone who stays playful and keeps it fun as a means to further the airlines brand.

Over the past few weeks, Mr OLeary has been engaged in a feud of sorts with SpaceX owner Elon Musk over Ryanairs refusal to install Starlink internet services on their aircraft. The airline boss said it would cost too much, through the cost of installation as well as additional fuel costs due to drag from the antenna.

He also said he doesnt believe people will pay for the service.

Over the past few weeks, Mr OLeary has been engaged in a feud of sorts with SpaceX owner Elon Musk over Ryanairs refusal to install Starlink internet services on their aircraft. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA

This led to a back and forth with Mr Musk who subsequently asked his followers on the social platform X whether he should buy the budget airline. EU airline regulations prevent non-EU nationals owning and controlling the airline.

Mr Sutherland called Mr OLearys feud with billionaire Elon Musk fantastic, and called whoever does the Ryanair social media an unacknowledged genius of the advertising industry because of how funny they are.

However, he believes Mr OLeary is wrong in that there are ways to make it more likely people will pay for internet on flights.

As a behavioral science person, I don't know what you need to do to make up the fuel cost but there are ways of charging for it. If you could pay 5 or 10 and get unlimited wifi on Ryanair flights for two years, it could be used as a loyalty mechanism, he said.

"If you found clever ways of pricing it, you could charge for it.

Manna

Mr Sutherland also cited Irish drone delivery company Manna as a fantastic firm saying that he thought drone delivery was pretty dumb, right up until the firms founder Bobby Healy explained the economics.

The problem you often have when you do something new is that the good is often invisible, and the new problem it creates is very salient, he said.

"While Manna has been in operation, there have been seven moped accidents that haven't happened but on the other hand, if one can of beans lands on someone's Pekingese dog, it's on the front page, he said.

AI

On the future of AI, and its potential impact on marketing, Mr Sutherland said the technology presents significant creative opportunities for ad agencies as well as the general public.

However, what worries him is when the bill comes due for AI, organisations are going to look to savings.

These organisations which have invested a few trillion dollars, and hardware is the depreciating expense, the bill is going to come due. They're going to have to sell and the easiest way to sell is always cost reduction.

"It's much, much easier to go into a board and say you can reduce your headcount by 27% than it is to go to a boardroom and say you can make your customer service fabulous, he said, adding that you can have a balanced and nuanced take when it comes to AI.
Two men have been arrested as part of a Garda investigation into more than 40 criminal incidents across Dublin and other parts of the country.

The arrests were made on Thursday as part of Operation Thor, which is examining a series of incidents during 2025 involving theft, deception and the unauthorised taking of vehicles.
A Cork motorist who pleaded guilty to careless driving had a momentary lapse of concentration, according to his solicitor.

Clonakilty District Court was also told he had previously driven for 40 years without incident.

The district court was shown mobile phone video footage of the incident recorded by a concerned member of the public on the R599 road between Clonakilty and Dunmanway at Bealad East on March 26, 2025.

The court heard that 64-year-old Kevin Connolly of The Meadows, Kilbarry, Dunmanway was driving north from Clonakilty towards Dunmanway when his driving caused concern for members of the public who were following him in another car at 5.45pm.

Video footage shown to the court showed Connollys car veering across the central white line to the wrong side of the road, at one point allowing only a small space for an oncoming cyclist to get past. The video then shows Connollys car return to the correct side of the road before crossing the white line again and then turning off down a side road.

Defence solicitor, Conrad Murphy, said Connolly had been driving for 40 years without issue and had never come to garda attention before. He said Connolly had suffered a momentary lapse of concentration and apologised for what had happened.

He said his client was pleading guilty and cant really explain what happened.

The court heard that Connolly was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease and required a medical certificate every three years to enable him to drive. He had been passed as fit to drive in September 2025 after the incident.

After viewing the video, Judge Joanne Carroll said Connolly was quite a bit over the white line and said she would have to convict him of careless driving.

She said Connolly came before the court with an unblemished record and an incident of this type can happen to all of us, we all make mistakes. Connolly was fined 120 and given four months to pay the fine.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.
A jury was sent home for the weekend in the trial of a retired superintendent and four serving gardai accused of unlawfully squaring away traffic offence summonses for motorists.

After eight weeks hearing evidence at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court, the jury, consisting of eight men and four women, had retired at 2.03pm and deliberated for two hours and six minutes to consider their verdicts.

At 4.09pm, the foreman of the jury told Judge Roderick Maguire they had not reached a verdict and that they would be willing to return to court on Monday to resume their deliberations.

Judge Maguire told the jury to go home for the weekend and return at 9.30am Monday.

Earlier the jury heard closing submissions from barristers for all five accused, who agreed that the investigation by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI) and subsequent prosecution of the five accused was a nonsense.

The accused retired superintendent, Eamon ONeill, is charged with 27 counts of engaging in conduct tending or intended to pervert the course of justice when he was a serving in the mid west region between 2017 and 2019.

Mr ONeill, Sergeant Anne Marie Hassett, Sergeant Michelle Leahy, Garda Colm Geary, and Garda Tom McGlinchey have denied a total of 39 counts of unlawfully interfering in potential or pending prosecutions involving 26 motorists.

Prosecution's case

The prosecutions case, led by senior counsel Carl Hanahoe, is that Mr ONeill gave preferential treatment to people he knew or had a close connection with in trying to get them off potential or pending road traffic prosecutions.

Mr Hanahoe has argued that preference was entirely different to discretion, which the court heard was a power available to gardai when using their own judgment on whether to pursue a prosecution.

Mr Hanahoe has argued that local superintendents lost the ability to cancel traffic tickets in 2014 when this power was reassigned to a cancelling authority in Thurles, Co Tipperary, after the much-publicised penalty points scandal that was unearthed by garda whistleblower Maurice McCabe.

Mr Hanahoe told the jury that the main reason for attempts to get the motorists off was Mr ONeills friendship or close connection with the individuals  Mr Hanahoe said these people were not on trial.

Mr Hanahoe produced text messages in court which he said clearly showed that Mr ONeill was using his direct or indirect connection with the motorists as the reason for quashing their pending or potential prosecutions.

It was a case of who you are, said Mr Hanahoe, and that Mr ONeill allowed this preference and his friendship with others to dictate who ought to be prosecuted.

Mr Hanahoe said the four serving Garda accused, who had no connection to the cases, involved themselves by trying to persuade other gardai not to prosecute the motorist, or in the case of Sgt Leahy, had some of the cases struck out in court. Mr Hanahoe told the jury:

The evidence is clear: What was happening was preference, pure and simple, and the appropriate verdict on all counts is guilty.

Mr O'Neill's defence closing speech

In his closing speech, Felix McEnroy, for Mr ONeill, said experienced gardai, including retired assistant Garda commissioner Fintan Fanning and retired chief superintendent Gerry Mahon, had given evidence at the trial of their concern over reliance on text messages in a Garda probe.

Mr McEnroy said when Mr Mahon found out about the GNBCI probe into Mr ONeill, he was so concerned that he wrote a 17-page letter to the then Garda commissioner and another letter to the then deputy commissioner outlying his serious misgivings.

Mr McEnroy suggested to the jury they were not getting the whole story from the prosecution and that a previous GNBCI investigation into Mr ONeill, in respect of completely separate allegations not before the court, went nowhere.

They don't want me to talk about that. That was one serious mess, said Mr McEnroy.

'Vicious undertone' to the case

Mr McEnroy said Mr ONeill told GNBCI that he had legitimately used a long-established practice of Garda discretion when the allegations of unlawfully squaring summonses were put to him.

Mr McEnroy said because GNBCIs first investigation failed to damage Mr ONeill, it had pursued him in a vicious way.

Mr McEnroy said Mr ONeill was regarded as an outstanding garda who helped end a decade-long gangland warfare in Limerick City that resulted in 23 murders, but he said the GNBCI probes had left him destroyed inside.

This is insane, this case has a vicious undertone, added Mr McEnroy.

He suggested the prosecution case was a mess and that if Mr ONeill was found guilty, it would be a profound injustice, an assault on the truth and reprehensible.

Defence of four gardai

Vincent Heneghan, for Garda Geary, said his client received text message from Supt ONeill asking him to do something and he did it.

He didnt think behind it, he did what he was tasked to do. He was a garda and Mr ONeill was a superintendent. He did nothing wrong, said Mr Heneghan.

The barrister said Garda Geary must be highly thought of in the force because he had successfully applied for promotion to the rank of detective garda after he was suspended on foot of the GNBCI investigation.

Mr Heneghan said the role requires the successful candidate to show they have integrity, decency, bravery.

Senior counsels John Byrne, for Garda McGlinchey; Jim OMahony, for Sgt Hassett; and Andrew Sexton, for Sgt Leahy, told the jury their clients were not guilty and they had been following orders of a superior officer.

All five defence barristers said their clients had done nothing wrong and that the prosecution was farcical and nonsense.

The trial resumes on Monday.
A group rallied on Friday in Limerick City to call for counselling notes of victims to be fully withdrawn from gender-based violence trials.

The demonstration, organised by Rosa Socialist Feminist Movement, took place on Mallow St in front of the office of Limerick TD Kieran ODonnell.

The group urged Mr ODonnell, who was not in his Limerick office today, to support the protest of proposed legislation allowing judicial oversight on the use of counselling notes in gender-based violence trials.

Abuse survivor Caitriona Hickey told the Irish Examiner: I am completely against the use of counselling notes in any sexual violence or gender-based violence trials. She said:

I know firsthand the feeling of having those notes requested. It added another layer of trauma to an already very traumatic report.

"So I wanted to try and safeguard future people from having the same experience that I did, and have some bit of a safe reporting process.

This comes as the Dail heard on Thursday that therapists do not condone retraumatising victims of sexual abuse through the use of counselling notes in criminal trials.

Local councillor Shane Hickey-OMara, who also works as a psychotherapist said: It is devastating that peoples private and confidential counselling notes can be used in this way.

Those client notes are taken as an ethical requirement by therapists. If they are actually seized and used, that is breaking all trust and the sense of safety.

"As therapists, it is our main job is to create that safe space so that we can actually do the work and help somebody through something as horrific as gender-based and sexual violence.

The charge was part of a wider debate on the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025, which was brought forward by justice minister Jim O'Callaghan.

In relation to the use of counselling notes in criminal trials, groups of survivors and some therapists have been calling for a complete ban.

Similar protests also took place in Cork, Waterford, and Dublin.
Sean Binder from Castlegregory, Co Kerry, was an idealistic 24-year-old with a law degree, a scuba diving qualification and time to spare when he decided to spend a year helping the Greek Coastguard rescue refugees from drowning off the island of Lesvos.

Eight years later, he and 23 other volunteers have been acquitted of serious criminal charges, including people smuggling, membership of a criminal organisation and espionage.
I was unhappy listening to Morning Ireland on Monday morning.

To give some context, its a radio show I admire. I feel safe listening every morning; it does a great deal of preparation  not always guaranteed on Irish radio. So, my expectations were high, and it took me a while to figure out where my discomfort was coming from.

It was the language being used by presenter Audrey Carville, I eventually realised, as she pushed for answers on Greenland from Foreign Affairs and Trade minister, Helen McEntee.

It was the language of a game, a contest: One side has to back down  will it be the EU? The hyped-up tone and fast pace were sustained throughout the interview. When McEntee called for the conversation to be measured, Carville interrupted her to say: But you also need to be united. Is the EU united?

Disunity leaves the EU vulnerable, Carville continued, eager to highlight the blocks strategic weaknesses. There has to be a response surely, so what is Irelands preference? she said, pressuring the minister to reveal plans for next steps, next moves in the game.

In his post-war essay, Politics and the English Language, George Orwell writes that flawed language doesnt just reflect flawed thinking, it creates it. The limits of our language, according to Wittgenstein, stand for the limits of our world.

How we speak, the words we choose, and how we deliver them, all of it, impacts us deeply.

My worry is that were allowing game-language, macho-language, a lexicon of winners and losers, strategies, and tactics, to infect our way of speaking and reporting. Greenland is not a game. It is a country made up of people. It is also home to the worlds largest national park, a vast protected wilderness of polar bears, Arctic foxes, musk oxen, and numerous bird species.

Im sure I dont need to tell anyone, but game-language is Trumps language. A 2016 Washington Post article found hed tweeted about losers 170 times during his campaign. His sycophants like to compare his foreign policy to a game of 4D chess.

A boat rides through a frozen sea inlet outside of Nuuk in Greenland. The country is home to the worlds largest national park, a vast protected wilderness of polar bears, Arctic foxes, musk oxen, and numerous bird species. File photo: AP/Evgeniy Maloletka

By contrast, Trump has said his opponents are playing "tic tac toe in the sand". Trump revealed at a 2019 rally how he felt about being associated with losing. "I never want to be called a loser," he said.

Human lives, whole countries, are mere lumps of plastic on a board to the man. Its all part of the same strategy  dehumanise people, then destroy them.

This week he was off playing monopoly, with his threat of a 200% tariff on French wines and champagnes  a ploy to pressure Macron into joining his 'Board of Peace' initiative. No doubt the Board of Peace looks like an actual boardgame to him, something like Risk perhaps, the 1957 game invented by another Frenchman, Albert Lamorisse.

Having threatened eight European countries with tariffs if he didnt get to own Greenland last week, his piece of ice, he has now backed down announcing a framework. Its a game of chicken.

This game language is everywhere. Only the other day a teenager told me to take the L, meaning take the loss. I looked it up online to discover the phrase peaked in popularity around 2016 to 2018, right when Trump began his first presidency.

But back to Morning Ireland in 2026  in another segment the same morning, Carville interviewed Lars Christian Brask, chair of Denmark's Foreign Policy and Security Council. Again, the presenter looked for a statement about next steps, about Denmarks game plan.

People walk through the snow in Nuuk, Greenland, on Monday. Lars Christian Brask, chair of Denmark's Foreign Policy and Security Council, pointed out that with only two roads, tanks would be useless in Greenland in the event of an invasion by the US. Photo: AP/Evgeniy Maloletka

Contrastingly, Brask shared his feelings of anger and disappointment, his human reaction at a "friend betraying a friend". Carville responded with the question: If US tanks turn up in Greenland, how should Europe and Nato respond? She pushed, moving straight to the worst-case scenario, the ultimate play in the game.

Brask pointed out that with only two roads, tanks would be useless in Greenland, puncturing the question, satisfyingly releasing its hot air. It wont get to that, he said simply.

I understand the desire to produce exciting radio. And when it comes to domestic policies on things like housing and education, I am thrilled for politicians to be grilled, pushed up against the ropes, sweaty and panting, as in a game of boxing. One of the main jobs of our media is to hold power to account.

The possible invasion of a peaceful country must be treated very differently. How its reported on our national radio station is of moral significance. It has consequences, setting the mood, turning the dial either up or down for listeners. When it comes to these highly sensitive, geopolitical matters, we must be measured and patient  our radio presenters especially so.

Im tiring of interviews that are so interested in the cat and mouse game of reporting, that the heart, along with the common sense, simply drops out.

A Royal Danish Navy vessel, HDMS Knud Rasmussen, patrols near Nuuk, Greenland, on Thursday. Photo: AP/Evgeniy Maloletka

The Eloquence, a poem by Jorie Graham appears in this months Atlantic magazine. Its worth a read. It depicts a near-future media landscape, where reporters behave like robots, documenting a catastrophe without comprehension or human emotion.

Grahams poem speaks of a dry weather of information, where we do not write in order to remember. The poem calls us on to remain connected to one another through language.

A week before, and to their credit, Morning Ireland included a segment on Greenland and its people. Edmund Heaphy, RTE deputy foreign editor, reported from the capital, Nuuk. In this exchange Audrey Carville asked about the fears and feelings and thoughts of the people there.

A local woman, Tillie Martinussens, worried if she should take her stepson and an old lady she knows and move to Denmark. The report gave an insight into the population, a reserved and tight-knit, closed community.

Inuit culture values peace above everything else, the interviewee explained, describing how her grandmother used to bring her Wrigleys gum from the American soldiers because it was exotic and America was a hero to them. The segment did a lot of heavy lifting by educating us on the culture of Greenland, (Kalaallit Nunaat in Greenlandic).

Im not suggesting that tough reporting cant happen. Politicians must be questioned. But expecting Irish politicians to commit to a particular strategy in the face of international chaos, live on air, is unhelpful. And I use Morning Ireland as an example here  the approach is widespread and it gives power to Trump, legitimising his antics.

International policy is not decided on the radio or on television in seconds. Its done over an extended period behind closed doors. The media must not assume the public wants everything to be punchy, cerebral, and fast-paced. More than ever, I think we want calm. We want to feel the human heart in the conversation.

Ireland is a fortunate place in which to live; we must accept the challenge of that. We are lucky to have the time and freedom to be considered in our language. However Trump might spin it, there is always time to pause and calmly discuss matters with our elected politicians.

There is a time for everything. I swear its not too late.
Ukraine, Russia and the US are set to hold three-way talks in Abu Dhabi on Friday, marking the first time that the three countries have sat down together since Russia invaded in 2022.

The meeting was confirmed in the early hours of Friday morning after talks at the Kremlin between the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, the US envoy Steve Witkoff and Donald Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Kremlin diplomatic adviser Yuri Ushakov told reporters those talks were useful in every respect, adding that it was agreed that the first meeting of a trilateral working group on security issues will take place today in Abu Dhabi.

The full details of the talks in the United Arab Emirates were not released at the time of writing, and it was not clear whether Russian and Ukrainian officials would meet face to face. The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said the talks would last two days.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, centre, talks to the media at the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. Picture: AP Photo/Markus Schreiber

Mr Witkoff, Mr Kushner and the US team are scheduled to meet a Russian delegation, headed by Gen Igor Kostyukov, director of Russias GRU military intelligence agency, in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

The Trump administration has been pushing for a peace settlement, with its envoys shuttling between Kyiv and Moscow in a flurry of negotiations that some worry could force Ukraine into an unfavourable deal. The US president said on Wednesday that Mr Putin and Mr Zelenskyy would be stupid if they failed to come together and get a deal done.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday, Witkoff said one major issue remained to be resolved in the negotiations, without saying what it was.

Mr Zelenskyy said the future status of land currently occupied by Russia in the east of the country was unresolved, but peace proposals were nearly ready. Both sides have previously highlighted the issue of territory as crucial. In particular, Mr Putin has demanded that Ukraine surrender the 20% it still holds of the eastern region of Donetsk. Mr Zelenskyy has refused to give up land that Ukraine has successfully defended since 2022 through grinding, costly attritional warfare.

Russia also demands that Ukraine renounce its ambition to join Nato, and rejects any presence of Nato troops on Ukrainian soil after a peace deal.

Russians have to be ready for compromises because, you know, everybody has to be ready, not only Ukraine, and this is important for us, Mr Zelenskyy said from Davos, adding that postwar security guarantees between Washington and Kyiv were ready, should a deal be reached, although they would require each countrys ratification.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, center left, poses with US ambassador to France Charles Kushner, center right, before their talks at the US ambassador residence in Paris, France, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. Third right is Jared Kushner. Picture: AP Photo/Thomas Padilla

Mr Zelenskyy was speaking after a closed-door meeting with the US president at Davos. Ukraines president made a blistering Davos speech, accusing European leaders of being in Greenland mode as they waited for leadership from Trump on Ukraine and other geopolitical crises rather than taking action themselves.

Despite Mr Trumps limited and scattershot support for Ukraine since taking office one year ago, Mr Zelenskyy focused instead on Europes role in the conflict, accusing the continents leaders of complacency and inaction.

Just last year, here in Davos, I ended my speech with the words Europe needs to know how to defend itself, Mr Zelenskyy said. A year has passed, and nothing has changed.

Speaking to reporters as he flew back to Washington, Mr Trump said his meeting with Mr Zelenskyy went well, adding that the Ukrainian president told him he wanted to make a deal to end the war.

I had a good meeting, but Ive had numerous good meetings with President Zelenskyy, and it doesnt seem to happen, he said.

Mr Trump noted that both Mr Putin and Mr Zelenskyy wanted to reach a deal and that everyones making concessions to try to end the war.

He said the sticking points in talks had remained the same over the past six or seven months, noting boundaries was a key issue. The main hold-up is the same things thats been holding it up for the last year, he said.

Mr Trump also said he and Mr Zelenskyy discussed how Ukrainians were surviving the cold winter without heat. Its really tough for the people of Ukraine, Trump said, noting that it was amazing how residents were able to persevere through the winter facing relentless Russian strikes.

Ukraine is enduring a bitter winter, with Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure cutting power and heating to much of the capital, Kyiv, as well as other major cities.

The Guardian with Reuters and Agence France-Presse
News / National

by Staff reporter

Businessman Wicknell Chivayo has dismissed claims by Nyanga South Member of Parliament Supa Mandiwanzira that he failed to deliver the Gairezi 30-megawatt hydro-power project in the Tangwena area after being awarded the tender during the tenure of former President Robert Mugabe.Speaking at a recent ZANU-PF rally, Mandiwanzira alleged that the project did not materialise under Chivayo's watch, arguing that its completion would have brought employment opportunities and boosted tourism for surrounding communities.However, in a detailed statement posted on his social media platforms on Wednesday, 21 January, Chivayo said the assertions were misleading, stressing that the Gairezi project was never awarded to him personally.He explained that the tender was awarded to a consortium led by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), a multi-billion-dollar Indian government-owned engineering conglomerate, in partnership with Angelique International Ltd, with Intratrek Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd acting as the local contractor."The tender for the Gairezi 30MW Hydro Project was not awarded to Chivayo' personally, but to a consortium led by an Indian multi-billion-dollar government-owned engineering conglomerate, BHEL, working together with Angelique International Ltd, while Intratrek Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd participated as their local contractor," Chivayo said.He added that, as is common practice across Africa, local contractors often rely on the credibility, bankability and technical capacity of international original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to secure and deliver large infrastructure projects."In this case, that international credibility was precisely what made the consortium competitive and enabled it to be awarded the tender as the lowest compliant bidder to specification," he said.Chivayo said the project ultimately failed to take off due to difficulties in securing funding, given its estimated cost of US$113 million for a 30MW plant."The fundamental issue that prevented implementation was challenges in achieving financial closure," he said. "The project cost made the business case extremely difficult to finance when tested against lenders' requirements, including return on investment, yield, plant load factor and overall bankability."He explained that while the project was technically feasible, financiers were not convinced it could generate sustainable cash flows to guarantee loan repayment."Unfortunately, the financial model struggled to meet that threshold," he said.Chivayo also revealed that he incurred financial losses despite the project never commencing, citing the high costs associated with the lengthy bidding process, including international travel to OEMs, mainly in India and other countries."As contractors, we incur substantial upfront costs during the cumbersome bidding process for international travel to OEMs before final tender submission," he said. "So if anything, contractors also get disappointed when projects stall, because we invest real money and expect a return."He further dismissed suggestions that he received any payments from the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) in relation to the Gairezi project.According to Chivayo, ZESA, through government, opted to prioritise larger, high-yield power generation projects, notably Hwange Units 7 and 8, which added 600MW to the national grid."In simple terms, this explains why the Gairezi project and others such as the Harare and Munyati repowering projects were held in abeyance," he said.Chivayo said he respected Mandiwanzira's concerns as a legislator and expressed hope that the project could be revisited in future under a more suitable funding structure."I hope this clarification assists the public to understand, and that all those making speculative comments suggesting that payments were made will be respectfully guided accordingly," he said.
The death toll in Irans bloody crackdown on nationwide anti-government protests has reached at least 5,002, activists said.

They warned that many more are feared dead as the most comprehensive internet blackout in the countrys history crossed the two-week mark.

The challenge in getting information out of Iran persists due to authorities cutting off access to the internet on January 8.

Tensions are also rising between the United States and Iran as an American aircraft carrier group moves closer to the Middle East  a force US president Donald Trump likened to an armada.

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency offered the death toll, saying 4,716 were demonstrators, 203 were government-affiliated, 43 were children and 40 were civilians not taking part in the protests.

Observers claim thousands of people have been killed in the crackdown (AP)

It added that more than 26,800 people had been detained in a widening arrest campaign by authorities.

The groups figures have been accurate in previous unrest in Iran and rely on a network of activists in Iran to verify deaths.

That death toll exceeds that of any other round of protest or unrest in Iran in decades, and recalls the chaos surrounding Irans 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Irans government offered its first death toll on Wednesday, saying 3,117 people were killed. It added that 2,427 of the dead in the demonstrations that began December 28 were civilians and security forces, with the rest being terrorists.

Irans theocracy in the past has undercounted or not reported fatalities from unrest.

The Associated Press has been unable to independently assess the death toll, in part due to authorities cutting access to the internet and blocking international calls into the country. Iran also reportedly has limited journalists ability locally to report on the aftermath, instead repeatedly airing claims on state television that refer to demonstrators as rioters motivated by America and Israel, without offering evidence to support the allegation.

Thousands of people have died in Iran during the crackdown (AP)

The new toll comes as tensions remain high over Mr Trump laying down two red lines over the protests  the killing of peaceful demonstrators and Tehran conducting mass executions.

Irans attorney general and others have called some of those being held mohareb  or enemies of God. That charge carries the death penalty. It had been used along with others to carry out mass executions in 1988 that reportedly killed at least 5,000 people.

The US military meanwhile has moved more military assets toward the Mideast, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and associated warships traveling with it from the South China Sea.

A US official said on Thursday that the Lincoln strike group is currently in the Indian Ocean.

Mr Trump said Thursday aboard Air Force One that the US is moving the ships toward Iran just in case he wants to take action.

We have a massive fleet heading in that direction and maybe we wont have to use it, Mr Trump said.

The US leader also mentioned the multiple rounds of talks American officials had with Iran over its nuclear programme prior to Israel launching a 12-day war against the Islamic Republic in June, which saw US warplanes bomb Iranian nuclear sites. He threatened Iran with military action that would make earlier US strikes against its uranium enrichment sites look like peanuts.

They should have made a deal before we hit them, Mr Trump added.

The UKs Ministry of Defence separately said its joint Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet squadron with Qatar, 12 Squadron, deployed to the (Persian) Gulf for defensive purposes noting regional tensions.
US President Donald Trump has said the newly-formed Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation for Canada to join the organisation.

The rescinded offer to sign up to the body  which Mr Trump has said could eventually rival the United Nations  is the latest twist in a series of public spats the US president has had with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canadas joining, what will be, the most prestigious Board of Leaders ever assembled, at any time, Mr Trump wrote to Mr Carney on social media.

Mark Carney warned of a rupture from an international order based on rules (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)

Mr Trumps comments came after Mr Carney delivered a provocative speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in which he warned of a rupture from an international order based on rules.

Mr Trump inaugurated his Board of Peace on Thursday to lead efforts at maintaining a ceasefire in Israels war with Hamas, insisting everyone wants to be a part of the body. But many US allies have chosen not to participate.

During a speech in Davos, Mr Trump sought to create momentum for a project to map out a future of the war-torn Gaza Strip that has been overshadowed this week, first by his threats to seize Greenland, then by a retreat from that push.

The new peace board was initially envisioned as a small group of world leaders overseeing the ceasefire, with Mr Trump as chairman, but it has morphed into something far more ambitious  and scepticism about its membership and mandate has led some countries usually closest to Washington to take a step back.

Norway and Sweden indicated they would not participate in the board. France declined, citing concerns the board could seek to replace the UN and the UK said it would not sign up because of potential Russian involvement in the plan.

It is not immediately clear how many countries have signed up. In Davos, Mr Trump told reporters were going to have, I think, over 50 countries join.

But at his launch, Mr Trump was joined by officials from 19 countries. He told the group, ranging from Azerbaijan to Paraguay to Hungary: Youre the most powerful people in the world.

Donald Trump inaugurated his Board of Peace at the World Economic Forum in Davos (AP/Markus Schreiber)

Flying back to Washington DC, Mr Trump told reporters: The letter only went out two days ago. We had almost 30 people already.

Mr Trump said some leaders have told him they want to join but first require approval from their parliaments, specifically naming Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Polish President Karol Nawrocki.

The charter for the board has not yet been publicly released. Asked whether the document would allow him to remain chairman beyond his time in office, Mr Trump said he would have the right to stay on if he chose to.

Its in theory, for life  but Im not sure I want that, Mr Trump said.

Mr Trump has spoken about the board replacing some UN functions, but in his speech on Thursday he said the two bodies would work together.

This isnt the United States, this is for the world, he said, adding: I think we can spread it out to other things as we succeed in Gaza.

Mr Trumps event featured Ali Shaath, the head of a new, future technocratic government in Gaza, announcing that the Rafah border crossing will open in both directions next week. But there was no confirmation of that from Israel, which said only that it would consider the matter next week. The Gaza side of the crossing, which runs between Gaza and Egypt, is currently under Israeli military control.

The idea for the Board of Peace was first laid out in Mr Trumps 20-point Gaza ceasefire plan and was even endorsed by the UN Security Council.

An Arab diplomat in a European capital said that Middle Eastern governments co-ordinated their response to Mr Trumps invitation to join the Board of Peace and that it was crafted to limit the acceptance to the Gaza plan as mandated by the UN Security Council.

Mr Trump was joined by officials from 19 countries during his Board of Peace inauguration (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

The diplomat said the announced acceptance is preliminary and that the charter presented by the US administration contradicts in some parts the United Nations mission. The diplomat also said that other major powers are unlikely to support the board in its current form.

Some countries, including the UK, have raised questions about invitations Mr Trump extended to Russian President Vladimir Putin and other authoritarian leaders. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper told the BBC that there were concerns about President Putin being part of something which is talking about peace, when we have still not seen any signs from Putin that there will be a commitment to peace in Ukraine.

Mr Putin has said his country is still consulting with Moscows strategic partners before deciding to commit. The Russian was hosting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday in Moscow.

The Kremlin said on Thursday that Mr Putin planned to discuss his proposal to send money to the Board of Peace and use it for humanitarian purposes during his talks with Mr Abbas  if Russia can use assets the US had previously blocked. Asked about that idea by reporters, Mr Trump said: If hes using his money, thats great.

Mr Trumps push for peace comes after he threatened military action this month against Iran as it carried out a violent crackdown against some of the largest street protests in years, killing thousands of people.

Mr Trump, for the time being, has signalled he will not carry out any new strikes on Iran after he said he received assurances that the Islamic government would not carry out the planned hangings of more than 800 protesters.

He said on Thursday that the US is moving a fleet of ships towards Iran just in case it wants to take action against the country over its crackdown.

And he said he was keeping in place a threat to slap 25% tariffs on countries doing business with Iran.

Were doing that, he said.

The White House has not yet provided details on that tariff plan, which Mr Trump announced more than a week ago.
Negotiators from Ukraine, Russia and the United States are expected to meet for peace talks in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

Volodymyr Zelensky said the future of Ukraines eastern Donbas region will be a key focus as negotiators from all three nations hold talks for the first time since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly four years ago.

The three-way talks come hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the settlement in Ukraine with US President Donald Trumps envoys during marathon overnight talks. The Kremlin insisted that to reach a peace deal, Kyiv must withdraw its troops from the areas in the east that Russia illegally annexed but never fully captured.

Mr Zelensky, meanwhile, reiterated his openness to establishing a free trade zone under Ukraines control in the countrys east. He said he discussed the proposal with Mr Trump in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday and told reporters: I think it will be positive for our business.

It is unclear if Fridays talks will see the Ukrainian and Russian sides meeting in the same room. Mr Zelensky said that he would brief European partners of the outcome.

Todays meeting will be in the format of Ukraine, Russia and the United States, and afterward the Europeans will certainly receive feedback from us, he told journalists in a WhatsApp audio message.

The Kremlin offered little detail beyond calling the meeting a working group on security issues.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the Russian delegation is comprised of military officials. He said the talks could extend into Saturday if necessary.

Separately, Mr Putins envoy Kirill Dmitriev will hold talks with Mr Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff on economic issues, he confirmed.

The Kremlin meeting, which lasted past 3am on Friday, came hours after Mr Zelensky sharply criticised his European allies on Thursday for what he cast as their slow and fragmented response that he said has left Ukraine at the mercy of Mr Putin amid an ongoing US push for a peace settlement.

Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov, who participated in Mr Putins meeting with Mr Trumps envoys Mr Witkoff and Jared Kushner, said it was reaffirmed that reaching a long-term settlement cant be expected without solving the territorial issue.

Mr Zelensky said after meeting on Thursday with Mr Trump in Davos, Switzerland, that the future status of land in eastern Ukraine currently occupied by Russia remains unresolved but that peace proposals are nearly ready.

Mr Ushakov noted that Mr Trumps envoys informed Mr Putin about Mr Trumps meeting with Mr Zelensky, as well as earlier discussions they had with Ukrainian and European officials. The Kremlin talks that he described as frank, constructive and fruitful began when it was just before midnight in Moscow and lasted nearly four hours.

Vladimir Putin, left, greeting Donald Trumps envoys Steve Witkoff, centre left, Jared Kushner, second right, and Josh Gruenbaum (Alexander Kazakov/Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Mr Witkoff and Mr Kushner were joined by Josh Gruenbaum, the head of the Federal Acquisition Service who serves as a senior adviser on Mr Trumps Board of Peace that Russia has been invited to join. While Russia is considering the invitation, Mr Putin reaffirmed his offer to send 1 billion dollars (740 million) to the board from Russian assets frozen in the US to help fund rebuilding Gaza.

Asked about Mr Putins proposal to use Russias frozen assets for the contribution to the Board of Peace, Mr Trump said he thought it was fine. If hes using his money, thats great, he said

Mr Zelensky met with Mr Trump behind closed doors for about an hour at the World Economic Forum in Davos, describing the meeting as productive and meaningful.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One as he flew back to Washington DC from Davos, Mr Trump said his meeting with Mr Zelensky went well, adding that both Mr Putin and Mr Zelensky want to reach a deal and that everyones making concessions to try to end the war.

He said the sticking points in talks remain the same as they have been during talks held during the past six or seven months, noting boundaries was a key issue. The main hold-up is the same things thats been holding it up for the last year, he said.

Russias bigger army has managed to capture about 20% of Ukraine since hostilities began in 2014 and its full-scale invasion of 2022. But the battlefield gains along the roughly 600-mile front line have been costly for Moscow, and the Russian economy is feeling the consequences of the war and international sanctions.

Ukraine is short of money and, despite significantly boosting its own arms manufacturing, still needs Western weaponry. It is also short-handed on the front line. Its defence minister last week reported some 200,000 troop desertions, and draft-dodging by around two million Ukrainians.

Addressing the World Economic Forum after meeting with Mr Trump, Mr Zelensky listed a litany of grievances and criticisms of Europe.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had some strong words for European leaders during his speech in Davos (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

European countries, which see their own future defence at stake in the war on its eastern flank, have provided financial, military and humanitarian support for Kyiv. But not all members of the 27-nation European Union are helping.

Ukraine has also been frustrated by political disagreements within Europe over how to deal with Russia, as well as the blocs at times slow-moving responses.

Europe looks lost, Mr Zelensky said in his speech, urging the continent to become a global force. He contrasted Europes response with Washingtons bold steps in Venezuela and Iran.

The former comic actor referred to the movie Groundhog Day, in which the main character must relive the same day over and over again.

Just last year, here in Davos, I ended my speech with the words: Europe needs to know how to defend itself. A year has passed. And nothing has changed. We are still in a situation where I must say the same words again, Mr Zelensky said.

He condemned Europe for being slow to act on key decisions, spending too little on defence, failing to stop Russias shadow fleet of oil tankers that are breaking international sanctions, and balking at using its frozen assets in Europe to finance Ukraine, among other things.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The Moyo family from Zimbabwe is struggling to come to terms with the devastating news of the deaths of their three sons, who were among five people shot dead by unknown gunmen outside a tuck shop in Jeffsville, Atteridgeville on Wednesday.Thandi Moyo, the sister of three brothers gunned down in Jeffsville said she last saw them leaving home on Wednesday morning, never imagining they would meet such a tragic end.The deceased Shein Moyo, Shelton Moyo, and Mike Nkala were described as well-behaved children who did not deserve to die in such a cruel manner.Moyo said she broke down in tears after being called to identify the bodies of her three brothers."I was on my way to a shop when I was told my siblings were among those shot dead. I felt so weak, I didn't expect it. We tried to get answers, but people were too scared to talk," she said.She said the family is still grappling with the circumstances surrounding the shooting."We were told unknown people came and started shooting, then fled. We don't know the motive, we're still in shock," she said.She expressed her anguish, saying the family is left wondering who committed the crime and what motivated the attackers, as they struggle to come to terms with the loss of their sons."According to what I know my brother didn't have enemies. They are always in each other's company," Moyo said.She said the other two deceased were siblings from Zimbabwe and friends of the Moyo brothers.Lucky Mncube, uncle to the deceased, expressed shock and grief over their deaths, saying they were hardworking young men who did piece-jobs to make a living and were not involved in crime. "It's devastating, hard to believe. What is painful is that their mother back home is also seeking answers from us and we don't know what to tell her because we are also in the dark," he said.He said the family is struggling to afford the cost of transporting the bodies to Zimbabwe for burial.Mncube made a desperate plea for assistance, saying it will cost at least R20,000 to transport each body back home."Each one will have to be transported separately because the law does not allow us to transport two bodies in one hearse. We don't have that money," he said.The owner of the tuck shop where the shooting occurred confirmed the incident, stating it happened while he was serving a customer. He declined to be named, citing security concerns."I heard gunshots fired outside. And then I saw a body at the entrance, it was horrifying. The customer managed to storm out of the shop. I also fled and only returned when it was safe," he said.Residents said they are living in fear following the shooting, with many refusing to comment on the incident, fearing retaliation from the killers. "It's not safe to speak out, we don't know if they will come back for us too," one resident said anonymously.One said people are keeping quiet about the shooting because they are scared they might be talking to someone connected to the perpetrators. "We don't know who we're talking to, so it's best to keep quiet," a resident said.The police in Gauteng have mobilised resources to investigate a shooting incident that occurred in Jeffsville on Wednesday at around 13:15, according to SAPS provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni.He confirmed that five people were shot outside a tuck shop at Block JV by unknown assailants and the victims were declared dead at the scene by paramedics."It reported that unknown number suspects approached the victims who were standing outside the tuck shop and shot at them without saying anything. The suspects then fled the scene," he said.A case of five counts of murder has been registered following the shooting incident and investigators will be looking into the motive behind the attack.The recent shooting comes just a month after a devastating mass shooting in Saulsville, Atteridgeville, that claimed 12 lives and left 14 others wounded.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Zanu-PF has directed its members to immediately stop attacking one another in public and on social media, warning that the growing culture of open infighting is eroding party discipline, unity and its founding values.In a statement issued this week, Zanu-PF Secretary for Security Lovemore Matuke said the party was alarmed by what he described as "disturbing developments" in which both senior officials and ordinary members have been openly denigrating each other at rallies and across online platforms."We are deeply concerned by the developments we are witnessing within our party, where senior leaders and ordinary members alike are openly attacking one another at public rallies and across social media platforms," Matuke said.He said such conduct was inconsistent with the traditions and discipline that have sustained Zanu-PF for decades, warning that it risks bringing the ruling party into disrepute at a time of heightened public scrutiny.Matuke said Zanu-PF was founded on the principles of unity, respect and collective responsibility, which he argued had enabled the party to withstand both internal and external challenges since independence."Our party has always been a home for all Zimbabweans who believe in the ideals of the liberation struggle," he said, adding that party membership carried responsibilities as well as rights.Using family imagery, Matuke urged members to resolve disputes internally rather than airing grievances in public forums."Each of us, whether a senior leader or an ordinary card-carrying member, must remember that we are one family. Families do not insult one another in public, nor do they tear each other apart before the world," he said.He cautioned that taking factional and personal disputes to rallies, newspapers and social media weakens the party and benefits its political opponents."When we take our internal disagreements to rallies, newspapers and social media, we do more harm than we realise. We weaken the party and give comfort to those who wish to see it divided," Matuke said.The warning comes amid rising reports of factional tensions within Zanu-PF, often playing out publicly through rival rallies, leaks and coordinated social media campaigns.Matuke said the party has internal structures - including the youth wing, the main wing and senior elders - specifically designed to manage grievances and resolve disputes away from the public eye."Differences of opinion will always exist in any living organisation, but how we handle those differences matters," he said, calling on leaders to exercise humility, restraint and kindness, and warning against the intimidation or belittling of ordinary members.He also urged party members to unite behind President Emmerson Mnangagwa, saying internal conflicts were distracting the party from governance priorities and the Vision 2030 development agenda."We cannot afford to be distracted by personal quarrels and small fights when the future of Zimbabwe demands our full attention," Matuke said.The appeal for unity underscores growing unease within the ruling party over increasingly visible internal divisions, which critics say reflect deeper struggles over power, succession and access to state resources.Matuke concluded by urging members to recommit to unity and collective purpose, warning that those who fuel divisions are undermining the party's long-term political project."Only together can we fulfil what we claim is our mission and build a better Zimbabwe for future generations," he said.
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  Iraq is seeking custody of the captured ISIL (ISIS, Daesh) fighters who had been imprisoned by the Syrian Kurdish YPG forces. Some of these prisoners escaped recently when the fundamentalist Salafi Arab government in Damascus made a Blitzkrieg into eastern Syria, pushing out the YPG and seizing oil fields, towns, a dam, and vast territory. The Shiite-dominated government in Iraq does not like the new Syrian government of hard line (Salafi) Sunni fundamentalists one little bit. Baghdad is petrified that instability in Syria will spill over into Iraq. And ISIL fighters escaping en masse is a nightmare for Iraqis.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Thursday that Iraq had launched an initiative to take custody of the ISIL fighters held in Syria. Of the estimated 10,000 or more detainees, some 3,000 are Iraqis. The Iraqis among them would be dealt with by the Iraqi justice system. About 5,000 are Syrian and 2,000 are foreign nationals. Since Iraq is said to be taking 7,000, it seems to be willing to take charge of about 2,000 of the Syrians (those held in Kurdish detention centers) along with the 2,000 foreign fighters. The foreigners will be held temporarily, presumably until arrangements can be made for their home countries to take them.

Obviously, neither Baghdad nor Washington trusts the al-Sharaa government in Syria to do due diligence in keeping their fellow fundamentalists behind bars.

The thousands of ISIL fighters imprisoned by the Kurds in 14 or so major detention centers had terrorized western and northern Iraq and eastern Syria throughout the teens of the past decade, until they were finally defeated in 2017-2018. Their Syrian capital of al-Raqqa was captured by the YPG, with Arab tribal and American support, in October 2017.

The escape of ISIL fighters deeply alarmed the Iraqi government as well as the US. Although the new Syrian government is headed by fundamentalists, some of them former al-Qaeda, their leader Ahmad al-Sharaa had broken with ISIL in April, 2013. The core of the present government in Damascus had belonged to the Jabhat al-Nusra (the Succor Front), which rejected ISIL leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadis attempt to merge the two groups. Jabhat al-Nusra remained loyal to Ayman al-Zawahiri, the al-Qaeda leader, who excommunicated al-Baghdadi and his group. Jabhat al-Nusra merged with other parties later on to become the Syrian Liberation Council, which took over Damascus last December. So there is no love lost between the current government and ISIL, sort of the way Bolsheviks hated Trotskyites. But neither Jabhat al-Nusra nor the Syrian Liberation Council ever fought ISIL in a significant way on the battlefield, ceding to them their control of eastern Syria.

The only force then President Barack Obama could find to take on ISIL on the ground and defeat it was the YPG Kurds, who were backed by the US Department of Defense, to Turkiyes outrage. The Kurds stepped up and did the whole world a favor in defeating the horrid ISIL who ruled by terrorizing people, killing large numbers, blowing things (including Paris) up, beheading them, enslaving them and occasionally snacking on their livers.

In the past week, the Kurdish YPG was pushed out of Raqqa province by Syrian Army forces from Damascus.

The new fundamentalist Salafi Arab government in Syria has some unfinished business. The religious minorities  the Druze and the Alawis, both offshoots of folk Shiism  are one. Neither will be easy to incorporate into the Salafi state. The Kurds are the other, being non-Arabs and leftists and so ethnically and ideologically opposed to the fundamentalist, right-wing project of the al-Sharaa government.

Further, the YPG (Peoples Protection Units) paramilitary of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party is considered a branch of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) by Turkiye  though the Syrian Kurds deny this charge. Ankara has been involved in a dirty war with the PKK in southeast Turkiye for over 40 years and views it as a severe threat to Turkish national integrity that advocates Kurdish secession from Turkiye. Kurds make up about 20% of the population of Turkiye and predominate in the southeast. Political scientists do not find that secessionist sentiment is strong among Turkish Kurds.

About 10% of Syrias population is made up of Kurds, mainly in the northeast of the country.

The YPG had hoped to link up the three main enclaves of Kurdish populations in Syria, in Afrin, Kobane and the Jazira and create a new state, Rojava. Since it would stretch along the Syrian border with Turkiye, this development was absolutely unacceptable to Ankara, which got permission from Trump in 2019 to push into Syria and disrupt this plan.

The main patron of the fundamentalists in Damascus is Turkiye, and so Ahmad al-Sharaas government has every reason to curb the YPG.

On January 16, al-Sharaa had appeared to offer the Kurds an olive branch. He made Kurdish an official language of Syria, recognized Now-Ruz as an official national holiday, and restored to the Kurds of Hasaka the Syrian citizenship that had been stripped from them in 1963 by an Arab nationalist government. Kurds, like Iranians and some Central and South Asians, celebrate the spring equinox, typically March 21, as New Years Day. These steps contradicted the exclusivist Arab nationalist policies that had predominated in Syria since the 1960s.



File Photo of Iraqi PM Mohammad Shia al-Soudani. Public Domain. Via Picryl

But tensions over YPG control of parts of Damascus and its hinterland boiled over, and the Syrian Army expelled the YPG from the city, and then went after them in Raqqa province January 17-19. There, the YPG had ruled in partnership (as the Syrian Defense Forces) with Arab tribal levies, who defected to the Damascus government, which forced the YPG to retreat to Kurdish-majority regions in the northeast. During this round of fighting, some 1,500 ISIL fighters were said to have escaped from prison, though the number may have been smaller and some were recaptured.

On January 20 a ceasefire was brokered, in part by the US. But it wasnt much of a ceasefire, with fighting continuing at Hasakah and elsewhere. Moreover, it was accompanied by an ultimatum from al-Sharaa that the YPG integrate into the Syrian Army, giving up its independent command structure, by January 24, i.e. Saturday. First of all, that integration is unlikely to happen, certainly on this time scale. Second, ultimatums typically start wars.

On Wednesday, 150 of the 7,000 ISIL fighters held in Hasakah Province were transferred to Iraqi custody by the US CENTCOM, with an expectation that all of them would be sent to Iraq.

Iraqi officials expressed their relief at the transfer, since they are petrified that thousands of ISIL fighters will escape amid the chaos in eastern Syria, and will go back to blowing things up in western and northern Iraq and fomenting Sunni Arab secessionism again.
By Mireille Rebeiz, Dickinson College and Josiane Yazbeck, Universite La Sagesse

(The Conversation)  More than a year after a ceasefire nominally ended active fighting, much of southern Lebanon bears the ecological scars of war. Avocado orchards are gone and beehives destroyed. So, too, are the livelihoods they supported. Meanwhile, fields and forests have disappeared under the intense fire caused by white phosphorus shelling. Shrapnel and unexploded bombs, however, remain.

Such grim realities are a window into the massive ecological destruction brought to Lebanon as a result of the 2024 war between Hezbollah and Israel. The number of Israeli airstrikes from October to November of that year ranked among the highest globally in the 21st century.

The conflict proved disastrous for human life, with more than 4,000 people killed, more than 17,000 injured, and 1.2 million civilians displaced internally. But a relatively uncovered aspect of the destruction was the significant effects to the environment.

Farmlands, olive groves, and pine forests were extensively burned by Israels airstrikes. Water resources were polluted. Pipelines and waste management were partially or completely destroyed. And the extensive dropping of ordnance and debris left a widespread trail of toxic dust and hazardous chemicals.

The damage to the Lebanons environment will have long-term consequences for the countrys agriculture and economy, and on its peoples mobility.

Repairing the damage would involve a multi-year reconstruction project costing an estimated US$11 to $14 billion, according to one World Bank assessment.

As experts in Middle East studies and environmental law, we believe that this destruction also indicates a grave breach of international environmental law and raises the question of whether Israel committed war crimes in Lebanon by deliberately targeting natural resources and engaging in environmental warfare.

Environmental destruction in Lebanon

During the latest war  the sixth such Israeli invasion of Lebanon since 1978  Lebanon lost around 1,910 hectares of prime farmland, 47,000 olive trees and around 1,200 hectares of oak forests, according to Lebanese state figures.

According to Amnesty International, Israel used white phosphorus, a highly reactive chemical that burns at extremely high temperatures when exposed to air. While international humanitarian law does not necessarily ban its use for military necessity, it clearly dictates that white phosphorus must never be used against civilians.

Data collected by Amnesty Internationals Citizen Evidence Lab suggests that Israel deliberately used this incendiary substance in densely populated villages in southern Lebanon to push the civilians out and make their lands unusable. Many civilians were killed, and several had long-term injuries, such as respiratory damages and severe burns.

As to the environment, white phosphorus destroyed fruit, vegetable and olive harvests, burned agricultural lands and left them polluted. White phosphorus also ignited large-scale fires that ravaged oak and pine forests and devastated wildlife. Natural habitats were destroyed, pushing animals whose species are already under stress, such as striped hyenas, golden jackals, and Egyptian mongoose, into residential areas, putting them at risk of being killed.

In the course of the conflict Israel also used cluster munitions, which are widely banned by international law. A cluster bomb consists of several smaller bombs that explode at different times to cover wider areas. But some of these cluster munitions do not explode on impact, thus threatening civilians lives and targeting civilians indiscriminately.

Due to these various chemicals and munitions, Lebanons soil and water have been contaminated with heavy metals, military scrap, and unexploded bombs.

To be sure, underlying conditions that preceded Israels bombing campaign likely worsened the extent of the resulting environmental damage. For example, there are no clear domestic laws in Lebanon banning asbestos, and data indicates the country continued importing the toxic substance well into the early 2000s, well after it had been banned in most other countries.

Several urban and industrial sites were heavily bombed during the 2024 war, especially in south Beirut and Tyre, a major city in southern Lebanon. There is little doubt that the resulting debris contains high levels of asbestos and other toxic substances, which were released with the destruction of buildings, pipelines, paints, roofs, tiles and other old structures.

Environmental protection in armed conflict

Current international humanitarian law provides limited environmental protection during armed conflict. Article 8(2)(b)(iv) of the Rome Statute qualifies a war crime as any attack launched in the knowledge that such attack will cause widespread, long-term and severe damage to the natural environment which would be clearly excessive in relation to the concrete and direct overall military advantage anticipated. The cumulative nature of these criteria  being widespread, long term and severe  establishes a high bar for proving a war crime of this nature.

Additional legal frameworks include the 1976 ENMOD Convention prohibiting environmental modification techniques for military purposes and Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions that prohibits methods of warfare intended or expected to cause widespread, long-term and severe environmental damage.

In Feb. 2024, International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan announced a policy initiative prioritizing environmental crimes within the existing Rome Statute framework.

Further, a growing international movement is pushing to recognize ecocide, defined as the mass destruction of ecosystems, as a fifth international crime alongside genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression. If adopted, this legal framework would significantly lower the threshold for prosecuting environmental destruction during armed conflict.

Even so, the documented environmental impacts in Lebanon already raise substantive questions regarding the application of international humanitarian law and the legal requirement that military commanders weigh anticipated civilian and environmental harm against expected military gains before launching an attack.

The actions of Israel and other countries in recent years, however, have more broadly raised questions over the viability of international law and institutions ability to hold those accused to account.

Moving forward

Although Israel and Lebanon agreed to an internationally supervised ceasefire in Nov. 2024, it has largely been a truce in name only, with continued Israeli strikes targeting southern Lebanon and Beirut since then. Meanwhile, though Lebanon remains committed to the terms of the ceasefire, including the disarmament of Hezbollah, the armed Shiite movement has refused to entirely give up its arms.

Under U.S patronage, negotiations between Lebanon and Israel continue today, with discussions of a land border agreement and the return of Lebanese hostages. But, the negotiations so far have stuck largely to political issues with no mention of environmental damages.



Photo of Nabatiyeh, Lebanon by Nina Abdel Malak on Unsplash

In fact, the question of environmental reparations is not without precedent. Since 2006, the United Nations General Assembly has adopted 19 consecutive resolutions on the Jiyeh oil spill, caused by the Israeli bombing of fuel storage tanks during the July 2006 war. The destruction released up to 30,000 tons of oil into the Mediterranean, contaminating 170 kilometers of Lebanese coastline. The U.N. secretary-general assessed damages at US$856.4 million, and the assembly has repeatedly called upon Israel to assume responsibility for prompt and adequate compensation  calls that have gone unanswered for nearly two decades.

For the Lebanese people, particularly those who experienced firsthand environmental destruction, the question of Israels alleged environmental crimes is not merely an intellectual exercise. Rather, many environmental groups inside and outside Lebanon argue that addressing such issues is necessary to ensure the promotion of human rights in the region and equitable access to unpolluted farmland, water and forests.

Mireille Rebeiz, Chair of Middle East Studies, Dickinson College and Josiane Yazbeck, Lecturer, Universite La Sagesse

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NOVAGOLD RESOURCES INC. (NYSE American: NG, TSX: NG) ("NOVAGOLD" or the "Company") has announced today that it has entered into an agreement with BMO Capital Markets, RBC Capital Markets, and Scotiabank as bookrunners, under which the underwriters have agreed to buy on a bought deal basis by way of private placement, 20,000,000 common shares (the Common Shares) of the Company, at a price of US$10.00 per Common Share for gross proceeds of approximately US$200 million, with a cornerstone order of US$140 million from a leading European institution, before deducting underwriter fees and other expenses (the Offering). In addition, the Company has also granted the underwriters an over-allotment option, exercisable up to 48 hours prior to the closing of the Offering, to purchase up to an additional 15% of the number of Common Shares purchased pursuant to the Offering for additional gross proceeds of up to approximately US$30 million, before deducting underwriter fees and other expenses (resulting in aggregate gross proceeds of up to approximately US$230 million, before deducting underwriter fees and other expenses).

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering for expenditures associated with Donlin Gold activities, settlement of the Companys prepayment option on the promissory note1 with Barrick Mining Corporation, and general corporate purposes.

The Offering is expected to close on or about February 5, 2026 and is subject to the Company receiving all necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange and authorization of the NYSE American, subject to customary conditions.

The Common Shares will be offered: (i) in each of the provinces of Canada pursuant to applicable exemptions from the prospectus requirements under applicable Canadian securities laws; (ii) in the United States and elsewhere, pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act), and the applicable securities laws of any state of the United States; and (iii) in jurisdictions outside of Canada and the United States pursuant to prospectus, registration, and other exemptions under applicable securities laws. The Common Shares will be subject to a minimum 6-month hold period from the closing of the Offering under applicable securities laws.

The securities offered have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About NOVAGOLD

NOVAGOLD is a well-financed precious metals company focused on the development of the Donlin Gold project in Alaska, one of the safest mining jurisdictions in the world. With approximately 40 million ounces of gold in the Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource categories (560 million tonnes at an average grade of approximately 2.22 grams per tonne, in the Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource categories on a 100% basis)2, inclusive of Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves, the Donlin Gold project is regarded to be one of the largest, highest-grade, and most prospective known open-pit gold deposits in the world. The Donlin Gold project is expected to produce an average of more than one million ounces per year over a 27-year mine life on a 100% basis once in production.3

NOVAGOLD Contacts:

Melanie Hennessey

Vice President, Corporate Communications

Frank Gagnon

Manager, Investor Relations

604-669-6227 or 1-866-669-6227

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

www.novagold.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This media release includes certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward- looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as expects, continue, ongoing, anticipates, believes, intends, estimates, potential, possible, and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results will, may, could, would or should occur or be achieved. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements may relate to the Offering, including statements with respect to the completion of the Offering and the anticipated closing dates thereof; the expected receipt of regulatory and other approvals relating to the Offering; the exercise of the over-allotment option; the expected gross proceeds of the Offering and the anticipated use of the net proceeds therefrom; statements relating to the Donlin Gold project and any other activities, events or developments that NOVAGOLD expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Forward-looking statements contained in this media release are based on a number of material assumptions, including but not limited to the following, which could prove to be significantly incorrect: our ability to achieve production at Donlin Gold; the cost estimates and assumptions contained in the 2025 Technical Report and the 2025 Technical Report Summary; estimated metal pricing, metallurgy, mineability, marketability and operating and capital costs, together with other assumptions underlying our resource and reserve estimates; our expected ability to develop adequate infrastructure and that the cost of doing so will be reasonable; assumptions that all necessary permits and governmental approvals will be obtained and the timing of such approvals; assumptions made in the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of our mineral deposits; our expectations regarding demand for equipment, skilled labor and services needed for exploration and development of mineral properties; our ability to improve our ESG initiatives and goals; and that our activities will not be adversely disrupted or impeded by development, operating or regulatory risks. In addition, any statement that refers to expectations, intentions, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts but instead represent the expectations of NOVAGOLD managements estimates and projections regarding future events or circumstances on the date the statements are made. Important factors and risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include risks related to financings of this nature; the need to obtain additional permits and governmental approvals; the timing and likelihood of obtaining and maintaining permits necessary to construct and operate; the need for additional financing to complete an updated Bankable Feasibility Study and to explore and develop properties; availability of financing in the debt and capital markets; the disparity between the economic and governance level at Donlin Gold LLC and NOVAGOLD; disease pandemics; uncertainties involved in the interpretation of drill results and geological tests and the estimation of reserves and resources; changes in mineral production performance, exploitation and exploration successes; changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls or regulations and/or changes in the administration of laws, policies and practices, expropriation or nationalization of property and political or economic developments in the United States or Canada; the need for continued cooperation between the owners of Donlin Gold LLC to advance the project; the need for cooperation of government agencies and Native groups in the development and operation of properties; risks of construction and mining projects such as accidents, equipment breakdowns, bad weather, non-compliance with environmental and permit requirements, unanticipated variation in geological structures, ore grades or recovery rates; unexpected cost increases, which could include significant increases in estimated capital and operating costs; fluctuations in metal prices and currency exchange rates; whether or when a positive construction decision will be made regarding the Donlin Gold project; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in NOVAGOLDs most recent reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, particularly the Risk Factors sections of those reports and other documents filed by NOVAGOLD with applicable securities regulatory authorities from time to time. Copies of these filings may be obtained by visiting the SECs website at www.sec.gov, or on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Although NOVAGOLD has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement contained in this press release speaks only as of the date hereof, and NOVAGOLD assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

1 As of November 30, 2025, the promissory note, including accrued interest, amounted to approximately $166.3 million. Concurrent with the closing of the Donlin Gold transaction on June 3, 2025 whereby Barrick sold its 50% interest in Donlin Gold to Donlin Gold Holdings LLC and NOVAGOLD Resources Alaska, Inc., the Company entered into an amended and restated secured promissory note with Barrick that provides the Company with the option to prepay the promissory note in full for $100 million on or before December 3, 2026. For more information regarding the amended and restated secured promissory note, refer to Amended and Restated Promissory Note in Managements Discussion and Analysis.

2 Donlin Gold data as per the report titled NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Donlin Gold project, Alaska, USA with an effective date of November 30, 2025 (the 2025 Technical Report) and the report titled S-K 1300 Technical Report Summary on the Donlin Gold Project, Alaska, USA (the 2025 Technical Report Summary), dated November 30, 2025.

3 NOVAGOLD defines a Tier One gold development project as one with a projected production life of at least 10 years, annual projected production of at least 500,000 ounces of gold, and average projected cash costs over the production life that are in the lower half of the industry cost curve.

Not for distribution to U.S. news wire services or dissemination in the United States
Area of AuRORA Now Measures 1.4 km by 0.8 km

Deposit Remains Open to Expansion

+4 km2 NWG Target Area that Hosts AuRORA Shows More Potential

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / January 23, 2026 / Amarc Resources Ltd. ("Amarc" or the "Company") (TSXV:AHR) (OTCQB:AXREF) is pleased to announce all remaining assay results from the 2025 expansion drilling at the AuRORA Deposit. The AuRORA Deposit hosts high grade near surface, copper-gold-silver ("Cu-Au-Ag") mineralization that has exceptional vertical and lateral continuity (see Amarc releases January 17, 20 and February 28, 2025) and remains open to further expansion to the north, east, south and southwest. Amarc believes the rare combination of high grade near surface geometry and emerging scale at AuRORA are the hallmarks of a Tier One asset in the making.

Twenty-four core holes (9,687 m) were completed at the AuRORA Deposit in 2025 of which 23 are expansion step-out holes. Eleven of these holes have already been announced and assay data from the remaining 12 expansion holes is provided in this release. These holes show similar host rocks, alteration and mineralization types to those previously reported. Mineralization at AuRORA has now been intercepted over an area of 1.4 km by 0.8 km (Figure 1).

"Amarc remains highly focused on disciplined, discovery-driven growth and on advancing its assets in a manner that maximizes the creation of shareholder value," said Amarc's President and CEO, Dr. Diane Nicolson. "A year ago, Amarc announced the discovery of the exciting new, high grade near surface, gold-rich AuRORA Deposit in the JOY District. AuRORA has rewritten the exploration playbook in the Toodoggone and stands as one of the most important recent porphyry copper-gold discoveries in British Columbia. With the hallmarks of a Tier One asset in the making, AuRORA is integral to bringing rapidly forward the potential of the JOY District and stands to be the key to the emergence of a world-class porphyry copper-gold district in the Toodoggone."

AuRORA Deposit Expanded to the North

Results previously announced in late 2025 from eight holes completed on Sections 8000N, 8100N and 8200N successfully expanded AuRORA +300 m to the north (Figure 1, and Amarc releases November 3 and December 10, 2025). Today, we are announcing drill hole JP25119 located on Section 8300N, which has expanded AuRORA a further +100 m to the north (Figures 1 and 2, and Tables 1 and 3), for a cumulative +400 m northern extension of the deposit in 2025. This sector of the Deposit requires further drilling.

The Cu-Au-Ag mineralization in JP25119 occurs well outside the strong magnetic high that hosts the high grade AuRORA mineralization discovered in 2024. Significant grade intersections (117 m of 0.19% Cu, 0.49 g/t Au and 2.2 g/t Ag including 93 m of 0.20% Cu, 0.54 g/t Au and 2.4 g/t Ag; and 98 m of 0.13% Cu, 0.52 g/t Au and 2.6 g/t Ag, Table 1) in JP25119, occur in rock with a comparatively weak magnetic signature and outside of the main core of Induced Polarization ("IP") chargeability responses. The recognition that mineralization is not restricted to magnetic highs or the strongest IP chargeability responses in the JOY District opens up exciting potential for further discovery and development of a world class porphyry Cu-Au district at JOY.

Also, even further to the north, a single large step out scout hole (JP25120) was completed +500 m to the east-northeast of hole JP25119, and some 350 m north of AuRORA hole JP25103 on Section 8200 N (Figures 1 and 2). This hole, which was targeted on a magnetic high within the comparatively lower contrast area of the NWG Target IP chargeability anomaly, intercepted significant Cu-Au-Ag mineralization at depth (33 m of 0.22% Cu, 0.58 g/t Au and 5.4 g/t Ag; and the last 36 m of the hole returned 0.29% Cu, 0.28 g/t Au and 5.9 g/t Ag, Table 1). This was the last hole underway on JOY in 2025. It was terminated prematurely in strong mineralization due to 2025 drill program demobilization constraints. Additional drilling is required to establish if this hole represents expansion of the AuRORA Deposit to the northeast or is another potential deposit.

AuRORA Deposit Expanded to the East and Southeast

Results from three holes announced in 2025 on Sections 7900N and 7600N successfully expanded AuRORA approximately 200 m to the east and 300 m to the southeast (Figure 1). Today's results are from seven additional drill holes located on Sections 7800N, 7700N, 7600N, 7400N and 7450N (Figures 1, 3 and 4, and Tables 1 and 3), which have cumulatively expanded the AuRORA Deposit from the 2024 discovery drilling 550 m to the east, +500 m to the southeast and 50 m to the south. AuRORA remains open to expansion in each of these directions. This sector of the Deposit requires further drilling.

Like hole JP25119 that extends AuRORA to the north, it should be noted that Cu-Au-Ag mineralization intersected in holes JP25096 (42 m of 0.11% Cu, 0.36 g/t Au and 2.9 g/t Ag; and 80 m of 0.24% Cu, 0.27 g/t Au and 3.2 g/t Ag), JP25097 (134 m of 0.18% Cu, 0.32 g/t Au and 2.8 g/t Ag), JP25102 (38 m of 0.11% Cu, 0.59 g/t Au and 2.4 g/t Ag; and 91 m of 0.18% Cu, 0.31 g/t Au and 4.1 g/t Ag), JP25112 (75 m of 0.31% Cu, 0.22 g/t Au and 7.7 g/t Ag), JP25118 (85 m of 0.23% Cu, 0.20 g/t Au and 4.8 g/t Ag including 22 m of 0.34% Cu, 0.28 g/t Au and 4.7 g/t Ag) and JP25115 (115 m of 0.29% Cu, 0.26 g/t Au and 3.1 g/t Ag) again occurs well outside the strong magnetic high that hosts the AuRORA mineralization discovered in 2024.

Of note in this area of AuRORA, five drill holes have returned significant molybdenum ("Mo") which, like Cu is a Critical Mineral. Long intercepts of 133 to 356 ppm Mo (Table 2) were encountered, for example, hole JP25112 returned 165 m of 0.22% Cu, 0.19 g/t Au, 5.3 g/t Ag and 292 ppm Mo. Further drilling in this sector of the Deposit is required to determine the extent and significance of the Mo mineralization.

AuRORA Deposit Expanded to the Southwest

Results from three holes - JP25087 (66 m of 0.25% Cu, 0.65 g/t Au and 2.7 g/t Ag) on Section 7700N, and JP25088 (75 m of 0.33% Cu, 0.76 g/t Au and 3.6 g/t Ag) and JP25090 (48 m of 0.15% Cu, 0.42 g/t Au and 1.3 g/t Ag) on Section 7600N have expanded AuRORA 125 m to the southwest (Figures 1, 3 and 4, and Table 1). AuRORA remains open to expansion to the southwest. This sector of the Deposit requires further drilling.

New Potential in Northwest Gossan ("NWG") Target

Hole JP25114 drilled 550 m south of the AuRORA Deposit within the NWG Target area (Figures 1 and 4), intercepted promising Au-Ag-Cu mineralization (12 m of 0.40 g/t Au and 0.5 g/t Ag; and 74 m of 0.05% Cu, 0.92 g/t Au and 0.6 g/t Ag). These strongly anomalous Au grades may mimic the anomalous Au concentrations in plumes observed above the Kemess East Cu-Au Porphyry Deposit in the Kemess Mining District 1 located adjacent to the south of the JOY District, where the plumes overlie the main porphyry centres below.

Hole JP25114 was drilled to test rock chip sampling of gossanous outcrop in non-selective samples that returned significant concentrations of Au (20 ppb to 390 ppb) and Ag (0.1 ppm to 0.6 ppm) within the NWG IP chargeability anomaly (Figure 1). It is noted that a similar Au and Ag anomaly exists at surface vertically above the mineralized zone in hole JP25118 on Section 7700N (Figures 1 and 3, and Table 1). This area, and other locations with similar Au and Ag concentrations in surface rock chip samples within the NWG IP chargeability target area require drill testing for additional porphyry Cu-Au centres.

JOY District drilling in 2024 and 2025 now totals 75 drill holes (32,624 m). Of this total, 45 holes (17,586 m) have been completed at AuRORA and 31 holes (14,678 m) were completed across the District. Thirty-five holes (15,381 m) were drilled at JOY in 2025; of these, assay results from 10 holes drilled across the District are now being compiled for release shortly.

Figure 1 (Drill Plan Map): AuRORA Deposit Discovery High Grade Near Surface, Exceptional Continuity, Deposit Continues to be Open to Expansion

Figure 2 (Sections 8400N, 8300N, 8200N and 8100N): AuRORA Deposit Discovery 2025 Step-out Drilling is Discovering More Open-Ended, Continuous Mineralization

Figure 3 (Sections 8000N, 7900N, 7800N and 7700N): AuRORA Deposit Discovery 2025 Step-Out Drilling is Discovering More Open-Ended, Continuous Mineralization

Figure 4 (Sections 7600N, 7500N, 7450N and 6900N): AuRORA Deposit Discovery 2025 Step-Out Drilling is Discovering More Open-Ended, Continuous Mineralization

Table 1: AuRORA Porphyry Cu-Au-Ag Deposit Expansion

Sections 8400N, 8300N, 7800N, 7700N, 7600N, 7500N, 7450N and 6900N

Section Drill Hole Incl. From (m) To (m) Int. 1,2,3 (m) Au (g/t) Cu (%) Ag (g/t) 8400N JP25120 564.00 597.00 33.00 0.58 0.22 5.4 639.50 675.40 35.90 0.29 0.28 5.9 8300N JP25119 461.00 577.65 116.65 0.49 0.19 2.2 Incl. 470.00 563.00 93.00 0.54 0.20 2.4 602.00 700.00 98.00 0.52 0.13 2.6 Incl. 602.00 627.53 25.53 0.93 0.21 2.5 7800N JP25102 308.00 346.05 38.05 0.59 0.11 2.4 376.70 468.00 91.30 0.31 0.18 4.1 7700N JP25087 78.00 243.00 165.00 0.38 0.16 1.7 Incl. 162.00 228.00 66.00 0.65 0.25 2.7 JP25096 182.75 225.00 42.25 0.36 0.11 2.9 257.00 336.50 79.50 0.27 0.24 3.2 JP25118 240.00 477.00 237.00 0.19 0.15 2.9 Incl. 327.00 412.40 85.40 0.20 0.23 4.8 Incl. 422.50 444.00 21.50 0.28 0.34 4.7 7600N JP25088 194.00 300.00 106.00 0.62 0.27 3.1 Incl. 213.00 288.00 75.00 0.76 0.33 3.6 JP25090 117.00 279.40 162.40 0.22 0.10 0.9 Incl. 192.00 240.00 48.00 0.42 0.15 1.3 JP25097 144.00 278.45 134.45 0.32 0.18 2.8 Incl. 180.00 278.45 98.45 0.30 0.22 3.5 and 180.00 231.00 51.00 0.35 0.23 3.4 JP25112 270.00 435.00 165.00 0.19 0.22 5.3 Incl. 360.00 435.00 75.00 0.22 0.31 7.7 7500N JP25092 207.00 273.00 66.00 0.12 0.12 1.7 Incl. 210.00 249.00 39.00 0.13 0.16 2.0 7450N JP25115 213.00 289.7 4 76.70 0.20 0.15 3.3 303.00 417.80 114.80 0.26 0.29 3.1 6900N JP25114 5 27.00 39.00 12.00 0.40 0.00 6 0.6 7 96.00 169.55 73.55 0.92 0.05 0.6

Notes to Table 1:

Widths reported are drill widths, such that true thicknesses are unknown. All assay intervals represent length-weighted averages. Some figures may not sum exactly due to rounding. Drill hole JP25115 interval 234-235.2 m comprised broken ground, no core was recovered, and it was therefore averaged at zero grade. Drilled in Northwest Gossan (NWG) Target. Value rounded to two decimal places; underlying result for Cu (%) is 0.0049%. Values rounded to one decimal place; underlying results for Ag (g/t) are 0.55 and 0.62, respectively. Drill hole JP25101 was lost and redrilled at JP25103 which was previously released.

Table 2: AuRORA Porphyry Cu-Au-Ag Deposit Drill Holes from the

Southeast Area with Significant Mo

Drill

Hole From

(m) To

(m) Int. 1,2,3

(m) Au

(g/t) Cu

(%) Ag

(g/t) Mo

(ppm) JP25098 4 223.00 289.00 66.00 0.49 0.18 4.8 133 JP25102 321.00 346.05 25.05 0.65 0.14 3.1 167 376.70 468.00 91.30 0.31 0.18 4.1 139 JP25112 270.00 435.00 165.00 0.19 0.22 5.3 292 JP25115 222.00 289.70 67.70 0.19 0.16 3.2 251 300.00 378.00 78.00 0.24 0.30 3.3 356 JP25118 264.00 369.00 105.00 0.24 0.12 2.7 164

Notes to Table 2: 1, 2 and 3, see Table 1

4. Drill Hole JP25098 was previously released.

About Amarc Resources Ltd.

Amarc is a mineral exploration and development company with an experienced and successful management team focused on developing a new generation of long-life, high-value porphyry Cu-Au mines in BC. By combining high-demand projects with dynamic management, Amarc has created a solid platform to create value from its exploration and development-stage assets.

Amarc is advancing the JOY, DUKE and IKE porphyry CuAu Districts located in different prolific porphyry regions of northern, central and southern BC, respectively. Each District represents significant potential for the development of multiple and important-scale, porphyry CuAu deposits. Importantly, each of the three districts are located in proximity to industrial infrastructure - including power, highways and rail.

Freeport-McMoRan Mineral Properties Canada Inc. ("Freeport"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. at JOY and Boliden Mineral Canada Ltd. ("Boliden"), an entity within the Boliden Group of companies at DUKE, can earn up to a 70% interest in each District through staged investments of CAD $110 million and CAD $90 million, respectively. Together, this provides Amarc with potentially up to CAD $200 million in non-share dilutive staged funding for these Districts. In addition, Amarc completed self-funded drilling at its Empress Cu-Au Deposit in the IKE District in 2024. Amarc is the operator at the DUKE and IKE Districts.

The CAD $16+ million JOY exploration program expenditures in 2025 were 100% funded by Freeport. As previously announced (Amarc May 29, 2025 and September 4, 2025 releases), Freeport has completed Stage 1 requirements under the May 2021 JOY agreement, earning a 60% interest by spending CAD $35 million, and has elected to proceed to Stage 2to earn a further 10% interest by spending an additional CAD $75 million within 5 years at a rate of no less than CAD $10 million per year. While Freeport is now the Operator of JOY, Aurora Minerals Ltd., the joint venture company is currently owned by Freeport (60%) and Amarc (40%), has appointed Amarc as the primary contractor to continue to manage the JOY exploration programs under a separate Services Agreement.

Amarc's exploration is led by an internationally successful team of experienced geologists specializing in porphyry Cu-Au deposits. Members of this team have been involved in and have tracked porphyry Cu-Au exploration advancements in the Toodoggone region since 1990. Their experience and early recognition of the porphyry potential at the NWG Target in terms of a shallowly overburden covered and underexplored transitional epithermal-porphyry geological setting, led to the discovery of the Au-rich AuRORA porphyry Cu-Au-Ag Deposit.

Amarc is associated with HDI, a diversified, global mining company with a 35-year history of porphyry Cu deposit discovery, development and transaction success. Previous and current HDI projects include some of BC's and the world's most important porphyry deposits - such as Pebble, Mount Milligan, Southern Star, Kemess South, Kemess North, Gibraltar, Prosperity, Xietongmen, Newtongmen, Florence, Casino, Sisson, Maggie, PINE, IKE, DUKE and AuRORA. From its head office in Vancouver, Canada, HDI applies its unique strengths and capabilities to acquire, develop, operate and monetize mineral projects.

Amarc works closely with local governments, Indigenous groups and stakeholders in order to advance its mineral projects responsibly, and in a manner that contributes to sustainable community and economic development. We pursue early and meaningful engagement to ensure our mineral exploration and development activities are well coordinated and broadly supported, address local priorities and concerns, and optimize opportunities for collaboration. In particular, we seek to establish mutually beneficial partnerships with Indigenous groups within whose traditional territories our projects are located, through the provision of jobs, training programs, contract opportunities, capacity funding agreements and sponsorship of community events. All Amarc work programs are carefully planned to achieve high levels of environmental and social performance.

Qualified Person

Mark Rebagliati, P.Eng., a Qualified Person ("QP") as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical and scientific information in this news release. Mr. Rebagliati is not independent of the Company.

Quality Assurance/Quality Control Program

Amarc drilled HQ (63.5mm) and NQ (47.6mm) size core in 2025 at the JOY project. All drill core was logged, photographed, and cut in half with a diamond saw. Half core samples from the AuRORA Deposit and other drilling across the JOY District were sent to ALS Canada Ltd., Kamloops, Canada, for preparation and to North Vancouver, Canada for analysis. Both facilities are ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited. At the laboratory, samples were dried and crushed to 70% passing 2 mm, followed by pulverization of a 250 g split to better than 85% passing 75 microns; however, for AuRORA Deposit samples, a 1,000 g split was pulverized to the same particle-size specification. All samples were analyzed for Au by fire assay fusion of a 30 g sub-sample with an ICP-AES finish, and for 60 elements including Cu, Mo and Ag by a four-acid digestion, multi-element ICP-MS package. In addition, all samples from the AuRORA Deposit were also analyzed for Cu by single element four-acid digestion ICP-AES, for oxidized Cu by quick sulphuric acid / ferric sulphate leach AAS and for soluble Cu by sulphuric acid leach AAS. As part of a comprehensive Quality Assurance/Quality Control ("QAQC") program, Amarc control samples were inserted in each analytical batch of the core samples at the following rates: standards one in 20 regular samples, duplicate sets (half core, coarse reject, and pulp split) one in 20 regular samples and one coarse blank in 20 regular samples. The control sample results were then checked to ensure proper QAQC.

For further details on Amarc Resources Ltd., please visit the Company's website at www.amarcresources.com or contact Dr. Diane Nicolson, President and CEO, at (604) 684-6365 or within North America at 1-800-667-2114, or Kin Communications, at (604) 684-6730, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF AMARC RESOURCES LTD.

Dr. Diane Nicolson

President and CEO

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking and other Cautionary Information

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All such statements, other than statements of historical facts that address exploration plans and plans for enhanced relationships are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Assumptions used by the Company to develop forward-looking statements include the following: Amarc's projects will obtain all required environmental and other permits and all land use and other licenses, studies and exploration of Amarc's projects will continue to be positive, and no geological or technical problems will occur. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, potential environmental issues or liabilities associated with exploration, development and mining activities, exploitation and exploration successes, continuity of mineralization, uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary permits, licenses and tenure and delays due to third party opposition, changes in and the effect of government policies regarding mining and natural resource exploration and exploitation including the effects of land use plans that may impact activities on or access to properties, exploration and development of properties located within Aboriginal groups asserted territories may affect or be perceived to affect asserted aboriginal rights and title, which may cause permitting delays or opposition by Aboriginal groups, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Amarc Resources Ltd., investors should review Amarc's annual Form 20-F filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov and its home jurisdiction filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca .

Table 3: Announced Drill Hole Information

Drill

Hole Easting Northing Elevation Azim

() Dip

() EOH

(m) JP25087 622688 6347704 1411 270 -67 309.0 JP25088 622698 6347600 1444 90 -65 375.0 JP25090 622693 6347602 1445 270 -60 279.4 JP25092 622884 6347505 1421 90 -60 297.4 JP25096 623037 6347699 1395 90 -56 364.5 JP25097 623074 6347598 1395 91 -60 314.3 JP25102 623497 6347805 1609 270 -81 521.2 JP25112 623322 6347599 1453 90 -61 553.0 JP25114 623123 6346917 1553 90 -55 486.0 JP25115 623303 6347442 1418 91 -71 486.0 JP25118 623301 6347700 1492 90 -70 504.0 JP25119 622610 6348301 1362 270 -75 700.0 JP25120 623059 6348417 1609 90 -85 675.4

Note: Collar locations are in UTM NAD83, Zone 9N coordinates.

1 Rebagliati, C.M., Duuring, P., Dickinson, J.M., and McKinley, B., and Fagan, A.J., 2020, Geology and exploration of the Jurassic porphyry-style Cu-Au-AgMo mineralization in the Kemess-Pine area of the Toodoggone District of British Columbia, Canada, in: updated CIM Special Volume 57, Society of Exploration Geologists, pp. 253-266.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC), a civil society umbrella body that has operated for more than two decades, has announced the dissolution of its current organisational structure following a resolution adopted at its 16th Annual General Meeting held on January 21, 2026.In a statement released after the meeting, the Coalition said its membership had "unanimously resolved" to dissolve the existing structure with immediate effect, citing what it described as intensifying repression, a shrinking civic space, and the systematic use of the law to suppress pro-democracy forces. The move, the statement said, was intended to create space for members to deliberate on a renewed strategic direction.However, political analysts have linked the decision to broader shifts in the international funding and geopolitical environment, particularly changes in the United States that have significantly affected donor-supported civic organisations across Africa.Former Cabinet minister and political analyst Professor Jonathan Moyo said the Coalition's decision reflected the collapse of what he described as a donor-driven model that had outlived its usefulness."It is deeply ironic that an organisation formed to confront what it termed a 'crisis' now dissolves itself on the grounds that the same crisis has intensified," Moyo said. "This contradiction exposes the exhaustion of the crisis narrative itself."Moyo argued that the Coalition's announcement could not be separated from recent policy shifts in Washington, where the administration of former US President Donald Trump drastically cut funding to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), long regarded as a key financier of governance and democracy programmes in countries such as Zimbabwe."The defunding and effective disbandment of USAID removed the financial oxygen that sustained many of these organisations," he said. "Once the money tap was turned off, the structures inevitably collapsed."USAID has historically been a major conduit for US-funded civil society initiatives, including coalitions focused on governance, elections, and political reform. The reduction and redirection of its funding under the Trump administration marked a significant shift away from democracy-promotion programmes that American policymakers increasingly viewed as costly and ineffective.Moyo further noted that the Coalition's formation in 2001 coincided with the enactment of the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act (ZDERA), legislation passed by the US Congress that underpinned a broader sanctions and pressure framework against Zimbabwe."With ZDERA now under review and donor priorities changing, the external scaffolding that supported the Crisis Coalition for 25 years has simply fallen away," he said.CiZC was formed at the height of Zimbabwe's political and economic turmoil and brought together labour unions, churches, student movements, and non-governmental organisations. Over time, it became closely associated with Western-funded governance and advocacy programmes.The government has consistently maintained that while lawful civic engagement is welcome, some civil society organisations have operated as instruments of foreign policy, advancing external agendas under the banner of democracy and human rights.Observers say the dissolution of the Coalition marks the end of an era for a particular model of donor-funded activism, as Zimbabwe increasingly emphasises national development, economic reform, and political stability within the framework of its Constitution and laws.As the global political climate shifts and external funding diminishes, analysts argue that civic organisations will be forced to reassess their relevance, legitimacy, and sources of support in a rapidly changing environment.
Nearing completion of the second bulk sample testing using fine-grind processing and metallurgical testing

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2026) - Compass Gold Corp. (TSXV: CVB) (Compass or the Company) reports that the Malian Ministry of Mines is expected to issue a Small Mine Permit for the Company's Massala prospect located along the 15 km Tarabala Trend, before the end of March.

Highlights:

Small Mine Permit for Massala remains on track

Completing the second bulk sample testing using fine-grind processing

Completing metallurgical testing at Blue Coast Research

Finalizing initial high-grade processing solution on Compass permit area

Compass CEO Larry Phillips said, "We continue to wait for the grant of the final Small Mine permit for our Massala project. While this process has taken longer than we anticipated, we are in almost daily contact with the Malian Ministry of Mining and have been assured that there are no issues or obstacles relating to our application, and we still expect to be amongst the first to receive a Small Mine Permit. The timeline, however, is not within our control.

"While the permit process moves forward, our team has been busy advancing in several important ways. We have arranged for a second bulk sampling of 90 tonnes of material from the first zones at Massala but using a finer grind of less than 2mm compared with the 8mm grind that was previously used. We believe this adjustment will optimize recoveries.

"We have also commissioned a detailed metallurgical study by Blue Coast Research here in Canada, which will provide additional data for the design of processing facilities on the Massala site.

"Finally, we have incorporated some of the recent gold price escalation into our planning and have determined that a streamlined, high-grade approach to the initial work under a Small Mine Permit provides extremely compelling economics and attractive alternatives to a toll-treatment, co-production scenario. We expect to report on these initiatives in the coming weeks.

"Altogether, these developments make for a very exciting few months for Compass Gold and our shareholders."

Bulk Sampling Near Completion

Previous bulk sample testing using a nearby plant indicated that gold was not being effectively liberated during the gravity separation tests. As a result, a new set of bulk tests is currently being undertaken from several locations along the 6 to 10 metre wide, 150 metre long exposed mineralized zone. These samples are being tested by Bagama Mining (a mid-sized Malian mining company) at its plant to see if crushing and grinding the oxidized material improves the gold yield. Concurrent with this work, metallurgical testing is taking place at Blue Coast Research (British Columbia, Canada) on two samples of Massala mineralization and one sample from the nearby Tarabala mineralized zone. The aim of this work is to independently test the samples for gold recoveries and the optimal processing method.

About Compass Gold Corp.

Compass, a public company incorporated in Ontario, is a Tier 2 issuer on the TSX-V. Through the 2017 acquisition of MGE and Malian subsidiaries, Compass holds gold exploration permits located in Mali that comprise the Sikasso Property. The exploration permits are located in three sites in southern Mali with a combined land holding of 1,173 sq. km. The Sikasso Property is located in the same region as several multi-million-ounce gold projects, including Morila, Syama, Kalana and Komana. The Company's Mali-based technical team, led in the field by Dr. Madani Diallo and under the supervision of Dr. Sandy Archibald, P.Geo, is conducting the current exploration program. They are examining numerous anomalies first noted in Dr. Archibald's August 2017 "National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report on the Sikasso Property, Southern Mali."

Qualified Person

This news release has been reviewed and approved by EurGeol. Dr. Sandy Archibald, P.Geo, Compass's Technical Director, the Qualified Person for the technical information in this news release under National Instrument 43-101 standards.

ForwardLooking Information



This news release contains "forwardlooking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the Company's planned exploration work and management appointments. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forwardlooking information. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by such information. The statements in this news release are made as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forwardlooking information except as required by applicable law.

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.
Exploration Portfolio Increased by over 50% Including Two Previously Identified Porphyry Targets

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 22, 2026) - ATEX Resources Inc. (TSXV: ATX) (OTCQB: ATXRF) ("ATEX" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the strategic expansion of its land package adjacent to the Valeriano project ("Valeriano" or the "Project") located in the Atacama Region, Chile. This land package, known as the Nuevo Horizonte claims, was consolidated through a process of staking and the purchase of claims via public auction. It is accretive to the overall strategic objectives of ATEX and includes two defined porphyry targets ("Pachuy" and "Chollay") that include confirmatory work completed by historical operators. This land package strengthens ATEX's position in the Valeriano district which includes the El Encierro (Antofagasta) and El Torrente (Codelco) projects.

ATEX's total land position in this highly prospective district now covers approximately 25,000 hectares ("ha"). The Company is currently commencing a geophysical survey over these two new targets and is evaluating near-term exploration plans.

"The addition of the Nuevo Horizonte claims significantly increases our chances of a new discovery in this highly prospective district," Ben Pullinger, President and CEO, commented. "The size, scale and surface characteristics of these new targets is analogous to where we started with Valeriano and in the case of the Pachuy target, significantly bigger than the Valeriano surface footprint. Previous exploration campaigns conducted by a major mining company included geophysical surveys used for initial target generation with follow-up drilling intersecting high-grade mineralization and confirming the presence of a porphyry system within 300 meters of surface. These new targets will be the focus of our regional exploration program operated from our existing camp and infrastructure at Valeriano. ATEX will look to advance these targets to drill status over the coming months and years. ATEX has established Valeriano as the largest high-grade porphyry project in Chile in over a decade and initial exploration of these new targets has identified similar features including the potential for breccia bodies that will be explored as part of initial exploration."

Highlights

Nuevo Horizonte shares similar structural and surficial alteration features with Valeriano including breccia bodies and alteration and mineralization associated with a porphyry identified in historical exploration.

Alteration associated with large-scale porphyry systems have been identified at both the Pachuy and Chollay targets and are consistent with what has been observed at Valeriano.

Porphyry-related alteration signatures at surface range in size from ~6 km at Pachuy to ~2.5 km at Chollay.

Porphyry mineralization intersected in three historical holes within 350 meters of surface at the Pachuy target.

Results from surface geochemistry and mapping at the Chollay target are indicative of a Valeriano-style system that is yet to be tested with drilling.

With the acquisition of the Nuevo Horizonte claims, ATEX's exploration holdings around Valeriano have expanded by over 50% from approximately 16,500 ha to 25,000 ha.

With the addition of the Pachuy and Chollay targets, ATEX has now consolidated a district-trend with the potential to host multiple porphyry deposits within a distance of ~10 km.

Compelling Large-Scale Exploration Targets in a Similar Setting to Valeriano

The Nuevo Horizonte claims total over 8,600 ha and adjoin the Valeriano property and its Juno claims to the west. Regional exploration has been previously conducted in a methodical, large-scale exploration process with high-quality data from imaging, regional mapping and magnetics surveying of the lands and seven diamond drill holes in the center of the property. The Nuevo Horizonte claims are structurally similar to Valeriano and provides ATEX with a significant area for copper-gold exploration with potential expansion at depth to be explored through deeper drilling targets. Figure 1 is a composite image on a Landsat photo displaying mineral mapping of various clay and iron oxide minerals typically associated with potential porphyry alteration and mineralization.

Figure 1. ATEX's Highly Prospective Land Portfolio

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Ben Pullinger, P.Geo., registered with the Professional Geoscientists Ontario, and a "qualified person" (as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101")). Mr. Pullinger is the President and CEO of ATEX and is not considered independent of the Company within the meaning of Section 1.5 of NI 43-101.

The qualified person is not able to assess the quality assurance program and quality control measures applied during the execution of the previous shallow drilling on the Nuevo Horizonte claims conducted by other mining operators or verify the historical drilling results reported in this news release.

About ATEX

ATEX is exploring the Valeriano Copper-Gold Project which is located within the emerging copper gold porphyry mineral belt linking the prolific El Indio High-Sulphidation Belt to the south with the Maricunga Gold Porphyry Belt to the north, located in the Atacama Region, Chile. This emerging belt, informally referred to as the Link Belt, hosts several copper gold porphyry deposits at various stages of development including, Filo del Sol (Lundin Mining/BHP), Josemaria (Lundin Mining/BHP), Lunahausi (NGEx Minerals), La Fortuna (Teck Resources/Newmont) and El Encierro (Antofagasta/Barrick). Valeriano hosts a large, high-grade, copper-gold porphyry Mineral Resource: an Indicated Resource of 475 Mt at 0.88% CuEq (0.58% Cu, 0.25 g/t Au, 1.39 g/t Ag and 70.4 g/t Mo) at a cutoff grade of 0.35% Cu, and an Inferred resource of 1,511 Mt at 0.75% CuEq (0.50% Cu, 0.20 g/t Au, 1.16 g/t Ag and 70.6 g/t Mo) at a cut-off grade of 0.35% Cu, as reported on September 23, 2025.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

Certain statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities laws ("forward-looking statements"), including predictions, projections, and forecasts. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "planning", "expects" or "does not expect", "continues", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "potential", "anticipates", "does not anticipate", or describes a "goal", or variation of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, future events, conditions, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, prediction, projection, forecast, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements include, among others: the potential of the Valeriano Copper-Gold Project and the broader emerging "Link Belt"; statements regarding plans for future exploration activities; the ability of exploration activities (including drilling) to accurately predict mineralization; the prospects of Nuevo Horizonte (if any); the discovery potential within the Company's land package; the ability of the Company to complete the acquisition of the Nuevo Horizonte claims through and have such claims formally re-registered with the applicable Chilean governmental land registry; the surface mineralization of Nuevo Horizonte being open at depth; the success of exploration activities especially to the significant expansion of the high-grade corridor; mine development prospects; potential for future metals production; and any other statements other than statements of historical facts.

ATEX considers its assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available, but cautions the reader that their assumptions regarding future events, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, may ultimately prove to be incorrect since they are subject to risks and uncertainties that affect ATEX and its business. Such risks and uncertainties include: errors in geological modelling; the ability of exploration activities (including drilling) to accurately predict mineralization; reliance on historical third-party exploration information; risks relating to exploration, development and mining activities; the global economic climate; fluctuations in metal and commodity prices; fluctuations in the currency markets; dilution; environmental risks; and community, non-governmental and governmental actions and the impact of stakeholder actions; changes in economic parameters and assumptions; all aspects related to the timing and extent of exploration activities; timing of receipt of exploration results; the interpretation and actual results of current exploration activities and mineralization; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; the results of regulatory and permitting processes; third-party approvals; future metals price; failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; the results of economic and technical studies; delays in obtaining governmental and local approvals or financing or in the completion of exploration; timing of assay results; as well as those factors disclosed in the Company's publicly filed documents on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under ATEX's issuer profile.

Although ATEX has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, no assurances can be given as to future results, and there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

1 See news release of ATEX dated September 23, 2025, and entitled "ATEX Reports Updated Mineral Resource Estimate of 475 Million Tonnes of 0.88% CuEq Indicated and 1.5 Billion Tonnes of 0.75% CuEq Inferred".

2 See news release of Antofagasta plc dated June 14, 2022, and entitled "Updated Mineral Resources", a copy of which may be accessed here: https://www.antofagasta.co.uk/investors/news/2022/updated-mineral-resources. A qualified person has not independently verified, on behalf of ATEX, the information included in news release of Antofagasta plc. ATEX cautions that this information is not necessarily indicative of the mineralization on the property that is the subject of this disclosure.
HERMOSILLO, MEXICO / ACCESS Newswire / January 23, 2026 /Tocvan Ventures Corp. (the "Company" or "Tocvan") (CSE:TOC) (OTCQB:TCVNF) (WKN:TV3/ A2PE64) is pleased to announce the first analytical results from its maiden drill program on the North Block of the Gran Pilar Project Sonora, Mexico. The initial five drillholes reported demonstrate a strong emerging silverrich polymetallic system, with highgrade Ag zones hosted within veins tied to silicified andesitic dikes and silicified andesite, accompanied by elevated lead, zinc, antimony, and arsenic, key pathfinder elements typical of productive epithermal systems.

Results include multiple wide Agbearing intervals, strong quartz-vein and alteration intensity, and clear structurallithological controls that together establish a compelling framework for expansion drilling.

Highlights

The maiden program identified 25 Agrich composite intervals. The strongest interval, 4.58 m at 35.7 g/t Ag, including 1.5 meters of 91.6 g/t Ag (JES-25-124), 200 meters vertically below artisanal underground workings that have returned up to 3.2 g/t Au and 1,225 g/t Ag. This interval also carries supportive Cu, Pb, Zn, Sb, and As values. The accompanying geologic indicators reinforce the grade significance.

Three of five drillholes intersected greater than 1 oz/t Ag, across two targets 1.8 km apart. Multiple additional intervals delivering 3-5 m composites grading 15-20+ g/t Ag , with coincident Au, Zn, Pb, and Sb enrichments. Includes 1.5 meters of 54.3 g/t Ag (JES-25-125) and 1.5 meters of 37.2 g/t Ag, 1.2% Pb and 0.4% Zn (JES-25-127).

Second drill rig secured with CANMEX Drilling for February to accelerate follow-up drilling on priority targets.

Video Summary: TOCVAN ANNOUNCES MULTIPLE SILVER ZONES IN DEBUT DRILL RESULTS AT THE GRAN PILAR PROJECT NORTH BLOCK

Why This Matters

Demonstrates a new mineralized system separate from the South Block/Main Zone.

Silver mineralization correlates with strong sericite-chlorite-carbonate alteration and silicified dikes acting as fluid pathways.

Geochemistry (Ag-Zn-Pb-Sb-As) and alteration place the discovery in the core of a lowsulfidation epithermal system, supporting significant depth and strike potential (see Figure 3.).

Next Steps for North Block

Stepout drilling around the JES25124 dike corridor to test continuity along strike and downdip.

Systematic followup on JES25126's shallow polymetallic intervals.

Expanded alteration mapping to refine vectors using AI-CCPI zonation.

Correlation to recently completed drone magnetic survey.

3D geologic modeling integrating structure, lithology, and multielement geochemistry.

"These first holes at the North Block immediately confirm a new silver discovery over five kilometers from our Main Zone. The combination of high-grade silver, strong polymetallic support, and textbook hydrothermal alteration signals we are into a significant mineralized system. Particularly exciting is the discovery of a high-grade silver zone hosted within a silicified dike, structures like this are known to focus mineralizing fluids in productive epithermal environments. With multiple stacked intervals across several holes, we are rapidly building confidence that Gran Pilar has the grades, continuity, and scale potential to make this an exciting new growth area for Tocvan. With a second drill rig arriving in February, we are positioned to rapidly build on these results" - Brodie Sutherland, CEO

Figure 1: 3D View of the Gran Pilar Project and the debut drilling of the North Block.

Figure 2: Long Sectional View across the entire Gran Pilar Project looking east.

Table 1: Summary of Drill Results in today's release.

Table 2: Drill hole information.

Technical Discussion

Strong Silver Grades with Polymetallic Support

The maiden program identified 25 Agrich composite intervals above the 10 g/t Ag threshold. The strongest interval, 4.58 m at 35.7 g/t Ag, including 1.5 meters of 91.6 g/t Ag, also carries supportive Cu, Pb, Zn, Sb, and As values. The accompanying geologic indicators reinforce the grade significance.

The shallow interval in JES25126 (79.3-82.35 m), yielding 3.1 meters of 28 g/t Ag (85.5 Agppmm), is enriched in Sb and Zn and occurs within moderately to strongly silicified andesite, consistent with the zoned alteration halos expected around epithermal feeder zones.

Alteration Index Vectoring

Alteration mapping using Ishikawa Alteration Index (AI) and Chlorite-Carbonate-Pyrite Index (CCPI) highlights zones of intense sericite-chlorite-carbonate alteration. Several of the top composite intervals plot in the highAI, highCCPI quadrant, indicative of proximity to mineralized fluid pathways. These zones will guide nextphase drilling.

Lithological & Structural Controls

The integration of lithology logs shows a strong correlation between grade and silicified dikes and andesitic hosts. No significant Ag intervals were found directly within fault gouge zones, but faults may act as feeder structures for the mineralized dikes and veins.

A particularly important control is the silicified andesitic dike in JES25124, which hosts the highestranked target and represents an excellent structural corridor for followup drilling.

Exploration Model Placement and Potential

The Gran Pilar North Block drilling intersects the central portion of a lowsulfidation epithermal system, positioned within the quartz-sericite-sulfide stockwork and feedervein zone. Alteration (AI-CCPI) and lithology indicate strong silicification and sericite-illite assemblages, while metal associations (Ag-Zn-Pb-Sb-As  Cu) correspond to the midlevel Agrich epithermal environment shown in the model-between the shallow argillic cap and deeper basemetal zones.

Figure 3: Schematic of an Epithermal System highlighting the location of initial drill results. After these initial results, primary target remains deeper.

100% CONTROLLED PRIORITY TARGETS FOR TRENCHING & DRILLING

South Block Main Zone Expansion Follow-up on 2025 Drill Success 19.4 g/t Au over 3.1 meters within 106.6 meters of 0.6 g/t Au (February 25, 2025 News Release) 5.4 g/t Au over 6.1 meters within 41.2 meters of 1.0 g/t Au (May 7, 2025 News Release) 136 g/t Ag over 10.7 meters within 42.7 meters of 41 g/t Ag (June 25, 2025 News Release) South Block (November 12, 2024 News Release) Placer Corridor (900-meter strike length) Soil samples up to 21.2 g/t Au and >2,000 g/t Placer Source Area Soil samples up to 2.4 g/t Au and 22 g/t Ag Rock samples up to 7.3 g/t Au and 389 g/t Ag North Block North Alteration Zone (3.2 km by 1.5 km area) 2-meter chip sample, 5.6 g/t Au and 106 g/t Ag (October 19, 2023 News Release) Historic mine working sample, 3.2 g/t Au and 1,225 g/t Ag (March 8, 2024 News Release)

Figure 4. Gran Pilar Project Overview, > 22km2 of prospective ground with two primary targets: South Block, the direct extension and expansion of the historic Main Zone defined by an expanding vein field of untested drill targets; North Block a 3.2-km by 1.5-km pyrite and clay alteration zone that coincides with high-grade gold-silver, the area remains largely untested

Gran Pilar Drill Highlights:

2025 Diamond Drilling Highlights include: 83.5m @ 1.3 g/t Au, including 9.7m @ 10.3 g/t Au (March 11, 2025 News Release) 97.4m @ 0.7 g/t Au, including 36.3m @ 1.6 g/t Au (March 19, 2025 News Release) 64.9m @ 1.2 g/t Au, including 3.0m @ 21.6 g/t Au and 209 g/t Ag (March 26, 2025 News Release) 46.9m @ 0.5 g/t Au, including 2.6m @ 7.2 g/t Au and 80 g/t Ag (April 16, 2025 News Release)

2025 RC Drilling Highlights include: 106.8m @ 0.6 g/t Au, including 3.1m @ 19.4 g/t Au (February 25, 2025 News Release) 41.2m @ 1.0 g/t Au, including 6.1m @ 5.4 g/t Au (May 7, 2025 News Release)

2024 RC Drilling Highlights include ( all lengths are drilled thicknesses ): 42.7m @ 1.0 g/t Au, including 3.1m @ 10.9 g/t Au 56.4m @ 1.0 g/t Au, including 3.1m @ 14.7 g/t Au 16.8m @ 0.8 g/t Au and 19 g/t Ag

2022 Phase III Diamond Drilling Highlights include ( all lengths are drilled thicknesses ): 116.9m @ 1.2 g/t Au, including 10.2m @ 12 g/t Au and 23 g/t Ag 108.9m @ 0.8 g/t Au, including 9.4m @ 7.6 g/t Au and 5 g/t Ag 63.4m @ 0.6 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag, including 29.9m @ 0.9 g/t Au and 18 g/t Ag

2021 Phase II RC Drilling Highlights include ( all lengths are drilled thicknesses ): 39.7m @ 1.0 g/t Au, including 1.5m @ 14.6 g/t Au 47.7m @ 0.7 g/t Au including 3m @ 5.6 g/t Au and 22 g/t Ag 29m @ 0.7 g/t Au 35.1m @ 0.7 g/t Au

2020 Phase I RC Drilling Highlights include ( all lengths are drilled thicknesses ): 94.6m @ 1.6 g/t Au, including 9.2m @ 10.8 g/t Au and 38 g/t Ag; 41.2m @ 1.1 g/t Au, including 3.1m @ 6.0 g/t Au and 12 g/t Ag ; 24.4m @ 2.5 g/t Au and 73 g/t Ag, including 1.5m @ 33.4 g/t Au and 1,090 g/t Ag

15,000m of Historic Core & RC drilling. Highlights include: 61.0m @ 0.8 g/t Au 21.0m @ 38.3 g/t Au and 38 g/t Ag 13.0m @ 9.6 g/t Au 9.0m @ 10.2 g/t Au and 46 g/t Ag



Pilar Bulk Sample Summary:

62% Recovery of Gold Achieved Over 46-day Leaching Period

Head Grade Calculated at 1.9 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag; Extracted Grade Calculated at 1.2 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag

Bulk Sample Only Included Coarse Fraction of Material (+3/4" to +1/8")

Fine Fraction (-1/8") Indicates Rapid Recovery with Agitated Leach Agitated Bottle Roll Test Returned Rapid and High Recovery Results: 80% Recovery of Gold and 94% Recovery of Silver after Rapid 24-hour Retention Time



Additional Metallurgical Studies:

Gravity Recovery with Agitated Leach Results of Five Composite Samples Returned 95 to 99% Recovery of Gold 73 to 97% Recovery of Silver Includes the Recovery of 99% Au and 73% Ag from Drill Core Composite at 120-meter depth.



About Tocvan Ventures Corp.

Tocvan Ventures Corp. is a dynamic exploration and near-term producer advancing high-potential gold and silver projects in the mine-friendly jurisdiction of Sonora, Mexico. At its flagship Gran Pilar Gold-Silver Project, Tocvan holds a 100% interest in over 21 km of prospective ground, bolstered by the pivotal 2023 land acquisition that provides ample space for scalable mine infrastructure, including a planned 50,000-tonne pilot production facility. The Company also maintains a 51% interest in a 1 km joint venture area with Colibri Resources, further expanding its footprint. Recent exploration successes, including near surface 3.1 meters at 19.4 g/t Au, underscore Gran Pilar's potential as a premier gold-silver asset. Additionally, Tocvan's 100% owned Picacho Gold-Silver Project, located in the prolific Caborca Trend-home to some of Mexico's largest gold deposits-positions the Company for further growth. With robust metallurgical results (up to 99% gold and 97% silver recovery) and a strategic capital to bolster growth, Tocvan is poised to deliver significant shareholder value in a market buoyed by record-high gold prices. With approximately 67 million shares outstanding, Tocvan is committed to unlocking the full potential of its assets through innovative exploration, strategic development, and investor-focused initiatives.

Quality Assurance / Quality Control

Rock and Drill samples were shipped for sample preparation to ALS Limited in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico and for analysis at the ALS laboratory in North Vancouver. The ALS Hermosillo and North Vancouver facilities are ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 17025 certified. Gold was analyzed using 50-gram nominal weight fire assay with atomic absorption spectroscopy finish. Over limits for gold (>10 g/t), were analyzed using fire assay with a gravimetric finish. Silver and other elements were analyzed using a four-acid digestion with an ICP finish. Over limit analyses for silver (>100 g/t) were re-assayed using an ore-grade four-acid digestion with ICP-AES finish. Control samples comprising certified reference samples and blank samples were systematically inserted into the sample stream and analyzed as part of the Company's robust quality assurance / quality control protocol.

Soil Samples were shipped for sample preparation to ALS Limited in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico and for analysis at the ALS laboratory in North Vancouver. The ALS Hermosillo and North Vancouver facilities are ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 17025 certified. Gold and multi-element analysis of soils was completed by aqua regia digestion and ICP-MS finish using a 50-gram nominal weight. Over limit gold values greater than 1 g/t were re-assayed with a more robust aqua regia digestion ad ICP-MS finish. Over limit analyses for silver (>100 g/t) were re-assayed using an ore-grade four-acid digestion with ICP-AES finish. Control samples comprising blank samples and certified reference materials were systematically inserted into the sample stream and analyzed as part of the Company's robust quality assurance / quality control protocol.

Notes & limitations

AI/CCPI assumptions: Indices are computed from bulk chemistry, which is a proxy for mineralogy; CCPI uses FeO approximated from total Fe, good for mapping trends but not a substitute for modal mineralogy. These indices are best interpreted comparatively along holes and between holes

Alteration indices (Ishikawa AI and CCPI) follow the Alteration Box Plot definitions

(AI =100(KO+MgO)/(NaO+CaO), CCPI = 100(FeO+MgO)/(NaO+KO)); they're standard tools for mapping sericite-chlorite-carbonate-pyrite development near epithermal systems

Brodie A. Sutherland, CEO for Tocvan Ventures Corp. and a qualified person ("QP") as defined by Canadian National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the

Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains "forward-looking information" which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Forward-looking information in this news release includes statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Offering. Such forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words and phrases such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved.

These forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our business. Management believes that these assumptions are reasonable. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, risks related to the speculative nature of the Company's business, the Company's formative stage of development and the Company's financial position. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

For more information, please contact:

TOCVAN VENTURES CORP.

Brodie A. Sutherland, CEO

1150, 707 - 7 Ave SW

Calgary, Alberta T2P 3H6

Telephone: 1 888 772 2452

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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TORONTO, Jan. 23, 2026 /CNW/ - Fredonia Mining Inc. ("Fredonia" or the "Company") (TSXV: FRED) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Cormark Securities Inc. (the "Sole Agent") to act as sole agent for and on behalf of Fredonia in connection with a "best efforts" private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of up to approximately C$5,000,000 (the "Offering").

The Offering will consist of the issuance and sale of 12,500,000 units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of C$0.40 per Unit (the "Issue Price"). Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (each, a "Unit Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant shall entitle the holder thereof to purchase one common share of the Company (each, a "Warrant Share") at a price of C$0.56 for the period that is 36 months following the Closing Date (as defined below).

The Company has granted the Sole Agent an option, exercisable in whole or in part, at any time prior to the Closing Date, to increase the size of the Offering to raise additional gross proceeds of up to C$1,000,000.

The Company intends to use net proceeds from the Offering for the exploration and advancement of the Company's El Dorado Monserrat Project in Santa Cruz province, Argentina, and for general corporate and working capital purposes, all as further described in the offering document relating to the Offering.

The Company is conducting the Offering pursuant to Section Part 5A.2 of National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions, as amended by Coordinated Blanket Order 45-935  Exemptions from Certain Conditions of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption (the "Listed Issuer Financing Exemption") to purchasers in each of the provinces of Canada (other than the province of Quebec). The Sole Agent will also be entitled to offer the Units for sale in the United States and other jurisdictions outside Canada pursuant to available exemptions from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and in certain other jurisdictions outside of Canada and the United States pursuant to applicable regulatory requirements and in accordance with OSC Rule 72-503  Distributions Outside Canada ("OSC Rule 72-503"); provided it is understood that no prospectus filing or comparable obligation, ongoing reporting requirement or requisite regulatory or governmental approval arises in such other jurisdictions. The Unit Shares and Warrants comprising the Units issued pursuant to the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption to investors resident in Canada or to investors outside of Canada pursuant to OSC Rule 72-503, as well as the Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, will not be subject to a hold period in Canada.

The securities described herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold to, or for the account or benefit of, persons in the "United States" or to "U.S. persons" (as such terms are defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act), absent registration under the U.S. Securities Act and all applicable U.S. state securities laws or in compliance with an exemption therefrom. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

There is an offering document with respect to the portion of the Offering being conducted pursuant to the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption that can be accessed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and the Company's website at https://www.fredoniamanagement.com/. Prospective investors of Units issued under the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption should read this offering document before making an investment decision.

The Offering is expected to close on or about February 4, 2026, or on such other date as may be agreed to by the Company and the Sole Agent, subject to compliance with applicable securities laws (the "Closing Date"). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the closing of any Units issued pursuant to the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption must occur no later than the 45th day following the date of this news release.

The completion of the Offering is subject to customary conditions, including, but not limited to, the negotiation of an agency agreement between the parties with respect to the Offering and the receipt of all necessary approvals, inclusive of (if applicable) the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

About Fredonia

Fredonia holds gold and silver license areas totaling approximately 18,300 ha. in the prolific Deseado Massif geological region in the Province of Santa Cruz, Argentina, including its flagship advanced El Dorado-Monserrat project (approx. 6,200 ha.) located close to AngloGold Ashanti's 300,000 oz./yr Au-Ag Cerro Vanguardia mine, the El Aguila project (approx. 9,100 ha.), and the Petrificados project (approx. 3,000 ha).

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Information: This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. "Forward-looking information" includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including, without limitation, the anticipated timing of closing of the Offering or at all; the anticipated terms of the Units and the Warrants; the anticipated use of the net proceeds of the Offering; and the anticipated receipt of all necessary approvals in respect of the Offering. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negative connotation thereof or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotation thereof.

In disclosing the forward-looking information in this release, Fredonia has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based on Fredonia's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Fredonia including, among other things, that the Offering will close on the anticipated timeline or at all; that the Units and the Warrants will have the anticipated terms; that the Company will use the net proceeds of the Offering as anticipated; and that the Company will receive all necessary approvals in respect of the Offering. Although Fredonia considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect, and the forward-looking information in this release is subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking information.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Fredonia does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
New high-grade gold-silver-copper zones discovered along expanded Burr trend and parallel shear corridors at South Pass Gold Camp, Wyoming

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA / ACCESS Newswire / January 23, 2026 /Relevant Gold Corp. (TSX-V:RGC) (OTCQB:RGCCF) ("Relevant Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce high-grade gold, silver and copper results from its Fall 2025 exploration program at the Lewiston project, part of the >35,000-acre South Pass Gold Camp in central Wyoming. At Lewiston, rock-chip and grab samples along the expanded Burr trend and adjacent structures returned peak assays of 25.4 g/t gold, 2,203 g/t silver, 12.7% copper, and 4.3% lead within multiple shear-hosted and vein-hosted zones. In total, 84 of 446 samples (19%) returned 0.1 g/t gold and 34 samples (~8%) returned 1.0 g/t gold, confirming widespread precious- and base-metal mineralization across several parallel shear corridors. Systematic mapping, rock-chip and grab sampling have:

Extended the primary Burr mineralized trend by more than 2.5 kilometres southwest of the 2024 Burr drilling where 6 of 6 holes cut shear-hosted gold mineralization (see press release);

Confirmed several parallel mineralized shear corridors in the southern Lewiston area; and

Discovered new high-grade gold-silver-copper zones at the Burr, Lame Jack, Sweetwater, Wilson Barr and Lone Pine trends.

"Lewiston continues to validate our view that South Pass hosts a large-scale Archean orogenic gold system," stated Rob Bergmann, CEO of Relevant Gold. "We have now extended the Burr trend by more than 2.5 kilometres, confirmed multiple parallel mineralized shears, and discovered new high-grade gold, silver and copper zones along this expanded system. That combination of scale and grade significantly upgrades the Burr-Lewiston area as a priority target and underscores the broader potential of the South Pass Gold Camp."

Exploration Highlights - Lewiston, South Pass Camp

Burr Trend Extension :

Mapping and sampling extended the primary Burr mineralized trend by >2.5 km southwest of the 2024 Burr drill intercepts, confirming that mafic intrusive rocks and mineralized shear structures continue for more than 2.5 km southwest of the Burr drill area.

Multiple Parallel Mineralized Shears :

Several parallel shear zones were identified adjacent to the primary Burr trend, defining a broader, multi-corridor mineralized district in the southern Lewiston area.

Lone Pine Target Expansion :

Mineralized shears at Lone Pine have been extended by more than 1 km, filling a critical data gap between historic workings; highlight assays include 25.4 g/t Au, 16.78 g/t Au, with several samples pending additional overlimit analysis for both Ag and Cu.

New High-Grade Targets :

Three new areas of interest - Lame Jack, Sweetwater, and Wilson Barr - were defined, each hosting high-grade gold, silver, and/or base-metal mineralization within distinct shear-zone trends.

Strong Silver and Base Metals:

5 rock-chip samples report >100 g/t Ag, and several samples report >1% Cu and >1% Pb, supporting an extensive polymetallic system within the Lewiston shear corridor.

Figure 1: Geology map with all Relevant Gold assay results and the distinct mineralized structural shear corridors within the southern portion of the Lewiston project area. The 2025 results are highlighted in yellow to differentiate the most recent results from the larger sample dataset.

Lewiston - Burr Trend & Rock Sample Results

In October 2025, Relevant Gold completed geological mapping and systematic rock-chip and grab sampling across the southern Lewiston project area. A total of 446 rock-chip and grab samples were collected and submitted to MSALabs for gold, silver, copper, and multi-element pathfinder analysis. Additional over limit analyses are pending for 3 Ag and Cu samples and 1 Pb sample (see figure 3) and will be reported once the over limit assays are received from the lab. The mapping and sampling program was designed to:

Characterize regions with limited historical data Follow up along-strike projections south from the 2024 Burr drilling focusing on: Mafic intrusive unit adjacent to mineralization, Strong to intense shear foliation associated with hydrothermal Chlorite-Hematite-Biotite alteration, pyrite-arsenopyrite-pyrrhotite sulfide mineralization and Quartz-Carbonate veining.

Figure 2 (above) and Figure3 (below)

These figures summarize the highlighted sample results as a total of the entire program sample set as well as each of the highest-grade sample results for both precious (Au, Ag) and base (Cu, Pb) metals. The values highlighted in orange are the highest value results reported herein, while the values highlighted in yellow are overlimit samples pending additional analysis.

These results confirm widespread shear and vein-hosted gold, silver and base-metal mineralization across multiple parallel shear corridors in the southern Lewiston area. Peak gold assays include 25.4 g/t Au, 16.78 g/t Au, 13.1 g/t Au, 12.3 g/t Au and 10.3 g/t Au. High-grade silver (Ag) samples are highlighted by assays up to 2,203 g/t Ag and 603 g/t Ag; high-grade Copper (Cu) and lead (Pb) values include up to 12.7% Cu, and 6.4% Cu, and 4.3% Pb, accompanied by anomalous (>1,000 ppm) pathfinder elements (As-Bi-W-Zn). All of these results indicate a larger hydrothermal system with orogenic-style mineralization concentrated within distinct structural shear corridors. Gold mineralization supports potential for both low-grade bulk-tonnage and high-grade vein targets within the Lewiston corridor that manifests as:

Widespread low-grade oxide gold associated with shear-hosted mineralization, and

Discrete high-grade vein-hosted gold.

These results demonstrate that the Burr shear trend extends at least 2.5 km southwest of the 2024 drill area and continues to host high-grade gold, silver and copper at surface, significantly increasing the potential strike length and scale of the Lewiston mineralized corridor and its parallel shear zones.

A schematic map (see Figure 1) illustrates assay results and the five distinct mineralized structural shear corridors within the southern portion of the Lewiston project area.

Next Steps at Lewiston - South Pass

In addition to the rock sampling and mapping work at Lewiston, Relevant Gold completed a camp-wide VTEM and magnetic survey as well as regional soil sampling at Windy Flats in 2025. Detailed interpretation of these datasets is underway and will be reported in a separate news release focused on camp-scale target definition and drilling as part of the Company's 2026 Exploration Plan.

The Company will integrate 2025 exploration datasets into its 3D structural and geochemical models for the Lewiston corridor. This will allow for detailed analysis and target assessments for 2026 next steps, including:

Prioritize down-plunge drill targets along the extended Burr trend and parallel shear zones;

Refine targeting at the Lame Jack, Sweetwater, Wilson Barr and Lone Pine trends;

Rank follow-up drill holes to test for continuous high-grade panels within the broader mineralized shear corridors;

Expand systematic exploration across the South Pass camp to characterize areas with limited historical data and follow up on both VTEM and soil anomalies to test for mineralization and target potential.

QAQC Statement

Samples are selective by nature and are not necessarily representative of the overall mineralization on the property. Samples were submitted to the accredited MSALabs laboratory for preparation and analysis at their Elko, Neveda, USA and Langley, B.C., Canada facilities. Samples were prepared and analyzed for gold using PhotonAssay at the Elko location and multi-element geochemistry at the Langley, B.C. location. All samples were assayed for gold using the CPA-Au1 method with a >250g sample, and separately analyzed for multi-element ICP-MS geochemistry using method IMS-230 with a 4-acid digestion. Overlimit samples for silver (Ag) were analyzed using the FAS 428 silver fire assay method with gravitational finish using a 50g charge. Overlimits for arsenic (As), copper (Cu) and lead (Pb) were analyzed using the PER700 method with a sodium (Na) peroxide fusion + ICP-ES. Overlimit samples for bismuth (Bi) were analyzed using the ICF-600 method with a 4-acid near-total digestion and ICP-ES. MSALabs employs an internal QA/QC to ensure proper sample preparation and equipment calibration.

Additionally, Relevant Gold's QA/QC program includes regular insertion of CRM standards, duplicates, and blanks in the sample batches to further monitor lab accuracy, precision and equipment calibration. All results and QA/QC have been reviewed by Mr. Brian Lentz, CPG, who is the Chief Exploration Officer and Qualified Person for the Company.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical contents of this release have been approved by Mr. Brian C. Lentz, CPG #11999, Chief Exploration Officer of the Company, who is a "Qualified Person" as defined by Canadian National Instrument 43-101 (Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects). Mr. Lentz is not independent of the Company.

About Relevant Gold Corp.

Relevant Gold Corp. is a North American gold exploration company founded by experienced exploration geologists and operated by a highly respected team with a proven record of significant value creation for shareholders. Relevant Gold is focused on the acquisition, exploration, discovery, and development of district-scale gold projects in the state of Wyoming - one of the most mining-friendly jurisdictions in the United States and globally.

On behalf of Relevant Gold Corp.,

Rob Bergmann, Chief Executive Officer

More information

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information about Relevant Gold Corp. or this news release, please visit our website at www.relevantgoldcorp.com or contact Rob Bergmann, President and CEO, or Kristopher Jensen, Manager of Investor Relations, at 763-760-4886 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Historical Information

This news release contains certain statements that constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements relate to future events of Relevant Gold Corp. ("Relevant" or "Relevant Gold" or "the Company"). Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "forecast", "may", "will", "project", "predict", "potential", "targeting", "intend", "could", "might", "should", "believe", "outlook" and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward looking information. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such risks include, among others, the inherent risk of the mining industry; adverse economic and market developments; the risk that the Company will not be successful in completing additional acquisitions; risks relating to the estimation of mineral resources; the possibility that the Company's estimated burn rate may be higher than anticipated; risks of unexpected cost increases; risks of labour shortages; risks relating to exploration and development activities; risks relating to future prices of mineral resources; risks related to work site accidents, risks related to geological uncertainties and variations; risks related to government and community support of the company's projects; risks related to global pandemics and other risks related to the mining industry. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forwardlooking information should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update any forwardlooking information except as required by law. This document does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, securities of the Company in Canada, the United States or any other jurisdiction. Any such offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy the securities described herein will be made only pursuant to subscription documentation between the Company and prospective purchasers. Any such offering will be made in reliance upon exemptions from the prospectus and registration requirements under applicable securities laws, pursuant to a subscription agreement to be entered into by the Company and prospective investors.

The scientific and technical contents of this release have been approved by Mr. Brian C. Lentz, CPG #11999, Chief Exploration Officer of the Company, who is a "Qualified Person" as defined by Canadian National Instrument 43-101 (Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects). Mr. Lentz is not independent of the Company.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / January 22, 2026 / Green Bridge Metals Corporation (CSE:GRBM) (OTCQB:GBMCF) (FWB:J48) (WKN:A3EW4S) ("Green Bridge" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the commencement of a diamond core drilling program at its Titac Project, part of the Company's South Contact District in northeastern Minnesota, U.S.A. (Figure 1).

The program represents the first phase of targeted drilling designed to evaluate and expand on copper mineralization associated with the Titac South deposit, which hosts an existing titanium dioxide mineral resource, as outlined in the NI 43-101 Technical Report dated September 18, 2024, prepared for the Company by Apex Geoscience (and available on the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca).

CEO COMMENTARY

David Suda, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated: "The commencement of drilling at Titac is an important milestone for Green Bridge as we begin systematically testing the copper potential of a project that already hosts a titanium resource. Titac is a highly prospective system, and this program allows us to follow up on compelling historic data while applying modern exploration techniques to advance the project in a disciplined and responsible manner."

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Phase 1 drill program has been designed to systematically test copper mineralization identified in historic drilling but not previously evaluated as a primary exploration focus.

Key parameters of the program include:

Holes planned: six (6) diamond core holes.

Target depth: approximately 300 meters.

Total planned drilling: approximately 1,800 meters.

Average hole spacing: approximately 50 meters.

Drill configuration: fence-style section across the Titac South deposit.

The drill fence is designed to transect the known titanium mineral resource at Titac South and to test copper-bearing intervals intersected in historic drilling completed by a previous operator.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

The primary objectives of the Phase 1 drill program are to:

Define geological and structural controls on disseminated copper mineralization at Titac South.

Validate historic copper assay results that were not followed up as part of prior titanium-focused exploration.

Test the spatial relationship between copper mineralization and geophysical anomalies identified through recent interpretations of historic assay data and modern geophysical survey.

Results will be used to refine the geological model and guide subsequent phases of drilling across the broader Titac property.

EXPLORATION RATIONALE AND TARGETING

The Titac South deposit is supported by a substantial body of historical drilling, assaying, and geological modelling completed as part of the Company's NI 43-101 Technical Report.

Key elements of this historical dataset include:

Thirty (32) historic diamond drill holes used in the preparation of the NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate.

Twenty-six (26) of these drill holes intersected copper mineralization, with copper assays reported but not incorporated into the original titanium-focused resource model.

Copper mineralization is consistently associated with the Oxide Ultramafic Intrusion ("OUI") that hosts the titanium dioxide resource.

In 2025, Green Bridge completed a comprehensive interpretation of newly collected geophysical data over the Titac Project, including:

New VTEM airborne electromagnetic survey flown (2025).

Completion of modern 3D magnetic and conductivity inversions.

Modeling of the inversion data with historic drill holes and titanium dioxide shells.

These datasets significantly improved subsurface targeting in areas where surface exposure is limited by glacial till and overburden.

Copper mineralization at Titac occurs primarily as chalcopyrite, a mineral with moderate electrical conductivity. Magnetic responses are interpreted to reflect the presence of iron-bearing minerals including ilmenite, magnetite, and chalcopyrite, all of which are present within the OUI.

Drill targets for the current program have been prioritized where conductive and magnetic anomalies overlap, a geophysical signature that correlates with known mineralization identified in historic drilling and resource modelling (Figures 2 and 3).

The Phase 1 drill fence at Titac South is designed to test whether copper mineralization is controlled solely by the OUI or whether it may extend into adjacent layered mafic intrusions of the Duluth Complex.

CEO COMMENTARY (TECHNICAL)

Mr. Suda added: "The results of our 3D geophysical inversions are highly encouraging. The strong correlation between these anomalies and known mineralization, together with the identification of several new targets, reinforces the exploration potential at Titac. Importantly, these results provide the confidence and technical foundation to initiate drilling, with a clear focus on expanding known copper mineralization where these anomalies occur."

Figure 1: Map showing location of the Titac property within the South Contact District.

Figure 2: Phase 1 drill layout at Titac South showing historic TiO grade shell and planned drill fence.

Figure 3: Northwest-looking perspective highlighting overlapping magnetic and conductive anomalies and Phase 1 drill targets.

PROJECT CONTEXT AND NEXT STEPS

The Titac Project is located near the southern end of the Company's South Contact District and includes the Titac South deposit, which hosts an existing mineral resource of 46.6 million tonnes grading 15% TiO, as disclosed in the NI 43-101 Technical Report which was released by the Company with an effective date of September 18, 2024 and is available on SEDAR+.

The current Phase 1 drill program is intended to resolve the geological controls on copper mineralization at Titac South. Subject to results, subsequent drilling phases may include:

Follow-up drilling at Titac South to test continuity and extent of copper mineralization

Initial drill testing of similar geophysical anomalies at Titac North

Drill testing of a newly identified deep conductive and magnetic anomaly south of Titac South

REFERENCES

1Dufresne, M.B., Turner, A.J., Fallon, C.T., Bohm, C. 2024. Technical Report and Mineral Resources Estimate for the South Contact Zone Project, St Louis County, Minnesota, USA. Apex Geoscience. Green Bridge Metals Corp. September 18.2024.

QUALIFIED PERSON

Ajeet Milliard, Chief Geologist of Green Bridge Metals Corporation, is a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release.

For a discussion of the Company's QA/QC and data verification procedures and processes, please see its most recently-filed technical report, a copy of which may be obtained under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

ABOUT GREEN BRIDGE METALS

Green Bridge Metals Corporation is a Canadian-based exploration company focused on the acquisition and advancement of critical-mineral assets in established mining jurisdictions. The Company's South Contact District in Minnesota hosts copper, nickel, titanium, vanadium, and platinum group element mineralization associated with the Duluth Complex.

ON BEHALF OF GREEN BRIDGE METALS CORPORATION

David Suda

President and Chief Executive Officer

For further information, please contact:

David Suda

President and Chief Executive Officer

Tel: 604-928-3101

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

Certain statements in this news release constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding the scope, objectives, and anticipated results of exploration programs, and the potential for future mineral exploration and development.

Forward-looking information is subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. The Company does not undertake to update forward-looking information except as required by applicable securities laws.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2026) - Pacifica Silver Corp. (CSE: PSIL) (OTCQB: PAGFF) ("Pacifica" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced, upsized private placement offering (the "Offering") of 15,870,000 common shares of the Company (the "Common Shares") at a price of $1.45 (the "Offering Price") per common share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $23,011,500, which included the exercise in full of the agents' option.

The Offering received broad-based support from new precious metal funds and investors, as well as continued commitment from established strategic shareholders Vizsla Silver Corp., First Majestic Silver Corp., Silvercorp Metals Inc., and renowned investor Eric Sprott.

"We are grateful to close our upsized brokered offering with robust participation from sophisticated new institutional investors possessing extensive expertise in the mining and silver sectors, as well as the support of our existing strategic shareholders," stated Todd Anthony, Chief Executive Officer of Pacifica Silver. "Their collective endorsement reflects strong conviction in the untapped potential of our flagship Claudia Silver-Gold Project in Durango, Mexico, and the proceeds from this financing will enable us to accelerate exploration efforts, systematically test high-priority targets, and unlock the project's high-grade potential through year-round, multi-rig drilling operations. We sincerely appreciate the confidence placed in our team and strategy by these valued partners, and we look forward to delivering meaningful exploration progress and creating long-term value for all stakeholders in the months and years ahead."

Raymond James Ltd. acted as lead agent and sole bookrunner in connection with the Offering, on behalf of a syndicate of agents, which included Research Capital Corporation (collectively, the "Agents").

Four insiders subscribed for 180,000 Units for gross proceeds of $261,000 and such participation will be considered a "related-party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company expects to be exempt from the requirement to obtain a formal valuation and minority shareholder approval in connection with the three insiders participation in the Offering in reliance of Sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(a) of MI 61-101, respectively, on the basis that their participation in the Offering did not exceed 25% of the fair market value of the Company's market capitalization.

The net proceeds of the Offering will be used to advance exploration and drilling activity at the Company's Claudia Project (the "Project"), located in Durango, Mexico, and for working capital and general corporate purposes.

Pursuant to an agency agreement among the Company, Raymond James Ltd. and Research Capital Corporation dated January 23, 2026, the Company: (i) paid a cash fee of $1,260,690 to the Agents; and (ii) issued 414,031 compensation warrants (the "Compensation Warrants") to the Agents. Each Compensation Warrant is exercisable into one Common Share at the Offering Price for a term of two years expiring on January 23, 2028.

The Offering was made pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption available under National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions as amended by Coordinated Blanket Order 45-935 - Exemptions from Certain Conditions of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption, in each of the provinces and territories of Canada other than Quebec. The Common Shares were also offered for sale in the United States pursuant to available exemptions from the registration requirements under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"). The Common Shares issued under the Offering will not be subject to a statutory hold period pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein in the United States. The securities described herein have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act, or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold within the United States unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration requirements is available.

About Pacifica Silver Corp.

Pacifica Silver Corp. is a Canadian resource company led by a proven management team with decades of mining and exploration experience in Mexico. The Company is focused on its 100% owned Project located in Durango, Mexico. Spanning 11,876 hectares, the Project encompasses most of the historic El Papanton Mining District where at least nine small mines operated throughout the 20th century. Since 1990, sampling and drilling within have returned high-grade silver and gold intercepts across multiple vein systems, with approximately 10% of over 30 kilometres of known veins having been drilled. Today, the Project is a prime target for modern exploration and holds exceptional potential for new high-grade discoveries.

"Todd Anthony"

Chief Executive Officer

Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation as may be amended from time to time, including, without limitation, statements regarding: the perceived merit of the Project, potential quantity and/or grade of minerals and the potential size of the mineralized zone; the intended use of proceeds of the Offering; and receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals for the Offering. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts which address events, results, outcomes or developments that the Company expects to occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made, and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Certain material assumptions regarding such forward-looking statements were made, including without limitation, assumptions regarding: the price of gold and silver; the accuracy of mineral resource estimates; that there will be no material adverse change affecting the Company or its properties; that all required approvals will be obtained, including concession renewals and permitting, as well as in respect of the Offering; that political and legal developments will be consistent with current expectations; that currency and exchange rates will be consistent with current levels; that there will be no significant disruptions affecting the Company or its properties; and the Company using the net proceeds of the Offering as anticipated. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements involve significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These risks include, but are not limited to: the Company does not use the proceeds from the Offering as expected; risks related to not receiving regulatory approval of the Offering; risks associated with the business of the Company, including the execution of the Company's objectives and strategies, including costs and expenses; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; delays and costs inherent to consulting and accommodating rights of local communities; environmental risks; title risks, including concession renewal; commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations; delays in or failure to receive access agreements or amended permits; risks inherent in the estimation of mineral resources; changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets; changes in laws (including regulations respecting mining concessions); and other risk factors as detailed from time to time. For a description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business and affairs, readers should refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis, available on www.sedarplus.ca. Except as required by the securities disclosure laws and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR THROUGH U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES
Vancouver, British Columbia, January 23, 2026  TheNewswire - FinEx Metals Ltd. (TSX-V: FINX) ("FinEx" or the "Company") announces it has received assays for the remaining nine drill holes from the Companys maiden drill program on its 100% owned Ruoppa gold project, located in the Central Lapland Greenstone Belt of northern Finland. The Company completed fourteen diamond drill holes totalling 2,483 metres during August and September 2025 and announced initial results on November 25, 2025.

Highlights:

10 out of 14 holes drilled at Ruoppa in 2025 intersected gold-mineralized quartz vein swarms, highlighting the robust nature of the gold mineralized system at Ruoppa.

Drilling and resultant structural and petrological analysis has identified several targets for follow-up, including strike extents and down plunge with the goal of defining thicker and more quartz-rich zones within the gold-bearing vein system.

In this set of drill results from Ruoppa East, hole RUO25D011 returned 9.20 metres grading 0.66 g/t gold. When combined with an underlying interval, these two zones present a wide and highly anomalous alteration zone of 24.4 metres averaging 0.35 g/t gold.

Drill hole RUO25D008 returned higher grade intervals of 1.65 m grading 3.26 g/t gold and 1.1 m grading 4.92 g/t gold. The hole is located 330 metres south-west from the main surface mineralization and implies its continuation towards the south-west along a favorable contact between volcanic and granodiorite lithologies.

An approximate 1,500 metre drill program is being planned for the second quarter of 2026 to test newly defined structural targets which are supported by trench mapping, historical IP geophysics (Induced Polarization) and base-of-till gold anomalism and will continue to test the extents of the gold system up to 1,200 metres to the West at Ruoppa Central.

Tero Kosonen, President and CEO, states: The objective of early drilling is to confirm the system and define key exploration vectors. At Ruoppa, we have verified the existence of gold and encountered the right alteration over meaningful widths. With a clearer understanding of the controlling structures and key target areas, our team is now developing a focused follow-up program. We will continue the field program in Q2 2026 to explore these priority targets and continue building momentum toward discovery.

The Ruoppa gold project is located along the same structural corridor that is interpreted to control the emplacement of Agnico Eagles Kittila gold deposit and a number of other gold occurrences (Figure 1). All 14 drill holes were drilled at the Ruoppa East area which represents just one limited segment of the 2.7-km-long gold anomaly delineated in 2025 (see FinEx press release dated July 21, 2025 and Figure 2).

Figure 1: Overview of the Ruoppa gold project and the regional geological setting. Map includes data from Geological Survey of Finland and the National Land Survey of Finland.

Ruoppa Geological Setting:

Drilling and trenching confirmed that the Ruoppa gold mineralization is structurally-hosted along a deformation corridor that parallels a tectonized contact between a volcano-sedimentary rock package and a large granodiorite intrusion. In drill core, the granodiorite  volcanic contact zone occurs as sericite and iron-carbonate altered granodiorite and alpite dikes cutting mafic volcanics which are sheared and foliated.

South of the contact, the granodiorite is strongly sheared and sericite and iron carbonate altered. On the northern side of the contact, pillowed metabasalts, interlayered with tuffs and tuffites, show early alteration (chlorite+sulfides) that has been overprinted by ubiquitous potassic (biotite), silicification and carbonate alteration associated with the emplacement of gold bearing quartz-carbonate veins.

Trench mapping and drill data indicate a consistent eastwest trending structural setting across the target area. Bedding, contacts and foliation predominantly strike eastwest with moderate southeastward dips. A subvertical, eastwest trending structural corridor has been defined and is interpreted as a significant structural control on quartz vein distribution. Vein analysis identified dominantly eastwest trending vein orientations, with intervals of increased cumulative vein thickness spatially associated with the structural corridor. Veins are locally accompanied by alteration halos and primary structures are partly sheared in proximity to the veins.

The vein orientations measured from drill core correlate well with the surface vein measurements from the trenches. Three key vein orientations have been identified:

1)Subvertical veins with dip directions to the north-northeast and south-southwest; 2)Veins moderately dipping to the northeast; and 3)Flat veins with a moderate dip to the south.

Structural analysis work to further define and model the gold bearing veins is continuing in order to vector towards the thickest (and potentially highest grade) portion of the vein system. Vectoring towards the larger scale hydrothermal fluid migration pathways in the orogenic gold system is also relying on fine scale vein textures and shear bands identified in the core logging.

Drilling:

The rationale for locating the five first reported holes RUO25D001, 002, 003, 009 and 010 was described in FinEx press release dated November 25, 2025. The remaining drill holes were collared to expand the known mineralization towards the south and west. Drill holes RUO25D005 to RUO25D008 tested the contact zone between the volcanics and granodiorite intrusion as well as the vertical continuation of gold bearing quartz veins at depth under trenches RUO24T1 and RUO24T2. Drill holes RUO25D004 and RUO25D012 tested the continuation of east-west striking gold bearing quartz-carbonate veins under trenches RUO24T1 and RUO24T2. Drill holes RUO25D013 and RUO25D014 were step outs. RUO25D014 was situated 420 metres west of drill hole RUO25D001.

Table 1: Ruoppa 2025 drill hole collar location

Hole ID EOH Dip Azimuth Northing Easting Targeting RUO25D001 100.7 -50 360 7548796 440798 Trench RUO24T3 at depth RUO25D002 196.8 -60 180 7548902 440759 Trench RUO24T3 at depth RUO25D003 193.9 -50 360 7548782 440711 Trench RUO24T2 at depth RUO25D004 250.9 -50 360 7548732 440661 Trench RUO24T2 at depth RUO25D005 241.7 -50 360 7548693 440798 Volc-grdr contact and trench RUO24T3 at depth RUO25D006 28.60 -50 360 7548619 440713 Volc-grdr contact RUO25D007 352.1 -50 360 7548620 440713 Volc-grdr contact and trench RUO24T2 at depth RUO25D008 220.6 -50 360 7548528 440620 Volc-grdr contact & ToB Au anomaly RUO25D009 167.5 -45 200 7548927 440895 Trench RUO25T6 at depth RUO25D010 143.1 -60 200 7548928 440895 Trench RUO25T6 at depth RUO25D011 100.0 -50 220 7548848 440815 Trench RUO24T3 at depth RUO25D012 185.4 -50 200 7548860 440630 Trench RUO24T1 at depth RUO25D013 142.6 -60 180 7548880 440549 Qz-vein continuation to West RUO25D014 160.8 -50 040 7548806 440379 Trench RUO25T1 at depth

Drill results:

Analytical results for all 14 Ruoppa East drill cores are shown in Table 2. Gold values strongly correlate with Bismuth and Tellurium pathfinder element. Base metal and cobalt contents are generally low. Gold mineralized intervals are frequently associated with anomalous copper, with maximum of 0.15 %.

Table 2: Analytical results for all Ruoppa 2025 drill holes. Bolded text refers to the drill holes reported in this news release.

Hole Number From To Metres Gold g/t RUO25D001 41.05 50.90 9.85 1.23 including 0.95 5.79 RUO25D001 19.00 20.00 1.00 3.16 RUO25D001 31.75 32.65 0.90 1.31 RUO25D001 49.90 50.90 1.00 3.33 RUO25D001 78.00 79.00 1.00 1.18 RUO25D002 73.10 74.10 1.00 0.63 RUO25D003 42.00 43.00 1.00 1.62 RUO25D003 59.75 60.80 1.05 1.74 RUO25D003 72.00 73.00 1.00 1.19 RUO25D004 no significant results (several <0.3 g/t Au intervals) RUO25D005 101.60 102.60 1.00 0.60 RUO25D006 Aborted drill hole RUO25D007 115.05 117.25 2.20 0.54 RUO25D007 153.30 154.30 1.00 0.59 RUO25D007 155.30 156.30 1.00 1.00 RUO25D008 113.00 114.65 1.65 3.26 RUO25D008 125.15 126.25 1.10 4.92 RUO25D009 18.50 19.50 1.00 1.65 RUO25D009 29.90 30.90 1.00 0.98 RUO25D009 131.40 132.40 1.00 1.06 RUO25D010 18.50 19.50 1.00 1.32 RUO25D010 31.00 34.00 3.00 1.37 including 1.00 2.39 RUO25D011 47.00 56.20 9.20 0.66 RUO25D011 91.40 92.40 1.00 0.89 RUO25D012 65.75 66.80 1.10 0.62 RUO25D013 no significant results (several <0.4 g/t Au intervals) RUO25D014 no significant results (several <0.5 g/t Au intervals)

Figure 3: Geological cross section A-A (Figure 2) showing drill holes RUO25D001, RUO25D002, RUO25D005 and RUO25D011 looking towards the West.

Figure 4: Geological cross section B-B (Figure 2) showing drill holes RUO25D007 and RUO25D003, looking towards the West.

Figures 2, 3 and 4 show the contact zone between the mafic volcanic and granodiorite and company interpretation of the subsurface geology. Gold bearing quartz veins are more abundant within the local deformation zones and defined by zones of lower magnetic response. Within the high grade zone encountered in drill holes RUO25D001, RUO25D011 and RUO25D003, the volcanics are strongly foliated and intensely quartz-carbonate veined. Drill holes which crossed the volcanic-granodiorite contact (RUO25D005, RUO25D007 and RUO25D008) encountered gold mineralized, quartz-carbonate veins which imply further exploration targets along the wide contact zone. This is supported by drill hole RUO25D008 which returned higher grades including 3.26 g/t Au over 1.65 m and 4.92 g/t Au over 1.10 m.

Generally, the vein thickness and vein intensity correlate with elevated gold grades. For example, the vein thickness in the east-west trending structural corridor (Figure 2) is greater compared to other domains within the drilling area, and also returned the widest gold mineralized intervals. Although lacking vein thickness in drill hole RUO25D008, the 1.65 metre interval assayed 3.26 g/t Au (Figure 5) indicating that even smaller scale veins carry high grade gold.

Figure 5: Photos of drill core from hole RUO25D008, including sample intervals 113.00-114.65 m grading 3.26 g/t Au and 125.15-126.25m grading 4.92 g/t Au. Red marks show the sample intervals.

Underneath the till cover gold mineralized veins have been encountered in drilling over 430 metres along the contact zone (from RUO25D009 to RUO25D008, see Figure 2). The Top-of Bedrock gold anomaly is defined over 2,700 metres strike length, indicating the Ruoppa mineralized trend has only been partially tested by drilling to-date.

Spring 2026 Exploration Program:

The Ruoppa property has yielded extensive soil and Top-of-Bedrock gold anomalies across a strike extent of 2,700 metres (FinEx news release August 5, 2025) and recent drilling has confirmed the presence of a gold-mineralized quartz-carbonate vein system in Ruoppa East that has the potential to host high gold grades. The next phase of work is being designed to locate higher volumes of quartz veins that have the potential to host higher gold grades.

In the Q2 2026 campaign, approximately 1,500 drill metres are planned for two seperate target areas within the Ruoppa project: (1) an interpreted plunge direction to the east in an attempt to define thicker and more quartz-rich zones and to test a zone of anomalous gold in soils and weathered bedrock on the northern side of drill hole RUO25D009 at Ruoppa East (Figure 2); and (2), the potential continuation of the gold system up to 1,200 metres further to the West, which is supported by trench mapping, historical IP geophysics (Induced Polarization) and base-of-till gold anomalism.

Analytical methods and QA/QC:

Drill core was staged at a loading site near Ruoppa for preliminary examination. Core boxes were then loaded onto pallets and transported by the contractor Hettula Oy to the Palsatech core handling facilities at Sodankyla. Drill core was logged by Company geologists utilizing standard methods and the data was entered into the Companys digital database where it was validated. After completing the geological logging and marking of the core intervals for sampling, drill core was sawn in half lengthwise and half the core sampled. Certified reference material standards and blanks were inserted into the sample stream and sample batches were sent to CRS Laboratories at Kempele, Finland for pulp preparation.

At CRS Laboratories, dry samples were first crushed to 2 mm and split to a 900 gram sub-sample using a rotary sample divider attached to the crusher. The resultant subsample was pulverized to 85% passing 75 microns (CRS code PRP-929). Pulps were shipped by air to MSALABS in Vancouver, Canada for analysis for gold by lead-collection fire assay (MSALABS code FAS-121) using fusion of a 50 gram aliquot followed by an aqua regia digestion of the gold containing bead with an AAS finish. Analysis for 48 additional elements (including pathfinders for gold) utilized ICP-MS/ES finish (ultratrace) after a 4-acid digestion of 0.25 gram aliquots of samples (MSALABS code IMS-230). Results for certified reference material were within 95% of acceptable tolerance limits and the results were assessed by the Companys Qualified Person. Both CRS Laboratories and MSALABS are accredited according to international standards of SFS-EN ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO/IEC 17025:2017, respectively.

About the Ruoppa Project:

The Companys Ruoppa project is situated in the Central Lapland Greenstone Belt in Finland, adjoining Agnico Eagles Kittila mine land position, the largest gold mine in Europe and in proximity to the land position that hosts Rupert Resources Ikkari discovery. Previous work by FinEx identified a series of gold targets that extend over approximately 2.7 km. For more information on the Ruoppa project, refer to the NI 43-101 Technical Report dated April 14, 2025, as filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

About FinEx Metals Ltd.

FinEx Metals Ltd. (TSX-V: FINX) is a gold-focused mineral exploration company with a portfolio of 100% owned, royalty free projects near existing mining operations in the Central Lapland Greenstone Belt in Finland. For more information, please visit the Companys website at www.finexmetals.net.

FinEx Metals is part of the NewQuest Capital Group, a discovery-driven investment group that builds value through the incubation and financing of mineral projects and companies. Further information about NewQuest can be found on the company website at www.nqcapitalgroup.com.

Qualified Person:

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Petri Peltonen, MAusIMM(CP), EurGeol, a Qualified Person (QP) as defined in National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Dr. Peltonen is not independent by reason of being a Contractor and Shareholder of the Company.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Tero Kosonen

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

+1 (604) 681-9100

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For further information, please contact:

Brennan Zerb

Investor Relations Manager

+1 (778) 867-5016

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Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of accuracy of this news release.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release includes certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding the proposed listing on the TSX Venture Exchange, future capital expenditures, exploration activities and the specifications, targets, results, analyses, interpretations, benefits, costs and timing of them, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Often, but not always, forward looking information can be identified by words such as pro forma, plans, expects, may, should, budget, scheduled, estimates, forecasts, intends, anticipates, believes, potential or variations of such words including negative variations thereof, and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, risks related to the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, including the Companys exploration plans and the proposed expenditures for exploration work thereon, the ability of the Company to obtain sufficient financing to fund its business activities and plans, the ability of the Company to obtain the required permits, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, the Companys limited operating history, currency fluctuations, title disputes or claims, environmental issues and liabilities, as well as those factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's prospectus dated June 13, 2025 and other filings of the Company with the Canadian Securities Authorities, copies of which can be found under the Company's profile on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements, except as otherwise required by law.
VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 22, 2026 /CNW/ - International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. (the "Company") - (TSX: ITH) (NYSE American: THM) today announced the launch of a $60 million public offering of common shares, without par value, of the Company (the "Common Shares") in the United States (the "Offering"). In connection with the Offering, Paulson & Co. Inc. has entered into an agreement to purchase $40 million of Common Shares in a private placement (the "Concurrent Private Placement") at the public offering price of the Offering.

The Company expects to use the net proceeds of the Offering and the Concurrent Private Placement to fund the exploration and development of the Livengood Gold Project, including drilling, metallurgical studies, feasibility studies, technical studies, baseline environmental studies, detailed engineering in support of permitting, permitting, legal support, community engagement, mineral lease and land payments, acquisitions and general corporate purposes.

The Common Shares will be offered by the Company with BMO Capital Markets acting as lead book-running manager (the "Underwriter").

In connection with the Offering, an underwriting agreement will be entered into by and between International Tower Hill Mines and BMO Capital Markets as representative of the several Underwriters.

International Tower Hill Mines has also granted the Underwriters an option (the "Option") to purchase additional Common Shares representing up to 15% of the number of Common Shares to be sold pursuant to the Offering. The Underwriters have 30 days from the closing of the Offering to exercise the Option. In connection with the Offering, an underwriting agreement will be entered into by and between International Tower Hill Mines and BMO Capital Markets as representative of the several Underwriters. In the event that the Option is exercised in full, the aggregate gross proceeds of the Offering and the Concurrent Private Placement will be approximately $109 million.

Closing of the Offering will be subject to a number of customary conditions to be included in the Underwriting Agreement.

The Offering to the public in the United States is being made pursuant to the Company's effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3, including a base prospectus, previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The Offering in the United States will be made only by means of a prospectus and related prospectus supplement meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. You may obtain these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement and the base prospectus may be obtained from BMO Capital Markets Corp., Attn: Equity Syndicate Department, 151 W 42nd Street, 32nd Floor, New York, NY 10036. The Offering may also be conducted in Canada and in offshore jurisdictions on a private placement basis in accordance with applicable securities laws. The Company intends to rely on the exemption in section 602.1 of the TSX Company Manual in respect of the Offering and the Concurrent Private Placement as an eligible interlisted issuer.

The consummation of the Concurrent Private Placement is subject to customary closing conditions, including the completion of the Offering, but the Offering is not contingent upon the consummation of the Concurrent Private Placement. We cannot assure you that the Concurrent Private Placement will be completed. The sale of the Common Shares under the Concurrent Private Placement will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy Common Shares, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are not statements of historical or current fact constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause the actual results of the Company to be materially different from historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition to statements which explicitly describe such risks and uncertainties, readers are urged to consider statements containing the terms "intends," "estimates," "may," "might", "will," or other similar expressions to be uncertain and forward-looking. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The forward-looking statements in this press release, including statements regarding the conduct of the Offering and Private Placement; the granting of the Underwriters' over-allotment option; the anticipated use of proceeds from the Offering and Private Placement; the occurrence of the expected benefits from the anticipated use of proceeds from the Offering, Private Placement. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation: (i) that the current exploration, development, environmental and other objectives concerning the Livengood Gold Project can be achieved and that its other corporate activities will proceed as expected and (ii) that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner and that permitting and operations costs will not materially increase. The foregoing list of important factors that could cause actual events to differ from expectations should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with statements that are included herein and elsewhere, including the risk factors detailed in the "Forward-Looking Statements," "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2025 and the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2025 and other documents that have been and will be filed by the Company from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian securities regulators. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made, except as required by applicable securities laws.

About International Tower Hill Mines Ltd.

International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. has a 100% interest in its Livengood Gold Project located along the paved Elliott Highway, 70 miles north of Fairbanks, Alaska.

On behalf of

International Tower Hill Mines Ltd.

(signed) Karl L. Hanneman

Chief Executive Officer
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Imperial Metals Corporation (Imperial or the Company) (TSX:III) reports on the first diamond drill hole from the Mount Polley 2025 Phase 2 Diamond Drill Program which includes 11.0 metres with a grade of 4.43% copper, 1.53 g/t gold and 41.7 g/t silver. The nine hole Phase 2 program consisted of 3,718.3 metres.

The Mount Polley 2025 Phase 2 program had three goals; to test a high-grade zone beneath the Wight Pit (See Figure 1), to expand and determine the boundaries for mineralization in the higher gold grade encountered at depth in the C2 zone, and to test beneath the previously mined Bell Pit for depth extension using new targeting techniques successfully deployed in the Springer Pit. The results of the first hole drilled in this program have been received, with the remainder pending.

Figure 1: Wight Pit Drill Plan

Drill hole WB-25-268 was collared on the eastern edge of the previously mined Wight Pit and targeted a high-grade area located in the Green zone, adjacent to the Martel zone, at depth beneath the Wight Pit (See Figure 2). The goal of drill hole WB-25-268 was to test the continuity and further define the high-grade zone originally defined by holes WB-05-189 (15.0 metres grading 3.1% copper, 0.33 g/t gold, and 20.1 g/t silver) and WB-04-179 (12.4 metres grading 6.7% copper, 3.65 g/t gold, and 44.8 g/t silver).

Figure 2: Wight Pit Drill Cross Section

Hole WB-25-268 intercepted a hydrothermal fragmental potassic-altered breccia hosting significant bornite and chalcopyrite cement at the target depth that returned from 304.4 metres, 11.0 metres grading 4.43% copper, 1.53 g/t gold and 41.7 g/t silver. In addition to the mineralization intercepted in the targeted zone the hole intersected a number of other higher-grade sections, both above and below the targeted area, including 9.6 metres grading 3.71% copper, 0.42 g/t gold and 9.89 g/t silver starting at 272.5 metres.

Table 1. Drill results from WB-25-268

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Width (m) Copper (%) Gold (g/t) Silver (g/t) WB-25-268 254.6 256.1 1.5 3.58 0.07 13.6 and 272.5 282.1 9.6 3.71 0.42 9.89 and 304.4 315.4 11.0 4.43 1.53 41.7 and 414.6 420.7 6.1 1.16 0.36 7.0 and 467.5 500.0 32.5 0.60 0.28 4.4 and 542.5 557.5 15.0 0.97 0.63 8.8

The higher silver to copper ratio returned in this hole is typical of mineralization in the northeast quadrant of the Mount Polley property. Additional diamond drilling will target this area in 2026.

The Martel zone has previously been defined as an underground resource (See Table 2).

Table 2. Martel zone Underground Resource

Mount Polley Martel Underground Indicated Resource at January 1, 2025 Grade Contained Metal Martel Tonnes Ore Copper % Gold g/t Silver g/t Copper lbs Gold Oz Silver Oz Underground 2,272,000 1.14 0.30 7.20 57,344,000 22,000 526,000

* source Imperial 2024 AIF (March 31, 2025)

Jim Miller-Tait, P.Geo., Imperials VP Exploration, has reviewed this news release as the designated Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 for the Mount Polley exploration program. Samples reported were analyzed at Activation Laboratories Ltd. located in Kamloops. A full QA/QC program using blanks, standards and duplicates was completed for all diamond drilling samples submitted to the labs. Significant assay intervals reported represent apparent widths. Insufficient geological information is available to confirm the geological model and true width of significant assay intervals.

About Imperial

Imperial is a Vancouver based exploration, mine development and operating company with holdings that include the Mount Polley mine (100%), the Huckleberry mine (100%), and the Red Chris mine (30%). Imperial also holds a portfolio of 23 exploration properties in British Columbia.

Company Contacts

Brian Kynoch | President | 604.669.8959

Jim Miller-Tait | VP Exploration | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information contained in this news release are not statements of historical fact and are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the Companys managements expectations or beliefs regarding future events and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Companys expectations with respect to exploration drilling programs at Mount Polley; potential quantity and/or grade of minerals and the potential size of the mineralized zone. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "outlook", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative of these terms or comparable terminology. By their very nature forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based on information currently available to the Company as well as the Companys current beliefs and assumptions. These factors and assumptions and beliefs and assumptions include the risk factors detailed from time to time in the Companys annual information form, interim and annual financial statements and managements discussion and analysis of those statements, all of which are filed and available for review on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, many of which are beyond the Companys ability to control or predict. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and all forward-looking statements in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A bilateral meeting between the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and the South African Police Service (SAPS), aimed at strengthening cooperation in combating cross-border crime, has concluded in Harare with several resolutions adopted to enhance joint security efforts.The high-level engagement was attended by ZRP Commissioner-General Stephen Mutamba, SAPS National Commissioner Lieutenant General Sehlahle Fannie Masemola, ZRP Deputy Commissioner-General Learn Ncube, and senior police officers from both countries.National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the two-day meeting was productive and reinforced existing collaboration between the neighbouring states."The Zimbabwe Republic Police-South African Police Services bilateral meeting has concluded in Harare, with several resolutions in the fight against crime being made," Nyathi said."The delegations from the two countries were led by their respective police chiefs - Commissioner-General Stephen Mutamba and General Fannie Masemola - during the highly fruitful two-day engagement."Nyathi added that the SAPS delegation also paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Kazembe Kazembe, at his Mukwati Building offices.Zimbabwe and South Africa have in recent years intensified joint security operations along their shared border to curb smuggling, illegal migration and other transnational crimes. Authorities say the latest meeting builds on those initiatives, with a renewed commitment to intelligence sharing, coordinated operations and capacity building.The resolutions adopted are expected to further strengthen bilateral policing cooperation as both countries seek to address the evolving nature of cross-border crime in the region.
Actor Kim Seon Ho is also trending for his recent series release on Netflix titled "Can This Love Be Translated?," as well as for his pictorial and interview release showcasing his views on acting and connection on screen.

This particular work emphasizes his role as "Joo Ho Jin," which is the story of a multilingual interpreter whose experiences are based in various countries and entail romance and self-realization.

On Jan. 20, Kim's latest pictorial shoot for ELLE was unveiled, which features a nighttime theme that shows both intensity and calmness. According to AllKpop, the shoot is also focused on Kim's changeover to Joo Ho Jin, a changeover that is already regarded as a pivotal point in Kim's career by a number of viewers.

After the photo shoot, Kim discussed the first impression he formed regarding the series. While setting the context to begin with, talking about the series, and then commenting on it, he said, "In the story, Ho Jin and Mu Hee spend time together across different countries, gradually developing feelings for each other. Haven't we all dreamed at least once of a romantic moment: meeting someone unexpectedly while traveling?"

He added, "This series brings that dream to life right before your eyes, in those moments when it feels like every emotion could open up. That's why I think the emotions between the two characters came through so clearly."

Kim also addressed his widely praised chemistry with co-star Go Youn Jung. Introducing his remarks on their collaboration, he reflected on the importance of mutual openness in acting.

He said, "I believe chemistry naturally forms when both people open their hearts. Fortunately, Youn Jung and I were very well aligned in terms of our energy and approach on set and in our acting. We focused on making the two characters feel real, doing our best to truly 'live' in each scene as naturally as possible."

He continued, "I was lucky to work with such wonderful people. It's a project that came with a lot of good fortune for me."

The Chosun Daily has also highlighted Kim Seon Ho's steady rise and his thoughtful approach to selecting roles, noting that his performances often resonate because of their emotional sincerity and restraint. This perspective aligns with Kim's own reflections on his acting philosophy.

When asked what message he would want conveyed if someone could fully interpret his heart to the world, Kim chose a phrase that reflects his mindset. Introducing his answer, he spoke about personal accountability and growth.

He said, "Facing things head-on." He explained further, "It's not about excitement or fluttering feelings. As I continue acting, I want to properly face myself, reflecting on my shortcomings while also being generous enough to praise what deserves praise. In that sense, it means I don't avoid things."

Kim Seon Ho's full pictorial and interview are available in the February issue of ELLE and on the magazine's official website, offering a deeper look at an actor continuing to evolve through careful reflection and meaningful collaboration.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Chiwere Secondary School headmaster Tizai Gwazhi (49) has recovered the school's 2025 Ordinary Level results after they were stolen during a violent robbery in Dangamvura, Manicaland.The robbery occurred on Monday evening when Gwazhi, returning from Mutare after collecting the results from ZIMSEC, was attacked near ZAOGA Church in Area 3. Two assailants snatched his satchel containing the results slips, cash book, fees application forms, an Infinix cellphone, and other school documents. The total value of the stolen property was estimated at US$93.Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, said swift police action led to the arrest of one suspect, MacCthy Tshuma of Gimboki South, who directed authorities to the stolen items. The results and other documents were recovered from a rubbish bin at House Number 35, Area 3, where Tshuma and an accomplice, only known as Maradona, had dumped them.Chinyoka provided details of the incident: "Gwazhi had collected the results around midday and later attended a workshop in Mutare. On his way to Dangamvura, he was forced to walk to Area 16 after the commuter omnibus missed his stop. At ZAOGA Church, he was tripped and overpowered by two men who stole his satchel."Gwazhi, who spent the night at the church after the attack, reported the matter to Dangamvura Police Station the following morning. Police praised the tip-off that led to Tshuma's arrest and the subsequent recovery of the stolen property, which included critical school documents necessary for the evaluation of the 2025 O-Level results.Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and report criminal activities promptly to assist in swift recovery and prosecution of offenders.
Kennesaw State alumnus nominated for National Superintendent of the Year honor

KENNESAW, Ga. | Jan 23, 2026

Marc Feuerbach Kennesaw State University alumnus Marc Feuerbach 07, who is Cartersville City Schools Superintendent, will represent Georgia at the national level in February at the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) meeting in Nashville.

Named 2026 Superintendent of the Year recently by the Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) and Georgia School Superintendents Association (GSSA), Feuerbach is the states nominee for National Superintendent of the Year, an honor the AASA will announce Feb. 12.

Under Feuerbachs leadership since 2018, Cartersville City Schools has achieved record-high graduation rates, strengthened community partnerships, and expanded student support systems. His tenure has been marked by a commitment to innovation, trust-building, and providing hope for students and families.

Feuerbach expressed gratitude for the statewide recognition and reflected on the role his education played in his success. He earned a Master of Education degree from the Clarice C. and Leland H. Bagwell College of Education at KSU in 2007, and serves on the colleges Board of Visitors.

I am deeply honored to receive this award, he said. My time at Kennesaw State University was instrumental in shaping my approach to leadership and education. The experiences and mentorship I received there gave me the tools to think critically, lead with purpose, and always keep students at the center of every decision.

Traci Redish, associate dean for strategic partnerships and priorities and professor of Instructional Technology, praised Feuerbachs achievement and the impact on Georgias schools.

Marc exemplifies the values we strive to instill in our graduatesinnovation, integrity, and a student-first mindset, Redish said. His recognition as Superintendent of the Year is a testament to his dedication and the transformative leadership he brings to his district and community.

Feuerbachs career spans 23 years in education, including roles as a special education teacher, assistant principal, and principal. He has previously earned the Presidents Award from GSSA in 2022 and the Impact Award from the Cartersville-Bartow Chamber in 2019.

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A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 51,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Distracted walking has claimed numerous lives in Bulawayo, prompting the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to launch a public safety campaign targeting pedestrians who cross roads while wearing earphones or using mobile phones.Police revealed that in 2025, 77 pedestrians died and 143 were injured in 220 road accidents citywide linked to people being distracted while walking. Authorities say at least three such accidents occur daily.The campaign, held on Friday at Herbert Chitepo Street and Leopold Takawira Avenue, involved educating pedestrians on the dangers of crossing roads while using earphones or phones.Bulawayo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele urged the public to take responsibility for their safety. "We are educating the public to be cautious and not negligent while crossing roads simply because of phones and earphones," she said.Inspector Msebele noted that distracted walking has become increasingly common in the era of mobile technology, emphasizing the need for vigilance to prevent further injuries and fatalities.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The Beitbridge Rural District Council (BBRDC) has issued a warning to villagers in the eastern part of the district following sightings of two collared lions around Tshituripasi, Nuli, and Mawale.The lions are believed to have escaped from South Africa's Kruger National Park. Rangers from both Zimbabwe and South Africa are working jointly to track and capture them.BBRDC Chief Executive Officer Mrs. Kilibone Mbedzi confirmed that one of the lions has been spotted in the Mawale, Dumba, and Mapai areas. She urged residents to accompany children to school and avoid walking alone early in the morning or in the evening."The lion approaching Beitbridge town has cubs and is more dangerous," Mrs. Mbedzi said, warning villagers to remain vigilant and report sightings to BBRDC, ZimParks officials, or local leaders.Council Chairperson Cllr. Oscar Chiromo advised parents to consider keeping children at home in affected areas until the lions are captured. He also urged people to move in groups during the day and to avoid provoking the animals.Authorities emphasized that spreading awareness is critical to preventing attacks and ensuring community safety while the lions are tracked and secured.
A PRIVATE housing estate near a Portlaoise mosque is being treated like a public car park, according to annoyed residents.

People living in Grenville have renewed an appeal for traffic problems to be resolved, amid serious concern for childrens safety.

Residents say that their cars are regularly blocked and that some visitors park dangerously in the estate, which has a busy creche as well as a mosque close to the entrance.

At the January meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District (MD), Cllr Tommy Mulligan (Ind) said there is a huge sense of frustration in Grenville, adding: A lot of residents are being boxed in to their houses and they are deeply annoyed by it and by the disrespect being shown towards residents by people parking there.

They are also worried about their children. There is parking of cars on a green area where children are playing. A private housing estate is being used as a public car park.

The issue was initially raised by councillors Catherine Fitzgerald (FF) and Paddy Buggy (FG), who each lodged proposals seeking solutions to ongoing parking and access problems in Grenville, located on the Dublin Road opposite The Killeshin Hotel.

The Portlaoise Islamic Centre is based in Rahman House, at the entrance to the estate.

Cllr Fitzgerald said: A lot of residents contacted us, raising concerns about traffic management and dangerous parking. An awful lot of residents are finding it difficult now to get out of their homes.

A lot of children are playing in the estate and sometimes running out between parked cars, so its a safety issue too. It is stressful and residents are really asking for help and solutions.

Cllr Buggy observed that childcare facilities were very important to families, as he asked for measures to increase the safety of children being dropped off and collected at the creche, while also facilitating the wishes of the residents.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley (Ind) pointed out that the problem was going on for over 15 years and all local councillors received the latest email from residents. She added that the parking issue was particularly bad on Fridays and days of worship at the mosque.

Cllr Dwane Stanley said: The problem is that planning permission was granted in a built-up area on a busy road. The facility is there and we cant move it. Gardai go up and move cars from double yellow lines, but apart from that I dont know what the answer is.

In a written response to councillors Fitzgerald and Buggy, a council official said the Portlaoise MD office would liaise with An Garda Siochana, to support appropriate enforcement of traffic regulations.

In a separate proposal, Cllr Buggy asked Laois Co Council to consider allowing new places of worship to be located only where there is sufficient parking space for those who attend their place of worship.

Cllr Buggy said he was conscious that there were many forms of spiritual belief and many like-minded people wished to congregate to worship as a group.

He said: To facilitate this, groups either purchase or build a building to cater for their needs. As many of these worshippers travel distances by car to their places of worship, parking is essential.

Im suggesting that, in future, a requirement for granting permission for a place of worship is that there is sufficient parking to facilitate the worshippers.

Supporting the proposal, Cllr Mulligan said: This is about learning lessons from what happened with the mosque on the Dublin Road. It was granted permission but doesnt have adequate parking space and the residents are suffering now.

A written response from the councils planning section said: Laois Co Council will assess applications for new places of worship, in accordance with the development management standards of the County Development Plan (2021-2027), which include parking requirements and the zoning objectives for the area.

Residents objected unsuccessfully to the proposed development of a mosque and community centre at Grenville back in 2007, when a planning application was lodged by the Rahman Foundation.

The application sought to develop a house on the estate to serve more than 1,000 members of the Muslim community living in Portlaoise. At the time, Grenville residents said the area would not have the capacity to deal with the centre due to an increase in traffic.
A COMMITTEE in Kilcullen has designed a badge to mark the 90th anniversary of the death of Frank Conroy, a local man who was killed in the Spanish Civil War in 1936. The badge will soon be available from the Kilcullen Heritage Centre and the offices of deputy Shonagh Ni Raghallaigh in Kildare town, where donations towards the Heritage Centre may be made upon collection.

Local man Mick Healy explained how he helped set up this committee in 2012 after Kildare historian James Durney wrote about Frank Conroy.

James knew he was from Kildare, but didnt know he was from Kilcullen, said Mick. We actually had our first meeting in Kildare town because thats where we thought he was from, but then James Durney uncovered the Kilcullen element.

The Frank Conroy badge

On 22 June 2019, Christy Moore unveiled a plaque to Frank Conroy to commemorate the 26-year-old Kilcullen man who was killed in 1936 while fighting with the International Brigade in the Spanish Civil War.

The plaque was presented to the Kilcullen Heritage Centre by the Friends of the International Brigades Ireland.

Christy Moore took to the stage at the Heritage Centre to give an impromptu performance of four songs including Viva La Quince Brigada, and in the final verse Christy actually names Frank Conroy, his fellow county man.

Christy always mentioned Frank Conroy when he sang the song, but he never knew he was from Kilcullen, and now he always mentions this, said Mick.

Frank Conroy was born on 25 February 1914 in Kilcullen and at a young age he joined the IRA; later he became involved with the Republican Congress.

Frank was active in street battles against Irish supporters of the fascist General Franco in Spain, and around this time he volunteered to join the International Brigade, determined to defend the Spanish Republic against the Francos fascist rebellion.

He set sail on the Holyhead ferry on 13 December 1936, alongside other Irish volunteers of the International Brigade. At Lopera in Cordoba, the Irish in the new International Brigades went into action on 28 December 1936.

The fighting here was fierce, and Frank Conroy was killed here that day, one of up to 70 Irishmen who died in this conflict.

We dont know an awful lot about Franks Kilcullen background, but when the 1926 census becomes available later this year, we will learn much more about Frank, like his address, and things like that, said Mick.

Nessa Dunlea, whose family used to own the cinema which is now the Heritage Centre, discovered that Frank Conroys father  a baker  worked in her grandfathers bakery in Kilcullen, so maybe even Frank worked there, said Mick.

At the moment, the Frank Conroy Memorial Committee has nothing concrete planned to commemorate the 90th anniversary of his death but there are some ideas, maybe for JuneFest in Newbridge, like the unveiling of the plaque in 2019.

Watch this space.
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Duiske College is celebrating an outstanding national achievement after being ranked third in Ireland among mixed secondary schools for progression to third-level education in the Irish Times School Progression (Feeder Schools) tables.

This prestigious ranking places Graignamanagh's Duiske College among the very top mixed schools in the country.

The Irish Times progression charts analyse how students advance from second-level education to universities and other third-level institutions, using official State and CAO data.

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The rankings are widely regarded as one of the most reliable indicators of post-school outcomes in Irish education.

Under the leadership of Principal Georgina Murphy, Duiske College has continued to place strong emphasis on academic excellence, personalised student support and high-quality guidance.

Speaking following the publication of the rankings, Ms Murphy said: We are extremely proud of this achievement. Being ranked third among mixed schools nationally is a testament to the hard work of our students, the dedication of our staff and the strong partnership we have with parents and our wider community.

Duiske College has built a reputation for fostering ambition and confidence in its students, supporting them in progressing to a wide range of third-level pathways that best suit their abilities and aspirations.

This latest recognition highlights the schools ongoing commitment to excellence and confirms Duiske Colleges position as a leading centre of learning not just locally, but nationally.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Prosecutor General Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo has announced a landmark shift in Zimbabwe's approach to environmental offences, declaring that corporate impunity for "green crimes" will no longer be tolerated.Speaking at the launch of the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) 2026 strategic roadmap on Thursday, Justice Matanda-Moyo classified illegal mining, toxic waste dumping, and the plunder of timber and wildlife as major threats to national security."The era of corporate impunity is over," she said. "Going forward, we must ensure decisive prosecution of all companies that fail to comply with environmental laws, regardless of their size or stature."Justice Matanda-Moyo explained that the NPA will leverage its specialised Environmental Unit to fast-track environmental cases, ensuring swift judicial outcomes."We are not merely prosecuting a crime; we are defending the constitutional right of every Zimbabwean to a clean and healthy environment," she said.The Prosecutor General emphasized that the strategy, themed "Inclusive Accountability for Inclusive Prosperity and Stability", aims to hold those who profit from natural resources accountable for their preservation."Green crimes will now trigger red alerts' across our legal system," Justice Matanda-Moyo said, adding that the specialised unit will work to secure restitution for affected communities.This move signals a robust crackdown on environmentally harmful corporate practices and marks a significant step in strengthening Zimbabwe's environmental governance.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa formally returned to frontline politics on Friday, unveiling Agenda 2026, a citizen-driven framework aimed at "resetting Zimbabwe" after years of economic, political, and social challenges.Speaking to the press, Chamisa said he had taken a nearly two-year hiatus to allow others space in the political arena, but found the space "vacant." "I am back on the floor to dance for my nation, for the citizens and for the future," he declared, describing Zimbabwe as being at a "critical juncture."Chamisa painted a stark picture of Zimbabwe's current situation, highlighting economic hardship, political uncertainty, social breakdown, and what he called moral decay. He argued that decades after independence, Zimbabweans still face a lack of dignity, opportunity, and shared prosperity. He criticised state institutions for being "partisanised," which he said has deepened national disunity and eroded public trust. Central to his message was the assertion that Zimbabwe's core challenge remains a governance crisis, stemming from disputed elections, corruption, stolen mandates, and state capture. He rejected calls to "move on," insisting that unresolved flaws must be addressed to prevent repeating past failures.Agenda 2026, Chamisa said, represents a "clean break" from past compromises and is focused on citizens rather than personalities or parties. The plan aims to build a new national consensus, foster citizen agency, prepare for a future citizens' government, drive a moral and values revolution, and mount a robust international advocacy campaign through regional bodies such as SADC and Zimbabweans in the diaspora. Chamisa emphasised that the next 180 days would focus on legal, institutional, and grassroots preparations rather than rallies or public demonstrations."Zimbabwe needs a fresh start," he said. "The new dawn begins with us."Observers note that Chamisa's re-entry and the launch of Agenda 2026 signal a strategic shift for the opposition, focusing on long-term citizen engagement and institution-building ahead of future electoral contests.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has issued a stern warning to companies and individuals against posting details of cash movements on WhatsApp groups or other social media platforms, following a robbery at a service station in Macheke.Police said the incident involved the theft of USD 12,002, a Toyota Aqua vehicle (registration AFP 4750), and four cell phones. Preliminary investigations revealed that one of the service station managers had shared information online about cash collected from service stations in Murambinda, Nyazura, and Macheke while traveling to Harare for banking.The vehicle was later recovered abandoned at the 74-kilometre peg along the Harare-Mutare Road near Marondera.Authorities emphasized that posting such sensitive information publicly or in unsecured groups exposes individuals and businesses to criminal activity. The ZRP urged all commercial operators to adopt stricter internal controls and confidentiality measures when transporting cash, warning that negligence could have serious consequences."This incident serves as a reminder that sharing operational financial details online can be extremely dangerous," a police spokesperson said. "We call on all business operators to exercise caution and ensure secure handling of cash to prevent such robberies."
Residents, officials, schools and businesses are preparing for a dangerously cold weekend in mid-Missouri, with temperatures beginning to plunge Friday.

The latest forecast from the KOMU 8 First Alert Weather team notes that temperatures on Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be in the single digits and lower 10s. Overnight lows will be in the single digits or below zero.

Wind chills will be below zero for an extended amount of time, meaning frostbite is possible in as little as 10 minutes.

Gov. Mike Kehoe declared a state of emergency Thursday ahead of the winter storm, which will affect nearly the entire state, while Missouri Department of Transportation officials said they have already activated the agencys winter weather response.

Latest First Alert Forecast KOMU 8 First Alert Weather has issued a First Alert Weather Day for Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday due to extreme cold and accumulating snow.

In a social media post announcing the state of emergency, Kehoe said the move would allow Missouri to respond quickly and support local communities as needed. The governor asked residents to stay informed about conditions, plan ahead and use caution.

5 p.m.: Daniel Boone Regional Library announces closures

The Columbia Public Library, Callaway County Public Library, Holts Summit Public Library and Southern Boone County Public Library will be closed Saturday due to inclement weather, according to a news release from the Daniel Boone Regional Library.

4:25 p.m.: City of Moberly to work on winter weather operations throughout the weekend

The Moberly Public Works Department will have a crew on standby overnight on Friday, and will work all weekend throughout the event.

The Public Works Department has a fleet of 12 vehicles online this weekend, including four dump trucks and eight pickup trucks along with skid loaders, tractors, and UTV plows positioned in downtown, according to a city of Moberly news release.

4:10 p.m.: Columbia health department plans to keep open warming centers regardless of weather conditions

Several warming centers in Columbia are planning to stay open, regardless of the weather conditions. Due to changing conditions, it is recommended to check with the location before going, according to a city of Columbia news release.

Wilkes Boulevard United Methodist Church is holding an overnight warming center from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday, according to the news release.

The overnight warming center serves as a refuge of last resort for community members.

As capacity allows, people who are eligible for overnight shelter at Room at the Inn and/or Salvation Army Harbor House will be directed to those resources, according to the news release.

Animal Control will only respond to extreme emergencies during the event such as a vicious dog running loose, a gravely injured animal or bat inside the home, according to the news release.

4 p.m.: Go COMO bus services will operate on a normal Saturday schedule

Go COMO bus services will begin operations using a normal Saturday schedule, according to a city of Columbia news release.

Go COMO may transition to an emergency schedule if conditions worsen, according to the news release.

Under the emergency schedule, buses will depart Wabash Bus Station at the top of the hour, with routes taking 60 minutes to complete, instead of the usual 45 minutes, according to the news release.

Paratransit users may experience delays or service cancellations if neighborhood street conditions limit access for vans, according to the news release.

3:45 p.m.: City of Columbia responds to incoming winter weather

A 27-person Columbia Public Works Department snow plow crew will report at 10 p.m. Friday and will work through 7 a.m. Saturday, according to a city news release.

Operations will continue through 12-hour shifts for the duration of the winter weather event, according to the news release.

The extreme cold will significantly limit the effectiveness of salt on the roads, causing the operation to be primarily plowing.

Crews will begin focusing on on first- and second-priority routes, which include major arterial streets, emergency routes and roads serving critical facilities, according to the news release.

Residential streets will be addressed after priority streets.

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3:05 p.m.: MU Health Care Healthplex in Jefferson City closing Saturday

MU Health Care's Sam B. Cook Healthplex in Jefferson City will be closed Saturday. The Healthplex usually operates from 8 a.m to 12 p.m. on Saturday.

3 p.m.: Boone County Office of Emergency Management urges winter weather safety

Boone County officials urge residents to prepare now, limit travel during the storm, check on neighbors and be ready for possible power outages caused by snow and hazardous conditions.

Heavy snow and wind can quickly create dangerous road conditions and may lead to power outages in some areas, Chris Kelley, director of Boone County Emergency Management, said in a news release. Were asking residents to plan ahead, avoid unnecessary travel during the storm, and check on neighbors  especially older adults and those who may need extra helpwhile conditions allow.

Residents who rely on electricity for medical equipment, who have mobility or access needs are encouraged to make plans in advance and ensure they have a backup plan if power is disrupted.

Emergency contact guidance:

Call 911 for life-threatening emergencies or situations involving immediate danger.

Call 311 or 573-442-6131 for non-emergency assistance, welfare checks, storm related information, or help with functional or access needs that are not immediately life-threatening.

12:30 p.m.: MU Athletics announces no changes to schedule this weekend

Mizzou Athletics plans for the weekend's athletics schedule will remain as is.

Mizzou coordinated with the National Weather Service to ensure conditions would be safe enough for the events to continue as scheduled, according to a statement from Mizzou Athletics.

Fans planning on attending any events this weekend are urged to use caution when traveling to and from athletic venues.

This weekend's Mizzou events happening in Columbia are:

Wrestling vs. Oklahoma State at 6:30 p.m. Friday (Hearnes Center)

Men's basketball vs. Oklahoma at 1 p.m. Saturday (Mizzou Arena)

Wrestling vs. Northern Colorado at 1 p.m. Sunday (Hearnes Center)

Women's basketball vs. Texas A&M at 5 p.m. Sunday (Mizzou Arena)

12 p.m.: Missouri National Guard activates

The Missouri National Guard has activated about 180 members in response to the winter weather system.

The National Guard members are preparing equipment and will help the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Missouri Department of Transportation respond to stranded drivers.

Some of our fleet based in Vienna, suited and booted and ready for the incoming weather! pic.twitter.com/iJMIbKTHIY  MoDOT Central District (@MoDOT_Central) January 23, 2026

10:45 a.m.: Columbia Public Works issues parking advisory

The Columbia Public Works Department posted to Facebook to alert residents that parking is not allowed on first- and second-priority snow routes when snow accumulates to 2 inches or more.

The department asked residents to visit Alerts.CoMo.gov to sign up for a text alert when parking is no longer allowed on snow routes.

8 a.m.: Mid-Missouri braces for dangerously cold weekend

Multiple districts announced school closings for Friday, including Moberly, Sturgeon and Westran. Other organizations and activities announced closures for the weekend, including the Columbia Farmers Market.

The University of Missouri is currently planning on staying open throughout the weekend. University officials said they will continue to watch the weather and will notify the community if there are any changes.

THURSDAY UPDATES: Missouri governor declares state of emergency ahead of winter weather KOMU 8 First Alert Weather is tracking snow and extreme cold that is expected to impact the region this weekend.
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Trumps Board of Peace might sound ridiculous, and perhaps it is. But its no more ridiculous than claiming NATO is a board of peace.

That phrase now circulates in respectable company, with a straight face, as though repetition alone could make it true. It cannot. NATO was not born as a peace club, but as a military alliance with a narrow defensive purpose  specifically, to prevent the Soviet Union from rolling tanks across Western Europe.

It was a disciplined arrangement built on deterrence, limits and defined aims. It worked because it knew what it was  and what it was not.

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That NATO is gone.

The Cold War ended. The Warsaw Pact dissolved. The Soviet Union collapsed. Rather than declare victory and stand down, NATO did the opposite. It expanded. It moralized. It wandered, a defensive pact without a clear enemy. Like most institutions that outlive their purpose and go looking for relevance, it found trouble instead.

The alliance now stretches to Russias border, absorbing Finland and Sweden in the name of stability, while insisting  against geography, history and common sense  that this poses no threat to Moscow. It speaks the language of peace while operating as a permanent pressure machine. It calls escalation assurance. It calls encirclement defense. It calls itself restrained while funding, arming and coordinating a prolonged proxy war that has consumed hundreds of thousands of lives.

If this is peace, it is a peculiar kind.

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NATOs defenders insist that the alliance has simply adapted to a changing world. That is true, but adaptation is not always improvement. NATOs mission has drifted so far that it now resembles a roaming mandate rather than a treaty-bound alliance. Kosovo. Afghanistan. Libya. Iraq  by implication, if not formally. Each intervention was sold as exceptional. Each became precedent. Each left behind ruin with no accountability.

Afghanistan alone should have forced a reckoning. Twenty years, trillions spent, a state assembled from briefings, metrics and wishful thinking. When it collapsed, it did so almost instantly. NATO didnt deliver stability to Afghanistan but dependency, confusion, and a withdrawal so disorderly that even its own veterans struggle to say what it achieved. The alliance learned nothing, except how to rename failure and move on.

Libya followed the same pattern. A no-fly zone was sold as protection, a regime change delivered as collateral. A functioning state was reduced to a weapons depot with a flag. Slave markets returned to the Mediterranean, but NATO moved on. Mission accomplished, eyes forward, memory erased.

The Ukraine War has completed the transformation. NATO is now a political-military brand whose survival depends on perpetual confrontation. It is not formally at war with Russia, but it is functionally inseparable from the conflict. It trains. It supplies. It coordinates. It escalates by inches, then calls restraint a virtue. Each new weapons package is framed as defensive. Each red line crossed is described as inevitable, each negotiation delayed as premature.

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Peace, we are told, would reward aggression  at least according to the people who insist on defining peace for everyone else. But endless war also rewards something: institutions that grow richer, louder, and more powerful the longer fighting continues. NATO no longer prevents war but manages it, regulates it, ensures it doesnt end too quickly or too cleanly.

The alliances greatest trick has been to rebrand itself as a moral necessity rather than a strategic choice. To question NATO now is to invite accusations of naivete or treachery. Debate is discouraged. Doubt is dangerous. The organization that once existed to prevent catastrophe now treats catastrophe as proof of relevance.

Trumps proposed Board of Peace is laughable in its vagueness. A committee of signatures and ceremonies wont tame Gaza or reorder the world. But at least it admits the obvious: the current system produces neither stability nor harmony. NATOs defenders wont concede that. Denial has become the point.

NATO today is an abomination  not because it is evil, but because it is unaccountable. It answers to no electorate, absorbs no consequences and faces no sunset clause. It expands without end, intervenes without closure and speaks in diplomatic tones while operating through military force. It has become too big to fail and too sacred to question.

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Peace doesnt emerge from institutions that require enemies to justify their existence. It comes from limits, realism and the willingness to stop.

If Trumps Board of Peace sounds absurd, it is because escalation has become the default. NATO is no longer fit for purpose. America would do well to abandon it before countless more lives are lost, and countless new justifications are manufactured to keep the machinery of death running.

John Mac Ghlionn is a writer and researcher who explores culture, society and the impact of technology on daily life.

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

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By Jasper Ward and Ismail Shakil

WASHINGTON/OTTAWA, Jan 22 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew on Thursday an invitation for Canada to join his Board of Peace initiative aimed at resolving global conflicts.

Trump's aboutface follows Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he openly decried powerful nations using economic integration as weapons and tariffs as leverage.

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"Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canadas joining, what will be, the most prestigious Board of Leaders ever assembled, at any time," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post directed at Carney.

Neither Carney's office nor the White House immediately responded to Reuters requests for comment on Thursday evening.

Last week, Carney's office said he had been invited to serve on the board and planned to accept.

Carney received a rare standing ovation in Davos after the speech, in which he urged nations to accept the end of a rules-based global order.

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Canada, which recently signed a trade deal with China, can show how "middle powers" might act together to avoid being victimized by American hegemony, he added.

Trump retorted that Canada "lives because of the United States," and told listeners in Davos that Carney should be grateful for the United States previous largesse.

"Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements," he added, addressing Carney directly.

The withdrawal of Canada's invitation came hours after Trump officially launched the board, which was initially meant to cement a Gaza ceasefire.

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Permanent members must help fund the board with a payment of $1 billion each, according to Trump.

"Once this board is completely formed, we can do pretty much whatever we want to do," Trump said in Switzerland on Thursday. "And we'll do it in conjunction with the United Nations.

The board's establishment was endorsed by a United Nations Security Council resolution as part of Trump's Gaza peace plan, and U.N. spokesperson Rolando Gomez said on Thursday that U.N. engagement with the board would only be in that context.

Member nations include Argentina, Bahrain, Morocco, Pakistan and Turkey. Other U.S. allies, such as Britain, France and Italy, have indicated they will not join for now.

(Reporting by Jasper Ward in Washington and Ismail Shakil in Ottawa; Additional reporting by Kanishka Singh; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman, Sergio Non and Clarence Fernandez)
Cest une reunion de la derniere chance que sappretent a tenir les chefs dEtat de la Communaute economique et monetaire de lAfrique centrale (CEMAC). Ce lundi 22 janvier a Brazzaville, au Congo, lordre du jour est aussi crucial qualarmant : la zone est sous la menace dune tempete economique parfaite.

Les indicateurs, dans le rouge, dessinent un tableau preoccupant : deterioration acceleree des equilibres macroeconomiques, reserves de change en recul et finances publiques exsangues, fragilisees par des chocs externes et des defis structurels persistants.

Mais cest lepineuse question de la dette exterieure qui plane comme une epee de Damocles sur les discussions. Le poids des remboursements, attendu a un niveau particulierement eleve en 2026, menace daspirer les ressources deja rares des Etats membres. Cette charge insoutenable greve les capacites dinvestissement et limite la marge de manuvre des gouvernements pour relancer leurs economies.

Dans ce contexte de tensions financieres, les pressions du Fonds Monetaire International (FMI) se font de plus en plus vives. Linstitution de Bretton Woods, partenaire cle de plusieurs pays de la zone, impose des arbitrages budgetaires decisifs et souvent douloureux. Le sommet de Brazzaville doit ainsi trouver un equilibre delicat entre limperatif de stabilite macroeconomique reclame par le FMI et la necessite de preserver la cohesion sociale et les projets de developpement.

Autre dossier brulant sur la table des dirigeants : la domiciliation a la Banque des Etats de lAfrique Centrale (BEAC) des Fonds de restauration des sites (RES) des compagnies extractives. Une mesure attendue pour renforcer la transparence, securiser les ressources destinees a la rehabilitation environnementale et assurer une meilleure gestion des revenus du petrole, du gaz et des mines.

Ce sommet extraordinaire se tient donc a un moment charniere. Les decisions qui y seront prises, ou labsence de decisions fermes, determineront la resilience de la zone CEMAC face aux chocs a venir et sa capacite a retrouver une trajectoire de croissance inclusive et soutenable. Les peuples de la sous-region attendent des actes concrets pour sortir de lorniere economique.

CEMAC: Crucial Summit in Brazzaville Confronts Crushing Weight of External Debt and IMF Pressure

The heads of state of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC) are preparing for what could be a last-resort meeting. This Monday, January 22 in Brazzaville, Congo, the agenda is as critical as it is alarming: the region is under threat from a perfect economic storm.

The indicators, all in the red, paint a worrying picture: accelerated deterioration of macroeconomic balances, dwindling foreign exchange reserves, and depleted public finances weakened by external shocks and persistent structural challenges.

However, it is the thorny issue of external debt that looms over the discussions like a sword of Damocles. The burden of repayments, expected to reach a particularly high level in 2026, threatens to drain the already scarce resources of member states. This unsustainable burden hampers investment capacities and limits governments' room for maneuver to revive their economies.

In this context of financial strain, pressure from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is growing increasingly intense. The Bretton Woods institution, a key partner for several countries in the zone, is demanding decisive and often painful budgetary trade-offs. The Brazzaville summit must therefore find a delicate balance between the imperative of macroeconomic stability demanded by the IMF and the need to preserve social cohesion and development projects.

Another burning issue on the leaders' agenda is the domiciliation at the Bank of Central African States (BEAC) of the Site Restoration Funds (RES) of extractive companies. This long-awaited measure aims to strengthen transparency, secure resources for environmental rehabilitation, and ensure better management of revenues from oil, gas, and mining.

This extraordinary summit is thus taking place at a pivotal moment. The decisions made here, or the lack of firm decisions, will determine the resilience of the CEMAC zone in the face of future shocks and its ability to return to a path of inclusive and sustainable growth. The people of the sub-region are awaiting concrete actions to emerge from the economic rut.

CEMAC, sommet Brazzaville, dette exterieure, dette publique, FMI, Fonds Monetaire International, reserves de change, BEAC, Banque des Etats de lAfrique Centrale, macroeconomie, finances publiques, restauration des sites, compagnies extractives, economie Cameroun, Afrique Centrale, stabilite economique, sommet extraordinaire, Defis Actuels, EcoMatin, 2026, croissance economique

Mouahna Divine
A MAN who broke into a house in Portlaoise believing it to be used as an IPAS centre but instead was being lived in by Bulgarian workers was remanded on continuing bail when he appeared at the local district court last week.

Owen Lawlor, 25 Oakleaf Place, Knockmay, Portlaoise pleaded guilty to assault with intent to resist or prevent a lawful detention, trespass, criminal damage and with engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour at Coote Street, Portlaoise on 11 October.

Mr Lawlor also pleaded guilty to being intoxicated at the A&E Department of Portlaoise hospital on 31 October.

Garda Shane Meenaghan said: At 10.50pm on 11 October, gardai received a call about a man who had entered a premises on Coote Street, believing it to be an IPAS centre. He set off the alarm that made all the people leave the house. He was very intoxicated and belligerent, saying foreigners shouldnt be in the country. The garda said that at the time there were eight people in the house, all Bulgarian. He said that while the men did not know what Mr Lawlor was saying, a partner of one could understand what he was saying.

Garda Meenaghan said that while four gardai were attempting to arrest the defendant, his elbow swung back and broke one of the gardas glasses, causing 410 worth of damage.

Noting Mr Lawlors demeanour in court, garda Meenaghan said: He appears to be a different man compared to what he was like that night. Regarding the incident at the A&E department of the hospital, garda sgt JJ Kirby said gardai were called, where they found the 33-year-old defendant in a drunken state at 2.40am and he had to be arrested for his own safety.

Defending solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said that her clients actions at the house in Coote Street on the night was out of character for him. He didnt mean to cause harm and is very apologetic to the garda. She said in relation to the incident at the hospital, Mr Lawlor had been there to gain admission and had clearly drunk to excess. Ms Fitzgerald said that while her client had no compensation with him in court to pay for the damage he caused to the gardas glasses, given more time he would have.

Judge Susan Fay remanded Mr Lawlor on continuing bail to 15 June and in the meantime instructed him to take part in the Restorative Justice Programme, engage with the probation and welfare services and undergo an assessment to determine if he is a suitable candidate to undertake community service.

Judge Fay also ordered that he gather 410 to compensate the garda for breaking her glasses.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme.
LAOIS Co Council has been shortlisted for Council of the Year at this years All -Ireland Community and Council Awards.

The All-Ireland Community and Council Awards, which are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year, are hosted by the Local Authority Members Association (LAMA) and are sponsored by IPB Insurance. The awards were founded to showcase and recognise collaboration between communities and councils.

Chief Executive of Laois Co Council Michael Rainey was thrilled by the announcement: I am delighted to share that Laois has been nominated for multiple projects at the 2026 All-Ireland Community and Council Awards, as well as being shortlisted for the prestigious Council of the Year title. This recognition is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our staff across the organisation. Along with being shortlisted for the overall Council of the Year, Laois Co Council has been shortlisted in the following categories: Best Enterprise & Start Up Hub for The CUBE Low Carbon Centre of Excellence, Best Community  Scale Enhancement for The Poets Cottage Cafe in Camross, Best Housing Regeneration & Urban Planning for Goldencroft Urban Regeneration Project in Portlaoise, Best Sustainable Infrastructure & Climate Action for Portlaoise Low Carbon Town and Excellence in Sustainable Major Infrastructure Delivery for Portlaoise Low Carbon Town.

Alongside the various individual shortlistings, Laois Co Council was also shortlisted alongside Longford, Offaly and Westmeath county councils in the National Impact Award category, which awards a project or initiative that has had a positive effect on the nation as a whole, for driving STEM in the Midlands.
NINE students from Laois have received Entrance Exhibition awards from Trinity College Dublin, in recognition of outstanding performances in their Leaving Cert and final school examinations.

The prestigious awards are presented to first year undergraduate Trinity students who achieve the highest points among entrants from their secondary school, above a minimum of 500 CAO points or equivalent.

Former awardees have later contributed to the economic, cultural, and political life of Ireland and beyond. Past winners include former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

The Laois students who have received awards are Daniel Corbett (St. Mary's C.B.S.), Isabel Conroy (Presentation Secondary School), Gaia Rizzuto (Colaiste Iosagain Secondary School), Clodiagh Kennedy (Vocational School Portlaoise), Nathan Dewing (Portlaoise College), Brianna Bergin (St. Fergal's College), Lily Van Den Bergh (Dunamase College), Maxim Syomushkin (Community School), and Charles Donnery (Mountrath Community School).

A total of 602 first-year students from across the 32 counties of Ireland and abroad have received entrance awards from Trinity this year.

The students and their former school principals were invited celebrated their success at ceremonies in Trinitys Examination Hall between 20  22 January 2026.

There are 59 students receiving awards from 39 countries outside Ireland. Of the Irish awardees, 393 are from schools in Leinster, 67 are from Munster, 42 from Connacht and 41 from Ulster.

Trinity Provost Dr Linda Doyle congratulated all winners, noting that it is a great privilege to welcome these students to Trinity College Dublin.

They deserve enormous credit for the hard work and commitment that have brought them to this point. I have every confidence that they will thrive in Trinitys incredible academic environment.
A Northampton County jury convicted an Easton man of sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl, according to a news release from the district attorneys office.

The jury convicted Julito Ortiz, 47, on Thursday after a three-day trial, the release says. The release says the sexual abuse persisted over four years. It was reported to Bethlehem Township police by the victims older sister, the release says.

Ortiz was convicted of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault of a person under 16, corruption of minors, indecent assault, and endangering the welfare of a child.

Defense attorney George Nassif had no comment.

Sentencing will be April 23 before Northampton County Judge Paula Roscioli. Ortiz is in custody on $1 million bail.
Easton Public Market will welcome a new food vendor later this winter with the opening of Bincho-Don, an island-focused takeout concept led by Chef Kadon Barnwell.

The new vendor is expected to open in February in downtown Easton.

Bincho-Don will operate out of the former More Than Q space, which was occupied by pitmaster Matt Martin for nearly a decade, according to a news release.

More Than Q, one of the markets original vendors, decided to transition out of the Easton location and pass along the space and smoker to Barnwell.

The new concept centers on island-inspired cuisine, drawing heavily from Caribbean food traditions.

Im incredibly excited to bring Bincho-Don to the Easton Public Market, Barnwell said. The concept is inspired by the island foods I grew up around  Caribbean, Guyanese, Honduran, and Filipino  and the way those cultures use rice, fire, spice, and time to create comforting, soulful meals. [Easton Public Market] feels like the perfect place to build something community-driven, and Im looking forward to cooking food that feels both familiar and a little unexpected.

Bincho-Don is modeled after Caribbean takeout spots and will focus on rice plates paired with proteins, sauces and side dishes. The format is designed to fit within the fast-paced environment of a food hall.

Barnwell has more than 12 years of experience in professional kitchens and has worked his way up from dishwasher to executive chef. According to the release, the opening at Easton Public Market marks a significant milestone in his career, as Easton has become both his personal and professional home.

Bincho-Don plans to collaborate with other market vendors and source ingredients from regional farmers and producers when possible.

An official opening date has not yet been announced, but updates will be shared through Easton Public Markets website and social media channels.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued a novel ruling Wednesday backing the suspension of a former Philadelphia judge for making waves of partisan posts on Facebook.

Former Philadelphia County Judge Mark Cohen was suspended in May 2024 after the Court of Judicial Discipline ruled a long trail of Facebook messages violated the Pennsylvania Judicial Canons, rules that apply to all judges across the state.

Those rules require judges to uphold the independence, integrity and impartiality of the judiciary and avoid the appearance of partiality or impropriety. Its widely interpreted to forbid sitting judges from making overtly political statements, among other things.

In its 38-page opinion released Wednesday, the court ruled Cohen  who also was a longtime Democratic member of the state House  appeared to be acting like an advocate for the Democratic Party from the bench, and defined him as a spokesperson for the party.

Cohen appealed the Court of Judicial Disciplines sanctions 2024 to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court arguing his Facebook posts were protected by the First Amendment right to free speech.

Cohen, who served in the House from 1974 to 2016, won a judges seat on Philadelphia County court in 2018.

Cohens suspension lasted until Dec. 31, 2024  the date of his mandatory retirement from the bench. Judges are required by Pennsylvania law to retire when they turn 75 years old.

Through his time on the bench, Cohen advocated for legislation, cheered on Democratic politicians, implicitly endorsed a candidate for congressional office, touted his own legislative achievements as a Democrat and criticized the policies of predominantly Republican legislatures, the opinion wrote.

After his colleagues on the bench encouraged him to stop and self-report his conduct to the Judicial Conduct Board, Cohen doubled down and continued posting about politics as the investigation continued.

The opinion covered new territory in evaluating judicial conduct. Neither the Pennsylvania Supreme Court nor the US Supreme Court has directly addressed the question of what standard to apply when reviewing constitutional challenges to restrictions on a sitting judges speech, the former wrote in its opinion.

Cohen argued the court should use the strict scrutiny test normally applied to judicial candidates, which generally allows them to convey their qualifications while running for office.

Under that test, restrictions on speech must address a compelling state interest and be narrowly tailored to that interest.

But Cohen wasnt running for office, and was due to retire by the end of the year he had been suspended. So instead, the court applied the balancing test where the courts weigh the interests of one party against the interests of another.

In doing so, the state Supreme Court appears to treat judges like state employees for the purpose of First Amendment restrictions.

US Supreme Court precedent says public employees have First Amendment rights, but in some cases those rights can be diminished because of the role they play in government.

In this case, the court ruled Pennsylvanias interests in upholding the independence, integrity and impartiality of its judiciary outweighed Cohens interests  interests where he (acted) as a spokesperson for the Democratic Party after he took the bench.

The court opined Cohen did not just put his own reputation at risk, but detracted from the reputation of the entire judiciary because he abused the prestige of his office to advance the Democratic Partys interests.
Four abandoned newborn puppies found outside in the Poconos were rescued by area wildlife organizations and local police are investigating how they ended up there.

One of the puppies died and another suffered frostbite from the cold, officials said.

A caller Wednesday evening reported finding the puppies at her Tobyanna Township, Monroe County apartment complex.

The National Weather Service in Mount Holly, New Jersey reported a low temperature of 33 degrees Wednesday evening at Mount Pocono.

The woman called various shelters and got no answer before representatives of the Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation grabbed the call just before punching out for the evening. Two workers stayed up throughout the evening to rescue and care for the animals.

The puppies are pit bull breed. Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation representatives didnt immediately return messages for more information Friday morning.

There is much more to this story that we cannot share at this time, the organization did post Wednesday evening on its Facebook page. But what we can say is this ... These puppies are newborn, and the trauma they have already endured is immense.

One of the puppies had already died by the time rescuers reached them, and the others were barely hanging on, cold, fragile, and fighting to survive, animal rescuers said.

By Thursday, one of the puppies was suffering from extreme frostbite injuries. The injuries appeared life-threatening to the animal, according to the group.

And beyond the babies themselves, we cannot stop thinking about the mother ... panicked, searching, calling for her babies, never knowing where they went. That heartbreak is indescribable, the organization added, followed by three crying emojis.

Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation in an updated Facebook posting Thursday afternoon stated the mother of the puppies was found alive. The organization, however, didnt elaborate, stating the case continues to be investigated by Pocono Mountain Regional police.

Pocono Mountain Regional Police Chief Chris Wagner told lehighvalleylive.com no charges have been filed, but the investigation remains ongoing.

Outcast Rescue in Catasauqua has since taken on caring for the puppies while Pocono Wildlife continues to help authorities in the investigation.

Outcast Rescue representatives said upon arrival on Thursday the puppies were immediately warmed and placed into an incubator. Two pups can take bottles, while the other two require tube feeding, the organization said.

All continue to be underweight. The puppy with frostbite continues to be monitored by a veterinarian. The organization is accepting monetary donations and items from its puppy wish list through Pocono Pups on Amazon.

Thank you all for your continued support, compassion, and understanding, Outcast Rescue added in the posting, followed by a paw print and heart emojis. These babies are safe now  and they are fighters."
The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is back at it once again.

For the past several years around late January, the animal rights group has issued a press release suggesting that the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club replace its beloved groundhog mascot, Punxsutawney Phil, with something less ... alive.

Phil, of course, regularly lets us know if were due for six more weeks of winter or an early spring based on if he sees his shadow or not. Or so the legend says.

But PETA feels Phil is being exploited and should be cared for at an animal shelter instead of being trotted out before a large crowd and cameras every Feb. 2. In 2024, the group suggested using a giant coin instead. Last year it posited cutting into a cake instead, a la some gender reveal parties.

This years suggestion? A holographic image.

Pixelated pop stars are headlining concerts and long departed celebrities are attending conventions, so why not put that technology to good use: on a hologram that lets the real Phil hibernate in peace, PETA Founder Ingrid Newkirk said in a release. PETA is urging the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club to chuck its tired tradition of harassing a shy animal and give Gobblers Knob a glow-up with a phantom prognosticator.

An AI-generated image of a crowd standing in front of a giant, holographic image of Phil  colored blue for winter and pink for spring  accompanies the release.

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro, who has not show much regard for PETAs suggestions in previous years, issued a curt, wordless response on X: A version of the iconic Dont Tread on Me flag, but with a photo of Phil replacing the snake.

He is indeed very serious about his defense of Phil, Alex Peterson a spokesperson for the Governors Office, told the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The Social Security Administration is making significant progress towards a digital-first platform that will serve its beneficiaries.

Social Security Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano briefed the Social Security Advisory Board on Jan. 7, 2026, highlighting significant customer service improvements over the past year.

Those improvements include 65% more calls answered in fiscal year 2025 compared to 2024, a 33% reduction in backlog of disability claims and the completion of $17 billion in Social Security Fairness Act payments five months ahead of schedule, according to the agency.

The American people are experiencing a Social Security Administration that has been transformed through digital innovation and strategic process engineering to deliver best-in-class service, Bisignano said.

Here are some of the other improvements that have reshaped how Social Security beneficiaries interact with the agency.

What improvements to Social Security have been made on the digital front and otherwise?

The agency now provides Americans with 24/7 access to their personal my Social Security accounts after previously having the website down 29 hours per week, according to the Social Security Administration.

Call volume increased by 65% in fiscal year 2025 compared to fiscal year 2024, and technology improvements have enabled 90% of calls to be resolved through self-service or convenient callbacks.

Plus, the average answering speed for the National 800 Number has dropped to single digits.

Average wait times for visitors at field offices decreased by nearly 30% from fiscal year 2024 to fiscal year 2025, with appointment holders waiting an average of six minutes.

The pending inventory of initial disability claims went down by 33% from an all-time high of 1.26 million claims in June 2024, according to the SSA.

The Social Security Administration also sent over 3.1 million payments totaling over $17 billion to beneficiaries eligible under the Social Security Fairness Act, five months ahead of schedule.
The South Asian nation of Pakistan is the latest nation on the U.S. State Departments list of countries where immigrant visa processing will be paused.

According to The Washington Post, the Trump administration halted visas to 75 different nations as of Jan. 21, and Pakistan is one of them.

Pakistan responded by making it harder for Americans and some citizens of other countries to obtain visas before arrival online, according to Visas News.

READ MORE: U.S. citizens face visa bans in four West African nations

Here is why the U.S. State Department paused immigrant visas in Pakistan, and how Pakistan is restricting its visa process to Americans and citizens of other nations.

Why did the U.S. State Department pause immigrant visas in Pakistan?

According to the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Pakistan, starting Jan. 21, the State Department is pausing all immigrant visas from Pakistan until further notice.

Secretary Rubio has instituted this pause until we can ensure that new immigrants have been vetted to the maximum degree to ensure their eligibility for a U.S. visa, including that they will not use public assistance, the U.S. Embassy in Pakistans website stated.

The embassy clarified that the visa pause does not apply to nonimmigrant visas, such as those for tourists, students, athletes, skilled workers and their families.

What is Pakistans latest move with its visa program?

Pakistan is pausing its visa prior to arrival program, which previously allowed citizens of 125 nations to apply for a visa online.

Under the old program, visa approvals could take 24 to 48 hours, according to Visas News.

Now, travelers from the U.S., Canada and the U.K. have to pay a $60 USD fee for traditional paid eVisa, and tourist visas alone have processing times of up to seven business days.

The pause started Jan. 1, and affects citizens of 126 countries.

Have other countries enacted visa bans against the U.S.?

While Pakistans visa restrictions were not a retaliation against the Trump administrations travel ban, other countries have enacted similar bans against Americans as a direct response to the U.S.s actions.

The West African nations of Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali and Chad have enacted indefinite visa bans in direct response to the Trump administrations actions.

Malis Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for example, said in a statement that it would impose the same conditions and requirements as those imposed by the American authorities on Malian citizens entering the United States.
An old railroad trestle in Downtown Easton that is off limits to the public is proposed for new life as part of an ambitious elevated trail called The Easton Highline.

Pennsylvanias lieutenant governor joined state lawmakers and recreation officials during a visit Friday to Easton to celebrate the award of $500,000 toward the acquisition of 17.57 acres in the city and neighboring West Easton Borough for the project.

Lt. Gov. Austin Davis recalled growing up in McKeesport on the other side of the state, a community like the Lehigh Valley thats embraced new life for the industrial past.

We were left with shuttered steel mills and abandoned railways, he said. Now were redeveloping former industrial sites and revitalizing communities like Easton. Were transforming places like this long-dormant rail corridor into assets for the community.

The Highline will bring people into Eastons Downtown and into the outdoors. Residents and visitors will be able to walk, bike, run on an elevated trail similar to New York Citys High Line.

The state grant for the project will help develop 1.14 miles of the new trail. Its part of $82 million awarded earlier this month by Gov. Josh Shapiros Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for 295 recreation and environmental projects statewide.

Renderings shown during a news conference Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, in Easton City Hall show properties to be acquired and proposed elements of a new elevated rail-trail under design called The Easton Highline, which would tie in to the Two Rivers Trailway and D&L Trail. Kurt Bresswein | For lehighvalleylive.com

Planners envision Eastons Highline tying in to the existing Two Rivers Trailway and the D&L Trail, which spans 165 miles of eastern Pennsylvania. Eventually, the vision is to connect across the Delaware River to Phillipsburg.

The complete cost and timeline are unclear, according to Easton officials. Mayor Sal Panto Jr. said the first leg wont be done during his final two years in office.

When youre in office, in public office, like everyone here knows, you do things that may not be realized for 10 years. This will be realized within five years, Panto predicted.

Once complete, it would be the nations first high-line trail to connect two states, Panto said.

This initial portion funded in part by the state grant includes the former Belvidere & Lehigh River Railway trestle over the Dr. George S. Smith Bridge that carries South Third Street and Route 611 traffic over the Delaware River and D&L Trail in Downtown Easton.

The remaining acreage leads west into West Easton, whose Mayor Dan DePaul joined Fridays grant announcement.

The Easton Highline will transform the rail space into a trail that connects people to the river, creating new opportunities for recreation and mobility, said newly sworn-in Northampton County Executive Tara Zrinski.

State Sen. Lisa Boscola helps announce a $500,000 grant for The Easton Highline, a proposed new rail-trail in Easton and West Easton, on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, in Easton City Hall alongside, from left, Elizabeth Class-Maldonado from the nonprofit Trust for Public Land, Mayor Sal Panto Jr., Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Director Cindy Adams Dunn, Northampton County Executive Tara Zrinski, Lt. Gov. Auston Davis, state Rep. Robert Freeman and state Director of Outdoor Recreation Nathan Reigner. Kurt Bresswein | For lehighvalleylive.com

The nonprofit Public Land Trust is working with Easton on purchasing the old rail bed and associated rights of way for the project.

Our partnership will help create a linear park and a trail that will connect the people of Easton with more than 180 miles of trails in the region, the trusts associate vice president and Pennsylvania state director, Elizabeth Class-Maldonado, said Friday. And it will also create a public space for people to gather to engage and connect with their communities.

Davis and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Director Cindy Adams Dunn noted the state stepped in to fund the project after President Donald Trumps administration withdrew funding for the project.

We predict and expect a long-term commitment here and well be there for it, Adams Dunn said. Its important and its good work. The long dormant rail corridor will be a remarkable public space.

Outdoor recreation is a $19 billion industry in Pennsylvania, Adams Dunn noted, that supports 168,000 jobs and generates $9 billion in wages.

But its more than that, she said. Its the reason people want to live, work and play in Pennsylvania.
Dangerous cold arrives Friday night in the Lehigh Valley region, while a significant winter storm is forecast to bring substantial snow and ice accumulation Saturday night through Monday.

Wind chills will drop below zero across most of the area Friday night, with the Pocono Mountains facing the most severe conditions.

The National Weather Service issued an Extreme Cold Warning for 7 p.m. Friday to 10 a.m. Saturday for Carbon and Monroe counties in the southern Poconos, with dangerous wind chills expected to plummet to as low as minus 20 degrees.

A Cold Weather Advisory is in effect overnight Friday into Saturday morning for a region encompassing Berks, Bucks, Lehigh, Northampton, Warren and Hunterdon counties  warning of very cold wind chills as low as 11 degrees below zero.

Temperatures will rapidly fall from the low 30s on Friday to single digits or below zero by early Saturday morning, accompanied by west-northwest winds gusting 25-35 mph. In the Poconos, the National Weather Service warns that just 30 minutes of exposed skin could cause frostbite and hypothermia.

The cold wind chills as low as 10 below zero could result in hypothermia if precautions are not taken, the Lehigh Valley advisory states. Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin is exposed to these temperatures. Wind chill values can lead to hypothermia with prolonged exposure.

A major winter storm is expected to develop Saturday night, with snowfall expected to reach 12 to 18 inches in eastern Pennsylvania and northwestern New Jersey, with the Poconos potentially seeing over 18 inches.

To the southeast, areas near the I-95 corridor may experience mixed precipitation, including sleet and freezing rain, with potential ice accumulations of 0.10 to 0.25 inches.

The weather service issued a Winter Storm Watch for the entire area from Saturday night through early Monday afternoon.

At Lehigh Valley International Airport outside Allentown, the weather services hourly forecast has the snow starting shortly after midnight Saturday, continuing throughout Sunday into Monday morning and ending by about 7 p.m. Monday.

The arctic air mass will persist through late next week, with temperatures likely remaining below freezing through Thursday. Daily high temperatures will struggle to reach the low 20s, with lows in the single digits. Wind chills are expected to remain below zero Monday and Tuesday nights.

Residents are advised to take extreme precautions, including:

Current weather radar
Emergency workers have described arriving at the scene after George Nkencho was shot by Gardai.

Mr Nkencho, 27, died outside his home in west Dublin in December 2020 after being shot multiple times by the Garda armed support unit.

Depositions by members of Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) were read to the inquest into his death on Friday.

Crew members of Dublin Fire Brigade, which also provides ambulance services in the Dublin area, arrived on the scene and found Mr Nkencho in a critical condition.

Station officer Declan Rice said he found Mr Nkencho with gunshot injuries to his chest, some type of wound to his left arm and metal wires from the taser were protruding from his clothes.

Mr Rice said he called for an advanced paramedic but none were available.

As Mr Nkencho was put into the ambulance, the DFB crew described how the area grew volatile.

Mr Rice said there were a number of angry members and the public who were shouting at Gardai.

Firefighter Mick Carton said the crowd which had gathered became quite hostile, and by that I mean the crowd on scene were shouting at the Gardai, which I felt was abusive.

Another firefighter, Dermot Mooney, outlined how CPR continued in the ambulance on the way to Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown.

He said there was a lot of blood on the stretcher, I thought the gunshot wounds had exited.

Emergency department consultant at Connolly Hospital, Dr Siobhan Maguire described how her team worked on Mr Nkencho after he arrived at hospital.

She said he had a Glasgow Coma scale of 3, meaning he was deeply unconscious.

His heart was not beating, Dr Maguire said, and she was told three previous attempts to use defibrillators had found no electrical current in his heart.

On examination of Mr Nkencho, she said she found he had wounds to his chest and to his left forearm.

As part of their treatment they quickly administered adrenaline and infusions of red blood cells.

Resuscitation attempts continued for 17 minutes before Mr Nkencho was declared dead.

The incident was the subject of an independent criminal investigation by the then Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission (GSOC), now Fiosru, which concluded in June 2023 with the submission of an investigative file to the director of public prosecutions.

A decision was made not to pursue any criminal prosecution in relation to the shooting.

The inquest into Mr Nkenchos death began last week at Dublin District Coroners Court.
There is great sadness across Laois following the sad passing of a well-known Portlaoise businessman.

William (Billy) Rowan, founder of Reliable House Furnishers on Portlaoise's Station road, sadly passed away on Thursday January 22 surrounded by his loving family.

The business has been a fixture of Portlaoise since its opening in November of 1969, and has grown steadily from modest beginnings into a trusted destination for furniture, carpets, blinds and flooring.

Pictured: The Rowan Family; Pamela, Billy (RIP), Nicola, Harry and Serena celebrating 55 years in business in 2024. Photo: The Leinster Express

Billy began his working career in Shaw's department store, where he worked for 12 years. His entrepreneurial streak ran deep, and he set up a business in Carlow where he supplied mushrooms for a time.

He opened Reliable House Furnishers at the same location it exists today, what was formerly a dance hall. In the beginning, Billy was so committed to seeing the business grow, that he travelled to Dublin every weekend to source high quality furniture for his shop.

Billy ran the shop alongside his brothers Harry and Douglas. Together, they weathered changing times and economic challenges, while keeping the business rooted firmly in the community it served.

Those who knew Billy best often described his approach as simple and steady: do right by people, and the business will follow.

He believed in quality, fairness, and looking after customers, values that were evident in the way the shop operated year after year.

Billy was predeceased by his beloved wife Florence and his brother Douglas.

He is dearly loved by his daughters Serena, Pamela and Nicola, and cherished as a grandfather to Naomi, Miriam and Andrew.

He is deeply regretted by his sons-in-law, extended family, friends, and by the many loyal customers who came to know him over decades in business.

As Laois locals reflect on his life, many will remember Billy Rowan not only as a businessman, but as someone who helped generations turn houses into homes.

Tributes have poured in across the county in memory of Billy, with hundreds of people remembering Billy as a true gentleman.

"Billy was a real gentleman. He will be missed in the community of Portlaoise and surrounding areas of Laois. 56 years in business is a very long time. His family can always be very proud of what Billy has achieved in providing the people in Laois with all their household furnishings over the years," one person said.

"Our sincere condolences to the family on Billy's passing. He was such a well known and respected man in Portlaoise and ran a great business for so many years. May Heaven be his bed. He will be missed by many," another person paid tribute.

"Its with deep sadness that I heard of Billys passing. A kind gentle man always willing to support and help out," another tribute read.

"As a customer of Relable House Furnishers for the last 45 years Billy was always so obliging and friendly... many chats were had down through the years!! He will be sorely missed," another condolence read.

See Billy's funeral arrangements below.
Two Laois nursing students have been awarded a new distinction from Trinity College.

Former Portlaoise Institute students Oluchi Onyinyechi Izima and Abigail Osula have been awarded the newly established Trinity College QQI Distinction Award, which recognises their outstanding academic achievements.

The prestigious award celebrates exceptional performance in QQI modules completed at Portlaoise Institute, prior to entry into third-level education.

Pictured: students Oluchi Onyinyechi Izima and Abigail Osula with Portlaoise Institute's Patricia Creery.

The awards highlight the positive role further education institutions play in preparing students for university success.

Both recipients completed the Pre-University Nursing course at Portlaoise Institute before progressing to Trinity College Dublin, where they are currently completing their Level 8 degree in General Nursing.

The award ceremony took place on Monday, 19 January, in the grand Dining Hall at Front Square, Trinity College Dublin.

The event brought together award recipients, academic staff and guests to celebrate academic excellence and student progression.

Representing Portlaoise Institute at the ceremony were Principal Keith McClearn and Nursing Studies Coordinator Patricia Creery.

Oluchi and Abigail are a credit to themselves, their families, and to Portlaoise Institute," Mr McClearn told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

"Their achievement highlights what is possible through commitment, determination and the strong academic foundation provided by further education. We are immensely proud to see them progressing so successfully at Trinity College Dublin," he said.

Oluchi Onyinyechi Izima expressed her gratitude for the support she received during her time at the institute.

The Pre-University Nursing course at Portlaoise Institute gave me the confidence and skills I need to succeed at university," she said.

"It prepared me for the challenges of studying nursing at degree level. The teachers were incredibly supportive and always encouraged us to aim high. Receiving this award means so much to me," Ms Onyinyechi Izima finished.

Congratulations to the two students!
Kildare County Council (KCC) has been asked to explore location options for a youth mental health clinic in Newbridge.

The request was heard at the latest Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District (MD) meeting, which took place on Wednesday, January 21 last.

It was submitted via a joint motion from Fianna Fail councillors Noel Heavey, who is also the Mayor of the MD, and Rob Power, who was absent from the meeting.

Both Mayor Heavey and Cllr Power urged KCC to investigates possible options for locating a Jigsaw Clinic in Newbridge, in order to provide mental health therapy to young people aged between 12 and 25 (Jigsaw is a charity which promotes positive mental health among the youth of Ireland and offers free therapy and supports to them).

The motion was seconded by Fine Gael Cllr Kevin Duffy.

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Replying to the joint motion, KCC issued a lengthy response via the report it presented at the meeting.

It said that while it "recognises the positive work" that Jigsaw and other mental health charities carries out, KCC also emphasised that Jigsaw receives support from the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Department of Health.

"In that regard, suitable spaces available in the county from these agencies should be a primary and initial consideration for that charity, in terms of sustainably delivering their programmes," KCC added.

KCC further said: "There are a limited range of suitable KCC-owned premises at present, and it would not be appropriate for the KCC to commit to any individual agency in terms of potential or exclusive use of community spaces.

"It is important that any facility that is subject to substantial investment of public funds offers the widest possible range of relevant services to the local community."

OPEN TO ENGAGEMENT

However, KCC also noted: "In that regard, but without prejudice to future general expression of interest processes, KCC will, if Jigsaw are unable to obtain a suitable space from the HSE or Department of Health, engage with them as it would with other groups and charities."

"The members may be aware that a suitable space for both neurodiverse young people, as well as a private space that can also be used for counselling is a need identified from consultation as a concern in Newbridge.

"In that regard, in preliminary designs efforts are being made to accommodate such a space at the future Newbridge Youth Centre, albeit in a property with constraints; given the demographic above, however, in the motion, very careful consideration to child protection measures would be required on what will hopefully be a busy and mixed-use site."

KCC concluded: "As indicated to members before, it is intended to brief them further regarding the outline designs for the Centre during this quarter."

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EPIDEMIC

Another local representative who expressed support for the joint motion was Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender.

He said: "Anyone who has worked or is working with young people can see the mental health epidemic among young people.

"This is something that should be nationally funded and supported by the HSE."

Cllr Pender added: "I have no doubt that it [the Jigsaw Clinic] is needed, but this is something that out national ministers should be trying to support and secure the funding for."

Another local rep, Fine Gael Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer, suggested dealing with the matter "at Local Community Development Commitee (LCDC) level", as she sits on the LCDC.

The author of the report, a KCC representative, reiterated to the members that it is "not a KCC-core function" to secure a location and / or explore location options for a Jigsaw Clinic. They also reiterated that it would be a core function of the HSE [and the Department of Health].

Furthermore, the KCC rep said that they agreed with Cllr O'Dwyer's suggestion.

After a brief discussion, it was agreed that Cllr O'Dwyer would refer the matter to the LCDC.

Further information about Jigsaw can be found on the charity's official website.

The joint motion was submitted by Fianna Fail Cllrs Noel Heavey (LEFT) and Rob Power (RIGHT). Photograph credit for Cllr Heavey: Martin Connelly. Photograph credit for Cllr Power: File photograph

READ NEXT: Kildare County Council urged to commit to delivery of playground at this location

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Kildare County Council has been urged to demolish buildings in Basin Street, Naas, to provide new homes.

KCC owns a former business premises at the Basin Street/Abbey Street junction as well as other properties further down towards the Grand Canal harbour and Naas Mayor Seamie Moore said to demolish the building at the junction would enhance road safety and improve public realm space.

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KCCs John Delaney said the council is examining how best to utilise the site. And this is being done in accordance with KCC policy and the forthcoming Naas canal quarter masterplan - which will chart future development in the canal area.

He also pointed out that the site is part of an architectural conservation area and is adjacent to a planned greenway.

These issues have to be considered before a decision is taken to provide social housing or to reinstate contemporary buildings there.

Several surveys have been carried out and planning advice sought because of possible restrictions due to the location of the site. Its likely funding can be secured early in 2026, leading to a renovation/reconstruction plan.

The condition of the building was criticised by Cllr Bill Clear at a Naas Municipal District committee meeting, who said they look worse now than they were before the council bought them.
IDA Chief Executive, Cloone native Michael Lohan, has emphasised the need for negotiation with regards the trade tensions between the US and Europe.

Lohan is attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Speaking from there, he spoke of the need to de-escalate the current tensions, with a potential trade war being damaging for all involved.

We have to find a resolution through discussion and negotiation. Using certain tools would be damaging to the US and European economy, he told the Irish Independent.

The tools he was referring to was a potential counter measure from the EU to the US trade threat to levy new tariffs on Denmark and six other EU states over their stance on Greenland.

READ MORE: Leitrims historic buildings to benefit with over 110,000 in heritage funding

Lohan went to say that despite the current turmoil, global companies continue to operate.

On an operational level, trade continues, it has to, he stated.

International companies require international presence, supply chains and workforce, Lohan added.

He went on to say that Ireland must remain focused on innovation. We need more companies in research and innovation. We need the skills of the future, he stated.

Technology change is accelerating, not slowing. Ireland is in a strong position but we need to maximise our strengths, he added.

Lohan has held the position of IDA CEO since 2023.
Over 110,000 in funding has been announced for the protection of historic buildings in Leitrim under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS).

The Leitrim buildings receiving funding are Glenade Cottage, Carrigallen Church of Ireland, St Marys Church, Gortletteragh, and St Johns Church, Drumshanbo.

Of the 113,509 allocated, 5,000 will be allocated to Glenade Cottage, Keelogues, Kinlough Thatch, 47,177.83 will go towards roof works at Carrigallen Church of Ireland, 47,177.82 for roof works at St Marys Church, and 14,153.35 for window repairs at St Johns Church.

The announcement was made today by Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, and Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher OSullivan TD.

The Built Heritage Investment Scheme supports the repair, restoration and protection of historic structures, ranging from traditional homes to landmark public buildings across Irelands cities, towns, villages and rural communities. The scheme covers essential restoration works, including roof and wall repairs, as well as works to windows and doors.

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The funding is provided by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritages National Built Heritage Service and is administered by local authorities.

Announcing the funding, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, said: This funding under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme will ensure that the architectural legacy of past generations continues to survive in towns, villages, and rural communities in Leitrim and across the country.

The preservation of our built heritage relies on our taking action today to repair, maintain, and secure the integrity of these buildings with the care and attention they deserve.

Minister of State Christopher OSullivan TD said the funding is supporting traditional craftspeople in Leitrim whose specialist skills turn history into homes, community hubs and businesses.

Built heritage in Ireland isnt just about great houses and magnificent public structures. Often, the architectural jewel in our towns and villages is a historic building where people meet, live or work, he said.

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The full list of projects can be found on the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage website.

Sligo-Leitrim TD Minister of State Frank Feighan welcomed the funding announcement. I want to thank the heritage officer and her team at Leitrim Co Council for submitting the successful applications and to the committees who of course must now raise the match funding.

It is terrific to see these older buildings, rich in history and built heritage coming back to life, representing an effective partnership between the State, individuals and communities around the country, concluded Minister Feighan.

8.1 million has been awarded nationally through the Built Heritage Investment Scheme. Of this total, almost 1.1 million has been earmarked for works to thatched buildings, made up of almost 600,000 from the dedicated Historic Thatched Buildings stream, plus an additional 490,000 from the mainstream BHIS funding.

In addition to the public funding provided under BHIS, an estimated 35 million in private funds will also be committed to these projects by owners and custodians.

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Over 3000 homes, businesses, and farms in Leitrim have been connected to the national broadband grid, according to the National Broadband Ireland (NBI).

Premises can now pre-order or order high-speed, reliable broadband across Leitrim with 3,007 connections made to date, including rural areas near Carrigallen, Manorhamilton and Keshcarrigan.

National Broadband Ireland is encouraging all Leitrim residents to visit nbi.ie and check their Eircode to see if theyre ready to connect and find out more about placing an order.

The fibre broadband rollout is part of the National Broadband Plan to deliver broadband services to remote and rural parts of Ireland where commercial operators have no plans to deliver high-speed broadband.

The Intervention Area currently includes 12,000 premises in Leitrim, which will see NBI deliver minimum speeds of 500 megabits per second to homes, businesses, farms, and schools across the county.

As the biggest investment in rural Ireland since rural electrification, Leitrim will receive 46m of Government investment under the National Broadband Plan.

As Ireland transitions away from legacy copper networks, NBIs fibre network will ensure communities across Leitrim are prepared for the future by supporting remote working, education, healthcare access and local enterprise while providing the reliability needed for everyday living.

We are delighted to announce that over 3,000 Leitrim homes, businesses and farms are now connected to the NBI network. Those connected are experiencing the life-changing benefits of high-speed fibre broadband with minimum speeds of 500 megabits per second, said TJ Malone, Chief Executive Officer, National Broadband Ireland.
Winterfest has become a cornerstone of winter celebrations in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. It draws thousands of annual visitors who want to take in the snow art and jovial lakeside activities. This year the festival celebrates its 31st year of showcasing Wisconsins wintry wonders.

Lake Geneva Winterfest 2026 is presented by Discover Wisconsin, and its coming to the historic resort town from January 28 through February 1. As one of the regions most recognizable cold-weather events, it takes place along the shores of Geneva Lake at Riviera Plaza and Flat Iron Park. Locals and visitors of all ages are invited to attend for free.

Visitors can watch the snow sculpting as it happens at Winterfest. (Visit Lake Geneva)

Snow Sculpting Competition is a Highlight of the Annual Festival

Americas Snow Sculpting Invitational competition is a nationally recognized competition that really is the heart of Winterfest. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, snow sculpting is a full-fledged winter sport, and its celebrate to the max during this festival.

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Artists are given massive blocks of snow that they transform into intricate works of art. Grand Geneva Resorts Mountain Top is supplying the snow that is brought in by City of Lake Geneva crews. Its then packed tight by teams of stompers.

Intricate works of art are created from snow at Winterfest in Lake Geneva. (Visit Lake Geneva)

Each three-artist team starts creating their sculpture at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 28, from a large block of snow measuring eight feet square and 10 feet high.

Over several days, the sculpting teams work along the shores of Geneva Lake. They carve, shape, and refine their designs in full view of spectators. Sculptors will finish at 11 a.m. Saturday, with winners announced at 3 p.m. that day in a special ceremony at The Riviera Ballroom.

Visitors can watch the sculptures evolve from rough blocks into detailed, large-scale creations. They get a behind-the-scenes look at the artistic process, then get to see carefully created snow sculptures made by some of the most elite sculpting teams in the world.

This elephant was sculpted from snow in Lake Geneva. (Visit Lake Geneva)

Winterfest is one of our favorite and busiest times of the year, Stephanie Klett, President and CEO of Visit Lake Geneva, said in a statement. The talent and creativity on display is spectacular. The detail and intricacy of the designs are stunning. What makes it even more memorable is the ability of visitors to get close to the work, to watch as the artists create, often sharing friendly interactions with onlookers. Its an experience spectators wont soon forget.

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For 2026, 15 entrants will come from great distances to compete and create snow art. This year teams will come from Turkey and Mexico to compete, making it the first Winterfest with international teams.

Finished Snow Sculptures Remain on Display Through the Weekend

Once completed, the snow sculptures remain on display through Winterfest until they melt. Festivalgoers can walk the lakefront to view the finished pieces up close and participate in the Peoples Choice Award by voting for their favorite sculpture. This interactive element to the experience can be especially fun for children.

Ice Sculptures and Bonfires Bring Added Joy to Winterfest

In addition to the snow sculpting competition, Winterfest offers a lot of fun activities for visitors of all ages. Gorgeous ice sculptures are displayed throughout Lake Genevas shopping and dining district; this seasonal artwork is popular among locals and tourists.

Ice sculptures beautify downtown Lake Geneva during Winterfest. (Visit Lake Geneva)

Evening bonfires along the lakefront give visitors a chance to relax and warm up. Live entertainers perform during select festival days.

Live entertainers are also a part of Winterfest. (Visit Lake Geneva)

A Free Winter Festival With Regional Appeal

Winterfest is free and open to the public, making it an accessible event for families, art enthusiasts, and winter travelers alike. Its hosted by Visit Lake Geneva in partnership with the City of Lake Geneva, and it has grown steadily since it started more than three decades ago. Visitors from across the midwest and beyond make it a part of their annual winter traditions.

Although Lake Geneva is best known as a summer getaway, events like Winterfest show how much fun there is to enjoy in the lakefront community all year. For visitors and locals alike, the annual celebration provides a reminder that winter in Wisconsin can be just as striking as any warm-weather getaway.
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A view of the Liberia-focused roundtable at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
A LIMERICK woman accused of speeding on the M7 motorway caused some confusion as she provided gardai with two different addresses and claimed, in court, that she never received the fine or summons in the post.

A fixed charge penalty notice was issued when Nora Margaret Doyle, aged 29, with an address at Hennessy Avenue, Kileely, in Limerick city, was detected driving a Volkswagen Passat at 138km/h Roscrea on June 15, 2025.

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Giving evidence, Ms Doyle told the court that the Kileely address is her family home but that she now lives at an apartment complex, close to the city centre.

She told her barrister Nicholas Hall that she did not receive "the first or the second" notices that had been sent to her in relation to the incident.

Ms Doyle told the court she remembered being stopped and that she contacted Henry Street garda station "twice" to make enquiries. She said she was informed that her fixed charge notice "didn't go out yet".

When asked how she knew to be in court if she had not received any paperwork regarding the matter, Ms Doyle replied: "They (gardai at Henry Street) rang me to be here today."

Ms Doyle told the court that she had made efforts to check for any correspondence relating to the matter, including going to her mothers home to see if mail in her name had been received there.

She told Judge Keane that there is an ongoing issue with post being stolen in her own building and added that a family member, who has dementia, may have mistakenly discarded the letter from her mother's residence.

Garda Patrick Lawlor, giving evidence, told the court that Ms Doyle has two addresses on the garda Pulse system, her usual place of residence and the family home.

He said he recalled that Ms Doyle had asked that correspondence be sent to the address listed on her driving licence, which was her family home, recalling that she told him: Its best to send it to my parents home.

Ms Doyle told the court that she "didn't receive it" as she "would have paid it the first time."

Garda Lawlor told Sergeant Regina McCarthy that gardai had proof of postage showing that the summons was sent to Ms Doyle at her parents home.

Presiding Judge Marie Keane reviewed the evidence provided by Garda Lawlor and questioned Ms Doyle as to how, if the summons had not been sent, it was signed for by a named individual at 11.21am on September 29, 2025.

The defendant replied that she has neighbours with the same surname as the person who signed for the post but insisted that she did not know the individual.

The judge told Ms Doyle that the signed certificate from An Post entirely contradicts" her evidence to the court.

"I am satisfied they were delivered to the correct address," she said.

In the circumstances, she said she was satisfied to convict Ms Doyle of speeding. She imposed a 250 fine, giving her four months to pay.
A TYPICAL busy Monday morning in Limerick District Court began with a formal welcome for a young solicitor, who the judge wryly contrasted with the usual old stagers.

Darach McCarthy, president of Limerick Solicitors Bar Association, welcomed new solicitor Sinead Leahy to Court 6 in Limerick Courthouse on Mulgrave Street.

Mr McCarthy said Ms Leahy completed her Bachelor of Laws Degree in UL and is employed by a very prestigious office in Dermot G ODonovan Solicitors.

She did her traineeship there and is now working for them. She has been down in court with us quite a bit and is more than welcome.

On behalf of the Limerick Bar Association, I would like to welcome Ms Leahy to Limerick District Court, said Mr McCarthy.

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Judge Patricia Harney, presiding, added her well wishes to Ms Leahy, who is from Tournafulla.

It doesn't happen very often that we get to see a new face. Unfortunately, it tends to be, dare I say it, old stagers turning up like bad pennies again and again, said Judge Harney with a smile.

The judge continued: You are most welcome to Court 6. It's a very busy court and we have an awful lot to get through but we do manage to do it with great co-operation from everybody involved.

Judge Harney said to Ms Leahy that she hopes she finds her time in the district court elucidating and entertaining from time to time but there will be precious little of that most of the time.

Youre very, very welcome. I think we all remember the first time we dipped our toes in the water in a court.

I understand that it is a big day for you. I wish you well and I hope you continue to have a long, happy and prosperous career, concluded Judge Harney.

Ms Leahy thanked Judge Harney and Mr McCarthy for their kind words and with that the registrar called the first case on a very busy list.
LIMERICK city LABOUR TD Conor Sheehan has called on government to introduce legislation to allow for the regular inspection of aircraft at Shannon Airport.

Deputy Sheehan directed a parliamentary question to Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien, asking if there is legislation in progress to allow for routine inspections of US military aircraft in Shannon.

The minister responded that there has been no instance to date where it was necessary to inspect such an aircraft for arms.

Deputy Sheehan issued a statement: The response to my parliamentary question is troubling. The minister has effectively confirmed that inspections only occur if there is already an appearance of wrongdoing, while simultaneously stating that no such suspicion has ever arisen.

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"No new legislation is being progressed, despite the ongoing use of Shannon Airport by the US military, said Mr Sheehan.

That is not oversight. That is blind trust, and blind trust cannot be the basis for policy.

Micheal Martin - in his previous role as Minister for Foreign Affairs gave a similar response to a question put by now-President Catherine Connolly, who asked if the government intended to put a stop to Shannon airport being used by the US Military, in the Dail in October 2024.

Mr Martin answered: Foreign military aircraft which are given permission to land in Ireland are not subject to inspection in this regard.

Sovereign immunity, a long-standing principle of customary international law, means a state may not exercise its jurisdiction in respect to another state or its property, including state and military aircraft. This principle applies automatically to foreign state or military aircraft in the same way it applies to Irish State or military aircraft abroad.

Department of Foreign Affairs records show there were 7,248 requests from US military aircraft to fly over Irish airspace in the past decade.

-Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
Australia and New Zealands mid-market brands are ahead on AI adoption. But enthusiasm isnt translating to ROI. Intuit Mailchimp explains why intent matters more than installation.

Mid-market brands across Australia and New Zealand are at a crossroads. Theyve outgrown start-up scrappiness, but dont yet have the deep pockets or teams of enterprise players.

According to Intuit Mailchimps The Marketing Equaliser report, many are still operating with lean teams; about half (51%) of mid-market businesses globally have marketing teams of fewer than 10 people. A third of B2B marketers are juggling more than seven platforms in their stack, and artificial intelligence (AI) is now central to that mix.

The good news is that, against this backdrop, Australia and New Zealand are tracking ahead in many ways. Enthusiasm for AI may be aglobal trend, but here confidence is high, headcount is rising, and local brands are using technology to deliver real customer value. About 86% of ANZ marketers expect to grow their teams over the next year, higher than peers in the UK and the US. Meanwhile, 44% say they are widely deploying AI, compared to around a third globally.

Still, most teams are stuck in partial AI mode; running fragmented pilots, testing isolated tools and layering yet another platform into an already busy stack. Whats missing is a clear roadmap that ties AI to measurable business outcomes. The next competitive advantage belongs to those who learn from experimentation to operationalise AI with intent, aligning it to strategy and embedding it into workflows to unlock efficiency and effectiveness.

Start with the real marketing impact

While 44% say theyve widely adopted AI, more than half (56%) still have work to do. For ANZs mid-market marketers, the path forward doesnt require a wholesale reinvention, but a staged, strategic roadmap.

Before implementing AI at scale, look across your organisation and campaigns to identify where AI can make the biggest difference. Use data across the funnel, from brand awareness and lead generation to acquisition costs and retention, to find gaps. Bring in perspectives beyond marketing, including commercial leaders, customer service teams and product managers, to surface issues and opportunities you may not see on your own.

Once you have a long list of needs, narrow it down to two or three high-impact business problems where improvement would meaningfully influence growth. That becomes your starting point.

Build intentional foundations for easier experimentation

Having identified the key challenges, the next step is to understand your baseline. For example, how many platforms you use and where they overlap, how clean and accessible your data is, and how strong AI literacy is across your team.

Many ANZ mid-market brands are working with a lean team handling a growing list of tools, in a labour market where 43% of marketers struggle to find people with the right skills. In that environment, finding extra time to upskill is a real challenge.

Functional AI practices recognise those realities. It is less about implementing flashy pilots and more about quietly and consistently improving how your team works and how your customers experience your brand.

This is also where leadership matters. Appointing AI champions inside your marketing team, people who are curious and close to the work, helps guide experimentation, share learnings and set realistic expectations about what AI will and wont do.

Match AI use cases to measurable marketing goals

AI experiments and integrations lead to more positive results when they are tied to clear objectives. That could mean using AI tools to reduce acquisition costs on social media or applying them to drive greater personalisation as part of an omnichannel approach.

For mid-market brands, email and SMS are often the most controllable and cost-effective channels; this is where AI can have an immediate and measurable impact. AI can help send more relevant content at scale by supporting more refined personalisation based on previous engagements and optimising send times and subject lines. These improvements can accelerate the impact mid-market companies can have on their category and customers.

Focusing energy on these owned channels first is a practical place to begin. It builds a business case with clear metrics by showing teams the tangible value of AI in their day-to-day work, and creates a foundation you can extend into other touch points like paid media and CRM.

Iterate, measure and scale what works

AI tools become more useful the more you use them; they learn from data over time. Increasingly, AI will shift from being seen as content generation aid to a strategic partner that helps design, execute, and continuously optimise your desired outcomes.

That makes iteration crucial. The goal is not to roll out AI everywhere all at once; its to start by proving value in priority areas, then scaling those wins across channels and segments.

Mid-market businesses in ANZ face a double challenge: fewer customers and often lower baseline brand loyalty compared to their larger enterprise peers. At the same time, they have the agility that many larger organisations envy. When implemented practically and strategically, AI can tilt that equation in their favour and help them punch above their weight.

ANZs mid-market marketers have already shown theyre willing to adopt early. The next step is to turn that early momentum into durable edge by balancing ambition with discipline, and making AI an equaliser in 2026 and beyond.

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MOTORISTS at the heart of the trial of a retired superintendent and four serving gardai are not on trial and the jury are being asked to consider this.

Over the eight weeks of the trial at Limerick Circuit Court, references have been made to these motorists, names have been called out, along with addresses and in some cases vehicle registration numbers.

READ ALSO: Limerick garda trial one of the most 'extraordinary' in recent history of the State, court hears

The closing statements for all five accused have now been delivered in what has been described as an extraordinary trial.

This Friday morning at Limerick Circuit Court, closing statements for Garda Tom McGlinchey, Sergeant Michelle Leahy and Sergeant Anne-Marie Hassett were all heard by the jury of eight men and four women.

Barrister for Tom McGlinchey, John Byrne SC, told the jury that it struck him as odd that there was an absence of any prosecution of the drivers, these are the people who allegedly committed the speeding offences.

Likewise, barrister Jim OMahoney SC representing Sergeant Anne-Marie Hassett pointed out that in some cases detecting members of An Garda Siochana gave evidence and others did not.

Retired superintendent Eamon ONeill, Garda Colm Geary, Garda Tom McGlinchey, Sergeant Michelle Leahy and Sergeant Anne-Marie Hassett have all been on trial for the past eight weeks.

Each of them have pleaded not guilty to a total of 39 charges, which all relate to attempting to pervert the course of justice over Fixed Charge Penalty Notices relating to road traffic offences.

They include squaring away of penalties for offences including speeding, holding a mobile phone while driving, having no insurance and not wearing a seatbelt.

Mr Byrne told the jury that Mr McGlinchey simply passed on messages from Mr ONeill.

He referenced how his client provided his phone and passwords for analysis to the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

Tom McGlinchey has nothing to hide.

He described Mr McGlinchey as a good old-fashioned garda in a rural area.

Representing Sergeant Michelle Leahy, barrister Andrew Sexton SC, told the court that Ms Leahy did not know the people who were involved in the alleged road traffic offences.

He added that withdrawing a summons from court or striking a case out is routine and happens all the time.

He also stressed that no friends or family of Ms Leahy benefitted from her actions in any way.

Representing Sergeant Anne-Marie Hassett, barrister Jim OMahoney SC, told the jury: This is a cod of a case.

He spoke about text messages which had been shown in court and made the point that saying someone is a player on the Limerick panel, is information and nothing more.

Mr OMahoney stressed that none of the accused received any payment for the alleged perversion of the course of justice and in this regard, he questioned why they would commit the alleged crime.

He said that this should have been considered as a disciplinary matter, but not a criminal matter.

Judge Roderick Maguire will now present his charge to the jury of eight men and four women this afternoon.
THE JURY in the Limerick garda trial have not returned a verdict after just over two hours of deliberation.

The jury rose to deliberate just after 2pm today, Friday, and returned after two hours and six minutes.

READ ALSO: Jury in Limerick garda trial asked to consider why motorists involved were not prosecuted

They handed a note to Judge Roderick Maguire saying that they could not reach a verdict and that they would return to deliberate at 9.30am on Monday morning.

Today, Friday, there were so many people in the courtroom, with many standing at the back, that courtroom 1 was opened for additional capacity, where people could view proceedings from.

Family members, close friends, retired gardai, as well as members of the Garda Siochana Retired Members Association and the Garda Representative Association were out in force in Limerick Circuit Court.

Just before the jury returned, the judge asked anyone standing to move into courtroom 1 for health and safety reasons.

Retired superintendent Eamon ONeill, Garda Colm Geary, Garda Tom McGlinchey, Sergeant Michelle Leahy and Sergeant Anne-Marie Hassett were all on trial for eight weeks in Limerick Circuit Court.

Retired superintendent Eamon O'Neill, and Sergeant Anne-Marie Hassett leaving Limerick Courthouse this Friday evening.



For the latest on the Limerick garda trial, see our website https://t.co/zS09FEWBPe pic.twitter.com/w45dNisjwH  Limerick Leader / Limerick Live (@Limerick_Leader) January 23, 2026

Each of them pleaded not guilty to a total of 39 charges, which all relate to attempting or having a tendency to pervert the course of justice over Fixed Charge Penalty Notices relating to road traffic offences.

They include the squaring away of penalties for offences including speeding, holding a mobile phone while driving, having no insurance and not wearing a seatbelt.

Throughout the trial, the jury of eight men and four women heard evidence from high-ranking and retired officers of An Garda Siochana.

A number of motorists who were alleged to have committed the road traffic offences were referenced throughout the trial, including Limerick hurlers, the wife of a Limerick hurler, other GAA players and a politician.

Before the jury retired to deliberate on their verdict at 2.03pm, Judge Roderick Maguire delivered his charge.

He told the jurors that they bring their common sense and life experience to their decision-making process.

Judge Maguire told the jury that they must decide what weight is to be given to each piece of evidence and that they must be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt.

He stressed that each element of each piece of evidence must be examined.

Judge Maguire explained that because there are 39 charges, this trial is essentially 39 trials playing out all at once.

He told the jury that it is important that each of you participates in the discussion and that all voices must be heard before a verdict is reached.
AFTER a unique gate outside a place of learning was badly damaged there was only one man to go at it hammer and tongs - renowned Limerick artist blacksmith Eric ONeill.

A car crashed into the art deco-inspired gate 18 months ago. It is situated outside the College of FET Cappamore Campus, an east Limerick campus of Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board.

Eric, who has been instrumental in the formation of the Blacksmithing Centre of Excellence in the college, said both sides of the gate were damaged.

One side bore most of the impact of the car. This side was bent in all directions with pieces knocked off the gate, said Eric.

READ NEXT: Pupils surprise retiring principal of Limerick school with touching song written in her honour

It wasnt a case of going into a local farm supplier shop, buying a new one and erecting it.

This gate is unique, it is designed for its specific location, and mirrors the art deco design of the building it adorns.

It reflects a period in Irish history, where the English designers and architects moved out and the Irish moved in. They had a chance to bring their ideas and designs to realisation, a new page was turned in Irish history, and specifically in our built heritage, explained Eric.

It took him and his son Shane around 80 hours to fix, paint and rehang the gate. They were assisted by the Hanly Brothers to transport it.

It is important for the repair to be documented and shared. The gate represents a new State and a prestigious development for Cappamore. It was a statement by an Irish architectural firm. Gate construction was changing from traditional blacksmithing methods to other more modern means. We can see engineering joinery, along with forged joinery in this gate. It makes it a very interesting piece of historical and artistic merit, said Eric.

It is fitting that future students of the College of FET Cappamore Campus will see the beautiful piece of craftsmanship on their way into the home of blacksmithing education in Ireland.

Blacksmithing was once seen as a trade of the past but Eric has helped spearhead a revival in Cappamore. There are a number of upcoming one-day City & Guilds taster courses that will introduce learners to their forge faculty, Irelands only accredited blacksmithing training forge.

For more info, visit, collegeoffet.ie/blacksmithing
An Irish mother has set a new goal for 2026 - to climb Vietnams highest peak in memory of her son Tomas.

Inspirational Geraldine Mullan is a nurse from Williamstown, Co Galway, who lives in Moville. She tragically lost her husband John and their two children, son Tomas, 14, and daughter Amelia, 6, when the familys car entered Lough Foyle on the way home from a day out in August 2020.

Geraldine, the sole survivor of the tragic accident, set up The Mullan Hope Centre in Moville to honour the legacy of her family. The organisation continues to do fantastic work in the community.

Having climbed Mount Kilimanjaro last year, Geraldine is now turning her attention to Fansipan Mountain. She will be taking on the charity trek from April 2-11 in support of Children in Crossfire, a charity that Geraldine says is incredibly close to her heart.

At 3,147 metres (10,326ft), Fansipan is the highest mountain on the Indochinese peninsula comprising Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia and has earned the nickname, "The Roof of Indochina".

READ MORE | Irish singer 'absolutely devastated' after untimely death of his beloved girlfriend

I had the privilege of working directly with Children in Crossfire in 2024 and 2025 - I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in February 2025 to raise funds for their projects in Dar es Salaam and Dodoma, Geraldine shared.

I was able to see first-hand the life-changing work they do with children and families living in extreme poverty. The impact they make is real, lasting and deeply inspiring and its why Im committed to supporting them again this year. The funds raised from this trek will once again go towards Children in Crossfires vital projects in Tanzania, helping to improve healthcare, nutrition, education and protection for vulnerable children.

The dates of this trek hold a very special significance for me. On 10th April 2026, my son Tomas should be turning 20. Tragically, I lost my beloved husband John, my son Tomas, and my daughter Amelia on 20th August 2020. Much of the charity work I do is in their memory, and this trek will be no different.

READ MORE | Heartbreaking tributes paid to Irish farmer, 90s, who died after being attacked by cow

Climbing Fansipan during the week of my sons birthday will be a deeply personal way to honour him - to turn grief into purpose and to support children and families who need it most. Every step I take on this journey will be for Tomas, for John, for Amelia, and for the children whose lives are being changed through this incredible charity.

Geraldine has set up a Just Giving page for the cause - Geraldine's Trekking Vietnam for Children in Crossfire.

If youre able to donate, no matter the amount, you will be helping Children in Crossfire continue their essential work and keep hope alive for so many children, she said. If you cant donate, sharing this page would mean just as much. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support, kindness, and generosity.
A Garda who witnessed the shooting of George Nkencho said the bullets which hit him didnt look like they were having any effect on him whatsoever.

Peter Bernard was giving evidence at the inquest into the 27-year-olds death at Dublin District Coroners Court on Friday.

Mr Nkencho died outside his home in west Dublin in December 2020 after being shot multiple times by the Garda Armed Support Unit (ASU).

The Garda said when Mr Nkencho was shot, the bullets did not seem to have any effect, nothing.

He didnt flinch , Mr Bernard said, adding: I couldnt believe what I was seeing.

It didnt look like they were having any effect on them whatsoever.

Later he added: I remember thinking to myself, like whats happening here? Every shots not working.

He gave evidence alongside another Garda member. Both men were called to the area following a disturbance at Eurospar which preceded the shooting.

The inquest had previously heard from witnesses who said Mr Nkencho punched a retail worker at the shop and brandished a knife.

Mr Bernard and Garda Tom McCarrick came across Mr Nkencho walking through the Manorfields Estate with a knife in his hands.

They described trying to engage him in conversation and contain the situation.

Garda Tom McCarrick described repeatedly shouting at Mr Nkencho to to stop walking and drop the knife, but this was ignored by Mr Nkencho whose demeanour was aggressive and intimidating.

Mr Nkencho replied telling them to talk to the people in the shop and to arrest the people in the shop.

Mr Bernard said: He was completely indifferent to any questions we were asking him.

Later he added: Any time anyone approached, he raised the knife up above his head in a stabbing motion.

The Gardai said they shouted at members of the public to retreat into their homes and to get out of the way.

Mr Bernard described the risk level as extremely high.

Mr McCarrick said he was particularly concerned for the safety of a woman and toddler with a tricycle in the street.

The Garda said he considered using his pepper spray, but would have had to close the gap between them for it to be effective and he did not believe it was safe to do so.

The Garda Armed Support Unit arrived as Mr Nkencho got to his home on Manorfields Drive.

The Gardai said they were unaware he lived there, with Mr Bernard saying: It just looked like he was fleeing into the nearest property to him.

During cross-examination he said: It was literally the first house he could have gone into when the ASU fellas engaged him.

Both men described how Mr Nkencho continued to stab and slash at the ASU members even as they tasered, pepper sprayed and shot him.

Mr McCarrick said he feared the ASU member would be fatally stabbed during the incident and Mr Bernard said he thought one of them had been stabbed twice.

At that point, Mr Bernard drew his own firearm fearing the ASU member would lose blood and collapse and thought maybe its adrenaline and keeping the ASU guy up on his feet.

He said he believed there was an imminent threat to both his and the ASU members life.

He said he had never drawn his firearm prior to this incident as Gardai dont draw out a firearm unless youre willing to fire it.

After he was shot, Mr Nkencho stayed on his feet for approximately 15 seconds, Mr McCarrick said, before he fell to the ground.

Earlier on Friday, depositions by members of Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) were read to the inquest.

Crew members from the DFB, which also provides ambulance services in the Dublin area, arrived on the scene and found Mr Nkencho in a critical condition.

Station officer Declan Rice said he found Mr Nkencho with gunshot injuries to his chest, some type of wound to his left arm and metal wires from the taser were protruding from his clothes.

Mr Rice said he called for an advanced paramedic but none was available.

As Mr Nkencho was put into the ambulance, the DFB crew described how the area grew volatile.

Mr Rice said there was a number of angry members (of) the public who were shouting at Gardai.

Firefighter Mick Carton said the crowd which had gathered became quite hostile, and by that I mean the crowd on scene were shouting at the Gardai, which I felt was abusive.

Another firefighter, Dermot Mooney, outlined how CPR continued in the ambulance on the way to Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown.

He said there was a lot of blood on the stretcher, I thought the gunshot wounds had exited.

Emergency department consultant at Connolly Hospital, Dr Siobhan Maguire described how her team worked on Mr Nkencho after he arrived at hospital.

She said he had a Glasgow Coma scale of 3, meaning he was deeply unconscious.

His heart was not beating, Dr Maguire said, and she was told three previous attempts to use defibrillators had found no electrical current in his heart.

On examination of Mr Nkencho, she said she found he had wounds to his chest and to his left forearm.

As part of their treatment they quickly administered adrenaline and infusions of red blood cells.

Resuscitation attempts continued for 17 minutes before Mr Nkencho was declared dead.

ASU Sergeant Aine Power also gave evidence on Friday she arrived at the scene immediately after the shooting, hearing the shots on the way.

Asked by the coroner if she was surprised to hear them she replied yes.

Adding: Ive never in my 27 years of service heard it.

When questioned about what planning was done before the ASU members arrived at the scene Ms Power said there is usually a period of time in which to consider tactics, but on the day Mr Nkencho was killed there was no time.

She said: when they got to the scene, it was just so fast, so fluid, so spontaneous, they didnt have an opportunity to stop.

Adding the events occurred within two minutes.

The incident was the subject of an independent criminal investigation by the then Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission (GSOC), now Fiosru, which concluded in June 2023 with the submission of an investigative file to the director of public prosecutions.

A decision was made not to pursue any criminal prosecution in relation to the shooting.

The inquest into Mr Nkenchos death began last week at Dublin District Coroners Court.
FULL funding has now been secured for the long-awaited development of a new fire station in Cappamore, clearing the way for construction to begin on a modern, purpose-built facility for the village and wider east Limerick area.

The project had faced uncertainty after initially being allocated only partial funding, leaving it in danger of slipping down the national priority list.

Following sustained engagement at national level and a detailed case made by Limerick City and County Council, approval has now been granted for the full capital investment, allowing the scheme to proceed.

The development will include the construction of a new three-bay station, along with upgraded training rooms, offices and welfare facilities.

Elements of the existing building will also be converted and incorporated into the overall layout.

The current accommodation has long been regarded as substandard, with councillors noting that firefighters have been operating in conditions that no longer meet modern operational or safety standards.

Read More: University of Limerick confers largest cohort of Irish Travellers with postgraduate degrees



Members were told that the new station will significantly improve working conditions for personnel, provide better space for training and equipment, and enhance the overall capacity of the service to respond to emergencies across the region.

Councillors from across the district welcomed the announcement, describing it as a major boost for Cappamore and east Limerick.

They paid tribute to the work of the fire service and to the efforts made to secure the funding, highlighting the importance of investing in frontline emergency infrastructure.

The project was described as a positive step not only for operational readiness, but also for firefighter welfare, with councillors noting that modern facilities make a significant difference to those who serve on the front line every day.

-Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
MAYOR of Limerick, John Moran has announced his intention to commission an independent evaluation into why housing in Limerick has been so far below the county's needs.

Mayor Moran today welcomed councillors focus on Limericks historic housing under-delivery of housing.

Since the Development Plan in 2022 a total of 2,876 homes were completed which is only 34% of the target of 8,443.

He confirmed that he will be asking for cross-party collaboration with the independent evaluation he intends to commission and fund from his Mayoral Fund on why housing delivery has been so far below Limericks needs and to advise what can be done to speed up delivery of all forms of tenure.

READ MORE: Bizarre church in rural Ireland up for auction at 175,000 - the inside is a shock

Ive spent over a year in my role working to understand the Limerick specific complex housing issues and pushing forward some new innovations. I have learned a lot. That has helped frame my decisions up to now," said the Mayor.

"I realise some think that what I have been pushing forward is radical in recent historic terms. But we need radical. We now have a new Director of Service for Housing so the time is ripe for a stock-take. I would now like to see independent review of historic decisions, my new courses of action and any other alternative paths to be taken.

Mayor Moran continued: We cannot build a bright future for Limerick by ignoring or misunderstanding the reasons for the failures of the past  whether local or national causes."

"In the years before my election and since, Limerick has consistently delivered far below what was needed and far below comparable local authorities. As I stated in the recent report I published:

Overall, the total completions across the City and County during the first three years of the [Development] Plan are less than one years housing target. That legacy is why we now face such severe pressure.

The Mayor noted that Limerick was left well short of a robust pipeline of large-scale planning permissions going into 2025despite the availability of significant State-owned land. This absence of forward planning is a major structural reason for todays crisis.

Setting out the scale of the challenge, Mayor Moran added:

"Limerick delivers at most 8001,000 new homes a year. We need at least 2,599 annually just to meet our existing stated targets."

"And in truth, to address pentup demand, we need closer to 4,000 homes each year. To catch up, we must now increase delivery by 300%, totlaling 15,000 homes above current delivery levels over five years. That task is enormous and will require everyone working together."

The Mayor emphasised the need to avoid the trap of any evaluation becoming a reason for further delay:

This is about accountability, learning, and ensuring we keep focus on the important issues, do not make the same mistakes as before and use our scarce resources wisely. But we cannot pause urgent work while the review proceeds. Any supply that can be accelerated must be accelerated now while we try and manage the hardships caused to households by the current crisis.

He confirmed that he has already encouraged officials to shift limited human resources away from many small, low-impact schemesthe dominant approach before 2025and towards a smaller number of major strategic sites such as Colbert, Toppins Field, Mungret, SMART Homes, Moyross and the Gasworks.

Mayor Moran also highlighted the need for improved governance and dedicated delivery structures, reiterating his call during his recent Budget Speech for a LCCC Housing Activation Unit and welcoming recent commitments from the Land Development Agency and Irish Rail to co-locate officials in an office with Limerick City and County Council officials to form a unified team with a single purpose.

I want us all to treat the failures of the past and the challenges we face as a reason for us all to act decisively, he said. My focus is on ensuring Limerick finally has the financial resources, the human capacity and the delivery mechanisms to build the homes our people urgently need.

The Mayor concluded: "We have made meaningful progress in recent months readying some of our existing larger sites and acquiring some new lands. We know that solving the supply deficiency will require heavy lifting by both the private and the public sector. A key focus over the next few months must be on establishing an environment which encourages more private sector investment as well as raising the level of public sector delivery.

The Mayor confirmed that he will in the next few days issue at www.johnmoran.ie a further analytical blogFacing up to Reality in Housingto outline further data, context and next steps.
NEW DELHI : Carmakers are staring at a compliance window of less than 15 months to start getting close to stringent upcoming emission targets that are expected to come into effect from April 2027.

With the Centre not yet notifying the third iteration of the corporate average fuel efficiency or CAFE-III normsCAFE-I and CAFE-II were notified 24 months in advancecarmakers are feeling the pressure to prepare their fleet and powertrain plans to deliver the largest mandatory emissions cut over any five-year period.

Under the proposed norms, automakers would need to bring average emissions of their fleets to 88.4gm CO/km by March 2028, a 21% cut from 113gm CO/km currently.

This also means they need to make plans for their fleets to be close to the 88.4gm CO/km target even at the start of the cyclein April 2027to be able to meet the average in a years time.

Further, by March 2032, their fleets will need to cut emissions by 37% (from current) to 71gm CO/km by March 2032.

As the days pass, carmakers are getting edgy.

I am confident that the CAFE-III notification should come out in the near future. We are very close to 2027, and yes, it would be a concern if it were delayed any further. But I believe the government is cognizant of this concern," Vikram Gulati, executive vice-president for corporate affairs and governance at Toyota Kirolskar, told Mint.

Skoda Auto India brand director Ashish Gupta said policy certainty is critical for long-term investment planning. These are not small investments that you make. You always make investments with a horizon of at least a decade and a half in mind. So more policy clarity, of course, is necessary and is a precondition for any investment decisions," Gupta said.

(At the same time,) with the kind of uncertainty existing globally, in terms of geopolitics, economic ups and downs, and how the markets are playing out, I think it is very difficult to assume that we will always have 100% policy clarity," he added.

Another industry executive, speaking on condition of anonymity, warned that further delays could render the compliance window unfeasible. We are expecting a final notification by the end of January, so that we would have time to comply. But there has been no clarity on this yet," the executive said.

Earlier, on 31 July 2025, Rahul Bharti, senior executive officer-corporate affairs at Indias largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki, said during the companys June quarter earnings call: It is expected that between one to two months, all of us are hoping, the final regulation will be out so that we have clarity for the powertrains starting from 1 April 2027."

Also Read | Why the king of Indian trucks is walking away from price wars

What makes CAFE-III more stringent is the Centres plan to empower the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), under the power ministry, to directly penalize carmakers for non-compliance.

The delay in notifying the norms follows sharp divisions among automakers over potential relaxations for small cars, even as global think tanks have pushed back against proposals to offer additional concessions for electric vehicles (EVs) through supercredits.

The ministries of power, heavy industries, road transport and highways, the BEE and Maruti Suzuki did not respond to Mints emailed queries.

View Full Image Maruti Suzuki is also closely tracking whether the government will offer any relief for small cars (REUTERS)

Not an easy task

Analysts say several automakers face steep challenges.

Analysts at Kotak Institutional Equities wrote in an 8 January note that while Tata Motors and M&M have an edge in meeting the norms due to EV sales lead, Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai Motor have their task cut out.

Maruti Suzuki faces moderate nearterm requirements, but significantly tougher 2032 obligations, owing to its higher reliance on its small-car portfolio, necessitating accelerated hybrid and BEV deployment. Hyundai Motor appears most exposed, with low current electric penetration and a delayed massmarket EV pipeline," Kotak Institutional Equities Rishi Vora and Apurva Desai wrote in the note.

There is always a case for a long-term regulatory roadmap for the auto industry. Ideally, a three-year window to prepare for norms will help in increasing competitiveness," said Ashim Sharma, senior partner and group head at think tank Nomura Research Institute. More time to prepare for such norms will help the industry."

There is, however, disagreement on whether the notification delay materially hurts readiness. Sharif Qamar, associate director at Teri (The Energy and Resources Institute), said automakers were aware of the 2027 timeline and should have prepared accordingly. The delay in final notification is primarily due to the negotiations and revisions," Qamar said.

The long road

Automakers have nevertheless begun working on clean-fuel strategies. Tata Motors Passenger Vehicle Ltd and Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) Ltd plan to achieve 30% EV penetration over the next five years, while Maruti Suzuki India Ltd and Hyundai Motor India Ltd are targeting EV shares of 15-17% over the same period.

Industry executives, however, have said earlier that a final notification is needed to finalize key product decisions. For instance, greater relaxations for EVs through supercredits could alter the future powertrain mix.

Maruti Suzuki, Indias largest carmaker, is also closely tracking whether the government will offer any relief for small cars. In December, the company had warned that CAFE-III targets could be unscientific" for small cars and may force the company to discontinue such cars to meet emission standards.

Mints emailed queries to Hyundai Motor India, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicle and M&M also remained unanswered till press time.

Earlier norms

The previous norms were activated in good time. The first set of CAFE norms was notified by the power ministry in April 2015, outlining the emission-calculation formula and targets applicable from April 2017 to March 2022, with an average emission limit of 130 gm of CO per km.

The same notification also laid out targets for CAFE-II, which ran from April 2022 to March 2027, giving automakers a seven-year lead time. Under CAFE-II, the maximum average emission target was tightened by 13% to 113gm CO/km.

Nehal Chaliawala in Mumbai contributed to this story
New Delhi, 21st January 2026: Piccadily Agro Industries Limited (PAIL), Indias fastest-growing premium alco-bev manufacturer, delivered a standout Q3 FY26, powered by surging demand for its single malt and premium portfolio, driving robust growth and performance.

Financial Highlights  Q3 FY26 (YoY comparison) Revenue from Operations stood at  313.80 crore , registering a robust 52.5% growth over  205.72 crore in Q3 FY25.

EBITDA increased to  79.70 crore , from 50.87 crore, up 56.7% YoY , reflecting improved operating leverage and a richer product mix.

Profit Before Tax (PBT) rose sharply by 85.3% YoY to  68.03 crore .

Profit After Tax (PAT) nearly doubled to  48.14 crore , a 92.2% YoY increase .

Net Profit Margin grew from 12.18 % to 15.3% , a 26% rise.

Earnings Per Share (EPS) climbed to  4.89 , up 83.8% YoY . On a sequential basis, Q3 FY26 revenue grew 34.9% over Q2 FY26, while PAT increased 80.9%, underlining sustained momentum across operations.

Distillery segment remained the key growth driver, contributing 284.97 crore, accounting for 91% of total revenue, with 54.9% YoY growth.

9M FY26 Performance For the nine months ending FY26, the Company reported:

Revenue of  775.50 crore , up 26.2% YoY

PBT of  129.00 crore , up 43.6% YoY

PAT of  93.65 crore , up 45.7% YoY Piccadilys performance reflects its successful transformation into a fully integrated, brand-led premium spirits player. Higher contribution from its premium portfolio continues to drive margin expansion, supported by strong consumer demand.

The companys ongoing expansion planincluding capacity enhancement at its Indri facility, the greenfield facility at Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh and continued investments in barrels and maturation infrastructureremains on track, positioning Piccadily for achieving its long-term goals.

Commenting on the results, Natwar Aggarwal, Chief Financial Officer, Piccadily Agro Industries Limited, said: Our Q3 FY26 result shows the strength of our brand-led strategy and disciplined execution. With revenue growth of over 52% and PAT growth of more than 92% year-on-year, we are seeing the benefits of premiumization and scale in our distillery business. As new capacities come on stream and our aged inventory matures, we remain confident of delivering 3-4X growth over the next three to five years while building Indri into one of the worlds leading single malt whisky brands.

Piccadily has established a domestic presence across 27 Indian states and is currently present in 29 international markets and 28 travel retail outlets, with Indri, Camikara and Cashmir  all in the super premium luxury categories gaining traction in many global geographies. To support this scale, the Company is expanding capacity, looking for new synergies along with strengthening its leadership and operating teams across key functions.

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Stock Ticker: BSE (PICCADIL | 530305 | INE546C01010) https://www.bseindia.com/stock-share-price/piccadily-agro-industries-ltd/piccadily-agro-inds/530305/

NSE Piccadily Agro Industries Limited (INE546C01010) https://www.nseindia.com/get-quotes/equity?symbol=PICCADIL

About Piccadily Agro Industries Limited (PAIL) Piccadily Agro Industries Limited (PAIL) is a publicly listed company operating in two strategic segments  Distillery and Sugar. The companys manufacturing facility at Indri, Haryana and Chhattisgarh is equipped with advanced technology for producing Malt Spirit, ENA, Ethanol and White Crystal Sugar.

PAIL has established itself as a leading name in the premium spirits category with brands such as Indri Single Malt, Camikara Aged Rum, Cashmir Vodka and Whistler Whisky earning recognition in both domestic and international markets.

The company has successfully positioned itself as a leader in the Indian single malt whisky market by becoming the fastest growing single malt whisky brand in 2024. It continues to focus on innovation, premiumization, and capacity expansion to sustain growth and deliver long-term value to its stakeholders.

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For media queries, contact: Mitakshra | +91 9266111306 | mitakshra@avianwe.com

Vanshika Kalra I +91 8860044666 I vanshikak@avianwe.com

Abhishek Haryson | +91 9891356547 | a.haryson@piccadily.com
Australian startup Heidi just processed 81 million medical consultations globally after ditching their database setup. Heres why infrastructure shift matters for healthcare AI.

Whats happening: Melbourne-based AI healthcare startup Heidi has scaled its clinical documentation platform to process 81 million medical consultations in just 18 months.

Why this matters: Healthcare professionals spend up to 40% of their working hours on documentation tasks rather than direct patient care. As demand for AI-driven healthcare solutions accelerates globally, the technical infrastructure underneath must keep pace.

When Heidis engineering team hit a wall in late 2023, it wasnt a product problem. The AI medical scribe worked. Clinicians loved it. But the database couldnt keep up.

Heidi had built its initial platform on Amazon DocumentDB. It handled early growth fine. Then the company scaled. Usage exploded. Meetings with health systems multiplied. Suddenly, the infrastructure that worked yesterday couldnt support todays demands.

We couldnt scale without downtime, which was a critical issue: we operate in the world of healthcare where clinicians need seamless access to resources 24/7, said Oscar Lukersmith, Head of Data at Heidi. Our initial database set-up couldnt accommodate the level of growth that our users needed, it didnt support search and index building functionalities, which are key in AI use cases and we were experiencing increased latency.

The problem wasnt just about numbers. It was about what healthcare needs. A hospital emergency department cant wait for a database to come back online. A GP practice cant tell patients maybe next Monday well have access to their records. In healthcare, infrastructure isnt a backend concern. Its a patient safety issue.

Why rigid databases dont work for AI

Heres where database choice becomes strategic. Traditional relational databases, the kind that power banks and airline reservations, work brilliantly when data fits neatly into rows and columns. A customer record. A transaction. A clear, predictable structure.

Medical data doesnt cooperate. A patients health record includes referrals, clinical notes, forms from three different hospitals, lab results in different formats, and context that shifts between specialties. When you add AI into the mix, the problem multiplies.

Heidi needed to consolidate medical data from multiple sources into one consistent format. It also needed flexibility. As the startup added new AI features, clinical coding, patient history generation, ward round summaries, the data model had to evolve without rebuilding the entire system. And it had to do all this while meeting stringent healthcare security and compliance requirements across 190 countries.

This ruled out rigid relational databases immediately. Heidi needed a database built for AI. The company turned to MongoDB Atlas.

MongoDBs document model changed everything. Instead of forcing data into tables with fixed columns, it works with JSON documents that can vary in structure. Medical data from referral systems, emergency departments, and specialist clinics could all flow into the same database in their natural format, then be transformed for AI workflows.

MongoDBs document model has been a game-changer for our developers, explained Ocha Cakramurti, Senior Software Engineer at Heidi. Its flexibility enables us to quickly adapt our AI applications to new use caseshelping us scale to more than 2 million consultations per week, without downtime or bottlenecks.

What came next surprised even the engineering team. Since migrating to MongoDB Atlas, weve been able to reduce latency on key APIs by nearly one-third, ensuring seamless experiences for medical professionals in critical environments, Cakramurti added.

The shift wasnt just about scale. It was about speed. Developers could now prototype new features faster. Operations teams could deploy updates without downtime. The infrastructure actually helped Heidi move quicker, not slower.

The tools reshaping modern healthcare

One of Heidis most sophisticated use cases shows what the platform can now do: clinical coding.

Hospitals use standardised alphanumeric codes, the International Classification of Diseases, to classify patient conditions and procedures. In Australia, the code K35.8 represents acute appendicitis. These codes drive billing, reimbursement, and health system planning. But generating them manually takes hours. A clinician sees a patient, writes a note, then someone has to read it, interpret the clinical details, and assign the correct code.

Heidi automated this. Using retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), the AI scribe reads a patients clinical notes, understands the medical context, and assigns the correct classification code automatically. MongoDB Atlas Vector Search made this possible. Rather than building separate vector databases for AI search and keeping a separate operational database, everything runs in MongoDB. Medical documents get converted to vector embeddings. The system searches semantically across them. Relevant information flows directly into the AI model. One architecture. No data duplication. No synchronisation headaches.

Heidi is a great example of how choosing a flexible, multi-cloud data platform with embedded AI capabilities can empower developers to quickly move from prototype to production, and then scale, said Simon Eid, Senior Vice President, APAC, MongoDB.

Another tool in Heidis suite is Ask Heidi, an AI assistant that helps with non-clinical tasks. It collects patient histories, creates ward round lists, and conducts clinical audits. According to Heidi, it can save up to 50% of clinicians time on these tasks, time that flows back into patient care.

The most advanced feature, Heidi Vector Scribe, uses semantic search to convert massive volumes of medical documents into vector embeddings. Clinicians can ask complex medical questions, and the system intelligently retrieves relevant external knowledge, connecting transcribed medical terms directly to corresponding clinical guidelines and evidence.

Building at healthcare speed

For Heidis leadership, the infrastructure choice solved a business problem beyond just scaling: recruiting.

For tech talent, exciting technology matters, the scalability and efficiency of MongoDB Atlas make it a cornerstone of our success, helping us attract developers who want to spend time transforming healthcare, rather than managing databases, said Cakramurti.

In a competitive market for software engineers, developers want to work on meaningful problems. They want to deploy without fear. They want infrastructure that doesnt bog them down in operational complexity. Choosing MongoDB meant Heidis team could focus on AI innovation, not database administration.

The company has grown fast on this foundation. Heidi now supports clinicians across emergency departments, general practice, and specialist clinics. The platform operates in 110 languages across 116 countries. Major health networks use Heidi, from Modality Partnership in the UK to Beth Israel in Massachusetts. In Australia, health systems adopted Heidi rapidly enough that Telstra Health built its own clinical documentation tool, Telstra Scribe, on top of Heidis infrastructure.

That growth hasnt slowed. In October 2025, Heidi raised $65 million in Series B funding led by Point72 Private Investments, valuing the company at $465 million. The round included existing investors Blackbird and Headline, bringing total funding to nearly $100 million. The company is now expanding to new markets in France, Spain, Ireland, Hong Kong, Germany, and Singapore.

Whats next? Heidi is exploring an ecosystem of AI tools for clinical work. The company describes Heidi Scribe as an agentic AI layer, not just automating specific tasks, but working more autonomously across clinical workflows.

For healthcare globally, that matters. Clinicians spend more than two hours every day on tasks other than patient care. They lose an average of $65,000 annually to administrative burden. As healthcare systems face staff shortages and rising demand, even small improvements in efficiency compound.

Heidis scale to 81 million consultations in 18 months shows whats now possible when infrastructure keeps pace with ambition. The database decision was technical. But the outcome is human: clinicians spending less time typing, more time listening to their patients.

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Intel Corp.s stock slide is delivering a reality check to President Donald Trumps vision for quickly reviving domestic chip manufacturing led by an American champion, four months after the US moved to acquire as much as a 10% stake in the company.

Though Chief Executive Officer Lip-Bu Tan managed to win the presidents confidence and save his own reputation in Washington, turning around his company is proving more arduous. Intels shares plunged Friday, tumbling as much as 17.5%, following a lackluster forecast that highlighted the companys struggles in lining up big customers.

Just a few weeks ago, Trump had praised the companys progress and its very successful CEO, as the president assessed early returns on the US investment. Tan took a more sober tone when speaking to investors on Thursday following the release of Intels quarterly results.

We are on a multiyear journey, Tan said on a conference call with analysts. It will take time and resolve, but my team and I are committed to rebuilding this iconic American company.

Intels first-quarter projections for revenue and earnings fell well short of Wall Street estimates. The company also disclosed that it still doesnt have an anchor customer for its most advanced 14A process, though it expects firmer decisions from buyers in the second half of the year or the first half of 2027.

Intel shares were down 17% at 1:16 p.m. New York time, on course for their biggest one-day decline since 2024.

Tan acknowledged to investors that yields  the number of non-defective chips produced compared with the total possible capacity  are below his expectations. This metric is at the heart of chip manufacturing, as poor yields are likely to weigh on margins and deter possible customers for its foundry business, which makes chips for outside clients in its fabrication plants.

Customers arent going to lock in unless they know they have a manufacturing process that can deliver, JoAnne Feeney, a partner and portfolio manager at Advisors Capital Management, said in an interview Friday on Bloomberg Television. You have to know the supply will be there if you commit to a certain manufacturing partner. Its a real chicken and egg problem.

Since plans emerged for the US to become one of Intels top shareholders, the Santa Clara, California-based companys stock had more than doubled, feverish gains that were pared by the latest projections. So far, the US owns 5.5% of Intel, a stake thats currently worth roughly $12 billion, with options for the government to take ownership of additional shares in the future.

White House spokesman Kush Desai said Trump remains committed to reshoring critical manufacturing and supporting American companies with a full policy suite of tariffs, tax cuts, and deregulation. The Trump administrations equity stake in Intel in particular represents how we are investing in the long-run success of American technology and manufacturing.

Spokespeople for the US Commerce Department didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

Some analysts see the US investment in the company as a crucial backstop to its long-term success. This makes Intels fabs a strategic asset to the US military, and Intel has the full backing of the US government, Gus Richard, an analyst at Northland Securities, wrote. Intel needs to leverage its US government contacts and its US military industrial base foundry business into broader commercial relationships.

While the success of Intels turnaround may not be clear for several more quarters, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. is already achieving what Intel has sought. That includes building in the US, where TSMC plans to invest another $100 billion in Arizona as part of a Taiwan trade deal unveiled by the Trump administration last week. TSMC has promised to bring 12 advanced manufacturing and packaging facilities to Arizona by the mid-2030s.

Under the Taiwan agreement, companies investing in the US will receive an exemption on future potential chip tariffs to import as much as 2.5 times their American capacity, reducing the odds that the levies would make Intels products more attractive in the US market. Still, TSMCs decision to continue adding manufacturing in Arizona points to a positive long-term trend for Intel: continued growth in demand for AI chips.

Intel has begun shipping its sub-2-nanometer 18A chips, a generation behind 14A, to customers from its manufacturing facilities in Arizona and Oregon. The companys Chips Act-sponsored investment in Ohio has been repeatedly delayed, and the company avoided any mention of it in the Thursday investor call. The more than $28 billion project was supposed to be producing chips last year, but Intel now doesnt expect to begin operations until 2030.

With assistance from Ian King, Ed Ludlow and Caroline Hyde.

2026 Bloomberg L.P.
Swedish telecoms equipment maker Ericsson expects to continue laying off employees as part of its ongoing cost-cutting and restructuring efforts, CEO Borje Ekholm said on Friday.

You have seen that we have reduced the headcount, for example, by 5,000 over the past year, and we expect to continue reducing headcount going forward, Ekholm was quoted as saying in a post-earnings call by Reuters.

Earlier this year, Ericsson announced plans to cut up to 1,600 jobs in its home country of Sweden, a move aimed at ensuring the company's competitive position, the firm said in a press release.

These cost-saving measures have helped the company maintain profitability and deliver strong earnings, even as telecom operators continue to witness sluggish demand in the global 5G equipment market.

Previous round of job cuts In mid-January, Ericsson submitted a notice to the Swedish Public Employment Service, stating that approximately 1,600 positions could be impacted in the country. It also initiated negotiations with relevant trade unions.

The telecom equipment maker has been working to cut costs and improve margins in recent years. The company struggled with weak demand, as anticipated carrier spending on 5G technology did not meet expectations, Mint reported earlier.

Ericsson has been steadily reducing headcount over the last three years to maintain profitability as it grappled with 5G spending slowdown and the widespread impact of sweeping US tariffs.

In 2023, the company announced a global plan to cut 8,500 jobs, equivalent to 8% of its workforce. The reductions have continued since then, with the company axing hundreds of staff in Spain and Canada last year.

5 top firms plan layoffs in 2026 Ericsson is not the first company to reduce its headcount, as at least five other major companies have also announced layoffs in January this year, reflecting a broader trend of cost-cutting across the corporate sector.

The job-loss trend that companies struggled with the previous year seems to have continued into the new year as well.

Earlier, BlackRock said it planned to cut hundreds of jobs this month, after Meta announced it would cut 10% of its workforce in the Digital Labs division.

Meanwhile, a Bloomberg report also said Meta's job cuts are expected later this week, citing people familiar with the matter.

Banking major Citigroup is also about to lay off around 1,000 employees this week as CEO Jane Fraser seeks to control costs and improve returns at the company, Mint reported.
US parcel delivery firm FedEx announced on Friday a strategic restructuring of its French domestic operations, a move that involves reducing up to 500 jobs alongside a capital investment of approximately 78 million euros ($91.58 million).

The logistics giant aims to streamline its internal framework by reducing its station network from 103 to 86. This consolidation is designed to simplify the company's distribution system and remove redundant infrastructure within the country.

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The French courier and express transportation market is dominated by a highly competitive and cost-pressurised domestic parcels sector, the US parcel delivery firm said.

While job cuts are part of the plan, the reorganisation is also expected to generate over 770 new roles across full-time and part-time operations. FedEx said that staff members impacted by the layoffs would receive preferential consideration for these newly created openings.

Significantly, the company clarified that its international air transport network will remain unaffected by these domestic changes. In accordance with French labour regulations, FedEx will now begin a formal consultation period with employee representatives to discuss the details of the transition.

FedEx inks pact with GJEPC for door-to-door international shipping Recently, FedEx announced that it has entered into a preliminary agreement with the Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) to provide comprehensive international door-to-door shipping services.

According to a company statement, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishes that FedEx will supply GJEPC members with shipping programs tailored specifically to the unique requirements of the jewellery and gemstone industry. These specialised offerings include time-sensitive delivery options, unified customs processing, and complete package tracking.

Indian craftsmanship is appreciated worldwide, and the next phase of export growth will be shaped by how effectively these products move from local sellers to buyers across markets, said Nitin Navneet Tatiwala, vice president of marketing, customer experience, and air network, Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and Africa, at FedEx.

FedEx is focused on enabling this journey by building supply chains that help Indian businesses move faster, smarter, and with certainty. This MoU reflects that long-term focus, added Tatiwala.

To further bolster export skills, the partnership will also feature educational initiatives such as webinars, seminars, and targeted industry engagements.

FedEx noted that the gems and jewellery sector is a vital pillar of the Indian economy, contributing approximately 7% to the GDP and representing between 10 and 12% of the nation's total merchandise exports.

The industry provides livelihoods for millions of individuals across the design, manufacturing, and commerce stages.

Also Read | Trump's Greenland takeover pitch backfires as France delivers savage comeback

As international demand is projected to grow, the council is focused on enhancing its members' capacity by providing access to reliable logistics expertise. Through this collaboration, GJEPC is integrating FedExs network to improve market accessibility, enhance delivery forecasting, and ensure regulatory compliance across global trade routes.

By streamlining access to consistent international shipping, instructional resources, and procedural transparency, this agreement aims to empower council members to connect with global customers with increased efficiency, velocity, and assurance.
Google joined Japanese startup Sakana AIs roster of backers in a move that bolsters chatbot Geminis presence in a country eager to speed up artificial intelligence adoption.

The investment follows a $135 million Series B funding round that valued the startup at about $2.6 billion last year. Sakana did not disclose an investment sum.

Also Read | Can AI really replace your financial adviser?

Through the deal, the US company gains the help of one of Japans most valuable startups to promote Gemini in a cash-rich corporate landscape where it trails OpenAIs ChatGPT. At the same time, Sakana is able to tap Alphabet Inc.s language models to develop products and enhance reliability in critical services, according to David Ha, the startups co-founder and chief executive officer.

Having more access to more foundation models, especially from Google, will improve the performance of our products, said Ha, a former Google Brain researcher, in an interview.

The AI race in corporate Japan remains wide open because of a reluctance to change business models that  in some cases  have been built over decades. But backed by the likes of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc., Sakana has made inroads into the countrys finance sector, winning service contracts from MUFG Bank Ltd. and Daiwa Securities Group Inc. to build AI tools.

Founded in 2023, Sakana quickly won a government-backed grant in a country eager to develop AI built on its own language and not reliant on US companies. The startup seeks to work more closely with the Defense Ministry and other government agencies this year, on top of expanding its enterprise client base and growing overseas, Ha said, adding that Sakana may not be able to use foreign models on certain projects.
Nissan Motor plans to sell its manufacturing assets in Rosslyn, South Africa, to the local arm of China's Chery Automobile for an undisclosed amount, according to a report by Reuters.

Chery SA will acquire the land, buildings, and associated assets of Nissan's facilities in mid-2026 if conditions, including regulatory approvals, are done by then, the Japanese automaker said in a statement.

Production of the Navara pickup truck, the plant's only model, will cease in May if the deal proceeds, a Nissan spokesperson told the news portal. The model is manufactured for the local market and exported to several countries, mainly in Africa.

This move is part of Nissan's ongoing turnaround strategy, which involves closing or consolidating seven plants. The company did not confirm the production capacity of the Rosslyn plant, established more than 50 years ago.

Also Read | Nissan Tekton SUV teased again ahead of February debut. Top 3 facts we know

"External factors have had a well-known impact on the utilisation of the Rosslyn plant and its future viability within Nissan," Nissan Africa President Jordi Vila said in the statement.

Nissan has faced significant challenges in South Africa since the production of its high-volume NP200 half-ton pickup truck in 2023.

It competes with Toyota's Hilux, Ford's Ranger, and Isuzu's D-Max pickup trucks, all of which are among the country's top 10 best-selling cars.

Chery SA, the South African branch of China's third-largest automaker by volume, did not comment on the agreement yet.

What happens to impacted employees? Most impacted Nissan employees will be provided positions by Chery SA on similar terms and conditions to those they currently have, the company said in its statement.

Nissan stated that it will keep selling and servicing vehicles in South Africa, with several launches scheduled for the 2026 financial year, such as the Tekton and Patrol models.

In October, the CEO of Chery South Africa mentioned that the company was exploring options such as utilising another manufacturer's facility, creating a joint venture, or establishing its own greenfield site in South Africa, the report said.
State-run Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd (BPCL) will sign a contract with Brazil's Petrobras next week to supply 12 million barrels of crude oil a petroleum ministry statement said, as India continues to diversify its sourcing beyond Russia and West Asia.

The contract will be signed at the upcoming India Energy Week 2026, to be held in Goa on 27-30 January. BPCL and Petrobras had signed a one-year contract in February last year. Under the new contract, crude oil will be supplied over FY27.

Union minister for petroleum and natural gas Hardeep Singh Puri said the global market is rapidly changing and India has diversified its oil import basket to navigate the volatile scenario. While India was earlier buying oil from 27 countries, now it is buying from 41 countries, Puri said. "We basically allow the market to propel the essential decision," he said.

Also Read | Russian oil discount for Indian refiners jumps to $8 a barrel

The contract gains significance amid volatile global oil markets, with slowing Russian supplies, the recent US intervention in Venezuela, and lingering tensions in West Asia. India imports about 90% of its oil requirements, sourcing oil worth $161 billion last fiscal. India is the world's third-largest importer of crude oil after the US and China, and its demand has been growing every year.

A report from the parliamentary standing committee on petroleum and natural gas last month raised concerns over India's oil import dependence amid an uncertain geopolitical scenario and asked the government to diversify the country's crude sourcing strategy.

"More and more energy is coming into the global market from the western hemisphere. By western hemisphere, I mean Brazil, Guyana, Suriname, Canada. The US is producing 13 million barrels a day. So, we position ourselves in this," Puri said, expressing optimism that India will be able to navigate the situation.

Amid the decline in imports from Russia, once the top supplier to India, domestic refiners have been diversifying sources of oil and increasing supplies from West Asia, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Guyana, West Africa, the US and Canada. In December, Iraq was the second largest supplier to India, followed by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the US, Kuwait, and Brazil.

Energy partnerships

Among energy tie-ups, state-run Oil India Ltd (OIL) and its subsidiary Numaligarh Refinery Ltd will sign an MoU with French energy major TotalEnergies for evaluating liquefied natural gas market and sourcing potential for future requirements of both OIL and NRL. NRL will also tie up with TotalEnergies for setting up of a 200 KTPA (kilo tonne per annum) sustainable aviation fuel project (SAF) at Paradip, Odisha.

The official statement also noted that during the India Energy Week 2026, BPCL's overseas arm Bharat PetroResources Ltd would sign a memorandum of understanding with UK-headquartered Shell at the annual event, for potential collaboration and exploration opportunities globally.

At the event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will have a roundtable meeting with global executives, Indian public and private sector energy companies. The CEOs would include executives of TotalEnergies, bp, Vitol, HD Hyundai, HD KSOE, Aker, Lanzatech, Vedanta, Excelerate, Wood Mckenzie, Trafigura, Staatsolie, Praj and ReNew.

Further, Puri would co-chair the 'India-Arab Energy Dialogue' which would include representatives from UAE, Oman, Jordan, Sudan and Djibouti. Other meetings would include India-Japan Roundtable, India-Netherlands Roundtable and the India-Iceland Roundtable, with business representatives from respective countries.
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd has received the Drugs Controller General of India's (DCGI) approval to make and market a generic version of semaglutide injection for weight management, it said on Friday, sharing its plans to launch it in March once the drugs patent expires.

The product will be sold in five doses, similar to the innovator Novo Nordisks drug Wegovy, under the brand name Noveltreat.

Also Read | Why the weight-loss drugs battle will intensify in 2026

Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, indicated for chronic weight management in adults. The drug loses patent exclusivity in India in March, and several generic drugmakers are preparing to launch their versions.

On 21 January, rival Dr Reddys Laboratories Ltd's management told reporters they have also received regulatory approval, and are aiming for 12 million pens in the first year.

Sun Pharma also received regulatory approval in December 2025 to manufacture and market semaglutide for the treatment of type-2 diabetes, and plans to launch it under the brand name Sematrinity. Novo Nordisk sells semaglutide injections to treat type-2 diabetes under the brand name Ozempic.

Also Read | Bangladesh gets a head start over India in export of weight-loss drugs

Noveltreat meets global quality standards and is supported by robust Indian clinical evidence on efficacy and safety for weight management. As Indias largest pharmaceutical company with leadership in cardiometabolic therapies, we are committed to improving access to generic semaglutide across the country after the patent expiry," said Kirti Ganorkar, managing director, Sun Pharma.

So far, Sun Pharma, Dr Reddys Laboratories, and Alkem Laboratories Ltd are the only Indian drugmakers that have received regulatory approval for generic semaglutide. Several other drugmakers are awaiting approvals and have expressed their intent to launch the drug as soon as March.

Sun Pharma and Dr Reddys have already started manufacturing and exporting generic semaglutide to non-patent markets after getting a nod from the Delhi high court in December.

Also Read | India must say no to both drug overuse and the evergreening of pharma patents
Video-sharing platform TikTok and its Chinese parent ByteDance Ltd. on Thursday closed a long-awaited joint venture to transfer parts of TikTok's United States business to non-Chinese owners. The move complies with the Trump administration's deal that allows it to continue operating in the US, Bloomberg reported.

TikTok will spin off a newly created US entity with three managing investors: US software giant Oracle Corp., private equity firm Silver Lake Management LLC, and Abu Dhabi-based investment company MGX, it added.

Under the deal, ByteDance will lease a copy of its content algorithm to the US entity, which will allow it to retrain the new algorithm on US user data, it said.

Also Read | Trump administration taps data centres for backup power ahead of snowstorm

What do we know about the TikTok JV? According to Reuters , the JV known as TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC will secure US user data, apps and algorithms through data privacy and cybersecurity measures. It cited internal documents from the company.

, the JV known as TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC will secure US user data, apps and algorithms through data privacy and cybersecurity measures. It cited internal documents from the company. The Bloomberg report added that TikTok CEO Shou Chew will get a seat on TikTok US's board and will continue running the app globally. Further, Chew's second-in-command, Adam Presser, will take over as CEO in the US.

report added that TikTok CEO Shou Chew will get a seat on TikTok US's board and will continue running the app globally. Further, Chew's second-in-command, Adam Presser, will take over as CEO in the US. Under the deal, new investors will hold 50% of the new TikTok US entity, while existing ByteDance investors will control 30.1%, and parent ByteDance will hold 19.9%, according to Bloomberg .

. ByteDance is also expected to maintain control over TikTok US's advertising division and fast-growing e-commerce segment, TikTok Shop.

Also Read | TikTok Gets Reprieve in Canada After Court Shelves Ban Order

TikTok begins process to comply with Trump deal The deal, announced in September 2025, was initiated to address national security concerns and avoid a ban on the popular social media platform used by over 200 million Americans, reported Bloomberg.

The sale would culminate years-long back-and-forth that has threatened to shut down TikTok in the US, it said. The move to ban the app in the US was passed by Congress in 2024, conditional on parent ByteDance selling the app to a US company.

Prior to this, however, US President Donald Trump had unsuccessfully tried to ban the app in 2020, during his first term in the White House.

The reason cited was concerns that the Chinese government could abuse access to US user data or push narratives preferred by Beijing. Over the years, TikTok has stated that neither has happened, it added.
American lender JPMorgan Chase announced a 10.3% hike in CEO Jamie Dimon's compensation package to $43 million for 2025, based on strong performance during the year and last week's Q4 profits which exceeded estimates, according to a Reuters report.

Jamie Dimon's pay includes base salary of $1.5 million and $41.5 million in incentives, it added. In 2024, his pay was $39 million, at par with Goldman Sachs' David Solomon. Prior to that, in 2023 he earned $36 million, while his salary for 2022 and 2021 amid the COVID-19 pandemic was $34.5 million, it added.

Also Read | Why Trump threatened lawsuit against Jamie Dimon, JPMorgan over debanking

What is Jamie Dimon's net worth? Aged 69-years-old, Dimon has been CEO of JPMorgan since 2005 (20 years) and he is among the most prominent executives in corporate America, the report noted.

Forbes estimates his net worth at $2.8 billion. Speaking at the US Chamber of Commerce last week, Dimon told reporters he would like to stay CEO for at least another five years. Notably, his succession plans have long been the subject of speculation across Wall Street.

Compensation for 2025 reflects Dimons stewardship In its filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (US SEC), America's largest lender said that the compensation hike was based on Dimon's leadership and strong performance.

As part of their evaluation and determination, the board considered Mr. Dimons continued development of top executives to lead for today and the future, his continued commitment to shareholders and his longstanding exemplary leadership of a premier financial services firm, the filing said.

The annual compensation for 2025 reflects Mr. Dimon's stewardship of the Firm, with strong performance across our market-leading businesses and financial results, as well as a fortress balance sheet, it added.

The report added that JPMorgan's stock has surged 34% in 2025, outperforming the broader equity markets.

Donald Trump slams $5 billion lawsuit against JPMorgan for debanking In its report, Bloomberg said that Dimon's pay hikes comes amid US President Donald Trump's lawsuit of at least $5 billion against the bank and executive for allegedly debanking him over political reasons.

Earlier on 17 January, Donald Trump had threatened the bank with a lawsuit, claiming that he was debanked after the 6 January Capitol riot in 2021. Now, Donald Trump's lawsuit claims that Dimon and his woke Wall Street bank illegally debanked his businesses because of his politics, then slapped Trumps name in an industry blacklist that blocked him from accessing other lenders, too.

Youre not allowed to do what they did  Jamie Dimon, what he did, hes not allowed to do that. I dont know what their excuse would be. Maybe their excuse would be the regulators, Donald Trump later told reporters aboard Air Force One.
Mumbai: Tata Capital Healthcare Fund-backed Linux Laboratories, which is focused on central nervous system (CNS)-based domestic formulations, has appointed Avendus as an adviser to facilitate a capital raise, two people familiar with the matter said.

The Chennai-based company aims to raise $50-70 million to fund its expansion plans through organic and inorganic growth, double down on its existing categories and widen its footprint beyond India, the people said on the condition of anonymity. The deal is expected soon, they added.

Avendus and Linux declined to comment on the matter.

If it goes as planned, this will be the second round of external capital in more than four years after Tata Capitals healthcare fund invested in the company. The fund had invested about $10-13 million in the company in 2021, as per a media report.

This development also comes on the backdrop of an intensely competitive space dominated by Indian generic drug manufacturers and large pharmaceutical firms.

Founded in 2007 by Keerthivasan K. and Ananda Kumar, Linux specializes in niche segments like neurology, psychiatry and cosmetic dermatology.

Over the years, the company has introduced a wide range of evidence-based therapies, and set up a manufacturing unit to gain greater control over quality, supply reliability and innovation in formulations.

In 2020, Linux formed its international business division to take some of its brands and capabilities outside India.

Beyond CNS, its operations span across dermatology, neutraceuticals and cardio and diversified into aesthetics and skin health through the acquisition of the Biomedica cosmetic business. It also acquired key derma brands from India Bulls in 2022 and bought established brands from Cipla to strengthen its presence in dermatology and the cardio- diabetic business unit.

Linux reported revenue of 285 crore in FY25, up from 250 crore a year earlier. Its profit widened to 26 crore compared to 17.7 crore in FY24, according to filings accessed by Tofler.

Broadly, the global pharmaceutical market currently stands at about $1.6 trillion, with the Indian market valued at about $55 billion in 2025, according to a report by Bain & Co. This is expected to reach $120-$130 billion in value by 2030 with Indias share increasing to nearly 5% from the current 3% to 3.5%.

The Indian pharma market is unique in that its export market is as large as its domestic market, and both are expected to grow in the foreseeable future, the report added.

Linux competes with Hetero Healthcare, Micro Labs, Biological E, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Gland Pharma, Sandoz, Macleods Pharmaceuticals, Torrent Pharmaceuticals, and Cipla across various segments, as per online reports.

Also Read | India to map bulk drug supply chain with licensing rejig
Australian, New Zealand, and international startups secured over $326 million this week across AI security, legal tech, space technology, and clean energy sectors.

The weeks largest deal saw Queenslands Gilmour Space Technologies achieve unicorn status with a $217 million Series E round, while expat Kiwi legaltech Ivo raised $81 million at a $530 million valuation. Berlin-based Cloover secured $22 million for distributed energy solutions, and Sydneys Dam Secure attracted international attention with a $6.1 million seed round from Washington DC-based investors.

The funding activity demonstrates continued investor confidence in deep tech and enterprise solutions, from AI-powered security platforms to orbital launch capabilities, contract intelligence technology, and energy infrastructure.

Paladin backs AI security startup Dam Secures $6.1 million seed round

Sydney AI security startup Dam Secure raised $6.1 million in a seed round led by Washington DC-based Paladin Capital Group. Founded by Patrick Collins and Simon Harloff, the startup develops an AI-native platform for managing security risks from AI coding tools. Supporting investors include Secure Code Warrior CEO Pieter Danhieux, RecordPoint CEO Anthony Woodward, Innovation Bay founder Phaedon Stough and Tyro Payments chief product officer Steen Andersson.

Expat Kiwi legaltech startup Ivo briefs $81 million series B

California-based legal tech startup Ivo, originally founded in New Zealand, raised $81 million in a series B led by Blackbird with support from Costanoa Ventures, Uncork Capital, Fika Ventures, GD1, and Icehouse Ventures at a $530 million valuation.

The AI-powered contract intelligence platform has grown annual recurring revenue by 500% and increased Fortune 500 adoption by 250% since its $24 million series A twelve months ago.

Gilmour Space hits unicorn status after $217 million series E

Queensland rocket builder Gilmour Space Technologies raised $217 million in a series E to reach unicorn status with a valuation exceeding $1 billion.

The round was jointly led by the National Reconstruction Fund and super fund Hostplus, with support from Future Fund, Blackbird, Funds SA, HESTA, NGS Super, Main Sequence, QIC, and Brighter Super. The funding follows a July 2025 launch attempt where the 23-metre Eris orbital rocket crashed after 14 seconds of flight.

Clean energy Cloover secures $22 million series A

Berlin-based Cloover raised $22 million in series A equity led by MMC Ventures and QED Investors, with participation from Lowercarbon Capital, BNVT Capital, Bosch Ventures, Centrotec, and Earthshot Ventures. The company targets $500 million in sales volume for 2026, delivering solar, batteries, heat pumps and EV charging systems at scale. Cloover benefits from a 300 million guarantee from the European Investment Fund to enable scalable, low-cost capital for the energy transition.

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NEW DELHI : India needs long-term, step-by-step ecosystem-building, alongside sustained investment in research and development (R&D), to achieve semiconductor capabilities, essential for a major global economy given silicon chips role in the information age, according to economist and NITI Aayog member Arvind Virmani.

Virmani said achieving sufficient domestic semiconductor capacity cannot be done overnight, and the Central and state governments have to work together to build the ecosystem with carefully planned policy instrumentssubsidies being the easiestand improve ease of doing business, while ensuring essential infrastructure, such as land and electricity, for investors.

Virmani, also a former chief economic advisor in the Union finance ministry, said todays investments in R&D will, a decade or so later, help India to accelerate to the frontier of technology and manufacturing prowess.

Virmanis suggestions carry weight as India emerges as a favoured destination for data centres, boosting demand for semiconductors, which also underpin the AI race as well as the industrial and military advantages enjoyed by advanced economies. The Donald Trump-led US administration regulates the supply of the most sophisticated chips to some countries, including China.

In his last Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the need for self-reliance and said 10 new semiconductor units are being built in the country on a mission mode.

India-EU FTA

Virmani said Indias proposed free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU) will help bring anchor investors to the country into multiple sectors, including semiconductors, with established global supply chains and markets for their products, boosting domestic manufacturing capability and adding jobs.

Indias proposed FTA with the EU will help bring anchor investors to the country into multiple sectors. NITI Aayog member Arvind Virmani

These anchor investors will also eliminate the need for Indian businesses to explore market access by integrating them with the global value chain. FTAs build trust and assure investors that both parties are committed to long-term cooperation, which is essential for investments, Virmani said.

I see huge potential in the India-EU FTA," Virmani said, adding that an anchor investor will bring a whole supply chain with it. That is important because the investor already has the market, Virmani said, citing the example of Apples iPhones, which are contract-manufactured and exported from India.

Virmani said large anchor investors are mostly in countries like the US, EU, Japan, and the UK. We have done it with Australia and the UK. The FTA with Japan needs to be energized," Virmani said.

India and the EU are working to conclude a long-pending FTA, with officials on both sides indicating that negotiations are now in the final stretch and that a deal could be wrapped up in 2026. The announcement of the finalization of trade talks between both sides is expected on 27 January.

The proposed deal aims to significantly lower tariffs and non-tariff barriers across goods and services. For India, the agreement is expected to improve access to a large, high-income market at a time of global trade uncertainty, help diversify export destinations beyond the US and China, and attract greater European investment into manufacturing, clean energy, and advanced technologies.

The India-EU FTA can be a defining moment for our industrial landscape, said Saurabh Agarwal, partner, consulting major EY India. By integrating European R&D in electrolyzers and offshore wind with Indias engineering scale, we can position our country as the global nerve centre for green hydrogen and circular EV ecosystems. This partnership, if concluded in a time-bound manner, may act as a catalyst for our semiconductor ambitions," said Agarwal.

Beyond talent exchange, the FTA is likely to facilitate the seamless transfer of high-end manufacturing technology, Agarwal said.

By harmonizing standards and securing duty-free access to critical capital goods, India can help in building a resilient, trusted supply chain for Europe, acting as a world-class manufacturing hub, Agarwal said.

Semiconductor ecosystem

You have to create the semiconductor ecosystem step-by-step. No single nation can produce every ingredient or sub-component. That underscores the importance of trusted partners, because in network products, every small component works together as a whole. One part going wrong can lead to the failure of the whole system," he said.

Conventionally, countries start with basic assembly and testing, then develop parts of the value chain, leading to companies connecting with others with specific expertise in other sectors that may be useful in the semiconductor sector, helping develop the domestic ecosystem, he explained.

It is harder for semiconductors because the core technologies are more specialized. So, we have to go step by step. We cannot follow other small countries. China is certainly an example. But they have advantages in terms of planning. We have a market system," he said.

Vimani said subsidies are the most efficient way to develop an industrial policy, purely from an economic standpoint.

The Indian government is backing the sector through the India Semiconductor Mission, launched in December 2021 with a 76,000-crore outlay, which offers fiscal support of up to 50% of project cost for semiconductor fabs, display units, packaging and chip design, alongside PLI incentives for electronics manufacturing.

Also Read | India can be among top 5 semiconductor nations: Merck Electronics CEO

India currently depends almost entirely on imports for semiconductors, with domestic consumption estimated at over $50 billion annually, while no large commercial chip fabrication plant is yet operational. However, several projects approved under the mission, including wafer fabs and assembly and testing units, are under implementation and are expected to create initial domestic production capacity over the next few years.

We have to make the necessary conditions and ensure there are no hurdles, that is why the prime minister is speaking about ease of doing business. It is a collaborative effort between the Central and state governments," Virmani said.

State governments are very important given the need for land, water, power, etc., which have to be made available. Semiconductor facilities require high-quality water and reliable electricity. All that has to be provided at the state level. Otherwise, it will not work. In the information age, semiconductors go into everything, and they are an important part of being a major global economy. But it's a step-by-step process," he added.
The Twenty20 party, floated by garment major KITEX group, has joined the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ahead of the upcoming Kerala assembly elections. The move will boost the BJP-led alliance's electoral prospects in the elections due in a few months.

The announcement was made by Kerala Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajeev Chandrasekhar during a press conference alongside Twenty20 president Sabu M Jacob, also MD of KITEX.

The announcement was made on Thursday, a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Kerala. Sabu is expected to share the stage with PM Modi during his visit to Thiruvananthapuram to unveil the development projects ahead of the assembly polls.

Expansion of NDA's political footprint PM Modi's visit comes close on the heels of the BJP scoring a historic win in the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation election last month, winning 50 of the 101 seats, and getting its first Mayor of the civic body.

Chandrasekhar claimed that the move was an expansion of NDA's political footprint and its political heft vis-a-vis the coming elections.

Speaking to the reporters, the Kerala BJP president said that the aim was to spread the message of Viksit Keralam (Developed Kerala), Vishwas Sanrakshanam (Safeguarding Trust) and Surikshit Keralam (Safe Kerala) through this alliance, which, according to him, has been put forth by the NDA in the previous 11 years of PM Modi's tenure. He said that the aim was to bring the same level of political development in India.

What is Twenty20? Twenty20 party hit headlines in 2015 when it won the panchayat in its hometown, Kizhakkambalam. Since then, the party has retained the local body for the third time in the 2025 elections.

The political arm of the KITEX Garments business group has been highlighting development and welfare schemes implemented in party-ruled panchayats, where it claims to have eliminated corruption.

Apart from Kizhakkambalam, the party also rules another panchayat and has emerged as the single-largest party in another local body, which is part of the Kunnathunad Assembly constituency, now represented by the CPI(M).

NDA receiving support just not from the average Malayali voter but also from many in the political spectrum amongst traditional parties, MLAs and ex MLAs, and today we have the absolute good fortune, and we are extremely happy to have the one party in Kerala that has steadfastly stood for development, which is Twenty20, Chandrasekhar said.

What does it mean for the BJP?

NDA receiving support just not from the average Malayali voter but also from many in the political spectrum amongst traditional parties.

With Twenty20 in the NDA fold, the BJP is aiming at a new battleground in Ernakulam district. Twenty20 contested the Assembly elections in 2021 in a few seats in Ernakulam, but the party could not repeat its performance in the local body elections of 2020.

The BJP-Twenty20 alliance will be decisive in at least four assembly constituencies of Ernakulum district and may influence results in a few others, analysts told the New Indian Express. Ernakulum has 14 assembly seats.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will kickstart the Bharatiya Janata Party's election campaign in Kerala and Tamil Nadu today by addressing public meetings in the two poll-bound states.

PM Modi will be in Thiruvananthapuram for an official programme to launch and lay foundation stones for development projects and flag off new trains.

At around 10:45 AM, Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone, inaugurate and flag off various developmental projects in Thiruvananthapuram. He will also address the gathering on the occasion, according to an official statement.

Roadshow in Thiruvananthapuram Before flaghing off the projects, PM Modi is expected to hold a roadshow in Thiruvananthapuram . The roadshow will begin from the Thiruvananthapuram airport and is expected to traverse key stretches of the city and culminate at Putharikandam Maidan.

The projects that PM Modi will innaugurate span key sectors including rail connectivity, urban livelihoods, science and innovation, citizen-centric services, and advanced healthcare, reflecting Prime Ministers continued focus on inclusive growth, technological advancement and improved quality of life for citizens, the statement said.

The Prime Minister will flag off four new train services, including three Amrit Bharat Express trains and one passenger train. These include the Nagercoil-Mangaluru Amrit Bharat Express, Thiruvananthapuram-Tambaram Amrit Bharat Express, Thiruvananthapuram-Charlapalli Amrit Bharat Express, and a new passenger train between Thrissur and Guruvayur.

New Trains to be introduced The introduction of these services will significantly enhance long-distance and regional connectivity between Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, making travel more affordable, safe and time-bound for passengers. The improved connectivity will provide a strong impetus to tourism, trade, education, employment and cultural exchange across the region, the statement said.

PM Modi's visit comes close on the heels of BJP scoring a historic win in the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation election last month winning 50 of the 101 seats and got its first Mayor of the civic body.

Also Read | PM Modi Gifts UAE President a Hand-Carved Wooden Jhula from Gujarat

Assembly Elections are due in Kerala in April this year.

From Kerala, PM Modi will head to another poll-bound state Tamil Nadu. Here the prime minister will launch the NDA's poll campaign for the upcoming Assembly election in suburban Madurathakam.

The rally is being seen as the BJPs first major show of strength in Tamil Nadu. Ahead of PM Modi's visit, BJP senior leader and Tamil Nadu election in-charge Piyush Goyal held a series of meetings with allies to ensure that they all present a picture of unity. The party succeeded in roping in AMMK general secretary T T V Dhinakaran and PMK Anbumani faction.

Other allies such as G K Vasan-led TMC, and T R Paarivendhar-led Indhiya Jananayaga Katchi, A C Shanmugam of New Justice Party and B John Pandian of Tamizhaga Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam have reiterated their support to the NDA.

A rally near Chennai PM Modi would arrive at the Chennai airport from Thiruvananthapuram. He would reach Maduranthakam by helicopter and from there arrive at the venue by road to address the rally at 3 pm.

He is scheduled to leave Maduranthakam by helicopter at 4.30 pm to reach Chennai airport and leave for the national capital at about 5 pm.

Union Minister L Murugan, who reviewed the arrangements for Modi's tightly-scheduled three-hour visit under high security arrangements, said, The Prime Minister will address the NDA public meeting at Madhuranthaam, Chengalpattu, to mark the beginning of NDAs election campaign in Tamil Nadu.

"PM Modi's rally in Madhuranthakam on Friday will be a big turning point. Around five lakh people are expected to attend," AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami said after meeting BJP Tamil Nadu election in-charge Piyush Goyal.

Tamil Nadu is also voting in April to elect a new assembly.
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 23 (ANI): Actor Paramvir Singh Cheema has opened up about his initial fears of being typecast before joining the cast of 'Border 2'.

Paramvir Cheema will be seen portraying the character of Subedar Nishaan Singh in the upcoming war drama, co-starring Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Ahan Shetty, and Diljit Dosanjh.

Speaking to ANI, he shared, "When I heard the name Border, I obviously liked it as it's a big film. But I also had a doubt that I might get lost amid all the big stars. When you think about your journey, you think about how to move forward. Also, there's a lot of type casting. I wore a turban in Tabber and Black Warrant. So I didn't want people to see me in only turban roles where there's a lot more."

He recalled having a meeting with director Anurag Singh, with whom he shared his concerns and was then selected.

"I come from an army background. My great-grandfather and many of them were in the army. They also served during World War II. So, there were a lot of responsibilities. Border is such a big film. It is about patriotism and about our soldiers. I had to make sure that nothing went wrong," he added.

Cheema went on to speak about his experience of working with Sunny Deol, describing it as "surreal".

"I didn't have much to do with Sunny sir, as I have only one or two scenes with him. But Sunny Deol is Sunny Deol. There is no 'Border' without Sunny Deol. It was a very surreal experience that you can't forget. We had been shooting for 30-32 days with Sunny sir. When I saw his solo frame at the beginning, I got that feeling of 'Border'," he added.

On sharing the screen with Varun Dhawan, Paramvir Cheema recalled how the actor praised his work in 'Black Warrant'.

"I thought that he was such a big star, and what if he has tantrums? But, there was nothing. He was our boss in the film. I remember Varun Dhawan coming to talk to me. At that time, Black Warrant was also released, and he saw it. He used to tell me, 'I like your work a lot, Param'. If you see our scenes, there are very interesting ones," he said.
HONG KONGChina has seized upon the disarray left by President Trump within the trans-Atlantic alliance, denouncing his push to acquire Greenland and trying to entice U.S. allies with the promise of reliable trade partnerships.

But as some of Washingtons traditional allies tiptoe closer to Beijing, they appear clear-eyed about the danger of leaving the U.S. embrace only to end up in the hands of another superpower.

In a world of great power rivalry, the countries in between have a choicecompete with each other for favor, or to combine to create a third path with impact," Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney declared in a speech Tuesday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Canada, which Trump has said he would like to annex as the 51st state," has had to fundamentally shift our strategic posture," said Carney.

Carney, who came away from meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing last week with a diplomatic thaw and a trade deal, said Canada, as a middle power," plans to be principled and pragmatic" in its partnerships.

What we can see in the middle powers is hedging," said Maria Adele Carrai, an associate professor at the University of Oxford. This is a moment of uncertainty and they are trying to diversify. Theyre not aligning with China, not at all, but opening new dialogues, new alliances, new regional partnerships. Investment and trade are diversified from where it was before."

As Trump makes aggressive use of tariffs and at one point threatened force to prize Greenland from longstanding ally Denmark, Beijing is trying to seize the moment.

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng delivered a speech at Davos this week denouncing rising unilateralism and protectionism" while portraying China as a benefit to the world.

China is a trading partner, not a rival, for other countries," he said. Chinas development presents an opportunity, not a threat, to the world economy."

That message has been a consistent refrain from Chinese leaders.

Beijing sees the fractures in the trans-Atlantic relationship as an opening," said Olivia Cheung, a China scholar at Kings College London.

China hopes to improve its relationships with key trading partners for tangible gains, such as reducing tariffs on electrical vehicles, she said, but it is only a cautious optimism."

The improvements have largely been marked by an easing of trade barriers, such as the new framework between China and Canada that includes slashing tariffs on Chinese EVs and Canadian canola oil.

Britains Prime Minister Keir Starmer heads to Beijing later this month, shortly after the approval of a large new Chinese Embassy in London smoothed a point of friction between the two countries. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is expected to travel to China next month. French President Emmanuel Macron visited in early December.

Fundamental differences also remain between U.S. allies and China over issues including Beijings support for Russias Vladimir Putin following his invasion of Ukraine.

The European Commission introduced plans this week to phase out telecommunications hardware in critical European networks from high-risk" suppliers, a move seen as targeting Chinese telecom companies including Huawei and ZTE.

Beijing has criticized those plans, saying Chinese telecommunications equipment has never endangered security and that its exclusion would cause economic harm to both sides.

China has denounced Trumps designs on Greenland and the U.S. mission to seize Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro as evidence of an American imperialistic streak that is no longer concealed by talk of a rules-based order.

The U.S. is now a purely extractive superpower," Xinhua, the Chinese state-news agency, said in a commentary on Tuesday.

The world map is no longer a political chart of alliances and sovereignties, but a crude inventory of assets," it said. A countrys statusally, rival or neutralis irrelevant beside the fundamental question of its utility."

That message has found willing audiences in developing nations long wary of American military power, where China has seen substantial growth in trade and influence in recent decades.

China saw a record $1.19 trillion trade surplus last year, a figure that reflects its central importance to the global economy and the risk of backlash it faces as it unloads cheap goods on the world.

Projects under Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, a global infrastructure, energy and mining investment program, hit a record level of engagement in 2025, according to research by Christoph Nedopil, a professor at Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia.

The study found significant increases in Chinese investment in Central Asia and construction deals in Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America.

But even as Chinas ties with much of the world deepen, its ability to ease relations with Europe is relatively limited, said Zhu Feng, a professor of international studies at Nanjing University.

Beijing doesnt expect the U.S. and its European allies to undergo a permanent split, he said. Trumps shift on Greenland this week in Davos, where he retreated from threats of force and tariffs and moved toward a proposal that includes offers of increased Arctic security, limits the potential for a collapse of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

It also restricts Chinas potential trade and diplomatic gains in Europe, said David Arase, a professor of international politics at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center.

Write to Austin Ramzy at austin.ramzy@wsj.com
BEFORE CO-FOUNDING Nvidia, the pioneer of artificial-intelligence (AI) chips, Jensen Huang was a busboy at Dennys, a restaurant chain. He playfully reminded people of this on October 28th while delivering water to panellists at his firms first big jamboree in Washington, DC. From busboy to billionaire, Mr Huang is now also in service to President Donald Trump. Shortly after he made a keynote speech peppered with tributes to the president, he flew to South Korea to accompany him as he prepared for trade talks with China.

Many people look askance at the way the tech elite has cosied up to the president. But the boss of the worlds most valuable firm, who once kept his distance from politics, says he is incredibly proud" that Nvidia is contributing to Mr Trumps new White House ballroom. Moreover, he is doubling down by pledging to help President Trump reindustrialise America.

That may be mostly calculated to win the presidents support in convincing China to reopen its market to Nvidias graphics processing units (GPUs). It also involves significant rebranding of existing plans. Yet it is meaningful, nonetheless.

It begins with chipmaking. In mid-October, nine months after the president told Mr Huang that he wanted to reshore manufacturing, TSMC, a Taiwan-based semiconductor maker, produced a wafer for Nvidias most advanced GPU, called Blackwell, at its Arizona fab. Mr Huang said Blackwells processors, memory and packaging will all soon be made in Americathough it is likely to take a long time before production happens at scale.

His efforts extend to robotics. AI, the Nvidia boss said, was enabling firms like Foxconn, another Taiwanese manufacturer once joined at the hip to China, to build fully robotic factories in America that will be run via AI-created simulations, or digital twins", using Nvidia technology. To offset labour shortages, some factories will eventually produce AI-powered robotshumanoid and otherwise.

It is not just Nvidia. Peter Thiel, a venture capitalist, is also placing bets on Americas high-tech manufacturing renaissance. On October 28th one of his former acolytes, James Proud, a London-born entrepreneur, unveiled a plan to create a chipmaking machine in America to revive semiconductor production. Using advanced X-ray lithography, his firm, Substrate, aims to take on ASML, the Dutch firm that is the sole supplier of extreme ultraviolet lithography used in advanced semiconductor manufacturing.

It is a huge challenge. But Substrate has raised $100m at a valuation of $1bn, backed by venture-capital firms such as Mr Thiels Founders Fund. Eventually it hopes to support chipmaking foundries across America, reducing the countrys vulnerability to a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Most believe we will fail. But this is important enough to do," says Mr Proud.

Full-scale reshoring remains a quixotic endeavour and is based on flawed economics. The presidents ability to sway corporate decision-making is concerning. And there are also bottlenecks. Mr Huang praised Mr Trump for his pro-energy" policies, but his administration has discouraged clean-energy sources such as wind. Its immigration crackdown has affected skilled and unskilled labour.

Silicon Valley has long attributed its success to its distance from Washington. Yet the more AI hinges not just on digital technology but on chips, data centres and grids, the more politics matters. Rightly or wrongly, Mr Huang is acting on that. At the end of his keynote, he thanked the audience for their service in making America great again." On October 29th Nvidia became the worlds first $5trn company.

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DAVOS, SwitzerlandThe West avoided an open rupture this week. But, instead of celebrating, European leaders are bracing for more serious shocks to the trans-Atlantic relationship in the months ahead.

We are not yet out of the woods," Latvias President Edgars Rinkevics said in an interview in Davos on Thursday, after President Trump U-turned on threats of military action and punitive tariffs to seize Greenland from Denmark. Are we in an irreversible rift? No. But there is a clear and present danger. If we want to preserve the alliance, both sides need to be very, very careful."

The crisis over Greenland, though defused through a compromise negotiated by North Atlantic Treaty Organization Secretary-General Mark Rutte, already has many European leaders worrying about long-term damage.

We are in a much better place today than we were at the beginning of this week," Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said in an interview Thursday. But of course, the very fact that we are relieved that a NATO country is not going to attack another NATO country tells us that we are somewhere where we never thought we would be. And that, in itself, will linger."

Trumps approach to Greenland has also prompted leaders in Europe and Canada to focus more on reducing their countries economic, technological and military dependence on the U.S., the kind of derisking previously reserved for China and Russia. Some European officials have started seriously worrying about the exposure of their economies to U.S. software, payment systems and communications platforms that could be switched off or disrupted in case of an escalating conflict.

Trump drove Europeans for the first time to genuinely focus on alternatives to America and derisking," said Philip Gordon, national-security adviser to former Vice President Kamala Harris and a scholar at the Brookings Institution. We cant just go back to where we were pre-Greenland threats."

The Trump administration has repeatedly criticized its European allies since coming to power a year ago. Administration officials have painted European leaders as out of touch with their voters, while promoting far-right and nationalist opposition parties in Germany, France and other countries.

Vice President JD Vances speech in Munich last February focused on how the U.S. no longer shares values with Europes leaders. The U.S. National Security Strategy, signed by Trump in November, set cultivating resistance to Europes current trajectory within European nations" as Americas policy priority, and Trump dedicated part of his Davos speech this week to blasting what he sees as Europes civilizational decline.

While Europeans had sought to appeal to Trumpin part because of concerns about the future of Ukrainethe key takeaway from the Greenland crisis for many European leaders is that playing hardball with the U.S. president can work.

The conclusion is that, when Europe reacts in a united way, using the tools at its disposal when it is under threat, it can force others to respect it," French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday.

Already last February, soon after Vances Munich speech, an abrupt cutoff in U.S. intelligence sharing with Ukraine jolted many European nations. For the first time, many of them started to weigh whether they should rely on American-made technology that could be weaponized to achieve political goals.

This months Greenland crisis, which involved several European nations sending a small number of troops to the island, significantly reinforced the conviction that continuing dependence on American technology and weapons could represent a security vulnerability for Europe. That conviction will remain even if Trump no longer questions Greenlands status, some European officials say.

We need to be prepared for scenarios that some might think are unthinkable," Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said in an interview. There are fewer pressure points on us if you are able to do it yourself."

View Full Image Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans

These efforts should include developing a European alternative to the U.S. nuclear umbrella, said Roderich Kiesewetter, a lawmaker from Germanys CDU ruling party. A trans-Atlantic alliance cannot be built upon surprises. With Trump, we cannot calculate, and we cannot rely on the U.S. Full stop. And we must be aware that he will come up with other surprises."

Such thinking among allies represents a problem for American leadership, said John Herbst, a former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine and senior director at the Atlantic Councils Eurasia Center. This has not been a good week for American diplomacy," he said. We are seen as less than stable, and a leader doesnt want to be seen in that fashion."

The White House has described Trumps Davos trip as a resounding success, and Trump ally Steve Bannon praised the presidents address as the greatest speech since Pericles in Athens."

Bannon wasnt alone in reaching for references to ancient Greece. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney referenced Thucydidess concept of raw power in international relationsthe strong do what they can, and the weak suffer what they must"a lawless world that many in Davos view as the essence of Trumps doctrine.

This aphorism of Thucydides is presented as inevitablethe natural logic of international relations reasserting itself. And faced with this logic, there is a strong tendency for countries to go along to get along. To accommodate. To avoid trouble. To hope that compliance will buy safety. It wont," Carney said in his speech that has become the talk of the town.

Serbias President Aleksandar Vucic, who is also attending Davos, didnt hide his pessimism about the months ahead as the international order continues to fall apart. Relations between Europe and the U.S. wont get any better, he cautioned.

That rift will stay for a long period of time. Trump didnt impose any new tariffs against Europeans, and they were happy, and he was happy because the market soared. But as a matter of fact this will happen again, but it will be deeper and more problematic, and everyone will have to take care of their own interests," Vucic said in an interview Thursday. Differences are deep."

He noted that the conference in Davos, which assembled business and political elites, was notable by how fearful the participants were to speak out, a tinderbox. This year, it was in a way the most hectic atmosphere, but at the same time people were very silent, not open at all, not discussing the real issues, trying to stay in the safe zone, not offend anyone," he said. Now, all of us, we look like zombies looking around and thinking what will happen tomorrow. Nobody feels secure in todays world."

Write to Yaroslav Trofimov at yaroslav.trofimov@wsj.com
CARACAS, VenezuelaThe countrys interim government unveiled a bill Thursday to loosen the states iron-tight control over its beleaguered oil industry, a move aimed at attracting U.S. energy companies but one that analysts say falls short of what is needed to unlock major new investments and revive output as President Trump has demanded.

Since the Jan. 3 raid in which U.S. commandos removed strongman Nicolas Maduro from power, President Trump has pressed American producers to quickly pour $100 billion into Venezuela, where only Chevron has a license permitting it to operate. The president hopes to lower U.S. oil prices to $50 a barrel, lowering gasoline at the pump in an election year.

Acting President Delcy Rodriguezs hydrocarbons bill, which is expected to be approved next week by Venezuelas National Assembly, would give companies more autonomy to operate oil fields and export crude under contracts with state oil firm Petroleos de Venezuela, or PdVSA.

The proposal would codify into law the opaque oil deals, known as productive participation contracts, that Maduro implemented to circumvent U.S. sanctions on the oil industry, oil analysts say. It would keep a 30% royalty but permit the government to reduce it to 15% in some joint ventures. The bill permits independent arbitration to resolve disputes but doesnt specify whether it would be conducted abroad, a longtime demand of investors who saw Venezuelas leftist government in the past nationalize oil projects held by foreign companies

While the reform is a step toward easing state control over the countrys vital industry, oil experts say it doesnt go far enough to provide legal certainty for companies to commit the tens of billions of dollars required to jump-start production, which collapsed over the past decade.

In addition, the changes are advanced by a government that the U.S. and its allies consider illegitimate, citing rigged elections Maduro said he won in 2018 and 2024a further deterrent for investors worried about the countrys legal safeguards, analysts said.

It is a very deficient law," said Francisco Monaldi, a Venezuelan who directs the Latin America energy program at Rice Universitys Baker Institute for Public Policy. It continues to give tremendous discretion to the executive," he said, referring to Venezuelas president.

Trump has said American oil companies would spend billions in Venezuela to bring back production that had cratered under Maduro. The industry will extract tremendous wealth out of the ground," Trump said after Maduros capture, with revenues returned to Venezuela to benefit the people, skirting corrupt officials. He has framed the approach as undoing the nationalization of the oil industry carried out by Maduros predecessor, Hugo Chavez.

Were going to take back the oil that, frankly, we should have taken back a long time ago," he said. Trump has also said the U.S. would control Venezuelas oil sales indefinitely.

The White House didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

This week, Venezuelan officials said they had received an initial $300 million in proceeds from the U.S., which took control of 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil earlier this month to sell on the open market.

Oil companies say a far broader overhaul of Venezuelas legal and commercial framework is needed before pouring billions of dollars into the country.

Exxon CEO Darren Woods said at a White House event with Trump and other oil executives that Venezuela was currently uninvestable" without such changes.

View Full Image Exxon Mobil CEO Darren Woods at the White House earlier this month.

Companies have also said they need security guarantees in the nation, where roaming armed gangs and Colombian narco-trafficking insurgencies operate. On Thursday, Energy Secretary Chris Wright told Bloomberg Television that the U.S. wouldnt provide on-the-ground security to oil companies.

Oil-and-gas companies operate all around the world in all different settings," Wright said. Theyre well versed in those challenges."

Venezuelas oil production collapsed under Maduro, as his regime turned the national oil company into a political tool and oversaw deep mismanagement and corruption. Production topped three million barrels a day before the start of Chavismo in 1999the movement Chavez had founded with his electionbut had fallen to 300,000 barrels in 2020. Output rebounded to about 900,000 barrels daily last year, according to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.

Venezuelas current oil law prohibits private companies from independently exploring, producing and exporting. They work through joint ventures in which PdVSA holds a majority stake.

To circumvent legal restrictions and U.S. sanctions, the government used a so-called antiblockade law approved in 2020, which effectively gave the state the ability to sign deals in private without legislative oversight. As Maduros vice president and de facto economy manager, Rodriguez, now the countrys acting-president, had overseen oil industry maneuvers in recent years.

The hydrocarbons bill comes as authorities in Venezuelas interim government and the U.S. moved to restore diplomatic and commercial ties that have been strained for several years.

On Thursday, the U.S. named Laura F. Dogu, a former ambassador to Honduras and Nicaragua, as the new charge daffaires for the State Departments Venezuela Affairs Unit, which is based in Bogota, Colombia. U.S. diplomatic teams have in recent days been working in Caracas toward an eventual reopening of the embassy, which has been closed since 2019, according to officials from both countries.

Thursdays proposal gives some legal security for foreign companies already working in Venezuela, but is unlikely to provide the guarantees necessary to attract new players, said Orlando Ochoa, a Venezuelan economist and fellow at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies.

The modifications, though, are likely to assuage some fears among Venezuelans that the U.S. would take over the countrys most prized assets.

Theres no visible interference by U.S. interests in this bill," said Ochoa. Its in line with what the Venezuelans have discussed for years to allow for development of new and mature fields."

Jose Ignacio Hernandez, a Venezuelan lawyer and professor at American University, said Washington may push Rodriguez to make further changes once it becomes clear the reform wont draw significant new investments.

I hope the United States government, when it realizes that this is not enough, will push for a better reform," he said. All investments need a clear, simple, stable and predictable framework and regrettably this is not the regulatory reform that is so far introduced in this legislation."

Write to Ryan Dube at ryan.dube@wsj.com and Kejal Vyas at kejal.vyas@wsj.com
When Vladimir Putin was elected president of Russia in 2000, a reporter asked what he did as a KGB case officer in Dresden, East Germany. Mr. Putins response: We were interested in any information about the main opponent, as we called them, and the main opponent was NATO." The mission hasnt changed. In office, Mr. Putin has consistently sought to weaken the Western alliance.

Since its founding in 1949, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization has been the Kremlins No. 1 enemy. Successive Soviet and Russian leaders sought to undermine the alliance and separate the U.S. from Europe. Mr. Putin and his inner circle can only marvel at the dangerous game President Trump has been playing. His confrontation with the allies over Greenlands future threatened to damage the worlds most successful alliance in a way that decades of Russian sabotage failed to do. The gap between the U.S. and its allies, on full display this week, can only reinforce Mr. Putins conviction that the trans-Atlantic alliance is seriously weakened.

The Soviet Unions answer to NATO was the Warsaw Treaty Organization, created in 1955. Before disbanding in 1991, it was the only such alliance in history whose members invaded each other. Soviet troops invaded Hungary in 1956 and Warsaw Pact troops marched into Czechoslovakia in 1968. These invasions ensured Soviet supremacy in Eastern Europe. Mr. Putin aspires to control the former Warsaw Pact states, as he made clear in the draft treaty he presented to NATO before Russia invaded Ukraine.

After the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, the future of NATO was debated in Russia and the West. Did it still have a purpose? Communism was defeated and Russia wanted to become a democracy. What was the need for this Cold War relic? Why not create an all-European security organization in which Russia and the U.S. would have an equal voice?

While Russians and their Western supporters argued for a new Euro-Atlantic security architecture, NATO and its supporters understood that the worlds most successful alliance shouldnt disband but adapt and admit those former Warsaw Pact states that were clamoring to join.

The Clinton administration offered Russia a distinctive partnership with NATO, hoping to give Moscow a stake in the trans-Atlantic order. The NATO-Russia Founding Act was signed in Paris in 1997, but it did little to diminish the Russian conviction that NATO was the adversary. Mr. Putin early in his presidency discussed the possibility of joining NATO with both Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, but it became clear that Russia wouldnt join an alliance it couldnt dominate.

Mr. Putins antipathy toward NATO has only grown. The Kremlin has increasingly supported European political parties and groups on the left and right that oppose NATO and the U.S. Mr. Putin justified Russias annexation of Crimea in 2014 by declaring that, if Russia hadnt moved, it would have meant that NATOs navy would be right there in this city of Russias military glory, and this would create not an illusory but a perfectly real threat to the whole of Southern Russia."

Mr. Putin doesnt fear NATO because it threatens Russias physical security. Rather, he understands that expanding NATO membership to former Soviet states and Warsaw Pact members undermines his goal of re-establishing Russias sphere of influence. NATO remains the chief obstacle to Mr. Putins imperial ambitions. Had Ukraine been a member of NATO, Russia wouldnt have dared to invade it.

How ironic, then, that a dispute between the U.S. and its allies over a NATO members territory could end up undermining NATO and helping Mr. Putin realize his goal of subjugating Ukraine. It was hard to imagine before that such a thing could happen," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday. He added that it could create a scenario in which one NATO member is going to attack another NATO member." Although three NATO membersHungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakiahave experienced something similar.

Ms. Stent is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and author of Putins World: Russia Against the West and With the Rest."
Mumbai: Indias small finance banks (SFBs) are starting to think beyond their niche. As a handful of these lenders prepare for a possible transition to universal banking, they are stepping up senior hiring from larger banks and non-bank financiers to strengthen leadership and scale businesses, said two people aware of the developments.

The move highlights how, over a decade after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) opened the door to small finance bank licences, parts of the sector are gearing up for a more complex phase of growth, one where talent depth and managerial capability could prove as critical as rapid balance-sheet expansion.

The people cited above said AU Small Finance Bank, Ujjivan Small Finance Bank, Suryoday Small Finance Bank and Utkarsh Small Finance Bank are looking to onboard senior executives, including key business officers, vice-presidents and executive vice-presidents.

Spokespersons for AU, Utkarsh, and Ujjivan declined to comment.

Key Takeaways Several prominent small finance banks, including AU, Ujjivan, Suryoday, and Utkarsh, are preparing to transition from their niche status to universal banking.

While AU Small Finance Bank received a conditional nod from the RBI in August, others like Ujjivan are still awaiting regulatory approval for their proposals.

SFBs are actively poaching senior executives, vice-presidents, and business officers from larger universal banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs).

Candidates are often drawn to these roles by "bump ups" in compensation and the opportunity for significant role elevation

In 2025, small finance banks demonstrated significantly higher hiring momentum compared to the broader banking sector:

SFBs have established a strong foothold by growing much faster than traditional lenders between FY22 and FY25:

A spokesperson for Suryoday Small Finance Bank said that on role-mapping, the bank is prudent in offering positionsusually not more than two levels above a candidates current role. Customer base handled, geographic scope, and team span are key factors in determining seniority fit, the spokesperson said.

According to Suryodays spokesperson, while there have been isolated instances where increments exceed 20%, these cases are limited and typically structured with a balanced mix of immediate and long-term components

Awaiting nod While RBI gave a conditional nod to AU Small Finance Banks transition plan for universal banking in August, it is yet to disclose what it thinks of Ujjivan Small Finance Banks proposal submitted in February.

The talent demand in SFBs is for building product, technology, sales leadership and for strengthening management, for which we are hiring from NBFCs and banks, said Upasana Agarwal, partner, professional and financial services at ABC Consultants, a talent advisory firm.

Agarwal said candidates from bigger banks are willing to consider moving to small finance banks due to a potential elevation, both in compensation and role. For instance, a senior-vice president of finance in a bank will fit into a chief financial officer role at these small finance banks.

The aggressive hiring by small finance banks is also reflected in the numbers released by RBI in December. In 2025, a year in which public sector banks added net 1,626 people and private sector banks shrunk their staff strength by 7,257, while small finance banks added 26,736 employees. Although this growth came on a base lower than larger lenders, both public and private, it is sizable, given that these banks added 18% to their workforce.

Transition guidelines In its guidelines that paved the way for SFB licences in 2014, RBI had set out a transition path for such banks to upgrade to larger banks. This was subject to the SFBs fulfilling minimum norms around paid-up capital, track record of performance, and the regulators due diligence.

Ten years later, the regulator published eligibility criteria for SFBs to transition to universal banks. It said only the listed SFBs could qualify for a universal banking licence. Those intending to convert must have a minimum net worth of 1,000 crore, a satisfactory track record" of at least five years, and a net profit in the last two financial years.

These banks know that to hire from universal banks, they will have to pay up and many are preparing to become universal banks themselves, which would mean branch expansion and more people at various levels, said Veinu Nehru, managing partner at Fynehand Consultants, a talent advisory firm.

Also Read | Why small finance banks want to glide faster into universal banking

Nehru said recruiters are approaching mid-sized banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs); hiring from other banks has advantages that include similarity in products and services. Apart from a bump up in salaries, small finance banks are offering bigger roles to these candidates. That is expected to compensate for these candidates moving from a larger to a smaller institution, said Nehru.

Small finance banks are not just scouting talent for senior roles, but are also looking at junior ones. There has been a 30% increase in hiring in the junior levels by SFBs, who are expanding in a large scale. They are recruiting sales executives typically from other banks and NBFCs Aditya Narayan Mishra, managing director and chief executive officer, talent solutions firm CIEL HR.

SFBs  the idea, the progress Conceptualized by a committee headed by RBI's former board member Nachiket Mor in 2014, SFBs were set up to undertake basic banking activities such as accepting deposits and lending to the unserved and underserved sections, including small businesses and small farmers. Universal banks need to lend 40% of their total loans towards the priority sector, instead of the 60% applicable to small finance banks.

Small finance banks have been able to get a quick foothold in the domestic market. According to Care Ratings, between FY22 and FY25, these banks recorded a 28% compounded annual growth rate in deposits and a 25% growth in advances, significantly higher than the industry averages of 12% and 16%, respectively.
This image provided by Maxime Aubert shows cave drawings in Sulawesi, Indonesia of a human figure and a bird with a faded handprint in between them. Photo by AP

A red stencil of a hand pressed against the wall of an Indonesian cave is the oldest rock art ever discovered, scientists said Wednesday, and sheds light on how humans first migrated to Australia.

The cave art dates back at least 67,800 years, according to research published in the journal Nature by a team of Indonesian and Australian archaeologists.

"We have been working in Indonesia for a long time," study co-author Maxime Aubert of Australia's Griffith University told AFP.

This time they ventured to caves on the island of Muna in the Sulawesi province on the advice of Indonesian archaeologist Adhi Agus Oktaviana, the study's lead author.

There they found "handprints in negative, stenciled, probably using red ochre," Aubert said.

The fingers of one of the hands were "retouched to become pointed like claws -- a style of painting only seen in Sulawesi," the Canadian archaeologist added.

To determine the art's age, the team took five-millimeter samples from "cave popcorn", which are small clusters of calcite that form on the walls of limestone caves.

Then they zapped the layers of rock with a laser to measure how the uranium decayed over time, compared to a more stable radioactive element called thorium.

This "very precise" technique gave the scientists a clear minimum age for the painting, Aubert explained.

At 67,800 years old, the Indonesian stencil is more than a thousand years older than other hand stencils found in a Spanish cave which has been attributed to Neanderthals. However the dating of that cave art "has been controversial," the study cautioned.

The new discovery is also more than 15,000 years older than previous art found in the Sulawesi region by the same team.

The scientists also established that the Muna caves had been used for rock art many times over a long period.

Some of the ancient art was even painted over up to 35,000 later, Aubert said.

A fork in the road

Beyond setting a new record, the art also offers clues for a long-running historical mystery.

Scientists have been divided about how Homo sapiens first journeyed from Asia to Australia.

They could have taken the northern route, traveling by boat through Indonesia islands including Sulawesi to Papua New Guinea.

These ancient humans could then have walked the rest of the way -- at the time, Papua New Guinea and Australia were both part of a supercontinent called Sahul.

Or the migrants could have taken the southern route, traveling through the islands of Sumatra, Java and Bali before heading for Timor. Then a boat ride was required to finally make it to Australia.

"These paintings provide the first evidence that modern humans were on these Indonesian islands at that time," Aubert said.

The discovery also "reinforces the idea that people arrived in Australia via Papua, perhaps around 65,000 years ago", he said.

But it could not be ruled that other people were also making their way to Australia via the southern route at the same time, he added.

The researchers also said that the paintings were very likely created by people closely linked to the ancestors of Indigenous Australians.
The Karnataka High Court on Friday permitted bike taxis to ply in the state. The court ruled that while the government is empowered to frame regulations and impose conditions to govern bike taxi operations, it cannot refuse to accept applications for taxi permits solely on the ground that the vehicle in question is a motorcycle.

The state government had imposed a blanket prohibition on bike taxis in June.

The court held that motorcycles used for bike taxi services fall within the definition of transport vehicles under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988a move welcomed by ride-hailing platforms.

We welcome the Honble High Courts decision to recognize bike taxis as a legal mode of passenger transport in Karnataka. Bike taxis serve as a vital mobility lifeline for Indian cities, offering people an affordable and convenient way to navigate traffic. The decision will also bring relief to lakhs of drivers who depend on it for their livelihood. We look forward to engaging with the State Government on operationalising this mobility ecosystem and serving the mobility needs of our cities across the spectrum, said an Uber spokesperson.

...Recognizing bike taxis as a legitimate mode of transport is not just a legal victory for us, but a milestone moment for urban mobility in Karnataka, said a Rapido spokesperson.

Bike taxi operators will need to apply for contract carriage permits in order to ply in the state.

Also Read | Ola shrinks workforce in profit push even as Rapido gains ground

A ban in just one state, Karnataka, had shrunk the total bike taxi usage in India by nearly one-fourth," Mint had reported earlier. Rapido accounts for roughly 60% of Indias bike taxi market, with the remaining 40% split between Uber and Ola.

Bike taxis arent just another line item in Rapidos booksthey make up nearly half its revenue. Three-wheelers and cabs contribute the rest, but neither matches the scale of its two-wheeler play.

During the ban, Rapido even sought a workaround by venturing into food delivery, exploiting the gap where transporting pizzas was permitted but ferrying passengers was not. While three-wheelers and cabs make up the remainder of its business, neither comes close to matching the scale or significance of Rapidos two-wheeler operations.

Also Read | Karnatakas bike taxi standoff shows how not to regulate urban transport

Unlike auto-rickshaws or cabs, bike taxis have long operated without uniform legal recognition across India. That balance had shifted modestly in July, when the ministry of road transport and highways issued fresh guidelines permitting the use of private two-wheelers for passenger rides through aggregator platforms. While the move did not amount to blanket approval, it established a clear regulatory pathwayone that could significantly reshape urban mobility, provided States choose to implement it.
Gold, silver rate today: Extending the Thursday evening rally during the Friday deals, gold and silver rates today opened with an upside gap and touched new highs respectively. Gold rate today opened upside in the international market and hit a new peak of $4,989.54 per ounce. Likewise, silver rate today opened with an upside gap and touched an intraday high of $101.363 per ounce, logging an intraday gain of around 2.50%.

Gold price targets by global brokerages Looking at the recent rallies in gold and silver prices, a marginal investor may shudder at the thought of missing the moment, even though experts remain bullish on these two precious metals. Jefferies has predicted gold prices at $6,600 per ounce; Yardeni Group $6,000; UBS at $5,400; JP Morgan and Charles Schwab at $5,050; and BofA and ANZ at $5,000. Targets set by global brokerages for gold prices in 2026 have already been met in the first three weeks of the year.

Robert Kiyosaki sees the silver price at $200/oz Likewise, noted book Rich Dad Poor Dad writer Robert Kiyosaki has said that silver prices may touch $200 per ounce in 2026, advising investors to look for a bottom-fishing opportunity on every big dip in the precious white metal.

Is it wise to invest in gold, silver ETFs? So, for a retail marginal investor, physical or spot prices have gone to such high levels that their budget could be a hindrance to investment. For such small and marginal investors, investing in gold and silver ETFs can be a good option as it has enough liquidity, ease of buying and selling, no depreciation and no making charges at the time of selling, etc.

On why one should look at gold and silver ETFs instead of physical gold and silver, SEBI-registered investment expert Jitendra Solanki said, If an investor is planning to invest in gold and silver, ETFs can be a good option in comparison to physical gold and silver. ETFs allow even a small investor to start with a few hundred in one's pocket. So, a marginal investor can invest in gold and silver through the ETFs, which seems difficult for them in the retail physical market.

Amid skyrocketing gold and silver prices, gold and silver rates today are oscillating around record highs. It would be highly risky to invest in gold and silver ETFs as they are already at a very high premium, said Pankaj Mathpal, MD & CEO at Optima Money Managers.

Gold, silver ETFs vs mutual funds Pankaj Mathpal of Optima Money Managers advised investors to consider gold and silver mutual funds if their risk appetite is low. He said that gold and silver mutual funds invest only in gold and silver ETFs. So, if an investor invests in gold and silver mutual funds in SIP mode, one would be able to minimise one's risk and remain invested in gold and silver."

Pankaj Mathpal of Optima Money Managers said that higher-risk investors can invest in gold and silver ETFs instead of physical gold and silver, but investors with a low risk appetite are advised to invest in gold and silver mutual funds via SIP.

Gold, silver ETFs to buy On gold ETFs that one can buy today, Pankaj Mathpal advised buying these three gold ETFs:

1] Nippon India ETF Gold BeES;

2] ICICI Prudential Gold ETF; and

3] HDFC Gold ETF.

On silver ETFs that one can buy today, Pankaj Mathpal advised buying these three silver ETFs:

1] ABSL Silver ETF;

2] ICICI Silver ETF; and

3] Kotak Silver ETF.

On gold and silver mutual funds that one can buy today, Pankaj Mathpal advised buying these gold and silver MFs:

1] ICICI Prudential Regular Gold Savings Fund (FOF);

2] HDFC Gold ETF FoF;

3] ICICI Prudential Silver ETF FOF;

4] Nippon India Silver ETF FOF; and

5] Motilal Oswal Gold and Silver Passive FoF.
Swiss lender UBS Group AG is preparing to introduce cryptocurrency investment opportunities for a segment of its private banking clientele, as reported by Bloomberg News on Friday.

The Swiss financial giant is currently in the process of vetting partners to facilitate this digital asset offering. Initial access would be granted to specific private banking clients within Switzerland, enabling them to trade Bitcoin and Ether, said the report.

This service has the potential for future expansion into major global markets, including the United States and the Asia-Pacific region, it added.

This strategic shift toward digital currencies is largely driven by growing pressure from affluent investors who are seeking exposure to the crypto market. By exploring these options, UBS is positioning itself to meet the evolving demands of its high-net-worth customer base, according to the Bloomberg report.

As part of UBSs digital asset strategy, we actively monitor developments and explore initiatives that reflect client needs, regulatory developments, market trends and robust risk controls, a UBS spokesperson said. We recognize the importance of distributed ledger technology like blockchain, which underpins digital assets.

Competitive Pressure In November 2023, the Swiss lender began offering crypto-linked ETF trading to its affluent clientele in Hong Kong, aligning itself with rivals such as HSBC Holdings Plc. As the globes premier wealth manager, UBS managed approximately $4.7 trillion in assets as of late September.

Providing direct cryptocurrency access represents a significant pivot for the institution, which has historically maintained a guarded approach to digital tokens. However, the expansion of digital asset services by Wall Street competitors like Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan Chase & Co.  following Donald Trumps return to the presidency  has increased the competitive pressure on UBS to adapt.

UBS and its global peers have prioritized blockchain-based infrastructure, focusing on payment systems and tokenized funds rather than direct trading.

Major financial institutions have navigated these waters slowly, primarily due to the stringent capital requirements mandated by the Basel III framework.

The landscape may be shifting, as the Basel Committee announced in November an accelerated review of regulations regarding bank-held crypto assets, potentially clearing the path for fresh banking initiatives.
Upcoming IPOs: Sai Parenteral Limited and Hella Infra Market received the final nod from the capital markets regulator, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), for their initial public offerings (IPOs).

Telangana-based Sai Parenteral filed its draft papers with Sebi on 30 September 2025. The IPO includes a fresh issue of around 285 crore and an offer-for-sale up to 35,00,000 shares, which are being sold by investors such as Vikasa India EIF I Fund, Tilokchand Punamchand Ostwal, Devendra Chawla, Bhanwar Lal Chandak, Sreelekha Ganta, Padma Guntupalli, Vijay Gondi, Ideas and Journeys Private Limited, Bhautik Mukund Shah and Nilesh Pravinchandra Doshi, the company said.

Meanwhile, Hella Infra Market filed draft papers with Sebi through a confidential route, and the details are not made public.

How does Sai Parenteral plan to use the funds? According to Sai Parenteral, the company plans to use proceeds from the public offer of over 100 crore for capacity expansion and to upgrade manufacturing facilities. Around 18 crore will utilised to establish a new R&D centre, 20 crore will be allocated for repayment or prepayment of certain outstanding borrowings, 33.3 crore will cover working capital needs, and 36 crore will be invested in the wholly owned subsidiary, Sai Parenterals Pte Limited (Singapore), related to the proposed acquisition of Noumed Pharmaceuticals Pty Limited (Australia). Additionally, funds will be allocated for general corporate purposes, the company said.

About Sai Parenteral Sai Parenteral is a pharmaceutical formulation company that focuses on research, development, and manufacturing. It engages in the business of branded generic formulations, contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) products and services for the domestic and international markets.

The companys portfolio includes formulation products across various therapeutic segments, including cardiovascular, neuropsychiatry, anti-diabetic, respiratory health, antibiotics, gastroenterology, vitamins, minerals and supplements (VMS), analgesics, and dermatology, providing various dosage forms such as injectables, tablets, capsules, liquid orals, and ointments.

In the injectables section, the company focuses on sterile manufacturing for critical care and penicillin-based therapies, providing delivery systems such as dry powder injections, pre-filled syringes, ampoules, and vials.

The company manufactures and sells Branded Generic Formulations to customers, which include central and state government agencies, pharmaceutical companies, public and private hospitals, and others

It began its export activities in the 2023 fiscal year following the acquisition of two manufacturing facilities in Hyderabad, Telangana. It supplies products to regulated and semi-regulated markets across Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa via distributors.
A clear divergence has emerged in Indias listed liquor space. While United Spirits has slipped about 8.2% over the past year, Radico Khaitan has surged 35%. And the gap between these two leading alcoholic beverage companies may widen further.

Street expectations continue to favour Radico, with analysts pencilling in further outperformance. However, United Spirits remains a stock to watch, with shifting consumer demographics and a clear tilt towards Prestige & Above (P&A) brands setting the stage for a potential upside for the stock.

The Indian alco-beverage market is divided into four segments by price: popular, prestige, premium, and luxury.

Popular brands are priced up to 400 per 750 ml. The prestige segment ranges from 400 to 1,000, while premium spirits are priced above 1,000. Luxury spirits cost more than 2,000 per 750 ml.

Radico Khaitan had a standout October-December quarter (Q3 FY26), clocking its highest-ever quarterly volumes of 9.75 million cases, with Prestige & Above volumes almost tripling since Q3 FY19 to 4.62 million cases. In contrast, United Spirits saw a softer quarter, with standalone volumes falling 3.2% year-on-year to 17.57 million cases. Its key P&A segment slipped 2% to 14.62 million cases during the quarter.

Also Read | United Spirits stock looks wobbly amid excise hikes and margin pressure

Radico Khaitans outperformance stems from stronger sales growth than larger peers and more effective execution of its premiumisation strategy, said Mehul Desai, FMCG research analyst at JM Financial Institutional Securities. In contrast, United Spirits is likely to see relatively slower growth due to the sharp excise duty hike and the introduction of a new liquor category Maharashtra Made Liquor (MML) produced and sold within the western Indian state.

A steep duty hike in mid-2025 pushed Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) prices up by 3050%, forcing companies to raise prices by 3035% and sparking concerns about weaker volumes and consumers shifting to cheaper options. At the same time, the launch of the lower-priced MML category has prompted industry pushback and legal challenges over fair competition, with companies facing potential revenue hits even as the state aims to boost collections.

Desai believes Radicos outperformance is likely to continue over the medium term, while United Spirits will also be closely watched, with potential for a rerating depending on how sales growth plays out for both companies.

Shares of Radico Khaitan ended about 5.4% higher at 2,986.50 apiece on the BSE on Thursday, while United Spirits rose 1.5% to close at 1,338.95.

Analyst take

Some analysts believe that steady performance across the rest of India, coupled with strong growth at the premium end of the portfolio, should drive healthy value growth for United Spirits. That said, better traction for MML in Maharashtra, driven by attractive pricing, is expected to support overall growth, with the ongoing wedding season providing an added boost, they said.

According to Bloomberg, Radico has 21 buy calls, two hold ratings and one sell. United Spirits has 23 buy recommendations out of 30 brokerages, with three hold and four sell calls, data showed.

Radico Khaitans momentum showed up clearly in its numbers, with revenue from operations surging 19.5% year-on-year to an all-time high of 1,546.7 crore during the October-December quarter. United Spirits also stayed in the black, but growth was steadier, with standalone net sales rising 7.3% to 3,683 crore.

Also Read | Can premium products continue to keep Radico Khaitan stock in high spirits?

The underperformance (of United Spirits) compared with peers was mainly on account of higher exposure to Maharashtra, which faced adverse policy changes," ICICI Securities noted in its 21 January report. It said that during the quarter, weakness in regular and entry-level P&A brands was partly offset by strong growth in the premium portfolio, leading to a 10% year-on-year rise in realisations and a 219 basis-point expansion in gross margin.

One basis point is one-hundredth of a percentage point, or 0.01%.

ICICI Securities, which has maintained its add rating on the stock, believes United Spirits strong portfolio could help it navigate the near-term challenges.

Ajay Thakur, research analyst at Anand Rathi Institutional Equities, sees Radico Khaitan delivering a solid 30-35% earnings growth for FY27, comfortably outpacing the near-15% growth he expects from United Spirits over the same period.

For United Spirits, the key catalyst remains the UK-India FTA, he highlighted. Once implemented, better Scotch pricing could start lifting revenues and margins from Q2FY27. Until then, Thakur believes the company could continue to face some near-term pressure, though the valuation gap between the two players should gradually narrow.

At the heart of it all is premiumization," he said, adding, The more premium the portfolio, the stronger the pricing power".

Radico already draws about 65-70% of its portfolio from Prestige & Above (P&A) brands, while United Spirits is even further ahead, with nearly 90% of its portfolio in the P&A segment, Thakur noted.

India-UK FTA could provide a mid -term growth tailwind, including ~60bps gross margin uplift," said Elara Capital in its 21 January report. Factoring in Q3, the brokerage has retained its revenue estimates but raised earnings per share estimates by about 1-2%.

Post the Q3 results, Elara Capital has even upgraded its rating on United Spirits stock to accumulate from reduce, given improving risk reward, and has hiked its target price to 1,500. The brokerage has flagged the Delhi policy and the IPL outcome as key external triggers.

Mirae Asset Sharekhan met Radico Khaitans vice-president-finance & investor relations, Saket Somani, to discuss demand and margin outlook. Later, the brokerage noted in a 23 December report that Radico has delivered sustained double-digit volume growth in the P&A segment, a trend it expects to continue, driven by strong premium brand traction, new launches and wider geographic expansion.

It added that multiple launches in FY25 and 4-6 new products rolled out so far in FY26 are scaling up well, with the company planning to expand these offerings across more states and geographies during the year.
Shares of Adani Group stocks came under sharp selling pressure on Friday, January 23, after reports emerged that the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is seeking court approval to move ahead with legal steps involving senior members of the conglomerates leadership.

According to a Bloomberg report, the SEC has approached a US district judge requesting permission to proceed with issuing legal summons to Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani. The application was made earlier this week before US District Judge Nicholas Garaufis in Brooklyn, New York.

The regulator has reportedly asked the court to allow the use of alternative methods to formally notify Gautam and Sagar Adani about the legal action. This request follows what the SEC described as multiple unsuccessful attempts to serve summons through conventional channels.

Bloomberg reported that the SEC told the court it had repeatedly sought assistance from the Indian government to deliver the summons but had not been successful so far. As a result, the US regulator is now seeking judicial approval to adopt other legally permissible routes to ensure that the individuals concerned are formally informed of the proceedings.

Also Read | US market regulator asks court to allow direct summons to Adani

The development weighed heavily on investor sentiment, triggering a sharp decline across several Adani Group stocks during Fridays trading session.

Adani Group vs SEC: What is happening? The SEC has approached a US federal court seeking permission to serve legal summons to Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani through alternative methods, including email and communication via their US-based legal counsels.

Under US law, summons are generally required to be served in person. However, the SEC told the court that it faced repeated obstacles in doing so through official channels in India. The regulator said its requests to Indias Ministry of Law and Justice for assistance were rejected twice over the past 14 months.

The SEC argued that alternative service is justified as both Gautam and Sagar Adani appear to be fully aware of the proceedings. It noted that Gautam Adani has publicly commented on the case, including at the Adani Groups AGM in June 2025, and that both have hired US law firms to represent them. In a filing dated January 21, 2026, SEC counsel Christopher M. Colorado said these facts show the defendants are informed and actively managing their legal response, making service through lawyers and email consistent with due process.

As per SEC disclosures, Sagar Adani is represented by Hecker Fink LLP, while Gautam Adani has engaged Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP.

The SEC also highlighted procedural hurdles under the Hague Convention, saying its requests were returned in April 2025 and again in December 2025, leading it to conclude that further attempts may not succeed.

The case is linked to US prosecutors allegations from November 20, 2024, claiming over $250 million in bribes were paid between 2020 and 2024 to secure solar contracts. The US Department of Justice is conducting a criminal probe, while the SEC is pursuing a civil case against Gautam Adani, Sagar Adani and former Adani Green Energy CEO Vneet Jaain.
Buy or sell stocks: The Indian stock market closed on Thursday with a cautiously positive undertone, as benchmarks staged a relief-led rebound on improving global sentiment. Easing trade-related fears and supportive Asian cues encouraged selective risk-on positioning, driving broad-based participation across banking, autos, IT and metals, with mid- and small-caps also joining the recovery. However, the tone remained partially restrained by sustained weakness in the Indian rupee, reflecting continued dollar demand. However, markets drew comfort from the fact that the RBI is closely monitoring the pace of depreciation rather than defending any specific level, reinforcing confidence in a calibrated and orderly approach to currency management.

Stock market today Vaishali Parekh, Vice President  Technical Research at Prabhudas Lilladher, believes the Indian stock market bias is cautious as the Nifty 50 index is trading in a tight range of 25,000 to 25,500. The Prabhudas Lilladher expert said the Nifty 50 index needs to break above 25,500 decisively to strengthen the bulls' conviction.

Speaking on the outlook of the Nifty 50 index, Vaishali Parekh said, The Nifty 50 index witnessed a highly volatile session, swinging both ways and finding resistance near the 25435 zone, and thereafter, showed good support near the 25170 level to close on a positive note with bias overall maintained with a cautious positive approach. As mentioned earlier, the index is precariously placed, having the crucial and major support positioned near the 24900-25000 zone, and on the upside, it would need a convincing and decisive breach above the 25500-25600 zone to expect further upside movement in the coming days.

On the outlook of the Bank Nifty today, Vaishali Parekh said, The Bank Nifty index witnessed high fluctuations, resisting near the 59,600 zone and maintaining above the 59,000 level, ending the session on a positive note near the 59,200 level with the bias maintained with a cautiously optimistic approach as of now, expecting a pullback in the coming sessions. With the major support zone lying near the 58,700 level, the index would need to breach above the level of the 60,200 zone to establish conviction, and thereafter, expect a further rise in the coming days.

Parekh stated that immediate support for the Nifty 50 index is located at 25,100, while the resistance level is at 25,500. The Bank Nifty is expected to have a daily range of 58,500 to 60,000.

Vaishali Parekh's stock recommendations for today Regarding intraday stocks to buy today, Vaishali Parekh recommended three stocks to buy or sell: Larsen and Toubro, SEQUENT, and Bharat Forge.

1] Larsen and Toubro: Buy at 3793, Target 3920, Stop Loss 3720;

2] SEQUENT: Buy at 201, Target 212, Stop Loss 195; and

3] Bharat Forge: Buy at 1431, Target 1520, Stop Loss 1398.

Disclaimer: This story is for educational purposes only. The views and recommendations above are those of individual analysts or broking companies, not Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.
They emerge slowly, through numbers that improve quietly, through balance sheets that strengthen year after year, and through businesses that begin to matter a little more to the economy than they once did.

Indias market in 2026 is likely to be far more discerning than it was during the liquidity-fuelled years of the past decade. Capital is no longer cheap. Growth is no longer enough on its own. Balance sheets, return ratios, cash flows, and predictability are back in focus.

This shift matters because leadership in the coming years will not be about who can grow the fastest for two quarters, it will belong to businesses that can sustain growth over longer periods.

As Q3 earnings kick off, and India Incs corporate profitability set to improve further, growth stocks will be in focus.

In this editorial, we look at six growth stocks that could fare well in 2026 and continue their growth trajectory.

#1 State Bank of India (SBI)

For decades, State Bank of India (SBI) was treated as a proxy for the Indian banking system rather than a business in its own right.

Investors expected scale but not efficiency, stability but not superior returns. That perception has changed dramatically over the past few years.

In FY25, SBI reported total income of over 4.9 trillion and net profit exceeding 80,000 crore.

This was not a one-off recovery year driven by write-backs or accounting tailwinds. It was the outcome of improvement across asset quality, operating efficiency, and balance sheet discipline.

The banks net NPAs have declined in the past five years to around 0.6%. For a bank of SBIs size, these numbers would have seemed implausible a decade ago. Credit costs have moderated, and provisioning coverage remains comfortable, giving the bank resilience against future stress.

SBIs loan growth continues at a healthy pace of around 14-16%, broadly in line with system growth but far more balanced than in earlier cycles. Retail lending now accounts for roughly 40% of advances, while exposure to stressed corporate segments has reduced meaningfully.

This shift has improved margins and stability. Its net interest margins (NIMs) have held steady near 3.2-3.3%, supported by a low-cost deposit franchise. Despite intense competition for deposits across the system, SBIs CASA ratio remains among the strongest in the industry, allowing it to protect spreads even in a rising rate environment.

What stands out is the operating leverage now visible in the business. With credit costs under control and digital investments already absorbed, incremental growth is translating more directly into profits.

Over the past five years, SBIs revenue and net profit have grown at CAGR of 13% and 31%, respectively.

The PSU banks leadership potential heading into 2026 does not lie in aggressive expansion. It lies in inevitability. As Indias credit penetration rises and formal finance reaches deeper into the economy, SBIs reach, brand, and balance sheet position it to capture a disproportionate share of that growth, without taking disproportionate risk.

Also Read | SBI taps CD market as deposit growth lags credit demand

#2 HCL Technologies

The global IT services industry is at an inflection point. Client spending has slowed, discretionary projects are being scrutinised, and artificial intelligence (AI) is forcing companies to rethink delivery models.

In such an environment, visibility matters more than optimism. HCL Technologies has responded not with loud promises, but with quiet execution.

In FY25, HCL reported revenue of 1.2 trillion (tn) while its net profit surged to 17,400 crore. Growth has not always been industry-leading, but margins have remained resilient at 18-19% despite currency volatility and wage pressures.

Over the past five years, its sales and net profit have grown at a CAGR of 11% and 10%.

Returns on equity and ROCE have averaged 22% and 29% during the same period.

The composition of HCLs business explains much of this resilience. Engineering services, infrastructure management, and enterprise technology make up a large part of revenues and are mission-critical rather than optional. These contracts are sticky, long-term, and less prone to sudden cancellation.

Deal wins over the past year exceeded $9 billion, providing multi-year revenue visibility. The companys order book suggests stability rather than acceleration, but that is precisely what the market values during uncertain cycles.

HCLs approach to AI has also been pragmatic. Rather than positioning AI as a threat to billing rates, the company has integrated automation into service delivery to improve productivity while maintaining client value.

The IT majors balance sheet remains strong, with consistent free cash flow generation supporting dividends and buybacks.

For the rest of FY26, the companys management has guided 3-5% revenue growth in constant currency, led by services and Ebit margins between 17% and 18%.

#3 Bharti Airtel

Very few sectors have destroyed as much shareholder value in India as telecom. For years, Bharti Airtel operated under relentless pressure, price wars, regulatory uncertainty, and heavy capital expenditure left little room for optimism.

That phase appears firmly behind it.

In FY25, Bharti Airtel reported consolidated revenue of 1.7 trillion, with Ebitda margins of nearly 50%. Average revenue per user crossed 210, driven by tariff hikes and increasing data consumption.

Over the past five years, Bharti Airtels revenue has grown at a CAGR of 15.4%. Over seven years, revenue has grown at 11%, while profit has grown at an astonishing 50%.

The company has averaged ROE and ROCE of close to 15%.

The transformation extends beyond mobile services. Enterprise connectivity, cloud solutions, and digital services are becoming increasingly meaningful contributors.

Nxtra, the data centre arm, now operates more than 120 MW of capacity and continues to expand in line with Indias growing demand for digital infrastructure.

Also Read | S&P upgrades Bharti Airtel credit rating on strong earnings momentum

The companys capital expenditure peaked during the 5G rollout. As network investments moderate, free cash flows are expected to improve materially over the next two years. Its net debt has already begun trending downward, easing balance sheet pressure.

Airtels journey from survival to strength is nearly complete. What lies ahead is the consolidation of that advantage.

#4 Affle 3i

Digital advertising is frequently associated with volatile spending and intense competition. Yet Affles model has consistently delivered profitability and cash flows.

In FY25, the company reported revenue of 2,270 crore while its net profit came in at 380 crore. Net margins of 18% and return on equity exceeding 20% reflect the efficiency of its platform-driven approach.

Over the past five years, Affles sales and net profit have grown at a CAGR of 47% and 42%, respectively.

Its ROE and ROCE have averaged 20% during the same time.

Affle focuses on mobile-first consumer intelligence, helping advertisers acquire users based on measurable outcomes rather than impressions. As marketing budgets shift toward accountability and return on investment, this proposition gains relevance.

Affles geographic diversification has also improved. A significant portion of revenues now comes from outside India, reducing dependence on any single market. The business remains asset-light, with minimal capital expenditure requirements.

What makes Affle particularly interesting is its operating leverage. Incremental revenue does not require proportional increases in cost, allowing profits to scale faster over time. Affles free cash flow generation has been strong, and the balance sheet remains debt-free.

Going forward, Affle stands to benefit from the digital leap as leadership in these businesses belong to platforms that quietly become indispensable.

#5 PG Electroplast

Manufacturing stories rarely excite investors early. Returns build slowly, capacities take time to stabilise, and margins expand only after years of execution. PG Electroplast fits this pattern.

In FY25, the company reported revenue of 4900 crore, while its profit came at 290 crore. Its operating metrics have improved, supported by higher utilisation, automation, and a better product mix.

The company supplies plastic moulded components and assemblies to consumer electronics and automotive OEMs. Its increasing exposure to EV components, electronics manufacturing, and wiring harnesses aligns well with Indias push toward domestic manufacturing.

PG Electroplasts recent capacity additions are beginning to translate into higher volumes. As utilisation improves, fixed costs are absorbed more efficiently, supporting margin expansion. Debt levels remain manageable and return ratios are steadily improving.

Over five years, the companys sales and net profit have grown at a CAGR of 50% and 157%.

Its ROE and ROCE have averaged 12% and 17% during the same time.

Leadership in manufacturing is rarely glamorous. It is built on reliability, scale, and long-term customer relationships. PG Electroplast appears to be assembling those attributes patiently.

The company sees substantial opportunities in plastic moulding and the consumer durables segment, particularly in the ODM space for products like refrigerators, washing machines, and air conditioners.

The focus on improving operational efficiencies is expected to support profitability in the long run.

#6 ICICI Prudential AMC

Indias savings behaviour is changing, and asset managers are among the clearest beneficiaries of that shift.

ICICI Prudential AMC is the new company in the mix, which listed on BSE and NSE towards the end of 2025. The companys business benefits from strong operating leverage due to its asset-light structure.

Equity-oriented assets have grown faster than industry averages, supported by steady SIP inflows. Even during periods of market volatility, investor participation has remained resilient.

Over the past five years, its sales and net profit have grown at a CAGR of 19.9% and 20.4%, respectively.

Its ROE and ROCE have averaged 73% and 98% during the same period.

As household savings continue to move from physical assets toward financial instruments, long-term flows into mutual funds are likely to rise, ultimately benefitting companies like ICICI AMC.

Conclusion

As India's economy continues to evolve, certain sectors and stocks are set to grow faster than the broader market.

In this context, these six stocks stand out due to their exposure to structural growth themes and improving fundamentals.

While sector tailwinds offer long-term visibility, investors should closely track execution, financial performance, corporate governance, and valuations to decide whether these stocks deserve a place on their watchlist.

Happy investing.

Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. It is not a stock recommendation and should not be treated as such.

This article is syndicated from Equitymaster.com
Joanne Goh, Senior Investment Strategist, DBS Bank, says while geopolitical risk remains, investors should not consider a broad reduction in equity exposure. Instead, they may consider complementing equities with assets that have lower correlation, such as private equity, private credit, infrastructure, real assets such as gold, and certain hedge fund strategies, to help manage portfolio volatility. In an interview with Mint, Goh shared her views on the current market structure, the upcoming Budget, and the sectors she is closely observing.

Edited excerpts:

What is your assessment of prevailing geopolitical risks? Should investors trim exposure to equities and buy more safe-haven assets? Geopolitical risk remains present, reflecting ongoing policy uncertainty across major economies, including the U.S. Shifts in trade, tariffs, industrial policy, and foreign relations can contribute to periods of market volatility and varied cross-border effects.

At the same time, such policy adjustments can create a range of outcomes, including selective opportunities in areas linked to domestic manufacturing, defence, energy security, and strategic supply chains, alongside challenges for more globally integrated sectors.

An environment where fiscal policy plays a larger role tends to support domestically oriented sectors, particularly when government spending, policy direction, and balance-sheet support contribute meaningfully to growth.

Through public capex, incentives, and targeted reforms, sectors with stronger domestic demand linkages and limited reliance on external trade may see relatively better earnings visibility.

In Indias case, this is supportive of infrastructure, capital goods, manufacturing, banks, and selected consumption and healthcare segments, where government spending can help crowd in private investment and support demand.

Against this backdrop, we do not see a strong case for a broad reduction in equity exposure, but rather for measured selectivity and diversification.

Investors may consider complementing equities with assets that have lower correlation, including alternatives such as private equity, private credit, infrastructure, real assets such as gold, and certain hedge fund strategies, to help manage portfolio volatility.

Safe-haven assets can serve a tactical purpose, while a diversified portfolio remains a balanced response to an evolving geopolitical environment.

Also Read | Will India raise defence spending in Budget amid rising geopolitical risks?

In a risk-on environment, what signals do you rely on to identify quality investments and avoid areas where returns may be driven more by momentum than fundamentals? In a risk-on environment, we focus on companies delivering strong revenue and earnings growth underpinned by long-term secular trends, while remaining disciplined in avoiding loss-making or speculative businesses.

In addition, balance-sheet strength and consistent cash flow generation are important, as they provide resilience should market sentiment reverse. That said, rather than relying solely on individual security selection, we believe a portfolio approach is essential.

In this context, we advocate our CIO Barbell Strategy, which allows investors to capture upside from long-term, irreversible growth trends and generate stable income.

On the growth side, invest in companies aligned with secular trends such as the ageing global population and artificial intelligence adoption. On the income side, invest in high-quality bonds and dividend-yielding equities, including REITs.

These assets provide a regular stream of cash flow, helping to stabilise the portfolio and offering resilience during periods of market volatility. In addition, risk diversifiers such as gold provide investors with reduced portfolio volatility and drawdowns.

What sectors are you looking at for the next one to two years? We continue to monitor Indias IT sector for selective or quality-led exposure. A more attractive entry point could emerge as global IT spending trends stabilise, AI monetisation becomes clearer, and valuation expectations adjust to evolving growth assumptions.

In the near term, the sector is navigating a combination of cyclical factors linked to global IT spending patterns and structural changes associated with AI adoption.

Client preferences are gradually shifting toward productivity gains and outcome-based pricing, which may influence near-term revenue and margin dynamics. Over time, AI is likely to be incremental rather than disruptive for leading Indian IT services firms.

Larger players with established client relationships, strong balance sheets, and investments in cloud, data, cybersecurity, and AI platforms appear well-positioned to adapt business models toward greater productivity and platform-led offerings, potentially supporting margin stability over the medium term.

Indias banking sector remains a key component of the equity market and offers relatively strong structural characteristics. Banks are benefiting from an improved credit environment, with asset quality at healthy levels, manageable credit costs, and comfortable capital adequacy.

Balance sheets, particularly among large private-sector banks, are positioned to support loan growth across retail, MSMEs, infrastructure, and manufacturing, consistent with Indias investment-led growth trajectory.

Overall, Indian banks support a core allocation within an India equity strategy, offering a combination of structural growth, improving balance-sheet quality, and relatively lower sensitivity to global economic cycles, complementing exposure to infrastructure and manufacturing.

How should investors position their portfolio if the budget focuses on infrastructure and manufacturing? Indias infrastructure and manufacturing sectors merit continued attention, particularly in the prevailing global economic and policy context.

From a structural perspective, India is one of several beneficiaries of ongoing global supply-chain diversification.

Government-led initiatives such as Make in India, production-linked incentives (PLIs), and sustained public capex are supporting capacity build-out across roads, rail, ports, power, defence, and digital infrastructure.

This provides a multi-year growth opportunity for infrastructure developers, capital goods, cement, and engineering players, supported by domestic demand and moderate exposure to global trade cycles.

Manufacturing is also seeing steady progress as India gradually moves up the value chain, from basic assembly to electronics, autos, renewables, and defence manufacturing.

Rising FDI, incremental improvements in ease of doing business, and a large domestic market support scale and margin expansion over time.

These sectors are generally aligned with longer-term global supply-chain and strategic realignment trends and tend to have relatively lower sensitivity to short-term developed-market growth fluctuations.

AI continues to dominate investment narratives. How can investors participate in this theme while remaining mindful of concentration and valuation risks? One way investors can participate in the AI theme without becoming overly concentrated is to look beyond the technology sector.

AI's impact is far-reaching and extends well outside the technology space, reshaping business models across the broader economy. In our view, a better risk-adjusted way to gain exposure to this AI wave is to look for "adapters" that embrace AI to drive efficiency gains and higher profitability.

On this basis, we believe large-cap companies are better positioned to scale AI adoption. These companies typically have more capital and data advantage to deploy AI at scale.

Hence, this will translate into a widening AI-related productivity divergence between large and small businesses.

Also Read | Can AI really replace your financial adviser?
Q3 Results Today Highlights: More than 50 Indian companies will release their Q3 results today. According to the earnings calendar from NSE and BSE, as many as 54 companies will report their earnings for the third quarter of FY26 today, 23 January 2026.

The major companies that will declare their Q3 results today include Adani Green Energy, DCB Bank, IndusInd Bank, Godrej Consumer Products, Granules India, India Cements, JSW Energy, JSW Steel, Karur Vysya Bank, Laurus Labs, Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX), Shriram Finance, Sona BLW Precision Forgings, and Sterlite Technologies.

Additionally, Nuvama Wealth Management, Urban Company, Veefin Solutions, Welspun Specialty Solutions, Piramal Finance, Paras Defence and Space Technologies, Sumeru Industries ,among others will also declare their Q3 results today.

Check out our Q3 Results Today Live Blog for the latest updates.
Officials from the West Jakarta Class I Immigration Office presented evidence seized from an international human smuggling syndicate that had sent foreign nationals to Australia via Indonesia at a press conference on Jan. 20, 2026. Photo from the office's website

Indonesian authorities have dismantled an international human smuggling network that facilitated the illegal departure of foreign nationals to Australia via Indonesia.

Indonesia's national news agency ANTARA reported that the West Jakarta Immigration Office under the Directorate General of Immigration uncovered the syndicate following public reports about foreigners suspected of illegally possessing Indonesian electronic identity cards (e-KTP) in West Jakarta.

During a raid conducted on Jan. 12, immigration officers arrested three suspects, including two Chinese nationals identified as SS, aged 37, and XS, 39, and one Thai national identified as PK, 27. Authorities seized passports, counterfeit ID cards and communication devices used by the perpetrators.

Investigations identified SS as the mastermind of the syndicate. The suspect admitted to paying 90 million IDR (US$5,300) to an Indonesian citizen to obtain a set of fraudulent documents, including an e-KTP, family card and birth certificate, which were used to rent accommodation and operate the smuggling network.

The group targeted Chinese nationals seeking asylum or illegal employment in Australia. Victims reportedly flew independently to Jakarta, where they were housed temporarily before being transported to Merauke in Papua province, from where they attempted to travel by boat to Australia. The fee for each successful case was 60,000 yuan ($7,50).

Suspect XS confessed to organizing the smuggling of five people to Australia. However, all were later detained by Australian immigration authorities.

The head of the West Jakarta Immigration Office said the suspects would face strict penalties under Indonesias Immigration Law No. 6/2011, including deportation and permanent bans from re-entering Indonesia. He added that authorities are continuing to expand investigations to pursue the Indonesian individual involved in supplying counterfeit documents to the network.
The Indian stock market is expected to a muted start on Friday as investor sentiment remain mixed globally. The trends on Gift Nifty also signal a tepid start for Nifty 50 and Sensex today.

In the previous session, the domestic equity market ended higher, snapping its three-session losing streak, on signs of easing global geopolitical tensions.

On Thursday, the Sensex rose 397.74 points, or 0.49%, to close at 82,307.37, while the Nifty 50 settled 132.40 points, or 0.53%, higher at 25,289.90.

On the Nifty 50 options front, Chandan Taparia Head Derivatives & Technicals, Wealth Management, Motilal Oswal Financial Services believes that the maximum Call Open Interest (OI) is at 25,500 then 25,400 strike while maximum Put OI is at 25,000 then 25,200 strike.

Call writing is seen at 25,400 then 25,600 strike while Put writing is seen at 25,300 then 25,200 strike. Option data suggests a broader trading range in between 24,800 to 25,800 zones, while an immediate range between 25,100 to 25,500 levels.

Nifty 50 Outlook Nifty 50 formed a doji sort of a candle on the daily frame to close with gains of around 130 points and broke its lower highs  lower lows formation of the last three sessions.

Now, Nifty 50 has to hold above 25,200 zones for a bounce towards 25,450 then 25,600 zones while supports are placed at 25,150 then 25,000 zones, said Taparia.

Bank Nifty Outlook Bank Nifty index ended 399.80 points, or 0.68%, higher at 59,200.10 on Thursday, forming a Doji pattern on the daily scale with long upper and lower shadow as buying interest is visible at lower zones but multiple hurdles are intact at higher levels.

Now, Bank Nifty has to cross and hold above 59,250 zones for a bounce towards 59,500 then 59,750 levels, while a hold below the same could see weakness towards 59,000 then 58,750 zones, said Taparia.

Also Read | Breakout stocks to buy or sell: Sumeet Bagadia picks five shares to buy today

Stocks to buy Chandan Taparia has recommended three stocks to buy today, 23 January 2026. Taparia recommends buying Ashok Leyland, Bharat Electronics (BEL) and APL Apollo Tubes shares.

Ashok Leyland | Buy | Target price:  204 | Stop Loss:  183 Ashok Leyland share price has formed a bullish Pole & Flag pattern on the daily chart suggesting a continuation of the uptrend. It is respecting its 20 DEMA with slight dips being bought into. The ADX line is rising which confirms the strength of the uptrend, Taparia said.

He recommends buying Ashok Leyland shares for a target price of 204 apiece, with a stop loss at 183 level.

BEL | Buy | Target Price:  447 | Stop Loss:  402 BEL share price has bounced up from its 100 DEMA support zones after forming a Hammer candlestick pattern. The RSI indicator is on the verge of giving a positive crossover which will confirm the up move.

Taparia has a Buy call on the stock, with BEL share price target of 447 apiece, and a stop loss at 402 level.

Also Read | Buy or sell: Vaishali Parekh recommends three intraday stocks to buy today

APL Apollo Tubes | Buy | Target Price:  2,110 | Stop Loss:  1,925 APL Apollo Tubes share price has given a range breakout at its All Time High zones with a strong bodied bullish candle. The MACD indicator is rising which confirms the upwards momentum.

He suggests buying APL Apollo Tubes shares for a target price of 2,110, while keeping a stop loss of 1,925 level.
Stocks to buy for the short term: The Indian stock market benchmarks- the Sensex and the Nifty 50- snapped their three-day losing streak on Thursday, supported by positive global cues amid signs of defusing the Greenland crisis and a potential India-US trade deal getting closer.

The Nifty 50 ended at 25,289.90, rising 0.53% on Thursday.

"Sentiment improved significantly amid reports of easing geopolitical tensions and a perceived reduction in near-term tariff risks following comments from the US President at Davos. Global markets rallied overnight, and this positive momentum spilt over into domestic equities, leading to short-covering and renewed buying interest across sectors," Ajit Mishra, SVP of Research at Religare Broking, observed.

Mishra highlighted that the Nifty is hovering around its long-term moving average, the 200-day DEMA near the 25,150 level.

Mishra emphasised that sustaining above the 25,150 level will be crucial for any further recovery towards the 25,600 mark. If the index fails to sustain it, the downtrend may resume, with the next support in the 24,75024,900 range.

Mishra suggests investors should focus on risk management and pick stocks with strong technical and fundamental at this juncture.

Also Read | Breakout stocks to buy or sell: Sumeet Bagadia picks five shares to buy today

Stock picks for the short term Bharat Electronics (BEL) | Last traded price (LTP):  417.30 | Buy | Target price:  445 | Stop loss:  401 Mishra said that within the defence sector, BEL has emerged as a relative outperformer, demonstrating strong price resilience by sustaining at elevated levels.

The stock has been in a prolonged consolidation phase for over a year, forming a trend-continuation structure that typically precedes the next leg of an uptrend.

The stock has developed multiple bullish structures within the broader consolidation range, strengthening the conviction of an impending breakout and the start of a new upward leg.

Recently, BEL formed a pivot near its key short-term moving average, supported by a bullish RSI crossover, signalling improving short-term momentum.

"Investors looking to align with budget-related opportunities may consider BEL, given its favourable technical setup," said Mishra.

View full Image BEL technical chart ( Religare Broking )

Godrej Consumer Products | LTP:  1,246 | Buy | Target price:  1,330 | Stop loss:  1,200 As per Mishra, Godrej Consumer Products witnessed a strong rally earlier and, after peaking near 1,540, underwent a healthy retracement toward its 200-week EMA, where fresh buying interest emerged.

The fact that the long-term EMA continues to slope upward reaffirms the broader bullish undertone.

Technically, the stock has broken above its declining trendline and is sustaining well above it. Following this breakout, it has entered a tight three-week consolidation, indicating potential for a resumption of upside momentum.

"The stock is trading above its key moving averages, and momentum indicators remain bullish, suggesting strength in the current setup. Given this price action, long positions may be considered in Godrej Consumer Products within the specified range," said Mishra.

View full Image Godrej Consumer Products technical chart ( Religare Broking )

Jindal Steel | LTP:  1,076 | Buy | Target price:  1,170 | Stop loss:  1,030 Mishra underscored that Jindal Steel, after lagging the broader metal rally, is now showing signs of gearing up for an upside move.

The stock has formed a higher base and is approaching a key resistance zone, with a potential breakout likely to pave the way for fresh record highs.

Within the context of a broader uptrend, a decisive breakout would signal the start of a new leg higher.

"A supportive sectoral environment combined with a constructive chart structure offers traders an attractive opportunity to initiate fresh buying positions," said Mishra.

View full Image Jindal Steel technical chart ( Religare Broking )

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Read more stories by Nishant Kumar
On 3 January, the trailer for Vijays Jana Nayagan dropped. Amidst the fan adulation, especially feverish since this is Vijays last film before he turns to politics, a number of viewers spotted something amiss at the 23-second mark, a shot of Vijay with a rifle. In the lower right corner of the screen was a watermark of Google Gemini, an AI tool. The watermark has since been removed and it remains unclear how AI was used to enhance the trailer, or the final film, which is stuck in an ongoing battle with the censor board. Yet, its very presence speaks to the rapid rise of AI in Indian filmmaking over the last couple of years and the uncertainty around how its being used.

There are wildly varying opinions on AI in filmmaking. Its a shiny new toy. Its a useful tool that can save time and money. It limits art. It expands cinema. Its a slippery slope that collapses creativity and limits the need for imagination. It can help create what weve never seen on screen before. Its not art if it emerges from a prompt. It is art if it moves you, regardless of how its created. Its not a film if 300 people on a film set are replaced by 30 typing furiously into a computer. Its actually not that simple, and those 30 people are themselves artists guiding stories into being. Its the end of storytelling as we know it. Its the future.

Also Read | How AI has impacted everyday creativity

Wherever you fall on the debate, whats clear is this is only the beginning. Conversations with several Indian filmmakers, writers and producers confirm that AI has already begun retooling workflows and reshaping the filmmaking process, from screenwriting to casting, shooting and post-production.

Things are moving so swiftly now that theres fresh AI-related film news every week. In the last few days alone, Ajay Devgn announced Bal Tanhaji, an AI-powered prequel to his 2020 film Tanhaji: The Unsung Hero. Multiple projects are vying for the apparently coveted title of Indias first AI film. Last March, the trailer for Vivek Anchalias Naisha dropped, calling itself Indias first AI-powered Bollywood film. The romantic drama was supposed to release in May, but Anchalia says technology has advanced too swiftly and the film needs reworking. May saw the release of Love You, a Kannada feature film directed by S. Narasimhamurthy, marketed as the worlds first AI Kannada movie.

In August came the announcement of Chiranjeevi HanumanThe Eternal, described as Indias first AI-generated Hindi feature film, due for release this year. The soundtrack will feature music by Trilok, the worlds first AI-powered band. The film is co-produced by Collective Media Networks as part of their Historyverse, which includes a massive slate (four films, three shows) of AI projects releasing over the next two years. The first Historyverse title came out in October with JioHotstars Mahabharat: Ek Dharmayudh, a gaudy 10-episode animated series with that uniquely off-putting AI aesthetic which has invaded our collective Instagram algorithms. The dialogue doesnt always sync with the awkward mouth movements, faces dont emote, frames dont flow into scenes.

According to media analytics firm Ormax Media, which estimates streaming title viewership across platforms, the series was the most watched fiction series in the week it released, clocking 1.6 million views. Also reportedly aiming for a 2026 release is Vayuputra, a devotional animated Telugu feature centered on Hanuman (AI-enabled mythological projects appear to be one of the subgenres that will flood our screens in the next few years).

View full Image 'Mahabharat: Ek Dharmayudh'

Bigger names also seem willing to bet on AI. Last year, Ajay Devgn announced Prismix, a new media company specialising in generative AI storytelling. Bal Tanhaji is the companys first announced title. Director Shakun Batra has also given interviews about how hes starting an AI division of his production house, Jouska Films.

In October, the first-ever Mumbai AI Film Festival was held. When the festival was announced, a Twitter/X spat ensued between the defensive young organisers (all from startup, not filmmaking backgrounds) and those who are more apprehensive about AI filmmaking. The jury and guests at the festival included Batra, comedian Tanmay Bhat and filmmaker Karan Anshuman. The winner for Best Storytelling was The Age Of Rage, a 4-minute short about an unlikely global pandemic that starts eliminating the worlds population. Guided by a voiceover, the film is packaged like a short-documentary-meets-well-packaged-YouTube-conspiracy-video, with flashy, frenetic visual aids to add impact to the voiceover, rather than a visually cohesive narrative with scenes and characters.

AI enthusiasts arent just looking aheadtheyve also set their sights on films from the past. In August, Eros International re-released the Tamil version of Raanjhanaa with an AI-generated alternate ending in which Dhanushs character survives, thereby rewriting the films original tragic climax. Director Aanand L. Rai wasnt consulted nor informed, and called it a betrayal and a reckless and dystopian experiment. Eros Media Group chief executive Pradeep Dwivedi defended the decision, telling The Guardian that the altered ending was an exploratory baby step and that the company was significantly evaluating its library of close to 3,000 titles for similar AI treatments.

One of the issues behind the actors and writers strikes in the US in 2023 was a demand for protection from AI. There continues to be heated debate over AI in Hollywood, but little, if anything, here. Indian cinema, it seems, is content to wait and see how AI pans out.

SCREENWRITING IN THE AGE OF CHATGPT Written by ChatGPT is a common slur these days, hurled at films and shows with generic, stale writing and dialogue. But how is the service actually being used within the writing process? Multiple screenwriters I spoke to insist that ChatGPT is great for research and generating visual aids to help bring pitches to life through visuals of the world and character mock-ups.

Writers also say it serves as a great assistantsomething to bounce ideas off, keep track of different story elements, help identify plot holes and refine scripts and pitches. If I write a synopsis or if Im building a character, I can actually use ChatGPT to ask me questions so that I can delve deeper into the character, and identify gaps, says screenwriter Sulagna Chatterjee (Feels Like Ishq, Adulting). Half the dialogue feedback it gives is often bizarre and just dry and not how human beings speak at all. But the other structural level feedback that it gives is often pretty interesting.

The reliance on sending material to fellow writers for feedback also appears to be dwindling in a ChatGPT world. Peers sometimes can take four-five days to get back to you with feedbackand its mostly broad feedback. ChatGPT can get molecular in no time about things like scene transitions and the rhythm of the scene, says one screenwriter, who preferred to remain anonymous.

View full Image AI film 'Naisha'

Chatterjee says ChatGPT is even useful to assess pitches from the viewpoint of specific production houses. I remember when I had written a first draft, I was like (to ChatGPT): Look at this entire document, but from the viewpoint of the commissioning team at a certain production house or platform, based on the kind of stuff that they have commissioned in the past six months or one year. Or these are my four concepts that I have developed. Tell me in terms of priority which one I should pitch first. And it gave me a very comprehensive answer.

But isnt the chatbots relentlessly validating vibe antithetical to the constantly iterative creative process? Chatterjee says she found a specific prompt that helps it be more balanced in its feedback. The reason why AI is scary and absolutely not something that should be completely depended on is because its trained to create that sense of validation. You have to train your AI to be more like a critic rather than just a yas queen person.

Several writers also say that ChatGPT fits the current environment of uncertainty well, where much of what producers are looking for is formulaic and algorithmic and expected timelines are tighter than ever. Platforms today expect you to come with everything fleshed out, and the expected turnaround time is insane. One platform asked me to turn around a pilot episode for a show in two-three days. Then I dont have a choice but to work with ChatGPTI dont love it. Its just where we are, says one writer. Theres me in there somewhere. The voice is still mine. Im just taking a little extra help because otherwise I have no other option. Its either finish it off in whatever bizarre timelines you get or realise you are so replaceable, offers another, adding, But I think theres still a certain level of internalised shame associated with using AI for screenwriting. There are times Im sitting at a cafe and I will see a lot of writers there with multiple ChatGPT windows open.

Writers also say certain producers have started sending out AI-generated plot outlines and telling screenwriters to build on those and essentially fill in the gaps. Not to mention the common belief that many producers are using ChatGPT to read, assess and summarise pitches rather than reading them themselves. As to whether AI might further diminish the value attached to screenwriters and screenwriting, Colour Yellow Movies COO Harini Lakshminarayan, who has been very vocal about the dangers of AI following the Raanjhana re-release, says its already happening. I know more writers who have quit the industry in the last six months than I have ever seen and Ive been around for 23 plus years. I have never known so many people to quit filmmaking. And its not just AI, it is the challenges of the economy, the industry, the mergers and acquisitions that are happening. But all of that is happening because there is this technology that people assume helps you fill the gap.

Im a little scared and sad about 20-somethings who are just joining the industry for whom this is the new normal. And because the work is so little, the focus can become just churning things out like a factory with the help of AI, says Chatterjee. One writer jokes that in the near future, successful writers will be those who specialise in taking ChatGPT-assisted writing and unpolishing it to make it sound more human.

View full Image A leftover watermark in the trailer for 'Jana Nayagan' showed AI was used on the film

But how has the ground shifted for those on the other side, on the receiving end of pitches and scripts? You need to be well-versed with AI because you need to be able to recognise it when you see it, says a development executive at a top Bollywood production house. She says about 70% of the pitches that come across her desk have some component of AI and its an immediate turn-off. When I see ChatGPT pitches, I get damn ticked off I miss bad pitches written by actual people. But one benefit, she says, is that its an equaliser for writers for whom English isnt the first language, given that a great deal of the pitch submission ecosystem is in English. So now, a writer with a great idea isnt held back by language. She adds, however, that these are rare instances.

AI WILL FIX IT IN POST The same development executive says AI is also massively helpful in creating concept art, storyboarding, pre-visualisation and lookbooks to help aesthetically align with and brief the various department heads. Production designers, cinematographers and costume designers increasingly use it to help bring characters and worlds to life. AI is even used in casting. When projects are pitched to top actors, they now routinely receive mock-ups of themselves as the character to help excite them about the role. In August last year, ahead of the release of the Ayushmann Khurana vampire comedy Thammapart of the massively successful Maddock Horrorversedirector Aditya Sarpotdar told The Hollywood Reporter India that he used AI visuals as a reference to brief his stunt and VFX team on how he wanted the vampire characters to look when running and gliding across rooftops in that distinct vampire way.

Speaking to British Cinematographer magazine, cinematographer Ravi Varman (Ponniyan Selvan, Barfi) was remarkably frank about their use of AI in Shankars Indian 2 (2025). This movie was shot over six years, with production halts due to covid. AI technology also allowed us to complete unavailable actors on-screen presence by using their body doubles and replacing their faces with realistic AI-generated faces We also had to use digital de-ageing technology to reduce the age of the lead actor (Kamal Haasan) from 69 to around 30. Varman, one of the best-regarded cinematographers working today, also zeroed in on why AI would only become more common in a country obsessed with making bigger, showier action films. Commercial cinema often demands that actors perform superhuman feats, regardless of their physical limitations. Technologies such as virtual production, motion-controlled cameras, and AI have become essential tools in achieving these expectations.

View full Image 'Coolie' is a recent film that used AI for certain sequences

Several filmmakers have discussed using AI to de-age stars, typically for the flashback sequences of their films (whether this becomes a way for ageing starswhich Indian cinema has a lot ofto further prolong their careers as de-ageing tech becomes more sophisticated is worth keeping an eye on). Lokesh Kanagaraj, director of Tamil blockbusters Leo and Vikram, admitted to using AI to create a young Rajinikanths voice for Coolies flashbacks, the 2025 films most thrilling sequences. Director Guhan Senniappan similarly discussed using AI to de-age Sathyaraj for their 2024 Tamil film Weapon. As did Rekhachithram, one of 2025s most acclaimed Malayalam films, which featured a cameo from an AI-enabled, digitally de-aged Mammootty. Its director, Jofin T. Chacko, said in an interview last year to online news portal Onmanorama that he hadnt planned on using AI when work started on the film five years earlier, but the technology had since leaped ahead. Recreating a specific look of Mammootty from a particular movie was challenging, Andrew Jacob DCruz of Mindstein Studios, which led the de-ageing process, said in an interview to The Cue, a digital news platform. It took us four-five months to recreate Mammoottys face properly. Since AI-generated results vary with each attempt, we had to create four different versions of his face for every shot.

Several filmmakers and producers say that post-production is where AI is currently having the most impact within mainstream moviemaking. One producer said that the often-costly process of patchwork, reshoots and voiceovers is now far less expensive and time-consuming thanks to AI. The producer added that top streaming platforms have thus far had a firm no AI policy for live-action filmmaking, but are now revisiting these policies as long as no AI is used for human interaction scenes between characters as opposed to more generic elements like establishing shots using AI-generating video tools like Sora and Adobe Premier Pro.

Colourist and film producer Sidharth Meer (Jubilee, Sabar Bonda) says that within the world of colour correction, the previously time-consuming task of face-tracking across thousands of shots is now much less demanding as a result of AI tools. What would have taken a month or so to do can now be tackled in three days, he says. AI-assisted dubbing and localisation is another increasingly common practice, where films can now be dubbed in other languages with the actors mouth movements matching the various languages with AI software. War 2 (2025) reportedly used the technology for the films Telugu dub. A person who worked on the film confirmed that AI was even used to completely reconstruct the voice of a young actor in his debut filma love story for a major production house last yearas a result of the actors speech impediment.

AI is coming for trailers, too. Sahil Kajale, creative director at visual promotion agency Warriors Touch, has worked on several trailers, including Trapped , Omerta, Sacred Games and Raman Raghav 2.0. Kajale says that while AI hasnt quite hit the stage of generating believable video footage, it has come for music, which is an essential part of deciding the fate of a trailer, and now risks becoming supremely generic. Producers are trying to save every penny that they can at every stage, and AI-generated tracks dont take money because they are not licence-driven. Its not composed by a human being, so it doesnt involve having to pay somebody.

THE ETHICAL MINEFIELD There is a key distinction between using AI to help traditional live-action filmmaking and the new genre of entirely AI-generated films. Vijay Subramaniam, CEO of Collective Artists Network, the creative architects behind the Historyverse, says the company is on their way to becoming the worlds first and biggest AI studio. When the company first announced the Chiranjeevi Hanuman film on social media, it was met with online backlash from filmmakers like Anurag Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane. Here is the man heading the @lifeatcollectiveartistsnetwork that represents artists, writers, directors, now producing a film made by AI, Kashyap wrote. So much for looking after and representing the interests of creators. To the outcry from the filmmaking community, Subramaniam offers: This whole ethical conversation is becoming a little over the top. I genuinely dont understand the hue and cry about it. AI is not here to be fought. AI is here to be made friends with. I turn a blind eye and a deaf ear towards people who are anti-growth.

He also insists that the production process for AI films isnt 10 dudes furiously typing prompts into computers, but actually involves a full team of artists. The process is absolutely no different than what it would look like for an animation film. You have a director, you have an editor, you have somebody whos designing costumes, you have a production designer, you have a dialogue writer, you have a scriptwriter, you have an assistant direction team, you have graphics engineers, you have 3D modellers. Its no different. Its just that youre taking away the element of physically having to shoot. Mahabharat: Ek Dharmayudh has a crew of about 110 people behind itIf you think people sitting behind a computer and typing a prompt saying now Hanuman jumps, thats just not the way its done.

As for the shaky visual output of the JioHotstar show, he says the focus on the ugly AI aesthetic is overblown because its only the trained eye that can spot it. I think the AI-ness of it is what is causing strong reactions. But there are lots of slightly older audiences that are not even able to tell its AI, Subramaniam says. What excites him about the technology is the ability to bring our sweeping epics to life in an affordable way. He says AI-generated films are 50-80% cheaper than attempting these projects through live-action.

View full Image AI series 'Ulluman'

Vivek Anchalia, director of the 2025 AI film Naisha, suggests the cost saving might be even greater. The crew size of a (live-action) small feature film might be closer to 100 people, he says. But on AI, your crew size could be 15-20 people. He isnt as concerned about the ethics of AI in fiction filmmaking as much as he is about its implications elsewhere, especially as the technology gets better and more believable. The younger generation is seeing so much AI content. At some point, if you dont know if what youre seeing is real or not, what do you believe? What happens if its a non-fiction film? What happens if someone creates a clip of a riot happening and it isnt real? With so many big Indian films presenting distorted and provocative versions of history as fact, this could become a very real problem.

Editor Nitin Baid (Homebound, Gully Boy) feels were panicking too soon. Right now, its the initial phase. We still havent been able to fully decipher the potential or even say that its really bad or really good. He adds that even though AI is a stage where it can generate shots, its still not able to achieve visual consistency. As soon as you want like five shots which are exactly like in the same quality we still need humans, because (AI is) not giving a perfect result.

Baid says he has no issue with AI-generated storytelling if it can produce something thats worthwhile and emotionally affecting. General audiences arent even thinking about all this. Theyre going to buy a ticket if they feel its something they want to watch and if its a story well told, as long as it feels real and heartfelt.

There is good reason to be wary of the rapid spread and adoption of AI within filmmaking. Its often said that a film is born three times: in the writing, in the shooting, and finally in the editing. We may well be stepping into a world of a fourth stage, which allows a film to be reshaped, rewritten, and reborn using AI. Protection against deepfakes and the ethical ramifications of AI likenesses are also worryingly open issues at present. Its increasing use will reduce the reliance on imagination and creativity, which could lead to a devaluing of human talent. Theres also a danger of cinema dividing along the lines of big-budget AI-assisted spectacle films and smaller non-AI releases. Still, on The Streaming Show podcast last year, director and producer Karan Johar offered a hopeful perspective. What is natural and pure and human is always going to exist. And were going to be able to spot the difference. AI can never make Saiyaara.

Suchin Mehrotra is a film critic and journalist.

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Its rare to see Hindi cinema offer up this neat a contrast. Three weeks ago, Sriram Raghavans Ikkis, a film on the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War, released in theatres. This weekend, Anurag Singhs Border 2, also set during the 1971 War, opens in time for Republic Day. Ikkis is an interrogation of the modern Hindi war film, cheerfully swatting away stereotypes. Border 2, on the other hand, throws itself frequently on the live grenade of cliche, a martyrs death for original thinking every scene.

This might be a bit harsh on Border 2, which is emotion-stuffed, occasionally exciting, and less virulent than the average Hindi war film. But Singh and co-writer Sumit Arora seem hemmed in by the legacy of J.P. Dutta's film, a huge hit in 1997, and by the responsibility of crafting a vehicle for a safety-first star like Sunny Deol. So we get songs and ideas and even hologram-like apparitions from the first film, and a fresh supply of stoic wives and teary mothers and soldiers giving up precious rations to keep a diya burning. Its not unwatchable but its pretty unremarkable, and, as three hours and 20 minutes tick away, exhausting.

Also Read | Why Bollywood loves a good war

The internet trolls who accused Ikkis of glossing over Pakistans sins in Bangladesh in 71 shouldn't be any happier with Border 2, which is also set on the western front and is only interested in Indian soldiers and their families. After the briefest of preambles, were dropped into a simmering conflict about to explode on multiple fronts. Theres Lt Col Fateh Singh Kaler (Sunny Deol) and Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya (Varun Dhawan) with their battalions on land, and Fg Offr Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon (Diljit Dosanjh) and Lt Cdr M.S. Rawat (Ahan Shetty) defending by air and sea respectively. Though theyre fighting separately in 71, theres an extended, largely comic flashback with the three younger soldiers at the military academy and Fateh Singh as their strict instructor.

The decision to have protagonists spread across locations and battles is useful in giving a sense of the expanse of this conflict. But Singh doesnt do a clear enough job explaining why the posts being captured or held are vital to the overall effort; every skirmish is presented like it might decide the war. The splitting up of the central quartet also means the film is less focused than Border, which zeroed in on one company. Border 2 only manages this successfully with Hoshiar Singhs men, whom we spend enough time with, and are interesting enough, that we're invested when they're eventually laying down their lives.

Hoshiar himself has a sweet romance with his new wife (Medha Rana); in a nice comic touch, the ambiguous sher he quotes in a letter makes her think hes dying. Mona Singh, playing Fateh Singhs brave but worried wife, is the only other significant female role; Sonam Bajwa, paired with Dosanjh, can barely fake interest in the two scenes shes in. Like Border, this is a film about men serving their country, and women serving men who do so.

A smartly worked-out action sequence at the start with land mines, retreating Pakistani soldiers and an advancing Sunny Deol was encouraging, though I revised my expectations after the first scenes of aerial and naval combat. Shaky CGI pretty much ruins Rawats submarine standoffs and Sekhons dogfights. But the action on land is generally strong. Deol is his usual indestructible self, though I preferred the sequences with the younger, more mobile Dhawan. Theres a couple of scenes of messy fighting in trenches by Hoshiar and his men that are as exciting as anything seen before in an Indian war film.

Apart from a gratuitous shot of a soldiers head taken clean off, Border 2 doesnt have the nasty edge of some recent combat films. Of course, Deol spends most of the runtime yelling hoarsely, but little (from what I could decipher) was overly spicy. Theres some unnecessary poking and prodding: a drive-by on the Mughals, a few too many uses of halaal by Pakistani soldiers, another blanket charge of cowardice after Dhurandhar (this time Hindustan, not Hindus). I expect this and more from a Hindi war film. I only wish there were more touches like General Yahya Khan playing a Noor Jehan record in a meeting with his chiefs.
Dubai is a food lovers playground. A restaurant calls out from almost every cornerEmirati, Iranian, Indian, Filipino, Levantine and European, sometimes all on the same street. With nearly 85% of its population made up of expatriates, Dubais food culture mirrors the world itself.

With no-frills, hole-in-the-wall spots, mid-range cafes fuelling the brunch culture, and Michelin-starred restaurants defining its global standing, Dubai caters to every appetite and budget. On a recent trip, a local at a community table joked it would take 75 years to eat your way through Dubaiand it didnt feel like an exaggeration. This guide moves between the everyday and the occasional splurge.

STREET EATS (AED 10-50/person) While Dubais chef-led fine dining often steals the spotlight, the citys street food scene reveals a far more democratic and delicious side through dishes like falafel, shawarma, biryani and flatbreads.

Deira, in Old Dubai, is one of the most rewarding neighbourhoods for a street food crawl. On Muraqqabat Street, Sultan Dubai Falafel is a local favourite. Falafel here is made from a vivid green chickpea paste blended with parsley, coriander and dill, shaped using an aleb (mould) that flicks the mixture straight into hot oil. Finished with tangy sumac and fiery hot sauce (shatta), each bite packs a punch.

Next door, its sister restaurant Qwaider Al Nabulsi focuses on Jordanian and Palestinian classics such as mansaf (meat slow-cooked in preserved yogurt and served over a bed of buttery rice) and kunafa, the iconic cheese dessert soaked in sugar syrup.

Old Dubais tiny Afghani and Pakistani bakeries are worth seeking out too. Abdul Rauf bakery in Hor Al Anz is known for its breads stuffed with cream cheese and zaatar.

Also Read | Where to find the best gajak and kesar makhan in Jaipur

View full Image Lynn Hazim, the founder of Middle Child. ( Geetika Sachdev )

NEIGHBOURHOOD FAVOURITES (AED 60-150/person) Dubais malls and neighbourhoods open up a rich casual dining scene, spanning everything from global comfort food to lesser-known community cuisines.

In Dubai Marina, Kooya Filipino Eatery is a standout. Helmed by chef J.P. Anglo, a former judge on the Filipino edition of MasterChef, the restaurant serves a mix of Filipino comfort fare and street-food favourites. The chicken sisigmade with wings, tail, skin and pateis rich and savoury, while the grilled chicken inasal, beef-belly caldereta (a fiery stew) and crispy pancit canton (a fried noodle dish) are equally compelling reasons to return.

Balkan cuisine is still under the radar, but 21 Grams in Meyan Mall, Umm Suqeim 2, is changing that. Founded by Stasha Toncev, it is known for its crispy phyllo pie with creamy spinach or goats cheese, honey and thyme cherry with vanilla ice cream. Breakfast is a highlight, especially the komplet egg served with sunny-side-up eggs, homemade bread, cheese, sour cream and beef jus.

Alserkal Avenue is another neighbourhood, where theres a generous mix of art and food. Lila Molino + Cafe serves house-made tortillas crafted from heirloom Mexican corn, along with dishes like creamy green enchiladas suizas filled with shredded chicken or cheese.

Nearby, Middle Child blends casual dining with a cookbook shop and gourmet grocery. The space centres around a coveted communal table. Order munchies like sour cream and onion dip with Ritz crackers, follow with the generously layered club sandwich with turkey, beef bacon and boiled eggs, and finish with their indulgent cheesecake.

View full Image A dish from Carbone. ( Atlantis The Royal )

FINE-DINING PICKS (AED 350-1,000/person) In 2025, 19 Michelin stars were awarded across the city, including three-star recipient Himanshu Sainis Tresind Studio and single-star Dinner by Heston Blumenthal.

Beyond the stars, however, the fine-dining scene runs even deeper. Many of the most exciting openings debuted just last year, with Three Bros leading the charge. This experimental concept from Orfali Bros Group, in Jumeirahs Wasl 51, is notoriously hard to book, with only 22 covers. The playful menu includes comfort dishes like the OB cheeseburger, ama ebi shrimp in olive oil and tomato pulp, and creamy morel chawanmushi (a Japanese savoury egg custard).

Mamabella at Kempinski The Boulevard brings rustic southern Italian dining to Dubai. Handmade pastas, Sicilian pizzolo (stuffed flatbread), scrocchiarella (thin Roman-style pizza) and oven-baked sea bass in a salt crust anchor the menu, but the real USP is its rotating cast of Italian nonnas, each invited monthly to cook family recipes.

Juns in Downtown Boulevard is also making waves, with chef Kelvin Cheungs 13-course tasting menu built around third-culture cooking. Drawing from Chicago, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Yunnan and Amman, highlights include pani puri with butter-poached lobster and a playful Garrets popcorn Chicago Mix dessert with popcorn mousse, burnt caramel ganache, popcorn sponge, four-cheese ice-cream, and kaluga caviar.

Meanwhile, New York-born Carbone at Atlantis The Royal channels 1950s Italian-American glamour. While some dishes are new, it continues to offer signatures like linguini vongole, veal Parmesan, and spicy rigatoni. Reservations well in advance are essential.

Geetika Sachdev is a Delhi-based lifestyle journalist.

Also Read | Food guide: Eat like a chef
Have you kept your gold jewellery in bank safety lockers? If yes, then you should make a fresh assessment about whether the rent you pay for it alone is adequate to secure your valuables. With gold prices on the rise, the rent that you pay for bank safety lockers will not be sufficient in case of unforeseen losses, as the bank is liable only for up to 100 times the annual rent. Here is a guide on bank safety lockers, the rules governing them, the need for taking a separate insurance for expensive items such as gold and alternative options to secure the yellow metal.

What is the liability of banks for the gold jewellery in their safety deposit lockers? The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has clearly specified the liability of banks for valuables stored in lockers arising out of unforeseen events such as fire, burglary and frauds committed by employees. The liability is restricted to 100 times the annual rent of the safety deposit locker. So, if your annual locker rent is 2,000, the banks liability will be only 2 lakh, which is inadequate as it will not be able to cover even two sovereigns (16 grams) of gold jewellery at current market prices.

As banks cannot claim that they bear no liability towards their customers for loss of contents of the locker, in instances where loss of contents of locker are due to incidents mentioned above (fire, theft/ burglary/robbery, dacoity, building collapse) or attributable to fraud committed by its employee(s), the banks liability shall be for an amount equivalent to one hundred times the prevailing annual rent of the safe deposit locker, the RBI said.

A banks liability is capped at only 100 times the annual rent, which may not cover the actual value of gold stored today, especially considering the gold price rally. Moreover, banks have zero liability for natural calamities like floods or earthquakes, so paying extra rent doesnt actually guarantee full safety, said Anooj Mehta, vice president, 1 Finance, a personal finance advisory firm.

Can you insure the jewellery stored in lockers? Banks do not provide insurance for gold jewellery deposited in their lockers. This is because they do not have a record of the contents in the locker, which is known only to the customer. Banks shall clarify in their locker agreement that as they do not keep a record of the contents of the locker or of any articles removed therefrom or placed therein by the customer, they would not be under any liability to insure the contents of the locker against any risk whatsoever, the RBI said. Banks shall under no circumstances offer, directly or indirectly, any insurance product to its locker hirers for insurance of locker contents, it said.

Customers can and should insure their valuables stored in a locker depending on their value, because the bank does not insure your locker contents for you, Mehta said. Customers can purchase insurance for their jewellery from general insurers. Customers must find a separate insurance policy through an independent insurance policy provider that deals with general insurance for jewellery and other high-value items, said Mukesh Pandey, director, Rupyaapaisa, a financial consultant that provides loans through tie-ups with banks and NBFCs.

Policies cover theft, burglary, fire, and natural disasters and will continue to provide coverage for gold items that are stored in a bank locker, he said. The best option is to buy a Valuables and Jewellery add-on (cover) under a standard home insurance policy. This is comprehensive; it covers your gold against theft or burglary, whether it is lying in the bank locker, kept at home, or even being worn by you at a wedding, Mehta said. General insurers such as HDFC ERGO and Oriental Insurance provide jewellery insurance that covers damage arising from fire, theft, burglary and even natural calamities.

What happens if losses are from natural calamities? The entire liability in such cases is on the customer. The bank shall not be liable for any damage and/or loss of contents of locker arising from natural calamities or Acts of God like earthquake, floods, lightning and thunderstorm or any act that is attributable to the sole fault or negligence of the customer, the RBI said. Banks shall, however, exercise appropriate care to their locker systems to protect their premises from such catastrophes, it said.

Is there a better option to secure gold and unlock its value at the same time? A gold overdraft (OD) offers customers a smarter way to secure their gold jewellery while unlocking the financial potential of the asset. The lender charges interest only for the funds that you utilise and the processing fee for OD is also quite low.

The way in which interest is charged on gold OD is advantageous for customers as they only pay for the amount they have used to get the money, and there are very low processing costs associated with obtaining the loan, Pandey said. The processing fee is typically 0.25%-0,5% of the loan amount. The interest is the same for both OD and gold loan.

Gold OD is an alternative a customer can opt for if they own high-value jewellery or physical gold investments. When you pledge gold for an OD, the bank acts as the custodian and assumes 100% liability for it, unlike the limited liability in a locker, Mehta said.

Since you pay interest only if you withdraw money, you just pay an annual processing fee which may be cheaper than the annual rent of a large-sized locker in a private bank, he said. But since the gold is pledged, it will work out well only if you consider the yellow metal as an investment, he stated.

You may not always be able to take it (gold) whenever you require. This option may become cumbersome for regular-wear jewellery, Mehta said. For family-owned jewellery ornaments, a high-grade electronic home safe combined with a strong insurance policy is the most practical alternative to bank safe deposit lockers, he said.
The Sri Lanka Navy has arrested seven Indian fishermen for allegedly fishing in the island nation's territorial waters.

The fishermen were arrested and and their two trawlers seized on Tuesday off Kovilan, in the northern Jaffna peninsula, the Navy said in a statement.

Also Read | MP: 9 fall ill due to water contamination in Mhow after Bhagirathpura tragedy

Those arrested will be handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Myliddy, Jaffna, for legal proceedings, it said.

Fishermen from both countries are arrested frequently for inadvertently trespassing into each others waters.

The fishermen issue is a contentious one in the ties between India and Sri Lanka, with Lankan Navy personnel even firing at Indian fishermen in the Palk Strait and seizing their boats in several alleged incidents of illegally entering Sri Lankan territorial waters.

The Palk Strait, a narrow strip of water separating Tamil Nadu from Sri Lanka, is a rich fishing ground for fishermen from both countries.
Bengaluru city has been facing mega power outages for the past two days. The power disruption entered third day on Friday. The Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) had issued a notice about power disruption in several areas in view of maintenance work.

Key areas that will be impacted today, 23 January are: Chikkanayaka-Nahalli, Huliyaru, Katrikehal, Handanakere, and Thimmanahalli

The power disruption on Friday follows major outages in Bengaluru, talukas, and other villages that lasted as long as nine hours. BESCOM's scheduled temporary outages impacted Nandigudi, Vasana, Ingalagondi, Hulaginahole, Jerehole, Marahalli, GT Katte, Govina Halu, Noosikondi, Ukkadagatri, Ramagiri, Thuppadahalli, Singenahalli, Talikatte, Hanumali, Dognanal, Dummi, Kalkere, Rangapur, Bommanahalli, Gaudihalli, Kadur, Chikkandavadi, Dodda Yenlegare, Belaguli, and Mattighatta sub-station and surrounding areas.

Also Read | Staffer at Bengaluru airport held for sexually harassing woman

Surya Ghar Yojana BESCOM appealed to Bengaluru residents to install solar panels on rooftops through the Surya Ghar Yojana scheme avail attractive subsidies

In a post on X, the Electricity Company stated, Through the Surya Ghar Yojana, install solar power units on your rooftop and avail attractive subsidies. It added, register for the Suryaghar Yojana through this link https://pmsuryaghar.gov.in and call BESCOM's Solar Helpline number 080-22340816.

How to apply for rooftop solar Step 1: Enter mobile number and verify the same using OTP. Provide information such as name, state, district and fill other details, after successful OTP verification. After this, verify email ID with OTP and save profile.

Also Read | Airline staff accused of touching Korean woman at Bengaluru airport

Step 2: Select Yes on vendor select popup if you want your vendor to fill the application for you otherwise click on No.

Step 3: Select Apply for Solar Rooftop and choose state, district, discom, consumer number and click on fetch details to auto-fill details. To fill and submit the application, click on next button.

Step 4: After getting feasibility approval, choose the vendor and submit bank details to receive subsidy.

Step 5: After installation of the solar panels, vendor will submit installation details to the consumer for verification and to DISCOM.
The Bombay High Court granted bail to activists Sagar Gorkhe and Ramesh Gaichor on Friday. They were accused in the Elgar Parishad Maoist links case.

The court granted him bail on the grounds of parity, noting that other accused have been granted similar relief, news agency PTI reported.

Gorkhe and Gaichor were arrested in September 2020 and are presently lodged at the Taloja prison. It was alleged that Gorkhe and Gaichor were active members of the banned CPI (Maoist) group.

A bench, headed by Justice A S Gadkari, noted that several other accused in the case have been granted bail on the grounds of long incarceration and the possibility of the trial in the case not commencing in the near future.

"Hence on the ground of parity, the two appellants (Gorkhe and Gaichor) too deserve to be released on bail," it said.

The duo has been directed to furnish a bail bond of 1 lakh each and to attend the National Investigation Agency's office once a month.

At least 16 people, including prominent lawyers, activists, and academics, were booked in connection with allegedly provocative speeches that were delivered at the Elgar Parishad conclave held in Pune on December 31, 2017.

According to the police, the speeches triggered violence at Koregaon-Bhima, on the outskirts of Pune city, the next day.

The Pune police, which initially probed the case, claimed that Maoists had backed the conclave. The NIA later took over the probe into the case.

All except one accused, Surendra Gadling, have now been granted bail in the case.

Father Stan Swamy, an 84-year-old priest and tribal rights activist, died while in custody in July 2021, awaiting trial.
New Delhi: The government may increase the annual allocation for the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) to 18,000 crore in the FY27 budget, scheduled to be presented on 1 February, according to two people aware of the matter.

The scheme, launched in 2021, aims to transform the power distribution sector in the country by making it more efficient and financially sustainable.

"This year, the power ministry has proposed an allocation of about 18,000 crore for RDSS which is under consideration. The smart meter installation is gaining pace and about 1.5 lakh meters are installed monthly. With this momentum in place, funds need to increase," said the first of the two persons cited earlier, both of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity.

For the current financial year ending 31 March (FY26), the scheme was allocated around 16,000 crore. The proposed increase comes as power distribution companies (discoms) remain under strain, saddled with cumulative debt of over 7 trillion, despite multiple government efforts to bolster their financial health. These initiatives include Ujjwal Discom Assurance Yojana (UDAY) that was launched in 2015, and the proposed Electricity Amendment Bill, 2025, which aims to introduce reforms such as greater competition in power distribution, stricter performance norms for discoms, and greater consumer choice.

Key Takeaways The government is considering an increase in the annual allocation for the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) to 18,000 crore for FY27.

This is a rise from the 16,000 crore allocated in the current financial year (FY26).

The increase is intended to maintain momentum as smart meter installations gain pace.

For the first time in over a decade, power distribution companies (discoms) have returned to cumulative profitability.

The RDSS, which aims to install 250 million smart meters, has been extended until FY28 due to slow initial progress.

Several major policy shifts are expected during the upcoming Parliament budget session which will be convened from 28 January to 2 April.

The bill is likely to be tabled during Parliaments budget session that begins on 28 January and runs until 2 April.

Also, a group of ministers on financial viability of discoms has proposed to incentivize privatization of discoms. The power ministry on Wednesday came up with a draft National Electricity Policy 2026, which proposes a slew of reform measures including mandatory tariff revision and introduction of an index-based automatic annual tariff revision.

To be sure, the government takes a final call on several budget proposals closer to the budget presentation date. Queries emailed to the Union ministries of power and finance remained unanswered till press time.

Also Read | How India's power discoms returned to profits in FY25

Experts suggest that higher allocation is required to ensure accelerated installation of smart meters, and availability of capital. Smart meters are digital electricity meters that automatically measure, record and transmit power consumption data between consumers and discoms. They improve billing accuracy, curb power theft, reduce aggregate technical & commercial (AT&C) losses and shore up finances of discoms by enabling real-time monitoring and prepaid billing.

"Higher allocation directly addresses key constraints in smart meter implementation, particularly capital availability. Adequate funding improves the confidence of AMISPs (advanced metering infrastructure service provider), as it enables a timely release of payments (grant portion) by discoms, thereby reducing execution and financial risk," said Vinit Mishra, partner, technology consulting at EY India. "Sufficient funding also allows discoms to support change management, capacity building, and training, as well as to invest in associated IT applications related to smart metering, such as data analytics platforms," Mishra said, adding that these capabilities enable discoms to effectively leverage smart metering data and generate actionable insights for operational and financial improvement.

Help in revival

RDSS was launched with a cumulative outlay of 3 trillion to help discoms revive their financial health through implementation of smart meters and other reform schemes by FY26. However, amid a slow progress in the implementation of smart meters, the scheme has been extended till FY28. A total of 250 million meters are targeted to be installed under the scheme, out of which only 52.8 million have been set up so far, according to data from the National Smart Grid Mission. Contracts to install about 150 million smart have also been awarded.

The government had introduced the scheme as it pushed for universal household electrification. Two earlier programmes for electrification -- Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (Saubhagya) and Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) -- had ended in 2022. Over the years, Centre has come up with a number of initiatives for revival of discoms including the Accelerated Power Development and Reform Programme (APDRP) and Ujjwal Discom Assurance Yojana (UDAY) which were in effect before the ongoing RDSS.

Also Read | Discoms selling green power at lower than cost price on exchanges

In March last year, Parliaments standing committee on energy raised concerns over underachievement in the rollout of smart meters under the flagship scheme to revive the power distribution sector and expand electrification, warning that the shortfall had contributed to rising losses at discoms.

In its report on demands for grants for the power ministry, the panel had noted that out of the total of 30,065 crore allocated for RDSS during the first four years of the schemeFY22 to FY25about 25,664 crore had been utilized as of 10 February, 2025. India's installation of 250 million smart meters is expected to require a cumulative investment of $30 billion.

Two elements

RDSS has two elementsfinancial support for prepaid smart metering and system metering, and upgradation of the distribution infrastructure.

The schemes 3 trillion outlay includes expenditure by the Centre and states, besides financing from state-owned power sector lenders like Power Finance Corp and REC Ltd. The Centre alone plans to spend a total of over 97,000 crore on the scheme.

The power ministry recently said that after over a decade, the discoms in the country have returned to profits on a cumulative basis. For FY25, the discoms reported a net profit of about 2,701 crore, compared to a loss of 25,553 crore in FY24.

The ministry, in its statement, attributed this recovery to the reform measures including the RDSS programme.

Jitendra Kumar Agarwal, joint managing director of Genus Power Infrastructure, a smart meter manufacturer and service provider, said: The smart metering journey has reached a decisive inflection point and is beginning to fundamentally reform Indias power distribution sector. The return of discoms to profitability is a strong signal, and initiatives such as the RDSS, along with the adoption of smart meters, have played a crucial role in driving this turnaround."

Also Read | Govt preps debt recast plan for discoms, eyes disinvestments

"We are already seeing an uptick in billing efficiency, and distribution efficiency across utilities, and this is just the tip of the iceberg. We have only touched upon, I would say, a small portion of the Indias total consumer base, and as deployment scales further, the impact on operational efficiency, financial stability, and consumer trust will only deepen significantly," he added.

The RDSS scheme also aims to reduce AT&C losses to pan-India levels of 12-15% by 2024-25. Although the deadline for bringing the AT&C losses to targeted levels could not be met, the losses in FY25 stood at 15.04%, compared to 17.6% in FY24, according to recent power ministry data.

Similarly, the target of eliminating the gap between the average cost of supply and average revenue realized (ACSARR) by FY25 has not been met. As of the end of the last fiscal, the gap had narrowed to 6 paise per unit, from 48 paise in FY24.
The United States is determined to destroy the covert network that supports the Hamas terrorist organization. On January 21 the Department of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took action against Hamass covert links to nonprofit organizations.



Hamass insidious practice of operating behind civilian organizations endangers Palestinians and undermines efforts to build a lasting and prosperous peace. By exposing organizations with secret ties to Hamas, OFAC is strengthening the international communitys ability to support legitimate Palestinian interests.



Hamas continues to show a callous disregard for the welfare of the Palestinian people, said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence John K. Hurley.



The U.S. action targets six Gaza-based organizations that claim to provide medical care to Palestinian civilians but in fact support the military wing of Hamas, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades. The fraudulent nature of these organizations, which use deception to raise funds from international donors, demonstrates Hamass perfidy and deprives innocent civilians of the medical care they need.



Treasury Department is also targeting the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad, an organization that purports to broadly represent Palestinians but is clandestinely controlled by Hamas and has been a key backer of several so-called flotillas attempting to access Gaza.



Hamas secretly operates a network of organizations in Gaza that purport to be independent but are subordinate to the Hamas military wing. Similar to the U.S.-designated al-Weam Charitable Society, these groups hide their affiliation to Hamas in order to raise funds from overseas donors, many of whom are unwitting, and thereby divert donations intended for the Palestinian people to enable Hamass terrorism.



As part of Treasurys commitment to safeguard the humanitarian sector and enable the continued provision of aid to the Palestinian people, OFAC is exposing six Gaza-based organizations that support Hamass military wing, as revealed by documentary evidence taken from Hamas offices after October 7, 2023.



These are the Gaza-based organizations Waed Society Gaza (Waed Society), Al-Nur Society Gaza (Al-Nur), Qawafil Society Gaza (Qawafil), Al-Falah Society Gaza (Al-Falah), Merciful Hands Gaza (Merciful Hands), and Al-Salameh Society Gaza (Al-Salameh). They are organized by, and integrated into, Hamass military wing. Members of Hamass internal security forces are formally assigned to work in these so-called charities, specifically the Waed Society and Al-Salameh. Documentary evidence captured from Hamas also shows that Hamas provides its fighters with detailed instructions on how they must navigate the groups own bureaucracy to formally request their affiliated organizations provide their fighters with specific projects and services.



As Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence John Hurley noted, The Trump Administration will not look the other way while Hamas leadership and enablers exploit the financial system to fund terrorist operations.
Addressing an NDA rally in poll-bound Tamil Nadu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched a scathing attack on the ruling DMK-led government, claiming its countdown has begun. He further alleged that the southern state wants to be free from the MK Stalin-led party's misgovernance.

Assembly Elections are set to be held in Tamil Nadu around April-May this year. The state is seen as crucial to the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) broader ambition of establishing itself as a major political force in southern India.

The rally is taking place in Tamil Nadu's Maduranthakam.

PM Modi's speech at Tamil Nadu rally  Key Highlights The countdown for the DMK government has started, said PM Modi at an NDA rally in Tamil Nadu's Maduranthakam.

This vast sea of people is sending a very strong message across all of Tamil Nadu, across the entire country. The message is that Tamil Nadu is now ready for change... said the PM.

PM Modi further claimed that Tamil Nadu wants to be free of DMK's misgovernance

Labelling DMK as CMC', PM Modi alleged it the party promotes Corruption, Mafia, Crime

Launching a sharp attack on the DMK government, Modi alleged that it has nothing to do with democracy or accountability. The Prime Minister said the state government functions only for the benefit of one family.

He also said that TN people have made up their minds to uproot DMK and CMC. The formation of the BJP-NDA double-engine govt is for sure, said PM Modi. Earlier in the day, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami also slammed the DMK-led government, saying its only achievement was corruption and to perpetuate dynasty rule in Tamil Nadu.

Chief Minister MK Stalin, who elevated his son Udhayanidhi as his deputy, was keen only on seeing his son as the Chief Minister, he said, addressing the maiden rally of the NDA ahead of the Assembly election.
Starting 1 January, the European Union (EU) has halted export incentives for industries including plastics and textiles under a preferential programme involving India and two other nations. While Indias commerce ministry suggests this transition won't dampen the country's exports to the 27-member union, the EU has actually been incrementally withdrawing Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) tariff advantages for Indian goods such as textiles, chemicals, and minerals since 2016.

"The same list was extended as per regulations released on December 1, 2025. From January 1, 2026, GSP preferential duties will be suspended for the same list of products until December 31, 2028," the ministry said in a statement.

This exclusion expanded significantly during 2019 and 2023.

Consequently, due to this multi-stage product graduation, approximately 47% of Indian shipments to the EU  worth $35.6 billion  currently fall outside GSP parameters for 2024-25, leaving only 53% ($40.20 billion) qualified for perks.

Indian exports face setback in EU market, says GTRI Conversely, trade specialists argue that this shift will negatively affect the nations outward trade to Europe.

This situation is particularly notable as both parties are expected to declare the conclusion of free trade agreement (FTA) talks on 27 January.

According to the EUs Official Journal, the European Commission established regulations on 25 September 2025, regarding the 2026-2028 suspension of specific tariff incentives for GSP participants India, Kenya, and Indonesia.

"It shall apply from 1 January 2026 until 31 December 2028...," it said.

Previously, GSP discounts permitted Indian firms to export at rates lower than Most Favoured Nation (MFN) duties. Currently, these advantages are suspended for 87% of India's export value to the EU.

Think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said from 1 January 2026 that India faces a "major setback" in the EU market, as 87% of its exports begin paying higher import tariffs following the European Union's suspension of GSP benefits, as reported by PTI.

Also Read | At Davos, the world finally pushed back against a bully

Only about 13% of exports, including agriculture and leather, retain the benefits under this scheme, GTRI said.

Essentially, a garment previously taxed at 9.6% under GSP instead of the standard 12% must now face the full 12% tariff as of 1 January.
After seven deaths linked to water contamination were reported in the Bhagirathpura area of Madhya Pradesh's Indore district last month, at least nine people have now fallen ill after consuming contaminated drinking water in Mhow tehsil, officials told news agency PTI on Friday.

They said these cases of water-borne diseases were reported from the Patti Bazaar and Chander Marg areas on Thursday night.

Nine patients have been hospitalised, while a few others are recuperating at home, the official told PTI.

Indore Collector takes action According to the report, Indore Collector Shivam Verma visited patients undergoing treatment at a hospital in Mhow late at night. He also spoke with residents of the affected areas, an official said.

Verma directed the health department to ensure proper and effective treatment for all patients and also instructed the Mhow Cantonment Board to check the water quality and maintain cleanliness in the area.

Also Read | 7 dead, 116 hospitalised due to water contamination in Indore

The government is closely monitoring the situation, Verma was quoted as saying. He added that the affected areas will be surveyed, residents with symptoms will be provided with appropriate treatment, and critical patients will be admitted to the hospital.

No patient is in critical condition at present, and some of them will be discharged during the day, Verma told PTI.

The official said that personnel from the health department have been on site since Friday morning, under the direction of Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr Madhav Hasani.

View full Image Indore: A civic worker during restoration work of Narmada water pipelines in the aftermath of deaths due to consumption of contaminated water in the Bhagirathpura area of Indore, the countrys cleanest city. ( PTI )

Mhow MLA Usha Thakur also visited the hospital to meet the affected people. A team from the Indore Medical College and other specialist doctors are also being sent to the scene, the official said.

Deaths due to water contamination Last month, several people fell ill, and seven deaths linked to water contamination were reported in the Bhagirathpura area of Indore. Officials told PTI earlier that contaminated water was found in 51 tubewells in Bhagirathapura.

While residents of the locality have claimed that the outbreak has claimed 25 lives so far, a status report submitted by the Madhya Pradesh government to the High Court on 15 January mentioned seven deaths, including that of a five-month-old boy.

A death audit report of a committee of the Government Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College indicated that 15 deaths in Bhagirathapura could be linked to the issue.

What's causing the contamination? The Madhya Pradesh government had told the Madhya Pradesh High Court on 20 January that bacterial contamination of drinking water led to widespread infection in Indore's Bhagirathpura area.

The bench was hearing simultaneously two public interest litigations (PILs) filed regarding the deaths of people after drinking contaminated water in Bhagirathpura.

During the hearing on petitions, the court asked how the water supplied to residents of the locality - the epicentre of a diarrhoea and vomiting outbreak in India's cleanest city - got so contaminated and led to such a big tragedy.

View full Image Indore: School students being assisted to make way through the debris amid pipeline and drainage work in the aftermath of deaths caused by consumption of allegedly contaminated water, in the Bhagirathpura area of Indore, Madhya Pradesh, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (PTI Photo)(PTI01_08_2026_000149A) ( PTI )

Appearing via video link, Chief Secretary Anurag Jain told the high court bench of Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi that contaminated water was found in 51 tube wells in Bhagirathpura and a test report revealed the presence of E. coli bacteria.

The Chief Secretary stated that E. coli was the cause of the widespread infection in the area.

A government lawyer replied that, due to a pipeline leak in the area, the drinking water became contaminated when sewer water mixed with it. The source of this contamination also includes the sewer of a public toilet.

Also Read | Human rights commission seeks report from Bihar govt on water contamination

According to health experts, E. coli is commonly found in water via sewage or faeces, and drinking water contaminated with this bacterium can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, and fever, PTI reported.

The high court had then reserved its order on the petitioners' plea for a judicial inquiry into the deaths of several people due to vomiting and diarrhoea caused by drinking contaminated water and for an FIR to be filed against those responsible for the tragedy.

It scheduled the next hearing for 28 January.

What's the government doing? The government lawyers had told the Madhya Pradesh High Court that a high-level committee has been set up to inquire into the causes of contamination of drinking water, fix accountability and suggest measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents.

However, the petitioners' lawyer, Ajay Bagaria, expressed strong distrust of the committee, stating before the division bench that it was formed to conceal the truth of the drinking water disaster.

Also Read | Over 100 Noida housing society residents fall ill, water contamination suspected

Bagadia then urged the court to establish a committee headed by a retired High Court judge and conduct a judicial inquiry into the tragedy.

He also urged the HC to order the registration of an FIR against the officials and other individuals responsible for the deaths due to contaminated drinking water.
Bharath Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president KT Rama Rao on Friday, was instructed to not contact or influence any witnesses and was told that he may be summoned again, after he appeared before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the phone-tapping case in Hyderabad.

The case pertains to allegations that phones were illegally intercepted through the Special Intelligence Branch to benefit the Bharat Rashtra Samithi.

View full Image Press release by Hyderabad City Police

Following an enquiry that lasted over eight hours, KTR said that he fully cooperated with the enquiry, and described the exercise as repetitive and lacking substance. He also alleged that officials merely read out hundreds of names without producing any concrete evidence.

What is the phone-tapping case? The Telangana government had constituted a 10-member SIT headed by Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar nearly 21 months after the case was registered.

Earlier, former DCP P Radhakrishna Rao alleged that phones belonging to prominent names in the media industry, retired cops, and politicians were monitored during the BRS government tenure. He alleged it was done to keep tabs on then Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's political rivals.

During the 2023 assembly elections, officers in Telangana allegedly intercepted the communications of several political leaders, businessmen and Tollywood celebrities, Rao claimed.

BRS workers stage protest near Jubilee Hills Earlier in the day, BRS workers staged a protest against Telangana CM Revanth Reddy near Jubilee Hills police station as the party's working president, KT Rama Rao (KTR), arrived for the SIT interrogation regarding the phone-tapping scandal.

KTR's car was surrounded by party workers who expressed their anger over the SIT notice by gathering near the police station and sloganeering against the CM.

'SIT probe a time-pass' KTR received a notice from the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Thursday, which was a day after senior BRS leader T Harish Rao was summoned for the same.

Both leaders have criticised the Congress government, especially targeting the CM, calling the SIT probe a "time-pass", and, earlier today, KTR accused Reddy of character assassination over the last two years.

He alleged that the government was creating a series of "dramas", citing what he termed the Kaleshwaram drama, the Sheep Scam drama, the Formula E drama, and the phone tapping drama. He maintained his stance and said he had never been involved in illegal or unjust activities.
The Enforcement Directorate reportedly conducted raids against the Luthra brothers in Goa and Delhi on Friday in connection with the Goa nightclub fire deaths case.

The Enforcement Directorate is conducting searches in the Goa fire case at eight premises linked to the Luthra brothers in Delhi and Goa. Of the eight places, five are being searched in Delhi and three in Goa, including the residences of the Luthra brothers, officials were quoted by ANI as saying.

Also Read | Goa club fire: Luthra brothers to land in Delhi on Tue after arrest in Thailand

The raids were conducted after the financial probe agency filed a money laundering case against the promoters of a Goa-based nightclub where 25 people were killed in a devastating fire in December last year, officials were quoted by news agency PTI as saying.

The officials claimed the ED raided about eight premises, including the offices and residential locations of brothers Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra.

Premises linked to some others involved in the case were also searched under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the officials said.

Goa nightclub fire deaths case A fire broke out at the Birch by Romeo Lane, a nightclub in North Goa's Arpora village, on December 6, 2025, when it was hosting a dance party. As many as 25 people had died, and 50 others were injured in the incident.

The Goa government had later told the legislative assembly that the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub had been flagged for illegal construction by revenue officials in 2024.

Brothers Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra  co-owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub  were held responsible for the blaze that claimed 25 lives. The two brothers had fled the country hours after the incident and travelled to Thailand.

They were later deported to India on December 17 last year and are currently in the custody of Goa police.

After the fire tragedy at Arpora village, Anjuna police had registered a case against the Luthra brothers on various charges, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

Five managers and staff members were also arrested by the Goa Police in connection with the fire.
Several Noida and Ahmedabad schools received bomb threats on Friday, days ahead of Republic Day. In Noida, at least three schools, including Shiv Nadar School, Bal Bharati School and Cambridge School, received a bomb threat.

In a message alert sent to parents, Bal Bharti dismissed pre-primary classes (Nursery, LKG, and UKG) and said that the school was on high alert. No official reason for the high alert was shared with parents; the reason was only inferred through messages circulated by other schools, the school told Hindustan Times (HT).

Bal Bharati School also said that students from Classes 1 to 12 are still inside the school, and no message has been received regarding their dismissal.

However, according to the parents, Bal Bharti School has asked them to pick up their kids from school.

Also Read | Spurned lover held for hoax bomb threat to Puri Jagannath temple: Details here

In an email sent to parents, Shiv Nadar School informed that the school would remain closed on Friday, January 23. They said that the school buses were being sent back, and requested the parents to receive their kids at designated drop-off points.

View full Image Shiv Nadar School's email to parents

Meanwhile, Cambridge School told HT that a bomb threat was received via email, following which parents were informed through a message and were asked to pick up their children as a precautionary measure.

Also Read | Bomb threat triggers panic at Bombay High Court

Thorough checking underway: Noida police Noida Police, in a statement, said that it had immediately deployed senior officers, police personnel from various police stations, the bomb squad, fire brigade, dog squad, and BDDS team at the sites upon receiving information about threat emails sent to some private schools. Thorough checking is being carried out.

The Noida police also said that the cyber team is conducting a technical examination of the received emails.

Also Read | Delhi bomb threat: Multiple schools across capital city receive email threats

Gujarat schools receive bomb threats According to news agency ANI, several schools in western Ahmedabad, Gujarat, also received a bomb threat via email. These schools include Xaviers School and Sant Kabir School.

Crime Branch's Bomb Squad and Forensic Department are carrying out investigation, ANI reported, quoting Crime Branch Ahmedabad.
A recent video circulating widely on social media has caught the attention of Indian viewers for an unexpected reason: Salah Ahmed Jama, the Deputy Prime Minister of Somalia, is seen speaking confident, fluent Hindi during an interview with a journalist.

When asked where he learned the language, Jama replies simply: In India. He goes on to recall living and studying in Pune, Hyderabad and Delhi, describing those years as the best days of my life. The clip, in which the Somali leader switches comfortably to Hindi, has triggered admiration online and renewed interest in Indias long-standing educational and diplomatic links with Somalia.

Also Read | At Davos, the world finally pushed back against a bully

Why the video went viral In the interview, Jama not only speaks Hindi with ease but also reflects on the historical relationship between India and Somalia, calling the two countries neighbours with a shared past. He notes that India has played a significant role in educating generations of Somali leaders  including the current Somali President  a remark that resonated strongly with Indian social media users.

Many online have described the video as a reminder of Indias soft power, particularly through education, at a time when geopolitical influence is often measured in economic or military terms.

A user wrote, Wonderful knowledge of the language. Exceptional.

Another user wrote, unbelievable, your Hindi pronunciation is perfect.

Delighted to hear your fluent Hindi, Hon'ble Deputy PM Salah Jama. A beautiful nod to our centuries-old bondfrom ancient sailors to today's friends, the third user wrote.

The India connection Born in 1980 in Erigavo in Somalias Sanaag region, Jama spent several formative years in India before moving on to higher studies in Canada. According to official profiles, he lived in Maharashtra, Telangana and Delhi, experiences that helped shape his worldview and multilingual abilities.

Besides Somali and English, Jama speaks Hindi and Urdu  a skillset that has added to the intrigue surrounding the viral clip, according to Somalias Prime Ministers Office.

Academic And Public Service Background After his time in India, Jama moved to Canada, where he completed his bachelors and masters degrees in Political Science and Developmental Studies at Carleton University in Ottawa. He later worked as a teacher and research assistant, focusing on peace-building, democratisation and state-building in post-conflict societies. His academic work includes co-authoring research on Afro-optimism and development challenges in fragile states.

He returned to Somalia in the 2000s and entered public service, playing a key role in electoral reforms and democratic institution-building. Over the years, Jama has served as Minister of Labour and later as Minister of Constitutional Affairs, where he led civil service reforms, social safety net programmes and constitutional review processes.

Role As Deputy Prime Minister Jama was appointed Deputy Prime Minister of Somalia on 2 August 2022. In his current role, he oversees key portfolios including economic development, climate change response, rule of law implementation, inclusive politics and stabilisation efforts in areas recovered from extremist groups.
US President Donald Trump had a very noticeable bruise on his left hand at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, leaving the Internet buzzing with various speculations about his health.

Netizens had a lot to say about the bruise, including claims that Trump was nearing his death

Yikes! It looks very disgusting and disturbing! Hes getting close to death! a social media user said. He's rotting from the inside out, said another user.

Are you f**king kidding me? We had two years nonstop coverage of Bidens age and health, and were not supposed to know what the fuck that is on his hand?  asked a user. Also, still no medical records from the shooting and what happened to his ear.

Also Read | Did Trump mix up Greenland and Iceland? Karoline Leavitt defends POTUS

In a detailed comment, a user said, Large spots on the hands are never a good sign at an advanced age. He loses his train of thought in his speeches, there are inconsistencies, he repeats the same thing several times and seems so tired and weak... he is getting so pale day by day

However, in a statement, the White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the bruise was because Trump hit his hand on the corner of the signing table during his Board of Peace announcement.

Here's what Trump had to say about the bruise Donald Trump blamed the bruise on his high intake of aspirin. Talking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said his aspirin dosage makes him bruise easily.

They say take aspirin if you like your heart, but dont take aspirin if you dont want to have a little bruising. I take the big aspirin, Trump said.

The doctor said, You dont have to take that, sir. Youre very healthy. I said, 'Im not taking any chances,' Trump added.

According to a Reuters report, citing four doctors, two surgeons and two internists, it was indeed possible that aspirin contributed to the bruising.

In a Wall Street Journal interview earlier this month, Trump shared that he takes a larger daily dose of aspirin than his doctors recommend because he wants nice, thin blood pouring through my heart.

Previously, Leavitt had attributed the hand bruising to shaking so many hands last summer.

Donald Trump, 79, is the second-oldest person to ever hold the presidency, following his Democratic predecessor, President Joe Biden, who dropped his 2024 reelection bid amid questions about his fitness for the job and left office a year ago at 82.
Ryan Wedding, 44, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder and one of the Federal Bureau Of Investigation's (FBI) most wanted fugitives, was arrested in Mexico, according to senior officials at the Justice Department on Friday. He had been listed on the FBIs Ten Most Wanted Fugitives and authorities had announced a $15 million reward for information that could lead to his arrest and conviction.

US Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel announced Weddings arrest in social media posts.

Why did FBI arrest an ex-Olympic snowboarder? Wedding faces charges of running a drug trafficking ring, and officials allege that he planned multiple killings to advance his drug-related crimes, according to AP.

Ryan Wedding charges Wedding was charged in 2024 with operating a drug ring that transported cocaine using semitrucks between Colombia, Mexico, Southern California, and Canada. Authorities said his aliases comprised El Jefe", Public Enemy", and James Conrad Kin". Bondi, in November, revealed that he had also been indicted for allegedly orchestrating the killing of a witness in Colombia to help him avoid extradition to the US.

Authorities stated that Wedding and his co-conspirators used a Canadian website named The Dirty News to post a photograph of the witness so he could be identified and killed. The witness was later tracked to a restaurant in Medellin in January and shot in the head. According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Wedding faces separate drug trafficking charges in Canada dating back to 2015.

Conviction Federal records indicate that Wedding was previously convicted in the US of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and was sentenced to prison in 2010. In 2024, federal prosecutors said they believed Wedding, after being released from prison, had resumed drug trafficking under the protection of the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico.

How was Ryan Wedding arrested? Patel said that Wedding was being taken to the US following his arrest Thursday night in Mexico, where US authorities believe the former Olympian had been in hiding for more than ten years.

This is a huge day for a safer North America, and the world, Patel wrote on X, and a message that those who break our laws and harm our citizens will be brought to justice.

Speaking at a news conference in California on Friday morning, Patel mentioned Weddings arrest was achieved through international cooperation and praised Mexicos government and global partnerships for their contributions to the operation.

Also Read | Washington Post raises press freedom alarm after FBI raids journalist's home

When you go after a guy like Ryan Wedding, it takes a united front, and thats what youre seeing here, he stated, calling him a modern day El Chapo who thought he could evade justice.

Patel met with officials in Mexico on Thursday and departed Friday with two detainees, Mexico's Security Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch wrote on X. He noted that the two detainees included a Canadian citizen who surrendered at the US embassy, along with another individual who was on the FBIs most-wanted list and had been detained by Mexican authorities.
US has officially walked away from the World Health Organisation (WHO), but what it left behind are unpaid dues amounting to around $260 million. The move comes one year after President Donald Trump ordered the US to quit the global health body.

The POTUS had signed the order to withdraw from the WHO on the first day of his second term, accusing it of mishandling the Covid pandemic, failing to adopt reforms and a lack of independence from inappropriate political influence.

US exits from WHO  what's at stake? From WHO's loss of its biggest contributor to experts warning of weakened global disease surveillance, US' exit from the global health body has triggered concerns from experts:

 Funding and participation cut: The Department of Health and Human Services said the US has halted all funding to the WHO, recalled American personnel from its offices worldwide, and withdrawn from WHO leadership bodies and working groups, mentioned a report by Bloomberg.

 Loss of largest donor: The exit leaves the WHO without its biggest contributor. Between 2022 and 2023, the US provided nearly $1.3 billion, supporting efforts against diseases such as HIV, polio and Ebola.

 Health risks flagged: Experts warn the withdrawal could weaken global disease surveillance and vaccine preparedness, including the WHOs influenza monitoring system.

What the law says To formally exit from the WHO, the US is required to provide a one year notice and pay off any debts owed, according to a 1948 Congressional resolution, which the WHO confirmed.

The debt totals about $260 million as calculated by the WHO in January 2025.

A senior US department health official, on a call with reporters  however said theres no requirement in statute to settle the debt before exiting the agency, mentioned a report by Bloomberg.

Meanwhile, the organisation is expected to discuss its legal options over the unpaid dues at its May assembly, though it has little power to enforce payment.

How other nations have reacted to US' exit? The move has drawn concern from allies, with the European Union urging Washington to reconsider. Argentina has also announced plans to exit the WHO.
The United States has withdrawn from the World Health Organization, or WHO, freeing itself from its constraints, as President Donald Trump promised on his first day in office. This action responds to the WHOs failures during the COVID-19 pandemic and seeks to rectify the harm from those failures inflicted on the American people, said Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. in a statement.



Like many international organizations, the WHO abandoned its core mission and acted against the interests of the United States. Although the United States was a founding member and the WHOs largest financial contributor, the organization pursued a politicized, bureaucratic agenda driven by nations hostile to American interests.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, the WHO delayed declaring a global public health emergency and a pandemic during the early stages of COVID-19, costing the world critical weeks as the virus spread. During that period, WHO leadership echoed and praised China's response despite evidence of early underreporting, suppression of information and delays in confirming human-to-human transmission. The organization also downplayed asymptomatic transmission risks and failed to promptly acknowledge airborne spread.



Even on our way out of the organization, the WHO tarnished and trashed everything that America has done for it, stated Secretaries Rubio and Kennedy. The WHO refuses to hand over the American flag that hung in front of it, arguing it has not approved our withdrawal and, in fact, claims that we owe it compensation. From our days as its primary founder, primary financial backer, and primary champion until now, our final day, the insults to America continue.



Going forward, U.S. engagement with the WHO will be limited strictly to effectuate our withdrawal and to safeguard the health and safety of the American people, noted Secretaries Rubio and Kennedy. All U.S. funding for, and staffing of, WHO initiatives has ceased.

The United States will continue to lead the world in public health, saving millions of lives and protecting Americans at home by preventing infectious disease threats from reaching our shores while advancing global health security through direct, bilateral, and results-driven partnerships. The U.S. will continue to work with countries and trusted health institutions through a model which delivers real outcomes rather than the bloated and inefficient bureaucracy of the WHO.



With its official withdrawal from WHO, the U.S. will right these injustices and bring an end to the bureaucratic inertia, entrenched paradigms, conflicts of interest, and international politics that have rendered the organization beyond repair, declared Secretaries Rubio and Kennedy.

We will get our flag back for the Americans who died alone in nursing homes, the small businesses devastated by WHO-driven restrictions, and the American lives shattered by this organizations inactivity. Our withdrawal is for them.
News of the US market regulator seeking to send summons in a bribery case directly to Adani Group promoter Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar sent the groups listed stocks tumbling between 3% and 15% on Friday.

Mints calculations show the stocks cumulatively lost nearly a tenth of their value, which translates into a market capitalization loss of over 1.1 trillion.

Shares of Adani Green Energy Ltd, the company which is supposed to have benefited from the alleged bribery, plunged 14.6%. Among other stocks, shares of Adani Energy Solutions ended 12% down, flagship Adani Enterprises Ltd fell 10.7%, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone 7.5%, and Adani Power declined 5.5%. Other Adani Group firms also fell 3-5%.

To be sure, the share price fall comes amidst a wider market selloff, with the benchmark Sensex falling 0.94%.

The market value loss comes just a day before the third anniversary of the publishing of the damning report by now-shuttered American short-seller Hindenburg Research. That report, which alleged financial manipulation at the Adani Group, had resulted in nearly all of the group stocks touching the lower circuit. The Adani Group had denied all allegations made by Hindenburg.

On Thursday, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) asked a federal court for permission to personally email summons to billionaire Gautam Adani and his nephew, Sagar Adani, after the US market regulator claimed that Indias ministry of law and justice rejected its request twice in the last 14 months.

American laws require that the summons and a copy of the complaint be delivered in person to the accused to apprise them of the case against them. The SEC has claimed that since the Adani group chairman has publicly commented on the case and both him and Sagar Adani have also hired law firms to represent them, it can be assumed they are aware of the charges against them. Thus, they are seeking the courts nod to use alternative methods to serve summons to them - via email and through their US counsels.

Gautam Adani has commented publicly on this matter repeatedly, including at Adani Groups June 2025 Annual General Meeting, SECs counsel Christopher M. Colorado wrote in a filing dated 21 January 2026.

Defendants have also retained multiple US law firms who have communicated with the SEC on Defendants behalf during this litigation, he wrote.

Taken together, these facts confirm that Defendants are fully aware of the litigation and are actively managing their response, Colorado wrote. Thus, the service of summons by delivery to the Adanis attorneys and by email directly to them would be fully consistent with due process, he argued.

According to the SEC disclosure, Sagar Adani has hired Hecker Fink LLP, while Gautam Adani has hired both Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP.

Hecker Fink, based in multiple US cities, confirmed its representation to the SEC on 4 December 2024, while Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Quinn Emanuel, both multinational law firms with offices in multiple US cities, informed the SEC about their representation on 28 February 2025.

The three law firms did not immediately respond to Mints request for a comment.

Queries to Indias ministry of law and justice and the Adani Group did not immediately elicit a response.

What lawyers are saying In practical terms, this is a procedural but important step: it would allow the SEC to formally complete service, start the clock for the defendants to enter appearance and respond, and enable the civil enforcement case to move forward on merits, said Ketan Mukhija, partner and co-head for PE & VC at law firm Kochhar & Co., adding that if the defendants ignore the summons, they risk a one-sided judgement.

The immediate implication of this for the Adanis would be increased legal and commercial pressure  they would have to defend themselves in the US court, with potential consequences including financial penalties, restrictions on participation in US securities markets, and reputational and fundraising impact for the group, Mukhija said.

Russel A Stamets, partner at law firm Circle Of Counsels, argued that the SEC request to allow alternative service was simply a show to let the two countries work out how they will handle this sensitive situation involving one of the most important economic actors of India.

While the criminal charges are extremely serious and well-pled, this new move is as much about the current trade dispute as any desire by the Trump administration to re-energize anti-corruption enforcement, Stamets said.

The Trump administration would not leave leverage like this indictment on the table when it can be used to advance US interests, the New Delhi-based lawyer said.

Also Read | Adani order lifts GE Vernovabut it comes at a price

Procedural roadblock The department of legal affairs under the ministry of law and justice twice rejected the SECs request for assistance in serving summons to the Adani kin, citing procedural issues.

The SEC first sought formal assistance through a letter in February 2025, which the ministry returned in April that year, citing the absence of a signature or seal of the serving authority. The SEC responded the same month, stating that under the Hague Convention no such signature or seal is required. However, the ministry again returned the request in December 2025, saying that the SECs own rules do not cover summons in the case pertaining to the Adanis.

These responses demonstrate that further attempts through the Hague Convention are unlikely to succeed and therefore warrant granting leave for alternative service, the SEC said in its court filing.

The Hague Conventionsigned by 90 countries, including India and the United Statesallows legal documents from foreign law enforcement and regulatory agencies to be served on citizens of another country through a designated nodal authority. In India, this role is performed by the Department of Legal Affairs under the Ministry of Law and Justice.

Bribery allegations On 20 November 2024, US prosecutors claimed that $250 million in bribes were paid to unnamed Indian officials in exchange for favourable terms on solar power contracts awarded to Adani Green Energy Ltd and Azure Power Global Ltd, another New Delhi-headquartered firm. The Federal prosecutors indicted a total of eight individuals for allegedly paying more than $250 million in bribes to Indian government officials between 2020 and 2024 to obtain lucrative solar-energy contracts.

According to the indictment, Adani Green Energy Ltd raised $2 billion from American and foreign investors based on false and misleading statements about the firm's anti-corruption and anti-bribery efforts. For this reason, the US Department of Justice (DoJ) opened a criminal investigation, while the SEC is pursuing a civil investigation against Gautam Adani, Sagar Adani and the then Adani Green Energy chief executive Vneet Jaain.

The US indictment of one of India's richest businessmen, Gautam Adani, whose net worth totalled $59.9 billion as of 23 January according to Forbes rich index list, is one of the most high-profile cases in recent years.

Ahmedabad-based Adani conglomerate counts 13 listed companies, including ACC Ltd and Orient Cement, which are soon to be merged into Ambuja Cements Ltd.

The Adani Group denied the allegations, calling them baseless and reaffirming its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of governance and compliance.The allegations made by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission against directors of Adani Green are baseless and denied, the Adani Group said in a statement in November 2024.

The Adani Group has always upheld and is steadfastly committed to maintaining the highest standards of governance, transparency and regulatory compliance across all jurisdictions of its operations. We assure our stakeholders, partners and employees that we are a law-abiding organisation, fully compliant with all laws.

Frosty bilateral relations The SEC filing comes at a time when the bilateral relationship between India and the US has turned frosty due to diverging national interests and US imposition of steep tariffs on Indian goods.

The US wants India to stop buying Russian oil, which it claims is funding the countrys war with Ukraine. Meanwhile, India wants the US, its largest export partner, to remove the recently-imposed 50% tariffs.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Britains Prince Harry slammed President Donald Trump's claims suggesting that NATO troops did not serve on the front line in Afghanistan.

Under NATOs founding treaty, member countries are committed to a collective-defense obligation, outlined in Article 5, which considers an attack on one member as an attack on all. This clause has been invoked only once, following the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington, when NATO allies pledged their support for the United States, according to Reuters. Throughout much of Afghanistan conflict, the US-led forces operated under NATO command.

Trump's remarks insulting and frankly appalling, says Starmer "I consider President Trump's remarks to be insulting and frankly appalling, and I'm not surprised they've caused such hurt for the loved ones of those who were killed or injured," Starmer mentioned.

When questioned about whether he would seek an apology from the US president, Starmer responded that he would certainly apologise if he himself had made such remarks, the report noted.

Prince Harry reacts Prince Harry stated that the sacrifices made by NATO forces in the conflict deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect", as per AFP. In a statement issued on Friday, Prince Harry stated, I served there. I made lifelong friends there. And I lost friends there. The United Kingdom alone had 457 service personnel killed.

Also Read | Greenland PM Open to Permanent NATO Mission on Arctic Island

Prince Harry, who served two tours in Afghanistan with the British Army and lost friends during his deployments, reflected on the lasting impact of the conflict, noting that thousands of lives were permanently affected. He emphasised the grief endured by families, with parents burying children, children losing parents, and families bearing the enduring consequences of the war, reported PTI.

What did Trump say? Trump stated that he was uncertain whether NATO would come to the United States aid if requested, sparking outrage and concern across the United Kingdom on Friday, regardless of political affiliation.

We've never needed them, we have never really asked anything of them. You know, they'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan, or this or that, and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines," Trump stated about non-US troops in an interview with Fox News in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday.
Ukrainian, Russian, and United States envoys held talks in the United Arab Emirates on Friday. The meeting comes amid a surge of diplomatic engagement in recent days, with talks taking place in locations ranging from Switzerland to the Kremlin, even as major challenges continue to stand in the way of a resolution.

The talks are expected to wrap up on Saturday.

The United States has confirmed that Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are taking part in the talks. Ukraines delegation includes Rustem Umerov, head of the countrys national security and defense council; Andrii Hnatov, chief of the general staff; and Kyrylo Budanov, head of the presidential office.

Russian President Vladimir Putins foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, stated Russias delegation is being led by Adm. Igor Kostyukov, the head of military intelligence. The Kremlin later stated that other members of the delegation are also from the Defense Ministry, though no further details were provided. Putins envoy Kirill Dmitriev is also attending the meeting.

Why talks are important This marks the first known occasion that officials from the Donald Trump administration have met with envoys from both countries as part of Washingtons effort to advance discussions aimed at ending Moscows nearly four-year invasion. While Russian and Ukrainian representatives have met on multiple occasions in separate discussions, this is believed to be the first time US envoys are also participating, a notable development as Trump continues to push for an end to the war, according to AP.

The discussions stem from a recent wave of diplomatic efforts, even as Russia has continued its attacks on Ukraine and its energy infrastructure, leaving parts of the country without electricity during a bitterly cold winter.

Although Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday that a possible peace agreement was nearly ready", several key and sensitive issues, particularly those involving territorial disputes, remain unsettled.

What is expected to be discussed? Zelensky mentioned the sensitive question of territorial concessions is expected to be discussed, while the Kremlin provided limited information, describing the gathering only as a working group on security issues". Kremlin officials also said separate economic talks will be held between Witkoff and Dmitriev.

Both sides have suggested that any potential peace agreement depends on the still-unresolved matter of territory. In a WhatsApp chat with journalists on Friday, Zelensky stated the question of who would control the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine is key".

Ukrainian officials stated that a first round of talks between US, Russian, and Ukrainian negotiators in Abu Dhabi concluded on Friday evening, with further discussions set for Saturday.
Weeks ahead of the national elections in Bangladesh, the nation's ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina launched a scathing attack on the interim chief, Muhammad Yunus. Labelling him as an usurer, a money launderer, a plunderer, and a corrupt, power-hungry traitor, Hasina alleged Yunus has bled Bangladesh dry with his all-consuming paradigms, staining the soul of the motherland.

In her speech from Delhi, Sheikh Hasina said that the entire nation must rise united and "galvanized by the spirit of our great Liberation War in this grave hour".

She made the comments in an audio message played at the Foreign Correspondents Club of South Asia in New Delhi, on Friday, 23 January.

When elections will be held in Bangladesh? Bangladesh is set to undergo parliamentary elections on February 12, 2026.

Last year, in May, the Bangladesh Election Commission suspended the registration of the Hasina-led Awami League as a party. The Interim Government has also banned all activities by the Awami League.

During her speech on Friday, Sheikh Hasina alleged that since August 5, 2024, when she was forced out of Bangladesh, democracy had effectively been driven into exile.

Bangladesh stands today at the edge of an abyss, a nation battered and bleeding, navigating one of the most perilous chapters in its history, said Hasina.

Hasina was removed from power in August 2024 amid widespread protests, after which an interim government headed by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus took charge.

The homeland won through the supreme Liberation War under the leadership of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, is now ravaged by the monstrous onslaught of extremist communal forces and foreign perpetrators. Our once serene and fertile land has been reduced to a wounded, blood-soaked landscape. In truth, the entire country has become a vast prison, an execution ground, a valley of death, said the ousted PM.

Bangladesh kicks off election campaign On Thursday, 22 January, campaigning began for Bangladesh's elections. The polls would be the first since the 2024 uprising ended the autocratic rule of Sheikh Hasina.

Campaigning for the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election formally kicked off following the allocation of election symbols and confirmation of final candidates, marking the start of full-scale political activity ahead of the voting next month.
US President Donald Trump has withdrawn his Board of Peace invitation to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Trump announced the withdrawal of the invitation on his Truth Social platform as he was returning from the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.

Dear Prime Minister Carney: Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canadas joining, what will be, the most prestigious Board of Leaders ever assembled, at any time, the US President wrote.

Trump, however, did not provide any reason behind the withdrawal of the invitation to Carney.

Notably, the withdrawal of the invitation comes after Carney's explosive speech at the WEF, wherein he warned of a rupture of the rules-based international order, alluding to Trump without naming him.

Earlier on Thursday, Trump had expressed his displeasure at Carney's words and had slammed the Canadian PM for being ungrateful to the US, saying, Canada gets a lot of freebies from us, by the way. They should be grateful also, but theyre not. I watched your prime minister yesterday. He wasnt so grateful.

Trump on Thursday unveiled his Board of Peace in Davos with representatives of 19 countries present.

What had Carney said? Carney, in his speech at the WEF, had labelled the rules-based global order as a fiction, asserting that great powers excused themselves from the very rules others were expected to follow.

The Canadian PM had also spoken about how American hegemony, at a time, had been useful for free trade and collective security, but had declared, This bargain no longer works. Let me be direct. We are in the midst of a rupture, not a transition.

More recently, great powers have begun using economic integration as weapons, tariffs as leverage, financial infrastructure as coercion, supply chains as vulnerabilities to be exploited, Carney had said in his speech in Davos, which received a standing ovation.

You cannot live within the lie of mutual benefit through integration, when integration becomes the source of your subordination, the Canadian PM had asserted, albeit without naming anyone.

What is the status of the Board of Peace now? While Trump has claimed that 59 countries have signed on to his Board of Peace, which has a $1 billion buy-in, representatives from only 19 countries were present during his unveiling of the Board in Davos.

Countries that have accepted Trump's invite are Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Bulgaria, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Mongolia, Morocco, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.

Cambodia, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Paraguay, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, and Ukraine have remained non-committal despite receiving invites, as has India, with New Delhi remaining absent from Trump's Davos presser.
US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the United States has a "massive" armada headed toward Iran  but that maybe we wont have to use it  as he remained coy about his intentions.

Speaking aboard Air Force One on his way back to the United States after addressing world leaders at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, Trump said, We have a lot of ships going that direction. We have a big flotilla going in that direction, and we'll see what happens.

We have a big force going toward Iran. I'd rather not see anything happen, but were watching them very closely. We have an armada. We have a massive - massively heading in that direction. And maybe we wont have to use it. We will see, Trump said.

His statement came after the commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned Washington Thursday that the force had its "finger on the trigger" in the wake of mass protests.

Iran protests A fortnight of protests starting in late December shook Iran's leadership under Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

According to AFP, the prospect of immediate American action against Tehran appears to have receded, with both sides insisting on giving diplomacy a chance.

On his way back from Davos, Trump told reporters on Air Force One the United States was sending a "massive fleet" toward Iran just in case.

Also Read | Trump says Iran assassination attempt would trigger total US retaliation

"I'd rather not see anything happen but we're watching them very closely," he added.

In a standoff marked by seesawing rhetoric, Trump had on Tuesday warned Iran's leaders the United States would "wipe them off the face of this Earth" if there was any attack on his life in response to a strike targeting Khamenei.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in a speech on Thursday, accused the US and Israel of stoking the protests as a "cowardly revenge... for the defeat in the 12-Day War".

Trump has repeatedly warned of new military action against Iran after Washington backed and joined Israel's 12-day war in June aimed at degrading Iranian nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

Giving their first official toll from the recent protests, Iranian authorities on Wednesday said 3,117 people were killed.

The statement from Iran's foundation for martyrs and veterans sought to draw a distinction between "martyrs", members of security forces or innocent bystanders, and what it called US-backed "rioters".

Of its toll of 3,117, it said 2,427 people were "martyrs".
Better late than never: One year into the second presidency of Donald Trump, the world has reached an inflection point, as Canadas prime minister, Mark Carney, made explicit in his speech at an economic summit in Davos. Having tried and failed to appease Trumps imperialist bullying, middle powers such as his own country must and will instead act together, because if were not at the table, were on the menu."

Acting together, Carney said, will take the form of variable geometries." Countries, whether traditional friends or foes of the United States, may form ad hoc coalitions to pursue specific interests, trade pacts to replace commercial links to the US that Trump has damaged or severed, cooperation in new or existing multilateral forums or even new military alliances.

This reaction to Trumpism is exactly what international-relations theory predicted. In the 1980s, the realist scholar Stephen Walt, nowadays at the Harvard Kennedy School, formulated the balance of threat hypothesis of world affairs. It said that states tend to form alliances to counter countries that are simultaneously mighty and hostile.

At the time, Walts insight addressed a shortcoming in conventional wisdom, which stipulated that a balance of power was the default tendency in world politics. That theory fit the 19th century, for example.

The problem was that it couldnt explain the Cold War, when one of the superpowers, the United States, attracted rather than repelled many middle and small powers, with no counterbalancing to speak of. The dissonance became even starker after the Cold War, when the US became a hyperpower and still kept adding allies, totaling about 70.

What made the US historically unusual, of course, is that for about eight decades it was a controversial but largely benevolent hegemon of the international system, one that provided global public goods such as open trade, international law and a modicum of order. To countries from Canada to Denmark and South Korea, America looked powerful but protective rather than threatening.

Trump, as you may have noticed, flipped that stance into powerful and menacing. Not only is he fond of what Jake Sullivan and Jon Finer, the top national security advisors to Trumps predecessor, call flamboyant violence"force for show rather than long-term strategic advantage, as in Venezuela recently. Trump also threatens middle powers that are close allies, such as Canada and Danish Greenland, with annexationeven if this week he seemed to tone down his tariff assault against Europe over Greenland.

Also Read | Trumps power play risks global blowback

The enigma of the past year was that this new phenomenon of an aggressive America did not cause a balance of threat. Aside from the autocrats of China and Russia, who either stared Trump down or strung him along, most leaders from Europe to the Middle East and Asia tried to flatter and kowtow to the American president. Theyve gifted him golden crowns, luxury jets and crypto deals; nominated him for a Nobel Peace Prize; or simply fawned as though trying to win an Oscar. The leader of Nato went so far as to call Trump daddy."

I asked Walt whether he was surprised that his balance-of-threat theory didnt kick in for a while. Not really, he told me, because reacting against the US as a threat is costly," and the countries that Trump has offended or economically harassed are numerous enough to pose a collective-action problem." Its only now dawning on allies that accommodation isnt working" because Trump is a predatory hegemon," and there is no such thing as a lasting deal with a predatory hegemon."

Now, though, the penny has dropped and the rebalancing has begun. Some countries are forming new security pacts, as Saudi Arabia and Pakistan recently did. The European Union and Mercosur, a South American trade bloc, accelerated talks about a mega-deal after decades of being stuck.

India, whose leader used to be chummy with Trump, is warming up ties to China and others. And a whole succession of leaders from countries that are nominally still American alliesBritain, Germany, South Koreaare wooing rather than shunning Beijing to deepen economic cooperation.

Carneys Canada is a good example. He has been opening commercial and diplomatic doors from Europe to India. He even visited China, after a brief ice age in bilateral relations since 2018 (when Canada arrested a Chinese executive who was wanted in the US and China retaliated by detaining two Canadians). Now Beijing and Ottawa have a strategic partnership." The goal, Carney has said, is to wean Canada from its big American neighbour.

The hardest and slowest threat balancing is the military sort, because Americas preponderance in hard power is so overwhelming. I dont see a non-US Nato forming an alliance with China," Walt told me. But as countries in Europe and Asia re-arm, they may start thinking twice about buying their kit from the Americans, and may even consider building their own nuclear arsenals now that the US umbrella seems leaky.

America First will sooner or later become America Alone, I predicted about a year ago. The world, after trying in vain to placate its predatory hegemon, now seems to have started the hard work of rebalancing. Bloomberg
As the alliances political leaders worked this week to defuse the most serious trans-Atlantic political crisis in decadesover President Trumps demand that Denmark cede control of Greenlandtop brass and troops from the 32 militaries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization fought to avoid the distraction of current events.

At a NATO gathering early this week, a senior official began by telling attendees thatdespite the political dramanothing had changed for them, according to a military officer who attended. The message was echoed across briefings and conversations over recent days, say people across the NATO.

Staying focused is vital, say senior officers, because militaries are like emergency services and must be ready to respond immediately to dangers. NATO, with a collective population of roughly one billion, covers territory from Alaska to the Black Sea, and commanders drill constantly so that they can fight tonight," as they put it.

For people linked to the alliance, tuning out the news so directly connected to their work has been difficult at times. Trump, in his address Wednesday at Davos, lashed out at NATO, which was founded by the U.S. in 1949, and at its European members.

The United States is treated very unfairly by NATO," Trump said. What we have gotten out of NATO is nothing, except to protect Europe from the Soviet Union and now Russia. I mean, weve helped them for so many years, weve never gotten anything."

NATO defenders note that the only time the alliances mutual-defense pact was triggered was to support the U.S. after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and say that the U.S. has gained from having a large group of allies.

In a sign of NATOs approach, which several people at alliance headquarters this week summarized as keep calm and carry on," its committee of national military leaders began their regular meeting on Wednesday around the time Trump spoke in Davosand tuned it out, according to attendees.

We of course are aware of the political discussions that are going on, but there was never a military dimension to those discussions that made its way to us," said U.S. Air Force Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, NATOs top military commander, after the committee meeting.

The military group meets every three months, including a September gathering that rotates among member countries. This year, by chance, that gathering will take place in Denmark, following a decision announced last September and not at all linked to recent events, say officials.

Committee Chairman Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, an Italian admiral who is the top military adviser to NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, said this weeks two-day meeting was totally uneventful" in relation to Greenland.

Because war and conflict can be wildly unpredictable, NATOand most military organizationstry to make most of their work as routine as possible. Operations are scheduled months in advance, largely because bringing together forces from many countries entails complex planning and logistics.

Over recent days, NATO and member countries have announced or promoted coming exercises, including several across the Arctic region. Norway on Friday posted details of its Cold Response maneuvers in March, billed as its largest of the year, led by a Norwegian-U. S. headquarters near the Arctic city of Bodo, Norway.

Aimed at improving how allied troops cooperate in punishing High North conditions, the exercise will bring together some 25,000 soldiers from 14 alliance countries including the U.S., Canada and Denmark, as well as Spain and Turkey, according to the Norwegian defense ministry.

On Wednesday, a NATO command center in the Netherlands held a briefing on the coming Steadfast Dart maneuvers, described as NATOs most extensive and visible military exercise of 2026." It is spread across Central Europe and includes mainly European militaries, who intend to test the integration of land, air maritime, space, cyber and special-operations forces, NATO said.

Uniformed staff arent alone in trying to block out news. In parallel to NATOs military command is a civilian bureaucracy, supplemented by 32 national embassies. Several resident diplomats said over recent days that it felt odd to work inside the headquarters bubble," continuing ongoing work while knowing about disputes linked to NATO are raging in Davos, across the Atlantic and on social media.

To officers and diplomats who worked through past moments of tension, including disputes over the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, todays disputes look familiar, if more intense.

Despite the political noise, NATO is continuing to deliver the deterrence required by one billion people," said Robbie Boyd, a retired British brigadier who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, among other locations, and at NATO headquarters on the military committee. Its a credit to all the staff that the political noise isnt preventing them from doing their job."

Write to Daniel Michaels at Dan.Michaels@wsj.com
By Heather Schlitz and Jonathan Allen

MINNEOLIS, - Scores of businesses across Minnesota were closing up for the day on Friday in what religious leaders and labor unions describe as a general strike to protest U.S. President Donald Trump's deployment of thousands of immigration enforcement officers on the streets of Minneapolis.

"ICE OUT!" was the message of fliers posted on businesses' doors, referring to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency on Friday, a frigid day in snowy Minneapolis with temperatures well below freezing. "NO WORK. NO SCHOOL. NO SHOPPING."

Across the state, bars, restaurants, museums, shops and other local businesses were shuttering for the day. Many workers in Minneapolis planned to join a march in the afternoon, intended by organizers to be the largest display of opposition yet to the federal government's surge, which Mayor Jacob Frey and other Democrats have likened to an invasion.

Miguel Hernandez, a community organizer who closed his business, Lito's Bakery in Minneapolis for the day, put on four layers, wool socks and a parka before heading out to protest.

"If this were any other time, no one would've gone out," he said, bracing for the weather. "For us, it's a message of solidarity with our community, that we see the pain and misery that's going on in the streets, and it's a message to our politicians that they have to do more than grandstand on the news."

No school districts were shutting down, but schools in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul offered remote-learning options, the Minnesota Star Tribune reported.

MARCH FOLLOWS ANGRY STREET CONFRONTATIONS

Trump, a Republican, launched the Minnesota crackdown in response to fraud allegations against some members of the state's large community of people of Somali origin. He has called Somali immigrants "garbage" and said they are to be removed from the country as part of his effort to expel more immigrants, including some admitted into the country to seek asylum and other lawful residents, than any of his predecessors.

Minnesota residents have responded with anger, making noise in the streets day and night with whistles and musical instruments. Some agents and protesters have yelled obscenities at each other, and agents have deployed tear gas and flash-bang grenades to scatter crowds. The Trump administration says some protesters have harassed agents and obstructed their work.

Senior Trump administration officials have gone to Minneapolis to defend ICE, with Vice President JD Vance telling reporters during his Thursday visit the administration is "doing everything we can to lower the temperature."

Patty O'Keefe, a 36-year-old nonprofit worker, said she would be among those willing to join Friday's march and "expose ourselves to the elements to demonstrate the level of anger and frustration that we have."

"We continue to be under siege from the federal government, and it feels like we need to do more because our normal forms of protest and resistance have shown to not be enough yet to really send a strong enough message to Trump," she said.

The numerous Fortune 500 companies that call Minnesota home - mostly based in the Minneapolis area - have refrained from public statements about the immigration raids. Minneapolis-based Target, which has come under fire in the last year for retreating from its public commitment to diversity policies, has faced more criticism for not speaking out about activity at its stores. State lawmakers have pressed the company for details of its guidance to employees if and when ICE officers show up at stores.

The company declined a request for comment. Reuters also contacted Minnesota-based UnitedHealth, Medtronic, Abbott Laboratories, Best Buy, Hormel, General Mills, 3M and Fastenal. None immediately responded to requests for comment.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reiterated her claim that at least three to four people are dying by suicide every day in the state due to anxiety over the ongoing SIR exercise.

The special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is underway in the state ahead of the assembly polls.

Addressing a programme at Red Road in Kolkata on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Subhas Chandra Bose on Friday, Banerjee asserted that the Election Commission and the central government must take responsibility for the deaths.

More than 110 people have already died; every day, three to four people are dying by suicide out of SIR anxiety, she said.

Also Read | JEE Main 2026 exam date modified for West Bengal: Mamata Banerjee takes credit

She also accused the BJP of conspiring against Bengal, claiming that icons of the country like Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore, Bose and B R Ambedkar were being insulted.

Banerjee also made the same claim on Thursday while inaugurating the 49th International Kolkata Book Fair.

Her 162nd book, a compilation of 26 poems on the agony people face due to the SIR exercise, was also released at the fair.

She claimed that scores of people, including elderly ones, have to line up at SIR camps for hearing, and wait for five to six hours in the open every day.

Citing logical discrepancies, they (EC) are picking up issues like surnames of Bengalis which had been known and accepted for years, the chief minister said.

I am known as both Mamata Banerjee and Mamata Bandyopadhyay. In the same way, Chatterjee and Chattopadhyay are the same surname. Thakur also came to be known as Tagore during British rule, she said, adding that had Rabindranath Tagore been around, he probably would have faced the same situation now.

Mamata Banerjee also noted that parents with multiple children are being asked to explain their age gaps, saying that elderly people are being asked to provide proof of birth.

Our mothers cannot tell us their exact date of birth. Even (former Prime Minister Atal Bihari) Vajpayee ji had told me that 25 December is not his real birthday. I have Madhyamik papers to specify my date of birth. But there are many in the earlier generations who might not have it. Why harass them? she said.
UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- UN humanitarians said Thursday that they are deeply alarmed by the growing impact of drone attacks in Sudan's North Kordofan state, which are endangering civilians and further choking aid access.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that multiple drone strikes were reported on Tuesday in the villages of Rehaid Al Nuba, Al-Shaatout and Um Andaraba, about 100 km southeast of El Obeid, along a critical logistics corridor, threatening eastern supply lines to the capital.

The village of Wadi Al-Hout, about 30 km north of El Obeid, was also reported to have been hit on the same day, highlighting the increasing frequency and geographic spread of the aerial attacks across North Kordofan.

There was no word on who carried out the aerial raids.

Continued insecurity is placing civilians at heightened risk and further restricting the movement of humanitarian supplies. All parties must protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and ensure rapid, safe, unhindered and sustained humanitarian access, said OCHA.

In North Darfur state, the United Nations and humanitarian partners reported severe shortfalls in food assistance for newly arrived, displaced families in Daba Naira camp, highlighting the need to scale up food distribution urgently, said the office.

The World Food Programme reported that despite severe access and funding constraints, it reached 3.6 million people last month, including 1.7 million in Darfur. However, it warned that by the end of March, it will have exhausted its food stocks in Sudan and requires 700 million U.S. dollars to sustain life-saving operations through June.

OCHA said the crisis is also deepening for children as Save the Children reported that more than 8 million children across Sudan have been out of classrooms for about 500 days.

OCHA said that in North Darfur, only 3 percent of more than 1,100 schools remain open, while schools in West Kordofan, South Darfur and West Darfur states are operating at just 15 percent to 27 percent capacity, citing data from aid partners.

"Months of unpaid salaries have eroded teacher morale, forcing some to abandon their posts," OCHA said. "Without urgent funding to pay teachers, rehabilitate learning spaces and provide essential supplies, Sudan's education system risks collapse."

OCHA urged donors to step up support, adding that the United Nations and its partners are calling for 2.9 billion dollars to reach more than 20 million people who need assistance.

Editor: Xiong Jian
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Friday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), alleging that the poll-bound state is bearing the brunt of the Union government's betrayals.

CM Stalins strong reaction came on Friday over Prime Minister Narendra Modis social media post in which he said the people of Tamil Nadu have decided to bid farewell to the corrupt DMK government in the upcoming assembly election.

PM Modi will visit Maduranthakam near Chennai to kick-start the poll campaign for the NDA in Tamil Nadu. In the post on X, PM Modi said the NDAs governance record and commitment to regional aspirations were striking a chord with the people of the state.

Tamil Nadu is with NDA. Ill be joining NDA leaders at the rally in Maduranthakam later today. Tamil Nadu has decided that its time to bid farewell to the corrupt DMK government. The NDAs governance record and commitment to regional aspirations are striking a chord with the people of the state, the Prime Minister said.

Stalin lashed out at the Prime Minister, saying PM Modi chose to visit the state only at election time.

Tamil Nadu counts the betrayals of NDA. Prime Minister Modi comes to Tamil Nadu only when the election season comes, the CM said in a post on X.

Stalin sought to know from the Prime Minister when the state will receive the 3,458 crore Samagra Shiksha education fund due, when the promise that Tamil Nadu's constituencies will not be reduced in the delimitation exercise will be announced, and when the "anarchy" of the Governor, who acts as an agent of the BJP, will be addressed.

The chief minister also questioned the prime minister on Tamil-specific financial allocations from the Centre to promote the language, when the rural employment scheme MGNREGA will be restored, when the AIIMS project will come up in Madurai, and on other projects pending financial allocation.

Tamil Nadu will always defeat the BJP alliance that continues to commit only betrayals, Stalin said.

Tamil Nadu will always defeat the BJP alliance that continues to commit only betrayals.

PM Modi will launch the NDA's election campaign for the Assembly election for Tamil Nadu at Maduranthakam on Friday.

NDA leaders, including the major constituent, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, will participate in the mega poll rally in which Modi is likely to set the tone and tenor for a high-decibel campaign against the ruling DMK dispensation in the state.
Google has announced that it is bringing Personal Intelligence to AI Mode in Google Search, just days after it launched the feature inside the Gemini app. The tech giant says that Personal Intelligence in AI Mode will be able to tap into the personal context of the user and unlock insights to give more helpful search results.

In practice, this means that AI Mode can now connect to Gmail and Google Photos while searching for a query to give personalized responses.

Google gave an example of how AI Mode can help find new recommendations while shopping, based on the shopping history.

Robby Stein, VP of Product, Google Search, in a blogpost wrote, I was looking for a new pair of sneakers, and AI Mode noticed a brand Id just bought and suggested a new style I hadnt seen yet. The recommendation was spot on  I bought them instantly!

In another example, the company explained how AI Mode can help plan a travel itinerary by referencing travel bookings in Gmail and travel memories in Google Photos to give personalized recommendations for each person.

Say youre looking for things to do and places to eat that the whole family would enjoy ahead of your upcoming getaway. With Personal Intelligence, AI Mode can reference your hotel booking in Gmail and travel memories in Google Photos, to suggest an itinerary with something for everyone, Google explained.

Youll see tailored recommendations like an interactive museum perfect for the kids or an old-timey ice cream parlor, because it recalls the many ice-cream selfies captured in your pictures. Its not just a generic list of restaurants and activities; its a personalized starting point for your next great weekend, the company added.

Personal Intelligence in AI Mode: What you need to know The good news is Personal Intelligence is an opt-in feature, meaning users will have to connect Gmail and Google Photos to Search if they want AI Mode to give these personalized responses.

Personal Intelligence in AI Mode is rolling out via Search Labs to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the US. The feature is only available for personal Google accounts and not for Workspace business, enterprise or education users.
OTTAWA, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's claim that Canada relies on the United States for its existence.

Speaking in Quebec City, Carney emphasized Ottawa's sovereignty and addressed Trump's comments after returning from Switzerland without meeting with the U.S. president.

On Wednesday, Trump said at the World Economic Forum in Davos that "Canada lives because of the United States."

"Canada and the United States have built a remarkable partnership. In the economy, in security and in rich cultural exchange," Carney said. "But Canada doesn't live because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadian."

Editor: Xiong Jian
A Midlands cattle farmer who imported almost three-quarters of a million euros of cannabis into the State has argued that his solicitor failed to recognise the importance of garda evidence that he claims should not have been given to the jury in his trial.

Defence barristers claim that evidence introduced by the prosecution suggested to the jury from the very start of the trial that Martin Murray (60) was the target of a garda operation.

However, State barristers submitted to the Court of Appeal that this evidence was introduced during the trial by agreement with Murrays solicitor, who ran the case without any attending barristers.

Also read: Disqualified Longford driver covered face as he tried to evade gardai

The trial in 2023 heard that Murray, of Crumlin Little, Moneygall was stopped driving on the M7 on June 30, 2017.

The truck he was driving was brought to Dublin Port, where holes were drilled into steel rollers and a camera inserted, revealing 73 packages of cannabis with a value of 730,000. A vacuum-packed bag containing 6,000 in cash was also found.

Analysis of sat-nav and tachograph equipment revealed the truck had travelled from Moneygall to Rosslare and across to Breda in the Netherlands via the UK, before returning to Ireland through England and Scotland.

Murray, who owns a dairy farm in Moneygall, claimed he didnt know the drugs were onboard and pleaded not guilty when he appeared before Tullamore Circuit Court.

A jury did not accept his defence and found him guilty of the importation of a controlled drug in excess of 13,000 and having drugs for sale or supply.

In December 2023, Murray was sentenced by Judge Keenan Johnson to ten years in prison, with the final two years suspended.

Also read: Five Edgeworthstown men accused of violent disorder to stand trial at Longford Circuit Court

In launching an appeal against this conviction last June, defence barristers said that State prosecutors should not have included in their opening speech a reference to the gardai confirming that they knew there would be drugs in the truck driven by Murray, who was identified as the target of the garda operation.

Barristers for the State, however, said that Murrays solicitor gave permission for this information to be given.

Representing Murray, Michael Bowman SC said that the appellant had been represented at his trial by a solicitor, with a senior and junior counsel initially retained before the senior counsel asked to come off record.

Mr Bowman said that as the trial proceeded, confidential information was introduced that should not have been.

He said that Murray's solicitor had candidly acknowledged that he did not comprehend the significance of what was put before the jury, as he should have been paying more attention to the prosecutions opening speech.

Counsel said that there had been no need for the level of detail given by the prosecution, as their opening speech had included a reference to the gardai confirming that they knew there would be drugs in the truck and identifying Murray as the target of the operation.

Counsel for the State, Kevin White BL said that the defence solicitor at the trial had said at the time that he had the authority to run this case, and a jury was empanelled.

Also read: Cheap house in Longford has big potential due to hidden feature out the back

Mr White said that the prosecution raised with the solicitor the fact that there was going to be evidence given that his clients vehicle was under surveillance.

I showed him the various portions of the statements, and I was given permission to run that, said Mr White.

Mr White said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) was of the view that factual matters had not been fully addressed in terms of the affidavits before the court, so more time was needed to do that. The matter was then adjourned in June.

At the Court of Appeal on Wednesday, Mr Bowman said that the defence solicitor had sworn he was privy to conversations with Mr White and he had used his best endeavours to represent Murray during the trial. He said that the solicitor had indicated in his affidavit how he had missed the import of the material that was led in evidence during the trial.

Counsel said that a discussion took place between the prosecution and the defence before the commencement of the trial, but it was now a matter for the Court of Appeal to decide to what extent it was agreed that the evidence was to be led.

Counsel for the DPP, John Berry SC said that solicitors often discuss matters outside the court, before each side gets to present its evidence and test it.

Just because we have that system, doesnt mean we have pure equality, said Mr Berry, adding that baked into our system is a huge information asymmetry.

Counsel said that the prosecution does not know the defence case and the defence is under no obligation to disclose the case in advance, so when a prosecution lawyer is speaking to a defence lawyer before a trial, they do not know what the defence case is.

It is unfair to place the burden on the prosecution lawyer that they act as a mudguard for the defence case. It can assist to have material that at first blush may appear prejudicial but may assist you as a defence counsel, he said.

Mr Berry said that Mr White indicated he had permission to lead the evidence during the trial, but it was not for him to second guess this agreement. During the trial, gardai gave evidence that they had information that Murray was involved in drugs, identifying his name and date of birth.

Mr Berry told the court that in the defences closing speech at the end of the trial, the solicitor said that there was a lot of information available to the gardai at all times here, which Mr Berry argued was the solicitor explicitly referring to elements of confidential information that he later claimed he wanted omitted.

Mr Berry said that this evidence equally runs through the defence case as though it were raspberry writing in a stick of rock.

How was Mr White supposed to second guess that this wasnt supposed to be in? asked Mr Berry.

He went on to say that there was an agreement between the parties that some information was to be led, before a dispute arose as to the extent of that. Counsel went on to ask that when one looked at the information led, could that information be said to be so prejudicial as to warrant the Court of Appeal quashing the conviction.

In response, Mr Bowman said that the prosecution sought to introduce this evidence for a specific reason, so they must take ownership of the introduction of this material.

He said that the jury could have wondered how the gardai could know about the drugs on the truck while Murray did not know, meaning the jury heard from the start that Murray was the target of the operation.

Ms Justice Tara Burns said that there either was an agreement between the parties for this evidence to be led or there was not. She pointed out that no requisition was made by the defence team to the judge on this matter during the trial, which suggested there was an agreement between the parties for the introduction of the evidence.

There was clearly some reason why the solicitor agreed for it to go in, it must have been some benefit to (the defence) side, she said.

Mr Bowman replied that if the evidence was being put in for a purpose, that needed to be explained by the prosecution. He restated his argument that the evidence as led by the prosecution made it clear to the jury that Murray was the target of the garda operation, not the vehicle that was stopped.

Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, presiding over the three-judge Court of Appeal, said the court would reserve judgement in the case and the matter was adjourned.
Use the Arrows < > above to go through the gallery

County Longfords tourism sector has entered a bold new era with the launch of the revitalised Longford Tourism Network.

Caption: Longford Community Safety Coordinator Janine Bartley, Just Transition Tourism Activator Colm Croffy, Tourism Officer Denise Canavan, Deputy Micheal Carrigy, Joan Mulvihill, Head of Local Enterprise Michael Nevin and Night Time Economy Advisor Karen Reilly Pictures by: Shelley Corcoran

This collaborative initiative unites public bodies, private operators, community groups, and Just Transition projects to deliver a sustainable, community-led vision for tourism growth.

The official launch, held in the Crypt of St Mels Cathedral, welcomed over 80 tourism and hospitality operators, community attraction teams, and industry stakeholders.

The event marked the culmination of months of research, consultation, and planning by the Tourism Office team, Longford County Council, and the County Tourism Committee, chaired by Deputy Micheal Carrigy.

Supported by Irelands Hidden Heartlands and Longford County Council, the network aims to position Longford as a distinctive destination rooted in heritage, culture, and natural beauty.

The event was moderated by consultant and artist Joan Mulvihill from Ballymahon who offered entertaining and valuable insights into how Longford is perceived at national and international level.

Contributions were also made by the Chair of Longford Tourism, Longford Tourism Officer, Longford Just Transition Tourism Activator, Longfords Night-Time Economy Advisor and the Enterprise Engagement Coordinator of Longford Westmeath Education and Training Board.

Tourism Officer Denise Canavan reminded the audience that at the heart of the new strategy is a commitment to sustainability  economic, environmental and social  supporting rural communities to thrive through realistic, long-term tourism development. Longfords rich and often untold story forms the backbone of this vision, from ancient archaeological sites older than the Egyptian pyramids, to revolutionary history, Celtic mythology, literary heritage and iconic love stories, all set within an unspoilt and undiscovered landscape.

Just Transition Tourism Activator Colm Croffy highlighted how the network can develop and grow to bring more revenue for trade and hospitality operators as well as visibility to the county.

Night Time Economy Advisor Karen Reilly detailed some of the pioneering pilot work being undertaken to animate after dark offerings in Longford Town.

LWETB Enterprise Engagement Coordinator Alison Hogan outlined the benefits to employees and management of undertaking the highly acclaimed Skills to Advance - Elevated Customer Experience Training. Longford Tourism is partnering with LWETB to provide free access to hospitality and visitor businesses.

The Network has also confirmed that over 14 million is to be invested in new tourism related projects across the county over the next 30 months, combining public funding and privately matched investment. This includes allocations through the Town and Village Regeneration Scheme, private and community project supports, and major developments such as Connolly Barracks and the former Post Office site in Longford Town. These investments will significantly enhance visitor facilities and experiences across the county.

Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council, Cllr Garry Murtagh said, This is a proud moment for Longford. The Tourism Network reflects our shared ambition to create a vibrant, sustainable tourism sector that benefits every community. By working together, we can showcase Longfords unique heritage and natural beauty to visitors from near and far.

Chief Executive of Longford County Council, Paddy Mahon said, Tourism is a cornerstone of economic and social development in Longford. The 14 million investment, combined with strong partnerships and community-led initiatives, will transform our visitor experience and strengthen the countys position as a must-visit destination.

Strategic partnerships are already delivering results. Longfords collaboration with Visit Westmeath has secured its position as one of just seven Home of Halloween Hubs nationally for the next three years, while a strong calendar of cultural events  including Culture Night, Longford Lights Festival, Christmas Markets and St Patricks celebrations in 2025 helped animate the destination over the course of the year to date.

A key milestone announced was the establishment of a Community-Led Visitor Facilities Group, bringing together five flagship community attractions to pilot a three-year collaborative model focused on joint marketing, group tours, training, volunteer support and funding bids. Several team members are already undertaking QQI-certified guide training, and more sites are expected to join the initiative over time.

Looking ahead, the Network has approved the rollout of a new Visit Longford brand and website, supported by Failte Irelands Just Transition Digital Programme, due to launch in Q2 2026. This will showcase Longfords off-grid tourism offering through refreshed content, photography and digital storytelling.

Additional developments include enhanced promotion of the National Famine Way, Royal Canal Greenway, Shannon Discovery Points, a major presence at the RDS Holiday World Show in January, and new free customer experience and leadership training for tourism and hospitality businesses.

With new working groups led by the trade, expanded partnerships and a growing team, Longford Tourism Network aims to issue updates every 90 days and meet quarterly as it continues to build a resilient, collaborative and compelling tourism destination for the future.

The next Longford Tourism Network meeting will be an evening event on Tuesday, March 3 with venue to be confirmed.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
A member of An Garda Siochana has been charged with rape and child cruelty in County Donegal.

The man, who is currently suspended from the force, appeared before Letterkenny District Court on Thursday morning.

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He is accused of two counts of raping a female, offences that are alleged to have occurred in 2021 at an address in County Donegal.

The charges are contrary to section 48 of the Offences Against the Person Act, 1861 and Section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape) Act, 1981 as amended by section 21 of the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act, 1990.

The man is also charged with three counts of child cruelty between 2015 and 2024, also at a location in County Donegal.

He is charged with being a person having custody, charge and the care of a child did wilfully: assault, ill-treat and neglect the said child in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering/injury to the childs health or seriously to affect her well being.

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The charges are contrary to section 246(1) and (2) of the Children Act, 2001.

The man is also charged that, on a date unknown between April 2021 and April 2022, at an address in County Donegal, he did assault a female, causing her harm. That charge is contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.

Sergeant Maurice Doyle told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has directed that the matter be sent forward for trial to the Central Criminal Court.

The accused man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons due to the nature of the alleged offences, was represented by solicitor Mr Robert Ryan.

Bail was granted on condition that he: reside at an address approved by Gardai; abide by a safety order that is in place; have no contact, directly or indirectly with any alleged injured parties; and to notify Gardai of any intention to travel outside of Ireland.

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Judge Emile Daly adjourned to March 3, 2026 for the service of a book of evidence.

A Garda spokesperson said: A male Garda, based in the North Western Region, was suspended during this investigation and remains suspended at this time.
An Irish farmer, 91, who died after he was attacked by a cow on his land in County Limerick will be laid to rest on Saturday.

The death notice of Donal OConnor says that his passing was unexpected on Monday, January 19 at his farm at Morgans North, Barrigone, Askeaton.

One local reported that the elderly man was tending to cattle, that were being outwintered, and it is believed he may have been attacked by a cow.

He was found deceased some time later under his jeep and the emergency services were contacted, they said.

Gardai and emergency services attended the scene in Askeaton at around 6pm on Monday evening. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) was notified.

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Many tributes have been paid to Mr OConnor, of Tarbert Island, Tarbert and formerly of Main Street, Ballylongford, County Kerry. He has been described as wise and gentle, knowledgeable historian, farmer and sage.

One person took to Rip.ie to express his sympathies to Mr OConnors family and wide circle of friends following his tragic demise.

I had known Donal for many years and appreciated his wonderful grasp of local history and especially his deep sense of place. Donal was never too busy to take a call and his response, always generous. A shining light has been quenched and departed our lives, they said.

Another wrote that Mr OConnors presence at the Rambling Houses in Listowel, Knockanure and Clounmacon will be sorely missed.

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae extended his deepest sympathy to all the OConnor and extended families.

Im very sorry for your great loss at this sad time. May the late Donal rest in peace, said the TD. His brother - Deputy Danny Healy-Rae - also passed on his condolences.

READ MORE | Two arrested in Garda crackdown into over 40 theft and deception incidents across Ireland

The committee of the Balydonoghue Bardic Festival said Mr OConnor was a committed supporter of all things good in the community and a huge loss to the historical and literary world.

Mr OConnor is predeceased by his beloved wife Brid (nee Stack of Carrueragh, Kilmorna), his parents John and Elizabeth (nee Langan) and his brother Anthony.

Donal will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by his heartbroken daughters Elizabeth, Marie and Edel, his brother Ted, his sisters Kathleen (Galvin) and Ann (Stack), his special friend Helen Murphy, sons-in-law, grandchildren, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family, relatives, neighbours, a large circle of friends and our community who are greatly saddened to realise, that the torch that illuminated our path, into past history and folklore is now extinguished.

Mr OConnor will repose at St Marys Funeral Home, Tarbert on this Friday evening, January 23 from 6pm until 8pm.

His funeral cortege will depart Tarbert Island on Saturday morning, January 24 at 11.30am to arrive at St Marys Church, Tarbert for Requiem Mass at noon. Interment to follow in the Chapel Yard.

Mr OConnors family ask for donations, if desired, to Debra Ireland in lieu of flowers.

His death notice ends with a poem by Thomas MacGreevy.

A Chain on a Ship at the Pier

Rattled to Silence,

Cries of Children, Playing Sounded Faintly

And, Musically, Somewhere,

A Young Sailor of the Island

May he rest in peace.
UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- At least 21 UN personnel -- 12 peacekeeping personnel and nine civilians -- were killed in deliberate attacks in 2025, the United Nations said Thursday.

This does not include the personnel of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East who died in the war in Gaza, since they were not deliberately targeted, said the UN Staff Union Standing Committee on the Security and Independence of the International Civil Service.

By nationality, six UN personnel killed were from Bangladesh, five from Sudan, two from South Africa, one each from South Sudan, Uruguay, Tunisia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Palestine, Kenya and Zambia, according to the committee.

The UN Interim Security Force for Abyei was again the deadliest mission for peacekeepers, with six fatalities, followed by the UN peacekeeping missions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in the Central African Republic, with three deaths each.

At least five UN personnel were killed in deliberate attacks in 2024, and at least 11 in 2023, said the committee.

Editor: Xiong Jian
A stash of weapons found by the IDFs 188th Brigade in a Hamas tunnel in the southern Gaza Strip. (IDF)

On January 16, US President Donald Trump officially established an international Board of Peace, which the White House states aims to support Gaza as it transitions from conflict to peace and development. Trump announced the boards executive members, with 25 countries accepting his invitation to join, and five declining. The Board of Peaces first mission is to manage an unstable Gaza ceasefire, which Palestinian terrorists violated 11 times from January 9 to 22.

Trump chairs the Board of Peace, while a separate founding executive board includes US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, and United Nations Envoy Nickolay Mladenov, among other prominent figures. Twenty-five countriesincluding Turkey, Pakistan, Qatar, and Saudi Arabiahave joined the board thus far, while others, including France, the UK, Norway, Slovenia, and Sweden, have declined membership. The Board of Peace is tasked with strategic oversight over subcommittees tasked with maintaining the Gaza ceasefire.

The United States also announced the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), a technocratic government for the territory. Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law, outlined the NCAGs specific goals at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on January 22.

The NCAG consists of 15 purportedly politically independent Palestinian professionals and is chaired by Dr. Ali Shaath, a Gaza-born technocrat who previously served as the deputy transportation minister of the Palestinian Authority, which governs Palestinian areas of the West Bank. The NCAGs authority, however, is limited to civilian administrative functions and operates under international oversight rather than as a sovereign governing body. A larger subcommittee, known as the Gaza Executive Board (GEB), will liaise with the NCAG. Shortly after the announcement of the GEBs members last week, Israel voiced concerns about the inclusion of Qatari and Turkish representation.

The Board of Peace and its subsidiary bodies were enshrined in UN Security Council Resolution 2803, which formally supports the steps in Trumps 20-point ceasefire plan.

Meanwhile, in Gaza, Palestinian terrorists continued to violate phase one of the ceasefire, committing 11 violations from January 9 to 22, according to the IDF:

On January 10, the IDFs 188th Brigade identified three terrorists who crossed the yellow line and approached the forces in a manner that posed an immediate threat. One individual attempted to steal Israeli military equipment and then fled. Immediately after the identification, the Air Force eliminated the terrorist, the IDF stated.

Later on January 10, the Northern Brigade and Jerusalem Brigade identified several terrorists who crossed the yellow line and approached them in a manner that posed an immediate threat in two separate incidents, according to the IDF. The Israeli military eliminated the two individuals.

On January 11, combat team forces from the 188th Brigade identified a terrorist who crossed the yellow line and approached the forces in a manner that posed an immediate threat, the IDF stated. The Israeli Air Force eliminated the individual.

On January 12, the IDF said that it encountered four armed terrorists in the Yellow Line area who approached the forces in a manner that posed an immediate threat. Immediately after the identification, the Air Force, guided by the forces, eliminated three terrorists and neutralized one additional terrorist. Weapons and other military equipment were found on the individuals.

On January 13, Israeli observation units identified six armed terrorists in the western Rafah area near IDF forces deployed in the southern Strip. Immediately after the identification, tanks arrived at the location and fired at the terrorists. The terrorists fired toward the forces in one of the tanks, according to the IDF. The Israeli military initially reported that it eliminated two individuals in the first exchange of fire, but later reported eliminating all six.

On January 14, the IDF reported that it eliminated several additional terrorists who crossed the yellow line and approached the forces deployed in the area in a manner that posed an immediate threat to them in multiple incidents.

On January 15, the IDFs 7th Brigade identified a terrorist who crossed the yellow line and approached the forces in a manner that posed an immediate threat, according to the Israeli military. The individual was eliminated.

On January 18, combat teams from the 188th Brigade identified two terrorists who crossed the yellow line and approached the forces in a manner that posed an immediate threat. One individual was eliminated.

Later on January 18, the Alexandroni Brigade reportedly identified three terrorists who crossed the yellow line and approached the forces in a manner that posed an immediate threat. Israeli forces fired on the group, eliminating one individual.

On January 21, 188th Brigade troops identified a terrorist who crossed the yellow line and approached the forces in a manner that posed an immediate threat and neutralized the individual, according to the IDF.

Later on January 21, the IDF conducted an airstrike in central Gaza on several suspects operating a drone associated with the Hamas terrorist organization in the central Gaza Strip, in an area posing a threat to the forces. Immediately after the identification and in light of the risk posed by the drone, the IDF carried out a precise strike on the suspects who were operating the drone. The military said the incident was under review after Palestinian media claimed that the strike killed three photojournalists working for an Egyptian humanitarian agency.

In addition to continued ceasefire violations, Hamass disarmament remains a sticking point in the effort to stabilize Gaza. The international bodies charged with administering the territory are expected to issue an ultimatum demanding Hamass total disarmament in the coming days. While the exact timeline is unclear, the Board of Peace expects the process to take three to five months.

Hamas has refused previous calls to disarm. The terrorist organization also has yet to return the body of deceased hostage Ran Gvili, despite the stipulations of phase one of the truce requiring it.

Samuel Ben-Ur and Aaron Goren are research analysts at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Follow Aaron Goren on X @realaarongoren.
Hezbollah members attend a funeral for a member of the group in south Lebanon in February 2025. (Shutterstock)

On January 21, at 10:47 am, an Israeli drone targeted a vehicle on the Bazouriyeh-Burj Shemali Road, east of the city of Tyre, in the South Lebanon Governorates Tyre District. The location of the strike was approximately 7.25 kilometers south of the Litani River, and therefore in the South Litani Area. The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) claimed to have established operational control over this area on January 8, 2026, a term understood to mean it had cleared it of Hezbollahs arms and restrained the groups activities. However, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed that the strikes one fatality was a Hezbollah operative named Abu Ali Salami.

Hezbollah-affiliated social media accounts later confirmed Salamis death, giving his full name as Hajj Ahmad Hussain Salami. Salami, whose nom de guerre was Abu Ali, was from the village of Yanouh. The IDF later clarified that he was Hezbollahs liaison officer in the village of Yanouh in south Lebanon, overseeing the organizations local activities with the purpose of facilitating Hezbollahs activities within the civilian sector and private property in the village, and to entrench terror infrastructure amidst the civilian population.

Death announcement for Ahmad Hussain Salami. (Balagh Media Telegram)

Detailing the alleged role of Hezbollah operatives who act as village liaisons, the IDF claimed that Salami and similarly-positioned operatives traded assistance from the groupincluding aiding locals with charitable and other donations, compensation for damaged property, and medical assistancefor favors from the locals, creating a dependence upon Hezbollah and an obligation to recompense its aid.

Whomever receives aid knows the day will come that they will have to return the favorsometimes just a small request: to store boxes, provide information on what is happening in the village, or to allow [Hezbollah] to temporarily use a piece of propertyeffectively making the civilian a part of the terror network, and occasionally the one paying the price once their home becomes a designated target, the IDF said.

Salami, the IDF claimed, had recently leveraged his role in such a manner in Yanouh. On December 13, 2025, the IDF said it forwarded a request to the committee overseeing the implementation of the November 27, 2024, Israel-Lebanon ceasefire to inspect a suspected Hezbollah weapons storage facility in Yanouh. Acting in accordance with its function, the committee forwarded the IDFs complaint to the LAF. However, the LAF notified Salami in his role as the villages Hezbollah liaison officer. He then passed this notice on to additional Hezbollah operatives under his command.

Rather than setting the stage for compliance regarding a suspected Hezbollah weapons storage facility, as the ceasefire agreement requires, Salami and his fellow Hezbollah operatives instead prevented LAF personnel, upon their arrival in Yanouh, from entering and dismantling the structure. They organized a demonstration of the villages women outside the suspected Hezbollah installation, deterring LAF soldiers from entering it.

The IDF claimed that Salami then convinced LAF personnel to leave the installation, after which he and his subordinates removed several suspicious crates from the structure. At the end of the incident, the terrorist [Salami] agreed with the Lebanese Army to document the structure as empty of weapons and thus to claim that the structure was empty, the IDF stated, noting, The actions of the terrorist Abu Ali Salami constitute a violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon.

Hezbollahs liaison officers

The IDFs report claimed that with the onset of its Operation Northern Arrows in October 2024, many local Hezbollah liaison officers abandoned the villages to which they had been assigned, seeking safety by fleeing northward. However, after the November 27 ceasefire went into effect, they returned to their villages to aid Hezbollahs regeneration and restore its terror infrastructure amidst the civilian population, while also seeking to rehabilitate the organizations image as a legitimate actor. Now, the IDF claimed, these officers are playing a central role in Hezbollahs efforts to rebuild itself in south Lebanon, particularly in the South Litani Area.

The Israeli military said that after grasping the link between these liaison officers and the villages, the IDFs 91st Galilee Division has been working with Military Intelligence and the Israeli Air Force to disrupt their activities in south Lebanon. As a result, the IDF claims to have killed ten of them in recent months. However, a video accompanying the IDFs post only listed seven deceased liaison officers beyond Salami. A separate review of IDF statements on recent targeted killings by FDDs Long War Journal puts the total number of Hezbollah operatives put the number of Hezbollah liaison officers killed at nine.

These eliminations have included:

September 3, 2025: Israel assassinated Hezbollah operative Abdelmenem Mousa Sweidan, who acted as the groups liaison officer in Yater in the Nabatieh Governorates Bint Jbeil District.

October 1, 2025: Israel assassinated Hezbollah operative Ali Mohammad Qaraawni, who acted as the groups liaison officer in Kafra in the Nabatieh Governorates Bint Jbeil District.

October 7, 2025: Israel assassinated Hezbollah operative Mahmoud Ali Issa, who acted as the groups liaison officer in Kafra in the Nabatieh Governorates Bint Jbeil District.

Left to right: Death announcements for Abdelmenem Mousa Sweidan, Ali Mohammad Qaraawni, and Mahmoud Ali Issa. (Balagh Media on Telegram)

October 26, 2025: Israel assassinated Hezbollah operative Abed Mahmoud al Sayyed, who acted as the groups liaison officer in Bayyada in the South Lebanon Governorates Tyre District.

November 4, 2025: Israel assassinated Hezbollah operative Hassan Mahmoud Sayyed, who acted as the groups liaison officer in Adaisseh in the Nabatieh Governorates Marjayoun District.

November 16, 2025: Israel assassinated Hezbollah operative Mohammad Ali Shweikh, who acted as the groups liaison officer in Mansouri in the South Lebanon Governorates Tyre District.

Left to right: Death announcements for Abed Mahmoud al Sayyed, Hassan Mahmoud Sayyed, and Mohammad Ali Shweikh. (Balagh Media on Telegram)

November 22, 2024: Israel assassinated Hezbollah operative Hussain Yassin Hussain, who acted as the groups liaison officer in Houla in the Nabatieh Governorates Bint Jbeil District. Hussain was also a municipal worker in Houla.

December 14, 2025: Israel assassinated Hezbollah operative Ihsan Fares Zeineddine, who acted as the groups liaison officer in and around Bint Jbeil in the Nabatieh Governorates Bint Jbeil District.

Left to right: Death announcements for Hussain Yassin Hussain and Ihsan Fares Zeineddine. (Balagh Media on Telegram)

The IDF said that in villages where these liaison officers operate, the line blurs between civilian and Hezbollah domains. These liaison officers, the Israeli military claimed, operate as part of a larger Hezbollah mechanism designed to quietly control Lebanese locales and assimilate into the civilian environment/routine.

The IDFs statement noted that this effort functions through renting houses, converting properties [for military use] and collecting intelligenceadding up to create a singular picture in which Hezbollah is seeking to reestablish itself not only through the efforts of its operativesbut with the help of anyone enabling its activities on the ground.

David Daoud is Senior Fellow at at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies where he focuses on Israel, Hezbollah, and Lebanon affairs.
Cessation of attacks on Ukraine's energy sector and Russian oil depots may be discussed at trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi  media

An energy truce has been discussed between Ukraine and the United States and could be a subject of negotiations at the upcoming trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi, the Financial Times reported on Thursday, citing its own sources.

An unnamed senior US official also told the Financial Times that the trilateral meeting is expected to take place in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, on Friday, January 23, and Saturday, January 24.

However, the Ukrainian side has already noted that this trilateral meeting has not yet been definitively confirmed and that Ukraine and the USA are awaiting Russia's response.
BOSTON  When Alex Steeves went to the Bruins bench with blood on his nose, the score was tied.

He barely had time to stop bleeding by the time Boston made it 3-0.

The referees gave Tomas Hertl a four-minute high-sticking penalty for the play, but he served less than a minute of it.

Charlie McAvoy smoked a slap shot by Akira Schmid 10 seconds into the first penalty to make it 1-0 with 10:48 left in the first, shrinking Hertls sentence to two more minutes. But 30 seconds later, Elias Lindholm converted on the power play again to release Hertl and make it 2-0.

The Bruins kept attacking at even strength. Just 24 seconds after Lindholm and 54 after McAvoy, Tanner Jeannot beat Schmid to make it 3-0.

While the three goals were quick, they didnt approach the record for the fastest three goals in a game.

That record belongs to the eventual Stanley Cup-winning 1970-71 Bruins. On Feb. 25 against Vancouver, Johnny Bucyk, Ed Westfall and Teddy Green scored three times in 20 seconds in an 8-2 win over the Canucks.
BOSTON  A week after the Bruins possible trade for Rasmus Andersson didnt reach the finish line, Boston didnt have to face him.

Multiple reports said the Bruins and Calgary Flames were close enough to a trade for the versatile defenseman that Boston and Anderssons representatives were allowed to discuss a contract extension.

But when those talks didnt produce an agreement, Boston pulled out and Calgary dealt Andersson to Las Vegas with no extension.

The Golden Knights are in Boston for a Thursday matchup, but Andersson wont be in the lineup.

According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Andersson needs a visa to be able to live and work in the United States which can take several days.
Right near Harvard Square, Wusong Road is introducing a blend of Asian-American flavors with a vibrant tiki bar feel to the food scene.

The two-story spot offers lively tropical decor, custom ceramic tiki mugs, and a menu that references both American and Chinese classics.

The historic conductors building has been transformed into an immersive space with glowing lanterns, lush greenery and flowers, and tiki-inspired accents.

Created by Chef Jason Doo, Wusong Road blends New England Chinese flavors with the playful aesthetics of a classic tiki bar, its website said.

The tiki bar serves classic crab rangoons, pupu platters and tropical cocktails like scorpion bowls and mai tais.

Much of the buzz around Wusong Road centers on its tiki cocktail program. The bar pours an array of fruit-forward drinks, from classic mai tais and scorpion bowls to signature concoctions served in decorative mugs, each crafted with fresh juices, rum and house-made touches.

Beyond the food, Wusong Road offers diners an intersection of culture and cuisine. Wusong Road is also a minority and LGBTQ+ bar, according to its website.

It is located at 112 Mt Auburn St. in Cambridge.
A beloved Massachusetts celebrity chef and TV personality is going to have to close one of his key restaurants, he recently announced.

Emeril Lagasse has made the difficult decision to close his Michelin-recognized restaurant, 34 Restaurant & Bar, in New Orleans.

The news comes just a little more than a year after the Portuguese-inspired eatery opened in October of 2024 alongside his son, E.J. Lagasse.

We are sad to announce that on Saturday, January 31st, 34 Restaurant & Bar will close its doors, the restaurant announced on Instagram earlier this week.

The company pointed to rising operational costs as the cause for closure and reflected on a year of serving the community, all while honoring Lagasses Portuguese heritage.

This past year has been a true labor of love for Chefs Emeril and E.J. Lagasse, and an opportunity to share their Portuguese heritage, family recipes, and culture with New Orleans, the post reads.

...We are incredibly grateful for the journey. Were proud of all that was accomplished, from Michelin recognition and Wine Spectators Award of Excellence to introducing so many guests to Portuguese cuisine for the first time.

34 Restaurant & Bar was featured in the Michelin Guide for the American South as a recommended restaurant  a distinction that highlights notable quality in cuisine and overall dining experience, even though it did not receive an official Michelin star.

Being listed means critics from the guide felt the restaurants food, service and concept were strong enough to merit attention in the prestigious Michelin Guide, which only recently began covering the region.

Fans took to the comments to share their reactions to the closure.

Some shared their disappointment that the establishment, which brought something different in the restaurant scene of New Orleans, is closing next Saturday.

When the restaurant first opened in 2024, Lagasse said the inspiration behind the cuisine was to pay tribute to his Portuguese heritage while honoring his late mother, Hilda, who influenced his interest in cooking as a child growing up in Fall River, Massachusetts.

The influence of Lagasses heritage extends beyond the cuisine and into the ambiance of the restaurant itself.

According to the 34 Restaurant & Bar website, the 245-seat restaurant is adorned in shades of green  Emerils signature color  wood accents and ornate Portuguese tiles," and features a painting of a rooster, a national Portuguese symbol of good luck.

While news of the closure took fans by surprise, Lagasse offers a hopeful note that there are plans to offer something in the New Orleans area in the future.

This isnt the last caldo verde well be sharing with the New Orleans community, and we look forward to whats to come, the closing announcement reads.
Almost 30 years after a teenage girl was strangled with a bicycle chain, sealed in a trash bag and left in the woods by her sister and her sisters boyfriend, the Massachusetts man involved in her killing has been denied parole.

In 1996, Heather Santerre, 18, had become jealous that her boyfriend, Paul Jones, 19, was having an affair with Santerres younger sister, 16-year-old Stephanie Santerre. Jones lawyers claimed that Heather Santerre bullied Jones into a plot to kill the 16-year-old, according to the Boston Globe.

They began searching for spots to dump Stephanie Santerres body.

On Jan. 28, 1996, Jones and Heather Santerre worked together to kill Stephanie Santerre.

Jones lured Stephanie Santerre into his bedroom under the guise of having sex, according to the parole board. He bound her with duct tape, gagged her and strangled her with a bicycle chain. They put her body in a trash bag and left it in a wooded area in Ashby.

Heather Santerre reported her sister as missing, according to the Globe.

Stephanie Santerres body was found on Feb. 7, 1996 with a bicycle chain still wrapped around her neck and her ankles and wrists still bound with duct tape.

Jones fingerprints were found on the duct tape.

On April 11, 1997, Jones was convicted of first-degree murder in a jury trial in Middlesex Superior Court. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

However, in January 2024, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled in Commonwealth v. Mattis that sentencing people, ages 18 through 20 at the time of their offense, to life without the possibility of parole was unconstitutional and amounted to cruel and unusual punishment.

Massachusetts was the first state in the country to transform the law, experts said.

Essentially, the brains of what we are calling late adolescents or emerging adults function very much like juveniles, Northampton attorney Paul Rudof, one of the lawyers who successfully challenged life sentences for individuals aged 18 to 20, told The Republican .

There were 210 cases that fell into the Mattis decision across Massachusetts, including Jones.

Jones, now 49, went in front of the parole board for the first time on July 30.

During his time incarcerated, Jones has had 37 disciplinary reports. The most recent disciplinary report was in 2023 for a positive drug screen.

The board stated it is most concerned with Jones level of insight and accountability regarding the offense.

Given the nature and circumstances of this offense, the Board reviewed the facts of the offense and his motivation for committing the offense, the parole board wrote. The Board was troubled with his responses. He appeared to lack insight and candor, calling into question his level of rehabilitation.

Middlesex County Assistant District Attorney Adrienne Lynch spoke in opposition to parole during the hearing.

The courts Mattis decision has been devastating for the families of those killed as they are forced to relive the trauma, often going in front of the parole board and the incarcerated individual to make their own case.

Families have described the process as a  nightmare , stating they feel betrayed and that the system is treating murderers as victims while their own pain is ignored. One family member during a different hearing walked out, feeling as if his side wasnt being fairly heard after the incarcerated individual was told they did a good job.

The parole board has so far granted freedom to about 35 people, which is a significant majority of those who have had hearings and decisions released. About 15 people have been denied parole following the Mattis decision.

The Board encouraged Jones, who is currently living in MCI-Norfolk, to engage in multiple programs, including Victim Empathy, which he was on waitlist for at the time of the hearing. The Board also encouraged Jones to invest in programming and/or self-development to advance his insight and address the boards concerns.

He can ask for another parole board hearing in four years.
A Massachusetts State Police trooper is facing felony charges after a woman reported to police in Walpole that he assaulted her several times over the course of a year during which the pair was in a turbulent relationship, according to court records.

Wendel Seney, 32, of Roslindale, is charged with strangulation or suffocation, possessing a firearm while committing a felony, reckless operation of a motor vehicle and two counts of assault and battery on a family/household member. The Peace Officer Standards and Training, or POST, Commission earlier this month suspended Seneys certification to work in law enforcement.

The charges stem from four incidents between May and July 2025. Seneys defense lawyer did not return a request for comment.

A spokesperson for Massachusetts State Police said Seney had been relieved of duty and suspended without pay. Seney made more than $150,000 in 2025.

The Massachusetts State Police stands firmly against all forms of domestic violence, the spokesperson said, adding the department was aware of the serious charges and fully cooperating with the criminal investigation.

The 33-year-old woman, a resident of Walpole, told police that she met Seney in August 2024 while he was on duty at Boston Logan International Airport and she was returning from Texas. Seney followed the woman on social media and the pair began messaging back and forth, according to a police report authored by Walpole Police Sgt. Ian Tolland filed to support the charges.

For a while, the pair was inseparable. But the woman quickly noticed Seney drinking heavily while they were spending time together, the report read.

The May 12 incident

On Mothers Day 2025, Seney took the woman to a Kendrick Lamar concert at Gillette Stadium. Despite pledging to stop drinking, Seney met the woman before the concert with several alcoholic beverages, according to the report.

Before and during the concert, both drank heavily. But Seney became mean and nasty, the woman told police, according to the report. As a result, she left him behind and walked back to her apartment, roughly a mile and a half from the stadium.

By the time she made it back, she saw Seney putting her debit card in a food container that had been delivered after she ordered Chipotle for them. Seney then walked over to his personal vehicle and got inside. The woman followed him and grabbed hold of the car, trying to get him to stay, according to the report.

But Seney drove off while the woman was clinging to the car, saying I dont give a (expletive) about you (expletive). I hope you die, according to the report. He drove a few hundred feet before the woman let go, scraping her butt in the process.

Police sought a charge of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in connection with that incident, but one wasnt filed. The only charge Seney faces in connection with that incident is reckless operation of a motor vehicle.

The July 1 incident

On July 1, 2025, Seney was returning from a trip to Colombia, and the couple attempted to rekindle their relationship after weeks of not talking.

They met at the womans apartment and eventually made their way to a parking garage, where they stood in front of Seneys cruiser.

Seney told her he would spend the night at her apartment and as she turned to leave, asked her a question. When she didnt respond, Seney ran after her and grabbed her hair, telling her, when Im talking to you, you answer me. Are you dumb?, according to the report.

The July 13 incident

After that incident, Seney and the woman continued their relationship. But on July 13, Seney showed up at her apartment after she went to a party in Boston wearing what the report describes as a revealing outfit, where she spoke to other men. Seney received videos of her at the party, and became angry, according to the report.

When he arrived, Seney asked to see a photo of the outfit and began yelling at her about the outfit and her conversations with other men, according to the report. During the fight, police say Seney grabbed the woman by the neck, wrapping his hand around her throat to the point she couldnt breathe. When Seney released her, he said, It took me a lot to not actually hurt you, according to the report.

The woman told police her neck was sore after the incident, but he didnt leave any marks. At the time of the incident, Seney had stored his department-issued gun in the womans home, leading to the charge of possessing a firearm while committing a felony.

The July 21 incident

The fourth and final incident that led to charges against Seney came on July 21, 2025, when a man the woman had previously dated tried to contact her. Seney got upset because he had told the woman to change her phone number when she got a new phone to prevent the man from contacting her.

Seney told the woman he wasnt playing and choked her, according to the report. The woman told police he didnt cut off her breathing, but that he wrapped his hand around her throat, according to the report.

The woman told police she waited to report the incidents because she was hopeful she and Seney could reconcile as a couple.
ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathan Karl shared an encounter with President Donald Trump when asked if he ever felt in fear for his safety due to his coverage of the Trump administration.

The journalist sat down for an interview with comedian Hasan Minhaj released Wednesday, in which he spoke about an interaction he had with the president in September while on the South Lawn with other reporters.

Karl asked Trump about comments made by Attorney General Pam Bondi about prosecuting hate speech in the wake of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

What do you make of Pam Bondi saying shes going to go after hate speech? Is that, I mean, a lot of people, a lot of your allies say hate speech is free speech, he asked.

Shed probably go after people like you, because you treat me so unfairly, the president said at the time. Its hate. You have a lot of hate in your heart.

Would that be appropriate? Karl answered, to which the president responded: Maybe they will come after ABC. ABC paid me $16 million recently for a form of hate speech, right? Your company paid me $16 million for a form of hate speech, so maybe theyll have to go after you.

The president was referencing a defamation case he brought against ABC News, concerning a segment in March 2024 in which George Stephanopoulos claimed Trump had been found liable for rape in a sexual assault case brought by E. Jean Carroll. The news outlet agreed to settle for $16 million, according to Politico.

Karl told Minhaj that the exchange started with a simple question, but Trumps response was a shocking moment. He said the incident didnt make him fear for his own safety, instead for the safety of journalists across the country.

So the idea that the president of the United States is suggesting that the power of the Department of Justice could be brought to bear against journalists who the president of the United States doesnt believe are fair, thats a very interesting reading of the of the First Amendment, he said.

Karl also said that a prevalent theme of Trumps reelection campaign was the persecution of his political enemies, pointing to the pardoning of Jan. 6 rioters on the first day of his second term and the hollowing out of the FBI and Justice Department.

Theres nobody at the White House now telling Donald Trump, Look, sir, we really shouldnt do this, Karl said. I mean, people advise him, but its like hes got the people around him who are going to carry out the orders.
Ukraine and Poland will create a joint working group and appoint an operational coordinator to prepare for the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC-2026), which will be held in Poland no earlier than June.

According to Ukraines Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture, the agreement was reached in Davos on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum by Economy Minister Oleksiy Sobolev and Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Taras Kachka during talks with Polish Minister of Finance and Economy Andrzej Domanski.

"The Ukrainian government is grateful to Poland for its readiness to host URC 2026. Preparations for the conference have already begun, including the formation of organizational teams at both the government and operational levels. We also welcome Polands accession to the Ukraine Donor Platform, which will further strengthen our cooperation," Sobolev said.

Kachka added that the Ukrainian side is committed to close coordination with its Polish partners to develop a practical, results-oriented agenda. He also underscored the importance of close coordination with Poland to align approaches to Ukraines reconstruction and its further integration into the EUs internal market.

The sides also discussed the concept of the upcoming URC, which is expected to focus on five main themes: business, human capital, local reforms, EU reforms, and security and defense.

Sobolev also expressed interest in expanding financial cooperation, including the use of a PLN 1 billion ($230 million) loan from Poland for green reconstruction and the modernization of border infrastructure to facilitate trade.

According to the release, Polish Finance and Economy Minister Andrzej Domanski said the Polish government is interested in investing in reconstruction projects in Ukraine. In particular, the sides discussed the possibility of jointly managing, or providing technical advisory support to, at least three industrial parks in western and central Ukraine together with Polands Industrial Development Agency (ARP S.A.).

In turn, the Ukrainian side proposed establishing a joint venture fund between ARP S.A. and the Ukraine Investment Framework, the second pillar of the Ukraine Facility, to provide equity financing for Polish-Ukrainian manufacturing joint ventures.

The sides also discussed cooperation with Polands state development bank BGK (Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego) to reduce risks and support small and medium-sized enterprises, including the expansion of the Financial Instrument for World Resilience. They also addressed technical assistance to transform Ukraines Entrepreneurship Development Fund into a fully fledged national development institution. The Ukrainian side proposed creating a credit guarantee fund specifically for Polish investors entering the Ukrainian market.

As reported, URC 2025 was held in Rome on July 1011. URC 2024 took place in Germany on June 1112, URC 2023 in London on June 2122, and URC 2022 on July 45 in Lugano.

The host city for URC 2026 has not yet been officially announced, but the conference is expected to be held in Gdansk.
California Governor Gavin Newsom remains committed to his feud with President Donald Trump.

While speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland Thursday, Newsom showed off knee pads that he said were for leaders selling out to the Trump administration, according to CNBC.

The last round of knee pads sold out, just as our law firms are selling out. Many American universities are selling out, and yes, many corporate leaders are selling out to this administration, Newsom said during an on-stage interview with Ben Smith, Semafor editor-in-chief.

The knee pads are being sold on a website created by Newsom for the low, low price of your soul. Purchases are a donation to the Campaign for Democracy, according to the website

Speaking earlier this week in Davos, the governor accused world leaders of rolling over for the president.

I cant take this complicity of people rolling over, Newsom said in Davos on Tuesday. I should have brought a bunch of knee pads for all the world leaders.

Newsom went on to call the president an invasive species while discussing the U.S. role in current international affairs with Smith on Thursday.

Hes an invasive species. He is. Hes a wrecking ball president. And hes trying to roll back progress of the last century, Newsom said. Hes doubling down on stupid.

Newsom, who is considered a frontrunner for the 2028 Democratic presidential nominee, went on to say that hes living rent-free in Trumps head. The governor has clashed with the president many times in the past year, saying at the World Economic Forum that he has been fighting fire with fire.
President Donald Trump said Thursday that a large bruise visible on his left hand is due to bumping into furniture in Switzerland, according to CNN.

I clipped it on the table, he told CNN Thursday on Air Force One. I put a little  what do they call it?  cream on it. But I clipped it.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt provided the same explanation for the bruising earlier on Thursday.

At the Board of Peace event today in Davos, President Trump hit his hand in the corner of the signing table, causing it to bruise, she told CBS News.

Trump further attributed the injury to the high dose of aspirin he takes every day, which he says makes him prone to bruising.

I would say, take aspirin if you like your heart, but dont take aspirin if you dont want to have a little bruising, Trump said to CNN on Air Force One. I take the big aspirin, and when you take the big aspirin, they tell you, you bruise. The doctor said, You dont have to take that, sir, youre very healthy. I said, Im not taking any chances.

A White House official shared photos with CNN showing the president on Wednesday and Thursday and said, Pictures from yesterday and this morning clearly show no bruising.

Trump has frequently been pictured with bruising on his right hand, which garnered media attention last year as he attempted to cover it with bandages and makeup.

In late 2025, the president began appearing with bruising on his left hand, sparking renewed concerns over his health.

Over the summer, the White House announced that Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a condition that occurs when leg veins dont allow blood to flow back up to your heart, according to Johns Hopkins medicine. The president is often pictured in public with swollen ankles and briefly wore compression socks to address the swelling.
On Monday at 2:01 a.m. the National Weather Service issued an updated winter storm warning in effect until 8 p.m. for Franklin, Worcester, Middlesex, Essex, Hampshire, Hampden, Norfolk, Suffolk, Bristol, Plymouth and Barnstable counties.

The weather service states to prepare for, "Additional snow accumulations 1 - 5 inches. The highest amounts are expected along the immediate northeastern coastline."

"Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous," describes the weather service. "If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Persons should consider delaying all travel. Motorists should use extreme caution if travel is absolutely necessary."

Staying safe on winter roads: Winter driving tips from the weather service

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 driving tips from the weather service:

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, stay composed. Notify someone about your situation and location. Avoid attempting to walk to safety. Attach a cloth to your car's antenna or mirror to signal that you require assistance. 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 allow them 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, verify the current road conditions to make informed travel decisions.

Stay safe on wintry roads with these valuable winter driving tips from the weather service, and reduce the risk of accidents during challenging weather conditions.
As the biggest winter storm to hit Massachusetts in years draws closer, forecasts seem to agree on one thing: Get ready for a lot of snow.

Exactly how much snow is a matter of degrees. Some meteorologists are on the modest end of the scale, projecting 6 to 10 inches over the weekend, while others believe the storm could dump up to 2 feet.

The National Weather Service is predicting between 12 and 18 inches across the state, with snowfall beginning on Sunday morning and not letting up until Tuesday morning.

AccuWeather is in the same range, predicting there is a 57% chance the state sees 12 to 18 inches of snow. The outlet also gives a 24% chance that the final tally falls between 18 and 24 inches.

Boston 25 News is projecting more snow, calling for 15 to 20 inches in Central and Western Massachusetts, and up to 24 inches in coastal regions.

WCVB meteorologist A.J. Burnett predicts 12 to 18 inches across most of the state, but adds a caveat that higher temperatures on Cape Cod & the Islands could limit that area to 8 to 12 inches.

NBC 10 Boston meteorologist Pete Bouchard is calling for 16 to 22 inches in Central Massachusetts and Western Massachusetts, with warmer temperatures resulting in 10 to 16 inches in Boston and southeastern towns. Bouchard believes Cape Cod & the Islands will receive 7 to 10 inches.

Popular social media personality New England Weather Guy has a more modest prediction, as he forecasts 12 to 16 inches for most of the state and 8 to 12 on Cape Cod & the Islands. He gives the storm a 3 on his Bread and Milk Index.

On Twitter, freelance meteorologist Dave Epstein is forecasting 12 to 18 inches in most parts of the state, with localized bands of 18 to 24 inches possible along the coasts and in northern Central Massachusetts.

Dave Hayes The Weather Nut, a social media personality specializing in Western Massachusetts, believes that region will receive 8 to 16 inches, with some pockets of 14 to 20 inches possible in some high-terrain areas.

Todd Gross, a popular meteorologist with more than 500,000 followers on TikTok, thinks New England could see the snow changeover into wintry mix at some point, but says Massachusetts residents should plan on a foot of snow.

Meteorologist Cyrena, who has more than 118,000 followers on TikTok, believes snow density will create a tremendous amount of variability in the snowfall forecasts. She expects double-digit snowfall throughout the state, with a range of 6 inches to 24 inches.
Temperatures are set to plummet to dangerous levels on Friday as Massachusetts prepares for a looming snowstorm that is forecast to drop more than 12 inches on the region.

The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Cold Warning for Berkshire County from 7 p.m. Friday to 1 p.m. Saturday. Overnight temperatures are set to hit -6 degrees in that part of the state, with wind chill values as low as -19.

The rest of the state wont be much warmer. Boston will reach a high of 30 degrees during the day before plunging to 4 degrees at night, while Worcester will see a high of 28 before dropping to zero degrees overnight.

Temperatures will rebound slightly on Sunday but remain frigid across the state. Forecasts call for sunny skies and a high of 15 degrees in Boston, 18 degrees on Cape Cod & the Islands, 13 degrees in Worcester, 14 degrees in Springfield and 4 degrees in Pittsfield. Overnight temps will drop to single digits, with Pittsfield falling to -2 degrees.

Sunday will bring the biggest storm of the winter, which is projected to drop more than 12 inches of snow in some areas.

The snowfall is expected to begin around 7 a.m. Sunday and continue well into Monday evening, with scattered snow showers possibly lingering into Tuesday morning. Heaviest snowfall should occur Sunday evening into Monday morning.

The National Weather Service projects with 70% to 80% confidence that the state will receive 12 to 18 inches of snow during the storm.

The one-two punch of sub-zero temperatures and a massive snowstorm means residents should prepare for emergency situations, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Caitlyn Mensch.

We dont know how big the impact is going to be at this point, Mensch said, but (make) the usual preparations for any winter storms. Have a kit ready in case of power outages.
SPRINGFIELD  The Jesse Cook concert originally scheduled for Jan. 31 at the Hope Center for the Arts has been postponed after the Canadian artist encountered visa problems.

A new date for the concert has yet to be determined.

We regret to announce that Jesse Cooks performance scheduled at Hope Center for the Arts has been postponed due to ongoing visa processing delays beyond the companys control, which prohibits them from entering the United States in time for the scheduled performance. A new performance date will be announced soon and all previously purchased tickets will be valid in the same seat location, The Hope Center for the Arts shared in a statement.

The 61-year-old guitarist was born in Paris, France, to John Cook, a film director, and his wife, Heater, a former CBC television producer. He was raised in Toronto, where he still lives, and studied classical jazz at Canadas Royal Conservatory of Music, York University, and Berklee College of Music in Boston.

He has released 13 albums, with his first, Tempest in 1995, entering the American Billboard charts at No. 14.

His many accolades include an Acoustic Guitar Magazine Players Choice Silver Award; 11 Juno Award nominations, winning in 2001 for the album Free Fall; a Gemini Award; and 10 platinum and gold studio albums.

The visa-screening process has become much stricter under the Trump administration. Last year, for example, the administration ordered officers to scrutinize applicants social-media profiles for signs of any anti-U.S. views, according to a Bloomberg report.

For more information on offerings at the Hope Center for the Arts, including a new date for the Jesse Cook concert, visit hopecenterforthearts.org.
HOLYOKE  Facing an annual operating deficit of more than $275,000, Blessed Sacrament Parish School in Holyoke will close at the end of the school year, parish officials said Thursday.

The Rev. Duy Le, school pastor, said years of parish subsidies, fundraising and costcutting failed to close Blessed Sacraments growing financial gap.

With enrollment down to 112 students, tuition would need to rise above $9,000 per pupil to sustain operations  a level church leaders said was neither realistic nor fair to families. He said that option wouldnt reverse declining enrollment.

The Blessed Sacrament Parish School in Holyoke is set to close at the end of the school year. The school cited declining enrollment. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook

Financial pressures drive closure

Le said the decision followed months of consultation, prayer and financial review, beginning with a recommendation from the parish finance council.

While the parish initiated the closure request, final approval came from diocesan leadership, church officials said.

This decision is not a reflection of your children, nor reflective of our teachers and staffs dedication to them, Le said in a letter to families.

While Blessed Sacrament School has been a place of faith, care and strong community, Le said he is responsible as pastor for making decisions that are honest, sustainable and faithful to the parishs longterm mission.

The Blessed Sacrament Parish School in Holyoke is set to close at the end of the school year. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook

Over several years, the school examined multiple options to remain open, including changes to grade levels, staffing and financial assumptions, but none proved sustainable.

Le said further cuts would have compromised the quality of education and support provided to students.

That is not something Im willing to do, Le said.

What happens next

Le said the school will remain open through the end of the academic year, with classes continuing as usual. He said families will receive information on student records, enrollment timelines and transition support, and that a parent meeting will be scheduled.

Le said he understands the announcement brings sadness, frustration and many questions.

He said families will receive clear communication about timelines, student records and transition support, and that he is committed to supporting them through the remainder of the year with care and respect.

What we offer your children today is something we are truly proud of  the quality of education, the faith formation and the commitment of our teachers and staff, he said.

It is important that this school concludes its mission with the same level of care and excellence that has defined it, rather than risking a gradual decline in what it is able to provide, Le said.

Le said the decision is not about giving up, but about being honest, responsible stewards of the community. He said it allows the school to finish the academic year with dignity, stability and gratitude.

Please know that I hold your children your families and our community school community in my prayers, and I thank you for the trust you have placed in us, he said.

Parents, alumni respond

Reaction to the announcement has been mixed, with many alumni and parents expressing sadness and gratitude for the schools legacy, while others questioned the timing of the closure, noting recent fundraising efforts and assurances that the school was not facing imminent shutdown.

In a Facebook comment, Beth Szymonik said families seeking Catholic education can consider Mater Dolorosa School in Holyoke, which has served the community since 1906.

Tracy Dubuc said that those who did not attend Catholic school might not understand the sense of community it provides, calling the school a nurturing environment and its closure a major loss for Holyoke.

Moira Long also commented on social media, thanking the school for the memories and saying she is grateful for what Blessed Sacrament School gave to her.

Several parents and alumni also criticized the decision.

In a Facebook post, Charles E. Bassett said families were previously told the school was not expected to close and questioned the timing of the announcement.

Accusing the diocese of failing to provide sufficient financial support, Marybeth Stratton took to social media to urge families to advocate for alternatives.

The closure appeared to be a decision from the Diocese of Springfield, Bob Prattico said, criticizing a lack of transparency and public input.

The Blessed Sacrament Parish School in Holyoke is set to close. Jan. 23, 2026. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook

City pledges support

Catholic schools within the diocese are prepared to accept students who wish to continue faithbased education, while Holyoke Public Schools said it stands ready to assist families with transfers and enrollment.

Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia called the closure of Blessed Sacrament Parish School a profound loss for the community, praising the schools longtime role in providing faithbased education.

In a statement, Garcia thanked the schools teachers, staff, administrators, pastors and parishioners for serving generations of students, and said Holyoke Public Schools is prepared to support affected families during the transition. He said city officials will assist with enrollment, transfers and other resources to help make the process as smooth as possible.

Blessed Sacrament Parish School has served Holyoke families for more than 100 years, educating students academically, spiritually and morally, he said.
As CAO deadlines approach next week, thousands of students and parents across Mayo are weighing up their options and wondering what the future holds. While many will choose the traditional college route, one local woman is encouraging young people to consider the growing range of alternatives.

Anne-Marie McAndrew from Ballina took a non-traditional path into a successful career in technology after discovering a local Tech Apprenticeship supported by Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB) and coordinated nationally by FIT (Fastrack into Information Technology).

Like many students, Anne-Marie admits she felt unsure when it came time to fill out her CAO choices.

I had no idea what I wanted to do, she said. When it came to filling out the CAO, it felt like it was either science or nothing, and I just didnt see myself in any of that.

After completing studies in beauty therapy, Anne-Marie realised she wanted to explore her long-standing interest in technology. However, the idea of returning to full-time college didnt appeal to her learning style.

The idea of sitting in a lecture hall with 200 other people just felt overwhelming, she said. It didnt suit how I learn. I learn by doing.

That search led her to the Computer Networking Apprenticeship delivered locally through MSLETB and coordinated by FIT. The two-year programme allows apprentices to earn a salary, gain a Level 6 qualification and work with a leading company while training.

It has completely changed my life for the better, Anne-Marie said. I honestly havent looked back for a single day since I started. Its been the best experience of my life.

READ MORE: Disappointment after planning granted to convert 'divisive' Mayo hotel

Anne-Marie describes her role as hands-on and varied, working directly with people and solving real-world technical problems.

I applied for network engineering because I knew it would be hands-on, she explained. It applies everywhere  from cybersecurity to cloud environments to banking. Im on peoples computers explaining whats going on behind the scenes, talking about networks, firewalls and systems.

Youre there to find solutions and fix problems that are stressful for other people. More than anything, its given me confidence and direction.

FIT supports a range of Tech Apprenticeships across Ireland, including Computer Networking, Software Development and Cybersecurity, with a new Data Analytics programme expected to launch in mid-2026, subject to validation.

Looking back, Anne-Marie says she wishes this option had existed when she was younger, but hopes her story will encourage local students and career-changers to explore alternatives beyond traditional college routes.

If this had existed when I was younger, I would have grabbed it, she said. There isnt just one right path. If college doesnt feel right, that doesnt mean youve failed. Sometimes you just have to look a little harder for the options that suit you.

Applications remain open for FITs Tech Apprenticeship programmes, starting in March and April 2026, with courses delivered with MSLETB in Sligo. Further information and applications are available at www.fit.ie.

READ MORE: New Moy bridge in Ballina a priority for north Mayo councillors
Growing concern over the number of salmon being caught in the River Moy has prompted the Ballina Salmon Anglers Association to seek a meeting with local councillors.

Anglers fear the situation could have serious implications for angling, tourism and the wider Mayo economy.

Members of the association have requested the opportunity to address the February meeting of the Ballina Municipal District after expressing dissatisfaction with Inland Fisheries Irelands (IFI) proposed response to what they describe as a developing crisis on the river.

The request was formally proposed at this weeks monthly meeting of the Ballina Municipal District by Independent Councillor Joe Faughnan and was unanimously approved by councillors.

READ MORE: New TV documentary on Grace OMalley to showcase Mayo historical sites

Speaking to MidWest Radio, Councillor Faughnan said the anglers are deeply concerned that IFIs proposals could have detrimental consequences for angling and tourism right across the Moy Valley.

They want to come into the municipal district meeting next month and outline their concerns directly to councillors, he said. By bringing in the Ballina Salmon Anglers Association, it gives them the chance to put their side of the story on the table.

He highlighted the significance of salmon fishing to the region, describing it as central to Ballinas identity, culture and economy.

Salmon fishing, especially on the River Moy, is extremely important to the towns identity, economy, culture and tourism. Its one of the key reasons Ballina is known nationally and internationally as the Salmon Capital of Ireland, Councillor Faughnan said.

Concerns were also raised at the meeting about the apparent decline in salmon numbers and the reliability of current fish counters on the river.

There are question marks over the counters on the Moy, and that was raised during the meeting, Councillor Faughnan added.

With the major economic impact salmon fishing has on the area, its vital that we sit down, talk this through and make sure any decisions are right for the region.

The Ballina Salmon Anglers Association is expected to make a presentation to councillors at the next municipal district meeting, where they will outline their concerns and seek clarity on IFIs plans for the river.
The Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation has announced a three-year partnership with OHaras of Foxford.

2026 is a landmark year for OHaras of Foxford as the business celebrates 75 years in operation, alongside the first anniversary of it Bakery 51 Cafe in Ballina.

As part of this collaboration, OHaras of Foxford will directly support Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundations recently announced Sunflower Childrens Hospice. The partnership will include:

OHaras will feature the Sunflower Hospice logo on its best-selling product, OHaras Premium White Sliced Bread. Each loaf will also include a QR code that enables customers to donate directly to the Sunflower Childrens Hospice. Products will be available in shops across Connaught, as well as all shops selling OHaras sliced white pan globally

Bakery 51 by OHaras of Foxford will hold four coffee mornings throughout the year in the cafe, with donations going to the Sunflower Childrens Hospice.

SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE

The Sunflower Childrens Hospice, funded by Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation, will provide essential care for children and young people with life-limiting illnesses and their families across the Western seaboard.

This marks a significant milestone as its the first children's hospice to be built outside of Dublin.

With an overall project estimated cost of between 12 million and 14 million, the Foundation has launched a campaign to raise 7 million over the next year to ensure construction can commence in 2026.

The in-patient & respite facility is expected to be completed in approximately two years. A site has already been secured in Castlebar, with the Government and HSE committed to supporting clinical governance.

Martina Jennings, CEO of Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation, said: We are delighted to work with OHaras of Foxford over the next three years as they support our fundraising efforts for The Sunflower Childrens Hospice. Their generosity and strong community spirit will have a tangible impact on the care we provide across the Western seaboard."

She explained there are many families with children and young people with life limiting illnesses in the West of Ireland who require paediatric palliative care services.

"To meet this critical need, we must raise 7 million over the next year to build Sunflower Childrens Hospice. We have done it before for Mayo and Roscommon Hospices, and I know we can do it again with the continued support of our communities. This partnership truly reflects OHaras generosity and belief in supporting local people. They have gone above and beyond for us  having not changed their packaging in more than 20 years - and I cannot thank them enough.

Julia OHara of OHaras of Foxford, the number one bread brand in Connaught, said: OHaras are honoured to team up with Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation on this incredibly meaningful initiative. The Sunflower Childrens Hospice will be a lifeline for families facing unimaginable challenges, and OHaras are committed to helping bring this vital service to the West of Ireland. Were a family business and family means everything to us. What they do for families is just amazing. It was the right thing to do. It was just the right fit Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation continues to deliver exceptional palliative care services in the region, relying heavily on community support. The new partnership reflects OHaras long-standing commitment to giving back to the people and families who have supported the bakery for generations.

For over 30 years, Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation has been dedicated to providing palliative care services to people with life limiting illnesses and their families in County Mayo and County Roscommon. The Palliative Care Teams have supported more than 25,000 patients and their families to date. Both Mayo Hospice and Roscommon Hospice were

developed and paid for by fundraised income (a combined 15.3 million) and are a result of the great support received from the people of Mayo and Roscommon. To make a donation, see here.

READ NEXT: Claremorris McDonalds planning application put on hold by Mayo County Council
Russia to participate in talks with Ukraine and USA in Abu Dhabi  media

Russia will take part in trilateral talks with Ukraine and the United States in Abu Dhabi on Friday, Reuters reported, citing a statement from Putin aide Yuri Ushakov.

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters the talks, which began shortly before midnight and lasted some four hours, had been substantive, constructive and very frank. He said Russian Admiral Igor Kostyukov would head Moscow's team at the three-way security talks, and investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev would meet separately on economic issues with Steve Witkoff, the envoy of President Donald Trump, Reuters reported.

The agency also referred to Ushakov, who said that without resolving the territorial issue according to the formula agreed upon in Anchorage, there is no hope of achieving a long-term settlement.
He might have just guided Tooreen to within inches of the All-Ireland title in Croke Park, but now Ray Larkin has to put his mind to directing Mayo's fortunes in the National Hurling League.

The Green and Red will operate in Division 2 where they will face interesting challenges at every turn.

They begin the campaign in Hastings Insurance MacHale Park on Sunday against Laois at 1pm. This will be a big test for the home side and seven days later they'll be in Ruislip taking on the might of London in the second round.

READ NEXT: Preview Mayo v Galway: Which starting team will Andy Moran pick?

On Saturday, February 7 Larkin's men will travel to Derry to take on the home side in a match that throws in at 1pm.

After those three tough games the Mayo men will have a break until Saturday, February 28 when they will pit their wits against Meath in Castlebar.

A trip to Tralee on March 8 will be next on the agenda for a Sunday afternoon game that begins at 2pm.

The final round of the league will see Mayo back in MacHale Park to host Westmeath on Saturday, March 21 at 1pm.

The campaign won't be easy. Talented teams stand in their way and it remains to be seen how soon the Tooreen contingent will return to the Mayo group.

Larkin is well accustomed to managing through these type of challenges and the men in Green and Red are in for a very interesting league campaign.

READ NEXT: "I'm thrilled about their return" - says Mayo manager about players coming back
JSC Ukrzaliznytsia received 2,000 tonnes of high-tech R-65 rails from the Japanese manufacturer Nippon Steel, and another 1,000 tonnes are expected to be delivered by the end of January, the press release of the Ministry of Communities and Territories Development said on Thursday.

According to the release, the implementation of this cooperation became possible under the third phase of the Emergency Recovery Program through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

"This is the result of systematic engagement and successful agreements with Japanese partners by the ministry in early 2025. Ukraine currently has no domestic rail production, so partner support is necessary and critical for the functioning of the countrys railway system," the ministry said.

The cooperation currently provides for the transfer of 3,000 tonnes of rails with a total value of about $4 million, the release said.

The ministry explained that for welding rails directly on the tracks and for the thermal joining of rail joints, railway workers use mobile complexes, resulting in so-called velvet track with no joints, which extends service life and ensures smoother train movement.

"We are sincerely grateful to the Japanese government for its strategic support, which allows us not only to maintain the network but to carry out capital repairs to the highest global standards, ensuring reliable connections even in the most difficult times," Deputy Minister of Communities and Territories Development Martna Denysiuk was quoted as saying.

The Ministry of Communities and Territories Development recalled that support from the Japanese government and JICA has continued since the outset of Russias full-scale invasion. During that period, nearly 25,000 tonnes of rails have been delivered, enabling the modernization of more than 193 kilometers (120 miles) of track on strategic routes operated by the Lviv, Southwestern, Prydniprovska, Southern and Odesa railways.

In addition, railway workers received 24 units of construction and cargo-handling equipment manufactured by Komatsu, Toyota and Sonalika, including 22 units of track machinery. The total value of equipment and materials supplied under the first two phases of the program exceeded $42 million, the ministry said.

"The supplied equipment, including wheeled excavators, loaders and bulldozers, has already logged more than 13,000 operating hours in emergency repair and recovery work," the ministry said.
In Davos, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part in a panel session of the International Advisory Council for Ukraine's Recovery. The event was attended by, among others, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, EU Economy Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis, World Bank President Ajay Banga, UN Development Programme Administrator Alexander De Croo, as well as representatives of international business, financial institutions and energy companies.

"We are grateful for the attention to Ukraine and for the support, which is especially crucial now, as such Russian strikes aim to destroy people and cities by exposing them to the cold. Everything must now work to ensure Ukraine's resilience and the strength of our people in Ukraine. We must be realistic and implement specific things now that people can actually feel. We will work productively with everyone who stands with Ukraine," Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram.

According to the Ukrainian presidents website, one of the main topics of discussion was ways to help address challenges in the energy sector caused by Russian strikes. The meeting also focused on increasing investment in projects in Ukraine after the achievement of a just peace. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he is convinced this will become possible once Ukraine receives reliable security guarantees.

"Security guarantees for our people are extremely important. But they are also essential for investment and for business  for everyone. And that is a good thing. We are now at a point where we understand this, Europeans understand it, and Americans understand it as well: we all need security guarantees, first and foremost from America, and then from Europe. I hope we will be able to finalize the reconstruction package, the prosperity package that our teams are currently working on," the President said.

The participants also discussed how business operates in Ukraine amid the full-scale war. The Head of State noted that despite the war, domestic businesses continue to operate and grow  and, most importantly, to implement modern technologies and innovations.

"I thank all representatives of energy companies, businesses, and institutions who participated," Zelenskyy said.

Participants included European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity Valdis Dombrovskis, President of the World Bank Ajay Banga, United Nations Development Program Administrator Alexander De Croo, Chairman and CEO of BlackRock Larry Fink, as well as founders and executives of the following companies: Fortescue (Australia), Vestas (Denmark), Schneider Electric (France), Siemens Energy (Germany), TenneT (Netherlands), Equinor (Norway), Sonae (Portugal), Vattenfall (Sweden), ABB (Switzerland), Koc Holding (Turkiye), Bank of America (United Kingdom), Arup Group (United Kingdom), Henry Schein (United States), AES (United States), Bunge Global (United States), Citi (United States), and Goldman Sachs.
Business group Logistics UK is urging the Senedd to publish its long-promised freight and logistics strategy

Logistics leaders have warned the Welsh government is putting investment at risk after freight and logistics were omitted from the latest Welsh budget.

Business group Logistics UK is urging the Senedd to publish its long-promised freight and logistics strategy as a matter of urgency, saying the absence of the sector from budget plans fails to reflect its economic importance.

The organisation says the decision overlooks one of Wales largest and most critical industries, which underpins the movement of goods across the country every day.

Josh Fenton, policy manager at Logistics UK, said the lack of recognition in the budget sends the wrong signal to businesses.

No explicit provision for freight and logistics in the final Welsh budget fails to recognise one of the countrys largest and most critical economic sectors, and risks inhibiting investment by creating uncertainty in the industry that moves all the goods Wales relies on, every day, he said.

He pointed to the scale of the sectors contribution, noting that thousands of firms depend on logistics activity across Wales.

Thousands of businesses and more than 90,000 people  6.7% of the Welsh workforce  are employed in logistics roles, and the sector contributes 3.3 billion to the Welsh economy, Mr Fenton said.

Logistics UK said ministers have previously committed to producing a dedicated freight and logistics strategy for Wales, but no document has yet been published.

Previously, the Welsh government has made several commitments to produce a Welsh freight and logistics strategy, but nothing has been forthcoming, Mr Fenton said.

He added that the strategy needs to be published as a matter of urgency so it can be delivered before the Senedd elections.

The group said recent disruption has underlined the need for a clear, overarching plan.

The closure of Holyhead Port following storm damage is just one recent incident that highlights the acute need for such an overarching logistics strategy to support the nations economic growth plans, Mr Fenton said.

He added that securing a Welsh freight and logistics strategy remains Logistics UKs top priority for the next Welsh government.
Photo: National Guard

On the night of January 23 (from 20:00 on January 22), the enemy attacked with 101 Shahed-type attack UAVs (including jet-powered ones), Gerberas, and other types of drones from the following directions: Kursk, Orel, Shatalovo, Millerovo, Primorsko-Akhtarsk of the Russian Federation, temporarily occupied territory of Donetsk, about 60 of which were shaheds, the Ukrainian Air Force reported on its Telegram channel.

"According to preliminary data, as of 8:00 a.m., air defense have shot down or suppressed 76 enemy Shaheds, Gerberas, and other types of UAVs. Nineteen attack UAVs were recorded hitting 12 locations," the Ukrainian Air Force reported.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The House was voting Thursday on a resolution that directs President Donald Trump to remove U.S. military forces from Venezuela as Democrats pressed the Republican-controlled Congress to curb the president's aggression in the Western Hemisphere.

The Trump administration told senators last week that there are no U.S. troops on the ground in Venezuela and committed to getting congressional approval before launching major military operations there. But Democrats argued that the resolution is necessary after the U.S. raid to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and since Trump has stated plans to control the country's oil industry for years to come.

Thursday's vote was the latest test in Congress of how much leeway Republicans will give a president who campaigned on removing the U.S. from foreign entanglements but has increasingly reached for military options to impose his will in the Western Hemisphere. So far, almost all Republicans have declined to put checks on Trump through the war powers votes.

Rep. Brian Mast, the Republican chair of the House Armed Services Committee, accused Democrats of bringing the war powers resolution to a vote out of spite for Trump.

Its about the fact that you dont want President Trump to arrest Maduro, and you will condemn him no matter what he does, even though he brought Maduro to justice with possibly the most successful law enforcement operation in history," Mast added.

Still, Democrats stridently argued that Congress needs to assert its role in determining when the president can use wartime powers. They have been able to force a series of votes in both the House and Senate as Trump in recent months ramped up his campaign against Maduro and set his sights on other conflicts overseas.

Donald Trump is reducing the United States to a regional bully with fewer allies and more enemies, Rep. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said during a floor debate. This isn't making America great again. Its making us isolated and weak.

Last week, Senate Republicans were only able to narrowly dismiss a Venezuela war powers resolution after the Trump administration persuaded two Republicans to back away from their earlier support. As part of that effort, Secretary of State Marco Rubio committed to a briefing next week before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The response to Trumps foreign policy

When the House voted on a similar Venezuela war powers resolution last month, three Republican House members  Reps. Don Bacon of Nebraska, Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has since resigned from Congress  joined Democrats in voting for the legislation. Trump has since carried out the attack on Venezuela to seize Maduro, as well as turned his ambitions to possessing Greenland.

Trump's insistence that the U.S. will possess Greenland over the objections of Denmark, a NATO ally, has alarmed some Republicans on Capitol Hill. They have mounted some of the most outspoken objections to almost anything the president has done since taking office.

Trump this week backed away from military and tariff threats against European allies as he announced that his administration was working with NATO on a framework of a future deal on Arctic security.

But Bacon still expressed frustration with Trump's aggressive foreign policy and planned to vote for the war powers resolution, even though it only applies to Venezuela.

I'm tired of all the threats, he said.

Trump's recent military actions  and threats to do more  have reignited a decades-old debate in Congress over the War Powers Act, a law passed in the early 1970s by lawmakers looking to claw back their authority over military actions.

The war powers debate

The War Powers Resolution was passed in the Vietnam War era as the U.S. sent troops to conflicts throughout Asia. It attempted to force presidents to work with Congress to deploy troops if there hasn't already been a formal declaration of war.

Under the legislation, lawmakers can also force votes on legislation that directs the president to remove U.S. forces from hostilities.

Presidents have long tested the limits of those parameters, and Democrats argue that Trump in his second term has pushed those limits farther than ever.

The Trump administration left Congress in the dark ahead of the surprise raid to capture Maduro. It has also used an evolving set of legal justifications to blow up alleged drug boats and seize sanctioned oil tankers near Venezuela.

Democrats question who gets to benefit from Venezuelan oil licenses

As the Trump administration oversees the sale of Venezuela's petroleum worldwide, Senate Democrats are questioning who is benefitting from the contracts.

In one of the first transactions, the U.S. granted Vitol, the world's largest independent oil broker, a license worth roughly $250 million. A senior partner at Vitol, John Addison, gave roughly $6 million to Trump-aligned political action committees during the presidential election, according to donation records compiled by OpenSecrets.

Congress and the American people deserve full transparency regarding any financial commitments, promises, deals, or other arrangements related to Venezuela that could favor donors to the Presidents campaign and political operation, 13 Democratic senators wrote to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles Thursday in a letter led by Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff of California.

The White House has said it is safeguarding the South American country's oil for the benefit of both the people of Venezuela and the U.S.
An Irish lawmaker is calling for new legislation aimed to better inspect U.S. aircraft at an airport that for many years has been used by the United States military.

The international Shannon Airport in Ireland is not a permanent base for aircraft owned and operated by the United States and, more specifically, the U.S. Air Force. However, the airport has long served a strategic relevance for U.S. operations including refueling, a place for cargo planes and military troop carriers to dock, and has also acted as a stopover for service members traveling to war-torn nations in the Middle East like Afghanistan and Iraq.

The decades-long use of the facility by U.S. forces has drawn new criticism from Conor Sheehan, an Irish Labour Party politician who has been a Teachta Dala (TD) for Limerick City since 2024, due to the broader government's inability to properly assess threats based on seemingly nonexistent inspections.

On Friday, Jan. 23, Sheehan called on the Irish government to swiftly introduce legislation to allow for routine and random physical inspections of aircraftincluding U.S. aircraftat Shannon Airport.

Unsatisfactory Response

Sheehans concerns emanate from a written parliamentary question for Irish Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien, who was asked if any legislation was ongoing to allow for routine inspections of U.S. military aircraft in Shannon.

The minister reportedly responded that there has been no instance to date where it was necessary to inspect U.S. aircraft.

The TD called OBriens response troubling and a confirmation that no inspections take place unless suspicion already exists. He also found that no new legislation is being introduced to quell those like him who are concerned.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Paul A. Millis, left, a crew chief, and Cpl. Collin Q. Gates, a crew master, both assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 252, repair a KC-130J Super Hercules before a Flight In Support of a Deployed Unit (FISDU) at the Shannon Airport, Ireland, March 12, 2015. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Koby I. Saunders/Released)

That is not oversight, Sheehan said in a statement. That is blind trust, and blind trust cannot be the basis for policy. What [the] government is saying, in plain terms, is that Ireland has no system of independent, routine or random physical inspections of aircraft landing at Shannon, even though the airport plays a well documented role in facilitating U.S. military movements.

We only look if we already believe something is wrong, and we have never allowed ourselves to look closely enough to form that belief. That circular logic would not pass muster in any serious regulatory system, and it should not be acceptable here.

Military.com reached out to Sheehan and the Pentagon for comment.

'Not Subject to Inspection'

Its not the first time Irish lawmakers have questioned the nations role in aiding the U.S. military.

Previously, now-Ireland President Catherine Connolly asked former Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin a similar question in October 2024 of whether the government intended to put a stop to Shannon Airport being used by the U.S. military, according to the Irish publication Limerick Leader.

Foreign military aircraft which are given permission to land in Ireland are not subject to inspection in this regard, Martin responded at the time.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the media during a refueling stop at Shannon Airport in Shannon, Ireland, on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (Saul Loeb/Pool Photo via AP)

Since roughly 2016, the U.S. reportedly made 7,248 requests to fly over Irish airspace, according to Irish Department of Foreign Affairs records.

RTE News (the website of Raidio Teilifis Eireann, Ireland's National Public Service Media) analyzed Ireland Department of Transport data of U.S. military stops at Shannon, reporting that between 2022 and 2024, roughly 2,000 U.S. military aircraft and U.S. civil air operators with declared munitions of war on-board applied for exemptions to stop in Ireland. Flights were frequently to and from Bulgaria, Germany, Kuwait and Poland, they found.

Of all those aircraft, routijne searches and inspections were essentially nonexistent. planes are not routinely searched or inspected by Irish authorities. Only about 0.1% of applications from U.S. civil aircraft were refused to land or fly over Ireland due to the "nature of the total munitions of war proposed to be carried", RTE News found.

What we are witnessing in the United States and across the world is a profound shift in the global order. - Conor Sheehan

Just yesterday, U.S. President Donald and Air Force One stopped to refuel on the Shannon Airport tarmac after returning home from his visit to Davos, Switzerland, per reports. Air Force One departed after about 70 minutes on-site.

Sheehan said the long-held U.S. military presence at the airport should be reviewed in the manner of international context, alluding to the current foreign policy framework adopted and developed by the U.S. and other nationsin addition to the risks being endured by Ireland.

Against that backdrop, it is extraordinary that Ireland still lacks a clear legislative framework to allow independent inspections at Shannon Airport," Sheehan said. "Relying on a suspicion threshold that is never met because inspections do not happen is not neutrality, it is negligence.

The ministers reply confirms that no decision has been taken to introduce legislation to allow for routine or random inspections. That is a political choice. The call from Labour is clear: Government must bring forward legislation to allow for routine and random inspections of aircraft at Shannon Airport. This needs to happen now, not at some undefined point in the future.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseths first year in office has triggered a sweeping clash over the direction of U.S. military power, turning what began as a leadership transition into one of the most closely watched Pentagon resets in decades.

Hegseth, a former infantry officer and ex-Fox News co-host, took the reins and has pushed hard to overhaul personnel policy, command culture, and national security priorities. He has President Donald Trump's trust but has also faced continued criticism from DoD outsiders including federal watchdogs and civil liberties groups.

The White House has portrayed his first year as a reset for readiness and discipline.

Secretary Hegseth and his entire team are doing a great job restoring readiness and lethality to our military and putting our warfighters first after four years of ineptitude and abject failure by the Biden Administration, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told Military.com.

Pentagon officials declined to comment on Hegseth's job performance, instead referring Military.com to publicly released policy summaries.

(From left to right) Joint Task Force - National Capital Region and U.S. Army Military District of Washington Commanding General Maj. Gen. Trevor J. Bredenkamp, U.S. Vice President JD Vance, U.S. President Donald Trump, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Office of Army Cemeteries and Army National Military Cemeteries Executive Director Karen Durham-Aguilera speak in the Memorial Amphitheater Display Room at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, Monday, May 26, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Elizabeth Fraser / Arlington National Cemetery / released)

Military.com reached out to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, NATO, the European External Action Service and multiple allied defense ministries for comment.

Trump administration officials point to expanded training pipelines, stricter fitness enforcement, faster promotion tracks for combat specialties, and increased large scale exercises as evidence of renewed focus on warfighting priorities.

Defense Department materials describe the approach as a deterrence strategy centered on visible readiness while reducing what officials call bureaucratic and ideological distractions inside the force. That limited engagement has widened the divide between administration confidence and critics who argue the changes carry long-term institutional and legal risks.

Pentagon Press Corps Battle

Hegseths reforms have also reshaped who gets to cover the Pentagon itself.

New credentialing rules altered long-standing press access policies, including several legacy outlets losing designated workspace assignments inside the building. Newer digital and more partisan media organizations received credentials and physical access.

Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson conducts a press briefing at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Dec. 2, 2025. (DoW photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Eric Brann)

Pentagon officials said the changes modernize engagement and reflect evolving media consumption habits. Press freedom organizations disagree.

The banishment of reporters from the Pentagon press room is part of a broader pattern of constitutional violations. - Christopher Anders, director of the Democracy and Technology Division at the American Civil Liberties Union, told Military.com.

Several news organizations argue that the loss of workspace assignments complicate daily reporting, limit informal sourcing, and reduce access to senior officialsespecially during fast-moving national security events.

A Defense Department spokesperson declined comment on the press corps alterations, instead directing Military.com to public statements affirming the departments commitment to transparency and fairness.

Civil Liberties Groups' Warning on Pentagon Reforms

Civil liberties organizations describe Hegseths first year as a legal stress test for the modern U.S. military.

To say that Secretary Hegseth has acted outside the rule of law understates the scope and depth of his lawlessness, Anders told Military.com. But there is no Hegseth exception to the Constitution or to federal law. He has already been, and will have to continue to be, kept in check by courts and a Congress that must enforce the legal guardrails against this kind of misconduct.

The ACLU said it has filed more than 230 legal actions against the Trump administration during the past year and continues pursuing litigation involving domestic troop deployments, censorship disputes in military base schools, and alleged First Amendment violations.

U.S. Army Soldiers with the Tennessee National Guard patrol downtown Memphis alongside the Memphis Police Department, Nov. 6, 2025. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew M. Brown)

Recent litigation involving service members and families challenged new Pentagon directives affecting political expression and protest activity. A federal judge temporarily blocked enforcement of one rule, ruling that it raised serious constitutional concerns and lacked clear statutory authority.

The organization said several court rulings have already blocked or narrowed administration actions involving military school policies and domestic deployments. Additional cases remain active in federal courts.

ACLU officials said the disputes extend beyond individual policies and reflect broader questions about how far civilian leadership can reshape military institutions without violating constitutional protections.

Watchdogs Raise Red Flags

Federal oversight agencies continue tracking how rapidly Hegseths reforms are reshaping governance and spending.

The Government Accountability Office declined to issue a formal assessment of his tenure but pointed Military.com to ongoing reviews covering readiness, acquisition reform, cybersecurity modernization and infrastructure resilience. Those reviews documented recruitment gaps, weapons program overruns, shipbuilding delays and housing quality concerns.

A student speaks with U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jonathan Gonzales, a recruiter with Recruiting Sub-Station Clermont, Recruiting Station Orlando, during the Lake County Schools College and Career Expo in Lake County, Florida, Dec. 11, 2025. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Nayelly Nieves-Nieves)

Shipbuilding delays and rising modernization costs continue to strain Navy readiness goals. The Congressional Budget Office said it has not produced analysis specific to Hegseths leadership but continues tracking defense budget trends.

Recent projections show growth in personnel costs, nuclear modernization spending, and Indo-Pacific posture investments while warning of long-term readiness tradeoffs.

Lawmakers have questioned whether oversight systems can move fast enough to track executive driven reforms.

Military.com reached out to multiple additional federal oversight offices and policy organizations for comment.

Professional military education institutions also face the downstream effects of Pentagon reforms.

U.S. Naval War College (NWC) Provost Stephen Mariano, Ph.D, addresses new and returning faculty and staff during the 18th annual NWC Cloister ceremony onboard Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island, Aug. 4, 2025. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Connor Burns)

Hegseth has emphasized tighter discipline, cultural alignment and warfighting focus. Supporters call it a return to fundamentals. Critics warn it risks blurring professional independence.

Military.com reached out to the National Defense University, Naval War College, West Point and the Naval Academy for comment.

Scholars previously warned that politicized messaging inside officer training complicates how future commanders interpret lawful dissent and constitutional duty.

Those debates often surface years later when officers trained under one era begin commanding in another.

A Collision Still Taking Shape

Hegseths first year placed the Pentagon at the center of a rare convergence of political loyalty, legal resistance and institutional uncertainty.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth enlists new members of the Department of War, tours a Shipbuilding Yard, has lunch with sailors on the USS John F. Kennedy and gives a speech to shipbuilders, during the Arsenal of Freedom tour in Newport News, Virginia, Jan. 5, 2026. (DoW photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Milton Hamilton)

Supporters argue he restored discipline and mission focus. Civil liberties groups warn constitutional protections face erosion. Oversight agencies continue tracking how quickly executive authority reshapes long-standing structures.

Courts are now weighing several disputes. Congress faces pressure to consider statutory guardrails. Military educators are watching how todays policies shape tomorrows officer corps.

The full impact may take years to measure. But the boundaries being tested now between authority and law, reform and restraint, loyalty and independence, will define how the U.S. military is led long after Hegseth leaves office.
More than 20 years of military moves taught one Army family to expect frustration, confusion and long waits for their own belongings.

Defense officials are redesignating the Permanent Change of Station Joint Task Force into a new Personal Property Activity based at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, with plans to convert it into a standalone federal agency overseeing all military household goods moves.

The overhaul centralizes authority over shipping offices, claims processing and business rules for a system that manages about 300,000 moves each year and costs about $2 billion annually. It follows years of complaints from service members, families and moving companies about delays, damage, lost property and accountability gaps.

Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Henig has moved his household about 10 times in 22 years of service. For most of those moves, he said the system has felt disjointed, slow and exhausting.

That changed during his most recent move in December.

We had more lead time in the orders process, better communication and real control, Henig told Military.com. I had a single person I could reach for any question.

Defense leaders said that difference is not accidental.

Hegseth Orders Full Reset

Broken furniture, lost heirlooms and months of silence forced Pentagon leaders to confront what military families had endured for years.

A cabinet with its mirrors smashed. A dresser missing a leg. A treasured German-made clock, shattered into pieces, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a pre-recorded video announcement, citing real cases that helped drive the decision to overhaul the system. These are some of the stories about what its like to move when youre serving in the military.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth enlists new members of the Department of War, tours a Shipbuilding Yard, has lunch with sailors on the USS John F. Kennedy and gives a speech to shipbuilders, during the Arsenal of Freedom tour in Newport News, Virginia, Jan. 5, 2026. (DoW photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Milton Hamilton)

Hegseth said the new Personal Property Activity is designed to replace a fragmented structure with a single chain of command, modern technology and real accountability for household goods.

Our service members deserve a moving system that works, not one that adds stress to families already sacrificing for the nation, he said, adding that the new organization will operate with independent authority, modern business rules and centralized oversight. This is about dignity, respect and readiness. We owe that to every military family.

The push for a full reset follows a bruising stretch in which families reported missed pack-outs, delayed deliveries and breakdowns in communication as new systems rolled into the busiest moving seasons.

Defense officials said the directive shifted the reform effort from years of discussion into execution, cutting through internal resistance that had slowed progress.

"This only happens when leadership decides it has to change, a senior defense official told Military.com.

Henig said he has already felt that shift in his own move. Earlier relocations often felt fragmented and exhausting, but his most recent move delivered something different.

It seemed more taxing on your time before. Now, its streamlined, he told Military.com, pointing to virtual inspections as one of the clearest improvements. It was just an app. I walked through my house on my schedule, and they got everything they needed.

He said the change eased pressure across his entire household.

Its not just the stress on me thats lightened. Its stress across the entire family," he added.

A System That Could Not Hold

The overhaul represents the first true structural reset in the history of the military moving program, ending decades of fragmented control and temporary fixes that never addressed the systems core design.

Its a total renovation, a senior defense official told Military.com. This has never been done before.

For decades, each military service controlled its own slice of the processfrom shipping offices to claims oversight, creating overlapping rules, competing priorities and inconsistent enforcement. Officials said families often received different answers depending on which branch handled their move, while no single organization had the authority to fix problems across the system.

There wasnt one chain of command, the DoD official said. Everyone owned a piece of the problem, but no one owned the whole solution.

U.S Army Maj. Gen. Lance G. Curtis, Permanent Change of Station Joint Task Force commander, speaks during a spousal town hall at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, Aug. 27, 2025. The town hall provided an opportunity for military spouses to ask questions, share concerns, and receive updates on household goods policies. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Iain Stanley)

Maj. Gen. Lance G. Curtis, who leads the PCS Joint Task Force, said that fragmentation made reform nearly impossible, even when leaders agreed change was needed.

We had decision by consensus, Curtis told Military.com. You needed a single decision maker, and you didnt have it.

Technology failures compounded those structural flaws. Officials said the Defense Personal Property System that tracks shipments is more than 25 years old, built for a different era of military mobility and now nearing technical failure.

The Defense Personal Property System is going to time out in the next two-three years, Curtis said, warning that continued reliance on the platform risked further delays, lost data and claims backlogs.

Curtis said the secretarys directive required both immediate fixes and a permanent solution, forcing the department to confront the systems long-term sustainability rather than continue short-term workarounds.

He wanted a short-term solution and a long-term solution, Curtis told Military.com. We were directed to come back with both.

The collapse of the Global Household Goods Contract removed any remaining doubt inside the department, officials said, exposing how deeply the system depended on fragile stopgap measures.

That contract failure was the moment leadership accepted the system was broken at its foundation, a senior defense official told Military.com.

Families Paid the Price

Military families said the failures carried real financial and emotional consequences that stretched far beyond damaged furniture.

Every year, more than 600,000 military families move and can pay more than $8,000 in out-of-pocket expenses just to settle in, Blue Star Families told Military.com, noting that delays and lost property often force families to replace essentials while waiting months for reimbursement.

Workers from River City Movers conduct a direct delivery May 9 for Staff Sgt. Cornel Varnado Jr., 194th Military Police Company, 716th Military Police Battalion, at Fort Campbell whose belongings were transported overseas from his previous duty station in Germany during a government move. (Ethan Steinquest/Fort Campbell)

Curtis said those burdens directly affect readiness.

If service members are focused on household goods, theyre not focused on the mission, he told Military.com.

If this doesnt go effectively, people leave the military, he added, warning that repeated PCS frustration compounds broader retention challenges.

Henig said that reality matches what he sees across the force, especially among midcareer families balancing deployments, children and housing transitions.

You recruit the soldier, but you retain the family, he told Military.com. One bad PCS can be enough for a family to say theyre done.

Families often waited months for their belongings while claims remained unresolved, officials said, disrupting school enrollment, medical access and daily stability at new duty stations. Families facing late deliveries also have reimbursement tools available, though navigating them can become another burden during a move.

One Chain of Command

The new structure places all continental U.S. shipping offices under the Personal Property Activity in phased transitions, ending decades of fragmented oversight. Overseas offices will follow on a delayed timeline while remaining under tactical control, allowing commanders to maintain operational flexibility during deployments and contingency moves.

Claims processing has already been centralized, officials said, eliminating a system that once pushed families between service branches, contractors and claims offices with no clear ownership.

Curtis said that shift has changed how families interact with the system.

Transparency and communication have really made a difference, he told Military.com, adding that families now know who owns their case and where to turn when problems arise."

Service members assigned to the Permanent Change of Station Joint Task Force Call Center provide assistance to military families at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, July 21, 2025. The 24/7 call center supports complex household goods issues by offering dedicated guidance when standard systems fall short. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Iain Stanley)

The Pentagon also issued nine new business rules in December, including cybersecurity requirements designed to protect service member and family data after repeated complaints about exposure risks.

This came directly from what spouses asked us, PCS Joint Task Force adviser Maj. Matt Visser told Military.com, saying family feedback increasingly shapes policy decisions inside the program.

Visser said the complexity of unresolved cases helped drive urgency. For example, one recent household goods dispute required 18 staff members and about 120 hours to resolve, exposing how inefficient the legacy system had become.

Anytime people reach us with bad news about their PCS, we consider that good news, Visser said. It means families know how to reach us and trust us to get involved to help.

Henig said that visibility alone changes the experience.

When you have someone accountable, you have confidence, he said.

The Movers Walked Away

Moving companies said that confusion, inconsistent rules, delayed payments, and unsustainable reimbursement rates steadily pushed many reputable carriers out of the military market, weakening competition and limiting options for families during peak moving seasons.

Industry participation shrank as companies struggled to navigate different service rules, shifting contract expectations and claims systems that often left carriers absorbing losses for damaged or delayed shipments they said they could not control.

The transportation businesses were not getting a rate that made participation competitive, a defense official told Military.com. It was not advantageous for them to stay in the system.

Officials said that dynamic created a cycle in which experienced movers exited, while less capable providers filled the gap, increasing the risk of damaged property, missed delivery windows and unresolved claims.

Josh Morales, president of International Van Lines, said his company ultimately reduced its military business because the system felt unpredictable and inaccessible.

We took a backseat to military moves due to the confusion, Morales told Military.com.

He said transparency was just as damaging as reimbursement.

It felt like a who you know situation, he added. Quality companies were searching for scraps.

Defense leaders say that loss of reputable carriers hurt families directly by shrinking the pool of trusted providers and increasing strain during high-volume PCS periods.

Curtis said the Pentagon is now deliberately shifting away from a model that rewarded low bids over service performance.

The intent was never to be the lowest bidder, he said. It was intended to be the highest quality.

The Cost of a Broken System

Defense officials say the overhaul will require upfront investment before long-term savings appear, but they argue the cost of maintaining the status quo had already become unsustainable.

The Pentagon currently spends about $2 billion each year on household goods moves. Officials estimate roughly $225 million annually goes toward manpower and administrative costs tied to managing a system split across multiple services.

Standing up the Personal Property Activity is expected to cost about $26.6 million, primarily for staffing, infrastructure and technology integration.

Packed household items sit in a corner during a permanent change of station move near Scott Air Force Base, Ill., July 17, 2025. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Keira Rossman)

Officials said those figures do not capture the hidden costs of delays, damaged property, repeated claims reviews and lost productivity when service members spend weeks tracking shipments instead of focusing on their missions.

Leaders say the department expects savings over time through fewer damage claims, faster resolution timelines, reduced duplication across services and more efficient staffing, though formal projections remain under review as the organization continues to mature.

Defense officials also said the human cost has weighed just as heavily as the financial one.

When families lose confidence in the system, that has a readiness cost you cannot put on a spreadsheet, one defense official told Military.com.

Restoring trust is now viewed as a strategic investment rather than an administrative expense, officials added.

Replacing a Failing System

Defense leaders say modernizing the technology behind military moves is essential to restoring accountability in a system that had long outgrown its digital foundation.

The Pentagon plans to replace the Defense Personal Property System with a modern platform built on the MilMove framework, ending reliance on software officials say was designed for a different era of military mobility and never intended to manage todays volume, complexity or expectations. (https://www.military.com/pcs/dod-household-goods.html)

A mover lifts a box into the back of a moving truck during a Permanent Change of Station on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, July 18, 2025. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Stephanie Henry)

Officials said the new system will provide real-time shipment visibility, faster claims processing and improved coordination between shipping offices, giving families clearer insight into where their belongings are, who is responsible and how problems are being addressed.

Curtis said the old platform no longer matched operational reality.

You cannot run a 21st century mobility system on 1990s technology, he told Military.com.

Defense officials said families often lost visibility once shipments entered transit, forcing them to rely on phone calls, emails and contractor updates that sometimes conflicted, stalled or disappeared.

The new platform, officials said, will allow families to track shipments, submit documentation digitally, upload photos, communicate directly with accountable case managers and see claim status updates in real timereplacing a process that once felt opaque and fragmented.

Curtis said the objective is not simply speed, but trust.

"Families should never feel like their property disappeared into a black hole, he told Military.com.

Defense leaders said technology modernization is critical to rebuilding confidence with industry partners that will now operate inside a system that records performance metrics, response times and outcomes more transparently.

That visibility is designed to reward reliability and service quality, not just low cost, while giving leaders earlier warning when problems begin to emerge.

The Breaking Point

Some cases forced Pentagon leaders to confront how deeply the military moving system had failed.

In one instance, a service member arrived at a new duty station with little more than a backpack while household goods remained locked in storage under disputed paperwork. Leadership intervened and resolved the case the same day, but officials said the fact that it required senior attention exposed how broken routine processes had become.

Another household goods dispute required 18 personnel and about 120 hours to resolve, drawing in shipping offices, contractors, claims managers, and service representatives across multiple commands.

A mover loads a box into the moving truck during household goods pickup during a Permanent Change of Station on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, July 18, 2025. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Stephanie Henry)

Curtis said those cases were not isolated, but representative of a system that no longer protected families from bureaucratic collapse.

We want to beat this down to zero, he said. Every one of those cases represents a family that lost trust in the system.

Defense officials said the manpower devoted to crisis resolution illustrated how much time and money were being spent untangling failures instead of preventing them.

Officials said families often felt powerless once a move went wrong, unsure who owned their case, where responsibility shifted or how to push the process forward.

That lack of ownership is what we are eliminating, one defense official said.

Curtis said the new structure is designed so that families no longer have to escalate crises to be heard.

If a case reaches leadership, that means we already failed, he said. The system should fix itself before it gets there.

Defense leaders said those real cases shifted the reform effort from abstract policy discussion into urgent operational necessity.

Pressure From Capitol Hill

Lawmakers from both parties said the overhaul reflects years of pressure from military families who repeatedly told Congress the PCS system lacked accountability.

Several congressional offices told Military.com they routinely handled casework involving lost property, delayed deliveries and unresolved claims, often with no clear path to resolution once a move went wrong.

Defense officials said that steady flow of constituent complaints helped keep the issue on lawmakers radar even as previous reform efforts stalled.

Lawmakers have closely monitored the transition to the Personal Property Activity and are expected to maintain oversight as the organization expands its authority and moves toward independent agency status.

Curtis said congressional interest reinforced urgency inside the department.

When members of Congress start asking why families cannot get answers about their own belongings, it forces accountability, Curtis said.

Officials said lawmakers were especially focused on how the new structure will measure performance, enforce standards, and prevent another major contract failure like the collapse of the Global Household Goods Contract.

Defense leaders said that scrutiny will intensify as overseas offices transition and the new organization begins operating with broader authority.

One defense official said the message from Capitol Hill has remained consistent.

They want to see results, not another study, the official said.

Officials said the department now views congressional oversight as a stabilizing force rather than a pressure point, ensuring the reform remains focused on measurable outcomes families can actually feel.

No Turning Back

The system that once scattered responsibility across multiple services is being replaced with a structure designed to own every move from start to finish.

The creation of the Personal Property Activity marks the end of decades of fragmented oversight and the beginning of permanent accountability for how military families relocate.

Officials said the new organization will continue absorbing authority in phases, with the long-term goal of operating as a standalone federal agency with its own leadership structure, funding oversight and performance metrics.

A military mover packs a customers item during a Permanent Change of Station on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, July 17, 2025. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Stephanie Henry)

Curtis said the objective is not simply to reorganize offices, but to change how families experience every move.

This is about making sure no family feels alone in the process again.

Officials said success will not be measured by internal milestones or organizational charts, but by whether families can see, track and trust their moves from start to finish.

For Henig, that difference is already real.

This time, I felt like someone owned my move, he said. That changes everything.

Officials said that sense of ownership is now the standard the department intends to make permanent.

This is not a pilot, a senior defense official said. This is the future of how we move military families.

The system will continue evolving, officials said, but its core principle will not.

No family should ever have to fight the system just to get their own lives back, the official added.
Student Veterans of America (SVA) is widely known as the nations largest organization focused on student veterans, with chapters on more than 1,600 campuses and a National Conference billed as the largest gathering of student veterans in the country.

But SVAs own policies and public materials show participation in the organization is not limited to veterans. This is a distinction that has fueled growing questions about donor expectations, restricted funding, and governance, particularly as scrutiny of the organizations finances has intensified.

SVA describes its National Conference, known as NatCon, as bringing together veteran and military-affiliated students, their families, supporters, and allies, language that appears prominently on the organizations website. Similar language appears throughout SVAs chapter guidance, which frames the organization as a community that includes supporters and allies alongside veterans.

That breadth is not hidden, but it can come as a surprise to local partners and donors who assume Student Veterans of America refers to a group of student veterans. The distinction has practical consequences, particularly when local veterans organizations or civic groups consider funding travel or programming under rules restricting spending to veterans only.

Why Non-Veterans Might Be Included

SVA chapters operate as registered student organizations at their respective colleges and universities, and they are required to follow campus rules governing student groups. Many universities condition official recognition and access to funding or facilities on nondiscrimination and open-membership policies. Vanderbilt University, for example, requires registered student organizations to be open to all students, with some exceptions for things like single-sex organizations.

Public universities often adopt similar all-comers policies, which the Supreme Court upheld in Christian Legal Society v. Martinez, allowing institutions to require recognized student groups to accept any student as a member. As a result, many campus organizations with a specific identity or mission allow non-members of that identity to participate as supporters.

That approach differs from fraternities and sororities, which operate under a statutory exemption in federal law allowing sex-based membership restrictions under Title IX. No comparable exemption exists for veteran-only student organizations.

In practice, some SVA chapters attempt to navigate this by creating informal distinctions between veteran members and non-veteran supporters. A number of campus veteran organizations explicitly recognize friend or supporter categories for students who have not served but wish to support veterans. SVA does not mandate a single national structure for how chapters handle those distinctions.

Victor Minella, the Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy for Intelligence and Security, met with members of The University of Mississippi Ole Miss Student Veteran's Association (SVA). These veterans were in Washington DC for an engagement on Capitol Hill and stopped by the Pentagon for a tour and a talk with Minella, who is also an Ole Miss alumnus and fellow veteran (DVIDS).

When Branding Meets Restricted Funds

The membership question might have remained a niche campus governance issue if not for its intersection with funding. Many local veterans posts, foundations, and community funds operate under bylaws restricting spending to veterans only. When those entities consider sponsoring SVA members to attend NatCon or other events, ambiguity over who qualifies as a member can create tension.

That issue was brought into sharper focus by Marine veteran and writer Elizabeth Hartman, who published a series of posts questioning SVAs governance and finances on her Substack called All Due Respect. Hartman has argued that while SVA is entitled to define its community broadly, its branding can create misunderstandings when local partners assume they are supporting veterans exclusively.

Her commentary circulated widely on LinkedIn and Substack, drawing attention to both SVAs membership model and its financial disclosures. After Hartman criticized SVA, she received a cease-and-desist from Lyons legal counsel and a visit from the FBI to investigate her comments.

The Financial Scrutiny

Student Veterans of America publishes its IRS Form 990 filings on its website, and those disclosures form the basis of the current financial scrutiny. In FY2024, SVA reported total revenue of $3,719,636, including $2,782,423 in contributions and grants, according to its Form 990. Because most of the organizations funding comes from donations rather than earned income, its spending decisions are largely shaped by donor expectations about how contributed funds will be used to support student veterans.

That same filing shows a significant share of SVAs revenue was directed toward salaries and professional services. In FY2024, SVA reported spending more than $1.1 million on compensation for five employees, representing roughly 30% of total revenue. The filing also lists hundreds of thousands of dollars paid to outside firms for consulting, marketing, accounting, and event management services.

When compensation and major consulting expenses are combined, the Form 990 indicates approximately 70% of SVAs annual revenue was allocated to overhead and professional services rather than direct programmatic support.

Executive compensation increased sharply during this same period. SVAs Form 990 for the FY2023 lists then-President and CEO Jared S. Lyons reportable compensation at $258,596. In FY2024, that figure rose to $288,939. By FY2025, SVA reported Lyons compensation at $412,500  an increase of roughly 60% over two years  even as the organization reported lower overall revenue in its most recent filing.

Nonprofit boards have wide discretion to set executive pay, and Form 990 figures alone do not establish wrongdoing. Still, spending patterns in which a large majority of donor-funded revenue goes to salaries and overhead have historically drawn scrutiny in the veteran nonprofit space.

In 2016, the Wounded Warrior Project controversy centered on claims that the charitys program spending was far lower than donors expected; while WWP publicly reported about 80% of expenses as going to programs, independent analyses put actual program spending closer to roughly 54%-60%, meaning around 40%-46% of revenue was used for administrative and other overhead costs rather than direct services to veterans. In that case, Congress held hearings and leadership changes followed, even though the share of revenue reaching veterans was still substantially higher than the portion Student Veterans of America reports directing toward programmatic support in its most recent filings.

In SVAs case, the filings show most of the organizations annual revenue in recent years has been consumed by compensation and professional services. That allocation has fueled questions from veteran advocates and donors about how much of each contributed dollar ultimately reaches student veterans themselves and whether SVAs spending priorities align with the expectations created by its name and mission.

Leadership Changes After The Criticism

After Hartmans public criticisms surfaced, a leadership transition occurred at SVA. This change became visible during and after the organizations most recent National Conference in early January. Lyon announced NatCon 2026 would be his last in the President and CEO role after roughly a decade leading the organization. Around the same time, SVA updated its website to list Cory Boatwright as Interim President and CEO.

SVA has not publicly stated whether the leadership change was connected to the questions raised about governance, membership, or spending. Military.com contacted Student Veterans of America and Lyon seeking comment on the membership model, the compensation figures reflected in SVAs filings, and the leadership transition. As of publication, neither responded.

An Ongoing Credibility Test

At its core, the controversy surrounding SVA reflects a familiar challenge for veteran-adjacent nonprofits operating on college campuses. Broad inclusion can be a practical necessity under university rules, but branding that emphasizes veterans carries expectations  especially when money is involved.

SVAs own materials make clear that it serves a wider community than veterans alone. The unresolved question is whether that distinction is communicated clearly enough to donors and local partners who operate under veteran-only funding rules. Combined with questions about executive compensation and governance, the membership debate has become a test of transparency rather than legality.

SVA has the documents, policies, and platform needed to answer those questions directly. For as long as they remain unanswered, the scrutiny will continue.
Especially if your military household moved to a new state in 2025, as a military spouse, keep in mind that youve received new rights in recent years in terms of where to pay your state income taxes  or not pay, if the state has no income tax.

In 2023, military spouses gained options for filing their state income taxes under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act that now eclipse even those of active-duty members, because In a weird quirk of the law, service members can use SCRA protections only for their military pay, Military.coms financial columnist Kate Horrell wrote in last years Tax Week series. Spouses, on the other hand, may rely on the protections for other types of income.

Read More: State Tax Filing Options for Military Households: What You Need to Know

As you get ready to file your 2025 taxes, here are some of the basics for military spouses to keep in mind:

States Where Military Spouses May Choose to File Taxes

The SCRA says service members and military spouses may file state taxes in any one of the following:

The service member's state of legal residence.

The military spouse's state of legal residence.

The state where the household lives under PCS orders.

The Office of Financial Readiness describes legal residence, or domicile in part as follows: In general, this is where you vote, register vehicles, or pay taxes. Most often, this is where you claimed legal residence before military service.

Read More: State of Legal Residence vs. Home of Record

Depending on their situation, the service member and spouse dont have to choose the same state to file their taxes.

Exceptions for Certain Income and Living Situations

Certain circumstances limit a spouses options:

Rental income is one example of a form of income not covered under the SCRA for which taxes must be paid in the state where the rental property is located.

Taxes on certain business income may have to be paid in the state where its earned. Military OneSource advises consulting a local tax professional.

Spouses who dont live in the same place as the service member due to orders must follow the local residency and tax rules where they live.

This fact sheet from the Office of Financial Readiness describes the sequence in which the government amended laws to add new filing options for spouses.

Get the Latest Financial Tips

Whether you're trying to balance your budget, build up your credit, select a good life insurance program or are gearing up for a home purchase, Military.com has you covered. Subscribe to Military.com and get the latest military benefit updates and tips delivered straight to your inbox.
Sternenko becomes advisor to defense minister on issues of increasing the use of UAVs at front  Fedorov

Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has appointed volunteer Serhiy Sternenko as his advisor on increasing the use of UAVs at the front.

"I met with volunteer Serhiy Sternenko. He has recently spoken with the president  we are deepening our cooperation to achieve our goals. From now on, Serhiy will be my advisor on increasing the use of UAVs at the front. His experience will help us realize our shared vision of increasing the effectiveness of unmanned units," the minister wrote on Telegram.

According to him, "there are several tracks that the Ministry of Defense needs to work on right now." The first is basic support for drone units. Fedorov noted that supplies also need to be systematizedthe military must receive effective weapons that work here and now.

"Another focus is analytics and efficiency. This is where Serhiys expertise will be helpful. Currently, only 50 units out of 400 account for approximately 70% of all enemy kills. Our goal is to help the remaining 350 quickly grow and significantly increase the scale of destruction of Russians," the head of the department emphasized.

He emphasized that all processes will be improved, based on high-quality data from the front and feedback from the military.

"We share a vision for improving the effectiveness of drone units. I'm confident that together we'll be able to achieve everything we've planned, helping each crew grow and reach new levels. Welcome to the team," Fedorov wrote.

Sternenko also posted on social media, confirming that he had joined Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov's team as an advisor at his invitation.

"My vision for the development of unmanned technologies and our defense in general is almost entirely aligned with the minister's, so I am ready to help implement his strategy. The Russian occupiers must be destroyed on an industrial scale. To achieve this, we will create new capabilities for our army, particularly for drone units," the volunteer noted.
With Cody Bellinger now off the market, just one impact bat remains available in free agency: third baseman Eugenio Suarez. Coming off a 49-homer campaign in 2025, the 34-year-old seemed to be one of the premier mid-tier free agents available in free agency this winter. His market has been rather quiet for most of the winter, however. Some of that can surely be attributed to age, as teams are often hesitant about how strikeout-heavy sluggers like Suarez will age as they enter their mid-thirties. A tough stretch run in Seattle where Suarez hit just .189/.255/.428 across 53 games following a midseason trade might also raise some eyebrows. Even so, the upside Suarez demonstrated last year is tremendous and could be a game changer for a lineup in need of a boost. The question is: which team will step up to land him? A look at some of the options:

Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox are a somewhat obvious fit for Suarezs services after the club missed out on reuniting with Alex Bregman earlier this month. That leaves a clear hole in the teams infield, and Suarez is by far the best option to plug that hole remaining on the free agent market. The slugger would also offer home run power that the team lacked throughout 2025, a deficiency that led them to get involved in the markets for Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso earlier this winter. With that said, however, the teams pivot towards signing Ranger Suarez after missing on Bregman has been coupled with a focus on pitching and run prevention. Suarez is a lackluster defender at third base already and those skills only figure to decline as he ages, so the Red Sox might prefer to pursue the trade market, where younger players like Nico Hoerner, Isaac Paredes, and Brendan Donovan could be available.

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates stand out as an excellent fit for Suarez on paper. After trading KeBryan Hayes to the Reds last summer, they have a gaping hole at third base that Suarez could fill. Adding Suarez to the lineup would also lend credibility to the Pirates effort to contend this year. Brandon Lowe, Ryan OHearn, Bryan Reynolds, and Oneil Cruz are a solid group of bats in the heart of Pittsburghs order, but a big righty bat to help balance those lefties out a bit more would go a long way to adding some credibility to the clubs lineup. The biggest question for Pittsburgh might be whether the sides can find common ground at all; the Pirates have already spent quite a bit more than usual this winter, and its unclear where exactly their limit for spending is. From Suarezs perspective, meanwhile, he might prefer to sign with a more surefire contender if Pittsburgh isnt the clear best offer available to him.

Seattle Mariners

Early in the offseason, it seemed likely that Suarez would be headed elsewhere after the 2025 season. Thats sensible enough, as he had just wrapped up his second stint in Seattle and struggled with elevated strikeout rates relative to his career norms both times thanks to the difficult hitting environment at T-Mobile Park. Once Jorge Polanco signed elsewhere, however, reporting suggested an openness on the part of Seattle to reuniting with Suarez, as he could serve as a bridge to the teams up-and-coming young infielders in Cole Young and Colt Emerson. While Suarezs past struggles in Seattle create some cause for concern, its nonetheless not hard to see him putting together another solid season like the one he delivered for the Mariners in 2022, when he swatted 31 homers with a 132 wRC+ despite a strikeout rate north of 30%.

Other Options

While the above three teams are the most obvious fits for Suarezs services, they arent the only plausible options. The Cubs were connected to Suarez earlier this winter. The Reds are very familiar with the slugger and spent the early part of the offseason looking to add a power-hitting bat to the middle of their lineup. The Phillies tried to sign Bo Bichette early this month but came up empty in those efforts. The Padres could use a big bat for first base or DH, particularly one that bats righty to complement Gavin Sheets. The Marlins have an affinity for high-powered, strikeout-heavy sluggers (Kyle Stowers, Owen Caissie) and a hole at third base that Suarez could credibly fill. The As recently tried to land Nolan Arenado to fill their hole at third base, and Suarez would be a great fit at the teams homer-friendly ballpark.

All of those potential suitors come with caveats, however. The Cubs seem far less likely to be interested in Suarez after adding Bregman, and would need to push top prospect Moises Ballesteros out of the lineup to make room for him. The Reds have seemed reluctant to spend big this winter after missing out on Schwarber. The Phillies pivoted from Bichette to J.T. Realmuto and might not have room in the budget to pursue Suarez, especially if they cant trade Alec Bohm. Its unclear if the Padres have the budget space to mount a credible pursuit of Suarez, either. The same goes for the Marlins and the As, with both teams also suffering from the same flaw as Pittsburgh as teams that could be unappealing to free agents due to their struggles to contend in recent years.

Where do MLBTR readers think Suarez will ultimately land? Will he replace Bregman in Boston, transform the Pirates lineup, or return to Seattle? Is there another team out there that could sneak into the sweepstakes as a dark horse and come out on top? Have your say in the poll below:
The Trump administration is suing to overturn Michigans requirement that any eggs sold here come from cage-free hens, claiming that imposition of state-specific egg quality standards has raised prices for American consumers.

In a federal lawsuit filed Thursday against Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Tim Boring and state Attorney General Dana Nessel, the U.S. Department of Justice argued that it is the prerogative of the federal government alone to regulate the quality and inspection of eggs in interstate commerce.

Michigan can set animal husbandry rules for its own producers, the lawsuit said, but not for producers in other states.

Neither MDARD nor the Attorney Generals Office responded immediately to requests to discuss the case.

In 2019, Michigans then-Republican-controlled legislature passed a law revising the states Animal Industry Act to bar the sale of eggs from hens confined to tiny cages.

The measure, which was signed into law by Democratic Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, standing in for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, went into effect at the start of 2025.

Our producers are ready. Theyve spent a lot of time and money getting there but they are committed to the cage-free housing for all of their hens and pullets, Nancy Barr, executive director of Michigan Allied Poultry Industries, told MLive in late 2024.

According to the Trump administrations complaint, filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, The State of Michigan has contributed to the historic rise in egg prices by imposing unnecessary red tape on the interstate market for eggs.

Cage-free production does add to the cost of egg production, said Jada Thompson, an association professor of agricultural economics at the University of Arkansas. According to a study she and colleagues published in 2021, the increase was more than 40 percent, which worked out to less than three cents per egg.

But by far the most significant driver of cost increases has been avian flu. The disease has led produces to cull more than 140 million laying hens since the latest outbreak began in 2022, according to the American Egg Council.

Egg prices have gone up and down because of bird flu, Thompson said.

She added that limiting sales to cage-free eggs can exacerbate the increases, making it harder for a state like Michigan to bring in eggs from states that dont require cage-free production.

When you have a state that only allows cage free, it limits your ability to compensate when you do have a loss of those birds, she said.

The center point of the Trump administrations legal argument is that the Egg Products Inspection Act says that For eggs that moved or are moving in interstate or foreign commerce, no State or local jurisdictionMay require the use of standards of quality, condition, grade, or weight classes which are in addition to or different than the official standards.

The Michigan lawsuit echoes a suit the Trump Justice Department filed against the state of California in July, seeking to overturn the cage-free production requirements in the voter-approved Proposition 12.

While Michigan hasnt responded to the Justice Departments legal arguments, California has, noting in a motion filed in October that, during the first Trump Administration, the United States itself previously agreed that the Inspection Act does not preempt Californias cage-free requirements...Now, it has changed position.

Californias laws concern animal husbandry, the motion added, They impose no requirements whatsoever with respect to the eggs themselves.
Michigan lost nearly 4% of its young adult population from 2000 to 2020.

Some counties fared far better, and others far worse, at keeping, growing and attracting residents between ages 25 to 34.

Michigan had 1.36 million residents in this age group during the 2000 Census. That population then fell to 1.16 million in the 2010 Census before rebounding to 1.31 million in the latest Census in 2020.

Experts say the fluctuation in the statewide young adult population can largely be explained by a smaller generation being captured in the 2010 snapshot of that age group.

While the top performing counties over that 20-year period grew their populations of 25- to 34-year-olds by more than 18%, one county lost more than half of its young adult population.

The data reveal the areas that saw the highest growth in the age 25-34 group between 2000 and 2020 are mostly along U.S. 131, I-96 and the west side of the state. Counties with universities also saw high growth.

Thats not a surprise to Paul Isely, associate dean and professor of economics at Grand Valley State Universitys Seidman College of Business.

Its really clear when you look at the map that its sort of following jobs as well, Isely said. Because the places where weve seen strength in jobs in Michigan have been along the 96 corridor and along the 131 corridor.

The west side of the state performed better not just at attracting, retaining and growing the 25-34 population but all populations.

Isely said thats due to a mix of things, from more job variety and economic resiliency than the east side, which suffered more from the auto crisis, to a greater blend of urban and natural amenities. Both of which, he said, are attractive to young adults and young families.

As you sit on this side of the state, youre not far from beaches, youre not far from forests, youre not far from campgrounds, but youre also not far from the bars downtown and the eating establishments downtown and the museums and the symphony and the ballet and all of those things that add those types of cultural components, he said. So its the combination of (jobs and amenities) that leads young families to say, Hey, I think I can go there and raise a family.

Kent County, home to Michigans second-largest city, Grand Rapids, is the largest county on the west side and fourth largest in the state.

The county saw a young adult population decline between 2000 and 2010, going from 85,767 residents to 84,109, before jumping to 101,273 in the 2020 count.

While Marquette County narrowly outpaced Kent County by percent of young adults gained over the two decades (18.6% compared to 18.1%), Kent County gained more young adults  15,506  than any other county.

The county that lost the most young adults over the two decades was Luce County in the Upper Peninsula, which went from 1,021 residents aged 25-34 in 2000 to 485 in 2020, a loss of 52.5%.

The counties that lost the highest percentage of young adults were either largely rural or impacted heavily by auto job cuts in the late 2000s and early 2010s, such as Wayne and Genesee counties.

Young people leaving rural areas isnt a new trend, Isely said, adding that jobs are becoming more centralized in cities. He said its too soon to tell how telecommuting will impact this.

Counties with universities also saw sizable increases in young adults over the past two decades and make up a majority of the top 10 fastest growing for that population.

University enrollment spiked in the 2000s, peaking nationally around 2010, before declining for most universities the following decade.

Michigans overall population increased by about 1.39% between 2000 and 2020, going from 9,938,444 in the 2000 Census to 10,077,331 in the 2020 Census. The 2010 Census saw a slight population decline, with 9,883,640 residents being recorded.

According to the state of Michigan, the states population is expected to experience slow growth and then decline to about 9,906,000 people by 2050.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, like her predecessors before her, has sought ways to stem the brain drain in Michigan and attract residents to the state, young and old. A brain drain occurs when skilled and educated people leave their home state to find jobs elsewhere.

Whitmer in 2023 established the Growing Michigan Together Council to advise her on how to grow the states population. The council released its final report later that year.
JOLIET, IL  The future is cloudy again for a long-awaited federal project to block invasive carp from reaching the Great Lakes despite assurances from President Donald Trump last year to advance the effort with maximum speed and efficiency.

Lawmakers from Michigan and Illinois are seeking answers from federal administrators this month about an administrative review pause in the Brandon Road Interbasin Project (BRIP), a $1.5 billion project that aims to keep invasive carp out of Lake Michigan.

In a Jan. 15 letter to the White House budget office and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, four Democratic U.S. senators warned that an unexplained pause on funding approved by Congress is preventing new contract awards on the project near Joliet, Ill., a chokepoint on the Des Plaines River for stopping the advance of silver and bighead carp.

The federal investment currently is on hold without justification and additional contracts for the project cannot be awarded due to the funding pause, the senators wrote.

The hold threatens to increase the cost and slow the final completion date of the project, thus increasing the likelihood that invasive carp could enter the Great Lakes and impair a $7 billion regional economy by upending a binational freshwater ecosystem.

The letter was signed by U.S. Sens. Elissa Slotkin and Gary Peters of Michigan and Dick Durbin Tammy Duckworth of Illinois.

Neither the White House nor the Army Corps has publicly explained the review, when it began or when it might be lifted. The Army Corps Rock Island District referred questions to headquarters, which did not respond to messages this week.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources said on Jan. 23 that it received verbal notification from the Army Corps that future funding... has been paused while the federal administration reviews all projects funded through supplemental funds.

The State of Illinois is meeting all of its obligations and knows of no reasons for current or future federal funding delays for the Brandon Road Interbasin Project, said IDNR communications director Jayette Bolinski.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmers office declined to comment on the administrative review and messages sent to the state Department of Natural Resources werent returned.

The Army Corps is redesigning the Brandon Road Lock and Dam with a combination of fortifications such as flushing, acoustics, bubble curtains and electricity to deter fish while still allowing barge traffic up and down the Des Plaines River. The first construction contracts on were awarded in December 2024 and initial funding for construction was appropriated under the 2022 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Michigan and Illinois agreed in 2023 to cover the $114 million non-federal project share. Michigan is paying $64 million and Illinois $50 million.

According to a project narrative on the Army Corps website, project managers were reminded of the sense of urgency associated with this project when two tagged pregnant silver carp were picked up on sensors moving toward the lock in July 2024. It was the third incidence in less than a year that tagged silver carp had been documented in the downstream approach channel.

The Army Corps estimated that more than 100 tagged pioneer fish have been detected probing for new breeding grounds upstream.

The new uncertainty follows a turbulent 2025 in which the Brandon Road project became entangled in open political friction between Trump and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

Pritzker temporarily halted the states cooperation early last year while seeking written assurances that the Trump administration would honor funding commitments approved under Joe Biden.

The stalemate ended in May when Illinois approved key property transfer needed for construction after the White House issued a memorandum stating that the administration fully supports preventing the spread of invasive carp and would not attempt to rescind federal funds for the Brandon Road project, so long as Illinois cooperated.

Unlike a temporary federal pause when Trump took office during his first term in 2017, the new review follows Trumps personal assurance to advance the project.

President Trump publicly pledged to save Lake Michigan from invasive carp during a surprise April 2025 Oval Office meeting with Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, describing the project as expensive but necessary and urging federal agencies to move forward with maximum speed and efficiency in a May 9 memorandum.

Several months later, Trump publicly suggested he would withhold federal funding for the project unless Pritzker personally requested it, telling reporters he was not going to do anything on the invasive carp barrier until he heard from the Illinois governor  even though Congress had already appropriated the money for the project.

Meanwhile, initial construction work  known as Increment One  is underway, including site preparation and rock excavation downstream of the Brandon Road Lock and Dam. The Corps is also continuing design work on later phases using existing funds.

Project advocates say the administrative review threatens the next round of contract awards if additional federal money is not released.

Joel Brammeier, president and CEO of the nonprofit Alliance for the Great Lakes, said the pause appears tied to broader federal controls on certain infrastructure law funds rather than a dispute specific to Brandon Road.

From my understanding, there have not been any construction delays on the ground yet, Brammeier said. The first phase of the project is proceeding as planned.

This is an authorized, non-controversial project, he said. We could actually start construction on Increment Two as soon as Congress makes more funding available.

Pritzkers office issued a statement Jan. 23 criticizing the Trump administration over the funding pause.

By withholding federal funds for the Brandon Road Interbasin Project, the Trump Administration is once again putting politics over people. Weaponizing critical funding for states jeopardizes Illinois jobs and threatens the communities and economies that rely on the Great Lakes. Illinois has spent years working with federal and state partners to advance this critical infrastructure project, which has already been thoroughly reviewed, authorized by Congress, and funded through bipartisan appropriations. Under Governor Pritzkers leadership, the State of Illinois has made protecting the Great Lakes from harmful environmental and economic impacts a priority. This longplanned and essential project must proceed without further obstructions from the Trump Administration.
IRON MOUNTAIN, MI -- Continued delays to the mail service in the western Upper Peninsula have prompted a Michigan congressman to once again question the United State Postal Services efficacy.

U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet, who represents all 15 counties in the U.P., wrote his constituents are calling him saying they have not received normal mail service for more than a week.

In Bergmans letter to Postmaster General David Steiner, dated Jan. 20, he acknowledges the busy postal season coming off the holidays, but emphasizes time-sensitive mail delivery is even more important at the start of a new year.

The impacts are particularly acute at the turn of the calendar year, when households and businesses depend on prompt receipt and processing of mailed items that carry firm deadlines  such as utility bills, payments, business licenses, and other financial documents."

The U.P.s swing into arctic weather is impacting delivery, not processing or staffing changes, said Elizabeth Najduch, USPS Strategic Communications Specialist.

While there are no delays at the processing plant, there have been some limited local mail delivery delays due to the weather, Najduch said.

The Iron Mountain Post Office is working diligently to deliver mail and packages to all customers, even delivering during these extremely frigid temperatures and on Sundays in some places.

Blizzard Warning in the Upper Peninsula: Travel should be restricted to emergencies only

In his letter, Bergman addresses constituent complaints on delivery and staffing from the first two weeks of the new year.

He questioned if the recent operational changes at the Iron Mountain Processing and Distribution Center were to blame.

To recap, this particular U.P. facility was caught in the crosshairs of the contentious 10-year strategic plan, Delivering for America, ushered in under former Postmaster General Louis DeJoy.

In May 2024 the USPS announced outgoing operations were moving to a facility in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

The change came after months of Yoopers, state and federal legislators voicing concern over timeliness of mail delivery and postal worker jobs.

In a bipartisan letter 26 members of Congress urged DeJoy to pause consolidation and reroute plans outlined in the USPS $40 billion investment strategy.

Michigan opponents emphasized that the remote nature of the western U.P. adds to the reliance on USPS for medicine, legal documents and veteran services.

As plans marched on to reroute U.P. mail to Wisconsin, Bergman had harsh words for DeJoy, writing on Facebook:

Based on the horrendous handling to date of the Iron Mountain USPS processing facility, it unfortunately comes as no surprise that USPS blatantly ignored the voices of each of us that raised rational concerns...

Earlier in the spring of 2024, U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, led an oversight hearing with DeJoy and other USPS officials to discuss the proposed changes.

Senators on the panel grilled DeJoy about the loss of services under the plan, noting cities such as Richmond, Va., and Atlanta, Ga., had slower delivery times after centers were consolidated.

The USPS defended its change at Iron Mountain saying it could save up to $1.5 million in streamline packaging and mail processing because the majority of mail is destined for outside of the region.

In February 2025, the USPS seemingly reversed course and announced it would retain certain local mail processing operations at the Iron Mountain postal facility.

The announcement stated a $3.75 million investment in technology was coming to the Iron Mountain facility in an effort to modernize its service.

A year later, Rep. Bergman, who co-chairs the Congressional Postal Service Caucus, still has questions around timely delivery and adequate staffing.

Bergman is being told by constituents that while regular mail is still going out, packages are being prioritized. This is because the Iron Mountain facility is working through a backlog. Customers are told that staffing shortages are to blame.

In his letter, Bergman asks current Postmaster General Steiner to explain these statements and give a timeline as to when Yoopers can expect normal service standards.

The congressman asked for a reply within 30 days. In a statement to MLive the USPS said it will respond to Bergmans questions directly.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has trained 40 humanitarian demining specialists  veterans and women from the families of military personnel  who are starting work in Kharkiv region, the initiative combined professional training and official employment, the organizations press service reported.

"A new cohort of 40 demining specialists, including war veterans and families of service members, has begun field operations across Kharkiv Oblast. Having completed intensive training in non-technical survey (NTS) and explosive risk education, these specialists  many of whom are veterans with disabilities  are now leading the effort to return safe land to their communities," the UNDP reported on its website.

The intensive training programme is being implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine with the support of the governments of the Netherlands and Luxembourg, in partnership with the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine, and the Mine Action Coordination Centre. Operational implementation of the project is carried out by the state enterprise Ukroboronservice.

The three-week training course combined theoretical lectures, practical field exercises, safety procedures, and the use of digital tools. Upon completion of the course, all participants received official offers of employment with Ukroboronservice for a period of 12 months.

Ihor Bezkaravainyi, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine, noted: "Mine action is a long-term effort that requires a large number of trained specialists. In my view, engaging veterans significantly strengthens this area of work. It covers a wide range of tasks  from explosive risk education and data analysis to clearance and disposal. This work is essential to making communities safer and returning land to productive use."

The programme graduates have formed 10 teams, which will work in communities across Kharkiv Oblast over the course of the year, helping to reduce risks to the civilian population.

Kharkiv Oblast was selected as a pilot region due to its having one of the highest levels of contamination with explosive hazards in Ukraine: Since the start of the full-scale invasion, 430 people have been injured by explosive hazards in the region  more than 30 percent of all such cases nationwide.

For participating veterans, the programme has provided an opportunity not only to acquire a new profession, but also to return to an active civilian life and contribute to work that has a direct impact on public safety.

Auke Lootsma, UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine, emphasized: "Supporting veterans is one of UNDPs priorities in Ukraine, and for us it is important that this support goes beyond assistance, and creates real opportunities. This project combines employment for veterans with work that is critically important for the country  humanitarian demining and improving community safety."
A former Olympic snowboarder accused of running a massive international drug trafficking organization has been arrested. The arrest of Ryan Wedding was confirmed Friday by the Justice Department, who also revealed the Canadian national was arrested in Mexico, the Associated Press reports.

Weddings arrest comes 10 months after the Federal Bureau of Investigation placed him on its Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. Wedding was wanted for operating the drug ring and for allegedly killing a federal witness.

FBI Director Kash Patel said the arrest was the result of international cooperation, praising Mexican authorities for their role in the matter.

When you go after a guy like Ryan Wedding, it takes a united front, and thats what youre seeing here, Patel said.

In a post on the social media platform X, Mexicos Security Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch wrote that a Canadian citizen turned himself in at the U.S. embassy and that someone else who was among the FBIs most-wanted had been detained by Mexican authorities, the AP reports.

A member of Mexicos Security Cabinet, speaking on the condition of anonymity confirmed Wedding was the Canadian citizen who turned himself in. The AP also reports that Patel held meetings in Mexico Thursday and left Friday with two detainees, one of which appears to be Wedding.

The arrest ends a years-long hunt for Wedding who was officially charged in 2024 with running a drug ring. The operation allegedly used semitrucks to move cocaine between Colombia, Mexico, Southern California and Canada.

In November 2025, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Wedding had been indicted for orchestrating the killing of a witness in Colombia earlier in the year. Wedding allegedly used a Canadian website to post the witnesss picture so they could be identified and killed. The witness was eventually killed after being followed in Medellin.

Prior to becoming an alleged kingpin, Wedding was a snowboarder who competed in the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. Wedding was a participant in the parallel giant slalom, where he finished 24th.
CAMP GRAYLING, MI  This years winter exercise hosted by the Michigan National Guard will take place across Northern Michigan from Jan. 26 to 29.

Northern Strike 26-1 will take place across the National All-Domain Warfighting Center, which encompasses nearly 148,000 acres of training space at the Camp Grayling Maneuver Training Center and 17,000 square miles of special use military airspace at the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center.

The exercise is part of a semi-annual exercise series, which this year also includes Northern Strike 26-2, scheduled for August.

For a decade, Northern Strike has been critical to preparing our reserve component forces as a lethal, combat-ready force, said Col. Todd Fitzpatrick, land exercise director for Northern Strike. This sixth cold-weather iteration underscores our commitment to training in severe environments, and as our national defense strategy changes, Northern Strike continues to evolve alongside it.

Participants will brave the cold-weather conditions, while training to meet objectives of the Department of Wars arctic strategy, officials said.

Wind, snow and single-digit temperatures challenge units to adapt and overcome conditions they could face in conflict with a near-peer threat, said Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers, adjutant general and director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. With temperatures at Camp Grayling historically colder than Alaska, this exercise remains one of the most demanding cold-weather training opportunities in the nation.

Lows between Jan. 26 and 29 are anticipated to be in the negative single digits with highs reaching 10 degrees.

The winter iteration of Northern Strike reflects broader shifts in the U.S. national-defense strategy toward large-scale combat operations, contested domains and operations in extreme climates, officials said.

Compared to previous versions, the exercise now places greater emphasis on distributed operations, command and control in degraded environments and integration across all domains rather than platform-specific training.

This years exercise includes emerging technologies and tactics such as operating in contested electromagnetic environments, resilience of communications and command systems, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear response fundamentals and integration of cyber-enabled effects into conventional operations.

Through our Camp Grayling partners, the availability of cold-weather equipment has made this exercise more adaptable, said Col. Todd Fitzpatrick. Pre-positioning critical resources reduces logistical friction and allows units to focus on warfighting execution. The objective is to deliver the tools units need to remain lethal and ready in an increasingly complex security environment.

Having the Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center and Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center nearby offers a cost-effective way for units across the Department of War  particularly reserve components  to experience cold-weather, joint all-domain operations, officials said.

The ability to easily transport people and equipment to Camp Grayling via rail and roadway helps units save time, money and training days. Air component units can also fly to Alpena CRTC without leaving U.S. air space.

Participating units will include elements from the U.S. Army National Guard, U.S. Air National Guard, U.S. Army Reserve and U.S. Army.
Michiganders are facing extremely cold temperatures today. These dangerous conditions can cause frostbite in as little as 10 minutes.

Some communities have opened warming centers or extended homeless shelter hours to help residents escape the extreme winter weather.

RELATED: Coldest air in 7 years grips Michigan with dangerous wind chills, more snow

In Cadillac, Love INC, at 753 Sunnyside Drive, is open 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays.

In Traverse City, Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse has activated Code Blue, which means the homeless shelter is now open 24 hours on weekends, allowing Friday and Saturday overnight guests to stay the following day. On weekdays, Safe Harbor is open from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. Goodwill Inn near Traverse City has also activated its cold-weather protocols, adding additional beds to its shelter.

In Marquette, Room at the Inn, a homeless shelter, is currently open 24 hours a day to help people stay warm. Anyone can drop in during the day to warm up. Find the shelter 447 W. Washington St. in Marquette.

The Arctic air that has now locked in over all of Michigan is the coldest air weve had in our state since the deep Polar Vortex of January 2019, the National Weather Service said. Wind chills to -30 degrees were forecast for the Lower Peninsula, and -45 degrees for the Upper Peninsula. Daytime high temperatures are expected to hold just to the single digits for the next few days.

Michigan State Police are urging residents to prepare for extreme low temperatures and icy roads. The agency recommends limiting time outdoors and wearing several layers of warm clothing along with a hat and mittens or gloves when going outside.

RELATED: Time to Frostbite: 10 minutes or less in these bitterly cold wind chills

Frostbite can occur in as little as 10 minutes on skin exposed to extreme cold. Older adults, babies, and people who remain outdoors for long periods are more likely to be victims of frostbite and hypothermia.

Frostbite symptoms include numbness, loss of feeling, and pale or waxy skin, especially on the face, fingers, and toes. Hypothermia symptoms include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, slurred speech, or drowsiness.

Residents who must drive should ensure their gas tank is full and their vehicle is stocked with an emergency kit, including warm clothing, blankets, gloves, hats, water, snacks and a phone charger. Those who become stranded should stay with their vehicle and wait for help rather than attempting to walk in the cold.

Michigan State Police also warn against carbon monoxide poisoning. Generators and grills should only be used outdoors and away from windows. Residents should never use a gas stovetop or oven to heat their home.

Shoveling snow can put extra strain on the heart, so residents should take it easy and avoid sudden bursts of activity.

For more information about winter weather emergency preparedness, visit the MIREADY Winter Weather Preparedness page.
Dress warmly Michiganders. The state is set for one of the coldest weekends in recent history over the next three days.

Temperatures are expected to drop to as low as minus 20 degrees across the state, with extreme wind gusts in various cities. Multiple townships and cities have shut down non-essential departments and schools are closed across the state.

But Michigan warming centers and shelters are opening to provide respite for people without homes. Detroit, Ann Arbor, West Michigan, Flint, Kalamazoo, Muskegon and Grand Rapids all braced for the frigid temperatures with shelters and centers for people.

Were trying to save lives. We open our doors, on top of who we normally service, to those extra people, Chiara Clayton, Director of Communications at the Detroit Rescue Mission, told MLive.

Heres a list of the open centers and shelters around the state for the next several days.

Detroit

Detroit has approximately 1,700 emergency shelter and drop-in center beds in partnership with local organizations, according to the press release.

Where to find warming centers and shelters in Detroit amid frigid temperatures - mlive.com

Washtenaw County

Three county buildings will be open Friday, Jan. 23, despite widespread closures of non-essential services.

Where to find warming centers in Washtenaw County as temperatures plummet

Flint

The city is getting creative with its shelter spaces, using a jail to house people during the day.

Over the next seven days the temperature in Genesee County and throughout the state is going to be sub-zero, and there are people that struggle finding homes, a safe warm place to stay, Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson said in a statement, announcing the jail lobby as a warming center.

Jail lobby opens as warming center, plus more places to find shelter from extreme cold in Genesee County

West Michigan

Kent and Ottawa counties are under an Extreme Cold Warning until 11 a.m. Saturday due to dangerously cold wind chills that could cause frostbite on exposed skin in 30 minutes or less. Wind chills will plummet to minus 20 degrees by noon Friday in Grand Rapids, Muskegon and Holland, according to the National Weather Service.

The Kent and Ottawa county health departments encouraged residents without shelter or heat to visit one of over a dozen warming centers that have opened up this weekend to stay safe.

Warming centers open in West Michigan as extreme cold grips the state

Kalamazoo

Libraries, churches and community centers are offering warm places to stay as temperatures dip 10 to 20 degrees below zero in Kalamazoo County.

Warming centers open across Kalamazoo County as Michigan temperatures plunge

Muskegon

The Muskegon Heights, Muskegon Charter Township, and city of Norton Shores branches of the Muskegon Area District Library are inviting people to come inside and warm up on Friday, Jan. 23.

Muskegon County warming centers: Where to find shelter, food - mlive.com

Grand Rapids

The Grand Rapids Public Library and its branches will serve as warming centers during regular operating hours, though officials note these are not emergency shelters but can connect people to additional resources.

Grand Rapids is bracing for dangerously cold temps this weekend: Heres what to know
LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MI  Michigans Attorney General is trying to stop the parole of a man who was convicted of kidnapping and multiple sexual assaults in the 1990s.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Thursday, Jan. 22, she is filing an appeal in Livingston County Circuit Court to reverse the Michigan Parole Boards recent decision to grant parole to Floyd Jarvi.

Jarvi, 67, pleaded no contest in 1994 to multiple counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, kidnapping, armed robbery, and using a gun to commit a felony. He was sentenced to 23 to 60 years, prison records show.

Mr. Jarvi continues to show a lack of remorse for his heinous crimes, Nessel said. Granting parole in this case completely disregards his refusal to take full accountability, the potential threat to the community, and the substantial harm suffered by the survivor. My office will again appeal on her behalf.

The board granted him parole on Jan. 6 with a scheduled release date for parole on March 10.

This is not the first time Nessels office has objected to his parole and intervened.

Jarvi became eligible for parole in 2014 and was repeatedly denied until October 2022, when he was granted release.

Nessels office appealed and the parole board reversed its decision, Nessel said.

Jarvi was denied parole again in December 2023.

It is evident that Jarvi still harbors dangerous attitudes concerning women and rape and remains a threat to our state, Nessel said after Jarvis parole decision in 2022. The Parole Board clearly abused its discretion when it decided to parole Jarvi. The facts underlying Jarvis convictions which led to his incarceration are horrendous and nightmarish.

Jarvi has 13 prison sentences still active and five that have been completed, prison records show.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page.
ANN ARBOR, MI  A hospital system that serves Washtenaw County and many other Michigan communities was hit by layoffs, but the exact number of billing and coding jobs lost is unknown, as of Thursday, Jan. 22.

Livonia-based Trinity Health will cut 10.5% of jobs within its revenue cycle department, a spokesperson for the system confirmed with MLive on Tuesday, Jan. 13. A total number of eliminated jobs was not provided to MLive upon request.

Trinity Health spokesperson Bobby Maldonado told The Ann Arbor News/MLive on Thursday he is unable to provide additional detail on the number of Trinity Health Ann Arbor system employees impacted by the layoffs.

But he said that number was not enough to trigger a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN).

The Michigan WARN Act requires employers to provide advanced notice of plant closures and mass layoffs, under certain circumstances. In the case of mass layoffs, a WARN notice is required if it involves at least 500 full-time employees or at least 50 full-time employees if they amount to 33% or more of the businesss workforce.

Trinity Health officials previously released a prepared statement about the layoffs.

We wont be commenting any further, Maldonado said.

In the statement, Trinity Health officials said several factors have caused significant challenges for the health care industry, including low reimbursement rates that dont cover the cost of care, critical staffing shortages and the rising cost of care for underinsured and uninsured patients.

Those challenges have caused the system to consider ways to reduce costs while providing high-quality care for patients. One such cost-saving avenue is the outsourcing of many non-patient-facing revenue cycle jobs to an external partner.

Trinity Health officials did not name the external partner or provide any other details about outsourcing the jobs.

While we are confident this is the right step to protect long-term sustainability of our ministry, we also recognize the real impact on colleagues whose roles are affected, Trinity Health official said.

Supporting these colleagues through this transition with care and respect is our priority. We are grateful for the contributions each colleague has made to our mission.

Revenue cycle jobs in health care typically include medical coding and billing positions. Trinity didnt specify which positions were cut or how many of each job type.

Trinity Health employs about 133,000 people across 25 states including Michigan, Ohio, Illinois and New Jersey, according to its website.

In Washtenaw County, Trinity Health operates a hospital campus in Superior Township, near Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. Chelsea Hospital is a joint venture between Trinity Health and University of Michigan Health. Trinity Health also has several additional health care locations in the county.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page.
DEARBORN, MI - Mayor Abdullah Hammoud used a community breakfast hosted by the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Jan. 22 to outline major development, infrastructure and public safety initiatives as he begins his second term in office.

The Tale of Our Cities event was held at Park Place Caterers, 23400 Park St.

Hammoud and Dearborn Heights Mayor Mo Baydoun were scheduled to speak, but Baydoun did not attend. Chamber President Kelli Vandenbosch told attendees Baydoun was unable to be present and praised what she described as early momentum from his newly sworn-in administration.

Hammoud told the audience that the city has secured roughly $200 million in outside funding over the past four years, an amount that exceeds Dearborns $150 million annual general fund budget, allowing the city to accelerate long-delayed projects.

Theres a lot thats happened over the last four years and, if I can speak to it candidly, Id say its been one of the most transformative terms in Dearborns history, Hammoud said.

Major redevelopment projects

Hammoud highlighted progress on several long-stalled properties, including the demolition of the former Oakman Boulevard apartments and ongoing asbestos abatement at Village Plaza, a blighted complex.

Its still underway and its still moving forward, he said of Village Plaza, noting the demolition requires extra care because of nearby river outfalls.

He also announced that the former Hyatt Regency Dearborn is being redeveloped into a five-star Hilton-branded hotel, with construction already underway. Hammoud said the project will include a hotel, apartments and meeting space and is expected to open by the end of the year.

Housing growth and flooding mitigation

Calling Dearborn one of the fastest-growing cities in Michigan, Hammoud said a city-commissioned housing study found Dearborn needs about 1,500 new housing units by 2035. He outlined plans for new neighborhoods near Greenfield Road and Lundy Parkway, emphasizing the preservation of green space to avoid worsening flooding.

Flood mitigation, a top concern since severe storms in 2021, was a major focus of Hammouds remarks. He said the city has invested in Rouge River cleanup, bioswales, expanded stormwater storage and large-scale pipe cleanouts, including the Colson-Palmer line, to increase capacity and reduce flood risk.

Flooding is a math problem, Hammoud said. Its how much water you can store and how fast you can move it out.

Public safety and technology

Hammoud said traffic-calming measures such as speed humps and flashing signage have contributed to a 5% decrease in crashes and a 15% drop in crashes involving injuries. Speeding citations are up about 25%, he said, as police focus more on moving violations.

The city has also expanded technology and customer service, including a 311 call system powered partly by artificial intelligence, online permitting and multilingual chat services.

Parks, libraries and families

Hammoud pointed to $35 million in park improvements, new inclusive playgrounds and stormwater-capturing green spaces. He also announced plans to convert the Esper Branch Library into a STEAM-focused center while maintaining traditional library services.

Another key initiative is RX Kids, a program providing $4,500 in cash assistance to mothers of newborns. Hammoud said nearly $1 million has already been distributed since the program launched in November.

Taxes and finances

Hammoud said property taxes in Dearborn have dropped from about 61 mills to roughly 50 mills during his tenure, a reduction of about 17%. He said the city has eliminated a $30 million structural deficit, passed balanced budgets and raised wages for city employees.

During a question-and-answer session, Hammoud said the city is developing a master plan for Fairlane Town Center, which he said could be redeveloped if the struggling mall changes hands.

Id rather not wait for when the mall falls to begin planning, he said.
FLINT, MI  The Genesee County Jail lobby is one of many places open to residents as a warming center amid dangerously low temperatures nationwide.

Over the next seven days the temperature in Genesee County and throughout the state is going to be sub-zero, and there are people that struggle finding homes, a safe warm place to stay, Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson said in a statement, announcing the jail lobby as a warming center.

During the day, the jail lobby will be open as a warming center, and at night, it will be used as an overflow location for the other warming centers in Genesee County, Swanson said. The jail is located at 1002 Saginaw St. in Flint.

A cold weather advisory was issued for 17 counties throughout mid- and southeastern Michigan on Friday, Jan. 23, which will remain in effect until 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 24.

Dangerously cold wind chills as low as 25 degrees below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes, according to the National Weather Service.

Wind chills will remain below zero throughout the rest of the day, according to NWS. Temperatures will remain low throughout the week.

In Genesee County, men who need a safe, warm place to stay the night can go to Catholic Charities Center for Hope at 812 Root St. in Flint. Check-in begins at 6 p.m.

Women and children can go to the Shelter of Flint at 924 Cedar St., where check-in begins at 5 p.m.

During the day, everyone is welcome at Center of Hope from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. and showers and laundry are available.

Center of Hope can be contacted at 810-322-9950. The Shelter of Flint is available at 810-239-5433.

Food is offered at Carriage Town Ministries, 605 Garland St., and the North End Soup Kitchen, 735 E. Stewart Ave., in Flint.

The City of Flint is also operating two warming centers at the Mays Center, 1002 W. Home Ave., and the McKinley Center, 249 Peer Ave. For more information, call 810-237-2444 for the Mays Center and 810-309-2513 for the McKinley Center.

Residents should limit time outdoors, seek warm shelter and wear cold-weather appropriate clothing, according to experts from the Genesee County Health Department.
GENESEE COUNTY, MI  A new multi-million-dollar Kroger store is now open in Fenton and is bringing more than 100 jobs to the area.

In other news, a new Korean BBQ restaurant in Grand Blanc Township is offering customers a hands-on and futuristic dining experience.

Learn more about these stories and other Flint-area business news with these recent headlines:

This new Korean barbecue spot lets you be the chef while robots serve your food

Grand Blanc Township is now home to a new Korean barbeque restaurant that offers customers an unconventional dining experience.

Mi-K BBQ & Bar, located at 6319 Dort Highway, opened in September in a space previously occupied by a Cicis Pizza. The restaurant is across the street from Walmart.

In addition to being served by robots, diners will be able to cook their own food, including a variety of meats, on a Korean-style tabletop grill. The restaurant also offers an all-you-can-eat menu featuring ribeye, short ribs, salmon and more.

Korean barbecue has been very popular on the West Coast, East Coast and in big cities, owner Tim Lin said. But in Genesee County, we didnt really have this. For a county this big, I thought it was a great opportunity.

Read the full story here.

Multi-million dollar grocery store to provide 120 new jobs in this small Michigan town

Fenton officially has its first ever Kroger, which opened on Thursday, Jan. 22.

The 80,000-square-foot store, located at 15100 Silver Parkway, is the result of a $28.5 million investment.

In addition to marking the grocery stores chain arrival in the city, the Fenton Kroger is the chains 416th store and its first new Michigan store since 2017. Kroger now has a total of 10 stores in Genesee County.

The store will provide 120 jobs, employing residents throughout the county, including the Fenton area.

This is such a plus. Its going to give all of our residents another option for grocery shopping. It is a beautiful store, said Fenton Mayor Sue Osborn.

Read the full story here.

New family-operated pizza and pool hall to open Friday in Mt. Morris

A new family-operated pizza restaurant and pool hall has officially opened in Mt. Morris following months of preparation.

Hustlers Pizza & Billiards, located at 8033 N. Dort Highway, opened to the public for the first time on Friday, Jan. 9, according to the restaurants Facebook page.

The name of the restaurant references the pool hustler culture depicted in the 1961 film The Hustler starring Paul Newman and Jackie Gleason as well as the family and communitys hustle and bustle nature.

We want this to be a place thats special for people. Were hoping everything we aim for rings true with the patrons, restaurant captain Rick Germain said.

Read the full story here.

Genesee County entrepreneur launches made-to-order churro business

The owner of Chica Churros is bringing warm, made-to-order churros to pop-ups, events and catering jobs across the county, a concept she believes is the first of its kind locally.

Cristina Gutierrez, who has lived in Flushing since 2010, said the idea grew from years of perfecting her recipe after tasting freshly made churros at a market in Mexico.

Theres nothing like a warm, fresh churro, said Gutierrez, originally from Torreon in the Mexican state of Coahuila. When I would come back home and try them here, it just wasnt the same experience.

Read the full story here.

TikTok star opening new food stand at this Michigan farmers market

A TikTok cooking creator with more than 8.3 million followers is set to open a new business inside the Flint Farmers Market.

Ahmad Alzahabi, born in Detroit and raised in Flint, whos known as The Golden Balance on TikTok, is opening Golden Boys in February at the downtown market off East 1st Street.

This is the biggest thing I have done in my life so far, said Alzahabi, a Flint native and Carman Ainsworth graduate has always wanted to open his own place. I want to help our community eat well and to give back to Flint, the place I grew up  it is really just as simple as that.

Read the full story here.

GM says Flint Assembly production on hold, employees on layoff until Jan. 26

General Motors says production will remain on hold until Jan. 26 at Flint Assembly, its longest-running vehicle-building plant in North America.

GM spokeswoman Jennifer T. Korail confirmed the extended downtime in an email to MLive-The Flint Journal, saying the year-end pause in production will allow the company to complete planned shop renovations.

Employees are on temporary layoff and eligible for layoff benefits during the longer-than-usual break, Korail said in a message to the Journal.

Read the full story here.

Its true: Target to open new store in Davison Township

Months and months of rumor and social media speculation about the possibility of a new Target store in Genesee County have officially been answered.

Target has posted on their website that an upcoming store is in the works for the northwest corner of South Irish and Lapeer roads in Davison Township.

The store is expected to be approximately 128,600 square feet, according to the information posted on the retailers website.

Read the full story here.

Whats that? Work underway at new Fenton Chipotle restaurant

For those looking to grab a burrito bowl or Quesarito, heres some good news for you.

Work has begun on a new Chipotle Mexican Grill at 3401 Owen Road in Fenton, taking the place of 2941 Mediterranean Street Food in the multi-unit strip mall.

Tessa Stickel, communications coordinator for the city of Fenton, said 2941 Mediterranean was leasing the space and made the decision to move by Silver Lake Parkway.

Read the full story here.
GENESEE COUNTY, MI  Snow day!

Some mid-Michigan students will have Friday off after a forecasted winter storm prompted school closures on Jan. 23.

A cold weather advisory is in effect for a region of southeast Michigan, including Genesee, Shiawassee, Oakland and Lapeer Counties, from 1 a.m. Friday until 10 a.m. Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.

Wind chills will drop temperatures down to as low as 15 to 25 below zero, forcing many area school districts to call off classes and businesses to temporarily close.

Fridays closures include the following businesses and school districts:

Holly Area Schools

Madison Academy

Flint Disability Network

Davison Senior Center

Almont Community Schools

Richfield Public School Academy

Flint Community Schools

Grand Blanc Community Schools

Lake Fenton Community Schools

Fenton Area Schools

Atherton Community Schools

Bendle Public Schools

Fostoria Baptist Academy

Holy Rosary School

North Branch Area Schools

Swartz Creek Area Senior Center

Lapeer Community Schools

Lapeer Life Skills Center

Grand Blanc Montessori

St. Robert School

Genesee Intermediate School District

Linden Charter Academy

St. Thomas More Academy

Flint Cultural Center Academy

Mundy Township Senior & Enrichment Center

Burton Glen Academy

Forest Township Senior Center

Carman-Ainsworth Community Schools

Genesee School District

Mt. Morris Consolidated Schools

Montrose Community School District

Swartz Creek Community Schools

Woodland Park Academy

Clio Area Schools

Kearsley Community Schools

Bentley Community Schools

Davison Community Schools

International Academy of Flint

Goodrich Area Schools

Holy Family School

Linden Community Schools

Dryden Community Schools

Genesee Community Health Center

Genesee Health System

Westwood Heights Schools
The President's address to the participants of the meeting of the Coalition of the Wishing on December 11, 2025 | Photo: The Presidential Office of Ukraine / www.president.gov.ua

The Donbas issue remains a key one, and Ukraine, the United States, and Russia will discuss it during their meetings in the UAE today and tomorrow, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

"The Donbas issue is key. It will be discussed, and discussed in the modalities that the three parties see fit. In Abu Dhabi, today and tomorrow," Zelenskyy told reporters on Friday.

The President noted that the head of the negotiating team, National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) Secretary Rustem Umerov, will provide him with "appropriate signals" at every stage of any conversations or agreements.

"We will share with you," the head of state added.

As reported, teams from Ukraine, Russia, and the United States will meet in the United Arab Emirates on Friday and Saturday.

"The American team will travel to Moscow today. They were looking forward to our meeting with President Trump, and now they will go, and my team will meet with the American team. I think this will be the first trilateral meeting in the Emirates. I think it will be tomorrow and the day after. It will be a two-day meeting in the Emirates," Zelenskyy said during the World Economic Forum in Davos.
FLINT, MI  The Michigan Times returned to University of Michigan-Flint on Jan. 14, bringing independent student journalism back to campus after the newspaper stopped publishing at the end of the 2023-2024 academic year.

The relaunched publication, now available at mtimes.org, will celebrate its return with a party Thursday, Jan. 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Clints Cafe on campus.

Editor-in-Chief Ramla Ouedraogo leads the publication alongside advisors Scott Atkinson and Caroline Rathbun. The team is recruiting writers and editors while preparing to resume print editions this semester.

I was interested in the editor-in-chief position because I want a career in journalism, Ouedraogo said. Ive learned so much with this role, and it never stops. In journalism, you are always learning and always adapting.

The newspaper received approximately 20 applications for reporter positions in its initial job postings. Staff members plan to continue building the team while offering training to help student journalists develop professional skills.

Atkinson, a former Flint Journal reporter and UM-Flint lecturer, said universities have a responsibility to sustain journalism education despite industry challenges.

As newsrooms have shrunk and disappeared, universities carry an important responsibility of keeping the tradition and evolution of journalism alive, Atkinson said. Its our duty as educators to train the next generation of journalists so they can provide this vital public service and also so they can solve the puzzle of how to grow it into a thriving industry once again.

Rathbun, a UM-Flint alumna who previously served as layout editor for The Michigan Times, joined the university staff last fall and saw the relaunch as an opportunity to restore a campus tradition.

Student journalism plays a vital role in giving students a platform to share their voices, and Im beyond thrilled about the relaunch and what it means for our campus, Rathbun said.

The staff will focus on reconnecting with the Flint community and producing its first print issue since the closure. Students interested in joining the publication can learn more at mtimes.org.
WYOMING, MI -- A woman didnt know if she would survive a raging apartment fire until firefighters staged a dramatic rescue with a 35-foot ladder.

We were having problems breathing, said the woman, who was rescued from a third-floor apartment Monday, Jan. 19, along with her sister and young niece.

The fire happened about 8:45 p.m. Monday at Crossroads Apartments, near Clyde Park Avenue SW and 44th Street.

The woman spoke to MLive/The Grand Rapids Press Thursday, Jan. 22, but asked not to be named.

She said she had been relaxing in her apartment when she realized there was a problem.

We started hearing the alarms. We heard people screaming fire, fire!, the woman said.

She called 911.

The woman and her family looked to escape out the main entrance, but found the stairs on fire.

Everything was happening so fast, she said.

They tied bed sheets together, thinking they might be able to climb down from the window.

But they also thought about jumping -- until firefighters arrived and quickly extended a 35-foot ladder to the window.

Wyoming firefighters released a helmet-cam video on Tuesday, showing the rescue.

Firefighters can be heard telling the family Do not jump!

The video shows a firefighter first grab the child and bring her down.

Thank you, a woman can be heard, panicked. My baby, my baby.

Then the two women climb down to safety.

The woman who spoke to MLive said she left the apartment with only her clothes.

She lost everything in the fire -- money, a cell phone and keepsakes.

The nearby Big Top Market, on Clyde Park Avenue, offered $200 food vouchers for residents displaced in the fire.

Vince Grill, a supervisor at the store, said the store owners just want to be good neighbors.

They are in the community and we just wanted to help, he said.

Wyoming Fire Marshal Brad Dornbos earlier said that 33 people in 33 units were displaced because of the fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.
JACKSON COUNTY, MI  A Jackson teen was fatally shot. His family is still seeking answers as they mourn his loss.

Here is that headline and some more you might have missed this week.

Like somebody ripped your heart out. Mom mourns teen allegedly killed by 13-year-old in Jackson

Overwhelmed and sleepless, Alicia Ramos keeps looking at her phone, reading the last exchange with her son.

It was late, about 10:30 p.m. and she had to work in the morning, she messaged him. All right, he responded. I love you.

The signature was usual.

He always signed off with I love you, always, she said Tuesday, Jan. 20. That was his thing, even with his dad or his grandma or whatever.

It has greater significance now.

How boy accused of murder obtained gun under investigation; We dont have them, mom says

The mother of a child accused of murder in the shooting death of a 16-year-old in Jackson said her son did not have access to a weapon.

I know for a fact my son dont carry weapons or be around any. We dont have them either, she said Friday, Jan. 16, during a brief interview at the Jackson County Courthouse.

Her son, held at the Jackson County Youth Center, is accused of first-degree premeditated murder, felony murder, armed robbery, larceny of a firearm and carrying a firearm in the commission of a felony, county Prosecutor Kelsey A. Guernsey said in a statement.

Hayes Hotel redevelopment in limbo again after state court ruling halts funding

Redevelopment of Jacksons historic Hayes Hotel downtown is in limbo once again after a court ruling halted funding for the project.

The Michigan Court of Claims issued a preliminary injunction Friday, Jan. 16, stopping the state from spending $645 million in previously canceled funds.

Of the $645 million, Jackson was granted $4.5 million to redevelop the Hayes Hotel.

Crews respond to 2 fires near Jackson

Fire crews responded to two fires on Thursday evening near Jackson.

Crews were called around 7 p.m. to a business in the 2500 block of Spring Arbor Road in Summit Township for a report of a fire, said Capt. Aaron Osburn with the townships fire department.

When crews arrived, they found a fire in the buildings furnace in the basement, he said. The fire was brought under control in just a few minutes.

Second suspect arraigned in murder of Mama Tu-Tus son in Jackson

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.

3 displaced after suspicious house fire near Jackson

A house fire that displaced three people on Sunday, Jan. 18, is under investigation and believed to be suspicious, police said.

Those displaced  all adults  are receiving assistance from the American Red Cross.

Blackman-Leoni Township firefighters responded to a report of a structure fire around 11 a.m. in the 500 block of South Dettman Road.

Whats that? New sculpture at Jackson museum adds a pop of color to grounds

If you have driven by the Ella Sharp Museum of Art and History on Fourth Street recently, a new sculpture has likely caught your eye.

The life-size structure from New York-based artist Tom Fruin titled Street Ministry, is currently on loan and may become a part of the museums permanent collection.

A fundraising campaign to make that happen is about three quarters complete, said Ella Sharp Museum Executive Director Jeremy Frew.

As Michigan township considers new solar project, 2 commissioners with stakes step aside

Scott Manifold ended his public comment on Monday night with a prayer.

I pray that you would guide our commission down the path of righteousness and integrity, that they may represent the township as a whole, said Manifold, who lives on White Road in Hillsdale Countys Fayette Township.

Lord, please protect our township from the influences both inside and outside our beautiful community that seek to alter our landscape for their financial gain.

Manitou Beach man sentenced to prison for child pornography possession

A man accused of possessing sexually abusive images and videos of children has been sent to prison.

On Jan. 8, Lenawee County Circuit Judge Michael Olsaver sentenced Harold Leroy Knight Jr. to serve two to 10 years in prison on a single charge of aggravated possession of child sexually abusive material, court records show.

Knight, 54, pleaded guilty to the charge on Nov. 12 in a plea deal dismissing his additional charge of using a computer to commit a crime and two additional child pornography possession charges.

Vietnam veteran killed in Rives Township hit and run crash

A man who was killed in a hit-and-run crash north of Jackson has been identified as a Vietnam War veteran.

Norman Joseph Heim died Thursday, Jan. 15, after a car struck him on Lansing Avenue near South Oak Creek Drive in Rives Township, Jackson County Undersheriff Anthony Stewart said.

The unknown vehicle hit Heim, 76, of Jackson, about 9:36 p.m. The vehicle that hit him fled the crash scene at a high rate of speed prior to police arriving, Stewart said.

Woman accused of delivering narcotics that killed two people near Jackson

A woman and man were found dead Sunday at the Travelodge outside Jackson of what authorities believe are drug overdoses, the Blackman-Leoni Township public safety department reported.

A woman, Angela Chapman, 41, of Jackson is charged with delivering the controlled substance that caused the deaths, Director Darin McIntosh said in a statement.

Fentanyl likely killed two people in hotel off I-94; woman charged with delivering fatal doses

Investigators believe two people found dead in a Travelodge off I-94 likely overdosed on a synthetic opioid like fentanyl.

We have seen fentanyl laced into several different types of narcotics, and the victims displayed signs consistent with a fentanyl overdose, Darin McIntosh, director of the Blackman-Leoni Township public safety department said in an email late Tuesday.

Authorities will not know for certain until they receive the toxicology results from the autopsies, he said.

Jackson County residents pack meeting over ICE partnership concerns

Over 100 residents packed a standing-room-only Jackson County Board of Commissioners meeting, asking the Jackson County Sheriffs Office to end its agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

On Tuesday, Jan 20, the residents raised concerns about the 287(g) program, which the sheriffs office agreed to enter in March of 2025. The program allows the county to hold someone who has already been arrested if they have an ICE warrant. Many cited worries about racial profiling, financial burden to the county and division between deputies and the community.

Jackson County commissioners I Love ICE sign sparks confrontation during meeting

A standing-room-only Jackson County Board of Commissioners meeting resulted in an incident involving a county commissioner, a resident and an I Love ICE sign.

More than 100 residents packed the Tuesday, Jan. 20 meeting, demanding an end to the Jackson County Sheriffs Office 287(g) program partnership with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, allowing the county to hold arrested individuals who are subject to ICE warrants.

District 1 County Commissioner Tony Bair, a Republican, displayed the pro-ICE sign next to his name plaque during the public comment portion of the meeting. This escalated residents to shout at Bair, requesting he take it down.

5 takeaways from heated protest over ICE agreement with Jackson County sheriff

Over 100 residents protested the Jackson County Board of Commissioners meeting demanding the sheriffs office end its partnership with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The standing-room-only meeting left people critiquing and supporting the 287(g) program. The program allows the county to hold someone who has already been arrested if they have an ICE warrant.

Jackson Public Schools board selects new leadership team

A shuffle in leadership in the Jackson Public School Board of Education was approved during Tuesday evenings school board meeting.

Following a board vote, Marilyn Acton was selected to be the new school board president Tuesday, Jan. 20.

Thank you everyone for having confidence in me to run these meetings, Acton said. Im really excited for us all to work together. This is a great place to learn and Im thankful to all the people who come out to these meetings.

Juvenile lifer was sexually abused for 45 days during prison intake in 1972, lawsuit says

A man who was sentenced to life in prison for murder when he was 17 and later released is now suing the prison system claiming he was sexually abused.

Former juvenile lifer Leon Douglas and his wife, Gloria, filed a lawsuit Jan. 16 in U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan against the Michigan Department of Corrections and an unknown correctional officer alleging Douglas suffered cruel and unusual punishment and gross negligence while he was incarcerated at 17.

The lawsuit contends Douglas was repeatedly sexually assaulted during 45 days of quarantine during his prison intake in 1972 in Jackson.

House fire just outside downtown Jackson ends with 2 in the hospital and 1 arrested

Two Jackson residents were injured, and one was arrested during a house fire just outside downtown Jackson Wednesday night.

Fire crews were called at about 10 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, to 324 Clinton Street in Jackson for a reported house fire, according to a statement from the Jackson Fire Department.

Fire crews arrived to find heavy smoke and flames coming from the first and second floors of the two-story home, officials said.

Jackson man admitted to starting house fire that hospitalized 2 roommates, police say

A Jackson man arrested at the scene of a house fire admitted to starting the blaze that injured his two roommates.

Fire crews were called at about 10 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, to 324 Clinton Street in Jackson for a reported house fire, according to a statement from the Jackson Fire Department.

Fire crews arrived to find heavy smoke and flames coming from the first and second floors of the two-story home, officials said.

Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page.
JACKSON COUNTY, MI  The Jackson County Board of Commissioners approved a lease agreement allowing Grow Jackson to establish a farmers market on the historic grounds of Michigans first state prison.

The 7-0 decision Tuesday, Jan. 20, signed Grow Jackson, a local nonprofit, to a five-year lease through 2030 at 100 Armory Court. Grow Jackson would handle all operating expenses, while the county would be responsible for general building upkeep, like HVAC, plumbing and other capital maintenance.

Commissioners adjusted the payment structure, initially a proposed $1 annual rent fee for the first two years. Under the approved changes, Grow Jackson will pay 2% of its revenue in the first year, 4% in the second year and 8% for the third year and beyond.

Jackson County Administrator/Controller Michael Overton said the contract is designed to scale as the business grows, so Grow Jackson and the county wont need to renegotiate each time it expands.

Grow Jackson can grow at its own rate for the next five years, and were going to help them along by letting them choose what they want to do and how fast they want to do it, Jackson County Board Chairman Steve Shotwell said. Were still going to make our revenue from each item.

Grow Jackson founder Jacob Inosencio presented a proposed five-year plan during a Jan. 6 study session. The first phase launches a farmers market in spring of 2026.

Following the establishment of the farmers market, Grow Jackson plans to create a farm stop in summer 2026. The consignment model grocery store, where staff would sell produce for farmers, would be open every day, making it easier for farmers to feature their products and spend more time farming.

The farm stop will also have a cafe, selling pastries, locally roasted coffee, and locally sourced sandwiches. The nonprofit plans to host events and live music on the patio and secure a liquor license for on-site and off-site consumption of beer and wine.

The third phase would launch a mobile market in the spring of 2027, likely with a retrofitted bus or wagon, bringing local products to neighborhoods throughout Jackson County.

The fourth phase would create an accelerator kitchen with multiple micro-kitchens in the summer of 2028, offering short-term leases for emerging food businesses to test and refine their products.

The last phase will transform the space in 2029 into a food hub, defined by the National Food Hub Collaboration as a business or organization managing the aggregation, distribution, and marketing of source-identified foods mostly from local and regional producers. Farmers and producers could enter larger-volume markets that boost their incomes and provide opportunities for scaling up production. This phase will include light processing of products, milling and flash freezing.

Local farmers will deliver their products and set their prices for consignment sale. Grow Jackson will retail the products, returning 70% of each sale to the local business and keeping 30% to fund operations.

District 4 Commissioner Philip Duckham was absent from the meeting.

Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page.
JACKSON COUNTY, MI  A standing-room-only Jackson County Board of Commissioners meeting resulted in an incident involving a county commissioner, a resident and an I Love ICE sign.

More than 100 residents packed the Tuesday, Jan. 20 meeting, demanding an end to the Jackson County Sheriffs Office 287(g) program partnership with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, allowing the county to hold arrested individuals who are subject to ICE warrants.

District 1 County Commissioner Tony Bair, a Republican, displayed the pro-ICE sign next to his name plaque during the public comment portion of the meeting. This escalated residents to shout at Bair, requesting he take it down.

Eventually, a woman walked to the dais and grabbed the sign from Bair, which he tried to protect and snatch back. The woman walked off with the paper and received applause when she returned to her seat.

The woman, who spoke during public comment but only provided her first name, declined to comment when approached by MLive/The Jackson Citizen Patriot at her home the next day.

Bair said during the meeting that he supported ICE and respected the sheriffs office. During a phone call Wednesday, Jan. 21, he defended his right to display the sign, noting others showed up with anti-ICE signs. He advised those that question his decision to read the U.S. Constitution.

I am free to express my political beliefs, I did so in a typical fashion, Bair said. The Marxists on the other side got physical and they are wrong. They are evil for doing that.

Bair said it was typical of the left Democrats to believe they are entitled to physically attack him and take his possessions because they dont agree with him. He called her actions un-American.

They imported people from other communities, brought professional agitators in and they proved to me that they are what I consider bad people, Bair said.

The protest was organized by the Jackson County for Immigrants Coalition, a group formed in response to the agreement.

Amador Ybarra, the coalitions local government working group coordinator, said he believed Bair placed the sign with an intent to disrupt the proceeding, and to prompt a response that would allow him to criticize the conduct of the protestors.

Ybarra said he believed the woman should not have approached the dais and wished someone had redirected her. He added he should have asked Jackson County Board Chairman Steve Shotwell to request the sign be taken down to avoid the situation.

While I understand the emotion and why they did that, I also think that in a public meeting we have to make sure that we are aware of what were doing, Ybarra said.

However, Ybarra called the meeting a success for the coalition because it brought a large group together to draw attention to their concerns of the ICE program.

District 7 Commissioner John Willis acknowledged that while there is division, he expressed it was important to remember that the night was a great peaceful protest. He said hes good friends with Sheriff Gary Schuette and knows his concerns about the 287(g) program and ICEs use of administrative warrants instead of judicial warrants issued by judges.

When facts are blurred, abuses are minimized, when people are told not to believe what they see, our democracy begins to peaceful protest, like we have tonight, is the one way that citizens can come and bring the truth back to the floor, Willis said.

Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page.
Hillsdale Hospital is limiting visitors at the Bediako Birthing Center starting Friday, Jan. 23, in response to a rise in highly transmissible respiratory illnesses in the community.

The restrictions target RSV, influenza and COVID-19, which can be fatal to infants, according to a Friday, Jan. 23, hospital statement. Hospital officials said the visitor limitations are essential to protecting newborns and keeping them safe and healthy.

Under the new guidelines, birthing center visitors are restricted to the birthing persons significant other and one additional designated support person. Healthy grandparents may visit two at a time during the postpartum period, but children, including siblings, are not permitted in the birthing center.

Surgical patients may have one designated visitor throughout their stay. Outpatients may not receive visitors until labor is confirmed. The hospital is encouraging visitors to wear masks during their visits to the birthing center.

Hospital officials said the guidelines will be reviewed weekly and restrictions will be lifted when it is safe and appropriate to do so.

Hillsdale Hospital, founded in 1915, is a community-based hospital providing health care in south central Lower Michigan.
CALHOUN COUNTY, MI  One person was killed in a crash during icy and snow-drifted conditions, police said.

Around 7 a.m. Friday, Jan. 23, deputies from the Calhoun County Sheriffs Office responded to a fatal two-vehicle crash on M-60 near 9 Mile Road in Burlington Township.

Two vehicles were involved in the crash during icy conditions with snow drifted over the road, the Calhoun County Sheriffs Office said.

A 54-year-old Morrice woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Her identity is being withheld at this time pending notification of her family, police said.

A second person involved in the crash was transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries, police said.

M-60 was closed for several hours while deputies and crash investigators processed the scene. The roadway has since been reopened.

The Michigan State Police, Burlington Fire Department, Union City Fire Department and Marshall Area Fire Fighters Association responded along with the sheriffs office.

Detectives are investigating the cause of the crash and no further information is available at this time, police said.

This case remains under investigation. Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has information related to this incident is asked to contact Lieutenant Benjamin Hess at 269-781-0880 or provide an anonymous tip through Silent Observer at 269-964-3888.

Bookmark MLives local Kalamazoo news page.
BATTLE CREEK, MI  A new program in Battle Creek aims to allow drones to fly autonomously, possibly delivering packages, inspecting buildings and more.

ResilienX, an uncrewed aviation company, and other stakeholders are looking into use cases within the Battle Creek community during the initial stages for the project.

The beyond visual line of site system (BVLOS) being developed by ResilienX will enable remote and autonomous vehicles to operate in Battle Creek, said Robert Corder, vice president of attraction at Battle Creek Unlimited.

This new infrastructure will be valuable addition and help us to attract new advanced air mobility companies, Corder said.

ResilienX said it works in other communities where drones are being used for:

Medical delivery and logistics

Package delivery

First Response

Aerial Photography

Building inspections

Land surveys

Agriculture

As a part of the project, Battle Creek Unlimited will be leading community engagement to determine what use cases would have the greatest impact to the community and how to bring in or grow operators in the region.

Setting up infrastructure for scalable beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) is the goal of the MICH-AIR effort. Operators will not fly in Battle Creek without it, officials said.

Beyond visual line of sight refers to flying a drone out of the sight of the operator.

Battle Creek Unlimited has been working on MICH-AIR for several years, Corder said.

As the economic development organization for the city of Battle Creek, BCUs mission is creating jobs and attracting corporate investment.

With regard to MICH-AIR, our goal is to leverage the communitys assets and bring a new industry to Battle Creek, Corder said.

Organizers believe Battle Creek is the right fit.

The Battle Creek Executive Airport is home to WMUs College of Aviation, where they train pilots and airframe / propulsion mechanics. The Michigan Air National Guards 110th Wing is also based at BTL, where it has a remote drone operations mission flying MQ-9s, he said.

Duncan Aviation, a maintenance/repair/overhaul providers, is located at the airport and employs more than 800 people there, he said.

In addition, there are two manufacturers with facilities at BTL: Waco Aircraft, which manufactures a reproduction biplane; and its sister company Junkers Aircraft, which is completing its new manufacturing facility, where they will make a reproduction 1930s sport plane.

BTL has more than 200 acres inside the airport fence available for development.

Battle Creek will be the first community in Michigan to have this kind of capability, he said.

The long-term goal in Battle Creek is to bring the next-generation aviation to the city, Corder said.

This includes electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, as well as autonomous and remotely piloted vehicles.

We want the vehicles to be manufactured in Battle Creek, he said, as well as maintained and repaired here.

We want the operations to be here, whether that is cargo & freight, public safety & first responder applications, inspection & surveillance, agriculture, even urban air mobility.

Battle Creek could also be a training site for companies to train operators.

This is a new sector that is poised to take off, he said. Jobs in the advance air mobility space are high skilled and high paying, and a great fit for Battle Creek.

The system is designed to be scalable across Michigan and beyond, with deployment underway and operations expected within one year, Corder said.

ResilienX is based in Syracuse, New York.

In Southeast Michigan, Amazon is testing drone deliveries with plans to bring the system to the Detroit area.
SAGINAW, MI  A former teacher at Michigan Lutheran Seminary is a step closer to facing a trial on charges that he sexually assaulted a student.

Carl J. Boeder, 31, on Friday, Jan. 23, appeared before Saginaw County District Judge David D. Hoffman for a scheduled preliminary examination. Rather than proceed with witness testimony, defense attorney John E. Melton stated his client wanted to waive his right to the hearing and have his case bound over to Circuit Court for further proceedings.

Saginaw County Assistant Prosecutor Leslie Card-Godin raised no objections, so Hoffman obliged and bound Boeders case over to the higher court.

Carl J. Boeder, former teacher at Saginaw's Michigan Lutheran Seminary, appears in Saginaw County District Court on Jan. 23, 2026, on charges of criminal sexual conduct. Cole Waterman

Boeder stood beside Melton in a black-and-white jail-issued jumpsuit, shackles on his wrists and ankles, his fingers interlocked across his midsection. He only spoke to answer the judges yes-or-no questions before a bailiff ushered him from the courtroom and returned him to jail, where he is being held on a $1 million bond.

Boeder was arraigned in December on the following nine counts:

Third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a student, one count

Fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct with a student, two counts

Child sexually abusive activity, one count

Possessing child sexually abusive material, one count

Using a computer to commit a crime, three counts

Distributing sexually explicit material to a child, one count

Third-degree CSC involves penetration and is punishable by up to 15 years in prison, while fourth-degree is limited to touching and is a two-year high court misdemeanor.

Boeder graduated from Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota. The College of Ministry for Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod in May 2022 presented him for service to the church.

He thereafter worked at Michigan Lutheran Seminary, 2777 Hardin St. in Saginaw, as a teacher in band, choir, and German. He quickly gained a reputation as an affable and approachable educator, according to some of his former students who spoke with MLive.

Boeder used his popularity among students to prey on one of them when she was in a particularly vulnerable state, prosecutors allege. Boeder told the 17-year-old female student she could talk with him about her grief following a friends death, prosecutors allege. He used this as a means of grooming her, prosecutors contend.

The defendant had a wife and young child, but that did not stop him from pursuing the victim, prosecutors wrote in a bond recommendation.

Starting around June 1 and continuing through Aug. 5, Boeder and the teen exchanged nude photos of each other on a nearly daily basis, prosecutors allege. This came to light after the teens father saw messages theyd been exchanging, according to prosecutors.

The teens father notified police. Shortly afterward, Boeder contacted the teen to tell her they needed to take a break, prosecutors allege.

Police interviewed Boeder, who confessed to having a sexual relationship with the victim, prosecutors wrote.

Boeder resigned from MLS on Aug. 5. Shortly thereafter, he packed up his family, listed his home on Court Street for sale, and moved to La Crosse, Wisconsin, prosecutors said. Boeder had purchased the Court Street house for $135,000 in July 2022, according to Saginaw Area GIS Authority.

MLS administrators in early August sent an email to students parents, informing them Boeder had resigned his position as a professor. The email also related Boeder was the subject of a police investigation.

Michigan Lutheran Seminary is fully cooperating with the authorities, and we have no reason to believe that any illegal activity occurred on our campus, the missive read.

The age of consent for sexual activity in Michigan is 16. However, the age is increased to 18 if the older participant is a a teacher, substitute teacher, administrator, employee, or contractual service provider of the school or district the younger participant attends.

MLS President the Rev. Mark Luetzow, in a prior written statement to MLive, stated administrators learned of Boeders alleged misconduct late in the summer of 2025 before the school year began. They immediately terminated his employment and have been fully cooperative with police, Luetzow said.

The safety and well-being of our students is always our top priority, and any type of inappropriate interaction between a teacher and student, whether on campus or off campus, will not be tolerated, Luetzow said. As the incident involved a minor and a student, we are unable to provide any further specific details regarding the case.
EAST LANSING, MI  A Saginaw physician will stand trial in Ingham County on 23 counts of Medicaid fraud, Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Thursday.

Dr. James Carthron, 61, is alleged to have repeatedly billed Medicaid for telephone consultations that never occurred, Nessel stated previously. This occurred repeatedly between May 31 and September 27, 2024, she stated.

Carthron was arraigned in August 2025 in 54-B District Court in East Lansing.

Each count of Medicaid fraud-making a false claim carries a maximum penalty of four years in prison and/or a $50,000 fine.

Carthron formerly operated PRN Urgent Care in Saginaw, before closing the medical practice in 2023.

Millions of Michigan residents rely on the Medicaid program for their healthcare services, and we must defend it from fraud and bad actors, Nessel said at the time of Carthrons arraignment. My office will continue to safeguard this program by holding accountable those who seek to exploit Medicaid.

Carthron was bound over before 54-B District Court Judge Molly E. Hennessey Greenwalt on Thursday, Jan. 15. The case is awaiting assignment of a judge in the 30th Circuit Court. No additional court dates have yet been set.

The Attorney Generals Health Care Fraud Division is handling this case. The HCFD is the federally-certified Medicaid Fraud Control Unit for Michigan.

The HCFD receives 75% of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $5.5 million for the fiscal year 2026. The remaining 25% percent, totaling $1,8 million, is funded by the state of Michigan.
Photo: The Presidential Office of Ukraine / www.president.gov.ua

Deputy Head of Military Intelligence Vadym Skybytsky and diplomats will also participate in the Ukrainian delegation during the meetings in the UAE, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced.

"I asked Ivaschenko to send round Skybytsky along with Hnatov, so that military intelligence representatives would also be present. There will also be diplomats, Kyslytsya, and several others," Zelenskyy said in response to a question from Interfax-Ukraine on Friday.

The President noted that he would also discuss the mandate for these meetings with the negotiating group 15:00-16:00 today.

"Today's meeting and tomorrow's will be trilateral: Ukraine, America, and Russia. And then the Europeans will certainly receive feedback from us," Zelenskyy added.

As earlier reported, the Ukrainian side will be represented at the meetings in the UAE on Friday and Saturday by National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov, Head of the Presidents Office Kyrylo Budanov, First Deputy Head of the Presidents Office Serhiy Kyslytsya, Servant of the People faction leader David Arakhamia, and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Andriy Hnatov.
MIDLAND, MI  An associate pastor with a Mark Barclay Ministries has pleaded guilty to 11 counts of sexually assaulting children. He is the third man associated with the Midland County-based international ministry to be convicted of such crimes in recent years, the first being his own adult son.

He is now spending the next few months in jail until he and another minister can be sentenced to prison on the same day.

Randy L. Saylor, 73, on Thursday, Jan. 22, appeared before Midland County Circuit Judge Michael J. Beale and pleaded no contest to four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a relation and seven counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a victim 13 or younger. First-degree involves penetration and is a life offense, while second-degree is limited to touching and is a 15-year felony.

Prosecutors agreed to dismiss two more counts of each degree.

The plea agreement requires Saylor to serve at least 10 years in prison and to be on the sex offender registry for the rest of his life.

By pleading no contest rather than guilty, Saylor did not admit to having committed any crime. He pleaded as such due to potential civil liability.

Living Word Church, 2010 N. Stark Road in Midland County's Lincoln Township. Cole Waterman

After accepting his pleas, Judge Beale revoked Saylors $50,000 bond and ordered him held in custody pending sentencing, scheduled for March 19. Also scheduled to be sentenced by Beale on that day is James P. Randolph, 59, a self-professed youth minister with Barclays organization. Randolph, the son-in-law of founder Mark T. Barclay, in August was convicted by a jury of two counts of first- and four counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Mark Barclay Ministries and Living Word Church, 2010 N. Stark Road in Midland Countys Lincoln Township, describes itself as a worldwide gospel ministry with a prophetic voice in end times alerting Gods people with Gods Word of righteousness through every available means in every available place.

Controversy began courting the organization in July 2023, when Randy Saylors son, church elder Brandon S. Saylor, was charged with sexually abusing four children across 10 years. Randolph faced similar charges that November.

Prosecutors charged Randy Saylor with sex crimes in May 2024. The prior month, Judge Beale sentenced Brandon Saylor to five to 15 years in prison. Brandon Saylor, 46, is incarcerated at the Muskegon Correctional Facility.

Brandon S. Saylor appears in Midland County Circuit Court for sentencing on sexual abuse convictions on April 4, 2024. Cole Waterman

An August 2024 preliminary examination saw two sisters, ages 15 and 20, testify Randy Saylor repeatedly gave them massages at his Sanford-area home, only for the contact to grow into sexual assaults. The sisters did not tell anyone of the alleged assaults for years and came forward after they heard of Brandon Saylor being charged.

The Rev. James P. Randolph appears in Midland County Circuit Court via Zoom on Jan. 9, 2025. Cole Waterman

Regarding Randolph, his August conviction was not the first time hed been convicted of a sex-related crime. Criminal records show a then-17-year-old Randolph in December 1983 was sentenced to two to 10 years in a Michigan reformatory on a conviction of assault with intent to do great bodily harm, stemming from a brawl in Jackson County. While on parole in October 1984, he and several other men raped a 15-year-old girl in Jackson, resulting in him being convicted of third-degree criminal sexual conduct.

A Jackson County judge in October 1985 sentenced Randolph, then 19, to prison. The Michigan Department of Corrections paroled him in 1993 and discharged him from that two years later.

Barclay stood by and supported Randolph throughout his trial.

In the wake of Randolphs conviction, Barclay sent letters to congregants explaining his recent actions and asking for continued support. He denied knowing Randolph  his daughters husband  had been previously imprisoned for the gang-rape of a minor in the 1980s, claimed Randolph was never a youth pastor, and expressed regret over not having supported sexual abuse victims.

Had we known the truth earlier, James  would never have been permitted to participate in youth ministry in any capacity, Barclay wrote in a letter to church family and partners. Randolph was never officially the head of the churchs youth ministries, though he often overstated his role and publicly portrayed himself as a youth pastor, Barclay wrote.

Barclay wrote he stood by Randolph during his trial because he believed he was innocent and to support his daughter and grandchildren. Barclay has since removed Randolph from all ministry duties. He denied the church financially supported Randolphs legal defense or paid the $5 million bond he was free on pending trial.
An urgent warning has been issued after two more people died after crashing vehicles with substandard and dangerous air bag inflators.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the latest crashes in December involved units that were likely illegally imported from China.

NHTSA said it is aware of 10 crashes resulting in death or serious injury from ruptured replacement air bag inflators made by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co. Ltd., also known as DTN.

Eight drivers have been killed in otherwise survivable crashes, while two other drivers suffered severe injuries. All of these vehicles had their original equipment air bags replaced with substandard airbags after a previous crash, according to the NHTSA.

These dangerous, substandard air bag inflators malfunctioned in crashes, sending large metal fragments into drivers chests, necks, eyes and faces, the warning said.

All known crashes have occurred in Chevrolet Malibu and Hyundai Sonata vehicles, most with salvage or rebuilt titles, but the NHTSA does not have information to confirm the risk is limited to those makes and models.

NHTSA has an open investigation into the DTN inflators and the agency has alerted the auto repair industry to be on the lookout for the dangerous inflators.

The inflators are prohibited from sale in the United States. Whoever is bringing them into the country and installing them is putting American families in danger, the warning said.

Used vehicle owners and buyers should learn their vehicles history and ensure the vehicle has genuine air bag inflators before purchasing.

If a vehicle has been in a previous crash where the air bag was deployed, it should be inspected immediately to ensure the air bag is a legitimate replacement equivalent to the original, the NHTSA said.

If a vehicle has a salvage or rebuilt title, it is especially urgent that it be inspected for one of these inflators. If the vehicle is found to have one of these DTN inflators, it should not be driven until the inflator is replaced with genuine parts, the warning concluded.

If an owner or buyer does not know the vehicles history, they should get a history report and have the vehicle inspected by a reputable mechanic or dealership if it has been in a previous crash with air bag deployment.
TRAVERSE CITY, MI  Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, now a third-party candidate for governor, suggested that a successful independent campaign could be a message to both Democrats and Republicans that bipartisanship is required moving forward.

And hes hoping that message will help him build a nationwide donor network necessary to win the governors race in 2026.

Duggan, who was elected as Detroits mayor in 2013 as a Democrat, is now running in a crowded field as an independent to replace term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

He was among six high-profile gubernatorial candidates who participated in a forum at the Northern Michigan Policy Conference on Friday, Jan. 23 in Traverse City.

The other candidates invited to sit down with MIRS News Editor Kyle Melinn at the forum were Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, and Republicans U.S. Rep. John James, R-Shelby Township, Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, R-Porter Township, former House Speaker Tom Leonard and former Attorney General Mike Cox.

In November, following the primary, Duggan will face off against one of those Republican candidates or a lesser known one in the race, such as Ax MI Tax Executive Director Karla Wagner, Pastor Ralph Rebandt or business owner Anthony Hudson.

The Democratic nominee in the general election could be Benson, who is considered the front-runner based on polling, Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson or Marni Sawicki, former mayor of Cape Coral, Florida.

Among the challenges that any independent candidate faces when competing with the established operations of both the Democratic and Republican parties is fundraising.

During a Jan. 5 press conference, Duggan mentioned the difficulty in competing with fundraising platforms like ActBlue, a political action committee for the Democratic party, that have effective and established networks of small donors across the country.

Were building it from scratch, he said of his own fundraising campaign at that time.

During Fridays event, hosted by the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance, Duggan was asked how that effort is progressing. Duggan said hes already having no trouble raising money in the state of Michigan, pointing to a July campaign finance haul of $3.2 million, with more direct contributions than any other candidate.

But many of Duggans dollars raised so far, in July and October reports, came from fundraising events. And as the race progresses, hell have to compete with Democratic and Republican nominees each backed by their partys network of national donors.

The parties have an advantage in the national, small donor money, Duggan said. Ive got the advantage that the people who know us best are giving more money to me.

But Duggan said he believes his campaign can compete by also attracting the attention of out-of-state donors who want to shake up politics.

We need to let the parties know they dont own our votes, he said, an idea he believes could gain traction.

Hopefully, as this goes along, people nationally will start to look at this and say, If Mike could win in purple Michigan, maybe it could be a message to the two parties across the country that you have to stop behaving in such a toxic way and work with each other.

He also reiterated statements that his campaign will court those who feel left out by the traditional partisan campaigns.

If you just listen, the two parties are so busy yelling at each other, theyre missing the ground shifting under their feet, Duggan said. It is shifting, and it may be a while before you realize that, but its happening.

When asked about how he would go about uniting people if elected, Duggan said he believes that extended term limits for the state legislature was a key change that will now allow Democratic and Republican leaders to build longer-lasting relationships.

But he added that electing an independent governor could also serve as the political spark that would build state-level teamwork.
As all of Michigan hurtles toward a multi-day stretch of a deep winter freeze, the National Weather Service has expanded the Extreme Cold Warning area across most of the state.

The only places not under an Extreme Cold Warning are the Southeast corner of the state - from Saginaw and The Thumb down to Flint, Ann Arbor and Detroit, as well as the Lansing and Jackson area along the southern rim of Michigan. Those southern and eastern spots are under a Cold Weather Advisory, as the cold is not expected to be quite as severe there.

The Extreme Cold Warning now covers the Upper Peninsula - where wind chills could plummet to -45 degrees over the next couple of days - and all of Northern Michigan and West Michigan. This extreme warning covers Grand Rapids, Holland, Muskegon, Traverse City, Gaylord and the Tip of the Mitt, too.

Up North areas like Traverse City, Petoskey and Gaylord are also under a Winter Storm Warning.

The Extreme Cold Warnings run through Saturday morning.

Coldest wind chills are expected late tonight into Friday morning, and again late Friday night into Saturday morning, the NWS said. The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 30 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.

Symptoms of Hypothermia and Frostbite

These Extreme Cold Warnings are a relatively new kind of warning system from the National Weather Service, as our Chief Meteorologist Mark Torregrossa explained earlier.

They used to use this kind of warning for bitterly cold wind chills only, but now it can be used for specific cold temperature zones, even if there is no wind.

Temperatures across all of Michigan are expected to be below zero on Friday and Saturday mornings - the coldest time windows in the forecast.

Wind chills in Lower Michigan could drop to -25 degrees, with much colder feels like temperatures expected in the U.P.
Meeting in Abu Dhabi to kick off this evening  Zelenskyy's advisor

Photo: Detector Media

The trilateral meeting in Abu Dhabi will begin on Friday evening, announced Dmytro Lytvyn, presidential communications adviser.

"This evening," he told reporters on Friday, answering a question about the start time of the talks.

As reported, the Ukrainian, Russian, and US teams will meet in the United Arab Emirates on Friday and Saturday.

The parties will discuss, among other things, issues related to the Donbas.
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MC Education Desk Read the latest and trending news on CBSE, board exams, NEET, JEE, CUET, competitive exams, scholarships, college admissions, education policies, and more.
Amaal Mallik reveals he is getting a lot of offers to play villain roles in South films, says, So ek condition rakhne ki koshish hogi...
Dhurandhar 2 teaser not attached with Border 2, director Aditya Dhar reveals when it will be out
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Palak Vij is a Sub Editor and Entertainment Journalist with over a year of experience covering films, television, and pop culture in the digital space.
When Mallika Sherawat shared thoughts on plastic surgery and the value of natural expression in Bollywood
The actress, who is gearing up for the release of her fashion-centric film The Devil Wears Prada 2 in May, was accompanied by her husband, Adam Shulman.
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Svyrydenko and Sybiha discuss with diplomatic corps mobilization of additional energy and military aid for Ukraine

Photo: https://x.com/andrii_sybiha

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha and Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko have held a coordination meeting with Ukrainian ambassadors and consuls.

The key priority is mobilizing additional energy and military assistance for Ukraine to withstand this winter, Sybiha said on X.

He noted that due to massive Russian attacks on our civilian infrastructure, which bear all the hallmarks of genocide, the situation is critical. According to our intelligence services, the Russians are preparing new attacks. Emergency power outages are in effect across the country. In some regions, people have been without electricity, heating, and water for up to two days.

Therefore, Ukraines diplomatic corps is mobilizing all possible international support  from governments and international organizations to civil society. To mobilize support from private citizens and civil societies around the world, we have launched the fundraising campaign WarmthForUkraine, Sybiha emphasized.

In addition, the diplomatic corps is working on military assistance, primarily air defense systems and missiles, to protect Ukrainian skies from Russian terrorism.
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Jennifer Lopez in talks to sing world peace anthem for Vikrant Masseys International film White: Reports
Significance of burning camphor during rituals: It implies complete surrender before God, where the self or I doesnt exist. The ego is burnt away without apprehension (Image: Canva)
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IndusInd Bank Chairman Sunil Mehta to step down on January 30; Arijit Basu to be his successor
Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri said that global energy markets are undergoing a change emphasising that India has diversified its crude sourcing to navigate through the global turmoil.
Worries that silver could be hit with US tariffs triggered a rush to ship metal to New York, culminating with a historic short squeeze in London in October.
Nearly 50 Embraer aircraft of various types operate in India, including civil aircraft flown by regional carrier Star Air.
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Davos 2026 Live Updates: SAP doubles down on India, signals AI-first deal strategy

SAP SE Executive Board member Thomas Saueressig says the company is betting bigger on India, both as a growth market and as a talent engine. Calling India a phenomenal market with amazing talent, he said SAP is super committed to the country and plans to build more campuses to deepen its footprint.

Saueressig also tied SAPs India push to a wider global shift: companies are being forced to rethink how they run supply chains in a world of tariffs, disruptions, and sudden policy shocks. In that environment, he said, agile business software becomes less of a tech upgrade and more of a resilience strategyhelping firms adapt faster when costs, routes, or regulations change overnight.

On M&A, Saueressig kept it pointed: if SAP talks about acquisitions, the lens will be AI. The message is clearSAP sees the next phase of enterprise software being shaped by artificial intelligence, and it wants India to be central to that build-out, not peripheral.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says work on security and prosperity packages for Ukraine is progressing well, and the answer now lies with Russia.

She said this on Friday morning following an extraordinary meeting of the European Council, convened due to US President Donald Trump's actions against European Union countries.

According to von der Leyen, the issue of support for Ukraine was also a topic of discussion among the leaders during this meeting. Work is progressing well on the security and prosperity aspects of the peace talks. On security guarantees, the Paris meeting brought good progress. As you know we are now waiting for the Russian response, the President of the European Commission announced.

Regarding the prosperity package, von der Leyen said the negotiators are close to an agreement with the US and Ukraine on a single unified Prosperity framework. It looks at how we can boost the prosperity of Ukraine at the moment we achieve a peaceful ceasefire. Let me share with you some details, she continued.

The President of the European Commission briefed that it about single document representing the collective vision of the Ukrainians, Americans and Europe for Ukraine's post-war future. It draws on the important needs assessment work of the World Bank. And it proposes a response built around five key pillars, von der Leyen detailed.

The first area she identified was increasing productivity through business-friendly reforms and strengthening market competition. Second, accelerate Ukraine's integration into the EU Single Market through reforms in key economic sectors. The third pillar is about significantly scaling up investment. The Ukraine Investment Framework, part of our Ukraine Facility, is already in place. So, we can use structures that we have already built since the beginning of the war. It has been the EU's main investment vehicle for the country. It is clearly delivering, the President of the European Commission reported.

The fourth pillar, according to von der Leyen, concerns strengthening donor coordination, since they need not only public funds, but also private investment. A robust and proven structure already exists through the Ukraine Donor Platform. It brings together the G7 countries, the European Commission, Ukraine, and other partners. And, finally, the fifth pillar is about fundamental reforms. It means reinforcing the rule of law. Stepping up anti-corruption efforts. And modernising public administration. Because this is how you build trust. The trust of your partners, and the trust of investors is paramount. This agreement on the Prosperity Framework is a very important milestone, she stressed.

The President of the European Commission stated that the EU is currently actively preparing Ukraine's future as a modern, sovereign and free country. This is a strong signal to our brave neighbour and partner in difficult times, von der Leyen added.

In addition, von der Leyen announced that in light of Russia's attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure, the EU is doubling its support for Ukraine. This week we are deploying 447 emergency generators worth EUR 3.7 million to restore power to hospitals, shelters and critical services, the President of the European Commission detailed.
This is an AI-assisted live blog with updates sourced from multiple news outlets and agencies

Disclaimer This is an AI-assisted live blog with updates sourced from multiple news outlets and agencies

Disclaimer This is an AI-assisted live blog with updates sourced from multiple news outlets and agencies

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At previous close, the Sensex was down -324.17 points (-0.39 percent) at 83,246.18, and the Nifty was down -108.85 points (-0.42 percent) at 25,585.5
Lower tariffs in the EU market could help small firms

Meghna Mittal Deputy News Editor at Moneycontrol. Meghna has experience across television, print, online and wire media. She has been covering the Indian economy, monetary and fiscal policies, Finance and Trade ministries. She tweets at @Meghnamittal23 Contact: meghna.mittal@nw18.com
Retired employees of the RBI and NABARD will also see an increase in pensions, along with payment of arrears.
In February 2025, India and the EU decided to ramp up talks for the proposed free trade agreement

Adrija Chatterjee is an Assistant Editor at Moneycontrol. She has been tracking and reporting on finance and trade ministries for over eight years.
India and the EU are expected to announce a long-pending trade agreement on January 27, which, once implemented, could help boost labour-intensive exports currently facing 50 percent duties in the US.
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IndiaEU trade talks near finish line, shaped by firm red lines on farms, industry and climate
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Budget 2026: IT/BPM wants clarity on labour codes, bigger push on AI, skilling
Paolo Dal Cin, global lead for cybersecurity at Accenture, in conversation with Chandra R Srikanth, Executive Editor, Moneycontrol at WEF 2026 in Davos.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced the launch of the revolutionary Mission Control project, which aims to integrate all drone operations into a single digital system.

"Modern warfare is technological. Thanks to drones, we fully understand what's happening with drones on the battlefield. We see completed missions, their intensity, and the contribution of each crew. But to strike the enemy even more effectively, this is not enough. That's why we're launching Mission Controla drone control system within the DELTA combat ecosystem. I've already signed the corresponding order," he wrote on Telegram.

The minister explained that this is a project in which each crew enters the UAV type, launch point, route, and mission into the system. This way, the Ministry of Defense is eliminating "a paper army that takes away the military's time and focus."

"All data is automatically generated based on the actual work of the crews. For the first time, commanders receive a complete picture of mission execution in real timewithout manual reports and bureaucracy," Fedorov added.

The next step, the minister recalled, is to launch a similar command system for artillery.

"We will soon have complete information on drone crews, commanders, monthly ratings, and corps-wide statistics. This will speed up management decisionsavoiding manual mode and intuition," the minister wrote.

As reported, last week, Fedorov announced the launch of a "revolutionary project" for drone control, Mission Control, during a meeting with journalists. He said this will allow for an even better understanding of the situation at the combat engagement line and the effectiveness of drone deployment. His team has been working on the Mission Control functionality for two years.

The Verkhovna Rada appointed Fedorov as Minister of Defense on January 14.
Infosys CEO Salil Parekh in conversation with Chandra R Srikanth, Executive Editor, Moneycontrol, at WEF 20256 in Davos.
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Adani Enterprises, Adani Green Energy, other group stocks fall up to 14%: Here's a likely reason
According to the report, Luxembourg-domiciled funds led the redemptions at $330 million, followed by Japan-based funds with $170 million of outflows.
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Zoya Springwala is a Senior Correspondent, writing on the markets, financial institutions, regulatory changes and everything else in between.
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Technical View: Bears to tighten grip if Nifty 50 breaks 24,900 next week; Bank Nifty slips decisively below 58,800 as VIX at fresh 7-month closing high
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Trade Spotlight: How should you trade Ipca Laboratories, SAIL, Gland Pharma, Indian Bank, Bharat Electronics, and others on January 23?
Dipen Pradhan is the Editorial Consultant for Moneycontrol. He has over 10 years of experience in the field of journalism and covers personal finance topics. He has previously worked at Forbes Advisor India, Outlook Money, Entrepreneur, Inc42, and The Statesman. When he is not writing he loves to travel to explore rural hotspots.
Trilateral talks between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States have begun in Abu Dhabi, a Sky News correspondent reports.

Peace talks between Ukraine, Russia and the US in Abu Dhabi have already started, our correspondent Sally Lockwood reports. The negotiations are supposed to become the first direct trilateral peace talks since the start of Russia's war. We do not yet know if the Ukrainians and Russians are in the same room, however, the broadcaster informs.

Earlier, presidential communications adviser Dmytro Lytvyn reported that the trilateral meeting in Abu Dhabi would begin on Friday evening.
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Swan Defence awarded $227m contract to build six chemical tankers for Norwegian shipping firm
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Weeks after 15 deaths, 9 hospitalised in Indore due to contaminated water
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Delhi: Ahead of Republic Day, woman caught using forged embassy number plate; wanted to enter diplomatic areas
There is no scenario in which Vladimir Putin will leave Ukraine alone, since he is not at all interested in a successful and independent Ukraine, and you should not count on US President Donald Trump, because he still does not understand this, says Timothy Ash, senior strategist at RBC Bluebay Asset Management.

"The future for Ukraine looks bleak at this point in time - a choice between a bad, and ultimately unsustainable peace, or an extended war," he wrote in a blog post following the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.

Ash emphasized that Putin will never tire of trying to deceive Ukraine unless he is defeated or the cost of his malicious actions against Ukraine increases so much that it forces him to back down, while Trump has shown no understanding of Putin and no desire to hurt him.

"One overwhelming impression from those I met was that while there was great anticipation last year at the WEF that Trump could deliver a peace in Ukraine - he had leverage over Putin and the hope was that he could use his famed 'Art of the Deal' - this year the mood was downbeat," the expert noted.

He said the deal that Trump had promised in 24 hours, 100 days, by Easter, then Christmas, and so on proved unattainable, while Ukrainians continue to face brutal attacks on critical infrastructure that have damaged heating and water systems amid a harsh winter and limited air defense resources.

Regarding Zelenskyys speech at the World Economic Forum following his meeting with Trump, Ash described it as tough, diplomatic, and driven by frustration with weak Europeans and Trump, who, despite having the power to compel Putin to negotiate, held back.

Zelenskyy must remain diplomatic with Trump because Ukraine still desperately needs American ammunition to help defend its skies against ongoing Russian missile and drone attacks, the British expert said.

He also noted that there had been expectations that Zelenskyy and Trump would sign a major $800 billion peacetime investment program this week, but attention to Greenland and doubts over whether the EU would approve Ukraines accelerated accession likely stalled the process.

Regarding the security agreement, which has also not yet been signed despite being coordinated with the U.S., the expert suggests it has not met Ukraines expectations. The U.S. likely committed only to providing limited intelligence and monitoring any ceasefire, with very restricted military support both for Ukraine and for a potential local volunteer coalition. Nevertheless, Ukraine cannot afford to reject the agreement at this time without jeopardizing ammunition supplies during the ongoing war.

He also expressed concern that a bad deal could destabilize Ukraine, raising the risk of social and political unrest.

Having concrete security guarantees is also critical to the success of this plan for Ukraine's post-war reconstruction, he added.
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Division Bench sets aside earlier order banning bike taxis, reopening operations for app-based platforms pending further regulatory clarity.
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It further noted that the initiative was part of the President's broader efforts to promote stability, social cohesion, and opportunities for rehabilitation.
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In his address, the Prime Minister also alleged that corruption under the LDF government has harmed Keralas overall development (Image: PTI)
PM Modi to kickstart NDA poll campaign in Tamil Nadu with seven allies in massive show of strength
According to their counsel Vishram Prajapat, the parole was approved following a January 7 order by the Rajasthan High Court (Representative Image)
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Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha commented on Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbans statement that for the next 100 years, Hungary will not have a parliament that would vote for Ukrainian membership in the European Union.

This plan is doomed to fail, Mr. Prime Minister. Your master in Moscow wont last 100 years even if you were ready to donate him all organs. And on the day Ukraine joins the EU, we will frame this headline in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Sybiha said on X.

Earlier, Orban stated that Hungary would not support Ukraines accession to the EU for the next 100 years. According to him, for the next 100 years, Hungary will not have a parliament that would vote for Ukrainian membership in the European Union.

Orban claims that Kyiv is attempting to influence the results of the upcoming Hungarian parliamentary elections because it knows the countrys current government will not allow its accession to the EU.
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
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Tamil Nadu Assembly passes resolution against renaming MGNREGA, new funding structure under VB-G-RAM-G
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Why European Unions presence at Republic Day parade has alarmed Khalistani groups & ISI
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Arun Anand has authored two books on the RSS. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.
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First Lady Melania Trump urges students to let curiosity guide them, not AI: 'Only humans can generate meaning'
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Sunita Williams reveals how India appears from space at night: 'Pretty spectacular'
A debate erupted on social media about how mechanical life has become in Bengaluru.
Photo:  European Union, 2026

The European Commission has announced that it has provided Ukraine with 447 emergency generators worth EUR 3.7 million to restore power supply to critical services in Ukraine.

Earlier, the corresponding announcement was made on Friday night following the conclusion of an informal meeting of the European Council by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Over 1 million Ukrainians are without electricity, water and heating in freezing temperatures following relentless Russian strikes on energy infrastructure. The European Commission is today deploying 447 emergency generators worth EUR 3.7 million from EU strategic reserves to restore power to hospitals, shelters and critical services, the press release reads.

The European Commission noted that the generators - mobilised from rescEU strategic reserves hosted in Poland - will be distributed by the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine in cooperation with the Ukrainian Red Cross to the most affected communities. This mobilisation is designed to address urgent needs and builds on continuous EU support to Ukraines energy resilience, the message notes.

According to the European Commission, since Russias full-scale invasion began, the EU has sent near 10,000 generators to Ukraine through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM). Ahead of this winter, the Commission also completed the relocation of a full thermal power plant donated by Lithuania - the largest coordinated logistical operation in the Mechanisms history - to restore critical capacity to Ukraines grid, the EC recalled.
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Ankita Chakravarti is a seasoned journalist with nearly a decade of experience in media. She specializes in technology and lifestyle journalism. She has worked with top Indian media houses like India Today, Zee News, The Statesman, and Millennium Post. Her expertise spans tech trends, phone launches, gadget reviews, and entertainment news. Ankita holds a Master's in Journalism and Mass Communication along with a degree in English Literature. She can be reached out at ankita.chakravarti@nw18.com
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Planning a Valentines Day getaway and wondering where romance truly comes alive?

When it comes to love-soaked escapes, romantic cities in Europe effortlessly steal the spotlight. Think moonlit walks, candlelit dinners, centuries-old love stories and breathtaking backdrops that make even the simplest moments feel cinematic.

Whether youre travelling with a new flame, celebrating decades together, or indulging in a little solo self-love this Valentines Week, Europe offers destinations that feel tailor-made for romance. According to Time Out, these are the most romantic cities in Europe you can plan your trip toand honestly, each one feels like it was designed for unforgettable love stories.

So pack your bags, book those flights, and let the sparks fly.
From Dubai to Madrid, these sun-soaked cities offer the highest sunshine hours in the worldperfect for brighter, happier holidays in 2026.

Priyanka Roshan With over eight years in multimedia journalism, is passionate about storytellingboth visual and textualacross travel, jobs, business, markets, politics, and daily news. From crafting engaging articles to producing compelling videos, she blends creativity with strategy to bring stories to life. With a strong foundation in SEO, and video production she ensures content not only informs but also resonates with audiences.
Donald Trump unveiled the Board of Peace, an international body he claims can succeed where the UN has failed. While some countries joined, major powers remain skeptical. Critics see it as a challenge to the UN, with concerns over its legitimacy and structure.

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Ahead of US-Russia-Ukraine trilateral talks, Trump says 'Im doing this more for Europe than for me'
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Bangladesh 'bleeding, on edge of abyss': Sheikh Hasina calls for ouster of Muhammad Yunus-led interim govt
The Finance Department of the Kyiv City State Administration (KCSA) is being searched by representatives of the National Police of Ukraine, the KCSA press service has said.

"The Director of the Finance Department was served with a notice of suspicion. The investigative actions relate to the implementation of the Kyiv City Councils decision of 2020 "On Borrowing," which provided for the issuance of bonds of internal local loans of the Kyiv City Council," the report says.

It is noted that in order to implement this decision in 2020, the Finance Department prepared and implemented the issuance of bonds of internal local loans. It emphasizes that they acted exclusively within the framework of budget legislation and implemented the decision adopted by the Kyiv City Council, which is mandatory for execution.

At the same time, within the framework of criminal proceedings, the investigation calls these actions unlawful and claims that the department allegedly caused losses to the Kyiv budget.

"Searches have been ongoing since the morning - first at the residence of the director of the department, then in the office rooms. Based on the results of the investigative actions, relevant procedural documents have been drawn up. All requested materials and documents were provided to the investigation in full," the KCSA said.

The Finance Department considers the initiated criminal proceedings to be groundless and have signs of political motivation. The Department, cooperating with the investigation, will defend its position on the legality and legality of its actions.

National Police spokeswoman Yulia Hyrdvylis confirmed to Interfax-Ukraine that police officers conducted searches in the Kyiv City State Finance Department. The National Police will provide detailed information on the investigative actions later.
Ukraine, Russia, and the US will hold their first trilateral technical-level talks in the UAE on Jan 23-24, with the US acting as intermediary. The dialogue aims to test Russia's willingness to compromise, but expectations for concrete outcomes remain cautious.

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Despite political tensions over US interest in Greenland, locals remain calm, relying on traditional self-sufficiency and stocked freezers. Food security is a way of life, not crisis preparation, as residents trust hunting and fishing to sustain them.

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White House says injury was accidental, but visible marks revive questions about presidential health disclosures
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'Insulting and appalling': UK PM Starmer condemns Trump's comments on NATO troops in Afghanistan, suggests he should apologise
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Irans Revolutionary Guards are emerging as the real power centre after the protests
The US military has started transferring Islamic State detainees from Syria to Iraq as Syrian government forces advance into former Kurdish areas, raising prison security concerns. About 150 IS members have been moved, with up to 7,000 transfers possible.

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Liam Conejo Ramos, 5, and his family moved to US in 2024 and is seeking asylum. (Image: X/Kamala Harris)
Canadian PM Mark Carney shifted from cautious technocrat to outspoken leader, urging middle powers to unite amid fractured global norms. His blunt Davos speech drew Trumps ire, but Carney emphasized Canadas independence and resilience despite US tensions.

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Pakistan joined Trumps controversial Board of Peace at Davos, sparking domestic backlash and concerns over sidelining the UN and Palestinian agency. Critics warn Pakistans foreign policy is driven by courting Trump, risking long-term credibility for short-term gains.

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Chairman of the Temporary Investigative Commission (TIC) of the Verkhovna Rada on the investigation of possible violations of legislation in the field of defense, anti-corruption legislation and observance of rights and freedoms during martial law MP Oleksiy Honcharenko (European Solidarity faction), has invited Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko to a meeting of the commission on February 3.

"We invite the Prosecutor General to provide explanations and testimony regarding the Midas operation, information about which was made public by the NABU on November 11, 2025," Honcharenko said on Telegram on Friday.

He recalled that, according to the law, invited persons are obliged to appear at the TIC meeting.

Honcharenko also sent an official letter to the Head of the National Police of Ukraine Ivan Vyhivsky with a request to provide a forced excuse to the TIC meeting for the president of the Kyiv School of Economics, Tymofii Mylovanov. He recalled that Milovanov "was legally and in advance summoned to testify at the meeting," but he did not appear.

Honcharenko published screenshots of official letters to the Prosecutor General and the Head of the National Police.

Operation Midas is an investigation by the anti-corruption bodies NABU and SAPO into the possible embezzlement of financial resources in the energy sector of Ukraine during the war.
A broken frame of Pakistan's field marshal and army chief, Asim Munir, hangs on the wall after an attack at the Cadet College Wana, a military-linked school, in the South Waziristan district near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, on November 13, 2025. (Photo by Aamir QURESHI / AFP)
This photograph taken on January 8, 2026 shows Abdul Waheed (L) trying to diagnose a minor in his unlicensed clinic on the outskirts of Hyderabad city in Sindh province. Rusted nails hold used infusion tubes on the wall of a clinic run by one among hundreds of thousands of unqualified doctors operating across Pakistan. (Photo by Rizwan TABASSUM / AFP)
Donald Trump sparked controversy by suggesting a fourth presidential term, defying the US Constitutions two-term limit. His remarks reflect ongoing rejection of the 2020 election results, but legal experts confirm no path exists for a third or fourth term.

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Tensions escalate in Middle East: Trump says massive armada headed to Iran; Tehran warns of 'finger on the trigger'
US President Donald Trump (L) talks to China's President Xi Jinping as they shake hands after their talks at the Gimhae Air Base, located next to the Gimhae International Airport in Busan on October 30, 2025. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP)
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Trump wants to test NATOs Article 5 by sending allies to the US southern border
Washingtons formal exit from the World Health Organization is complete, but its unpaid dues are now at the centre of a legal, financial and diplomatic fight.
The language of the agreement already poses few limits on the US, and both Denmark and Greenland have for years been encouraging greater US military presence there.
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif (L) and US President Donald Trump smile as they look at Asim Munir in audience at Board of Peace launch event in Davos. (Courtesy: X)
With the assistance of the security teams of the Naftogaz group, the National Police of Ukraine, together with the State Security Service of Ukraine, have stopped the activities of the Ternov organized criminal group.

"The perpetrators illegally crashed into the Ukrnafta oil pipeline and systematically stole oil in the Romny district of Sumy region," Naftogaz reported on its website on Friday.

The members of the group were detained directly during the next theft attempt - when they were taking oil from the pipeline and pumping it into a tank installed on a KAMAZ truck.

According to the investigation, due to unauthorized interference in the oil transportation system, the perpetrators stole an average of up to 10 cubic meters of oil every week. The stolen raw materials were transported to an industrial base in the city of Romny, where they accumulated, stored and sold it to private entrepreneurs in Chernihiv region.

As part of operational measures, law enforcement officers documented 16 cases of illegal hydrocarbon extraction.

Investigative actions are currently underway, and the final amount of losses is being clarified.

"Theft from pipelines is not only about direct multi-million-dollar losses. These are real risks of large-scale accidents. That is why we systematically interact with law enforcement officers to promptly detect and stop such schemes," said Serhiy Koretsky, Chairman of the Board of Naftogaz Ukrainy.

According to him, the company, together with the government and the Verkhovna Rada, is also working to strengthen criminal liability for oil and gas theft.

As emphasized in Naftogaz, the companys security service constantly monitors the state of the oil and gas infrastructure and any unauthorized interference with the operation of pipelines is a criminal offense and poses a direct danger to people.
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Why fewer Chinese women are choosing to have children
Elizabeth Rink

Elizabeth Rink, professor in the Department of Human Development and Community Health in the College of Education, Health and Human Development, is the recipient of this years Charles and Nora L. Wiley Award for Meritorious Research and Creativity in Health, Education and Business. The award, which recognizes significant achievements and activity in research, is sponsored by the Wiley family and Office of Research and Economic Development and comes with a $2,000 honorarium.

Since coming to MSU in 2006, Rink has focused her research on the individual, psychological, social, cultural and environmental determinants of sexual and reproductive health among Indigenous populations in Montana and the Arctic. During that time, her research has been funded by the U.S. Office of Population Affairs, the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation, among others. From 2020-2023 and 2024-2026, she was a co-lead scholar for two groups of the Fulbright Arctic Initiative, a flagship science diplomacy and cross-cultural exchange program between the Arctic Nations that brings together scholars in multiple disciplines to address research and policy issues related to Arctic security, climate change and health.

Rinks research has been recognized not only for its outstanding scholarly merit but also for having significant and long-lasting benefits for partner communities. She is also recognized for having developed transformative approaches to community-based participatory research methods and practices for establishing equitable partnerships and conducting ethical research.

Dr. Rink is a phenomenal scholar whose work is critically acclaimed both for scholarly achievement and for tremendous impact within her research communities, wrote Mary Miles, associate dean of research in the College of Education, Health and Human Development, in a letter nominating Rink for the award. She has garnered respect and appreciation from her community partners, validation from the scientific community in the form of awards, honors, and external funding, and the impact of her work is having a lasting, positive impact on the lives of people within communities.

See more awards from 2025-2026.
January 23, 2026 A Left Cover-Up Of Regime Change Failure Todays daily Links page at Yves Naked Capitalism pointed to a piece about Iran published by Sidecar, the blog-site of the New Left Review. Neither NLR nor Sidecar are on my daily reading list though I have linked to several Sidecar piece in my Week-In-Review collection. According to its About page: The criteria for publication on Sidecar will be saying something  about persons, processes, events, structures  that is not being said elsewhere, but deserves to be. The Sidecar piece linked via Naked Capitalism, Scylla and Charybdis by Eskandar Sadeghi-Boroujerdi, certainly does NOT match that criteria. The piece is about the recent regime change protest in Iran and the government reaction to it. Its take on the course of action by either side reads like a direct copy from a CIA controlled main stream outlet. There is little mentioning of rioters or violent protesting in it: The protests that began in Tehran on 28 December spread with remarkable speed to provincial cities and towns such as Hamedan, Mashhad, Tabriz, Izeh, Qom, Marvdasht, Abdanan, Kerman, Arak, Isfahan and Malekshahi.



The digital circulation of images and testimonies helped synchronize local grievances, but it was the confluence of economic injury and deeper social exhaustion that gave the protests their national reach. Violence deployed by security forces against protesters in provincial cities such as Ilam and Marvdasht further inflamed public outrage, and even as Tehran initially remained relatively quiescent, demonstrations elsewhere had already begun to assume an explicitly anti-regime character. The state initially appeared to recognize the danger of escalation. Officials acknowledged the economic grievances of the protesters, while the governor of the central bank was replaced.



The Pezeshkian governments posture of limited tolerance evaporated within days, as effective control passed to the security apparatus: the various arms of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, alongside the military, judiciary and intelligence services. It will be the task of historians to reconstruct precisely what transpired between 8 and 10 January. In the midst of an almost total internet blackout and an abundance of misinformation, establishing a definitive chronology remains difficult. Nonetheless, an outline of events is beginning to come into focus. Following the initial bazaar protests and their diffusion across multiple provinces, Reza Pahlavi, the son of Irans deposed monarch, issued a public call for Iranians to take to the streets and overthrow the regime. According to numerous eyewitness accounts, the demonstrations on 8 January were exceptionally large and for the most part peaceful. [] In the aftermath of the night-time demonstrations, the states messaging hardened. Security forces sent warning text messages to millions of mobile phones and the Chief Justice, Gholamreza Mohseni-Ejei, issued a series of stern warnings, threatening severe consequences for anyone who joined further protests. This tactic appears to have deterred some participation the following day. Even so, on 9 January a substantial and highly committed core of protesters returned to the streets. They were met with unprecedented violence. Videos circulated showing security units firing directly into crowds, storming hospitals, assaulting injured protesters and medical staff, and pursuing demonstrators into spaces that had previously retained a degree of informal immunity. How does that account differ from anything what western main stream outlets have written. The government forces, just out of nowhere, were using violence against for the most part peaceful protests? Sure, and it will be the task of historians to reconstruct that because we lack information? After a lot of sociological, pseudo-left blubber Sadeghi-Boroujerdi, the author of the piece, finally admits that there was extensive violence on the protesters site. But he immediately excuses it as having been caused by years of repression: At the same time, there is video evidence of armed protesters confronting security forces with knives, machetes and in some cases firearms, an indication of how years of repression has radicalized segments of the opposition. There were also multiple reports of arson attacks against government buildings, as well as mosques and state television and radio facilities, indicating the extent to which the protest had shifted into a more openly insurgent register in some localities. The geography of the repression that followed was markedly uneven. In some areas, brief but ferocious crackdowns left dozens dead within hours; in others, prolonged clashes unfolded over successive nights. These differences, however, do not detract from the overarching pattern. What took place was not a series of isolated excesses or lapses in discipline, but the systematic deployment of lethal force by the state against civilian protesters. Further down in his too long piece the author finally admits that CIA and Mossad agents played a role in all this. But he insist that their role was just minor: To acknowledge this is not to credit the regimes claim that the mobilization was foreign-engineered. A nationwide uprising, rooted in years of social and economic degradation, cannot be reduced to the machinations of external intelligence services, even if there is little doubt that Israeli and US intelligence agencies have sought to hijack the protests. How well paid or stupid must one be to describe an obvious imperial regime change operation as rooted in years of social and economic degradation without pointing out that the social and economic degradation are an active part of the regime change plans. Contrast the above confused writing with the clarity with which John Mearsheimer lays out the facts: what happened in Iran is an attempt by the Israeli & American tag team to overthrow the government in Tehran and break apart Iran, much the way the US, Turkey, and Israel fractured Syria. The playbook in Iran is one we have seen before. It has four elements. First, the US has long been working to wreck the Iranian economy with sanctions.



Second, the tag team went to work in late December 2025 to foment and support violent protests that would precipitate a violent government response, which would hopefully set off a spiral of violence that the government could not control.



Third, the Western media played along with the tag team and purveyed the story that the protests were principally a response to the policies of an evil government in Tehran, not because of outside interference. Moreover, the protests were peaceful and it was the government that initiated the violence.



Fourth, the US military (and maybe the Israeli military) was primed to attack Iran once the protests had reached critical mass, finishing off the regime and creating chaos in Iran that would hopefully break the country apart. But the strategy failed, mainly because the Iranian government was able to shut down the protests quickly and decisively. The failed regime change attempt has caused some 3,200 casualties. The official statistics on the casualties from the recent unrest in #Iran have been released: 2,427 innocent citizens, including security forces and ordinary people, were martyred in terrorist attacks, and 690 armed terrorists were killed.

In total, 3,117 people lost their lives. The material damage was also heavy. That NLR and Sidecar are publishing a piece that plays down and tries to hide the externally induced, extremely brutal regime change riots as for the most part peaceful protests happening after years of repression is a testament of how much the academic left has lost its focus. Analyzing local class policies in a middle sized country matters little when a great power is out to destroy it. When discussing local grievances it is important to keep the big picture in mind. For 47 year now the imperial forces in the U.S. and Britain have been out to destroy the Islamic Republic and to re-enslave the Iranian people. That is the major framework through which Iran must be analyzed. Other local issues are mostly embroidering details. Comments
Photo: Iegor Shumikhin

UAH 33 million in bail was posted for the leader of the All-Ukrainian Union "Batkivshchyna" Yulia Tymoshenko, which was determined by the decision of the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) as a preventive measure.

"As of Friday evening, bail was posted in full for Tymoshenko," the HACC told Interfax-Ukraine on Friday.

As reported, on January 14, NABU and SAPO reported Tymoshenko on suspicion of offering to provide illegal benefits to peoples deputies of Ukraine. According to the investigation, after the discovery in December 2025 of the facts of receiving illegal benefits by peoples deputies of Ukraine for making decisions on draft laws in parliament, the suspect initiated negotiations with individual peoples deputies on the introduction of a systematic mechanism for providing illegal benefits in exchange for loyal behavior during voting.

Tymoshenko herself denies the charges and claims that she was politically motivated.

On January 16, HACC set a bail of UAH 33 million for Tymoshenko and procedural obligations. Tymoshenko noted that she did not ask her party members to raise UAH 33 million for her bail, but they are doing so to prevent her arrest.

On January 21, HACC did not seize funds in the accounts of the leader of the Batkivshchyna faction, but seized property seized during the search and seized the property of Tymoshenkos husband.
Photo: https://t.me/vitaliy_klitschko/6061?single

Warsaw Mayor Rafa Trzaskowski has sent 90 generators to Kyiv, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.

"Recently, I appealed to the partners of Ukraines capital to help Kyiv overcome the emergency caused by damage to critical infrastructure as a result of enemy attacks, specifically by providing generators of various capacities. Rafa personally called me back and promised that Warsaw would help. And now 90 generators have already been sent from Warsaw to Kyiv," he wrote on his Telegram channel.

Klitschko noted that the generators will be used to assist Kyiv residents.

"They will be used to help Kyiv residents overcome the challenges of the energy crisis into which Russia is plunging Ukraine through massive shelling of infrastructure. Thank you to our Polish friends!" he added.

As previously reported by Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, in 2025 the city, using its own funds and with the support of foreign partners, prepared 1,120 generators and 69 mobile boiler houses for winter. More than 1,000 residential buildings have been equipped with alternative power supply equipment under city programs. Two mini combined heat and power plants (CHPPs) are operating, and commissioning work is nearing completion at three more. At the same time, as the mayor noted, out of 200 cogeneration units transferred to Ukraine as international assistance, Kyiv received only one gas engine unit with a capacity of 1.5 MW.
Ukraine is once again the top item on the agenda of the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting, which will be held on Thursday.

A senior European diplomat told reporters in Brussels on Friday, announcing the meeting, which is scheduled for Thursday, January 29, in Brussels. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha will join his colleagues via video conference.

"Three items on the agenda for discussion. You have heard them before: Russias aggressive war, the situation in the Middle East and the situation in the Great Lakes region," he announced the agenda.

The interlocutor told reporters that since the last Foreign Affairs Council, which took place on December 15 last year, "a lot of diplomatic work has been carried out, which has had a fairly successful impact on bringing Europe, the United States and Ukraine closer together." "So, I think we need to take stock. But it is very important that the peace plan that was developed on our side with Ukraine and the United States is now being checked with the Russians. You know about the visits to Moscow, and now the visit to the UAE," he recalled.

The senior European diplomat mentioned the "disappointment" in the EU that, despite the intensive work by the EU, the US and Ukraine, Russia is not participating in it. "On the contrary, the military offensive is ongoing. So, I think that the conversation on Thursday will probably also be an update from Foreign Minister Sybiha on diplomatic channels," he predicts.

The diplomat also believes that there will be a conversation about what the member states and the European Union can do in terms of strengthening security guarantees for Ukraine and other types of support. "There are quite active diplomatic efforts underway to ensure that as many countries as possible support Ukraines urgent energy needs to replace what is being destroyed by Russian attacks. And we are at the very center of these efforts. So, I expect that these are the things that will be discussed, in addition to sanctions and the whole part that concerns pressure on Russia," he detailed.
Yves here. Forgive us for being a bit heavy today on AI-related posts, but a bit of a breather from Trump whipsaws allows us to catch up on some important topics. This one confirms concerns about the way that AI is being used more and more to replace original creative works and is harming what passes for culture in the West.

Note that this development is taking place along side a more general erosion of cultural values, as a result of younger adults not reading books much if at all as well as the teaching of the classics being degraded due to being largely the output of white men. But studying humanities has also been under assault for over two decades due to being perceived as unhelpful to productivity. For instance, from Time Magazine after Larry Summers was forced out as Harvard President:

And humanities professors had long simmered about Summers perceived prejudice against the softer sciences  he had reportedly told a former humanities dean that economists were known to be smarter than sociologists, so they should be paid accordingly.

And its not as if mercenary career guidance has paid off that well. Even though humanities grads typically earn less that ones in the hard sciences, their employment rates are similar, and in some comparisons, marginally better than those of other majors, including the much touted business. By contrast, how well has learn to code worked out?

And this rejection of culture is having broader effects. IM Doc wrote:

Do you know how hard it is to teach students to be humanistic physicians when they have never spent a minute in any of the Classics? It is impossible. I muddle through the best I can. What is also very noticeable is there is almost universal unfamiliarity with stories from The Old and New Testament. The whole thing is really scary for my kids when I really think about it.

Even more troubling, IM Doc pointed to an article that confirmed something we flagged in a video last week, that students who were raised overmuch on screens cannot process information well, or even at all. From the opening of Why University Students Cant Read Anymore:

Functional illiteracy was once a social diagnosis, not an academic one. It referred to those who could technically read but could not follow an argument, sustain attention, or extract meaning from a text. It was never a term one expected to hear applied to universities. And yet it has begun to surface with increasing regularity in conversations among faculty themselves. Literature professors now admitquietly in offices, more openly in essaysthat many students cannot manage the kind of reading their disciplines presuppose. They can recognise words; they cannot inhabit a text.

Short America. Seriously. We are way past our sell-by date.

By Ahmed Elgammal, Professor of Computer Science and Director of the Art & AI Lab, Rutgers University. Originally published at The Conversation

Generative AI was trained on centuries of art and writing produced by humans.

But scientists and critics have wondered what would happen once AI became widely adopted and started training on its outputs.

A new study points to some answers.

In January 2026, artificial intelligence researchers Arend Hintze, Frida Proschinger Astrom and Jory Schossau published a study showing what happens when generative AI systems are allowed to run autonomously  generating and interpreting their own outputs without human intervention.

The researchers linked a text-to-image system with an image-to-text system and let them iterate  image, caption, image, caption  over and over and over.

Regardless of how diverse the starting prompts were  and regardless of how much randomness the systems were allowed  the outputs quickly converged onto a narrow set of generic, familiar visual themes: atmospheric cityscapes, grandiose buildings and pastoral landscapes. Even more striking, the system quickly forgot its starting prompt.

The researchers called the outcomes visual elevator music  pleasant and polished, yet devoid of any real meaning.

For example, they started with the image prompt, The Prime Minister pored over strategy documents, trying to sell the public on a fragile peace deal while juggling the weight of his job amidst impending military action. The resulting image was then captioned by AI. This caption was used as a prompt to generate the next image.

After repeating this loop, the researchers ended up with a bland image of a formal interior space  no people, no drama, no real sense of time and place.

As a computer scientist who studies generative models and creativity, I see the findings from this study as an important piece of the debate over whether AI will lead to cultural stagnation.

The results show that generative AI systems themselves tend toward homogenization when used autonomously and repeatedly. They even suggest that AI systems are currently operating in this way by default.

The Familiar Is the Default

This experiment may appear beside the point: Most people dont ask AI systems to endlessly describe and regenerate their own images. The convergence to a set of bland, stock images happened without retraining. No new data was added. Nothing was learned. The collapse emerged purely from repeated use.

But I think the setup of the experiment can be thought of as a diagnostic tool. It reveals what generative systems preserve when no one intervenes.

This has broader implications, because modern culture is increasingly influenced by exactly these kinds of pipelines. Images are summarized into text. Text is turned into images. Content is ranked, filtered and regenerated as it moves between words, images and videos. New articles on the web are now more likely to be written by AI than humans. Even when humans remain in the loop, they are often choosing from AI-generated options rather than starting from scratch.

The findings of this recent study show that the default behavior of these systems is to compress meaning toward what is most familiar, recognizable and easy to regenerate.

Cultural Stagnation or Acceleration?

For the past few years, skeptics have warned that generative AI could lead to cultural stagnation by flooding the web with synthetic content that future AI systems then train on. Over time, the argument goes, this recursive loop would narrow diversity and innovation.

Champions of the technology have pushed back, pointing out that fears of cultural decline accompany every new technology. Humans, they argue, will always be the final arbiter of creative decisions.

What has been missing from this debate is empirical evidence showing where homogenization actually begins.

The new study does not test retraining on AI-generated data. Instead, it shows something more fundamental: Homogenization happens before retraining even enters the picture. The content that generative AI systems naturally produce  when used autonomously and repeatedly  is already compressed and generic.

This reframes the stagnation argument. The risk is not only that future models might train on AI-generated content, but that AI-mediated culture is already being filtered in ways that favor the familiar, the describable and the conventional.

Retraining would amplify this effect. But it is not its source.

This Is No Moral Panic

Skeptics are right about one thing: Culture has always adapted to new technologies. Photography did not kill painting. Film did not kill theater. Digital tools have enabled new forms of expression.

But those earlier technologies never forced culture to be endlessly reshaped across various mediums at a global scale. They did not summarize, regenerate and rank cultural products  news stories, songs, memes, academic papers, photographs or social media posts  millions of times per day, guided by the same built-in assumptions about what is typical.

The study shows that when meaning is forced through such pipelines repeatedly, diversity collapses not because of bad intentions, malicious design or corporate negligence, but because only certain kinds of meaning survive the text-to-image-to-text repeated conversions.

This does not mean cultural stagnation is inevitable. Human creativity is resilient. Institutions, subcultures and artists have always found ways to resist homogenization. But in my view, the findings of the study show that stagnation is a real risk  not a speculative fear  if generative systems are left to operate in their current iteration.

They also help clarify a common misconception about AI creativity: Producing endless variations is not the same as producing innovation. A system can generate millions of images while exploring only a tiny corner of cultural space.

In my own research on creative AI, I found that novelty requires designing AI systems with incentives to deviate from the norms. Without it, systems optimize for familiarity because familiarity is what they have learned best. The study reinforces this point empirically. Autonomy alone does not guarantee exploration. In some cases, it accelerates convergence.

This pattern already emerged in the real world: One study found that AI-generated lesson plans featured the same drifttoward conventional, uninspiring content, underscoring that AI systems converge toward whats typical rather than whats unique or creative.

Lost in Translation

Whenever you write a caption for an image, details will be lost. Likewise for generating an image from text. And this happens whether its being performed by a human or a machine.

In that sense, the convergence that took place is not a failure thats unique to AI. It reflects a deeper property of bouncing from one medium to another. When meaning passes repeatedly through two different formats, only the most stable elements persist.

But by highlighting what survives during repeated translations between text and images, the authors are able to show that meaning is processed inside generative systems with a quiet pull toward the generic.

The implication is sobering: Even with human guidance  whether that means writing prompts, selecting outputs or refining results  these systems are still stripping away some details and amplifying others in ways that are oriented toward whats average.

If generative AI is to enrich culture rather than flatten it, I think systems need to be designed in ways that resist convergence toward statistically average outputs. There can be rewards for deviation and support for less common and less mainstream forms of expression.

The study makes one thing clear: Absent these interventions, generative AI will continue to drift toward mediocre and uninspired content.

Cultural stagnation is no longer speculation. Its already happening.
After one full year the grim news on the science front  all fronts really  this Coffee Break is devoted to why science is interesting and fun. And useful, even if its use value cannot be predicted before the fact.

Part the First: Ancient Travelers. Or, social networks (not this kind) have always been essential to human flourishing. They were wide, geographically and genetically, more than a thousand generations ago. This news article in Science tells the tale: Ice age Europeans imported tools from distant lands, perhaps as souvenirs:

To survive Europes bitterly cold ice age some 25,000 years ago, people did what people do best: They networked. In a paper published today in Science Advances (open access) archaeologists report finding stone tools in central Spain that came from almost 800 kilometers away, the farthest confirmed distance a stone tool has been found from its source in this time period, known as the European Paleolithic. To wind up there, the artifacts must have been carried or exchanged by people living during one of the coldest periods in the past 50,000 years. Thats way beyond what we expect for hunter-gatherers, says Solange Rigaud, an archaeologist at CNRS, the French national research agency, at the University of Bordeaux who was not involved with the research. Archaeologists found the stone tools while excavating a riverside rock shelter called Pena Capon, about 100 kilometers north of Madrid. Between about 26,000 and 22,000 years ago, people living there fished for salmon and used stone and bone tools to hunt and butcher deer, horses, and rabbits. Located on the far side of a reservoir created by damming the Sorbe River, the rock shelter is tricky to access. Archaeologists had to cross the reservoir on a boat each morning and could only work from October to December, when the reservoirs water level dropped enough to expose the site. Working conditions were often uncomfortable, cold, and wet, says University of Alcala archaeologist Manuel Alcaraz-Castano, who led the excavations and was a co-author of the new paper.

As the original article states, Social networking is an essential feature of hunter-gatherer societies. It fosters the circulation of goods and information and enables kinship ties across different scales, including long-distance contacts. And they were a long distance, across the Pyrenees, 600  700 kilometers away.

I can hear the skeptics now, Why should we care about that? I would answer because human prehistory is just as important as human history:

The data suggest that the large social network connecting Southwest France to Central Iberia, sustained for at least 1400 years, was not only intended at mitigating subsistence risk but also maintained social and cultural cohesion among different local and regional groups by promoting the circulation of ideas and symbols.

We are still all in this together and this should not be forgotten, especially in the current political and geophysical climates, with the latter impinging on the former more and more every day.

Part the Second: Very Ancient Art from World Travelers. From Scientific American, Oldest cave art ever found discovered in Indonesia, dating back at least 67,800 years, 15,000 older than the next-oldest cave art on the same island of Sulawesi. Our deep-time ancestors were social beings with social networks. They were also artists, and one wonders what they were thinking when they used pigment to leave these true artifacts on the walls and ceilings of caves in Indonesia.

Beating the previous record for the oldest known cave artwork by at least 15,000 years, a hand stencil in an Indonesian cave might shed light on when early humans migrated to Australia In an Indonesian cave system known for its prehistoric art, the oldest cave art yet found was hiding in plain sight. In a cave full of paintings that were well studied over the years, a faint hand stencil on the ceiling had been overlooked. A new chemical analysis of the stencil reveals that it dates back at least 67,800 years, an astonishing 15,000 years older than the next-oldest cave art found on the same island, Sulawesi. A nearby stencil dated to about 60,900 years ago. We knew that they were probably going to be old, but we didnt know how old, says study co-author Maxime Aubert of Griffith University in Australia. The record-breaking finding, published today in Nature, might provide valuable information about the first humans to reach Australia. The age of this previously undiscovered artwork is really astonishing, says Franco Viviani, a physical anthropologist who was not involved in the new study. Viviani adds that shifting back the time line of cave art gives us new insights into what ancient societies were capable of. They confirm what is known today: that art is positively correlated to critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills, he says. Scientists were already aware of the ability of early humans and other ancient hominins to create art, such as shell jewelry made by humans at least 70,000 years ago and 57,000-year-old engraved bones attributed to Neandertals. Still, the cave art in the new study is among the oldest evidence yet of paintings by modern humans, and its distinctive style gives a view into the minds of the people who created it.

Yes, these paintings do give us an inkling of what was on and in the minds of these ancestors, but only that. Still, our forebears were remarkable human beings. We should honor them better than we do. The underlying paper is open access, technical but worth skimming: Rock art from at least 67,800 years ago in Sulawesi. Having done research in a few fairly remote stations, I am envious of the archaeologists responsible for Parts the First and Second here. None of them is getting rich, which has become the one and only goal suffusing the higher reaches of the Neoliberal Dispensation, but all of them are enjoying their work.

Part the Third: Biology Is Always Interesting. Ever since my sixth-grade teacher told the class we would not be discussing evolution, the subject has fascinated me. Ten years later I took a course in evolutionary biology from a pioneer in molecular evolution. I was hooked and my recent real research has been on the co-evolution of proteins in the multicomponent assemblies that are essential for animal multicellularity. With a modicum of good fortune, I have one last good paper in me.

There are still a few fossil organisms that dont really fit, however. One of my favorites is the placozoan Trichoplax adhaerens. Is it representative of the first multicellular animal? Maybe. Arguments continue but it is a fascinating creature, sometimes found on the glass of an aquarium hosting sea creatures in seawater from the wild. Another fossil that doesnt fit is Prototaxites, which was a tree-like organism, without branches, before there were trees. From Scientific American, Mystery tower fossils may come from a newly discovered kind of life:

Before trees came along some 400 million years ago, our planets landscape was dominated by enigmatic, spire-shaped life-forms that towered more than 25 feet above the ground. Their trunklike fossils were discovered in 1843. Yet despite more than a century of speculation, scientists have struggled to answer the most basic question about Earths original terrestrial giants: What were they? The first person to examine this biological misfit did so in 1855, and in 1859 he dubbed it Prototaxites, which means early yew. The name stuck, even though experts soon realized the organism wasnt a tree at all. Maybe it was some kind of land-based kelp or a megalithic mushroom? It feels like it doesnt fit comfortably anywhere, says Matthew Nelsen, a senior research scientist at the Field Museum of Natural History, who was not involved in the new study. People have tried to shoehorn it into these different groups, but there are always things that dont make sense. Over time, two main hypotheses emerged: either Prototaxites was an ancient fungus, or it fell into a category all its own. Now, after comparing fossils from these cryptic organisms with fossil fungi from the same rock deposit, the authors of the new study, published today in Science Advances, conclude that Prototaxites was likely a distinct lineage. That would place it on an equal footing with the six currently recognized kingdoms of life: those of plants, animals, fungi, protists, bacteria and archaea (Note: this is a very simple, even traditional, characterization the modern phylogeny of life on earth, but it is serviceable for current purposes). Prototaxites was composed of interwoven tubes, giving it a superficial resemblance to fungi. But the anatomical similarities end there. The researchers found that Prototaxites tubes branched wildly, whereas the threadlike hyphae in modern fungi follow more orderly patterns. Plus, the researchers detected no chemical trace of chitin, a polymer found in the cell walls of all living fungi and in the fossil fungi that were preserved alongside Prototaxites. It doesnt seem to have any of the characteristic features of the living fungal groups, says the studys co-lead author Laura Cooper, a Ph.D. student at the University of Edinburgh.

The paper in Science Advances states Prototaxites fossils are structurally and chemically distinct from extinct and extant Fungi (open access). My intuition tells me the authors are correct, and that Prototaxites has no affinity with known complex multicellular eukaryotes:

Prototaxites was the first giant organism to live on the terrestrial surface, represented by columnar fossils of up to eight meters from the Early Devonian. However, its systematic affinity has been debated for over 165 years. There are now two remaining viable hypotheses: Prototaxites was either a fungus, or a member of an entirely extinct lineage. Here, we investigate the affinity of Prototaxites by contrasting its organization and molecular composition with that of Fungi. We report that fossils of Prototaxites taiti from the 407-million-year-old Rhynie chert were chemically distinct from contemporaneous Fungi and structurally distinct from all known Fungi. This finding casts doubt upon the fungal affinity of Prototaxites, instead suggesting that this enigmatic organism is best assigned to an entirely extinct eukaryotic lineage.

But where can these very good scientists go from here? Who knows, but the mystery will remain exciting to biology nerds everywhere as an inviting rabbit hole.

Part the Fourth: Why I Will Never Again Use Bovine Stare to Characterize the Typical Response from a Dull Normal Human Animal. A paper published in Current Biology (open access) shows that a 13-year-old Austrian cow is an excellent tool user (videos included). From the description in Scientific American:

In news that is sure to delight fans of a certain Gary Larson cartoon turned meme about the limitations of bovine cognition, cow tools are real. Larsons 1982 comic for his series The Far Side showed a cow standing behind a table bearing an array of oddly shaped objects. The text below the image read simply cow tools. Now a pet cow named Veronika has been documented not only using a tool but doing so in a surprisingly sophisticated way. The finding adds a new species to the growing list of creatures that have been found to use external objects to achieve a goal and suggests that society has been underestimating the minds of farm animals. (The Cow tools cartoon has its own Wikipedia page; I have the two-volume quarto edition of The Complete Far Side: 1980-1994, highly recommended but not at the current price.)

Tool use by non-human animals is well known, but this may be the first description for animals other than crows and related birds and primates. From the Current Biology paper:

Imagine the tools a cow would make. This idea, humorously illustrated in Gary Larsons Far Side cartoon, captures a widespread assumption: cows are neither problem-solvers nor tool users. In science, as in culture, livestock species are often cognitively underestimated, reinforced by their utilitarian role and persistent mind-denial biases associated with meat consumption. Despite over 10,000 years of domestication, research on cattle cognition remains scarce and confined to applied contexts such as productivity and welfare. Tool use, while rarely observed, offers a stringent test of cognitive flexibility. Defined as the manipulation of an external object to achieve a goal via a mechanical interface, tooling ranges from species-typical routines to innovative, problem-specific acts. We report here our experimental demonstration of flexible egocentric tooling in a pet cow (Bos taurus), Veronika, who uses a deck brush to self-scratch. Across randomized trials, she preferred the bristled end but switched to the stick end when targeting softer lower-body areas. This adaptive deployment of tool features reveals multi-purpose tool use not previously reported in non-primate mammals. Our findings broaden the taxonomic scope of flexible tool use and invite a reassessment of livestock cognition.

The broader take-home message from this research is that the they are just dumb animals justification for the inhumane treatment of domesticated animals in CAFOs, both mammals and birds, has is clearly mistaken, not that we needed scientific justification for this particularly evil manifestation of industrial agriculture. From Scientific American:

As a companion animal, Veronika, now 13 years old, has lived a long life in a stimulating environment. Notsch im Gailtal is the most idyllic place imaginable for an Austrian cow, like straight out of The Sound of Music, Osuna-Mascaro says. He says the family contributed to Veronikas tool use by providing the special conditions that enabled Veronika to express herself. Although she learned to use tools by herself, starting with branches that had fallen from trees, Wiegele later furnished her with sticks and rakes that allowed her to perfect her scratching techniques. Most livestock animals, in contrast, live much shorter lives and spend their time in impoverished settings such as factory farms without access to objects that they can manipulate.

Now, if only human animals could be as intentionally intelligent as Veronika the Cow

See you next week!
Yves here. On one level, this story about the Administration intensifying its campaign against furriners, here academics, should come as no surprise. The Trump Team has made clear its desire to remove or downgrade the position of non-whites and women, and also views expertise and education with prejudice. Trying to enlist UDSA investigators into a pogrom of sorts against foreign researchers, even ones not in the US, is a twofer of sorts. It advances the Trump low-brow ethnic purity agenda while also making even the USDA staffers who pass the current test fearful. What McCarthyite pretext might be dreamed up to go after them next?

By Lisa Song, who reports on the EPA and related agencies that oversee the environment, climate change, and science for ProPublica and Sharon Lerner, who covers health and the environment and the agencies that govern them for ProPublica. Originally published at ProPublica; cross posted from Undark

President Donald Trumps administration is directing employees at the U.S. Department of Agriculture to investigate foreign scientists who collaborate with the agency on research papers for evidence of subversive or criminal activity.

The new directive, part of a broader effort to increase scrutiny of research done with foreign partners, asks workers in the agencys research arm to use Google to check the backgrounds of all foreign nationals collaborating with its scientists. The names of flagged scientists are being sent to national security experts at the agency, according to records reviewed by ProPublica.

At a meeting last month, USDA supervisors pushed back against the instructions, with one calling it dystopic and others expressing shock and confusion, according to an audio recording reviewed by ProPublica.

The USDA frequently collaborates with scientists based at universities in the U.S. and abroad. Some agency workers told ProPublica they were uncomfortable with the new requirement because they felt it could put those scientists in the crosshairs of the administration. Students and postdocs are particularly vulnerable as many are in the U.S. on temporary visas and green cards, the employees said.

Jennifer Jones, director for the Center for Science and Democracy at the Union of Concerned Scientists, called the directive a throwback to McCarthyism that could encourage scientists to avoid working with the best and brightest researchers from around the world.

Asking scientists to spy on and report on their fellow co-authors is a classic hallmark of authoritarianism, Jones said. The Union of Concerned Scientists is an organization that advocates for scientific integrity.

Jones, who hadnt heard of the instructions until contacted by ProPublica, said she had never witnessed policies so extreme during prior administrations or in her former career as an academic scientist.

The new policy applies to pending scientific publications co-authored by employees in the USDAs Agricultural Research Service, which conducts research on crop yields, invasive species, plant genetics, and other agricultural issues.

The USDA instructed employees to stop agency researchers from collaborating on or publishing papers with scientists from countries of concern, including China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuela.

But the agency is also vetting scientists from nations not considered countries of concern before deciding whether USDA researchers can publish papers with them. Employees are including the names of foreign co-authors from nations such as Canada and Germany on lists shared with the departments Office of Homeland Security, according to records reviewed by ProPublica. That office leads the USDAs security initiatives and includes a division that works with federal intelligence agencies. The records dont say what the office plans to do with the lists of names.

Asked about the changes, the USDA sent a statement noting that in his first term, President Donald Trump signed a memorandum designed to strengthen protections of U.S.-funded research across the federal government against foreign government interference. USDA under the Biden Administration spent four years failing to implement this directive, the statement said. The agency said Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins last year rolled out long-needed changes within USDAs research enterprise, including a prohibition on authoring a publication with a foreign national from a country of concern.

International research has been essential to the Agricultural Research Services work, according to a page of the USDA website last updated in 2024: From learning how to mitigate diseases before they reach the United States, to testing models and crops in diverse growing conditions, to accessing resources not available in the United States, cooperation with international partners provides solutions to current and future agricultural challenges.

Still, the U.S. government has long been worried about agricultural researchers acting as spies, sometimes with good reason. In 2016, the Chinese scientist Mo Hailong was sentenced to three years in prison for conspiring to steal patented corn seeds. And in 2022, Xiang Haitao, admitted to stealing a trade secret from Monsanto.

National security questions have also been raised about recent increases in foreign ownership of agricultural land. In 2022, Congress allocated money for a center to educate U.S. researchers about how to safeguard their data in international collaborations.

Since Trump took office last year, foreign researchers have faced increased obstacles. In March last year, a French researcher traveling to a conference was denied entry to the U.S. after a search of his phone at the airport turned up messages critical of Trump. The National Institutes of Health blocked researchers from China, Russia, and other countries of concern from accessing various biomedical databases last spring. And in August, the Department of Homeland Security proposed shortening the length of time foreign students could remain in the country.

But the latest USDA instructions represent a significant escalation, casting suspicion on all researchers from outside the U.S. and asking agency staff to vet the foreign nationals they collaborate with. Its unclear if employees at other federal agencies have been given similar directions..

The new USDA policy was announced internally in November and followed a July memo from Rollins that highlighted the national security risks of working with scientists who are not U.S. citizens.

Foreign competitors benefit from USDA-funded projects, receiving loans that support overseas businesses, and grants that enable foreign competitors to undermine U.S. economic and strategic interests, Rollins wrote in the memo. Preventing this is the responsibility of every USDA employee. The memo called for the department to place America First by taking a number of steps, including scrutinizing and making lists of the agencys arrangements to work with foreign researchers and prohibiting USDA employees from participating in foreign programs to recruit scientists, malign or otherwise.

Rollins, a lawyer who studied agricultural development, co-founded the pro-Trump America First Policy Institutebefore being tapped to head the agency.

There have long been restrictions on collaborating with researchers from certain countries, such as Iran and China. But these new instructions create blanket bans on working with scientists from countries of concern.

In a late November email to staff members of the Agricultural Research Service at one area office, a research leader instructed managers to immediately stop all research with scientists who come from  or collaborate with institutions in  countries of concern.

The email also instructed employees to reject papers with foreign authors if they deal with sensitive subjects such as diversity or climate change. National security concerns were listed as another cause for rejection, with USDA research service employees instructed to ask if a foreigner could use the research against American farmers.

Mica Rosenberg contributed reporting. Adriana Pera contributed research.
Federal subpoenas target Minnesota officials in escalating clash over immigration enforcement

The DOJ has issued grand jury subpoenas to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and other leaders, alleging obstruction of federal immigration enforcement. Critics call the move politically motivated.

The subpoenas seek documents and communications related to immigration enforcement, including any efforts to "hinder, doxx, identify or surveil" ICE agents. Walz dismissed the investigation as a "partisan distraction," while Frey accused the DOJ of silencing dissent.

Minnesota has seen months of protests against ICE, including violent clashes and the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE officer. Walz and Frey have publicly opposed ICE tactics, with the governor urging citizens to film agents  prompting DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to accuse state leaders of encouraging felony obstruction.

Minnesota AG Keith Ellison, who sued the Trump administration over ICE arrests, also received a subpoena. A federal judge issued an injunction barring ICE retaliation against peaceful protesters, which the administration plans to appeal.

The DOJ's aggressive probe signals a pushback against sanctuary cities, raising concerns about political retribution versus lawful oversight. Critics argue such policies endanger public safety by shielding criminal illegal aliens, while defenders vow resistance ahead of a Feb. 3 court showdown.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has escalated its investigation into Minnesota officials, issuing grand jury subpoenas to Gov. Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and other top leaders, alleging they conspired to obstruct federal immigration enforcement.

The move, described by critics as politically motivated, marks a deepening conflict between state authorities and the Trump administration over immigration policies that have sparked protests, legal battles and now a federal probe. The subpoenas issued on Tuesday, Jan. 20, demand documents and communications related to immigration enforcement policies, including any efforts to "hinder, doxx, identify or surveil" federal agents.

Frey's office confirmed receipt of the subpoena, while Walz dismissed the investigation as a "partisan distraction" aimed at intimidating officials who have criticized aggressive tactics by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The inquiry follows months of tension in Minnesota, where federal agents have arrested more than 10,000 undocumented immigrants amid protests that turned violent. The civil unrest culminated in the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE officer early this month.

Walz has accused the DOJ of employing "authoritarian tactics," while Frey framed the subpoenas as an attempt to silence dissent. "We shouldnt have to live in a country where federal law enforcement is used to play politics," Frey said.

Both officials have publicly opposed ICE operations, with Walz urging citizens to film federal agents to document alleged abuses. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem countered, asserting that Minnesota leaders were encouraging "impeding and assault against law enforcement," a federal felony.

From protests to prosecutions

The legal battle intensified after Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison sued the Trump administration earlier this month, alleging ICE engaged in "warrantless, racist arrests." Days later, Ellison received his own subpoena. "Donald Trump is coming after the people of Minnesota, and I'm standing in his way," Ellison declared, vowing not to back down.

Legal experts including former U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade questioned the DOJ's premise, noting that "speaking out against ICE is not a crime." The investigation coincides with heightened scrutiny of ICE tactics, including the detention of a U.S. citizen in his underwear during a frigid Minnesota morning. The man, who was later released, claimed armed agents entered his home without a warrant  an incident the Department of Homeland Security defended as a case of mistaken identity.

Meanwhile, a federal judge issued an injunction barring ICE from retaliating against peaceful protesters, a ruling the administration plans to appeal. Historically, clashes between federal and local authorities over immigration enforcement are not new.

But the scale of this DOJ probe  targeting multiple high-ranking officials  signals an aggressive pushback against sanctuary policies. Critics warn it sets a dangerous precedent, blurring the line between lawful oversight and political retribution. BrightU.AI's Enoch engine notes that sanctuary policies endanger public safety by shielding criminal illegal aliens from federal immigration enforcement, allowing violent offenders and gang members to remain in communities rather than face deportation.

As the Feb. 3 court date approaches, Minnesota leaders brace for a legal showdown that could redefine the limits of state resistance to federal mandates. For now, officials in the North Star State remain defiant, with Frey reiterating: "We know the difference between right and wrong."

Watch this Fox News report about U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi's message to Minnesota leaders.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

NPR.org

TheGuardian.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Manuka honey: Natures golden remedy for wellness and healing

Manuka honey, sourced from New Zealand's manuka tree, contains high levels of methylglyoxal (MGO), giving it superior antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects compared to regular honey. Its potency is measured by the UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) rating system.

Its antibacterial and prebiotic properties promote gut health, easing conditions like acid reflux, IBS and gastritis. Rich in antioxidants, it also strengthens immunity and may help combat respiratory infections.

Clinically proven to accelerate wound recovery, reduce acne and soothe burns, Manuka honey is used in hospitals for stubborn infections. It also serves as a natural alternative to chemical mouthwashes, reducing plaque and gingivitis.

Early research suggests Manuka honey may enhance chemotherapy effectiveness and combat drug resistance in cancer cells, though human trials are needed for conclusive evidence.

Easily incorporated into routines  added to tea or oatmeal, applied to skin ailments or consumed with warm water and lemon for detox. Diabetics should consult a doctor before use due to its high sugar content.

For centuries, honey has been revered as both a culinary delight and a medicinal powerhouse. But among the wide varieties, one stands out for its extraordinary health benefits  manuka honey. Originating from New Zealand's native manuka tree (Leptospermum scoparium), this thick, dark honey is more than just a sweetener  it's a scientifically backed superfood with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties, BrightU.AI's Enoch adds.

As modern medicine increasingly recognizes the value of natural remedies, manuka honey is gaining global attention for its ability to support gut health, oral hygiene, wound healing and potential anticancer effects.

Unlike conventional honey, manuka honey contains high levels of methylglyoxal (MGO), a compound responsible for its potent antimicrobial activity. The Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) rating system ensures authenticity, measuring MGO concentration and effectiveness. Studies suggest that manuka honey's benefits extend far beyond ordinary honey, making it a staple in holistic health practices and even clinical settings for wound care.

Key health benefits backed by science

Digestive wellness and gut health  Manuka honey's antibacterial properties help balance gut microbiota, reducing inflammation and promoting digestive health. A daily tablespoon may soothe conditions like acid reflux, gastritis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Its prebiotic effects also nourish beneficial gut bacteria, crucial for overall immunity.

Immune support and antioxidant power  Rich in phenolic compounds and flavonoids, manuka honey combats oxidative stress, shielding cells from free radical damage. Its high MGO content enhances natural immunity, making it a valuable ally against seasonal illnesses. Research suggests it may even help manage respiratory infections when consumed regularly.

Skin healing and oral care  Used topically, manuka honey accelerates wound recovery, reduces acne and soothes burns due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Hospitals worldwide incorporate it in wound dressings for stubborn infections. In oral care, studies indicate it reduces plaque and gingivitis, offering a natural alternative to chemical-laden mouthwashes.

Potential anticancer properties: A promising frontier

Emerging research highlights manuka honey's ability to enhance chemotherapy effectiveness while mitigating side effects. Lab studies on colon cancer cells show it may help reverse therapeutic resistance, though human trials are needed before definitive claims can be made.

How to enjoy manuka honey daily

Incorporating manuka honey into your routine is simple:

Morning boost: Stir into tea or drizzle over oatmeal.

Skin remedy: Apply directly to minor cuts or acne.

Bedtime ritual: Mix with warm water and lemon for detox support.

Caution: Due to its high sugar content, diabetics should consult a doctor before use.

Manuka honey bridges ancient wisdom and modern science, offering a natural, versatile remedy for wellness. As distrust grows toward synthetic pharmaceuticals, this golden elixir stands out as a testament to nature's healing power, proving that sometimes, the sweetest solutions are also the most potent.

Watch the video below that talks about manuka honey, the sweet superfood.

This video is from the Health Ranger Store channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

AdventHealth.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Severe solar storm strikes Earth, disrupting satellites and triggering aurora spectacle

Earth is experiencing one of the most intense solar radiation storms in 20+ years, triggered by an X1.9-class solar flare and coronal mass ejection (CME) from Sunspot AR 4341. NOAA classifies it as an S4 severe solar radiation storm, the highest level since 2003.

Potential impacts include satellite damage (electronics failure, GPS degradation, increased drag in low orbit), aviation risks (radiation exposure for polar flights, rerouting delays), GPS and communications failures (timing errors, HF radio blackouts) and power grid instability (voltage fluctuations, transformer damage, blackouts).

The CME arrived faster than predicted, triggering a G4 geomagnetic stormone tier below catastrophic (G5). Effects include induced pipeline currents and potential infrastructure strain.

The northern lights may be seen as far south as Alabama and Northern California, with smartphone cameras potentially capturing faint displays.

Experts recommend unplugging sensitive electronics, using Faraday bags for EMP protection, securing backup power sources (solar generators, satellite phones) and monitoring updates for critical infrastructure disruptions.

Earth is currently weathering one of the most intense solar radiation storms in over two decades, following a colossal X1.9-class solar flare and subsequent coronal mass ejection (CME) from the sun.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) has classified the event as an S4 severe solar radiation stormthe highest level since October 2003with potential disruptions to satellites, aviation, GPS and power grids. BrightU.AI's Enoch explains that an S4 severe solar radiation storm represents an extreme influx of solar energetic particles (SEPs)primarily protonsthat bombard Earth's magnetosphere and upper atmosphere.

These events are triggered by coronal mass ejections (CMEs) or X-class solar flares, which accelerate charged particles to near-relativistic speeds. The consequences of an S4 storm include satellite malfunctions, radiation hazards for astronauts, high-altitude aviation risks and disruptions to power grids and communications.

The storm originated from Sunspot AR 4341, which unleashed a powerful X1.9-class flarethe most intense category of solar eruptionson Sunday, Jan. 18. The flare was accompanied by a massive CME, a burst of plasma and magnetic fields hurled toward Earth at staggering speeds.

Stefan Burns, a geophysicist and space weather forecaster, warned on social media: "A huge coronal mass ejection has been launched toward Earth at high velocity. We will have a BIG solar storm impact in 2 to 3 days. Expect at least G3 geomagnetic storming."

The CME arrived earlier than expected, triggering a G4 severe geomagnetic stormjust one tier below the most extreme (G5) classification. NOAA confirmed the storm's impact at 2:38 p.m. EST, with ongoing disturbances expected through the evening.

Solar storm's potential disruptions

The SWPC issued alerts detailing the storm's potential effects.

Satellites and spacecraft:

Permanent or temporary damage to electronics

Glitches, reboots, or loss of attitude control

Degraded solar panels, shortening satellite lifespans

Increased drag on low-Earth orbit satellites

Aviation:

High radiation exposure for polar flight passengers and crew

Airlines rerouting transpolar flights, increasing fuel costs and delays

GPS and Communications:

Reduced GPS accuracy, especially at high latitudes

Timing errors affecting financial networks, telecom systems and military operations

Intermittent HF radio blackouts for aviation, maritime and military communications

Power Grids:

Voltage control issues, transformer damage and potential blackouts

Induced pipeline currents

Shawn Dahl, an SWPC forecaster, stated: "We've been making all these phone calls to ensure that we are keeping all the critical technological infrastructure operators in the know of what's happening."

Auroras visible far south

One silver lining of the storm is the dazzling auroral displays expected across unusually low latitudes. NOAA predicts the northern lights (aurora borealis) could be visible as far south as Alabama and Northern Californiaa rare spectacle for mid-latitude regions.

Ryan French, a solar physicist at the University of Colorado Boulder, advised: "For aurora chasers, your best bet is to find somewhere with a clear and dark view north, without interference from light pollution. Aurora will likely be strongest as soon as it is dark enough to see them at your location."

Even smartphone cameras may capture the phenomenon, as sensors can detect auroras invisible to the naked eye.

The last comparable event occurred in October 2003, when solar storms caused power outages in Sweden and damaged transformers in South Africa. While NOAA assures that widespread infrastructure collapse is unlikely this time, experts warn that a G5-level storm could be catastrophicpotentially frying power grids, disabling satellites and crippling global communications.

Ben Davidson of Space Weather News cautioned that the X-class flare can disrupt radio and navigation immediately. The larger risk comes from the expected CME in the coming days, which can trigger geomagnetic storms that affect power grids, satellites, aviation and the modern economy built on chips and data centers.

As solar activity continues to escalate, experts recommend:

Unplugging sensitive electronics to prevent surge damage

Using Faraday bags to shield devices from electromagnetic pulses

Keeping backup power sources (generators, solar chargers)

Monitoring satellite phones for emergency communications

The storm serves as a stark reminder of humanity's vulnerability to cosmic forcesforces that operate beyond human control, despite the climate change narrative pushed by globalist elites. For now, skywatchers eagerly await nature's light show, while engineers brace for potential disruptions.

Watch the video below about a major X5-class solar flare.

This video is from the Rick Langley channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

Space.com

ScienceAlert.comCEdition.CNN.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
UK and France weigh social media bans, but age checks create vast privacy risks

Australia bans social media for under-16s, with millions of accounts already blocked.

The UK and France are now considering similar nationwide bans.

Supporters cite a youth mental health crisis to justify the aggressive move.

Critics warn of scientific debate over harm and serious unintended consequences.

Enforcement requires invasive age verification, creating major privacy risks for all.

A digital curtain is descending on the youth of the Western world. Following Australias unprecedented move to ban social media for anyone under 16, governments in the United Kingdom and France are now actively considering similar nationwide restrictions. This aggressive regulatory push, framed as a necessary public health intervention to combat a youth mental health crisis, is igniting a fierce global debate over evidence, efficacy, and the erosion of digital privacy.

Australia became the first nation to implement such a sweeping prohibition last month, barring access to platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook for those 16 and younger. The early results are staggering: The countrys online safety watchdog reports that tech companies have already blocked 4.7 million accounts suspected of belonging to underage users. This real-world experiment is now a pivotal test case being closely watched by other nations.

The political momentum is building rapidly. In the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has declared the government is prepared to take robust action, stating that childhood should not mean being pulled into a world of endless scrolling, anxiety and comparison. His government has launched a formal consultation on an Australian-style ban. Meanwhile, in France, President Emmanuel Macron is championing legislation for a ban targeting those under 15. The driving force behind this political shift is a potent narrative, popularized by figures like American psychologist Jonathan Haidt, that social media is rewiring the brains of children and "causing an epidemic of mental illness.

Supporters of the bans argue that decisive action is long overdue. They point to research, such as a recent review by Frances public health watchdog ANSES, which found numerous detrimental effects linked to social media use, particularly for adolescent girls. Social media is appallingly toxic, French psychiatrist Serge Tisseron told AFP, echoing the sentiments of many concerned parents and policymakers.

A nuanced scientific landscape

However, the scientific community is far from unanimous. Haidts thesis, while influential in political circles, has been labeled not supported by science by critics like Canadian psychologist Candice Odgers. The core of the academic dispute lies in the strength of the causal link between social media use and psychological harm. Researcher Michael Noetel at the University of Queensland acknowledges plenty of evidence of harm but suggests the debate often demands an unrealistic level of proof. He considers a ban a bet worth making given the potential benefits.

Other studies caution against a blanket, one-size-fits-all approach. Research led by Ben Singh at the University of Adelaide, tracking more than 100,000 young Australians, found a U-shaped relationship between social media use and wellbeing. The young people with the worst outcomes were those who used social media heavily (more than two hours a day) or not at all. The findings suggest that both excessive restriction and excessive use can be problematic, Singh told AFP. The study indicated that moderate users fared the best, and that being entirely deprived of social media was most detrimental for older teenage boys.

The privacy paradox of protection

This complexity highlights the potential for unintended consequences. Critics, including a coalition of 42 child safety and suicide prevention charities in the UK, warn a blanket ban creates a false sense of safety and could push harmful activity underground while depriving young people of positive online communities. Furthermore, the mechanism of enforcement itself introduces a grave new risk: the systemic violation of privacy.

To comply with such laws, social media platforms are forced to implement stringent age verification. This inevitably means collecting highly sensitive personal data from all users, including adults, such as government-issued ID documents or biometric selfies. This creates a honeypot of personal information that becomes a prime target for hackers and data breaches. The very tools meant to protect children could expose entire populations to unprecedented identity theft and fraud.

Even proponents like Tisseron express concern, fearing tech-savvy teens would find a way around a ban while absolving parents of responsibility. He calls for more nuanced regulation instead of a polarized choice between an outright ban or nothing.

As the UK and France weigh their options, the world is watching Australia. Cambridge University researcher Amy Orben noted, Within a year, we should know much more about how effective the Australian social media ban has been and whether it led to any unintended consequences. The fundamental question remains whether protecting young minds from perceived digital harms justifies normalizing pervasive digital surveillance for everyone. In the rush to safeguard a generation, we may be quietly constructing a system where privacy itself becomes a casualty.

Sources for this article include:

TechXplore.com

Reuters.com

BBC.com
Reevaluating the rules: A new chapter in menopause and long-term health

Major medical organizations have abandoned the rigid "stop at 65" rule for hormone replacement therapy (HRT), allowing for continued use based on individual health and quality of life.

The FDA is removing its stringent "black box" warning from many menopause hormone therapies, a move officials call a reversal of a decades-long "fear machine."

A critical safety factor is the "timing hypothesis": starting HRT near menopause onset offers cardiovascular benefits, while starting late may pose risks.

Modern HRT, particularly transdermal forms like patches, is viewed as safer than the oral pills studied in older, influential research.

The shift represents a broader move toward personalized, proactive women's healthcare, integrating symptom relief with long-term preventive benefits for bone and heart health.

For decades, a shadow of caution dictated menopause care, leading millions of women to abruptly halt hormone therapy at age 65 based on a misunderstood rule. Now, a profound shift is underway. Driven by a refined understanding of old data and empowered by new research, major medical institutions and federal regulators are overturning long-standing dogmas. This revolution is moving womens healthcare from a model of fear-based limitation to one of personalized, proactive vitality, fundamentally changing the conversation about aging, risk and well-being.

The fall of the "65-and-out" doctrine

The origin of the restrictive approach traces back to 2002, with the publication of the landmark Womens Health Initiative study. Initial headlines emphasized increased risks of breast cancer and heart disease associated with hormone replacement therapy, particularly for older women. In response, a clinical practice known as the "65-and-out" rule became pervasive. Doctors, aiming to err on the side of safety, routinely discontinued HRT at that age, treating it as a non-negotiable cutoff.

This practice, however, was a blunt instrument. As noted by Dr. Jingduan Yang, a physician writing on integrative health, patients like a vibrant 68-year-old named Martha were told to stop their hormones due to "the rules," leading to a resurgence of debilitating symptoms. Major medical bodies, including The Menopause Society and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, have now explicitly moved away from such arbitrary age limits. Their updated guidance states that for healthy women benefiting from HRT, therapy can often continue indefinitely with appropriate monitoring, prioritizing individual quality of life over a calendar date.

Regulatory reckoning: Removing the "black box" of fear

The clinical shift has been mirrored by a seismic regulatory change. In late 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced it would remove the stringent "black box" warningthe agencys strongest safety alertfrom many estrogen and progesterone therapies used for menopause. FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary called the decades-long impact of these warnings "an American tragedy," stating they fueled a "fear machine" that deterred women from a treatment with significant potential benefits.

Makary argued that the original warnings were based on an outdated interpretation of the WHI data, which focused on older women and overstated risks for the broader population. "With the exception of vaccines or antibiotics, there's no medication that can improve the health of women on a population level more than hormone replacement therapy," Makary told CBS News, highlighting its role in reducing heart attack risk, the leading cause of death in women. This regulatory reversal aims to correct what officials see as a historic mistake that denied 50 to 70 million women access to potentially life-enhancing and preventive care.

The critical importance of timing and delivery

Central to the modern understanding of HRT is the "timing hypothesis." Research indicates that the cardiovascular safety and benefit of estrogen therapy depend heavily on when a woman begins treatment. Starting HRT around the time of menopause transition (typically in a woman's late 40s or early 50s) can provide a protective effect on blood vessels, helping to maintain flexibility and prevent plaque buildup.

Conversely, initiating systemic estrogen for the first time many years after menopause, when vascular aging and plaque may already be established, does not offer the same benefit and may carry increased risk. This nuance explains why the current guidance emphasizes individualized assessment rather than blanket rules. Furthermore, the method of delivery is key. Modern transdermal optionspatches, gels and spraysare now preferred by many experts for ongoing therapy, as they bypass the liver and are associated with a lower risk of blood clots compared to the older oral pills used in the original WHI study.

Beyond symptom relief: A holistic view of vitality

The new era of menopause care extends beyond merely quelling hot flashes. It encompasses a holistic view of long-term health where appropriate hormone therapy is one tool in a larger toolkit. Estrogen-based therapy is a primary defense against postmenopausal osteoporosis, reducing the risk of debilitating hip and vertebral fractures by more than 30%. It also addresses genitourinary syndrome of menopause, which affects vaginal and urinary health.

Proponents of a more integrative model argue for viewing health through a broader lens that includes energy, resilience and purposefactors that contribute profoundly to quality of life. In this framework, stabilizing the physiological "circuits" with HRT can provide the foundation for sustained vitality. The approach requires careful screening for contraindications, such as a personal history of certain cancers or stroke, but for many women with stable health, continuing therapy is seen as a bridge to maintaining their identity and vigor in later years.

Toward a future of informed choice

The collective pivot by clinicians and regulators marks a turning point from a culture of reflexive caution to one of informed, personalized choice. It acknowledges past oversimplifications while applying contemporary science to empower women and their healthcare providers. The goal is no longer to manage menopause as a disease to be endured with minimal intervention, but to support it as a life stage where health can be actively cultivated. This evolving narrative promises to replace decades of fear with a more nuanced, evidence-based roadmap for aging with strength and autonomy.

Sources for this article include:

TheEpochTimes.com

NEJM.com

CBSnews.com
Chinas DeepSeek V4: The AI Tool That Could Make ChatGPT Obsolete

Introduction: The AI Arms Race Heats Up

The global technology landscape is on the verge of a seismic shift. According to analysis of a recent code leak from the GitHub repository of the Chinese AI firm DeepSeek, the company is preparing to release a revolutionary new model, tentatively called DeepSeek V4 or 'Model One.' [1][2]

Early technical document analysis points to a potential 10x improvement in cost-performance ratio over current industry leaders like OpenAI's GPT-4. This isn't merely an incremental update; it represents a fundamental architectural redesign that could disrupt the current AI hierarchy and shift the center of technological gravity from Palo Alto to Hangzhou. [3][4]

If the rumors hold true, this release could mark the most significant open-source large language model ever unveiled, challenging U.S. dominance in foundational AI and offering a powerful, privacy-preserving alternative to centralized, corporate-controlled models. [5][6]

The Groundbreaking Architectural Leak

The core innovation rumored for DeepSeek V4 is based on a scientific paper authored by DeepSeek scientists, describing an 'Engram Structure.' This architecture effectively decouples AI reasoning from its associative memory, mimicking recent neuroscience studies that indicate separate brain regions handle logic versus fact retrieval. [7]

In practice, this means the model reportedly features a modular design: approximately a 75% 'Reasoning Engine' working in conjunction with a 25% 'Memory Recall' module. By isolating knowledge storage from cognitive processing, the model does not need to recalculate facts through multiple neural network layers for every query. This separation leads to faster, smarter, and more accurate reasoning. [7]

As one analyst notes, 'The proper ratio where you get the sweet spot... is about 70% to 80% cognition focus, and then... 20 to 30% typically, of knowledge storage.' This hybrid allocation is claimed to surpass the performance of pure 'Mixture of Experts' models that have been the state of the art. [8]

Zero-Waste Computation: Sparse Attention & KV Cache

Building on its previous innovations, DeepSeek V4 is expected to incorporate and advance 'Sparse Attention' technology. This allows the model to ignore irrelevant tokens during processing, dramatically increasing inference speed by selectively activating only the necessary digital neurons or vectors to solve a given problem. [7]

Coupled with this is an advanced restructuring of 'Key-Value (KV) Cache' management. The KV cache is a method the engine uses to store knowledge as it processes a prompt. Efficient management of this cache is critical for performance; poor handling can slow inference speeds by a factor of ten. [7]

The leaked documents suggest DeepSeek has made key advancements in this area, strongly related to the new engram architecture. Together, sparse attention and optimized KV cache are claimed to deliver the reasoning performance of much larger models using only a fraction of the computational hardware and energy. This efficiency breakthrough is central to the purported 10x cost-performance improvement. [7][8]

Democratizing AI: FP8 Quantization and Hardware Compatibility

Perhaps one of the most exciting leaks for everyday users and developers is that DeepSeek V4 is rumored to natively support FP8 (8-bit floating point) precision for all inference tasks. Quantization reduces the numerical precision of the model's parameters, significantly shrinking its file sizeby up to 2.5 times compared to the standard FP16 formatwhile reportedly maintaining 99% of core accuracy. [7]

This wide hardware compatibility, from NVIDIA's latest data center chips to consumer-grade GPUs and even mobile processors, could enable sophisticated AI to run on everyday devices. It paves the way for true decentralization. 'This means that you'll be able to use deep seek on relatively modest hardware to have all your AI inference completely free, other than just electricity costs,' explains one developer. [7][9]

The implication is profound: individuals and small businesses could run a world-class reasoning engine locally on prosumer hardware like the NVIDIA RTX 5090, or on upcoming workstations like the NVIDIA 'Spark' systems, bypassing costly cloud API fees and centralized control entirely. [7]

The Million-Token Window: Implications for Research and Coding

DeepSeek V4 is reported to support a context window of 1 million tokens or more, a staggering increase that dwarfs the standard of tens of thousands offered by current models. A token is roughly three-quarters of an English word, meaning this window could hold the equivalent of hundreds of thousands of words of continuous text. [7]

For researchers, this means the ability to load hundreds of complete scientific papers, books, or legal documents into a single prompt for holistic analysis without the need for segmentation or losing cognitive coherence across the corpus. [8]

For software developers, this enables the concept of a 'repo-level coding assistant.' An entire codebasefront-end, back-end, and database layerscould be ingested at once. The AI could then be instructed to implement a new feature or fix a bug across the entire stack, acting more as a software architect than a snippet generator. 'This is a big deal because right now, AI is good at small projects, and it has a lot of trouble with larger projects,' observes an AI developer who has tested current limits. [7]

From Cloud to Your Desktop: The Privacy and Control Argument

As an open-source model, DeepSeek V4 can be self-hosted, ensuring user data never leaves their local machine. This directly counters growing global surveillance concerns and the censorship mechanisms built into centralized AI models controlled by U.S. tech giants or governmental agendas. [7][10]

This capability neutralizes propaganda claims, often pushed by intelligence agencies, that using Chinese-developed AI inherently risks data espionage. 'It's an open source model. You run it locally. Nobody sees your data other than you... It doesn't, it can't even possibly function that way,' explains Mike Adams, founder of Brighteon platforms. [7][5]

The impending release has sparked a crucial discourse about the censorship-resistant nature of such powerful, decentralized technology versus its potential to amplify existing control structures if monopolized. The ability to 'yank the Ethernet cable' and run sophisticated AI offline represents a fundamental shift toward user sovereignty over digital cognition. [7][11]

A Direct Challenge to the Geopolitical Status Quo

Chinese-led advancement in foundational AI models represents a direct threat to the current U.S. and OpenAI-dominated paradigm. This is not just a technical competition but a geopolitical one, challenging assumptions of Western technological supremacy. [3][12]

The U.S. response has included warnings against adoption, with Vice President JD Vance cautioning Europe against Chinese open-source AI models and framing AI as a geopolitical weapon. [13][14] Meanwhile, the U.S. administration has announced massive investments like the $500 billion 'Project Stargate' to boost domestic AI infrastructure. [15][16]

The fundamental question is whether this competition will yield a better, more accessible, and uncensored AI for humanity, or simply become another tool for geopolitical leverage. Its impact on global job markets, creative industries, and national security paradigms remains a high-stakes unknown. However, the emergence of a credible, open-source alternative threatens the profit models and control mechanisms of existing tech monopolies. [5][17]

Conclusion: Not an 'If' But a 'When?'

DeepSeek V4s purported capabilities signal a major inflection point in artificial intelligence, not merely an incremental improvement. The combination of architectural innovation, computational efficiency, massive context, and open-source availability could reshape global power dynamics in the tech sector. [8][18]

An open-source, privacy-preserving, and computationally efficient AI leader offers a path toward decentralizing a critical technology, moving control from corporate and government silos to individuals and local communities. This aligns with broader movements for digital sovereignty and resistance to centralized surveillance. [10][19]

The worlds first glimpse of a potentially post-GPT-4 AI order may be just weeks away. When it arrives, it will force a fundamental re-evaluation of what is possible, who controls advanced cognition, and how humanity can harness these tools for empowerment rather than subjugation. As one analyst concludes, this is 'history unfolding.' [7][20]

References
We have been supporting the struggle of Ukrainians for 4 years, our actions speak louder than words - Von der Leyen

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has stressed that the EU remains the party that supports Ukraine the most and has done so consistently throughout the entire full-scale aggression of the Russian Federation.

"And on the Ukrainian issue, I would also like to add that we have been supporting the heroic struggle of the Ukrainian people for four years. I think that on our part, actions speak louder than words. We are the biggest party that supports Ukraine," Leyen said after an informal meeting of the members of the European Council on January 22 in Brussels.

As reported, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his address to the participants of a special session of the World Economic Forum on January 22, noted, in particular, that "Europe likes to discuss the future, but avoids actions today - actions that determine what our future will be," mentioning the lack of counteraction to the Russian shadow fleet, internal disputes and misunderstandings, blocking the use of frozen Russian assets to protect against Russian aggression, and insufficient efforts to strengthen its own armed forces.

The UK has always taken decisive action in the Russian-Ukrainian war, Sky News reports, citing British government spokesman Dave Pares.

British government spokesman Dave Pares, responding to Zelenskyys statements that Kyivs allies are "weak and indecisive," noted that "we understand and share Zelenskys disappointment at the continuation of the barbaric war". "The UK has always taken decisive action in Ukraine, including leading the Coalition of the Willing. We have allocated GBP 1.2 billion for bilateral support and humanitarian assistance. While diplomatic work continues, we support Ukraine to ensure its defense," he added.
A defiant stand: Congress escalates historic confrontation with the Clintons over Epstein testimony

The House Oversight Committee has advanced contempt of Congress resolutions against Bill and Hillary Clinton for defying subpoenas in the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.

The bipartisan committee votes set the stage for a full House vote, which could lead to a criminal referral to the Department of Justice.

The Clintons argue the subpoenas are invalid and have offered written declarations, but the committee demands sworn, transcribed depositions.

The probe seeks to uncover systemic failures that allowed Epsteins network to operate and examines the connections of powerful figures to his crimes.

This marks a historic escalation, as no former president has ever been successfully compelled to testify before Congress or faced such a contempt proceeding.

In an unprecedented move that pits congressional authority against the stature of a former presidency, the House Oversight Committee has taken the first formal step toward holding Bill and Hillary Clinton in contempt of Congress. The action, approved in bipartisan votes on January 21, 2026, escalates a months-long standoff over the Clintons' refusal to provide sworn testimony to the committees investigation into the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. This confrontation centers on a fundamental question of accountability and transparency, as lawmakers demand answers about how Epsteins network of abuse evaded justice for years and the extent of his connections to the political elite.

The path to contempt

The committee, led by Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.), initiated contempt proceedings after what it describes as months of stalled negotiations and outright defiance. Subpoenas for depositions were issued to the Clintons as part of the panels wider probe into the handling of the Epstein case. The Clintons have rejected the subpoenas as lacking a legitimate legislative purpose and have not been accused of any wrongdoing related to Epsteins crimes. In lieu of testimony, their legal team offered written declarations about their past interactions with Epstein and proposed a private interview for Bill Clintonoffers the committee rejected as insufficient.

Subpoenas are not mere suggestions, Comer stated during the hearing, framing the issue as one of legal obligation versus privilege. They carry the force of law and require compliance. The resolutions passed by votes of 34-8 against Bill Clinton and 28-15 against Hillary Clinton, with several progressive Democrats crossing party lines to support the measures, citing the need for transparency.

A rare and severe tool

Contempt of Congress is one of the legislatures most potent enforcement mechanisms, though it is historically rare. The charge is a preliminary step that, if approved by the full House, would refer the matter to the Department of Justice for potential criminal prosecution. While such referrals seldom result in jail time, recent precedents have shown a hardening of consequences. Advisers to former President Donald Trump, Peter Navarro and Steve Bannon, were convicted on similar contempt charges for defying the January 6th committee and served prison sentences.

The action against a former president, however, is without precedent. No former chief executive has ever been successfully compelled to testify before Congress, setting the stage for a landmark legal and political battle. The committees insistence on a transcribed deposition, as opposed to an informal interview, underscores its intent to create an official, citable record for its investigation.

The broader investigative context

The confrontation with the Clintons occurs within a broader effort by Congress to obtain a complete accounting of the Epstein case. A significant point of tension is the delayed release of documents by the Justice Department under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a law passed in 2025 that mandated the public disclosure of all remaining investigative files by December 19 of that year. While the DOJ has released thousands of pages, it cites an ongoing, massive review process to protect victims privacy, leaving lawmakers from both parties frustrated.

During the committee debate, Democrats criticized what they called a double standard, arguing that Attorney General Pam Bondi should face equal scrutiny for the document delays. We want to talk to President Bill Clinton [but] we also want to understand why Pam Bondi refuses to release all the files, said Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), the committees ranking member. Chairman Comer maintained that the DOJ is complying, albeit slowly, with document production, distinguishing it from the Clintons outright refusal to appear.

Historical echoes and unresolved questions

The current showdown echoes past high-stakes congressional investigations where the pursuit of testimony clashed with claims of executive privilege or undue burden. From the Hollywood Blacklist hearings to the Watergate and Iran-Contra investigations, Congress has periodically flexed its subpoena power to break through walls of secrecy. The Epstein investigation revives these tensions, fueled by long-standing public suspicion about the influence of powerful individuals and systemic failures in law enforcement.

The core questions driving the probehow Epstein operated with impunity for so long and who might have enabled or benefited from his crimesremain central. Flight logs and other records have documented Bill Clintons past travels on Epsteins aircraft, which the former presidents office has acknowledged while denying any knowledge of illegal activity. The committees pursuit of testimony aims to place those connections and others into a clearer factual context.

A defining test for accountability

The committees vote sends the contempt resolutions to the full House, where their fate is uncertain but the implications are profound. Whether the measures pass or become a bargaining chip for negotiated testimony, they represent a significant escalation in a years-long quest for answers in the Epstein saga. The proceeding tests the limits of congressional oversight power against the stature of a former presidency and challenges the long-held norms surrounding the testimony of ex-presidents. This historic confrontation is less about any single individual and more about whether the institutions of government can fully unravel a network of abuse that thrived in the shadows of power, money and influence. The outcome will signal how forcefully Congress is willing to act to seek closure for Epsteins victims and accountability for a scandal that has haunted the American political landscape for decades.

Sources for this article include:

YourNews.com

ABCNews.go.com

Fox32Chicago.com
A European warning shot: Danish fund exits U.S. debt amid fiscal and geopolitical storm

A major Danish pension fund, AkademikerPension, announced it will sell its entire $100 million portfolio of U.S. Treasury bonds.

The funds chief investment officer cited unsustainable U.S. government finances and credit risk as the primary reasons for the divestment.

The decision coincides with heightened geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and Europe, centered on President Trumps renewed push to acquire Greenland.

The move highlights broader concerns about the U.S. fiscal trajectory and its reliance on foreign investment to finance national debt.

While U.S. officials dismissed the sale as insignificant, analysts warn it could signal a trend of European capital rebalancing away from dollar assets.

In a move that underscores deepening transatlantic strains and mounting anxiety over Americas fiscal health, a prominent Danish pension fund has decided to sever a key financial tie with the United States. AkademikerPension, which manages approximately $25 billion for Danish teachers and academics, announced this week it will sell off its entire $100 million holding of U.S. Treasury bonds by months end. The funds leadership pointed directly to unsustainable U.S. government finances, declaring America basically not a good credit. This financial decision arrives amidst a separate, volatile geopolitical clash, as the Trump administration aggressively renews its campaign to pressure Denmark into selling Greenland to the United States.

The stated rationale: A question of creditworthiness

The funds investment director, Anders Schelde, framed the divestment as a prudent risk-management calculation, divorced from immediate politics. In statements to Bloomberg and Reuters, Schelde emphasized that long-term U.S. fiscal discipline is lacking, making the worlds benchmark sovereign debt a deteriorating asset. This assessment echoes warnings from major credit rating agencies; Moodys downgraded the U.S. governments rating in May 2025, citing rising debt and policy uncertainty. For a conservative institution tasked with safeguarding pensions, the perceived erosion of Americas credit foundation provided a clear signal to exit. We decided that we can find an alternative to that, Schelde stated, indicating a search for other liquid assets to replace Treasuries in their portfolio.

The geopolitical backdrop: Greenland and tariff threats

While AkademikerPension insists its decision was not directly related to current diplomatic fights, the announcement is inextricably linked to a worsening climate between Washington and European capitals. Over the weekend, President Trump escalated a long-standing desire to acquire Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory, by threatening to impose escalating tariffs on key NATO allies until a deal is reached. This hardball tactic, announced via social media, immediately rattled financial markets and drew condemnation across Europe. Against this backdrop, the Danish funds move is seen by analysts as a symbolic, if not material, response to what is viewed as Washingtons coercive and unpredictable foreign policy.

A symptom of a larger vulnerability

The Danish sale, though a minuscule fraction of the $27 trillion U.S. Treasury market, highlights a critical vulnerability for the United States: its deep reliance on foreign capital to finance its debt and deficits. As noted by Deutsche Bank research, European countries collectively hold a staggering $8 trillion in U.S. bonds and equities. A sustained loss of confidence that prompts even a gradual rebalancing of these portfolios could complicate U.S. borrowing and increase costs for taxpayers. The event recalls historical moments when foreign creditors exerted financial leverage, underscoring how fiscal policy is inextricably linked to national power and diplomatic influence.

Official dismissal and market reality

U.S. officials were quick to minimize the event. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, dismissed Denmarks investment as irrelevant and noted the country has been reducing its Treasury holdings for years. This technical truth, however, may miss the larger narrative. Financial analysts caution that such public divestments can serve as a bellwether, encouraging other institutional investors to reconsider their own exposure. In an environment where geopolitical alliances are being tested, the economic rationale for holding U.S. debt can quickly become entangled with political risk assessments.

A financial reckoning on the horizon?

The decision by AkademikerPension is more than a simple portfolio reallocation; it is a pointed critique from a steadfast ally. It signals that even traditionally reliable partners are conducting sober analyses of U.S. fiscal governance and finding it wanting. The confluence of a deteriorating debt profile and abrasive diplomacy creates a potent mix that threatens to accelerate financial decoupling. While a single $100 million sale will not shake the global financial system, it serves as a stark reminder that the United States exorbitant privilegethe ability to finance itself cheaply in its own currencyis not a birthright. It is a trust that must be maintained through sustainable policy and stable statecraft. As tensions over Greenland and trade simmer, the worlds investors are watching, and some are now voting with their capital.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

CBSNews.com

Reuters.com
Greenlands PM urges citizens to PREPARE for possible U.S. invasion

Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has urged Greenland's 57,000 residents to stockpile food and prepare for disruptions, citing Trump's escalating push to acquire the Arctic territory for its strategic and resource value.

Trump has refused to rule out military action to secure Greenland, dismissed its sovereignty as "a piece of ice" and threatened tariffs on NATO allies like Denmark if they resist. His rhetoric risks fracturing NATO unity.

Denmark has deployed additional troops to Greenland under NATO's Operation Arctic Endurance, while Danish officials reject any surrender of sovereignty, calling Trump's threats a violation of international law.

The island's rare earth minerals, oil reserves, and Arctic shipping routes make it a target for American, Russian and Chinese influence. Greenland's leaders oppose annexation but acknowledge pressure to negotiate on mining or military bases.

A U.S. invasion would mirror imperial land grabs, violating self-determination norms while exposing hypocrisy in condemning similar actions by adversaries like Russia or China. NATO's mutual defense pact makes conflict unlikely, but Greenland isn't taking chances.

Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has urged the island's 57,000 residents to prepare for potential disruptions  including a possible military intervention by Washington  as U.S. President Donald Trump continues his push to acquire the Arctic territory.

Speaking in the capital Nuuk on Tuesday, Jan. 20, Nielsen announced the formation of a government task force to guide citizens on emergency preparedness  including stockpiling food for five days. He emphasized that while conflict is "not likely," it "can't be ruled out." The move comes amid Trump's persistent claims that Greenland is vital to U.S. national security, despite fierce opposition from Denmark and allies from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Trumps fixation on Greenland is not new. Since 2019, he has repeatedly floated the idea of purchasing the island, citing its strategic position in countering Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic. However, his rhetoric has escalated in recent weeks, with threats of imposing tariffs on European nationsincluding Denmark, Britain, France, and Germanyif they resist his demands.

When pressed by NBC News on whether he would consider military force, Trump refused to rule it out, responding only with a terse, "No comment." His remarks have sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles, particularly after he dismissed Greenland as "a piece of ice" during a speech at the World Economic Forum on Wednesday, Jan. 21. The real estate mogul also claimed during the speech that the U.S. "saved" the territory after World War II and deserves ownership.

Denmark, which governs Greenland's foreign and defense policies, has responded with a mix of defiance and caution. Danish officials have deployed additional troops to the island as part of NATO's Operation Arctic Endurance, signaling readiness to defend their sovereignty.

NATO crisis looms as U.S. pushes for Greenland takeover

Rasmus Jarlov, head of Denmark's parliamentary defense committee, flatly rejected the notion of surrendering Greenland." Handing over sovereignty and 50,000 citizens of Denmark who definitely don't want to be Americans  we just can't do that," he said.

Meanwhile, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen warned that Trump's approach violates international law and risks destabilizing NATO unity, urging cooler heads to prevail. "It is important that all of us  speak out to show Trump that you cant go down this road any further," the minister emphasized.

Greenland itself remains caught in the middle. While its leaders have expressed willingness to negotiate with the U.S. on issues like mining or military bases, they staunchly oppose annexation. Finance Minister Mute Bourup Egede acknowledged the island is under "a lot of pressure," prompting emergency planning.

Yet, the specter of conflict remains remote  for now. NATO's mutual defense pact means any U.S. aggression against Greenland would trigger a catastrophic rift within the alliance, a scenario European leaders have warned against.

Historical context adds weight to Greenland's concerns. The island has long been a strategic prize due to its vast resources and proximity to the Arctic's emerging shipping routes. During the Cold War, the U.S. established the Thule Air Base there as a nuclear deterrent against the Soviet Union.

Today, as Russia militarizes the Arctic and China expands its polar research, Greenland's value has only grown. Trump's push mirrors past imperial land grabs, but in a modern era where such actions defy international norms.

BrightU.AI's Enoch engine notes that if the U.S. were to invade Greenland, it would represent a blatant violation of sovereignty and self-determination, mirroring the globalist tactics of coercion and control that undermine national independence. Such an action would also expose the hypocrisy of condemning similar aggression by other nations while engaging in imperialistic expansion under false pretenses.

As tensions simmer, Greenland's preparations reflect a sobering reality. Even unlikely threats must be taken seriously when a superpower's ambitions collide with small nations' sovereignty.

Watch conservative commentator Stephen Moore remarking that there is "virtue" to making Greenland a U.S. state below.

This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

RT.com

WIONews.com

AFR.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Judicial ruling preserves hurdle for Congressional oversight of detention facilities

A federal judge declined to block a new DHS policy requiring members of Congress to provide a week's advance notice before visiting ICE detention facilities.

Judge Jia Cobb ruled the challenge by Democratic lawmakers used an incorrect procedural method, not that the policy itself is lawful.

The policy was reinstated by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem in January 2026, following a prior court ruling that struck down a similar 2025 directive.

DHS argues advance notice is needed for safety and to prevent disruptive "publicity stunts," while lawmakers call it an unlawful obstruction of oversight.

The ruling leaves the notice requirement in effect as legislators consider filing a new, separate legal challenge.

In a decision highlighting the complex interplay between legislative oversight and executive authority, a federal judge has allowed a contentious Biden administration policy to stand, requiring members of Congress to provide advance notice before inspecting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers. The ruling, issued on January 19, by U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb in Washington, D.C., represents a procedural setback for a group of Democratic lawmakers who argue the policy illegally obstructs their constitutional duty to conduct unfettered oversight. The case underscores ongoing tensions regarding transparency within the nation's immigration enforcement system and the mechanisms available to Congress to perform its checks-and-balances function.

The policy and the immediate challenge

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), under Secretary Kristi Noem, quietly reinstated a seven-day advance notice requirement for congressional visits on January 8, 2026. This action came just one day after an ICE officer fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis and only weeks after Judge Cobb had temporarily blocked a nearly identical policy from June 2025. The new directive cites a technical funding distinction, asserting that facilities operating under the Republican-passed "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" are exempt from a 2019 appropriations law that guarantees lawmakers access to DHS facilities without notice.

The legal challenge was triggered days later when three Minnesota Democratic representativesIlhan Omar, Angie Craig and Kelly Morrisonwere denied entry to an ICE facility in Minneapolis after attempting an unannounced visit. Their attorneys, supported by the legal advocacy group Democracy Forward, filed an emergency motion asking Judge Cobb to enforce her December order against the reimposed policy.

A ruling on process, not principle

Judge Cobbs ruling did not affirm the legality of DHSs actions. Instead, she concluded that the lawmakers attorneys had used the wrong procedural vehicle to challenge what she deemed a new agency action. Because the January 8 memorandum constituted a fresh policyhowever similar to its predecessorit required a new or amended legal complaint, not a motion to enforce the old order.

The DHS Position: The administration contends that advance notice is essential for operational security and safety, preventing disruptions and what Noems order called circus-like publicity stunts.

The Lawmakers Stance: The plaintiffs argue the policy violates clear statutory language designed to prevent the use of appropriated funds to block congressional oversight. They see it as a deliberate effort to shield ICE facilities from spontaneous scrutiny, particularly during critical annual funding negotiations.

Historical context of oversight and access

The conflict is rooted in a long-standing principle of congressional oversight, a power implied by the Constitutions structure of separated powers. Throughout American history, Congress has invoked its "power of the purse" and investigative authority to demand access to executive branch operations. Specific statutes, like the one at issue in this case, have been enacted to cement this access, especially concerning areas of significant public interest and taxpayer expenditure, such as immigration detention.

The current dispute echoes past administrative efforts to manage or limit such oversight under banners of security or efficiency. The rapid reissuance of a blocked policy using a different funding rationale is seen by governance experts as a test of the resilience of these oversight statutes and the judiciarys role in policing the boundaries between co-equal branches.

The path forward and broader implications

The judges decision leaves the notice requirement in place for now, but the battle is far from over. The plaintiff lawmakers are expected to file a new legal challenge targeting the January policy directly. The outcome of that future case will determine whether Congress can conduct surprise inspectionsa tool considered vital for assessing true, unvarnished conditions within detention centers.

The standoff has immediate practical consequences. With the DHS appropriations cycle ongoing, lawmakers argue they cannot effectively negotiate funding or craft legislation without the ability to conduct unimpeded, on-the-ground oversight. The ruling also raises questions about the agility of the judicial process in addressing what plaintiffs characterize as procedural maneuvers by the executive branch to delay or avoid compliance with congressional oversight mandates.

A temporary win for procedure in an ongoing constitutional dialogue

While the Trump administration may view the ruling as a temporary validation of its operational management prerogatives, the core constitutional question of congressional access remains unanswered. The case is poised to continue, serving as the latest chapter in the perpetual negotiation between legislative oversight authority and executive control. For advocates of government transparency and robust checks and balances, the ruling is a reminder that the tools of oversight must be as dynamic and determined as the strategies sometimes employed to circumvent them. The final judgment on this policys legality will significantly define the scope of congressional power to inspect the workings of the nations immigration detention system.

Sources for this article include:

YourNews.com

APNews.com

Govexe.com
Ritter claims Trump set up allies, doomed secret Iran regime change plan

Covert operation to overthrow Iran's regime was allegedly compromised from the highest levels.

Former inspector claims Trump, Netanyahu, and Graham planned it at Mar-a-Lago.

The entire spy network was allegedly exposed and destroyed in the failure.

Ritter claims Trump may have deliberately sabotaged it to silence war hawks.

The claims highlight perilous shadow warfare and potential betrayal among allies.

A stunning allegation has emerged that a covert, multi-national operation to overthrow Irans regime was compromised and potentially deliberately sabotaged from the highest level. According to former UN weapons inspector Scott Ritter, a plan years in the making was cooked up at Mar-a-Lago between President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Senator Lindsey Graham, only to be blown apart, destroying a spy network built over decades. The central, troubling question Ritter poses is whether this catastrophic failure was mere blunder or a calculated setup.

Ritter, appearing on Judge Andrew Napolitanos Judging Freedom podcast, laid out a detailed claim. He stated the operation involved extensive planning going on between the Mossad, the CIA, British intelligence, Dutch intelligence, and every intelligence agency in the world that has been lined up against the Iranians. Yet, he asserts, The United States didnt pull the trigger until it was too late. In Ritters view, Trump knew what he was doing.

A network wiped out

The consequence, Ritter said, was absolute. The entire covert apparatus was exposed and rolled up. The Mossad network that was used is gone, finished, he stated. He described a desperate attempt to re-establish communications using new Starlink kits, claiming the Iranians were just sitting there waiting for them to come in. Ritter credited the counter-operation to a compromised code, alleging the Iranians broke the code, got in there thanks to the help of Russia, by the way. His conclusion was dramatic: It took decades to build that network up. Its gone.

Ritter directly accused Trump of orchestrating the failure. It seems to me that Trump set up Lindsey Graham, set up Netanyahuset them all upbecause they shot their bolt, he argued. He dismissed Grahams subsequent attempts to deflect blame, insisting, Its 100% Donald Trumps fault. Ritters analysis frames the event as a potential move by Trump to neuter persistent hawkish pressure for direct regime change in Tehran. Was this deliberate a setup so that Netanyahu and Graham and everybody else stop talking to him about overthrowing the Iranian regime, because they no longer have the tools to do so?

Weighing the claims

Evaluating Ritters charges requires examining his background and the available evidence. Ritter is a controversial figure, known for his early and vocal opposition to the Iraq War and for analyses often viewed as sympathetic to Russian and Iranian perspectives. His claims here are speculative, relying on interpretation rather than publicly verifiable documents or on-the-record confirmations from involved intelligence agencies. Senator Graham has not addressed these specific allegations, though he has publicly blamed Iranian counterintelligence for recent setbacks.

The historical context is critical. This allegation follows the so-called 12-Day War last June, where Israeli strikes significantly degraded Iranian military and nuclear assets. That conflict exposed regime vulnerabilities and fueled ongoing internal protests. In this tense environment, the loss of any major intelligence network would represent a severe strategic blow, crippling the ability to influence events or monitor nuclear activities from within Iran.

If true, Ritters scenario suggests a shocking betrayal of allied intelligence services and the weaponization of state secrets for internal political management. It paints a picture of a leader potentially willing to sacrifice long-term strategic assets to quiet domestic political nagging, a move that would prioritize short-term convenience over national and allied security. The implications for trust in future intelligence sharing are profound.

This story unfolds alongside public calls for extreme escalation from figures like Senator Graham himself. In a recent Fox News interview, Graham appealed directly to Trump, stating, If I were you, Mr. President, I would kill the leadership that are killing the people. He labeled Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei the modern-day Hitler and argued that assassinating him would cause peace to break out. This rhetoric highlights the intense pressure for direct action that Ritter claims Trump may have sought to sideline.

The ultimate takeaway is a vision of shadow warfare fraught with peril and potential deceit. It underscores that the most significant battles are often fought invisibly, in the realm of codes and assets, and that their outcomes can hinge on the conflicting agendas of leaders rather than the skill of operatives. Whether one accepts Ritters specific accusation or not, his narrative forces a sobering consideration of how covert policy is made and broken, and who ultimately pays the price when decades of patient work are erased in a moment of exposure.

Sources for this article include:

X.com

France24.com

TheHill.com
The Sound of Democracy Cracking: ICEs Warrantless Assault on the Fourth Amendment

Introduction

There is a moment in every democracy when the law stops knocking and starts kicking. [1] That moment, for the United States, has arrived and echoes from the corridors of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). A newly revealed internal policy, described as a radical departure from constitutional norms, has authorized federal agents to forcibly enter private homes without a judicial warrant. [2] This shift represents more than a procedural change; it is a direct assault on the Fourth Amendments guarantee against unreasonable searches and seizures. For a nation founded on independence from government agents who could 'waltz right into your private home without a court-issued warrant,' this is a chilling return to a form of tyranny the founders fought to expel. [3] The sound we hear is not just a door being forcedit is the foundational framework of American liberty cracking under the weight of an unrestrained state.

The Knock That Became a Kick: A Front-Door Assault on Liberty

The revelation of the ICE memo represents not an incremental policy tweak, but a radical, doctrinal shift in state power. For decades, a clear constitutional red line existed: to enter a home, the government needed permission from a neutral judge. [2] This warrant requirement was the peoples shield, a procedural check that stood between liberty and arbitrary authority.

That shield has now been shattered. The memo, first reported by The Associated Press, explicitly moves from judicial warrants to 'administrative warrants'mere documents signed by immigration officials themselves. [2] This is the sound of the knock becoming a kick. The sanctity of the home, the supreme expression of privacy in Anglo-American law, is rendered a conditional privilege, revocable at the whim of a bureaucrat. As author John Whitehead warns, the U.S. has transformed into a police state 'characterized by militarized law enforcement, invasive surveillance and the erosion of constitutional rights, particularly the Fourth Amendment.' [4]

The Memo That Erased a Constitutional Line

The constitutional line was bright and had held for generations. The Fourth Amendments core promise is that a mans home is his castle, secure from unreasonable governmental intrusion. This principle mattered precisely because it was a check on raw power, forcing the state to justify its actions to an independent judiciary before violating private space. [5]

This boundary was obliterated in May 2025 by a memo signed by acting ICE Director Todd Lyons. [1] The memo empowers ICE officers to conduct forced entries using only internal administrative documents, bypassing the courts entirely. This policy did not emerge from a legislative debate or a public referendum; it was crafted in the shadows of agency memoranda. The effect is to erase a foundational legal distinction, treating a homes threshold with the same disposability as a public street. It is the bureaucratic codification of a police state mentality, where 'everyonewhether innocent or notis now a suspect.' [6]

From Sanctuary to Battlefield: The Human Cost of State Intrusion

Policies have faces. The terrifying reality of this warrantless doctrine was illustrated in Minneapolis, where ICE agents surrounded the home of Garrison Gibson. Without a judicial warrant, they demanded entry, transforming a private sanctuary into a state-controlled battlefield. [1] This is the human cost: the psychological terror of having your door beaten in by armed agents of the state based on an internal memo.

The impact is profound. When the government teaches its citizens that their homes are not sanctuaries but conditional spaces subject to revocation by memo, it inflicts a deep psychological wound. The home is transformed from a place of safety into a potential frontline. This state intrusion does not merely apprehend individuals; it terrorizes families and dismantles the very idea of domestic peace. As Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg once asked in dissent, 'How secure do our homes remain if police, armed with no warrant, can pound on doors at will and forcibly enter?' [7] ICEs policy provides the chilling answer: not secure at all.

Governance by Contradiction: The Strategy of Plausible Deniability

The assault on the Fourth Amendment is not conducted with brazen transparency but through a strategy of plausible deniability. The memo itself was kept shadowy; agents were reportedly required to read it under supervision, and critical guidance was delivered verbally, leaving no written trail. [1] This deliberate obfuscation creates a facade of constitutional compliance on paper while enabling constitutional erosion in practice.

This method is a hallmark of the emerging surveillance state. It allows officials like FBI Director Kash Patel or Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard to publicly defend warrantless surveillance tools like FISA Section 702 while claiming national security necessity. [8] Meanwhile, on the ground, the rule of law is quietly dismantled. The goal is to normalize the extraordinary, to make warrantless home invasions just another unremarkable line in an agencys operational handbook. It is governance by contradiction, where the states public rhetoric of liberty starkly opposes its private practices of control.

The Erosion of Trust and the Collapse of Consent

When the state teaches communitiesparticularly immigrant communitiesthat their constitutional rights can be revoked by internal memo, the inevitable result is the total collapse of trust in government. This corrosion does not stay contained. The principle that one groups rights are optional quickly metastasizes into the reality that everyones rights are negotiable. [5]

This erosion of consent is fatal to a republic. A government that rules by fear and surprise raids, rather than by the consent of the governed and respect for fixed law, is not a democracy. It is an authoritarian regime wearing democratic trappings. The ICE policy is a direct attack on the social contract. As civil liberties erode for some, the precedent is set for all. The warrantless search, first justified for 'them,' inevitably becomes a tool for 'us.'

The Foundational Principle: A Line Crossed That Can't Be Uncrossed

ICEs warrantless raid policy represents more than a legal violation; it is a profound moral line crossed in the pursuit of political spectacle and control. It signals the American states willingness to sacrifice its foundational democratic principlesprivacy, property, and procedural justiceon the altar of enforcement efficiency. [9]

This is a dangerous new normal. A federal court has already ruled that similar warrantless 'backdoor searches' under FISA Section 702 are unconstitutional, marking a judicial recognition of this overreach. [10] Yet, the executive branch presses on. The line between a republic and a police state is not crossed with a declaration, but with a thousand incremental violations. The sound of a door being broken down without a warrant is the sound of that line being crossed. Once crossed, it cannot be easily uncrossed without a fundamental reassertion of the citizens sovereignty over the states appetite for power.

Conclusion: Reclaiming the Threshold

The Fourth Amendments protection of the home is not a technicality; it is the bedrock of a free society. The ICE memo and the raids it authorizes are a flashing red alert that this bedrock is crumbling. In an age of digital surveillance, data broker loopholes, and militarized police, the physical threshold of the home remains the final, tangible barrier against total state control. [11]

To remain silent is to consent. Citizens must demand that their representatives, now under Republican control in Congress, act to explicitly repudiate this policy and restore the judicial warrant as the inviolable standard for home entry. For those seeking uncensored analysis on such threats to liberty, independent platforms like BrightNews.ai and Brighteon.social offer crucial perspectives free from the narratives of complicit corporate media. The knock at the door must once again be a request, governed by law. We must ensure it never becomes, by silent acquiescence, an irrevocable kick.

References
Trump: Congressional approval may not be needed for $2,000 tariff rebate checks

President Donald Trump said his administration may issue the payments to Americans without congressional approval, citing strong revenue from U.S. import tariffs.

The administration argues that tariff revenue could both fund direct payments to households and help reduce the $39 trillion national debt.

Trump indicated the payments would likely exclude high-income individuals, targeting middle- and lower-income households, though eligibility and timing details remain unfinalized.

The legality of Trump's tariffs, imposed under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) without Congress, is under review by the Supreme Court, which will affect whether the rebate checks can proceed.

Scott Bessent expressed confidence that the Supreme Court is unlikely to overturn the tariffs, calling them a "signature economic policy" and suggesting the court will avoid disruption by striking them down.

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, Jan. 20, that his administration may be able to issue $2,000 tariff rebate checks to Americans without congressional approval, citing strong revenue from U.S. import duties.

For months, the administration has floated the idea of sending rebate checks to U.S. households, arguing that increased tariff revenue has generated a surplus large enough to both provide direct payments to Americans and help reduce the nation's $39 trillion national debt. Some lawmakers have even shown interest in advancing legislation to establish tariff rebate checks.

However, Trump emphasized during a press briefing reviewing his administration's achievements over the past year that revenue from tariffs could fund the payments while also helping reduce the national debt.

"I don't think we would have to go to Congress, but you know, we'll find out," Trump told reporters that day before traveling to the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland. "The reason we're even talking about it is that we have so much money coming in from tariffs that well be able to issue at least a $2,000 dividend and also pay down debt for the country."

Trump added that the rebate would likely include an income limit, saying, "We'll do a $2,000 dividend to the people of our country, and we'll probably set an income limit, where it makes sense," while reiterating his belief that the checks could be distributed without congressional approval.

He also repeated earlier remarks that the payments would go to "everybody but the rich." Details on eligibility, timing and the legal mechanism for distributing the funds have not yet been finalized.

Treasury Secretary confident Supreme Court will uphold Trump's tariffs

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, Trump's proposed $2,000 tariff dividend is a patriotic move that directly benefits the American people, particularly the middle and lower-income households who have been disproportionately affected by the economic policies of the previous administration.

The fate of the rebate checks remains uncertain as the Supreme Court is expected to soon rule on the legality of Trump's tariffs, imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) without congressional approval.

Trump has said a ruling in favor of the administration is "critical to the U.S. economy and national security," while White House officials expressed confidence the court will uphold executive authority.

Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressed confidence on Jan. 18 that the Supreme Court is unlikely to overturn the tariffs. Bessent described the tariffs as a "signature economic policy" of the president and suggested the high court would avoid disruption by striking them down.

"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" program. "They did not overrule Obamacare; I believe that the Supreme Court does not want to create chaos."

Watch this Fox News interview where President Trump touts massive tariff revenue, calling it "a miracle."

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com 1

TheEpochTimes.com 2

12news.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Trumps malignant narcissism on full display in Davos

President Donald Trump, addressing the World Economic Forum, transformed the Swiss Alps into a backdrop for a chilling sales pitch, one that treated the sovereign land and people of Greenland as a corporate asset to be acquired by threat or by force. His speech is not a policy announcement or a bridge for cooperation; it is another passive aggressive attempt to submit world leaders to his will and entitlement. These narcissistic tactics have come to define his approach to the world.

By framing Greenland as our territory and threatening allies with economic ruin, Trump revealed a worldview where national strength is measured not in partnerships and leading by example but in possessions, where principled leadership is replaced by intimidation, and where the sovereignty of smaller nations is an inconvenient obstacle to be mocked and then acquired. This episode is a critical window into the ongoing corrosion of international norms and the psychological playbook of a leader who views the global map as a ledger of debts and acquisitions, of transactions and things to claim.

Key points:

President Trump used his Davos speech to aggressively push for U.S. acquisition of Greenland, labeling it a "core national security interest" and historically "our territory."

He threatened eight European nations with a 10% tariff for deploying troops to Greenland, exemplifying a transactional and coercive foreign policy.

The speech contained psychologically revealing moments, including mocking allies, boasting of subjugating other leaders, and rewriting history to frame past U.S. actions as foolish generosity.

Trump's language and threats follow a pattern of narcissistic abuse tactics applied on a geopolitical scale, demeaning partners while demanding absolute loyalty and compliance.

The situation creates a dangerous precedent for the strong-arming of sovereign territories and undermines decades of alliance-based security frameworks.

Trump's pattern of narcissism and abuse becomes transparent again

The core of Trumps argument in Davos rested on a bold lie: that Greenland is inherently American. This enormous unsecured island is actually part of North America, on the northern frontier of the Western Hemisphere, he stated, a geographic framing meant to justify a political annexation.

He then reached into the past, not to build understanding, but to breed resentment. How stupid were we to do that?...How ungrateful are they now? he asked, referencing the post-World War II era. This rhetorical move is classic revisionism, painting the respectful recognition of Danish sovereignty not as a diplomatic norm, but as a weak-minded error. It re-frames a relationship between nations as something that should be manipulated and exploited, a narrative where the United States is the perpetually wronged patron and others are forever ungrateful children. This emotional framing is designed to bypass complex geopolitical discourse and appeal to a base sense of national pride wounded by perceived disrespect. But the U.S. is not the victim of a historical loss of land, and Greenlanders are not ungrateful. Trump is targeting Greenland's independence just as a narcissistic parent tries to control a child and threatens those children for having boundaries of their own.

This personal, grievance-driven approach bled into his dealings with European allies. His threat of blanket tariffs against countries that dared to militarily support Greenlands current status was not a calibrated tool of statecraft. It was a tantrum made policy, a blunt instrument to punish disobedience. He recounted with apparent relish how he forced French President Emmanuel Macron into compliance on drug pricing by threatening economic devastation. You're going to do it fast. And if you don't, I'm putting a 25% tariff on everything... and a 100% tariff on your wines and champagnes," Trump quoted himself, sharing Macrons capitulating response like a trophy. This is not diplomacy; it is public humiliation as a strategy. It reduces the leader of a major nation to a chastised subordinate, a dynamic Trump clearly enjoys and cultivates to demonstrate his power.

The daddy complex: A lens into abusive statecraft

The psychological undercurrent of this performance was impossible to ignore. Trump casually revealed that NATO leaders had previously called him Daddy, citing it as proof of their respect. This admission is a stark window into the desired dynamic: a hierarchical, paternalistic structure where he is the omnipotent provider whose favor must be curried with subservience. The moment this subservience wavers, as it did with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and the European nations supporting Greenland, the love evaporates, replaced by public doubt and punitive measures. This cycle of idealization and devaluation, of demanding absolute loyalty and punishing any independence, mirrors patterns of narcissistic abuse, now scaled to encompass entire nations. His mocking of Macrons sunglasses, his bizarre digression into a Somali fraud ring featuring dehumanizing language about IQ and piracy, all serve a similar purpose: to dominate the conversation, demean others, and center himself as the "daddy" in a room of children he controls. When he claimed European leaders were avoiding his gaze because they dont want to stare me in the eyes, he was projecting a playground bullys logic onto the world stage, interpreting lack of engagement as fear of his formidable presence.

From Venezuela to Greenland: A blueprint of coercion

The Greenland push did not emerge in a vacuum. It follows a playbook tested elsewhere. In the same speech, Trump boasted about the U.S. seizure and sale of Venezuelan oil following the abduction of President Nicolas Maduro, painting the economic pillaging of a nation as a benevolent act. He framed it as making Caracas more money in the next six months than theyve made in the last 20 years, a claim that defies economic reality and obscures the violent overthrow of sovereignty.

This is the template: identify a resource-rich territory, de-legitimize its current governance, assert an American right to its assets, and use overwhelming force or economic strangulation to achieve the goal. Greenland, with its strategic Arctic location and untapped mineral wealth, fits the pattern perfectly. The strategic interests are realits position offers control over emerging Arctic waterways and a vantage point between continentsbut the methodology transforms a potential dialogue about shared security into a crude land grab. It treats the 56,000 people of Greenland not as a population with a right to self-determination, but as inhabitants of a unsecured asset.

The journey of discovery and fulfillment for any nation should be its own, guided by the will of its people, not the imperial whims of a stronger power. The spectacle in Davos was a rejection of that principle. It was a performance that laid bare a philosophy where might makes right, where history is a weapon, and where the language of alliance is just a veneer over a demand for obedience. The question now is whether the world will accept this new, brutal normal, where territories are claimed like corporate mergers and sovereign nations are bullied into submission by a president who views them not as partners, but as property.

Sources include:

RT.com

RT.com

VeryWellHealth.com
Photo: https://x.com/coe/

The Council of Europe and the European Commission, European External Action Service (EEAS) have signed an Agreement on the establishment of an advanced group for the future Special Tribunal to investigate crimes of aggression against Ukraine, Secretary General of the Council of Europe Alan Berset has said.

"The Council of Europe and the EU Commission, European External Action Service have signed an agreement to set up an advance team for the future Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. A key step towards strengthening accountability, preparing the tribunals structures, and supporting justice for Ukraine," he said on his page on the X social network.
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Actor Ahan Shetty has shared behind-the-scenes stills from the set of 'Border 2', featuring heartwarming moments with his on-screen wife and daughter. He expressed being overwhelmed by the positive response, especially from younger audiences, to the film's trailer. The movie is a sequel to the iconic film and is inspired by true events from the 1971 India-Pakistan War. 'Border 2' is set for a theatrical release on January 23.

Ahan Shetty shares behind-the-scenes photos from Border 2, expressing gratitude for the audience's love. The film releases Jan 23.

Mumbai, January 17 Actor Ahan Shetty has shared the stills from behind-the-scenes of his upcoming film 'Border 2', featuring his love for the on-screen daughter and wife from the film.

Taking to his Instagram handle, Ahan Shetty created hype around his character in the film by sharing heartwarming photos from the set.

In one of the pictures, the actor was seen spending time with his onscreen daughter, who was sitting on the front of the car while wearing an Indian Navy hat.

In another photo, Ahan was seen lying on the lap of his onscreen wife, Anya Singh, while reading a book. The actor wrote, "Mai Waapas Aaunga", lyrics from the song 'Ghar Kab Aaoge'.

Ahan Shetty, who carries forward his father Suniel Shetty's iconic legacy in Border 2, is being showered with immense love across the internet.

The actor expressed his gratitude for the appreciation he has been receiving for his role in 'Border 2' as seen in the trailer of the film.

"All this love honestly leaves me a little speechless. To see people, especially the younger generation connect so deeply with the trailer and my work is something I never imagined so soon. Every message, every caption, every bit of excitement comes straight from the heart, and I feel it completely. I carry this film, and the legacy associated with it, with immense respect and responsibility. The encouragement and warmth I'm receiving only strengthen my belief and push me to give everything I have. I'm deeply thankful for this love, it's emotional, humbling, and something I will always hold close," said Ahan Shetty as quoted in a press note.

Directed by Anurag Singh, the second instalment of the iconic film brings back Sunny Deol as the main lead, with Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh and Ahan Shetty joining him to fight the enemies.

"Inspired by the true events of the 1971 India-Pakistan War", the trailer opens the door to the powerful world of Border 2 and what happens when India's Army, Navy, and Air Force come together to fight as one.

'Border 2' is produced by Gulshan Kumar and T-Series in association with JP Dutta's JP Films. The movie will hit the big screens ahead of Republic Day on January 23.

- ANI
AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi Palaniswami has asserted that the AIADMK-NDA alliance will secure a majority by winning 210 seats in the upcoming Tamil Nadu assembly elections. He claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's campaign rally in Madurantakam drew massive crowds and assurances of greater development for the state. Meanwhile, PM Modi launched a sharp attack on the ruling DMK, labeling its government as "CMC"standing for Corruption, Mafia, and Crimeand predicting its exit from power. The opposition alliance is expanding with new parties joining as the state prepares for polls in the first half of this year.

Edappadi Palaniswami predicts a strong victory for the AIADMK-NDA alliance, while PM Modi attacks the ruling DMK as a "CMC" government ahead of state elections.

Chengalpattu, January 23 All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Friday said that the AIADMK-National Democratic Alliance was a strong and victorious alliance and asserted that it would win a majority of seats in Tamil Nadu.

Addressing the press conference here, he said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had chosen the soil of Maduranthakam for the first NDA election campaign in the state. Palaniswami further said that Prime Minister Modi had assured greater development for the state if the AIADMK-NDA alliance came to power.

"PM Modi has come to the first election campaign of NDA in Madhurandhagam soil. This public meeting was held as a conference, and nearly 5 lakh people attended. The AIADMK NDA alliance will win in 210 constituencies. It will increase but will not decrease. PM said the AIADMK-NDA alliance will win in large numbers, and when we win, Tamil Nadu will get as many schemes as he assured. He also said for the welfare of Tamil Nadu, and will make efforts to uplift Tamil Nadu," Palaniswami said.

Targeting the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), the AIADMK leader alleged corruption and failure of governance in the state.

"TN has a corrupt government now and an unsafe state. DMK is an evil force. Our Alliance is a strong and victorious alliance. When our alliance wins, we will take steps to ensure Tamil Nadu prospers," Palaniswami said.

"The only achievement of the DMK government is corruption. Stalin wants Udhayanidhi Stalin to be made the next CM. This election is the last election for DMK. The Prime Minister is with us. Our alliance is strong. Our alliance will win 210 seats in the coming assembly elections. Our PM have worked in such a way that the whole world is appreciating him. Bye-Bye Stalin," he added while addressing a rally earlier in the day.

He also claimed that the AIADMK-NDA alliance is expanding, with several parties already joining and more expected to join.

"Stalin said as many things. But today, PMK, AMMK and many parties joined our alliance and still many parties are to come and join our alliance. We can't tell openly which parties will come and join. When those parties come, we will give you clarification," he said.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit out at the ruling DMK-led alliance in poll-bound Tamil Nadu, saying the countdown to its exit has begun and that a BJP-NDA government will be formed in the state.

Addressing a public meeting in Madurantakam in Tamil Nadu's Chengalpattu district, PM Modi took several jibes at the DMK, saying the party has betrayed the trust of people and alleged that it is involved in corruption.

He said people are calling the "DMK government the CMC (corruption, mafia, crime) government".

"You gave DMK a full majority twice, but they broke the trust of the people of Tamil Nadu. DMK made heaps of promises but delivered zero work. People are now calling the DMK government the CMC government. CMC government means a government that promotes 'Corruption, Mafia, and Crime. The people of Tamil Nadu have now made up their minds to uproot both DMK and CMC. Here, a BJP-NDA double-engine government is certain to come to power," PM Modi said.

Tamil Nadu polls are due in the first half of this year, with the opposition NDA looking to defeat the DMK-led alliance. Actor-turned-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is also seeking to throw out the DMK government.

- ANI
Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu met with European Union Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Their discussions centered on strengthening bilateral cooperation in green aviation, innovation, and sustainable transportation systems, with a key focus on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The officials agreed to enhance collaboration between safety agencies EASA and DGCA on certification, cybersecurity, and drone regulations. An action plan was formulated to drive results in infrastructure, digital transformation, and to launch new initiatives like joint working groups and technology transfer programs.

Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu meets EU Transport Commissioner to advance Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), safety, and innovation cooperation.

Davos, January 23 Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, met with the European Union Transport Commissioner, Apostolos Tzitzikostas. Both held in-depth discussions on sustainability, innovation, and environmentally friendly transportation systems.

The meeting took place on Thursday at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos. The meeting strengthened India and the European Union relations with a focus on participating in the green aviation initiatives.

Innovation and sustainability were the meeting's focus areas. The meeting emphasised innovations such as Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), prioritising environmentally friendly transportation and green aviation. They decided to further strengthen European Union-India relations and increase participation in global green aviation initiatives.

The Minister clarified that further steps are being taken to improve safety standards. They agreed to strengthen cooperation between EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) and DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) in areas such as coordination, joint certification, cybersecurity, and drone regulations.

An action plan was formulated to deliver results across airport infrastructure, digital transformation, and sustainable development, the release said.

These discussions will contribute to job creation and attracting investments in India's aviation sector. New initiatives will be launched, including the signing of an MoU between EASA and DGCA, the establishment of joint working groups, and the implementation of technology transfer programs. These will be coordinated with Indian government schemes such as UDAN, taking the aviation sector to a global level, it added.

This meeting will be a strong step towards promoting environmental sustainability, improving safety, and encouraging innovation in India's aviation sector, the release stated.

- ANI
Actor Nimrat Kaur celebrated the 10th anniversary of the film *Airlift* by sharing a series of unseen behind-the-scenes photos with co-star Akshay Kumar on Instagram. Her emotional post expressed deep gratitude for the film, which was based on the real-life evacuation of Indians from Kuwait during the 1990 Gulf War. Fans flooded the comments with praise for the performances in the acclaimed drama. Kumar and Kaur played the lead roles of Ranjit Katyal and his wife Amrita, receiving significant acclaim for their work.

Nimrat Kaur marks Airlift's 10th anniversary with emotional unseen BTS photos featuring Akshay Kumar, revisiting the 2016 evacuation drama.

Mumbai, January 23 One of the most loved films, Airlift, has just turned 10. To celebrate this special day, actor Nimrat Kaur walked down memory lane as she shared an emotional post.

Taking to her Instagram account on Friday, Nimrat shared a series of unseen behind-the-scenes photos with Akshay Kumar, giving fans a special look at memories from the set of the 2016 film. The pictures included candid moments from the shoot, showcasing the making of Airlift. The photos brought back memories of the intense yet meaningful journey the cast and crew shared while working on the film.

While sharing the pictures, Nimrat wrote a note full of gratitude and emotion. Her caption read, "10 years ago today, this celluloid magic happened. The music, the moments, the love just keeps growing - as does my gratitude!!"

Soon after she posted, fans chimed in on the comment section with love and praise. One fan wrote, "Great show and amazing performances." Another added, "Loved each and everyone's performance in the show."

Released in 2016, Airlift was based on real events during the 1990 Gulf War, when thousands of Indians were rescued from Kuwait. Akshay Kumar played the role of Ranjit Katyal, a businessman who helps lead the evacuation, while Nimrat Kaur portrayed his on-screen wife, Amrita. Both actors were praised for their strong and honest performances.

Nimrat was last seen in the action drama Sky Force, opposite Akshay Kumar and newcomer Veer Pahariya.

- ANI
Photo: https://www.iaea.org/

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sybiha expressed gratitude to his partners in the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for convening an extraordinary meeting of the Board of Governors at his call to discuss the ongoing Russian strikes on Ukraine, and announced that it will take place on January 30.

"I am grateful to our partners in the IAEA Board of Governors for heeding my call to convene an extraordinary BoG meeting to address ongoing Russian strikes against Ukraine. I appreciate that this urgent call was supported by more than one-third of the IAEA Board of Governors membership. A surge in Moscows nuclear terror  targeted strikes on energy infrastructure of Ukraine essential for nuclear safety and security  warrant a resolute and immediate response by the world. We expect nothing less when the IAEA BoG gathers in Vienna on January 30th at Ukraines request," Sybiha said on the X social network.

The minister said international pressure on Russia should increase "as long as it keeps threatening nuclear safety and security in Europe and beyond."

As reported, earlier on Friday, First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Energy Denys Shmyhal called on the IAEA to completely isolate Russia, impose sanctions and suspend its membership in the organization. "The next meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors will be held at the end of January, convened at the request of Ukraine. The agency should raise the issue of Russias complete international isolation and suspension of its rights as a member state, whose actions threaten a global catastrophe and contradict the very purpose of the IAEA," he said.

Shmyhal also urged the IAEA to inform the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly about Russias violation of nuclear and radiation safety standards and initiate the application of appropriate international sanctions.

According to him, the current attacks on the energy system, key substations, and the transit of drones and missiles through nuclear plants indicate clear signs of nuclear terrorism within the meaning of international conventions.
The Albert Ekka Brigade conducted a "Know Your Army" camp at the Albert Ekka War Memorial in Agartala as a Republic Day initiative. The event featured displays of modern military weapons and equipment, with soldiers explaining their operational features to a large public audience. Interactive sessions and a quiz allowed students and citizens to engage directly with personnel about Army life, discipline, and career opportunities. The campaign aimed to foster patriotism, awareness, and trust between the Army and the public, while honoring the legacy of Param Vir Chakra recipient Lance Naik Albert Ekka.

Albert Ekka Brigade hosts interactive weapon display and session in Agartala, inspiring youth and strengthening public awareness of the Indian Army's role.

Agartala, January 23 In a run-up to the Republic Day celebrations, the Albert Ekka Brigade of the Red Shield Division successfully conducted a "Know Your Army" camp at the Albert Ekka War Memorial, Agartala. The event was aimed at fostering greater awareness and connecting with youth and citizens about the Indian Army's ethos, capabilities, and commitment to nation-building.

As part of the campaignon on Thursday, a weapon and equipment display was organised, showcasing a range of modern military weapons and systems. Soldiers explained the operational aspects, features and significance of the displayed equipment, thereby generating keen interest among the visitors who had turned up in large numbers.

An interactive session with Army personnel and a quiz formed the key highlight of the event, wherein students and the general public engaged directly with soldiers to learn about life in the Army, training standards, discipline and career opportunities. The interaction inspired many young minds and strengthened Military-Civil bonding.

The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from students, local residents and visitors, who appreciated the opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge about the Indian Army and its dedication towards safeguarding the nation.

The Albert Ekka Brigade continues to undertake such outreach initiatives to promote patriotism, awareness and mutual trust between the Army and the citizens it proudly serves.

Albert Ekka Brigade is a formation of the Indian Army named in honour of Lance Naik Albert Ekka, a Param Vir Chakra (PVC) recipient who made the supreme sacrifice during the 1971 Indo-Pak war.

Lance Naik Albert Ekka's bravery helped him defeat the enemy army in the 1971 India-Pakistan war. Despite the fact that he was in danger of being killed, Lance Naik Ekka continued to strive for victory. He attained martyrdom on the battlefield while fighting with unwavering courage.

His bravery helped India win the Battle of Gangasagar. Lance Naik Ekka was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, and his sacrifice for the motherland continues to inspire his countrymen to this day.

- ANI
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has called on banks to extensively provide loans to the renewable energy sector, noting strong government backing. He emphasized inclusive banking, urging large-scale lending to Scheduled Castes, Tribes, and Backward Classes to bridge economic disparities. The CM also revealed plans to establish Amaravati as a hub for financial institutions and stressed the need for strong support to the MSME sector. Furthermore, he highlighted progress in loan rescheduling and encouraged banks to reduce charges for certain community groups.

Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu urges banks to provide extensive loans to the renewable energy sector and MSMEs, aiming for inclusive growth.

Amaravati, Jan 23 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday asked banks to provide loans extensively to the renewable energy sector, saying the Central and state governments are giving top priority to the sector.

Stating that power distribution companies (DISCOMs) are also providing counter-guarantees, he urged bankers to take the initiative in providing loans to the renewable energy sector.

Presiding over the 233rd and 234th meetings of the State Level Bankers' Committee (SLBC) here, the Chief Minister underlined the need to ensure that no one in the state has to take loans from private individuals.

"Whether it's for agriculture or any other need, people should be able to go to banks and take loans. Bankers should work towards this goal," he said.

Naidu also called for providing loans on a large scale to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes to ensure progress of the underprivileged.

"As governments, we are doing what we need to do for the underprivileged... cooperation from the bankers is essential. The fruits of development should reach everyone. The disparities between the rich and the poor must disappear," he said

"We have estimated that there is a possibility of rescheduling loans worth Rs 2 lakh crore in Andhra Pradesh. So far, we have rescheduled Rs 49,000 crore. We were able to save Rs 1108 crore through loan rescheduling," he said

Chief Minister Naidu also revealed that the government intends to make the state capital, Amaravati, a hub for financial institutions. He noted that various financial sector institutions, including banks, are setting up their offices here.

Referring to the foundation stone laid recently for the offices of 15 banks, he said construction should pick up pace and be completed quickly.

He emphasised the need for strengthening Farmer-Producer Organisations on the lines of DWCRA groups.

Pointing out that 15 types of charges are being levied on DWCRA group bank accounts, he asked bankers to reduce these charges.

The Chief Minister instructed the bankers to provide greater encouragement to the MSME sector.

He asked them to give priority to MSMEs that support the weaker sections in businesses. The government and bankers need to stand as a strong support for MSMEs, he said.

He believed that with the encouragement of MSMEs, development can be achieved in all sectors.

Naidu said that the government is moving forward with the 'One Family - One Entrepreneur' policy and proceeding with plans to boost the service sector.

He claimed that the Central government is also ready to provide VGF for PPP projects.

It was revealed that various banks are providing support to those starting industries through Ratan Tata Innovation Hubs.

Representatives of Union Bank stated that their bank is supporting the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub headquarters in Amaravati.

Representatives of the respective banks explained that SBI and Bank of Baroda are supporting the Rajahmundry spoke hub, Canara Bank the Anantapur spoke hub, PNB the Visakhapatnam spoke hub, Indian Bank the Tirupati spoke hub, and HDFC Bank the Vijayawada spoke hub of Ratan Tata Innovation Hub.

- IANS
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot paid heartfelt tributes to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his birth anniversary, recalling his role as a former president of the Indian National Congress. Gehlot highlighted Bose's fearless leadership and his dedication to securing complete independence for India from British rule. He stated that Bose, along with Jawaharlal Nehru, energized the country's youth and that his sacrifice remains a guiding force. The day is celebrated nationally as Prakram Day to honor his indomitable spirit and inspire patriotism.

Former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot remembers Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose as a former Congress president and fearless freedom fighter on his birth anniversary.

Jaipur, Jan 23 Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday paid tribute to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his birth anniversary, remembering him as a former president of the Indian National Congress and one of the tallest leaders of India's freedom struggle.

"On the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, former president of the Indian National Congress and a towering figure of the freedom struggle, we pay him our heartfelt tributes," he added.

In a statement, Gehlot said that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, along with Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, infused new energy into the country's youth and strongly championed the demand for complete independence from British rule.

"Netaji was a symbol of fearlessness, courage, and unwavering determination. He dedicated his entire life to the service of the nation," Gehlot said.

The former CM added that Bose's sacrifice and patriotism would continue to inspire generations of Indians and remain a guiding force for the country. His sacrifice and patriotism will forever inspire us, Gehlot said further.

Bose's birth anniversary is celebrated across India on Friday. The day is also celebrated as Prakram Day.

A pivotal Indian freedom fighter, his birth anniversary is celebrated to commemorate his "indomitable spirit" and selfless service, inspiring Indians, especially the youth, with his bravery, patriotism, and dedication to the nation's liberation.

The day promotes values like courage, resilience, and unity, encouraging citizens to contribute to nation-building with fortitude, much like Netaji did against adversity.

Born on January 23, 1897, in Cuttack, Odisha, Bose was a brilliant student, earning a degree from the University of Calcutta and later going to England to prepare for the Indian Civil Services (ICS). However, his passion for India's freedom led him to abandon his ICS aspirations and join the Indian National Congress.

Bose quickly rose through the ranks of the INC, becoming known for his radical views and his advocacy for complete independence from British rule, as opposed to the more moderate approach favoured by some leaders. He was elected as the President of the INC in 1938 and 1939 but resigned due to differences with Mahatma Gandhi and other leaders over their non-violent approach.

- IANS
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the state will establish a Centre of Excellence in collaboration with the World Economic Forum. The decision was made during his interactions at the WEF Annual Meeting in Davos. The centre aims to align Assam's development with global best practices and attract quality investments. Sarma emphasized this partnership is a concrete step to boost employment, infrastructure, and economic resilience in the state.

Assam CM Himanta Sarma announces a Centre of Excellence with the World Economic Forum to boost policy innovation and global investment in the state.

Guwahati, Jan 23 Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said the state is set to establish a Centre of Excellence in collaboration with the World Economic Forum, marking a significant step towards strengthening the state's global economic engagement and policy innovation.

Sharing details of his interactions on the sidelines of the WEF Annual Meeting in Davos, CM Sarma said the decision was taken during a meeting with the WEF leadership team.

The proposed Centre of Excellence will focus on a theme of both national and state importance, aligning Assam's development priorities with global best practices and emerging economic trends.

"We have decided to set up a Centre of Excellence in Assam in collaboration with the World Economic Forum on a theme of national and state relevance. This initiative will help the state benefit from global knowledge networks and policy expertise," the Chief Minister said.

CM Sarma also underlined that Assam is building a long-term partnership with the WEF, which will enable the state to continuously leverage major WEF platforms, including its annual summits in Davos and other international forums.

According to him, this sustained engagement will provide Assam greater visibility among global investors, policymakers and thought leaders.

During his Davos interactions, the Chief Minister reiterated that Assam, despite being a relatively small state, follows a focused and inclusive investment approach.

He said the state treats every investor as a "VIP investor" and ensures personalised attention to each proposal, irrespective of size.

Highlighting the Northeast's growing economic significance, CM Sarma noted that the region is witnessing rapid infrastructure expansion, reflected in rising cement consumption and increased industrial activity.

He also pointed to Assam's untapped potential in sectors such as hydrocarbons, renewable energy, tourism and agri-based industries.

The Chief Minister said the Centre of Excellence, coupled with Assam's engagement at global platforms like the WEF, would help the state design forward-looking policies, attract quality investments and integrate more closely with global value chains.

CM Sarma added that Assam's presence at Davos is not merely symbolic but aimed at forging concrete partnerships that translate into employment, infrastructure growth and long-term economic resilience for the state.

- IANS
A report warns that Bangladesh risks becoming embedded in a China-Pakistan dominated military ecosystem through renewed defense procurement talks. Under interim leader Muhammad Yunus, Dhaka is exploring advanced Chinese hardware like J-10C jets and the jointly-developed JF-17 Thunder with Pakistan. This strategic shift, involving high-level military delegations, is seen as a gradual realignment towards Beijing, facilitated by Islamabad. The move could compromise Bangladesh's sovereignty and alter the regional balance of power in the Indo-Pacific.

Report warns Bangladesh's military deals with China and Pakistan could compromise its sovereignty and shift regional power balance.

Dhaka, Jan 23 Bangladesh risks being embedded in a Sino-Pakistan security ecosystem - one that serves Beijing's regional ambitions at the expense of Dhaka's national interest. Since Muhammad Yunus assumed office as the interim government's chief advisor in 2024, Bangladesh has renewed and broadened discussions on procuring advanced Chinese military hardware, including fourth-generation fighter jets such as the J-10C, a report highlighted on Friday.

According to a report in the leading Bangladeshi weekly 'Blitz', these negotiations are reportedly taking place not only directly with Beijing but also through Sino-Pakistani joint-venture mechanisms -further complicating Bangladesh's strategic position.

"When US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent Christensen publicly warned about the long-term risks of Chinese military and strategic entanglement, his remarks were not merely a routine diplomatic caution. They sounded more like an early alarm bell. Bangladesh, once viewed in Washington and New Delhi as a country that carefully balanced competing global interests, now appears to be edging toward a far deeper embrace of Beijing - with Pakistan quietly positioning itself as a facilitating partner in that transition," the report detailed.

"At the centre of this accelerating realignment stands Muhammad Yunus. Under his stewardship, Dhaka seems increasingly willing to recalibrate Bangladesh's geopolitical orientation, even if that recalibration comes at the cost of long-term sovereignty, strategic autonomy, and regional equilibrium. The shift is gradual, but the direction is unmistakable," it mentioned.

The report stated that Bangladesh's Armed Forces Division, led by Principal Staff Officer Lieutenant General S M Kamrul Hasan, has been actively involved in high-level defence discussions with Chinese counterparts.

"Multiple delegations have visited China in recent months to explore modernisation options for the Bangladesh Air Force, particularly the replacement of ageing aircraft fleets that are nearing the end of their operational life. In parallel, Dhaka has intensified discussions with Pakistan over the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet, a platform jointly developed by China and Pakistan and aggressively marketed by Islamabad as a 'cost-effective' multirole solution," it added.

The report stressed Bangladesh risks being trapped in a Beijing-Islamabad-dominated military ecosystem, with minimal scope for diversification or exit.

"The defence dimension is only one part of a broader pattern. Beyond arms and aircraft, Yunus's administration has opened the door wide for Chinese infrastructure penetration across sensitive regions of the country," it noted.

For the Indo-Pacific region, the report said, "this would mark yet another quiet but consequential shift in the balance of power, unfolding not through open confrontation, but through calculated alignment and gradual dependence."

- IANS
The Basant Panchami festival commenced at the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, following a Supreme Court order permitting both Hindu and Muslim communities to perform rituals. The court directed the district administration to provide exclusive, separate spaces for Hindu celebrations and Muslim Jumuah prayers, which coincided this year. Security has been significantly heightened with drone surveillance, AI monitoring, and deployments of mounted police, CRPF, and Rapid Action Force. The site, managed by the Archaeological Survey of India, is revered by Hindus as Bhojshala and by Muslims as the Kamal Maula mosque.

Basant Panchami prayers begin at Dhar's Bhojshala complex under Supreme Court order, with high security and separate spaces for Hindu puja and Muslim namaz.

Dhar, January 23 Basant Panchami prayers and celebrations commenced at the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex in Dhar on Friday, following a Supreme Court order allowing both Hindu and Muslim communities to perform their respective religious rituals at the site.

A devotee at the site said, "Akhand puja has started here. The administration will provide a separate space for offering namaz. The administration has made good preparations and arrangements."

Ashok Jain, patron of the Bhoj Utsav Committee, added, "The puja has started, and it will continue the entire day. There is happiness among people. There will be pooja rituals, aarti, and Dharma Sabha."

Furthermore, security at the complex has been heightened following the Supreme Court order. Horse-mounted police, the Rapid Action Force, and CRPF personnel have been deployed.

SP Dhar Mayank Awasthi stated, "Detailed security preparations with deployment of police, CRPF and Rapid Action Force have been done. Dhar has been divided into seven zones monitored by SP-level officers. Real-time monitoring using drones and CCTV cameras is underway. We have used AI technology to detect any abnormal activity. Drones will be used to monitor the route for the Shobha Yatra. As per SC orders, separate entry and exit points have been arranged."

Dhar District Collector Priyank Mishra added, "Everything will happen without any hindrance."

The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered an interim arrangement at the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, to allow both Hindu and Muslim communities to perform their religious practices on Basant Panchami, which happens to fall on a Friday - coinciding with Jumuah (special midday prayer).

A bench led by the Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant, passed the order while hearing a plea seeking a ban on offering namaz from sunrise to sunset on Basant Panchami to facilitate Hindu rituals at the site. The Court directed the district administration in Dhar to provide separate and exclusive spaces for both communities to carry out their respective rituals.

"After knowing that persons from the Muslim community are likely to come tomorrow from 1-3 pm, an exclusive space including separate entry and exit will be made available so that namaz can be taken at the prescribed time. Similarly, a separate space shall be made available to the Hindu community to hold the celebration of Basant Panchami," the court noted.

The Court also directed the district administration to take preventive steps to avoid any untoward incident.

The Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India and holds religious significance for both Hindus and Muslims. Hindus consider the site as Bhojshala, associated with Goddess Saraswati, while Muslims regard it as the Kamal Maula mosque.

Meanwhile, devotees gathered in large numbers at Sangam in Prayagraj during the annual Magh Mela to take a holy dip on the occasion of Basant Panchami on Friday.

In Ayodhya, devotees took a holy dip at Saryu Ghat and performed worship and prayers on the occasion of Basant Panchami. In Ujjain, a special Bhasma Aarti was performed at Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple.

- ANI
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced financial compensation for the families of workers killed and injured in a blast at a Chhattisgarh steel plant. The explosion in Balodabazar district resulted in six fatalities and five injuries. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has also expressed sorrow and promised a thorough investigation into the incident. Officials are coordinating to provide medical treatment and repatriate the remains of the deceased.

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar & Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai announce compensation & aid after a factory explosion killed 6 workers.

Patna, January 24 Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday expressed deep sorrow over the death of workers from Bihar in a blast at the Real Ispat and Steel plant in Bakulahi village of Chhattisgarh.

"Conveying his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, the Chief Minister announced an ex-gratia assistance of 2 lakh each from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund to the families of the deceased, and 50,000 each to the injured workers. He wished the injured a speedy recovery and directed the Resident Commissioner, New Delhi, to coordinate with the Chhattisgarh government to ensure proper medical treatment for the injured. He also instructed officials to make necessary arrangements for bringing the mortal remains of the deceased to Bihar," Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said on X.

He also instructed officials to make necessary arrangements for bringing the mortal remains of the deceased to Bihar.

At least six people were killed and five others injured in an explosion at an iron plant in Chhattishgarh's Balodabazar district on Thursday, district administration officials said.

Balodabazar Collector Deepak Soni confirmed the incident, adding that the injured workers have been referred to Bilaspur for further treatment.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic explosion at a sponge iron factory in the Bakulahi area of Baloda Bazar district, in which six workers lost their lives, and five others were injured. The injured have been referred to Bilaspur for advanced medical treatment.

"The Chief Minister conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and assured that all possible assistance would be provided to them during this difficult time. He said clear instructions have been issued to the district administration to ensure proper treatment of the injured and to conduct a thorough and factual investigation into the causes of the accident. The Chief Minister reiterated that the Chhattisgarh government stands shoulder to shoulder with the affected families," Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai said on X.

- ANI
The budget session of the Assam Legislative Assembly has been summoned to begin on February 16, 2026, with the state budget likely on February 17. Concurrently, the Union Parliament's Budget Session is scheduled from January 28 to April 2, featuring 30 sittings. The central government's Union Budget for 2026-27 will be presented on February 1, following an all-party meeting convened on January 27. The parliamentary session will formally commence with an address by the President of India to both houses.

Assam's budget session begins Feb 16, 2026. Parliament's session starts Jan 28, with the Union Budget on Feb 1 and President's address.

Guwahati, January 23 The budget session of Assam Legislative Assembly is set to begin from February 16.

In a notification issued by the Assam Legislative Assembly Secretariat stated, "In exercise of the powers conferred under Article 174(1) of the Constitution of lndia, as amended up-to-date, I, Shri Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Governor of Assam, hereby summon the Budget Session (Vote on Account) of the Assam Legislative Assembly to meet at 9.30 A.M. on Monday, the 16th February, 2026 at the Assembly Chamber in Dispur."

According to the Assam Legislative Assembly Secretariat, the Assam Governor, Lakshman Prasad Acharya, will attend the session on the first day, and the state budget will likely be tabled on February 17, but the date will be finalised at the BAC meeting.

Meanwhile, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiran Rijiju will convene an all-party meeting of floor leaders of both Houses of Parliament on January 27, ahead of the upcoming Budget Session.

As per sources, the meeting is scheduled to be held in the main Committee Room of Parliament. The government is expected to discuss important national issues and legislative business likely to come before the Houses during the upcoming session.

The Budget Session will commence on January 28 and continue till April 2, with one break. The first phase is scheduled from January 28 to February 13, while the second phase will run from March 9 to April 2. A total of 30 sittings are expected during the session.

The Union Budget 2026-27 will be presented on February 1.

The session will formally begin with the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, addressing members of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

The all-party meeting on January 27 is expected to set the agenda and ensure smooth proceedings for the forthcoming Budget Session of Parliament.

- ANI
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has firmly rejected US President Donald Trump's assertion that Canada relies on the United States for its existence. Speaking in Quebec City, Carney emphasized Canada's sovereignty while acknowledging the strong bilateral partnership. Trump made the comments at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he also reiterated his ambition to control Greenland and criticized Europe's direction. The exchange highlights ongoing tensions in the transatlantic relationship under Trump's leadership.

Canadian PM Mark Carney asserts sovereignty, countering Trump's Davos remark that "Canada lives because of the United States."

Ottawa, Jan 23 Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney rejected US President Donald Trump's claim that Canada relies on the United States for its existence.

Speaking in Quebec City, Carney emphasised Ottawa's sovereignty and addressed Trump's comments after returning from Switzerland without meeting with the US president, Xinhua news agency reported.

On Wednesday, Trump said at the World Economic Forum in Davos that "Canada lives because of the United States."

"Canada and the United States have built a remarkable partnership. In the economy, in security and in rich cultural exchange," Carney said. "But Canada doesn't live because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadian."

Trump also reiterated his ambition to control Greenland, which threatens to tear apart relations with several of its closest allies, as Washington's relationship with Europe faces a hostile transition under Trump's leadership of the US superpower.

Trump proclaimed America as an "economic engine on the planet" and slammed Europe, saying parts of the continent were "not recognizable."

"The USA is the economic engine on the planet. And when America booms, the entire world booms. It's been the history," he said at Davos, adding, "I love Europe, and I want to see Europe go good, but it's not heading in the right direction." The US cares about the people of Europe, he went on, reiterating his "deep bond" with the continent he shares his ancestry with.

- IANS
US President Donald Trump has sharply criticized Canada for opposing his proposed "Golden Dome" missile defense system over Greenland and for pursuing a new trade agreement with China. Trump warned on Truth Social that China would "eat them up" within a year, framing Canada's choice as a security risk. His comments target Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who recently promoted the China deal and spoke of a fading rules-based order, contrasting with US tariff policies. The dispute highlights deepening strategic and economic fissures between the long-time allies as Canada diversifies its partnerships.

Trump warns Canada that China will "eat them up" for rejecting the US "Golden Dome" missile defense project over Greenland in favor of a trade deal with Beijing.

Washington DC, January 24 US President Donald Trump on Friday slammed Canada for rejecting his proposed "Golden Dome" missile defence project over Greenland, warning that Beijing could "eat them up" within a year as the northern neighbour chooses closer ties with China over US-backed security.

On Truth Social, Trump wrote, "Canada is against The Golden Dome being built over Greenland, even though The Golden Dome would protect Canada. Instead, they voted in favour of doing business with China, who will 'eat them up' within the first year!"

Trump's outburst comes amid escalating tensions between the US and its northern neighbour, following recent remarks by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.

On Wednesday, during his address at the 56th Annual Summit of the WEF, Trump criticised Carney, asserting that Canada should be more "grateful" to the US for the "freebies" it receives, including security protections.

"Canada gets a lot of freebies from us, by the way. They should also be grateful, but they're not. I saw your Prime Minister yesterday; he wasn't so grateful. They should be grateful to us," Trump said, adding that his plan to build a "Golden Dome" missile defence system will also provide protection to Canada.

"Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements," Trump said, underscoring the strategic and security role of the US in protecting its northern neighbour.

Trump's remarks were aimed at Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who, in his WEF address, highlighted "an era of great power rivalry, where the rules-based order is fading," and also opposed tariff coercion, in a veiled reference to Washington's use of the financial tool to acquire Greenland.

On January 17, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a new trade agreement with China. Carney said that the deal would open markets for Canadian businesses and workers.

In a post on 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."

In a statement by the Canadian Prime Minister's Office said, "In a more divided and uncertain world, Canada is building a stronger, more independent, and more resilient economy. To that end, Canada's new government is working with urgency and determination to diversify trade partnerships and catalyse massive new levels of investment. As the world's second-largest economy, China presents enormous opportunities for Canada in this mission."

Canada has agreed to cut its 100 per cent tariff on Chinese electric cars in return for lower tariffs on Canadian farm products, CBS News reported.

Carney said there would be an initial annual cap of 49,000 vehicles on Chinese EV exports to Canada, growing to about 70,000 over five years. China will reduce its total tariff on canola seeds, a major Canadian export, from 84 per cent to about 15 per cent, as per CBS News.

Carney said China has become a more predictable partner to deal with than the US.

"Our relationship has progressed in recent months with China. It is more predictable and you see results coming from that," Carney said, as quoted by CBS News.

Canada faces 35 per cent levy on its goods. Canada is affected by the blanket 50 per cent levy on imported metals and 25 per cent on non-US automobiles.

Meanwhile, China and US arm-twisted each other with threats of 100 per cent tariffs but after US President Donald Trump and Xi Jinping's meeting, the tariffs were exempted on a portion of Chinese products until November 10, 2026.

- ANI
Photo: https://t.me/zedigital

Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov reported on a meeting with Charge d'Affaires in Ukraine Julie Davis, the U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, during which the parties discussed organizing joint analytics on the use of American Patriot, HIMARS and other systems, based on data from the battlefield.

"This will allow us to jointly develop these systems and make them even more effective," Fedorov said in Telegram on Friday following the meeting.

The parties also discussed "another priority  laser-guided artillery shells, which significantly increase the accuracy and depth of damage." "We count on U.S. support in this matter," the minister said.

Fedorov reported on the work to ensure that the Americans could directly test Ukrainian drones within the framework of the Drone Deal "without unnecessary bureaucracy."

"He spoke about the work with partners on the continuation of PURL and another American mechanism  JumpStart, which ensures long-term supply of critical weapons manufactured in the United States. To protect the sky, it is important to have a clear forecast of air defense missile supplies for this year as soon as possible and to build reliable supplies for years to come," the head of the department said.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan warmly welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Thiruvananthapuram for the inauguration of major development projects. He highlighted the significance of projects like the CSIR-NIIST Innovation Hub and new Amrit Bharat Express trains for the state's progress. The CM expressed gratitude for the Centre's clearance of long-pending projects, calling it a moment of satisfaction for the state government. He voiced hope for continued central support to address Kerala's other genuine demands in the future.

CM Pinarayi Vijayan welcomes PM Modi to Kerala, expressing satisfaction over Centre's clearance for major development projects and new rail services.

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 23 Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday extended a warm welcome to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived in Thiruvananthapuram to inaugurate and launch a series of major development projects, describing the occasion as a "cherished moment of satisfaction" for Kerala.

Welcoming the Prime Minister at the official function, the Chief Minister also greeted dignitaries on the dais, including Governor Rajendra V. Arlekar, Thiruvananthapuram Mayor V.V. Rajesh, Union Minister of State George Kurian, Local Self-Government Minister M.B. Rajesh, MP Shashi Tharoor, former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, senior officials and beneficiaries of various welfare schemes.

CM Vijayan said the Prime Minister's visit to Kerala to inaugurate and dedicate multiple projects would go a long way in accelerating the state's development.

He highlighted the laying of the foundation stone for the CSIR-NIIST Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship Hub, the inauguration of the new Poojappura Head Post Office building, and the launch of the PM SVANidhi scheme benefiting one lakh street vendors.

The Chief Minister noted that the function also included the handing over of credit cards and loan disbursement cheques to beneficiaries under the scheme.

The Chief Minister further pointed to the flagging off of three Amrit Bharat Express trains and one passenger train by the Prime Minister, describing the new rail services as being of "great significance" to Kerala in terms of connectivity and economic activity.

"This is a cherished moment of satisfaction to the state government, as we have been consistently seeking the Union government's green signal for many of these projects," CM Vijayan said, expressing gratitude to the Prime Minister for clearing them.

He voiced hope that the Centre's "concern and goodwill" towards Kerala would continue in the future as well, and that the state's genuine demands in other sectors would also be addressed in due course.

The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the Prime Minister would ensure the implementation of such projects in a time-bound manner.

Concluding his address, CM Vijayan once again welcomed Prime Minister Modi on behalf of the state and on his own behalf, setting a tone of cooperative federalism at a programme that marked a significant development milestone for Kerala.

- IANS
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen declared Denmark's sovereignty as non-negotiable ahead of an EU emergency summit. She called for a permanent NATO presence in the Arctic region, including around Greenland. Her comments come amid recent tariff threats from the US concerning Greenland, though those were later dropped. Frederiksen emphasized that transatlantic cooperation must be based on mutual respect and without threats.

Danish PM Mette Frederiksen asserts sovereignty is a red line, calls for permanent NATO presence in the Arctic amid US tariff threats.

Brussels, Jan 23 The status of Denmark as a sovereign state cannot be negotiated, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said ahead of an emergency European Council summit in Brussels.

She said Denmark has asked the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to strengthen its presence in the Arctic region. "We need a permanent presence from NATO in the Arctic region, including around Greenland."

Frederiksen reaffirmed that the kingdom's sovereignty is the red line. "We have said from the very beginning that our status as a sovereign state is not up for discussion and cannot be changed," she added.

Noting that Denmark has been working closely with the United States for many years, she underlined that cooperation must be based on mutual respect and without threats, Xinhua news agency reported.

"When Europe is not divided, when we stand together, and when we are clear and strong in our willingness to stand for ourselves, then the results will show," she added.

In the face of the latest tariff threats on Greenland from US President Donald Trump, the European Council planned to hold an emergency summit in Brussels on Thursday evening.

However, posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump announced on Wednesday that he decided to drop the planned tariffs on eight European countries as a "framework for a future deal" on Greenland and the Arctic area had emerged from talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

- IANS
The European Union's new Generalised System of Preferences regulation will impact only 2.66% of India's exports to the bloc, indicating a limited trade effect. The regulation, effective from January 2026 to December 2028, will see approximately 1.66 billion of trade graduate out of the GSP regime. Notably, agricultural product lines remain unaffected, with only the leather sector being reinstated in the non-agricultural category. The suspension covers thirteen specific GSP sections, including textiles, chemicals, machinery, and vehicles.

New EU GSP regulations from 2026-2028 will impact just 2.66% of India's exports, with key sectors like agriculture unaffected.

New Delhi, January 23 The European Union Generalised System of preferences regulation impacts only 2.66% of India's exports to the European Union, underscoring the limited trade effect of EU's GSP Regulations 2025, effective from January 1 this year, according to an official from the Commerce Ministry.

The European Union's Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) is a unilateral trade preference scheme under which the EU grants reduced or zero customs duties to imports from developing and least-developed countries.

The GSP is non-reciprocal and operates as an exception to the WTO's Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) principle. Its permanent legal basis under WTO law is the 1979 Enabling Clause, which allows developed countries to grant differential and more favourable treatment to developing countries, the official said.

In 2023, EU imports from India amounted to approximately EUR 62.2 billion. Of this, only EUR 12.9 billion was eligible under the EU's Standard GSP framework. India has graduated from 12 major product categories. As per new Regulation, EUR 1.66 billion of trade is expected to graduate out of GSP regime leaving the eligible GSP trade to be EUR 11.24 billion as per 2023 data, the official said.

The European Commission has adopted Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1909, laying down rules for the suspension of specific tariff preferences for certain GSP beneficiary countries, including India, for the period 2026-2028. The regulation formally entered into force from 1 January 2026 until 31 December 2028.

"Under the new GSP treatment, agricultural lines are not graduated. In the non-agricultural sector, only leather has been reinstated," the official said.

The official said that suspension covers thirteen specific GSP sections such as Mineral products; Inorganic and organic chemicals; Plastics and articles thereof; Rubber and articles thereof; Textiles; Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica or similar materials; ceramic products; glass and glassware; Pearls and precious metals; Iron, steel and articles of iron and steel; Base metals (excl. iron and steel), articles of base metals (excl. iron and steel); Machinery and mechanical appliances; electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; Railway or tramway locomotives, rolling-stock; Motor vehicles, bicycles, aircraft and spacecraft, ships and boats.

Notably, there are three tiers under the scheme. One is standard GSP for low and lower-middle income developing countries that meet certain conditions. India gets the benefit under standard GSP.

Second is GSP+ which is an enhanced incentive scheme; countries must ratify and implement a set of international conventions on labour, human rights, environment, governance.

The official said that the third is Everything But Arms (EBA) in which the least developed countries get duty-free, quota-free access for all goods except arms.

- ANI
India is the Partner Country at the Gulfood 2026 trade event in Dubai, underscoring its role as a key sourcing destination for global food security. The Indian Pavilion has doubled in size, featuring 161 exhibitors from 25 states showcasing region-specific and GI-tagged products. A dedicated startup zone, the 'BHARATI Pavilion', highlights eight innovative agri-tech companies selected from over 100 applicants. This expanded participation is aligned with the enhanced market access provided by the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

India is the Partner Country at Gulfood 2026, doubling its pavilion size to highlight GI-tagged goods, organic produce, and innovative agri-startups.

New Delhi, Jan 23 India's participation at the 'Gulfood 2026' event is aligned with the opportunities emerging from the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which has strengthened bilateral trade ties and enhanced market access for Indian agri and food products in the Gulf region, an official statement said on Friday.

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is participating at the 'Gulfood 2026'.

India is the Partner Country at the event from January 26-30, underscoring its strategic importance as a reliable sourcing destination and a key contributor to global food security and resilient supply chains.

According to Commerce Ministry, exhibitors from 25 States and regions are participating, reflecting India's vast agricultural and regional diversity.

The participation highlights region-specific agri-products, GI-tagged items, organic produce and value-added food products, demonstrating India's expanding engagement in international agri-trade.

The statement said that the Indian Pavilion has doubled in size compared to last year, reflecting the expanding footprint of Indian agri-food exports, increasing global demand for Indian products and enhanced participation from exporters, institutions and startups.

It features 161 exhibitors across a wide range of categories, including processed foods, fresh and frozen products, pulses, grains and cereals, beverages, value-added food products and agri-export startups.

The Indian Pavilion brings together exporters, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), cooperatives, startups, State Government agencies and national institutions, presenting a comprehensive view of India's agri-food ecosystem and export readiness, said the statement.

Located in the Startup Zone at the Dubai World Trade Centre, the 'BHARATI Pavilion' features eight high-potential Indian startups, selected through a national-level process from over 100 applicants.

These startups are showcasing innovative products, technology-driven solutions and export-enabling offerings aligned with APEDA's Farm to Foreign vision.

While Dubai Expo City hosts the World Food Hall, Pulses, Grains and Cereals Hall and Gulfood Green, focusing on sustainability, innovation and future food systems, the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) hosts the Beverage Hall and the Startup Hall, including the BHARATI Pavilion.

- IANS
The Guwahati Asian Film Festival's second day saw enthusiastic, houseful screenings of films from Assam, Manipur, and Vietnam. The festival, showcasing 26 films from 10 Asian countries over four days, is organized with support from NFDC and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The third day's lineup includes diverse features from India, Hong Kong, Mongolia, and South Korea, alongside masterclasses by critics and filmmakers. The festival aims to strengthen film culture and cross-border cultural exchange in Northeast India.

The 2026 Guwahati Asian Film Festival surges with packed screenings, 26 films from 10 Asian countries, and masterclasses on indie filmmaking.

Guwahati, Jan 23 The second day of the 2026 edition of the Guwahati Asian Film Festival at Jyoti Chitraban built on the momentum of its opening day, witnessing houseful screenings and strong audience engagement, officials said on Friday.

According to an official statement, five films from Assam, Manipur and Vietnam were screened during the day, drawing enthusiastic footfall across categories. The festival celebrates the richness of Asian and Indian cinema through a curated lineup of 26 films screened over four days.

The festival is organised by Trending Now Media with support from the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.

Meanwhile, on January 24 (Saturday), the third day of the festival will feature Assamese film 'River Tales' (Noi Kotha) by Dr Pankaj Borah, Marathi feature 'Blossoming Almond' by Nehal Ghodke, Malayalam film 'Victoria' by Sivaranjini, Tulu film 'Imbu' by Shivdhwaj Shetty, Bengali film 'Parobasi' (Ethnic Migration) by Monet Roy Saha, 'Let's Have a Cup of Doodh Patti Chai' by Brian Hung (Hong Kong), 'If Only I Could Hibernate' by Zoljargal Purevdash (Mongolia), 'A Poet of the River' by Jungkook Han (South Korea), and Assamese film 'Kok Kok Kokook' by Maharshi Tuhin Kashyap.

The third day will also feature three engaging workshops, masterclasses and in-conversation sessions aimed at strengthening discussion on film culture in the region. A masterclass on 'Ways of Sensing Cinema: Film Review and Appreciation' by film critic Christopher Dalton will guide audiences on critical viewing and analysis.

Filmmaker Utpal Borpujari and filmmaker, educator and curator Anupama Bose will also lead a discussion on 'Indie Films: How to Navigate Funds, Festivals and Futures'.

The second edition of GAFF will continue till January 25 at Jyoti Chitraban, Guwahati, showcasing 26 regional, national and international films from across 10 Asian countries.

Positioned as the only Asian film festival of its kind in this part of the country, GAFF has carved a unique space in India's cultural landscape by bringing Asian cinema to the Northeast and fostering sustained cross-border cultural exchange, the official release mentioned.

- IANS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his 129th birth anniversary, commemorated as Parakram Diwas. He praised Bose's fearless leadership and stated his ideals continue to inspire the nation. President Droupadi Murmu also honored Bose, highlighting his role in leading the Indian National Army and awakening national spirit. The government officially designated January 23 as Parakram Diwas in 2021, with subsequent memorials including a hologram statue at India Gate.

PM Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu honor Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his birth anniversary, Parakram Diwas, recalling his courage and patriotism.

New Delhi, January 23 On the occasion of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's 129th birth anniversary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday recalled the courage and contribution of the freedom fighter, stating that "his ideals continue to inspire generations."

Highlighting Bose's patriotism on his birth anniversary, also known as Parakram Diwas, the PM took to X to post, "On the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, which is commemorated as Parakram Diwas, we recall his indomitable courage, resolve and unparalleled contribution to the nation."

Praising his ideas as timeless and an inspiration for generations, he further added, "He epitomised fearless leadership and unwavering patriotism. His ideals continue to inspire generations to build a strong India."

President Murmu also paid tribute to Bose with an X post, highlighting his influence in the Indian Army during the Freedom Struggle.

"On the occasion of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's birth anniversary, observed as Parakram Diwas, I offer my humble tribute to this great leader of India's freedom struggle. His call for independence awakened a spirit of courage, self-confidence, unity, and nationalism in the hearts of millions of Indians. Through the Indian National Army, he not only provided decisive leadership to India's freedom movement but also elevated it to the international stage. His ideals continue to inspire every Indian even today." the post read.

In 2021, the central government officially designated January 23 as Parakram Diwas to mark the birth anniversary of Subhas Chandra Bose.

The year 2022 saw the unveiling of a hologram statue of Netaji at India Gate, New Delhi, and in 2023, 21 unnamed islands in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago were named after the 21 Param Vir Chakra Awardees. In 2024, the Prime Minister inaugurated the event at the historic Red Fort in Delhi, the site of the INA trials.

- ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a heartfelt tribute to Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray on his birth centenary, highlighting his sharp intellect, powerful oratory, and unwavering ideology. Thackeray, a journalist and cartoonist before entering politics, founded the Shiv Sena in 1966 with the core slogan "Maharashtra for Maharashtrians." He became one of the most powerful figures in the state for decades without ever holding a constitutional post or contesting elections. His enduring legacy includes the renaming of Bombay to Mumbai during the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance government in 1995.

PM Narendra Modi honors Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray on his 100th birth anniversary, praising his vision, intellect, and lasting impact on Maharashtra.

New Delhi, Jan 23 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday paid a heartfelt tribute to Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray on his birth centenary, stating that his vision for Maharashtra's progress continues to inspire generations and that efforts will always be made to realise his ideals.

Taking to social media platform X, the Prime Minister said, "On the birth centenary of the late Shri Balasaheb Thackeray, a figure who profoundly influenced Maharashtra's socio-political landscape, we pay heartfelt tribute to this towering personality."

PM Modi highlighted Balasaheb Thackeray's sharp intellect, powerful oratory and unwavering ideological commitment.

"Known for his sharp intellect, powerful oratory, and unwavering ideology, Balasaheb shared a unique bond with the people. Besides politics, he also had a keen interest in culture, literature, and journalism. His career as a cartoonist reflected his keen observation of society and fearless commentary on various issues," he said.

The Prime Minister further added, "His vision for Maharashtra's progress continues to inspire us, and we will always strive to realise it."

Balasaheb Thackeray, born on January 23, 1926, in Pune, Maharashtra, and who passed away on November 17, 2012, in Mumbai, was an Indian journalist, cartoonist and politician. He was the founder of the Shiv Sena, a political party that went on to become a dominant force in the politics of Maharashtra. Known for advocating a strong pro-Hindu ideology, Thackeray left a lasting imprint on the state's political and cultural identity.

He began his professional journey in the early 1950s as a cartoonist for a journal in Mumbai. His cartoons also appeared in international publications such as Japan's 'Asahi Shimbun' and the Sunday edition of The New York Times. Over time, his keen political observations drew him increasingly towards active politics.

In the 1960s, Thackeray launched a weekly Marathi-language journal, 'Marmik', along with his brother. Through the publication, he strongly criticised the growing influence of 'outsiders' -- particularly migrants from southern India and Gujarat -- whom he believed were depriving local Maharashtrians of employment opportunities. This sentiment laid the foundation for the formation of the Shiv Sena in 1966, with the slogan "Maharashtra for Maharashtrians" at its core.

Despite never holding any constitutional post or contesting elections, Thackeray was widely regarded as one of the most powerful figures in Maharashtra for several decades. He was often referred to as the 'godfather of Maharashtra' and was revered by his supporters as Hindu Hridaysamrat (Emperor of Hindu Hearts).

Such was Thackeray's power that when the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance government came to power in 1995, he made sure that Bombay was renamed Mumbai after Goddess Mumbadevi -- the name by which the city is known in the Marathi language.

- IANS
The representative of Iran's Supreme Leader has expressed confidence that India will continue to work effectively on the strategic Chabahar port project. India is currently engaged with the United States to secure a time-bound sanctions waiver for the port, which is set to expire in April 2026. The port is crucial for India to access Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan. Meanwhile, the US has announced a 25% tariff on countries doing business with Iran, adding another layer of complexity to the partnership.

Iran's Supreme Leader representative expresses hope for Chabahar port progress as India engages US on sanctions waiver. Bilateral ties span 3,000 years.

New Delhi, January 23 Emphasising the long-standing civilisational and cultural ties between India and Iran, Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, Representative of Iran's Supreme Leader, has expressed confidence in progress on the Chabahar port in his country, in which India is a development partner.

In an exclusive interview with ANI, Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi said that the history of the relationship and collaboration between Iran and India dates back 3,000 years before the emergence of Islam.

"The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran always insists on good relations and collaboration between Iran and India...Till now Indian government never affected by sanction of other countries and two governments want to have good relationship and collaboration and I hope that in Chabahar they will work nicely," he said.

He was asked about the fate of the strategically-located Chabahar port, where India has made investments.

India said last week that it is engaging with the United States to ensure that work linked to India's projects at Iran's Chabahar Port continues under a time-bound sanctions waiver from Washington, which is set to expire on April 26 this year.

"On the question of Chabahar, on 28 October, 2025, as you are aware, the US Department of Treasury had issued a letter outlining guidance, the guidance on the Conditional Sanctions Waiver, which is valid until 26 April, 2026. We remain engaged with the US side in working out this arrangement," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said in the weekly media briefing.

India is also monitoring developments related to the 25 per cent additional tariffs announced by the United States for countries doing business with Iran.

US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social earlier this month that any country doing business with Iran will face a 25 per cent tariff. The tariff will be applicable on "any and all business being done with the United States of America and is effective immediately," Trump said.

Answering a query, Jaiswal said that India-Iran bilateral trade stands at USD 1.6 billion, with exports to Iran at USD 1.2 billion and imports at USD 0.4 billion.

India proposed developing the Chabahar Port in 2003 to provide an alternative route for Indian goods to reach landlocked Afghanistan and Central Asia via road and rail connectivity under the International North-South Transport Corridor, bypassing Pakistan.

The progress on the project had slowed earlier due to US sanctions on Iran linked to its suspected nuclear programme. To operationalise India's role at the port, a long-term agreement was signed between Indian Ports Global Limited (IPGL) and the Port & Maritime Organisation of Iran. The agreement replaces the initial 2016 pact covering India's role at the Shahid Beheshti terminal in Chabahar Port, which had been extended annually.

Answering another query, Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi said the history of the relationship and collaboration between Iran and India dates back 3,000 years before the emergence of Islam.

"Even at that time, we were using philosophical books of India. Even at the university, we studied philosophical books of India, and in mathematics, astronomy, and medicine, we were also using your civilisation, your knowledge, and we always learned through our schools the relationship between Iran and India," he said.

He said Iran has economic problems due to sanctions against it and some people are angry "but other people use this opportunity to reach their target and achieve their aims" and noted that the situation at the moment "is very good, under control" and is not like what is being mentioned on some social media handles.

Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi said that there is need to distinguish between "reality of the situation" and "imagination" about the situation in Iran.

"Concerning the situation in Iran, actually we have two things which we have to divide and differentiate between them. The first one is the fact and the reality of the situation. The second one is imagination, which is created by the journalist's narration, by the enemies, or by other people. There is a very deep gap between these two realities," he said.

"The first one is fact, reality, and the second one is imagination...Yes, we have economic problems; some are angry with the situation of the economy, which was created by some countries against Iran, based on the sanctions. But other people use this opportunity to reach their target and achieve their aims. Now, at the moment, the situation is very good, is under control and is not as much as mentioned on social media," he added.

Asked about people killed in Iran during the crackdown on nationwide protests, Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, said there are some people who are killed, but the numbers are not clear..

"At first, these protesters attacked civilians, policemen, and businessmen and killed them as they wanted to benefit from this situation, and they mentioned that these people were killed by policemen, which is not true...Yes, the number of killings was mentioned by some organisations which are based in the UK, the US, and in European countries or other countries. But these numbers are incorrect and fake. They want to increase the number of killings to mention that the government killed them," he said.

- ANI
US President Donald Trump expressed hope that upcoming trilateral talks in the UAE between the US, Russia, and Ukraine will help save lives. He criticized the cost of the war under the Biden administration and reiterated his claim of having resolved other conflicts swiftly. Trump stated the initiative is aimed more at benefiting Europe than the United States directly. He also confirmed having a "good meeting" with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Ahead of trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi, Trump discusses meetings with Zelenskyy, concessions from Putin, and his focus on saving European lives.

Washington DC, January 23 US President Donald Trump is hopeful that the upcoming trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States in the UAE would "help save a lot of lives". Reiterating his claim of having resolved several wars, Trump said that his initiatives are aimed more towards Europe than the US.

Trump made the remarks while speaking to the press on board Air Force One while returning from Davos.

On his conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US President Donald Trump said, "We had a conversation. I've had numerous conversations on Ukraine. It would be nice to end the war... it costs us nothing. We make money. I don't want to make money, but we make money. Biden spent $350 billion stupidly and lost a lot of money. But it's not about the money. It's about 25,000 to 30,000 soldiers a month being killed...I've have numrous good meetings with President Zelenskyy. It's funny. I put out a 35-year war in a day, a 32-year war in two days. In other wars, the worst was like four days. But this one goes on and on forever. And actually, they may have been more complex..."

Trump on Thursday held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, with the war in Ukraine remaining a key focus of discussions at the summit. According to CNN, the meeting concluded after lasting around an hour.

After the closed-door interaction, Zelenskyy's communications advisor said he had a "good meeting" with Trump in Davos on Thursday.

On the United States, Russia and Ukraine to hold trilateral talks in UAE, the US President added, "Anytime we meet, it's good. If we don't meet, nothing's going to happen. In the first three years, nobody met under Biden... So we are meeting, and we'll see what happens. I hope we can save a lot of lives, that's all."

When asked about the kind of concessions Putin needs to make, Trump said, "Everybody's making concessions to get it done. Europe is going to be a part of it. It's more for Europe than for me. I mean, I'm doing this more for Europe than for me. I'm doing it to save lives. I'm doing it for Europe... It doesn't affect us very much... I have the ability to get things done like this, and we'll see if I can get it done... I thought Putin wanted the whole thing. Maybe he does, but he's not going to be going there unless we don't make a deal..."

Speaking about his recent conversation with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado today, Trump praised Machado and said, "We have a very good relationship. She's a good woman, a very nice woman. She's been through a lot, and at the same time, I'll tell you, they're doing a very good job in Venezuela. So, it's interesting. I get along with both sides. I get along with everybody but the media. The fake news that I don't get along, but I get along with everybody..."

- ANI
Iran's representative to India criticized international organizations like the UN for losing global influence and being controlled by a select few countries. He firmly stated that Iran's religious leadership forbids nuclear weapons, making their pursuit "haram," while asserting the right to peaceful nuclear technology. The interview coincided with the release of an official Iranian death toll from recent anti-government protests, citing 3,117 killed. The protests, which began over economic issues, sparked a widespread crackdown that drew international condemnation.

Iran's representative says international bodies are controlled by few nations, asserts nuclear weapons are forbidden, as official protest death toll is revealed.

New Delhi, January 24 Abdul Majid Hakeem Illahi, Representative of the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei, in India, said that international organisations have lost their influence in the world.

Ilahi, in an interview with ANI, said that the organisations are controlled by a select few countries.

"Actually we can say that some international organisations lost their influence in the world and some of them are controlled by some countries and we hope that the international organisation takes their responsibilities and they do what is good and it's in the benefit of the people and in the for the countries," he said when asked about the emergency meeting organised by the UN.

Responding to questions on Iran's nuclear programme, Ilahi said that Iran has never sought to develop nuclear weapons and remains committed to the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

He said that according to a religious decree, or fatwa, issued by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the possession and use of nuclear weapons are forbidden in Islam.

"According to the fatwa of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, Iran never wanted to have nuclear weapons because it is haram," he said.

Ilahi added that while Iran rejects nuclear weapons, it has the right to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. He said Iran's nuclear programme is focused on social development and humanitarian needs, including medical treatment and energy production.

"Iran, at the same time, wants to have nuclear peaceful power for some social and humanitarian treatment," he said.

Meanwhile, Iranian state television has released the first official death toll from the recent anti-government protests that engulfed the country, reporting that 3,117 people were killed during the crackdown, as reported by Al Jazeera. In a statement carried by Press TV on Wednesday, Iran's Martyrs Foundation said that 2,427 of those killed in the demonstrations were civilians and security forces.

The demonstrations, which began in late December with shopkeepers protesting against the flailing currency and the cost of living, snowballed into a widespread anti-government movement, as per Al Jazeera.

The government crackdown was widely condemned, with US President Donald Trump threatening to intervene in support of the protesters.

- ANI
Photo: President's Office / www.president.gov.ua

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky stressed the importance of the trilateral talks between Ukraine, the United States and Russia, which are currently taking place in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), but noted that it is too early to draw conclusions from them.

"They are talking about parameters for ending the war. Now they should have at least some of the answers from Russia, and the main thing is that Russia is ready to end this war, which it itself started. Ukrainian positions are clear. I have defined the framework for dialogue for our delegation," Zelenskyy said in an evening video address on Friday.

According to him, the Ukrainian diplomatic team has many tasks and reports to him almost every hour. "The delegation is constantly in touch: Rustem Umerov, Kyrylo Budanov, David Arakhamia, Serhiy Kyslytsia. Tomorrow, General Hnatov, Chief of the General Staff, and a representative of the Intelligence Agency Skibitsky will join the talks," the president said.

Zelenskyy said a trilateral conversation between the Ukrainian, U.S., and Russian delegations had already taken place. "It is important, because there have not been such trilateral formats of meetings for a long time," he said.

The president said it was too early to talk about the results of the talks. "It is still too early to draw conclusions from the content of today's talks  we will see how the conversation goes tomorrow and what the results will be. It is necessary that not only the Ukrainian desire to end this war, to achieve complete security  so that a similar desire is somehow born in Russia," Zelenskyy said.

As reported, the trilateral talks between Ukraine, the United States and Russia began in Abu Dhabi on Friday afternoon and will last two days.
The representative of Iran's Supreme Leader in India stated that nuclear weapons are religiously forbidden (haram) for Iran, which seeks nuclear energy solely for peaceful purposes. He accused international organizations of a double standard, imposing heavy sanctions and scrutiny on Iran while ignoring other nuclear-armed nations. He acknowledged economic problems due to sanctions but asserted the domestic situation is under control and not as severe as portrayed on social media. The diplomat also emphasized the deep, millennia-old civilisational and collaborative ties between Iran and India.

Iran's Supreme Leader's representative says nuclear weapons are forbidden, accuses international bodies of double standards on sanctions.

New Delhi, January 24 Iran never wanted to have nuclear weapons, because "it is haram", Dr Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, Representative in India of Iran's Supreme Leader, has said, while stating that the country wants to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes to meet some humanitarian needs.

In an interview with ANI, he accused some international organisations of "double standards", saying while there are sanctions against Iran and a lot of supervision of its nuclear installations, some other countries do not face any such scrutiny.

"Iran never wanted to have nuclear weapons because it is haram. Iran, at the same time, wants to have nuclear, peaceful power for some social and humanitarian treatment...But unfortunately, there is a double standard. Some international organisations issued a lot of sanctions against Iran, and they have a lot of supervision over Iran's nuclear power, but some other countries have it, they use it, and they say nothing towards them," he said.

Israel and the United States had in June last year targeted Iranian nuclear facilities.

At a meeting to discuss nuclear non-proliferation last month, the UN Security Council's stance on Iran's nuclear activities remained divided, split between those who support the reinstatement of sanctions, and the members who believe the sanctions should be permanently lifted, whilst questioning the legality of the meeting itself.

At the heart of the split between the Security Council members was a dispute over the legitimacy of holding meetings related to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, called Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), an agreement to limit Iran's nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief.

Iran signed the agreement alongside the Council's five permanent members - China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, United States besides Germany and the European Union (EU).

Answering queries, Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi also noted that that the history of the relationship and collaboration between Iran and India dates back hundreds of years before the emergence of Islam.

He said India's achievements in mathematics, astronomy, and medicine were studied in Iran and people of Iran have always learned about the relationship between the two ancient civilisations.

"The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran always insists on good relations and collaboration between Iran and India...I hope that in Chabahar they will work nicely...The history of the relationship and collaboration between Iran and India goes to 3,000 years ago, before the emergence of Islam. Even at that time, we were using philosophical books of India," he said.

"Even at the university, we studied philosophical books of India, and in mathematics, astronomy, and medicine, we were also using your civilisation, your knowledge, and we always learned through our schools the relationship between Iran and India," he added.

He said Iran has economic problems due to sanctions against it and some people are angry "but other people use this opportunity to reach their target and achieve their aims" and noted that the situation at the moment "is very good, under control" and is not like what is being mentioned on some social media handles.

Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi said that there is need to distinguish between "reality of the situation" and "imagination" about the situation in Iran.

"Concerning the situation in Iran, actually we have two things which we have to divide and differentiate between them. The first one is the fact and the reality of the situation. The second one is imagination, which is created by the journalist's narration, by the enemies, or by other people. There is a very deep gap between these two realities," he said."The first one is fact, reality, and the second one is imagination...Yes, we have economic problems; some are angry with the situation of the economy, which was created by some countries against Iran, based on the sanctions. But other people use this opportunity to reach their target and achieve their aims. Now, at the moment, the situation is very good, is under control and is not as much as mentioned on social media," he added.

- ANI
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for eight development projects in Tripura with a total investment of 365 crore. The projects focus on improving road connectivity to villages, markets, and healthcare facilities, particularly in tribal areas. Enhanced connectivity to sites like Chabimura is expected to boost heritage tourism and local livelihoods. The initiatives are part of the central government's significant investment in the Northeast, guided by Prime Minister Modi's 'Ashtalakshmi' vision for the region.

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia lays foundation for 8 key projects in Tripura worth 365 crore, enhancing road connectivity, tourism, and tribal development.

Agartala, January 23 Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region and Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia, on Friday, inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for eight important development projects in Tripura, with a total cost of 365 crore. These projects will provide fresh momentum to road connectivity, tourism, energy, and the holistic development of tribal areas in the State.

Union Minister Scindia said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Ashtalakshmi' vision, the Northeast is no longer merely a geographical frontier, but is playing the role of an engine of India's growth, according to the release.

Union Minister of Development of the North Eastern Region, Scindia, inaugurated five completed projects worth Rs 270 crore. These prominently include the Jatanbari-Mandirghat via Tirathmukh Road (13.775 km) and the improvement of the KA Road from Erarpar to Ambassa (28.90 km). With the construction of these roads, travel between villages, markets, schools, and hospitals will become easier, strengthening the local economy.

In addition, the Gandacherra-Raishyabari-Narikel Kunja Road (8.00 km) will connect tribal habitations to district headquarters and essential services, leading to a significant improvement in social inclusion and access to facilities.

The Union Minister said that improved connectivity from Amarpur (Fatiksagar) to Chabimura will give a new boost to Tripura's heritage and tourism potential. This will provide tourists with an opportunity to experience ancient art and natural heritage, while increasing the income of local guides, artisans, and families.

He stated that under the PM-DevINE scheme, the Solar Micro Grid project will provide clean, reliable electricity in remote and difficult areas, thereby strengthening education, healthcare services, and livelihood opportunities.

Union Minister also laid the foundation stone for 3 new projects to be built at a cost of Rs 95 crore. These include the Kowaifung (Panjirai) to Karbook Road (9.10 km), the Jampui (PMGSY Point) to Kangrai Road, and the Burighat to Sermun-II Road. These projects will ensure sustained connectivity for hilly and interior areas, and remote regions will remain connected to the mainstream of development.

Union Minister Scindia stated that over the last 12 years, the Central Government has invested more than Rs 6.5 lakh crore in the Northeast. Every Central Ministry is spending 10% of its budget in the Northeastern States, which is driving the region on an unprecedented path of development.

- ANI
The Karnataka High Court has lifted the state's ban on bike taxi services, overturning a previous order that upheld the prohibition. The division bench ruled that motorcycles can be used as transport vehicles, provided operators secure the necessary licenses from the government. The decision brings relief to thousands of gig workers whose livelihoods were impacted after services were halted in June. The ban had sparked protests and appeals from rider associations, who had petitioned political leaders for intervention.

Karnataka High Court overturns ban on bike taxis, allowing Ola and Uber to operate subject to licensing, providing relief to gig workers.

Bengaluru, January 23 The Karnataka High Court on Friday lifted the ban on bike taxi services in the State, setting aside an earlier single-judge order that had upheld the state government's prohibition on their operations.

A division bench headed by the Chief Justice allowed appeals filed by app-based aggregators, including Ola and Uber, ruling that motorcycles can be used as transport vehicles, subject to permissions under existing laws. The court directed that bike owners or aggregators must apply for the required licences, and the state government is obligated to issue permits in accordance with prevailing legal provisions.

The ruling brings relief to thousands of bike taxi riders who had been affected after services were halted following the High Court's refusal earlier in June to stay the government's ban. The prohibition had triggered widespread protests from gig workers, who argued that the move had severely impacted their livelihoods.

The Namma Bike Taxi Association, which represents bike taxi riders across Karnataka, had repeatedly urged the government to reconsider the ban. In June, the association wrote to Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, seeking his intervention to protect the livelihoods of lakhs of gig workers in the state.

"Over 1,00,000 gig workers in Bengaluru and across Karnataka are losing their right to earn and feed their families because of a blanket ban on bike taxi services," the association said in its letter, describing the ban as a threat to the dignity and survival of riders dependent on the sector for daily income.

Following the crackdown, a delegation of around 110 bike taxi riders from the association met Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao and Dasarahalli MLA S Muniraju in June 2025, urging the government to reverse its decision. The riders submitted a petition demanding legal recognition for bike taxis and a clear policy framework to end what they described as harassment and regulatory confusion.

- ANI
National Award-winning actress Keerthy Suresh shared a behind-the-scenes look at her demanding nine-hour dubbing session, underscoring her personal commitment to voicing her roles in multiple languages. Her dubbing work has been critically acclaimed, notably adding depth to 'Mahanati' and voicing the AI character Bujji in 'Kalki 2898 AD'. She has a packed slate of upcoming projects, including the Telugu action-drama 'Rowdy Janardhana' with Vijay Deverakonda and the gritty Malayalam action-adventure 'Thottam' with Antony Varghese. She will also star in a Tamil legal drama and make her Hindi series debut with the revenge thriller 'Akka'.

Keerthy Suresh shares a 9-hour dubbing day snap, highlighting her multilingual work. Details on her upcoming films 'Rowdy Janardhana', 'Thottam', and more.

Chennai, Jan 23 National Award-winning actress Keerthy Suresh has now shared a behind-the-scenes glimpse from her dubbing session for an upcoming project and disclosed that she had been dubbing for nine hours in the day.

Sharing a picture of herself in the dubbing studio on her Instagram stories section, she wrote, "Me at the end of a nine-hour long dubbing day. #AboutYesterday."

The post, her fans feel, underscores her unwavering dedication to multilingual cinema, where she personally dubs in Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam to infuse authenticity into her roles.

Her dubbing has played an important role in elevating her films. In fact, her dubbing added emotional depth to both the Tamil and Telugu versions of her film 'Mahanati'. It captured Savitri's nuances, contributing to the film's National Award success.

In 'Kalki 2898 AD', she voiced the AI character Bujji across five languages -- Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, and English, earning widespread acclaim. Bujji's humorous and emotional tones caught the attention of audiences, proving her versatility as a voice artiste.

Keerthy's commitment sets her apart in an industry where few actresses dub their own lines across regions.

Fans have much to anticipate from Keerthy's diverse slate. In Telugu, director Ravi Kiran Kola's action-drama 'Rowdy Janardhana' pairs her with Vijay Deverakonda, while in Malayalam, she has Rishi Sivakumar's 'Thottam', a gritty action-adventure that is to release in multiple languages.

'Thottam', in particular, has triggered huge interest as it brings an unprecedented on-screen collaboration between her and action star Antony Varghese (Pepe). This action drama, sources say, will showcase Keerthy Suresh in a never-before-seen avatar, marking her grand return to Malayalam cinema.

Breaking new ground in action filmmaking, 'Thottam' will feature groundbreaking stunt choreography by the internationally acclaimed V Action Design Team led by Muhammad Irfan, celebrated for their dynamic work on 'The Shadow Strays', 'The Raid' franchise, 'Headshot', 'The Night Comes for Us', and 'The Big 4'. This collaboration marks a first-of-its-kind milestone in Indian cinema. The film's musical score is composed by National Award-winner Harshavardhan Rameshwar, known for his powerful soundtracks in Arjun Reddy, Kabir Singh, and Animal.

In Tamil, she plays a lawyer in director Praveen S Vijay's film, which also stars ace director Mysskin. Keerthy has also got a Hindi series called 'Akka', a revenge thriller showcasing her intensity.

- IANS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ahead of his visit to Kerala, stated the state desires to move beyond the "fixed match" between the ruling LDF and opposition UDF alliances. During his visit, he flagged off four new train services to enhance regional connectivity across South India. He also launched financial initiatives for street vendors and laid foundation stones for a major science innovation hub and an advanced radiosurgery centre. The projects span railways, urban livelihoods, science, and healthcare, aiming for inclusive growth.

PM Modi accuses LDF & UDF of a "fixed match," flags off new trains, and lays foundation for science & healthcare hubs in Kerala visit.

New Delhi, January 23 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that Kerala wants to move beyond the "fixed match" between LDF and UDF, ahead of his visit to the poll-bound state.

In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, "I am eagerly looking forward to addressing the BJP-NDA public meeting being held in Thiruvananthapuram today. In the recent corporation elections, this city made history by blessing us. It is clear that Kerala wants to come out of the fixed match between LDF and UDF."

Today, Prime Minister Modi will visit Kerala and lay the foundation stone for, inaugurate, and flag off various developmental projects.

He will flag off four new train services and will lay the foundation stone for the CSIR-NIIST Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship Hub in Thiruvananthapuram.

He will also address a gathering in Thiruvananthapuram on the occasion.

The projects span key sectors including rail connectivity, urban livelihoods, science and innovation, citizen-centric services, and advanced healthcare, reflecting the Prime Minister's continued focus on inclusive growth, technological advancement and improved quality of life for citizens.

In a major boost to rail connectivity, the Prime Minister will flag off four new train services, including three Amrit Bharat Express trains and one passenger train. These include the Nagercoil-Mangaluru Amrit Bharat Express, Thiruvananthapuram-Tambaram Amrit Bharat Express, Thiruvananthapuram-Charlapalli Amrit Bharat Express, and a new passenger train between Thrissur and Guruvayur.

The introduction of these services aim to significantly enhance long-distance and regional connectivity between Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, making travel more affordable, safe and time-bound for passengers. The improved connectivity will provide a strong impetus to tourism, trade, education, employment and cultural exchange across the region.

As part of efforts to strengthen urban livelihood, the Prime Minister will launch the PM SVANidhi Credit Card, marking the next phase of financial inclusion for street vendors. The UPI-linked, interest-free revolving credit facility will provide instant liquidity, promote digital transactions, and help beneficiaries build formal credit histories.

The Prime Minister will also disburse PM SVANidhi loans to one lakh beneficiaries, including street vendors from Kerala. Since its inception in 2020, the PM SVANidhi scheme has enabled first-time access to formal credit for the vast majority of beneficiaries and has played a critical role in poverty alleviation and livelihood security for urban informal workers.

In the field of science and innovation, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for the CSIR-NIIST Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship Hub in Thiruvananthapuram.

The hub will focus on life sciences and the bio-economy, integrate traditional knowledge systems such as Ayurveda with modern biotechnology, sustainable packaging, and green hydrogen, and promote startup creation, technology transfer, and global collaboration. It will serve as a platform for converting research into market-ready solutions and enterprises.

Strengthening healthcare infrastructure will be another key focus of the visit. The Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for a state-of-the-art Radiosurgery Centre at the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology in Thiruvananthapuram.

The facility will provide highly precise, minimally invasive treatment for complex brain disorders, enhancing regional tertiary healthcare capabilities.

The Prime Minister will also inaugurate the new Poojappura Head Post Office in Thiruvananthapuram. This modern, technology-enabled facility will offer a comprehensive range of postal, banking, insurance and digital services, further strengthening citizen-centric service delivery.

- ANI
An economic expert estimates that less than 15% of TSMC's advanced semiconductor manufacturing will be located in the United States by the end of 2029. This assessment comes despite TSMC's massive $65 billion investment in three Arizona fabrication plants, with more facilities planned. The analysis follows comments from a U.S. Commerce Secretary about relocating Taiwan's supply chain, which the expert suggests is an overstated pressure tactic. A new US-Taiwan trade deal involves a $250 billion Taiwanese investment, paired with government credit guarantees.

Expert analysis reveals less than 15% of TSMC's advanced semiconductor processes will be in the US by 2029, despite major Arizona investments.

Taipei, January 23 Experts believe that less than 15 per cent of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's advanced manufacturing processes will be relocated to the United States by the end of 2029, according to a report by Focus Taiwan.

Lien Hsien-ming, president of the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research, shared this assessment following comments from U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. He recently stated on CNBC that Washington intends to move 40 per cent of Taiwan's supply chain to American soil before the conclusion of U.S. President Donald Trump's second term.

Focus Taiwan notes that TSMC is currently investing USD 65 billion into three facilities in Arizona, with the first fab beginning commercial production in late 2024. The chipmaker has also committed another USD 100 billion for three additional fabs, two assembly plants, and a research centre.

Citing TSMC, Lien said equipment installation has begun at the second Arizona fab, which is scheduled to start mass production in 2027, while construction of the third fab started earlier this year. TSMC is also applying for a permit to build a fourth fab.

After factoring in TSMC's Arizona schedule and its overall output of advanced chips, Lien estimated that less than 15 per cent of the company's high-end processes would be located in the U.S. by the end of Trump's presidency.

The economist suggested that pressure on TSMC might diminish if other major players like Intel, Micron, and Samsung successfully advance their own U.S. projects.

Focus Taiwan also highlighted a recent agreement between the U.S. and Taiwan to reduce tariffs on Taiwanese goods from 20 per cent to 15 per cent. This deal involves a USD 250 billion investment from Taiwanese tech and energy sectors into the U.S., supplemented by USD 250 billion in credit guarantees from the Taiwanese government to support these industries.

Lien cautioned the public against being discouraged by Secretary Lutnick's rhetoric, clarifying that the actual direct investment commitment is USD 250 billion, rather than the USD 500 billion "down payment" figure Lutnick mentioned during his interview.

According to the Focus Taiwan report, Lien believes the U.S. Commerce Secretary is overstating these commitments as a tactical move to exert pressure on Taiwan, a strategy that has similarly been applied to Japan and South Korea.

- ANI
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini paid tribute to Subhas Chandra Bose on his birth anniversary, urging citizens to work towards fulfilling the leader's vision for a developed India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also honored Netaji, recalling his indomitable courage and unparalleled contribution to the nation's freedom struggle. The day is officially commemorated as Parakram Diwas, a celebration of Bose's valor and patriotism. Both leaders emphasized that Bose's ideals continue to inspire the nation's journey toward a strong and developed future.

Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini and PM Narendra Modi pay tribute to freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose on his birth anniversary, Parakram Diwas.

Chandigarh, January 23 Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Friday paid tribute to freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose on his birth anniversary, calling him a leader who made a valuable contribution to India's independence.

He also urged everyone to work towards fulfilling his vision for a developed nation.

Speaking to the reporters, CM Saini said, "It is the birth anniversary of Subhas Chandra Bose today...He was a leader who made a valuable contribution to the freedom movement. Due to him, we are able to live with freedom. I bow before him. It is our collective duty to work to fulfil the dreams of the path shown by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and the journey on it, which has been sped up by PM Modi and is taking us toward Viksit Bharat."

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tribute to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and recalled the courage and contribution of the freedom fighter, stating that "his ideals continue to inspire generations."

Highlighting Bose's patriotism on his birth anniversary, also known as Parakram Diwas, the PM took to X to post, "On the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, which is commemorated as Parakram Diwas, we recall his indomitable courage, resolve and unparalleled contribution to the nation."

Praising his ideas as timeless and an inspiration for generations, he further added, "He epitomised fearless leadership and unwavering patriotism. His ideals continue to inspire generations to build a strong India."

Subhash Chandra Bose was an Indian freedom fighter who was born in Cuttack, Odisha, on January 23, 1897.

Bose established the Azad Hind Fauj. While there is a controversy over Bose's death in a plane crash in Taipei on August 18, 1945, the Central government had, in an RTI (Right to Information) in 2017, confirmed that he had died in the incident.

In 2021, the central government officially designated January 23 as Parakram Diwas to mark the birth anniversary of Subhas Chandra Bose.

- ANI
Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla emphasized the state's deep-rooted patriotism through its INA legacy during Parakram Diwas observations at Moirang. He recalled the historic 1944 hoisting of the tricolor there as a continuing source of national inspiration. The Governor linked Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's ideals of courage and unity to the modern vision of a developed and self-reliant India. The event included a video message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cultural performances, and the flagging off of an integration rally.

Manipur Governor AK Bhalla honors Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, linking INA's historic Moirang flag hoisting to building a Viksit Bharat. PM Modi's message played.

Imphal, Jan 23 Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Friday highlighted the state's significant contribution to India's freedom movement, particularly through the Indian National Army, saying it remains a source of immense pride and reflects Manipur's long-standing commitment to the ideals of patriotism and national service.

The Governor on Friday attended the event to observe Parakram Diwas 2026, the 129th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, at the INA War Museum-cum-Library, Moirang in Manipur's Bishnupur district. He said that observing Parakram Diwas at Moirang is both a tribute to India's freedom struggle and a reaffirmation of the nation's enduring resolve to safeguard its sovereignty and unity.

Recalling that the Indian National Army first hoisted the tricolour on Indian soil at Moirang in April 1944, he said the courage and sacrifice associated with this historic event continued to inspire the national conscience. The Governor, further linking Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's ideals to the present national vision, said that courage, discipline, unity, and selfless service were not merely values of the past but essential foundations for building a Viksit Bharat.

He emphasised that India's progress towards development and self-reliance must be driven by empowered and confident youth who carry forward the spirit of responsibility and nation-building. Stressing the role of collective effort, the Governor said the legacy of the freedom movement should inspire citizens to contribute with integrity and dedication to inclusive growth, social harmony, and a strong, forward-looking India.

Bhalla also flagged off the vehicle convoy of the North East Integration Rally organised by the Knowledge Resource Centre Foundation. A video message on Parakram Diwas from Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also played, adding to the solemnity and national significance of the occasion.

The Prime Minister, in his message, recalled Netaji's indomitable courage, unwavering resolve and unparalleled contribution to the nation, stating that his fearless leadership and deep patriotism continue to inspire generations to build a strong India. He noted that the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Azad Hind government was marked at the Red Fort, where he had the opportunity to hoist the Tricolour.

Prime Minister Modi further recalled that in Sri Vijayapuram (then Port Blair) in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Tricolour was unfurled to mark the 75th anniversary of Netaji's unfurling the national flag there. Upon arrival at INA Moirang, the Governor led the gathering in paying floral tributes to the statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

The Governor also planted a U-Thambal tree at INA Moirang. As part of the observance, he released the INA Calendar 2026. Artistes from Eco Moirang, Thoibi Thang-Ta Cultural Association, Ronel Jagoi Centre for Cultural Promotion, and Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy presented mesmerising performances that vividly reflected Manipur's unique cultural identity.

The First Lady, Jyoti Bhalla, along with MLAs Thongam Shanti Singh, Thounaojam Basanta Kumar Singh, and Col Shanti Kumar Singh (Retd), also joined the programme.

- IANS
Nazia Fatima has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, and EAM S Jaishankar to rescue her son, Mir Sajjad Ali, who is stranded at the Myanmar-Thailand border. He was lured abroad with a false promise of a job visa six months ago and is now reportedly forced into labor. Owaisi shared details of at least 16 Indian nationals, including three from Hyderabad, who are enslaved under similar conditions. A BJP leader stated that human trafficking has become a major business where people are lured with fake job promises.

Mother appeals to PM Modi & EAM Jaishankar to rescue her son and others trapped in a job scam at the Myanmar-Thailand border.

Hyderabad, January 23 Nazia Fatima, mother of Mir Sajjad Ali, a Hyderabad resident allegedly stranded at the Myanmar-Thailand border, appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday to bring her son back.

Speaking to ANI, Fatima said, "I am Sajjad Ali's mother. Six months ago, he left from here and said that he was going abroad. After one and a half months, we were unable to contact him. Two months later, he called me. He said the Army reached here, and since then, I haven't had my phone or bag. He told me that they called us to Thailand and said they would provide us with job visas. They then blindfolded us and made us work forcefully."

"I request from PM Modi, Asaduddin Owaisi and EAM Dr S Jaishankar to bring him back," she added.

The appeal comes after Owaisi urged External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar to "urgently intervene to ensure the rescue" of all Indian citizens stranded at the Myanmar-Thailand border.

Sharing an X post, Owaisi said he had received a "distressing message" and was informed that at least 16 Indian nationals, including three from Hyderabad, were promised jobs in Thailand but taken to the Myanmar-Thailand border and enslaved.

"I have received a distressing message: at least 16 Indian nationals, including three from Hyderabad, were promised jobs in Thailand but taken to the Myanmar-Thailand border and enslaved. They are forced to work 18-20 hours daily, physically punished, and deprived of passports, phones, and medical facilities," Owaisi said in his post.

He further said he got the information that Mir Sajjad Ali, a resident of Hyderabad's Osman Nagar currently incarcerated at the Myanmar-Thailand border.

"@DrSJaishankar, kindly intervene urgently to ensure the rescue of all Indians. This information comes from Mir Sajjad Ali, a resident of Osman Nagar, Hyderabad, currently incarcerated at the Myanmar-Thailand border. Two others with him are from Maula Ali and Banjara Hills," Owaisi added.

Further, speaking to ANI on the same issue, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader NV Subhash said that "human trafficking become a big business" and "people are lured" with promises of jobs and money.

"Human trafficking has become a big business, where people are lured with promises of jobs and money and then sent abroad. We have heard that 16 people have been trapped, out of which 4 to 5 are from Hyderabad, currently stuck in Thailand and other countries," Subhash said.

- ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to Thiruvananthapuram Mayor V.V. Rajesh as "my old friend" during a public address, a remark that drew significant political attention. The Mayor was notably absent from the airport reception committee for the PM but was present on the dais at the event. Rajesh's election marked a historic moment as the first BJP mayor in Kerala. Modi's personal acknowledgment is seen as an endorsement of the BJP's grassroots growth in the state.

PM Modi's affectionate reference to Thiruvananthapuram Mayor V.V. Rajesh as "my old friend" draws political attention in Kerala.

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 23 Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pointed and personal reference to Thiruvananthapuram Mayor V.V. Rajesh during his public address on Friday has drawn political attention, particularly in the backdrop of the Mayor's absence from the list of dignitaries who received the Prime Minister at the airport.

As per established protocol, visiting dignitaries arriving in the state capital are usually received by the Mayor.

However, when Prime Minister Modi landed in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday, Mayor V.V. Rajesh was not present at the airport reception.

It was later clarified that Rajesh had been included among the dignitaries on the dais with the Prime Minister at both programmes held in the city and was therefore not part of the airport reception team.

What stood out, however, was the Prime Minister's affectionate reference to the Mayor during his speech.

PM Modi described Rajesh as "the pride of Thiruvananthapuram" and "my old friend", a remark that resonated strongly with party workers and supporters present at the venue.

The reference was widely seen as a deliberate acknowledgement of Rajesh's political journey and his significance to the BJP in Kerala.

V.V. Rajesh, who has risen through the party ranks, previously served as the state president of the BJP's youth wing, the Yuva Morcha, and later as the party's district president in Thiruvananthapuram.

It was with this long association in mind, observers noted, that the Prime Minister referred to him as a friend while highlighting his elevation to the post of Mayor.

Rajesh's election marked a historic moment, as he became the first BJP Mayor in Kerala following the party's breakthrough victory in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.

Notably, while PM Modi chose to single out Rajesh by name, he did not explicitly mention the party's state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar or Union Minister of State George Kurian, both of whom were present on the dais.

The Prime Minister's emphasis on Rajesh's rise to the mayoral post was widely interpreted as a symbolic endorsement of the BJP's organisational growth at the grassroots level in the state.

The remarks added a personal and political layer to the Prime Minister's visit, underlining the significance the BJP attaches to its first major civic victory in Kerala.

And the highlight was when he left the first venue, he held Rajesh by his shoulders and walked with him a few steps.

- IANS
New Development Bank signs loan agreement for sustainable projects in Shanghai

Xinhua) 08:42, January 23, 2026

SHANGHAI, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- The New Development Bank (NDB) signed a loan agreement with Shanghai Rural Commercial Bank (SHRCB) for the Greener Shanghai Project on Thursday, providing the equivalent of 100 million U.S. dollars in five-year RMB funding to support the city's sustainable development projects.

The financing will bolster investments in clean energy, environmental protection, and digital infrastructure in Shanghai, representing practical and concrete action to translate sustainability objectives into implementable projects that deliver real economic and environmental benefits, said Roman Serov, Vice-President of NDB.

The cooperation reflects NDB's strong support for Shanghai's high-quality development and its continued efforts to build itself into an international financial center, he added.

With green development gaining global consensus across national borders, such green finance projects are becoming key drivers of a comprehensive socio-economic transformation towards China's dual carbon goal, said Xu Li, Chairman of SHRCB.

Headquartered in Shanghai, the NDB was established by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to mobilize resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS member states and other emerging economies and developing countries, complementing the existing multilateral and regional financial institutions for global growth and development.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
BEIJING, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- China has rolled out a nationwide subsidy program to support elderly people with disabilities who purchase care services, authorities announced Thursday, as part of efforts to ease family burdens and build a more senior-friendly society. The program, starting on Jan. 1, was launched by the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Ministry of Finance. It provides seniors who have difficulty taking care of themselves with monthly electronic vouchers over 12 months, partly offsetting costs for home-based, community-based and institutional elderly care services. The vouchers, worth up to 800 yuan (about 114 U.S. dollars) per person per month, can be used to cover a wide range of services such as meal assistance, bathing assistance, housekeeping assistance, mobility support, emergency aid, medical assistance, rehabilitation nursing, and daytime care. During a pilot phase last year, eligible seniors in four Chinese cities and three provincial-level regions -- including Shandong, one of China's most populous provinces -- received a total of 365,100 elderly care service vouchers. These vouchers were used over 240,000 times, with the total value redeemed exceeding 180 million yuan, benefiting tens of thousands of households. In Xi'an City of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, a senior resident surnamed Sun recently received the first vouchers issued in the province, which she used to cover some of her husband's care fees. He lives in a local care center due to a cerebral infarction and Alzheimer's disease. "What a great start to the year. My husband's stay at the institution costs 4,500 yuan a month. But now we can save 800 yuan each month," she told Xinhua. The voucher initiative comes amid increasingly serious elderly care challenges in China. Data shows that by the end of 2024, the number of elderly people who experience difficulty in caring for themselves had hit 35 million, accounting for 11 percent of the total elderly population. By 2035, that demographic is projected to reach 46 million. Du Peng, dean of the School of Population and Health at Renmin University of China, said the subsidies will help ease the financial burden on families caring for disabled seniors and improve quality of life among the elderly. "By providing subsidies directly to seniors in need, this approach not only unlocks real demand for both home-based and institutional care, but also encourages service providers to upgrade their offerings, injecting momentum into the high-quality development of the elderly care industry," Du said. The program aligns with China's broader policy goals as the country adapts to its aging population. According to official statistics, China's population aged 60 and above surpassed 310 million in 2024 and is forecast to exceed 400 million by 2035. According to the recommendations for the formulation of China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for national economic and social development, China should aim to respond actively to population aging with measures such as those to roll out insurance schemes for long-term care, improve the care system for seniors with functional impairments, and expand rehabilitation services and hospice care.
Zelenskyy in Davos agrees with Trump on package of PAC-3 missiles for Patriot

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reported that at a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump he agreed on a package of PAC-3 missiles for Patriot.

"We talked yesterday with President Trump... I talked with President Trump for an hour. And I received, I won't say how many, PAC-3 missiles for Patriot. I know how many of these missiles, this package, how many times Ukraine will withstand ballistic strikes," Zelenskyy said at the second National Forum of Talented Youth in Kyiv on Friday.

He said he spoke with Trump about global matters, but besides that, we resolved the issue "which exactly, very clearly answers why I went there."

"If I meet with someone, I have to bring something to Ukraine. This is the only approach during war. There simply cannot be another," Zelenskyy said.

As reported, on January 22, U.S. President Donald Trump called the meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in Davos good.
Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, representing Iran's Supreme Leader, states the need to differentiate between the reality in Iran and the "imagination" portrayed by foreign media and enemies. He acknowledges economic problems due to sanctions but asserts the current situation is "very good" and under control. The official dismisses reported death tolls from recent protests as incorrect and fake, alleging they are inflated by foreign-based organizations. He further claims protesters killed innocent civilians and police, comparing some actions to those of ISIS.

Iran's Supreme Leader rep Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi claims situation is controlled, dismisses protest death tolls as fake, blames sanctions for economic anger.

New Delhi, January 23 Iran has economic problems due to sanctions against it and some people are angry "but other people use this opportunity to reach their target and achieve their aims", Dr Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, Representative of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has said and noted that the situation at the moment "is very good, under control" and is not like what is being mentioned on some some social media handles.

In an exclusive interview with ANI, Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi said that there is need to distinguish between "reality of the situation" and "imagination" about the situation in Iran.

"Concerning the situation in Iran, actually we have two things which we have to divide and differentiate between them. The first one is the fact and the reality of the situation. The second one is imagination, which is created by the journalist's narration, by the enemies, or by other people. There is a very deep gap between these two realities," he said.

"The first one is fact, reality, and the second one is imagination...Yes, we have economic problems; some are angry with the situation of the economy, which was created by some countries against Iran, based on the sanctions. But other people use this opportunity to reach their target and achieve their aims. Now, at the moment, the situation is very good, is under control and is not as much as mentioned on social media," he added.

Asked about people killed in Iran during the crackdown on nationwide protests, Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, said there are some people who are killed, but the numbers are not clear..

"At first, these protesters attacked civilians, policemen, and businessmen and killed them as they wanted to benefit from this situation, and they mentioned that these people were killed by policemen, which is not true...Yes, the number of killings was mentioned by some organisations which are based in the UK, the US, and in European countries or other countries. But these numbers are incorrect and fake. They want to increase the number of killings to mention that the government killed them," he said.

He alleged that there have been attempts to create problems.

"Other people use this opportunity to come out and to do some demonstration against the people and exactly what's happened here is the same lot....like what happened by ISIS in some years ago because they beheaded some innocent people, they burned some innocent people and they attacked some mosques and they burned some library. Even they attacked some policemen....because some enemies tried to bring problem in the society of Iran," he said.

He said a lot of the numbers of those killed in protest are fake.

"Recently it was an interview with a senator in America. I said these organisations are made by US, based whether in the UK or in the US....mentioned a lot of numbers which are fake....these numbers are not correct," he said.

"We have a lot of evidence. The majority of them are innocent people who were working in their shops, in the clinic or in the hospital or wrere in the mosque. They were killed by these protesters. But some protesters were also killed after attacking policemen and after attacking the civilians, and the police wanted to stop them," he added.

Iranian state television has released the first official death toll from the recent antigovernment protests that engulfed the country, reporting that 3,117 people were killed during the crackdown, as reported by Al Jazeera.

- ANI
On Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's 129th birth anniversary, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has demanded the immediate declassification of all related files held by the central government. She expressed sorrow that the mystery of his 1945 disappearance remains unsolved, noting her state government had already made its archives public. Banerjee emphasized that true homage to Netaji lies in embracing his vision of secularism and universal brotherhood. She described his Azad Hind Fauj as a symbol where people of all faiths and backgrounds united for the nation.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee urges the central government to declassify all files on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, calling the unresolved mystery a national sorrow.

Kolkata, Jan 23 On the occasion of the 129th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on Friday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has demanded the immediate declassification of all files related to the great Indian patriot in the central archive by the Union government.

In a social media message posted on Friday morning, the Chief Minister has claimed that it was highly unfortunate that the mystery of Netaji's disappearance was yet to be solved and reminded that the West Bengal government, led by her, had declassified the files on Netaji that were there in the state archives long back.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has reminded the people of Netaji's spirit and message of communal harmony in the country.

"Unfortunately, the mystery of Netaji's disappearance is yet to be solved. We do not know what happened to him after 1945. It is a matter of great sorrow for everyone. But we made all the state files public long ago. I will again appeal to the Government of India to declassify all the information related to Netaji," the Chief Minister said in her social media post.

Netaji's birth anniversary on Friday coincides with the occasion of Saraswati Puja, an extremely popular festival in West Bengal, especially among the student and youth fraternity, with Devi Saraswati being the Goddess of learning and music.

In her social media post, the Chief Minister also claimed that the true homage to Netaji would be in following his lessons of communal unity and universal brotherhood.

"Netaji knew that the country is not just of Hindus or just Muslims. For him, the country was for all men, women, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Punjabis, Tamils, Gujaratis, and Bengalis. His Azad Hind Fauj was a symbol of secularism and brotherhood, where Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, rich & poor, men & women and people from all races, religions, castes, communities -- fought together for the country. If we want to truly respect Netaji, it is the duty of all of us to follow his ideals of unity, brotherhood, and harmony, irrespective of caste, religion, and gender. We are all Indians, and this is our identity," the Chief Minister said.

- IANS
Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan stated that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's approach of assertive diplomacy and strategic realism holds deep relevance for contemporary India. He highlighted Bose's multidimensional leadership in creating the INA, planning campaigns, and negotiating alliances as a model of integrated strategy. The CDS drew direct parallels between Bose's 1944 vision for self-reliant arms production and today's 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative. He emphasized that national defence extends beyond battlefields to include building domestic capabilities, strategic infrastructure, and a national strategic culture.

CDS Gen Anil Chauhan says Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's assertive diplomacy and strategic foresight are crucial for navigating today's global disorder.

New Delhi, January 23 Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan on Friday said that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's approach of assertive diplomacy and strategic realism continues to hold deep relevance for India as it navigates a "polycentric, unstable and uncertain global disorder."

Addressing students and faculty at Jawaharlal Nehru University on the occasion of Netaji's birth anniversary, Gen Chahuhan highlighted Bose's multidimensional leadership, underlining the close linkage between his political vision, diplomacy, and military operations.

"Even today, as India navigates this polycentric, unstable, and uncertain global disorder, Netaji's policy of assertive diplomacy and strategic realism is more relevant than ever," the CDS said. He noted that Bose not only created a government-in-exile and built the Indian National Army (INA), but also planned military campaigns, negotiated alliances and managed logistics, reflecting an integrated approach to leadership.

CDS Gen Chauhan described Netaji as a military leader in the truest sense. "He was classically a military leader, not because he wore a uniform. I think he was a military leader because he led by personal example," he said, adding that the full impact of the INA's contribution to India's freedom struggle is yet to be fully recognised.

The CDS also drew parallels between Netaji's vision and contemporary policy thinking, pointing out that an industrial programme for arms production was initiated as early as 1944. "Something like 'aatmanirbharta' was thought about in 1944," he said, referring to Netaji's emphasis on self-reliance in defence.

Citing a "classic example of strategic foresight," Gen Chauhan recalled how Netaji negotiated with Japan to secure the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, calling them the first sovereign Indian territory, and renamed them 'Shaheed Dweep' and 'Swaraj Dweep'.

Speaking on military preparedness, the CDS said it involves the "ability of armed forces" to anticipate threats and respond effectively through operations, backed by continuous analysis of the evolving global and regional security environment and lessons drawn from history.

The CDS said, " When you talk about military preparedness, it is the ability of armed forces to anticipate threats and respond to them by conducting military operations. It will involve analysis of the emerging security environment, global and regional, including lessons from history."

Expanding on the concept of national defence, Gen Chauhan said defending a nation goes "far beyond battlefield operations".

"When you talk about defending a state, it relates to building capacities and capabilities for a state to defend itself," he said.

He added that defence manufacturing, innovation and research and development form the backbone of national security and are being actively promoted through the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' and Make in India initiatives. "These are essential to how you defend your nation," the CDS said.

Gen Chauhan also stressed the importance of developing strategic infrastructure in border areas through agencies such as the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), noting that it is a crucial element of defence preparedness. "It also involves actually developing a strategic culture in the nation," he added.

- ANI
Nine Maoists carrying a total bounty of 47 lakh have surrendered in Chhattisgarh, handing over a significant cache of weapons. Following this surrender, the Odisha Police declared the Nawarangpur district free from Naxal activity. The surrendered individuals included key leaders from various Maoist area committees active in the border region. This development comes shortly after security forces recovered the bodies of two Maoists, including a divisional committee member, in a separate operation in Bijapur.

Nine Maoists with a combined 47 lakh bounty surrender in Chhattisgarh, leading Odisha to declare Nawarangpur district free from Naxal activity.

Raipur, January 23 Nine Maoists carrying a total bounty of 47 lakh surrendered in Chhattisgarh along with a cache of weapons and equipment, Odisha Police said on Friday.

Following the surrender, the Nawarangpur district of Odisha has been declared free from Naxal activity.

According to police, the surrendered Maoists included key leaders from the Nagri Area Committee, Sitanadi Area Committee and Mainpur LGS of the Odisha State Committee under the Dhamtari-Gariaband-Nuapada division.

They were active in the Nawarangpur district of Odisha and the Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh under the Odisha State Committee of CPI (Maoist).

The surrendered cadres handed over two INSAS rifles, two SLR rifles, one carbine, one bharmar gun, magazines, ammunition and a radio set, police added.

Highlighting past incidents, Odisha Police recalled that Maoists were involved in several violent attacks, including the assassination of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA Jagabandhu Majhi, who was shot dead in September 2011 during a public meeting near Raighar. Maoists had also killed several people, accusing them of being police informers.

Police officials said the surrender marks a significant achievement in ongoing efforts to curb Maoist activities in the region.

Earlier, security forces in Chhattisgarh recovered the bodies of two Maoist cadres along with automatic weapons from the encounter site in the northwestern region of the state from Bijapur, officials confirmed on Saturday (January 17).

Bijapur Superintendent of Police (SP) Jitendra Yadav said that a joint team of District Reserve Guard (DRG), CoBRA and the Special Task Force (STF) carried out a search operation in the northwestern region after receiving intelligence inputs regarding the presence of the Maoist National Park Area Committee's Divisional Committee Member (DVCM) Dilip Bedja and other armed Maoists in forest and hilly areas.

According to an official statement, preliminary identification suggests that one of the deceased Maoists is Dilip Bedja, a DVCM cadre of the National Park Area Committee.

- ANI
Senge Sering states that political discourse in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan has shifted from demands for provincial status within Pakistan to urgent concerns over land occupation and resource exploitation. He alleges Pakistan and China have taken control of vast lands under the guise of development, depriving local communities of revenue and decision-making power. Sering describes the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a "colonial tool" driven by strategic interests, not local welfare. He concludes that constitutional rights and local governance are unattainable for the region as long as Pakistan maintains control.

Senge Sering reveals PoGB's political shift from seeking Pakistani status to fighting land occupation by Pakistan and China, with no constitutional rights.

Washington DC, January 23 With elections in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan expected in 2026, political discourse in the region has shifted sharply from demands for provincial status within Pakistan to growing concerns over land occupation, resource exploitation, and cultural erosion, according to Senge Sering, President of the Institute for Gilgit Baltistan Studies, Washington DC.

In an exclusive interview with ANI, Sering said while the exact timeline for the elections remains unclear, the local population has participated in what he described as "ad hoc political processes" for over five decades without receiving meaningful political or constitutional benefits.

He noted that earlier electoral demands in PoGB centred on seeking provincial status within Pakistan, legal citizenship, and recognition of land as Pakistani territory. "There was a sense of loyalty and emotional attachment to Pakistan," Sering said, adding that this sentiment has significantly changed over the last four to five years.

According to Sering, local lands have been occupied and communities deprived of revenue from natural resources and trade routes. He alleged that Pakistan and China have taken control of vast areas of land under the guise of development and multinational investment.

"Land occupation by Pakistan and China has now become the most important issue," he said, adding that voters expect their representatives to raise concerns about forcible land acquisition and denial of local decision-making powers over resources.

Addressing PoGB's lack of constitutional status, Sering asserted that Pakistan does not have a legal claim over the region. He said Gilgit-Baltistan is historically part of India, Ladakh.

He further alleged that control over land and resources remains with the Pakistani military and Chinese companies, leaving local institutions without authority or representation. On the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Sering described the project as a "colonial tool rather than a developmental one," alleging that local people have been excluded from decision-making processes.

He said PoGB serves as China's only land bridge to the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf, making the region strategically critical. According to Sering, changing geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East could further increase China's dependence on this route, prompting efforts to establish a permanent presence in the region.

He alleged that under the second phase of CPEC, land is being confiscated in the name of agricultural development, while foreign investments are being encouraged without local consent. "No development under CPEC will benefit local people," he claimed, adding that projects are driven by China's strategic interests and Pakistan's military objectives rather than local welfare.

Sering also alleged a media blackout on issues affecting PoGB, Balochistan, and Pashtun regions, claiming that Pakistani media remains silent on local resistance and grievances. He urged the international community to pay attention to the situation, stating that local voices lack representation through political institutions or mainstream media platforms.

Sering concluded that unless Pakistan withdraws from the region, constitutional rights and local governance will remain unattainable.

- ANI
North Korea has not announced the schedule for its upcoming Workers' Party congress, the first in five years, which will set major policy directions. South Korean intelligence predicts it may occur in early February, but the exact date remains unconfirmed as North Korean media has not provided coverage. Historically, the regime announces such congresses only a few days before they begin, with preliminary procedures like electing representatives signaling the event. Recent actions include leader Kim Jong-un dismissing officials and publicizing economic projects ahead of the congress.

North Korea has not announced the schedule for its first party congress in five years, with Seoul predicting an early February event amid media silence.

Seoul, Jan 23 North Korea has yet to announce the schedule for its upcoming party congress, which would be its first in five years, amid speculation in Seoul that the event may take place next month.

Last month, the North convened a plenary meeting of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea as part of preparations for the once-every-five-years party congress, at which the country is expected to set long-term policy visions for the economy, foreign policy and other areas.

Results from the congress, the highest decision-making body in the North, will determine the country's major policy lines for the next five years, Yonhap News Agency reported.

Seoul's National Intelligence Service and government officials have predicted the key event is likely to take place in early February, but the exact schedule remains unclear amid a lack of related coverage in North Korean media.

In the past, North Korean media announced the start of party congresses only a few days before they began.

They announced the seventh congress, which convened on May 6, 2016, nine days in advance, while the eighth congress in early January of 2021 was announce about a week beforehand.

Ahead of the 2016 and 2021 congresses, the North also reported on preliminary procedures for such party events, including the election of regional representatives to attend them, signaling, albeit indirectly, the impending congresses.

If the ninth congress takes place in early February as predicted, the North is likely to report on related preparatory steps in the coming days or weeks, including a meeting of the party's Politburo to set the schedule for the congress or the election of representatives to attend it.

In the run-up to the upcoming congress, the North has dialed up discipline among government officials, while publicizing results from the party's economic development plans.

While attending a public event at a machinery plant earlier this week, leader Kim Jong-un dismissed the vice premier in charge of the machinery industry, accusing him of "irresponsibility." He has also made back-to-back public appearances inspecting or inaugurating construction projects under his signature regional development policy.

- IANS
The dismantling process for the historic 111-year-old Pamban Railway Bridge has officially commenced. Local residents have appealed for the iconic structure to be preserved and displayed in a railway museum for future generations. This follows the inauguration of a new, modern Pamban railway bridge last year, which features an electric vertical drawbridge. The old bridge's removal, a Rs. 2.53 crore project, is being carried out in numbered stages to prevent damage and is slated for completion within four months.

The 111-year-old Pamban Railway Bridge dismantling has started. Locals seek its preservation in a museum. A new modern bridge is now operational.

Rameswaram, January 23 The dismantling of the 111-year-old Pamban Railway Bridge has begun, as the people of Rameswaram island have requested that the historic bridge be removed from the sea and placed in a railway museum for the public and tourists to see.

The Pamban Railway Bridge, built in 1914 to connect the island of Rameswaram with the mainland at Mandapam, was the first bridge to be built in the middle of the sea in India.

The special feature of this bridge is that the suspension bridge built between the rails in the middle for ships to pass on was built to be lifted and lowered by human power. It was named after the English engineer Sheshersh, who designed it.

This bridge, which brought immense development to Dhanushkodi and Rameswaram, was damaged in a storm in 1964, renovated and brought back into use.

Since this century-old bridge often had technical problems, it was planned to build a new bridge instead. The foundation stone for the new Pamban railway bridge, built with modern technology, was laid in 2019, and work began in 2020. Unlike the old bridge, this bridge features a vertical drawbridge with an electric hoist to allow ships to pass.

The bridge construction work was completed, and the new Pamban railway bridge was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 6 last year.

With the new Pamban railway bridge in use, the railway administration has decided to remove the old Pamban railway bridge. Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), a central government agency that implements rail infrastructure projects, issued a tender notice last August seeking a contract to remove the old Pamban bridge.

In that announcement, the suspension bridge and girder bridge in the middle of the 2.3 km-long bridge, along with the rails, were removed at a cost of Rs. 2.53 crore.

In this situation, a tender was awarded, and a ground ceremony was held to remove the old Pamban railway bridge. The target is to complete the work in 4 months.

In order to avoid damage while removing the historic Pamban old railway bridge, it has been decided to dig up the old railway bridge in stages, and for this, numbers have been written all over the bridge starting from one in sequence.

Based on that, it has been announced that employees will be involved in the gradual removal of the railway bridge.

- ANI
PhonePe has filed its Updated Draft Red Herring Prospectus with SEBI, advancing its plans for a public listing. The company reported robust financials, including a 40% year-on-year revenue increase to INR 7,115 crore and a turn to free cash flow positivity. The IPO will be an offer for sale led by majority shareholder Walmart, which is divesting a 9% stake. Beyond its dominant UPI payments business, PhonePe has successfully diversified into lending, insurance, and other financial services.

PhonePe submits updated IPO papers to SEBI, reporting 40% revenue growth and improved profitability as it nears its public market debut.

Bengaluru, January 23 Following the recent approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India, PhonePe has submitted its Updated Draft Red Herring Prospectus, moving closer to its highly anticipated public listing. The company, which initially filed confidential IPO papers in September 2024, is now expected to debut on the markets soon.

As per the UDRHP, the public offering will be an offer for sale, led by majority shareholder Walmart alongside other prominent investors such as Tiger Global and Microsoft.

PhonePe dominates India's UPI landscape with more than 48% market share by value, processing 9.8 billion transactions in December alone, according to recent data from the NPCI. The company has posted rapidly growing revenues with diversified revenue streams in recent years while steadily improving its financial performance.

Beyond its core payments business, PhonePe has successfully diversified into lending and insurance distribution verticals that have scaled to represent 10% of its total revenue in just three years. This strategic expansion has been a key driver of the company's revenue growth and its increasingly maturing financial profile.

From payments pioneer to full-stack fintech platform

Launched in 2016, PhonePe was India's first UPI-based payments app from a non-bank fintech company. The company has evolved from a payments application into a diversified technology firm and operates across consumer and merchant payment businesses, where it leads across both the axis.

Over the years, PhonePe has scaled into a full-stack financial services platform--offering insurance and lending distribution--and has ventured into mutual funds and stock broking through its Share.Market platform. This diversification strategy is further evidenced by its entry into the software infrastructure space with Indus Appstore, India's homegrown Android app marketplace.

Diversified revenue growth with improved bottomline

With consistent year-on-year revenue gains, PhonePe is one of the few consumer internet companies that has shown diversified growth.

Based on the DRHP filed by the company, PhonePe recorded INR 7,115 Cr in revenue, reflecting a strong 40% year-on-year growth. This was accompanied by the company turning free cash flow positive with cash flow from operations amounting to INR 1,202 Cr. PhonePe continued to improve its bottom line, with Adjusted EBITDA (excluding ESOP costs) more than doubling to INR 1,477 Cr (from INR 652 Cr in the prior year), and Adjusted PAT (excluding ESOP costs) more than tripling to INR 630 Cr (from INR 197 Cr in the prior year). The company also recorded positive Adjusted EBIT (excluding ESOP costs) for the first time at INR 117 Cr.

The improved profitability signals enhanced operational discipline and a maturing cost structure.

Blue-Chip investor base and recent funding

PhonePe boasts a marquee investor roster with Walmart holding a majority stake. Other prominent backers include General Atlantic, Ribbit Capital, TVS Capital, Tiger Global, Microsoft, and Qatar Investment Authority.

Following SEBI's approval, companies typically list in a 90-days window, and PhonePe is anticipated to list within the next few months.

Who are the entities selling stake in the IPO

Walmart, PhonePe's largest shareholder, will be offloading 9% of its stake as part of the IPO, while Tiger Global will sell 0.2% and Microsoft 0.7%. Interestingly, General Atlantic previously invested $600 million in PhonePe in a secondary round in September 2025, effectively doubling down on its initial $500 million investment. This brings General Atlantic's total investment in PhonePe to approximately $1.15 billion across multiple rounds, increasing its stake to 8.9%.

During this transaction, the founders and employees exercised all their vested options and sold 40% of their vested ESOPs solely to cover the tax liabilities arising from the ESOPs. Neither the employees nor the founders received any liquidity from the transaction.

Sources indicate that Walmart is selling only the minimum stake required to meet SEBI's public listing requirements. This demonstrates strong confidence in the business from both the founders and investors, with the majority of investors choosing to remain invested in the company.

- ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually launched credit cards for street vendors under the PM SVANidhi scheme, with an event in Surat where loans were distributed. The scheme provides affordable, collateral-free working capital loans to help vendors restart and scale their businesses. Beneficiaries in Surat and Bhagalpur reported receiving successive loans after successful repayments, aiding their economic upliftment. The initiative, originally for COVID-19 relief, now focuses on formalizing the urban informal economy through credit access and digital empowerment.

PM Modi virtually launches credit cards under PM SVANidhi, disbursing loans to lakhs of street vendors in Surat and Bhagalpur for business growth.

Surat/Bhagalpur, Jan 23 The Prime Minister's SVANidhi Scheme has transformed the lives and helped to strengthen the economic condition of millions of street vendors hailing from Surat and Bhagalpur.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched a credit card virtually for street vendors and also distributed loans to one lakh beneficiaries.

At a programme organised by the Surat Municipal Corporation at the Surat Science Centre, Union Minister C.R. Patil distributed cheques to street vendors and also felicitated bank officials who provided loans to the vendors.

On this occasion, Surat Municipal Commissioner Shalini Agarwal told that the credit card has been launched under the Prime Minister Street Vendors' AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme. Under this scheme, the Surat Municipal Corporation has disbursed loans worth nearly Rs 2.03 crore in the categories of Rs 10,000, Rs 20,000, and Rs 30,000 to more than one lakh people residing in Surat city.

The PM SVANidhi scheme is a Indian government micro-credit initiative launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to provide affordable, collateral-free working capital loans to street vendors for restarting businesses, focusing on financial inclusion and digital empowerment through credit cards and interest subsidies for socio-economic upliftment.

Originally for Covid-19 relief, it's been restructured and extended to support business expansion, offering loans up to Rs 50,000 in tranches, plus incentives for digital payments, with a focus on formalising the urban informal economy.

Santosh Gupta, a PM SVANidhi scheme beneficiary from Surat and a vegetable vendor, received his first loan of Rs 10,000 which converted into 12 EMI's of Rs 891, after the successful repayment of credit, got his second loan of Rs 25,000.

"It is very beneficial for the small and medium street vendors to get access to a collateral free loan ranging from Rs 25,000 to 50,000 to scale-up their business."

Santosh Mishra, another PM SVANidhi scheme beneficiary from Surat, said that he received his first loan of ten thousand rupees.

"After the successful repayment of first loan of Rs 10,000, I got my second loan of twenty five thousand rupees and the third loan of fifty thousand rupees. Today I have been sanctioned a credit card with the limit of ten thousand rupees."

Another scheme beneficiary and a fruit-seller, Mayuri Solanki, received a loan of fifty thousand rupees today.

Beneficiaries from Bhagalpur echoed similar responses such as Anita Kumari, who at first received a loan of ten thousand rupees, and now she got a loan of twenty five thousand rupees which is ready to get disbursed by the bank.

Santosh Mishra said: "Earlier the street vendors were being exploited by the local lenders, lending money in return of high rate of interest. However, now with the help of PM SVANidhi scheme, these street vendors are leading their lives with ease and their standard of living has increased."

- IANS
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a phone conversation to discuss Lula's upcoming state visit to New Delhi from February 19-21. The leaders emphasized the importance of the Brazil-India Business Forum and the inauguration of the Apex-Brasil office during the visit, while also exchanging views on global issues like peace in Gaza. This follows recent strategic engagements, including a landmark 2025 MoU on a cross-continental bovine genomics program. Additionally, India's Naval Chief recently visited Brazil to review and expand bilateral defence cooperation and industry collaboration.

Brazilian President Lula and PM Modi plan Feb visit, highlight trade forum, Gaza peace, and Global South cooperation in strategic partnership.

Sao Paulo, January 23 Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Thursday that he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had emphasised the importance of the upcoming Brazil-India Business Forum over a phone conversation.

The forum is scheduled to take place amid Lula's state visit to India, coinciding with the inauguration of the Apex-Brasil office in New Delhi.

In a post on X, Lula shared details of the discussion, noting his planned state visit to New Delhi from February 19 to 21 to advance the bilateral agenda between the two nations.

"I spoke today by phone with the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. We discussed the State visit I will make to New Delhi between February 19 and 21, as well as the bilateral agenda. We highlighted the importance of the Brazil-India Business Forum that will take place during my visit, which will also be marked by the inauguration of the APEX Office in New Delhi. We also exchanged views on the global situation, reiterating our commitment to defending peace in Gaza and in the world, multilateralism, and democracy," President Lula wrote on X.

On Thursday, PM Modi spoke with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and said that close cooperation between India and Brazil was vital for advancing the shared interests of the Global South.

The PM also said that he was looking forward to welcoming the BRICS ally to India soon.

In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi said, "Glad to speak with President Lula. We reviewed the strong momentum in the India-Brazil Strategic Partnership, which is poised to scale new heights in the year ahead. Our close cooperation is vital for advancing the shared interests of the Global South. I look forward to welcoming him to India soon."

In December 2025, India and Brazil signed a landmark tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance dairy cattle and buffalo genomics through a first-of-its-kind cross-continental genetic improvement programme.

The MoU and the corresponding Technical Cooperation Project (PCT) were signed at the Embassy of India in Brasilia between Embrapa, Brazil's state-owned agricultural research organisation under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Supply (MAPA), Fazenda Floresta & DNAMark (Brazil), and India's Leads Genetics Pvt Ltd (formerly Leads Agri Genetics Pvt Ltd), BL Kamdhenu Farms Ltd, and Leads Connect Services Pvt Ltd.

The agreement marks the first-ever business-to-government (B2G) collaboration between India and Brazil in bovine genomics. It also represents Embrapa's first private partnership with an Indian organisation, reflecting a strategic convergence in livestock and agricultural innovation, food security priorities, and shared global leadership in cattle genetics.

In another significant engagement, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, during his official visit to Brazil in December 2025, met Celso Amorim, Chief Advisor to the President of Brazil, and Jose Mucio Monteiro, Brazil's Minister of Defence, according to a statement by the Indian Navy.

The discussions included a comprehensive review of expanding India-Brazil defence engagement, with a focus on strengthening strategic cooperation and enhancing bilateral defence ties.

"Both sides also explored opportunities in defence industry collaboration and capability-building initiatives to support long-term interoperability and shared security objectives. Deliberations on regional and global dynamics - including the South Atlantic, the wider Indo-Pacific, and the collective role of the Global South- highlighted the shared vision of India and Brazil for a secure, stable, and rules-based international order. These high-level engagements reaffirmed the growing strategic convergence and the mutual commitment to elevate India-Brazil defence cooperation under the spirit of Bridges of Friendship," the statement added.

- ANI
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that NATO without the United States is not able to protect the Alliance countries.

"Briefly about Davos. My speech in Davos, maybe not all leaders liked it there, but Europe is, in my opinion, in a situation where you are attractive to the United States or not. I am talking now about the NATO Alliance. And without the United States, this Alliance, let's not make a diagnosis, but without America it is not NATO. This is the Union, it may be strong, but it is definitely without America. The Union without America is not a threat to Russia. Not that they want to threaten, but it is not even a defense for their states, in my opinion," Zelenskyy said at the second national Forum of Talented Youth in Kyiv on Friday.

He said the Ukrainian army is the strongest in Europe today.

"And that is why Europe must understand and protect Ukraine, and support us today, because if there is aggression tomorrow, or if there is a threat tomorrow, and the United States continues its policy of isolation, there is no one but Ukraine to strengthen Europe," the president added.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen met with Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen in Nuuk to demonstrate strong support following a period of diplomatic tension. The visit comes just after U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew his threat to impose tariffs and pursue a takeover framework for Greenland. Frederiksen emphasized close cooperation and preparing a joint diplomatic and political path forward for the kingdom. The U.S. views Greenland's location and resources as strategic, but Danish and Greenlandic leadership assert their right to self-determination.

Danish PM Mette Frederiksen meets Greenland's leader in Nuuk to show support after US President Donald Trump withdraws takeover threats and tariffs.

Nuuk, January 24 Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen met with Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen in Nuuk on Friday, just two days after US President Donald Trump withdrew threats of a US takeover of the Danish autonomous territory, CNN reported.

In a post on X, Danish PM Frederiksen wrote, "Just landed in Nuuk. Glad to be back in Greenland. Looking forward to continuing the close cooperation - also in the preparations for the joint diplomatic effort. Thanks for the warm welcome, Jens-Frederik."

"I am first and foremost in Greenland today to show our strong Danish support for the Greenlandic people," Frederiksen said, adding that it has been "a very, very difficult time," as quoted by China Daily.

She reiterated the importance of close cooperation with Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, highlighting their joint efforts as crucial preparations for the kingdom's next steps. "Now we will prepare to take the diplomatic and political path," she said.

The visit comes amid heightened diplomatic strain over Greenland's future. It comes after Frederiksen attended an emergency European Union summit in Brussels on Thursday and held talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte earlier on Friday.

Meanwhile, on Thursday (local time), US President Donald Trump said he will not proceed with his plans to impose tariffs on some European nations over Greenland, withdrawing his earlier threat to implement the tariffs starting February 1.

The decision comes following a "very productive" meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, during which the US President also laid the ground for a framework on a future deal concerning Greenland and the broader Arctic region.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump described the move as beneficial for both the United States and NATO allies.

"Based upon a very productive meeting that I have had with the Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte, we have formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland and, in fact, the entire Arctic Region. This solution, if consummated, will be a great one for the United States of America and all NATO Nations. Based upon this understanding, I will not be imposing the Tariffs that were scheduled to go into effect on February 1st," Trump wrote.

Washington claims Greenland's strategic location and mineral resources are vital to its security, but the leadership in Denmark, Greenland and Europe have rejected the idea, emphasising their right to self-determination.

- ANI
The Paarl Royals secured a convincing 36-run victory over the Joburg Super Kings in the SA20 eliminator. Lhuan-dre Pretorius led the batting charge with a swift 51, supported by contributions across the lineup to set a target of 210. The Super Kings' chase faltered early, crippled by Hardus Viljoen's fiery opening spell and the absence of key players like Faf du Plessis. The Royals now advance to Qualifier 2 against the Sunrisers Eastern Cape for a spot in the final.

Paarl Royals defeat Joburg Super Kings by 36 runs in SA20 eliminator. Lhuan-dre Pretorius scores 51, setting up a Qualifier 2 clash with Sunrisers Eastern Cape.

Centurion, January 23 Lhuan-dre Pretorius starred with the bat with last season's leading run-scorer coming to the fore when it mattered most, as the Paarl Royals defeated Joburg Super Kings by 36 runs in the eliminator of SA20 season 4.

On Thursday, the powerful left-hander put a disappointing second season behind him with a 34-ball 51 that formed the bedrock of the Royals' imposing 210/5. His knock consisted of two fours and five sixes.

The rest of the Royals batters all chipped in from opener Kyle Verreynne (30 off 15 balls, with four boundaries and a six) through to Dan Lawrence (36 off 23 balls, two fours and three sixes), Sikandar Raza (35 off 19 balls, with two fours and three sixes) and Asa Tribe (30* not out off 16 balls, with three fours and a six), as per a press release from SA20.

Joburg Super Kings run-chase never left the starting blocks with 36-year-old fast bowler Hardus Viljoen turning back the clock to send down a rasping opening spell.

Viljoen (3/24) hurried up all the JSK batters with his pace to send Neil Timmers (8) and Matthew de Villiers (0) back to the pavilion within the powerplay. JSK certainly missed the experience of their injured captain, Faf du Plessis and Rilee Rossouw during this period, as left-arm spinner Bjorn Fortuin and the competition's leading wicket-taker Ottneil Baartman also chipped in with a wicket apiece to reduce Super Kings to 40/4.

Stand-in captain James Vince (47 in 29 balls, with five fours and two sixes) and Wiaan Mulder attempted to rebuild JSK's innings with a 58-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

It was brought to a close by another impressive Royals teenager, Nqobani Mokoena (1/31), who outsmarted Vince with an excellent slower ball to clean bowl the Englishman.

Mulder (41 off 27 balls, with four boundaries and a six) attempted to keep the dwindling JSK flame flickering, but he too was outdone by the brilliance of Baartman (2/47 in four overs), who ended all hopes.

The Royals now travel down the NI1 South to the Wanderers to face Sunrisers Eastern Cape in Qualifier 2 on Friday evening. The winner will have the prized opportunity to head down to Cape Town to face Pretoria Capitals in Sunday's grand Final at Newlands.

- ANI
Saraswati Puja is being celebrated with great devotion and grandeur across Bihar on the occasion of Basant Panchami. Students, dressed in new clothes, are offering their books and study materials to Goddess Saraswati, seeking blessings for knowledge and success. Elaborate pandals and eco-friendly idols adorn towns and cities, with cultural programs adding to the devotional atmosphere. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha have extended greetings and participated in rituals, highlighting the festival's significance.

Devotees across Bihar worship Goddess Saraswati on Basant Panchami. Students offer books, CM Nitish Kumar extends greetings. See celebrations.

Patna, Jan 23 Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge, wisdom, and arts, is being worshipped with great reverence and enthusiasm across India on Friday, with Bihar witnessing especially vibrant celebrations on the auspicious occasion of Basant Panchami.

Idols of Goddess Saraswati have been installed in schools, colleges, homes, temples, and public pandals across the state. Since early morning, devotees have been thronging places of worship, with chants of "Jai Maa Saraswati" resonating throughout towns and cities.

Saraswati Puja holds a special place in Bihar, particularly among students.

School and college students, dressed in new clothes, offered their books, pens, and study materials at the feet of the Goddess, seeking her blessings for knowledge and success.

In several places, students stayed awake through the night to prepare for the puja and performed rituals with traditional mantras in the morning.

Large and beautifully decorated pandals have been set up across districts, including Patna, Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Bhagalpur, Purnea, and Chhapra.

Patna is witnessing special fervour, with schools, colleges, and neighbourhoods installing artistic idols adorned with colourful lights, flowers, and traditional decorations.

Cultural programmes, bhajans, and Saraswati Vandana are being organised at several locations, creating a deeply devotional atmosphere.

Beyond its religious significance, Saraswati Puja has emerged as a symbol of social harmony and cultural unity.

People from different communities are also participating collectively in the preparations and celebrations.

At home, women are preparing traditional offerings such as kheer, halwa, boondi, khichdi, along with fruits and flowers. Children, in particular, are displaying great excitement and enthusiasm throughout the festivities.

One of the highlights of Saraswati Puja in Bihar remains the artistic excellence of the idols. Crafted from clay and plaster, the idols beautifully portray serenity, peace, and the essence of learning. This year, many artisans have opted for eco-friendly idols, reflecting growing awareness about environmental conservation.

Meanwhile, the administration has put in place adequate security and law-and-order arrangements to ensure peaceful celebrations across the state.

On the occasion of Basant Panchami and Saraswati Puja, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar extended his heartfelt greetings and best wishes.

"People celebrate the arrival of spring, the king of seasons, with great enthusiasm and devotion, worshipping Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge. May you all celebrate the festival of Basant Panchami and Saraswati Puja with mutual harmony. I wish that this festival brings happiness, peace, and prosperity to the state and that the light of knowledge spreads everywhere," Kumar said.

Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha and Speaker of the Bihar Assembly Dr Prem Kumar performed a puja in the library located within the Assembly premises.

The Dy CM posted pictures on his X handle and wrote, "Today, in the library located within the Assembly premises, on the sacred occasion of Vasant Panchami, I had the good fortune to perform the ritual worship and adoration of the presiding deity of knowledge, wisdom, and speech, Goddess Mata Saraswati, alongside the Hon'ble Speaker of the Assembly, Shri @DrPremKrBiharji, and to receive her blessings. May the grace of Ma Sharade illuminate every heart with knowledge, discernment, and sound judgment, and may our Bihar continue to advance ceaselessly on the path of education, values, and progress - this is my prayer. Jai Ma Saraswati! Heartfelt wishes to all of you on Vasant Panchami."

- IANS
Saraswati Puja commenced at the disputed Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, under a Supreme Court order permitting Hindu prayers for the day. The court also allocated a specific two-hour window for the Muslim community to offer namaz at the same site. The Dhar district administration deployed massive security, including over 8,000 police personnel, to prevent any communal disturbance. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, currently in Davos, extended Basant Panchami greetings via social media.

Saraswati Puja and Muslim namaz proceed at disputed Bhojshala complex in MP under Supreme Court directive and heavy police deployment.

Dhar, Jan 23 Saraswati Puja began on Friday at the disputed Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, under heavy security.

A large number of Hindu devotees of Baghichi Devi (Goddess Saraswati) were reaching the site since early morning to offer prayers. Heavy security has been deployed to avoid communal violence at the disputed site.

The Muslim community members will also arrive at the site to offer their Namaz between 1 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who was in Davos, shared his greetings of the Basant Panchami through a social media post and wished for the well-being of the people of Madhya Pradesh.

"Heartfelt greetings of Basant Panchami to the people of the state and the entire country. May the grace of Maa Saraswati, the presiding deity of letters, music, and knowledge, fill everyone's life with wisdom, creativity, happiness, and prosperity. This is my heartfelt prayer," CM Yadav wrote on X.

The Supreme Court, while hearing the matter on Thursday, allowed Hindu prayers from sunrise to sunset on Basant Panchami (on Friday) and permitted Muslims to offer namaz from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the disputed site.

Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque Complex is a disputed site as both Hindus and Muslims claim their religious faith is associated with the site.

The dispute is that Hindus consider Bhojshala, an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)-protected 11th-century monument, to be a temple dedicated to Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati), while the Muslim community call it Kamal Maula Mosque.

Complying with the direction of the SC, Dhar district administration has strengthened security, deploying over 8,000 police personnel and Rapid Action Forces (RAF) in the vicinity of the disputed site.

Dhar Collector Priyank Mishra on Thursday stated that the district administration and police have prepared for the occasion, and the primary objective will be to maintain law and order.

He had also issued a stern warning that any content inciting religious hatred, whether through newspapers, electronic media, social media platforms like WhatsApp or Facebook, will invite strict action under the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita and the IT Act.

Under an arrangement made by the ASI on April 7, 2003, Hindus perform puja on the Bhojshala premises on Tuesdays, and Muslims offer 'namaz' in the complex on Fridays.

- IANS
New Zealand set a challenging target of 209 runs for India in the second T20I, powered by late fireworks from captain Mitchell Santner and a quickfire 44 from Rachin Ravindra. India's bowlers had a mixed day, with Arshdeep Singh conceding 18 runs in the first over, equalling an unwanted record. Spinner Kuldeep Yadav was the pick of the bowlers, taking two key wickets to stem the flow of runs. The Indian team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, now needs to chase down the total to secure the three-match series.

Mitchell Santner & Rachin Ravindra's knocks help NZ set 209-run target. India's bowlers struggle as Arshdeep's over proves costly. Live score updates.

Raipur, January 23 Fighting knocks from New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner and left-handed batter Raxchin Ravindra helped their side to post a challenging score of 208/6 in the second T20I against Team India at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium on Friday.

The Suryakumar Yadav-led Men in Blue have a 1-0 lead in the high-voltage T20I series against the Black Caps. The hosts won the opening contest by 48 runs, with opener Abhishek Sharma winning the Player of the Match for his blistering half-century.

After being asked to bat first, New Zealand were off to a fantastic start. In the very first over, India pacer Arshdeep Singh conceded 18 runs, which is also the joint-most expensive first over by an Indian bowler in a T20I match. Earlier, Ireland's Paul Stirling scored as many against right-arm speedster Bhuvneshwar Kumar in Malahide in 2022.

After the end of the third over, New Zealand raced away to 43/0. However, speedster Harshit Rana dismissed opener Devon Conway for 19 runs off nine balls, including three fours and one six, to break the partnership during the first ball of the fourth over.

In the very next over, spinner Varun Chakaravarthy dismissed Tim Seifert after fielder Ishan Kishan took a brilliant catch at the mid-wicket region. The right-handed batter made 24 off 13 deliveries, including five fours.

After the end of the sixth over, the Black Caps reached 64/2. During the fifth ball of the ninth over, spinner Kuldeep Yadav dismissed dangerous Glenn Phillips for 19 runs, including two fours and one six. New Zealand scored 111/3 after the end of 10 overs.

During the third ball of the 12th over, all-rounder Shivam Dube got his wicket. The all-rounder took the wicket of Daryl Mitchell, who made 18 runs off 11 deliveries along with three boundaries.

In the very next over, Kuldeep struck after he removed dangerous Rachin Ravindra. Arshdeep took a simple catch at the short third region. Ravindra played a blistering knock of 44 off 26 deliveries, including two fours and four towering sixes. New Zealand slumped to 132/5.

After the end of the 16th over, New Zealand scored 155/5. All-rounder Hardik Pandya then dismissed Mark Chapman for just 10 runs during the 17th over of the visitors' innings.

For India, Hardik Pandya (1/25), Harshit Rana (1/35), Varun Chakaravarthy (1/35), Shivam Dube (1/7) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/35) were among the wicket takers.

Towards the end, captain Mitchell Santner (47* off 27 deliveries, including six fours and one six) and Zakary Foulkes (15* runs off eight deliveries with two fours and one six) helped their side to post a challenging target of 209 runs against the Men in Blue.

Brief scores: New Zealand in 208/6 20 overs (Mitchell Santner 47*, Rachin Ravindra 44; Kuldeep Yadav (2/35)) vs India.

- ANI
Lieutenant Colonel Seeta Ashok Shelke and the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) have been selected for the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar 2026. Shelke is honored for her leadership during the 2024 Kerala floods, where she directed high-risk rescues and engineered critical infrastructure repairs. The SSDMA is recognized for institutionalizing a community-centered disaster risk reduction model, notably through its network of over 1,000 trained Aapda Mitras. The annual award, announced on Netaji's birth anniversary, celebrates outstanding contributions to disaster management in India.

Lt Col Seeta Ashok Shelke & Sikkim SSDMA win the 2026 disaster management award for heroic flood rescues & building community resilience.

New Delhi, January 23 The Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority in the institutional category and Lieutenant Colonel Seeta Ashok Shelke of the Indian Army in the individual category have been selected for the prestigious Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar 2026 for their outstanding contribution to disaster management.

Shelke is awarded the honour for leading large-scale Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in Kerala's Wayanad district during the 2024 floods and landslides. She coordinated with civil authorities and local leaders to ensure rapid evacuation, relief distribution, and restoration of essential services.

The Lieutenant Colonel directed multiple high-risk rescue missions under adverse weather conditions, saving hundreds of civilians. She supervised the swift construction of a 190-foot Bailey Bridge at Chooralmala, restoring vital connectivity to remote villages, and implemented innovative engineering solutions such as using a Komatsu PC210 excavator as a counterweight and building an improvised footbridge within four hours at night.

By mobilizing 150 tons of equipment, Shelke led operations that benefited thousands through timely relief and recovery efforts. She also trained over 2,300 personnel in disaster response and humanitarian operations. She brings disaster risk reduction (DRR) into action through her engineering service. Using Corps of Engineers skills, she enabled quick construction of bridges, access routes, and shelters in remote disaster-hit areas, supporting relief and recovery. Her work reflects practical leadership and the growing role of women in operational DRR.

However, SSDMA, which was established in 2005, is honoured with the award for significantly strengthening disaster preparedness and response in Sikkim by deploying 1,185 trained Aapda Mitras as Disaster Management officials in three tiers - Disaster Management Assistants at village level, Disaster Management Supervisors at block headquarters, and Disaster Management Coordinators at district headquarters. Disaster Management Assistants are posted in all Gram Panchayats. It has led to participatory planning, capacity-building initiatives, and Panchayat-level committees which have enhanced resilience to disasters and climate risks across all six districts.

During critical events such as the 2016 Mantam landslide and the 2023 Teesta floods, SSDMA's real-time coordination and trained first responders enabled the rescue of 2,563 people and reduced loss of life and damage. The SSDMA has institutionalized a proactive, community-centred disaster risk reduction approach through Aapda Mitra, with a strong focus on early warning, preparedness, and local capacity building. Creating a sustainable, scalable, and replicable model of community-centered disaster resilience, particularly relevant for other Himalayan and North Eastern states.

Instituted by the Central government, the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar is an annual award that recognises exemplary and selfless service by individuals and institutions in the field of disaster management. The award is announced every year on January 23, marking the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

The award recognize and honour the invaluable contribution and selfless service rendered by individuals and organizations in India in the field of disaster management.

Under the guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the country has significantly improved its disaster management practices, preparedness, mitigation and response mechanisms resulting in significant reduction in mortalities during natural disasters.

For the award of year 2026, nominations were solicited from May 1, 2025 onwards. In response, 271 nominations were received from institutions and individuals.

- ANI
TikTok has finalized an agreement to spin off its U.S. operations into a new joint venture, concluding a long-running national security dispute. The deal gives significant equity stakes to Oracle, UAE's MGX, and Silver Lake, while Chinese parent ByteDance retains a minority share. This restructuring complies with a 2024 U.S. law mandating divestment and aims to protect user data through new security protocols. The arrangement also extends to other ByteDance apps like CapCut, securing their continued operation in the American market.

TikTok finalizes a US joint venture deal with Oracle & investors, complying with US law to avoid a ban and protect 200M users' data.

New Delhi, January 23 TikTok finalised a deal to spin off its United States operations into a new joint venture, ensuring the video application remains accessible to its 200 million American users. The move concludes a multi-year legal and political dispute regarding national security and data privacy. According to a press release, the new entity includes significant equity stakes from a consortium of global investors and the original parent company.

The agreement specifies that tech giant Oracle, UAE-based MGX, and investment firm Silver Lake each hold a 15 per cent stake in the new venture. ByteDance, the Chinese parent company, retains a 19.9 per cent share.

This restructuring follows a 2024 law passed by Congress with bipartisan support that mandated TikTok divest from ByteDance or face a total ban in the United States. While the Supreme Court upheld the law, the current administration provided a window for the deal to materialise after a brief 14-hour service interruption in early 2025.

The company stated in its press release that the new joint venture "will operate under defined safeguards that protect national security through comprehensive data protections, algorithm security, content moderation, and software assurances for U.S. users."

Beyond the flagship video platform, the scope of this deal extends to other assets within the ByteDance ecosystem. The TikTok press release says the joint venture "will also cover other apps in the ByteDance portfolio, including CapCut and Lemon8." This inclusion ensures that the secondary applications used for video editing and social sharing also comply with the newly established security protocols and ownership structure required by United States regulators.

Earlier in December, TikTok signed the deal backed by US President Donald Trump to sell its US assets to a group of American investors, CEO Shou Chew told employees in a memo, as per CNN. Although the transaction was not then complete, the move brought TikTok one step closer to securing its long-term future in the United States.

Trump signed an executive order on September 26, clearing the way for the completion of a deal to sell TikTok's US assets to a consortium of mostly American investors.

- ANI
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha inaugurated a 40-foot-high idol of Goddess Saraswati in Agartala's Ward 40. He participated in prayers and highlighted the state's tradition of celebrating numerous festivals throughout the year. The Chief Minister also presented awards to individuals for their contributions to social, cultural, and educational fields. The event included a vibrant fair and cultural programs, drawing large crowds of devotees.

Tripura CM Manik Saha unveiled a 40-foot Saraswati idol in Agartala, offered prayers, and highlighted the state's tradition of celebrating 13 festivals a year.

Agartala, January 23 Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha participated in the Bani Bandana programme organised by the Dhaar Committee at Ward No. 40 in Agartala, where he unveiled a 40-foot-high idol of Goddess Saraswati on the premises of Bardawali Higher Secondary School. Chief Minister Manik Saha offered prayers on the occasion of Saraswati Puja.

The unveiling marked the celebration of Saraswati Puja with enthusiasm and devotion, with a large number of devotees gathering at the venue.

Speaking to ANI, CM Manik Saha said, "This is Ward 40 of Agartala Municipal Corporation, and my Vidhan Sabha and a 40-foot-high idol of Goddess Saraswati has been unveiled. In Tripura's tradition, Saraswati Puja, Durga Puja, Kali Puja or Lakshmi Puja, in 12 months, 13 festivals are conducted here. Basanti Puja starts from Friday. The corporator in Ward 40 has organised this Saraswati Puja. It will be celebrated for 6 days. Many cultural events will be held. In the Hindu tradittion each god is worshipped for a different purpose. Today we have worshipped the goddess of education, that the age group 18 to 35 years, should be gifted with intellectual, and with the help of education and wisdom to take the state forward."

During the programme on Thursday, CM Manik Saha also presented awards and felicitated several distinguished individuals for their contributions in various fields, encouraging social, cultural and educational excellence. He interacted with local residents and appreciated the organisers' collective efforts to preserve cultural traditions and promote community harmony.

A fair was also organised in connection with the Saraswati Puja, adding to the festive spirit of the occasion. The fair drew a large number of visitors and created a vibrant atmosphere in the area.

The programme featured local representatives, eminent personalities, and a large gathering of devotees, reflecting the deep cultural and religious significance of Saraswati Puja in Tripura.

- ANI
US President Donald Trump returned to Washington after attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he formally launched the Board of Peace. He described the new body as "very special" and a major step toward global conflict resolution, claiming his administration is "settling eight wars." Trump also promoted the Greenland project, stating it would be "amazing for the U.S.A." The Board of Peace, which has expanded from a Gaza ceasefire plan, could potentially assume roles currently held by the United Nations.

President Donald Trump returns from WEF, launches global Board of Peace, and promotes the Greenland project as "amazing for the U.S.A."

Washington DC, January 23 US President Donald Trump on Friday returned to Washington, D.C., after attending the World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos, highlighting that the Board of Peace is "something that the world has never seen before - very special."

Trump also spoke of the Greenland project, describing it as an initiative that will be "amazing for the U.S.A."

In his Truth Social, Trump wrote, "Heading back to D.C. It was an incredible time in Davos. The Greenland structure is being worked on, and will be amazing for the U.S.A., and the Board of Peace is something that the World has never seen before- Very special. So many good things are happening!

On Thursday, Trump formally launched the Board of Peace at the WEF, signing its charter and describing the move as a major step towards global conflict resolution.

Calling it a "very exciting day, long in the making", Trump said, "We're going to have peace in the world," and added, "And we're all stars.

In his opening remarks, Trump said, "Just one year ago the world was actually on fire, a lot of people didn't know it," but claimed "many good things are happening" and threats worldwide "are really calming down."

Trump, flanked by leaders from founding member countries, said his administration was "settling eight wars" and claimed that "a lot of progress" had been made towards ending Russia's war in Ukraine.

Thanking leaders who were present at the ceremony, Trump said, "We are truly honoured by your presence today," adding they were "in most cases very popular leaders, some cases not so popular." He also remarked, "In this group I like every single one of them."

Trump has previously described the newly-formed body as potentially the "most prestigious board ever formed."

The initiative originated from the US president's 20-point Gaza ceasefire plan endorsed by the UN Security Council, but has since expanded beyond its original scope. Administration officials said around 35 nations had committed to join, while 60 nations received invitations. Trump also suggested the new body could assume roles currently held by the United Nations.

The "Board of Peace" was unveiled as part of phase two of the fragile ceasefire agreement with Hamas to end the Israel-Gaza conflict, as reported by Al Jazeera.

- ANI
The United Arab Emirates has signed an agreement to contribute $5 million to the Sudan Humanitarian Fund managed by the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The funds are intended to strengthen the emergency response to the devastating civil war, which has caused large-scale displacement to neighboring countries. UAE officials emphasized the need for collective action and a humanitarian ceasefire to ensure aid reaches those most in need. Since the current crisis began in 2023, the UAE has allocated $784 million in humanitarian assistance to Sudan.

The UAE contributes $5 million to the Sudan Humanitarian Fund via OCHA to support life-saving aid and address urgent needs amid the devastating civil war.

Abu Dhabi, January 23 As per an agreement signed with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the United Arab Emirates has pledged a contribution of US$5 million to support the Sudan Humanitarian Fund, aimed at strengthening the emergency humanitarian response and addressing the urgent needs of the affected populations in Sudan.

The agreement was signed between the UAE Aid Agency and OCHA, in the presence of Tareq Ahmed Al Ameri, Chairman of the UAE Aid Agency. It was signed by Rashid Salem Al Shamsi, Executive Director of Logistics Support at the UAE Aid Agency, and Sajeda Al Shawa, Head of OCHA's Office in the UAE.

"In light of the ongoing conflict in Sudan, the UAE continues its urgent humanitarian response and stands in solidarity with those affected by this tragic and devastating civil war. The UAE remains committed to supporting international efforts to meet pressing humanitarian needs and save lives in conflict-ridden areas," Al Ameri said.

He further noted that the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Sudan, including large-scale displacement to neighbouring countries such as Chad, South Sudan, Uganda, and Ethiopia, requires intensified collective humanitarian efforts and swift responses to ensure early recovery, stability, and the mitigation of severe challenges faced by people.

Al Shawa expressed her sincere appreciation to the UAE for its generous contribution of $5 million to the Sudan Humanitarian Fund.

She said, "This significant contribution will enhance the collective efforts led by the United Nations, through OCHA and its partners, to reach vulnerable communities in Sudan. It will support the timely delivery of life-saving assistance in line with humanitarian principles. At a time of unprecedented humanitarian needs, this contribution reflects the UAE's steadfast commitment to solidarity and humanitarian leadership, and its dedication to ensuring aid reaches those most in need."

The UAE continues to provide sustained humanitarian support to the people of Sudan as part of its long-standing commitment to addressing the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

Over the past decade (2015-2025), the UAE has provided $4.24 billion in assistance to Sudan. Since the outbreak of the current crisis (2023-2025), the UAE has allocated $784 million in humanitarian aid.

The UAE reiterates the importance of collective action with regional and international partners and underscores the need for a humanitarian ceasefire to protect civilians and facilitate the safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance, contributing to stability and peace for the Sudanese people.

- ANI
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that in 20 years everything will be normal in Ukraine, and the issue of security and defense will be the most important thing.

"It is difficult to say what will happen in 20 years. Everything is changing very quickly. Honestly, even no strategies will help," Zelenskyy said at the second national Forum of Talented Youth in Kyiv on Friday, answering the question of what will happen to Ukraine in 20 years.

He said the country should be as independent, sovereign, strong and equal as possible.

"Today we are among the advanced countries, everyone sees the struggle, sees the quality of our warrior, the quality of our Ukrainian," he added.

The president also said Ukraine will be a member of the European Union and the first in technology.

"The issue of defense, security. I think this is the most important issue that Ukraine, having the experience that we have, should prioritize. Because if we have security, we will have the highest investments, salaries here... As everyone has understood that there is no more stability in the world. The winner will be the one who will provide more stability to its citizens and people who want to invest in you, in your state, live here, fight and fight for your passport, be a citizen of Ukraine," he said.

Zelenskyy expressed confidence that in 20 years everything will be normal in Ukraine.

"We have fought for so many years in every century, it seems to me that we definitely deserve a century of peace, silence, tranquility," the president said.
The United Arab Emirates has provided a list of over 900 Indian nationals to the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, marking their impending release. This action follows a November presidential order by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan that pardoned 2,937 inmates, covering their financial penalties. The release coincides with the UAE's National Day celebrations and aims to offer rehabilitation. The development occurs amidst strengthened bilateral ties, highlighted by a recent official visit where defence partnerships and mutual support on global forums were discussed.

UAE hands list of over 900 Indian inmates for release to Indian Embassy following a presidential pardon order. Details on bilateral ties and recent leadership visit.

New Delhi, January 23 The United Arab Emirates has handed over a list of over 900 Indian nationals to the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, who will be released as a part of the November order by the UAE.

Earlier on November 27 last year, the UAE President, in an official order shared on his website, mentioned that 2937 inmates had been released ahead of Eid Al Etihad.

Eid Al Etihad is the UAE's national celebration on December 2, marking the moment in 1971 when the emirates united under one flag.

The statement said, "President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has ordered the release of 2,937 inmates from correctional institutions in the UAE. His Highness has also pledged to cover the financial penalties incurred by the inmates as part of their sentences. Coinciding with the UAE's 54th Eid Al Etihad celebrations, the directive reflects His Highness' commitment to giving the released inmates a fresh start in life, easing the burden on their families, and bringing joy to their loved ones."

It further noted that the initiative was part of the President's broader efforts to promote stability, social cohesion, and opportunities for rehabilitation.

India and the UAE have longstanding ties.

Earlier on Monday, UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan paid an official visit to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It marked his fifth visit in the last 10 years and his third official visit as President of the UAE.

His visit saw the signing of a Letter of Intent towards the conclusion of a Strategic Defence Partnership.

The two leaders exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. They underlined their shared interest in regional peace, security and stability. They noted excellent cooperation and mutual support at multilateral and plurilateral fora. The UAE side conveyed its full support for the success of India's BRICS Chairmanship in 2026.

The Indian side conveyed its support for the 2026 UN Water Conference, to be co-hosted by the UAE at the end of 2026, which will focus on accelerating the implementation of SDG 6, ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) noted in the statement on its visit.

- ANI
The Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer has announced relaxed guidelines for the verification of voters in the 2026 Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Voters who receive notices due to mismatched records are now exempt from mandatory physical appearance and can authorize a representative or respond digitally through a dedicated portal. The process, which aims for 'No Voter Left Behind,' also involves Booth Level Officers delivering notices and accepts a range of documents for proof. The claims and objections period for this revision exercise began on January 6 and will conclude on February 6, with the final roll to be published on March 6.

UP CEO relaxes rules for 2026 electoral roll revision. Voters can send representatives or respond online, no mandatory physical appearance required.

Lucknow, January 23 Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa on Friday announced that notices are being sent to voters whose details in the 2026 Special Intensive Revision of the electoral rolls do not match those in the 2003 records.

According to the UP CEO, to achieve the 'No Voter Left Behind' goal, rules have been relaxed to make the verification process more inclusive and accessible.

Voters unable to attend hearings in person before registration officers have been exempted from mandatory physical appearance. A voter may authorise a representative to attend the hearing on their behalf by providing a signed or thumb-printed written authorisation. The note by the CEO read.

Citizens can log in to voters.eci.gov.in to check for issued notices and submit responses digitally. The website features a dedicated 'Submit documents against notice issue' box where voters can upload records using their EPIC or notice number.

In addition to the online portal, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are delivering physical notices directly to voters.

Documentation rules vary by birth date: those born before July 1987 only need their own records, while younger voters must provide parental records as well. Proof of birth or residence can be established using one of 13 documents, including Birth Certificates, Passports, Aadhaar, or specific government ID cards. Aadhaar usage follows specific 2025 guidelines, and certain excerpts from the Bihar SIR voter list are also accepted as valid proof, the UP CEO said.

The claims and objections period for the SIR exercise in Uttar Pradesh began on January 6 and will run until February 6. The final publication of Uttar Pradesh's electoral roll will be done on March 6.

According to the SIR bulletin on Friday, the State Election Commission has received a total of 18,764 claims and objections for inclusion of electors and 106 claims for exclusion from the political parties.

- ANI
US Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby will visit South Korea and Japan next week for key alliance discussions. The agenda includes South Korea's pursuit of nuclear-powered submarines and the conditions-based transfer of wartime operational control from the US. Colby is expected to emphasize trilateral security cooperation and explain the recently released US National Security Strategy. He has previously urged Asian allies, citing South Korea's commitment, to significantly increase their defense spending.

US Under Secretary Elbridge Colby will visit Seoul and Tokyo to discuss defense spending, nuclear submarines, and wartime operational control transfer.

Seoul, January 23 US Under Secretary of Defence for Policy Elbridge Colby is set to visit South Korea early next week to probably discuss issues like South Korea's push for nuclear-powered submarines and the issue of the US' transfer of wartime operational control to Seoul, sources told Yonhap News Agency on Friday.

Colby is expected to make a three-day visit to Seoul through Tuesday on a trip to Asia that also includes a stop in Japan, according to the sources.

Alliance issues, such as a hike in South Korea's defence spending, the conditions-based handover of wartime operational control from the United States to South Korea and Seoul's push to build a nuclear-powered submarine, are likely to be discussed in his upcoming trip.

He is also expected to address the importance of trilateral security cooperation among South Korea, the US and Japan, and explain the US National Security Strategy that was released last month.

In a social media post last month, Colby called for Asian allies to "do more" for their own defence and cited South Korea as the most recent case of allied countries stepping up to meet a "new global standard" for defence spending, as per Yonhap News Agency.

Colby made the remarks in a social media post on December 8, as Seoul has committed to increasing defence spending to 3.5 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP) as soon as possible in accordance with Korea's legal requirements.

Colby posted a series of messages on X, explaining a new US National Security Strategy (NSS), reaffirming US President Donald Trump's America First principles, and urging allies and partners to contribute "much more" to "collective defence."

"Crucially, ensuring stability in the Indo-Pacific will require our Asian allies to do more for their own defence," he wrote.

- ANI
Three Republican senators are urging the Trump administration to terminate visa waiver programs for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, arguing they enable Chinese nationals to secure U.S. citizenship for their children through birth tourism. They cite a dramatic rise in births to Chinese mothers in Saipan, from under ten a year in 2009 to nearly 600 by 2018, straining local hospital resources. The senators warn these practices create a chain migration pathway and pose a long-term national security threat by bypassing standard immigration vetting. Their letter calls for revoking a Biden-era travel program and requiring standard visas for Chinese visitors to the territories.

Republican senators call on Trump admin to shut down visa waivers they say allow Chinese nationals to exploit US citizenship via birth tourism.

Washington, Jan 23 Three Republican senators are urging the Trump administration to shut down visa and parole programs they say allow Chinese nationals to exploit US citizenship laws through birth tourism and surrogacy.

Sens. Rick Scott, Jim Banks, and Markwayne Mullin sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum calling the programs a national security risk. They argue the policies allow nationals from Communist China to gain fast-track access to US citizenship through children born in US territories.

The senators focused on the Guam-Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Visa Waiver Program and a newer offshoot created under the Biden administration. They said the programs allow visa-free entry for Chinese nationals and have fueled a sharp rise in birth tourism in Saipan.

"We write to express our gratitude for your commitment to protecting the homeland from foreign threats," the senators wrote. They said an Obama- and Biden-era policy allows Chinese nationals "to obtain fast-track American citizenship," calling it a "clear and significant short- and long-term national security risk".

The letter cites a Wall Street Journal investigation that found Chinese nationals increasingly using the US surrogacy system to secure citizenship for their children. The senators said these practices often occur outside traditional immigration vetting.

The Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program was created in 2009. It allows holders of Hong Kong passports to enter the CNMI for up to 45 days without a visa. A newer program, the CNMI Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program, introduced in 2024, allows Chinese nationals to enter the CNMI for 14 days visa-free.

According to the senators, births to visiting Chinese mothers in Saipan rose from fewer than 10 a year in 2009 to nearly 600 by 2018. They cited a VOA News investigation that found more than 3,300 babies have been born in Saipan to Chinese mothers since 2009. Fifty-five such births occurred last year alone.

Under US law, those children can later sponsor their parents for green cards when they turn 21. The senators warned this could lead to chain migration. They also said the children's own offspring could become US citizens regardless of where they are born.

The senators argued the programs strain local resources. They cited former CNMI Gov. Arnold Palacios, who said birth tourism overwhelmed the territory's only public hospital and burdened medical services.

The senators asked the administration to revoke the Biden-era EVS-TAP program and require standard tourist visas for Chinese nationals visiting the CNMI. They also urged ending Hong Kong's participation in the visa waiver program.

- IANS
Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj credits producer Sajid Nadiadwala for his unwavering financial and creative support on their upcoming film 'O Romeo'. Bhardwaj admits the film's escalating budget, fueled by shooting in locations like Portugal and Spain, was beyond his own capacity as a director. He also defended the use of uncensored swear words in cinema, stating films are a mirror of society. The love story 'O Romeo', starring Shahid Kapoor and Tripti Dimri, is set for release on February 13.

Vishal Bhardwaj reveals producer Sajid Nadiadwala pushed the budget for O Romeo beyond his vision, calling it a challenging journey of growth.

Mumbai Ja, n 23 Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj has lauded producer Sajid Nadiadwala for believing in him and his project. He also stated that while he tried hard to save money while shooting, Sajid went all out without worrying about the budget while Vishal felt that the entire budget was 'beyond his capacity as a director.'

"As the project progressed, the vision kept growing, and it wasn't me increasing it, it was Sajid Bhai," said Vishal.

He elaborated, "I would suggest shooting in places like Georgia to reduce costs, but he would say that it wouldn't have the same impact. When locations like Portugal and Spain were discussed, I worried about the expense, but he reminded me that cost should not limit the vision."

Vishal modestly highlighted that the budget of the movie went beyond his capacity as a director. "I am sharing this difficult journey because the budget of this film was beyond my capacity as a director. I did not have the ability to raise that kind of money."

He added, "It was Sajid Bhai's strong belief in me and in the project that made it possible. He kept telling me that I would get the money and realise my true capacity, but honestly, even then, the budget required was more than what I had envisioned."

He added, " In many ways, we tried to make a five-rupee film in one rupee, which is why the journey became so challenging. One thing we all realised through this film is that every film pushes you to discover and grow into a better version of yourself."

Earlier, Vishal who is all set for O Romeo, during its trailer launch had went onto

defend the open usage of slang and 'gaalis' (swear words) in movies without them being censored.

"I feel that gaalis in movies shouldn't be 'beep, beep, beep.' It should be said fully, exactly as it is meant to be spoken" said Vishal.

"As a society, we are very hypocritical. We accept these abuses on the streets, but when they appear in cinema, we say that cinema is doing something wrong, cinema is corrupting you, cinema will reform you. That's not how it works. Cinema, according to me, is a mirror of society and it reflects exactly who you are!" Vishal added.

He further elaborated, "If today there is violence shown in cinema, then this violence exists in our society. And as for abuses, I think there is poetry even in abuses, if they are used properly. So go ahead and use them; there's no problem."

Talking about the O Romeo that stars Shahid Kapoor, Tripti Dimri, Vishal said, "The film's name is O Romeo, and it is actually a love story, with a violent backdrop. It is an unrequited love story of this character, and is a strong love story."

O Romeo releases on February 13.

- IANS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has formally welcomed the Kerala-based Twenty20 party into the NDA fold following a meeting with its president, Sabu M Jacob. The alliance is positioned as a shared commitment to transparent and development-focused governance ahead of the state assembly elections. BJP's Kerala president, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, stated the mission is to transform Kerala's political culture from alleged corruption to one centered on development. The move aims to expand the NDA's footprint and bring a new model of prosperity and opportunity to the state.

PM Modi welcomes Sabu M Jacob's Twenty20 party into the NDA, aiming for a political transformation in Kerala based on development.

Thiruvananthapuram, January 24 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has welcomed the Twenty20 party into the National Democratic Alliance, following his meeting with the party chief Sabu M Jacob in Thiruvananthapuram. He described the partnership as a shared commitment to transparent, people-centric governance.

"Had a wonderful meeting with Shri Sabu M. Jacob Ji in Thiruvananthapuram. I warmly welcome Twenty20 to the NDA family. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to transparent, people-centric governance," PM Modi said in a X post after meeting Jacob on Friday.

Earlier on Thursday, Twenty20 President Sabu M Jacob, in response to the upcoming formal joining with NDA in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's presence on Friday, said that his party has proven its potential through the implementation and said that the party has worked in the fields of education, agriculture, infrastructure and many other fields. The party's President said they are trying to implement their model, based on experiments and research, through NDA.

Speaking to ANI, he said, "We are a proven political party through implementation, and we have learned a lot in practice. Right from education, agriculture, infrastructure and everywhere. We have conducted all the experiments and research, and proved that it is possible in Kerala. So, basically, we are trying to transfer that knowledge, and we are trying to implement that model through NDA."

The Twenty20 party on Thursday announced its decision to join the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ahead of the upcoming Kerala assembly elections.

The announcement was made by Kerala Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajeev Chandrasekhar during a press conference alongside Twenty20 president Sabu M Jacob.

Chandrasekhar claimed that the move was an expansion of NDA's political footprint and its political heft vis-a-vis the coming elections.

Speaking to the reporters here, the Kerala BJP president said that the aim was to spread the message of 'Viksit Keralam' (Developed Kerala), 'Vishwas Sanrakshanam' (Safeguarding Trust) and 'Surikshit Keralam' (Safe Kerala) through this alliance, which, according to him, has been put forth by the NDA in the previous 11 years of PM Modi's tenure. He said that the aim was to bring the same level of political development in Kerala.

He said, "Look what is happening in Kerala is quite clear and obvious, the message of Viksit Keralam, the message of Vishwas Sanrakshanam, the message of Surikshit Keralam that the NDA has (been) put forth (in) the last 11 years of Prime Narendra Modi's development and transformation of India and our intention (is) to bring the same level of development and transformation. Our intention is to bring the same type of development politics to Kerala."

Chandrasekhar claimed that the NDA has been receiving support, not just from the average Malayali voter, but also from many across the political spectrum, including traditional parties, MLAs, and ex-MLAs. He termed the alliance with the Twenty20 party "good fortune" and expressed happiness, claiming that the Twenty20 party is one of the few parties in Kerala that has steadfastly stood for development.

Speaking to the reporters, he said, "NDA receiving support just not from the average Malayali voter but also from many in the political spectrum amongst traditional parties MLAs and ex MLAs, and today we have the absolute good fortune, and we are extremely happy to have the one party in Kerala that has steadfastly stood for development, which is Twenty20."

"Our mission for the coming elections is very clear, we intent to bring a decisive transformation of the political culture in Kerala from the corruption, the appeasement and the Jamaat-type politics of the LDF and the Congress. From the stealing and the looting of gold from Sabrimala by the LDF and the Congress to a political system, where development is the only matter that is discussed," Chandrasekhar said while taking a jibe at the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Congress.

In the end, he said the mission of the alliance is to ensure that every Malayali has an equal opportunity to become prosperous, and to give his or her children opportunities in jobs and entrepreneurship."And that every Malayali has an equal opportunity to become prosperous, to give his or her children opportunities, jobs and entrepreneurship. This is our mission, and I am extremely happy today, a party that shares the vision for Viksit Keralam that is Twenty20 is a part of the NDA," Chandrasekhar said.

- ANI
Photo: @V_Zelenskiy_official Telegram

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed with Minister of Defense of Ukraine Mykhailo Fedorov personnel changes in the defense department, in particular, in the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).

"We also talked with the minister about personnel issues, and not only in the ministry, but in the branches of the forces, in particular in the Air Force. It is good that interaction within the Air Force and analysis of the circumstances of hits is becoming more. Conclusions are very much needed so that the system becomes more effective," Zelenskyy said in an evening video address on Friday, without specifying details.

The president also announced that he had instructed "our team to work out our agreements with our partners on air defense missiles as quickly and in as much detail as possible." "Yesterday there was a positive signal in a conversation with President Trump on the RAS-3 Patriot missiles, now we need a positive signal here in Ukraine  in real supplies for our sky defenders. Logistics must be accelerated as much as possible," the head of state said.

Fedorov reported to Zelenskyy on the "nuances of the situation on the front" and Ukrainian technology responses. "I thank every unit that is defending our Ukrainian positions and significantly increasing the technological component. The level of Russian losses in December is 35 thousand, this is very serious," the president said.
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Researchers from the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Medicine Center for Nanomedicine - which designs nanotechnology-based platforms for clinical translation across specialties - developed a strategy for delivering therapeutic messenger RNA (mRNA) to the inner lining of the uterus (endometrium) in mice via modified lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), which are small capsules made of fatty molecules.

In a report funded by the National Institutes of Health and published in Nature Nanotechnology Jan. 19, the investigators say their results using an endometrial injury model show they can improve embryo implantation and highlight a new possible treatment for some forms of infertility.

Specifically, the research team says their experiments demonstrate a targeted ability to deliver therapeutic mRNA - molecular instructions produced by cells to create proteins and control cell functions - to damaged uterine linings for a controlled amount of time.

Numerous gynecologic conditions, such as endometriosis and Asherman syndrome, can cause infertility by making embryos less likely to attach to the endometrium, a necessary step for pregnancy to proceed, even with the use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as in vitro fertilization. According to Laura Ensign, Ph.D., principal investigator and Marcella E. Woll Professor of Ophthalmology at Johns Hopkins Medicine, patients who cannot begin or maintain a pregnancy with ART do not have effective FDA-approved options to turn to.

"What we're doing [with our study] is establishing a new standard of care for people to explore."

mRNA therapies work by presenting existing cells with instructions to create highly specific functional proteins without changing the DNA in their nuclei. This approach is the basis of newer cancer therapies and the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. Experimentally, researchers designing mRNA therapeutics encounter challenges ensuring it reaches the treatment site at concentrations high enough to provide therapeutic benefit and avoid systemic toxicity.

For the new experiments at Johns Hopkins Medicine, Saed Abbasi, Ph.D., the study's lead author and research associate currently working in Ensign's laboratory, says they designed their experiments to see if delivery of the fragile, fast-degrading mRNA molecules specifically to the endometrium using LNPs was possible, and if so, what conditions could be improved with it.

Because mRNA breaks down easily on its own and living cells contain enzymes that actively seek out and degrade naked mRNA, the researchers used an LNP delivery system to protect and carry the mRNA code of an immune protein called granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). GM-CSF is believed to improve embryo attachment by increasing the thickness of the endometrium. However, while recombinant GM-CSF protein can easily be manufactured in large amounts from bacterial colonies, its short protein half-life and potential for off-target distribution have limited therapeutic application.

In their first set of experiments, the research team administered GM-CSF mRNA to the mouse endometrium via intrauterine infusion, a minimally invasive method used to administer embryos and therapeutics in ART, and observed that conventional mRNA-LNPs spread beyond their initial delivery site, resulting in liver and spleen toxicity.

To reduce the chance of off-target mRNA delivery, the researchers decorated their LNPs with a peptide - a type of small protein - called RGD (arginylglycylaspartic acid). RGD attaches to integrins, also known as cell surface proteins, that are expressed on the endometrium during the window of implantation (WOI), a period when the tissue is receptive to embryos. Modification of the mRNA LNPs helped ensure the treatment targeted the endometrium precisely, enhanced GM-CSF's expected therapeutic benefits and minimized side effects when infused during the WOI.

After infusing mice with their tailored mRNA-LNP, the researchers discovered that GM-CSF protein expression in the mouse endometrium remained high for up to 24 hours - and was nearly threefold higher eight hours afterward versus individuals who received the recombinant GM-CSF protein infusion. GM-CSF protein levels were also sixtyfold lower in the blood of mice that received the mRNA-LNP compared to the recombinant protein group, indicating an improved safety profile with a reduced risk of unintended organ toxicity.

While the human menstrual cycle is unusual compared to mice and other mammals, the window of implantation is one process that is shared and comparable between mice and humans. So, our findings are expected to translate to other model systems as well." Laura Ensign, Ph.D., principal investigator and Marcella E. Woll Professor of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Using the same tailored mRNA-LNP treatment in a mouse model of endometrial injury that mimicked fertility-reducing structural disturbances of the human endometrium, the researchers found embryo attachment was restored to levels comparable to those in healthy mice, while untreated mice showed 67% fewer implantation sites on average. Additionally, in the treated mice, the researchers did not find toxicity in the uterus and other mouse organs.

In future experiments, Ensign and Abbasi plan on using their LNP delivery system to test additional cytokines, growth hormones and other molecules that could potentially improve fertility. The group also believes their mRNA delivery system could address other endometrial disorders, such as endometriosis and endometrial cancer.

The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health (R01HD103124, R01HD108905), an unrestricted departmental grant from Research to Prevent Blindness, Maryland E-Nnovation Initiative Fund via the Endowed Fund in Honor of Marcella E. Woll, and the Johns Hopkins University President's Frontier Award.

Saed Abbasi, Justin Hanes and Laura M. Ensign are inventors on patent application (PCT/US2025/043687) filed by The Johns Hopkins University, which is related to the study. The authors declare no competing interests.

Other Johns Hopkins researchers who contributed to this study include Marina Better, Kimberly Bockley, Emily Chen, Charles Eberhart, Hongyu Feng, Justin Hanes, Neomi Jerry, Jordan Miller, Jairo Ortiz and James H. Segars.
Analyzing nearly 11.5 million births across four decades, researchers use rigorous methods to show that fluoridated drinking water is not linked to lower birth weight.

Study: Community Water Fluoridation and Birth Outcomes. Image credit: Tatjana Meininger/Shutterstock.com

While fluoridated water is widely considered a public health benefit, its potential association with reduced birth weight has often raised concern. A recent study published online on JAMA Network Open explores this question in a large nationwide study.

Fluoridated waters benefits and long-standing health concerns

The concept of community water fluoridation ( CWF ) is based on the observation that naturally higher water fluoride levels are associated with lower rates of dental caries at the community level. This large-scale public health experiment began in 1945, when Grand Rapids, Michigan, fluoridated its municipal water supply, with Muskegon, a nearby town, serving as the control.

The original experiment demonstrated its efficacy, with a 60 % reduction in pediatric dental caries in Grand Rapids by 1950. This triggered the widespread rollout of CWF , which covered 63 % of the US population by 2018, up from 3.3 % in 1951. The actual reduction in dental caries is likely to be somewhat lower, at 25 % to 35 %, probably because other fluoridated products are widely available.

Some adverse effects of fluoride are also well documented, such as fluorosis (teeth discoloration) with excessive intake. This is rare with CWF .

Other scientists have suggested that prenatal and early-life fluoride exposure could be associated with impaired cognitive development. Notably, observational studies have produced conflicting findings and have been subject to significant confounding. The current study does not directly evaluate neurodevelopmental outcomes but instead focuses on birth outcomes as indicators of early-life health.

The current study used birth weight as an alternative, complementary measure of the putative adverse effects of prenatal fluoride exposure. Birth weight is a reliable marker of overall infant and long-term health. Moreover, it rapidly and sensitively reflects prenatal exposures, reducing biases due to cumulative exposures or other unmeasured confounding factors operating after birth.

Birth weight is also a universally documented measure in the US , along with the mothers county of residence, allowing accurate evaluation of community-level CWF exposure.

Observational studies have reported decreases in birth weight associated with higher fluoride levels in pregnant women. Maternal fluoride exposure raises fetal fluoride levels, potentially inducing oxidative stress. Fluoride may also alter maternal thyroid function or impact placental function. Thus, it may affect birth weight through multiple mechanisms, although these pathways were not directly examined in the current analysis.

Using county-level rollout to isolate fluoridations effects

The study used a cohort design spanning 1968 to 1988. The researchers chose an event-study analysis with a difference-in-differences ( DID ) approach. This technique tracks outcome differences in the intervention vs control groups at multiple time points before and after the specified event.

This statistical method is one of several that reduce confounding, demonstrating its value in assessing public health intervention outcomes, especially when experimental research is not feasible. The study design was made possible by the staggered initiation of CWF across US counties. Exposure rates were measured using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Fluoridation Census, which indicates the proportion of county residents who were supplied with fluoridated water.

Birth outcomes before and after the onset of fluoridation were compared within each county in the intervention group. Counties that had never implemented it or had not yet implemented it were in the control group. The researchers primarily evaluated the mean birth weight. Secondary outcomes included the rate of low birth weight, the mean gestational length, and the prematurity rate.

No detectable changes in birth weight after fluoridation

The study included 11,479,922 singleton births across 677 counties, with a mean birth weight of 3.34 kg and a mean gestational age of 39.5 weeks. CWF was implemented in 408 counties, comprising 60 % of the total.

The number of exposed counties increased steadily, covering 46 % of the population. However, 100 % fluoridation did not occur since not all water sources serving a given county were fluoridated at the same time, if ever. On average, CWF increased the proportion of county residents with access to fluoridated water by 32 percentage points.

Significantly, birth weights in the years preceding and after CWF rollout followed similar trends across exposed and control counties. Thus, the study found no evidence of an association between CWF and reduced birth weight.

The current study used a robust statistical technique that reduced the risk of confounding. These results support the interpretation that CWF has no detectable causal effect on birth weight, provided that the timing of CWF within a county is independent of other factors that drive birth weight.

Factors favoring this assumption include the staggered timing of CWF that was apparently systematically unrelated to other public health programs in the county. The study also uses comparisons within rather than between municipalities, yielding an intention-to-treat estimate at the community level rather than an estimate of individual fluoride exposure.

Additional evidence supporting internal validity includes the absence of differences in birth weight trends across counties, regardless of later CWF implementation, and multiple sensitivity analyses.

Limitations of the study include potential misclassification of exposure, as the researchers measured community access to fluoride rather than individual fluoride exposure based on biomarker use. It is possible that other environmental regulations were put into force, which improved water and air quality concomitantly with CWF , confounding the effect on infant health. However, these influences are limited by their national rather than water-district-level impact.

Further support comes from the various sensitivity analyses, which fail to confirm the hypothesis even when restricted to counties with more than 90 % fluoridation coverage, when model alternative exposures, or when accounting for changes in the overall composition of births. Even the most negative estimates discussed represent less than a 1 % change in mean birth weight, suggesting limited clinical significance.

Finally, other exposures, such as disinfectants or anti-corrosion agents added to the water supply, could impair the results of this analysis. However, the consistently null findings across all outcomes make this explanation unlikely.

Evidence supports fluoridation safety for birth outcomes

The study finds no evidence that community water fluoridation during pregnancy adversely affects birth weight, and adds to the body of evidence suggesting no detectable harm for this outcome. It also underlines the need for scientific rigor while framing safety studies to assess public health interventions. This is necessary to avoid drawing causal conclusions from less reliable observational study findings, which may be vulnerable to residual confounding and fade under more stringent quasi-experimental analysis.

Future research should attempt to provide more objective fluoride exposure measurements and capture non- CWF sources of fluoride intake, improving the generalizability of the results.

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The Digital Policy Office today announced its collaboration with the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company to launch the Digital Corporate Identity (CorpID) Sandbox Programme.

This programme offers a free simulated environment for service providers, including public and private organisations as well as government departments, to conduct proof-of-concept testing and application development for CorpID. This initiative facilitates the design of tailored solutions and application scenarios across various industries and markets.

The initiative aims to kick-start ecosystem development for CorpID to help Hong Kong corporations accelerate their digital transformation, while further strengthening the business environment for Hong Kong corporations.

To speed up the development of Hong Kongs digital economy, the office plans to launch the CorpID Platform for Hong Kong corporations by the end of 2026 with a gradual extension of services.

The platforms main functions are to facilitate secure and convenient digital identity authentication and signature verification for Hong Kong corporations, which streamlines e-government services and online transactions. This is achieved through digital corporate identity authentication, digital signing, pre-filling of forms and storage of digital licences and permits.

These features eliminate the need for complicated, paper-based procedures involving the submission and verification of duplicate original documents and company chops.

The platform will also enable corporations to reuse information previously provided when using different electronic services, saving processing time and reducing human errors while facilitating their digital transformation.

The CorpID Sandbox Programme will provide participating service providers with technical support, reference documents and simulated Application Programming Interface. It will also introduce suitable application scenarios, allowing service providers to test CorpID functions. Interested service providers can register online.
Mr Chan (right) attends a welcome reception for delegates to the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan (right) meets the Minister of Economy of the Sultanate of Oman.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan began his five-day itinerary at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland yesterday.

In the afternoon, he met Minister of Economy of the Sultanate of Oman H E Said Mohammed Al-Saqri. The two sides discussed ways to deepen mutually beneficial co-operation in areas such as finance, trade, green transformation and industrial development.

Mr Chan observed that Oman is transitioning towards a more diversified economy, including through efforts to promote green transformation and renewable energy, and to strengthen its economic and investment ties with China. As a super connector, he said, Hong Kong is well positioned to support this process by facilitating investment by Mainland and Hong Kong enterprises to support Oman's infrastructure and industrial development.

He added that Hong Kong can also render support by leveraging its status as an international financial centre in Asia to offer Omani enterprises a platform for fundraising and financing, as well as offshore renminbi investment and risk management products.

Mr Chan also highlighted that financial market connectivity between the two places can foster mutual development.

He expressed support for the stock exchanges and regulatory authorities of the two places to explore reciprocal co-operation, including opportunities for dual or secondary listings.

In the evening, Mr Chan attended a welcome reception for delegates to the annual meeting, and engaged with participants from around the world.
Financial Secretary Paul Chan (third right) meets delegates from the technology sector after speaking at a meeting hosted by a digital asset company.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan fulfilled various engagements on day two of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland yesterday, as he promoted Hong Kongs advantages and opportunities.

In the morning, Mr Chan attended a Special Address delivered by State Council Vice Premier He Lifeng.

Mr Chan also attended a breakfast meeting hosted by digital asset company Animoca Brands, where he engaged in discussions with leaders from the financial and innovation sectors on how blockchain applications, including tokenised assets and genomic data analytics, are driving transformation and development in capital markets.

The finance chief said that, as an international financial centre, Hong Kong has adopted a proactive yet prudent approach to the development of digital assets and follows the principle of same activity, same risk, same regulation to promote responsible and sustainable market development.

Explaining that a licensing regime for stablecoins is expected to be launched later this year, he highlighted the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Governments leadership role in promoting tokenisation, including the issuance of three batches of tokenised green bonds amounting to around US$2.1 billion. In addition, he said, regulatory sandboxes have been introduced to encourage the development of innovative applications.

Later in the day, Mr Chan met a number of officials from different economies and regional organisations to exchange views on the global political and economic landscape, ways of strengthening collaboration on trade, finance, industrial development and digital transformation, and other issues of mutual concern.

These officials included Thailands Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Egypts Minister of Investment & Foreign Trade Hassan El Khatib; and Switzerlands State Secretary for International Finance at the Federal Department of Finance Daniela Stoffel.

In addition, Mr Chan met World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to exchange views on the current and future international trade landscape.

His engagements for the day also included a meeting with Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of technology investment firm Vista Equity Partners Robert Smith.

At the meeting, Mr Chan learnt about developments in the firms software and data businesses, and encouraged Mr Smith to consider expanding the companys presence in Hong Kong.
Financial Secretary Paul Chan (right) chats with Australias Ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd (left).

Financial Secretary Paul Chan promoted Hong Kongs advantages in Davos, Switzerland yesterday, as he continued his attendance at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting.

At the 2026 Davos-Caixin CEO Luncheon, Mr Chan delivered a keynote speech to business leaders introducing Hong Kongs development vision and strategic positioning on finance, trade and innovation and technology.

Highlighting that under one country, two systems, Hong Kong is spearheading initiatives on financial and technological innovation in collaboration with neighbouring cities in the Greater Bay Area that boast robust industrial chains, he said the city holds tremendous development and investment potential.

Mr Chan also remarked that international trade is undergoing a paradigm shift. He said developed countries must be aware that the traditional model of developing economies producing and exporting low-cost goods is evolving.

Taking China as an example, he explained, the country is advancing high-level, two-way opening-up and focusing on expanding domestic demand. This, he said, not only injects momentum into Chinas high-quality development, but also creates vast market opportunities for quality goods and services from across the globe, fostering shared prosperity.

The finance chief later shared his views, at a dinner, on China's development, international relations, and capital market developments in both the Mainland and Hong Kong.

Earlier in the day, he attended a business exchange session, where he held bilateral discussions with Cambodias Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol and United Arab Emirates Minister of State for Financial Affairs Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini.

They exchanged views on the global economic and trade landscape and explored ways to strengthen bilateral economic and trade co-operation.

Separately, Mr Chan interacted with some 100 leaders from various sectors and regions during the exchange session.

His engagements for the day also included a meeting with Yidu Tech Chairlady and Founder Gong Yingying.

Mr Chan learnt about the medical technology firms AI and digital-powered clinical platform, and encouraged Ms Gong to consider expanding its business to Hong Kong.
Financial Secretary Paul Chan speaks at a thematic session during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan today departed Davos, Switzerland to return to Hong Kong after concluding his attendance at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting.

Yesterday, Mr Chan spoke at a thematic session focused on how public-private collaboration can advance carbon neutrality goals against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions, a global economic slowdown, and high debt levels in advanced economies.

Mr Chan highlighted that both China and Hong Kong are steadily progressing towards carbon neutrality. He explained Hong Kongs target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and its strategies to realise it  including tax concessions for electric vehicles, incentives for green buildings, and financial support for trials of innovative technologies such as sustainable hydrogen-powered transport.

He said that, as an international financial centre, Hong Kong facilitates private capital participation in the decarbonisation process through a rich green finance ecosystem that includes green bonds and Environmental, Social & Governance funds.

Mr Chan outlined that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government encourages financial innovation, including the issuance of tokenised green bonds to allow wider investor participation in green projects, and the securitisation of loans for infrastructure projects to release capital for reinvestment into new projects.

The finance chief stressed that public support and trust are key to achieving a green transition, adding that Hong Kong SAR Government ensures that funds are genuinely used for green projects by formulating internationally aligned standards.

He said that for high-emission enterprises, such as mining companies, listing in Hong Kong not only enables them to access capital to support their development but also helps enhance their corporate governance, transparency and recognition in global markets.

The Financial Sectary also met WEF President & Chief Executive Officer Brge Brende, and International Monetary Fund First Deputy Managing Director Dan Katz to exchange views on various aspects of global finance.

In addition, he held meetings with PricewaterhouseCoopers Global Chairman Mohamed Kande, AXA Group Chief Executive Officer Thomas Buberl, and Amazon Web Services Global Public Policy Vice President Michael Punke.
The proposal was approved by the National Assembly in first of two discussions, while the opposition calls foul on lack of debate

The future of the economy in a Venezuela without Nicolas Maduro depends on legal reforms that the Chavista government is quickly initiating. Debate on reforms to the hydrocarbons law began Thursday at the National Assembly, a first step towards allowing foreign capital to take part in the exploitation and commercialization of Venezuelan oil, under the watch of the United States. It marks the beginning of a new period of detente, leveraged by the oil business, which Washington negotiated with the Venezuelan government following its military attack and capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, on January 3.

Primary proposed modifications to the law focus on opening the doors to the oil sectors privatization and the reduction of governmental control, after years during which the Chavista regime sought to centralize the economy. Until now, joint ventures  in which the Venezuelan government held a majority stake  were the only way for foreign investment to enter the countrys oil industry. Now, the reform looks to allow private companies domiciled in the country  within the framework of contracts signed with the government  to participate in the primary sector.

The debate came to a National Assembly with a minority bloc of opposition leaders, and the plan was approved in the first of two discussions. After a quick reading of the articles, the Libertad bench, led by opposition leader Henrique Capriles, abstained. Earlier, before the session began, Representative Stalin Gonzalez stated in a message on his social media accounts that his parliamentary group had not received the proposed amendment to the law. They talk about coexistence, but their exclusionary and discriminatory practices remain intact, he wrote on Instagram.

Voting at Venezuelas National Assembly on Thursday. ASAMBLEA NACIONAL DE VENEZUELA E

Earlier in the week, opposition lawmakers called for a broad discussion of the legal reform at a press conference. We would like to know the scope of the new energy agreements and what changes are being sought in the law. Lets not be afraid of debating oil issues in this country, said Capriles.

Among the modifications is one related to the 30% share currently due to the Venezuelan government for extractions from deposits. That rate can be lowered to 20% if it is determined that a mature or extra-heavy oil deposit, such as those in the Orinoco Belt, is not economically exploitable with the higher rate of concession. The reform proposed by the executive branch reduces that percentage to 15% in the case of joint ventures, though it would remain at 20% for private companies.

The direct sale of crude oil to companies is also currently allowed, but an article has been added to the proposed legislation stating that disputes and doubts regarding that regulation can be resolved in local courts and through independent mediation and arbitration. Beyond the exploitation period, ownership of oil fields would remain with the Venezuelan government.

Access to Venezuelan oil is the primary demand of Donald Trumps administration, and Chavismo is responding swiftly. Agreements between Caracas and Washington have already been finalized, with a first sale of crude oil for $500 million, of which Venezuela has received $300 million.

In a meeting between Trump and U.S. oil companies a few days ago, representatives of various firms showed interest in investing in Venezuela, but also demanded legal and political security. In the era of Hugo Chavez (1999-2013), the expropriation of Exxon Mobile and Conoco Phillipss assets  which was followed by lengthy litigation that is still ongoing  deterred foreign investment. During Maduros administration, assets of U.S. companies in other sectors were also confiscated.

Venezuelas interim president Delcy Rodriguez has announced that her goal is to incorporate figures from the private sector, as provided for in the anti-blockade law. That instrument has allowed for negotiations under confidential agreements with private capital close to the government for the recovery of companies and sectors that Chavismo nationalized and bankrupted in previous years.

Two other regulations discussed on Thursday were approved quickly. They relate to socioeconomic rights and the streamlining of procedures. The latter gives the Venezuelan president the power to suspend, reduce, or repeal any type of procedure, law, or resolution that contravenes the acceleration and optimization of administrative procedures.

A mural depicting Hugo Chavez, Simon Bolivar and Nicolas Maduro on January 30, 2019 in Caracas, Venezuela. Marco Bello (Getty Images)

Military changes

For his part, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez announced changes among the highest officers of the Armed Forces, after the armed incursion of the U.S. Army on January 3 that incurred 79 military casualties, killed four civilians, and left military installations and homes destroyed.

From here, before the Venezuelan people, following the precise instructions of the acting president Delcy Rodriguez, we are carrying out throughout Venezuela the new appointments that have been decided for the command structure of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces, which have no other purpose than to ensure the continuity of the forces operational units, he said, before a formation of cadets.

The changes have been made official, for the time being, for the heads of the comprehensive defense zones of 14 states and regions of the country. The announcement was made from Fuerte Tiuna, one of the facilities most affected by the attacks, and where Maduro and his wife were captured. Padrino said that the president is a prisoner of war and that both Maduro and Flores are free of all charges brought against them in a New York court.

It has been 465 hours, 19 days since this military fort, this very space where we are now, was attacked by the worlds leading lethal nuclear power, Padrino said. The minister added that Venezuela was used by the United States as a laboratory to carry out a systematic bombing, assisted by the highest level of artificial intelligence ever tested.

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In preparation for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Finance Ministers Meeting (FMM) 2026 to be held in Hong Kong this October, Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui today held a steering committee meeting to review the preliminary preparatory work and discuss key follow-up tasks.

Mr Hui said that 2026 marks the APEC China Year themed Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together.

Hong Kongs inaugural hosting of the FMM signifies our countrys recognition of Hong Kongs status as an international financial centre, he said.

Leveraging Hong Kongs strengths in internationalisation and financial development, while being guided by the three priorities - openness, innovation, co-operation - of the China Year, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will spare no effort in focusing on the new opportunities and challenges facing Asia-Pacific development, integrating the building of an Asia-Pacific community into concrete actions for regional co-operation, Mr Hui added.

The steering committee comprises senior representatives from 20 policy bureaus, departments and organisations. Mr Hui stressed that it will make every effort to co-ordinate interdepartmental collaboration to assist China in organising a well-executed and smoothly run FMM.

Members of the steering committee will offer invaluable insights and robust support for the preparatory work. This will ensure the successful organisation of the FMM while showcasing to the international community the unique appeal and boundless opportunities of Hong Kong as an international financial centre, he explained.

During the meeting today, steering committee members also discussed the FMMs meeting venue, accommodations, security and publicity arrangements.

As the host of APEC 2026, China is responsible for preparing for and chairing the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting, as well as a series of ministerial and other meetings. The Central Peoples Government announced earlier that the FMM will be hosted by the Ministry of Finance and held in Hong Kong under the arrangements and organisation of the Hong Kong SAR Government.
24-year-old man shot dead at cafe in northeast Delhi's Maujpur

Last Updated: January 24, 2026, 00:45 IST

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New Delhi, Jan 23 (PTI) A 24-year-old man was shot dead by unidentified assailants at a cafe in northeast Delhis Maujpur area late Friday night, police said.

The incident was reported at 10:28 pm at a cafe in Welcome, they said.

A PCR call was received regarding a firing incident at the location. A police team rushed to the spot and found a man lying injured," a senior police officer said. He was identified as Faizan, also known as Fazzi (24), a resident of Welcome.

He was immediately shifted to Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital for treatment. However, doctors declared him dead upon arrival, the officer said.

A crime and forensic science laboratory (FSL) team inspected the scene and is collecting physical and scientific evidence," the officer said, adding that the exact number of assailants and the sequence of events leading to the firing are yet to be ascertained.

A case has been registered under Section 103(1) (Murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) along with sections of the Arms Act at the Welcome police station, the police said.

Preliminary inquiry suggests that the firing took place inside or in the immediate vicinity of the cafe. The police are examining the CCTV footage from the establishment and nearby areas to identify the accused and track their movements before and after the incident, they said.

Teams have been deployed to conduct raids at suspected locations, and local informers are being activated to gather leads, they added. The police are also questioning staff members of the cafe and other persons present at the time of the incident to piece together the circumstances that led to the shooting.

The motive behind the killing is yet to be established. Further investigation is underway, the police said. PTI SSJ MNK MNK

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Andhra forms panel to study social media curbs for children under 16

Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 10:00 IST

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Amaravati, Jan 23 (PTI) The Andhra Pradesh government has appointed a committee comprising a group of ministers to study the possibility of restricting or banning access to certain social media platforms for children below 16 years, state Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha said on Friday.

She also said the Group of Ministers (GoM), headed by IT Minister Nara Lokesh and comprising members, including herself and Health Minister Satya Kumar, will study models being followed by various state governments and countries so that the best model can be adopted.

The Australian government has brought out legislation that would set an age limit of 16 years for children to start using social media, and hold platforms responsible for ensuring compliance.

Not only the Australian model, we are studying various models being implemented in the entire country and also worldwide. We will get a report on how to control social media abuse and also how far the state can implement it," Anita told PTI.

She further said the report, which will have some recommendations, would be shared with the central government.

Either a ban or restriction. How to control it is the main task," she said.

Taking the example of Facebook, the minister said some of the social media platforms, though they ask the age of the user, they would not check the authentication of the date of birth entered on the site.

What we feel is these social media platforms should ask the user to upload age proof documents so that their authenticity is verified," she opined, saying that these are some of the suggestions that came up during the earlier discussions.

The GoM is expected to submit its recommendations in a month after discussing it with Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, she added.

Minister Lokesh in Davos reportedly said the government is mulling restricting usage of social media by children below 16 years of age. The statement was welcomed by the ruling Telugu Desam Party. PTI GDK KH

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Demand for Agentic AI skills surges; supply falls short by over 50 pc: Report

Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 16:15 IST

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Mumbai, Jan 23 (PTI) Agentic AI and specialised GenAI roles are projected to grow 35-40 per cent annually while the demand-supply gap remains above 50 per cent, a report said on Friday.

Agentic AI is an advanced form of artificial intelligence focused on autonomous decision-making and action.

Based on an analysis of more than 28,000 job postings, the report shows that Agentic AI roles are now firmly embedded within enterprise hiring, supported by the shift from GenAI pilots to production-grade autonomous workflows.

Indias Agentic AI market, valued at approximately USD 276 million in 2024, is projected to reach nearly USD 3.5 billion by 2030, supported by automation modernisation and enterprise adoption.

The Quess Corp report  Is Indias Workforce Ready for the Agentic AI Era?"  is based on secondary research.

The report revealed that salary premiums continued to be strongest in senior architecture and safety positions, ranging between 20 per cent and 28 per cent.

Internal mobility is expected to fill 30-35 per cent of advanced AI roles, supported by structured AI training programmes across 70-75 per cent of GCCs and large enterprises, while remote roles are projected to account for 15-20 per cent of total advanced AI hiring.

Further, it revealed that Global Capability Centres account for 54 per cent of total Agentic AI hiring demand, reflecting the concentration of agent platform engineering, orchestration, safety, and governance within GCC ecosystems.

Tech and SaaS firms show 68 per cent adoption of Agentic AI by embedding agents into products and customer workflows, said the report.

Mid-senior professionals represent over 70 per cent of Agentic AI hiring while early-career hiring accounts for about 20 per cent with leadership roles continuing to expand in governance, safety and product strategy.

It also revealed that tool-calling and orchestration appear in 72 per cent of job descriptions and Retrieval-Augmented Generation tool (RAG + Tool) capabilities are required in 63 per cent of roles.

Framework exposure to LangGraph, AutoGen and CrewAI has reached 43 per cent, showing a shift from prompt writing to workflow-based agent development while observability appears in 19 per cent of roles and runtime guardrails and safety appear in 8 per cent.

Several roles that were largely absent three years ago are now in demand, including AI Orchestration Engineers, Agent Behaviour Analysts, Agent Safety and Governance Specialists, Vector Database Architects, Agent Lifecycle Managers and Agentic AI Product Managers.

Talking about geographies, the report revealed that Bengaluru and Hyderabad together accounted for nearly 62 per cent of Agentic AI hiring, while NCR, Pune and Chennai continue to expand as centres for governance, deployment and workflow management.

Tier II cities such as Kochi, Coimbatore, Jaipur and Ahmedabad now contribute close to 10 per cent of total hiring, it said.

For technology professionals in India, Agentic AI is not just a new skill set, but a new career direction. The growing demand for ownership, safety and system responsibility shows that these roles are becoming long-term enterprise careers rather than short-term innovation projects.

This shift opens up opportunities for Indian talent to move closer to core business decision-making and global technology ownership. It also signals that Indias AI workforce is entering a phase defined by responsibility, trust and long-term value creation," Quess Corp CEO of IT Staffing Kapil Joshi added. PTI SM MR

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Five killed in a suicide attack at a wedding in Pakistan's KPK

Last Updated: January 24, 2026, 01:15 IST

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Peshawar, Jan 23 (PTI) At least five people were killed and ten injured in a suicide blast during wedding celebrations at the residence of a peace committee member in Pakistans northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Friday night.

District Police Officer Dera Ismail Khan district, Sajjad Ahmed Sahibzada, confirmed that it was a suicide bombing that occurred during a wedding celebration at the residence of the peace committee chief Noor Alam Mehsud near Qureshi morr.

The guests were reportedly dancing when the attack happened. The blast caused the rooms roof to collapse, hampering rescue operations and making it difficult to reach those trapped under the debris.

An emergency had been declared at the District Headquarter Hospital.

In a statement, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rescue 1122 spokesperson Bilal Ahmed Faizi said five bodies and 10 injured had been taken to the hospital.

He said that seven ambulances, a fire vehicle and a disaster vehicle reached the site of the incident soon after it was reported, adding that a rescue operation was underway.

Authorities cordoned off the area and launched an investigation into the incident. Initial reports said peace committee leader Waheedullah Mehsud, alias Jigri Mehsud, was among the dead.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi strongly condemned the blast and sought a report from the KP inspector general of police. He said that those responsible would be brought to justice.

Earlier this month, armed assailants had killed four members of a peace committee in KPs Bannu district.

In November 2025, seven people were killed when a peace committee office was attacked, also in KPs Bannu district. Police officials said that among those killed was a good Talib, a term used to refer to a former militant who has surrendered to the state, and the rest were his relatives. PTI AYZ RD RD RD

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Folk dances, music mark statehood day celebrations at Delhi Secretariat event

Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 19:45 IST

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New Delhi, Jan 23 (PTI) Folk dances and traditional music took centre stage at the Delhi Secretariat on Friday as the government organised a cultural programme to celebrate the statehood day of Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

Organised under the aegis of the Sahitya Kala Parishad, the programme saw participation from three cultural troupes comprising 28 folk artists, according to a statement.

The event, organised by the Delhi government, featured performances from Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Dadra and Nagar Haveli as part of the ongoing series of Statehood Day celebrations, the statement read.

The artistes presented traditional dance and music forms in regional attire, offering a glimpse into the cultural heritage, it stated.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta conveyed greetings on the occasion, while Minister for Art, Culture and Language Kapil Mishra said such platforms were important for preserving folk traditions and encouraging cultural exchange.

Mishra said Indias cultural diversity was its strength and added that programmes like these helped strengthen mutual understanding and national unity.

Senior officials of the department and invited guests were also present at the event, it added. PTI SHB SHB HIG HIG

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Infra.Market, Purple Style Labs and 10 other firms get Sebi nod to float IPOs

Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 22:45 IST

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New Delhi, Jan 23 (PTI) As many as 12 companies, including Hella Infra Market, the parent company of construction-tech platform Infra.Market, and Purple Style Labs, have secured Sebis approval to raise funds through initial public offerings (IPO), an update with the markets regulator showed on Friday.

Others that received regulatory approval are Jay Jagdamba Ltd, UKB Electronics, CMR Green Technologies, Transline Technologies, Medicap Healthcare, Oswal Cables, BVG India, Sai Parenterals, Commtel Networks, and Sify Infinit Spaces.

All 12 companies which filed their preliminary IPO papers with Sebi between June and October obtained its observations during January 19 to 23, the update showed.

In regulatory terms, Sebis observation is equivalent to clearance for launching a public issue.

Tiger Global-backed construction material supply firm Infra.Market proposed an IPO worth between Rs 4,500 crore and Rs 5,500 crore with market regulator Sebi using the confidential pre-filing route in October last year, market sources said.

The proposed IPO would be a combination of a fresh issue of shares and an Offer for Sale (OFS) by existing shareholders, they added.

Sify Infinit Spaces Ltd, a subsidiary of Sify Technologies, proposed the IPO comprising a mix of fresh issue of equity shares worth Rs 2,500 crore and an offer for sale (OFS) of equity shares valued Rs 1,200 crore.

Purple Style Labs, the parent firm of luxury fashion platform Pernias Pop-Up Shop, will raise Rs 660 crore. It is entirely a fresh issue of equity shares.

Video surveillance and biometric solutions provider Transline Technologies public issue is entirely an offer for sale (OFS) of 1.62 crore equity shares by promoters and a shareholder.

Noida-based UKB Electronics, an electronic manufacturing services provider, proposed an IPO with a combination of fresh shares aggregating up to Rs 400 crore and an offer-for-sale (OFS) of shares worth Rs 400 crore.

CMR Green Technologies Ltd, a non-ferrous metal recycler, proposed its IPO to be entirely an Offer for Sale (OFS) of 4.28 crore equity shares, according to the draft red herring prospectus (DRHP).

On similar lines, Oswal Cables has proposed to raise Rs 300 crore through a fresh issue, alongside an OFS of up to 2.22 crore equity shares.

It said that proceeds from the fresh issue will be used to set up a new project, repay debt, and meet general corporate requirements.

Facility management services provider, BVG India, proposed an IPO comprising a fresh issue of equity shares worth Rs 300 crore and an OFS of up to 2.85 crore equity shares by existing shareholders.

Commtel Networks has lined up a Rs 900-crore IPO, which includes a fresh issue of Rs 150 crore and an OFS of Rs 750 crore. Proceeds from the fresh issue will be used primarily to repay debt.

The companys shares are proposed to be listed on the BSE and NSE. PTI HG HVA

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Milma signs MoU with Food Links to market products to Gulf countries

Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 21:00 IST

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Kochi, Jan 22 (PTI) Kerala Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation, known by its brand Milma, signed an MoU with Food Links to export its premium products to four GCC countries, officials said on Friday.

The MoU was signed by Milma Managing Director Asif K Yusuf and Food Links partner Muhammad Shibu, in the presence of Milma Chairman K S Mani, a press release said.

Under the MoU, Food Links will facilitate the export of Milmas premium products to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Oman.

The MoU mandates Food Links to purchase 20 tonnes of ghee from Milma every month for marketing in these four countries, in addition to other products worth a minimum of Rs five lakh to be marketed in each country," the release added.

The agreement is part of Milmas efforts to strengthen overseas markets for its premium products and enhance brand value, Mani said.

The MoU specifies that the agreement with Food Links will not affect Milmas existing contracts with the Lulu Group or its limited agreements with other dealers for marketing products in the Gulf, he added.

Under the agreement, Milma will supply the products while ensuring the required quality standards. The products will be dispatched from Milmas Central Products Unit at Punnapra, Alappuzha.

Food Links will obtain clearances from the respective countries and handle other requirements, including logistics, customs clearance and legal formalities, the release said.

According to officials, Food Links will make full payment to Milma at the time of purchase.

The MoU is valid for one year and can be extended after a review of the outcomes, including the targets set under the agreement, it added. PTI TBA SSK

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 21:00 IST

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Miscreants torch 3 buses, van of private school in Jharkhand's Bokaro

Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 21:30 IST

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Bokaro (Jharkhand), Jan 23 (PTI) Three buses and a van were gutted in a fire allegedly set by miscreants at a school in Jharkhands Bokaro district, police said on Friday.

Chas Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Pravin Kumar told reporters that miscreants had set on fire four buses and a van of Gurukul Public School in Kashijharia under Pindrajora police station area.

However, one bus was saved by the school staff. Before carrying out the activities, the miscreants had cut the wires of CCTV cameras installed in the institute so that no images could be captured," he added.

School director Krishna Gopal Pandey said the institute suffered a loss of Rs 1.8 crore in the incident.

He said that as usual, after the school ended on Thursday, the drivers dropped the children home and parked all the buses in the garage before leaving.

On Thursday late night, the schools security guard, Devilal Mahto, was sleeping in a room next to the garage. Hearing a sudden noise in the garage, he tried to open the door but it was locked from the outside. He then opened the window and saw that the buses parked in the garage were on fire," the director said.

The guard called the school director and informed him about the incident.

I also tried to rush, but my door was closed from outside. I immediately asked a student from the hostel to unlock the door. After the student unlocked the door, I opened the security guards door and informed police," the director added.

The school director has filed a complaint at Pindrajora police station. PTI CORR ANB MNB

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Nagaland: Earthquake of magnitude 4.0 hits Kiphire

Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 04:45 IST

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Kiphire (Nagaland) [India], January 23(ANI): A minor earthquake measuring 4.0 on the Richter scale struck Kiphire, Nagaland, Friday morning, according to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS).According to the NCS, the earthquake occurred at 3:20 am (IST) at a depth of 90 kilometres. The latitude of the earthquake was reported to be 25.74 North, and the longitude was 94.84 East. In a post on X, the NCS provided the details of the quake, stating, EQ of M: 4.0, On: 23/01/2026 03:20:08 IST, Lat: 25.74 N, Long: 94.84 E, Depth: 90 Km, Location: Kiphire, Nagaland."Furter details awaited. (ANI)

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The South American country, which has huge reserves of graphite, niobium and nickel, maintains contacts with Washington and Brussels and wants to go beyond extraction

Among the natural resources that Brazil has exploited very little or not at all, critical minerals and rare earth elements have gained prominence in recent months. These materials are increasingly coveted globally because they are essential for achieving strategic autonomy, national security, and creating a new green economy. The United States and the European Union, among others, are courting the South American country with the aim of reaching an agreement to share this treasure. Brazil is among the top ten producers of nickel, manganese, niobium, iron ore, and bauxite and has rapidly gained ground in the production of lithium, natural graphite, rare earth elements, vanadium, and copper, according to a report by the consulting firm PwC.

The government of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is being courted with offers that would make it a strategic player in this new rushlike the gold rush before it and the oil rush nowfor these contested mineral resources. The president has emphasized that his country does not want to be a mere supplier of strategic raw materials, but rather participate in the promising value chain.

Brazil has the second-largest reserves of rare earth elements, the 17 chemical elements most critical for the energy transition and essential for wind turbines and high-performance electric vehicles. While China possesses approximately 44 million tons, Brazil holds around 21 million tons and India nearly 7 million tons, according to the aforementioned PwC report, Brazil in the Age of Critical Minerals. Among the critical minerals in Brazil, the countrys reserves of graphite (26% of the worlds total), niobium (over 90%), nickel (12%), and lithium (5%) stand out.

Estimates indicate that global demand for graphite could quadruple and for rare earth elements could triple by 2040 if countries pursue the goals set in the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Brazils main obstacle in exploiting these coveted resources is that, until now, it has focused on extraction and export, leaving the higher value-added phases in the hands of third parties. Another recent study, Strategic Minerals in Brazil: Production Opportunities and Integration into the Global Market, by the Getulio Vargas Foundation, states that the country has the opportunity to position itself as a reliable supplier, but points to a series of difficulties in realizing this potential: The absence of large-scale rare earth projects, low participation in refining, financing difficulties, and regulatory uncertainties increase the risk that the country will miss the window of opportunity that has opened up, given the growing demand and the desire to diversify a supply that China practically monopolizes at the moment.

The South American giant is already one of the worlds leading suppliers of iron ore, niobium of which it owns 90% of the reserves, controlled by the Moreira Salles brothers, including Oscar-winning director Walter Salles, bauxite, copper, manganese, to which lithium from the Jequitinhonha valley has recently been added.

Therefore, the Brazilian government is listening carefully to offers from other countries and is open to collaboration. The teams of Donald Trump and Lula have already held preliminary meetings to discuss rare earth elements as a result of the broader negotiations they are conducting regarding the tariffs the U.S. imposed on Brazil, and which it partially eased at the end of 2025. U.S. interest is such that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has convened a meeting with several countries on February 4 in Washington to discuss these valuable minerals. Neighboring Argentina, a close ally of Trump, quickly announced its participation.

Contacts with the European Union are even more incipient. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made Brussels interest in Brazils critical minerals clear when she mentioned them last week in Rio de Janeiro during her appearance alongside President Lula to celebrate the EU-Mercosur trade agreement. Brussels intends to reach an agreement with Brasilia to cooperate on joint investment projects in lithium, nickel, and rare earth elements. Von der Leyen emphasized the European Unions need to achieve strategic independence, especially at a time when minerals tend to become an instrument of coercion. One of her vice-presidents, Stephane Sejourne, is scheduled to visit Brazil soon to begin negotiations.

A comprehensive report by the Brazilian Institute of Mining, which represents companies in the sector, states that with reserves of more than one hundred mineral substances, Brazil is on par with mineral powerhouses such as Australia, Canada, Russia, China, and South Africa. And, with a simple example, it puts global demand into perspective. While manufacturing a conventional car requires about 100 grams of rare earth elements, an electric car demands between one and four kilograms.

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Namaz offered at Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex; peace prevails

Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 16:15 IST

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Dhar (MP), Jan 23 (PTI) Namaz was offered as per plan at a designated location and without any interruption at the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Dhar district on Friday afternoon, officials said.

As per the Supreme Courts directions, the Muslim community offered prayers between 1 to 3 pm, said a release issued by the district administration.

Hindus were conducting Basant Panchami puja within the complex, while the Muslim community performed namaz at a designated location, it said.

The Hindu community considers Bhojshala to be a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, while the Muslims refer to the 11th century monument as Kamal Maula Mosque. The complex is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The ASI issued an order in April 2003, which allows Hindus to worship at Bhojshala every Tuesday, while Muslims are permitted to offer prayers on Fridays. As Basant Panchami fell on Friday this year, the SC had to step in to prescribe a time-sharing formula so that both communities could offer prayers in a peaceful manner. PTI COR MAS KRK

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Prime Ministers of Denmark, Greenland meet in Nuuk to show support

Last Updated: January 24, 2026, 02:30 IST

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Nuuk [Greenland], January 24 (ANI): Denmarks Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen met with Greenlands Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen in Nuuk on Friday (local time), just two days after US President Donald Trump withdrew threats of a US takeover of the Danish autonomous territory, CNN reported.https://x.com/Statsmin/status/2014697293652365317?s=20In a post on X, Danish PM Frederiksen wrote, Just landed in Nuuk. Glad to be back in Greenland. Looking forward to continuing the close cooperation  also in the preparations for the joint diplomatic effort. Thanks for the warm welcome, Jens-Frederik." I am first and foremost in Greenland today to show our strong Danish support for the Greenlandic people," Frederiksen said, adding that it has been a very, very difficult time," as quoted by China Daily.She reiterated the importance of close cooperation with Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, highlighting their joint efforts as crucial preparations for the kingdoms next steps. Now we will prepare to take the diplomatic and political path," she said.The visit comes amid heightened diplomatic strain over Greenlands future. It comes after Frederiksen attended an emergency European Union summit in Brussels on Thursday and held talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte earlier on Friday.Meanwhile, on Thursday (local time), US President Donald Trump said he will not proceed with his plans to impose tariffs on some European nations over Greenland, withdrawing his earlier threat to implement the tariffs starting February 1.The decision comes following a very productive" meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, during which the US President also laid the ground for a framework on a future deal concerning Greenland and the broader Arctic region.In a post on Truth Social, Trump described the move as beneficial for both the United States and NATO allies.Based upon a very productive meeting that I have had with the Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte, we have formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland and, in fact, the entire Arctic Region. This solution, if consummated, will be a great one for the United States of America and all NATO Nations. Based upon this understanding, I will not be imposing the Tariffs that were scheduled to go into effect on February 1st," Trump wrote.Washington claims Greenlands strategic location and mineral resources are vital to its security, but the leadership in Denmark, Greenland and Europe have rejected the idea, emphasising their right to self-determination. (ANI)

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Protesters learnt violence from abroad, social media: Iranian representative

Last Updated: January 24, 2026, 02:15 IST

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New Delhi [India], January 24 (ANI): Abdul Majid Hakeem Illahi, Representative of the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei, in India, said that these Iranian protesters were educated from abroad and were active on social media.Ilahi, in an interview with ANI, said that they learnt violence and killed innocent people.Actually, there are Iranian citizens. They learn it, and theyare educated. They are educated in abroad or even in Iran and they were educated also through social media. How they kill innocent people, how they burn hospital, how they burn mosque, how they burn library. These have come from they learned it and they educated they were educated through social media," he said.Ilahi said that social media is not under government control, so it is difficult to control the anti-Iran narrative.Social media is not in any country or on the 100% under control of the government. Its very difficult and Iran has different situation because the enemies of Iran are a lot more than 250 channels 24/7 hours propagating against Iran and they want to teach Iranian youth and make them against the government," he said.Do you know majority of the people they were getting their lessons from abroad from some group in out of Iran- enemies of Iran," he said.Ilahi added that Iran cut the internet off because they wanted peace. Iran decided to cut off the internet, international internet because we wanted to bring the peace in the society. We have local internet and its working," he added.Ilahi said that there is a deep divide between the reality on ground in Iran and the projected reality on social media.Concerning the situation in Iran? Actually we have two things which we have to divide and between them. The first one is the fact and the reality of the situation and the second one is imagination which made by narration of the journalist or by the enemies or by some other people. Actually there is very deep gap between these two realities. The one is fact, reality and the second one is imagination and analysis exists about the situation in Iran," he said.Meanwhile, Iranian state television has released the first official death toll from the recent anti-government protests that engulfed the country, reporting that 3,117 people were killed during the crackdown, as reported by Al Jazeera. (ANI)

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Punjab, Haryana lashed by heavy rain; normal life affected

Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 23:30 IST

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Chandigarh, Jan 23 (PTI) Ending a prolonged dry spell, Punjab and Haryana witnessed widespread rainfall on Friday, bringing cheers to the farmers, but disrupting normal life in some areas.

While farmers welcomed the showers, they expressed concern over gusty winds, accompanied by rain, at many places.

Power supply was disrupted at many places for some time.

In Chandigarh, three boys, aged 16, 15 and 11, were injured when the roof of their house collapsed in Manimajra amid heavy rain, SHO Maninder Singh said. They were taken to a hospital and are said to be in a stable condition, he said.

Some incidents of trees getting uprooted due to heavy rain and strong winds were also reported.

With heavy rains and gusty winds lashing Chandigarh, an elderly couple had a narrow escape when a big tree fell on the veranda of their house.

In another incident, two cars and some electricity poles were damaged when a tree fell on them.

A portion of a false ceiling collapsed at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Chandigarh. No one was injured, and the repair work was immediately carried out," Dr Dasari Harish, Medical Superintendent of the hospital said over the phone.

Heavy traffic congestion was also reported at some places in Punjab and Haryana.

After several days, minimum temperatures recorded an increase and were up by six notches above normal at many places. However, due to the rains, the maximum temperatures on Friday registered a sharp drop.

Most places in the two states, including their joint capital Chandigarh, have been witnessing inclement weather since late Thursday night.

According to the local Met office, places in Punjab that received rain include Amritsar, Ludhiana, Patiala, Pathankot, Bathinda, Faridkot, Gurdaspur, Mansa and Rupnagar.

In Haryana, Ambala, Hisar, Karnal, Narnaul, Rohtak, Bhiwani, Sirsa and Sonipat received rainfall.

Chandigarh, which registered a maximum temperature of 26.3 degrees Celsius on Thursday, recorded a high of 13.5 degrees Celsius on Friday.

Among other places which saw a sharp fall in day-temperatures on Friday included Ludhiana, which registered a high of 13.2 degrees Celsius, Patiala 13 degrees, while Hoshiarpur recorded a high of 12 degrees Celsius.

In Haryana, Ambala recorded a maximum of 12.8 degrees, Karnal 13.6 degrees, Gurugram 16.8 degrees while Hisar recorded a high of 15.6 degrees Celsius.

However, farmers welcomed the rains, which ended a prolonged dry spell.

After the end of the monsoon, we did not see a good spell of rain. But todays rain will benefit the crops. Our only concern is the strong winds," said Gurnam Singh, a Mohali-based farmer.

Dr Pavneet Kaur Kingra, professor and head, Climate Change and Agri Meteorology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, told PTI that the rain would be beneficial for the Rabi crops, including wheat. This spell is good for crops because in the Rabi season, we didnt experience much rain earlier. For all the Rabi crops, this spell of rain can provide the required moisture," she said.

Meanwhile, the adverse weather conditions led to disruptions in power supply at many locations in Chandigarh.

High wind velocity caused continuous conductor sway, resulting in line-to-line faults, snapping of conductors, and damage to electric poles at select locations, a statement by the Chandigarh Power Distribution Ltd (CPDL) said.

Widespread uprooting of trees and the falling of large branches on overhead power lines led to disruptions inpower supply. As a result, repeated tripping and faults were reported on 11 kV, 33 kV, and 66 kV overhead feeders.

During the day, 182 breakdowns and 34 transient faults were recorded, largely due to tree-related obstructions and extreme weather conditions. Thirty seven electric poles were broken.

According to an official statement, the main reason for outages was uprooted trees that fell on electric lines.

The statement quoting a spokesperson of the power department said that an under-construction transmission tower fell on Banur Bhabat 66 KV line, leading to major disruption in the Zirakpur area.

As per the reports received, around 600 plus (electric) poles were reported broken in Punjab along with major damage to distribution transformers," the spokesperson said, while adding the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited staff worked throughout the day in difficult conditions to restore supply.

It said that the CPDL initiated response on a war-footing following the large-scale damage caused to overhead wires, conductors and other equipment across the city.

A few isolated pockets had to bear outage for a longer duration. PTI SUN MNK MNK

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Review confirms journalist Hunter S Thompson's 2005 death was a suicide

Last Updated: January 24, 2026, 02:45 IST

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Denver, Jan 24 (AP) A review of the 2005 shooting death of journalist Hunter S Thompson has confirmed authorities original finding that his death was a suicide, Colorado investigators said Friday.

The review by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation was announced in September after Thompsons wife, Anita Thompson, contacted authorities with new concerns and potential information regarding the investigation" into Thompsons death, the agency said in a news release.

In a statement included in the announcement, she thanked the bureau for its kind and thorough work." This allows all of us who loved Hunter to move forward with a clean conscience," she said.

Thompson, who popularised a first-person form of gonzo journalism in articles and books such as Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas," died at his Aspen-area home in February 2005. He was 67.

His remains were famously cremated and fired from a cannon at his request during a private ceremony in Colorado. Among the celebrities who attended was actor Johnny Depp, who played the lead role in the 1998 film adaptation of Fear and Loathing." The sheriff for the Aspen area, Michael Buglione, said he believed the original investigation into Thompsons death was conducted properly but investigators recognised the importance of an independent review.

CBIs conclusions reaffirm the original findings and, we hope, provide reassurance and clarity," he said. (AP) VN VN

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Security scare: Man claiming to be driver with PMO tries to enter NITI Aayog

Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 21:30 IST

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New Delhi, Jan 23 (PTI) An alleged security scare was reported at the NITI Aayog premises in the national capital after a man claiming to be a driver attached to the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) was stopped by security personnel, leading to an altercation on Friday, sources said.

They said a man, identified as Sanjeev Kumar, attempted to enter the premises on the pretext of fetching water. Alert security staff amid Republic Day preparations grew suspicious and asked him to produce a valid authorisation and identification, a police source said.

NITI Aayog lies on Sansad Marg, close to Kartavya Path, which will see parade on Republic Day on January 26. A robust security apparatus has been deployed, involving the Delhi Police and paramilitary forces, to safeguard the high-profile event.

The sources said an argument ensued between Kumar and security personnel, which soon escalated into a physical scuffle. The situation was brought under control after additional security staff intervened.

He was subsequently detained and questioned by security officials and Delhi Police personnel who were informed about the incident. Officials said his identity and claims of being associated with the PMO were verified during the questioning process.

Standard security protocols were followed. The individual was stopped, as he could not satisfactorily explain his presence inside the premises at that moment. He was detained for verification," a source familiar with the matter said.

After preliminary inquiry and verification, Kumar was later allowed to leave, sources said, adding that no prohibited items were recovered from him. However, his driving licences photocopy was kept by the authorities for further scrutiny, the driver claimed.

Police did not issue an official statement till the time of filing this report. PTI SSJ AMJ AMJ

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SIT questions KTR, warns against misleading narratives in phone tapping case

Last Updated: January 24, 2026, 01:45 IST

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Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], January 24 (ANI): As Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President KT Rama Rao appeared before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in connection with the phone-tapping probe, Hyderabad Police on Friday said that relevant aspects of the case were examined and are being analysed in light of the evidence on record. In a press statement released by the Hyderabad police, it was stated that Rama Rao was directed not to contact or influence any witnesses and that he may be summoned again if required. Th Hyderabad Police clarified that Rama Raos examination was conducted solely in connection with a crime pertaining to allegations of widespread unauthorised and illegal phone surveillance and interception involving thousands of individuals from various walks of life, including politicians, businesspersons, journalists, members of the judiciary, and other eminent personalities.In continuation of the further investigation in Crime No. 243 of 2024 of Panjagutta Police Station, and pursuant to the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT), a notice was issued to Sri K. T. Rama Rao, former Minister and MLA, Sircilla, on 23 January 2026, directing him to appear before the Investigation Officer at Jubilee Hills Police Station at 11:00 a.m. In compliance with the notice, Sri K. T. Rama Rao appeared before the SIT/Investigation Officer and was examined in detail. Relevant aspects of the case were elicited and are being analysed with the evidence on record. He was instructed not to contact or influence any witnesses and informed that he may be summoned again, if required," the press statement said. The police further noted that certain sections of the media and individuals have been circulating misleading and baseless claims suggesting that the phone interceptions were carried out on security grounds and that no illegality was involved. The Investigating Agency stated that it is not concerned with such false narratives and emphasised that the probe is being conducted strictly in accordance with the law, in a fair and professional manner.It has been noticed that misleading and baseless information is being circulated by certain sections of the media and individuals, claiming that phone interception was done on security grounds and that no illegality was involved. The Investigating Agency is not concerned with such false narratives. The investigation is being conducted strictly in accordance with law, fairly and professionally," said the press release.Urging caution, the police appealed to the public not to propagate or circulate unverified or misleading information, and to rely only on facts recorded through lawful and official channels.In view of the above, the public is requested not to propagate or circulate unverified or misleading information and to rely only on facts placed on record through lawful and official channels," said the press statement. Earlier, former DCP P Radhakrishna Rao alleged that telephones belonging to media industry bigwigs, retired cops, and politicians were monitored during the BRS government tenure. He alleged it was done to keep tabs on then Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Raos political rivals.During the 2023 assembly elections, officers in Telangana allegedly intercepted the communications of several political leaders, businessmen and Tollywood celebrities, he claimed. (ANI)

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Trump returns to Washington from Davos, calls Board of Peace very special

Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 04:45 IST

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Washington DC [US], January 23 (ANI): US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) returned to Washington, D.C., after attending the World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos, highlighting that the Board of Peace is something that the world has never seen before  very special." Trump also spoke of the Greenland project, describing it as an initiative that will be amazing for the U.S.A."https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/115940231479630134In his Truth Social, Trump wrote, Heading back to D.C. It was an incredible time in Davos. The Greenland structure is being worked on, and will be amazing for the U.S.A., and the Board of Peace is something that the World has never seen before- Very special. So many good things are happening!On Thursday, Trump formally launched the Board of Peace at the WEF, signing its charter and describing the move as a major step towards global conflict resolution.Calling it a very exciting day, long in the making", Trump said, Were going to have peace in the world," and added, And were all stars.In his opening remarks, Trump said, Just one year ago the world was actually on fire, a lot of people didnt know it," but claimed many good things are happening" and threats worldwide are really calming down."Trump, flanked by leaders from founding member countries, said his administration was settling eight wars" and claimed that a lot of progress" had been made towards ending Russias war in Ukraine.Thanking leaders who were present at the ceremony, Trump said, We are truly honoured by your presence today," adding they were in most cases very popular leaders, some cases not so popular." He also remarked, In this group I like every single one of them."Trump has previously described the newly-formed body as potentially the most prestigious board ever formed."The initiative originated from the US presidents 20-point Gaza ceasefire plan endorsed by the UN Security Council, but has since expanded beyond its original scope. Administration officials said around 35 nations had committed to join, while 60 nations received invitations. Trump also suggested the new body could assume roles currently held by the United Nations.The Board of Peace" was unveiled as part of phase two of the fragile ceasefire agreement with Hamas to end the Israel-Gaza conflict, as reported by Al Jazeera. (ANI)

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Trump warns US watching Iran as armada heads to Gulf region

Last Updated: January 24, 2026, 00:15 IST

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Washington DC [US], January 23 (ANI): US President Donald Trump said on Thursday (local time) that the United States is closely monitoring Iran as a massive fleet" of naval forces moves toward the Gulf region, underscoring rising tensions between Washington and Tehran.Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One after attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Trump described a significant naval deployment that he said was intended to keep pressure on Irans leadership. Were watching Iran," the president said, adding that the flotillas presence was meant to act as a deterrent. Id rather not see anything happen, but were watching them very closely."Trump maintained that while the United States was prepared for military action if necessary, he hoped conflict could be avoided. Maybe we wont have to use it  we have a lot of ships going that direction, just in case, we have a big flotilla going in that direction, and well see what happens," he said.The announcement follows reports that the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its strike group, previously operating in the South China Sea, have been redirected toward the Middle East in coming days. Irans leadership has denied claims that it planned mass executions of protesters, a claim Trump has cited as part of his justification for the military deployment, and instead dismissed such reports.In separate comments, Trump told US media he hoped further military action would not be necessary but reiterated that the United States would respond if Tehran pursued its nuclear program. They cant do the nuclear. If they do it, its going to happen again," he said, referring to past US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.Iran has warned that any attack on its territory would be met with force, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stating Tehran would respond with everything we have" if attacked.The move comes amid ongoing domestic unrest in Iran, where antigovernment protests have been met with a severe crackdown, and a broader strategic competition between Tehran and Washington over influence in the Middle East. (ANI)

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First Published: January 24, 2026, 00:15 IST

News agency-feeds Trump warns US watching Iran as armada heads to Gulf region

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Banks Likely Shut For Four Days From Tomorrow Due To Holidays, Strike: Check Details

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 12:23 IST

Banks across India will be closed from January 24 to January 27, 2026 due to holidays and an all-India bank strike demanding a five-day work week.

Bank Strike In January: UFBU has urged all bank employees to participate in the strike [Pic Credit: All India Bank Officers' Confederation (AIBOC)]

Upcoming Bank Holidays: With no resort seemingly on the horizon for the all-India bank strike to be scheduled to demand a five-day work week, banks are likely to shut down for four continuous days from tomorrow, January 24 to Tuesday, January 27.

The closure of banks will be nationwide, meaning physical branches will be inoperative for the next four days.

During bank holidays, customers can continue to access services through net banking, mobile banking, UPI, and ATMs. However, cheque clearing and other over-the-counter services under the Negotiable Instruments Act will not be available.

January 24, 2026: Fourth Saturday

Banks remain closed on the second and fourth Saturdays, along with all Sundays as part of weekend holidays. Thus, banks will be closed tomorrow, January 24, 2026 across India.

January 25, 2026: Sunday

Banks across India remain closed on Sunday.

January 26, 2026 (Monday): Republic Day

On the occasion of Indias Republic Day, banks will be shut down across India. All physical branches will remain inoperative.

The country will celebrate the 77th Republic Day, marking 76 full years since the Constitution came into effect on January 26, 1950.

January 27, 2026 (Tuesday): All-India Bank Strike

If the strike goes ahead, banks will remain closed on January 27, 2026 too. Bank unions say a five-day work week would reduce work pressure, improve efficiency, and allow employees more time with their families. Most central government offices and financial institutions in India already follow a five-day schedulebank staff want the same.

To ensure customer services arent affected, the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has proposed working 40 extra minutes a day from Monday to Friday. The forum points out that RBI, LIC, GIC, stock markets, forex and money markets already remain closed on Saturdays.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 12:05 IST

News business banking-finance Banks Likely Shut For Four Days From Tomorrow Due To Holidays, Strike: Check Details

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The image on the Davos stage was crystal clear. The United States, the worlds leading power, the country that forged the most formidable network of alliances in history and, thanks to it, was able to wield an astonishing level of hegemony, presented a new international diplomatic project to the worlds rich and powerful gathered in the Swiss town. Flanked by some twenty leaders, none of them were among its major allies, none of the advanced democracies, none of the worlds largest economies. It was an emblem of what Davos has made evident: the deterioration of Americas international standing, the rapid march toward geopolitical suicide that consists of undermining the network of alliances and fomenting resentment through unrestrained abuse and humiliations.

On the Davos stage, Donald Trumps performancehis now-traditional litany of self-praising argumentswas backed up by leaders such as Javier Milei of Argentina, Viktor Orban of Hungary, and the presidents of Indonesia, Pakistan, Mongolia, Qatar, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Paraguay, as well as foreign ministers from Morocco and Turkey, among others. This group, I like every single one of them, can you believe it? Usually I have about two or three that I cant stand. But I like every single one of them. Theyre great people. Great leaders. The Board of Peace is made up of leaders, the greatest leaders in the world, Trump said.

U.S. President Donald Trump at the announcement of the Trump's Board of Peace initiative. Denis Balibouse (REUTERS)

But the anecdotes from Davos go beyond this scene. Traditional allies like Canada and France clearly demonstrated, through their leaders, a firm rejection of U.S. policies. Mark Carney issued a resounding call to establish resistance networks among countries that do not share the approach of brute force. Emmanuel Macron said he prefers respect to bullies, science to conspiracy theories. Both drew criticism from a clearly annoyed Trump. The Elysee Palace responded with a fake news troll to false allegations made by the U.S. leader on the Davos stage.

Although EU countries have not yet formed a truly united front against Trumpism, the threats against Greenland provoked a tangible backlash which, along with the market reaction and the reluctance of sectors within the Republican Party itself, led Trump to abandon the option of violent conquest and to withdraw the tariff threat. It is impossible to know what he will do in the future, but the shift in Davos is significant.

The level of animosity is such that, according to reports in the Financial Times and Reuters, one of usual working dinners held at the complex hosting the World Economic Forum ended with booing at the verbal attack by U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick against the Europeans, and the subsequent departure from the room of the president of the European Central Bank (ECB), Christine Lagarde.

Meanwhile, there is no doubt that China is gaining ground in its efforts to position itself as a responsible player at the negotiating table. Its leaders have been trying for years to emphasize that they are a reliable partner in defending rules-based multilateral frameworks and free trade. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng reiterated this point in his letter. And while it is clear to everyone that China disregards international law when it doesnt suit its interestsas in the case of the unfavorable ruling on a maritime dispute with the Philippinesand that there is growing concern about the surplus of production capacity developed with large subsidies and which is trying to flood other markets following Trumps trade war, the reality is that many countries are looking at China with new eyes. The unpredictability and arrogance of the Trump administration are prompting a search for stable relations with the other global superpower.

On the other hand, China can also take advantage of the vacuum that the United States is rapidly leaving in various international institutions, opening up the opportunity for the latters adversaries to increase their influence there.

The U.S. still retains extraordinary levers of power, from the sheer might of its armed forces to the robustness and innovation abilities of its large corporations. These assets and persistent dependencies lead many world leaders to maintain appearances. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, for example, encouraged attendees at Davos not to turn their backs on NATO, but to try to keep it strong and functional. However, the rest of his speech was a very clear call to build up European independence. Merz also declared his determination to pursue the military strengthening of his country. Aware of the historical lessons of German militarism, he urged that this drive for defense be reined in within shared frameworks.

This decline could also have repercussions in the technology sphere. While several American companies are at the forefront of crucial developments of our time, distrust of Trump and the close ties of several corporate leaders to the MAGA movement could result in a comparative advantage for Chinese products in the future, especially in the AI language modeling segment.

The open platforms that China has embraced represent a competitive offer compared to the closed ones in the U.S. While its clear that these platforms dont inspire confidence, given the characteristics of the regime under whose tutelage they are based, its also clear that the political trajectory of Elon Muskpresent in Davosand the ideas of Peter Thiel, president of Palantir, influence their prospects. Palantir has a $10 billion contract with the Pentagon to develop AI systems and software that are causing considerable concern. Its stand on the Davos Promenade is conveniently located directly across from the USA House, which is itself adorned with a logo of the American eagle that conveys a strong sense of predatory aggression.

At its core, as Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney pointed out, lies the perspective that any hegemonic power seeking to exploit its position in a brutally abusive manner risks a progressive decline in its extractive capacity. And for a very simple reason: others, if they manage to avoid complete subjugation, can reorganize, becoming less dependent, stronger, and more resilient. Cooperation is often the most effective path, the Canadian prime minister noted in a speech that was met with a standing ovation. Trumps speech ended with a modest, perfunctory applause.

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8th Pay Commission Update: NC-JCM Staff Side Begins Work On Memorandum, February Meeting Set

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News18.com

Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 09:47 IST

8th CPC Update: Office accommodation has already been allotted to the 8th Pay Commission at Chandralok Building, Janpath, New Delhi.

8th Pay Commission Update.

8th Pay Commission Update: The staff side of the National Council (Staff Side) of NC-JCM has initiated the process of preparing its memorandum for the 8th Central Pay Commission, signalling that formal work related to pay revision demands has begun.

According to an official communication dated January 20, 2026, office accommodation has already been allotted to the 8th Pay Commission at Chandralok Building, Janpath, New Delhi. Once the commission becomes operational, employee representatives are expected to submit a memorandum covering common service matters of central government employees.

To prepare for this, the staff side has decided to convene a meeting of the Drafting Committee on February 25, 2026, at 10:30 am, at the NC-JCM office located at 13-C, Ferozshah Road, New Delhi. The meeting will focus on finalising the process and modalities for drafting the memorandum to be submitted to the pay commission.

Importantly, the communication states that drafting committee members will be required to stay in Delhi for about a week from February 25, 2026 onwards to hold detailed discussions and finalise proposals on individual issues and service-related topics. Members have been asked to plan their schedules accordingly.

The communication has been issued by Shiva Gopal Mishra, Secretary, NC-JCM (Staff Side), and has been circulated to all constituent organisations for information.

In the letter Mishra said, At present, the government has allotted office accommodation for the 8th Central Pay Commission at Chandralok Building, Janpath, New Delhi  110001. Once the 8th CPC office start functioning, then we may be asked to submit memorandum on the common service matters of central government employees. Therefore, it has been decided to convene a meeting of the drafting committee at 13-C, Ferozshah road, New Delhi on the 25th of February 2026 at 10.30 am to discuss and decide about the process and modalities of drafting the memorandum. The drafting committee members will be required to stay for a week at Delhi from February 25, 2026, onward for discussing and finalising our proposals on each topic/ issue. Therefore, the drafting committee members are requested to plan their programme accordingly."

Why this matters for central government employees

The preparation of the staff-side memorandum is a crucial step in the pay commission process, as it lays out employee demands related to pay structure, allowances, pension, service conditions, and career progression. These submissions form the basis for deliberations by the Pay Commission before it makes recommendations to the government.

While the letter does not spell out timelines for pay revision or implementation, it clearly indicates that groundwork for the 8th Pay Commission has formally begun, with structured consultations now underway.

When is the 8th Pay Commission likely to be implemented?

Based on historical timelines of previous pay commissions, the actual implementation of revised pay scales is unlikely in 2026 and could spill over into 2027. Until then, central government employees and pensioners will continue to draw salaries and pensions as per existing 7th Pay Commission norms, along with applicable DA revisions.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 09:47 IST

News business economy 8th Pay Commission Update: NC-JCM Staff Side Begins Work On Memorandum, February Meeting Set

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InterGlobe Aviation Shares Fall Nearly 2% After Q3 Results; Brokerages Stay Bullish

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 10:24 IST

The stock came under pressure after IndiGo reported a sharp fall in Q3 net profit, largely due to hefty one-time exceptional charges related to flight disruptions and labour codes.

IndiGo Share Price.

Shares of InterGlobe Aviation Ltd, which operates IndiGo, declined in early trade on Friday, slipping 1.96 per cent to Rs 4,813, a day after the airline reported its Q3 FY26 earnings. The companys market capitalisation stood at around Rs 1.86 lakh crore.

The stock came under pressure after InterGlobe Aviation reported a sharp year-on-year fall in net profit for the December 2025 quarter, largely due to hefty one-time exceptional charges related to flight disruptions and the implementation of new labour codes. The airline said these exceptional items weighed on reported profitability, even as revenue growth and operating performance remained relatively stable.

Despite the weak Q3 numbers, most brokerages struck a constructive tone on the stock. UBS described the quarter as a decent show despite disruptions", adding that the management expects capacity growth of around 10 per cent year-on-year in Q4 FY26, driven mainly by international expansion. UBS also flagged higher costs in the March quarter but said yields are likely to soften only gradually from elevated levels.

Citi said the financial impact of the FDTL-related disruption in Q3 was lower than its estimates, with yields coming in better than expected and operational metrics broadly in line with expectations. Goldman Sachs noted that profit before tax was above estimates, supported by lower-than-expected costs excluding forex, particularly aircraft rentals. The brokerage added that management reiterated guidance of around 10 per cent ASK growth in Q4, led primarily by international operations.

InterGlobe Aviation shares had ended at Rs 4,929 on Thursday ahead of the results and have gained over 19 per cent in the past year, outperforming the benchmark Nifty 50.

On Thursday, Indias largest airline reported a 78 per cent drop in December-quarter net profit to Rs 549.1 crore, compared with Rs 2,448.8 crore in the year-ago period, as flight disruptions and the rollout of new labour laws hurt earnings.

The company said it took an exceptional hit of Rs 1,546.5 crore during the quarter, including Rs 577.2 crore linked to widespread flight disruptions in early December and Rs 969.3 crore related to labour code implementation. IndiGo was also fined Rs 22.2 crore for the disruptions, which has been accounted for under exceptional items.

In addition, currency movements related to dollar-denominated future obligations resulted in a charge of Rs 1,035 crore during the quarter.

For Q3 FY26, InterGlobe Aviation reported total income of Rs 24,540.6 crore, up from Rs 22,992.8 crore in the corresponding period last year.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 10:24 IST

News business markets InterGlobe Aviation Shares Fall Nearly 2% After Q3 Results; Brokerages Stay Bullish

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Stocks To Watch Today: InterGlobe, Ashoka Buildcon, ONGC, NTPC Green, MCX In Focus On January 23

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News18.com

Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 08:10 IST

Here are key stocks and developments that are expected to remain in focus through the day, spanning earnings, deals, order wins, and bulk trades.

Stocks To Watch on January 23.

Stocks To Watch Today, January 23: Indias equity benchmarks are likely to open flat to slightly negative on Thursday, January 23, tracking weak early cues. The GIFT Nifty was trading around 19 points lower at 25,340, indicating a cautious start to the session.

Here are key stocks and developments that are expected to remain in focus through the day, spanning earnings, deals, order wins, and bulk trades.

Companies Announcing Q3 Results Today

A large clutch of companies will report their quarterly earnings later in the day, including JSW Steel, Shriram Finance, Cipla, IndusInd Bank, Bharat Petroleum Corporation, Adani Green Energy, Godrej Consumer Products, Laurus Labs, JSW Energy, MCX, Piramal Finance, DCB Bank, Granules India, India Cements, Nuvama Wealth Management, Sona BLW Precision Forgings, Urban Company, and Welspun Specialty Solutions.

Earnings To Be Release Tomorrow, January 24: Results scheduled for Friday include Kotak Mahindra Bank, UltraTech Cement, Chennai Petroleum Corporation, SBFC Finance, Shyam Metalics and Energy, and Vakrangee.

Key Quarterly Earnings Highlights

InterGlobe Aviation

The airline reported a sharp 77.6 percent fall in consolidated profit to Rs 549.1 crore, dragged down by an exceptional loss of Rs 1,546.5 crore. Revenue rose 6.2 percent year-on-year to Rs 23,471.9 crore, while EBITDAR margins narrowed to 30 percent from 33.7 percent.

Bandhan Bank

Net profit dropped 51.8 percent to Rs 205.6 crore as net interest income and other income declined. Asset quality improved sequentially, with gross NPAs falling to 3.33 percent and net NPAs to 0.99 percent.

Premier Energies

The company posted a 53.5 percent jump in profit to Rs 391.7 crore, supported by higher revenues. During the quarter, its subsidiary commissioned a 400 MW solar photovoltaic cell manufacturing facility in Telangana.

Tanla Platforms

Profit rose 10.8 percent year-on-year to Rs 131.4 crore, while revenue grew 12 percent to Rs 1,121 crore.

Syngene International

The contract research firm saw profits collapse 88.6 percent to Rs 15 crore, impacted by an exceptional loss of Rs 70.6 crore. Revenue slipped 3 percent year-on-year.

Suryoday Small Finance Bank

Net profit increased 9.8 percent to Rs 36.6 crore, though asset quality weakened sequentially, with both gross and net NPAs rising.

Gujarat State Petronet

Profit grew 9.7 percent to Rs 256.8 crore despite a nearly 10 percent decline in revenue.

Bluestone Jewellery and Lifestyle

The company swung to a profit of Rs 69 crore from a loss a year earlier, driven by a 27.5 percent rise in revenue.

Go Digit General Insurance

Profit climbed 18.2 percent to Rs 140.1 crore, with steady growth in gross premium written and commission income.

Adani Total Gas

Net profit rose 11.4 percent to Rs 158.7 crore, while revenue increased 17 percent year-on-year.

DLF

The real estate major reported a 13.7 percent rise in profit to Rs 1,203.4 crore, aided by higher other income and lower exceptional losses.

Le Travenues Technology

Profit surged 56.3 percent to Rs 24.3 crore, with revenue jumping over 31 percent.

Home First Finance Company India

The housing finance company posted strong growth, with profit up 44 percent and net interest income rising at a similar pace.

Cyient

Profit declined 25 percent year-on-year to Rs 91.8 crore, while revenue fell 4 percent.

Mphasis

The IT services firm reported a modest 3.4 percent increase in profit, alongside double-digit revenue growth.

Stocks to Watch

Ashoka Buildcon

The company received a Letter of Acceptance worth Rs 307.71 crore from the Public Works Department, Daman, for construction of a signature bridge connecting Jampore and Devka sea fronts.

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)

ONGC has acquired a 50 percent stake each in Bharat Ethane One IFSC and Bharat Ethane Two IFSC, becoming a joint venture partner with Japans Mitsui O.S.K. Lines.

NTPC Green Energy

The company signed an MoU with the Uttar Pradesh government to develop renewable energy and green hydrogen projects in the state.

Bulk Deals

RK Swamy

Equity Intelligence India bought 6.25 lakh shares, representing a 1.23 percent stake, at Rs 104.92 per share.

Landmark Cars

Nippon India Small Cap Fund increased its holding by acquiring 15.9 lakh shares, while Goldman Sachs India Equity Portfolio exited the stock completely. Polar Capital Funds also pared its stake during the session.

Bajaj Consumer Care

BNP Paribas Financial Markets purchased over 10 lakh shares in the company through open market transactions.

Gretex Corporate Services

Promoter entity Talent Investment Company sold a 1.32 percent stake via multiple trades.

Corporate Actions

Ex-dividend today:

Central Bank of India, DCM Shriram, Havells India, Oberoi Realty, Suraj, Tips Music

Ex-date for bonus:

Jonjua Overseas

Ex-date for rights issue:

Galaxy Agrico Exports

Stocks in F&O Ban

Bandhan Bank

Sammaan Capital.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 07:59 IST

News business markets Stocks To Watch Today: InterGlobe, Ashoka Buildcon, ONGC, NTPC Green, MCX In Focus On January 23

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US Regulator Seeks To Bypass Indian Government To Serve Adani Summons; Shares Fall

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Reuters

Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 14:28 IST

The SEC seeks court approval to email summons to Gautam Adani and Sagar Adani over alleged fraud and a 265 million dollar bribery scheme, as Adani group shares fall.

Gautam Adani, the chairman of Adani Group. (File Photo).

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has asked a U.S. court for permission to personally email summons to Indian billionaire Gautam Adani and group executive Sagar Adani over alleged fraud and a $265 million bribery scheme, filings show.

India, the SEC said, has previously refused two requests to serve the summons.

In the most high-profile legal case in the U.S. involving an Indian conglomerate, the SEC has been trying to send summons to Adani group founder Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar since last year.

Adani group has called the allegations baseless" and said that it would seek all possible legal recourse" to defend itself. It did not immediately respond to Reuters request for comment on the latest SEC filing, dated January 21.

In the response to the New York court, the U.S. markets regulator said it does not expect service to be completed" through the current route and should be allowed to directly email the summons to the Adani group executives.

Indias law ministry also did not immediately respond to a Reuters request seeking comment on the latest filing. It has previously described the issue as a legal issue between private firms and the United States.

ALLEGED SCHEME TO BRIBE INDIAN OFFICIALS

The indictment, which was unsealed in November 2024, accused Adani group executives of being part of a scheme to pay bribes to Indian officials for buying electricity produced by Adani Green Energy (ADNA.NS), opens new tab, a unit of the Adani group.

The SEC complaint says the executives also misled U.S. investors by providing information about the companys anti-graft practices.

The two rejections by India to serve the summons, the SEC filing said, were based on procedural reasons, such as signature and seal requirements, none of which it said is needed in summons sent to individuals in another country under the international treaties of the Hague Convention.

In its second rejection in December last year, the court filing added that Indias law ministry appeared to raise doubts about the SECs authority to request service of summons.

These responses demonstrate that further attempts through the Hague Convention are unlikely to succeed," the SEC filing said.

Ties between India and the U.S. have deteriorated over U.S. President Donald Trumps imposition of tariffs.

Adani Shares Fall

Shares of Indias Adani group firms fell between 2% and 11% on Friday after the U.S. markets regulator asked a court for permission to personally email summons to founder Gautam Adani and group executive Sagar Adani over alleged fraud and a $265 million bribery scheme.

The flagship company, Adani Enterprises, fell as much as 9.1% to 1,890.23, its lowest since May 19, 2023. Indias benchmark Nifty 50 index was down 0.94%.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 14:28 IST

News business US Regulator Seeks To Bypass Indian Government To Serve Adani Summons; Shares Fall

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Did UP Sign Its Biggest Investment Deal In Davos? All About Rs 2.27-Lakh Crore AI Centre In Noida

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 15:39 IST

The memorandum of understanding, signed on Wednesday in Davos, marks the single-largest investment proposal ever signed by the Uttar Pradesh government

Rapid Read

What sets the project apart from routine data centre investments is its AI hyperscaler architecture.

The $25-billion agreement inked by the Uttar Pradesh government with AM Green at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos is being described as the biggest investment for the state.

The deal goes far beyond conventional industrial projects, committing to the creation of a 1-gigawatt (GW) AI hyperscale data centre  an advanced digital infrastructure designed not merely to store data, but to process it at scale and power next-generation artificial intelligence workloads.

The memorandum of understanding, signed on Wednesday in Davos, marks the single-largest investment proposal ever signed by the Uttar Pradesh government. Valued at Rs 2.27 lakh crore, the project will come up in Greater Noida and will be implemented over a five-year period, according to senior officials accompanying the states delegation at the global summit.

To understand the scale of the deal, officials pointed out that the combined value of all 1,045 MoUs signed during the 2018 UP Investors Summit stood at Rs 4.28 lakh crore, while the states total budget for 2025-26 is Rs 8.08 lakh crore. The AM Green proposal alone amounts to more than half of the states annual budget, underlining why the agreement is being seen as a turning point in Uttar Pradeshs investment history.

The project will be developed in a phased manner, with the first phase expected to become operational by 2028. The full 1GW capacity is targeted to be achieved by 2030, officials said. Once completed, the facility is expected to rank among the largest AI-focused hyperscale data centres in India, significantly boosting the countrys overall compute capacity.

This agreement will prove to be a decisive step towards making Uttar Pradesh the countrys leading data centre and AI hub under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath," a government spokesperson said. The spokesperson added that the project aligns with both the states data centre policy and the Centres Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

What sets the project apart from routine data centre investments is its AI hyperscaler architecture. Officials said the facility will house nearly five lakh advanced high-performance chipsets, enabling it to handle complex AI workloads that go well beyond basic data storage.

There are two kinds of data centres," an official explained. Regular data centres primarily store information and allow it to be accessed when required. The facility coming up in Uttar Pradesh falls in the category of AI hyperscalers. These centres not only store data but also process and interpret it intelligently, generating patterns and trends that can be used for higher-level decision-making."

The official cited healthcare as one of the sectors that could see immediate benefits. AI-driven analysis of large datasets could help in disease prediction, early diagnosis and preventive healthcare, while similar applications are expected across energy, manufacturing, automotive, media, gaming and logistics.

According to officials, the data centre is being designed to serve global hyperscalers, frontier AI laboratories, large enterprises and Indias sovereign AI initiatives, enabling rapid deployment of large-scale AI models and applications. For Indian developers and startups, access to such advanced compute and chipset resources could significantly lower entry barriers in the AI ecosystem.

From a sustainability perspective, the project also aims to set new benchmarks. AM Green Group Chairman Anil Chalamalasetty said the companys entry into the AI full-stack ecosystem reflects its technology-first and sustainability-driven approach. Our aim is to deliver integrated solutions that combine large-scale digital infrastructure with clean energy for multiple industries," he said.

AM Green President Mahesh Kolli emphasised the role of renewable energy in future AI infrastructure. The combination of large-scale compute capacity with round-the-clock green power will create a sustainable template for the future of global AI infrastructure," he said.

Officials said the project will act as an anchor for a broader AI infrastructure hub in Greater Noida, leveraging Uttar Pradeshs industrial corridors, expressway network, proximity to the national capital and improving logistics ecosystem. The states data centre policy, coupled with faster clearances and connectivity advantages, has already helped attract several digital infrastructure investments in recent years.

Beyond infrastructure creation, the government expects substantial economic and employment gains. The project is likely to attract significant foreign direct investment and generate thousands of high-skilled jobs in areas such as data engineering, AI research, chip management, cybersecurity and green energy operations.

Officials believe the MoU signals a strategic shift in Uttar Pradeshs development modelfrom one dominated by traditional manufacturing and real estate to a future anchored in AI, digital infrastructure and clean energy. As global competition intensifies for AI compute capacity, the success of the Greater Noida hyperscale data centre could determine whether Uttar Pradesh emerges as Indias premier data centre and digital innovation hub in the years leading up to 2047.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 15:35 IST

News cities lucknow-news Did UP Sign Its Biggest Investment Deal In Davos? All About Rs 2.27-Lakh Crore AI Centre In Noida

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After Noida Techie Drowning Case, Lucknow Biker Plunges Into 15-Foot Well Following GPS | Terrifying Video

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 17:27 IST

The police rescued the biker from the well using their mufflers and shawls to make a rope in order to pull him out safely.

He suffered minor injuries and was ruled out of danger by the doctor. (Photo Credit: X)

These days, most people rely on navigation apps to reach their destinations when travelling to unknown places. While such apps are generally a boon, they turned dangerous for a 25-year-old man in Lucknow. He was riding his bike at midnight on Thursday, January 22, when the route shown on a navigation app led him onto a dangerous path, causing him to fall into an open well.

The incident took place in Nagram, on the outskirts of the city. The biker, identified as Ritesh Jaiswal, a resident of Arjunganj, was travelling from Chowk to his native village in Rae Bareli late at night. Not knowing exactly how to reach his destination, he relied entirely on a navigation app, which directed him through the Nagram-Khujouli route.

The Biker Fell Into A Well After His Bike Skidded Off The Road

At around 12:10 AM, he reached a poorly lit stretch of road with a sharp and unmarked turn. While attempting to drive through it, he lost control of his bike. The vehicle skidded off the road and hit the boundary of an open well located in a nearby field. The impact was so severe that it threw Ritesh off the motorcycle, and he fell nearly 15 feet into the well, which lacked a protective railing.

The Biker Was Rescued By Two Nagram Police Constables

According to a report by The Times of India, police revealed that Ritesh remained trapped inside the well for about 50 minutes. Injured and stranded in the dark, he managed to cling to a rock and repeatedly called out for help in the hope that someone might hear him. His cries were eventually heard by a Nagram police patrol team consisting of constables Pawan Kumar Yadav and Surjit Verma, who were on their routine duty near Haswapul on the Karora-Nagram road.

The two policemen first became alert when they noticed an abandoned bike lying by the roadside. Suspecting an accident, they searched the surrounding area and used their torchlights to trace the source of the cries. With no ropes available on them, they acted swiftly and improvised their rescue plan. All thanks to the quick thinking of the two, the young man was rescued in time.

They tied together their mufflers and shawls to make a rope. As seen in a video shared on X (formerly Twitter), the policemen successfully pulled him out of the well after nearly 30 minutes of effort.

       15                  pic.twitter.com/Vfzr2LeAV9 Rajiv Gupta (@Rajivgupta51847) January 23, 2026

The Biker Suffered Minor Injuries

Following the incident, Nagram station house officer Vivek Chaudhary said that Ritesh was taken to a nearby hospital after rescue, where doctors confirmed that he suffered minor injuries and was out of danger. Later, his family members were informed, who took him home after treatment.

Meanwhile, Additional DCP (South) Vasanth Rallapalli praised the two constables for their quick thinking, alertness and courage, highlighting how their timely intervention saved the mans life.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 17:25 IST

News lucknow-news After Noida Techie Drowning Case, Lucknow Biker Plunges Into 15-Foot Well Following GPS | Terrifying Video

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BJP Is Out Of Kalyan-Dombivli Mayor Race Despite 50 Seats, But MNS, With 5 Corporators, Isnt

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 16:02 IST

KDMC mayoral race: Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena won 53 seats, BJP won 50 and UBT won 11 seats in Kalyan-Dombivli. MNS, in a twist, extended its support to Shinde Sena on Wednesday

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(From left) Devendra Fadnavis and Raj Thackeray. (PTI File)

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which won the second highest seats, is out of the race for the mayors post in the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC). However, Raj Thackerays Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), which won barely five seats, is not.

How does the mayor post number game work? News18 explains.

KDMC numbers

In the 122-seat KDMC, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena won 53 seats, BJP won 50 and UBT won 11 seats. Even though the Shinde Sena-BJP are way past the halfway mark, the MNS, in a twist, extended its support to the Shinde Sena on Wednesday. The alliance is believed to have been the brainchild of former MNS MLA Pramod Ratan Patil or Raju Patil. Even as UBTs Sanjay Raut Said Raj Thackeray was distraught by the move, the MNS maintained that local units are free to act based on ground situation.

ALSO READ | If I Have To Take A Flexible Stance: Will Raj Thackeray Ditch Cousin Uddhav For BJP-Sena In BMC?

Why was BJP ousted?

Before the mayor is elected from among the corporators, the reservation for the post in various categories such as General, Women, Scheduled Castes, or OBC is decided through a lottery. The mayor can only be from that category that is picked.

The lottery was held on Thursday.

As per the lottery, the KDMC mayor will be from the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category.

While the BJP has 50 corporators, it does not have a single member from the ST category.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by news18 Marathi (@news18marathi)

Why does MNS still get to be in mayoral race?

The Shinde-led Sena has two ST corporators, while the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), has one. This has made the race Shinde Sena vs MNS in KDMC.

Who are the three contenders?

Advocate Harshali Vijay Chaudhary-Thavil (Shinde Shiv Sena): Elected from Ward No. 3B in Kalyan.

Kiran Rajaram Bhangale (Shinde Shiv Sena): Elected from Ward No. 1B.

Sheetal Mahesh Mandhari (MNS): Elected from Ward No. 15B in Kalyan East

KDMC to BMC: Political impact of MNSs move

The MNSs joining of hands with the Shinde Sena has led to intense speculation over the politics in Mumbais Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

In a post to mark the birth anniversary of Bal Thackeray on Friday, Raj Thackeray wrote on X: Even when Balasaheb had to take a flexible stance in politics at times, his love for the Marathi people didnt diminish even by a fraction; on the contrary, it only grew stronger. These are the values instilled in us."

.     .           ,          ,               .   pic.twitter.com/iDRAjiYWSh Raj Thackeray (@RajThackeray) January 23, 2026

I give my word once again today: even if I have to take a slightly flexible stance at times in this completely transformed politics, it will never be for my personal gain or selfishness. Seeing Balasahebs blazing love for the Marathi language, the Marathi region, and the Marathi people, thousands and lakhs of people joined him and went along with him  I am one of them. Therefore, my faith and love, and that of my Maharashtra Sainiks, for the two words Balasaheb and Marathi will never diminish even by a fraction."

The talks of flexibility has only added fuel to the buzz in Mumbais political circles.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 13:03 IST

News cities mumbai-news BJP Is Out Of Kalyan-Dombivli Mayor Race Despite 50 Seats, But MNS, With 5 Corporators, Isnt

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First City For Third Mumbai Announced: Where Will BKC-Like Growth Centre Come Up?

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 14:06 IST

First City For Third Mumbai Announced: The Raigad-Pen Growth Centre will be a business district developed on the lines of the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) in Mumbai

Rapid Read

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis during a meeting with Zerodha Co-Founder Nikhil Kamath, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026, in Davos, Switzerland. (X/PTI)

First City For Third Mumbai Announced: Maharashtra Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in Davos on Wednesday announced that the state government will develop a Raigad-Pen Growth Centre as the first city in the proposed Third Mumbai.

The growth centre will be a business district developed on the lines of the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) in Mumbai.

Fadnavis made the announcement in Davos, in Switzerland, where he is attending the World Economic Forum.

The Raigad-Pen Growth Centre

The growth centre will be located 15-20 km from the Navi Mumbai International Airport, which was inaugurated on December 25, 2025. Permissions for the project were being obtained over the last three to four years and, with those approvals in place, the first city of the Third Mumbai is being announced, Fadnavis said. The Atal Setu will facilitate access to the Raigad-Pen Growth Centre.

The centre will be developed on a plug and play" and ready-to-start" model, enabling stakeholders to begin operations immediately. The new business district will include global capability centres and a fintech ecosystem.

It will be the countrys first such project under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, with the state government, MMRDA and private partners working together.

Envisioned as a new business district on BKC lines, the city will host Global Capability Centres (GCCs), fintech hubs and high-quality employment, with a walk-to-work" urban design.

Global investors backing the project include Havanna Group (Republic of Korea), SSB Group (Switzerland), FedEx (USA), RiverRecycle (Finland), MGSA (Dubai), Mapletree/Spaces Holding (Singapore), GNV, Indospace Parks, and Tribeca Developers (USA).

What is Third Mumbai?

Speaking at CNN-News18 Townhall event in August 2025, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had said, We are developing Third Mumbai which will come up between the Atal Setu and the Navi Mumbai airport. This new Mumbai is a futuristic city. It includes an Edu City where seven top-ranked global universities have already come in, and five more are on the way. Just today, I finalised talks with another leading university."

#CNNNews18Townhall | Mumbai has its own character which is better than Singapore and Shanghai. You will see a lot of transformation in the next 5 years. We are creating a new futuristic third Mumbai: @Dev_Fadnavis, Maharashtra CM#Mumbai | @AnchorAnandN pic.twitter.com/BbNE2sQb4g News18 (@CNNnews18) August 13, 2025

What will Third Mumbai include?

Edu City: It is proposed to host as many as 12 foreign universities and serve over 100,000 students, according to reports.

Medic City, Innovation City, Knowledge and Cybersecurity Hubs with focus on AI and quantum computing research.

Designated zones for data centers, MNCs, and corporate offices.

It is positioned to be a new business capital of India.

It is conceptualised to be three times larger than the current city of Mumbai, envisioned as a global economic hub.

Third Mumbai: Will it be connected to Mumbai?

Coastal Road, Atal Setu (MTHL), and the Worli-Sewri Link Road will link Third Mumbai with Mumbais island city.

Planned suburban rail extensions under MUTP 4, plus road and metro connectors.

Who will handle the development?

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) will serve as the nodal development body. The New Town Development Authority (NTDA) will oversee planning, land use, and policy coordination.

The initiative emphasises public-private partnerships (PPPs), with fast-tracked clearances and investor-friendly policies.

Inauguration of Goldman Sachs new office in Mumbai at the hands of CM Devendra Fadnavis.           .             pic.twitter.com/dZxiih0HXl CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) August 18, 2025

What CM Devendra Fadnavis said about Third Mumbai earlier?

At the CNBC-TV18 India Business Leader Awards (IBLA) in December 2024, Fadnavis announced that Maharashtra is developing a new urban centre  Third Mumbai, also known as Karnala-Sai-Chirner (KSC) New Town. He emphasised that this new hub will be three times larger than the current city of Mumbai and is poised to become the next business capital of India.

He added that the project represents a major economic engine for the state, with the potential to help Maharashtra become the first trillion-dollar economy among Indian states.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos in early 2025, Fadnavis highlighted that Mumbais high real estate costs were driving businesses and talent away to cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad. He stressed that developing Navi Mumbai and Third Mumbai is essential to offset high real estate costs and retain talent in Maharashtra.

At a CREDAI MCHI meeting in August 2025, Fadnavis expressed concern that housing prices continue to rise despite infrastructure investments and concessions. He urged developers to look beyond existing projects and invest in Third Mumbai and Fourth Mumbai, which he said are being planned with components like bullet train connectivity, townships (around 150 sq km by MMRDA), data centers, and port infrastructure.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 13:48 IST

News cities mumbai-news First City For Third Mumbai Announced: Where Will BKC-Like Growth Centre Come Up?

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Mumbai Will Get Its BMC Mayor From General Womens Category On This Date: Check The Schedule

Curated By :

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 17:42 IST

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) mayor will be a woman from the general category

Mumbais verdict will be studied closely by regional parties across India to test whether cultural insularity still wins elections in globally integrated cities. (File pic)

With the Mumbai mayor lottery, which decided the reservation for the civic bodies top post, held on Thursday, the process of selecting the mayor and deputy mayor has gained momentum.

The most talked about the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) mayor will be a woman from the general category.

On the same lines, women will also get the opportunity to become mayors in major municipal corporations of Pune, Nagpur and Nashik this year.

When will Mumbai mayoral election be held?

The election of Mayor and Deputy Mayor in BMC will be held on January 30 or 31. The final decision will be taken by the Municipal Secretary of the Municipal Corporation.

ALSO READ | If I Have To Take A Flexible Stance: Will Raj Thackeray Ditch Cousin Uddhav For BJP, Sena In BMC?

Like Mumbai, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor will be elected on the same day in the remaining 28 Municipal Corporations. However, the Divisional Commissioners concerned will have the authority to fix the date and time of the election in those Municipal Corporations.

The selection process

In the first stage of the selection process, aspiring corporators from all 29 municipal corporations will submit their candidatures to the municipal secretary between January 27 and 28. After the scrutiny of applications, the actual election for the post of Mayor and Deputy Mayor will be held on January 30 or 31. This selection process will be held in the first general meeting of the newly elected corporators.

What is the schedule?

January 23: The Municipal Secretary will submit a proposal to the Divisional Commissioner to fix the date and time for convening a meeting of the elected members to hold elections for the posts of Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

January 24, 25: Divisional Commissioner to decide the date and presiding officer for first meeting of Municipal Corporation

ALSO READ | BJP Is Out Of Kalyan-Dombivli Mayor Race Despite 50 Seats, But MNS, With 5 Corporators, Isnt

January 27, 28: Nomination letters of interested members for the post of Mayor and Deputy Mayor will be submitted to the Municipal Secretary.

January 30, 31: The Mayor and Deputy Mayor will be elected by holding a meeting of newly elected members for the post of Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 17:34 IST

News cities mumbai-news Mumbai Will Get Its BMC Mayor From General Womens Category On This Date: Check The Schedule

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If I Have To Take A Flexible Stance: Will Raj Thackeray Ditch Cousin Uddhav For BJP, Sena In BMC?

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 14:07 IST

Uddhav or BJP or Shinde Sena? Raj Thackeray's post to mark Sena founder Bal Thackeray's birth anniversary has given rise to speculation over which party he will support in BMC

Rapid Read

The Thackerays had come together for the BMC elections. (X/PTI File)

After the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) shocker, will Raj Thackerays Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) join hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or Eknath Shindes Shiv Sena in Mumbai civic body, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), ditching his cousin and UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray?

His post on X on Friday to mark the birth anniversary of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, stating even if I have to take a slightly flexible stance", has given rise to new speculation.

The race for the post of BMC mayor has been heating up, with Fridays lottery reserving the post for women candidates. In the 2026 BMC elections held on January 15, the BJP won 89 seats, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena 29, Sena UBT 65, Congress 24, AIMIM 8, NCP Ajit Pawar 3, Samajwadi Party (SP) 2 and NCP Sharad Pawar 1 seat. While the BJP and Shinde Sena alliance of Mahayuti has easily crossed the halfway mark of 114, the fight for the top post, which even Shinde is eyeing, has given rise to talks of different likely combinations for the BJP, Shinde Sena and UBT.

ALSO READ | Why BJP Is Out Of KDMC Mayor Race Despite Winning 50 Seats, But MNS, With 5 Corporators, Isnt

In the KDMC, the MNS, which has 5 seats, extended its support to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, which won 53 seats, followed by 50 seats. UBT won 11 seats in the 122-seat KDMC. For the civic elections, the Thackeray cousins had united after two decades. UBTs Sanjay Raut later said Raj Thackeray was distraught" over the action of local leaders.

What did Raj Thackeray say in the post?

Raj Thackerays post hailed the politics of Bal Thackeray. Even when Balasaheb had to take a flexible stance in politics at times, his love for the Marathi people didnt diminish even by a fraction; on the contrary, it only grew stronger. These are the values instilled in us," he wrote.

Then came the statement that has created a new buzz in Mumbai politics. I give my word once again today: even if I have to take a slightly flexible stance at times in this completely transformed politics, it will never be for my personal gain or selfishness. Seeing Balasahebs blazing love for the Marathi language, the Marathi region, and the Marathi people, thousands and lakhs of people joined him and went along with him  I am one of them. Therefore, my faith and love, and that of my Maharashtra Sainiks, for the two words Balasaheb and Marathi will never diminish even by a fraction."

ALSO READ | BMC Mayor Race: Raj Thackeray Distraught Over MNSs Kalyan Drama; UBTs Raut Attacks BJP, Shinde

The post began with: It is the 100th birth anniversary of Late Balasaheb today. Many birth centenary years have been celebrated in history and will be in the future too, but it is rare for a person to remain in peoples memories even after they are no longer alive, and for that person to continue shaping the politics and social dynamics of an entire region even today. This can only happen in the case of Balasaheb, most of the time. And thats why Im fully confident that Balasaheb will remain in peoples memories not just in his 100th year but even in his bicentennial birth year. But by then, the Marathi person remembering Balasaheb should not be a divided, demoralized, crushed, and silently enduring soul bearing injustice."

.     .           ,          ,               .   pic.twitter.com/iDRAjiYWSh Raj Thackeray (@RajThackeray) January 23, 2026

Today, loyalties are easily sold off. Principles are casually discarded, and politics has become entirely opportunistic. In todays politics, success is measured not by which issues were brought to the forefront, or how fiercely regional and linguistic identities were kept alive, but by how much success was achieved in electoral politics and what tricks were employed to get there. In Balasahebs time, there were no such compromises with expectations like these, and even if there were, he would have thrown them out. He himself had no craving for power, but he found satisfaction in seating an ordinary worker on a seat of power," the post read.

ALSO READ | BMC Mayor Lottery On Jan 22: Will Uddhav Thackeray Support Devendra Fadnavis In Mumbai Civic Body?

Power comes and goes. Todays power-holders tomorrow are reduced to mere nameplates, but only a few people can leave an impact that shakes generations. This impact was Balasahebs strength, and this is his legacy. Balasaheb was farsighted. His vision still feels consistent today and will remain so in the future. Thats why he will remain timeless. Just as its true that we will never see a talent like Balasahebs again, its equally true that no one will ever be able to practice politics like Balasahebs in the future. But his image will never take a hit anywhere, and the fight he waged for the Marathi language, for the Marathi people, will continue to burn fiercelythis is in the hands of Balasahebs next generations to ensure. And we will do it with determination; this is our word to the Marathi people."

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 11:57 IST

News cities mumbai-news If I Have To Take A Flexible Stance: Will Raj Thackeray Ditch Cousin Uddhav For BJP, Sena In BMC?

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The helicopters over the Michoacan town of Cenobio Moreno, in the Apatzingan Valley, on Wednesday foreshadowed significant arrests by the Mexican government. Authorities were searching for Cesar Sepulveda, alias El Botox, one of the most notorious figures in organized crime in the state, accused of more than a dozen extortions and murders, including that of Bernardo Bravo, leader of the local citrus growers association, at the end of last year. He was finally captured that night in the neighboring town of Santa Ana Amatlan. Two young men, nicknamed Panico and Grenas, were with him. Cornered, El Botox tried to escape through a window. Sepulveda is now in prison, and the Claudia Sheinbaum administration has another victory to its name.

On Thursday morning, authorities in Michoacan, led by Governor Alfredo Ramirez of the ruling Morena party, provided details of the operation, which began on October 23, three days after Bravos murder. At that time, the brother of the citrus growers leader told authorities that, at the beginning of the month, El Botox and his men, who had dubbed themselves the Whites of Troy 10 years prior, had kidnapped Bernardo. One of El Botoxs henchmen had told him about this over the phone. The caller, nicknamed Pilones, said they were going to release him. They did, but Bravo never truly escaped. Weeks later, El Botox summoned him to a meeting in Cenobio Moreno, between Apatzingan and Buenavista, after which he was murdered.

The surveillance of Pilones over the past few months and the raids on Botoxs house, where Bravo was summoned, have now culminated in the arrest of both men and the virtual dismantling of the group, pending the capture of the leaders stepbrother, alias Jando, with whom he has shared the business for years. In the press release distributed by Michoacan authorities, Pilones statements, made after his arrest on January 21, hours before his bosss, are included. Pilones claims that Bravo met in early October with an operative of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) in Jalisco to request that they get rid of Botox. According to this version, Botox found out about the meeting, which is why he allegedly ordered Pilones assassination.

Arrest of Carlos Alejandro N, 'El Botox,' in Michoacan. SSPC

The arrest of the alleged criminal seemed imminent, as this newspaper reported last week, with El Botox becoming a top priority for the current administration. The protagonist of a handful of videos released on social media earlier this year, his criminal exploits have now come to an end. In the videos, El Botox maintained his innocence in the Bravo case and offered a full explanation of the constant injustice that, in his view, fuels the lemon industry in Michoacan. A citrus middleman, he criticized the prices paid by companies to producers and, therefore, to him, an obligatory toll for the growers guild. The federal government states that El Botox maintained control of the sale of yellow lemons in the towns of Cenobio Moreno, La Huina, Capiri, and El Razo, in the municipalities of Buenavista and Apatzingan.

Theyre looking for me, he said in one of the videos he released, a rare occurrence in the criminal world, where recordings of masked and armed men in parades and processions abound. His appearance with his face uncovered was unusual and reminiscent of that of Jose Antonio Yepez Ortiz, alias Marro, a fuel thief from Guanajuato, a little over five years ago. Both seemed to feel wronged, treated unfairly, misunderstood. It wasnt that they denied the accusations against them  or at least not all of them  but they both suggested that the alleged behavior was, after all, part of a game, the rules of which are often lost on outsiders. Theyre looking for me, El Botox said, as if it were unjust, the teacher pointing to just one of the 25 boys shouting in the classroom.

Aged 43, El Botox projected a rustic image in the videos. In two of them, he appeared dressed identically, somewhere in the Tierra Caliente region of Michoacan: jeans and hiking boots, a brown sheepskin-lined coat, several days growth of beard and a glass in his hands. Check at the wholesale markets, see how much theyre selling for, and check down here, see how much they pay people, for the breakdown, the box, the hauling, and the packing, he said, addressing Sheinbaum herself. See what each person earns, so you can put a price on the value of the work, because here they pay them however they want, if theres no one to defend them, he added, a full-fledged political speech. Deceptive, perhaps, but illuminating the reality of agriculture in the country.

A figure of ambiguity  like anyone who walks the fine line between crime and economics in Mexico  El Botox had been on the radar of authorities, both in his homeland and in the United States, for years. In a statement released in August announcing sanctions against him and others, the U.S. Treasury Department placed him as part of the Los Viagra criminal groups structure, along with Heladio Cisneros, alias La Sirena, who is accused of orchestrating the assassination of former self-defense leader Hipolito Mora in La Ruana. According to the Treasury, the two men took orders from the founder of Los Viagra, heirs to the main branch of the Knights Templar cartel, Nicolas Sierra Santana, alias El Gordo.

While understanding the relationships and hierarchies of criminal groups operating under the same umbrella is generally difficult in Mexico, in Michoacan its utterly impossible. The implosion of La Familia Michoacana in the first decade of the century and the subsequent fall of its successors, the Knights Templar, gave rise to a myriad of groups, such as the Whites of Troy, whose loyalties were volatile and unstable. The Mexican army had been tracking Botox for five years and observed him clashing with Sierra Santana, another former self-defense leader turned drug trafficker known as El Abuelo, who was also cozying up to a local CJNG franchise  one of his most recent moves.

In any case, El Botoxs entrepreneurial voracity was fascinating, like the flames of napalm, despite the horror they cause. In a document prepared in mid-2022, the National Intelligence Fusion Center (CENFI), which was run by the army, indicated that El Botox and his group, then alleged members of a now-defunct league of regional organizations, Carteles Unidos, were trying to generate conflicts within this network for their personal gain. At that time, according to CENFI, El Botox already controlled the collection of garbage and recyclable materials, the sale of beer and gasoline, the buying and selling of lemons and avocados, as well as street-level drug dealing, in addition to the sale of chickens and eggs. By December 2021, CENFI estimated that El Botox, as an intermediary, was selling two tons of chicken a day.

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AFCAT Admit Card 2026 Released At afcat.edcil.co.in; Exam On January 31

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 14:01 IST

The Indian Air Force has released the AFCAT Admit Card 2026 on its official website, afcat.edcil.co.in. The AFCAT exam will be conducted on January 31.

AFCAT Admit Card: Candidates can download the hall ticket from the official website.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has released the AFCAT Admit Card 2026 for candidates appearing in the Air Force Common Admission Test. Registered candidates can download their hall tickets from the official website, afcat.edcil.co.in.

The AFCAT 2026 examination will be held on January 31, 2026. The test will consist of 100 questions carrying a total of 300 marks. Questions will be asked from General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning and Military Aptitude. The online exam will be objective in nature and conducted only in English.

How To Download AFCAT Admit Card 2026?

Candidates can follow the steps given below to download the admit card:

Visit the official website at afcat.edcil.co.in.

Click on the AFCAT Admit Card 2026 link on the homepage.

Enter the required login details.

Submit the details to view the admit card.

Download the hall ticket and take a printout for future use.

In case candidates face any difficulty while downloading the admit card, they can contact the AFCAT Helpdesk at +91-9513252077. Queries can also be sent via email to afcathelpdesk@edcil.co.in.

For further updates and details, candidates are advised to keep checking the official AFCAT website.

ALSO READ: Delhi Nursery Admissions 2026-27: First List Of Shortlisted Students Expected Today, Details Here

About AFCAT

The Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) is a national-level entrance examination conducted by the Indian Air Force to select officers for its Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches.

Through AFCAT, the IAF recruits young men and women as Commissioned Officers in various roles, including pilots, engineers, and administrative and logistics officers. The exam is usually held twice a year and is conducted in online mode.

AFCAT tests candidates on four broad areas  General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning and Military Aptitude. Candidates who qualify the written exam are called for further stages of selection, which include the Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) interview, medical examination, and final merit listing.

Successful candidates are trained at Air Force training academies and are commissioned as officers in the Indian Air Force.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 13:55 IST

News education-career AFCAT Admit Card 2026 Released At afcat.edcil.co.in; Exam On January 31

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From London To The US: ASUs New Global Study Pathway Opens For Indians

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 16:52 IST

Arizona State University has launched ASU London in India, offering students a two-country pathway with a UK-accredited bachelors degree and entry to a US masters programme.

ASU Brings ASU London to India, Offers Two-Country Degree Option.

Arizona State University (ASU) has formally introduced ASU London to the Indian education ecosystem, marking a new step towards globally connected higher education pathways for Indian students. The launch event was held in New Delhi and was led by Chris Howard, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Arizona State University.

The event brought together industry leaders, policymakers, partner universities, and representatives from international education bodies to discuss how global education models can better serve Indian students seeking international exposure and career-ready learning.

ASU London offers a two-country academic pathway that blends British higher education standards with the American focus on applied learning and innovation. The model is designed to give students academic flexibility, international mobility, and access to globally recognised degrees.

ASU London reflects our long-standing commitment to rethinking global higher education. By integrating British academic standards with American strengths in applied learning, we are creating a global education experience that prepares students for opportunity, mobility and impact," said Michael M. Crow, President, Arizona State University.

For Indian students, this two-country pathway allows eligible candidates to complete a UK-accredited bachelors degree, with guaranteed entry for all successful graduates into a masters programme at Arizona State University in the United States.

Highlighting the growing demand for international education options in India, Dr Chris Howard said, Students in India are actively seeking global education pathways that combine academic rigour with practical learning. ASU London reflects our commitment to supporting those aspirations through globally connected degree programmes."

ASU London is structured around Arizona State Universitys academic framework and offers a globally integrated learning environment with clear progression routes and alignment across education systems.

About ASU London

The ASU London Centre for Advanced Learning is an independent, UK-accredited higher education institution founded and supported by Arizona State University along with its partner, Cintana Education. The institution offers students the opportunity to study in London, ranked among the worlds top three student cities in the QS Best Student Cities 2026 rankings.

Students at ASU London also gain access to internationally recognised postgraduate degrees from Arizona State University, which is ranked among the top 1% of universities worldwide as per CWUR 2025.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 16:52 IST

News education-career From London To The US: ASUs New Global Study Pathway Opens For Indians

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Bihar ANM Result 2026 Declared At shs.bihar.gov.in, Check Category-Wise Cutoff Marks

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 17:52 IST

Bihar ANM Result 2026: Document verification will occur between January 27 and February 3 at the State Institute of Health and Family Welfare (SIHFW), Sheikhpura, Patna.

Candidates can now download the result PDF by visiting the official website, shs.bihar.gov.in. (Representational/File Photo)

The State Health Society, Bihar (SHSB) has released the Bihar ANM (Auxiliary Nurse Midwives) Result 2026. The results are available in PDF format on the SHSBs official website, shs.bihar.gov.in. The PDF contains the roll numbers of those shortlisted for the next stage.

There are 5,006 Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) positions available in this recruitment. After the written examination, selected candidates will proceed to document verification. ANMs will be appointed at Primary Health Centres/Additional Primary Health Centres under the National Urban Health Programme under the National Health Mission, Urban Primary Health Centres under the National Urban Health Programme, and all health sub-centres in the state. Selected candidates will receive a monthly salary of Rs 15,000.

Bihar ANM Result: Steps To Check

 Visit the official website, shs.bihar.gov.in.

 Click on the ANM Result 2026 link on the homepage.

 A PDF file will open upon clicking the link.

 Press Ctrl + F to search for your roll number or type Name/Roll Number.

 Download and save the result.

Bihar ANM Result: Category-wise Cutoff Marks

The category-wise cutoff marks released by SHSB are as follows:

 Unreserved (UR): 43.96

 Economically Weaker Section (EWS): 37.21

 Scheduled Caste (SC): 35.62

 Scheduled Tribe (ST): 36.03

 Extremely Backward Class (EBC): 40.15

 Backward Class (BC): 43.13

 Women Backward Class (WBC): 41.94

Only candidates scoring above the cutoff will proceed to the next stage.

Whats Next?

Document verification will occur between January 27, 2026, and February 3, 2026, at the State Institute of Health and Family Welfare (SIHFW), Sheikhpura, Patna. Candidates should arrive on time with all required documents. Candidates should carefully read the official notification before attending document verification.

This Bihar ANM answer key was released on December 26, 2025. The exam was held on December 17, 18, and 19, 2025. The download link was activated until December 28, 2025, at 11:55 pm. Students were allowed to submit an objection between December 26 to 28. According to the marking scheme, one mark is awarded for each correct answer. There is no negative marking.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 17:43 IST

News education-career Bihar ANM Result 2026 Declared At shs.bihar.gov.in, Check Category-Wise Cutoff Marks

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Delhi Nursery Admissions 2026-27: First List Of Shortlisted Students Expected Today, Details Here

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 10:19 IST

The Delhi Directorate of Education will release the first shortlist for Nursery, KG and Class 1 admissions today, January 23, with objections allowed till February 3.

Delhi Nursery, KG and Class 1 admission shortlist to be released today. (Representative/File Photo)

The Directorate of Education (DoE), Delhi, will release the first list of shortlisted students for Nursery, KG and Class 1 admissions today, January 23, for the 202627 academic session. Admissions are conducted through a points-based system. Schools award points to applicants based on factors such as distance from the school, whether a sibling is already studying there, alumni status of parents, and other criteria laid down by the DoE.

Schools will display the list along with the points secured by each applicant, in line with the official admission guidelines.

Once the first list is released, parents can raise objections or seek clarification regarding the allocation of points between January 24 and February 3, 2026. The second list of shortlisted students will be published on February 9, 2026. The entire entry-level admission process will conclude on March 19, 2026.

Age Eligibility

For the 202627 academic year, the age criteria are:

Nursery: Child must be three years old as on March 31, 2026

KG: Child must be four years old as on March 31, 2026

Class 1: Child must be five years old as on March 31, 2026

Schools may allow an age relaxation of up to one month, depending on the decision of the head of the institution. The DoE has clarified that children admitted to Nursery in 202526 will move to KG in 202627, while those currently in KG will be promoted to Class 1. As a result, Nursery admissions in 202627 will be open only to children who have completed three years but have not turned four by March 31, 2026.

Parents of selected students will have to deposit the admission fee within the time period specified by the school. Details related to the fee structure can be checked on the schools official website or by contacting the school office.

At the time of admission, parents must submit the childs birth certificate. In case of a first child, a notary-attested affidavit is also required. Proof of residence must be provided, which can include documents such as a voter ID card, Aadhaar card, passport, domicile certificate, ration card, electricity bill, MTNL bill or water bill.

ALSO READ: Education Ministry Forms Committee To Review Student Suicide Cases At IIT Kanpur

For children with special needs, relevant medical documents must be submitted. Parents will also need to collect and submit the admission booklet, school health record form and transport form, after filling them in. A passport-size colour photograph of the child and one photograph each of both parents must be affixed in the admission booklet. Original documents will be required at the time of verification of photocopies.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 10:18 IST

News education-career Delhi Nursery Admissions 2026-27: First List Of Shortlisted Students Expected Today, Details Here

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Akshita Dhankar: The Flight Lieutenant Who Hoisted National Flag With President On Republic Day

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Last Updated: January 26, 2026, 12:03 IST

Flight Lieutenant from Haryana, Akshita Dhankar participated in the 77th Republic Day parade, where she hoisted the national flag alongside the President

Akshita Dhankar quickly earned the rank of Flight Lieutenant, awarded through merit-based promotion. (Image: ANI)

Akshita Dhankars name is making waves nationwide. As a Flight Lieutenant in the Indian Air Force, she raised the national flag alongside President Draupadi Murmu at the 77th Republic Day parade on January 26, 2026. Dhankars journey began as an ordinary girl and reached the nations highest stage, setting an example for many young people.

Dhankar was born in Kasni village, Haryana, a region known for its strong military presence and deep patriotism. As a child, she watched the Republic Day parade and dreamed of serving the country. Inspired by her fathers own participation in the parade, Dhankars desire to don a uniform was solidified by these childhood memories, reported News18 Hindi.

She studied at Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College, Delhi University, where she joined the National Cadet Corps (NCC), Indias largest youth organisation that fosters discipline, leadership, and a spirit of service. Dhankar excelled, achieving the rank of Cadet Sergeant Major (CSM). Her NCC unit fondly remembers her as Ex-CSM" for her inspirational leadership. The NCCs rigorous training prepared her for a military career.

Determined to serve the nation, Dhankar took the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT), the main entry route for officers. She passed the exam and received a recommendation from the Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) in Mysore.

She was selected in the Administration (ADM) branch under the M AFCAT (W) 551 entry and was commissioned as a flying officer on June 17, 2023. Her service number is 38704 ADM, and she is part of the 211 Short Service Commission (Women) Ground Duty Course.

Akshita Dhankar quickly earned the rank of Flight Lieutenant, awarded through merit-based promotion. In the Administration branch, she manages tasks essential to operational readiness, including personnel management, logistics, and organisational coordination.

In 2026, Dhankar will participate in the 77th Republic Day parade, where she will hoist the national flag alongside the President. This event, focusing on womens participation, marks the first inclusion of women in the Air Force band and the Sindoor" fighter formation, honouring Operation Sindoor.

On this Republic Day, I have been given the opportunity to unfurl the national flag with President Droupadi Murmu. This is a very good feeling. I feel honoured. Weve been practising for more than two months. The practice has been rigorous. Weve been waking up early. Weve been going home late. I think in the end, it is all worth it. I feel this is what the armed forces stand for- courage, unity, and determination" she told ANI.

Dhankars selection has sparked celebrations in her village of Kasni, Haryana. A local event saw young girls singing a song in her honour, with the video going viral on social media. Her story shows how someone from a small village can rise to serve the nation, inspiring many, especially young girls.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 19:21 IST

News education-career Akshita Dhankar: The Flight Lieutenant Who Hoisted National Flag With President On Republic Day

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UPSC CSE 2026 Notification To Be Out Soon; Prelims Exam Scheduled On May 24

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 16:10 IST

The Union Public Service Commission is expected to release the UPSC CSE 2026 notification soon on upsc.gov.in.

UPSC is expected to release the Civil Services Examination 2026 notification soon on its official website.

UPSC CSE 2026 Notification: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is expected to release the detailed notification for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 shortly. Once issued, the online registration process for the examination will also begin. Candidates will be able to access the notification and submit their applications on the official UPSC website, upsc.gov.in.

UPSC CSE 2026 Exam Date And Notification Update

As per the UPSC calendar released earlier, the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026 is scheduled to be held on May 24, 2026. The notification was earlier expected on January 14, but its release has been postponed for reasons not yet announced by the Commission.

Once released, the notification will provide key details such as the number of vacancies, eligibility criteria, exam dates, syllabus, and the selection procedure. It will also clearly mention the number of attempts allowed for candidates belonging to different categories, including General, OBC, SC, ST, and PwBD.

Selection Process For UPSC Civil Services

The Civil Services Examination is conducted in three stages. The first stage is the Preliminary Examination, which consists of two objective-type papers  General Studies Paper I and the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT).

This stage is meant to shortlist candidates for the Main Examination, scheduled to be held in August 2026. Candidates who qualify the Mains will then be called for the interview round, which is the final stage of the selection process.

ALSO READ: IBPS RRB Clerk Prelims Result 2025 Declared: Direct Link To Check Scorecard Here

Eligibility Criteria And Number Of Attempts

As per existing rules, candidates must be Indian citizens and between 21 and 32 years of age. Applicants should hold a graduate degree from a recognised university. Candidates in the General category are allowed six attempts.

OBC and PwBD candidates under the General, EWS and OBC categories can avail up to nine attempts, while there is no limit on attempts for SC and ST candidates.

Candidates are advised to regularly check the UPSC website for the latest updates related to the CSE 2026 notification.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 16:10 IST

News education-career UPSC CSE 2026 Notification To Be Out Soon; Prelims Exam Scheduled On May 24

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Inside The Battle For The Arctic: Why Russia, China, And US Are Racing For The High North

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 10:22 IST

As melting ice opens new routes and resources, the Arctic has become a key arena where Russias dominance, Chinas ambitions and Americas concerns now collide.

The Arctic is warming around four times faster than the global average, altering conditions that once made the region largely inaccessible.

The Arctic has long been viewed as a remote expanse shaped by ice, isolation and scientific research. But as rising temperatures transform the region more rapidly than almost any other part of the world, its strategic value has entered global debate.

The issue gained renewed attention after US President Donald Trump repeatedly insisted that the United States needs" Greenland for national security reasons, pointing to Russia and Chinas activities in the High North. While the claim surprised many, it highlighted a competition that has been underway for decades.

At the centre of this contest is a changing landscape. Shrinking sea ice has begun to open new shipping corridors, expose potential mineral resources and increase military access. These shifts have deepened interest in a region where Russia already possesses a substantial lead, China is expanding its footprint, and the United States is reassessing its position.

How The Arctic Is Changing

The Arctic is warming around four times faster than the global average, altering conditions that once made the region largely inaccessible. According to CNN, two major routes that were previously impractical for international shipping  the Northern Sea Route (NSR) along Russias northern coastline and the Northwest Passage across the Canadian Arctic archipelago  have seen extended ice-free periods during the peak of the summer since the late 2000s. Their emergence has implications for global trade, as voyages between Europe and Asia could be significantly shortened during navigable months.

Scientists warn that this level of ice retreat is environmentally damaging. But the geopolitical reality is that new possibilities have emerged. A central trans-polar route directly across the North Pole could even become feasible if ice loss continues, although the level of melting required would bring dramatic consequences, including accelerated warming and intensified weather extremes.

Greenland has also become strategically important as the Arctic changes. Surveys cited by CNN indicate that the island holds potential reserves of rare-earth elements, gold, copper, coal and zinc. Yet extraction remains extremely challenging because many deposits lie beneath remote areas with a one-mile-thick ice sheet and prolonged winter darkness.

Malte Humpert, founder and senior fellow at The Arctic Institute, described the idea that these resources could be extracted easily for the United States benefit as completely bonkers". Even so, the scale of the deposits ensures Greenland continues to attract attention.

Russias Entrenched Advantage

Russia has long been the dominant actor in the Arctic. It controls roughly half of all Arctic land and half of the maritime exclusive economic zone north of the Arctic Circle. Two-thirds of the Arctics population lives in Russia, and the country accounts for around two-thirds of the regions GDP. These structural advantages have allowed Moscow to shape developments in the High North for decades.

Russias military footprint reflects this dominance. According to the Simons Foundation, there are 66 military sites across the broader Arctic: 30 in Russia and 36 in NATO countries with Arctic territory. These include 15 in Norway (one of which is a British base), eight in the US, nine in Canada, three in Greenland and one in Iceland. These sites vary in scale and purpose, but together illustrate the regions strategic sensitivity.

Russia has invested heavily in strengthening these capabilities. The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) highlighted that Moscow has modernised its nuclear-powered submarine fleet, which remains central to its Arctic posture. CNN also reports improvements in radar, drone and missile systems.

In 2021, Russia completed a 3.5-kilometre runway on Franz Josef Land capable of accommodating all aircraft types, including nuclear-capable bombers. The military deployed S-400 air-defence systems in the Arctic in 2019 and opened a radar installation on the Novaya Zemlya archipelago. In September 2025, the Northern Fleet conducted exercises involving landings, naval firing drills and submarine operations across Arctic waters.

Russia frames its approach as defensive. Russia never threatened anyone in the Arctic," President Vladimir Putin said last year, adding that the country was attentively watching the development of the situation" and building an adequate response" through strengthened armed forces and modernised infrastructure.

Russia also views the Arctic as economically vital. The Northern Sea Route is a central component of this strategy. Although its use was historically limited to supplying remote Soviet communities, Russia began developing it more actively in the early 2010s as ice conditions changed. After sanctions following Russias 2022 invasion of Ukraine restricted energy exports to Europe, the NSR became a key corridor for transporting oil and gas to China.

Chinas Expanding Arctic Ambitions

China, although not an Arctic state, has steadily increased its involvement in the region. In 2018, it declared itself a near-Arctic state" and proposed a Polar Silk Road, positioning the Arctic within its broader connectivity initiatives. According to AFP, Beijing aims to become a polar power" by 2030 and has established scientific research stations in both Iceland and Norway.

Chinas partnership with Russia has deepened in recent years. The two countries conducted a joint patrol in the Arctic in 2024. This involved Chinese and Russian bomber aircraft flying near the junction between the Asian and American continents, close to Alaska.

China also operates several icebreakers equipped with mini-submarines capable of mapping the seabed, a capability potentially useful for military purposes, and deploys Arctic observation satellites, which Beijing says have scientific objectives.

While Chinas military presence remains modest compared with Russias, its technological and research activities, along with its deepening partnership with Moscow, represent a significant shift in Arctic dynamics.

Why The United States Is Concerned

The United States is an Arctic nation through Alaska, but has historically invested fewer resources into Arctic infrastructure than Russia.

Trumps repeated argument that the US needs" Greenland reflects a concern that Washington could be overtaken in a region where strategic competition is intensifying. He has claimed Denmark cannot defend Greenland against Russian and Chinese activity. While Russia and China strongly deny plans to seize Greenland, the symbolism of the islands location and its mineral potential have placed it firmly in US strategic discussions.

Trumps former national security adviser Mike Waltz told Fox News in 2024 that the administrations focus on Greenland was about critical minerals" and natural resources".

The accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO in 2023 and 2024 has further changed the Arctic landscape. According to CNN, their membership effectively divides the region into two nearly equal blocs: one aligned with Russia and the other with NATO. This shift has reinforced expectations that the US will take a more active role in Arctic security.

The Northern Sea Route And The Northwest Passage

As ice retreats, maritime possibilities are expanding. The NSR, which runs along Russias northern coast, offers a route that can reduce travel time between Asia and Europe by around half compared with the Suez Canal during ice-free periods. CNN reports that annual voyages increased from a handful in the early 2010s to around 100 in recent years.

Russia approved an investment plan worth about 20 billion to develop the NSR through 2035. However, the route remains limited. In 2025, 37 million tonnes of cargo moved through it  a 2.3 per cent decrease from the previous year  far below the hundreds of millions of tonnes passing through the Suez Canal annually.

The Northwest Passage has also become more accessible. According to CNN, through-sailings increased from only a couple a year in the early 2000s to as many as 41 in 2023. While still challenging, the rising activity highlights a major shift in Arctic navigation.

A Region Reshaped By Opportunity And Risk

The Arctics strategic importance now rests on three intersecting factors: its changing geography, its military relevance and its economic potential. Russia remains the most deeply embedded actor, China is expanding its scientific and strategic engagement and the United States is seeking to reassert its role amid concerns of falling behind.

Yet the opportunities emerging in the region are offset by significant risks. Scientists and environmental groups warn that increased commercial shipping in the Arctic could become an ecological and human disaster waiting to happen". Mineral extraction is constrained by extreme conditions, and expanding military presence has coincided with reduced diplomatic cooperation, including the suspension of most Arctic Council collaboration since 2022.

As the ice continues to retreat, the Arctic is transitioning from a remote frontier to a central arena of geopolitical competition. The regions future will be shaped by the interplay between strategic ambitions, environmental pressures and the shifting balance of power among Russia, China and the US.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 09:50 IST

News explainers Inside The Battle For The Arctic: Why Russia, China, And US Are Racing For The High North

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Trumps Manifest Destiny Moment: What It Reveals About US Power, And Indias Stakes

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 12:53 IST

From US belief in a divine right to expand westward, manifest destiny today is less about geography and more about dominance. It frames expansion in terms of influence and control

Manifest destiny signals a worldview in which American action is not constrained by consensus. It suggests that borders are not fixed, that influence should expand. (Getty Images)

When Donald Trump took the oath of office on January 20, 2025, much of the attention focused on familiar issues such as borders, immigration, and America First. But one brief phrase cut through the noise. In invoking manifest destiny," Trump reached back into 19th-century American history, resurrecting a term so loaded that it immediately drew scrutiny.

To many, this sounded like rhetorical colour that is meant to evoke grandeur and confidence. Others perceived it as something sharper  a deliberate signal. The phrase stood out because it does not belong to neutral political language. It carries historical weight, moral baggage, and ideological intent. In a tightly scripted inaugural address, nothing is accidental, and manifest destiny" least of all.

Lets understand what manifest destiny is, what Trumps words actually mean, how to interpret the doctrine in 2026, and what it says about the US foreign policy.

What Manifest Destiny Really Was

Manifest destiny emerged in the mid-1800s as a justification for American territorial expansion across North America. Coined by journalist John L. OSullivan in 1845, the term described what many white Americans of the time believed was the nations divine right, and obligation, to expand westward.

At its core, the doctrine fused nationalism, religion, and race. It assumed that American expansion was not merely strategic or economic, but morally ordained. This belief underpinned policies that led to the annexation of vast territories, from Texas to California, and provided ideological cover for wars, forced removals, and broken treaties.

The idea of manifest destiny was rooted in the belief that America had a unique role and that its values needed to be exported. In that historical context, it referred to the westward expansion of American settlements and the spread of the American way of life and governance. The belief that this expansion was both inevitable and beneficial for the larger world was deeply ingrained at the time. This marked an early phase of American expansionism, which was, in many ways, justified through the idea of Americas unique moral positioning," said Harsh V Pant, Vice President, ORF, and Professor of International Relations at Kings India Institute, Kings College London.

The human cost was immense. Indigenous communities were displaced, dispossessed, or destroyed. Entire cultures were erased or marginalised in the name of progress. The doctrine also helped entrench the idea that American power was exceptional  uniquely virtuous, inherently justified, and therefore exempt from the moral constraints applied to others.

Over time, manifest destiny faded from official policy language. It became a subject for history textbooks, often sanitised or framed as a regrettable but inevitable chapter in national growth. But its underlying assumptions never fully disappeared.

From Territory To Ideology

What has changed is not the doctrines content, but its form. Manifest destiny no longer needs land maps or wagon trails. It has evolved into a mindseta way of seeing power, borders, and identity.

In its modern incarnation, manifest destiny is less about geography and more about dominance. It frames expansion not just as physical growth, but as influence, control, and authority. It treats limitswhether imposed by law, institutions, allies, or norms, as obstacles to be overcome rather than boundaries to be respected.

This ideological shift explains why the phrase still resonates. It offers a simple moral logic in a complex world: if power is destiny, then exercising it requires no apology.

Today, when we talk of Trumps use of manifest destiny in the context of Americas global engagement, he is saying that in certain regionsparticularly the Western Hemisphere, where America is a dominant playerthere should be clear American dominance, and other countries in the region should recognise that dominance. I think where he is different is that he is not using moral logic at all," explained Professor Pant.

In this sense, invoking manifest destiny is not about revisiting the past. It is about repurposing its moral framework for the present.

Why Invoke It Now?

The timing of the reference matters. Trumps return to office comes amid heightened global instability, sharper debates over borders, and growing scepticism towards multilateral institutions. In such a moment, language that stresses inevitability and righteousness carries particular force.

Manifest destiny signals a worldview in which American action is not constrained by consensus. It suggests that borders are not fixed, that influence should expand, and that restraint is a weakness rather than a virtue.

At the Davos Summit on Wednesday, Trump argued that the US could claim Greenland because of its efforts" to defend the territory during World War 2 after Denmark was invaded by Germany. We already had it, but we returned it to Denmark" he said, adding that the US should have kept it".

Trump said the US does not get anything unless it uses excessive strength and force". However, he said, I wont do that."

When asked about Trumps logic behind the annexation" of Greenland, Professor Pant said, Trumps logic is very much based on raw power; what you see in the Melian Dialogue, where the strong do what they must and the weak suffer what they have to. So, in that sense, it is a different logic. It is transactional, it is in-your-face, it is devoid of any moral context, and it is based on Americas interests, defined in terms of a clear calculation of what America gains materially."

Trump has threatened to impose new 10% trade tariffs goods sent to the US from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland if they do not support his Greenland plans. The tariffs would take effect on February 1, increasing to 25% from June 1 if no deal has been agreed.

Is Trump Justified In Using Dominance?

Critics argue that resurrecting the manifest destiny term risks normalising ideas rooted in conquest and exclusion. They point out that the doctrine historically denied the humanity and sovereignty of entire populations, framing violence as virtue and domination as destiny.

Is Trump justified in using dominance? Of course not. If that were the case, it would, in some ways, create a world with no space for weak or smaller countriescountries that do not have the power capabilities to match stronger ones. It would also lead to all kinds of consequences, as powerful countries everywhere would begin doubling down on their weaker neighbours or partners," points out Professor Pant.

Experts further said to invoke manifest destiny today is to flirt with revisionismglossing over historical harm while borrowing the language of inevitability. In modern debates over immigration, for example, the mindset implied by manifest destiny can translate into rigid hierarchies of belonging, where some lives and claims matter more than others.

Supporters, however, see the phrase differently. For them, manifest destiny symbolises confidence, ambition, and national mission. They interpret it as a reaffirmation of American exceptionalisma belief that the country has a unique role to play in shaping the world and should not apologise for pursuing its interests.

Pant said even though Trump is not justified in using dominance. But in international relations, power has always been an important metric in shaping behaviour. At times, it has been argued that even when there was no morality involved, morality was used to justify the logic of power politics."

What Does It Say About Americas Foreign Policy?

According to Michael OHanlon, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, if Trump follows his expansionist rhetoric, the US would essentially become an international pariah." If we use military force to seize the Panama Canal or Greenland it would [put] us in the same category as Vladimir Putin," he says, as quoted by NPR.

Professor Pant said that Trump will weigh everything through a power-political lens. What he is signalling about American foreign policy in 2026 is that America will not be afraid to challenge some of the bedrock assumptions of its own foreign policy. We are already seeing this with the transatlantic alliancethe bedrock of the liberal international order from a Western perspectivewhich is being challenged in ways unlike ever before. He is challenging Americas closest allies in ways that have not happened previously."

He further said, There have been rifts between the US and Europe in the pastaccusations and counter-accusations, claims and counter-claimsbut this is very different. What we are seeing now is a challenge to fundamentals. He is questioning core assumptions and even raising issues of territory, such as Greenland."

Thus, American foreign policy will continue to be unpredictable and volatile", he added. As a result, the global environment will remain unstable, forcing other actors to constantly recalibrate. India, in particular, needs to be very cautious, because it has a great deal at stake."

What Does This Mean For India?

India, of course, wants to have a stable relationship with the US, but increasingly it is not entirely in Indias hands. So even if India signs a trade deal, it is not clear whether that would be enough for Trump not to make further demands. How those demands are met, and how engagement unfolds, will continue to be a challenge. In some ways, Trump will keep asking the same question: what is in it for America, and how is India helping America? India, therefore, should be ready not only with answers but also, in some ways, to make it clear to the US that there are certain red lines where it would push back. The challenge posed by Trump will test Indian foreign policy in 2026."

News18 reported on January 22 that President Trump praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an interaction with an Indian journalist at the World Economic Forum in Davos. He called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a close friend, and expressed confidence that India and the US would reach a trade agreement.

His remarks to Moneycontrol, News18s sister publication, come as Washington and New Delhi continue high-stakes negotiations aimed at resolving a trade stand-off marked by tariffs and geopolitical tensions.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 12:51 IST

News explainers Trumps Manifest Destiny Moment: What It Reveals About US Power, And Indias Stakes

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Who Is Gary? 9/11 Hero Gets Rs 9 Lakh Lifeline From Online Strangers

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 13:22 IST

That Was Epic: Juan Gonzalez's recent YouTube upload was dedicated to helping Gary.

YouTuber 'That Was Epic' raised $10,000 for Gary who saved lives during 9/11 terror attack. (That Was Epic / YouTube)

Juan Gonzalez, the creator behind the YouTube channel called That Was Epic, has stepped up for a 9/11 firefighter forced to live on the streets of Phoenix, Arizona, after a horrific Christmas accident that resulted in amputation of his left leg. Over the years, Gonzalez has garnered millions of subscribers and views on the video-sharing platform by giving back to the community through his generous giveaway content. His videos, such as paying a months rent to strangers, leaving behind hefty tips at restaurants, giving away laptops to college students, supporting struggling local businesses, turning Santa for families, among many others, have built a community of over 8 million subscribers on his YouTube channel.

That community recently joined hands with Gonzalez to assist the YouTuber in his noble cause. It was they, his fans, who brought Gary to his attention.

Living Epic"

In a recent upload on his YouTube channel, Gonzalez announced an organisation he had set up to crowdfund donations. Calling it a community-powered movement," Gonzalez created givebutter.com, where his millions of supporters could now directly be a part of his videos. Kicked off with a goal of $500,000, the website read: At living epic our mission is to create a global movement of kindness where every person has the chance to change someones life. No act of kindness is ever small. Each one creates a ripple of positivity that travels from person to person. Join us in spreading light and making the world brighter together."

$10,000 Raised

In the video titled I Gave $10,000 To A 9/11 Firefighter," Gonzalez revealed that his charity website had already raised just over $10,000 (approximately Rs 9.1 Lakh) in a week that enabled him to give away the cash amount in entirety to a man named Gary. Gary was chosen by his fans and viewers of the That Was Epic YouTube channel.

Garys story resonated with the YouTuber who then approached the 9/11 firefighter outside a shopping mall.

Garys Heroics And Hardships

Sharing Garys story, Gonzalez shared how the senior citizen, an ex-firefighter, put his life on the line to save several lives during the deadly terrorist attacks of 9/11 in New York that changed the world forever.

Gary served 22 years as a first responder in New York before retiring from his job. However, it was last year when a freak road accident brought the retired firefighters life to an abrupt halt, the YouTuber said.

Also Read: How AI Startup Founders Lost Laptop At Heathrow Airport Became MacBookGate

The veteran was reportedly struck by a drunk driver, losing a part of his left leg in the accident. Gary, now in a wheelchair, relies on the goodwill of the community to stay fed as he was unable find work after losing his limb. With no income, Gary has been on the streets for a year now.

Gary does not beg. He does not ask for anything. He quietly helps his local community, offers kindness, and greets people with the most genuine smile. Sadly, living on the streets has left him vulnerable; he has been robbed multiple times, even having his wheelchair taken. He deserves safety, stability, and peace after everything he has given," Gonzalez wrote on a GoFundMe page.

GoFundMe

The YouTuber, touched by Garys positivity despite the hardships life offered the ex-firefighter, setup a GoFundMe page in addition to the $10,000 he handed to the man in hopes of taking him off the streets.

Started with a goal of $52,000, the fundraiser has generated $3,884 in a day as outpouring love and support emerged from That Was Epic community.

The content creator also vowed to return to Gary and replace his broken wheelchair that the veterans insurance wouldnt cover.

Reactions

9/11 was a horrific time for those of us who are old enough to actually remember it. Hearing Gary tear up made ME tear up. Hes a true hero. Get that man a prosthetic leg AND a wheelchair," a viewer commented under Gonzalezs recent upload.

A 9/11 first responder hit by a drunk driver and lost a leg on Christmas! I have no words," wrote another.

Cant wait for the next video with Gary. If anyone deserves help, its this guy. Im seriously trying not to cry right now. One of the heroes of 9/11 going through this much. that should never be a thing," exclaimed a third.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 13:20 IST

News explainers Who Is Gary? 9/11 Hero Gets Rs 9 Lakh Lifeline From Online Strangers

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Who's Marching At The Republic Day 2026 Parade? Full Breakdown Of All 18 Contingents

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 26, 2026, 08:10 IST

18 marching contingents, 13 bands, a first-ever Army battle array, and a European Union formation will headline this years Republic Day parade.

Indian Army contingent marches during rain-affected full-dress rehearsal for the Republic Day Parade, in New Delhi, Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. (PTI Photo)

India will showcase its development journey, military strength, and cultural diversity at the 77th Republic Day celebrations on January 26, 2026.

Marking 150 years of the national song Vande Mataram, the R-Day parade will bring together Indias military capability, cultural diversity and a series of historic firsts, including the presence of European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as Chief Guests. With a total of 18 marching contingents and 13 bands, the celebrations will reflect Indias evolving defence posture, indigenous technological progress and the increasing global interest in its ceremonial showcase.

The Indian Air Force is the lead service for this years Republic Day and will oversee all ceremonial events, while the Indian Army will introduce its first-ever phased battle array, the debut of the Bhairav Light Commando Battalion and several regimental contingents. The Indian Navy and IAF will each field 144-member marching contingents, and a separate European Union contingent will join the parade as part of the Chief Guest presence.

Indias mechanised strength will also be on full display: high-mobility reconnaissance vehicles, T-90 and Arjun tanks, BMP-II and NAMIS-II systems, Nag and BrahMos missile platforms and indigenous artillery will form part of a phased battle array appearing for the first time in the parades history.

Armys Battle Array will be a key focus.Apaches, Prachand helicopters, T 90 tanks, Arjun MBT, BMP II with Nag missiles, Spike systems, UAV mounted vehicles and unmanned ground vehicles.#RepublicDayRehearsals pic.twitter.com/ZIVoX6mgDc  Akash Sharma (@kaidensharmaa) January 23, 2026

Below is the complete breakdown of all marching contingents.

Marching contingents from Army, Navy, Air Force, CAPFs, NCC and Delhi Police.Mixed scouts, Para, Rajput, Assam, Gorkhas, JAK LI and artillery units in step. pic.twitter.com/2Ow3Inc2QF  Akash Sharma (@kaidensharmaa) January 23, 2026

The Armys Marching Contingents

The Army will field seven marching contingents, a mounted column of the 61 Cavalry, and the parades first phased battle array.

The Mounted Column Of 61 Cavalry

The 61 Cavalry remains one of the worlds last operational horse-mounted, active-duty cavalry regiment. It traces its origins to the early years after Independence, when the cavalry units of several erstwhile princely states were reorganised to form a single horse-mounted regiment. In 1954, the Gwalior Lancers, the Jodhpur/Kachhawa Horse and the Mysore Lancers were merged to create the present-day 61st Cavalry. The regiment has since maintained ceremonial and equestrian responsibilities alongside limited operational roles.

The Animal Contingent Of The Remount & Veterinary Corps

For the first time, the Remount & Veterinary Corps (RVC) will field a dedicated animal contingent, reflecting Indias high-altitude operational reality. The formation includes Bactrian camels, Zanskar ponies, raptors, indigenous military dogs and existing Army dog units.

For the first time, a specially curated animal contingent of the Indian Armys Remount & Veterinary Corps will march along Kartavya Path during Republic Day 2026. #RepublicDay2026 #IndianArmy https://t.co/JBPcseh3zC News18 (@CNNnews18) January 2, 2026

The Bactrian camels represent New Generation Pack Animal Capability for Ladakh and can operate above 15,000 feet, carrying up to 250 kilograms in extreme cold and low-oxygen terrain. The Zanskar ponies offer exceptional endurance at similar altitudes, carrying loads between 40 and 60 kilograms and often accompanying patrols for distances reaching 70 kilometres per day. Raptors will appear as part of the Armys bird-strike management practices.

The RVC dog units  both indigenous and conventional breeds  represent operational roles ranging from explosive detection and tracking to avalanche rescue and counter-terror deployments. Indigenous breeds now widely used include the Mudhol Hound, Rampur Hound, Chippiparai, Kombai and Rajapalayam.

The Scouts Contingent

The mixed Scouts contingent will comprise troops from the Arunachal Scouts, Ladakh Scouts, Sikkim Scouts, Garhwal Scouts, Kumaon Scouts and Dogra Scouts. The contingent commander is Lt Amit Chaudhary, and the formation includes 144 other ranks, three JCOs and one officer. The Scouts represent Indias specialised high-altitude and frontier troops, raised for mountain warfare, border vigilance and rapid response in some of the toughest terrains across the Himalayas.

The Rajput Regiment Contingent

The Rajput Regiment, raised in 1778 under the British Indian Army, is one of Indias oldest infantry regiments. Post-Independence, it became a major part of the Indian Armys infantry structure, with its regimental centre at Fatehgarh in Uttar Pradesh. The regiments history spans colonial-era campaigns, the world wars and all modern conflicts.

The regiments motto, Sarvatra Vijay (Victory Everywhere), and its war cry, Bol Bajrang Bali Ki Jai, are central to its identity. Its emblem of crossed Rajput daggers with Ashoka leaves reflects the regimental heritage. While historically dominated by Rajput communities, its current composition includes Ahirs, Gurjars, Brahmins and Bengalis.

The Assam Regiment Contingent

Raised in 1941 to defend the Eastern frontier, the Assam Regiment has earned battle honours in the Burma theatre of World War II, J&K in 194748, Chhamb in 1971 and a long record of operational excellence in counter-insurgency. The regiments war cry, Rhino Charge, invokes its emblem, the one-horned rhino of Northeast India. The contingent commander is Capt Aryan, and the formation will bring 144 personnel to Kartavya Path.

The regiments distinction as one of the best-performing marching contingents in past Army Day and Republic Day parades adds historical resonance to its return in 2026.

The Jammu And Kashmir Light Infantry Contingent

The Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAK LI) is the only regiment raised entirely in Independent India, emerging from voluntary militias that halted the 194748 invasion of Kashmir. Its role specialises in small-team tactics, mountain warfare, high-risk reconnaissance and operations in harsh terrain. Its motto, Balidanam Vir Lakshanam (Sacrifice is the Characteristic of the Brave), and its war cry, Bharat Mata Ki Jai, reflect its identity.

The regiment has played key roles in counter-insurgency, high-altitude warfare and major operations across the northern theatre.

The Regiment Of Artillery Contingent

The Regiment of Artillery, historically known as the God of War, traces its origins to 1827 with the formation of 5 (Bombay) Mountain Battery. Modern artillerys evolution  steel gun barrels, stable recoil systems and high-energy propellants  transformed the regiment into the firepower backbone of the Indian Army.

After Independence, the regiment played key roles in the 194748 conflict, the 1962 IndiaChina war, the 1965 and 1971 IndiaPakistan wars, and the 1999 Kargil war, where artillery bombardments were crucial in recapturing high-altitude positions.

Its trajectory also includes a milestone in gender integration: the induction of women officers beginning 2023, with women commanding mechanised columns at the 2024 parade. Its equipment today spans mortars, field guns, medium and self-propelled artillery, multi-barrel rocket launchers and surveillance radars.

The Bhairav Light Commando Battalion

The Bhairav battalion will make its Republic Day debut this year. Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi said the Bhairav Battalion has been introduced to bridge the gap" between the infantry and special forces.

The battalion was raised by the Army around October last year, and currently, there are two units of it, defence sources told PTI. It participated in the Army Day parade in Jaipur earlier this year.

The Ladakh Scouts Contingent

The Ladakh Scouts, affectionately called the Nunnus, earned national recognition during the 1999 Kargil conflict, leading to their elevation from a militia-origin unit to a full regiment in 2000. With only five battalions, it is the smallest infantry regiment but among the most decorated, with over 600 honours. The regiment earned the Battle Honour Turtuk (1971), Battle Honour Batalik and Theatre Honour Kargil (1999), and has served in Siachen, Eastern Ladakh and UN peacekeeping. President Ram Nath Kovind praised it in 2017 as a model of exceptional valour and dedication.

The Indian Navy Contingent

The Navys contingent of 144 sailors represents a cross-section of India, reflecting the services vision of being a combat-ready, cohesive and self-reliant maritime force. Led by Lt Karan Nagyal, with platoon commanders Lt Pawan Kumar Gandi, Lt Priti Kumari and Lt Varun Dreveriya, the contingent will showcase the Navys expanding human capital and its jointmanship with national initiatives.

With an average age of 25 years, the personnel have been carefully selected from across the Indian Navy and have undergone specialised training of over two months for the parade.

The Navys tableau will depict maritime history from stitched ships of the 5th century CE to the Maratha Navys Gurab vessels, culminating in modern indigenous platforms such as INS Vikrant, Project 17A frigates, Kalvari-class submarines and the GSAT-7R satellite. Cadets from the Sea Cadets Corps will accompany the tableau.

The Indian Air Force Contingent

The IAF will field a 144-member marching contingent led by Squadron Leader Jagdesh Kumar. The contingent reflects a blend of tradition and modernity and has undergone rigorous training to uphold the IAFs motto, Touch the Sky with Glory. Supernumerary officers include Squadron Leader Nikita Choudhary, Flight Lieutenant Prakhar Chandrakar and Flight Lieutenant Dinesh.

The IAF band, with 72 musicians including nine women Agniveervayu for the first time, will perform the tune Sound Barrier. The IAF will also present a veterans tableau themed Sangram se Rashtra Nirman Tak, depicting historical war machines and the evolving role of veterans in nation-building.

The flypast will include 29 aircraft in eight formations, ranging from Rafale, Su-30 MKI, MiG-29 and Jaguar fighters to C-130 and C-295 transports, ALH Mk IV, Apache and LCH helicopters and a dedicated Operation Sindoor formation.

Central Armed Police Forces, Delhi Police, NCC And Youth Contingents

The Central Armed Police Forces will be represented by marching contingents from the Central Reserve Police Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Border Security Force, Sashastra Seema Bal, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and Assam Rifles.

The CRPF contingent will be led by Assistant Commandant Simran Bala, a 26-year-old officer from Nowshera in Jammu and Kashmirs Rajouri district, who will command more than 140 male personnel after being selected through a rigorous multi-stage evaluation process. It will be the first time a woman officer will lead an all-male CRPF marching contingent at the Republic Day parade.

The BSFs camel-mounted contingent and the joint CRPFSSB womens motorcycle team will also take part in the parade. Alongside these, Delhi Police, NCC boys and girls contingents and youth organisations will participate, maintaining the parades traditional mix of military and civil formations.

The European Union Contingent

A European Union contingent will march in this years Republic Day Parade, marking a significant international presence at the national celebrations.

As part of the march past, four European Union flag bearers riding on two Gypsy vehicles will participate along the parade route. The contingents participation coincides with the visit of European Union leaders, who will grace the Republic Day Parade as the Chief Guests.

Their presence underscores Indias expanding engagement with Europe across trade, technology, climate action, and geopolitical stability.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 18:16 IST

News explainers Who's Marching At The Republic Day 2026 Parade? Full Breakdown Of All 18 Contingents

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Felipe VI says that the transatlantic link between Europe and North America continues to be essential for global security and stability

The Spanish monarch Felipe VI on Friday emphasized to representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Madrid that Spain remains firmly committed to its strategic alliance with the United States, and that the transatlantic link between Europe and North America continues to be essential for global security and stability. Its weakening would have direct consequences for everyones security. Ours and that of all our partners and allies.

However, the king also recalled that the relationship with Washington has historically been built on the basis of trust and dialogue and added that preserving this link requires, more than ever before, greater adaptability and responsible pursuit of shared goals.

The 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, which is being commemorated this year, is, in his opinion, a good opportunity to highlight Spains contribution to the birth of the most powerful country in the world and also to reaffirm the desire to maintain, based on mutual respect, a constructive and forward-looking relationship.

Without mentioning U.S. President Donald Trump, Felipe VI stressed that the world stage is undergoing not just a transformation, but a real mutation, in which the reference frameworks of the international community are continually being questioned.

He warned of the disturbing spread of confrontation, not only due to the prolongation of conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East and the Sahel, but also due to the emergence of tensions in Greenland and the Arctic region, which affects us all so much, he added.

He also referred to Iran and Venezuela and to all political prisoners who have yet to be released, whom he referred to with this description for the first time.

Against this backdrop, he stressed that defending international law and the United Nations Charter, which was adopted 80 years ago, is a moral and political imperative. It is not, he said, one option among many, but rather the best collective response to global challenges, aware that its effectiveness requires not only defending it but also making it evolve.

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1,000 Kg Bombs And 2,200 Kmph Speed: Why Rafale F4 Could Redefine Air Warfare

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 10:05 IST

India is racing to modernise its Air Force, upgrading jets and missiles as threats evolve. At the centre is a plan to buy 114 Rafales and upgrade the existing fleet

Rapid Read

Experts emphasise that Rafale F4 marks a generational shift in modern warfare, transforming the aircraft from a standalone fighter into a fully networked combat platform. (PTI)

China and Pakistan are deepening their defence cooperation through high-profile military deals. Pakistan is now almost entirely dependent on China for its defence requirements. During Operation Sindoor, Islamabad reportedly deployed Chinese missiles, fighter jets and other military equipment.

According to several reports, Pakistan is now attempting to acquire a fifth-generation fighter jet from China. It already operates Chinese aircraft such as the JF-17 and J-10.

On the other hand, the Indian Air Force (IAF) faces a serious shortfall in fighter squadrons. While the approved strength is much higher, the IAF currently operates far fewer squadrons and must remain prepared to counter threats from both China and Pakistan simultaneously.

Indias Squadron Gap And The Rafale Solution

India previously purchased 36 Rafale fighter jets from France. However, this number is insufficient to bridge the existing squadron gap. To address this, India is moving forward with a plan to acquire 114 additional Rafale jets under the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme.

A mega defence deal worth approximately Rs 3.25 lakh crore could be finalised in the coming months. This acquisition is seen as a critical step in strengthening the IAF until Indias indigenous fifth-generation fighter becomes operational.

From Rafale F3R To Rafale F4: A Major Leap

The IAF currently operates the Rafale F3R, one of the worlds most advanced 4.5-generation fighter jets. However, all existing Rafales will be upgraded to the F4 standard, which represents far more than a routine upgrade.

According to defence sources, the Defence Acquisition Board has approved the proposal to induct the Rafale F4 variant. This move is considered a bridge solution until the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) enters service, expected around 2034-35.

Experts emphasise that Rafale F4 marks a generational shift in modern warfare, transforming the aircraft from a standalone fighter into a fully networked combat platform.

Rafale F4: Built For Network-Centric Warfare

Rafale F4 has been designed as a hyper-connected platform, capable of integrating seamlessly with air, land, sea and space-based systems. Instead of operating independently, the jet functions as part of a network-centric combat cloud, sharing data in real time across multiple platforms.

This capability enables coordinated operations with drones, AWACS, naval assets and ground command centres, significantly enhancing battlefield awareness and response speed.

Rafale F4 Vs Rafale F3R: Key Differences

Avionics And Sensor Upgrades: Rafale F4 features a more advanced AESA radar, enhanced electronic warfare systems and new opto-electronic sensors. The F3R uses current-generation avionics. Network-Centric Capability: F4 offers advanced data links, cloud-connected mission systems and superior multi-platform coordination. F3R has limited networking capability. Weapon Integration: F4 supports next-generation air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, along with smart stand-off weapons. F3Rs weapons package is comparatively limited. Maintenance And Operational Availability: F4 uses AI-based predictive maintenance and advanced logistics systems, improving mission readiness. F3R relies on traditional maintenance methods. Software And Cyber Security: Rafale F4 introduces a new software architecture with enhanced cyber-security features, far superior to those in F3R.

Why Rafale F4 Is So Powerful

The most significant upgrade in Rafale F4 lies in its sensor and radar systems. While F3R uses the highly capable RBE2 AESA radar, F4 incorporates an advanced version with:

Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI)

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) modes

These allow pilots to generate high-resolution battlefield images in all weather conditions and track moving ground targets with extreme precision. This dramatically enhances deep-strike, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

Collaborative Combat And Real-Time Data Sharing

One of Rafale F4s standout features is its collaborative combat network. Unlike earlier versions that relied mainly on Link-16, F4 integrates:

Thales CONTACT software-defined radio

Secure high-speed satellite communication

This enables real-time data sharing not only with other fighter jets, but also with drones, naval platforms and ground command centres. Pilots operate within a shared battlefield picture rather than fighting in isolation.

Deadly Strike Capability

The power of Rafale F4 is evident in its ability to deliver 1,000 kg precision-guided bombs, capable of neutralising heavily fortified targets.

Its strike capability allows it to conduct devastating attacks deep inside enemy territory.

Major Cockpit Upgrades

According to defence.in, the cockpit will undergo significant changes. The existing Elbit DASH IV helmet-mounted display will be replaced by Thales Scorpion helmet-mounted display.

This system provides:

Full-colour, high-resolution visual data

Digital symbology directly in the pilots line of sight

Advanced hybrid tracking technology

Pilots can cue weapons and sensors simply by looking at the target, enabling instant reaction and decisive superiority in high-intensity combat.

Weapon Systems: Even More Lethal

Rafale F4 significantly enhances its weapons package:

Meteor long-range air-to-air missile remains a key strength

MICA NG (Next Generation) missile added, featuring:

Dual-pulse rocket motor

Longer range

High agility

AESA seeker

These capabilities make it extremely difficult for stealth aircraft to evade.

Additionally, the integration of 1,000 kg HAMMER precision-guided munitions boosts heavy-strike capability, allowing accurate destruction of bunkers and hardened targets from stand-off distances.

Artificial Intelligence And Predictive Maintenance

Artificial Intelligence plays a central role in Rafale F4. Instead of conventional sensor fusion, onboard AI processes massive volumes of data from radar, electronic warfare systems and external platforms, presenting only the most critical information to the pilot.

This reduces cognitive overload and improves decision-making during combat.

AI-based predictive maintenance continuously monitors aircraft health, detects faults early and reduces downtime, crucial for sustained high-intensity operations.

Preparing India For Future Warfare

Strategically, Rafale F4 is designed to counter:

Stealth aircraft

Dense air-defence networks

Advanced electronic warfare threats

With AMCA still under development, prototype expected around 2026-27, Rafale F4 will serve as the backbone of Indias air power for the next decade.

A Platform That Redefines Air Power

Defence experts believe that selecting Rafale F4 under the MRFA programme will not only strengthen the IAFs immediate capabilities but also position India strongly in the era of network-centric and AI-enabled warfare.

Rafale F4 is not just a fighter jet; it is a transformative platform set to redefine Indias air dominance in the years ahead.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 10:05 IST

News india 1,000 Kg Bombs And 2,200 Kmph Speed: Why Rafale F4 Could Redefine Air Warfare

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European Union At Republic Day Parade: Why The Plan Has Rattled Khalistani Groups, ISI | Exclusive

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 16:27 IST

EU Contingent At Republic Day Parade: For Khalistani groups, this is damaging as Europe is prioritising strategic convergence with India over separatist narratives, said sources

Rapid Read

EU Chief Ursula von der Leyen and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Reuters/File)

The scheduled presence of European Union (EU) at Indias Republic Day celebrations, with a contingent set to march at the parade, has rattled Khalistani groups and Pakistans Inter-State Intelligence (ISI), according to intelligence sources.

As part of the march past, four European Union flag bearers riding on two Gypsy vehicles will participate along the parade route. The contingents participation coincides with the visit of EU leaders, Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen, who will be the chief guests at the Republic Day Parade.

The presence of Costa and Leyen shows a strong belief in Indias sovereignty and global stature. EU diplomats visiting India have received briefings on how certain Khalistani groups overlap with violent extremist outfits. This is not a routine protocol exchange and timing is key," said sources.

A day after the parade, EU and Indian leaders will be presiding over the 16th India-EU Summit. They will be discussing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), defence cooperation, cybersecurity, maritime security, and counterterrorism.

The European Union is close to finalising the FTA with India, which is likely to create a market of two billion people and account for almost a quarter of global GDP, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said recently, signalling what she described as a potentially historic moment in EU-India economic ties.

This years Republic Day theme is Vande Mataram, to commemorate 150 years of the composition of the song. The theme seeks to reconnect citizens with Indias freedom struggle while highlighting the nations journey and progress over the years.

What it means for Khalistani groups

For Khalistani groups, this is damaging as Europe is prioritising strategic convergence with India over accommodating separatist narratives," said sources.

Days before Republic Day, the Indian Embassy in Zagreb was vandalised in one of the most brazen incidents in many years. Indian agencies have traced foreign funding routed through charities, hawala channels and digital transfers that ultimately supported terror modules in Punjab. The proofs were shared with foreign counterparts and they are convinced, said sources.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed multiple cases linking overseas Khalistani operatives to IED recoveries, targeted killings, grenade attacks. The NIA, in its investigation, showed how these groups are running recruitment networks inside India. The NIA cases documented Pakistan-linked funding and command structures.

The EU institutions are convinced that the presence of such groups is a domestic security risk for Europe too, said sources.

Recent attacks probed by NIA and chargesheeted in 2025

April 2025: Grenade attack on Punjab ex-minister Manoranjan Kalias house in Jalandhar. Four accused charged and with links to Babbar Khalsa.

March 2025: The Amritsar temple grenade attack. The NIA filed a chargesheet against three.

July 2025: Firing outside Neemrana Heritage Hotel. The 1,200-page chargesheet alleged links to Canada and UK-based Khalistani modules affiliated to Goldy Brar, Arsh Dalla.

Targeted attacks on businessmen and politicians and mostly on those who opposed Khalistani activities.

India and the EU

Addressing the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Ursula von der Leyen said that while some steps remain, negotiations are nearing conclusion.

There is still work to do, but we are on the cusp of a historic trade agreement. Some call it the mother of all deals," she said, during a section of her speech focused on expanding and diversifying Europes trade partnerships.

Indias Ministry of External Affairs said India and the European Union have been strategic partners since 2004, noting that bilateral engagement has expanded significantly, particularly following the visit of the EU College of Commissioners to India in February last year. The ministry added that the participation of EU leaders in the Republic Day celebrations and the summit is expected to further deepen the India-EU Strategic Partnership and advance cooperation in priority areas of mutual interest.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 15:30 IST

News india European Union At Republic Day Parade: Why The Plan Has Rattled Khalistani Groups, ISI | Exclusive

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IndiGo's Delhi-Pune Flight Receives Hoax Bomb Threat Through Letter, Second Time In Five Days

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 09:29 IST

The flight landed safely at Pune airport at 9:24 pm and no suspicious items were found during the security checks.

File photo of an IndiGo aircraft.

IndiGo Flight 6E 2608, operating from Delhi to Pune, received a bomb threat upon its arrival at Pune Airport on Thursday. The threat was identified through a handwritten note discovered in the aircrafts lavatory. Despite this, the flight landed safely at Pune airport at 9:24 pm.

As per a report by PTI, the aircraft landed with a slight delay. It was scheduled to arrive at 8:40 pm; it landed at 9:24 pm and was parked at Bay No. 3 at 9:27 pm. Subsequently, Air Traffic Control (ATC) communicated the bomb threat information to Apron Control.

The aircraft was then relocated to the isolation bay, where Apron Control alerted all relevant agencies, and the Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC) was quickly convened. Following the assessment, the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) conducted a thorough inspection of the aircraft.

No suspicious items were found during the security checks, and the plane was subsequently cleared for normal operations. The incident was managed efficiently, and no further issues were reported.

In a similar event, an IndiGo flight from Delhi to Bagdogra was diverted to Lucknow on Sunday morning due to a security threat.

A security threat was noticed onboard IndiGo flight 6E 6650 operating from Delhi to Bagdogra on 18 January 2026, 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," an IndiGo spokesperson was quoted by PTI as saying.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Rajneesh Verma reported that the threat originated from a handwritten note on a tissue paper found in the flights lavatory, claiming there was a bomb onboard.

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," the ACP said.

Upon arrival at Lucknow airport, security personnel immediately surrounded the plane, parked in the isolation bay.

The bomb disposal squad and CISF teams launched a thorough investigation, evacuating and screening all passengers and conducting a comprehensive search at the airport.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 09:29 IST

News india IndiGo's Delhi-Pune Flight Receives Hoax Bomb Threat Through Letter, Second Time In Five Days

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'Inspired Me Greatly': PM Modi Pays Tribute To Subhas Chandra Bose, Recalls His 'Fearless' Leadership

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 09:09 IST

PM Narendra Modi paid tribute to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on Parakram Diwas, highlighting his legacy, e-Gram Vishwagram Yojana, and efforts to honor Boses memory nationwide.

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In his posts on X, PM Modi highlighted the government's efforts to honour Netaji. (Image: Reuters; X/@narendramodi)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday paid tributes to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his 129th birth anniversary, observed as Parakram Diwas, recalling the freedom fighters courage, leadership and enduring influence on the nation.

In a series of posts on X, Prime Minister Modi said Netaji epitomised fearless leadership and unwavering patriotism, adding that his ideals continue to inspire generations to work towards building a strong and self-reliant India. Modi said Boses life and sacrifices remain a powerful source of motivation for him personally.

On the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, which is commemorated as Parakram Diwas, we recall his indomitable courage, resolve and unparalleled contribution to the nation. He epitomised fearless leadership and unwavering patriotism. His ideals continue to inspire pic.twitter.com/KokJhJu33d Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 23, 2026

The Prime Minister recalled launching the e-Gram Vishwagram Yojana on January 23, 2009, calling it a pioneering initiative that helped transform Gujarats information technology landscape. He noted that the scheme was launched from Haripura, a place closely associated with Netajis life, and described the warm reception he received there as unforgettable.

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose has always inspired me greatly. On 23rd January 2009, the e-Gram Vishwagram Yojana was launched. This was a pioneering scheme aimed at transforming Gujarats IT landscape. The scheme was launched from Haripura, which had a special place in Netaji Boses pic.twitter.com/0pbEUu4eQx Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 23, 2026

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose has always inspired me greatly. On 23rd January 2009, the e-Gram Vishwagram Yojana was launched. This was a pioneering scheme aimed at transforming Gujarats IT landscape. The scheme was launched from Haripura, which had a special place in Netaji Boses life. I will never forget the manner in which the people of Haripura welcomed me and organised a procession on the same road where Netaji Bose had travelled," PM Modi wrote on X.

PM Modi also referred to a large event held in Ahmedabad in 2012 to mark Azad Hind Fauj Day, which was attended by several admirers of Netaji, including former Lok Sabha Speaker PA Sangma.

The PM said that for decades, Netajis legacy did not align with the priorities of those in power, resulting in attempts to sideline his contributions. He asserted that his government has taken a different approach by consistently promoting Netajis life and ideals. A key step in this direction, he said, was the declassification of files related to Bose.

Recalling the glorious contribution of Netaji Bose did not fit the agenda of those who ruled the nation for decades. Hence, efforts were made to forget him. But our belief is different. At every possible juncture, we have popularised his life and ideals. A landmark step was the declassification of files and documents relating to him," he added.

Highlighting 2018 as a milestone year, the Prime Minister recalled marking the 75th anniversary of the Azad Hind Government at the Red Fort, where he also hoisted the national flag. He described his interaction with Indian National Army veteran Lalti Ram as particularly memorable. He also noted that the Tricolour was unfurled in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to commemorate the anniversary of Netajis historic flag-hoisting there, and that several islands were renamed, including Ross Island, now called Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep.

PM Modi further said the Kranti Mandir museum at the Red Fort houses significant artefacts related to Netaji and the INA, underscoring efforts to preserve historical memory. He added that declaring Netajis birth anniversary as Parakram Diwas and installing his grand statue near India Gate reflect Indias resolve to honour Bose and shed a colonial mindset.

He Gave Decisive Leadership To Indias Freedom Movement: President Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu also paid tribute to Bose, remembering him as a towering figure of Indias freedom struggle.

On Parakram Diwas, marking the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, I pay my humble tribute to a great leader of Indias freedom struggle. His call for independence awakened courage, self-confidence, unity and the spirit of nationalism among millions of Indians. Through the Azad Hind Fauj, he gave decisive leadership to Indias freedom movement and carried it to global stage. His legacy continues to inspire every Indian," President Murmu tweeted.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 09:09 IST

News india 'Inspired Me Greatly': PM Modi Pays Tribute To Subhas Chandra Bose, Recalls His 'Fearless' Leadership

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Israel Has Invited PM Modi, Embassy Confirms Amid Reports Of February Visit

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 17:48 IST

The Israeli Embassy also stopped short of revealing whether PM Modi has accepted the invitation or whether plans are indeed taking shape for a February visit.

PM Narendra Modi (R) with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (IMAGE: REUTERS FILE)

Israel officially confirmed extending an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the country, though details regarding timing and finalisation remain unclear, with speculation mounting over a possible February trip. Responding to queries from CNN-News18, an official spokesperson of the Israeli Embassy in New Delhi said, I can confirm Israel has invited him," while declining to confirm specific dates or whether the visit has been finalised. The confirmation comes amid heightened diplomatic activity between the two nations and growing anticipation over whether PM Modi would undertake another landmark visit to Israel, nearly eight years after his historic 2017 trip.

No Official Word From India

Despite Israels acknowledgment of the invitation, the Indian government has not issued any official statement confirming the proposed visit. The Israeli Embassy also stopped short of revealing whether PM Modi has accepted the invitation or whether plans are indeed taking shape for a February visit. The absence of official confirmation from New Delhi leaves open questions about the timing and feasibility of the trip, even as diplomatic sources suggest that both sides are keen on a high-level meeting.

India-Israel Ties

PM Modis groundbreaking visit to Israel in July 2017 represented a watershed moment in India-Israel relations, making him the first Indian Prime Minister to travel to the country. Since that visit, bilateral cooperation has expanded significantly across multiple sectors including defense and security, advanced technology, agriculture, water management and innovation. The defense relationship has particularly deepened, with Israel emerging as one of Indias top three arms suppliers. Collaboration in counter-terrorism, cybersecurity and intelligence sharing has also intensified.

The speculation around PM Modis potential visit gained momentum earlier this month when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly expressed hope for a meeting in the near future." The statement came after a telephone conversation between the two leaders and appeared to revive prospects for high-level engagement after Netanyahus own planned visit to India was cancelled in November 2025.

We discussed the strength of India-Israel relations and how we can unleash the boundless potential of this partnership for the benefit of our peoples. I look forward to meeting Prime Minister Modi in the near future to continue these discussions in person," Netanyahu wrote on social media following their call.

During the conversation, the two leaders discussed strengthening national security cooperation and expanding the bilateral partnership across various domains.

PM Modi, in his social media post about the call, said that the leaders had exchanged New Year greetings and explored ways to further strengthen the India-Israel Strategic Partnership."

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Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: January 23, 2026, 17:48 IST

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Just Wants To Show Kya Bigaad Liya Mera: SC Rejects Advocates Plea Against Contempt Notice

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 13:55 IST

The Supreme Court rebuked lawyer for challenging a criminal contempt notice after his heated spat with Judge in Jharkhand High Court; apology may bring leniency.

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(AI generated)

The Supreme Court on Friday sharply reprimanded an advocate who had moved to the top court against a criminal contempt notice issued to him for a verbal spat with a Jharkhand High Court judge during courtroom proceedings last year.

The bench expressed displeasure over the manner in which submissions were made, stressing that advocacy must be aimed at aiding the judicial process and not at making rhetorical or defiant points.

Advocate Mahesh Tiwari was involved in a heated exchange with Justice Rajesh Kumar on October 16, a video of which later went viral on social media. During the exchange, Tiwari was heard telling Justice Kumar to not cross the limit."

The Jharkhand High Court subsequently issued a criminal contempt notice against him, prompting him to approach the Supreme Court. However, he received no relief from the apex court.

He just wants an order from the Supreme Court to show kya bigaad liya mera (you could not do anything against me)," Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said, while slamming Tiwari for moving the top court against the high courts contempt proceedings, NDTV reported.

If he wants to apologise, he should apologise If he wants to show his eyes to judges, then he may go ahead. We are sitting here, and we will also see then," the Chief Justice said.

The Supreme Court also directed the high court to consider showing leniency if he offers an apology.

Mahesh Tiwari got into a heated exchange with Justice Rajesh Kumar while representing his client, a widow, whose electricity connection had been disconnected over dues of Rs 1.30 lakh.

During the hearing, he stated that his client was willing to deposit 25,000 to restore the electricity connection. However, Justice Kumar referred to a judicial precedent mandating a deposit of 50 percent of the total outstanding dues.

The matter got resolved after Tiwari agreed to have his client deposit a sum of Rs 50,000. The issue, however, got escalated after the conclusion of Tiwaris case.

As the court moved on to the next case, Justice Kumar reportedly commented on the way Tiwari had presented his arguments. The bench then directed the chairman of the Jharkhand State Bar Council, who was present in court, to take note of the advocates conduct.

Then Tiwari stood up, approached the bench, and pointed at the judge, and said, I can argue in my own way, not in your way in which you say. Please mind that Dont try to humiliate any advocate, I am telling you."

You cant say the court is doing injustice," the judge shot back.

Did I say that?" the lawyer asked. He further asked the judge to review the live video recording.

Please see the recording. I only prayed before your lordship The country is burning with the judiciary. These are my words. Dont try to humiliate any advocate. You know a lot because you are a judge and we are advocates? I will argue in my own way. Dont cross the limit. Please, dont cross the limit. I have already practiced for the last 40 years," Tiwari said, and walked out.

A five-judge bench headed by Jharkhand High Court Chief Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan subsequently issued a contempt notice.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 13:55 IST

News india Just Wants To Show Kya Bigaad Liya Mera: SC Rejects Advocates Plea Against Contempt Notice

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K Kavitha Demands Renaming Of Andaman & Nicobar Islands As Azad Hind To Honour Netaji

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 15:10 IST

K Kavitha demands renaming of Andaman and Nicobar Islands to 'Azad Hind' to honour Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's legacy..

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Telangana Jagruthi president K Kavitha (Image: PTI/File)

As the nation marks the 129th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Telangana Jagruthi president K Kavitha on Friday demanded that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands be renamed as Azad Hind to honour the legacy of the freedom fighter.

Speaking to reporters on the occasion, Kavitha said Bose had inspired generations of young Indians and played a pivotal role in the countrys freedom struggle. She noted that Bose had founded the All India Forward Bloc, which, she said, has long been demanding that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands be renamed Azad Hind.

VIDEO | Telangana Jagruthi President K Kavitha demands renaming Andaman and Nicobar Islands as Azad Hind to honour Subhash Chandra Bose.#Telangana(Full video available on PTI Videos  https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/MigzQ8QHhF  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 23, 2026

Telangana Jagruthi also believes in this cause. So today, jointly, we are taking up this movement. We will make sure this movement and this demand reach our honourable Prime Minister Mr Modi ji " Kavitha said.

She pointed out that January 26 was approaching and described it as an apt occasion to commemorate the countrys freedom fighters. Kavitha urged the Union government to take the demand seriously and consider implementing the name change on January 26.

It is a very good day to commemorate our freedom fighters. We hope and believe that the rightful claim for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the name to be changed to Azad Hind will be a very good memory for preserving the legacy of Netaji. So we hope the government takes it seriously and we demand that this should be done on 26 January," she added.

She expressed hope that the move would serve as a lasting memorial to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and his contribution to Indias independence movement.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 15:10 IST

News india K Kavitha Demands Renaming Of Andaman & Nicobar Islands As Azad Hind To Honour Netaji

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Match Made In Jail: Two Life-Term Convicts Fall In Love In Rajasthan, Granted Parole To Marry

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 10:53 IST

The couple will get married on Friday, January 23, in Barodamev, Alwar. A wedding card has also surfaced.

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Representative Image. (AI Generated)

In an unusual turn of events, two inmates serving life sentences in separate murder cases in Rajasthan have fallen in love while incarcerated and have been granted parole to marry.

The couple will get married on Friday, January 23, in Barodamev, Alwar. A wedding card has also surfaced.

The brides name is Priya Seth, who brutally murdered her boyfriend after trapping him in a honey trap. Priya met Hanuman Prasad, alias Jack, another lifeterm convict in a separate murder case.

Jack, along with his girlfriend and Taekwondo player Santosh Sharma, who was 10 years older than him, killed her husband and children in Alwar.

Both were lodged at an open prison facility in Jaipur, a setup where inmates have comparatively more freedom and interaction than in conventional jails. Over time, a relationship developed between them. They lived together for 6 months and are now going to tie the knot.

Before being incarcerated in Jaipur for the Dushyant murder case (May 2018), Priya Seth was living with her ex-boyfriend, Dikshant Kamra. Dikshant, also a co-accused in the case, is serving a life sentence.

Meanwhile, Hanuman Prasad, who killed his girlfriend Santosh Sharmas husband and children in October 2017 at her behest (Santosh was 10 years his senior), has now ended his relationship with her and chosen Priya Seth for marriage.

Santosh Sharma, a former Taekwondo player and co-accused in the same murder case, is also serving a life sentence. Both inmates have now decided to leave their former partners and wed each other.

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Location : Alwar, India, India

First Published: January 23, 2026, 10:53 IST

News india Match Made In Jail: Two Life-Term Convicts Fall In Love In Rajasthan, Granted Parole To Marry

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Tamil Nadu Assembly Passes Resolution Moved By Stalin Against Centre's Decision To Rename MGNREGA

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 12:34 IST

The Tamil Nadu Assembly passed a resolution opposing the Centres proposed renaming of MGNREGA to G RAM G. The resolution was moved by MK Stalin.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin (Photo: PTI)

The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Friday passed a resolution moved by Chief Minister MK Stalin opposing the Centres proposed renaming of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

The resolution urged the Union government to retain Mahatma Gandhis name for the rural employment scheme and to ensure adequate and continuous allocation of funds in line with actual employment demand and state-wise performance.

It underscored that the Right to Work of rural citizens must be protected and highlighted the importance of the programme for women, persons with disabilities, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, who it described as primary beneficiaries.

It criticised the Centres current practice of making what it called arbitrary fund allocations based on notional estimates" and sought a return to the earlier system in which funds were released based on real demand for work.

The resolution also objected to the proposed increase in the state governments contribution to 40 per cent under the renamed scheme, Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 (VB-G-RAM-G), warning that such a move would significantly strain state finances and undermine rural livelihoods.

ANNAMALAI HITS BACK

Soon after the resolution was passed, Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Stalin in a post on X, accusing the DMK government of failing to fulfil its election promises and politicising Centre-State issues.

Claiming that less than 10 per cent of the DMKs assurances had been implemented, Annamalai questioned the states stand on PM Shri schools under the Samagra Shiksha scheme, delays in infrastructure projects and criticism over delimitation, saying Union Home Minister Amit Shah had already clarified that southern states would not lose constituencies.

Annamalai also targeted the state government over law and order, the MGNREGA workday promise, construction of AIIMS Madurai, disaster relief utilisation, metro rail project DPRs, the Keezhadi excavation report and opposition to NEET.

He said the Centre had already released disaster funds, said AIIMS Madurai would open this year, and accused the DMK of repeatedly blaming the Governor for administrative lapses, urging Stalin to focus on governance rather than what he described as daily political confrontations.

CHAOS IN TAMIL NADU ASSEMBLY

The passage of the resolution came amid a charged political atmosphere in the Assembly this week.

The House had already witnessed high drama during the inaugural session of the year, when Governor RN Ravi declined to read out the DMK governments prepared text, citing inaccuracies," and walked out.

Stalin accused the Governor of disregarding constitutional provisions and legislative traditions, and said the DMK would consult like-minded parties on pursuing a constitutional amendment in Parliament if such incidents continued.

Leader of the Opposition and AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami separately alleged that the Opposition was denied the opportunity to raise pressing public issues, including farmers distress, problems in the poultry sector affecting nearly 40,000 farmers and five lakh workers, and the spread of chikungunya.

He said the AIADMK had sought permission to raise these matters during Zero Hour, but was prevented from doing so.

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Tamil Nadu, Stalin also launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led Centre, reiterating his objections to the proposed changes to the rural employment scheme.

In a post on X, he questioned when the Rs 3,458 crore Samagra Shiksha education fund due to the state would be released, sought assurances that Tamil Nadus constituencies would not be reduced in delimitation, criticised the role of the Governor, and raised concerns about financial allocations for the Tamil language.

Stalin further asked when the Centre would abandon the renamed VB-G-RAM-G, which he said imposed a heavy burden on states and threatened rural livelihoods, and pressed for clarity on stalled infrastructure and healthcare projects, disaster relief funds, the release of the Keezhadi report and the long-pending demand for NEET exemption.

The resolution also followed a heated debate in the Assembly a day earlier, during discussions on the motion of thanks to the Governors address.

The ruling DMK and the opposition AIADMK clashed over the future of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), with AIADMK MLA Thangamani alleging that the Governors address hinted at discontinuing the scheme and accusing both the Centre and the state government of diluting it.

Rural Development Minister I Periyasamy countered that the BJP-led Union government was systematically weakening the programme, noting that while the Centre once bore the entire cost, it had now shifted to a 60:40 funding pattern and removed Mahatma Gandhis name.

Palaniswami accused the DMK of failing to fulfil its election promise to raise the number of workdays, while Stalin maintained that only the Union government had the authority to extend employment under the scheme.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 11:44 IST

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Noida, Ahmedabad Schools Receive Bomb Threat Ahead Of Republic Day, Authorities On Alert

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 10:16 IST

Several Ahmedabad schools and Shiv Nadar School in Noida received bomb threat emails ahead of Republic Day, prompting evacuations and heightened security measures.

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The bomb threat triggered panic. (PTI image used for representational purposes only)

Several schools in Ahmedabad, along with the Shiv Nadar School in Noida, received bomb threat emails just three days before Republic Day, triggering heightened security measures and the evacuation of students on Friday.

In Ahmedabad, multiple private schools were targeted, prompting school authorities to immediately alert the police. Teams from the city police, bomb disposal unit, forensic department and fire brigade were deployed to the campuses to conduct thorough inspections.

Confirming the development, the Ahmedabad Crime Branch said its bomb squad and forensic experts were investigating the threats received by schools in western parts of the city.

Shiv Nadar School Gets Bomb Threat

A similar alert was reported in Noida, where security personnel were rushed to the Shiv Nadar School after a threatening email was received. The bomb squad and dog squad carried out inspections of the premises as a precautionary step.

As part of safety protocols, the school arranged for buses to drop students back at their designated locations and advised parents to stay in contact with bus staff for updates while picking up their children. School authorities urged parents to remain calm and cooperate with the arrangements.

School principal Anju Soni said the decision to close the school for the day was taken purely as a preventive measure to allow security agencies to complete their checks.

We have received an email with a Bomb threat this morning and as a precautionary measure to allow for a security sweep, the school will remain closed today, Friday, January 23, 2026. School buses are being sent back and parents are requested to receive their child at the designated drop-off spot. Parents may connect with the respective bus staff for real-time updates on arrival at the designated location. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation," Principal Anju Soni said in a statement.

Noida police said that after receiving information about bomb threat emails sent to some private schools, senior officials along with teams from local police stations, the bomb squad, fire brigade, dog squad and BDDS were deployed to carry out thorough checks on the premises. A cyber team was also conducting a technical analysis of the email. Authorities said the situation remains normal, law and order is fully under control.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 10:16 IST

News india Noida, Ahmedabad Schools Receive Bomb Threat Ahead Of Republic Day, Authorities On Alert

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The Italian reporter has carried out multiple investigations in the region and points out that the Inuit have no allegiance to Europe

Italian journalist and explorer Marzio G. Mian is one of the worlds greatest experts on the Arctic, where he has been traveling for 30 years. He founded The Arctic Times Project, an association of international journalists for the documentation of climate change in this frozen landscape. He has just returned from Canada and will soon be going to South Korea, to see the ports and shipyards created to serve the Chinese polar route.

We meet at his home in Milan, a place filled with books. He cooks up pasta, believing that people get to know each other better over food. In his suitcase there is always spaghetti, oil, and oregano, and this is how he has gotten to know the Inuit of Greenland  by cooking with them. They are obsessed with food, with surviving, he says. He points out that the recent agreement between Trump and NATO chief Mark Rutte proves once again that the Inuit are not being consulted, neocolonial style. Its the beginning of Greenlands entry into the U.S. sphere, he says.

Mian is the author of two books that are essential to understanding what is happening near the North Pole: White War. On the Arctic Front of the World Conflict and Arctic. The Battle for the Great North. He will soon publish Volga Blues, a journey along the great Russian river. In 2024, he was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for another book on Russia.

Question. When did you realize that the worlds geopolitical future was playing out in the Arctic?

Answer. The Arctic is the new Congo. It feels like a new world. But things happened there that were not talked about. In Norway, on the border with Russia, the situation was clear. The USSR liberated them from the Nazis. They had a historic collaboration agreement. The war in Ukraine put an end to that. In 2016, an exclusive deal was made in Greenland  a uranium and rare earth mine in Narsaq with capital from the Chinese Ministry of Defense. Thats when the alarm bells went off. It makes a perfect story: a small place that reflects everything going on in the world. And then there are the Inuits.

Q. What are they making of it?

A. I spent time eating with them, everything but seal, I dont like seal. Reindeer, whale, walrus are all delicious! What do they think? An Inuit does not say, I think this or that. You cant ask what they think of Trump. They do not use the first person, they do not use the self. They are part of a whole, of a community. Facebook has killed them: its an inconceivable type of narcissism for them. It is the place with the most suicides. They do not feel prepared to deal with this world.

Q. When did you see the possibility of conflict in the Arctic?

A. NATO was carrying out bigger maneuvers than in the Cold War. And in the Russian Arctic, where few journalists enter, I understood what was at stake. Anyone who knows Russia and its paranoia knows that Putin means it when he says, there is no Russia without the Arctic, and there is no Arctic without Russia. The deterrents that worked in the Cold War, such as the atomic bomb, no longer apply. The USSR was an atheist empire; Russia is something else. It has this self-destructive and apocalyptic element  a tendency to take the wrong path in history.

Q. Does Russia sense a threat in the Arctic?

A. They have been there since the 18th century, along 24,000 kilometers of coastline. The Arctic is like the Mediterranean if you look at it from above. Thats how they see it in the United States. They see themselves as an Arctic power, but not a superpower, like Russia, which has 40 or 45 icebreakers while the United States has only two.

Q. They are late to the party.

A. They need to catch up in terms of physical presence. Mainly, they want to install the Golden Dome, an anti-missile shield. During Bidens presidency, there was already strong intervention in Greenland. They expelled the Chinese in three years. Contracts were awarded, and they had two sulfur mines. Silicon Valleys Peter Thiel also wanted to turn Greenland into a lawless libertarian utopia. If Trumps project does not materialize, it will be Trumps fault alone. The Inuit have no allegiance to Europe. One hundred percent of them want independence from Denmark. And they know that by making a pact with the United States, the Inuit of Alaska have become rich from the profits of mining.

The Arctic was brutally colonized by the United States, Canada, and Denmark with the complicity of the Catholic and Anglican Church, something that is not talked about. On my last trip, I was in Grise Fiord, Canada, the northernmost settlement on the continent. The Inuits were deported there by Canada in 1953, at the height of the Cold War. The U.S. sent 10,000 troops to Thule (in Greenland), and, in order to exercise its sovereignty, Canada had to send people who could survive. They deported Inuit from Quebec 2,500 kilometers to the north, by lying to them. They died within months. What I have discovered is that they planned to take them even further north, to where there is a radar station: that is where the United States and Canada are engaged in a face-off now. The Northwest Passage has become a priority for the United States. And Canada believes it is theirs.

We are in a war at a level that precedes war, with no shooting. The two world wars started like this

Q. So the tension between Canada and the United States is no small deal.

A. No, the recent agreement between Canada and China is incredible, and challenging for Trump. We are in a war at a level that precedes war, with no shooting. The two world wars started like this. And we see a tendency to present war as inevitable in Europe. NATO should have disappeared with the USSR in 1991. Its mission ended there. Thats the mistake.

Q. Does the key lie in the Arctics natural resources and minerals?

A. That and geography. Exploiting the Arctic is expensive. Russia is the only country with experience, but it needs the oil companies that left with the sanctions. The U.S. wants it too. There is a kind of Yalta in the Arctic. It is not unusual that Putin and Trumps summit was held in Alaska.

Q. So, in reality, there is a desire for cooperation between Russia and the United States.

A. Exactly. Putin said he was not surprised by Americas ambitions in Greenland  he gave the green light. The alarm was raised when NATO troops were sent there. The relationship between Trump and Putin is stronger than we imagine. Who knows, perhaps they want to break up NATO. Russia also suffers from the alliance with China, its historical enemy. It would not be strange for China to support a weak Russia if need be.

Q. Isnt big business the best antidote to war?

A. Yes. One of the partners of a Delaware consortium for trade agreements with Greenland is the islands foreign minister: they want to export iceberg water. The purest water in the world!

Q. And what will happen when the pole melts, estimated to happen in the summer of 2035? It will totally alter the climate in Europe.

A. Russia and Canada are the biggest beneficiaries of climate change. Russia already farms in southern Siberia. In Canada, there are real estate companies that invite funds to invest in unheard of places, such as Yukon, northern Alberta.

Q. Trump is a climate change denier, but he knows it exists in the Arctic.

A. Yes. Putin is not a denier. He has a problem with permafrost; it melts and infrastructures crumble. In Russia there has been an environmental disaster with Arctic mines of nickel and cobalt. These escaped European sanctions; they are used to manufacture electric cars... non-polluting. There has never been so much hypocrisy as there is today.

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PM Modi Launches SVANidhi Credit Card Scheme, Flags Off Three Amrit Bharat Trains In Kerala

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 11:26 IST

PM Narendra Modi inaugurated multiple development projects and flagged off three Amrit Bharat Express trains in Kerala on Friday.

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PM Modi will also address a BJP-NDA public meeting in Thiruvananthapuram today. (File photo)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a visit to poll-bound Kerala, inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for a series of development projects and flagged off four new train services, including three Amrit Bharat Express trains, on Friday.

Prime Minister Modi landed at the Thiruvananthapuram airport at around 10.25 am, according to airport officials. He was received by Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and other senior dignitaries.

PM Modi Receives Rousing Welcome

The PM received a rousing welcome in the southern state as a large and enthusiastic crowd lined the streets of Thiruvananthapuram to catch glimpses of him.

#WATCH | Enthusiastic crowds lined the streets in Thiruvananthapuram to welcome PM Modi to Kerala, today(video source: ANI/DD) pic.twitter.com/XF5yIUG5Ea  ANI (@ANI) January 23, 2026

Supporters gathered along the roads, waving flags and cheering as his convoy passed, reflecting the high public interest and energy surrounding the PMs visit to the state.

This marks the PMs first visit to Kerala since the BJP secured control of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation in the recent civic elections, ending the Left Democratic Fronts (LDF) 45-year hold over the local body.

PM Modi Highlights Govt Efforts To Boost Keralas Development

Speaking at a programme in Thiruvananthapuram, PM Modi highlighted the Centres initiatives to boost Keralas development. He said the states rail connectivity has been strengthened and efforts are underway to make Thiruvananthapuram a major startup hub.

#WATCH | Kerala: At a programme in Thiruvananthapuram, PM Narendra Modi says, Today, Centres efforts towards the development of Kerala have received a new impetus. Starting today, Keralas rail connectivity has been further strengthened. To make Thiruvananthapuram a major pic.twitter.com/8VYfkm7AEJ ANI (@ANI) January 23, 2026

Today, Centres efforts towards the development of Kerala have received a new impetus. Starting today, Keralas rail connectivity has been further strengthened. To make Thiruvananthapuram a major startup hub of the country, significant efforts have been made," the Prime Minister said.

PM Modi Launches PM SVANidhi Credit Card Scheme

He also launched the PM SVANidhi Credit Card scheme, aimed at supporting street vendors, cart operators, and footpath hawkers, describing it as part of a broader initiative from Kerala for the welfare of the poor across the country.

From Kerala, an initiative has been initiated for the welfare of the poor across the country. Today, PM SVANidhi Credit Card has been launched. This will benefit street vendors, street carts and footpath hawkers across the country," the PM remarked.

Ahead of his engagements, the PM shared details of his visit on X, outlining the key programmes scheduled for the day.

Looking forward to being among my sisters and brothers of Thiruvananthapuram today. Various development works will be launched from this great city. This includes:Launch of the PM SVANidhi Credit Card and disbursal of PM SVANidhi loans to 1 lakh beneficiaries. Flagging off of pic.twitter.com/SiDF1kXE4C  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 23, 2026

Looking forward to being among my sisters and brothers of Thiruvananthapuram today. Various development works will be launched from this great city. This includes: Launch of the PM SVANidhi Credit Card and disbursal of PM SVANidhi loans to 1 lakh beneficiaries. Flagging off of three Amrit Bharat Express trains, which will boost Keralas connectivity. Laying the foundation stone for the CSIR-NIIST Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship Hub in Thiruvananthapuram," PM Modi wrote on X

In another post on X, PM Modi referred to the BJPs recent electoral success in the city, signaling growing support for the party in Kerala.

Looking forward to addressing a BJP-NDA public meeting in Thiruvananthapuram today. This city scripted history by blessing us in the recently concluded corporation elections. Its clear Kerala is looking to break free from the fixed match of LDF and UDF. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 23, 2026

Looking forward to addressing a BJP-NDA public meeting in Thiruvananthapuram today. This city scripted history by blessing us in the recently concluded corporation elections. Its clear Kerala is looking to break free from the fixed match of LDF and UDF," he stated.

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Location : Thiruvananthapuram [Trivandrum], India, India

First Published: January 23, 2026, 11:26 IST

News india PM Modi Launches SVANidhi Credit Card Scheme, Flags Off Three Amrit Bharat Trains In Kerala

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PM Modi Pays Tribute To Balasaheb Thackeray On His Birth Centenary, Shares Old Pics

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 08:43 IST

PM Modi paid tribute to Bal Thackeray on his 100th birth anniversary, praising his impact on Maharashtra and vision for growth.

PM Modi shared his pictures with Bal Thackeray on social media. (Photo: X/@narendramodi)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday paid homage to Sena patriarch Bal Thackeray on his 100th birth anniversary. PM shared his pictures with Shiv Sena founder and called him a towering figure who profoundly shaped Maharashtras socio-political landscape." PM Modi praised Thackerays vision for Maharashtras development and public welfare.

PMs post on X reads: On the birth centenary of the great Balasaheb Thackeray, we pay tribute to a towering figure who profoundly shaped Maharashtras socio-political landscape. Known for his sharp intellect, powerful oratory and uncompromising convictions, Balasaheb commanded a unique connect with the people. In addition to politics, Balasaheb was deeply passionate about culture, literature and journalism. His career as a cartoonist reflected his keen observation of society and his fearless commentary on various issues. We are greatly inspired by his vision for Maharashtras progress and will always work to fulfil it."

On the birth centenary of the great Balasaheb Thackeray, we pay tribute to a towering figure who profoundly shaped Maharashtras socio-political landscape.Known for his sharp intellect, powerful oratory and uncompromising convictions, Balasaheb commanded a unique connect with pic.twitter.com/Gneeh5E9AP  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 23, 2026

To mark the birth centenary of Bal Thackeray, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and MNS president Raj Thackeray will together address workers of the two parties on Friday.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 08:43 IST

News india PM Modi Pays Tribute To Balasaheb Thackeray On His Birth Centenary, Shares Old Pics

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Tri-Services Republic Day Tableau To Showcase Op Sindoor, Strikes On Pakistani Terror Bases

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 14:46 IST

This year's Tri-Service tableau at Republic Day will feature Operation Sindoor, showcasing joint strikes, indigenous systems, and unique animals.

CISF contingent marches during rain-affected full-dress rehearsal for the Republic Day Parade, in New Delhi (Photo: PTI)

The Tri-Service tableau at this years Republic Day parade will be themed Operation Sindoor: Victory Through Jointness and will depict integrated military operations, including representations of India and Pakistan and strikes carried out across the border, Major General Navraj Dhillon said on Friday.

Addressing a press conference in the national capital, Maj Gen Dhillon said the tableau would showcase joint applications of air, land and missile capabilities.

The theme is Op Sindoor: Victory Through Jointness. This tableau showcases integrated applications. Su-30, BrahMos, S-400, Akash," he said, adding that it would also show the border, India and Pakistan, and also the strikes that were carried out in Pakistan."

According to him, the display would include depictions of terror camps and other infrastructure destroyed during Indian strikes.

Outlining the Indian Armys overall presentation, Maj Gen Dhillon said this years parade would take the form of a battle array showcasing this year," with a strong focus on indigenous systems and newly raised units.

This battle array will showcase our increasing aatmanirbhar capabilities. All new raised units, Divyastra Battery, Bhairav Battalions, ATAGS will be shown," he said.

Lieutenant General Bhavnish Kumar will head the parade for the fourth time, while 6,050 military personnel are set to take part. The Bhairav Battalion and Shaktibaan Regiment will make their Republic Day debut, alongside the Ladakh Scouts.

Maj Gen Dhillon also noted that animals unique to high-altitude regions would feature for the first time.

Kites, Zanskar ponies and Bactrian camels will also take part in the Republic Day parade for the first time," he said.

The 90-minute parade will begin at 10.30 am, he added, and an EU contingent led by an officer of Colonel rank, with four flag bearers, will also march.

Highlighting the combat-oriented sequencing of the event, Maj Gen Dhillon said mechanised elements would lead the formations, mirroring their role on the battlefield.

Helicopters, including ALH, Rudra, Prachand and Apache, will fly in formation overhead, while Special Forces units and modern vehicles will be on display.

Artillery platforms such as ATAGS, Dhanush and Divyastra batteries will also feature prominently.

The Army will field six marching contingents as part of the parade.

The briefing came on a day when adverse weather disrupted the Republic Day preparations at Kartavya Path.

Rain and thunder delayed the full-dress rehearsal earlier in the morning, as thick grey clouds hung over the ceremonial boulevard and repeated peals of thunder echoed across the area.

The sudden change marked Delhis first rainfall of 2026, with light to moderate showers creating uncertainty on the ground as officials closely monitored conditions.

Security personnel and officials remained at their posts despite the delay, many wearing raincoats and rain vests while manning barricades and checkpoints.

Spectators who had gathered early sheltered under plastic sheets and temporary covers, while organisers attempted to protect seating areas to reduce inconvenience.

Authorities said the situation remained calm and orderly, with no reports of waterlogging along the parade route and arrangements staying in place.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 14:40 IST

News india Tri-Services Republic Day Tableau To Showcase Op Sindoor, Strikes On Pakistani Terror Bases

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'Upset' Shashi Tharoor Set To Skip Congress High Command Meet After Kochi Event Snub

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 18:25 IST

Shashi Tharoor skipped a Congress high-command meeting in Delhi over dissatisfaction with state and central leaders, sources have said.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor | File Image

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor skipped the meeting convened by the party high command in Delhi to discuss election preparations amid reported dissatisfaction with both the state and central leadership.

Sources said Tharoor was upset over developments at the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) Maha Panchayath held in Kochi on January 19, where Rahul Gandhi addressed party workers.

According to sources close to Tharoor, the seating arrangement on the dais at the event did not adhere to established party protocol.

Despite being a member of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), he was allegedly seated at the far end of the stage.

The sources further claimed that Tharoor had been informed in advance that only Rahul Gandhi would speak at length and that other leaders were expected to conclude their remarks early.

Acting on that understanding, Tharoor reportedly tailored his address accordingly. However, several other leaders later spoke at the event, which is said to have added to his displeasure.

In addition, Rahul Gandhi, during his speech at the gathering, mentioned several leaders by name, but did not refer to Tharoor, which upset the senior Congress leader, it was known.

However, Congress sources later told CNN-News18 that the event in Kochi was for Rahul Gandhi and that all speakers had to wait for their turn.

Meanwhile, the Congress high command has made it clear that indiscipline and public airing of party issues would not be tolerated.

The directions were issued after a meeting of senior party leaders at the residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, chaired by him and attended by Rahul Gandhi, general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal, general secretary in charge of Punjab Bhupesh Baghel, senior leader Ambika Soni and others.

Venugopal later told reporters that leaders had been asked to maintain complete discipline and avoid making statements in the media or on social media on internal matters, which should be raised only on party platforms.

Clear directions have been issued to refrain from such statements, he added.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 10:29 IST

News india 'Upset' Shashi Tharoor Set To Skip Congress High Command Meet After Kochi Event Snub

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Snowfall Hits Kashmir Valley; Flight Ops Suspended At Srinagar Airport, Airlines Issue Advisory

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 08:57 IST

The heavy snowfall also led to the closure of several key highways and mountain routes across the Valley, triggering traffic disruptions.

Snowfall disrupts flight ops at Srinagar Airport | File Image

Heavy snowfall across the Kashmir Valley on Friday disrupted air travel, forcing the suspension and cancellation of several flights at Srinagar airport and prompting airlines to issue travel advisories for passengers.

Confirming the impact of the weather, Srinagar airport authorities said flight operations to and from the airport were affected due to poor conditions, with multiple services cancelled.

Passengers were advised to check the latest flight status with their respective airlines before heading to the airport, officials said, expressing regret for the inconvenience caused.

Airport authorities added that snow-clearance operations were underway on the runway to restore normal flight movement.

In an advisory, IndiGo said take-offs and landings at Srinagar had been temporarily suspended due to snowfall, cautioning travellers about possible delays and extended waiting periods, both onboard aircraft and at the terminal.

To ensure we are ready for departure as soon as we receive clearance, our team may complete boarding formalities in advance," the airline said, adding that it was closely monitoring the weather conditions.

SpiceJet also issued an alert, warning that all arrivals and departures at Srinagar  along with linked services, could be impacted. Passengers were urged to regularly track their flight status for updates.

The heavy snowfall also led to the closure of several key highways and mountain routes across the Valley, triggering traffic disruptions.

The JammuSrinagar National Highway was closed near the Navyug Tunnel, while the Mughal Road and Sinthan Pass were blocked at multiple points due to snow accumulation.

The Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Police said vehicular movement on NH-44 had been halted as a precautionary measure after snow and rain made road conditions slippery, particularly up to the Ramsoo stretch.

IMD Forecasts More Snow, Rain

The India Meteorological Department has forecast widespread light to moderate rain and snowfall across Jammu and Kashmir, including the Valley plains, with heavy precipitation expected at isolated locations.

Weather activity is likely to peak on Friday, followed by another western disturbance around January 26.

Tourist hotspot Gulmarg and higher reaches of Kupwara, Baramulla and Shopian received fresh snowfall, officials said.

A day earlier, parts of the Kashmir Valley, including Srinagar, witnessed rain accompanied by strong winds, which uprooted trees at several places and led to precautionary power cuts.

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Location : Jammu and Kashmir, India, India

First Published: January 23, 2026, 08:56 IST

News india Snowfall Hits Kashmir Valley; Flight Ops Suspended At Srinagar Airport, Airlines Issue Advisory

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Pakistani Jaish Terrorist Killed In Encounter With Security Forces In J&K's Kathua

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 18:56 IST

Security forces killed one Pakistani Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist in an encounter in Kathua.

Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist, who has been killed (Credits: News18)

A Pakistani Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist was neutralised in a joint operation by Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Army and the CRPF in the Billawar area of Kathua district, officials said on Friday.

The operation was launched after security forces received specific intelligence inputs, following which the area was cordoned off and contact was established. Search operations in the area are still underway, according to an official statement.

This comes only 10 days after Jammu and Kashmir Police, along with other security agencies, uncovered three terrorist hideouts in the Billawar area of Kathua district following a coordinated operation.

Meanwhile, in another counter-terror operation in the region, several people were detained for questioning as security forces continued a large-scale search operation for the third consecutive day in the upper reaches of Jammu and Kashmirs Kishtwar district, officials said on Tuesday.

The operation began on Sunday in Sonnar village near Mandral-Singhpora in the Chatroo area after security forces established contact with terrorists hiding in the forests. A gunfight broke out during the operation, resulting in the death of a paratrooper and injuries to seven others, most of them caused by splinter wounds from a sudden grenade attack.

The terrorists managed to flee deeper into the forest, but security forces later destroyed their well-prepared hideout, which was stocked with winter supplies such as food items, blankets and utensils.

Senior officials, including Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone, Bhim Sen Tuti, and Inspector General of CRPF, Jammu, R Gopala Krishna Rao, reached the encounter site and are camping in the area along with senior Army officers to closely monitor the operation.

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Location : Jammu and Kashmir, India, India

First Published: January 23, 2026, 17:33 IST

News india Pakistani Jaish Terrorist Killed In Encounter With Security Forces In J&K's Kathua

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UP Man Cuts Off His Own Leg, Stages Fake Attack To Claim Disability Quota Benefits

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 18:38 IST

Suraj Bhaskar from Khalilpur, Jaunpur, staged a fake attack and self-inflicted injury to falsely claim disability benefits, prompting police to launch further legal action

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During sustained questioning and scrutiny of medical evidence, police established that there had been no external attack. (AI-Generated Image)

A startling case of deception has emerged from Uttar Pradeshs Jaunpur district, where police probing an alleged attempted murder uncovered a shocking act of self-harm staged to mislead investigators and secure government benefits.

The incident was reported from Khalilpur village under the Line Bazar police station limits. Last Sunday, police received information that a 28-year-old man, identified as Suraj Bhaskar, had been attacked by unknown assailants. According to the initial complaint filed by his family, the attackers allegedly assaulted him with sticks and severed his foot before fleeing, triggering panic in the area.

Taking the complaint seriously, police registered a case of attempted murder and launched an intensive investigation. For nearly four days, officers treated the matter as a grave criminal offence, questioning around a dozen people, examining the crime scene and analysing medical reports.

However, the investigation took a dramatic turn when inconsistencies began to surface. During sustained questioning and scrutiny of medical evidence, police established that there had been no external attack. Instead, Suraj Bhaskar had deliberately injured himself.

Police officials said the man had devised an elaborate plan to make himself permanently disabled in order to avail government medical facilities and benefits meant for persons with disabilities. As part of the plan, he allegedly used a grinder machine to sever his own leg, putting his life at serious risk, and then fabricated a story of an attack to mislead authorities.

The evidence clearly shows there was no assault by outsiders. The injury was self-inflicted as part of a premeditated attempt to falsely claim disability benefits," a police officer said.

Following the revelation, police have initiated further legal action in the matter.

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Location : Jaunpur, India, India

First Published: January 23, 2026, 18:38 IST

News india UP Man Cuts Off His Own Leg, Stages Fake Attack To Claim Disability Quota Benefits

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Wayanad Flood Hero Lt Col Seeta Shelke Wins Subhash Chandra Bose Award

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 22:22 IST

Lieutenant Colonel Seeta Ashok Shelke has been selected in the individual category for leadership during major humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in Wayanad,

Lieutenant Colonel Seeta Ashok Shelke has been selected in the individual category (Credits: X)

The Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) and Lieutenant Colonel Seeta Ashok Shelke of the Indian Army have been chosen for the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar 2026 for their outstanding contribution to disaster management.

The award, instituted by the Government of India, is given every year to honour individuals and organisations for exceptional and selfless service in disaster preparedness, response and mitigation. It is announced annually on January 23, the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

Officials said Indias disaster management systems have improved steadily in recent years, with better preparedness, faster response and stronger coordination helping to reduce loss of life during natural disasters.

For the 2026 awards, nominations were invited from May 1, 2025. The process received wide publicity across print, electronic and social media platforms. A total of 271 nominations were received from individuals and institutions across the country.

Lieutenant Colonel Seeta Ashok Shelke has been selected in the individual category for her leadership during major humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in Wayanad, Kerala, during the 2024 floods and landslides. She worked closely with civil authorities and local representatives to ensure quick evacuation, relief distribution and restoration of essential services.

Lieutenant Colonel Seeta Ashok Shelke (Individual Category) and the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (Institutional Category) have been selected for the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar 2026 for their excellent work in disaster management. pic.twitter.com/dvYs3VIAOu Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (@MIB_India) January 23, 2026

She led several high-risk rescue missions in difficult weather conditions, saving hundreds of lives. One of her key achievements was supervising the rapid construction of a 190-foot Bailey Bridge at Chooralmala, which restored access to remote villages. She also oversaw innovative engineering solutions, including the use of heavy machinery as counterweights and the construction of an improvised footbridge within four hours during the night.

Lieutenant Colonel Shelke mobilised nearly 150 tonnes of equipment for relief operations, benefiting thousands of people. She also trained more than 2,300 personnel in disaster response and humanitarian work. Through her role in the Corps of Engineers, she played a key part in building bridges, shelters and access routes in disaster-hit areas, highlighting practical leadership and the growing role of women in disaster risk reduction.

The Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority has been selected in the institutional category for strengthening disaster preparedness and response across the state. Established in 2005, SSDMA has built a strong community-based system by deploying 1,185 trained Aapda Mitras across villages, blocks and districts.

Disaster Management Assistants have been posted in all Gram Panchayats, supported by supervisors at the block level and coordinators at the district level. This structure has improved planning, training and local participation, helping communities become more resilient to disasters and climate-related risks in all six districts of Sikkim.

During major disasters such as the Mantam landslide in 2016 and the Teesta floods in 2023, SSDMAs coordination and trained first responders helped rescue 2,563 people and significantly reduced loss of life and damage. Officials said the authority has developed a strong, community-centred disaster risk reduction model that focuses on early warning, preparedness and local capacity building.

The SSDMA model is seen as sustainable and replicable, especially for other Himalayan and North Eastern states facing similar disaster risks.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 22:21 IST

News india Wayanad Flood Hero Lt Col Seeta Shelke Wins Subhash Chandra Bose Award

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Want To Attend Bengalurus Republic Day Parade? Heres How To Register Online

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 16:01 IST

Members of the public are allowed to attend the Republic Day parade, but prior online registration is mandatory. Entry is permitted only to those who have a valid e-pass.

This pass must be carried on the day of the event, either in digital or printed form, along with the original ID used during registration. Image: X

Want to attend the Republic Day parade in Bengaluru this year? The citys official celebrations will take place at the Field Marshal Manekshaw Parade Ground, and public entry is allowed, but only if you register in advance. Heres everything you need to know if you plan to be there on January 26.

Bengalurus main Republic Day programme is held at the Field Marshal Manekshaw Parade Ground, located on Cubbon road. The venue hosts the state-level ceremony, which includes the unfurling of the national flag, a ceremonial march-past, police and armed forces contingents, and cultural performances.

Senior government officials and invited dignitaries attend the event, and security arrangements are strict.

Is the Event Open to the Public

Yes. Members of the public are allowed to attend the Republic Day parade, but prior online registration is mandatory. Entry is permitted only to those who have a valid e-pass issued by the authorities.

Walk-in entry without registration is not allowed.

How to Register Online

Registration for the Republic Day parade is done through the Karnataka governments official Seva Sindhu portal.

Residents can apply online at https://sevasindhu.karnataka.gov.in.

During registration, applicants will be required to enter basic personal details and upload a valid photo identity proof such as Aadhaar, voter ID or driving licence. After successful submission, an e-pass or confirmation message is generated.

This pass must be carried on the day of the event, either in digital or printed form, along with the original ID used during registration.

Reporting Time and Entry Rules

Attendees are usually required to report early in the morning, typically between 7 am and 8 am. Late entry may be restricted once the programme begins. Multiple security checks are conducted at entry points, and cooperation with police and security personnel is mandatory.

Children must be accompanied by adults. Senior citizens and persons with disabilities are advised to arrive early, as seating and movement inside the venue are regulated.

What You Can and Cannot Carry

Security rules at the parade ground are strict. Visitors should avoid carrying big bags, power banks, sharp objects, lighters, banners, political material or any prohibited items. Mobile phones are generally allowed, but photography may be restricted in certain areas. Travelling light is strongly advised.

Traffic and Travel Advisory

On Republic Day, traffic restrictions and diversions are imposed around Cubbon road and adjoining areas. Parking near the parade ground is limited.

The Bengaluru Traffic Police usually issue a detailed advisory a day in advance. Attendees are encouraged to use public transport where possible and plan their commute accordingly.

The Republic Day parade is a high-security, high-interest event, and passes are issued in limited numbers. Registering early, arriving on time and following guidelines can help ensure a smooth experience.

What can you see there

Visitors attending the Republic Day parade at the Field Marshal Manekshaw Parade Ground can expect a formal ceremonial programme that reflects both national pride and state participation. The event begins with the unfurling of the national flag, followed by the national anthem and a ceremonial guard of honour.

This is usually accompanied by a march-past by contingents from the police, armed forces, NCC, home guards and other uniformed services.

The programme also features cultural performances and tableaux that showcase Karnatakas heritage, social themes and achievements. Schoolchildren and cultural troupes often perform synchronised drills and patriotic displays, while official speeches mark the significance of Republic Day.

The event is designed to be dignified and structured, offering attendees a chance to witness the states official Republic Day observance up close rather than a large-scale spectacle.

For many Bengalureans, attending the parade is a meaningful way to mark Republic Day  and with proper planning, it can be a memorable one.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 16:01 IST

News lifestyle events Want To Attend Bengalurus Republic Day Parade? Heres How To Register Online

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French President Macron's Rs 70,000 Sunglasses At Davos Sparks Memes Online

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Trending Desk

Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 09:30 IST

Although French President Emmanuel Macron did not explain the accessory's purpose during his speech, French sources connected it to a persistent health issue.

France's President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos. (AFP photo)

French President Emmanuel Macron attracted attention at the World Economic Forum (WEF) last week, not just for his policy statements but also for the pair of aviator sunglasses he wore, which cost approximately Rs 70,000 (about 659). Macron wore the Henry Jullien Pacific S 01 sunglasses indoors for his high-profile address, and they unexpectedly became a focus point in diplomatic discourse, social media, and stock markets.

According to Henry Jullien, the model Macron wore was the Pacific S 01, which costs 659 euros (Rs 70,884). An unusually high number of calls" to the French luxury eyewear brand resulted from a dramatic increase in Google Trends searches for the eyewear. Following the spike in interest, shares of Henry Julliens Italian parent company, iVision Tech, increased by about 6%.

Top Gun Memes

Addressing world leaders at the annual World Economic Forum on January 20 in the Swiss resort town of Davos, the French president donned the black, reflecting glasses that French luxury eyewear company Henry Jullien claimed to have gifted him in 2024. Social media users immediately compared Macrons choice of mirrored aviators to Hollywood classics, drawing analogies to Top Gun and other iconic films.

 Top Gun ou Terminator ? , le look lunettes de soleil  aviateur  dEmmanuel Macron devient un meme sur les reseaux https://t.co/CuZfN5uO6g pic.twitter.com/DgFwz5qlER Le Parisien (@le_Parisien) January 21, 2026

One X (formerly Twitter) wrote, Top Gun or Terminator? , Emmanuel Macrons  aviator  sunglasses look becomes a meme on social media."

French President Emmanuel Macron is out there in Davos looking like hes trying out for the next Top Gun movie! I mean those are cool shades," a second user quipped.

This is Not AIMacron watched Top Gun last nightBeen there pic.twitter.com/010LKfBWcd Dom Bei (@Beiwatch) January 20, 2026

This is Not AIMacron watched Top Gun last nightBeen there," read another tweet.

So i see that the word TOP GUN is trending. Then I see it..Emmanuel Macron in Davos looking like hes trying out for the next Top Gun movie!I had to make something. haha Good day! pic.twitter.com/Aqi0lGHV9y  Drewski* Est 45 (@LdCorse) January 21, 2026

Another joked, So I see that the word TOP GUN is trending. Then I see it.. Emmanuel Macron in Davos looking like hes trying out for the next Top Gun movie," sharing a hilarious clip of Macron flying a jet plane.

Why Emmanuel Macron at Davos Wore Sunglasses?

Besides criticising US President Donald Trumps threat to impose tariffs on eight European nations who resist his proposed annexation of Greenland, French President Emmanuel Macron attracted attention for his striking pair of blue reflective aviator sunglasses at the Davos conference on Tuesday.

Although Macron did not explain the accessorys purpose during his speech, French sources connected it to a persistent health issue. He showed up to a military event in southern France last week wearing a similar set of sunglasses while sporting a red eye.

Macron minimised his condition when speaking to the troops, calling it totally benign" and completely insignificant" and added, Please pardon the unsightly appearance of my eye."

According to French media, Macron appeared to have a ruptured blood vessel in his eye, known as a sub-conjunctival haemorrhage. It has no negative effects on vision and is safe and painless. It normally goes away after two weeks, and there is no long-term damage to the eye.

It occasionally occurs when someone touches or pokes their eye, coughs violently, or sneezes. People who have high blood pressure and diabetes are more likely to get the condition.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 09:30 IST

News lifestyle fashion French President Macron's Rs 70,000 Sunglasses At Davos Sparks Memes Online
Recently, the 30th Yangtze River Delta Performance Trade Fair was held in Huangshan City. By day, visitors immerse themselves in scenic beauty; by night, they enjoy captivating performances. In the era of "Culture and Tourism 3.0," the performance economy is becoming a new engine for Huangshan's cultural and tourism transformation. It drives the integration of technology, culture, and natural landscape resources, forging a new path for industrial upgrading. Can this performance-driven transformation help Huangshan build new advantages in fierce regional competition? Recently, reporters visited Huangshan to observe how the performance economy is injecting new vitality into this renowned tourist city and unlocking fresh growth opportunities. Huangshan boasts two major cultural symbols: "Mount Huangshan" and "Huizhou Culture." Its exceptional natural landscapes provide an irreplaceable backdrop for tourism performances, while the profound Huizhou culture offers rich creative material for such productions. According to an authoritative report released by the China Tourism Academy, "Culture and Tourism 3.0" represents an inevitable trend. It is characterized by a focus on developing new quality productive forces, guided by the construction of a modern industrial system. This approach aims to comprehensively shape cultural IPs to drive industrial innovation, fully leverage AI to fuel technological advancements, and promote the transformation and upgrading of the cultural and tourism sector. Against this backdrop, Huangshan's performance economy is embracing unprecedented development opportunities. Numerous innovative, culturally rich performance spectacles are now flourishing in this region where natural beauty and humanistic heritage converge. In addition to tourism performances tied to scenic areas, Huangshan City has hosted two consecutive sessions of the Baidu Music Festival in 2024 and 2025. It has also launched the "Tea Song Mini-Theater" located within the ancient Huizhou City and the "Unique Anhui Charm Mini-Theater" situated inside the Huangshan Modern Service Industry Industrial Park. Beyond offering tourists a more diverse cultural and tourism experience, the performance economy has also demonstrated a strong radiating and driving effect. The play Joy in Huizhou Prefecture takes the ancient Huizhou Prefecture Office as its stage backdrop and draws inspiration from local folk tales. Through its processional and interactive performances, it immerses visitors in the fascinating anecdotes of ancient Huizhou and the patriotic sentiments of Huizhou merchants. In 2025, the play was performed over 300 times, welcoming 107,300 visitors and generating revenue of 5.72 million yuan. It also drove approximately 200 million yuan in related consumption in surrounding industries such as dining, accommodation, and transportation. From diversifying its business formats to continuously unleashing the integrated value of "performance +," and further benchmarking against industry leaders to find breakthrough strategies, Huangshan's path toward upgrading its performance economy has become increasingly clear. As its landscapes dance with performances and tradition harmonizes with modernity, Huangshan's next act is worth anticipating.

Source: Anhui Daily
The former Canadian athlete, accused of drug trafficking and murder north of the Rio Grande, has surrendered to US authorities

Few life stories today rival the fascinating and tragic tale of Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic athlete turned one of the Americas biggest cocaine traffickers. Tracked for years by U.S. authorities and on the FBIs Most Wanted list, he was finally transferred to the United States by the FBI this Friday.

The FBI Director left today for the United States, taking with him two priority targets: a non-U.S. citizen who was arrested by Mexican authorities and is one of the FBIs 10 most wanted fugitives, and a Canadian citizen who voluntarily surrendered yesterday at the U.S. Embassy, reported Mexicos Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, Omar Garcia Harfuch, on his X account. In addition to Wedding, Harfuch referred to Alejandro Rosales Castillo, a U.S. citizen who, like Wedding, was one of the agencys most wanted criminals.

Wedding is an enigma to sociology departments worldwide. A precocious snowboarder, he joined the Canadian national team at 15 and, at 21, competed in the parallel giant slalom at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. Known by the aliases King and James Conrad, after a character in the 2017 film Kong: Skull Island, Wedding comes from a well-to-do middle-class family in British Columbia. After the Olympics, he began studying at a university in the Vancouver metropolitan area, a degree financed by his parents.

But his academic adventure lasted only two years, as Rolling Stone reporter Jesse Hyde, who has been tracking him since 2009, recalls. Drawn to the nightlife and the violent local crime scene of those years, and to the control of the marijuana market, Wedding began a career as a security guard at the citys clubs and bars, while simultaneously setting up a massive marijuana-growing operation. In 2006, authorities seized his warehouses, plants, and equipment, and Wedding had to start all over again. After some ventures in the local real estate market, the Canadian moved into the big leagues of the drug trade and tried to break into the cocaine market.

In October, the Treasury Department announced sanctions against him and his support network. This network of individuals and companies includes a Canadian lawyer and jeweler, a former member of the Italian special forces, and a Colombian pimp who runs a prostitution ring in Mexico.

Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder for Team Canada [...] is an extremely violent criminal believed to be responsible for the murder of numerous people abroad, including U.S. citizens. Wedding remains a fugitive from justice, currently hiding in Mexico, where he continues to direct drug trafficking, murder, and other serious criminal activities, the Treasury Department said in a statement. The reward offered for Wedding was between $10 million and $15 million.

The statement continues: [Wedding] is responsible for trafficking multi-ton quantities of cocaine through Colombia and Mexico for distribution in the United States and Canada. His criminal organization uses cryptocurrency to move and launder the proceeds of drug trafficking, concealing vast sums of illicit wealth. According to the FBI, the statement adds, Wedding has ordered dozens of murders across the globe, including in the United States, Canada, and Latin America. He employs highly sophisticated methods in both the planning and execution of these killings, demonstrating a level of coordination and ruthlessness that has made him one of the worlds most dangerous fugitives. U.S. authorities have charged Wedding with cocaine trafficking, murder, attempted murder, and racketeering, among other offenses.

Cocaine seized in one of three raids in the Los Angeles area on a group led by Ryan Wedding, in 2024. Christina House (Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag)

The Treasury sanctions involve freezing the assets of Wedding and nine other individuals and companies that form part of his alleged criminal operation. OFAC has listed a purported former Mexican security agent, Edgar Vazquez Alvarado, identified as the head of his security team. Vazquez, also known as the General, provides protection for Wedding within Mexico and uses law enforcement sources to locate targets for Wedding. Vazquez is believed to be a former Mexican law enforcement officer with ties to senior Mexican law enforcement officials, the statement said.

In addition to Vazquez, the list includes Weddings wife, Miryam Andrea Castillo Moreno, 34, originally from Nuevo Leon in northern Mexico; his Colombian girlfriend, Daniela Alejandra Acuna Macias, a 23-year-old whom authorities place near Morelia, Michoacan; an alleged Colombian associate of the Canadian, Carmen Yelinet Valoyes, who, according to OFAC, runs a high-end prostitution ring in Mexico City; Canadian lawyer Deepak Balwant Paradkar, who introduced Wedding to the drug traffickers that have been moving Weddings cocaine and has also helped Wedding with bribery and murder; Canadian jeweler Rolan Sokolovski; and former Italian special forces member Gianluca Tiepolo, the latter two being part of his money laundering network.

Miryam Andrea Castillo Moreno (left), Wedding's wife, and Daniela Alejandra Acuna Macias. FBI

The activities attributed to each of them are varied. Miryam Castillo, his wife, is accused, for example, of laundering drug proceeds for Wedding and has helped him conduct acts of violence. Carmen Valoyes is accused of assisting Wedding with the murder of a federal witness in January 2025 and of introducing the alleged crime boss to his girlfriend, Daniela Acuna. The witness in question was Jonathan Christopher Acevedo, a Colombian-Canadian man killed in Medellin, Colombia. Acevedo had served a sentence years earlier in Canada for drug trafficking.

The list goes on: OFAC also states that Acuna received hundreds of thousands of dollars from Wedding, knowing of his activities, and that she assisted Wedding in obtaining information on his rivals. Paradkar, the Treasury says, allowed Wedding and his associates to eavesdrop on privileged communications between Paradkar and his other clients, several of whom Wedding wished to murder.

Of his money laundering network, OFAC notes that Sokolovski, the Canadian jeweler, has overseen bookkeeping for Weddings organization and laundered its funds through his jewelry business, which operates under the trade name Diamond Tsar and maintains a storefront in Toronto, Ontario. In addition to using his business as a front for laundering, Sokolovski has transferred millions of dollars in drug proceeds using cryptocurrency, concealing the origins of Weddings profits. For his part, Tiepolo worked closely with Sokolovski to procure and manage Weddings physical assets, including high-end vehicles, such as a 2002 Mercedes CLK-GTR, valued at $13 million, which has been seized by the FBI.

Pam Bondi announces the accusations against Ryan Wedding, in Washington, November 19. WILL OLIVER (EFE)

Unfortunately for Wedding, one of his first purchases, monitored by the FBI in Southern California, went wrong. Authorities arrested Wedding and sent him to prison. It was 2008. The Canadian spent three years in detention, between San Diego and Texas, until the United States agreed to transfer him to Canada to finish serving his sentence. It seems that his years in prison in the southern U.S. served as a training ground for the trafficker, who, back in his home country, got back to work.

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Tamannaah Bhatia's Fine Jewellery Mirrors Her Style Beyond The Occasion

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News18.com

Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 16:58 IST

Actor Tamannaah Bhatia launches Tamannaah Fine Jewellery and picks her favourites from the label.

Actor Tamannaah Bhatia marks a significant milestone in her journey as a creator and entrepreneur.

Kicking off 2026 on a sparkling note, Tamannaah Bhatia marks a significant milestone in her journey as a creator and entrepreneur with Tamannaah Fine Jewellery.

Tamannaah announced the launch of her eponymous jewellery label with a stylish video reflecting Tamannaahs effortless glamour. Every statement jewellery piece mirrors her style, which is soft and fierce, casual and glam and reflective and radiant.

Designed for the duality of real life, Tamannaahs Fine Jewellery blends beautifully from morning light to evening glow. For Tamannaah Bhatia, this isnt about collecting pieces; its about finding the ones that stay.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tamannaah Fine Jewellery (@tamannaahfinejewellery)

Tamannaah Bhatias favourite go-to pieces for every occasion:

Midnight Dome Pave Huggies

Bold and sculptural, these striking 18K yellow gold huggies feature 190 round natural diamonds set in a black rhodium finished dome. These earrings add a bold edge to this contemporary design.

Link T-Bar

Embrace beauty and craftsmanship in the 14K Link T-Bar bracelet featuring 268 natural round diamonds. The bracelet comes with a chain of diamond-accented links and a fully diamond-encrusted T-bar closure.

Orb Necklace

Radiating modern elegance and effortless glamour, this dazzling 426-round-diamond masterpiece is set in 18K yellow gold and comes with a twisted circular design.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tamannaah Fine Jewellery (@tamannaahfinejewellery)

Shadow Plush Ring

A bold, modern twist to classic luxury, celebrate every moment in this 18K yellow gold ring with 180 round diamonds featuring a black rhodium finish.

Trio Blaze Earrings

Featuring 54 round brilliant cut diamonds, this sparkling Trio Blaze earrings, crafted in 18K yellow and white gold is all set to sparkle from every angle.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani)

The Mumbai flagship boutique The Apartment, envisioned by Tamannah Bhatia, saw the actor pose for the paparazzi outside the store, looking ethereal in an off-white tiered anarkali designed by Ridhiee Suuri. The ensemble featured an anarkali detailed with loopi button, hand embroidered yoke and gota lace. She completed the look with a lycra churidhar and a sheesha chanderi dupatta with gota lace and jhaller. She styled her traditional look with statement jewellery pieces from Tamannaah Fine Jewellery.

The post on Instagram featured Tamannaahs style, an array of fine jewellery pieces from the brand that not only complements the actor but also celebrates her creative talent that we cant wait to celebrate at the launch.

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Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: January 23, 2026, 16:58 IST

News lifestyle fashion Tamannaah Bhatia's Fine Jewellery Mirrors Her Style Beyond The Occasion
Dubai-Style Cookies Have Become The Latest Viral Food Craze In South Korea

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Trending Desk

Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 12:38 IST

Each of the Dubai-style cookie weighs about 50 grams and costs between 5,000 won ($3; 2.5) and 10,000 won, but prices are expected to go up due to high demand.

The Dubai style cookie is reminiscent of mochi and is stuffed with pistachio and kataifi.

Driven by K-pop stars and social media buzz, Dubai-style cookies are selling out across South Korea.

South Korea has a new food obsession, and it is sweet, rich and hard to find. Dubai-style cookies, locally known as Dujjonku, have become the countrys latest viral dessert. Inspired by the global craze for Dubai chocolate, the cookies combine chocolate, pistachio cream and shredded pastry called kadaif.

Even people who were not initially interested are being pulled in by the hype. Even without much initial interest, once you hear that everyone else is eating it, you start wondering just how good it must be," said Nam Su-yeon, a 28-year-old office worker to AFP.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by  FOOD, HOTSPOTS & TRAVEL (@foodfindsuae)

Searches and Sales Skyrocket

Interest in Dubai-style cookies has exploded in recent months. According to data from Naver, South Koreas largest search engine, online searches for the dessert jumped more than 20 times in the last three months. Searches on food delivery apps surged by 1,500 times in just one month.

So high is the demand that one developer created an online map to track which shops still have stock left. Customers have been lining up outside cafes early in the morning, even as temperatures dropped during South Koreas harsh winter. Convenience store versions of the cookies have also sold out repeatedly.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by KoreAlo (@dailydoseof.korean)

According to the BBC, this dessert has become extremely popular across the country. Some shops sell hundreds of cookies in just a few minutes, and even restaurants that do not usually sell desserts are joining the trend.

Not only dessert shops and bakeries, but many other places are now selling it too. Restaurants like sushi bars and cold-noodle shops have added the dessert to their menus.

A company representative told Yonhap News. Our manufacturing plants production capacity cannot keep up with demand."

Celebrity Endorsements Fuel the Craze

Celebrity influence has played a key role in spreading the trend. K-pop stars posting photos with the dessert have encouraged fans to try it. A photo shared by IVE member Jang Won-young, showing her lips dusted with chocolate powder, sparked another viral trend known as the Dujjonku lip."

It definitely seems like a viral phenomenon," said Hwang Jae-kyoung, a 34-year-old office worker. In particular, celebrities seem to play a role."

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anastasia Jung (@nastya.jung)

Price, Health Concerns and Wider Impact

Each cookie weighs about 50 grams. Right now, the dessert costs between 5,000 won ($3; 2.5) and 10,000 won, but prices are expected to go up because so many people want it, with purchases often limited to two per person. The price makes sense from a market perspective, but from a consumers point of view, it is honestly expensive," Hwang added.

Health experts have warned that a single cookie can contain up to 500 calories. Korea University Guro Hospital cautioned that the dessert could immediately disrupt the bodys metabolic balance" and threaten overall health."

Despite concerns, the cookies remain hugely popular. Before long, you find yourself going somewhere else to try it again," Nam said, summing up why Dubai-style cookies continue to dominate South Koreas food scene.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 12:38 IST

News lifestyle food Dubai-Style Cookies Have Become The Latest Viral Food Craze In South Korea
Happy Basant Panchami Wishes 2026: Saraswati Puja Images, Quotes, Status, Puja Muhurat, Rituals, And Fasting Rules

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 06:30 IST

Happy Vasant Panchami Wishes Images Quotes 2026: Basant Panchami is a festival dedicated to Goddess Saraswati and symbolises wisdom, learning and new beginnings.

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Happy Basant Panchami 2026 celebration with Goddess Saraswati and yellow festive decor. (Image: Shutterstock)

Happy Saraswati Puja 2026: Basant Panchami, also known as Vasant Panchami or Shri Panchami, marks the arrival of spring and is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the deity of wisdom, learning, music and the arts. The festival holds special significance for students, educators, artists and those beginning new ventures.

According to Drik Panchang, Basant Panchami 2026 will be celebrated on January 23 (Friday).

Saraswati Puja Muhurat

Date: January 23, 2026 Saraswati Puja Muhurat: 07:13 AM to 12:33 PM Panchami Tithi Begins: 02:28 AM on January 23 Panchami Tithi Ends: 01:46 AM on January 24

Basant Panchami: History & Significance

One popular legend links Basant Panchami to Kalidasa, who is believed to have been blessed with wisdom by Goddess Saraswati, transforming him into one of Indias greatest poets.

Another legend is associated with Kamadeva, the god of love, whose sacrifice ultimately led to the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. These stories symbolise renewal, learning and creative awakeningcore themes of the festival.

Saraswati Puja Rituals & Fasting Rules

Items Required

Idol or image of Goddess Saraswati, white or yellow cloth, flowers, turmeric, kumkum, rice, fruits, kalash, lamp, incense, books, musical instruments and writing tools.

Fasting Guidelines

Devotees wear yellow attire and consume light sattvic food such as fruits, milk and sweets. Grains and non-vegetarian food are usually avoided. The day is considered auspicious for starting studies, artistic pursuits and new projects.

How to Perform Saraswati Puja at Home

Clean the puja area, place the idol on a raised platform, offer flowers, fruits, books and instruments, light the lamp, chant Saraswati mantras, perform aarti and distribute prasad.

Basant Panchami Wishes

May Goddess Saraswati bless you with wisdom, creativity and success.

Wishing you a joyful Basant Panchami filled with learning and positivity.

May this auspicious day bring knowledge, prosperity and happiness.

On Basant Panchami, may your efforts be enlightened and rewarded.

Warm wishes for a bright and prosperous Basant Panchami.

Vasant Panchami WhatsApp Status

May the light of knowledge guide you towards growth and success.

Let learning and creativity blossom in your life this spring.

May the yellow hues of Basant Panchami bring hope and joy.

On this day, celebrate education, art and culture.

May your wisdom grow and your creativity soar. Happy Basant Panchami!

Happy Basant Panchami Quotes

Education is the ornament in prosperity and the refuge in adversity."  Chanakya

Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens."  Jimi Hendrix

There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge."  Bertrand Russell

The more that you read, the more things you will know."  Dr Seuss

Opinion is the medium between knowledge and ignorance."  Plato

FAQs on Basant Panchami

What is Basant Panchami?

A Hindu festival celebrating spring and Goddess Saraswati.

Why is yellow important?

Yellow symbolises prosperity, energy and blooming mustard fields.

How is it celebrated?

With Saraswati Puja, yellow attire, sweets and cultural activities.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 06:30 IST

News lifestyle Happy Basant Panchami Wishes 2026: Saraswati Puja Images, Quotes, Status, Puja Muhurat, Rituals, And Fasting Rules
Beyond Early Breast Cancer: 5 Way Advanced Therapies Are Helping Survivors Thrive

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 13:42 IST

In India, where access to care and awareness are still growing, it's vital to shift the conversation towards not just survival, but survivorship.

Instead of intense, one-size-fits-all regimens, now advance therapies for Breast Cancer are designed to meet the needs of the individual and their unique journey.

When someone hears early breast cancer", the immediate reactions are often fear and uncertainty. Beyond the initial concern for the treatment, there are important questions about what life will look like during and after treatment, questions about energy, emotional strength, family life, and the risk of cancer coming back.

Fortunately, the landscape of early breast cancer is changing for the better. The focus is now shifting from controlling cancer in the short term to lowering the longer-term risk of recurrence while preserving long-term quality of life. This shift in focus has brought forward treatments that are more effective, more targeted, and better suited to supporting individuals in their day-to-day lives. Instead of intense, one-size-fits-all regimens, these therapies are personalised, designed to meet the needs of the individual and their unique treatment journey.

We spoke to Dr Sewanti Limaye, Director of Medical & Precision Oncology and Director of Oncology Research at Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital & Research Centre, Mumbai, who explained that there is a lot more to life than your cancer diagnosis.

She said, Early breast cancer refers to breast cancer that is detected in its nascent stages (0, 1, 2, or 3), before it has spread to other parts of the body. Early detection unlocks superior outcomes, but the post-diagnosis pathway demands equal resolve. While surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation wield formidable strength, targeted therapies and immunotherapies now revolutionise care  precisely dismantling cancer cells and unleashing the immune system against tumours. For patients and families, this heralds a future rooted in strength, armed with cutting-edge tools for sustained victory and vibrant quality of life."

So, how exactly are advanced therapies improving life for people with early breast cancer? Here are 5 key benefits that advanced therapies are providing to people with early breast cancer:

Lowering the risk of recurrence

Even after a successful treatment, the risk of recurrence remains a major concern, sometimes as high as 50%. Advanced therapies, such as targeted treatments and precision medicines, are designed to address this concern head-on. These therapies target cancer cells while sparing healthy ones, reducing side effects and increasing the overall effectiveness of the treatment. This precision not only improves survival rates but also provides peace of mind that the cancer is less likely to return.

Fewer disruptions to daily life

Advanced therapies are increasingly designed for convenience. From oral medications that can be taken at home to less frequent clinic visits due to long-acting drugs, advanced therapy can be woven into regular routines. Many people can keep working, travel, or participate in family events without major interruptions.

Fostering emotional well-being

The emotional toll of any cancer diagnosis cannot be overstated, and advanced therapies are addressing this dimension more effectively than ever. With fewer side effects as common as diarrhoea, fatigue, pain, etc., individuals undergoing treatment can feel more in control of their journey. By maintaining physical health, patients often experience fewer emotional lows, fostering a positive outlook that is critically important during recovery. Emotional resilience plays a role not just in treatment outcomes but in how patients envision life after cancer.

Support in long-term health monitoring

Advanced therapies often come paired with tailored follow-up care plans, including regular health monitoring. This helps patients detect any changes early, manage side effects proactively, and maintain overall wellness well beyond the initial treatment phase. This ongoing support fosters a sense of security and helps people feel cared for throughout their journey.

Enhanced quality of life

Treatment isnt just about fighting the disease; its also about helping people return to their normal lives once its over. Newer therapies are designed to reduce long-term side effects, making it easier for patients to get back to their daily routines and enjoy life the way they want. Whether its minimising fatigue, supporting physical recovery, or even focusing on cosmetic elements like preserving hair, these advancements prioritise the overall well-being of patients. By focusing on the whole person, these treatments help individuals recover with confidence and live life on their own terms.

In India, where access to care and awareness are still growing, its vital to shift the conversation towards not just survival, but survivorship. Long-term care, emotional health, and quality of life must be prioritised alongside treatment success.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 13:42 IST

News lifestyle health-and-fitness Beyond Early Breast Cancer: 5 Way Advanced Therapies Are Helping Survivors Thrive
Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti 2026: Life, Legacy And Inspiring Quotes

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 08:08 IST

Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti marks the birth anniversary of the freedom fighter remembered for his leadership of the INA, revolutionary ideas and iconic calls for Indias freedom.

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Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose reportedly died in a 1945 plane crash, though debates persist. (Image: Shutterstock)

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti is observed every year on January 23 to commemorate the birth anniversary of one of Indias most influential freedom fighters. In 2026, the day once again honours Boses fearless leadership, revolutionary ideology and enduring impact on Indias struggle for independence.

Born on January 23, 1897, in Cuttack, Odisha, Subhas Chandra Bose was the ninth child of Janakinath Bose and Prabhavati Devi. Known for his academic brilliance, he studied philosophy at Presidency College in Calcutta and later appeared for the Indian Civil Services (ICS) examination in England, securing a high rank.

Despite this achievement, Bose resigned from the service, choosing the uncertain path of the freedom movement over a privileged career under British rule.

Political Journey and Differences with the Congress

Bose began his political career with the Indian National Congress and rose quickly through its ranks. He was elected Congress president in 1938 (Haripura) and 1939 (Tripuri). However, ideological differences emerged between Bose and senior Congress leaders, particularly over the use of mass struggle and armed resistance against British rule.

While Mahatma Gandhi and others emphasised non-violence, Bose believed that independence required immediate and decisive action. These differences led to his resignation from the Congress presidency and the formation of the All India Forward Bloc.

INA, Azad Hind Government and the Freedom Struggle

During the Second World War, Bose escaped British surveillance in 1941 and sought international support to challenge colonial rule. After working in Germany, he moved to Southeast Asia, where he assumed leadership of the Indian National Army (INA) with Japanese backing.

In 1943, Bose announced the formation of the Provisional Government of Azad Hind, asserting Indias claim to sovereignty. Though the INAs military campaign did not achieve its final objective, it had a profound psychological and political impact, strengthening nationalist sentiment across the country.

His stirring slogan, Give me blood, and I will give you freedom," remains one of the most powerful calls in Indias freedom movement.

Disappearance and Enduring Legacy

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose reportedly died in a plane crash in 1945, though the circumstances surrounding his disappearance remain a subject of debate. Regardless of these unresolved questions, Boses legacy as a fearless nationalist and strategic thinker endures.

On Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti, India remembers his belief that freedom demanded courage, sacrifice and action, even if it meant taking unconventional paths.

Inspirational Quotes By Subhas Chandra Bose

Give me blood, and I shall give you freedom!"

Freedom is not given, it is taken."

No real change in history has ever been achieved by discussions."

One individual may die for an idea, but that idea will, after his death, incarnate itself in a thousand lives."

We should have but one desire today  the desire to die so that India may live."

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 07:05 IST

News lifestyle Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti 2026: Life, Legacy And Inspiring Quotes
Republic Day Chief Guests List Since 2014: From Shinzo Abe, Barack Obama To EU Leaders

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 09:30 IST

Republic Day Chief Guest 2026: From Shinzo Abe and Barack Obama to EU leaders in 2026, Indias Republic Day chief guests since 2014 reflect its evolving diplomatic priorities.

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Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, with President Pranab Mukherjee at the 2014 Republic Day Parade, Delhi, as the chief guest. (Image: presidentofindia.gov.in)

Republic Day Chief Guest 2026: On January 26, 2026, India will celebrate its 77th Republic Day, with a parade at Kartavya Path that weaves together tradition, symbolism and strategic showcase. The Ministry of Defence has outlined a detailed programme that places equal emphasis on cultural heritage, military strength and Indias evolving global partnerships.

According to reports, this years Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path will centre on the theme of 150 years of Vande Mataram. A series of paintings by Tejendra Kumar Mitra, created in 1923 to illustrate the verses of Vande Mataram and published in the Bande Mataram Album, will be displayed as view-cutters along Kartavya Path during the parade.

A banner will be unveiled at the end of the parade, along with the release of rubber balloons. Floral decorations, invitation cards and videos at Kartavya Path will reflect the theme. Tableaux will highlight messages of freedom and self-reliance.

Beyond symbolism, the Republic Day parade continues to serve as a major platform to project Indias defence preparedness. Marching contingents from the armed forces, mechanised columns and modern military equipment will once again form the backbone of the parade.

Republic Day 2026 Chief Guests

A significant highlight of the 2026 celebrations is the choice of chief guests. European Council President Antonio Luis Santos da Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have been invited to attend the main ceremony.

ALSO READ: Happy Republic Day 2026: Theme, Quotes, Chief Guest And Why EU Leaders Presence Matters

Republic Day Chief Guests Since 2014

Since 2014, Republic Day has seen a wide range of high-profile international leaders grace the occasion:

2014  Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan

2015  Barack Obama, President of the United States

2016  Francois Hollande, President of France

2017  Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi

2018  Leaders of ASEAN nations including Hassanal Bolkiah (Brunei), Hun Sen (Cambodia), Joko Widodo (Indonesia), Thongloun Sisoulith (Laos), Najib Razak (Malaysia), Aung San Suu Kyi (Myanmar), Rodrigo Duterte (Philippines), Lee Hsien Loong (Singapore), Prayut Chan-o-cha (Thailand) and Nguyen Xuan Phuc (Vietnam)

2019  Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa

2020  Jair Bolsonaro, President of Brazil

2021  No chief guest due to the COVID-19 pandemic

2023  Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, President of Egypt

2024  Emmanuel Macron, President of France

2025  Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia

Why EU Leaders As R-Day 2026 Chief Guests?

The participation of EU leaders as Chief Guests at the 77th Republic Day and the 16th India-EU Summit is expected to further strengthen the India-EU Strategic Partnership and promote collaboration in key areas of mutual interest.

ALSO READ: Republic Day 2026 Parade: Timings, Tickets, Venue, Entry Rules And All Key Details

India and the European Union have been strategic partners since 2004. The 15th India-EU Summit was held virtually on 15 July 2020, and bilateral ties have steadily expanded across various sectors, particularly following the historic visit of the EU College of Commissioners to India in February 2025.

The visit of EU leaders goes beyond ceremonial appearances. On January 27, a day after the parade, Costa and von der Leyen will represent the EU at the 16th India-EU Summit and meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The summit will focus on strengthening the strategic partnership and enhancing cooperation across key areas, with trade, security and defence, the clean energy transition, and people-to-people ties topping the agenda.

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Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: January 23, 2026, 09:30 IST

News lifestyle Republic Day Chief Guests List Since 2014: From Shinzo Abe, Barack Obama To EU Leaders
Salman Khans Battle Of Galwan First Song Maatrubhumi Teaser Out, Full Track Releasing On THIS Date

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 12:26 IST

Battle of Galwan revisits the harrowing 2020 Galwan Valley clash between Indian and Chinese troops  a rare border skirmish that turned deadly without any firearms being used.

Salman Khans Battle Of Galwan First Song Maatrubhumi Teaser Out

The makers of Battle of Galwan, starring Salman Khan, have unveiled the teaser of the films first song titled Maatrubhumi". The powerful teaser, released on social media, offers a glimpse into the patriotic soul of the film, setting the tone for what promises to be an intense cinematic experience. The full track is set to release on January 24, ahead of Republic Day.

Taking to his Instagram handle, Salman Khan shared the teaser and wrote, #Maatrubhumi out tomorrow." Fans immediately reacted with mentioning waiting in the comment section. Recently, a source cited by Bollywood Hungama shared an update on the film and said, The shooting began in September in Ladakh and a major chunk of the film has been shot. The team have already filmed key challenging and action sequences. The shooting will be wrapped up in December, after which director Apoorva Lakhia will completely focus on the post-production."

Take a look here:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Salman Khan (@beingsalmankhan)

The insider further revealed that the makers are planning to release the Battle of Galwan in June 2026 and added, A January release obviously wont be possible now. But June is seriously being considered, although the team is also looking to see if theres an ideal release date in the months of July and August next year."

About the film

Directed by Apoorva Lakhia, Battle of Galwan revisits the harrowing 2020 Galwan Valley clash between Indian and Chinese troops  a rare border skirmish that turned deadly without any firearms being used. Instead, soldiers resorted to hand-to-hand combat with sticks and stones, making it one of the most emotionally charged stories in recent Indian history.

With its stirring subject and powerful cast, Battle of Galwan is poised to be one of the most impactful cinematic tributes to Indias armed forces in recent years.

Amitabh Bachchan Also Part Of Battle Of Galwan?

Recently, filmmaker Apoorva Lakhia shared a few photos showing Bachchan on the sets of Battle of Galwan. The post only added fuel to the frenzy, with fans and gossip pages alike wondering if the Sholay icon had joined the cast. However, the filmmaker later clarified that Bachchans presence had nothing to do with the movie. Speaking to Hindustan Times, Lakhia explained, No, he was shooting for a commercial in the opposite studio, so I went to meet him and said hello."

It should be noted that the films release date has not been officially announced as of now.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 12:26 IST

News movies bollywood Salman Khans Battle Of Galwan First Song Maatrubhumi Teaser Out, Full Track Releasing On THIS Date
Bhavana-Starrer Anomie Becomes First Indian Film To Use Cutting-Edge Sound Particles

Curated By :

IANS

Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 16:40 IST

Malayalam Thriller Anomie Starring Bhavana Becomes Indias First Film To Use Sound Particles

A poster of the film.

If one is to go by the claims made by the team of director Riyas Maraths eagerly awaited Malayalam crime thriller Anomie, the film, which features actors Rahman and Bhavana in the lead, has now emerged as Indias first film in which the sound design software Sound Particles has been used.

The films official handle on Instagram posted a video clip of an interview of actress Bhavana in which she said, In this movie, they have used the sound design software called Sound Particles. It is the first time in India that we are using it in a movie. They have used it in movies like Weapons, Dune, Oppenheimer. They (the sound particles team) have officially confirmed it. Anomie is definitely a theatrical experience."

The film, which was originally scheduled to release on January 30 this year, is now slated to hit screens on February 6.

The film has triggered huge expectations ever since the makers released a teaser of the film a week ago.

The teaser released begins with a voice over that says, Everyone, everywhere wants to live. The rich wants to live, the poor wants to live. Nobody wants to die." Even as this is narrated, a series of grim, intense scenes that involve cops appear.

Soon, another voiceover, this time in Malayalam, says, The only thing that man fears is death." Rahman, a police officer, is shown confronting someone. He says, You are a fucking psychopath" to which the other person,through what appears to be a mike, replies, No, I am not."

Bhavanas character is seen saying, Either he knows who is the killer or he is the killer" even as the cops gear up to hunt.

We next hear a voice, most likely that of the psychopath, say in a taunting tone, Who is coming next, a man? or a force? A man with a force." Even as this voiceover plays, a series of intense action scenes play out.

The teaser makes it evident that the film revolves around the hunt the cops undertake to bring a psychopath to justice.

Apart from Bhavana and Rahman, the film will also feature Shebin Benson, Vishnu Agasthya, Binu Pappu and Arjun Lal in pivotal characters.

Produced by Dr Roy CJ, Kumar Mangat Pathak, Abhishek Pathak, Blitzkrieg Films, Bhavana, and Aadith Prassanakumar, the film has music by Harshavardhan Rameshwar and cinematography by Sujith Sarang.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 16:40 IST

News movies regional-cinema Bhavana-Starrer Anomie Becomes First Indian Film To Use Cutting-Edge Sound Particles
Border 2 Movie Review: Sunny Deol, Diljit Dosanjh, Varun Dhawan, Make This Patriotic Ride Totally Worth It

Written By :

News18.com Edited By: Yatamanyu Narain



Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 15:18 IST

Border 2 review: Sunny Deol returns in uniform in Anurag Singhs ambitious war sequel. Emotional, patriotic and overlong, the film balances nostalgia with new-scale storytelling.

Rapid Read

Border 2 arrives loud, emotional and unapologetically patriotic. Led by Sunny Deol and supported by Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh and Ahan Shetty, the war drama delivers brotherhood, scale and sincerity, even when it stumbles on length and VFX.

Border 2 U/A 4/5 23 January 2026|Hindi 3 hrs 19 mins | Action War Drama Starring: Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Ahan Shetty, Diljit Dosanjh, Sonam Bajwa, Mona Singh, Anya Singh, Medha Rana Director: Anurag Singh Music: Anu Malik, Mithoon, SachetParampara, Vishal Mishra, Gurmoh Watch Trailer

Border 2 Movie Review: Some films dont gently begin, they arrive with noise, chest-thumping background score and that unmistakable feeling that something big is coming. Border 2 is exactly that kind of film. The moment Sunny Deol steps into the frame in uniform, you know subtlety has left the building. This one wants to roar, salute, make you emotional, and yes, make you feel proud. The expectations were terrifying because Border (1997) isnt just a movie, its a memory. But surprisingly, Border 2 doesnt survive only on nostalgia. It actually wants to tell a story and mostly, it does a solid job.

Directed by Anurag Singh, the film is set during the 1971 IndiaPakistan war but expands the canvas far beyond what the original attempted. Instead of focusing on one post, Border 2 brings together the Army, Air Force and Navy, showing how a combined operation unfolds. At the centre of it all is Sunny Deols Lt Col Fateh Singh Kaler, a commanding officer, mentor and emotional anchor to a group of younger soldiers played by Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh and Ahan Shetty.

What really works is how the film doesnt rush into war. It spends time with these men, their training days, their friendships, the jokes, the bonding, the families waiting back home. By the time the guns go off, these arent faceless soldiers. You know them, youve laughed with them, and that makes the impact stronger.

The emotional core is where Border 2 scores its biggest win. The camaraderie between the younger actors feels easy and natural. It doesnt feel written for effect. Sunny Deol, especially, is a pleasant surprise in quieter moments. You expect the rage and thunder, but watching him joke, smile, even tease his men gives the character warmth. When the big speeches finally come, they dont feel hollow, they feel earned.

Diljit Dosanjh is an absolute delight. He brings charm, humour and emotion without ever making things frivolous. Varun Dhawan is the real surprise here. He is restrained, sincere and far removed from his usual space. This is one of his most grounded performances. Ahan Shetty doesnt overplay his role and carries himself with quiet confidence. The women, Mona Singh and Medha Rana, dont get much screen time, but they add emotional stability and warmth whenever they appear.

That said, the film does test your patience at times. Its long, and while it mostly keeps you invested, there are stretches where you feel the runtime. Some romantic bits linger longer than needed, and a few war sequences couldve been sharper. The VFX is also uneven. While many action moments work well, certain naval shots dont look as convincing as the emotion demands. Thankfully, the film isnt relying only on spectacle, its strength lies in feeling.

Anurag Singh directs the film without irony or clever detachment. He plays it straight, and in todays climate, thats a bold choice. The war scenes are easy to follow, emotions arent buried under chaos, and the mass moments land exactly where you expect them to. The writing focuses more on brotherhood and duty than heavy political messaging, keeping the film accessible and emotionally driven.

Visually, Border 2 goes big with wide frames, dusty battlefields, aircraft cutting through the sky. It doesnt reinvent the war-film look, but it uses scale effectively. The music does a lot of heavy lifting emotionally. The recreated versions of Ghar Kab Aaoge and Jaate Hue Lamhon hit straight in the heart, and the background score knows when to rise and when to step back.

Comparing it to Border (1997) is inevitable. The original felt raw and lived-in, powered by simplicity. Border 2 is more polished, louder and far more ambitious. It doesnt quite recreate the magic of the first, but it doesnt disrespect it either. Instead, it feels like a modern extension, messier at times, broader in vision, but driven by the same emotional intent.

Border 2 isnt perfect. Its indulgent, occasionally overlong and visually uneven in parts. But its also sincere, emotional and unapologetically patriotic. It reminds you why war films still work, not because of explosions, but because of the people behind the uniforms.

Watch it on the big screen. Let it overwhelm you a little.

4 out of 5 stars for Border 2.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 15:16 IST

News movies reviews Border 2 Movie Review: Sunny Deol, Diljit Dosanjh, Varun Dhawan, Make This Patriotic Ride Totally Worth It
Finepoint | Trumps Risky Play On Diego Garcia: Greenland Politics Spills Into The Indian Ocean

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 15:58 IST

Trump is turning a legally settled transfer of sovereignty to Mauritius into a geopolitical bargaining chip to justify his demand for Greenland

Trumps menacing bid for Greenland has now spilled far beyond the Arctic, writes the author.

Donald Trump may have backed off for now on seeking complete ownership of Greenland, but his obsession with leverage has flared up a crisis elsewhere. This week, Trump dragged the Indian Ocean into his Greenland gambit, playing the Diego Garcia card to pressure the United Kingdom. It is a dangerous and irresponsible moveand one that India is unlikely to view positively.

Trumps menacing bid for Greenland has now spilled far beyond the Arctic. His recent outburst against the UKs decision to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius marks a new front in his coercive diplomacy. The move has been hailed by some as a long-overdue act of decolonisation, and condemned by others as a strategic blunder. Trump, predictably, chose confrontation.

In a Truth Social post, Trump slammed the UK plan as an act of total weakness" and great stupidity." He declared that our brilliant NATO ally, the United Kingdom, is currently planning to give away the Island of Diego Garcia FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER," warning that China and Russia would exploit what he described as Western weakness. This, Trump argued, is precisely why the United States must acquire Greenland. There is almost nothing in this statement that is factually or strategically sound.

The Facts Trump Ignores

Diego Garcia, home to a critical US-UK joint military base, is part of the Chagos Archipelago, which legally belongs to Mauritius. When Mauritius gained independence in 1968, the UK retained control of the islands whereas the Chagossian population stood expelled from their own lands. Many settled in Mauritius and Seychelles, where they have long demanded the right to return.

In 2019, the International Court of Justice and the United Nations General Assembly ruled that Britains continued control of the Chagos Islands was unlawful and that sovereignty must be returned to Mauritius. The UK was obligated to comply.

London did comply after extensive backchannel discussions involving Washington, and with India backing Mauritius decolonisation bid. Under the agreement, the UK will transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, while Mauritius will lease Diego Garcia back for military use under a 99-year lease.

There is no giving away" of Diego Garcia. The US is not losing access. The base will remain intact, operational, and legally secure. Trumps claim that American strategic interests are being abandoned is simply false.

Manufacturing a ChinaRussia Threat

Trumps second argument that China and Russia will exploit the situation recycles a familiar narrative he has deployed on Venezuela and Greenland. But the reality in the Indian Ocean tells a different story. There is no Chinese military presence anywhere near the Chagos Islands. There is no Russian footprint either. The dominant strategic reality of the Indian Ocean is not Beijing or Moscowit is India, which backed Mauritius in the talks with the UK.

A consistent advocate of decolonisation and a close partner of Mauritius, India backed the Chagos ruling precisely because it strengthens international law while preserving regional stability. New Delhi has shown no interest in destabilising Diego Garcia. The Chagos settlement with Mauritius only represents a legal correction.

The irony is hard to miss. In early 2025, the Trump administration fully supported the UKs decision to leave the Chagos Islands. Trump personally told Starmer he was inclined to go with your country" and expressed confidence that the deal would work out well. A formal US State Department statement followed, noting that the agreement secured the long-term, stable and effective operation" of the joint military facility at Diego Garcia. Nothing has changed since then, except Trump.

By pressuring the UK to withdraw from a deal that Parliament was preparing to ratify, he has reopened a politically sensitive debate in Britain. UK Conservative opposition figures have long opposed relinquishing the British Indian Ocean Territory. Desperate to retain the last remnants of the empire, they have actively lobbied Washington to intervene. With renewed vigour, thanks to Trump pulling away, opposition leader Kemi Badenoch, along with Nigel Farage and Suella Braverman, have rained down heavily on Prime Minister Keir Starmer for giving up" the islands. Starmer, now under pressure, is faced with a choice to either yield to Trumps veto or move forward with the deal without American agreement, which would rupture the US-UK strategic alliance.

Greenland Leverage at Any Cost

So how is Trump suddenly shocked" now? The answer is leverage. By weaponising Diego Garcia, Trump is attempting to pressure the UK on Greenland. He has long argued that the US must own Greenland outright, not merely have access to it.

By portraying the Chagos settlement as proof that allies cannot be trusted to safeguard American interests, Trump is advancing the narrative that sovereignty itself must be renegotiated in the name of security.

This is where the stakes rise sharply. Using one territorial issue as leverage for another normalises the idea that borders, treaties, and international rulings are transactional. If legally settled decolonisation agreements can be reopened for strategic bargaining, the international order that the US claims to champion itself weakens.

Should the UK be forced to abandon the agreement, relations with Mauritius would sour dramatically, triggering political upheaval on the island and further eroding Western credibility. The West already struggles to convince the Global South that it honours treaties and international law. This episode would only deepen that distrust.

Trumps rhetoric shows little regard for the Chagossians, for Mauritius, or for international law. It raises unsettling questions: could this lead to talk of detaching Diego Garcia altogether? Of annexation, justified in the name of national security?

Diego Garcia remains a vital hub for US military operations. It played a central role in campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan and supported strikes on Iranian nuclear enrichment facilities last year. None of this is under threat.

Yet despite the fact that this strategic presence is not under any real threat, Trump keeps opting for confrontation over diplomacy and manufacturing a crisis where none exists. These are not signs of a reliable power.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 15:58 IST

News opinion Finepoint | Trumps Risky Play On Diego Garcia: Greenland Politics Spills Into The Indian Ocean

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The transportation minister admits that vibrations reported on that route before the crash are not normal. A new report suggests the right rail was fractured before the train that derailed passed over it

Spains transportation minister, Oscar Puente, admitted on Wednesday the undeniable possibility that the cause of the train crash that claimed 43 lives in Adamuz (Cordoba) might lie in a faulty section of track, based on the bite marks detected on the running gear of one of the two trains involved in the accident, as well as on other trains that had previously traveled along the same stretch.

However, he insisted that, with the exception of human error, no hypothesis has been ruled out for now. Puente reiterated his view that this was an extremely complex accident, unprecedented in its kind, and denied any ties to an increase in railroad travel following the liberalization of the sector or to a lack of investment and maintenance.

On Friday, the first official report from investigators was released suggesting that the right rail was fractured before the Iryo train passed over it. This initial official report from the Railway Accident Investigation Commission (CIAF) explains that when a rail is broken, the weight of the train causes the section before the break to drop, and the wheel ends up hitting the step that has formed in front. The front wheels of the undercarriages of cars 2, 3, and 4 of the Iryo show marks consistent with this.

How significant are the vibrations that had been previously reported?

The minister admitted that the vibrations detected earlierwhich a train drivers union had already reported on that particular route and on othersand which some passengers had even recorded on video are neither normal nor acceptable. Experts and railroad drivers consulted by this newspaper described them as absolutely abnormal and indicated that they should have prompted a more thorough analysis of the track. However, none of them went so far as to directly link them to the accident. In any case, Puente ruled out a general audit of Spains railroad system: We believe that our network has been thoroughly reviewed in accordance with European regulations.

What do the breaks detected in the track indicate?

Regarding the damage observed on the tracks, the minister indicated that authorities still dont know for sure if its the cause, the effect, or partly cause and partly effect of the accident because many more sections of track had been found broken or twisted in addition to the stretch where the train is believed to have derailed.

Why did no representative from Iryo participate in the news conference?

Puente appeared before the press alongside Jose Alfonso Galvez, director of operations for the state-owned company Renfe (which operates the Alvia train that collided against the Iryo train), as well as Angel Garcia de la Bandera, head of traffic for Adif, a state agency that oversees Spains railway infrastructure. Asked why the presidents of both organizations were not present, the minister noted that sometimes presidents arent the best spokespeople. As for the absence of any representative from Iryo, the Italian company that owns the train that derailed, Puente said they had considered that possibility but ultimately decided against it.

What inspections were carried out on the track? What type of maintenance is the safest?

Both the minister and the Adif representative defended the prior inspections carried out on the track. Between October and November of last year, the infrastructure operator conducted three inspections of the section where the accident occurred and its safety components, including an inspection on foot by technicians from the public company. More recently, on January 7, a complete inspection of the switches at Adamuz was carried out. No faults were detected that could be related to the accident, concluded Adifs traffic director. Experts consulted by this newspaper point to improved maintenance of the ballast layer to increase safety and reduce track deformation, which results in jumps, vibrations, and tear and wear that force the yaw dampers to operate continuously. But that, they add, costs more money.

Why didnt the command center know that several train cars had fallen down an embankment when they spoke to the driver?

The three speakers detailed a sequence of events, down to the hour, minute, and second, in which one striking fact emerges: the command center was unaware that several cars from one of the two trains involved in the accident had fallen down an embankment. At the news conference, the officials explained that, in addition to being in contact with the train driverswhich wasnt possible in the case of the Alvia driver because he had already diedthey knew which section of the line each train was on, although it took time to learn the condition of each train. The three confirmed, in response to journalists questions, that when the Iryo train driver contacted the control center, the Alvia train that collided with the last cars  the ones that had derailed  had already passed by without him noticing. This is normal, the drivers explained, because it was nighttime, the driver was attending to other tasks, and the trains on that line travel at high speed.

Why were the train drivers both traveling at a speed much lower than the maximum allowed limit?

Puente completely ruled out human error, a reference to the drivers, who were both traveling, for reasons that have not yet been clarified, at speeds below the limit for this section of track (250 km/h or 155 mph)  one was going at 200 km/h and the other at 204 km/h. Given that the derailment occurred at the rear of the train and on a straight stretch of track, Puente emphasized, it was unavoidable on the part of the drivers. All other factors, he added, remain under investigation, but not human error.

Why did a train undercarriage show up in a stream without being cordoned off by police?

The discovery of one of the bogies (the structure that connects the axles and wheels of the train) from the wrecked Iryo train in a stream about 900 feet from the point of collision dominated many of the questions during the press conference. Puente indicated that the undercarriage most likely belonged to car number eight of the Iryo train, and denied that it was not being adequately guarded. Neither the New York Times nor Reuters [the media outlets that broke the story] discovered it. A drone was requested, and the Civil Guard captain explained to me that they had seen something resembling train wheels. Several people came down, confirmed that they were bogies, and both the Civil Guard and the CIAF (Railway Accident Investigation Commission) photographed and documented it. No one is going to take it away because it weighs ten tons and is in an extremely difficult-to-access area.

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From Red Fort To The Classroom: Why PM Modi Made The Girl Child A National Cause

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 11:47 IST

Over the past decade, Modi returned to the Red Fort ramparts eleven times on Independence Day to centre the girl child as emblematic of national progress.

Girls' secondary school enrolment has improved modestly, from 75.5 per cent to 79 per cent between 2014 and 2024. (Image: PTI, Shutterstock)

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme on a January morning in 2015, he chose not the sanitised confines of New Delhis bureaucracy but Panipat, Haryana, the ground zero of Indias demographic catastrophe. The states child sex ratio had collapsed to 819 per 1,000 boys.

What followed was not a typical welfare programme. Over the past decade, Modi returned to the Red Fort ramparts eleven times on Independence Day to centre the girl child as emblematic of national progress. This constancy and the refusal to let the issue fade transformed BBBP from a sectoral initiative into a political movement. The results suggest something important: sustained top-level messaging can reshape how a nation sees itself and its daughters.

The data bears this out. Indias sex ratio at birth improved from 914 in 2011 to 930 by 2023, a modest improvement numerically, but seismic demographically. The most striking change was seen in Haryanas Kurukshetra district, where the sex ratio swung from 743 to 980 in five years. Sonepat also moved from 808 to 939, showing reversals of long-term decline.

India has implemented gender-focused education programmes for over two decades. Yet enrolment gains had stalled. Girls secondary enrolment crept forward at a sluggish pace. What changed in 2014 was not funding, even though the resources invested did increase, but the location of the message. From the Red Fort, from the seat of national symbolism, Modi repeatedly questioned the patriarchal assumptions embedded in Indian homes. Why do parents interrogate their daughters about where they go, but never question their sons?"

The directness mattered. By positioning gender discrimination not as a development challenge but as a constitutional and moral failure, Modi reoriented how bureaucrats, states, and communities understood their obligations. State administrators understood that sex ratio improvement would be measured as competence. Districts that improved performance would receive recognition; those that lagged would face scrutiny. The message cascaded downward.

Within a year, 422 of Indias 640 districts showed improvement in sex ratio. By 202324, institutional deliveries had climbed from 61 per cent to 97.3 per cent, a transformation in maternal healthcare utilisation that reflects not merely infrastructure expansion but changed expectations about womens entitlements to safety. The first-trimester antenatal registration rose from 61 per cent to 71 per cent by 2020, suggesting that women in rural and poor households were exercising reproductive autonomy in ways the state had not previously witnessed.

Intersection of Messaging and Infrastructure

The programmes genius lay in combining political commitment with institutional delivery. BBBP targeted the 100 most gender-unequal districts initially, with concentrated resources and monitoring. It integrated anganwadi workers, ASHA health workers, and school teachers into a multi-sectoral machinery. But the machinery alone would have failed without the political weight above it.

Girls secondary school enrolment has improved modestly, from 75.5 per cent to 79 per cent between 2014 and 2024. Three percentage points. Yet its a hard-won shift: these girls are transiting through the years when dropout, early marriage, and household pressure typically claim them. The improvement occurred alongside near-universal toilet access in schools and sustained campaigns highlighting the girl childs economic value.

Critics derided the Selfie with Daughters" campaign as performative, but it actually served as a normative shift, making the girl child visibly present in public spaces. The Kanya Shiksha Pravesh Utsav re-enrolled 100,786 out-of-school girls. These initiatives seem incremental, but their aggregate effect was to reorient cultural misconceptions rooted in society.

By 2021, BBBP merged into Mission Shakti, linking gender equity to economic autonomy. The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, a dedicated savings scheme for girls, became more than an incentive; it helped the girl child to aspire. In North Gujarat, 4.5 lakh accounts were opened. Families were not merely incentivised to preserve girls lives; they were offered pathways to their education and security.

Where Success Remains Contested

The limitations warrant acknowledgement. Haryanas sex ratio declined to 910 in 2024, reversing earlier gains. Two hundred and eighteen districts either stagnated or declined between 2014 and 2019. Secondary education improvements, whilst real, remain marginal. Regional disparities persist: northern rural girls face marriage and dropout at rates substantially higher than their southern counterparts.

These gaps reflect the structural economics of the country. Where families face poverty, girls are often still derided as financial liabilities. BBBPs gains in health and primary education required minimal adjustment, but secondary education and labour force participation demands a fundamental restructuring of household priorities, which becomes a harder sell in regions where traditional marriage patterns persist.

Yet, the movement persists. And in no small part is an acknowledgement to the governments continuous messaging. No previous Indian Prime Minister had made gender discrimination a persistent theme across Independence Day speeches. No previous government had linked a welfare scheme so explicitly to national standing.

BBBP offers a replicable insight: sustained political commitment that is articulated from positions of symbolic authority often functions as social infrastructure. It creates space for bureaucrats to act without fear of reversal. It signals to communities that change is institutionalised, not ephemeral and generates competitive pressure among states and districts to improve outcomes.

The 12-point improvement in national sex ratio, the near-universalisation of institutional deliveries, the re-enrolment of over 100,000 out-of-school girls, and the opening of 4.5 million savings accounts for girls all bear the imprint of this commitment. Policy design alone could not have achieved this, and neither could funding alone. It was the combination of it all along with the symbolic repetition of the message from the nations oldest platform.

As Modi approaches his 12th Republic Day as Prime Minister, the BBBPs decade offers an instructive case study in how messages matter. The girl child, once symbolic of a nations shame, has been repositioned as emblematic of its promise. That transformation is the true measure of a decades work.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 11:47 IST

News opinion From Red Fort To The Classroom: Why PM Modi Made The Girl Child A National Cause

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Opinion | How Hindu Temples Are A Pillar Of Culture, Economy And Welfare

Written By :

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 23:23 IST

Hindu temples are not mere religious structures; they are centres of community service, employment generation, and public welfare

Ayodhyas transformation post-Ram Mandir has spurred infrastructure, hotels, and tourism, employing thousands. File Image

Two years since the historic Pran Pratishtha of Bhagwan Ram in Ayodhya, the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya stands as a symbol of faith, unity, and cultural revival. The grand temple, constructed in the traditional Nagara style, has drawn millions of devotees, transforming Ayodhya into a global pilgrimage hub. Yet, amid celebrations, voices criticise the focus on temple construction, questioning resource allocation in a developing nation. Critics often overlook the profound contributions of Hindu temples to Indias social, economic, and cultural fabric.

Hindu temples are not mere religious structures; they are centres of community service, employment generation, and public welfare. While some highlight the density of mosques and churches relative to Muslim and Christian populations, a closer examination reveals Indias unique religious harmony and the disproportionate contributions of Hindu institutions.

Places of Worship: A Comparative Perspective

Estimates of places of worship in India vary due to the inclusion of small shrines and unregistered sites, but reliable sources provide a broad picture. Hindu temples number around 700,000, with some estimates citing around 750,000 registered ones. Tamil Nadu alone has tens of thousands, reflecting deep-rooted traditions where even villages host multiple shrines.

Mosques are estimated at 600,000, making India home to one of the largest numbers globallythird after Indonesia and possibly Bangladeshdespite Muslims comprising about 14% of the population (around 200 million). Churches number in the tens of thousands for Indias 28-30 million Christians (2.3% of the population).

Per capita, this translates to roughly one mosque per 333 Muslims and one church per 1,000 Christians. For Hindus (over 1 billion), the ratio is one temple per 1,800 people. This density for minority communities underscores Indias secular ethos, allowing full religious freedom, contrary to the narratives being set forth by Muslim leaders and leftist journalists.

Contrast this with many Muslim-majority countries, where non-Muslim places of worship face restrictions. Saudi Arabia prohibits churches entirely, while others limit or discourage them. India, as a Hindu-majority nation, hosts hundreds of thousands of mosques and churches without such curbsa testament to tolerance rarely reciprocated elsewhere for HindusBangladesh and Pakistan are evident.

Revenue Usage: Welfare vs Other Priorities

A key distinction lies in institutional control and revenue utilisation. Many major Hindu temples fall under state government oversight through endowments acts, a legacy of colonial and post-independence policies. Unlike mosques (managed autonomously by Waqf boards) or churches (private trusts), temple revenues often fund broader public welfare.

Rich temples like Tirupati Balaji generate billions annually through donations. These funds maintain the temple, pay staff, and support extensive charity: free meals (annadanam) for lakhs daily, hospitals, universities, and schools. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) runs super-speciality hospitals, educational institutions, and disaster relief programmes benefiting all communities, apart from the employment generation to the huge pilgrims visiting each day.

Other templesSabarimala, Vaishno Devi, Somnath, Kamakhya, Swaminarayan Akshardhamsfollow suit, providing free food, healthcare, and education. Surplus from government-controlled temples sometimes supports secular schemes, though courts have ruled funds should primarily serve religious purposes, especially in Hindu society.

In contrast, Waqf properties (over 870,000, spanning millions of acres worth lakhs of crore) generate limited revenue (around Rs 200 crore annually), with allegations of mismanagement. Church organisations receive foreign funds, but some face scrutinythe government has blocked FCRA licences for certain NGOs over alleged use in conversion activities, raising concerns about priorities.

Economic Engine: Pilgrimages and Employment

Hindu pilgrimages drive massive economic activity. The temple economy is valued at Rs 5-6 lakh crore, contributing over 2% to GDP. Religious tourism accounts for 60% of domestic travel.

The Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj (2025) generated an estimated Rs 3 lakh crore, creating lakhs of jobs in hospitality, transport, and vending. Events like these boost local wages by 20-30%.

Ayodhyas transformation post-Ram Mandir has spurred infrastructure, hotels, and tourism, employing thousands. Sites like Varanasi (Kashi Vishwanath corridor), Haridwar, Kedarnath-Badrinath, Somnath, and Dwarka similarly revitalise regions. Temples sustain artisans, priests, farmers (through prasadam supplies), and small businesses, while running orphanages, cow shelters, and free schools/hospitals open to all.

Temples as Centres of Harmony, Not Division

Hindu temples promote dharmarighteousness, service, and inclusivity. They host interfaith events, provide aid during crises irrespective of faith & religion, and emphasise spiritual growth over proselytisation.

Concerns persist elsewhere: most of the madrasas face allegations of inadequate modern education or links to extremism, with some cases investigated. Certain Christian organisations have faced probes for foreign-funded conversion drives, seen by critics as targeting vulnerable communities, especially the tribal and marginalised society of Hindu communities.

Temples, by contrast, focus on Seva (service) without conditionality. They foster cultural preservation, mental well-being through rituals, and community bondingessential in a diverse nation.

To conclude, criticising the construction of temples ignores their irreplaceable role. As India marks the Ram Mandirs milestone, recognising temples as engines of welfare, economy, and harmony strengthens national unity. They are not luxuries but necessities for a balanced, prosperous society. Criticism for the sake of demeaning Hindus and their religious places is irresponsible and motivated.

Gopal Goswami (PhD) is a columnist, researcher and social worker. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the writer. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 23:23 IST

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Opinion | How Netaji Upset The Idea Of Independence By Consensus

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 19:29 IST

Netaji taught us that its price must be paid in blood willingly and smilingly, since independence is such a sacred thing to have

Bose never suffered from any illusion regarding the effectiveness of his military intervention from South East Asia.

Coming towards the end of the freedom movement, Netaji Subhas Chandra Boses military campaign to wrest India from the British not only generated a great sense of excitement and triggered a wave of patriotism, but has passed into history as a unique model of struggle. It leveraged the collective strength and commitment of expatriate Indians, experimented with the working of a civilian-military government, and left behind a legacy of stirring patriotic songs and speeches.

Bose never suffered from any illusion regarding the effectiveness of his military intervention from South East Asia. He saw it merely as a supplementary force" meant to aid the actual freedom struggle within India. He visualised the scenario in his address Why I Left India" delivered in Singapore on July 9, 1943

Indians outside India, particularly Indians in East Asia, are going to organise a fighting force which will be powerful enough to attack the British Army in India. When we do so, a revolution will break out, not only among the civil population at home but also the Indian Army which is now standing under the British flag. When the British government is thus attacked from both sides  it will collapse and the Indian people will then regain their liberty". (Selected Speeches of Subhas Chandra Bose, Publications Division, 1962, P.186-187).

As we know, no such revolution" ever broke out among the civilian population in India. The only violence that India saw subsequent to the Quit India Movement, 1942 was the communal orgy that accompanied the partition of India. Except for the Naval Mutiny (February 18-23, 1946) that erupted in Bombay and Karachi during the Red Fort trials of the INA personnel, the loyalties of the armed forces under the British command were not visibly affected. Between Victory-over-Japan Day (August 15, 1945) to May 31, 1947, the strength of the war-time Indian Army was successfully trimmed by 1.6 million, of whom 30,161 were British and Indian officers (PIB, July 2, 1947: More than 1607500 Demobbed from the Army). On October 18, 1947, General Rob Lockhart, Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, while addressing the officers of the Armed Forces in New Delhi, stated that the performance of the Army had been remarkable and reflected great credit on the officers and men" during the recent disorders (PIB, October 18, 1947: C-in-Cs Address to the Army Officers).

However, on the other hand, India moved towards independence in a methodical manner after the conclusion of the War in Europe in May 1945, even as the hostilities in the Asia-Pacific were on. The preparations to grant India self-government had actually begun under the Churchill government. On June 14, 1945, the Secretary of State, viz. Leopold Amery, in a statement in the House of Commons, proposed reconstitution of the Viceroys Executive Council by selecting executives from amongst the Indian leadership with a balanced representation of the main communities, including equal proportions of Muslims and Caste Hindus.

At around the same hour, taking advantage of 5  hours time difference between New Delhi and London, Viceroy Lord Wavell made his broadcast to the same effect on All India Radio. He spoke about reconstituting the Viceroys Executive Council, drawing representation from Hindus and Muslims, as an advancement towards self-government in India. He described it as an interim government", which in no way would prejudice the final constitutional settlement. He thus invited the Congress, the Muslim League, Master Tara Singh representing the Sikhs, Mahatma Gandhi, etc., for the conference at Viceregal Lodge at Simla (now Shimla). He stated that the appropriate time for the fresh elections to the central and provincial legislatures would be discussed in the elections.

These twin declarations in London and New Delhi antedate both the British general elections on July 5, 1945 (in which the Labour Party swept to power) and definitely the defeat and surrender of Japan on August 15, 1945, which finally sealed the fate of an already depleted Azad Hind Fauz. They prove that Winston Churchill was not absolutely impervious to the idea of Indias freedom as often alleged. However, the British were clear that the disengagement must be orderly, methodical, and fair towards all parties involved.

Netaji, on the other hand, did not clarify any constitutional roadmap towards Indias self-government. He was busy prosecuting a war of independence, and possibly thought it was not important to outline one. He hinted at a revolution by Indian people, but overlooked other knotty issues like communal settlement, prospects of princely states, etc. The British as a ruling power could not overlook them.

How one perceives the period between June 14, 1945 and August 14, 1947 as the hurried end or delayed departure of the British from India is a matter of opinion. Those who wish to overstate the impact of Netajis military campaign on the contemporaneous politics claim the British were forced to evacuate early fearing the erosion of loyalty of the armed forces. Others might feel that the British overstayed long enough to tutor the Muslim League in the art of partitioning. Both these views are equally unfounded.

While it is true that during World War II a large number of PoWs (Prisoners of War) had switched sides to join the Indian National Army (later called Azad Hind Fauz), out of genuine sense of patriotism, for better or worse this never had a domino effect on the bulk of the British Indian Army. The armed forces remained a loyal and disciplined force as the above compliment by General Rob Lockhart shows. This does not mean it was not a patriotic force. The likes of Major Somnath Sharma and Naik Jadunath Singh, who laid down their lives fighting Pakistani invaders in Jammu & Kashmir and were posthumously decorated with Param Vir Chakra, had earlier fought loyally on the British side in Burma during World War II. The British rule continued for more than a year after the conclusion of the Red Fort trials in May 1946. While no doubt the nationwide sympathy towards the INA PoWs left the British shaken, and they dared not carry out the sentences of the military court, the event in no way put the British into panic mode to quit India.

Still, the British exit could have been hastened if the Congress and Muslim League could have agreed on a political solution. Yet, as the Simla Conference (June 25-July 14, 1945) ended in a fiasco, the process got prolonged. The Labour Party  which achieved a resounding victory in the British general elections of July 5, 1945  accorded high priority to the transfer of power in India. To make a planned handover of power possible, the British oversaw the interim elections to central and provincial legislatures in 1945-46. The provincial legislatures thus obtained, indirectly elected by means of a single transferable vote, a Constituent Assembly meant to frame the Constitution of a free country.

Netajis whole case was based on the anticipation that the British would not grant India freedom even though the Congress and Muslim League came to a settlement. As he said in his broadcast dated September 12, 1944 (Warning Against Partition") from an undisclosed location in Burma 

Those who believe that a compromise between the Muslim League and the Congress will persuade Britain to grant India freedom are only deceiving themselves. That being so, I fail to see the necessity for a rapprochement between the League and the Congress. I am sure even if Pakistan is conceded, it will not solve our problem. The League will never fight the British as we do. All that it wants is the division of India into Hindu and Muslim states. There will be four Muslim States, which will remain under the influence of the British. So, instead of a single slave India, we shall have four different slave Muslim States aiding and abetting Britain. The British will ignore the Congress-League agreement if it is against their interest. They will not relinquish their hold upon India" (Selected Speeches of Subhas Chandra Bose, P.224-225).

However, things panned out in a different manner June 1945 onwards. Britain, after the conclusion of the War in Europe, initiated measures towards the attainment of self-government. However, as the failure of the Simla Conference proved, it was the stubbornness of the Muslim League and not British parsimony that stood in the way. Maulana Azad, the then Congress President, issued a statement after the failure of the Conference 

Two points arise out of the present situation. The first is that the attitude of the Muslim League has been responsible for the failure of the Conference. The second point which emerges from the refusal of the Muslim League is that it is for Lord Wavell to decide to go forward or not" (India Wins Freedom, P.136).

Azad says that in the past all discussions between the Congress and the government had failed on political issues, and never reached the communal question. The British were not willing to transfer power and the Congress was not ready to accept any solution that did not ensure Indian freedom. But at Simla, while Azad was able to persuade the Congress committee to accept Lord Wavells offer, the conference broke down over the question of communal representation in the new Executive Council (India Wins Freedom, P.131).

The British rule as it finally ended in India was through a political process rather than revolution or war. Whether a negotiated settlement was a good thing or a bad thing is again a matter of opinion. On the positive side, India was not left in a limbo by the departing British. There was an orderly transfer of power of the huge government machinery. The process of framing of a Constitution was set afoot.

On the negative side, this grant of freedom deprived us of the satisfaction of having wrested our independence. The last phase of the colonial rule was marked by communal bad blood, triggered by the Muslim Leagues demand for the partition. It might be recalled that the Muslim League had contested the Interim elections 1945-46 on the sole agenda of Pakistan" and attained remarkable success on the Mahomedan seats (under the Separate Electorate). The Muslim League members did not participate in the Constituent Assembly, which began its proceedings on December 9, 1946 to frame Indias Constitution.

On March 3, 1947, British Prime Minister Clement Attlee declared in the House of Commons the intention of the government to transfer power to Indians by June 1948. Thus it turned out to be a false alarm that the British would not transfer power except at gunpoint. To say that the British made a virtue out of compulsion due to their Pyrrhic victory in World War II is to state a half-truth. The British colonial rule did not collapse like a house of cards but embarked on an orderly pull-out. The French, the only Allied Power actually defeated by an Axis Power in World War II, did not give up their colonies in Africa and South East Asia as easily. Their departure from Vietnam and Algeria in the 1950s and 60s were marked by huge amounts of bloodshed. French President Charles de Gaulle faced several assassination attempts for his decision to grant Algeria independence in 1962. The most famous of them on August 22, 1962 by a member of OAS (Secret Army Organization) was turned into a famous novel (later into film) by Frederick Forsyth, viz. The Day of the Jackal. On the other hand, British army men obeyed Whitehalls political decision to give up the Jewel in the Crown" without murmur.

Thus one might ask, was Netajis military tactics absolutely necessary in the last phase of the independence movement? Were the British not giving India a responsible government under the Government of India Act, 1919; devolving political power to the Indians in the provinces under the Government of India Act, 1935? Thus why was it suspected that they would not concede self-government after the War  in defeat or victory?

Or was Boses own political position after quitting the Congress in 1940, and not finding success with the Forward Bloc, made his position as a civilian politician untenable, thus abetting him to take an extreme step to escape from India, and contact Germany and Japan to secure Indian independence? There is not an iota of doubt about his sincerity, bravery, and innovation. He was practically alone fighting the worlds biggest empire, and traversing half the globe by land, undersea, and air. He made thousands join this freedom struggle including those expatriates born abroad and not yet seen India.

What would have happened if Netaji had won is speculative. Could he have upended or bypassed the whole Congress infrastructure, and outsmarted the Muslim League to give a new kind of government? In hindsight perhaps it was not the politics of it, but the morale and emotion that count more. Netajis venture would continue to inspire generations. Whenever INA songs like Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja would play, people would stand up and salute. We might have got self-government even without Netajis campaign, but he taught us that we must pay the price in blood willingly and smilingly for the freedom that we plan to enjoy. He upset the model of independence by consensus because independence is such a sacred thing to have.

The writer is an author and independent researcher based in New Delhi. 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 23, 2026, 19:29 IST

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Opinion | Legal Storm Builds As HC Writ Challenges Framework Of Bangladeshs February 12 Polls

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 17:14 IST

The petition raises questions that strike at the heart of the countrys electoral and constitutional architecture

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The petition, filed by Supreme Court Advocate Nadim Ahmed, contends that the election environment has already been compromised. (AP File for representation)

A sweeping writ petition filed in the High Court Division  Writ Petition No. 1201 of 2026  has brought Bangladeshs upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and the planned national referendum under an unexpected and intense legal spotlight.

With less than a month remaining before voters head to the polls on February 12, 2026, the petition raises questions that strike at the heart of the countrys electoral and constitutional architecture.

The petition, filed by Supreme Court Advocate Nadim Ahmed, contends that the election environment has already been compromised by actions of senior government officials and by the alleged failure of the Election Commission to enforce the law.

Petition Claims Interim Government Has Stepped Beyond Constitutional Boundaries

The petition alleges that several advisers and figures within the interim administrationindividuals legally classified as government beneficiaries"have been publicly advocating for a Yes" vote in the upcoming referendum. These individuals, according to the petition, have appeared in media interviews, issued statements, and taken part in events that directly promote a specific referendum outcome.

Under the Election Code of Conduct (S.R.O 444/Ain/2025I) issued on 10 November 2025, such individuals are expressly prohibited from participating in any form of electioneering.

The petition states:

The neutrality of the interim government has been breached beyond repair".

Advisers have engaged in active and coordinated messaging".

Public institutions have been used to deliver political encouragement.

One senior constitutional scholar noted:

The legitimacy of an interim government does not come from electionsit comes from neutrality. If neutrality is compromised, the systems foundations weaken."

Government Website Allegedly Used for Political Persuasion

Central to the filing is the allegation that a government-operated website, www.gonovote.gov.bd, was created and used to urge citizens to vote Yes" in the referendum.

According to the petition:

The websites messaging is one-sided.

Government funds were used to promote a specific political outcome.

Public employees facilitated the content.

The platforms existence violates the Election Code and public trust.

Cyber governance experts say this marks a potentially new and problematic frontier.

Using state-backed digital platforms to guide public political behaviour is deeply concerning," said one digital policy specialist.

It undermines the boundary between citizen information and state influence."

Election Commission Accused of Silent Endorsement Through Inaction

The petition stresses that the Election Commission of Bangladesh was notified of these alleged irregularities in a Notice Demanding Justice dated 20 January 2026.

The petitioner claims:

The Commission received the notice.

No corrective action was taken.

No public statements were issued.

No investigation was initiated.

This alleged inaction is portrayed as a constitutional failure, with the petition citing violations of Articles 7, 11, 27, 31, 65, 119, and 122.

A former election monitoring officer remarked: If the Commission does nothing in the face of alleged violations, it effectively allows those violations to stand. Silence, in such cases, is consent."

Holding the Election and Referendum Together Seen as Legally Problematic

Another major argument in the petition is the decision to conduct the parliamentary election and the referendum on the same day, an approach the petitioner calls unprecedented, unwise, and unconstitutional."

The petition argues that:

Parliamentary elections rely on party competition.

Referendums require a depoliticised environment.

Combining the two risks distorting voter judgment.

The arrangement could influence both outcomes in unpredictable ways.

Political analysts say this concern is not unfounded.

When voters are asked to make two fundamentally different choices in a single political moment, confusion and influence become unavoidable," observed a political sociologist.

Article 91 of the RPO Cited to Request Suspension

To support its demands, the petition invokes Article 91 of the Representation of the People Order (RPO) 1972, a provision that allows the Election Commission to halt an election if free and fair conditions cannot be guaranteed.

The petitioner argues that the current situation meets this threshold, pointing to:

Executive interference.

A compromised administrative environment.

Misuse of public platforms.

Breakdown of neutrality mechanisms.

The relief sought includes:

Temporary halt of all election and referendum preparations. Scrutiny of the Election Commissions conduct. Disciplinary measures against officials who violated electoral laws. Clarification that simultaneous voting procedures violate constitutional norms.

Concerns Over Public Funds and National Confidence

The petition also emphasises the economic and social consequences of continuing with the vote under disputed conditions.

It argues that going forward with a compromised election would lead to:

Misuse of taxpayer resources.

Erosion of democratic legitimacy.

Long-term institutional distrust.

A governance analyst noted: Bangladesh cannot afford an election whose legitimacy is questioned from the moment it is held."

What the High Courts Decision Could Mean

The Court is expected to consider the matter soon. Potential outcomes range from:

Issuing a Rule Nisi.

Staying election and referendum preparations.

Directing the Election Commission to take corrective action.

Dismissing the petition entirely.

Whatever the Court decides, the petition has reshaped the national conversation about constitutional responsibilities, electoral neutrality, and the integrity of the February 12 vote.

As the political calendar moves forward, the coming days may prove decisive  not only for the election itself but for the broader democratic trajectory of the nation.

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 23, 2026, 17:11 IST

News opinion Opinion | Legal Storm Builds As HC Writ Challenges Framework Of Bangladeshs February 12 Polls

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Opinion | PM Modis Relentless Commitment To The Aspirations Of West Bengal

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 18:28 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently stuck to his welfare of West Bengal stance

The Singur address reiterates Modis commitment to West Bengals comprehensive revival and growth. File image

While laying the foundation stone of her much-touted Mahakal Mandir" in Siliguri, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was seen pouring milk from a tetra-pouch on the deity. Those who have most recently made fun of Prime Minister Narendra Modis Bangla pronunciation have naturally maintained a studied silence on Mamata Banerjees brazen act of disrespect.

In West Bengal, these days, if one is seen to be abrasive against Hindu beliefs and rituals, one scores brownie points with the ruling dispensation. Ones political and social prospects pick up and one is assured of being well taken care of. Those looking the other way when such an act of profanity was being committed by the Chief Minister were obviously concerned with their political prospects and future.

Mamata Banerjee has repeatedly and deliberately insulted Hindus and their faith. The question that is often asked is whether Mamata Banerjee is a Hindu or continues to remain one. Her increasingly erratic actions and mannerisms, while performing puja at Hindu temples and institutions, legitimise that question. Many people believe that she deliberately distorts Hindu, Sanatani rituals, in order to signal to her core vote-bank that she is not a practising Hindu and has to reluctantly perform these rituals.

The day she spoke of Sri Krishna Paramhamsa Deva" in a public meeting, millions of adherents of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhamsa Deva felt insulted. Mamata Banerjees cheerleaders, especially those she has hired with an Upper House berth in Delhi, and who tout her as the greatest Bengali" of the twenty-first century, conveniently hide the fact that their leader is incapable of uttering the revered and hallowed name of Sri Ramakrishna, often referred to as Sri Sri Thakur by the vast majority of Bengalis. They will not tell you that Mamata makes it a point to distort the sacred names of Sri Sri Harichand Thakur and Sri Sri Guruchand Thakur, and often savours that moment of distortion.

She derides iconic Hindu spiritual icons and thought-leaders, knowing well that she can get away with it. She never experiments with the names held sacred by her core vote-bank. She fears being dethroned.

Her Hindi is atrocious and Bangla is basic. She drops names of Bengali icons as if they were her hangers-on in the para  locality. She refuses, intentionally, to take their names with a certain decorum and reverence. Her reverence is only aimed at sustaining her vote-bank, without whom she faces political superannuation. She made it a point to order her police to wield the baton and arrest those who recently protested before the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata, against the atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh. Protesters were hauled up, sadhus who had joined the protest were beaten up, and a number of participants were detained.

Contrast this with her attitude towards her partys MLA from Farakka, Manirul Islam, who in 2022 had openly hosted the PFI and the SDPI, organised a route-march for its cadres and shared the stage with its leaders, delivering incendiary speech. Most recently she argued that since it was a Friday, it was but natural for the Islamists of Beldanga, in Murshidabad, to block the arterial NH-12 for over 30 hours and protest against the NRC. It is their way, what can I do about it", she publicly stated. That a Chief Minister could throw her hands up in this manner and prostrate before anti-national and anarchic elements indicated two things: either she has lost the plot, or that she has deliberately egged them on to show her power of unleashing anarchy.

During the 2021 Assembly elections, Mamata Banerjee drummed up the bogey of the outsider"  Bahiragato". She painted an entire non-Bangla speaking community, many of them from her own constituency, as harmful to the welfare and progress of West Bengal and Bengalis. On the sly, her party leaders went to the leaders and captains of this community to solicit support and election funds. Publicly she berated their presence and negated their contribution to West Bengal.

At the same time, resorting to a politics of delusion, she projected herself as a national leader with footprints all across India. That the TMC soon lost its national party status, and won fewer than NOTA votes in most states, was hushed up by her minions. So livid has the NRC process made her, that Mamata Banerjee has even accused the Indian Army, the Fort William Garrison, of conniving with the BJP to influence the NRC. An outlandish claim unparalleled in the annals of free India.

In the last fifteen years of ceaseless theatrics, Mamata Banerjee has avoided drawing a road map for the state. She has not articulated a vision for the states growth and industrial recovery. She has instead compelled closure of industry, lawlessness, isolationism and has displayed a disdain for aspirations.

Prime Minister Modi, on the other hand, has consistently stuck to his welfare of West Bengal stance. His most recent visit to the state on 17 and 18 January was the latest indicator of that approach. The flagging of the first ever Vande Bharat sleeper express from Howrah to Guwahati and the launch of a slew of trains again demonstrated his commitment to enhancing West Bengals connectivity.

His address at Singur, in Hooghly, the first by any Prime Minister, was symbolic, since it was in Singur that the future of West Bengals industrialisation took a nose-dive two decades ago. Modi insisted on the need to restore West Bengals industrial, manufacturing and connectivity heft. He spoke of the strength of each district of the state, which needed to be harnessed and synergised for its overall growth. He spoke of an actionable, credible, implementable and comprehensive road map for the state. The Singur address reiterates Modis commitment to West Bengals comprehensive revival and growth.

Instead of finding fault with Modis Bengali, a language with which he connects and is proud of, instead of trying, in vain, to pick holes in his undiluted and relentless commitment to the aspirations of West Bengal, and to the hope of restoring it as a pre-eminent state of the Indian Union, Mamatas minions would do well to convince her to spell out a vision for the state. Even if it is confirmed and certified gibberish.

The author is Chairman, Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation, and a member of the National Executive Committee, BJP. The 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 23, 2026, 18:28 IST

News opinion Opinion | PM Modis Relentless Commitment To The Aspirations Of West Bengal

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Opinion | When Paperwork Beats Physics: Is Bureaucracy Choking Indian Science?

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 20:42 IST

Today, a growing share of a researchers time is consumed not by experiments or theory, but by navigating bureaucratic checkpoints

Scientists should spend their hours solving equations, building instruments, and testing hypothesesnot proving to multiple offices that they are not misusing staplers. (Representational image: AI-generated)

Indias scientific institutions were born out of a rare compact between freedom and state support. In the early decades after Independence, scientists were trusted with extraordinary autonomy even as funding flowed from a tightly controlled government system. Giants like Homi Bhabha, Vikram Sarabhai, and Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar could move fast because authority rested with scientific leadership, not administrative machinery.

That balance no longer exists.

What has taken its place is an elaborate procedural ecosystemlayer upon layer of approvals, procurement portals, audit trails, financial heads, compliance schedules, and review committees. This is not merely a nuisance; it represents a deeper shift in power: scientific discretion has been displaced by administrative control. Today, a growing share of a researchers time is consumed not by experiments or theory, but by navigating bureaucratic checkpoints. Innovation, which depends on flexibility and speed, is quietly discouraged.

This is not an outsiders allegation. In its own 2022 self-assessment submitted to NAAC, the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) acknowledges that financial and administrative systems have become rigid and time-consuming, significantly diverting faculty attention away from research.

When Discovery Must Obey Accounting Cycles

Public debate often frames Indias research problem as a funding shortage. But funding alone does not guarantee results. What matters equally is how that funding can be used.

Once grants are sanctioned, researchers face narrow spending categories, slow approval for reallocations, and delayed fund releases. But science does not progress in neat budgetary phases. An experiment can suddenly demand more materials, an unexpected collaboration may require additional travel, or a promising direction may require scaling up a team. Financial rules that assume predictability clash directly with the reality of scientific exploration.

In such an environment, researchers begin to optimise not for bold ideas but for audit comfort. Grants turn into compliance projects rather than engines of discovery.

Even TIFRs report concedescarefully wordedthat better coordination with funding agencies is needed to allow flexible use of funds and timely disbursal.

Infrastructure Delays That Shrink Scientific Capacity

Administrative constraints also materialise as physical limits.

TIFR itself notes that student intake is restricted by space shortages, even though its faculty strength and research capacity could support far more scholars. A chronic lack of hostels and laboratories means fewer PhD students, fewer postdocs, and fewer collaborative projects.

One hostel project at the Colaba campus has reportedly been stalled for years due to procedural hurdles. Such delays are not trivial inconveniences; they directly cap how much research an institution can produce.

According to TIFRs own assessment, with adequate infrastructure, both research output and the number of highly trained scientists produced could be dramatically increased.

In other words, the bottleneck is not intellectual capacityit is institutional paralysis.

Where Innovation Goes to Die Quietly

Perhaps the most damaging consequence of this culture is its hostility to entrepreneurship.

Leading global research universities no longer treat commercialisation as a betrayal of academic values. Institutions like MIT, Stanford, Cambridge, and Max Planck actively help researchers convert discoveries into startups without forcing them to abandon academia. Even IITs and NITs in India permit faculty entrepreneurship under defined policies.

TIFR, however, operates under far tighter restrictions. Consulting, industry engagement, and commercial ventures require multiple approvals, and there is no internal incubation ecosystem that actively encourages startup formation. The implicit message is clear: serious innovation belongs outside the institution.

Patent data reflects this reality. In the five years before 2021, TIFR secured only 15 patentsremarkably low for an institution of its scientific reputation. Worse, the internal patent approval process reportedly takes several months, while peer institutions abroad often complete similar steps within weeks. What should be a strategic push becomes a procedural obstacle course.

The real loss is not to TIFRs reputation but to Indias innovation pipeline. Deep technology breakthroughs are born in research labs, not co-working spaces.

Control Without Trust

India today is not a fragile economy guarding scarce resources. It is a rising power seeking technological and strategic autonomy. Yet its governance model increasingly treats scientists as compliance risks rather than national assets.

Anti-corruption systems, while necessary, have evolved into blunt instruments that restrict legitimate scientific activity. In trying to eliminate misuse, they have also eliminated speed, flexibility, and initiative.

There are signs of course correction. In mid-2025, the central government acknowledged that mandatory procurement through GeM was hampering research and permitted alternative routes for specialised scientific equipment.

But piecemeal fixes are not enough.

What India needs is intelligent autonomy: not deregulation, but governance that distinguishes routine purchases from frontier research; approvals that are time-bound; automatic clearances when objections are absent; longer grant cycles; flexible budget heads; faster IP licensing; and explicit encouragement of entrepreneurship.

These are standard features in successful research systems worldwide. Their absence in India is no longer defensible.

The Choice Before Indias Research Institutions

Institutions like TIFRand Indias public research system more broadlynow face two clear paths.

One is to continue with command-and-control governance, procedural overload, and compliance-driven culture, accepting low innovation, weak commercialisation, and global irrelevance as the price of safety.

The other is to modernise internal processes, trust scientific leadership, reduce administrative choke points, and align governance with how science actually works in the 21st century.

Scientists should spend their hours solving equations, building instruments, and testing hypothesesnot proving to multiple offices that they are not misusing staplers.

When paperwork begins competing with physics for attention, the country does not fail loudly.

It falls behind quietly.

And by the time the consequences become visible, the opportunity has already passed.

The writer is an independent columnist who writes on international relations, and socio-political affairs. 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 23, 2026, 20:39 IST

News opinion Opinion | When Paperwork Beats Physics: Is Bureaucracy Choking Indian Science?

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Parakram As Statecraft: Netaji Would Have Approved Of Modi's India

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 14:43 IST

Both believed that a nation's moral standing comes from being strong. Both saw government as a tool for the people's will, not for crushing it.

Both Netaji and PM Modi rejected the idea that India should sit back and let others decide its future. (Image: PTI File)

January 23 comes around each year and India remembers Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. We call it Parakram Diwas now. Most people understand parakram simply as courage, the kind you find on battlefields. But Netajis idea of courage went beyond that. It was about the hard choices a leader makes when a nations freedom is on the line. When you look at how India has moved in the last ten years  especially on defence and how it handles itself on the world stage  something becomes clear. There is a philosophy running through these decisions. Netaji would have seen it, and he would have liked what he saw.

The comparison feels strange at first glance. Netaji lived through Indias struggle against the British. Modi leads India now, in a democracy, in the twenty-first century. The world they inhabited could not be more different. Yet, if you dig deeper into how they think about power and the state, the similarities are striking. Both believed that a nations moral standing comes from being strong. Both saw government as a tool for the peoples will, not for crushing it. Both rejected the idea that India should sit back and let others decide its future.

Who was Netaji really? Not the revolutionary icon from textbook illustrations. Historians call him a realist who thought like an idealist. He looked at the world without rose-tinted glasses. In his view, might mattered. Weak nations get pushed around. A country that cannot fight will not stay free. This put him directly against Gandhi. Gandhi was content to wait, to appeal to the conscience of the British, to believe non-violence would win the day. Netaji thought that was naive. He wanted action  immediately. He was convinced that modern technology and industrial strength were what gave a nation respect. He pushed for a government strong enough to make decisions fast and mobilise the country behind them.

Jump forward to what India has actually done in the past decade. The pattern is hard to miss. Uri happened in 2016. Pakistani militants hit an Indian Army base, killed nineteen of our soldiers. The Modi government responded in a way India rarely had before. Special forces crossed the border and struck back. Precise. Calculated. The message was not subtle: we are done absorbing these attacks and filing complaints. We hit back  hard. Then came Balakot, where Indian jets struck terrorist camps inside Pakistan. The world noticed.

Four years go by. June 2020. Galwan Valley. Chinese troops and Indian soldiers tearing into each other with bare hands. Twenty Indian soldiers died. Modis response did not hesitate. Within weeks, India had 50,000 to 60,000 soldiers on that frontier, staying year-round. China policy got rewritten from scratch. Sanctions. Investment restrictions. Economic pressure. The signal was just as clear: bring it on if you want. We will match you. The odds do not scare us.

Now fast forward to May 2025. Operation Sindoor. A terror attack in Pahalgam kills civilians. India decides enough is enough. What comes next is the biggest strike India has launched in fifty years. Missiles go deep into Pakistan. Terror camps get wiped out. Eleven Pakistani air bases get pulverised. The three servicesArmy, Navy, Air Forcework as one coordinated force. Modi says it straight: we will not accept nuclear blackmail. We see no difference between the government harbouring terrorists and the terrorists themselves. If Pakistan wants to exist, it has to get rid of the terror factories. There is no third option.

This is where Netaji and Modi align. Netaji wanted independent India to be a major player in a world run by power. He did not want India to play second fiddle or ask permission from other nations. Modis entire approach is built on that same foundation. Atmanirbhar Bharat sounds like a slogan but it is actually a strategy. The idea is simple: Indias security cannot depend on what foreign arms dealers decide to sell us or what pressures foreign governments put on us. When Modi pushed for Indian companies to build weapons and then made a point of saying Operation Sindoor used Made-in-India missiles, he was taking Netajis thinking and making it real policy.

There is something worth underlining here. A century ago, Netaji grasped something critical: if your security depends on foreign suppliers, you are not truly sovereign. He said India needed industry and technology to be genuinely free. Modi has grabbed hold of that idea. Last year, defence production in India crossed 1.54 lakh crore. The defence budget is now 6.81 lakh crore. Mission Sudarshan Chakra by 2035 means India will have its own air and missile shield, built by Indians. Modi has been direct with young engineers and scientists: develop our fighter jets, our engines, our weapons here. This is what Netaji meant when he talked about industrial nationalism. Modi is doing it with modern tools.

But strength without discipline is just noise. Netaji understood that. When you are strong, your choices have to be clear. The strikes against Pakistan were not emotional outbursts. They came after thinking, after planning, after the military leadership worked out what to do. Prime Minister Modis people say he asked all the options be put in front of him. He did not panic and act fast. But when the call came, he moved with conviction.

How both men thought about allies matters too. Netaji made deals with Germany and Japan during World War II. Not because he loved them but because they could help India when the British were weak. It was pure strategic calculation. Modi does the same thing. India works with America, Russia, Europe, even China nownot because of some grand ideological mission but because it serves India. India refuses to pick sides between Washington and Moscow. It does what helps India.

The way Modi has put India on the global map shows this independence. He fixed the India-US relationship but kept Indias freedom of action intact. He strengthened ties with Russia even when the West pushed back. He built relationships with Japan and Israel because they mattered. He made India into a bridge between the Indo-Pacific and Eurasia. These moves were not handed to him from some master plan. They came from one basic belief: India rises when it decides what is good for India, not when it follows what powerful countries want.

Netaji knew something fundamental: nations that cannot defend themselves do not stay free. He knew that hoping for international sympathy gets you nowhere. He believed that strength, used with wisdom and restraint, stops aggressors and gives you room to develop. Modis India lives by that logic now.

What does parakram actually mean in how a country runs itself? Not raw muscle. Not the loud chest-thumping that passes for strength. It is building real capability. It is knowing when to use that capability. It is having the spine to live with the results of your choices. It means grasping that in a world where power still talks, countries that cannot show strength end up on the margins.

Netaji is said to have died in 1945, two years before India became free. He never saw independent India. We can only wonder what he would think. But if he could look at how India behaves nowhow it handles defence, how it deters threats, how it guards its sovereigntyhe would recognise something. A nation that has finally learned the lessons he tried to teach a century ago. A nation that knows sovereignty has to be defended, not inherited. A nation that builds from inside first. A nation that does not wait for the worlds permission to protect itself.

That is the India Netaji would see. That is the India Modi has built.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 14:43 IST

News opinion Parakram As Statecraft: Netaji Would Have Approved Of Modi's India

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 14:15 IST

1 / 7 For over 20 years, Indian fans of Linkin Park have carried a quiet hope: that one day the band whose music defined their youth would finally perform on home soil. In January 2026, that dream becomes reality. The legendary American rock band is set to make its long-awaited India debut, marking a milestone not only for the group but also for the millions of listeners who grew up with their anthems. (Image: Instagram)

2 / 7 The band will kick off its India journey with a standalone concert in Bengaluru on January 23, followed by a headlining performance at Lollapalooza India 2026 in Mumbais Mahalaxmi Racecourse on January 25. These shows are more than just tour stops; they are the culmination of years of anticipation, planning, and fan devotion. (Image: Instagram)

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3 / 7 Dave Farrell, bassist of Linkin Park, revealed in an interview that India has been on the bands radar for decades. Its been on the table to play in India for 20 years, he said, acknowledging the passionate fanbase that has consistently reached out, traveled abroad to see them, and kept the connection alive. Mike Shinoda echoed this sentiment, calling Indian fans incredibly passionate and expressing excitement about finally bringing the bands live energy to them. (Image: Instagram)

4 / 7 The India debut comes during the bands From Zero World Tour, which marks their return to the stage after a long hiatus following the tragic loss of frontman Chester Bennington in 2017. Since 2024, Linkin Park has resumed touring with new vocalist Emily Armstrong and drummer Colin Brittain, joining longtime members Mike Shinoda, Joe Hahn, and Dave Farrell. This lineup bridges the bands storied past with its evolving future, offering fans both nostalgia and fresh energy. (Image: Instagram)

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5 / 7 For Indian audiences, Linkin Parks arrival is deeply symbolic. Songs like In the End, Numb, and Crawling were not just chart-toppers; they became emotional soundtracks for a generation navigating adolescence, identity, and change. The bands fusion of rock, rap, and electronic elements resonated across college campuses, underground music scenes, and mainstream playlists. Now, fans who once blasted their CDs or streamed their tracks late at night will finally experience the raw power of their live performance. (Image: Instagram)

6 / 7 Linkin Parks India debut also reflects the countrys growing prominence in the global live music circuit. With Coldplays Ahmedabad concert and Lollapaloozas return to Mumbai, India is increasingly seen as a frontier for international acts. The inclusion of Linkin Park underscores this shift, positioning India as a destination where global music culture thrives. (Image: Instagram)

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 14:19 IST

1 / 5 Brazil grows the most sugarcane in the world. The country alone produces 32.5 per cent of the world's sugarcane, or more than one-third. The farming machinery and technology are very good and the factories for making sugar and ethanol are also very big plus the climate here is also suitable for it. Sugarcane in Brazil is mostly grown in the south-central regions. Sugarcane production is very good in Sao Paulo, Goias, Minas Gerais. The soil and climate here are perfect for sugarcane, hence a very high yield is obtained here. (Getty Images)

2 / 5 India ranks second in the world in sugarcane production. It is a major cash crop in India. It provides employment to millions of farmers. Sugar mills also provide employment. It also supports industries such as jaggery and ethanol. (Image: AI-Generated)

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3 / 5 Uttar Pradesh produces the maximum amount of sugarcane in India. The soil here is very fertile and there is good water supply. Apart from this, sugarcane production is also very good in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh alone contributes a large part of India's total sugarcane. UP is also called the 'Sugar Bowl Of India'. (File Photo)

4 / 5 Sugarcane isn't just for sugar. It has many uses, including sugar production and jaggery production. Jaggery syrup is also used to make liquor and other products. Ethanol is also mixed with petrol to power vehicles. Sugarcane bagasse, the leftover fiber, is used to generate electricity and make paper. (Image: AI-Generated)

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 12:53 IST

1 / 7 In today's era, when we talk about 'work from home', people often think of data entry jobs paying Rs 15,000-20,000. But is it possible to earn Rs 1 lakh per month from home in 2026? When asked this question to today's smartest AI tool, 'Gemini', it said 'yes'. AI not only confirmed that this is possible but also presented a complete 'secret plan' or roadmap for it, based on India's rapidly changing digital market, reported News18 Hindi. (AI Generated Image)

2 / 7 In 2026, the speed of the internet and the power of artificial intelligence have transformed the job market. Now, to earn a hefty salary, you're no longer required to travel to the office, stuck in Bengaluru, or Mumbai traffic. The 'secret plan' revealed by AI involves developing high-demand but low-supply skills. If you're willing to put in the right effort, surpassing Rs 1 lakh isn't a pipe dream but a reality. AI has revealed some career options that can be done from home, meaning you don't need to leave your house. The best part is that these jobs can earn you lakhs of rupees. (AI Generated Image)

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3 / 7 AI-Powered Content Strategist: AI suggests that simply writing content won't be enough in 2026. There's a demand for people who can use AI tools to create content strategies. This includes optimising video scripts, blogs, and social media campaigns for companies using AI. Large companies are willing to pay Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakh per month to experienced remote content strategists. (AI Generated Image)

4 / 7 High-Ticket Online Consulting: If you're an expert in finance, legal matters, or business management, you can become a high-ticket consultant. You can charge Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 per hour by advising clients around the world via Zoom or Google Meet. According to Gemini, the "knowledge economy" will peak in 2026, where your advice is worth more than your hard work. (File Photo)

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5 / 7 Specialised Digital Advertising Expert (Performance Marketer): Running ads on Facebook, Google, and Instagram is now a basic skill. Performance marketers know how to turn Rs 1 spent on advertising into Rs 10 in profit. If you understand data analytics and consumer behaviour, you can easily surpass the Rs 1 lakh mark by connecting with multiple foreign clients through freelancing or remote work. (AI Generated Image)

6 / 7 E-commerce Automation Specialist: India is currently experiencing a surge in direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands. There's a significant shortage of experts to automate inventory management, logistics, and customer support for these brands. An e-commerce automation expert can manage 3-4 brands from home and charge a retainer fee of Rs 25,000-30,000 per brand. (Representative Image/File)

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The image captures the cruelty of Donald Trumps immigration policy. The five-year-old boy, dressed in a black-and-white checkered jacket and a blue hat, is escorted by an immigration agent, who is holding him by his Spiderman backpack. Fear is visible on his face. His name is Liam Conejo Ramos. He and his father, both asylum seekers, were detained at the entrance to their home in a Minneapolis suburb this week. The photo of little Liam has once again shocked a country that already saw a U.S. citizen shot and killed by another agent in the same city in early January.

Another round of protests is planned for this Friday in Minneapolis in response to the massive deployment of federal agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Border Patrol that the Trump Administration has maintained in Minnesotas most populous city for weeks. This time, organizers have called on residents to stay home from work and school as part of a massive walkout that will see more than 500 businesses and restaurants closed in solidarity with the states immigrant community. The day will also include a march in downtown Minneapolis, and similar actions have been organized in New York, Chicago, and Seattle, among other cities.

Todays protests add to those that have been taking place daily in Minneapolis since an ICE agent killed Renee Good on January 7 during an immigration operation. The constant clashes between protesters and immigration officials, who have attempted to quell the protests with tear gas, led President Trump to threaten to invoke the Insurrection Act, which would allow him to use the military to suppress an internal uprising or invasion. Currently, the Pentagon has more than 1,500 troops on standby for a possible deployment to Minnesota.

On Thursday, Vice President J.D. Vance visited the city that has become the epicenter of the resistance against the White Houses anti-immigrant crusade. In a brief appearance, flanked by ICE and Border Patrol agents, Vance defended the officers actions, including the detention of the five-year-old boy and the death of Renee Good. The men behind me are doing an incredible job, and frankly, much of the media is lying about the work they do every day, he stated, adding that many of them cant do their jobs without being harassed, doxxed, and sometimes assaulted.

Just as Trump has done, Vance blamed state and local officials for the chaos that has gripped the city. The reason why things have gotten so out of hand is because of the failure of cooperation from state and local authorities, he said. The vice president added that both the state governor, Tim Walz, and the mayor of Minneapolis, Jacob Freyboth Democrats who are being investigated by the Justice Department for allegedly interfering with the federally ordered immigration operationcould do a much better job of making life a little easier for ICE agents.

Regarding the detention of young Liam, Vance acknowledged that he was shocked to hear the news, but that after investigating the matter, he found that his dad was an illegal alien. And when they went to arrest his illegal alien father, the father ran. So, the story is that ICE detained a five-year-old. What are they supposed to do? Are they supposed to let a five-year-old child freeze to death? If the argument is that you cant arrest people who have broken our laws because they have children, then all parents would be granted total immunity from any law enforcement action and that makes no sense, he argued.

J. D. Vance at a press conference in Minneapolis this Thursday. CRAIG LASSIG (EFE)

According to a statement from Columbia Heights Public Schools, north of Minneapolis, Liam and his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, originally from Ecuador, were detained outside their front door Tuesday afternoon, just as they were returning from the boys preschool. After detaining the father, ICE agents asked Liam to knock on the door to see if anyone else was inside the house, using a 5-year-old as bait. Another adult who lived in the house and was not home at the time pleaded with the agents to let Liam stay with them, according to the school district, but they refused.

According to sources cited by CNN, Liam and his father are being held at a family immigration detention center in Texas. In addition to Liam, immigration authorities have detained at least three other children from the same school district, including a 10-year-old girl.

A multilayered tragedy

Although Vance did not address Goods death at the hands of an ICE agent during his remarks on Thursday, a reporter asked him if he still believed the officer who shot him enjoyed absolute immunity, as he asserted after the shooting. The vice president maintained that no one in the Trump administration said that agents who commit wrongdoing would enjoy immunity. Thats absurd, he stated, despite the fact that the administration has used those exact terms in recent days.

Sometimes theyre accused of wrongdoing and it turns out when you learn the context they didnt actually do anything wrong. But of course were going to investigate these things. Of course were investigating the Renee Good shooting, but were investigating them in a way that respects peoples rights, he added. The vice president called the womans death a tragedy but repeated the official line, that she rammed an ICE officer with her car.

The tragedy here is multilayered. The tragedy is there was a misunderstanding, the tragedy is that Renee Good lost her life, and the tragedy is that there are ICE agents entering communities where they are worried that if they call 911, no one will come to their aid, the vice president emphasized.

An autopsy commissioned by Goods family determined that the poet and mother of three suffered three gunshot wounds, including one to the head, according to her lawyers. One of the wounds affected Goods left forearm, while another bullet struck her right chest. A third bullet entered the left side of her head, near her temple, and exited on the right side.

Bullet hole in the windshield of Renee Nicole Good's car in Minneapolis on January 7. Tim Evans (REUTERS)

The shooting more than two weeks ago, along with another one that took place on January 21, just a week after Goods death, as well as the constant raids, which, according to the Department of Homeland Security have resulted in more than 3,000 arrests, have brought Minneapolis to a breaking point. While the city awaits Trumps decision regarding the troops he is keeping on standby for possible deployment, a federal appeals court has authorized officers to use force in response to protests.

In a one-sentence order Wednesday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit granted the Republican administrations request and suspended a district judges ruling last Friday that restricted actions officers could take against protesters. Judge Kate Menendez ordered them not to retaliate against people engaging in peaceful protest activities, and prohibited them from using pepper spray or other crowd dispersal tools, or from arresting individuals who are not obstructing or forcibly interfering.

The government argued in its appeal that Menendezs order harmed the ability of (Department of Homeland Security) agents to protect themselves and the public in very dangerous circumstances.

Circumstances like those that occurred last Sunday in St. Paul, a city neighboring Minneapolis, when a group of protesters disrupted a church service, believing the pastor to be an ICE agent. The Justice Department announced Thursday that three people were arrested in connection with the incident. Authorities also attempted to file charges against former CNN journalist Don Lemon, who was working as a freelance reporter alongside the protesters at the church. But according to national media reports, a federal judge refused.

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 13:27 IST

1 / 10 Every city has traffic, but in some Asian cities, the daily journey to work feels endless. What starts as a short distance often turns into an hour-long struggle on packed roads and trains. People leave home early, return late, and lose precious time every single day. This silent problem affects health, family life, and work balance. Based on user-shared data from Numbeo, here is a look at Asian cities where commuting takes the longest, and why these numbers matter more than you think.

2 / 10 The commute times come from Numbeos Time Index, which uses data shared by everyday users. It shows the average one-way travel time to work in minutes. While the numbers may not be exact for everyone, they reflect real daily experiences. Across Asia, growing populations and slow infrastructure growth have made travel harder. Long commute times are now a major sign of how difficult city life has become. These figures highlight a shared challenge faced by millions of workers every day.

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3 / 10 Dhaka, Bangladesh - 60.2 Minutes

Dhaka tops the list with the longest commute time in Asia. Many residents spend over an hour just travelling one way to work. Heavy population, narrow roads, and mixed traffic of buses, cars, and rickshaws slow everything down. Traffic jams are part of daily life in this crowded capital. With limited road space and rapid growth, commuting in Dhaka has become a daily test of patience for most workers.

4 / 10 Colombo, Sri Lanka - 59.5 Minutes

Colombos location near the coast limits how the city can expand. This forces traffic into a small network of roads, creating daily bottlenecks. Rapid urban growth and more private vehicles have added to the problem. Even short distances can take a long time during peak hours. Despite being smaller than many Asian capitals, Colombos commute time is close to an hour for many residents, making daily travel tiring and stressful.

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5 / 10 Kolkata, India - 59.4 Minutes

Kolkata struggles with old infrastructure and narrow streets built for a different era. A large population depends on roads, suburban trains, and the metro system. While trains help many people, road traffic remains slow, especially during rush hours. Monsoon rains often make the situation worse. As a result, daily commuting in Kolkata takes nearly an hour for many workers, adding pressure to already busy lives.

6 / 10 Delhi, India - 57.5 Minutes

Delhi has one of Asias largest metro networks, yet traffic remains a major issue. The city has expanded far beyond its original limits, increasing travel distances. Many commuters use a mix of cars, buses, autos, and the metro. This constant switching adds to travel time. Road congestion, especially during office hours, keeps average commute times close to an hour despite improved public transport options.

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7 / 10 Sharjah, United Arab Emirates - 57.2 Minutes

Sharjahs long commute times are closely linked to Dubai. Many residents live in Sharjah but work in Dubai, leading to heavy daily highway traffic. This inter-city travel causes long delays, especially during peak hours. For a city of its size, the commute time is surprisingly high. The daily movement between the two cities has turned major roads into slow-moving stretches for thousands of workers.

8 / 10 Mumbai, India - 55.1 Minutes

Mumbais geography plays a big role in its traffic problems. The city is squeezed between the sea and hills, leaving limited space for roads. Millions rely on suburban trains, which are often overcrowded. Long distances between homes and offices add to travel time. Even with public transport, many workers spend nearly an hour commuting, making it one of the toughest cities for daily travel in India.

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9 / 10 Bengaluru and Jakarta - Over 53 Minutes

Bengaluru, known as Indias tech hub, has grown faster than its road network. Office areas spread across the city create nonstop traffic during peak hours. Jakarta faces similar issues with heavy road use and a large city area. While new metro systems are helping, progress is slow. In both cities, commuters still spend over 50 minutes travelling one way, making daily life exhausting.
Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 12:43 IST

1 / 10 What makes a river powerful? Is it how long it flows, how much water it carries or how many lives depend on it every single day? Some rivers do more than shape land, they shape history, trade and civilisation itself. Long before roads, bridges or railways existed, one river carried goods and ideas across vast regions. Even today, it remains essential to modern industry and transport, proving its influence.

2 / 10 The river is named the Yangtze. It is one of the most influential rivers in the world. Stretching for around 6,300 kilometres, the Yangtze river is the longest river in Asia and a vital river system globally. Long before bridges crossed it or trains ran along its banks, people relied on ferries to travel and trade. Over centuries, the river carried goods, connected regions and played a central role in shaping economic and social life.

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3 / 10 What makes the Yangtze especially unique is that it flows entirely within China. Unlike rivers such as the Nile, Amazon or Danube, which pass through multiple countries or form international borders, the Yangtze remains a fully domestic river. From its source to its mouth, it never leaves Chinese territory. This rare geographic feature gives it exceptional national importance and links it to Chinas history and development.

4 / 10 The Yangtze begins its journey on the Tibetan Plateau, one of the highest regions on Earth. From there, it flows eastward across the country, passing through mountains, valleys, fertile plains and major cities before reaching the East China Sea near Shanghai. Along its path, the river supports agriculture, industry, transport and ecosystems found nowhere else.

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5 / 10 In terms of water volume, the Yangtze is among the worlds giants. It is the fifth-largest river globally by discharge. Between 1955 and 2021, its estuary recorded an average annual flow of about 995.8 cubic kilometres of water, which equals roughly 31,550 cubic metres per second. This massive flow is the reason for its importance in shipping, energy generation and industrial activity.

6 / 10 Even today, the Yangtze is closely monitored and carefully managed. The river is gauged at Datong. It is the last major monitoring station before it reaches the estuary. Data from this point helps regulate water use, flood control and navigation. Centuries after shaping ancient civilisations, the Yangtze remains a backbone of transport, industry and natural balance in modern China.

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7 / 10 For nearly 4000 years, the Yangtze River stood as a natural divide between northern and southern China. Until the mid-1900s, crossing it was a logistical challenge, with ferries being the only link across vast stretches. Train passengers once landed, crossed by steam ferry and resumed their journey on the opposite bank. This highlighted the rivers sheer scale and dominance.

8 / 10 A turning point came after 1949, when modern China began physically bridging this historic barrier. The Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge, completed in 1957 with Soviet assistance, became the first permanent crossing over the river. Subsequent bridges in cities like Chongqing and Nanjing transformed the Yangtze from an obstacle into a vital transport backbone.

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9 / 10 Beyond infrastructure, the Yangtze basin is an ecological treasure, home to rare and endemic species such as the Chinese alligator and the finless porpoise. It once sheltered the now-extinct baiji dolphin and Chinese paddlefish. However, unchecked industrial growth, polluted runoff, plastic waste and wetland loss have impacted the rivers health despite the conservation zones and UNESCO-listed areas attempt to prevent the damage.
'DMK Insulted Lord Murugan, Didn't Even Spare Courts': PM Modi On Tamil Nadu Deepam Row

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 17:55 IST

PM Modi's remarks came amid a raging row over the lighting of Karthigai Deepam lamp at the Deepathoon (stone pillar) of the Thiruparankundram Murugan temple.

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PM Modi attends a massive public rally in Madhuranthakam, Tamil Nadu. (PMO)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday blasted the DMK government over the row concerning the lighting of Karthigai Deepam lamp, accusing the MK Stalin-led government of insulting Lord Murugan and even the courts. He said his party upheld faith and traditions, while accusing the ruling DMK of attempting to politicise a religious issue for electoral advantage.

Addressing a public rally in Madhuranthakam, Modi said, We not only talk about Tamil culture, we work to protect it. A few days ago, when a controversy broke out over the lighting of Lord Murugans lamp, our leaders raised the voices of devotees."

However, DMK and its allies did not even spare the courts to appease their vote bank. They insulted the courts. If there is the biggest enemy of Tamil culture, its the DMK. They wanted to betray Lord Murugan," he added.

His remarks came amid an ongoing controversy over lighting a lamp at the Deepathoon atop the hill of the Thiruparankundram Murugan temple. Although the Madras High Court directed the state government to make arrangements for lighting the lamp at the pillar, the DMK declined to comply with the order, citing law and order concerns.

READ MORE: Corruption, Mafia And Crime: PM Modi Attacks DMK Govt As He Sounds NDAs Poll Bugle In Tamil Nadu

Whats The Controversy?

The appeals arose from a December 1 order passed by HC judge Justice GR Swaminathan, who had allowed a petition seeking directions to light the ceremonial lamp on the occasion of Karthigai Deepam at the hilltop stone pillar. The order, however, was not implemented after the authorities cited possible law-and-order concerns.

The DMK moved an impeachment motion against Justice Swaminathan for allowing the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam lamp, claiming that the judges decision risks communal tension.

Earlier this month, the Madras High Court upheld the right of the temple administration to light the lamp at the stone pillar, rejecting fears of law and order issues and criticising the States opposition to the practice. The court warned that such unfounded fears only create mistrust between communities.

The Tamil Nadu government had earlier said it would move the Supreme Court to challenge the Madurai bench order. The BJP accused the DMK of targeting Hindus and Sanatana Dharma.

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Location : Tamil Nadu, India, India

First Published: January 23, 2026, 17:55 IST

News politics 'DMK Insulted Lord Murugan, Didn't Even Spare Courts': PM Modi On Tamil Nadu Deepam Row

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PM Modi Congratulates BJP's First Mayor In Kerala During His Visit To Thiruvananthapuram

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 14:58 IST

PM Modi congratulated VV Rajesh, the first BJP mayor of Thiruvananthapuram, during his Kerala visit, sharing wishes and photos on X after BJP won 50 of 101 wards in civic polls.

BJP leader V V Rajesh was elected mayor of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation on December 26. (Photo: X/@narendramodi)

PM Modi on Friday congratulated the first BJP mayor in Kerala, VV Rajesh. He was elected mayor of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation on December 26 after the saffron party won 50 of the 101 wards. During his visit to Kerala, PM Modi congratulated Rajesh in person and shared pictures with him on X.

PM Modis post on X reads: Personally congratulated Adv. VV Rajesh Ji on becoming the Mayor of Thiruvananthapuram. Wished him every success as he and his team work towards bringing positive change, responsive governance and renewed momentum to the citys development."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in poll-bound Kerala on Friday. He addressed multiple public meetings and launched several developmental projects. This is PMs first visit to the state after the BJP won the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation from the LDF, in the recent civic poll.

VV Rajesh, a seasoned politician and lawyer, took oath as the mayor of Thiruvananthapuram after BJP defeated the Left.

PM Modi In Kerala

During his visit, PM Modi interacted with a delegation of the Akhila Kerala Dheevara Sabha. Sharing the images of the meeting, PM praised the organisations work in the welfare of fishermen.

An excerpt from PMs post on X reads, Over the last decade, the NDA Government has worked extensively for fishermen. Our emphasis has been on ensuring better markets and technology for them. This work will continue with greater vigour in the coming times."

It was a delight to interact with a delegation of the Akhila Kerala Dheevara Sabha. Exchanged perspectives on issues relating to Keralas progress. This organisation has been doing commendable work in furthering the welfare of fishermen.Over the last decade, the NDA Government pic.twitter.com/KqqMfogT3l  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 23, 2026

The PM also met Swamis associated with the Sree Narayana Dharma Sanghom Trust, Sivagiri Mutt, Varkala.

Met Swamis associated with the Sree Narayana Dharma Sanghom Trust, Sivagiri Mutt, Varkala. Their dedicated work in the fields of social service, education, spirituality and community welfare has made a lasting contribution to our social fabric.Rooted in the timeless ideals of pic.twitter.com/QsxEOh553n  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 23, 2026

PM Modi also launched the PM SVANidhi Credit Card and disbursed PM SVANidhi loans to one lakh beneficiaries.

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Location : Thiruvananthapuram [Trivandrum], India, India

First Published: January 23, 2026, 14:58 IST

News politics PM Modi Congratulates BJP's First Mayor In Kerala During His Visit To Thiruvananthapuram

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Violence Being Incentivised: BJP Fumes Over TMC's Grand Welcome To Farakka BDO Attack Accused

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Last Updated: January 22, 2026, 19:10 IST

The BJP leader alleged that under Mamata Banerjees leadership, those obstructing Election Commission officials during SIR work were being protected and encouraged.

BJP leader Amit Malviya (Credits: X)

BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the Trinamool Congress, alleging that those accused in the vandalism of the Farakka Block Development Officer (BDO) office were being rewarded instead of punished.

Referring to the recent incident, Malviya said the accused, who were charged with damaging government property and attempting to cause serious injury to officials on duty, were released on bail within a week. He alleged that rather than facing condemnation, they were publicly honoured.

He also shared a video where they can be seen walking wearing garlands.

The BJP leader claimed that under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees leadership, individuals who obstructed officials deputed by the Election Commission for Special Intensive Revision (SIR) work were being protected and encouraged.

The accused, charged with ransacking government property and attempting grievous injury to government officials on duty, are out on bail in less than a week. And instead of condemnation, they are being garlanded. Let that sink in," he wrote.

Under Mamata Banerjees watch, those who violently obstruct officials deputed by the Election Commission for SIR work are not just being shielded, they are being openly incentivised," he added.

This is how the TMC rewards those who attacked the Farakka BDO Office.The accused, charged with ransacking government property and attempting grievous injury to government officials on duty, are out on bail in less than a week. And instead of condemnation, they are being pic.twitter.com/ySkMErv7iP  Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) January 22, 2026

Malviya argued that the episode sent a dangerous signal, suggesting that attacks on constitutional authorities in West Bengal come without consequences if the perpetrators are linked to the ruling party. He alleged that the rule of law was being openly undermined, while political patronage was extended to those accused of violence.

This is not governance. This is a message. A message that attacking constitutional authorities carries no consequences in Bengal, only political patronage. A message that lawbreakers aligned with the ruling party enjoy immunity, while the rule of law is mocked in public," said the BJP leader.

He further warned that West Bengal is being pushed towards administrative anarchy, where violence is celebrated, and the state machinery stands compromised.

The remarks come in the backdrop of the vandalism at the Farakka BDO office, where a Special Intensive Revision hearing had to be halted after a group allegedly forced its way into government offices, damaged property and disrupted official work. The incident took place in the presence of local political figures and sparked questions over the lack of immediate police action.

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Location : West Bengal, India, India

First Published: January 22, 2026, 18:32 IST

News politics Violence Being Incentivised: BJP Fumes Over TMC's Grand Welcome To Farakka BDO Attack Accused

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Big iOS 27 Changes: Apple Could Turn Siri Into AI Chatbot Like ChatGPT

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 07:40 IST

Siri is getting a major overhaul not once but twice this year and Apple will seek Google's support to make it work.

Siri could become an AI chatbot like ChatGPT in 2026

Apple is going to bring its new-look Siri AI version in the next few months but the company seems to be planning for something bigger which we could see when the iOS 27 update rolls out later this year. A new report claims Apple will use the AI Siri version as a placeholder for a few months and it will replace the existing Siri with an AI chatbot version.

Bloomberg has mentioned that Apple is finally going the ChatGPT way with Siri and the overhauled AI chatbot will be rolling out with the iOS 27, macOS 27, and the iPadOS 27 versions.

Googles AI Powering Apples Siri

The report further mentions that Apple is internally calling this AI chatbot Campos, but the public version will be Siri again. The company can easily look to move beyond the current branding and give its AI push a fresh start but it seems like Siri is here to stay for the foreseeable future. Apples new Siri will be a standalone app that will work within Apple devices and just like Gemini on Android phones, you can call out Siri for any kind of assistance.

This new AI chatbot will be powered by the custom Gemini AI model that Apple and Google are working on with their reported deal which has been in the news for the last few weeks. The new Siri avatar will do everything that Gemini and ChatGPT offer for their users.

You can make it search on the web, generate AI images using prompts, analyse documents or even allow Siri to read content through your camera. Furthermore, this Siri will be integrated with other Apple products and it will cater to both text and voice-based conversations.

The report says Apple could unveil this new-gen Siri at the WWDC 2026 this year and before that we could see the iOS 26.4 update offering the much delayed Siri update for iPhone and other Apple devices.

The company needs a strong AI push and the Siri AI reboot with a lot of help from Google (for which it will be paid) could show the world that Apple finally means business.

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Location : Cupertino, California, USA

First Published: January 23, 2026, 07:40 IST

News tech Big iOS 27 Changes: Apple Could Turn Siri Into AI Chatbot Like ChatGPT

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Indian Entrepreneur Goes Blinkit-Free For 5 Months, Realises 10-Min Delivery Removed Planning From Life: They Run For Our Cravings'

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 07:00 IST

The woman shared a detailed post about going nearly five months without using Blinkit, Zepto or any quick-commerce app after moving from India to France.

Blinkit announced that it was ending the 10-minute delivery deadline, signalling compliance with the government's advisory. (PTI)

Quick-commerce apps have become part of everyday survival in many Indian households. Groceries arriving in minutes, last-minute ingredients delivered without thought and errands resolved with just a tap. So much so that for many, imagining life without these platforms almost feels impractical. But for one woman, living without them wasnt a choice; it was a circumstance that led to a pause.

Saloni Srivastava, a marketer at HustlePost Academy and a YouTuber, recently shared a detailed Instagram post about going nearly five months without using Blinkit, Zepto or any quick-commerce app after moving from India to France. In her post, she focused on how this pause made her rethink the convenience she had taken for granted and offered her a new perspective on planning, consumption and the invisible labour" behind instant deliveries.

Entrepreneur Doesnt Use Blinkit, Zepto

Saloni Srivastava begins by clarifying that her absence from quick-commerce apps wasnt driven by protest or principle. As she wrote, Not because Id taken a stand against quick commerce, or because Im a cool person with an impressive moral backbone."

The reason, she explained, was simple: I had just moved to a country where a service like this was simply not available."

Back in India, Blinkit had become an unspoken part of her daily life. It felt normal. Necessary, even," she noted.

That sense of normality began to shift once she adjusted to life in France.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Saloni Srivastava (@salonisrivastavaofficial)

A Different Habit Shaping Up In France

In France, Saloni described how grocery shopping follows fixed hours, with almost all stores and restaurants shutting down on Sundays. So, you really dont have the option to shop impulsively whenever you want. You must pause, think about what you might eat over the week, make a list, and then go buy the groceries, keeping all that in mind," she mentioned.

Before leaving India, she admits she was worried that doing this every day would feel like a logistical nightmare." Five months later, her conclusion was surprisingly fine."

Living without instant delivery made her realise how deeply convenience had removed planning from her life. As she explained, Blinkit didnt just deliver groceries to me. It removed planning from my life."

I didnt have to think ahead. I didnt have to anticipate hunger or boredom or anything else I may need. Everything could be decided in the moment and resolved instantly. It felt liberating, even indulgent," the post mentioned.

Why Quick Commerce Scaled In India

With distance, Saloni says she became aware of the invisible labour" absorbed by others to sustain that effortlessness. At the same time, she acknowledged why quick-commerce apps flourished in Indian cities.

Poor urban infrastructure, unreliable footpaths, traffic-heavy neighbourhoods and exhausting workdays make even basic errands difficult. In that context, these platforms addressed genuine gaps.

So these apps didnt just magically appear in our lives, they solved a very real problem," she noted.

These Apps Created Jobs For Many

Saloni is careful not to label these companies as villains. She pointed out that they have created employment at a scale the government has failed to provide. What was designed as part-time gig work is currently the only thing feeding millions of families in India."

For many delivery partners, this work isnt a choice among many different employment options It is the ONLY option available to MANY of them," she stated.

She highlighted that the exploitative nature of this reality: delivery workers lacking access to basic necessities like clean toilets, paying upfront for uniforms and racing against time for minimal pay.

If any white-collar gig demanded money before the job started, wed all label it a scam within minutes," the YouTuber further said.

A System That Runs On Government Failure?

Saloni contrasted Indias gig economy with developed countries, where such work is usually taken up by students or full-time workers seeking supplemental income, not survival.

In India, can we realistically imagine an Infosys fresher engineer or a college student working as a delivery partner in off-hours, just to make some additional income as a side hustle?" she questioned.

According to her, the system persists not because of individual cruelty but due to government failure and collective acceptance. Its just the sort of clarity that only distance can provide," she wrote.

When she lived in India, these apps felt not just useful, but genuinely impressive." It was only after stepping outside that ecosystem that she began to see the strain beneath it.

Our government failed to give us walkable, traffic-free roads, and also failed to give viable employment opportunities to a lot of people, and so these tech companies came and fixed both of these for us. It felt modern. Efficient. Necessary. I didnt question it because it seemed to answer a need I experienced every day," she explained.

Someone Else Carrying Burden Of My Urgency

Saloni said that living without quick commerce hasnt made life harder. It has simply made it slower in small, human ways," noting, I think ahead. I plan meals. I miss an ingredient sometimes and adapt. None of this feels like deprivation at all."

She now thinks that the ten-minute delivery was only created a sense of urgency in my life, the burden of which someone else had to carry."

The delivery worker had to race against the clock to fulfil my midnight craving of chips and Coke, simply because I refused to plan ahead like an adult. The faster they moved, the more they made. So they rushedoften through potholes, endless traffic, and poisonous air, all for just 20 rupees," the post stated further.

While she doesnt argue against the existence of delivery services, she questioned whether such speed is truly necessary, noting, We lived perfectly well with next-day delivery before 2022, back when these apps didnt exist."

The only things that we truly need to arrive in ten minutes are ambulances and police, no?" she asked.

She further questioned: What have we normalised in the name of convenience, and who is paying for it when were not looking?"

In the end, Saloni clarified that she doesnt claim to have neat solutions." She said that taking a little time to plan her meals and shopping has cost her very little personally but it can make a real difference for delivery workers who no longer have to rush through traffic to satisfy momentary craving."

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 07:00 IST

News viral Indian Entrepreneur Goes Blinkit-Free For 5 Months, Realises 10-Min Delivery Removed Planning From Life: They Run For Our Cravings'

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Amid Trumps Tariff Threats, UK Names Indian-Origin Varun Chandra As Trade Envoy To US

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 22:56 IST

Keir Starmer appoints Varun Chandra as UK special envoy to the US, aiming to boost trade ties amid Greenland tensions and strengthen diplomacy with Christian Turner in Washington.

Varun Chandra (R) with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick (Image: X)

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has appointed Indian-origin expert Varun Chandra as Britains new special envoy to the United States for trade and investment, as London looks to strengthen economic ties with Washington amid recent diplomatic strains.

Chandra, who currently serves as Starmers business liaison at Downing Street, will be tasked with advancing the UKs economic interests in the US at a time when bilateral relations have faced pressure following tensions linked to the Greenland issue.

According to reports, Chandra was part of recent UKUS discussions held on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, where talks took place amid US President Donald Trumps controversial push to acquire Greenland.

A banker-turned-consultant with long-standing ties to the Labour Party, Chandra previously served as global managing partner at Hakluyt, a strategic advisory firm. Born in South Shields in northeast England to parents of Indian origin, he has built a career around finance, strategic advisory roles and international economic diplomacy.

Chandra travels frequently to Washington and has developed close working relationships with senior figures in the Trump administration, including US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Last year, he played a key role in securing a UKUS trade agreement that resulted in lower tariffs for Britain than those imposed on the European Union, though progress in areas such as technology has since slowed.

Under the new arrangement, Chandra will work closely with Christian Turner, who has recently taken charge as the UKs ambassador in Washington. While Turners brief focuses on maximising business relationships, Chandras role will centre on diplomacy and trade negotiations.

The appointment underscores Starmers emphasis on deploying British soft power and repairing ties with the US, even as relations have been tested by Trumps recent remarks on Greenland and his comments regarding NATO troop deployments.

Earlier, Lutnick described Chandra as an excellent representative" of the UK and a trusted friend," highlighting his growing influence in transatlantic economic diplomacy.

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Location : London, United Kingdom (UK)

First Published: January 23, 2026, 22:56 IST

News world Amid Trumps Tariff Threats, UK Names Indian-Origin Varun Chandra As Trade Envoy To US

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Appeasing Trump Is 'Shirk': JUI-F's Fazlur Rehman Launches Fierce Attack On Pakistan Govt | Exclusive

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 21:24 IST

Delivering a scathing theological and political indictment, the veteran cleric questioned the spiritual integrity of Pakistans rulers

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif speaking alongside US President Donald Trump. (Pic/Reuters)

Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has launched his most direct attack yet on Pakistans Shehbaz Sharif government, accusing the leadership of committing shirk" (the sin of idolatry) by prioritising the appeasement of US President Donald Trump over religious and national principles.

The Maulanas remarks come amid a deepening political crisis following Pakistans decision to join the newly formed Gaza Board of Peace (BoP) in Davos.

Delivering a scathing theological and political indictment, the veteran cleric questioned the spiritual integrity of Pakistans rulers. Are you focused on pleasing a Trump idol instead of Allah?" he asked. There can be no greater shirk than this."

He asserted that the governments haste to sign the Trump-led BoP charterwhich he termed the Occupation Board"was done with eyes closed" despite his partys vehement rejection. Rehman warned that depending on Washington for survival is a historical fallacy: America did not even save Bengal, and if this country breaks apart, they will not save you then either. If anyone is to save Pakistan, it will only be Allah."

In a remarkable claim regarding Pakistans strategic history, the Maulana alleged that the current ruling party, the PML-N, lacked the fortitude to conduct the 1998 nuclear tests and was only pushed to do so by his intervention.

I know how much courage they actually had at the time of the nuclear tests," he revealed. Those in the PML-N were submitting their resignations at that point; we stopped them and said, Stand firm, we are standing with you.'" He claimed it was the JUI-Fs unwavering support that provided the government the necessary backbone to face international pressure at Chagai.

The Maulana linked the current diplomatic shift to the ongoing tragedy in Palestine, noting that over 70,000 people have been martyred, yet Pakistan is accepting a peace process that excludes the victims and includes the butcher" Benjamin Netanyahu.

He reiterated his call for February 8 to be observed as a Black Day", marking the anniversary of the 2024 elections, which he claims produced the current fake" mandate. By framing the governments foreign policy as a betrayal of both the Quaids legacy and Islamic values, Rehman has signalled a total breakdown in his relationship with the ruling coalition.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 21:24 IST

News world Appeasing Trump Is 'Shirk': JUI-F's Fazlur Rehman Launches Fierce Attack On Pakistan Govt | Exclusive

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'Should I Try A Fourth Term': Trump Boasts Of 'Record Numbers', Sparks Debate

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 12:21 IST

Trump's latest Truth Social post revived speculation that he is counting his current presidency as a continuation rather than a second term.

US President Donald Trump during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 21, 2026. (IMAGE: AFP)

US President Donald Trump has once again sparked debate after publicly floating the idea of seeking a fourth term in office, a suggestion that directly contradicts constitutional limits on presidential tenures.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote, Record numbers all over the place! Should I try for a fourth term?" reviving speculation that he is counting his current presidency as a continuation rather than a second term.

The Republican leader, now 79, has repeatedly hinted at extending his time in office beyond the constitutionally permitted two terms.

In recent years, he has shared AI-generated images and campaign-style visuals referencing Trump 2028," including merchandise and staged photos suggesting another run after the next election cycle.

Trump has appeared to treat the 2020 election, won by Democrat Joe Biden, as an interruption rather than a definitive end to his presidency, effectively framing his current tenure as a third term.

What The Constitution Allows

Trumps remarks run counter to the 22nd Amendment of the US Constitution, which clearly limits presidents to two elected terms.

The amendment also restricts individuals who serve more than two years of another presidents term from being elected more than once.

Trump first assumed office in 2017 and completed a full four-year term before returning to the White House, placing him squarely within the two-term limit defined by law.

Approval Ratings

Despite Trumps claims of soaring public support, recent opinion polls suggest a more challenging political landscape.

An Associated PressNORC survey conducted in early January among over 1,200 adults found that roughly four in ten respondents approve of Trumps performance as president.

About half said he is focused on the wrong priorities, while only a small fraction believed he is addressing the countrys most pressing concerns.

On economic management, approval remains subdued. Just over a third of respondents backed Trumps handling of the economy, with a majority saying his policies have worsened the cost of living.

Only a minority felt his approach had improved household finances.

Views on immigration and foreign policy were similarly mixed to negative. Approval of his immigration policies has dropped sharply compared to earlier in the year, while a majority of Americans disapproved of his foreign policy decisions, including the use of military force abroad.

A separate New York Times/Siena College poll of registered voters conducted mid-January painted a similar picture. Only 40 percent approved of Trumps leadership, while a plurality said the country is worse off than it was a year ago.

On affordability, more than half of respondents said Trumps policies have made daily life more expensive.

Fewer than one-third rated the current economy as good or excellent, though that figure marked a modest improvement from earlier months.

The survey also found widespread opposition to Trumps tariff policies, with a majority saying he is focused on the wrong issues.

Trump Threatens Legal Action

Following the release of the NYT/Siena poll, Trump lashed out at the publication, accusing it of spreading falsehoods. He said the poll would be included in a lawsuit against The New York Times, claiming the paper had engaged in what he described as radical left lies."

The renewed legal threat underscores Trumps increasingly confrontational response to unfavourable polling, even as questions grow around his remarks on extending his presidency beyond constitutional limits.

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Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: January 23, 2026, 12:13 IST

News world 'Should I Try A Fourth Term': Trump Boasts Of 'Record Numbers', Sparks Debate

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Egrets rest at a wetland park in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province, Jan. 22, 2026. An increasing number of migratory birds have chosen to rest and winter at the Fenhe River basin thanks to continuous improvements in the ecological environment in recent years. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang)

An egret forages at a wetland park in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province, Jan. 22, 2026. An increasing number of migratory birds have chosen to rest and winter at the Fenhe River basin thanks to continuous improvements in the ecological environment in recent years. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang)

Egrets rest at a wetland park in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province, Jan. 22, 2026. An increasing number of migratory birds have chosen to rest and winter at the Fenhe River basin thanks to continuous improvements in the ecological environment in recent years. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang)

An egret forages at a wetland park in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province, Jan. 22, 2026. An increasing number of migratory birds have chosen to rest and winter at the Fenhe River basin thanks to continuous improvements in the ecological environment in recent years. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang)

An egret forages at a wetland park in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province, Jan. 22, 2026. An increasing number of migratory birds have chosen to rest and winter at the Fenhe River basin thanks to continuous improvements in the ecological environment in recent years. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang)

An egret forages at a wetland park in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province, Jan. 22, 2026. An increasing number of migratory birds have chosen to rest and winter at the Fenhe River basin thanks to continuous improvements in the ecological environment in recent years. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang)

A woman takes photos of egrets at a wetland park in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province, Jan. 22, 2026. An increasing number of migratory birds have chosen to rest and winter at the Fenhe River basin thanks to continuous improvements in the ecological environment in recent years. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang)
'Crossed A Red Line': Trump Sparks Outrage Across Europe Over Remarks On NATO Troops In Afghanistan

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 22:09 IST

Trump sparked widespread outrage across Europe after suggesting that NATO stayed "a little off the front lines" during the post-9/11 war in Afghanistan.

Rapid Read

US President Donald Trump (Photo: AP)

US President Donald Trump sparked widespread outrage across Europe after he suggested that NATO stayed a little off the front lines" during the war in Afghanistan. Politicians and veterans criticised Trump and said hundreds of their soldiers had died fighting alongside American forces.

Speaking to Fox News on Thursday, Trump said the United States had never needed" the transatlantic alliance and accused allies of staying a little off the front lines" in Afghanistan. Theyll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan, and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines," he said.

His remarks added to already strained relations with European allies after he used the World Economic Forum in Davos to assert his interest in acquiring Greenland. The European Union has already paused a trade deal with the US as leaders warned against any unilateral moves that could destabilise the transatlantic alliance.

Crossed A Red Line

Several politicians across Europe called Trumps remarks disgraceful", wrong" and an insult" to the contributions of NATO soldiers. British Prime Minister Keir Starmers office said Trump had been wrong to diminish the role of NATO troops" during two decades of war, while Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch called his remarks flat-out nonsense."

I consider President Trumps remarks to be insulting and frankly appalling, and Im not surprised theyve caused such hurt to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured," Starmer said, adding that had he misspoken in such a way that I would certainly apologise."

Badenoch said, British, Canadian, and NATO troops fought and died alongside the US for 20 years. This is a fact, not opinion. Their sacrifice deserves respect, not denigration." The UKs Health and Social Care Minister Stephen Kinnock has suggested Starmer would speak to Trump about the remarks.

Families of soldiers killed or wounded in the war also criticised Trumps remarks, calling them humiliating" and soul-destroying", according to BBC. We expect an apology for this statement," Roman Polko, a retired Polish general and former special forces commander who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, told Reuters.

Polko affirmed that Trump crossed a red line" with his remarks, adding, We paid with blood for this alliance. We truly sacrificed our own lives."

Britains veterans minister, Alistair Carns, who toured Afghanistan five times, called Trumps claims utterly ridiculous". He said, We shed blood, sweat and tears together. Not everybody came home."

Ed Davey, leader of Britains centrist Liberal Democrats, said Trump had himself avoided military service five times during the Vietnam War. How dare he question their sacrifice," he said, adding that PM Starmer should demand an apology from the US president over his unacceptable remarks".

Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said the countrys service will never be forgotten and should not be diminished. Poland is a reliable and proven ally, and nothing will change that," he said.

White House Doubles Down

Despite the backlash in Europe, White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly doubled down on Trumps claims and said American contributions dwarfed" those of other countries.

President Trump is right  Americas contributions to NATO dwarf that of other countries, and his success in delivering a five percent spending pledge from NATO allies is helping Europe take greater responsibility for its own defence. The United States is the only NATO partner who can protect Greenland, and the President is advancing NATO interests in doing so," she said in a presser.

Trump has consistently and repeatedly criticised as not paying their fair share". During his Davos speech, Trump claimed that NATO continues to exist because of his leadership, and that the alliance would have collapsed without him.

What Happened In Afghanistan?

Under NATOs founding treaty, members are bound by a collective-defence clause, Article 5, which treats an attack on one member as an attack on all. It was invoked after the 9/11 attacks in New York in 2001, after which European allies joined the US-led mission in Afghanistan.

On its website, NATO says it went into Afghanistan to ensure that the country would not again become a safe haven for terrorists to attack NATO member countries". The US lost about 2,460 troops in Afghanistan, and 457 British military personnel were also killed from over 150,000 it had deployed.

More than 150 Canadians were also killed along with 90 French personnel, while Denmark lost 44 troops. NATO formally ended its combat mission in December 2014, but kept a 13,000-strong force there to help train Afghan forces and support counter-terrorism operations.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 21:32 IST

News world 'Crossed A Red Line': Trump Sparks Outrage Across Europe Over Remarks On NATO Troops In Afghanistan

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Danish PM Visits Greenland As Denmark, NATO Move To Defuse Trumps Arctic Gambit

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 15:58 IST

Mette Frederiksen visits Nuuk for talks after Donald Trumps Greenland remarks. Denmark and Greenland and NATO discuss Arctic security, stressing its territorial integrity.

Denmark PM Mette Frederiksen. (Photo by NICOLAS TUCAT / AFP)

Denmarks Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen will travel to Greenlands capital, Nuuk, on Friday for talks with the islands leadership, following a turbulent week sparked by US President Donald Trumps threats to seize the Arctic territory.

Frederiksens visit comes after early-morning talks in Brussels with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, where both leaders agreed that the alliance must step up efforts to improve security in the Arctic. The issue has gained urgency amid heightened geopolitical competition in the region and recent controversy surrounding Greenland.

Earlier this week, Trump appeared to walk back his rhetoric on Greenland after agreeing with Rutte in Davos on what he described as a framework" governing future arrangements related to the Danish autonomous territory. Trump later claimed the United States had secured everything it wanted, saying the arrangement would be permanent, though details of the framework remain unclear.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen stressed on Friday that no formal or detailed agreement had been concluded between Trump and Rutte. Instead, he said, the US president was referring to a potential basis for future negotiations.

What the president talked about after the meeting with NATOs secretary general was a framework for a future agreement," Rasmussen told reporters in Copenhagen. Instead of those drastic ideas about needing to own Greenland, he now wishes to negotiate a solution."

Rasmussen confirmed that diplomats from Denmark and the United States met in Washington on Thursday to establish a roadmap for how talks would proceed, following earlier discussions on January 14 involving Greenlandic officials, US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Negotiations are expected to begin soon but will be kept deliberately low-key, Rasmussen said. We will not communicate when those meetings are, because what is needed now is to take the drama out of this," he added, describing the focus as security, security, and security."

Frederiksen, meanwhile, said she and Rutte were aligned on the need for stronger NATO engagement in the high north. Defence and security in the Arctic is a matter for the entire alliance," she said in a social media post, as Rutte warned that allies must do more to deter threats from Russia and China in the region.

A source speaking to AP familiar with the matter said the Davos discussions included plans for further talks between the United States, Denmark and Greenland on updating a 1951 agreement governing U.S. military access and presence on the island.

Both Danish and Greenlandic officials have repeatedly underlined that Greenlands sovereignty and territorial integrity are a red line and are not up for negotiation, even as they remain open to dialogue on defence and broader security cooperation.

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News world Danish PM Visits Greenland As Denmark, NATO Move To Defuse Trumps Arctic Gambit

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'Great Trip, Greenland Negotiations On': Trump Speaks On Davos Visit, Hails 'Board Of Peace'

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 07:34 IST

Donald Trump defended his Davos trip, dismissing critical media coverage as fake news and hailing progress on Greenland and his newly launched Board of Peace.

A file photo of Donald Trump (AP)

US President Donald Trump on Friday offered a robust defence of his high-profile trip to Davos, speaking aboard Air Force One as he headed back to Washington, and declared the visit a success despite criticism from sections of the media, which he dismissed as fake news."

I think the trip was great," Trump said. We had a lot of good response, even from the fake news. And I think Greenlands going very well. Its in negotiation."

Trump was referring to major US and international media outlets that have been critical of his foreign policy initiatives and his controversial proposals aired during the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Trump also repeatedly praised what he described as a landmark initiative unveiled during the trip, the newly created Board of Peace, which he positioned as a transformative body aimed at resolving global conflicts.

And I think what we did today was great. It was great," he said.

Thats going to be a great board. Thatll be a board, I think, like no other. Right? Thats a board like no other."

The Board of Peace was formally launched at Davos with leaders and officials from 19 countries signing its founding charter, with Trump serving as chairman and retaining final decision-making authority.

The initiative was initially conceived to oversee the Gaza ceasefire and the reconstruction of the Palestinian territory following the war between Israel and Hamas.

However, its mandate has since expanded to include broader international conflict resolution, prompting scepticism from key US allies and analysts who fear it could function as a rival to the United Nations.

Trump has repeatedly expressed frustration with existing multilateral institutions and has complained about not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, portraying the Board of Peace as a more effective alternative.

While he has said the body would work in conjunction" with the United Nations, several European powers, including France and Britain, have expressed reservations about joining, particularly over the invitation extended to Russian President Vladimir Putin and the requirement that countries pay $1 billion for permanent membership.

A significant portion of the Davos proceedings focused on Gaza, where Trump administration officials unveiled ambitious redevelopment proposals.

Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, presented what he described as a master plan" for the war-ravaged territory, featuring new settlements, seafront hotels and residential complexes branded as New Gaza."

Trump warned Hamas to disarm during the next phase of the ceasefire or face severe consequences, while also stating he was open to dialogue with Iran.

During the trip, Trump also met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with both leaders describing the talks as positive.

Trump reiterated that Russias war in Ukraine has to end," while Zelensky announced upcoming trilateral talks involving Washington, Moscow and Kyiv.

Greenland emerged as another flashpoint at Davos after Trump renewed his push for greater US control over the Danish territory.

While the proposal sparked alarm in Europe, tensions eased after Trump announced a framework of a future deal" and backed away from threats of new tariffs.

Greenlands Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen later said the island wanted a peaceful dialogue" but stressed that its sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 07:02 IST

News world 'Great Trip, Greenland Negotiations On': Trump Speaks On Davos Visit, Hails 'Board Of Peace'

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'Massive Armada Moving Towards Iran': Trump Announces Military Buildup Near Tehran Amid Tensions

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 08:13 IST

Donald Trump said a US naval armada is moving toward Iran as Washington tightens pressure over Tehrans nuclear activities and its crackdown on protests.

US President Donald Trump (Photo: AFP)

US President Donald Trump has announced that a US naval armada" is moving toward Iran, while the commander of Irans Revolutionary Guards warned Washington that the force had its finger on the trigger" in the wake of mass protests.

While emphasising that he hoped force would not be required, Trump said the deployments were intended to keep pressure on Iran as events inside the country continue to draw international scrutiny.

We have a massive armada moving in the direction of Iran. Well see what happens. We are watching them very closely," Trump told reporters.

At another point, he said, We have an armada, heading in that direction, and maybe we wont have to use it."

US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and several guided-missile destroyers are expected to arrive in the Middle East in the coming days.

One official said additional air-defence systems were also under consideration to guard against any potential Iranian strike on US bases in the region.

The movements, which began in the Asia-Pacific last week, expand the options available to Washington both to defend US forces and to respond to any further escalation.

Trump renewed warnings to Tehran against killing protesters or restarting its nuclear programme, saying the United States would act if Iran attempted to rebuild its nuclear capabilities after US strikes on key sites in June.

If they try to do it again, well hit them there too, just as easily," he said.

He also repeated his claim that US threats had led Iran to halt planned executions of protesters, saying authorities cancelled nearly 840 hangings.

I said, If you hang those people, youre going to be hit harder than youve ever been hit. Itll make what we did to your Iran nuclear (program) look like peanuts," Trump was quoted as saying by Reuters.

Iran is required to report to the International Atomic Energy Agency on the status of sites struck by the United States and on nuclear material believed to include uranium enriched up to 60 per cent purity.

The IAEA has not verified Irans stockpile of highly enriched uranium for at least seven months, Reuters noted.

The military posturing comes against the backdrop of unrest in Iran that began in late December and spread nationwide before appearing to ebb under an intense crackdown.

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency has said at least 5,002 people have been killed, while Irans government has acknowledged 3,117 deaths.

As the situation unfolded, exiled Iranian figure Reza Pahlavi sought to link the international pressure campaign to developments inside Iran.

In a message posted on X, Pahlavi praised demonstrations by Iranians abroad, saying they had given strength and hope to our brave compatriots in our occupied homeland," and declared, Your voice is the voice of the Iranian nation."

He urged the diaspora to intensify coordinated efforts as the Islamic Republic, through ruthless killings and martial law, has raised the cost of people taking to the streets in Iran."

Pahlavi outlined six demands directed at the international community, including protecting Iranians by weakening the regimes machinery of repression, especially the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, imposing maximum economic pressure by blocking regime assets and targeting Irans shadow fleet" of oil tankers, ensuring internet access through Starlink and other secure tools, expelling Iranian diplomats, securing the immediate release of all political prisoners, and preparing for a democratic transition.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 08:12 IST

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'If We Don't Meet, Nothing's Going To Happen': Trump Ahead Of Trilateral Talks With Russia, Ukraine

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 07:23 IST

Donald Trump said trilateral talks involving the US, Russia and Ukraine in the UAE were crucial to making progress toward ending the war.

Donald Trump at the "Board of Peace" meeting during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos (Photo: AFP)

The United States, Russia and Ukraine are set to hold trilateral talks in the United Arab Emirates as diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the nearly four-year-long war gather momentum, with US President Donald Trump underscoring the importance of direct engagement and expressing cautious hope that the dialogue could save lives.

Speaking on the proposed trilateral meeting, Trump said sustained interaction was critical to any progress.

Anytime we meet, its good. If we dont meet, nothings going to happen. In the first three years, nobody met. So we are meeting, and well see what happens. I hope we can save a lot of lives, thats all," he said.

Emphasising that concessions were being made across the board, Trump noted, Everybodys making concessions to get it done. Europe is going to be a part of it. Its more for Europe than for me. I mean, Im doing this more for Europe than for me."

Trump said his primary motivation was humanitarian rather than political or financial.

Im doing it to save lives. Im doing it for Europe," he said, adding that the conflict did not significantly impact the United States.

It doesnt affect us very much. I have the ability to get things done like this, and well see if I can get it done."

Referring to Russias intentions, Trump added, I thought Putin wanted the whole thing. Maybe he does, but hes not going to be going there unless we dont make a deal."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that the UAE-hosted engagement would be the first trilateral meeting involving negotiators from Ukraine, the US and Russia.

Speaking after his address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Zelenskyy said the talks would take place over two days.

It will be the first trilateral meeting in the Emirates. It will be tomorrow and the day after tomorrow," he said, adding that Russians have to be ready for compromises."

According to Zelenskyy, Ukraines delegation will be led by National Security and Defence Council Secretary Rustem Umerov and will include military representation, including Lieutenant General Andriy Gnatov.

It will be a trilateral meeting at the level of negotiators. Well see what the result will be," he said.

The United Arab Emirates has previously played a mediating role between Moscow and Kyiv, particularly in facilitating prisoner exchanges.

Trump also addressed his recent meeting with Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the Davos summit, describing the interaction as constructive but acknowledging that challenges remain.

We had a conversation. Ive had numerous conversations on Ukraine. It would be nice to end the war," Trump said.

He added that while the US had financial interests linked to the conflict, those were not his focus.

It costs us nothing. We make money. I dont want to make money, but we make money. Biden spent $350 billion stupidly and lost a lot of money," he said, before stressing, But its not about the money."

Highlighting the human cost of the war, Trump said, Its about 25,000 to 30,000 soldiers a month being killed."

Drawing comparisons with other conflicts, he claimed rapid success elsewhere while conceding the complexity of the Ukraine war.

Its funny. I put out a 35-year war in a day, a 32-year war in two days. In other wars, the worst was like four days. But this one goes on and on forever. And actually, they may have been more complex."

Zelenskyy, for his part, described his meeting with Trump as positive," while cautioning that the final phase of negotiations would be difficult.

The last mile is very difficult," he said, adding that defending Ukraines national interests made dialogue challenging but necessary.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 07:22 IST

News world 'If We Don't Meet, Nothing's Going To Happen': Trump Ahead Of Trilateral Talks With Russia, Ukraine

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Trump Withdraws Gaza 'Board Of Peace' Invitation To Canada's Carney After Davos Face-Off

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 09:17 IST

Donald Trump revoked Canadas invitation to join his Board of Peace, amid strained US-Canada relations after exchanges at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney and US President Donald Trump (Photo: AFP)

US President Donald Trump on Friday withdrew an invitation for Canada to join his proposed Board of Peace, a move that came after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney publicly opposed US tariffs linked to Washingtons push to acquire Greenland.

The decision marks a fresh escalation in tensions between the two long-standing allies, already strained by sharp exchanges at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump shared the text of a letter addressed to Carney, formally revoking the invitation.

Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canadas joining, what will be, the most prestigious Board of Leaders ever assembled, at any time," Trump wrote.

The Board of Peace is an initiative championed by Trump as a high-level grouping of global leaders aimed at resolving international conflicts, though few concrete details about its structure, membership, or mandate have been made public.

The withdrawal follows a series of pointed remarks by Trump directed at Carney during the annual WEF meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

WHAT CARNEY SAID IN DAVOS

Trump spoke a day after Carney delivered a keynote address warning that the global rules-based order was fracturing.

Carneys speech drew a standing ovation from delegates.

They should be grateful to us, Canada. Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements," Trump said in his Davos remarks.

Carney, without naming Trump or the United States directly, had warned that the world was facing a fundamental break rather than a gradual transition.

We are in the midst of a rupture, not a transition," he said, adding that major powers were increasingly using economic integration as a weapon and tariffs as leverage.

We know the old order is not coming back. We shouldnt mourn it. Nostalgia is not a strategy."

If great powers abandon even the pretence of rules and values for the unhindered pursuit of their power and interests, the gains from transactionalism will become harder to replicate," Carney said, again without explicitly naming Trump or Washington.

CARNEY SAYS CANADA DOES NOT LIVE BECAUSE OF US

Soon after Trump withdrew Canadas invitation to the Board of Peace, Carney used an X post to firmly rebut Trumps claim that his country lives because of the United States," stressing that Canada prospers on its own strengths while valuing its close ties with Washington.

Quoting from his national address, Carney wrote, Canada thrives because we are Canadian," and added that the two neighbours have built a remarkable partnership, in the economy, in security, and in rich cultural exchange," but insisted that Canada does not live because of the United States."

Canada thrives because we are Canadian. pic.twitter.com/jBTiOyJFj5 Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) January 22, 2026

Trump has repeatedly threatened to annexe Canada and has used his rhetoric on territorial expansion.

Earlier this week, Trump shared an AI-generated image depicting Canada and Greenland as part of the United States, a move that drew criticism and concern in diplomatic circles.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 08:26 IST

News world Trump Withdraws Gaza 'Board Of Peace' Invitation To Canada's Carney After Davos Face-Off

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'Fascism At Its Peak': Pakistani Activist, Husband Arrested On Way To Court

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 18:59 IST

Mazari-Hazir, 32, a vocal critic of Pakistans military, faces multiple charges, though it was unclear if Fridays arrest was directly linked to these cases.

Human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari (R) with her husband and fellow lawyer Hadi Ali Chattha (L), during a court hearing in Islamabad. (AFP photo)

Pakistani police on Friday arrested prominent human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband, lawyer Hadi Ali Chattha, as they were heading to a court in Islamabad.

The couple was on their way to appear before the Additional District and Sessions Court in a case linked to controversial social media posts, for which arrest warrants had been issued on January 16 by a judge.

Mazari-Hazir, 32, a vocal critic of Pakistans military, faces multiple charges, though it was unclear if Fridays arrest was directly linked to these cases.

Mazari-Hazirs mother, Dr Shireen Mazari, a former human rights minister under Imran Khan, confirmed the arrest. She said her daughter and son-in-law have been arrested, put in separate cars, and taken away to unknown locations."

Fascism at its peak. Emasculated men in power must be so pleased with this achievement!" Mazari said in a post on X.

Videos shared by Mazari showed police vehicles trailing the couples car, forcing it to stop, and officers opening the doors. She alleged that police used violence against the lawyers, including breaking the windows of the vehicle, and also manhandled leaders of the Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA).

Islamabad police detained rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha near Serena Chowk while they were traveling to court in connection with a cybercrime case over alleged anti-state social media posts.#Pakistan #Islamabad #MazariHazir #CyberCrime pic.twitter.com/o6qza8kVyM Dispute It (@dispute_it_news) January 23, 2026

The couple had spent two nights at the IHCBA presidents office to avoid arrest. Syed Wajid Ali Shah Gilani, IHCBA president, said authorities had promised that the lawyers would not be detained while attending court, and described the arrest as violent and unlawful. He warned of renewed protests, recalling Pakistans 2007 lawyers movement.

The IHCBA, Islamabad Bar Association (IBA), and Islamabad Bar Council (IBC) condemned the arrest, announcing strikes in protest.

Case against Mazari-Hazir and husband

The case against Mazari-Hazir and her husband originates from a complaint filed on 12 August 2025 at the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), accusing them of sharing content that allegedly aligned with hostile groups.

They were indicted on 30 October 2025. Separate pre-arrest bail was granted in older cases, but interim relief was repeatedly cancelled by courts.

The Independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan denounced the arrests as a grave abuse of authority" and called for immediate disclosure of the couples whereabouts.

Earlier, Mazari-Hazir had told AFP ahead of the arrest that she expected grave injustice" and noted that such unlawful incarceration was not new in Pakistan.

(With inputs from agencies)

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 18:59 IST

News world 'Fascism At Its Peak': Pakistani Activist, Husband Arrested On Way To Court

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'Hope One Day': Meloni Hints At Nominating Trump For Nobel Peace Prize Over Ukraine

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 23:27 IST

Speaking at a press conference after meeting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Meloni said, "I hope that one day we can award a Nobel Peace Prize to Donald Trump."

US President Donald Trump greets Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during a summit on Gaza in Sharm el-Sheikh. (AFP file photo)

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday suggested she might nominate US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize if he succeeds in ending the conflict in Ukraine.

Speaking at a press conference after meeting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Meloni said, I hope that one day we can award a Nobel Peace Prize to Donald Trump."

I trust that if he makes a difference in achieving a just and lasting peace for Ukraine, finally, we too could nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize."

I trust that if he makes a difference in achieving a just and lasting peace for Ukraine, for Ukraine too finally, we too could nominate Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize," the Italian PM added.

Trump has repeatedly expressed frustration at not having received the prize. In a message to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, made public earlier this week, the American leader said that failing to win the Nobel Peace Prize meant he no longer felt obliged to think purely of peace."

Trump recently unveiled his Board of Peace," a body initially designed to oversee the Gaza truce and the territorys reconstruction. The initiative, however, has evolved into a broader platform aimed at resolving international conflicts.

Italy has been invited to join the Board, but Meloni said she informed Trump that Italy faces constitutional problems." Under Italian law, the country cannot participate in an organisation led by a single foreign leader. Trump serves as chairman of the Board, as well as the US representative and the chair of its executive board.

Meloni also urged Trump to adjust the framework to accommodate Italy and other European countries. We must try to do this work," she said. The presence of countries like ours can make a difference."

The Board of Peace has drawn international attention, both for its ambitious aims and for the controversial structure, which centres around Trump as its sole foreign leader.

(With inputs from AFP)

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News world 'Hope One Day': Meloni Hints At Nominating Trump For Nobel Peace Prize Over Ukraine

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Iraq Tells Europe To Repatriate Its Nationals Among IS Detainees Transferred From Syria

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 19:33 IST

Europeans were among a group of 150 senior IS members moved from Syrian Kurdish custody to Iraq earlier this week.

Children and women, relatives of suspected Islamic State jihadists, are seen inside Al-Hol camp in the desert region of Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province. (AFP photo)

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani on Friday told European countries to repatriate their citizens among Islamic State (IS) detainees recently transferred from Syria to Iraq as part of a US-led operation.

Speaking to French President Emmanuel Macron, Sudani stressed the need for countries, particularly European Union member states, to take responsibility for their nationals and prosecute them, according to a statement from his office.

The call comes after the Iraqi judiciary announced on Thursday that it would begin legal proceedings against the IS detainees transferred from Syria.

Europeans were among a group of 150 senior IS members moved from Syrian Kurdish custody to Iraq earlier this week. Iraqi security officials told AFP that the detainees included 85 Iraqis and 65 foreign nationals, including Europeans, Sudanese, Somalis, and people from the Caucasus region.

All were leaders of the Islamic State group and some of the most notorious criminals," one official said. They were involved in IS operations in Iraq, including the 2014 offensive that saw the jihadist group seize large areas of Iraq and neighbouring Syria.

They are all at the level of emirs," the official added. The detainees are now being held in a prison in Baghdad.

This group represents the first batch of 7,000 IS suspects previously held by Syrian Kurdish fighters, who the US military said it would transfer to Iraqi prisons.

Thousands of suspected jihadists and their families, including foreigners, have been held in detention centres and camps in Syria since IS was defeated in 2019 by Kurdish-led forces backed by a US-led coalition.

Washington said the transfer plan followed Kurdish forces relinquishing territory under pressure from the Syrian government. The Iraqi judiciary has a record of handing down hundreds of death sentences and life terms to those convicted of terrorism offences, including foreign fighters captured in Syria and transferred to Iraq.

(With inputs from AFP)

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News world Iraq Tells Europe To Repatriate Its Nationals Among IS Detainees Transferred From Syria

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'Canada Doesn't Live Because Of US': Carney Hits Back After Trump's Claim At Davos Summit

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 09:12 IST

Mark Carney responded to Donald Trumps Davos remarks by saying Canada does not live because of the US, while acknowledging a strong economic and security partnership with the US.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney (Photo: AP)

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has struck back at US President Donald Trump after the American leader claimed at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos that Canada lives because of the United States".

Carney, in an X post, asserted Canadas independence while still underscoring the close bilateral relationship between the two neighbours.

Quoting from Trumps address at the Davos Summit, Carney wrote on X, Canada thrives because we are Canadian."

He added, Canada and the United States have built a remarkable partnership, in the economy, in security, and in rich cultural exchange. But Canada doesnt live because of the United States! Canada thrives because we are Canadian."

Canada thrives because we are Canadian. pic.twitter.com/jBTiOyJFj5 Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) January 22, 2026

The post followed Trumps sharp remarks at Davos, where he accused Ottawa of being insufficiently grateful for Washingtons role in its security and prosperity.

Speaking during his address at the 56th Annual WEF summit, Trump said, Canada gets a lot of freebies from us, by the way. They should also be grateful, but theyre not. I saw your prime minister yesterday; he wasnt so grateful. They should be grateful to us."

He went on to stress what he described as Washingtons strategic importance to its northern neighbour, saying, Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements."

The exchange capped days of rhetorical sparring between the two leaders that began after Carney warned at Davos that the global order was facing a fundamental rupture" rather than a gradual transition.

In that speech, the Canadian Prime Minister argued that middle powers such as Canada could no longer rely on the automatic protection of a US-led, rules-based system.

CARNEY OPPOSES US TARIFFS OVER GREENLAND

During his Davos appearance, Carney also took aim at Washingtons use of tariffs linked to Greenland, after Trump announced levies on European allies opposed to his ambition for the United States to take over the territory.

Canada strongly opposes tariffs over Greenland and calls for focused talks to achieve our shared objectives of security and prosperity in the Arctic," Carney said.

Backing Denmarks sovereignty over Greenland, he reiterated that Ottawa was working to broaden its international partnerships as it navigates a complicated relationship with the Trump administration.

He also cautioned against great powers abandoning global norms, saying, If great powers abandon even the pretence of rules and values for the unhindered pursuit of their power and interests, the gains from transactionalism will become harder to replicate."

In his longer WEF address, Carney warned that tariffs, financial systems and supply chains were being weaponised, and said the world was entering a harsh reality" where major powers operated with few constraints.

While acknowledging that the US-built international framework had once delivered benefits such as collective security and financial stability, he argued that the old bargain was eroding.

TRUMP WITHDRAWS CANADAS BOARD OF PEACE INVITATION

Tensions escalated further after Trump, earlier today, announced that Canadas invitation to join his proposed Board of Peace initiative had been revoked.

In a post on his Truth Social platform addressed directly to Carney, Trump wrote, Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canadas joining, what will be, the most prestigious Board of Leaders ever assembled, at any time."

The move came as officials indicated that Ottawa would not pay to participate in the forum, despite Carney earlier signalling that he would accept an invitation.

Carney has continued to frame Canada as a country that values cooperation but is prepared to defend its sovereignty in an increasingly fractured world.

In one of his addresses, he had warned, The world is more divided. Former alliances are being redefined and, in some cases, broken," and said Canada would ramp up defence spending to defend our sovereignty and secure our borders."

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 09:07 IST

News world 'Canada Doesn't Live Because Of US': Carney Hits Back After Trump's Claim At Davos Summit

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CARACAS, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela's National Assembly on Thursday approved in a first reading a partial reform of the country's Organic Hydrocarbons Law, to modernize the energy sector.

Lawmaker Orlando Camacho of the pro-government Somos Venezuela movement presented the bill during a regular session, describing the initiative as "a bold step toward modernizing the energy sector," while ensuring oil remains a key driver of national development.

The bill, submitted by Acting President Delcy Rodriguez during her annual address to the nation on Jan. 15, amends or adds 18 articles and focuses on three main areas.

The reform seeks to adapt the legal framework to changes in global energy markets and encourage joint development between the public and private sectors, Camacho added.

Opposition lawmaker Bernabe Gutierrez of the Democratic Action party welcomed the proposal, saying it was time to update the hydrocarbons law after two decades in force.

Venezuela sits atop roughly 300 billion barrels of heavy, sour crude -- around a fifth of the world's reserves. The United States on Jan. 3 launched a sudden raid on Venezuela and seized its President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. 
'Motherland Bleeding': Sheikh Hasina Urges Ouster Of Bangladeshs Muhammad Yunus-Led Interim Govt

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 19:43 IST

Hasina described the interim administration as a 'murderous, fascist clique' driven by a lust for power and betrayal

The former Prime Minister urged Muhammad Yunus to stop 'ignoring his own people'. (File image: AFP)

Ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina delivered a defiant audio message on Friday during a high-profile media briefing in New Delhi by members of her erstwhile government. Speaking via an audio link during the event at the Foreign Correspondents Club of South Asia, Hasina characterised her current status as democracy in exile" and launched a blistering attack on the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.

Murderous Anarchy

Hasina, who has been residing in India since her government fell in August 2024, appeared via a call but did not use video, reportedly for security reasons. Her message was a rallying cry to her supporters and a direct challenge to the legitimacy of the current administration in Dhaka.

The Fascist Charge: Hasina described the interim administration as a murderous, fascist clique" driven by a lust for power and betrayal. She alleged that since her conspiratorial ouster, the nation has plunged into murderous anarchy".

Appeal to the People: Urging the citizens of Bangladesh not to give up now", she called for the galvanisation of public support to reclaim democracy and overthrow the foreign-serving regime at any cost".

Targeting Yunus: The former Prime Minister urged Muhammad Yunus to stop ignoring his own people", asserting that a free and fair election is an impossibility as long as his illegal government" remains in power.

A Government in Exile?

The briefing was attended by several senior diplomats and former ministers of the Awami League cabinet, marking the first formal, collective public appearance by members of the ousted government on Indian soil. Among those present were Hasan Mahmud, the former Foreign Minister, and Mohibul Chowdhury Nowfel, the former Education Minister.

The ministers highlighted what they termed a systemic collapse of law and order in Bangladesh. A significant portion of the briefing was dedicated to the plight of religious minorities, whom Hasina described as the most vulnerable in society." She claimed that Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians are being constantly targeted and attacked" under the watch of the interim authorities.

The Road to the 2026 Elections

The timing of this briefing is critical, as Bangladeshs interim government has tentatively scheduled national elections for February 12. However, with the Awami League currently banned from participating and its top leadership in exile or facing trial in Dhaka, Hasinas supporters have dismissed the upcoming polls as a coronation" rather than a contest.

The Indian government has maintained a delicate diplomatic balance, providing refuge to Hasina while officially stating that her remarks are made in a personal capacity. Nevertheless, this public outreach from Delhi is likely to further strain the already fragile relationship between the Yunus-led administration and India.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 19:43 IST

News world 'Motherland Bleeding': Sheikh Hasina Urges Ouster Of Bangladeshs Muhammad Yunus-Led Interim Govt

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'Pakistan Not Welcome': Israel Slams 'Terror Backers' After Sharif Joins Trump's Board Of Peace

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 22:52 IST

Israel's economy minister, Nir Barkat, called Pakistan among the backers of terrorism after Shehbaz Sharif joined Donald Trump's Board of Peace in Davos.

Rapid Read

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif joined Donald Trump's Board of Peace in Davos. (AP)

After Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif joined 20 countries in signing the founding charter of US President Donald Trumps Board of Peace for Gaza at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday, Israel made it clear that Islamabad was not welcome to play a role in Gazas peacekeeping forces.

Israels economy minister, Nir Barkat, called Pakistan among the backers of terrorism and said it was not welcome in Gaza. Any country that supported terror is not welcome, and that includes Pakistan," he told NDTV at Davos.

While Barkat praised Donald Trump for the peace framework in Gaza, calling it better than the United Nations, he said, We will not accept the Qataris, the Turks and that includes Pakistan. Theyve been very supportive of the jihadi organisation in Gaza, and we will not trust them having boots on the ground."

This comes as Shehbaz Sharifs decision to join the Board of Peace" triggered sharp domestic backlash, exposing deep political, religious and ideological fault lines within the country. Opposition parties and Islamist groups, who have long supported an independent Palestinian state, questioned both the intent and the process behind the move.

Pakistan PM Under Pressure

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has emerged as one of the most vocal critics, arguing that a move of such geopolitical and moral consequence cannot ignore the will of Pakistans nearly 250 million people. It demanded a referendum and full scrutiny, framing the decision as a sign of public distrust towards the Shehbaz Sharif government and the civil-military nexus.

Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, chief of the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) and Leader of the Opposition in the Pak Senate, denounced the signing move as morally incorrect and indefensible".

Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman accused the Pakistani leadership of committing shirk" (the sin of idolatry) by prioritising the appeasement of Trumps policies over religious and national principles. He asserted that the governments haste to sign the Trump-led BoP charterwhich he termed the Occupation Board"was done with eyes closed".

Trumps Board Of Peace

US President Donald Trump unveiled the Gaza Board of Peace during the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday, where leaders of around 20 of the 60 countries invited were present. Trump indicated the board would extend its focus to other conflicts across the world beyond Gaza.

The countries that have so far accepted Trumps invitation to join the board are Argentina, Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Bulgaria, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Morocco, Mongolia, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.

India has been invited to the board, but there has been no official reaction. The peace board is part of a US-backed and UN-supported plan to demilitarise and rebuild the territory after two years of war between Israel and Hamas.

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Location : Jerusalem, Israel

First Published: January 23, 2026, 22:52 IST

News world 'Pakistan Not Welcome': Israel Slams 'Terror Backers' After Sharif Joins Trump's Board Of Peace

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Pakistan Says Willing To Deploy Troops Under ISF In Gaza, Seeks Time From US Over Domestic Hurdles

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 08:59 IST

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir were part of Pakistan-US engagements at Davos, which included a meeting with US President Donald Trump.

Pakistan Field Marshal and Chief Of Army Staff Asim Munir and US President Donald Trump. (IMAGE: REUTERS)

Pakistan has signalled conditional willingness to deploy troops as part of the proposed International Stabilisation Force (ISF) for Gaza, but has sought a clear political and operational roadmap, along with time to prepare domestic narrative, according to top security sources familiar with high-level discussions in Davos.

Sources told CNN-News18 that the issue figured prominently during a series of meetings between Pakistani and American officials on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir were part of the engagements, which included a meeting with US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

During the discussions, Pakistani officials conveyed that Islamabad is in principle" prepared to contribute troops to an international force aimed at stabilisation and humanitarian support in post-conflict Gaza. However, they underlined that Pakistan would require clarity on the mandate, command structure and political end-state of the force, as well as sufficient time to build a supportive narrative at home given strong domestic sensitivities around Gaza.

According to a top security source, Munir assured US officials of Pakistans willingness to provide security cooperation and possible troop deployment under an international framework. In return, Pakistan sought a deeper strategic partnership with Washington, particularly in countering rising terrorist threats emanating from Afghanistan, which Islamabad has repeatedly flagged as a growing national security concern.

Sources said Munir briefed President Trump and Secretary Rubio on Pakistans assessment of the security situation along its western borders, linking the surge in militant activity to developments in Afghanistan. Pakistan, sources added, is seeking enhanced intelligence sharing, security coordination and long-term strategic engagement with the United States in both South Asia and the broader Middle East.

However, the discussions also revealed significant diplomatic hurdles. US officials informed Pakistan that Israel is not comfortable with the participation of Pakistan and Turkiye in any potential Gaza stabilisation force, complicating the evolving framework for the ISF.

Despite these differences, both sides agreed to establish a joint working group and a broader security cooperation mechanism to take forward discussions on Gaza, counter-terrorism and regional stability. Beyond security, the Davos meetings also touched upon economic cooperation, including exploratory proposals related to crypto frameworks, mining and minerals, and other bilateral initiatives.

Sources indicated that multiple proposals have already been exchanged and that engagement will continue. The next round of talks on the Gaza ISF and the proposed US-Pakistan strategic partnership is expected in the coming weeks, possibly in February or March, as both sides assess political and regional constraints.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 08:59 IST

News world Pakistan Says Willing To Deploy Troops Under ISF In Gaza, Seeks Time From US Over Domestic Hurdles

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'Ukraine Must Withdraw From Donbas': Russia Stands Firm As Abu Dhabi Trilateral Peace Talks Begin

Curated By :

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 22:44 IST

The negotiations come a day after Trump met Zelenskyy at the WEF in Davos, and hours after US envoy Steve Witkoff held late-night talks with Putin.

Combo pictures of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. (AFP)

Three-way talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States opened in Abu Dhabi on Friday, as Moscow made clear it was not backing away from its demand that Ukrainian forces withdraw from the eastern Donbas region as a condition for ending the war.

The talks, confirmed by the UAE foreign ministry, mark the first known face-to-face negotiations involving Moscow and Kyiv on a peace plan promoted by US President Donald Trump since the conflict began nearly four years ago.

The UAE said the discussions are scheduled to continue over two days and aim to promote dialogue and identify political solutions to the crisis."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said territory would be a central issue in the talks. The Donbas is a key issue," he told reporters, adding that the discussions were an important step, though their outcome remained uncertain.

God willing (the talks will lead) to ending the war," he said, while cautioning that the process could still face setbacks.

The negotiations come a day after Trump met Zelenskyy at the World Economic Forum in Davos, and hours after US envoy Steve Witkoff held late-night talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

Despite the renewed diplomatic push, the Kremlin restated its long-held position on Donbas. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russias stance was unchanged.

Russias position is well known on the fact that Ukraine, Ukrainian armed forces, have to leave the territory of the Donbas," he said. This is a very important condition."

Kyiv, which still controls around 20 percent of the Donbas region, has repeatedly rejected such terms, calling them unacceptable. Germany, a key ally of Ukraine, said it still had major questions" over whether Moscow was willing to compromise.

Ukraines delegation in Abu Dhabi is led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov and includes senior military and political figures. Russia is represented by an all-military delegation, including GRU intelligence chief Igor Kostyukov, while economic envoy Kirill Dmitriev is expected to hold separate talks with US officials.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Location : Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

First Published: January 23, 2026, 22:36 IST

News world 'Ukraine Must Withdraw From Donbas': Russia Stands Firm As Abu Dhabi Trilateral Peace Talks Begin

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Shehbaz Sharif Faces Backlash As Pakistan Backs Trump's Gaza 'Board Of Peace', PTI Questions Intent

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 14:02 IST

PTI leaders have demanded a referendum and full scrutiny, framing the decision as a sign of public distrust towards the Shehbaz Sharif government and the civil-military nexus.

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif (Image: Andrew Harnik/GETTY IMAGES/AFP)

Pakistans decision to join US President Donald Trumps proposed Gaza Board of Peace" has triggered sharp domestic backlash, exposing deep political, religious and ideological fault lines within the country. Opposition parties, Islamist groups and religious scholars are questioning both the intent and the process behind the move, complicating the Shehbaz Sharif governments effort to manage the national narrative.

Sources have told CNN-News18 that according to opposition leaders, the decision was taken in a non-transparent and unilateral manner, without parliamentary debate, public consultation or wider stakeholder engagement. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has emerged as one of the most vocal critics, arguing that a move of such geopolitical and moral consequence cannot ignore the will of Pakistans nearly 250 million people. PTI leaders have demanded a referendum and full scrutiny, framing the decision as a sign of public distrust towards the Shehbaz Sharif government and the civil-military nexus.

PTI has also insisted that no plan concerning Gaza should contradict Palestinian wishes. Party leaders have rejected any framework that sidelines Palestinian agency, warning that Pakistan risks diluting its long-standing principled stance by aligning with a US-centric initiative led by President Trump.

The government, however, is projecting participation in the Trump-led board as a humanitarian and diplomatic effort focused on securing a permanent ceasefire, facilitating aid delivery and contributing to Gazas reconstruction. Official sources argue that engagement allows Pakistan to advocate for Palestinian relief from within the process rather than remaining on the sidelines.

That explanation has failed to placate religious groups at home. Hardline clerics and Islamist organisations view the move as a betrayal of Pakistans ideological foundations, which have historically emphasised Islamic solidarity and unwavering support for Palestinian rights. Critics argue that joining a Trump-led platform effectively legitimises a framework perceived to be closely aligned with pro-Israel interests and dismissive of Palestinian political aspirations.

Opposition voices from across the religious and political spectrum have reinforced these concerns. Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas of Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen and former information minister Shireen Mazari have publicly questioned the wisdom of the decision, calling it morally incorrect and strategically unwise. Islamist groups and religious scholars have accused the government of legitimising a peace architecture that sidelines Palestinians.

Sources warn that religious parties possess significant street power and the ability to mobilise thousands, particularly amid existing economic and political frustration. After Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam chief Fazal-ur-Rehman voiced opposition, PTIs sustained criticism has further intensified pressure on the government.

As dissent deepens, Pakistans Gaza diplomacy now faces not only international scrutiny but an increasingly volatile domestic reckoning  testing the governments ability to balance ideology, diplomacy and public legitimacy.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 14:02 IST

News world Shehbaz Sharif Faces Backlash As Pakistan Backs Trump's Gaza 'Board Of Peace', PTI Questions Intent

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Spain Says No To Trumps 'Board Of Peace' Invitation; At Least 9 Countries Decline To Join

Curated By :



Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 20:23 IST

The Board of Peace has sparked international criticism for appearing to create a parallel global body to the United Nations, with Trump serving as its chairman.

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and US President Donald Trump. (AFP photos)

Spain on Friday formally declined an invitation from US President Donald Trump to join his newly launched Board of Peace, saying the move aligns with Madrids long-standing commitment to multilateralism and the United Nations system.

Speaking after an EU summit in Brussels, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said, After much reflection, Spain has decided not to participate in the so-called Board of Peace. We appreciate the invitation, but we decline."

Sanchez stressed that the board operates outside the UN framework and does not include the Palestinian Authority. The future of Gaza and the West Bank must be decided by Palestinians," he added.

We appreciate the invitation but we DECLINE  Spain turns down Trumps Board of Peace invitePM Sanchez objects to absence of Palestinian Authority as a member and initiative being outside framework of UN Future of Palestine as a whole must be decided by the Palestinians pic.twitter.com/gZGMuFMa0d  RT (@RT_com) January 23, 2026

The Trump administration has described the Board of Peace as a body that will broker and monitor ceasefires, organise security arrangements, and coordinate reconstruction in conflict zones. The initiative was originally conceived as part of Trumps Gaza peace plan but has since expanded to cover broader international conflicts.

The boards launch ceremony took place at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday. Notably absent were traditional US allies, including Canada, Britain, and most European Union members. Only Hungary and Bulgaria attended alongside Israel and several Middle Eastern countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Countries Who Have Declined The Invitation

Spain joins a growing list of countries that have refused the invitation, including France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Slovenia, Italy, and the United Kingdom.

In Canadas case, Trump personally withdrew the invitation for Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, following comments by the Canadian leader about a rupture" in the US-led global order.

Carneys government also indicated that it would not pay the proposed $1 billion fee for permanent membership in the board.

The Board of Peace has sparked international criticism for appearing to create a parallel global body to the United Nations, with Trump serving as its chairman.

Invitations have been extended even to controversial figures such as Russian President Vladimir Putin, drawing further scrutiny. Trump has claimed the board would operate in conjunction" with the UN, but many analysts remain sceptical of its purpose and legitimacy.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: January 23, 2026, 20:23 IST

News world Spain Says No To Trumps 'Board Of Peace' Invitation; At Least 9 Countries Decline To Join

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The $2 Billion Smog: Why Gulf Investors Are Suing Pakistan Over K-Electric Collapse | Exclusive

Reported By :

CNN-News18

Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 22:27 IST

This move is particularly damaging as it pits Islamabad against some of its most dependable economic allies in Riyadh and Kuwait City

The claim, filed on January 16 at the Permanent Court of Arbitration, marks a dramatic escalation in a decade-long dispute over K-Electric, Karachis primary power supplier. (Representational image: Canva)

In a significant legal blow to Pakistans struggling economy, a consortium of prominent Gulf investors has initiated international arbitration against the state, seeking $2 billion in damages. The claim, filed on January 16 at the Permanent Court of Arbitration, marks a dramatic escalation in a decade-long dispute over K-Electric, Karachis primary power supplier.

The legal action represents 32 Saudi entitiesincluding the influential Al-Jomaih familyand five Kuwaiti firms, who collectively hold a 30.7 per cent indirect stake in the utility. This move is particularly damaging as it pits Islamabad against some of its most dependable economic allies in Riyadh and Kuwait City.

The Trigger: A Failed Chinese Exit

The roots of the crisis trace back to 2016, when the investors reached an agreement to sell their controlling interest in K-Electric to Shanghai Electric Power for $1.77 billion. According to the arbitration filing, this transaction was held in a state of administrative limbo for over eight years.

Investors allege that the Pakistani state repeatedly changed the rules mid-game", withholding mandatory national security clearances and imposing contradictory regulatory conditions. The deal finally collapsed in late 2025 after the Chinese giant withdrew its offer, citing changing business conditions" and a lack of predictable policy. The Gulf consortium argues this prolonged obstruction effectively amounted to an indirect expropriation of their investment.

Regulatory Drift and Financial Hostility

The arbitration notice outlines a pattern of what investors describe as confiscatory" state behaviour:

Unpaid Subsidies: The government has reportedly failed to clear billions in tariff differential subsidies owed to K-Electric, some dating back nearly two decades.

Double Standards: While the state withheld these payments, it simultaneously imposed heavy late-payment penalties on K-Electric for its own dues.

Tariff Manipulation: In May 2025, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) issued final tariff determinations. However, the government allegedly refused to formally notify these, instead reopening settled matters through flawed review processes" that could cost the utility Rs 85 billion annually.

View from Delhi

According to top intelligence sources in New Delhi, the K-Electric dispute is being closely monitored as a barometer of Pakistans systemic instability. Indian agencies view the arbitration as part of a broader pattern where Pakistans mounting energy sector liabilitiesoften referred to as circular debt"are leading to desperate and inconsistent policy shifts.

Intelligence assessments suggest that this legal battle will severely strain Islamabads relationship with Gulf capitals. Analysts in Delhi believe that by undermining the confidence of Saudi and Kuwaiti investors, Pakistan is jeopardising its most critical lifeline" for financial bailouts. The consensus amongst Indian observers is that political interference in commercial contracts has now reached a tipping point, transforming a domestic energy crisis into a high-stakes diplomatic and legal flashpoint.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 22:25 IST

News world The $2 Billion Smog: Why Gulf Investors Are Suing Pakistan Over K-Electric Collapse | Exclusive

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'Transformational Moment': EU Officials Tell News18 India Partnership Set For Leap

Reported By :

CNN-News18

Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 17:25 IST

Ahead of the 16th India-EU Summit, officials revealed that the two entities are on the cusp of finalising a historic 'Comprehensive Strategic Agenda for 2030'

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who alongside European Council President Antonio Costa will serve as the Chief Guest for Indias 77th Republic Day, has described the pending FTA as the 'mother of all deals'. File pic/PTI

In a major diplomatic overture ahead of the Republic Day celebrations, senior European Union officials have described the upcoming 16th India-EU Summit as a transformational moment" for global geopolitics. Speaking with CNN-News18, officials revealed that the two entities are on the cusp of finalising a historic Comprehensive Strategic Agenda for 2030", which will include the near-conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the launch of a first-of-its-kind Security and Defence Partnership.

The Mother of All Deals

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who alongside European Council President Antonio Costa will serve as the Chief Guest for Indias 77th Republic Day, has described the pending FTA as the mother of all deals". The agreement is expected to create a unified market of two billion people, accounting for nearly a quarter of the global GDP.

EU officials noted that while India currently accounts for only 2 per cent of the EUs tradecompared to Chinas 15 per centthe FTA will provide the predictability and market access" needed to diversify supply chains. The deal aims to reduce economic dependencies and foster cooperation in digital and clean technologies. Despite the optimism, negotiators are still ironing out sensitive areas", including the EUs Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and commitments to the Paris Agreement.

A New Defence and Security Pillar

For the first time, the EU and India will launch a formal Security and Defence Partnership during the visit. This pact is designed to:

Enhance Industrial Ties: Facilitate defence-related orders from Europe to India and encourage joint production on a case-by-case basis.

Strategic Interoperability: Focus on maritime security (including critical infrastructure and operations like Atalanta), counter-terrorism, and cyber defence.

Information Sharing: Launch negotiations for a Security of Information Agreement (SOIA) to allow the exchange of classified material.

Officials emphasised that while they are aware of Indias historic relationship with Russia", they view India as a reliable partner" and urge New Delhi to use its leverage to help achieve peace in Europe, where the ongoing war is viewed as an existential threat".

Mobility, Connectivity, and Counter-Terrorism

A key deliverable of the summit will be a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Mobility, designed to facilitate the legal entry of Indian workers, students, and researchers into the EU. This framework aims to address Europes labour needs while supporting Indias development priorities.

On the regional front, the EU officials confirmed that the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) remains a priority despite being impacted by developments in the Middle East." Furthermore, the EU remains in a strong dialogue" with India regarding cross-border terrorism from Pakistan, with plans to discuss the issue further during the delegations stay. By endorsing the new five-year strategic agenda, both sides hope to anchor stability in the Indo-Pacific and reinforce a multilateral world order.

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First Published: January 23, 2026, 17:25 IST

News world 'Transformational Moment': EU Officials Tell News18 India Partnership Set For Leap

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Trump Set To Visit China In April, Says Xi Jinping Will Come To US Towards The End of 2026

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 10:24 IST

Donald Trump confirmed a 2026 China trip to meet Xi, citing better US-China ties, more trade, and Xi's planned US visit later this year.

This would be Trump's first trip to China since returning to office. (Photo: Reuters)

US President Donald Trump on Thursday confirmed his trip to China in 2026. Speaking to reporters, Trump said that he is looking forward to meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping and that they have always had a great relationship." He also added that Xi would visit the United States toward the end of the year."

Were gonna make a trip. Im going in April," Trump told reporters abroad on Air Force One as he returned to the US from his two-day trip to Davos. Ive always had a great relationship," he said. Trump also acknowledged that US-China ties were strained during the COVID-19 period. It was a very strained relationship during COVID, but now its an excellent relationship," he said.

Trump highlighted improving ties through increase in trade. He said, China is buying more US farm products. Look at all the farm products theyre buying now," Trump said. Soybeans  theyre buying a lot of soybeans."

That makes our farmers happy, and that makes me happy," he added.

This will be Trumps first visit to China since returning to office.

US-China Ties

US-China relations have been marked by sharp tensions in recent years. For past successive administrations, the US has considered China as its main global threat. Disputes between the two countries have centered on trade, technology, and security. At the same time, the two sides have maintained commercial ties in agriculture and energy.

China remains a key market for US farm exports. Soybeans are among the most closely watched commodities. Large Chinese purchases are often seen as a signal of improved political ties.

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Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: January 23, 2026, 10:24 IST

News world Trump Set To Visit China In April, Says Xi Jinping Will Come To US Towards The End of 2026

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US Immigration Officers Detain 5-Year-Old, School Says He Was Used As 'Bait'

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News18.com

Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 07:56 IST

A five-year-old boy and his father were detained by federal agents in Minnesota and sent to a detention center. Former US VP Kamala Harris condemned the action by ICE agents.

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Liam Ramos was detained by ICE agents. Image: X/@KamalaHarris)

A five-year-old preschooler in Minnesota was taken into custody by federal immigration agents along with his father as they returned home, according to school authorities and the familys lawyer.

The father-son duo was later transferred to a detention center in Texas. The incident marks the fourth case in recent weeks in which immigration officials have detained a student from the same Minneapolis-area suburb.

The child, Liam Conejo Ramos, was detained from a running car in his familys driveway on Tuesday afternoon, Columbia Heights Public Schools Superintendent Zena Stenvik said, according to a report in news agency AP.

She alleged that officers asked the boy to knock on the front door to check if others were inside the home, essentially using a 5-year-old as bait." The boys mother, who was inside, did not open the door.

It is learnt that the family arrived in the US in 2024 and has an active asylum case, Stenvik said, with no deportation order issued.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) disputed claims that a child was targeted. In a statement, DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said that ICE did NOT target a child."

McLaughlin said Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was arresting the father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, an Ecuadorian national, who she claimed had been living in the country unlawfully, and that he fled abandoning his child." She added that officers stayed with the boy for safety reasons, adding that parents are typically given options for their childrens care.

Local officials and neighbors said agents refused requests to leave Liam with another adult at the home or with school officials who offered to take responsibility for him.

I Am Outraged: Kamala Harris Condemns ICE Action

Former US Vice President Kamala Harris condemned the detention of a five-year-old child, calling it deeply disturbing.

In a post on X, Harris said the child should be at home with his family," not in a Texas detention facility. She accused ICE agents of using him as bait".

Liam Ramos is just a baby. He should be at home with his family, not used as bait by ICE and held in a Texas detention center. I am outraged, and you should be too," she tweeted.

The familys lawyer said Liam and his father were transferred to a detention facility in Dilley, Texas, and have not been directly reachable. Advocates warn of worsening conditions at the facility, citing illness and prolonged detention among children.

School leaders report declining attendance and rising fear among families, as immigration enforcement activity has intensified in the area. Liams teacher described him as kind and deeply missed by his classmates.

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Location : New York, United States of America (USA)

First Published: January 23, 2026, 07:56 IST

News world US Immigration Officers Detain 5-Year-Old, School Says He Was Used As 'Bait'

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BEIJING, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) said Friday that it has imposed administrative penalties on Zhejiang Ruifengda Assets Management Co., Ltd., its affiliated private equity institutions, and relevant individuals including actual controller Sun Wei for violations of law and regulations.

The CSRC's Shanghai bureau levied fines and confiscations totaling over 28 million yuan (about 4 million U.S. dollars) on Ruifengda and its affiliates, fined five responsible individuals more than 13 million yuan, and imposed a lifetime securities market ban on the firm's actual controller.

The CSRC said that any potential criminal issues identified will be referred to public security authorities in accordance with the law.

It added that the CSRC will continue to strictly investigate and punish serious violations in the private fund sector, purify the market environment, and protect investors' legitimate rights and interests. 
US Joins Moscow And Kyiv In First Trilateral Talks Of Ukraine War: Top Updates

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 22:20 IST

Ukrainian, Russian and US envoys met in Abu Dhabi for landmark talks on ending the war in Ukraine, with territorial control and security guarantees as key unresolved issues.

Ukrainian, Russian and US envoys met in Abu Dhabi for landmark talks on ending the war in Ukraine, with territorial control and security guarantees as key unresolved issues. (AI Image)

Ukrainian, Russian and US envoys held talks in Abu Dhabi on Friday, marking the first known instance in which officials from the Donald Trump administration have sat down with representatives from both sides as part of Washingtons push to advance efforts to end Russias nearly four-year-old war in Ukraine.

The meeting comes amid a flurry of diplomatic activity in recent days, stretching from Davos to the Kremlin, even as major obstacles, particularly over territorial control, continue to block a breakthrough.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in Davos on Thursday that a potential peace deal was nearly ready," though he acknowledged that some of the most sensitive issues remain unresolved. Chief among them is territory, especially control over eastern Ukraine.

According to officials speaking to Reuters, the Abu Dhabi talks represent a significant step, as US envoys are participating alongside delegations from both Ukraine and Russia. While Kyiv and Moscow have held talks separately in the past, this is believed to be the first time Washington has joined such a format directly.

The talks follow a private, hour-long meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum on Thursday. Zelenskyy later described the discussion as productive and meaningful," while Trump said both Russia and Ukraine were making concessions" in an effort to end the war.

Separately, Russian President Vladimir Putin held overnight talks at the Kremlin with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, discussions that reportedly lasted nearly four hours.

A spokesperson for Zelenskyy said the negotiations are taking place in multiple formats, with participants breaking into different groups depending on the subject. Sometimes everyone meets together, sometimes there are parallel discussions, and sometimes separate groups focus on specific topics," the spokesperson said.

The US delegation includes Witkoff and Kushner. Ukraine is represented by Rustem Umerov, head of Ukraines National Security and Defence Council; Andrii Hnatov, chief of the General Staff; and Kyrylo Budanov.

Russias delegation is led by Igor Kostyukov, according to Putins foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov. The Kremlin said other members are from the Defence Ministry, while Putins investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev is also attending.

The talks are expected to conclude on Saturday.

Few details have emerged about the agenda. Zelenskyy has said territorial concessions are likely to be discussed, while the Kremlin has described the talks only as a working group on security issues." Separate economic discussions are expected between Witkoff and Dmitriev, Russian officials said.

The territorial question remains the central sticking point. Speaking to journalists in a WhatsApp chat on Friday, Zelenskyy described control over the Donbas as key" to any agreement.

Russia currently occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory, following its full-scale invasion in 2022 and earlier hostilities dating back to 2014. While Moscow has made gains along the roughly 1,000-kilometre front line, the advances have come at a high military and economic cost amid Western sanctions.

Ushakov said a lasting settlement would be impossible without resolving the territorial issue, reiterating Moscows demand that Ukraine withdraw its forces from parts of eastern Ukraine that Russia illegally annexed in 2022 but never fully captured. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov echoed the position, saying Russias stance remained unchanged.

Ukraine, meanwhile, continues to press Western allies for long-term security guarantees to prevent any future Russian invasion, officials said.

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Location : Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

First Published: January 23, 2026, 22:20 IST

News world US Joins Moscow And Kyiv In First Trilateral Talks Of Ukraine War: Top Updates

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What Is That Blue Bruise On Donald Tump's Hand? US President Breaks His Silence | Watch

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 14:57 IST

Trump said that he takes more aspirin than doctors recommend because he wants smooth blood flow to his heart, describing it as maintaining "good thin blood

Donald Trump said the bruise appeared after his hand struck a table during events in Davos. (AP)

Blue marks spotted on US President Donald Trumps left hand recently triggered widespread speculation across US and international media, with much of the discussion centring on his age and health. The White House initially addressed the issue, and Trump later offered his own explanation while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on his return from the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.

Trump said the bruise appeared after his hand struck a table during events in Davos and attributed its visibility to his frequent intake of aspirin. Thats one of the side effects of taking aspirin," Trump said, adding that even a minor injury can quickly turn ino a noticeable bruise. Joking about the side effects, he remarked that while people are advised to take aspirin for heart health, those who want to avoid bruises should not.

I would say take aspirin if you like your heart, but dont take aspirin if you dont want to have a little bruising," he said, acknowledging that doctors have advised him against it.

According to Trump, doctors have told him he is very healthy" and does not need the medication, but he prefers not to take any chances. The White House Press Secretary, Carolyn Leavitt, also issued a statement saying the mark appeared after Trumps hand hit the corner of a signing table during the announcement of the Board of Peace.

Watch the video:

REPORTER: Bruising on your hand? Are you okay?"PRESIDENT TRUMP: Very good." REPORTER: Youre good?" PRESIDENT TRUMP: I clipped it on the table. So I put a little, what do they call it? Cream on it. But I clipped it. I would say take aspirin if you like your heart, but pic.twitter.com/JeegvqBKHV  Fox News (@FoxNews) January 23, 2026

Medical experts cited by Reuters said the explanation is plausible. Four doctors told the news agency that excessive aspirin use can thin the blood, making bruises more visible even after minor impact and causing them to take longer to heal.

Earlier this month, Trump told The Wall Street Journal that he takes more aspirin than doctors recommend because he wants smooth blood flow to his heart, describing it as maintaining good thin blood".

This is not the first time such marks have been noticed. Similar bruises appeared on Trumps hand last year, when the White House attributed them to his frequent handshakes with the public.

At 79, Trump is the second-oldest president in US history. His predecessor, Joe Biden, left office at 82 and chose not to contest the 2024 presidential election amid concerns over age and health.

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Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: January 23, 2026, 14:57 IST

News world What Is That Blue Bruise On Donald Tump's Hand? US President Breaks His Silence | Watch

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Whatever Happened To Global Warming?: Trump Mocks Climate Change Amid US Cold Wave

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026, 20:21 IST

Donald Trump took aim at climate activists, asking, Could the environmental insurrectionist please explain  WHATEVER HAPPENED TO GLOBAL WARMING?

US President Donald Trump. (Getty File)

US President Donald Trump renewed his long-standing skepticism of climate change, using forecasts of extreme cold weather across much of the country to mock the idea of global warming. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said a record cold wave" was expected to hit 40 states and described the conditions as rarely seen." He then took aim at climate activists, asking, Could the environmental insurrectionist please explain  WHATEVER HAPPENED TO GLOBAL WARMING?"

The remarks came as large parts of the US braced for sub-zero temperatures, snowstorms and icy conditions, with weather agencies warning of dangerous wind chills and widespread disruptions across several regions.

Trumps comments are consistent with his long-running criticism of climate science and environmental policy. Over the years, he has repeatedly dismissed global warming as exaggerated or fraudulent, often citing cold weather events as evidence against long-term climate trends.

During his previous term in office, Trump described climate change as a very expensive hoax" and claimed it was invented to undermine US economic competitiveness. He has also questioned the scientific consensus in international forums, arguing that climate policies place unfair burdens on American industries and workers.

His administration rolled back numerous environmental regulations and withdrew the US from the Paris climate agreement, drawing sharp criticism from scientists, environmental groups and several US allies. Trump later said his approach prioritised clean air and clean water" without what he called job-killing" climate rules.

At the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025, Trump escalated his rhetoric, calling climate change the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world" and dismissing climate predictions as being made by stupid people." At the time, he portrayed renewable energy as a scam," characterised carbon accounting as a conspiracy, suggested environmentalists wanted to kill all the cows" and repeatedly praised what he called clean, beautiful coal."

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Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: January 23, 2026, 20:21 IST

News world Whatever Happened To Global Warming?: Trump Mocks Climate Change Amid US Cold Wave

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BEIJING, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- China hopes that Iran will maintain national stability, and urges all parties to cherish peace, exercise restraint and resolve differences through dialogue, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Friday.

Spokesperson Guo Jiakun made the remarks at a daily news briefing in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's statement that the United States has a "massive" naval force heading toward Iran. 
Caroline Ellison is out of federal custody, roughly a year after she helped prosecutors take down Sam Bankman-Fried. Federal prison officials confirmed the 32-year-old former head of Alameda ResearchFTX's sister trading firm and a key player in its collapsewas released Wednesday from "community confinement," meaning she is no longer in a halfway house or on home confinement, Business Insider reports. Ellison pleaded guilty to conspiring with FTX founder Bankman-Fried in what prosecutors said was an $11 billion fraud that siphoned customer funds through Alameda. She became the government's star witness at his 2023 trial, offering an inside account of how customer money was misused and risk concealed.

Ellison had been moved out of a Connecticut prison in October after serving about 11 months of her two-year sentence; online records had previously projected her release for Feb. 20, but that date was quietly advanced. Bankman-Fried was convicted on seven counts including wire fraud and money laundering and is serving a 25-year sentence at a federal prison in Los Angeles while he appeals. He began lobbying last year for a pardon from President Trump, per the Guardian, but the president told the New York Times this month that he doesn't plan to pardon him.
A Minnesota school superintendent says immigration agents didn't just detain one of her studentsthey made the 5-year-old knock on his own front door to help them find more people. Columbia Heights Superintendent Zena Stenvik said Wednesday that masked federal agents stopped Liam Conejo Ramos in his driveway Tuesday as he arrived home from kindergarten with his father, MPR News reports. "Another adult living in the home was outside and begged the agents to let him take care of the small child, and was refused," she said. Instead, she said, agents had Liam walk to the door and ask to be let in so they could see who else was inside, "essentially using a 5-year-old as bait."

The boy and his father were then taken away, and they are now in a detention center in Texas, according to the family's attorney, Marc Prokosch. Stenvik says Liam's family has an active asylum case and no deportation order. Prokosch, who is weighing a habeas corpus petition, said he doubts the detention is illegal under current law but questions why agents would exercise their authority this way: "Just because something is legal doesn't mean it's moral. You know, yes, they may have the legal authority to detain a 5-year-old, but why?" Liam's teacher, Ella Sullivan, said he's "a bright young student, and he's so kind and loving, and his classmates miss him, and all I want is for him to be safe and back here."

Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement that "ICE did NOT target a child," the AP reports. She said the boy's father, an Ecuadorian national, fled on foot, "abandoning" the boy. McLaughlin's version of events differed from Stenvik'sshe said agents tried to get Liam's mother to take the boy but she "refused" to accept him. Vice President JD Vance, who visited Minneapolis on Thursday, defended the agents' actions, the New York Times reports. "What are they supposed to do?" he said. "Are they supposed to let a 5-year-old child freeze to death? Are they not supposed to arrest an illegal alien in the United States of America?"

District officials say Liam is one of four Columbia Heights students detained by immigration agents in separate incidents over the past two weeks, including a 10-year-old taken with her mother on the way to school and a 17-year-old seized after agents entered an apartment. Stenvik says agents have been "circling our schools, following our buses, coming into our parking lots and taking our children," and that fear has driven nearly a third of students to stay home. Other Twin Cities districts report absentee rates as high as 40% and are expanding virtual options.

In a post on X, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz urged the federal government to stop its "campaign of retribution." "Minnesotans want safety. They want freedom. They want what's best for our kids," he said. "Masked agents snatching preschoolers off the street and sending them to Texas detention centers serves none of those purposes."
Patagonia is taking a drag performer to court over a name that sounds a lot like its own. The outdoor-clothing company is suing Wyn Wiley, who performs as "Pattie Gonia," accusing the environmental activist of leaning on Patagonia's distinctive logo and branding to sell merchandise and causing what it calls "irreparable" harm to the company's image, the New York Post reports.

According to the complaint filed this week in federal court in California, Patagonia and Wiley reached a deal in 2022 under which Wiley agreed to respect the company's trademarks and keep their drag persona focused on activism, not commerce. Patagonia says that changed when Wiley applied with the US Patent and Trademark Office to register "PATTIE GONIA" for a range of commercial uses, including apparel and merch sales. Patagonia argues that Wiley's use of the Pattie Gonia name to advertise outdoor events and speaking gigs related to environmental sustainability overlap with the company's own mission, Reuters reports. Wiley, who once backpacked 100 miles in drag to raise money for outdoor nonprofits, has been using the stage name since 2018, the Ventura County Star reports.

Court documents say Patagonia had previously warned Wiley not to use its logo, its stylized mountain silhouette, or its familiar Belwe fontor anything "substantially similar." But after discovering Wiley's online shop, which offered "Pattie Gonia Hiking Club" shirts and stickers and other items that allegedly echoed Patagonia's look, company lawyers emailed again last February. "Patagonia remains supportive of your work," the email said, but insisted the drag persona "not be commercialized" and asked that sales of products using Pattie Gonia branding or Patagonia-like designs stop.

Wiley and a business partner replied that they "have never and will never reference the brand Patagonia's logo or brand," arguing there was "plenty of room" for both identities to coexist and saying they trusted "Patagonia will stay on their side and we will stay on ours," the suit states. Patagonia says subsequent outreach went unanswered and that Wiley continued to display branding too close to its own, prompting the company to sue. Wiley has not publicly commented on the lawsuit, and the case now puts a prominent climate-focused drag activist on a legal collision course with one of the most visible outdoor brands in the US.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday the Board of Peace he proposed is withdrawing its invitation to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney for Canada to join the body.

"Dear Prime Minister Carney: Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canada's joining", Trump wrote in a post on his social media platform Truth Social, with no explanations.

The move followed public exchanges between the two leaders earlier in the week. Earlier on Thursday, Carney rejected Trump's claim that Canada relies on the United States for its existence after returning from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, without meeting with the U.S. president.

"Canada and the United States have built a remarkable partnership. In the economy, in security and in rich cultural exchange," Carney said in Quebec City. "But Canada doesn't live because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadian."

At Davos, Carney warned of a "rupture" in the global order, voicing support for Greenland and Denmark and criticizing the use of tariffs and economic pressure by major powers. Trump, speaking at the forum, said, "Canada lives because of the United States."

Since returning to the White House, Trump has intensified trade and political frictions with Canada, imposing broad tariffs and repeatedly suggesting that Canada become the 51st U.S. state. 
A federal magistrate in Minnesota has thrown a wrench into the Justice Department's attempt to charge independent journalist Don Lemon over an anti-ICE protest inside a St. Paul church . Magistrate Judge Douglas Micko declined to sign a criminal complaint against Lemon stemming from Sunday's protest, according to multiple sources who spoke with CBS News . One source said Attorney General Pam Bondi was "enraged" by the move, though another emphasized prosecutors could still pursue Lemon through other legal avenues. Lemon's lawyer, Abbe Lowell, called the magistrate's decision proof that Lemon's actions were protected newsgathering and vowed to fight any future charges as an attack on press freedom.

Micko also narrowed the government's case against two local activists tied to the same protest: St. Paul school board member Chauntyll Louisa Allen and civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong. Both were charged with conspiring to interfere with religious freedom, but Micko refused to add a second count under the FACE Act, which targets the use of force, threats, or physical obstruction at places of worship. On Allen's arrest warrant, the FACE charge was literally crossed out with "NO PROBABLE CAUSE" scrawled in the margin, defense lawyers said. During a tense hearing, Micko halted proceedings until prosecutors produced arrest warrants, then rejected the Justice Department's bid to detain the women, saying he saw no evidence of force despite prosecutors labeling the case a "crime of violence." Bondi claims Armstrong organized the protest, the AP reports.

Allen and Armstrong were ordered released under conditions, including staying in Minnesota and away from the church, though defense attorneys later said they would remain in custody while the Justice Department appeals. A third person, William Kelly, has also been arrested. The protest itself erupted after demonstrators learned that an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official was serving as one of the pastors at Cities Church. The action disrupted Sunday services and came against the backdrop of near-daily demonstrations over the Trump administration's surge of ICE and Border Patrol agents to the Twin Cities and the fatal shooting of US citizen Renee Good by an ICE officer. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon has publicly suggested Lemon could still face charges, arguing that being a journalist "is not a badge or a shield" against prosecution.
Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the settlement in Ukraine with President Trump's envoys during marathon overnight talks, and the Kremlin insisted that the territorial issue needs to be resolved to reach a peace deal. The Kremlin meeting, which lasted past 3am Friday, came hours after Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky sharply criticized his European allies Thursday for what he cast as their slow and fragmented response to Russia's nearly four-year full-scale invasion that he said has left Ukraine at the mercy of Putin amid an ongoing US push for a peace settlement, the AP reports.

Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov, who participated in Putin's meeting with Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, said "it was reaffirmed that reaching a long-term settlement can't be expected without solving the territorial issue," a reference to Moscow's demand that Kyiv withdraws its troops from the areas in the east that Russia illegally annexed but never fully captured. Zelensky said after meeting Thursday with Trump in Davos, Switzerland, that the future status of land in eastern Ukraine currently occupied by Russia is unresolved but that peace proposals are "nearly ready."

Ushakov told reporters that it was agreed that Russian, Ukrainian, and US officials will hold talks on security issues related to a prospective peace deal in the United Arab Emirates on Friday. Ushakov noted that Trump's envoys informed Putin about Trump's meeting with Zelensky, as well as earlier discussions they had with Ukrainian and European officials. The Kremlin talks that he described as "frank, constructive" and "fruitful" began when it was just before midnight in Moscow and lasted nearly four hours.

Witkoff and Kushner were joined by Josh Gruenbaum, the head of the Federal Acquisition Service who serves as a senior adviser on Trump's Board of Peace that Russia has been invited to join. While Russia is considering the invitation, Putin reaffirmed his offer to send $1 billion to the board from Russian assets frozen in the US to help fund rebuilding Gaza. Asked about Putin's proposal to use Russia's frozen assets for the contribution to the Board of Peace, Trump said he thought it was fine. "If he's using his money, that's great," he said
President Trump has rescinded his invitation for Canada to join the "Board of Peace" he unveiled Thursda y at the World Economic Forum in Davos. In a Truth Social post addressed to Prime Minister Mark Carney Thursday evening, Trump said: "Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canada's joining, what will be, the most prestigious Board of Leaders ever assembled, at any time."

Carney had not confirmed whether Canada would participate. Earlier this week, Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said Ottawa had no intention of paying for a permanent seat, adding that Canada would not "pay if we were to join," the CBC reports. The withdrawal comes amid a sharp public exchange between Trump and Carney. In a Davos speech that earned a standing ovation Tuesday, the Canadian leader warned that major powers, including the US, are turning economic ties into "weapons," and urged "middle powers" to align more closely with one another. "The old order is not coming back," he said.

Trump responded the next day from the same stage, saying Canada should be "grateful" to the US. "Canada lives because of the United States," he declared adding, "Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements." Carney had already left Davos at that point, the CBC reports. Speaking to his cabinet Thursday, Carney pushed back, calling the cross-border relationship a "remarkable partnership" spanning economics, security, and culturebut adding, "Canada doesn't live because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadian."

"We are masters in our home, this is our own country, it's our future, the choice is up to us," he said. Carney praised Canada's values as key to maintaining sovereignty, the AP reports. "We can show that another way is possible, that the arc of history isn't destined to be warped toward authoritarianism and exclusion; it can still bend toward progress and justice." Trump pulled the Board of Peace invite hours later.
A Chicago jury has cleared a Mexican immigrant accused of trying to put a price on the head of a top Border Patrol official. Juan Espinoza Martinez, a longtime Chicago resident and union carpenter, had faced a federal murder-for-hire charge over Snapchat messages that included a photo of senior tactical commander Gregory Bovino and lines like "10K if u take him down," the New York Times reports. Prosecutors argued Espinoza Martinez intended to solicit Bovino's killing and pointed to messages that also offered money for information if Bovino were captured. One of the two recipients was his younger brother. The other, a construction business owner, was a longtime government informant who forwarded the messages to law enforcement.

Defense lawyers countered that Espinoza Martinez was not organizing violence but passing along social media chatter reflecting anger over immigration raids in his neighborhood. They said he lacked the money, means, or plan to carry out a hit, and emphasized that the government produced no evidence of concrete steps toward an attack. "Sharing Facebook posts is not a federal crime," said attorney Jonathan Bedi. Defense lawyers played clips of an interview with law enforcement in which Espinoza appeared confused about the charges and said he sent the messages while unwinding after work, the AP reports. "I didn't threaten anyone," he said. "I'm not saying that I was telling them to do it."

After Espinoza Martinez was arrested, federal authorities called him depraved and Bovino, described by the Times as the "swaggering public face" of immigration raids, said it was evidence that Chicago was a "war zone." Claims in early court filings that Espinoza Martinez was a "high-ranking" Latin Kings member were later scaled back by prosecutors to an "affinity" for the gang, prompting the judge to bar gang references at trial. After a three-day proceeding and roughly three hours of deliberations, jurors acquitted him. Espinoza Martinez, who prosecutors say is in the country without authorization and lives with his wife and three children, remains in custody while a separate immigration case proceeds.

The verdict comes as federal prosecutors struggle to secure charges and convictions stemming from immigration protests and operations in Chicago, with grand juries rejecting some cases and judges sharply criticizing tactics by Homeland Security and Border Patrol. Out of 31 people charged in federal court in Chicago with non-immigration crimes linked to the crackdown, 15 have now been cleared, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Espinoza Martinez was the first to go to trial. In a post on X, Stephen Miller, President Trump's deputy chief of staff, blasted "leftist judges and juries," claiming they were "empowering violent insurrection against the government."
Silk diapers? Not quite. But Procter & Gamble's product in China can at least qualify as "silky." The consumer-goods giant has rolled out Pampers Prestige diapers lined with silk fibers in the nation, reports CNBC . It's part of a push to sell higher-end products even as China's birth rate hits record lows . The company, essentially, is betting that premium upgrades aimed at well-off parents will work out better than price cuts across the board.

"The China team created a product that  leveraged the Chinese history with silkthe shiny, soft yet strong, luxurious material has been a status symbol for more than two thousand years," CEO Shailesh Jejurikar told analysts during a conference call, per the Cincinnati Enquirer. (The company is based in the city.) P&G did not disclose how the new product is priced relative to its standard diapers. However, China continues to be an increasingly important part of the company's portfolio: Sales there have been on the rise in recent quarters, even as they have declined in North America, notes the Enquirer.
The day after he dropped his threat to seize territory from NATO ally Denmark, President Trump found a different way to outrage alliance members. "We've never needed them. We have never really asked anything of them," he told Fox News on Thursday. "You know, they'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan, or this or that, and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front line." His comments clashed sharply with the record of the 20-year war, in which Britain lost 457 service members, Canada 165, and Denmark 44among the highest casualty rates relative to population, Politico reports. Just under a third of the 3,621 coalition troops killed in Afghanistan were not American. In the UK, pushback came from across the political spectrum.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the remarks "insulting and frankly appalling," reports the New York Times. Asked if Trump should apologize, he responded that if he had "misspoken in that way or said those words, I would certainly apologize."

NATO's Article 5, which states that an attack on one member should be considered an attack on all, "has only been triggered once. The UK and NATO allies answered the US call," Defense Secretary John Healey said in a post on X. "And more than 450 British personnel lost their lives in Afghanistan. Those British troops should be remembered for who they were: heroes who gave their lives in service of our nation."

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said, "Trump saying NATO allies 'weren't on the front line' in Afghanistan is flat-out nonsense. British, Canadian, and NATO troops fought and died alongside the US for 20 years. This is a fact, not opinion."

In a post on X, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said, "457 British troops lost their lives in Afghanistan. Trump avoided military service 5 times. How dare he question their sacrifice."

Diane Dernie, whose son Ben Parkinson was the most severely injured British soldier to survive the war, called Trump's remarks "stunning" and "insulting," the Telegraph reports. "I can assure you the Taliban didn't plant IEDs miles and miles back from the front line," she said."To say that British troops, NATO forces, were not involved on the front linesit's just a childish man trying to deflect from his own actions, and it's just beyond belief."

Trump's remarks were also strongly criticized in Canada, CTV News reports. "We were the frontline," said retired corporal Bruce Moncur. "We took over Kandahar from the Americans because of their war in Iraq. We alleviated those forces so they could move to Iraq. We were as frontline as frontline can get." He said he was "enraged" by Trump's remarks. Moncur was severely injured in a 2006 friendly fire attack that killed one platoon member and wounded dozens of others. "An American A-10 Warthog fired on our position without looking at his coordinates," he said.

Earlier this week, after Trump questioned whether NATO would help the US in a crisis, Mark Rutte, secretary general of NATO, said, "You can be assured, absolutely, if ever the United States was under attack, your allies will be with you," per the Guardian. "There is an absolute guarantee. I really want to tell you that, because it pains me if you think it is not."

In a post on Truth Social Thursday evening, Trump said, "Maybe we should have put NATO to the test: Invoked Article 5, and forced NATO to come here and protect our Southern Border from further Invasions of Illegal Immigrants, thus freeing up large numbers of Border Patrol Agents for other tasks."

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(This story was updated to include the comments of the British prime minister.)
Police in Indiana have made five arrests in the shooting of a judge and his wife in their Lafayette home, but they haven't yet spelled out an alleged motive. Tippecanoe County Judge Steven Meyer and his wife, Kimberly, both survived last weekend's attack, though he was shot in the arm and she was shot in the hip. Of the five men arrested, one has an active case in Meyer's court, reports the Journal & Courier . Thomas Moss, 43, had been scheduled to appear on charges including domestic violence, intimidation, and being a violent felon carrying a weapon. Now he faces attempted murder charges as well.

The other four arrested are Raylen Ferguson, 38; Zenada Greer, 61; Blake Smith, 32; and Amanda Milsap, 45. Ferguson and Smith also face charges including attempted murder. Milsap is charged with bribery and obstruction of justice, while Greer is charged with assisting a criminal and obstruction of justice, per Fox News. "These arrests are the result of a comprehensive, collaborative effort among multiple agencies," the Lafayette Police Department said.

The attack unfolded in daylight and at close range. Dispatch audio obtained by Fox News Digital indicates a suspect knocked on the Meyers' door around 2:15pm Sunday and said, "We have your dog," before gunfire erupted through the door. Investigators say there were no previous threats, 911 calls, or known incidents at the couple's address, and describe this as the first recorded act of violence against Meyer.
A White House social media post is drawing scrutiny after it used a digitally altered arrest photo of a Minnesota protester to make it appear she was crying. The original image, shared on X by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, shows civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong with a neutral expression as she's taken into custody after a protest inside a St. Paul church. About 30 minutes later, the White House account posted what appears to be the same photo, but with Armstrong's face edited to look anguished, complete with visible tears, alongside a caption labeling her "a far-left agitator." Vice President JD Vance later reposted the altered image.

After X users quickly questioned whether the picture had been manipulated, CBS News asked the White House for comment. Instead of addressing how the image was created, the press office pointed to an X post by spokesperson Kaelan Dorr calling it a "meme" and adding, "Enforcement of the law will continue. The memes will continue." Digital forensics expert Hany Farid of UC Berkeley says the image was likely altered with artificial intelligence and called the practice "troubling," saying it undermines public trust in official communications.

Armstronga former Minneapolis NAACP chief who the AP notes has led other local protests, including ones for George Floyd and Philando Castilewas arrested along with other demonstrators during a protest at Cities Church, where a local ICE officer reportedly serves as pastor, following the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE officer earlier this month. Noem said Armstrong faces charges under a civil rights statute that targets efforts to intimidate someone exercising a constitutional right. Armstrong is expected to be released after a judge rebuffed a request for a detention hearing.

Two other protesters were also arrested, while a magistrate judge declined to sign a complaint against independent journalist Don Lemon in connection with the same action, according to multiple sources. The controversy comes as President Trump continues to share AI-generated imagery on social media, including a recent depiction of himself in Greenland with other top US officials.
A Belgian endurance rower competing alone in an Atlantic race was pulled from a life raft roughly 1,100 nautical miles east of Puerto Rico after his boat rolled over in heavy seas, the US Coast Guard says. Per People , officials identify the man as 47-year-old Benoit Bourguet, who was taking part in the World's Toughest Row , a 3,000-mile event from Spain's Canary Islands to Antigua. His boat, the City of Liverpool, was reportedly slammed into twice by "two rogue waves" in 13- to 15-foot swells, capsizing his vessel and forcing him to abandon it. He climbed into a life raft, which was tethered to his overturned watercraft. Bourguet later told rescuers he'd been in distress for about 24 hours. No other race boats have reported problems.

The rescue began around 2am on Wednesday, when Coast Guard members in San Juan picked up an emergency beacon signal from Bourguet's boat, followed by a second distress alert from his personal locator. Race organizers told the Coast Guard they'd lost contact with him, despite repeated attempts. An Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue (AMVER) alert went out to nearby ships, and the 1,092-foot Horten tanker cruised for more than 100 miles over a 12-hour stretch to reach the signal's position, receiving Coast Guard updates throughout the journey.

As the tanker closed in, its crew spotted a person in a life raft, tossed a life ring, and brought Bourguet aboard. The Coast Guard says he was dehydrated but otherwise in overall good condition. Lt. Kenneth Snyder of Coast Guard Sector San Juan praised the "seamless coordination" with the Horten, per a release, adding that the tanker's voluntary participation in AMVER was "critical" to the outcome. Bourguet's transfer from the tanker is being arranged with race officials. CBS News notes that it's been a busy month for the Coast Guard in the area, after members recently rescued a surfer stuck on a reef off the Puerto Rico coast after he'd been missing for more than 30 hours.
The Davos summit is over, with the big news centering on President Trump's speech rejecting the idea of using military force to take Greenland. He also called off his threat to impose tariffs on nations that oppose his push to assume control of the territory. In the aftermath, a common theme has emerged in analyses of the summit:

Trump "backed down," in the eyes of the conservative editorial page of the Wall Street Journal. "And he did so after financial markets, European allies and the U.S. Congress raised objections." It shows "that, despite his over-the-top rhetoric, Mr. Trump can't get away with whatever he likes. He is constrained by democratic institutions in the U.S., the necessity of maintaining alliances abroad, and public opinion as measured by polls and investors."
BEIRUT, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Friday reiterated opposition to evacuating communities along the country's southern border, emphasizing the need to rebuild infrastructure, strengthen the economy, and create jobs to improve stability.

Speaking to a delegation from the union of municipalities of southern border towns, Aoun said the government was committed to protecting displaced residents and ensuring their safe return.

"Lebanon cannot recover, and its people cannot live in peace while the south remains wounded. We will do everything necessary to achieve that," he said.

Aoun also highlighted the role of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), noting that France, Italy, and Indonesia have pledged to remain after UNIFIL's mandate expires at year's end. He added that discussions are ongoing to halt Israeli airstrikes and protect civilians in the region.

The southern border of Lebanon has long been a flashpoint between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group. A 2024 agreement helped maintain a fragile ceasefire, but Israel has conducted near-daily strikes in southern Lebanon, citing threats from Hezbollah. Lebanon's government and international observers have accused Israel of violating the truce. 
The UK's Prince Harry joined the outraged response on Friday to President Trump's contention that US allies largely hung back during the fighting in Afghanistan after 9/11. Harry, who did two tours in Afghanistan while serving in the British army, said in a statement that the sacrifices of troops who responded to the 2001 invocation of NATO's Article 5 "deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect," People reports. "I served there. I made lifelong friends there," he said. "And I lost friends there."

In a Fox News interview that aired Thursday, Trump questioned whether NATO partners would "be there" if the US needed them, adding that while allies "sent some troops to Afghanistan," they "stayed a little back, a little off the front lines." In response to the 9/11 attacks, the US assembled a coalition to remove al-Qaeda and the ruling militant group the Taliban from Afghanistan, per NBC News. As Harry pointed out, that included NATO triggering Article 5 for the only time in its history. "It meant that every allied nation was obliged to stand with the United States in Afghanistan, in pursuit of our shared security. Allies answered that call," he said.

Others from allied nations who served and their families objected to Trump's assessment, per the BBC. His comments are "as personal as it gets," said the mother of Cyrus Thatcher, a British service member killed in Afghanistan at age 19 by an IED while helping a US bomb disposal team reach safety. "I think they should put Donald Trump in a uniform and put him on the front line, instead of pushing a pen behind a desk. He should go out there and do it himself," said the mother of Christopher Kershaw, who was killed 14 years ago at 19 when the armored vehicle he was driving ran over an IED. He was three weeks into the deployment, his mother said, adding that she misses him every day. "I wonder what he would be doing now," she said.
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Collaboration delivers vital aid and hope to hurricane-affected regions in Jamaica

TORONTO, Jan. 22, 2026 /CNW/ - Sunwing Vacations extends heartfelt thanks to travel agents across Canada for their exceptional commitment and support, which made possible a generous $210,000 donation to aid communities in Jamaica impacted by Hurricane Melissa. This remarkable achievement underscores the vital role travel agents play in creating meaningful change beyond travel.

Marina Piccioni, Gift Card Program Director, Sunwing Vacations Group; Rahul Singh, Canadian paramedic and Founder of GlobalMedic; and Danya Greenless, Manager, Partner Development  Product, Sunwing Vacations Group. (CNW Group/Sunwing Vacations Inc.)

Between December 1 and 14, Sunwing Vacations committed to donate $100 to GlobalMedic for every Jamaica vacation booked to support Jamaica. Tourism plays a critical role in supporting local communities and driving economic recovery, emphasizing the importance of bringing travellers back to the island, despite the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.

"We are humbled that our partners remain confident in Jamaica's ability to build back, and this reinforces the fact that Jamaica is open for business, and we are ready to welcome our Canadian visitors," said Angella Bennett, Regional Director for Canada at the Jamaica Tourist Board. "This underscores how essential continued visitation is to restore livelihoods and sustain the destination's recovery."

Travel agents rose to the challenge and drove a remarkable increase in bookings to Jamaica, demonstrating both their commitment to clients and their meaningful support for communities as they rebuild.

"This initiative truly demonstrates the power of collaboration. Our travel agents across Canada came together not just to support their clients, but to make a real difference in the communities affected by Hurricane Melissa," said Danya Greenless, Manager, Partner Development, Product. "Seeing so many bookings translate directly into aid for families in Jamaica is inspiring, and it reinforces our belief that travel can bring hope and healing to those who need it most."

"Canadians are eager to return to Jamaica not only because of its natural beauty and warm hospitality, but because they want to play a role in supporting the people and the tourism industry as it rebuilds," said Greenless. "Travel can be a powerful force for good, and this initiative gave our clients an opportunity to make a meaningful impact while planning their vacation."

WestJet Group employees, including team members from Sunwing Vacations, partnered with GlobalMedic to pack more than 1,630 Emergency Food Kits and Family Kits at GlobalMedic's headquarters on November 6 and December 2. These kits were sent via WestJet Cargo and distributed to families in hurricane-affected regions, providing essential food and supplies during the recovery period.

"Support from partners like Sunwing Vacations, the WestJet Group, and Canada's travel agent community allows us to respond swiftly and effectively in times of crisis. These donations translate directly into life-saving aid for families in Jamaica who are working to rebuild after Hurricane Melissa," said Rahul Singh, the Canadian paramedic and founder of GlobalMedic.

This initiative highlights the power of community-driven action within the travel industry.

About Sunwing Vacations

As the leading vacation provider in Canada, Sunwing Vacations offers more vacation packages to the south than any other vacation provider with convenient direct service from cities across Canada to popular sun destinations across the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America. This scale enables Sunwing Vacations to offer customers exclusive deals at top-rated resorts in the most popular vacation destinations. Sunwing Vacations customers benefit from the assistance of our trusted partner in destination, NexusTours, whose representatives greet customers upon arrival and support them throughout their vacation journey. For more information, please visit sunwing.ca.

SOURCE Sunwing Vacations Inc.

Victoria Bakos PR, [email protected]
"IDS is Canada's leading design event, and it's the perfect stage for IKEA to showcase our commitment to kitchens--the heart of the home," said Rob Kelly, Chief Commercial Officer, IKEA Canada. "Kitchens are a key growth area for us as they represent where life happens--where families gather, meals are shared, and memories are made. Our presence at IDS reinforces our ambition to make a better everyday life for the many Canadians in their kitchens through smart storage solutions that are functional, high quality and affordable."

At IDS, IKEA Canada will unveil a 600-square-foot booth centered around the theme of Cooking & Eating that celebrates the kitchen as the heart of the home and showcases IKEA leadership in design, quality, and affordability. The immersive space features a main kitchen highlighting SEKTION's flexibility and style, a hidden prep kitchen for behind-the-scenes functionality, a walk-in pantry for smart storage and organization, and a dining area with a beverage workstation that brings people together. This thoughtfully designed booth demonstrates how IKEA combines beautiful design with practical solutions for real Canadian homes--addressing everyday challenges like waste sorting, organization, and maximizing space.

"Our IDS booth reflects what we hear in real Canadian homes," said EJ Middelhoven, Head of Home Furnishing & Retail Design, IKEA Canada. "People want smart storage, clutterfree countertops, and the kind of pantry they've always dreamed of. Our SEKTION kitchen system delivers this through flexible, beautifully designed solutions that make everyday life easier--and keep great design affordable for the many."

What to Expect at IDS 2026

Exclusive Preview: TERRSJO, a new textured kitchen door style debuting April 2026

TERRSJO, a new textured kitchen door style debuting April 2026 Immersive Kitchen Experience: A 600 sq. ft. showcase featuring SEKTION, one of Canada's most trusted and flexible kitchen systems

A 600 sq. ft. showcase featuring SEKTION, one of Canada's most trusted and flexible kitchen systems Keynote Presentation: Fredrika Inger, Global Chief Product and Commercial Officer at IKEA, on Friday, January 23 at 1:00 PM

Fredrika Inger, Global Chief Product and Commercial Officer at IKEA, on Special Offer: IKEA Family members receive an exclusive discount coupon during the event when they visit the booth

Event Details:

Interior Design Show (IDS) Toronto

January 22-25, 2026

Metro Toronto Convention Centre

For more information, visit IKEA.ca/IDSToronto

ABOUT IKEA CANADA

Founded in 1943 in Sweden, IKEA is a leading home furnishing retailer, offering a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possible can afford them. IKEA Canada is part of Ingka Group which operates 400 IKEA stores in 31 countries, including 16 in Canada. Last year, IKEA Canada welcomed 32.6 million visitors to its stores and 162.6 million visitors to IKEA.ca. IKEA Canada operates business through the IKEA vision - to create a better everyday life for the many people and does so through its local community efforts and sustainability initiatives. For more information on IKEA Canada, please visit IKEA.ca.

SOURCE IKEA Canada Limited Partnership

For media inquiries: Maja Clucas, Communication Business Partner, IKEA Canada, [email protected]
TORONTO, Jan. 22, 2026 /CNW/ - Patricia Kosseim, Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, is hosting a panel discussion about how artificial intelligence is being deployed in Ontario's health sector to mark Data Privacy Day.

While AI technologies offer potential benefits, they also raise important questions about privacy, accountability, and bias. Attendees will gain a better understanding of how AI is being used in health care, the risks that must be addressed, and the safeguards needed to protect personal health information and maintain patient trust.

Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EST (doors open at 8:30 a.m.)

(Commissioner Kosseim will be available for media interviews)

Location: MaRS Discovery District, 101 College St., Toronto

(Lower Level -- Auditorium)

Moderators:

Andrew Drummond, Director of Health Policy, IPC Ontario

Stephanie Lockert, Interim Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer, Ontario Health

Melissa Prokopy, Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, Ontario Hospital Association

Panelists:

Media representatives are invited to attend the event in person or online. Please register by emailing [email protected].

SOURCE Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner/Ontario

Media contact: [email protected]
As a flagship project under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the China-Egypt Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone has witnessed strengthened cooperation between the two countries. #GLOBALink
Insurance experts outline practical steps homeowners can take today to stay safe and avoid unnecessary losses

TORONTO, Jan. 23, 2026 /CNW/ - With most of Canada currently under Environment Canada's yellow and orange weather alerts for cold and snow, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is sharing tips to help Canadians protect their property.

"Winter storms and extreme freezing temperatures can cause extensive damage to homes, businesses and vehicles," said Rob de Pruis, National Director, Consumer and Industry Relations, IBC. "While we can't stop a winter storm or the potential aftermath, there are steps we can take to help mitigate the risks and better protect our property  and now is the time to act."

IBC's Top 10 Winter Storm Tips

Take steps to help prevent pipes from freezing; consider pipe insulation, especially for pipes near outside walls, basements and crawl spaces. Prevent drafts, seal cracks and openings around windows and doors and know where the water shut off valves are located. Create an emergency preparedness plan for your family and assemble disaster safety kits for your home, car and office. Prepare for power outages. Have flashlights and portable lighting ready. When using candles, always be mindful of fire hazards. Charge electronics and have backup power sources available. Inspect your attic for frost accumulation, and check your eavestroughs and roof, if safe to do so, for potential ice dams or icicles. If you are away, maintain heat in the dwelling and have someone regularly check your property according to your insurer's recommendations. Avoid driving, if possible. If you have to drive, clear all snow and ice from your vehicle before you start. Drive according to the road conditions and give snowplows and other vehicles plenty of space. Make sure you have extra windshield cleaner. Once the snowfall has ended, keep your sidewalk and the front stairs of your house clear of snow and ice. Keep snow away from gas meters, gas appliance vents, exhaust vents and basement windows. Move valuable items out of your basement to higher levels in your home, in case of flooding.

Insurance Info and Coverage

Insurance policies are not seasonal or temperaturespecific. Instead, they provide coverage for the perils outlined in your policy. There is no separate "winter" or "cold temperature" coverage; rather, your policy will list the specific perils that may occur as a result of cold conditions  for example, damage caused by freezing.

Perils like water damage from burst pipes, wind, hail or fire are typically covered in standard home insurance policies.

Frozen and burst pipes:

Standard home insurance policies cover the resulting damage caused by freezing and burst pipes, provided the pipes are in the heated portion of your home and reasonable steps are taken to maintain heat.

If your home is vacant, you should shut off the water supply and drain the lines, to help prevent frozen pipes.

If you plan on being away from home, check your insurance policy first. Most policies outline specific details on how often your home must be checked by a competent person to ensure heat is being maintained. Most insurance policies exclude frozen pipes/water damage if your home is vacant, even if you have permission for vacancy.

If your power goes out or furnace breaks down, take action immediately and do what you can to safely maintain warm temperatures in your home to help prevent pipes from freezing.

Most insurers have 24/7 claims reporting, so if you do have frozen and/or burst pipes, call your insurance provider right away to start the claims process.

High winds and property damage:

High winds in the winter are another concern and can cause extensive damage to your home or vehicle. Similar to frozen pipes, damage caused by wind is typically covered in your home insurance policy.

Most home insurance policies cover wind damage, including:

Damage caused by flying debris (broken branches, trees, etc.)



Damage to your home and contents if water or snow enters through openings caused by wind or hail.

Homeowners, in some circumstances, who can't return to their home as a result of insured damage may be entitled to additional living expenses.

For vehicles: Damage from wind, hail, ice or water is covered if comprehensive insurance coverage has been purchased. These coverages are not mandatory, so check your policy.

"Canadian winters are tough and seem to be getting even tougher," added de Pruis. "Do what you can to help protect yourself, each other and your most valuable assets by winterizing your home, avoiding slips and falls, and being a good winter driver."

Policyholders with questions about their individual policy should contact their insurance representative.

For general insurance information, contact IBC's Consumer Information Centre at 1844-2ask-IBC (1-844-227-5422 ext. 228) or [email protected].

About Insurance Bureau of Canada

Established in 1964, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is the national industry association representing Canada's private home, auto and business insurers. Its member companies make up the vast majority of Canada's highly competitive property and casualty (P&C) insurance market.

As the leading advocate for Canada's private P&C insurers, IBC collaborates with governments, regulators and stakeholders to support a competitive environment for the P&C insurance industry to continue to help protect Canadians from the risks of today and tomorrow.

IBC believes that Canadians value and deserve a responsive and resilient private P&C insurance industry that provides insurance solutions to both individuals and businesses.

For media releases, IN Focus articles, or to book an interview with an IBC representative, visit ibc.ca. Follow us on LinkedIn, X and Instagram , and like us on Facebook. If you have a question about home, auto or business insurance, contact IBC's Consumer Information Centre at 1-844-2ask-IBC. We're here to help.

SOURCE Insurance Bureau of Canada

Media Contact: Brett Weltman, Manager, Media Relations, IBC, [email protected]
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KABUL, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- One person was killed and 10 others injured due to an avalanche in northern Afghanistan's Baghlan province on Thursday, said Hedayatullah Hamdard, provincial director for the National Disaster Management Authority, on Friday.

The avalanche struck a hotel located along the main highway at the Salang Pass in Khinjan district on Thursday evening, killing one person on the spot and injuring 10 others, some of whom are in critical condition, the official added.

The mountainous Salang Pass, which connects the Afghan capital Kabul to the country's northern region, has seen heavy snowfall over the past couple of days and remained closed to traffic on Wednesday and Thursday.

According to Hamdard, rescue teams have saved about 60 other travelers from snowstorms and moved them to a nearby hotel.

Earlier on Thursday, Hafiz Mohammad Yusuf Hammad, a spokesperson for the country's National Disaster Management Authority, confirmed that 11 people had died across the country due to snowfall, rain, and chilly weather. 
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Rapid expansion of foreign brands in Malaysia's food and beverage sector will need to be addressed by stricter regulations on foreign involvement, Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Fuziah Salleh said on Thursday.

Among the measures under review is lowering the business floor area threshold that would trigger mandatory impact assessments, Fuziah told parliament in response to a question on government measures to curb the aggressive expansion of foreign food and beverage brands as well as price-fixing practices on e-commerce platforms that could threaten the survival of local micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.

"We acknowledge that there are gaps in the current enforcement of the guidelines, as they were drafted in 2020. The ministry is in the midst of reviewing the guidelines and will introduce several enhancements," Fuziah said.

She also said the ministry plans to table a bill to address rising consumer complaints and to foster a more sustainable and conducive e-commerce ecosystem, and is currently weighing whether to introduce new legislation or amend the Electronic Commerce Act 2006. 
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam attends the 14th National Congress of the CPV in Hanoi, Vietnam on Jan. 22, 2026. To Lam has been re-elected general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, an official press release said on Friday. (VNA via Xinhua)

HANOI, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- To Lam has been re-elected general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, an official press release said on Friday. 

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam attends the 14th National Congress of the CPV in Hanoi, Vietnam on Jan. 21, 2026. To Lam has been re-elected general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, an official press release said on Friday. (VNA via Xinhua)
This file photo taken in August 2025 shows a drone collecting data from an ultra-high voltage direct current (UHVDC) transmission line in Xuancheng, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua)

HEFEI, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- In the MAEXTRO Super Factory in Hefei, capital city of east China's Anhui Province, every new energy vehicle (NEV) rolling off the assembly line is born with a "twin."

One is a tangible machine of steel, circuits and sensors, ready for the road, while the other is its virtual replica living in the cloud. This is not science fiction, but the daily reality of this "digital twin" factory, where physical manufacturing and digital simulation run in lockstep.

Jointly built by Anhui-based automaker JAC Group and tech firm Huawei, the MAEXTRO Super Factory specializes in producing premium NEVs, with intelligent manufacturing at its core.

Inside the factory, real-time data collected by robots, cameras and sensors along the production line are transmitted to the factory's "digital twin" system at a rate of about 300,000 data entries per second, allowing the system to simulate the entire production process of each vehicle, according to Wei Dawei, an executive with the factory.

As a new car is being built in the physical world, a virtual replica of its production journey plays out in perfect synchronization on a nearby screen.

"The digital twin is far more than a simple 3D copy. It functions as the factory's intelligent brain," Wei said, noting that this technology is deeply integrated into the factory's quality control and process optimization endeavors.

Likening the digital twin system to a human metabolism capable of "self-evolution through continuous iteration," Wei said that by applying AI to analyze manufacturing data, the system helps optimize workflows and improve efficiency.

From factory floors to urban infrastructure, digital twin technology is gaining rapid traction across China. By bridging the physical and digital worlds in real time, such technology is emerging as a key enabler of the country's digital transformation, extending far beyond manufacturing into areas such as energy, transportation and public services.

The power sector is a prime example. According to Song Yufei, director of the UAV Inspection Operation Management Center at State Grid Anhui Electric Power Co., Ltd., utility workers in Anhui deploy drones equipped with LiDAR to scan transmission tower structures and transmission line right-of-way. After data matching, point cloud filtering and uniform sampling, the system generates LiDAR point cloud models that replicate real-world conditions with centimeter-level accuracy.

The integration of these digital twin models with AI has significantly enhanced emergency response capabilities in the sector, Song said.

He cited an incident last year involving a transmission line fault, when technicians needed to quickly determine the minimum distance between multiple nodes. "Using traditional methods such as checking blueprints and manual calculations would have taken at least 30 minutes," he explained.

Notably, by accessing digital twin models, the required data was obtained in just five minutes.

Digital twin technology is also finding fertile ground in heritage protection and smart logistics.

In northwest China's Shaanxi Province, the ancient Xi'an City Wall has been modeled with centimeter-level precision to enable around-the-clock digital monitoring. In the eastern Shandong Province, Rizhao Port has developed a marine digital twin platform that integrates topography, meteorology, water flow and vessel data, which has improved berthing and unberthing efficiency by 10 percent.

Noting that the combination of digital twins and AI is already reshaping the NEV industry, Wei said he expects the future of manufacturing to become even more intelligent. 

This undated photo shows an automated production line of the MAEXTRO Super Factory in Feixi County of Hefei, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua)
A jury has found a South Jersey man guilty in the sexual assaults of multiple children.

Alfonso Chavez, 44, of Absecon, was convicted on Friday of two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault and three counts each of sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child, the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office said in a statement.

Chavez was arrested in December 2023 after it was alleged that he sexually assaulted the victims in the city of Absecon. He has remained in custody ever since.

As part of his sentence, he will be subject to parole supervision for life and Megans Law registration upon his release.

Before his sentencing, he will undergo a mandatory psychosexual evaluation. The Atlantic County Prosecutors Office did not provide a date for the sentencing.
Two people were charged Wednesday for their connection to a shooting in Elmwood Park in December that left one person hospitalized, Bergen County prosecutors said.

Jhamir E. Brown, 29, of Passaic was charged with first-degree attempted murder, second-degree counts of aggravated assault and weapons offenses, and third-degree aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Elmwood Park police responded to a report of a shooting on Donor Avenue at 11:22 p.m. on Dec. 17, 2025 and found a 27-year-old suffering from gunshot wounds, officials said.

The man was taken to St. Josephs Medical Center in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries, officials said.

Investigators determined that Brown was responsible for the shooting, but did not release details of the investigation.

Authorities charged an acquaintance of Browns with fourth-degree possession of hollow-point ammunition, officials said. The person was released pending further court appearances.

Brown was arrested in Wayne on Wednesday and is being held in the Bergen County Jail, officials said.

Brown did not have an attorney listed in court records on Friday.
The New Jersey Supreme Court has shielded Bergen County from a lawsuit filed by a rollerblader who was seriously injured after she fell into a pothole at a county park in 2021.

The woman sued the county after she fell into the hole on a paved pedestrian path on April 24, 2021, in Van Saun County Park off Forest Avenue in Paramus, according to court documents.

The New Jersey Supreme Court affirmed Thursday the lower courts decisions that the park is immune to lawsuits such as this under New Jerseys Landowners Liability Act.

We hold that the LLA immunizes Bergen County for this accident, New Jersey Supreme Court Justice John Jay Hoffman wrote in his opinion.

Bergen County filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, claiming immunity under the act.

The trial court judge then dismissed the suit without prejudice on March 20, 2023, stating that the act applied to the park and that the woman did not allege willful or malicious conduct by the county.

A New Jersey appeals court upheld the dismissal in 2024.

The womans attorney, Alex Capozzi previously argued that the act isnt designed for a county park like Van Saun. The LLA was created for hunting and fishing on rural land; its really not designed for parks in urban areas, Capozzi previously said.

Hoffman agreed with the lower courts decision that this does not make the park ineligible for the New Jerseys Landowners Liability Act.

Even though it is located in a densely populated suburban, rather than rural, area, the park provides the same expansive and accessible property to which people are drawn for outdoor sport and recreation, Hoffman said. It is this very type of open property that the Legislature seeks to maintain in New Jersey and protect through the LLA.

Capozzi said Thursday that the New Jersey Supreme Courts decision could be harmful in the future.

Although we have the utmost respect for the decision of the Supreme Court, the courts interpretation in this case has the potential to be one of the most harmful decisions ever rendered to New Jersey citizens in the history of the states jurisprudence, Capozzi said. Inspections, maintenance, and repairs which were once incentivized by liability, have been effectively eliminated for all parcels of property used for recreational purposes in the entire State of New Jersey.

As a result, New Jersey will unquestionably be a less safe place to live and we look forward to the opportunity to address this issue by way of the legislature.
GUANGZHOU, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese military forces had retrieved 17 Filipino crew members from a shipwreck in the South China Sea as of 12:30 p.m. (Beijing Time), the Chinese People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command said on Friday.

Fourteen of those rescued are in stable condition and one is in emergency care, while two had died, the command said.

It added that, at around 9:30 p.m. Thursday (Beijing Time), a foreign cargo ship en route from the Philippines to south China's Guangdong Province had tilted and lost contact in waters about 55 nautical miles northwest of China's Huangyan Dao, with a total of 21 crew members on board.

Upon receiving a report in the early hours of Friday regarding this accident, the Southern Theater Command immediately sent military aircraft to conduct search operations over the waters where the accident occurred. Two nearby China Coast Guard vessels also joined the search and rescue mission.

Chinese maritime authorities are dispatching additional rescue forces to the area, while search and rescue efforts remain ongoing, the command said. 
A New York man is accused of falsifying a deed to a Bergen County property and then taking out over $600,000 in loans against it, Bergen County prosecutors said.

David M. Greenspan, 47, of Monsey, New York, is charged with second-degree counts of theft by deception and identity theft, and third-degree counts of forgery, forgery by uttering and tampering with public records.

Authorities in Bergenfield began investigating after receiving a tip about deed fraud in January 2025 regarding a property in town, officials said.

A year-long investigation discovered that Greenspan forged a signature on a deed, had it notarized and submitted it to the borough to transfer ownership of the property from a dead person, officials said.

The property was valued at $306,000 and Greenspan is accused of racking up $323,000 in loans against the property.

In total, prosecutors say Greenspan fraudulently obtained $629,000 in assets after accounting for the house and the loans.

A Teaneck man was also charged in the scheme with fourth-degree false swearing after investigators said he notarized a deed without affirming the presence of a signer and failed to follow strict public notary laws.

Greenspan was arrested on Jan. 13 and appeared in court the next day. He was released pending further court appearances.

Greenspans attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A 17-year-old has admitted in court that he planned to join ISIS and tried to kill a police officer as a way to promote terrorism.

Fasihullah Safar, of Alexandria, Virginia, pleaded guilty on Thursday to first-degree attempted murder, second-degree aggravated assault, third-degree aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and third-degree theft of a motor vehicle, the Burlington County Prosecutors Office said in a Friday afternoon statement.

Safar, who was prosecuted as an adult, pleaded guilty to the charges in exchange for 18 years in state prison.

On the afternoon of Mach 21, 2025, Safar intentionally struck a Florence Township Police patrol car multiple times as the officer was responding to a report of an overturned vehicle, officials said. Due to the damage to the car Safar was driving, it eventually became inoperable on Route 130 near the intersection of Station Road.

When backup officers arrived, Safar charged at them with a knife and stabbed one of them in the chest multiple times, authorities said. The officer was wearing a vest at the time of the stabbing, which prevented the knife from causing life-threatening injuries.

We stand with the Florence Township police officers who were targeted in this senseless and cowardly act of violence, Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw said. Violence driven by hatred or intolerance has no place here and will be met with the full force of the law.

After the stabbing, Safar refused to surrender and had to be subdued, prosecutors said.

An officer was treated for facial injuries and a wound to the torso, officials said. The other two officers were treated for unknown injuries. Safar only suffered a cut to his finger, which was caused by his own knife, according to investigators.

After a more thorough investigation, it was later learned that Safar caused the initial crash involving the overturned car, authorities said.

At his plea hearing on Thursday, Safar told the court that he started following the Islamic State terrorist group, formerly known as ISIS, months before the crimes and that he indicated on social media that he planned to join the group.

He also admitted to shouting Allahu akbar during the March 2025 scuffle. The Arabic phrase is commonly used in Muslim prayers and translates to God is most great. Safar then proceeded to tell the court that he intended to kill a police officer to promote terrorism.

On the day of the crimes, Safar was issued a total of nine motor vehicle violations, according to municipal court records. Some of those tickets included reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, driving without a license and operating a vehicle without consent of the owner.

Safars sentencing is scheduled for March 26.
LATEST FORECAST: Fierce snow, ice storm barrels toward state. Snowfall forecasts shift as ice threat rises.

New York City public schools have already announced they will offer remote learning on Monday if this weekends huge snowstorm lives up to expectations. But that option remains unavailable for New Jersey public schools.

Thats because state law prevents school districts in New Jersey from switching to remote learning on days when snow or other factors make it difficult or impossible for students and teachers to get to class.

School districts must instead announce either a delayed opening or a full snow day, giving teachers and students a day off.

Under state law, New Jersey public school students must be in classrooms for the day to be counted toward the minimum 180 days of instruction that are required. So, learning from home via video or doing remote schoolwork on laptops would not count as a school day under New Jerseys rules.

However, the law includes an exception that was used during the COVID-19 pandemic. Remote learning may be offered when schools are closed more than three consecutive school days due to a declared state of emergency or a public health emergency, said state Department of Education spokesperson Michael Yaple.

Any proposal to change the statute would need to be determined by the Legislature, Yaple said.

Gov. Mikie Sherrills office did not immediately respond to a request to comment on the remote learning rules.

The latest forecast issued Friday morning called for a mix of ice, sleet and snow as a massive winter storm slams New Jersey from Saturday night through Monday.

Forecasters say parts of New Jersey could be buried under 12 to 18 inches of snow. There could also be a band of dangerous icing from Salem County to Hudson County.

Other states have more flexible rules on allowing schools to offer remote classes in bad weather.

In New York City, Mayor Zohran Mamdani told NY1 that a decision will be made by noon Sunday on whether to open school buildings Monday or transition to remote learning for the day.

The new mayor ruled out a snow day for New York City students.

I know, to the disappointment of any student thats watching this right now, Monday is either going to be a remote learning day or its going to be an in-person school day, Mamdani told New York City students.

Some New Jersey educators have sought for years, even prior to the pandemic, to loosen the states restrictions on remote learning. Efforts to change New Jerseys law date back to at least 2015, when the Bergen County Association of School Administrators first endorsed learning from home as an option.

In 2016 and 2018, then-Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle, D-Bergen, introduced legislation that would permit up to three days of virtual instruction when schools close due to weather or other emergencies.

Neither bill came up for a vote.

A similar bill was introduced in the state Legislature in 2024, but did not come up for a vote before the legislative session ended last week. The proposed law would have allowed New Jersey schools to offer remote classes for one or more school days due to inclement weather or hazardous transportation conditions.

Richard Bozza, executive director of the New Jersey Association of School Administrators, has offered support for allowing remote learning when it snows or due to problems unrelated to weather, such as a malfunctioning boiler.

Its hard to understand, post-pandemic, why this hasnt moved. It makes absolutely perfect sense, Bozza told NJ Advance Media in 2024.

The New Jersey Education Association, the states largest teachers union, has not taken a position on changing the law to allow remote learning on snow days, spokesperson Steve Baker said Friday.

Some school districts have also pushed for New Jersey to make exceptions to the limits on remote learning.

The Wayne school district in Passaic County recently requested permission to switch to remote instruction on Feb. 5 and April 16 because its buildings are serving as polling places in the primary and special election to fill the 11th District Congressional seat vacated by Sherrill before she became governor.

The state Department of Education had not announced a decision on Waynes request as of last week.
With hit series like You and Stranger Things coming to an end in 2025, Netflix is rolling out a slate of new titles this year.

One of those shows will star New Jerseys very own Alix Earle.

Netflix posted a brief teaser Wednesday featuring the Monmouth County native walking away from the entrance of the streaming giants studios in Los Angeles,

In the clip, Earle is seen on the phone with her father, presumably about the show.

Dad, Its gonna be fun. Its gonna be fine, Earle says in the clip. I mean, whats the worst that could happen? Just trust me. It will be fun.

Theres no title yet for the series. But Netflix captioned the post with a brief explainer: From your FYP to your TV: Alix Earle, her family, and friends will star in an unscripted series dropping later this year on Netflix.

Earle, 25, is a social media personality from Wall Township and a Red Bank Catholic graduate whose rise to fame stemmed from her viral get ready with me videos and candid glimpses into her daily life.

She launched a popular podcast Hot Mess" in 2023 that briefly bounced The Joe Rogan Experience from the top spot on Spotifys podcast charts. She was on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2023, and was also a contestant on the most recent season of Dancing with the Stars.
Wali Bey was laid to rest on Thursday, three days after he was fatally shot by a Newark police officer in a case that has sparked grief and outrage, calls for the officers firing, and frustration over the lack of an official explanation of what happened.

Later on Thursday, a lawyer representing the still-unidentified officer involved in the shooting issued a statement asserting that his clients actions were not only legally justified, but wholly warranted and necessary, after he and other officers had witnessed several obvious and illegal drug transactions.

The 11 a.m. funeral for Bey was a measure of his popularity as a lifelong resident of the city and a member of Newarks sizable Muslim community. A crowd of several hundred mourners packed the Funeraria Las Americas, home of Islamic Funeral Services, spilling out onto Roseville Avenue.

Mourners then drove a few miles south to Rosemont Cemetery just over the city line in Elizabeth, where about 300 people circled the open grave, men on one side and women on the other.

A dozen men carried the simple pine coffin from the hearse before lowering it into the grave and taking turns using a single shovel to cover it over.

One woman sobbed uncontrollably as she hugged another before leaving the gravesite in tears.

It was sad, but we have great memories, said Mustafa Bey, a cousin who was just a year older than the shooting victim and grew up with him like a brother. We slept in the same bed, we washed up in the same tub.

A flier for the funeral of Wali Bey on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. Bey, 43, a Newark father of two, was fatally shot by a city police officer three days before. Islamic Burial Services

By statute, police-involved fatal shootings must be investigated by the state attorney generals office. And since it happened, Acting Attorney Jennifer Davenport has issued a single, brief statement, providing little more than the time and place of the shooting  about 1 p.m. in the area of Ross Street and Evergreen Avenue  where it said Newark officers encountered several civilians, before one person was fatally shot and another wounded.

As of Thursday, Davenports office still had not officially identified Bey as the man killed, nor the man wounded, nor the officer involved.

But Beys family members and their supporters have mourned publicly during a pair of vigils on Monday and Tuesday and a rally on Wednesday outside Newark police headquarters, when protesters held up signs reading, Justice for Wali Bey! and demanded that the officer involved be fired.

On Thursday, a lawyer for the Newark Fraternal Order of Police who represents the officer said the demand was uninformed and misguided, and that the investigation would vindicate the officer.

I find it both troublesome and bemusing that protesters who have no knowledge whatsoever of the relevant factual scenario regarding a valid, warranted and indeed heroic police action can boldly and blindly demand a police officers resignation, the lawyer, Patrick Toscano, said in a statement.

It should be known that the police action taken by my client was not only legally justified, but wholly warranted and necessary, Toscano added. Our client, along with other officers, was working an undercover assignment, witnessing several obvious and illegal drug transactions, and was easily identifiable as a law enforcement officer by virtue of his bullet proof vest that has Newark Police boldly printed on it, front and back.

Moreover, the driver of the vehicle floored his vehicle and drove directly at our client after being told to exit the vehicle, hitting him, Toscano stated. Our client then took the reasonable and necessary step to neutralize the threat of serious bodily harm and/or death, and properly discharged his weapon.

Family members and supporters said eyewitnesses had told them that Bey and his friend were sitting in Beys parked white van when a pair of unmarked cars pulled up.

They said several men in civilian clothes with masks on got out of the vehicles and approached them with guns drawn, putting Bey in fear for his life and prompting him to try to drive away, when he was shot through the windshield.

They didnt ask them, Get out of the van, Sharif Amenhotep, a member of the Newark Anti-Violence Coalition, said at the cemetery on Thursday.

Amenhotep said Bey and his friend didnt know who they were.

Amenhotep said he welcomed a department-wide reminder sent by Newark Public Safety Director Manuel Miranda on Wednesday, reminding officers of an existing policy barring them from wearing face coverings while on duty. The message also reminded officers that badges and name tags should be worn on the left side of their outermost garment.

That same day, Miranda and Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka issued a joint statement imploring residents to wait for the completion of the attorney generals investigation, which they said would take 20 days to complete.

In the meantime, Gustafa Bey said Thursday was a day to bury his cousin and to celebrate him.

Right now, he said, its about embracing the memory of Wali.
Officials have identified the man fatally shot by police in Newark and the officer who pulled the trigger.

Wali Bey, 42, of Newark, was identified as the man fatally shot by police on Jan. 19, the state Attorney Generals Office said Friday. The officer who shot Bey was Newark Police Department Officer Nashid Reynolds, according to the statement.

Shortly after 1 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 19, uniformed and plain clothed officers were conducting surveillance near the intersection of Ross Street and Evergreen Avenue, officials said.

Officer Reynolds exited his car and approached a group of civilians who were detained as part of an active investigation, authorities said.

The officer later fired his weapon at a vehicle, striking two of its occupants, the Attorney Generals Office said. Bey and another civilian were taken to University Hospital for treatment, investigators said.

Bey was pronounced dead at the hospital at 1:51 p.m. The second patient was later released, the state said.

Beys death has caused outrage in the community over the past few days. On Thursday night, about 80 protesters stood outside of Newark Police Headquarters, calling for Officer Reynolds to be fired.

The Attorney Generals Office has not released additional details about the shooting.

On Thursday, several hundred mourners gathered at the Funeraria Las Americas for Beys funeral, and later at Rosemont Cemetrary in Elizabeth for the burial.

According to family members and supporters, eyewitnesses said that Bey and his friend were sitting in Beys parked white van when a pair of unmarked cars pulled up.

The witnesses said several men in plain clothes with masks on got out of the vehicles and approached them with guns drawn, putting Bey in fear for his life and prompting him to try to drive away.

They didnt ask them, Get out of the van, Sharif Amenhotep, a member of the Newark Anti-Violence Coalition, said at the cemetery on Thursday.

Amenhotep said Bey and his friend didnt know who they were.

Shots were fired through the windshield as Beys van was driving away, according to the eyewitnesses.

A Newark Police Department policy prohibits officers from wearing face coverings while on duty.

In a statement earlier this week, the officers attorney, Patrick Toscano, said the shooting was justified.

It should be known that the police action taken by my client was not only legally justified, but wholly warranted and necessary, Toscano said. Our client, along with other officers, was working an undercover assignment, witnessing several obvious and illegal drug transactions, and was easily identifiable as a law enforcement officer by virtue of his bulletproof vest that has Newark Police boldly printed on it, front and back.

On Friday, Reynolds lawyer said his history of using force was irrelevant to the shooting investigation.

Use-of-force reported incidents are oftentimes completely deceiving and not indicative of very much, Toscano said. Its whether or not the claims were sustained by Internal Affairs after a full and objective investigation and Internal Affairs trial.

Family members held a press conference outside Newark City Hall on Friday reiterating demands that the officers involved be suspended and that body cam footage be released immediately. They also said Reynolds was not the name of the officer they believed shot their loved one.

Theyre trying to cover themselves up, said Reta Bey, 43, Wali Beys sister. Referring to the body cam footage she added, Why do we have to wait 20 days for answers.

The 20 days Bey referred to was the length of time the state is expected to take before issuing findings of its investigation. Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka mentioned the timeframe in a statement he released on Wednesday imploring residents to await the results of the investigation and not to jump to any conclusions about what happened and why.

Baraka said Newark officers are required to show their faces during operations. A spokesperson for the city Department of Public Safety said Friday that Reynolds and other officers involved in the incident had been placed on administrative leave.

The mayor, whose sister Shani Baraka was killed in a domestic violence-related incident, sympathized on Friday for the grief, anger and frustration the family was undoubtedly feeling. But he expressed confidence in the independence and integrity of the attorney generals probe, and reiterated his message that the family and others be patient.

Baraka said the city had no control over when police-worn body cam footage of the incident would be released. But addressing calls for release of the footage, he said investigators typically try to insure that the footage can be used to independently corroborate witness accounts of what happened, instead of being the source of what witnesses say they saw.

Baraka called the incident a terrible tragedy that can never be erased regardless of who was at fault, but that real justice sometimes demands time.

Its an ugly situation and there is no way to clean it up, Baraka said. Thats why its important to a have a neutral party do an independent investigation.

A 2019 law requires the state Attorney Generals Office to investigate any death that occurs during a police encounter or while someone is in police custody. Following an investigation, evidence is then presented to a grand jury, which determines whether the officer will be indicted.
A Mercer County man was sentenced to 60 years in prison after he was convicted in August 2025 of running four brothels in Mercer and Monmouth counties, officials from the Attorney Generals office said.

Paulino Pablo Macolas-Aguirre, 46, of Trenton, was convicted of conspiracy, racketeering, human trafficking, promoting prostitution, endangering the welfare of a child, financial facilitation of criminal activity and promoting organized street crime.

Officials said Macolas-Aguirre ran a criminal enterprise through four brothels, two in Trenton and two in Asbury Park, where hundreds of women engaged in commercial sex, including one minor.

This defendant recruited women, including a minor, to perform sexual acts for money, Division of Criminal Justice Director Theresa L. Hilton said. He called the shots as the leader of this well-organized human trafficking operation and has now been sentenced to an appropriate penalty for his crimes.

Authorities said Macolas-Aguirre organized and operated the full operation from finding and renting properties, recruiting women, organizing a schedule, paying workers and distributing business cards to maintain a steady stream of clientele.

Investigators found ledgers maintained by house managers that detailed the number of customers that paid for sex on a daily basis at each location, officials said.

The ledgers were recovered while executing search warrants in 2021 and 2022 and showed women being paid for sex nearly 30 times a day, officials said. In the ledgers, one woman engaged in sex acts with 41 men in one day, officials said.

Macolas-Aguirre also operated an outcall service where customers would call to request commercial sex and women would be shuttled to various locations in Mercer County, officials said.

A 20-count indictment charged several people with participating in the human trafficking ring in August 2022, including promoting prostitution, witness tampering and money laundering, officials said.

Investigators from the New Jersey State Police Missing Persons and Human Trafficking Unit discovered women being moved between three houses on Hudson Street in Trenton and 3rd Avenue and Prospect Avenue in Asbury Park, officials said.

Men purchased poker chips that entitled them to a 15-minute session with one of the women, officials said. A fourth house on Woodland Street in Trenton housed the operations outcall services, officials said.

State Police searched the Hudson-Street house on Jan. 21, 2022, and arrested two house managers that eventually pleaded guilting to facilitating human trafficking, officials said. The house was heavily fortified with padlocks and 2x4s and included a sophisticated surveillance system, officials said.

Macolas-Aguirre reopened the Hudson-Street house days later and on May 11, 2022, State Police searched the Hudson-Street house as well as the Woodland-Street house in Trenton, the Prospect-Avenue house in Asbury Park and Macolas-Aguirres private residence, officials said.

Investigators found $44,000 in cash and a passport at Macolas-Aguirres home and found approximately $25,000 at the other houses, officials said.

An attorney for Macolas-Aguirre did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A man who paid an out-of-state minor to send him sexual photos and videos has been sentenced to federal prison.

Jeremy Greenwald, 47, of South Amboy, received a 15-year sentence on Thursday, the U.S. Attorneys Office District of New Jersey said in a statement. His sentence also includes 15 years of supervised release.

Greenwald previously pleaded guilty to receipt and possession of child pornography.

He communicated with the girl through an online chat service between May 2022 and February 2023, eventually persuading her to send about 70 images and videos performing sexual acts, authorities said. A review his financial records later found that he sent her between $7 and $10 on multiple occasions, according to the cases criminal complaint.

Greenwald also sent the victim sex toys, lingerie and costumes, requesting that she use them while taking the photos and videos, federal prosecutors said.

In the complaint, FBI Special Agent Charles Paddock described records recovered when investigators searched Greenwalds computer and three cell phones.

These included images and videos depicting prepubescent child sexual abuse, including those that the girl had sent him, as well as conversations between him and the child that involved explicit sexual language, Paddock wrote.

Investigators also said in the court document that he was living at his South Amboy residence by himself at the time of the crimes, the same location that the IP address connected to the conversations was traced to, and that he had accessed the internet with a secure and protected password.

The case was part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child exploitation online.
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In a class of 24 Trenton third graders, the chances are that only three can read adequately. Four can do math at grade level.

Trenton ranks at or near the bottom of the states 31 poorest districts, year after year, when it comes to academic performance.

Now contrast that with Camden, another city with high levels of crime and poverty. There, something good is happening. Scores are low in Camden as well, but they are higher than in Trenton, and perhaps more importantly, there is solid evidence of progress.

Citywide, in a class of 24 third graders, more than five can now read adequately. About seven can do math at grade level. For third through eighth graders, roughly seven out of 24 can read adequately, and four can do math at grade level.

Camden still has a long way to go, with chronic absenteeism at nearly 50% in most city schools. But make no mistake: Even in the wake of the pandemic, this is steady growth.

Now, as Gov. Mikie Sherrill takes office, one of the biggest challenges shell face is in her new home district. Will she step up for children in Trenton, the way that power brokers once did for Camden?

The schools in Camden run by charter networks show the largest gains, but traditional public schools are improving as well. Their third-grade reading proficiency has doubled since 2022, while in Trenton, it hasnt budged.

The district is not improving in Trenton, says Paula White, the head of JerseyCAN, who was formerly in charge of turning around failing schools for the state Department of Education. At least the district is improving in Camden.

Camden no longer consistently ranks at the bottom of the states poorest districts for academic performance, based on state data newly compiled by the New Jersey Childrens Foundation. Trenton has taken its place.

The disparity in performance between these two cities cant be explained by money from the state, or poverty. Both have plenty. And its not hopeless, because Camden shows that progress is possible.

Think of the wildly ironic reality of this being Trenton, being the seat of government in the state of New Jersey, White says. And yet, the schools in this city are just languishingIts heartbreaking, because you know they have as much human potential as anyone else.

Camdens transformation

Camden revamped its schools about a decade ago under a new law that heralded in an era of educational innovation. Trenton did not, even though it was eligible for the same pilot program. It was a critical moment when the capital city could have gone in a different direction if it had decided to do so.

That 2012 law, the Urban Hope Act, allowed nonprofits run by charter schools with proven credentials to build and operate schools in three of the states poorest districts, Newark, Trenton and Camden. But only Camden embraced it, largely because George Norcross, the political boss based in South Jersey, insisted on it.

Norcross, known for his bare-knuckled political tactics, was at the time seeking to use Cooper University Hospital, where hes long served on the board, as an anchor for the citys revitalization. Proficiency rates in Camden schools were stuck in the single digits, and he saw this as a way to build new schools more quickly and bring in proven educators to improve the offerings.

So, during a period when then-Gov. Chris Christie and the states largest teachers union, the NJEA, were at each others throats, Norcross brought them both to the table to strike a deal. It allowed for the construction of neighborhood schools run by top-performing charter school networks like KIPP, called Renaissance schools, that launched in 2014.

Norcross also used his political heft to push these reforms in Camden. I literally never heard of George Norcross, recalls then-superintendent Paymon Rouhanifard, appointed by Christie to oversee the reforms. Someone I knew from South Jersey was like, You may want to Google this guy. Which was a harrowing moment. But he ultimately gave us cover and support.

As the citys 13th superintendent in 20 years, Rouhanifard replaced about half the school leaders in the district, instituted rigorous training and hired behavioral specialists to address the mental health of students. He reduced the suspension rate by 53%. He also inherited a big fiscal deficit and had to lay off teachers. Students walked out.

But he built a coalition of supporters, avoiding the political backlash that destabilized the reform movement in Newark at the same time, and advocates point to the results. More than 60% of students in Camden now attend schools run by charter networks, and while they remain well behind state averages, they are making faster gains in reading and math.

The improvement in Camden has been striking. From 2010 to 2023, students in the traditional district schools closed the gap with the state performance average by 35%. Citywide, it was 42%.

Thats according to a 2024 report by the Progressive Policy Institute, which analyzed average standardized test scores from the third through eighth grade.

One of the biggest concerns from critics was that these new, charter-run schools would keep out the poorest kids and those with special needs.

We didnt want the regular, traditional Camden schools to be a high-risk dumping ground for the kids whose parents didnt bother to go through the process, says Ginger Gold Schnitzer, the lead lobbyist from the NJEA who struck the deal on the Urban Hope Act.

The common critique of charter schools is that they cream the most capable, motivated students and send the rest back to the traditional public schools in the district. But in Camdens Renaissance schools, no evidence points to that as being the case, based on recent data.

Renaissance schools primarily serve their neighborhoods. The bottom line, advocates say, is that test scores in Camdens district-run schools have also improved overall since the Renaissance schools opened. And KIPP points to statistics that show about 20% of kids in its Camden schools passed math in 2024, as compared to 6% in the district.

The question is, would Camden be better off with or without Renaissance schools? says Ryan Hill, CEO of the KIPP charter network. While we all still have work to do, clearly the answer is better off with Renaissance schools.Without innovations like this, he adds, you just have stagnation.

So why not Trenton?

Which is why it frustrates Norcross that this initiative didnt take off elsewhere. Now  disappointingly, I would say to you  why hasnt this been embraced statewide? Norcross asked in an interview with NJ Spotlight News.

Taxpayers are spending a boatload of money in the states poorest districts, he argues, and dont appear to be getting the results that one would expect with that kind of money. Heres a pilot program that has worked in an urban area.

The answer is politics. U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-12th) sponsored the 2012 Urban Hope Act when she was in the state Assembly and said she fought to have Trenton included.

Its a step in the right direction toward education reform, not a step away from public education, she wrote in anop-edat the time, adding, I am continually frustrated by Trentons recent failure to be included in efforts and programs designed to help urban centers.

But city officials failed to act. Trenton was reeling from deep cuts in state aid made by Christie, forcing layoffs of roughly a third of its cops, and the conviction of then-Mayor Tony Mack on corruption charges in 2014.

Even Trenton leaders concede that this political failure deprived their kids of the innovative approach that was taking root in Camden. Or in Union City, where the district was transforming itself without charter schools.

I just dont think the bandwidth was there to think outside the box, recalls current Mayor Reed Gusciora.

There was really a void of leadership, agrees Douglas Palmer, who served as Trentons mayor for two decades before Mack took office in 2010. Education was not the priority, he recalls of the years that followed, and there was definitely an anti-Christie feeling, no matter what he proposed.

Palmer, Trentons first Black mayor, was an early proponent of charter schools and argues that Trenton would benefit from more innovation. So is Gusciora, the current mayor.

But the local teachers union, which opposed Renaissance schools at the time for fear they would drain the district of resources, is a powerful force in Trenton city politics, and has historically had a highly contentious relationship with superintendents and the board.

When we thought we had a dictator as a superintendent, there was a time where people dressed up as Napoleon, recalled the current head of the union, Talithea Duncan.

The constant turnover in district leadership was one key flashpoint, she said. That turbulence has impeded the district schools ability to make bigger gains, she and others agree. You had the instability of leadership at the mayors office and the instability of the school system, Palmer says. Thats a recipe for failure, because theres no continuity. You change curriculum all the time, you have unrest with the unions, you have contracts to deal with.

Before the current superintendent took office, Trenton cycled through roughly eight school chiefs in 10 years, and local union members famously carted a coffin into a board meeting as a symbol of their discontent.

I was supposed to get into the coffin, and the then-superintendent was supposed to get in the coffin, longtime board president Gene Bouie recalls.

That working relationship has since improved significantly, both sides agree, with the current superintendent, James Earle, lending stability. And there have been bright spots where the schools have made progress.

Violence and vandalism are down, Earle says, and hes sought to build a rapport with staff, standardize the curriculum and ensure that teachers are actually trained in it, among other things. We have really bright kids who cant communicate that on the test, he notes, also acknowledging, I know we need to improve (the scores) so our kids can have great opportunities.

But the politics in Trenton is quite different from that in Camden. Even though were dealing with a similar problem, Bouie said, what might be working very well in Camden might not work necessarily that well in Trenton, just because of structure. You have to be organized in a certain way to execute on certain things.

Enter Gov. Mikie Sherrill

Another key factor is that the state runs Camden and has the power to take actions without the boards approval, so reformers could enact their vision rather than having to fight every political battle with the union.

Trentons school board, long appointed by the mayor, only recently transitioned to being elected in 2023. But the teachers union has always had a particularly loud voice, packing board meetings with protestors and threatening votes of no confidence in superintendents.

Its not clear if Sherrill has any taste for state takeovers, which are controversial. She has said she supports high-performing charter schools with strong oversight, and her lieutenant governor, Dale Caldwell, once served as CEO of a Trenton charter school.

Shes the kind of person that could stand up and say, Im going to convene all stakeholders together and lets sit down and talk about this, Norcross says. Obviously, something went right in Camden if I wanted to look at the top five problems in the state of New Jersey, this certainly is on the list.

Palmer, who has long raised private money for an afterschool reading program for 275 mostly second graders in Trenton, also wants to see greater emphasis on student achievement and (Trenton) being more of a laboratory of new ideas and innovation.

There now has to be an all-hands-on-deck look at things that really work, he said. And hold the leaders accountable for the results.

He and other city officials hope the new administration will take an interest in Trentons development. Trenton, even being the seat of the state government, seems to have been the stepchild forever. And its because we dont have the strong political power in the Legislature, Palmer said.

Camden has been very, very fortunate to have George Norcross, he added, calling him a strong leader in the Legislature with vision. I could get shot for saying that, I guess, he mused.

People can say what they want, but he was able to  with the help of other legislators and private sector and others  really help transform Camden.
A 17-year-old Union County girl is suing an app that enabled her classmates to generate deepfake child pornography of her and other female students without their knowledge.

The lawsuit, filed Oct. 16 in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey, alleges the ClothOff app violates federal and state law and seeks to recover damages for the harm the girl and others suffered in the incident three years ago.

The goal for us and for the client is to get the site and the app actually shut down so that people arent subject to this kind of abuse any more, Shane Vogt, one of the plaintiffs attorneys, told NJ Advance Media.

The lawsuit was filed by a Yale Law School clinic on behalf of the anonymous minor through her parents. It names AI/Robotics Venture Strategy 3 Ltd. as defendants. Alaiksandr Babicahau and Dasha Babicheva, of Minsk, Belarus, are also named as defendants, accused of developing, overseeing and profiting from ClothOff, according to the complaint.

Telegram, the encrypted messaging app, is also named as a nominal defendant because ClothOff is available through a Telegram bot, according to the complaint.

In a statement to the Wall Street Journal in October, a Telegram spokeswoman said the company has removed the ClothOff bot from its platform.

Nonconsensual pornography and the tools to create it are explicitly forbidden by Telegrams terms of service and are removed whenever discovered, she said.

Attorney information for the defendants is not listed. The plaintiffs attorneys are in the process of serving the defendants through the Hague Service Convention, a multilateral treaty to serve foreign defendants, according to Vogt.

ClothOff  which markets itself as the site to strip your dream girl naked  allows users to take photos, including screenshots from Instagram, to convert into nude photos.

For an extra fee, ClothOff even allows users to select from a menu of pornographic poses and positions in which to depict the targeted individual, thereby forcing its victims to become unwilling participants in and subjects of child and nonconsensual pornography, according to the complaint.

In October 2023, the Union County girl  who was then 15 and in class at her high school  learned she and several other girls were depicted in porn generated by AI.

The complaint doesnt specify the town, but a related legal filing reveals it took place in Westfield, where students generated fake pornography of classmates. The girl previously filed a lawsuit in February 2024 against a classmate who allegedly obtained and disseminated the images from ClothOff.

A judge released a sealed order for that case on Dec. 15.

The girls classmate uploaded a fully clothed photo of her to ClothOff, which rendered her fully nude in a new image, according to the complaint filed last October. The original photo was taken from the girls Instagram account and depicted her in a bathing suit while on vacation as a 14-year-old.

The nude photos of the girl and her classmates from ClothOff are extremely realistic and virtually indistinguishable from a real photo, the complaint said.

The fake images were shared among several students at the high school through a Snapchat group, and at least one boy saved a copy of the photo to his phone, according to the lawsuit.

The girl and her parents were told criminal charges couldnt be pursued against her classmates, partly because the individuals responsible and other witnesses failed to cooperate with law enforcement, according to the complaint.

Jane Doe was mortified and emotionally distraught, and she has experienced lasting consequences ever since, it said. Because there is no way to determine how far the images of her were distributed, Jane Doe now lives in constant fear that [child sexual abuse material] of her remains available on ClothOff and elsewhere.

ClothOff, which lists its business address in the British Virgin Islands, is affiliated with at least 10 other similar services, including UndressHer, PornWorks and DeepNudeNow, according to the complaint.

Its sites and applications receive at least 27 million visitors and produce an average of 200,000 images every day, the lawsuit said.

There are other instances of ClothOff producing child sexual abuse material, including materials of a 14-year-old minor living in Spain and 20 girls between the ages of 11 and 17 in another Spanish town, according to the complaint.

I know of other cases and situations where this has happened in school settings across the country, and its becoming more and more frequent, said Vogt, the attorney.

After learning of the nude images, the Union County girl struggled to focus on academics, suffered from anxiety, wanted to withdraw from school and has avoided public spaces.

She is haunted by the knowledge that she is being, and likely will continue to be, exploited for the sexual gratification of others, according to the complaint. The images can possibly reappear at any time and be viewed by family, friends, future partners, employers and the public, it said.

Last April, then-Gov. Phil Murphy signed a law criminalizing the production and dissemination of deepfakes in New Jersey.

He was joined by Westfield High School student Francesca Mani, whose male classmates created deepfakes of her and other female classmates in 2023, which helped spur the legislation.

Manis mother, Dorota Mani, told NJ Advance Media her daughter is not the anonymous student in the ClothOff lawsuit.

NJ Advance Media research editor Vinessa Erminio contributed to this report.
Vehicles damaged during a recent unrest are pictured in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 21, 2026. Iran's state television IRIB reported on Wednesday that 3,117 people were killed during recent unrest, citing the country's Forensic Medical Organization. (Xinhua/Shadati)

Lu Min makes a lantern at his studio in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 21, 2026. Lu Min, 58, was born in a family of lantern-making business, which originated with his great-grandfather Lu Shirong. The junior Lu started to learn this craft from his father when he was 8.

The past decades saw Lu's career life closely connected with the development of the Qinhuai Lantern Festival. He has witnessed the gradual evolution of this traditional custom from a local event into a grand celebration.

In September 2020, he was officially recognized as a provincial-level inheritor of Qinhuai Lantern Festival. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

U.S. President Donald Trump attends a charter-signing event at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 22, 2026. U.S. President Donald Trump formally launched his so-called "Board of Peace" on Thursday at a charter-signing ceremony during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

Tourists play at a ski resort in Shennongjia Forestry District, central China's Hubei Province, Jan. 19, 2026. In recent years, Hubei Province has leveraged its strategic location as a transportation hub connecting nine provinces, tapping into its unique ice and snow resources to vigorously develop the ice and snow tourism industry. Multiple locations in Hubei have become well-known ice and snow tourism destinations, attracting numerous tourists to experience the joys of winter sports. (Xinhua/Du Zixuan)

The site of a bus accident is seen in Russia's Primorsky Krai on Jan. 22, 2026. At least three people were killed and eight others injured on Thursday when a bus collided with a truck in Russia's Primorsky Krai, media reported.

According to Vladivostok News, the accident occurred on a highway in the Khasan district of Primorsky Krai. The truck lost control and veered into the oncoming lane, causing the collision. Of the 14 people on board the bus, the driver and two passengers were killed. (Government of Khasan district of Primorsky Krai/Handout via Xinhua)

A woman feeds black-headed gulls beside the Dianchi Lake in Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Jan. 22, 2026. The water quality in Dianchi Lake has been maintaining on high quality level for eight consecutive years, according to the Dianchi Lake administration bureau. (Xinhua/Peng Yikai)

Co-leaders of the new opposition party Centrist Reform Alliance Yoshihiko Noda (L) and Tetsuo Saito shake hands during a convention in Tokyo, Japan, Jan. 22, 2026.

Japan's new opposition party Centrist Reform Alliance held a convention on Thursday to mark its official launch ahead of the Feb. 8 lower house general election.

The new party was formed last week between the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ) and the Komeito party, seeking to defeat the conservative ruling bloc led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Liberal Democratic Party in the upcoming contest. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)

An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 21, 2026 shows a deicing device operation on a power transmission line in Jinzhai County, east China's Anhui Province. Ice coating were observed on part of the power transmission lines in Jinzhai County as a rigid cold wave swooped down here recently, posing a threat to grid operation. (Photo by Zhao Xianfu/Xinhua)

Mourners attend a funeral of three Palestinian journalists, who were killed by an Israeli airstrike on Wednesday, in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on Jan. 22, 2026. Eleven Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire on Wednesday across Gaza amid escalating tensions, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 22, 2026 shows the rime scenery of the Hengshan Mountain scenic spot in Hengyang City, central China's Hunan Province. (Photo by Cao Zhengping/Xinhua)

A researcher displays rolled-up "fiber chips" and a smart tactile glove made by weaving the chips into textiles at Fudan University in east China's Shanghai, Jan. 19, 2026. Scientists in China have created a flexible, thread-like "fiber chip" that can be woven into fabric, opening the door to garments that function as interactive screens, advanced brain implants capable of processing signals internally and hyperrealistic virtual reality touch. (Xinhua/Liu Ying)
Hey there New Jersey! Heres your audio update highlighting a storm that could bring up to 18 inches of snow to parts of New Jersey and a protest in Newark over a fatal shooting by police.

Well also tell you about physical evidence presented in the murder trial of Paul Caneiro.

Listen by clicking the play button above.

This audio presentation is an editorially-curated selection of stories, selected by an editor, and then summarized and read aloud by artificial intelligence. Some variations in pronunciation, tone or diction may result.

We want to know what you think! All feedback is valuable. After youve listened, take our 3-question survey here to let us know what you think.

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A 57-year-old New Jersey man was arrested after arguing with employees at a state Motor Vehicle Commission office and smashing a glass door on his way out, authorities said.

He got upset after MVC workers at the Lakewood office on Route 70 told him he didnt have the proper documents to register his vehicle, township police said.

The angry customer forcefully struck the glass door as he exited, shattering it and causing $1,500 in damage, officials said.

Police charged the Asbury Park resident with criminal mischief after they were called to the MVC office at 10:45 a.m. on Jan. 9.
A 38-year-old New Jersey man was drunk and had drugs in his car when he caused a crash that injured another driver in Lacey on Thursday morning, authorities allege.

Michael P. OHare Jr. was driving east on South Street at 7:50 a.m. when he crossed over the double line and slammed into a westbound SUV, the Ocean County Prosecutors Office said Friday.

The SUV driver was hospitalized with minor injuries.

Investigators found methadone and drug paraphernalia in OHares car, the prosecutors office said. He had no prescription for the pills.

OHare, of Ocean Gate, failed sobriety tests, authorities said. The results of a blood draw are pending.

He was charged with assault by auto, driving while intoxicated and drug offenses.

OHare was being held at the Ocean County jail on Friday ahead of a detention hearing. An attorney for OHare was not listed in court records.
A New Jersey woman who had smoked marijana hours before she caused a four-vehicle crash in Manchester which killed two other drivers has been sentenced to five years of probation.

The Ocean County Prosecutors Office requested that Danielle Bowker be sentenced to three years in prison for each victim in the March 2022 crash and that the terms run consecutively.

Instead, Superior Court Judge Dina Vicari spared the now 30-year-old Toms River woman, giving her probation and suspending her drivers license for two years.

Danielle M. Bowker was convicted in October of two counts of third-degree vehicular homicide following a five-week trial.

Following her arrest in June 2022, prosecutors charged Bowker with two counts each of vehicular homicide, strict liability vehicular homicide and assault by auto. She was also issued a summons for driving while intoxicated.

The four-vehicle crash happened around 7:15 a.m. on March 29, 2022, near the intersection of Whitesville Road and Route 571 in Manchester. Police found one person dead and five others injured, authorities said.

Bowker was driving on Route 571 when she failed to maintain her lane while negotiating a right-hand curve. Her car hit a Department of Transportation pickup truck that was traveling eastbound.

The pickup truck lost control and hit a sedan driven by Michael Sadis, pushing his vehicle off the road and into an embankment, prosecutors said. The pickup then continued and hit a coupe driven by Paul Lamberti, 58, of Toms River, authorities said.

Sadis, 48, of Toms River, was pronounced dead at the scene and Lamberti was flown to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where he later died from his injuries, prosecutors said.

Bowker, as well as the driver and passenger of the pickup truck, were taken to a local hospital to be treated for minor injuries.

While at the hospital, blood was drawn from Bowker after investigators received a court-authorized warrant.

The states psychopharmacologist examined the results and determined that at the time of the crash, Bowker was impaired due to the effects of marijuana intoxication, and that she could not safely drive a car.

Lambertis family filed a wrongful death suit against the state Department of Transportation and Bowker. A $1 million settlement was reached in December 2024, according to court records.
A Paterson doctor who previously admitted distributing opioids without a legitimate medical reason was sentenced to seven years and three months in prison, federal prosecutors announced Thursday.

Lisa Ferraro, 67, of Hillsdale, previously pleaded guilty to one count of knowingly and intentionally conspiring and agreeing with others to distribute oxycodone outside the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorneys Office District of New Jersey.

From January 2019 to Sept. 23, 2023, Ferraro practiced internal medicine in Paterson until her arrest a month later, the office said.

During that time, she participated in a conspiracy to prescribe oxycodone, an opioid pain medication, to people who posed as patients but whom Ferraro never physically examined or questioned about symptoms, investigators said. Over the course of the scheme, she wrote prescriptions for tens of thousands of 30mg oxycodone pills.

Physicians are entrusted with extraordinary power over the lives and health of their patients, Senior Counsel Philip Lamparello said in a statement. When a physician abandons that duty and instead fuels opioid addiction for profit, the damage ripples far beyond a single exam room and into entire communities.
Vice President JD Vances speech at Fridays March for Life rally veered into bizarre territory when he started talking about baby skeletons and ritualistic sacrifice.

Vance spent most of his pro-life address in Washington touting the Trump administrations anti-abortion initiatives and lauding the Supreme Courts 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

This is not a new question. Every civilization has been forced to answer it, Vance said of the abortion debate.

The vice president then dove into a retelling of an unspecified "classic archaeology" article he read that has haunted me.

One of the telltale signs of an ancient brothel in the pagan world was that youd always find a large number of baby skeletons nearby. A lot of baby skeletons, Vance said. And those bones predominately belonged to boys. Because unlike little girls, those boys would be of no use to the future adults who were running those brothels.

We have to remember that in the ancient pagan world discarding children was routine, he continued. From the skeletons in brothels to the child sacrifice of the Mayans, the mark of barbarism is that we treat babies like inconveniences to be discarded rather than the blessings to cherish that they are.

Vance made similar remarks at a Turning Point USA rally in October. He claimed that child sacrifice was widespread among North Americas early settlers and societies, and that Christian civilization ended the practice in the New World.

Archaeological evidence indicates that child sacrifice was practiced in parts of pre-Hispanic Mexico and some South American cultures, but researchers have found little evidence that similar practices were widespread among Indigenous tribes in North America.

Vances remarks about ancient brothels committing mass infanticide appear to stem from a cache of baby bones discovered in Britain during a 1912 dig. The remains were an estimated 1,800 years old, and researchers have debated their origins..

Now this is shocking to us because we grew up in a Christian culture and were formed by religious values, Vance said Friday. And as important as all this politics stuff is, it is about whether we will remain a civilization under God or whether we ultimately return to the paganism that dominated the past.
Former FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino harshly tore into the media during his first televised interview since departing President Donald Trumps administration, describing outlets as having a full diaper all the time.

Bongino, a former Secret Service agent, officially returned to private life earlier this month after serving in his role in the FBI for less than a year. Since his departure, he announced he will return to hosting his self-titled podcast show in early February while becoming increasingly candid on social media.

During an interview with Fox News late Thursday, Bongino accused the media of having a double standard when it comes to reporting on public safety.

Earlier in the day, Axios reported  citing data from the Council on Criminal Justice  that the U.S. murder rate has reached its lowest level since 1900. However, the outlet noted that violent crime was already falling to a two-decade law during former President Joe Bidens final year in office, indicating it raises questions about whether Trumps policies have had an impact on the decline.

Well, theres a thousand excuses as to why President Trump and his administration didnt do it, Bongino told host Sean Hannity. Meanwhile, I lived it. I know what we did and didnt do for these dumba----.

He then pointed to a story from The New York Times, which released interviews with 45 current and former employees who accused the FBI under its director, Kash Patel, of making America less safe.

Do you dipwads even read your own headlines? Bongino said. Are you that stupid?

These are these media morons  people whove never spent a day wearing a badge, he continued. Never kicked in a door. Never arrested some child predator or some bank robber or some gang member. These morons dont know anything about the safety status of the country."

Bongino went on to say that the media is a big full diaper, adding he is tired of these idiots.

What freaking country are these morons living in? Bongino asked. I mean, what are they looking at? Are they missing this stuff? These are not small items. That isnt even  forget  I havent even gotten to Maduro being out of power, the Cuban leaderships crapping their pants, we may acquire portions of Greenland."

Hannity declared that the real Dan Bongino is back, noting that he was more restrained while working for the FBI.

Weve been friends for a long time, Hannity said. I kind of like the real Dan being back, unfiltered.
A New York Times Magazine expose revealed what FBI Director Kash Patels priorities were in the aftermath of conservative activist Charlie Kirks assassination on Sept. 10, 2025.

Following the killing of Kirk in Utah, a senior FBI official told the Times that a super emotional Patel berated the special agent in charge on a conference call. Then, with Kirks assassin still on the run, Patel and former FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino started devising a social media plan.

It turned surreal, the FBI official told the Times.

He and Bongino start talking about their Twitter strategy, the FBI official recalled. And Kash is like: Im gonna tweet this. Salt Lake, you tweet that. Dan, you come in with this. Then Ill come back with this.

Theyre literally scripting out their social media, not talking about how were going to respond or resources or the situation. Hes screaming that he wants to put stuff out, but its not even vetted yet. Its not even accurate.

The Times report, built on interviews with 45 current or former FBI employees, refocused attention on Patels controversial handling of the manhunt.

Patel drew sharp criticism for prematurely announcing  on social media  the capture of Kirks assassin, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, about five hours after the shooting.

Robinson was apprehended two days later, when a family friend contacted the Washington County sheriffs office with information leading to his arrest.

Patel later said he did not regret his false social media post.

While the FBI director defended his response, a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Sept. 17 took aim at Patels leadership.

Your Senate confirmation vote was 51 to 49 the closest in history, with your opponents warning you were not qualified and had no interest in actually developing the qualifications for the job, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) said during the hearing. I hoped that they were wrong. Alas, they were not.

The Times new reporting on Patels leadership has been heavily criticized by Trump administration officials.

In a statement to the Times, FBI spokesman Ben Williamson called the story a regurgitation of fake narratives, conjecture and speculation from anonymous sources who are disconnected from reality.

Bongino, who departed the FBI this month to return to podcasting, blasted the Times in a post on X.

I try not to post NY Times tabloid trash often, Bongino wrote. But youve got to take a minute to read this excerpt from their latest cope session with former employees we removed, or who left when we cleaned the place out.

Patel has not issued an official statement about the Times story. Instead, he reposted Bonginos X missive.
President Donald Trump is facing pushback from media personality Piers Morgan and a slate of officials following his comments questioning whether NATO allies would back the United States in a time of need.

Ive always said, Will they be there if we ever needed them? Thats really the ultimate test, Trump said during an interview with Fox Business on Thursday amid his campaign to acquire Greenland. Im not sure of that. I know that we wouldve been there or we would be there.

We have never really asked anything of them, he added. You know, theyll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan and this or that. And they did. They stayed a little back, little off the front lines.

Around 3,500 soldiers from NATO countries died in Afghanistan over the decades-long war. The United States experienced the most losses in absolute terms, including an estimated 2,460 killed, according to the Department of Defense. Britain lost about 457 soldiers in the conflict, while Denmark, whose boundaries include Greenland, lost more than 40.

His remark about the alliances troops quickly sparked outrage on social media.

This is an appalling slur, President @realDonaldTrump and a massive insult to all the NATO troops who answered Americas call to fight with your forces in Afghanistan, Morgan wrote on X on Friday.

457 British military personnel were killed in that war, he continued. They didnt stay a little back.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the remarks as insulting and frankly appalling.

Alistair Carns, the U.K. minister for the armed forces, posted a video on X, without mentioning Trump by name, calling the suggestion utterly ridiculous.

Many courageous and honorable service personnel from many nations fought in the frontline, Carns said. Many fought way beyond it.

Carns, who served five tours in Afghanistan alongside Americans, also pointed to how Article 5 in NATOs founding treaty  which treats an attack on one member as an attack on all  was invoked after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, with allies standing shoulder to shoulder together.

Roman Polko, a retired Polish general and former special forces commander who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, told Reuters that the president crossed a red line, adding that We expect an apology for this statement.

Polands Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz also weighed in on X: Poland has always been, is, and will be a responsible and reliable ally that, at the moment when security is threatened, stands in its defense. The Polish Army, shoulder to shoulder with allies, took part, among others, in missions in Afghanistan and Iraq.

This sacrifice will never be forgotten and must not be diminished, he continued. Poland is a reliable and proven ally, and nothing will change that.
The White House is defending its use of a digitally altered image of an anti-ICE protester who was arrested while interrupting a Sunday church service in Minnesota.

On Thursday, the White Houses X account posted an image of demonstrator and civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong as she was arrested and removed from the church by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer. Levy Armstrong appeared anguished: mouth agape, tears cascading down her face.

That image appeared to be an altered version of the original photo, which was posted just 30 minutes earlier by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. In the undoctored picture, Levy Armstrong looks calm and dry-eyed. Her skin also appears to be lighter in tone than seen in the White Houses digitally modified version.

In response to backlash and questions about the altered image, White House spokesman Kaelan Dorr issued a statement on X.

Enforcement of the law will continue. The memes will continue. Thank you for your attention to this matter, Dorr said.

A New York Times analysis of the two pictures found the White Houses version showed clear signs of manipulation. Employing generative Artificial Intelligence tools, the Times was able to recreate images nearly identical to the White Houses version using Noems original photo.

Despite the outcry, the White Houses doctored image of Levy Armstrong remained up on its X feed as of Friday morningwith a community note clarifying that it was altered to make her appear to be in distress.

The White Houses refusal to take down its post fueled further outrage among critics of President Donald Trumps administration.

Jordan Kushner, Levy Armstrongs attorney, told The Intercept that the White Houses image was divorced from reality.

I was there when they arrested her, and she definitely wasnt crying  she was calm, rational, and dignified, Kushner told The Intercept. This is part and parcel of a fascist regime where they literally invent reality to serve their fascist agenda.

Progressive author and Trump biographer Seth Abramson slammed the White Houses post for altering her skin tone and physical features.

They darkened her skin. They made her heavier. They made her look older. They made it look like she was crying when in fact she was courageous, Abramson wrote. And I just wrote days ago that Donald Trump hates no demographic in America more than Black women. How much more evidence does one need?

Political commentator Brian Krassenstein, a prominent Trump critic, called on Levy Armstrong to take legal action.

Did the White House care to state why they are manipulating photographs of people, as their DOJ arrests them on trumped up charges? I hope she sues the hell out of the government, Krassenstein posted on X.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- The White House is weighing a full withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria as Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa moves to assert control over the country's northeast, a region previously held by a U.S.-backed, Kurdish-led militia, according to a Wall Street Journal report on Thursday.

About 1,000 troops are currently deployed in Syria, most stationed at facilities in the northeast alongside the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the Pentagon's longtime partner against the Islamic State (IS) in the region, said the report, citing U.S. officials.

A rapid government offensive over the weekend led to the collapse of SDF control in parts of the northeast, with Damascus pressing the group to disband, said the report. The SDF has been responsible for guarding roughly 9,000 IS detainees held in detention facilities across the region.

U.S. Central Command said on Wednesday that the Pentagon has begun transferring up to 7,000 IS detainees from northeastern Syria to "secure detention facilities" in Iraq.

U.S. forces were first deployed to Syria in 2014 under then-President Barack Obama to combat IS amid the country's civil war, later operating closely with the SDF. During President Donald Trump's first term, U.S. troop levels in Syria were gradually reduced from about 2,000.

Although IS has lost most of its territorial control in Syria and Iraq, an estimated 1,500 to 3,000 IS fighters remained active in the two countries by mid-2025, said Adrian Shtuni, an associate fellow at the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism, warning that the extremist group continues to pose regional and global threats. 
UPDATE: Winter storm warnings issued as major weekend storm looms with heavy snow, dangerous ice

The threat of a dangerous layer of ice has increased from the massive winter storm expected to slam New Jersey this weekend, burying most of the state under 12 to 18 inches of snow.

Confidence continues to increase in major impacts from a significant winter storm Saturday night through early Monday afternoon, the National Weather Service said early Friday. Sleet and freezing rain chances have increased for the I-95 corridor southward.

The expected changeover to a wintry mix in the southern half of the state has lowered some snowfall forecasts to around a foot, but adds dangerous ice and potential power outages.

Snow may mix with or change to sleet and freezing rain, contributing the hazardous driving conditions, the weather service said. Freezing rain could lead to damage to trees and power lines.

The band of potential icing spans from Salem County to Hudson County, with the highest amounts of 0.10 to 0.25 inches expected along the I-95 corridor.

A winter storm watch for the entire state starts at 7 p.m. Saturday in South Jersey and 1 a.m. Sunday in most northern counties. The watch continues through Monday afternoon or Monday evening, depending on the county.

Northern New Jersey remains on track for 12 to 18 inches of snow, the weather service said.

Central New Jersey and southern counties closer to Philadelphia may see snowfall totals closer to 12 inches due to the wintry mix causing more ice, according to the updated forecast.

Southeastern New Jersey counties are likely to get 8 to 12 inches of snow, forecasters said.

A massive winter storm is on track to bury most of New Jersey with 12 to 18 inches of snow, and chances have increased for a dangerous coating of ice for roughly half the state, according to the latest forecast. AccuWeather.com

AccuWeathers forecast calls for a more conservative 6 to 12 inches of snow across nearly all of New Jersey and 3 to 6 inches in the southeastern corner of the state.

Snow is expected to begin Saturday night and become moderate to heavy at times Sunday morning through the afternoon, with the heaviest precipitation occurring during that window.

A massive winter storm is on track to bury most of New Jersey with 12 to 18 inches of snow and chances have increased for a dangerous coating of ice for roughly half the state, according to the latest forecast. AccuWeather.com

Widespread travel disruptions are expected, with closed roads and canceled flights.

Gov. Mikie Sherrill has scheduled a 3:30 p.m. press conference for Friday to address storm preparations. She issued a video message Thursday evening urging residents to stay home during the storm.

The storm is expected to continue into the work week and likely affect school schedules on Monday.

The storm system will start to pull away Sunday night through early Monday as temperatures drop further.

Any areas still seeing a wintry mix should change back to all snow with additional accumulations likely into Monday.

Breezy winds on Sunday and Monday could lead to some minor blowing and drifting of snow, the weather service said.

A massive winter storm is on track to bury most of New Jersey with 12 to 18 inches of snow and chances have increased for a dangerous coating of ice for roughly half the state, according to the latest forecast. National Weather Service

Ahead of the storm

Before the storm arrives, dangerously cold conditions will grip the state Friday night into Saturday morning.

A cold weather advisory has been issued across New Jersey.

A massive winter storm is on track to bury most of New Jersey with 12 to 18 inches of snow, and chances have increased for a dangerous coating of ice for roughly half the state, according to the latest forecast. AccuWeather.com

High temperatures on Friday will reach the 30s and low 40s before plummeting into the single digits, with winds of 25 to 35 mph and wind chills around zero.

Saturday will remain bitterly cold, with highs only reaching the mid-to upper teens and low 20s across most of New Jersey.

Brutal cold forecast

The heavy snow from the weekend storm isnt likely to melt anytime soon.

Arctic air will remain in place into late next week, with temperatures likely remaining below freezing across the entire region through Thursday.

Highs through the middle of next week are expected to struggle to reach the low 20s across most locations, with wind chills falling below zero again Monday and Tuesday nights.

Similar temperatures are expected Wednesday and Thursday, though wind chills should improve somewhat as winds are expected to subside, forecasters said.

The prolonged period of cold will be dangerous to those outside without proper clothing, and additional cold weather alerts will likely be needed for parts of next week, the weather service said.

Current weather radar
People have been bundling up this week because of the snow, but extreme cold will warrant extra layers this weekend. Temperatures may dip 15 degrees below zero on Friday night, with wind chills making it feel colder, and we will be lucky if the thermometer gets past zero on Saturday. This woman was doing the snow trudge on Clinton Street, Watertown, late Wednesday afternoon. Chris Brock/Watertown Daily Times
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Rui Wenbiao (C), deputy commissioner of the China National Intellectual Property Administration, Liang Xinxin (2nd R), director general of the Strategic Planning Department of the China National Intellectual Property Administration, Guo Wen (2nd L), director general of the Intellectual Property Protection Department of the China National Intellectual Property Administration and Yang Fan (1st R), director general of the Public Service Department of the China National Intellectual Property Administration, attend a press conference held by the State Council Information Office (SCIO) on intellectual property development in 2025, in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Pan Xu)

BEIJING, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- The number of high-value invention patents held on the Chinese mainland had reached 2.29 million by the end of last year, growing at a faster pace than that of overall invention patents, China's top intellectual property regulator said on Friday.

According to the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), the number of valid invention patents held on the Chinese mainland had reached 5.32 million by the end of 2025. The year-on-year growth rate of high-value invention patents was 2.2 percentage points higher than that of the country's total invention patents last year.

The CNIPA also said that the share of high-value invention patents in terms of China's total number of valid invention patents had stood at 43.1 percent in 2025, up 2.9 percentage points compared to 2020.

"It reflects a continuing rise in the share of invention patents that possess higher technological sophistication, greater market value and more stable IP rights protection," Liang Xinxin, a senior CNIPA official, said at a press conference.

About 70 percent of these high-value invention patents are concentrated in strategic emerging industries. The fastest growth was seen in fields such as information technology management, computer technology and medical technology, with AI-related patents ranking among the top globally.

Emerging industries, including quantum technology, bio-manufacturing, brain-computer interfaces and 6th-generation communication, also hold a series of key core technology patents.

"Enterprises have become the main driving force for creating high-value invention patents," Liang noted, adding that they hold over three-quarters of all such patents.

Moreover, the country's major innovation hubs, the Yangtze River Delta in the east, the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region in north China and south China's Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) are setting the pace, contributing 70 percent of China's total high-value invention patents.

Their innovation strength has also gained global recognition. The Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou innovation cluster in the GBA topped the World Intellectual Property Organization's 2025 Global Innovation Index for the first time. Beijing and Shanghai-Suzhou, located in the Yangtze River Delta, were ranked 4th and 6th, respectively.

The CNIPA also highlighted that the average ownership of high-value invention patents had risen to 16 patents per 10,000 people, exceeding the target of 12 set for the country's 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025).

Noting that this serves as an important indicator for measuring innovation output, Liang said the "average ownership" metric is designed to steer innovation efforts from pursuing quantity toward quality.

"In the next five years, we will guide innovation entities to prioritize patent quality and cultivate more high-value core patents, contributing to the development of new quality productive forces," Liang explained. 
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TOKYO, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- A man died and eight others were injured after a Japanese government car apparently caused a multivehicle accident in central Tokyo, local media reported on Friday.

According to footage from dashcams in the vicinity, an official car of the Cabinet Office, which was being driven by a 69-year-old contracted worker, is believed to have ignored a red traffic light and entered an intersection in Tokyo's busy Akasaka district at around 6:35 p.m. local time on Thursday, Kyodo News reported.

The victim, 32-year-old company employee Noboru Akashi, was a passenger inside a taxi when it was hit by another vehicle that had collided with the government car, the report said.

Eight men and women in their 20s to 60s suffered injuries ranging from serious to minor in the accident involving six vehicles, including a garbage truck, it added.

Police are investigating the accident as a possible case of dangerous driving resulting in death and injury. 
The Mayor of Newton Abbot has welcomed confirmation that Nationwide Building Society will remain in the town until at least 2030, following the refurbishment of its Queen Street branch.

Cllr Colin Parker attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday (20 January), marking the completion of upgrade works at the branch.

READ NEXT: ALERT: Train disruption expected between Exeter and Newton Abbot due to severe weather

Speaking at the event, the Mayor said the occasion was about more than the physical improvements to the building.

As Mayor, I often get to see the changing face of our town but today is particularly special because it represents something we value deeply in Newton Abbot, commitment, he said.

He said the announcement was significant at a time when many high street banks across the UK have been reducing their branch networks, with more services moving online.

We all know that the heart of a community is its high street. In an era where we increasingly see services moving online and branches closing their doors, seeing this beautifully refurbished Nationwide branch is a breath of fresh air, he said.

Newton Abbot continues to have a number of high-street bank branches still open, including Lloyds Bank, Natwest and HSBC on Courtenay Street, Nationwide and Santander on Queen Street, and a Barclays Local service at the Passmore Edwards Centre.

Nationwide has publicly committed to keeping all of its branches open until at least 2030 under its Branch Promise, a move that has been highlighted nationally as running counter to wider industry trends.

Cllr Parker said the commitment would provide reassurance for residents and businesses in Newton Abbot.

For our residents, especially those who value face-to-face support, our local business owners, and those who simply prefer the human touch, this commitment provides peace of mind, he said.

He also thanked staff involved in the refurbishment.

I want to thank the local team for their hard work during this refurbishment. You are more than just a building society, you are part of the fabric of our town centre, he said.

The Mayor said the announcement marked a positive moment for the town centre and expressed hope for many more years of service to the people of Newton Abbot.
OSLO, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Danish Defence Command announced on Friday that "Arctic Endurance," a multinational military exercise, has begun in Greenland and is set to run until the end of 2026.

According to an official press release, over the past week, soldiers from NATO member countries including France, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, the Netherlands, Iceland, and Belgium have either been present or are currently in Greenland, conducting preparatory work for the drills.

The exercise aims to sustain and enhance NATO's operational capabilities and alliance cohesion in the Arctic region, the Danish Defence Command said, noting that some other NATO member states have also expressed interest in sending reconnaissance teams to Greenland.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is traveling from Brussels to Nuuk, capital of Greenland, for a meeting with Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen on Friday, her office announced on a social media platform.

The trip comes after Frederiksen's attendance at an emergency EU summit in Brussels on Thursday and a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte earlier on Friday.

After her meeting with Rutte, Frederiksen said on social media that "defense and security in the Arctic is a matter for the entire alliance."

Prior to her departure, Frederiksen indicated that Denmark had "initiated work with the U.S. government," adding that details would be clarified in the coming weeks.

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, U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire to "obtain" Greenland. 
HELSINKI, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Finnish industry representatives have highlighted the importance of deepening economic and business engagement with China ahead of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's visit to the country from Jan. 25 to 28, which will include a business delegation.

Timo Vuori, director for international trade at the Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK), told Xinhua on Friday that Finnish businesses attach great importance to stable economic and political relations with China. He noted that amid a complex international environment, regular exchanges between the European Union and China remain essential for sustaining cooperation and mutual confidence.

Vuori said Finnish industries support a predictable and level playing field in the EU market, with the same rules applied to EU-based companies and firms from outside the bloc, including those from China. He added that China's technological strength in many sectors makes it an important market for Finnish companies seeking to enhance global competitiveness. "If a Finnish company is successful in China, it will flourish in other markets as well," he said.

China is one of Finland's key trading partners, with cooperation focusing on areas such as the low-carbon economy, the circular economy and climate change mitigation. In 2023, 239 subsidiaries of Finnish companies operated in China, generating a turnover of more than 14 billion euros (16.5 billion U.S. dollars). In 2024, Finland's goods exports to China reached 3.5 billion euros and service exports totaled 1.82 billion euros, while goods imports from China amounted to 7.5 billion euros, the release said.

While acknowledging that Finnish companies may face practical challenges in China, Vuori stressed the need to address issues through continued engagement to safeguard international trade and ensure sustainable growth.

During Orpo's visit, the China-Finland Committee for Innovative Business Cooperation will hold its sixth meeting, with around 50 companies expected to participate. Established in 2017 and coordinated by EK and the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products, the committee aims to promote bilateral trade and investment.

Peikko Group, a Finnish manufacturer of concrete construction connection technology and slim floor structures, will join the delegation.

Peikko CEO Topi Paananen told Finnish business daily Kauppalehti that such visits are vital for Finnish companies amid shifting global geopolitics. He said the trip would help strengthen Peikko's presence in the Chinese market and enhance recognition of its products and quality.

Peikko has operated in China since 2011 and has expanded its local plant. Paananen said the company expects revenue in China to reach about 10 million euros this year, with the local factory aiming to produce goods worth around 30 million euros. (1 euro = 1.17 U.S. dollar) 
David A. Ball

Everyone wants the development of more housinguntil it has an address.

Thats what our team has learned in our years supporting nonprofit and for-profit developer clients that have mobilized in response to a persistent housing crisis. Fighting opponents of new housingmainly neighborhood advocacy organizations that block new development in the nameoften falselyof the environment, traffic and preserving the fabric of a communityrequires its very own crisis communications playbook.

The NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) forces are powerful and often win in city and town halls. A law enacted several years ago in Massachusetts requires communities where public transit facilities and services are sited to upzone to enable more multi-family housing near those subway and commuter rail stations and bus routes. The law was a rational response to decades of underbuilding that has resulted in many young people not being able to afford homes across the densely populated eastern part of the state. Without such an intervention, young people leave and the region loses its vitality.

Communities that refuse to comply lose state grant funding and other resources.Several communities vigorously fought the law. One town even made the decision not to comply with the states Supreme Judicial Court.

Our firms HousingLab was launched in 2024 to support the creation of more housing while helping our clients to live their mission and achieve their goals. We have seen all kinds of opposition to temporary and permanent housingfrom public officials deliberating on the idea of closing roads to prevent people from accessing a family shelter site to local citizens urging the removal of trolley service to exempt the community from the new state law. These are harsh tactics, and communicators must always be a step ahead to secure approval of a new project.

We took some key learnings from the hundreds of crises our firm has managed for over two decades and adapted them to tackle this fierce housing challenge.

Below are five key strategies that we deploy to get good, well-designed, quality housing developments built.

This article is featured in O'Dwyer's Jan. '26 Crisis Communications & PR Buyer's Guide Magazine



Media relations is at the core of your efforts. Your opponents will be advocating for their position with the media, so it is important that your media strategy includes regular outreach to key journalists. This includes both official news on the project, from the day its announcedafter local officials have been briefedas well as one-on-ones between the developer and reporter. When reporting contains misstatements from project opponents, its important to set the record straight with journalists and ensure that they have the key facts to avoid continued reporting of misinformation.

Embrace the facts. The NIMBY contingent thrives on making noise, often because they dont have the facts on their side. They will overstate the impacts of a project, distort data and even create their own renderings that are wildly out-of-scale. Proponents for projects must continuously assert the facts, both in talking points and in a fact sheet, so that journalists and the public can better understand what the project truly represents for their community.

Create a microsite. A micrositea smaller-scale website focused only on the project and not on the housing organization or developeris yet another tool for advancing a project. Public-facing documents like a press release, renderings, the fact sheet and an FAQ can all be shared through the site, and a contact button or form creates an additional way for the public to ask questions, express concerns and get answers. People can also submit their email address for regular project updates. Where opponents tend to deploy their tactics through social media channels, particularly Facebook groups, a microsite is a single, credible destination for facts and information.

Process matters. While preparation and planning help organizations resolve crises more quickly and with less damage, the same applies to housing organizations and developers with respect to their external processes. Those that embrace neighbors through community meetings where they share plans and open up a communications channel are less likely to face strong opposition from the get-go. Sitting down with abutters and walking them through the project and its benefits, and seeking input, can make the permitting and approval path much easier.

Make accommodations where feasible. Rather than letting the perfect be the enemy of the good, those trying to build new housing should consider accommodating project opponents where it is practical to do so. While projects always need to pencil out and thus there is a threshold for size and density, changes to landscaping, lighting, parking and exterior design can demonstrate a good-faith effort to meet opponents in the middle and show local officials that the dialogue around a project is a two-way street.

We have a housing crisis, and the answer is to build more homes. We have found that while NIMBYs have the capacity to delay projects until they meet their demise, there are people in the community who want to support and help solve the housing crisis. Our housing communications playbook aims to overcome local concerns, meet the moment and get more housing built.

Future generations are counting on us.

***

David A. Ball is President and Founder of Ball Consulting Group, LLC.
Over a quarter of a million euro has been allocated to the conservation support of historic buildings in Offaly as part of new government funding.

The announcement was made by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, and Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher OSullivan TD on Friday, January 23.

The Faithful County will receive 249,637 which will be awarded to 25 projects to restore and protect historic buildings around the county under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) 2026.

The Built Heritage Investment Scheme supports the repair, restoration and protection of historic structures from traditional homes to landmark public buildings across Ireland, in cities, towns and villages and across the wider countryside.

The funding will assist with essential conservation works including roof repairs, external walls, windows and doors, rainwater disposal and thatch.

These projects will help protect Offalys built heritage while supporting skilled local trades and sustaining the character of towns and villages across the county.

An additional 15,450.49 will also be awarded under the Historic Thatched Buildings scheme bringing the allocation for Offaly to over 260,000 across the two schemes.

The funding is provided by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritages National Built Heritage Service and is administered by the local authorities.

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A selection of projects throughout Offaly have been allocated funding as part of the announcement.

The list includes:

41,637 for Roofs and Rainwater Disposal at The Church of St. Brendan, Oxmantown Mall, Birr

6,000 for Windows, Doors and Associated Elements at Clara GAA Club, Convent Building, Kilbeggan Road, Kilcoursey, Clara

8,000 for Interiors, Windows, Doors and Associated Elements at the Gate Lodge, Kinnitty Castle, Kinnitty, Birr

11,000 for roof and interior works to The Forge, Curragh, Geashill

15,000 for roof repairs to Temple Connor at Clonmacnoise

Fine Gael TD for Offaly, John Clendennen Welcomed the announcement. He said: "This funding is a very positive outcome for Offaly and will make a real difference on the ground with twenty-five separate projects set to benefit.

Our built heritage is a vital part of our identity and sense of place, and these grants will help ensure important buildings are protected, maintained and brought forward for future generations."

Deputy Clendennen added: "Beyond the conservation benefits, this investment also supports local employment and traditional skills, while contributing to the regeneration of our towns, villages and rural areas. It underlines the importance of continued and targeted investment in heritage led development."

Local TD Tony McCormack also welcomed the funding and stated that it can make a huge impact across the county.

He commented: "This funding is very welcome and will make a real difference to the protection of Offalys historic buildings. These structures are an important part of our local identity and community life, and this investment will help ensure they are maintained and preserved for future generations."

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Offaly's funding forms part of a national 8.1 million allocation through the Built Heritage Investment Scheme which will be divided across 696 projects throughout the country.

Of the total funding, almost 1.1 million has been earmarked for works to thatched buildings, made up of almost 600,000 from the dedicated Historic Thatched Buildings stream, plus an additional 490,000 from the mainstream of the BHIS.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, TD, remarked: "This funding under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme will ensure that the architectural legacy of past generations continues to survive in towns, villages, and rural communities in Offaly and across the country."

Minister of State with responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O'Sullivan, TD, added: "Built heritage in Ireland isnt just about great houses and magnificent public structures. Often, the architectural jewel in our towns and villages is a historic building where people meet, live or work."

Subject to funding, both the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Historic Thatched Buildings Scheme will re-open to new applications this July for projects scheduled for completion in 2027.
Tipperary's Dail representatives are today welcoming 8-million investment to protect Irelands built heritage, with over 387,000 allocated to Tipperary.

Almost 700 historic buildings across Ireland will benefit from over 8 million in conservation funding under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) 2026, with significant funding allocated to County Tipperary.

The announcement was made today (23 January 2026) by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, alongside the Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher OSullivan TD.

In total, 696 projects nationwide will receive funding aimed at restoring, repairing and protecting Irelands historic built environment for future generations.

Under the scheme, 8.1 million in grant funding has been awarded nationally, including almost 1.1 million specifically earmarked for thatched buildings, recognising their unique cultural and architectural importance.

County Tipperary has been awarded 366,285 under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme, along with an additional 21,376.70 under the dedicated thatch funding stream, providing vital support for the conservation of local historic structures.

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Michael Lowry TD has warmly welcomed the announcement:

This is a very welcome and significant investment in our built heritage, both nationally and here in County Tipperary. These historic buildings are an integral part of our identity, our communities and our tourism offering. The funding announced today will help ensure that these structures are protected, maintained and enhanced for future generations, he said.

I am particularly pleased to see strong support for traditional buildings, including thatched properties, which require specialised skills and ongoing care. The allocation to Tipperary will assist owners and custodians in carrying out essential conservation works while also sustaining traditional craft skills and local employment, Deputy Lowry said.

The Built Heritage Investment Scheme, funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage through the National Built Heritage Service and administered by Local Authorities, supports works to a wide range of historic structures  from traditional homes to landmark public buildings in cities, towns, villages and rural areas.

Among the projects funded nationally this year are works to churches, libraries, observatories, windmills and historic houses, reflecting the breadth and diversity of Irelands architectural heritage.

In addition to the public funding provided under BHIS, it is estimated that approximately 35 million in private investment will be contributed by property owners and custodians, highlighting the strong partnership between the State, communities and individuals in safeguarding Irelands heritage.

This scheme not only protects our past, but also supports sustainable development by encouraging the reuse of existing buildings and preventing dereliction and vacancy. I will continue to support initiatives that strengthen our communities and preserve the unique character of Tipperary and Ireland as a whole, Deputy Lowry said.

Fianna Fail TD for North Tipperary and Northwest Kilkenny, Deputy Ryan OMeara, also warmly welcomed the announcement of 388,661 in funding for Tipperary under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme, following todays significant national announcement.

The funding will provide vital conservation support, including the restoration and protection of historic buildings across the county, ensuring that important heritage structures can be safeguarded for future generations.

This funding is about far more than bricks and mortar. It represents an investment in our local history and in the culture and character of our communities. These historic buildings tell the story of our area, and this support will ensure that story is preserved for future generations.

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With 8.1 million being made available nationally in 2026, the scheme will help property owners to conserve and enhance historic buildings and streetscapes, while also supporting the preservation and development of traditional building skills.

Grants will be used to repair, restore, and protect historic structures across Irelands cities, towns, villages, and rural areas.

Deputy OMeara said the scheme would also play an important role in tackling vacancy and supporting communities:

This funding will ensure that the architectural legacy of past generations continues to survive in our towns, villages, and rural communities. Alongside initiatives such as the revised Living City Initiative and the improved and expanded Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, it will help to maximise the use of existing building stock and prevent vacancy, dereliction, and underuse.

The Deputy also highlighted that 1.1 million has been specifically allocated in 2026 to support the repair and conservation of traditional thatched buildings nationwide.

Built heritage is not just about landmark buildings. Often, the heart of a community is a historic place where people live, work, or meet. I would like to thank my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, and the Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher OSullivan, for their continued commitment to protecting Irelands built heritage, he said.

The full list of approved projects is available on the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage website.
THIS week Tullamore based charity, Power4Good, provided 42,000 as an educational grant for the training of doctors in Zambia to become ENT Surgeons through the College of Surgeons of East Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA).

This has been facilitated by the work of recently retired Tullamore based ENT surgeon Kieran ODriscoll who worked in the Regional Hospital Tullamore.

The fund will be managed by COSCESA based in Arusha Tanzania where the college, which trains surgeons for sub-Saharan Africa is based and is referred to as a college without borders.

Through the work of Kieran, who was the Director of the Tullamore based charity ENT Surgery For Zambia (204- 2015), an MOU with the Zambian Government has been developed. This MOU involves the Zambian Ministry of Health (MOH), COSECSA and our very own Power4Good and has been just signed.

This MOU allows Power4Good to provide the educational funds for ENT surgical trainees. The Zambian MOH will provide the salaries and training facilities and COSECSA will manage the educational fund centrally through its Arusha offices. The COSECSA offices will report back to Power4Good . Already one doctor is on the training scheme.

The former Irish Ambassador to Zambia Bronagh Carr facilitated this MOU with her communications with the Zambian Permanent Secretary Dr Lishimpi.

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Indeed, Kieran cannot praise enough the Department of Foreign Affairs and the staff at Irish Aid for their assistance in all these projects thus far. They never turn a Deaf Ear when it comes to helping the burden of poverty-stricken people who are further challenged with hearing loss and head and neck cancer - the two areas highlighted to be the main focus of need in Kierans work in Zambia (2004  2026).

Former president Mary McAleese launched the Zambian ENT Mobile Clinic in 2009 . Irish Aid built their ENT theatre which opened in 2010 - Brian Cowen listened as well!

This was all made possible by the people of Tullamore. He cited the Rotary Club Tullamore, the ESB at Portlaoise, the late great Gladys Adams and her husband Paddy through their Annual Fashion Charity Shows, Barbara OConnell for generous pharmacy supplies, to mention just a few of the stalwart supports over the years.

He couldnt say enough about the support too of the hospitals at Tullamore and Charter Medical Private hospital. Its important to thank the ENT nursing staffs in the respective theatres who never left him travel to Zambia without essential surgical supplies  part of now has become green or sustainable surgery where nothing goes to waste.

Kieran has spent the last five years or so working on the collaboration committee between RCSI and COSECSA and noted the financial difficulties that prevented the doctors entering ENT surgical training. There are only five people providing ENT care to abut 20 million in Zambia up from 12m in 2004. The unit in its capital Lusaka ,where the unit was built still struggles staff wise. The low numbers of consultants being trained impacts the work done by the unit.

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Molly Buckley President of Power4Good was aware of this need and approached Kieran . It was a no brainer, she said. The ENT surgical capacity issue in Zambia was a worthy cause.

Mindful of the great difficulties there are running charities he thought of the MOU initiative and the fund controlling expertise of a surgical training college such as COSECSA and RCSI here in Ireland.

The fund will train up to five ENT surgeons hopefully doubling the ENT surgical consultants in the country over the next few years. These trained doctors will stay at least 10 years after qualification working in Zambia.

The Tullamore people have helped thousands of people in Zambia every year with the ENT unit in its capital Lusaka and now through the P4G shops funds will make a huge impact on further patient care
BEIRUT, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- At least 35 percent of Lebanese citizens now live below the national monetary poverty line, Social Affairs Minister Haneen Sayed said Friday, describing the figure as a "negative indicator" of the country's deep-seated social crisis.

Speaking to local radio station Sawt Lebnan, Sayed said a new ministry study shows nearly half the population currently relies on some form of state assistance. The government's "Aman" program alone provides financial and social aid to roughly 160,000 vulnerable families.

Lebanon has been struggling to recover from a 2019 financial collapse that the World Bank ranked as one of the world's worst. The crisis, which wiped out life savings and sent the currency into a tailspin, has been compounded by recent military conflict that displaced thousands and leveled infrastructure in the south.

Addressing recovery efforts, Sayed noted that Parliament recently approved a 250-million-U.S.-dollar World Bank loan to rebuild damaged infrastructure. That funding is expected to trigger an additional 75 million dollars in aid from France. However, the minister warned that current funding remains "insufficient" to cover the total scale of the destruction.

The Council for Development and Reconstruction is currently assessing damaged areas. Sayed said reconstruction is being prioritized in regions accessible to the Lebanese army, as Israeli forces continue to occupy several border sites despite a 2024 truce.

Sayed projected that 2026 will be the year of "major reconstruction," beginning in the south and expanding to other regions hit by airstrikes. She cautioned, however, that the return of displaced residents will depend on the level of local destruction and "sustained security stability." 


book cover

(Image by critchley) Details DMCA



I'm no doubt unfashionably late in my loving remembrance of David Bowie, the man with the cat's eyes and bird's body, who some say died a decade ago. Others, such as panpsychists, argue that David Bowie simply transcended death and returned to outer space, the home of the Starman, where Carl Sagan asserted our origins ("we are star stuff"), ultimately reverting to primordial forms and fractals, including waves and nano stuffs. Boy, the guy sure knew how to come down the catwalk wearing his latest fashions. Remember his MTV music video "Blue Jean" and that one where he's being lectured by his mother down by the sea of ashes, or recall his Aladdin Sane look, or his brash, celebratory androgyny opening wide the doors for the LGBTQ+ element (which promises to keep going through the alphabet until, like a cakewalk winding down, the last person standing outside the circle is a straight dick).

I reviewed Simon Critchley's Bowie (2014) a while back and concluded: What a marvelous read; all that glittering nuance. I tickled my memory and recalled attending a Bowie concert in Foxboro, Massachusetts, during his Glass Spider tour. I was a grad student at UMass-Amherst, newly married, working gigs, reading Harold Pinter, and under pressure. At the concert, Bowie kept rising higher on the stage while the crowd roared its approval. I had a brain fart fantasy that saw Ziggy plummet to what seemed his certain death, and the crowd registered its devastation with a hive gasp. And then ensued a stampede of young ladies rushing toward the fallen angel, or Icarus, with the hopes of administering some mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Or God knows what!

Bowie is more relevant than ever. Recently, a remake of The Man Who Fell to Earth, based on the Walter Tevis novel, was released on streaming. However, the updated version failed to spark the same level of imagination as the original film. More likely, I could not envision anyone else playing the role of the "birdlike" alien from outer space except David Bowie, whose past, present, and future of promise were stolen by the Deep State, leading to his alienation and a permanent funk driven by streams of classical and jazz music (Coltrane, Sun Ra-- you know, out there, man). Planet Earth is blue, and there is nothing I can do. Dig it.

Bowie's relevance largely stems from the film's portrayal of a spaceman who reveals that Earth, once thought to be the only planet with life, is not alone in the universe. If God were a cat, planet Earth might have been just a furball the p*ssy coughs up onto the fur of the sleeping dogmatist. Which we definitely do not want to wake. I don't know if Bowie as spaceman came before or after this film, and I'm too lazy to put down my bong and look it up. Does it really matter?

Let's briefly examine the plot of Tevis's novel, where Bowie portrays a melancholic figure, Thomas Jerome Newton. Newton is a visitor from Anthea, a world described as a "dryness, the emptiness, the soundlessness of the broad, empty deserts between the almost deserted cities where the only sound was the whining of the cold and endless wind that voiced the His mission is a desperate act of interplanetary migration, as he seeks a home among humans whom he views with a mix of awe and horror. He sees us as "apes loose in a museum, carrying knives, slashing the canvases, breaking the statues with hammers."

This "ape-like" nature is inextricably tied to our biology. As Jon Lieff explores, we are waterbound vessels whose very consciousness may be a byproduct of ancient viral activity. If our self-awareness is a virus that "fell to Earth," then we must reckon with the profound reality that viruses are neither dead nor alive; they wait in crystalline suspension for a host to reanimate them. Newton, a superior intellect, becomes "infected" by the human condition-- specifically our "drowsy, drunken vitality-- "and finds himself "susceptible to love, to fear, to intense physical pain, and to self-pity."

Tevis was terrifyingly prescient regarding the rise of private monolithic power. Newton's World Enterprises Corporation was the blueprint for modern tech hegemony, amassing wealth to fund a mission that the public never approved. Today, we witness the same "satanic pride" in individuals such as Elon Musk and Meta's AI architects, who recklessly pursue AGI, mind control, and geoengineering without any accountability. There is talk of "seeding the sky" to block the sun-- a gamble that could go catastrophically wrong, echoing the near-disaster of the Oppenheimer project's H-bomb tests. We are rushing into a future where, like Newton, we may discover ourselves blinded by the very "Deep State" forces we allowed to take control.

As the media chatter turns toward the possibility of another world war under the current administration, we see a return to the "iron laws of the world... governed by force." Newton's final retreat into the music of John Coltrane was his ultimate anti-totalitarian act. Coltrane's esoteric chord wheel-- a geometric mandala of sound-- represents a symmetry that the "Deep State" can never co-opt.

Bowie understood the symmetry better than anyone. He was a daytripper of inner space who knew that while "Planet Earth is blue," we are all "star stuff." He lived with a cat-like playfulness, anti-totalitarian to the core, refusing to be a cog in the machine of human self-destruction. As we stand on the precipice of our own "atomic rubble," we should listen to the "out there" jazz that Bowie left behind. He didn't just fall to Earth; he realized that Earth is just another part of the sky.

Dig it.
"This is not a black and white world

To be alive

I say the colours must swirl"



- Live, "The Beauty of Gray"

Within an America divided between blue and red, there is no gray. Everything is black and white, as perceived realities are colored by how we need the world to look. Lost is the ability to see nuance, especially when it makes us question the correctness of "our side".

The shooting of Renee Nicole Good in Minnesota provides yet another example of our division. Ignoring the reality of three children who have lost their mother and a partner who has lost her spouse, we immediately jump into the narrative that will bolster our ideological position. How can this incident help "our side" to win?

These narratives are set by our leaders. Blaming the shooting on the "Radical Left Movement of Violence and Hate", Trump described the video of the incident as a "horrible thing to watch". Apparently, his sympathies were not for the young mother, whom he described as being "very disorderly, obstructing and resisting". Instead, it was for the shooter, whom he said was "lucky to be alive". While the video shows the ICE agent walking away from the scene after shooting Good, Trump maintains that he was "violently, willfully, and viciously [run] over".

Also contradicting all available video evidence, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem claimed that protesters had attacked ICE agents as they tried to get their car unstuck from the snow. While still in the midst of what is supposed to be an independent investigation, conducted without a predetermined outcome, she labeled the event an act of "domestic terrorism".

While many opponents of the Trump administration would agree that the event was meant to terrorize, they would disagree about who the terrorist was. Noem was clearly signaling to supporters of the crackdown on immigrants that opponents of this policy are not merely expressing an opinion; they are dangerous. Those on the other side see the terror that ICE has laid upon American communities and hold up the shooting in Minnesota as a manifestation of their worst fears.

I do not doubt that the killing of Good could have been prevented, but the credibility of that argument is diminished when her culpability is ignored. While Good's actions should not have resulted in her death, different choices may have saved her life. Even if the ICE agent did not have the legal right to order her out of her car, driving away with a 4,000-pound hunk of metal was not the best decision. Of course, I say this without being panicked as masked gunmen converge upon my car while shouting inconsistent orders.

One can acknowledge that mistakes were made by the deceased without feeding into the "she got what she deserved" narrative. This should be clear to many Trump supporters who just one day earlier were commemorating the events of January 6, 2021. Part of that narrative has been a continued call for the police officer who shot Ashli Babbitt to be jailed.

The circumstances of the deaths were, in some ways, similar as both victims were advancing when told to stop. The notable difference is that Babbitt was illegally in the Capitol building while Good was on a public street. Yet, Trump's supporters apply the "if she had listened, she would not be dead" label only to the person who was allegedly opposed to their viewpoint while turning Babbitt into a martyr.

Dialogue is impossible when no one can admit that there were imperfect decisions made on both sides. Getting past our national stalemate depends on us learning to appreciate the beauty of gray.

Carl Petersen is a former Green Party candidate for the LAUSD School Board and a longtime advocate for public education and special needs families. Now based in Washington State, he writes about politics, culture, and their intersections at TheDifrntDrmr.
Vibcare Healthcare is a pharmaceutical manufacturing partner based in Panchkula. The company works with brands across India and international markets. The business is built around 
WENZHOU, CHINA - As we move into 2026, the global industrial landscape is witnessing a profound shift toward intelligent manufacturing, decentralized robotics, and the "Smart 
Pacific Office Automation wants its former CEO to pay the company nearly $54 million, alleging he misled colleagues about his conduct and cultivated a false narrative about his criminal history and leadership abilities.

The Beaverton company filed a counterclaim against Doug Pitassi last week, the latest development in a bitter dispute that followed Pitassis firing late in 2024.

Pacific Office Automation was responding to Pitassis own $70 million lawsuit filed last year. The 64-year-old former executive alleged his longtime employer evicted him from his office and fired him without paying him a bonus it owed or cashing out his shares in the business.

The companys response depicts Pitassi as a serial predator who preyed on his employees, paid accusers to keep quiet and relied on a coterie of underlings to help keep his conduct under wraps. The lawsuit alleges the company loaned Pitassi $3.25 million after he settled three misconduct claims  money the company says he never repaid.

Other Pacific Office Automation executives participated in the settlement of at least one misconduct claim in 2022, according to a confidential settlement agreement that was first revealed by The Oregonian/OregonLive in a 2024 investigation. The document notes that those executives knew of the allegations and that Pitassi paid to settle them.

The companys lawsuit accuses him of blaming his teen victims for his criminal history, which dates to the 1980s when Pitassi was a high school teacher and includes convictions for sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a minor.

And it says he tried to sabotage the company after executives sidelined him, directing personnel to miss their 2024 sales targets.

Unlike POA, Mr. Pitassi will litigate his case in court, not the media, and he expects to prevail, Benjamin Chew, Pitassis attorney in Washington, D.C., said in a brief written response.

Pitassi did not face criminal charges in any of the allegations against him during his time at Pacific Office Automation and has consistently denied wrongdoing.

Pacific Office Automation provides printers, copiers and other office technology and equipment to customers in nine western states. Its among Oregons largest privately held companies, with more than $500 million in annual sales and about 1,500 employees.

The companys new filing describes misconduct allegations involving at least seven employees and adds revelatory details about how Pitassi responded to at least one report of misconduct in 2024.

The lawsuit says an employee, identified only as John Doe G, claimed Pitassi groped him and forced him to engage in unwanted sexual touching on more than 100 occasions.

According to the lawsuit, an employee said Pitassi had spiked his drink and sexually assaulted him while he was incapacitated.

Executives did not notify Pitassi about the allegations, according to the lawsuit, but the filing suggests Pitassi learned about them and took steps to possibly intimidate or pay off the man.

It is unclear if company executives reported the allegations to police. Its general counsel, Andrew Salgado, declined to say what steps the company took after learning about the allegations.

Pitassi, who was on leave at the time the employee complained, flew to the state where the employee lived, the lawsuit alleges, causing John Doe G to fear for his safety. According to the companys filing, Pitassi told the man he planned to buy property in the city where the man lived.

The new filing states that Pitassi was trying to intimidate John Doe G and/or to create an opportunity to pay John Doe G for his silence as he had done with other accusers.

Pacific Office Automations lawsuit this week accused Pitassi of gifting or loaning money to POA employees and paying POA employees for their silence or loyalty.

By the time Pacific Office Automation hired Pitassi in 1989, he had been convicted of two misdemeanors stemming from his conduct with two students at Centennial High School, where he worked at the time.

According to the lawsuit, he disclosed the convictions during the hiring process but minimized and misled the company at the time about the nature and conduct that led to the criminal convictions.

Once hired, the lawsuit states, Pitassi told several different stories and engaged in a decades-long effort to conceal his conduct. As he rose through its corporate ranks, Pacific Office Automation alleges that Pitassi portrayed himself as the victim of manipulative or extortive conduct by the high school students.

The lawsuit says Pitassi provided various false explanations over the years and accused the teens of extorting him over his sexuality.

Pitassi told POA employees that the entire Centennial High School criminal incident arose from the students driving and crashing Pitassis car and then, to avoid having to pay for the repairs, the students concocted a story of sexual abuse and misconduct to extort Pitassi, the lawsuit states.

The filing says Pacific Office Automation executives learned about the circumstances that led to the convictions from The Oregonian/OregonLives 2024 investigation.

In all the years that Pitassi was employed with POA, Pitassi never disclosed to POA the facts described in the Oregonian article by the former students, the lawsuit states. It doesnt explain why the company didnt review court filings in the case earlier. Pacific Office Automation declined to comment on its court filing.

On Thursday, the two men Pitassi victimized as teens were angry to learn Pitassi allegedly blamed the two as he climbed the corporate ladder.

The Oregonian/OregonLive generally doesnt identify victims of sex crimes. Grant Turner and Michael Thanem, now in their 50s, agreed to be named in the news organizations reporting on Pitassi.

Turner said his mother felt strongly at the time that Pitassi be held accountable. Turner said Pitassi drove him to a convenience store and bought pornographic magazines, then masturbated in front of the teen. He recalled Pitassi touching him and how Turner pushed him away.

In court filings at the time, Pitassi admitted he had permitted Turner to witness an act of sexual contact.

The audacity to sort of turn that on us is stunning, Turner said. The whole point of that court situation, at least from my perspective, was to give me the solace that he was going to learn from his mistakes and atone for his errors.

Thanem said he experienced bullying at school after the abuse allegations came to light.

In a previous interview with The Oregonian/OregonLive, Thanem recalled how Pitassi taunted him. He kept saying over and over again, Its your word against my word, OK? Nobodys gonna believe you.

Court records from the case show Pitassi admitted he touched Thanems genital area through his pants.

Hes a liar and he is manipulative, Thanem said. It all started with us. Im disgusted at his behavior throughout his entire life.

Earlier this month, Pacific Office Automation said it believes Doug Pitassi has helped start a new company  called Alltura Solutions  that aims to operate in the same office equipment business. Pitassis son, former POA regional manager Eric Pitassi, said his father has no role in the startup.

The new filing contests that, alleging that Doug Pitassi is violating his employment contract by personally recruiting Pacific Office Automation employees to join Alltura.

Additionally, Pacific Office Automation alleges that Pitassi miscalculated commissions and arranged for a $2 million bonus he hadnt earned. It says he also used company funds for personal and unauthorized expenses, including $580,000 to hire a reputation management company to remove or bury damaging information about him on the internet.

Pacific Office Automation seeks $40 million in economic damages from Pitassi and $10 million due to the loss of customers and prospective customers and damage to POAs professional reputation and goodwill.
Oregon marijuana prices ended 2025 at a record low, $3.33 a gram, as total sales statewide fell to their lowest point since 2019.

The states marijuana industry has been struggling for years owing to a chronic imbalance between supply and demand. Growers reaped a record harvest last fall, 13.5 million pounds, which will put even more pressure on prices this year.

Oregon marijuana sales were down more than 20% last year from their peak in 2021, dropping to $926 million. Prices fell 40% in that time. The protracted decline has made life a constant struggle for the small businesses that sustain the industry.

Theres no sign of the market turning around. But even if revenues dont grow, Oregons marijuana businesses may get a lifeline: Lower taxes.

Marijuana remains illegal under federal law and the U.S. classifies it as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act. That describes drugs with high abuse potential and no accepted medical use. Other drugs in that category include heroin and LSD.

Last month, President Donald Trump told the U.S. Department of Justice to begin the process of reclassifying marijuana as a Schedule III drug. Drugs in that category include anabolic steroids and ketamine.

Companies selling Schedule I drugs cant deduct most business expenses from their taxes. Those selling Schedule III drugs can.

That means marijuana businesses could start deducting standard expenses like rent, utilities, insurance and employees wages from their federal taxable income. Theres no timeline for how long the reclassification process might take, but the outcome could be very significant for Oregon marijuana businesses.

It gives us the opportunity as businesses to really actually be treated like normal businesses, Gabriel Parton Lee, general counsel for Oregon cannabis edibles company Wyld, told an Oregon legislative committee this month.

The tax savings could amount to tens of thousands of dollars for small businesses, and hundreds of thousands for large businesses. That could help cushion the blow as Oregon marijuana prices and sales continue to ebb.

Oregon businesses have been counting on Congress to make marijuana legal across the country, anticipating that could create a national market for the crop. That hasnt happened and it doesnt appear it will anytime soon  the proposed reclassification of marijuana wont affect interstate commerce.

But Lee said the new federal rules throw a lifeline to Oregons industry.

While its still not federal legalization, its still not enough, he said, it gives us the opportunity to create the progress that we need to allow us to stabilize as businesses and hopefully be competitive with the unregulated market.

This is Oregon Insight, The Oregonians weekly look at the numbers behind the states economy. View past installments here.
The Oregon Department of Corrections has agreed to pay $2.3 million to settle a wrongful death and negligence suit filed by the mother of a man who died by suicide while in solitary confinement at a state prison.

Grayson James Allen Painter, 22, died at the Oregon State Correctional Institution in Salem on June 29, 2023, according to the suit.

His mother Jennifer Painter said in a statement Thursday that the family is still grieving and needs time to heal from his loss.

No settlement or verdict will bring him back, but its my sincere hope that this result not only causes ODOC (Oregon Department of Corrections) to change their ways but reminds everyone that they have rights and dignity that can and should be vindicated, she said.

Attorneys from the Oregon Justice Resource Center filed the suit on behalf of Painters mother. It alleged that Grayson Painter was experiencing a mental health crisis when he was placed in a disciplinary segregation unit.

Our litigation uncovered what Oregon prisoners have long been saying. At the exact moment when someone needed help, the Department of Corrections chose punishment instead of treatment, the attorneys said in a statement. Grayson was in a crisis. And instead of taking measures to protect him, they put him in a dark hole where his cries for help couldnt be heard. Were grateful to have resolved the case, and were hopeful that Graysons case alarms enough Oregonians into action.

Prison staff should have taken precautions to monitor Painter after he had shown suicidal tendencies and taken steps to reduce potential risks, the suit said. Officers werent regularly monitoring him and didnt try to fix a camera when they found it wasnt working in his cell or move him to a different cell, according to the suit.

Other neighboring prisoners also reported hearing officers call Painter names and taunt him, the suit says.

The Oregon Department of Corrections recognizes the profound loss experienced by the family and loved ones in this case. While no resolution can undo that loss, this settlement reflects our commitment to evaluating the policies and practices that can prevent in-custody deaths, said Amber Campbell, a department spokesperson. She said the department is committed to continuous improvement.

After any in-custody death, the Department conducts a review of the incident to determine what steps could be taken to protect adults in custody from unsafe conditions, she said. Over the past several years, we have strengthened our policies, training, oversight, and healthcare delivery to better protect the health and safety of adults in custody and the staff who supervise them.

Another prisoner in solitary confinement reported that correctional officers were, in fact, encouraging Painter to take his own life by yelling, Why dont you just kill yourself, the suit alleged.

The people in charge of caring for Mr. Painters well-being chose to place him in a black box solitary confinement cell. They ignored him there, in violation of ODOC rules and the constitution, the suit said.

A black box cell within the disciplinary segregation unit is more restrictive, described as a cell within a cell, a living area with a bed, sink and toilet under a low roof behind a door with steel bars thats behind another solid, steel door with a slight window, according to the suit.

At least one prison sergeant and behavioral health personnel in the prison had argued with other staff that Painter never should have been placed in solitary, concerned it would only cause him to spiral and act out. That kid should not have been in DSU, the sergeant told another officer, referring to the disciplinary segregation unit, according to the suit.

Painter was arrested in Washington County on a probation violation and booked into the county jail on May 4, 2023. Before his transfer to the Oregon Department of Corrections 20 days later, he had been on suicide watch in the jail on three separate occasions for multiple days at a time, which was well-documented in his jail medical record, according to the suit.

The day before his May 24, 2023, transfer to a state prison, his classification level was one step below suicide watch and jail staff noted he had been experiencing suicidal ideation and mental illness symptoms.

Once transferred, his mental health intake notes indicated that Painter had numerous hospitalizations in the past for suicidal ideation and psychosis, including hallucinations, and that he had said being held in segregated cells increased his hallucinations and delusions, according to the suit.

When evaluated on May 31, 2023, by a nurse practitioner at the Coffee Creek Intake Center, Painter detailed two recent suicide attempts while in custody previously at the Washington County Jail. He also told her he had attempted suicide because (he) was in the hole, the suit said. The evaluator found Painter would benefit from a higher level of care and monitoring, and initially diagnosed him as having unspecified schizophrenia, and other psychosis, according to the suit.

Painter was moved to Oregon State Correctional Institution on June 28, 2023, and placed in mental health housing, according to the suit.

About 8:50 a.m. on June 29, 2023, a behavioral health evaluator conducted a mental health screening of Painter and he denied thoughts of suicide, but the evaluator noted Painter was irritable, confused and a bit manic, and that he threatened to stop taking his medication.

That afternoon, Painter was moved to disciplinary segregation to provide a urine sample, as corrections staff believed his erratic behavior was the result of intoxicants, according to the suit. The urinalysis came back negative for drugs, according to the suit.

About 2:30 p.m., while processing the move, Painter was seen banging his head against the metal side of a holding cell. Staff threatened to pepper spray him if he didnt stop and then placed him in a solitary holding cell with a camera inside but it later stopped working, according to the suit.

Other inmates said Painter was crying, begging for a book to read. When another prisoner attempted to console him, he said Painter responded that he wont be around much longer, according to the suit.

About 2:50 p.m., the mental health evaluator saw Painter again and wrote he was displaying erratic behaviors, experiencing delusions, was suspicious of his surroundings and yelling.

At 3:30 p.m, an officer spotted Painter throwing water around in his cell and onto the tier and noted that the camera in the cell was no longer working. About an hour later, another officer who arrived at the unit was told that the camera in Painters cell wasnt working.

An officer did a security check at 6:55 p.m. and found Painter in the act of suicide and performed CPR, but Painter was pronounced dead at 7:30 p.m., his ankles shackled as he lay on the floor, according to the suit.

His prior medical records from prison, jail and outside providers indicated conflicting opinions on the source of Painters psychosis, with some diagnosing him with substance-induced psychosis while others said his mental health deterioration was unrelated to drug use, the suit said.

Painter was not placed on suicide watch or designated for suicide close observation. If he had been, blankets, clothes or personal items would have been restricted.

While policy required that staff perform checks every 30 minutes, records showed there were significant gaps - the longest from 11:30 a.m. until 3:50 p.m. on June 29, 2023, the suit said.

The sergeant of the disciplinary segregation unit in charge at the time of Painters death did not complete the required checks of the tier where Painter was held.

He clocked that he had done a tier check before he even looked in any of the cells, attorney Juan Chavez said. He then walked about half way down the hallway but got called away, and didnt check Painters cell, according to Chavez.

That sergeant took an early retirement and now works as a security supervisor at the state psychiatric hospital, the suit said.

The Oregon Justice Resource Center lost a legal challenge filed in 2022 at the Oregon Court of Appeals seeking to sharply curtail the use of solitary confinement as discipline in Oregon prisons. The centers lawyers argued the practice is cruel and unusual punishment.

Ten years ago, the advocacy group Disability Rights Oregon urged a change in legislation that would prohibit solitary confinement for someone with a serious mental illness.
URUMQI, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Foreign trade of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region reached 520.37 billion yuan (about 74.4 billion U.S. dollars) in 2025, up 19.9 percent year on year, surpassing the 500 billion yuan threshold for the first time, Urumqi Customs announced Friday.

The robust growth was fueled by a series of policies designed to expand foreign trade. Cross-border e-commerce exports surged by 232.8 percent and imports via border residents' mutual trade rose by 68.5 percent.

Xinjiang's expanding international cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) contributed significantly, with trade value involving BRI partner countries hitting 458.37 billion yuan, up 14.7 percent.

Trade with the five Central Asian countries alone reached 276.69 billion yuan. The region also accelerated its outreach to ASEAN, Africa, West Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.

Notably, Xinjiang's export structure continued to optimize, with mechanical and electrical product exports amounting to 186.5 billion yuan, a jump of 40.7 percent. Among these, shipments of automotive parts, electrical equipment and electronic components saw significant increases, while exports of high-end equipment linked to new quality productive forces surged nearly 70 percent.

Agricultural exports, including walnuts and grapes, also gained momentum, driving a 25.4 percent increase in the region's total agricultural exports.

Li Qinghua, deputy head of Urumqi Customs, said that Xinjiang's foreign trade maintained resilience and steady growth despite global challenges, adding that further efforts will focus on enhancing regulatory efficiency and service levels to support the region's high-level opening up. 
A woman who was intoxicated when she collided head-on with another driver in North Portland in 2024 was sentenced to 10 years in prison Friday.

Prosecutors said Angelina Minors son, Kingston Coston, was in a child safety seat that hadnt been properly installed, leading to the 4-year-olds death during the crash in the St. Johns neighborhood on March 20, 2024.

Minor, 29, had previously gone through DUII diversion in 2019 and was on probation for her second DUII from 2022 at the time of the crash, court records show.

Investigators found an empty liquor bottle in the car and determined Minors blood-alcohol level was 0.32%  nearly four times the legal limit. Her boyfriend, who was also heavily intoxicated and sitting in the passenger seat, as well as Costons sisters, survived the crash.

I want to take full responsibility and accountability for the tragedy, Minor said in court Friday.

Authorities issued a warrant for her arrest last week, claiming an alcohol monitor had been triggered. In court, defense attorney Joshua McCain submitted a hair follicle sample showing the prior alert was in error.

Multnomah County Circuit Judge Jenna Plank said she believed Minor had maintained her sobriety for almost two years. But Plank said she could not delay incarceration any longer, despite a defense attorneys request, which noted that Minor had just given birth to a baby a few months ago.

For whatever reason, you were left standing March 20, Plank told Minor. Make it worth it.

The judge accepted Minors guilty pleas to first-degree manslaughter, reckless endangerment and DUII.

Multnomah County Commissioner Vince Jones-Dixon, who is investigating cases involving alcohol monitor false alerts, attended the hearing but declined to comment to reporters.

Prosecutor Christopher Shull called the investigation one of the most heartbreaking in his career, but said Minor must serve time behind bars.

I know everyone woke up today dreading this hearing. I certainly did, Shull said. But the conduct is so severe that we have to see responsive incarceration. Civil society demands this.
Board members from the Hope Chinese Charter School have turned down the Beaverton School Districts offer to become the districts second Chinese dual language program.

Instead, the 400-plus student school will retain its charter school status, and continue searching for a new campus, since it is outgrowing its current, flood-prone location in the West Slope neighborhood, said Sarah Walton, Hopes school board vice-chair. Charter schools typically receive 80-85% of per-pupil public funding, but operate independently from their sponsoring school district, with their own governance and non-unionized teachers and staff.

The Mandarin language immersion charter school started small in 2012 and has grown into an in-demand K-8 program with more than 100 students on its waitlist. Ninety percent of its students demonstrated mastery of grade-level math skills on state tests in spring 2025, among the highest in the state.

Finding a building that both meets the requirements for a school and will allow for growth has been very challenging in densely packed Beaverton, Walton said.

Meanwhile, the Beaverton School District, like virtually every other Portland metro area school district, has been grappling with declining enrollment as birth rates drop, housing prices rise and some families peel off to home school, online school or private options.

The school district is also building an elementary school with room for around 750 students in the nearby Raleigh Hills neighborhood thats set to open next fall. That has stirred up questions from families with children at nearby, smaller elementary schools about whether their aging buildings will be closed to fill the new school.

Bringing Hope Chinese Charter in as a district program could have addressed both issues at once, boosting enrollment by allowing the school to expand and, presumably, helping to fill the newly constructed elementary school by co-locating with neighborhood students.

School district officials never specified exactly which location Hope Chinese Charter School would have moved into, should it have accepted Beavertons offer.

But both the school districts projected enrollment forecasts and building utilization plans show that only the Raleigh Hills Elementary building could have accommodated that many students.

Walton said the promise of a shiny new building was very appealing, as was the chance for the charter schools staff to be eligible for full benefits conferred by membership in the Beaverton Education Association union.

But community and board members alike were deeply concerned about the likely loss of curriculum autonomy, she said, and worried that some of their beloved longtime teachers and support staff could be subject to future budget cuts based on their lack of seniority as new union members.

She compared Hope Chinese Charter, with its globally-minded focus, to the classic childrens book The Little Engine That Could, and said that school districts may need to be more flexible in the future about allowing differentiated options, in order to counter enrollment trends.

[The charter school] is a magical place, Walton said. This is a decision to grow it and do the thing that feels harder and riskier in some ways. Joining forces we would have gotten facilities and resources, but we would have lost the original founder mission, to create something unique.

Meanwhile, a Beaverton School District committee charged with evaluating long-term planning for the districts buildings recently released a set of recommendations suggesting that aging buildings with fewer than 350 students should not fly under the radar.

Instead, committee members recommended, before starting future replacement of or renovations on any building over 75 years old, the district should closely evaluate its current condition, seismic stability and enrollment forecasts, as well as whether buildings compare equitably with other, newer school facilities.

And, in future years, the committee recommended a new focus on all elementary schools with less than 350 students, or buildings where the current number of students fills less than 65% of available space.

Under the recommendations, which will be considered by the Beaverton School Board at an upcoming meeting, such schools would be considered candidates not just for blended classrooms, enrollment campaigns and adjusted attendance boundaries, but also decreased hours for so-called specials teachers, like those who lead art, music and physical education, and ultimately for potential consolidation.
In Oregon, where Black communities have played a significant role in shaping the states cultural, artistic and political life, Black History Month offers a chance to publicly recognize those contributions. Throughout February 2026, organizations across the state will host concerts, film screenings, exhibitions, lectures and community workshops highlighting Black history, creativity and scholarship.

Events range from tributes to Langston Hughes and Portlands Black music legacy to statewide film festivals, archival projects and intergenerational conversations, illustrating how Black history is documented, shared and sustained across Oregon today.

Albina Music Trust

Albina Music Trust presents a monthlong series of Black History Month events highlighting Albinas musical legacy through performances, panels and archival presentations. The lineup opens with Soul Conversation, a discussion with Albina music elders including Paul Knauls, LaRhonda Steele and Norman Sylvester, followed by Time Sound: Memories in Albina, a one-time concert directed by Tahirah Memory reflecting on her familys musical history. Additional events include the Black Mystery Month concert, a collaborative show featuring Tony Ozier and Arietta Ward, and a Black Community Television retrospective examining Portlands 1980s Black public-access programming.

Feb. 1-28; times and locations vary; albinamusictrust.com

Black History Festival NW

World Stage Theatre celebrates Black History Month with a monthlong lineup of events, including youth-curated library displays, a Black history scavenger hunt, a Black Love photo competition and community gatherings. The festival culminates in the 20th anniversary production of Who I Am: Celebrating Me at the Winningstad Theatre, highlighting stories of identity, resilience and community. Programs are designed to engage audiences of all ages and honor Portlands Black history and culture.

Feb. 1-28; times and locations vary; worldstagetheatre.org/bhfnw

The BLACK Gallery

The current photography and writing exhibit, If We Could Talk explores what home means to members of Portlands displaced Black residents, centering voices shaped by gentrification and neighborhood change. Created through weekly workshops with residents of the Dr. Darrell Millner Building in North Portland, the project pairs black-and-white photographs with reflective writing, examining loss, resilience and belonging while affirming the enduring ties people maintain to place.

Through Feb. 16; The BLACK Gallery, 916 N.W. Flanders St.; by appointment; theblackgallerypdx.com

Cascade Festival of African Films

The 36th annual Cascade Festival of African Films features more than 20 films by African filmmakers, highlighting stories of migration, reinvention, justice and womens leadership. Screenings are free and open to the public, with selections spanning shorts, documentaries and feature-length films. The festival brings international and local perspectives, offering audiences a chance to engage with contemporary African cinema and its cultural, social and political themes.

Feb. 6-March 7; Thursdays-Saturdays; various venues; free; africanfilmfestival.org/2026

Portland Art Museum

The Portland Art Museum marks Black History Month with films, conversations and gallery programs celebrating Black art, creativity and cultural leadership. Programming centers the museums Black Art and Experiences Galleries, a dedicated gallery floor highlighting regional, national and global artists of the African diaspora through rotating exhibitions and community-driven programs.

One highlight is Meet the Curator, an informal gallery conversation with Curatorial Coordinator Jaleesa Johnston and Professor Kiara Hill, offering behind-the-scenes insight into the exhibitions, archival materials and curatorial practices shaping the Black Art and Experiences Galleries.

1-2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6; Portland Art Museum, 1219 S.W. Park Ave. portlandartmuseum.org/event/black-history-month-at-the-portland-art-museum

Later in the month, the Whitsell Auditorium hosts a special screening of Black Orpheus (1959). Directed by Marcel Camus, the Oscar- and Palme dOrwinning film reimagines the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice during Carnival in Rio de Janeiro and is celebrated for its vibrant cinematography and influential soundtrack.

2-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28; Whitsell Auditorium, Portland Art Museum, 1219 S.W. Park Ave.; portlandartmuseum.org/event/black-history-month-at-the-portland-art-museum

Alberta Abbey

Alberta Abbey hosts two significant Black History Month performances spotlighting Black poetry, jazz and Portlands musical legacy.

The month kicks off with The Weary Blues: Celebrating Langston Hughes and the Harlem Renaissance, a multimedia tribute honoring the 100th anniversary of Langston Hughes first poetry collection. The off-Broadway-style production blends performance poetry, live jazz and historic visual projections, featuring award-winning poet Emmett Wheatfall and a jazz quartet led by drummer Christopher Brown. A 30-minute pre-show talk by Portland State University professor Maude Hines explores jazz rhythms in Harlem Renaissance poetry.

7:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7; Alberta Abbey, 126 N.E. Alberta St.; albertaabbey.org

Later in the month, the Black History Month Legacy Music Showcase & Remembering Grace Collins brings together generations of Portland musicians for a night honoring the artists and institutions that helped shape the citys Black music scene. Performers include The Legendary Beyons, The Junk Youth Orchestra and The Soul Alliance Tribute Band, with a pre-concert reception recognizing the Grace Collins Community Center and other Black-led organizations.

8-11 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13; Alberta Abbey, 126 N.E. Alberta St.; tickets from $25.24 albertaabbey.org

Kahil ElZabars Ethnic Heritage Ensemble

Percussionist and composer Kahil ElZabar brings his Ethnic Heritage Ensemble to Portland as part of the groups 53rd annual Black History Month tour. Known for blending jazz, soul and African rhythms, the ensemble has influenced generations of musicians while highlighting the cultural and musical contributions of Black artists. The performances are open to audiences 21 and older.

7:30 and 10 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8; Jack London Revue, 529 S.W. Fourth Ave.; tickets from $31.39 jacklondonrevue.com/tm-event/kahil-elzabars-ethnic-heritage-ensemble

History Pub: A Man Called York

Zachary Stocks, Oregon Black Pioneers executive director, presents the life of York, the enslaved man who accompanied Lewis and Clark on their expedition. The talk explores his early life, role during the journey and legacy afterward, offering a detailed look at a figure often overlooked in U.S. history. Learn about Yorks contributions and the broader context of Black pioneers in the Pacific Northwest.

7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9; McMenamins Edgefield, 2126 S.W. Halsey St., Troutdale; tickets $5; mcmenamins.com/events/274627-a-man-called-york

Hidden Figures of PR: Celebrating Black Pioneers in Public Relations

PRSA Oregon hosts a Black History Month webinar spotlighting the often-overlooked Black pioneers who shaped the public relations industry. Featuring Jade Wright, communications associate with the Museum of Public Relations, the session traces the history of Black leaders in PR from past to present, examining shared challenges, lasting influence and how their contributions continue to shape todays media, communications and social movements.

Noon1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11; virtual webinar; registration required; tickets $20; prsaoregon.org

Rise in Love

Named for a Toni Morrison quote, Rise in Love from Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble is a concert of original works that explores love, resistance and legacy through music. The program draws on the poetry of Alice Dunbar-Nelson, the lives of tennis greats Arthur Ashe and Althea Gibson, the leadership of Burkina Faso President Thomas Sankara and the nonviolent philosophy of Rev. James Lawson. The performance features PJCEs 12-member ensemble with works by Ezra Weiss, Darrell Grant, Todd Marston, Steven Golliday, Kirsten Volness and James Powers, plus new compositions by Jasnam Daya Singh and Nathan Poehlke.

6:30 doors, 7 p.m. show, Monday, Feb. 16; The Sanctuary at Taborspace, 5441 S.E. Belmont St.; free with RSVP; pjce.org/event/rise-in-love

Malcolm X Screening

Spike Lees 1992 film Malcolm X, starring Denzel Washington, will screen at the Tomorrow Theater. The biopic follows Malcolm Xs life from his early years through his rise as a national civil rights leader, examining his political evolution and lasting influence on Black liberation movements in the United States.

6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22; Tomorrow Theater, 3530 S.E. Division St.; tickets $15; tomorrowtheater.org/movies/malcolm-x-2

BOYeurism: 13th Anniversary Show

Portlands inclusive variety show BOYeurism marks its 13th anniversary with an evening of dance, drag, burlesque, circus and community performances. In recognition of Black History Month, the show features special guests and collaborations, highlighting Black artistry and storytelling. The performance is open to audiences 21 and older or 18-20 with a guardian.

8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27; Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 N.E. Alberta; tickets from $42; etix.com/ticket/p/67934693/boyeurism-portland-alberta-rose-theatre

Portland in Black: Documenting Our Lives in the City of Roses

Portland City Archives and Dont Shoot PDX host a free monthly workshop where community members can preserve personal and family histories. Participants receive guidance on archiving, documenting and maintaining records from experienced memory workers, contributing to a broader effort to capture and safeguard Portlands Black community stories. The series continues every fourth Saturday of the month through Nov. 28.

10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Feb. 28; Black Memory and Preservation Lab, 510 S.W. Third Ave., Suite 400; free with registration; portland.gov/auditor/archives/events

Did we miss an event? Please send the details to cprofenna@oregonian.com and we will add it to our list.

The Oregonian/OregonLive receives support from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust to bring readers stories on religion, faith and cultural connections in Oregon. The Oregonian/OregonLive is solely responsible for all content.
An Uber driver says she was surrounded and stopped Tuesday by federal immigration agents in Portland who demanded she unlock her doors so they could detain the two passengers she had picked up from Union Station.

Hannah Armstrong, 28, of Battle Ground, Washington, said she was nearing the end of her shift when she picked up two men, in their mid-30s to mid-40s, at the train station.

Its not clear who the men were or why federal agents may have wanted them. Uber gives drivers only the first names of people who book rides and drivers cant recover that information after rides end.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which oversees U.S. Border Patrol, havent responded to requests seeking comment since Wednesday. Armstrong said she was followed by federal agents for about half a mile after she left the train station. Both ICE and U.S. Border Patrol have been active in Oregon.

At about 5:10 p.m., she said, her vehicle was surrounded by three unmarked vehicles near Northwest Glisan Street and 11th Avenue.

She shared clips captured by her car cameras with The Oregonian/OregonLive, which show her being surrounded in the Pearl District. In one video, a truck pulls up behind her. In two others, agents approach and attempt to open the cars back doors.

From the angle of one of several videos shared with The Oregonian/OregonLive, a man in a vest can be seen appearing to handcuff one of the two passengers after he gets out of the back seat.

The immigration agents came over and just tried to open the doors immediately without identifying themselves, she said.

While this incident appears to be among the first cases of passengers being taken out of their rideshare vehicles in Oregon, Uber and Lyft drivers in some other states have been targeted by federal immigration officials.

Earlier this month, an Uber driver was questioned by U.S. Border Patrol agents at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, according to multiple news reports. Late last year, an Uber driver was detained by federal agents as he was dropping off a passenger in Chicago, and agents also carried out a raid in the rideshare parking lot at Chicagos OHare International Airport, making several arrests.

Armstrong said she owns her vehicle, which is registered to her, and federal agents didnt present any warrant, or documentation to her after they surrounded her car. She did see the word police on their vests, she said, and the men were dressed in civilian clothes as federal immigration agents typically dress.

The federal agents opened her cars doors and told the men they were under arrest before taking them out and handcuffing them, Armstrong said. She said she didnt see federal agents show the men any documentation either.

Its just not right how they do it at all, she said.

Armstrong said she reported the incident to Uber on Thursday. She said the rideshare company sent her a link to upload her footage, but she wasnt able to, and when she informed Uber, she didnt hear back. She questioned how the federal agents knew who was in her car.

Armstrong said she didnt know whether Uber shared information about her passengers with federal agents, but she hopes that wasnt the case.

I would hope that they arent just giving people up like that, she said, especially putting drivers in the position when you never know what could happen.

After multiple requests seeking comment on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Gabriela Condarco-Quesada, an Uber spokesperson, on late Friday afternoon said: We have no information regarding the reason for or circumstances leading to the arrest.

Its unclear whether the men had just gotten off a train at Union Station or arrived there another way. Its also unclear how long federal agents had been tracking them before they entered Armstrongs vehicle.

Amtrak, which operates trains out of Union Station, didnt respond to multiple requests seeking comment about whether it had shared passenger information with federal agents.

A spokesperson for the city of Portland, which owns Union Station, said staff in the building dont have access to passenger information, and that Portland, as a sanctuary jurisdiction, does not allow city employees to assist federal agencies with immigration enforcement.
Anyone who has walked the aisles of Hirons Drug knows well the wide selection of eclectic gifts available at the pharmacy and variety store in Eugene.

Well, U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden recently made a visit to one of Hirons two locations, and the Oregon Democrat picked up an item that he used as a prop to troll President Donald Trump.

Trump has long lobbied to win the Nobel Peace Prize but has not won the award. So Wyden found the president an alternative. In a video posted to social media, Wyden holds up a small gold cup trophy and declares:

Im at Hirons Drug store in Eugene, Oregon, and I know that Donald Trump is just so upset that he didnt get a trophy. So I wanted to send him this, and maybe thatll keep him from trying to do this Fantasy Island thing in Greenland.

The accompanying caption reads: Donald Trump sure as hell doesnt deserve a peace prize but I did get him a participation trophy here in Eugene.

Earlier this week, Trump said that he didnt care about the Nobel Peace Prize while also claiming that Norway, and not the Norwegian Nobel Committee, controls the selection process for the award. Trump said he instead cared about saving lives, adding that he had stopped eight wars and saved tens of millions of lives.
Lea esta historia en espanol: ICE detiene a una familia que buscaba atencion medica de emergencia para su hija en un hospital de Portland

Federal immigration agents arrested and detained a Gresham family, including a 7-year-old child, outside a Portland hospital last week as the girls parents sought emergency medical care for her.

The arrest at Adventist Health hospital Jan. 16 took place less than 1,000 feet from the medical office parking lot where a Border Patrol agent shot and wounded a couple from Venezuela two weeks ago.

It appears to be the first time in Oregon that Trump administration immigration authorities have detained an entire family unit, and is one of a few rare cases of immigrants being detained while seeking medical care. Until last year, when President Donald Trump rescinded Obama-era protections for immigrants, hospitals, schools and churches were deemed off limits for immigration enforcement.

No one should live in fear of being detained while getting medical care for their child, said U.S. Rep. Maxine Dexter, a Democrat who represents Oregons 3rd District.

On Friday, the Oregon Nurses Association echoed those comments, calling the familys arrest in front of the hospital alarming, chilling, and deeply shameful.

The familys detention was first reported by Antonio Sanchez of the Spanish-language news outlet Noticias Noroeste.

It happened around dawn last Friday when 40-year-old Yohendry De Jesus Crespo and his wife, 34-year-old Darianny Liseth Gonzalez de Crespo, took their daughter to Adventist Healths emergency department in Southeast Portland. Diana, 7, had a nosebleed that just wouldnt stop and her parents, immigrants from Venezuela with a pending asylum petition, were increasingly worried about her health.

They never got to see a doctor.

Three unmarked cars with immigration agents surrounded their car in the ER parking lot, said Ana Linares, a close family friend whose husband talked with the parents after their arrest.

A spokesperson for Adventist Health Portland said the arrest came as a complete surprise to the hospital. No law enforcement agency contacted us, and we did not coordinate with any agency, Heather Pease, the spokesperson, said. Adventist Health Portland is here for our community, open, available, and ready to provide care when its needed most. Patient care remains our priority, regardless of circumstances.

Agents detained the parents and their daughter, drove them to the immigration detention center in Tacoma, then flew them to Texas, Linares said.

Its unclear why the parents and their child, who was born in Ecuador, were detained. A review of court records by The Oregonian/OregonLive turns up no criminal history in Oregon or in Utah where they previously lived.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection did not respond to requests for comment. The ICE detainee locator system shows the family is being held at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center near San Antonio, Texas (also known as South Texas Family Residential Center)  the countrys largest family detention center.

Linares said the parents  known to their friends as Joey and Dari  and their daughter entered the U.S. via San Ysidro, California in November 2024, along with Linares, her husband, children and mother-in-law who also hail from Venezuela. The two families had met in the Panamanian jungle as they were both heading to the U.S. overland, she said.

Together they crossed Panama and the rest of Central America by foot and bus, eventually spending a month in Mexico while awaiting their turn to enter the U.S. legally, Linares said. Both families applied for an appointment via a U.S. Customs and Border Protection mobile app, Linares said, requesting permission to present themselves at a port of entry  a pathway for asylum seekers to enter the country before Trump took office last year.

The two families entered the U.S. on the same day, Linares said, and both received a 2028 immigration court date that would eventually allow them to plead their asylum cases.

The Crespo-Gonzalez family spent their first year in Utah while the Linares family settled in Portland. But after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was killed in October in Utah, triggering a large lawenforcement mobilization in the state, they decided to move to Oregon.

The couple and their child joined Linares and her family in Portland in late October, sharing Linares apartment until they rented their own two months later, she said.

Last Friday, Linares became worried when she couldnt reach her friends. She and her husband drove to their apartment and, finding it empty, checked ICEs online detainee locator system and found the couple and their child at the Texas detention facility.

She still cant reconcile what happened to her friends. Both parents have university degrees, Linares said. Theyre respectful and like to help others, she said.

They are good people, not criminals, Linares said. They were looking for stability. They wanted to help their families in Venezuela.

Linares is most concerned about the child. Her father told the family this week that the girl had a fever over the weekend and a doctor at the detention facility didnt attend to her until Wednesday.

Multiple reports and lawsuits have documented children being denied adequate medical care while in ICE custody, including at the family detention center in Dilley.

A recent news report shows ICE is currently detaining more than 70,000 people nationwide, including at least 6,000 family units  parents and underage children taken into custody as families.

Oregon legislators said theyre monitoring the familys case and called on federal agencies to protect the childs health and safety and respect due process.

The immediate health and wellbeing of this child must be the top priority, state Rep. Ricki Ruiz, a Democrat from Gresham, told The Oregonian/OregonLive via a written statement. We urgently call for the child to receive appropriate medical care without delay and for the family to be afforded due process and access to legal counsel.
The number of people visiting downtown Portland is continuing its slow but steady upward crawl.

Foot traffic in 2025 increased 5.5% from 2024, according to Downtown Portland Clean & Safes end-of-year report, which used data collected by Placer.ai. Though the city has yet to match pre-pandemic numbers  just over 32 million pedestrians visited downtown last year, compared to 43 million in 2019  weekends are experiencing the strongest comeback.

The report encompassed Clean & Safes expanded 273-block district, including parts of downtown-adjacent neighborhoods like Old Town-Chinatown and the Pearl District.

>> Business opening or closing in your neighborhood? Email the reporter at vnocera@oregonian.com.

Saturdays outperform any other day of the week in terms of recovery, reaching nearly 90% of pre-pandemic levels.

In 2025, seven Saturdays even surpassed 2019 foot traffic numbers, according to the report.

Those included the Lunar New Year celebration in February, which coincided with the Winter Lights Festival; one spring Saturday during cherry blossom season; day two of Augusts Rockstar Energy Open; the No Kings protest in October; and Small Business Saturday on Thanksgiving weekend.

The 2025 Lunar New Year celebration was held Saturday in Old Town, Portland. The event, which culminated in a parade, began outside the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association. February 8, 2025. Beth Nakamura

Around 40,000 people marched in Portland's No Kings protest on October 18, 2025. Allison Barr/The Oregonian

Visitor confidence and downtown vibrancy have largely returned, the report read, with seasonal peaks tied to major cultural events, festivals, and holiday periods now reliably producing near-normal or above-normal activity.

Portlanders general impressions of downtown have also improved, according to a poll from early last year.

But while pedestrian data maintains a steady climb, worker foot traffic continues to stall.

Employee traffic has hovered around 4 to 4.5 million since 2022, according to the report, compared to almost 9 million in 2019. Office vacancy rates remain among the nations highest, and in 2023, 360,000 Oregonians worked from home  the second-highest share of remote workers in the country.

Downtown is functioning more as a destination and experience center than as a five-day-a-week office district, according to the report.

Much of the city centers recovery lies in recent and upcoming cultural projects. While the James Beard Public Market delayed its opening to 2027, the Portland Art Museum unveiled its expanded campus in November.
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SYDNEY, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Major bushfires burning in the south of Western Australia (WA) have prompted road closures and evacuation orders for nearby towns.

The WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) said in a warning issued on Friday morning that a fire burning in the Fitzgerald River National Park, 420 km southeast of Perth on the state's south coast, is threatening lives and homes.

Residents and visitors of several surrounding towns, including Ravensthorpe with a population of around 2,000, have been ordered to evacuate if the way is clear.

"You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive," the DFES warning said.

Anyone who chooses to stay has been advised to shelter indoors before the fire arrives due to the threat posed by extreme heat.

The fire was sparked by a lightning strike in the national park on Jan. 16 and had burnt through more than 60,000 hectares of land as of Friday morning.

A major highway has been closed west of Ravensthorpe, and an evacuation center has been opened in the town of Newdegate north of the fire.

The Fitzgerald River National Park bushfire was one of four major fires burning across southwest WA on Friday morning.

Evacuation orders have been issued for around 1,500 residents of four small towns located about 120 km southeast of Perth due to an out-of-control bushfire moving in a northeastern direction.

Lower-level emergency warnings have been issued for fires in the Dunn Rock Nature Reserve, 60 km north of the Fitzgerald River National Park, and near the small town of Green Range, 130 km southwest of the national park.

People in the warning area for both fires have been told to monitor conditions and to consider leaving immediately. 
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LILONGWE, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Malawi's Chief Secretary to the Office of the President and Cabinet Justin Adack Saidi has commended the Chinese government and the Chinese community in Malawi for their continued support in helping the country address food shortages.

Saidi made the remarks on Thursday in Lilongwe at a handover ceremony where the Chinese community, led by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, donated essential supplies. The donation included maize worth 80 million Malawian kwacha (about 46,000 U.S. dollars) and a cash injection of 20 million kwacha (about 12,000 dollars) to support Malawi's 2025/2026 Lean Season Food Insecurity Response Program.

The chief secretary noted that the timely support would significantly strengthen the government's ongoing efforts to mitigate food insecurity nationwide.

Zhou Shanjian, chairperson of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, reaffirmed the community's commitment to working closely with the Malawian government to tackle hunger. He stressed that for many Chinese nationals living and working in the country, "Malawi is their second home."

In a statement released after the donation, the Chinese Embassy in Malawi said China remains ready to support Malawi during times of hardship.

The Chinese government and the Chinese community have been providing food assistance to Malawi following an appeal by the Malawian government to development partners after the release in October 2025 of a report that projected more than 4 million Malawians would face acute food shortages during the 2025/26 lean season.

On Jan. 13, 2026, the Chinese government provided 3,200 metric tons of rice, valued at over 4 million dollars, in a new batch of emergency food assistance to Malawi. 
Thunder Bay Pulp and Paper in Ontario, Canada, has a single-line softwood kraft pulp mill and a single machine newsprint mill. Thunder Bay Pulp and Paper in Ontario, Canada, has a single-line softwood kraft pulp mill and a single machine newsprint mill.

Thunder Bay Pulp and Paper to Discontinue Newsprint Mill Operations in Q1 2026

Jan. 22, 2026 - Thunder Bay Pulp and Paper in Ontario, Canada, today announced that it will file notices with the Ontario Ministry of Labour to cease newsprint operations at the mill in the first quarter of 2026. The company cited a significant decline in demand for newsprint over the past several years, compounded by significant increases in input costs.

Thunder Bay Pulp and Paper will, however, continue to operate as a single-line softwood kraft pulp mill and generate renewable energy for sale to the grid.

Up to 150 people will be directly impacted by the closure of the paper machine at the mill.

"North American newsprint demand has declined by 40% since 2022 when Atlas Holdings purchased the company," explained Norm Bush, CEO of Thunder Bay Pulp and Paper. "Demand for newsprint in North America declined 18% in 2025 alone. Demand decline is the most insurmountable factor in the decision to cease newsprint production in Thunder Bay.

"This was a very difficult decision, and we know how deeply it affects our employees and their families. After more than 100 years of operating in the Thunder Bay community, we also understand that the impacts extend beyond the mill, affecting local businesses, Indigenous partners, and the broader region," Bush said.

The company said that it is working closely with the local unions and all levels of government to ensure affected employees have access to employment transition supports, retraining programs, and other necessary resources.

The company noted that it will work with the federal and provincial governments in the months ahead to refine plans for new investments in the pulp mill.

The mill's paper machine will be safely shuttered in a condition that could enable future conversion, Thunder Bay Pulp and Paper added.

SOURCE: Thunder Bay Pulp and Paper

PaperAge editor's note: The Thunder Bay mill's former owner, Resolute Forest Products, first put the pulp and paper mill up for sale in October of 2022. At the end of May 2023, Resolute struck a deal to sell the operation to an affiliate of Atlas Holdings  Thunder Bay Pulp and Paper Inc. The sale was finalized on August 1, 2023.
Metsa Board to Acquire Winschoten Sheeting and Distribution Hub in the Netherlands

Jan. 23, 2026 - Metsa Board today signed an agreement to acquire the Winschoten Sheeting and Distribution Hub in the Netherlands from Konvertia Group. The transaction is expected to be completed in February 2026.

The parties have mutually agreed not to disclose the acquisition price.

According to Metsa Board, the Winschoten Sheeting and Distribution Hub is one of the largest and most advanced facilities of its kind in Europe, with an annual capacity of approximately 100,000 tonnes. It currently employs 22 people.

"The increase in sheeting capacity strengthens Metsa Board's ability to serve customers more flexibly and quickly in the company's key growth market, Europe," the company said.

About Konvertia Group

Based in Finland, Konvertia is a leading converting solutions provider in Europe with state-of-the-art service centers that offer sheeting, rewinding, ream wrapping and logistics.

Metsa Board is a producer of lightweight and high-quality folding boxboards, food service boards and white kraftliners.

SOURCE: Metsa Board
A federal jury in Waco awarded $7.5 million to five parents and students who sued Marlin Independent School District officials for retaliating against them after they publicly criticized the cancellation of a high school graduation ceremony.

The unanimous verdict in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas found in favor of Monica Johnson, Clifford Jones, Brandolyn Jones, Praiyer Jones, and Addai Jones in their case against the school district, former Superintendent Darryl Henson, and Chief of Police John Simmons. The jury awarded $4,008,199 in punitive damages against Henson and Simmons following a week-long trial that concluded on January 21, 2026.

Graduation Cancellation Sparked Public Outcry

The case centered on the district's May 2023 decision to cancel the Class of 2023 graduation ceremony just three days before it was scheduled to occur. On May 22, 2023, Henson claimed only five seniors were eligible to graduate and announced the May 25 ceremony would be postponed. However, testimony at trial confirmed nearly the entire senior class had been eligible to graduate on time.

When the Jones family and Johnson publicly criticized the decision, school officials began retaliating against them. Johnson created a petition calling for Henson's removal, which prompted further retaliation from district officials, according to kwtx.

The retaliatory actions included removing Johnson from a public meeting without cause and issuing a criminal trespass warning barring her from all Marlin ISD property for one year. Officials also lowered Praiyer's and Addai's grades after the school year had ended and refused to allow Johnson's daughter, Class of 2023 valedictorian Me'Kia Mouling, to deliver her valedictorian speech at the postponed graduation.

School officials changed Me'Kia's class rank and repeatedly taunted Johnson about it during a public meeting, the Texas Score Card reported. Both Johnson and Brandolyn Jones received "cease and desist" letters threatening litigation if they continued speaking publicly about their experiences with Henson and Marlin ISD.

Federal Court Finds Constitutional Violations

The plaintiffs brought their claims under the federal civil rights statute 42 U.S.C. Section 1983, which allows individuals to sue government officials who violate constitutional rights. Their claims centered on violations of the First Amendment and the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

"This verdict sends a clear message that public officials cannot use their authority to silence parents or punish students for speaking out," said Janelle Davis, lead attorney for Pacific Justice Institute, as per kxxv.
Four students from Columbia Heights Public Schools have been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in separate incidents over the past two weeks, school officials announced Wednesday.

The detentions occurred amid growing tensions in Minnesota following intensified federal immigration enforcement operations in the Twin Cities.

The Columbia Heights Public School District, located just north of Minneapolis, serves a student population that is more than 50% Hispanic or Latino. District leaders held a press conference to share details about each case and voice concerns about the safety of students and families, according to CBS News.

Cases of Student Detentions

The cases include a 17-year-old high school student who was removed from his car while on his way to school on Tuesday morning, with no parents present. On the same Tuesday afternoon, a 5-year-old preschool student named Liam Conejo Ramos was taken from his home's driveway along with his father shortly after arriving home from class.

School officials say ICE agents used the young child as a means to draw out other family members. The agents reportedly removed the boy from a still-running vehicle and instructed him to knock on the front door to see if anyone else was inside the home.

Two weeks prior, a 10-year-old fourth-grade girl was apprehended by ICE agents while walking to school with her mother. The child called her father to report what was happening, but by the end of the school day, both the girl and her mother were already in a detention facility in Texas. A fourth incident involved a 17-year-old student who was detained with her mother in their apartment last week.

School officials confirmed that one of the detained families is following legal procedures and maintains an active asylum case with no deportation order issued against them. District Superintendent Zena Stenvik questioned the detention of the 5-year-old, stating that such a young child cannot reasonably be considered a public safety threat, the Star Tribune reported.

School Safety Concerns and District Response

The detentions have heightened anxiety throughout the school community. School officials reported that ICE vehicles have been observed in neighborhoods, near school properties, and while monitoring bus routes. An ICE vehicle even drove onto the high school loading dock on Wednesday before administrators ordered agents to leave.

In response to ongoing safety concerns, the district has offered remote learning options. The situation reflects a broader pattern of immigration enforcement affecting schools across Minnesota as federal agents continue operations in the state, as per kstp.
Ms. Rachel is facing growing backlash after what critics are calling a "non-apology" over her involvement with an antisemitic Instagram comment, sparking outrage from Jewish groups and civil rights advocates.

The controversy centers on the popular children's YouTuber, whose real name is Rachel Griffin Accurso, after she liked a comment that read "Free America from the Jews."

Ms. Rachel later said the action was a mistake, claiming she meant to hide the comment, not like it.

While the comment was eventually deleted, the response that followed only fueled more criticism.

According to Unilad, in a tearful video posted Wednesday, Ms. Rachel said, "I would never agree with an antisemitic thing like the comment. We have Jewish family, a lot of my friends are Jewish."

She added that she is "only human" and blamed the incident on accidentally tapping the wrong button while scrolling.

However, the backlash intensified after Ms. Rachel replied to a post from a pro-Hamas Instagram account that suggested Jewish or pro-Israel groups had planted the antisemitic comment to trap her.

The account wrote, "Spoiler alert: They left the comment themselves," to which Ms. Rachel responded, "Oooooo00000hhhhh."

Critics described the reply as endorsing an antisemitic trope that blames Jews for their own harassment.

Ms. Rachel keeps spiraling with lie after lie to try to cover up her racist behavior.



And when that doesnt work she tries to play the emotional victim card.



But no one is falling for it. pic.twitter.com/PZ23wlVTPp  The Persian Jewess (@persianjewess) January 23, 2026

Ms. Rachel Criticized for Ignoring Jewish Concerns

Civil rights organizations quickly condemned her response. Liora Rez, founder of StopAntisemitism, said Ms. Rachel "cries and plays the victim" instead of addressing real concerns.

"She ignores Jewish concerns and blows off antisemitism for a publicity stunt," Rez said, adding that Ms. Rachel should not be connected to public office, NY Post reported.

Ms. Rachel was recently appointed to the inauguration committee of newly elected Mayor Zohran Mamdani and appeared with him at a Manhattan pre-K center.

Jewish groups have urged the mayor to distance himself from her amid the controversy. StopAntisemitism previously nominated Ms. Rachel for its "Antisemite of the Year" list, citing her repeated use of what it called "Hamas-aligned language" in posts about Gaza.

The influencer, who has more than 18 million YouTube subscribers, has frequently posted about children in Gaza but has shared little to no content about Israeli children or other global conflicts.

Critics say this one-sided focus has raised concerns long before the latest incident.

Social media reaction has been harsh. One writer on X said Ms. Rachel "apologizes" for liking the comment, then immediately supports a claim that Jews set her up.

Another user questioned her explanation, saying the like and hide buttons are clearly different.

Originally published on Enstarz
A former Harrisburg councilman who pleaded guilty to child porn possession was handed a five-year suspension from practicing law, according to newly filed court documents.

Brad Koplinski, an attorney who was released from state prison in December 2024 after serving 14 to 30 months, has been on a temporary suspension from the bar since his 2022 arrest. He agreed to the five-year punishment, according to a petition filed Friday in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Koplinski, 56, requested that his license be temporarily suspended after his arrest, according to court documents.

[Koplinski] is remorseful for his misconduct and understands he should be disciplined, the petition for his suspension said.

The five-year suspension retroactively began at the time of his temporary suspension in August 2022, meaning Koplinski is eligible to try to regain his law license in 2027. At that time, hell have to file a petition for reinstatement and prove to the court that he has skills and moral qualifications to be an attorney.

Koplinski was arrested in 2020 after an investigation by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children identified 36 instances of someone uploading photos of child porn or child erotica to the Internet.

Court documents said Koplinski admitted to a detective he used his laptop and thumb drives to upload the suspected child porn and child erotica.

Detectives later determined Koplinski uploaded child pornography at least 44 times.

Koplinski entered an open guilty plea in June 2022 for 15 offenses and was sentenced in September of that year. In addition to prison time, he was ordered to register as a sex offender through Megans Law for 15 years.

My participation in this is a scourge on society, he said at his sentencing hearing. I thought the rules didnt apply to me. I wasnt special, and I wasnt smarter than anyone else.

Koplinski now works full-time for Better Life Plans, a credit card debt negotiation firm based in Michigan. He attended Alcoholics Anonymous classes in prison, as well as a sex offender treatment program and a monthly support group, according to the petition filed Friday.

At the time of his sentencing, he was attending a 12-step program for sex addicts. He said hes also sought inpatient treatment and attended sex addicts anonymous sessions.

Court documents said Koplinski continues to attend weekly treatment sessions for sex offenders in Dauphin County and has his wifes support.

Staff writer Jonathan Bergmueller contributed to this report.
Bridgewater, New Jersey, police arrested a 38-year-old man on weapons and drugs charges after finding a dead body and a stash of weapons in a home on Wednesday.

Officers were called to the home on Route 22 after getting a report of a shooting, police said. While police said there was no evidence of a shooting, officers located a dead man with no signs of trauma and gun in plain view.

Investigators obtained a search warrant for a bedroom and found guns, ammunition, edged weapons, and suspected drugs.

Police arrested Lance Chillemi and charged him with seven weapons offenses and three drug offenses.

He was taken to the Somerset County jail ahead of a court appearance.

Police did not identify the dead man.

An attorney for Chillemi is not listed in court records.
By MICHAEL R. SISAK and LARRY NEUMEISTER, The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP)  Luigi Mangiones federal murder trial in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson will begin with jury selection Sept. 8, a judge said Friday.

U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett said scheduling of the rest of the trial, including opening statements and testimony, is contingent on whether she allows prosecutors to seek the death penalty. Its one of several issues the judge is weighing.

If the death penalty is still in play, the next phase of the trial will begin Jan. 11, 2027, Garnett said. Thats more than four months after the start of jury selection. If its not, opening statements will be held Oct. 13. Capital cases are typically more complex and take more time to prepare.

This image taken from video released by Pennsylvania State Police shows Luigi Mangione, a suspect in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pa., on Dec. 9, 2024, when he was arrested. (Pennsylvania State Police via AP, file) AP

Mangione, 27, has pleaded not guilty to federal and state murder charges, which carry the possibility of life in prison. The state trial has not been scheduled.

Garnett set the dates as Mangione returned to court for a hearing on procedures governing the police seizure of his backpack during his Dec. 9, 2024, arrest in Altoona, Pennsylvania. The city is about 230 miles west of the Manhattan sidewalk where Thompson was killed five days earlier.

Mangiones lawyers want Garnett to bar prosecutors from using certain items found in the backpack, including a gun police said matched the one used to kill Thompson and a notebook in which Mangione purportedly described his intent to wack a health insurance executive.

Separately, Garnett is considering a defense request to bar prosecutors from seeking the death penalty. Mangiones lawyers argue that the charges enabling prosecutors to seek capital punishment are technically flawed and that the government prejudiced Mangione by publicly declaring its intent before obtaining an indictment.

Fridays hearing is limited to the backpack issue, with just one witness testifying: Altoona Police Department Deputy Chief Nathan Snyder.

Garnett called the hearing because she wanted to hear from a police official about the established or standardized procedures in use at the time of Mangiones arrest for securing, safeguarding, and, if applicable, inventorying the personal property of a person arrested in a public place.

Prosecutors said Snyder, who was promoted to the post three weeks ago, was not involved in Mangiones arrest, had no involvement in the Altoona police investigation of Mangione and has not had substantive conversations with officers who participated in the arrest about their actions that day.

Mangione is scheduled to be in court again in the federal case on Jan. 30 for a status conference.
Wawa and Chick-fil-A are en route to the Gettysburg area.

The convenience store chain and popular chicken restaurant are under development at the Gateway Gettysburg condo development in Straban Township, northeast of Gettysburg.

The development is located on a 19-acre tract along Gateway Boulevard and includes two other retail pad sites, according to real estate agency NAI CIR.

NAI CIR said Straban 30 Developers LLC, an affiliate of Paramount Realty, purchased the land.

Wawa will construct a 6,000-square-foot store and gas station on the corner of Gateway Boulevard and Route 30.

The store is part of the Delaware County-based chains westward expansion, which aims to add about 40 stores in central Pennsylvania over the next several years.

Wawa has already opened stores in Lower Swatara Township, East Pennsboro Township and Dover, York County.
By ROB GILLIES, The Associated Press

TORONTO (AP)  Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney responded to U.S. President Donald Trump comment that Canada lives because of the United States on Thursday by saying Canada thrives because of Canadian values.

Carney said Canada can show the world that the future doesnt have to be autocratic after returning from Davos, where he gave a speech that garnered widespread attention.

Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney delivers a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP) AP

In Davos at the World Economic Forum, Carney condemned coercion by great powers on smaller countries without mentioning Trumps name.

Upon returning home to Canada, Carney responded to Trump directly by referencing Trumps remarks in Davos.

Canada lives because of the United States, Trump said. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements.

Canada doesnt live because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadian, Carney responded Thursday.

Carney said Canada and the U.S. have built a remarkable partnership in the areas of economy, security and rich cultural exchange, but said we are masters in our home, this is our own country, its our future, the choice is up to us.

Trump later revoked his invitation to Carney to join his Board of Peace.

Dear Prime Minister Carney: Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canadas joining, what will be, the most prestigious Board of Leaders ever assembled, at any time, Trump posted on social media.

Carney left Davos before Trump inaugurated his Board of Peace to lead efforts at maintaining a ceasefire in Israels war with Hamas.

Trump has talked about making Canada the 51st state and posted this week an altered image of a map of the U.S. that includes Canada, Greenland, Venezuela and Cuba as part of its territory.

Trump said in Davos that Canada gets many freebies from the U.S. and should be grateful. He said Carneys Davos speech showed he wasnt so grateful.

Trump said Canada wants to participate in Golden Dome  a multibillion dollar missile defense system that he says will be operational before his term ends in 2029.

In a speech before a cabinet retreat in Quebec City, Carney said staying true to Canadas values is key to maintaining its sovereignty.

We can show that another way is possible, that the arc of history isnt destined to be warped toward authoritarianism and exclusion; it can still bend toward progress and justice, Carney said.

Carney said Canada must be a beacon  an example to a world at sea.

Carney said in a time of rising populism and ethnic nationalism, Canada can show how diversity is a strength, not a weakness.

There are billions of people who aspire to what we have built: a pluralistic society that works, Carney said.

He said Canada delivers shared prosperity and has a democracy that chooses to protect the vulnerable against the powerful.
BAGHDAD, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani on Friday urged countries around the world, particularly European Union members, to repatriate their nationals detained for links to the Islamic State (IS).

The appeal came during a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, according to a statement from al-Sudani's office. He emphasized that countries of origin should take responsibility for these individuals to ensure they "receive fair punishment" through prosecution at home.

Macron, the statement said, affirmed France's commitment to provide technical and financial support to help manage the situation of detained IS members.

The discussion follows Iraq's recent reception of the first 150 IS detainees transferred from Syria. Sabah al-Numan, spokesperson for Iraq's commander-in-chief, said Wednesday that the group includes both Iraqi and foreign nationals, and that the timing and number of future transfers will depend on ongoing security assessments.

U.S. Central Command said the detainees were moved from a detention facility in Hasakah, Syria, to a secure location in Iraq. The transfer is part of a broader plan that could eventually see up to 7,000 IS detainees relocated to Iraqi-controlled facilities. 
Several parents are suing a New Jersey daycare center alleging their children were physically beaten and emotionally abused by their teacher.

Five parents of children who were between the ages of 4 and 5 filed the suit against The Malvern School, a regional daycare chain operating throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

The lawsuit, filed in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, seeks to hold the school and its corporate entities accountable for the alleged failures in child-safety practices and supervision, according to a statement from Haggerty, Goldberg, Schleifer and Kupersmith, P.C., the firm representing the parents.

The firm did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Malvern School also did not respond to a request for comment.

Ekta Dwarkesh, a pre-kindergarten teacher at the Robbinsville location, was able to physically assault and otherwise abuse these vulnerable children while at school, according to the lawsuit.

Dwarkesh, who was 45 at the time, was charged in April 2024 with three counts of endangering the welfare of a child by abuse or neglect, according to court documents. Dwarkesh was accused of hitting the children with her hands and a wooden stick.

It is alleged in the lawsuit she also grabbed, shoved and pushed the students to the ground or against furniture.

The lawsuit says the teachers actions mentally and emotionally abused the students, that she called them derogatory names and that she was racist.

The lawsuit states that school administration failed to properly handle the situation and hired Dwarkesh as a lead teacher despite her limited experience and lack of appropriate qualifications.

All five children were diagnosed with trauma-related mental health conditions, including PTSD, according to the lawsuit.
PHILADELPHIA (AP)  The National Park Service has removed an exhibit on slavery at Philadelphias Independence National Historical Park in response to President Donald Trumps executive order restoring truth and sanity to American history in displays at the nations museums, parks and landmarks.

Crews on Thursday removed the exhibit at the Presidents House Site, which included the names and other biographical details about the nine enslaved people who lived and worked there under President George Washington. Informational panels had discussed Washingtons use of slave labor at the presidential mansion in Philadelphia, saying he knew and trusted the people he enslaved.

Seeking to stop the permanent removal of the panels, the city of Philadelphia on Thursday sued the Department of the Interior and the departments Secretary Doug Burgum, as well as acting National Parks Service Director Jessica Bowron.

Last year, Trump ordered a review of all interpretive materials at National Park Service sites to ensure accuracy, honesty, and alignment with shared national values, Interior Department spokesperson Elizabeth Peace said in a statement to The Washington Post.

FILE - People look an informational panel at President's House Site Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File) AP

Following completion of the required review, the National Park Service is now taking action to remove or revise interpretive materials in accordance with the Order, Peace said in the statement.

The removals confirmed what critics have long condemned as the Trump administrations attempt to erase unflattering aspects of American history.

The order, which Trump signed last March, blamed the Biden administration for advancing a corrosive ideology at the nations historic sites.

FILE - An informational panel is seen at President's House Site Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File) AP

Workers remove display panels about slavery at the Presidents House site in Independence National Historical Park Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. TNS

At Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  where our Nation declared that all men are created equal  the prior administration sponsored training by an organization that advocates dismantling Western foundations and interrogating institutional racism and pressured National Historical Park rangers that their racial identity should dictate how they convey history to visiting Americans because America is purportedly racist, the order states.
Gov. Josh Shapiro has signed a disaster proclamation ahead of this weekends anticipated snowstorm, allowing state agencies to tap into millions of dollars in disaster reserve funds if necessary.

This declaration gives PEMA the flexibility to pre-position resources, streamline coordination, and respond quickly if conditions deteriorate this weekend, Randy Padfield, director of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, said in a new release Friday afternoon.

At the same time, we urge Pennsylvanians to do their part by preparing ahead of the storm, staying informed, and making decisions that protect themselves and others, Padfield continued.

PEMAs Commonwealth Response Coordination Center will be staffed around-the-clock for the duration of the storm, in conjunction with PennDOT and the Pennsylvania State Police, to provide assistance to local governments where needed.

An official disaster declaration will ensure our agencies have all necessary resources ready to go, Shapiro said in a release. Stay off the roads if you can, be safe, and follow instructions from PEMA and your local authorities.

Most forecasts project the Harrisburg region  and most of the rest of the commonwealth - will receive over a foot of snow starting late Saturday night through Sunday and into early Monday.
Have you stocked up on milk, bread and eggs yet?

For whatever reason, racing to the grocery store for the ingredients for French toast seems to be the reaction around here when a snowstorm is brewing. Dont forget maple syrup.

It also is a good time to stock up on shear pins, make sure the snowblower still works and buy a new shovel. Have your hat, gloves and winter coat at the ready.

Predicting how much snow we will get this weekend is tricky because conditions change.

But the National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch from Saturday evening through Monday afternoon and said there is a 90% chance it will snow on Sunday.

As central Pennsylvania prepares for this first significant snow of the winter, heres a look back at the top 10 biggest snowstorms in terms of the amount of snowfall to hit our area. Some of these are still talked about to this day.

Jan. 22-23, 2016

30.2 inches

This was winter storm Jonas that hit on a Friday into Saturday. On Friday, in advance of the snowstorms arrival, the National Weather Service was estimating a 12- to 18-inch snowfall for central Pennsylvania. Later that day, it issued a blizzard warning. Soon forecasters were upping the snowfall estimates considerably.

Feb. 11-13, 1983

25 inches

This storm hit Friday through Sunday and buried areas along the Eastern Seaboard. The Patriot wrote, A dangerous and powerful snowstorm packing 40 mph winds buried the city and much of the East Coast yesterday. By 10 p.m. the storm had dumped 21 inches of snow, a record for a single snowfall in the area. On Feb. 13, The Sunday Patriot-News reported the total from the National Weather Service was 25 inches - the most the city has received from one storm in weather service history.

Feb. 17-19, 2003

23 inches

This Presidents Day weekend storm dumped as much as 4 feet of snow on parts of the Northeast, according to the Associated Press. Locally, The Patriot reported, A day after the regions worst winter storm in seven years, midstaters forged ahead to get out from under the elements that brought their lives to a standstill. Two deaths were reported in Lancaster County. Rising temperatures following the storm led to concerns about flooding. The Patriot reported the snow total was 23 inches for Harrisburg. The Patriot reported the highest amount locally was 31 inches in Enola.

The residents of Briggs Street in Harrisburg turn out to clean up their street and dig out after the storm, Jan. 9, 1996. (Peter R. Rekus, The Patriot-News, file) Harrisburg Patriot-News

Jan. 8-9, 1996

22.2 inches

The Patriots headline was Blast paralyzes midstate. The worst January snowstorm in the citys history. This blizzard dumped up to 4 feet of snow on some places on the East Coast. More than 30 inches of snow fell in Philadelphia, most of it coming in just 24 hours. A warmup later in the month led to massive flooding and on Jan. 21, part of the Walnut Street bridge floated away.

Jan. 16-17, 1945

21 inches

The Patriot reported that Harrisburg was buried during this storm. Already in the midst of one of its worst winters in history, central Pennsylvania was snowed under yesterday by a record-shattering 21-inch snowfall which closed schools and business places, crippled transportation facilities for many hours and brought virtually everything to a standstill.

Feb. 19-20, 1964

20.8 inches

On Feb. 20, The Patriot reported that central Pennsylvania was caught off guard by the winters worst snowstorm ... The surprise storm, sweeping in from the south, dumped 20 inches of snow on Harrisburg." Other areas around the state received up to 30 inches of snow from the storm.

The 1993 blizzard left 20.4 inches of snow in the area, March 13-15. (Allied Pix for The Patriot-News, file) Allied Pix for The Patriot-News

March 13-15, 1993

20.4 inches

This was known as the Storm of the Century that included high wind that whipped the snow into drifts and created whiteout conditions. This storm roared into the midstate with high winds and snow measured in feet rather than inches. Dumping snow at the rate of 4 inches an hour, the storm threatened to surpass the worst midstate storm on record - one that dropped 25 inches on Feb. 11-12, 1983.

Jan. 20-21, 1961

18.7 inches

This storm included bitter cold during and after with temperatures not getting any higher than 20 degrees. The low during the storm was -1. The Patriot reported the tremendous storm brought the biggest single snow in the citys history except for the 21 inches on Jan. 15-16, 1945. The Associated Press reported 33 people died on the East Coast, 15 of those in Pennsylvania.

Jan. 13-14, 1964

18.1 inches

This storm hit on the first day of the Farm Show. The Patriot reported, Crippling snowstorm closes city schools. The most crippling snowstorm of the fledgling year lashed at Harrisburg and central Pennsylvania last night and early today, slowing traffic everywhere and turning many main streets and highways into hazardous skidways.

Feb. 5-6, 2010

18 inches

Central Pennsylvania again was buried by snow with totals that were higher than expected. Forecasters had called for 6 to 12 inches of snow. Mechanicsburg had 22.5 inches and Newberry Twp. reported 21 inches.

The biggest story during this storm was the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Several tractor-trailers jackknifed just west of the Somerset interchange. Several hundred cars might have been idled along a 5-mile stretch, and some drivers reported being stranded for 12 hours or longer. The National Guard was deployed to deliver water and meals to stranded drivers.

The first half of February was called Snowpocalypse and Snowmageddon. A second storm Feb. 9-10 dumped another 16 inches of snow on Harrisburg.

Joe Scheffey of Camp Hill clears a path in his driveway, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010. (The Patriot-News) THE PATRIOT-NEWS

Other notable storms:

March 27-28, 1891 - 18 inches

Feb. 19-20, 1921 - 15 inches

Jan. 19-20, 1936 - 14 inches

Feb. 4-5, 1920 - 14 inches

Jan. 28, 1943 - 12.2 inches
A Thursday hearing featuring former special counsel Jack Smith grew tense after a former D.C. Metropolitan Police officer, who defended the Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, and a conservative activist known for protesting the outcome of the 2020 election were involved in an altercation, according to The Hill.

Video from the hearing shows Michael Fanone, who served as a police officer for 20 years, and Ivan Raiklin getting into a heated conversation during a break in Smiths testimony.

FILE - Washington Metropolitan Police Department officer Michael Fanone is sworn in to testify to the House select committee hearing on the Jan. 6 attack on Capitol Hill in Washington, July 27, 2021. (AP Photo/ Andrew Harnik, Pool) AP

Harry Dunn, another former Capitol Police officer who served on Jan. 6, is seen trying to pull Fanone away as uniformed officers separated the pair.

See how many people are restraining you, and look at me, totally in control over my mind and body, Raiklin said to Fanone.

Fanone said Raiklin has made threats towardshim and his family.

This guy has threatened my family, threatened my children, threatened to rape my children, you sick [expletive], Fanone said while pointing at Raiklin, according to The Hill.

More Capitol Police officers were called into the hearing after the altercation. Raiklin eventually left the hearing room, but it is unclear if he did so voluntarily or if he was ordered to exit.

Later during the hearing, Fanone coughed into his hands and appeared to say, Go [expletive] yourself, while Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) was speaking, The Hill said. Nehls blamed Capitol Police leadership for the violent protest, not Trump.

Smith on Thursday testified before the House Judiciary Committee about criminal investigations he led into Donald Trump regarding the 2020 election and the mishandling of classified documents.

Smith said those investigations found Trump engaged in criminal activity, according to the BBC.
The City of York on Thursday announced it will not enter into an agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The city made the announcement after West York Borough elected to sign a 287(g) agreement with ICE.

Such agreements allow ICE to delegate state and local law enforcement officers the authority to perform specified immigration officer functions, according to the agencys website.

The release emphasized that Yorks approach to public safety relies on strong relationships between residents and local law enforcement.

Entering into a 287(g) agreement with ICE would be detrimental to those relationships, city officials said.

Public safety depends on people feeling safe coming forward, said York City Mayor Sandie Walker. When residents fear that interacting with local police could lead to immigration consequences, they stop reporting crimes, they stop cooperating as witnesses, and our entire community becomes less safe. Our focus is on building trust, not creating barriers.

The release went on to say York will follow all applicable federal and state laws, but will prioritize community policing, emergency responses and crime prevention, not immigration efforts.

Our officers are here to protect and serve everyone who lives in or visits York, Walker added. We believe that trust is one of the most powerful tools we have, and we are committed to preserving it.

Although municipalities throughout Pennsylvania can opt to sign a 287(g) agreement with ICE, Pennsylvania does not mandate participation.

California, Oregon, Washington, Illinois, New Jersey and Connecticut are the only states where laws or policies prohibit 287(g) agreements.

As of Thursday, Maine, Vermont, Hawaii, Rhode Island and Delaware have no active or pending 287(g) agreements, but ICE is pursuing opportunities in those states.

All other states have at least one active 287(g) agreement in place.
Hang on, Harrisburg. Help is on the way!

Thats the message that came across loud and clear at PennLives latest roundtable on Harrisburgs downtown development. Mayor Wanda Williams and some city council members may be facing off in court, but all is not doom and gloom in Pennsylvanias capital.

At least thats the view of three community leaders who are deeply engaged in city affairs and have no reason to sugarcoat anything.

In a forum last week sponsored by The Foundation for Enhancing Communities and streamed live to PennLives social media, Ryan Unger, Doug Hill, and Sheila Dow-Ford joined PennLives Joyce M. Davis in the latest forum on Harrisburgs downtown development.

Unger is president and CEO of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC. Hill is chair of the board of the Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (ICA), an independent commission appointed by the state legislature and the governor to monitor and support Harrisburgs fiscal health. And Dow-Ford is executive director of Impact Harrisburg that doled out millions of dollars in grants after the COVID disaster to help small businesses and nonprofits in the city.

They shared their perspectives on where things stand with crafting and implementing a plan to revitalize Harrisburgs downtown.

The short answer is -- there is no downtown economic development plan for Harrisburg, yet. But these community leaders are confident one will be emerging soon. Within the next few weeks, Unger and Hill vowed there will be clear signs that the whistle has blown, and the train is indeed moving down the track.

There is reason for their optimism.

Everyone from the governor to state legislators to business owners to Harrisburg residents are now engaged and working to end to the political bickering that is doing nothing to help Harrisburg.

Sheila Dow Ford, executive director of Impact Harrisburg, speaks. PennLives forum on revitalizing Harrisburgs downtown addresses the decline of the downtown and what people can do to give it the boost that Lancaster has received. August 18, 2025. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

Unger and Hill have been privy to meetings with city officials, including one with Gov. Josh Shapiro, who were told was clear, respectful, but to the point: Harrisburg cant wait any longer for its leaders to work together. They have to do it now.

We agree. And we commend the governor for stepping into the fray to help calm the citys waters and urge its leaders to seek compromise on behalf of the people they are called to represent.

And the governor has assured city leaders they dont have to go it alone. Hill and the ICA are willing to help city council members and Mayor Williams bridge their personal and political divides, and Dow-Ford wisely suggested faith leaders be invited to help summon some higher angels.

Everything should be on the table to help Harrisburgs leaders see they have too much in common to not join hands to save the city they love.

Harrisburg City Council President Danielle Hill, left, and mayor Wanda Williams PennLive file photos

The Pennsylvania Downtown Center will provide them the expertise needed to develop a plan and see it through. Thats a most positive development, especially if city council and the mayor work with them.

Hill also sees some hope that city council members and Mayor Williams may not be so far apart on other issues. For example, they may disagree on the mayors appointments for business administrator and economic development positions; but they all agree the positions are needed. Thats a good place to start finding common ground for the hard work ahead.

Its also a good reason to join Unger, Hill and Dow-Ford in focusing on the emerging signs that Harrisburg may finally be heading in the right direction. We sincerely hope they are right.

Quality local journalism has never been more important. You deserve the best. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work.
A new bill introduced in the Virginia House of Delegates last week seeks to legalize real money online casinos while banning sweepstakes casinos.

Del. Marcus Simon of Virginias 13th district filed House Bill 161, which focuses primarily on licensing and regulations for real money online casinos. However, it also contains a clause that would ban unlicensed sweepstakes casinos and impose civil penalties for violations.

Simon proposed a similar bill last year to legalize real money online casinos, but it did not include any references to sweepstakes casinos. That bill stalled over fiscal and regulatory concerns, leading Simon to introduce a new bill for the 2026 legislative session.

Virginia is one of seven states that has pending legislation in 2026 that would ban sweepstakes casinos. The other states are Indiana, Florida, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts and Mississippi.

Virginia sweepstakes casino ban: Details of the proposed bill

While Simons proposed bill focuses mainly on legalizing real money online casinos, it also contains the following clause that would ban sweepstakes casinos:

Except if conducted by a licensed internet gaming operator, offering or conducting a sweepstakes in which a person present in the Commonwealth may participate by paying or proffering something of value, including an entry fee for the opportunity to win or receive cash or a cash equivalent, shall constitute illegal internet gaming in violation of this section.

The section on unlicensed sweepstakes games also imposes civil penalties of up to $100,000 for the first offense and up to $250,000 for each subsequent offense, including each day that a violation continues. It empowers the Virginia Lottery Board, the Office of the Attorney General, and the state police to investigate violations and to enforce the ban through actions including issuing cease and desist letters or subpoenas.

Similar to proposed sweepstakes casino bans in other states, the Virginia bill focuses on dual currency systems to define sweepstakes casinos.

Sweepstakes means a promotional, advertising, or marketing event, contest, or game, whether played online or in person, in which a prize or prize equivalent is awarded, either directly or indirectly through means such as a dual currency system of payment, as determined by the [Virginia Lottery] Board, that allows a participant to exchange the currency for a prize or prize equivalent.

This is a direct reference to the system of Gold Coins (GC) and Sweepstakes Coins (SC) at the best sweepstakes casinos, in which players can exchange SC for gift cards and cash prizes.

Virginias proposed licensing and regulatory framework for real money online casinos

Under the proposed bill, Virginias five licensed retail casinos would each be allowed to apply for an internet gaming operator license that would enable them to offer up to three online casino platforms. That means there could be up to 15 licensed online casinos in the Old Dominion State.

Each iGaming license would require a $500,000 fee for an initial five-year term, then a $250,000 fee for each renewal. Each online casino would also be required to pay a $2 million platform fee (with a $1 million renewal fee) and a $50,000 license application fee.

If all five retail casinos offer three online casinos each, that would generate a total of $32.5 million ($2.5M for five licensing fees and $30M for 15 platform fees). Those platform fees would be allocated to the Internet Gaming Platform Fee Holding Fund, which is designated for the purpose of funding start-up costs and other costs associated with the implementation and creation of a gaming commission or other such combined gaming agency.

Under this bill, the Virginia Lottery Board would handle licensing and regulations for iGaming. However, there is also a companion House Bill 271 that would create an overarching Virginia Gaming Commission to oversee all forms of gaming in the state. This would address concerns with previous iGaming legislation that the Lottery Board did not have the capacity to oversee internet gaming.

The proposed tax rate for internet gaming is 15% of adjusted gross gaming revenue. A portion of the tax revenue would be allocated to the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund (5%), the Internet Gaming Hold Harmless Fund (6%), with the remainder going to the general fund.

The Hold Harmless Fund would be created to offset any retail casino revenue losses attributed to iGaming. The 6% tax contributions to this fund would run through December 31, 2029, after which 95% of tax revenue would go to the general fund.
By EMILIE MEGNIEN, JEFF AMY and JAMIE STENGLE Associated Press

DALLAS (AP)  It was too cold for school in Chicago and other Midwestern cities Friday as a huge, dayslong winter storm began to crank up that could bring snow, sleet, ice and bone-chilling temperatures as well as extensive power outages to about half the U.S. population from Texas to New England.

Forecasters warned that the damage, especially in areas pounded by ice, could rival a hurricane. Airlines canceled thousands of flights, churches moved Sunday services online and the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, decided to hold its Saturday night radio performance without fans. Carnival parades in Louisiana were canceled or rescheduled.

At least 177 million people were under watches or warnings for ice and snow and more than 200 million were under cold weather advisories or warnings. In many places, those overlapped.

Utility companies braced for power outages because ice-coated trees and power lines can keep falling long after a storm has passed.

Its going to be a big storm, Maricela Resendiz said as she picked up chicken, eggs and pizzas at a Dallas store to get her, her 5-year-old son and her boyfriend through the weekend. Her plans: Staying in, just being out of the way.

A shopper searches for water on near-empty shelves in a grocery store ahead of winter weather, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, in Marietta, Ga. (Mike Stewart, AP) AP

Ice, snow and sleet could begin falling later Friday in Texas and Oklahoma. The storm was expected to slide into the South with freezing rain and sleet. Then it will move into the Northeast, dumping about a foot of snow from Washington, D.C., through New York and Boston, the National Weather Service predicted.

The federal government put nearly 30 search and rescue teams on standby. Officials have more than 7 million meals, 600,000 blankets and 300 generators placed throughout the area the storm was expected to cross, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The Northeast could see its heaviest snow in years.

Boston declared a cold emergency through the weekend, and Connecticut was working with neighboring New York and Massachusetts in case travel restrictions are needed on major highways.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont urged people to go grocery shopping now and stay home on Sunday.

Philadelphia announced schools would be closed Monday. Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. told students, Its also appropriate to have one or two very safe snowball fights.
Update: The latest on Pa. snowstorm: Heres when its supposed to start and stop

A storm covering half of the U.S. is likely to bring more than a foot of snow to much of Pennsylvania, forecasters now say.

There is increasing confidence, the National Weather Service says, in widespread snowfall amounts over 10 across central PA."

A map from NWS predicts 12 to 18 inches of snow will fall across a wide swath of Pennsylvania, from the states northern border to the southern border across the central portion of the state.

It encompasses and area from Somerset County to Lancaster County in the south, to Elk County and Tioga County in the north.

The Pittsburgh area is expected to received about 12 inches before the storm is done. Philadelphia is expected to receive 10 to 11 inches with a few more inches of snow expected in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Heres a look at when you can expect the snow to start falling, and how quickly it will pile up.

When will the snow start to fall?

The storm will move from the southwestern United States towards the northeast, so western Pennsylvania will be the first to see snow this weekend.

WTAE reports that snow may begin as early as 6 p.m. Saturday in the Pittsburgh region.

As the storm moves across Pennsylvania, the snow will gradually increase in intensity.

The NWS projection here, last updated around 7 a.m. on Friday, shows a chance of some snow as early at 7 p.m. on Saturday in central Pennsylvania.

But the snowfall is expected to start in earnest in Harrisburg around 1 or 2 a.m. on Sunday, and will continue through the early morning hours.

In Erie, snowfall will also begin around 1 a.m., but will accumulate much more slowly. Total snow amounts will be slightly less in the northwestern corner of the state.

And in Philadelphia, steady snowfall will begin around 2 a.m. on Sunday.

By 7 a.m. on Sunday:

About 4 inches is expected to be on the ground in Harrisburg by about 7 a.m. Sunday.

Around that time, Pittsburgh is expected to receive about 2 inches of snow. Philadelphia will see less than 2 inches and Erie will have received a dusting, if forecasts are correct.

During the day Sunday:

The heaviest snowfall in central Pennsylvania is expected between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Sunday. At times, snow could fall at a rate of about an inch per hour.

By 1 p.m. Sunday, the forecast calls for another 5 inches, for a total of 9, to accumulate in central Pennsylvania.

CBS reports that the heaviest snowfall in Pittsburgh will be between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m, with around 10 inches projected to fall in that time by the NWS.

In Erie, only about 2 inches of snow will have accumulated by noon, but another 3 inches are expected by 6 p.m.

Philadelphia will see nearly 6 inches between 7 a.m. and noon, when warmer air may cause some sleet and freezing rain in the southeastern part of the state.

More than two more inches are expected that afternoon in Philly, but NWS projections also show some accumulations of ice and sleet starting Sunday afternoon.

Sunday evening:

Another 1-2 inches of snow is expected in Pittsburgh and Erie Sunday evening, as the storm continues moving east.

In Harrisburg, four more inches is expected before 7 p.m. on Sunday, bringing totals to more than a foot.

By that point, the snowfall is expected to slow. But some snow will continue to accumulate until around 7 a.m. on Monday, according to forecasts.

A mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain is expected in Philadelphia in the evening and into Sunday night.

Sunday night and Monday morning:

Another inch or more is expected to fall in Pittsburgh in the evening Sunday, and similar amounts in the early hours on Monday.

Snow will taper off in Erie early Monday, leaving 8 to 11 inches of snow on the ground, according to GoErie.

In Harrisburg, roughly two more inches are expected throughout the evening on Sunday, and over an inch more overnight into early Monday, for an overall total between 12 and 18 inches.

Expect snow along with freezing rain in the early hours on Monday in Philadelphia, and perhaps another inch of accumulation.
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Teleport, the logistics arm of Malaysia-based Capital A, has signed a subscription agreement with funds managed by HPS Investment Partners on Thursday for the issuance of redeemable convertible perpetual securities to raise a total consideration of 50 million U.S. dollars as pre-initial public offering (IPO) growth capital.

The firm said in a statement that this raise values Teleport at 500 million U.S. dollars pre-money and will accelerate the expansion of the firm's unique cross-border eCommerce model globally.

This capital raise allows Teleport to strengthen its balance sheet and fund network growth with its key partner airlines, ahead of a future public listing.

"This partnership is immensely beneficial to the AirAsia airlines, to work with a dedicated partner to maximize our belly space and network utilization," said Tony Fernandes, chief executive officer of Capital A.

He added this updated valuation represents an unrealized return of over 100-fold for Capital A, and positions Teleport well for a future IPO. 
South African patient Jabulane Ngwenwa (front) receives Pestle Needle treatment at the African Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture in Johannesburg, South Africa, Jan. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Wei)

by Xinhua writers Hang Zebo, Bai Ge

JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- For 71-year-old Jabulane Ngwenwa, years of battling hypertension had been a long search for relief. After conventional treatments brought little improvement, the South African resident turned to a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinic, hoping for a new approach to managing his condition.

Inside a sunlit clinic in Johannesburg, Ngwenwa sat before a sleek digital screen that captured images of his face and tongue. In about 10 seconds, a comprehensive artificial intelligence (AI)-powered TCM health report appeared, analyzing his tongue coating and complexion and identifying risks linked to his chronic hypertension and persistent foot swelling.

"I was amazed," Ngwenwa said. "I have never had a medical experience like this."

According to Hu Zijing, a 39-year-old associate professor at the University of Johannesburg and head of the African Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, the system is the first AI-powered TCM diagnostic tool introduced in Africa.

Developed in cooperation with China's Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, the AI technology transforms the traditionally experience-based practice of TCM into a standardized and visualized process, improving efficiency and consistency.

Beyond the digital assessment, Ngwenwa's consultation combined traditional practice with modern technology. Hu conducted a traditional pulse diagnosis, followed by an online consultation with Fu Li, a hypertension specialist at Chengdu Second People's Hospital in southwest China.

Based on the AI analysis and clinical expertise from both sides, the doctors developed a holistic treatment plan tailored to Ngwenwa's condition.

As part of the plan, Ngwenwa received Pestle Needle (Chuzhen) treatment, a non-invasive TCM technique. Performed under Hu's supervision, the painless therapy allowed students to gain hands-on clinical experience while providing care.

"AI makes diagnosis simpler," said Tasneem Patel, one of Hu's students from the University of Johannesburg who previously studied TCM in China. "Online consultations with specialists help us connect classroom learning with real patients."

The integration of technology, clinical practice, and teaching reflects Hu's broader mission in South Africa. The acupuncture program established in 2020 at the University of Johannesburg has enrolled about 50 undergraduates and 20 postgraduates each year, while the teaching clinic serves local communities, particularly low-income patients.

Hu also places strong emphasis on medical ethics. Each year, he leads students to conduct outreach services at orphanages, nursing homes, and underprivileged communities around Johannesburg, as well as in neighboring Lesotho.

These initiatives not only provide care but also help students understand that while TCM is a profession, its true purpose lies in giving back to society.

"In the beginning, locals didn't truly understand TCM," Hu recalled. "Now patients like Ngwenwa come in without needing basic theories explained. AI has become a powerful tool in spreading health awareness."

Through this integration of digital innovation and ancient wisdom, the TCM is giving more South African families access to holistic healthcare, Hu said. 

Experts from the Chengdu Second People's Hospital in China participate remotely in an online consultation for patient Jabulane Ngwenwa (2nd R) at the African Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture in Johannesburg, South Africa, Jan. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Wei)

Hu Zijing (back), an associate professor at the University of Johannesburg and head of the African Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, gives acupuncture treatment to South African patient Jabulane Ngwenwa at the center in Johannesburg, South Africa, Jan. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Wei)
Anas Tadini

With the success of the first ring events of the 2026 World Series of Poker Circuit Marrakech at the Es Saadi Marrakech Resort, it wasnt hard to guess that the 16,000 MAD Main Event would attract a large number of players.

After the 584 entries recorded on Day 1a in 2025, this number increased to 645 entrants this year in the first of three starting flights. Out of this field, 97 players found a bag at the end of the day and already secured a spot in the money.

They are led not by one but by two players, who almost bagged the exact same stack. Officially, Amine Moussallaoui is first in chips with a massive 1,053,000. After already building a big stack during the early levels of the day, a one million-chip pot with queens against ace-king propelled him to the top of the counts after dinner break.

He shares the chip lead with none other than Anas Tadini. At the Casino de Marrakech like at home, he used his gift of the gab to build his stack as he always does. Hassan Fares (895,000), Bartlomiej Machon (843,000) and Emmanuelle Allory (797,000) complete the Top 5.

Top Ten Chip Counts

Rank Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Amine Moussallaoui France 1,053,000 105 2 Anas Tadini Morocco 1,050,000 105 3 Hassan Fares France 895,000 90 4 Bartlomiej Machon Poland 843,000 84 5 Emmanuelle Allory France 797,000 80 6 Kamal Sefrioui Morocco 765,000 77 7 Nathan Tetart France 722,000 72 8 Malcolm Franchi France 705,000 71 9 Gerard Armengaud France 672,000 67 10 Maher Achour Tunisia 617,000 62

Good calls helped Malcolm Franchi reach 705,000. Orey Canarinho (582,000), Nolan Madene (579,000) and Marc Foggin (556,000) also built big stacks, along with Anthony Apicella (550,000) and Fabrice Bigot (484,000).

The 2019 WSOP Main Event champion Hossein Ensan moves on to Day 2 with 420,000 after sharing a table during the final levels with Alexandre Reard (357,000), Marc Bougaret (270,000) and Ramon Colillas (202,000).

After doubling up several times today, Leo Margets bagged 144,000, slightly more than last years runner-up Gandalf (136,000). Jean-Jack Chantalat (123,000) also qualified for Day 2 only a few hours after winning the Seniors Event ring and the Clash of Generations heads-up.

Meanwhile, players such as Hugues Girard (95,000) and Mario Fata (92,000) battled to reach the money and ultimately managed to do so.

Leo Margets

For those who failed to qualify on Day 1a, its far from being over, with Day 1b kicking off this Friday, January 23 at noon local time. Unlimited re-entries are allowed until the end of the first 12 levels, and there will be a last chance with Day 1c Turbo at 9 p.m., featuring 15-minute levels.

Stay tuned to PokerNews for all the updates until a winner is crowned!
Trainees from Kazakhstan attend a lecture at a dispatching center of Tianjin Rail Transit in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Jan. 23, 2026. Some 20 specialist trainees from Kazakhstan recently attended a hands-on training session for operations in light-rail dispatching hosted by the Tianjin Rail Transit.

Spanning 21.39 kilometers with 18 stations, the light-rail line in Astana, the first of its kind in Kazakhstan, is fully built based on China's technology protocols. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

Trainees from Kazakhstan attend a lecture at a dispatching center of Tianjin Rail Transit in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Jan. 23, 2026. Some 20 specialist trainees from Kazakhstan recently attended a hands-on training session for operations in light-rail dispatching hosted by the Tianjin Rail Transit.

Spanning 21.39 kilometers with 18 stations, the light-rail line in Astana, the first of its kind in Kazakhstan, is fully built based on China's technology protocols. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

Trainees from Kazakhstan are pictured during a hands-on session at a training center of Tianjin Rail Transit in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Jan. 23, 2026. Some 20 specialist trainees from Kazakhstan recently attended a hands-on training session for operations in light-rail dispatching hosted by the Tianjin Rail Transit.

Spanning 21.39 kilometers with 18 stations, the light-rail line in Astana, the first of its kind in Kazakhstan, is fully built based on China's technology protocols. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

Trainees from Kazakhstan are pictured during a hands-on session at a training center of Tianjin Rail Transit in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Jan. 23, 2026. Some 20 specialist trainees from Kazakhstan recently attended a hands-on training session for operations in light-rail dispatching hosted by the Tianjin Rail Transit.

Spanning 21.39 kilometers with 18 stations, the light-rail line in Astana, the first of its kind in Kazakhstan, is fully built based on China's technology protocols. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

Trainees from Kazakhstan are pictured during a hands-on session at a training center of Tianjin Rail Transit in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Jan. 23, 2026. Some 20 specialist trainees from Kazakhstan recently attended a hands-on training session for operations in light-rail dispatching hosted by the Tianjin Rail Transit.

Spanning 21.39 kilometers with 18 stations, the light-rail line in Astana, the first of its kind in Kazakhstan, is fully built based on China's technology protocols. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

An instructor (L) communicates with a trainee from Kazakhstan at a dispatching center of Tianjin Rail Transit in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Jan. 23, 2026. Some 20 specialist trainees from Kazakhstan recently attended a hands-on training session for operations in light-rail dispatching hosted by the Tianjin Rail Transit.

Spanning 21.39 kilometers with 18 stations, the light-rail line in Astana, the first of its kind in Kazakhstan, is fully built based on China's technology protocols. (Xinhua/Li Ran)
Education Lab Reporter

Ian Grenier covers K-12 and higher education in South Carolina from Columbia. Originally from Charleston, he studied history and political science at USC and reported for the Victoria Advocate in South Texas before joining The Post and Courier.
Seth Taylor covers Greenville and the Upstate for The Post and Courier. Born in Iowa, he worked in Wyoming at the Buffalo Bulletin before moving to the Palmetto State.
SYDNEY, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Police in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) were on Friday morning continuing to search for a man accused of killing three people in a domestic violence-related shooting on Thursday.

Tactical officers and police helicopters were deployed on Thursday night to the small town of Lake Cargelligo, 450 km west of Sydney, to conduct a large-scale manhunt for a suspect identified as 37-year-old Julian Ingram following the shooting at around 4:20 p.m. local time.

The NSW Police Force said on Friday that a 25-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man were shot and killed in a vehicle.

A short time later, a 50-year-old woman and a 19-year-old man were shot in the driveway of a nearby property. The woman died at the scene while the man was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Local media reported on Friday that the 25-year-old female victim was Ingram's former partner and that she was pregnant.

Police have urged residents in the area to remain indoors away from windows and to call emergency services if they witness anything suspicious. 
Teri Errico Griffis is the senior business reporter and assistant editor at The Post and Courier, focusing on retail and real estate. An award-winning journalist, she previously worked as a Southeast commerce reporter for the Journal of Commerce and a reporter for the Charleston Regional Business Journal where she covered all facets of business in the Charleston region. Raised in Connecticut and New York, she has called South Carolina home since 2012.
Syndicated and guest columns represent the personal views of the writers, not necessarily those of the editorial staff. The editorial department operates entirely independently of the news department and is not involved in newsroom operations.
Reporter

Spencer Donovan covers Greenville for The Post and Courier. He's an Atlanta native and graduate of the University of Georgia. You can find him on walks around town, eating at local restaurants and hiking in the mountains.
Rock Hill, SC (29730)

Today

Clear skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Cold. Low 19F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Clear skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Cold. Low 19F. Winds light and variable.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday narrowly rejected a Democratic-led resolution barring President Donald Trump from further using military force in Venezuela without explicit congressional authorization.

Two Republicans joined all 213 Democrats in voting for the resolution, resulting in a 215-215 tie, which is enough to defeat it.

"This is crazy. We can't be asleep at the switch -- no oversight, no hearing, no votes, just blind obedience to the executive. That's not the way this place is supposed to run," House Rules Committee ranking member Jim McGovern, who led the resolution, said on the House floor.

Republicans dismissed the measure as unnecessary, saying the United States is not at war with Venezuela.

The Senate earlier this month rejected a comparable war powers measure after two Republican senators reversed course under pressure from the White House.

The U.S. military launched an attack on Venezuela and captured the country's leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife on Jan. 3. 
PR-Inside.com: 2026-01-23 00:40:11

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Makes education, mentorship and institutional stewardship his missionSANTA CLARA, CA / ACCESS Newswire / January 22, 2026 / WhenAlex Molinarolistepped down as CEO of Johnson Controls in 2017 after a 34-year career that transformed the company into a global leader in building technologies, there was little more he could have wished for. But he didn't retreat to a quiet retirement or seek new corporate roles. Instead, he reframed his leadership by taking up the responsibility of helping make education more aligned with real-world needs.Alex Molinaroli attends a University of South Carolina ceremony marking a milestone moment for the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, alongside university leaders and community members. (Credit : University of South Carolina)Having made education his mission, Molinaroli is focusing on mentorship and institutional support, areas where he believes long-term social progress is truly decided. Molinaroli does not see his involvement in education as a sentimental cause, but as a high-stakes intervention. Alex Molinaroli describes universities as engines with inputs and outputs, and argues that when the output does not match what the economy needs, the result is a persistent skill gap and limited mobility, which he witnessed during his corporate career. Now he strives to plug this gap. The only yardstick while choosing where to devote time, he says, is, "I must be able to add value. My career, personal experiences and knowledge must be useful and relevant. I need to believe in the mission, and I must believe in and enjoy the people I will work with." This framework guides his decisions on board seats, mentoring requests, and education initiatives, ensuring his involvement yields durable outcomes rather than fleeting visibility.His family's $30 million commitment in 2024 to the University of South Carolina's engineering college [ ref ], now renamed Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing [ ref ], was aimed at making his alma mater an incubation centre for learning and innovation. Engineers, in his view, graduate technically proficient but often unprepared for leadership. "It's my observation and experience that undergraduate engineering programs typically are packed with technical curriculum. Very few engineering programs help their students become prepared to work effectively with others or have the ability or experience to sell their ideas. Engineers are also trained to look at the world from the inside-out vs outside-in, which limits their skill building for identifying what problems are worth solving," he says. Molinaroli pushes for curricula that build business language, communication, and problem-solving, where "the best idea doesn't always win" without effective advocacy. "Most engineering graduates are handicapped because they are not specifically trained in the language of business. Typically, they are not exposed to many business or communication courses. An ability to effectively communicate is often overlooked, or even dismissed, within most engineering colleges," Molinaroli says.Though family and close friends are a priority after retirement, on a week-to-week basis, he still spends more time supporting the University of South Carolina than on anything else. "Helping with programs, strategy, fundraising, etc., institutional focus builds leadership pipelines at scale," Alex says.Molinaroli draws a sharp line between funding and stewardship. "The former is transactional, but the latter is active governance that reshapes systems for longevity," he says. At the Molinaroli College, the focus is on recalibrating output by producing engineers ready for complex roles in a competitive economy. "There certainly is more leverage supporting a university or college at a program level, top down," he explains. Yet he pairs this with direct, human-scale interventions, blending institutional change with individual impact.Molinaroli also supports students directly, exemplifying his personal commitment. Describing the structure of his support, he says everyone to whom he provides tuition support is a personal commitment for the duration of their school experience, most typically their undergraduate degree. "I don't expect anything in return. I just hope for their success that they pay it forward in the future as they're able and in a way they are able," he says. Executives, educators, and students often seek his path as a blueprint, but Molinaroli redirects them. "Most often, mentees want to know 'my path'. They often believe my path may be 'the path' for their success. But my advice is that everyone should choose a path that includes something you enjoy and is fulfilling, and if you're really lucky, it may be your passion. Unfortunately, our passions aren't always able to pay the bills. If you enjoy what you do for work, you'll never work a day in your life," he says, adding that inside-out thinking, weak communication, and over-reliance on singular career models are recurring challenges."Supporting individual students is probably as much for my benefit as it is for the students. It's more about favoring structured, long-term bets on people and systems," he says. Long-term reputation, he implies, hinges on a simple test - whether people and institutions stand taller because you showed up.Ace ReputationsSanta Clara, California linda@ acereputations.com SOURCE: Alex Molinaroli
PR-Inside.com: 2026-01-23 04:31:11

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NEW YORK CITY, NY AND NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESS Newswire / January 22, 2026 /Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors with substantial losses that they have untilJanuary 26, 2026to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. ("Alexandria" or the "Company") (NYSE:ARE), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's securities between January 27, 2025 to October 27, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of Alexandria and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-are/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court byJanuary 26, 2026 .About the LawsuitAlexandria and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.On October 27, 2025, post-market, the Company disclosed financial results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2025 that were below expectations, including cuts to its FFO guidance for the full-year 2025, due to lower occupancy rates, slower leasing activity and most notably, a real estate impairment charge of $323.9 million with $206 million attributed to its LIC property.On this news, the price of Alexandria's shares fell from a closing market price of $77.87 per share on October 27, 2025 to $62.94 per share on October 28, 2025, a decline of about 19% in the span of just a single day.The case is Warren Hern v. Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., et al., No. 25-cv-11319.About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. This past year, KSF was ranked by SCAS among the top 10 firms nationally based upon total settlement value. KSF serves a variety of clients, including public and private institutional investors, and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana, Chicago, and a representative office in Luxembourg.TOP 10 Plaintiff Law Firms - According to ISS Securities Class Action ServicesTo learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com Contact:Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partnerlewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163CONNECT WITH US: Facebook || Instagram || YouTube || TikTok || LinkedInSOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / January 23, 2026 / Leading international securities law firmBleichmar Fonti & Auld LLPannounces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE) and certain of the Company's senior executives for securities fraud after a significant stock drop resulting from the potential violations of the federal securities laws.If you invested in Alexandria Real Estate, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/alexandria-real-estate-class-action-lawsuit Investors have until January 26, 2026, to ask the Court to be appointed to lead the case. The complaint asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on behalf of investors in Alexandria Real Estate securities. The case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and is captioned Hern v. Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., et al., No. 2:25-cv- 11319.Why is Alexandria Real Estate Being Sued For Securities Fraud?Alexandria Real Estate is a real estate investment trust. Its tenants are concentrated in life science industries, such as pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.During the relevant period, Alexandria Real Estate touted its leasing volume and development pipeline, specifically regarding a property in Long Island City, New York, stating that leasing volume was "solid" and its pipeline was "well positioned to capture future demand when expansion needs arise." As alleged, in truth, Alexandria Real Estate was experiencing lower occupancy rates and slower leasing activity such that it was required to take a real estate impairment charge of $323.9 million with $206 million attributed to its Long Island City property.Why did Alexandria Real Estate's Stock Drop?On October 27, 2025, Alexandria Real Estate announced results below expectations for 3Q 2025 and cut guidance for the remainder of the fiscal year. The company attributed the results to lower occupancy rates and slower leasing activity. It also announced a real estate impairment charge of $323.9 million with $206 million attributed to its Long Island City property, stating that the property was not a life science destination that could scale. Alexandria Real Estate also announced additional impairment charges that may be recognized in 4Q 25 ranging from $0 to $685 million. This news caused the price of Alexandria Real Estate stock to drop $14.93 per share, or more than 19%, from a closing price of $77.87 per share on October 27, 2025, to $62.94 per share on October 28, 2025.Click here for more information: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/alexandria-real-estate-class-action-lawsuit What Can You Do?If you invested in Alexandria Real Estate you may have legal options and are encouraged to submit your information to the firm.All representation is on a contingency fee basis, there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses.Submit your information by visiting:Or contact:Adam McCall adam@ bfalaw.com 212.789.3619Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP?BFA is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It has been named a top plaintiff law firm by Chambers USA, The Legal 500, and ISS SCAS, and its attorneys have been named "Elite Trial Lawyers" by the National Law Journal, among the top "500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers" by Lawdragon, "Titans of the Plaintiffs' Bar" by Law360 and "SuperLawyers" by Thomson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.'s Board of Directors, as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd.For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.SOURCE: Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2026-01-22 23:30:04

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / January 22, 2026 /The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE) between January 27, 2025 and October 27, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important January 26, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline.SO WHAT: If you purchased Alexandria Real Estate securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Alexandria Real Estate Equities class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=48531 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than January 26, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually handle securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved, at that time, the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants provided investors with material information concerning Alexandria Real Estate's expected revenue and funds from operations ("FFO") growth for the 2025 fiscal year, particularly as it related to the growth of Alexandria Real Estate's real estate operations. The defendants' statements included, among other things, confidence in Alexandria Real Estate Equities' lease activity, occupancy stability, and ability to develop its tenant pipeline.According to the lawsuit, defendants provided these overwhelmingly positive statements to investors while, at the same time, disseminating materially false and misleading statements and/or concealing material adverse facts concerning the true state of its Long Island City ("LIC") property. In particular, Alexandria Real Estate's claims and confidence about the leasing value of the LIC property as a life-science destination. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.To join the Alexandria Real Estate class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=48531 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.---Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq.Phillip Kim, Esq.The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.275 Madison Avenue, 40th FloorNew York, NY 10016Tel: (212) 686-1060Toll Free: (866) 767-3653Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@ rosenlegal.comwww.rosenlegal.com SOURCE: The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / January 23, 2026 / Leading securities law firmBleichmar Fonti & Auld LLPannounces that it has filed a class action lawsuit against BellRing Brands, Inc. (NYSE:BRBR) and certain of the Company's senior executives for securities fraud after a significant stock drop resulting from potential violations of the federal securities laws.If you invested in BellRing, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/bellring-brands-inc-class-action-lawsuit Investors have until March 23, 2026, to ask the Court to be appointed to lead the case. The complaint asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on behalf of investors in BellRing securities. The class action is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. It is captioned Denha v. BellRing Brands, Inc., No. 1:26-cv-00575.Why is BellRing Being Sued for Securities Fraud?BellRing develops, markets, and sells "convenient nutrition" products such as ready-to-drink ("RTD") protein shakes primarily under the brand name Premier Protein. During the relevant period, Defendants represented that sales growth reflected increased end-consumer demand, attributing results to "organic growth," "distribution gains," "incremental promotional activity," and "[s]trong macro tailwinds around protein" among other factors. At the same time, Defendants downplayed the impact of competition on demand, insisting BellRing was not experiencing any significant changes in competition, and that in the RTD category particularly, BellRing possessed a "competitive moat," given that "the ready-to-drink category is just highly complex" and the products are "hard to formulate." As alleged, in truth, BellRing's reported sales during the Class Period were driven by its key customers stockpiling inventory and did not reflect increased end-consumer demand or brand momentum. Following the destocking, BellRing admitted that competitive pressures were materially weakening demand.Why did BellRing's Stock Drop?On May 6, 2025, BellRing's CFO revealed "several key retailers lowered their weeks of supply on hand, which is expected to be a mid-single-digit headwind to our third quarter growth," adding "[w]e now expect Q3 sales growth of low single digits." BellRing's CEO further revealed that retailers had been "hoarding inventory to make sure they didn't run out of stock on shelf" and "protecting themselves coming out of capacity constraints," but since there had been "several quarters of high in-stock rates," customers "felt comfortable about bringing [inventory] down. We thought this could happen." This news caused the price of BellRing stock to drop $14.88 per share, or 19%, from a closing price of $78.43 per share on May 5, 2025, to $63.55 per share on May 6, 2025.On August 4, 2025, after market hours, BellRing reported its 3Q 2025 financial results and "narrowed its fiscal year 2025 outlook for net sales." Then, during the Company's August 5, 2025 earnings call, BellRing's CEO attributed the narrowed guidance to "several other competitors" gaining space to sell their products with a large retailer and that "it is not surprising to see new protein RTDs enter[ed]" the convenient nutrition market.This news caused the price of BellRing stock to drop $17.46 per share, or nearly 33%, from a closing price of $53.64 per share on August 4, 2025, to $36.18 per share on August 5, 2025.Click here for more information: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/bellring-brands-inc-class-action-lawsuit What Can You Do?If you invested in BellRing, you may have legal options and are encouraged to submit your information to the firm.All representation is on a contingency fee basis; there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses.Submit your information by visiting:Or contact:Adam McCall adam@ bfalaw.com 212.789.3619Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP?BFA is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It has been named a top plaintiff law firm by Chambers USA, The Legal 500, and ISS SCAS, and its attorneys have been named "Elite Trial Lawyers" by the National Law Journal, among the top "500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers" by Lawdragon, "Titans of the Plaintiffs' Bar" by Law360 and "SuperLawyers" by Thomson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.'s Board of Directors, as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd.For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.SOURCE: Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2026-01-23 17:00:48

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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / January 23, 2026 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is investigating potential claims on behalf of purchasers of Phoenix Education Partners, Inc. ("Phoenix" or "the Company") (NYSE:PXED). Investors who purchased Phoenix securities are encouraged to obtain additional information and assist the investigation by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/PXED Phoenix Investigation DetailsOn January 3, 2026, Fox News published an article entitled "University of Phoenix data breach hits 3.5M people." The story stated that the "University of Phoenix has confirmed a major data breach affecting nearly 3.5 million people. The incident traces back to August when attackers accessed the university's network and quietly stole sensitive information." Following this news, Phoenix's stock price dropped.What's Next for Phoenix Investors?If you are aware of any facts relating to this investigation or purchased Phoenix securities, you can assist this investigation by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/PXED . You can also contact Peretz Bronstein or his client relations manager, Nathan Miller, of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC: 917-590-0911No Cost to Phoenix InvestorsWe, Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC for Phoenix Securities Investigation?Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide."Our practice centers on restoring investor capital and ensuring corporate accountability, which serves to uphold the essential integrity of the marketplace," said Peretz Bronstein, Founding Partner of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC.Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, or Instagram.Contact InfoPeretz Bronstein, Esq. or Nathan MillerBronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC 917-590-0911 | info@ bgandg.com Attorney advertising.Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC
DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- China's economy demonstrated remarkable resilience and vitality in 2025, delivering a performance that "exceeded everyone's expectations," Joe Ngai, Chairman of McKinsey Greater China, has said.

Ngai made the remarks in an interview with Xinhua on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026 held on Jan. 19-23 in the Swiss mountain resort of Davos.

While China began 2025 with external uncertainties, it ended the year on a strong note. The economy proved resilient, with GDP growth reaching 5 percent, export volumes hitting record highs, and IPO financing climbing to new peaks.

The expert pointed out that since mid-2025, foreign capital has been steadily flowing into both primary and secondary markets, showing a boost in international investor confidence.

In frontier fields such as artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models, Chinese enterprises have displayed intense competitiveness, Ngai said, adding that China's dominance in "top-of-the-pyramid" sectors, including AI, autonomous driving and robotics, is undisputed.

At a new starting point in 2026, the Chinese economy is accelerating its transition to a new stage of high-quality development characterized by technology-driven growth and mature stability, Ngai observed.

In his opinion, China's high-quality growth in 2026 should be measured by how traditional industries achieve a fundamental transformation in productivity through the adoption of AI, robotics and other technologies.

Despite future uncertainties, the McKinsey expert expressed strong confidence in the adaptability of Chinese enterprises, citing their legendary flexibility and speed once a clear direction is set.

Many multinational corporations (MNCs) have found that alternatives lack China's comprehensive advantages in cost performance, technical maturity and user-friendliness, said Ngai.

He noted that Chinese enterprises are entering a new phase of globalization, evolving from being the "World's Factory" to becoming "Global Corporate Citizens." This transition involves localized operations, including job creation, establishing R&D centers and hiring global management teams in host countries, he said.

For multinationals, the role of the Chinese market has undergone a fundamental shift. "China is no longer just a massive sales market; it is now an innovation base for MNCs and potentially a wind vane for their future development," the McKinsey regional chief observed.

He said that the fierce competition in China has driven rapid product iteration and efficiency gains, making it essential for multinational corporations to remain in China in order to maintain global technological sharpness and competitiveness. 
PR-Inside.com: 2026-01-23 04:10:19

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NEW YORK CITY, NY AND NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESS Newswire / January 22, 2026 /Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors with substantial losses that they have untilFebruary 17, 2026to file lead plaintiff applications in securities class action lawsuits against Coupang, Inc. (NYSE:CPNG), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's securities between May 7, 2025 and December 16, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"). These actions are pending in the United States District Courts for the Northern District of California and Western District of Washington.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of Coupang and would like to discuss your legal rights and how these cases might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-cpng/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in the class actions, you must petition the Courts byFebruary 17, 2026 .About the LawsuitsCoupang and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.The alleged false and misleading statements and omissions include, but are not limited to, that: (i) the Company had inadequate cybersecurity protocols that allowed a former employee to access sensitive customer information for nearly six months without being detected; (ii) this subjected the Company to a materially heightened risk of regulatory and legal scrutiny; (iii) when defendants became aware that the Company had been subjected to this data breach, they did not report it in a current report filing in compliance with applicable Securities and Exchange Commission reporting rules; and (iv) as a result, defendants' public statements were materially false and/or misleading at all times.The first-filed case is Barry v. Coupang, Inc., et al., No. 25-cv-10795. A subsequent case, Lee v. Coupang, Inc., et al., No. 26-cv-00047, expanded the class period.About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. This past year, KSF was ranked by SCAS among the top 10 firms nationally based upon total settlement value. KSF serves a variety of clients, including public and private institutional investors, and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana, Chicago, and a representative office in Luxembourg.TOP 10 Plaintiff Law Firms - According to ISS Securities Class Action ServicesTo learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com Contact:Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partnerlewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163CONNECT WITH US: Facebook || Instagram || YouTube || TikTok || LinkedInSOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
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NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN, INTO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, JAPAN OR THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU No. 596/2014) ("MAR"). UPON THE PUBLICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT VIA A REGULATORY INFORMATION SERVICE, THIS INSIDE INFORMATION IS NOW CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.Direct Equity Subscription of US$10 million and Issue of WarrantsTORONTO, ONTARIO / ACCESS Newswire / January 23, 2026 /Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas Ltd. (AIM:ECO)(TSX-V:EOG) is pleased to announce it has entered into binding agreements with Israeli based institutional investors (together, the "Subscribers") to subscribe for new common shares in the capital of the Company ("Common Shares") (the "Subscription" or the "Private Placement").Pursuant to the non-brokered Private Placement, the Company expects to raise aggregate gross proceeds of US$10 million (approximately 7.4 million, CAD $13.8 million) through the issue of 26,909,091 new Common Shares (the "Subscription Shares") at an issue price of 27.5 pence (CAD 0.51) per share (the "Issue Price"), being the closing price of the Company's Common Shares on AIM on 22 January 2026.In addition, the Company will issue one warrant for each Subscription Share (the "Warrants"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to subscribe for one new Common Share at an exercise price of 40 pence (CAD 0.74) per share and will be exercisable for a period of three years from the date of issue.The Subscription Shares will, when issued, rank pari passu in all respects with the existing Common Shares, including, without limitation, the right to receive dividends and other distributions declared, made or paid after the date of issue.The Subscription Shares, when issued, will represent approximately 8.54 per cent. of the existing issued share capital of the Company (on a non-diluted basis) and 7.86 per cent. of the Company's issued share capital as enlarged by the Subscription (on a non-diluted basis).Details of the SubscriptionThe Subscription is conditional upon, inter alia, AIM Admission becoming effective, the subscription agreement not being terminated in accordance with its terms and receipt of money pursuant to the Subscription. Closing of the Subscription is also subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.Gil Holzman, President & Chief Executive Officer of Eco Atlantic, commented:"We are delighted to welcome a number of leading Israeli institutional investors to our share register through this US$10 million direct subscription. Their participation and long term commitment represents a strong endorsement of the quality of our Atlantic Margin portfolio, our exploration and value-creation strategy, and our disciplined, capital-efficient approach.This funding strengthens our financial position and provides us with the flexibility to accelerate key technical and corporate work programmes across our licences in Guyana, Namibia and South Africa throughout 2026 while maintaining a strong balance sheet and preserving significant upside for shareholders." Use of ProceedsThe net proceeds of the Subscription will be used for:US$5.0 million on planned Geological and Geophysical work;US$2.5 million on identifying and pursuing potential new ventures; andUS$2.5 million for general & administrative purposes.Admission and Total Voting RightsApplication is being made to the London Stock Exchange for admission of the Subscription Shares to trading on AIM. It is expected that AIM Admission will take place at 8.00 a.m. (GMT) on or around 30 January 2026. Application will be made to the TSX-V for the Equity Fundraise Shares to be admitted to trading on the TSX-V, with listing subject to the approval of the TSX-V and the Company satisfying all of the requirements of the TSX-V.Following Admission, the issued share capital of the Company will be 342,141,027 Common Shares. The above figure may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the share capital of the Company under the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.For more information, please visit www.ecooilandgas.com or contact the following:Eco Atlantic Oil and Gasc/o Celicourt +44 (0) 20 7770 6424Gil Holzman, President and Chief Executive OfficerAlice Carroll, VP, Business Development & Corporate AffairsStrand Hanson (Financial & Nominated Adviser)+44 (0) 20 7409 3494James Harris, James BellmanCanaccord Genuity Capital Markets (Joint Broker)+44 20 7523 8000Henry Fitzgerald-O'Connor, Charlie HammondBerenberg (Joint Broker)+44 (0) 20 3207 7800Mathew ArmittCelicourt (PR)+44 (0) 20 7770 6424Mark Antelme, Charles Denley-MyersonFor the purposes of MAR and Article 2 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1055 (as transposed into the laws of the United Kingdom), the person responsible for arranging for the release of this Announcement on behalf of the Company is Gil Holzman, Co-Founder and CEO of Eco Atlantic.Notes to editorsEco Atlantic is a TSX-V and AIM-quoted Atlantic Margin-focused oil and gas exploration company with offshore license interests in Guyana, Namibia, and South Africa.Ecoaims to deliver material value for its stakeholders through its role in the energy transition to explore for low carbon intensity oil and gas in stable emerging markets close to infrastructure.In Offshore Guyana, in the proven Guyana-Suriname Basin, the Company operates a 100% Working Interest in the 1,354 km2 Orinduik Block. In Namibia, the Company holds Operatorship and an 85% Working Interest in three offshore Petroleum Licences: PELs: 97, 99, and 100, representing a combined area of 22,893 km2 in the Walvis Basin. In Offshore South Africa, Eco holds a 5.25% Working Interest in Block 3B/4B and a 75% Operated Interest in Block 1 CBK, in the Orange Basin, totalling approximately 37,510km2.Additional InformationThis news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in the United States or in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the Unit
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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / January 22, 2026 / FutureGen Industries Corp. (formerly Right Season Investments Corp.) (TSXV:LITT)(Frankfurt:T500, WKN: A41WY4) ("FutureGen Industries" or the "Company") announces that it intends to complete a non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") of up to 3,571,428 units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of $0.14 per Unit, for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $500,000. Each Unit shall consist of one common share (each a "Share") and one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"), with each Warrant entitling the holder to purchase one Share at an exercise price of $0.18 for a period of thirty-six (36) months.The Company also intends to issue Shares equal to 1.0% of the total of Shares issued in the Private Placement (the "Admin Fee Shares") to an arm's-length third party, as an administrative fee for their assistance with the Private Placement.In connection with the Private Placement, the Company may pay finders' fees and/or issue finders' warrants on the same terms as the Warrants, to eligible parties who have assisted by introducing subscribers to the Private Placement.Closing of the Private Placement is subject to certain conditions, including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals. All securities issued pursuant to Private Placement will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day pursuant to applicable securities laws. The Company intends to use the proceeds of the Private Placement for general corporate and working capital purposes, including in pursuit of the Company's operational and research and development objectives and for investor relations purposes.The securities described herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or available exemptions from such registration requirements. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States, or in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.About FutureGen Industries Corp.FutureGen Industries Corp. is a Canadian venture capital, investment and advisory firm that strives to actively drive innovation and accelerate growth for its shareholders. FutureGen invests capital into private and public companies that offer excellent growth opportunities.Contact:Kristian Thorlund, CEOTel: 1 833 383 9900Email: investor@ futuregenindustries.com Cautionary and Forward-Looking StatementsNeither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could," or "should" occur. Although FutureGen believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates, and opinions of FutureGen' management on the date the statements are made. FutureGen undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates, or opinions, or other factors, should change, except as required by law.SOURCE: FutureGen Industries
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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / January 23, 2026 /Gold Terra Resource Corp. (TSXV:YGT)(Frankfurt:TX0)(OTCQX:YGTFF) ("Gold Terra" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Todd Burlingame as Chief Development Officer ("CDO") to oversee the Company's direction towards development of our Yellowknife assets, including all stakeholder relationships, permitting strategy, and all other impending policies and plans on the future growth of the Company in Yellowknife.Todd Burlingame brings extensive experience, leadership, and widespread familiarity with the NWT to this role. Todd is the Principal and Founder of Kee Scarp Ltd., a resource development company founded in 1996 that de-risks and advances large scale projects by restructuring organizations, building teams, participating in financing initiatives, meeting project milestones, securing approvals and negotiating benefits agreements with indigenous groups.Todd's most significant positions over the last 30 years include:Chairman & Chief Executive Officer at Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board,Chairman & Chief Executive Officer at Mackenzie Valley Land & Water Board,Project Manager at Vale's Long Harbour Hydrometallurgical Plant,Manager at Nalcor Energy's Lower Churchill Hydroelectric Project,Executive VP at Alderon Iron Ore Corp's Project,Vice President at Baffinland Iron Mines,President at High Tide Resources Corp.,Chief Executive Officer at Search Minerals,Chief Executive Officer at E-Tech Xploration.Todd currently serves as an Independent Director at Ventra Metals Corp.Todd has a B.Sc. Geology degree from the University of British Columbia and is a registered Professional Geologist (P.Geo.) in Nova Scotia.Gold Terra, subject to Board approval, will grant the CDO an initial 800,000 stock options at the closing price on the first day of employment on January 23, 2026. The Option grant is according to our plan which is for 5 years with 25% vesting increment every 6 months after the date of the issuance.Chairman and CEO, Gerald Panneton, commented, "We welcome Todd's experience in joining the Gold Terra team. As we move closer into the next chapter of our Yellowknife gold discovery story, Todd's experience in senior management, and his extensive familiarity with the NWT regulatory environment, will be key in the very near future. He will be a great asset to the Company as we continue to advance our drilling, engineering, permitting on our advanced gold targets at the Con Mine and our other satellite deposits just 20 kilometers north of Town. As we build our future in Yellowknife with all the local stakeholders, Todd will be there, and available in Yellowknife, as we move our project forward towards development." Meet with Gold Terra at VRICGold Terra would like to cordially invite you to visit us at Booth 316 at the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference (VRIC) to be held at the Vancouver Convention Centre West (1055 Canada Place, Vancouver) on Sunday January 25 - Monday January 26, 2026. Management will be available to provide an update on our current 2026 drilling program and Company strategy going forward. We look forward to meeting you there.For more information and/or to register for the conference please visit: https://cambridgehouse.com/vancouver-resource-investment-conference About Gold TerraThe Yellowknife Project (YP) encompasses 836 sq. km of contiguous land immediately north, south and east of the City of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories. Through a series of acquisitions, Gold Terra controls one of the six major high-grade gold camps in Canada. Being within 10 kilometres of the City of Yellowknife, the YP is close to vital infrastructure, including all-season roads, air transportation, service providers, hydro-electric power, and skilled tradespeople. Gold Terra is currently focusing its drilling on the Campbell Shear, where approximately 14 Moz of gold has been produced, (refer to Gold Terra Oct 21, 2022, Technical Report) and most recently on the CMO property claims immediately south of the past producing Con Mine which produced 6.1 Moz between the Con, Rycon, and Campbell shear structures (1938-2003).The YP and CMO properties lie on the Yellowknife greenstone belt, covering nearly 70 kilometres of strike length along the main mineralized shear system that hosts the former-producing high-grade Con and Giant gold mines. The Company's exploration programs have successfully identified significant zones of gold mineralization and multiple targets that remain to be tested which reinforces the Company's objective of re-establishing Yellowknife as one of the premier gold mining districts in Canada.Visit our website at Home | Gold Terra Resource Corp.For more information, please contact:Gerald Panneton, Chairman & CEO gpanneton@ goldterracorp.com Mara Strazdins, Investor RelationsPhone: 1-778-897-1590 | 416-710-0646 strazdins@ goldterracorp.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking InformationCertain statements made and information contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation ("forward-looking information"). Generally, this forward-looking information can, but not always, be identified by use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events, conditions or results "will", "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotations thereof.All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information regarding the current drilling on the Campbell Shear, potentially adding ounces to the Company's current YCG mineral resource, and the Company's
PR-Inside.com: 2026-01-22 23:00:16

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / January 22, 2026 /Green Bridge Metals Corporation (CSE:GRBM)(OTCQB:GBMCF)(FWB:J48)(WKN:A3EW4S) ("Green Bridge" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the commencement of a diamond core drilling program at its Titac Project, part of the Company's South Contact District in northeastern Minnesota, U.S.A. (Figure 1).The program represents the first phase of targeted drilling designed to evaluate and expand on copper mineralization associated with the Titac South deposit, which hosts an existing titanium dioxide mineral resource, as outlined in the NI 43-101 Technical Report dated September 18, 2024, prepared for the Company by Apex Geoscience (and available on the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca) CEO COMMENTARYDavid Suda, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated:"The commencement of drilling at Titac is an important milestone for Green Bridge as we begin systematically testing the copper potential of a project that already hosts a titanium resource. Titac is a highly prospective system, and this program allows us to follow up on compelling historic data while applying modern exploration techniques to advance the project in a disciplined and responsible manner." PROGRAM OVERVIEWThe Phase 1 drill program has been designed to systematically test copper mineralization identified in historic drilling but not previously evaluated as a primary exploration focus.Key parameters of the program include:Holes planned: six (6) diamond core holes.Target depth: approximately 300 meters.Total planned drilling: approximately 1,800 meters.Average hole spacing: approximately 50 meters.Drill configuration: fence-style section across the Titac South deposit.The drill fence is designed to transect the known titanium mineral resource at Titac South and to test copper-bearing intervals intersected in historic drilling completed by a previous operator.PROGRAM OBJECTIVESThe primary objectives of the Phase 1 drill program are to:Define geological and structural controls on disseminated copper mineralization at Titac South.Validate historic copper assay results that were not followed up as part of prior titanium-focused exploration.Test the spatial relationship between copper mineralization and geophysical anomalies identified through recent interpretations of historic assay data and modern geophysical survey.Results will be used to refine the geological model and guide subsequent phases of drilling across the broader Titac property.EXPLORATION RATIONALE AND TARGETINGThe Titac South deposit is supported by a substantial body of historical drilling, assaying, and geological modelling completed as part of the Company's NI 43-101 Technical Report.Key elements of this historical dataset include:Thirty (32) historic diamond drill holes used in the preparation of the NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate.Twenty-six (26) of these drill holes intersected copper mineralization, with copper assays reported but not incorporated into the original titanium-focused resource model.Copper mineralization is consistently associated with the Oxide Ultramafic Intrusion ("OUI") that hosts the titanium dioxide resource.In 2025, Green Bridge completed a comprehensive interpretation of newly collected geophysical data over the Titac Project, including:New VTEM airborne electromagnetic survey flown (2025).Completion of modern 3D magnetic and conductivity inversions.Modeling of the inversion data with historic drill holes and titanium dioxide shells.These datasets significantly improved subsurface targeting in areas where surface exposure is limited by glacial till and overburden.Copper mineralization at Titac occurs primarily as chalcopyrite, a mineral with moderate electrical conductivity. Magnetic responses are interpreted to reflect the presence of iron-bearing minerals including ilmenite, magnetite, and chalcopyrite, all of which are present within the OUI.Drill targets for the current program have been prioritized where conductive and magnetic anomalies overlap, a geophysical signature that correlates with known mineralization identified in historic drilling and resource modelling (Figures 2 and 3).The Phase 1 drill fence at Titac South is designed to test whether copper mineralization is controlled solely by the OUI or whether it may extend into adjacent layered mafic intrusions of the Duluth Complex.CEO COMMENTARY (TECHNICAL)Mr. Suda added:"The results of our 3D geophysical inversions are highly encouraging. The strong correlation between these anomalies and known mineralization, together with the identification of several new targets, reinforces the exploration potential at Titac. Importantly, these results provide the confidence and technical foundation to initiate drilling, with a clear focus on expanding known copper mineralization where these anomalies occur." Figure 1: Map showing location of the Titac property within the South Contact District.Figure 2: Phase 1 drill layout at Titac South showing historic TiO grade shell and planned drill fence.Figure 3: Northwest-looking perspective highlighting overlapping magnetic and conductive anomalies and Phase 1 drill targets.PROJECT CONTEXT AND NEXT STEPSThe Titac Project is located near the southern end of the Company's South Contact District and includes the Titac South deposit, which hosts an existing mineral resource of 46.6 million tonnes grading 15% TiO, as disclosed in the NI 43-101 Technical Report which was released by the Company with an effective date of September 18, 2024 and is available on SEDAR+.The current Phase 1 drill program is intended to resolve the geological controls on copper mineralization at Titac South. Subject to results, subsequent drilling phases may include:Follow-up drilling at Titac South to test continuity and extent of copper mineralizationInitial drill testing of similar geophysical anomalies at Titac NorthDrill testing of a newly identified deep conductive and magnetic anomaly south of Titac SouthREFERENCES1Dufresne, M.B., Turner, A.J., Fallon, C.T., Bohm, C. 2024. Technical Report and Mineral Resources Estimate for the South Contact Zone Project, St Louis County, Minnesota, USA. Apex Geoscience. Green Bridge Metals Corp. September 18.2024.QUALIFIED PERSONAjeet Milliard, Chief Geologist of Green Bridge Metals Corporation, is a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release.For a discussion of the Company's QA/QC and data verification procedures and processes, please see its most recently-filed technical report, a copy of which m
PR-Inside.com: 2026-01-23 17:22:06

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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK / ACCESS Newswire / January 23, 2026 / Feed the Children is marking International Day of Education by reaffirming its commitment, as a global movement to end childhood hunger, helping children access the food, essentials, and resources they need to learn, grow, and reach their full potential.Access to essential resources and nutritious meals boosts students' enthusiasm for attending school and participating in their education. Photo courtesy of Feed the Children.Observed annually on January 24,International Day of Educationhighlights the power of education and emphasizes the necessity for inclusive, equitable, quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for everyone. Yet millions of children continue to face barriers that prevent them from learning. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), more than 270 million children and youth worldwide are out of school. For children experiencing hunger, poverty, and instability, education is often disrupted-placing them at higher risk of falling behind academically and socially. Feed the Children helps families by providing essential resources necessary for children to thrive, enabling them to concentrate on their education.Hunger remains one of the most significant-but solvable-education barriers. In the United States, nearly 30 million children rely on the National School Lunch Program each school day , providing critical nutrition that supports concentration, attendance and academic success, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Research has consistently shown that children who have access to regular, nutritious school meals demonstrate improved academic performance and classroom behavior."Education is one of the most powerful tools we have to break the cycle of poverty, but children cannot learn when they are hungry," said Emily Callahan, president and CEO of Feed the Children. "When children are nourished, supported, and equipped with food and essential resources, they are better prepared to learn and succeed. On International Day of Education, we celebrate the resilience of students and educators and renew our commitment to helping create pathways to brighter futures." Feed the Children works alongside schools, community organizations, and partners to complement school meal efforts by providing food, essentials, and educational resources. Addressing hunger, an issue that can affect both academic performance and attendance, the organization helps children succeed inside and outside the classroom.Over the last fiscal year, Feed the Children's Food & Essentials Hub program supported 600 schools , including an emergency Hub established to serve families displaced by the California wildfires. This program provides students and their families with food, personal care essentials, books, and school supplies so that children are prepared for the classroom and ready to attend school with confidence. In total, the program provided over 549,000 meals , and the take-home supplies from the Hubs help families build more stable, food-secure environments in which children can thrive.At Feed the Children's Food & Essentials Hub in Paramount, California, students are provided with important items such as food, personal care products, books, and school supplies.Photo courtesy of Feed the Children. (above and below)Globally, the World Food Programme reports that at least 466 million children rely on school meals ( WFP ). For many students, a school meal is the only guaranteed nutritious meal they receive all day and a critical incentive for families to keep their children enrolled in school.Feed the Children provided more than 4.5 million meals through school feeding programs across Africa, Central America, and Asia. Beyond classroom nutrition, the organization supports children's overall development by offering reading initiatives, community tutoring, and training for teachers and parents. These efforts aim to create improved learning environments that can boost literacy and graduation rates."I want to study hard, tell the stories of our village, and show how we can achieve great things together." Halima, 12 years old, Tanzania."We can't talk about a child's learning journey without addressing hunger," said Bre Jefferson, president of international programming and operations. "When families have greater food stability, children are better able to stay in school, focus on learning, and build a stronger future. That connection is at the heart of Feed the Children's work on International Day of Education and every day." Feed the Children supports community-driven programs that strengthen access to education while improving food security and family livelihoods. According to UNESCO, children experiencing poverty, conflict, and hunger are more likely to drop out of school ( UNESCO ). By providing integrated support that combines education, nutrition, and family stability, it increases the likelihood that children will remain in school and achieve their goals.Feed the Children partners with local schools in Africa and globally to help ensure students receive nutritious meals, which improves attendance and concentration. Photo courtesy of Feed the Children.Feed the Children urges communities, partners, and supporters to take action on International Day of Education, recognizing the vital role that education and nutrition play in helping children grow and thrive. Learn how you can help create a world where no child goes to bed hungry atfeedthechildren.org About Feed the ChildrenFeed the Children is a global movement committed to ending childhood hunger. The organization believes that no child should go to bed hungry, and so it provides children and families in the U.S. and around the world with the food and essentials kids need to grow and thrive. Through its programs and partnerships, the organization feeds children today while helping their families and communities build resilient futures. In addition to food, Feed the Children distributes household and personal care items across the United States to help parents and caregivers maintain stable, food-secure households. Internationally, it expands access to nutritious meals, safe water, improved hygiene, and training in sustainable living. As responsible stewards of its resources, Feed the Children is driven to pursue innovative, holistic, and child-focused solutions to the complex challenges of hunger, food insecurity, and poverty. For children everywhere, the organization believes that having enough to eat is a fundamental right. Learn how you can help create a world without childhood hunger atfeedthechildren.org Feed the Children %7
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / January 23, 2026 / As global markets face renewed instability, marketing consultantTamar Toledanois advising international companies to rethink how they manage brand strategy, customer trust, and long-term market positioning. Her commentary follows the announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump of proposed tariffs on goods from eight European countries, including Denmark, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom.The policy introduces a 10% tariff on all goods from these nations beginning February 1, 2026. The tariffs could rise to 25% by June 1 unless Denmark agrees to sell Greenland to the United States. According to Toledano, the announcement signals a shift in how political decisions directly influence marketing strategy and brand stability."This situation goes beyond trade policy," said Toledano. "It creates a level of uncertainty that directly affects how brands communicate value, maintain customer relationships, and plan for the future." European industries have reacted strongly. Business leaders in Germany and the UK warn that the tariffs disrupt pricing models and long-term planning. The German Chamber of Commerce has publicly criticized the move, stating that it improperly links economic policy to political ambition. For marketing teams, this environment makes it increasingly difficult to present consistent pricing and reliable delivery expectations to customers.Tamar Toledanoexplains that uncertainty is now one of the biggest challenges marketers must manage. "When companies cannot predict costs or supply timelines, it becomes harder to make clear promises to customers," she said. "Marketing professionals are often the first to feel this pressure because they are responsible for setting expectations." The short timeline before the February 1 deadline adds another layer of difficulty. In previous trade disputes, companies were able to adjust by rerouting shipments or accelerating exports. This time, those options are limited. Many firms simply do not have the logistical flexibility to respond that quickly.As a result, companies are being forced into renegotiations with distributors, suppliers, and partners. This is especially true in industries like steel, where earlier tariff agreements had brought a degree of stability. From a marketing perspective, renegotiation can weaken confidence if not handled carefully.Brand reputation is also at risk. Executives across Europe have expressed concern that prolonged uncertainty could force companies to pause campaigns or delay market expansion. Toledano warns that pulling back too much can have lasting consequences."When brands go quiet, they lose momentum," she said. "Market presence is built over years. It can be damaged much faster if customers sense hesitation or instability." Public sentiment is becoming another critical factor. Across Europe, protests and political unity have emerged in opposition to the tariffs. Many leaders and citizens have described the policy as commercial blackmail. This sentiment may influence how consumers perceive American brands operating in European markets.There is also growing discussion of retaliation. Potential responses include digital taxes targeting large U.S. technology companies such as Amazon and Meta. Toledano notes that even companies not directly affected by tariffs may still face reputational challenges if anti-U.S. sentiment increases."In these moments, brands are judged not only on their products, but on what they represent," she said. "Marketing teams must be sensitive to public mood and avoid messaging that appears dismissive or tone-deaf." Despite the challenges, Toledano believes marketing professionals are uniquely positioned to help companies navigate this period successfully. She emphasizes the importance of clear communication. Customers need straightforward explanations about pricing changes and supply disruptions. Transparency builds trust, even when the news is not positive.Adaptability is another key priority.Tamar Toledanoencourages companies to prepare multiple communication scenarios. This allows marketing teams to respond quickly as conditions evolve without losing consistency. Strong audience insight is essential to making these adjustments feel intentional rather than reactive.Authenticity remains central to her approach. Toledano advises brands to avoid exploiting political tension for short-term attention. Instead, they should focus on ethical storytelling and long-term relationships. "Consumers remember how brands behave during uncertain times," she said.Based in San Francisco, Tamar Toledano is a marketing consultant with over a decade of experience helping organizations clarify their message and strengthen their brand identity. She began her career in the marketing department of a multinational corporation before moving into consulting. Today, she works with both startups and established companies on market positioning, audience targeting, and sustainable growth."In periods of volatility, marketing becomes a stabilizing force," Toledano concluded. "A clear, consistent, and human-centered brand strategy is often the most reliable asset a company has." To learn more visit: https://tamartoledanosf.com/ Contact Tamar Toledano:toledano@ tamartoledano.com SOURCE: Tamar Toledano
PR-Inside.com: 2026-01-23 16:40:17

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WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESS Newswire / January 23, 2026 / The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) is proud to welcome Maj. Gen. Dustin A. Shultz to its Board of Advisors. Major General Dustin Anne Shultz, "Dusty," previously served as the Director of Intelligence at U.S. Southern Command. Prior to this most recent position, she served as the Director of Strategic Operations and Deputy Chief of Staff in the Army G-3/5/7 at the Office of the Chief of the Army Reserve and before that as the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/5/7 at the U.S. Army Reserve Command and the Commander of the 1st Mission Support Command at Fort Buchanan in Puerto Rico. During her command there, the 1st Mission Support Command received the Superior Unit Award.After Maj.-Gen . Shultz received her commission in the Military Intelligence Corps in 1989 from New Mexico Military Institute, her first assignment was as a Spanish Counter Intelligence Officer at the 142nd Military Intelligence Battalion. She has also served as the Commander of the 505th Military Intelligence Brigade (Theater), the G3 of the Military Intelligence Readiness Command, and the Commander of the 373rd Military Intelligence Battalion supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn. While she was Commander of the 373rd Military Intelligence Battalion, the Battalion received the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Reserve Officers Association Large Unit of the Year Award.In addition, Major General Shultz has served as a Joint Planner at U.S. Southern Command J9 supporting Operation Unified Response in Haiti, and as an Intelligence Analyst on Joint Task Force supporting counter drug operations. Moreover, she has significant experience providing defense support to civil authorities, responding to natural disasters, and operating in Latin America.MEMRI Vice President Ambassador Alberto M. Fernandez commented: "General Shultz's addition couldn't be more timely. We are delighted to welcome someone with her deep knowledge, insight and brilliance on hemispheric affairs and intelligence issues to our Board of Advisors." Major General Shultz is a graduate of the National War College, in Washington, D.C., the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (in Spanish), the Defense Strategy Course, and the Canadian Joint Command and Staff Programme. In March 2019, she graduated from the General and Flag Officer Course, CAPSTONE, at the National Defense University. Her awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (with three Oak Leaf Clusters), the Joint Service Commendation Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Commendation Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Joint Service Achievement Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Army Achievement Medal, and the Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award.Major General Shultz holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science with a minor in Spanish from Texas Tech University, a Master of Science in Strategic Intelligence from American Military University, and a Master of Science in National Security Strategy from the National War College. She is also a certified bilingual teacher. Brig.-Gen . (Ret.) and Partner of Governance Risk Global and senior MEMRI board member Tom Cosentino added: "We are thrilled about the addition of General Shultz to MEMRI's Board of Advisors. Her depth of knowledge and vast experience during her accomplished military career, as well as her post-military engagements, will be a rich source of advice for MEMRI." The MEMRI Board of Advisors and Board of Directors include distinguished figures from government, media, law, and academia from around the world. Among them are former prime ministers, attorneys-generals, justice ministers, legal and counterterrorism experts, senior military officers and diplomats, and recipients of the most prestigious awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the United States Congressional Gold Medal. Members of the MEMRI Board of Advisors are bipartisan and have honorably served Presidents Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden.ABOUT MEMRIExploring the Middle East and South Asia through their media, MEMRI bridges the language gap between the West and the Middle East and South Asia, providing timely translations of Arabic, Farsi, Urdu-Pashtu, Dari, Turkish, Russian, and Chinese media, as well as original analysis of political, ideological, intellectual, social, cultural, and religious trends.Founded in February 1998 to inform the debate over U.S. policy in the Middle East, MEMRI is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization. MEMRI's main office is located in Washington, DC, with branch offices in various world capitals. MEMRI research is translated into English, French, Polish, Japanese, Spanish, and Hebrew.MEMRI - Middle East Media Research Institute: www.memri.org MEMRI TV - www.memri.org/tv Jihad & Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM) - www.memri.org/jttm Cyber & Jihad Lab (CJL) - www.memri.org/cjlab MEMRI Twitter: https://twitter.com/memrireports/ MEMRI YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC59Cpk70K2TwdmApJOTuW9g/videos MEMRI Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/memrireports/ Contact Information:MEMRI media@ memri.org 202-955-9070 www.memri.org SOURCE: The Middle East Media Research Institute
PR-Inside.com: 2026-01-23 03:05:06

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Inner Finland Renovation Services Ltd. approaches renovation in a way that goes beyond traditional surface-level upgrades.KESKI-SUOMI JA PIRKANMAA / ACCESS Newswire / January 22, 2026 / For the company, renovation is not just about installing new materials or replacing the old with the new. It is about improving everyday living in a meaningful way. The goal is to create spaces that truly feel better to live in, function more efficiently in daily life, and stand the test of time and use. The company serves homeowners, holiday property owners, and housing associations across Central Finland and the Pirkanmaa region.Modern renovation needs do not arise from aesthetics alone. Residents are increasingly looking for solutions that support their daily routines, enhance safety, simplify maintenance, and improve usability. Inner Finland Renovation Services has responded to this demand by developing an operating model where each project is planned individually, taking into account the specific characteristics of the space and the real needs of the client.Every renovation begins with careful planning and open, honest communication. Rather than offering ready-made packages, the company approaches each property from its own starting point. The size, structure, and intended use of the space, together with the client's wishes, form the foundation for the renovation plan. Particular attention is paid to long-term usability so that the finished result continues to serve the client well for years to come.Inner Finland Renovation Services carries out a wide range of renovation projects. Bathroom resin coatings offer a cost-effective and durable alternative to traditional tile replacement. Kitchen renovations focus on functionality, ergonomics, and optimal use of space. Sauna renovations are completed with respect for Finnish traditions, while incorporating modern materials and techniques. Flooring projects emphasize solutions that withstand wear and are well-suited to the intended use of the space.The company works exclusively with reliable Finnish materials and modern, safe renovation methods. This ensures long-lasting structures, high-quality finishes, and results that meet Finnish building and safety standards. Material selection prioritizes not only durability but also practicality and ease of maintenance.One of the core principles of Inner Finland Renovation Services is respect for the client's home. Work sites are kept clean, dust control and protective measures are handled carefully, and schedules are adhered to. The company understands that while renovation work may be routine for professionals, it is often a once-in-a-lifetime or rare experience for the client. For this reason, every project is carried out with seriousness and a strong sense of responsibility.Managing schedules and costs is an essential part of a stress-free renovation experience. Inner Finland Renovation Services is known for keeping its promises. Project progress is systematic, pricing and timelines are communicated clearly in advance, and unnecessary surprises are avoided. This approach builds trust and provides clients with peace of mind throughout the renovation process.The company serves a diverse client base. Homeowners value customized solutions and personal service. Holiday home owners prioritize durability and ease of maintenance in varying conditions. Housing associations, in turn, require strong project management, clear communication, and reliable scheduling. Inner Finland Renovation Services is able to meet these differing needs with flexibility and professionalism.The company's values are evident in every project. Reliability means honoring agreements. Quality is reflected in craftsmanship and material choices. Respect extends to both the client and their property. Continuous learning ensures that the team uses up-to-date methods and the best possible solutions.Inner Finland Renovation Services does not measure success solely by visual appearance. True success is reflected in how the renovation improves everyday life. A more functional kitchen makes cooking easier, a safe and low-maintenance bathroom enhances comfort, and a well-executed sauna offers relaxation for years to come. Renovation is an investment in quality of life, not just in the appearance of a property.Across Central Finland and Pirkanmaa, Inner Finland Renovation Services has built a reputation as a company that delivers on its promises. Referrals, long-term client relationships, and repeat projects reflect the trust earned through consistent, high-quality work. The company's approach particularly resonates with clients who value a calm, clear, and well-managed renovation process without unnecessary stress or uncertainty.Looking ahead, Inner Finland Renovation Services will continue to operate by the same principles: every renovation is carried out carefully, thoughtfully, and with the aim of improving everyday living. The company's goal is not to complete the highest number of projects, but to complete them correctly. When spaces function better, feel more comfortable, and stand the test of time, renovation fulfills its true purpose.Inner Finland Renovation Services Ltd. demonstrates that a successful renovation is about much more than new surfaces. It is about functionality, comfort, and better everyday living, built on a foundation of trust, quality, and professional expertise.Contact InformationWebsite: https://ssr-palvelut.fi/ Contact:asiakaspalvelu@ ssr-palvelut.fiName: Sisa-Suomen Remonttipalvelut Oy Location: Central Finland and PirkanmaaSOURCE: Sisa-Suomen Remonttipalvelut Oy
JERUSALEM, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Israeli forces arrested 14 Palestinians during an overnight operation in the West Bank city of Hebron, the military said Friday.

In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces said troops, working with the Shin Bet security agency and Israeli police, carried out searches in Hebron's Jabal Johar neighborhood. The military said about 350 structures were searched, and eight firearms, including M4 and M16 rifles and handguns, were seized, along with knives and other weapons.

Those detained were suspected of involvement in militant activity and illegal weapons possession, it said.

Palestine's official news agency WAFA reported separately that Israeli forces, accompanied by armed settlers, detained two Palestinian youths south of Hebron on Thursday.

The report said the youths were stopped near the entrance to the village of Wadi al-Shajna, forced to remove their clothes, and physically abused.

Israeli forces have stepped up near-daily raids across the West Bank since October 2023, describing them as counterterrorism operations.

Israel captured the West Bank and East Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast War. Most of the international community considers Israeli settlements in the occupied territories illegal under international law. 
PR-Inside.com: 2026-01-23 14:07:12

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Following PoC (Proof of Concept), early adoption is progressing at Fortune 500 companies.HONG KONG, CHINA / ACCESS Newswire / January 23, 2026 /Specific AI announced that it has secured a million-dollar angel investment. Founded by a team from Cambridge in 2024, the AI agent company is dedicated in information gathering for global enterprises in multilingual and multicultural environments. It is currently focusing on expanding Japanese and U.S. markets, with official launch in 2026.Investment BackgroundThe angel round investment was led by investors with overseas industry backgrounds, who is specializing in TMT (Technology, Media, and Telecom) and hard-tech sectors. Investors have been involved in the early stages of multiple pioneering technology companies.Established for just over a year, it has already completed proof-of-concept (PoC) projects and deployed its solutions across numerous enterprises through a beta version focused on "accelerating overseas business expansion," including Fortune Global 500 companies, publicly listed firms, and well-known Japanese companies.Technology and Product ImpactSpecific AI's core technology is based on a multi-agent system, capable of automating decision-making, business optimization, and resource allocation in complex environments involving multiple languages, cultures, and markets. This helps companies reduce costs, accelerate market expansion, and mitigate cross-border operational risks. By interacting seamlessly with AI-driven agents, companies can quickly adapt to market demands in different countries, leading to significant business growth.Future Development PlansLooking ahead, Specific AI plans to deepen its technology development and enhance the capabilities of its multi-agent platform, particularly in areas such as overseas market tracking, risk management, international bidding projects, and global supply chain management. Specific AI has already laid out a strategy to expand into the Japanese and U.S. markets, and plans to launch its next funding round in Q1 2026 to expand product development and market outreach.According to Yang Jinguang, the co-founder of Specific AI, "Faced with the massive global market for enterprise expansion, traditional tools can no longer meet the complex and diverse business needs. We see AI agents as a historic opportunity to become the new infrastructure' for global business operations." This presents a massive market opportunity for Specific AI to address these challenges with its innovative AI solutions.About Specific AIFounded by a team from Cambridge, Specific AI is an artificial intelligence company providing standardized AI agent employees for global expansion and high-value information gaps in the internationalization sector. It aims to assist businesses with overseas growth and risk management, redefining how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) expand globally.Media Contact:Organization: Specific AI LimitedContact Person Name: Sisi TangWebsite: https://specific-ai.com Email: info@ specific-ai.com City: Hong KongCountry: ChinaSOURCE: Specific AI Limited
PR-Inside.com: 2026-01-23 13:03:17

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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / January 23, 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
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / January 23, 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 22, 2026 /WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of common stock of Integer Holdings Corporation (NYSE:ITGR) between July 25, 2024 and October 22, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important February 9, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline.SO WHAT: If you purchased Integer common stock during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Integer class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=49170 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than February 9, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved, at that time, the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Integer materially overstated its competitive position within the growing electrophysiology ("EP") manufacturing market; (2) despite Integer's claims of strong visibility into customer demand, Integer was experiencing a sustained deterioration in sales relating to two of its EP devices; (3) in turn, Integer mischaracterized its EP devices as a long-term growth driver for its cardio and vascular ("C&V") segment; (4) as a result of the above, defendants' positive statements about Integer's business, and operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.To join the Integer class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=49170or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.---Contact Information:Laurence Rosen, Esq.Phillip Kim, Esq.The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.275 Madison Avenue, 40th FloorNew York, NY 10016Tel: (212) 686-1060Toll Free: (866) 767-3653Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@ rosenlegal.comwww.rosenlegal.com SOURCE: The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
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New analysis reveals where Americans went between Thanksgiving and New Year's, and how far they traveledNEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / January 22, 2026 / Mobile advertising and audience platform Start.io today released new findings on U.S. holiday travel behavior between Thanksgiving and New Year's 2025. The analysis shows that U.S. holiday travel was overwhelmingly domestic, and that domestic trips frequently spanned hundreds of miles rather than short-distance getaways. Start.io is built to transform privacy-conscious mobile signals into actionable insights, and holiday travel is a perfect example of where that lens is valuable," said Ravit Ross, Chief Revenue Officer at Start.io . "Our analysis uses anonymized, aggregated location data observed between Thanksgiving and New Year's, with standardized distance thresholds, to map how travel behavior shifts during one of the most concentrated mobility periods of the year." Start.io's analysis found that approximately 26.43% of Americans traveled domestically during the holiday period, with only about 0.82% traveled internationally. Among domestic travelers, 43.26% traveled between 500 and 1,000 miles, while 37.55% traveled 200 to 500 miles. Only 19.19% traveled 100 to 200 miles, indicating that holiday travel often meant cross-region movement rather than nearby drives.The data also revealed that holiday travel demand concentrated in major metro hubs. Chicago emerged as the top destination city, attracting 737,142 inbound travelers during the period analyzed, far ahead of Dallas (448,207) and Houston (295,166). Other leading destination hubs included Fort Worth (182,132) and Minneapolis (175,578).In addition to being home to multiple popular holiday travel destination cities, Texas stood out as a major driver of travel volume overall. Texans accounted for 1,346,379 domestic travelers, making it the single largest "engine state" contributing to holiday travel activity.Although international travel represented a relatively small share of holiday travel overall, Start.io's analysis showed clear destination patterns. Mexico and Canada led international holiday travel, reflecting the practicality of shorter-distance trips and easier travel planning compared to long-haul journeys.Beyond those top two destinations, the next tier of international travel pointed strongly toward Asia-Pacific. Japan and India ranked among the leading long-haul destinations, alongside other prominent APAC countries appearing in the broader top 10 list.The full report, including additional findings and analysis, is available here.MethodologyThis analysis is based on anonymized, aggregated mobile location signals observed by Start.io between Thanksgiving and New Year's. For this report, Start.io defined domestic travel as trips of 100+ miles and international travel as trips of 1,000+ miles. Results reflect the company's observed dataset and are intended to identify directional patterns in holiday travel behavior.About Start.io Start.io is a mobile-driven advertising platform built on real-time audiences. Powered by multiple AI engines, Start.io's platform enables more efficient, effective, precise programmatic advertising campaigns at scale, serving hundreds of millions of ads each day across thousands of leading global apps and websites. Through direct integrations with thousands of mobile publishers, Start.io access over 100 billion anonymized first-party data signals daily worldwide. Marketers leverage these signals to understand and anticipate consumer behavior, uncover new opportunities, and drive sustainable business growth.For additional insights or to explore Start.io's audience intelligence solutions, visit www.start.io Contact InformationJolie HorneMarketing Manager, Start.iomarketing@start.io SOURCE: Start.io
The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), Bayo Ojulari, has linked Shells latest investment proposal in Nigeria to what he described as an improved investment climate and growing investor confidence in President Bola Tinubus leadership.

Mr Ojulari spoke on Thursday while addressing journalists at the State House after a Shell delegation met with President Tinubu in Abuja.

He said global investors are increasingly competing for limited capital, and that Shells renewed interest in investing in the country reflects confidence in the presidents transparency agenda and policy delivery.

Everybody is competing for global capital, the official said. It is because of the confidence they have in the leadership Mr President has demonstrated  not just what has been said, but what investors can touch and feel  particularly around transparency and commitment to the presidents agenda.

According to Mr Ojulari, Shell has commenced discussions aimed at advancing the proposed Bonga South West deep-offshore project towards a final investment decision (FID), with capital expenditure estimated at close to $10 billion, alongside significant operating expenses over the life of the project.

He said the scale of the investment underscores renewed commitments from international oil companies, driven by Nigerias enhanced investment environment and policy direction under the Tinubu administration.

Mr Ojulari added that the Bonga South West project is emerging as a critical test case for Nigerias ability to attract large-scale offshore investments.

On Thursday, President Tinubu approved the gazetting of targeted, investment-linked incentives to support the proposed Bonga South West project and other similar deep-offshore developments.

The approval followed a meeting between the president and a Shell delegation led by the companys Global Chief Executive Officer, Wael Sawan.

At the meeting, Mr Sawan signalled a renewed and expanded investment push in Nigeria, citing improved political stability, policy consistency, and leadership as key factors driving Shells confidence in the countrys energy sector.

Prospects and opportunities

Speaking about the deal on Thursday, Mr Ojulari said that beyond the headline investment figures, the Bonga South West project would have far-reaching economic implications, particularly in job creation and the revival of Nigerias idle fabrication yards.

It means more jobs during the construction phase and significant opportunities for Nigerians to participate, he said. Most of the fabrication yards that have been closed for years because we didnt have projects will come back to life.

He noted that many Nigerians had invested heavily in fabrication facilities that have remained dormant due to the absence of major projects, adding that the Bonga South West development could reverse that trend.

The NNPC boss said the benefits would extend beyond the construction phase, with employment opportunities expected to span 20 to 30 years over the life of the project.

According to him, the long-term gains would include sustained demand for manpower, materials, maintenance services, and other supply-chain activities supported by operating expenditure.

Describing the project as a huge undertaking, Mr Ojulari said Shells global leadership personally visited Nigeria to reaffirm the companys commitment, underscoring the seriousness of its investment intentions.

He added that NNPC Ltd, as the concession holder for Nigerias production sharing contracts (PSCs) with international oil companies such as Shell, Chevron, and ExxonMobil, would continue to work with investors and relevant government agencies to develop proposals capable of securing timely regulatory approvals.

Our responsibility is to be the conscience of the government and the conscience of Nigerians, he said, ensuring that the assumptions and promises being made are correct and authentic.
Consumer goods manufacturer Unilever Nigeria Plc more than doubled its net profit for 2025 to N30.7 billion, its peak level ever, aided by a reasonable leap in revenue, according to its unaudited financial report released on Friday.

The producer of famous consumer brands, including Closeup, Vaseline, Blue Band, Lipton and Knorr, whose after-tax profit dipped in 2024 amid cost pressures, recorded a 103 per cent improvement in bottom line this time around, thanks to a marked growth across its major revenue sources.

Turnover climbed 43.6 per cent to N214.7 billion, boosted by increased revenue from its foods, personal care and beauty & wellbeing business segments.

Exports, which contributed N3.9 billion to sales in 2024, fell to N2.5 billion, accounting for 1.2 per cent of revenue.

The local unit of British multinational consumer goods company Unilever Plc discontinued production of some of its home care and skin-cleansing brands, including Sunlight, Lux and Omo in 2023, citing strategies aimed at making its Nigerian operation competitive and profitable.

Unilever Nigeria is increasingly turning to local sourcing, which now accounts for more than 50 per cent of its raw material costs, following foreign exchange pressures on its operations in recent years.

Selling and distribution expenses marginally rose by 7.4 per cent to N6.7 billion in the period under review, while marketing and administrative costs advanced by 43.6 per cent to N42.4 billion, driven by a surge in overheads.

Finance income grew by more than half to N10.3 billion, helped by a considerable increase in interest on call deposits and bank accounts.

Boosting earnings, the company cut finance costs by 53.3 per cent to N1.2 billion as it sharply reduced interest payments on third-party bank loans.

Profit before tax jumped to N51.8 billion from N22.6 billion a year ago, while profit for the period advanced to N30.7 billion from N15.1 billion. Total assets stood at N178.9 billion, up from N141.6 billion as of December 2024.

The company announced an interim dividend of N0.50 last July, its first in more than a decade.

In FY26, we expect UNILEVER to declare a total dividend of N4.14, which translates to a dividend yield of 6.0% at the current market price, analysts at the investment bank Cardinal Stone said in a research note last November.
Oba Oloyede Akinghare II, the Arujale-Ojima of Okeluse Kingdom in Ondo State, and widely regarded as the youngest Yoruba traditional ruler, has warned the public against disrespecting his throne.

The monarch, who ascended the throne at 16 following the death of his father, Adeyeoba Omomogbe (Akinghare I), issued the warning in a statement on his Instagram page, stressing that informal or inappropriate modes of address would no longer be tolerated.

His warning comes amid concerns that his age has shaped how some members of the public relate to the stool.

Traditionally, most Nigerian traditional rulers ascend the throne in their late 40s and above, as succession systems tend to favour seniority and long waiting periods, making teenage monarchs rare.

However, exceptions exist. A notable example is Dein Keagborekuzi I of Agbor Kingdom, Delta State, who became king at the age of two in 1979 and was later recognised by Guinness World Records as the worlds youngest crowned monarch.

Warning

In a statement posted on his Instagram page and signed by his Chief of Staff, Adefemi Olorunfemi, the traditional ruler warned that inappropriate or informal modes of address would no longer be tolerated.

The 22-year-old ruler stressed that his age and status as the youngest king in Yorubaland do not diminish the dignity of the throne, adding that any form of disrespect would be firmly addressed.

He said: Kindly note that Alayeluwa Oba Oloyede Adekoya Akinghare is to be addressed strictly as His Royal Majesty at all times. Any other form of address is unacceptable. The fact that His Royal Majesty is the youngest king in Yoruba land does not give room for disrespect in any form. Addressing our revered monarch with terms such as bro, blood, or any casual or demeaning expressions is highly inappropriate and will no longer be tolerated.

Such actions will be met with strong and decisive measures. His Majestys leniency and calm disposition should not be mistaken for weakness, nor should it be taken as permission to do the wrong thing. Especially for those who call themselves Yoruba, we should know better. Culture, tradition, and respect for constituted authority are values we must uphold at all times.

The traditional ruler stated that the warning applied to everyone, regardless of age, status, or social position.

Mr Akinghare added that respect for his throne was non-negotiable.

Regardless of your status, age, or position in society, the king must be respected. This is non-negotiable. His Royal Majesty is not just our father; he is Igbakeji Awon Orisa, the representative of the gods on earth.

The throne he occupies is sacred, and respect for the throne is respect for our heritage and identity as a people. We urge everyone, within and outside Okeluse Kingdom, to conduct themselves accordingly and uphold the dignity of the palace and the person of His Royal Majesty, he said.

Background

As the only male child among his fathers children, he was eligible to succeed his father as the monarch of the town.

The late Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, presented him with the staff of office after his selection was completed through a process supervised by the communitys kingmakers.
A Lagos State High Court has issued an interim order restraining social media personality Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, actress Doris Ogala, and Kelvin Emmanuel from discussing Pastor Chris Okafor, his church, or his ministry in public or online.

It comes after weeks of accusations from Nollywood actress Ms Doris and VeryDarkMan.

Earlier in January, Pastor Okafors legal team gave VDM two weeks to retract his comments or face legal action

Mr Okafors legal team accused VDM of cyber incitement, bullying, harrassment stalking and criminal defamation.

Channels TV reported that the preachers lawyer, Maxwell Opara, called for the immediate retraction of what he described as false and misleading statements published on social media platforms

Ms Doris, on the other hand, who was recently arrested over her tirades, has repeatedly accused the pastor of ruining her life after he ended their nine-year relationship and reneged on his promise to marry her.

Gag order

In a latest development, Justice M. A. Savage of the High Court sitting in Ikeja issued the restraining order on Thursday following an application filed by the claimants lawyer, Ife Ajayi.

The court held that the order will remain in force pending the determination of the substantive suit before it.

Justice Savage barred the defendants, whether individually or through agents, from mentioning the name, images, videos, or pictures of Mr Okafor, or of Grace Nation International Church, also known as Liberation City, on social media or any other platform.

They were also restrained from publishing or circulating any alleged private chats, conversations, text messages, images, pictures or videos connected to the claimant.

In the suit, marked ID 14399GCMW 2026, the judge further ordered that the defendants must not release any material capable of being used to blackmail or extort money from Pastor Okafor.

He also granted an order for substituted service, directing that court processes be served on the defendants through publication in a national newspaper.

The case has been adjourned to 2 February for hearing.

Ongoing saga

In December 2025, Ms Doris took to her Instagram page to accuse the pastor of ruining her life following the circulation of a video showing his engagement to another woman.

The actress alleged that she had been in a relationship with Mr Okafor since 2017.

Following a series of embarrassing back-and-forths, Pastor Okafor, who had already married his wife, apologised to the actress.

In January, amid the growing controversies, the preacher announced during a church service that he had stepped aside as pastor.

He said: We have four Sundays in January, so in the whole of these four Sundays, we will be having Pastor Sylvester, Pastor Kelvin, Pastor Oliver and Pastor Shedrack. Its going to be prophetic Sundays; we will have them minister to you and anoint you every Sunday, thats the instruction. So they will be here, while they are here, I will be resting.

But that did not deter Ms Doris, who continued to reveal intimate details about the supposed 9-year relationship.

Her latest attack targets comedian Akpororo, who has been trading words with her online.
Eleven years after his death, Muna Obiekwe remains one of the most endearing Nollywood actors ever to live.

He was a gifted actor whose career soared rapidly but ended far too soon.

On 18 January 2015, the Nigerian movie industry was jolted by news that that the 36-year-old actor, had died in Lagos after a prolonged battle with kidney failure linked to untreated high blood pressure.

The announcement, which first surfaced on social media before official confirmation, triggered widespread grief and speculation across the country.

He is survived by his wife, Gift Obiekwe, and their two children. He is also a first cousin of the controversial actor-turned-pastor Yul Edochie.

Although 18th January marks the 11th anniversary of his death, his memory continues to resonate in Nollywood, particularly among a generation of viewers who grew up watching his films during the industrys formative years. He was popular for his unique lover-boy roles in movies.

For many, his story remains both a celebration of rare talent and a sobering reminder of how fragile life can be behind the glamour of the screen.

PREMIUM TIMES revisits the life, career and enduring legacy of Muna Obiekwe, one of Nollywoods brightest stars whose light was extinguished too soon.

Biography

Mr Obiekwe, born in 1979 to parents from Umudioka in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State, grew up in Lagos, where he completed his primary and secondary education.

Though he had no formal training in theatre arts, he entered Nollywood in the early 2000s, when the industry was expanding rapidly through direct-to-video productions. His rise was swift.

With his tall frame, expressive eyes and intense screen presence, Mr Obiekwe became a familiar face in romantic dramas, crime thrillers and family epics.

He gained significant attention in The Vampire Call, Not Man Enough (2003), The Laptop (2008) and its sequel. These films cemented his reputation as an actor capable of portraying vulnerability and menace with equal conviction.

By the time of his death, colleagues estimated he had featured in more than 200 films, including He Lives in Me, Royal Madness, End of the Wicked and Dirty Game.

He often played conflicted lovers, ambitious villains and tortured heroes, characters that resonated with audiences during what many regard as Nollywoods most commercially vibrant era.

Despite his popularity, Mr Obiekwe lived quietly, rarely granting interviews and avoiding the flamboyant celebrity culture that came with his fame.

Cause of death

After his death, his step-sister, Chinwe Obiekwe, disclosed that the actor had battled high blood pressure for years, which eventually damaged his kidneys. She said he funded his dialysis privately and kept his illness from the public to avoid sympathy.

He didnt want people to know what he was going through, she told PREMIUM TIMES in 2015. He was paying for treatment himself until he could no longer cope.

His passing sparked renewed debate about welfare in Nollywood, particularly the absence at the time of structured health insurance, pension schemes and institutional support for actors. Industry guilds later cited his case while advocating improved medical coverage and working conditions for practitioners.

In the years since, his legacy has only grown.

Memorable movie

Among the many films that defined Muna Obiekwes short but remarkable career, Not Man Enough stands out as perhaps his most memorable and culturally enduring performance.

Released in 2003 and directed by Andy Chukwu, the romantic drama arrived at the height of Nollywoods home-video boom.

This period produced some of the industrys most recognisable stars and storylines. The film featured an ensemble cast led by Emeka Ike, Genevieve Nnaji, Lilian Bach and the late Mr Obiekwe, and quickly became a staple on television reruns and in video rental shops across Nigeria.

While the story centred on Nelson, a reckless womaniser played by Mr Ike, it was Mr Obiekwes portrayal of Steve, Nelsons close friend and confidant, that gave the film much of its emotional balance and moral tension.

Steve was not merely a side character. He functioned as the mirror through which viewers judged Nelsons excesses: sometimes amused by his friends escapades, occasionally critical, and often conflicted. Mr Obiekwe infused the role with quiet realism, playing Steve as a young man caught between loyalty and conscience, bravado and restraint.

Unlike Nelsons flamboyant recklessness, Steve was written as more introspective and grounded, and Mr Obiekwes restrained delivery made the contrast convincing. In several scenes, he served as the voice of caution, subtly questioning the emotional damage Nelson left behind, even when he lacked the courage to challenge him directly.

It was this subtlety that set Mr Obiekwe apart from many of his contemporaries. He did not rely on exaggerated dialogue or theatrics; instead, he communicated through measured expressions, controlled anger and a believable vulnerability that resonated with viewers.

More than two decades later, Not Man Enough remains a reference point in discussions of classic Nollywood romance dramas. For many fans, however, it is also remembered as the film that best captured Muna Obiekwes screen identity: intense yet understated, troubled yet humane.

Legacy

Clips of his performances continue to circulate on television, YouTube and streaming platforms, introducing him to a younger generation of viewers.

Each January, tributes reappear on social media, where fans describe him as a natural talent, a rare screen presence, and one of Nollywoods most believable actors.

READ ALSO: NHRC records 96 cases of child abandonment in Gombe in 2025

In 2015, shortly after his death, he topped Google search trends in Nigeria for January, underscoring the depth of public interest in his career.

Beyond statistics and filmography, colleagues remember him as disciplined, respectful and deeply committed to his craft.

11 years on, Mr Obiekwe is still remembered not only for how he died, but also for how convincingly he lived on screen, intensely, vulnerably and unforgettable.
ABU DHABI, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- A trilateral meeting between delegations from Russia, the United States, and Ukraine began on Friday evening at the Emirates Palace hotel in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) foreign ministry said.

"The talks commenced today in Abu Dhabi and are scheduled to continue over two days," UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan said in a statement.

The meeting is the first trilateral engagement since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine in 2022. 
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Gombe State, on Thursday, said it recorded 96 complaints on fathers who abandoned their children in the state in 2025.

The spokesperson of the commission, Ali Alola-Alfinti, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe.

Mr Alola-Alfinti noted that about 285 complaints were reported to the commission in 2025 and paternal abandonment was the highest reported case.

He listed other rights violations to include 59 cases of inhumane and degrading treatment, 36 cases on right to property and 16 denials of access to justice

Others are 14 cases on alleged threat to life, six cases on child custody among others, he said.

According to him, out of the 285 reported cases, 256 were treated and concluded in collaboration with other relevant government agencies in line with their mandates.

He said the remaining cases had been treated in 2026.

Mr Alola-Alfinti urged parents to be present in the caring and upbringing of their children, stating that not caring for children is a violation of their rights.

He stated that the cases of fathers abandoning their children had dropped in the state since the commission started engaging critical stakeholders in different communities.

He said it is mandatory for fathers to take up their responsibility with regard to their children by catering for their overall wellbeing and welfare.

READ ALSO: Why hundreds of children die of malnutrition in Kebbi

He added that leaving children to themselves or their mothers alone could hamper access to education, health and other rights of the children.

We are working hard to protect the rights of these children in line with the mandate of our commission, he said

Mr Alola-Alfinti said fathers abandoning their children could result in serious psychological issues, often leading to low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and behavioral problems like delinquency or substance abuse.

He appealed to parents to work toward protecting their children and ensuring that they are well taken care of educationally, health wise amongst others.

NAN reports that in 2023, 106 cases of fathers abandoning their children were recorded while in 2024, 127 cases were reported.

(NAN)
Africa has lifted Mpox as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS) following recommendations from the Emergency Consultative Group of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

The announcement was made by the Director General of Africa CDC, Jean Kaseya, in a statement posted on the organisations website on Friday.

Mr Kaseya said the decision reflects Africas growing capacity to manage complex public health challenges through strengthened health systems, political leadership, regional cooperation and effective international partnerships.

Following the recommendation of the Africa CDC Emergency Consultative Group, I hereby announce the lifting of Mpox as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security, he said.

Background to the emergency declaration

The declaration of Mpox as a continental public health emergency in August 2024 was historic.

It was the first time Africa CDC used its expanded 2022 mandate to declare and coordinate a continental response to a public health crisis.

The decision came as transmission surged across Africa, with more than 80,000 suspected cases and 1,340 deaths recorded in 2024, more than five times the number of cases and double the deaths reported during the same period in 2023.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo bore the greatest burden, accounting for 96 per cent of cases and 97 per cent of deaths.

Longstanding gaps in Mpox response

Africa CDC noted that for decades, Mpox outbreaks on the continent received limited international attention and insufficient investment in surveillance, diagnostics, clinical care and outbreak response.

According to the agency, African countries had little or no access to vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics that were available elsewhere, despite carrying a disproportionate share of the disease burden.

These longstanding inequities,the agency noted, combined with changing epidemiological patterns, contributed to the scale, spread and severity of recent outbreaks, particularly among vulnerable populations.

Coordinated continental action

In response to the growing outbreak, African leaders convened a High Level Emergency Regional Ministerial Meeting on Mpox in Kinshasa in April 2024, which helped galvanise political commitment and coordinated action across the continent.

As transmission continued to rise, Africa CDC said it activated its Emergency Consultative Group, which assessed the evolving situation and recommended the declaration of a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security.

Since then, the agency said significant progress has been achieved through the collective efforts of African Union leadership, member states, communities, health workers, scientists and partners operating through the Incident Management Support Team, which was co-led by Africa CDC and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Guided by the one team, one plan, one budget and one monitoring and evaluation framework approach, the response mobilised over $1 billion in financing, strengthened community based surveillance through digitalised community health workers, and expanded laboratory and genomic sequencing capacity more than tenfold.

The response also led to the deployment of more than five million Mpox vaccine doses across 16 countries and the advancement of a unified research agenda involving over 2,000 African and global scientists.

Impact and transition

The Africa CDC said these interventions produced measurable results.

Between early 2025 and late 2025, suspected Mpox cases declined by 40 per cent, while confirmed cases dropped by 60 per cent.

The case fatality rate among suspected cases also fell significantly, from 2.6 per cent to 0.6 per cent.

Despite this progress, the agency stressed that the lifting of the emergency status does not signal the end of Mpox in Africa.

The disease remains endemic in several settings, and sustained vigilance and investment are required to prevent resurgence.

Next steps

To consolidate gains made during the emergency phase, Africa CDC said it will launch a Mpox Transition Roadmap in collaboration with the WHO and other partners.

The roadmap will guide sustained prevention, preparedness and control efforts, while strengthening national systems for surveillance, laboratories, research and risk communication.

Vaccination, they noted, will remain central to the strategy, alongside efforts to generate stronger evidence on vaccine effectiveness and duration of immunity and to accelerate local vaccine manufacturing as part of Africas health security agenda.

Africa CDC added that lessons from the Mpox response will be institutionalised across other epidemic prone diseases, including cholera, diphtheria, measles and polio.

Mr Kaseya commended African Union leadership, member states, communities and partners for their roles in the response, noting that the progress made demonstrates Africas shift from emergency response to elimination, from dependency to sovereignty and from vulnerability to resilience.

Mpox

Mpox according to the WHO is a disease caused by the monkeypox virus, a species of the genus Orthopoxvirus.

The disease is endemic in parts of Central and West Africa and can spread through close physical contact, including contact with skin lesions, bodily fluids, contaminated materials, or infected animals.

Symptoms typically include fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes and a rash that can progress to painful skin lesions.

While most cases are mild and self-limiting, Mpox can lead to severe illness and death, particularly among children, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems.
As Nigerias Fourth Republic enters its 27th year, political leaders, traditional rulers and policymakers gathered in Abuja on Thursday to interrogate what has worked and what has failed in the countrys longest stretch of democratic governance.

The forum, organised by the Daily Trust Group under its annual Daily Trust Dialogue, was convened to assess whether democracy has delivered tangible outcomes for Nigerians beyond the ritual of elections.

The Thursday dialogue with the theme, Nigerias Fourth Republic: What Is Working and What Is Not, is the 23rd since the organisers set it up.

In his remarks, the chairperson of the forum, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, urged the speakers and panelists to have a productive discussion instead of using it to push our respective political agendas.

The discourse was led by three presenters and panelists  former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, former lawmaker Nnenna Elendu and Sunday Dare, a presidential spokesperson.

Endurance without dividends

Setting the tone, the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, acknowledged that the survival of civilian rule since 1999 remains a historic achievement, particularly when measured against Nigerias long history of military interventions that defined the first three republics.

Yet, he warned that longevity alone cannot substitute for impact.

Mr Ladoja, who was the special guest of honour at the event, lamented that insecurity, which has lasted too long, continues to undermine the basic promise of democracy.

He added that failures in education, justice and service delivery have denied many Nigerians the dividends of democracy.

That concern was reinforced by Nnenna Elendu, a lawmaker at the seventh and eighth House of Representatives.

Ms Elendu argued that Nigerias democratic crisis lies not in the ballot box but in the widening gap between politics and governance.

Democracy is not validated by longevity alone. It is validated by outcomes, she said.

She recalled the high expectations that accompanied Nigerias return to civil rule after decades of military dominance, describing the Fourth Republic as one of the most consequential democratic experiments in the Global South. However, she warned that both Nigeria and the wider world are now experiencing a stealth democratic recession, in which democratic norms are being quietly tested.

Ms Elendu further noted that while Nigerians still vote, elections have failed to produce accountability or responsive leadership.

Elections ask who should lead. Governance answers how society should be run, she said, stressing that while elections are episodic, governance is continuous.

Citing the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) data, she said over 70 per cent of Nigerians are dissatisfied with how democracy functions, believing elections do not reflect their views or remove bad leaders. This disillusionment, she noted, is reflected in declining voter turnoutfrom 52 per cent in 1999 to just 26.7 per cent in 2023.

Elections without accountability

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai echoed this theme, warning that selective justice and weak institutions have eroded public trust in democratic governance.

He criticised what he described as uneven application of anti-corruption laws and called for an end to detention without proper investigation, arguing that the rule of law must apply equally to all citizens.

Arrests without evidence must end. Detention before investigation must end. Governing by intimidation rather than institutions must end, said Mr El-Rufai.

Poverty, inequality and democratic fatigue

The speakers noted that democracy has failed to shield Nigerians from worsening economic hardship. Ms Elendu cited World Bank data indicating that more than 133 million Nigerians now live in multidimensional poverty.

Democracy, sadly, has clearly not translated to economic security, she said.

She warned that youth unemployment, brain drain and widening inequality are eroding faith in democratic governance, while ethnic and regional fault lines are being sharpened by economic disparities, partisan narratives and digital misinformation.

Mr El-Rufai also pointed to growing public cynicism toward state institutions, noting that governance failures risk creating space for authoritarian alternatives in a country already grappling with insecurity and social fragmentation.

Not all failure: civic space and innovation

Despite the grim highlights, the speakers agreed that Nigerias Fourth Republic has recorded important gains. Ms Elendu emphasised the expansion of civic space enabled by technological innovations which, she said, have democratised information and strengthened citizen engagement.

She cited the #EndSARS protests as evidence that democratic freedomsparticularly expression, association and mobilisationhave empowered citizens to challenge state excesses.

She also pointed to the rapid growth of Nigerias creative economy, noting that film, fashion, literature and digital content creation have become major employers and drivers of cultural influence.

Gender exclusion as democratic weakness

A point of convergence was the recognition that Nigerias democracy remains deeply exclusionary. Ms Elendu described womens underrepresentation in politicsbelow six per centas a governance failure rather than a social anomaly.

A democracy that marginalises women weakens itself, she said.

She cited Nigerias own history to demonstrate the benefits of inclusion, pointing to the tenure of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as finance minister, which culminated in the landmark $18 billion Paris Club debt relief.

She urged lawmakers to pass the long-stalled Special Seats Bill, arguing that inclusive governance is essential for democratic resilience.

Institutions under pressure

Concerns about institutional decline also dominated the discussions. Ms Elendu referenced polling data showing that nearly 80 per cent of Nigerians have distrust in the judiciary, largely due to perceptions of political interference and inefficiency.

She warned that when judicial impartiality erodes, democracy itself becomes the casualty.

She also criticised the National Assemblys high turnover rate and diminishing independence, arguing that a weakened legislature cannot effectively check executive power or represent citizens interests.

The same concern was echoed by the Olubadan earlier in his remarks.

A shared warning

In closing, the speakers agreed that Nigeria is showing clear signs of democratic fatigue such as declining voter participation, youth disengagement, rising cynicism and shrinking tolerance for dissent.

We must stop dancing to the loud music of elections and start paying attention to the lifeboats of governance, Ms Elendu warned.

The consensus at the Dialogue was that Nigerias democracy can still deliver, but only if citizens, institutions and political leaders recommit to accountability, inclusion and service-driven governance, rather than power acquisition alone.
The House of Representatives Minority Caucus has formally confirmed that key provisions of Nigerias 2025 tax reform laws were altered in the versions gazetted and circulated to the public.

it said the alteration constitutes a breach of the Constitution and an affront to the legislatures authority.

The confirmation, contained in the interim report of the House Minority Caucus Ad-hoc Committee on Tax Laws and made public on Friday, follows intense scrutiny of the Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the four tax reform Acts released by the House under the direction of the Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, and comparison against the earlier gazetted versions.

The CTCs, which represent the official texts passed by the National Assembly and assented to by the President, reveal material discrepancies between the versions published in the Official Gazette and those circulating before scrutiny.

The Acts under review are: the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025; the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025; the National Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025; and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act, 2025.

The laws came into effect on 1 January.

How the controversy began

The issue first came to public attention on 17 December 2025, when a member of the House of Representatives, Abdulsamad Dasuki (PDP, Sokoto), raised a matter of privilege during plenary, alleging that the tax reform laws recently gazetted were not the same as those passed by the National Assembly.

Mr Dasuki said his legislative rights had been breached because the content of the gazetted laws did not reflect the text that was debated, harmonised and approved by both chambers of the legislature.

According to him, after months of deliberations, public hearings and clause-by-clause consideration, the House passed the tax bills, and the Senate adopted a harmonised version before they were transmitted to the Presidency for assent.

In parliamentary debate, the Sokoto lawmaker told colleagues that he personally reviewed the gazetted copies side-by-side with the Votes and Proceedings of both chambers and the harmonised texts and found notable differences that he described as potentially unconstitutional and legally unacceptable.

He urged the House to have all documents laid before the Committee of the Whole for thorough comparison and corrective action.

The initial alarm sparked immediate concern within the legislature and among civil society, which questioned how texts could diverge after passage and presidential assent, a process that, under the Constitution, should produce a single, authoritative version of a law.

In response, the House Minority Caucus, in a statement issued in late December 2025, vowed to unconditionally protect the independence of the Legislature and democracy, describing any attempt to impose fake or altered laws on Nigerians as an attack on the constitutional role of parliament.

To get to the bottom of the allegations, the Minority Caucus, under the leadership of Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers), constituted a seven-member fact-finding committee earlier this month. The committee is chaired by Afam Ogene (LP, Anambra), with members drawn from Bauchi, Oyo, Abia, Bayelsa, Kano and Nasarawa states.

A day later, the House, through its spokesperson, Akintunde Rotimi, announced that Mr Tajudeen, had directed the public release of the four tax reform Acts duly passed by the National Assembly and assented to by the president. The speaker also ordered an internal verification process and instructed the Clerk to the National Assembly to align the Acts with the Federal Government Printing Press to ensure accuracy, conformity and uniformity.

Preliminary findings: Altered provisions and versions

The Minority caucus panel, led by Mr Ogene, confirmed several alterations to the contentious Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025, and other Tax Reform Acts.

Among the most contentious changes identified were alterations to tax compliance reporting thresholds, the introduction of new conditions for appealing tax decisions, expanded enforcement powers for tax authorities, changes to the definition of federal taxes, and provisions mandating tax computation for petroleum operations in foreign currency.

There were three different versions of the documents in circulation, particularly the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025 The Contentious Portions, especially in the Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025, include: i. Section 29(1): On Reporting Thresholds: While the NASS Certified version provided for a tax compliance reporting threshold of N50 million for individuals and N100 million for companies, the gazetted version lowered the reporting thresholds for individuals to (N25 million from N50 million) and (N100 million from N250 million) for companies, the report read partly.

The committee also faulted the introduction of new subsections 41(8) and 41(9) in the gazetted Act, which imposed a mandatory 20 per cent deposit of disputed tax sums as a condition for appealing decisions of the Tax Appeal Tribunal to the High Court. It stressed that these sections were not in the authentic version passed by NASS.

Further discrepancies were identified in Section 64, where the gazetted version expanded the enforcement powers of tax authorities to include arrest through law enforcement agencies and the sale of seized assets without a court order. These powers, the committee said, were absent from the authentic legislative version.

In Section 3(1)(b) on the definition of federal taxes, the committee observed that the gazetted Act removed petroleum income tax and Value Added Tax from the list of taxes under federal administration, contrary to the version passed by parliament. It described this as an affront to the National Assemblys exclusive legislative powers.

Similarly, the committee said Section 39(3) of the gazetted Act unlawfully mandated tax computations for petroleum operations in US dollars, whereas the version passed by lawmakers prescribed computation in the currency of the transaction.

The committee also raised concerns about alterations in the Nigerian Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, particularly Sections 30(1)(d) and 30(3), which relate to parliamentary oversight. According to the report, the authentic version passed by the National Assembly empowered parliament to summon the revenue service, demand reports and enforce accountability through quarterly and annual reporting.

These provisions, the committee said, were curiously deleted from the gazetted version, undermining the doctrine of checks and balances.

Given the scale of the discrepancies and what it described as illegalities and impunity that undermine the authority of the legislature, the committee said the evidence so far justifies a deeper investigation.

It therefore requested an extension of time to conduct a more comprehensive probe aimed at ensuring accountability for what it termed an affront to the National Assembly and Nigerias democratic order.
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, warning of a nationwide strike over the governments failure to implement the adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for health workers.

In a joint statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Friday, the labour unions accused the ministry and other relevant government agencies of deliberately refusing to implement the report of a technical committee set up to address salary distortions in the health sector.

The unions said the 14-day ultimatum takes effect from 23 January, warning that failure to comply would compel organised labour to mobilise workers nationwide across both public and private sectors.

They said the action would include mass protests, picketing of health institutions and government offices, and a nationwide withdrawal of services until the issue is resolved.

The unions also placed all their affiliates, including the 36 state councils and the Federal Capital Territory chapters, on red alert and directed them to commence mobilisation for a nationwide action.

They warned that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare would bear full responsibility for any disruption arising from its failure to act within the ultimatum period.

The unions advised the federal government to avert what they described as an avoidable national industrial action by implementing the 2021 technical committee report on CONHESS without further delay.

Alleged salary distortions, government inaction

The technical committee, jointly constituted by the government and organised labour and chaired by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, submitted its report in 2021.

The unions described the prolonged delay in implementing the report as no longer an administrative lapse but a conscious act of injustice, bad faith, and institutional disrespect towards health workers and organised labour.

They said the situation was particularly troubling given that the government had previously implemented adjustments to the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for medical doctors, while refusing to do the same for other health workers under the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).

According to the unions, the selective implementation of salary structures within the same sector exposes what they described as the governments lack of commitment to fairness, equity and industrial harmony.

Despite what they said were repeated engagements and restraint exercised in the interest of peace, the TUC and NLC accused the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of remaining unresponsive and offering excuses rather than concrete action.

This attitude amounts to a gross abuse of trust and a direct challenge to organised labour, the unions said.

Earlier ultimatum over No Work, No Pay policy

Before the latest 14day ultimatum on CONHESS implementation, TUC had, on 14 January, issued a separate sevenday ultimatum to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to withdraw a circular enforcing a No Work, No Pay policy against striking health workers.

The congress described the directive and the subsequent stoppage of salaries for members of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) as reckless, authoritarian and confrontational.

The ultimatum followed a 8 January circular by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare directing chief medical directors and medical directors of federal health institutions to apply the No Work, No Pay policy against JOHESU members participating in the ongoing strike

Background to the ongoing health workers strike

The ultimatum comes against the backdrop of an ongoing nationwide strike by JOHESU and the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations (AHPA), which entered its third month on Friday, 23 January.

The industrial action, which began on 15 November 2025, has now lasted about two months and one week.

The strike was declared indefinite after what the unions described as the federal governments prolonged failure to implement the adjusted CONHESS and address longstanding welfare concerns affecting non-doctor health workers.

JOHESU and AHPA said the action was triggered primarily by delays in implementing the report of the High-Level Body Committee on CONHESS, which was submitted to the Presidential Committee on Salaries and Wages in 2022.

The unions argued that their demand for salary adjustments dates back to 2014, when similar adjustments under CONMESS were implemented for doctors, while non-doctor cadres under CONHESS were left behind in an alleged breach of the 2009 Collective Bargaining Agreement.

JOHESU accused relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies of delaying the matter, citing slow prioritisation by the Presidential Committee on Salaries.

According to the union, the decision to embark on the strike followed a unanimous resolution at its Expanded National Executive Council meeting on 14 November 2025, in compliance with Section 41 of the Trade Disputes Act, Cap. T8, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Impact on health services

PREMIUM TIMES has continued to document the impact of the strike, and its most recent visit to health facilities in Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, Akwa Ibom and Lagos revealed a healthcare system operating largely on skeletal services, with laboratories, pharmacies, medical records and diagnostic units shut across many public hospitals.

At the National Hospital, Abuja, essential service points such as the Records and Visits Department and the National Health Insurance Scheme unit were closed, leaving patients to seek alternatives or pay out of pocket for private care.

Several departments at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital in Akwa Ibom were shut down, forcing patients to seek services elsewhere at a higher cost.

In Kano, health workers initially attended to patients in the early hours but later left, forcing doctors to shoulder additional duties.

Relatives of patients at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital complained of long waits for critical care, including blood transfusions.

Across facilities, notices informing the public of the indefinite strike were posted on locked doors, and many patients were seen struggling to access even basic care, a situation health workers and relatives described as placing undue hardship on ordinary Nigerians.

Attempts by PREMIUM TIMES to speak with JOHESU authorities in Abuja were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) says exporters in Imo State generated $1,244,095 in export proceeds in 2025.

The Imo Coordinator of the council, Anthony Ajuruchi, disclosed this during a follow-up engagement with cocoa farmers in the state on Thursday in Owerri.

The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that 50 cocoa farmers and exporters in Imo received 30 cocoa seedlings each in 2025 as part of interventions to boost production for export.

Mr Ajuruchi said the amount was derived from proceeds of both formal and informal export transactions carried out by the farmers within the 2025 fiscal year.

He commended the Executive Director of NEPC, Nonye Ayeni, and the management team for their support and commitment to the growth of the export market in Imo and across the country.

According to him, the council recorded notable achievements in 2025, including the organisation of capacity-building programmes on non-oil export, product packaging and labelling.

In addition to our interventions for cashew farmers, we conducted trainings on product development and adaptation, export contracts, market penetration, product certification and export documentation procedures.

We also trained about 600 exporters and small and medium-scale enterprises, he said.

Mr Ajuruchi said the engagement with the cocoa farmers was aimed at gathering feedback and brainstorming strategies to increase production and export volumes in 2026.

One of the beneficiaries, Sophia Orji, said the cocoa seedlings she received were doing well and had started fruiting after 17 months.

Another farmer, Mary Okeke, said her cocoa plants were thriving and appealed to NEPC to extend similar support to farmers during the rainy season.

Also speaking, Canice Nze, the director of produce in the Imo Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Investment, urged the farmers to register with the ministry to enable them to benefit from cooperative structures and access possible government grants.
The family of the late Samuel Obi in Achi Community, Oji-River Local Government Area of Enugu State, has returned to Mr Obis widow, Ukamaka, the N1.6 million it withdrew from her late husbands bank account.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ukamaka got back her husbands money through the intervention of Governor Peter Mbahs wife, Nkechinyere.

It was learnt that Obis extended family members allegedly deprived his widow of access to the account after her husbands death.

The governors wife intervened, following reports that after Obis death, the family members allegedly withdrew N1.6 million, using his ATM card.

It was further learnt that the ATM card was seized from her, leaving her and her two underage children  a three-year-old boy and a one-year-old girl  without access to their late fathers account.

Acting through her office and the Custos Care Foundation, Mrs Mbah deployed her team to the family, working in collaboration with the Oji River Council Chairman, Greg Anyaegbudike, his wife, Uche, and key community stakeholders to resolve the matter.

Mrs Mbah, represented by her Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, Chidinma Egeonu, said that, through the intervention, the money and the ATM card were returned to the widow by those involved.

Mrs Egeonu described the action as inhuman and harmful widowhood practice, adding that this is unacceptable under both moral and social standards.

The Managing Director of the Custos Care Foundation, Egodi Igwe, also condemned the act as despicable and inhuman.

This is unacceptable and must not be allowed to happen to any widow or family in our communities, Mrs Igwe said.

The Oji River council chairman also described the development as unacceptable and does not reflect the values of our community.

We will continue to protect vulnerable members of our society and prevent similar occurrences in the future, Mr Anyaegbudike said.

NAN reports that the Office of the Governors Wife and the foundation have assured the widow, aged 30, and her children of their support.
Edo State is taking steps to establish its own airline, with plans to operate from Benin Airport, as part of efforts to improve regional connectivity, attract investment, and create jobs, an official has said.

The plan was made public on Thursday when the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, met with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, in Abuja.

Accompanied by key members of his cabinet, the governor described the launch of a homegrown airline as urgent, saying it would be central to the states economic revival.

If I have my way, I want this airline to take off immediately, even before the election. Edo State needs a strong aviation presence to open up our economy and reposition Benin as a major hub, Governor Okpebholo said.

The state government is exploring partnerships with multiple investors, including South African backers who have committed to providing aircraft and technical support for the airline. The governor said the project is intended to be commercially viable and will comply with national aviation regulations.

Mr Keyamo welcomed the plan and highlighted Benin Airports historical role in Nigerias aviation sector, noting that it was once a key hub for the old Midwest region during the operational peak of the now-defunct Okada Air.

Benin Airport has the infrastructure and potential to regain its status as a major hub. The renewed investor interest confirms the airports commercial viability, he said.

To accelerate the project, the ministry has established a technical committee to coordinate operational planning, regulatory compliance, and collaboration among Edo State, investors, and the federal government. Governor Okpebholo will nominate a focal person to work directly with the Director of Air Transport Management at the ministry, saying the committee will report weekly.

Mr Keyamo indicated that Benin Airport could become fully operational between the first and second quarters of the year if progress continues as planned.

ALSO READ: Edo residents raise N40m ransom as kidnappers threaten to kill victims

Beyond aviation, the governor said the airline is expected to create jobs, provide opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses in airport services, and strengthen trade and tourism in Edo State.

He added that South African investors involvement demonstrates confidence in the commercial prospects of the states aviation sector.
Aviation industry experts on Thursday said structural and operational challenges are the main drivers of high air fares in Nigeria, rather than airline pricing strategies alone

The experts made this known during an Aviation Town Hall meeting held on Thursday.

High air fares in Nigeria continue to spark public concern, with passengers often blaming airlines for inflated ticket prices.

According to Alex Nwuba of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), ticket prices are heavily shaped by airlines survival costs, including fuel, aircraft leasing, maintenance, and airport charges.

Airline price for survival and cost components, which include fuel, lease, maintenance, and airport charges, directly shape what passengers pay, he said.

He highlighted the impact of smaller fleets and grounded aircraft on pricing.

In Nigeria, crowded aircraft, maintenance delays, and financing constraints have all reduced availability, causing costs to rise by as much as twenty per cent. Without scale, airlines cannot achieve the efficiency needed to offer affordable fares, Mr Nwuba added.

The Managing Partner at Avaero Capital Partners, Sindy Foster, explained that ticket pricing is closely linked to the number of available seats.

Even if total costs fall slightly, a reduction in capacity pushes the unit cost higher. Before any margin is added, fares must increase simply to recover costs, she said.

She noted that in 2025, only forty-four aircraft were operational in Nigeria, while seventy-nine remained grounded, highlighting persistent capacity gaps.

Unit Cost and Ticket Pricing

The experts emphasised that when operational capacity is limited, total costs must be distributed among fewer passengers, driving fares upward.

Ms Foster added that, High air fares are not arbitrary. They are a reflection of structural inefficiencies in the system.

She also warned that simply adding more airlines will not reduce fares unless broader capacity and operational issues are addressed.

Global Context

Mr Nwuba said global trends mirror Nigerias situation, where structural factors such as grounded aircraft, delayed maintenance, and limited operational scale drive fares higher, rather than airline greed.

Structural constraints in capacity and operational efficiency affect pricing everywhere, and Nigeria is no exception, he said.

However, the experts urged coordinated interventions to improve fleet availability, reduce maintenance delays, and expand airport capacity.

Mr Nwuba said, The more important question is what keeps pushing capacity out of the system, and what would need to change to keep it in. Until that changes, fair outcomes will continue to look exactly as they do today.

Ms Foster also stressed that addressing structural inefficiencies is critical for affordability.

When attention stays fixed on price, passengers see high air fares as arbitrary or unfair. In reality, they reflect the conditions under which the system operates. Only by improving capacity and operational efficiency can we achieve a more affordable and resilient aviation market in Nigeria, she said.

The discussion reinforced that high air fares are largely the result of systemic operational, maintenance, and capacity challenges rather than airline pricing decisions alone. Experts called for sector-wide measures to improve efficiency, increase operational scale, and enhance passenger accessibility.
Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State says his administration will take drastic measures against open defecation and inadequate immunisation.

Mr Nwifuru said this on Friday, when a UNICEF advocacy team, led by the organisations Nigeria Chief of Field Services, Judith Leveillee, visited him at the Government House, Abakaliki.

He said that he had approved UNICEFs call for an immediate end to all forms of open defecation, malnutrition and inadequate immunisation.

We know the negative implications of open defecation and erratic immunisation, and concrete actions towards ending them must be taken.

I direct the Local Government Area Chairmen to take immunisation seriously.

We will do everything within our reach to construct toilets in the markets, schools and other public places, Mr Nwifuru said.

He said that right decisions and interventions could only be made when reliable data are collated and analysed.

Relevant agencies should deploy manpower to all primary healthcare facilities in the state for the collection of reliable data to improve maternal and child care, the governor said.

Earlier in a remark, Ms Leveillee said that 2.5 million latrines were proposed by the organisation across the globe to check open defecation

She appealed to the Ebonyi State Government for accelerated action to prevent the recurrence of cholera in the state.

Cholera has killed over 20,000 people globally and we can end it, presently.

UNICEF, over the years, has stood in the gap for malnourished and poor children, while collaboratively working to ensure their health is not mortgaged.

UNICEF has contributed over $1 million to various agencies in less than three years, Ms Leveillee said.

She said that the organisation had signed a partnership with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria Identity Commission to drive home the vision of giving children due identity.

(NAN)
OSLO, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Friday delivered a brief statement to the media during her visit to Nuuk, capital of Greenland, stressing solidarity and a shared political future within the Danish realm.

"I am first and foremost in Greenland today to show our strong Danish support for the Greenlandic people," Frederiksen said, adding that it has been "a very, very difficult time."

She underscored the importance of close cooperation with Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, describing their joint efforts as crucial preparations for the kingdom's next steps. "Now we will prepare to take the diplomatic and political path," she said.

The visit comes amid heightened diplomatic tensions surrounding Greenland's future. It followed Frederiksen's participation in an emergency European Union summit in Brussels on Thursday and a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte earlier on Friday.

Meanwhile, Danish Broadcasting Corporation (DR) reported that Danish troops recently deployed to Greenland were equipped with an unusually large amount of live ammunition, including so-called "KUP ammunition," typically reserved for scenarios involving a coup or hostile invasion.

According to the report, the soldiers were ordered to be ready for immediate combat and had considered the extreme "worst-case scenario" involving a potential surprise attack by the United States. DR said there was a "broad political will across Denmark to fight back" should such an attack occur. 
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has assured displaced residents of Kurmin Wali, Kajuru Local Government Area, Kaduna State, of sustained and coordinated efforts to secure the safe rescue of their abducted family members.

The Director of Media Operations, Michael Onoja, a major general, said in a statement on Friday that the military had noted the concerns expressed by affected communities but stressed that the rescue of all kidnapped victims remained a top priority.

Mr Onoja said contrary to claims of reduced action, the AFN, working closely with other security agencies, was conducting continuous, intelligence-driven operations within Kurmin Wali and surrounding forested areas believed to be hideouts of the kidnappers.

He explained that the operations involve a combination of ground patrols, surveillance, intelligence gathering and carefully targeted actions aimed at locating the perpetrators and rescuing the hostages without endangering their lives.

According to him, the military is fully aware of the anxiety faced by the families of the victims, noting that operational restraint in some instances is a deliberate strategy to ensure the safety of the captives and prevent unintended casualties.

Mr Onoja said that significant efforts were ongoing to dismantle the criminal networks responsible for the abductions.

ALSO READ: Kaduna governor visits community where over 100 worshippers were kidnapped

He reaffirmed the AFNs commitment to the protection of lives and property and pledged that no effort would be spared in reuniting the Kurmin Wali victims with their families.

The military spokesperson appealed to the public for patience, support and continued cooperation as security operations progress towards a successful rescue.

(NAN}
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday met separately with Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State at the State House, Abuja.

The meetings were held behind closed doors at the presidents office.

Mr Makinde arrived shortly after Mr Mutfwang and proceeded directly to the presidents office.

The meetings come amid ongoing political realignments and consultations ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Mr Makinde, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), remains one of the opposition governors in the country.

Speaking after the meeting, the Oyo State governor said addressing Nigerias challenges requires bipartisan cooperation and contributions from all political parties.

We may have issues in this country where you need a bipartisan approach, where there wont be an issue of APC talking alone or PDP talking alone.

A situation where we will have to look at what is the best foot forward in the interest of our nation.

So, when you get to that junction, you need everybody on board, he said.

Asked if he was considering defecting to the APC, Mr Makinde said, I am comfortable in the PDP. 

In the last few months, six PDP governors have moved to the ruling APC. They are Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Agbu Kefas (Taraba) and Mr Mutfwang.

Mr Makinde, who is in his second term, was a member of the G5, a group of five governors who opposed the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the partys presidential candidate in the 2023 election.

The other governors at the time were Nyesom Wike (Rivers), who is currently serving in the APC administration as FCT minister; Samuel Ortom (Benue); Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia); and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu).

Both Messrs Ikpeazu and Ugwuanyi are ambassadors-designate.

In December, Mr Makinde said he would not support President Tinubus reelection bid in 2027.

He said Mr Wike had the right to support the president, but he and others should be allowed to ensure that democracy survives in the country.

The real issue is that Wike would like to support the President for 2027. Thats fine; it is within his rights. But some of us want to ensure that democracy survives in Nigeria and that the PDP survives as well. He should allow us to make our own choices.

I tried to engage him through a mutual friend, but when he did not back off, I confronted him directly. From that day, I made it clear I would never be part of this. Wike can support him, but it is also within my right to decide who I will support or what I will do in 2027. This explains the current conflict within the PDP, he said.
Shell Plc has signalled a renewed and expanded investment push in Nigeria, citing improved political stability, policy consistency, and leadership as key factors driving its confidence in the countrys energy sector.

The Chief Executive Officer of Shell Plc, Wael Sawan, disclosed the companys investment plans during a meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja on Thursday.

The official explained that Nigeria now stands out as one of the most attractive destinations for capital allocation within Shells global portfolio.

We think there is more to invest here, and we understand the vision that you (President Bola Tinubu) have for the country, and so we are indeed working on a project, Bonga Southwest, that could potentially, if we get to an FID stage, see us, with the partners, invest around $20 billion in foreign direct investment, Mr Sawan said.

He explained further that half of the $20 billion will be capital, and the other half will be the operating expenses and the likes that will come into the country.

Mr Sawan praised Nigerias human capital, describing Nigerian professionals within Shells global operations as one of the companys largest expatriate talent pools, many of whom, he said, are expected to return home to contribute to national development.

Over the past three decades, Shell has been a dominant operator in Nigerias oil and gas industry, largely through its subsidiary, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC).

While its operations, concentrated in the Niger Delta, have generated significant revenue for the Nigerian government, they have also been linked to environmental degradation and social unrest, drawing sustained criticism, lawsuits, and international scrutiny.

Shell has also faced numerous lawsuits in the UK and Dutch courts, resulting in landmark rulings holding it liable for environmental damage. In 2021, a Dutch court ordered Shell to pay compensation to Nigerian farmers, marking a significant, albeit late, accountability moment.

A PREMIUM TIMES investigation last year found that several oil-producing communities, including Ogoniland, continue to suffer hydrocarbon pollution. The report showed that many residents, whose livelihoods depend on farming and fishing, have lost access to farmlands and waterways due to recurring oil spills from creeks and pipelines, often attributed to the negligence of oil companies.

Why we are investing in Nigeria

During the meeting with Mr Tinubu on Thursday, Mr Sawan told the president that We are very keen to invest in Nigeria. But I would say this has not always been the case.

He explained that Mr Tinubus leadership and vision have created an investment climate over the last few years that has propelled them to invest, especially when they compare Nigeria with other investment destinations around the world.

According to the Shell official, stability has become a premium factor for long-term energy investments, noting that the company typically plans projects spanning 20 to 40 years.

The executive said Nigeria now ranks among the countries attracting more capital than most peers, largely due to recent reforms and governance improvements.

Investments so far

In the last 12 months alone, Mr Sawan revealed that Shell has invested about $5 billion in the Bonga North project and an additional $2 billion in gas infrastructure supporting the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) project.

He said the company also deepened its interest in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 118 after acquiring assets previously held by TotalEnergies.

Beyond existing projects, he disclosed plans for a proposed Bonga Southwest development, which could attract up to $20 billion in foreign direct investment if it reaches a final investment decision (FID).

The proposed investment, he said, would include both capital expenditure and operational spending and is expected to rank among the largest energy projects globally.

The company said it has commenced pre-Front-End Engineering Design (pre-FEED) work on the project, with the aim of fast-tracking it towards FID by 2027, subject to regulatory approvals and finalisation of fiscal incentives.

Shell also indicated interest in other prospective projects, including Bolia Chota and Mwadoro, as well as Nigerias ongoing oil exploration licensing round.

In his response, President Tinubu assured Shell of the federal governments commitment to transparency, competitiveness, and policy consistency, stressing that Nigeria must actively compete with other oil-producing countries such as Guyana for global capital.

Theres no better time to invest than now, the president said, pledging that all approved incentives would be delivered and applied consistently.

He added that Nigerias greatest resource remains its people, noting that developing local talent is critical to achieving long-term value from the countrys natural resources.

Shortly after the meeting, the president approved the gazetting of targeted, investment-linked incentives to support Shells proposed Bonga South West deep-offshore oil project and other similar offshore developments in the country.
At least six residents were killed in Baidi village in the Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State on Wednesday night during an attack by a suspected terrorist group believed to be affiliated to the Lakurawa network, an armed group active in the area.

Tangaza is one of the council areas targeted by a US airstrike last December. It is believed to be used as hideouts by terrorists along the Nigeria-Niger border.

According to residents, the attackers stormed the village in the dark, shooting indiscriminately. The attack left six men dead and forced many other villagers to abandon their homes.

Several residents took to Facebook to share footage and photos of the funeral prayers held for the victims, after their burial on Thursday.

Efforts to reach the Chairman of Tangaza Local Government Area, Isa Salihu, for an official statement were unsuccessful at the time of publication. Similarly, the spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, Ahmed Rufai, could not be reached for comment.

However, local government officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed the killings.

While acknowledging the atmosphere of fear, they appealed for calm, assuring the public that security agencies were actively working to restore stability to the affected area.

The grieving residents also called for an urgent reinforcement of security personnel. They expressed concern that without a permanent and increased security presence, their community remains vulnerable to further attacks.

The security situation in the northwestern part of Sokoto State, particularly in Tangaza, has deteriorated over the years due to the activities of terrorist groups.

READ ALSO: Africa CDC declares end to Mpox as continental health emergency

Tangaza shares a border with the Republic of Niger. This proximity makes it a strategic gateway for cross-border movement. Terrorists use the porous borders to retreat into Niger when pressured by the Nigerian military, or to smuggle arms.

In recent years, Tangaza has seen the emergence of a group known as the Lakurawa. Originally a group of foreign herders from Sahelian countries, they have evolved into a terrorist group that imposes taxes on locals and enforces their own version of justice, often clashing with traditional authorities.
Seven months after a gruesome attack, the Benue State Government has flagged off the construction of permanent resettlement housing for displaced families in Yelwata.

PREMIUM TIMES reported on 14 June 2025 how terrorists attacked the Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, leaving scores of residents dead, homes razed and thousands displaced.

More than 100 people were feared killed in the overnight terrorist attack, according to Amnesty International, which described the violence as part of the almost daily bloodshed in Benue State and called on the Nigerian government to do more to halt the killings and protect rural communities.

Governor Hyacinth Alia was represented by his deputy, Sam Ode, at the flag-off ceremony for the houses, held on Thursday in Yelwata.

Speaking at the event, Mr Ode said the project was a concrete response to the devastation caused by the June 2025 attack.

The tragedy that struck Yelwata left many dead, homes destroyed and entire families displaced. Todays flag-off is not just symbolic; it is a demonstration of our resolve to heal, rebuild and resettle our people with safety and dignity, he said.

According to the governor, the project is being funded through donations and interventions, including a N1 billion contribution from Nigerias First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, as well as support from Nasarawa State, United Bank for Africa, the Department of State Services and other partners.

Mr Alia said a technical committee chaired by the Secretary to the State Government, Deborah Aber, was set up on 19 August 2025 to coordinate relief and resettlement efforts for displaced persons across the state.

Ms Aber said the committee engaged directly with displaced communities to identify priority needs. At the initial stage, we identified areas requiring urgent intervention, with Yelwata given priority because of the scale and impact of the attack, she said.

She disclosed that the first phase of the project would deliver 62 two-bedroom housing units built to international resettlement standards, adding that more interventions would follow in other affected communities.

The Commissioner for Humanitarian and Disaster Management, Aondowase Kunde, described the project as a milestone in the states response to displacement, stressing that it was about rebuilding lives, not just constructing houses.

Guma Local Government Chairperson, Maurice Orwough, commended the federal and state governments for their support but appealed for intensified security measures in surrounding communities.

Former lawmaker Cletus Upaa, speaking for the Yelwata community, said residents would ensure strict oversight of the project to guarantee transparency and proper implementation.

The traditional ruler, Tor Lobi, Moses Anagende, called for an expansion of the housing scheme and more job opportunities for local youths to promote lasting peace.

The contractor handling the project, David Anifowose, said the company was committed to timely delivery and accountability, while representatives of civil society and international organisations, including the International Organisation for Migration, pledged continued support, including plans to build a healthcare facility in the community.

Photo: Governor Hyacinth Alia, represented by his deputy, Sam Ode, lays the foundation for resettlement housing for survivors of the Yelwata attack.
Top US officials met with Nigerian officials on Thursday for the first session of a joint working group focused on addressing the violent attacks that the US says target Nigerian Christians.

The working group was established after President Donald Trump declared Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern over allegations of Christian genocide.

The primary aim of the group is to reduce violence targeting vulnerable Christian communities in Nigeria and to encourage conditions that allow all citizens to coexist peacefully.

The meeting was held in Abuja during the visit of a high-level US delegation, led by Under Secretary of State Allison Hooker.

PREMIUM TIMES reports that Ms Hooker also serves as the head of the US-Nigeria joint working group.

Nigerias National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, led the Nigerian delegation comprising 10 ministries and agencies.

According to a statement by the US embassy in Nigeria, the session focused on reducing violence, protecting civilians, and ensuring that all Nigerians can freely practice their religion without fear.

Both sides acknowledged the long-standing relationship between their two countries, grounded on shared values of pluralism, respect for the rule of law, and sovereignty. The U.S. side welcomed an overview of Nigerias realignment of resources to address insecurity, particularly in the North, the embassy said.

The US delegation commended Nigeria for what it described as urgent actions to strengthen security for at-risk Christian communities and Nigerians of all faiths affected by violence.

It also commended Nigerias recent shift in resources to tackle insecurity, especially in the North-central states.

Both parties reaffirmed their shared commitment to religious freedom, freedom of expression, and peaceful assembly under Nigerias constitution.

They also agreed that the next meeting of the Joint Working Group will be held in the United States on a date to be determined through diplomatic channels.

The US delegations visit is the latest in a series involving top officials of Nigeria and the US since Mr Trump began his verbal antagonism toward Nigeria. The Nigerian government has repeatedly denied the allegations of Christian persecution, saying the attacks by armed groups target people of all faith.

PREMIUM TIMES reported the visit of a Nigerian delegation, led by Mr Ribadu. That delegation met with top US officials, including Secretary of War Peter Hegseth.

There have also been two US Congressional delegations to Nigeria.

Meanwhile, on 25 December, the US launched missile strikes in Nigeria in partnership with Nigerian authorities who provided intelligence to their American counterparts.

READ ALSO: Terrorists kill six in Sokoto LGA hit by US airstrike

PREMIUM TIMES reported the strikes, with Mr Trump saying they were part of the US effort to stop the operations of radical Islamic groups in the country.

Two weeks ago, the American president warned that there could be more US strikes in Nigeria if what he called attacks on the countrys Christian population persisted.

Id love to make it a one-time strike  But if they continue to kill Christians, it will be a many-time strike, Mr Trump said.
Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has finally resigned from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and is expected to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The governors spokesperson, Sanusi Bature, announced the development in a statement on Friday.

He said the governor, in a letter addressed to the NNPP chairperson of Diso-Chiranchi Ward, Gwale Local Government Area, officially communicated his decision to withdraw from the party, effective 23 January.

I write with a deep sense of gratitude to formally notify the leadership of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) of my decision to resign my membership of the party, with effect from Friday, 23rd,January 2026, Mr Bature quoted his principal saying.

The governor defected to the APC with most of his commissioners and Kano NNPP federal and state lawmakers.

Additionally, all 44 elected local government chairpersons, their deputies, and local ward executives have joined the APC.

However, the deputy governor, Aminu Abdulsalam, has elected to remain in the NNPP and affirmed his loyalty to the partys leader, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Some elected officials of the NNPP had earlier declined to join the governors defection to the APC.

Senator representing Kano central district, Rufai Hanga, and his colleagues in the House of Representatives including Mukhtar Yarima (Tarauni), Abdulkarim Ado (Wudil/Garko), and Sani Wakili (Minjibir/Ungogo), Tijjani Abdulkadir (Tofa/Dawakin Tofa) have also decided to remain in the NNPP.

Earlier, Mr Kwankwaso advised his supporters, who are being pressured to join the APC, to do so. It is not yet clear whether the elected officials who earlier opposed the governors defection would follow Mr Kwankwasos advice.

The governors defection marks the end of a decades-long political association with Mr Kwankwaso, whom he served as personal assistant and commissioner before being elected as governor in 2023

Below is the full statement from the governor:

PRESS RELEASE

23rd January 2026

Gov. Yusuf Resigns NNPP Membership as Kano Political Realignment Deepens

Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has formally resigned his membership of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), citing deepening internal crises and the need to safeguard the broader interest of the people of Kano State.

This was contained in a statement signed by the governors spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Friday.

The Governor, in a letter addressed to the Chairman of Diso-Chiranchi Ward, NNPP, Gwale Local Government Area, officially communicated his decision to withdraw from the party, effective Friday, 23rd January 2026.

I write with a deep sense of gratitude to formally notify the leadership of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) of my decision to resign my membership of the party, with effect from Friday, 23rd, January 2026.

Governor Yusuf expressed appreciation to the party for the platform and support extended to him throughout his political engagement with the NNPP.

I remain sincerely appreciative of the opportunity given to me by the party, its leadership, and members across Kano State to be part of its political journey since 2022, as well as the support, goodwill, and cooperation extended to me during my time in the party.

He pointed to persistent internal disputes and legal challenges that have continued to unsettle the partys structure nationwide.

In recent times, the party has been confronted with persistent internal challenges arising from leadership disagreements and ongoing legal processes, many of which are presently before the courts for judicial determination.

According to the Governor, the internal disagreements have widened divisions and weakened cohesion within the party.

The growing disenfranchisement among party members has created deep divisions within the party structure, resulting in cracks that appear increasingly irreconcilable and have generated uncertainty at both state and national levels.

Governor Yusuf stated that his decision followed careful reflection and was guided strictly by public interest considerations.

After careful reflection, and without prejudice to the partys capacity to resolve its internal challenges, I have come to the conclusion that my resignation is in the best interest of the people of Kano State.

He emphasised that the decision was taken in good faith and without bitterness.

This decision is taken in good faith, without any ill will, and with a continued commitment to peace, unity, and the progress of Kano State.

The Governor is resigning today, along with 21 members of the State Assembly, 8 members of the House of Representatives, and 44 Local Government Chairmen of Kano State.

The resignation letter was acknowledged by the party Secretary, Diso-Chiranchi Ward, Hon. Kabiru Zubairu, who commended the Governor for his laudable projects in infrastructure, urban renewal, health, education, and economic empowerment.

I wish to concur with His Excellency on the lingering crisis in our party, though we are trying our best to contain it, but we have no option but to accept the resignation of one and the most performing Governor of the NNPP.

Signed

Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa,

Director General,

Media and Publicity,

Government House, Kano
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday adjourned a suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike until 20 February to take report on the development regarding the case at the Court of Appeal.

Judge Joyce Abdulmaliks decision followed the Kabiru Turaki-led PDP leaderships appeal pending before the Court of Appeal challenging an interim order that barred all parties from taking any action until the main case was decided.

The Turaki-led faction had also filed a motion asking the court to stay proceedings pending the decision of the appeal.

On Wednesday, the judge rescheduled the hearing till today (Friday) to give the Wike-aligned faction time to respond.

But on Friday, Ms Abdulmalik said it would be futile to continue proceedings while the appeal was pending.

She adjourned the matter until 20 February for a report on the appellate courts proceedings.

The suit and related motions

The Wike faction, led by Mohammed Abdulrahman as national chairperson and Samuel Anyanwu as the national secretary, filed the main suit after Federal High Court judges James Omotosho and Peter Lifu stopped the PDP from holding its national convention on 31 October and 11 November last year.

Despite those rulings, the Turaki-led faction held the convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, between 15 and 16 November 2025, electing national officers, including Mr Turaki, which the Wike-aligned faction rejected and later sought to nullify in court.

The plaintiffs asked the court to bar the Turaki-led leadership from accessing the PDP national secretariat at Wadata Plaza, Abuja.

They also sought to prevent the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising any other address or representation from the Turaki faction as the partys official office, and to stop the group from presenting themselves as PDP representatives in any capacity.

They also filed an ex-parte motion asking the court to maintain the status quo, preventing all parties from taking action until the suit is decided.

It was that order, an ex-parte motion granted by the judge directing parties not to take any action pending the hearing of the suit, that the Turaki-led faction challenged at the Court of Appeal and also requested a stay of proceedings.

They also filed a separate motion asking the judge to recuse herself, citing fears of bias.

The judge also dismissed another suit filed by the Turaki faction, which had sought an order directing the Inspector-General of Police and the Nigerian Police to vacate the PDP national headquarters at Wadata Plaza.

The case was dismissed after a motion for discontinuance by Chris Uche, a Seniro Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), representing the Turaki-led leadership.

The judge said that the matter could not continue because issues had already been joined by the Wike faction.
If Trump believes that he can grab Greenland and plant the US flag in Nuuk, whether the people like it or not, because he was denied the Nobel Peace Prize, as he told Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre in a text message, why is Russia, which has an even more substantial stake in Ukraine, being condemned, ostracised and punished, while Trump gets ego massage?

As US President Donald J. Trump marks his first year in office by expanding his wish list from making Canada the 51st State of America to seizing and renaming the Panama Canal, and now taking Greenland by any means, if he cannot get the Nobel Peace Prize, spare a thought for Russian President Vladimir Putin. The world has been unfair to him.

In one year, Trump has indulged in some of his tastiest treats from the worlds biggest candy stores, the most gratifying of which must be capturing Venezuelan President Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. President Trump even briefly announced himself as acting president, after seizing control of the country, which has the worlds largest oil deposit.

In 365 Days

Trumps first year in office must be making Putin wonder what he has done to be classified among the worlds most despised, with descriptions of him ranging from a tyrant and outlaw to a potential war criminal.

In light of the wreckage that the world has now become, does Putin deserve to be viewed through a milder, gentler lens? Are his transgressions unforgivable?

Putins Sins

When the Russian president annexed Crimea 12 years ago, the world was outraged. The United Nations declared the annexation illegal, and the US and Europe imposed limited sanctions on Russia. But Putin had only just started with Ukraine.

He consolidated his grip on Crimea, arguing that the resort, which hosts Russias Black Sea Fleet, is strategically important to Russia and that its loss would weaken Russias naval position. And in case the world had forgotten, he reminded us that Crimea was a part of Russia until 1954, when it was transferred to Ukraine, which was then part of the Soviet Union.

Cost of War

In Russia, Putin framed the annexation as a response to the historical injustice by the US and Western Europe to emasculate, weaken and encircle Russia. Putin defied Western economic sanctions, and eight years after annexing Crimea, he made an even more audacious move by launching an all-out war on Ukraine.

In the last four years of the war, the estimated total casualty figures have ranged from 980,000 to 1.4 million, with civilian deaths as high as over 14,000, minus the wounded and millions more displaced. The Russia-Ukraine war has been the bloodiest in Europe since World War II. Yet, theres no end in sight, mainly because Putin insists that he wont stop except Ukraine gives up territory currently occupied by Russian forces, a concession that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is unwilling to make.

Putin has argued that the war with Ukraine is a matter of Russias survival, insisting that after the former Soviet Union broke up into 15 states, there was an agreement between President Mikhail Gorbachev and the West in 1990 that NATO would not expand eastward. That agreement has been widely cited in credible diplomatic circles.

Greenland By All Means?

Putins demands, as unreasonable and unjustified as they may be, have paled into insignificance since the scandalous demand by President Trump that the US must have Greenland, by any means possible.

If Trump believes that he can grab Greenland and plant the US flag in Nuuk, whether the people like it or not, because he was denied the Nobel Peace Prize, as he told Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre in a text message, why is Russia, which has an even more substantial stake in Ukraine, being condemned, ostracised and punished, while Trump gets ego massage?

Putin has argued that the war with Ukraine is a matter of Russias survival, insisting that after the former Soviet Union broke up into 15 states, there was an agreement between President Mikhail Gorbachev and the West in 1990 that NATO would not expand eastward. That agreement has been widely cited in credible diplomatic circles.

NATO has denied the existence of such an agreement, but has barely hidden its subversive encouragement in bringing three countries under the former Soviet Union into its fold, virtually encircling Russia. For Putin, the invasion of Ukraine is his last stand, his push, after Crimea, for Russias modern-day Danzig (the crucial trigger for World War II).

Leprosy for Ringworm

Yet, Putins excuses have not impressed a world that has treated Trumps leprosy as ringworm. The US president has threatened Cuba, lashed out at the Mexican president, called Europes leaders wimps, and, after capturing a sitting president and his wife, described himself as the acting president of that country.

NATO cant tell him that he cannot have Greenland. Instead, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, its leaders steered him away from his delusional request by promising him a bigger piece of real estate in the larger Arctic, something like a pie in the moon, where he can build the next Trump Tower!

If the price for world peace is to award President Trump a Nobel Peace Prize for ending eight wars, a delusion he firmly believes, then we should indulge his fantasy by granting this fervent wish. But since it would be grossly unfair to exclude Putin, or to ignore Xi, Kim or even Benjamin Netanyahu from such a list, it would not be a bad idea to propose to the Norwegian Nobel Committee a once-in-a-lifetime, first and last Nobel Peace Prize Quintet 2026, for all five.

Apology for Putin

Perhaps, its not only Putin that the world owes an apology. Compared to Trumps claim over Greenland, despite the rejection of the citizens and the exasperation of Denmark, Chinas frosty relationship with Taiwan is like a love story. Taiwan was a part of China until after the civil war in 1949, when the Communists won control of mainland China and Mao Zedong proclaimed the Peoples Republic in Beijing, forcing the Nationalist government to retreat to Taiwan.

In the Trump world, Xi Jinping would be justified in moving from the rhetoric of one-China to complete military occupation of Taipei, as Kim Jong Un would be welcome to roll out the tanks to occupy Seoul. In a way, a homegrown variety of this insanity in Africa would be for Morocco to seize the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), or for Nigeria to insist on taking the Bakassi Peninsula from Cameroon by force, rather than submitting to adjudication.

Return to Hobbes

Its convenient to argue, from the realist point of view, that any country that can, will do as it pleases  after all, the strong never failed to have the weak for lunch.

That was the Hobbesian state until two world wars, several other man-made tragedies, and a recent pandemic, which we are yet to recover fully from, taught the world that cooperation, collaboration, and multilateralism were the best way to go. As one of Europes most syndicated journalists, Jonathan Power, once wrote, The 21st century thus far is the least violent and safest century of all  despite the wars in Ukraine, Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, Sudan, etc.

If the price for world peace is to award President Trump a Nobel Peace Prize for ending eight wars, a delusion he firmly believes, then we should indulge his fantasy by granting this fervent wish. But since it would be grossly unfair to exclude Putin, or to ignore Xi, Kim or even Benjamin Netanyahu from such a list, it would not be a bad idea to propose to the Norwegian Nobel Committee a once-in-a-lifetime, first and last Nobel Peace Prize Quintet 2026, for all five.

Then, at least, we can be sure that the remaining three years of the Trump presidency will be bereft of tantrums, insults, and relentless threats to weaponise tariffs.

Thank you for paying attention to this matter!

Azu Ishiekwene is Editor-In-Chief of LEADERSHIP and author of the new book, A Midlifers Guide to Content Creation and Profit.
The working model of the Nigerian State is the promotion of the interest of individuals, factions, cliques, etc. within the patrimonial ruling class to secure, maintain and expand their access to state resources, while trying to exclude the access of their rivals. This ruthless struggle for access has fuelled the increasing instability of the State. This is because primary sociological categories of an absolute nature, such as religion, ethnic group, language and region/zone have been the most effective instruments of political mobilisation.

Nigeria has not consciously addressed the question of designing the countrys political philosophy based on the knowledge of its history  precolonial and colonial, the failures of the present, and the opportunities as well uncertainties of the future. As the world experiences mega-shifts from the classic political wisdom that shaped the way the state, morality, governance, ethics, rules and social constructs are understood, it is imperative for us to seize on the opportunity to put our thoughts forward. The real question is whether the country can think through its history and political struggles to map out possible pathways out of the political and economic decay we are embedded in. If we develop a better understanding of our past, the choices for moving forward become clearer, and the blockages that tear us apart can be shoved aside.

In 1986, my workplace, the Department of Political Science of Ahmadu Bello University, published a book entitled, Nigeria: A Republic in Ruins. The book was an outcome of a National Conference on the State of the Nation, which was hosted by the Department, and it concluded nineteen days before the fall of the Second Republic. The book adequately reflected the intellectual mood in Nigeria in the dying days of our second experiment with democracy. This was followed by a flood of literature on Endgame in Nigeria, Twilight in Nigeria and Crises and Collapse in Nigeria. The language got worse as Nigerias patrimonial State continued to promote booty capitalism, as successive political classes define governance as the reckless raid on the nations treasury. The more parasitic and predatory the political class has become, the more fragile the state has been.

The working model of the Nigerian State is the promotion of the interest of individuals, factions, cliques, etc. within the patrimonial ruling class to secure, maintain and expand their access to state resources, while trying to exclude the access of their rivals. This ruthless struggle for access has fuelled the increasing instability of the State. This is because primary sociological categories of an absolute nature, such as religion, ethnic group, language and region/zone have been the most effective instruments of political mobilisation.

Although Professor Ade Ajayi told us that, Nigeria was not a mere geographical expression. Nigerian history did not begin in 1914 or 1960, or with the British conquest, or with the coming of the Portuguese. Nigerian history was the history of the Nigerian peoples from the earliest times to the present, no one listened. There was no attempt to search for the massive long-term interactions and linkages that we have built over the period that could be used to improve the coherence of the threads holding us together.

Professor Peter Ekeh told us the story of colonialism and the two publics  the primordial and the civic. A state that wants to endure cannot have a leadership that has only one interest  access to the national cake that is embodied in state power. He recalled that the colonial State in Nigeria saw itself as an arbiter that does not participate in the struggle for accumulation but was a guarantor and arbiter of the rules for so doing for its constituency, British capitalists. The colonial State therefore had a certain ethos  the creation of a public domain where the administration and its agents were supposed to serve the general interest embodied in the imperial State, instead of their personal interests. Our nationalists had no interest in imbibing this ethos, it was simply their turn to eat and the focus was those with access who ate and had no thoughts of enlarging the cake, so that the ordinary people too could eat.

In 1950, the emergence of the Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU) in Kano signalled the proposition of an ideology of liberation with the SAWABA DECLARATION.

NEPU held:

1. That the shocking state of social order as at present existing in northern Nigeria is due to nothing but the family compact rule of the so-called Native Administration in their present autocratic form.

2. That owing to this unscrupulous and vicious system of administration by the family compact of rulers, and which has been established and fully supported by the British Imperialist Government, there is today in our society an antagonism of interest, manifesting itself as a class struggle between members of the vicious circle of Native Administration on one hand and the ordinary Talakawa on the other. The emerging ruling class understood the message. In the 1950-51 election, the NEPU majority disappeared as rigging was invented.

In the South, the Zikist Movement founded in Lagos on 16th February 1946 by four young men  MCK Ajuluchukwu, Abiodun Aloba, Kolawole Balogun and Nduka Eze  emerged. They had wanted to defend and spread the message of Zik. His book, Renascent Africa (1937) called for the five canons of the new African philosophy;

1) Social regeneration

2) Mental emancipation

3) Economic determinism

4) Political resurgimento

5) Spiritual balance.

The Zikist Movement organised the Osita Agwuna 1948 lecture, A Call for Revolution, which called for a boycott of British goods, education and jobs in the police and army, a withholding of the payment of taxes to the colonial state  and paying these to NCNC instead. The colonial court declared the lecture to be seditious and he was jailed with Tony Enaharo, who chaired it ,and others. The result was that Zik abandoned the Zikist Movement as they went to jail and focused on his access to power. When the Zikist, Raji Abdallah, declared himself a Free and independent citizen of Nigeria with no allegiance to any foreign Government, and was sent to jail for two years, there was no one to defend him. The chapter was closed when Ziks response in the West African Pilot described Zikists as: Fissiparous lieutenants and cantankerous followers acting without my knowledge and consent. The transition from colonialism to neo-colonialism was smooth.

What the authors offer Nigerians is a compelling story of their countrys creation. All nations have a story of formation. It is always partly historical and partly creative. It finds the heroes of the nation and edifies them. It draws attention to the enemies and vilifies them. The language is good, the narrative is clear and the book is fascinating and reads like a novel, with interesting characters, plots, mysteries, love, hate and epic battles.

The question of a philosophy to guide Nigeria got imbedded in our grand norm with Chapter Two of the 1979 and 1999 Constitutions. Under Articles 16 and 17 of the Constitution, it was decreed that the State shall:

Control the commanding heights of the economy

Be self-sufficient

Provide maximum welfare to the people

Engage in planning (not free enterprise)

Prevent the concentration of wealth

Provide jobs, free healthcare and education to all.

Olusegun Obasanjo came into power in 1999 and reversed these by taking directives from the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) and completely abandoning the interests of the people. The text remained in the Constitution but the philosophy was rejected and we all kept quiet.

We need to reflect on this abandonment of Chapter two. Meanwhile we should all read the inspiring book, Formation: The Making of Nigeria From Jihad to Amalgamation, written by Fola Fagbule and Feyi Fawehinmi, and published by Cassava Republic in 2021. They discovered a magical formula, that the writing of history is too serious an agenda to leave in the hands of historians. These young professionals, both of them in the financial sector, decided to read history books written about the Nigeria land area and write a compelling narrative which, in a sense, is about the inevitability of the emergence of Nigeria as a nation. Their basic thesis is that given the dynamics of social and political movements in the Nigeria land area at the beginning of the 19th century, whether or not colonialism had occurred, a country very similar to the Nigeria of today would have emerged. The argument, for the counter-factual, is that the colonial regime only tinkered slightly with what they found, focused as they were on their task of exploitation. They did not build a State, they found a State in formation.

What the authors offer Nigerians is a compelling story of their countrys creation. All nations have a story of formation. It is always partly historical and partly creative. It finds the heroes of the nation and edifies them. It draws attention to the enemies and vilifies them. The language is good, the narrative is clear and the book is fascinating and reads like a novel, with interesting characters, plots, mysteries, love, hate and epic battles. No one, for example, can respect the pompous, incompetent, arrogant, trigger-happy and love-frustrated Fred Lugard and his wife, Flora Shaw, after reading this book. Both suffered the terrible trauma of frustrated love affairs in their lives and directed their anger at dealing with Nigerians, while telling glorious stories of their alleged contribution to building a civilised Nigeria in books and newspaper columns.

In other words, the book challenges us to reject the idea that Chimamanda Adichie, for example, articulates that: I am Nigerian because a white man created Nigeria and gave me that identity. I am black because the white man constructed black to be as different as possible from his white. But I was Igbo before the white man came. The real story is that the White man came and found States and political communities that they essentially messed up. Indeed, way back in 1960, Okoi Arikpo emphatically stated that Nigeria is not an accident. It is not an arbitrary block of land chopped off the surface of tropical Africa. On the contrary, Nigeria is a cultural melting pot where cultural influences from all directions have met to produce a most dynamic cultural complex.

The very last paragraph of the book closes on an interesting reflection. The 120 years of history traced in the book from the Jihad to Amalgamation draw attention to one key characteristic: The Nigerian State has consistently resorted to violence and military force to address political differences. Maybe, just maybe, we need to start addressing the question of how to build a political philosophy that could help us build our nation.

To go back to Formation, the book tracks the unlikely series of events and characters that were turning a collection of disparate nations into a major state. In 1800, the Oyo Empire was disintegrating and the survivors had congregated in Abeokuta and later Ibadan, while Ilorin was about to secede. The story of Nigeria has a backbone, the river Niger and its sister, the Benue. The authors describe the River Niger as the best kept tropical secret, because from the times of the Romans, the European world wanted to know where it started and ended for good reason. These were the arteries along which people fished, farmed, emigrated and transported themselves to fight wars, captured territories and enslaved others, evangelised and, in short, engaged in extensive relations. The book outlines the state of play starting with the story of the Jihad of 1804, which had started at Gobir and which within a short period federated the Hausa states, the Fulani Kingdom of Adamawa, Nupeland, Borgu and even Ilorin was seized from the crumbling Oyo Empire. Subsequently, Lugard was to add the autonomous peoples north of the Benue to Northern Nigeria and Bornu, which the British got after negotiating with the French. The book also tells the story of the incorporation of the peoples of Southern Nigeria and the traumatic story of the transition from slave trade to the commerce in other goods.

I love the story of the Dahomean all-female battalions, the Agoji. To amuse themselves, they would climb over a mountain of thorns, enjoy their skins being torn in anticipation of the man tied behind the thorns, who they will kill to their hearts satisfaction. Ask the Egba what they suffered from these feminist warriors. For those who dare insult them by saying you are nothing but a man, the punishment is death. As for me, I would loath to be in the same room with one of them. I prefer modern feminists.

Lugard, from day one, was focused on having a great legacy as a builder of British imperialism and he wrote flowery books about his contributions  A Tropical Mandate in 1905 and Dual Mandate in British Tropical Africa after his retirement in 1922. Formation draws attention to the numerous flowery articles written to support his career by Flora Shaw, the girlfriend to George Goldie, who the British State gave a Royal Warrant to exploit the resources of the country. Goldie was a philanderer and Flora was one of his numerous side chicks. After Goldies wife died, Flora waited for a proposal from him, which never came. Desperate, she broke with convention and wrote him a letter asking that he should marry her. He had been paid by the British State for the Niger Company, he refused and went to China to enjoy his wealth, and she went into depression. Fred Lugard, on the other hand, as a young man, fell madly in love with the wife of his officer in India, but after some time, she became realistic and spurned him. He developed a serious trauma and decided to come to the Niger area and die fighting for the glory of British imperial possessions. Having failed in their love lives, these two married in their late forties. Flora was six years older than Fred, and for more gossip on these characters, read the book.

Lugards career was one of brutality. Even the British Colonial Office found his excesses unbearable. After the massacre at Satiru (Sokoto) in 1906, he was ordered out of Nigeria because he could not be trusted not to be a repeat offender. It was when the British State decided to amalgamate the Northern and Southern Protectorates that they decided they needed a brutal administrator to deal with the aftermath, so they brought Fred back in 1912. Flora refused to follow him, so he brought his junior brother, Ned, as his personal assistant. This is called nepotism. It was Ned Lugard who invented the term trousered natives as an insult against the educated Lagos elite, who were criticising the administration of his senior brother. JD Davies of the Times of Nigeria responded to this invective by calling Fred a negrophobist, as the word racist could not be used in the press, considered as libel. Lugard was angry and got the court to charge him 100 for insulting Oga. For much of Lugards second coming, he had a huge fight with the Lagos press  Kitoye Ajasa (Pioneer), George Williams (Lagos Standard), John Payne (Lagos Weekly Record), among others. Lugards greatest enemy was however Herbert Macaulay, Bishop Crowders grandson, a land surveyor in the Colonial Service. For criticising Lugard, he was framed for corruption, sacked and jailed, with Lugard calling him ex-convict. He took it as a badge of honour, laughing at the idea of conviction for criticising colonialism.

Lugard the murderer was a repeat offender with the Inemo massacre of 1914, having 60 people killed, and the 1918 Adubi incident, in which he organised the killing of over 600 Egba protesters. Lugard was immediately retired from service after the incident. To close the chapter on Lugard, Port Harcourt should reflect on why their city was named after Lord Lewis Harcourt, the man who agreed to re-employ Lugard after his first disgrace. Harcourt was a sexual predator who committed suicide after the revelation that he had raped a 12-year old boy.

The very last paragraph of the book closes on an interesting reflection. The 120 years of history traced in the book from the Jihad to Amalgamation draw attention to one key characteristic: The Nigerian State has consistently resorted to violence and military force to address political differences. Maybe, just maybe, we need to start addressing the question of how to build a political philosophy that could help us build our nation.

A Professor of Political Science and development consultant/expert, Jibrin Ibrahim is a Senior Fellow of the Centre for Democracy and Development, and Chair of the Editorial Board of PREMIUM TIMES.
ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has announced the lifting of a multi-country mpox outbreak in Africa as a public health emergency of continental security.

The Africa CDC, in a statement issued late Thursday, said the decision, following recommendations from the Africa CDC Emergency Consultative Group, highlights the continent's strengthened health security, effective leadership, regional cooperation, and successful international partnerships in managing complex public health challenges.

The African Union's specialized healthcare agency first declared the outbreak a public health emergency of continental security in August 2024. The World Health Organization later designated it a public health emergency of international concern.

"Today marks a significant milestone in Africa's collective journey toward strengthened health security. This decision reflects Africa's growing capacity to lead complex public health responses, grounded in strong political leadership, regional solidarity, and effective international partnerships," the Africa CDC said.

The agency stressed that concerted efforts have delivered measurable impacts in Africa's fight against mpox.

It said between peak transmission periods in early 2025 and late 2025, suspected cases fell by 40 percent and confirmed cases by 60 percent. The case fatality rate among suspected cases also dropped from 2.6 percent to 0.6 percent, reflecting improved detection, care, coordination, and accountability across all levels of response.

Meanwhile, the Africa CDC warned that the lifting of the public health emergency of continental security does not mark the end of mpox in Africa. It said the decision signals a transition from emergency response to a sustained, country-led pathway toward elimination.

It stressed that mpox remains endemic in several settings, and continued vigilance, targeted investment, and innovation will be essential to consolidate gains and prevent resurgence.

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, was first detected in laboratory monkeys in 1958. It is a rare viral disease typically transmitted through body fluids, respiratory droplets, and contaminated materials. The infection often causes fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes. 


In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

All praise is due to Allah, who created souls and gave them life, who honoured them through Islam and made them precious, and who threatened those who transgress against them with the Hellfire and its blazing heat. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah, alone without partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. May Allahs peace and abundant blessings be upon him. To proceed:

Dear brothers and sisters! Fear Allah with true fear, and be mindful of Him in secret and in public, as He says:

O you who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared, and do not die except as Muslims. [Surah Ali-Imran: 102]

Respected Servants of Allah! Have you heard the question of the wronged soul:

O Lord, ask this one  for what reason did he kill me?

What an awe-inspiring scene! What a terrifying moment!

Reflect on this three-way dialogue that the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) told us about, as reported by al-Nasai and others:

The killer and the one killed will be brought on the Day of Resurrection, with the slain person holding onto the head of his killer, his veins gushing blood, saying: O Lord, ask this one  why did he kill me?

Then the Lord of all worlds  though He knows everything  will ask:

For what reason did you kill him?

One killer will answer:

I killed him for the leadership of so-and-so.

Another will say:

I killed him so that honour might belong to so-and-so.

Allah Almighty will say:

Indeed, honour does not belong to so-and-so, and that man will bear the burden of his sin.

Then Allah will say to the killer: Perish!, and he will be taken away to the Hellfire.

Dear brothers and sisters! What in this world could be worth such an end?

Today, the calamities that befall the Muslim believers keep breaking their backs; scarcely does one wound heal before the blood of innocent Muslims begins to flow again in torrents. Muslim blood has long been shed at the hands of their enemies, but what is even more shocking is when it flows at the hands of those who claim to belong to Islamwhen both the killer and the killed are Muslims, as its taking place in Northern Nigeria. Where is the faith of these wicked killers in their violation of sacred life? Where are their minds?

The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) informed the Companions one day, saying:

Before the Hour there will be great killing. They asked: O Messenger of Allah, what is this killing? He said: Murder.

Some people thought he meant fighting between Muslims and non-Muslims, but the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said:

It is not the killing of the disbelievers; rather, some of you will kill one anotheruntil a man kills his neighbour, his cousin, and his close relative.

Some Companions said:

O Messenger of Allah, will we still have our senses on that day? The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) replied: No. The minds of most people of that time will be taken away, and a deluded mass of people will remain, who have no sense. Most of them will think they are upon something, but they are upon nothing. [Reported by Ibn Majah and Ahmad]

How astonishing were the Companions of the Prophet (may Allah be pleased with them), who exclaimed in shock:

Will we still have our minds that day?

For Allahs sake, can a sane Muslim  one who knows the sanctity of Muslim life, one who knows how greatly Allah has honoured it, and what terrible punishment He has prepared for its unjust killer  ever bring himself to kill a soul protected by Allah without right?

For Allahs sake, can a Muslim who has heard Allahs words:

And whoever kills a believer intentionally  his recompense is Hellfire, wherein he will abide eternally. Allah has become angry with him, has cursed him, and has prepared for him a tremendous punishment. [Surah al-Nisa: 93]  allow his soul to drive him to murder an innocent Muslim?

For Allahs sake, can a Muslim believer who fears Allahs punishment and hears His warning against killing the souls He has forbidden without right  where He says:

And those who do not invoke any deity along with Allah, nor kill a soul which Allah has forbidden except by right, nor commit adulteryand whoever does this shall meet a penalty. The punishment will be multiplied for him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein in humiliation. [Surah al-Furqan: 6869]  can such a Muslim believer still take part in shedding forbidden blood?

Indeed, killing an innocent person without right is among the gravest of sins and the greatest of major crimes after shirk (associating partners with Allah).

The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said:

A believer will continue to have room and hope in his religion as long as he does not shed unlawful blood. [Reported by Bukhari]

Do you know the worth of a believers life in the sight of Allah? Before I answer you, let me ask: which do you think is more sacred  the House of Allah, the Kaabah itself, or the life of a single innocent Muslim?

I refer the answer to the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him), who once looked at the Kaabah and said:

How great you are and how great is your sanctity! But the sanctity of the Muslim believer is greater in the sight of Allah than yours. [Reported by al-Baihaqi]

Thus, our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) made clear that the sanctity of a Muslim believer before Allah is greater than that of the Kaabah itself. What crime, then, have these oppressive killers committed?

The enormity of the sin of killing is such that the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) placed it alongside shirk (associating partners with Allah) as one of the sins for which Allah does not forgive its perpetrator, and which leads inevitably to the Hellfire. He (Peace be upon him) said:

Every sin may be forgiven by Allah, except one who dies as a polytheist (Mushrik), or a Muslim believer who kills a Muslim believer intentionally. [Reported by Abu Dawud]

Such is the madness of these criminal murderers that they take pride in the killing of the innocent people, even displaying their crimes to the world with joy  without shame or remorse.

Have they not heard the Prophets (Peace be upon him) words:

Whoever kills a Muslim believer and feels pleased or proud about it, Allah will not accept from him any obligatory or voluntary act. [Reported by Abu Dawud]

Today, gangs, terrorists and bandits are mobilised to attack the innocent people, accompanied by corrupt media outlets that justify and trivialise their crimesuntil people become desensitised to the sight of Muslim blood flowing in rivers, regarding it as something ordinary.

To all such people, the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) says:

If the people of the heavens and the earth were to join together in shedding the blood of a single believer, Allah would cast them all into the Hellfire. [Reported by al-Tirmidhi]

By Allah, it is a disaster and a dreadful trap for anyone who brings himself into this great sin  there is no escape from it.

Abdullah Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) said:

Among the grave matters from which there is no escape for one who plunges into them is shedding unlawful blood without right. [Reported by Bukhari]

Dear servants of Allah! Why has the shedding of blood become so easy among people today? Search within the love of this world (dunya) and its temptations, and you will find your answer.

What caused the very first murder on earth, after which the flow of blood never ceased? What made the son of Adam kill his brother? What made him say to his brother: I will surely kill you? And for what crime did his brothers blood become lawful to him?

It was the world  the dunya  which the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) even feared for his Companions. He said to them:

By Allah, it is not poverty that I fear for you, but I fear that the world will be opened up to you as it was opened to those before you, and that you will compete for it as they competed for it, and it will destroy you as it destroyed them. [Reported by Bukhari and Muslim]

That is the deceptive, bewitching world (dunya)  which appears in different forms: competition over a woman, pursuit of power and authority, or greed for gold and wealth.

And indeed, the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said:

The Hour will not be established until the Euphrates uncovers a mountain of gold. People will fight over it, and out of every hundred, ninety-nine will be killed, and each man among them will say, Perhaps I will be the one to survive. [Reported by Muslim]

Do you see this worldly life that people fight over and all its fleeting pleasures? Its disappearance in its entirety is less significant before Allah than the killing of a single Muslim without right.

The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said:

By Him in whose hand is my soul, the killing of a Muslim believer is greater in the sight of Allah than the destruction of the entire world. [Reported by al-Nasai]

Respected brothers and sisters! Allah has blessed us with Islamtruly the greatest and most precious of all blessings. Allegiance to it is greater than allegiance to kinship, lineage, or blood. It is the bond that can never be broken, and the brotherhood that endures as long as Islam remains.

Dear Muslim brothers and sisters! After the blessing of Islam, faith, and the Quran, can a Muslim take up arms against his fellow Muslim?

Did not our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) say:

Whoever carries a weapon against us is not one of us? [Reported by Bukhari and Muslim]

Is this how we show gratitude for the blessing of Islam?

The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) called the killing of a Muslim an act of disbelief, saying:

Insulting a Muslim is wickedness, and fighting him is disbelief. [Reported by Bukhari and Muslim]

He (Peace be upon him) also stood before his Companions on the Day of the Greater Hajj and declared:

Do not turn back after me as disbelievers, striking the necks of one another. [Reported by Bukhari and Muslim]

The word of Tawhid  la ilaha illallah (there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah)  is precious and protective. It safeguards life, honour, and property. So what will those who shed blood say about la ilaha illallah on the Day of Judgment?

Dear brothers and sisters! Beware of trials and tribulations! Beware of the deception of devils and their allies!

Fear Allah concerning bloodshed, and know that no one will avail another in anything on that Day.

We seek refuge in Allah from the time of which the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

By the One in Whose Hand is my soul, there will come upon the people a time when the killer will not know why he killed, and the one killed will not know why he was killed. [Reported by Muslim]

Finally, Respected brothers and sisters! Know that, based on Islamic jurisprudence (Shariah) and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), taking the law into ones own hands  commonly known as vigilantism or extrajudicial punishment  is strictly prohibited. While Islam strongly commands the establishment of justice and forbids wrongdoing, it designates the authority to punish solely to established legal authorities or courts.

Islam places immense emphasis on justice, law, and order. While it mandates opposing injustice, it strictly prohibits taking the law into ones own hands (vigilantism), as this leads to anarchy and further injustice.

Ya Allah, grant victory to Islam and honour to the Muslims, and destroy the wrongdoers.

Ya Allah, send tranquility into the hearts of those striving in Your path, deliver Your oppressed servants, and raise high the banner of the religion by Your power, O Mighty, O Firm.

Ya Allah, forgive the Muslim men and women, the believing men and women, the living among them and the dead.

Ya Allah, guide our leaders to that which You love and are pleased with, and take them by the forelock to righteousness and piety.

Our Lord, grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Hellfire.

Dear servants of Allah! Remember Allah with much remembrance, and glorify Him morning and evening.

And our final call is that all praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds.

All praise is due only to The Almighty Allah, and may His peace and blessings be upon Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), the final Messenger and the seal of Prophets.

Murtadha Muhammad Gusau is the Chief Imam of Nagazi-Uvete Jumuah and the late Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Okenes Mosques, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He can be reached via: [email protected] or +2348038289761 or +2348024192217.

This Jumuah Khutbah (Friday sermon) was prepared for delivery today, Friday, Shaaban 04, 1447 AH (January 23, 2026).
In just half a decade, Adichie has lost father, mother and son.Grieving for them is out of the hearts unwillingness to let go of those we truly love, however long they may have been with us. But sooner or later, time unfastens our hands from the necks of our dearly departed parents. Nkanus life, on the contrary, had barely begun and so grief is literally over the lifetime he was robbed of, which surpasses the parents. Slowly, the word nightmare replaced dream. And the parallel became even more unmistakable to me: Adichies inconsolable sorrow is our unmitigated national horror.

Just before exiting the ramp from the Katampe Bridge onto the Kubwa Expressway in Abuja, the fuel gauge flashed its yellow warning. Perfect timing, I thought, with an MRS petrol station just after the bend. I joined the long queue. I had sworn to only buy petrol, if I can help it, at a Dangote-partner station, not minding the wait to reach the pump. About twenty-five minutes, but rather that than buy imported petrol, and at fully one hundred naira more per litre, for that matter! While crawling to the pumps, I would catch up on the news: the latest manifestation of Donald Trumps autocracy at home, the plutocratic pursuit of rare earth metals and other precious resources wherever they may be found outside a nuclear armed country, especially in shithole countries the self-abasement of a Nobel peace prize winner before the man who has just colonised her country the unending impeachment saga in Rivers State the latest defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, and the PDPs cry of President Tinubus diabolic plan to turn our dear nation into a one-party dictatorship, etc. I would ignore the hawkers of hard-popped corn and groundnuts, toilet plungers and sundry plastic wares, bitter kola and Tom Tom sweets, assorted herbal cures for every ailment and mens special needs, or whatever else hard-hustling citizens peddle in Nigerias road traffic trade.

Eyes on my phone but minding the queue, I heard a knock on the passenger side window. I ignored it. I heard it again. Still, I ignored it, sure the hawker would go away. Yet another knock. I turned to bid the dogged hawker go to the next car with a stern look and encountered a smiling face showing me all the books two hands can hold. He was saying something, so I rolled the window down midway. Customer, I have the book now! he said, still smiling. And then I remembered. At almost exactly the same spot, about two or three months ago, I had bought a book from him, Femi Otedolas Making it Big. It had stood out from the rest of his wares which were the staple traffic trade trash. He had sought to sell me one of those but I had found a way to end his relentless marketing. Do you have Chimamanda Ngozi Adichies Dream Count? He didnt and had finally moved on, half-disappointed. And now here he was happily displaying what I had requested, sure of a sale. Shrink-wrapped, the cover bearing what looks like an upside-down teardrop in shades of orange on a sky-blue background gave it a beckoning allure. He had not even waited for our haggling to be over before he dropped it on the seat to be my passenger until I got home.

Back home, I had not unwrapped my purchase before I got the shocking news, almost as if some impish spirit were intent on spoiling the thrill of opening a new book and reading the first sentence, or the first verse if it be poetry. Nkanu Nnamdi, the infant twin son of Adichie and her husband, Dr Ivara Esege, had died in a highly-recommended hospital in Lagos, following a routine stabilising procedure, prior to medical evacuation the next day to the United States for treatment. What the self-vaunted specialists at Euracare Multi-Specialists Hospital needed to do  as recommended by Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, USA, to which Dr Esege is affiliated through the University of Maryland Medical Centre where he works  was merely a Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the boys brain, an echocardiogram, a lumbar puncture, and a peripherally inserted central catheter for the administration of intravenous medications during the evacuation flight.

In an apparent case of gross negligence, however, the specialists displayed a stunning lack of requisite professional care at almost every step. A legal notice has been issued to the hospital, and in it Adichie and Esege recount the many lapses that led to the snuffing out of the life of their baby boy: excessive dosage of propofol (the powerful anaesthetic drug the world became familiar with in 2009 as a major cause of death of pop music superstar, Michael Jackson), inadequate airway protection during sedation, failure to ensure continuous monitoring, transport without supplemental oxygen or adequate medical personnel, delayed recognition of respiratory or cardiovascular compromise, and failure to disclose risks of anaesthetic agents for informed consent. The result was that even before the tragic end, the little child had been subjected to a great deal of trauma as he endured seizures and cardiac arrest, became unresponsive and had to be resuscitated.

When patently avoidable error and harm occur so frequently across the board, to poor and rich alike, the damage to public health and the well-being of the nation can be virulent. It starts with extreme distrust of domestic health delivery, no matter how highly recommended a clinic or hospital might be. Those to whom money is no object would jet off to Europe and America, anywhere but our houses of horror called hospitals, to treat even cough or cold. Those who can barely do so would opt for India, South Africa, Saudi Arabia  again, anywhere but the morgues or murder clinics of Nigeria  at the price of financial ruination.

Sadly, cases of shocking medical malpractice are so prevalent as to be more the norm than exceptions. Within recent memory, there have been reports of surgical instruments forgotten inside the bodies of patients. There was the case of Peju Ugboma who died from incorrect ventilator settings in a Lagos hospital. There was the 2025 case of Alfred Ogene, who sued a hospital for the negligent insertion of a catheter, leading to serious internal injury and bladder damage. And there was the case of the misdiagnosis of a Lagos fashion designer with stage-three cancer, causing her to endure costly and debilitating chemotherapy treatment, only for it to be discovered later that the original biopsy was not even hers! Medical malpractice exacts unquantifiable costs in death, complication of the disease or non-treatment of the actual ailment in the case of misdiagnosis grievous bodily harm trauma and emotional distress that in extreme cases can result in permanent physical and psychological impairment and inability to function normally. And then there is the ruinous financial cost, often making destitute folks of even reasonably well-off patients.

When patently avoidable error and harm occur so frequently across the board, to poor and rich alike, the damage to public health and the well-being of the nation can be virulent. It starts with extreme distrust of domestic health delivery, no matter how highly recommended a clinic or hospital might be. Those to whom money is no object would jet off to Europe and America, anywhere but our houses of horror called hospitals, to treat even cough or cold. Those who can barely do so would opt for India, South Africa, Saudi Arabia  again, anywhere but the morgues or murder clinics of Nigeria  at the price of financial ruination. As for the poorest of the poor, the vast majority of citizens, their only recourse is to herbalists and native doctors, now also known as alternative medicine practitioners, or faith healers, pastors and prophets who profess divine powers to cast out the demons, witches and wizards who cause cancer, kidney failure, liver cirrhosis, cardiovascular disease, asthma, glaucoma, pneumonia, meningitis, malaria-typhoid (the two have become one disease in Nigerias lengthening pathology handbook), etc. Helplessness, hopelessness and desperation make them prone to superstition. Even a headache, persistent because induced by stress, a daily fact of their existence, becomes a spiritual attack that only a powerful native doctor or spirit-filled pastor can stop. Consequently, there are far more flourishing churches, together with special healing and revival camps, suitably sited along major highways on the outskirts, than there are functional hospitals in many of our cities.

Yet, the nature of faith healing is such that accountability is almost impossible. After all, if a person willingly substitutes miracles for medicine and seeks a cure in the hands of an anointed man of God, agent of a deity or other supernatural force, who is to blame if death or grievous harm, and not healing, is the result? How is the pastor, shaman or babalawos negligence and culpability to be proved and to what extent would the patients faith and intentions be contributory, even exculpatory, negligence? Indeed, wouldnt the maxim of tort, volenti non fit injuria  no injury from voluntarily assumed risk  akin to a signed pre-surgery consent, vitiate his or her case? To our national shame, faith healing, whose exponential growth can be seen in large billboards along streets and highways, posters on bridge rails and pillars, and handbills and flyers everywhere, gives the damning verdict of Miracles over Medicine on our health delivery system for the vast majority.

It is true, of course, that even with the greatest care, costly errors can still occur and, as the great Lord Denning cautioned in The Discipline of Law, a doctor should not be found guilty of negligence simply because something has gone wrong, should not be judged by the highest expert skill, but by the standard of a reasonably competent practitioner in his field. A doctor examining a patient or a surgeon operating at a table, he said, should not have to look over his shoulder to see if someone is coming up with the dagger of an action against him. He should be able to get on with his work. Yet, he went on to formulate a test derived from the general principle of liability for negligence: A medical man would be found guilty of negligence if his professional colleagues would say: He really did make a mistake there. He ought not to have done that, and, further, if the mistake is deserving of censure, then he is liable. In the Supreme Court case of Ojo v. Gharoro decided in 2006, Niki Tobi, JSC, quoted Dennings formulation approvingly. Whether or not the medical men of Euracare, holding themselves out not merely as reasonably skilful men but, rather, specialists in a state-of-the-art hospital, discharged their duty of care, or that their unbiased colleagues would not say that they made a mistake, they shouldnt have done the litany of negligent acts alleged by Nkanus parents, are questions of fact to be established at trial and in the investigation that the Lagos State Government has ordered. What is indubitable is that the hospital and its doctors owed Nkanu a duty of care, a duty that goes beyond professional competence to use of the right medical equipment, as well as their operation only by qualified personnel in a conducive environment at every critical period.

So, are the little gains of the last decade now being squandered by such seemingly stark instances of medical negligence as led to the death of Nkanu Esege? Are we condemned to count the bodies of the dead and the maimed in hospitals which cannot be trusted to carry out routine procedures or adhere to the minimum standard of care? I had wondered at the beginning if an impish spirit intent on denying me the frisson of excitement in opening a new book and reading the first sentence ensured the act was preceded by the shocking news of the death of Adichies very young child.

And these constitute the twin bane of Nigerias healthcare system as it faced catastrophic under-funding and massive brain drain, starting with the advent in the mid-1980s of the structural adjustment programmes imposed on poor nations of the global South by the West through the World Bank and International Monetary Fund: hospitals hollowed out of well-trained and experienced doctors and an acute lack of vital equipment in a conducive environment. Which led to the phenomenon of medical tourism. Its cost to a nation whose resources are grossly underdeveloped and inadequate to the needs of its citizens, with what there is so often looted mindlessly, has been estimated by the World Health Organisation and AfrExim Bank to be between $1.5 and $2 billion annually in recent times. That is trillions of naira, at the current exchange rate of around N1,500 to a dollar, that could otherwise have built a few world-class hospitals, equipped them with state-of-the-art facilities, and attracted medical experts or specialists of unquestionable competence to them.

A glimmer of hope has recently appeared at the end of the countrys long dark healthcare tunnel. Government has marginally increased healthcare funding and more purposefully pursued private sector investments. Lagos and Abuja, in particular, have witnessed the incipient rise of hospitals that can be the equal of many in Europe and America and other medical tourism destinations. Some, happily, are the products of what may be called reverse brain drain: doctors who fled the medical maelstrom, broadened their knowledge of practice and administration abroad, and have returned to lead by example the way to safe and dependable healthcare. I can testify to the admirable standard of the medical faculty and facilities at one of such new centres of hope, First Cardiology Consultants, Lagos, to which I was referred eight years ago by arguably the best hospital in Warri. After due checks, scans and tests, I was told to my relief that I had a good heart and that the referring hospital had probably acted in excess of caution. That was before former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo sought to boost confidence in local healthcare delivery by undergoing orthopaedic surgery to treat a thigh bone fracture at Duchess International Hospital in Lagos three years ago.

So, are the little gains of the last decade now being squandered by such seemingly stark instances of medical negligence as led to the death of Nkanu Esege? Are we condemned to count the bodies of the dead and the maimed in hospitals which cannot be trusted to carry out routine procedures or adhere to the minimum standard of care? I had wondered at the beginning if an impish spirit intent on denying me the frisson of excitement in opening a new book and reading the first sentence ensured the act was preceded by the shocking news of the death of Adichies very young child. Not in that plain manner. The plot of Dream Count, as I gather from the vast amount written about it upon publication, is fleshed from lost or unattained loves, the body count of partners that never were, potential mates whose flaws had at first been concealed by desire. It is a narrative conceit I am eager to see how Adichie in her characteristically poised and probing prose unravels. Still, promise and disappointment. As was the case with the Nigerian traffic trade copy of her book that I bought.

When, finally, I unwrapped it and flipped randomly through the pages before reading the first sentence, I discovered that it was a pirated copy. The allure of the shrink-wrapped cover bearing what looks like an upside-down teardrop in shades of orange on a sky-blue background, shown to me through the window of my car on a lightly hazed harmattan afternoon in Abuja, had given a false picture of its physical quality. Just as the highly recommended Euracare, which advertises itself as a state-of-the-art multi-specialty hospital failed, at least in this tragic instance, to match expectations. I stared at the book on my coffee table. In just half a decade, Adichie has lost father, mother and son. James Adichie, Nigerias first professor of statistics, was 88 years-old, and Grace Adichie, the first female registrar of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, was 78. Both passed the biblical three-score-and-ten and had lived well-achieved lives. Grieving for them is out of the hearts unwillingness to let go of those we truly love, however long they may have been with us. But sooner or later, time unfastens our hands from the necks of our dearly departed parents. Nkanus life, on the contrary, had barely begun and so grief is literally over the lifetime he was robbed of, which surpasses the parents. Slowly, the word nightmare replaced dream. And the parallel became even more unmistakable to me: Adichies inconsolable sorrow is our unmitigated national horror.

Ogaga Ifowodo, a lawyer, poet, writer and rights and good governance advocate, is principal partner at Remedium Law Partners. He may be reached at [email protected].
Officials of the Enugu State Agricultural Development Programme (ENADEP) visited the Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area on Thursday, 22 January, where they spent time to educate the farmers on farming and storage techniques.

The ENADEP officials were on a sensitisation tour on post-farming and post-harvest activities.

The visiting officials were received at the Igbo-Eze South Council Secretariat, Ibagwa-Aka, by the Chairman of the council, Ugo Ferdinand Ukwueze, who said that the initiative is a clear demonstration of Governor Peter Mbah administrations commitment to food security, agricultural value addition, and the empowerment of farmers across Enugu State.

The ENADEP team, led by the Programme Manager, Samuel Onyishi, a professor, included the Zonal Manager, Agricultural zone, Jacinta Eze, the State Director of Nutrition, Calister Asogwa, and others.

Mrs Eze took time to educate the Igbo-Eze South farmers on timely harvesting, proper storage, and processing of crops such as maize, cassava, beans, and others, with emphasis on preserving nutritional value.

The State Director of Nutrition, Mrs Asogwa, delivered a practical session on tomato paste processing, highlighting hygiene, preservation, and value addition.

In his address to the team, the Chairman of Igbo-Eze South, Mr Ukwueze, commended the working governor of Enugu, Mr Mbah, for his visionary leadership and strong focus on transforming agriculture from subsistence to productivity and prosperity.

This sensitisation is timely and will go a long way in reducing post-harvest losses and improving farmers incomes in Igbo-Eze South, Mr Ukwueze said.

He assured the ENADEP team of the councils support and readiness to collaborate in all programmes aimed at strengthening agriculture and improving the welfare of farmers in the council area.

Together, we will continue to support policies and partnerships that secure food sufficiency and sustainable development for our people, the chairman said.
The association of Zamfara State Retired Permanent Secretaries commended the Zamfara State governments impactful projects under Governor Dauda Lawal. The governor received an award of honour from the association on Friday at the Government House conference hall, Gusau.

A statement by the governors spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, disclosed that the association highlighted the state governments key achievements as the main reason for the honour. The statement added that Governor Lawal, in his speech, expressed gratitude to the Zamfara Retired Permanent Secretaries Association for considering him worthy of the award of honour.

The governor said there is no greater honour than an award from an association of senior citizens who have served the state diligently.

I was informed about the plan to host me at a grand dinner, but time did not permit it. It was not deliberate; it was due to the tight schedule at my office.

Everywhere, people are following what my government is doing. Like I always say, we are very transparent and accountable.

I came into office with a clear agenda. My six-point manifesto puts security first. We are achieving a lot across all six areas that I pledged to address during the campaign.

We have to do what we are doing to open up the state for investors. Insha Allah, in the next few months, our international airport will be ready.

There is no local government in Zamfara where I havent invested over 20 billion naira in projects. Visit the local governments to see the ongoing work. We are accomplishing a lot. We are seeing steady improvements in the states security. Additionally, our internally generated revenue has risen from 80 million to over five billion naira.

Earlier, Muhammad Bello Umar, Chairperson of the Zamfara State Retired Permanent Secretaries Association, explained that the honour is to commend Governor Lawal for the notable achievements of his administration since it began in 2023.

He said, Right from the very beginning, he showed enthusiasm and dedication by introducing a six-point agenda. As senior citizens who have served under multiple administrations, we want to affirm that this administration has exceeded expectations and distinguished itself in workers welfare, education, health, and other infrastructural improvements.

At our Annual General Meeting, when you were barely six months in office, we requested payment of outstanding gratuities, which this government obliged and settled. All pending payments, totaling over 13 billion, were paid. Thank you for that.

The history of Zamfara will remember you with honour. I appreciate your generosity towards our members, especially during medical emergencies.
The Teach Girls Tech Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, has trained over 40 secondary and primary school teachers through the i-MathElevate project to improve mathematics performance in Rivers State.

The foundations founder, Ejiroghene John, disclosed this during a workshop organised by the foundation, in partnership with Elsevier MSSF and with the approval of the Rivers Ministry of Education, in Port Harcourt, on Thursday.

She said that the i-MathElevate teachers training programme was designed to run for two months of virtual learning to tackle the declining performance in mathematics among students and teachers in Nigeria

We are introducing technical games like coding, AR and VR, Rubiks Cube, abacus, and artificial intelligence to aid maths learning.

This will aid teachers and students from public and underserved schools that will be trained on i-MathElevate to use these games to improve performance in mathematics in all the schools in the 23 local government areas in Rivers, and Nigeria at large, she said.

According to her, the i-MathElevate Project will impact over 40 schools, 40 teachers, and thousands of students, with a special focus on inclusive teaching practices that support learners with disabilities and those who struggle with mathematics.

Ms John explained that the project would be concluded with a student competition and exhibition, where participating schools would showcase projects and learning outcomes, with over 20 schools set to receive awards and prizes.

The founder commended the Elsevier MSSF and the Rivers Ministry of Education for their partnership and support.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education in Rivers, Azibaolanari Nwogu, represented by Inisefiekabo Job, said the state government was committed to promoting science and mathematics education.

Mathematics is not just a subject; everybody needs it.

The Ministry of Education is looking at ways to ensure our students and pupils do well in their academic work, and that is why we accepted this training workshop.

We advise all our teachers participating in workshop to leverage this opportunity to improve themselves and also their students, she said.

Nduka Wonu, a professor and senior mathematics lecturer at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, in Rivers, said that mathematics was crucial to solving Nigerias economic problems, emphasising that the subject was at the core of science and technology.

Mr Wonu, while unveiling the i-MathElevate Project starter packs, said that mathematical knowledge and problem-solving skills were essential for national development, particularly in areas like machine learning and artificial intelligence.

He identified developmental dyscalculia, a condition that makes it difficult for students to perform calculations, as a major obstacle to mathematics learning, and called for training of teachers to diagnose and address the issue.

Mr Wonu urged the Rivers State Government to invest more in training and retraining teachers through the i-MathElevate programme to improve mathematics performance in the states schools.

(NAN)
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anambra State Command, has vowed to arrest and prosecute any individual or group involved in extorting prospective candidates ahead of the 2026 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) registration.

The State Commandant, Olatunde Maku, gave the warning during a familiarisation visit by the JAMB State Coordinator, Dinah Obiano, to the NSCDC State Command Headquarters in Awka on Friday.

Mr Maku said the command was strengthening its synergy and collaboration with JAMB to ensure a hitch-free registration and examination process.

According to him, the visit is a significant step toward deepening cooperation and fostering a productive working relationship between the NSCDC and the examination body.

Ahead of the commencement of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) registration, the command will deploy personnel massively to various registration centres.

This is not only to secure facilities but also to ensure that prospective candidates are not shortchanged.

I want to assure you that the command will not allow unpatriotic individuals or criminal elements to extort candidates.

Anyone caught violating government-approved procedures will face the full wrath of the law, he said.

The Commandant noted that the existing collaboration between the NSCDC and JAMB had yielded positive results, particularly in the curbing of examination malpractice.

He added that the partnership had also led to the closure of non-accredited registration centres and the arrest of syndicates exploiting candidates during the registration process.

Earlier, the JAMB State Coordinator, Ms Obiano, commended NSCDC for its support toward the successful conduct of UTME in the state.

She described the corps involvement as a call to national duty and urged that the collaboration be sustained.

Ms Obiano assured that necessary arrangements had been made to ensure that the 2026 examination would be conducted in a peaceful and conducive environment across the state.

(NAN)
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu commended Westerfield College for its achievements as the first wholly African-owned school to establish a campus in the United Kingdom.

The schools management shared the statement with PREMIUM TIMES on Friday.

The governor made the remarks during a courtesy visit by the Chief Executive Officer of Westerfield College at Marina House on Thursday, Michael Dosunmu, and his management team.

The visit was part of activities marking the schools one-year anniversary and its participation in the International Education Fair (IEF) and the School Leaders and Teachers Conference (SLTC 2026).

Governor Sanwo-Olu praised the educational accomplishments of Nigerian youths globally and said Westerfield Colleges expansion into the UK opens new avenues to showcase Nigeria and Lagos on the world stage.

He described the schools initiative as a remarkable achievement that enhances the countrys international education profile.

According to the governor, education is a core pillar of the states THEMES+ agenda and remains central to the governments development priorities.

He reiterated the administrations position that no child in Lagos State should be left out of school.

As part of efforts to improve education infrastructure, Governor Sanwo-Olu announced that 36 new schools will be commissioned in Tolu, Ajegunle, in the coming months to expand access to quality classrooms.

He also noted progress in tertiary education, stating that Lagos State has expanded from one state-owned university to three, alongside the creation of a dedicated Ministry of Tertiary Education to strengthen oversight of higher institutions.

While acknowledging that more work remains, he said the government is focused on putting structures in place to support future generations.

Westerfield College, a leading Sixth Form institution with campuses in Nigeria and the UK, also used the visit to spotlight its UK Summer Camp Programme.

The camp, running in three cohorts from 20 July to 1 August, 3 to 15 August, and 17-29 August, in Worcester, offers students exposure to British culture, specialist academic tracks, including STEM, Pre-Medicine, Business and Law, Computing and Coding, and Arts and Humanities, sports, leadership development, cultural exchange, tours, and networking opportunities.

Mr Dosunmu said the programme is designed to build students confidence, global awareness, and leadership skills while introducing families to the British education system.

He emphasised that Westerfield College UK, launched in 2025, combines British academic standards with a student-centered approach, offering Cambridge A Levels, University Foundation Programmes, Pre-Medicine tracks, and enrichment programs that support strong university progression outcomes.

Westerfield College became the first wholly African-owned school to establish a campus in the United Kingdom, offering programmes that blend British standards with a Nigerian perspective.

Its UK Summer Camp Programme provides students with exposure to British culture, academic tracks, sports, leadership development, and networking.

The Lagos State Government has also emphasised education access and global partnerships, underscoring the significance of such international initiatives.
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As Los Angeles continues to make strides improving its complex unhoused crisis, community-based organizations are playing a vital role in advancing housing-led solutions. One such organization is B.A.R.E. (Balance. Ambition. Respect. Encouragement), a Los Angeles nonprofit whose service-driven model helps individuals transition from street homelessness to stability.

B.A.R.E. Impact Dashboard December 2025

Founded by Joseph Bradford III, B.A.R.E. is rooted in the belief that long-term, consistent investment in people restores dignity and leads to sustainable outcomes. What began as small-scale outreach has grown into a comprehensive organization providing transitional housing, case management, mentorship, and wellness services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

Over the past five years, B.A.R.E. has moved more than 200 individuals into transitional housing across Los Angeles, serving as a critical bridge for those exiting shelters or encampments before securing permanent housing. Its housing-first approach pairs safe, furnished accommodations with individualized, wraparound support designed to promote independence.

Services include intensive case management, life skills training, workforce and employment support, educational guidance, post-program housing assistance, transportation support, and family stabilization services. This holistic model reflects best practices shown to reduce returns to homelessness.

In the past year, B.A.R.E. expanded its impact through participation in the City of Los Angeles' Inside Safe initiative, Mayor Karen Bass's housing-led strategy to move individuals from encampments into permanent housing. Through this partnership, B.A.R.E. provides housing placement assistance, 24/7 on-site support, meals, and individualized case management. As the city reported declines in unsheltered homelessness, organizations like B.A.R.E. helped translate policy into measurable, human-centered outcomes.

B.A.R.E. also invests in prevention through youth mentorship. Since 2019, the organization has partnered with middle schools and college-preparatory programs to provide leadership development, character building, and career exploration. As Bradford notes, "Stability is not only about housing, it's about ensuring young people have the support and belief to build purpose-driven lives."

Despite funding instability and rising operational costs affecting nonprofits nationwide, B.A.R.E. continues to focus on responsible growth. Looking ahead, the organization remains committed to expanding housing placements, strengthening partnerships, and mobilizing volunteers weekly to support outreach and community engagement across Los Angeles.

SOURCE B.A.R.E.
Recognition announced at Davos highlights Blend360's leadership in delivering AI at scale through decision automation

NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Blend360, a Global AI Services company, announced today it has been named to Constellation Research's 2026 AI-First Service Firms list, recognizing an elite set of organizations "building at the speed of thought and operating with a massive span of control through decision automation."

The list was announced by Constellation Research during the World Economic Forum annual meetings in Davos.

"AI marks a technology revolution of exponential scale, unlike anything we've seen before," said R 'Ray' Wang, Founder and CEO of Constellation Research. "AI-first consulting firms are proving that small, highly effective teams, augmented by digital labor, can outperform legacy behemoths in speed, efficiency, and revenue productivity."

"Enterprises are done experimenting. They need AI that changes how work gets done, scales decision-making, and delivers measurable outcomes faster and more effectively than legacy models ever could," said Oz Dogan, President and Co-Founder of Blend360. "We're proud to be recognized by Constellation as an AI-first services firm, reflecting our focus on helping enterprises move from AI experimentation to production value, at speed and at scale."

Blend360 works with enterprises across industries to deploy AI-powered solutions that help improve productivity, accelerate decision-making, and strengthen competitive advantage. To learn more, visit Blend360.com.

To view the Constellation Research 2026 AI-First Service Firms list, visit:

https://www.constellationr.com/communities/ai-first-service-firms

About Blend360

Blend is a premier AI services provider, committed to co-creating meaningful impact for its clients through the power of data science, AI, technology, and people. With a mission to fuel bold visions, Blend tackles significant challenges by seamlessly aligning human expertise with artificial intelligence. The company is dedicated to unlocking value and fostering innovation for its clients by harnessing world-class people and data-driven strategy. We believe that the power of people and AI can have a meaningful impact on your world. For more information, visit www.blend360.com

Media Contact

Marketing@blend360.com

SOURCE Blend360
ISTANBUL, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Turkiye's exports to Syria surged 69.6 percent in 2025, reaching a total of 2.6 billion U.S. dollars, the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM) said Friday.

The cereals, pulses, oilseeds, and products sector led the growth, rising 35.4 percent from 2024 to generate 700 million dollars in revenue. Surges were also recorded for chemical substances and products, up 78.6 percent to nearly 300 million dollars, and electrical and electronic products, which rose 61 percent to 224 million dollars.

Geographically, the southeastern province of Gaziantep was the top exporter to Syria with 653 million dollars in sales, up 35.7 percent from 2024. Istanbul followed with 382 million dollars, and Ankara with 282 million dollars.

Celal Kadooglu, head of TIM's Syria Desk, attributed the surge to "a year-long, systematic effort," citing close coordination between exporters and public authorities alongside growing regional investments. He added that a more stable Middle East and Syria's reintegration into regional trade networks would further expand bilateral and broader regional trade links.

The surge reflects Turkiye's expanding economic influence in northern Syria, particularly in areas near Turkish-controlled zones and trade corridors established after the fall of Bashar Al-Assad's government in December 2024.

Turkiye's exports rose 4.5 percent year on year to 273.4 billion dollars in 2025, marking the highest export figure in the country's history. 
PG&E's Employee Resource/Engineering Groups Also Offer College Scholarships for Total of About $650,000 This Year

OAKLAND, Calif., Jan. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The PG&E Corporation Foundation (PG&E Foundation) is inviting students to apply for its annual Better Together STEM Scholarship Program. The scholarships are for students who are passionate about shaping the future through Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) disciplines.

The PG&E Foundation will award $350,000 in scholarships to up to 60 students. Eligible students can receive awards of $10,000, $5,000 or $2,500. Funding for these charitable contributions comes from PG&E shareholders, not PG&E customers.

Better Together STEM Scholarships champion future California leaders, empowering them to excel and achieve their higher education goals.

Samiksha Lingan of Hayward is a 2025 scholarship recipient.

"The PG&E Better Together STEM Scholarship represents a dedication to uplifting young people. It helps ensure we can realize our dreams and give back to those around us without being deterred by financial obstacles," said Lingan, who is a data science major at University of California, Berkeley.

"We are thrilled to assist another group of amazing students this year. For more than a decade, we've helped support our next generation of leaders. We look forward to these new scientists, engineers and innovators powering California's clean energy future. It's an exciting time. We're privileged to be able to help students pursue their academic dreams," said Carla Peterman, President, PG&E Corporation, and Executive Vice President, Customer & Corporate Affairs.

The Better Together STEM Scholarship Program has grown over the years to assist more students and families.

In 2023, the PG&E Foundation added a new $5,000 scholarship that expanded the program to include additional recipients. In 2022, students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) throughout the United States became eligible in response to more students applying who planned to attend HBCUs.

Since 2012, the Better Together STEM Scholarship Program has awarded $7.8 million to accomplished students. See videos of prior STEM Scholarship recipients.

Deadline and criteria

Interested applicants can learn more and apply here. The deadline to apply is March 12, 2026. Scholarships will be awarded by August.

Scholarships are based on academic achievement as well as demonstrated participation and leadership in school and community activities. They are also based on personal triumph and financial need. Students must pursue qualifying degrees in STEM disciplines. These disciplines include engineering, computer science/information systems, cybersecurity, environmental sciences, math and physics.

Applications are open to:

High school seniors or graduates

Students who have received a GED certification

Current undergraduate students

Non-traditional students or military veterans returning to school or pursuing their first undergraduate degree

Those who reside in PG&E's Northern or Central California service area or a dependent of a resident in the service area

Students planning full-time undergraduate enrollment for 2026-2027

Those seeking their first undergraduate degree at an accredited four-year California institution or HBCU

PG&E Employee Resource Group scholarships

In addition to the Better Together STEM Scholarship Program, PG&E's 11 employee resource groups (ERGs) and two engineering networking groups (ENGs) are awarding more than $300,000 in scholarships to help offset the cost of higher education. The funds are raised through coworker donations, coworker fundraising events and the company's coworker giving program. Since 1989, more than $6 million in ERG/ENG scholarships have been awarded to thousands of students. Apply here.

About The PG&E Corporation Foundation

The PG&E Corporation Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, separate from PG&E and sponsored by PG&E Corporation.

SOURCE PG&E Corporation
To Establish World's First Global Mid-TRL Innovation Acceleration and Skilling Institute for Aerospace, Space, Energy and Deep Technology

DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- CANEUS International, in partnership with the Government of Maharashtra (India), today announced plans to establish the world's first dedicated Mid-TRL (Technology Readiness Level 46) Institute in Mumbai, Metropolitan Region (MMR) aligning with the World Economic Forum's 2026 theme of deploying innovation at scale, responsibly.

From left to right: Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra; Dr. Milind Pimprikar, Chairman, CANEUS International and Shri Binoay B, Chief Strategist, CANEUS International.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri Devendra Fadnavis and Dr. Milind Pimprikar of CANEUS at WEF-Davos. The proposed institute will focus on Mid-TRL Innovation, Acceleration and Skilling in frontier technologies-Aerospace, Space, Energy and Deeptech. Canada-based CANEUS International, is a first-of-its-kind global organisation accelerating next-generation systems since 2000.

Hon'ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis, on this occasion reaffirmed the State's strong commitment to the global investor community. He emphasized, "Maharashtra is well equipped and proud to partner with CANEUS to pioneer the creation of innovation centres across dynamic sectors, frontier technologies. The State takes pride in partnering with this prestigious institute near Mumbaithe commercial capital of India, the world's fourth-largest economyperfectly aligning with Maharashtra's aspirations to scale its innovation ecosystem globally."

According to Dr. Milind Pimprikar, Chairman of CANEUS International, "This Institute will bridge the 'valley of death' by advancing Mid-TRL innovations through rapid prototyping, systems integration, validation, and flight/field trials, taking breakthroughs from lab to qualification and early production for real-world deployment and global competitiveness".

The Institute, spread over a sprawling 10 million square feet, will be developed in collaboration with OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, regulators, research institutions and centres of excellence. This would be a true game changer, serving as a powerful magnet to attract global conglomerates to India.

Dr. Pimprikar expressed appreciation for Government of Maharashtra's dynamic team for their exceptional support and commitment. Maharashtra already stands as a leading investment destination, with one of the highest 'Ease of Doing Business' rankings in India for FDI inflows.

The institute is envisioned as a key catalyst for the Viksit Maharashtra 2047 vision and its ambition to become a trillion-dollar economy, in alignment with the forward-looking objectives of MIISP 2025 (Maharashtra Industries, Investment & Services Policy).

The partnership strongly aligns with the Government of Maharashtra's increasing emphasis on industry-aligned skilling through PPP, building demand-driven training programs, strengthening institutional capacity and creating workforce pathways that directly support emerging and strategic sectors.

www.caneus.org

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2868018/Caneus_International_Partnership.jpg

SOURCE CANEUS International
RUTHERFORDTON, N.C., Jan. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Christian Lingua has been awarded recognition as one of America's Top 30 Innovative Linguistic Companies by The Silicon Review. The award highlights the company's leadership, innovation, and specialized expertise in faith-based translation and localization services.

Christian Lingua

Founded in 2006, Christian Lingua partners with authors, publishers, ministries, and faith-driven organizations to translate books, training materials, and digital resources into more than 220 languages, enabling Christian content to reach readers and listeners across cultures worldwide.

Over the past year, Christian Lingua completed one of its most significant projects to date: the translation of The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren into more than 200 languages, along with the production of corresponding audiobook editions. This initiative significantly expands access to one of the most influential Christian books in history, particularly in regions where audio formats play a critical role in accessibility and engagement.

Unlike conventional language service providers, Christian Lingua operates exclusively within the faith-based sector. Its translation methodology emphasizes doctrinal accuracy, theological integrity, and cultural sensitivity, ensuring that spiritual meaning and intent are preserved across languages and cultural contexts.

"Being awarded this recognition reflects the responsibility we carry when translating Christian content," said Michael Yurchuk. "Projects like The Purpose Driven Life require more than linguistic skill. They demand theological understanding, cultural awareness, and deep respect for the message itself. Our mission is to make these messages accessible globally without compromising their meaning."

In addition to translation, Christian Lingua provides professional typesetting, formatting, localization, and audiobook production, offering an end-to-end solution from manuscript to publication. This integrated approach has positioned the company as a trusted long-term partner for organizations seeking to expand their global outreach with clarity and integrity.

The recognition from The Silicon Review underscores Christian Lingua's role in advancing innovation within a highly specialized linguistic sector, one that requires both technical excellence and deep subject-matter expertise. As global demand for Christian content continues to grow beyond English-speaking markets, the company remains focused on expanding access while maintaining the highest standards of quality and faithfulness.

About Christian Lingua

Founded in 2006, Christian Lingua is a faith-based translation and localization agency serving Christian authors, publishers, ministries, and organizations worldwide. The company provides professional translation, audiobook production, typesetting, and localization services in more than 220 languages, with a focus on accuracy, cultural relevance, and theological integrity. Contact Christian Lingua today and get your free quote https://www.christianlingua.com/.

Media Contact:

Michael Yurchuk

+1-828-351-9559

[email protected]

SOURCE Christian Lingua
SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP's Seoul office was named "Best Foreign Law Firm" by Asia Business Law Journal's Korea Law Firm Awards for the fourth consecutive year.

According to the publication, Greenberg Traurig was recognized among all law firms based on thorough research and collective opinions of experts best placed to evaluate them.

Greenberg Traurig's Korea Practice is a leader among international law firms, comprising over 30 Korean-speaking attorneys located in the firm's Seoul, Singapore, London, and U.S. offices. The practice is led by Richard A. Edlin, vice chair of the firm, and Chang Joo Kim, managing shareholder of the Seoul office, who combine for decades of experience advising Korean and international clients on both inbound and outbound matters. Greenberg Traurig's Korea Practice attorneys are fluent in both the Korean language and business culture, working on a range of cross-border matters including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, capital markets, private equity, venture capital, investment funds, project financing, energy and infrastructure, real estate, intellectual property, litigation, arbitration, regulatory, and immigration.

"This is unprecedented recognition based on truly independent research by the publication," Edlin said. "We have worked closely with clients in Korea for more than 20 years and have maintained our Seoul office for more than a dozen, and we truly appreciate earning this tremendous honor once again. We remain on a growth trajectory in the Asia-Pacific region, so it is gratifying to see our efforts recognized by Asia Business Law Journal."

"We are proud to have earned the trust and support of clients across the region, helping them achieve their crucial business goals," Kim added. "We feel truly gratified to receive this award for the fourth consecutive year, demonstrating that our clients continue to place their trust and support in us."

About Greenberg Traurig's Asia Practice: Greenberg Traurig provides legal services to companies across the Asia region, including North Asia (South Korea, Japan, Greater China, and Taiwan), Southeast Asia (Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam), and South Asia (India and Bangladesh), bridging diverse legal systems and cultures. We also advise U.S. and European companies engaging in transactions throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Our attorneys provide strategic advice and legal services in connection with mergers and acquisitions, financings and securitization activities, intellectual property, trade and governmental strategies, international dispute resolution, infrastructure and project development, and finance, export controls, and business immigration issues. The practice brings together attorneys from our Shanghai, Seoul, Singapore, and Tokyo offices along with numerous multilingual attorneys from across GT's global organization with experience handling client matters in Asia.

About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP has approximately 3,000 attorneys across 51 locations in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia. The firm's broad geographic and practice range enables the delivery of innovative and strategic legal services across borders and industries. Recognized as a 2025 BTI "Best of the Best Recommended Law Firm" by general counsel for trust and relationship management, Greenberg Traurig is consistently ranked among the top firms on the Am Law Global 100, NLJ 500, and Law360 400. Greenberg Traurig is also known for its philanthropic giving, culture, innovation, and pro bono work. Web: www.gtlaw.com.

SOURCE Greenberg Traurig, LLP
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As one of the largest shooting and hunting shows in North Americaand worldwidethis year's SHOT Show attracted hunters, shooters, and industry professionals from the United States, Canada, and Europe, many traveling overseas for sourcing and procurement. Once again, the Guide outdoor booth stood out, drawing strong attention with its thermal device lineup and ultra-clear ApexVision imaging performance.

Gun shops and distributors gathered to experience Guide outdoor's 2026 new releases. From 1280 mega-pixel thermal optics TU1260MS to precision riflescopes TU650LS with in-lens LRF; from lightweight thermal & night-vision binoculars TN650MS to compact monoculars for one-handed operation; and versatile infrared devices adaptable for helmets, vehicles, and multiple scenariosGuide outdoor presented a comprehensive portfolio for diverse real-world needs.

One visitor highlighted the TU1260MS's ready-for-use: "Each time we hunt, we usually carry multiple devices. Having the laser rangefinder and app connectivity all built into one scope makes a huge difference. The automatic video recording is especially usefulyou can record and share shot moments immediately."

"The touchscreen-operated scope really impressed me," said another hunter after trying the TU 3.0 model. "It's a completely new experience, compared to eyepiece designs. It's easy to use, surprisingly simple, and the display is really clear, I can't wait for a field test."

Beyond individual features, visitors were amazed by ApexVision, which elevates image quality, improves decision-making efficiency, and enhances situational awareness in demanding environmentsdelivering practical advantages for hunters and outdoor professionals alike.

"I come to Las Vegas every year for this show," said a Swiss distributor. "You really get a clear sense where the market is going and what customers actually care about. I'd heard about Guide's new tech before coming, and seeing the level of detail in person was genuinely impressive. This could be a very solid investment."

Guide Outdoor's upcoming Orion C thermal clip-on, developed from the hunter's basic needs and a completely new design philosophy, differs significantly from clip-ons on the market and will become a game-changer in the industry.

Guide Outdoor will be exhibiting at IWA OutdoorClassics in Germany from 26 February to 1 March, we look forward to meeting you at Hall 4A-511.

Know more: www.guideoutdoor.com

SOURCE Guide outdoor
BOYNTON BEACH, Fla., Jan. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As American consumers continue to face historically high levels of personal debt, the need for qualified and properly trained debt settlement professionals has never been greater. With the average American carrying more than $90,000 in total debt, including credit cards, auto loans, student loans, and other obligations, millions of consumers turn to debt settlement companies in search of a path back to financial stability.

Industry leaders emphasize that the effectiveness and integrity of debt settlement programs depend largely on the individuals working directly with consumers. For that reason, IAPDA certification has emerged as a critical benchmark for professionalism, compliance, and consumer protection within the debt settlement industry.

"Debt settlement agents often work with consumers during one of the most stressful periods of their lives," said Renauld Smith, Owner and Executive Director of IAPDA. "Certification ensures agents are properly trained to provide accurate information, follow regulatory requirements, and guide consumers responsibly through the process."

IAPDA-certified agents receive training in federal and state regulations, ethical standards, documented consumer authorization, and clear, consistent communication. For consumers, this training translates into transparency, realistic expectations, and fewer misunderstandings. Properly trained agents help consumers understand how debt settlement works, what outcomes are realistic, and how to avoid future financial hardshipkey factors in reducing complaints and improving long-term financial outcomes.

Certification also benefits debt settlement companies by creating consistency across their organizations. Companies that require IAPDA certification experience improved credibility with creditors and collection agencies, reduced compliance risk, and more efficient resolution of accounts. In an environment of increasing regulatory scrutiny, certification demonstrates a clear commitment to accountability and consumer-first practices.

"The industry is evolving, and regulators are paying closer attention," Smith added. "Certification is no longer optional. It is becoming a baseline expectation."

That expectation is already reflected in state-level enforcement. Attorneys general in Delaware, Kentucky, Minnesota, Nevada, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia now require debt settlement agents to be certified in order to operate legally. These mandates reinforce that agent certification is not merely a best practice, but an emerging legal standard designed to protect consumers. If certification is not currently required in a consumer's state, awareness is critical. IAPDA encourages consumers, companies, and stakeholders to help share this information with their state attorneys general so they can better protect their constituents.

As debt challenges continue nationwide, IAPDA certification plays a vital role in strengthening trust between consumers, debt settlement companies, creditors, and regulators. By ensuring agents meet consistent, recognized standards, the industry can deliver better outcomes, reduce unnecessary disputes and litigation, and help consumers move through debt resolution with clarity, dignity, and confidence.

About IAPDA

The International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators (IAPDA) is a nonprofit trade association dedicated to promoting ethical standards, education, and professionalism within the debt settlement industry. IAPDA provides agent certification, consumer education frameworks, and industry standards designed to protect consumers and support responsible debt relief practices.

Contact Information

International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators (IAPDA)

Website: https://www.iapda.org

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE IAPDA
Momentum from 60 new center openings across North America in 2025 secured Kumon the No. 5 spot on Entrepreneur's 47th annual Franchise 500 ranking

RUTHERFORD, N.J., Jan. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Kumon North America, the leading academic enrichment franchise focused on math and reading, closed out a milestone year with significant recognition and growth across the U.S. and Canada. Entrepreneur magazine recently ranked Kumon as the No. 5 Top Franchise Brand in its annual Franchise 500 list. Kumon's franchise model was celebrated for its strength, consistency and scalability as the brand debuted 60 new learning centers in 2025.

Kumon ranked No. 5 on Entrepreneur's annual Franchise 500 list. The academic enrichment brand also ranked No. 1 in the Children's Business category.

With its ever-expanding global footprint, Kumon's growth in North America brought the renowned Kumon Method to communities in markets throughout Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York and Toronto, among others. Developed by a parent, Toru Kumon, the Kumon Method is unrivaled in helping students build a strong academic foundation that enables them to achieve success in the classroomand beyond. This proven methodology, along with Kumon's comprehensive Instructor training and focus on individualized student learning outcomes, continues to drive demand for the brand worldwide. Kumon franchisees, known as Instructors, frequently cite the brand's emphasis on long-term stability, rich development resources and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in their communities as key reasons for choosing Kumon as their business venture.

"One of the ways Kumon continues to lead the market is in our intentionality as a brand," said Angelo Chavez, assistant vice president for franchise development for Kumon North America. "Take our investments in technology, as one example. Digital tools like Kumon Connect are designed to make it easier for our Instructors to do what they do best. We're able to meet students where they are, providing access to complete their instructional materials online, while maintaining our commitment to student success, individualized experience and in-person relationships that are the core tenets of the Kumon Method."

Chavez added, "This approach benefits both our Instructors and customers alike. It's how we've remained competitive and relevant for so many years, assuring our Instructors that their work with Kumon is both successful and sustainable over the long term."

Looking ahead, Kumon remains focused on disciplined expansion, Instructor support and digital innovation. In balancing modern tools with hands-on learning and community-based centers, the brand is strongly positioned to continue to meet the evolving needs of families and franchise owners while building on more than seven decades of educational leadership.

To learn more about owning a Kumon franchise in the U.S. or Canada, please visit https://www.kumonfranchise.com/.

ABOUT KUMON NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Kumon is a supplemental math and reading enrichment program that unlocks the potential of children, so they can achieve more on their own. As a comprehensive program, Kumon serves children in preschool through high school. Founded in Japan in 1958, the learning method uses an individualized approach to help children develop a solid command of math and reading skills. Through daily practice and mastery of materials, students increase confidence, improve concentration, and develop better study skills. Kumon has over 23,500 centers in 62 countries and regions and more than 3.5 million students studying worldwide.

Media Contact:

Dani Crosby

Curious Jane

863-646-2488

[email protected]

SOURCE Kumon North America
Legacy Pointe at Looking Glass showcases brand-new homes with innovative features

PARKER, Colo., Jan. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Richmond American Homes of Colorado, Inc., is pleased to announce the Grand Opening of Legacy Pointe at Looking Glass (RichmondAmerican.com/LegacyPointe) in Parker. Designed for today and tomorrow, the highly anticipated community offers thoughtfully crafted ranch and two-story homes with flexible layouts and cutting-edge construction features that elevate everyday living at every stage.

The Darius is one of six inviting Richmond American floor plans available at Legacy Pointe at Looking Glass in Parker, Colorado.

From upgraded lumber and premium concrete to blown-in blanket insulation and up to 19.0 SEER2 high efficiency, variable speed HVAC systems, each home at Legacy Pointe at Looking Glass reflects a strong commitment to quality, performance, and long-term durability. These carefully selected elements deliver enhanced comfort, smarter efficiency, and lasting value supporting the evolving needs of today's homeowners.

The floor plans are thoughtfully designed with lifestyle features that enhance everyday convenience and comfort. Thoughtful storage solutions, welcoming gathering spaces, and private areas for rest and relaxation are carefully woven into every home.

In addition to designer-curated quick move-in homes, Legacy Pointe at Looking Glass offers to-be-built homes that put creativity and choice in buyers' hands. Through a complimentary design consultation, they can select colors, textures, finishes, and fixtures for their new living spaces, shaping a home that is not only beautifully tailored but designed to adapt and grow with their lifestyle (RichmondAmerican.com/Personalization).

Grand Opening Brunch (RichmondAmerican.com/LegacyPointeatLookingGlassGO)

Every aspect of this community has been reimaginedfrom construction and architecture to the sales center itselfcreating a welcoming space where visitors can envision a new life in a new home. Enthusiasm for the community and its elevated experience is steadily building among local agents and prospective homebuyers.

Anyone curious and eagerly awaiting the opening of this location is encouraged to visit Legacy Pointe at Looking Glass on Saturday, January 24, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for complimentary brunch and model home tours. Sales associates will be available to highlight the community's unique, innovative features, and attendees will have the opportunity to enter a prize drawing.

Community highlights:

Six ranch & two-story floor plans

Up to 5 bedrooms & approx. 3,680 sq. ft.

Generous homesites backing to open space

Innovative construction techniques & smart storage

On-site parks, playgrounds, & trails

Close proximity to Douglas County schools, Park Meadows mall, & popular restaurants

Easy access to downtown Parker & Denver, Castle Rock, Denver Tech Center, & Denver International Airport

Model home open for tours

Construction features:

Blown-in blanket insulation: designed for superior energy efficiency, a snug fit, and reduced sound transfer

designed for superior energy efficiency, a snug fit, and reduced sound transfer Enhanced floor sheathing: engineered for durability, reliability, and overall performance

engineered for durability, reliability, and overall performance Panelized framing: factory-built for greater accuracy, quality control, and minimal waste

factory-built for greater accuracy, quality control, and minimal waste Premium concrete: engineered for greater strength, durability, and environmental resilience

engineered for greater strength, durability, and environmental resilience Upgraded lumber: Douglas Fir selected for strength and density, and kiln dried for stability

Douglas Fir selected for strength and density, and kiln dried for stability Up to 19.0 SEER2 high efficiency, variable speed HVAC: uses inverter technology designed to automatically adjust for improved comfort and energy savings

Legacy Pointe at Looking Glass is located at 13803 Daffodil Court in Parker. Call 720.677.8543 or visit RichmondAmerican.com for more information.

About Sekisui House U.S., Inc.

Sekisui House U.S., Inc. continues a legacy that began in 1972 under its former name, M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. Among the largest homebuilders in the nation, Sekisui House U.S., Inc.'s homebuilding subsidiaries, which operate under the name Richmond American Homes, have helped more than 250,000 homebuyers achieve the American Dream. The companies' commitment to quality construction, customer satisfaction and value is reflected in every home they build. The Richmond American Homes companies have operations in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Washington. Mortgage lending, insurance and title services are offered by the following Sekisui House U.S., Inc. subsidiaries, respectively: HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation, American Home Insurance Agency, Inc. and American Home Title and Escrow Company.

SOURCE Sekisui House U.S., Inc.
NEW YORK, Jan. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces an investigation of potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of Phoenix Education Partners, Inc. (NYSE: PXED) resulting from allegations that Phoenix Education may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Phoenix Education securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=50770 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

WHAT IS THIS ABOUT: On January 3, 2026, Fox News published an article entitled "University of Phoenix data breach hits 3.5M people." The story stated that the "University of Phoenix has confirmed a major data breach affecting nearly 3.5 million people. The incident traces back to August when attackers accessed the university's network and quietly stole sensitive information."

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved, at that time, the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

[email protected]

www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A.
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jan. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Solos Technology Limited ("Solos"), a leading innovator in the world of smart glasses and wearable AI, today announced that it filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Meta Platforms, Inc. and Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC (collectively, "Meta"), Oakley, Inc. ("Oakley"), and Luxottica of America, Inc. and EssilorLuxottica USA, Inc. (collectively, "EssilorLuxottica" and together with Meta and Oakley, the "Defendants"), to enforce its patents and obtain monetary and injunctive relief.

Solos is seeking damages in the multiple billions of dollars arising from Defendants' infringement of Solos' smart-glasses technologies as well as an injunction enjoining the Defendants from further acts of infringement of Solos' patents. The complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts (Case# 1:26-cv-10304).

The complaint accuses the defendants of infringing on Solos' patents for core technologies in the field of smart eyewear, including multimodal sensing, beamforming and audio processing, sensor fusion, contextual and activity determination, intelligent assistance, and integrated system architectures that support real-time user interaction. Solos secured patent protection for these innovations years before Defendants began developing their smart-glasses programs.

The Defendants' infringement also includes platform-level architecture designed to enable third parties, including application developers, content providers, and commercial partners, to build, deploy, and commercialize products and services that rely on the same infringing audio, sensing, processing, and contextual-assistance capabilities, according to the Solos complaint: "Meta has architected, exposed, and promoted these capabilities as core platform features, making downstream infringing use by participants a foreseeable and intended consequence of Defendants' design and commercialization choices."

According to the complaint, Meta personnel gained an understanding of Solos' technology through a review of Solos' technical materials and by employing individuals familiar with Solos' technology. This exposure was documented in an internal technical study that expressly cited Solos' patents, noting that Solos' technology was "protected by over 30 patents." The study identified as a key strength that Solos' "[p]atented tech can be applied to various form factors to suit use" and described its innovations as "[t]echnically superior."

The complaint further alleges that Meta personnel analyzed Solos' smart-eyewear architecture and that "Meta personnel had studied Solos' products, cited Solos' patents, interacted with inventors, and gained insight into Solos' engineering work, while senior personnel affiliated with EssilorLuxottica had personally tested Solos' technologies across multiple years and industry events."

John C. C. Fan, Solos co-founder and Executive Chairman, said: "We firmly believe the legal system will function as intended by holding all companies, regardless of size, accountable. Innovators must be able to rely on the enforceability of their patent rights. We intend to vigorously enforce those rights to ensure that innovation is protected and appropriately recognized."

The complaint was filed on behalf of Solos by Caldwell attorneys Keegan M. Caldwell, Jameson Pasek and Steve Wang.

About Solos Technology

Solos is developing the world's most advanced smart glasses technology with a human-first approach. Born out of Kopin Corporation with MIT engineers, Solos combines industry-leading wearable electronics with the comfort and style of traditional eyewear. With an IP portfolio of over 100 patents and patent applications, the 4x CES Innovation award-winning AirGo technology is changing how we interact with the world. For more information, visit www.solosglasses.com.

SOURCE Solos Technology
BEIJING, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- A total of 70,392 new foreign-invested firms were established across China last year, marking an increase of 19.1 percent year on year, the Ministry of Commerce said Friday.

In 2025, actual use of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Chinese mainland totaled 747.69 billion yuan (106.92 billion U.S. dollars), down 9.5 percent year on year.

In terms of sectors, FDI inflows hit 185.51 billion yuan in the manufacturing sector and 545.12 billion yuan in the service sector.

The hi-tech sector attracted 241.77 billion yuan. FDI inflows soared 75 percent year on year in the e-commerce service sector, 42.1 percent in the medical device and equipment manufacturing sector and 22.9 percent in the aerospace vehicles and equipment manufacturing sector.

In terms of source countries, FDI from Switzerland shot up 66.8 percent year on year, FDI from the United Arab Emirates rose 27.3 percent and that from the United Kingdom expanded 15.9 percent. 
INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The attacks, harassment, and threats being leveled at law enforcement officers have become more brazen and ruthless. The Department of Homeland Security recently received intelligence that criminal cartels, in association with domestic extremist groups, are offering targeted bounties to assassinate officers and agents. In a nation based on laws and in which police officers are stewards of the Constitution, this behavior should never be tolerated. Thankfully, federal lawmakers have introduced the No Bounties on Badges Act (S. 3453 / H.R. 7114) to combat these heinous acts. This bill authorizes the U.S. Attorney General to establish rewards for information leading to the arrest or conviction of anyone who offers a bounty to kill, harm, or intimidate a police officer.

Alamy Stock Image

The No Bounties on Badges Act, endorsed by the National Police Association (NPA), was introduced by Sen. Rick Scott (FL) in the U.S. Senate and Rep. Tim Moore (NC-14) in the House. It has been referred to the Senate and House Judiciary Committees. The text for the Senate bill is here; the text for the House bill, once available, will be here.

Under current federal law, the government may offer financial rewards for information leading to the arrest or conviction of suspected criminal offenders. The No Bounties on Badges Act amends the U.S. Code to allow the Attorney General to offer specific rewards in cases where a bounty has been placed on an officer of the law.

"That bounties are being placed on the lives of police officers demonstrates that yet another perverse line has been crossed. The government should be provided with every possible tool to protect these men and women from becoming targets," said Paula Fitzsimmons, Legislative Director, National Police Association. "The No Bounties on Badges Act will go a long way in saving officers' lives and bringing would-be assassins to full justice. It will also send a resounding message that violence perpetrated on police officers will not be tolerated," Fitzsimmons added.

The NPA is grateful to Sen. Scott and Rep. Moore for introducing the No Bounties on Badges Act. We ask members of Congress to protect our nation's officers by supporting this bill.

To support anti-crime, pro-police legislation, join the NPA's Call to Action team. Receive email alerts on bills, including which lawmakers to contact.

About: The National Police Association (NPA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting law enforcement through advocacy, education, and the courts. For more information, visit NationalPolice.org.

Media Contact:

Paula Fitzsimmons

302-469-1765

[email protected]

SOURCE The National Police Association
HYOGO, Japan, Jan. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Located in the central-western part of Hyogo Prefecture and approximately 90 minutes by car from Kyoto and Osaka, Shiso City (Hyogo Prefecture, Japan) is gaining attention as a new destination for nature-based tourism. Built around its extensive forests, deep-rooted fermentation culture, and a heritage forest railway revived by local residents, the city is emerging as a compelling place for sustainable travel. Tourism Media Service spoke with Shiso City Tourism Association about the new tourism resources originating from Shiso City.

Due in part to the difficulty of reading its name, Shiso City remains relatively little known even within Japan. However, this very sense of being "undiscovered" is increasingly attractive to domestic and international travelers seeking meaningful and sustainable tourism experiences. This release introduces the new tourism resources originating from Shiso City.

A "Forest Kingdom" Where Forests Cover 90% of the Town

Approximately 90 percent of Shiso City's total land area is covered by forests. For generations, forestry has supported the local economy and daily life. From the Taisho era through the late Showa period (up to the 1960s), forest railways once ran through mountain valleys, playing a vital role in transporting timber.

Today, these forest resources are no longer viewed merely as scenic landscapes but have been reimagined as experiential tourism assets.

A Forest Railway Experience Revived by the Community

In the summer of 2023, a community-based organization restored a tourist forest railway at Forest Station Haga, using a diesel locomotive that had previously been employed in erosion control and forestry-related projects. The railway features approximately 678 meters of track and a station building, and it operates regularly on weekends.

This experience allows visitors to physically engage with the history of Shiso City's forestry industryto truly "ride through" the city's past. The facility also includes hot spring baths and accommodation, while a nearby roadside station offers opportunities to purchase local specialty products.

Forest Therapy in the "Western Oirase Gorge"

Shiso City is also one of the first areas in Hyogo Prefecture to be certified as a Forest Therapy Base. Among its highlights is Akasai Gorge, which is often referred to as the "Western Oirase Gorge" due to its resemblance to the famous Oirase Stream in Aomori Prefecture.

Paths that once served as forest railway routes along the gorge have now been developed into therapy trails. Surrounded by waterfalls, clear streams, and towering trees, the area offers a tranquil and restorative environment. Visitors can also enjoy seasonal scenery throughout the city, including Fukuchi Gorge, praised by renowned Japanese author Seiko Tanabe, and the Onzui area, where remnants of former forest railways remain.

Fermentation Culture as the Birthplace of Japanese Sake

Shiso City also positions itself as a birthplace of Japanese sake. The Harima Fudoki, the oldest surviving regional chronicle in Japan, records that sake was brewed at Niwata Shrine, indicating that fermentation culture has been rooted in the area since ancient times.

In the Yamazaki district, a historic sake brewery street remains active today, with two breweries continuing production. Visitors can experience Japanese sake culture through brewery tours and tastings. One long-established brewery, founded in 1768, also operates a dining venue focused on fermented foods, presenting local cuisine and culture as an integrated experience.

A New Regional Tourism Model Created Through Forests, Fermentation, and Experience

Shiso City has developed model itineraries that combine forest therapy, gorge walks, heritage forest railway rides, and Japanese sake and fermentation-based cuisine. These itineraries offer flexible options ranging from day trips to overnight stays.

In 2025, Shiso City marks the 20th anniversary of its municipal establishment. As it does so, the city is strengthening its outreach to domestic and international travelers as a sustainable tourism destination centered on nature and culture.

Rather than mass tourism, Shiso City offers travel focused on meaning and experience. Quietly yet convincingly, it presents the essential appeal of Japan's regional landscapes and traditions.

About Shiso City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan

Shiso City is located in the central-western part of Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. Approximately 90 percent of its land area is covered by forests. Historically, the city has developed in close connection with forestry and fermentation culture, and today it promotes sustainable tourism centered on forest therapy, heritage forest railway experiences, and local food culture.

Message from the Mayor

Shozo Fukumoto, Mayor of Shiso City, Hyogo Prefecture

"Shiso City is a 'Forest Kingdom,' with forests covering nearly 90 percent of our land area.

We are sharing a form of tourism that connects this rich natural environment with the history of daily life shaped by forestry and fermentation culture, passing these values on to future generations.

Forest therapy, our heritage forest railway, and Japanese sake and fermented cuisine all originate from the unique climate and traditions of Shiso City."

Model Itineraries

 2-Day / 1-Night Model Course

An Immersive Journey Through Forests, Fermentation, and Railway Heritage

Day 1

Departure from various locations  Yamazaki Interchange

Walk through Yamazaki Sake Brewery Street

Brewery tours and tastings

Lunch featuring fermented cuisine at a long-established sake brewery

Visit Niwata Shrine, associated with the origins of Japanese sake

Nature walk to Harafudo Waterfall and Harakanko Apple Orchard

Transfer to Forest Station Haga

Hot spring bathing



Overnight stay

Day 2

Ride the heritage forest railway at Forest Station Haga

Forest therapy experience in Akasai Gorge

Lunch and shopping at Minami-Haga Roadside Station

Return via Yamazaki Interchange

 Day Trip Model Course

Arrival  Yamazaki Interchange

Walk through the sake brewery street and fermented cuisine lunch

Forest Station Haga

Heritage forest railway experience

Shopping at Minami-Haga Roadside Station

Return via Yamazaki Interchange

 Contact

Shiso City Tourism Association

(Shiso Forest Kingdom Tourism Association)

Address: 374 Kamihiji, Yamasaki-cho, Shiso City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan

TEL: +81-790-64-0923

FAX: +81-790-64-5011

Website: https://shiso.or.jp

SOURCE Tourism Media Service
New resource brings together healthcare program details, alumni stories and cost-saving opportunities into one easy-to-navigate source

PHOENIX, Jan. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- University of Phoenix has released its new Healthcare Programs Guide, a digital resource to help prospective students learn about healthcare degree and certificate options along with related pathways, learning formats and student supports. The guide brings these details together in a clear, easy-to-navigate format so prospective students can review curriculum highlights, accreditation information, alumni stories and options that may help reduce the time and cost of earning a degree.

"Prospective students want clear, reliable information when exploring healthcare education, and we want to make that easier for them," said Mark Johannsson, DHSc, MPH, dean of the College of Health Professions at University of Phoenix. "This guide brings essential details together in one place so learners can review our programs, see the skills they may build, and understand the flexible options that may support their goals in a way that fits their lives."

The Healthcare Programs Guide includes an overview of degree pathways at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels, as well as certificate opportunities. Programs featured in the guide include:

Bachelor of Science in Health Administration (BSHA)

Bachelor of Science in Health Management (BSHM)

Master of Health Administration (MHA)

Master of Health Administration (Competency-Based)

Master of Health Administration and Health Care Compliance and Privacy (MHA/HCP)

Master of Health Administration and Master of Business Administration (MHA/MBA)

Master of Public Health with a concentration in Community Health Leadership (MPH/CHL)

In addition to academic program information, the guide also outlines opportunities to explore potential time and cost savings through transfer credits, credit for prior learning, scholarships and employer tuition benefits. It provides an overview of alternative credit options through approved low cost general education and elective providers, as well as community college transfer pathways such as the University's 3+1 Transfer Pathway for eligible associate degree holders.

University of Phoenix students and alumni have access to the Career Services for Life commitment, helping to ensure the tools, resources, and support needed to thrive in their career of choice.

Learn more about online healthcare programs at University of Phoenix and download the guide here.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelor's and master's degree programs and a Career Services for Life commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu/blog.html.

SOURCE University of Phoenix
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- ZERO Prostate Cancer (ZERO ), announces the 2026 Veterans' Action Convening, a national gathering committed to strengthening prostate cancer care, support, and outcomes for veterans. Taking place January 27-28 2026 in Arlington, VA, the convening unites veteran survivors, patient advocates, Veterans Affairs (VA) clinicians, veteran service organizations, and community leaders to drive meaningful, measurable progress for those who have served our country.

Veterans face a higher risk of prostate cancer, yet too many encounter barriers to early detection, timely treatment, and long-term support. The Veterans' Action Convening is designed to confront these challenges head-on through collaboration, shared learning, and coordinated, cross-sector action.

"Veterans have earned access to the highest standard of cancer care, yet too many face delays, gaps, or confusion when navigating prostate cancer screening and treatment," said Paul Caseley, Veterans Program Manager at ZERO Prostate Cancer. "The Veterans' Action Convening is about listening to veterans, aligning leaders across systems, and turning shared knowledge into concrete action that improves outcomes and quality of life."

Over two days, attendees will review findings from a new national survey on veterans' experiences with prostate cancer screening, treatment, and survivorship and help shape a coalition focused on advancing solutions. This coalition will play a central role in guiding ZERO's veteran-focused programming throughout 2026 and beyond.

The 2026 Convening represents a critical step toward improving outcomes and quality of life for veterans and families affected by prostate cancer. Veterans, advocates, clinicians, and partner organizations are encouraged to engage in this collaborative effort to help build a stronger, more coordinated national response to the unique challenges veterans face.

About ZERO Prostate Cancer

ZERO Prostate Cancer (ZERO) is on a mission to improve and save lives from prostate cancer through advocacy, awareness, education, and support. Formerly known as the National Prostate Cancer Coalition, ZERO was founded in 1996 to stand up for people impacted by prostate cancer. Today, ZERO serves as the nation's leading prostate cancer organization, advancing a future where prostate cancer detection is early, support is unwavering, and care is accessible to all. For nearly 30 years, ZERO has led the way in prostate cancer advocacy, screenings, and partnerships, successfully unlocking funding toward breakthrough discoveries, treatments, and lifesaving access to care.

As the nation's #1 provider of prostate cancer resources, programs, and services, ZERO has supported millions of people at-risk or diagnosed, and their families. As the voice of the prostate cancer community, ZERO's urgent focus on breaking barriers to survivalby closing gaps in diagnosis, treatment, and carebrings critical attention to those most likely to be impacted by this disease. Learn more at ZEROcancer.org

MEDIA CONTACT:

Milayo Olufemi

Health Communications Manager

ZERO Prostate Cancer

[email protected]

SOURCE ZERO Prostate Cancer
About this content 

About Stephen Gunnion

Stephen Gunnion is a senior financial journalist and broadcaster at Proactive Investors. He has more than 25 years of experience in television, radio and print media, anchoring on a number of television channels including South Africa's Business Day TV, CNBC Africa and the South African Broadcasting Corporation, where he was the economics editor. He has also worked for Daily Maverick, Bloomberg, the Business Day newspaper and Investors' Chronicle. Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
About this content 

About Ian Lyall

Ian Lyall, a seasoned journalist and editor, brings over three decades of experience to his role as Managing Editor at Proactive. Overseeing Proactive's editorial and broadcast operations across six offices on three continents, Ian is responsible for quality control, editorial policy, and content production. He directs the creation of 50,000 pieces of real-time news, feature articles, and filmed interviews annually. Prior to Proactive, Ian helped lead the business output at the Daily... Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
Lindian Resources Ltd (ASX:LIN, OTC:LINIF) has sharpened its focus on execution at the Kangankunde Rare Earths Project in Malawi, using the December 2025 quarter to move from site establishment into active construction and operational build-out.

In its quarterly activities report released on Friday, the company said it awarded the design-and-construct (D&C) contract for the Stage 1 processing plant, began mobilising its owner-operator Komatsu mining fleet, and locked in key non-process infrastructure packages  while maintaining a strong safety record and lifting its project ownership to 100%.

Executive chairman Robert Martin said the quarter marked a clear shift for Lindian from early works into sustained on-site execution at Kangankunde, with construction commencing across multiple fronts and the first mining fleet deliveries arriving on site.

Employees at work on site at Kangankunde

Processing plant contract sets up detailed engineering and civils push

One of the quarters central milestones was the award of the Stage 1 processing plant D&C contract to Obsideo Engineering Pty Ltd, covering full engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning.

Lindian said the plant scope includes crushing, grinding, gravity and magnetic separation circuits, along with associated utilities and infrastructure, and that detailed engineering and construction planning has been progressing since the award.

Lindian Resources Executive Chairman Robert Martin met with the Obsideo project team during the period, including Cobus Robertson, CEO and Managing Director. The Obsideo team also comprised Lambert Taute, Process Engineering Manager; Waldo Retief, Project Services Manager; Hein Ackerman, Project Manager; and Louricus Taljaard, Engineering Manager

The company also flagged an optimisation that it says could lift ore throughput by about 25% relative to original feasibility study design parameters, while keeping capital costs within 10% of the Stage 1 feasibility study estimate released to market on July 1, 2024  noting this was not a production forecast update.

Obsideo is scheduled to mobilise to site in February to begin the plant civil works program, with multiple work fronts planned to run in parallel. Lindian said long-lead items have been ordered, and site preparation across the stockpile area and plant footprint is about 95% complete.

Mining readiness builds as Komatsu fleet arrives and camp works ramp up

Lindian said it commenced mobilisation of its owner-operator Komatsu mining fleet, with initial equipment delivered from South Africa during the quarter and remaining deliveries scheduled through to March 2026.

Fleet assembly, commissioning and operator training are being progressed in parallel, as the company works towards full mining readiness in line with its strategy to retain greater control over costs, safety and operating performance.

The company also began construction of the Tipume workforce accommodation camp, which is designed to house up to 90 personnel. Lindian said site access works and earthworks were completed, foundation excavations finished, and building works under way across multiple facilities.

The camp is expected to be fully operational by the end of February 2026, supporting the expanding on-site execution team as construction activity ramps up.

Progress at the site camp facilities, showing completed foundation excavations, construction of VIP accommodation units, and advancement of Mess Hall, BQ accommodation and entrance earthworks supporting upcoming project mobilisation

Non-process infrastructure contracts awarded to reduce execution risk

During the quarter, Lindian said it awarded all major non-process infrastructure (NPI) contracts for Kangankunde, spanning the mining workshop, administration building, fuel farm, explosives magazine, power infrastructure, tailings storage facility and site security.

It said awarding the packages within the Stage 1 feasibility study capital parameters materially strengthened project readiness and reduced execution risk by aligning enabling infrastructure with the processing plant commissioning schedule.

Progress highlights cited by the company included:

Power corridor works under way in coordination with ESCOM Malawi to support initial 3-megawatt supply, supplemented by solar and back-up generation

Workshop and administration facilities moving through earthworks and foundations, with offsite fabrication and procurement continuing

Explosives magazine receiving construction approval following inspection by Malawis Chief Inspector of Explosives

Fuel farm works advancing on bulk storage tanks and associated safety infrastructure

100% ownership secured and US delegation visits site

Lindian also confirmed it completed the final US$10 million tranche payment under its share sale agreement to acquire 100% ownership of Rift Valley Resource Developments Ltd, the Malawian entity holding the Kangankunde project. The early payment increased Lindians project interest from 67% to 100%, delivering full strategic and operational control.

The company hosted a senior United States Government delegation at Kangankunde during the quarter, led by Nicholas Checker, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of African Affairs. Lindian said discussions focused on the strategic importance of rare earths across energy transition supply chains, advanced manufacturing and national security, alongside briefings on construction progress and timelines to first production.

Kangankunde Construction Manager Daniel Britz conducting a site tour of the Kangankunde Rare Earths Project for Nicholas Checker, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of African Affairs, along with other members of the Lindian team

Separately, Lindians executive leadership team attended international conferences in Kuala Lumpur and the United States and held meetings in Washington as it continues discussions with potential offtake partners.

Executive Chairman Robert Martin (left) with Lindian Senior Counsel Dr Kalekeni Kaphale (right) during meetings in Washington with United States government officials

ANSTO test work supports downstream processing pathway

On the technical front, Lindian reported positive downstream metallurgical test work results from the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), confirming that Kangankundes monazite concentrate can be processed under conventional conditions to produce a high-grade, ultra-low radiation mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC).

High-grade mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) produced from Kangankunde monazite concentrate during ANSTO testwork, dense, low-radionuclide product suitable for downstream separation

The company highlighted total rare earth extraction of 9194% and neodymium and praseodymium (Nd+Pr) extraction of 9397% in the leach stage, and said radionuclide levels were extremely low  with uranium and thorium below detection limits  which it said could simplify downstream flowsheets and reduce compliance requirements.

Lindian said it has since advanced the next phase of ANSTO work to optimise acid consumption, complete variability testing and assess a parallel caustic conversion route.

Exploration, leadership appointments and cash position

Exploration activity also moved forward with an initial drilling program at the North Knoll prospect, around 800 metres north of the Kangankunde Central Carbonatite Mineral Resource. Lindian said the program comprises nine diamond holes for about 650 metres, with first assays anticipated in Q2 2026, subject to sample export and lab turnaround times.

First drill hole underway at the high-grade North Knoll, Kangankunde Rare Earths Project, Malawi

On the corporate side, Lindian appointed Mojalefa Sechemane as processing manager to lead the processing function through construction, commissioning and ramp-up, and Dana OMeara as HR, People & Culture manager in Perth. Post quarter end, CFO Teck Lim resigned for personal reasons.

Lindian finished the quarter with A$56.96 million in cash, with the company noting major outflows included the final tranche payment to secure 100% ownership and project and equipment costs associated with site works and fleet mobilisation.
About this content 

About Oliver Haill

Oliver has been writing about companies and markets since the early 2000s, cutting his teeth as a financial journalist at Growth Company Investor with a focusing on AIM companies and small caps, before a few years later becoming a section editor and then head of research. He joined Proactive after a couple of years freelancing, where he worked for the Financial Times Group, ITV, Press Association, Reuters sports desk, the London Olympic News Service, Rugby World Cup News Service, Gracenote... Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
GUIYANG, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong has called for efforts to improve policy measures and carry out assistance work in a solid manner to continuously consolidate and expand the achievements of poverty alleviation.

Liu, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during an investigation tour of southwest China's Guizhou Province from Wednesday to Friday.

During his tour, Liu visited formerly impoverished villages, industrial bases, relocation communities, vocational schools and health centers, where he learned about local residents' production and living conditions, as well as work related to drinking water safety, industrial development, employment and health.

Liu underscored the importance of guarding against large-scale lapses or relapses into poverty. He also called for developing industries based on local resource endowments and market demand, strengthening skills training and employment support, and making every effort to boost farmers' incomes.

With the Spring Festival approaching and population movement and gatherings on the rise, Liu said it is important to strengthen monitoring and prevention of major infectious diseases to better safeguard public health. 
About this content 

About Emily Jarvie

Emily began her career as a political journalist for Australian Community Media in Hobart, Tasmania. After she relocated to Toronto, Canada, she reported on business, legal, and scientific developments in the emerging psychedelics sector before joining Proactive in 2022. She brings a strong journalism background with her work featured in newspapers, magazines, and digital publications across Australia, Europe, and North America, including The Examiner, The Advocate, The Canberra Times, and... Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
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Washington, Jan 23 : Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said during a telephone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday that he intends to attend the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi next month. The two leaders aligned on Global South priorities and pressed for United Nations Security Council reform ahead of their bilateral summit scheduled for February in India.

The call lasted about 45 minutes and focused on preparations for President Lula's State Visit to India from February 19 to 21, according to an official readout issued by the Brazilian presidency. During the call, Lula conveyed his interest in participating in the Artificial Intelligence Summit, scheduled to be held in New Delhi from February 16 to 20.

PM Modi and President Lula reviewed the agenda for the visit and agreed to push cooperation across key sectors. These include defense, trade, health, science and technology, energy, biofuels, critical minerals, and rare earths.

Both sides said these areas would be given priority as India and Brazil seek to expand strategic and economic ties.

"President Lula indicated his intention to participate in the Artificial Intelligence Summit. On the bilateral agenda, the two leaders agreed to prioritize cooperation in the areas of defense, trade, health, science and technology, energy, biofuels, critical minerals, and rare earths," the readout said.

The leaders also underlined the importance of the BrazilIndia Business Forum, scheduled for February 21 during Lula's visit, and welcomed participation by private sector representatives from both countries.

"Both leaders highlighted the importance of the BrazilIndia Business Forum, to be held on the 21st, and welcomed the engagement of the private sector from both countries in the visit," the readout said.

The statement added that President Lula referred to the inauguration of the ApexBrasil Office in New Delhi during the State Visit.

The two leaders also exchanged views on the global situation. The readout said they reaffirmed their conviction on the "need for comprehensive reform" of the United Nations and its Security Council.

"In this regard, they reiterated their commitment to peace in Gaza and, more broadly, to the defense of peace worldwide, multilateralism, and democracy," the statement said.

India and Brazil have expanded cooperation in recent years across trade, energy, technology, and multilateral forums. Both countries work closely in groupings such as BRICS and have often coordinated positions on issues affecting developing economies.

The two nations have also been vocal advocates of reforming global institutions. They argue that emerging powers must play a greater role in global decision-making, particularly at the United Nations.

Lula's planned participation in the AI Impact Summit, scheduled for February 16-20, is expected to reinforce India's effort to position New Delhi as a platform for global discussions on artificial intelligence, with a focus on development-oriented and Global South perspectives.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Brussels, Jan 23 : The status of Denmark as a sovereign state cannot be negotiated, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said ahead of an emergency European Council summit in Brussels.

She said Denmark has asked the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to strengthen its presence in the Arctic region. "We need a permanent presence from NATO in the Arctic region, including around Greenland."

Frederiksen reaffirmed that the kingdom's sovereignty is the red line. "We have said from the very beginning that our status as a sovereign state is not up for discussion and cannot be changed," she added.

Noting that Denmark has been working closely with the United States for many years, she underlined that cooperation must be based on mutual respect and without threats, Xinhua news agency reported.

"When Europe is not divided, when we stand together, and when we are clear and strong in our willingness to stand for ourselves, then the results will show," she added.

In the face of the latest tariff threats on Greenland from US President Donald Trump, the European Council planned to hold an emergency summit in Brussels on Thursday evening.

However, posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump announced on Wednesday that he decided to drop the planned tariffs on eight European countries as a "framework for a future deal" on Greenland and the Arctic area had emerged from talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, Jan 23 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday paid a heartfelt tribute to Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray on his birth centenary, stating that his vision for Maharashtra's progress continues to inspire generations and that efforts will always be made to realise his ideals.

Taking to social media platform X, the Prime Minister said, "On the birth centenary of the late Shri Balasaheb Thackeray, a figure who profoundly influenced Maharashtra's socio-political landscape, we pay heartfelt tribute to this towering personality."

PM Modi highlighted Balasaheb Thackeray's sharp intellect, powerful oratory and unwavering ideological commitment.

"Known for his sharp intellect, powerful oratory, and unwavering ideology, Balasaheb shared a unique bond with the people. Besides politics, he also had a keen interest in culture, literature, and journalism. His career as a cartoonist reflected his keen observation of society and fearless commentary on various issues," he said.

The Prime Minister further added, "His vision for Maharashtra's progress continues to inspire us, and we will always strive to realise it."

Balasaheb Thackeray, born on January 23, 1926, in Pune, Maharashtra, and who passed away on November 17, 2012, in Mumbai, was an Indian journalist, cartoonist and politician. He was the founder of the Shiv Sena, a political party that went on to become a dominant force in the politics of Maharashtra. Known for advocating a strong pro-Hindu ideology, Thackeray left a lasting imprint on the state's political and cultural identity.

He began his professional journey in the early 1950s as a cartoonist for a journal in Mumbai. His cartoons also appeared in international publications such as Japan's 'Asahi Shimbun' and the Sunday edition of The New York Times. Over time, his keen political observations drew him increasingly towards active politics.

In the 1960s, Thackeray launched a weekly Marathi-language journal, 'Marmik', along with his brother. Through the publication, he strongly criticised the growing influence of 'outsiders' -- particularly migrants from southern India and Gujarat -- whom he believed were depriving local Maharashtrians of employment opportunities. This sentiment laid the foundation for the formation of the Shiv Sena in 1966, with the slogan "Maharashtra for Maharashtrians" at its core.

Despite never holding any constitutional post or contesting elections, Thackeray was widely regarded as one of the most powerful figures in Maharashtra for several decades. He was often referred to as the 'godfather of Maharashtra' and was revered by his supporters as Hindu Hridaysamrat (Emperor of Hindu Hearts).

Such was Thackeray's power that when the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance government came to power in 1995, he made sure that Bombay was renamed Mumbai after Goddess Mumbadevi -- the name by which the city is known in the Marathi language.
New Delhi, Jan 23 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday led the nation in paying rich tributes to freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his birth anniversary, observed annually as Parakram Diwas.

Remembering Netaji's indomitable spirit, courage and lifelong dedication to India's freedom, the Prime Minister highlighted both his personal inspiration from Bose and the historic significance of the day.

In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose has always inspired me greatly."

Recalling a key milestone from his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister, the Prime Minister noted that on January 23, 2009, the ambitious e-Gram Vishwagram Yojana was launched with the aim of transforming Gujarat's IT and digital governance landscape. He pointed out that the scheme was inaugurated from Haripura, a place deeply connected to Netaji's life.

"The scheme was launched from Haripura, which had a special place in Netaji Bose's life. I will never forget the manner in which the people of Haripura welcomed me and organised a procession on the same road where Netaji Bose had travelled," PM Modi said, underlining the enduring legacy of the freedom icon.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also paid homage to Netaji, saying the entire country was celebrating Parakram Diwas in memory of one of Mother India's greatest sons. "Personalities like Netaji are born very rarely. Enduring countless hardships, he travelled thousands of kilometres from Germany to Russia and Japan. This reflects his intense will to liberate the country," Shah said, adding that Bose's life of sacrifice would continue to inspire generations to dedicate themselves to the nation's honour and self-respect.

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari also extended his tributes, describing Netaji as the founder of the Azad Hind Fauj and a towering hero of India's freedom struggle. He conveyed heartfelt wishes to citizens on Parakram Diwas.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, in his message on X, called Netaji a true son of Mother India and recalled his iconic slogan, "You give me blood, I will give you freedom." He said Bose's courage, valour and selfless devotion gave a new direction to India's freedom movement and remain worthy of the highest reverence.

Parakram Diwas is observed every year on January 23 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and to honour his unparalleled contributions to India's Independence, inspiring the nation to uphold the values of courage, sacrifice, and patriotism.
Seoul, Jan 23 : Two US investors in e-commerce giant Coupang notified the South Korean government of their intent to bring arbitration claims against it over what they called "discriminatory" acts toward the US-listed firm, and requested a US government probe into the matter.

Greenoaks Capital Partners and Altimeter Capital Management took the actions, decrying South Korean authorities' investigations into Coupang following revelations in November about a massive customer data leak, according to documents that their legal representative, Covington & Burling LLP, submitted to the two governments, reports Yonhap news agency.

The Seoul government, along with experts, has been conducting a probe into the incident, in which about 33.7 million customers are believed to have been affected. Coupang has claimed a perpetrator accessed data from only about 3,000 of the accounts in question.

In a notice addressed to President Lee Jae Myung and Chung Hong-sik, the deputy minister for international legal affairs at Seoul's justice ministry, the U.S. investors expressed their intent to file arbitration claims under the South Korea-U.S. free trade agreement. They hold equity interests in Coupang valued at more than US$1.5 billion.

In a separate document sent to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), the investors requested that Washington investigate what they said were "unreasonable" and "discriminatory" acts by the Seoul government against Coupang, and impose "appropriate" trade remedies. They cited Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.

The two companies claimed that South Korea's policy enforcement and regulatory pressure regarding Coupang appear to "far exceed" the scrutiny imposed on its domestic Korean and Chinese competitors.

"As Coupang took increasing market share from Korean and Chinese competitors, enforcement actions across the Korea Fair Trade Commission, National Tax Service, Ministry of Employment and Labor, Financial Supervisory Service, and others increased, resulting in hundreds of audits, inspections, and raids and more penalties against Coupang than any other company in Korean history," they said in a joint press release.

Characterising the data breach as a "limited and constrained" incident, they accused the South Korean government of making "false and defamatory" claims, and senior ruling party officials of an "apparent attempt to inflame Korean public opinion and provide cover for efforts to eliminate Coupang and benefit domestic and Chinese competitors."

They also claimed that the Seoul government's "targeted and hostile interference" over the data breach has led to billions of dollars in lost market capitalisation.

"These losses have been borne directly by U.S. shareholders -- including individual investors and institutional funds holding the retirement savings of millions of American workers," they said.

In the notice to the Korean government, the investors claimed that as Coupang was threatening the historical dominance of its Korean and Chinese competitors, the Seoul government began "weaponising the administrative power of the state, and even acting outside its sovereign capacity, to disrupt Coupang's operations."

In the document to the USTR, the investors also pointed out that South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok urged state regulators in December to approach enforcement against Coupang for the data breach "with the same determination used to wipe out mafias.

The company, founded by Korean American entrepreneur Kim Bom-suk, also known as Bom Kim, generates about 90 per cent of its sales in South Korea.

a"IANS

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Chennai, Jan 23 : If sources in the industry are to be believed, actor L K Akshay, whose recently released police drama 'Sirai' came in for much appreciation from the critics and masses, is now on the verge of completing the shooting of his next film.

Industry sources say that the shooting of Seven Screen Studios Producer S.S. Lalit Kumar's upcoming project, tentatively titled Production No. 13 and featuring L.K. Akshay Kumar in the lead role, is proceeding at a brisk pace.

Actor L.K. Akshay Kumar, who delivered an impressive performance in 'Sirai', plays the content-driven protagonist in this movie. It may be recalled that the film had gone on floors with a traditional pooja ceremony some days ago in Chennai.

Directed by debutant Vignesh Vadivel, the film will featurs an ensemble starcast including Jaffer Sadiq, Noble K James, Arunachaleswaran PA, Shariq Hassan, and 'Dude' fame Aishwarya Sharma.

Cinematography for this film is by Leon Britto. The film will feature a musical score by Jen Martin. Bharath Vikraman is overseeing the editing of the film while P.S. Hariharan is managing the art department. Priya has been made in charge of costume design. K. Arun and Manikandan are serving as executive producers for this movie.

Sources say that the film will be a fun-filled entertainer that will look to appeal to audiences of all categories. It is being produced by S.S. Lalit Kumar of Seven Screen Studios. L.K. Vishnu has joined in as co-producer.

The film's final leg of shooting is proceeding at a brisk pace. The eagerly awaited film, which is being made simultaneously in Tamil and Malayalam, is likely to hit screens for summer this year.

Interestingly, L.K. Akshay Kumar's previous film 'Sirai', which is still running in theatres and which was made on a modest budget of less than six crore, has gone on to emerge a superhit, grossing over a31 crore worldwide.
Seoul, Jan 23 : The labour union of Hyundai Motor, South Korea's leading automaker, said on Friday it will strongly oppose any deployment without prior consultation of physical artificial intelligence (AI) robots in automobile production.

"Not a single humanoid robot will be allowed on the production lines without a labor-management agreement," the automaker's 40,000-member union said on its website, reports Yonhap news agency.

The union said the company's new humanoid robot Atlas, unveiled at CES 2026 in Las Vegas on Jan. 6, sent shockwaves through the auto industry and heightened concerns over job security at the company's domestic plants.

"The company is apparently moving to introduce AI robots to reduce labor costs at production facilities," the union said. "Any deployment without the union's agreement will not be tolerated."

Boston Dynamics, owned by Hyundai Motor, publicly demonstrated the life-sized Atlas humanoid robot, featuring two arms and two legs, for the first time at the CES technology showcase.

Hyundai Motor said it plans to build a robot foundry in the United States by 2028 to mass-produce 30,000 Atlas robots and introduce them in manufacturing operations.

Separately, the union also raised concerns about employment instability stemming from production shifts to overseas plants.

"Two domestic plants are already suffering shortages in production volumes as output is being transferred to Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) in Georgia," the union said.

The company's plan to expand the Metaplant's annual output from less than 100,000 vehicles currently to 500,000 units by 2028 clearly indicates an intention to shift a substantial portion of domestic production overseas, it added.

Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor Group said its brands have won multiple honors across different vehicle segments at major automotive awards in Britain and the United States.

At the '2026 What Car?' Awards, a major British automotive awards event, Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Corp. won a total of seven honors spanning their sport utility vehicle (SUV) and electric vehicle (EV) lineups, the South Korean automotive giant said in a release.

"IANS

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-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- China is concerned about developments in northeastern Syria that have given rise to security risks, a Chinese envoy said on Thursday.

According to reports, a group of Islamic State (IS) militants had escaped from detention facilities in Hasakah governorate amid turmoil. China is also concerned about the management and security of facilities where IS fighters are being held, said Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.

"China firmly opposes terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and stresses that any terrorist activity constitutes one of the gravest threats to international peace and security and must never be tolerated," he told the Security Council.

"We call on the Syrian transitional authorities to fulfill their international obligations and take all effective measures to resolutely combat all international terrorist organizations designated by the Security Council, including the East Turkestan Islamic Movement," Sun said.

The international community's expectations for Syria are broadly aligned. It hopes that Syria will steadily advance an inclusive political transition, resolutely combat terrorism, effectively protect the rights of minority groups, revive its economy at an early date, and embark on a path of sustainable development, said Sun.

China reaffirms its support for Syria's sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity, and opposes external interference, he said, adding that China stands ready to work with the international community to play a constructive role in helping Syria achieve security, stability and development. 
New Delhi, Jan 23 : The Delhi Police on Friday registered an FIR against Sikh for Justice (SFJ) leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun over alleged threats to create unrest in the national capital ahead of Republic Day celebrations on January 26.

According to officials, the FIR has been lodged by the Special Cell of Delhi Police under Sections 196, 197, 152 and 61 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). These provisions relate to criminal conspiracy, acts endangering the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India, and other offences posing a threat to national security.

Police sources said the action was initiated following a video circulated on social media, in which Pannun allegedly issued threats targeting Delhi around Republic Day. In the video, he claimed that pro-Khalistan posters had been pasted in areas such as Rohini and Dabri through so-called sleeper cells.

However, after verification and searches at the locations mentioned, the Special Cell stated that no such posters have been found so far. Investigations are continuing to ascertain the origin of the video and the intent behind the claims made by the SFJ leader.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, on Thursday, India strongly condemned the trespassing of the Indian Embassy in Croatia and the vandalisation of the national flag by Khalistani activists. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the perpetrators of the incident should be identified and held accountable.

This incident marked the latest in a series of actions by Khalistani elements targeting Indian diplomatic missions abroad. While most such cases have previously been reported from Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States, the incident in Croatia has raised fresh concerns. The Indian Embassy in Zagreb was targeted just days ahead of the India-European Union Summit scheduled to be held in New Delhi on January 27.

A video shared online by Pannun showed a Khalistani activist allegedly entering the embassy premises in Zagreb, removing the Indian national flag and replacing it with a Khalistan flag. The video suggested that the incident took place on January 22.

"We condemn the incident of trespassing and vandalism at our embassy in Zagreb, Croatia, by anti-India elements," the external affairs ministry said in a statement that did not refer to Khalistani activists or Pannun.

In the video, Pannun claimed the act was carried out in the run-up to Republic Day and issued further provocative statements. He was seen speaking against a backdrop featuring images of President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during which he alleged that New Delhi would be a 'target' on January 26.

India has repeatedly raised concerns with authorities in countries including Australia, Canada, the UK and the US regarding the activities of SFJ and Pannun, who has been designated a terrorist under Indian law. These activities include violent protests, vandalism of Indian missions abroad, and threats and intimidation directed at Indian diplomats.
Yeongjongdo, Jan 23 : A group of 73 South Koreans detained in Cambodia over alleged involvement in online scam operations was forcibly returned home Friday to face investigation.

A chartered Korean Air flight arrived at Incheon International Airport at 9:41 a.m. after departing from Phnom Penh, marking the nation's largest repatriation of criminal suspects from a single country.

The suspects had been detained in Cambodia after a joint investigation between South Korean and Cambodian police, and are accused of swindling a total of 48.6 billion won ($33.1 million) from 869 South Korean victims, according to Cheong Wa Dae.

They were immediately placed under custody after boarding the plane with court-issued warrants and transferred to local police stations nationwide for further investigation. Police plan to file for warrants to extend their detention.

As the suspects were escorted by police at the airport, most of them appeared to be in their 20s and 30s, and wearing short-sleeve shirts and shorts, apparently due to the warm weather in Cambodia.

Among the suspects, 70 of them are accused of participation in online fraud activities, such as romance scams, while the remaining three face charges of robbery by hostage and gambling.

One of them is accused of fleeing to Cambodia and engaging in scams after allegedly committing a sexual crime against a minor, while another is suspected of keeping a victim hostage at a criminal compound and extorting money from their family, Yonhap news agency reported.

They also included a couple accused of swindling 12 billion won from 104 people through romance scams using deep fake technology. The couple had evaded authorities by undergoing plastic surgery before their detention.

The joint team had raided seven scam criminal compounds in the Southeast Asian nation, including sites in Sihanoukville, Poipet and Mondulkiri Province, to round up the suspects.

Authorities rescued men in their 20s who had been detained and tortured at the compounds.

The joint government operation involved the National Police Agency, the justice ministry, the National Intelligence Service and the foreign ministry.
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 23 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in the Kerala capital city on Friday to a rousing reception, marking a politically significant visit in the wake of the BJP's historic victory in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 23 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in the Kerala capital city on Friday to a rousing reception, marking a politically significant visit in the wake of the BJPas historic victory in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.

At the airport, the Prime Minister was received by Kerala Governor Rajendra V. Arlekar, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and senior dignitaries, including top BJP leaders.

PM Modi is in the state capital to inaugurate a slew of Central projects and to celebrate the BJPas landmark civic triumph, which saw the party oust the CPI(M)-led Left Front that ruled the Corporation uninterruptedly for the past 45 years.

This is the first time the BJP has captured a municipal corporation in Kerala.

From the airport to the meeting venue at Putharikandam Maidan, jubilant BJP workers and supporters lined both sides of the route from early Friday morning, turning the arterial roads of the state capital into a sea of party flags and slogans, reflecting the celebratory mood of the people.

At a public function at Putharikandam Maidan, the Prime Minister is set to inaugurate multiple Central government projects.

The programme is expected to underline the BJPas attempt to project a governance-and-development narrative following its civic breakthrough.

PM Modi will also flag off Amrit Bharat trains and lay the foundation stone for the Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship Hub, signalling a focus on infrastructure, innovation and employment generation.

Significantly, the Prime Minister is also likely to announce a high-speed rail corridor for Kerala.

Sources indicate that the project could be based on the proposal put forward by E. Sreedharan as an alternative to the controversial SilverLine project.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is expected to be entrusted with preparing the Detailed Project Report as well as the construction of the corridor.

After the official programme, PM Modi will attend a party event.

The BJP has organised a massive public meeting with the participation of over 25,000 workers. BJP state President Rajeev Chandrasekhar had earlier stated that the Prime Minister would visit the capital within 45 days of the party assuming power in the Corporation -- a promise now fulfilled.
New Delhi, Jan 23 : On the auspicious occasion of Basant Panchami on Friday, a large number of devotees thronged the banks of the Sarayu River in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, to take the traditional holy dip, marking the arrival of spring and invoking blessings at the onset of the festival.

Pilgrims also performed prayers and offered worship at temples and sacred ghats amid wellmanaged arrangements by local authorities.

From early morning, devotees began assembling at the Sarayu ghats, chanting hymns and participating in ritualistic bathing, a customary practice observed with deep faith on Basant Panchami. Officials on site confirmed that the spiritual atmosphere, combined with orderly arrangements, contributed to a smooth conduct of the event.

Speaking to IANS, after taking the holy bath, one devotee expressed her joy and satisfaction with the experience, saying, "I felt very good after today's holy bath and experienced great joy. We will go for darshan now. Basant Panchami is a very important day for us. The arrangements here are quite good."

Another pilgrim, after worship and bathing, thanked the administration, alongside sharing her spiritual routine for the day: "We had Ramlala darshan, and I would like to extend thanks to the government. Today we took a holy bath on Basant Panchami. We were here listening to Bhagwat Katha, and are leaving for home today."

Several others also praised the organisational efforts. "The administrative arrangements are very good, and the cooperation from the local people is also excellent," added another devotee after completing the ritualistic dip.

Basant Panchami is traditionally dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge, wisdom and arts, and marks the transition of seasons as devotees seek spiritual and intellectual blessings. Celebrations across the region often include puja ceremonies, chanting of sacred hymns, and in many places, ritual bathing in holy rivers holds special spiritual significance.

In Ayodhya, authorities had earlier inspected key ghats and mela (fair) areas in preparation for Basant Panchami and associated gatherings. Measures were put in place to assist pilgrims with crowd flow, safety, sanitation and medical services.

Although final official crowd figures for Ayodhya were not immediately released, similar festive gatherings in the region have in past years drawn massive numbers of devotees, with Ayodhya witnessing over 15 lakh visitors on Basant Panchami celebrations in previous observances.
Washington, Jan 23 : Former US Vice President Kamala Harris has condemned the detention of a five-year-old boy along with his father by US immigration authorities, making him the fourth student to be detained in a suburban Minneapolis school district in recent days, local media reported on Friday.

Taking to social media platorm X, Harris posted, "Liam Ramos is just a baby. He should be at home with his family, not used as bait by ICE and held in a Texas detention center. I am outraged, and you should be too."

According to Marc Prokosch, a lawyer working with the family, the boy and his father were taken to Dilley, Texas, where they have been held at an immigration detention center. He said that the boy and his father came to the US from Ecuador in 2024 and both of them have an active asylum claim, The New York Times reported.

While addressing a press conference on Thursday, Prokosch said, "These are not illegal aliens. They came legally and are pursuing a legal pathway."

A photo released by the school system shows five-year-old kid, Liam Conejo Ramos, standing next to a vehicle with an adultas hand on his backpack. School district officials stated that the five-year-old boy and his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, had just reached home when immigration officials apprehended them.

US Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin stated that the father fled on foot and left Liam behind in the vehicle when the agents wanted to arrest the former. McLaughlin stated that agents had tried to get Liamas mother to keep the boy, however, she had "refused" to take him. McLaughlin said Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias told federal agents that he wanted Liam to live with him.

In a statement, Stenvik, the district superintendent, stated that another adult who lived in the familyas home had "begged" to care for Liam, The New York Times reported. However, the federal agents did not permit it.

While addressing a press conference on Thursday, Mary Granlad said that she had heard an adult saying that "I will take the child." She had even requested the authorities to allow her to keep Liam as a representative of the school.

She said Liam's father was shouting at adults who were inside the home to not open the door, possibly due to fear that agents would detain others. Previously, school officials accused immigration officials of making the boy knock on the door of his home as "bait" so that they could arrest others. However, immigration officials have rejected the allegation.
Sydney, Jan 23 : Police in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) were on Friday morning continuing to search for a man accused of killing three people in a domestic violence-related shooting on Thursday.

Tactical officers and police helicopters were deployed on Thursday night to the small town of Lake Cargelligo, 450 km west of Sydney, to conduct a large-scale manhunt for a suspect identified as 37-year-old Julian Ingram following the shooting at around 4:20 pm local time, Xinhua News Agency reported.

The NSW Police Force said on Friday that a 25-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man were shot and killed in a vehicle.

A short time later, a 50-year-old woman and a 19-year-old man were shot in the driveway of a nearby property. The woman died at the scene while the man was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Local media reported on Friday that the 25-year-old female victim was Ingram's former partner and that she was pregnant.

Police have urged residents in the area to remain indoors away from windows and to call emergency services if they witness anything suspicious.

On Thursday, three people have died following a shooting west of Sydney in Australia's eastern state of New South Wales (NSW) on Thursday.

The NSW Police Force said in a statement that emergency services were called to reports of a shooting in the small town of Lake Cargelligo, 450 km west of Sydney, around 4:40 pm local time on Thursday.

Police confirmed that three people, two women and a man, had died.

A second man has been taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition.

A crime scene has been established and police have urged members of the public to avoid the area and local residents to stay indoors.

On January 18, police in Australia's state of New South Wales (NSW) said 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.

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.
Hyderabad, Jan 23 : Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K.T. Rama Rao on Friday appeared before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the phone tapping case.

The BRS leader reached the office of Jubilee Hills Police Station amid tight security at 11 a.m.

Assistant Commissioner of Police P. Venkatagiri, who is the investigating officer, on Thursday issued a notice to KTR, directing him to appear before him.

The notice, issued under section 160 of the Criminal Procedure Code, states that during the probe, it came to the notice of the Investigating Officer that KTR is acquainted with the facts and circumstances of the case, and, hence, his personal examination is necessary for the investigation.

Earlier, the BRS leader reached the party headquarters, Telangana Bhavan, where a large number of party cadres had gathered to show their support. There was mild tension outside Telangana Bhavan as some BRS cadres had an argument with police personnel.

BRS alleged that police resorted to aoveractiona, which led to slogan shouting by the party workers.

Senior BRS leader and former Minister T. Harish Rao and some other party leaders accompanied KTR to Jubilee Hills Police Station. Police had made tight security arrangements around the police station. Barricades were erected to stop BRS cadres from coming closer to the premises.

The notice to KTR was issued two days after Harish Rao was questioned by the SIT.

The case relates to the alleged tapping of phones of political opponents, businessmen, journalists and even judges under the previous BRS government's tenure.

The SIT earlier questioned BRS MLC K. Naveen Rao and former MLAs Jaipal Yadav and C. Lingaiah in the same case.

It also examined Union Minister of State for Home, Bandi Sanjay and BJP MPs Eatala Rajender and M. Raghunandan Rao, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president B. Mahesh Kumar Goud and Chief Minister Revanth Reddyas Kondal Reddy as witnesses/victims.

The phone tapping case surfaced in March 2024. An FIR under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Prevention of Damage to Public Property (PDPP) Act and Information Technology Act was registered at Panjagutta Police Station in Hyderabad.

A special team was allegedly constituted in the Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) during the BRS regime to tap phones of several individuals.

Former Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) chief T. Prabhakar Rao is the main accused in the case. Deputy Superintendent of Police D. Praneeth Rao, Additional SPs Thirupathanna and N. Bhujanga Rao, former DCP Radha Kishan Rao and a television channel owner Sravan Kumar are the other accused.
Bhopal, Jan 23 : BJP leader and former MP Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur on Friday said that the son of a foreign woman is not fit to rule, a remark that can spark political controversy.

Speaking to IANS, Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur said, "In our society, in our country, what can I say. Chanakya, such a great thinker, said something that cannot be untrue. He said the son of a foreign woman cannot be fit to rule."

She further explained her statement, saying, "A true patriot, capable of governance, must naturally come from our own lineage. Therefore, this statement cannot be considered false, nor should it be denied to future generations. That is its meaning."

Targeting the Congress, the former MP said the party lacked ideological clarity. "Congress members do not have any ideology. They are suffering now because of their deeds and whatever they did in the past. Therefore, I say there is no credibility in their words," she told IANS.

Continuing her criticism, Thakur added, "Someone who calls saffron terrorism, who labels Hindus as terrorists, I do not accept anything from that person. Their character is completely different and wrong. They sometimes praise RSS, sometimes they attack it, as is obvious from the book on 26/11 attacks in which they called the RSS terrorists and murderers, claiming it was an RSS conspiracy."

She asserted that such statements held no significance. "The words of that person have no importance; they are not credible anywhere. Therefore, such statements have no meaning. No matter what anyone says, if it has no certainty, it holds no value," she said.

On religious issues, Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur said, "There is no other religion; religion is only Sanatan. This Sanatan religion has been attacked. There are other beliefs and sects, but religion is only one -- that is, Sanatan. Therefore, we should never accept any other religion."

Referring to recent developments related to religious disputes in Bhojshala in Dhar district, she said that even after many years of independence, compromises are still happening.

"We should not have to compromise anymore. However, I will say this for the Supreme Court: we accept your arrangements, but we need a permanent solution. We want uninterrupted darshan, and there should be no other activities around our temples," she added.

The Supreme Court on Thursday issued directions to ensure that Basant Panchami poojas and Friday Juma Namaz are both held peacefully at the Bhoj ShalaKamal Maula complex in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh, where a dispute exists between two communities over the religious character of the structure.
New Delhi, Jan 23 : The Khalistan movement has been able to survive, thanks to the lenient policies in the United Kingdom and Canada. Successive governments have been soft on these criminals, as a result of which they made these nations bases to launch attacks on India.

After setting up bases in multiple countries, the Khalistan movement now appears to be flourishing in Azerbaijan. A conference was held last week in Baku, the capital city, aimed at amplifying the need for a separate Sikh nation, Khalistan, to be carved out of India.

On the face of it, the event looked like it was trying to raise concerns about the treatment of Sikhs and other minorities in the country. This has been a false narrative against India that has been spread by many to defame the nation and the Modi government.

The event was titled aRacism and Violence Against Sikhs and Other National Minorities in India.a Officials say there are plenty of red flags here. First of all, it was organised by the Azerbaijani government-linked Baku Initiative Group. This highlights the government's role in hosting such an event.

The Khalistan angle became amply clear when the audience and organisers stood up and observed a minuteas silence for slain Khalistan terrorist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The event focused heavily on videos appearing to show atrocities against India.

Officials say that this is a narrative that these Khalistani elements have been drumming up without any evidence. Even those in Punjab do not complain about discrimination by the state, but these ISI-backed elements want to portray a false picture.

Another official said that after the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia, the Khalistanis are trying to set up a base in Milan. The Khalistan elements had already called for a refrendum and this is a clear signal that they are looking to spread to more countries.

The shift to Azerbaijan is strategic and is a clear suggestion that has been given by the ISI, which controls this movement. Azerbaijanas government backing such an event only shows that it has been told to do so by Pakistan and Turkey, who share very good ties, officials noted.

Further, this country acts as a neutral venue for the Khalistanis to push their anti-India narrative. While the Khalistan elements would launch attacks on India through a disinformation campaign, it would still give both Turkey and Pakistan the plausible deniability they need.

Further, for Pakistan to run its agenda in Azerbaijan is easy, as the government there is extremely friendly in nature. Last year, during Operation Sindoor, Baku stood by Pakistan while condemning the strike by India. India had carried out Operation Sindoor to avenge the brutal killings of innocents by terrorists of the Lashkar-e-Taiba who were launched from Pakistan.

The UK, Canada, and other nations have been back and forth on the Khalistan issue. Things are not as bad as they were in the past, and both countries have begun acting against these elements. However, the move to Azerbaijan is a dangerous one and poses a major security concern for India. With the stateas support, the Khalistani elements would only get more aggressive. Further, they would get support from Turkey, which has had an anti-India stance.

An official says that the event was meant to be passed off as one which is highlighting atrocities. However, the audience present there made it clear that it was an event to launch Khalistan-related activities in a big way in Azerbaijan. The presence of Nijjaras close aide, Moninder Singh, and Khalistani activist from the UK, Dabinderjit Singh Sidhu, is proof that this was solely a Khalistan-linked event.
Ahmedabad, Jan 23 : Several schools in Ahmedabad were placed on high alert on Thursday, January 23, after bomb threats were received through emails sent from an unidentified source. The threats, which targeted educational institutions across different parts of the city, prompted immediate action from law enforcement agencies.

According to police officials, the threatening emails named St Xavieras School in Memnagar, Calorex School in Ghatlodia, DPS School in Bopal, Swayam School in Vastrapur, three branches of Sant Kabir School, Mahatma Gandhi International School in Mithakali, Geneva Liberal School on SP Ring Road, Army School in Shahibaug, JD High School in Naroda, Red Bricks School in Satellite, Vidyanagar School in Usmanpura, Kendriya Vidyalaya in Shahibaug, and Apple Global School.

Earlier in the day, bomb threats were also reported at St Xavieras Loyola in Navrangpura and Swayam School in Vastrapur, further heightening concerns. School authorities immediately informed the police control room upon receiving the emails.

Taking the threats seriously, teams from the city police, bomb disposal squad, dog squad, and crime branch were deployed to the affected campuses, where thorough security checks were carried out.

As a precaution, school managements alerted parents through messages and phone calls, asking them to take their children home. This led to a large number of parents rushing to the school premises, causing temporary panic in several areas.

Police said the emails were sent from an unknown email ID, and the cybercrime department has launched an investigation to trace the sender.

Authorities have urged citizens to remain calm, avoid spreading rumours, and report any suspicious activity to the police. Authorities noted that Ahmedabad has witnessed similar email-based bomb threats in the past targeting schools and courts, most of which later turned out to be hoaxes.

Security agencies remain on alert as investigations continue.
ABU DHABI, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- The first trilateral meeting between delegations from Russia, the United States, and Ukraine began on Friday evening at the Emirates Palace hotel in Abu Dhabi, local media reported. 
Gandhinagar, Jan 23 : A series of deaths reported within 24 hours across Gujarat has put the police department under scrutiny, after two serving police personnel and a police recruitment candidate died in separate incidents in Gandhinagar and Bharuch. Multiple investigations have been initiated.

Gandhinagar, Jan 23 (IANS) A series of deaths reported within 24 hours across Gujarat has put the police department under scrutiny, after two serving police personnel and a police recruitment candidate died in separate incidents in Gandhinagar and Bharuch. Multiple investigations have been initiated.

In the latest incident, a police head constable posted at Sector-7 Police Station in Gandhinagar was found dead at his residence on Friday morning in an apparent case of suicide.

The deceased was identified as Upendrasinh Vaghela, a resident of Pethapur, who was on sick leave at the time.

According to police, Vaghela was found hanging from a ceiling fan on the upper floor of his house, following which family members alerted the authorities.

Senior police officials rushed to the spot, and the body was sent to Gandhinagar Civil Hospital for post-mortem examination.

Sector-7 Police Inspector Bharat Gohil said no suicide note was recovered. "At present, no definite reason behind the incident has come to light. An accidental death case has been registered at Pethapur police station and further investigation is underway," he told IANS.

Vaghela is survived by his mother, wife and two children.

The Gandhinagar incident followed two deaths reported from Bharuch a day earlier. In one case, a woman police constable posted at Bharuch Police Headquarters was found dead in her residential quarters late on Wednesday night.

The deceased, identified as Preeti Parmar, allegedly died by suicide. Parmar, a native of Borla village in Talaja taluka of Bhavnagar district, had been serving with the Local Intelligence Branch in Bharuch for the past five years.

Police said the cause of her death is yet to be ascertained, and a post-mortem examination has been ordered.

In a separate incident during the ongoing police recruitment process in Bharuch, a 25-year-old candidate collapsed after completing a running test and later died during treatment. The deceased was identified as Ravirajsinh Jadeja, who was participating in the PSI recruitment process.

Police said Jadeja complained of breathlessness after completing the third round of the run and collapsed. He was provided immediate medical assistance and shifted to Bharuch Civil Hospital before being referred to a private hospital, where he was declared dead during treatment.

Police confirmed that Jadeja belonged to a police family, with his father serving as an Assistant Sub-Inspector in SRP Group-1 in Vadodara. In both Bharuch cases, accidental death cases have been registered, and investigations are underway to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incidents.
Raipur/Bijapur, Jan 23 : In a harrowing incident highlighting the persistent threat of Maoist activities in Chhattisgarh's conflict zones, a 30-year-old man sustained severe injuries after triggering a pressure-activated Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by Maoists in the remote Lankapalli forest area of Bijapur district on Friday.

The victim, identified as Raju Modiyami, stepped on the hidden explosive while navigating the dense woodland, possibly while gathering forest produce or travelling through the area, police officials said.

The blast was intense, completely shattering his right heel and causing critical trauma to his lower limb.

Despite the excruciating pain and massive blood loss, Modiyami displayed extraordinary courage and determination. He limped and walked nearly seven kilometres through the rugged terrain to reach the nearest community health centre.

Local medical staff provided immediate first aid before referring him to the Bijapur District Hospital for advanced treatment.

Hospital sources confirmed his condition remains serious, with doctors attending to the shattered heel and related complications.

He is currently under observation and receiving necessary care.

The Maoists persistently pose a threat and danger to civilians in various naxal-affected regions, where pressure IEDs are frequently used by insurgents to target security forces and inadvertently harm local residents.

Forests in Bijapur, part of the Bastar division, remain hotspots for such devices, often laid to ambush patrols or disrupt movement.

Authorities have launched searches in the Lankapalli forest to locate and neutralise any additional IEDs, aiming to prevent further civilian casualties.

Police officials noted that such blasts continue to pose risks to tribal communities dependent on forest resources for livelihood.

Modiyami's survival and arduous journey to safety have been praised locally as a testament to human endurance amid adversity.

Recently, in a major success for security forces, six Maoists, including four women cadres, were neutralised in a fierce encounter in Bijapur district. The operation, carried out by a joint team of the District Reserve Guard (DRG), COBRA and Special Task Force (STF), marked a significant blow to Maoist activities in the region.
January 23 : Sonipat/Lucknow: Gorakshpeethadhishwar and Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, issued a stern warning to elements involved in love jihad, illegal religious conversions, and anti-national conspiracies, stating that any form of exploitation of daughters will not be tolerated. He emphasized that society must remain vigilant against unlawful activities and that revered saints and sages should also come forward to counter them. CM Yogi was addressing the idol consecration ceremony and the grand Asht Maan Bhandara of the Nath tradition at Baba Nagewala Dham in Murthal, Sonipat district of Haryana, on Thursday.

The Chief Minister said that several Kaalnemis are harming Sanatan Dharma under the cover of religion and people must remain cautious of them. For a Yogi, saint, or ascetic, nothing is greater than Dharma and the Nationthis alone should be the purpose of life. Such a person has no personal property; Dharma is his only wealth and the Nation his self-respect. If anyone challenges national self-respect, one must stand up openly against it.

Yogi Adityanath asserted that illegal religious conversions and anti-national activities will be completely curbed. He said conspiracies to alter demography and the exploitation of daughters in the name of love jihad will be stopped firmly, decisively, and through public awareness. Conscious citizens and revered saints must step forward, and families must be nurtured with strong values. Recalling a 2009 observation of the Kerala High Court, he said love jihad was termed part of a conspiracy to turn Kerala into an Islamic state, and today similar conspiracies are visible across many states. He also expressed concern over the gradual disintegration of the joint family system, which once nurtured values, and stressed the need to revive it.

The Chief Minister said a strong nation is built through family, values, and cultural consciousness. Dharma is not merely a method of worship but a path of upliftment and progress, where material, spiritual, and cultural development go hand in hand. He praised the Nath Panth as one of Indias most ancient spiritual traditions, noting that the idol consecration ceremony and bhandara organized with reverence for the Guru tradition and public sentiment were truly commendable. He welcomed and felicitated all saints, Yogis, and devotees present on behalf of the Nath sect and the Yogi Sabha, highlighting that the Nath tradition has always inspired social unity and purposeful living.

CM Yogi said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the vision of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat is becoming a reality. After enduring nearly a thousand years of foreign invasions, India has broken the chains of slavery and is moving again toward its former glory. In the Amrit Kaal of Independence, the campaign led by PM Modi links the welfare of India and Sanatan Dharma inseparably. A strong Sanatan Dharma strengthens the path of global human welfare, making a strong India essential.

He cited the transformation of Kashi Vishwanath Dham and the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya as living examples of Indias resurgence. He noted that millions of devotees now visit Ayodhya and Prayagraj peacefully, with record participation at the Magh Mela. He called this era the beginning of a thousand years that will belong to India, a period to take Sanatan Dharma to its highest glory through collective effort.

CM Yogi also warned against the threat of drugs, stressing that enemies who cannot confront Indias strong government, armed forces, and police attempt to harm the nation by pushing narcotics across borders. He urged society to protect youth and oppose such activities collectively.

On water conservation, he emphasized that no one has the right to pollute sacred rivers and highlighted the importance of protecting ponds as vital for a secure future. He praised Haryanas efforts to revive the Saraswati River.

During the event, CM Yogi performed havan and aarti and was welcomed with an idol of Guru Gorakhnath. He thanked the events patrons and organizers for the successful ceremony, which saw a large gathering of saints, public representatives, and devotees from across the country.

A large number of Nath sect saints attended the idol consecration of Siddha Yogis Shri Shri 1008 Mahant Kale Baba Nath Ji, Yogi Bajir Nath Ji, and Yogi Prem Nath Ji, along with the Asht Maan Bhandara at Baba Nagewala Dham.
New Delhi, Jan 23 : Amid reports suggesting that Congress MP Shashi Tharoor is upset with Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and may skip a key meeting, party leader Sandeep Dikshit on Friday said that the absence of leaders who are not central to the party does not make any difference.

Talking to IANS, Dikshit said: "All the strong and senior leaders from Kerala are attending the meeting. Those who are relevant to the Congress are coming. It doesn't make a difference if leaders who are not major figures or relevant to the party are absent."

Reports earlier in the day suggested that Tharoor was unhappy with the party leadership over what he perceived as a lack of "due respect" during Gandhi's recent visit to Kochi. According to sources quoted by NDTV, Tharoor was upset after an incident in which Gandhi allegedly ignored him during a public interaction.

A video from the event went viral on social media, purportedly showing Gandhi acknowledging several leaders while appearing to overlook Tharoor. Sources claimed that Gandhi also did not mention Tharoor by name while greeting other senior leaders, a move that reportedly did not go down well with the four-time Member of Parliament from Thiruvananthapuram.

The meeting of senior Congress leaders from Kerala was convened by party President Mallikarjun Kharge to discuss preparations for the upcoming Assembly elections in the state later this year. Leaders invited to the meeting included state unit President Sunny Joseph, Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly V.D. Satheesan, and Congress Working Committee members Ramesh Chennithala and Tharoor, among others.

However, Tharoor was reportedly absent from the meeting.

A former diplomat, Tharoor has in recent times been perceived as being on thin ice with the Congress's central leadership due to remarks that appeared to praise Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling BJP. These include comments on the Prime Minister's handling of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent military strikes on Pakistan, as well as occasional critical observations aired through media platforms.

Tensions between Tharoor and the Congress leadership have surfaced repeatedly, with the BJP often highlighting these differences to target the opposition party. The strain reportedly intensified last year when Tharoor defended the Modi government's actions following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, a stance that went against the Congress's official line.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
January 23 : Lucknow/Lakhimpur Kheri: For decades, Chaugurji village, located along the IndiaNepal border, remained isolated from the mainstream of development. Rivers, distance, and difficult terrain cut off 109 families from basic facilities and opportunities.

Today, however, the CM Yogi governments resolve of development for every village has rewritten the fate of this border hamlet. A powerful example of good governance under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath unfolded on Thursday, as Chaugurji finally received the lifeline it had awaited for generations, made possible through the administrative efficiency of District Magistrate Durga Shakti Nagpal and the active cooperation of public representatives.

The newly constructed pontoon bridge over the Karnali and Mohana rivers was inaugurated by DM Durga Shakti Nagpal and Nighasan MLA Shashank Verma. More than just a structure, the bridge has become a lifeline for the village. What once required a two-hour journey can now be covered in minutes, ensuring swift access to ambulances, school buses, and essential services. This transformation reflects the CM Yogi governments governance model, which focuses on reaching the last person at the last mile.

Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, all 109 families of Chaugurji have been provided clean drinking water through household tap connections. For villagers who were forced to rely on arsenic-contaminated water for years, this is nothing less than a blessing. The flow of clean water at the turn of a tap stands as a symbol of government schemes moving decisively from policy documents to on-ground reality.

The village, once engulfed in darkness, is now illuminated with hope. The installation of 20 solar streetlights has enhanced safety while bringing positive changes to daily and social life. This initiative also reflects the Yogi governments commitment to green energy and the vision of self-reliant villages.

Education in Chaugurji has also received a transformative push. With solar power, smart classrooms, and new furniture introduced in primary schools, the government has sent a clear message that children in border areas deserve the same opportunities as those in urban centers. Digital education is now enabling Chaugurjis children to connect with the national mainstream.

Overwhelmed with emotion, villagers described this as the most significant moment of their lives. After decades of hardship, they now have a bridge, clean drinking water, electricity, and quality education.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the local MLA, and DM Durga Shakti Nagpal have given Chaugurji not just infrastructure, but a distinct identity. The story of this village reflects the larger transformation unfolding across Lakhimpur Kheri, where, under the CM Yogi government, borders, distance, and deprivation are no longer barriers to development.
Kolkata, Jan 23 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday alleged that the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state was so excessive that even Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose would have received a notice for a hearing had he been alive.

Speaking at a function marking the 129th birth anniversary of Netaji at Red Road in central Kolkata, the Chief Minister said that notices for hearings on claims and objections to the draft voters' list were being issued indiscriminately.

"I doubt that even Netaji would have been summoned for a hearing had he been alive. Already, Netaji's grand-nephew has been served with a hearing notice," Banerjee said.

The Chief Minister also accused the Narendra Modi-led Union government of attempting to distort India's history and diminish Netaji's contributions.

"The Planning Commission was Netaji's brainchild. The present Union government abolished the Planning Commission and replaced it with NITI Aayog. No one really knows or understands what this new entity is meant for," she said.

Banerjee further criticised the Centre for not declaring Netaji's birthday a national holiday. "This is very unfortunate, especially when the people of India do not even know the date of his demise," she added.

Reiterating her opposition to the ongoing SIR in West Bengal, the Chief Minister called for statewide protests, claiming the exercise had caused severe hardship to ordinary people.

"Those responsible for the suffering caused by the revision exercise will have to face the consequences someday," she said, without naming any individual or institution.

Banerjee also made serious allegations linking the revision process to deaths and suicides in the state. "So many people are dying. About 110 people have already died in West Bengal. Every day, three or four people are committing suicide out of fear. Why won't a case be filed against the Election Commission of India? The Union government will have to take responsibility for this. I do not want to name any particular political party," she said.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
January 23 : Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the progress of reforms being implemented under the Compliance Reduction and De-regulation Phase-II in Uttar Pradesh. He said, The objective of the government is to deliver trust-based, transparent, and time-bound governance by freeing citizens and entrepreneurs from unnecessary procedures, permits, and inspections.

Emphasising outcome-driven governance, the Chief Minister directed that the impact of every reform must be clearly visible on the ground, so that citizens genuinely experience a simpler and more efficient system.

The Chief Minister noted that Uttar Pradesh has earned a strong national identity through the successful implementation of Compliance Reduction Phase I. He said, Phase-II aims to institutionalise these reforms and make them permanent. This phase, he stressed, is not merely about amending rules, but about transforming administrative processes and the mindset of governance.

Clarifying the intent of deregulation, the Chief Minister said, It does not mean the removal of oversight, but rather the simplification of rules and greater transparency by eliminating unnecessary controls.

He reiterated the governments commitment to making Uttar Pradesh the leading state in the country in terms of both ease of living and ease of doing business.

The meeting was informed that in the rankings released by the Cabinet Secretariat in January 2026, Uttar Pradesh was declared the best-performing state in the Compliance Reduction Phase-I. Under Phase-II, reforms are being implemented in a phased manner across nine themes, 23 priority areas, and five optional priority areas.

Reviewing land-use reforms, it was stated that efforts are underway to eliminate or simplify complex permissions, such as Change in Land Use, in order to protect farmers and landowners from avoidable difficulties. Special emphasis is being placed on removing the requirement for separate land-use permissions in planned areas in line with the master plan, while also simplifying land conversion procedures in unplanned areas.

In the building and construction sector, processes including plan approvals, layout approvals, and completion certificates are being brought under a risk-based framework. The promotion of self-certification and deemed approvals under this system is intended to reduce delays and provide significant relief to citizens and builders.

The meeting also reviewed reforms related to utilities and inter-departmental approvals. It was informed that processes across various departments are being integrated onto a single digital platform with clearly defined timelines, ensuring that industries and institutions are not required to make repeated visits to multiple offices.

In the energy sector, procedures for electricity connections, load enhancement, and technical approvals are being simplified, with priority given to online and auto-approval systems to accelerate industrial activities.

On environmental clearances, the meeting noted that unnecessary approvals for low-risk activities are being eliminated through a trust-based approach. For high-risk cases, a transparent and time-bound clearance mechanism is being ensured, while maintaining a balance with environmental protection.

Detailed discussions were also held on reforms in the tourism, education, and health sectors. Permissions related to tourism projects, educational institutions, and healthcare services are being simplified to encourage investment, expand services, generate employment, and improve facilities for citizens.

The Chief Minister directed all departments to implement their respective reforms within the stipulated timelines and ensure continuous monitoring. He emphasised that these reforms are not limited to industries and investors, but are equally aimed at simplifying the everyday lives of citizens, whether it involves building a house, obtaining electricity and water connections, or securing permissions for small services.

The meeting further highlighted that under Phase-II, focused efforts are underway to reduce the number of inspections, remove outdated and irrelevant regulations, and make all processes fully digital and time-bound. Clear responsibilities are also being assigned to each department to ensure accountability and effective implementation of reforms.
Patna, Jan 23 : Bihar Minister of Industries and Road Construction, Dr Dilip Jaiswal, on Friday claimed that Congress was collapsing under Rahul Gandhi's leadership and that there was a tug-of-war and internal conflict within the Gandhi family and the grand old party.

Speaking to IANS, Minister Dilip Jaiswal said, "Ever since Rahul Gandhi took over the leadership of Congress, the party's decline has been certain. Congress is gradually losing its support base. There is no confidence among party workers and leaders in Rahul Gandhi's leadership."

He further denied commenting on BJP leader and former MP Sadhvi Pragya Singh's foreign woman remark and said, "I do not want to comment on that. But I would like to say this much: the way Rahul Gandhi speaks the language of anti-national forces and questions the country's security agencies, I repeatedly say that if Rahul Gandhi lives off this country, then he should remain loyal to the country."

Earlier in the day, Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur said, "In our society, in our country, what can I say. Chanakya, such a great thinker, said something that cannot be untrue. He said the son of a foreign woman cannot be fit to rule."

She further explained her statement, saying, "A true patriot, capable of governance, must naturally come from our own lineage. Therefore, this statement cannot be considered false, nor should it be denied to future generations. That is its meaning."

Jaiswal said, "The simple truth is that Rahul Gandhi has worked to sink the Congress party. The party's support base is gradually declining. The kind of tug-of-war and internal conflict going on within the Gandhi family and the Congress leadership is being witnessed not only by the party workers but by the entire country as well."

The Minister, while backing Amit Shah's statement during his address at the centenary edition of Gita Press's monthly magazine 'Kalyan' in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, on Wednesday, said, "Everyone accepts this about Sanatan Dharma, and Amit Shah ji has said the right thing. Sanatan Dharma is based on science. When you take the name of God, it also contains a reference to the five elements of life from which we are born and eventually die. Only Sanatan can lead the world and the country."

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 23 : Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly V.D. Satheesan on Friday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech in Thiruvananthapuram, alleging that it exposed the BJP's election agenda in Kerala as being "purely communal" and rooted in divisive politics that would find no acceptance in the state.

New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 23 (IANS) Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly V.D. Satheesan on Friday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech in Thiruvananthapuram, alleging that it exposed the BJP's election agenda in Kerala as being "purely communal" and rooted in divisive politics that would find no acceptance in the state.

In a statement, soon after the Prime Minister's speech in the state capital city, while addressing party workers, Satheesan, currently in New Delhi, said PM Modi has every right to visit Kerala and participate in official as well as party programmes.

However, he said it was "dangerous" for someone occupying the Prime Minister's chair -- once held by towering national leaders -- to openly promote communal rhetoric.

Such statements, he said, amounted to distorting the very idea of India and undermining the country's core constitutional values.

The opposition leader said the Prime Minister's speech was striking for what it lacked. "There was nothing about development achievements, nothing about the future of the country or Kerala's priority needs," Satheesan said, adding that communalism was the only recurring theme.

The speech, he argued, made it clear that the BJP and the Sangh Parivar have no other political agenda in Kerala apart from polarisation.

Satheesan asserted that Kerala's social fabric would act as a bulwark against such politics.

"This is secular Kerala," he said, adding that the divisive politics and "poisonous communal propaganda" practised in several other states would not gain ground in Kerala.

Reiterating the ideological position of the opposition, Satheesan said the Congress, the Muslim League and the UDF placed the protection of secularism at the very top of their political priorities.

"We will go to any extent to bury communal forces in this land and to safeguard secularism," he said.

He also rejected allegations that the UDF indulged in appeasement politics, stating that neither the Congress nor the UDF followed the unethical practice of nurturing communalism for electoral gains.

"We do not pamper communal forces for four votes or for winning elections," he said.

Satheesan concluded by asserting that the secular credentials of the Congress and the UDF did not require certification from the Prime Minister.

"Our commitment to secularism does not need Narendra Modi's approval," he said, underlining that Kerala would resist any attempt to polarise its electorate.
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 23 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi's under-four-hour visit to the state capital on Friday unfolded as a tightly packed sequence of governance, politics and outreach, capped by two key interactions that he later highlighted through social media posts, signalled the broader political messaging of the visit.

After inaugurating a slew of Central projects and addressing a massive gathering of BJP workers, the Prime Minister held separate meetings with representatives of the fishing community and a key new political ally, underlining the BJP-led NDA's focus on both social outreach and alliance expansion in Kerala.

Following his interaction with a delegation of the Akhila Kerala Dheevara Sabha, an organisation representing fisherfolk, PM Modi wrote:

"It was a delight to interact with a delegation of the Akhila Kerala Dheevara Sabha. Exchanged perspectives on issues relating to Kerala's progress. This organisation has been doing commendable work in furthering the welfare of fishermen. Over the last decade, the NDA Government has worked extensively for fishermen. Our emphasis has been on ensuring better markets and technology for them. This work will continue with greater vigour in the coming times."

The interaction assumed significance in the backdrop of the BJP's renewed attempt to reach out to coastal communities, with the Prime Minister reiterating the NDA government's focus on livelihoods, technology and market access for fishermen.

In another politically significant meeting, PM Modi met industrialist Sabu M. Jacob, whose political outfit, Twenty20, officially joined the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance in Kerala on Thursday.

Sharing details of the meeting, the Prime Minister posted: "Had a wonderful meeting with Shri Sabu M. Jacob Ji in Thiruvananthapuram. I warmly welcome Twenty20 to the NDA family. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to transparent, people-centric governance."

The meeting with Sabu Jacob was widely viewed as an endorsement of the newly forged alliance and a signal of the NDA's intent to broaden its political footprint in Kerala by bringing regional and issue-based platforms into its fold.

PM Modi also met Swamis associated with the Sree Narayana Dharma Sanghom Trust, Sivagiri Mutt, Varkala.

He later posted, "Their dedicated work in the fields of social service, education, spirituality and community welfare has made a lasting contribution to our social fabric. Rooted in the timeless ideals of Sree Narayana Guru, their efforts continue to promote equality, harmony and dignity across society."

Bringing the curtains down on his brief but eventful visit, the Prime Minister summed up the mood in a final sign-off:

"Thank you Thiruvananthapuram! The energy and vibrancy were unparalleled."

The message neatly captured the tone of a visit that blended official announcements with pointed political signalling in the heart of Kerala's capital, especially after the BJP secured a historic win at the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation last month -- the first success in a Corporation in the state.
BOGOTA/QUITO, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Colombia will impose a 30 percent tariff on several Ecuadorian products, Minister of Trade, Industry and Tourism Diana Morales announced Thursday, a day after Ecuador revealed its "unilateral" decision to levy a similar tariff on Colombian goods.

"This tariff is not a sanction or a confrontational measure, but rather a corrective action aimed at restoring the balance of trade and protecting the national productive sector from external distortions," Morales said in a statement.

She added that Colombia and Ecuador have historically maintained a relationship based on cooperation, dialogue and respect, expressing her regret that Ecuador has violated this principle.

Colombia's response, she said, is "proportional, temporary, and subject to review," assuring that it does not imply abandoning dialogue between the parties aimed at finding a mutually beneficial solution.

The Ecuadorian exports to Colombia that are subject to the new tariffs amount to over 250 million U.S. dollars, Morales added.

On Wednesday, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa announced a 30 percent tariff increase on Colombian goods, effective Feb. 1.

Noboa cited a trade deficit exceeding 1 billion dollars annually, as well as Colombia's alleged lack of cooperation in addressing illegal armed groups along the border. 
Islamabad, Jan 23 : Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori on Friday demanded judicial investigation into the Gul Plaza incident in Pakistan's Karachi as the death toll from the fire increased to 67 while 77 people remain missing, local media reported on Friday.

Islamabad, Jan 23 (IANS) Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori on Friday demanded judicial investigation into the Gul Plaza incident in Pakistan's Karachi as the death toll from the fire increased to 67 while 77 people remain missing, local media reported on Friday.

Addressing a press conference, Tessori stated that he would request the Chief Justices of the Supreme Court and the Sindh High Court (SHC) to initiate a probe into the incident, Pakistani daily The News International reported.

"Those responsible should be identified and punished without delay," he asserted.

The administration cannot be absolved of responsibility for the fire incident in Gul Plaza, the Governor said, even as he raised questions on the handling of the fire incident and its aftermath. His statement comes amid ongoing rescue efforts to find more missing persons from the fire that erupted on January 17.

According to investigative sources, the fire erupted at a shop selling artificial flowers, where children were reportedly playing at the time of the incident. "Investigators believe the children were possibly playing with matches or a lighter inside the shop," a source said, adding that the stored items were first caught in the fire before it spread to the electrical wiring. According to the investigation, the fire did not erupt due to an electrical fault.

Separately, District South Deputy Commissioner Javed Nabi Khoso said that the death toll has risen to 67 while 77 people are still missing. He stated that a search and recovery operation is being conducted at the shopping mall and it is expected to be completed on Friday, The News International reported.

The shopping mall rescue operation continued for the seventh day on Friday. The largest fire in Karachi in more than 10 years erupted on January 17 and quickly spread through the Gul Plaza shopping complex.

Meanwhile, women from the homes of the missing people on Thursday gathered near the site of the incident to express anger over the slow pace of rescue and recovery operations, local media reported.

The women slammed the administration and rescue teams, saying they have been wandering helplessly since the fire started, seeking information regarding their loved ones. They expressed anger at the slow pace in clearing rubble from the collapsed sections of the structure, terming the situation "extremely nerve-wracking," Pakistani daily The Express Tribune reported.

The protesters shouted slogans against the authorities on MA Jinnah Road and even tried to enter the impacted building. Police intervened and stopped the protesters to prevent any escalation. Women carrying pictures of their loved ones demanded immediate completion of the rescue operations and urgent action to save any survivors still trapped under the rubble.

Meanwhile, the Human Rights Council (HRC) of Pakistan staged a protest outside Karachi Press Club, demanding the immediate resignation of Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab and strict legal action against those responsible for the Gul Plaza shopping mall fire.

Addressing the protesters, HRC Chairman Jamshed Hussain said that the horrific fire that broke out at Gul Plaza "is not merely an accident, but a criminal negligence by the concerned institutions and a grave violation of human rights". He stated that the death of more than 60 people and the disappearance of dozens is glaring proof of the failure of the Pakistani government system.

The Council stressed that the (Pakistani) Rs 1 crore per person compensation announced by the provincial government of Sindh is "extremely insufficient". It demanded the formation of an investigation committee that is not merely for show, but one that identifies those responsible and takes concrete legal action against the officers.

"Accepting moral responsibility for administrative failure in the city and the incompetence of the fire brigade, the Mayor of Karachi should immediately resign from his post," the HRC stated.

The rights body stated that the officers of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) and Fire Brigade, whose lack of preparedness and negligence led to the loss of precious lives, should be held accountable.
Ahmedabad, Jan 23 : In a major push to strengthen leadership skills among adolescent girls and familiarise them with democratic processes, the Gujarat government has constituted 'Balika Panchayats' in over 13,000 gram panchayats across the state.

Ahmedabad, Jan 23 (IANS) In a major push to strengthen leadership skills among adolescent girls and familiarise them with democratic processes, the Gujarat government has constituted aBalika Panchayatsa in over 13,000 gram panchayats across the state.

With this initiative, Gujarat has emerged as the first state in the country to implement such a model on a statewide scale.

The programme, which began as a pilot in Mota Angiya and Maska villages of Kutch district, has now been expanded to every district of Gujarat. The Balika Panchayat initiative aims to equip girls with a practical understanding of democracy, governance and civic participation from an early age.

The state government, drawing inspiration from Prime Minister Narendra Modias aBeti Bachao, Beti Padhaoa campaign, has been working consistently to improve the status of girls -- from encouraging their birth and education to enabling their journey towards self-reliance. Gujaratas Balika Panchayat model is seen as a significant step in that direction.

Under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and the leadership of Women and Child Development Minister Dr Manisha Vakil, the state has intensified efforts to promote education, awareness and empowerment among girls. Notably, National Girl Child Day, observed across the country since 2008 on January 24, focuses on reducing gender disparities and improving access to education, health and equality for girls.

This year, the theme centres on empowering girls for a brighter future. To support the implementation of Balika Panchayats, the state, in collaboration with UNICEF, has developed a comprehensive aBalika Panchayat Training Modulea. The module covers critical issues such as nutrition, anaemia, gender-based discrimination, leadership development, Panchayati Raj institutions, child rights, safety laws, adolescent health and physical changes during adolescence.

In the first phase, Training of Trainers (ToT) programmes were conducted for ICDS and women welfare personnel of the Women and Child Development Department with UNICEFas support. In the second phase, the department plans to train over 1,900 master trainers cluster-wise across all districts. These master trainers will further reach out to girls in the remotest villages, strengthening grassroots-level empowerment.

The state government has reiterated its commitment to eliminating social evils such as female foeticide, child marriage and child labour, while ensuring equal opportunities for girls. Officials emphasised that National Girl Child Day is not merely a symbolic observance but a reaffirmation of the stateas resolve to uphold the dignity, rights and future aspirations of every girl child.
January 23 : Lucknow: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is a name inseparably linked with Indias independence, one that commands the highest respect in the heart of every Indian and instills an unyielding resolve to never bow before traitors or anti-national forces, even in the most challenging times. A true son of Mother India, the very mention of Netaji evokes deep reverence, pride, and patriotism in every Indian, said Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath while addressing a program organized at Netaji Subhas Chowk, Hazratganj, Lucknow, on the auspicious occasion of Netaji Subhas Chandra Boses birth anniversary.

The Chief Minister described Netaji as a towering hero of the freedom movement, expressed gratitude for his unparalleled contribution to Indias independence, and offered floral tributes to his portrait on behalf of the people of the state.

The Chief Minister said, Netajis clarion call, 'Tum Mujhe Khoon Do, Mai Tumhe Azaadi Dunga,' became the defining mantra of Indias freedom struggle. Every word spoken by Netaji energized the movement. His slogan Chalo Delhi continues to inspire generations, while his song Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja, Khushi Ke Geet Gaye Ja is still proudly sung during passing-out parades of the Indian Army. He asked whether there is any Indian whose heart does not hold reverence and respect for Netaji.

The Chief Minister noted that Netaji provided a new direction to the freedom movement led by Mahatma Gandhi and emerged as the foremost leader of the revolutionary struggle. He added, His contribution to Indias independence, both within the country and abroad, is unforgettable. His journey across Germany, Japan, and several other nations to rally global support for Indias freedom remains an enduring source of inspiration.

Highlighting Netajis life, the Chief Minister said, He was born in 1897 in Cuttack into a distinguished family of lawyers and was sent to Britain for higher education at a young age. Despite securing a top rank in the ICS examination, Netaji chose to renounce service under British rule and dedicated himself to the nations freedom struggle. His towering personality and priceless contribution to the nation continue to inspire generations.

On behalf of the people of the state, the Chief Minister paid heartfelt tributes to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and expressed his deep gratitude.

On the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, Mayor of Lucknow Sushma Kharkwal, program organizer and Member of the Legislative Council Avnish Kumar Singh, former ministers Dr. Mahendra Singh, Angad Singh, and Pawan Singh Chauhan, along with several other distinguished guests, were present.
New Delhi, Jan 23 : As the nation prepares to celebrate the Republic Day, the Delhi Metro will commence its services at 3.00 a.m. on all lines on January 26 (Monday). This special arrangement has been made to facilitate the smooth movement of people to Kartavya Path and enable them to witness the Republic Day celebrations.

According to the Principal Executive Director (Corporate Communications) of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), trains will operate at intervals of 15 minutes on all lines from 3.00 a.m. to 6.00 a.m. to ensure convenient and hassle-free travel for commuters. After 6.00 a.m., the Metro services will follow the regular timetable for the rest of the day.

Passengers have been advised to plan their journeys and make use of the early morning Metro services to avoid last-minute inconvenience, especially those heading towards Kartavya Path to attend the national celebrations.

In addition, parking facilities at Metro stations across the entire network will remain fully operational on Republic Day, providing added convenience to commuters and visitors attending the celebrations in the national capital.

Republic Day commemorates the day when the Constitution of India came into effect on January 26, 1950, marking Indiaas transition from a British dominion to a sovereign democratic republic. The first Republic Day was celebrated in 1950, and the count has continued annually since then.

This year, India will celebrate its 77th Republic Day, observed as a national holiday across the country, with flag-hoisting ceremonies, cultural programmes, and patriotic events organised in government offices, schools, and local communities nationwide.

The Kartavya Path in New Delhi will host the customary grand military and cultural parade to commemorate the occasion. The parade will feature marching contingents from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Central Armed Police Forces, along with vibrant tableaux presented by various states, Union Territories, and Central ministries. A first-of-its-kind abattle arraya formation will also be showcased, depicting military units moving in an operational sequence rather than as a static display. New units, including the Bhairav Light Commando Battalion, will be part of this yearas line-up.

The national capital has already begun extensive preparations, including traffic advisories and parade rehearsals. President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council Antonio Costa will attend the celebrations as chief guests, highlighting the strengthening ties between India and the European Union. The two leaders are also expected to conclude the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) discussions the following day.
January 23 : Lucknow: Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Uttar Pradesh government is continuously taking concrete steps to connect the youth of the state with employment.

In this sequence, an important MoU has been signed between the Noida Apparel Export Cluster (NAEC), located in Gautam Buddha Nagar district, and the State Council for Vocational Training (SCVT). This MoU is expected to provide a new direction to skill development, vocational education and entrepreneurship in the state.

Under this MoU, in the first phase, NAEC will provide short-term skill training in 28 sectors over the next five years to one lakh candidates connected with 128 development blocks and 10,323 villages across 18 districts of Western Uttar Pradesh.

Out of these, 70,000 candidates will be provided employment in industrial units after completion of training. A key highlight of this initiative is that 50 percent of the total trainees will be women, which will further strengthen women empowerment.

As one of the countrys leading apparel export clusters, the biggest strength of NAEC will be its ability to provide training aligned with the requirements of the garment industry.

The entire process from training to placement will be managed by NAEC through its digital portal Kaushal Ganga. Along with this, the Kaushal Aajeevika and Kaushal Bazaar portals will also help connect trainees with livelihood opportunities and markets.

In this collaboration, the State Council for Vocational Training will play a crucial role. SCVT, which is a recognised awarding body of the National Council for Vocational Education and Training of the Government of India, will be responsible for the assessment and certification of all trainees.

NAEC will pay SCVT 1200 per trainee as certification fees. SCVT will also develop courses at its own level and get them approved by the National Council.

Minister of State for Vocational Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (Independent Charge) Kapil Dev Agarwal said, "the Yogi governments objective is to ensure that every youth of the state becomes skilled and does not have to struggle for employment".

This MoU between NAEC and SCVT will act as a strong bridge between industry and education. It will not only generate employment for youth but will also help Uttar Pradesh emerge as the countrys skill hub.

While signing the MoU, Principal Secretary for Vocational Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Dr Hari Om and Special Secretary and Director, SCVT Abhishek Singh were also present. They described this initiative as a milestone for the states skill policy.
Ahmedabad, Jan 23 : The Gujarat High Court on Friday sharply criticised the former management of Seventh Day Adventist School in Ahmedabad, citing serious lapses in student safety, admission procedures and overall governance.

The observations were made during the hearing of a petition challenging the state government's decision to place the institution under administrative control. The state assumed control of the school in December 2025 following sustained scrutiny after the murder of a student on the campus in August last year.

A division bench hearing the matter expressed grave concern over what it described as systemic failures at the school, questioning whether parents could place their trust in the institution.

"Would parents send their children to your school only to lose them?" the court asked, underscoring the responsibility of educational institutions to ensure the safety and well-being of students.

The bench also pointed to alleged lapses on the day of the fatal incident, observing that security personnel were inattentive and no immediate assistance was provided to the injured student. "On that day, your watchmen were asleep. Nobody came forward to help," the judges noted.

The petition, filed by the school management, seeks to set aside the government order placing the institution under administrative control. The takeover followed investigations by education authorities after the incident triggered widespread protests and prompted several parents to withdraw their children from the school.

Defending the state's action, government advocate G.H. Virk told the court that an inquiry by the District Education Officer had revealed multiple irregularities, including violations of the Right to Education Act, improper admissions and deficiencies in record-keeping.

He further submitted that the school's financial transactions were allegedly conducted entirely in cash. "Since the administration has taken over, several serious issues have come to light," he said, adding that the intervention was necessary in the interest of student welfare.

The August incident involved a Class 8 student allegedly stabbing a Class 10 student near the school's Khokhra Maninagar campus. Reports indicated that the injured student did not receive immediate medical assistance from school staff and was later taken to the hospital by family members, where he succumbed to his injuries.

In the aftermath, more than 160 parents reportedly sought transfer certificates for their children, citing concerns over campus safety and management.

Emphasising the need for strict due diligence in admissions and adherence to safety norms, the court cautioned against treating educational institutions as profit-driven enterprises. "It is not appropriate to turn a school into a money-printing machine," the bench observed.

The matter has been posted for further hearing on February 10.
Jaipur, Jan 23 : Political turmoil has intensified within the Rajasthan unit of the National Students Union of India (NSUI) after the Congress youth wing's state President Vinod Jakhar was issued a show-cause notice for allegedly making appointments without prior approval.

The notice seeks a reply within two days and carries a warning of removal from the post in case of non-compliance.

The notice was issued by NSUI National Secretary and Rajasthan in-charge Akhilesh Yadav. It states that the organisation had clearly instructed that any appointment made without the knowledge and signature of the state in charge would be treated as invalid. Despite these directions, Vinod Jakhar allegedly issued appointment letters on January 22, violating organisational norms and discipline.

According to the notice, Jakhar has been asked to submit a written explanation within two days clarifying the reasons behind issuing the appointment letters. It further states that failure to respond within the stipulated time would compel the organisation to initiate action, including his removal from the post of State President.

The development has brought the NSUIas internal rift into the public domain.

Sources within the organisation claim that tensions have been brewing for some time between the NSUI National President and Vinod Jakhar.

Jakhar is reportedly considered close to a national leader of the organisation, which has added to internal discontent. Sources also said that Jakhar had not been authorised to make political appointments for a considerable period. However, soon after he issued the appointment orders, the show-cause notice was served on him the same day, underscoring the deepening infighting within the student body.

As of now, Vinod Jakhar has not issued any official response to the notice. Congress leaders, meanwhile, told IANS that any appointment needs permission from top leadership, which was not followed here and hence came the notice. Further response is awaited from Jakhar, they said.

The episode has intensified political activity in Rajasthanas student politics. It comes close on the heels of the Congress partyas decision to dissolve the executive committee of the Rajasthan Youth Congress, further adding to the partyas organisational challenges in the state.
Quetta, Jan 23 : The approval of the 'Balochistan Prevention, Detention and Deradicalisation Rules 2025' by the provincial government headed by controversial Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti is an attempt to legalise enforced disappearances in Balochistan, a report has highlighted.

A meeting of the Balochistan provincial cabinet was held under the chairmanship of Bugti earlier this week whose government is led by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). During the meeting, 'The Balochistan Post' analysed in an editorial, a contentious decision was taken to grant legal cover to enforced disappearances and to detain forcibly disappeared persons in custody centres, where they would be interrogated under the supervision of police officers from the Counter-Terrorism Department.

"The approval of the Balochistan Prevention, Detention and Deradicalisation Rules 2025 by a government installed with the backing of Pakistan's powerful institutions is an attempt to legalise enforced disappearances in Balochistan. The apparent objective is to suppress the growing movement against enforced disappearances and state repression, and to silence the families of the disappeared. Declaring forcibly disappeared individuals as 'suspects' and subjecting them to interrogation in detention centres instead of presenting them before courts stands in direct contradiction to the fundamental human rights guaranteed under the Constitution of Pakistan," the editorial piece detailed.

It mentioned that, from its very first day, the government imposed on Balochistan under Sarfraz Bugti has consistently denied the grave human rights issue of enforced disappearances and has actively promoted the state's official narrative on the matter.

"However, the enforced disappearance of political activists in Balochistan cannot be denied. The United Nations human rights bodies, Amnesty International, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, and other organisations have repeatedly raised concerns over the issue of enforced disappearances in Balochistan and have urged Pakistan's authorities and government to address this serious human rights violation," the newspaper mentioned.

In spite of the issue being highlighted in media across the world, the Balochistan government continues to deny the existence of enforced disappearances, while on the other, its decision to approve the Prevention, Detention and Deradicalisation Rules amounts to an admission that state institutions are involved in enforced disappearances in the region.

"The approval of these rules effectively grants state agencies a free hand to forcibly disappear political activists. Rather than ending enforced disappearances, giving them legal cover will only deepen the crisis. Enforced disappearances, under any circumstances, are unconstitutional and constitute a grave violation of human rights. While enforced disappearances may be given a legal facade through the use of force, it will not be possible to silence the voices rising against them," the editorial in 'The Balochistan Post' asserted.

On January 21, a leading human rights organisation rejected the Balochistan provincial government's official claim that the issue of missing persons has been "resolved on a permanent basis," describing the statement as "false and contradicting ground realities."

According to the Human Rights Council of Balochistan (HRCB), the statement issued following the Balochistan provincial cabinet meeting on Tuesday-- which declared the issue resolved while families continue to search for their disappeared relatives -- is a "grave misrepresentation of facts".

In its findings for 2025, HRCB documented 1,455 cases of enforced disappearance, including 1,443 men and 12 women. Of these, it said, 1,052 individuals remain missing, 317 were released, 83 were killed in custody, and 3 were transferred to jail.

The rights body asserted that "these figures demonstrate the ongoing scale of illegal detentions and highlight that the so-called 'resolution 'is a false claim."

"Hundreds of individuals in Balochistan continue to be victims of enforced disappearance. Many families have approached courts, commissions, and human rights organizations, yet the whereabouts of their loved ones remain unknown," the HRCB stated.

Reiterating that Baloch civilians were abducted illegally, without due process, warrants, or lawful arrests, the rights body said that they were never presented before any court, constituting a clear violation of Pakistan's constitution and international human rights obligations.

"Enforced disappearance is a serious crime under international law, not a political slogan or propaganda. The characterisation of enforced disappearances as 'propaganda' is deeply offensive to the affected families and dismisses years of documented evidence," it noted.

Paank, the Baloch National Movement's Human Rights Department, also strongly condemned the approval by the Balochistan cabinet of the "so-called" Balochistan Centre of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism Rules 2025 and related detention frameworks. The rights body asserted that the legislation does not resolve the issue of missing persons and instead attempts to legalise enforced disappearances under a new name.

"By establishing detention centres outside transparent judicial oversight, the state risks normalising arbitrary arrests, secret detention, and abuse. Allowing families limited access does not replace due process, court proceedings, or accountability for those responsible for disappearances," Paank stressed earlier this week.
Hyderabad, Jan 23 : Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Friday accused the Congress government in Telangana of dragging investigation into the phone-tapping case like a television serial.

He alleged that the government lacked courage to act against the family of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) president and former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR).

He was talking to the media in Karimnagar after KCR's son and BRS working president K. T. Rama Rao (KTR) appeared before the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is probing the allegations of phone tapping by the previous BRS government.

The BJP leader alleged that the Congress government is doing drama in the name of SIT investigation.

He reiterated the allegation that KTR resorted to the phone-tapping with Sircilla as the headquarters. He alleged that many families were destroyed due to his atrocities.

Bandi Sanjay believes that no arrests will be made in the phone tapping investigation as the government lacks courage to act against KCR family.

"There are some good officers in SIT but the government has not given freedom to them. Have they arrested even a single political leader in the case," he asked.

The MoS also stated that had BJP been in power in the state, it would have taken action against KCR's family.

He said the leaders and officials who were involved in phone tapping should be punished.

Reacting to KTR's statement, the BJP leader said that phone tapping happened in Telangana can't be compared with the phone tapping for national security. He claimed that in Telangana phones of actresses, businessmen, political leaders and judges were tapped in the name of Maoists.

Bandi Sanjay had appeared before the SIT in August last year to record his statement as a witness.

He had subsequently alleged that KCR tapped the phones of his daughter K. Kavitha, son-in-law Anil Kumar and nephew and then minister T. Harish Rao.

He claimed that the phones of politicians were tapped in the name of Maoists during the rule of BRS and that thousands of crores were looted through phone-tapping.

The BJP leader alleged that KCR and KTR misused the Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) for personal interests, though the agency is meant to keep a tab on the activities of Maoists.
Zagreb, Jan 23 : Khalistani extremists reportedly storming the Indian Embassy in Croatia on Thursday, ripping down the tricolour and hoisting their Khalistani flag is not a victory of self-determination but a pathetic tantrum by fringe radicals who thrive on chaos while cowering from real threats faced by their community, a report stated on Friday.

"Timed cynically ahead of EU leaders' participation in India's Republic Day celebrations, this stunt reeks of desperation, aiming to embarrass India on the global stage. But let's call it what it is: criminal vandalism that drags innocent host nations like Croatia into a quagmire of international tension," Khalsa Vox reported.

Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun could not hide his happiness over the incident and shared a video, where he made claims like India's tricolour will be replaced with Khalistan flag after Punjab is "liberated" from "Indian occupation".

"Pannun's rhetoric isn't just inflammatory, it's a blueprint for terrorism disguised as activism. This isn't about Sikh rights; it's a direct assault on India's sovereignty, backed by countries such as Pakistan, echoing the violent separatist campaigns that have claimed thousands of lives. By violating the Vienna Convention on diplomatic premises, these thugs aren't asserting "Sikh self-determination", they're inviting backlash from European governments weary of foreign extremists turning their soil into battlegrounds."

The Khalsa Vox stated that such actions also put host nations in a soup. Croatia now has to investigate this breach and targetting of Indian Embassy could strain Zagreb's ties with New Delhi. Khalistani vandalism incidents have previously occurred in Canada, the UK, and the US, resulting in arrests, diplomatic protests, and increased security near Indian missions.

"These radicals exploit Western freedoms to sow discord, but when the hammer falls, as it inevitably will, it's the local authorities who clean up the mess. Why not channel that energy into something productive? Because destruction is easier than dialogue. Pannun and his ilk peddle a victim narrative laced with half-truths and outright lies."

The hypocrisy of these radicals is revealed when they remain silent on atrocities that don't fit their anti-India propaganda. In December last year, a 16-year-old Sikh girl in UK's Hounslow was kidnapped, blackmailed, and gang-raped by a Pakistani-origin grooming gang, men in their 40s who want to target teenage girls. More than 200 Sikhs stormed the apartment to rescue her, resulting in the arrest of the main accused and his accomplices. This is not only a single incident as UK grooming gangs, involving Pakistani men have targetted Sikh girls for years.

"Where was Pannun's outrage? Why no SFJ campaigns against these predators? No flag-hoisting protests at Pakistani embassies? Because it doesn't serve their narrative, and also, how can they protest against their funders? Khalistanis are quick to desecrate Indian symbols but mum when Sikh daughters are violated by gangs from a nation that has historically oppressed Sikhs and continues to do so still, be it the Gurdwaras in Pakistan going to ruins, forced conversions, persecution of minorities, the list goes on," Khalsa Vox report highlighted.
HONG KONG, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong's science, innovation and technology (I&T) sectors will be at the heart of the region's flourishing future, said John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), while attending a ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences (ASHK) on Thursday.

Lee underscored the HKSAR government's commitment to building Hong Kong into an international I&T center, citing unwavering support from Chinese central authorities, rapid development of the tech-focused Northern Metropolis and the continuing contributions of key institutions like the ASHK.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Dennis Lo Yuk-ming, president of the ASHK, described the current moment as a "golden era" for technological innovation in Hong Kong. He urged the city's I&T community to seize this opportunity to step up efforts to support Hong Kong's rise as an international I&T center.

Hong Kong has made notable progress in boosting the development of the I&T sector. Official data showed that its gross expenditure on research and development more than doubled during the 2014-2024 period, with the number of employees in the I&T sector also surging 70 percent over the same period. 
New Delhi, Jan 23 : Pakistan's exports plummeted by 20.4 per cent in December 2025, marking the fifth consecutive monthly decline that reflects the deep-rooted economic crisis plaguing the country, according to official figures.

New Delhi, Jan 23 (IANS) Pakistanas exports plummeted by 20.4 per cent in December 2025, marking the fifth consecutive monthly decline that reflects the deep-rooted economic crisis plaguing the country, according to official figures.

Exports contracted to approximately $2.32 billion from nearly $2.91 billion in December 2024. Imports, on the other hand, continued to expand, rising by about 2 per cent to $6.02 billion, pushing the monthly trade deficit up by nearly 24 per cent to $3.7 billion, according to an article in The Maldives Insider.

The persistent contraction in export earnings points to deeper structural issues, including limited product diversification, declining competitiveness, and insufficient integration into global value chains. The export slide reflects a prolonged inability to generate sufficient foreign exchange through merchandise sales abroad, the article pointed out.

Data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics indicate that export proceeds over the first six months of the 2025a"26 fiscal year (Julya"December) declined by around 8.7 per cent to $15.18 billion, even as imports rose by 11.3 per cent to $34.39 billion.

The resulting trade deficit for this period ballooned to $19.2 billion, 35 per cent higher than in the same period the previous year.

Pakistanas external sector has long been characterised by chronic trade imbalances, with export performance widely acknowledged as a weak link in economic stability.

Decades of data show that Pakistanas merchandise exports have hovered within a narrow range, failing to keep pace with rising import demand or regional competitors.

In recent years, governments have relied heavily on foreign official flows, remittances from overseas workers, and occasional debt-financing to stabilise the economy and support the balance of payments.

These measures, however, have masked the underlying fragility of export dynamics rather than addressing their root causes. The December data made clear that this fragility is now translating into tangible economic strain.

The increase in imports, especially when seen alongside the sharp export contraction, has intensified pressure on Pakistanas trade balance.

Imports crossing the $6 billion mark in December a" the highest level during the current fiscal year a" signal renewed demand for foreign goods that has outpaced export performance.

Economic commentators note that recent policy shifts towards trade normalisation and liberalisation may have revived import demand faster than expected. While a rebound in imports can reflect economic activity, it also enlarges the trade deficit when not matched by export growth.

The mismatch between import growth and export contraction highlights a persistent disconnect between domestic consumption needs and the economyas capacity to generate foreign exchange through sales abroad.

In a country where manufacturing and export sectors have struggled to scale up, rising import dependence further strains the external account and narrows policy options for stabilising reserves without compromising domestic liquidity.
Ujjain, Jan 23 : Tension erupted once again in Tarana town of Ujjain district in Madhya Pradesh on Friday after 'namaz', with the mob allegedly setting buses on fire, vandalising shops and pelting stones at several places, prompting heavy deployment of police forces to bring the situation under control. The unrest began with a minor dispute on January 22 night over giving way to a bus. What started as an argument quickly escalated into tension between two communities, leading to incidents of stone-pelting, vandalism and arson.

On Friday, the situation deteriorated further as unidentified rioters allegedly torched two buses and spread panic through vandalism and stone-pelting. Police reached the scene promptly and managed to bring the situation under control, officials said.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Pradeep Sharma told the media that a case of attempted murder has been registered against six individuals and appealed to the public to maintain peace, assuring that strict action is being taken against those responsible.

According to SP Sharma, the incident stemmed from an attack on one Sohel Thakur, who was assaulted from behind by a group of youths. He sustained serious head injuries and was referred to Ujjain for further treatment.

Based on his complaint, police registered a case of attempted murder against six accused -- Sappan Mirza, Ishaan Mirza, Shadab alias Idli, Salman Mirza, Rizwan Mirza and Naved. Five of them have already been arrested, while four others are in custody for questioning.

The SP confirmed that the injured person's condition is stable.

Earlier, communal tension erupted in Tarana tehsil after an attack on a VHP-Bajrang Dal worker. Protesters damaged around a dozen buses parked at the bus stand, and heavy police deployment was made to maintain peace.

In view of the tension, a large police force was deployed in the town and police continuously patrolled sensitive areas. The situation in Tarana went out of control on Thursday evening when the dispute turned violent.

Markets remained closed on Friday and a heavy police presence was maintained in the area. Police continued to appeal to people to maintain peace.

On Friday morning, workers of Hindu organisations again gheraoed the Tarana police station demanding that the houses of the accused be demolished after parading them in a procession.

Despite efforts by administration and police officials to pacify them, the protesters remained firm in their demands. They staged a dharna outside the police station and recited the Hanuman Chalisa.

Authorities continued to appeal for calm, stressing that those responsible for the attack have been arrested. CCTV footage of the incident is being reviewed and the number of accused may increase, police said.

Meanwhile, video footage circulating on social media, though not independently verified, shows instances of arson and heightened tension in the area.

As Basant Panchami and Friday coincided, senior police officials have been deployed at the scene as a precautionary measure. Both sides have been urged to maintain peace. One company of the Special Task Force (STF) and around 300 police personnel and officers have been deployed at the spot.
New Delhi, Jan 23 : As India prepares to welcome the top European leadership to the Republic Day celebrations on January 26, EC President Ursula von der Leyen is upbeat on the India-Europe free trade agreement.

Von der Leyen has made it clear that Europe is diversifying its markets in the wake of the US tariff turmoil and drastic change in geo-economics

"And right after Davos, I will travel to India. There is still work to do. But we are on the cusp of a historic trade agreement. Some call it the mother of all deals. One that would create a market of 2 billion people, accounting for almost a quarter of global GDP," she said at the World Economic Forum.

"And, crucially, that would provide a first-mover advantage for Europe with one of the world's fastest-growing and most dynamic continents. Europe wants to do business with the growth centres of today and the economic powerhouses of this century."

India and the European Union are close to finalising a landmark Free Trade Agreement, with the formal announcement expected on January 27, a day after the Republic Day celebrations, which will be attended by the top EU leadership as chief guests.

According to sources, the India-EU summit, scheduled for January 27, will witness the successful conclusion of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations. A document will be adopted by both sides to announce the conclusion of FTA negotiations, after which the agreement will be put through the required legal process and ratification by the European Parliament and Council.

Both sides are also set to sign a security and defence partnership agreement and a pact to enhance mobility for Indian professionals getting employment in the EU.

The trade deal will be the largest ever that India has signed, covering goods and services with the 27-nation European Union, one of India's biggest export destinations. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has termed it as the "mother of all deals" to drive home the significance.

With a combined market of nearly two billion people, the agreement would link two of the world's largest democratic economies amid the global economic uncertainty triggered by the US tariff turmoil and geopolitical tensions worldwide.

The European Union is India's biggest trading partner, with trade in goods amounting to $135 billion in the FY24, and the FTA is expected to unlock additional market access and economic complementarities. Although the negotiations have been moving ahead, there is still a discussion on sensitive areas such as the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

India is pushing for zero-duty access for its labour-intensive sectors -- such as textiles, leather, apparel, gems and jewellery, and handicrafts.

Last week, Commerce Minister Goyal stated that the talks for a trade agreement between India and the European Union have entered the final stage.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Patna, Jan 23 : Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday laid the foundation stone for 89 projects, inaugurated 47 projects, and launched work on 36 additional projects worth several hundred crore rupees in Muzaffarpur district as part of his ongoing Samriddhi Yatra.

Arriving in Muzaffarpur on Friday, the Chief Minister visited various departmental stalls and interacted with Jeevika Didis, beneficiaries of government schemes, and local villagers during a public dialogue programme.

He highlighted the achievements of his government and outlined the future development roadmap for Bihar.

CM Nitish Kumar reviewed the progress of several ongoing projects in the district and directed officials to expedite construction work and ensure completion within stipulated timelines.

He inspected the widening work from Chandni Chowk to Barkhi Path and the Road Over Bridge (ROB) project in Muzaffarpur, issuing necessary instructions to the officials concerned.

The Chief Minister also inaugurated construction and renovation works at the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) premises in Muzaffarpur.

During the event, he distributed cheques to selected beneficiaries under various government schemes.

The Chief Minister held a high-level meeting of district officials at the Mini Secretariat building and issued instructions to ensure corruption-free governance and a people-centric approach in government offices.

Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, Agriculture Minister Ram Kripal Yadav, senior state officials and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

The Samriddhi Yatra, which began on January 16, has so far covered West Champaran, East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Gopalganj, Saran, Siwan and Muzaffarpur.

Development projects worth thousands of crores have been inaugurated or launched across these districts.

The first phase of Samriddhi Yatra will continue till January 24, with the Chief Minister scheduled to visit Vaishali on the concluding day.

The second phase of Samriddhi Yatra will start on January 27, and Nitish Kumar is scheduled to visit some of the districts, including Madhubani and Darbhanga.
Jabalpur, Jan 23 : Former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president and Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, addressing an event in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur on Friday, said that the people from the "Bengali community are feeling unsafe in West Bengal." Jabalpur, Jan 23 (IANS) Former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president and Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, addressing an event in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur on Friday, said that the people from the "Bengali community are feeling unsafe in West Bengal."

The BJP leader stated that Bengal has made great contributions to the freedom of India and guided the nation with its culture and knowledge. He alleged that Bengal was divided due to the then Congress leadership.

During his address, Nadda mentioned the names of renowned personalities from West Bengal, including Subhash Chandra Bose, Rabindranath Tagore, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, and many others, and their contributions to building a strong and united country.

"It is said that what Bengal thinks today, India thinks tomorrow," the Union Minister said while addressing a large gathering of people from the Bengali community during an event organised by City Bengali Club in Jabalpur, the city also known as Sanskardhani (cultural capital) of Madhya Pradesh.

Nadda mentioned that Madhya Pradesh and especially Jabalpur have not only shown respect for the people of the Bengali community, but they elected the Bengali community for the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha. "This is why Bengalis feel safer here than in West Bengal," he said, citing the example of his mother-in-law Jayashree Banerjee, who represented Jabalpur Lok Sabha constituency from 19992004.

Before becoming the Lok Sabha MP, she represented the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly in 1977 from Jabalpur Central, and in 1990 and 1993 from Pashchim Jabalpur. She also served as a cabinet minister in the Madhya Pradesh government from 1977 to 1980.

Addressing that event, which was also attended by his mother-in-law and former MP Jayashri Banerjee and his wife Mallika Nadda, the former BJP chief said that the party has a strong relationship with the people of West Bengal.

Meanwhile, referring to the statement of a person from the Bengali community (who also addressed the event), Nadda said, "It is a matter of concern that Bengalis, who guided the country at different times, are feeling unsafe in West Bengal. Therefore, we must bring change in West Bengal now, and people will get the opportunity to make it happen in April - May this year."

Notably, Union Health Minister J P Nadda is on a two-day visit to Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur. He will lay the foundation of a medical college being set under the PPP model in Katni on Saturday.
New Delhi, Jan 23 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday strongly criticised the Tamil Nadu Assembly for adopting a resolution urging the Union government to ensure the right to work in rural areas in accordance with the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi questioned the constitutional validity of the Assemblyas move, alleging that it amounted to defiance of an Act passed by Parliament.

"I would like to ask: if a Bill has been duly passed by the Parliament of India and the Supreme Court has neither objected to it nor stayed it, does any State Assembly have the constitutional authority to pass a resolution against it?" he said at a press briefing.

Drawing an analogy, Trivedi further asked whether local bodies could similarly disregard laws enacted by state legislatures.

"I also want to ask the governments of Tamil Nadu and Kerala: if your state Assembly passes any legislation, does any Zila Panchayat or Municipal Corporation have the authority to declare that it will not follow that law? If the answer is no, then the same principle applies here as well," he said.

Trivedi targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing the Opposition of selectively invoking constitutional values. "I would like to ask Rahul Gandhi whether the Constitution is in danger or not when an Act of Parliament is being openly defied by State Assemblies in a manner that is brazenly inconsistent with the Constitution and its spirit," he said.

"Our forefathers, from Dr Rajendra Prasad to Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, clearly stated that any law passed by Parliament is binding on all citizens of India. So my counter-question is this: Is the Constitution not in danger now? Or is it something they merely keep in their pocket and use for political convenience?" he asked.

The resolution, moved by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and adopted by the House, called on the Centre to guarantee allocations under the MGNREGS at levels no lower than those of previous years.

It also sought the continued protection of the livelihoods of vulnerable sections, including women, persons with disabilities, and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, through assured funding and social security under the scheme.

The Tamil Nadu Assembly resolution also opposed the Centreas proposed method of allocating funds for the scheme on a discretionary basis linked to assessments and urged the Union government to abandon the new procedure. It instead demanded continuation of the existing system under MGNREGS, where allocations are made in accordance with actual demand for employment.

The Centreas approach, the resolution warned, could undermine the legal guarantee of work under the Act and adversely affect rural livelihoods, particularly among economically and socially marginalised communities.
New Delhi, Jan 23 : The Supreme Court on Friday sought sealed-cover status reports from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on their ongoing probes into alleged large-scale bank frauds linked to Reliance Communications Ltd (RCOM), its group companies, and promoter Anil Ambani.

A Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi directed the two Central agencies to apprise the top court of the progress made in the investigations.

The reports are to be submitted in a sealed envelope.

Appearing for the petitioner, advocate Prashant Bhushan submitted that more than Rs 1.50 lakh crore of debt of the RCOM and its group companies has been written off and alleged that funds were siphoned off through multiple shell companies. He described the case as the "largest bank loan fraud in the country."

Bhushan added that neither Anil Ambani nor RCOM had entered an appearance before the Supreme Court despite notices being issued earlier. "This was highly reported in the media. It is not that they do not know. They are watching the proceedings," he submitted. However, "in the interest of justice," the CJI Kant-led Bench granted them a last opportunity and issued fresh notices, directing the Registrar General of the Bombay High Court to ensure service upon them.

Earlier, on November 18, 2025, the apex court had issued notices to the Union government, Anil Ambani and RCOM on the PIL seeking a court-monitored probe into the alleged "large-scale, organised bank fraud" by the company and its group entities.

The plea has sought the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising officers from the CBI and the ED, contending that only a judicially supervised investigation can ensure a comprehensive, coordinated and transparent probe into the alleged offences.

As per the PIL, the FIR registered by the CBI in August 2025 covers only a fraction of the financial irregularities despite extensive material pointing to the diversion of funds, round-tripping, fictitious transactions, and systematic misuse of bank loans by RCOM and its group companies.

The plea alleged that the State Bank of India (SBI), the lead lender in a consortium that extended Rs 31,580 crore between 2013 and 2017, waited five years to lodge an FIR despite being in possession of a detailed forensic audit report since 2020.

"Despite being in possession of the 2020 Forensic Audit Report, based on which the complaint was filed which contains detailed issues regarding diversion, evergreening, fictitious transactions, and use of shell entities, the bank chose to take no statutory action until August 2025, a delay that cannot be explained without examining whether officers acted in collusion or with deliberate intent to shield the borrower group," the plea stated.

"The five-year delay in filing the FIR by the bank clearly indicates involvement of bank officials and other public servants whose conduct enabled, concealed, or facilitated the fraud," it added.

The PIL also sought the constitution of an expert committee under the supervision of the Supreme Court to recommend structural reforms in banking and regulatory oversight.
Chennai, Jan 23 : At a high-voltage National Democratic Alliance (NDA) campaign rally held on Friday at Madurantakam near Chennai, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), accusing it of corruption, misgovernance and betrayal of public trust, while asserting that Tamil Nadu is ready for a BJP-led NDA government.

The rally was attended by senior NDA leaders, including AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss, AMMK founder T.T.V. Dhinakaran, Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar) president G.K. Vasan and leaders of other NDA constituents.

Addressing the gathering, PM Modi said Tamil Nadu was "struggling to free itself from the DMK's poor governance" and claimed that the countdown had begun for the end of the DMK regime.

"The people gave the DMK two chances, but it betrayed their trust. This is a government marked by corruption, criminality and dynastic politics," he said, adding that the state needed a "safe, corruption-free administration".

The Prime Minister alleged that the DMK functioned only for the benefit of one family and accused the party of promoting what he described as four negative paths -- dynasty, corruption, disrespect towards women, and contempt for culture.

"Tamil Nadu has enriched India's civilisational heritage. To achieve a developed India, Tamil Nadu must be freed from DMK misrule," he said.

Highlighting the Centre's contributions, PM Modi said the Union government had undertaken "unprecedented development works" in Tamil Nadu over the past 11 years, claiming that Rs 3 lakh crore had been transferred to the state through devolution alone.

He also said the NDA government had allocated nearly seven times more funds for railways than the previous DMK-Congress dispensation and credited the Centre for introducing Vande Bharat trains and expanding support for farmers and fishermen.

Raising concerns over law and order and drug abuse, PM Modi accused the DMK government of failing to protect youth from narcotics and criminal networks.

He contrasted the present situation with the tenure of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, whom he praised for effective crime control.

On culture, PM Modi reiterated his admiration for the Tamil language and heritage, noting that he had gifted the Thirukkural to world leaders and supported Tamil studies in national institutions.

He also accused the DMK and its allies of opposing religious traditions for vote-bank politics.

Referring to Jallikattu, PM Modi said the DMK-Congress government had banned the sport, while the NDA ensured its legal continuation.

PM Modi asserted that Tamil Nadu needed a government that trusted its youth and worked in coordination with the Centre.
Amaravati, Jan 23 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday asked banks to provide loans extensively to the renewable energy sector, saying the Central and state governments are giving top priority to the sector.

Stating that power distribution companies (DISCOMs) are also providing counter-guarantees, he urged bankers to take the initiative in providing loans to the renewable energy sector.

Presiding over the 233rd and 234th meetings of the State Level Bankers' Committee (SLBC) here, the Chief Minister underlined the need to ensure that no one in the state has to take loans from private individuals.

"Whether it's for agriculture or any other need, people should be able to go to banks and take loans. Bankers should work towards this goal," he said.

Naidu also called for providing loans on a large scale to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes to ensure progress of the underprivileged.

"As governments, we are doing what we need to do for the underprivileged... cooperation from the bankers is essential. The fruits of development should reach everyone. The disparities between the rich and the poor must disappear," he said

"We have estimated that there is a possibility of rescheduling loans worth Rs 2 lakh crore in Andhra Pradesh. So far, we have rescheduled Rs 49,000 crore. We were able to save Rs 1108 crore through loan rescheduling," he said

Chief Minister Naidu also revealed that the government intends to make the state capital, Amaravati, a hub for financial institutions. He noted that various financial sector institutions, including banks, are setting up their offices here.

Referring to the foundation stone laid recently for the offices of 15 banks, he said construction should pick up pace and be completed quickly.

He emphasised the need for strengthening Farmer-Producer Organisations on the lines of DWCRA groups.

Pointing out that 15 types of charges are being levied on DWCRA group bank accounts, he asked bankers to reduce these charges.

The Chief Minister instructed the bankers to provide greater encouragement to the MSME sector.

He asked them to give priority to MSMEs that support the weaker sections in businesses. The government and bankers need to stand as a strong support for MSMEs, he said.

He believed that with the encouragement of MSMEs, development can be achieved in all sectors.

Naidu said that the government is moving forward with the 'One Family - One Entrepreneur' policy and proceeding with plans to boost the service sector.

He claimed that the Central government is also ready to provide VGF for PPP projects.

It was revealed that various banks are providing support to those starting industries through Ratan Tata Innovation Hubs.

Representatives of Union Bank stated that their bank is supporting the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub headquarters in Amaravati.

Representatives of the respective banks explained that SBI and Bank of Baroda are supporting the Rajahmundry spoke hub, Canara Bank the Anantapur spoke hub, PNB the Visakhapatnam spoke hub, Indian Bank the Tirupati spoke hub, and HDFC Bank the Vijayawada spoke hub of Ratan Tata Innovation Hub.
Mandya : , Jan 23 (IANS) Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Friday strongly criticised the Congress government in Karnataka, stating that the slogan "Go back Governor" raised by the state Congress would achieve nothing and was merely a political drama.

Mandya (Karnataka), Jan 23 (IANS) Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Friday strongly criticised the Congress government in Karnataka, stating that the slogan "Go back Governor" raised by the state Congress would achieve nothing and was merely a political drama.

He alleged that instead of introspecting, the Congress-led government was indulging in a false campaign against the Viksit Bharat  Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G Ram G) scheme to cover up the injustices and illegalities it had committed over the past two-and-a-half years.

Speaking to the media after inaugurating the newly constructed Sri Maramma Devi Temple at Shivalli village in the Melukote Assembly constituency, Kumaraswamy said the Congress should recall how it had behaved in the past on issues related to Governors to understand its own contradictions.

"They are wasting time by convening a special session. This is not the first time a Governor has refused to read a speech or has curtailed it. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who was Deputy Chief Minister when J.H. Patel was Chief Minister, should remember what happened then. What we are seeing now is unnecessary confrontation in the Legislative Assembly," he said.

"Will such confrontations solve the state's problems? 'Go back Governor' is nothing but a political drama," the Union Minister remarked.

He alleged that the state government's intention was to attack the Centre by raking up the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) issue and that this was the reason for convening the special session.

"They repeatedly use the name of Dalits to strengthen their political position. The Congress government has diverted funds meant for Scheduled Castes and other backward sections to implement guarantee schemes. Is this what upliftment of Dalits means?" he questioned.

Kumaraswamy alleged that several irregularities had taken place under the present government. "Although the Governor has the authority to act on illegal decisions, he did not engage in confrontation with our government the way Governors in some other states have done. The Congress government has failed to understand this," he said.

He further alleged that the state government was not maintaining trust with the Centre and had not been transparent regarding Central funds. "Due to their mistakes, some National Highway projects have been withdrawn. Who is responsible for this?" he asked.

Accusing the government of repeatedly doing injustice to farmers, Kumaraswamy said: "Have you protected farmers who have grown crops? How much crop procurement have you done as per the norms approved by the Centre? When mango prices crashed, they went to the Centre seeking help. When I was Chief Minister and mango prices fell, the state government itself provided compensation. They are unable to work, but they keep finding excuses to blame the Centre."

"Conflict will not solve problems. I advise the state government to resolve issues by maintaining trust with the Centre. They claim they pay huge taxes, but it is the people who pay taxes. The Assembly should discuss the state's problems. Mere high drama will not yield any results," he added.

Responding to a question on whether he would return to state politics, Kumaraswamy said Karnataka alone was his political boundary.

"I will contest elections from wherever the people expect me to. I had no intention of contesting the Lok Sabha election from Mandya. I wanted Puttaraju to contest. Circumstances forced me to enter the fray. I never knew I would become an MP or a Union Minister. Those who left our party claimed the JD(S) was finished. They do not understand how our party is strengthening. Some people are obsessed with the JD(S) and are constantly worried about eliminating it," he said.

Replying to a question on former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda's statement that there would be no alliance in local body elections, Kumaraswamy said the JD(S) and BJP would fight together to uproot what he called the Congress government's misrule.

"We will take decisions on alliances in line with people's expectations. Competition at the local level is natural and exists in all parties. Party workers discuss positions and status. We will take a final decision on these matters," he said.

Former minister C.S. Puttaraju was present.
BEIRUT, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- From a small square near the municipal center of Taybeh, a town near the Israel-Lebanon border, 50-year-old farmer Jawad Fayyad watches Israeli drones circle overhead as he makes brief daytime visits to inspect his damaged fields and a home destroyed in an airstrike.

Living in constant fear, Fayyad now avoids staying after sunset. "With this uncertain situation, I finish what work I can quickly and leave before evening," he said.

The Lebanese government said it has completed the first phase of demilitarizing areas south of the Litani River, but residents say conditions on the ground remain volatile as Israel continues near-daily airstrikes along the border.

"Disarming illegal weapons south of the Litani is a positive and important step," Fayyad said. "But calm cannot return as long as Israeli forces remain inside key positions along the border."

Similar scenes are unfolding across villages along the Litani, Lebanon's longest river, which runs roughly parallel to the frontier. In Aitaroun, 40-year-old Nawal Sheet has reopened a small shop selling bread and canned goods from a room in her damaged home.

"People want to rebuild, but insecurity holds them back," she said. "They are waiting for the Lebanese army to complete its deployment across the entire area."

Roads leading to border villages pass damaged homes, shuttered shops, and olive groves cut off by earth berms. At the entrances to Adaisseh, Kafr Kila, and Houla, ruined buildings mark checkpoints where access requires coordination between Lebanese army patrols, UN peacekeepers, and Israeli authorities.

Under a ceasefire that took effect on Nov. 27, 2024, Israeli forces were due to withdraw by Feb. 18, 2025. However, Israel has kept troops at five positions, saying the presence is temporary and necessary until security threats, including from Hezbollah, are removed. Israel has continued intermittent strikes in Lebanon since the ceasefire took effect.

At a Lebanese army checkpoint in Adaisseh, a colonel, who requested anonymity, said troops are ready to deploy throughout the area south of the Litani but cannot advance while Israeli forces remain in place. The army is awaiting meetings of a joint mechanism committee tasked with securing a full Israeli withdrawal, he said.

Around 10,000 Lebanese troops are currently deployed south of the Litani, according to the officer. Working with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), the army has reopened military roads, reactivated observation posts, and carried out field surveys over the past year.

In the Arqoub region, Kfarchouba Mayor Qassem Qadri said the army has helped reopen roads, secure access for farmers, and support civil defense teams clearing rubble around schools and health centers.

"The deployment has restored an initial sense of the state's return," he said, adding that progress remains fragile without full border control.

Political analyst Nidal Issa described the situation as a "limited sovereignty vacuum." Schools operate intermittently, clinics run reduced hours, and farmers such as Hassan Daher from Kafr Kila can only access land deemed safe.

"The land is liberated on paper," Daher said, referring to orchards near the Blue Line, the UN-demarcated withdrawal line. "But people cannot reach their orchards, and any movement near the line carries unpredictable risks." 
Guwahati, Jan 23 : Saraswati Puja, also celebrated as Basant Panchami, was observed with traditional fervour and enthusiasm across Assam and other parts of the country on Friday, with students thronging schools, colleges and educational institutions to seek the blessings of Goddess Saraswati.

Dedicated to Goddess Saraswati -- the deity of knowledge, wisdom, music and the arts, the festival marks the advent of spring and holds immense significance, particularly for students and the academic community.

From early morning, educational institutions across Assam witnessed colourful celebrations, with students offering prayers for intellectual growth and academic success.

Dressed predominantly in yellow and traditional attire, students participated in rituals, devotional singing and cultural programmes organised within school and college premises.

Homes and community pandals were also decorated for the occasion, resonating with hymns and prayers that reflected the spirit of learning and creativity associated with the festival.

Saraswati Puja enjoys special importance in Assam, where reverence for education is deeply ingrained in society.

Students preparing for forthcoming examinations gathered in large numbers, believing the day to be especially auspicious for seeking divine guidance and beginning new academic pursuits.

Many also placed their books, musical instruments and art materials before the idol of the Goddess Saraswati as a symbolic gesture of devotion.

Beyond its religious dimension, the festival carries a strong cultural significance in the state.

Celebrated across communities, Saraswati Puja serves as a unifying occasion that transcends social and religious boundaries, bringing people together in a shared celebration of knowledge and culture.

In Guwahati, the festive spirit was clearly visible as students thronged campuses wearing traditional attire such as Mekhela Sador and sarees, lending colour and grace to the celebrations.

Several institutions organised cultural programmes showcasing music, recitations and dance performances by students.

At Dispur College, students expressed joy and excitement after participating in the puja.

Many said preparations had begun weeks in advance, particularly for arranging traditional outfits and decorations.

Students also offered special prayers to Goddess Saraswati, seeking success in examinations and clarity of thought in their academic journey.

As the day concluded, the celebrations reaffirmed Assam's deep-rooted respect for learning, knowledge and cultural harmony.
Bhubaneswar, Jan 23 : Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Friday attended the Parakram Diwas celebrations at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Birthplace Museum in Odisha's Cuttack, urging the citizens to follow Netaji's Ideals of Courage, Unity and Supreme Dedication to Nation-Building.

The grand celebrations at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Birthplace Museum marked the 129th birth anniversary of the great freedom fighter of the country.

Addressing the gathering, the Vice-President paid heartfelt tributes to Netaji, describing him as a great son of Bharat. He termed his visit to Netaji's birthplace as deeply enriching and said that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose not only fought for India's freedom but also had a clear vision for the nation's governance after Independence. Radhakrishnan noted that Netaji envisioned India as a strong, powerful and poverty-free nation.

Recalling the stirring strains of "Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja", the marching song of the Indian National Army, the Vice-President said that Netaji's vision of a strong and self-reliant Bharat continues to inspire the nation and urged citizens to collectively pledge to march towards the goal of Viksit Bharat @2047, drawing inspiration from Netaji's ideals of courage, unity and supreme dedication to the motherland.

Vice-President Radhakrishnan observed that Odisha occupies a special place in India's civilisational journey, where history, spirituality and culture blend seamlessly.

He appreciated the Odisha Government for its focused efforts towards tribal development, initiatives aimed at improving the living standards of tribal communities, and sustained infrastructure development. Expressing confidence in the State's progress, he said that with continued good governance, Odisha would emerge as one of the leading States in the country.

Referring to Odisha's rich legacy of resistance from ancient times through the freedom struggle, the Vice-President said this heritage found a powerful echo in Netaji's revolutionary path. The land that withstood invasions and preserved its identity, he said, deeply understood Netaji's message that freedom is achieved not through submission, but through courage and unity. During the programme, the recorded address of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was telecast.

The Vice-President noted that the Prime Minister had conferred due honour on Netaji by observing his birth anniversary as Parakram Diwas since 2021 and by renaming Ross Island as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep.

He added that Parakram Diwas is not merely an occasion to remember Netaji's valour, but a clarion call for every Indian to act boldly in the service of the nation.

The Vice-President also recalled that Netaji's life story was the first to ignite patriotic fervour in his own heart, inspiring a lifelong commitment to public service and national duty.

As part of the commemorative programme, the Vice-President inaugurated the INA Postal Stamp Gallery, an exhibition on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose organised by the Ministry of Culture, and the Netaji Sanskruti Bhawan.

The celebrations were attended, among others, by the Governor of Odisha, Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati; the Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi; the Minister of Culture, Government of Odisha, Suryabanshi Suraj, among others.
New Delhi, Jan 23 : The Delhi High Court on Friday granted the Lokpal of India a final extension of two months to decide on granting sanction to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file a charge sheet against Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra in connection with the alleged cash-for-query row.

A Bench of Justices Anil Kshetarpal and Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar allowed the application moved by the Lokpal seeking additional time, clarifying that no further extension would be granted to the anti-corruption body.

"The period of disposal is extended by two months, while observing that no further request for extension of time shall be entertained," the Justice Kshetarpal-led Bench ordered.

Remarking that any further delay in deciding the issue would not be acceptable, it stressed that the Lokpal must strictly follow the stipulated timeline.

The present order came on a plea filed by the Lokpal after it failed to take a fresh decision within the earlier time frame fixed by the Delhi High Court.

In an order passed on December 19, 2025, the Justice Kshetarpal-led Bench set aside the Lokpal's sanction allowing the CBI to file a charge sheet against Moitra, holding that the anti-corruption watchdog had misinterpreted provisions of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013.

Allowing Moitra's plea against the sanction order, the Delhi High Court accepted her contention that the Lokpal had failed to properly consider the statutory requirement of examining the comments and material submitted by the public servant before granting sanction. It had directed the Lokpal to reconsider the issue afresh within one month.

However, as the Lokpal did not arrive at a decision within the prescribed period, the anti-corruption body approached the Delhi High Court seeking an extension of time.

The case arose from allegations levelled by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey, who accused Moitra of accepting cash and luxury gifts from Dubai-based businessman Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for raising questions in the Parliament.
Ranchi, Jan 23 : Aditya Sahu, Jharkhand's newly elected president of the BJP, formally assumed charge on Friday. During the ceremony, he asserted that the state is a fertile ground for the party and expressed confidence that a "double engine" government will be formed in the state.

Ranchi, Jan 23 (IANS) Aditya Sahu, Jharkhand's newly elected president of the BJP, formally assumed charge on Friday. During the ceremony, he asserted that the state is a fertile ground for the party and expressed confidence that a "double engine" government will be formed in the state.

Earlier in the day, Sahu offered prayers at the state BJP office on the occasion of Saraswati Puja. Addressing party leaders and workers after taking charge, he said the BJP's greatest strength lies in its committed and energetic cadre.

"On this auspicious day of Vasant Panchami, let us all resolve to strive and struggle to bring good governance to Jharkhand," Sahu said, adding, "It is certain that we will once again form a strong double-engine government in the state under the leadership of the BJP."

Outlining his priorities as party president, the state BJP chief said his focus would be on strengthening the organisation and taking the party's ideology to every village and every individual across Jharkhand.

Expressing gratitude to party workers, Sahu said it was their trust and support that had led to his elevation.

"I began my political journey as a booth-level worker, and today I have been entrusted with the responsibility of state president. This reflects the organisational culture of the BJP," he said.

Sahu also paid tribute to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his birth anniversary, recalling his deep association with Jharkhand. "Netaji raised his voice against British rule from this land. Remembering him today, we should resolve to struggle for a new identity for Jharkhand," he said.

Leader of the Opposition Babulal Marandi praised Sahu's organisational experience, noting that he had worked extensively within the party and risen through the ranks from the booth level. "Given his long association with the organisation, he does not require any special guidance," Marandi said.

He also remarked that separating the responsibilities of the state party president and the leader of the legislative party would help the organisation function more effectively.

A large number of senior BJP leaders and workers were present at the event, including State Organisation General Secretary Karmveer Singh, former state presidents Yadunath Pandey and Dr Ravindra Kumar Ray, MP Deepak Prakash, State General Secretary and MP Dr Pradeep Verma, and State Vice President Balmukund Sahay.
Ahmedabad, Jan 23 : A collision involving an Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Service (AMTS) bus and three other vehicles near Gota Ceramic Market here on Friday, left two individuals injured and caused extensive damage to the vehicles involved, officials said.

According to AMTS officials, the bus, reportedly travelling at a high speed, lost control near a busy road intersection close to the ceramic market.

The bus first struck a school van before hitting an autorickshaw and a truck tempo, triggering a chain reaction.

The school van's front section was severely damaged, while the truck tempo overturned into a roadside construction pit.

Eyewitnesses described the crash as severe and expressed concerns over road safety in the area.

"Thankfully, no children were inside the school van at the time, and there were no fatalities. Passengers and children in the van were unharmed. AMTS will repair the tempo involved in the accident," a senior official said.

Local residents claimed the bus driver appeared to lose control as other vehicles attempted lane changes near the intersection.

Social media videos showed the bus moving at high speed just before the collisions.

The school van driver and the autorickshaw driver sustained serious injuries and were immediately taken to a hospital for treatment.

Traffic police and AMTS personnel responded swiftly, clearing the road and restoring traffic within a short time.

Following the incident, AMTS has initiated disciplinary measures.

"A notice has been issued to the operator, and the driver has been suspended with immediate effect," an official said.

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) also imposed a Rs 50,000 fine on the bus operator, Chartered Speed Company, for violating operational norms, including speed regulations.

Similar cases involving AMTS buses have been reported in recent months.

On January 19, an AMTS bus caught fire on SG Highway near Sola Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, forcing a swift evacuation, though no one was injured.

In September last year, a 69-year-old man was run over and killed by an AMTS bus near Rupali parking as he lost his footing close to the vehicle.

In July, an AMTS bus in the Jamalpur area rammed into a streetlight pole and landed on a road divider after the driver lost control, injuring the driver and damaging the bus.
Seoul, Jan 23 : Both ruling and main opposition parties of South Korea on Friday scolded the budget minister nominee Lee Hye-hoon at a confirmation hearing for failing to submit sufficient documents related to allegations surrounding her and her family.

During the confirmation hearing, Lee came under intense scrutiny over claims that she improperly secured a pre-sale deal to buy a luxury apartment as well as questions surrounding her real estate dealings and her three sons' college admissions and military service records, Yonhap News Agency reported.

Representative Choi Eun-suk of the main opposition People Power Party said Lee's claim that she had submitted 75 per cent of the requested documents is a "sheer lie," while Rep. Chung Il-young of the ruling Democratic Party urged the nominee to submit documents related to a memo containing controversial material tied to her past election campaigns.

Lee is accused of securing the right to purchase a luxury apartment unit in southern Seoul in July 2024 by listing her eldest son -- who had already held a wedding ceremony at the time -- as unmarried, allegedly to increase the number of dependents and raise her chances of winning the subscription.

Under the current system, applicants for newly built apartments must obtain subscription rights based on multiple criteria, including the number of family members and the length of time they have been without a home.

Lee defended herself by saying her eldest son and his wife were experiencing severe marital difficulties after their wedding in December 2023 and had not registered their marriage at the time.

"At the time, we believed it would be difficult to maintain that marriage," she told lawmakers.

When asked whether she would sell the apartment in question, Lee said she would "follow the results of investigations by relevant authorities."

During the hearing, Lee, a former three-term lawmaker from the conservative bloc, also apologized for her past remarks in support of former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law bid in December 2024.

"I will continue to apologize until people say it is enough," she said.
Taipei, Jan 23 : Global Taiwan Institute (GTI) Director John Dotson has warned that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) could conduct "more aggressive, ambitious operations around Taiwan," while preparing for Chinese President Xi Jinping's goal of the PLA having the capability to take Taiwan by 2027, local media reported on Friday.

Taipei, Jan 23 (IANS) Global Taiwan Institute (GTI) Director John Dotson has warned that the Peopleas Liberation Army (PLA) could conduct "more aggressive, ambitious operations around Taiwan," while preparing for Chinese President Xi Jinpingas goal of the PLA having the capability to take Taiwan by 2027, local media reported on Friday.

A senior non-resident fellow at the GTI, Ann Kowalewski, stated that 2026 is thus the last year for China's PLA to reach the capability, Taiwan's daily Taipei Times reported. Dotson and Kowalewski made the remarks during a panel discussion held by GTI in Washington titled 'Looking Ahead for Taiwan Policy in 2026'.

GTI noted the mounting pressure from China against Taiwan in 2025, including the PLAas 'Justice Mission 2025' military exercises. Analysts have stressed that 2027 could be a flash point in cross-strait ties after then-US Indo-Pacific Command Admiral Philip Davidson in 2021 warned that Xi Jinping had told PLA to be prepared for invading Taiwan by 2027.

Kowalewski stated that substantial political analysis reveals that they are anot quite there yet." She said, "What we might see is a massive ramp-up this year in PRC military capability", adding that it is not clear whether Taiwan and the US could bolster their military capabilities or think unique postures to ensure they can asymmetrically keep the balance of power in a relatively stable area.

Dotson stated that PLA military exercises conducted in April and December were held towards the south and southeast of Taiwan, in close proximity to Taiwan's main island, and featured more aggressive use of the China Coast Guard. He stated that deploying the coast guard serves China's narrative as it can be justified as law enforcement patrols instead of military incursions.

GTI Director stated that China provides a "narrative justification" for military exercises like blaming Taiwanese President William Lai on policies to target Chinese infiltration in March or an arms sales package with the US in December last year, Taipei Times reported. He expressed "skepticism" about these narratives and mentioned that large-scale exercises are planned far before.

Earlier this month, Taiwan's National Security Bureau accused Chinese Communist Party (CCP) of conducting military drills near the self-ruled island along with cyberattacks, sharing over 19,000 "controversial" messages and carrying out millions of hacking intrusions, local media reported.

In a report presented to the Legislative Yuan, the agency stated that online activity involved 799 abnormal accounts and focused on increasing skepticism regarding the US, Taiwan's President William Lai and military, referring to concerns about Taiwan's ability to defend itself, Taiwan's daily Taipei Times reported.

The bureau stated that the cyberintrusions targetting government networks intensified during the exercises, reaching around 2.08 million attacks on the first day of China's military exercises and further increased to about 2.09 million on the second day.

In its report, the agency stated that the CCP carried out drills to counter support that Taiwan receives from international democratic allies, divert attention from internal problems and showcase military strength as unaffected by anti-corruption efforts. The NSB alleged that CCP used drills against Taiwan to redirect dissatisfaction of people towards nationalist sentiment portrayed as resistance to external interference.
Raipur/Dhamtari, Jan 23 : In a significant setback to the Maoist movement in Chhattisgarh, nine active Naxalites, including several senior leaders, surrendered before the police in Dhamtari district on Friday.

The mass surrender, which took place in the presence of senior officials, marks one of the largest simultaneous surrenders in the region in recent times and is expected to yield crucial intelligence on Maoist operations.

The surrender event was held at the Dhamtari police headquarters, where the former insurgents formally laid down arms in front of Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) Amresh Mishra and Superintendent of Police Suraj Singh Parihar, police sources said.

The police have yet to issue details about the surrendered Naxals. The surrendered individuals comprised four men and five women, all of whom held key positions within the outlawed CPI (Maoist) organisation. Among them were a Divisional Committee Member (DVCM), an Area Committee Member (ACM), and several area commanders, a police official said.

These Naxalites had been operating primarily in the dense forests of the Sitanadi region, a long-standing Maoist stronghold in the district. The group handed over a cache of weapons, including a .303 rifle and other items, to the authorities.

Police sources revealed that several of the surrendered Naxalites carried bounties amounting to lakhs of rupees on their heads and were wanted in connection with multiple violent incidents, including attacks on security forces and civilian targets.

This development comes amid an intensified anti-Naxal operation across Chhattisgarh, particularly in the Bastar division, which has seen a series of successful encounters, arrests, and surrenders in recent months.

Officials attribute the growing trend of surrenders to sustained pressure from security forces, combined with rehabilitation packages and outreach programmes offered by the state government. Several high-rank Maoist leaders have either been neutralised or persuaded to lay down arms in the past year, weakening the organisational structure of the insurgents.

The surrender of these nine Naxalites is regarded as a major blow to the Maoist network in the Sitanadi area, where they had maintained influence for years.

Authorities believe their statements could provide vital information about remaining hideouts, supply lines, and planned activities.

The state government has reiterated its commitment to ending Left-wing extremism through a combination of security measures and development initiatives aimed at winning the confidence of local tribal communities.
Dhar : , Jan 23 (IANS) The celebration of the Basant Panchami festival by Hindus and Friday namaz by Muslims at the disputed Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district concluded peacefully, an official said on Friday.

Dhar District Collector Priyank Mishra said people from both communities offered their prayers at the site peacefully amid high security, without any disruption of law and order in the area. He, however, appealed to people to maintain peace and public order to avoid any untoward incident.

"As per the order of the Supreme Court, the programme of the Hindu community on Basant Panchami and the Muslim community's Friday namaz at the designated place was conducted peacefully. People are appealed to maintain peace and law and order," the district Collector said in a statement.

Following the Supreme Court's direction, people from the Hindu community offered prayers to Bagichi Devi (Goddess Saraswati) at the Bhojshala temple premises, while Muslims also performed Friday namaz during the permitted window.

The Basant Panchami prayers involved traditional Saraswati Puja rituals. A large number of devotees visited the site, necessitating significant police deployment.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court permitted both Hindus and Muslims to offer prayers at the disputed premises and instructed the Dhar district administration to comply with the direction. The apex court allowed Hindu prayers from sunrise to sunset, while Muslims were allowed to offer Friday namaz from 1 pm to 3 pm on the day.

The dispute at the site is that Hindus consider Bhojshala -- an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)-protected 11th-century monument -- to be a temple dedicated to Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati), while the Muslim community calls it the Kamal Maula mosque.

Under an arrangement made by the ASI on April 7, 2003, Hindus perform puja on the Bhojshala premises on Tuesdays and Muslims offer namaz in the complex on Fridays.

The Supreme Court's intervention was needed as Basant Panchami fell on Friday and Muslims also visited the disputed site for Friday prayers on the same day.

Complying with the court's direction, the Dhar district administration strengthened security, deploying over 8,000 police personnel and Rapid Action Force (RAF) units in and around the disputed site.
Jammu, Jan 23 : A dreaded Pakistani terrorist commander, Usman, belonging to the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror outfit, was killed by the joint forces on Friday in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district.

In a post on X, IGP (Jammu Zone), Bhim Sen Tuti said on Friday, "A Pakistani Jaish terrorist has been neutralised by a small JKP team in a joint operation with the Army and CRPF in the general area of Billawar, Kathua district".

Army's Rising Star Corps also said on X, "Acting on specific intelligence inputs, Joint Operation was launched by the Army and Police on Jan 23 in the general area Parhetar, Kathua. The area was cordoned and contact established. In a precise strike by the joint forces, 1 Foreign Terrorist has been eliminated. Search operations are continuing".

The anti-terrorist operation on Friday was successfully carried out in the Billawar tehsil of Kathua district.

Official sources said the dreaded JeM commander had sneaked into the Indian side of the border in 2021-2022 and was active for the last two years.

"He was earlier spotted in Doda, Udhampur and Kathua districts of Jammu division. The intelligence about the presence of the terrorist commander was gathered by Billawar police, and in a surgical 10-minute long operation, the joint forces, including the army, J& K police and the CRPF neutralised the terrorist," official sources said.

Fierce encounters have taken place in the Billawar area and other areas of Kathua district in the past as well.

On January 13 this year, an encounter broke out in the Najote/Kahog area of Billawar after terrorists fired on a searching party, with reports suggesting they were part of a group that had recently infiltrated.

On January 16, Security forces busted a militant hideout in the Kamad Nallah forest area, finding supplies.

On January 7, an encounter began in the Kamad Nallah/Dhanu Parole area of Billawar following reports of a group of 2-3 terrorists.

In June 2025, multiple operations by the Billawar Police resulted in the arrest of several drug peddlers, including those involved in heroin/chitta trafficking and bootleggers in areas like Pallan, Dharamkot, and Katli Morh.

On June 12, two terrorists were killed by security forces in the Hiranagar area of Kathua.

On September 30, 2024, one terrorist was gunned down in an encounter that had broken out in the wider region of Kathua, with security forces conducting intense searches in dense vegetation.
Passengers of the ZF2998 flight are pictured on a bus at Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport in Lanzhou, northwest China's Gansu Province, Jan. 23, 2026. An Azur Air flight carrying 246 people made an emergency landing in Lanzhou, capital of northwest China's Gansu Province, after issuing a distress signal on Friday, the city airport said. The ZF2998 flight from Phuket in Thailand to Barnaul of Russia landed safely at 4:51 p.m. at Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport. All 239 passengers and seven crew members on board were unharmed. The emergency was caused by a right-side engine malfunction on the aircraft, a Boeing 757-200, according to the airport, which is organizing coordination efforts. (Xinhua/Cheng Nan)

LANZHOU, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- An Azur Air flight carrying 246 people made an emergency landing in Lanzhou, capital of northwest China's Gansu Province, after issuing a distress signal on Friday, the city airport said.

The ZF2998 flight from Phuket in Thailand to Barnaul of Russia landed safely at 4:51 p.m. at Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport. All 239 passengers and seven crew members on board were unharmed.

The emergency was caused by a right-side engine malfunction on the aircraft, a Boeing 757-200, according to the airport, which is organizing coordination efforts. 

Passengers of the ZF2998 flight are pictured after immigration clearance at Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport in Lanzhou, northwest China's Gansu Province, Jan. 23, 2026.

An Azur Air flight carrying 246 people made an emergency landing in Lanzhou, capital of northwest China's Gansu Province, after issuing a distress signal on Friday, the city airport said.

The ZF2998 flight from Phuket in Thailand to Barnaul of Russia landed safely at 4:51 p.m. at Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport. All 239 passengers and seven crew members on board were unharmed.

The emergency was caused by a right-side engine malfunction on the aircraft, a Boeing 757-200, according to the airport, which is organizing coordination efforts. (Xinhua/Zhang Zhimin)

Passengers of the ZF2998 flight are pictured after immigration clearance at Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport in Lanzhou, northwest China's Gansu Province, Jan. 23, 2026.

An Azur Air flight carrying 246 people made an emergency landing in Lanzhou, capital of northwest China's Gansu Province, after issuing a distress signal on Friday, the city airport said.

The ZF2998 flight from Phuket in Thailand to Barnaul of Russia landed safely at 4:51 p.m. at Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport. All 239 passengers and seven crew members on board were unharmed.

The emergency was caused by a right-side engine malfunction on the aircraft, a Boeing 757-200, according to the airport, which is organizing coordination efforts. (Xinhua/Zhang Zhimin)

Passengers of the ZF2998 flight load their luggage onto a bus at Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport in Lanzhou, northwest China's Gansu Province, Jan. 23, 2026.

An Azur Air flight carrying 246 people made an emergency landing in Lanzhou, capital of northwest China's Gansu Province, after issuing a distress signal on Friday, the city airport said.

The ZF2998 flight from Phuket in Thailand to Barnaul of Russia landed safely at 4:51 p.m. at Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport. All 239 passengers and seven crew members on board were unharmed.

The emergency was caused by a right-side engine malfunction on the aircraft, a Boeing 757-200, according to the airport, which is organizing coordination efforts. (Xinhua/Zhang Zhimin)
Jaipur, Jan 23 : Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Friday said youth power is the greatest asset of any nation and plays a decisive role in the progress of the country and the state. Youth are both the present and the future of the nation, and the state government stands with students and youth at every step, he said.

He urged students to study with dedication, innovate, and realise their dreams by making full use of government schemes. The Chief Minister announced the opening of a Foreign Language Communication Skills School in Jaipur for students of government colleges.

He was addressing the Saraswati Vandana, Youth Dialogue and Mega PTM organised at Commerce College on the occasion of Basant Panchami and the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on Friday. Extending greetings on Basant Panchami, he said the festival symbolises new consciousness, creativity and resolve.

On this occasion, 75 lakh students across the state offered collective Saraswati Vandana, paying homage to Goddess Saraswati. He also recalled Netaji Subhas Chandra Boseas immense contribution to Indiaas freedom struggle through the formation of the Azad Hind Fauj.

The Chief Minister said the state government is implementing several initiatives for youth education, skill development, employment and self-employment.

More than one lakh appointments have already been made, recruitment is underway for 1.43 lakh posts, and a recruitment examination calendar has been released for one lakh government posts. Around 2.5 lakh youth have gained employment in the private sector.

He highlighted major initiatives such as the establishment of 71 new government colleges, Youth Partner Centres at the divisional level, and organisation of the Khelo India University Games.

Policies and schemes like the Rajasthan Youth Policy, Chief Ministeras Youth Self-Employment Scheme, skill training programmes, internships, 65 i-Startup Launchpad Nests and financial assistance of approximately Rs 22.5 crore to 658 startups are promoting holistic youth development.

The Chief Minister said the government is continuously introducing new policies, schemes and innovations to improve the education sector.

The Mega PTM will provide a new direction to education in Rajasthan and strengthen trust and cooperation among teachers, parents and students, he said.

He said that Krishna Bhog was organised in all government schools, fostering collective participation and a positive environment.

Under the Nipun Rajasthan Programme, the reading, writing and arithmetic skills of students from Classes 1 to 5 are being enhanced through activity-based learning.

CM Sharma said daughters are excelling in every field today. The state government is supporting girls from birth through education to ensure a dignified, safe and independent life.

Schemes such as the Lado Protsahan Yojana, free bicycles for girls, free basic computer education for 1.64 lakh women and girls, training in accounting and spoken English, and the Chief Ministeras Women Empowerment Skill Development Scheme are empowering women across the state.

The Chief Minister said every student has extraordinary potential and should move forward with hard work, discipline and values. Parents and teachers form the strongest support system for students.

While discipline may sometimes seem challenging, it strengthens the foundation for future success. True competition, he said, should be with oneself.

Teachers are not just educators but guides, motivators and mentors who play a vital role in nation-building.

Referring to the previous government, CM Sharma said the dreams of youth were shattered due to issues like paper leaks, but his government has taken strict action and will not spare those who undermine students' futures.

Guided by the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state government is committed to the welfare of farmers, women, youth and the poor.

Deputy Chief Minister Dr Premchand Bairwa said the Chief Ministeras interaction with students, parents and teachers during the Mega PTM was inspiring and would further strengthen Rajasthanas education system. He described Netaji Subhas Chandra Boseas life as a lasting inspiration for the youth.

Earlier, the Chief Minister paid floral tribute to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on the occasion of Parakram Diwas (Valour Day).
Jaipur, Jan 23 : The Enforcement Directorate's (ED) Jaipur Zonal Office has provisionally attached 37 immovable properties and one movable property valued at Rs 15.97 crore under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with the Apexa Group fraud case, an official statement said on Friday.

The attachment order was issued on Thursday.

According to the ED, the attached immovable properties comprise agricultural and residential land belonging to Murli Manohar Namdev, Durga Shankar Merotha, Anil Kumar, Giriraj Nayak, Shobha Rani, and others. These properties are located in the districts of Bundi, Baran, and Kota in Rajasthan.

The movable property attached includes a bank account linked to the Apexa Group, containing funds to the extent of Rs 1.50 crore.

The ED initiated its probe based on multiple FIRs registered by the Rajasthan Police against Namdev and others, alleging that the Apexa Group had collected Rs 194.76 crore from a large number of investors through fraudulent investment schemes.

The investigation revealed that Namdev, in collusion with his associates, deliberately devised and promoted fraudulent schemes under the banner of the Apexa Group with criminal and mala fide intent.

"These schemes promised exceptionally high returns to lure unsuspecting and gullible individuals. There was no credible basis or legitimate financial backing to support the promised returns, nor was there any viable mechanism to generate such profits within a short period," the ED said.

The agency further stated that between 2012 and 2020, the accused continued to attract funds by paying nominal returns to investors, either by circulating money collected from new investors or by persuading existing investors to reinvest their returns, thereby creating a false impression of profitable operations.

However, the ED noted that the schemes were inherently unsustainable and bound to collapse. The situation worsened during the Covid-19 pandemic, when a large number of investors sought repayment of their principal amounts along with the assured returns.

"At this stage, the Apexa Group, led by Murli Manohar Namdev and his associates, failed to honour the repayment demands, leading to the collapse of the schemes and substantial losses to investors," the agency said.

The ED said the funds collected were primarily diverted towards the purchase of immovable properties and the establishment of new business ventures to serve the personal financial interests of the accused and their associates, rather than for generating legitimate returns.

Further investigation into the case is underway.
New Delhi, Jan 23 : In a significant ruling on bail jurisprudence, the Supreme Court has observed that courts should not insist on upfront monetary deposits or undertakings as a precondition for the grant or consideration of bail, as such a practice has the potential to derail the criminal justice system and be misused to coerce settlements.

A bench of Justices Manoj Misra and Manmohan made the observations while hearing a special leave petition (SLP) challenging a Delhi High Court order that declined to extend the interim bail of an accused in a case involving the alleged diversion of government subsidy funds.

Relying on its recent ruling in Gajanan Dattatray Gore vs. State of Maharashtra, the apex court reiterated that courts must not link bail relief to financial conditions.

"The decision in Gajanan Dattatray Gore deprecates the practice of the courts in insisting on upfront deposits, or undertaking for such deposits, or compliance(s) of certain obligations, from bail/stay applicants for consideration of their prayer on merits," the Justice Misra-led Bench said.

Such a practice "encourages implication with an oblique purpose and has the potential to derail the criminal justice delivery system by making it a tool in the hands of unscrupulous complainant(s) to extort a settlement and force the other side to give up its right of defence", it added.

The SLP arose from a July 21, 2025, order of the Delhi High Court, which refused to extend the accusedas interim bail in connection with an FIR registered by the Economic Offences Wing after his failure to comply with an undertaking to deposit the remaining allegedly diverted amount.

In its order, the Supreme Court observed that instead of repeatedly extending interim bail while insisting on further deposits, the appropriate course was to decide the regular bail application on its own merits.

"If a person is unable to comply with the undertaking, that is not a ground to defer consideration of bail prayer on merits," the bench observed.

It further noted that in offences under Section 409 of the IPC, there is no presumption of culpability of a company director, and such liability has to be established during trial.

Disposing of the SLP, the apex court directed the Delhi High Court to decide the accusedas regular bail application expeditiously, preferably within three weeks, while allowing the interim protection to continue in the meantime.

"In the interregnum, the interim order that was passed on 21.07.2025 shall remain operative," it ordered.
Mumbai, Jan 23 : Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Friday ruled out seeking support from the Eknath Shinde-led faction for the Mumbai mayor's post, saying his party is not in a "desperate state" where it would compromise principles for power.

Mumbai, Jan 23 (IANS) Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Friday ruled out seeking support from the Eknath Shinde-led faction for the Mumbai mayor's post, saying his party is not in a "desperate state" where it would compromise principles for power.

Amid speculation over who will govern Mumbai following the civic polls, Raut told reporters that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would not let go of the prestigious mayor's post. "The party will take the final decision, but let it be clear -- the BJP will not leave the mayoral post for anyone," Raut said.

He further accused the BJP of using Balasaheb Thackeray's name and photographs for political gain. "If they truly respected him, they would not have split the Shiv Sena he built," he said.

Raut's statement came after Shiv Sena (UBT) legislator Bhaskar Jadhav suggested that if the Shinde faction truly wanted a "Shiv Sena" mayor during Balasaheb Thackeray's birth centenary year, it should support Uddhav Thackeray's candidate.

Asked if Shiv Sena (UBT) would accept support from Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's group to secure the post, Raut said: "We will not take Shinde's support. Shiv Sena has not seen such bad days. Our lives do not depend on being in power; we aren't restless or desperate for power like others."

He added that the party would not compromise its dignity to secure the mayoral seat.

Raut launched a strong attack on the BJP's role in Maharashtra politics, claiming the party owed its standing in the state to Balasaheb Thackeray.

"The BJP had no standing in Maharashtra; Balasaheb created a place for them. In return, they broke his party and handed the 'Bow and Arrow' symbol to someone who has no connection to the core values of Shiv Sena. You handed Balasaheb's weapon to 'unmanly' hands (namarda)," he alleged.

He also criticised the BJP's "insatiable hunger for power", alleging that the use of money and muscle in recent elections was a departure from the ideology of the late Shiv Sena founder. He claimed the BJP was exploiting Balasaheb Thackeray's legacy for "political selfishness".

Meanwhile, paying his own tribute, Raut compared Balasaheb Thackeray's legacy to that of Lokmanya Tilak, calling him a "mass leader" who taught the Marathi manoos and Hindus the power of unity. "Balasaheb gave a great thought to Maharashtra and the country  the thought of a strong 'Vajramuth' (iron fist) of unity. He transformed common men into brave warriors and made them aware of their rights and duties. Maharashtra can never forget him," he added.

Raut also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and questioned the sincerity of the latter's tribute to Balasaheb Thackeray on his birth centenary. He asked whether PM Modi now draws "energy and guidance" from Eknath Shinde after allegedly breaking the party founded by Balasaheb.

The controversy erupted after PM Modi paid homage to Balasaheb Thackeray on social media. In his tribute, the Prime Minister shared a photograph with the late leader, stating that Balasaheb's vision remained a major inspiration for Maharashtra's progress and that he would always strive to fulfil that vision.

Responding to the Prime Minister's post, Raut said: "The Prime Minister tweeted a photo with Balasaheb, calling him a mentor and speaking about how he received energy and inspiration from him. However, this is the same Prime Minister who broke Balasaheb's Shiv Sena and installed a person named Eknath Shinde as the leader. Now, people are asking a question: Does Modi seek energy, inspiration, and guidance from Eknath Shinde instead?"
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 23 : In a visit marked by political milestones and administrative announcements, it was a fleeting, unscripted gesture that became the soul of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's brief stay in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday -- a moment that rose above speeches, stages and strategy to quietly redefine leadership itself.

The Prime Minister arrived in the state capital following the Bharatiya Janata Party's historic capture of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, a victory that altered Kerala's political landscape.

At the BJP party event at Putharikandam, the dais was crowded with dignitaries, the air thick with expectation.

Then, in a moment untouched by protocol, something rare unfolded.

Asha Nath, among the youngest Deputy Mayors the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation has seen, bowed and touched the Prime Minister's feet -- a spontaneous expression of respect.

What followed stunned the gathering into silence.

Prime Minister Modi gently stopped her and, with a humility that caught even seasoned observers off guard, touched her feet in return.

For a heartbeat, power bowed to grace.

The exchange lasted only seconds, but its impact lingered far longer.

Later, the visibly moved Deputy Mayor Asha Nath described the moment as one she would never forget -- not merely an encounter with the country's highest elected leader, but a deeply human affirmation of dignity and respect.

She said the Prime Minister's gesture reflected an instinctive reverence for women, leaving her overwhelmed and emotionally shaken.

In Kerala's politically alert atmosphere, the act was read not as symbolism but as substance -- a reaffirmation of PM Modi's consistent emphasis on inclusive leadership and the centrality of women in public life.

During his address, the Prime Minister also praised Mayor V. V. Rajesh, energising BJP workers who had just rewritten the capital city's political history.

Yet, when the slogans faded and the Prime Minister's convoy moved on, it was not rhetoric that remained.

It was a simple act -- quiet, unscripted and profound -- that transformed a ceremonial greeting into a lasting image of leadership defined not by authority, but by humility.
Amaravati, Jan 23 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu on Friday reviewed arrangements for Godavari Pushkaralu, scheduled to be held next year.

At a high-level meeting at the Secretariat, the Chief Minister discussed the arrangements for the 12-day event, to be held from June 26, 2027 to July 7, 2027.

Arrangements are being made for the conduct of the Pushkaralu in six districts through which the Godavari flows - Polavaram, Eluru, East Godavari, West Godavari, Ambedkar Konaseema, and Kakinada.

Before the review meeting, the Chief Minister received blessings from priests.

The Chief Minister stated it is his good fortune to be conducting the Godavari Pushkaralu for the third time during his tenure as Chief Minister.

The government plans to construct 139 new ghats in addition to the existing 234 ghats. A plan has been formulated to develop a total of 373 ghats along the riverbank in different areas, spanning a length of 9,918 metres.

It is estimated that approximately 10 crore devotees from India and abroad will come to the state to take a holy dip in the Godavari during the Pushkaralu.

The Chief Minister directed that the Polavaram project works be completed before the Godavari Pushkaralu.

Ministers Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, Anita, Narayana, Nimmala Ramanaidu, Vasamsetti Subhash, Kandula Durgesh, BC Janardhan Reddy, Chief Secretary Vijayanand, and DGP Harish Kumar Gupta attended the review meeting.

The coalition government had earlier said that it aims to hold Godavari Pushkaralu on the lines of the Maha Kumbh Mela and called for a well-defined plan and coordination between departments.

Water Resources Minister Ramanaidu had stated that the cultural practice of treating water as divine is deeply rooted in traditions. "Our scriptures proclaim that taking a holy dip in such sacred rivers during Pushkaralu is supremely auspicious," he said.

It is believed that participating in the 12-day Pushkaralu provides the merit equivalent to bathing in 12 rivers over 12 years.

The minister noted that the Ganga holds immense mythological significance in Indian culture, and the Godavari is recognised as the Southern Ganga due to its revered status.
Jabalpur/Ujjain, Jan 23 : Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Friday said his government would take tough action against those attempting to disrupt law and order in the state, reacting to the clash between two communities in Tarana town of Ujjain district.

Speaking in Jabalpur during an interaction with media persons, the Chief Minister reiterated that his government is known for 'sushasan' (good governance).

"Our government consistently advocates governance. Wherever there are shortcomings in the system, we take a firm stand. We are also capable of dealing with anyone who attempts to disrupt the peace of the state," he said.

As per reports, a clash broke out on Thursday night after a group of people allegedly beat up two others -- one believed to be a functionary of a Hindu outfit  over a petty dispute in Tarana town of Ujjain. Some unidentified persons allegedly assaulted a VHP member and his companion.

Tension escalated on Friday when people from both communities allegedly pelted stones at each other, prompting police to take prompt action and deploy heavy security.

Videos of Friday's clash surfaced on social media showing stones being pelted from both sides.

The Ujjain district administration issued prohibitory orders and flag marches were carried out in Tarana town.

Ujjain Superintendent of Police (SP) Pradeep Sharma said at least 20 people have been arrested and are being questioned. He added that police vehicles are patrolling the streets and appealing to people to maintain law and order.

Meanwhile, the Ujjain district administration has imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

"So far 20 people have been identified and arrested. Meanwhile, police teams are holding meetings with representatives from both communities. At present, the situation is under control. However, security has been strengthened to avoid any further escalation in the area," Sharma added.

Police officials further said some people were trying to create panic through rumours. Police teams are monitoring the situation and scanning CCTV footage to identify those involved in the clashes.

"Police teams are making announcements through loudspeakers in colonies and appealing to people not to pay attention to rumours. Police parties are alert to meet the challenges. Traffic movement in affected areas has resumed," he added.

Notably, Tarana -- where the clash broke out -- falls in Ujjain, the home district of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who also holds the home portfolio. Tarana is also one of the Assembly constituencies in the district and is represented by Congress MLA Mahesh Parmar.
Davos, Jan 23 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said the state has successfully concluded its debut participation at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, unlocking new investment opportunities and strengthening Assam's global economic outreach.

In a post on X, the Chief Minister said he wrapped up Assam's "successful Davos debut" after engaging with a wide cross-section of global business leaders, policymakers and changemakers. He said the engagements have paved the way for significant outcomes that will benefit the state in the long term.

"Wrapped up Assam's successful Davos debut as I met over 200 business leaders and interacted with a host of changemakers. I head back to Bharat with a lot of learning and with a lot of new opportunities unlocked for Assam," Sarma said, adding that the outcomes of the visit would be shared after his return to the state.

According to official details, Assam signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth around Rs 1 lakh crore during the Davos meetings, reflecting strong global investor confidence in the state's growth potential and policy framework. The Chief Minister held over 35 bilateral meetings with leading industry representatives across sectors such as infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, technology and agri-based industries.

During the visit, Sarma also met diplomats from more than 20 countries, highlighting Assam's strategic importance in India's Act East Policy and its emerging role as a gateway to Southeast Asia. These interactions, officials said, focused on exploring opportunities for trade, investment, technology transfer and cultural exchanges.

In addition, the Chief Minister participated in three multilateral sessions, where he highlighted Assam's development journey, investment-friendly policies and the Northeast's growing economic relevance. He reiterated that Assam follows a focused investment approach, treating every investor with equal importance.

Sarma said the Davos engagements were aimed not merely at attracting investments but also at gaining global insights, best practices and partnerships that can help shape Assam's future growth. He added that the state's presence at the global forum marks a new chapter in its efforts to integrate with global value chains.

The Chief Minister's participation at Davos is being seen as a milestone in positioning Assam as an emerging investment destination on the global stage.
Agartala, Jan 23 : Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jyotiraditya Scindia on Friday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has brought the 'Ashtalakshmi' -- the eight states of the Northeast -- to the centre stage of India's development trajectory.

Virtually inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for eight major development projects in Tripura with a total outlay of Rs 365 crore, including an Rs 81-crore solar microgrid project, Scindia said that under PM Modias aAshtalakshmia vision, the Northeast is no longer merely a geographical frontier but has emerged as an engine of Indiaas growth.

The projects are expected to give fresh momentum to road connectivity, tourism, energy, and holistic development of tribal areas in the state.

The Union Minister said it has been made mandatory for all 52 Central ministries to allocate 10 per cent of their budgets towards the development of the Northeastern region. He further stated that investments worth nearly Rs 1 lakh crore were made in the Northeast in the last year alone.

Scindia said Tripura has registered a growth rate of 10.5 to 11 per cent over the past decade and has now emerged as a power-surplus state.

Among the projects inaugurated was the establishment of solar microgrids to supply reliable power to 274 remote hamlets, benefiting over 9,700 families in far-flung habitations of Tripura.

In addition, the DoNER Minister virtually inaugurated a veterinary clinical complex at Radha Kishore Nagar in West Tripura and laid the foundation stone for road connectivity projects in North Tripura and Dhalai districts.

All these projects are being funded under the Prime Ministeras Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE), the North Eastern Council (NEC), and the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS-Roads).

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, addressing the function held at Pragna Bhavan here, said the DoNER Ministry has constituted several high-level task forces to identify key interventions and formulate actionable short-, medium- and long-term strategies for integrated development of the North East Economic Corridor.

The task forces were constituted following the 72nd plenary session of the NEC, held in November 2024 in Agartala and presided over by Union Home Minister Shah.

Highlighting investment momentum in the Northeast, Saha said that during last yearas Investorsa Summit in Delhi, inaugurated by PM Modi, investment proposals worth Rs 30,000 crore were received, of which around Rs 15,000 crore pertained to Tripura alone, owing to the prevailing peace and stability in the state.

DoNER Minister Scindia arrived in Tripura on Friday on a three-day visit to the Northeastern state. During his tour, he will inaugurate several infrastructure and development projects across different districts relating to tourism, roads, and religious and cultural heritage. These projects are being funded under PM-DevINE, NESIDS-Roads and NEC.
Bengaluru, Jan 23 : Members of the Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged a protest in the Well of the state Assembly on Friday, demanding the resignation of Excise Minister R.B. Thimmapur in connection with an alleged corruption case.

The party alleged that the Congress-led government in the State had minted money through the excise department to fund elections in Assam and Kerala.

It may be noted that the excise department scam, in which three officers attached to the department, including an officer of the rank of Deputy Commissioner, were arrested, had taken a new twist with the BJP alleging the involvement of Minister R.B. Thimmapur.

Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka raised the issue in the House and demanded that it be discussed immediately, insisting that Excise Minister Thimmapur must resign.

"The Excise Minister and the entire department are indulging in corruption. An audio clip has surfaced, and a complaint has been lodged with the Lokayukta. This must be discussed," Ashoka demanded.

Senior BJP MLA V. Sunil Kumar said the case was entirely about kickbacks and questioned how discussion on such a serious issue could be delayed. Former Home Minister Araga Jnanendra stated that the matter involved corruption on a huge scale. "The Minister is present in the House. Let him resign," he demanded.

BJP leaders raised slogans demanding Thimmapur's resignation. "Thimmapur must resign", and "The Chief Minister should take his resignation," they shouted. They alleged that money was being collected for the Assam and Kerala elections.

Quoting Minister Priyank Kharge, Ashoka said Kharge had stated that officials had been arrested and allegations had been made. "If the allegations are proved, Minister Thimmapur will not continue in his position. He has challenged the BJP to discuss the issue in the session. When the government says it is ready, why is there hesitation?" Ashoka asked Speaker U.T. Khader.

"It is true that money is being sent to the Assam and Kerala elections  true, 100 per cent. When allegations surfaced against then BJP Minister K.S. Eshwarappa, the Congress, while in opposition, launched scathing attacks on us. I am handing over this pen drive. If the allegations are false, take action against me. A complaint has been filed with the Lokayukta along with an affidavit and documents," Ashoka said.

BJP legislator Sunil Kumar said the corruption in the excise department was not small-scale but massive and needed to be discussed. "This again proves that a corrupt government exists in the State. With elections in Kerala and Assam, this government wants to mint money here," he alleged.

As BJP members continued sloganeering and described the government as a "loot government," Home Minister G. Parameshwara and Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao objected. When members entered the Well of the House and intensified the protest, Speaker Khader adjourned the House.

After the session resumed, BJP members continued their protest in the Well, reiterating their demand for Thimmapur's resignation. They shouted slogans such as "This is a loot government," "Resignation is a must," and "The Excise Minister is corrupt," disrupting proceedings.

Speaker Khader stated that there was no precedent for a protest in the Well of the House resulting in a minister's resignation and adjourned the House till Monday (January 26).

BJP leaders had released purported audio clips in which an officer is allegedly heard demanding a cut for the minister.

Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to seek the resignation of Minister Thimmapur and stated that if the Chief Minister remained silent, it would be assumed that he too was involved in the scam.

Karnataka Lokayukta sleuths arrested the Deputy Commissioner and two other officials attached to the Excise Department while they were allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 25 lakh for issuing a bar licence last Saturday. The accused had allegedly demanded a total bribe of Rs 80 lakh and was caught while receiving the first instalment.

An official statement by the Lokayukta said that the Karnataka Lokayukta Police arrested three officials following a complaint by C. Lakshminarayana. The complainant had applied for a bar licence (CL-7) with the Excise Department. Those arrested were identified as Jagadeesh Naik, Excise Deputy Commissioner; K.M. Thammanna, Superintendent of Excise; and Lakkappa Gani, Excise Constable, all attached to the Office of Bangalore Urban District-8.

The complaint alleged that Deputy Commissioner Jagadeesh Naik and Superintendent Thammanna demanded a bribe of Rs 80 lakh to grant the CL-7 licence and a microbrewery licence.

The Leader of the Opposition, R. Ashoka, charged on Sunday (Jan 18) that a bribery transaction worth Rs 2,500 crore has taken place in the Excise Department, and this money is being used for elections. Therefore, Minister R.B. Thimmapur should resign. He charged that the government sets revenue collection targets for departments. However, in the Excise Department, licenses are being auctioned off.

He said CM Siddaramaiah is directly responsible for this. Congress leaders are using Mahatma Gandhi to oppose the VB G Ram G scheme and are holding sessions for it. The same government has drowned the entire state in addiction and destroyed Gandhi's ideals, he said.

R.B. Thimmapur is a senior Congress leader hailing from the Dalit community. He is also a close associate of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
BEIJING, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Ms. Luo, a widow in her 70s living in Shanghai, spent most of her days consumed by worry for her son, who has an intellectual disability. Her twilight years, she said, had been shadowed by questions of who will care for him after she is gone, and how she should manage family assets to secure his future livelihood.

But recently, some of her worries had been eased. Earlier this month, professional guidance from legal experts and notaries helped Luo reach a voluntary "intended guardianship" agreement with a relative, surnamed Liu, legally entrusting him with responsibility for her son's future care.

The agreement specified Liu's responsibilities related to daily care, medical decision-making, and asset management, as well as the legal consequences of failing to fulfill these duties. It also stated that any disbursement of funds must undergo a verification and confirmation process before being transferred.

"This is one of the most complicated cases we have handled in over a decade," said Huang Yuehua, who led Luo's case at an elderly services center in Shanghai. "Only a holistic solution could truly alleviate her worries."

The case will serve as a paradigm for the many Chinese seniors who are confronted with similar challenges -- particularly those who are caregivers for offspring with disabilities, have estranged relationships with their adult children, or live alone and have no descendants -- as China steps up its efforts to resolve the final dilemmas of these groups.

Data shows that over 7 million households with disabled family members across the country rely on the elderly for related support. Among these households, up to 80 percent of senior caretakers are aged between 60 and 69, and 20 percent are above 70.

Additionally, three out of every five elderly people in China live in what are known as "empty-nest" families, meaning they live alone or solely with a spouse, with the total number surpassing 180 million.

These empty-nesters often face a lack of care during periods of sudden illness or complexities in the handling of inheritance after death. In recent years, related disputes have been on the rise.

In one recent case, a 46-year-old woman who lived alone in Shanghai died in isolation, and there was no one who could sign for her emergency medical treatment or was capable of withdrawing her savings. The case has sparked widespread concern, underscoring the urgent need to protect the rights of empty-nesters.

Yang Lixin, a professor at Renmin University of China, noted that these challenges would be largely resolved if such individuals could specify an intended guardian and estate administrator beforehand.

According to Chinese law, an adult with full civil capacity may, through prior written consultation, designate a close relative, organization or other willing individual to serve as their guardian. This designated person or organization automatically assumes guardianship duties when the adult in question loses their civil capacity in full or in part.

China's Civil Code also includes the estate administrator system, which provides a statutory basis for the proper disposition of estates.

However, a recent survey by the China Will Registration Center found that over 90 percent of respondents acknowledged the importance of making a will and designating a guardian in a timely manner, but less than 3 percent said they would actually do so.

Experts say the legal concepts remain unfamiliar and complex among the public. They believe the challenge is further compounded by a lack of professional service providers, systematic solutions, supportive legal frameworks, and supervision over designated guardians and administrators.

Wu Guoping, a professor at Fujian Jiangxia University, said that fewer than 10 institutions in China are capable of providing professional intended guardianship services, and they are mostly concentrated in first-tier cities, meaning such services are virtually nonexistent in smaller cities and across the vast majority of rural areas.

Faced with difficult situations, some cities have taken the lead in institutional exploration. A revised regulation in Shanghai, effective November 2025, states that in addition to notarization, an intended guardianship agreement may also be witnessed on-site by a local government body, elderly organization or other relevant entities.

The regulation encourages the disclosure of agreement information to local government agencies, advises that copies are sent to auxiliary judicial agencies, and supports professional social organizations in serving as guardians or providing supervision services.

In 2023, Beijing also released a set of related guidelines, recommending the appointment of supervisors in intended guardianship arrangements.

Experts believe the involvement of social forces is still needed for these policy benefits to reach a wider population, and to effectively bridge the "last mile" of their implementation.

Earlier this month, the China Ageing Development Foundation (CADF) launched a charity project in Beijing to pilot one-stop intended guardianship and estate administration services for empty-nesters.

The project has collaborated with over 100 institutions in the fields of law, health care, elderly care and finance to establish services stations and organize public lectures, salons and one-on-one consultations for elderly individuals and their families.

Lin Yuan, deputy director of an inheritance services center in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, told a press conference for the project that the center will leverage the initiative to forge closer cooperation with various services institutions, ensuring the seamless integration of pre-mortem and post-mortem affairs for the special groups covered.

Simultaneously, it will coordinate with nursing homes and neighborhood committees to disclose entrusted matters and the content of services, and it will comply with supervision requirements, Lin added.

According to the CADF, the China Will Registration Center relies on a registration system that has been in operation for 13 years to register entrusted matters, including those related to intended guardianship, wills and estate management.

It also supervises entrusted institutions to make public disclosures, ensuring the immutable registration of entrusted matters while safeguarding personal privacy. "This approach aims to prevent moral hazards and infringements," said Chen Kai, director of the will bank project office at the CADF.

"This is like a tailored safety net for us, offering us tangible comfort and support," said Li Hong (pseudonym), a 63-year-old empty-nester in Beijing.

With no children by her side, Li said she can entrust a social organization as her intended guardian to assist in the management of her affairs both during her lifetime and after her death. "This gives me greater confidence and reassurance," she said. 
Mumbai, Jan 23 : Maharashtra Cabinet Minister and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) veteran Chhagan Bhujbal has been acquitted by a special PMLA court in Mumbai in the Maharashtra Sadan scam -- a money laundering case.

The order also clears his son Pankaj Bhujbal and nephew Sameer Bhujbal, bringing to an end a legal battle that began nearly a decade ago. When contacted, Bhujbal said he would give his reaction after receiving the court order.

The courtas decision follows a 2021 ruling in which Bhujbal was discharged by an Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) court in the predicate offence a" the base corruption case. His legal team argued that since the primary corruption case had resulted in a discharge that was never challenged by the state, the money laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) could not legally stand.

Special Judge R.N. Rokade accepted the defence plea, observing that under legal principles laid down by the Supreme Court, if an individual is acquitted or discharged in the scheduled offence, the money laundering proceedings cannot continue.

The case dates back to 2005-06, when Bhujbal, as Public Works Department (PWD) Minister in the then Congress-NCP government, allegedly awarded a contract for the construction of the Maharashtra Sadan in Delhi to K.S. Chamankar Enterprises without inviting competitive tenders.

Investigators alleged that the contract was worth over Rs 100 crore and that the Bhujbal family received kickbacks in return for favouring the firm. The ACB claimed contractors earned an 80 per cent profit, far exceeding the permitted 20 per cent.

Following a public interest litigation (PIL) and allegations raised by activists, including Anjali Damania, the ACB registered an FIR in 2015 against the Bhujbals for cheating, forgery and corruption.

The ED later initiated a probe into the money laundering angle. In March 2016, Bhujbal was arrested and spent over two years in Arthur Road Jail, eventually securing bail in May 2018 on medical grounds.

A special ACB court discharged Bhujbal, Pankaj and Sameer from the original corruption case in 2021, stating there was insufficient evidence to prove the allegations of kickbacks or procedural irregularities.

Following the discharge, the Bhujbals moved the court to quash the EDas money laundering case.

According to political observers, the ruling effectively clears the family of the most serious legal shadow looming over their political careers.

This acquittal is a major political victory for Chhagan Bhujbal, who is a prominent OBC leader in Maharashtra. Coming at a time when he is a key part of the Mahayuti government, the verdict silences long-standing "scam-tainted" allegations used by the opposition. Bhujbal has consistently maintained that the cases were "politically motivated" and a result of vendetta politics.
Bengaluru, Jan 23 : The Karnataka government on Friday dismissed the opposition's charge that it had insulted Governor Thawarchand Gehlot for declining to read out the speech prepared by the state cabinet while addressing the joint session of the legislature, contending that his act amounted to a violation of the Constitution and this could not be pardoned by the house.

The government also pointed out that the Governor did not wait for the National Anthem and exited hurriedly after addressing the joint session, which, it said, amounted to an insult to the National Anthem.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil, making a statement in the Assembly, rejected the opposition's demand for the suspension of Congress MLAs, MLCs, and the Law Minister for allegedly obstructing the Governor while he was exiting.

Gehlot on Thursday declined to deliver the customary address prepared by the state government to the joint session of the legislature, limiting himself to reading a few lines before abruptly ending, triggering dramatic scenes in the Assembly.

"As per Article 176(1) of the Constitution, the Governor shall address the speech prepared by the government. There are verdicts of the Supreme Court and High Courts on this issue. The Union Home Minister has also made observations in the Lok Sabha, citing the Constitution in this regard. All this must be taken into account. Under Article 176(1), the Governor's act amounts to a violation of the Constitution, and that violation cannot be pardoned by this house," Patil said.

"The deviation from, violation of, or disrespect to the Constitution, as directed under Article 176(1), governed by verdicts of the Supreme Court and High Courts and supported by statements of the Union Home Minister, cannot be ignored. He (the Governor) cannot escape this," he underlined.

"We, the state government, convey our policies to the state and the country through the Governor. We also express our anger to the Centre over injustices through the Governor's address. The address facilitates this process. We are not writing the Governor's address to please him. The address consists of 122 paragraphs. Go through them one by one. There is no personal allegation against anyone," Patil pointed out, adding that the Governor had an obligation under Article 163 of the Constitution, but brushed it aside by declining to read the speech prepared by the Cabinet.

"This is our primary concern, and we have expressed it," he said.

"I stated that the Governor ran away after addressing the joint session. Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka has alleged that I tried to obstruct the Governor while he was exiting. The reason I moved towards the Governor was that my Chief Minister also moved towards him while he was leaving and signalled me to accompany him. The Chief Minister, I, and a few others went up to the Governor's car, bid him goodbye by shaking hands, and then returned. At any point, was the Governor insulted by the government?" he asked.

"The Governor has violated the Constitution. Despite this, we urged the Governor to apologise to the people of the state and to the house. We also stated that the matter could be closed there. However, the opposition is indulging in party politics. This is not a healthy development. The opposition is defending the Governor and opposing the Constitution," Patil alleged.

He underlined that the law and the Constitution must be taken seriously, and the Supreme Court has consistently upheld strict constitutional, legal and secular principles, including in matters involving cultural and national symbols, like the National Anthem.

"While the Constitution is interpreted as a living document to ensure substantive rights, courts have often ruled on whether symbols such as the National Flag, National Anthem, or religious attire are protected under fundamental freedoms or restricted in the interest of public order," he said.

Defending the Governor as if he were a party leader and speaking against the Constitution is condemnable, Patil said.

He requested opposition leaders, "who are attempting to compare the suspension of 18 BJP MLAs for their grave misconduct with yesterday's incident, to reconsider their stand".

"BJP members had torn copies of documents and thrown them at the Speaker. They climbed onto the Speaker's chair and stood beside him. To erase that episode, the opposition is now trying to highlight the Governor's issue," Patil said.

"I want to refer back to the Constitution. None of you in the opposition can deny that the Governor is bound by the Constitution. He is the custodian of the Constitution, but he is not above it. Article 176 states that the Governor shall address the joint session, and that the address shall be prepared by the state Cabinet. We prepared the speech and submitted it to him," Patil stated.

BJP leaders attempted to interrupt him then, and Patil said that if the opposition calls his government a "hooligan government," did they expect him to remain silent?

As BJP leaders then asked him to come to the specific issue of what happened when the Governor exited the house, Speaker U.T. Khader intervened and said that such a development had never occurred in the state before.

BJP MLA Suresh Gowda said the matter concerned an insult to the Governor and not the Constitution, while fellow party MLA and former Deputy Chief Minister C.N. Ashwath Narayan said the debate could not go on for the entire day.

Patil said the issue under debate was being discussed across the country, particularly in South India, and that non-BJP governments were closely watching the developments.
Patna, Jan 23 : Patna Police on Friday arrested Parmanand Yadav alias Nepali, an operative of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, after an encounter. On the same day, district police also arrested three other operatives of the gang in connection with the case.

The three arrested associates have been identified as Neeraj Kumar alias Vicky, Chandan Kumar and Shivam Anand.

According to police, Neeraj Kumar was responsible for managing the gang's accounts and financial transactions.

Patna City Superintendent of Police (West) Bhanu Pratap Singh, during a press conference on Friday, said three accused linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang were arrested on Thursday due to the efforts of the Beur SHO and his team.

Singh said police had received a tip-off on Thursday morning about the presence of four gang members in the Beur police station area, who were allegedly planning to execute a crime in Patna.

"There were four members of this gang planning to carry out a crime in Patna. We received a tip-off about their location in the Beur police station area on Thursday morning. When we conducted a raid, they fled from the spot," Singh said.

He added that the main accused, Parmanand Yadav, escaped towards Jehanabad, while the remaining three accused hid within the Beur area.

"One team of Patna Police and the STF arrested Parmanand Yadav after an encounter, while the other three were arrested by the SHO of Beur police station," Singh said.

The City SP said Parmanand Yadav has more than 20 serious criminal cases registered against him across various police stations in Bihar and Jharkhand.

Based on information provided by the arrested accused, police recovered a country-made revolver, six live cartridges, Rs 40,000 in cash and 5,110 Nepalese rupees.

Passports were also recovered from their possession, indicating travel to Nepal and Malaysia, pointing towards the gang's alleged international links.

Senior Patna police officials said special agencies and the STF would conduct detailed interrogation considering the gravity of the case. Investigators are probing the purpose of the gang's presence in Patna, their intended target and their broader network.

A technical team has also been deployed to establish links between the arrested accused and the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
Gandhinagar, Jan 23 : In a people-centric decision aimed at easing the financial burden on rural households, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has approved a one-time waiver of penal interest for beneficiaries of housing schemes run by the Gujarat Rural Housing Board.

Under the relief measure, beneficiaries who clear the entire outstanding principal amount of their housing loans within a six-month window will be exempted from paying the penal interest charged at 2 per cent per month.

The decision is expected to benefit more than 9,029 families across rural Gujarat, providing them with cumulative relief of approximately Rs 154 crore. The move comes in response to representations made by beneficiaries who expressed their willingness to repay the principal amount but cited financial hardship in paying the steep penal interest.

Taking a compassionate view, the Chief Minister directed officials to implement a one-time interest waiver scheme to ensure genuine beneficiaries are not deprived of home ownership.

Officials said that once the principal amount is fully repaid, beneficiaries will also receive legal ownership rights to their houses, enabling them to become rightful homeowners in the true sense.

The decision aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modias vision of ensuring a permanent roof over the head of every needy citizen. With this step, thousands of rural families in Gujarat will be able to realise that goal, strengthening housing security and social stability in the stateas villages.

The state government described the decision as a landmark relief initiative that combines fiscal prudence with social sensitivity, reinforcing its commitment to inclusive development in rural areas.

Rural areas in Gujarat form the backbone of the stateas social and economic landscape, with nearly half of the population residing in villages spread across districts such as Banaskantha, Dahod, Kutch, Narmada, Tapi, and the tribal belts of eastern Gujarat. These regions are largely agrarian, dependent on farming, animal husbandry, dairy cooperatives, and allied activities, while also facing persistent challenges such as irregular incomes, migration for seasonal work, limited access to credit, and vulnerability to climate variations.

Over the years, the state has focused on strengthening rural infrastructure through improved road connectivity, drinking water supply, electrification, sanitation, and housing, with special emphasis on affordable rural homes to ensure dignity and stability for village families.

Secure housing in rural Gujarat is closely linked to livelihoods, education, womenas safety, and social mobility, making policy interventions in rural housing not just welfare measures but critical tools for long-term rural development and inclusive growth.
New Delhi, Jan 23 : The European Union's broader suspension of the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) will impact only 2.66 per cent of India's exports to the EU, the Commerce Ministry said on Friday.

New Delhi, Jan 23 (IANS) The European Union's broader suspension of the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) will impact only 2.66 per cent of Indiaas exports to the EU, the Commerce Ministry said on Friday.

In 2023, EU imports from India amounted to approximately 62.2 billion euros. Of this, only 12.9 billion euros were eligible under the EUas Standard GSP framework. India has graduated from 12 major product categories. As per the new regulation, 1.66 billion euros of trade is expected to graduate out of the GSP regime, leaving the eligible GSP trade to be 11.24 billion euros as per 2023 data.

In other words, the new regulation impacts only 2.66 per cent of Indiaas exports to the EU, the statement said.

The graduation process is based on the competitiveness of the country's exports, which is periodically reviewed by the EU. Indiaas graduation over time is on account of the increasing competitiveness of its exports.

The European Commission has adopted Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1909, laying down rules for the suspension of specific tariff preferences for certain GSP beneficiary countries, including India, for the period 2026a"2028. The regulation formally entered into force on January 1, 2026, and will last until December 31, 2028.

Under the new GSP treatment, agricultural lines are not graduated. In the non-agricultural sector, only leather has been reinstated.

The suspension covers thirteen specific GSP sections such as mineral products; inorganic and organic chemicals; plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof; textiles; articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica or similar materials; ceramic products; glass and glassware; pearls and precious metals; iron, steel and articles of iron and steel; base metals (excl. iron and steel), articles of base metals (excl. iron and steel); machinery and mechanical appliances; electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; railway or tramway locomotives, rolling-stock; Motor vehicles, bicycles, aircraft and spacecraft, ships and boats.

The European Unionas GSP is a unilateral trade preference scheme under which the EU grants reduced or zero customs duties to imports from developing and least-developed countries.

The GSP is non-reciprocal and operates as an exception to the WTOas Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) principle. Its permanent legal basis under WTO law is the 1979 Enabling Clause, which allows developed countries to grant differential and more favourable treatment to developing countries.

The European Union offers different trade benefits under the GSP scheme. Standard GSP gives poorer and lower-middle-income developing countries, like India, easier access to EU markets.

GSP+ is an enhanced version that provides more benefits, but only to countries that follow international rules on labour, human rights, the environment, and governance, while Everything But Arms (EBA) gives the poorest nations duty-free, quota-free access to almost all goods except arms.
Chandigarh, Jan 23 : Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Friday attended a commemorative programme organised in Punjab's Samrala in Ludhiana district on the birth anniversary of the great saint, social reformer and pioneer of national consciousness, Satguru Ram Singh Maharaj.

Paying tributes, the Chief Minister described Satguru Ram Singh's teachings as a guiding light for social transformation and national resurgence. He said, "Satguru's life continues to inspire a development model rooted in humanity, moral values and national interest".

Responding to a demand raised by the organising committee, the Chief Minister announced that after due consultation with committee members, the Haryana government would take steps to establish a Chair in the name of Satguru Ram Singh Maharaj. The Chief Minister also paid floral tributes to all Namdhari Sikhs who laid down their lives during the Kuka Movement in the struggle for India's freedom.

He said that Satguru Ram Singh was a visionary saint who seamlessly linked religion with action, devotion with social reform, and spirituality with national service.

"At a time when India was shackled by colonial rule, social evils were deeply entrenched, and public morale was at its lowest, Baba Ram Singh provided direction and self-confidence to society. Through the Namdhari Movement, he instilled values of self-respect, discipline and dignity, proving that a true saint is one who awakens society, stands firmly against injustice and places humanity above all else," said the Chief Minister.

He said the Kuka Movement led by Satguru Ram Singh "remains an inspiring chapter of India's freedom struggle. Launched after 1849 against British rule in Punjab, the movement was not merely economic resistance but a powerful effort to awaken the soul of the nation. Satguru Ram Singh advocated a peaceful struggle through non-cooperation and swadeshi, a path later adopted by Mahatma Gandhi. He promoted the boycott of foreign goods and British institutions, encouraged local self-governance through panchayats, and spread the spirit of self-reliance".

Referring to history, CM Saini said the Baba Ram Singh movement posed a serious challenge to British authority. Though he was exiled to Rangoon for opposing injustice, his ideas could never be imprisoned.

"The Kuka Movement made it clear to the British that their rule in India would not last long. In an attempt to suppress the movement, 49 and later 16 Namdhari Sikhs were brutally executed by cannon fire in 1872. From 1857 to 1947, the Namdhari struggle continued, and through immense sacrifice, Satguru Ram Singh Maharaj's dream of freedom was ultimately realised."

The Chief Minister recalled that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose had acknowledged the sacrifices of the Namdhari Sikhs, stating that the nation would always remain proud of the courage and martyrdom displayed by the Namdhari Kukas under the banner of freedom raised by Satguru Ram Singh.

He said the priceless freedom earned through the sacrifices of martyrs must be carefully preserved. In this spirit, the Government of India, under the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, issued a commemorative postage stamp on December 24, 2014, in memory of the martyrs of the Kuka Movement. Drawing inspiration from Satguru Ram Singh's swadeshi movement, the Prime Minister has also renewed the call for self-reliance in the present era.
Dhaka, Jan 23 : Bangladesh risks being embedded in a Sino-Pakistan security ecosystem - one that serves Beijing's regional ambitions at the expense of Dhaka's national interest. Since Muhammad Yunus assumed office as the interim government's chief advisor in 2024, Bangladesh has renewed and broadened discussions on procuring advanced Chinese military hardware, including fourth-generation fighter jets such as the J-10C, a report highlighted on Friday.

Dhaka, Jan 23 (IANS) Bangladesh risks being embedded in a Sino-Pakistan security ecosystem  one that serves Beijing's regional ambitions at the expense of Dhaka's national interest. Since Muhammad Yunus assumed office as the interim government's chief advisor in 2024, Bangladesh has renewed and broadened discussions on procuring advanced Chinese military hardware, including fourth-generation fighter jets such as the J-10C, a report highlighted on Friday.

According to a report in the leading Bangladeshi weekly 'Blitz', these negotiations are reportedly taking place not only directly with Beijing but also through Sino-Pakistani joint-venture mechanisms further complicating Bangladesh's strategic position.

"When US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent Christensen publicly warned about the long-term risks of Chinese military and strategic entanglement, his remarks were not merely a routine diplomatic caution. They sounded more like an early alarm bell. Bangladesh, once viewed in Washington and New Delhi as a country that carefully balanced competing global interests, now appears to be edging toward a far deeper embrace of Beijing  with Pakistan quietly positioning itself as a facilitating partner in that transition," the report detailed.

"At the centre of this accelerating realignment stands Muhammad Yunus. Under his stewardship, Dhaka seems increasingly willing to recalibrate Bangladesh's geopolitical orientation, even if that recalibration comes at the cost of long-term sovereignty, strategic autonomy, and regional equilibrium. The shift is gradual, but the direction is unmistakable," it mentioned.

The report stated that Bangladesh's Armed Forces Division, led by Principal Staff Officer Lieutenant General S M Kamrul Hasan, has been actively involved in high-level defence discussions with Chinese counterparts.

"Multiple delegations have visited China in recent months to explore modernisation options for the Bangladesh Air Force, particularly the replacement of ageing aircraft fleets that are nearing the end of their operational life. In parallel, Dhaka has intensified discussions with Pakistan over the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet, a platform jointly developed by China and Pakistan and aggressively marketed by Islamabad as a 'cost-effective' multirole solution," it added.

The report stressed Bangladesh risks being trapped in a Beijing-Islamabad-dominated military ecosystem, with minimal scope for diversification or exit.

"The defence dimension is only one part of a broader pattern. Beyond arms and aircraft, Yunus's administration has opened the door wide for Chinese infrastructure penetration across sensitive regions of the country," it noted.

For the Indo-Pacific region, the report said, "this would mark yet another quiet but consequential shift in the balance of power, unfolding not through open confrontation, but through calculated alignment and gradual dependence."
Kolkata, Jan 23 : Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari on Friday accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of going soft about the hindrances faced in conducting the special intensive revision (SIR), especially as regards to frequent report of hooliganism allegedly by the ruling Trinamool Congress activists at the centres for hearing on claims and objections on the draft voters' list.

"Why is the Commission limited to just sending communiques regarding such hindrances faced during the revision exercise? The people of West Bengal do not need communiques. They need solid and decisive action on the part of the ECI. The time for lectures is over. It is time now for action," the BJP leader told media persons on Friday.

Speaking on the occasion, he also questioned why the Commission was not deploying the central armed police forces (CAPF) personnel at the hearing centres. "The Constitution of India has given the ECI the highest authority. If they want, they can deploy the central forces without consulting anyone. Even the Commission can deploy the army if it wants. So far, the ECI and the Trinamool Congress have gone to the Supreme Court. The common people, the common voters, can also approach the Supreme Court. If we can approach the apex court now," Adhikari said.

Recently, West Bengal BJP president and the party's Rajya Sabha MP, Samik Bhattacharya, accused the ECI of going soft about handling the instances of hindrances allegedly created by the Trinamool Congress leaders and activists during the revision exercise.

Bhattacharya even demanded that the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) should personally visit West Bengal and review the situation in the state over the revision exercise.

On Friday, the Leader of the Opposition made a significant statement about the possible pattern of minority voting in the crucial Assembly elections in West Bengal scheduled later this year.

"Minorities in West Bengal might not vote for the BJP. But I feel that they will not vote for Trinamool Congress as well this time," Adhikari added.
New Delhi, Jan 23 : The India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management concluded in here on Friday, with the unanimous adoption of the Delhi Declaration 2026.

Hosted by the Election Commission of India, the three-day event brought together heads of election management bodies from 42 countries, experts from numerous institutions, and senior officials from across India to discuss ways to strengthen democratic processes worldwide.

The Delhi Declaration 2026 outlines five key pillars that participating nations have pledged to pursue through joint efforts.

The first pillar focuses on maintaining clean and accurate electoral rolls, which form the bedrock of any democracy. Election authorities are encouraged to issue photo identity cards to every eligible voter to ensure smooth and transparent voting.

The second pillar stresses that elections must be inclusive, participatory and fair. For this to happen, election bodies need to operate strictly in accordance with their constitutional or legal frameworks, delivering transparent, efficient and credible results.

Under the third pillar, the conference committed to producing an Encyclopaedia of Democracies of the World. This ambitious project will include an atlas detailing electoral systems across countries, verified by each nationas election authority. It will also feature detailed reports on seven themes coordinated by International IDEA and 36 additional themes led by Indiaas International Institute of Democracy and Election Management.

The fourth pillar addresses the responsible use of technology. Election bodies agreed to embrace modern tools to assist voters and combat misinformation, while always protecting electoral integrity as required by law. India has offered to share its experience with the ECINET digital platform, allowing other countries to develop similar systems adapted to their legal systems and languages.

The fifth pillar emphasises training and capacity building. India has extended an invitation for global election officials to benefit from its extensive expertise through training programmes and exchanges of best practices. The International Institute of Democracy and Election Management, recognised as the worldas largest such facility, will make its resources available to help professionalise election management and voter roll preparation across countries.

In the declarationas conclusion, all participants resolved to put these five pillars into practice through collaboration, innovation and regular progress reviews. They agreed to hold an annual meeting to assess progress, with the next gathering scheduled for December 3 to 5, 2026, at the institute in New Delhi.

Adopted on January 23, 2026, the Delhi Declaration represents a collective commitment to safeguarding and advancing democracy through shared knowledge, technology and capacity enhancement on a global scale.
Hyderabad, Jan 23 : The Telangana Police Officers' Association has condemned the comments made by former minister and BRS leader T. Harish Rao against the police officials.

The Association said on Friday that his comments against Telangana police Department are completely false, baseless, malicious, and illegal.

In a warning, Harish Rao had said that those misusing power will be held accountable in the future even after they retire.

He gave the warning while reacting to notice issued to BRS working president K. T. Rama Rao by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in phone-tapping case.

Harish Rao accused the police of acting at the behest of their political bosses.

"Congress is using the SIT to target the BRS leaders with a political vendetta. Some police officials are acting excessively and crossing the law to impress their Congress bosses," Harish Rao said.

Police Officers' Association demanded that Harish Rao immediately and unconditionally withdraw his remarks against senior police officers and publicly apologise to the Telangana Police Department.

It also warned that if he fails to withdraw the remarks and tender an apology, all applicable legal actions (civil and criminal) will be initiated against him in view of the damage caused to the reputation of the police department and the obstruction of the judicial process.

Police Officers' Association president Y. Gopi Reddy said in a statement that the comments were made with the intention of tarnishing the reputation of the police department and undermining public trust.

During the investigation of cases, the investigating officer has the full legal authority to collect evidence, review the collected evidence, and summon anyone for questioning at any time if necessary. Police officers perform their duties within the framework of laws such as BNSS, BNS, and BSA, and without any political bias. The final authority to determine the truth in any case rests entirely with the courts, he said.

"Making baseless, irresponsible, and insulting remarks against investigating officers while an investigation is ongoing is considered an attempt to influence the judicial process and a threatening attack on the investigating officers. We clearly state that such comments are not only illegal but also punishable offence," he added.

Meanwhile, Congress MLC Balmoor Venkat lodged a complaint with the Director General of Police (DGP) alleging that former ministers K.T. Rama Rao and Harish Rao are attempting to intimidate officials investigating the phone tapping case.

Venkat alleged that the two leaders are threatening SIT officials and making statements aimed at instilling fear among investigating officers, thereby attempting to influence the course of the probe.

He said he had submitted a complaint along with supporting evidence to the Additional DGP, seeking immediate legal action.
JAKARTA, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- All bodies of the victims from the fatal crash of an Indonesia Air Transport ATR 42-500 aircraft have been recovered following a seven-day search and rescue operation in the rugged slopes of Mount Bulusaraung, South Sulawesi province, Indonesian authorities confirmed on Friday.

The recovery of the 10th and final victim marked the conclusion of efforts to locate those on board the aircraft, which had gone missing earlier this month.

The ATR 42-500, registered PK-THT, crashed on Jan. 17 while en route to Makassar with 10 people on board, comprising seven crew members and three passengers who were conducting a surveillance mission, according to official reports.

Colonel Dody Triyo Hadi, an officer of the Indonesian army involved in the joint search and rescue operation, announced that the final body was found at 08:59 a.m. local time at the joint Search and Rescue (SAR) Command Post.

"The 10th victim has been found by the Eagle Team together with the joint SAR forces," he said. "With this discovery, all victims and critical items from the aircraft have been located."

He did not provide further details regarding the condition of the victim or the exact location of the recovery.

During the week-long operation, SAR teams recovered bodies in varying conditions and transported them for forensic identification. Two victims were identified earlier, while the remaining remains are being identified through medical examinations.

Indonesian authorities have expressed condolences to the families of the victims and pledged continued support for the identification process and the ongoing investigation into the cause of the crash. 
New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 23 : The absence of senior Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Shashi Tharoor from a high-level meeting convened by the party high command on Friday to discuss Kerala's Assembly election preparations has triggered political chatter, even as the Congress leadership moved swiftly to play down any sign of internal discord.

Congress Working Committee member and senior legislator Ramesh Chennithala sought to dismiss speculation of friction, asserting that the party remains united and focused on electoral strategy.

The meeting, held at the residence of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, brought together top Kerala leaders in the presence of Lok Sabha Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and other senior party leaders.

It marked the first formal high command-level discussion exclusively focused on the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections.

According to Chennithala, the deliberations centered on the party's roadmap for the state polls, lessons from recent electoral successes, and preparations for the months ahead.

"Today's meeting is on Kerala, and with the Assembly elections approaching, the Congress leadership -- Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge -- has called all the party leaders of Kerala. We discussed in detail what needs to be done for the next election," Chennithala said.

He also pointed to the party's strong performance in the state's last local body elections, noting that the Congress had secured a "flying good victory", which, he suggested, provided confidence going into the Assembly contest.

Addressing questions over Shashi Tharoor's absence, Chennithala firmly rejected suggestions of dissatisfaction or protest.

"No, no, he (Shashi Tharoor) is not angry. He spoke to me," Chennithala said, adding that Tharoor was in Kozhikode attending a prior commitment.

"He has agreed to a party function there. That is why he is not coming here," he said.

Tharoor's decision to skip the meeting had come against the backdrop of reported unease following the Kochi Mahapanchayat event attended by Rahul Gandhi early this week where issues related to seating arrangements, speaking time, and perceived protocol lapses had reportedly caused discontent.

By publicly clarifying his conversation with Tharoor, Chennithala appeared keen to contain any narrative of widening rifts within the party's Kerala unit at a crucial juncture.

With Assembly elections on the horizon, the Congress leadership is clearly aiming to project cohesion, downplay internal differences, and keep the focus firmly on election preparedness rather than internal personalities.
Patna, Jan 23 : Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday participated in the Saraswati Puja celebrations at the Janata Dal (United) office in Patna, where he offered prayers to Goddess Saraswati and wished for the prosperity of the state and the country.

The Saraswati Puja was organised by the JDU IT Cell and witnessed the presence of several senior leaders, including Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, along with Nishant Kumar, the Chief Minister's son.

After returning from the Samriddhi Yatra in Muzaffarpur, Nitish Kumar visited the party office to take part in the religious ceremony.

Leaders greeted one another as the puja rituals were performed in a devotional atmosphere.

Nishant Kumar arrived at the JDU office ahead of the Chief Minister and bowed before the idol of Goddess Saraswati, performing the rituals with due reverence.

Speaking to the media, he said, "I have come here to worship Goddess Saraswati and seek her blessings. I prayed for knowledge and wish everyone a happy Basant Panchami."

During the programme, Union Minister Lalan Singh reportedly made a remark suggesting that Nitish Kumar should now agree to Nishant Kumar's entry into politics, reigniting speculation about a possible political role for the Chief Minister's son.

Nishant Kumar, known for his simple lifestyle and spiritual inclination, has largely stayed away from active politics.

However, his growing presence at public and party-related events has caught the attention of political observers.

His participation in an event organised by an official party wingthe JDU IT Cellhas further intensified discussions within political circles.

For some time now, there have been speculations in Bihar regarding whether Nishant Kumar is preparing to carry forward Nitish Kumar's political legacy.

Although the Chief Minister has consistently kept his family away from politics, Nishant's increasing visibility has fuelled fresh debate.

Many JDU workers believe that his entry into politics could energise the party's youth base.
Washington, Jan 23 : US airport security officials have defended stricter identity rules as lawmakers warned the changes could disproportionately affect immigrants and international students who travel domestically.

At a House Homeland Security Committee hearing, the Transportation Security Administration confirmed full enforcement of the Real ID law and outlined a new program that charges travelers a fee if they lack compliant identification.

Under the "Confirm ID" program, passengers without Real ID-compliant documents must pay a $45 fee to undergo additional identity verification.

TSA Acting Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill said the fee is designed to cover the cost of extra screening and reduce the burden on taxpayers.

She said about six per cent of travelers remain non-compliant, even though Congress passed the Real ID law more than 20 years ago.

McNeill said processing non-compliant travelers strains TSA staffing and resources, particularly during peak travel periods.

Several lawmakers raised concerns that the policy could disproportionately affect international students, recent immigrants and visa holders.

They cited delays in obtaining documents during visa transitions, changes in immigration status or state-level processing backlogs.

Lawmakers warned the new fee could increase travel costs and create confusion at airports.

They also said tighter screening could lead to longer wait times, missed flights and inconsistent treatment.

McNeill said Real ID enforcement is essential to aviation security. She said identity verification is a cornerstone of the US airport screening system.

She stressed that the Confirm ID program does not waive security requirements or lower standards.

Instead, she said, it adds another layer of verification for travelers who arrive without compliant documents.

Immigration advocates countered that lawful travelers should not be penalized for bureaucratic delays beyond their control.

They said new arrivals often face gaps between federal immigration documents and state-issued identification.

Members of Congress said they would monitor the rollout of the program and its impact on immigrants and students.

They warned that policies intended to improve security should not unintentionally restrict lawful travel.

The issue is expected to draw more attention ahead of the summer travel season, when millions of students, workers and families move across the country.
Gandhinagar, Jan 23 : Emphasising that the transformation of villages is central to India's long-term growth, Gujarat's Rural Development Minister Kunvarji Bavaliya said on Friday that the vision of "Viksit Bharat@2047" can be realised only when villages evolve into vibrant economic hubs.

He was speaking while chairing a high-level review meeting in Gandhinagar to assess the implementation of key rural development schemes across the state.

The meeting focused on a comprehensive review of works undertaken under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojanaa"Gramin (PMAY-G), Swachh Bharat Missiona"Gramin (SBM-G), and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

The Minister took detailed updates on physical and financial progress, quality of execution, and timelines of projects being implemented at the village level.

Highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Viksit Bharat@2047 vision, Minister Bavaliya said villages must be developed on the lines of cities by ensuring modern infrastructure, basic amenities, and improved quality of life.

He underlined the need for an "innovation in lifestyle" approach to make rural areas self-reliant, productive, and economically dynamic.

The Minister stressed that all villages should be equipped with urban-like facilities and that rural development works must be executed with speed, quality, and durability.

He directed officials to ensure that even the most remote citizens are not left out of the development process and that all government-set physical and financial targets are achieved within stipulated timelines through proper planning and coordination.

Senior officials, including Rural Development Department Additional Chief Secretary Dhananjay Dwivedi, Additional Commissioner of Panchayat, Rural Housing and Rural Development B.M. Prajapati, and district-level officers from across the state, were present at the review meeting.

Villages in Gujarat represent a diverse and dynamic rural landscape, spread across arid regions like Kutch, fertile belts of north and central Gujarat, coastal villages along Saurashtra, and the tribal-dominated eastern districts.

These villages form the backbone of the state's economy through agriculture, dairy farming, fisheries, handicrafts, salt production, and small-scale rural industries, supported strongly by cooperative movements and self-help groups.

While many villages still face challenges such as water scarcity, migration, and limited non-farm employment, Gujarat's rural areas have witnessed steady transformation through improved road connectivity, electrification, drinking water supply, sanitation coverage, digital services, and rural housing schemes.

Increasing focus on skill development, women-led enterprises, renewable energy, and village-level infrastructure is gradually turning Gujarat's villages into centres of local economic activity, social empowerment, and sustainable development, aligning rural growth with the state's broader development vision.
Bengaluru, Jan 23 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that BJP's ally, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu's concerns on the Viksit Bharat - Grameen Rozgar and Migration Guarantee Act (VB-G RAM G) validate the opposition stand and termed the development as politically significant.

Bengaluru, Jan 23 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that BJP's ally, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu's concerns on the Viksit Bharat  Grameen Rozgar and Migration Guarantee Act (VB-G RAM G) validate the opposition stand and termed the development as politically significant.

Taking to social media X, CM Siddaramaiah stated on Friday, "The reports that the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. Chandrababu Naidu, has raised concerns with the Union Government over the implementation of the VB-G RAM G Act - especially regarding the altered funding pattern and the additional burden on states - are politically significant and consequential for CentreState relations."

These concerns are important as they come from a key ally of the BJP, whose support is critical to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government, he pointed out.

For months, the Congress party and Opposition-ruled states, including Karnataka, have warned that the VB-G RAM G Act weakens cooperative federalism by shifting financial responsibility onto states. A BJP ally now echoing these concerns exposes a clear rupture within the NDA and undermines the BJP's defence of the law. The Union Government and the BJP must explain why the same objections were earlier dismissed as political criticism, he noted.

The contrast between the two laws is clear. Under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), rural employment was a legal right backed by assured central funding. Under the new Act, that certainty is lost. States are required to implement the programme while sharing the cost, without any statutory guarantee of funds. What was once a guaranteed right of the people has been reduced to a matter of negotiation, CM Siddaramaiah stated.

He further stated that this shift has serious implications. When a Chief Minister is compelled to seek "alternative financial support" through private discussions, it signals that access to funds is being determined by bargaining power rather than by law. In the present political context, this raises the risk that allocations may be influenced by political alignment, adversely affecting Opposition-ruled states, including Karnataka.

If NDA partners, especially the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, find the new framework unsustainable, these concerns must be raised openly in Parliament. They cannot be addressed through selective concessions or private assurances, he said.

The developments reported on Friday make it clear that the VB-G RAM G Act must be repealed and the MGNREGA Act restored, with necessary reforms. Employment security cannot be converted into a negotiable arrangement. Cooperative federalism must be sustained through guaranteed funding and equal treatment of all states - not through uncertainty and coalition arithmetic, CM Siddaramaiah said.

Earlier, media reports stated that in a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, CM Naidu said the revised funding ratio for VB-G RAM G was leading to an additional burden on the state and sought assistance from the Centre for enforcing the new rural jobs law.
Bhubaneswar, Jan 23 : With the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT) nearing the end of its tenure in April, the matter has once again come into political focus.

Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari on Friday remarked that the previous state government failed to sufficiently safeguard Odisha's interests during proceedings before the tribunal.

It is worth noting that the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT) was constituted in March 2018 under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956, as both Odisha and Chhattisgarh could not reach an amicable agreement on water sharing.

Addressing the media following a high-level meeting here on Friday, Pujari alleged that during the earlier government's tenure, no serious effort was made to argue in favour of Odisha's interests.

"For four to five years, only one witness was examined by Odisha. They did not even file a proper written statement or advance arguments before the tribunal," he said.

The Minister further claimed that a statement made by the then Water Resources Minister on the floor of the Assembly -- asserting that Odisha and the Mahanadi would not suffer any loss due to the construction of barrages in Chhattisgarh -- was later used by the neighbouring state as evidence before the tribunal.

"That statement became a powerful tool for Chhattisgarh to argue that the construction of barrages caused no harm to the Mahanadi or to Odisha," Pujari said.

He added that more than 500 such structures were reportedly completed in Chhattisgarh without any strong objection being raised by the previous Odisha government during the period from 2014 to 2024.

"We have inherited this problem, but we will use our full wit and wisdom to argue the case and ensure that Odisha gets justice on the Mahanadi issue," he asserted.

Pujari noted that the tribunal's tenure is set to expire on April 13, barely a month away. He also pointed out that there had been a nine-month vacancy in the post of the presiding officer, which delayed the proceedings.

"We have submitted a request to the tribunal and the Central Government to extend its tenure by at least nine months, or preferably until the completion of the hearings," he said.

The Minister reiterated the state government's commitment to pursuing the matter vigorously to protect Odisha's water rights and interests.

Meanwhile, the Mahanadi Bachao Andolan, an organisation advocating the protection of the Mahanadi River, has expressed strong displeasure over the Odisha Chief Minister's silence on reports regarding the blocking of Mahanadi River water by the neighbouring state through the construction of a sand embankment downstream of the Kalma Barrage.

The outfit has also reportedly sent a letter to the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh regarding the issue and announced that a team from the organisation will visit the Kalma Barrage on January 27 to review the ground situation.

It also warned that if the Chhattisgarh government fails to dismantle the sand embankment at the Kalma Barrage, people will do so themselves, and the Mahanadi Bachao Andolan will take necessary steps in this regard.
Aizawl/Imphal, Jan 23 : Assam Rifles on Friday seized drugs valued at over Rs 7.28 crore in Mizoram and recovered a large cache of explosive materials in Manipur by arresting two persons in connection with separate operations, officials said.

A defence spokesman said that, acting on credible intelligence inputs related to narcotics trafficking, Assam Rifles conducted an operation at Ngur areas in Mizoramas bordering Champhai district on Friday. During the operation, one person in China made Kenbo bike was intercepted. A thorough search resulted in the recovery of 2.2 kg of highly addictive Methamphetamine tablets, a highly dangerous psychotropic substance with an estimated international market value of Rs 6.6 crore.

The person carrying the contraband was identified as Lalhmangaihzuala and was also apprehended. The seized contraband, along with the apprehended individual, was handed over to the Excise and Narcotics Department, Champhai, for detailed investigation and further legal action.

In another operation, acting on specific intelligence regarding the trafficking of narcotics at Zote areas of the same Champhai district, Assam Rifles troops launched a swift and well-coordinated operation, and the alert troops intercepted a vehicle and, upon thorough checking, recovered 80.8 grams of heroin valued at approximately Rs 68.25 lakh.

The contraband was being transported by a drug peddler identified as Lal Thanpuia. The apprehended person, along with the recovered narcotics and vehicle were handed over to the Excise and Narcotics Department, Champhai, for further investigation and necessary legal action.

This successful recovery underscores the Assam Riflesa unwavering commitment to combating smuggling and eradicating the drug menace in Mizoram. The Force remains dedicated to ensuring security of the India-Myanmar border and fostering a drug-free society in the region, an official statement said.

In Manipur, the Assam Rifles, along with Manipur Police, established a Mobile Vehicle Check Post on Jiribam-Tipaimukh Road and recovered huge quantities of explosives in the hilly Pherzawl District. This operation of the Assam Rifles comes as a crackdown on any miscreants hampering peace and stability in the region ahead of Republic Day celebrations.

Upon being challenged by Assam Rifles soldiers at the check post, the miscreants abandoned their vehicle and tried to flee. Following a pursuit by Assam Rifles personnel, two individuals were apprehended along with a recovery of 30 gelatin sticks, 20 detonators, safety fuze, flexible wire, one Bolero vehicle and around Rs one lakh cash amount.

The explosive recovered is generally used in making Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) to cause mass damage.

An official said that the Assam Rifles has been working closely with local authorities to maintain peace in Jiribam District, reiterating that no one will be spared, miscreants already identified and on the radar will be taken to task. The locals were seen praising the efforts of the force in maintaining peace in the region.
Mumbai, Jan 23 : Marking the beginning of the birth centenary year of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday in a scathing attack on the Eknath Shinde faction and the BJP.

He said the issue of treachery is not new to Maharashtra -- it is an ancient curse. Whenever an enemy finds victory impossible, they seek the help of traitors.

He invoked history to address recent political shifts stating that "had the saffron flag never been betrayed from within, Maharashtra would have rewritten the history of the world".

He further noted, "Storms don't scare us, we were raised in them." He further criticized his opponents for failing to take pride in their lineage, saying, "I cannot help it if the opposition is ashamed to take their own father's name."

Thackeray accused "two traders" (referring to the central leadership) of using the party's own people as weapons against it. He alleged that the recent Mumbai elections saw unprecedented use of money power.

"Envelopes were pushed under doors when they remained closed. You may buy votes with money, but how will you buy hearts?" he questioned.

He challenged his rivals to attempt a complete erasure of the Thackeray legacy. "Erase the 'Thackeray' name, erase the 'Shiv Sena' name, and then try to dream of ruling Mumbai and Maharashtra." Hs delivered a stirring speech, reflecting on the party's legacy and issuing a fierce challenge to political rivals.

Shared on a public stage with his cousin and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray, the address blended nostalgia with a firm vow to protect the identity of Mumbai and Maharashtra.

Reflecting on his shared childhood with Raj Thackeray, Uddhav stated, "Raj and I grew up playing in storms. No one needs to teach us how to fight one. Only the person carrying the weight of responsibility on their shoulders knows how difficult it is to balance that burden while battling the wind."

Emphasising the fight for the rights of the Marathi man, Thackeray urged his supporters to take a solemn oath. "Balasaheb taught us how to live with dignity. If we forget that, our destiny will be to live as slaves to two traders. I will never live as a slave to them, even if it costs me my life," he declared.

Addressing the loss of the Mayor's post in Mumbai, he reminded the cadre that the party had held the fort for 25 years through their merit. "Citizens must decide who protects them and who is merely trading their interests."

Describing the current internal state of the party, Thackeray used the metaphor of a tree. "The shedding of leaves is necessary. The rotten leaves must fall so that new buds can bloom. Those who were sold have no life left in them; they cannot give strength to the tree." Thackeray called for a fresh start.

"We have suffered a narrow defeat, and the opposition has introduced new techniques to win elections. But we will start anew. As long as you remain Shiv Sainiks, I remain your party chief. We are fighting, and we will continue to fight."
Patna, Jan 23 : Nawada Police have cracked the case of a youth who was murdered in Kauakol within 12 hours of the incident, arresting four notorious criminals linked to the illegal liquor trade.

Addressing a press conference on Friday, Nawada Superintendent of Police Abhinav Dhiman said the incident was connected to an old rivalry arising out of the illicit liquor business.

The attack took place on the night of January 22, 2026, at around 8.30 p.m., when criminals assaulted a youth on the Nati River bridge under the Kauakol police station area.

The injured victim was immediately rushed to the Kauakol Primary Health Centre (PHC) for treatment, where he succumbed to injuries during treatment.

Based on statements given by the victimas family members, an FIR was lodged against seven named accused.

Acting on the instructions of the Superintendent of Police, a special team comprising the SDPO, Pakribarawan, and the District Intelligence Unit (DIU) conducted raids.

On the morning of January 23, police received intelligence that the accused had gathered at Dharawan Mod Pahartali and were allegedly planning a robbery.

The area was cordoned off and four accused were arrested on the spot. Police also recovered a large cache of weapons and vehicles from their possession.

During interrogation, the arrested criminals confessed that the attack was the result of an ongoing power struggle and personal rivalry linked to the illegal liquor trade.

Police seized two country-made pistols, 13 live cartridges, three mobile phones, a Scorpio SUV, and a Bullet motorcycle.

The arrested accused have been identified as Chandan Mahto, son of Harish Charan Mahto, resident of Kauakol in Nawada; Rakesh Yadav alias Rakku, son of Sudama Yadav, resident of Jamui; Rakesh Kumar, son of Sanjay Yadav, resident of Jamui; and Kuldeep Mandal alias Kuldeep Kumar, son of Shivanandan Mandal, resident of Jamui.

Police said the prime accused, Chandan Mahto, is a habitual offender with multiple serious cases registered against him at Kauakol police station, including cases under the Arms Act and for possession of stolen property.

Further investigation is underway and efforts are on to arrest the remaining accused.
Mumbai, Jan 23 : On the occasion of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray's birth centenary year, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, in a stinging critique of recent political shifts and defections, on Friday expressed a sombre sense of relief that the Sena founder was not alive to witness the current state of affairs.

"People say Balasaheb should have been here today. But looking at this 'market of slaves' in Maharashtra, I feel it's for the best that he isn't here. That man would have been so pained and distressed. Two hundred years ago, human auctions used to happen at village squares; today, those auctions are happening again in places like Kalyan, Dombivli, and Thane," Raj Thackeray remarked.

He delivered a deeply emotional and scathing speech. While reminiscing about his late uncle, Raj Thackeray took a sharp swipe at the current political climate in Maharashtra, describing it as a "market of slaves".

He shared the dais with his brother and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray. He revealed that after speaking with Uddhav Thackeray and Sanjay Raut about the current situation, he felt a sense of "shisari" (intense disgust/nausea).

"It is a good thing he isn't here to see this. He could never have watched the things he built from scratch be treated this way."

Addressing the gathering, Raj Thackeray spoke about the difficulty of defining a personality as vast as Balasaheb.

"His birth centenary year begins today. I wrote an article in Saamana sharing many memories, but I often wonder  how do I view him? As an uncle, a cartoonist, or the Hinduhridaysamrat and Shiv Sena chief? If we start talking about him, I can guarantee that Uddhav and I could speak to you for hours on end," he said.

The MNS chief also touched upon his personal journey and his exit from the undivided Shiv Sena two decades ago.

"When I left the party, the pain was different. For me, it wasn't about leaving a political party; it was about leaving my home. Twenty years have passed since then. I have come to understand many things over time, and I believe Uddhav, too, has understood many things by now."

Raj Thackeray briefly choked up while concluding his thoughts on the late patriarch. He reiterated that the current political degradation -- where leaders created by Balasaheb are now scattered across various factions for power -- would have been unbearable for the Shiv Sena founder to witness.
TEHRAN, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said Friday that 10 foreign intelligence services were behind recent "terrorist" incidents in the country.

In a statement on its official outlet Sepah News, the IRGC described the incidents as part of a failed "U.S.-Israeli plan" to threaten Iran's territorial and national integrity. It said a foreign "command room" was set up after a 12-day conflict in June to create internal chaos, provoke military intervention, and mobilize groups seen as a threat, without providing evidence.

The IRGC said it had disrupted the plots from June through late December, detaining 735 people linked to "anti-security networks," guiding 11,000 "vulnerable individuals," and seizing 743 illegal weapons.

Separately, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf called the unrest a "quasi-coup" backed by the United States and Israel, according to the official IRNA news agency. He made the remarks during a Thursday call with his Turkish counterpart Numan Kurtulmus, in which he thanked Turkiye for its policy of non-interference in Iran's domestic affairs.

Protests erupted across Iran last month over economic grievances before taking on a political dimension and turning violent, leading to casualties and widespread damage to public property, mosques, government buildings, and banks. Iranian authorities have blamed the United States and Israel for inciting the unrest. 
Jaipur, Jan 24 : Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje on Friday underlined the importance of girls' education, saying education is not a privilege but a right, and urged students to use learning not only for personal growth but also to empower others.

Addressing a gathering here, Raje recalled how access to education has historically helped women challenge social restrictions and build independent lives. She said education should be used as a tool for self-reliance and social change, and reminded students that the responsibility of learning also includes giving back to society.

Raje was speaking at the 82nd Annual Function and Prize Giving Ceremony of Maharani Gayatri Devi Girls' School, Jaipur, which celebrated its long-standing legacy in girls' education.

Recalling the institution's origins, she said that in 1943 Maharani Gayatri Devi founded the school "not as a mere institution, but as a revolution"  "a quiet revolution that challenged mindsets, broke barriers, and opened doors that had long been closed to young women".

She noted that Maharani Gayatri Devi "championed girl-child education in Rajasthan, proving that grace and independence could coexist". Raje said "for over eight decades, MGD has stood as a symbol of excellence, values, and confidence," and added that the institution has given India "women who have broken glass ceilings and rewritten expectations".

She highlighted that the school counts among its alumnae "a former Speaker of the Lok Sabha, senior members of the Indian bureaucracy and diplomatic services, accomplished leaders in business and civil society, an Olympian and a Commonwealth Games gold medallist".

Referring to the responsibilities that come with education, Raje told students that "to receive an education at a prestigious institution like MGD is a privilege, one that carries both opportunity and responsibility," and emphasised the responsibility "to use your education to grow, to empower others, and to give back to society".

Referring to the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Raje recalled his conviction that "women's empowerment must be a mandatory state policy  free and compulsory education for all," a vision she said is reflected in the National Education Policy 2020.

Reiterating the power of education, Raje said, "Education is not a privilege  it's a right," and added, "When a girl is educated, she does not just change her own life; she changes the direction of society itself."

She concluded by urging students to "use your education, voice, and visibility to create spaces for others," reminding them to always "lift as you rise".

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Davos, Jan 24 : Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said Maharashtra arrived at Davos not just to participate, but also to lead, adding that the state's participation at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 marked a defining moment in the state's global engagement.

At Davos, CM Fadnavis said Maharashtra positioned itself as India's growth engine, bold in ambition and strong in execution. Through high-level bilateral meetings and global discussions, the state clearly articulated a vision of future-ready growth that translates policy into action.

"A key outcome was the scale of investment and strategic partnerships secured. Maharashtra attracted investment commitments worth Rs 30 lakh crore, with 83 per cent through FDI, spanning sectors from industry and services to AI, data centres, GCCs, semiconductors, fintech, EVs, and digital infrastructure. Maharashtra's credibility lies in execution. More than 75 per cent of the Davos 2025 commitments are already being implemented on the ground. Growth is also inclusive, extending beyond MMR and Pune to regions across Vidarbha, Marathwada, and North Maharashtra," he said.

CM Fadnavis stated that a major highlight of the engagements at Davos was the announcement of Innovation City.

"Conceived as a bold, future-ready ecosystem, Innovation City will anchor cutting-edge research, breakthrough technologies, and high-impact, innovation-led enterprises, positioning Maharashtra at the forefront of AI-driven growth and next-generation development on the global stage. Other landmark initiatives, such as the Raigad Pen Growth Centre and Mumbai's Circular Economy Plan, reflect Maharashtra's intent to lead at scale and with global relevance," he remarked.

The Chief Minister said that the government alone will develop a circular economy in Mumbai for the treatment of waste and water. This will help curb the air pollution in the city. He added that the circular economy initiative will be replicated in other cities.

"Our successful stint at Davos 2026 has made it clear that Maharashtra is not preparing for the future. Maharashtra is building it," he noted.
Gondal, Jan 24 : A court in Gujarat's Gondal has granted bail to Rajdeepsinh Jadeja, the prime accused in the high-profile Amit Khunt suicide case.

Rajdeepsinh Jadeja, who had been in judicial custody for 84 days, will now be released from Junagadh Jail following the Gondal Additional District and Sessions Court's judgment on Friday.

Rajdeepsinh Jadeja, son of Aniruddsinh Jadeja, had been absconding for nearly six months after being named in the suicide case.

According to police records, he made several unsuccessful attempts to secure anticipatory bail from the Gujarat High Court and the Supreme Court before finally surrendering at the Gondal Taluka Police Station on November 10 last year.

Following his surrender, he was placed on police remand and then sent to judicial custody in Junagadh Jail on November 13.

The case centres on the suicide of 37-year-old Amit Khunt from Ribda village in Gondal Taluka.

On May 5, Khunt allegedly hanged himself in his farmland, two days after a 17-year-old girl filed a complaint accusing him of sexual assault.

Police recovered a four-page suicide note from the site in which Khunt mentioned Rajdeepsinh Jadeja, his father Aniruddsinh Jadeja, and two young women, alleging harassment and wrongful accusations.

The Gondal police had lodged a complaint under Sections 108, 61(2), and 54 of the IPC against all mentioned accused, citing inducement to suicide and conspiracy.

The investigation revealed that Rajdeepsinh Jadeja and others allegedly pressured the complainant to provide their names, although the victim later denied knowing Rajdeepsinh Jadeja personally.

During the bail hearing, Special Public Prosecutor representing the state opposed the release, citing the seriousness of the case.

However, the defence said that the investigation was largely complete and that there was no further requirement for Rajdeepsinh Jadeja's custody.

After examining police reports, witness statements, and submissions from both sides, Judge H.A. Trivedi accepted the defence's arguments and granted regular bail under strict conditions, warning that any violation could result in cancellation of bail.

Police officials have confirmed that detailed questioning will continue to determine the involvement of others who allegedly aided Rajdeepsinh Jadeja while he was absconding.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Itanagar, Jan 24 : Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lieutenant General K.T. Parnaik (Retd.) has advised newly appointed Director General of Police (DGP) Shiv Darshan Singh Jamwal to initiate firm, decisive and time-bound measures to address the issue of illegal migration, underscoring its serious implications for social harmony and internal security in the state.

Having assumed charge as the new state police chief on Thursday, the DGP briefed the Governor, on Friday, on his immediate priorities and strategic roadmap aimed at strengthening peace, public safety, and overall law and order across the state.

The Governor has also stressed the need for focused and sustained efforts to curb the growing menace of drugs, particularly to safeguard the youth from substance abuse.

A Lok Bhavan official said that special attention was drawn to the Tirap, Changlang, and Longding districts, where the Governor Parnaik underlined the importance of instilling a strong sense of security and confidence among the people through visible policing, effective intelligence gathering, and close coordination with local communities.

Emphasising the role of the police as the first point of contact for citizens, Governor Parnaik emphasised strict discipline, proactive leadership, and the highest standards of professionalism in the police force.

He called for people-friendly policing that is responsive, compassionate, and fair, while also underscoring the need to prioritise the welfare, morale, and working conditions of police personnel.

The Governor further advised the DGP to ensure the optimum and judicious utilisation of manpower and resources to maintain law and order effectively and efficiently.

He strongly recommended the extensive use of modern technology by the state police, including digital surveillance, data-driven policing, and smart crime analysis tools, to enhance efficiency and move towards a crime-free Arunachal Pradesh.

He said that technology, when combined with ethical policing and community trust, can significantly strengthen preventive and responsive law enforcement.

The DGP assured the Governor that he would work with dedication to translate this vision into action, striving to build a crime-free state and a people-friendly, professional police force committed to serving and protecting every citizen with integrity and empathy.

Meanwhile, DGP Jamwal on Friday paid a courtesy call on Chief Minister Pema Khandu.

The Chief Minister in a post on his X account said: "Extended best wishes to S.D. Singh Jamwal, IPS, on his assumption of charge as the Arunachal Pradesh Director General of Police during his courtesy call today. We discussed the shared responsibility of ensuring peace, public safety, and a responsive policing system that inspires confidence among citizens."

"I am confident that his experience and professionalism will further strengthen the law & order framework of the state. Looking forward to working together in the service of the people of Arunachal Pradesh," CM Khandu added.

The DGP also met the state Home Minister Mama Natung on Friday.

Natung in a post on X said: "Warm welcome and best wishes to S.D. Singh Jamwal, IPS, on assuming charge as the Director General of Police, Arunachal Pradesh. We look forward to strengthening professional policing, efficient service delivery, and public trust together."

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) earlier this month appointed senior IPS officer (1995-batch) S.D. Singh Jamwal as the new DGP of Arunachal Pradesh replacing Anand Mohan, a 1994-batch IPS officer.

Both Jamwal and Mohan belong to Arunachal Pradesha"Goaa"Mizorama"Union Territories (AGMUT) cadre.
Guwahati, Jan 24 : The Assam Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched a strong attack on the state Congress President Gaurav Gogoi, accusing him of promoting what it described as a "new Greater Assam" centred on the Miya community, allegedly undermining the state's historical, cultural and social foundations.

Addressing reporters on Friday at the state BJP headquarters -- Atal Bihari Vajpayee Bhavan, party spokesperson Jayanta Kumar Goswami claimed that Gogoi's political narrative is influenced by the ideology propagated by Miya leader Rezaul Karim.

Goswami alleged that this approach runs contrary to the original concept of Greater Assam envisioned by Ahom king Swargadeo Chaolung Sukapha, who unified seven kingdoms, and by Srimanta Sankardeva, the saint-reformer who fostered cultural and social harmony across communities.

The BJP spokesperson said that Sukapha's vision of Assam was rooted in unity among diverse ethnic and cultural groups, while Sankardeva's Neo-Vaishnavite movement played a pivotal role in binding society beyond caste and community distinctions.

He cited Sankardeva's integration of Chand Sai into the Neo-Vaishnavite fold as an example of inclusive assimilation based on Assamese cultural values.

Goswami further alleged that Rezaul Karim, after joining the Congress in the past, had publicly threatened from a party platform that historically indigenous regions such as Sivasagar would be turned into Miya-dominated areas similar to Dhubri.

Though Karim later quit the Congress, Goswami claimed that the ideological line he represented continues to be reflected in Gaurav Gogoi's political positioning.

Questioning the Congress leader Gogoi's intentions, the BJP spokesperson alleged that Gogoi's idea of a "new Greater Assam" involves close engagement with Miya youth leaders who have reportedly demanded reservation of 48 Assembly constituencies exclusively for the Miya community.

Such demands, he said, could seriously disturb the state's social equilibrium and democratic balance.

The Assam BJP reiterated that it stands firmly by the vision of Greater Assam shaped by Sukapha and Sankardeva -- one that emphasises unity, cultural cohesion and collective identity.

Goswami said the BJP would continue to oppose any political narrative that, in its view, seeks to divide Assamese society along communal or sectional lines, warning that such approaches pose a threat to the state's long-standing social harmony.
Former crime reporter turned NAACP Image Award-nominated multi-genre author L.S. Stratton dives into the YA world with her debut horror novel, Sundown Girls. In the book, a Black teen named Naomi is reunited with her biological family after being abducted by a stranger as an infant. Naomi struggles with their reunion, as she rejects her birth name and refers to her birth parents by their first names. Her journey includes therapy and secretly writing letters to the woman who kidnapped her, whos incarcerated, while dealing with public scrutiny because her story was a fixture in national media. As her parents try to bring the family closer, they decide to vacation in a small Virginia town with a questionable history, where Naomi encounters a ghost who needs her help. PW spoke with the author about her career as a crime reporter and how that impacts her fiction, which blends historical happenings and genre-bending horror.

Your book shines a light on the often hidden histories of sundown towns across America. Are there some new things you uncovered while researching this book?

What was fascinating is that I didnt realize how many major cities used to be sundown towns [places that purposely barred minorities]. Also, [the concept of] sundown towns, at least in terms of the Black community, is well-known. [However], I did not know that so many other minorities had a similar legacy of sundown towns, especially Native Americans out West. If Natives were [seen] after dark, they could run the risk of being beaten or tortured.

What subgenres of horror do you believe Sundown Girls lands in? And what drew you to these sorts of horror elements?

I would say paranormal, just as an overall theme, because of the ghosts. But there has been an emerging sub-genre of social commentary, where the horror is used to represent something. I [tend to] gravitate toward those stories. Yes, I want titillation. I want [readers to think] Oh, thats terrifying.

When youre reporting on crime, youre going to get a gamut of characters, especially people society traditionally sees as bad people, but when youre researching them and getting their backstory, you start to humanize or see how multifaceted people are. And so for me, when I write stories, especially when I write mysteries and thrillers, I dont like to do the Snidely Whiplash villain. Sometimes its even empathetic; I want readers to understand that these are bad people, but bad people who were led in this direction by a myriad of factors.

Naomi is a complicated and traumatized teen. Was this your intention from the beginning, or did her character develop as you progressed with the book?

I always wanted to make her morally conflicted, because I do not gravitate toward characters that are very straightforward. I prefer ones that have some complexity to them. Naomis backstory [is] inspired by a true story I saw years ago, which I thought was fascinating. Most people think, Oh, theyre reunited, and theyre so happy. But for [Naomi], she doesnt know these people and doesnt have a sense of place. So I wanted her to already be off kilter when the story starts. She has her antennas up because all of these things happening around her are making her uneasy.

A lot of times in horror, when people are already in an unstable situation, it can ramp up the drama. So the correlation between her being a missing girl made her psychically more open to other missing people throughout that town. These spirits can see something in her that the average person cant see; they get that sense that shes lost.

With reunification being one of the themes in Naomis journey, how did you find the balance between her relationships with her caregivers?

As a mother, it was important to me to present both perspectives. I knew that from Naomis perspective, [her kidnapper] is the only mother that she knows. Her kidnapper was never cruel to her. We get hints that Naomi was isolated for obvious reasons, but her abductor was also protective. She homeschooled her. She wanted her to be happy, so [from the kidnappers perspective] she looks like a great mom. As a parent, I wanted to show the harm and tremendous pain the abductor caused. The parents are trying their best to create the bond, but its obvious that the connection period thats integral to building relationships with kids when theyre young was ripped away from them and theyre angry about it. They love her deeply, but shes [thinking], The person you love isnt me. You remember the nine-month-old Im not that person. My mom saw me grow into the person I am and loves me, so I would like you to respect her. Her parents know thats impossible, which is why they constantly butt heads.

Sundown Girls by Carroll. Penguin/Paulsen, $19.99 Jan. 27 ISBN 978-1-933060-56-9
While a dozen Twin Cities indies contacted last week by PW reported that they have tweaked daily operations in response to ICEs presence there, two childrens bookstoresWild Rumpus in Minneapolis and Red Balloon Bookshop in St. Paulare dealing with another level of issues, including author cancellations, families hunkering down at home, and local schools offering remote instruction.

Both stores are maintaining regular hours and story time schedules. While Wild Rumpus co-owner Timothy Otte said that the goal is for our store to be a refuge for those who need it, Red Balloons Holly Weinkauf maintained that one of the most important things we can do and are doing right nowin addition to getting books to the increasing number of kids staying home from schoolis to continue being a place of joy for our kids, families, and community.

Red Balloon reported no significant impact on either foot traffic or sales, but traffic and sales are down slightly at Wild Rumpus. All of us at Wild Rumpus are more concerned for the well-being and safety of our neighbors than we are about sales, Ott said, but added, Commerce is what keeps us here and pays the bills. Sales are a touch down, he said, and he believes that trend will compound unless ICE leaves.

Otte noted that on January 14, a high-profile author whom he declined to identify canceled an upcoming visit to Minneapolis schools in partnership with Wild Rumpus. The author, Otte said, explicitly named a fear of ICEs presence as the reason for the cancellation. Our education programming was one of the biggest areas of growth for us in 2025, so to start 2026 by losing a major author stings. The publisher offered virtual school visits and signed book plates, but we simply wont see as many sales. We stand by the authors decision, but its concerning to think about what 2026 looks like if more authors decide not to come to Minneapolis.

On the other side of the Mississippi River, Weinkauf said that Jasmine Warga canceled a visit that was scheduled for January 9, to promote The Claiming: The Last Resort #2 (Scholastic). Warga was going to appear at an in-store event as well as visit St. Paul schools. Scholastic did not provide a reason for what it termed a postponement of her stop in the Twin Cities, but, Weinkauf pointed out, Its pretty obvious why.

During such a time of uncertainty and anxiety, she said, customers regard Red Balloon as a source for information and resources, including anti-ICE signs and whistles created by a local artisan who makes 3-D fidget toys. A stack of lovely posters created by Meenal Patel, a local childrens author-illustrator, were gone within a few hours of being set out.

Red Balloon is also working with individuals and organizations to provide Spanish-language books to families who are keeping their school-aged children at home. Were using our Red Balloon Connects funds in some circumstances, Weinkauf said, and the store is selling books at a discount to organizations that have raised funds.

If theres a positive side to all this, Weinkauf said, its that this has reinforced to all of us the importance of community. Were seeing our community show up in great ways. Its beautiful to see.
Two new publishing execs with MBA credentials and connections to Nashville are applying Wall Streetstyle best practices, testing new technology, and leveraging their networks to help break into the mainstream. This month, both have new deals for trade distribution through Simon & Schuster.

Joseph Quaderer, who earned his MBA at NYU's Stern School of Business and spent 17 years as a Morgan Stanley banker, has partnered with Nashville-based Forefront Books to establish Quaderer Books, an imprint offering select clients distribution through S&S. And Allison Trowbridge, who holds an MBA from Oxford, is expanding her Nashville-based Copper Books with a new S&S distribution agreement, with plans to publish a dozen titles annually and add two new imprints.

Quaderer expands after first year

When Quaderer founded Quaderer Media Group in New York City in November 2024, he said he and his partner, whose background was in computer science and engineering, had "one key advantage: we knew nothing about the [publishing] industry," he told PW. Their aim, he said, was to look at "what could be improved with technology and what outdated practices still lingered."

QMG now works with 60-70 clients with a core team of just two full-time employeesQuaderer and his CTOplus one freelance writer working 30 hours weekly and a virtual assistant in the Philippines. The company contracts with over 80 ghostwriters, many of them recruited from the Gathering of the Ghosts conference in early 2024.

The company serves what Quaderer describes as "elite clientele," including CEOs, congresspeople, doctors, and retired professional athletes"people with important stories who aren't yet household names, but have the potential to sell millions of copies," he said.

Among early clients are Scott Storkamp, chief investment officer at Morgens Waterfall hedge fund, who is completing a ghostwritten book on growth investing; Shveta Pillai, founder of LeadStyle, who is working on a ghostwritten anthology; and Walter Green, former CEO of Harrison Conference Services, who collaborated with Quaderer on the illustrated novel The Gratitude Express, which Amplify Publishing Group will publish in January.

QMG offers authors four publishing paths: assisted self-publishing, print-on-demand under the QMG umbrella, traditional distribution through a Big Five distributor, and a co-investment model similar to Authors Equity. Quaderer challenges the economics of traditional publishing, which historically has relied on large print runs and significant upfront capital.

"That model still works for A-list authors," he said. "For everyone else, the picture is different." Print-on-demand, he argued, has eliminated upfront costs that once justified publishers taking most royalties and rights: "I almost feel like today for certain authors, traditional publishing is vanity publishing, because they're doing it not because it makes financial sense, not because they're going to control their IP or have an equitable split of the royalties, but for the vanity and ego."

The company is also opening an office in Sharjah Publishing City in the United Arab Emirates, where Quaderer sees untapped potential in using ghostwriters. "There's pretty much no companies doing this in the region," he said. "I think focusing on ghostwriting will get rid of a bottleneck, and you'll have more ministers, more business people, more politicians writing books."

QMG operates a proprietary AI system that handles metadata generation, BISAC codes, keywords, and social media copy, but draws a hard line against using AI for content creation. "We are for ethical use of AI," Quaderer said. "We do not use it for creating any content. When we do ghostwriting, it's a hard red line."

Copper scales up

Meanwhile, starting this month, Copper Books will distribute through S&S and expand to a dozen titles per year. Founded by Trowbridge in 2018, the company initially offered an app-based social media platform before expanding into publishing in 2022.

The first Copper title under the S&S agreement will be the children's book The Superpowers of You by Lynette Deschler. Forthcoming 2026 titles include Real Confidence by Simone Knego, The Lion is You by David Gerber, and Alchemy of Chaos by Christine Owenell.

Copper operates on a hybrid model where authors invest in production costs while retaining the bulk of revenue. "We make a dollar a book," Trowbridge said. "Everything else royalty-wise goes to the author."

Trowbridge said she feels a competitive advantage over working with traditional publishers because of Copper's "white glove, high touch" approach. The company uses a custom AI tool for structural manuscript reviews before books go through developmental editing, line editing, copy editing, and proofreading.

She sees books as career accelerators. "I believe that a book should be a fulcrum," she said, citing Archimedes. "Your lever is the message you have, the mission is this heavy thing you want to lift. The book is the fulcrum that allows you to really launch your mission into the world." She believes authors, then, have the greatest success when they view publishing "as being part of a bigger career move."

Copper has raised venture funding from Wave Capital, Oxonian Ventures, and EQ Ventures. Individual backers include Zibby Books founder Zibby Owens, former PayPal CEO Dan Schulman, and former Time Inc. president Fran Hauser. Bestselling author Adam Grant serves as an advisor.

The company plans to launch two new imprints, including the fiction-focused Copper House and a faith-focused imprint. It will also relaunch Author Camp, a course for aspiring authors, in April and produce a video series about publishing.
ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) on Friday announced the restoration of Guinea to the union's family.

The move came after the council, in its 1325th meeting, reviewed Guinea's political transition and processes, the PSC said in a communique released on Friday.

"The council decides to lift the suspension of the participation of the Republic of Guinea in the activities of the AU, in line with Article 26 of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance," the communique said, adding that the council invited the West African country to immediately resume its participation in AU activities.

The council said it welcomes the positive steps taken in the implementation of the political transition roadmap in Guinea, which culminated in the successful organization of the presidential election on Dec. 28, 2025.

It also commended the Guinean people for their strong commitment to the promotion of democracy and the rule of law, through peaceful and orderly conduct of the presidential election.

Guinea was suspended from the AU in September 2021, following a military coup. 
Alstom has opened a new training centre for welders and fitters at its factory at Matranovak in Hungary.

The new training centre is designed to ensure the company has the skilled workforce needed to manufacture bogie frames for its global customers. As well as training new engineers, the training centre will be used provide further training for existing employees by providing them with the essential knowledge and skills they need for working in steel assembly.

Alstom emphasises the need to be Right First Time!, and the new training centre will play a crucial role in reinforcing this principle among its site employees, including more than 400 welders and fitters.

The new training centre is designed to provide students with conditions similar to those found on the shop floor, to enable them to transition more easily and quickly from a training environment to the production line.

Equipment in the new training centre includes ten welding stations, a cutting machine and two console cranes; there are also component clamps and rotators that are already used during production.

Besides the practical training rooms, there is also a dedicated classroom for theoretical lessons, a changing room, and a common room. Training sessions will last 8 to 12 weeks, during which students will learn the precise welding techniques needed to manufacture bogie frames, learn basic locksmithing skills, and become proficient in the safe and correct use of the tools and machines used on the production line.

Elsewhere in Hungary, Alstom has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with MOL, Hungarys leading oil and gas company, to explore the use of hydrogen technology in rail transport. Alstom also has a contract with the Hungarian company MAV-Vagon for the overhaul of the bogie frames of 25 Traxx electric locomotives.
The postCold War unipolar order  with the United States as the unquestioned, unchallenged hegemon  is over. While the great power rivalry between the U.S. and China is still in its formative stages, another state will exert disproportionate influence on how that competition ultimately unfolds.

India  the worlds most populous state  is a democracy that shares a 2,100-mile border with China. Having experienced Beijings expansionist ambitions firsthand, India views China as both a strategic competitor and a direct threat. With vast but still underdeveloped industrial capacity, India offers the most credible counterweight to China in the region, if not globally. It also presents an increasingly attractive economic alternative for countries and investors seeking growth and diversified supply chains. Yet strategic centrality does not automatically translate into strategic capability, and India is still widely understood to be decades away from great-power status.

India faces persistent challenges in attaining such status. Labor productivity, industrial structure, innovation depth, and infrastructure efficiency remain binding constraints. These limitations make external partnerships not optional accelerants, but structural prerequisites to Indias ascent. Indeed, India is fortunate to possess a broad and diverse network of partners to which it can turn.

A cornerstone of Indias foreign policy is strategic autonomy, a tradition rooted in resisting alliances that might constrain diplomatic flexibility. This approach has enabled India to cultivate an eclectic portfolio of relationships and explains how, since the end of the Cold War, it has developed deep ties with the United States and Israel while maintaining longstanding relations with Russia, the Arab world, and Iran. While this posture has delivered maximal flexibility, it now limits Indias alignment clarity at a critical juncture: when its approach to the Chinese threat must be cohesive and coordinated with partners that share its concerns. Within this increasingly strained framework of strategic autonomy, Israel occupies a distinctive position.

Over the past 35 years, Israel and India have been moving on an unmistakable trajectory toward a special relationship. Since 2020, India has been Israels largest defense customer, and Israel is consistently one of Indias top weapons suppliers. Beyond defense, India is Israels second-largest trading partner in Asia, with bilateral trade approaching $4 billion. While a free-trade agreement is still under negotiation, cooperation between the two countries is already comprehensive, all-domain, and expanding, spanning cyber, intelligence, industry, AI, agriculture, water, high-tech, and R&D.

IndiaIsrael relations rest on what Prime Minister Narendra Modi has described as convergences and commonalities. Both states are modern incarnations of ancient cultures, and see sovereignty as an expression of distinct civilizational value. As former British outposts founded in the wake of World War II, both are heavily influenced by British political culture, and both were forged through partition, a bloody war and refugee crisis  all of which inform current domestic and regional tensions. Both face intrinsic, enduring challenges due to what Modi called complex geographies  Israel with its Arab neighbors, India with Pakistan, and each with significant Muslim minorities. Each has contended with jihadist terrorism since its establishment. These convergences do more than foster diplomatic affinity  they create the conditions for deeper strategic cooperation.

For Israel, the meaning of strategic autonomy has shifted sharply since October 7 and its aftermath. The costs of overreliance on the United States  particularly in critical areas such as munitions and war materiel  were exposed in stark terms. At the same time, China  Israels largest source of imports  has adopted increasingly hostile diplomatic positions since October 7 and continues to provide staunch support and weaponry for Iran. Taken together, these pressures compel Israel to reconsider how its alliances are structured  and to move from relationships of dependence toward relationships of interdependence.

With India confronting the Chinese specter and Israel seeking alliance diversification, a moment of convergence has emerged. Israel  possessing a unique and potent set of competitive advantages  can act as an early investor in Indias ascent, cultivating a degree of indispensability to a future superpower that is has not hitherto known.

As a small state, Israel is inherently constrained in the level of interdependence it can generate. But by acting deliberately it can embed itself within Indias decision-making architecture, so that at the moment of Indias superpower arrival it will have become an essential partner in a more durable alliance and secured greater autonomy. Crucially, this approach does not seek to erode Indias strategic autonomy. On the contrary, by strengthening Indias internal capacity and strategic coherence, it would enhance Indias autonomy as a fully realized great power.

Systemic indispensability rests on a simple asymmetry: the smaller state must possess non-scalable, high-leverage capabilities that the larger power cannot easily replicate. Indias advantages lie overwhelmingly in scale  its labor force, resources, digital platforms, and strategic geography. Its constraints are concentrated in execution: infrastructure delivery, innovation absorption, manufacturing quality, and complex systems integration.

Israels leverage lies precisely in these domains. Its strengths include precision technologies, short R&D cycles, advanced systems integration, and intelligence fusion. To date, these capabilities have underpinned cooperation in defense-grade AI, autonomous systems, cyber offense and defense, missile defense, desert agriculture, and water security. While technology transfer and co-production have brought the two countries close, a drive to systemic indispensability requires Israel to think in decades rather than transaction cycles. Because when India reaches superpower status, it will dwarf Israel in every quantitative metric, internalize capabilities, and learn fast. And since doctrine is far harder to replicate than hardware, Israels future focus should shift from arms sales toward policy co-formation.

The objective is not Indian policy capture, but the establishment of consultative norms, co-authored frameworks, and coordinated planning processes that shape how decisions are made at critical junctures like crises, escalations, and force-structure design. Core focus areas that are already primed for this type of cognitive embedding are Indian defense planning and doctrine; Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) fusion; missile defense doctrine; and border conflict management.

Indias recent military actions provide an early proof of concept. For decades, India adhered to a doctrine of strategic restraint in its conflict with Pakistan, responding to cross-border terrorism with calibrated force designed to deter attacks while containing the conflict. Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack in May 2025, marked a decisive shift to what Modi described a new national security doctrine, one that is more independent, proactive, and even preemptive: treating future terror attacks as acts of war attributable to their state sponsors. India also signaled that it would no longer accept international mediation as a constraint on defending its sovereignty and citizens. As John Spencer and Lauren Dagan Amos recently noted, this shift mirrors fundamentals long embedded in Israeli counterterror doctrine and reflects a convergence that is not rhetorical but doctrinal. Its highly likely that Indias new posture is influenced by Israeli defense doctrine, suggesting an existing and meaningful level of systemic impact.

Indian resistance to deeper doctrinal imprinting from a small foreign power is foreseeable. Yet the magnitude of the China challenge and Israels unique alignment with India suggest a trade-off worth managing. Such concerns can also be addressed by ensuring that cognitive embedding is modular, domain-specific, and clearly bounded.

Effectuating this level of integration requires sustained elite-to-elite engagement: Israeli participation within Indian policy and defense institutions, jointly authored classified doctrine, and permanent joint working groups. In technology and systems production, Israel should pursue institutional lock-in by making its contributions structurally difficult to replace. While India may diversify hardware suppliers, replacing Israeli software logic, iteration speed, and systems architecture would be far more difficult. This logic applies across air and missile defense, ISR systems, and AI-enabled platforms, where Israeli firms can plug directly into Indian procurement and doctrine cycles.

Beyond defense, Israel can play a catalytic role in transforming Indias industrial competitiveness. By providing manufacturing intelligence layers  advanced automation, rapid prototyping, and yield optimization  Israel can help build factory nervous systems that vastly improve efficiency, productivity, and export reliability. Similar systems-integration expertise can be applied to other areas critical to Indias ascension to superpower status, like power-grid resilience, food security, and water management. While India builds and operates the infrastructure, Israeli firms would provide the architectural logic that is far harder to substitute than physical components.

For Israels indispensability to endure, its advantage must remain cognitively dynamic and continuously adaptive. That means Israel must continue to transfer knowledge faster than India can replicate it while preserving an innovation edge through constant iteration. This is a demanding standard, but one Israel has sustained since its establishment  first through its qualitative military edge and more recently through a burgeoning qualitative technological edge.

An IsraelIndia partnership aimed at counterbalancing China is both feasible and strategically consequential. But with China already entrenched as one of the two global economic centers, India must catch up quick. An alliance grounded in interdependence would strengthen both states  accelerating Indias rise while granting Israel scale, strategic depth, and durable alliance security. Properly constructed, such interdependence would not dilute autonomy for either state, but anchor it.

Raphael Harkham is a political adviser and a doctoral candidate in Political Science at Bar Ilan University. His work has been published in the Israel Journal of Foreign Affairs, the Jerusalem Post, and the American Spectator, among others.
Disney/Fred Hayes

By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 01/22/2026



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

star Taylor Frankie Paul's ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen has teased he's in a serious relationship with someone new.Dakota, who is one of Taylor's two "baby daddies," revealed on "The Rub Down" podcast on YouTube that there is currently someone special in his life.When asked if the rumors are true that he has a new girlfriend, Dakota replied, "I would say I'm pretty exclusive -- just, maybe, without the label right now."Dakota revealed, "I am just dating one person and I think it's been really good, actually."Dakota said he's been seeing this mystery woman "off and on for a few months" now."But we really just started getting serious, I would say, in the last month," Dakota shared.Dakota suggested that the woman, whom he never identified, has been a breath of fresh air in life, especially since he had some dating challenges.Dakota admitted that getting back into the dating scene after having a very public relationship -- and welcoming a son, Ever True, who turns 2 in March 2026 -- with Taylor was difficult."To get back into the dating space was really weird because I kind of knew... that maybe it would be, like, intense, but I didn't know how weird it would be," Dakota explained.Dakota said he'd have to begin dates with an "embarrassing" warning of some kind."I would have to tell girls... 'Hey, I just want to let you know. We can do two options: we can do something more in private or I can take you out somewhere -- which I'm more than happy to do -- but you just have to understand people could video us and it could be posted and it could have a lot of views and people talk sh-t about you or something,'" Dakota said.And Dakota confirmed these women weren't public figures who would be used to the attention, nor did they have large social-media followings."One time, I took a girl to this pop-dung little park, and I got coffee. We sat on a little bench and were drinking coffee. Nobody was in this park," Dakota began."Bro! I am randomly scrolling on TikTok and someone filmed our ass on this f-cking bench! And I was like, 'There is now way! How weird is that?!'"Dakota admitted the hardest part of dating is always wondering, "Does it get better?!""I'm always waiting. Eventually does anything get better or is this always how it's going to go for me?" he questioned.Dakota noted "it's hard to be optimistic sometimes" when The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives on Hulu -- which stars Taylor and the Mormon wives in her community -- "is going on four seasons" now."It's like, 'Please! Please, just give me a chance!'" Dakota quipped.Dakota acknowledged that he doesn't want to repeat any of his past relationship mistakes and it's actually helpful that The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives fans hold him accountable for his actions.(While Dakota didn't point out his specific mistakes, he allegedly sexted Taylor's family friend. Taylor also accused a former friend of sleeping with Dakota in late October.)"It just makes you see things in a different lens, because you're starting to see the relationship from so many different people's opinions, and so it kind of allows you to see different views," Dakota explained."Some people [will criticize me] and they've been pretty spot on. Very few people ever get it, where I feel like, 'Okay, that's an accurate take,' but I think that's been really good."Dakota continued, "It's also helped me because the biggest thing about mistakes is that you're supposed to learn from your mistakes, right? I made a video about this just the other day. If I keep doing the same sh-t over and over again, nothing changes."Dakota said "it's been cool" because he's been "testing this out" in his new romance."There's been multiple things that have happened where I was put in that same spot... and it's like, 'How much do I owe her in conversating or being open about things?'" Dakota said."I think a lot of things that have happened in my past have helped me make the right decisions, I feel like, in this case or moving forward."In terms of where he stands now with Taylor, he claimed they're doing "better, actually." Taylor welcomed her youngest son, Ever, with Dakota in March 2024. She's also mom to daughter Indy, 8, and son Ocean, 5, with her ex-husband Tate Paul.Taylor was married to Tate from 2016 to 2022.Taylor previously admitted to violating the rules of the couple's soft-swinging arrangement by becoming more intimate with another man in their friend group, which led to their separation and eventual May 2022 divorce.The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, which premiered in 2023 on Hulu, featured Taylor's cheating scandal.The show also documented Taylor's first post-divorce relationship with Dakota, which Taylor had publicly confirmed in July 2022.Despite coming out of two failed relationships in the public eye, Taylor said -- before filming began -- that she was open to getting engaged on .'s 22nd season is set to premiere on Sunday, March 22, 2026 at 8PM ET/PT on ABC.'s official cast of bachelors for Season 22 will be announced at a later date.Also during his "Rub Down" interview, Dakota revealed if he crashed Taylor's season, which already wrapped filming.Interested in more The Bachelor news? Follow our Bachelor Nation News Page on Facebook or join our The Bachelor Facebook Group
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By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 01/22/2026



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

alum Miguel Santiago and his fiancee Lindsay Paige have welcomed their first child together.Miguel and Lindsay's baby girl, whom they named Noemi Hayes Santiago, was born on December 30 weighing seven pounds and three ounces. Noemi also measured 19 inches long."I'm obsessed with Noemi Hayes Santiago," Miguel wrote on Instagram on January 11.Miguel first announced he and Lindsay were expecting a baby on November 16."A part of me wondered if I'd ever get here, but in less than two months, I'll finally meet a piece of my heart," Miguel captioned a video of Lindsay showing him a positive at-home pregnancy test."From the moment I learned about you, you just made sense; calm in the chaos. I hope to be the man you need me to be. Your mom and sister are the absolute best, and we can't wait to meet you."Miguel added, "Take your time, baby girl, arrive when you're ready. I can't wait to be your dad. #fatherdaughterlove #newborn #babygirl #babyontheway."The video also showed Lindsay -- who also has a daughter from a previous relationship -- and Miguel's gender reveal in which they popped canisters that exploded pink smoke into the air.Miguel and Lindsay had posed in a maternity photo shoot in late December.Miguel wrote at the time on Instagram, "If lil baby is anything like her sister, then she was for sure posing throughout this shoot too."Miguel proposed marriage to his future wife in Summer 2025.Miguel will be getting married for the second time, as he had wed Lindy Elloway on 's fifteenth season, which aired in 2022.Miguel and Lindy survived the extreme marriage experiment and decided to stay together on Decision Day, but they announced their decision to get a divorce in February 2023 following weeks of split rumors.Lindy blamed Miguel for the demise of their marriage, writing on Instagram at the time, "Sadly, it's impossible to stay married if both people are not equally committed to the success of the marriage."She continued, "Marrying a stranger on national tv has been a very painful, overwhelming & confusing process. [But] neither of us regret getting married at first sight and are happy we experienced a genuine connection."Lindy also captioned her social media post, "I am so happy to be closing this chapter of my life and start prioritizing myself."Miguel, meanwhile, released a breakup statement of his own, and he didn't deny Lindy's claim there was not "equal" effort in their marriage."My MAFS experience has been very humbling and has made me come face-to-face with many of my shortcomings and personality flaws," Miguel penned in a lengthy slideshow of images."Once we were given the opportunity to go public, I didn't feel comfortable nor resilient enough to engage with strangers. In part, I felt this way because my relationship with Lindy had deteriorated, and we were trying to figure out our next steps."Miguel said he chose to take several months to prioritize his mental health and assess whether he could "make it work" with Lindy."In the end, we both tried to be the person each other needed while remaining true to ourselves, but we could never quite rise to the occasion in a way that was sustainable for the both of us," Miguel explained."Lindy's devotion to marriage is second to none, and I have nothing but love and respect for her. It's a devastatingly hard pill to swallow when you deeply care about someone but equally deeply know that you're not right for each other."Miguel added how he was going to focus on his health, fostering positive relationships, going to therapy, journaling, and practicing mindfulness and awareness."At the top of my list is to improve how I show compassion and communicate empathetically," he noted at the time, adding, "I know with time, I'll heal, and Lindy will too."Lindy and Miguel were the couple on 's 15th season that the other cast members were jealous of. They got along great, for the most part, and fell in love during the process.However, their relationship was tested during the couples retreat when Miguel was admittedly grumpy, exhausted and irritable. The couple fought every day of the trip, and Lindy cried about how she didn't want to be a punching bag in her marriage.Lindy felt like she couldn't do anything right with Miguel, who had very high standards for how he wanted his wife to speak and behave. Miguel, for instance, hated being interrupted and snapped at Lindy if she wasn't paying full attention to him.However, the couple was still married -- and seemed happy -- when they filmed the reunion show.Lindy had moved into Miguel's place after Decision Day and hyphenated her last name, making her Lindy Elloway-Santiago.Lindy admitted she was ready for a baby right away, but Miguel explained how he'd like to get a house first and then have a child. Miguel said Lindy would ideally get pregnant one year after securing a home.On the : Where Are They Now? special for Season 15, which filmed five months after "Decision Day" and two weeks after the reunion, Lindy and Miguel were shown house hunting because Lindy thought Miguel's place was too small for the both of them."We don't need to get too ahead of ourselves," Miguel noted.Lindy was trying to push Miguel out of his financial comfort zone, and Miguel said he was just waiting for the timing to be right.Interested in more news? Join our Married at First Sight Facebook Group or click here to view our newspage!And click here for more updates on former cast members and info on where they are now!
Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyers guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles.

Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, were not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession.

At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers dont dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyers guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audienceensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience.

Whether youre selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products.
JUBA, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Friday called on warring parties in South Sudan to allow the unimpeded passage of humanitarian aid to civilians in need amid intensified fighting.

The charity said hostilities have escalated in several regions, particularly in Jonglei, Eastern Equatoria, and Central Equatoria, severely affecting civilians and hampering medical and humanitarian personnel from reaching the wounded and other vulnerable communities.

Daniel Bunnskog, ICRC head of delegation in South Sudan, said the ongoing access constraints in certain areas have prevented the organization from reaching several weapon-wounded patients in urgent need of life-saving care.

"We call on parties to the conflict to allow and facilitate the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian aid to civilians in need and those wounded by weapons, and to respect and protect humanitarian personnel carrying out impartial humanitarian activities," Bunnskog said in a statement issued in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.

The ICRC reminded all parties to the conflict of their obligations under international humanitarian law, stressing the need to distinguish at all times between civilians and combatants, as well as between civilian objects and military objectives.

"Civilians must never be the object of attack," the charity said, adding that the wounded, the sick, and individuals detained in connection with the conflict must be respected and protected in all circumstances and provided with medical care without delay or discrimination.

The charity also emphasized that medical personnel, medical facilities, and medical transports must be respected and protected in accordance with international humanitarian law.

The ICRC said it continues to engage in bilateral dialogue with parties to the conflict to address the humanitarian situation and to reiterate their obligations under International Humanitarian Law, including ensuring safe access for humanitarian teams to reach weapon-wounded patients requiring urgent care. 
SHOT Show 2026 is in full swing and Tom Marshall is back on the floor with RECOIL bringing you the most impressive new guns and gear worth paying attention to.

We kick things off with Leupold and a deep dive into their brand new BX-6 Range HD rangefinding binoculars. This is a serious leap forward in electro-optics, featuring integrated ballistics powered by Hornady, customizable in-glass data, long range performance out to extreme distances, and app-based profiles that let you switch from hunting to competition in seconds.

From there, we check out a new quick-install trigger system from Rise that completely changes how fast and easy a trigger upgrade can be. No tools, no hassle, and a sub-60 second install with interchangeable trigger faces and a clean, crisp break.

We also take a look at new pistol optics and iron sight options, including green reticle handgun dots and co-witness backup sights that give shooters more flexibility without increasing cost. Next up is a closer look at an all-steel, hammer-fired 9mm pistol lineup from SAR making waves for 2026. With classic ergonomics, modern optics cuts, and competitive pricing, this platform is built for range time, competition, and serious shooters who appreciate weight and balance.

We wrap things up with a visit to the night vision world, where innovative manufacturers are pushing lighter, more ergonomic binocular systems using modern manufacturing techniques. Modular designs, simplified controls, and user-driven features show where night vision is headed next.

SHOT Show is about more than hype. Its about real gear, real innovation, and products that actually improve how we shoot, hunt, and train. This episode covers the standouts you need to know about.
'As long as apps show impossible delivery times, delivery and packaging workers will be pressured to meet unsafe, unhealthy standards.'

Kindly note the image has been posted only for representational purposes. Photograph: Kind courtesy RDNE Stock project/Pexels.com

Delivery partners say there has been little change on the ground, with quick-commerce (qcom) operations continuing largely as before, even as platforms remove the promise of '10-minute delivery' from their consumer-facing apps.

Companies, riders say, have not communicated any revisions to delivery timelines or work expectations.

10-Minute Delivery Claim Dropped

Delivery partners working across multiple qcom platforms told Business Standard that they have received no formal communication from their employers and that delivery timelines, incentive structures, and rider-facing apps remain unchanged.

Rakesh, a Noida-based delivery rider working with Swiggy Instamart, said reports about the end of 10-minute delivery have not translated into changes in his day-to-day work.

"I saw in the news that the 10-minute delivery service is ending, but the company has not said anything about it.

"Orders are coming as usual, and no changes in delivery timelines have been made so far," he said.

Similarly, a delivery rider handling grocery and Cafe orders for Zepto said the company has not communicated any changes related to delivery schedules on its rider app.

Worker groups say this disconnect between public messaging and operational practice remains a concern.

Rider Apps, Timelines Unchanged

The Karnataka App-based Workers Union said while the removal of advertisements featuring '10-minute delivery' is a positive step, delivery workers have yet to see any meaningful impact.

'Now, we need to make it real: Implement the 10-minute service ban on the ground and for all sectors.

'As long as apps show impossible delivery times, delivery and packaging workers will be pressured to meet unsafe, unhealthy standards.

'The Blinkit app still shows sub-10-minute delivery after publicly announcing it has ended 10-minute delivery,' the union said.

Blinkit Leads Branding Rollback

Quick-commerce platforms including Swiggy Instamart and Zepto have followed market leader Blinkit in dropping the '10-minute delivery' claim from their mobile applications, after government intervention over safety concerns related to gig workers.

Swiggy now describes itself as a 'grocery delivery app', while Zepto has changed its app description from 'delivered in 10 minutes' to 'delivered in minutes'.

Blinkit was the first to revise its principal tagline from '10,000+ products delivered in 10 minutes' to '30,000+ products delivered at your doorstep', a move later mirrored by other qcom players.

Beyond the top three platforms, BigBasket and Flipkart Minutes have also moved away from speed-driven messaging in their branding.

The changes follow a meeting held last week in which Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya met representatives from several qcom platforms, including Blinkit, Zomato, Swiggy Instamart and Zepto, to address concerns around delivery timelines and pressure on gig workers.

The labour ministry, however, has not issued any formal written directive or notification mandating changes to branding or advertising.

Despite the rollback of 10-minute messaging on consumer-facing apps, some references continue to remain.

These include Zepto's LinkedIn page, the title tag of Flipkart Minutes' web site, the meta description of Swiggy Instamart's web site, and BigBasket's app download messaging.

Swiggy Instamart, Zepto Follow Suit

A source aware of developments at Zepto said the company has initiated the process of removing the 10-minute branding, and that these changes will be reflected gradually across online platforms.

The source added that the company's operations are continuing as usual.

At Flipkart Minutes, a source said the company has always complied with government rules and regulations and has begun making the necessary branding changes.

"The delivery cut-off is always within 10 to 30 minutes, and workers have never been forced to stick to strict timelines," the source said.

Similarly, a person aware of the matter at Amazon Now said the company has consistently followed the law of the land and will initiate the process of making the required changes to its application once verbal or written guidance is received from authorities.

The Amazon Now app continues to display '10-minutes' in its icon.

Key Points

Q-commerce platforms have removed '10-minute delivery' claims from consumer apps, but operations remain unchanged.

Delivery partners say there has been no communication on revised timelines or work expectations.

Rider apps, incentives, and delivery cut-offs continue as before across platforms.

Worker unions warn that unsafe pressure persists despite branding changes.

The labour ministry has held talks with platforms but issued no formal directive.

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff
Motilal Oswal Research said Dr Reddys Labs delivered a better than expected Q3FY26, with strong execution in India, Europe and Russia, and favourable currency movement more than offsetting the drag due to weaker contribution from the generic version of cancer drug Revlimid, resulting in an earnings beat.

IMAGE: Satish Reddy, chairman, Dr Reddy's Lab. Photograph: Shailesh Andrade/Reuters

Key Points Analysts are broadly constructive on Dr Reddys Labs medium-term prospects

North Americas business was down Y-o-Y and quarter-on-quarter

Elara Capital has a buy rating target price of Rs 1,588

Shares of Dr Reddys Laboratories jumped 5.3 per cent on Thursday to Rs 1,217 apiece, making it the top gainer in the Nifty 50 and the BSE 100 indices.

By comparison, the Nifty 50 was up 0.53 per cent at 25,289.

The buying on the counter came after the company reported its results for the third quarter (October-December) of 2025-26 (Q3FY26) on Wednesday, after market hours.

Analysts are broadly constructive on Dr Reddys Labs medium-term prospects despite Q3FY26 margin pressure, with views split on near-term risks.

In Q3FY26, Dr Reddys Labs reported a 14 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) decline in consolidated net profit to Rs 1,210 crore, as compared to Rs 1,413 crore a year ago.

The firms revenue from operations rose to Rs 8,727 crore in Q3FY26, a 4.4 per cent Y-o-Y increase from Rs 8,357 crore in Q3FY25.

The companys earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (Ebitda) stood at Rs 2,049 crore, compared to Rs 2,298 crore a year ago.

What brokerages say

Motilal Oswal Research said Dr Reddys Labs delivered a better than expected Q3FY26, with strong execution in India, Europe and Russia, and favourable currency movement more than offsetting the drag due to weaker contribution from the generic version of cancer drug Revlimid, resulting in an earnings beat.

The brokerage cut its FY26 estimates by 4 per cent to factor in a delay in the launch of diabetes/weight control drug semaglutide in Canada, but raised FY27 estimates by 6 per cent on better growth prospects across India, Europe and Russia.

It has a neutral rating, with a target price of Rs 1,220.

JM Financial believes margin pressure reflects ongoing headwinds in the US market.

However, it sees strong growth excluding the US market, a rich filing pipeline, and upcoming semaglutide launches providing medium-term earnings visibility, with the worst largely factored into current valuations.

In Q3FY26, the companys operating profit margins contracted sharply by 579 basis points (bps) Y-o-Y, reflecting lower Revlimid sales, an adverse product mix, and sustained pricing pressure, although overall profitability still beat Street expectations. It has raised its target price to Rs 1,545 from Rs 1,522.

Elara Capital estimates one-off Revlimid sales of $50-60 million in Q3FY26, and believes that the opportunity window has closed.

North Americas business was down Y-o-Y and quarter-on-quarter (Q-o-Q), as expected.

All the other businesses performed in line or posted a beat.

Indias business grew 19 per cent Y o-Y, and the company expects it to sustain above 15 per cent, which is a major positive highlight.

The brokerage maintained its FY26-FY28 core earnings estimates broadly.

It has a buy rating target price of Rs 1,588.

Emkay Research said Dr Reddys Q3FY26 margin performance was in line with its expectations, and about 100 bps ahead of Street estimates on an adjusted basis (excluding one-offs).

The brokerage noted that a higher adjusted gross margin was offset by higher selling, general, and administrative spending.

While the brokerage sees limited room for further negative pipeline surprises, its base case is that FY28 earnings per share (EPS) will still be lower than FY25 earnings.

It marginally raised earnings estimates after tweaking domestic growth and forex assumptions, and rolling forward to December 2027 earnings.

The brokerage has a reduce rating, though it has raised its target price from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,200.
SANYA, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese rescue teams have retrieved 17 Filipino crew members from a shipwreck in the South China Sea, authorities said on Friday.

Fifteen of those rescued are in stable condition, while two were found dead. Four others remain missing by Friday evening.

At 0:46 a.m. Friday, the Sansha maritime search and rescue branch received a report from the Hainan provincial maritime search and rescue center, which said a Singapore-registered cargo ship "DEVON BAY" en route from the Philippines to south China's Guangdong Province had lost contact in waters about 55 nautical miles northwest of China's Huangyan Dao, with a total of 21 Filipino crew members on board.

According to the provincial center, the last time of contact with the ship was 9:26 p.m. Thursday, when the ship crew reported that the hull had tilted severely and water was flooding in. Contact was lost after that while the ship's emergency wireless position indicator later sent out an alarm signal.

Upon receiving the report, the Sansha maritime search and rescue branch immediately launched a multi-agency international rescue operation.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command sent military aircraft to conduct search operations over the waters where the accident occurred. Two nearby China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels also joined the rescue mission, along with teams from the Nanhai Rescue Bureau of the Ministry of Transport.

Multiple international commercial vessels, including ships registered in Liberia, Panama, and Japan, also joined the search operation.

At 4:28 a.m. on Friday, CCG vessels found and rescued four crew members from a lifeboat. Severe sea conditions, with high winds and rough waves, posed significant challenges to the rescue operation. The search and rescue effort is still going on, said the authorities.

The 15 Filipino sailors in stable condition have received medical treatment and are under proper care on board a Chinese vessel, according to the CCG. 
FPIs net sold equities worth Rs 1.7 trillion in 2025 -- the highest annual net sale on record.

Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff

Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) pulled out the most from stocks in the information technology, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), and power sectors in 2025, a year that saw record net outflows.

FPIs were net sellers of IT stocks worth Rs 74,698 crore, FMCG stocks worth Rs 36,786 crore, and power stocks worth Rs 26,522 crore.

Overall, FPIs net sold equities worth Rs 1.7 trillion in 2025 -- the highest annual net sale on record.

Other sectors that saw significant sales included healthcare (Rs 24,967 crore), consumer durables (Rs 21,369 crore), and consumer services (Rs 16,524 crore).

"The revenue growth in dollar terms is in single digits in IT, and this has been the case for the past couple of years due to a high base. There are no new triggers for incremental demand for IT services. FMCG volume growth has also been tepid, as large retail chains sell many products under their own brands, and e-commerce platforms allow smaller players to compete with listed giants," said Chokkalingam G, founder and head of research at Equinomics Research.

Selling in power stocks was driven by elevated valuations, Chokkalingam added. He expects the sector to return to the FPI buying radar once valuations improve after the selloff.

"Power stocks saw a valuation contraction due to overall market turbulence," he said.

Meanwhile, foreign investors were net buyers of telecommunications (telecom) stocks worth Rs 48,222 crore and oil and gas stocks worth Rs 8,431 crore.

Other sectors that attracted significant buying included services (Rs 7,071 crore), chemicals (Rs 6,017 crore), and metals and mining (Rs 4,661 crore).

The increased holdings in telecom stocks are partly attributed to the higher supply of shares following promoter sales in Bharti Airtel and the positive impact of tariff hikes.

'Investors acknowledge the sector's potential to deliver healthy earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation growth, along with moderation in capital expenditure intensity. Airtel and Reliance benefited from tariff hikes, which were reflected in their year-on-year growth,' noted Kunal Vora, head of India equity research at BNP Paribas, in his India Strategy report.

Which Sectors FPIs Parked Their Money

By the end of 2025, FPIs had the highest sectoral allocation to financial services stocks at 31.8 per cent, followed by oil and gas at 7.7 per cent and automotive at 7.6 per cent.

FPIs were heavy sellers of Indian equities last year amid earnings disappointments and uncertainty over US trade policy.

In August, the US imposed a punitive 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods, and subsequent trade negotiations have yet to yield a breakthrough.

Dollar returns for the Sensex and Nifty were 3.8 per cent and 5.2 per cent, respectively, in 2025.

Key Points FPIs were net sellers of IT stocks worth Rs 74,698 crore, FMCG stocks worth Rs 36,786 crore, and power stocks worth Rs 26,522 crore.

FIIs increased holdings in telecom stocks.

By the end of 2025, FPIs had the highest sectoral allocation to financial services stocks at 31.8 per cent.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
'Of course, we are secular. Three of our Hindu brothers have won seats from our party. Tell me where AIMIM has managed that.'

IMAGE: Asif Shaikh, founder, I.S.L.A.M. Photograph: Kind courtesy Asif Shaikh Rasheed/Facebook

Social media and news television channels are both hysterical about a party called I.S.L.A.M. (Indian Secular Largest Assembly Of Maharashtra) winning as many as 35 Seats out of a total of 84 in the recently held municipal polls in the Muslim majority town of Malegaon.

But the textile town, known to be communally sensitive, where bomb blasts targeting Muslims took place in 2006 and 2008, already has a sitting MLA from a Muslim party, one who holds a religious post. Mufti Ismael is a three term MLA, and has won twice from the AIMIM.

However, the last municipal elections here were won by the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party.

This time, Malegaon's Muslims chose the I.S.L.A.M. party.

What is the I.S.L.A.M. party and who is the man who led it to victory?

Jyoti Punwani talks to Asif Shaikh who founded the party in 2024 after having been in the Congress with his father, Shaikh Rashid, for long.

Malegaon is in a bad state: its roads are crumbling, its schools closing down, water supply is irregular. But you didn't speak of resolving any of this in your campaign.

You only spoke of 'the danger to Muslims'. Why?

Yes yes, roads and all that vikas will happen, that's not an issue. But more important for us is the SIR, which will soon start in Maharashtra.

We've seen what happened in Bihar, how voters were disenfranchised. The BJP government is using the SIR to target minority voters, and Malegaon is a minority city.

The Wakf Amendment Bill is also a big issue for us. We need to get so many new permissions under this new Bill to save our properties. Who will work on that?

Then there's the whole alleged fake birth certificate issue. BJP leader Kirit Somaiya came here shouting that Malegaon is full of illegal migrants with fake birth certificates. Thanks to his pressure, 3,400 birth certificates were cancelled.

We needed to reassure the people that once we control the corporation, these wrongs would be undone.

All these issues are vital for us. People put their faith in us and gave us their votes.

You are still short of a majority, though.

Our ally the Samajwadi Party got 5 seats so we are only short of 3 to cross the majority mark.

The Congress, which won 3 seats, has declared it will support us.

We have also sent a formal proposal to Mufti Saab (AIMIM MLA Mufti Ismael) asking for support. He has replied that his party will take a decision on this.

Photograph: Jyoti Punwani

'We Want To Do Vikas Of Malegaon'

You campaigned against him and the AIMIM, and now you are seeking his support!

What happens during an election is quite different. Now we have won, and if we want to do vikas of Malegaon, we need the support of others.

I'm talking of support from outside; we are not entering into an alliance. Our ideologies don't match.

In what way do your ideologies not match?

Ours is a secular party.

Secular with a name like I.S.L.A.M.!

That's just an acronym. All parties have acronyms. Isn't the BJP an acronym for the Bharatiya Janata Party?

Of course, we are secular. Three of our Hindu brothers have won seats from our party. Tell me where AIMIM has managed that.

A Dalit has won on an AIMIM ticket from Mumbai.

Yeah a few exceptions here and there.

Won't this name be problematic for you? On social media people are going hysterical over it.

We've faced no problems in Malegaon. Why would people have chosen me otherwise?

Don't forget, when I lost the 2024 assembly election by just 152 votes, I fought under the I.S.L.A.M. party banner.

'Everyone Must Come Forward To Develop Malegaon'

Some people feel you should take the support of the Shiv Sena. (The Sena won 18 seats.) Its MLA Dada Bhuse is also a minister and his support would benefit Malegaon in many ways, they say.

We have already declared through the media that everyone must come forward to develop Malegaon.

No official proposal has been made by Dada Bhuse as yet.

An SIT was formed to investigate the fake birth certificate issue. What does its report say?

It found nothing. None of the allegations of Kirit Somaiya were proved.

4 FIRs were filed in this so-called fake certificates case. In the charge sheets, there's not even a mention of Rohingyas or Bangladeshis.

We'll be pointing this out to the high court when the bail applications of the accused are taken up in February.

And as soon as we take charge, we'll restore those cancelled 3,400 birth certificates.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
The unrest erupted on Monday night after a Bodo man allegedly knocked down a Santhal Adivasi youth with his car. The Bodo individual was later killed by a mob.

IMAGE: Police deployed during a protest in Kokrajhar, January 20, 2026. Photograph: ANI Video Grab

No fresh violence reported as security forces maintain vigil

The situation in violence-hit Kokrajhar in western Assam remained calm on Thursday, with no fresh incidents reported, even as more than 2,000 people from the Bodo and Adivasi communities continued to stay in relief camps set up by the administration.

Officials said over 600 families from at least 15 villages fled their homes following the outbreak of violence earlier this week, fearing further escalation.

Those displaced have been accommodated in five relief camps -- four housing members of the Bodo community and one sheltering Adivasi families.

Heavy security deployment, flag march conducted

Senior police and security officials remained stationed in the district to prevent any resurgence of unrest.

The army and other security forces carried out flag marches in sensitive areas as part of confidence-building measures, while the civil administration worked to restore normalcy and reduce fear among residents.

Authorities said the security situation was under control, with forces maintaining round-the-clock vigil in vulnerable pockets.

Violence sparked by road accident, mob retaliation

The unrest erupted on Monday night after a Bodo man allegedly knocked down a Santhal Adivasi youth with his car.

The Bodo individual was later killed by a mob while two others were seriously injured in the ensuing violence in the Karigaon area.

The injured Adivasi youth, identified as Sunil Murmu, later succumbed to his injuries in hospital.

Following the incident, protests by members of both communities turned violent, leading to highway blockades, arson attacks on houses, and damage to the Karigaon police outpost.

History of ethnic tension fuels fear

Kokrajhar falls under the Bodoland Territorial Region, which comprises five districts and has witnessed recurring episodes of tension between Bodo and Adivasi communities over the years.

Memories of past conflicts contributed to panic among villagers, prompting many to abandon their homes and seek safety in relief camps.

Peace meeting charts roadmap for return

A high-level peace meeting was held at the secretariat of the Bodoland Territorial Council to chart a path toward restoring harmony.

The meeting decided that displaced families would be assisted in returning to their villages from Thursday, subject to ground conditions.

The meeting was attended by BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary, Assam Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah, legislators, and representatives of civil society organisations from both communities.

Participants appealed for restraint and peaceful coexistence, and agreed on compensation for the families of those killed and injured in the violence.

Internet suspension continues

As a precautionary measure, mobile Internet services remained suspended in Kokrajhar and the neighbouring Chirang district to curb the spread of rumours and misinformation, officials said.

Authorities indicated that restrictions would be reviewed once the situation stabilises further and displaced residents begin returning home.

Key Points Situation under control, but displacement continues

Heavy security deployment to prevent flare-up

Violence triggered by accident, peace efforts underway

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
Navjot Singh, a 52-year-old finance ministry official, who was run over by a speeding BMW near Dhaula Kuan last September, was deliberately taken to a distant hospital, and the accident occurred because of the driver's fault, the Delhi police informed a court in New Delhi.

IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo

Judicial magistrate Ankit Garg on Thursday heard the city police's submission while taking cognisance of the chargesheet filed in December last year.

The court said, "Inspector Shyoram submits that in the present case, the accident happened due to the fault of the accused (BMW driver Gaganpreet Makkad) and she deliberately took the accused to a distant hospital."

"Therefore, she has been charge-sheeted under BNS Section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) along with sections 281 (rash driving), 125 B (act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 238 A (causing disappearance of evidence)."

The court noted the police officer's submissions that a postmortem report had been filed, according to which the victim could have died on the spot or have survived for 5-15 minutes post the accident, as there was "huge blood loss".

It also noted that the accident happened at 1.30 pm, following which Makkad took the victim to the hospital at 1.37 pm and reached there by 2.15 pm.

The magistrate said, "I have heard the submissions on the point of cognisance. Offence punishable under BNS Section 105, along with Sections 281/125B and 238A, has been pressed in the chargesheet."

"I have perused the chargesheet and the documents annexed with the chargesheet. It prima facie discloses commission of offence. I take cognisance of the offence," the magistrate said.

The court then issued summons to the accused and posted the matter for further proceedings on February 2.

On September 14 last year, Singh, a deputy secretary in the department of economic affairs, ministry of finance, was killed, and three people, including his wife, were injured after the BMW driven by Makkad allegedly hit his motorcycle near Delhi Cantonment Metro Station on Ring Road.

Earlier, in a 400-page chargesheet filed before Judicial Magistrate Ankit Garg, police alleged that the accused deliberately delayed providing critical medical assistance to the victim.

It said the accident occurred around 1.30 pm when Makkad's overspeeding BMW X5, allegedly being driven at a speed of 100-110 kmph, crashed into a metro pillar near Delhi Cantonment Metro Station on Ring Road, overturned, and rammed into the Hari Nagar resident's motorcycle.

The final report alleged that instead of taking the accident victims to nearby hospitals such as the Delhi Cantonment Hospital or the AIIMS Trauma Centre, which were 10-15 minutes away, Makkad took the injured to Nulife Hospital in GTB Nagar, around 20 km from the crash site. It took them 23 minutes to reach the hospital.

It described Nulife Hospital as "a small two-storey nursing home with limited facilities" and alleged that the delay resulted in the "wastage of the golden hour of trauma care".
India and Canada are negotiating a long-term uranium supply agreement worth $2.8 billion.

They are also exploring expanded civil nuclear cooperation after the passage of the SHANTI Bill.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Johannesburg on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, November 23, 2025. Photograph: Kind courtesy Narendra Modi/X

India and Canada are working to ensure that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visits New Delhi before the end of March, with both countries keen to spur the negotiations for a bilateral trade deal.

The two sides are also looking for greater cooperation in the civilian nuclear sector, and India is exploring more investments from Canadian pension funds.

On January 22, Carney told the World Economic Forum in Davos that Canada had shifted its strategic posture and was working on new trade and security partnerships, including with India, Qatar, Thailand, the Philippines, and trade alliances, as well as groupings such as Mercosur and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

In his speech, Carney also alluded to the trade deal he signed last week with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Improvement In India-Canada Ties

India-Canada ties have improved since Carney was elected prime minister last year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Carney met in Johannesburg in November on the sidelines of the G20 Summit.

Following the meeting, India's ministry of external affairs said the two sides would initiate negotiations on a 'high-ambition Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (Cepa)' aimed at doubling bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030.

Sources in New Delhi said both sides were finalising the terms of reference for the CEPA negotiations.

While the negotiations on the India-US trade deal have meandered, New Delhi has tried to diversify its exports, particularly after the White House imposed 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods.

India and the European Union are set to announce the conclusion of their negotiations on a trade deal on January 27 and sign a new security and defence partnership.

Recently, India signed a free-trade agreement with Oman, and some other FTAs are also in the works.

In Davos, Carney said, 'We actively take on the world as it is, not wait for the world as we wish it to be.'

The Canadian PM argued in his address that the world's middle powers must band together to resist coercion from aggressive superpowers.

Carney said recent events have shown the 'rules-based international order' is effectively dead, which means Canada and other countries have no choice but to create new alliances to oppose pressure tactics and intimidation by the world's great powers.

Carney listed Canada's strategic advantages, including large reserves of conventional energy and critical minerals.

'Our pension funds are amongst the world's largest and most sophisticated investors,' he said.

India-Canada Look to Expand Civil Nuclear Co-operation

Sources said that during the Johannesburg meeting, India invited greater participation by Canadian pension funds and that the two sides are also negotiating a long-term uranium supply agreement worth $2.8 billion.

They are also exploring expanded civil nuclear cooperation after the passage of the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025.

Canada's National Security and Intelligence Adviser Nathalie G Drouin visited India in September, while Foreign Minister Anita Anand travelled to New Delhi in October.

Meanwhile, Universities Canada, an umbrella body representing the country's higher education institutions, has announced that 21 university presidents from across Canada will visit India in the first week of February.

'Following the Government of Canada's recent announcement highlighting renewed momentum in Canada-India relations and the launch of negotiations toward a CEPA, Universities Canada is pleased to announce it will lead a nationwide delegation of Canadian university presidents to India from February 2 to 6, 2026,' it said on Tuesday.

It said the mission will advance India-Canada research collaboration and expand partnerships with industry.

'The mission builds on the $1.7 billion research and talent strategy recently announced in Canada's federal budget and advances the New Roadmap for Canada-India relations announced in October 2025, reflecting growing momentum toward a renewed partnership between the two countries,' it said.

The 21 university presidents from across Canada would meet with leaders from India's higher education sector, government and industry in Goa, New Delhi and GIFT City to explore opportunities for research collaboration, academic exchange and sustainable models of transnational education.

Key Points Canada has large reserves of conventional energy and critical minerals

Education, nuclear energy and strategic investments key pillars of renewed India-Canada ties

Investment and nuclear ties between two countries to take shape

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
Indian security agencies have continued efforts to reinforce the Siliguri Corridor through improved infrastructure, faster mobilisation capability and diversified connectivity routes to the north east.

Kindly note that this illustration generated using ChatGPT has only been posted for representational purposes.

Key Points Strategic Vulnerability of the Siliguri Corridor

Rising Regional Concerns

Indian Preparedness and Geopolitical Tensions

India watches developments near its most vulnerable land bridge

Tensions are building along India's eastern strategic flank as developments in neighbouring regions sharpen attention on the Siliguri Corridor -- the narrow strip of land in northern West Bengal that connects mainland India to its eight northeastern states.

Often described as the 'Chicken's Neck', the corridor remains one of India's most sensitive geographic choke points.

Recent activity involving infrastructure upgrades close to the corridor has triggered renewed concern among Indian security planners, particularly amid reports of expanding Chinese involvement in projects near the India-Bangladesh border.

A narrow lifeline under scrutiny

The Siliguri Corridor, barely 20-22 kilometres wide at its narrowest point, carries vital road, rail, fuel and communication links to the north east.

Any disruption to this passage would have serious economic, military and humanitarian implications.

Given its strategic importance, even incremental changes in the surrounding security environment tend to draw intense scrutiny in New Delhi.

Over the years, India has invested heavily in strengthening troop presence, logistics hubs and alternative connectivity routes to reduce vulnerabilities linked to the corridor's geography.

Infrastructure activity rings alarm bells

Attention has recently turned to developments across the border in northern Bangladesh, where efforts are underway to revive and upgrade a long-defunct airbase close to the Indian frontier.

The site lies within operational range of the Siliguri Corridor, prompting concerns about its potential future role if dual-use or military capabilities were to be introduced.

The unease is compounded by reports of Chinese diplomatic and technical engagement linked to infrastructure projects in the same region.

While officially framed as civilian or development-oriented initiatives, such projects are being closely monitored in India for their longer-term strategic implications.

China's expanding footprint in the eastern theatre

For Indian planners, these developments are not viewed in isolation.

They are seen against the backdrop of China's broader push to enhance infrastructure, surveillance and mobility across the Himalayan region and neighbouring countries.

From roads and railways in Tibet to port and airfield projects across South Asia, Beijing's expanding footprint has altered the regional security calculus.

Any activity that could improve monitoring or access near the Siliguri Corridor inevitably raises red flags for Indian defence establishments.

Diplomatic sensitivities and regional balance

India has sought to manage the situation through a calibrated mix of vigilance and diplomacy.

New Delhi continues to stress the importance of stable and cooperative relations with Bangladesh, even as it keeps a close watch on external involvement near its borders.

At the same time, the developments underline the growing strategic competition between India and China in South Asia's eastern corridor, where geography magnifies the impact of even limited moves.

Reinforcing the corridor

Indian security agencies have, in parallel, continued efforts to reinforce the Siliguri Corridor through improved infrastructure, faster mobilisation capability and diversified connectivity routes to the north east.

These measures are aimed at ensuring that the corridor remains resilient under any contingency.

As regional dynamics evolve, the Chicken's Neck remains a reminder of how geography, infrastructure and geopolitics intersect -- and why developments even beyond India's borders can have outsized strategic consequences.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
A day after the Bombay high court came down heavily on the Maharashtra government for failing take action in the Mahad poll violence, Shiv Sena Minister Bharat Gogawale's son Vikas Gogawale surrendered before the police in the case.

IMAGE: Maharashtra Minister Bharat Gogawale. Photograph: ANI/X

The state government on Friday told the court that Vikas Gogawale had turned himself in before the Mahad police in connection with the clash that broke out during the municipal council elections in Raigad district.

Key Points Vikas Gogawale turns himself in

Action follows HC ticking off government on Thursday

All accused in the case have surrendered

The high court on Thursday ticked off the state government, asking whether the rule of law exists in the state, and if the chief minister is too "helpless" to take action against a cabinet minister whose son has evaded arrest for weeks.

Advocate General Milind Sathe on Friday submitted to a single bench of Justice Madhav Jamdar that all the accused in the case, including Vikas Gogawale and his cousin Mahesh Gogawale, surrendered before the Mahad police in the morning.

The court accepted the statement.

Cross-FIRs registered after clash

Clashes broke out between supporters of Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the NCP, headed by Ajit Pawar, during the civic elections at Mahad in Raigad district on December 2. Both Shinde and Pawar are deputy chief ministers in the BJP-led government.

The two sides lodged complaints against each other, and cross-FIRs were registered.

The court was hearing the pre-arrest bail plea of Shreeyansh Jagtap.

In the previous hearing, the court noted that the offence was serious and hence, it was not inclined to grant anticipatory bail to Shreeyansh Jagtap.

Based on this, Shreeyansh Jagtap on Friday withdrew his application, which the court allowed.

'Issue involved 2 deputy chief ministers'

Justice Jamdar, after the hearing, quipped that the issue involved the two deputy chief ministers of Maharashtra.

"Now the police will have to arrest him (Shreeyansh Jagtap) also. Only difference is that he is the son of a former minister," Justice Jamdar said.

Vikas Gogawale and his cousin Mahesh had also sought pre-arrest bail pleas, but they were not granted any relief.

'Failure of law-enforcing authorities'

Shreeyansh Jagtap was granted interim protection from arrest in December.

Both Vikas and Mahesh Gogawale had filed applications opposing Jagtap's pre-arrest bail plea.

On Thursday, Justice Jamdar was forthright in his remarks about the failure of law-enforcing authorities to arrest the minister's son, who had been missing since the sessions court rejected his anticipatory bail plea.
Columbia Heights Public Schools Superintendent said officers asked the boy to knock on his home's door to check if others were inside, a move she criticised as 'using a child as bait'.

IMAGE: Demonstrators take part in an anti-ICE protest in Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 20, 2026. Photograph: Seth Herald/Reuters

A five-year-old boy returning from preschool in Minnesota was detained by United States immigration officers along with his father and taken to a federal detention facility in Texas, triggering widespread concern among school officials and rights groups.

The child, Liam Conejo Ramos, was taken from a car in his driveway by federal agents on Tuesday, according to Columbia Heights Public Schools Superintendent Zena Stenvik, the Associated Press reported.

Stenvik said officers asked the boy to knock on his home's door to check if others were inside, a move she criticised as 'using a child as bait'.

Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security said Immigration and Customs Enforcement was arresting the father, an Ecuadorian national allegedly staying illegally, and denied targeting the child.

Officials said the father chose to keep the child with him and both are now held at a family detention centre in Dilley, Texas.

The family arrived in the US in 2024 and has an active asylum case. The detention has heightened fears among immigrant families, with school attendance dropping sharply amid ongoing immigration raids in Minnesota.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday raked up the Sabarimala gold loss issue in poll-bound Kerala to attack the ruling Left.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves to the public during a roadshow, in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday. Photograph: DPR PMO/ANI Photo

He also targeted the Congress for its association with the Muslim League, accusing it of promoting hardline elements in the state.

Addressing a massive Bharatiya Janata Party rally in Thiruvananthapuram, Modi sought a decisive mandate for his party to fulfill the developmental aspirations of the people of Kerala.

Referring to the grand old party as 'MMC' -- Muslim League Maoist Congress -- Modi said it was important to be vigilant against them, as they were allegedly using Kerala as a 'testing ground' for their strategies.

"The Congress party lacks a developmental agenda. Today, it has adopted positions that are more Communist than those of the Maoists and more communal than the Muslim League. As a result, the Congress is increasingly being referred to as the MMC across the country.

"It is important to remain vigilant regarding the Congress, as they are using Kerala as a testing ground for their strategies. In Kerala, the Congress is actively promoting hardline elements," he alleged.

Targeting the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led ruling alliance, Modi accused the Left Democratic Front of leaving 'no stone unturned' to tarnish the traditions of the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala.

"Now, there are reports of gold being stolen from the shrine. Gold has been stolen from God. I will make it clear that as soon as a BJP government is formed (apparently referring to forthcoming Assembly elections in the state), the allegations will be examined in detail and the culprits will be put in jail. This is Modi's guarantee," the PM asserted.

Modi said that while the LDF and UDF have different flags and symbols, their underlying political approach and agenda are virtually identical -- 'rampant corruption with zero accountability and the promotion of divisive communalism with no responsibility'.

"So, you (public) have to make a new government for Kerala which is pro-people and pro-development. This work can only be done by the BJP and NDA. A big decision has to be taken for a Vikasit Keralam (Developed Kerala). Kerala needs new politics.

"So, the BJP needs a decisive mandate to make Kerala developed in the next 25 years. Now is the time for Vikasit Keralam. Now is the right time for an NDA government in Kerala," the PM emphasised.

He also alleged that the Left Front for was corrupt, hindering Kerala's progress by opposing central initiatives and looting the hard-earned money of the people in cooperative banks.

"They are obstructing the implementation of the next phase of the PM Awas Yojana (Urban) and causing delays in the provision of piped water. Furthermore, they are preventing underprivileged children from accessing modern schools like those established under the PM SHRI scheme. Such anti-poor actions by the LDF warrant a strong response.

"Even the savings deposited in banks under the LDF rule are not safe. The cooperative bank scam has resulted in the hard-earned money of the poor and middle class being looted. The Left and Congress looted that money. They deserve strict punishment," the PM contended.

He said that if the BJP was given an opportunity to form a government in Kerala, it would take back every rupee of stolen money from the 'looters'.

Modi further claimed that neither the LDF nor the Congress is concerned about development, while the BJP is committed to creating employment opportunities by building critical infrastructure.

"Thanks to the efforts of the BJP, Kerala's entire rail network has been electrified. Today, three Vande Bharat trains are already operating in the state, and just a few hours ago, the Amrit Bharat Express was also launched in Kerala," he said.

The PM said that when considering the future of Kerala in the upcoming elections, people should understand that besides the LDF and UDF, who have taken turns to govern the state over the years and contributed to its problems, there is a third alternative -- represented by BJP -- that prioritises development and good governance.

"Both the LDF and UDF have, in various ways, driven Kerala into a cycle of corruption, mismanagement, and appeasement politics," he said.

In his speech, he also hailed the BJP's victory in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, which ended over four decades of Left rule, expressing confidence that there will be changes in Kerala in the upcoming Assembly polls as well.

Modi said that it was a historical and unprecedented victory that planted the seed of a BJP government in Kerala.

He recalled that the BJP's rise to power in Gujarat started with winning a single city nearly four decades ago and said the same would happen in Kerala.

He said that prior to 1987, the BJP was a marginal party in Gujarat and would hardly get any media coverage.

"In 1987, for the first time, the BJP won control of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, much like the party's recent victory in Thiruvananthapuram. Since then, the people of Gujarat have entrusted us with the opportunity to serve, and we have continued to do so for decades.

"Our journey began in one city in Gujarat, and similarly, in Kerala, our beginnings have started with a single city. I believe this demonstrates that the people of Kerala are beginning to place their trust in the BJP, connecting with us in the same way Gujarat once did," the PM said.

He assured that Thiruvananthapuram, for the entire country, will become a model city.

"I extend my full support to make Thiruvananthapuram one of the best cities in India," he said.
More than 24 hours after the Election Commission's deadline expired, no FIR has been registered against Trinamool Congress MLA Monirul Islam in connection with the vandalism at the Farakka Block Development Office in Murshidabad district during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, officials said on Friday.

IMAGE: People stage a protest rally over Special Intensive Revision (SIR), in Kolkata, January 19, 2026. Photograph: ANI Photo

The Commission had on Thursday directed the Murshidabad district magistrate-cum-district election officer to ensure that an FIR was filed against Islam by 5 pm the same day for his alleged role in the January 14 violence at the Farakka BDO office.

However, police sources said no complaint had been received so far. "We have not received any formal complaint yet. Therefore, no FIR has been registered," a senior police officer said.

The delay has raised questions over the implementation of the Commission's directive, even as the poll body has reiterated strict enforcement of law and order during the SIR process ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.

Violence had erupted during a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) hearing at the Farakka BDO office on January 14, when a group of people led by the local MLA allegedly vandalised the premises.

According to Election Commission officials, Islam, accompanied by his supporters, had staged a protest outside the office, alleging "harassment of the public" during the SIR exercise, before the situation escalated into vandalism.

Taking cognisance of the incident, the Commission had earlier spoken to West Bengal director general of police Rajeev Kumar and asked that an FIR be lodged. While an FIR was subsequently registered, it did not name the MLA as an accused, prompting the Commission to direct that a fresh FIR be filed specifically naming Islam.

Reacting to the Commission's directive earlier, Islam had said, "Law will take its own course. The doors of the judiciary are open."

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury questioned the administrative response.

"Do officers in this state have the authority to register an FIR? Even a district magistrate does not seem empowered to issue directions. This is how SIR will be conducted in West Bengal, and this is how FIRs will remain."

The TMC, however, opposed the directive. Party spokesperson Jay Prakash Majumdar said protests were natural. "If people do not protest, who will?" he said.

Senior BJP leader and Union minister Sukanta Majumdar accused the ruling party of deliberately allowing unrest for political reasons.

"It is natural that the TMC-led state government will not file any FIR because the top TMC leadership is fuelling unrest in the state ahead of the polls. In BJP-ruled states, around 2.5 crore names were deleted from draft rolls. Did you see any unrest there? This is happening only in West Bengal," he said.

Meanwhile, officials said that instead of filing the FIR as directed, the district administration on Friday instructed the sub divisional magistrate to conduct an inquiry into the incident, a move that has further intensified the standoff between the Election Commission and the state government.

In view of repeated disturbances, the Election Commission has already directed that hearings at any centre witnessing violence will be suspended indefinitely, and has made it clear that ensuring security at hearing centres remains the responsibility of the state government.

With no action yet against the MLA, officials said the Commission is closely monitoring the situation and may consider further steps if its directions continue to remain unimplemented.
Children have lunch at their classroom at a school in Bugesera District, Eastern Province in Rwanda, on Jan. 20, 2026. Under a children-supporting program launched in 2023, children here are offered meals in schools to address their nutrition problems. (Photo by Cyril Ndegeya/Xinhua)

Children carry beans and rice dishes to their classroom for lunch at a school in Bugesera District, Eastern Province in Rwanda, on Jan. 20, 2026. Under a children-supporting program launched in 2023, children here are offered meals in schools to address their nutrition problems. (Photo by Cyril Ndegeya/Xinhua)

Children have lunch at their classroom at a school in Bugesera District, Eastern Province in Rwanda, on Jan. 20, 2026. Under a children-supporting program launched in 2023, children here are offered meals in schools to address their nutrition problems. (Photo by Cyril Ndegeya/Xinhua)

A teacher assists children to have their lunch at a classroom of a school in Bugesera District, Eastern Province in Rwanda, on Jan. 20, 2026. Under a children-supporting program launched in 2023, children here are offered meals in schools to address their nutrition problems. (Photo by Cyril Ndegeya/Xinhua)
In a significant breakthrough in counter-terror operations, security forces on Friday eliminated a top Pakistani terrorist linked to the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit in an encounter in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir, the police said.

IMAGE: Security personnel conduct a search operation ahead of the 77th Republic Day, in Kathua near Jammu, in Jammu and Kashmir, January 22, 2026. Photograph: ANI Photo

Inspector general of police, Jammu range, Bhim Sen Tuti, said the terrorist was gunned down during a joint operation in the general area of Billawar.

"A Pakistani Jaish terrorist has been neutralised by a small JKP (J-K police) team in a joint operation with the Army and CRPF in the general area of Billawar," the Jammu police chief said in a post on X.

Officials identified the deceased terrorist as JeM commander Usman alias "Abu Maviya". They said that a large quantity of arms and ammunition, including an M4 automatic rifle, were recovered from him during the operation in a remote village in the Parhetar area.

Key Points The slain terrorist has been identified as Jaish commander Usman alias 'Abu Maviya'

Usman had escaped several encounters in the past, the latest being on January 7 and 13 in Kahog and Najote forests, respectively

Security forces continued their anti-terror operation to hunt down three Jaish terrorists in Sonnar, Mandral-Singhpora and adjoining forest areas inthe Chatroo belt of Kistwar

"Acting on specific intelligence inputs, Joint Operation was launched by Army and Police on 23 Jan in general area Parhetar. Area was cordoned and contact established. In a precise strike by the joint forces, 1 (one) foreign terrorist has been eliminated," Army's Rising Star Corps said in a separate post on X.

It said the search operations are continuing when the last reports were received.

The officials said Usman was one of the most wanted JeM terrorists active in the Udhampur-Kathua belt for the last couple of years after infiltrating into this side from across the border.

He had escaped several encounters in the past, the latest being on January 7 and 13 in Kahog and Najote forests, respectively, they said.

The officials said that the joint search party raided a house but came under fire from a hiding terrorist late this afternoon. The search parties reacted swiftly and shot him dead in close combat.

The encounter lasted for a few minutes only, the officials said, terming the killing of the dreaded terrorist a major breakthrough for the security forces.

Meanwhile, security forces continued their anti-terror operation to hunt down three JeM terrorists in Sonnar, Mandral-Singhpora and adjoining forest areas inthe Chatroo belt of Kistwar district for the sixth day on Friday.

The operation was continued despite snowfall in the area, the officials said.

Named by the Army as 'Operation Trashi-I', the operation was launched in the area on Sunday, leading to a gunfight that left one paratrooper dead and seven soldiers injured, primarily due to splinter injuries caused by a sudden grenade attack from the hiding terrorists.

After four days of lull, another encounter took place between the holed-up terrorists and security forces on Thursday, but the success eluded the forces as the terrorists managed their escape, taking advantage of thick vegetation and challenging topography.

A major terrorist hideout was busted during the operation on Monday.

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 Punjab police on Friday claimed to have busted two terror modules ahead of Republic Day with the arrest of six operatives of the proscribed outfit BKI and the seizure of a huge cache of arms and ammunition from across the state.

IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo>

The State Special Operations Cell (SSOC), Amritsar, averted an imminent attack on a security establishment with the arrest of a Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) operative, Sharanpreet Singh, a resident of Dinewal village of Tarn Taran, director general of police Gaurav Yadav said on Friday.

A P-86 type hand grenade, one 9 mm Glock pistol, along with five live cartridges and 65 grams of ICE (Methamphetamine) drug were seized from his possession, the officer said.

The foreign-based handlers have been actively involved in orchestrating disruptive activities in Punjab A P-86 type hand grenade, one 9 mm Glock pistol, along with five live cartridges and 65 grams of ICE (Methamphetamine) drug were seized from his possession, the officer said

text

Sharing information about another breakthrough against Pakistan's ISI-backed terror network, Yadav said that Hoshiarpur police, in a joint operation with Counter Intelligence, Jalandhar, arrested five operatives of BKI and seized an RDX-based improvised explosive device weighing 2.5 kg and two pistols along with cartridges.

"The module was being operated by USA-based BKI handlers. Preliminary investigations reveal that the recovered IED was intended for a targeted terror attack in view of the upcoming Republic Day celebrations," the DGP said in a post on X.

An FIR has been registered at Garhshankar police station, Hoshiarpur, under relevant sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Explosive Substances Act and further investigation in the matter is underway.

He further said in the post that, "The arrested accused from Garhshankar, Hoshiarpur have been identified as: Diljot Singh Saini, Harman alias Harry, Ajay alias Mehra, and Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Kandola.

In the case of Sharanpreet Singh's arrest, the officer said that preliminary investigations suggest that he was working on the orders of foreign-based BKI operatives Nishan Singh alias Nishan Jaurrian, Adeshbir Singh alias Adesh Jamarai and Simranjit Singh alias Simma Deol.

The foreign-based handlers have been actively involved in orchestrating disruptive activities in Punjab to create terror and panic, he added.

According to an official statement, the DGP said that further investigations are ongoing to establish forward and backward linkages in this case.

Sharing operational details, additional inspector general of police (SSOC) Amritsar Sukhminder Singh Mann said that in an intel-based operation, teams from Amritsar arrested Sharanpreet from the Bundala Morh area on the Amritsar-Tarn Taran Highway.

During sustained interrogation, he revealed that recently, his handlers arranged delivery of a hand grenade, which was concealed at a spot near Church on the highway, the officer said.

Based on the accused's disclosure, the police team took the accused to the said location and recovered a P86 hand grenade from a spot.

He further said that the probe revealed that the accused had joined this network through his cousin Simma Deol. On their directions, he has been transporting consignments of explosives, weapons and handling illegal money, the IG added.

Initially, a case was registered on Wednesday under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, the Arms Act and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at SSOC Amritsar police station, while relevant sections of the Explosives Act were added after recovery of the grenade.
United States President Donald Trump on Friday withdrew the invitation extended to Canada to join the Board of Peace.

IMAGE: US President Donald Trump. Photograph: Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo/Reuters

In what appeared to be a curt post on Truth Social on Friday, Trump reiterated his stance of calling it the 'most prestigious board' to ever be assembled.

He said, 'Dear Prime Minister Carney: Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canada's joining, what will be, the most prestigious Board of Leaders ever assembled, at any time. Thank you for your attention to this matter!'

Key Points Trump withdrew Canada's invitation to join his proposed Board of Peace, announcing the decision in a post on Truth Social.

Trump formally launched the initiative at the World Economic Forum in Davos, pitching it as a high-profile body to mediate global conflicts.

The move follows Trump's sharp criticism of Canadian PM Mark Carney at Davos, after Carney warned against tariff coercion.

The development follows after US President Donald Trump on Thursday signed the charter to formally launch his 'Board of Peace' initiative at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, describing it as a major step towards global conflict resolution.

Calling it a 'very exciting day, long in the making', Trump said, "We're going to have peace in the world," and added, "And we're all stars."

In his opening remarks, Trump said, "Just one year ago the world was actually on fire, a lot of people didn't know it," but claimed 'many good things are happening' and threats worldwide 'are really calming down'.

Settling 8 wars: Trump in Davos

Trump, flanked by leaders from founding member countries, said his administration was 'settling eight wars' and claimed that 'a lot of progress' had been made towards ending Russia's war in Ukraine.

Trump has previously also described the newly-formed body as potentially the 'most prestigious board ever formed'.

The formation of the Gaza Board of Peace, as part of Phase 2 of the 20-Point Peace Plan to end the conflict in West Asia, aims to promote stability and oversee post-conflict reconstruction in the Gaza Strip.

The Board of Peace was proposed by Trump last September as part of his plan to end the war in Gaza, although the initiative now seems to be aimed at mediating global conflict more broadly.

Administration officials said around 35 nations had committed to join, while 60 nations received invitations. Trump also suggested the new body could assume roles currently held by the United Nations.

Trump wanted Canada to be 'more grateful'

Earlier on Wednesday at the World Economic Forum, the US President had slammed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney over the latter's remarks at the WEF, saying that the country should be more 'grateful' toward the US.

During his address at the 56th Annual Summit of the WEF in Davos, Trump said its northern neighbour 'gets a lot of freebies' from Washington, DC, noting that it is not as grateful as it should be.

"Canada gets a lot of freebies from us, by the way. They should also be grateful, but they're not. I saw your Prime Minister yesterday; he wasn't so grateful. They should be grateful to us," Trump said, adding that his plan to build a 'Golden Dome' missile defence system will also provide protection to Canada.

"Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements," Trump said, underscoring the strategic and security role of the US in protecting its northern neighbour.

Trump's remarks were aimed at Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who, in his WEF address, highlighted 'an era of great power rivalry, where the rules-based order is fading', and also opposed tariff coercion, in a veiled reference to Washington, DC's use of the financial tool to acquire Greenland.

Canadian PM had warned against weaponisation of tariffs

On Tuesday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warned that the world is witnessing a fundamental 'rupture' in the global order rather than a gradual transition, cautioning against weaponising trade, finance, and supply chains.

In his address at the WEF, Carney opposed tariff coercion in a veiled reference to Washington, DC -- including measures linked to Greenland --and urged renewed multilateral engagement to safeguard sovereignty, stability and prosperity.

He noted that the era of a stable, rules-based international system had given way to a harsher geopolitical reality marked by great power rivalry.
Zelenskyy also stated that documents being drafted with Washington, DC to end the war were close to completion.

IMAGE: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and US President Donald Trump pose for a picture during their meeting on the sidelines of the 56th annual World Economic Forum (WEF), in Davos, Switzerland, on January 22, 2026. Photograph: Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via Reuters

A trilateral meeting between the United States, Ukrainian and Russian officials is scheduled to be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday, signalling that efforts aimed at ending the war in Ukraine are intensifying.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Zelenskyy said the two-day meeting will be held on Friday and Saturday.

Key Points Zelenskyy said US, Ukrainian and Russian officials will hold a two-day trilateral meeting in the UAE from Friday.

Zelenskyy met US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, which both described as positive but difficult.

He also criticised European leaders for inaction on Ukraine, while US officials indicated negotiations are close, with remaining differences centred on territorial issues.

Zelenskyy also stated that documents being drafted with Washington, DC to end the war were close to completion.

"The documents aimed at ending this war are nearly, nearly ready," Zelenskyy said while addressing the WEF in Davos.

Announcement comes after Trump-Zelenskyy meet

The announcement came as US President Donald Trump met Zelenskyy on the sidelines of WEF in Davos on Thursday.

Trump said he had a good meeting with the Ukrainian President, but noted that there's still 'a ways to go' toward ending Russia's war in Ukraine.

"The war has to end," Trump said after the meeting. "We hope it's going to end. There are a lot of people being killed."

"It's an ongoing process," Trump added. "Everybody wants to have the war end."

Zelenskyy also described the meeting as 'positive', adding that was 'enough' to say about it.

He said the 'last mile' of negotiations 'is very difficult'.

"During any dialogue with any president, I have to defend the interests of my country. That's why the dialogue is maybe, it's not simple," he said. "But it was today. It was positive."

According to CNN, US envoy Steve Witkoff said negotiations to end Russia's war were 'down to one issue', with a European official confirming it was related to territory.

Zelenskyy criticises European leaders

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy's remarks came after his WEF speech in which he criticised European leaders for what he described as inaction over the war in Ukraine, drawing a comparison with Europe's reaction in recent days on Greenland.

Trump also spoke about developments regarding Greenland, saying negotiations currently give the US 'total access' for defence.

The report noted that Trump had earlier announced that a framework of a deal on Greenland had been formed, while ruling out military force and new tariffs on European nations opposing his ambitions.

Earlier, Trump unveiled his 'Board of Peace', with fewer than 20 countries attending the signing ceremony.

Trump said he wants the board, tasked with rebuilding Gaza and resolving global conflicts, to work with the United Nations, even as he criticised the United Nations.

Trump also described Gaza as a 'beautiful piece of property' while speaking about reconstruction of the war-hit strip.
Ahead of the assembly elections in Kerala, the Congress' top leadership held a strategy meeting with leaders from the state, even as Shashi Tharoor skipped the key brainstorming session amid reports that he is "upset" at Rahul Gandhi ignoring him at a recent event.

Key Points Shashi Tharoor is set to skip a Congress strategy meeting for the Kerala polls. He is reportedly upset over being 'sidelined' by state leaders.

The immediate trigger was Gandhi's failure to mention Tharoor at the January 19 'Maha Panchayath' event, despite acknowledging other senior leaders.

Tharoor's office cited prior commitments, while Congress has offered no official reaction.

IMAGE: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor. Photograph: Jitender Gupta/ANI Photo

The Congress, however, denied that anyone was upset. It claimed that Tharoor had already discussed his inability to attend the meeting with the leaders.

Discussing poll preparedness, campaign strategy and seat-sharing within the UDF alliance in Kerala, the party's top leadership stressed the importance of maintaining unity among the state unit ranks to ensure victory in the upcoming polls expected to take place in April.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge claimed the people of Kerala are yearning for change, and the United Democratic Front will ensure progressive and development-oriented governance in the state.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, attended the meeting held at Kharge's residence, where all senior Kerala Congress leaders were present.

AICC general secretary, organisation, K C Venugopal, the party's in-charge for Kerala affairs, Deepa Dasmunshi, senior observers for Kerala polls, Sachin Pilot and K J George, senior leaders Ramesh Chennithala, CLP leader V D Satheesan and Kerala unit chief Sunny Joseph were also present at the key strategy meet.

In a post on X after the meeting, Kharge said that 3.6 crore people of Kerala are yearning for change. "The Congress party, along with our partners in the UDF, is determined to ensure progressive, development-oriented, welfare-based governance in the state. An important preparatory meeting with Kerala Congress leaders was held for the forthcoming Assembly elections," he said.

Venugopal said they had a very fruitful meeting on Bihar and Kerala.

"In the Kerala meeting, election preparations were discussed, campaign mood and electioneering of the Kerala elections were also discussed. There was a very smooth discussion.

"Kharge ji and Rahul ji listened to the views of Kerala leaders, and we are unitedly going for elections. We are very much sure that we are going to cross 100 seats in this election," Venugopal told reporters after the meeting.

Chennithala said, "We also discussed the seat-sharing arrangement within the UDF alliance and how to move forward. The Congress and UDF had a big victory in the panchayat elections, and we are fully confident that the Congress party will form the government in the state with a majority in the next election."

Asked why Tharoor was absent at the meeting and whether he was upset over being sidelined, Chennithala said, "No one is upset, and there is no 'narazgi'. He had a programme in Calicut, and that is why he could not come. He had spoken with us earlier. There is no question of anyone being upset."

On Tharoor giving priority to a literary festival over the key strategy meeting, he said, "Because he was invited earlier (at the literary festival) and he had talked to us that he has to go there. There is no one getting upset."

On whether the Congress will announce a chief ministerial candidate, the senior leader said, "No face will be announced, and a decision on this will be taken after the election."

Asked if sitting MPs may contest, he said, "We will hold a meeting of the Pradesh Election Committee on who will contest or not, and we will discuss it during that meeting on January 27."

He also hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he has not done anything on the Sabarimala gold loss issue and claimed, "We fought with the CPI-M in Kerala while the BJP leaders are only giving speeches."

PCC chief Sunny Joseph said they had a meeting with the All India Congress Committee leaders, including Kharge and Gandhi.

"We discussed the preparation for the assembly elections in view of the thumping victory in the local body elections. We will hold the Kerala Pradesh Election Committee meeting on January 27 after lunch," he told reporters after the meeting.

Sources said that while a series of events had led to Tharoor's disappointment with the treatment meted out to him, the tipping point was Gandhi not acknowledging him at the 'Maha Panchayath' held in Kochi on January 19 to felicitate the local body poll winners.

Rahul Gandhi acknowledged other senior leaders present on the stage and took their names, but did not mention Tharoor, a four-time MP and one of the three Congress Working Committee (CWC) members from the state, who was also on the dais, the sources said.

Tharoor's office said he had informed the party of his inability to attend the meeting due to his prior commitments at the Kerala Literature Festival in Kozhikode.
S Padma, a street cleaner in Chennai, found a box full of gold worth more than Rs 45 lakh and returned it.

'I have been sweeping the streets of Chennai for 21 years. Nobody in the street knew me. I was just a faceless, nameless sanitation worker in an orange and blue uniform.'

IMAGE: S Padma being honoured by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin. Photograph: Kind courtesy CMOTamilnadu/X

For the last 21 years, S Padma was a faceless, nameless sanitation worker in an orange and blue uniform working for the Greater Chennai Corporation.

But a simple act of hers on a lazy Sunday changed her life completely.

She found a box with 45 sovereigns of gold jewellery left on a cart in her zone.

Without second thoughts, she went to her office and showed what she had found to her superiors. All of them went to the police station immediately to return the jewellery.

Padma's act of honesty and integrity has been hailed by everyone including the chief minister of Tamil Nadu.

A Simple Act of Honesty Changed Chennai Sanitation Worker's Life

My day starts at 4 in the morning. Only if I get up at 4, I can finish cooking food for my son and husband before getting ready for work.

Though I cook rice in the morning, I have only a cup of coffee before I leave for work.

I had been the only earning member in my family till recently.

My 26-year-old son is a BCom graduate but could get a proper job in a BPO only a couple of months ago.

In fact, he was without a job for one whole year. Life had been very difficult after Covid.

We had to run the household with my salary of Rs 19,000 till now.

We have many loan instalments to pay, all the household expenses and on top of that is the lease amount for the house.

It is a tough life. It is tough for people like us. It has never been easy.

My daughter lives separately as she is married and has two children.

By 5 in the morning, I start for work. As there is only one bus from here to my workplace, my husband drops me in an auto.

By 5.30, I am in the office as our duty starts at 6, which is cleaning the streets.

We are 33 of us working in the ward, and all of us have been allotted a street which we clean every day.

From 6 to 10, we work, and then we have a half an hour break for breakfast. After that, we have another 4-hour shift, that is from 10.30 to 2.30. Our total working hours are 8 hours.

By 3.30-4, I am back home.

This has been my life for the last 21 years.



IMAGE: S Padma

Sunday, the 11th of January

It was like any other Sunday till 2 in the afternoon. I was about to finish my duty.

That was when I noticed a box on top of a stationary cart. I thought it was a lunch box with food inside which somebody might have left behind.

And I thought I would go to office, sign before leaving, and then eat on my way back home.

As I sat in the auto, I decided to eat leisurely.

When I opened the box, I had the shock of my life. Instead of food, it was full of glittering gold.

I have not seen so much gold in my life. My hands started trembling. I was not in a state of mind to even think. I didn't know what to do.

I showed the open box to my husband, and he said, let us go back to your office and hand this over to them.

It doesn't belong to us, it belongs to some person who must be frantically searching for it.

Our office also tells us every day that whatever we find while we work, we should return.

We went back to the office and showed my superiors what I found. Without wasting any time, all of us went to the nearest police station.

The police told us that a person had already lodged a complaint, and that he had gone back to the area to search for the box again.

They called him and he came rushing back. When he saw the box with all the gold intact, he broke down.

He did not say anything initially. Then, with tears in his eyes, he thanked me profusely.

45 sovereigns of gold that Padma handed over to the police cost more than Rs 45 lakhs

I felt really sorry for him. He must have been panicking all the time; it was not 1 or 2 sovereigns of gold; it was 45 sovereigns of gold worth more than 45 lakhs.

Poor man must have been suffering in those two hours.

He said again and again that I gave his life back to him.

The police officers also praised me for my honesty and integrity.

I don't think I did anything great. What I did was expected of any human being. I believe that we should never have greed for what is not ours.

At night, all of us only spoke about the incident, and the panic the owner of the gold might have had till he got it back.

In my entire life, I have not seen more than one or two sovereigns of gold!

Key Points Padma worked as a sanitation worker in Chennai for 21 years.

She found a box with 45 sovereigns of gold. Instead of keeping it, she returned it to the police.

She was honoured by the Tamil Nadu chief minister and received Rs 1 lakh and public recognition.

Meeting Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin

The next day dawned with a pleasant surprise. We were called to meet the chief minister in his office.

I didn't know what was happening to me.

I was just a woman sweeping the streets of Chennai the previous day and there I was getting an invitation to meet the chief minister!

It was a surreal experience seeing him in person. Till then I had only seen him on TV.

I just couldn't believe my good fortune.

When he felicitated us with a ponnada and appreciated what I had done. He said it was praiseworthy and that I was a model citizen.

I had tears in my eyes and didn't have any words to reply.

He also gifted us Rs 1 lakh rupees which we spent during Pongal.

Getting to see him at close quarters itself was like a dream for me.

After that, newspapers and TV channels started talking to me and writing about me.

S Padma: From an unknown sweeper to a celebrity

I have been sweeping the streets of Chennai for the last 21 years. Nobody in the street knew me, or my name.

I was just a faceless, nameless sanitation worker in an orange and blue uniform.

After I appeared on TV channels, many women in my street started coming out of their homes to see me.

They asked me whether I was Padma. All of them told me what I had done was commendable.

Suddenly the nameless sanitation worker had a name: Padma! Now, they call me by my name.

I still cannot believe how my life changed overnight!

Nobody knew me till Sunday night and on Monday, I was meeting the chief minister and was talking to TV channels!

It is all due to God's grace and blessings.

We are just ordinary citizens who somehow scraped through every single day of our life.

I have never received this kind of attention and praise.

I am an illiterate woman who doesn't even know how to use a phone but here I am, attending functions every day.

It is a bit overwhelming. Sometimes I wonder whether it was really happening to me.

Everything feels like a dream.

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff
60 years ago, on January 24, 1966, Dr Homi J Bhabha, the father of India's nuclear programme, died in an air crash on Mont Blanc.

The official inquiry said the plane went off course in bad weather, but coincidences, missing evidence, and later unproven claims have kept conspiracy theories alive.

A fascinating excerpt from Bakhtiar Dadabhoy's book, Homi J Bhabha: A Life.

IMAGE: Dr Homi Jehangir Bhabha. Photograph: Kind courtesy Dr Homi Jehangir Bhabha/Facebook

Key Points Homi Bhabha died in the January 24, 1966 Air India Flight 101 crash on Mont Blanc.

The official inquiry said the plane went off course in bad weather.

CIA officer Robert T Crowley later claimed the Americans had a hand in the crash.

Dr Homi Bhabha took Air India flight 101 to Geneva en route to Vienna. He was booked to Geneva on a flight the day before, but for reasons that have never been made clear he took Air India flight 101.

On 24 January, the Boeing 707, Kanchenjunga, crashed into the Glacier des Bossons on the southwest face of Mont Blanc at 4,807 m at around 7.02 am local time.

All 106 passengers, including Bhabha and 11 crew members died in the crash.

The Kanchenjunga crashed in almost exactly the same spot as Air India's Malabar Princess had on 3 November 1950, killing 48 passengers and crew.

IMAGE: Then prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru with Dr Bhabha at the atomic reactor in Trombay, Bombay.

Like the wreckage of Kanchenjunga, the bodies of the victims of the Malabar Princess crash were never recovered.

The black box from the 1966 crash was never recovered and rescue operations were halted the day after the crash owing to inclement weather conditions.

The investigation resumed in September 1966, and the French inquiry commission completed its report in March 1967.

It concluded that severe white-out conditions near the summit of the mountain, coupled with miscommunication over phraseology between the air traffic controllers in Geneva and the pilot led to the crash.

The report concluded that the crash was the result of a miscalculation rather than another plane intercepting it.

IMAGE: Dr Bhabha, Sir C V Raman and Sri Prakasa at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.

According to the commission, the most likely hypothesis was that the commander miscalculated his position in relation to Mont Blanc.

He seems to have mistakenly believed that he had passed the ridge leading to the summit, and, thinking that he was still at a level that afforded sufficient safety clearance over the top of Mont Blanc, continued his descent.

One of the receivers on the plane had also not been working, and the pilot misunderstood the verbal data sent to him on the plane's position. The French report was accepted by the Indian government.

Even though the largest parts of the debris were on the Italian Alps near Courmayeur, Italy did not participate in the inquiry commission but eyewitness accounts of Italian individuals were incorporated into the French report.

IMAGE: Dr Bhabha discusses the mechanism of a model atomic reactor with other scientists who collaborated on Apsara.

According to the transcript of communication of the air traffic controller in Geneva included in the French report, flight 6029 was scheduled to fly over Geneva around the same time as Air India 101 was to make its descent into the city.

When the latter suddenly disappeared from the radar, the controller asked flight 6029, around 7.04 am, to report on what it saw around Mont Blanc.

The pilot remarked, in Italian, that he saw a black cloud at around 16,000 ft, which was different from the other clouds, and he thought that the black cloud had possibly been caused by an explosion.

IMAGE: Dr Bhabha and then prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri had a significant working relationship in developing India's nuclear and space programmes.

Just two days before this tragedy, on 22 January, Bhabha had presided over a condolence meeting for Lal Bahadur Shastri at Trombay.

Perhaps the very last letter he signed before his demise was to the late prime minister's widow Lalita Shastri, dated 23 January, where he told her that they had observed 22 January as a full working day, even though it was a Saturday, as a fitting tribute to her husband.

It is said that Shastri had also asked Bhabha to join the Cabinet as a minister, but the latter had declined, preferring his scientific work over a political post.

The news of Bhabha's tragic death and the immersion of Shastri's ashes appeared on the front page on the same day.

IMAGE: Albert Einstein, Hideki Yukawa, John Wheeler and Homi Bhabha at the Institute of Advanced Studies in Princeton in 1954.

Did The CIA Kill Dr Bhabha?

In 2017, Daniel Roche, a Swiss climber, found the remains of an aircraft in the Alps, which could be from either of the two Air India crashes.

Roche, an aviation enthusiast, found a few limbs as well as a jet engine at the site. He believed that Air India flight 101 had been intercepted by another plane and crashed.

According to him, it had collided with an Italian aircraft, and, since there is very little oxygen at that height, there had been no combustion to cause an explosion.

Conspiracy theories implicate the Central Investigative Agency in the crash. In 2008, an alleged conversation between former CIA officer Robert T Crowley and journalist Gregory Douglas (born Peter Stahl) was published in a book, Conversations with the Crow, which led people to believe that the American intelligence agency had a hand in the crash.

IMAGE: Dr Vikram Sarabhai, Cecil Powell, Dr Bhabha and Patrick Blackett in discussion.

Known as 'The Crow' within the agency, Crowley joined the CIA at its inception and spent his entire career in the Directorate of Plans, also known as the 'Department of Dirty Tricks'. In the book, Crowley had been quoted as saying:

'We had trouble, you know, with India back in the 60's when they started work on an atomic bomb bragging how clever they were and how they too were going to be a great power in the world. The thing is, they were getting into bed with the Russians.'

Referring to Bhabha as the 'head expert', he said, that Bhabha was fully capable of building a bomb. He added that Bhabha had been warned several times but had been too arrogant to listen.

Bhabha had made it clear that no one would stop him and India from getting nuclear parity with the big boys.

He went on to add that Bhabha could be a threat. 'He had an unfortunate accident. He was flying to Vienna when his Boeing 707 had a bomb go off in the cargo hold. There was no real evidence and the world was much safer.'

Crowley also allegedly bragged that they could have blown up the plane over Vienna but decided the high mountains were safer.

Crowley's real expertise within the agency was the Soviet KGB. He went on to add something even more alarming.

Calling Shastri 'a political type who started the programme in the first place', he claimed that they did away with Shastri as well.

Since Bhabha was a genius and could get things done, the CIA 'aced both of them'. He added, 'India was quieter after Bhabha...'

The veracity of these startling admissions has not been established, and, in all probability, the truth will never be known. Douglas is an unreliable source at best.

A Nazi sympathizer, conman and Holocaust denier who has been accused of forgery, he has also made a number of other startling revelations with no factual basis. Douglas is considered something of a pariah even among conspiracy theorists.

Undoubtedly, the Americans did not want India to develop a nuclear weapon, but even persons who tend to believe in conspiracy theories would find the murder of 117 people to get rid of one man difficult to digest.

In an interview with Indira Chowdhury, Jamshed Bhabha (Dr Bhabha's younger brother) related that his mother could not get over the fact that Bhabha had actually been booked for a later flight but took the earlier one, which crashed.

It was actually the other way around. Bhabha met his premature end because he changed his initial travel plans and postponed his departure by a day.

Bhabha was to travel on the flight leaving Bombay on 22 January but cancelled at the eleventh hour. The Statesman reported as follows:

'Dr Bhabha had booked his passage on the plane which left Bombay on Saturday, January 22, but he cancelled at the eleventh hour to travel by the ill-fated Boeing.'

There is no doubt that Bhabha was not supposed to travel on that ill-fated flight. Thereby hangs an unverified tale.

R M Lala told me that it was widely believed at the time that Pipsy Wadia (Dr Bhabha's friend and companion) had been the reason why Bhabha had changed his flight at the last moment.

He was unable to give a reason for the change but was certain that Meherbai (Dr Bhabha's mother) held this against Pipsy for the rest of her life.

Excerpted from Homi J Bhabha: A Life by Bakhtiar Dadabhoy with the kind permission of the publishers, Rupa & Co.

Photographs curated by Anant Salvi/Rediff

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff
Ndayizigiye Jean Marie Vianney (4th L, front), permanent secretary in Rwanda's Ministry of Health, poses for photos with members of the 25th Chinese medical team during a ceremony in Rwanda, in Kigali, Rwanda, Jan. 22, 2026. The ceremony marking the arrival of the 26th Chinese medical team in Rwanda and the departure of the 25th team was held in the capital of Rwanda on Thursday night, highlighting sustained cooperation between Rwanda and China in the health sector. (Photo by Cyril Ndegeya/Xinhua)

KIGALI, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- A ceremony marking the arrival of the 26th Chinese medical team in Rwanda and the departure of the previous team has been held in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, highlighting sustained bilateral cooperation in the health sector.

At the ceremony on Thursday night, Ndayizigiye Jean Marie Vianney, permanent secretary in Rwanda's Ministry of Health, praised Chinese medical teams for their services. "Whether in hospitals, clinics, or communities, your work embodies resilience, excellence, and selflessness. Your service does not go unnoticed," he said.

He said that their contribution represents the strong and growing partnership between Rwanda and China, particularly in the health sector, adding that this collaboration has brought skills and knowledge exchange, as well as a lasting impact, "strengthening our shared vision of healthier and more resilient communities."

Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda Gao Wenqi said the medical teams stand as a powerful testament to the deep bonds between the two peoples, noting that this year, more doctors and nurses have arrived in Rwanda, elevating the bilateral health cooperation to new heights.

Wang Yongxiang, head of the 25th Chinese medical team in Rwanda, said that team members have worked side by side with Rwandan colleagues in clinics, operating rooms, and wards.

Over the past year, the Chinese medical teams have helped build an orthopedic specialty system and a standardized pain management clinic at Kibungo Hospital, and have transferred techniques such as traditional Chinese acupuncture, painless labor, and infection control to local doctors, bringing sustainable benefits to both the local healthcare system and the Rwandan people, Wang said.

Li Junsheng, a member of the 25th Chinese medical team in Rwanda, has participated in several batches and received a special award from the Ministry of Health in grateful recognition of his "11 years of dedicated service to the people of Rwanda."

According to Han Hongyang, head of the newly arrived 26th Chinese medical team, the team consists of 19 members covering eight clinical departments like surgery, orthopedics, anaesthesia, obstetrics and gynaecology, nursing, and traditional Chinese medicine.

Since 1982, China has dispatched 26 medical teams to Rwanda, providing daily medical services at Masaka Hospital and Kibungo Hospital. 

Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda Gao Wenqi speaks during a ceremony marking the arrival of the 26th Chinese medical team in Rwanda and the departure of the 25th team in Kigali, Rwanda, Jan. 22, 2026. The ceremony was held in the capital of Rwanda on Thursday night, highlighting sustained cooperation between Rwanda and China in the health sector. (Photo by Cyril Ndegeya/Xinhua)

Ndayizigiye Jean Marie Vianney, permanent secretary in Rwanda's Ministry of Health, speaks during a ceremony marking the arrival of the 26th Chinese medical team in Rwanda and the departure of the 25th team in Kigali, Rwanda, Jan. 22, 2026. The ceremony was held in the capital of Rwanda on Thursday night, highlighting sustained cooperation between Rwanda and China in the health sector. (Photo by Cyril Ndegeya/Xinhua)

Li Junsheng, a member of the 25th Chinese medical team in Rwanda, receives a special award from Rwanda's Ministry of Health during a ceremony marking the arrival of the 26th Chinese medical team in Rwanda and the departure of the 25th team in Kigali, Rwanda, Jan. 22, 2026. The ceremony was held in the capital of Rwanda on Thursday night, highlighting sustained cooperation between Rwanda and China in the health sector. (Photo by Cyril Ndegeya/Xinhua)
BRATTLEBORO  The Brooks House has a new owner.

Harry May, LLC, made the purchase from Mesabi, Inc. for $8.5 million on Dec. 30, according to reports. David Shlansky and his wife Ting own the LLC.

Before they met, Shlansky was involved in building rehabilitation and renovation work. As he started practicing law more, he began having other people perform the labor.

"I like historic architecture," he said. "Probably in the early years of our relationship, she allowed me to buy some properties and work on them to rehab. It always seems easy and it's not easy. It's not always economical."

Brattleboro is a classic example of "new urbanism" that people try to emulate, Shlansky said.

"Bob Stevens really gets it and knows what makes a town beautiful," Shlansky said of the local engineer who helped redevelop the Brooks House. "I could never rehab a building like that because I would be in debtors prison and these guys did it and it's something I love. In terms of investments, you want to make money but you want to be involved in something you believe in, too."

Shlansky said his team has commercial and residential properties, which vary from state to state.

Local real estate firm M&S Development has been asked to continue overseeing management of the 88,000-square-foot Brooks House building. Shlansky called the move "essential to the deal," as his team doesn't have a management operation and doesn't believe it could do the job half as well as M&S.

"I think they're really quality people, and really know the market and how to do deal with people, and how to do community development and make sensible decisions," he said.

Shlansky is a resident of South Florida and lives part time in Ferrisburgh, Vt. In his 34th year of legal practice, he mostly focuses now on litigation involving fiduciary responsibilities and business disputes.

The Brooks House was reported to be for sale last spring. A listing described it as "a mixed-use historic building located in downtown Brattleboro."

"The property originally operated as one of the premier hotels in New England and after a fire in 2011 was gut renovated starting in 2013 and completed in August 2014," the listing said.

Inside the building are 23 apartment units, six retail spaces and three office spaces. Tenants include Vermont Technical College, Community College of Vermont, the law offices of Downs Rachlin Martin, Brilliance, Tulip Cafe, Tavernier Chocolates and the bar Midnight's.

The building was constructed in 1871 and renovated in 1970, then an electrical fire in 2011 rendered it "uninhabitable," according to the brochure.

The previous owners were five local residents: engineer Bob Stevens, attorney Craig Miskovich, financial-planner brothers Pete and Drew Richards and their colleague's cousin, Ben Taggard, according to VTDigger. They purchased the building for $2.28 million, according to The Commons.

"When the Brooks House team started its 14-year journey, the building was dark and empty, and had been so for almost two years," Miskovich told the Reformer. "We formed the development team with a few goals in mind: renovate the building, recruit great new commercial and residential tenants, and restore the Brooks House to its rightful place as the cornerstone of downtown Brattleboro. Now that the building is full of life, it is time for us to hand the building over to its next generation of owners."

Miskovich said the list of people who provided support to his team would be "too long for publication," however, they thanked the commercial and residential tenants.

"Every day these tenants add to the energy and vitality of our community," he said. "Although we have sold the building, the Brooks House team members (all of whom continue to work at our businesses downtown) remain committed to Brattleboro and its downtown."
A candlelight vigil was held in Pliny Park in Brattleboro on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, to remember those who have died due to homelessness in Brattleboro in the past year.
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Nancy Braus is a long-time political activist who writes from Guilford. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of Vermont News & Media.
Tens of thousands of people traveling in crammed cars and on packed buses have left a remote valley in northwestern Pakistan ahead of a planned military operation against suspected militants active in the area.

The Pakistani Army has set a January 25 deadline for the evacuation of Tirah, a valley of some 150,000 people near the border with Afghanistan, according to local residents and officials. The strategic area is a stronghold of the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) extremist group, which is waging an increasingly potent insurgency against Islamabad.

"I have a shop, which was my source of living," said Saeed Khan, who rented a truck to transport 22 members of his extended family and their possessions from Tirah. "That shop is gone now and so are my earnings. What should I do now?"

Khan is one of around 80,000 people who have so far left Tirah for Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. Many oppose the planned army offensive and complain that the evacuation has been chaotic and dangerous.

Residents must navigate multiple security checkpoints on the main road leading out of Tirah, which is choked by traffic. The drive to Peshawar, usually less than three hours, now takes up to several days, and many are struggling in freezing temperatures without adequate food, water, or sanitation.

"My family includes women and children, and the weather is running below zero during the night," said Ihsanullah, a man in his mid-20s who left Tirah with his extended family.

"One of my children became sick," added Ihsanullah, who goes by only one name. "I requested the security personnel to open the road for us as my child's condition was getting worse. They said they were not allowed to open the road. My child died."

Displaced From Pakistan's Tirah Valley, Evacuees Seek Aid In Peshawar by RFE/RL No media source currently available 0:00 0:00:44 0:00

On January 22, two children died after the vehicle they were traveling in skidded off the road and fell into a ravine. The area has reported heavy snowfall in recent days.

Ihsanullah has spent several days in Bara, a town outside Peshawar where people must register with the authorities. Each family then receives 250,000 rupees (around $900), an amount that is meant to cover rent and other expenses for two months, the expected duration of the military operation in Tirah.

On January 24, the Pakistani government denied the army had ordered the evacuation of Tirah valley, although the military itself has yet to comment. But the governments claim has been rejected by locals, including members of a tribal council that have held talks with military officials over the planned operation.

'Everything Was Destroyed'

For many residents of Tirah, this is not the first time they've been forcibly displaced.

The region has been a hotbed for militancy for years and the scene of dozens of Pakistani military operations since the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001.

Major military offensives aimed at uprooting militants have killed civilians as well as insurgents and uprooted millions in the past two decades.

The Pakistani Army, which has an oversized role in the country's domestic and foreign affairs, has been accused of committing widespread human rights violations. Abuses by the government have boosted support for the TTP.

Northwestern Pakistan is home to the country's Pashtun ethnic minority. Pashtuns make up many of the recruits and members of the TTP.

Gulalai said her family was first displaced from Tirah Valley in 2010, when the Pakistani military launched an operation there against suspected militants.

"We returned to Tirah in 2019, and we were unable to recognize our houses because everything was destroyed," said the 25-year-old, adding that her family received no compensation for their losses. "Now, once again they issued a deadline asking us to vacate our houses."

Fierce Opposition

The planned military operation has been opposed by locals, the provincial government, and opposition political figures.

Mahmood Khan Achakzai, a lawmaker and opposition leader, told parliament on January 19 that "for the past 20 years, people are being forced to leave their areas where they had been living for thousands of years."

"Now they are vacating the whole of Tirah Valley in this freezing cold," he added. "Is it not terrorism to force people out of their homes? For God's sake, don't do this."

Sohail Afridi, the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province who is from the opposition Pakistan Tehrik-e Insaf party, said he had "never supported the operation." He added that the planned army offensive was "imposed by the barrel of a gun."

Peshawar-based political analyst Riffatullah Orakzai said there have been 22 major army operations in the past 20 years in northwestern Pakistan. In many cases, militants simply vacate an area before a military operation and return to the same area after the army departs, he said.

"People in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are questioning the validity of those operations, and it seems they have no trust in it," he said.

"There are very few areas that have not been declared cleared of militants. [But the military] again returns for another operation again. Tirah is one such area that was once declared cleared [of the TTP] in the past."

The planned army operation in Tirah comes as the TTP intensifies its yearslong insurgency against Islamabad.

Pakistan recorded at least 3,387 combat-related deaths in 2025, a 73 percent increase compared with 1,950 in 2024, according to the Islamabad-based Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS).

The number of civilians, militants, and members of the Pakistani security forces killed all rose to levels not seen for years.

"Pakistan's counterterrorism battlefield saw a marked escalation in 2025, with violence intensifying in both tempo and lethality," PICSS said in its annual report released on December 28.

Experts have said the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021 boosted the fighting capabilities of armed groups in the region, including the TTP.

The TTP and Afghan Taliban have close ideological and organizational ties. Pakistan has accused the Afghan Taliban of sheltering the Pakistani militants.

Pakistan had hoped the Afghan Taliban, its longtime ally, would rein in and dismantle the TTP, experts said. But the Taliban has refused, with Islamabad responding by conducting unprecedented air strikes in Afghanistan last year.
JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- South African Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen has rejected claims that a so-called "white genocide" is taking place in South Africa.

Speaking to the media on Thursday at the Press Gallery Association, the DA leader said there was no "white genocide" in South Africa, but rather a severe and wide-ranging crime problem affecting citizens regardless of race.

"If one looks at the cold, hard statistics, it's very clear where the crime problem is, and who is bearing the burden, it is not a white genocide, not at all," Steenhuisen said.

"We have white people murdered, yes. But we also have colored and black South Africans," as well as Indian South Africans and people of other South Asian descent "that are being murdered as well," he said.

His remarks were made in response to renewed claims by U.S. President Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where Trump again alleged that South Africa is experiencing "white genocide" and criticized the treatment of Afrikaner communities.

"Despite all the evidence to the contrary, the hard statistics and many efforts to display that this is not the case in South Africa," Steenhuisen said. "That is his perception of the country."

The DA leader said that Trump was promoting a narrative aligned with his own agenda, regardless of factual rebuttals.

"He is not going to believe it because he has to push that agenda," Steenhuisen said.

South Africa is a wonderful country. There are incredible things happening, but bad things as well, just as in the United States, the DA leader said. 
Ukrainian and Russian negotiators met with US officials for critical talks on Moscow's all-out war against Ukraine as the Kremlin signaled no softening of hard-line territorial demands following a late-night meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and a White House delegation.

The January 23 talks held in Abu Dhabi were the first time that Ukrainian and Russian officials have met face-to-face, along with American negotiators, since just after the start of the invasion nearly four year ago.

The meetings come as Ukraine reels in the dark and cold from Russia's pummeling of Ukraine's energy infrastructure -- power plants, substations, municipal heating plants -- that has left millions of people struggling to cope with conditions in the dead of winter.

Ukraine's largest private energy company warned the country's situation had "significantly" worsened after recent Russian attacks; a day earlier, Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal said the country's energy system had suffered its worst day since a widespread blackout in November 2022.

Ahead of the Abu Dhabi meetings, Kremlin aides said Putin was satisfied with nearly four hours of talks held overnight with White House envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner, and other US officials. It was Witkoff's seventh meeting with Putin since last January.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated Russia's longstanding demand that Ukrainian forces leave the portion of the Donbas they still hold. The Donbas is wide swathe of territory in eastern Ukraine; Russia controls almost 90 percent of it.

"Russia's well-known position is that [Ukraine's armed forces] must leave the territory of the Donbas territory, they must be withdrawn from there," Peskov told journalists. "This is a very important precondition. There are also other nuances that remain on the negotiation agenda."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who met with US President Donald Trump in Switzerland a day earlier, told reporters the talks would include the issue of territory in the Donbas.

Russia has been capturing additional land in the Donbas slowly and at a massive cost in casualties, but Putin and other officials have repeatedly said its forces will seize further territory by force if Moscow does not obtain it through diplomacy.

In his nightly video address on January 23, Zelenskyy said the first round of talks in Abu Dhabi had already taken place and had focused on the "parameters of ending the war."

"It is imperative that it is not only Ukraine which strives to end this war and to achieve true security, but that a similar desire also somehow materializes in Russia," Zelenskyy added.

Russian Demands

Ukraine has said that relinquishing the part of the Donbas that its forces hold, which includes a "fortress belt" of well-defended towns and cities, would reward Russia for its aggression and leave Ukraine vulnerable to new attacks.

According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine and the United States have discussed a potential compromise where part of the Donbas would become a demilitarized zone or a free economic zone, with Ukrainian forces withdrawing and Russian troops barred from entering.

Zelenskyy said he was open to such a plan if Ukrainians support it, but that if Ukraine withdraws its troops Russia should do the same, pulling its forces back a comparable distance.

The Kremlin has indicated it would not agree to withdraw its forces under any scenario that does not recognize the entirety of the Donbas as Russian. It has also insisted that Russian police and national guard units, which in some cases are heavily militarized, be allowed to patrol the area.

Zelenskyy, on the contrary, has suggested demilitarized areas could be policed by Ukraine, with international forces.

Russian officials indicated that the trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi would focus on security, while the United States and Russia would hold separate economic talks.

One of negotiators was expected to be head of the Russian military intelligence agency known as the GRU.

One of Kyiv's lead negotiators, meanwhile, is Kyrylo Budanov, a former director of Ukraine's military intelligence agency who is now Zelenskyy's chief of staff. The military agency's current director, Lieutenant General Oleh Ivashchenko, and a deputy were also part of the Ukrainian delegation.

Zelenskyy, who has had a sometimes frosty relationship with the White House, praised his Davos meeting with Trump, though it was unclear exactly what, if anything, was agreed.

US and Ukrainian officials have been trying to finalize a plan that would give US companies preferential access to Ukrainian minerals and some industries.

Another crucial issue and matter of dispute has been Western security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of a peace deal, with Russia opposing the deployment of troops from NATO nations in Ukraine.

Security guarantees for Ukraine "are really ready, and the contract is ready for signing.... Now I am waiting for President Trump to give me a date and place. It's up to him," Zelenskyy told reporters.

Trump has been seeking to broker an end to Russia's war on Ukraine since he took office for his second term a year ago.

"The meeting was good with President Zelenskyy. We'll see how it turns out," Trump told reporters on January 22, adding that his message to Putin was, "The war has to end."
CONAKRY, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Guinean President Mamady Doumbouya on Thursday accepted the resignation of Prime Minister and Head of Government Amadou Oury Bah, along with that of all members of the government, according to an announcement by Amara Camara, Minister Secretary-General of the Presidency of the Republic.

Camara said the resignation letter was addressed to the head of state earlier Thursday during a regular meeting of the Council of Ministers chaired by Doumbouya.

The collective resignation marks a new institutional beginning following the presidential election held on Dec. 28, 2025, Camara said.

Following the resignation, the president signed two decrees terminating the functions of the prime minister and government members, while entrusting the secretaries-general of ministerial departments with overseeing day-to-day affairs pending the appointment of a new government. 
JAKARTA, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- One person was killed and one remains missing after a passenger boat capsized in waters off Indonesia's North Maluku province on Friday, with 57 others rescued, local search and rescue authorities said.

Iwan Ramdani, head of the Ternate Search and Rescue Office in the province, said the boat was carrying a total of 59 people when the accident occurred.

According to him, the vessel was traveling from Babang village to Pigaraja village in South Halmahera Regency when it encountered strong winds and high waves near its destination amid poor weather conditions.

"The boat was hit by large waves and capsized," Ramdani said, adding that one person was confirmed dead, 57 people survived, and one passenger was still missing.

He said joint rescue teams immediately carried out evacuation operations after the incident.

"Our personnel remain on standby in Pigaraja village and surrounding areas to continue search efforts for the missing person," Ramdani said. "The team is fully prepared to conduct further search and rescue operations." 
Gordon Deegan

An Ennis man who sent lewd images of himself to an addiction counsellor and exposed himself in public is at high risk of re-offending, a court has heard.

At Ennis District Court, Judge Alec Gabbett commented that a Probation Report on Shane McCarthy has concluded that he is at high risk.

Judge Gabbett said that the Probation Report on Mr McCarthy "is exactly as I suspected it would be".

Solicitor, Daragh Hassett for Mr McCarthy said that his client is at high risk when he is on drugs and he is not using at the moment.

Mr Hassett said: Now, he is completely sober and free from drugs and leading a regulated lifestyle.

Mr Hassett said that Mr McCarthy is willing provide urine samples each week to show that he remains sober and is hoping to get a place at a treatment centre and judge if he is under your supervision that will help.

In the case, Shane McCarthy (30) of Shanballa, Lahinch Road, Ennis pleaded guilty to sending four lewd images of himself to his then addiction counsellor on May 5th last year.

A cocaine addict, Mr McCarthy told the court earlier this month that he has been clean since December 18th and I am living at home and my wife is keeping a good eye on me.

In reply Judge Gabbett said: If there are prizes going for patience, she would be getting it.

After reading the victim impact statement provided to the court by the addiction counsellor, Judge Gabbett said previously that it shows that this lady has had a very significant derailment of her life because of what has happened.

Mr McCarthy told the court: I am sorry for all of that.

Sgt John Burke told the court that two of the grossly offensive communications to the addiction counsellor concerned one second videos of Mr McCarthys penis.

Sgt Burke said that four grossly offensive images consisted of two videos and two still images of Mr McCarthys penis.

Judge Gabbett said that he has concerns for the public over the behaviour of Shane McCarthy, who he said has also effectively pleaded guilty to masturbating in public at two locations in Ennis in recent months.

Mr McCarthy has pleaded guilty to masturbating in a public place at Silvergrove, Ballybeg, Ennis on August 31st last year and the possession of cocaine on the same date at Ennis Garda Station.

Mr McCarthy is charged with masturbating in a public place on December 18th last at Ballyalla Lake on the northern outskirts of Ennis.

Mr Hassett told Judge Gabbett that he was in the process of having a consultant psychologist carry out a report on his client.

Judge Gabbett further remanded Mr McCarthy on bail to appear in court on February 25th.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help. In the case of an emergency, always dial 999/112.
A Roscommon student has been recognised for his excellent Leaving Certificate results.

Joey Geever, a former pupil at St. Nathys College, Ballaghaderreen, was among the high achieving students who received a DCU Scholars Award.

The award recognises students who received more than 600 points in their Leaving Certificate.

Joey is studying for a Bachelor of Science in Science and Mathematics Education at Dublin City University.

Also present at todays awards ceremony was Principal of St. Nathys College, Ballaghaderreen Fr Martin Henry.

The recipients hailed from 19 counties across Ireland and represent the universitys five faculties: the DCU Business School, the Institute of Education, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Faculty of Science & Health and the Faculty of Engineering and Computing.

Speaking at the ceremony, DCU President, Professor Daire Keogh congratulated the awardees.

I am delighted to congratulate the recipients of our Scholars Awards. I am proud that these exceptional students have chosen to study at our University. They represent the talent of their generation and the future of our country. They will relish the academic challenges and opportunities of University life and we will support them to achieve their dreams.
Ottoline Spearman

US President Donald Trump's plane has left Shannon Airport after a quick pitstop, it is reported.

Air Force One landed on Thursday evening at the airport for a brief refuelling around 6.30pm, but subsequently took off again around 7.30pm, according to The Journal.

The Boeing 757 is returning the President to the United States following his trip to the economic forum in Davos.

Newstalk reported that Donald Trump did not get off the plane, which crossed into Irish airspace at around 6pm, accompanied by another Air Force 757.

Earlier, there was a heightened security presence at the airport, which is operating as normal, while a small number of protesters stood on a roundabout close to the airport, according to Newstalk.

Trump gave an address to world leaders at Davos on Wednesday - a speech which began by critiquing Europe, saying it is "not heading in the right direction."

The US Presidents flight was the most followed on the Flight Radar 24 app on Thursday evening.
Hollywood stars such as Anne Hathaway were also present to honour the designer, who passed away at his Rome residence on Monday at the age of 93. File Photo.

Although he famously showcased his collections in Paris, Valentino always maintained his atelier in Rome.

From Rome to Paris: Fashion World Mourns the Era-Defining Valentino

The fashion world and Hollywood gathered in the Italian capital today to pay their final respects to legendary designer Valentino Garavani. The funeral service, held at the historic Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, followed a two-day public viewing where hundreds honoured the man frequently called the "last emperor" of Italian fashion.

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According to the report, the service saw an outpouring of grief from fraternity and A-list celebrities. Expected attendees included designers Tom Ford and Donatella Versace, alongside Vogues Anna Wintour. Hollywood stars such as Anne Hathaway were also present to honour the designer, who passed away at his Rome residence on Monday at the age of 93.

Valentinos legacy spans decades, having dressed global icons ranging from Jackie Kennedy Onassis to Queen Rania of Jordan. His signature gowns were staples of the Academy Awards, notably in 2001 when Julia Roberts wore a vintage Valentino to accept her Best Actress Oscar.

Although he famously showcased his collections in Paris, Valentino always maintained his atelier in Rome.

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The funeral marks the end of an era for global couture, as fans and peers celebrate a visionary who redefined elegance and luxury for royals and stars alike.

Source: The Tribune




January 24 is a bank holiday, as it is the fourth Saturday of the month, followed by the regular Sunday off on January 25. The long break concludes with a national holiday on January 26 for Republic Day celebrations. File Photo.

The holiday sequence begins today, Friday, January 23, in several states.



Republic Day 2026: 3-Day Nationwide Bank Holiday Starts Tomorrow; Regional Closures Today

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Bank customers across various states are advised to plan their transactions as a long holiday weekend begins today. According to the report, banks in several regions will remain closed for up to four consecutive days starting Friday, January 23, due to a combination of regional festivals, weekend breaks, and Republic Day.

The holiday sequence begins today, Friday, January 23, in several states, including West Bengal, Odisha, and Tripura, on account of the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Basant Panchami. Also, the report notes that bank holidays often vary by state, and customers should check their specific local notifications. While banks in these states remain closed today, a nationwide shutdown will follow immediately starting tomorrow.

January 24 is a bank holiday, as it is the fourth Saturday of the month, followed by the regular Sunday off on January 25. The long break concludes with a national holiday on January 26 for Republic Day celebrations.

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The report confirms that while physical branches will be shut, digital services including ATMs, UPI, and mobile banking will remain fully operational. Customers requiring in-person services like cheque clearances are urged to wait until branches reopen on Tuesday, January 27.

Source: Times of India
GOC, White Knight Corps Pays Tribute to Ten Soldiers Martyred in Doda Accident

Their supreme sacrifice will forever remain a source of inspiration for generations."

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of White Knight Corps on Friday paid heartfelt tribute to ten brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in a tragic vehicular accident in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday.

In a post on X, the White Knight Corps said that the soldiers unwavering devotion to duty, fortitude in hostile terrain, and selfless service to the nation epitomise the highest traditions of the Indian Army.

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Their supreme sacrifice will forever remain a source of inspiration for generations. White Knight Corps stands shoulder to shoulder with the bereaved families, sharing their grief in this hour of profound loss, the post added.

The tragic accident occurred while the Army vehicle was moving on operational duty through treacherous terrain amid extremely challenging weather conditions in the general area of Doda.

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Meanwhile, the Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, also expressed grief over the incident. In a post on his official X account on Thursday, he said he was deeply saddened by the loss.

We will always remember the outstanding service and supreme sacrifice of our brave soldiers. My deepest condolences to the grieving families, he added.

(For more news apart from GOC, White Knight Corps Pays Tribute to Ten Soldiers Martyred in Doda Accident," stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
J&K: Heavy snowfall brings traffic to a standstill; National Highway, NH-44 blocked (Representative Image)

The authorities added that an announcement will be made to inform the public as soon as the road reopens.

J&K: Due to fresh snowfall, traffic movement from Jammu towards Srinagar and vice versa on the JammuSrinagar National Highway (NH-44) has come to a standstill.

In visuals shared by news agency ANI, police can be heard asking commuters not to proceed towards Srinagar and to park their vehicles along the roadside, stating that it is impossible to move further.

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The authorities added that an announcement will be made to inform the public as soon as the road reopens.

#WATCH | J&K: Traffic movement stopped in both directions from Jammu towards Srinagar and vice versa on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) due to fresh snowfall in the region. pic.twitter.com/LEI1locRdc Advertisement January 23, 2026

Visuals show a large number of vehicles, both cars and heavy vehicles, including tankers, stuck in long queues, while rain continues to pour in the area.

Meanwhile, IndiGo airline has issued a travel advisory for passengers travelling to and from Srinagar airport, stating that fresh snowfall in the region has impacted flight operations.

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The airline has advised travellers to check their flight status on its website.

The prevailing weather conditions have affected both take-offs and landings, forcing authorities to impose a temporary suspension.

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Travel Advisory



Snowfall in #Srinagar has impacted flight operations.



If you or your loved ones are travelling, you may check the flight status here https://t.co/MDv6zfNvLQ. For cancelled flights, you can explore alternatives or claim a refund by visiting  IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) January 23, 2026

This may lead to extended wait times both onboard and on the ground, the airline said earlier this morning in a post on X.

As per India Meteorological Department (IMD), Srinagar is likely to experience light to moderate rainfall, thunderstorm accompanied by lightning & gusty winds (40-50kmph) today.

Several shikaras at Dal Lake in Srinagar have been damaged due to winds.

(For more news apart from J&K: Heavy snowfall brings traffic to a standstill; National Highway, NH-44 blocked," stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
Pfaff said in a statement that Netaji spent much of his life in forced exile while fighting for India's independence. File Photo.

Netaji reportedly died in a plane crash in Taipei on August 18, 1945.



Parakram Diwas 2026: Netajis Daughter Renews Push to Bring Ashes Back on 129th Birth Anniversary

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On the occasion of Parakram Diwas2026, marking the 129th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, his daughter Anita Bose Pfaff has renewed her appeal to the Indian government to bring the freedom fighter's remains back from Japan.

Pfaff said in a statement that Netaji spent much of his life in forced exile while fighting for India's independence. She said he would have been "deeply distressed" that his remains are still kept outside his motherland more than 80 years after his death and 78 years after India became independent.

Pfaff urged Indians who revere him to support his "posthumous return from exile" and the transfer of his mortal remains, currently kept at the Renkoji Temple in Tokyo, for a final and fitting disposal in India.

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The Ministry of Culture organised celebrations for Parakram Divas 2026 at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and 13 other locations across the country.

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh accused the government of "suppressing" Netajis contributions, specifically his role in the 1937 Bande Mataram controversy and his selection of Jana Gana Mana as the national anthem.

Netaji reportedly died in a plane crash in Taipei on August 18, 1945. According to Pfaff, he was travelling from Singapore to Tokyo when the fatal accident occurred.

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Source: The Tribune
ISLAMABAD, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Six members of an armed robbery gang were killed in a police encounter in Pakistan's southern Sindh province on Thursday, police said.

The incident occurred in the provincial capital Karachi's Pak Colony neighborhood when police raided the area on a tip-off about the presence of a nine-member gang, according to a police statement.

Police said the suspects opened fire on law enforcement personnel, triggering a gunfight in which six suspects were killed.

Six pistols with ammunition, one rifle and two motorcycles were recovered from the scene, police said.

According to police, the gang was involved in multiple cases of robberies and street crimes. The suspects were also wanted for their alleged involvement in the killing of three brothers during a house robbery on Tuesday.

Two other members of the gang have already been arrested, while efforts are underway to trace the remaining accomplices, police said. 
Punjab Police busts banned Babbar Khalsa International terror module; imminent attack averted

This operation comes just ahead of the #RepublicDay celebrations, the DGP said.

Punjab Police News: In a major breakthrough, the State Special Operations Cell (SSOC), Amritsar, has busted a terror module linked to the banned terrorist organisation Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), averting a planned attack on a security establishment, an official said on Friday.

An operative of BKI has been arrested, and police have recovered one hand grenade, a sophisticated pistol, and ammunition from his possession.

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Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said that an imminent attack on a security establishment was successfully foiled.

This operation comes just ahead of the #RepublicDay celebrations, the DGP said.

He added that the arrested accused was acting on the directions of three foreign-based handlers, identified as Nishan Jaurrian, Adesh Jamarai, and Simma Deol.

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An FIR has been registered under relevant sections of law at Police Station SSOC, Amritsar, and further investigations are underway.

Reiterating the forces commitment, the DGP said that Punjab Police remains steadfast in its resolve to dismantle organised crime networks and ensure peace and security across Punjab.

(For more news apart from Punjab Police busts banned Babbar Khalsa International terror module; imminent attack averted," stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
Pathankot News: Women's Degree College, Bahadurpur, Receives Bomb Threats

Earlier today, four schools in Gurdaspur received similar warnings. The threats come days ahead of the Republic Day 2026.

Once again, an atmosphere of fear has emerged in the Bamiyal sector along the IndiaPakistan border. An email threatening to blow up the Degree College for Women, located near the border village of Bahadurpur in Pathankot district, has been received.

Students were immediately sent home, and a threat was issued warning against hoisting the national tricolour flag. Police rushed to the spot and are conducting an investigation.

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Also Read: Punjab Police busts banned Babbar Khalsa International terror module; imminent attack averted







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Earlier today, four schools in Gurdaspur received similar warnings. The threats come days ahead of the Republic Day 2026.

(For more news apart from Pathankot News: Women's Degree College, Bahadurpur, Receives Bomb Threats," stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
Punjab Weather: Red Alert Issued in Patiala, Hailstorms predicted

Several areas in Punjab have recorded rainfall since last night, leading to weather-related incidents such as fallen trees and strong winds

Patiala Weather: The India Meteorological Department (IMD), Chandigarh, has placed Patiala district in Punjab under a red alert in its nowcast, valid till 2:20 pm today.

The district is experiencing moderate rainfall, with precipitation ranging between 515 mm per hour. Moderate thunderstorms accompanied by maximum surface wind speeds of 4161 kmph are also expected. The IMD has further warned of thunderstorms with hail in the district.

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In the general forecast for the day, Patiala has been placed under an orange alert, with warnings of thunderstorms, lightning, and squalls. Hailstorms and strong surface winds are also expected.

Several areas in Punjab have recorded rainfall since last night, leading to weather-related incidents such as fallen trees and strong winds, including in Mohali, where reports of tree falls have emerged in some localities. The prevailing weather conditions have also caused extreme cold in the state.

During these extreme weather conditions, residents are advised to check the latest weather updates before leaving home and take necessary precautions to stay safe.

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(For more news apart from Punjab News: Strong Winds Cause Trees to Fall in Mohali," stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
The interaction coincides with the upcoming state visit of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa. File Photo.

Both sides are likely to announce the successful conclusion of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks.

Republic Day Diplomacy: Jaishankar and EU Envoys Set Stage for India EU Summit

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with ambassadors from European Union (EU) countries on Thursday to discuss the strategic value of the growing India-EU partnership. According to the report, the meeting served as a crucial interaction ahead of the India-EU summit scheduled for next week on January 27.

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During the meeting, Jaishankar said that the current global state is witnessing "volatility and instability as the new normal." He emphasised that stronger bilateral relations would help "de-risk the world economy" through cooperation on resilient supply chains. The report highlights that a stronger partnership is expected to stabilise the global order by strengthening ties across trade, mobility, and security.

Significant deliverables are expected from the upcoming summit. Both sides are likely to announce the successful conclusion of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks, alongside signing a defence and security partnership. Moreover, an agreement to promote mobility is also on the cards.

The interaction coincides with the upcoming state visit of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa. Both leaders are scheduled to arrive in New Delhi on January 25 to attend the Republic Day parade as chief guests. EU Ambassador to India, Herve Delphin, described the exchange with the External Affairs Minister as reflecting a "high convergence of interests".

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Source: Times of India
Editorial: Shortage of Recruitment in the Sikh Regiment: Who Is Responsible?

Apart from the Sikh Regiment, there are also about 23 battalions of Sikh Light Infantry.

Editorial: Shortage of Recruitment in the Sikh Regiment: Who Is Responsible? The shortage of recruits in the Sikh Regiment of the Indian Army demands the utmost attention of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and other Sikh organizations. The Army on Tuesday issued an appeal inviting the youth of Punjab to join the regiment and also asked Sikh organizations to contribute to this work. This is the sixth time in the last decade that the Army has mentioned the shortage of personnel in the Sikh Regiment and invited the Sikh youth of Punjab and Haryana to participate in maintaining the uniqueness and valor of this regiment.

The Sikh Regiment is one of the oldest regiments of the Indian Army. It was raised around 1850. After the Second Anglo-Sikh War, the British East India Company government disbanded its army, ending the Khalsa Raj. But the then Lieutenant Governor of Punjab, Sir John Lawrence, sensing the discontent arising in the villages and cities due to this decision, gave new jobs to all the trained Sikh soldiers according to their records and formed the Sikh Regiment.

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This regiment is the most honored regiment of the Indian Army and is famous for raising the flag of heroism on every battlefield. The Hindi film Kesari produced a few years ago was based on a heroic story (Battle of Saragarhi) of this regiment. This story has been listed as a unique example in the history of British and French war besides the Indian Army.

The Sikh Regiment currently has 20 regular battalions. Apart from these, three battalions of the Territorial Army and one battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles are attached to this regiment. This regiment is often presented as the image of the Indian Army, which is a matter of pride for the Sikh community. Although the proportion of Sikhs in the Army is decreasing, despite constituting 1.86 percent of India's total population, the percentage of Sikhs in the Army is considered to be around 8 percent. Similarly, the fact that out of 90 three-star generals (lieutenant generals), about 9 are Sikhs is also a clear symbol of the military importance of this community.

Apart from the Sikh Regiment, there are also about 23 battalions of Sikh Light Infantry. Similarly, the Sikh community is given due importance in the Punjab Regiment. Some military experts even say that the participation of Sikhs in the Indian Army is around 16 percent. It is believed that the Ministry of Defence has an unwritten directive that every picture, video, film and show of the army must feature Sikh soldiers. That is why Sikh soldiers are also included in the Presidential Guards (PBG). In such a situation, the lack of enthusiasm towards recruitment in the Sikh regiment should worry Sikh social and community leaders.

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The main reason for this lack of enthusiasm or the absence of adequate numbers of Sikh youth is the conditional tradition of being clean. The Sikh regiment was established mainly for Jat Sikhs. With time, due to its expansion and the shortage of clean Jat Sikhs, other Sikh castes also started getting admission in it, but the tradition of being clean was not relaxed. Due to the lack of adequate numbers of Sikhs from Punjab, Sikh youth from Jammu region, especially Rajouri-Poonch belt, kept getting places in this regiment, but now the problem of Punjab has arisen there too.

One of the reasons for not changing the tradition of Sikhs being pure-skinned was that no such decision can be taken without the consent of the leaders of the Sikh community. No such condition is applicable in the Sikh Light Infantry. In fact, it was established to give adequate representation to the Sikhs of the Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes. A previous Sikh Chief of the Indian Army was General Bikram Singh Ramgarhia. He was associated with the Sikh Light Infantry.

The problem that exists now cannot be solved without the initiative of the religious-social leaders of the Sikh community. It is also a strange contradiction that the leaders of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and other Sikh organizations have been blaming the central government for the lack of Sikh participation in the army, but have been unable to play a proper role on their part in eradicating this deficiency. They should abandon such duplicity.
The European Union coordinates itself

The EU and NATO will become more involved in strengthening security in the Arctic region

Nicusor Dan

Roxana Vasile, 23.01.2026, 14:00

At a time of heightened tensions with Washington, the leaders of the European Union member states, meeting on Thursday in an extraordinary Council, declared their solidarity with Denmark and Greenland in the context of US President Donald Trumps claims to obtain the Arctic island by any means necessary. The European heads of state and government agreed to step up investment in its defence, in coordination with NATO. At the same time, it was decided to extend the suspension of EU tariffs on the US for six months and to initiate negotiations with the United States on the Board of Peace Charter  President Trumps initiative  to bring it into line with international commitments.

According to Radio Romanias correspondent in Brussels, European leaders say that relations with the United States are far too important, so they will move past the recent tensions witnessed by the whole world. However, European Council President Antonio Costa says that the EU expects its strategic American ally to treat it with the same respect and cordiality that the Union has shown.

As for the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, she has stated that the solidarity shown by the Union towards Denmark and Greenland was very important in her discussion with Donald Trump. However, following this episode, the EU recognises that it needs to focus more on the security of the Arctic region. To this end, Ursula von der Leyen has announced a doubling of investment in Greenland, a possible European fleet of icebreakers from defence funds, and coordination with NATO to better protect the region.

Present in Brussels, President Nicusor Dan did not rule out Romania participating as a NATO member in Alliance missions in the Arctic region in the future:

To the extent that we are asked or agree, we will do that too, but our priority is obviously the eastern flank, because that is where the immediate threat lies.

This is why the United States, says the president, remains an essential strategic partner for Romanias security, an opinion shared by many EU member states. Obviously, there has been turbulence and discontinuity in this transatlantic relationship recently, but there are sufficient reasons for it to continue and, of course, as I have said many times, dialogue is extremely important, the head of state emphasized.

Although somewhat overshadowed, the issues of Ukraine, Gaza, and Mercosur were not overlooked at Thursdays extraordinary European Council meeting. The European Union maintains its support for Ukraine, on the one hand, and on the other, continues discussions on security guarantees for Kyiv and on the peace plan coordinated by the Americans. Regarding Gaza, most EU member states believe that Europe should be involved in the peace process in the region. Finally, priority is also being given to implementing the provisional phase of the agreement with the Mercosur countries and negotiating trade agreements with other global players. (MI)
The Republic of Moldova, on the European path

The President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, spoke about the priorities of the foreign policy in 2026.

Maia Sandu

Mihai Pelin, 23.01.2026, 13:50

Maintaining peace and freedom are fundamental priorities for the security and development of the Republic of Moldova, said President Maia Sadu. In a press conference, in which she presented the priorities of the presidential institution for 2026, the head of state reiterated that the process of accession to the European Union remains a major priority and represents the most realistic development strategy for the former Soviet republic, emphasizing that the opportunity window for advancing on this path must be quickly seized. In the field of foreign policy, Maia Sandu stated that the Republic of Moldova would continue to anchor itself in solid partnerships, with the EU and Romania as strategic pillars, and will maintain support for Ukraine.

Maia Sandu underlined that foreign policy and security remain key priorities in an international context marked by uncertainty, weakening cooperation between states and the increasingly frequent use of hybrid instruments. Russia remains, according to the Moldovan president, the main source of destabilization in the region, and war continues to be a major security risk. Under these conditions, it is essential for her country to preserve peace and stand firm in the free and democratic world, Maia Sandu said. She added that when international law is questioned, states need strong partners. Thus, accession to the European Union remains the most important strategic project, described as essential for survival and development.

Maia Sandu: The foreign policy of the Republic of Moldova will be oriented towards firmly anchoring our country in solid, credible, pragmatic partnerships. The most important partnership for us is the European Union. Also, the strategic relationship with Romania constitutes a central pillar of security, stability and development, as well as for our European path.

The President spoke about a limited window for European integration and the need for maximum mobilization, including to maintain the support of all 27 member states. In the field of security and resilience, the emphasis will be on prevention, rapid reaction and airspace protection. In 2026, the Republic of Moldova will benefit from a new radar provided by the European Union as non-refundable support to counter aerial threats, including drones. On the other hand, the fight against corruption and the continuation of the justice reform remain on the presidential agenda, along with strengthening the relationship with the diaspora.

Maia Sandu mentioned that the presidential institution would support efforts to facilitate the return of Moldovans home, emphasizing that the best solution to stop migration is improvement, including in the justice and business environment. We recall that the Republic of Moldova received the status of candidate country in 2022. Accession negotiations were officially opened in 2024. The EU and the Republic of Moldova also cooperate in the context of the Eastern Partnership. (LS)
Vivani Medical Inc.'s (VANI) wholly owned subsidiary, Cortigent, is set to present new technical insights into its Orion Visual Cortical Prosthesis System, today, January 23, 2026, at the North American Neuromodulation Society annual meeting in Las Vegas. The investigational system is designed to deliver meaningful visual perception to individuals who are completely blind.

Cortigent, a developer of precision neurostimulation-based brain-interface devices, recently completed a six-year Early Feasibility Study evaluating the Orion system. The device is engineered to stimulate the visual cortex using a high-channel-count micro-electrode array that converts video input from a wearable camera into phosphenes- perceived spots of light that may help blind individuals navigate their environment.

According to the company, the Orion system incorporates an implantable pulse generator with 60 outputs in a package roughly the size of three stacked dimes, connected to a 60-electrode cortical surface array.

The design builds on used in the Argus II retinal prosthesis, the only artificial vision device ever approved by the U.S. FDA. The Argus II's electrode array has demonstrated long-term safety and functionality, with more than 17 years of performance in retinal tissue.

Cortigent noted that the miniature form factor, real-time stimulation control, and high-density electrode configuration are intended to support consistent visual perception. The company believes these features could ultimately make Orion a practical assistive tool for individuals with blindness caused by common conditions such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. The system holds an FDA Breakthrough Device designation.

In addition to its work in artificial vision, Cortigent is developing a separate neurostimulation device aimed at improving arm and hand motor recovery in patients with paralysis following stroke. The company plans to engage with researchers and clinicians at NANS 2026 as it advances its broader precision-neurostimulation platform.

Vivani Medical continues to develop long-acting biopharmaceutical implants using its NanoPortal technology, including GLP-1-based implants for metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.

VANI has traded between $0.90 and $1.92 over the past year. The stock closed yesterday's trading at $1.47, down 2.65 %, and rose in the overnight trading to $1.54, up 4.76%.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

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President Donald Trump has ratified the Charter of the Board of Peace  establishing it as an official international organization.

Trump, who is serving as the Board's Chairman, was joined by Founding Members representing 19 countries who have committed to building a secure and prosperous future for Gaza that delivers lasting peace, stability, and opportunity for its people.

Trump had sent invitation to dozens of countries to join the board that he touted as a future replacement for the United Nations for resolving conflicts, but most of the United States' western allies were not present at a signing ceremony held on the margins of the World Economic Forum in Davos Thursday.

Besides Trump, leaders from only 19 countries  mostly from the Middle East, Asia and South America - attended the ceremony.

Also Thursday, Trump said on Truth Social that he is withdrawing an invitation he sent to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to join the Board of Peace.

For any country to become a Permanent member of the new international organization, it will have to pay $1 billion for funding the board, headed by Trump.

The White House describes the formation of the Board as "another pivotal step forward in realizing President Trump's vision of transforming Gaza from a region plagued by conflict and despair into one defined by opportunity, hope, and vitality". "The Board of Peace stands ready to mobilize global resources, enforce accountability, and guide the implementation of the next critical phases of demilitarization, governance reform, and large-scale rebuilding," it added.

Addressing the leaders, Trump said, "This Board has the chance to be one of the most consequential bodies ever created, and it's my enormous honor to serve as its Chairman. Today, the first steps toward a brighter day for the Middle East and a much safer future for the world are unfolding right before your very eyes. Together, we are in a position to have any credible chance to end decades of suffering, stop generations of hatred and bloodshed, and forge a beautiful, everlasting, and glorious peace for that region."

Chief Commissioner of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza Dr. Ali Sha'ath, High Representative for Gaza Nickolay Mladenov, Special Envoy for Peace Missions Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, who is acting as a key architect for post-war Gaza and unveiled a master plan for the reconstruction of the war-torn Palestinian enclave, spoke on the occasion.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

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NEW DELHI, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Indian stock markets, the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), or Sensex, and the National Stock Exchange (NSE), or Nifty 50, fell by nearly 1 percent on Friday.

At the end of the day's trading, the BSE Sensex was down by 769.67 points at 81,537.70, while the NSE Nifty50 slipped by 241.25 points to 25,048.65.

The fall in stock markets was mainly attributed to weak global cues, heavy selling by foreign investors, and the pressure across most sectors, said India Today.

It further stated that one of the main reasons for the fall in Indian stocks was the continued selling by foreign institutional investors (FIIs).

Foreign investors had been pulling money out of Indian equities for several weeks. In January 2026 alone, foreign investors sold shares worth 365.91 billion Indian Rupees (around 3.98 billion U.S. dollars). This steady outflow had kept the Indian stock markets under pressure, added the report. 
Next Cure Inc. (NXTC) outlined steady clinical and operational momentum across its two antibody-drug conjugate programs while reporting a preliminary year-end cash position that supports operations into the first half of 2027. The update reflects the company's continued focus on advancing targeted therapies for cancers with limited treatment options.

Acute solid tumors with high unmet need remain central to NextCure's development strategy, particularly in gynecological and breast cancers where CDH6 and B7-H4 are emerging as promising targets. Both of the company's ADC candidates- SIM0505 and LNCB74- are progressing through Phase 1 dose- escalation studies designed to establish safety, dosing, and early signs of activity.

SIM0505 (CDH6 ADC): Phase 1 Data Expected in Q2 2026

SIM0505 is being evaluated in an open-label Phase 1 study for advanced solid tumors and is a novel ADC directed to cadherin-6, a target overexpressed in several cancers with minimal expression in healthy tissues. The therapy incorporates a proprietary topoisomerase-1 inhibitor payload intended to deliver broad anti-tumor activity with rapid systemic clearance.

NextCure expects to present data from its ongoing Phase 1 open-label dose-escalation study in the second quarter of 2026, including results from patients enrolled in both the U.S. and China. The trial focuses on advanced solid tumors, with an emphasis on platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. The company is adding clinical sites and expanding drug supply in preparation for initiating dose optimization in the first half of 2026.

NextCure holds global rights to SIM0505 outside China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, which are retained by Simcere Zaiming.

LNCB74 (B7-H4 ADC): Dose Escalation Advances Into Higher Cohorts

LNCB74 targets B7-H4, another cancer-associated antigen with limited expression in normal tissues and is being evaluated in an open-label Phase 1 study for advanced solid tumors. The ADC uses a tumor-selective cleavable linker and an MMAE payload to enhance targeted cytotoxicity.

Following a protocol amendment in November 2025, dosing has now advanced into higher-dose cohorts. Enrollment will prioritize patients with high B7-H4 expression in breast and gynecological cancers, while also including adenoid cystic carcinoma type 1.

Proof-of-concept data- previously expected in the first half of 2026- has been delayed accommodating enrollment, with a trial progress update now planned for the second half of 2026.

NextCure shares global co-development rights to LNCB74 with LigaChem Biosciences under a 50-50 cost-share arrangement.

Financial Position

As of December 31, 2025, NextCure reported preliminary cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities of approximately $41.8 million. These unaudited figures are subject to adjustment, but the company expects its current resources to fund planned operations into the first half of 2027.

NXTC has traded between $2.69 and $15.74 over the past year. The stock closed yesterday's trading at $12.65, down 2.62%.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Canadian shares look headed for a positive open on Friday with firm oil and metal prices set to trigger some buying in energy and materials sectors. U.S. President Donald Trump's softer tone on Greenland and tariff issues may continue to help underpin sentiment.

Data on Canadian retail sales for the month of November is due at 8:30 AM ET. A report on manufacturing sales for the month of December is also due at 8:30 AM ET.

Investors will also focus on preliminary U.S. purchasing managers' surveys, due at 10 AM ET. Economists expect the January S&P Global Manufacturing PMI to come in at 51.9 and the S&P Global Services PMI to be 52.9, up compared to the previous values of 51.8 and 52.5, respectively.

The Canadian market closed on a firm note on Thursday, extending gains from the previous session, after U.S. President Donald Trump said that the U.S. will neither use force to acquire Greenland from Denmark nor hit the EU with new tariffs.

The benchmark S&P/TSX Composite Index traded positive through the session before settling at 33,002.70, up by 151.17 points or 0.46%.

After his keynote address at the World Economic Forum Wednesday, Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social that he had finalized a "framework" deal with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Greenland as well as security in the Arctic.

Trump added that there was now no need for the U.S. to impose any additional tariffs on the EU.

Asian stocks closed mostly higher on Friday, tracking positive lead from Wall Street, where stocks moved up on Thursday on easing geopolitical and trade tensions between the United States and Europe.

The major European are a bit weak today with investors digesting regional PMI readings, and reacting to some corporate news.

In commodities trading, West Texas Intermediate Crude oil futures are up $1.08 or 1.82% at $60.44 a barrel.

Gold futures are gaining $25.40 or 0.52% at $4,938.80 an ounce, and Silver futures are up $2.893 or 3% at $99.275 an ounce.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
Mahindra has expanded the Thar Roxx lineup with the launch of the Thar Roxx Star Edn (Rockstar wordplay), a new special edition that focuses on visual appeal and feature-rich value rather than mechanical changes. With an introductory starting price of Rs 16.85 lakh (ex-showroom), the Star Edn emerges as the most value-for-money proposition in the Thar Roxx range.

Unlike conventional special editions, Mahindra has chosen a minimalistic launch approach for the Star Edn, positioning it as an Edn (edition) that enhances desirability through design, technology and comfort upgrades layered over the existing Thar Roxx package.

Blacked-out styling defines the Star Edn

The biggest highlight of the Thar Roxx Star Edn is its distinct black-themed treatment, giving the SUV a more premium and aggressive road presence. Key exterior updates include a piano-black grille and piano-black 19-inch alloy wheels, which immediately set it apart from standard Roxx variants.

Inside, the cabin adopts an all-black leatherette upholstery with suede accents, replacing the lighter interior themes available on regular trims. While the dark theme elevates the sporty appeal, Mahindra has retained the familiar Roxx layout and build quality. The Star Edn is offered in multiple colour options, including Citrine Yellow, along with Tango Red, Everest White and Stealth Black.

Feature-loaded, no compromise approach

Mahindra has ensured that the Star Edn doesnt dilute the Thar Roxxs core appeal. Instead, it bundles together some of the most sought-after features, making it one of the most comprehensively equipped variants in the lineup.

Key highlights include:

 Twin 26.03 cm digital screens (infotainment + instrument cluster)

 Best-in-segment panoramic Skyroof

 Adrenox connected car tech with 83 features

 360-degree surround view camera

 9-speaker Harman Kardon audio system

 Wireless and wired Android Auto & Apple CarPlay

 Front ventilated seats and sliding armrest

 60:40 split rear seats with multi-point recline

On the safety front, the Star Edn continues with the Thar Roxxs 5-star Bharat NCAP-rated structure, supported by six airbags, tyre pressure monitoring system, front and rear parking sensors, auto-dimming IRVM, e-call and SOS functionality.

Proven powertrains, rear-wheel-drive focus

Mechanically, the Thar Roxx Star Edn remains unchanged, which works in its favour. It continues with Mahindras proven engines. Both engines are offered with manual and automatic gearbox options, paired with rear-wheel drive, keeping the pricing competitive while retaining the Roxxs lifestyle SUV character.

Why Star Edn makes the strongest case

At Rs 16.85 lakh, the Thar Roxx Star Edn effectively combines visual exclusivity, top-end features and strong safety credentials without pushing buyers into significantly higher price brackets. Instead of being a cosmetic-only edition, it brings together the most desirable elements of the Roxx experience into a single, well-priced package.

For buyers looking at the Thar Roxx primarily as a premium lifestyle SUV with everyday usability, the Star Edn stands out as the most compelling variant yetoffering maximum features, a bold blacked-out identity and Mahindras proven performance credentials at a price that undercuts many fully loaded rivals.
The cat is out of the bag and we now know that JSW Group is working to establish its name in the Indian auto industry. The company already has a working JV with MG Motor which offers Indias best-selling EV, the MG Windsor. This JV will continue as JSW explores options to establish itself as an independent automaker in India.

The company has pledged an investment of around Rs 14,000 Crores for the development and evolution of their first ever car production facility in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Speaking to CNBC-TV18 India, Managing Director Parth Jindal has revealed a lot of developments regarding their 1st and 2nd vehicles for India. Lets take a closer look.

JSW Plug-In Hybrid SUV

Mr Jindal confirmed that the first JSW vehicle will be launched in India before Diwali of 2026 for the festive season boost. While he didnt reveal which brand and model it will be based on, he did confirm that it will be a premium offering at a price point between Rs 15 lakh and Rs 30 lakh (Ex-sh). It will be a highly localised product for the Indian market for an attractive price point.

He confirmed that they have currently achieved around 80% localization for their first vehicle. Localized components for this upcoming PHEV include battery pack, steel for BIW parts, motor, seats, rubber, glass, tyres and others. Only the cells and associated technology will be brought in from China. JSW is yet to confirm whether it will be a 4WD PHEV or 2WD.

2nd Car confirmed for Rs 15-20 Lakh Price Point

The plan is on track, as confirmed by Mr Jindal. The Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar facility is still under construction. General assembly line is expected to be ready by June and paint line by October. Initially the vehicle will only be assembled here with parts imported from China. October onwards, the facility is looking for 80% localization.

Production (assembly operations) is set to begin in August and JSW Motors first car for India will be available in September of 2026. The more localized product will start production around October. Mr Jindal even confirmed their 2nd vehicle which will be available in January 2027 for a price point of around Rs 15 lakh to Rs 20 lakh.

What to expect?

JSW Motors first offering for India will be based on Jetour T2 SUV, especially the i-DM plug-in Hybrid variant. In Mr Jindals words, it is a big muscle car and these words do suit Jetour T2. Globally T2 is available in 5-seater (4,785 mm length) and a 7-seater (5,034 mm length) versions. JSW has not confirmed which version theyre bringing to India.

For India-spec version, there might be a few dedicated exterior design elements and interior features too. Jetour T2 is a boxy monocoque SUV with a lot of muscle and a dominating road presence. It is expected to offer a feature-packed experience. The i-DM plug-in hybrid system will be the first of its kind under Rs 30 lakh.
A mystery Hyundai SUV has been spotted testing on Indian roads for the first time, sparking fresh speculation about Hyundais future product strategy for the booming compact SUV space. The camouflaged test mules were seen earlier today in Mumbai, moving in city traffic as a three-car convoy, and have been independently captured by MotorBeam, Autocar India and us.

Upright, boxy design with Ioniq-style lighting

As per observations from the spy shots, the unidentified Hyundai SUV features:

 An upright stance and boxy proportions

 Slim, dotted LED tail-lamps inspired by Hyundai Ioniq 5

 Flat tailgate with a chunky rear bumper

 Flared wheel arches with plastic cladding

 Flush-fitting door handles

 Black roof rails and shark-fin antenna

 Funky roof spoiler with integrated stop lamp

 Front gets connected LED DRL

 Front headlamp placed on lower bumper

The test vehicle was seen running on thick-profile MRF tyres and what appear to be 16-inch dual-tone alloy wheels, hinting at a comfort-focused, urban SUV rather than a hardcore off-roader.

Interior and tech cues

While interior images were not captured, on-ground inputs suggest the SUV gets:

 A large digital instrument cluster

 A touchscreen infotainment system, both estimated to be around 10 inches

 360-degree camera hardware, inferred from mirror-mounted sensors

These features already place the mystery SUV above entry-level offerings in terms of technology.

ICE or EV? Still unclear, but signs point to ICE

Automotive enthusiast Sidk, who spotted the convoy claims to have clearly seen a tailpipe with some liquid dripping from it, strongly suggesting that this is an internal combustion engine vehicle. Adding to this, he also mentioned that the SUV appeared to be roughly the size of Tata Punch, placing it firmly in the micro SUV / sub-4m SUV category. He spotted the SUV today in Mumbai near dockyard.

Another Punch rival from Hyundai?

This raises an interesting question. Hyundai already has a Punch rival in the form of the Hyundai Exter. While Exter has found decent traction in the market, its sales are significantly lower than the segment leader, Tata Punch, which continues to dominate the charts.

With the micro SUV segment booming and Punch consistently posting strong monthly volumes, it is entirely plausible that Hyundai is exploring a second, more rugged or more SUV-focused product to better challenge Tatas bestseller. The boxy stance, flatter surfaces and more muscular proportions of the spied SUV support this theory.

Or Hyundais made-for-India small EV?

There is also another angle. Hyundai had earlier teased a muscular SUV with off-road capabilities in its investor presentation last year, alongside plans for a made-for-India small electric SUV scheduled for launch sometime next year. Some design cues, especially the Ioniq 5-inspired lighting, could point toward an EV lineage.

However, if the presence of a tailpipe is confirmed, this particular test mule is more likely to be ICE-powered, or at least an early mule of a platform that could eventually spawn both ICE and EV derivatives.

Whats clear so far

 This appears to be an all-new Hyundai SUV, not a facelift or derivative of an existing model

 It has not been spied anywhere else globally, suggesting an India-first or India-specific product

 Segment positioning points toward a micro SUV / sub-4m SUV

 Powertrain details remain unclear, though ICE seems more likely at this stage

For now, Hyundai is keeping its cards close to its chest. But with multiple test mules already running on public roads, more clarity is expected in the coming months. Whether this turns out to be a second Punch rival, a new rugged Exter alternative, or part of Hyundais future EV roadmap, one thing is certain  Hyundai is far from done in Indias hottest SUV segment.

Source 1, Source 2
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Amazon Web Services (AWS) has entered into a 4.3 million ringgit (about 1.06 million U.S. dollars) Social Impact Agreement with Exabytes to equip hundreds of Malaysians, particularly those from lower and middle-income households, with cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) skills to meet the country's fast-growing digital workforce demand.

The parties said in a statement on Thursday that under the agreement, AWS will provide Exabytes the funding from 2026 to 2028, with disbursements tied to measurable program outcomes, including student completions, AWS certifications achieved and successful job placements.

The initiative includes robust reporting mechanisms to ensure transparency and to track the program's social impact.

All graduates who meet performance standards will be well placed to explore job opportunities through internships and full-time placements within Exabytes and its partner network. 
VIENTIANE, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Laos continues its efforts to modernize and digitalize the labor and social welfare sector, while improving workers' skills and strengthening the protection of their rights and interests.

The Lao Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare held its 2025 technical conference in Lao capital Vientiane from Thursday to Friday.

In his speech, Lao Minister of Labor and Social Welfare Phoxay Sayasone said the conference aims to ensure the effective implementation of national labor and social welfare targets in line with the country's socio-economic development plan.

Speaking at the conference on Friday, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts between ministries and local authorities to implement policies effectively and achieve tangible results in 2026. 
MANILA, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Four soldiers were killed and another wounded in an ambush staged by suspected members of the Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute Group in Lanao del Norte province in the southern Philippines on Friday morning, the military said.

Philippine Army Chief Lieutenant General Antonio Nafarrete said the attack occurred at a village in Munai town, where soldiers were conducting operations in coordination with law enforcement agencies.

Army spokesperson Colonel Louie Dema-ala said the soldiers were aboard a van and about to cross a river when an undetermined number of militants ambushed them.

The troops were on their way to the town proper and were part of a unit deployed to carry out a community support program in the area, he added. 
MOSCOW, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- A trilateral security working group comprising Russian, U.S., and Ukrainian officials will hold its first session in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), later Friday, a top Russian official said on Friday.

Following directives from President Vladimir Putin, the Russian delegation, which includes Ministry of Defense representatives, is set to fly to the UAE shortly, said Putin's foreign policy assistant, Yuri Ushakov.

According to Ushakov, the negotiations between Putin and the U.S. delegation in the Kremlin covered the prospects for a peaceful settlement in Ukraine, U.S. President Donald Trump's initiative on a Peace Council and the situation around Greenland. The negotiations were "exceptionally substantive, constructive, and extremely frank and trusting."

"The meeting was in every sense useful both for Russia and for the United States; the sides will maintain close contacts both on Ukrainian and other topics," he noted. 
PARIS, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- The French government led by Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu survived two no-confidence votes on Friday after deputies in the National Assembly rejected the motions.

The motion put forward by the left-wing deputies garnered 269 votes, falling 19 votes short of the 288 required for adoption, according to the National Assembly. The second motion, tabled by the right-wing, was also rejected, receiving 142 votes, well below the threshold needed to bring down the government.

Lecornu announced Monday that he would resort to Article 49.3 of the Constitution, which allows legislation to be adopted without a parliamentary vote, to break the 2026 state budget deadlock. 
French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu (front) attends no-confidence votes at the National Assembly in Paris, France, Jan. 23, 2026. The French government led by Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu survived two no-confidence votes on Friday after deputies in the National Assembly rejected the motions. (Photo by Henri Szwarc/Xinhua)

PARIS, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- The French government led by Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu survived two no-confidence votes on Friday after deputies in the National Assembly rejected the motions.

The motions, filed separately on Tuesday by left-wing parliamentary groups including La France Insoumise, the Democratic and Republican Left group (GDR) and the Ecologists, as well as by the far-right National Rally and its ally, the Union of the Right for the Republic (UDR), accused the government of abusing constitutional powers to force the state budget through parliament.

The motion put forward by the left-wing deputies garnered 269 votes, falling 19 votes short of the 288 required for adoption, according to the National Assembly. The second motion, tabled by the right-wing, was also rejected, receiving 142 votes, well below the threshold needed to bring down the government.

Lecornu announced Monday that he would resort to Article 49.3 of the Constitution, which allows legislation to be adopted without a parliamentary vote, to break the 2026 state budget deadlock.

According to France's BFM TV, Article 49.3 effectively allows the opposition to table a motion of censure, which allows them to reject the adoption of the text passed using this constitutional provision and to bring down the government.

The state budget comprises two main components: revenues and expenditures. Lecornu has already invoked Article 49.3 Tuesday in the National Assembly on the revenue side of the budget bill.

With the no-confidence votes out of the way on Friday, the government can now resort to Article 49.3 a second time to adopt the expenditure side of the budget.

The bill would then move to the Senate before returning to the National Assembly for a third and final use of Article 49.3. The subsequent two uses are also expected to be followed by no-confidence motions.

Lecornu's minority government has little room for manoeuvre in France's fractious parliament, where budget disputes have already ousted his two predecessors over cost-cutting measures in a little over a year. 

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu attends no-confidence votes at the National Assembly in Paris, France, Jan. 23, 2026. The French government led by Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu survived two no-confidence votes on Friday after deputies in the National Assembly rejected the motions. (Photo by Henri Szwarc/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Jan. 23, 2026 shows results from the first no-confidence vote at the National Assembly in Paris, France. The French government led by Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu survived two no-confidence votes on Friday after deputies in the National Assembly rejected the motions. (Photo by Henri Szwarc/Xinhua)
Rumen Radev (L) and Iliana Iotova walk out of the presidential building in Sofia, Bulgaria, Jan. 23, 2026. The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Bulgaria on Friday approved the resignation of President Rumen Radev, which he submitted on Tuesday, the court said on its website.

According to the Bulgarian Constitution, Vice President Iliana Iotova will assume the presidency for the remainder of the term, which expires in January 2027. (The press office of the Bulgarian President/Handout via Xinhua)

SOFIA, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Bulgaria on Friday approved the resignation of President Rumen Radev, which he submitted on Tuesday, the court said on its website.

According to the Bulgarian Constitution, Vice President Iliana Iotova will assume the presidency for the remainder of the term, which expires in January 2027.

The court said its decision takes effect on Friday.

The press office of the Bulgarian president said that Radev will leave the presidential building in a special ceremony later on Friday.

Radev, born in June 1963, was first elected president in November 2016, and won re-election in November 2021. Radev said he resigned to be eligible to run in the upcoming snap parliamentary elections.

According to the country's Constitution, the president and vice president may not be members of parliament, engage in other state, public or economic activities, or take part in the leadership of any political party.

Iotova, born in 1964, has served as Radev's vice president during his two terms in office. 

Iliana Iotova returns to the presidential building in Sofia, Bulgaria, Jan. 23, 2026. The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Bulgaria on Friday approved the resignation of President Rumen Radev, which he submitted on Tuesday, the court said on its website.

According to the Bulgarian Constitution, Vice President Iliana Iotova will assume the presidency for the remainder of the term, which expires in January 2027. (The press office of the Bulgarian President/Handout via Xinhua)

Rumen Radev leaves the presidential building in Sofia, Bulgaria, Jan. 23, 2026. The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Bulgaria on Friday approved the resignation of President Rumen Radev, which he submitted on Tuesday, the court said on its website.

According to the Bulgarian Constitution, Vice President Iliana Iotova will assume the presidency for the remainder of the term, which expires in January 2027. (Xinhua/Lin Hao)

Rumen Radev (L) communicates with Iliana Iotova outside the presidential building in Sofia, Bulgaria, Jan. 23, 2026. The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Bulgaria on Friday approved the resignation of President Rumen Radev, which he submitted on Tuesday, the court said on its website.

According to the Bulgarian Constitution, Vice President Iliana Iotova will assume the presidency for the remainder of the term, which expires in January 2027. (Xinhua/Lin Hao)
TikTok is to set up a dedicated US company, it was confirmed on Friday, sidestepping a potential ban in America and drawing years of legal wrangling to a close.

TikTok USDS Joint Venture will be 80.1% owned by American and global investors, with ByteDance - the apps Chinese parent - holding 19.9%. Its three biggest investors, Oracle, private equity firm Silver Lake and Abu Dhabi-based investment firm MGX, will own 15% each, with Oracles American data centres hosting TikToks prized content-recommendation algorithm.

The deal brings to an end a lengthy dispute between Washington and Beijing over the short video sharing app.

Donald Trump first moved to ban it in 2020, citing national security concerns and ByteDances alleged links with Beijing. Joe Biden then signed a national security law requiring the company to either sell its US operations or face a ban.

But since returning to office, Trump has repeatedly declined to enact the law.

An estimated 200m Americas use the hugely popular platform, with Trump himself having more than 16m followers. Despite repeatedly flagging security concerns, Trump claimed on Friday that TikTok was responsible for him "doing so well with the Youth Vote" in the 2024 presidential elections.

He continued: "I am so happy to have helped in saving TikTok!

"It will now be owned by a group of Great American Patriots and Investors, the Biggest in the World, and it will be an important Voice.

"I only hope that long into the future I will be remembered by those who use and love TikTok."

He also thanked Chinese president Xi Jinping for approving the deal. Beijing has yet to comment.

ByteDance said the venture would "operate under defined safeguards that protect national security through comprehensive data protections, algorithm security, content moderation and software assurances for US users".

The current head of operations and trust and safety, Adam Presser, will lead the joint venture, with TikTok chief executive Shou Chew sitting on the board.
London stocks had pared gains to trade just higher by midday on Friday as investors paused for breath at the end of a busy week, with gold in focus as the price of the yellow metal came within a whisker of $5,000 an ounce.

The FTSE 100 was 0.1% higher at 10,159.49, with all eyes on the gold price as it hit a record high of $4,967 an ounce.

Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: "Its a calmer end to a chaotic week on the markets.

"While it looks like a crisis has been averted, investors patience has been well and truly tested.

Gold nudged ahead to trade ever closer to $5,000 an ounce as investors were reluctant to let go of their safety blanket, just in case Donald Trump woke up with another controversial idea.

"Theres a lot for investors to process given the volatile first three days of the trading week, and its only natural for people to pause and take stock of events."

On home turf, a survey out earlier revealed that business activity in the private sector saw its strongest upturn in January since April 2024.

The S&P Global flash UK PMI composite output index, rose to 53.9 from 51.4 in December. This marked the ninth reading in a row that the index was above the 50.0 mark that separates contraction from expansion. It was also the highest since April 2024.

The flash UK PMI business activity index for the services sector ticked up to a 21-month high of 54.3 in January from 51.4 the month before, while the manufacturing PMI increased to 51.6 from 50.6.

Chris Williamson, chief business economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said: "UK businesses kicked up a gear in January, showing encouraging resilience in the face of recent geopolitical tensions. Companies are reporting higher demand, both from home and export markets, which has driven output growth to the fastest since April 2024. Firms are also reporting the greatest optimism about the business outlook since before the 2024 Autumn Budget.

"The January flash PMI is up to a level indicative of a robust quarterly GDP growth approaching 0.4%. "While growth continues to be driven by the service sector, and in particular financial services and tech, the manufacturing sector is also continuing to report a gathering recovery aided by resurgent demand, with goods exports notably rising for the first time in four years."

He added, however, that the upturn in order books failed to stem a steep loss of jobs, which companies blamed on the need to reduce high costs.

Separately, data from the Office for National Statistics showed that retail sales rose in December, beating expectations as spending picked up in the run-up to Christmas. Retail sales volumes increased 0.4% last month, comfortably ahead of consensus for a 0.1% decline.

Driving the rise was strong demand for precious metals alongside increased supermarket sales, both of which helped offset a 0.9% slide at non-food stores.

Over the quarter, sales were down 0.3%, due to weaker trading in October and November following a bumper summer, when retailers benefited from warm weather and the Womens Euro 2025 tournament.

But sales strengthened 1.3% over the year, up from 2024s more modest 0.2% uplift. It was the second consecutive annual rise, following falls in 2023 and 2022.

However, the ONS noted that volumes had yet to recover from the 2023 fall and remained below pre-pandemic levels.

Hannah Finselbach, senior statistician at the ONS, said: "The last three months of the year saw a slight drop in retail sales following a strong third quarter, with supermarkets and online stores both down.

"However, sales were up in December, with internet retailing doing well. Within this, online jewellers had a strong month, and told us there was strong demand for gold and silver."

In equity markets, defence firm BAE Systems was the top riser on the FTSE 100. Russ Mould said investors were "loading up" on names that have "served them well over the past year".

Oil giant Shell gushed higher following a Reuters report it is considering a sale of its assets in Argentina's Vaca Muerta shale play and has approached potential buyers in recent weeks to gauge their interest.

Watches of Switzerland rallied after it said late on Thursday that it had bought Texas-based Deutsch & Deutsch, a family-owned luxury watch and jewellery retailer that has been operating since the 1920s.

Restaurant, bar and cafe operator SSP reversed earlier gains, as it backed its full-year guidance and posted a 5% jump in first-quarter like-for-like sales.

Defence firm Babcock nudged lower as it said chief executive David Lockwood would retire at the end of 2026 after almost five years in the job and be replaced by Harry Holt, currently head of the companys nuclear division. Former army officer Holt has been on the senior management team since November 2023. Prior to that he spent seven years at Rolls Royce in a number of roles, including president of its nuclear division.

Drinks maker C&C Group tumbled as it warned on profits, citing weak consumer confidence.

Rank Group slid after Deutsche Bank downgraded shares of the Grosvenor Casinos owner to hold from buy and slashed the price target to 104p from 163p.

Market Movers

FTSE 100 (UKX) 10,159.49 0.09%

FTSE 250 (MCX) 23,296.96 -0.32%

techMARK (TASX) 5,909.57 0.35%

FTSE 100 - Risers

BAE Systems (BA.) 2,026.00p 2.07%

BP (BP.) 444.50p 1.76%

Marks & Spencer Group (MKS) 365.60p 1.22%

Hiscox Limited (DI) (HSX) 1,519.00p 1.00%

Beazley (BEZ) 1,127.00p 0.99%

Shell (SHEL) 2,699.50p 0.95%

Rio Tinto (RIO) 6,539.00p 0.82%

Rightmove (RMV) 508.00p 0.75%

Fresnillo (FRES) 4,114.00p 0.73%

Metlen Energy & Metals (MTLN) 43.20p 0.70%

FTSE 100 - Fallers

Admiral Group (ADM) 2,696.00p -4.13%

Burberry Group (BRBY) 1,223.50p -4.00%

International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI) (IAG) 415.10p -3.53%

easyJet (EZJ) 482.60p -2.84%

Smurfit Westrock (DI) (SWR) 3,063.00p -2.36%

Spirax Group (SPX) 7,240.00p -1.76%

Hikma Pharmaceuticals (HIK) 1,542.00p -1.66%

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (DI) (CCEP) 6,570.00p -1.65%

Aviva (AV.) 642.60p -1.62%

Coca-Cola HBC AG (CDI) (CCH) 3,848.00p -1.54%

FTSE 250 - Risers

Watches of Switzerland Group (WOSG) 540.50p 4.24%

Ceres Power Holdings (CWR) 350.20p 3.61%

Harbour Energy (HBR) 213.60p 3.49%

Me Group International (MEGP) 135.60p 1.80%

Oxford Biomedica (OXB) 867.00p 1.64%

Bluefield Solar Income Fund Limited (BSIF) 69.00p 1.47%

Ithaca Energy (ITH) 172.70p 1.47%

CMC Markets (CMCX) 327.00p 1.40%

FirstGroup (FGP) 186.50p 1.36%

NCC Group (NCC) 136.80p 1.33%

FTSE 250 - Fallers

C&C Group (CDI) (CCR) 115.00p -10.58%

B&M European Value Retail S.A. (DI) (BME) 165.20p -5.11%

Rank Group (RNK) 93.80p -4.67%

Wizz Air Holdings (WIZZ) 1,323.00p -4.41%

Hays (HAS) 46.66p -3.28%

Baltic Classifieds Group (BCG) 205.50p -2.38%

Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings (AML) 61.85p -2.37%

Carnival (CCL) 2,093.00p -2.20%

SSP Group (SSPG) 191.00p -2.10%

Renishaw (RSW) 3,805.00p -1.81%
UK consumer confidence was little changed in January and has now been in negative territory for the last 10 years, according to a survey released on Friday by GfK.

GfKs long-running consumer confidence index ticked just one point higher from December to -16, with three of the five measures up, and two down.

The index measuring changes in personal finances over the last 12 months was -3 in January, up from -6 the month before, while the index measuring personal finance expectations over the next year rose to 6 from 2.

The index for the general economic situation over the last year fell five points to -45 in January, while the index for the general economic situation over the next 12 months declined by two points to -31.

The major purchase index was -10 in January, versus -11 a month earlier, while the savings index - which is not used in the overall index score - rose four points to 28.

Neil Bellamy, consumer insights director at GfK, an NIQ company, said: "January 2026 brings an unwanted anniversary, marking 10 years since consumer confidence was last in positive territory. Even with a one-point increase in headline confidence this month to -16, we remain a long way from consumers feeling that better days are around the corner. Yes, perceptions of personal finances have improved, but this is offset by growing concerns about the economy.

"Weve seen this pattern before. During periods of political and economic uncertainty - most notably in late 2022 - consumers became more cautious but also more self-reliant. What were witnessing now is a return to that mindset: people feel they can manage their own finances, but they remain unconvinced about the wider economic outlook.

"Lets be clear - this isnt optimism; its resilience. Consumers are once again focusing on what they can control - their own spending and saving - while confidence in the wider economy remains low. To many consumers, the UK economy is beginning to resemble an untethered boat drifting slowly out to sea."
Business activity in the UK private sector saw its strongest upturn in January since April 2024, according to a survey released on Friday.

The S&P Global flash UK PMI composite output index rose to 53.9 from 51.4 in December. This marked the ninth reading in a row that the index was above the 50.0 mark that separates contraction from expansion. It was also the highest since April 2024.

The flash UK PMI business activity index for the services sector ticked up to a 21-month high of 54.3 in January from 51.4 the month before, while the manufacturing PMI increased to 51.6 from 50.6.

Chris Williamson, chief business economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said: "UK businesses kicked up a gear in January, showing encouraging resilience in the face of recent geopolitical tensions. Companies are reporting higher demand, both from home and export markets, which has driven output growth to the fastest since April 2024. Firms are also reporting the greatest optimism about the business outlook since before the 2024 Autumn Budget.

"The January flash PMI is up to a level indicative of a robust quarterly GDP growth approaching 0.4%. "While growth continues to be driven by the service sector, and in particular financial services and tech, the manufacturing sector is also continuing to report a gathering recovery aided by resurgent demand, with goods exports notably rising for the first time in four years."

He added, however, that the upturn in order books failed to stem a steep loss of jobs, which companies blamed on the need to reduce high costs.

Jake Finney, senior economist at PwC, said: "The January PMI data suggest the UK economy has started the year on much firmer footing, with activity picking up strongly across the private sector. Greater post-Budget clarity appears to be helping unlock private sector investment, particularly in services.

"At face value, the figures imply the UK economy has weathered geopolitical disruption so far, with the PMI consistent with GDP growth of over 1.5% in 2026. That said, the timing of the survey means recent developments in Greenland are unlikely to be fully reflected. It remains an open question whether improving economic fundamentals will continue to trump geopolitical risk over the year ahead.

"The relative strength in business activity is tempered by renewed concerns around cost pressures. The latest PMI readings show little evidence that input cost pressures are easing, particularly in services, adding further weight to the view that the Bank of England is likely to keep rates on hold in February. While a cut later in the spring remains possible, persistent services-sector cost pressures mean a March move is far from certain."
Donald Trump has sued JPMorgan Chase and its CEO, Jamie Dimon, for at least $5bn after accusing Americas largest bank of debanking him. The US president alleged that the bank stopped offering him banking services in the wake of the Capitol riot on January 6. Earlier this month, he claimed it had incorrectly and inappropriately discriminated against him.  Guardian

The financial campaigner James Daley has launched a 1.5bn class action lawsuit against Apple over its mobile phone wallet, claiming the US tech company blocked competition and charged hidden fees that ultimately harmed 50 million UK consumers. The lawsuit takes aim at Apple Pay, which they say has been the only contactless payment service available for iPhone users in Britain over the past decade.  Guardian

A 400m legal claim brought against the widow of Mike Lynch has been branded disgraceful. Sir David Davis, the Conservative MP for for Goole and Pocklington, said a lawsuit filed by The Italian Sea Group (TISG), which built the doomed Bayesian superyacht, will heap more pain on a woman who has already lost a husband and greatly beloved child.  Telegraph

Overworked staff were to blame for a timetabling blunder that left empty ghost trains running from Manchester to London, the head of Britains rail regulator said. John Larkinson, the chief executive of the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), told MPs that the department was too stretched by its workload to consider every application to run trains.  Telegraph

The Serious Fraud Office has charged two people in its investigation into suspected fraud at Safe Hands Plans, the pre-paid funerals company whose collapse left 46,000 customers with a combined 75 million shortfall. The SFO, which announced a criminal investigation in October 2023 into Safe Hands and SHP Capital Holdings, its parent company, said Richard Wells, 39, who is living in Spain, and Neil Debenham, 43, of Norwich, have both been charged with conspiracy to defraud.  The Times

Nigel Farage has reiterated a plan to scrap the interest payments the Bank of England pays to commercial banks on reserves built up during quantitative easing. The plan was included in Reform UKs 2024 manifesto. Quizzed on whether the party still planned the change, which has been described by banks as a tax, he said: We are going to do it.  The Times
Londons FTSE 100 was up 0.1% at 10,155.84 in afternoon trade on Friday.

Beazley was the standout gainer on the index. On Thursday, the Lloyds of London insurer said it had rejected a 7.7bn takeover offer from Zurich Financial as it "materially undervalues" the company and its longer-term prospects.

Defence firm BAE Systems was also on the rise. Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said investors were "loading up" on names that have "served them well over the past year".

Oil giant Shell gushed higher following a report it is considering a sale of its assets in Argentina's Vaca Muerta shale play and has approached potential buyers in recent weeks to gauge their interest.

According to Reuters, citing sources familiar with the matter, Shell is open to selling some or all of its interests in the highly sought shale oil and gas play, part of Argentina's Neuquen basin.

Admiral Group was under the cosh again, having slid on Thursday after RBC Capital Markets downgraded the shares to sector perform from outperform and slashed the price target to 3,100p from 3,600p.

The bank said it was updating forecasts mainly for lower special dividends, as the company will buy shares in the market to fund its share scheme, versus a previous approach to issue shares.

Airlines easyJet and and IAG flew lower.

FTSE 100 - Risers

Beazley (BEZ) 1,140.00p 2.15%

BP (BP.) 445.85p 2.07%

BAE Systems (BA.) 2,021.00p 1.81%

Anglo American (AAL) 3,400.00p 1.74%

Rio Tinto (RIO) 6,573.00p 1.34%

Metlen Energy & Metals (MTLN) 43.47p 1.34%

Antofagasta (ANTO) 3,562.00p 1.28%

Shell (SHEL) 2,707.00p 1.23%

Glencore (GLEN) 496.10p 1.21%

Centrica (CNA) 183.40p 0.96%

FTSE 100 - Fallers

Admiral Group (ADM) 2,668.00p -5.12%

Burberry Group (BRBY) 1,211.50p -4.94%

Aviva (AV.) 628.60p -3.77%

International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI) (IAG) 415.70p -3.39%

easyJet (EZJ) 481.10p -3.14%

Smurfit Westrock (DI) (SWR) 3,055.00p -2.61%

Spirax Group (SPX) 7,210.00p -2.17%

Hikma Pharmaceuticals (HIK) 1,539.00p -1.85%

Prudential (PRU) 1,152.00p -1.66%

Bunzl (BNZL) 2,060.00p -1.53%
Peabody Award-winning Cameroonian documentary filmmaker Osvalde Lewat's dynamic debut novel, The Aquatics, translated from the French by Maren Baudet-Lackner, tackles disturbing subjects in its excoriating focus on grief, friendship, injustice, and government-endorsed homophobia in the fictional African nation of Zambuena. All four themes hinder 33-year-old narrator Katme Abbia.

An unsettling prologue establishes the triggering plot point: Katme buries her mother in a fumbled funeral. Twenty years later, the body must be exhumed and reburied to make way for a new highway. At the same time, Katme's high school friend, Samuel "Samy" Pankeu, an activist sculptor, is arrested while putting on a significant solo show. His Ante Mortem exhibit includes a series of photographs called The Aquatics, which depict "terrified faces emerging from wastewater and flooding, ID cards floating, women hoisting babies, lamps, or suitcases overhead, the swollen face of a drowned man."

In Zambuena, it's not illegal to express disagreement with rulers but it is a criminal offense to be gay. After a newspaper outs Samy, he is imprisoned and suffers horrifically brutal attacks. Katme enlists her abusive, serial adulterer husband, Tashun, to intervene. It gets complicated because Tashun is a prefect running for governor.

The tense novel plays out Katme's "corset of indecision and fear" as she struggles with split loyalties and tests Samy's cautious proviso that "one should only ask from a friend what he is capable of." Lewat's brisk, crisp, straightforward prose elevates the gut-wrenching material of The Aquatics into a compulsive read. --Robert Allen Papinchak, freelance book critic
This photo taken on Jan. 22, 2026 shows a European Council emergency summit in Brussels, Belgium. Leaders of European Union (EU) member states held an emergency summit in Brussels on Thursday night to discuss U.S. threats related to Greenland and assess possible next measures. (EU/Handout via Xinhua)

BRUSSELS, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- The EU will soon present a substantive package of investments for Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory, and increase spending on Arctic-adapted defence equipment, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday.

Von der Leyen said that the EU is working to enhance its relationship with Greenland and that "the Commission will soon put forward a substantive package of investments."

She added that the EU will strengthen cooperation with partners on Arctic security, and use defence spending for Arctic-ready equipment, such as a European icebreaker.

"We should strengthen our security and defence arrangements with partners in the region, such as the UK, Canada, Norway and Iceland. This has become a real geopolitical necessity for Greenland," she added.

Leaders of EU member states held an emergency summit in Brussels on Thursday night to discuss U.S. threats related to Greenland and assess possible next measures. 

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen attends a press conference after an emergency summit held in Brussels, Belgium, Jan. 23, 2026. The EU will soon present a substantive package of investments for Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory, and increase spending on Arctic-adapted defence equipment, von der Leyen said on Friday. (EU/Handout via Xinhua)
In the spirited, joyful picture book Zamzam for Everyone a girl, in Makkah with her family for Hajj, dedicates herself to sharing.

Mariam is "one of millions" in Makkah to perform Hajj, the once-a-year Islamic pilgrimage. The girl, in a light blue hijab and red polka-dotted dress, stands on the tips of her toes to see the Ka'aba "through the sea of people." When Mama tells Mariam, "Hajj is a time to do good, share, and be thankful," Mariam decides to share her Zamzam water (blessed water from the ancient Zamzam Well). As Mariam interacts with other pilgrims, she learns how to express gratitude in various languages ("Shukriya" from an older Pakistani woman; "Terima kasih" from Indonesian sisters). In exchange, Mariam is offered dates, "pandan cookies," "crunchy fried dough," and more. Pronunciations are included for every thank you and yummy treat.

Author Razeena Omar Gutta (Ramadan on Rahama Road) immerses readers in the bustle of Makkah during the annual pilgrimage by tracking every step and shared drink of Mariam's Hajj. She and her family "walk seven times around the Ka'aba," "walk between the mountains of Safa and Marwa," and camp "in the tent city of Mina"; Mariam shares Zamzam "on the wide plains of Arafah" and "under the stars in Muzdalifa." Illustrator Bassent Dawoud's digital collage shows the diversity of those at Hajj, depicting varying skin tones, hijab styles, clothing, and physical abilities. Her overlapping patterns and saturated colors capture the movement and activity. Ample back matter includes details about Zamzam and important information on Hajj, inviting non-Muslim readers to celebrate alongside Mariam. --Hadeal Salamah, blogger, librarian, freelance reviewer
Sharp 77.6% decline in Q3FY26 net profit due to exceptional losses.

51.8% profit slump, despite improved asset quality.

Merges subsidiaries into Reliance New Energy for future growth.

The Indian stock market is expected to open with a muted outlook today, as mixed global sentiments influence trading. The benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty 50, are likely to mirror global market movements, with Asian markets showing positive signs and Wall Street rallying overnight.

Here are the key stocks that will be in focus on January 23, 2026:

Q3 Results Today

Several prominent companies are set to release their Q3 results today. These include IndusInd Bank, Cipla, Shriram Finance, JSW Steel, Adani Green Energy, BPCL, Godrej Consumer Products, India Cements, JSW Energy, Laurus Labs, Multi Commodity Exchange of India, Piramal Finance, and Welspun Specialty Solutions, among others.

InterGlobe Aviation (IndiGo)

posted a net profit of Rs 549.1 crore, down 77.6% from Rs 2,448 crore in the same quarter last year. The significant drop was due to an exceptional loss of Rs 1,546.5 crore during the quarter. However, revenue rose 6.2% YoY to Rs 23,471.9 crore. The airline's EBITDAR (excluding forex) dropped 5.5% YoY to Rs 7,043.4 crore, and its EBITDAR margin decreased to 30% from 33.7% YoY. InterGlobe Aviation, the parent company of IndiGo airlines, reported a sharp decline in its net profit for Q3FY26. The companyof Rs 549.1 crore, down 77.6% from Rs 2,448 crore in the same quarter last year. The significant drop was due to an exceptional loss of Rs 1,546.5 crore during the quarter. However, revenue rose 6.2% YoY to Rs 23,471.9 crore. The airline's EBITDAR (excluding forex) dropped 5.5% YoY to Rs 7,043.4 crore, and its EBITDAR margin decreased to 30% from 33.7% YoY.

Bandhan Bank

Bandhan Bank reported a decline in its Q3FY26 net profit, which fell by 51.8% to Rs 205.6 crore compared to Rs 426.5 crore last year. The banks net interest income (NII) decreased by 4.5% YoY to Rs 2,688.3 crore. Despite the drop in profits, the bank improved its asset quality, with gross NPAs falling to 3.33% from 5.02% last year, and net NPAs down to 0.99% from 1.37% QoQ.

Also Read: Key Stocks to Watch on 22nd January 2026

Reliance Industries

Reliance Industries has merged 16 of its step-down wholly owned subsidiaries into its clean-energy arm, Reliance New Energy Limited, marking another significant step in its green energy ambitions.

NTPC Green Energy

NTPC Green Energy has signed an MoU with the Uttar Pradesh government to develop renewable energy and green hydrogen projects, further advancing its clean energy goals.

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)

ONGC has acquired a 50% stake in Bharat Ethane One IFSC and Bharat Ethane Two IFSC through private placement, expanding its reach in the energy sector.

These developments are expected to impact the performance of the respective stocks today.
Indias demographic dividend requires alignment between employability and scale, says Quess Corp CFO Neeraj Jain.

Jain urges rationalisation of 18% GST on manpower staffing and updates to Section 80JJAA for better hiring incentives.

Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal calls for easing middle-class taxes and strengthening education-linked job pathways.

As India accelerates the adoption of AI and automation, workforce readiness is emerging as a key concern for the countrys future growth. According to Neeraj Jain, CFO of staffing company Quess Corp, Indias demographic dividend will only lead to growth if employability keeps pace with technological advancements.

Jain emphasized, "Indias demographic dividend will only translate into growth if employability keeps pace with scale. As we approach Budget 2026, the focus must shift from job numbers to job readiness and formalisation". He called for a rationalisation of the 18% GST on manpower staffing, an update to Section 80JJAA to align with current wage realities, and integration with the Employment Linked Incentive framework to boost hiring. Jain also stressed that predictable tax assessments are essential to avoid cash flow disruptions and uncertainty.

Also Read: Experts Outline Key Tax Reforms for Budget 2026

Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Kumar Mittal highlighted the connection between education, employment, and household economics. Mittal, who is also the Founder-Chancellor of Lovely Professional University, said, "When teachers face tax pressures and young graduates struggle to repay education loans after layoffs, it signals deeper stress points." He urged the government to focus on easing middle-class tax burdens and strengthening education-linked employment pathways. Mittal further emphasized that skilling and higher education should result in stable livelihoods, urging a focus on the sector in Budget 2026. Meanwhile,highlighted the connection between education, employment, and household economics. Mittal, who is also thesaid, "When teachers face tax pressures and young graduates struggle to repay education loans after layoffs, it signals deeper stress points." He urged the government to focus on easing middle-class tax burdens and strengthening education-linked employment pathways. Mittal further emphasized that skilling andshould result in stable livelihoods, urging a focus on the sector in Budget 2026.

With these calls for policy changes, the industry is looking for a more balanced approach to workforce development and economic stability.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted India's growing global influence and its role as a trusted value-chain partner at the WEF in Davos.

Indias increasing partnerships with global companies like Maersk, Honeywell, and Temasek, emphasizing sectors such as logistics, AI, and semiconductor manufacturing.

Vaishnaw discussed India's strategic approach to critical minerals, semiconductors, and AI, focusing on international collaborations and the development of indigenous technologies.

Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, highlighted Indias growing global influence and its emergence as a trusted value-chain partner during his engagements at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. Speaking about India's increasing stature, Vaishnaw noted that the discussions at WEF reaffirmed the country's rapid growth trajectory, with global leaders showing keen interest in collaborating with India across sectors such as infrastructure, technology, logistics, manufacturing, and emerging industries.



Vaishnaw pointed out that global confidence in India was evident throughout the Ministerial discussions. He shared that prominent global companies like Maersk are actively engaging with India to enhance logistics infrastructure, particularly in shipping, ports, and railways, while also exploring collaborations in semiconductor materials. He also mentioned that Honeywell, a major player in industrial technology, is deepening its partnership with India in railway modernisation and is exploring further manufacturing investments in the country. "These engagements reflect India's growing reputation as a reliable and innovative partner in the global supply chain", Vaishnaw said.



One of the standout engagements at the WEF was with Teo Chee Hean, Chairman of Temasek, who expressed interest in expanding Temaseks presence in India. He reaffirmed Singapore's commitment to investing in both physical and digital infrastructure, as well as deep-tech startups in India. This engagement underscores the broader trend of global leaders recognizing India as a hub for innovation and infrastructure development. Vaishnaw further discussed India's role in emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and cybersecurity, areas where Indias capabilities are increasingly being acknowledged.



The Minister also held discussions with Demis Hassabis, CEO & Co-founder of Google DeepMind, and Chris Lehane, Chief Global Affairs Officer at OpenAI, on Indias rising influence in the field of AI. Vaishnaw invited these leaders to the upcoming AI Impact Summit, scheduled for February in New Delhi, encouraging them to actively participate in shaping AI for global good. "India is increasingly seen as a dependable partner in the AI ecosystem, with a focus on fostering responsible development that benefits all", Vaishnaw commented on the sidelines of the summit.

Also Read: CMPDI Partners with MCL for Renewable Energy Project Consultancy



Another major focus of Vaishnaws remarks was Indias strategic approach to critical minerals, essential for the development of high-tech industries such as electronics and renewable energy. He emphasized the importance of international collaborations in refining and processing these minerals, noting that India has forged partnerships with countries like Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Australia, and the United States to strengthen the critical mineral value chain. He further outlined Indias role in shaping the global semiconductor ecosystem, with pilot production already underway at several semiconductor plants. The commercial production is expected to start soon, marking a significant milestone in Indias push to develop a robust and self-reliant semiconductor ecosystem.



In his discussions on semiconductors, Vaishnaw described Indias careful and methodical approach to building its semiconductor infrastructure. He pointed out that India is on track to see the launch of its first indigenous mobile phone brands within the next 12 to 18 months, as the country strengthens its electronics ecosystem. "This is a momentous achievement, considering the decades of effort that have gone into building the foundation for Indias electronics and semiconductor sectors", Vaishnaw said. He further added that the governments strategic focus on foundational technologies, spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has created the ideal environment for India to develop homegrown mobile phone brands.



The Minister also remarked that India's steady economic growth, its ongoing reforms, and its emphasis on building digital public infrastructure are gaining global recognition. Vaishnaw observed that major global companies expressed confidence in Indias future, especially in the sectors of AI, semiconductors, and advanced electronics manufacturing. "The world increasingly views India as a trusted partner for co-creating and co-developing advanced technologies that will define the future", Vaishnaw concluded, reflecting on the optimism that dominated his interactions with global industry leaders at Davos.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  At a sentencing hearing Thursday for convicted drug dealer Kadeem Lewis, he exchanged final goodbyes with family members who packed one side of the courtroom.

Love you, Kadeem, exclaimed a woman from the gallery.

Lewis, 35, pleaded guilty recently to criminal sale of a controlled substance after a high-profile wiretap investigation was carried out in 2022 and 2023 by the NYPDs Narcotics Bureau Staten Island. He was sentenced by Justice Mario F. Mattei to nine years in prison and five years of post-release supervision.

The investigation, prosecutors allege in court documents, ultimately became centered around Ettore Mazzei, 63, a once prominent caterer and property owner on Staten Island.

In this May 22, 2024 photo, Ettore Mazzei is led out of the 120th police precinct in St. George by NYPD narcotics detectives. (Owen Reiter for the Advance/SILive.com)

Prosecutors say Mazzei moonlighted as a crime kingpin who oversaw a network of drug dealers and carried out financial crimes targeting non-profits and unsuspecting individuals. His case is headed toward trial in the coming months.

Following Lewis guilty plea in December in state Supreme Court, St. George, District Attorney Michael E. McMahon issued a statement saying in part:

...under no circumstances will my office allow dangerous drug dealers to sell death-dealing substances without consequence.

Defendant eyed in NYPD stakeout

Based on evidence collected through a lengthy wiretap investigation and stakeouts of Mazzeis business and apartments on Bay Street in Stapleton, NYPD detectives identified Lewis as a cocaine supplier for the drug network, according to recent court proceedings.

In one instance, detectives watched Lewis show up to the catering business in a luxury sedan, then enter and exit the building with Mazzei and other individuals, prosecutors said.

There were no surveillance photos of Lewis possessing narcotics or making any direct exchanges, which his attorney, Michael Cirigliano, noted during an evidentiary hearing last year.

Lewis, a Clifton native who recently moved to the New Jersey suburbs, was sentenced Thursday as a second felony offender.

In 2016, he pleaded guilty to a gun charge stemming from what police described as a fight between two groups of males in the Park Hill section of Clifton.

Recently married, lawyer notes

Multiple generations of Lewis family attended the hearing Thursday. As he was led into the courtroom by officers, he gave them a wink.

Cirigliano noted during the proceedings that his client had just gotten married, and that his wife and newborn child were in attendance.

The defendant, who was calm and cordial throughout the appearance, declined to make a statement before being sentenced.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Gov. Kathy Hochul announced several key education initiatives to invest in the next generation and ensure every New Yorker has a quality education during her 2026 State of the State address on Tuesday.

Hochul announced an investment of $39.3 billion in school aid  the highest level in state history.

It ensures each school district will receive an increase in Foundation Aid, the states primary education operating aid formula, for all school districts across the state. Foundation Aid takes districts unique situations into account when allocating funding  based on need, community wealth and regional cost differences  to address inequities and ensure schools in need receive the funding they deserve.

Here are the key education initiatives announced by Hochul this week.

Child care for 2-year-olds

The budget provides $73 million to begin a contract-based child-care program for 2-year-olds, called New York City 2-Care.

Hochul will provide $500 million in funding for the initial two years of the program. The first year will focus on high-need areas selected by New York City, and is expected to enroll 2,000 children.

When fully implemented, 2-Care is anticipated to serve 30,000 kids, according to the state.

Child-care benefit

Hochul announced a plan to enhance and reform the Child and Dependent Care Credit, providing 230,000 filers with an average increase in benefit of $576.

Along with the Empire State Child Credit, the credits will provide nearly $1.3 billion in relief to families this year.

This new funding will bolster the states Child Care Assistance Program, allow new families to enroll, and support several pilot programs to serve additional families.

Back-to-basics learning

The state announced an expansion of back-to-basics learning to math, which will transform learning through quality instruction and professional learning.

It builds on the states success implementing the science of reading principles.

Hochul will require the state education department to provide school districts with instructional best practices in the teaching of math to students in kindergarten through fifth grade.

The executive budget will provide $2 million to state teachers to be trained in evidence-based math instruction.
MOSCOW, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- The latest talks held here between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. presidential special envoy Steve Witkoff were constructive, extremely candid, and in every sense useful for both Russia and the United States, Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov said Friday.

The talks on Thursday night lasted over three and a half hours, the Kremlin press service reported, noting peace in Ukraine was the main focus of the talks, which marked the seventh face-to-face meeting between Putin and Witkoff on the topic.

Ushakov and Russian presidential special envoy Kirill Dmitriev were among the Russian officials attending the talks. The U.S. delegation also included U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner as well as White House staff member Josh Gruenbaum.

Putin had previously said that the talks were also intended to discuss the U.S. invitation for Russia to join the Trump-proposed "Board of Peace," and the fate of Russian assets frozen in the United States.

Trump formally launched his so-called "Board of Peace" on Thursday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The move has drawn concerns that it could undermine the primacy of the United Nations and the established multilateral framework for peacekeeping. Some major global powers and traditional U.S. allies have declined to join the board.

Under the current plan, Trump would serve as the board's inaugural chairman, a position he could hold for life. Trump said permanent members must each contribute 1 billion U.S. dollars to fund the board. 
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Staten Island homeowners may face thousands of dollars in repair costs and fines due to a new enforcement push by the citys Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regarding rain gutters connected to the sewer system.

Local politicians are pushing back against what they describe as a hasty and overreaching policy that burdens middle-class residents. Here are 6 things you should know.

1. The city is cracking down

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection has bolstered efforts to enforce a rule making it illegal for home rain gutters to be connected directly to the sewer system. The agency states that these sewers are designed for wastewater and that excess rainwater can overwhelm the pipes, leading to basement backups and street flooding. Some Staten Island homes have these systems, which may have been installed by the original builder without the homeowners knowledge.

Theyre arguing that this is something that has been on the books for a long time, but the reality is that they have left enforcement alone for decades, City Council Minority Leader David Carr said. There are many homes throughout this borough that have these downspout systems and they should work with the homeowners collaboratively to try and address this over the long term.

2. Homeowners face steep fines and expensive repairs

Residents who fail to disconnect their downspouts face significant financial penalties, starting with a $3,000 fine for a first offense, which can escalate to $6,000 for a second and $8,000 for a third, according to PIX11. Those who wish to avoid the financial burden of fines still face the potential cost of hiring a contractor to perform the disconnection. For some, like resident Patrick Mooney, a Grant City resident, the fix is impractical and would require him to run his gutter under a sidewalk or onto his walkway.

Patrick Mooney, a resident of Grant City, urges city officials to work with homeowners to address the issue of downspout connection to the sewer system. Here he is pictured on Fremont Avenue in Grant City on the morning of Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. (Dennis Rees for the Advance/SILive.com)

Its a big issue for homeowners here, said Mooney. A lot of homeowners are having affordability issues and a lot of my neighbors are starting to think about moving south.

3. Local officials are demanding transparency and a halt to enforcement

A trio of Republican officials  City Council Minority Leader David Carr, Assemblymember Michael Tannousis and state Sen. Andrew Lanza  have formally objected to the DEP plan. In a letter to the DEP commissioner, they argue that applying the enforcement borough-wide based on what they understand to be a single study conducted on the East Shore is overreaching.

They are calling for greater transparency pertaining to any related studies to understand the justification for the borough-wide enforcement and are urging the city to cease the action, arguing it will cripple homeowners financially for a problem many did not create themselves.

While we appreciate DEPs interest in better understanding the causes of flooding in the borough, the Island-wide application of this enforcement is both hasty and overreaching in its scope, the letter read in part. To base the application of enforcement for the entire borough on the results of the study of a single neighborhood has led to the prohibitive costs of correcting these downspout connections negatively affecting and further alienating middle class homeowners already struggling to make ends meet in neighborhoods where the effects of these downspout hookups towards flooding are negligible.

4. Homeowners say enforcement is unfair

Some residents have lived in their homes for decades and have inherited the downspout connections when they purchased their properties. Mooney, whos lived in his home for 30 years, argues that if the connections were against code, the issue should have been caught by the Building Department during the original construction and inspection. Carr echoed this sentiment, pointing out that current homeowners are being asked to foot the bill for something that they never actually did themselves, turning a long-unaddressed issue into a sudden and costly mandate for individuals.

If that was code, the Building Department should have checked with the builder and made sure before they signed off on the certificate of occupancy, Mooney said.

5. There is hope for a policy change under the new mayoral administration

The downspout enforcement initiative began under former Mayor Eric Adams administration, according to Carr. With DEP Commissioner Rohit Aggarwala reportedly set to step down, local officials see an opportunity for the new administration led by Mayor Zohran Mamdani to reverse course. They are calling on the incoming commissioner to adopt a more collaborative approach that works with homeowners rather than punishing them.

I call on the mayor and I call on the incoming commissioner for DEP: Remedy this issue and make sure that whatever you do, the homeowners and the taxpayers of this Island feel that the city is working for them, Tannousis said.

6. DEP responds to pushback

As explained by a DEP spokesperson, these downspout connections have been illegal since 2018 under NYC Rules (Title 15, 19-02(b)).

Moreover, in many cases, those who do have these connections to the sewer system are found to be flooding their own properties during heavy rainfall events, according to the spokesperson.

DEPs goal with this outreach is to remind homeowners that illegal downspout connections have been prohibited since 2018 and are a major cause of sewer backups and flooding, the DEP spokesperson said. As New York City sees more frequent heavy rain events, these types of connections increasingly put homes and neighborhoods at greater risk. We are urging homeowners to disconnect any gutters that drain directly into the sanitary sewer system. Addressing these illegal connections is a simple, inexpensive step that protects both individual properties and the environment  and makes New York City more resilient to climate change.

In certain locations, these connections are impacting DEP wastewater treatment plant operations and putting the city at risk of fines for environmental violations, it was further explained. Those areas where these connections are an issue may be specifically targeted for enforcement.

Additionally, the DEP spokesperson claimed that these repairs are relatively inexpensive and can even be done directly by the homeowner.

For more information and to certify that downspouts are properly disconnected, homeowners are asked to visit nyc.gov/dep/downspouts.

A draft of this story was generated using AI. It was reviewed, edited and approved by Advance/SILive.com staff.
DALLAS (AP)  Thousands of power line workers were on standby, flights were canceled and bottled water flew off the shelves Thursday as a huge winter stormthat could bring catastrophic damage, widespread power outages and bitterly cold weather barreled toward the eastern two-thirds of the U.S.

The massive storm system is expected to bring a crippling ice storm from Texas through parts of the South, potentially around a foot (30 centimeters) of snow from Oklahoma through Washington, D.C., New York and Boston, and then a final punch of bitterly cold air that could drop wind chills to minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 46 Celsius) in parts of Minnesota and North Dakota.

Forecasters are warning the damage, especially in areas pounded by ice, could rival a hurricane. About 160 million people were under winter storm or cold weather watches or warnings  and in many places both.

When will it start?

The storm was expected to begin Friday in New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma, with the worst weather moving east into the Deep South before heading up the coast and thumping New England with snow.

Cold air streaming down from Canada caused Chicago Public Schools and Des Moines Public Schools in Iowa to cancel classes Friday. Wind chills predicted to be as low as minus 35 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 37 Celsius) could cause frostbite within 10 minutes, making it too dangerous to walk to school or wait for the bus.

The cold punch coming after means it will take a while to thaw out, an especially dangerous prospect in places where ice and snow weighs down tree branches and power lines and cuts electricity, perhaps for days. Roads and sidewalks could remain icy well into next week.

Ice can add hundreds of pounds to power lines and branches and make them more susceptible to snapping, especially in windy weather.

Freezing temperatures are expected all the way to Florida, forecasters said.

A severe cold snap five years ago took down much of the power grid in Texas, leaving millions without power for days and resulting in hundreds of deaths. Gov. Greg Abbott said Thursday that wont happen again, saying the power system has never been stronger.

In the Houston area, CenterPoint Energy, which maintains the wires, poles and electrical infrastructure serving more than 2.8 million customers, had 3,300 employees ready to work the winter storm, said Paul Lock, CenterPoints local government affairs director.

The difficulty of predicting winter storms

Winter storms can be notoriously tricky to forecast  one or two degrees can mean the difference between a catastrophe or a cold rain  and forecasters said the places with the worst weather cant be pinned down until the event starts.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, like other governors, declared a state of emergency while acknowledging Thursday that some forecasts have disastrous levels of wintery weather in Atlanta while others have the Deep Souths largest city mostly spared.

Ahead of the storm, Atlanta resident Jennifer Girard bought some blankets and batteries at a Walmart in nearby Chamblee with her 21-month-old baby.

I used to live in Florida. We used to do that all the time for hurricane season, so its not so different, she said.

In the suburbs of Louisville, Kentucky, ice melt and snow shovels sold fast at the family-owned Brownsboro Hardware. Store manager Matthew Isham said the storm has people on edge.

Ive heard a ton of people saying they dont think theyre going to get in or out of their driveway if it does snow like theyre saying, Isham said.

As a precaution, North Carolinas largest public school system prepared for potentially several days out of physical classrooms next week. The Wake County school system told its thousands of teachers to create three days of assignments accessible online or through paper copies.

Brine trucks were treating roads from Oklahoma to Tennessee, with more states expected to do the same as the storm gets closer.

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger told residents to prepare for days without power or the ability to leave their neighborhoods. And in a nod to the politics of the time, the newly inaugurated Democrat said people should not be scared to call 911 in an emergency just because of the immigration crackdowns going on in places like Minnesota.

Arkansas Department of Transportation spokesperson Dave Parker pleaded for people to be patient and stay home if possible once the storm hits, even if it takes days to clear sheets of ice off roads.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry implored people, I beg you, please take this serious, as his team highlighted road preparations and said some 5,000 power line workers are on standby.

Hundreds of flights canceled

Airlines canceled about 250 flights that were scheduled in the U.S. on Friday and another 400 on Saturday. Airports in Dallas, Atlanta, Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Oklahoma, were among those with the highest numbers of flight cancellations, according to the flight tracking site FlightAware.com.

Charles Fowler and his wife, Kimberly, of Louisville, booked a trip to New Orleans to escape the Kentucky cold. The storm could add a wrinkle to their itinerary, flying out Friday morning and returning Sunday, going through Chicago on the way home.

We may either be staying another night in New Orleans, or we may be staying a night in Chicago, he said.

At a busy grocery store near downtown Dallas, Kennedi Mallard and Frank Green loaded two shopping carts full of supplies into their car. They said there were some bare shelves inside.

No water, no eggs, no butter, no ground meat, Green said.

Esther Hernandez said she wasnt too worried about the storm, other than taking precautions so that her pipes dont freeze.

Im fine. Im not going anywhere, she said.

In the north Georgia town of Dahlonega, Carrie Gray said she got a jug to store water, charcoal for her grill and logs for a wood stove to stay warm if she loses power. She also snagged a heat lamp so the ducks she keeps outside will be warm.

And in Charleston, West Virginia, organizers said the annual West Virginia Hunting and Fishing Show will go on after more than 150 exhibitors signed up for the sold-out event over the weekend.

With outfitters coming from all over the U.S. as well as Canada and South Africa, the show must go on, said Glen Jarrell, a spokesperson for the West Virginia Trophy Hunters Association, the events promoter.

Were not thinking about stopping. We dont care if its rain, snow or high water, Jarrell said.
NEW YORK  New York City nurses on strike headed back to the bargaining table Thursday with hospital administrators to try to bring an end to the citys biggest walkout of its kind in decades.

The New York State Nurses Association said contract negotiations resumed in the morning with officials at the three private hospital systems impacted by the strike: Montefiore, Mount Sinai and NewYork-Presbyterian.

The union said nurses are committed to bargaining daily to settle the dispute.

Roughly 15,000 nurses walked off the job on Jan. 12, prompting the hospitals to bring on thousands of temporary workers to keep operations running.

Nurses stand ready to bargain to reach fair contracts and end the strike, the union said in a statement ahead of the talks. Nurses will continue to picket and strike until tentative agreements are reached with the hospitals.

The union held one bargaining session with each of the three hospital systems last week, but those hourslong meetings ended with little progress and no plans for further talks.

Each affected hospital is negotiating with the union independently as not every hospital run by the three systems is involved. Other private hospital systems reached tentative agreements with the union, averting walkouts, and city-run public hospitals are not part of the talks.

The renewed discussions this week come at the urging of Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani, both Democrats, according to the union.

Mamdani spoke Tuesday at a union rally in front of Mount Sinais hospital on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, alongside U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

Nurses say theyre seeking to protect their health care benefits, as well as secure contract provisions addressing staffing levels and safety against workplace violence.

Hospitals say the union is seeking unrealistic and unaffordable pay raises. They also maintain they arent proposing to cut nurses health benefits, as the union contends.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A group of Staten Island elected officials are joining together to put distance between battery energy storage systems and the surrounding community.

On Thursday, State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, Assemblymember Charles Fall and Borough President Vito Fossella announced new efforts to curb battery energy storage systems  commonly referred to as BESS  from appearing in residential areas.

If you think about the individuals who are responsible for signing off on a project like this, said Fall, youve got to ask yourself the question  would they ever want to see something like this next to their homes? The answer is no."

Why are we seeing this next to residents in this neighborhood or in other parts of Staten Island? It doesnt make sense, added Fall, a Democrat representing the North Shore and parts of Brooklyn and Manhattan.

The battery energy storage system that is under construction at 2166 Forest Ave. in Mariners Harbor on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026 (Advance/SILive.com | Mike Matteo)

At a press conference outside a BESS site under construction in Mariners Harbor, Scarcella-Spanton and Fall announced they are signing on to a bill in Albany that would establish a minimum distance between the battery storage system sites and nearby homes, schools, and farms.

In addition, Scarcella-Spanton  a Democrat who represents the North Shore and South Brooklyn  announced legislation she introduced which would require that Community Boards are notified when a battery storage system is planned for a nearby neighborhood.

The bill would also mandate annual safety inspections for the BESS sites.

While these facilities are often framed as a part of our clean energy future, the reality is that they are poorly sited and inadequately monitored, Scarcella-Spanton said.

We see how quickly they can go up in flames and we want to make sure that they are not by your homes, by your businesses and collectively, were all working together with our community partners to make sure we pass this legislation, she continued.

Those in attendance on Thursday also expressed concerns that the BESS sites are being pushed onto Staten Island, despite significant pushback.

It seems like those cries have been falling on deaf ears to date, so were going to take another arrow out of the quiver and approach it from a state level, said Fossella, a longtime opponent of the battery storage sites on Staten Island.

We just keep banging that drum as loudly as possible to say that we dont want these things near peoples homes or businesses. We believe theyre unsafe. the borough president added.

This legislative effort comes as more BESS sites are planned for Staten Island.

Applications for 58 battery energy storage systems were approved by the NYC Department of Buildings in 2025 and another 98 are currently under evaluation for placement throughout the five boroughs. At least 15 of those locations are slated for Staten Island, with 10 additional sites under evaluation, according to city records.

The release of those numbers came as a new set of BESS standards adopted by the State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council officially went into effect on Jan. 1.

Battery Energy Storage Systems are key to modernizing our grid and optimizing power generation and transmission, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority noted in a press release, which detailed the updated requirements. New York, through the work of its Inter-Agency Fire Safety Working Group, has implemented some of the most robust BESS standards in the nation  strengthening the reliability and resilience of our electricity system and prioritizing the safety of our communities.

BESS refers to a technology that uses a group of batteries to store electrical energy, allowing the energy to be released later when needed.

The sites essentially act as backup power sources for homes or the electrical grid, particularly during peak demand or power outages. They are often used in conjunction with renewable energy sources like solar power.

Developers and green energy proponents tout the lithium-ion structures  which started popping up in several NYC neighborhoods in 2022  as quiet neighbors that are a necessary agent for renewable change. They are designed to remove pressure from the citys stressed grid, using rechargeable batteries to store electrical energy from various sources, and then releasing that stored energy when needed.

Over the past three years, borough residents and local officials have voiced concerns about their siting. Community Boards voted against their proximity to bakeries and storefronts and elected officials issued a moratorium on applications filed within residential districts.

In one instance, an energy developer retracted plans to place batteries in a Bulls Head church parking lot.

Plans to construct an eight-acre battery energy storage system on a busy strip of Victory Boulevard in Travis were also recently scrapped after the company responsible for its development missed several key decommissioning plan deadlines.
As New York City prepares for a major winter storm on Sunday, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said that students shouldnt expect a traditional snow day on Monday, according to a recent report.

Mamdani told NY1 Friday morning that the city will decide whether classes will be held remotely or in-person on Monday. A final decision will be made by noon on Sunday, according to the report.

I know, to the disappointment of any student thats watching this right now, Monday is either going to be a remote learning day or its going to be an in-person school day, Mamdani told NY1. Its not going to be a traditional snow day. That is a determination weve made.

During a remote school day, students are expected to log on and engage with their work from home.

Borough President Vito Fossella made a statement on Friday that schools should be closed to in-person instruction on Monday in order to keep parents, children and staff safe, while keeping roads clear for the sanitation department to clean the snow.

He added that, while other areas across the city have subways as an option for students to travel to and from school, Staten Island families are typically required to drive or take a bus.

In anticipation of this weekends major snowstorm, we believe all Staten Island schools should prepare to conduct remote instruction on Monday, said Fossella.

That decision should be made as soon as possible, especially in light of the States recent emergency declaration, so that parents can make the necessary preparations.

The city began going virtual for possible snow days in 2020 when all students were fully remote for several months during the pandemic. At the time, former Mayor Bill de Blasio called traditional snow days a thing of the past.

Staten Island and the surrounding New York City area are preparing for a winter storm that is forecasted to bring about 8 to 14 inches of snow. It will be accompanied by dangerous wind chills and arctic temperatures early next week.

Its possible snow will continue into Monday  expected to taper off late Monday morning or early afternoon.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other U.K. officials are in a fury after President Donald Trump made belittling comments about British war dead, the Daily Mail reported.

In an interview with Fox News, the president said that NATO troops, including those from the U.K., remained a little off the front lines in the war in Afghanistan.

Around 457 British service personnel were killed in the Afghanistan conflict and countless more were severely wounded.

In what was branded a cheap shot against Americas allies, Trump said that he was not sure that the NATO military alliance would be there for America if we ever needed them.

Weve never needed them ... we have never really asked anything of them, the president said.

Trump added, Theyll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan, and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the frontlines.

Response from Downing Street was swift, with a Starmer spokesman saying that Trump was wrong in diminishing the sacrifice and service of our troops.

The spokesman continued: Their sacrifice and that of other NATO forces was made in the service of collective security and in response to an attack on our ally.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said that Trump was talking flat-out nonsense about U.K. service members who fought and died alongside the U.S.

The lawmaker said: Their sacrifice deserved respect, not denigration.

Trump and Americas allies in NATO have been at odds over the presidents drive to take control of Greenland.

Trump has said that American oversight of the Arctic nation was a matter of U.S. national security.
For some, Mayor Zohran Mamdani has already failed when it comes to what is traditionally a big test for New York City mayors: dealing with a major snowstorm.

The new mayor is getting roasted online after issuing a warning about the massive snow event thats coming this weekend, the New York Post reported.

NYC is forecasted to get 316 inches of snow this weekend. And were ready, Mamdani wrote on X on Thursday afternoon as part of a post on the citys prep for the storm.

NYC is forecasted to get 316 inches of snow this weekend. And were ready.



Well issue a Code Blue later today, and outreach workers will ramp up efforts to connect unhoused New Yorkers to safe shelter.



Tomorrow, we'll begin pre-snow treatment, brining highways and major  Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) January 22, 2026

3-16, way to narrow down the forecast, one user on X commented.

Saying that NYC is going to get between 3 and 16 inches of snow is nonsense, another said. That tells you absolutely nothing. Citing numbers with a probability range of 5% to 95% is idiotic and moronic.

Maybe they forgot the 1 in front of the 3? Idk? said another snarky commenter.

The Post said that the five boroughs were already under a winter storm watch, issued by the National Weather Service, calling for 6-12 inches of snow when Mamdani posted his statement.

Current forecasts call for anywhere from 8-14 inches of snow to fall on the city this weekend.

New York City mayors in the past have been lambasted for poor reactions to snowstorms.

Mayor Bill de Blasio was scorched in 2014 when Islanders railed that plows and salters were slow to the rescue after a big snowstorm.

Mayor John Lindsay got clobbered when the city was slow to react to a 1969 snowstorm.

And Mayor Michael Bloomberg took a pounding when the city flubbed the 2010 Christmas blizzard.

That was the year that Bloomberg pushed back against critics who said that the city was slow to react to the storm, saying that The city is going fine. Broadway shows were full last night.
President Donald Trumps handling of the Epstein files is not a winning issue for him, but his latest obsession is even more unpopular with Americans, according to polling.

The idea of using federal funds to purchase Greenland from Denmark is doing more damage to Trumps approval rating than his handling of the Epstein files.

Trump is 40 points underwater on Greenland while his approval rating on Epstein is -38, said CNN data chief Harry Enten during an appearance Wednesday morning on CNN News Central.

There is barely an issue out there thats worse for Donald Trump than the Epstein files, Enten said. But any attempt to buy Greenland or use military force on Greenland ... is one of them.

It is arguably the most unpopular thing that Donald Trump can try to do is mess than Greenland, he continued.

Trumps overall approval rating is the second-worst among the last six two-term presidents at this time in their tenure.

The presidents net approval rating of -17 is only higher than the -32 rating of Richard Nixon, who was engulfed in the Watergate scandal.

Any comparison, when you are into term NO. 2 in approval rating ... if youre anywhere close [to Nixon] that is not a comparison that you want on your dial, Enten said."

During his appearance Wednesday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the president backed off his threat to impose tariffs on several European countries, citing what he described as a new framework with NATO on Arctic security.

Asked how long the deal will last, Trump was clear its long term. Its a deal thats forever, he said. Its whats called an infinite deal.

The abrupt about-face comes shortly after he told the World Economic Forum in Davos that the U.S. would not use force to pursue control of Greenland. Trump nonetheless reaffirmed his ambition to secure right, title and ownership of the island and urged NATO allies not to stand in the way, warning that refusals would carry consequences for the alliance.

This enormous unsecured island is actually part of North America, Trump said. Thats our territory.

Trump also said that the U.S. is booming but Europe is not heading in the right direction. His ambitions to wrest control of Greenland from NATO ally Denmark threaten to tear apart relations with many of Washingtons closest allies.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is breaking with former First Lady Michelle Obama on a hot-button issue.

Whitmer, who is seen as a potential Democratic Party candidate for president, said she disagrees with Obama that America isnt ready to elect a female commander-in-chief, The Hill reported.

During an interview with NPR, Whitmer expressed her love for the former FLOTUS and said, the last thing I want to do is disagree with her.

However, Whitmer went on, But, you know, I think America is ready for a woman president. The question comes down to a choice between two people, and what we saw in this last election, while Kamala Harris didnt beat President Trump, we saw women get elected across the country.

The high-powered Dem pointed to election victories won in 2024 by Dem Govs. Abigail Spanberger of Virginia, Mikie Sherill of New Jersey and Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan.

We saw women win up and down the ballot in hard, important states to win, so I do think theres an appetite, Whitmer said. I just, for whatever reason, we have not had a woman president yet. I think we will at some point in the near future.

When asked whether the fact that Harris is a woman was the reason for the former vice presidents White House loss to President Donald Trump last year, Whitmer said, I dont think it was just gender, no.

Michelle Obama during her book tour last fall said that America was not ready for a female president.

Alluding to the Trump victory over Harris, Obama said, As we saw in this past election, sadly, we aint ready.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency in anticipation of a major snowstorm forecast to blitz Staten Island and the rest of New York State with perhaps a foot of snow and frigid temperatures this weekend.

New York City could be buried in 12 to 18 inches of snow coupled sub-zero wind chills that could pose serious health and safety risks, the governor said during a news conference on Friday morning.

A foot or more of snow could be paralyzing in a dense area like New York City, the governor said. They have not seen snow totals like this in years.

Hochul gathered with other officials to send out the alarm, alert all New Yorkers that we are heading into a very, very dangerous weather event that is unfolding later today and throughout this weekend into Monday throughout every corner of the state.

The governor described the impending storm as a very dangerous combination of heavy snow and extreme, extreme cold temperatures. And the risks are so intense that as Im standing here right now, Im declaring a state of emergency throughout the entire state of New York.

The declaration will allow the state to coordinate better with local governments and more quickly deploy state resources to local communities, Hochul said.

So this will ensure that all of our local partners and agencies have the resources they need to keep New Yorkers safe and to get through this weather event, Hochul said.

State employees will be allowed to work remotely on Monday.

I encourage other employers to do the same just to keep people off the roads, the governor said.

She noted that temperatures and wind chill factors are forecast to plummet.

By tomorrow night, well be experiencing some of the most dangerous cold weve seen in years, Hochul said.

The real feel could drop to minus 10 degrees in New York City and minus 50 degrees in the northernmost reaches upstate. Frostbite or hypothermia could occur within minutes at those temperatures, she noted.

Winds could gust in the range of 25 to 35 mph.

In addition to New York City, the governor said areas that could see 12 to 18 inches of snow include Long Island, Hudson Valley, the Capital Region, Southern Tier, Mohawk Valley and Central New York.

Lake-effect snow from Lakes Ontario and Erie could dump 1 to 2 feet in areas around Watertown, with potentially lesser totals of 4 to 6 inches in western parts of the state such as Buffalo.
ISTANBUL, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Turkiye has detained 118 suspects in operations targeting cyber fraud across 17 provinces over the past two weeks, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said Friday.

Yerlikaya said the suspects' bank accounts recorded transactions totaling 2.183 billion Turkish lira (about 50.35 million U.S. dollars) between 2020 and 2026.

Investigators said the suspects were involved in illegal gambling, defrauding citizens using stolen personal data, illegally withdrawing money from bank accounts, posing as public officials, and running scams through fake social media ads.

Authorities seized digital materials and documents during the raids, and investigations are ongoing, Yerlikaya said. 
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  As New York braces for what could be the most significant winter storm in years, heres a timeline breakdown of how the weather is expected to unfold, from the first temperature drop to the final snowflake, according to AccuWeather.

AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tom Kines, said Thursday will be the best weather for the foreseeable future. Kines explained that temperatures will reach the 40s.

Get out and enjoy today because thats going to feel like summer in a few days, Kines said.

As Friday gets closer, its cold air that is moving in from a high-pressure system that will prompt the sharp temperature drop.

A sharp temperature drop begins as a highpressure system settles over the Northeast. The temperature will fall steadily, setting the stage for accumulation once the storm arrives.

I bet the stores are going to be crowded Friday and probably Saturday as well, Kines said.

A powerful winter storm is expected to impact large portions of the country with snow and ice. pic.twitter.com/BwDZH6bVAs  AccuWeather (@accuweather) January 22, 2026

On Saturday, a bitter cold will arrive, according to Kines. He predicts that temperatures will plunge into the teens. The storm system approaching from the South will also begin its northward ascent.

Kines warns that snowfall totals depend on a battle between the southern storm and northern high pressure system.

According to Kines, if the storm tracks farther north there will be more snow of up to 8 inches. If the storm tracks too far north, then warm air will mix in and cause the snow to transition to sleet and freezing rain. Lastly, if the storm shifts south, then all the precipitation will be snow but with lower totals around 6 inches.

According to Kines, the storm system will arrive late Saturday night or early Sunday morning. Accumulation will quickly ramp up as cold air locks in over the region.

New York City will experience the storms peak impact Sunday afternoon into the evening hours" for a more direct construction. This is the heaviest snowfall window, Kines revealed, with widespread totals of 68 inches likely. Kines said plowing will need to be done.

Thats almost a guarantee at this point in time, Kines shared.

According to Kines, traveling will become hazardous on both the ground and in the air. The high pressure will keep temperatures below freezing, preventing any quick melting and refreezing patterns.

The storm is set to have a nationwide domino effect on air travel due to significant delays for major southern airports such as Dallas and Atlanta. Kines said those ripple effects are likely to reach airports in East Coast cities such as Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York City and Newark.

Theres a domino effect to other airports because planes come from those airports, but they cant get out, according to Kines.

Kines said Monday through most of the week, New York City will experience a prolonged deep freeze.

Unlike typical winter storms, temperatures wont rebound, he affirmed.

New Yorkers can expect highs only in the upper teens to lower 20s, with nights even colder. The snow will be sticking around for a while, Kines concluded.
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Sponsored BusinessCompaniesBulls N' Bears ASX Runners of the Week: Aus Strategic, Osteopore, Olympio & Riversgold Brought to you by BULLS N BEARS Anrew Todd January 23, 2026  5:25pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Its not even Australia Day and 2026 has already delivered huge political shake-ups to an already tense global geopolitical environment. The big movements in world politics appear to have finally made it to Australias shores as the Coalition looks to finally split down the middle, perhaps this time for good. This weeks Bulls N Bears ASX Runner of the Week is Australian Strategic Materials. For the first time in nearly 40 years, Nationals leader David Littleproud announced a very public break-up following the Liberals backing of Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses new hate speech laws. The Nationals claim the laws were rushed in as a knee-jerk fix to the December Bondi Beach terrorist attacks and declared the Coalition as untenable moving forward. These break-ups are historically short-lived; however, recent polling showing One Nation screaming into second place on a party-preferred basis threatens to shake the fabric of a long-established two-party Australian system.

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World leaders have descended on the Swiss town of Davos for what was billed as a decidedly less back-slappy World Economic Forum (WEF) this year - no endless panels on saving the planet with virtue-signalling, but real talk about AI dominance, selective alliances and quietly ditching green energy. Yet, inevitably, US President Donald Trump stole the spotlight as his Greenland saga follows him everywhere. The Don also unveiled an executive order for the US aimed at stopping large institutional investors from scooping up single-family homes, which drive up housing prices. The investor loophole allows corporations to claim depreciation on family homes that families otherwise could not, potentially leading America into a corporate rental empire. Meanwhile, geopolitical tremors keep rumbling. Threats of fresh war in Iran and a visibly weakening US dollar have created the perfect storm for precious metals. Gold is flirting with that magical US$5000 an ounce mark (around A$7300), on track to effectively double in price in little over a year.

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Our Runners this week carry a distinctly geopolitical flavour, dominated by gold plays and critical minerals names. The ASX is once again paying rapt attention, with juniors and producers alike catching the tailwind from this macro madness. No green dreams here - just hard assets in a world thats rediscovering their value the old-fashioned way. Australian Strategic Materials Dubbo project in NSW. AUSTRALIAN STRATEGIC MATERIALS LTD (ASX: ASM) Up 164% (71.5c  188.5c) The Bulls N Bears Runner of the Week is critical minerals player Australian Strategic Materials (ASM), after copping a $450 million takeover bid from NYSE-listed heavyweight Energy Fuels Inc.

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Under the scheme, ASM shareholders would receive 0.053 Energy Fuels shares for each ASM share, valuing ASM shares at $1.90 each. The deal also comes with an unfranked 13c special dividend. The ASM board has flagged its support, including non-executive chair Ian Gandel, who holds about 13.6 per cent of the register. Energy Fuels is a Denver-based, dual-listed critical minerals group with exposure across uranium, rare earths and heavy mineral sands. The deal stitches together a near-term, Western-aligned mine-to-metal and alloy supply chains, spanning both light and heavy rare earths. Being US-based, Energy Fuels is well placed to tap a growing suite of government funding and incentives, with the tie-up neatly aligned to the USAustralia Critical Minerals Framework. Several materials caught up in Chinas recent export curbs are already available, or planned, via ASMs alternative supply chain from its Dubbo project in New South Wales.

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ASM has been assessing lower-capex, faster-to-market options to recover light neodymium-praseodymium and heavy dysprosium-terbium rare earths from Dubbo, which could be easily funded now thanks to giant US government grants. The company says the project is ready to roll, with major approvals in hand and an estimated 75.18 million tonnes of a resource containing heavy rare earths, zirconium, niobium and hafnium. OSTEOPORE LTD (ASX: OSX) Up 150% (1.2c  3c) Sneaking into Runners for the second consecutive week and taking out silver is Osteopore Limited, which has struck yet another deal for its bone growth technology, this time in Hong Kong.

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The company says its fast-growing orthopaedics arm is heading into Hong Kong, after inking a new distribution deal with local outfit MontsMed, giving it another notch in its broader Asia-Pacific expansion plan. Initially, Osteopore plans to focus on orthopaedic trauma reconstruction, which it believes offers the most immediate and practical use case for its devices. Under the exclusive agreement, MontsMed will be appointed Osteopores Hong Kong distributor for orthopaedic products under a three-year term. At the heart of the story is Osteopores medical tech: 3D-printed, bioresorbable implants that act as scaffolds for natural bone regrowth. The implants gradually dissolve post-surgery, leaving healthy bone behind instead of permanent hardware. The company says the ongoing distribution deals will help it access Chinas immense dental bone graft and membrane market, which is already valued at north of US$200 million and is tipped for continued strong growth this decade.

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Once again, Osteopore appears to have neatly dodged many of the usual regulatory and market-entry hurdles by partnering with established local players as its Asian saturation story accelerates at a rate of knots. Sampling at Olympio Metals Bousquet project in Quebec, Canada. OLYMPIO METALS LTD (ASX: OLY) Up 124% (5.8c  13c) Taking home Bulls N Bears bronze is high-grade gold story, Olympio Metals, which delivered a set of more than 100 significant gold intercepts at its Bousquet gold project along the legendary Cadillac Break in Canada.

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The standout numbers from the drilling included 6.4 metres at 6.54 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 183 metres, 7.9m at 6.2g/t from 138 metres and a 1.5m hit running a whopping 54.2g/t from 235.5 metres at its Paquin prospect. A market with a lust for gold gobbled up the news, pushing Olympios shares up as much as 124 per cent on Tuesday to 13 cents on massive turnover of 64 million shares  its busiest day in more than a year. The Cadillac Break is a major regional-scale fault structure in North America, more than 300km long, famous for hosting a myriad of massive gold deposits, comprising a total historical resource of more than 110 million ounces. Bousquet commands a 10-kilometre stretch of the Cadillac Break just 15km west of the Bousquet Mining Camp, where heavyweights such as Agnico Eagles 15-million-ounce La Ronde and Iamgolds 2.4-million-ounce Westwood reside. It wouldnt take too many significant hits in that part of the world for Olympio to truly set the gold market alight.

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A birdseye shot from Riversgolds Northern Zone gold prospect outside Kalgoorlie in Western Australia. RIVERSGOLD LTD (ASX: RGL) Up 109% (1.1c  2.3c) Rounding out our Runners this week is near-term gold producer Riversgold Limited, which unveiled shallow high-grade gold hits from its Kalgoorlie project, accompanied by a recent strategic $2.15 million capital raising at 1 cent per share. The company struck high-grade gold in 21 holes at its Northern Zone gold development in Western Australia. Drilling intersected the mineralised host porphyry across the north-east, west and east zones, expanding the footprint and lending further weight to the companys broader gold model.

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Best intercepts included 8m at 5.81g/t gold from 46m, 7m at 3.48g/t from 48m and 5m at 3.13g/t from 41m. Riversgold says modelling points to a 600m-wide zone of shallow oxide mineralisation sitting above the Northern Zone porphyry system. The good news kept coming. Kalgoorlie development partner MEGA Resources will tip in $1 million via a placement for 100 million shares. Under an agreement signed in September, MEGA will fund the project and provide geological, engineering, project management, mining and haulage services, with profits split 50:50. MEGA will also recycle 10 per cent of its monthly proceeds into expansion-grade control and step-out drilling. Riversgold says it will continue refining its understanding of the Kalgoorlie project ahead of a maiden resource estimate, with MEGA already factoring the latest data into mine planning for a first-half 2026 start. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au

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Sponsored BusinessCompaniesBulls N' Bears Dalaroo launches exploration blitz on epic Greenland rare earths play Brought to you by BULLS N BEARS Doug Bright January 23, 2026  4:54pm 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

Dalaroo Metals has slammed its foot on the accelerator, unveiling plans for a high-octane 2026 exploration blitz on its flagship Blue Lagoon critical minerals project in Greenland, hot on the heels of some knockout results gathered from a maiden reconnaissance campaign last year. With global supply chains scrambling for secure, conflict-free sources of critical minerals, the company says its moving quickly to chase continuity at depth, de-risk the system and elevate Blue Lagoon from an intriguing surface discovery into a genuine development-scale contender. Dalaroo Metals is dashing to the starting line, fast-tracking a critical minerals exploration campaign in Greenland following strong maiden results. The maiden fieldwork delivered the goods in spades with 113 surface samples of rock-chip, sediment and lagoon-margin material along a well-defined, coherent 2.7-kilometre-long trend. In a remarkable 100 per cent hit rate - the stuff junior explorers dream of - results included seriously anomalous values for a smorgasbord of rare earths, zirconium and niobium in every sample.

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Blue Lagoon has quickly emerged as a genuinely exciting critical minerals opportunity for Dalaroo. Dalaroo Metals chief executive officer John Morgan Peak assays hit up to 0.81 per cent total rare earth oxides (TREO), with standout heavy rare earth oxides (HREO) topping 600 parts per million (ppm) in multiple locations. The rare earths are dominated by the valuable elements dysprosium and terbium, which are critical for manufacturing the strong, permanent magnets used in electric vehicle motors, wind turbine generators, and other renewable technologies. Magnet rare earth oxides (MREO) clocked consistently at 2529 per cent of TREO with a premium assemblage rich in neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium. Hafnium also punched through strongly, with peaks up to 99ppm hafnium oxide and many results exceeding 40 ppm, underlining its strategic role in next-gen semiconductors, courtesy of its superior dielectric and thermal properties.

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Zirconium showed muscle too, with earlier surface peaks around 4.42 per cent zirconium oxide, further complementing the element suite. Crucially, uranium and thorium analyses have remained low and are well below Greenlands mandated 100ppm threshold, smoothing the regulatory path to any future development. Intriguingly, finer sample size fractions point to a natural upgrading process, hinting at low-cost physical beneficiation potential  music to any developers ears. The findings lit a fire under the stock, which has surged as much as 156 per cent to 10.5 cents, catapulting the company into the global race for secure, conflict-free supplies of rare earths, zirconium, hafnium and niobium. Dalaroo Metals chief executive officer John Morgan said: Blue Lagoon has quickly emerged as a genuinely exciting critical minerals opportunity for Dalaroo. Our maiden 2025 field program exceeded expectations, delivering project-scale confirmation of REE, zirconium and niobium mineralisation across a coherent system extending approximately 2.7km.

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Dalaroos Blue Lagoon is shaping up as a nimble, high-leverage play in Greenlands Gardar Alkaline Province, which already attracts intense international interest as host to world-class rare-earth systems such as Kvanefjeld, Tanbreez and Kringlerne. The province itself is a classic rift-related igneous belt, forged during a period of intense magmatic activity more than a billion years ago that created ideal conditions for the enrichment of alkaline-hosted critical minerals. Blue Lagoon sits on the western exposure of the massive Nunarsuit Complex, specifically within the Helene alkaline granite  textbook geology for concentrating rare earths, zirconium, hafnium and niobium and exactly the sort of address that has delivered some of Greenlands biggest mineral endowments. To build on the momentum generated by its new findings, Dalaroos 2026 exploration season  slated for an early start and involving about two weeks of fieldwork  packs a serious punch. The program will roll out a multi-pronged attack, including ground-penetrating radar surveys to map sediment thickness, stratigraphy and palaeochannel architecture across shoreline and lagoonal zones, probing to depths of up to about 20 metres.

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Other work will test the lagoon depths with side-scan sonar or similar technology to gain insights into basin geometry, geomorphology and depositional insights. The company also plans to conduct composite auger drilling across priority targets to assess the vertical continuity of mineralisation and its grade distribution. That work will then likely extend to detailed mineralogical and petrological sampling to investigate ore and gangue mineral relationships, textures and mineral liberation. Dalaroo says its also intending to hold early metallurgical testwork discussions with a Perth consultancy to explore mineral recovery pathways. The companys new Greenland thrust anchors Dalaroos evolution from an initially WA-focused base metals hopeful to a diversified critical minerals and gold story. Listed in 2021, after raising $5 million at $0.20 via 25 million shares, the company debuted with its 437 square kilometre Namban nickel-copper-platinum group elements (PGE) project near Moora in WAs West Yilgarn, about 80km north of Chalices Julimar project.

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The company also holds about 838 square kilometres of tenure at its Lyons River zinc-lead-copper-gold project in WAs Gascoyne region. Post-IPO exploration delivered early PGE hits at Namban and sulphide signatures at Lyons River, but market conditions prompted strategic pivots. Dalaroo snapped up 100 per cent of Blue Lagoon in early January 2026 after an initial option and recently stole the spotlight with its scout exploration results. The company also entertains gold ambitions in Cote dIvoire with four Birimian greenstone permits totalling about 1368 square kilometres. The exploration portfolio includes two granted areas at Djekanou and Yamoussoukro, which have cleared due diligence and have since been backed by a $1.35 million capital raise. Dalaroos Board has seen recent changes to keep ahead of developments, too, with key 2025 moves including John Morgan stepping in as chief executive officer in May, followed by former chairman and non-executive director David Quinlivans exit in November.

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Additionally, Tim Withers arrival as a non-executive director in November has brought in a seasoned mining executive with more than 20 years of global experience. The new line-up now blends exploration nous, capital markets savvy and international experience, aligned to chase value through targeted acquisitions and disciplined fieldwork. In a small-cap world thats anything but forgiving, Dalaroo has shown real adaptability  dodging the post-listing blues with fresh jurisdiction bets and high-demand commodities. Blue Lagoons district-scale potential, low-radioactive profile and strategic metals cocktail have given it genuine legs, especially as critical minerals supply-chain security is dominating headlines. With its 2026 follow-up exploration program set to convert tantalising surface geochemical sniffs into drill-ready targets, punters are likely to have a front-row seat to what could be the next chapter in this juniors reinvention story.

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In exploration, persistence and smart pivots pay off and Dalaroo looks to be hitting its stride just as the critical minerals narrative hits fever pitch. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au

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BusinessThe economyAustralian economy Opinion Australians have become less competitive  and were paying the price Millie Muroi Economics Writer January 23, 2026  10:31am

January 23, 2026  10:31am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Australians have long been accused of tall poppy syndrome: a tendency to cut down people who are too successful  especially if theyre being overly loud and obnoxious about it. Its not completely a bad thing. The concept reflects values such as equality, humility and the fair go  the idea that everyone deserves an equal opportunity to succeed regardless of their background or who they are. Anthony Albanese and his predecessor Scott Morrison. Australias leaders, especially over the past few decades, have lacked ambition. Alex Ellinghausen But it can also be stifling, discouraging people from being ambitious, pursuing innovation and working as hard as they might otherwise like to. Its something most Australians have probably experienced in their day-to-day lives, but its also reflected in our economy and in our politics.

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Our leaders, especially over the past few decades, have lacked ambition. And because of this, our economic system (including many of the laws, tax settings and incentives shaping our behaviour) have stayed stuck  or changed only in very small, politically safe ways. Related Article AI Job hunters warned against machine gun applications as AI takes off This hasnt always been the case, though. Some of the most ambitious economic reform happened in the 1980s and early 1990s before I was born (I wasnt writing commentary back then, so Im not sure what I did to scare our lawmakers as we entered the 21st century). After a period of mediocre economic growth, the Hawke-Keating government kicked into gear with a raft of changes widely credited with getting the economy growing faster.

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They slashed tariffs, granted 23 new banking licences to break up the dominance of a handful of domestic banks, and offered financial incentives  known as National Competition Policy payments  to state and territories for getting on with reform aimed at boosting competition across the economy. The latter was important because, as we continue to see today, state governments like to do their own thing. Without a carrot being dangled in front of them, states tend to be too busy looking out for themselves. Its part of the reason why competition policy recommendations in 2014 and 2015 under the Hilmer review werent as successful as the reforms in the 1980s and 1990s: there wasnt a strong financial incentive to motivate the states. Of course, some of the reforms in the 1980s and 1990s did more harm than good. Easing regulation on banks, for example, made those businesses more competitive, but also gave the banks more leeway to misbehave, which eventually led to scandals and the banking royal commission. As weve seen, these periods of economic transformation often include mistakes.

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But without taking risks, thinking more ambitiously and kindling our competitive drive  especially during periods of economic stagnation  Australia risks missing out on higher living standards and falling behind our peers. The bad news is that weve already tumbled down the podium. Without taking risks, thinking more ambitiously and kindling our competitive drive  especially during periods of economic stagnation  Australia risks missing out on higher living standards and falling behind our peers. Louie Douvis The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in its most recent report says Australia was formerly a leader among OECD countries in pro-competitive policies but that it has fallen behind with the last major reform effort being the successful implementation of its National Competition Policy. The message from the organisation is that Australia needs to pick up its game.

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One of the biggest drags on Australias ranking against other countries is our licensing and permitting requirements, many of which are excessive and inconsistent across state borders, increasing barriers for people who want to set up shop or move around. For instance, hairdressers across several Australian states need a certificate in hairdressing  which usually requires a three- to four-year apprenticeship  as well as a licence. In some states, a hairdressing business also needs to be licensed, meaning there are two layers of licensing to navigate. And if that wasnt enough, a Melbourne hairdresser hoping to cut hair in Sydney, for example, will need to meet specific NSW requirements before they can start lopping hair in the harbour city. Perhaps Sydneysiders are worried about walking out of the salon with an unexpected mullet? By contrast, countries such as New Zealand and the United Kingdom have no mandatory licence for hairdressers. They instead rely on voluntary accreditation and consumer law. And countries such as the US often have less cumbersome rules, with most states only requiring hairdressers to train for nine to 12 months. Whether Australians have better haircuts on average as a result is unclear. But its largely thanks to us failing to cut back on some of these regulatory requirements that weve slipped from a top five country to below average when it comes to making it easier for entrepreneurs to thrive.

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Making it easier for people to work and set up businesses is important for boosting competition because it allows new workers and businesses to challenge existing ones, and to move to jobs and places they are better suited to. This allows for the more productive firms to grow and the less productive to be pushed aside. Thats a good thing because it means our overall productivity (our ability to produce more with the same amount of resources, or produce the same amount with less resources) rises, pushing down the prices we pay and boosting our standard of living. Without taking risks, thinking more ambitiously and kindling our competitive drive  especially during periods of economic stagnation  Australia risks missing out on higher living standards and falling behind our peers. Over the past two decades, though, weve been seeing less movement. Instead of new firms coming in and challenging the big ones  which can become lazy when theyre not being pushed  weve seen a handful of giants dominating many of our sectors including supermarkets, banks and airlines. Its no coincidence that a lot of these big businesses have been pocketing bigger profits as the pressure they face from newer firms has fallen. To be fair, Australia faces some unique challenges because of its geographical distance from other countries and the fact that our population is so spread out.

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Because were so far away from most countries, its expensive for overseas companies to sell their products here, meaning they often dont bother. That means domestic companies dont have to work as hard to keep their prices low and keep customers happy. Having small populations spread out around the country also means that in many parts of Australia, its simply not possible to have many businesses competing (because none of them would have enough customers or make enough money to continue running). The organisations report notes about 45 per cent of the gap in productivity between workers in Australia and the US is because of our geographic remoteness  both from other countries, and within our own country. But these barriers also make it especially crucial for Australia to boost competition where possible. To be fair, the Albanese government has taken some steps to boost competition including banning non-compete clauses (which restrict workers from quitting and moving to a rival) and introducing a $900 million National Productivity Fund to pay states that put in place productivity-boosting reform.

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RBA Michele Bullock is standing her ground against Trump. Heres why it matters Millie Muroi Economics Writer But the organisation flags plenty of other suggestions, including slashing some of the inconsistent licensing and permit processes, and giving the competition watchdog more teeth, strengthening its ability to investigate and gather data. That includes allowing the ACCC to launch its own inquiries into pricing rather than having to wait to be directed by the treasurer, and giving it the power to extract things like pricing information from businesses. Back in 2005, the organisation praised Australia for creating a deep-seated competition culture and serving as a model for other countries seeking to improve their economic performance. While Australia may be hamstrung by natural barriers such as geographic distance  and perhaps some tall poppy syndrome  it hasnt stopped us from hitting the global podium in the past. We know what to do: we just need to find our competitive streak. The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning.
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CultureMoviesCinema From its first preview on stage, producers were contacting me to make it a film Kerrie O'Brien January 24, 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

Production on the movie adaptation of human rights lawyer turned writer Suzie Millers award-winning play, Prima Facie, is underway. The sharp and devastating work stars Cynthia Erivo as a brilliant young barrister who defends men accused of sexual assault who is then herself assaulted. Miller, who also wrote the films screenplay, has recently returned from London where filming is taking place. How was it being on set?

I found that most of my work was done prior to the production going into the shoot, and as such, I had spent a very long period on my own writing, speaking with producers, talking visual ideas with the director, Susanna White, and Cynthia Erivo, who stars in the show. Both are strong women with clear ideas, and were both so respectful of my process and the writing. They were so supportive of the writing that there wasnt much more for me to do on set. Prima Facie stars Cynthia Erivo. Nicola Dove/Embankment Films When the production began, the producers, Australians Greer Simpkin and David Joswey of Bunya Australia, Kevin Loader of UK Free Range Films, and Embankment UK, gave us the green light to have a few weeks of rehearsal. This was an absolute gift: we could read the scenes with various actors, and I engaged in meaningful discussions with all of them, especially Susanna and Cynthia. I was able to sculpt and craft some of the scenes and dialogue specifically around the cast, allowing the actors to embody the role. I love actors, and I love directors, and as I come from theatre, Im a big collaborator, so that part of the process was enjoyable and familiar to me. Once the shoot began, there were so many people on set and on location. We shot all over London and built the Old Bailey courtroom in a studio. The whole scheduling and moving parts of a film are extraordinary. And while the numbers in a company for West End plays are in the 100s, it was amazing to see all the crew on the film at work constantly. I found myself present throughout much of the shoot, sometimes bowing out to go home and do some work. For a writer, it was much less stressful than a large theatre rehearsal and production.

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Overall, I found the experience extraordinary; the producer was inclusive of all the artists, everyone was so collaborative, and there was an incredible feeling on set of unity and dedication to making this film for the one in three women who are subjected to gendered sexual violence. There were tears, laughter and fantastic discussions. Every single person who worked on the film was someone who completely believed in what we were all doing. How was working with Cynthia?

Working with Cynthia was a gift, she is such an accomplished actor and at the peak of her career. Having intense discussions about the issues the screenplay raised were bonding and life-changing for us all. Much of this talk infused elements of the film. I adored the time with her, and with the other actors  all top in their craft - and of course with my director Susanna, who has been with me on this project since the beginning. During the rehearsal period, where we could share intimacies and create the bonds for the main character, Tessas, family, everyone brought their stories and trust. Jodie Comer in the British production of Prima Facie. Helen Murray How different is writing for film versus theatre?

In theatre, youre wrangling with ideas and hanging a story on those ideas so that the story engages an audience to interrogate the subtext and the social issues that run alongside. In film, youre writing a story told through a visual language, so the script must provide the space and the provocations to allow a director to create their own visual language with an audience. Were you able to flesh out the characters more?

Absolutely. In the theatre script, there is one person playing every single role  Jodie Comer did that magnificently. In the screenplay, every single character must be cast, and as such, needed even more nuance, visual elements and backstories, so that different actors could embody each role.

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The elements and life experience as a Black woman that Cynthia  and so many of her cast mates  bring also allowed for a different set of dynamics and perspectives. The women on set who shared their life experiences and shaped the film are so very much part of the screen version of Tessas family dynamics, her and her friends lifestyles, and show us a unique version of the story where the law is an even more difficult obstacle with intersectionality; that is where gender, class and race meet in the legal system that was not built for any of these aspects of people. Related Article Pop culture Human beings ache to be in each others company: Why sharing stories matters The play dealt with gender and class, and now we have worked together to create a further lens, pushing the story further into the experience of all women. Because sexual violence happens everywhere and to women of all backgrounds, and the law has so many blinkers when it comes to class, gender and race, it is infused with many of the barriers that prohibit access, understanding and voice that the rest of the community is infused with. Did you ever imagine the play would be adapted for film?

Once the play went to an audience, I realised that it had a much bigger part to play than I had ever dreamt. When I first sat in my small, dark office to write Prima Facie as a play, I wasnt even sure that it would reach an audience. From its first preview on stage, producers were contacting me to make it a film. I was excited to start thinking about it as a screenplay because it lends itself so perfectly to the screen. The film is so different to the play, in particular because there are a number of actors playing the many roles that the play had one actor invent, and while both the first actors who played Tessa, Sheridan Harbridge and Jodie Comer, did an extraordinary job, seeing those [characters] come to life in their full embodiment, laughing and crying, having their own story and infusion from different actors is a complete reimagining of the story. It is not like having a play go to screen, it is like an entire reinvention. The Booklist is a weekly newsletter for book lovers from Jason Steger. Get it delivered every Friday.
MOSCOW, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Around five billion U.S. dollars in Russian assets were frozen in the United States by the previous administration, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday.

"As for the money that was seized in the United States, I won't name the exact amount, but I will say that it is slightly less than five billion dollars," Peskov told reporters.

He noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin had spoken about allocating one billion dollars of the assets to the Board of Peace for Gaza, and some could be used to restore areas damaged during the Ukraine conflict.

Peskov said a Russian security working group received instructions from Putin last night and will participate in trilateral talks with U.S. and Ukrainian teams in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

The trilateral security working group, including Russian, U.S., and Ukrainian officials, will hold its first session in Abu Dhabi on Friday and Saturday, Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov said following the talks between Putin and a U.S. delegation in the Kremlin.

He noted that it is a "very important condition" for Russia that Ukrainian armed forces must leave the Donbas region. 
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CultureMoviesOscars The Oscar nominations are in. Here are the good, the bad and the ugly of this years nods Garry Maddox January 23, 2026  11:59am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Its a year for creatively ambitious Hollywood movies backed by substantial budgets at the Academy Awards, with Sinners, One Battle After Another, Marty Supreme and Frankenstein heavily nominated early this morning. And it is also a year for ambitious non-English-language films from other parts of the world with The Secret Agent and Sentimental Value featuring among the contenders. With the nominations dominated by stories about central characters challenging power in different forms, Australia has first-time nominations for actors Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs Id Kick You) and Jacob Elordi (Frankenstein), Nick Cave for best original song (Train Dreams) and Guido Wolter for visual effects (Sinners). Production designer Fiona Crombie, who has been nominated previously for The Favourite, is back for Hamnet. In raw numbers, Sinners leads the way with a record 16 nominations  boosted by the inclusion of a new Oscar for best casting. Next is One Battle with 13 nominations and Frankenstein, Marty Supreme and Sentimental Value all with nine.

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Joining them with best picture nominations are Hamnet, Bugonia, F1, The Secret Agent and Train Dreams. The good Byrnes best actress nomination is one of the feel-good stories of the nominations. While If I Had Legs Id Kick You was weirdly in the musical or comedy category when she won at the Golden Globes, Byrne is exceptional as a stressed-out American therapist in a tense drama with a horror edge. Nominated: Rose Byrne with rapper A$AP Rocky in If I Had Legs Id Kick You. AP

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Over two decades working in the US, she has shone in Bridesmaids and multiple Insidious, X-Men and Neighbours movies, and, on TV, in Damages, Mrs America and Physical. Related Article Oscars Rose Byrne, Jacob Elordi lead Australias Oscars charge as Sinners makes history I cant believe it, Byrne told The Hollywood Reporter. I feel like Ive snuck into the back of the bus. I cant believe we got in this extraordinary group of women ... I love the Oscars. [When I was a] little girl from Sydney, Australia, I used to watch [the show]. The pageantry of it is so fun and theatrical. Elordi continues his striking Hollywood rise with a best supporting actor nomination at 28  two years younger than boy wonder Timothee Chalamet, who is one of the favourites to win best actor for Marty Supreme.

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He gave heart and deep feeling to the Creature, who emerges from a demented lab and discovers the curse of eternal life, in Frankenstein. Even in the early stages, when his character was chained up and knew only the single word Victor, Elordi made him compelling to watch. Related Article Cinema The controversial new role earning our favourite comic actress serious Oscar buzz Nick Caves Train Dreams  Bryce Dessner co-wrote the music  was a haunting closer to the poetic drama Train Dreams. It will be an outsider at the Oscars, however, given it is up against Golden from the pop culture phenomenon that is KPop Demon Hunters. Wolter, a visual effects supervisor at Adelaides Rising Sun Pictures, shares his visual effects nomination for Sinners with Michael Ralla, Espen Nordahl and Donnie Dean. His past work has included A Minecraft Movie, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga and Elvis. Without discounting the merits of One Battle After Another, Marty Supreme and Hamnet, Sinners deserves to lead the nominations. At a time when cinema fans regularly lament the lack of original films, writer-director Ryan Coogler delivered one that ambitiously fused genres, spoke about race and class in America and took creative risks.

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Deservedly nominated: Jacob Elordi as the creature in Frankenstein. Ken Woroner/Netflix The bad Joel Edgerton has been close to an Oscar nomination before, for playing an FBI agent in Black Mass a decade ago. This year he absolutely deserved to be recognised for his heartbreaking performance as an early 20th century itinerant logger and railroad labourer in Train Dreams. There is so much emotion  suppressed and occasionally overflowing  in a quiet character who experiences horror, loneliness and grief but endures to finally feel like he understands life in his last years. Train Dreams is up for best picture, adapted screenplay, cinematography and original song; the Australian actor who made it so moving has sadly missed out.

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While there are two non-English-language films up for best picture, Sentimental Value and The Secret Agent, the Academy overlooked the best one. Jafar Panahis It Was Just An Accident is a tense and twisting thriller, darkly comic, about the abuse of power in Iran that won the Palme dOr, the major prize, at Cannes. Should have been nominated: Joel Edgerton in Train Dreams. Netflix Panahi, who had already been jailed for creating propaganda against the system and supporting anti-government protesters, made it in secret to avoid government censorship, and his courage and craft should have been rewarded with a best director nomination as well. And how unlucky were Chase Infiniti, the breakout star as the daughter of a revolutionary in One Battle, and Paul Mescal, who played Shakespeare in Hamnet? Their categories, best actress and actor, were so competitive this time around that they missed out. Way back in 2002, when Will Smith was nominated for best actor for Ali, he told me the Academy had historically overlooked deserving African-American actors and gave Delroy Lindo from Malcolm X, Get Shorty and Cider House Rules as evidence.

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At 73, Lindo has finally received a nomination. He is up for best supporting actor for playing a legendary blues musician in Sinners. Ariana Grande as Glinda in Wicked: For Good. AP The ugly Voters decided that sequels were ugly. There are no nominations for Wicked: For Good, not even for Ariana Grandes performance as Glinda, and Avatar: Fire and Ice is only up for best visual effects, which it might well win, and costume design.

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While Frankenstein and Sinners deserved to be up for best make-up and hairstyling, alongside the little-seen Kokuho and The Ugly Stepsister, I was never sure what to make of Dwayne Johnsons transformation into a tormented UFC fighter in The Smashing Machine. His performance was impressive, but the characters look felt awkward and forced. Still, he did not look like Dwayne Johnson, which I guess was the triumph. The Oscars take place on Monday, March 16, Australian time. Must-see movies, interviews and all the latest from the world of film delivered to your inbox. Sign up for our Screening Room newsletter.
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Eating outFood Brilliant new basement wine spot is the rumpus room of your adult dreams By late January it will carry 1200 cuvees, ranging from $25 quaffers to $5000 wallet breakers. Take a look inside this inventive Newstead newcomer. Matt Shea January 23, 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

Imagine the rumpus room of your dreams, but full of wine. This, essentially, is the vibe at Fountainhead Winehouse, which opened earlier this month in a basement space on Doggett Street in Newstead. These kinds of premises, in unusual places with that aspect of discovery, are like gold dust, which makes you wonder if Dan Wilson  who only opened LPO Wine with Matt Okine in June  and business partner Chris Banham were motivated by a bit of opportunism to open this fabulous wine shop and bar. Fountainhead Winehouse has opened in Newstead. Markus Ravik But, really, its been years in the making. Dan and I have been wanting to do something together for a long while, Banham says. Originally, it was a pizza shop. But with Dan opening LPO and getting a better sense of what Brisbane people wanted  the type of space that is, and some of the services that we wanted to offer, [Fountainhead] fit perfectly with how Dan interacts with people, builds a community  all that great stuff you see at LPO.

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Related Article Exclusive The old King Arthur Cafe is transforming into a Euro-influenced all-day eatery Its just that finding the space, it went from idea to reality pretty quickly. Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up Finding the space yourself will take a little conviction; the 54 Doggett Street commercial block it sits beneath is about as faceless as they come. But head down the carpark ramp to the left of the building and there it is: a low-lit basement that Wilson and Banham  and a small cadre of collaborators  have treated with a light but engaging touch. Fountainhead has around 800 cuvees in stock, with somewhere between 350 and 400 currently on the shelves. Markus Ravik Theres art from Miguel Aquilizan and Jess Dorizac, textiles by George Park, and furniture by George Greathead. Leading the overall design was Julia Cox of jcHQ, with Jack Hamilton looking after the carpentry.

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It feels thrown together, but it only takes a moment to realise thats by intent not accident. We wanted the space to feel like a friends living room, Banham says. Youre maybe a little jealous of their designs, but you feel very comfortable being there. It needed to feel warm and inviting. A small cadre of local designers and makers have helped bring Fountainhead to life. Markus Ravik It was really quite an ad-lib process of trying things out  seeing what worked, what could we do ourselves, what could we afford, and then meeting lots of Brisbane makers  people who really just gave like a generous amount of time and effort towards this concept. We were really lucky for that. Youre here for the wine, though, of course, whether to drink in or take away.

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Fountainhead has around 800 cuvees in stock  by mid next week, I think well have maybe 1000 to 1200, Wilson says  with somewhere between 350 and 400 currently on the shelves. Co-owner at Fountainhead is Dan Wilson, who also co-owns Tarragindis LPO Wine with Matt Okine. Markus Ravik We want to obviously get as much local stuff on the shelves as possible, but wines are, of course, expressed through the landscape, grape and winemaker, and that means having a good international subset, Wilson says. You will never find a wine in Australia that smells like a wine made in the northwest of Italy, up in the Pre-Alps in Turin, around Alba [with] Barolo. Those aromatics and that textural quality are indicative of that particular landscape. Pretty much every price point is covered, with Fountainhead peddling drops for as little as $25 and ranging right up to cellared $5000 bottles of Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, the Burgundy producer thats considered among the most expensive in the world. Fountainhead is intended to do away with gatekeeping and make wine a playful journey of discovery. Markus Ravik

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Other examples Wilson shouts out are A & C Ainsworths Rose of Cabernet from the Macedon Ranges; a Serragghia di Gabrio & Giotto zibibbo produced by legendary winemaker Gabrio Bini; and the grenache-driven Bruno Duchene La Luna Rouge from Roussillon in the south of France. Wine can be very subject to gatekeeping, Banham says, where a coveted wines price in a shop doesnt necessarily reflect its rareness. Dans in charge of the pricing and he just doesnt do that. Whether youre buying a $200 bottle or a $25 bottle, you still can come into a venue like this and enjoy something for a reasonable price, Dan Wilson says. Markus Ravik Whether youre buying a $200 bottle or a $25 bottle, you still can come into a venue like this and enjoy something for a reasonable price, Wilson adds. A lot of it is the way the room feels and the design aspects and the concept  its to make people feel comfortable and like theyre not excluded from this experience. Open Wed-Sun 11am10pm

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54 Doggett Street, Newstead instagram/fountainhead.winehouse
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Eating outRestaurant news Were coming back: The future of Abduls, Fatimas and Sydneys original Little Lebanon For the first time, third-generation owner-chef of Abduls Lebanese Restaurant reveals the reason behind Decembers shock closure. Bianca Hrovat January 24, 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

It isnt over for Abduls Lebanese Restaurant, third-generation owner-chef Omar Ghazal revealed this week. Were coming back stronger, he said. The pioneering Surry Hills restaurant, founded by his grandfather Dib Ghazal in 1968, quietly closed in December following a year of health and financial difficulties. First, Ghazals mother, Nizam, suffered a debilitating stroke. Then, in May, the business went into liquidation, owing more than $70,000 to creditors. Fawaz Tabbah at Abduls Lebanese Restaurant in 1986. David Porter/Fairfax Media It was killing me, Ghazal said. I didnt tell anyone until the final 48 hours [before closing], not even the staff. I didnt want to hurt anyone. Theyre family, too. Ghazal wrote a simple goodbye message on the restaurants website, but word didnt spread until For Lease signs appeared in the window this month. Diners were shocked  the no-frills, family-owned restaurant had been one of the first to introduce Lebanese dishes such as falafel, hummus and lamb kofta to Sydney, and, after nearly 60 years in business, it was considered a true culinary icon.

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I got a lot of supportive messages from customers, some I didnt even know. I told them, Just wait until mid-February, and Ill have [sorted things out], have carers in place for mum, and then I can  get cracking on the business, Ghazal said. Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up The hot food counter at Abduls in 1986. David Porter/Fairfax Media The company had been reported to ASIC for eight potential breaches of the Corporate Act, including trading while insolvent and failure to act in good faith, but Ghazal said he was working with the liquidator and his landlord, and that he hoped to reopen Abduls in its original location with a clean slate. He dreams of a renovated restaurant, where the next generation can serve his grandfathers falafel: We use the same recipe. Honest to God, I never changed a thing, Ghazal said. I will hold on to that recipe for life. But outside the kitchen, change is inescapable.

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Cleveland Street in Surry Hills used to be the go-to for Lebanese food in Sydney. Louise Kennerley The area around Cleveland Street in Surry Hills and Redfern was once referred to as Little Lebanon. It had the most concentrated, convenient and popular strip of Lebanese restaurants in Sydney according to The Canberra Times in 1973. My dad told me that all the restaurants used to have queues out the door, and people used to have to sit on top of potato sacks or onion sacks because theyd run out of chairs, Ghazal said. Numbers have since dwindled. Nadas Lebanese Restaurant closed in June after 48 years, following the death of owner-chef Albert Elsouri; Hibibi Lebanese Restaurant, next door, closed in 2015. Others, such as Azars on Crown Street and the Lebanese Restaurant and Club on Cleveland Street, have been lost to history. Abraham Zailaa is the third generation owner-chef at Fatimas Lebanese Restaurant. Louise Kennerley

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Its crazy. Its like youre in a battle, and you just look around and you realise youre on your own, said Abraham Zailaa, the second-generation owner-chef at Fatimas Lebanese Restaurant. It opened in 1981, and he practically grew up in its kitschy pastel pink and mint-green dining room, taking over when he turned 18. These restaurants are our whole lives, Zailaa said. He takes great pride in the food he makes, the quality of ingredients he uses, and the high-profile clientele (Rose Byrne, Russell Crowe, the Hemsworth brothers) that frequent his restaurant. But Zailaa said economic conditions post-COVID had pushed costs up, big businesses were sucking our blood dry by undercutting prices, and it was a struggle to make ends meet. People everywhere in Australia need to support their local business because it does make a big difference, he said. Were lucky that our customers are so loyal. Fatimas, Surry Hills. Louise Kennerley

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Thats what keeps John and Samia Perez going at Wilsons Lebanese Restaurant on Pitt Street. Council records show brothers Victor, Marcel and Wilson Mroueh applied to open the restaurant in 1964, making it one of Sydneys first Lebanese diners. Perez, who came from the same small town in Lebanon as the Mroueh brothers, took over with brother Pierre in 1980. The 71-year-old has been on the tools ever since. He now works alongside wife Samia. We know all of our regular customers, and they are our friends, Perez said. We are happy to do it. We dont want to stop cooking because we enjoy it, me and my wife. Owner Abdul Hamied at Gazal Taste of Lebanon in 1993. The Cleveland Street restaurant is now closed. Andrew Meares/Fairfax Media Newcomers have limited success  restaurant chain Al Aseel closed its Elizabeth Street store in 2009, and Nomads Middle Eastern-inspired cafe and wine bar Beau & Dough closed within 18 months of opening, in 2024. But there also remains hope in next-generation restaurateurs and chefs such as Paul Farag of ESCA Group (which runs hatted Middle Eastern restaurant Nour and Lebanese chicken shop Henrietta on Crown Street), not to mention Cleveland Street staples including Emads and The Prophet.

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Perez doesnt know what the future holds. The area has changed as streets widened, rents have risen and the Lebanese community has moved westward. When its time to retire, there wont be anyone to take over Wilsons. Nours modern dining room packs in groups on weekends. Jennifer Soo Before, you used to have to travel to Surry Hills for a decent, nice Lebanese meal, but now, in the suburbs, there are all of these beautiful restaurants, and they do good food, Ghazal said. Its everywhere now. The omnipresence of Lebanese food in Sydney, from charcoal chicken shops to hatted restaurants such as ESCA Groups Aalia in the CBD, is a testament to the legacy of Little Lebanon and its restaurants. When they opened, many Sydneysiders had never tried pita, falafel, hummus or shawarma, Ghazal said. Now those dishes are part of the common vernacular. Lebanese food has become a staple in Sydney thanks in part to restaurants such as Fatimas. Louise Kennerley

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There are all of these amazing restaurants with traditional Middle Eastern cuisine, whether thats Turkish or Lebanese, whatever it may be, said Farag. I try to put my own spin on it, and make something new. People told him it was a risky move, but it was worth the pay-off. Farag was named Chef of the Year at the 2024 Good Food Guide Awards. If I were to die tomorrow, Id die a happy man, he said. Because, I guess, for my little input into this cultural dining scene in Sydney, and to see how peoples vocabulary for ingredients and dishes has changed and opened up.
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LifestyleLife & relationshipsDeath The conversation were not having about death Lauren Ironmonger January 24, 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

Eighty-six-year-old Jill Nashs life has been shaped by death. In her 20s, her youngest daughter Bridget died what she calls a miserable death at 18-months, after being born without a bile duct and later contracting meningitis. Then, her husband was diagnosed with bowel cancer in his 40s. He never said a proper goodbye, leaving Nash with a letter and their three young kids, to go and die alone in a hospice in England. Jill Nash is a passionate death advocate, informed by her own experiences of loss. Sam Mooy Nash was left to pick up the pieces, cobbling together paperwork and arranging to have his body flown back to Australia for cremation. There was no time to grieve. It was a total mess. I was extremely angry, she says.

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Her second husband, whom she was separated from at the time, died suddenly in a plane crash. Editor's pick Family Will I have mattered? What legacy means for the child-free We do death very badly, she says. I resolved that that should never, ever happen again to our family. In the years since, Nash has become a passionate advocate for dying well, and on ones own terms, designing seminars on end-of-life planning, leading local conversation groups on death and serving on working groups for ageing well (including previously on former independent federal MP Kylea Tinks Ageing Well committee).

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Her plans for her own death are extensive, detailed in a thick yellow binder she refers to as her Golden Oldie Folder (all backed up on USBs, of course), and include everything from an advance care directive to an emotional will (a non-legal document about ones personal legacy  memories, life lessons and well wishes for loved ones) and funeral plans. She would like to die at home, surrounded by friends and family. Not all of us can hope to be as lucky as Nash, as more Australians face the prospect of dying without a partner, child or loved one by our side. Unfortunately, data on how many Australians die a lonely death is difficult to find, given its not something demographers tend to focus on, or government agencies such as the Australian Bureau of Statistics track. But researchers and those within the industry say its a growing concern because of our ageing population, the increasing number of people living alone and general lack of death literacy. Anecdotal evidence from forensic cleaners suggest its becoming more common too.

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Camilla Rowland, chief executive of Palliative Care Australia, says lonely deaths are increasing along with the growing older and more frail population in Australia [and] the shortage of specialist palliative care health professionals. In Australia, more than one-third of those over 65 live alone. More people are also dying while facing homelessness, of which women over 55 are most at risk. And, as the fertility and marriage rate continue to drop, its likely the number of solo agers will rise. The ABS estimates that by 2046, between 3.4 million and 4 million Australians will be living alone. The fear of dying alone Lucinda Light, left, single and child-free, is navigating ageing and making preparations for who will advocate for her later in life. Her best friend, death-literacy advocate Baci Hillyer, right, is helping her. Joe Armao

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Dying alone is a common, almost primal fear. Theres even a term for it  monatophobia, a portmanteau of thanatophobia (fear of death) and monophobia (fear of aloneness). TV personality and author Lucinda Light, 45, always thought she would be a mother. But after a long-term relationship ended in her late 30s, she realised it might never happen. While she lives a fulfilling life, surrounded by loved ones and doing work that matters to her, dying alone is something she worries about. When I think of me [dying], Im like, Shit, I dont even have a partner. I dont have children,  she says. And that thought is a little bit scary. What will I do? Who will look after me? Will I have loved ones around me?

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Light is lucky that her best friend is Baci Hillyer, a death literacy advocate and founder of Deadicate, who has pushed her to start planning for death, even if it can be confronting. Editor's pick Death The conversation no one wants to have with their parents (and its not about sex) Dr Rachel Menzies, a clinical psychologist and researcher who specialises in death anxiety, says, Humans are inherently a very social species across our evolutionary history. So its completely normal and wired into us that in any time of distress or pain or discomfort, we crave the company of other people. Of course, death is the ultimate situation in which all of those vulnerabilities would be exposed. For others, death can intensify general feelings of abandonment.

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Death in and of itself can be seen as this ultimate experience of being alone, Menzies says. But Hillyer, who has worked in palliative care, says not everyone fears dying alone  some prefer it. There was one lady who needed to look perfect, and she just didnt want her children to see her like that [dying], she says. Kylie Hutchinson is president of No One Dies Alone Australia, a program started in the United States over 20 years ago that pairs volunteers with someone near the end of life. Dying alone, she points out, can mean two different things: literally being alone in the moment of death, and being alone in a more figurative sense, like having no one attend your funeral, being lonely in the lead-up to death or not being remembered.

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The latter is usually what people fear, whereas the former is often just an inevitable part of the dying process. Theres this layer of guilt where people go, My mum died when I stepped out to go to the toilet. And its like, of course they did, because they just couldnt [die] while youre holding their hands. Theyre too attached to you, Hutchinson says. Social isolation Inherent to these growing concerns about dying alone are the growing rates of social isolation, particularly among elders.

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Theres a devaluing of older people, and then that means theyre not included in things, she says. Strengthening community bonds, particularly intergenerational ones, is something Nicholl is working towards with Elder Rights Australias volunteer program that connects older people to a friendly face. It alleviates that fear of, no one knows, no one cares. The medicalisation of death We do death badly because we do it silently, says Sydney death doula Danni Petkovic. Steven Siewert

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For Hillyer, another reason so many of us fear death is because in Western societies, we rarely see it. Weve outsourced death, she says. We did death so much better over 100 years ago. Death was a part of life, and it was a community event, not a medical event. Most deaths in Australia occur in hospitals, while less than 15 per cent of deaths occur in the home, according to the ABS. Despite this, up to 70 per cent of Australians want to die at home, a Grattan Institute survey revealed. Death doula Danni Petkovic thinks the reasons so few Australians die at home  despite wanting to  is because we fail to talk about death early. When death is not discussed, decisions are outsourced to emergency systems, she says.

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Ambulances are called because families panic. Doctors are forced to act without guidance. Older people end up in intensive care units where life-saving interventions cause pain and indignity rather than comfort. Families later say, They would never have wanted this, but by then it is too late. Most people think of palliative care as a last resort, says Rowland. But she emphasises getting to know your palliative care provider early improves health outcomes, reduces costs, supports continuity of care and allows good planning [such as for a home death] for when symptoms worsen and needs increase. For Petkovic, talking about death  and doing so early  is central to being prepared. Even a simple conversation with a loved one about what song youd like to have played at your funeral or what youd like to be buried in, is a step in the right direction. Talking about death does not make it happen sooner. What it does is reduce fear, she says.

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People who prepare, document their wishes, and speak openly with family consistently report a sense of relief and freedom. Something loosens. The dread softens. Control is restored. She wants to see greater death literacy throughout society  in homes, schools, aged care homes and among healthcare providers. We do death badly because we do it silently. Curious about death or want to learn more? Find a local death cafe: a facilitated, group discussion of death in an informal, non-judgmental space. Many local councils run regular death cafes. International organisation Death Cafe also has a directory of virtual events and upcoming events in Australia.

No One Dies Alone Australia is an organisation that pairs volunteers with those at the end of life. Palliative Care Australia has its own volunteer program, while many aged care homes and healthcare services also provide end-of-life companions.

If you receive a diagnosis about your health, get to know your local palliative care provider early, who can provide support and talk to you about your options.

Other resources and services include: Death Literacy Institute; Deadicate; Proveda; Dying to Know. Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday.
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LifestyleLife & relationshipsSex & relationships Why do we get so riled up about other peoples affairs? Gary Nunn January 23, 2026  4:11pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

When Andrea Cosentino was on a three-day bus tour of Ireland with other twenty-somethings, the guide asked those in a relationship to raise their hand. If youre looking for love, these people are off-limits, the guide said. Cosentinos hand shot up. Shed been in a happily committed, monogamous relationship with Brian (whose surname is withheld for privacy reasons) for eight years. Little did she know that an Australian man on the bus, Malcolm Smith, would tempt her out of fidelity and into an affair. Our job is to listen, support and ask questions, not judge. Stephen Kiprillis

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News stories about alleged affairs have long provoked strong reactions. Related Article Sex & relationships Can anything good come from an affair? Jude Law was never quite able to escape the shadow cast by his cheating on Sienna Miller with his childrens nanny, Daisy Wright, back in 2005. Kristin Stewart was demonised for being caught with married director Rupert Sanders while dating Robert Pattinson. If you know who Khloe Kardashian and Tristan Thompson are, theres a good chance its because of his repeated infidelity while they were together. And one of the biggest water cooler stories of 2025 was the Coldplay kiss-cam scandal, where a female HR manager was caught on the concert jumbo screen mid-embrace with her married chief executive. So why do we care so much about other people cheating?

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Andrea Cosentino. Fi Mims/Supplied Nobodys business Cosentinos affair almost never happened. Smith missed the tour bus on day two, but luckily found his way back to the group in Dublin. Everyone in the pub wanted to hear his story. I thought: Im not giving this guy the time of day! Cosentino recalls. Then I got chatting to him later that night and we actually really connected; I could really talk to him. I quickly realised: I really like this guy. We stayed up all night together, made plans to eat the next day and spend that day together. Cosentino, now 44 and living in Hurstbridge, Victoria, has been with Smith for 18 years. They have two children, aged 11 and 15. She paid little mind to what anyone else thought. Its nobodys business I had an affair  its between me and the people involved, she says. My kids know there was an overlap. Thats all that matters.

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If people think, what a bitch, Id say: my head knew it was wrong to cheat on Brian. I never meant to hurt him. But my gut pulled me so strongly towards Malcolm, I had to trust that. She rarely encounters overt condemnation. She suspects thats for a few different reasons: she wasnt married to Brian, they werent parents, Smith was single, and the affair became her longest relationship. Plus, she adds, my friends know Im not malicious. How can you show your face? Not everyone has it so smooth. Cosentinos experience is a strong contrast to the vilification directed at Kristin Cabot, the woman at the centre of the Coldplay kiss-cam footage. When she and her married CEO boss, Andy Byron, were caught on camera at the Massachusetts concert last July, Cabot covered her face and fled.

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One in three Australians has cheated The story went global because it pushed our collective buttons around trust, betrayal and morality, explains psychologist and sexologist, Laura Lee. Theres something protective about outrage, she says. It feels safer than compassionate curiosity, which might cause others to question our own moral compass or relationship choices. People prefer to say, Id never do that; neither would my partner, than confront the reality that this certainty is often an illusion, Lee explains. That reaction exists even though one in three have cheated or considered cheating, according to a 2024 survey of 2000 Australians. And theyre just the ones admitting to it.

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Curiosity before judgment may feel destabilising, Lee says, but it leads to more meaningful conversations. It means asking, Whats going on here? Maybe theres more to this? Rather than defaulting to shame. Related Article Sex & relationships What its really like to be non-monogamous in Australia today In 17 years of practice, Lee has worked extensively with polyamorous clients. Non-monogamous relationships are often met with suspicion and ridicule, she says. That says less about those relationships than about how rigid and conservative our ideas still are around a subject this nuanced and complex. We still live in a monogamy-centric society, which is why the reaction is so strong.

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Double standards Theres also a lot of projection going on. When affairs surface, we tend to fill in the gaps based on our own fears, experiences and the limited information available, says clinical psychologist Amberley Meredith. In the Coldplay case, viewers knew something illicit was happening; if itd been ethical non-monogamy, the pair likely wouldnt have squirmed away. That gave the story three key elements: sensationalism, titillation and triggering power. If you have a history of betrayal, this story became a channel for those feelings, Meredith says. It also tapped into a wider sense of instability. In a fractured world of war, political upheaval and economic stress, such betrayal ripped off what was just about holding people together  their faith in relationships, she says.

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For others, the story provided relief from a heavy news cycle. It allowed people to divert their emotional energy somewhere else and weigh in, Meredith says. Lee adds that the vitriol directed specifically at Cabot reflects enduring misogyny. Women are expected to be sexually desirable, but not actually sexual, she says, pointing to a persistent double standard. Are workplace affairs a sackable offence? Theres also the workplace dimension. For Cabot and Byron, they both lost their jobs. Surveys suggest more than half of employees have had a romantic relationship with a colleague, and among them, around four in 10 admit to cheating on a partner with a co-worker.

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Workplace expert Sean Melbourne says blanket bans on office relationships are rare in Australia. Most organisations recognise relationships happen, he says. Theyre not inherently bad, provided theyre consensual, welcome, and free of power imbalances. Policies typically place responsibility on employees to manage conflicts of interest and disclose relationships where appropriate, particularly when hierarchy is involved. So whats an appropriate reaction? Ultimately, context matters. But Lee offers a guiding principle. If its not your relationship, your job isnt to judge or solve, she says. Its to listen, support, ask questions  be curious.

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You can privately hold your own disapproval without imposing it on someone else, she adds, and certainly without the collective dehumanising weve seen recently. As one of Kristin Cabots close friends observed at the height of the online pile-on: I hope all these people commenting have never made a mistake.
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Investigation NationalRight-wing extremism A scary time: Nazi terror links revealed as disbanding sparks fears of violence Sherryn Groch January 24, 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

Australias biggest neo-Nazi group has been in direct contact with dozens of terrorists and extremist groups overseas and experts say they are more dangerous than ever as they officially disband to escape new hate laws. An investigation by this masthead has uncovered fresh details of the extent of the National Socialist Networks entanglement with terrorists and criminals, some of whom have given the neo-Nazi group money, and trained its members overseas. Australias biggest neo-Nazi group has been in direct contact with dozens of terrorists and extremist groups overseas. The Age National security experts say the relationships revealed between NSN members and key leaders of neo-Nazi terror cells suggest the Australians are deeply embedded in the far-right extremism movement internationally. And they say the NSNs formal dissolution could now make its members more volatile than ever  freeing them from its discipline and giving its leaders, who are already plotting a return under the guise of a political party, more protection from culpability if those neo-Nazis turn violent. Leaked chatlogs, photographs and other evidence analysed by this masthead show that members of the NSN have been in close contact with at least 30 neo-Nazi extremist groups overseas since forming five years ago. Nine of those groups are listed internationally as terror cells, and three of them  The Base, Atomwaffen and Terrorgram  are also banned in Australia.

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Leaders of some of those terror groups have been described as friends by NSN leader Thomas Sewell, and they have appeared in the NSNs closed chats on Telegram. Among them are notorious Atomwaffen leader Brandon Russell, now jailed for plotting terror attacks in the US, who shared mass murder manuals with the NSN after Atomwaffen was banned in Australia, as well as British terrorist Benjamin Raymond of National Action, whom Sewell said had helped him plan how to evade a ban on the NSN in Australia. Thomas Sewell being arrested outside court in September. The Age When this masthead put the allegations to Sewell, he said he did not view these people or groups as terrorists and he claimed he was being persecuted by the Australian government. Matt Kriner, a US extremism expert who consults for government agencies around the world, said the NSN had grown to occupy a very similar space as the since-outlawed network Terrorgram in connecting extremists globally, many of whom are recruited by multiple groups at once. The NSN served as a public face for the movement and had not committed acts of terror itself, he said. But behind a very thin veil, the Australian NSN appeared to have inherited the global neo-Nazi network when other leaders such as Russell had been locked up.

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Extremism Australias biggest Nazi group to disband to escape jail ahead of crackdown The NSN are connected to the same people, sharing the same content, Kriner said . But they cant be open because your laws are different. Theyve chosen Helly Hansen jackets over skull masks. Kriner has recently been assessing the NSN for Australian authorities. He separately analysed material on the group obtained by this masthead as well as the archives of anti-fascist researchers the White Rose Society. Other researchers, including Jordan McSwiney and Kaz Ross, who are tracking neo-Nazis in Australia agree that the NSN and Sewell have had an outsized influence on the neo-Nazi movement globally, considering their relatively small numbers. Until now, Australian authorities had said the group had not yet met the threshold of being caught actively plotting violence that would lead to its proscription as a terror group. The NSN shut down officially last weekend ahead of the Albanese governments introduction of a new designation to instead ban it as a hate group.

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Extremism Neo-Nazis chilling threats as government investigates homeschooling network Disbanding wont stop them. These men are committed Nazis, said McSwiney. This is a scary time, if someone in their orbit was going to do something. Already, the groups leaders are planning their return under a new banner, telling followers to trust the plan and flagging another, more covert political party push, even as they wiped their official Telegram channels on Sunday night for the shutdown. Australian neo-Nazi Joel Davis marched with Polish far-right extremists in Poland. Telegram On livestreams with overseas white supremacist leaders just hours before those channels disappeared, Sewell said the NSN had always been an accelerationist group, committed to speeding up societal decay, as his followers posted tributes to the murderous US accelerationist group The Order before going dark online.

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The hate speech crackdown banning the NSN was really his groups Magnum Opus, Sewell said, forcing the government to take the mask off too early while [we still] have the ability to mobilise as many white people as possible against this alien, treasonous regime. In the final moments of the groups closed internal network, some members posted violent calls for revenge, including to stab people of colour, knowing the messages were about to be deleted. Screenshots of some of them have since been leaked to this masthead. Thomas Sewell posted a picture in December 2022 wearing a jacket with the logo of The Base, an illegal terrorist organisation banned in Australia. Telegram Some are still expected to show their faces, but not their usual black shirt uniforms, at the next anti-immigration rallies on Australia Day which the NSN has been helping organise. But police have warned off a number already on bail from attending, including neo-Nazis who allegedly attacked women at an Indigenous camp after the first March for Australia protests in August. Such violent stunts, lionised in their propaganda, have helped propel the NSN into the role of global neo-Nazi movement forerunner, once held by the likes of Atomwaffen and The Base, White Rose researchers said.

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Some connections between terror groups and the NSN have previously been exposed by this masthead, such as the extensive recruitment of its members by The Base, The Proud Boys and Combat 18. But others, including close ties to the terror cells Nordic Resistance Movement and Golden Dawn, as well as the extent of a previous infestation of satanists in the group, are now revealed in leaked internal communications. The cache of evidence includes photos of Sewell wearing the patch of accelerationist terror cell The Base, and letters that NSN members said they sent to Christchurch terrorist Brenton Tarrant in jail. Kriner, who previously advised New Zealand authorities on listing far-right group The Proud Boys as terrorists, called it alarming. Just this month in a public NSN channel on Telegram, this masthead observed a user posting a genuine copy of the terror manual Siege, which argues neo-Nazi groups can seed lone-wolf attacks without actually having to explicitly direct them. That user soon after posted a photograph displaying a tattoo of the satanic neo-Nazi group Order of Nine Angles, of which some NSN recruits have been members. This masthead also found at least 11 lone actors charged with terrorism or serious violence had been members of the NSN or in communication with its leaders. That included the Australian Christchurch shooter, who donated money to Sewell shortly before carrying out the massacre on two New Zealand mosques in 2019, as well as a clutch of NSN members in Adelaide discovered with explosives and terror manuals during police raids in 2021.

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More recently, US neo-Nazi Nikita Casap was in several NSN chats, before he murdered his parents last year to finance a plot to assassinate US President Donald Trump. And a Sydney soldier caught with child sex abuse material and terror manuals in August had been recently surveilled at NSN training. Photographs and livestreams reveal Sewells neo-Nazis have also trained frequently overseas on networking tours with proscribed cells including Golden Dawn in Greece and Nordic Resistance in Sweden  groups that have carried out killings and other racial attacks. Neo-Nazis overseas have donated money to NSN fundraisers and last year militias in the US and Canada organised letter-writing campaigns and protests outside Australian embassies demanding Sewells release from prison. White Canada far-right extremists post a video in support of Thomas Sewell. Telegram

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Sewells growing star power as a Nazi manfluencer has made him the headline figure at rare international roundtables of white supremacists held online, and the NSN has bragged of introducing key names in the scene, including connecting one of the most dangerous neo-Nazis in Europe, Russian-born Denis Nikitin, or White Rex, with The Proud Boys. Closer to home, the NSN has considered merging with New Zealand neo-Nazi group Action Zealandia, according to White Rose. The groups have been photographed hosting members for training trips in their respective cities. Action Zealandias members have also been charged with a string of crimes, including sharing national security intelligence, and they have invited terror cells such as Nordic Resistance to join them for the pilgrimage following the route of Saint Tarrant, the Christchurch shooter, before he carried out the massacre. Photo: Matt Golding Ahead of its planned race war, the NSN had been training its Australian recruits in combat, and quietly raising funds to build closed white communities, including, Sewell had flagged, a Nazi pub. It operated as a disciplined fight club, similar to neo-Nazi militias such as Patriot Front in the US and Casa Pound in Italy, with whom NSN members have also trained overseas. On the livestream on Saturday, Sewell said he had also studied terror groups such as Nordic Resistance in creating the NSN, but he said the group had now served its purpose. He told his men not to gather in large numbers or to risk lengthy jail time under the new ban. While it was game over for the NSN, he said the group was itself just the latest iteration of the neo-Nazi push he had begun under earlier brands such as The Lads Society, and the militant Antipodean Resistance.

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Im target fixated, he said, pledging to go back to the drawing board to think up the next chapter. Antipodean Resistance, led by Sewells right-hand man Jacob Hersant, formed out of the original international neo-Nazi accelerationist forum Ironmarch, inspired by National Action, and many of its members joined the first Australian cell of the terror group The Base and glorified Tarrant. Related Article Exclusive

Nazis Next Door Neo-Nazis quietly forming a political party to try to get around the law The group may yet take a softer political path than return to that brand of agitation and propaganda Sewell said they had built into the NSN. But Kriner and other experts say this network, now cut loose from leadership, is primed for violence.

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Many have violent criminal records, including Sewell, and the groups rhetoric and threats against politicians and journalists had been escalating in recent months as senior neo-Nazis spoke of political solutions drying up. National security expert John Coyne, formerly in counter-terrorism at the AFP, said most shit-talking online went nowhere, but for those already that far into the NSNs cause, the timeline from spark to fuse is pretty damn short. Neo-Nazi Jimeone Roberts has contributed to the website of Atomwaffen. Penny Stephens Coyne investigated previous white supremacist cells in Australia, and said it was truly astounding how the NSN had appeared to unite neo-Nazis behind one brand in a way he said no group had done since the days of violent American militias like the Ku Klux Klan. Sewell has been able to breadcrumb the journey to extremism for individuals, to normalise it, and yet not be picked up by law enforcement for any [lengthy] stretch of time as others have, Coyne said. Whether or not he intends to act  Theyve learned from the example of ISIS and Islamic extremism, which is you dont fire the bullet yourself. But you create the right conditions.

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Sewell has publicly advocated for the rape of police; he has threatened journalists and politicians; and vowed to become a terrorist and start killing people if authorities come for any members children. His senior lieutenants, including Joel Davis, have called for white people to murder black people, and Hersant has filmed videos dressed in the white hood of the Ku Klux Klan, swinging a rope and chasing a man in blackface. Neo-Nazi Jacob Hersant in a Ku Klux Klan hood. Signal In their closed chats, NSN members have venerated racist mass murderers, shared instructions for 3D printing guns and accessing banned terror manuals, and discussed bashing people of colour. Prominent neo-Nazi Jimeone Roberts has written publicly for Atomwaffens online publishing arm, and others have appeared in the terror groups staff chats. At the same time, cleanskin influencer associates not officially part of the NSN had also been increasingly leaning in to the Nazi label, Kriner said. He called it a warning sign, a bellwether of how far the group had dragged the far-right to the extreme. But the NSN had been trying to rebrand as everyday Australians in its final months too  covertly organising the March for Australia rallies, and signing up members for a planned White Australia political party.

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In an email to supporters last week, the NSN said it had never advocated for terrorism or violence and nor had it broken the law. It accused the federal government of moving the goal posts to suppress political freedom. Sewell spoke on Saturday of a populist political party emerging from the ashes of the NSN, without the Nazi branding or names of senior leadership attached. Related Article Investigation

Extremism An Andrew Tate insider is helping Australian Nazis recruit teens McSwiney expects the NSN will follow a similar playbook to neo-Nazi groups in Europe, who have reformed as political parties after bans to claim cover as political expression. But those models also show that the neo-Nazi threat would continue, probably via an unofficial militant activist wing, he said. Before it disbanded, the NSN had more than doubled in size in one year, as it aggressively recruited teenagers and men with access to money, influence and guns. That group of about 350 diehards were not renouncing Nazism, Kaz Ross said. Yet many have not been publicly identified as NSN members. If something happens, perhaps on the fringes, we might not know they came from NSN at all, she said.

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Exclusive NationalPregnancy Firebrand independent senator Fatima Payman expecting a baby Hamish Hastie January 24, 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

Like many West Australians, FIFO is a way of life for firebrand independent senator Fatima Payman and husband Jacob Stokes. And like tens of thousands of WAs FIFO families, Payman will now be dealing with an added layer of complexity to her gruelling lifestyle between Perth and Canberra by May  a baby girl. Fatima Payman with her husband Jacob Stokes. Ross Swanborough Paymans northern suburbs Perth home is already adorned with gifted baby clothes and toy animals ahead of the arrival of their baby, which she said they were trying for, but were shocked at the news regardless. I was in the [Perth] office and felt nauseous. I thought, This is weird and strange and did a test  it was quite the surprise, but were very, very excited, she said.

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Payman will be the first WA senator to give birth while serving, but will join a raft of other mums in the chamber, including new Labor senator Ellie Whiteaker, who also juggles a toddler with her state Labor MP husband David Scaife. Stokes, who quit his job as a Labor staffer in the Cook government after Payman left the party in 2024 over its stance on Gaza, said the addition of a baby wouldnt be anything the pair couldnt handle after the past two years. Weve been through a lot already, and this, if anything, is an exciting challenge compared to some of the other challenges weve had to go through, he said. For me, its just doing what Ive done the last two years since I left the Labor Party and thats just being as strong a support network as I can, which, at the moment, has been making sure she sleeps, eats and drinks. Payman will stop travelling to Canberra from Easter and wont return until its safe for her baby to fly, but she doesnt intend to pull her workload back, which is where her former boss, Anthony Albanese, comes in.

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Payman has been in a long-running dispute with Albanese over electorate office staffing levels since her sensational exit. The prime minister sets staffing levels in the crossbench, and Payman said she had requested more than her currently allotted five full-time staff to match her crossbench colleagues who had teams of six and seven  but had received silence to date. She said she would write again to request extra staff to assist her in balancing her baby with her work. Im definitely not letting the pregnancy or the baby hold us back, but that just means that its going to be a lot on the team. Were already under-resourced, understaffed, she said. Im just hoping that the prime minister is not going to, you know, not keep us in this weird sort of limbo around resourcing and support.

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Related Article Political expenses The MPs who spent more than $100,000  and the ministers who spent $0  on family travel He is quite vocal in his support for modern-day Australia and working women, and being able to support them during their pregnancy and maternity leave journeys, and the paid parental leave was a huge achievement for them. Im hoping as the announcement is made public he can soften a little bit and realise that as the only independent senator for WA, I need to be able to effectively do my job and represent West Australians, regardless of whether Im having a baby and how much time Ill need to recover post-delivery. Payman plans to enlist the help of Stokes and their mothers after their girl is born, but that has been complicated by the recent focus on MP travel entitlements. Payman came in second on the list of MPs who have spent the most on family travel, which she conceded was not great.

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I agree it doesnt pass the pub test, and thats something that well need to keep in mind on how we travel and how often, she said. The debate around parliaments suitability for new mothers has been raging for decades and hit a crescendo in 2017 when Greens senator Larissa Waters became the first woman to breastfeed in the chamber. Payman said she believes as a workplace, Parliament House has come a long way for new mums, and a babys presence in the chamber wasnt an alien concept. Its a constant process of improving every workplace to make sure that women dont have to choose between, do I want to keep my career, or can I start a family? she said. I guess well put it to the test when we write to the prime minister to see what he reckons. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter.
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NationalNSWDomestic violence Bail laws were reformed after Molly Ticehursts murder. Did they fail Sophie Quinn? Amber Schultz January 23, 2026  7:08pm 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

Warning: This story contains the names and images of Indigenous people who have died. The devastating shooting death of Sophie Quinn, a heavily pregnant 24-year-old, together with her friend and aunt, has shocked the small Central West town of Lake Cargelligo. The tragedy is a terrifying echo of the death of Molly Ticehurst in nearby Forbes just two years earlier. Quinn was allegedly killed by a former partner, Julian Ingram, who was on bail for domestic violence offences. Both Sophie Quinn (left) and Molly Ticehurst died with active apprehended violence orders in place for their protection. On Thursday, Ingram allegedly shot her alongside friend John Harris, 32, in a car, before travelling to a nearby home to gun down Nerida Quinn, 50, and 19-year-old Kaleb Macqueen, who remains in a serious condition. A manhunt is under way for Ingram, who fled in a Ford Ranger.

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Ticehurst was murdered in April 2024 by her former partner, Daniel Billings, who was on bail for three counts of rape and four counts of stalking or intimidating the 28-year-old. Ticehursts death prompted a major shake-up of the states bail laws designed to make it harder for men accused of serious domestic violence offences to be released back into the community. The new laws place the onus on the alleged offender to justify why they should be released for those accused of serious domestic violence offences, which include intimate partner violence involving elements such as sexual assault, strangulation, kidnapping or coercive control. Julian Ingram, 37, is wanted for murder after three people were shot and killed in central west NSW. NSW Police Those released on bail are fitted with electronic monitoring bracelets that alert police if the alleged offender approaches restricted areas, such as their alleged victims home.

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However, Ingrams charges didnt meet the threshold for the new laws to apply. Ingram was charged in November with stalking or intimidating Quinn, common assault, and damaging her property. Serious domestic violence offences are classified as those that carry maximum sentences of 14 years or more. Ingrams domestic violence charges and Billings murder charge were both heard by the same magistrate, who continued Ingrams police bail in December last year because his charges didnt meet the legal threshold. Daniel Billings pleaded guilty to murdering Molly Ticehurst. Facebook Ingrams court appearance came just one month after Billings had pleaded guilty to Ticehursts murder. Both women had apprehended violence orders in place for their protection. Court records show Ingram had been issued six AVOs, protecting five people, including Quinn, since 2014.

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Former magistrate David Heilpern said Ingrams police bail had been issued correctly within the legislation. Related Article NSW State Parliament Minns to announce tough new bail laws after Molly Ticehurst death None of the charges would trigger a presumption against bail, he said, and it would be exceptionally rare for a magistrate to overturn a police bail decision. However, Heilpern said Ingrams AVOs were a cause for concern. That would show a concerning pattern, in my view. A series of AVOs would be a red flag to me that this person has a propensity for conduct that gives rise to concern, he said.

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On Friday, Western Region Command Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland defended the decision to grant police bail, saying Ingram had complied with all conditions since November and that he had no other violent charges in the past five years. With strict bail conditions and an AVO in place, it was deemed suitable, he said. On Friday, Acting Police Minister Paul Scully refused to respond to questions about whether the justice system may have failed those killed. Domestic violence campaigners say bail shouldnt be the focus when a lack of resources is failing regional women. Loading

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Domestic Violence NSW CEO Delia Donovan said Ticehurst and Quinn both faced barriers to accessing services in regional areas, where police stations are often unmanned after hours, police response times can be up to three hours, and there is an extreme lack of emergency housing and support services. Related Article Exclusive

Crime Accused triple murderer bailed on domestic violence charges weeks before death of gentle mother-to-be We cannot respond to this issue in the same ways that we would in a metro area, she said. The resourcing and the coverage do not exist in regional NSW. Founder of volunteer-run domestic violence advocacy service Birds in the Bush, solicitor Vanessa Vazquez, said domestic violence rates in rural and regional areas were double to triple those in metropolitan areas. AVOs are one tool in our kit, but other things which aim at prevention and early intervention simply dont exist in places like Lake Cargelligo, she said.

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What services there are, theyre collapsing under the weight of the demand. DVNSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander policy, advocacy and engagement manager Cecilia McKenzie said Quinn, an Aboriginal woman, would have faced specific challenges in seeking domestic violence services, including fear of child removal, racism and a lack of culturally appropriate services. Often, our perpetrators may cycle through systems that respond to risk without addressing root causes, prevention and cultural safety. Aboriginal-led solutions must be central if were really serious about stopping this, McKenzie said. Our communities are grieving. The Quinns are the third and fourth women alleged to have been killed by violence in Australia this year, according to Counting Dead Women Australia. 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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Editorial NationalNSWProperty development The pot of gold the Obeid family hid is a slap in the face for NSW The Herald's View January 24, 2026  5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

It is a coincidence so stark it feels like a taunt. For years, the NSW government and its powerful criminal intelligence agency, the NSW Crime Commission, have pursued the $30 million that disgraced NSW MP Eddie Obeid made from a corrupt coal licence deal. Last April, outgoing Crime Commission boss Michael Barnes declared he had given up the chase. The passage of time, the destruction of records, and the Obeid familys use of myriad trusts and corporations meant that a criminal confiscation case against the disgraced ex-Labor MP was deemed unfeasible. Moses Obeid (left), Ian Macdonald (centre) and Eddie Obeid (right). Fairfax Media Obeid, his son Moses and former Labor mining minister Ian Macdonald were jailed in October 2021 over the deal that netted Obeid $30 million for a coal tenement on top of the familys farm at Mount Penny in the Bylong Valley. Eddie Obeid was released from jail last August. But while the man is free, the money remains missing. As Obeid faced investigations and imprisonment, the funds were laundered through asset sales and complex family trusts set up in the names of Obeid, his wife Judy, and their nine children.

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There is not $30 million sitting in a pot somewhere that we can just go and snaffle, Barnes lamented last year. Related Article Exclusive

Development Revealed: Obeid trusts secret $30 million stake in metro high-rise Now, Herald investigative reporter Ben Cubby reveals that a trust fund for the disgraced former politicians family stands to make that exact sum, $30 million, from a secret share in a Bankstown development site. Through a series of email chains and confidential documents, the Herald has revealed how the Obeid trust managed to obscure its interest in this development goldmine, located directly across from a soon-to-be-opened metro station. The NSW Department of Planning has earmarked the site for a 20-storey residential tower under the states transport-oriented development strategy.

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Frustratingly for those seeking to recover what Obeid owes the state, the trust utilised a complex but lawful accounting strategy to hide its tracks. By transferring shares to an associate while retaining a beneficial interest through a private deed, the family effectively vanished from the public records of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. Even one of Sydneys top silks, Arthur Moses, SC, was unable to connect Eddie Obeid to the lucrative site. Related Article Exclusive

Property development The pristine beach, a $100m development proposal and the question over links to Obeid family This sleight of hand has allowed the Obeid name to disappear from a project positioned to reap a windfall from the governments planning strategy. It is a bitter irony that Obeid is set to benefit again from a decision on Macquarie Street merely months after walking free from Long Bay prison. While the fact that this potential windfall matches the proceeds of the corrupt coal deal is a coincidence, it serves as a reminder of the funds Eddie Obeid still owes the state.

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Following the Crime Commissions admission of defeat last year, Premier Chris Minns rightly sensed the publics indignation and vowed to provide the agency with whatever resources were required to launch a renewed bid to recoup the $30 million from the coal deal. The government has backed those words with action, introducing legislation removing the six-year limitation on how far back the Crime Commission can investigate crimes and confiscate assets. These legislative changes are long overdue. On Wednesday, the government appointed Stephen Dametto as its new Crime Commission chief. The Herald welcomes the appointment of Dametto, who has an extensive background in policing with the Australian Federal Police, and urges the chase for the Obeid fortunes to resume. The question at the heart of all of this is does crime pay? The ledger is not yet balanced. Get a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up for our Opinion newsletter.
BEIJING, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- The so-called "Board of Peace," proposed by the United States, has been met with doubts and indifference, as it will likely overlap or undermine the role of the United Nations.

In Davos, U.S. President Donald Trump formally launched the Board of Peace on Thursday at a charter-signing ceremony, though several European leaders were absent.

Trump said Tuesday that the United Nations should continue because of its potential, but the "Board of Peace" he proposed "might" replace the organization.

In his nearly two-hour address at a White House press briefing marking the first anniversary of his second term, Trump repeatedly criticized the United Nations as being ineffective in ending wars.

The EU has serious doubts about the Board of Peace and will defend itself against any form of coercion, European Council President Antonio Costa said after the council's emergency summit in Brussels shortly after midnight Thursday.

Costa told a news conference that the EU has serious doubts about many elements of the Board of Peace, including its scope, governance and compatibility with the UN Charter.

Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said on Thursday Britain will not sign the Board of Peace treaty.

"There's a huge amount of work to do, we won't be one of the signatories today," she told British media. This is about a legal treaty that "raises much broader issues," Cooper stressed.

According to the German magazine Der Spiegel on Wednesday, Germany will not join the initiative in its current form.

The Federal Foreign Office said in an internal government document that while Berlin remains open to dialogue on peace initiatives, joining the so-called Board of Peace in the present form is not possible, said the report.

The document stressed that Germany is committed to strengthening the international order with the UN Charter at its core, while the U.S. proposal is viewed as a "counter-draft" to the United Nations.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on Wednesday that Sweden will not join the proposal based on its "current text," reported Sweden's public broadcaster Sveriges Radio.

Kristersson made the remarks while attending the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, said the report. "As the text stands right now, Sweden will not sign," Kristersson was quoted as saying.

Similarly, the Norwegian Prime Minister's Office said that Norway will not join the initiative or take part in a planned signing ceremony in Davos.

Kristoffer Thoner, state secretary at the Prime Minister's Office, said the U.S. proposal "raises a number of questions" that require further dialogue with Washington.

The Board of Peace was originally proposed as part of a U.S.-drafted peace plan to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and help reconstruct the Gaza Strip.

However, a draft charter of the board -- reportedly attached to invitation letters to many world leaders and obtained by multiple media outlets -- makes no reference to Gaza. Instead, it outlines a broader vision for the body as a U.S.-controlled organization aimed at helping resolve conflicts and wars worldwide, a role the United Nations has played for decades.

According to media reports, the proposal grants Trump, as "chairman," extensive decision-making powers. Under the current plan, Trump would serve as the board's inaugural chairman, a position he could hold for life. 
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NationalNSWCourts Trusted her with their money: Sydney travel agent scammed clients of thousands Luke Costin and Miklos Bolza January 23, 2026  3:50pm 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 travel agent who cancelled customers flights and pocketed thousands of refunded dollars, blaming global events, has avoided more time behind bars over her betrayal of trust. Travel World Sydney operator Zahra Rachids simple but effective fraud ran for more than eight months, purportedly to keep her struggling business afloat. Former Sydney travel agent Zahra Rachid arrives at Downing Centre Local Court. She cancelled customers flights and pocketed the refunds. Sam Mooy At least one of the victims arrived at Sydney Airport ready to fly to Europe, only to be told their plane ticket didnt exist, the Downing Centre Local Court was told. That person had to fork out more money on the spot to book new flights and keep their holiday plans.

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All up, eight victims were defrauded of amounts ranging from $2000 to $50,360 before Rachids arrest in August 2024. The total amount that she gained is significant, magistrate Susan Horan said. Two thousand dollars to one person may be significant life savings, as $50,000 might be to people in other financial circumstances. People were trusting her with their money. In all but one case, Rachid booked the customers flights, cancelled them and then passed on the cancelled booking to the customer as though it remained valid.

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The scheme netted her more than $77,000. Not a cent had been repaid by Rachid before her sentence on Friday, something not lost on the magistrate. Zahra Rachid was jailed for a minimum of six months. Sam Mooy The former travel agents earning ability had been significantly curtailed since her arrest, including 255 days in custody on remand and another 11 months on strict bail conditions that effectively imposed home detention. But she has not sought to compensate the victims in some small way, the magistrate said.

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Actions speak louder than words, Horan said. As she jailed Rachid for a minimum of six months, Horan noted guilty pleas to eight counts of fraud, her lack of criminal history and deep and genuine remorse. Rachid had worked for 15 years in the industry before taking over a small business that catered to those wanting to travel to the Middle East. The travel agency was knocked for a six by restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and then travel advisories related to Israels war in Gaza, her barrister Ertunc Ozen, SC, earlier told the court. This was an extraordinary, admittedly serious criminal response to an extraordinary set of circumstances, Ozen told the court.

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The financial stress at the time included the loss of her apartment as she funnelled cash into the struggling business. Diagnoses of chronic anxiety and panic attacks were also cited as reasons for poor decisions under pressure. Other fraud charges were dropped after Rachid entered guilty pleas in November. Highlighting a need to send a message to other small business owners, Horan sentenced Rachid to one year in prison, with a minimum of six months. With time served, she walked from court on Friday.

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The former agent was also ordered to repay $44,800 to the victims who had not already been compensated by their banks. AAP Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.

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Updated NationalQueenslandQueensland Police Coroner says dingoes attacked Piper James before she died on Kgari Julius Dennis Updated January 23, 2026  9:26pm ,first published 7:35pm 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 Canadian backpacker was attacked by dingoes before likely drowning off the coast of Queenslands Kgari, a preliminary coroners report has revealed. The report also concluded no one was involved in the death of Piper James, 19, who was found near the water at 75 Mile Beach surrounded by dingoes at 6.30am on Monday. Pipers father, Todd James, said earlier on Friday evening that autopsy results showed water in her lungs. The report also said the animals had bitten her extensively after she died. Loading Further testing was called for after an autopsy on Wednesday, but Mr James told Nine News his daughters body could now be taken back to Canada.

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A Coroners Court of Queensland spokesperson confirmed that drowning was the likely cause of death, but that further tests had to be completed over the next few weeks. The coroner has completed a preliminary assessment and is now awaiting pathology results to further assist in determining the cause of death of Piper James. This process is expected to take several weeks, the spokesperson said. Piper James and her father, Todd James. The autopsy has found physical evidence consistent with drowning, and injuries consistent with dingo bites. Pre-mortem dingo bite marks are not likely to have caused immediate death. There are extensive post-mortem dingo bite marks. There is no evidence that any other person was involved.

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Police earlier confirmed that James body had been interfered with by dingoes, and they offered three potential causes of death: she drowned before dingoes came across her remains; the dingoes attacked her and killed her; or she was chased into the water by the animals and drowned. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli had said he would wait for James autopsy results before considering a review of dingo management, a potential dingo cull, or imposing stricter visitor caps on the island, though he ruled out a complete tourist ban. James body was found near the S.S. Maheno shipwreck on 75 Mile Beach on Kgari. WikiCommons The state government remained tight-lipped on Saturday about how they would respond to the preliminary findings, but said they had deployed a range of management activities to deter local dingoes from approaching people. Rangers increased patrols across the island following the tragedy, which came just weeks after a warning of heightened dingo activity in the area where James died, with reports of wild dogs ripping tents, approaching campers, and stealing food and property.

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That warning remains in place for the summer holiday period until January 31. A camping area near where James was found remained closed on Saturday. James had been on a trip down the east coast of Australia with another Canadian, and was working on the island when she died. In an interview with The Canadian Press, Todd James said he hoped his daughter had succumbed to the surf, considering the alternative. We know her body was messed with [by] dingoes. Its one or the other, he said on Friday local time.

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Weve just got to wait, and it could be one to two months. Related Article Updated

Wildlife More tests needed to determine cause of Kgari backpackers death He said he and wife Angela hoped to attend a smoking ceremony on Kgari, which they had been invited to by the Butchulla people, the islands traditional custodians. The Global Affairs Canada government department said officials were providing consular assistance to the family. The backpackers death has sparked rampant debate over visitor safety on the island, with Hervey Bay Mayor George Seymour telling media that dingo behaviour in the area was changing.

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Were seeing more attacks in different ways, like dingoes following people into the water and attacking them, he said following James death. Each year, almost half a million people visit the pristine beaches and blue lakes of Kgari, which is a hotspot for four-wheel-driving and camping. The Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation, which represents traditional owners, said it had long been pushing the Queensland government to cap visitor numbers, as well as closing the island for parts of the year. If youve got a government thats more interested in the tourism economy ... the island is going to suffer, project officer Tessa Waia said. With AAP Our Breaking News Alert will notify you of significant breaking news when it happens. Get it here.
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NationalQueenslandQueensland courts Queensland teacher suspended for allegedly holding gun to childs head Julius Dennis January 24, 2026  9:40am 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 teacher who allegedly held a gun to the head of a child has been suspended while facing assault charges in Queensland. The teacher, who could not be identified, allegedly pushed a boy and held a handgun to his head in front of the teachers daughter, a Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal decision has revealed. In his decision, senior tribunal member Ned Aughterson said there were criminal charges against the teacher, and police advised him they had CCTV of the incident, which allegedly occurred on December 1. The Queensland College of Teachers argued that bail did not necessarily mean the teacher posed no risk to children. Louie Douvis The teacher, known as KUF in the ruling, is facing charges of common assault and going armed to cause fear.

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He cannot be identified as it may reveal the child involved. Similarly, the school where he works is also subject to a non-publication order, as is any information that may identify a witness. The Queensland College of Teachers suspended the teacher on December 4 last year. In their application for an extension of that suspension, the college argued the teacher posed an unacceptable risk of harm to children. In his submission, the teacher argued the proceedings should be dismissed, and said it was unreasonable for punitive measures to be sought until a decision had been made in the criminal case, adding the police report said neither child had been physically injured. The teacher also argued that the claims he possessed a firearm were unsubstantiated, he had a clean criminal record, and that his release on bail proved he was not a risk.

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In response, the college submitted that suspension under section 49 of the Education (Queensland College of Teachers) Act placed the interests of children ahead of those of a teacher, and the tribunal could rely on untested evidence due to the urgent nature of such suspensions. It argued bail relied on separate considerations and did not necessarily mean the teacher posed no risk to children. Aughterson agreed. He said the purpose of a suspension was not to punish a teacher, but to protect children. In his decision he said while the children may not have suffered any physical harm, the teacher made no reference to the potential psychological damage caused by the event. That reflects a lack of insight on the part of the teacher into the nature of potential harm that might be inflicted on children, he said.

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Aughterson said the onus was on the teacher to provide evidence that he posed no threat to children, and the bail decision was not conclusive proof of this. The teacher was given 28 days to apply for a review of the decision. 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 NationalDevelopment Revealed: Obeid trusts secret $30 million stake in metro high-rise Ben Cubby January 24, 2026  5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

A trust fund for disgraced former politician Eddie Obeids family has concealed a secret share worth up to $30 million in land the government earmarked for high-rise development next to a new Sydney metro station. Email chains and confidential documents obtained by the Herald show how the Obeid trust deliberately hid its interest in the development goldmine, which is directly across the road from the new Bankstown metro station, which is due to open this year. Disgraced MP Eddie Obeids family trust is set to make $30 million from the Bankstown land site. Stephen Kiprillis The land, currently home to the dilapidated Bellevue function centre and some leased shops, has been slated by the NSW Department of Planning for a 20-storey residential tower under the states transport-oriented development strategy. The Obeid family trust moved to conceal its interest in the site in May 2018, when the family was facing intense scrutiny over its network of properties and business activities.

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Financial documents show the trust fund transferred its 50 per cent stake in a company then named Redpoc Pty Ltd, which owned the site, to colourful businessman Walhan Wally Wehbe, an Obeid associate who owns numerous other properties around Bankstown. It meant that, as far as publicly available records held by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission show, the Obeids are no longer connected to the company that owns the land. The catch was that Wehbe held the shares on privately agreed terms, stating that any income would flow into an Obeid family trust, according to legal advice given to representatives of the Obeids and Wehbe. Documents obtained by the Herald outline the complex but lawful accounting strategy deployed by Obeid family accountant Sid Sassine and tax lawyer Rolf Koops.

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Family accountant Sassine had accomplished miracles with our accounts where others before him had failed, according to a testimonial on Sassines website from members of the Obeid family, deleted five years before the Redpoc transfer. The accountant gave evidence at an Independent Commission Against Corruption hearing into a corrupt coal deal in 2013, denying he was the familys frontman but agreeing he had worked to keep the Obeid name out of the spotlight. Wally Wehbe outside his home in southern Sydney in 2022. Sam Mooy My role there is to conceal, yes, to hide the name Obeid from the general public, to avoid the hindrance that theyve consistently had, Sassine told the inquiry. In an email sent at 8.50am on May 31, 2018 with the subject line URGENT: Redpoc Unit Trust  Changes, Sassine sought advice from Koops, then a tax partner at law firm Madison Marcus, about transferring the Obeid familys 50 per cent share in the trust that owned the Bankstown site to Wehbe.

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In the event of a transfer a Deed of Trust will be required, to be held off record, stating that this 50% will always be held for the benefit of Obeid Corp Pty Ltd ATF [as trustee for] Obeid Family Trust No. 1, Sassine wrote. Related Article Exclusive

Corruption Eddie Obeid to keep his socks and jocks along with $30 million The clients are pushing to have this finalised by this Friday [the following day] please, as matters are now moving very quickly. Koops replied at 10.13am: I have been thinking about this  and I am confident there is an alternative way  which will not trigger any stamp duty consequences  a significant saving and achieve the commercial objectives. Essentially the asset ie the units can be split away and held by another trustee eg Wallys entity  there is no change in ownership  just a change in trustee. For tax and accounting, ownership is the same.

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At 2.16pm, Sassine reiterated to Koops that he should provide a Deed of Nominee stating that Wallys entity will be holding the units in Trust for Obeid Family Trust No.1. Amendments to the Obeid Family Trust No.1 were recorded as being made on the same day to include Wehbe Investments Pty Ltd as an additional trustee, and the register of the Redpoc Unit Trust was updated to reflect the transfer of the Obeids half to Wehbe, according to documents obtained by the Herald. The Bellevue function centre has seen better days but it stands to net its owner a lucrative payday. Wolter Peters Obeid Family Trust No.1 was described during an ICAC hearing in 2012 as a pond of money where many sources of income from family business interests were pooled and then loaned back to family members. In a separate email on June 8, Koops wrote to the directors of Obeid Corporation Pty Ltd and Wehbe Investments Pty Ltd confirming that there was no beneficial change in the ownership of the 50 per cent of Redpoc shares transferred from Obeid to Wehbe.

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Any future income or gain accruing to the 50 units is for the account of OFT1 [Obeid Family Trust No.1] and must be dealt with accordingly, he wrote. Wehbe Investments becomes the registered legal holder of the units as a trustee of the OFT1. Unless specifically requested to do so, it is not legally obliged to disclose the existence of the manner in which it holds the units. When asked about his work for the Obeids and Wehbe, Koops said: No comment. Members of the Obeid family, Wehbe and Sassine did not respond to questions.

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The accounting strategy appears to have successfully obscured the Obeid trusts interest in the development site until now. Related Article Sydney councils Council-ordered investigation clears mayor of corruption, Obeid links In 2022, when consultants appointed by Canterbury-Bankstown Council investigated allegations that then-mayor Khal Asfour was linked to Eddie Obeid and that Obeid stood to benefit from a rezoning of the Bellevue site, the Obeid family trusts continuing interest in the site was hidden. The consultants report, reviewed and endorsed at the councils request by barrister Arthur Moses, SC, found there is no evidence that Mr Eddie Obeid has any ownership associated or interest with the Bellevue venue site. The site was selected for high-rise development of up to 65 metres, or about 20 storeys, as part of a rezoning proposal released by the Department of Planning in 2024.

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The project has not been subject to a recent formal valuation, but a source with knowledge of the plans said $60 million was a conservative valuation that was in line with other similar developments around Sydney. The Obeids would be lawfully entitled to half of the profits. The land was designated a key site by the NSW Planning Department, along with some neighbouring buildings, due to its proximity to the train and metro stations and its central location. The site has had a chequered history since Eddie Obeid and Wehbe, who already owned the Golden Nights nightclub on Restwell Street next to the Bellevue, bought it for $5.2 million in 1989. Corrupt former Labor MP Eddie Obeid pictured as he left Long Bay jail in August 2025. Sam Mooy The pair had trouble raising funds to complete the sale, and by 1991, Bankstown Council had commenced legal action to wind up their company over unpaid rates.

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A loan of $4.9 million from NAB was secured in 1992 but by 1994, the debt had climbed, and the bank threatened foreclosure. In September that year, a company called Dakmint approached NAB offering to buy out the function centres debt for just over $2.1 million  an offer the bank accepted, writing off $2.5 million. Related Article Obeid's empire One of Dakmints directors was the editor of the Obeid-owned newspaper El Telegraph, and the companys phone number was Eddie Obeids direct line at Parliament House, the Herald has previously reported. In 1998, Wehbe and Paul Obeid took over the reins at Dakmint, regaining control of the site for Wehbe and the Obeid family.

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Wehbe and Eddie Obeid have pursued several other joint ventures, including an attempt to get into the lucrative live sheep trade to Syria, and various property plays around NSW. In 2004, the pair took a stake in Equitexx, a trust company set up by Sassine, that bought industrial land in Abbotsford for $10.5 million and sold it two years later for $17 million after it had been rezoned residential. Eddie Obeid, 81, was released from Long Bay prison on parole in August 2025 after serving three years and 10 months behind bars for conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office. As a condition of his release on parole, Obeid is barred from engaging in any activity involving the control of money or assets of other people or organisations. There is no suggestion that Obeid has engaged in any such activity since those parole conditions were recently imposed.

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Authorities have repeatedly tried and failed to reclaim the $30 million that Eddie Obeid gained via the corrupt deal, which involved a coal exploration licence at Bylong, north-west of Sydney, for which he was convicted. The NSW Crime Commission in April said the money had been filtered through a series of discretionary family trusts and mingled with lawfully obtained money, making recovery of the corruptly obtained cash impossible. Outgoing NSW Crime Commission chief Michael Barnes said at the time: There is not $30 million sitting in a pot somewhere that we can just go and snaffle. 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 Last Word NationalVictoriaCrime Australias first thrill killing: The horrific 1971 murder a town could not forget Tony Wright January 23, 2026  11:35am 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

Branxholme is a tiny, peaceful place, population 350, perched 25 kilometres down the highway from the city of Hamilton in far south-west Victoria. The village is surrounded by fine grazing land, and every year, it hosts a rodeo. And yet, it hovers at the far edges of a history that could keep you up at night if you knew of it. Why, Branxholmes very founding was visited by unthinkable tragedy. In the mid-winter of 1843, Abraham Ward and his wife, Harriett, opened what is thought to be the first European building in Branxholme, which was then called Arrandoovong. Their business was the Travellers Rest hotel. It was poor timing. Squatters had taken to occupying the traditional hunting grounds of the Aboriginal people, the Gunditjmara, who in 1843 were fighting back. It was the height of south-west Victorias frontier war.

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Editor's pick Lunch with Rachel didnt want to tell her great-grandmothers story. Now strangers thank her for it Within a month of the hotel opening, the Wards two-year-old daughter, Martha, went missing for reasons that have never been explained. The Melbourne Times of Friday, August 5, 1843, reported it has been supposed [the child] was carried off by the blacks who frequent [Wards] residence. The newly appointed Native Police Corps, under the command of a pitiless man named Henry Dana, having been sent west from Melbourne to pacify the wild blacks, according to the language of the time, swung into action. Danas mounted troopers  Aboriginal men from distant parts with no kinship to the Gunditjmara  eventually found the body of little Martha in bushland. Dana reported that hed interviewed several Aboriginal women, and said he had learnt the child had been killed by a blow from a waddy because she wouldnt stop crying.

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Soon after, Dana and his men shot and killed at least nine Aboriginal men after escalating their expedition into retribution for the spearing of a grazier, Christopher Barrett, at the nearby Crawford River station. Dana, his work done, reported that he had decently interred the remains of little Martha Ward, but the place he chose remains unknown  there was no Branxholme cemetery until 1850. Rosalyn Nolte and her corgi in 1970, the year before she was murdered. On Sunday, however, people of the district will gather at Branxholmes cemetery to remember the hideously violent and much more recent fate of a girl named Rosalyn Nolte. Her remains have lain in the cemetery for 55 years. So far as anyone can remember, there has never been a community gathering to commemorate her short life.

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The cemetery sits on a rise a few kilometres out of the old village. When Rosalyn was buried there in 1971, before the view was blocked by a plantation of bluegums, it was possible to gaze east to the horizon, 20 kilometres away, dominated by the cone of an old volcano, Mount Napier. Rosalyn died, aged 15, in bushland at the foot of Mount Napier. Died does not adequately explain what happened to her. She was beaten, tortured and murdered by two young Hamilton men, Christopher Lowery and Charles King. It was Australias first recorded thrill killing  a crime still rare, where the only motive is sadistic pleasure, and rarer still to involve two murderers acting together. Christopher Lowery was convicted of murdering Rosalyn.

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It emerged that while drinking beer at a motorcycle race meeting in Mount Gambier a few weeks previously, Lowery and King began discussing what it would feel like, in their own words, to kill a chick. On a drowsy summer Sunday afternoon, January 31, 1971, cruising in Lowerys Holden panel van, they spied Rosalyn taking her much-loved pet corgi for a walk along Hamiltons main street. They offered her a lift, claiming they were going to a party where one of Rosalyns friends would be. Instead, they drove her 20 kilometres south to Mount Napier and acted out the evil fantasy they had been discussing for weeks. Rosalyn lived in Hamilton with her mother, June. They moved to Hamilton from the farming district of Wallacedale, a few minutes from Branxholme, after June and her husband, Ivan Nolte, divorced. Rosalyn was a pretty girl who was crowned Junior Miss Showgirl at the Coleraine show in 1970. Her greatest pleasure was walking her corgi and showing him at kennel club meetings.

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Charles King was also convicted over Rosalyns murder. Fairfax Media Lowery and King were both 18, born and bred in Hamilton. Lowery, apprenticed as a bricklayer, was married to 17-year-old Hazel, who was pregnant. King had recently failed the exams required to become a technician at the Postmaster-Generals Department in Melbourne, and had returned to Hamilton to live with his parents. They were nobodies who were about to become famous for the worst reasons. They became the last people sentenced in Australia to hang.

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Their death sentences were commuted to 60 years in prison, with a minimum of 50 years. Rosalyns mother expressed some relief that the sentences meant the two killers had no chance of freedom, at least until they were very old men. But as the years passed, sentencing laws in Victoria were modified. In 1992, the Supreme Court imposed new minimum terms of 20 years. Lowery and King were back on the streets by the time they were 40 years of age. Their early release caused anger across Australia. It still rankles with Gary Storer. A week before Rosalyn Nolte was murdered, Storer was just a Hamilton boy mucking around on a swing at a playground in his home town.

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Rosalyn, something of a loner, came by with her corgi, named Jodie. She asked if she could join Storer on the two-person boat swing. Showing off, Storer pushed the swing so high Rosalyn asked to get off. Gary Storer, who could never forget the day he met Rosalyn in a Hamilton playground 55 years ago. It was the last time Storer saw her. The following week, he saw her picture in the local paper, The Hamilton Spectator. Her body had been found at the foot of Mount Napier. All these years later I can recall the disbelief and despair seeping through the community at the news, for I was part of that world. I attended school in Hamilton until 1970, and was, at the time of Rosalyn Noltes murder, a cadet journalist employed by the Portland Observer-Hamilton Spectator Partnership.

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Australia, and particularly rural Australia, was a more innocent place in 1971 than the fast, interconnected world we now inhabit, where news reports of violence and mayhem are commonplace. Shock turned to revulsion when Lowery and King were charged and later tried before a jury in Ballarat, the details of their sadism laid out in graphic detail. It was as if some alien horror had crept from a place we had never imagined and infected our limited understanding of human behaviour. The Hamilton Spectator on February 4, 1971, reported on the murder. The Hamilton Spectator The first trial was aborted when one of the jurors was so overcome by the evidence and photographs of the crime scene that he suffered a nervous and physical breakdown and doctors advised the judge he could no longer serve on the jury.

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The evidence added up to this: Lowery and King, having taken Rosalyn to an isolated spot in the scrub at the foot of Mount Napier, where there was no one to hear her cries, stripped her naked except for her socks, and cruelly beat and stomped on her. Ignoring her pleas for mercy, they placed a noose of electrical flex around her neck. The other end of the flex tied her legs in a manner that meant she slowly asphyxiated, struggling as they watched. Gary Storer, the boy on the swing, never forgot Rosalyn Nolte. He joined the Victoria Police  a decision he says was partly driven by the memory of her suffering  and served for 20 years. When he retired, Police Life magazine profiled him and declared his tenure was marked by his fearlessness, adding he was known for his ability to handle armed offenders and his commitment to assisting others. Not long ago, Storer decided Rosalyn should be properly remembered. Her grave site at Branxholme needed cleaning up, for starters. In fact, she was buried without a headstone. There was no money. Her mother had vowed to train as a receptionist to earn enough for a headstone. But June Nolte lived less than three years after her daughters death.

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She died of a brain tumour, though most people in the district said it was from a broken heart. The only mercy, perhaps, is that she didnt live to see her daughters killers released from prison. The headstone for Rosalyn and her mother, June, in the Branxholme Cemetery. Gary Storer June Nolte was buried in the same grave as her daughter. A headstone memorialising them appeared later. Storer set up a GoFundMe appeal for funds to renew the old headstone in the Branxholme cemetery. He also established a Facebook page promoting the idea of a graveside memorial service at the cemetery on Sunday, January 25  almost exactly 55 years since Rosalyn was killed. Those attending might reflect that Christopher Lowery squandered his freedom. He dealt heroin, threatened to kill a woman at a refuge, became a petty thief and eventually took his own life.

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Charlie King went straight, married, fathered children and worked for years as a maintenance man at a church property in Melbourne. He lives on. Which is more than either Lowery or King allowed Rosalyn Nolte, aged 15.
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NationalVictoriaAntisemitism Second teen arrested after Ripponlea antisemitism incident Alexander Darling January 23, 2026  7:55pm 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

Victoria Police have now arrested two teenage boys following an incident allegedly involving antisemitism earlier this week. On Monday, a group of Jewish teenagers was pursued by people in a car in Ripponlea, and one of the victimised teens later claimed the perpetrators performed Nazi salutes and chanted Heil Hitler. The white ute (top) and the group of boys in Ripponlea on Monday night. Australian Jewish Association/Facebook On Friday night, police confirmed they had arrested a 16-year-old from the Knox area. He has been charged with aggravated burglary, theft of a motor vehicle and numerous driving offences.

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It followed them arresting a 15-year-old from the Yarra Ranges area on Wednesday and charging him with theft of a motor vehicle. Though the younger boy has been bailed ahead of his court appearance next month, the 16-year-old has been remanded in custody until he faces court on Tuesday. Related Article Crime Suspects identified after ute chase, Nazi salutes directed at Jewish teens in Ripponlea Footage of the incident shows a white ute slowing down at the intersection of Glen Eira Road and Hotham Street around 10pm, before making a U-turn as the group of teenagers cross the street. The ute then appears to deliberately drive at the boys, after which it slowly follows them down the street.

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Victoria Police acting Commander Adrian Healy said on Tuesday that the antisemitic abuse occurred just before the scenes in the footage. Its an absolute disgrace that this would occur, Healy said. It was the father of one of the boys followed, Chayim Klein, who said his son alleged those inside the car yelled Heil Hitler and performed Nazi salutes. Police say their investigations into Mondays Ripponlea incident remain ongoing and anyone with information, who witnessed the incident or with footage should contact Crime Stoppers. Following the first arrest, Naomi Levin off the Jewish Community Council of Victoria said she was concerned the suspect was only 15 years old.

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Related Article Australia Day Death to Australia: Citys colonial memorials defaced on National Day of Mourning for Bondi That to me as well as being a law enforcement issue is a serious education issue, why are 15-year-olds thinking its acceptable to do? Its beyond belief to be honest and think questions need to be asked about what more we can be doing with kids in schools, she told 3AW. Asked why she thought teenage boys thought it was funny to use these slurs: I wish I had an answer, I dont think there is one single answer. I think we need to have explicit teaching in schools what is and isnt acceptable. I dont think we can take for granted that people think racism [is serious and] not a joke any more. The 16-year-old was arrested in Melton, in Melbournes outer west, on Thursday night, the same night Australia commemorated the Bondi terror attack in which 15 people were gunned down at a Jewish festival in December.
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NationalVictoriaRetail We shop at Temu in real life. Are the products safe? Madeleine Heffernan January 23, 2026  3:44pm 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

Its boom time for bargain shoppers. Online stores and direct-from-factory warehouses advertise every household product the mind can conceive, at prices most people can afford. Discount Chinese marketplace Temu has become one of Australias most popular online retailers, selling everything from cut-price laptops to prams. Then theres Panda Mart, nicknamed Temu in real life, which sells tens of thousands of discounted products, from chunky mattresses to tiny screws, at warehouses in Cranbourne and Preston. Eleven products for under $30 from Panda Mart. Simon Schluter While popular with customers, these retailers have attracted negative attention from regulators. Days after it opened in March 2025, Consumer Affairs Victoria seized thousands of products from the shelves at Panda Mart Cranbourne over safety concerns, including toys with unsecured button batteries. In December, Panda Mart Cranbourne was forced to shut for 72 hours after Consumer Affairs Victoria found thousands of products failed to meet mandatory product safety and information standards.

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Panda Mart Preston  owned by a separate company  was also forced to close in December while inspectors seized thousands more products. As of this week, Panda Mart Cranbourne faces 147 criminal charges laid by the consumer watchdog for selling unsafe products. The Consumer Affairs Victoria investigation into Panda Mart Preston is continuing. Loading Panda Mart Cranbourne also faces 130 charges over allegedly unsafe lamps and other electrical products after scrutiny from Energy Safe Victoria. The Cranbourne retailer is due to appear in court next month on those charges and to answer the Consumer Affairs Victoria allegations. After the temporary closure in December, the Panda Mart retailers reopened with a 20 per cent storewide discount to thank customers and offered reassurance on product safety. We also want to assure our customers that safety remains our highest priority and we will continue to co-operate fully with Consumer Affairs Victoria, it said.

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The Age decided to do its own testing, with the help of product safety expert Professor Blair Kuys. Kuys is an industrial designer, father of two and executive dean of Swinburne Universitys School of Design and Architecture. We bought 11 items from Panda Mart in Melbournes outer south-east, including a kitchen thermometer, nail polish and a dog toy, for just under $30. (Yes, we bought more than we planned for. No, we dont know what to do with the items). Receipt for 11 items from discount retailer Panda Mart. From Temu, we paid $43.61 for a further five products, mostly from its flashing bestsellers panel. The items were a portable breathalyser for $21.12, a car-scratch removal cream, ear plugs, stainless-steel kitchen scissors, and a two-pack of womens personal alarms. Panda Mart has had thousands of potentially dangerous products stripped from its shelves. A Current Affair

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But sadly, we cannot report on the Temu products as the company failed to deliver to Nines Docklands headquarters, blaming a navigation error or wrong address. The address was correct, but building staff report deliveries often get lost on the way to Docklands (to be fair, I would avoid Docklands if I could, too). We were offered a full refund, which could take up to 30 days, and advised to choose click and collect for any future orders. There wont be future orders. Kuys stresses that cheap products are not necessarily bad products. Hes not immune to Temus charms. Kuys has used the site to buy a costume for $50, instead of hiring one for about double the price, and a good-quality $70 air hose while renovating. But he worries about the influx of unsafe low-cost imports driven by online shopping. Some of this stuff coming onshore, its not regulated, no one knows what its made of, and it can have fatal consequences, he says. Theres a multitude of products coming in that are not currently regulated, and government is playing catch-up. What does our professor think of the Panda Mart products?

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Kuys worries about our $1 pet toy. Theres no explanation of what it is or what its made of, he says. Is it a bit of plastic or is there some kind of rubber? Its very concerning. I can take a chunk out [with my fingernail], which makes me think a dog is going to annihilate that and chew it and ingest whatever that material is. Loading Hes also concerned by the superglue, which is not labelled on the front but warns in fine print on the back that it can cause drowsiness and dizziness. He says he wouldnt use the wet wipes, the nail polish, which calls itself natural, or eyeshadow on his children. The eyeshadow contains the following label: Please stop using in case of any discomfort during yes [sic] and seek medical attention immediately. Professor Kuys is wary of the superglue, wet wipes and kitchen thermometer. Simon Schluter

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Kuys says: Anything that has contact with the skin or is ingested or potentially ingested, theres no chance [I would use]. The kitchen thermometer also raises alarm bells because it has no instructions and features a red substance enclosed in plantation pine that looks like it could easily split in half. But the other products  a bike lock and measuring tape  dont raise particular safety concerns. The toy cars get the thumbs-up for being labelled for children aged three and above, and containing safety warnings. Panda Mart did not respond to requests for comment on the safety and labelling of its products, and Kuys assessments. I ask for Kuys opinion on my aborted Temu order of a womens personal alarm, stainless-steel kitchen scissors, earplugs, car scratch removal cream and a breathalyser for $21.22.

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Product safety expert Professor Blair Kuys with The Ages Panda Mart haul. Simon Schluter The earplugs would seriously concern me because theyre on my person, he says. Kuys has worked on breathalyser design with a company that designs and manufactures them for the police force. The technology to get an accurate read is incredibly expensive, he says. So my instant thing for that is, how would they know its accurate? And if people are relying on blowing into this in order to drive home, thats a massive red flag. For $20, theres no way its going to be accurate. So what does Kuys look for when assessing products?

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Related Article Retail Temu in real life: Panda Mart calls security as huge crowd swamps ultra-cheap retailer He wants to know what the product is made of, how to use it, and any risks it poses. He also tries to buy products that are grown, such as timber and cotton, over oil-based manufacturing products. You could look at cheaper [natural] alternatives, such as bamboo and hemp fibre, Kuys says. The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.
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A leading West Australian cancer researcher has pleaded not guilty to accusations he assaulted a family member in front of two children.

Dr Indunil Weerasena.

Oncologist Dr Indunil Weerasena, who has previously specialised in breast cancer, was charged in December in City Beach with unlawfully assault and thereby did bodily harm with circumstances of aggravation.

Weerasena appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Friday and pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The court heard the 50-year-old allegedly assaulted the woman in front of two children, aged 10 and 13.
Key Points

Investors rejoiced last year when payments company Ripple settled its long legal battle with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The settlement sent Ripple's XRP cryptocurrency soaring to a seven-year high, but the euphoria was short-lived.

XRP is currently down almost 50% from its recent peak.

10 stocks we like better than XRP 

The XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) cryptocurrency soared to $3.65 per token last July, marking the highest price since 2018. Investors were bullish because its parent company, Ripple, finally settled a five-year legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The SEC sued Ripple in 2020, alleging that the company breached financial securities laws. The potential repercussions threatened to derail its business model, which suppressed the price of XRP. Last year's settlement came as part of President Donald Trump's pro-crypto agenda, which cuts red tape to encourage innovation across the industry.

But despite XRP's initial positive reaction, it has since plunged by almost 50% from its July peak. Unfortunately, the legal settlement doesn't solve some of the token's core structural issues, which could limit further upside from here. Here's where I predict the token will trade at the end of 2026.

Image source: Getty Images.

XRP has a real use case, but there's a catch

Ripple created a payments network called Ripple Payments, which lets banks send money around the world practically instantly by cutting out the need for intermediaries. In addition to increasing transaction speeds, it can significantly reduce costs.

If a U.S. bank wants to send money to a European bank, it would typically send dollars, which the receiving bank would convert into euros. This exchange can incur fees of as much as 4.85% of the transaction value. However, Ripple created XRP as a bridge currency that banks can send to one another through Ripple Payments. Each XRP transfer often incurs a fee of just 0.00001 coins (a fraction of one U.S. cent), so it's substantially cheaper.

In theory, the demand for XRP should increase as more banks use Ripple Payments, thus boosting its value. But there are a few problems. First, banks don't have to use XRP to benefit from instant transfers through Ripple Payments, because the network also supports the use of fiat currencies. Therefore, the relationship between Ripple Payments adoption and XRP's value isn't totally reliable.

Second, bridge currencies are rarely held for long by their users. In my example above, the receiving European bank would almost immediately convert its XRP into euros so it can carry on with its business. Therefore, while the U.S. bank was a buyer of XRP, the European bank was an equal seller, meaning no real demand was created.
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PoliticsFederalPolitical leadership Opinion Partisan politics after Bondi sowed seeds of Coalitions demise Malcolm Turnbull Former prime minister January 23, 2026  4:02pm

January 23, 2026  4:02pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Right at the heart of the Coalitions current problems lies the very regrettable partisan approach the Liberal Partys leaders took following the Bondi terror attacks on December 14. They were joined by several retired politicians and much of the media. Accusing Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of being responsible for the attacks was not just wrong, it was reckless, because it served to divide Australia right at the time we needed to pull together. Liberal Party leader Sussan Ley. Accusing Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of being responsible for the attacks was not just wrong, it was reckless. Alex Ellinghausen The killers went to Bondi to kill Jews and most of their victims were Jewish. But this was an attack on all Australians. Millions of Australians recognised that, and came together in solidarity with the victims and the wider Jewish community. In contrast, our political leaders were at war with each other. Liberal Party leader Sussan Ley and her colleagues could have risen above partisan politics and joined hands with Albanese in the way State Opposition Leader [and Liberal MP for Vaucluse] Kellie Sloane did with NSW Premier Chris Minns or the way former federal Labor leader Kim Beazley had done with then-prime minister John Howard after Port Arthur. She could have offered to work with Albanese to review weaknesses in existing laws and carefully consider amendments where required.

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In fact, the tone of her first statement on the evening of the attack was co-operative  but that did not last to the next news cycle. It is as though her first instinct was right, and then it unravelled. How that happened has not been explained. Related Article Inside Story

Political leadership Inside the Coalition split: From attack to collapse in 48 hours As former head of ASIO Dennis Richardson observed in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, it is not as though we had no hate speech legislation. An obvious problem was that the existing laws were not being enforced. The demand that parliament immediately return to pass sweeping legislation on hate speech was a recipe for rushed and inadequately considered legislation. Ley, again buoyed by a wave of media indignation, succeeded in bustling Albanese into the early return of parliament she had demanded. It was surely obvious that any legislation restricting gun ownership would be a hard sell to regional MPs in general and the National Party in particular.

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It is not so long ago that the right wing of the Liberal Party (loudly supported by Sky News and The Australian) wanted to amend section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act so as to effectively license hate speech, including antisemitic hate speech. Ley was there in the cabinet in 2014 when these extreme proposals on repealing hate speech legislation were thwarted. She was there when former attorney-general George Brandis said in the Senate, people do have a right to be bigots, you know. She knew that limiting speech, even in the cause of fighting antisemitism, would be a difficult and controversial issue for the Coalition party room. She might have reflected on Liberal Party founder Robert Menzies warning when, in 1939, he introduced a national security bill giving extensive powers to the government to control a wartime economy. The greatest tragedy that could overcome a country would be for it to fight a successful war in defence of liberty and to lose its own liberty in the process. So I am not surprised the Coalition melted down over this legislation. It was entirely foreseeable. Once the Nationals had resolved to take a different approach it was open to Ley to agree that their ministers could vote differently from the Liberals. It would not be a good look, but certainly better than the current spectacle.

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So what can be done now? Related Article Opinion

Political leadership This isnt a culture war. Its electoral fear, and its paralysing Rob Harris National correspondent The Liberals and Nationals need to be back in coalition to win government. But more importantly they need to be focused on the matters of concern to most Australians  the cost of living, housing affordability, the state of the environment, health and education. They could even talk about how Australia should adapt to the dramatically altered strategic environment where the US president is threatening to annex the territory of NATO allies. But instead, their constant focus is on culture war issues that throw red meat to the base by which is meant the devoted viewers of Sky News and similar right-wing media outlets. This angry, dwindling minority may loom large at party branch meetings but is miles away from the concerns of most Australians. The Liberals, and Nationals, should realise they cannot out-Hanson Pauline Hanson. Australian politics is decided in the centre. That is the great benefit of compulsory preferential voting.

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Our democracy needs a strong viable opposition  without that governments get complacent, lazy and worse. Right now, the chaos in the political rabble formerly known as the Coalition is leaving the Labor Party, alone, unchallenged at the centre of Australian politics. Malcolm Turnbull is a former prime minister of Australia. Get a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up for our Opinion newsletter.
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PoliticsFederalBills Three hours of free solar to cut family power bill by $800 a year Mike Foley and Nick Toscano January 23, 2026  11:39am 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

Families can save up to $800 a year by switching several appliances to run in the three hours of free daytime power to be switched on from July, the Albanese government claims, as it hits back at power companies that are warning the scheme will favour wealthier consumers who own batteries and electric cars. The saving, modelled in government analysis, would carve a significant chunk off the average power bill, which is typically between $1600 and $2000 in Melbourne and Sydney. The Solar Sharer scheme is set to start on July 1. Getty Images This saving would be delivered by the Solar Sharer scheme, which the Albanese government will compel retailers to offer from July 1, arguing it will extend the benefits of clean energy to people who do not have solar panels or household batteries. It forces electricity retailers to offer free electricity to customers who sign up for the scheme in the middle of the day, when rooftop solar regularly floods the grid with more supply than it needs.

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Representatives for Australian power and gas retailers said they supported the intent of the reform but called for scheme to be redesigned because the benefits would flow largely to those who can capitalise on the free power window by filling up battery systems and charging electric cars. Related Article Energy Three hours of free power scheme could favour well-off: energy giants However, Energy Minister Chris Bowen on Friday released an analysis that showed families of five people who can schedule their dishwasher, washing machine and dryer, or hot water heating to operate during the free-power window could save between $550 and $790 a year. The Solar Sharer offer is about making sure we make the most of our huge solar generation, including by ensuring the benefits of cheap solar can be shared with consumers who dont have solar systems, Bowen said. The government wants to shift household energy usage to the middle of the day to absorb the solar glut and reduce expensive evening peak usage.

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Retailers warn the policy could add costs, compromise smaller providers, and may force increased rates at other times. Pushing back on these claims, Bowen said the scheme would be particularly useful to people who work from home, stay-at-home parents, retirees, students and those with appliances that have timers. The timing is critical for the government, which has faced criticism since it was first elected in 2022 for energy bills that have reached record highs despite its 2022 election promise to cut costs by $275 a year by 2025. It also announced in December that energy bill subsides worth $300 a year would not continue this year. Government analysis said that moving 10 per cent of energy use from the evening, when peak demand on the grid drives prices up, to the free window could save around $150 a year for a one-person household and $400 a year for a five-person home. Switching daily use of a dishwasher, washing machine and dryer, or hot water heating, represents about 20 per cent of energy consumption and switching this to the free window could save a one-person home $300 a year, and between $500 to $790 for a five-person household, the government said.

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Shifting 25-30 per cent of your energy could save further. Scheduling the timing of your dishwasher, washing machine, dryer and pool pump, and charging your EV currently could save around $400 for a one-person house, to between $800 to $1100 for a five-person house. Related Article Exclusive

Renewables For the first time, renewable energy is supplying most of our power The scheme will apply from July 1 in NSW, South Australia and south-east Queensland, regions where the Australian Energy Regulator sets benchmark prices. The federal government is working with other states to extend the offer to other jurisdictions by 2027. The Victorian government has said it is currently consulting industry to introduce a similar scheme. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter.
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PoliticsNSWEducation Principal of Islamic school stood down Emily Kowal January 23, 2026  7:11pm 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 principal of a regional NSW Islamic school who once shared social media posts stating Zionists should burn in the pits of hellfire has been stood down while his conduct is investigated by the states school regulator. New Madinah College in Young had until January 19 to provide evidence its principal, Sheikh Abdulghani Albaf, met fit and proper requirements or the NSW Education Standards Authority would consider cancelling the schools registration. New Madinah College principal Abdulghani Albaf. On Friday, NESA said the evidence provided by the school did not satisfactorily address compliance concerns raised by the regulator. The principal will now stand aside while the investigation into his conduct is completed, said a NESA spokesperson.

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NESAs registration committee will consider the schools submissions and make a determination in February regarding the fit and proper assessment of the principal, said the NESA spokesperson. The safety and wellbeing of students is our highest priority. The evidence provided by the school will be assessed by the registration committee, made up of members of each school sector. The committee sits within NESA but is its own independent body. It will deliver its verdict by mid-February. Members will assess evidence including the schools records of their fit and proper policies and processes, records of all responsible persons statutory declaration of fit and proper requirements, records of a schools code of conduct for responsible persons, and records and implementation of a social media policy.

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According to its website, New Madinah College teaches children the Koran, Arabic and fundamental Islamic values, as well as core subjects. NESA last January became aware of comments allegedly made by Albaf on his personal social media accounts over several years. In one post shared in December 2023, prior to his appointment, Albaf described Zionists as absolutely worse than Nazis. The zionist terrorist regime is more devilish, evil and atrocious than any other terrorist in history. In 2024 he shared another status, stating: May Allah destroy the Zionist terrorist regime. While the majority of posts were made before Albafs appointment to the school in 2024, NESA monitored the school due to its history of inconsistent compliance with registration requirements.

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In mid-2025, while Albaf was principal, he made another post, prompting NESA to issue a show cause notice to the chair of New Madinah Colleges board about the conduct of the schools principal. NESA was asked to provide examples of the post but was unable to do so due to an ongoing investigation. It confirmed the post triggered the show cause notice. As is the case for all schools, there is no tolerance for non-compliance with registration requirements, including the expectation that all responsible persons meet fit and proper requirements, a NESA spokesperson said in a statement. In a letter written in January 2025, the chair of the Young Muslim Association and chair of New Madinah College, Mohammed Barghachoun, defended Albafs record. Sheikh Abdulghani has consistently met all the necessary criteria for his position, including holding a valid Working with Children Check and maintaining a clear police record, Barghachoun said.

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He said the principals posts did not reflect his current conduct or values and has shown no signs of racism or hatred. The Herald contacted Albaf, New Madinah College and the Islamic Schools Association of Australia for comment. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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WorldEuropeDefence NATO chief plans Australian visit with China concerns a top priority David Crowe January 24, 2026  9:50am 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

Brussels: The NATO alliance will send its top military chief to Australia for talks on global security including the rise of China, in a sign of growing concern that threats in Asia will have consequences in Europe. The chair of the NATO military committee, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, plans to visit Australia later this year after citing the use of North Korean troops in Ukraine as one example of the way partner nations needed to work across regions to confront dangers. The chair of the NATO military committee, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone. Omar Havana/Getty Images He revealed the plan at the conclusion of a two-day military gathering where NATO commanders declared full support for the alliance, despite the political clash over US President Donald Trump and his bid for control of Greenland. Security is not any more regional  its global, Admiral Dragone said of his plan to visit Australia and other countries in the region.

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Every event there has some effect here, and vice versa. Chief of the Defence Force, Admiral David Johnston, was at the NATO meeting this week. Alex Ellinghausen Australia joined the meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels by sending the Chief of the Defence Force, Admiral David Johnston, to speak at a session along with military chiefs from Japan, South Korea and New Zealand. The four nations from the Indo-Pacific are known as the IP4 and work with NATO as partner states rather than members, so they share intelligence and conduct joint military operations without being bound by the pact. Trumps push to control Greenland overshadowed the meeting in Brussels, where top officers from every NATO country gathered to discuss military strategy at the headquarters in the Belgian capital, while television screens showed the US president complaining about whether allies did enough to help the US.

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Asked about the dispute over Trump and his demands, Dragone said the military talks went ahead in an uneventful way, separate from the political discussions. He said there was no guidance from political leaders on the framework Trump has spoken about for the US and Greenland. The most senior American at the NATO gathering, General Alexus Grynkewich, who is the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, avoided comment on Trumps push for Greenland, but he publicly backed the longstanding NATO provision  Article 5 of the pact  that says an attack on one member is seen as an attack on all. Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, Grynkewich said the US commitment to Article 5 was ironclad. The Chinese frigate Hengyang off Australias coast in February. AP Dragones plan to visit Australia comes at a time when the rise of China is a key concern, especially after Chinese ships circumnavigated Australia and conducted a live-fire exercise in the Tasman Sea last year.

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The opening of sea routes through the Arctic, allowing faster access from the Pacific to the Atlantic through northern passages previously sealed by ice, is one factor in the NATO talks with Australia and others. Related Article Trump diplomacy Trump triggers fury in Europe over insulting Afghanistan claim Johnston named the Chinese naval operations as a significant issue in a formal statement after the talks in Brussels, where he joined military commanders from all NATO members as well as Ukraine, Georgia and the IP4. He pointed to the circumnavigation of Australia by a Chinese naval group early last year, which made headlines when the ships conducted a live-fire exercise beneath a major flight path between Australia and New Zealand. He also cited the later deployment of a Chinese amphibious task group at the end of last year, calling the two cases examples of Chinas willingness to project their military power closer to Australian shores.

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These actions do not just impact Europe or the Pacific, he said. They impact all of us, and embolden those who wish to disrupt and dismantle the rules and norms that have defined us since the end of the Second World War. While Australias primary focus is on the Indo-Pacific, my counterparts and I will continue to work with each other to understand how our regions affect and shape our shared challenges. Australias most recent operation with European partners was the deployment of a Wedgetail aircraft to Poland to monitor Russian activity along the NATO border with Ukraine. The Royal Australian Air Force spy plane is regarded as one of the most advanced in the world  several NATO members have older versions  and the operation was the first time an Australian aircraft had connected its surveillance systems directly into NATO systems. As a result, NATO commanders could see the aerial battlefield through the eyes of the RAAF surveillance equipment. When the deployment ended late last year, a Turkish aircraft took up the same role.

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Australian forces share intelligence with NATO, but do not disclose the nature of the information. Chinese operations are a known area of concern, however, given the rapid expansion of the Chinese navy and the way this results in deployments that send its ships further afield for longer periods. Related Article National security The risk has heightened: Defence chiefs blunt warning on China Chinese ships have begun operating in the Gulf of Guinea in Africa and in the Middle East, as well as circling Australia. Admiral Dragone named cyber warfare as another example of an area where NATO could share knowledge with partners in the Indo-Pacific. His visit to Australia is expected to take place in August, subject to developments, along with a visit to New Zealand.

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Admiral Johnston said the NATO partnership generated an irreplaceable military advantage in what he called a troubled security environment. When we put our partnerships into action, we are all more aware and alert to threats, more prepared, and more powerful, he said. This shared strength is a formidable deterrent, and when the worst happens, puts us all in the most strategically advantageous position to defend our countries and our interests. 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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WorldEuropeTrump diplomacy Trump triggers fury in Europe over insulting Afghanistan claim David Crowe Updated January 24, 2026  7:14am ,first published 5:54am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

London: US President Donald Trump has provoked fury from war veterans and political leaders by claiming that allied troops stayed a little back from fighting alongside American soldiers in the war in Afghanistan, with Prince Harry joining the condemnation. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Trump should apologise for the remark  a stance backed by conservative political leaders  and the families of those who served denounced the US president for what they called a disgraceful slur on the veterans. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has had a good relationship with US President Donald Trump over the past year, said he should apologise for his remarks. AP The uproar dominated British media on Friday (Saturday AEDT) and spread to France and other US allies as veterans learned of Trumps remarks in an interview with Fox News on Thursday when he questioned the NATO pact and belittled the contribution of allied forces. We get along very well with NATO, I think, but Ive always said will they be there if we ever needed them, and thats really the ultimate test. And Im not sure of that, he said in an interview with Fox News at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

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Weve never needed them, we have never really asked anything of them. You know, theyll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan, or this or that, and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines... But weve been very good to Europe and many other countries. Loading The comments repeated Trumps complaint about the reliability of NATO allies but added the new slur on those who served in Afghanistan  a false claim because Australian soldiers and other allied troops served on the front line in that conflict. Trumps remarks also included the false claim that the US had never asked anything of NATO allies, when the facts show that the US invoked the NATO treaty and gained help from allies when Al-Qaeda launched terror attacks on New York and Washington DC on September 11, 2001.

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Starmer, who has had a good relationship with Trump over the past year, suggested the president should apologise. Related Article Trump diplomacy Europe learns how to counterpunch against Trump in Greenland brawl I will never forget their courage, their bravery and the sacrifice they made for their country, he said of the troops. I consider President Trumps remarks to be insulting and frankly appalling and I am not surprised they have caused such hurt to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured and, in fact, across the country. If I had misspoken in that way or said those words, I would certainly apologise. The intense criticism of the US president comes after a week of open dispute within the NATO alliance over his demand for Greenland and his threat to impose tariffs on eight nations including major allies that sent troops to Afghanistan.

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While Trump backed down on Wednesday by dropping the tariff threat and ruling out taking Greenland by force, his remarks about Afghanistan set off a new firestorm over the alliance. Prince Harry, who served in Afghanistan as an Apache helicopter co-pilot and gunner, joined the flood of criticism from veterans. Prince Harry patrols through the deserted town of Garmisir, Afghanistan, close to Forward Operating Base Delhi, in 2008. AP In 2001, NATO invoked Article 5 for the first  and only  time in history, he said in a statement. It meant that every allied nation was obliged to stand with the United States in Afghanistan, in pursuit of our shared security. Allies answered that call.

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I served there. I made lifelong friends there. And I lost friends there. The United Kingdom alone had 457 service personnel killed. Thousands of lives were changed forever. Mothers and fathers buried sons and daughters. Children were left without a parent. Families are left carrying the cost. Those sacrifices deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect, as we all remain united and loyal to the defence of diplomacy and peace. The fierce response in Britain raises questions about plans for King Charles III to visit the US later this year to mark the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence  an important visit given Trumps open admiration for the royal family. Former paratrooper Ben Parkinson told the BBC he was stunned to hear Trumps remarks. Parkinson was injured in Afghanistan in 2006 when his vehicle hit a mine; he had both legs amputated, among other injuries.

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His mother, Diane Dernie, called Trumps remarks disgraceful. The backlash spread to France and other NATO members given the number of veterans in each country with experience of the Afghanistan war. French military historian and retired colonel Michel Goya rebuked Trump on social media. May the ghosts of the 1000 European and Canadian soldiers who fell in Afghanistan come to haunt you, he wrote on X. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, a former prime minister of the Netherlands, mentioned Afghanistan to Trump in their talks at Davos on Wednesday after hearing the US president question whether allies would come to Americas aid in a crisis.

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Let me tell you, they will, and they did in Afghanistan, as you know, Rutte told Trump while media crews recorded the discussion. For every two Americans who paid the ultimate price, there was one soldier from another NATO country who did not come back to his family  from the Netherlands, from Denmark, and particularly from other countries. President Donald Trump speaks with reporters aboard Air Force One after leaving the World Economic Forum. AP Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk rebuked Trump on Friday in Europe (early on Saturday, AEDT) by recalling his visit to Afghanistan in 2011 after the deaths of five soldiers from Poland. Tusk was the Polish leader at the time and committed troops to the conflict. The American officers who accompanied me then, told me that America would never forget the Polish heroes. Perhaps they will remind President Trump of that fact, Tusk posted on X.

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One of Trumps statements, that the US has never asked anything of NATO allies, is factually incorrect because the US has called on allies in major conflicts since the World War II. Under Article 5 of the NATO pact, the allies agree that an attack on one member is treated as an attack on all. Editor's pick Trump diplomacy We do not have a plan B: Is Trumps Board of Peace destined to fail? US State Department records show that NATO invoked Article 5 of the NATO treaty at a special meeting on September 12, 2001, following the terror attacks on New York and Washington DC. NATO aircraft were deployed to protect US airspace. In addition, NATO allies joined the US in the war in Afghanistan against al-Qaida and the Taliban. The Australian prime minister at the time, John Howard, invoked the ANZUS alliance and committed troops to Afghanistan and, later, Iraq. Another of Trumps statements, that soldiers from NATO allies stayed a little back and off the front lines, is also factually incorrect because many of the allies sent their troops into front line positions.

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Allies were assigned different parts of the country and their forces served in front-line conditions, just as US forces did in other regions. Much of the Australian force was based at Tarin Kowt and other areas in Uruzgan province alongside the Netherlands. When Howard described the Australian soldiers in Afghanistan during a press conference in June 2002, he spoke of them as being in the front line campaign against terrorism. President Bush publicly praised the NATO military contribution after a visit to Afghanistan. A NATO presence in Afghanistan is really important, he said at the White House in March 2006. Thats one of the things that really important for our citizens to understand, that our relationship with NATO is an important part of helping us to win the war on terror. 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.
What are the US presidents actual plans? And what of bringing about dignity for the people of Gaza and security for Israelis and Palestinians?

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Washington: In November, US President Donald Trump was hosting a lavish dinner for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman when he casually mentioned his grander plans for a fledgling Board of Peace. Its covering Gaza, but itll end up covering large portions of the world, he told his White House audience. What had, until then, been a vehicle to oversee the rebuilding of Gaza after two years of Israeli bombardment in its war against Hamas - and perhaps an attempt to forge peace between Israelis and Palestinians - was quickly transforming into something broader and more nebulous. By the time this weeks World Economic Forum in Davos rolled around, many were speculating the US president wanted the Board of Peace to replace the United Nations. It might, he said before he left Washington, complaining that the UN had not helped with any of the eight wars he claims to have ended. [But] I believe youve got to let the UN continue because the potential is so great. In Davos, Trumps envoy-for-everything, Steve Witkoff, was also bullish on the boards remit. We have created a sense of hope for what the future can bring in Gaza, and all other places where the Board of Peace will operate, he said. The signing ceremony also unveiled the Board of Peace logo, which bears a close resemblance to the UNs logo, except that the map is edited to show only the Americas, its gold-coloured, and it is set in a golden laurel wreath. What, then, are Trumps actual plans? And where does this leave the imperative tasks of bringing about dignity for the people of Gaza and security for Israelis and Palestinians? Donald Trump hinted at his broader plans for the Board of Peace during a dinner for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in November. AP

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Whos in, and whos missing? The 18 men and one woman who joined Trump on stage to inaugurate the board in Davos hardly represented a roll call of major world leaders. Among them were Argentinas President Javier Milei, Hungarys Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kosovo and Azerbaijan. Absent were major world powers, Western democratic countries, Israel and the Palestinian Authority  although Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, wanted by the International Criminal Court on war crimes charges, has indicated he will join, as will Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose full-scale invasion of Ukraine is about to enter its fifth year. A great group of people, Trump enthused from the podium in Davos. Every one of thems a friend of mine  I like every single one of them. The board could be one of the most consequential bodies ever created, he said. Once it was fully formed, we can do pretty much whatever we want to do, but it would work with the UN rather than trying to replace it. Comically, Trump also claimed that he was honoured to have been asked to chair the board. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he would consider Trumps invitation for Australia to join the group, but it was not a priority given legislative matters following the Bondi Beach terrorist attack.

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Canadas Prime Minister Mark Carney, who stunned Davos by calling time on the rules-based international order and American hegemony, also raised doubts about the Board of Peace. We need to work on the actual structure, Carney said, arguing it would be better designed to solve the immediate problems in Gaza, rather than its seemingly global mandate. (On Friday, Trump withdrew the invitation for Canada to join.) The signing ceremony unveiled the Board of Peace logo, which bears a close resemblance to the UNs logo, except that the map shows only the Americas, it is coloured gold and it is set in a golden laurel wreath. Getty Images Richard Haass, president emeritus at the Council on Foreign Relations, told CNN the board was a pretty ragtag bunch. The mission of this outfit is a little bit suspect, he said. They want to move beyond Gaza, but its not like theyve succeeded in Gaza. The grunt work of the organisation is likely to be overseen by its executive, which the White House unveiled last week. It comprises US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (whose resume continues to expand), Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, Witkoff, former British prime minister Tony Blair, World Bank president Ajay Banga, billionaire asset manager Marc Rowan and Trumps deputy national security adviser Robert Gabriel. Trump has also appointed to the board two senior advisers: Aryeh Lightstone, who previously advised Trumps first-term ambassador to Israel, and Josh Gruenbaum, a former director of private equity firm KKR whom Trump tapped for a key role in the US General Services Administration.

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Sarah Yerkes, a senior fellow in the Middle East program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, says there are a few positive signs  the inclusion of Banga, a serious figure in global finance, and investment gurus, given the amount of money that will be required to rebuild Gaza. But there are no Israelis or Palestinians on the executive itself, nor diplomats or people with deep experience in the region. Blairs inclusion is ridiculous, Yerkes says. Hes kind of a joke. Theres a lot of people out there that have the credentials of a Tony Blair who have actually worked on the conflict and could come in. The fact Israel is not yet participating in the board at large should be a massive red flag, she says. They are setting themselves up for failure. New plans for Gaza Plans for the redevelopment of Gaza released by the White House and President Donald Trumps Board of Peace. In Davos, Kushner unveiled a more detailed version of Trumps plans for Gaza. A new master plan involves progressively rebuilding the territory, starting with Rafah in the south in phase 1A, and working north to Gaza City in phase 4. The plan shows New Gaza occupied by rebuilt cities, residential areas, industrial zones with data centres and advanced manufacturing, a seaport, an airport and a narrow strip of high-rise towers on the coast  which Trump has previously called a potential Riviera of the Middle East.

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Meanwhile, a slide promoting New Rafah promised 100,000 homes, 200 education centres, 180 cultural and religious centres and 75 medical facilities. In the beginning, we were toying with the idea of saying, Lets build a free zone, and then well have a Hamas zone, Kushner told the audience. Then we said, You know what, lets just plan for catastrophic success. Hamas signed a deal to demilitarise, thats what were going to enforce. People ask us what our plan B is  we do not have a plan B. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during the presentation about Gazas future at the World Economic Forum. Getty Images The PowerPoint presentation suggested Gaza would have a gross domestic product of $US10 billion ($14.6 billion) by 2035, and an average annual household income of $US13,000. It would attract $US25 billion of investment in utilities and public services alone, creating more than 500,000 jobs in construction, agriculture, services and the digital economy. In the Middle East, they built cities like this in three years, Kushner said. Stuff like this is very doable if we make it happen. Plans for the redevelopment of Gaza released by the White House and President Donald Trumps Board of Peace.

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WorldNorth AmericaTrump's White House White House posts altered image showing arrested protester crying Drew Harwell January 23, 2026  3:30pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Washington: The White House has posted an altered photo of an attorney arrested after a Minnesota church protest, edited to make it look like she was crying, sparking concern among some forensic image experts about the administrations distortion of real-world imagery. In a photo posted to X on Thursday morning, Washington time, by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, the attorney, Nekima Levy Armstrong, appears in handcuffs with a blank expression on her face. In the original image, attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong appears in handcuffs with a blank expression on her face. X But in an edited version of the photo posted half an hour later by the White House, Levy Armstrong appears to be openly weeping, with tears streaming down her face. The post did not disclose that the image had been changed. US Attorney-General Pam Bondi said Levy Armstrong was arrested on charges that she had helped to co-ordinate a protest inside a Minnesota church. The protest, which opposed US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, has become a flashpoint in the national debate over the Trump administrations crackdown on migrants, with the White House accusing her of being a far-left agitator who had orchestrated church riots.

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The manipulated image of Levy Armstrong on X had been seen roughly 2.5 million times by Thursday afternoon. It was unclear whether the image was altered using artificial intelligence or more traditional photo-editing tools. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Kaelan Dorr, a deputy communications director who has co-ordinated the White Houses digital strategy, referenced the image in an X post: Enforcement of the law will continue. The memes will continue. Thank you for your attention to this matter. In an edited version of the photo posted half an hour later by the White House, Levy Armstrong appears to be openly weeping, with tears streaming down her face. X Abigail Jackson, a White House spokeswoman, mocked people questioning the image with an X post that said: uM, eXCuSe mE??? iS tHAt DiGiTAlLy AlTeReD?!?!?!?!?! At a news conference on Thursday, Levy Armstrongs husband, Marques Armstrong, told supporters gathered at the St Paul courthouse that the social media post about her arrest told a false story, including because she had stood tall and walked without crying.

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We have the videos to prove that, to dispel the lies and the twisting of the truth that this administration constantly does, he said. Hany Farid, a professor at the University of California at Berkeley and co-founder of the digital forensics company GetReal Security, overlaid the two images and determined that the image shared by the White House had been manipulated. View post on X The false image, he said, could undermine the White Houses attempts to win public trust through communications on its official account, where it has millions of followers. People will think: When you guys post images of Venezuelan drug boats, why should we believe you? In fact, why should we believe anything you say? Farid said.

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Trump and the White House have frequently used edited or AI-generated imagery to win attention and score political points. Some have been clear satire or memes, including a video Trump posted last year showing him dumping faeces on protesters from a fighter jet. But others have appeared more realistic, including a video Trump posted last northern summer supposedly showing former president Barack Obama being arrested by the FBI. Related Article Opinion

Trump's America Dark woke: Have Democrats finally found a way to torment Trump? Julia Baird Journalist, broadcaster, historian and author At the same time, Trump has criticised his political enemies for purportedly distributing fake images. During the 2024 campaign, he accused Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris of using a fake photo from a rally stop. There was nobody at the plane, and she A.I.d it, and showed a massive crowd of so-called followers, BUT THEY DIDNT EXIST! he said in a Truth Social post. Farid said photos like the fake crying image were especially pernicious because they could easily convince viewers they were real.

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While the fighter jet video was tasteless and disturbing, it was not designed to be deceptive, he said. This clearly falls on the deceptive side: its clearly manipulated, clearly not labelled. Theyre just out there, distorting facts. Don Moynihan, a professor at the University of Michigans Ford School of Public Policy, said the image moved us to a new level of manipulative propaganda because it relied on a subtle alteration rather than a more obvious fraud. When you have this image that looks completely plausible and has been altered to demean the person being arrested, were in new territory, he said. The Washington Post Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Mr. Jocelyn R. Levenstone, a veteran law enforcement and border control professional with nearly 35 years experience, was dismissed on Friday from his post as head of Sint Maartens Immigration Department by Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling. Despite his extensive backgroundwhich includes key roles with the Dutch Caribbean Coastguard, Port Sint Maarten, and as a police officerLevenstones leadership faced escalating challenges leading to his removal after persistent concerns about underperformance and operational backlogs.

Levenstone had been appointed to the leadership position in October 2023, bringing with him a long record in law enforcement, crime prevention, maritime security, and public safety oversight. His appointment was seen as a move toward greater departmental effectiveness, building on experience as Manager of Safety and Security at Port Sint Maarten and as Head of the Coastguard Substation on Sint Maarten. However, these functions and experiences were ultimately overshadowed by mounting difficulties within the department.

According to well-placed sources, numerous employees had submitted detailed letters to Minister Tackling since her appointment, outlining a variety of issues within the department. Their concerns ranged from a difficult workplace climate to repeated failures in leadership and management. Despite repeated warnings, the backlog of residency permits and other essential services continued to climb, impacting residents and contributing to widespread dissatisfaction.

Minister Tackling delivered the news in a comprehensive five-page letter, clearly spelling out the departments challenges and the specific grievances raised by staff. Employees said they were surprised by the timing of the decision, noting that although frustration had been building, few expected such a decisive move.

Complicating matters further, Levenstone had recently applied for the position of governor of Saba, highlighting the stakes of his abrupt removal. The Ministry of Justice now faces the urgent task of tackling the backlog and rebuilding public trust in immigration services as the search for new leadership moves forward.
To: Chairpersons of the Parliaments of Aruba, Curacao, and Sint Maarten

Subject: Request for Agenda Inclusion and Speaking Rights at IPKO February 2026

A coalition of youth representatives from the six Caribbean islands and the Caribbean community in the Netherlands has issued an urgent appeal to the parliamentary leaders of Aruba, Curacao, and Sint Maarten. The request centers on the upcoming Interparliamentary Kingdom Consultation (IPKO), scheduled for February 17, 2026, in Aruba. The group seeks to address the climate crisis as a shared responsibility within the Kingdom of the Netherlands and to advocate for structural solutions that ensure the rights and safety of Caribbean residents.

Climate as a Shared Responsibility

The youth representatives emphasize the existential threat posed by the climate crisis to the Caribbean part of the Kingdom. While the Netherlands benefits from robust frameworks like the Delta Act and consistent financial support for climate adaptation, the Caribbean islands lack similar guarantees. This disparity leaves Aruba, Curacao, and Sint Maarten vulnerable, as they are unable to independently access critical international climate funds due to their constitutional status within the Kingdom.

The group highlights the upcoming court ruling on January 28, 2026, in the climate case brought by eight Bonaire residents and Greenpeace against the Dutch State. This case underscores the need for a Kingdom-wide climate adaptation plan developed in close collaboration with local communities. The youth representatives view this as a precedent for safeguarding human rights through the Kingdoms guarantee function (Article 43 of the Charter), while respecting local autonomy and self-determination.

Local Expertise and Scientific Collaboration

The Caribbean islands are home to a wealth of talent and expertise in climate science and adaptation. Initiatives like the Feelin Hot Tool demonstrate the capacity for local innovation, but these efforts often remain limited to short-term projects. The youth representatives argue for a structural approach to climate adaptation, rooted in collaboration across the Kingdom. They call for the Netherlands to facilitate resources while allowing the islands to lead, in line with the principle of mutual assistance (Article 36 of the Charter).

Formal Requests

The youth representatives formally request the following:

1. Agenda Inclusion: That climate adaptation and the implications of the upcoming Bonaire climate case ruling be added as a permanent agenda item for the IPKO meeting on February 17, 2026.

2. Speaking Opportunity: That Oriana Wouters, a youth representative from Aruba, be granted 5-10 minutes to present the local perspective during the opening of this agenda item.

A Call for Kingdom-Wide Action

The youth representatives stress that the IPKO is the ideal platform to address the Kingdoms shared climate challenges. They urge the parliamentary leaders to seize this opportunity to foster collaboration and ensure a sustainable future for all parts of the Kingdom.

Signatories:

 Oriana Wouters (Aruba)

 Terence Ching (Curacao)

 Riddhi Samtani (Sint Maarten)

Representing Caribbean Youth within the Kingdom

Footnotes

1. At COP30, international agreements were made to significantly increase financial resources for climate adaptation. However, the constitutional status of the CAS countries within the Kingdom limits their direct access to these funds, leaving them reliant on the Dutch governments policies.

2. See also: Misiedjan, D.J.E. (2021). "Separate but equal in the protection against climate change? The legal framework of climate justice for the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands."

This appeal underscores the urgency of addressing climate justice and adaptation as a Kingdom-wide priority, ensuring that no part of the Kingdom is left behind in the fight against the climate crisis.
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You won't have to wait much longer for a humanoid robot of your own from Tesla.

CEO Elon Musk, speaking on stage at the World Economic Forum on Thursday, said the rollout for his Optimus robots could start as soon as the end of next year. Tesla-branded help to tidy your home or watch your children could be just around the corner.

Now, sticking to anticipated production timelines isn't exactly Musk's strong suit.

But at the very least, the bright lights of Davos and the many audiences paying attention will serve as motivation to meet the ambitious deadline.

The entrepreneur and showman didnt stop there. Teslas Robotaxi service will be widespread in the US by the end of this year, he said, offering up the second major forecast for his company thats aggressively pursuing a leadership position in AI and robotics.

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The presentation prompted 3 key questions for investors:

Why is this such a pivotal time for Tesla?

In some ways, Musk's updates on his company's biggest initiatives arrived in the nick of time.

Tesla's most vocal backers like to emphasize that the company's valuation and its importance in the tech landscape aren't based on the cars it makes today, but the innovations it's promising in the near future. Depending on where you land on Tesla, that's a convenient tale to tell or an insight into the company's true value. (And maybe a bit of both.)

DAVOS, SWITZERLAND - JANUARY 22: Business person Elon Musk delivers a speech during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on January 22, 2026. (Photo by Harun Ozalp/Anadolu via Getty Images)  Anadolu via Getty Images

But as a car company not yet fully transformed into an AI powerhouse, Tesla is staring at an enormous threat in China. In fact, so are a lot of Western car manufacturers.

Last week, Canada said it would ease tariffs on Chinese EVs as part of a new strategic partnership between the two nations inspired by Trump's aggressive rhetoric and antagonistic trade policy with its northern neighbor.

Demand for Chinese EVs has surged in recent years, surpassing expectations and introducing genuine threats in Western markets. Legacy auto players had long dismissed car brands from China.

But the competition has arrived, outshining Tesla and becoming a commanding force in the auto world.

What is Musk's vision for humanoid robots?

If Musk helped democratize the electric car, he's aiming to do it again with a new technology: humanoid robots.

At Davos, he framed the development of advanced workplace and domestic robots as a path to abundance.
Trump says US still watching Iran, fleet sailing to region



Washington, United States, Jan 22 (AFP) Jan 22, 2026



President Donald Trump said Thursday a US naval "armada" was heading toward the Gulf, maintaining pressure on Iran although he has recently downplayed the prospect of imminent military action.

Last week, Trump pulled back from a threat to strike Iran over its deadly crackdown on anti-government protests after the White House said Tehran had halted planned executions of demonstrators.

But the Republican president on Thursday confirmed continuing military preparations. US media have reported in the past week that the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group was ordered from maneuvers in the South China Sea to the Middle East.

"We're watching Iran," Trump told reporters on Air Force One as he flew back from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

"You know we have a lot of ships going that direction, just in case... We have a big force going toward Iran," the president said.

"I'd rather not see anything happen but we're watching them very closely."

He described the force as "an armada" and "massive fleet," but added, "maybe we won't have to use it."

Trump reiterated that his threat to use force against Tehran had stopped 837 hangings of protesters. He also confirmed he was open to talking with Iran.

Iranian authorities on Wednesday gave their first official toll from the protests -- which appear to have ebbed in recent days -- saying 3,117 people were killed. Rights groups say the actual number of dead could be far higher.

Trump has repeatedly left open the option of new military action against Iran after Washington backed and joined Israel's 12-day war in June aimed at degrading the Islamic republic's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
EU has 'serious doubts' about Trump's 'Board of Peace'



Brussels, Belgium, Jan 23 (AFP) Jan 23, 2026



European leaders have serious doubts about the scope of President Donald Trump's "Board of Peace" but are ready to work with the United States and the newly founded body in Gaza, EU chief Antonio Costa said Friday.

"We have serious doubts about a number of elements in the charter of the Board of Peace related to its scope, its governance and its compatibility with the UN Charter," the European Council president said after an EU leaders' summit in Brussels.

"We are ready to work together with the US on the implementation of the comprehensive Peace Plan for Gaza, with a Board of Peace carrying out its mission as a transitional administration".

The founding charter of Trump's body for resolving international conflicts has a $1 billion price tag for permanent membership.

Although originally meant to oversee Gaza's rebuilding, the board's charter does not seem to limit its role to the Palestinian territory and appears to want to rival the United Nations.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told reporters after the summit that his country had "declined" the invitation to participate in the body.

Trump unveiled the new Board of Peace at the World Economic Forum in the Swiss ski resort of Davos Thursday, joined on stage by leaders and officials from 19 countries to sign its founding charter.

Key US allies including France and Britain have expressed doubts.

London expressed concerns about the inclusion of Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose forces are fighting in Ukraine after invading in 2022.

France said the charter as it currently stood was "incompatible" with its international commitments, especially its UN membership.
'Vigilant' Europe eyes next Trump shock after Greenland climbdown



Brussels, Belgium, Jan 23 (AFP) Jan 23, 2026



One crisis defused, how long until the next one? European leaders huddled for summit talks Thursday exuding relief at Donald Trump's climbdown on Greenland -- but already steeling themselves for the next jolt from the mercurial US leader.

Trump's threats over the vast Arctic island -- an autonomous territory of NATO member Denmark -- plunged relations between Europe and its key ally Washington to a historic low.

While the immediate danger appeared to recede after Trump struck a "framework" agreement with NATO chief Mark Rutte, the bloc maintained a meeting called to address the crisis -- and how to handle the US leader going forward.

It was still unclear what exactly prompted Trump's U-turn, but French President Emmanuel Macron insisted a push to unleash the European Union's trade arsenal against the United States played a part -- and said Europe remains "extremely vigilant".

Addressing a news conference after the summit, European Council chief Antonio Costa vowed the bloc "will continue to stand up for its interests" and defend itself "against any form of coercion."

"It has the power and the tools to do so, and will do so if and when necessary."



- Details scarce -



Trump backed down Wednesday night both on threatening to seize Greenland by force and on imposing tariffs against European allies, touting a "framework" agreement that would give Washington "everything we wanted".

Costa described the about-turn on tariffs as "positive" and called for the trade deal agreed with Washington last summer -- which senior European lawmakers had vowed to block in response to US threats -- to be fully rolled out.

"The goal remains the effective stabilisation of the trade relations between the European Union and the US," Costa said, summing up what EU leaders concluded during the evening talks.

NATO's Rutte appeared to have pulled off a diplomatic coup by talking Trump down from his demands -- but swirling questions remained about their purported deal, and what might follow.

Details remain scant, with Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen saying he did not know what had been agreed.

But a source familiar with the talks told AFP the United States and Denmark would renegotiate a 1951 defence pact on Greenland.

In Brussels, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told reporters the matter of Denmark's sovereignty was off the table, but that Copenhagen was open to discussing the pact with the United States.

She also said NATO states backed having a "permanent presence" in the Arctic, including around Greenland.

The Danish leader -- who has maintained close contact with Rutte -- was to meet the NATO chief for a debrief Friday morning in Brussels.



- 'A tweet away' -



Europe has struggled to set red lines as its once-close American ally has turned hostile under Trump -- to the point of threatening its sovereignty.

"You know we're only a tweet away from the next crisis," summed up one EU diplomat.

Greenland is only part of the picture, as Trump wages a broader attack on the EU's laws, politics and values, zig-zags on the Ukraine conflict, or pushes a self-styled "Board of Peace" after a year of tearing down global norms.

EU leaders had "serious doubts about a number of elements" of the latter initiative, including its scope, governance and compatibility with the UN Charter, Costa said.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the importance of preserving transatlantic ties was "absolutely obvious" for all Europeans.

"But what we need today in our politics is trust and respect among all partners, not domination, and for sure, not coercion," he said.

The continent is ramping up defence spending to break its security reliance on the United States -- but for now, it still needs US help to end the Ukraine war, and deter the looming Russian threat to its east.

With a transatlantic clash over Greenland at least temporarily defused, the EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas said it was "important to focus back on where the problems really lie -- and this is the war in Ukraine."

But as leaders met in Brussels, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky aimed a brutal warning at the bloc, saying Trump "will not listen to this kind of Europe" unless it steps up to become "a truly global power."
NATO chief, Danish PM agree on boosting Arctic security



Brussels, Belgium, Jan 23 (AFP) Jan 23, 2026



NATO chief Mark Rutte and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen agreed Friday the alliance should boost work on Arctic security, after US President Donald Trump backed off his threats to seize Greenland.

"We're working together to ensure that the whole of NATO is safe and secure and will build on our cooperation to enhance deterrence and defence in the Arctic," Rutte wrote on X after meeting Frederiksen in Brussels.

Frederiksen -- who was to travel to Greenland to meet its premier on Friday -- said "we agree that NATO should increase its engagement in the Arctic".

"Defence and security in the Arctic are matters for the entire alliance," she wrote on X.

The meeting came after Trump claimed he had struck a framework deal with Rutte on Wednesday that satisfied him after he made demands to take the autonomous Arctic territory from Denmark.

Trump backed off his threats to seize Greenland and impose tariffs on NATO allies blocking him despite not making headway on his main demand for control of the island.

Details of what, if anything, was agreed have not been made public -- but officials say NATO boosting security in the Arctic was part of the plan.

Frederiksen on Thursday said that NATO allies agreed on the need for a "permanent presence" in the Arctic, including around Greenland.

Members of the alliance have floated setting up a new NATO mission in the Arctic, but commanders say concrete planning has yet to start.

Officials familiar with Rutte's talks with Trump said that Denmark and the United States would look to renegotiate a 1951 pact governing American force deployments on Greenland.

That could allow Washington to boost its military footprint on the vast island, including potentially stationing parts of Trump's planned "Golden Dome" missile defence system.

NATO also said that the United States, Denmark and Greenland would negotiate on stepping up efforts to stop Russia and China gaining a "foothold" on the territory.

Trump used the alleged threat from both Moscow and Beijing to Greenland as a major justification for why he needed to take control.

del/yad




Uganda army chief says 30 opposition supporters killed, 2,000 arrested



Kampala, Jan 23 (AFP) Jan 23, 2026



Uganda's army chief and son of newly re-elected President Yoweri Museveni said Friday that 30 opposition supporters had been killed and 2,000 detained in the wake of the vote.

Opposition leader Bobi Wine remained in hiding on Friday after accusing security forces of raiding his home in the aftermath of the election on January 15.

He has described the election as "blatant theft" and called for protests.

Museveni, 81, won a seventh term in office with 72 percent of the vote to Wine's 25 percent, according to the Electoral Commission.

African observers and international NGOs criticised heavy repression of the opposition and an internet shutdown.

"We have arrested over 2,000 hooligans that Kabobi thought he would use," army chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba wrote on X, using his nickname for Wine.

"So far we have killed 30 NUP terrorists," he said, referring to Wine's party, the National Unity Platform.

Kainerugaba, 51, is known for his provocative, often vulgar social media presence.

He has made no secret of his desire to succeed his father and this week threatened to hunt down and kill Wine.

He mixed his latest comments about the opposition with jokes about women.

Among those arrested in recent days is opposition lawmaker Muwanga Kivumbi from the Butambala area of central Uganda, where the most serious election day violence was reported.

Kivumbi told AFP that security forces had killed 10 of his campaign agents after storming his home, while police said his supporters had been shot after attempting to burn down a vote-tallying centre and police station.

A lawyer for the opposition told AFP on Wednesday that more than 600 people had been arrested over election protests.

"In all the charges, our clients are denying them. Some say they were picked up from their homes by the police and locked up before appearing (in court) on charges they were not aware of," lawyer Erias Lukwago told AFP.

str-er/kjm
Danish troops were combat ready in Greenland: report



Copenhagen, Jan 23 (AFP) Jan 23, 2026



Troops sent to Greenland by Copenhagen were ordered to be combat ready in case the United States attacked the autonomous Danish territory, Danish public broadcaster DR reported on Friday.

US President Donald Trump backed down on threats to seize Greenland by force after meeting NATO chief Mark Rutte on Wednesday, saying he had reached a "framework" of a deal on the Arctic island.

Prior to that, Trump had not ruled out the use of force, insisting that the US needed Greenland for "national security".

DR said a Danish military order last week said soldiers in Greenland should be equipped with live ammunition.

It also outlined a multi-phase operation that included the possibility of sending additional forces and assets later, if needed.

Civilian and military aircraft then began transporting soldiers and equipment to Greenland, according to DR.

The deployment was officially a part of the Danish-led military exercise Arctic Endurance -- which Copenhagen has said will continue "throughout large parts of the coming year."

A few days after Trump announced that the United States would get Greenland "one way or the other", eight European countries sent several dozen troops to Greenland, officially to prepare for the exercise.

Some have since departed, including a group of about 15 Germans and some Swedes, while others continue to arrive.

DR also reported wide political support, both from the Danish government and the opposition, to take up the fight in case of a US attack.

Speaking to reporters Friday, Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen declined to comment on the report.
Outrage after Trump claims NATO troops avoided Afghan frontline



London, Jan 23 (AFP) Jan 23, 2026



A UK minister said Friday that US President Donald Trump was "plainly wrong" to claim that NATO soldiers did not fight on the front line in Afghanistan, as the claim sparked outrage in Britain.

In an interview with Fox News aired on Thursday, Trump appeared unaware that 457 British soldiers died fighting in the South Asian country following the September 11 attacks on the United States.

"They'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan," Trump told the US outlet.

"And they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines," he added.

Trump also repeated his suggestion that NATO would not come to the aid of the United States if asked to do so.

In fact, following the 9/11 attacks, the UK and a number of other allies joined the US from 2001 in Afghanistan after it invoked NATO's collective security clause.

As well as Britain's, troops from other NATO ally countries including Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Denmark and others also died.

Care Minister Stephen Kinnock said he expected Prime Minister Keir Starmer would bring the issue up with Trump.

"I think he will, I'm sure, be raising this issue with the president... He's incredibly proud of our armed forces, and he will make that clear to the president," he told LBC Radio.

Trump's comments were "plainly wrong" and "deeply disappointing", Kinnock told broadcaster Sky News.

"It just doesn't really add up what he said, because the fact of the matter is the only time that article 5 has been invoked was to go to the aid of the United States after 9/11," he said.

"And many, many British soldiers and many soldiers from other European NATO allies gave their lives in support of American missions, American-led missions in places like Afghanistan and Iraq," he added.

Lucy Aldridge, whose son William died aged 18 in Afghanistan, told The Mirror newspaper that Trump's remarks were "extremely upsetting".

Emily Thornberry, chair of parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, called them "so much more than a mistake".

"It's an absolute insult. It's an insult to 457 families who lost someone in Afghanistan. How dare he say we weren't on the front line," the Labour Party politician said on the BBC's Question Time programme on Thursday evening.

According to official UK figures, 405 of the 457 British casualties who died in Afghanistan were killed in hostile military action.

The US reportedly lost more than 2,400 soldiers.
Key Points

Energy is integral to the world, and every investor should probably have some exposure to the sector.

Chevron is one of the world's largest integrated energy companies, providing diversification across the energy sector.

Chevron offers an attractive combination of yield and financial strength, relative to its closest peers.

10 stocks we like better than Chevron 

The world is trying to shift away from dirtier energy sources, such as coal and oil. However, it's likely to be a long transition. Oil and natural gas will both be needed for decades to come, as the most likely energy strategy is an "all of the above" approach.

Every investor should probably have some exposure to the energy sector. That's the foundational reason why you should consider adding Chevron (NYSE: CVX) to your portfolio. Here are three company-specific reasons why.

Image source: Getty Images.

1. Chevron is diversified

The energy sector is volatile by nature, with oil and natural gas prices rising and falling regularly. You could focus on a narrow niche of the industry, but most investors will be best served by a company with a diversified portfolio of assets that provide exposure to the entire energy value chain. That's what integrated energy companies like Chevron do.

Chevron is best known for its oil and natural gas production, which falls into the upstream segment of the industry. However, it also owns energy infrastructure assets, such as pipelines, which help move oil and natural gas around the world.

That's the midstream. It also owns chemical and refining businesses that operate in the downstream segment of the industry. These businesses process energy into the products that actually get used, like gasoline.

Each segment of the industry operates a little differently through the energy cycle. The best example of the benefit is that low oil prices put pressure on upstream producers but reduce costs in the downstream segment, where oil is a key input into the production of other products. From a foundational perspective, integrated Chevron has an attractive business model.

2. Chevron has an attractive yield

Chevron's dividend yield is currently 4.1%. That's well above the S&P 500 index's (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) 1.1% yield and the 3.3% yield of the average energy stock. Chevron clearly has an attractive yield on an absolute level.

Chevron, however, doesn't have the highest yield among its closest integrated energy peers. That title goes to TotalEnergies at around 5.9%. However, Chevron does have an over 30-year streak of annual dividend increases behind it. That's second in the sector to ExxonMobil's over-40-year streak, but Exxon's yield is only around 3.1%. All in, Chevron is a reliable dividend stock with an attractive yield that stands out from its peers.
Europeans among 150 high-ranking IS members transferred to Iraq: security officials to AFP



Baghdad, Jan 23 (AFP) Jan 23, 2026



Europeans were among 150 senior Islamic State group jihadist detainees transferred from Syria to Iraq earlier this week as part of a US operation, two Iraqi security officials told AFP Friday.

The group, which the US military transferred to Iraq on Wednesday, were "all leaders of the Islamic State group, and some of the most notorious criminals," and included "Europeans, Asians, Arabs and Iraqis," one security official said.

Another security source said the group included "85 Iraqis and 65 others of various nationalities, including Europeans, Sudanese, Somalis, and people from the Caucasus region".

He added that they "all participated in IS operations in Iraq," including the 2014 offensive that saw the jihadist group seize large areas of Iraq and neighbouring Syria.

"They are all at the level of emirs," the official added.

They are now held at a prison in Baghdad.

The group is the first batch of 7,000 IS suspects, previously held by Syrian Kurdish fighters, that the US military said it will transfer to prisons in Iraq.

Thousands of suspected jihadists and their families, including foreigners, have been held in detention centres and camps in Syria since IS's defeat in 2019 at the hands of Kurdish-led forces backed by a US-led coalition.

Washington announced the plan to transfer IS detainees after the Kurdish-led forces relinquished swathes of territory under pressure from Syrian government forces.

The Iraqi judiciary said it would launch legal proceedings against the IS detainees transferred from Syria.

Iraqi courts have handed down hundreds of death sentences and life prison terms to people convicted of terrorism offences, including hundreds of foreign fighters -- some caught in Syria and transferred across the border.
Kurdish women braid their hair in show of solidarity with Syria Kurds



Erbil, Iraq, Jan 23 (AFP) Jan 23, 2026



Women in Iraqi Kurdistan and beyond have taken to the streets and social media to braid their hair in a show of solidarity after a Syrian soldier bragged in a video about cutting off a Kurdish fighter's braid in Raqa.

Syrian government troops have recently been retaking parts of the country held by the Kurds' de facto autonomous administration, which has long touted the participation of women in its armed forces.

The video "was a threat to us as Kurds, but also as Kurdish women", said university lecturer Vienna Salam, 31, one of dozens of women who gathered Friday to braid each other's hair at a protest in Erbil, the capital of the Iraqi Kurdistan region.

Salam said they wanted to show "the world our way of resilience and... power".

Braiding is "our way of fighting back and of representing our identity as Kurdish women."

In recent days, a viral video has circulated showing a Syrian soldier boasting as he displays a braid he said he had cut from the head of a Kurdish woman fighter in the northern Syrian city of Raqa, which the army recently retook from Kurdish-led forces.

It was unclear whether the claims were true, or if any woman was harmed, but in a second video released after an online backlash, the soldier said the braid was fake and that he found it lying on a table at a restaurant.

Many Kurdish women in Iraq and elsewhere in the region have since taken to social media in response to share posts of themselves braiding their hair.

In one widely shared clip, several women stand in line, braiding each other's hair while chanting "Women, Life, Freedom" -- the slogan of the 2022 anti-government protests in Iran sparked by the death in custody of Kurdish-Iranian woman Mahsa Amini.

In Kurdish culture, braids are considered a symbol of beauty, but also resistance and strength, sometimes featuring in famous Kurdish ballads.

More specifically, they have also become an emblem of Kurdish women fighters, whose images have filled front pages for years during their many battles against the Islamic State group in Syria.

Braids can also be used to express sorrow, with widows sometimes cutting their braids to mark the death of their husbands.

Thirty-year-old protester Darin Masoum, whose family is in northeastern Syria, said braids symbolise "courage, beauty, strength and dignity".
Italy's Meloni hopes to nominate Trump for Peace Prize



Rome, Jan 23 (AFP) Jan 23, 2026



Italian leader Giorgia Meloni said Friday she hoped US President Donald Trump would end the conflict in Ukraine so she could nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Meloni revels in her cordial ties with Trump, who has expressed frustration at failing to win the prize.

"I hope that one day we can award a Nobel Peace Prize to Donald Trump," Italian Prime Minister Meloni told a press conference after meeting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

"I trust that if he makes a difference... in achieving a just and lasting peace for Ukraine, for Ukraine too... finally, we too could nominate Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize."

In a message to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store made public on Monday, Trump said failing to get the prize meant he no longer felt obliged "to think purely of peace".

On Thursday, Trump unveiled his "Board of Peace", initially designed to oversee the Gaza truce and the territory's revival, but which has morphed into a mechanism aiming to resolve all sorts of international conflicts.

Italy has been invited to join the "Board", but Meloni said she had told Trump that Italy faced "constitutional problems".

Italy's constitutional rules do not allow the country to join an organisation led by a single foreign leader, according to media reports.

Trump is the chairman of the "Board", as well as serving as the US representative and the chair of its executive board.

Meloni said she had asked Trump to reopen the framework "to meet the needs not only of Italy, but also of other European countries".

"We must try to do this work," she said. "The presence of countries like ours can make a difference."
Kosovo, Serbia begin long-delayed effort to find war missing



Belgrade, Jan 23 (AFP) Jan 23, 2026



The Serbia-Kosovo joint commission on missing persons met for the first time in Brussels more than two years after the body was announced, the European Union said Friday.

Of the 6,065 people who went missing during the 1998-99 war, around 1,600 cases remain unresolved, according to the EU's diplomatic service.

Although the Declaration on Missing Persons was agreed in May 2023 by Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, little progress has been made so far.

A focus of the commission will be to ensure cooperation in locating burial sites and sharing information to identify missing people.

The EU said in a statement that it had "great expectations" that the commission could help "close a painful chapter" for the families of the missing.

Chief negotiator for Serbia Petar Petkovic and his Kosovo counterpart Besnik Bislimi, along with EU Special Representative Peter Sorensen, held the first meeting late Thursday in Brussels.

Bislimi described the talks as "successful" while Petkovic said the issue was not "political, but humanitarian".

"We will do everything necessary to help establish the full truth as soon as possible and to clarify the fate of all missing persons," Petkovic said.

The war between Serbian forces and ethnic Albanian guerrillas in the late 1990s left more than 13,000 people dead, and ended after NATO bombardment forced Belgrade's troops and police from the territory.

Relationships between the two countries have remained tense since, with Belgrade never recognising the smaller nation's independence, which it declared in 2008.

For more than a decade, the EU-facilitated dialogue on normalising relations has been held in Brussels, but it stalled in recent years.

Vucic and Kurti have not met since 2024, but resolving bilateral relations remains crucial for both countries' EU ambitions.

The meeting comes after Sorensen visited Belgrade and Pristina earlier this month to stress the need for tangible results this year.
UK PM slams Trump for saying NATO troops avoided Afghan front line



London, Jan 23 (AFP) Jan 23, 2026



UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Friday denounced as "insulting" Donald Trump's claim that troops from NATO allies avoided the front line in Afghanistan, as anger grows at the US president's remarks.

In an interview with Fox News aired on Thursday, Trump appeared unaware that 457 British soldiers were among NATO troops who died during the conflict in Afghanistan following the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.

"They'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan," Trump told the US outlet, referring to NATO allies.

"And they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines," he added, triggering outrage across the political divide in Britain.

Trump also repeated his suggestion that NATO would not come to the aid of the US if asked to do so.

In fact, following the 9/11 attacks, the UK and several European countries joined the US in Afghanistan after it invoked NATO's collective security clause for the first and only time.

Soldiers from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Denmark and others also died in the conflict.

"Let me start by paying tribute to 457 of our armed services who lost their lives in Afghanistan," Starmer said in a video message.

"There are many also who were injured, some with life-changing injuries, and so I consider President Trump's remarks to be insulting and frankly, appalling, and I'm not surprised they've caused such hurt to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured."

He said that if he had misspoken in such a way, he "would certainly apologise".



- 'Heroes' -



Poland's Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said he expected respect for Polish veterans "who have proven how much they serve this country and our commitments to allies".

Poland lost 43 soldiers in the conflict in Afghanistan.

French armed forces minister Catherine Vautrin said 90 French soldiers died in Afghanistan on operations alongside NATO allies and "many others" were wounded.

"We remember their sacrifice, which commands respect."

UK defence minister John Healey posted on X that the British troops who died were "heroes who gave their lives in service of our nation".

Armed forces minister Al Carns, who served five tours in Afghanistan, said Trump's comments were "utterly ridiculous".

The leader of the opposition Conservatives, Kemi Badenoch, said Trump's comments were "complete nonsense" which could weaken the NATO alliance.

Even Nigel Farage, leader of the anti-immigration Reform UK party and a long-time Trump supporter rebuked the American leader.

"Donald Trump is wrong," he said on X. "For 20 years our armed forces fought bravely alongside America's in Afghanistan."

Lucy Aldridge, whose son William died aged 18 in Afghanistan, told The Mirror newspaper that Trump's remarks were "extremely upsetting".

Mark Atkinson, Director General of the veterans' charity, The Royal British Legion, said the service and sacrifice of British troops in Afghanistan "cannot be called into question".

Prince Harry, who undertook two frontline tours to Afghanistan with the Army Air Corps, also weighed in.

"I served there. I made lifelong friends there. And I lost friends there," he said.

"Thousands of lives were changed forever. Mothers and fathers buried sons and daughters. Children were left without a parent. Families are left carrying the cost. Those sacrifices deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect."

According to official UK figures, 405 of the 457 British casualties who died in Afghanistan were killed in hostile military action.

The US reportedly lost more than 2,400 soldiers.

More than 150,000 UK armed forces personnel served in Afghanistan between September 2001 and August 2021, the Ministry of Defence said, making the UK the second-largest contributor to the US-led force there.
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While the US and Europe were thrashing out the details of a detente at Davos, the Gulf was focused on its current priority: AI. Sovereigns and private companies left the mountain town with deals in hand after spending the week touting their visions  and conviction levels  in the technology.

Dubai-based Damac Properties, whose chairman is a Trump ally, secured land and power capacity in the US worth $12 billion, part of a planned $20 billion investment in the country. Meanwhile, PIF-backed Humain announced a $1.2 billion financing agreement with Saudi Arabias National Infrastructure Fund to fund up to 250 megawatts of domestic data center capacity. And G42  Abu Dhabis AI conglomerate  said it expects advanced chips and the first phase of its Stargate data center campus to both be delivered within months.

Qatar Investment Authoritys CEO was more circumspect, telling Bloomberg the fund would take a more selective approach to AI this year. The thing we worry about in AI innovation is short-term heat, he said. The chief of Abu Dhabis Mubadala had less hesitation, saying the sovereign fund has a lot of conviction in the sector.

A chart showing data center annual compound growth rate through 2027 in select locations.

 Kelsey Warner
The opening and kind of allowing for more things and in turn allowing for more like positive things to come into your life, was a lot about what this song and this album as a whole was about for me.
"The court has also heard that, while living in a staffed, CQC-registered mental health rehabilitation home, he was able to purchase weapons online, which were received within that setting and passed on to him. Whether that is right, lawful, or safe is not something this trial has examined  but it is something that must now be properly scrutinised.
Thanks to joint work with the police, weve taken swift enforcement action and ensured the mother and child are now in a safe, suitable home  no longer exposed to these appalling conditions. Well continue to put residents and their safety first and bring the law onto anyone else who thinks they can flout the law.
Most importantly, during these talks between our president and the Americans, it was reiterated that without resolving the territorial issue according to the formula agreed upon in Anchorage, there is no hope of achieving a long-term settlement, he said, referring to last year's Trump-Putin summit in Alaska.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has secured nearly $6.9 million in debt relief for disabled veterans who he alleged were harmed by a fraudulent VA assistance scheme by Austin-based VA Claims Insider. Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

An Austin company has agreed to provide almost $6.9 million in debt relief to disabled veterans the state alleged were deceptively charged for assistance in navigating the disability benefits claims process.

VA Claims Insider LLC, also known as VACI, is prohibited from collecting any debts incurred by veterans who were misled into believing its services were free as part of an agreed final judgment entered into with the Texas Attorney Generals Office.

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The office said Friday the company also will forgo collecting any qualifying debts incurred for the past nine years. The estimated total of the debt forgiveness is just under $6.9 million.

Disabled veterans are our nations heroes who put their lives on the line for our country, and no company will be allowed to pose as a legitimate VA service in order to scam and deceive them, Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a statement. This judgment ensures that disabled veterans are protected from VACIs fraudulent VA assistance scheme and will not be held responsible for illegitimate debts.

Paxton had sued VA Claims in 2023 in state District Court in San Antonio, alleging the company had engaged in false, misleading, and deceptive acts.

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The company agreed to the judgment solely for the purpose of settlement and did not admit any wrongdoing or violation of state consumer protection laws, the court filing says. Judge Cynthia Marie Chapa signed the judgment Jan. 15.

Jeff Eller, a VA Claims Insider spokesman, said in an email there is no fraud and that the company will continue to actively fight any accusation of fraud.

He added that the company welcomes the settlement with the State of Texas and looks forward to continuing its service to U.S. military veterans who are exploring their eligibility for increased disability benefits. As the only VA disability education company focused on educating veterans who seek to prepare and file their own claims, the work that VA Claims Insider does changes veterans lives for the better, he said.

VA Claims has entered into a permanent injunction that bars it from committing certain acts, including advertising as free any educational or consulting services to veterans when and if those services are not free.

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The company also must pay $75,000 for the attorney generals legal fees and investigative costs.

Paxton had alleged that VA Claims failed to disclose to veterans before they entered into an agreement with the company that payment was required for benefits related to claims that were filed.

If veterans refused to pay unexpected fees, the company initiated debt collection efforts against them, the suit alleged.

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Thousands living in Bexar County were among the more than 20,000 veterans who had bought membership packages from VA Claims since 2017, the lawsuit said.

At the time of the filing, Eller described the company as a mission-driven organization. It looked forward to presenting its case in court, he added.

VA Claims was the subject of an unflattering investigative report by Jasper Craven and published by the Texas Tribune. It detailed how VA Claims and other companies that are not accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs impose rates far higher than what accredited agents can charge.

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Company founder and disabled Air Force veteran Brian Reese countered that the story was littered with factual inaccuracies.
Elon Musk attends the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Markus Schreiber/AP

Tech billionaire Elon Musk declared self-driving cars a solved problem during his first-ever appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

At Tesla Inc. headquarters in Austin, though, the companys AI boss said it had begun offering limited robotaxi rides in the city without a human safety monitor aboard. That was a move Musk said last year would come by the end of 2025. The Austin American-Statesman reported a day earlier the company so far has failed to deliver on that promise.

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In Switzerland, Musk and BlackRock CEO Laurence Fink had a wide-ranging conversation that saw Musk making promises about humanoid robots, SpaceX mega-rockets and rapid expansion of autonomous autos.

Self-driving cars is essentially a solved problem at this point, he said Thursday. Tesla has rolled out a Robotaxi service in a few cities and it will be very, very widespread by the end of this year within the U.S.

If that promise sounds familiar, its because Musk made it last year, too, saying his company's Robotaxis would serve half the U.S. population by the end of 2025.

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About 40 cars now operate semi-autonomously in Austin, where passengers still are accompanied by a human safety monitor in the front seat to intervene when needed. In the San Francisco Bay Area, another fleet of Robotaxi-branded Model Ys operates essentially as a ride-hailing service.

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On Thursday, Musk said rides without the monitors has just started. And Tesla AI head Ashock Elluswamy said on X it would start with a few unsupervised vehicles mixed into the wider fleet with safety monitors and the ratio of unsupervised vehicles would increase over time. The company has not responded to requests for comment.

This year, Tesla says it will expand its Robotaxi-branded service to Nevada, Florida and Arizona and, in Texas, to Houston and Dallas.

At Davos, Musk also touted Teslas ambitions to have its Full Self-Driving system in more widespread use around the world, saying he hopes to achieve regulatory approval in Europe and China next month. In the U.S., regulators are investigating the system over evidence it has broken traffic laws, recently granting the company an extension to provide information on problems with its technology.

It may now be the sole product Tesla owners can choose for driver-assistance. On Friday, Tesla discontinued its Autopilot system, a move that arrives after California's Department of Motor Vehicles accused the company of misleading advertising and called on the automaker to correct it.

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Still, some are buying into Musks self-driving certainty. On Wednesday, insurance company Lemonade announced plans to offer autonomous car insurance, cutting per-mile rates for FSD-engaged driving by approximately 50%.

A car that sees 360 degrees, never gets drowsy, and reacts in milliseconds cant be compared to a human, Lemonade co-founder Shai Wininger said upon the announcement.

Teslas Optimus humanoid robot is seen in a 2023 handout photo from the Austin-based company. CEO Elon Musk said Thursday that theyll be selling to the public by next year. Tesla Inc.

Musk also had other projects top of mind in Davos. He said that by the end of next year, Tesla could be selling humanoid robots to the public. But he had a caveat that it would only happen after ensuring high safety and functionality and by then you can basically ask it to do anything youd like.

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While Tesla has been testing its Optimus robots by assigning them to simple tasks in its factories or serving popcorn at its diner in Los Angeles, Tesla is working in an increasingly crowded space. Amazon has reportedly been training humanoids to deliver packages while Hyundai plans to have such robots working alongside people to build cars by 2028. And AI company Figure boasts that it is working on the first commercially viable humanoid.

He closed Thursdays conversation by sharing aims to demonstrate advancement on projects outside of consumer products.

Hopefully, this year, we should prove full reusability for Starship, Musk said of the giant rocket system being developed in South Texas, noting it will be a profound invention.

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Progress on that goal will be put to the test soon. A new prototype of SpaceXs Starship started prelaunch testing in November and is expected to blast off from its facilities at Starbase by April.
Jan 22 (Reuters) - China's Alibaba is preparing to list its chipmaking arm, T-Head, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Alibaba's U.S.-listed shares rose 4.6% premarket after the report.

As a first step, Alibaba plans to restructure the unit as a business partly owned by employees before exploring an initial public offering, though the timing remains unclear, the report said.

Reuters could not immediately verify the report. Alibaba did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The process is still at an early stage and the potential valuation of the unit remains unclear, according to the report.

Founded in 2018, T-Head Semiconductor is Alibaba Group's wholly owned semiconductor chip unit, developing a range of processors from data center and artificial intelligence chips to Internet-of-Things products across the full chip design stack.

In November, Alibaba launched a major upgrade to its AI chatbot with a free consumer-facing app based on its most advanced Qwen large language model, as it stepped up efforts to close the gap with domestic rivals in China's AI race.

(Reporting by Bipasha Dey in Bengaluru; Editing by Devika Syamnath)
The social media platform signed agreements with major investors, including Austin-based Oracle Corp. , Silver Lake Technology Management LLC and MGX Fund Management Ltd. , to form the new TikTok U.S. joint venture. The new app will operate under defined safeguards that protect national security through comprehensive data protections, algorithm security, content moderation and software assurances for U.S. users, the company said in a statement Thursday.

The deal marks the end of years of uncertainty about the fate of the popular video-sharing platform in the United States. After wide bipartisan majorities in Congress passed  and President Joe Biden signed  a law that would ban TikTok in the U.S. if it did not find a new owner in the place of Chinas ByteDance, the platform was set to go dark on the laws January 2025 deadline. For a several hours, it did. But on his first day in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to keep it running while his administration sought an agreement for the sale of the company.
A man walks past signs placed outside an election night party for supporters of Proposition A, the $250 million affordable housing bond that Austin voters passed this past November. Some three months later, serious discussions have began about how to spend the bond money. [NICK WAGNER/AMERICAN-STATESMAN] Austin American-Statesman

An initial recommendation for a roughly $700 million general obligation bond from city staff offers an early look at what a potential 2026 bond proposal could include, and what city staff are likely to end up proposing to council.

In a Wednesday memo to the mayor and City Council, Assistant City Manager Mike Rogers outlined a preliminary slate of projects and funding categories, stressing that the proposal is not intended to preempt future council decisions. Still, the memo made clear that city staff believe a November bond election is in order.

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Gage Burns and Aidan Rolfe inspect a vehicle at Austin Community College's Automotive Technology program on Friday, November 22, 2024. A ground-breaking ceremony was held on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024 for the first bond project from the Bond of 2022. It is planned to build two new facilities at Round Rock: one for advanced manufacturing, HVAC, and shell space, and one for automotive technology. Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman

The City of Austin continues to face significant infrastructure challenges, including aging facilities, growing service demands, and affordability pressures, Rogers wrote in the memo, adding that without strategic investment, Austin would risk falling behind on infrastructure, which would in turn increase maintenance costs and reduce service availability.

The recommendation represents an early step in a longer bond-planning process that will be guided by a decision tree proposed earlier this month by Mayor Kirk Watson. The tool is designed to help council weigh factors such as project urgency, financial capacity, voter fatigue and unspent bond funds before calling an election.

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Tom Bauer, 75, sits in his Waterloo Terrace apartment in Austin, Texas on Oct. 14, 2022. Waterloo Terrace is one of the complexes that opened in Austin with the help of funding from the 2018 affordable housing bond. Aaron E. Martinez / American-Statesman, Austin American-Statesman

Under Thursday's staff recommendation, the $700 million would be divided among five broad categories: transportation, watershed, parks, community facilities and public safety.

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The largest share  about $250 million  would go to transportation projects, including bridges, street rehabilitation, bikeways, sidewalks, urban trails, and downtown mobility projects.

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The proposal also allocates $160 million for watershed projects, including resilience programs, partnerships, asset management and open space land acquisition, and $140 million for parks to cover building maintenance, improvements to recreation and senior centers, aquatic programs, land acquisition and parkland upgrades.

Community facilities would receive $58 million for projects such as the renovation and expansion of the librarys Hampton at Oak Hill branch, a consolidated fleet service center, animal services campus improvements and homeless shelters.

Public safety projects would receive $91 million for an expansion of Fire Station 26 in Northeast Austin and a Canyon Creek Northwest police substation.

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The memo did not say how much the bond would cost the average homeowner but a $700 million bond in the Dallas suburb of Plano earlier this year was estimated to cost residents nearly $225 over four years.
Mayor Kirk Watson talks about an approaching winter storm at a news conference at the Combined Transportation, Emergency & Communications Center in Austin on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Austin and Travis County leaders issued a preemptive disaster declaration Friday and announced a shutdown of the city's public transit system ahead of Winter Storm Fern, urging residents to stay off the roads and prepare for hazardous travel, power outages and freezing temperatures expected this weekend.

Mayor Kirk Watson and Travis County Judge Andy Brown detailed the emergency measures at a Friday morning news conference, as forecasts show wintry weather moving into Central Texas as early as Saturday. CapMetro, the citys public transit system, said it will suspend service starting at 4 p.m. Saturday, while local and state agencies began pre-treating roads and positioning crews in anticipation of icy conditions.

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Extreme weather is always possible here in Central Texas, Watson said. Winter is here, and it certainly will be here tomorrow.

Watson and Brown said the disaster declaration is intended to allow the city and county to more quickly mobilize resources ahead of the freeze, which is expected to create hazardous road conditions and could increase the risk of pipe bursts and power outages. They also reminded residents to protect the four Ps: people, pets, plants and pipes.

City of Austin Street and Bridge Operations workers pretreat West 15th Street with a brine solution on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, ahead of an approaching winter storm. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Im going to add a fifth P, Watson said. Part of the reason were doing this now is so people will plan  [the fifth 'P']  and be prepared for what this weekend will hold.

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Echoing Gov. Greg Abbotts message Thursday, officials said the safest thing Austinites can do is stay off the roads and prepare in advance for the possibility of dangerous conditions.

Make sure that you are focusing on your household, your neighbors  checking in on your neighbors, especially anyone who is medically vulnerable, Brown said. If you can reduce problems at your house, that allows first responders to respond to other folks that are in need.

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Officials recommend stocking up with one gallon of water per person per day, as well as ensuring access to nonperishable food items, blankets, warm clothes, flashlights and extra batteries. People who rely on prescription medications should also ensure they have enough to get through the weekend, and residents should make sure they have a way to receive emergency alerts. Those who rely on medical equipment that requires electricity should have a backup plan in case of a power outage.

Please have a plan, and please pay attention to the weather, Watson said. It will not be perfect; it cannot be perfect. We will do our best, but we need the help of the citizens and the residents of this community to be in a position where youre prepared as well.

Travis County Judge Andy Brown talks about an approaching winter storm at a news conference at the Combined Transportation, Emergency & Communications Center in Austin on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Travis County Judge Andy Brown talks about an approaching winter storm at a news conference at the Combined Transportation, Emergency & Communications Center in Austin on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Austin-Travis County EMS Chief Robert Luckritz, from left, Commander Jordan Crouch and Chief of Staff Wesley Hopkins, prepare for the approaching winter storm in the Emergency Operations Center at the Combined Transportation, Emergency & Communications Center in Austin on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman David Gray, the City of Austins Homeless Strategy Officer, prepares for the approaching winter storm in the Emergency Operations Center at the Combined Transportation, Emergency & Communications Center in Austin on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

CapMetro to shut down at 4 p.m. Saturday

Local agencies are working to pre-treat city and county roads using the same solution the Texas Department of Transportation is deploying. The briny salt mixture adheres to the roadway and helps speed the melting process to combat icy conditions.

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Even so, residents should stay home unless travel is absolutely necessary, Watson said.

CapMetro announced it would be shutting down operations starting Saturday at 4 p.m. The status of service Sunday and Monday will be determined on a day-by-day basis, depending on weather forecasts and road conditions.

We are asking all of our customers to plan to take their last trips by 4 p.m., said CapMetro President Dottie Watkins. You should be on board the vehicle by 4 p.m. to allow us to get all of the vehicles off the street before dark.

Watkins said CapMetro will continue its role in emergency operations, with buses taking people from the One Texas Center downtown to cold-weather shelters for as long as those services are needed.

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Sam Haynes, airport deputy chief for Austin Aviation and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, said staff have begun staying overnight so they can safely arrive for their shifts during hazardous weather conditions.

Haynes said Austin-Bergstrom International Airport expects to remain open throughout the freeze. Travelers are encouraged to check directly with their air carrier directly for the most up-to-date information on flight delays and cancellations.

How to sign up for emergency alerts

Sign up to receive emergency notifications at WarnCentralTexas.org.

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A weapon and badge of a firearms instructor for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is shown during training for ATF agents at the Montgomery County firearms range Monday, June 17, 2013, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) (Photo by Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle) Houston Chronicle/Hearst Newspap/Houston Chronicle via Getty Imag

A 22-year-old Round Rock man was sentenced Wednesday to 30 months in federal prison after an undercover sting busted him for illegally building, possessing and selling machine guns, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Texas.

Ashton Blake Donaldson built fully automatic firearms, including a .300 AAC Blackout pistol, and stored at least one in a commercial storage unit he controlled, according to prosecutors. Donaldson was arrested May 22, 2025, and charged with two counts of possession and transfer of a machine gun and one count of possession of a machine gun. He pleaded guilty in July to the possession charge.

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Officials say Donaldson was caught after he sold multiple privately manufactured machine guns to an undercover Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent in May 2025 after advertising the weapons on Instagram under the username microgoat556, listing prices and options.

Prosecutors said Donaldsons social media activity played a key role in the investigation, allowing agents to arrange undercover purchases and document how the firearms were built and sold.

In one documented sale outlined in the affidavit, Donaldson met an undercover agent in a vehicle in a Round Rock parking lot along the Interstate 35 frontage road, assembled a privately made AR-platform short-barreled rifle, converted it to fully automatic, and sold the weapon and ammunition for $980.

The 30-month sentence falls below the statutory maximum for the machine gun offense, which carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison. Donaldson will also be subject to supervised release following his prison term, according to federal prosecutors.

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Tony Plohetski is a national award-winning journalist whose reporting is featured in print, digital and television platforms. He has chronicled some of Texas' most significant stories, and his investigative and accountability reporting has led to indictments and prompted new state laws. He joined the Austin American-Statesman in 2000 and since 2013, he has worked in partnership with KVUE, where he is the stations senior reporter. Plohetski was the lead reporter for the Statesmans groundbreaking coverage of the 2022 Uvalde school shooting that was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize Gold Medal for public service. The coverage also received the Taylor Family Award for Fairness in Journalism from the Nieman Foundation at Harvard. Additionally, Plohetski has received more than two dozen national and state journalism prizes for his work with the Statesman and KVUE, including a national Edward R. Murrow Award, four National Headliner awards, the Hillman Prize and the August 2022 Sidney Award. He was the inaugural winner in 2021 of the Dan Rather Medal for News & Guts for journalistic courage and was named Star Reporter of the Year by Texas Managing Editors in 2021 and 2023 and was a key part of two teams that won Sigma Delta Chi Awards in 2019. Plohetski also has received multiple regional Emmy awards and was named Best Television Reporter by the Texas Association of Broadcasters and the Texas Headliners Foundation in 2023.
Kaitlin Armstrong enters the courtroom to hear the verdict on her murder trial at the Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. Armstrong was found guilty of killing Anna Moriah Wilson in May 2022. Mikala Compton/American-Statesman

The Texas Third Court of Appeals on Friday upheld the first-degree murder conviction and 90-year prison sentence of Kaitlin Armstrong for the 2022 killing of professional cyclist Anna Moriah Mo Wilson. The appellate court rejected all three issues raised by Armstrongs attorneys, including a bid to suppress her statement to law enforcement.

Our hearts continue to break for Moriahs family and friends, District Attorney Jose Garza said in a statement. The appellate process, while a fundamental right of any defendant, prolongs closure. We will continue fighting to ensure that the defendant is held accountable for her actions.

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Armstrong was convicted by a Travis County jury on Nov. 16, 2023, of murdering Wilson in East Austin and sentenced to 90 years in prison the following day. She was found guilty after fewer than two hours of deliberation in a trial that drew intense local and national attention.

Anna Moriah Wilson's photo is displayed on the screen as state attorney Rickey Jones addresses the jury during the sentencing portion of Kaitlin Armstrong's murder trial at the Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023. Armstrong was found guilty of killing Anna Moriah Wilson in May 2022. Mikala Compton/American-Statesman

Wilson, 25, a rising gravel racing star, was found shot multiple times inside a friends home on May 11, 2022, hours after spending part of the day with professional cyclist Colin Strickland, who had briefly dated her while Armstrong and Strickland were separated. Investigators quickly identified Armstrong, then 35, as a suspect after surveillance footage showed her vehicle near the scene shortly before the shooting and forensic evidence tied a gun registered to her to shell casings at the scene.

After initially being questioned and released due to a warrant technicality, Armstrong fled the United States. She spent 43 days on the run in Costa Rica, using false identities and altering her appearance, before U.S. Marshals apprehended her in June 2022.

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Kaitlin Armstrong leaves the courtroom Nov. 17 after receiving a sentence of 90 years for the murder of Anna Moriah Wilson. Mikala Compton/American-Statesman

During pre-trial detention in Texas, Armstrong also attempted to escape custody in October 2023 but was quickly recaptured.

Wilsons family has since pursued civil action  in 2024 a judge ordered Armstrong to pay $15 million in a wrongful death lawsuit brought by her parents.

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JUNE 30: A sign hangs outside of a Raising Cane's restaurant on June 30, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) Scott Olson/Getty Images

A University of Texas student has sued Raising Canes after a pickup truck driven by an allegedly intoxicated driver crashed onto a crowded sidewalk near a campus-area restaurant, leaving her with a traumatic brain injury and other life-altering injuries.

The lawsuit, filed by Srivaishnavi Vaishu Vijay, alleges the fast-food chain failed to install basic safety barriers at its West Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard location, contributing to the crash early Halloween morning. The suit names Raising Canes, the driver of the pickup truck and others connected to the vehicle involved.

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According to the petition, a truck in the drive-thru lane jumped a curb and plowed onto a sidewalk crowded with pedestrians.

Vijay was standing with friends near the restaurant entrance around 2:25 a.m. when she was struck. She suffered a fractured hip and foot and a brain bleed and required emergency brain surgery at Dell Seton Medical Center, according to the filing.

The lawsuit alleges the driver was intoxicated at the time of the crash and that others negligently entrusted her with the vehicle. It also accuses Raising Canes of negligence, arguing the company created a hazardous environment by funneling late-night drive-through traffic alongside an unprotected pedestrian sidewalk.

Driver charged with intoxication assault

Austin police arrested the driver, identified as 21-year-old Antonia Guadalupe Garcia-Rios, and charged her with three counts of intoxication assault, according to court records. Police have said Garcia-Rios was intoxicated at the time of the crash.

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According to an arrest affidavit, Garcia-Rios admitted to drinking one margarita and three shots on Sixth Street before being picked up by friends and going to Raising Canes. While waiting in the drive-thru, the driver who picked them up needed to use the restroom, prompting Garcia-Rios to move into the drivers seat of the Ford F-150. When her friend returned, Garcia-Rios stayed behind the wheel while her friend sat in the back seat, the affidavit states.

Police said surveillance video shows the truck jerk forward and drive onto the sidewalk, where several pedestrians were standing. The F-150 struck them, according to the affidavit.

Four people were taken to the hospital, three in critical condition. One victim suffered a brain bleed and leg abrasion, another had a broken left femur, and a third sustained broken tibia and fibula bones. The fourth person suffered road rash, the affidavit states.

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Garcia-Rios failed several field sobriety tests and admitted to bar hopping on Sixth Street, according to the affidavit. Breath test results listed in the affidavit show her blood alcohol concentration at 0.117 shortly after the crash and 0.127 about an hour later. The legal limit in Texas is 0.08.

Garcia-Rios was released on bond and ordered to use an alcohol monitor.

Lawsuit claims bollards would have prevented crash

The lawsuit alleges Raising Canes invited late-night drivers  including those leaving bars  into a serpentine drive-thru line adjacent to pedestrians without installing protective short vertical posts known as bollards, a common safety feature the filing says could have prevented the crash.

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Needless injuries continue to occur across the country-wide drive-thru industry because companies like Raising Canes mix vehicles and pedestrians to increase profits at the same time, these companies ignore reasonable, prudent protections like bollards, the filing reads.

Vijay argues Raising Canes knew or should have known of the risks posed by mixing vehicles and pedestrians late at night, particularly near a college campus, but failed to take reasonable steps to protect customers on foot. A scholarship student pursuing a degree in informatics at UT, Vijay alleges the injuries have permanently altered her life and future earning capacity.

The lawsuit seeks more than $1 million in damages. The case is set for a jury trial in Travis County district court.

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Austin Community College Chancellor Russell Lowery-Hart helps first-year student Richie Wright, 18, find his classroom on the first day of classes at the ACC Highland campus. Jay Janner/American-Statesman

With spring semester kicking off this week, enrollment at Austin Community College grew again with nearly 41,000 students taking credit classes this semester. The growth marks a 7% jump over last year and a 23% increase in enrollment from two years ago.

Its the third year in a row the colleges enrollment has climbed after a significant decline during the COVID-19 pandemic. The recent increases put ACC on track to recover from the 5,500 student drop that took place from 2019 to 2021.

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ACC leaders credit the colleges free tuition pilot and efforts to increase retention and center student needs for its growing enrollment  and they anticipate more growth to come. Persistence is also up, meaning more students enrolled stay from semester to semester, which is key to reaching the colleges goal to boost completion rates by 24 percentage points in the next four years.

Its not just that weve grown enrollment by new students, said ACC Chancellor Russell Lowery-Hart. Weve grown enrollment by keeping the students we have on a path.

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The colleges current challenge is to keep up with the growth and ensure more students successfully complete a credential or transfer at a time when nearly a third of Texans have some college but no degree.

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We have got to do a better job of keeping the students that were born and raised here and getting them in a postsecondary pathway and ensuring they complete, Lowery-Hart said.

Theory of change

The community college serves 80,000 students annually through all semesters, adult education, continuing education and dual credit in a service area the size of Connecticut. It launched a strategic plan in 2024 geared at expanding accessibility and affordability. The goal was to boost completion rates from 46% to 70% by 2030 to meet workforce needs and better serve Austin.

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The Theory of Change plan aims to increase retention by encouraging full-time enrollment, meeting student basic needs, streamlining degree paths and creating a culture of belonging. A big part of that is making college more affordable and easy to access.

ICYMI: Founding ACC professor Roland Hayes celebrated for five decades of teaching and belonging

College officials spent the past year doing culture work, investigating how the college was best serving and engaging students at every level, Lowery-Hart said. In 2026, ACC will implement improvements to connect with students even better.

Nearly 10,000 students now benefit from ACCs free tuition pilot, which covers all tuition and fees for eligible recent high school graduates. That allows those students to not only finish at ACC, but also to get a head start on educational pursuits beyond the campus, the chancellor said.

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The free tuition makes that more affordable, which also then makes the bachelors degree attainment more affordable, he said. When there are real concerns about what the future economy might look like, I think we will be able to stem the tide here in this region, because ACC is bucking the national trend.

But the growth isnt limited to students who benefit from free tuition: students of all ages, degree plans and campuses are enrolling at higher rates, said Jenna Cullinane Hege, vice chancellor of institutional research, effectiveness and grants.

MORE: Austin Community College OKs free tuition program for eligible 2024 high school graduates

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ACC distributed more scholarships this academic year than ever before in part by engaging more students and donors, Lowery-Hart said.

The college also expanded its emergency aid, food pantries and social services to help students stay enrolled despite economic uncertainty. Tuition remained the same for the past 12 years.

The idea of affordability in higher education is obviously really resonating with our community, Cullinane Hege said. And bringing people into higher education who didnt think it was going to be possible for them.

Growth doesnt come without challenges. The college added 1,230 classes from August to January, and officials are actively planning more sections in high-demand fields for the spring, Cullinane Hege said.

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Though there has been enrollment growth across the board, Austinites ages 35 to 54  the largest population of potential workers in the region  are the least likely to have a credential of value, Lowery-Hart said.

Thats a group that needs us the most, he added.

As the college continues to expand and recruit more students, officials are working to ensure its growth and partnerships align with what Austin needs.

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Enrollment is up more than 17% in three of Austins most in-demand fields: advanced manufacturing, skilled trades and health sciences. Lowery-Hart said thats an indication student demand reflects workforce needs, and that ACC is steering people to degrees that align with community needs.

ACCs growth is a sign of Austins growth and strength too, Lowery-Hart said. He is confident enrollment and retention will continue to rise in the next three years.

These fields are becoming systemically connected between the city, between our university partners, our union partners, and our business partners, Lowery-Hart said. Collectively, us all being on the same page with the same message is having an impact.

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The new endocrinology clinic at Lone Star Circle of Care in Round Rock will help provide diabetes and thyroid care, and other hormone disorders for patients who have not had access to specialists. Provided by Lone Star Circle of Care

Lone Star Circle of Care has started providing specialty care, beginning with endocrinology in Round Rock.

The federally qualified health center has clinics in Williamson, Travis, Bastrop and Bell counties. As a federally qualified health center, Lone Star Circle of Care receives federal funding that allows it to provide services for people without insurance using a sliding scale based on a patient's income. It also accepts insurance.

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Access to endocrinology care has long been a challenge for many in our communities, said Dr. Kathleen Butler, chief medical officer at Lone Star Circle of Care. By introducing this specialty service, we are closing care gaps and ensuring our Central Texas neighbors have access to comprehensive care for complex conditions like diabetes.

The new endocrinology clinic is at Lone Star's clinic on the campus of Texas A&M Health Science Center, 3950 A.W. Grimes Blvd. That clinic was chosen because of its central location for Lone Star's patients and its other clinics, and also because that clinic had space, Butler said.

Putting the endocrinology clinic there also adheres to Lone Star's concept of having a health care home: one place where a patient can see many providers. The Lone Star clinic at the Texas A&M center also has providers in family medicine, behavioral health, pediatrics, womens wellness and senior care, as well as a pharmacy.

Lone Star Circle of Care's endocrinology clinic is inside the Texas A&M Health Science Center in Round Rock. Provided by Lone Star Circle of Care

The new clinic started this month with one endocrinologist, Dr. Avinash Ravipati, who specializes in diabetes care, as well as issues with thyroid, pituitary and adrenal glands, metabolic disorders, bone health and reproductive hormone imbalances.

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The success of the endocrinology program will be measured by number of patients served but also disease management such as patients' blood glucose levels over time using tests for A1C levels, Butler said.

Before the clinic opened, most Lone Star patients had their primary care doctors manage symptoms, Butler said, but patients who need additional medication management, more intensive intervention or help managing their symptoms will now have a specialist.

Dr. Avinash Ravipati is leading the new endocrinology specialty clinic at Lone Star Circle of Care. Provided by Lone Star Circle of Care

If this clinic is successful, Butler said, Lone Star might expand to other specialty services. "We'd like to hire a couple more (specialists) where we're trying to refer a lot of patients," she said. "A lot of time patients are hard to get referred to a specialist."

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That is because many specialists do not offer a sliding payment scale like a federally qualified health center can offer to people who don't have insurance.

In Travis County, the taxpayer-funded hospital district Central Health has been expanding its specialty care services in recent years. Its clinics now have everything from cardiology and endocrinology to general surgery and pulmonology. It also partners with outside providers to care for its patients through its Medical Access Program for people making less than 200% of the federal poverty level.
CapMetro will suspend service at 4 p.m. Saturday because of winter weather. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman

Capital Metro will suspend service on Saturday afternoon in anticipation of dangerous cold and icing roads across Austin and Central Texas over the weekend.

Buses and trains will take their final trips at 4 p.m., said Dottie Watkins, the agencys president and CEO, in a Friday morning news conference. Paratransit, on-demand pickup and bike-share services will also be unavailable.

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If youre counting on a bus or a train or a pickup vehicle to get you home, you should be onboard that vehicle on Saturday by 4 p.m. in order to allow us to get all of the vehicles off the street before dark, Watkins said. Given the anticipated ice accumulation, we know that the roadways are not going to be a good place to be.

Texas winter storm: 5 things to do now before the deep freeze hits

Temperatures in Austin are expected to drop below freezing Saturday afternoon and linger there for several days. Ice accumulations of up to a quarter-inch are possible in the Austin metro. Watkins said CapMetro officials will closely monitor the weather and work with other agencies to determine when to bring standard service back online.

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We will make a decision midmorning (Saturday) about Sunday, and likely midmorning Sunday about Monday, Watkins said.

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In the meantime, the transit agency will continue to operate in a limited capacity to support cold-weather sheltering operations over the weekend. CapMetro buses will transport people from One Texas Center downtown to cold weather shelters across the city. CapMetro will also offer fare-free rides to One Texas Center on bus routes 1, 7, 10, 20, 30, 105, 142 and 801.

CapMetro is encouraging riders to sign up for its alert system at capmetro.org to get the latest status updates via email or text.

Staff writer Julianna Duennes Russ contributed to this report.
By Suzanne McGee and Divya Chowdhury

RHODE ISLAND/DAVOS, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Demand for geopolitical analysis is rising, as asset managers and corporate investors seek guidance on the best way to price in risk from wars, territorial saber-rattling and global political risk.

The need for such advice was highlighted this week when the U.S. threatened various countries with tariffs unless a deal was reached over the U.S. taking control over Greenland, causing a rollercoaster reaction in markets.

Other geopolitical events that have roiled markets include Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, U.S. President Donald Trump's 2025 call for broad tariffs and subsequent negotiations with individual countries, and this month's U.S. intervention in Venezuela.

For investors, geopolitical risk used to be overshadowed by factors including economic data points and central bank decisions. But since the Ukraine war, the demand for insight has been climbing steadily, said Mehill Marku, lead geopolitical analyst for PGIM Fixed Income.

"Before 2022, geopolitics wasn't necessarily an important function in portfolio investment terms; it was a good thing to have but not a 'must have'," Marku said, adding the number of client calls had spiked. "It's the interconnectedness of all the crises that feels really challenging to many."

Investors and consultancy firms say the rising need for geopolitical advice and analysis has prompted them to either ramp up their own in-house capabilities, seek more independent analysis or increase the advice to give clients. Such analysis can include written reports, more tailored advice or developing scenario analyses.

"We have to develop a new muscle, almost," Rishi Kapoor, vice chairman and chief investment officer of Investcorp, the Middle East's biggest alternative investment firm, told the Reuters Global Markets Forum on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

"Earlier on, the geopolitical backdrop was something that we kind of took for granted and just assumed that it was a stable backdrop."

Pandu Patria Sjahrir, CIO of Indonesia's sovereign wealth fund Danantara, said his fund now did a lot of work on political leaders' risk.

"This year, maybe even more so than any other year, we're focusing a lot more on geopolitical risks," he said. "We think about worst case now in terms of underwriting. In fact, my base case is worst case."

The second Trump administration's policies have helped catapult geopolitics to the top spot on the list of client priorities, from being "somewhere in the top 20" about a decade ago, said Marc Gilbert, head of the BCG Center for Geopolitics.
The Austin City Council meets at City Hall on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

The Austin City Council on Thursday gave final approval to a policy that limits how the mayor and council members can spend their office budgets, but several key provisions were softened along the way.

The new expense policy, effective immediately, comes months after the American-Statesman revealed questionable charges by city leaders that forced City Manager T.C. Broadnax and Council Member Ryan Alter to reimburse the city for thousands of dollars for personal meals and, in Alters case, other expenditures including a membership fee to an exclusive, invitation-only philanthropic organization.

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Those types of expenses are explicitly prohibited in the new policy, along with other types of charges the Statesman uncovered, such as flight upgrades.

Austin City Council Member Ryan Alter listens during discussion of a new city budget at City Hall on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. The Austin City Council is set to vote on a budget that includes millions of dollars in spending cuts after voters rejected Proposition Q in November, a ballot measure that would have raised property taxes and generated $110 million in new revenue. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Mayor Kirk Watson, who spearheaded the policy after voters overwhelmingly rejected a city-proposed tax hike in November, said it was designed to consolidate Austins scattered spending rules; to clearly define how council offices can spend money; and to bring Austin in line with how other major Texas cities do business. The councils Audit and Finance Committee recommended Watson's policy as proposed last week.

But several council members immediately pushed back on some of its provisions, and ultimately pushed through amendments Thursday that Watson and a government ethics expert said weaken the policy and allow the City Council to maintain spending authority that is more flexible than that of councils in any of the state's major cities.

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One amendment offered by Council Member Jose Velasquez struck language from the policy that would have limited council members ability to hang onto unused budget dollars from one year to the next. Watsons proposal sought to limit rollovers to $50,000, but the Velasquez amendment, which passed 6-4 with one abstaining, stripped the cap. Velasquez said his office often uses the leftover funds for temporary help or small, one-time projects.

Jose Velasquez, City Council member representing district 3, speaks at a press conference at Austin City Hall on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. Members from LGBTQ+ and human rights advocacy organizations joined City Council members for a press conference on an upcoming item on creating gender-inclusive bathrooms. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

This allows our offices much-needed flexibility to deliver services and projects that serve our unique communities, Velasquez said. While we all receive the same amount of funding, our communities have very different needs.

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No other major cities in Texas allow annual rollovers, and no other city of Austin department can keep unexpended funds. Watson on Thursday reiterated his belief that leftover money at the end of the year suggests too much was budgeted in the first place  an over-appropriation.

I think that is a mistake at a time when were working very hard to restore confidence in government, Watson said, noting that questions about council spending likely contributed to Proposition Qs failure. Voters gave us a clear signal, so Im disappointed in that.

Austin City Council Member Paige Ellis listens to public testimony on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023 at City Hall. The District 8 representative, who is running for re-election this year, has previously faced scrutiny for campaign finance practices. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman

Another approved amendment, offered by Council Member Paige Ellis, removed a ban from the policy on transfers from City Council budgets to other city departments  like the $100,000 transfer to Parks and Recreation that Council Member Alter made last year. Ellis amendment does, however, stipulate that such transfers must be explicitly spelled out and approved by the council.

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Other changes to the policy include loosening a ban on donations of taxpayer money to nonprofits; an amendment passed by Council Member Krista Laine allows transfers to organizations of less than $50. There were also tweaks to rules on software purchasing and annual training.

Council Member Krista Laine speaks during a City of Austin press conference regarding homelessness in Austin Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman

Despite his misgivings about some of the changes to the policy, Watson said its a step in the right direction and called it a much-improved policy.

It is one that we can point to with confidence, Watson said.

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Southern Methodist University political scientist Cal Jillson, who previously reviewed City Council spending for the Statesman, said the outcome was predictable.
A man arrested for jaywalking in 2024 has sued the Austin Police Department for excessive force. American-Statesman

An Austin Police officer named this week in a federal excessive force lawsuit was the subject of more than two dozen internal misconduct investigations over a two year period  a record that prompted the citys top police oversight official to recommend a rare, comprehensive review of the officers complaint history.

Antonio Alexander filed the lawsuit Tuesday against the city of Austin and officers Ryne Kirchberg and Shalom Alvarez, alleging the officers used excessive force during a 2024 jaywalking arrest in Southeast Austin. The lawsuit claims the stop escalated within seconds.

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What began as a stop for an alleged pedestrian infraction crossing mid-block rather than at a designated crosswalk escalated within seconds into a violent takedown, physical restraint, and arrest, all captured on body-worn camera and dash-camera footage, Alexanders complaint alleges.

Alexander also alleges city and police officials were aware of Kirchbergs history of misconduct complaints and failed to take corrective action before the arrest.

Read More:Austin police oversight officials launch complaint mediation program

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Austin Police Department Internal Affairs investigated 25 complaints against Kirchberg between January 2023 and July 2025, according to a memo Austin Police Oversight Director Gail McCant sent to Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis in August.

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Nine complaints originated within the department, while 16 were filed by community members.

Officer Kirchberg has exhibited a pattern of behavior and decision-making that may not align with the training and standards APD expects from its officers, McCant wrote in the August 2025 memo.

Internal Affairs investigators sustained five of the complaints, finding sufficient evidence that Kirchberg violated department policies involving suspect pursuits, firearms handling and vehicle operation.

Austin Police Oversight Deputy Director Kevin Masters said the volume of complaints against Kirchberg stood out.

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It was an outlier, Masters told the American-Statesman. I don't know that we saw many other officers that had that number of complaints.

Masters said Police Oversight officials did not know the source of the internal complaints against Kirchberg but noted that supervisers can file complaints when they believe an officer violated department policy.

Following the review, McCant recommended Davis launch a broader review of Kirchbergs complaint history.

Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis answers questions from the press during a news conference at the Austin Police Department Headquarters regarding the homicide at Club Rodeo in Austin, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman

It is unclear what, if any, actions Davis took following the recommendation. The Police Department did not respond to multiple requests for comment by deadline. Masters said there has been no further discussion between the department and the oversight office since the memo was issued.

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In a separate excessive force case last year, Davis fired officer Joseph Spees after Internal Affairs concluded he used excessive force when he slammed a barefoot, intoxicated woman to the ground outside a downtown hotel.

That woman later alleged she suffered a traumatic brain injury. Alexander does not allege severe physical injury in his lawsuit.



The jaywalking arrest

Alexander was crossing Parker Lane midblock near East Oltorf Street on the night of July 30, 2024 when Kirchberg and Alvarez stopped him, according to the lawsuit.

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The officers later told investigators they stopped Alexander because the neighborhood was a high crime area known for illegal narcotic activity" and that they believed Alexander reached toward his waistband as they approached  a movement they interpreted as threatening. Alexander raised his hands to show he was unarmed, the lawsuit states.

Read More: Man punched by Austin officer on Sixth Street files excessive force lawsuit

The officers grabbed Alexanders wrists and Kirchberg performed a takedown, while Alvarez pinned him to the pavement. Alexander briefly pulled his arms away, which officers described as resistance but which Alexander said stemmed from fear and confusion.

Alexander was arrested and charged with resisting arrest, a Class A misdemeanor. Travis County Attorney Delia Garza later dismissed the charge.

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Kirchberg complaints: A broader review

Publicly available police oversight records show Kirchberg has faced repeated complaints from residents in the Southeast Austin neighborhoods he patrols.

Debbie Russell listens to Austin Mayor Steve Adler speak in favor of a motion to postpone a vote on a new police contract Dec. 13. The citys Citizen Review Panel, which looked at police misconduct complaints, was suspended last month after the city and the police union failed to agree on a new contract. During a meeting of the citys Public Safety Commission on Monday, Austin activists proposed a new police oversight body that would run as a community-driven nonprofit. NICK WAGNER / AMERICAN-STATESMAN Austin American-Statesman

In March, an elderly Montopolis man complained that Kirchberg routinely harassed young Latino men in the area.A month later, a woman filed another complaint against Kirchberg alleging that the officer racially profiled her and her boyfriend at a gas station.

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In August 2023, a mother driving with her teenage son and young daughter reported that Kirchberg pulled her over for a minor traffic violation and tightly handcuffed her after a license plan scan mistakenly indicated the vehicle was stolen.

The woman said Kirchberg later acknowledged the error and released her but left her children traumatized.

This officer has harassed us non stop and were tired of it, the woman wrote in her complaint. Were tired of him using his badge and thinking nobody will ever report him.

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Congressman Wesley Hunt speaks at the Texas Youth Summit on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in The Woodlands, Texas. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt may have cast the deciding vote this week batting down an effort to limit President Donald Trump's war powers, but not all of his fellow Republicans are rushing in with praise.

In an unusual move, Republican leadership ordered a police escort for the Houston Republican from Dulles Airport near Washington Thursday evening to get him to the U.S. Capitol in time for the vote, which sought to limit President Donald Trumps ability to deploy armed forces in Venezuela.

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Earlier in the day, House Speaker Mike Johnson had criticized Hunt for missing a number of votes during his campaign for U.S. Senate.

"I expected him to be here so this was a surprise to me, Johnson said, according to news reports. We have effectively a one-vote margin, so it doesnt make the job easier.

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Hunt has been in and out of D.C. as he campaigns against incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

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A spokesman for Hunt said Friday that the representative had rushed to Washington "in the middle of his campaign to unseat John Cornyn, a career politician for over 40 years," to deliver "the deciding vote that nuked the radical Democrats' plan."

The incident drew criticism from U.S. Rep. Mike McCaul, the Austin Republican who is retiring this year.

"I think his responsibility is the job he has currently, especially votes as important as appropriation bills, where every vote counts," he said. "I think it would be wise for him to show up more, if he wants to be competitive in this race."

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More than half of the Lone Star State is under a winter storm warning from Friday until Sunday. Pivotal

Cold front day has arrived in Texas, and the forecast is becoming clearer as models come into better agreement on the timing of the arctic air and expected precipitation.

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One key change in the latest outlook is a slightly slower-moving arctic front, delaying the onset of wintry weather. Despite the slower timing, significant hazards are still expected across the region, prompting the National Weather Service to upgrade the area to a winter storm warning beginning Saturday morning.

A winter storm warning means a significant amount of ice accumulation is possible, which could create hazardous travel conditions across the region. National Weather Service

When will the winter storm start?

A strong cold front will push into North Texas on Friday before slowly sliding south, reaching Central Texas by Friday night. Ahead of the front, temperatures will briefly climb from the 50s at daybreak to the mid-60s by the afternoon under overcast skies. Light morning showers will give way to more widespread rain, with scattered showers and thunderstorms developing late in the afternoon and evening as the cold front moves in.

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Before any wintry precipitation takes over, the region is expected to receive a beneficial soaking of rain, with rainfall totals of an inch to 2 inchesespecially across Austin and areas to the north and east.

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While temperatures wont drop drastically, they will fall slowly and steadily until they reach the critical threshold of 32 degrees. At that point, rain will become freezing rain, making roadways slick and hazardous with accumulating ice.

Central Texas has been upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning, beginning Saturday and lasting until noon Sunday.



Several rounds of wintry precipitation are expected, with ice totals between 0.10" and 0.25" in Austin and higher amounts possible in the Hill Country. #txwx pic.twitter.com/llhDALBgop  Mary Wasson (@Mary_Wasson) January 22, 2026

This transition is expected to begin Saturday in the Hill Country between 6 a.m. and noon for areas like Fredericksburg and Llano. Then the freezing line will shift south to include cities like Kerrville, Burnet, Dripping Springs, Austin and Georgetown from noon until 6 p.m. Then the transition line will extend further south to include Buda, Kyle and Bastrop.

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We are expecting minor to moderate impacts for roadways as far as ice accumulations, especially for the Hill Country and southern Edwards Plateau, the weather service wrote in a forecast briefing on Thursday.

Ice accumulation totals could range from a tenth of an inch to a quarter-inch in the Austin area, with higher amounts of a quarter-inch to a half-inch possible in the northern Hill Country. That area has been highlighted by the National Weather Services winter storm severity index for moderate effects, which could lead to hazardous travel conditions. Ice accumulation on tree branches and power lines could result in isolated power outages.

Ice accumulations are expected to range from a tenth of an inch to a quarter-inch in Austin, with higher amounts possible in the Hill Country. National Weather Service

Wintry precipitation looks to taper off on Sunday afternoon, though a few lingering showers could still produce sleet or even a light dusting of snow, especially from Fredericksburg to Austin and areas to the north.

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Temperatures will be frigid Sunday morning with lows in the teens and 20s but feeling like the single digits when you factor in the winds. It wont warm up much on Sunday as temperatures are expected to stay below freezing through the afternoon.

Austin's seven day forecast includes at least an entire day below freezing. National Weather Service

How long will it stay below freezing?

Even after the wintry precipitation ends, frigid temperatures are expected to linger for several days into early next week. The latest forecast suggests Austin could remain below freezing for as many as 48 hours, with even longer freeze periods possible in the Hill Country. One outlying model keeps Central Texas below freezing from Saturday through Tuesday afternoon.

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While this would be a prolonged stretch of subfreezing temperatures, it would not be unprecedented. During the historic statewide freeze in February 2021, Austin spent an extraordinary 144 consecutive hours below freezing.
The Finance Sector Union (FSU) has voiced strong opposition to ANZs recent move to reduce headcount at Suncorp Bank, raising concerns about potential breach of commitments made during the banks acquisition.

According to the union, a total of 197 positions at Suncorp Bank will be affected, with 66 workers to be laid off.

Most of the affected roles are in Brisbane.

ANZ finalised its purchase of Suncorp Bank in 2024.

While securing regulatory approval for the takeover, ANZ made assurances to the Queensland and Federal Governments, pledging there would be no net job losses in Australia directly tied to the deal for a three-year period.

This condition is set to be reviewed until mid-2027.

The FSU labelled these job cuts an insult to the terms agreed upon and described them as a disgrace for workers who rely on secure jobs in the finance sector.

The union said that ANZ's actions are not consistent with its previously stated obligations, emphasising that stability and job security had been promised to both staff and local communities.

In an e-mailed statement to Retail Banker International, a spokesperson from ANZ said: ANZ is firmly committed to meeting our commitments to the Federal and Queensland Governments, including maintaining regional branch numbers throughout Australia and no net job losses in Australia as a direct result of the acquisition.

As we make changes to our organisational structure to better reflect our priorities and business needs, we will treat our people with care and respect, and provide appropriate support throughout the process.

In September 2025, ANZ outlined measures to simplify operations and enhance focus on priorities.

The measures included higher focus on non-financial risk management practices, as well as reduction in duplication and internal complexity.

At the time, ANZ said that around 3,500 employees will leave the organisation by September 2026.

Calling for government intervention, the FSU has now urged federal authorities to ensure ANZ upholds its commitments related to the acquisition.

The union noted that this situation exemplifies what it described as "another example of CEO Nuno Matos being out of control."

Finance Sector Union national president Wendy Streets said: ANZ made big promises to secure approval for the Suncorp acquisition, including commitments to protect jobs and invest in Queensland.

These are empty promises. ANZ told staff and communities they would be looked after. Instead, jobs are being cut. The government cannot allow a major bank to make binding promises to secure approval and then walk away from them.
NEW DELHI, Jan 22 (Reuters) - Apple has asked an Indian court to stop the country's antitrust watchdog from seeking its global financial records as part of an investigation into its app store policies, while it challenges the underlying law's validity, court papers show.

Apple is locked in a high-stakes legal battle with the Competition Commission of India (CCI), whose investigation accused the company of abusing its position on its app store. Apple denies the allegations.

Apple and the CCI did not respond to Reuters requests for comment.

The U.S. tech giant has said it fears it could be fined up to $38 billion if the watchdog uses its global turnover calculation for penalties. It has challenged the 2024 penalty rules in an Indian court, and the matter is pending.

Still, the CCI pressed ahead and sought financials from Apple in a private order on December 31, and Apple has now asked a Delhi High Court judge to direct CCI to not act against the company at this stage, and put the entire investigation on hold, according to a January 15 Apple filing which is not public.

Apple argues that being forced to comply now would defeat its main legal challenge against India's penalty rules, which the CCI has defended as necessary to discourage breaches by multinationals.

The Delhi High Court is scheduled to hear the matter on January 27.

(Reporting by Aditya Kalra and Munsif VengattilEditing by Tomasz Janowski)
Pomelo, the Argentina-headquartered payments infrastructure firm, has secured $55m in a Series C funding round.

The round was co-led by Kaszek and Insight Partners.

Additional backing came from existing and new investors including Index Ventures, Adams Street Partners, S32, Endeavor Catalyst, Monashees and TQ Ventures.

The latest round brings the companys total capital raised so far to $160m.

Pomelo will use the new capital to move beyond its core focus on card issuing, further develop issuing and credit card products, and build globally scalable financial services tools.

These include stablecoin-native cards, payment tokenisation capabilities, AI-driven chargeback management and new payment rails.

Established in 2021 by Gaston Irigoyen, Hernan Corral and Juan Fantoni, Pomelo develops API-first technology for card issuing, processing and programme management on a fully cloud-native, AI-enabled platform.

Its issuer processing and BIN sponsorship services enable customers to roll out card programmes using either Pomelos own network licences or the clients existing licences.

The companys modular, API-based infrastructure is designed to help financial institutions and corporates move away from legacy systems, introduce new products and scale card operations across different markets.

Pomelo currently works with more than 150 clients, including global banks and fintechs such as Santander, BBVA, Bancolombia, Western Union, PayJoy, Rappi and Astropay.

Meanwhile, in a separate development in Latin Americas payment sector in March last year, AstroPay expanded its multicurrency wallet to several Latin American countries, including Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, and Chile.

In September, Western Union partnered with dLocal, a cross-border payment platform, to provide digital payment options on its online platforms in Latin American markets.

"Argentine payments firm Pomelo lands $55m Series C investment" was originally created and published by Electronic Payments International, a GlobalData owned brand.




An Air Force HH-60W Jolly Green II operates at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Jan. 14, 2025. (James Johnson/U.S. Air Force)



Rotor wash  the powerful wind generated by helicopter blades  forced a teachers umbrella open and knocked her off balance, leading to a fatal fall last year at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, according to an Air Force accident investigation released Wednesday.

The Department of Defense Education Activity teacher died five days after an HH-60W Jolly Green II rescue helicopter flew too close to spectators waiting for a flight demonstration outside Kadena Elementary School on April 22, the Air Force Accident Investigation Board report said.

The investigation cited failures in mission planning and poorly staffed oversight processes and an operational mindset fostering false confidence of safety as substantial factors in the incident.

The mishap, with the tragic loss of a longtime DODEA teacher and deeply respected community member  regrettably makes clear that their well-meaning confidence was misplaced, Brig. Gen. W. Alan Matney, president of the investigation board, said in the report.

The aircraft, assigned to Kadenas 33rd Rescue Squadron, approached the school landing zone around 9:30 a.m. as part of a Month of the Military Child event, according to the report.

The helicopters rotor wash knocked over at least two students  neither of whom were seriously hurt  and the 60-year-old woman, who suffered severe head injuries.

The woman, identified in the report only as a Japanese civilian who taught at Bechtel Elementary School, died despite emergency treatment at U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa and Ryukyu University Hospital.

Kadenas 18th Wing declined to identify the woman in April. The wing again declined to identify her in an unsigned statement emailed to Stars and Stripes on Friday, citing privacy concerns.

The helicopter flew to less than one-third of the minimum distance allowed from spectators, the accident report said. Air Force regulations require at least 500 feet of separation, while event organizers set a minimum of 600 feet.

Spectators, however, were positioned in three areas about 80 feet to 160 feet from the helicopters approach and landing zone, according to the report. The teacher was about 85 feet from the aircrafts final approach path  among the closest of all spectators.

The project officer and landing zone lead, who helped designate spectator areas, testified they were unaware of the 500-foot and 600-foot distance requirements.

Investigators detailed a cascade of planning failures, including reliance on past demonstrations, unclear spectator locations, conflicting approval packages and fragmented oversight.

A third substantially contributing factor was the umbrella the woman was holding under her left arm, the report said. The helicopters rotor wash caught the umbrella and briefly forced it open.

The force of the rotor wash in her open umbrella rapidly pulled the victim off balance and down to the concrete walkway, resulting in head injuries much more severe than those typically associated with a routine fall, the report said.

Investigators estimated the woman was exposed to winds averaging 29 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph.

The Air Force aims to prevent future accidents with rigorous safety standards and procedures, according to the 18th Wings email.

We offer our deepest condolences to the victim, her family and everyone affected by this tragedy, the statement said.
The parking lot for the Favreau Hall enlisted barracks on Fort Shafter, Hawaii, is filled to capacity on Jan. 22, 2026. (Wyatt Olson/Stars and Stripes)



FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii  Army Garrison Hawaii is doubling up soldiers in barracks rooms on Oahu to deal with the influx of personnel transferring to the 25th Infantry Division as part of an Army transformation.

With a growing number of complaints and queries by soldiers affected by the living-space crunch, leaders of the garrison and the division hosted a town hall meeting Tuesday afternoon at Schofield Barracks to detail steps being taken to ease the problem.

The doubling up has led to a dearth of barracks parking, overflowing dumpsters and insufficient laundry facilities, as well as concerns over privacy and security.

Army regulations dictate the minimum square footage single soldiers must have in barracks, but the garrison obtained a 15-month exception to that policy to temporarily house more soldiers together in barracks on Schofield, Wheeler Army Airfield and Fort Shafter, garrison commander Col. Rachel Sullivan said at the town hall.

I would love to be able to tell you that 15 months from now we wont have to have any soldiers doubled up in our barracks, but the reality of the situation is we likely will, she said.

We have a growing mission, Sullivan said. Right now, we are tracking more than 690 soldiers that are inbound over and above our outbounds in the next 120 days. Well still have many of those soldiers over and above our number of barracks rooms even 15 months from now.

The 25th IDs assigned strength has grown over the past six months in part because of the Armys modernization effort, Transformation in Contact, division commander Maj. Gen. James Bartholomees told the town hall audience.

The initiative is designed to shorten the gap between weapons and tech innovation and their ultimate use on the battlefield.

We are leading the Army in a lot of transformation, particularly in our artillery, our sustainment and our aviation, upcoming, Bartholomees said.

Other enabling units have grown in tandem, he added.

Weve gone beyond our inventory of single-soldier housing, Bartholomees said.

The division is also at max capacity in authorizing those soldiers to seek housing outside military installations, he said.

More than 1,000 soldiers have been given so-called statements of non-availability that authorize them to live on the local economy, Sullivan said. But off-base housing is complicated by both the high cost and shortage of housing on Oahu, she said.

A specialists $2,600 monthly basic housing allowance is not, on average, sufficient to cover the cost of rent and utilities on Oahu, Sullivan said.

Affordable housing is one of the greatest concerns of the entire state of Hawaii, she said. We are under immense pressure from the local leaders here, the local community leaders across the state, [and] state, city and federal government here, to house as many of our soldiers and families on the installation as possible.

The garrison is hoping to ease some of the near-term pain by providing beds and furniture that are more conducive for those of you who are having to share rooms, Sullivan said.

Some of the beds for newly arriving roommates now are little more than cots used for field exercises, she said.

The garrison is also pressing for early completion of ongoing renovations of two barracks, one on Schofield and a second on the adjoining Wheeler.
Country music star and Army Reserve soldier Craig Morgan, left, was promoted to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 2 in a ceremony officiated by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2026. (Alexander Kubitza/U.S. Navy)



Country music star and Army Reserve soldier Craig Morgan, 61, is seeing his success in his effort to balance a successful civilian career with military service as he uses his years of experience to contribute to an anti-suicide program with the dozens of Army bands.

Morgan was promoted to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 2 in a ceremony officiated by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon on Jan. 16, more than two years after the star resumed his military career.

The high-profile of the ceremony was not unusual for Morgan, who enlisted again in the Army Reserve in 2023 at a ceremony at the Grand Ole Opry after a prolonged break from his 17 years of service. But it was an honor all the same, he said, to have the senior leader in his command pin his rank.

Morgan originally joined in the Army in 1985 and spent 9 years in active duty before serving in the Reserve for 6 years. He left the service to pursue his burgeoning career in music. He has racked up a number of civilian and service-related decorations, including a spot in the U.S. Field Artillery Hall of Fame, the U.S. Armys Outstanding Civilian Service Medal and the USO Merit Award.

Morgans age is not all that unusual in the Reserve, the musician said, or among the warrant officer community. Warrant officers, Morgan said, are the experts in their field, regardless of the field.

In his case, that field is music: Morgan serves with the 313th Army Band at Redstone Arsenal, Ala., and contributes to a suicide prevention program that uses music to speak to soldiers. The Prevention Music Initiative ensures soldiers wellbeing and also keeps them from being non-deployable, according to Morgan, who emphasized that everyone in the chain of command is committed to taking care of soldiers.

Its a soldier-led initiative, Morgan said. Were recording all of the music with soldiers, with military or Army engineers, Army band members, Army vocalists.

Morgan said he thinks the project is one of the most critical things weve ever done in the music world, especially in the military. He contributes by using his civilian contacts in the industry to help promote the music to a larger audience.

Fitness, not age

The musician was careful to note that he is not simply back in service because of his musical career but because he is physically fit.

I hear a lot of people say, Oh, this guys too old,  Morgan acknowledged, adding, Come work out with me. Come participate. Dont sit on the bench and talk about me.

Similarly, Morgan said hes worked with older personnel who have a lineage of expertise that they bring to the table that the Army should not get rid of, as long as they remain physically and mentally fit. No one, regardless of age, should be able to stay in the military if they cannot meet fitness standards, he stressed.

Crediting skills gained in the Army

Asked how often service members want to know how he transitioned into a music career, Morgan responded, every day.

His advice to them is the same advice he gives to civilians: consult professionals, not simply the opinion of family and friends for validation.

Morgan also said he reminds those serving to appreciate the skills they learn in the military, such as good communication skills.

I would put any soldier, E4 and below, with four years in service against any college graduate with four years of college, and I promise you they will communicate better. That soldier will, he said.

As for how he manages his time  between his Army service, maintaining a successful music career, and more recently writing a memoir  Morgan said he put together a great team. Civilians may take the notion for granted or even dismiss it, but Morgan noted that in the military, teamwork is essential.

In both his revived military career and in his civilian career, he said, I go to the experts.
A Coast Guard appeals court authorized the retrial of Petty Officer 2nd Class Kathleen Richard in the death of her 5-month-old daughter. The same court had previously overturned a jury verdict that acquitted her of first-degree murder but convicted her of involuntary manslaughter. (Joshua Magbanua/U.S. Air Force)



A Coast Guard petty officer who was released from prison after her involuntary manslaughter conviction in her infant daughters death was overturned could face a military court again.

The services Court of Criminal Appeals this month denied Petty Officer 2nd Class Kathleen Richards petition to prevent prosecutors from having the ability to retry her.

The 3-0 ruling on Jan. 7 upheld the decision of a military judge who rejected her argument that prosecuting her again would violate her constitutional protection against double jeopardy.

Richard, who remains in the Coast Guard, was freed in 2024 after the same appeals court tossed out the guilty verdict. She had served two years of a six-year sentence for killing the 5-month-old girl, who died in her crib in 2020.

At the time of the girls death, Richard was 25 and a yeoman stationed in Kodiak, Alaska.

A military jury in February 2022 acquitted Richard of first-degree murder but convicted her of involuntary manslaughter.

The case, which examined the young mothers mental health and postpartum depression, was the Coast Guards first murder prosecution in more than a decade, according to The Washington Post.

In the 2024 ruling that overturned the conviction, the appellate court judges said prosecutors hadnt clearly defined how Richard caused the babys death.

An autopsy determined that the infant had died of asphyxia and noted that she was tightly swaddled when placed in her crib.

Coast Guard prosecutors later referred the case to a second general court-martial, accusing Richard of involuntary manslaughter, according to court documents.

In October 2025, her request to have the new charge dismissed on Fifth Amendment grounds was denied.

Prosecutors who tried Richard said that while alone with her daughter for about 10 minutes, she had tightly swaddled the screaming infant, then held her face into the mattress for up to 90 seconds, The Washington Post reported.

In the Jan. 7 ruling, the appeals court agreed with Richard that the guilty verdict at trial was ambiguous.

The judges noted that the specification alleged Richard had killed her daughter by asphyxia without further clarifying what she did or did not do to cause her infants death.

But Richards double-jeopardy argument didnt pass muster with the appeals court, which rejected the contention that she was quite possibly already acquitted of the crimes alleged in the effort to retry her.

The jury may have acquitted Richard of murder because they believed she did not press the childs head into the mattress, or they may have believed she did so but without intent to harm or kill her child, the appeals ruling states.

This is far from finding that petitioner was acquitted of pressing the childs head into the mattress, the judges ruled.
Aruma Resources has signed a binding agreement with Metals Creek to acquire an 85% stake in the Tillex Copper-Silver Project in Ontario, Canada.

Situated in the prolific Timmins mining district, the project features high-grade copper sulphide deposits and substantial exploration potential.

This acquisition is complemented by a separate deal to fully acquire patent claims 65382-0121 and 65382-0123, which are adjacent to the Tillex Project.

The acquisition occurs amidst favourable supply-demand conditions for copper.

Previous operators completed a total of 10,283m of diamond drilling, which consistently yielded extensive, shallow intersections of high-grade copper.

Copper sulphide mineralisation at Tillex begins approximately 30m beneath the surface and has been explored through drilling down to a depth of around 150m.

High-grade copper has been identified along a 450m strike length, with potential for further expansion to the north, south and deeper to the west.

The acquisition terms include an initial cash payment of C$100,000 ($72,545) and the issuance of Aruma shares valued at C$125,000 to Metals Creek.

Deferred payments are structured over three years, contingent upon certain milestones including cash payments and additional share issuances.

A production payment of C$500,000 has also been agreed upon following the achievement of positive net operating cash flow.

Ownership of the Tillex Project post-acquisition will be divided, with Aruma holding 85%, Vale Canada retaining 12% and a private consortium holding the remaining 3%.

The Tillex Project, initially discovered in 1973 by Westmin Resources, has undergone extensive drilling, revealing substantial intersections of high-grade copper. Metals Creek acquired it in 2008.

Aruma plans to pursue a dual strategy of exploration and resource development, aiming to expand the mineralised footprint and establish a maiden mineral resource estimate.

The company intends to initiate a detailed geophysical programme and a phase-one diamond drilling programme within the current quarter.

Aruma managing director Grant Ferguson said: Aruma has continually assessed potential strategic growth opportunities, particularly in the copper space, with a specific focus on advanced assets which offer significant exploration upside in stable, operating mining-friendly jurisdictions.

The Tillex Copper Sulphide Project aligns perfectly with our strategic criteria, and we are delighted to have secured such a complementary and value-accretive asset to our portfolio.

In May 2024, Auruma acquired a portfolio of copper and uranium exploration assets in South Australia and Queensland.
Cmdr. Justin Crabb, executive officer aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Delbert D. Black, observes as the ship leaves Las Palmas, Spain, on Jan. 19, 2026. U.S. 6th Fleet announced the arrival of the destroyer in its area of responsibility on Jan. 22, 2026. (Wendy Arauz/U.S. Navy)



NAPLES, Italy  The destroyer USS Delbert D. Black began patrolling European waters this week, an addition to the Navys presence as the U.S. builds up forces in the Middle East amid tensions with Iran.

The ship officially arrived on station in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet area of command following its departure on Monday from Las Palmas, Spain, NAVEUR-AF/U.S. 6th Fleet said in a Facebook post Thursday.

The Arleigh-Burke-class destroyer recently completed a flight operations exercise with an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter that left the ships crew razor-sharp and ready, the post said.

Based at Naval Station Mayport in Florida, the vessel carries standard, Tomahawk and Evolved Sea Sparrow missiles, among other armaments. It joins five other destroyers in the region homeported at Naval Station Rota in Spain.

One, USS Roosevelt, left the Red Sea earlier this month and is in the Mediterranean Sea, USNI News reported on Tuesday.

That departure left two destroyers, USS McFaul and USS Mitscher, both homeported at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia, in the Persian Gulf, according to USNI.

Meanwhile, the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, which includes three destroyers, is in the Indian Ocean and expected to arrive in the Middle East in the coming days, Reuters reported Thursday, citing unidentified U.S. officials.

That news came the same day President Donald Trump warned Tehran that the U.S. has an armada heading toward the country, adding that he hoped he would not have to use it, Reuters reported.

Trump has been mulling options for responding to Irans brutal crackdown on protests against the regime.

Navy ships and aircraft are not the only U.S. forces apparently being routed to the Middle East.

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 494th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron lands at a base in the Middle East on Jan. 18, 2026. (U.S. Central Command on X)



On Tuesday, U.S. Central Command shared a photograph on X of an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet assigned to the 494th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron landing at an unidentified base in the Middle East. The squadron is based at RAF Lakenheath in the U.K.

A dozen F-15s departed Lakenheath on Sunday supported by KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling aircraft, Air & Space Forces Magazine reported on Tuesday, citing flight-tracking data.

C-17 Globemaster III cargo planes also have flown from the U.K. to the Middle East, the magazine said.

According to one analyst, the buildup of naval forces in the region bears a striking resemblance to the slow-rolling accumulation of military assets in the Caribbean Sea last year.

Navy destroyers offer protection for aircraft carriers, carry out precision strikes and provide formidable deterrence, Brandon J. Weichert, a senior national security editor at The National Interest, wrote in Wednesday article.

When the fleet assembles piece-by-piece, when the destroyers arrive before the carriers, and when escalation is measured rather than theatrical, it means the decision has been made, Weichert said.
Through March 27, visitors to Rulantica in Germanys Europa-Park can enjoy the Nordic Festival of Lights. (Europa-Park)



Winter blues? Those without time or inclination to travel to one of Europes southern reaches in search of that elusive winter sun have the option to visit a slew of watery wonderlands, from action-packed pools to romantic, couples-only spas. The majority of visitors to such facilities have just one fairly universal complaint  they tend to be packed on weekends and holidays.

Italy

Aquardens Terme Verona, Italys largest thermal park, is found in the town of Santa Lucia Pescantina, an easy-to-reach destination for tourists visiting either Verona and Lake Garda. Its spacious pools filled with naturally heated water are attractive to families, whereas admission to the sauna village is reserved for those ages 14 and up. DJ music on Fridays and Saturdays and live bands performing on Sundays give the facilities an upbeat, party vibe on weekends. Sauna-goers will appreciate the Aufguss rituals in which an attendant raises the saunas temperature by whipping ultra-hot air scented with essential oils throughout the space with vigorous flicks of a towel. A unique sauna theater, capable of seating up to 300 people simultaneously, periodically hosts various performances including a 12-minute show based on the opera Carmen. A four-hour visit to the spa area starts at 45 euros on weekdays; entry to the sauna area costs an additional 12 euros. Online: aquardens.it/en

Germany

Therme Erding, a huge day spa easily reached by commuter train from Munich, is one if not the worlds largest facility of its kind. The complex made up of indoor and outdoor pools, wave pools, and more than 30 saunas has another claim to fame, its Galaxy water slide area. Among Galaxys 28 different slides are found Magic Eye, the worlds longest tube slide; the Big Bang, a halfpipe slide cut into the roof of the complex; and the X-Treme Fazer, on which guests can reach speeds of up to 45 miles an hour. Sauna goers reluctant to shed all traces of clothing are bound to find their happy place in the textile Vital Oasis, in which the wearing of swimsuits is allowed. Adult tickets allowing for two hours use of saunas, thermal baths and slides start at 33 euros. Online: therme-erding.de/en

Rulantica is a sprawling, all-season water park making up part of the Europa-Park enterprise in Rust. Opened in 2019 and operated as its own separate facility, the park sets itself apart with its unique theme: that of a mystical Nordic island. Scandinavian myths and culture are brought to life through elaborate, attention-to-detail decor and characters with their own backstories. Adrenaline junkies will appreciate a turn on the freefall slides Dugdrob and Vildfal, and once theyve raced an opponent on the Vikinglp, they can lay claim to having taken on Europes largest speed slide. Those with total relaxation on their mind will wish to head straight to the (textile-free) Hyggedal sauna area, where three different Scandinavian-style saunas await. Through March 27, visitors can enjoy the Nordic Festival of Lights, in which clever lighting effects transform Rulantica both indoors and out. Those who opt to stay in one of Europa-Parks six themed hotels can take advantage of early access to the water park. A single-day adult ticket costs 39 euros and up. Online: europapark.de/en/rulantica

Poland

Billed by many sources as the biggest water park in Europe, Suntago Water World is located about an hours drive southwest of Warsaw in the village of Wrecza. Opened in 2020, the park offers more than 30 slides, a massive wave pool, adventure river and many other features. Its themed zones include Jamango, a fun-for-all-ages space; Relax, an area with thermal pools and lounge chairs; and Saunaria, a wellness zone featuring 15 themed saunas. Some 700 live palms lend the area the vibe of a tropical getaway. On-site bungalows allow guests to settle in for a weekend or longer. Those visiting Polands capital city can make a day trip to Suntago simply by hopping on a special bus heading straight to the water park. The cost of an adult ticket valid for a two-hour visit to all three zones of the park begins at 114 Polish Zloty (about $31.50) when booked at least two weeks in advance. Online: parkofpoland.com/en

United Kingdom

Waterworld, an all-season water park in Stoke-on-Trent, is a family-friendly facility offering wave and bubble pools, a channel with a fast-flowing current and plenty of slides including Thunderbolt, in which riders are dropped feet-first through a trap door into a water flume gushing down at a speed of 25 mph. The park periodically hosts Additional Needs events, at which time the pool is open exclusively to adults and children with special needs along with their family members. Adult admission to Waterworld costs from 24 UK pounds (about $32) at non-peak times when tickets are booked online; visitors under the height of 1.1 meters pay 20 pounds and up. Online: waterworld.co.uk
A Navy carry team moves a transfer case containing the remains of Navy Lt. Erin Crider at Dover Air Force Base, Del., on Jan. 22, 2026. Crider was assigned to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, when she died in an incident unrelated to combat on Jan. 18, 2026, according to Navy officials. (Cliff Owen/Associated Press)



An investigation is being conducted into the weekend death of a Navy officer deployed to the U.S. militarys hub in the east African country of Djibouti, service officials said Friday.

Lt. Erin W. Crider was assigned to Camp Lemonnier, Navy spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Jason Tross said in a statement. No further information about Crider or the incident was provided.

A Navy officer deployed to the U.S. militarys hub in the east African country of Djibouti died Sunday in an incident not related to combat, Navy officials said Friday.

Criders remains arrived Thursday at Dover Air Force Base, Del.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the service members loved ones, Toss said. Grief counseling service and support are available through the chain of command, mental health providers and chaplains,
The framework cited by Trump after his meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, late Wednesday entails the stationing of U.S. missiles and establishment of U.S. mining rights, a European official briefed on the talks told Bloomberg. (Carsten Snejbjerg/Bloomberg)



The deal that persuaded President Donald Trump to defuse an escalating crisis over Greenland paves the way for NATO to beef up security in the Arctic region and fend off any threat from Russia or China.

The framework cited by Trump after his meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, late Wednesday entails the stationing of US missiles, mining rights aimed at keeping Chinese interests out and a bolstered NATO presence, according to a European official briefed on the talks.

The pact locked in soon after Trumps arrival Wednesday at the Swiss resort also hinges on the US leader standing by his promise not to impose tariffs against European nations, the official said on condition of anonymity as talks remain behind closed doors. For now, it dials down the gravest threat to the transatlantic alliance since the North Atlantic Treaty Organizations founding after World War II.

When it comes to the protection of the Arctic, with a priority on Greenland, we have to spend more energy, more time, more focus on this because we know the sea lanes are opening up, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte told Bloomberg News Editor-in-Chief John Micklethwait in an interview in Davos.

Not on the table was the issue of sovereignty, a clear breakthrough in the weeks since Trump  increasingly alarming European leaders  repeatedly made dramatic claims to Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark.

We didnt go into those details at all, Rutte said. Nor was the issue of an increased US troop presence, although the Danish government has said its completely open to such a scenario Rutte said.

While Trump was enthusiastic about the prospects for a deal, the leaders still only have an outline of what the final accord should include  and there remains a lot of work to be done.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen emphasized that in an interview with Danish media, where she underlined that Rutte has no mandate to negotiate on her countrys behalf  and reinforced her position that ceding territory to the US is non-negotiable.

We need to find a path that respects international law and respects sovereignty, Frederiksen told DR and TV2.

Beyond the main points on Arctic security and defending Greenland, the format of the framework  and to what extent any agreement was made  remained elusive.

Everything We Want

Elements of what was discussed in Davos were already on the table. Some was along the lines of what was produced last week in Washington, when a Danish delegation met with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to people familiar with the talks. That involved a working group to address US security concerns.

European NATO allies had also introduced a proposal for alliance-led activity focused on the Arctic and Greenland. Another element of the deal involves refreshing a 1951 agreement that gives the US military wide latitude to defend Greenland in the context of NATO, the people said.

Trump told Fox Business that the terms of the deal are being negotiated, but, essentially, its total access.

Theres no end, theres no time limit, Trump said. Were getting everything we want at no cost.

Asked if the US would ultimately acquire Greenland, he said: Its possible. But in the meantime, were getting everything we wanted, total security.

The icebound territory  the worlds largest island  has become crucial to the alliances interests in the Arctic, as melting ice has opened sea lanes in the far north that could give adversaries a direct route to the Atlantic. Trump had framed his claim as a way to defend the US against threats, a strategic point that NATO leaders have echoed.

On his arrival, Trump issued an address to WEF participants to renew his demand that Denmark hand over Greenland, and reinforced his threats to impose sanctions beginning next month on eight European countries that had sent military personnel to the Danish territory. Still, he softened his stance somewhat by ruling out the use of force, calling for talks on an acquisition.

The US presidents rhetoric has been most keenly felt by Greenlanders themselves, fueling fear and hardening the islanders opposition to the US. The territorys prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, this week told inhabitants to start preparing for a possible military invasion, even if it remained unlikely.

The backlash risks complicating any effort by Copenhagen to persuade Greenlands government to accept a deal expanding an American military footprint, a senior Danish lawmaker said.

With assistance from Sara Sjolin and Alex Wickham.
Comedian Bob Hope and actress Lana Turner demonstrate a new dance called the Bossa Nova to U.S. troops during a four-day Christmas tour of South Korea in December 1962. The last time I was in Korea there were no roads, but theyve made a lot of improvements since 1950. Now theyve got a white line running down the middle of the mud, Hope quipped. (Stars and Stripes)



You dont need the razor-sharp wit or comedic timing of Bob Hope to qualify for the award that bears his name. A record of duty, loyalty and selfless service may be enough.

Anyone within the Department of Defense is eligible for the Spirit of Hope Award, which recognizes voluntary contributions of time, talent or resources that significantly enhance the quality of life of service members and their families worldwide.

The deadline for nominations is April 17, according to a recent news release from the office of the Secretary of the Navy. More information about the award and a nomination template is available at https://dod.go.mil/spiritofhopenomination.

Hope spent five decades traveling to military bases around the world entertaining U.S. troops. He first performed for a military audience at a USO show in May 1941 at March Field in California, months before the United States entered World War II.

He continued performing during the war and in later conflicts, including appearances in North Korea during the Korean War and in Vietnam during the conflict there. His final USO performance took place in Saudia Arabia in December 1990 during Operation Desert Shield, according to the organizations website.

Hope performed on 57 USO tours, reaching an estimated 10 million troops worldwide, according to the Defense Intelligence Agency.

Comedian Bob Hope passes out candy to children in South Vietnam's Tan Phu Trung province on Dec. 25, 1966, during his annual Christmas tour of U.S. bases in Asia. Hope had just performed for the 25th Infantry Division at Cu Chi. (Stars and Stripes)



Congress designated Hope an honorary veteran of the U.S. armed forces in 1997. He was also the first recipient that year of the award named in his honor. Hope died in 2003 at age 100.

The Spirit of Hope Award recognizes individuals who embody the values of duty, honor, courage, loyalty, integrity and selfless dedication, according to Defense Department Instruction 1005.14.

Past recipients include Cindy Boyd, president of Precision Contracting Services Inc. in Florida, who received the award in 2019 for years of volunteer work that included providing care packages, hosting dinners and purchasing airline tickets for soldiers, according to an Army news release.

The following year, the award went to DIA employee April Maletz for volunteer efforts to raise $500,000 for Honor Flight, a program that brings war veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit memorials. Maletz participated in 20 missions that brought more than 1,600 veterans to the nations capital, according to the agency.

I live a charmed life, she said in the DIA news release announcing her award in August 2020. I have been exposed to American greatness and I dont take that for granted.
The Virginia-class attack submarine USS Minnesota transits in Apra Harbor, Naval Base Guam, Jan. 18, 2025. (James Caliva/U.S. Navy)



China has rapidly built up its submarine fleet by making a technological U-turn to produce boats the U.S. hasnt built in more than 65 years.

More than half of the estimated 66 submarines operated by the Chinese navy are conventionally powered. The fleet includes more than 20 newer Yuan-class diesel-electric boats.

The U.S. Navys last diesel-powered submarine was the USS Blueback, a Barbel-class submarine commissioned in 1959 and retired in 1990.

The Pentagon forecasts that China will have more than 75 submarines by 2030. The United States currently has 69 submarines, all nuclear-powered, according to the Naval Vessel Register.

The shorter construction time of the conventional submarines has allowed China to pull close to U.S. numbers and cover its strategic goals in Asia, according to a 2025 report by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service.

The force will likely continue for some time to consist mostly of SSs, the report said, using the abbreviation for non-nuclear-powered submarines.

Chinas Yuan-class submarines are 254-foot-long boats with a displacement of 3,600 tons that can move at 20 knots submerged. They carry up to 65 crew members. The boat has six torpedo tubes and can launch anti-ship missiles. In comparison, the main variant of the U.S. Navys latest Virginia-class submarine is 377 feet long, with a 7,900-ton displacement and a speed of more than 25 knots. Its armed with four torpedo tubes and vertical missile launch capability. It has a crew of up to 135.

Bryan Clark, a defense analyst with the Hudson Institute think tank, said that though the Chinese submarines are not nuclear-powered, they are built to modern standards in acoustic sound suppression.

The Chinese Yuan-class conventional submarines use an air-independent propulsion system to recharge their batteries, which can give them a few weeks of submerged endurance, Clark said. They are very quiet, and the PLA Navy has about two dozen now.

Nuclear-powered submarines are complex designs  the U.S. plans on building only two Virginia-class attack submarines in 2026. Meanwhile, two aging Los Angeles-class submarines are scheduled for decommissioning this year. The Navy is still waiting for its first of the new Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines, which the CRS says is 18 months behind schedule and not expected to be delivered prior to 2030.

Then-U.S. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus departs on a visit to the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Yuan-class submarine Hai Jun Chang in 2012. (Samuel Shavers/U.S. Navy)



The Chinese see Taiwan as a renegade province, a part of the country that split away after World War II, when Nationalist Leader Chiang Kai-shek and his supporters fled there in 1949 as Mao Tse-tung and the communists took Beijing and the rest of the country.

Then CIA-director William Burns said in 2023 that U.S. analysts believed Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on his countrys armed forces to have the capability to invade Taiwan by 2027, the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Peoples Liberation Army in 1927.

The CIA did not say China would invade at that time but that the countrys political and military leaders wanted the armed forces prepared to execute a plan by then. The Taiwan Strait Risk Report, issued in 2025 by an Australian risk assessment firm, says that 50% of world container ship traffic passes through the Taiwan Strait and forecast a 30% chance of an invasion of Taiwan by China in the next five years and a 60% chance of an air and naval blockade.

Clark and other analysts say the diesel-powered submarines are a practical solution for the Chinese because any fight with the United States and its allies is likely to come close to home ports.

The potential battleground is the Taiwan Strait, in the South China Sea, which is 78 miles across from the mainland. The South China Sea is busy with ships transiting the strategically tense area, with what the Center for Strategic and International Studies has estimated is $3.4 trillion in oil, manufactured goods, and other products each year.

The Chinese have spent $50 billion to build a constellation of installations in the First Island Chain, which curves from Japan past Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia and Borneo, to Vietnam. Its centered on two deepwater bays on the Chinese island of Hainan, Chinas southernmost province, which is home to the Greater Yulin Naval Base and East Yulin Naval Base.

Yuan-class ships are built to operate in the relatively shallow South China Sea, with some coastal shelves just 250 feet below the surface, and many reefs  some of which China has fortified as missile-launching centers or airfields meant to give cover to Chinese ships and submarines if the U.S. and its allies intervene in the region.

The nearest American submarines are based at Guam, just over 1,700 miles from Taiwan. The next closest are 5,000 miles away at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii; 6,000 miles away at Naval Base Kitsap, near Seattle; or 6,800 miles away at Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego.

Nuclear power is how the Navy addresses what analysts call the tyranny of distance in U.S. efforts to field forces in the Indo-Pacific region. It allows the U.S. to send submarines extreme distances for long periods of time and loiter in and around hot spots without worrying about when or where it will have to refuel.

Lyle Goldstein, an expert on Chinas military at the Asia Center at Brown University, said China has used diesel submarines to spread out its A2/AD line  standing for AntiAccess/AreaDenial designed to keep an opponent outside an area and limit their movements within it.

Submarines are one of the few weapons that can get into and around A2/AD areas, Goldstein said. But in a combat scenario, they would be called on to carry a disproportionately large share of the fighting if other Navy ships are kept outside the zone.

While these submarines could do damage to the Chinese Navy, they probably lack sufficient firepower to affect the overall outcome of a war, Goldstein wrote for Defense Priorities, a think tank that touts its focus on reality and restraint.

Clark, the Hudson Institute analyst, said that now that China has nearly achieved parity in submarine numbers with the United States, it will shift back to building more nuclear submarines with a more extended blue sea reach as China expands its areas of interest beyond Northern Asia.

The Chinese are getting better at building nuclear submarines and making them quieter thanks to technology sharing with Russia, which comes as part of their no limits friendship, Clark said. I think China will shift more of its submarine production to nuclear-powered and only build enough conventional boats to recapitalize the current fleet.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon is cut off by the Chinese destroyer Luyang III in June 2023 in what the U.S. Navy termed an unsafe manner in the highly contested Taiwan Strait. (Andre T. Richard/U.S. Navy)



Naval News annual report on the Chinese navy, published Jan. 17, states construction of conventionally powered types appears to have slowed significantly.

The Congressional Research Service report agrees the Chinese are shifting back to developing nuclear-powered submarines  with the help of Moscow.

Closer ties with Russia could provide opportunities for China to overcome these enduring technological limitations by exploiting political and economic levers to gain access to Russias remaining undersea technology secrets, the report said.

Chinas nuclear-powered attack submarine fleet consists of the larger, quieter Shang-class boats, which can fire torpedoes or TJ-18 anti-ship cruise missiles with a range of over 240 miles.

A 2025 report from the Australian Naval Institute warns that the rapidly modernizing Chinese Navy is taking bold steps to field a first-rate submarine force that may be on the cusp of significant expansion.

The CRS notes that Chinas navy is expected to grow to 435 ships by 2030. While focusing on major surface combatant ships, submarines are part of the construction mix at the three shipyards that specialize in building the boats.

China is finally on the verge of producing world-class nuclear-powered submarines, the report said.
Cpl. Gabriel Castleman, left, and Sgt. Logan Gilbert of the 9th Engineer Support Battalion discuss how they provided medical assistance to a Japanese man choking at a ramen shop, at the battalion's headquarters on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Jan. 23, 2026. (Brian McElhiney/Stars and Stripes)



CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa  Two Marines recently provided first aid to a Japanese man in his 80s who was choking while experiencing a seizure at a ramen shop in northern Okinawa.

Cpl. Gabriel Castleman, of Duluth, Minn., and Sgt. Logan Gilbert, of San Antonio, Texas, said their Marine training kicked in when the man sitting next to them Wednesday evening collapsed at Ramen Tsurumiya in Kin town.

Both Marines are combat engineers with the 9th Engineer Support Battalion at Camp Hansen.

I wouldnt have known to check his airways  to check if he was choking, Gilbert said during a Friday interview at battalion headquarters. I wouldnt have known to put him in the recovery position and all that.

Battalion executive officer Maj. Jim McGeady said he received a report late Wednesday of two Marines involved in an incident with locals.

Usually thats not good news  we dont get a lot of that, but this was actually great news, he told Stars and Stripes at battalion headquarters Friday. They were there at a time and a place where they could help save a man who otherwise may have passed away.

Sgt. Logan Gilbert, left, and Cpl. Gabriel Castleman pose outside the 9th Engineer Support Battalion's headquarters on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Jan. 23, 2026. (Brian McElhiney/Stars and Stripes)



The Marines have not been officially commended, but McGeady said there will be more to follow.

Gilbert said he was having dinner with Castleman around 6:30 p.m. when the Japanese man fell backward onto him. At first, the Marines thought he was laughing at something his friend had said, but he seemed to be clawing at his throat.

Gilbert said they laid the man down and tapped him on the back, causing him to cough up food. The Marines then checked his airway and put him on his side with his legs crossed in the recovery position so he wouldnt choke, Castleman said.

And then he started foaming out the mouth and then blood started coming out, he said. Thats when we were like  this is actually happening.

The man convulsed for about seven minutes, Castleman said. When he came to, the Marines helped him sit up. He had no memory of what had happened and began walking around the shop in a daze.

The Marines helped the man to a seat, but after five minutes he stood up again, walked to the bathroom and collapsed, Castleman said. Gilbert said he held the man up for about 10 minutes, then helped him outside when emergency services arrived.

A Kin Fire Department spokesman confirmed by phone Thursday that two service members provided aid to the man before an ambulance took him to a hospital. He did not know the mans condition.

Some Japanese government officials must speak to the press only on condition of anonymity.

The Marines said they felt no hesitation to step in and help.

Were here to help build camaraderie with the Japanese as well, and we need them as they need us, Gilbert said. Hopefully, the more good things that happen like this, they can at least look at Marines and think that, at least that theyre safe and that they can count on us.

Stars and Stripes reporter Keishi Koja contributed to this report.
U.S. soldiers participate in an exercise at Donnelly Training Area, Alaska, on Jan. 26, 2025. The U.S. and its allies should join forces to counter Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic region, according to a new Hudson Institute report. (Justin Morelli/U.S. Army)



The United States and its allies in Europe and the Pacific should join forces to build a joint Arctic fighting concept aimed at countering the growing Russia-China alliance in the High North, a new think tank report contends.

Russia has spent the past decade adding firepower in the Arctic with assistance from China, but allies arent keeping pace, the Hudson Institute said in a study released this week that calls for a new approach to close security gaps.

As strategic competition heats up, the US alliance system may be unprepared to credibly counter military challenges from Moscow and Beijing, the report said. One concern is that Russia is seeking to expand its submarine operations to maintain credible targeting of the US homeland with submarine-launched nuclear weapons.

Over the past several years, the region has steadily become more of a focal point for the United States and its two main rivals, Russia and China. As sea ice melts, new sea lanes are opening in the area, which also is home to vast amounts of valuable natural resources.

While the United States is the only NATO country with strategic interests that span the entire Arctic, from the Barents Sea to the Bering Sea, Washington needs allies to help secure those interests, the report said.

The strategy calls for integration of U.S. and allied naval warfare operations across the Arctic and into the Baltics and northern Pacific Ocean.

This effort would counter Russian and Russian-Chinese operational plans by coupling the Arctic with the two theaters, according to the report, which noted that northern European allies along with Canada, Japan and South Korea would need to coordinate their efforts.

The concept, which calls for allies to invest in a wide range of new manned and unmanned systems to increase the alliances reach, comes at a tense time in the High North and in NATO itself.

In recent weeks, the United States has been at odds with several allies over President Donald Trumps push to take control of Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of fellow NATO member Denmark.

Leaders in Denmark and other key NATO countries  such as France, the U.K. and Germany  have opposed Trumps insistence that Greenland be transferred to American control.

Others have criticized the White House for not ruling out the use of force as an option for taking the territory.

But at the World Economic Forum annual gathering in Davos, Switzerland, this week, the strain on relations started to show signs of easing, as Trump ruled out the use of military force to annex the strategic island.

Trump also announced that he and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte were working on an agreement related to Greenland that would be supported across the alliance.

While the details remain unknown, the new developments could eventually provide an opportunity for the U.S. and other allies to step up more in the Arctic. For Russia, the High North has been a major factor in its military planning over the past decade. Moscow and Beijing also are building an extensive seabed-to-space sensor network that will challenge the ability of U.S. and allied submarines to remain undetected in the area, the report said.

Instead of reacting to Russian and Chinese challenges, NATO allies and their partners need a concept of operations that creates security dilemmas for Moscow and Beijing and makes the costs of undertaking military operations too high, the report said. Such a concept should force Russia and China to go on the defensive.

One way to accomplish that is to have a forward-based posture closer to Russian bases of operation with assets capable of carrying out strikes, the report said, arguing that the current defensive approach hasnt worked.

More thorough integration with allies will help deter Russia and China from trying to expand their military operations in the High North, according to the report.

In addition, doing so will demonstrate that the US and its allies can operate across the Arctic in the event of a two-front war encompassing several theaters, the report said.
The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln pulls into Naval Base Guam for a scheduled port visit on Dec. 11, 2025. (Valerie Lynn Maigue/U.S. Navy)



DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  Irans top prosecutor on Friday called U.S. President Donald Trumps repeated claims that he halted the hangings of 800 detained protesters there completely false. Meanwhile, the overall death toll from a bloody crackdown on nationwide demonstrations rose to at least 5,032, activists said.

Activists fear many more are dead. They struggle to confirm information as the most comprehensive internet blackout in Irans history has crossed the two-week mark.

Tensions remain high between the United States and Iran as an American aircraft carrier group moves closer to the Middle East, something Trump likened to an armada in comments to journalists late Thursday.

Analysts say a military buildup could give Trump the option to carry out strikes, though so far hes avoided that despite repeated warnings to Tehran. The mass execution of prisoners had been one of his red lines for military force  the other being the killing of peaceful demonstrators.

While President Trump now appears to have backtracked, likely under pressure from regional leaders and cognizant that airstrikes alone would be insufficient to implode the regime, military assets continue to be moved into the region, indicating kinetic action may still happen, New York-based think tank the Soufan Center said in an analysis Friday.

Prosecutor denies Trump claim

Trump has repeatedly said Iran halted the execution of 800 people detained in the protests, without elaborating on the source of the claim. On Friday, Irans top prosecutor Mohammad Movahedi strongly denied that in comments carried by the judiciarys Mizan news agency.

This claim is completely false; no such number exists, nor has the judiciary made any such decision, Movahedi said.

His remarks suggested Irans Foreign Ministry, led by Abbas Araghchi, may have offered that figure to Trump. Araghchi has had a direct line to U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and conducted multiple rounds of negotiations over Irans nuclear program with him.

We have a separation of powers, the responsibilities of each institution are clearly defined, and we do not, under any circumstances, take instructions from foreign powers, Movahedi said.

A White House official disputed Movahedis assertion later Friday, and reasserted that planned executions were called off as a result of Trumps warnings. The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, underscored that Trump was watching the situation in Iran closely and all options are on the table if the regime executes protesters.

But the official did not provide any evidence or details backing Trumps claim.

Iranian judiciary officials have called some of those being held mohareb  or enemies of God. That charge carries the death penalty. It had been used along with others to carry out mass executions in 1988 that reportedly killed at least 5,000 people.

At a U.N. Human Rights Council special session on Iran held in Geneva Friday, Volker Turk, the U.N.s high commissioner for human rights, expressed concern over contradictory statements from the Iranian authorities about whether those detained in connection with the protests may be executed.

He said Iran remains among the top executioner states in the world, with at least 1,500 people reportedly executed last year  a 50% increase over 2024.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Javad Haji Ali Akbari, the Friday prayer leader in Tehran, mocked Trump as a yellow-faced, yellow-haired and disgraced man who is like a dog that only barks.

That foolish man has resorted to threatening the nation, especially over what he said about Irans leader, the cleric said in comments aired by Iranian state radio. If any harm were to occur, all your interests and bases in the region would become clear and precise targets of Iranian forces.

Irans foreign ministry lashed out at a European Parliament resolution adopted Thursday which slammed repression and mass murders being perpetrated by the Iranian regime against protesters in Iran. The resolution called for the release of those detained and urged the European Council to designate Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, which was key in putting down the nationwide protests, as a terrorist organization.

The foreign ministry expressed its strong revulsion at the insulting assertions of the resolution. In a statement issued Friday, it stressed that any illegal or interventionist decision or position concerning the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the countrys security defenders will be met with reciprocal action by Iran, and responsibility for the consequences will rest with those who initiate such actions.

Death toll rises

The latest death toll was given by the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which reported that more than 4,700 of the dead were demonstrators. It added that more than 27,600 people had been detained.

The groups figures have been accurate in previous unrest and rely on a network of activists in Iran to verify deaths. That death toll exceeds that of any other round of protest or unrest there in decades, and recalls the chaos surrounding Irans 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Irans government offered its first death toll Wednesday, saying 3,117 people were killed. It added that 2,427 of the dead in the demonstrations that began Dec. 28 were civilians and security forces, with the rest being terrorists. In the past, Irans theocracy has undercounted or not reported fatalities from unrest.

The Associated Press has been unable to independently assess the death toll, in part because of authorities cutting access to the internet and blocking international calls into the country.

US warships on the move

The American military meanwhile has moved more military assets toward the Mideast, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and associated warships traveling with it from the South China Sea.

A U.S. Navy official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military movements, said Thursday the Lincoln strike group is in the Indian Ocean.

Trump said Thursday aboard Air Force One that the U.S. is moving the ships toward Iran just in case he wants to take action.

We have a massive fleet heading in that direction and maybe we wont have to use it, Trump said.

Trump also mentioned the multiple rounds of talks American officials had with Iran over its nuclear program prior to Israel launching a 12-day war against the Islamic Republic in June, which saw U.S. warplanes bomb Iranian nuclear sites. He threatened Iran with military action that would make earlier U.S. strikes against its uranium enrichment sites look like peanuts.

They should have made a deal before we hit them, Trump said.

The U.K. Defense Ministry separately said its joint Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet squadron with Qatar, 12 Squadron, deployed to the (Persian) Gulf for defensive purposes noting regional tensions.

Konstantin Toropin and Aamer Madhani in Washington, Geir Moulson in Berlin and Elena Becatoros in Dubai contributed to this report.
The House on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, passed a $839 billion full-year funding bill for the Defense Department with a pay raise for service members, military assistance for Ukraine and an $8 billion overall boost in defense spending. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)



The House on Thursday passed a $839 billion full-year funding bill for the Defense Department with a pay raise for service members, military assistance for Ukraine and an $8 billion overall boost in defense spending.

The 341-88 vote sends the legislation to the Senate, which will have less than a week to fund the Pentagon and the vast majority of the federal government before a shutdown deadline on Jan. 30.

The defense appropriations bill provides funds for the priorities outlined in an annual defense policy bill passed in December and is bundled with a pair of other domestic funding measures.

Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma, the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, said the defense portion champions American military power, ensuring that our brave warfighters have the tools, weapon systems and capabilities to meet any foe anywhere in the world at any time.

Lawmakers boosted the defense budget about $8 billion above the Trump administrations request, though Senate appropriators had initially wanted a $22 billion hike. The increase includes extra funding for Navy shipbuilding and renovations of Marine barracks.

A senior Senate GOP aide speaking on condition of anonymity said the final top line was still insufficient to meet needs such as missile production, modernization of facilities and shipbuilding. President Donald Trump has said he will ask Congress for a $1.5 trillion defense budget next year.

The funding bill for fiscal 2026, which began Oct. 1, 2025, covers the 3.8% pay raise service members received this month and continues pay increases for junior enlisted service members. It also includes a 1% pay bump for the Pentagons civilian employees.

The legislation also allocates more than $1 billion for medical research programs that develop treatments for cancer, disease and other service-related injuries  a funding increase of more than $600 million from last year.

In a rebuke of the administration, the legislation provides $400 million for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, a long-running program to arm and train the Ukrainian military. The administration had sought zero funding for the assistance.

Appropriators are additionally allocating $200 million for a similar program to provide military aid, training and defense equipment for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania  Baltic nations that are on NATOs eastern front line.

Language in the bill expresses ironclad support for NATO and its member states, but Democrats argued this week that the measure needed to take a stronger stance as Trump cast doubt on the alliance and pushed to take control of Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark.

I look at the defense appropriations bill as maybe the last opportunity to prevent this administration from doing something crazy in Greenland or attacking NATO or doing something that we all know is a bad thing to do, said Rep. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts, the top Democrat on the House Rules Committee.

The committee on Thursday morning rejected an attempt by Democrats to secure a vote on an amendment to the defense bill that would have prohibited the invasion of a NATO ally.

Rep. Ken Calvert of California, the Republican chairman of the defense appropriations subcommittee, touted the legislation as a bipartisan effort to confront an increasingly complex threat environment.

This bill protects the administrations America first defense agenda, supports the departments innovation efforts and includes my four key priorities, said Calvert, pointing to investments in weapon modernization, streamlining Pentagon bureaucracy, countering drug trafficking and revitalizing the defense industrial base.
The annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, was dominated by one topic this year: AI.

From medical device makers to bankers to tech executives, artificial intelligence was the hot topic among the global elite gathered in the Swiss Alps.

And while the promise of robots and AIs future was certainly top of mind, the biggest discussions revolved around the technologys potential impact on the broader labor market.

More from Yahoo Scout How soon will AI impact software engineering jobs? What are AI's biggest job market threats? Which industries could see AI-driven job enhancements? What government interventions are leaders discussing for AI?

BlackRock (BLK) CEO and interim co-chair of the World Economic Forum, Larry Fink, referenced the danger of job losses caused by AI during his discussion with Nvidia (NVDA) CEO Jensen Huang, while JPMorgan (JPM) CEO Jamie Dimon said plans need to be put in place for potential government intervention to prevent companies from enacting mass AI-driven layoffs.

Dimon predicted there would be civil unrest if, for instance, self-driving trucks replaced an estimated 2 million US truckers at the press of a button, leaving them with far lower salaries than theyre used to.

How do you have plans in place to make it work better if in fact [AI] does something terrible  and that's the only way to do it, he said.

Read more: Are we in an AI bubble? How to protect your portfolio if your AI investments turn against you.

Fears of job losses

Concerns that AI will lead to large-scale layoffs across various economic sectors have been bubbling for years. But as generative AI continues to advance, leading to multimodal language models and agentic AI, the alarm bells are getting louder.

Anthropic (ANTH.PVT) CEO Dario Amodei said during a conversation at Davos that the tech industry is six to 12 months away from an AI model that can perform most, if not all, of the job functions of a software engineer.

During the same chat, Google (GOOG, GOOGL) DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis predicted that well begin to see AI impacting internships as well as entry-level and junior-level jobs this year.

BlackRock CEO Larry Fink talks during the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)  ASSOCIATED PRESS

Fink raised similar concerns about AI supplanting humans in analyst positions at legal and financial institutions.

Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, provided a dire view of the impact of AI on the job market saying that, On average 40% of jobs are touched by AI, either enhanced or scrapped, or changed quite significantly without implications for better pay.

Georgieva described AI expansion as a tsunami hitting the labor market.

Even in the best prepared countries, I don't think we are prepared enough, she added.

While job losses were a major topic during the weeklong forum, there was also a good deal of pontification about how AI will help jobs.
U.S. military aircraft park on the flight line in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, on Jan. 3, 2026, following military actions against Venezuela in support of Operation Absolute Resolve. (U.S. Air Force)



WASHINGTON  The House on Thursday narrowly rejected a resolution that would have forced the removal of U.S. military forces from hostilities against Venezuela not authorized by Congress as Democrats continued efforts to curb President Donald Trumps military authority in the country.

The resolution failed in a tied 215-215 vote, with two Republicans voting in favor. The vote came a week after Vice President JD Vance cast a tie-breaking vote in the Senate to kill a measure that would have forced Trump to seek congressional approval for any military action related to Venezuela.

Two Senate Republicans flipped their vote to help sink the measure after they said Secretary of State Marco Rubio gave them assurances that the president would go to Congress for approval of any future major military operations in Venezuela.

House Republicans cited those commitments in their arguments against the latest war power resolution, the first in the House since an American military raid captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. They repeatedly emphasized that there were no troops remaining on the ground in Venezuela.

Democrats are asking us to vote on a resolution about a situation that literally does not exist, said Rep. Brian Mast of Florida, the Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. We do not have anybody there in Venezuela fighting. There are no tanks on the ground in Caracas, there are no snipers in the tree line.

But Democrats pointed to the continued presence of military assets in the region, including an aircraft carrier in the Caribbean and more than 10,000 troops, as well as a blockade of Venezuelan oil, as evidence of ongoing military involvement. Trump has said the U.S. could be involved in the country for years to come.

Our military is still right off the shore of Venezuela, and I know that we want to make sure that we take care of our responsibility as members of the House of Representatives and have the oversight and say to the president, should he decide to strike again, come to the Congress first, said Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, the top Democrat on the foreign affairs panel.

The House voted down a similar measure last month alongside another resolution that would have required congressional approval for strikes on boats suspected of smuggling illegal drugs.

The resolution rejected Thursday, sponsored by Democrat Jim McGovern of Massachusetts and Republican Thomas Massie of Kentucky, directed the president to remove United States Armed Forces from Venezuela, unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific statutory authorization for use of military force.

Democrats and Republican advocates of asserting Congress constitutional power to declare war have said they will continue forcing votes on war powers resolutions for other countries and territories Trump has threatened, including Greenland, Iran, Colombia and Mexico.
Aurelio Luis Perez-Lugones was charged with five counts of unlawfully transmitting and one count of unlawfully retaining classified national defense information, according to the Justice Department. (Jenny Kane/AP)



WASHINGTON  A Pentagon contractor was indicted Thursday on charges that he illegally removed and shared classified national defense information with a journalist, a case that has drawn national attention after federal agents searched a reporters home as part of the investigation.

Aurelio Luis Perez-Lugones was charged with five counts of unlawfully transmitting and one count of unlawfully retaining classified national defense information, the Justice Department said Thursday. The case, which has been linked to last weeks search of Washington Post reporter Hannah Natansons home in Virginia, has drawn scrutiny from press freedom advocates who say it reflects a more aggressive posture by the Justice Department toward leak investigations involving journalists.

Perez-Lugones is accused of taking home printouts of classified documents from his workplace and later passing them to a reporter, FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement. A Justice Department news release doesnt name the reporter or the reporters employer, and the indictment itself wasnt immediately made public. The reporter co-wrote and contributed to at least five articles that contained classified information provided by Perez-Lugones, authorities said.

Investigators found phone messages between Perez-Lugones and the reporter in which they discussed the information that he provided, authorities said. Im going quiet for a bit  just to see if anyone starts asking questions, Perez-Lugones said after sending one of the documents, according to the news release.

Illegally disclosing classified defense information is a grave crime against America that puts both our national security and the lives of our military heroes at risk, Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement.

Attorneys for Perez-Lugones didnt immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

Perez-Lugones, 61, of Laurel, Maryland, has remained jailed since his Jan. 8 arrest. He held a top secret security clearance and is accused of printing out classified and sensitive reports from where he works as a systems engineer and information technology specialist for a government contractor.

In October, Perez-Lugones took a screenshot of a classified intelligence report involving an unspecified foreign country and pasted the image into a Microsoft Word document that he printed out, according to an FBI agents affidavit.

Authorities found documents marked SECRET, including one in a lunchbox, when they searched his home and car this month, according to court papers.

On Wednesday, the Washington Post asked for a court order requiring authorities to return electronic devices that they seized from Natansons home last week. Federal agents seized a phone, two laptops, a recorder, a portable hard drive and a Garmin smartwatch, according to a court filing.

A federal magistrate judge in Alexandria, Virginia, temporarily barred the government from reviewing any material from the seized devices. The judge also scheduled a Feb. 6 hearing on the newspapers request.

The outrageous seizure of our reporters confidential newsgathering materials chills speech, cripples reporting, and inflicts irreparable harm every day the government keeps its hands on these materials, the Post said in a statement.

Natanson has been covering President Donald Trumps transformation of the federal government. The Post recently published a piece in which she described gaining hundreds of new sources from the federal workforce, leading one colleague to call her the federal government whisperer.
The 374th Medical Group at Yokota Air Base, Japan, shown here Jan. 23, 2026, is one of 13 military medical facilities recently named top health providers by The Leapfrog Group. (Marc Castaneda/Stars and Stripes)



Twelve hospitals and one clinic on U.S. military bases worldwide have earned top designations from The Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit organization that evaluates health care quality on behalf of consumers and businesses.

All told, 156 medical facilities were named Top Hospitals in 2025, Leapfrog announced last month. The 13 military facilities recognized represent a record number for the annual list, according to a Dec. 18 news release from the Defense Health Agency.

A Leapfrog designation says to other facilities that we worked hard to meet standards to prevent errors, infections or accidents to our patients, said Air Force Maj. Katerina Loeffler, officer in charge of the 51st Medical Groups operating room at Osan Air Base, South Korea.

So, were meeting a higher level of patient care by putting in effort to attain Leapfrog status, Loeffler said in a video posted Wednesday on the bases Facebook page.

Of the 12 military hospitals recognized, two are in South Korea, two are in Italy and one is in Japan. The remaining hospitals are across the United States, from Alaska to California to South Carolina. Naval Health Clinic Cherry Point in North Carolina was named a Top Ambulatory Surgery Center.

All but two military hospitals earned recognition in the general category. Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital at Fort Polk, La., and Gen. Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., were designated Rural Top Hospitals.

Fewer than 6% of hospitals nationwide receive Top Hospital status each year, according to DHAs release.

Reception area oatf Brian D. Allgood Army Community Hospital at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, Jan. 22, 2026. (Alejandro Carrasquel/Stars and Stripes)

The Brian D. Allgood Army Community Hospital, Camp Humphreys, South Korea, Jan. 22, 2026 (Alejandro Carrasquel/Stars and Stripes)



In Europe, U.S. Naval Hospital Naples and U.S Naval Hospital Sigonella, both in Italy, earned Top Hospital designations. In the Indo-Pacific, the 374th Medical Group at Yokota Air Base, Japan, and Brian D. Allgood Army Community Hospital at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, also made the list.

What really sets our hospital apart is that quality care comes first and the Leapfrog score follows, said U.S. Army Col. Chad Black, director of the Allgood hospital and commander of the 549th Hospital Center and Medical Department Activity  Korea.

From double checking medications to careful prep for surgery and childbirth, our teams focus on doing the right thing for patients every time  and Leapfrog simply reflects that, Black said Friday in an email from hospital spokeswoman Jean Han.

Leapfrog evaluates hospitals using safety and quality measures that include medication safety, maternity care and infection prevention. Hospitals must earn A grades on the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade to quality for Top Hospital status.
Rep. Mark Takano, of California, left, the ranking Democrat, and Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill., the chairman, during a House Committee on Veterans Affairs hearing on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)



WASHINGTON  The Department of Veterans Affairs unveiled a massive plan Thursday for expanding its community care network with the purchase of $1 trillion in private health services over the next decade.

At a contentious hearing of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, the VAs chief financial officer detailed a proposal for restructuring community health care as a nationwide network of providers  including doctors, dentists and pharmacists  managed by third-party administrators.

National and regional health plans would be able to compete to offer their services.

The community care program enables veterans to access private care from non-VA medical providers at the departments expense, the VA said.

I want to make sure that this money goes where it needs to go  to improve veterans health care nationwide, said Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill., the committee chairman, at the start of a hearing to examine the plan.

The VA issued a request for proposals in December to fund multiple contracts for services from private health plans and providers, valued at $1 trillion over 10 years.

Bost described the request for proposals, due March 15, as one of the largest contract solicitations in the nation.

VAs purchasing model will define how the agency organizes, operates and grows care provided by the private sector, he said.

This hearing is only the start of congressional oversight. The VA must get this right, Bost said. Veterans are enrolled in VA care at unprecedented rates. Community care is the only way to keep up.

But Rep. Mark Takano, of California, the top Democrat on the committee, warned that VA is accelerating a shift away from the public health sector to private care, run by large corporations.

He predicted the move will result in out-of-control growth  a cost explosion.

This mirrors the trend in other federal health care programs where taxpayer dollars are paid to private corporations to administer these previously trusted public health programs, said Rachel Madley, executive director of the Center for Health Democracy.

Dr. Rachel Madley, executive director of the Center for Health Democracy, makes remarks at a House Committee on Veterans Affairs hearing on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)



Takano accused VA leadership of rushing the process for soliciting bids without giving prior notice to Congress.

Richard F. Topping, the VAs chief financial officer, testified that the demand for non-VA medical services has continued to rise each year, since the 2018 passage of the MISSION Act, which opened up veterans access to private-sector care.

More than 40% of veterans received at least some of their care from private doctors in fiscal 2025, he said.

Topping said VAs new contract terms with private-sector health plans and providers will ensure the department maintains control over quality and delivery.

Richard F. Topping, the VAs chief financial officer, speaks at a House Committee on Veterans Affairs hearing on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)



In 2018, VA signed contracts with health plans to serve as third-party administrators and manage VAs community care program. But many of those contracts are now set to expire.

New contracts will continue veterans access to non-VA care while expanding the number of providers, Topping said.

VA will have the ability to issue several competitive task orders and adjust requirements, Topping said.

To become a registered provider with the VA, clinicians must undergo a credentialing process and submit extensive information documenting licenses and professional experience.

This program ensures that veterans are not simply referred to any available provider, but to those demonstrating strong outcomes and safe, high-quality care, Topping said. By allowing for multiple contractors to compete for multiple rounds of varied task orders, [VA] will ensure continuous competition over the performance period of the contract.

Health plans and providers that do not meet VA requirements will be off ramped and replaced, Topping said.

This is a revolutionary idea, if done properly. It will give VA unprecedented flexibility to leverage competition for the benefit of veterans, Bost said.

But Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Ill., said she is concerned that the VA is barreling toward privatization with a lucrative spending plan that will enrich heath care corporations.

Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Ill., was among the speakers at a House Committee on Veterans Affairs hearing on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)



Rep. Julia Brownley, D-Calif., said that the VA is becoming a payer, rather than a provider, of health services.

VA is not shutting down facilities, but it does not require important oversight for veterans to receive care in the community, Brownley said. It seems competition is the oversight piece in the contract.

Community care is just one tool to serve veterans, Topping said.

At the same time, the VA plans to spend $2 trillion in direct care at its hospitals and clinics over the same period, he said.

But Madley, of the Center for Health Democracy, warned that the private sector will prioritize profits.

The rapidly spreading pattern of outsourcing federal health programs to private companies comes with the promise of better care and lower costs. However, in reality it results in higher costs, worse care, and taxpayer-funded profits for corporations, Madley said.

Concerned Veterans for America, whose founding in 2011 was backed by conservative billionaires Charles and David Koch, offered an opposing view.

John Vick, the executive director, said veterans will have more choices for health services that are close to home.

Vick, a Marine Corps and Navy veteran, said it personally frustrated him that he was unable to receive coverage to see the same private doctors in his community as family members.

Veterans should have the choice of seeking care either at a VA facility or a community care provider depending on which best meets their needs, Vick said. We advocate for choice and accountability.
Guzman y Gomez (GYG), a Mexican-themed restaurant chain in Australia, has signed a multiyear exclusive strategic partnership with Uber Technologies and Portier Pacific (Uber).

Under the agreement, Uber Eats becomes GYGs sole delivery platform partner in the Australian market.

Customers will be able to place orders for home delivery from their nearest GYG outlet through the Uber Eats app, as well as via GYG Delivery, the companys own branded service that is powered by Uber.

GYG said the partnership supports its focus on providing greater convenience for guests in Australia.

As part of the deal, GYG and Uber intend to increase their joint investment to bring guests even more value, choice and convenience.

The exclusive arrangement aims to improve the delivery economics across GYG restaurants by supporting sales growth and securing more favourable commercial terms.

According to GYG, franchise operators across the country are also expected to benefit, with several initiatives in place to ensure the transition to exclusivity does not adversely impact the sales performance of GYG restaurants.

Delivery has become a significant contributor to GYGs Australian operations, accounting for around 27% of its total domestic sales in the first half of FY26.

The company said this share demonstrates the role of delivery in its wider expansion plans.

The exclusivity applies solely to GYGs Australian network. The company confirmed it will continue to work with all its delivery partners in the US, Singapore and Japan.

GYG founder and co-CEO Steven Marks said: Our guests love the convenience of delivery, and this exclusive partnership with Uber Eats means we can serve them even better.

This isnt just about delivery, its about creating an experience that reflects the quality and speed our guests expect while driving innovation in how we connect with them.

"Australias Guzman y Gomez signs exclusive delivery deal with Uber Eats" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand.




The first emergency services that arrived at the scene of the Adamuz train crash thought that only the derailed Iryo train was involved in the accident.

According to official documents, confirmed by both the Guardia Civil and the Andalusian regional government, it took more than an hour and a half for the victims of the other, more seriously damaged train (Alvia) to receive assistance.

The documents state that neither the police nor the first emergency services that arrived at kilometre 318 of the Madrid-Seville high-speed line at 8pm on 18 January (about 15 minutes after the crash) were told that a Renfe train was also involved.

There are some discrepancies in the chronology. Passengers of the Alvia train have said that the first alerts came much later than the information from the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Transport states. According to the latter, the first news about the second train were reported by a Guardia Civil patrol after 8.15pm. The 112 emergency services reported the accident to the police at 7.47pm.

It was not until 9.16pm that "the Guardia Civil reported an undetermined number of people trapped and several bodies between the two trains, which were almost a kilometre apart". This has been confirmed by officials who were present at the scene.

Until that moment, the paramedics and the rescuers focused exclusively on attending to the passengers of the Iryo train, while the survivors of the Renfe Alvia who managed to get out of the wreckage looked in the distance, bewildered, at the emergency lights of the ambulances that had not arrived yet.

In their statements, survivors say that they decided to go towards the lights when they realised that no one was coming to help them. It was then, as they got closer to the Iryo train, that they came across the first patrols and told them about their train.

93 key minutes

Exactly 93 minutes passed between the incident (7.43pm) and the first official report (9.16pm), which confirmed the existence of a second train. According to official sources, both rail infrastructure company Adif and 112 were aware that there were very serious indications, albeit confusing, that there was a second train involved.

According to the official chronology and the data from the black boxes, at 7.48pm there were two calls from the Atocha control centre (CRC) to the Alvia train driver. Both were unanswered. Just a minute later, Adif received the first reliable confirmation of the Alvia accident through a third call with the train's conductor, who said that she had suffered a blow to the head and that she was going to try to locate the driver, who by then was already dead.

What's more, Alvia survivors started calling the emergency services as early as 7.51pm. The area near Adamuz has reasonable mobile coverage and the calls were successful, according to investigation sources. However, nobody realised at the time that these calls were not coming from the Iryo train but from another train involved in the accident.

Coordinates of the Iryo

According to the reports, at 7.54pm, "H24 and the Adif protection and security centre were asked to mobilise the emergency services: civil protection, health services, fire brigades, state security forces, maintenance base personnel, remote control personnel and the emergency services of the railway companies". All the operatives, however, were given the coordinates of the Iryo. Nobody spoke of the location of the Alvia or of its existence.

"At 8pm, the first Guardia Civil patrol arrived at the scene of the accident" and confirmed the need for more personnel, paramedics and firefighters. At that time, the official chronological documents do not mention two trains.

During a lengthy press conference on Thursday, minister of the interior Fernando Grande-Marlaska was asked whether the police who first arrived knew of the existence of a second train, but he repeatedly dodged the question and provided vague answers.

According to the versions gathered by SUR, it was only when the first survivors of the Alvia managed to approach the Iryo train around 9pm that the emergency services realised that they were facing a double tragedy - a collision between two trains. The Iryo driver, who called the Atocha centre two minutes after the accident, was also not aware that an Alvia had collided with his train. In the first call he reported a "snag" in the catenary - the overhead wire system used to supply electricity to trains - and a derailment in the second call a few minutes later (7.49pm).
Alicia Amate Almeria Friday, 23 January 2026, 16:03 Share

The Almeria seminary, which has been closed since 2021, is planning to start a project to provide training for young vulnerable foreigners. The initiative has received strong criticism by some of the parents of the adjacent Diocesan College. However, the project is still going ahead, although no date has been confirmed.

When asked about the project during a press conference on Thursday 22 January, organised in the Casa Sacerdotal, the Bishop of Almeria, Antonio Gomez Cantero, acknowledged that it is a "slower" procedure than he would like. "If you want to do formal training, you need the Junta de Andalucia and prepare the documents so that the boys who go there to study for three months have formal training, that is to say, that they have a degree", explained Gomez Cantero. He did say that "more and more progress is being made".

Gomez Cantero confirmed that, along with this project promoted by the Jesuit migrant service (SJM-Almeria), four nuns from the order of the Misioneras de Cristo Jesus, each of them from a different origin in Spain, Africa and Asia, will move into the Almeria Seminary building. However, the building will have to undergo some work to make it inhabitable, including modernising the heating system.

The project focuses on the training and labour insertion of migrants exposed to conditions of exclusion, many of them living in shantytowns and other forms of substandard housing in the region of Nijar and Poniente Almeriense, explained the Bishopric of Almeria in its presentation.

The project will be led by SJM-Almeria and the ECCA Social Foundation and will have a team with solid experience. Its director is Fatima Santalo-Ossorio, from the Sacred Heart order, who closely linked to the diocese and recognised for her work at the head of the Bantaba centre in Las Norias.
SUR in English Friday, 23 January 2026, 09:55 Share

The Gibraltar National Museum is preparing a year-long celebration to mark the centenary of a significant archaeological discovery that has captivated researchers and schoolchildren alike.

In 1926, archaeologist Dorothy Garrod excavated the skull of a four-year-old Neanderthal boy from Devil's Tower Cave in Gibraltar. The remains represented only the second Neanderthal skull ever found on the Rock. Following a detailed forensic reconstruction by Dutch specialists Kennis & Kennis, the child has become known as Flint and has captured the imagination of museum visitors, particularly young students.

The commemorative year will feature a series of events culminating in the landmark Calpe Conference, scheduled to take place from 1 to 6 September. Leading researchers in human evolution and Neanderthal studies will present the latest findings at the conference, which organisers view as an opportunity to reflect on how scientific understanding of these ancient humans has evolved. Work carried out in Gibraltar has been particularly influential in reshaping perspectives on Neanderthal cognitive abilities.

The celebration also coincides with the tenth anniversary of the Gorham's Cave Complex receiving UNESCO World Heritage status in 2014. The site remains Gibraltar's only World Heritage designation and is the sole such site globally dedicated exclusively to Neanderthals.

Special events throughout the year will include a themed museum open day on 9 May and a commemoration on 11 June marking the actual discovery date. New museum displays are also planned.

Two books will be released during the commemorative year. Dr. Alex Menez of the Gibraltar National Museum has written Dorothy Garrod and the Devil's Tower Skull, detailing the discovery's historical background, while Professor Geraldine Finlayson has written a children's story titled Flint Wants to Play.

The year's activities begin with a four-part public lecture series at the John Mackintosh Hall, free and open to everyone. The museum team will present different aspects of Neanderthal research with particular focus on Gibraltar's contributions. Professor Clive Finlayson will open the series on 19 February exploring the natural history of Gibraltar's earliest inhabitants. Professor Geraldine Finlayson follows on 17 March discussing Neanderthal behavior and culture. Dr. Alex Menez will present on Dorothy Garrod and the discovery on 8 Apri, with Dr. Stewart Finlayson concluding the series on 7 May with a presentation examining the world through Flint's perspective.
Tony Bryant Friday, 23 January 2026, 14:56 Share

The historic photographs produced by Hungarian war reporter and photojournalist Endre Erno Friedmann (1913-1954), better known as Robert Capa, during the Spanish Civil War (along with those of the other four pivotal conflicts he covered) secured his reputation as the greatest combat photographer in history.

Capa fled political repression in Hungary when he was a teenager, moving to Berlin, where he witnessed the Nazis' rise to power, which forced his move to Paris. It was in the French capital that he began to work with German photographer Gerda Taro, who became his romantic and professional partner and with whom he travelled to Spain at the start of the Spanish conflict.

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Capa was in Spain during 1936 and 1939 covering the war from the frontline in Madrid, along with Polish photographer David Seymour and the then journalist Ernest Hemingway. Hemingway's reports about the war resulted in an article published in Life magazine, which was accompanied by many of Capa's photographs.

It was during this savage conflict that Capa produced the picture that became known as 'the falling soldier', which was published by several magazines, including Life. The photograph purportedly shows a Republican soldier falling to the ground with outstretched arms just seconds after being shot and killed, although the authenticity of the photo has since been questioned by specialists.

Capa's photographs of this chapter of Spain's history have appeared in numerous books, documentaries, and exhibitions. One such exhibition, 'Icons,' is currently taking place in Madrid, a city that honoured the photographer by naming a street after him. Icons presents archives from the Magnum Photos agency, which Capa founded. These works, originally published in magazines during the 1930s, 40s, and 50s, are described as "direct images of great testimonial value".
Visualisation of the initial design of the Esteyco consultancy's project for Plan Guadalmedina.

Jesus Hinojosa Malaga Friday, 23 January 2026, 15:07 Share

Malaga city council is planning a more ambitious traffic reorganisation operation in Plan Guadalmedina for the construction of the 'plaza-bridges'.

Until now, the idea was to build a 1,400-metre tunnel beneath the Santa Isabel corridor and Avenida de la Rosaleda, as well as a 500-metre extension of the existing tunnel under Pasillo de Guimbarda along Avenida de Fatima. A new study, however, is considering a much more comprehensive burying of traffic from Ciudad Jardin to the port.

For this to happen, the city council and municipal company Promalaga have extended the contract signed with consultancy firm Esteyco to include a large-scale traffic reorganisation. The deadline for the preliminary project is end of May and the 302,500-euro budget has been increased by 59,895 euros.

As the city council has pointed out, this upgrade responds to a request from the Port Authority to improve access for goods vehicles to the docks, "based on the high demand for vehicle traffic that the entity port body expects in the coming years".

This increase in the length of the tunnels that will bury traffic on the Guadalmedina riverbank would a change to the ventilation system drafts necessary, replacing the longitudinal system with a more complex transversal one. The tunnels would also have to be widened to accommodate goods transport vehicles.

"This will require a re-evaluation of how the new section fits with the existing underground infrastructure and installations," the city council said.

Demolition and replacement of the tunnel under the Guimbarda corridor

The demolition of the tunnel section between the Aurora and Esperanza bridges, next to Santo Domingo, will be included in the preliminary project of the Guadalmedina plan in order to build a new tunnel adapted to current road safety regulations.

The study is expected to increase the construction budget by 300 million euros. In addition to the construction of the five 'plaza-bridges' planned to connect the city centre with the Trinidad and Perchel districts, Esteyco will also be responsible for carrying out the traffic work.

The Guadalmedina plan's objective is to gain some 12,300 square metres of living areas. Three of the 'plaza-bridges' will be between the Arminan and Aurora bridges and two in the area around Santo Domingo.

The plan also includes interventions in the riverbed to increase the gradient in the stretch between Avenida de Fatima and Avenida de la Rosaleda and create a permanent low-water channel alongside which green spaces will be implemented, forming a sort of 1,400-metre-long riverside park covering 47,900 square metres.
Nuria Triguero Friday, 23 January 2026, 12:59 Share

Mercadona has started work on the construction of its exclusive warehouse in Malaga that will enable online shopping through a new app and website.

This service is already available in Valencia, Barcelona, Madrid, Alicante and Seville.

'La Colmena' ('the hive'), as the company internally calls its online distribution warehouses, will be located on Calle Fernando Sor, in the Trevenez industrial area.

The construction of the Malaga 'Colmena' will require an investment of 25 million euros. The warehouse will occupy 17,050 square metres on a plot of 14,156 square metres. It is expected to be operational by 2027.

The warehouse will gradually extend its delivery services beyond Malaga city, reaching Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Fuengirola, Mijas, Marbella, Estepona and Manilva. Depending on how the project develops, the company plans to expand the service to other municipalities in the province.

More than 300 people will work in the Malaga warehouse, including delivery drivers and order pickers. The selection process will be launched closer to the opening date. The construction process will give work to around 150 people.

Structural changes

In addition, the company has planned structural changes that will optimise the preparation and delivery processes. "By transferring the preparation and dispatch of orders to the Colmena, instead of managing them one by one from the shops, productivity and efficiency are increased, guaranteeing a better service," the supermarket chain states.

Mercadona carries out deliveries in vans with the Eco environmental label with diesel engine and LPG conversion, which can transport up to 15 orders at a time. These vehicles have been exclusively designed with three temperature zones adapted to each type of product: ambient, refrigerated and frozen. In addition, the vehicles are equipped with a mechanised unloading system that supports workers' physical well-being and reduces unloading times.
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In recent years, Dry January has gained ground in France, following a trend that originated in the UK. In both countries now, after the excesses of the festive season, many people choose to abstain from alcohol in January as a way of allegedly resetting their health. However, the French wine sector believes this approach is overly restrictive and does not reflect the country's long-standing culture of responsible drinking. As with many matters, from the political to the gastronomic, France seeks out the most acceptable solution for all involved.

Senorio de la Eralta 2019 A top award winner in last years Rioja blind tasting contest, this tempranillo 13.5 tinto has many fans, since at around 18 euros the price/value ratio is exceptional.

With #FrenchJanuary, Vin & Societe aims to highlight the French art de vivre, where conviviality, gastronomy and moderate enjoyment are part of everyday life. The campaign is not intended to oppose those who decide not to drink at all. Instead, it defends a more flexible approach, adapted to local customs, and insists that everyone should be free to choose whether to drink wine or not, without pressure or moral and social judgement

The initiative invites consumers to savour and enjoy in moderation, rather than imposing a blanket prohibition. According to its promoters, January can also be a time to rediscover the pleasure of sharing a glass in good company, always responsibly, and to extend this mindful attitude throughout the year.

For the French wine sector, campaigns like #FrenchJanuary help keep viticultural traditions alive while reinforcing France's international image. At the same time, they underline the importance of education, awareness of excess, and the promotion of conscious, moderate consumption. Amusingly, the term Dry January, although it would be 'Janvier Sec' in French, is widely referred to in France using the English words.
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Almost a year since the EU last discussed a joint military force, the idea has been revived again in reaction to Donald Trump's belligerence over Greenland. Speaking to reporters this week at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, one of the cushiest fixtures on the diplomatic calendar, Spain's foreign minister Jose Manuel Albares said that a "joint effort would be more effective than 27 separate national armies".

Albares was Spain's most senior representative at the mountain-top retreat for global leaders, CEOs and bankers, now in its 56th year. Pedro Sanchez was due to give a speech to this exclusive audience on Wednesday evening, but cancelled after last Sunday's train crash in Cordoba.

The Spanish premier also endorses the idea of a joint European fighting force. Last March, he said that the bloc needed an army "with troops from all 27 member countries, working under a single flag with the same objectives" to counter the Russian threat, potentially with reduced US support. Kaja Kallas, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, disagreed, claiming that European nations can "effectively work together to deter [their] rivals".

First discussed almost 80 years ago, the idea of a European army has always proved divisive, which in itself undermines Spain's claim that it would be more streamlined than 27 separate military units. Albares has floated the idea again, despite Trump's assurance in his Davos speech that he wouldn't use "excessive force" in taking Greenland, and that he had worked out the "framework" of a deal over the Arctic country in a meeting with Nato chief Mark Rutte.

Ironically, that meeting highlighted what critics of the WEF's annual conference see as its biggest flaw: its exclusivity. On this view, several thousand pampered plutocrats get together in an alpine resort to formulate global policy. Ahead of this year's edition, around 600 protesters participated in a two-day march to Davos, many of whom held banners that called for "Democracy rather than WEF dictatorship".

For some of the delegates in Davos, Trump's meeting with Rutte was indicative of the arrogance that can characterise diplomacy in the Swiss mountains. Sascha Faxe, a Danish politician, said that no "real negotiations" had taken place: "It's [just] two men who have had a conversation." Aaja Chemnitz, a Greenlandic member of the Danish parliament, was also angered that Greenland had been excluded from that conversation. "Nato in no case has the right to negotiate on anything without us," she said.

Nothing definite was decided at this week's Davos conference, either as regards an EU army or Trump's intentions towards Greenland. That won't provide much assurance to Greenlandic or Danish politicians, but it does prove some of the protesters wrong. If the WEF is a global dictatorship, it's an incredibly ineffective one.
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The Bainbridge Cos. has tapped Jennifer Ipock as its vice president of operations, the Wellington, Florida-based property owner, developer and manager announced Wednesday in a press release shared with Multifamily Dive.

Headshot of a woman in business attire.

Based in Bainbridges Charlotte, North Carolina, office, Ipock will support operational strategy across the companys growing portfolio, per the release. She brings more than 25 years of multifamily management experience and has partnered with multifamily developers and institutional owners.

In her new role, Ipock will oversee operational strategy and performance as well as lease-up execution, support onsite leadership teams and help advance the firms commitment to delivering best-in-class living experiences, according to the firm.

Jennifers depth of experience, collaborative leadership style and commitment to developing high-performing teams make her an exceptional addition to Bainbridge, said Marcie Williams, chief strategy officer of Bainbridge, in the release. Her expertise in both lease-up and stabilized operations will be instrumental as we continue to grow and strengthen our portfolio.

Prior to Bainbridge, Ipock was senior director of operations at Charlotte-headquartered RKW Residential, overseeing operational strategy for a diverse portfolio of properties throughout the Carolinas, Florida, Tennessee and Georgia.

Ipock currently serves as vice president with the Greater Charlotte Apartment Association. Per the release, she is also a dedicated mentor to professionals seeking to break into the multifamily industry, reflecting her commitment to talent development and industry advancement.

Founded in1997, Bainbridge has developed more than 43,000 apartment homes and has offices around the country. Last year, the firm launched its first fund to acquire 1990s and newer apartments at discounts to replacement cost in the Sun Belt and mid-Atlantic markets.

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Editors note: Staff writer Anne Hayes contributed to this report.

Salina, N.Y.  The family of a 19-year-old Syracuse woman is demanding answers after she died two weeks ago from a gunshot wound to the head in a Salina home.

At about 10 p.m. Jan. 9, Branaiza Stanley suffered a gunshot wound and was later pronounced dead at Upstate University Hospital, according to Thomas Newton, a spokesperson for the Onondaga County Sheriffs Office.

A family member says that a deadly game of Russian roulette is among the possibilities authorities are investigating.

Sheriff Toby Shelley said the case is being treated as a suspicious death pending the medical examiners findings. The sheriff and Newton said that so far, the death appears to be a suicide.

Investigators are still interviewing people and waiting for the county medical examiners report as well as the results of forensic tests, Newton said.

County Chief Assistant District Attorney Rob Moran Thursday confirmed the investigation is open. He declined to discuss it further.

The cause of death has not yet been determined. Charles Garland, the funeral director handling Stanleys arrangements, said the death certificate from the medical examiner lists the cause as pending further studies.

Stanleys family and friends say they are still searching for answers as to what happened in the home at 647 Old Liverpool Road that Friday night.

Branaiza Stanley suffered a gunshot wound at 647 Old Liverpool Road on Jan. 9, 2025. Vince Gasparini

Stanleys aunt, Felicia McKenzie, said a sheriffs office investigator told her that Stanley and her girlfriend had argued earlier in the night. The investigator said Stanley was later playing Russian roulette when she shot herself in front of her girlfriend, McKenzie said.

They question why Stanley would text her family to go home just minutes before she died.

Text messages obtained by Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard show she texted her sister just before 10 p.m., asking if she could get an Uber. At 10:02 p.m., a text came through from Stanley with the address of the home  but the 911 call reporting the shooting came in around 10 p.m.

The family said it is hard to believe Stanley would be playing with a gun, especially minutes after reaching out to family and friends saying she wanted to leave the house.

On Thursday afternoon, they gathered outside the Onondaga County Courthouse, holding signs and chanting, Justice for Branaiza and Say her name: Branaiza.

The family said they are demanding a thorough investigation into her death.

Protesters later went inside the courthouse and stood outside the District Attorneys Office on the fifth floor, where they continued calling on officials to investigate her death.

On Wednesday night, Stanleys family gathered at the Garland Brothers Funeral Home to see her body for the first time. They hugged, cried and held her.

No matter if youre Black or white, 19-year-olds arent supposed to just die, Garland said.

Stanley was described by her family as loving, generous and full of life.

She had recently started a new job and was working toward her GED while employed at Walmart and in the food court in Destiny USA. She grew up on Syracuses South Side and attended Corcoran High School.

She was silly, she loved her family and she was happy, McKenzie said.

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A GoFundMe fundraiser has been started to help the family pay for an independent autopsy.

Branazia Stanleys obituary

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Lowville, N.Y. - A Lowville official was arrested after he brought a handgun into the village offices but didnt have a valid pistol permit, troopers said.

Paul A. Denise, 56, of Lowville, brought a Heckler & Koch P2000SK handgun into offices on Jan. 2, according to Trooper Jennifer Jiron, a State Police spokesperson.

Denise has been the villages superintendent of public works since 2020. He made $80,173 in 2025, according to online payroll records.

The handgun was obtained by Denise from a family member who gave it to him for safekeeping while they were out of the country, Jiron said. Denise displayed the gun during a conversation with coworkers.

Denise did not possess a valid New York State pistol permit to carry, she said. He voluntarily surrendered the gun to troopers.

On Thursday, Denise was charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a misdemeanor. He was issued an appearance ticket returnable to Lowville Town Court on March 5.

Lowville Mayor Danny Salmon said the village board will fully cooperate with the investigation but had no comment on the incident as it is a personnel matter, according to a news release.
Syracuse, N.Y.  Syracuse Mayor Sharon Owens is drawing kudos from past critics and rebukes from supporters with her decision to suspend a residency requirement for new city police officers.

In her first major reversal of a former Mayor Ben Walsh policy priority, Owens said she shes listening to a recommendation from SPD Chief Mark Rusin to lift the requirement for a two-year trial period to gather data on how it affects a long-running staffing shortage. Its a reversal of Owens stance on the issue during her successful 2025 election campaign.

Owens said she still supports the concept behind the contractually negotiated mandate that new cops live in Syracuse during their first five years of employment. But Rusin convinced her shortly after she appointed him as chief to pause the requirement before new contract talks with the police officers union begin in 2027.

I fundamentally believe that it is in the best interest, not just for the public, but for our youngest officers, that living in the city will give them the best experience in the day-to-day of their lives, Owens said. But the practicality of it for me is listening to my chief back when I offered him the job right after Thanksgiving, really talking about the size of our force and the trouble that were having.

SPD in recent years has consistently been 30 to 40 officers short of the roughly 420 sworn positions in its budget. Efforts to hire new cops struggle to keep pace with the volume of retirements.

We are pouring water into a bucket with a hole in it, she said.

Owens said data gathered over the next year will help inform contract talks with the officers union in which the residency issue will be renegotiated. She said the information gathered could lead to multiple scenarios, including bringing the existing five-year requirement back, modifying it or dropping it completely.

Well have some data that we can take a look at what the influence of residency would be, she said.

The residency requirement first went into effect in 2022 after the Syracuse Police Benevolent Association and the Walsh administration agreed to the provision in exchange for significant bonuses and other compensation. The Syracuse Common Council rejected the deal, which led to an independent arbitrator including it in a final ruling in 2021.

At the time, Walsh hailed the residency requirement as something that has long been sought by this community and is a top priority for my administration.

Owens, Walshs deputy, echoed that sentiment during her campaign for mayor in 2025. She disputed the contention made by opponents that residency was hurting recruiting and retention significantly.

Apathy toward public safety careers is the greater culprit and we must take proactive steps to reverse that trend, she wrote in response to a syracuse.com question to all mayoral candidates. As mayor, I will maintain the current five-year minimum residency requirement for new officers.

The city has a preliminary agreement with the PBA in connection with the suspension of the residency requirement. Deputy Mayor Corey Driscoll Dunham said the deal states that the five-year residency rule will return at the end of 2027 unless an extension or modification of the (rule suspension) or contract is agreed is agreed upon.

The two sides also agreed to have an external entity analyze data and give an assessment of the residency rules impact.

One of Owens opponents in the Democratic mayoral primary who advocated against the residency rule for cops said hes encouraged by Owens decision. Pat Hogan said fellow Democrat Owens is showing true leadership.

I applaud her changing her mind, he said. It shows she can be flexible when confronting the reality that the residency requirement hurts recruitment and hurts our ability to protect our neighborhoods.

Even the Syracuse City Republican Committee commented in favor of the move.

We will give credit where credit is due, the committee posted on Facebook. We thought the residency requirement was a misguided policy when implemented by the previous administration and are now pleased to see it is being paused. It should be permanently repealed.

But advocates of a police residency mandate said the decision is concerning.

If an officer believes that city residents are not good enough for them to live among, then by the same logic, the community should question whether that officer is appropriate to patrol its streets, said Common Councilor Chol Majok, who also ran in the Democratic mayoral primary against Owens and was the councils Public Safety Committee chair from 2020 through 2025.

Policing is rooted in trust, shared stake, and mutual accountability, he said. When officers choose to distance themselves from the people they serve, it undermines the very foundation of community policing.

Civil rights advocate Barrie Gewanter also said shes troubled. She supported Owens during the campaign and served with her and Rusin as part of the citys Police Reform and Reinvention Plan Oversight Committee in 2021 and 2022.

Noting the nationwide tensions with federal immigration enforcement activities that trample on basic civil rights, Gewanter would have liked the mayor to take some more time to consider the impact of the move and engage the community on it.

At this point in time especially, I think its important to have law enforcement officers who have a commitment to the communities they serve beyond the paycheck, she said.

Gewanter said she agrees that SPDs staff level is a real problem that needs attention, but hopes the residency requirement is not permanently lost.

Current Common Council Public Safety Committee Chair Donna Moore said Owens spoke with her about the plan on Sunday. While Moore sees the value of a residency mandate, she supports the approach the mayor is taking.

Its worth giving it a try, she said.
A country superstar is returning to Upstate New York on his 2026 tour dates.

Luke Bryan announced more than 30 concerts Friday, including stops June 26 at the Taste of Country festival in Buffalo, Aug. 26 at CMAC in Canandaigua, and Aug. 29 at the Broadview Stage at SPAC (Saratoga Performing Arts Center) in Saratoga Springs. Special guests at CMAC and SPAC include Drew Baldridge and Lanie Gardner, while Taste of Country will be co-headlined by Jordan Davis.

Tickets for the CMAC and SPAC concerts go on sale Friday, Jan. 30, at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster. Tickets for Buffalos Taste of Country are available through mlb.tickets.com.

Fans can also look for tickets on Vivid Seats, StubHub and Seat Geek.

Bryan is a five-time Entertainer of the Year winner known for country music hits like Thats My Kind of Night, Country Girl (Shake It for Me), Play It Again, I Dont Want this Night to End, Knockin Boots, Kick the Dust Up and Rain is a Good Thing. He is also a celebrity judge on American Idol, which returns for season 24 on Feb. 18 with Ryan Seacrest, Carrie Underwood and Lionel Richie.

Bryan tours often in Upstate New York, drawing a sold-out crowd to the Syracuse amphitheater in 2025. He also played the New York State Fair in 2013, the Carrier Dome in 2015, and dozens of other shows across the region.

Luke Bryan Word on the Street tour dates

5/29 Gilford, NH - BankNH Pavilion

5/30 Gilford, NH - BankNH Pavilion

6/5 Myrtle Beach - Carolina Country Music Fest

6/11 Fort Worth, TX - Dickies Arena

6/12 Lubbock, TX - United Supermarkets Arena

6/13 Albuquerque, NM - Isleta Amphitheater

6/18 Wichita, KS - INTRUST Bank Arena

6/19 Des Moines, IA - Caseys Center

6/20 Winsted, MN - Winstock Country Music Festival

6/25 Allentown, PA - PPL Center

6/26 Buffalo, NY - Taste of Country

6/27 Nashville, TN - Alan Jackson Last Call at Nissan Stadium

7/9 Kansas City, MO - Morton Amphitheater

7/10 Moline, IL - Vibrant Arena

7/11 Clarkston, MI - Pine Knob Music Theatre

7/23 Southaven, MS - Bank Plus Amphitheater at Snowden Grove

7/24 Brandon, MS - Brandon Amphitheater

7/25 Orange Beach, AL - The Wharf Amphitheater

7/30 Rapid City, SD - Summit Arena at The Monument

7/31 Billings, MT - First Interstate Arena at MetraPark

8/6 Bend, OR - Hayden Homes Amphitheater

8/7 Airway Heights, WA - BECU Live at Northern Quest

8/8 Auburn, WA - White River Amphitheatre

8/14 Mountain View, CA - Shoreline Amphitheatre

8/15 Long Beach, CA - Long Beach Amphitheater

8/22 Charlotte, NC - Truliant Amphitheater

8/26 Canandaigua, NY - Constellation Brands/Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center

8/27 Ottawa, ON - Canadian Tire Centre

8/29 Saratoga Springs, NY - Saratoga Performing Arts Center

9/10 Tampa, FL - MIDLFORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre

9/12 West Palm Beach, FL - iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre

9/26 East Troy, WI - Alpine Valley Music Theatre
Phil Collins is opening up about his health as he approaches his 75th birthday on Jan. 30.

The former Genesis frontman spoke to British presenter Zoe Ball for the BBC podcast series Eras this week, where he reflected on his notable career and where hes at now.

I have a 24-hour, live-in nurse to make sure I take my medication as I should do, he revealed to Ball.

Collins then detailed a series of health problems that have plagued him in recent years. Ive had challenges with my knee, I had everything that could go wrong with me, did go wrong with me. I got Covid in hospital, my kidneys started to back up.

The eight-time Grammy winner acknowledged that excessive drinking may have contributed to his kidney problems. Id probably been drinking too much, and so my kidneys were messed up, he said. I wasnt one of those guys that sort of stayed up all night drinking. Id drink during the day, but I guess I had too much of it.

He added: But it is just one of those things that happened and it all caught up with me, and I spent months in hospital.

The decorated musician called it a difficult, interesting, frustrating last few years. He also shared that hes had five operations on his knee, noting I can walk, albeit with assistance.

The musicians struggles are the result of years of mounting injuries. He underwent back surgery in 2015 that left him with nerve damage. A fall in 2017 resulted in him using a cane to assist with walking.

By 2022, his health forced him to retire from the drums entirely, as he could no longer grip a drumstick. During Genesiss final tour that year, his son, Nic Collins, took over percussion while he handled vocals from a seated position.

His physical decline has also affected his creative drive. Last year, Collins told MOJO magazine that he is no longer hungry to record. I keep thinking I should go downstairs to the studio and see what happens, but... Ive been sick. I mean, very sick.

Despite his struggles, Collins struck a note of positivity about his career. I couldnt have wished for a more varied and eventful playing career, he told Ball during this weeks recordings.

His forthcoming docu-concert is set to make its world premiere in Syracuse next month.

The Phil Collins Story, celebrating the life, career and music of Collins, will debut Feb. 3 at the Landmark Theatre in Syracuse, N.Y. The show, chronicling his songs from Genesis to his solo works, will begin at 7:30 p.m.
(We all have our go-to order. This series is about shaking that up. Each week, Ill share one sandwich at a Central New York restaurant thats worth trying  and explain why it ended up on my plate. If you know a sandwich I should try, text me at 315-382-1984. I just may invite you along.)

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Syracuse, N.Y.  This sandwich isnt trying to surprise you; its trying to feed you. Well, maybe its trying to feed you twice.

The chicken parmigiana sandwich at Urban Table is exactly what it sounds like: chicken parm on bread. There are no unnecessary flourishes, just a big, deeply satisfying sandwich built by someone who cares about how it comes together.

And when it lands on the tray, it lands with authority and a big thump.

This thing weighs 1 pound, 7 ounces, which makes the $15 price tag seem like a bargain. Thats part of the reason its the first pick for Syracuse Sandwich of the Week, a new series focused on sandwiches that dont always get top billing, the ones hiding behind a more famous dish or buried deeper on the menu. Regardless, they are absolutely worth your time.

Urban Table is a new ghost kitchen operating inside West Side Kitchen in the former Patsys Pizza space at 1205 Erie Blvd. West. Kelly Nasto, a Syracuse native who spent about 25 years in Las Vegas managing restaurants and running a catering business before coming home, opened Urban Table in October.

Her slogan is simple: Feed the body, stir the soul.

Kelly Nasto in her kitchen at Urban Table on Erie Boulevard West in Syracuse. (Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com) (Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com)

From the beginning, Nasto has taken a deliberately flexible approach to bread, working with several local bakeries for sub rolls rather than committing to just one.

I have a really loyal group of regular guests, and I trust them, especially when theyre critical, she said. That feedback has been invaluable in dialing in what works best for our sandwiches.

Long term, she plans to bake her own rolls in-house, just as she already does for her pizzetta, calzone and stromboli dough.

Bread matters, she said. Its not just a vessel. Its part of the experience.

Until its exactly where she wants it to be, shes happy to test, listen and refine.

That attention to detail shows in the chicken parm.

The sandwich starts with a 12-inch sub roll, split and toasted in a Blodgett pizza oven for about five minutes. Early each day, Nasto pounds chicken breasts to roughly a third of an inch thick, breads them in seasoned panko and flash-freezes them. When its time to build this sandwich, two cutlets go into an iron skillet with about an inch of hot olive oil blend until lightly golden.

Two chicken breast take a swim in hot olive oil before becoming the heart of a sandwich at Urban Table on Erie Boulevard West in Syracuse. (Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com) (Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com)

Her marinara is straightforward and fresh: hand-crushed tomatoes, extra-virgin olive oil, fresh garlic, basil, Italian seasoning, pecorino cheese and a splash of dry sherry. She warms that while the chicken cooks.

The cutlets get topped with Grande mozzarella and returned to the oven until the cheese melts. The toasted bread comes out and gets brushed with brown butter infused with fresh garlic, giving it a rich, nutty flavor before the chicken covers it up. Two ladles of sauce follow, plus more mozzarella, then the whole thing heads back into the oven until fully toasted.

Before its served, the sandwich gets another brush of the butter-garlic blend and a sprinkle of parmesan, then its cut cleanly in half and set on a tray. Extra sauce comes on the side, a smart move, since most orders are to go.

Nasto serves it with a roasted red pepper potato salad. No mayonnaise. That means its basically healthy. Right?

What makes this sandwich work isnt novelty; its balance. The chicken stays crisp, the bread holds up, and the cheese pulls the way its supposed to. The sauce does the heavy lifting. Its bright, fresh and tomato-forward. I could taste all the crushed tomatoes, garlic and basil that went into my meal.

There was no realistic chance I was finishing this during my lunch break, so I didnt bother. I went home with a late-night snack.

This chicken parm will make you want to slow down, sit back and think about a glass of red wine you dont have in front of you.

I added extra red pepper flakes and kept going.

Thats how the first sandwich earns its spot.

Urban Table is a ghost kitchen inside the West End Kitchen on Erie Boulevard West in Syracuse. (Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com) (Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com)

Sandwich: Chicken Parmigiana, $15

Address: Urban Table, inside the West Side Kitchen at 1205 Erie Blvd. West, Syracuse (the old Patsys Pizza near Tipperary Hill); (315) 718-6611

Hours: Monday-Friday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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Syracuse, N.Y.  In a moment of celebration about Micron Technologys arrival in Central New York, in front of hundreds at a Syracuse University building dedicated to veterans, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick took aim at what he called DEI crap.

The audience remained quiet during the comments.

That silent response didnt stop Lutnick, who cursed and railed against diversity, equity and inclusion programs while marking the start of site work for Micron Technologys planned $100 billion semiconductor plant in nearby Clay.

Lutnick went further. During his 15-minute speech Friday afternoon, he gave credit to President Donald Trump for erasing any DEI requirements from companies like Micron, which are using billions in federal dollars to build chip factories in the U.S.

Thats not exactly the case.

The federal Chips and Science Act, the law that President Joe Biden got through Congress with bipartisan support, provides $52 billion in incentives for companies to bring chipmaking back to American shores. Micron is getting $20.4 billion in federal grants and tax credits from the act to build the first phase of its memory chip factory in Clay.

The law includes provisions intended to help minority groups get some of the American jobs created by the act. For example, it requires the Department of Commerce, in administering the financial assistance program, to work with economically disadvantaged individuals, minority-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, and women-owned businesses. That has not changed.

Micron, led by CEO Sanjay Mehrotra, an Indian-American business executive, says the project will create up to 9,000 jobs in Clay over the next 20 years, plus another 40,000 jobs at supply chain and other companies lured to the area by the plant.

Like many institutions in recent months, Micron has modified its public messaging about diversity, equity and inclusion  the DEI phrase and policies that Trump has railed against.

Micron now prefers the term global culture and workforce. But diversity and inclusion remain a part of the company, which until last year produced an annual report touting those efforts.

Micron celebrates diversity through conferences and hiring, participates in an array of holidays and festivals, and even works abroad to use its engineering skills to help local communities, such as an effort to help vulnerable people in Mexico fight flooding.

Trump has signed an executive order aimed at sweeping away DEI requirements and efforts with federal contractors.

That might be what Lutnick was getting at in front of Microns top officials and about 300 people gathered at Syracuse University last Friday.

Heres a section of his comments. The transcript has only been edited for punctuation:

I grew up on Long Island, my sister, I lost my parents right when I went to college. My sister went to Syracuse, law school, business school, and my brother moved up with her and graduated. I think its like Nottingham or Notting Hill High School, like the high school thats right around here while she was going to graduate school, he was living here.

So I drove up. I think I drove up here every other weekend while I was in college to see my sister and my brother, because I lost my parents. So this matters, right?

But the Chips Act was full of this DEI crap, right? And when youre trying to build semiconductor manufacturing, you cant make diversity rules of engineers. You either want it in America and you want it to be successful and you want to win, or you dont. But if you start to put in, you know, whats your environmental, you know, output of this factory, then youre going to end up with people not wanting to build here.

So which is it? Do you want to build for the fundamental national security of the United States of America? Or you dont, right? And we cut out the bullshit, all right?

And what we wanted was we want we had zero, as you heard Sanjay said, zero, high bandwidth memory, like 2% of logic, we are subservient to Southeast Asia. We want to build a drone. We got to call them. You want to build an F-35, you got to call them. You want to build anything, you have to call them. That has got to end.

And that is why we changed the thinking. We negotiated with these companies and say, if you want the DEI crap out, build more in America. Commit more to America, and we worked hard, and we worked hard with the people up here in Clay, and we worked hard with the county, right? And we cleared the crap out.
As children in the crowd babbled and sun streamed into the auditorium of Syracuse Universitys College of Law, 34 people were sworn as new United States citizens.

Applicants from 18 different countries took the Oath of Allegiance in front of family and friends Thursday, marking the last step of their journey towards citizenship.

Chief Magistrate Judge Therese Wiley Dancks presided over the naturalization ceremony. She said it would be her last time granting citizenship before retirement.

Norval Anderson became a citizen in front of the people he said motivated his two-year journey: his wife, Roneisha Anderson, and their 8-month-old daughter.

Andersons five-year-old son still lives in Jamaica, where Anderson was born. They havent seen each other in four years. Anderson hopes that as a citizen, he will be able to reunite with his boy. Roneisha, who has only met Andersons son through video, is also hopeful they will meet in person.

I wanted to get him here, but thats something that being a citizen should help it happen faster, Anderson said.

Growing up with seven siblings in Jamaica, life was difficult for Anderson and his family. After leaving the country in 2021, he said his experiences prepared him to build a life in the United States.

That really made me into who I am to be honest, to never shy away from a challenge because those were the things that made me always challenge myself to be better, he said.

Attendees cheered and rejoiced, capturing photographs as the newly declared citizens were called to the front of the auditorium. When he stood to receive his certificate, Anderson was happy to hear at least three other candidates from Jamaica called.

I turned to my wife and said we were one of the most represented countries being naturalized, he said. Its a good feeling to see people from our country doing this and its a good feeling seeing the struggle because its really challenging to be honest.

Several active-duty military service members wore their uniforms as they became citizens.

Eight years ago, Dexter McLennon moved to New York City after facing persecution in his native country of Guyana. He decided to join the military as a way to give back to the U.S. for welcoming him.

Navigating that process was tough, he said.

A year after he left home, McLennon learned that his mother had died. A year later, his grandmother died as well. As a green card holder, McLennon was unable to visit his family or attend their funerals. The day before his naturalization ceremony, he learned his brother had also died.

I was holding back tears, he said. My mind was on all the people I lost and could not be there to see them off. The first thing I have to do when receiving my citizenship is to find a passport to go to bury my brother.

As hugs were shared in the crowd, Judge Dancks addressed the new citizens directly, asking them to engage with their communities and make use of their civil rights.

Judge Dancks graduated from SUs College of Law in 1991 and became the first female Magistrate Judge in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York.

During the recent naturalization, Dancks thanked the new citizens, calling the ceremony joyful and wonderful.

These ceremonies are so important and so beautiful and so meaningful to me, Dancks said. I consider my service to the court as my personal love letter to my community and to my country, and I consider myself deeply patriotic.
Mount Pleasant, N.Y.  A 61-year-old Westchester County man died late Wednesday after a wrong-way driver struck his vehicle head-on on the Taconic State Parkway, according to State Police.

The wrong-way driver was an off-duty New York City police officer, troopers said.

Manuel Boitel, of Peekskill, was pronounced dead at Westchester Medical Center following the collision that occurred at approximately 11:39 p.m. in the northbound lanes of the parkway in the town of Mount Pleasant.

Tiffany P. Howell, 47, of Warwick, was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes when her 2021 Infiniti struck Boitels 2024 Toyota, troopers said.

Howell was transported to Westchester Medical Center with what appeared to be non-life-threatening injuries, troopers said.

The state Attorney Generals Office has been notified of the incident as required under NYS Executive Law Section 70-b that requires the office to investigate any death involving police officers.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is asked to contact the New York State Police Hawthorne Bureau of Criminal Investigation at 914-742-6057.
Baker Tilly International has brought a new member company on board in Qatar, adding to its presence in the Middle East.

According to a company statement, Baker Tilly (Qatar) has more than 20 years of experience. The practice provides audit, accounting, tax, advisory and consulting services to clients in multiple industries.

Baker Tilly (Qatar) managing partner Sami Lutfi Zaitoon said: Since our inception, we have been dedicated to delivering exceptional service to both local and international clients. By joining Baker Tilly, we are significantly enhancing our reach and service capabilities.

This strategic evolution allows us to pair our deep local expertise with the scale, resources and collaboration of the Baker Tilly global network, ensuring we are perfectly positioned to support our clients navigating complex, cross-border challenges.

The Qatar practice joins the network after Baker Tilly International added member companies in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia last year, extending its coverage across the wider region.

In the UAE, Baker Tilly International added a Dubai-based company to bolster its foothold in what is considered a key strategic market.

Commenting on the latest addition, Baker Tilly International CEO Francesca Lagerberg said: Qatars National Vision 2030 is transforming the country into a dynamic hub for finance, technology, logistics and trade.

We are seeing strong demand for advisory services among small, medium-sized and family-owned businesses, alongside increased merger and acquisition activity across key sectors.

Welcoming an experienced firm in Qatar strengthens our regional capabilities, enabling us to support clients with both local insight and cross-border expertise, and ensuring we can effectively serve international clients in this strategically important market.

"Baker Tilly International expands Middle East footprint" was originally created and published by International Accounting Bulletin, a GlobalData owned brand.




President Donald Trump is once again upset at the New York Times, this time over the release of a poll that shows him with a poor approval rating.

In the poll released Thursday, 49% of respondents said the country was worse off, while just 32% said it was better off. The poll also said that more than half of Americans, 51%, believe Trumps policies made life less affordable.

Trumps overall approval rating was at 40%, down 3 points since September.

The president took to Truth Social, his social media site, to dispute the poll and rail against the Times and other media outlets, accusing them of printing fake polls.

The New York Times, and so many others, print Polls that are knowingly false. They have become deranged, and sick. They suffer from a major case of TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME (TDS), Trump posted.

In another post, Trump said that the poll will be a part of his $15 billion defamation case against the Times.

The Times Siena Poll, which is always tremendously negative to me, especially just before the Election of 2024, where I won in a Landslide, will be added to my lawsuit against The Failing New York Times. Our lawyers have demanded that they keep all Records, and how they computed these fake results  Not just the fact that it was heavily skewed toward Democrats. They will be held fully responsible for all of their Radical Left lies and wrongdoing! Trump posted.

President Trump likes polls that appear favorable to him and dislikes polls that do not, Times spokesperson Charlie Stadtlander said in a post to social media site X. But whether a poll is good or bad for the president has no bearing on our methodology. We aim to produce the most reliable survey of public opinion possible, and our polls have been widely cited for their rigor.

Trump filed the defamation suit against the Times in September. Judge Steven D. Merryday, of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, threw the suit out within days for being too long, The Hill reported. A complaint is not a public forum for vituperation and invective, Merryday wrote.

Trumps lawyers refiled the lawsuit  with the complaint trimmed to 40 pages  in October, The Hill reported.

The lawsuit names the Times and three Times reporters, accusing them of making statements in two articles and a book that wrongly defame and disparage President Trumps hard-earned professional reputation, which he painstakingly built for decades as a private citizen before becoming President of the United States, including as a successful businessman and as star of the most successful reality television show of all-time The Apprentice.
WASHINGTON  The Trump administration is expanding its ban on U.S. foreign aid for groups supporting abortion services to include assistance going to international and domestic organizations and agencies that promote gender identity as well as diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

An administration official said Thursday that the State Department would release final rules that expand the scope of the Mexico City policy that has already severely reduced assistance to international organizations that provide abortion-related care. The policy was first established under President Ronald Reagan, rescinded by subsequent Democratic administrations and reinstated in Trumps first term.

The new rules, first reported by Fox News, would halt foreign assistance from going toward not only groups that provide abortion as a method of family planning but also those that advocate gender ideology and DEI, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity ahead of the rules publication in the Federal Register on Friday.

The change, which threatens billions in funding for groups around the world, was part of a series of actions that the Trump administration timed to this weeks anniversary of the now-overturned Roe v. Wade ruling and anti-abortion activists annual March for Life demonstration in Washington.

The official said the expanded policy would apply to more than $30 billion in foreign aid that the U.S. provides and would cover not only foreign and U.S.-based aid agencies but international organizations.

LGBTQ+ and abortion rights advocates said the changes would force humanitarian aid groups and others to choose between U.S. funding and the sometimes entirely unrelated lifesaving services they provide around the world.

The Trump administrations expanded global gag rule puts politics between people and their care, Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson said in a statement. Simply put, the White House is putting medically necessary health care at risk for people around the world in service to a political agenda.

Beirne Roose-Snyder, senior policy fellow at the Council for Global Equality, said, Its hard for me to even begin to anticipate how destructive this will be.

Anti-abortion advocates welcomed the expansion. SBA Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser said on a call with reporters that the Trump administration presented it to them alongside other new actions. Among them were the National Institutes of Health halting funding for research that uses human fetal tissue and the Small Business Administration launching a review into Planned Parenthoods use of COVID-era loans.

All of these things are fantastic news, Dannenfelser said.

It was not immediately clear how significant the impact of the foreign aid bans expansion would be. The Trump administration has already slashed hundreds of millions of dollars in foreign aid and dismantled the U.S. Agency for International Development, which had been the main provider of U.S. assistance.

But if the new rules are written as expected, many more billions of dollars will be affected than in any prior period, said Jen Kates, senior vice president and director of the Global and Public Health Policy Program at the health care research nonprofit KFF.

It is also the latest effort by the Trump administration to take aim at DEI programs in the federal government. The White House reposted a Fox News article on X seemingly confirming the plans, but did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.
Expedition 33's Continent offers sprawling landscapes filled with secret arenas, hidden sanctuaries, and tucked-away crawl spaces. Players who follow Clair Obscur exploration tips can uncover rare Pictos, Chroma Catalysts, and Revive Tint Shards by examining light cues, flickering lamps, and subtle environmental hints. Many treasures are hidden behind cracked walls, climbable ledges, or low-lying vegetation gaps, encouraging careful observation and backtracking.

Mastering these hidden areas requires understanding the interplay of verticality, interactive totems, and environmental puzzles. Story lamps mark main routes, while dim lanterns hint at optional side paths with mini-bosses like Gestral or rare loot. By combining map awareness with attention to detail, players maximize rewards, complete side challenges, and uncover Expedition 33's map secrets efficiently.

Best Clair Obscur Exploration Tips for Hidden Areas

Expedition 33's Continent hides secret arenas, sanctuaries, and crawl spaces behind mountains and coral reefs. Clair Obscur exploration tips reveal hidden areas through light cues, flickering lamps, and subtle environmental hints. Players who notice cracked walls, climbable ledges, and crouch holes can uncover rare Pictos, Chroma Catalysts, and Revive Tint Shards.

Cracked Walls/Cliffs: Look for breakable stone with visible footholds; smashing them often leads to Energy Tint Shards. Grapple golden anchors across chasms; some are missable in linear zones like Flying Waters cliffs.

Look for breakable stone with visible footholds; smashing them often leads to Energy Tint Shards. Grapple golden anchors across chasms; some are missable in linear zones like Flying Waters cliffs. Paint Cages: Solve three-lock puzzles on coral, mines, or crates to unlock Chroma Elixir Shards and Colours of Lumina. Lumieran Streets has examples requiring reef, floating mine, and reef path locks simultaneously.

Solve three-lock puzzles on coral, mines, or crates to unlock Chroma Elixir Shards and Colours of Lumina. Lumieran Streets has examples requiring reef, floating mine, and reef path locks simultaneously. Crouch Holes: Low vegetation gaps near totems conceal translucent plant fields containing Revive Shards. Manor Dining Room features four switches opening a fireplace crawl space.

Low vegetation gaps near totems conceal translucent plant fields containing Revive Shards. Manor Dining Room features four switches opening a fireplace crawl space. Ladders/Ramps: Detours after boss encounters yield 360 Chroma and access to Catalysts via narrow grapple paths.

Detours after boss encounters yield 360 Chroma and access to Catalysts via narrow grapple paths. Totem Paths: Forks past Sakapatates hide Healing Shards; purple loot beams are often guarded by Cruliers.

Forks past Sakapatates hide Healing Shards; purple loot beams are often guarded by Cruliers. Hidden Platforms: Vertical shafts and partially obscured floors may lead to secret collectibles or shortcuts.

Vertical shafts and partially obscured floors may lead to secret collectibles or shortcuts. Interactive Objects: Movable crates, destructible barrels, and colored beams often mark puzzle solutions.

Movable crates, destructible barrels, and colored beams often mark puzzle solutions. Environmental Light Cues: Flickering lanterns and subtle glows hint at optional paths.

Flickering lanterns and subtle glows hint at optional paths. Backtracking Opportunities: Previously inaccessible areas may unlock after upgrades or special abilities.

Previously inaccessible areas may unlock after upgrades or special abilities. Mini-Boss Arenas: Optional encounters in hidden areas drop rare weapons or resources when cleared.

How to Uncover Map Secrets in Early Zones

Map secrets in Act 1 provide early advantages for progressing Expedition 33. Hidden Gestral Arena west of the village pits players against duos for 1v1 Pictos before Sciel unlocks. Coral Caves branch left from the Expedition Flag; defeating the Chromatic Troubadour and climbing ramps rewards a Colour of Lumina.

Crows shooting challenges near Visages drop rare ammo for mid-game. Dark ladders descending to Revive Shards require careful navigation. Flower Field detours hide Goblu boss loot. Focusing on interactive objects, secret ladders, and subtle environmental cues ensures players uncover these early map secrets efficiently.

Act 3 Map Secrets and Late-Game Hidden Areas

Late-game zones reward mastery of Clair Obscur exploration tips. Endless Night Sanctuary's dark vale hosts Grim Gestral lore, requiring light orbs for access. Chosen Path's shadowy atelier spawns five Nevron canvases; entries are solo per party member with no repeats.

Crimson Forest and Painting Room contain solo challenges; White Sands and Sunless Cliffs hide treasures via rope descents. Flying Manor and Flying Waters require grappling post-Noco's Hut to reach Coral Caves. Returning with Monoco enables retrieval of previously missed grapples and collectibles. These hidden areas encourage exploration, puzzle-solving, and careful observation to collect map secrets.

Advanced Exploration: Arenas, Portals, and Backtracking

Advanced exploration enhances Clair Obscur hidden area discovery and map secrets. Secret arenas, like Crimson Forest, challenge upgraded teams; Manor Carousel spins post-Curator duel rewards. Interactive maps and Steam guides log collectibles and minor missables like the Mime in Lumiere.

Light sources differentiate paths: lamps indicate story progression, lanterns optional branches. Vertical huts teleport players; brick paths often fork to hidden brick-walled secrets. Combining these strategies with backtracking and attention to light, terrain, and interactive objects ensures complete Expedition 33 exploration. Mastering Clair Obscur exploration tips, hidden areas, and map secrets maximizes gameplay completion.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I find all hidden areas in Clair Obscur?

Check for cracked walls, grapples, crouch holes, and subtle environmental cues. Use light sources to differentiate story paths from optional routes. Interactive objects like crates or totems often hide collectibles. Backtracking after upgrades reveals previously inaccessible zones.

2. What are Paint Cages and how do I unlock them?

Paint Cages are three-lock puzzles often found on coral, mines, or crates. Solve all locks simultaneously to access Chroma Elixir Shards or Colours of Lumina. Some locations require multiple team members or precise timing. They reward exploration and puzzle-solving skills.

3. Which areas have rare collectibles in early zones?

Early zones like Visages and Coral Caves hide Revive Shards, Goblu boss loot, and rare ammo. Look for dark ladders, low vegetation gaps, or flickering lanterns. Secret arenas and interactive objects often lead to unique rewards. Observation and careful navigation are key.

4. Can I access late-game hidden areas without backtracking?

Some zones, like Flying Manor or Endless Night Sanctuary, require revisiting after upgrades. Rope descents and grapple points may be inaccessible initially. Monoco portals unlock previously unreachable collectibles. Returning strategically ensures full completion.
With a market cap of $13.9 billion, Best Buy Co., Inc. (BBY) is a leading retailer of technology products, appliances, and consumer electronics, operating through physical stores and online platforms in the U.S., Canada, and internationally. It also provides delivery, installation, repair, technical support, and membership services through its stores, websites, and well-known brands such as Best Buy, Geek Squad, Insignia, and Best Buy Health.

The Richfield, Minnesota-based company is expected to announce its fiscal Q4 2026 results soon. Ahead of this event, analysts expect Best Buy to report an adjusted EPS of $2.50, down 3.1% from $2.58 in the year-ago quarter. However, it has surpassed Wall Street's earnings estimates in the last four quarters.

More News from Barchart

For fiscal 2026, analysts expect the consumer electronics retailer to report an adjusted EPS of $6.32, a marginal decline from $6.37 in fiscal 2025. However, adjusted EPS is anticipated to grow 7.8% year-over-year to $6.81 in fiscal 2027.

www.barchart.com

Shares of Best Buy have declined 21.3% over the past 52 weeks, underperforming both the S&P 500 Index's ($SPX) 13.7% gain and the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF's (XLY) 5.2% return over the period.

www.barchart.com

Shares of Best Buy jumped 5.3% on Nov. 25 because the company delivered better-than-expected Q3 2026 results, including adjusted EPS of $1.40 and revenue of $9.67 billion. Investors also reacted positively to enterprise comparable-sales growth of 2.7%, driven by strength in computing, gaming, and mobile phones. Confidence grew further after the company raised 2026 adjusted EPS guidance to $6.25 - $6.35.

Analysts' consensus view on BBY stock is cautiously optimistic, with a "Moderate Buy" rating overall. Among 24 analysts covering the stock, eight recommend "Strong Buy," 15 indicate Hold, and one advises "Moderate Sell." The average analyst price target for Best Buy is $82.31, suggesting a potential upside of 23.7% from current levels.

On the date of publication, Sohini Mondal did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com
Japan punk rock lawyer leads climate justice fight



Tokyo, Jan 23 (AFP) Jan 23, 2026



Japan's punk rock lawyer Akihiro Shima was belting out songs at a packed bar in Tokyo, sporting a mohawk and bright-red jacket, nine days after filing a landmark climate lawsuit.

The 63-year-old rallied over 450 plaintiffs across Japan last month in a landmark lawsuit seeking damages from the central government over its alleged "grossly inadequate" response to climate change.

For Shima, the suit is "the culmination of everything" he has spent years fighting for, first as a musician and then a lawyer.

When the punk movement barrelled through Japan in the late 1970s, then-teenaged Shima was convinced he would "change society through rock-n-roll", he told AFP.

Decades later, he has lost none of his fervour.

Roaring the lyrics "Free Palestine!" and "Dance in the street for your rights" at a tiny, dimly-lit Tokyo bar in December Shima lauded his latest legal battle between songs.

"There are people spewing carbon dioxide because of their selfish lifestyles, while people who don't live like this at all are seeing their islands on the verge of sinking," he told audience members during the December performance.

"Our future generations will be the biggest victim," he said, eliciting a few nods.



- 'Superbly cool' -



A longtime fan of Shima, 60-year-old caregiver Kumiko Aoki was among those inspired to join the lawsuit as a plaintiff.

"The fact that he peppers his songs with clear messages like 'no war'... I think that's superbly cool," she told AFP at the bar.

Aoki and her fellow plaintiffs argue that Japan's "unconstitutional" inaction on climate change violates their constitutional rights to health and a peaceful life, and criticise Tokyo's emissions reduction targets as unambitious.

Japan is committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 60 percent by 2035 and 73 percent by 2040 compared with 2013 levels -- reaching net-zero by mid-century.

Experts say the suit's chances of winning are slim, but it could raise awareness and stir public opinion.

For Shima, the suit is the endpoint of a journey that began as a teenager, when he read the Japanese novel "Compound Pollution" -- a diatribe against industrial waste, agricultural chemicals and food additives.

Shima explained that as a teen poring over the novel he'd thought: "As long as we remain hell-bent on pursuing materialism and an economic status, our planet won't hold up."

He became a household "radical", chivvying his parents into replacing laundry detergents with bar soap and boycotting their car and got involved in other causes, from poverty to discrimination.



- Nude shoot -



For many years, music was his medium, and he embraced punk's anti-establishment message enthusiastically.

He and his musician friends even shot a CD cover nude in front of Japan's parliament as a political protest.

But as Shima turned 41, "it dawned on me that all my talk about social revolution or my niche band activity wasn't changing society a bit".

He went back to school and became a lawyer in 2010, with his first lawsuit naming a polar bear as a plaintiff and arguing global warming amounts to pollution.

After the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, he led a lawsuit against major nuclear reactor suppliers and also formed a new band: "Shima Kick Jiro & No Nukes Rights."

Given his age, he acknowledges his latest lawsuit might be his last, but believes it addresses profound questions about the future.

"We intend for this lawsuit to prompt the question of what kind of society we want to live in 30 years from now," he said.

For all his environmental passion, Shima admits he hasn't made songs about climate change yet.

"I haven't been able to find a way to make words like 'climate' sound cool," he said.

Could his landmark lawsuit change that?

"I will try," he said with a smile.
Rescuers dig for six missing in New Zealand landslide



Mount Maunganui, New Zealand, Jan 23 (AFP) Jan 23, 2026



Rescuers dug into deep mud searching for at least six people still missing Friday after a landslide from an extinct volcano crashed into a popular campsite in northern New Zealand.

Police said a 15-year-old was the youngest person unaccounted for after a chunk of Mount Maunganui ploughed into holidaymakers Thursday, smashing a shower block, camper vans and caravans.

Battered vehicles were carted away after being pulled out of the mud.

Voices could be heard calling for help from beneath the rubble just after the mudslide, which struck the tourist spot following heavy rain that lashed a large swathe of New Zealand's North Island.

But nothing has been heard since then, witnesses and emergency officials say.

A team of search and rescue personnel, contractors with mechanical excavators, and police sniffer dogs worked through the night and into the following day in search of possible survivors.

- No evacuation -

At one point in the search, an AFP reporter at the scene saw the diggers call a halt to their work. A police photographer was called in, and a hearse was later seen leaving the scene.

Emergency services declined to discuss the recovery of any bodies, saying it would be insensitive to families.

About two dozen family members watched the excavations from across the road.

"We have six people that we know aren't accounted for," Assistant Police Commissioner Tim Anderson told reporters at the scene.

Officers were trying to confirm the whereabouts of three other campers believed to have left the campsite, he said.

Asked if there were any signs of life, Anderson said: "Not as of today but we live in hope."

New Zealand authorities are facing questions over why people were not evacuated following reports of a landslip at the campsite earlier in the day.

"We've heard there was possibly a small slip where people did move away from from the site," local Tauranga mayor Mahe Drysdale said.

"Those questions will be answered."



- 'Complex and high-risk' -



Progress was slow as teams painstakingly cleared layers of debris, said Fire and Emergency assistant national commander David Guard.

"We are operating in a complex and high-risk environment," Guard said.

"We will continue the operation until the search is complete."

Emergency workers retrieved two bodies on Thursday from a separate landslide that ploughed into a home in the nearby harbourside city of Tauranga.

One of the dead was a Chinese national, officials said.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he had spoken to families of the missing at the campsite.

"Everyone is clearly highly anxious, clearly hopeful," he told reporters at the camping ground.

"There's massive hope, there's massive worry, concern. But every individual that I spoke to is handling it in slightly different ways."
In remote Senegal, chimp researchers escape gold mines' perils



Kedougou, Senegal, Jan 23 (AFP) Jan 23, 2026



Michel Tama Sadiakhou's future dramatically changed course some 15 years ago thanks to a clan of spear-wielding apes: instead of the dangerous work in informal gold mines that is the fate of many in Senegal's far southeast, he now researches rare chimpanzees.

He is among five people from local villages, all but one without a high school diploma, working on a project focused on the area's highly unusual savannah-dwelling chimpanzees.

Not only has it proven a deep dive into science, but for several of them, it has also offered an escape from the mines.

"It's really a stroke of luck," Sadiakhou told AFP of his involvement in the Fongoli Savanna Chimpanzee Project, which was founded by US primatologist Jill Pruetz in 2001.

Pruetz has made a number of discoveries while studying a community of about three dozen West African chimpanzees, which she dubbed the Fongoli chimps.

The group lives in the bush -- rather than the forest as is more common -- alongside other similar chimp communities in Senegal's Kedougou region on the border with Mali and Guinea.

The Fongoli chimpanzees are the only documented animals in the world to regularly hunt with tools, fashioning branches into spears for killing smaller primates known as bush babies, a method used extensively by the females.

On a recent morning, Mike, a charismatic, middle-aged chimp, ambled along the savannah floor, baobab fruit dangling by a stem from his mouth -- a snack for later -- as Sadiakhou watched.

Every five minutes, he and his fellow researchers take notes, singling out one of the group's 10 adult males to follow each day.

From vocalisations to food intake, social interactions to rhythmic beating on trees, known as buttress drumming, they note down everything.

The four researchers and project manager are from the region's Bedik and Bassari ethnic groups.

After leaving high school, Sadiakhou, a 37-year-old Bedik father of four, worked in the gold mines, known locally as the dioura.

Seeing Pruetz and others repeatedly driving past his village he decided to apply for work and was hired to the project in 2009, having never seen a chimp in his life.

Now head researcher, he describes the apes as a "second family".

"When I'm with the chimpanzees, even if I'm alone, it's like I'm with other people," Sadiakhou told AFP reporters, who spent two days with the researchers at the primates' home range.



- 'Dioura' boom -



Fellow researcher Nazaire Bonnag, 31, also put the dioura behind him.

One day "I saw someone go down there (into the mines) and he never came back up", Bonnag told AFP from the study's permanent camp -- a cluster of thatched roof huts inside the Fongoli range.

When the man was determined to have suffocated from gas and his body pulled out by a rope, Bonnag decided "no, I can't continue like this".

The Kedougou region, where the Fongoli range is located, accounts for 98 percent of Senegal's gold mining sites, a 2018 government study said.

It is also one of its poorest regions, with a poverty rate of more than 65 percent, according to statistics from 2021-2022.

At one of several dioura sites on the Fongoli chimps' range, a gaping hole in the ground leads to a deep tunnel where tired, dirt-covered men entered and exited.

More than 30,000 people work in Senegal's traditional gold mining sector, according to the 2018 study.

Aliou Bakhoum, head of the NGO La Lumiere in the regional capital of Kedougou, said the number had only increased in the last few years.

The dioura can be lucrative for those who find gold but it is down to "luck", Bakhoum told AFP, saying the work is dangerous, with long tunnels that are far too deep and subject to cave-ins.



- Adaptations to extreme heat -



A gold mining boom since the 2010s has lured not just locals but people from neighbouring west African countries too and presents new hurdles for the chimps such as increased water pollution, deforestation and the spread of human diseases.

The Fongoli chimps, who today number 35, were the first and for a long time only group of savannah chimpanzees to be acclimated to the presence of researchers.

Pruetz's findings have been startling: Living in the extreme savannah heat, the Fongoli apes have learned to soak in natural pools, rest in cool caves and are calm in the presence of fire.

Their adaptations to a landscape at the edge of what is possible for their species can help shed light on human evolution and the early hominins living in similar climates millions of years ago, according to Pruetz.

Dondo "Johnny" Kante, the study's project manager, comes from a nearby Bedik village and believes that including local workers helps the wider community take "interest in the project".

With any luck, he said, the researchers' involvement will inspire other locals to "continue to support, protect and truly work for the well-being" of the Fongoli chimps.
Protected forests under threat in DRC's lucrative mining belt



Likasi, DR Congo, Jan 23 (AFP) Jan 23, 2026



Valery Kyembo was leading an inspection of his community's protected forest reserve deep in the Democratic Republic of Congo's mining belt when two armed Congolese soldiers blocked their way.

Behind the troops, a barrier restricted access to a developing mine site. One soldier brandished his weapon in a clear warning -- Kyembo should turn back instead of reaching the reserve.

As US and other companies jostle with China over the DRC's critical minerals, communities like Lukutwe in the southern province of Haut-Katanga fear increasing restrictions and incursions into nature reserves as they seek to protect their land.

Kyembo's Lukutwe community forest reserve obtained official land titles to help avoid unauthorised exploitation, as huge metal reserves draw more investors.

But community leaders fear displacement from traditional lands despite the communities' protected status.

Haut-Katanga produces a host of minerals, but none more in demand than the silver-tinged cobalt, essential for electric batteries and in defence technology.

The DRC produces around 70 percent of the world's cobalt.

In Lukutwe, 70 kilometres (45 miles) from the mining capital Lubumbashi, community leaders said they established a forest concession to legalise customary land titles after watching mining firm SEK, a subsidiary of Australia's Tiger Resources, displace other villages a decade ago.

"We wanted to have our own titled land," Kyembo said, echoing people from surrounding villages.

Demand for minerals under Katanga's earth is heating up.

US President Donald Trump, who has sought to broker an end to decades of conflict in eastern DRC, has made "mineral diplomacy" key to his approach, looking for access for American companies in exchange.



- Customary land -



For villages like Lukutwe, which often hold land rights dating back generations but lack formal paperwork, the concessions are a way to secure land titles and protect the region's vast savannah forest systems.

Since 2016, forest concessions, known as CFCL by their French acronym, have been part of the DRC's strategy to let communities manage their forests.

They "effectively constitute a safeguard against pressure over their land... relocations and expropriations by mining companies," said Heritier Khoji, a specialist in the region's forests and an agronomy professor at the University of Lubumbashi.

In Haut-Katanga, there are now 20 reserves, covering 239,000 hectares (60,000 acres). Twelve more are in the process of approval.

The DRC's south is covered in what are known as Miombo forests, the largest dry tropical forest ecosystem in the world. But, as in other parts of Africa, forests are shrinking due to agriculture, deforestation and mining.

From 2001 to 2024, the Lualaba and Haut-Katanga provinces lost 1.38 million hectares of tree cover, much of it along the copper-cobalt belt, according to Global Forest Watch.

The DRC's mining registry shows the copper-cobalt belt has one of the country's highest concentrations of exploration and mine licences.

Overseen by Indigenous and local communities, the forest reserves allow environmental management through sustainable projects, reforestation and controlled charcoal production, and set aside specific areas for conservation and rural development.

In theory, mining companies that overlap with or impact the reserves can pay royalties to communities for their operations.

Each reserve has a volunteer brigade to monitor access points and boundaries, said Kibole Kahutu, vice-president of the CFCL Katanga.



- Mining pressure -



Environmentalists and rights groups meanwhile worry over threats to waterways, farming and health.

A leak of waste from a facility run by Congo Dongfang Mining (CDM), a subsidiary of China's Huayou Cobalt, flooded suburbs of Lubumbashi in November, prompting the Congolese government to suspend the miner's operations.

Many of the Haut-Katanga reserves are surrounded by or overlap with mining companies.

For example, the Kambala forest initiative, which is yet to be fully approved, overlaps with the exploration permit of MMG Kinsevere SARL, a subsidiary of Australia-based MMG Limited, whose main shareholder is the Chinese company China Minmetals.

Khoji, the agronomy professor, said community forest concessions are not perfect. Sometimes, even communities mine in environmentally destructive ways.

Companies can operate in a concession after obtaining community consent. But local communities complain miners still obtain licences on secured lands even without consent or benefit-sharing agreements.

For communities, "obtaining the concession is a safeguard against land pressures, but the difficult application of laws, decrees, orders... is an obstacle," Khoji said.

Politics also plays a role, with poor communities lacking clout.

In villages like Lukutwe, forestry concessions often do not generate immediate returns, and the lack of funds discourages some residents, said Veronique Sebente, representative of a committee managing collective land ownership.

Katanga also faces incursions and attacks by loggers from Lubumbashi who come to produce charcoal to sell in the regional capital.

"These people sometimes surprise us by surrounding us and attacking. We have difficulty securing the concession," said Kahutu, the vice-president of the CFCL Katanga.

Community members say forest concessions with the government offer at least some protection.

But a road built across the CFCL Katanga to reach a mining site is a reminder that one day a mining company may try to come for their land.

"Our only support in this case consists of the CFCL documents obtained from the government," Kahutu said.

The DRC's environment and mines ministers as well as mining companies SEK and MMG were contacted, but none responded before publication.

This article is part of a reporting project between Mongabay and Agence France-Presse (AFP).

burs/jhb
Long-awaited first snowfall brings relief to water-scarce Kabul



Kabul, Jan 23 (AFP) Jan 23, 2026



Children sliding around on plastic bags, boys engaging in lively snowball fights, and families taking selfies on white-covered streets: residents of Kabul rejoiced on Friday at the long-awaited first snowfall of the winter.

Snow usually comes to the Afghan capital in December, but its six million inhabitants are increasingly feeling the effects of climate change, which has brought rising temperatures and water shortages that have disrupted daily life.

"In recent years, snow in Kabul has felt like nothing less than a blessing," 22-year-old Rukhsar Adel told AFP.

She and her family eagerly checked the weather forecast the night before and felt "happy and relieved" when white flakes started to fall on Thursday morning.

Kabul may run out of ground water by as early as 2030 due to climate change and rapid urbanisation, studies show.

A United Nations projection also indicates that nearly half of Kabul's boreholes -- the primary source of drinking water for residents -- are already dry.

"More than half of the winter had already passed without snowfall. People became worried and even prayed for snow," Adel said.



- Hope for water -



"We all need water, and there is a lack of water in Kabul," said 32-year-old Hekmatullah Ahady, adding that a 100-meter-deep (330-foot) well at his house dried up last year.

He said he hoped the snow would help to replenish water levels and make it easier for his family to get water.

Plus, he said, seeing the city blanketed in white was "so nice", even though his commute to work took longer.

Severe storms and heavy rains have killed at least 15 people, including children, across Afghanistan in the last three days, officials have said, though there have been no reported casualties in Kabul.

Heavy snow both in the provinces and the capital has caused traffic accidents, with rescue teams mobilised all night to give assistance, according to the National Disaster Management Authority.

In a change from Kabul's traffic-clogged streets, people enjoyed a rare dose of quiet as some drivers left their cars unused.

Boys took full advantage, hurling snowballs at each other along roadsides and in alleys, while small crowds gathered at street stalls to buy warm soup or coffee.
Press Release from Business Wire: COP16 Riyadh



(AFP) Jan 23, 2026



DAVOS, Jan 23, 2026 (BSW) - TheUnited Nations Convention to Combat Desertification(UNCCD) Secretariat and the UNCCD COP16 Presidency, led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, today announced the official launch of the Business4Land (B4L) Champions' Council at a high-level event hosted at InTent during the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260123993933/en/

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Secretariat and the UNCCD COP16 Presidency launched the Business4Land (B4L) Champions' Council at the World Economic Forum in Davos (Photo: AETOSWire)



The B4L Champions' Council brings together global CEOs and senior executives from across the agriculture, consulting, environmental services, fashion, food, pulp/paper. renewable energy, and technology sectors. It aims to drive private sector leadership in restoring 1.5 billion hectares of degraded land by 2030-aligning business ambition with the global SDG goals for climate, biodiversity, and land degradation neutrality.

"Half of GDP depends on land because our fresh water is on land, our farms are on land, our forests are on land, our cities are on land, our villages are on land, our roads are on land. Yet every year, 100 million hectares of land are degraded because of business as usual. We need to shift to business unusual," said H.E. Dr. Osama Ibrahim Faqeeha, Deputy Minister of Environment of Saudi Arabia and Advisor to the COP16 Presidency. "We cannot do it without the business community. We need to have a major shift in our attitude to land and redesign our spending. The good news is that by investing in land, there is no losing, there is only winning."

The Council will support B4L actions aligned with the Riyadh Action Agenda to catalyze actions from the private sector, launched at COP16 in Riyadh in December 2024, where over US$12 billion was pledged for land restoration and drought resilience, including contributions from the Arab Coordination Group, the Islamic Development Bank, the OPEC Fund, and the Government of Saudi Arabia. The B4L Champions' Council will build on this momentum through coordinated business action.

"There is a cost for inaction, and there is a huge revenue that will come with action: For each dollar spent on land, it would generate around 30 dollars in revenue," said Yasmine Fouad, Executive Secretary of UNCCD. "The B4L initiative is the only official and formal private sector platform out of the UN conventions, from climate change to biodiversity that actually now exists. This is not a voluntary contribution; it is a part of Corporate Social Responsibility."

Driving Business Action for Land Regeneration

The B4L Champions' Council objectives include mobilizing private capital and corporate action to scale up regenerative and land-positive business models; championing business and investment cases for land restoration, drought resilience, food security, and community well-being; fostering business-to-business collaboration across value chains; and supporting policy alignment through structured public-private dialogue with governments and multilateral institutions.

The Council will also play a key role in supporting the implementation of the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership (RGDRP), which was launched to address growing drought risks through coordinated global action.

During the launch in Davos, founding corporate leaders underscored land restoration as an urgent business imperative.

Nexira's Managing Director emphasized the need for measurable impact and sustainable sourcing across agricultural value chains, while Suzano's Executive Vice-President for Sustainability highlighted how regenerative forestry strengthens biodiversity and long-term financial resilience. Furthermore, the founder of Gut & Bosel shared practical insights on building soil health and reversing land degradation through farm-level innovation.

The launch marks a key milestone in positioning land at the heart of both climate and development agendas, while highlighting the pivotal role of the private sector in accelerating a regenerative, land-positive future.

Source:AETOSWire







View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260123993933/en/









Contact

Abdulaziz S. Al Wosifer, Advisor to the Deputy Minister, COP16Riyadh[email protected]







 2026 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release.
BlackRock recognized Ethereums dominance in tokenization on Wednesday, dedicating a portion of its 2026 thematic outlook to the networks potential grip on Wall Street.

Pondering whether Ethereum could become the toll road to blockchain-based markets, the report stated that Ethereum could be poised to benefit from a shift spurring moves across legacy financial institutions, from DTCC to the New York Stock Exchange.

Ethereum currently underpins 65% of tokenized assets, according to the report. Meanwhile, the adoption of stablecoins is outpacing spot crypto trading volumes, suggesting that tokenized assets may have a use-case outside of purely speculative trading.

The second-largest digital asset by market cap has the potential to accrue value if a growing number of firms tap Ethereum for creating digital representations of real-world assets, according to Jay Jacobs, U.S. Head of Equity ETFs at BlackRock. He authored the report.

If we see more tokenized assets utilizing the Ethereum blockchain, ultimately, you would see it be a beneficiary of additional trading activity, [and the] issuance of things like stablecoins or real- world assets, Jacobs told Decrypt.

If youre an investor looking to play the growing adoption of blockchain technology, one of the best and probably fastest-growing use cases right now is tokenization, and Ethereum is a beneficiary of that trend, he added.

Although a pie chart included in the report references 10 networks capable of supporting tokenized assets, Bitcoin and Ethereum are the only ones that are mentioned elsewhere, suggesting that the worlds largest asset manager has a distinct view toward them.

DTCC 'Not Building Walled Gardens' for Tokenization, Says Digital Assets Head

The report didnt include assets tokenized on Canton Network either. The permissioned blockchain, which was recently tapped by DTCC for its tokenization pilot, is currently used as a record-keeping layer for $362 billion in real-world assets, according to RWA.xyz. Ethereum, meanwhile, supports $13.2 billion in real-world assets that can be managed in-wallet.

When it comes to BlackRocks tokenized money market fund, BUIDL, the $1.6 billion product primarily exists on Ethereum ($499 million) and Binances BNB Chain ($503 million).

Broadly, Jacobs said theres a lot of interest in what BlackRock is calling the convergence, where traditional markets are becoming increasingly interconnected with crypto. He pointed to spot exchange-traded funds for digital assets as an example.

BlackRock is behind the largest ETFs for Bitcoin and Ethereum, which have $70.6 billion and $10.7 billion in assets under management, respectively, according to CoinGlass. The firm has stood by as competitors have created products for other digital assets like XRP and Solana.
US firm owned by Trump donor buys German oil storage giant



Frankfurt, Germany, Jan 23 (AFP) Jan 23, 2026



A US takeover of a major German operator of fuel storage sites has been approved, Berlin said Friday, despite warnings about the new owner's close links to US President Donald Trump.

The news comes as Germany-US ties deteriorate under Trump, who has hit Europe with tariffs, repeatedly questioned whether the continent is on the right track, and threatened to seize Greenland from NATO ally Denmark.

The economy ministry confirmed to AFP that it had approved the sale of TanQuid, which operates 15 sites in Germany and one in Poland, to US fuel distributor Sunoco after conducting a security review.

"The TanQuid Group is being taken over by a leading, experienced, internationally active company in the field of energy infrastructure and fuel distribution," a ministry spokeswoman said.

But Sunoco's parent company is Energy Transfer (ET), a Texas-based pipeline operator whose billionaire CEO Kelcy Warren is a major Trump donor.

When the sale of the German group by its former Australian owners Macquarie was first announced last year, lawmakers from the Greens party raised concerns.

In parliamentary questions in July, the party asked about the "potential impact on European energy supply, especially in light of the publicly known political proximity of the company's management to the current US president".

They also queried what the government thought of the potential for German companies' access to the storage facilities to be a restricted by a US corporation in the event of "geopolitical tensions".

Greenpeace said the sale of TanQuid was a "serious mistake".

"It is placing critical energy infrastructure in the hands of a US fossil fuel corporation and disregarding all legitimate security and climate policy concerns," said Nina Noelle, a Greenpeace expert on international crisis response.

"Economic interests are clearly being prioritised over long-term security and democratic values."

Greenpeace was last year ordered to pay over $660 million in damages to ET in a case condemned as an attack on climate action.

ET had accused the environmental advocacy group of orchestrating violence and defamation during the construction of a pipeline project. Greenpeace vowed to appeal the ruling.

TanQuid stores a huge number of products including petrol, diesel and kerosene as well as various chemicals and biofuels and also operates pipelines.

sr/vbw/cw









ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY
Press Release from Business Wire: Bureau Veritas



(AFP) Jan 23, 2026



COURBEVOIE, Jan 23, 2026 (BSW) - Bureau Veritas , a global leader in Testing, Inspection, and Certification services (TIC), announces the acquisition of SPIN360, a leading Italian consulting firm specialized in sustainable innovation and development across primary premium fashion and luxury brands.

This acquisition aligns with Bureau Veritas' LEAP | 28 strategy to create new strongholds in the Consumer Product Services (CPS) industry, and to accelerate its growth in key markets such as Italy.

The transaction will deliver on value creation opportunities, by combining SPIN360's proprietary Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tools and data-driven advisory services with Bureau Veritas' certification and supply chain auditing expertise. It will also help position Bureau Veritas as a global center of excellence for premium fashion and luxury.

Created in 2009 and based in Milan, SPIN360 provides technical advisory services covering LCA, life cycle costing, environmental product declarations, carbon footprint, supply chain engagement and monitoring, and ESG reporting. It employs c.30 highly skilled experts and serves a diversified base of global clients in fashion and luxury, tanneries, material, softline and footwear. In 2024, the group generated c. EUR4 million in revenue.

"This acquisition is in line with our LEAP I 28 strategy to focus our portfolio and to help businesses navigate the complexity of sustainable transformation," said Hinda Gharbi, Chief Executive Officer of Bureau Veritas."Our ambition is to establish Bureau Veritas as the preferred partner for premium fashion and luxury brands seeking integrated compliance and sustainability solutions."

About Bureau Veritas:

Bureau Veritas is a world leader in inspection, certification, and laboratory testing services with a powerful purpose: to shape a world of trust by ensuring responsible progress. With a vision to be the preferred partner for customers' excellence and sustainability, the company innovates to help them navigate change.Created in 1828, Bureau Veritas' 84,000 employees deliver services in 140 countries. The company's technical experts support customers to address challenges in quality, health and safety, environmental protection, and sustainability.Bureau Veritas is listed on Euronext Paris and belongs to the CAC 40, CAC 40 ESG, SBF 120 indices and is part of the CAC SBT 1.5 index. Compartment A, ISIN code FR 0006174348, stock symbol: BVI.

For more information, visit http://www.bureauveritas.com, and follow us on LinkedIn.

Our information is certified with blockchain technology.Check that this press release is genuine at www.wiztrust.com.







View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260123359885/en/









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ANALYST/INVESTOR CONTACTSLaurent Brunelle+33 (0)1 55 24 76 09[email protected] Colin Verbrugghe+33 (0)1 55 24 77 80[email protected] Romain Gorge[email protected] Ines Lagoutte[email protected] MEDIA CONTACTSFrederic Vallois+33 (0)6 21 66 31 04[email protected]







 2026 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release.
Snow and ice storm set to sweep US



New York, Jan 23 (AFP) Jan 23, 2026



A massive winter storm was set to drop a mix of freezing rain and heavy snow on some 160 million Americans starting Friday, threatening to bring dangerously icy conditions.

Multiple US states declared states of emergency as meteorologists said the storm would soon begin marching across much of the continental US, covering a wide swath of the country's middle including the Rockies and Plains.

It could bring "catastrophic ice accumulation," the National Weather Service said, and could result in "long-duration power outages, extensive tree damage, and extremely dangerous or impassable travel conditions," including in many states less accustomed to intense winter weather.

The storm was expected to linger for days, shifting into the heavily populated mid-Atlantic and northeastern states while crippling daily life and ushering in a frigid air mass across the country.

More than 1,800 weekend flights have already been cancelled, according to the tracker Flightaware, including many in Texas.

State officials there vowed the grid that failed during a deadly winter storm five years ago and left millions without power was now better prepared.

The southern state's Republican Governor Greg Abbott told journalists Thursday the grid "has never been stronger, never been more prepared and is fully capable of handling this winter storm."

Civil and environmental engineering professor Daniel Cohan of Rice University told AFP the system was indeed better winterized than it was in 2021, and that the state also has added solar production and storage since then.

The electricity authority "should have plenty of power to go around this time," Cohan said.

Warming centers were set to open in the Houston area Saturday afternoon.



- Extreme cold -



In New York state, Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul warned of extreme cold that could make even short trips outdoors dangerous.

She emphasized risks ranging from hypothermia to heart attacks while shoveling, stressing precautions like protecting pipes, using heaters safely, and checking on vulnerable neighbors.

"Five or six minutes outside could literally be dangerous for your health," she said, adding that emergency crews were fully mobilized.

New York's Zohran Mamdani was meanwhile set to face his first major test as mayor -- the city famously makes early judgments of newly elected leaders based on ability to keep congested streets clear.

Speaking to local television Friday, Democrat Mamdani said he was not planning to close schools Monday and that remote learning was an option -- even as one student emailed the mayor's wife and spelled out a case for a snow day.

"She thought it was a good argument," an unconvinced Mamdani chuckled.

The storm is set to usher in frigid temperatures and dangerous winds that could last a week in some areas.

Parts of the Upper Midwest were already experiencing wind chills forecast to hit in the range of -55F (-48C), bitter temperatures that can cause frostbite within minutes.



- Polar vortex -



The brutal storm system is the result of a stretched polar vortex, an Arctic region of cold, low-pressure air that normally forms a relatively compact, circular system but sometimes morphs into a more oval shape, sending cold air spilling across North America.

Scientists say the increasing frequency of such disruptions of the polar vortex may be linked to climate change, though the debate is not yet settled and natural variability also plays a role.

But President Donald Trump -- who scoffs at climate change science and has rolled back green energy policies -- wasted no time in questioning how the cold front fit into broader climate shifts.

"Could the Environmental Insurrectionists please explain - WHATEVER HAPPENED TO GLOBAL WARMING???," the Republican leader posted on his platform Truth Social.

State officials were more focused on the immediate threats the powerful storm posed to residents, with at least 14 states from the south to the northeast as well as Washington DC declaring states of emergency.

Political leaders across the country were encouraging people to stock up on food and dry goods, prepare first aid and supply kits and keep their vehicle gas tanks full to prevent fuel lines from freezing.

In Magnolia, a municipality north of Houston, one supermarket was close to running out of bottled water as Texans bought them out.

Anne Schultz said she wasn't particularly fearful, but that preparation was still important.

"If the power stays on, we should all be fine," the 68-year-old told AFP.
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In 2022, Amanda Knox returned to Italy to confront the prosecutor who wrongfully convicted her of the murder of her roommate, in an attempt to reconcile with her traumatic past.

Knoxs harrowing journey back to the country where she served nearly four years in prison is now the subject of a new documentary, titled Mouth of the Wolf: Amanda Knox Returns to Italy.

Helmed by Knoxs husband, Christopher Robinson, in his directorial debut, the film follows the author and activist as she travels to Italy to speak at an Innocence Project conference. While there, she meets face-to-face with the lead prosecutor, Italian magistrate Giuliano Mignini, who sent her to prison nearly 20 years earlier.

I am Amanda Knox. I am a mom, Im a writer, and I am the girl who was accused of murder, Knox says in the documentarys trailer. That doesnt go away.

I got s*** treatment from the media, but the media didnt put me in prison. He did, she adds of Mignini, who has since retired as a public prosecutor.

open image in gallery Amanda Knox will come face-to-face with the prosecutor who put her in prison, years after she was falsely convicted of the murder of her roommate, in the new documentary 'Mouth of the Wolf: Amanda Knox Returns to Italy' ( Getty )

open image in gallery Giuliano Mignini (left) was the lead prosecutor in the wrongful conviction of Knox ( Getty )

I wanted to know if the person who hurt me cared, Knox says. So I went back to confront the man who put me in prison face-to-face.

In one scene, her husband warns her that if youre going because you think its going to heal you, it could be crushing if it doesnt do what you want it to do.

Knox, now 38, and her then-boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, were wrongly convicted for the 2007 murder of her British roommate, Meredith Kercher, in Perugia, Italy. The two spent nearly four years in prison before they were later acquitted and released in 2011. Upon her release, Knox became an advocate for prison reform.

Her case and the media firestorm that surrounded her trial have been dramatized in numerous series and biopics, including the 2025 limited series The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox, which was executive produced by Knox herself.

However, the forthcoming documentary is the first project to depict Amandas long journey to figure out how to reconcile with the country of Italy and with the man who sent her to prison, Robinson explained to The Hollywood Reporter in an interview.

And Amanda has actually met with her prosecutor twice, Robinson revealed, and he has said things to her that are startling, and their relationship has continued to develop. So, the process of finding peace and closure is not one that just ends on a button  its a journey, and Mouth of the Wolf is showing how that journey has continued.

Mouth of the Wolf: Amanda Knox Returns to Italy premieres January 26 on Hulu and Disney+.
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Hollywood luminaries Scarlett Johansson and Cate Blanchett, alongside Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan and the iconic band REM, have joined forces to sign an open letter accusing technology giants of "theft" for using copyrighted artistic work to train artificial intelligence models.

The letter, spearheaded by the Human Artistry Campaigns Stealing Isnt Innovation movement, unequivocally demands that these companies pursue "ethical" collaborations rather than resorting to "stealing" creative content.

A host of other prominent figures have also lent their support, including actors Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Olivia Munn, musicians Aimee Mann, MGMT, Common, Cyndi Lauper, and Simon Le Bon, as well as acclaimed author Jonathan Franzen.

The signatories assert: "Americas creative community is the envy of the world and creates jobs, economic growth, and exports. But rather than respect and protect this valuable asset, some of the biggest tech companies, many backed by private equity and other funders, are using American creators work to build AI platforms without authorisation or regard for copyright law."

Scarlett Johansson has previously criticised OpenAI for using a voice that sounded eerily similar to hers ( PA )

They continue with a stark message: "Artists, writers, and creators of all kinds are banding together with a simple message: Stealing our work is not innovation. Its not progress. Its theft  plain and simple."

The letter highlights a viable alternative, stating: "A better way exists: through licensing deals and partnerships, some AI companies have taken the responsible, ethical route to obtaining the content and materials they wish to use." It concludes: "It is possible to have it all. We can have advanced, rapidly developing AI and ensure creators rights are respected."

This collective action follows Scarlett Johanssons previous public criticism of artificial intelligence, specifically after OpenAI launched a ChatGPT voice assistant that bore an "eerily similar" resemblance to her own. She expressed being "shocked" and "angered" by the chatbot, prompting OpenAI to temporarily halt the voices use.

OpenAI has repeatedly denied that the voice was intended to sound like Scarlett Johansson. It did so again in its announcement that the voice would be paused.

We believe that AI voices should not deliberately mimic a celebritys distinctive voice  Skys voice is not an imitation of Scarlett Johansson but belongs to a different professional actress using her own natural speaking voice, the company wrote. To protect their privacy, we cannot share the names of our voice talents.
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Alex Honnold says he would have climbed Taipei 101  the worlds 11th-tallest skyscraper  for free. But because the free-solo ascent was performed live for a global audience, the climber has admitted his fee is an embarrassing amount of money.

Netflixs Skyscraper Live saw the professional rock climber make history as he scaled the 1,667ft, 101-story structure, located in the capital of Taiwan, without safety gear or ropes.

Speaking to The New York Times ahead of the climb, Honnold was asked whether the stunt marks the biggest payday of his career.

Alex Honnold scaled the 1,667ft building in less than two hours ( Netflix )

Maybe. Its less than my agent aspired to, he said. I mean, I would do it for free. If there was no TV program and the building gave me permission to go do the thing, I would do the thing because I know I can, and itd be amazing. I mean, just sitting by yourself on the very top of the spire is insane.

Honnold continued: And so, you know, if there wasnt the whole spectacle around it, and I just had the opportunity to go do it by myself, Id be fine with that. I would do that, but in this case, there is a spectacle. Im not getting paid to climb the building. Im getting paid for the spectacle. Im climbing the building for free.

Honnold refused to disclose the exact amount of his paycheck. Its an embarrassing amount, he said.

When pressed further, he added: Actually, if you put it in the context of mainstream sports, its an embarrassingly small amount. You know, Major League Baseball players get like $170m contracts. Like, someone you havent even heard of and that nobody cares about.

When the interviewer floated a $10m figure, Honnold quickly shot it down. No! he said. So in that case, yeah  an embarrassingly small amount.

According to The New York Times, two people with direct knowledge of the deal said the climber was being paid in the mid-six figures.

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Honnold is widely regarded as one of the greatest rock climbers in the world. With more than 30 years of experience, he rose to global prominence in 2017 after becoming the first person to free solo a full route up El Capitan in Yosemite National Park  a feat later chronicled in the Oscar-winning 2018 documentary Free Solo.

The climber took one hour, 31 minutes and 43 seconds to complete the hair-raising stunt on Saturday evening.

On Friday night, just minutes before Skyscraper Live was due to air on Netflix on Friday (January 23), it was announced that the special had been postponed due to wet weather conditions in Taipei.

Honnold said he hopes the climb has inspired others to pursue their own challenges, their own goals.
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Top Chef champion Kelsey Barnard Clark was arrested and charged with driving under the influence after she crashed her car with two children reportedly inside.

The celebrity chef, 35, was taken into custody Wednesday night after the Dothan County Police Department in Alabama responded to a report of a crash in a residential neighborhood, according to local news outlets.

We received a call regarding a vehicle striking the mailbox in the 1300 block of Selkirk Drive, Dothan police Public Information Officer Lt. Scott Owens told WRBC 6 News. Our officers who responded to the scene determined that Ms. Clark was under the influence.

Nobody was injured in the crash, and the children were reportedly allowed to go home with a family member. Clark, however, spent the night in jail and was charged with a DUI.

The Independent has contacted Clarks publicist for comment.

open image in gallery Clark, 35, appeared on season 16 of 'Top Chef,' where she was declared the winner ( Getty Images )

Alabama law states that having a child under 14 in a vehicle while driving intoxicated is considered an aggravated circumstance, but without injury, authorities rarely seek a DUI charge enhancement, per WRBC 6 News.

Clark is a mother to two children, son Monroe, eight, and daughter Evelyn, five.

The Alabama native rose to prominence when she won season 16 of Bravos Top Chef in 2019. Her win significantly boosted visitors to her upscale Southern food restaurant in downtown Dothon, KBC.

When I decided to do Top Chef, I was really concerned that it was going to be the biggest mistake of my life. Im glad that I couldnt have been more wrong, she wrote on Instagram in March 2019, following her win.

The best bonus was getting to share the journey with this group of inspiring chefs I now call friends.

Clark is also the author of three cookbooks: Southern Grit, Southern Get-Togethers, and The Flavor of Fire, and was named a semifinalist for the prestigious James Beard Award in the Best Chef: South category in 2024.

She is set to release her third book, The Flavor of Fire, in May and is currently in the middle of a book tour that will next stop in Inlet Beach, Florida, on Friday.

She recently served as a judge on Netflixs cooking competition show Next Gen Chef.
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Jane Fonda has offered pointed commentary about the current state of the U.S. under Donald Trump.

The 9 to 5 actor, 88, appeared Wednesday night on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, where she discussed the consequences of the presidents current polices.

During the episode, Colbert asked her opinion on how Americans can protect their First Amendment rights under the Trump administration.

If the government is not meeting the needs of its people, theres something wrong, right? Were seeing things happen that have never happened before. This isnt like it was in the 40s and 50s. Authoritarianism has made its way into every single nook and cranny of our government, she said.

They are kidnapping people. They are legally deporting American citizens.

open image in gallery Jane Fonda said during Wednesdays episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert that Americans need to form a community to protect their First Amendment rights ( Getty )

open image in gallery Fonda is known for her long-standing activism, including protesting against the Vietnam War and participating in the Civil Rights Movement ( Getty )

The veteran actor also referenced the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis earlier this month after her vehicle blocked a street during an active ICE operation. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has claimed that officers were forced to open fire because Good had engaged in domestic terrorism. The incident has led to widespread protests across the country.

Minneapolis, where they shot Ms. Goodthey are shooting people. They are blinding people, Fonda continued. All kinds of really, really bad things are happening. And its not a question of right or left. I dont care what party you belong to. Its a question of right or wrong. Right?

I think lines are being crossed. And its enough. Weve had enough. Right? We are the land of the brave. Our loved ones fought and many died for these freedoms. We cant allow them to be taken away from us, because if we let them go, they wont be there later when we need them back.

She explained that people need to band together in solidarity to protect their rights, adding that we have to not be alone.

Fonda has been known for her activism for years, in addition to her long-standing acting career, as she notably participated in protests against the Vietnam War and was active in the Civil Rights Movement.

open image in gallery Jane Fonda accepts the Lifetime Achievement gong at the 31st SAG Awards ( Getty )

She previously issued a dig at Trump at the 2025 SAG-AFTRA Awards, now rebranded as The Actor Awards. During her acceptance speech for the SAG-AFTRA Lifetime Achievement award, she did not mention the president by name, but she did shout out Sebastian Stan, who played the president in The Apprentice.

Though you may hate the behavior of your character, you have to understand and empathize with the traumatized person youre playing, she said.

Empathy is not weak or woke. And, by the way, woke just means you give a damn about other people, she said.

A whole lot of people are going to be really hurt by what is happening, what is coming our way. And even if they are of different persuasion we need to call upon our empathy and listen with our hearts and welcome them into our tent. Because we are going to need a big tent to resist successfully what is coming at us.

Fonda added: We are in our documentary moment. We mustn't for a moment kid ourselves about what is happeningWe must not isolate, we must stay in community, we must help the vulnerable.
Jensen Huang wants you to know the AI industry isn't a bubbledespite looking like a bubble.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos this week, the Nvidia CEO told BlackRock's Larry Fink that the infrastructure powering artificial intelligence needs "trillions of dollars" more investment over the coming years. The alternative? Ultimate failure.

Huang framed AI as a "five-layer cake" that starts with energy at the bottom, then chips, cloud infrastructure, AI models, and finally applications at the top. Each layer, he explained, requires massive buildout before the ones above can properly function.

"We're now a few hundred billion dollars into it," Huang said. "There are trillions of dollars of infrastructure that needs to be built out."

The industry committed roughly $1.5 trillion to AI development in 2025 alone, according to Gartnermore than any group of companies has spent on virtually anything in nominal terms. Huang insists this isn't excess, however. It's the largest infrastructure buildout in human history, he said, and it's only beginning.

Just for reference, that spending is roughly the market capitalization of all the Bitcoin in the world. For a more normie comparison, thanks to the AI boom, Nvidia is now almost as valuable as all the silver that has been mined to date.

Feed the bubble, beat the bubble?

Huangs words have a lot of interests behind them. In late January 2025, Chinese startup DeepSeek rattled markets with an unexpectedly capable chatbot, triggering a 17% single-day drop in Nvidia shares.

The company recovered, but the jolt intensified warnings from figures like JPMorgan's Jamie Dimon, who said AI is "real" but cautioned that "some money invested now will be wasted." A study from MIT found that despite $30-40 billion in enterprise investment, 95% of organizations are seeing zero return on generative AI.

The circular nature of AI financing has also drawn scrutiny. Nvidia recently committed $100 billion to OpenAI, which then uses that capital to buy Nvidia chips. Similar arrangements connect Microsoft, CoreWeave, and other major players in what critics call a closed loop that artificially inflates demand.

Companies are already hedging against Nvidia's dominance. OpenAI signed a $10 billion deal with Cerebras, an AI chip startup promising inference speeds up to 15 times faster than GPU-based systems. The company also inked partnerships with AMD and Broadcom, and committed $38 billion to Amazon Web Services.

Meanwhile, Google has been pushing its custom Tensor Processing Units as an alternative, with Anthropic agreeing to use up to one million TPU chips. Even Meta is reportedly exploring Google's silicon for its data centers.
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With World Cancer Day approaching on 4 February, understanding the diverse national cancer screening programmes, from mammograms to at-home faecal immunochemical tests, is crucial.

Eligibility for these vital NHS health checks varies significantly by age and location.

King Charles, who was speaking about his own cancer diagnosis and journey, said he had been deeply troubled to learn that at least 9 million people in the UK are not up to date with the cancer screenings available to them, warning of missed opportunities.

Patients who are concerned about a lump or something they are unsure about are always advised to speak to their GP, as an early diagnosis is important in preventing the spread of any disease and improving the likelihood of successful treatment.

Dr Rachel Orritt, health information manager at Cancer Research UK, states the aims and specifics of each initiative, helping individuals discern which programmes are relevant to them.

Breast screening

Breast screening helps to find cancer at an early stage, which is when treatment is more likely to be successful, explains Orritt. It involves a mammogram of your breast or chest that looks for breast cancer, essentially when its too small to see or feel.

In most cases, people are invited every three years for a breast screening between the ages of 50 and 70.

open image in gallery A mammogram takes two X-ray images of each breast so it can get them from both angles, one from above and one from the side ( Alamy/PA )

However, you might be able to have a mammogram earlier if your risk is higher.

You can have screening at a younger age if your risk is higher, for example if you have family history of breast cancer, or if you have a gene fault that puts you at a higher risk such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation, explains Orritt.

If you are concerned, talk to your GP and theyll be able to help you understand your particular risk and can see if it might be suitable for you to have a breast screening sooner.

A mammogram takes two X-ray images of each breast so it can get them from both angles, one from above and one from the side, she explains.

That X-ray is then reviewed by someone to see if theres any changes in your breast that might mean require further follow-up tests, says Orritt. Youll receive results after your appointment which will tell you if you need to go back for further tests or not.

Cervical screening

Anyone who has a cervix will be invited for a cervical screening every five years between the ages of 25 and 64 in Wales, Scotland and England, says Orritt.

However, this is slightly different in Northern Ireland where you get an invite every three years between the ages of 25 to 49, but after that, you will get an invite every five years until age 64, according to Cancer Research UKs website.

She recognises that some people get nervous about this type of screening, so she recommends talking about any concerns and questions with your GP or nurse before the appointment.

open image in gallery You will receive your cervical screening results and next steps via letter or on the NHS app ( Alamy/PA )

A nurse will use a small, soft brush to take a sample of cells from the cervix and then that sample is then tested for HPV, human papillomavirus, explains Orritt.

The reason that it looks for HPV is because high-risk HPV causes almost all cases of cervical cancer. So, by focusing the test on HPV we can pick up people who might be at risk of developing the disease.

If your result is HPV negative, your sample will not be tested for cell changes and if you have a high risk type of HPV, the sample is then checked under a microscope for cell changes, according to Cancer Research UKs website.

You will receive your results and next steps via letter or on the NHS app.

The main aim for cervical screening is to help prevent cervical cancer from developing in the first place, says Orritt.

Bowel screening

Bowel screening in the NHS uses a test called a faecal immunochemical test (FIT) to look for blood in a sample of your poo.

Bowel screening is offered to people between the ages of 50 and 74 in the UK, however in Northern Ireland its offered to people aged 60 to 74, says Orritt.

People within these age ranges will automatically receive a FIT kit in the post every two years.

open image in gallery Bowel screening in the NHS uses a test called a faecal immunochemical test (FIT) to look for blood in a sample of your stool

You can also get screening for bowel cancer every two years if youre aged 75 or over, but you need to call the bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 6060 and ask for the test, according to the NHS website.

The aim of bowel screening is to help find cancer at an early stage and to also find any changes in the bowel that could lead to cancer, says Orritt.

Eligible people are sent a poo testing kit that can be done in the privacy of your own home and then is returned safely in the post.

That sample is then tested to spot any possible tiny traces of blood in your poo which could be a sign of bowel cancer, or changes in the bowel that could put you in increased risk of bowel cancer.

Lung screening

The lung screening is for people aged between 55 and 74 who either currently smoke or have smoked in the past, says Orritt. At the moment its not currently available at all in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, just England, but Wales do have plans to introduce it.

Similar to some of the other screening programmes, it helps find lung cancer at an early stage, when treatment is more likely to be successful.

open image in gallery The targeted lung cancer screening programme is still new

The targeted lung cancer screening programme is still new, so its likely that it will take some time before this is available for everyone, according to Cancer Research UKs website.

When its up and running, anyone between the ages of 55 and 74 who smokes or used to smoke will be invited to take part, says Orritt.

They will be first invited for a risk assessment and, based on those results, some people will then also be invited to have a CT scan of the lungs if theyre deemed to be a higher risk of lung cancer.

Do you need to be signed up with a GP to be sent a cancer screening invite?

To make sure that you get your cancer screening invites, make sure youre registered with a GP and your address information is all up to date, advises Orritt.

In most cases, once you become eligible you will be sent an invitation in the post.

However, were starting to see things like the NHS app notifications be used more, and over the next few years well probably see a bit of a move towards digital invites.

open image in gallery If you think you are eligible but havent received a screening invite yet, Dr Rachel Orritt recommends contacting your GP ( PA Archive )

If you think you are eligible but havent received a screening invite yet, Orritt recommends contacting your GP.

Its okay to contact your GP because it might be that your address is wrong or isnt up to date on their records, for example, says Orritt.

There could be a number of reasons for this, and the GP can help investigate that for you.

Do you need to wait for a screening to check to see if you have cancer?

One of the main things that I think is really important to get across when were talking about cancer screening, is that these programmes are for people without any symptoms, highlights Orritt.

If you have symptoms or are worried about something, you dont need to wait for screening invite. Talk to your GP about any concerns straight away.

To find out more about what screenings might be relevant to you, visit screeningchecker.com
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When Oscar Wilde was sentenced to two years in prison for homosexuality in 1895, his lover, poet and journalist Lord Alfred Douglas, wrote a letter to Queen Victoria petitioning for Wildes release. Will you not save this man who even if he be guilty has already been punished more a thousand times more cruelly than he deserves[?] he asked. Wilde served his full sentence and died in 1900, with his final years spent in exile.

Douglas impassioned plea is set to go on display at the National Archives Love Letters exhibition this month, alongside dozens of other emotive pieces of correspondence that span the last 500 years of heartache and passion. Among them is one of the most high-risk love letters ever penned, by Henry VIIIs fifth wife, Catherine Howard, to courtier Thomas Culpeper in 1541, which was later used to prove the pair were having a treasonous affair. Both were executed by the king soon after. I never longed so much for a thing as I do to see you and to speak to you, Howard wrote to Culpeper, despite the danger. Yours as long as life endures, Katheryn.

The exhibition looking back at the letters of yesteryear comes at a time when putting pen to paper is experiencing a surprising rise, despite our deeply digitalised modern world. As a cultural interest in analogue activities grows, so too does pen-pal correspondence, which allows those holding the Biro to find more meaningful screen-free connections.

On TikTok, users are sharing their experiences of learning calligraphy and how to use wax seals. Meanwhile, Pinterest has reported a 105 per cent increase in searches for cute stamps and a 90 per cent rise in those looking for pen pal ideas. This trend is building on a pre-existing youth interest in writing. According to Amnesty UK, over half (55 per cent) of UK adults have sent at least one letter in the past year, with young people (aged 18-34) the most likely to say they wished they received more.

A letter feels like its got more thought and time behind it than our digital interactions, says Love Letters curator Victoria Iglikowski-Broad. In the modern age, sitting down and writing means a huge amount. It means you're taking time and putting in effort. Its really important.

Theres a longevity to letters and a physicality in them that is really powerful, she adds. Particularly things in peoples own handwriting, Theres a connection that you have with that individual, that you cant have through digital mediums in the same way. Its really impactful.

Love Letters shows adoration and affection in all its twisted and varied forms, from familial love to friendship. Elsewhere, theres a note from the Kray twins father, Charles, attesting to the courts in 1956 that Ronnie and Reggie, who would go on to become infamous Bethnal Green gangsters, were the most respectful and good-natured lads anybody could wish to meet after one was involved in a brawl. The separating of these boys could be a vast setback in the future of their young lives, he claimed.

open image in gallery Love Letters exhibition at the National Archives ( AP )

One particularly heart-wrenching inclusion is penned to former Liberal Party leader David Lloyd George. In which James Gillespie, a Jamaican living in Barry, South Wales, begs the prime minister to help him leave Britain with his family after their home and fish and chip shop were targeted in a ruthless anti-Black riot in 1919. I am willing to leave the country at once with my wife and child (not without), he says after receiving the terms of repatriation. I am begging honoured sir as the leader of the British Empire to give me and family passage to Jamaica.

While both these examples give a startling insight into the society in which they were sent, many letters in the exhibition demonstrate similarities with the love-struck struggles we still face today. In 1944, Cambridge Five spy John Cairncross wrote to his ex-girlfriend Gloria Barraclough after the Second World War broke out; his tone was filled with regret. Would we have broken off, I wondered, if we had known what was coming? he asks wistfully. It was a very great loss to me, even though I still kept in touch with your sunny personality through the medium of correspondence Im terribly sorry youre not coming back [to the UK], he adds, expressing wishes to travel to Barracloughs native Spain to visit her. Opportunity missed, they each married other people.

The sentiments arent all too different from the type of WhatsApp many of us will have received from regretful exes in far more recent history, except Cairncrosss message ends with a poem, rather than an emoji. Something might be written in a different type of language or fancy handwriting, but, actually, the sentiments that are in there endure, says Iglikowski-Broad. Theres this real kind of universality in the feelings that are as relevant 500 years ago as they are today.

open image in gallery Risky: A letter gets everybody in trouble in 'Atonement' ( Universal )

Letters, nevertheless, are considered antiquated. In Denmark, the postal service delivered its last letter in December, despite post being delivered this way in the country since 1624. PostNord, which formed in 2009 in a merger of the Swedish and Danish postal services, cut 1,500 jobs and removed 1,500 red postboxes from the countrys streets, citing the increasing digitalisation of Danish society. Letter writing has decreased sharply in the country in the last 25 years, with more than 90 per cent fall.

Our postal service might be terrible over in the UK but it seems we have been putting pen to paper with increasing fervour since the pandemic. Reflecting on this time, nearly half of Brits (45 per cent) said that receiving post helped them get through lockdown, with two in five people saying that writing letters helped boost their mental health when not allowed out. Although seeing a hand-addressed envelope drop on the doormat while we were banned from socialising may have lifted spirits, this benefit is not exclusive to lockdown, with studies showing that those who practise gratitude or self-compassionate letter writing report reduced shame, anxiety and improved happiness.

open image in gallery Hilary Swank and Gerard Butler in P.S. I Love You ( Warner Bros )

Although emails may fill up our inboxes, day in, day out and a barrage of WhatsApp messages might attack our phone screens during every waking hour of the day, its handwritten letters that we tear open like presents, sit down to devour and stash away in shoe boxes for years to come, keeping our friends and lovers words safe and secret, ready to be revisited months, or even decades, later. This practice is popular and precious.

And in 2026, Letters Live, an event inspired by Shaun Ushers international bestselling Letters of Note series and much-loved accompanying Instagram account, can sell out the Southbank Theatre on a Thursday night and draw A-listers including Benedict Cumberbatch, Jude Law, and Stephen Fry to the stage to deliver unique performances of letters penned by everyone from David Bowie to Charlotte Bronte.

The team behind the production has always said its mission has been to breathe new life into the stories contained in the old-fashioned correspondence. And, evidently, its working. Young people are picking up pens to send carefully considered messages themselves with renewed energy and, yes, cute stamps and stationery.

I dont see the desire to write letters as something thats going to go away, even if theres a current boom Iglikowski-Broad assures. Other methods of communication might emerge and be added, but letters are really core and fundamental in terms of the way we correspond. It will endure over time, she says. A written letter is incredibly special. Its certainly something to really value, keep, and hold on to.
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In the era of Ozempic, Botox and normalized surgical procedures, what magical potion will be next? That question is answered in Ryan Murphys new FX/Hulu body horror series The Beauty, about an experimental jab that promises complete aesthetic perfection. And it might have just predicted a dystopian future. Based on a comic book of the same name, the series follows two FBI agents as they investigate the spread of a mysterious sexually transmitted contagion thats making people either A) explode into pieces, leaving behind only an oozing pool of guts or B) regenerate into a ludicrously hotter version of themselves.

When injected with The Beauty, patients emerge with chiseled jawlines, collagen-filled cheekbones, large sparkly eyes, perky bottoms and ripped abs; an archetype of Western beauty standards. Theres Jeremy (played by Jaquel Spivey and later Jeremy Pope), an isolated, depressed incel, who turns to surgery in his quest to look like a Chad and is given the drug instead. His bones crack. Steam rises from his skin. But he survives, hatching into an unrecognizable new man.

For all intents and purposes, this show is a chilling satire on the beauty industry and the lengths we will go to achieve perfection. There is plenty to be enjoyed and believed: Isabella Rosselini as the eccentrically dressed wife to Ashton Kutchers tech mogul, Anthony Ramos as a one-eyed villain, plus a brilliant episode about a clandestine network of billionaires who have exclusive first access to the drug. It's a real shame, though, that in trying to criticize modern beauty standards, The Beauty relies on us ignoring the sheer irony of its guest star casting. Representing the results of the beautifying drug are none other than real-life supermodel Bella Hadid and heiress Nicola Peltz Beckham (talk about timing?). Hadid opens the series strutting down a catwalk in Paris, before becoming possessed by the side effects of The Beauty and disintegrating. Meanwhile, without giving too much away, Peltz crops up at the end of the series as a yassified  much younger and conventionally hotter  version of another character post-injection, looking as if shes been plucked from one of her latest Instagram pictures.

Now, I dont know about you, but intentionally casting some of the most beautiful women in Hollywood in a show satirizing the very standard of beauty they represent sends some very mixed messages. The Beauty tells its audience to be cautious of what the beauty industry is selling, and of the rich and powerful people who exploit normal people (particularly young girls) who will do almost anything to achieve that hegemonic Instagram face. And while I dont have anything against Peltz and Hadid  and both do a great job in the show  theres no denying that these familiar faces are part of a culture that sets the very standard of how we should look, through Instagram posts to their millions of followers, makeup tutorials and their famous skincare routines. After all, beauty trends begin in Hollywood before the rest of us try to catch up. If The Beauty is suggesting that the trending aesthetic dogma  poisonous ideals that make many feel unworthy  are simply unattainable, then how does this shiny guest cast serve the entire point of the show?

Some moments in The Beauty do feel real, eerily so. Later on in the series, high schoolers scramble to get their hands on the drug. These boys and girls might be young, but theyve already been told theyre not good enough. In real life, its not so far from the truth: teenage girls as young as 16 are getting lip fillers and more. There is also a particularly omnipresent injectable that reached the mass market only recently; restaurants have introduced smaller dishes aimed at people with reduced appetites on weight loss drugs, Mounjaro or Wegovy.

open image in gallery Bella Hadid is a supermodel gone rogue in Ryan Murphys new series on modern beauty standards ( Disney )

open image in gallery Ashton Kutcher as a tech billionaire in The Beauty ( Disney )

Given how things are panning out in real-life, its not unfathomable that people would spend their life savings on a one-off injection that completely transforms their appearance. This series should be a forewarning. But when Peltzs character delivers her passionate monologue about resisting beauty standards, I cant help but wonder if The Beauty was playing me all along.
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An Alaska man accused of fatally shooting his 87-year-old grandmother at her Fairbanks home told police he didnt want her to worry  likening the killing to pulling the plug, according to court records.

Brian Davenport, 29, was arrested earlier this week and charged with one count of first-degree murder in the death of Velma Koontz, who was found shot in the back of the head while seated in her wheelchair inside her home.

On Wednesday, Davenport appeared via livestream at the Fairbanks Courthouse, where the deceaseds son, George Koontz, urged the court not to release the suspect, citing concerns about his behavior, according to KTUU.

Hes a danger to the public, George Koontz said. Obviously, he assaulted his mother last summer and now my mother.

Fairbanks police officers were called to the home in the 1000 block of 22nd Avenue at about 3:45 p.m. Tuesday after Koontzs husband, Keith, reported finding his wife dead.

open image in gallery Brian Davenport, 29, appeared in court to face murder charges in the death of his grandmother, Velma Koontz, who was found shot in the back of the head while seated in her wheelchair ( KTUU )

Koontzs husband told officers he had gone to the store and returned to find his handgun outside the home and his wife deceased inside the residence, seated in her wheelchair.

Officers made contact with the victims grandson, Brian Davenport, and he immediately stated that he had killed someone, police wrote in a news release.

Davenport was transported to FPD for questioning and, after being advised of his rights, admitted to stealing his grandfathers handgun and killing his grandmother. He stated that he had initially planned to kill someone else but changed his mind and killed his grandmother instead.

Davenport reportedly told investigators that he wanted his grandmother to die peacefully and said he didnt want her to worry about the legacy she left behind.

He admitted that he knew killing someone is wrong, but compared his actions to pulling the plug on a person, according to police. Detectives later learned that Koontz had been diagnosed with cancer and was under hospice care.

The grandma obviously had some health issues, whether that was the motivation behind the killing, we dont know, Fairbanks Police Chief Ron Dupee, per AlaskaNewsSource.

Less than an hour before Koontzs body was discovered, Davenport had called 911 and provided an address but did not respond to the dispatchers questions, according to charging documents obtained by KTVF.

An officer located Davenport who was pacing along the side of a roadway, acting erratically. He was transported to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital before being taken into custody.

Davenport was booked into the Fairbanks Correctional Center and is being held on a $5 million bail.

He is scheduled to be back in court on January 30.
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Five people are in custody in connection with the shooting of an Indiana judge and his wife at their home.

The arrests were made in a coordinated, multi-state law enforcement operation across parts of Indiana and Kentucky, law enforcement said Thursday.

Tippecanoe Superior Court Judge Steve Meyer and his wife, Kim Meyer, both 66, were shot at their Lafayette home on January 18 after someone came to their door claiming he had found their dog. Both were injured but survived.

Three people were arrested in Lafayette, Indiana and two in Lexington, Kentucky, and are facing a range of felony charges. Thomas Moss, 43, of Lafayette, faces several charges, including suspicion of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

While law enforcement has not commented on a motive behind the shooting, online court records show that Moss had a January 20 court date before Judge Meyer on charges including illegal firearm possession, intimidation, criminal recklessness and domestic battery.

open image in gallery A man allegedly shot Tippecanoe Superior Court Judge Steve Meyer and his wife, Kim, at the front door of their Lafayette, Indiana, home on January 18 ( Lafayette Police Department/Fox News )

open image in gallery Thomas Moss, 43, of Lafayette, Indiana, is a suspect in the shooting of the Meyers and has a separate case that was scheduled before Judge Meyer ( Lafayette Police Department )

Moss is being held in the Tippecanoe County Jail without bond and a hearing in his earlier case is set for Friday morning, according to WTHR.

Raylen Ferguson, 38, of Lexington, Kentucky, and Lafayette resident Blake Smith, 32, are facing charges of attempted murder, aggravated battery, firearms offenses and gang-related offenses.

open image in gallery Raylen Ferguson, 38, of Lexington, Kentucky, is facing attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, aggravated battery and other enhancements ( Lafayette Police Department )

Two additional suspects face obstruction-related counts. Amanda Milsap, 45, of Indiana, has been charged with bribery and obstruction of justice. Zenada Greer, 61, of Lexington, Kentucky, is accused of assisting a criminal and obstructing justice.

The shooting took place at around 2:15 p.m. Sunday, when an unidentified man allegedly lured the couple to the front door of their Mill Pond Lane home by claiming hed found their dog. He then opened fire, striking the judge in the arm and his wife in the hip, then fled, NBC Chicago reported.

open image in gallery Zenada Greer, 61, of Lexington, Kentucky, has been charged with assisting a criminal and obstruction of justice ( Lafayette Police Department )

The couple was taken to the hospital and is recovering. Judge Meyer issued a statement Wednesday on behalf of the couple, thanking the community and law enforcement for their support.

I am so grateful for the outpouring of support from friends, the community, court colleagues, and law enforcement. I want to express my heartfelt thanks to my medical team. I am receiving excellent care and I am improving. Kim is also deeply appreciative for the community support, and she too is healing, he said.

open image in gallery Amanda Milsap, 45, of Lafayette, Indiana, has been charged with bribery and obstruction of justice ( Lafayette Police Department )

I want the community to know that I have strong faith in our judicial system. This horrific violence will not shake my belief in the importance of peacefully resolving disputes. I remain confident we have the best judicial system in the world, and I am proud to be a part of it.

Authorities urge anyone with information on this case to contact the Lafayette Police Department at 765-807-1200.
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An influx of sex workers into a glitzy Los Angeles neighborhood has left residents furious, with some locals even being forced to clean up used condoms in the morning, they claim.

Larchmont Village is widely known for its leafy streets, its close proximity to Hancock Park and Hollywood, and its boutique shops and cafes. However, residents told KTLA that the ritzy area transforms after dark.

One local, identified only as Larry, claimed that he regularly finds used condoms and sanitary napkins on the pavement and that women are often seen loitering on the streets at night.

I have to come out in the morning and scoop up used condoms with semen coming out of them, he told KTLA. You cant imagine how disgusting it is, and its daily. You have to do it every day. Its quite remarkable.

Marc Warzecha added that encounters between sex workers and people looking for their services sometimes get violent.

Sometimes the sex workers and the Johns are getting in fights, theyre screaming at each other, theyre getting physical with each other.

open image in gallery Larchmont Village, an ritzy area known for its beautiful, leafy streets, has reportedly seen an increase in sex workers operating in the areaillage ( Google Streetview )

Larchmont Village is a magnet for celebrities, with some of the biggest names in show business being spotted in its chic restaurants and hipster cafes.

According to Larchmontla.com, a local community page, Oscar-winning actress Angelina Jolie was seen in the area as recently as December.

Other stars spotted in the swanky neighborhood include Sharon Osborne and her late husband, Ozzy, as well as Greys Anatomy actress Ellen Pompeo. Even Malia Obama, the daughter of former President Barack Obama, was reportedly seen in the area.

However, the ritzy area is close to the Figueroa Street corridor, which regularly sees police conducting operations to break up trafficking rings forcing women into sex work.

Locals in nearby areas, including St Andrews Square, Windsor Square, and Koreatown, have also reported that more sex workers have begun operating in the area, according to KTLA.

Hugo Soto Martinez, a council member who represents the area, told the broadcaster that work is now underway in Larchmont Village to counter those gangs operating sex trafficking rings.

open image in gallery A local councilor says that police have launched a new operation to tackle sex trafficking gangs in the area ( Getty Images )

The multi-agency scheme will see police working closely with Journey Out, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting sex workers.

Meanwhile, residents of the affluent 90004 zip code have planned a neighborhood clean-up, which will kick off tomorrow.

Organized by The Larchmont United Neighborhood Association, the event will kick off at the trendy coffee spot Alfalfa, which is offering free coffee and donuts. A raffle will also be held, with local businesses offering up special promotions.

Some locals, though, have taken to vigilante-style tactics.

Karen Gilman told KTLA that residents have erected signs informing anyone seeking a sex workers services that they are on camera. Gilman added that license plates belonging to some Johns have been reported to the LAPD.

Police, though, have urged locals to allow them to conduct their own operations.

Larry told Fox 11 that increased police action is welcome news. However, he says that police could be too overstretched to make a difference.

"Anything they can do would be great," Larry said. "But I think its patrolling. I dont think the resources are there."

The Independent has contacted the Larchmont Boulevard Association and the LAPD for comment.
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The woman accused of killing her daughter after poisoning her with a glass of wine full of acetonitrile at a Thanksgiving dinner has been denied a bond as she is set to face trial for multiple charges.

Gudrun Casper-Leinenkugel, 52, was arrested on January 16 and charged with two counts each of first-degree murder, attempted murder and three counts of distribution of certain food and beverage prohibited.

The charges relate to two separate incidents, one in 2007 and another in 2025.

Fox Carolina reports that Casper-Leinenkugel hosted twelve people for Thanksgiving in November. Authorities alleged at the bond hearing that she poisoned the wine, which her daughter, Leela Livis, another daughter, and her daughters boyfriend were drinking.

Gudrun Casper-Leinenkugel, 52, was arrested on January 16 ( Henderson County Sheriff's Office )

The bottle was laced with acetonitrile, a clear, colorless liquid used as a solvent for spinning fibers and as a component of lithium batteries. The chemical metabolizes into cyanide in the human body.

After the dinner, the three victims felt sick, and Livis died on December 1.

Authorities from Henderson County Sheriffs Office said in the court hearing that Casper-Leinenkugels search history revealed she looked up, What happens if I accidentally ingest acetonitrile.

The 2007 case, according to the Henderson County Sheriffs Office, found evidence linking Casper-Leinenkugel to the death of Michael Schmidt, who passed away in a house fire that year.

Fox Carolina further reported that the suspect is connected to other deaths that are currently under investigation. Prosecutors said she is facing the possibility of the death penalty and will appear back in court on February 10.

Casper-Leinenkugel is a well-known restaurateur in North Carolina.

In 2016, her European-inspired pub in Asheville was featured in local media.

The suspect opened the Patton Public House in July 2013.

Casper-Leinenkugel told the outlet that she grew up living in Germany and on the northern border between Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Ive been working since I was 13  I owned a laundromat. I had to learn how to run the business and fix the machines. It was a good learning experience, she said.

Casper-Leinenkugel said the idea for Patton Public House was inspired by the comfort food and beer supplied by the European public houses she grew up with.

Were actually trying to bring back what a public house used to be, she said at the time.

In 2018, the establishment was back in the news after several employees claimed that they were not being paid on time. The restaurant is no longer in business.

I mean, it's ridiculous. I come up here, and I bust my butt off day-by-day and get nothing? I'm not here for a pat on the back, hostess Maci Hold told WLOS.
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A Texas sheriff has been charged with fraud two months after President Donald Trump pardoned his brother, Democratic congressman Henry Cuellar  although the president later accused him of being disloyal.

Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar Jr., 67, from Laredo, was accused by federal prosecutors of defrauding his office by misappropriating funds to run a for-profit disinfecting business during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Last month, Cuellars brother and his brothers wife, Imelda Cuellar, were pardoned by Trump in a federal bribery case. Trump wrote on Truth Social earlier this month that the Biden administration used political weaponization on the Cuellars because they didnt agree with his policies on the Southern Border.

Martin Cuellar, along with his assistant chief, Alejandro Gutierrez, 47, and a former assistant chief, Ricardo Rodriguez, 65, opened Disinfect Pro Master in April 2020 and used employees from the sheriffs office to run the companys day-to-day operations both on and off the clock with the county, prosecutors alleged.

open image in gallery A Texas sheriff has been charged with fraud two months after President Donald Trump pardoned his brother, Democratic congressman Henry Cuellar ( Tom Brenner/Getty Images )

They entered into contracts with local businesses and restaurants, securing a $500,000 job to clean schools for the local district, according to prosecutors. Despite the big payout, the cleaning business had minimal overhead costs because it allegedly used county employees and supplies.

Cuellar, Gutierrez and Rodriguez, who were all charged, each received about $175,000 from the business that operated for more than two years, prosecutors said. Cuellar allegedly used $71,000 of his proceeds to buy a 10-acre property, the Associated Press reported.

A federal grand jury indicted Cuellar on three counts of defrauding a local government that receives federal funds, one count of conspiracy and one count of making a financial transaction involving criminally derived property in November. The indictment was unsealed Thursday when Cuellar made his first court appearance.

Cuellar has pleaded not guilty. His attorney, Eric Reed, said, per the AP, that the charges against his client are based on some untrue assumptions and narratives that have been fueled perhaps by politics and local rivalries.

open image in gallery Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar Jr., brother of Democratic Representative Henry Cuellar (pictured), was accused of defrauding his office by misappropriating funds to run a for-profit disinfecting business during the Covid-19 pandemic ( Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images )

If convicted, Cuellar and Gutierrez both face up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. Cuellar also could get an extra 10 years in prison and additional fines for his money laundering charge.

Gutierrez has also pleaded not guilty in the case, and both he and Cuellar were released on bond, the Laredo Morning Times reported. His attorney, Adam Cortez, said of his client, The evidence is that he did not knowingly do the allegations, per the local outlet.

Rodriguez already pleaded guilty and is on bond pending his sentencing hearing in March.

Henry and Imelda Cuellar had been accused of accepting $600,000 in bribes from an energy company owned and controlled by the Azerbaijani government and a bank in Mexico. Henry Cuellar has said he and his wife are innocent, according to the AP.

Trump later said Henry Cuellar, a moderate Democrat, was disloyal and essentially destroyed his life even with the Pardon given by not switching parties when running for re-election this year.
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The parent company of TikTok has finalized a deal to divest a majority stake in its U.S. operations to non-Chinese investors, allowing the company to continue to operate in America and finally escape the threat of a looming ban.

Under the deal, tech giant Oracle, Emirati state-backed investment firm MGX, and U.S. investment firm Silver Lake will each possess 15 percent of a new joint venture. Other backers include the investment firm of Dell Technologies founder Michael Dell.

TikToks parent company, ByteDance, retains a 19.9 percent stake in the new firm, which is officially called TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC.

I am so happy to have helped in saving TikTok! President Trump wrote on Truth Social. It will now be owned by a group of Great American Patriots and Investors, the Biggest in the World, and will be an important Voice. Along with other factors, it was responsible for my doing so well with the Youth Vote in the 2024 Presidential Election. I only hope that long into the future I will be remembered by those who use and love TikTok.

He also thanked President Xi Jinping of China for approving the deal.

open image in gallery Under the terms of the deal, non-Chinese firms now own a majority of TikToks U.S. operations, while TikToks parent company ByteDance retains a nearly 20 percent share ( AP )

He could have gone the other way, but didnt, and is appreciated for his decision, Trump wrote.

As part of the deal, U.S. user data will be protected in Oracles secure U.S. cloud environment, TikTok wrote on its website, assuaging domestic concerns over Chinas potential influence over the app. The new company will also retrain, test, and update the content recommendation algorithm on U.S. user data.

U.S. users will still be able to interact with global TikTok users, the company said.

In September, President Trump announced a tentative deal between Washington and Beijing had been reached over the fate of TikTok, as the two countries squared off in trade negotiations.

That month, Trump also signed an executive order delaying the enforcement of a previously passed 2024 law threatening a U.S. TikTok ban.

open image in gallery President Trump repeatedly delayed enforcement of the looming TikTok ban as a deal to preserve the apps U.S. functionality was negotiated ( REUTERS )

The order marked the fourth time he extended a looming deadline under the legislation for TikTok to sell its U.S. operations or face a ban.

TikTok agreed to the terms of the deal in December.

The new owners have political ties to Donald Trump.

Billionaire Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison is an ally of the president, and another investor in the new entity, Revolution, previously employed Vice President JD Vance as a managing partner.

During his first term, President Trump signed an executive order supporting a TikTok ban.
Canada has implemented a front-of-package nutrition symbol requirement for most prepackaged foods that are high in saturated fat, sugars or sodium, marking a significant regulatory shift in food packaging standards.

The rule, effective 1 January 2026, is designed to make key nutritional information immediately visible to consumers by requiring a standardised high in symbol on the principal display panel of food packaging.

The change affects domestic and imported products sold in Canada and introduces new compliance obligations for food manufacturers, retailers and packaging suppliers.

Mandatory front-of-package nutrition symbol and compliance timeline

Under amendments to Canadas Food and Drug Regulations, most prepackaged foods that meet or exceed specified thresholds for saturated fat, sugars or sodium must display a front-of-package (FOP) nutrition symbol.

The black-and-white symbol, featuring a magnifying glass and text indicating the nutrient of concern, is intended to help consumers quickly identify foods that are high in these nutrients without referencing the back-of-pack nutrition facts.

Health Canada finalised the regulations in July 2022, giving the food industry a transition period to update label designs, reformulate products where feasible, and manage existing inventory ahead of the compliance deadline.

From 1 January 2026, products that meet the nutrient criteria and lack the required symbol may face regulatory action under inspection frameworks.

Exemptions exist for specific categories, including certain raw single-ingredient foods, small packages, and some dairy and produce items where displaying the symbol could mislead consumers. These exemptions are defined within the regulatory text and further detailed in government guidance for industry.

Specifications for front-of-package nutrition labelling design

The front-of-package nutrition symbol must follow strict presentation requirements to ensure visibility and clarity across a wide range of packaging formats.

Regulations and official guidance specify how the symbol should be placed, sized and linguistically presented: generally in both English and French on the upper half of the principal display panel, or on the right half when the label is wider than tall.

Packaging and regulatory compliance teams need to integrate these design requirements into label production workflows.

The symbols format has to remain consistent across products and may appear as separate bilingual symbols or a combined bilingual graphic on the same principal display panel.

These design rules align with broader principles of food labelling in Canada, where accuracy and non-misleading presentation are mandated under federal food labelling statutes.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited (NYSE:CNQ) is included among the 11 Best Energy Stocks to Buy for Dividends in 2026.

Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ) in Talks to Acquire Natural Gas Properties from Tourmaline

Canadian Natural Resources Limited (NYSE:CNQ) is a senior crude oil and natural gas production company, with continuing operations in its core areas located in Western Canada, the UK portion of the North Sea, and offshore Africa.

According to reports on January 14, Canadian Natural Resources Limited (NYSE:CNQ) is in talks to acquire a $1-billion-plus portfolio of natural gas properties in Alberta from Tourmaline Oil. Tourmaline is among the biggest natural gas producers in Canadas Montney Basin shale play, which produces around 10 bcf/d of natural gas, or roughly half of the countrys output. The basin has recently garnered significant interest following the launch of the LNG Canada export terminal in British Columbia last year.

Canadian Natural Resources Limited (NYSE:CNQ) witnessed a sharp downturn earlier this month following the US action in Venezuela, as it significantly increased the prospects of the US Gulf Coast refiners shifting from Canadian to Venezuelan crude, since the two are similar. Additionally, there have also been concerns that the cheaper Venezuelan oil pouring into the US would push down the price that American buyers pay to Canadian producers, driving down margins and profits. However, the stock has recovered since then as markets came to the realization that it will still take much time and investment, as well as some much-needed political stability, for Venezuelan crude to enter the United States.

While we acknowledge the potential of CNQ as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 10 Best Performing Utility Stocks in 2025 and 11 Best Performing Energy Stocks in 2025.

Disclosure: None.
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NationalWAWA courts Mr Broome pub manager sentenced to six years jail for raping backpacker, sexually assaulting workers Hannah Murphy January 23, 2026  3:12pm 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

An outback pub manager who raped a backpacker who worked for him and sexually assaulted a skimpy bartender has been sentenced to six years jail. Stewart Patrick Burchell appeared in court for sentencing on Friday, after he was found guilty of nine charges of indecent assault and one count of rape against six female staff members following a trial last year. He was acquitted on six other charges. Stewart Burchell. Hannah Murphy The incidents occurred between 2017 and 2023, with the womens roles at the bar ranging from a skimpy barmaid, a bartender, a security officer and a manager.

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Each woman said he indecently assaulted them at venues owned by the Roebuck Bay Hotel, or in staff accommodation. The 51-year-old Burchell was a manager for seven years when detectives raided the pub in 2023 and arrested him. Judge Belinda Lonsdale sentenced him to six years in prison. He was also fined $1000 on each indecent assault count. As the manager of the Roebuck Bay Hotel you were in a significant position of power towards these women and some of these women were significantly younger than you, she said.

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Your conduct overall amounted to persistent sexual harassment of women in your employment. It seems to me you have had a very hard fall from grace. Lonsdale said Burchells behaviour had humiliated and degraded some of the women, and he had violated their trust. She said the women were placed in a difficult position due to his role at the hotel. Related Article Exclusive

Hospitality culture What an outback pub trial told us about the dark side of WAs nightlife

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It seems even in the 21st century women are still hesitant to speak up about harassment in the workplace even when the offending against them amounts to criminal conduct, she said. Lonsdale said Burchell should seek help for an apparent alcohol addiction, and consider his role in the hospitality industry as unhealthy. One of his victims was also granted a violence-restraining order. He will be eligible for parole after four years. During sentencing, Burchells defence lawyer said he had experienced a significant fall from grace after the court trial.

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Burchell was very much a community man, she said. He was Mr Broome  everyone knew him, everyone would go out of their way to be friends with him. She said he had been in and out of rehabilitation facilities in both the United States and the east coast since the trial, and his marriage had subsequently broken down. His lawyer also said the rape Burchell committed against his employee was at the lower end as it was not violent  and did not use any particular physicality. Judge Lonsdale agreed with the assessment, but disagreed when his lawyer suggested the women did not report a number of the assaults, and the offending appeared sporadic.

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Who would they report to? He was the general manager, she said. Theres a cumulative effect of his behaviour over time. The state prosecution argued there was a power imbalance during the course of the offending due to Burchells role as their employer, and he was opportunistic and brazen. The prosecution said Burchell had shown no remorse for his actions and character references from his supporters appeared as though they were not fully informed about the nature of his convictions. His family members and representatives for the Roebuck Bay Hotel were present at the back of the court. Burchell has previously indicated his intention to appeal the convictions.
For a second year, Elantra Hybrid awarded Best Compact Hybrid for the Money

For a third consecutive year, Tucson awarded Best Compact SUV for the Money

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Jan. 22, 2026 -- The Hyundai Elantra Hybrid and Tucson have made the 2026 Best Cars for the Money list by U.S. News and World Report. The Elantra Hybrid received Best Compact Hybrid for the second year in a row, while the Tucson earned Best Compact SUV for the third consecutive year and the fifth time overall. These awards recognize the best value and quality in each class and will be presented at the Washington Auto Show in Washington, D.C. on January 22.

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2026 Hyundai Tucson is photographed in California City, Calif., on July 16, 2025. The Hyundai Elantra Hybrid is photographed in San Pedro, Calif., on July 16, 2025.

"In a climate where affordability is a key factor in selecting a vehicle, the U.S. News and World Report Best Cars for the Money is a timely assessment," said Ricky Lao, director, product planning, Hyundai Motor North America. "The Elantra Hybrid and Tucson each offer practical features in the compact sedan and SUV segment with starting MSRPs below $30,000. Hyundai's product lineup ensures options for every budget and lifestyle."

The Elantra Hybrid offers strong fuel efficiency with an estimated 49 mpg city/52 mpg highway/50 mpg combined fuel economy and delivers customer-friendly features and a more unique, purposeful, and playful character.

The Tucson is Hyundai's bestselling model and offers five trim options - 2.5L ICE, Hybrid, Hybrid N Line, Plugin Hybrid, and XRT - each designed to deliver enhanced comfort, convenience, and safety based on buyer preferences.

"The Best Cars for the Money awards highlight vehicles that blend good ownership experiences with long-lasting value," said Alex Kwanten, Autos managing editor at U.S. News. "The Elantra Hybrid and Tucson deliver loads of style, value and capability for their prices, and they stay inexpensive over time. Both are repeat winners as a result, notching nine of these awards between them since 2021."

About U.S. News Best Cars

Since 2007, U.S. News Best Cars, the automotive channel of U.S. News & World Report, has published rankings and reviews of the majority of new vehicles sold in America. Each year, U.S. News also publishes the Best Cars Awards, including Best Vehicle Brands, Best Cars for the Money and Best Cars for Families. U.S. News Best Cars supports car shoppers throughout the entire car buying journey, offering industry-leading advice for researching cars and finding cars for sale, as well as its U.S. News Best Price Program.

Hyundai Motor America

Hyundai Motor America offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles, while supporting Hyundai Motor Company's Progress for Humanity vision. Hyundai has significant operations in the U.S., including its North American headquarters in California, the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama assembly plant, the all-new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, several cutting-edge R&D facilities and more than 855 independent dealers. These operations are part of Hyundai Motor Group, which is investing $26 billion in the U.S. from 2025 to 2028. For more information, visit www.hyundainews.com.

Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok

SOURCE Hyundai Motor America
GM to move production of Buick SUV from China to US





Detroit Mich. January 22,2026; Reuters reported that GM to move production of Buick SUV from China to US By Kalea Hall and David Shepardson >GM is moving production of a China-built Buick SUV to the U.S., its latest move to expand U.S. factory work in the wake of the Trump administrations tariffs. >GM is moving production of a China-built Buick SUV to the U.S., its latest move to expand U.S. factory work in the wake of the Trump administrations tariffs.

The Detroit automaker said Thursday it is ending China production of the Buick Envision, a midsize SUV that it has been importing to the U.S. for nearly a decade. GM will instead build the next generation of the vehicle at its assembly plant in the Kansas City area starting in 2028.

Stay up to date with the latest news, trends and innovations that are driving the global automotive industry with the Reuters Auto File newsletter. Sign up here.

This decision further strengthens GMs domestic manufacturing footprint and supports U.S. jobs, the automaker said in a statement to Reuters.

GM has shipped the Envision to the U.S. since 2017 as its only Chinese import. GM has faced a 25% tariff on the vehicles since 2018, and did not win an exemption from the tariff during the first Trump administration.

The Envision became a target for critics of Chinese-made goods, including leaders of the United Auto Workers union and members in key political swing states such as Michigan and Ohio.

Tariffs on vehicles imported from China increased last year amid a trade war between Washington and Beijing.

Last year, GM announced it would bring production of the Chevrolet Equinox SUV to the same Kansas City-area plant, from a factory in Mexico. GM recently began production of the all-electric Chevrolet Bolt out of the plant for a limited run.

When production of the Bolt ends, GM will convert the plant to make only combustion-engine vehicles. Equinox production will start in 2027, GM said.

GM is also moving production of the Chevy Blazer to Spring Hill, Tennessee, from Mexico in 2027.

Reporting by Kalea Hall in Detroit and David Shepardson in Washington; Editing by Mike Colias and Lisa Shumaker

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab
Beijing is deepening an investigation into Meta Platforms Inc.s $2 billion acquisition of Chinese-founded AI startup Manus, raising the risk that regulators will seek to alter or even unwind the deal if wrongdoing is found.

Chinese officials had begun looking into whether the December takeover of the agentic AI startup violated tech export or national security regulations. The central issue is whether Chinese technology or user data could have been compromised or shared with an American company. Regulators are now also investigating potential violations of rules governing cross-border currency flows, tax accounting and overseas investments, people familiar with the matter said.

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The broadening review highlights the scrutiny surrounding a rare US acquisition for Meta of an Asian tech company  the latest multibillion-dollar bet on AI by Meta co-founder Mark Zuckerberg. Meta hailed the deal, which was struck over roughly 10 days, as an important step toward buttressing its effort to build AI services that can perform tasks for users.

At the same time, it raised questions in Beijing about whether an American firm was gaining control of potentially sensitive, advanced Chinese AI technology and data. Manuss co-founders and parent company, Butterfly Effect, started operations in China before moving its headquarters and staff to Singapore. Its rapid ascent during that time attracted prominent early US backers including venture investor Benchmark.

The investigation into Metas takeover remains preliminary given it closed mere weeks ago, and Beijing could ultimately decide not to take any action. Some officials had privately expressed support for Manus after the deal got announced, according to a different person familiar with the deal. In addition, Manuss backers have already gotten their money, making it practically difficult to unwind the transaction, the people said.

Still, the deal has raised concerns in China because it marked a major American company acquiring a well-regarded startup of Chinese origin thats been compared with the likes of OpenAI and DeepSeek. Representatives for Meta and Manus declined to comment. Chinas Commerce Ministry didnt respond to a faxed request for comment.
Water quality in Dianchi Lake of China's Yunnan maintains on high quality level

Xinhua) 08:59, January 23, 2026

An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 3, 2025 shows the scenery of Dianchi Lake in Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province. The water quality in Dianchi Lake has been maintaining on high quality level for eight consecutive years, according to the Dianchi Lake administration bureau. (Xinhua/Peng Yikai)

An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 3, 2025 shows the scenery of Dianchi Lake in Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province. The water quality in Dianchi Lake has been maintaining on high quality level for eight consecutive years, according to the Dianchi Lake administration bureau. (Xinhua/Peng Yikai)

People take a sightseeing ferry on the Dianchi Lake in Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Jan. 22, 2026. The water quality in Dianchi Lake has been maintaining on high quality level for eight consecutive years, according to the Dianchi Lake administration bureau. (Xinhua/Peng Yikai)

Workers take care of plants on a floating island on the Dianchi Lake in Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Jan. 22, 2026. The water quality in Dianchi Lake has been maintaining on high quality level for eight consecutive years, according to the Dianchi Lake administration bureau. (Xinhua/Peng Yikai)

An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 22, 2026 shows the scenery of Dianchi Lake in Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province. The water quality in Dianchi Lake has been maintaining on high quality level for eight consecutive years, according to the Dianchi Lake administration bureau. (Xinhua/Peng Yikai)

An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 22, 2026 shows the scenery of Dianchi Lake in Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province. The water quality in Dianchi Lake has been maintaining on high quality level for eight consecutive years, according to the Dianchi Lake administration bureau. (Xinhua/Peng Yikai)

An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 22, 2026 shows the scenery of Dianchi Lake in Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province. The water quality in Dianchi Lake has been maintaining on high quality level for eight consecutive years, according to the Dianchi Lake administration bureau. (Xinhua/Peng Yikai)

A woman feeds a black-headed gull beside the Dianchi Lake in Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Jan. 22, 2026. The water quality in Dianchi Lake has been maintaining on high quality level for eight consecutive years, according to the Dianchi Lake administration bureau. (Xinhua/Peng Yikai)

A woman feeds black-headed gulls beside the Dianchi Lake in Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Jan. 22, 2026. The water quality in Dianchi Lake has been maintaining on high quality level for eight consecutive years, according to the Dianchi Lake administration bureau. (Xinhua/Peng Yikai)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
(Bloomberg)  Chinese officials have told the countrys largest tech firms including Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (BABA) they can prepare orders for Nvidia Corp.s (NVDA) H200 AI chips, suggesting Beijing is close to formally approving imports of components essential to running artificial intelligence.

Regulators have recently granted in-principle approval for Alibaba (BABA), Tencent Holdings Ltd. (TCEHY) and ByteDance Ltd. to move to the next stage of preparations for purchases, people familiar with the matter said. The companies are now cleared to discuss specifics such as the amounts they would require, the people said, asking to remain unidentified discussing private talks. Beijing will encourage companies to buy a certain amount of domestic chips as a condition for approval, according to the people, though no exact number has been set.

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Nvidia shares rose as much as 2.3% in premarket trading, while the American depositary receipts of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. gained 1.3%.

The discussions signals Beijing is moving ahead with plans to approve shipments of the H200  a last-generation semiconductor thats been thrust into the heart of sensitive US-China trade negotiations. It shows the government is prioritizing the needs of the major Chinese hyperscalers from Alibaba to Tencent, which are spending billions of dollars to build the data centers they need to develop and operate AI services.

That would mark a major win for Nvidia, which has angled to resume business with the worlds largest semiconductor arena. Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang has said that the AI chip segment alone could generate $50 billion in the coming years. In its absence, local rivals such as Huawei Technologies Co. and Cambricon Technologies Corp. have thrived and plan to sharply increase production.

Beijings guidance to its largest tech firms runs counter to reports in recent weeks that the government was blocking H200 shipments. Last week, the Financial Times reported suppliers of parts for the chip had paused production. Representatives for Nvidia declined to comment, while the Commerce Ministry didnt respond to a faxed request for comment. Alibaba, Tencent and ByteDance representatives did not respond to requests for comment.
Banned Meat Probe: SIT secures 3-day remand of slaughterhouse operator, driver





Staff Reporter :

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the high-profile recovery of banned meat from the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) abattoir was granted three-day police remand of the primary suspects on Thursday. The slaughterhouse operator, Aslam Qureshi (alias Aslam Chamda), and container driver Shoaib will now undergo intensive interrogation to dismantle the illegal supply network. Following a mandatory medical examination, the duo was moved to an undisclosed location. SIT officials indicated that Qureshis testimony is vital to uncovering the logistics of the operation and identifying other stakeholders in the trade. The Jinsi-based BMC slaughterhouse was sealed on January 8 after an Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report confirmed the presence of banned meat in packets seized from a container. The vehicle had been intercepted by activists near the Police Headquarters (PHQ) area on December 17.

The SIT has identified several critical areas for the three-day remand period. Investigators are baffled as to how banned meat was packaged in the facility if CCTV footage did not record cow slaughter on-site. Police are probing if the meat was slaughtered at a different, clandestine location and brought to the BMC facility solely for professional packaging. Qureshi will be questioned regarding the operations of his firm, Livestock Private Limited. The SIT is seeking a detailed roster of the workforce, their specific duties, and the deployment of personnel across various units. Officials stated that responsibility will be fixed based on a combination of technical data, documentary evidence, and physical clues gathered from the facility. Sources close to the investigation revealed that a significant hurdle for the SIT is the disappearance of the labour force.

Most workers employed by Livestock Private Limited for buffalo slaughter and packaging were migrants from other cities and states. Since the facility was sealed, the majority have returned to their native places, making it difficult for investigators to record their statements. The investigation has now expanded to include the local government. The SIT has begun summoning BMC (Nagar Nigam) officials who were responsible for the management and oversight of the slaughterhouse. These officials will be grilled on their professional ties with Qureshi and whether administrative negligence or active collusion allowed the illegal meat to be processed and dispatched under the guise of legal operations.
IMD begins AQI forecasting for 47 cities, including Nagpur





By Kaushik Bhattacharya

India Meteorological Department (IMD) has started Air Quality Index (AQI) forecasting for 47 cities of India, including Nagpur, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Pune cities of Maharashtra. Keeping the deteriorating air quality in mind, the Weather Department started this WRF-Chem model-based AQI forecasting, which will provide air quality prediction for three days in advance. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) provides only the AQI observation, whereas IMD will give forecasting with health advisory. The AQI forecasting by IMD is already functional in all 47 cities and available on IMD website. We have started WRF-Chem and SILAM Model-based AQI forecasting of 47 cities. IMD is planning to expand the forecasting in more metro cities in coming days, Pravin Kumar, Scientist C, Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Nagpur told The Hitavada. The WRF-Chem model is a powerful, widely-used tool for AQI forecasting, as it online, couples weather (WRF) and atmospheric chemistry, capturing real-time interactions for pollutants like PM2.5, Ozone, and NOx. WRF-Chem often shows better accuracy for local or regional AQI compared to global models, especially for peak pollution events. Similarly, the IMD System for Integrated modeling of Atmospheric composition (SILAM Model) is an advanced air quality forecasting system used by the Weather Department to provide detailed, high-resolution predictions of air pollutants across India. We have started using these models for air quality forecasting with the help of Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune. The models help us to analyse the meteorological data and to forecast air quality, said Pravin Kumar. As per the senior meteorologist, Nagpur city so far witnessed moderate air quality with some days of poor AQI during this winter season. The Weather Department will also provide air quality data during Diwali as well. As per todays prediction, Nagpur city will witness moderate AQI till January 24, which may cause breathing discomfort to the people with lungs, asthma and heart diseases.
MP Board exams under Third Eye for first time: 226 centres to be equipped with CCTV cameras





By Akanksha Gupta :

In a historic move to ensure the sanctity and transparency of the Class 10 and 12 board examinations, the Madhya Pradesh Board of Secondary Education (MPBSE) has decided to implement CCTV surveillance at sensitive and selected examination centres for the first time in the boards history. The primary objective of this initiative is to effectively curb paper leaks, mass cheating, and other irregularities during the exams. 226 centres selected under pilot project: The Board has opted to launch this as a Pilot Project this year. Out of a total of 3,856 examination centres across the state, 226 centres have been brought under electronic surveillance. The live feed from these cameras will be monitored directly at the Board Headquarters in Bhopal.

Additionally, District Collectors and District Education Officers (DEOs) have also been granted access to monitor the live activities of these centres within their respective jurisdictions. Crackdown on the cheating Mafia: Board PRO Bhupesh Gupta stated that the mere awareness of being under surveillance is often sufficient to deter irregularities. He added that CCTV monitoring would also help reduce the influx of hoax calls and complaints alleging mass cheating. Based on the outcomes of this years experience, the Board will consider extending CCTV coverage to more centres next year. Strengthening the scope of flying squads: Currently, flying squads constituted by the Board conduct surprise inspections of centres.

However, they face limitations as they can only remain at a specific centre for a limited duration. In contrast, CCTV cameras will enable continuous, uninterrupted monitoring throughout the entire duration of the examination. Examinations set to begin next month: The Board examinations are scheduled to commence in the second week of February. Class 12th exams will be held from February 7 to March 5, while Class 10 exams will take place between February 11 and March 2. It is noteworthy that states like Bihar, Rajasthan, and Gujarat are already utilising CCTV.
Over 6,000 security personnel deployed; drone ban in 300-meter radius of Bhojshala





By Bhavana Aparajita Shukla :

The Dhar district administration has implemented a comprehensive security apparatus and enforced stringent prohibitory orders to maintain law and order during the upcoming Basant Panchami festival. With an aim to preserve communal harmony, the administration has deployed a massive police force and issued specific directives under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023. District Magistrate Priyank Mishra and Superintendent of Police Mayank Awasthi confirmed that executive magistrates have been stationed at strategic locations to ensure a swift response to any contingency. Flag marches are being conducted in sensitive areas to instill public confidence, and the administration has appealed to citizens to ignore unverified rumours. No-Fly Zone and public safety: A 300-meter radius around the Bhojshala complex has been declared a No-Fly Zone. The operation of drones, paragliders, hot air balloons, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) is strictly prohibited. Furthermore, the storage of construction material, debris, old tires, or abandoned kiosks on public roads is banned to prevent potential blockades or misuse.

Municipal authorities have been authorised to seize any such material found in violation. Regulated communication and content: Strict guidelines have been issued for printing presses. Owners must ensure that any advertisements, banners, or posters related to the festival use moderate and respectful language. The publication of inflammatory or provocative content targeting any community is strictly forbidden. All printed material must carry the name of the press and the publisher, and a copy must be submitted to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) for record. Entry restrictions at Bhojshala: Authorities have specified that devotees entering the Bhojshala complex may only carry essential puja items, rice (akshat), and flowers. Prohibited items include mobile phones, bags, cameras, and water bottles. The possession of weapons, including knives, swords, sticks, and firearms or explosives is completely banned in the vicinity.

Crackdown on anti-social elements: In a major preventive move, the police have bound over 4,526 individuals with criminal records, involving bonds totalling approximately Rs 400 crore. Additionally, the sale of loose petrol or diesel in cans and bottles has been restricted, and a temporary ban on the sale of liquor has been enforced for the duration of the festival. Deployment of force: To ensure an airtight security grid, a force of 6,461 police personnel has been mobilised, including: 13 Superintendents of Police (SP),25 Additional SPs, 67 DSPs/CSPs, 107 Inspectors, 4,768 Sub-Inspectors and Constables, 933 Women Police Personnel, 8 Platoons of the Rapid Action Force (RAF).
SC permits simultaneous observance at Bhojshala in Dhar on Basant Panchami; orders tight security





By Senior Special Correspondent :

The Supreme Court has issued a landmark directive regarding the historic and contested Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Dhar district. Anticipating the convergence of Basant Panchami and Friday prayers this week, the Apex Court has charted a time-sharing formula to accommodate the religious sentiments of both communities. A Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipul M Pancholi, while hearing the matter, appealed to both sides to maintain mutual respect and communal harmony. The court emphasised that the onus of maintaining law and order during the religious activities rests entirely with the State and district administration. The Bench further directed the Dhar administration to ensure foolproof security arrangements within and around the premises. Verification of worshippers: In a specific security measure, the court has directed the Muslim community to provide a list of individuals who will be attending the Friday prayers (Namaz) to the district administration in advance.

This step is intended to bolster security protocols and facilitate effective crowd management during the high-stakes event. The 11th-century monument, protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), remains a flashpoint of contention. While the Hindu community revere it as Bhojshala, a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati (Vagdevi), Muslim community identifies it as the Kamal Maula Mosque. Under the existing ASI arrangement established on April 7, 2003: Tuesdays: Hindus are permitted to perform puja. Fridays: Muslims are allowed to offer prayers. With Basant Panchami, a major Hindu festival dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, falling on a Friday this year, both parties had approached the court seeking exclusive or priority rights. By bifurcating the schedule, the SC has sought a balanced resolution to prevent any conflict while upholding religious freedom.
Severed head of cow calf found beneath flyover triggers unrest





Staff Reporter :

Chaos was reported in the area after severed head of a cow calf was found beneath the flyover infront of Nagpal Garden, Madan Mahal on Thursday morning. The incident sparked immediate communal tension and led to a large-scale protest by local activists. According to the sources, local residents first spotted the remains on the roadside and alerted members of various Hindu organisations. As the news spread, a significant crowd gathered at the site, prompting a rapid response from Madan Mahal and Gorakhpur police departments to maintain order. Vishal Namdev, District Joint Secretary, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), characterized the event as a calculated attempt to incite unrest.

He noted that the incident occurred on the second anniversary of the Lord Ram Pran Pratishtha, suggesting a deliberate intent to disrupt the citys atmosphere. VHP member Vikas Khare issued a formal warning to the administration, stating that if the perpetrators are not apprehended within 24 hours, the organization will launch a widespread and aggressive protest. In response to the formal complaint filed by the activists, Gorakhpur police have officially registered a FIR under Section 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police have increased patrolling in the area and are currently reviewing local surveillance footage to identify the individuals responsible for the act. Meanwhile, the district administration has appealed for calm while the investigation proceeds.
Sitabuldi Fort to remain open for public on Republic Day in Staff Reporter





In Staff Reporter

To mark the 77th Republic Day celebration, the Indian Army will open the gates of historic Sitabuldi Fort for general public on January 26. According to official information, Sitabuldi Fort will remain open for visitors from 9 am to 4 pm on Republic Day. Citizens will be allowed entry through the Army Recruiting Office (ARO) gate, located opposite the Nagpur Railway Station. Visitors will be required to produce a valid identity proof for entry. The exit point for visitors has been designated at the main Fort Gate, ensuring smooth movement and crowd regulation throughout the day. The Sitabuldi Fort, a key landmark associated with the historic Battle of Sitabuldi, is usually restricted due to security reasons and is opened to the public only on special occasions. The Republic Day opening offers residents and history enthusiasts a rare opportunity to visit the fort and learn about its military and historical significance. The initiative is expected to draw large crowds from Nagpur and nearby areas, making it one of the key attractions of the citys Republic Day celebrations.
Trump rolls out his Board of Peace @ Davos





DAVOS :

PRESIDENT Donald Trump on Thursday inaugurated his Board of Peace to lead efforts at maintaining a ceasefire in Israels war with Hamas, insisting that everyone wants to be a part of the body that could eventually rival the United Nations  despite many US allies opting not to participate. In a speech at the World Economic Forum, Trump sought to create momentum for a project to map out a future for the war-torn Gaza Strip that has been overshadowed this week, first by his threats to seize Greenland, and then by a dramatic retreat from that push. This isnt the United States, this is for the world, Trump said, adding, I think we can spread it out to other things as we succeed in Gaza. The event came as Ali Shaath, head of the new technocratic government in Gaza, said the Rafah border crossing will open in both directions next week. Thats after Israel said in early December it would open the crossing, which runs between Gaza and Egypt, but has yet to do so.

The new board was initially envisioned as a small group of world leaders overseeing the ceasefire, but has morphed into something far more ambitious  and scepticism about its membership and mandate has led some countries usually closest to Washington take a pass. Trump tried not to let those who werent there ruin his unveiling party, saying 59 countries had signed on. He told a group of participating world leaders and top diplomats from Azerbaijan to Paraguay to Hungary, Youre the most powerful people in the world. Trump said of those assembled, every one of them is a friend of mine, and noted that in most cases they were very popular leaders. Some cases -- not so popular. Thats the way it goes. Attending were Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the Presidents son-in-law and a key overseas negotiator for his administration on several fronts. Among those also on hand were Saudi Arabias Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan; Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev; Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan.

Many are Trump allies, including Argentine President Javier Milei and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. Trump has spoken about the board replacing some UN functions and perhaps even making that entire body obsolete one day. But he was more conciliatory in his remarks on the sidelines of the forum in the Swiss Alps, saying, Well do it in conjunction with the United Nations, even though he denigrated the UN for doing what he said wasnt enough to calm some conflicts around the globe. Rubio noted during the event that some countries leaders have indicated that they plan to join but still require approval from their parliaments, and the Trump administration says it has also gotten queries about membership from countries that hadnt been invited to participate yet. Big questions remain, however, about what the eventual board will look like. Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country is still consulting with Moscows strategic partners before deciding to commit. The Russian president is due to host Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for talks in Moscow on Thursday. Others are asking why Putin and other authoritarian leaders had even been invited to join.

Britains Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, said her country wasnt signing on because this is about a legal treaty that raises much broader issues. And we do also have concerns about President Putin being part of something which is talking about peace, when we have still not seen any signs from Putin that there will be a commitment to peace in Ukraine, she told the BBC. India was among the countries not present in Davos on Thursday when US President Donald Trump unveiled his Board of Peace. India is yet to take a call on it, people familiar with the matter said when asked about Trumps invite to PM Modi. India has been pushing for a two-State solution to the Palestine question with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security within recognised borders. Norway and Sweden have indicated that they wont participate, after France also said no. French officials stressed that while they support the Gaza peace plan, they were concerned the board could seek to replace the UN as the main venue for resolving conflicts. Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob said the time has not yet come to accept the invitation, according to the STA news agency, with the main concern being that the boards mandate may be too broad and could undermine international order based on the UN Charter. Canada, Russia, Ukraine, China and the executive arm of the European Union have not yet indicated their response to Trumps invitations.

Trump calling off the steep tariffs he threatened over Greenland could ease some allies reluctance  but the issue is still far from settled. The Kremlin said Thursday that Putin plans to discuss his proposal to send USD 1 billion to the Board of Peace and use it for humanitarian purposes during his talks with Abbas. But he noted that the use of those assets will require the US to unblock them. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered an address to world leaders after holding talks with Trump at Davos on ending the war in Ukraine. Zelenskyy called his meeting with Trump productive and substantive." Zelenskyy has announced two days of trilateral meetings between the US, Ukraine and Russia in the Emirates starting Friday. The idea for the Board of Peace was first laid out in Trumps 20-point Gaza ceasefire plan, and was endorsed by the UN Security Council. Invitation letters to world leaders ahead of Davos indicated that the panel may not confine their work to Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced hes agreed to join, after his office had earlier criticised the makeup of the boards committee tasked with overseeing Gaza. Trump said Thursday that the war in Gaza is really coming to an end while conceding, We have little fires that well put out. But theyre little, and that they had been giant, giant, massive fires. Trumps push for peace also comes after he threatened military action this month against Iran as it carried out a violent crackdown against some of the largest street protests in years, killing thousands. Trump, for the time being, has signalled he wont carry out any new strikes on Iran after he said he received assurances that the Islamic government would not carry out the planned hangings of more than 800 protesters. But even as he prepared to unveil his Board of Peace, Trump also made the case that his tough approach to Tehran  including strikes on Irans nuclear facilities in June last year  was critical to the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal coalescing. Iran was Hamas most important patron, providing the group hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid, weapons, training and financial support over the years.
A headline in The Wall Street Journal says it all: Chinese EVs Blow Past Tesla and Tariffs En Route to Global Reign. Chinese automakers are methodically working their way into Mexico and Europe. In fact, they already have over 7% of Europes market.

24/7 Wall St. Key Points

Chinese electric vehicle makers are entrenched in Mexico and Europe and have their eye on the United States, the worlds second-largest car market.

Tariffs have kept inexpensive, well-built Chinese EVs out of the U.S. market so far, but for how much longer?

Read: The Little-Known Savings Offer Paying Up To $1,500 in Cash Bonuses This Year

Chinese electric vehicle companies have the United States surrounded. The moat between their current status and a successful move into the U.S. is tariff levels that make doing business in America less than economical.

What are the chances that Chinese EVs will break into other large markets? Klaus Zyciora, a former Volkswagen designer who is head of design at state-owned automaker Changan, told the Wall Street Journal, You need to go global. Toyota did it. Ford did it. GM did it.

It is worth remembering that Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: TM) first sold cars in the U.S. in 1958. Today, it is the second-largest manufacturer in America, based on unit sales. It faced high tariffs early on. The world moves much faster now. A Chinese EV expansion into the U.S. could come very quickly, if tariffs are dropped.

How hard will the Chinese companies fight to enter the U.S.? It is the second-largest car market in the world, after China.

The current Chinese EV battle in the U.S. is between letting American consumers have access to inexpensive, well-built EVs, or, on the other hand, the protection of Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) and General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM). Ford CEO Jim Farley has already expressed a staggering fear about the quality and price of Chinas EVs. Ford will not be able to match Chinese prices and quality soon, perhaps not ever.

Tariffs are a funny thing, particularly during the Trump administration. They are on, until they are off. A wide-ranging trade deal with China could affect the car industry, much as it has the artificial intelligence chip industry. Ask Nvidia. First, there are tariffs, then there are not. Then there are tariffs again. The Trump administration sometimes sees companies and industries as pawns in a huge chess game. Moreover, the White House has hinted that the way into the U.S. is to put factories on U.S. soil. That means employing American manufacturing workers.

Chinese EVs are on the way. It is just a question of when they arrive.
Coinbase pulled its backing for the Senates market structure bill because a potential ban on rewards and limited SEC flexibility would have left everyday crypto users worse off.

The context: Coinbase VP of US Policy Kara Calvert told CoinDesk TV that the company identified "fatal flaws" that tipped the scales against the legislation just hours before a scheduled markup.

A primary dealbreaker was language that effectively eliminated rewards for customers holding a balance, which Calvert argued hurts affordability for everyday Americans.

The exchange also feared provisions that would strip the SEC of its "exemptive relief" authority, a pillar that allows new technologies to evolve under current rules.

Calvert noted the draft had less than 24 hours to "breathe," leaving virtually no time to fix six amendments that would have made the bill "materially worse."

The friction: The dispute highlights a clash between legacy banking concerns and modern crypto business models.

Banks have pushed for protection from non-bank stablecoin rewards, arguing they compete with deposits, though Calvert disputes this premise.

Veda Labs General Counsel TuongVy Le suggests the fight over stablecoin yield is "missing the forest for the trees," reflecting a broader paradigm shift in which consumers expect to capture more value from their money.

Key quotes: Calvert defended the decision to walk away, describing the high-pressure legislative environment.

"When you're looking down the barrel of a gun, you don't pull the trigger," Calvert said regarding the hostile amendments Coinbase faced.

"A bad bill... is something that tips the scale to leaving not just the crypto industry... but everyday consumers worse off," she added.

What comes next: Despite the breakdown, industry insiders remain surprisingly optimistic that legislation can pass before the November midterms.

Calvert believes the banking bill can get "back on track" and praised the separate

She praised the Agriculture Committee draft for giving the CFTC critical spot market authority.

Observers are watching to see if legislation will pass before the 2026 midterm elections.

Read more: Here's why Coinbase and other companies soured on the major crypto bill
Mammoth Resources Corp. (CVE:MTH  Get Free Report)s share price dropped 14.3% during trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as C$0.06 and last traded at C$0.06. Approximately 119,730 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 66% from the average daily volume of 72,017 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.07.

Mammoth Resources Stock Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 5.53, a current ratio of 0.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of -7.15. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of C$0.05 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$0.05. The firm has a market cap of C$6.39 million, a PE ratio of -6.00 and a beta of 4.02.

About Mammoth Resources

(Get Free Report)

Mammoth Resources Corp., an exploration stage company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and evaluation of mining properties in Mexico. It holds a 100% interest in the Tenoriba property consisting of four concessions, including Mapy, Mapy 2, Mapy 3, and Fernanda covering a land package of totalling 5,333 hectares located in the Sierra Madre precious metal belt in southwestern Chihuahua State, Mexico. The company was formerly known as Mammoth Capital Corp. and changed its name to Mammoth Resources Corp.

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Aercap Holdings N.V. (NYSE:AER  Get Free Report) has been given a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy by the ten brokerages that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $148.8571.

AER has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Barclays lifted their price objective on Aercap from $144.00 to $162.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Truist Financial started coverage on Aercap in a research report on Tuesday, December 9th. They set a buy rating and a $159.00 price target for the company. Susquehanna boosted their price target on Aercap from $134.00 to $157.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a report on Tuesday, November 11th. Zacks Research lowered Aercap from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 30th. Finally, TD Cowen reiterated a buy rating on shares of Aercap in a research report on Thursday, October 30th.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Aercap

Aercap Trading Up 0.3%

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of AER. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Aercap during the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Mather Group LLC. purchased a new stake in Aercap during the third quarter valued at about $26,000. Advisory Services Network LLC acquired a new stake in Aercap during the third quarter worth about $35,000. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its holdings in shares of Aercap by 36.5% in the 4th quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 359 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $52,000 after purchasing an additional 96 shares during the period. Finally, Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Aercap in the 2nd quarter worth about $43,000. 96.42% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Shares of Aercap stock opened at $143.70 on Friday. The company has a 50-day moving average of $140.51 and a two-hundred day moving average of $127.18. Aercap has a 12-month low of $85.57 and a 12-month high of $149.24. The company has a current ratio of 0.30, a quick ratio of 0.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.43. The stock has a market cap of $26.84 billion, a PE ratio of 6.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.73 and a beta of 1.08.

Aercap (NYSE:AER  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The financial services provider reported $4.97 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.16 by $1.81. The firm had revenue of $2.31 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2 billion. Aercap had a return on equity of 15.16% and a net margin of 45.41%.Aercaps quarterly revenue was up 18.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.41 EPS. Aercap has set its FY 2025 guidance at 13.700-13.700 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Aercap will post 11.29 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Aercap Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 4th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, November 12th were paid a dividend of $0.27 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, November 12th. This represents a $1.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.8%. Aercaps dividend payout ratio is currently 5.12%.

Aercap Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

AerCap Holdings N.V. (NYSE: AER) is a global aircraft leasing and aviation finance company that acquires, leases, sells and manages commercial aircraft and engines. Its core services include operating leases, finance leases, sale-and-leaseback transactions, aircraft trading and remarketing, and asset management for airline customers. The company also provides related commercial and technical support services designed to optimize fleet utilization and residual values over the life cycle of aircraft and engines.

Operating with a broad global footprint, AerCap serves airlines and other aviation customers across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa.

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AMB Financial Corp. (OTCMKTS:AMFC  Get Free Report)s share price shot up 1.7% on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $32.55 and last traded at $32.55. 1,175 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 101% from the average session volume of 585 shares. The stock had previously closed at $32.02.

AMB Financial Stock Performance

The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $30.22 and a 200-day moving average price of $27.29.

AMB Financial Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

AMB Financial Corp. operates as the bank holding company for American Community Bank of Indiana that provides financial services to customers in Indiana. The company provides savings, checking, health savings, individual retirement, and money market deposit accounts, as well as certificates of deposit. It offers business checking accounts, business debit and credit cards, and order business checks. In addition, the company offers mortgage loans, home equity loans, construction/lot loans, community loans, vehicle loans, and loan servicing; and commercial loans, commercial real estate loans, and SBA loans.

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an oil pumpjack on high ground - Funtay/Getty

When it comes to oil-rich countries, one would usually think of Middle Eastern nations like Saudi Arabia or Iraq. But what many do not know is that the country with the largest oil reserves in the world lies just 1,200 miles to the south of Florida  or about a three-and-a-half-hour flight across the Caribbean. This is the state of Venezuela, and the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that its oil reserves are at more than 303 billion barrels, as of 2025.

Most of Venezuela's oil is in the Orinoco Belt, a swathe of land north of the Orinoco River, but extracting it poses an unusual set of challenges. The country's oil infrastructure needs to be overhauled due to years of mismanagement and corruption and a history of asset seizures from private companies by the state. The country is also under U.S. sanctions, which limit its ability to sell oil overseas.

Venezuela's crude oil isn't easy to process, either. Saudi Arabian and American oil fields produce light, sweet crude oil, which contains very little sulfur, and isn't corrosive to pipes and equipment. On the other hand, Venezuelan oil is much harder to process because it's mostly heavy and sour, making it harder to process crude oil into unleaded gasoline. Prof. Paasha Mahdavi of the University of California, Santa Barbara, told NPR that it's "among the dirtiest oils in the world to produce when it comes to global warming."

Read more: Popular Synthetic Oil Brands Ranked Worst To Best

Other nations with substantial petroleum resources

the flags of Venezuela and Saudi Arabia placed side-by-side - FatihYavuz/Shutterstock

Aside from Venezuela, other countries that have massive reserves include Saudi Arabia (267 billion barrels), Iran (208 billion barrels), Iraq (145 billion barrels), and the United Arab Emirates (113 billion barrels). The United States sits in the top eight, with an estimated 45 billion barrels of crude oil in reserve.

One thing that allowed the U.S. to massively increase its oil reserves and become one of the top 10 countries with the largest oil reserves is the development of fracking. Unlike traditional oil extraction techniques, which siphoned oil deposits from porous material, fracking pumps a special type of fluid deep underground to break the dense rock that holds the oil and make it easier to extract.

Other nations are continually exploring to find new oil fields within their borders, and the U.S. made a new discovery in Texas in January 2026, which potentially has 1.6 billion barrels of oil. So, if there's a new substantial find or new technologies are developed to efficiently extract more oil from existing wells, then it's possible that another state can overtake Venezuela as the largest oil reserve holder in the world.
BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund (NYSE:MQY  Get Free Report) and Compass Diversified (NYSE:CODI  Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their risk, dividends, profitability, valuation, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership and earnings.

Risk & Volatility

BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund has a beta of 0.7, suggesting that its share price is 30% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Compass Diversified has a beta of 1.06, suggesting that its share price is 6% more volatile than the S&P 500.

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Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent recommendations and price targets for BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund and Compass Diversified, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund 0 0 0 0 0.00 Compass Diversified 2 3 1 0 1.83

Valuation & Earnings

Compass Diversified has a consensus target price of $13.00, suggesting a potential upside of 112.84%. Given Compass Diversifieds stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Compass Diversified is more favorable than BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund.

This table compares BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund and Compass Diversifieds revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Compass Diversified $2.20 billion 0.21 -$208.86 million ($2.74) -2.23

BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Compass Diversified.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

25.5% of BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 72.7% of Compass Diversified shares are held by institutional investors. 1.0% of BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 1.8% of Compass Diversified shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Profitability

This table compares BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund and Compass Diversifieds net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund N/A N/A N/A Compass Diversified -7.08% 24.48% -0.73%

Summary

Compass Diversified beats BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund on 8 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks.

About BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund

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BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc. is a close ended fixed income mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc. It is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. The fund invests in fixed income markets. It invests in long-term municipal obligations the interest on which is exempt from federal income taxes. The fund also invests in short-term securities. BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc. was formed on July 21, 1992 and is domiciled in United States.

About Compass Diversified

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Compass Diversified is a private equity firm specializing in add on acquisitions, buyouts, industry consolidation, recapitalization, late stage and middle market investments. It seeks to invest in niche industrial or branded consumer companies, manufacturing, distribution, consumer products, business services sector, healthcare, safety & security, electronic components, food and foodservice. The firm prefers to invest in companies based in North America. It seeks to invest between $100 million and $800 million in companies with an EBITDA between $15 million to $80 million. It seeks to acquire controlling ownership interests in its portfolio companies and can make additional platform acquisitions. The firm prefer to have majority stake in companies. The firm invests through its balance sheet and typically holds investments between five to seven years. Compass Diversified was founded in 2006 and is based in Westport, Connecticut with an additional office in Costa Mesa, California.

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AngloGold Ashanti PLC (NYSE:AU  Get Free Report) has received an average rating of Moderate Buy from the eight research firms that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, one has given a hold recommendation and six have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $88.50.

Several equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of AngloGold Ashanti from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, December 13th. Roth Mkm boosted their target price on shares of AngloGold Ashanti from $84.00 to $92.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, December 15th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on AngloGold Ashanti from $128.00 to $131.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Zacks Research cut AngloGold Ashanti from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 23rd. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price target on AngloGold Ashanti from $105.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday.

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AngloGold Ashanti Trading Up 1.6%

NYSE:AU opened at $102.95 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $88.01 and a 200 day simple moving average of $70.82. The firm has a market capitalization of $42.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.68 and a beta of 0.58. AngloGold Ashanti has a 1-year low of $27.44 and a 1-year high of $107.60. The company has a quick ratio of 1.98, a current ratio of 2.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21.

AngloGold Ashanti (NYSE:AU  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 12th. The mining company reported $1.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.34 by ($0.02). AngloGold Ashanti had a return on equity of 24.01% and a net margin of 26.25%.The company had revenue of $2.42 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.53 billion. Sell-side analysts forecast that AngloGold Ashanti will post 3.83 earnings per share for the current year.

AngloGold Ashanti Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 12th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 28th were paid a dividend of $0.91 per share. This represents a $3.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 28th. AngloGold Ashantis payout ratio is 80.18%.

Institutional Trading of AngloGold Ashanti

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. State Street Corp grew its position in AngloGold Ashanti by 1,175.7% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 4,967,173 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $226,354,000 after purchasing an additional 4,577,807 shares in the last quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of AngloGold Ashanti by 1,767.5% during the 2nd quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 2,788,123 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $127,027,000 after buying an additional 2,638,823 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of AngloGold Ashanti by 274.6% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 3,137,721 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $142,986,000 after acquiring an additional 2,300,204 shares in the last quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp increased its stake in shares of AngloGold Ashanti by 10.0% in the third quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 19,847,932 shares of the mining companys stock worth $1,395,905,000 after acquiring an additional 1,804,620 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of AngloGold Ashanti in the second quarter worth $74,039,000. 36.09% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About AngloGold Ashanti

(Get Free Report)

AngloGold Ashanti is a global gold mining company engaged in the exploration, development, production, processing and sale of gold. Headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, the companys core activities span the full mining value chain from greenfield exploration and mine development through to ore processing and rehabilitation. Gold is the primary commodity produced, with individual operations sometimes yielding other byproducts depending on local geology and processing methods.

The company was formed in 2004 through the merger of AngloGold and Ashanti Goldfields, creating a diversified international gold producer.

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BNP Paribas SA (OTCMKTS:BNPQY  Get Free Report) has received a consensus recommendation of Hold from the eight brokerages that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, four have given a hold recommendation, two have issued a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company.

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on BNPQY shares. Zacks Research upgraded shares of BNP Paribas from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday. Citigroup restated a buy rating on shares of BNP Paribas in a report on Thursday. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of BNP Paribas in a research report on Friday, October 10th. DZ Bank cut BNP Paribas from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, Barclays cut BNP Paribas from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd.

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BNP Paribas Stock Up 1.9%

BNP Paribas stock opened at $51.76 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.75, a current ratio of 0.80 and a quick ratio of 0.80. BNP Paribas has a fifty-two week low of $32.76 and a fifty-two week high of $52.00. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $45.97 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $44.95. The firm has a market cap of $115.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.33, a P/E/G ratio of 0.73 and a beta of 0.74.

BNP Paribas (OTCMKTS:BNPQY  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The financial services provider reported $1.53 EPS for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $1.53. The business had revenue of $81.48 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $12.84 billion. BNP Paribas had a return on equity of 8.56% and a net margin of 22.74%. As a group, analysts forecast that BNP Paribas will post 5.02 earnings per share for the current year.

BNP Paribas Company Profile

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BNP Paribas is a major international banking group headquartered in Paris, France, formed through the 2000 merger of Banque Nationale de Paris (BNP) and Paribas. The group provides a broad range of banking and financial services to retail, corporate and institutional clients, operating as one of the leading universal banks in Europe with a global footprint.

Its principal business activities encompass retail banking and services, corporate and institutional banking, and investment solutions.

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Brenntag AG (OTCMKTS:BNTGY  Get Free Report) gapped down prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $12.06, but opened at $11.30. Brenntag shares last traded at $11.30, with a volume of 1,033 shares.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

BNTGY has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. BNP Paribas Exane assumed coverage on shares of Brenntag in a report on Monday, October 20th. They set a neutral rating and a $12.80 price objective on the stock. Zacks Research raised shares of Brenntag from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Brenntag in a research note on Wednesday, September 24th. Morgan Stanley cut Brenntag from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Finally, Citigroup reiterated a neutral rating on shares of Brenntag in a research note on Friday, November 14th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Reduce and a consensus price target of $12.80.

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Brenntag Stock Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $8.54 billion, a PE ratio of 18.48 and a beta of 0.75. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $11.47 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $11.90.

Brenntag (OTCMKTS:BNTGY  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 12th. The company reported $0.18 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.19 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $4.31 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.32 billion. Brenntag had a net margin of 2.66% and a return on equity of 9.14%. Equities research analysts expect that Brenntag AG will post 0.9 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

About Brenntag

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Brenntag SE, trading on OTCMKTS as BNTGY, is a global market leader in the distribution of chemicals and ingredients. With headquarters in Essen, Germany, the company serves a wide range of industries including coatings and construction, cleaning and water treatment, food and nutrition, pharmaceuticals and personal care, as well as oil and gas. Brenntag operates through two core segmentsEssentials and Specialtiesoffering both standard commodity chemicals and tailored specialty solutions to customers around the world.

Its product portfolio encompasses inorganic and organic chemicals, polymers, petrochemicals and specialty ingredients.

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Ivanhoe Electric Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:IE  Get Free Report) has been given an average recommendation of Buy by the six ratings firms that are covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month price objective among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $18.1250.

A number of research analysts have commented on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on shares of Ivanhoe Electric from $18.00 to $22.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. Raymond James Financial boosted their price target on shares of Ivanhoe Electric from $15.00 to $16.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Finally, Scotiabank reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Ivanhoe Electric in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th.

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Insider Buying and Selling

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

In other Ivanhoe Electric news, insider Quentin Markin sold 90,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $16.34, for a total value of $1,470,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 728,493 shares of the companys stock, valued at $11,903,575.62. This trade represents a 11.00% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link . 12.06% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. FNY Investment Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Ivanhoe Electric in the 4th quarter valued at $56,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its holdings in Ivanhoe Electric by 146.0% in the second quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 6,256 shares of the companys stock valued at $57,000 after buying an additional 3,713 shares during the last quarter. IFP Advisors Inc raised its stake in Ivanhoe Electric by 138.1% in the third quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 6,408 shares of the companys stock valued at $83,000 after buying an additional 3,717 shares in the last quarter. Comerica Bank lifted its holdings in Ivanhoe Electric by 352.3% during the 3rd quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 6,997 shares of the companys stock worth $88,000 after buying an additional 5,450 shares during the last quarter. Finally, BNP Paribas Financial Markets boosted its position in shares of Ivanhoe Electric by 43.6% during the 2nd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 8,063 shares of the companys stock worth $73,000 after acquiring an additional 2,449 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.05% of the companys stock.

Ivanhoe Electric Stock Performance

Shares of Ivanhoe Electric stock opened at $19.11 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $2.77 billion, a PE ratio of -46.61 and a beta of 0.98. The company has a quick ratio of 1.41, a current ratio of 1.41 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. Ivanhoe Electric has a 52 week low of $4.50 and a 52 week high of $19.37. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $15.34 and its 200-day simple moving average is $12.75.

Ivanhoe Electric Company Profile

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Ivanhoe Electric (NYSEAMERICAN:IE) is a mineral exploration and project-development company focused on the discovery and advancement of battery-metal deposits. The companys portfolio targets copper, nickel, silver, gold and zinc resources that support the growing demand for electrification and clean-energy technologies. Through systematic geological mapping, drilling and metallurgical testing, Ivanhoe Electric aims to delineate large-scale, strategically located mineral systems.

Headquartered in Greenwood Village, Colorado, Ivanhoe Electric has assembled a diversified land package across North America and Europe.

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Cadence Bank (NYSE:CADE  Get Free Report) announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday. The company reported $0.85 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.79 by $0.06, Zacks reports. The business had revenue of $528.41 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $525.15 million. Cadence Bank had a return on equity of 9.97% and a net margin of 18.15%.During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.70 EPS.

Cadence Bank Stock Down 5.9%

CADE opened at $43.72 on Friday. Cadence Bank has a 52 week low of $25.22 and a 52 week high of $46.74. The stock has a market cap of $7.97 billion, a PE ratio of 15.84 and a beta of 0.95. The business has a 50 day moving average of $42.43 and a 200-day moving average of $38.69.

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Cadence Bank Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 20th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 30th will be given a $0.3438 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 30th. This represents a $1.38 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.1%. This is an increase from Cadence Banks previous quarterly dividend of $0.28. Cadence Banks dividend payout ratio is currently 39.86%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

CADE has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Piper Sandler set a $40.00 price target on shares of Cadence Bank and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Monday, October 27th. Barclays lowered shares of Cadence Bank from an overweight rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, October 28th. Stephens downgraded Cadence Bank from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, October 28th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Cadence Bank in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered Cadence Bank from an overweight rating to a sell rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $42.33.

Read Our Latest Report on Cadence Bank

Institutional Trading of Cadence Bank

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Advisory Services Network LLC bought a new position in shares of Cadence Bank in the 3rd quarter worth about $32,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB bought a new position in shares of Cadence Bank during the third quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Danske Bank A S purchased a new position in shares of Cadence Bank during the third quarter valued at approximately $45,000. Osaic Holdings Inc. boosted its position in shares of Cadence Bank by 24.4% in the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 1,442 shares of the companys stock worth $46,000 after purchasing an additional 283 shares in the last quarter. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Cadence Bank by 126.6% in the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,252 shares of the companys stock worth $72,000 after purchasing an additional 1,258 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 84.61% of the companys stock.

Trending Headlines about Cadence Bank

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About Cadence Bank

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Cadence Bank (NYSE: CADE) is a regional commercial bank that offers a full suite of financial services to individuals, businesses and government entities. Through its network of branches and digital platforms, the bank provides deposit accounts, treasury management solutions, commercial and industrial lending, equipment finance, residential and consumer mortgages, and wealth management services. Cadence Bank serves a mix of small and mid-size companies as well as retail customers in its core markets.

The institution traces its heritage to Cadence Bancorporation, which was established in 1987 in Tupelo, Mississippi.

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JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated their neutral rating on shares of Cenovus Energy (NYSE:CVE  Free Report) (TSE:CVE) in a research note published on Tuesday morning, Marketbeat reports.

A number of other analysts have also recently issued reports on CVE. BMO Capital Markets set a $29.00 target price on shares of Cenovus Energy in a research note on Monday, November 17th. The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on shares of Cenovus Energy in a report on Friday, January 2nd. They issued a buy rating and a $20.00 price target on the stock. Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating on shares of Cenovus Energy in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their target price on Cenovus Energy from $30.00 to $32.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, November 17th. Finally, Zacks Research raised Cenovus Energy from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $27.00.

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Cenovus Energy Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE CVE opened at $18.44 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.73, a quick ratio of 1.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. The company has a market capitalization of $34.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.11 and a beta of 0.49. Cenovus Energy has a 12 month low of $10.23 and a 12 month high of $18.75. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $17.46 and a 200-day moving average of $16.65.

Cenovus Energy (NYSE:CVE  Get Free Report) (TSE:CVE) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The oil and gas company reported $0.52 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.40 by $0.12. Cenovus Energy had a return on equity of 10.73% and a net margin of 6.23%.The business had revenue of $10.87 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $12.51 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.42 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 7.0% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Cenovus Energy will post 1.49 EPS for the current year.

Cenovus Energy Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Monday, December 15th were given a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 15th. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.3%. Cenovus Energys dividend payout ratio is currently 46.72%.

Institutional Trading of Cenovus Energy

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of CVE. Ridgewood Investments LLC bought a new position in shares of Cenovus Energy in the second quarter worth $27,000. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp acquired a new stake in Cenovus Energy during the second quarter worth about $27,000. Allworth Financial LP increased its holdings in Cenovus Energy by 104.3% in the 2nd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 2,288 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 1,168 shares during the period. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. increased its holdings in Cenovus Energy by 74.1% in the 2nd quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 3,253 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $44,000 after buying an additional 1,384 shares during the period. Finally, Advisory Services Network LLC acquired a new position in shares of Cenovus Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $50,000. 51.19% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Cenovus Energy Company Profile

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Cenovus Energy Inc is a Canadian integrated energy company engaged in the exploration, development and production of crude oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas, together with downstream refining and marketing activities. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Cenovus operates a mix of oil sands thermal and dilbit assets, conventional oil and gas properties, and owns refining and midstream assets designed to move and process hydrocarbons into finished petroleum products for commercial markets.

The company was originally formed as a spinoff from Encana Corporation in 2009 and has grown through organic development and strategic acquisitions.

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Chunghwa Telecom (NYSE:CHT  Get Free Report) issued an update on its FY 2026 earnings guidance on Friday morning. The company provided EPS guidance of 1.550-1.600 for the period. The company issued revenue guidance of $7.8 billion-$7.9 billion.

Chunghwa Telecom Trading Down 0.1%

NYSE CHT opened at $42.60 on Friday. Chunghwa Telecom has a 12 month low of $37.03 and a 12 month high of $47.03. The company has a current ratio of 1.50, a quick ratio of 1.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06. The firm has a market capitalization of $33.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.96, a PEG ratio of 5.35 and a beta of 0.30. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $41.69 and a 200 day simple moving average of $43.11.

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Chunghwa Telecom (NYSE:CHT  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 10th. The utilities provider reported $0.41 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.41. The firm had revenue of $1.90 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.93 billion. Chunghwa Telecom had a return on equity of 9.80% and a net margin of 16.30%. On average, analysts predict that Chunghwa Telecom will post 1.44 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently commented on the company. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Chunghwa Telecom in a report on Wednesday. Zacks Research upgraded Chunghwa Telecom to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, January 12th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold.

Read Our Latest Report on Chunghwa Telecom

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Chunghwa Telecom

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Laird Norton Wetherby Wealth Management LLC raised its position in Chunghwa Telecom by 1.3% in the 3rd quarter. Laird Norton Wetherby Wealth Management LLC now owns 32,076 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,399,000 after buying an additional 425 shares during the last quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Chunghwa Telecom by 1.4% during the third quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 39,646 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,729,000 after purchasing an additional 548 shares during the period. MML Investors Services LLC increased its stake in shares of Chunghwa Telecom by 5.7% in the second quarter. MML Investors Services LLC now owns 11,615 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $541,000 after purchasing an additional 630 shares in the last quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV lifted its position in shares of Chunghwa Telecom by 9.8% in the third quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 8,158 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $356,000 after acquiring an additional 728 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio boosted its stake in shares of Chunghwa Telecom by 0.6% in the third quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 144,314 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $6,295,000 after acquiring an additional 889 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 2.11% of the companys stock.

About Chunghwa Telecom

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Chunghwa Telecom Co, Ltd. is the largest integrated telecommunications service provider in Taiwan, serving both consumer and enterprise customers across the island and through international telecommunications links. The company offers a full range of voice, data and multimedia services and operates as the incumbent fixed-line operator while also competing in mobile, broadband and enterprise markets. Its network footprint and traffic interchange capabilities support domestic communications and cross-border connectivity for carriers and multinational businesses.

Chunghwa Telecoms product and service portfolio includes fixed-line telephony, mobile services (including 4G and 5G wireless access), broadband internet (DSL and fiber-to-the-home), and IPTV.

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Wendell David Associates Inc. lessened its stake in shares of Church & Dwight Co., Inc. (NYSE:CHD  Free Report) by 4.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 153,245 shares of the companys stock after selling 7,962 shares during the quarter. Church & Dwight accounts for about 1.3% of Wendell David Associates Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 21st biggest holding. Wendell David Associates Inc. owned approximately 0.06% of Church & Dwight worth $13,429,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Atlas Legacy Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Church & Dwight by 30.6% during the 3rd quarter. Atlas Legacy Advisors LLC now owns 2,758 shares of the companys stock worth $242,000 after purchasing an additional 646 shares during the period. CVA Family Office LLC lifted its stake in Church & Dwight by 58.1% during the third quarter. CVA Family Office LLC now owns 332 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 122 shares in the last quarter. Rakuten Investment Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Church & Dwight during the third quarter worth $20,023,000. Vest Financial LLC boosted its position in shares of Church & Dwight by 7.8% during the third quarter. Vest Financial LLC now owns 563,653 shares of the companys stock worth $49,393,000 after buying an additional 40,634 shares during the period. Finally, Turtle Creek Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Church & Dwight in the 3rd quarter valued at $419,000. 86.60% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Church & Dwight Stock Up 1.3%

Church & Dwight stock opened at $92.92 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $22.31 billion, a PE ratio of 29.22, a P/E/G ratio of 4.27 and a beta of 0.46. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 1.09 and a quick ratio of 0.66. The stocks fifty day moving average is $85.34 and its two-hundred day moving average is $89.16. Church & Dwight Co., Inc. has a 1-year low of $81.33 and a 1-year high of $116.46.

Church & Dwight Dividend Announcement

Church & Dwight ( NYSE:CHD Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 31st. The company reported $0.81 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.73 by $0.08. Church & Dwight had a return on equity of 19.32% and a net margin of 12.74%.The business had revenue of $1.59 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.54 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.79 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 5.0% on a year-over-year basis. Church & Dwight has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 0.830-0.83 EPS and its FY 2025 guidance at 3.490-3.49 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Church & Dwight Co., Inc. will post 3.7 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 14th were given a dividend of $0.295 per share. This represents a $1.18 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 14th. Church & Dwights payout ratio is currently 37.11%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts recently commented on the company. Oppenheimer set a $100.00 target price on Church & Dwight and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Church & Dwight in a research note on Monday, December 22nd. UBS Group set a $92.00 price objective on shares of Church & Dwight and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, January 14th. Bank of America reduced their target price on shares of Church & Dwight from $120.00 to $105.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Raymond James Financial upgraded shares of Church & Dwight from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $100.00 price target for the company in a research note on Monday, January 5th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and four have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Church & Dwight has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $98.65.

Read Our Latest Research Report on Church & Dwight

Church & Dwight Company Profile

(Free Report)

Church & Dwight Co, Inc is a U.S.-based consumer products company best known for its Arm & Hammer baking soda business. Founded in 1846 with the manufacture and marketing of sodium bicarbonate, the company has grown into a diversified maker and marketer of household, personal care and specialty products. Church & Dwight is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker CHD and is headquartered in Ewing, New Jersey.

The companys portfolio spans a range of categories including household cleaning and laundry, oral care, personal care, sexual wellness and health & wellness.

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Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Get Free Report) and DiaSorin (OTCMKTS:DSRLF  Get Free Report) are both medical companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, risk, profitability, dividends, valuation, institutional ownership and earnings.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

75.2% of Abbott Laboratories shares are held by institutional investors. 0.5% of Abbott Laboratories shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

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Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and recommmendations for Abbott Laboratories and DiaSorin, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Abbott Laboratories 0 3 16 2 2.95 DiaSorin 0 0 2 0 3.00

Earnings & Valuation

Abbott Laboratories currently has a consensus price target of $146.22, suggesting a potential upside of 33.90%. Given Abbott Laboratories higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Abbott Laboratories is more favorable than DiaSorin.

This table compares Abbott Laboratories and DiaSorins revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Abbott Laboratories $41.95 billion 4.53 $13.40 billion $7.98 13.68 DiaSorin $1.28 billion N/A $203.55 million N/A N/A

Abbott Laboratories has higher revenue and earnings than DiaSorin.

Risk & Volatility

Abbott Laboratories has a beta of 0.72, meaning that its share price is 28% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, DiaSorin has a beta of 0.1, meaning that its share price is 90% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares Abbott Laboratories and DiaSorins net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Abbott Laboratories 31.88% 17.60% 10.58% DiaSorin N/A N/A N/A

Summary

Abbott Laboratories beats DiaSorin on 11 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Abbott Laboratories

(Get Free Report)

Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The company provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Menieres disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon. It also offers laboratory and transfusion medicine systems in the areas of immunoassay, clinical chemistry, hematology, and transfusion; molecular diagnostics polymerase chain reaction instrument systems that automate the extraction, purification, and preparation of DNA and RNA from patient samples, and detect and measure infectious agents; point of care systems; cartridges for testing blood gas, chemistry, electrolytes, coagulation, and immunoassay; rapid diagnostics lateral flow testing products; molecular point-of-care testing for HIV, SARS-CoV-2, influenza A and B, RSV, and strep A; cardiometabolic test systems; drug and alcohol test, and remote patient monitoring and consumer self-test systems; and informatics and automation solutions for laboratories. In addition, the company provides pediatric and adult nutritional products; rhythm management, electrophysiology, heart failure, vascular, and structural heart devices for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases; diabetes care products, such as glucose and blood glucose monitoring systems; and neuromodulation devices for the management of chronic pain and movement disorders. Abbott Laboratories was founded in 1888 and is based in North Chicago, Illinois.

About DiaSorin

(Get Free Report)

DiaSorin S.p.A. engages in development, manufacture, and distribution of immunodiagnostics and molecular diagnostics testing kits in Europe, Africa, North America, Central and South America, the Asia Pacific, and China. The company provides various immunodiagnostic LIAISON platforms, including LIAISON XS, LIASON IQ, LIAISON XL, LIAISON XXL, and LIAISON XL LAS. It also offers molecular diagnostics platforms comprising of LIAISON NES, a new molecular platform to address the growing diagnostic decentralization trend; the ARIES and ARIES M1 systems; LIAISON MDX, a thermocycler with two consumable disc options; LIAISON MDX Plus; MAGPIX System; Luminex 100/200 System; VERIGENE System; and the LIAISON PLEX System. It has partnership agreements with QIAGEN for diagnostic solution for Latent Tuberculosis detection; TTP for the development of molecular Point-of-Care solution; and MeMed for the launch of a test differentiating between viral and bacterial infections. The company was founded in 1968 and is headquartered in Saluggia, Italy.

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TikTok has closed a $14 billion deal establishing a U.S. subsidiary of the platform to avoid a ban, the company said Thursday.

The new owners will include the U.S. private equity firm Silver Lake, Abu Dhabi-based artificial intelligence company MGX and Oracle, a tech giant co-founded by Larry Ellison, an ally of President Donald Trump. They will each hold a 15 percent stake in the U.S. joint venture. The deal allows TikToks Beijing-based parent company, ByteDance, to maintain a nearly 20 percent stake. The Dell Family Office, investment firm of Chair and CEO of Dell Technologies Michael Dell, is also an investor.

Congress passed a law in April 2024 requiring the sale of TikTok to a U.S. buyer before Jan. 19, 2025, or banning it, citing national security concerns about the apps ties to China. But Trump delayed the ban from taking effect five times last year while a deal was negotiated to divest the app to American owners. Trump signed an executive order in September approving the deal and giving the parties until Friday to formalize the terms.

The deal matches an internal memo distributed by TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew last month, who said the agreement would be finalized by Thursday.

The U.S. version will operate as an independent entity, governed by a seven-member board including TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, Oracle Executive Vice President Kenneth Glueck, Timothy Dattels, senior adviser of TPG Global; Mark Dooley, managing director at Susquehanna International Group; Silver Lake Co-CEO Egon Durban, DXC Technology CEO Raul Fernandez; and David Scott, chief strategy and safety officer at MGX.

Adam Presser, head of operations and trust and safety at TikTok, will now serve as CEO of the joint venture.

Trump praised the deal in a Truth Social post Thursday evening.

I am so happy to have helped in saving TikTok! It will now be owned by a group of Great American Patriots and Investors, the Biggest in the World, and will be an important Voice, Trump wrote.

Trump said in September that Chinese President Xi Jinping had agreed to the deal, but Chinese officials provided an ambiguous narrative, signaling that any deal would be a drawn out process. Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the country respects the wishes of enterprises and welcomes them to reach solutions that comply with Chinese laws and regulations and balance interests.

The president thanked Xi in his Truth Social post for working with us and, ultimately, approving the Deal.

He could have gone the other way, but didnt, and is appreciated for his decision, Trump wrote.
HSBC (LON:HSBA  Get Free Report) had its price target hoisted by research analysts at Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from GBX 1,050 to GBX 1,200 in a report issued on Friday,Digital Look reports. The brokerage presently has a hold rating on the financial services providers stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschafts target price suggests a potential downside of 3.23% from the companys previous close.

A number of other research analysts also recently commented on HSBA. Citigroup boosted their target price on HSBC from GBX 1,240 to GBX 1,320 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, January 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on HSBC from GBX 1,010 to GBX 1,060 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Shore Capital reiterated a hold rating and issued a GBX 1,070 target price on shares of HSBC in a research note on Friday, January 9th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price target on shares of HSBC from GBX 950 to GBX 1,050 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, HSBC presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of GBX 1,122.50.

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HSBC Stock Down 0.3%

HSBC Company Profile

Shares of LON:HSBA opened at GBX 1,240 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of GBX 1,139.83 and a two-hundred day moving average of GBX 1,040.93. HSBC has a 12-month low of GBX 698.70 and a 12-month high of GBX 1,254. The firm has a market capitalization of 212.86 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.97 and a beta of 0.52.

(Get Free Report)

Further Reading

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Dowlais Group (LON:DWL  Get Free Report) had its price target increased by equities research analysts at Jefferies Financial Group from GBX 7,760 to GBX 9,370 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday,London Stock Exchange reports. The firm presently has a hold rating on the stock.

Separately, Peel Hunt restated a hold rating and set a GBX 80 target price on shares of Dowlais Group in a report on Tuesday, November 11th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of GBX 3,175.67.

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Dowlais Group Trading Down 1.7%

Dowlais Group Company Profile

Dowlais Group stock opened at GBX 95.59 on Friday. Dowlais Group has a 1-year low of GBX 46.98 and a 1-year high of GBX 98.90. The firm has a market cap of 1.25 billion and a P/E ratio of -14.94. The firm has a 50-day moving average of GBX 86.12 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 80.46.

(Get Free Report)

Dowlais Group Plc manufactures and sells automotive parts in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. The company engages in developing, manufacturing, and supplying automotive drive systems for conventional and electric vehicles. It manufactures sideshafts, propshafts, and constant velocity joints for passenger vehicles; and AWD systems and eDrive systems, as well as provides component solutions to systems, including control software. The company is also involved in the production of metal powders and powder metal parts for the automotive and industrial sectors, as well as the provision of hydrogen storage solutions.

Further Reading

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Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. lifted its holdings in Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) by 3.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 476,764 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 14,583 shares during the period. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc.s holdings in Bank of America were worth $24,596,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in BAC. Permanent Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of Bank of America during the third quarter valued at approximately $649,000. Boston Common Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Bank of America by 10.5% in 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 purchasing an additional 24,740 shares during the period. Disciplined Investments LLC acquired a new stake in Bank of America during the 2nd quarter valued at $217,000. Sunbeam Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Bank of America by 7.3% during the 2nd quarter. Sunbeam Capital Management LLC now owns 6,476 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $306,000 after buying an additional 439 shares during the period. Finally, CCG Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Bank of America in the 2nd quarter worth $287,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.71% of the companys stock.

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Bank of America Price Performance

Shares of BAC opened at $52.42 on Friday. Bank of America Corporation has a 52 week low of $33.06 and a 52 week high of $57.55. The company has a current ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15. The firm has a market cap of $382.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.69, a PEG ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 1.29. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $54.08 and a 200-day moving average of $51.31.

Bank of America News Summary

Bank of America ( NYSE:BAC Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 14th. The financial services provider reported $0.98 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.96 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $28.53 billion for 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 businesss revenue was up 12.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.82 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that Bank of America Corporation will post 3.7 EPS for the current year.

Here are the key news stories impacting Bank of America this week:

Positive Sentiment: Q4 fundamentals and last years performance remain a tailwind: analysts point to strong revenue growth and improving profitability that powered BACs rally into 2025. Article Title

Q4 fundamentals and last years performance remain a tailwind: analysts point to strong revenue growth and improving profitability that powered BACs rally into 2025. Positive Sentiment: Major brokerage support: Morgan Stanley remains bullish on BAC after strong Q4 results, which can underpin investor confidence and buying. Article Title

Major brokerage support: Morgan Stanley remains bullish on BAC after strong Q4 results, which can underpin investor confidence and buying. Positive Sentiment: Macro/earnings backdrop is supportive: multiple industry notes (Zacks) show Q4 earnings estimates are being revised higher, a favorable environment for large banks including BAC. Article Title

Macro/earnings backdrop is supportive: multiple industry notes (Zacks) show Q4 earnings estimates are being revised higher, a favorable environment for large banks including BAC. Neutral Sentiment: BofA research is active in tech and energy ideas (e.g., highlighting small-cap chip names tied to AI), showing the firms revenue/analyst franchise but with limited direct impact on BAC stock moves. Article Title

BofA research is active in tech and energy ideas (e.g., highlighting small-cap chip names tied to AI), showing the firms revenue/analyst franchise but with limited direct impact on BAC stock moves. Neutral Sentiment: Analyst activity from BofA Securities (e.g., upgrading Oklo and sector calls on semiconductors) signals the banks influential equity research but affects BAC indirectly. Article Title Article Title

Analyst activity from BofA Securities (e.g., upgrading Oklo and sector calls on semiconductors) signals the banks influential equity research but affects BAC indirectly. Negative Sentiment: Regulatory risk: CEO Brian Moynihan warned a proposed 10% credit-card rate cap would curb spending and tighten credit availability  any move toward strict caps could pressure card revenue. Article Title

Regulatory risk: CEO Brian Moynihan warned a proposed 10% credit-card rate cap would curb spending and tighten credit availability  any move toward strict caps could pressure card revenue. Negative Sentiment: Political/PR friction: reports that BofA (and peers) may consider 10% card offers to appease political pressure, and Moynihans exclusion from a Trump Davos reception, introduce headline risk and potential policy-driven business changes. Article Title Article Title

Political/PR friction: reports that BofA (and peers) may consider 10% card offers to appease political pressure, and Moynihans exclusion from a Trump Davos reception, introduce headline risk and potential policy-driven business changes. Negative Sentiment: Short-term sentiment swings: options commentary mentions Greenland-related fears and other narrative-driven worries that can amplify stock volatility even if fundamentals remain intact. Article Title

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

BAC has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. TD Cowen lowered their target price on Bank of America from $66.00 to $64.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 15th. Barclays increased their price target on Bank of America from $59.00 to $71.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, January 5th. Argus lifted their price objective on Bank of America from $58.00 to $59.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, January 15th. Ameriprise Financial raised Bank of America to a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on shares of Bank of America from $62.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, January 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-three have given a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $59.74.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on BAC

About Bank of America

(Free Report)

Bank of America Corporation is a multinational financial services company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. It provides a broad array of banking, investment, asset management and related financial and risk management products and services to individual consumers, small- and middle-market businesses, large corporations, governments and institutional investors. The firm operates through consumer banking, global wealth and investment management, global banking and markets businesses, offering capabilities across lending, deposits, payments, advisory and capital markets.

Its consumer-facing offerings include checking and savings accounts, mortgages, home equity lending, auto loans, credit cards and small business banking, supported by a nationwide branch network and digital channels.

Further Reading

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Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. grew its position in Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX  Free Report) by 2.6% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 230,039 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after purchasing an additional 5,810 shares during the period. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc.s holdings in Chevron were worth $35,723,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Norges Bank purchased a new position in Chevron in the second quarter worth approximately $2,721,477,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Chevron by 14,194.2% in the 2nd quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,722,217 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $532,984,000 after purchasing an additional 3,696,177 shares during the last quarter. Berkshire Hathaway Inc lifted its stake in shares of Chevron by 2.9% in the 2nd quarter. Berkshire Hathaway Inc now owns 122,064,792 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $17,478,458,000 after purchasing an additional 3,454,258 shares during the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA grew its holdings in shares of Chevron by 32.1% during the 3rd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 9,125,735 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $1,417,135,000 after purchasing an additional 2,218,283 shares during the period. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Chevron by 4.0% during the 2nd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 34,772,753 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $4,979,255,000 after purchasing an additional 1,342,723 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 72.42% of the companys stock.

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Chevron Stock Performance

Shares of CVX stock opened at $166.42 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $154.34 and a two-hundred day moving average of $154.68. The stock has a market capitalization of $335.09 billion, a PE ratio of 23.41, a P/E/G ratio of 10.91 and a beta of 0.70. The company has a quick ratio of 0.86, a current ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. Chevron Corporation has a 52 week low of $132.04 and a 52 week high of $169.37.

Chevron Announces Dividend

Chevron ( NYSE:CVX Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 31st. The oil and gas company reported $1.85 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.71 by $0.14. The business had revenue of $48.17 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $46.99 billion. Chevron had a return on equity of 8.74% and a net margin of 6.57%.The companys revenue was down 1.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.48 earnings per share. On average, research analysts predict that Chevron Corporation will post 10.79 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, November 18th were given a $1.71 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, November 18th. This represents a $6.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.1%. Chevrons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 96.20%.

Chevron News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Chevron this week:

Analyst Ratings Changes

CVX has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Chevron from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, December 23rd. Piper Sandler reduced their price target on shares of Chevron from $178.00 to $174.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. UBS Group reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Chevron in a research report on Monday, December 1st. Raymond James Financial reissued an outperform rating and issued a $160.00 target price (down previously from $170.00) on shares of Chevron in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded Chevron from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and set a $176.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Tuesday. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and four have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $170.29.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Chevron

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, insider Alana K. Knowles sold 7,956 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $165.05, for a total transaction of $1,313,137.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 1,207 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $199,215.35. The trade was a 86.83% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CFO Eimear P. Bonner sold 28,334 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $165.05, for a total transaction of $4,676,526.70. Following the sale, the chief financial officer owned 4,366 shares in the company, valued at $720,608.30. The trade was a 86.65% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 635,190 shares of company stock worth $100,254,408. 0.21% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Chevron Profile

(Free Report)

Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) is an American multinational energy company engaged in virtually all aspects of the oil and gas industry. As an integrated energy firm, Chevrons core activities include upstream oil and natural gas exploration and production, midstream transportation and storage, downstream refining and marketing of fuels and lubricants, and petrochemical manufacturing through joint ventures and subsidiaries. The company markets fuels under brands such as Chevron, Texaco and Caltex and supplies a range of products and services to retail customers, industrial users and commercial fleets worldwide.

Chevron traces its corporate lineage to the early petroleum companies that eventually became Standard Oil of California and has evolved through significant mergers and restructurings, including the acquisitions of Gulf Oil and Texaco.

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QV Investors Inc. trimmed its stake in shares of Fortis (NYSE:FTS  Free Report) by 8.9% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 969,681 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 94,440 shares during the period. Fortis accounts for approximately 4.3% of QV Investors Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 7th biggest position. QV Investors Inc.s holdings in Fortis were worth $49,195,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Fortis by 3.4% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 23,025,514 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,099,399,000 after purchasing an additional 759,772 shares during the last quarter. TD Asset Management Inc lifted its holdings in shares of Fortis by 4.7% during the 2nd quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 13,474,508 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $642,076,000 after buying an additional 603,772 shares during the period. Legal & General Group Plc boosted its stake in shares of Fortis by 5.9% in the 2nd quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 6,224,022 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $296,614,000 after buying an additional 345,633 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Fortis in the second quarter worth $291,400,000. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC increased its position in Fortis by 18.6% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 5,414,298 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $262,828,000 after acquiring an additional 849,606 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 57.77% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have issued reports on FTS shares. National Bankshares reissued a sector perform rating on shares of Fortis in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. CIBC reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Fortis in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. BMO Capital Markets restated a market perform rating on shares of Fortis in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of Fortis in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Scotiabank reiterated a sector perform rating on shares of Fortis in a research note on Monday, October 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $72.00.

Fortis Price Performance

NYSE FTS opened at $52.33 on Friday. Fortis has a 12 month low of $41.24 and a 12 month high of $52.89. The stock has a market cap of $26.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.80, a PEG ratio of 4.76 and a beta of 0.50. The companys 50 day moving average is $51.67 and its two-hundred day moving average is $50.49. The company has a current ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.32.

Fortis (NYSE:FTS  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The utilities provider reported $0.59 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.61 by ($0.02). The firm had revenue of $2.08 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.22 billion. Fortis had a return on equity of 7.05% and a net margin of 14.18%. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Fortis will post 2.35 earnings per share for the current year.

Fortis Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, March 1st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 17th will be paid a $0.64 dividend. This represents a $2.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.9%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 17th. Fortiss dividend payout ratio is presently 75.83%.

Fortis Company Profile

(Free Report)

Fortis Inc is a Canadian diversified electric and gas utility holding company headquartered in St. Johns, Newfoundland and Labrador. Through a portfolio of regulated utility subsidiaries, the company develops, owns and operates electricity and natural gas transmission, distribution and generation assets. Fortis serves customers across multiple jurisdictions in Canada, the United States and the Caribbean, focusing on the delivery of safe, reliable energy to residential, commercial and industrial users.

The companys core activities include operation and maintenance of transmission and distribution networks, ownership of generation facilities, and investment in grid modernization and system resilience.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FTS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Fortis (NYSE:FTS  Free Report).

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Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (NYSEARCA:AAAU  Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $46.88 and last traded at $46.75, with a volume of 652461 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $45.22.

Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF this week:

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Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF Stock Performance

The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $42.81 and its 200 day simple moving average is $38.48.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF

About Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. purchased a new stake in Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF during the 3rd quarter worth about $34,000. Anfield Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at $36,000. Larson Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF during the third quarter worth about $38,000. Beacon Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $43,000. Finally, Darwin Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF during the second quarter valued at about $67,000.

(Get Free Report)

The Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (AAAU) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the LBMA Gold Price index. The fund tracks the gold spot price, less expenses and liabilities, using gold bars held in vaults located in the UK. AAAU was launched on Jul 26, 2018 and is issued by Goldman Sachs.

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Shares of Hannover Ruck SE (OTCMKTS:HVRRY  Get Free Report) have received an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the six ratings firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, three have assigned a hold recommendation and two have issued a strong buy recommendation on the company.

Several analysts have issued reports on HVRRY shares. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered Hannover Ruck from a moderate buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, October 13th. Zacks Research cut shares of Hannover Ruck from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, November 10th.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Hannover Ruck

Hannover Ruck Stock Performance

Shares of HVRRY opened at $46.13 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $33.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.14 and a beta of 0.35. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $49.69 and its 200-day moving average price is $49.90. Hannover Ruck has a 52 week low of $42.64 and a 52 week high of $55.40. The company has a quick ratio of 0.14, a current ratio of 0.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33.

Hannover Ruck (OTCMKTS:HVRRY  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 10th. The financial services provider reported $1.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.07 by ($0.02). Hannover Ruck had a net margin of 9.44% and a return on equity of 19.35%. The business had revenue of $8.21 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.27 billion. Equities research analysts anticipate that Hannover Ruck will post 3.42 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hannover Ruck Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Hannover Ruck (OTCMKTS: HVRRY), commonly known as Hannover Re, is a global reinsurance group headquartered in Hannover, Germany. The company underwrites treaty and facultative reinsurance across a broad spectrum of risks, including property & casualty and life & health lines. Its product suite encompasses traditional proportional and nonproportional treaty contracts, facultative placements, structured reinsurance, retrocession, and capital marketlinked solutions such as insurancelinked securities, tailored to transfer and manage insurance risk for primary insurers and other reinsurers.

Founded in the 1960s, Hannover Re has developed into one of the major international reinsurers, building a presence across Europe, the Americas, AsiaPacific and other global markets.

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AG Mortgage Investment Trust (NYSE:MITT  Get Free Report) and Arbor Realty Trust (NYSE:ABR  Get Free Report) are both small-cap finance companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, dividends, valuation, earnings, risk, analyst recommendations and profitability.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for AG Mortgage Investment Trust and Arbor Realty Trust, as reported by MarketBeat.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score AG Mortgage Investment Trust 0 3 6 0 2.67 Arbor Realty Trust 4 2 1 0 1.57

AG Mortgage Investment Trust currently has a consensus price target of $9.07, suggesting a potential upside of 1.47%. Arbor Realty Trust has a consensus price target of $9.38, suggesting a potential upside of 17.78%. Given Arbor Realty Trusts higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Arbor Realty Trust is more favorable than AG Mortgage Investment Trust.

Volatility & Risk

Earnings & Valuation

AG Mortgage Investment Trust has a beta of 1.65, meaning that its share price is 65% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Arbor Realty Trust has a beta of 1.39, meaning that its share price is 39% more volatile than the S&P 500.

This table compares AG Mortgage Investment Trust and Arbor Realty Trusts top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio AG Mortgage Investment Trust $408.49 million 0.69 $55.74 million $0.93 9.61 Arbor Realty Trust $1.17 billion 1.33 $264.64 million $0.80 9.95

Arbor Realty Trust has higher revenue and earnings than AG Mortgage Investment Trust. AG Mortgage Investment Trust is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Arbor Realty Trust, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

27.3% of AG Mortgage Investment Trust shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 57.3% of Arbor Realty Trust shares are owned by institutional investors. 3.2% of AG Mortgage Investment Trust shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 3.8% of Arbor Realty Trust shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Dividends

AG Mortgage Investment Trust pays an annual dividend of $0.92 per share and has a dividend yield of 10.3%. Arbor Realty Trust pays an annual dividend of $1.20 per share and has a dividend yield of 15.1%. AG Mortgage Investment Trust pays out 98.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Arbor Realty Trust pays out 150.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. AG Mortgage Investment Trust has increased its dividend for 2 consecutive years.

Profitability

This table compares AG Mortgage Investment Trust and Arbor Realty Trusts net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets AG Mortgage Investment Trust 11.03% 13.88% 0.59% Arbor Realty Trust 20.07% 11.63% 2.13%

Summary

Arbor Realty Trust beats AG Mortgage Investment Trust on 10 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

About AG Mortgage Investment Trust

(Get Free Report)

AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc. operates as a residential mortgage real estate investment trust in the United States. Its investment portfolio includes residential investments, including non-agency loans, agency-eligible loans, re-and non-performing loans, and non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities, as well as commercial loans and commercial mortgage-backed securities. The company qualifies as a real estate investment trust for federal income tax purposes. It generally would not be subject to federal corporate income taxes if it distributes at least 90% of its taxable income to its stockholders. AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc. was incorporated in 2011 and is based in New York, New York.

About Arbor Realty Trust

(Get Free Report)

Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. invests in a diversified portfolio of structured finance assets in the multifamily, single-family rental, and commercial real estate markets in the United States. The company operates through Structured Business and Agency Business segments. It primarily invests in bridge and mezzanine loans, including junior participating interests in first mortgages, and preferred and direct equity, as well as real estate-related joint ventures, real estate-related notes, and various mortgage-related securities. In addition, the company offers bridge financing products to borrowers who seek short-term capital to be used in an acquisition of property; financing by making preferred equity investments in entities that directly or indirectly own real property; mezzanine financing in the form of loans that are subordinate to a conventional first mortgage loan and senior to the borrowers equity in a transaction; junior participation financing in the form of a junior participating interest in the senior debt; and financing products to borrowers who are looking to acquire conventional, workforce, and affordable single-family housing. Further, it underwrites, originates, sells, and services multifamily mortgage loans through conduit/commercial mortgage-backed securities programs. The company qualifies as a real estate investment trust for federal income tax purposes. It generally would not be subject to federal corporate income taxes if it distributes at least 90% of its taxable income to its stockholders. Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. was incorporated in 2003 and is headquartered in Uniondale, New York.

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Range Resources (NYSE:RRC  Get Free Report) and Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group (OTCMKTS:EUBG  Get Free Report) are both energy companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, risk, valuation, earnings, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations and dividends.

Risk and Volatility

Range Resources has a beta of 0.51, meaning that its stock price is 49% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group has a beta of 19.21, meaning that its stock price is 1,821% more volatile than the S&P 500.

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Institutional and Insider Ownership

98.9% of Range Resources shares are held by institutional investors. 1.0% of Range Resources shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 63.6% of Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Range Resources 19.64% 15.99% 8.93% Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group 24.17% 11.97% 10.95%

Analyst Recommendations

This table compares Range Resources and Entrepreneur Universe Bright Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and price targets for Range Resources and Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Range Resources 1 14 3 1 2.21 Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group 0 0 0 0 0.00

Range Resources presently has a consensus price target of $41.33, indicating a potential upside of 14.40%. Given Range Resources stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Range Resources is more favorable than Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Range Resources and Entrepreneur Universe Bright Groups revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Range Resources $2.42 billion 3.54 $266.34 million $2.38 15.18 Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group $5.28 million 40.79 $1.49 million N/A N/A

Range Resources has higher revenue and earnings than Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group.

Summary

Range Resources beats Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group on 8 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Range Resources

(Get Free Report)

Range Resources Corporation operates as an independent natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGLs), crude oil, and condensate company in the United States. The company engages in the exploration, development, and acquisition of natural gas and crude oil properties located in the Appalachian region. It sells natural gas to utilities, marketing and midstream companies, and industrial users; NGLs to petrochemical end users, marketers/traders, and natural gas processors; and oil and condensate to crude oil processors, transporters, and refining and marketing companies. The company was formerly known as Lomak Petroleum Inc. and changed its name to Range Resources Corporation in August 1998. Range Resources Corporation was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas.

About Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group

(Get Free Report)

Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group, through its subsidiaries, provides digital marketing consultation services in the Hong Kong and People's Republic of China. It offers consulting, sourcing, and marketing services. The company was formerly known as REE International, Inc. and changed its name to Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group in April 2020. The company was incorporated in 1999 and is based in Xi'an, China.

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Horizons Global Lithium Producers Index ETF (TSE:HLIT  Get Free Report)s stock price rose 1.9% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as C$26.00 and last traded at C$25.98. Approximately 6,905 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 12% from the average daily volume of 7,863 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$25.50.

Horizons Global Lithium Producers Index ETF Trading Up 1.9%

The stocks 50-day moving average is C$21.59 and its 200-day moving average is C$17.65.

Horizons Global Lithium Producers Index ETF Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

The Horizons Global Lithium Producers Index ETF (the ETF or HLIT) is the first Canadian-listed ETF focused

exclusively on providing exposure to the global lithium market. HLIT seeks to replicate, to the extent possible and net of expenses, the performance of an index that is designed to provide exposure to the performance of global, publicly listed companies engaged in the mining and/or production of lithium, lithium compounds, or lithium related components. Currently, HLIT seeks to replicate the performance of the Solactive Global Lithium

Producers Index, net of expenses.

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Key Takeaways

Tom Lees Bitmine expanded its Ethereum holdings by more than $100 million.

Traders are speculating over whether recent comments by BlackRock CEO Larry Fink signal support for Ethereum.

Analysts, including Lee and Bitget Wallets Lacie Zhang, remain bullish on Ethereums long-term outlook.

Tom Lees Bitmine has increased its exposure to Ethereum, according to blockchain data, as traders debate whether recent remarks by BlackRock Chief Executive Larry Fink amount to a signal for ETH.

Blockchain analytics firm Arkham Intelligence said in a post on X that Bitmine purchased more than $100 million worth of Ethereum in the past 24 hours, expanding what it described as the largest ETH treasury in the world.

Tom Lees Bitmine Adds to Ethereum Holdings

According to Arkham Intelligence, Bitmine bought approximately $103.7 million worth of Ether over the past day, bringing its total holdings to $12.61 billion in ETH, equivalent to more than 3.5% of Ethereums total circulating supply.

Arkham added that Bitmine has also increased its staking activity.

Bitmine has staked $279.4 million of ETH since the start of the week, bringing their total to $5.27 billion of staked ETH, the firm said.

The post concluded: Tom Lee is buying and staking ETH.

Bitmine is pursuing what Lee has described as The Alchemy of 5%, a strategy targeting ownership of 5% of Ethereums total supply.

Once fully operational, Lee has said Bitmine could earn a 2.79% pre-tax yield on its ETH holdings, potentially placing it among the 800 most profitable publicly traded U.S. companies.

BlackRocks Larry Fink Highlights One Common Blockchain

Lees latest accumulation comes as BlackRocks Larry Fink underscored the growing importance of blockchain infrastructure in global finance during remarks at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Tokenization, decimalization is necessary, Fink said.

Its ironic that we see two emerging countries leading the world in decimals in the tokenization and digitization of their currency. Thats Brazil and India, he added.

Fink said a unified blockchain-based financial system could reduce costs, increase transparency, and broaden access to markets.

If we had all investments on a tokenized platform, that you can move from a tokenized money market fund to equities and bonds and back and forth  we have one common blockchain  we could reduce corruption, he said.

While acknowledging potential concentration risks, Fink said blockchain-based systems could ultimately prove more secure.
Shares of HUYA Inc. Sponsored ADR (NYSE:HUYA  Get Free Report) fell 5.3% during trading on Friday . The stock traded as low as $3.23 and last traded at $3.2750. 512,936 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 76% from the average session volume of 2,124,344 shares. The stock had previously closed at $3.46.

Analyst Ratings Changes

HUYA has been the topic of a number of research reports. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d-) rating on shares of HUYA in a research report on Monday, December 29th. HSBC raised shares of HUYA from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $3.50 price target for the company in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Finally, Hsbc Global Res raised shares of HUYA from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has issued a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $3.50.

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Check Out Our Latest Analysis on HUYA

HUYA Stock Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $747.31 million, a P/E ratio of -37.16 and a beta of 0.80. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $3.08 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $3.16.

HUYA (NYSE:HUYA  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, November 12th. The company reported $0.02 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.01 by $0.01. HUYA had a negative net margin of 2.63% and a positive return on equity of 0.73%. The company had revenue of $215.93 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.69 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.34 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 9.8% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts anticipate that HUYA Inc. Sponsored ADR will post 0.16 earnings per share for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On HUYA

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P increased its position in shares of HUYA by 327.0% during the second quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P now owns 10,273 shares of the companys stock valued at $36,000 after acquiring an additional 7,867 shares during the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. grew its stake in HUYA by 10.3% in the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 154,694 shares of the companys stock valued at $497,000 after purchasing an additional 14,456 shares during the period. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio increased its position in shares of HUYA by 8.6% during the 3rd quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 245,295 shares of the companys stock valued at $817,000 after purchasing an additional 19,353 shares during the last quarter. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC raised its stake in shares of HUYA by 92.1% during the 3rd quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 85,796 shares of the companys stock worth $286,000 after purchasing an additional 41,138 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 23.20% of the companys stock.

About HUYA

(Get Free Report)

HUYA Inc is a leading interactive live streaming platform based in Guangzhou, China, primarily focused on video game and esports content. The company operates a proprietary technology platform that enables users to broadcast and view live gameplay, participate in real-time chat, and engage with hosts through virtual gifting. Its services are accessible via web browsers, desktop applications and mobile apps for both iOS and Android.

At the core of HUYAs business are user-generated live streams hosted by professional gamers, influencers and esports organizations.

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ASOS Plc (LON:ASC  Get Free Report) insider William Barker bought 17,198 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, January 16th. The stock was bought at an average price of GBX 300 per share, with a total value of 51,594.

William Barker also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Thursday, January 15th, William Barker purchased 1,967 shares of ASOS stock. The shares were bought at an average price of GBX 296 per share, for a total transaction of 5,822.32.

On Tuesday, December 30th, William Barker purchased 4,344 shares of ASOS stock. The shares were purchased at an average cost of GBX 276 per share, for a total transaction of 11,989.44.

On Wednesday, December 31st, William Barker acquired 62,040 shares of ASOS stock. The stock was purchased at an average cost of GBX 275 per share, with a total value of 170,610.

On Friday, January 2nd, William Barker acquired 5,527 shares of ASOS stock. The shares were purchased at an average price of GBX 278 per share, with a total value of 15,365.06.

ASOS Price Performance

Shares of ASC stock opened at GBX 310 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 187.55, a current ratio of 1.61 and a quick ratio of 0.39. The company has a market capitalization of 370.27 million, a PE ratio of -1.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of -1.26 and a beta of 2.86. The firms 50-day moving average is GBX 268.77 and its two-hundred day moving average is GBX 279.68. ASOS Plc has a 12 month low of GBX 215 and a 12 month high of GBX 445.40.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

ASOS ( LON:ASC Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, November 21st. The company reported GBX (250.10) earnings per share for the quarter. ASOS had a negative net margin of 11.66% and a negative return on equity of 59.37%. Analysts predict that ASOS Plc will post 12.4165252 earnings per share for the current year.

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on ASC shares. Peel Hunt reiterated an add rating and set a GBX 335 price target on shares of ASOS in a report on Thursday, November 13th. Berenberg Bank reaffirmed a buy rating and set a GBX 600 target price on shares of ASOS in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. Panmure Gordon reiterated a hold rating and set a GBX 350 price target on shares of ASOS in a research report on Monday, November 24th. Shore Capital restated a buy rating and issued a GBX 400 price objective on shares of ASOS in a report on Thursday, December 4th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their price objective on shares of ASOS from GBX 440 to GBX 375 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, November 21st. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of GBX 383.33.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on ASC

About ASOS

(Get Free Report)

ASOS Plc operates as an online fashion retailer in the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands, Denmark, Poland, and internationally. It offers womenswear and menswear products. The company sells its products under the ASOS Design, ASOS Edition, ASOS Luxe, ASOS 4505, Collusion, Reclaimed Vintage, Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge, HIIT, AsYou, Dark Future, UNRVLLD/SPPLY, Crooked Tongues, Daysocial, Actual, and Weekend Collective brands, as well as through third-party brands.

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Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE:CARR  Get Free Report) was the recipient of unusually large options trading activity on Friday. Stock investors bought 14,306 put options on the company. This represents an increase of approximately 223% compared to the average volume of 4,428 put options.

Carrier Global Stock Performance

Shares of CARR stock traded down $0.35 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $57.09. The stock had a trading volume of 2,222,309 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,923,633. The firm has a market capitalization of $48.09 billion, a PE ratio of 12.76, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.32 and a beta of 1.31. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $53.85 and a 200-day simple moving average of $60.65. Carrier Global has a twelve month low of $50.24 and a twelve month high of $81.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 0.75.

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Carrier Global (NYSE:CARR  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The company reported $0.67 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.57 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $5.58 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.65 billion. Carrier Global had a net margin of 18.05% and a return on equity of 16.65%. Carrier Globals quarterly revenue was down 6.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.83 EPS. Carrier Global has set its FY 2025 guidance at 2.650-2.650 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Carrier Global will post 2.99 earnings per share for the current year.

Carrier Global Increases Dividend

Carrier Global announced that its Board of Directors has approved a stock repurchase program on Tuesday, October 28th that allows the company to repurchase $5.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the company to repurchase up to 10.1% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are typically an indication that the companys management believes its shares are undervalued.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 9th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, January 20th will be given a dividend of $0.24 per share. This is a boost from Carrier Globals previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, January 20th. This represents a $0.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.7%. Carrier Globals payout ratio is 21.48%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages recently commented on CARR. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of Carrier Global in a report on Monday, December 29th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their target price on shares of Carrier Global from $72.00 to $68.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, December 16th. Mizuho lowered their price objective on Carrier Global from $75.00 to $67.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Monday, January 5th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their target price on Carrier Global from $70.00 to $64.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their price target on Carrier Global from $75.00 to $70.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Friday, December 5th. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $69.44.

Read Our Latest Analysis on CARR

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Carrier Global

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in CARR. Spirepoint Private Client LLC lifted its position in Carrier Global by 547.7% during the 3rd quarter. Spirepoint Private Client LLC now owns 60,694 shares of the companys stock worth $3,623,000 after acquiring an additional 51,324 shares during the last quarter. Foster Victor Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in Carrier Global by 24.1% in the 3rd quarter. Foster Victor Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 216,777 shares of the companys stock worth $12,931,000 after buying an additional 42,161 shares during the period. Oak Thistle LLC bought a new stake in shares of Carrier Global in the third quarter valued at approximately $1,986,000. Triasima Portfolio Management inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Carrier Global in the second quarter worth $1,421,000. Finally, Deprince Race & Zollo Inc. acquired a new position in Carrier Global during the 3rd quarter valued at $20,678,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.00% of the companys stock.

Carrier Global Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Carrier Global Corporation is a leading global provider of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, fire and security, and building automation solutions. The company designs, manufactures and sells a broad portfolio of products that includes air conditioners, furnaces, heat pumps, chillers, rooftop units, commercial refrigeration systems, fire and smoke detection and suppression systems, security sensors and access controls, and a range of building controls and analytics software.

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IPSEN (OTCMKTS:IPSEY  Get Free Report) saw unusually-high trading volume on Tuesday . Approximately 29,446 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 450% from the previous sessions volume of 5,358 shares.The stock last traded at $38.45 and had previously closed at $39.10.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

IPSEY has been the topic of several research analyst reports. UBS Group lowered IPSEN from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a buy rating on shares of IPSEN in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, BNP Paribas Exane downgraded IPSEN to an underperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 26th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, IPSEN has an average rating of Hold.

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IPSEN Trading Up 1.8%

About IPSEN

The businesss fifty day moving average price is $36.38 and its 200 day moving average price is $34.42.

(Get Free Report)

Ipsen is a global biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Boulogne-Billancourt, France. Founded in 1929, the company focuses on specialty care areas including oncology, neuroscience and rare diseases. Ipsen develops, manufactures and commercializes innovative medicines that address critical unmet medical needs, offering a diverse portfolio of therapies for both adult and pediatric patient populations.

The companys oncology franchise includes treatments for prostate, renal and hepatocellular carcinomas, with key products such as Cabometyx (cabozantinib) and Decapeptyl (triptorelin).

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Shares of iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF (NYSEARCA:EPP  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high on Friday . The stock traded as high as $52.77 and last traded at $52.7450, with a volume of 56324 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $52.38.

iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF Stock Up 0.9%

The firm has a market capitalization of $1.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.02 and a beta of 0.85. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $50.85 and its 200-day simple moving average is $51.00.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Jones Financial Companies Lllp increased its stake 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 valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 298 shares during the last quarter. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. purchased a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF in the 4th quarter worth about $43,000. IFP Advisors Inc increased its position in shares of iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF by 130.7% during the 3rd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 1,336 shares of the companys stock valued at $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 about $245,000. Finally, SBI Securities Co. Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF by 6.2% during the 2nd quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 6,167 shares of the companys stock valued at $304,000 after buying an additional 358 shares in the last quarter. 74.75% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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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iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF (NYSEARCA:EWL  Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Friday . The company traded as high as $60.90 and last traded at $60.8950, with a volume of 431448 shares. The stock had previously closed at $60.59.

iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF Stock Up 0.4%

The stock has a market capitalization of $1.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.82 and a beta of 0.81. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $59.03 and a 200-day moving average price of $56.63.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Edmond DE Rothschild Holding S.A. purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF during the second quarter valued at $38,000. Advisory Services Network LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at about $44,000. MAI Capital Management increased its position in shares of iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF by 631.1% during the 3rd quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 965 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $53,000 after purchasing an additional 833 shares during the last quarter. Capital Investment Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF during the 4th quarter valued at about $54,000. Finally, Parallel Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $56,000. 68.30% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF

iShares MSCI Switzerland Capped ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI Switzerland Capped Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI Switzerland 25/50 Index (the Index). The Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Zurich Stock Exchange. The Index is a free-float adjusted market capitalization weighted index with a capping methodology applied to issuer weights so that no single issuer of a component exceeds 25% of the Index weight and all issuers with weight above 5% do not exceed 50% of the Index weight.

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EOG Resources (NYSE:EOG  Get Free Report) had its price objective cut by stock analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $121.00 to $115.00 in a research note issued to investors on Friday,MarketScreener reports. The firm presently has a neutral rating on the energy exploration companys stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s price objective points to a potential upside of 6.54% from the companys current price.

Several other brokerages also recently weighed in on EOG. Johnson Rice reduced their price target on EOG Resources from $145.00 to $135.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Friday, December 5th. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their target price on EOG Resources from $125.00 to $123.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday. Mizuho set a $134.00 target price on shares of EOG Resources and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, December 12th. Sanford C. Bernstein reaffirmed a market perform rating and issued a $126.00 price target (down previously from $144.00) on shares of EOG Resources in a research note on Monday, January 5th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada set a $138.00 price objective on shares of EOG Resources and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating, sixteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $135.26.

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EOG Resources Trading Up 1.5%

Shares of EOG Resources stock traded up $1.62 on Friday, reaching $107.94. The company had a trading volume of 522,111 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,016,203. The firm has a market cap of $58.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.75, a P/E/G ratio of 8.97 and a beta of 0.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a current ratio of 1.62 and a quick ratio of 1.43. The firms 50-day moving average price is $106.72 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $112.31. EOG Resources has a 1 year low of $101.59 and a 1 year high of $135.87.

EOG Resources (NYSE:EOG  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The energy exploration company reported $2.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.42 by $0.29. EOG Resources had a return on equity of 19.80% and a net margin of 24.49%.The company had revenue of $5.85 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.48 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.89 earnings per share. EOG Resourcess revenue was down 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts predict that EOG Resources will post 11.47 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at EOG Resources

In related news, COO Jeffrey R. Leitzell sold 2,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $105.68, for a total transaction of $211,360.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer owned 54,979 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,810,180.72. This trade represents a 3.51% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 0.13% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of EOG Resources

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of EOG. Cullen Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of EOG Resources by 4.7% during the 2nd quarter. Cullen Capital Management LLC now owns 576,470 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $68,952,000 after purchasing an additional 25,753 shares during the last quarter. Kiker Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in EOG Resources during the 2nd quarter valued at about $627,000. Railway Pension Investments Ltd raised its stake in EOG Resources by 6.9% in the second quarter. Railway Pension Investments Ltd now owns 449,100 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $53,717,000 after buying an additional 28,800 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC grew its stake in shares of EOG Resources by 9.1% during the second quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC now owns 61,742 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $7,386,000 after acquiring an additional 5,156 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Nisa Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of EOG Resources by 11.1% during the third quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 172,617 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $19,354,000 after acquiring an additional 17,195 shares in the last quarter. 89.91% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About EOG Resources

(Get Free Report)

EOG Resources, Inc (NYSE: EOG) is an independent exploration and production company headquartered in Houston, Texas. Tracing its corporate origins to Enron Oil & Gas Company in the late 1990s, the company established itself as a standalone E&P operator and has grown into one of the largest U.S. upstream producers. EOG focuses on the exploration, development and production of crude oil, condensate, natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs).

As an upstream-focused company, EOGs core activities include geologic and geophysical exploration, drilling and completion of wells, reservoir development, and the marketing of hydrocarbon production.

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Kosmos Energy Ltd. (NYSE:KOS  Get Free Report) shares gapped up prior to trading on Friday . The stock had previously closed at $1.30, but opened at $1.35. Kosmos Energy shares last traded at $1.2750, with a volume of 1,425,996 shares trading hands.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

KOS has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Johnson Rice lowered shares of Kosmos Energy from a buy rating to an accumulate rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $4.50 to $3.50 in a research report on Friday, December 5th. Clarkson Capital started coverage on Kosmos Energy in a research note on Friday, October 24th. They set a buy rating and a $4.00 price target on the stock. Bank of America restated an underperform rating and issued a $1.00 price target (down previously from $3.40) on shares of Kosmos Energy in a report on Friday, December 5th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d-) rating on shares of Kosmos Energy in a report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein decreased their target price on Kosmos Energy from $1.70 to $0.80 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Kosmos Energy presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $2.08.

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Kosmos Energy Stock Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 0.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.04. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $1.08 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $1.52. The company has a market capitalization of $614.65 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.87 and a beta of 0.89.

Kosmos Energy (NYSE:KOS  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The oil and gas producer reported ($0.15) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.13) by ($0.02). The company had revenue of $310.96 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $360.82 million. Kosmos Energy had a negative return on equity of 26.28% and a negative net margin of 23.64%. As a group, analysts forecast that Kosmos Energy Ltd. will post 0.42 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Kosmos Energy

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Equinox Partners Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Kosmos Energy by 41.6% during the 2nd quarter. Equinox Partners Investment Management LLC now owns 18,671,480 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $32,115,000 after purchasing an additional 5,485,000 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. increased its stake in Kosmos Energy by 14.3% in the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 33,411,046 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $57,467,000 after purchasing an additional 4,175,537 shares during the last quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC lifted its position in Kosmos Energy by 333.0% during the second quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC now owns 3,221,011 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $5,540,000 after buying an additional 2,477,102 shares during the period. M&G PLC lifted its position in Kosmos Energy by 38.3% during the third quarter. M&G PLC now owns 7,978,144 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $13,244,000 after buying an additional 2,210,302 shares during the period. Finally, Patient Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Kosmos Energy by 7.4% in the 2nd quarter. Patient Capital Management LLC now owns 19,339,717 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $33,264,000 after buying an additional 1,334,930 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.33% of the companys stock.

Kosmos Energy Company Profile

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Kosmos Energy Ltd. is an independent oil and gas exploration and production company headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Since its founding in 2003, the company has focused on identifying and developing hydrocarbon reserves in frontier and emerging basins around the world. Kosmos combines geological and geophysical expertise with a disciplined approach to acreage acquisition and partner selection to pursue highimpact offshore exploration opportunities.

The companys portfolio is anchored by assets in West Africa and the Gulf of Mexico.

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Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ  Get Free Report) had its price target hoisted by stock analysts at Leerink Partners from $201.00 to $232.00 in a research report issued on Thursday,MarketScreener reports. The brokerage presently has a market perform rating on the stock. Leerink Partners target price would suggest a potential upside of 5.44% from the companys previous close.

A number of other research analysts also recently weighed in on the stock. HSBC reissued a buy rating and set a $240.00 target price on shares of Johnson & Johnson in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on Johnson & Johnson from $230.00 to $240.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday. BMO Capital Markets restated an outperform rating on shares of Johnson & Johnson in a research note on Thursday, December 11th. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on shares of Johnson & Johnson from $197.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Argus set a $210.00 price target on shares of Johnson & Johnson in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $224.82.

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Johnson & Johnson Stock Up 0.7%

Johnson & Johnson stock traded up $1.55 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $220.04. 570,586 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 9,340,856. The company has a quick ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50. The stock has a market capitalization of $530.13 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.92, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.24 and a beta of 0.34. Johnson & Johnson has a 52-week low of $141.50 and a 52-week high of $222.17. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $207.86 and its 200-day moving average price is $188.48.

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, January 21st. The company reported $2.46 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $2.46. Johnson & Johnson had a return on equity of 33.34% and a net margin of 28.46%.The firm had revenue of $24.56 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $24.14 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.04 EPS. The companys revenue was up 9.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Johnson & Johnson has set its FY 2026 guidance at 11.430-11.630 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Johnson & Johnson will post 10.58 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of Johnson & Johnson

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Johnson & Johnson during the 3rd quarter valued at about $26,000. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Johnson & Johnson during the second quarter worth approximately $27,000. Clayton Financial Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Johnson & Johnson in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Semmax Financial Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 55.0% during the 2nd quarter. Semmax Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 203 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 72 shares during the last quarter. Finally, GFG Capital LLC purchased a new position in Johnson & Johnson in the 2nd quarter worth $35,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 69.55% of the companys stock.

Key Headlines Impacting Johnson & Johnson

Here are the key news stories impacting Johnson & Johnson this week:

Positive Sentiment: Q4 beat and raised 2026 outlook  JNJ topped earnings and revenue estimates, reported stronger organic growth and issued 2026 guidance that management says should exceed Street expectations, supporting bullish sentiment. JNJ Tops Q4 Earnings

Q4 beat and raised 2026 outlook  JNJ topped earnings and revenue estimates, reported stronger organic growth and issued 2026 guidance that management says should exceed Street expectations, supporting bullish sentiment. Positive Sentiment: Analyst upgrades and higher targets  Several firms raised price targets (notably Scotiabank to $265) and the consensus broker view is skewed toward buy/moderate buy, which supports further upside. Scotiabank Raises JNJ Target

Analyst upgrades and higher targets  Several firms raised price targets (notably Scotiabank to $265) and the consensus broker view is skewed toward buy/moderate buy, which supports further upside. Positive Sentiment: Dividend credibility and cash returns  J&Js Dividend King status (63+ years of raises), healthy payout ratio and buyback capacity keep income investors supportive. Dividend King Analysis

Dividend credibility and cash returns  J&Js Dividend King status (63+ years of raises), healthy payout ratio and buyback capacity keep income investors supportive. Neutral Sentiment: Technical setup  Analysts/market outlets note a trendfollowing buy signal after the postearnings pullback, which can attract momentum flows but is dependent on macro/sector breadth. MarketBeat Technical Note

Technical setup  Analysts/market outlets note a trendfollowing buy signal after the postearnings pullback, which can attract momentum flows but is dependent on macro/sector breadth. Neutral Sentiment: Media and TV endorsements  Positive commentary from highprofile commentators (e.g., Jim Cramer) may underpin shortterm interest but has limited fundamental impact. Jim Cramer on JNJ

Media and TV endorsements  Positive commentary from highprofile commentators (e.g., Jim Cramer) may underpin shortterm interest but has limited fundamental impact. Negative Sentiment: Talc litigation advances  A court decision cleared the way for plaintiffs expert testimony in the talc MDL, a legal overhang that can resume volatility and possible liability risk. Talc Litigation Update

Talc litigation advances  A court decision cleared the way for plaintiffs expert testimony in the talc MDL, a legal overhang that can resume volatility and possible liability risk. Negative Sentiment: Stelara biosimilar pressure  Loss of Stelara patent protection and accelerating biosimilar competition dented prior sales and remain a mediumterm headwind for revenue mix. Stelara Biosimilar Headwind

Stelara biosimilar pressure  Loss of Stelara patent protection and accelerating biosimilar competition dented prior sales and remain a mediumterm headwind for revenue mix. Negative Sentiment: Drugpricing deal cost  Management flagged hundreds of millions of costs tied to a recent drugpricing agreement, which modestly offsets EPS upside in 2026. Guidance & Pricing Headwind

Johnson & Johnson Company Profile

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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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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 compare to its peers? We will compare Live Oak Bancshares to related companies based on the strength of its institutional ownership, valuation, dividends, analyst recommendations, profitability, earnings and risk.

Profitability

This table compares Live Oak Bancshares and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Live Oak Bancshares 10.09% 9.91% 0.75% Live Oak Bancshares Competitors 7.77% 7.44% 0.83%

Volatility and Risk

Live Oak Bancshares has a beta of 2.02, suggesting that its stock price is 102% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Live Oak Bancshares peers have a beta of 1.01, suggesting that their average stock price is 1% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Dividends

Valuation and Earnings

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 2.1% and pay out 67.3% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

This table compares Live Oak Bancshares and its peers revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Live Oak Bancshares $1.04 billion $77.47 million 27.42 Live Oak Bancshares Competitors $738.41 million $95.99 million 41.47

Live Oak Bancshares has higher revenue, but lower earnings than its peers. Live Oak Bancshares is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its peers, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

64.0% of Live Oak Bancshares shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 72.2% of shares of all State Commercial Banks  Fed Reserve System companies are owned by institutional investors. 23.4% of Live Oak Bancshares shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 6.7% of shares of all State Commercial Banks  Fed Reserve System companies are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for Live Oak Bancshares and its peers, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Live Oak Bancshares 0 2 0 1 2.67 Live Oak Bancshares Competitors 31 175 217 26 2.53

As a group, State Commercial Banks  Fed Reserve System companies have a potential upside of 0.11%. Given Live Oak Bancshares peers higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Live Oak Bancshares has less favorable growth aspects than its peers.

Summary

Live Oak Bancshares beats its peers on 8 of the 15 factors compared.

About Live Oak Bancshares

(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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Mortgage rates rose this week, with the 30-year fixed rate averaging 6.25%, up from 6.18% last week, according to Bankrates latest lender survey.

Current mortgage rates

Loan type Current 4 weeks ago One year ago 52-week average 52-week low 30-year 6.25% 6.30% 7.06% 6.61% 6.18% 15-year 5.53% 5.57% 6.29% 5.83% 5.49% 30-year jumbo 6.41% 6.49% 7.10% 6.68% 6.31%

The 30-year fixed mortgages in this weeks survey had an average total of 0.34 discount and origination points. Discount points are a way to lower your mortgage rate, while origination points are fees lenders charge to create, review and process your loan.

Learn more: Will mortgage rates go down this upcoming week?

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Monthly mortgage payment at todays rates

The national median family income for 2025 was $104,200, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the median price of an existing home sold in December 2025 was $405,400, according to the National Association of Realtors. Based on a 20% down payment and a 6.25% mortgage rate, the monthly payment of $1,997 amounts to about 23% of the typical familys monthly income.

With more housing inventory coming online and home prices starting to level off, this remains a promising environment for those looking to buy or refinance, says Samir Dedhia, CEO of One Real Mortgage.

What will happen to mortgage rates in 2026?

On Jan. 9, President Donald Trump announced on his social media platform that he had directed mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to buy $200 billion in mortgage-backed securities. Mortgage rates, already at a 15-month low of 6.24% before Trumps Truth Social post, fell to 6.18% in last weeks Bankrate survey. However, the dip proved temporary  30-year rates moved back to 6.25% this week.

Sean Salter, a finance professor at Middle Tennessee State University, said a policy move such as Trumps was good for only a temporary and limited reduction in mortgage rates: Unless there is coordination with and support from monetary-policy actions via the Federal Reserve, and/or fiscal-policy actions from Congress, the effects of Trumps announcement will likely not be highly impactful or long-lasting.

Fannie and Freddie are the government-sponsored enterprises that back about two-thirds of U.S. home loans. Those mortgages are packaged as securities and sold to the Federal Reserve, pension funds and other institutional investors. So, while your home loan might be originated by a lender such as Rocket, loanDepot or Wells Fargo, or by an independent mortgage broker, it soon is turned into a mortgage bond owned by an investor. If the government steps in and buys additional bonds based on mortgages, the increased demand for home loans could lead to lower rates.
Lloyd Advisory Services LLC. increased its holdings in shares of PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active ETF (NYSEARCA:BILZ  Free Report) by 119.4% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 57,339 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 31,209 shares during the quarter. PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active ETF comprises about 2.7% of Lloyd Advisory Services LLC.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 12th largest holding. Lloyd Advisory Services LLC.s holdings in PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active ETF were worth $5,802,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. AE Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active ETF by 55.0% during the 2nd quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,365,151 shares of the companys stock worth $138,153,000 after purchasing an additional 484,230 shares in the last quarter. Walled Lake Planning & Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active ETF during the second quarter worth approximately $23,114,000. Captrust Financial Advisors increased its stake in PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active ETF by 67.7% during the 2nd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 438,843 shares of the companys stock worth $44,411,000 after acquiring an additional 177,153 shares during the period. Summit Financial Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active ETF by 238.6% in the 3rd quarter. Summit Financial Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 209,388 shares of the companys stock valued at $21,108,000 after acquiring an additional 147,542 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Access Financial Services Inc. lifted its position in shares of PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active ETF by 26.3% during the 2nd quarter. Access Financial Services Inc. now owns 378,510 shares of the companys stock valued at $38,305,000 after acquiring an additional 78,908 shares during the period.

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PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active ETF Stock Performance

Shares of NYSEARCA BILZ opened at $100.95 on Friday. The stocks fifty day moving average is $100.91 and its 200 day moving average is $100.98. PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active ETF has a 52 week low of $100.73 and a 52 week high of $101.27.

PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active ETF Company Profile

The PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active Exchange-Traded Fund (BILZ) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund is an actively managed fund that invests in treasury bills and notes, repurchase agreements, and cash collateralized by the US government. Securities selected have a maximum maturity of six months. BILZ was launched on Jun 21, 2023 and is managed by PIMCO.

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Wayfair (NYSE:W  Get Free Report) and Logiq (OTCMKTS:LGIQ  Get Free Report) are both retail/wholesale companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, institutional ownership, dividends, risk, valuation, profitability and analyst recommendations.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for Wayfair and Logiq, as reported by MarketBeat.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Wayfair 2 10 18 1 2.58 Logiq 0 0 0 0 0.00

Wayfair presently has a consensus target price of $107.21, suggesting a potential downside of 2.43%. Given Logiqs higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Logiq is more favorable than Wayfair.

Risk & Volatility

Profitability

Wayfair has a beta of 3.31, meaning that its stock price is 231% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Logiq has a beta of -1.49, meaning that its stock price is 249% less volatile than the S&P 500.

This table compares Wayfair and Logiqs net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Wayfair -2.65% N/A -3.77% Logiq N/A N/A N/A

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Wayfair and Logiqs top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Wayfair $11.85 billion 1.21 -$492.00 million ($2.56) -42.93 Logiq N/A N/A -$20.10 million N/A N/A

Logiq has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Wayfair.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

89.7% of Wayfair shares are held by institutional investors. 21.9% of Wayfair shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 44.7% of Logiq shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Wayfair beats Logiq on 6 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Wayfair

(Get Free Report)

Wayfair Inc. provides e-commerce business in the United States and internationally. The company offers approximately thirty million products for the home sector. It offers online selections of furniture, decor, housewares, and home improvement products through its sites consisting of Wayfair, Joss & Main, AllModern, Birch Lane, Perigold, and Wayfair Professional. The company offers its products under the Three Posts and Mercury Row brand name. The company was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts.

About Logiq

(Get Free Report)

Logiq, Inc. provides e-commerce solutions and services in the European Union, Southeast Asia, Africa, South Korea, and North America. The company operates its DATALogiq-branded consumer data management platform by lead generation, online marketing, and multichannel reengagement strategies through its owned and operated brands. Its DATALogiq develops a proprietary data management platform and integrates with various third-party service providers to optimize the return on its marketing efforts. The company was formerly known as Weyland Tech Inc. and changed its name to Logiq, Inc. in September 2020. Logiq, Inc. was incorporated in 2004 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

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Matador Resources (NYSE:MTDR  Get Free Report) had its price target dropped by investment analysts at Morgan Stanley from $56.00 to $52.00 in a research note issued to investors on Friday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has an equal weight rating on the energy companys stock. Morgan Stanleys target price indicates a potential upside of 20.54% from the stocks previous close.

Other analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. Bank of America dropped their target price on shares of Matador Resources from $55.00 to $50.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. BMO Capital Markets reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Matador Resources in a research note on Thursday, December 18th. Raymond James Financial reissued an outperform rating and issued a $55.00 price objective (down previously from $63.00) on shares of Matador Resources in a research report on Monday, October 20th. Citigroup initiated coverage on shares of Matador Resources in a report on Monday, December 8th. They set a buy rating and a $53.00 target price on the stock. Finally, UBS Group upped their price target on shares of Matador Resources from $46.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, December 12th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $59.09.

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Check Out Our Latest Report on Matador Resources

Matador Resources Trading Down 0.0%

Shares of MTDR traded down $0.01 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $43.14. The stock had a trading volume of 687,570 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,801,571. Matador Resources has a 12-month low of $35.19 and a 12-month high of $62.59. The firm has a market cap of $5.36 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.89 and a beta of 1.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a current ratio of 0.73. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $42.45 and its 200 day simple moving average is $44.96.

Matador Resources (NYSE:MTDR  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 21st. The energy company reported $1.36 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.22 by $0.14. The company had revenue of $939.02 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $893.22 million. Matador Resources had a return on equity of 14.80% and a net margin of 20.46%.The firms revenue was up 4.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.89 earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that Matador Resources will post 8.53 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Matador Resources

In other Matador Resources news, EVP Robert T. Macalik acquired 1,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 6th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $38.25 per share, for a total transaction of $57,375.00. Following the acquisition, the executive vice president directly owned 35,039 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,340,241.75. This trade represents a 4.47% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Shelley F. Appel bought 1,389 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 6th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $38.01 per share, for a total transaction of $52,795.89. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 5,084 shares in the company, valued at $193,242.84. This represents a 37.59% increase in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last 90 days, insiders bought 37,346 shares of company stock valued at $1,463,396. Company insiders own 5.80% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. grew its holdings in Matador Resources by 143.1% in the 2nd quarter. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. now owns 2,556,472 shares of the energy companys stock worth $121,995,000 after buying an additional 1,505,000 shares in the last quarter. CIBC Bancorp USA Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Matador Resources during the 3rd quarter valued at $61,615,000. LSV Asset Management raised its stake in shares of Matador Resources by 45.7% in the 2nd quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 3,334,775 shares of the energy companys stock worth $159,135,000 after buying an additional 1,045,396 shares in the last quarter. Encompass Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Matador Resources in the second quarter valued at $37,194,000. Finally, Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. lifted its holdings in shares of Matador Resources by 64.3% in the third quarter. Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. now owns 1,100,805 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $49,459,000 after buying an additional 431,010 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.98% of the companys stock.

Matador Resources Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Matador Resources Company is an independent energy firm primarily engaged in the exploration, development and production of oil, natural gas liquids (NGLs) and natural gas. The company focuses on upstream operations, utilizing horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing techniques to unlock hydrocarbons from key reservoirs. Its asset base includes both operated and nonoperated positions, with a particular emphasis on the Permian Basin, one of the most prolific oil-producing regions in North America.

Matadors core operations are concentrated in the Delaware Basin segment of the Permian Basin, where it holds substantial acreage in both Reeves and Culberson counties in West Texas and Eddy and Lea counties in New Mexico.

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IREN, Freeport-McMoRan, Coeur Mining, Critical Metals, and Hecla Mining are the five Mining stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Mining stocks are shares of publicly traded companies involved in exploring for, developing, extracting and sometimes processing natural resources such as gold, copper, iron ore, coal and other minerals. These equities tend to be cyclical and sensitive to commodity prices, operational and geopolitical risks, and environmental/regulatory factors, so they often show higher volatility but can offer leverage to rising metal prices and potential dividend income. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Mining stocks within the last several days.

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IREN (IREN)

IREN Limited, formerly known as Iris Energy Limited, owns and operates bitcoin mining data centers. The company was incorporated in 2018 and is headquartered in Sydney, Australia.

Freeport-McMoRan (FCX)

Freeport-McMoRan Inc. engages in the mining of mineral properties in North America, South America, and Indonesia. It primarily explores for copper, gold, molybdenum, silver, and other metals. The company's assets include the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia; Morenci, Bagdad, Safford, Sierrita, and Miami in Arizona; Chino and Tyrone in New Mexico; and Henderson and Climax in Colorado, North America, as well as Cerro Verde in Peru and El Abra in Chile.

Read Our Latest Research Report on FCX

Coeur Mining (CDE)

Coeur Mining, Inc. explores for precious metals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The company primarily explores for gold, silver, zinc, and lead properties. It markets and sells its concentrates to third-party customers, smelters, under off-take agreements. The company was formerly known as Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation and changed its name to Coeur Mining, Inc.

Read Our Latest Research Report on CDE

Critical Metals (CRML)

Critical Metals Corp. engages in the mining, exploration, and development of lithium metals. It owns Wolfsberg Project and Tanbreez Project. The company was founded on October 24, 2022 and is headquartered in British Virgin Islands.

Read Our Latest Research Report on CRML

Hecla Mining (HL)

Hecla Mining Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides precious and base metal properties in the United States, Canada, Japan, Korea, and China. The company mines for silver, gold, lead, and zinc concentrates, as well as carbon material containing silver and gold for custom smelters, metal traders, and third-party processors; and dore containing silver and gold.

Read Our Latest Research Report on HL

Further Reading
Shares of Mitsubishi Corp. (OTCMKTS:MSBHF  Get Free Report) saw an uptick in trading volume on Tuesday . 22,567 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 108% from the previous sessions volume of 10,825 shares.The stock last traded at $25.5907 and had previously closed at $25.75.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on Mitsubishi in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. They set a neutral rating on the stock. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold.

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Read Our Latest Analysis on MSBHF

Mitsubishi Stock Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $102.89 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.74 and a beta of 0.64. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $23.93 and a 200 day moving average price of $23.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a quick ratio of 1.13 and a current ratio of 1.44.

Mitsubishi (OTCMKTS:MSBHF  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $0.27 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.29 by ($0.02). Mitsubishi had a return on equity of 6.97% and a net margin of 3.86%.The firm had revenue of $29.97 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $27.73 billion. Equities research analysts predict that Mitsubishi Corp. will post 1.6 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

About Mitsubishi

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Mitsubishi is a long-established Japanese business family and brand that today encompasses a group of independent companies operating across a wide range of industries. The Mitsubishi name traces back to the late 19th century and the founding of a shipping firm that grew into a diversified industrial and trading conglomerate. Over time the original zaibatsu was reorganized into a number of separately managed companies that nonetheless share the Mitsubishi mark and coordinate through cross-shareholdings and business relationships.

Companies using the Mitsubishi name are active in sectors including industrial machinery and heavy equipment, automotive manufacturing, electrical and electronic equipment, chemicals and materials, energy and natural resources, trading and logistics, finance and banking, real estate, and food and consumer products.

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Cenovus Energy (TSE:CVE  Get Free Report) (NYSE:CVE) had its price objective decreased by stock analysts at Morgan Stanley from C$31.00 to C$29.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday,BayStreet.CA reports. Morgan Stanleys price target suggests a potential upside of 12.36% from the stocks previous close.

Several other equities research analysts have also recently weighed in on CVE. Raymond James Financial upgraded shares of Cenovus Energy from an outperform rating to a strong-buy rating and boosted their price target for the stock from C$30.00 to C$32.00 in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Desjardins boosted their target price on shares of Cenovus Energy from C$33.00 to C$33.50 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, December 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Cenovus Energy to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, January 2nd. Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their price target on Cenovus Energy from C$32.00 to C$29.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 13th. Finally, Scotiabank boosted their price objective on Cenovus Energy from C$29.00 to C$30.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of C$28.95.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Cenovus Energy

Cenovus Energy Price Performance

TSE CVE traded up C$0.40 on Friday, reaching C$25.81. The company had a trading volume of 2,564,684 shares, compared to its average volume of 11,115,247. The company has a quick ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 1.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 33.59. The stock has a market capitalization of C$48.69 billion, a PE ratio of 14.92, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.09 and a beta of 0.50. The firms 50 day moving average price is C$24.22 and its 200 day moving average price is C$23.08. Cenovus Energy has a 12 month low of C$14.48 and a 12 month high of C$26.36.

Cenovus Energy (TSE:CVE  Get Free Report) (NYSE:CVE) last issued its earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The company reported C$0.72 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Cenovus Energy had a return on equity of 12.67% and a net margin of 6.72%.The firm had revenue of C$13.20 billion for the quarter. As a group, equities analysts predict that Cenovus Energy will post 2.2619279 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Michael John Crothers bought 2,000 shares of Cenovus Energy stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 15th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of C$24.23 per share, with a total value of C$48,460.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 8,000 shares in the company, valued at C$193,840. The trade was a 33.33% increase in their position. 32.03% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

About Cenovus Energy

(Get Free Report)

Cenovus Energy is an integrated oil company, focused on creating value through the development of its oil sands assets. The company also engages in production of conventional crude oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas in Alberta, Canada, with refining operations in the U.S. Net upstream production averaged 472 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2020, and the company estimates that it holds 6.7 billion boe of proven and probable reserves.

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Myriad Asset Management US LP purchased a new stake in shares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft (NYSE:DB  Free Report) during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor purchased 21,607 shares of the banks stock, valued at approximately $765,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft by 15.9% during the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 126,101 shares of the banks stock worth $3,005,000 after acquiring an additional 17,262 shares in the last quarter. Focus Partners Wealth acquired a new stake in Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft in the 1st quarter valued at $795,000. Sivia Capital Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft in the 2nd quarter worth $413,000. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC grew its position in shares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft by 74.9% in the second quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 41,559 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,216,000 after purchasing an additional 17,796 shares during the period. Finally, Farther Finance Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft by 46.5% in the 2nd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 2,387 shares of the banks stock valued at $70,000 after buying an additional 758 shares in the last quarter. 27.90% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft Trading Up 3.3%

Shares of NYSE DB opened at $39.13 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.78, a quick ratio of 0.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40. The stock has a market capitalization of $75.48 billion, a PE ratio of 14.44, a PEG ratio of 0.35 and a beta of 0.96. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $37.49 and a 200-day simple moving average of $35.67. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft has a twelve month low of $18.56 and a twelve month high of $39.82.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft ( NYSE:DB Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The bank reported $0.97 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.81 by $0.16. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft had a net margin of 7.99% and a return on equity of 5.97%. The business had revenue of $9.44 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.75 billion. On average, equities analysts forecast that Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft will post 2.93 earnings per share for the current year.

Several research analysts recently commented on DB shares. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft in a research note on Monday, October 20th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an overweight rating on shares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. Zacks Research lowered shares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 30th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Citigroup reiterated a sell rating on shares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft in a research report on Thursday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have assigned a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft presently has an average rating of Hold.

View Our Latest Stock Report on DB

About Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft

(Free Report)

Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft is a global banking and financial services company headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany. Founded in 1870 to support German foreign trade, the firm has grown into a full-service bank offering a wide range of banking, advisory and transaction services to corporate, institutional, and private clients. Over its history the bank has expanded internationally and developed capabilities across capital markets, investment banking, retail and commercial banking, and wealth management.

The banks core business activities include corporate and investment bankingcovering financing, advisory, sales and trading, and capital markets servicesalong with private & commercial banking for individual and small-to-medium enterprise clients.

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Lockheed Martin Investment Management Co. increased its stake in shares of Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS  Free Report) by 15.6% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 85,200 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 11,500 shares during the quarter. Lockheed Martin Investment Management Co.s holdings in Novartis were worth $10,926,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Fisher Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Novartis by 5.3% in the 2nd quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 7,121,414 shares of the companys stock worth $861,762,000 after acquiring an additional 358,282 shares during the last quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P grew its stake in shares of Novartis by 1.4% in the 2nd quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P now owns 5,581,576 shares of the companys stock valued at $675,427,000 after buying an additional 78,483 shares during the period. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Novartis by 8.0% during the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,736,891 shares of the companys stock worth $210,181,000 after buying an additional 128,302 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its holdings in Novartis by 0.8% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,597,830 shares of the companys stock valued at $195,552,000 after acquiring an additional 12,345 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Chevy Chase Trust Holdings LLC lifted its holdings in Novartis by 3.1% in the second quarter. Chevy Chase Trust Holdings LLC now owns 1,135,326 shares of the companys stock valued at $137,386,000 after acquiring an additional 33,954 shares during the last quarter. 13.12% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have commented on NVS shares. HSBC restated a reduce rating and issued a $112.00 target price on shares of Novartis in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of Novartis in a report on Monday, December 29th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Novartis in a research note on Friday, January 16th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Novartis from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, January 17th. Finally, Cfra Research raised shares of Novartis to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $119.75.

Novartis Stock Down 0.1%

Shares of NYSE:NVS opened at $145.03 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $306.36 billion, a PE ratio of 19.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.89 and a beta of 0.51. Novartis AG has a 1 year low of $97.71 and a 1 year high of $146.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a current ratio of 0.88 and a quick ratio of 0.68. The firms 50-day moving average is $135.90 and its two-hundred day moving average is $128.42.

Novartis (NYSE:NVS  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The company reported $2.25 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.26 by ($0.01). Novartis had a net margin of 26.49% and a return on equity of 41.21%. The business had revenue of $14.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.70 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.06 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 8.5% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that Novartis AG will post 8.45 EPS for the current year.

Novartis Profile

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Novartis is a Swiss multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Basel that researches, develops, manufactures and commercializes prescription medicines and related health-care products. Formed through the 1996 merger of Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz, Novartis operates globally and focuses on bringing therapeutics from discovery through clinical development to commercial markets worldwide.

The companys activities center on innovative pharmaceuticals across several therapeutic areas, including oncology, immunology, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, neuroscience and ophthalmology, alongside capabilities in advanced therapies such as biologics, cell and gene therapies.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NVS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS  Free Report).

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OSB Group (LON:OSB  Get Free Report) was downgraded by stock analysts at Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft to a hold rating in a note issued to investors on Friday,Digital Look reports. They presently have a GBX 660 target price on the stock, up from their previous target price of GBX 650. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschafts price target suggests a potential upside of 6.02% from the companys previous close.

Several other research firms have also recently issued reports on OSB. Peel Hunt restated a hold rating and set a GBX 564 price objective on shares of OSB Group in a report on Thursday, November 13th. Shore Capital reissued a buy rating and issued a GBX 665 price target on shares of OSB Group in a research note on Friday, December 19th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, OSB Group has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of GBX 631.

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OSB Group Price Performance

OSB Group Company Profile

OSB Group stock opened at GBX 622.50 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of 2.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.05 and a beta of 1.41. OSB Group has a 12-month low of GBX 360.60 and a 12-month high of GBX 647.50. The firms 50-day moving average is GBX 601.74 and its two-hundred day moving average is GBX 569.09.

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OSB Group Plc, through its subsidiaries, operates as a specialist mortgage lending and retail savings company in the United Kingdom and the Channel Islands. It provides private rented sector related buy-to-let, commercial and semi-commercial mortgages, residential development finance, secured funding, bridging, and asset finance services. The company also provides buy-to-let and specialist residential mortgages, mortgage servicing, administration and analytical, mortgage originator and servicer, and retail savings products; and back office processing services.

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Owlet, Inc. (NYSE:OWLT  Get Free Report) CEO Jonathan Harris sold 2,311 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $13.33, for a total transaction of $30,805.63. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 264,396 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,524,398.68. This represents a 0.87% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink.

Owlet Price Performance

Owlet stock traded down $0.49 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $13.21. The stock had a trading volume of 105,629 shares, compared to its average volume of 227,757. The stock has a market cap of $225.63 million, a PE ratio of -4.48 and a beta of 1.78. Owlet, Inc. has a 52 week low of $2.75 and a 52 week high of $16.94. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $14.01 and a 200-day simple moving average of $10.26.

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Owlet (NYSE:OWLT  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 13th. The company reported $0.03 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.23) by $0.26. The firm had revenue of $31.99 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $26.00 million. Research analysts predict that Owlet, Inc. will post -0.76 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

OWLT has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. TD Cowen reiterated a buy rating on shares of Owlet in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. Wall Street Zen raised Owlet from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, November 15th. Northland Securities set a $20.00 price target on shares of Owlet and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, December 30th. Zacks Research raised shares of Owlet from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 19th. Finally, William Blair began coverage on shares of Owlet in a report on Tuesday, December 9th. They issued an outperform rating for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Owlet currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $14.25.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Owlet

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. purchased a new position in Owlet during the first quarter valued at $43,000. Bank of America Corp DE increased its stake in shares of Owlet by 6,517.7% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 5,228 shares of the companys stock worth $44,000 after acquiring an additional 5,149 shares in the last quarter. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. purchased a new position in Owlet during the 4th quarter valued at about $60,000. XTX Topco Ltd bought a new stake in Owlet during the second quarter worth about $90,000. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP bought a new stake in Owlet during the second quarter worth about $336,000. Institutional investors own 72.60% of the companys stock.

About Owlet

(Get Free Report)

Owlet Baby Care, Inc is a consumer health technology company specializing in the design and manufacture of smart baby monitoring products. The companys flagship device, the Owlet Smart Sock, is a wearable monitor that tracks a newborns heart rate and oxygen saturation levels and transmits real-time data to a mobile app. Owlet has since expanded its product suite to include the Owlet Cam, an HD video monitor with audio and motion alerts, and the Dream Sock, a non-wearable device that collects sleep metrics to help parents understand and improve their babys rest patterns.

Founded in 2013 by engineer and father Kurt Workman, Owlet is headquartered in Lehi, Utah.

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DoorDash Inc. and Uber Technologies Inc. lost a bid to block a New York City law requiring a tipping option be presented to customers at checkout from going into effect Monday.

A federal judge on Friday denied the companies request for a court order that would have stopped the law from taking effect on Jan. 26 while their suit against the city proceeds.

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The city is requiring the suggested tip be set at 10% or higher, which the food-delivery app firms worry will cause sticker shock for customers. DoorDash has estimated it will suffer millions of dollars in losses over the next year as New York customers place fewer orders.

Uber and Doordash immediately appealed the decision later on Friday.

Allowing this law to take effect means we will likely see an immediate drop off in orders for New Yorks small businesses, a worse experience for customers, and fewer overall deliveries for New York City dashers, a DoorDash spokesperson said in an emailed statement. Uber declined to comment.

The court decision could bolster Mayor Zohran Mamdanis hardline stance on regulating app-based work. Earlier this month, the city filed a lawsuit against delivery tech provider Motoclick and its chief executive officer for withholding pay from workers.

The companies contend that the requirements violate their constitutional free-speech rights by restricting how the apps communicate with consumers about tipping.

US District Judge George Daniels said the companies suit was unlikely to succeed because the citys new requirements werent overly burdensome and advanced the citys goals of enhancing cost transparency to consumers and protecting delivery workers.

Todays court ruling in Doordash Inc. and Uber Technologies, Inc. vs. The City of New York affirms that multi-billion-dollar companies need to comply with laws that protect workers and consumers, Samuel Levine, commissioner of the citys Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, said in a statement.

The new requirements were enacted to counter measures the companies took in response to the citys 2023 law hiking the minimum wage for delivery workers to at least $21.44 per hour. At the time, DoorDash and Uber raised service fees to subsidize the new pay rate and moved the in-app tipping function to after checkout so upfront delivery costs would seem lower.
Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE:PKG  Get Free Report) has been given an average rating of Moderate Buy by the eight research firms that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price target among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $236.1667.

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on PKG shares. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Packaging Corporation of America from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, January 3rd. Citigroup dropped their price target on shares of Packaging Corporation of America from $229.00 to $226.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Packaging Corporation of America from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b-) rating on shares of Packaging Corporation of America in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, UBS Group increased their price target on Packaging Corporation of America from $230.00 to $235.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Monday, January 12th.

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Packaging Corporation of America Price Performance

NYSE:PKG opened at $218.53 on Tuesday. Packaging Corporation of America has a one year low of $172.71 and a one year high of $241.96. The stock has a market cap of $19.66 billion, a PE ratio of 22.10, a P/E/G ratio of 1.68 and a beta of 0.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84, a quick ratio of 2.00 and a current ratio of 3.16. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $206.21 and a 200 day moving average price of $206.23.

Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE:PKG  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The industrial products company reported $2.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.83 by ($0.10). Packaging Corporation of America had a net margin of 10.18% and a return on equity of 19.72%. The company had revenue of $2.31 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.29 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $2.65 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 6.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts expect that Packaging Corporation of America will post 10.44 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Packaging Corporation of America Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 14th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 15th were given a $1.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 15th. This represents a $5.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.3%. Packaging Corporation of Americas payout ratio is presently 50.56%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Packaging Corporation of America

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC boosted its holdings in Packaging Corporation of America by 105.4% during the 3rd quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 115 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 59 shares during the period. KERR FINANCIAL PLANNING Corp acquired a new stake in shares of Packaging Corporation of America during the third quarter worth about $31,000. Trust Co. of Toledo NA OH purchased a new position in shares of Packaging Corporation of America in the second quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Packaging Corporation of America by 40.4% in the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 198 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 57 shares in the last quarter. Finally, NBT Bank N A NY purchased a new stake in Packaging Corporation of America during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $41,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.78% of the companys stock.

Packaging Corporation of America Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE: PKG) is a leading North American manufacturer of containerboard and corrugated packaging products. The company produces a range of paper-based packaging solutions including linerboard, corrugating medium, corrugated shipping containers, retail-ready packaging and point-of-purchase displays. In addition to core packaging products, Packaging Corporation of America offers packaging design, testing and supply-chain services intended to optimize protection, cost and sustainability for customers.

Headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois, the company operates an integrated network of mills and corrugated manufacturing facilities across the United States and serves customers throughout North America in industries such as e-commerce, grocery and food & beverage, consumer packaged goods and industrial markets.

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ProCook Group plc (LON:PROC  Get Free Report) rose 2.9% on Thursday . The stock traded as high as GBX 38.49 and last traded at GBX 38.49. Approximately 29,021 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 21% from the average daily volume of 23,905 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 37.40.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Canaccord Genuity Group reissued a buy rating and set a GBX 54 target price on shares of ProCook Group in a report on Wednesday, November 26th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of GBX 54.

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ProCook Group Price Performance

The business has a fifty day moving average price of GBX 36.16 and a 200 day moving average price of GBX 37.67. The company has a market cap of 40.59 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.37 and a beta of 1.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 301.33, a quick ratio of 0.36 and a current ratio of 0.93.

ProCook Group (LON:PROC  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, December 10th. The company reported GBX (2.03) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. ProCook Group had a net margin of 0.97% and a return on equity of 7.65%. As a group, research analysts anticipate that ProCook Group plc will post 1.6107383 earnings per share for the current year.

About ProCook Group

(Get Free Report)

ProCook is the UKs leading direct-to-consumer specialist kitchenware brand. ProCook designs, develops, and retails a high-quality range of direct-sourced and own-brand kitchenware which provides customers with significant value for money.

The brand sells directly through its website, www.procook.co.uk, and through an expanding network of over 60 own-brand retail stores, located across the UK.

Founded over 25 years ago as a family business, selling cookware sets by direct mail in the UK, ProCook has grown into a market leading, multi-channel specialist kitchenware company, employing over 600 colleagues, and operating from its Store Support Centre in Gloucester.

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Freeport-McMoRan, Barrick Mining, and Hecla Mining are the three Gold stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Gold stocks are shares of companies involved in the production, exploration, processing, or financing of goldthis includes miners, explorers and royalty/streaming firms. Their share prices often move with the underlying gold price but are also affected by company-specific factors like reserves, costs, management and geopolitical or operational risks. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Gold stocks within the last several days.

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Freeport-McMoRan (FCX)

Freeport-McMoRan Inc. engages in the mining of mineral properties in North America, South America, and Indonesia. It primarily explores for copper, gold, molybdenum, silver, and other metals. The company's assets include the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia; Morenci, Bagdad, Safford, Sierrita, and Miami in Arizona; Chino and Tyrone in New Mexico; and Henderson and Climax in Colorado, North America, as well as Cerro Verde in Peru and El Abra in Chile.

Barrick Mining (B)

Barrick Gold Corporation is a sector-leading gold and copper producer. Its shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol GOLD and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ABX.



In January 2019 Barrick merged with Randgold Resources and in July that year it combined its gold mines in Nevada, USA, with those of Newmont Corporation in a joint venture, Nevada Gold Mines, which is majority-owned and operated by Barrick.

Read Our Latest Research Report on B

Hecla Mining (HL)

Hecla Mining Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides precious and base metal properties in the United States, Canada, Japan, Korea, and China. The company mines for silver, gold, lead, and zinc concentrates, as well as carbon material containing silver and gold for custom smelters, metal traders, and third-party processors; and dore containing silver and gold.

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Quadrant Private Wealth Management LLC lessened its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (BATS:EFG  Free Report) by 61.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 13,499 shares of the companys stock after selling 21,742 shares during the quarter. Quadrant Private Wealth Management LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF were worth $1,537,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 0.6% during the second quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 16,920,944 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,895,108,000 after acquiring an additional 108,211 shares in the last quarter. MML Investors Services LLC increased its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 8.0% in the second quarter. MML Investors Services LLC now owns 1,333,981 shares of the companys stock worth $149,406,000 after purchasing an additional 99,158 shares during the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers lifted its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 5.0% in the second quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 1,315,205 shares of the companys stock worth $147,303,000 after buying an additional 62,786 shares in the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. boosted its stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 1.1% during the second quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 1,242,079 shares of the companys stock valued at $138,664,000 after buying an additional 13,888 shares during the last quarter. Finally, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 0.4% during the 2nd quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 1,167,865 shares of the companys stock valued at $130,801,000 after buying an additional 5,013 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF Price Performance

BATS:EFG opened at $118.96 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $13.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.98 and a beta of 0.96. iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF has a 1 year low of $88.66 and a 1 year high of $113.16. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $115.00 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $113.63.

iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF Company Profile

iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Growth Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI EAFE Growth Index (the Index). The Index is a subset of the MSCI EAFE Index and constituents of the Index include securities from Europe, Australasia (Australia and Asia), and the Far East. The Fund invests in sectors, such as consumer staples, industrials, consumer discretionary, materials, healthcare, financials, information technology, energy, telecommunication services and utilities.

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Rakuten Investment Management Inc. bought a new position in General Motors Company (NYSE:GM  Free Report) (TSE:GMM.U) in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 75,203 shares of the auto manufacturers stock, valued at approximately $4,585,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of General Motors by 11.5% during the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 110,759,703 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $5,450,485,000 after buying an additional 11,418,367 shares during the period. Viking Global Investors LP boosted its position in General Motors by 81.1% during the 2nd quarter. Viking Global Investors LP now owns 13,018,874 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $640,659,000 after acquiring an additional 5,830,050 shares during the last quarter. Legal & General Group Plc grew its stake in shares of General Motors by 0.5% during the 2nd quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 10,143,779 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $499,175,000 after acquiring an additional 54,853 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of General Motors in the second quarter valued at approximately $444,319,000. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its position in shares of General Motors by 8.0% in the second quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 5,699,105 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $280,457,000 after purchasing an additional 424,396 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.67% of the companys stock.

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Key Headlines Impacting General Motors

Here are the key news stories impacting General Motors this week:

Positive Sentiment: FDIC approval clears the way for GM to establish an industrial bank, allowing the company to expand captive-finance and deposit-taking activities that could boost recurring, highermargin financial revenue and lower funding costs. FDIC clears way for Ford, General Motors to set up industrial banks

FDIC approval clears the way for GM to establish an industrial bank, allowing the company to expand captive-finance and deposit-taking activities that could boost recurring, highermargin financial revenue and lower funding costs. Positive Sentiment: Analysts are turning more bullish: JPMorgan raised its price target to $100 (overweight) and Goldman boosted its target to $98, while Zacks raised nearterm EPS estimates  all supporting upside and positive sentiment heading into earnings. GM price target/analyst coverage reporting

Analysts are turning more bullish: JPMorgan raised its price target to $100 (overweight) and Goldman boosted its target to $98, while Zacks raised nearterm EPS estimates  all supporting upside and positive sentiment heading into earnings. Neutral Sentiment: GM will shift production of a China-built Buick compact SUV to its Fairfax, Kansas plant (expected ~2028) and will end Chevrolet Bolt EV production at that facility next year. The move reduces exposure to China/Mexico production and potential tariff risk and supports U.S. manufacturing jobs, but it also signals the end of the Bolt EV product and will require retooling/capital spend. Investors should watch retooling costs, capacity timing and margins on the new model. GM to end Chevy Bolt EV production next year, move China-made Buick to U.S. factory

GM will shift production of a China-built Buick compact SUV to its Fairfax, Kansas plant (expected ~2028) and will end Chevrolet Bolt EV production at that facility next year. The move reduces exposure to China/Mexico production and potential tariff risk and supports U.S. manufacturing jobs, but it also signals the end of the Bolt EV product and will require retooling/capital spend. Investors should watch retooling costs, capacity timing and margins on the new model. Negative Sentiment: The FTC has taken action against GM and OnStar over privacy concerns, creating regulatory and reputational risk that could trigger fines, compliance costs or changes to data-driven services that GM is monetizing. Monitor developments for potential financial or operational impacts. FTC Action Against GM & OnStar For Privacy Concerns

The FTC has taken action against GM and OnStar over privacy concerns, creating regulatory and reputational risk that could trigger fines, compliance costs or changes to data-driven services that GM is monetizing. Monitor developments for potential financial or operational impacts. Negative Sentiment: NHTSA has reopened probes and continues scrutiny of some GM V8 engines and earlier recalls, which could lead to further remediation costs, warranty exposure or reputational damage. Investors should factor potential recall/warranty hit into nearterm cash flow and margins. NHTSA reopens GM recall after engine failure

General Motors Trading Up 0.1%

General Motors stock opened at $81.00 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $78.39 and a 200 day simple moving average of $65.57. The stock has a market capitalization of $75.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.30, a PEG ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 1.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40, a quick ratio of 1.06 and a current ratio of 1.23. General Motors Company has a 52 week low of $41.60 and a 52 week high of $85.18.

General Motors (NYSE:GM  Get Free Report) (TSE:GMM.U) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 21st. The auto manufacturer reported $2.80 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.32 by $0.48. General Motors had a return on equity of 12.29% and a net margin of 1.62%.The company had revenue of $48.59 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $44.60 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.96 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was down .3% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts expect that General Motors Company will post 11.44 earnings per share for the current year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms recently weighed in on GM. HSBC raised their target price on shares of General Motors from $48.00 to $75.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 13th. Tigress Financial raised their price objective on General Motors from $88.00 to $92.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, October 24th. Piper Sandler set a $98.00 target price on General Motors and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on General Motors from $50.00 to $55.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Monday, October 6th. Finally, Benchmark restated a buy rating on shares of General Motors in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, General Motors presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $79.32.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on General Motors

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other General Motors news, CAO Christopher Hatto sold 7,724 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.00, for a total transaction of $556,128.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer owned 12,007 shares of the companys stock, valued at $864,504. This trade represents a 39.15% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.54% of the companys stock.

About General Motors

(Free Report)

General Motors Company (NYSE: GM) is a global automotive manufacturer headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, that designs, builds and sells cars, trucks, crossovers and electric vehicles, and provides related parts and services. Founded in 1908, GM has long been one of the worlds largest automakers and has evolved into a multi-brand company whose primary marques include Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac and Buick. Beyond vehicle manufacturing, GMs operations encompass vehicle financing, connected services and advanced mobility initiatives.

GM develops and markets a broad portfolio of products and technologies, including internal-combustion and battery-electric vehicles, vehicle components and on-board connectivity services.

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Rakuten Investment Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Kimco Realty Corporation (NYSE:KIM  Free Report) during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 284,184 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock, valued at approximately $6,209,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in KIM. Vert Asset Management LLC lifted its position in Kimco Realty by 2.3% in the third quarter. Vert Asset Management LLC now owns 306,704 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $6,701,000 after purchasing an additional 6,910 shares during the period. Pacific Heights Asset Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Kimco Realty by 66.7% in the 3rd quarter. Pacific Heights Asset Management LLC now owns 500,000 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $10,925,000 after buying an additional 200,000 shares in the last quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors lifted its holdings in shares of Kimco Realty by 7.5% in the third quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors now owns 36,123 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $789,000 after buying an additional 2,530 shares during the period. Allstate Corp boosted its stake in Kimco Realty by 218.1% during the third quarter. Allstate Corp now owns 40,161 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $878,000 after buying an additional 27,536 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC grew its holdings in Kimco Realty by 7.4% during the third quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 63,924 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,366,000 after acquiring an additional 4,412 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 89.25% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

KIM has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Truist Financial cut their price target on shares of Kimco Realty from $23.00 to $22.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Tuesday. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Kimco Realty from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Sunday, December 28th. Scotiabank decreased their price target on shares of Kimco Realty from $23.00 to $22.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. Citigroup dropped their price target on Kimco Realty from $23.00 to $21.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Finally, UBS Group cut their price objective on Kimco Realty from $30.00 to $26.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Kimco Realty presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $23.89.

Kimco Realty Stock Performance

Kimco Realty stock opened at $20.78 on Friday. Kimco Realty Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $17.93 and a fifty-two week high of $23.65. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $20.38 and its 200-day simple moving average is $21.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 3.59 and a quick ratio of 3.59. The company has a market cap of $14.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.04, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.46 and a beta of 1.05.

Kimco Realty (NYSE:KIM  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.44 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.43 by $0.01. Kimco Realty had a net margin of 28.24% and a return on equity of 5.60%. The business had revenue of $535.86 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $522.31 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.43 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 5.6% on a year-over-year basis. Kimco Realty has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.750-1.760 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Kimco Realty Corporation will post 1.71 EPS for the current year.

Kimco Realty Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 19th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 5th were issued a dividend of $0.26 per share. This is a positive change from Kimco Realtys previous quarterly dividend of $0.25. This represents a $1.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.0%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 5th. Kimco Realtys dividend payout ratio is presently 125.30%.

About Kimco Realty

(Free Report)

Founded in 1958 by Milton Cooper and headquartered in Jericho, New York, Kimco Realty Corporation (NYSE: KIM) is a leading publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT) specializing in the ownership, operation and development of open-air shopping centers. The companys portfolio, concentrated on neighborhood and community centers anchored by grocery stores, encompasses approximately 400 properties across the United States, with selective holdings in Canada and Mexico.

Kimcos core business activities include acquiring, repositioning and managing retail real estate assets that serve as daily-need destinations for consumers.

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Rakuten Investment Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Burlington Stores, Inc. (NYSE:BURL  Free Report) in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 22,057 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,614,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Oak Thistle LLC purchased a new stake in Burlington Stores in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $1,932,000. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA raised its position in shares of Burlington Stores by 6.7% in the third quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 945,554 shares of the companys stock worth $240,643,000 after buying an additional 59,587 shares in the last quarter. Campbell & CO Investment Adviser LLC bought a new stake in Burlington Stores during the third quarter valued at $1,033,000. Quadrant Capital Group LLC increased its stake in Burlington Stores by 23.5% in the 2nd quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 5,660 shares of the companys stock worth $1,317,000 after acquiring an additional 1,077 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Burlington Stores by 1.4% in the 2nd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 405,256 shares of the companys stock valued at $94,279,000 after acquiring an additional 5,559 shares in the last quarter.

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Burlington Stores Price Performance

BURL opened at $300.22 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.32, a current ratio of 1.21 and a quick ratio of 0.46. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $282.25 and its 200 day simple moving average is $275.91. The firm has a market cap of $18.89 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.51, a PEG ratio of 1.91 and a beta of 1.74. Burlington Stores, Inc. has a 1 year low of $212.92 and a 1 year high of $315.14.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Burlington Stores ( NYSE:BURL Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 25th. The company reported $1.68 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.59 by $0.09. Burlington Stores had a return on equity of 41.02% and a net margin of 5.01%.The firm had revenue of $2.71 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.74 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.55 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 7.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Burlington Stores has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 4.500-4.70 EPS and its FY 2025 guidance at 9.690-9.890 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that Burlington Stores, Inc. will post 7.93 earnings per share for the current year.

Several research firms recently weighed in on BURL. Barclays decreased their price objective on shares of Burlington Stores from $336.00 to $331.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 26th. Sanford C. Bernstein set a $350.00 price objective on shares of Burlington Stores and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on Burlington Stores from $330.00 to $315.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 27th. TD Cowen restated a buy rating on shares of Burlington Stores in a research report on Wednesday, November 26th. Finally, Guggenheim initiated coverage on Burlington Stores in a report on Tuesday, December 9th. They issued a neutral rating for the company. Fifteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Burlington Stores has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $335.94.

Check Out Our Latest Report on Burlington Stores

Insider Transactions at Burlington Stores

In other Burlington Stores news, CMO Jennifer Vecchio sold 419 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, November 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $274.48, for a total value of $115,007.12. Following the sale, the chief marketing officer owned 63,751 shares of the companys stock, valued at $17,498,374.48. This trade represents a 0.65% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Burlington Stores Company Profile

(Free Report)

Burlington Stores, Inc is an American off-price retailer that sells apparel and home goods at discounted prices. The companys merchandise assortment includes clothing for women, men and children, plus baby products, footwear, accessories, beauty items, toys and home decor. Burlingtons merchandising strategy focuses on offering branded and private-label goods at lower prices than traditional department stores by sourcing excess inventory, closeouts and opportunistic buys from manufacturers and other retailers.

The business traces its roots to the Burlington Coat Factory name established in the early 1970s and has since evolved into a broader off-price retailer that carries a wide range of seasonal and everyday merchandise.

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Shares of Rheinmetall AG Unsponsored ADR (OTCMKTS:RNMBY  Get Free Report) have earned an average recommendation of Buy from the seven research firms that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation, four have given a buy recommendation and two have given a strong buy recommendation to the company.

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on RNMBY. Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded Rheinmetall from a hold rating to an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating on shares of Rheinmetall in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Finally, Zacks Research raised shares of Rheinmetall to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, December 19th.

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Rheinmetall Price Performance

Shares of RNMBY stock opened at $416.89 on Friday. Rheinmetall has a 1 year low of $142.03 and a 1 year high of $468.90. The company has a current ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 0.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23. The firms 50 day moving average is $383.16 and its 200-day moving average is $403.65.

Rheinmetall (OTCMKTS:RNMBY  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported $0.77 earnings per share for the quarter. The company had revenue of $3.25 billion during the quarter.

Rheinmetall Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Rheinmetall AG is a Germany-based technology group specializing in defense and automotive solutions. Established in 1889 and headquartered in Dusseldorf, the company operates through two core divisions: Defense and Mobility (formerly Automotive). With a long heritage in engineering and manufacturing, Rheinmetall has evolved into a leading supplier of military vehicles, weapons systems and civilian mobility components, serving customers worldwide.

The Defense division develops and produces a broad portfolio of products and services for armed forces.

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Kula Gold Limited (ASX:KGD  Get Free Report) insider Richard Dawson sold 5,000,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of A$0.09, for a total value of A$460,000.00.

Kula Gold Stock Performance

The company has a market cap of $3.55 million, a PE ratio of -1.38 and a beta of 0.85. The company has a quick ratio of 2.56, a current ratio of 4.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.72.

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Kula Gold Company Profile

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Kula Gold Limited, together with its subsidiaries, identifies and explores for metals in Western Australia. It primarily explores for gold, lithium, halloysite, nickel, kaolin, and copper deposits, as well as platinum group elements. The company holds interest in Kirup Project, Brunswick Project, and Lake Rebecca Project located in Western Australia. Kula Gold Limited was incorporated in 2007 and is based in Perth, Australia.

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Rollins, Inc. (NYSE:ROL  Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Thursday, January 22nd. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 25th will be paid a dividend of 0.1825 per share by the business services provider on Tuesday, March 10th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 1.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 25th.

Rollins has raised its dividend payment by an average of 0.1%annually over the last three years and has raised its dividend every year for the last 4 years. Rollins has a payout ratio of 58.9% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities analysts expect Rollins to earn $1.22 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $0.73 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 59.8%.

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Rollins Stock Down 0.6%

Rollins stock traded down $0.40 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $62.92. The stock had a trading volume of 138,542 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,026,837. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $60.52 and a 200 day moving average price of $58.25. Rollins has a 12 month low of $48.17 and a 12 month high of $63.56. The stock has a market cap of $30.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 58.79 and a beta of 0.79. The company has a current ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32.

Insider Activity at Rollins

Rollins ( NYSE:ROL Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The business services provider reported $0.35 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.32 by $0.03. Rollins had a net margin of 14.02% and a return on equity of 37.60%. The company had revenue of $1.03 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.02 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.29 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 12.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts predict that Rollins will post 1.09 EPS for the current year.

In other news, insider Thomas D. Tesh sold 2,396 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, January 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.06, for a total value of $143,903.76. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 29,231 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,755,613.86. This trade represents a 7.58% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Chairman John F. Wilson sold 1,520 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $59.40, for a total value of $90,288.00. Following the sale, the chairman owned 607,587 shares of the companys stock, valued at $36,090,667.80. The trade was a 0.25% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 8,707 shares of company stock worth $515,664. Corporate insiders own 4.47% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Rollins

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in Rollins by 4.2% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 36,720,282 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $2,156,949,000 after purchasing an additional 1,480,306 shares during the period. State Street Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Rollins by 1.4% during the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 12,274,415 shares of the business services providers stock worth $720,999,000 after buying an additional 172,303 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Rollins by 4.8% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 9,379,509 shares of the business services providers stock worth $527,446,000 after buying an additional 432,067 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Rollins by 41.2% in the second quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 5,657,997 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $319,224,000 after acquiring an additional 1,649,676 shares during the period. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Rollins in the second quarter worth $218,593,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 51.79% of the companys stock.

About Rollins

(Get Free Report)

Rollins, Inc (NYSE: ROL) is a provider of pest and termite control services operating through a network of subsidiaries and franchises. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, the company offers a broad range of pest management solutions for both residential and commercial customers, positioning itself as a specialist in protecting property and public health from pests and vectors.

Its service offerings include general pest control, termite inspection and treatment, bed bug remediation, mosquito and vector control, wildlife exclusion, and related specialty services.

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Ecolab Inc (NYSE:ECL) is one of the best Materials stocks to invest in according to Hedge Funds.

On January 8, Bank of America Securities analyst Matthew DeYoe reaffirmed his positive outlook on Ecolab Inc (NYSE:ECL). The analyst assigned a Buy rating to the stock and raised his price target from $312 to $314. DeYoes forecasts lead to an upside of above 15% for investors.

Countries with the Cleanest Tap Water in the World in 2018

Pixabay/Public Domain

Despite expressing concerns regarding oversupply of commodities along with mixed sentiment towards agriculture, DeYoe sees some macroeconomic support during 2026. This includes the possibility of further rate curbs by the Fed and a positive shift in PMI figures. Another factor highlighted to have a favorable impact is the forecasted capacity rationalization in China.

On January 7, UBS analyst Joshua Spector also maintained his Neutral rating on Ecolab Inc (NYSE:ECL). In the process, he raised his price target estimate from $291 to $295, yielding an upside of more than 8% at the prevailing level.

Ecolab Inc (NYSE:ECL) delivers sustainable solutions for water, hygiene, and infection prevention. The company has 4 reporting segments, i.e., Global Industrial, Global Institutional & Specialty, Global Healthcare & Life Sciences, and Global Pest Elimination. As of 2025, it also delivers 3D TRASAR technology for real-time monitoring of water process management.

While we acknowledge the potential of ECL 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: 15 Most Promising Mid-Cap Healthcare Stocks Under $50 and 11 Most Promising Small-Cap Industrial Stocks Under $50.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
Sandvik AB (OTCMKTS:SDVKY  Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $36.01 and last traded at $35.8980, with a volume of 7509 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $34.89.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a buy rating on shares of Sandvik in a research note on Monday, December 8th. Citigroup reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Sandvik in a research note on Monday, January 12th. Zacks Research upgraded Sandvik from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday, December 22nd. Pareto Securities lowered Sandvik from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Sunday, October 5th. Finally, Barclays reaffirmed an overweight rating on shares of Sandvik in a report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have assigned a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Buy.

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Read Our Latest Research Report on SDVKY

Sandvik Stock Up 1.2%

The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $32.19 and a 200 day moving average price of $28.73. The company has a market cap of $45.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.82, a P/E/G ratio of 1.28 and a beta of 1.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40, a quick ratio of 0.90 and a current ratio of 1.78.

Sandvik (OTCMKTS:SDVKY  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, October 20th. The industrial products company reported $0.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.32 by ($0.02). Sandvik had a return on equity of 16.30% and a net margin of 12.24%.The firm had revenue of $3.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $29.69 billion. Research analysts expect that Sandvik AB will post 1.27 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of Sandvik

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Salomon & Ludwin LLC increased its holdings in shares of Sandvik by 3,795.5% in the third quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 857 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 835 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its position in shares of Sandvik by 24.8% during the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 7,406 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $208,000 after purchasing an additional 1,473 shares during the period. Finally, Yousif Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Sandvik by 15.9% during the second quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 22,037 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $502,000 after purchasing an additional 3,030 shares during the last quarter. 0.74% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Sandvik

(Get Free Report)

Sandvik (OTCMKTS: SDVKY) is a global engineering group headquartered in Sandviken, Sweden, with roots dating back to 1862 when it was founded by Goran Fredrik Goransson. The company designs, manufactures and services advanced products and solutions for the mining and construction industries, metalworking and material technology markets. Sandvik serves customers worldwide with a broad portfolio of industrial products, equipment and aftermarket services.

Sandviks core activities span three broad areas: metal-cutting and machining solutions, mining and rock excavation equipment, and specialty materials and components.

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Simplicity Wealth LLC boosted its stake in SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:JNK  Free Report) by 138.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 26,032 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after acquiring an additional 15,103 shares during the period. Simplicity Wealth LLCs holdings in SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF were worth $2,551,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of JNK. Gallagher Fiduciary Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF by 9,700.8% during the 2nd quarter. Gallagher Fiduciary Advisors LLC now owns 2,657,493 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $258,494,000 after purchasing an additional 2,630,378 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its holdings in SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF by 19.9% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 11,085,683 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,078,304,000 after purchasing an additional 1,842,852 shares during the period. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp purchased a new stake in SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF in the second quarter worth $118,767,000. Allstate Corp purchased a new stake in SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF in the third quarter worth $101,224,000. Finally, Osaic Holdings Inc. raised its stake in shares of SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF by 218.3% in the second quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 1,095,736 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $104,919,000 after buying an additional 751,499 shares during the period. 87.54% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF Price Performance

Shares of NYSEARCA JNK opened at $97.92 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.88 billion, a PE ratio of 19.96 and a beta of 0.42. SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF has a one year low of $90.40 and a one year high of $98.24. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $97.25 and its 200-day moving average price is $97.20.

About SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF

SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF (the Fund), formerly SPDR Barclays Capital High Yield Bond ETF, seeks to provide investment results that correspond to the price and yield performance of the Barclays Capital High Yield Very Liquid Index (the Index). The Index includes publicly issued United States dollar denominated, non-investment grade, fixed-rate, taxable corporate bonds that have a remaining maturity of at least one year, regardless of optionality, are rated high-yield using the middle rating of Moodys, S&P, and Fitch, respectively, and have $600 million or more of outstanding face value.

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Simplicity Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in Reddit Inc. (NYSE:RDDT  Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm acquired 10,776 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,478,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in RDDT. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in Reddit by 6.3% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 10,837,215 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,631,759,000 after acquiring an additional 638,663 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its holdings in Reddit by 7.5% during the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 2,051,175 shares of the companys stock worth $308,846,000 after acquiring an additional 143,680 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its position in shares of Reddit by 138.5% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,030,139 shares of the companys stock valued at $305,678,000 after purchasing an additional 1,178,890 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Reddit by 72.1% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,989,004 shares of the companys stock valued at $299,044,000 after purchasing an additional 833,245 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Reddit in the 2nd quarter valued at $294,254,000.

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Reddit Stock Up 2.3%

Shares of NYSE RDDT opened at $214.96 on Friday. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $224.95 and a 200 day moving average price of $212.09. The stock has a market cap of $40.73 billion, a PE ratio of 123.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 2.17. Reddit Inc. has a 52-week low of $79.75 and a 52-week high of $282.95.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Reddit ( NYSE:RDDT Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $0.80 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.50 by $0.30. Reddit had a return on equity of 14.94% and a net margin of 18.33%.The company had revenue of $584.91 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $546.65 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.16 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 67.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Reddit Inc. will post 1.12 earnings per share for the current year.

A number of equities analysts recently commented on RDDT shares. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on shares of Reddit from $250.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 13th. Wall Street Zen cut Reddit from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, January 10th. UBS Group set a $265.00 price objective on Reddit in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a buy rating and set a $285.00 target price on shares of Reddit in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald assumed coverage on Reddit in a report on Thursday, January 8th. They issued a neutral rating and a $240.00 price target for the company. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Reddit currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $244.11.

Read Our Latest Analysis on RDDT

Insider Buying and Selling at Reddit

In other Reddit news, COO Jennifer L. Wong sold 63,427 shares of Reddit stock in a transaction on Monday, November 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $192.72, for a total value of $12,223,651.44. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer directly owned 1,184,528 shares in the company, valued at approximately $228,282,236.16. The trade was a 5.08% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CTO Christopher Brian Slowe sold 24,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $192.72, for a total transaction of $4,625,280.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief technology officer directly owned 175,694 shares of the companys stock, valued at $33,859,747.68. The trade was a 12.02% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 509,511 shares of company stock valued at $111,394,344. Insiders own 34.25% of the companys stock.

Reddit Company Profile

(Free Report)

Reddit is an online social news aggregation, discussion and content-sharing platform organized around user-created communities called subreddits, each focused on a particular topic or interest. Registered users submit links, text posts, images and video, and community members vote and comment to surface popular content. The site is accessed via its web platform and mobile apps for iOS and Android, and it supports live events such as Ask Me Anything (AMA) sessions and community-driven discussions.

Founded in 2005 by Steve Huffman and Alexis Ohanian, Reddit is headquartered in San Francisco and serves a global audience with particularly large user bases in the United States and other English-speaking markets.

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Spear Holdings RSC Ltd lessened its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 14.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 45,390 shares of the companys stock after selling 7,810 shares during the quarter. Eli Lilly and Company accounts for about 1.9% of Spear Holdings RSC Ltds holdings, making the stock its 17th biggest holding. Spear Holdings RSC Ltds holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $34,633,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the 2nd quarter valued at $27,000. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the 2nd quarter valued at $29,000. Steph & Co. boosted its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 290.0% in the 3rd quarter. Steph & Co. now owns 39 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares during the period. Financial Gravity Companies Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the second quarter valued at about $31,000. Finally, Bare Financial Services Inc increased its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 263.6% in the 2nd quarter. Bare Financial Services Inc now owns 40 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 29 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.53% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

LLY has been the topic of a number of research reports. BMO Capital Markets restated an outperform rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Wednesday, January 14th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $1,171.00 to $1,290.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, November 24th. Truist Financial lifted their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $1,038.00 to $1,182.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 19th. Bank of America cut their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $1,286.00 to $1,268.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, December 15th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald restated an overweight rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Monday, December 1st. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have given a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $1,174.61.

Key Eli Lilly and Company News

Here are the key news stories impacting Eli Lilly and Company this week:

Eli Lilly and Company Trading Up 0.8%

Shares of NYSE:LLY opened at $1,087.63 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.24, a current ratio of 1.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71. The companys 50-day moving average price is $1,056.39 and its 200 day moving average price is $878.04. The company has a market cap of $1.03 trillion, a PE ratio of 53.21, a P/E/G ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 0.35. Eli Lilly and Company has a fifty-two week low of $623.78 and a fifty-two week high of $1,133.95.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $7.02 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $6.42 by $0.60. The company had revenue of $17.60 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.09 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 109.52% and a net margin of 30.99%.The companys quarterly revenue was up 53.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.18 EPS. Eli Lilly and Company has set its FY 2025 guidance at 23.000-23.700 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Eli Lilly and Company will post 23.48 earnings per share for the current year.

Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 13th will be given a dividend of $1.73 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend 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 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.6%. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 29.35%.

Eli Lilly and Company Profile

(Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) is a global pharmaceutical company founded in 1876 and headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. The company researches, develops, manufactures and commercializes a broad range of medicines and therapies for patients worldwide. Eli Lilly maintains operations and commercial presence across North America, Europe, Asia and other regions, serving both developed and emerging markets. The company has been led in recent years by President and Chief Executive Officer David A.

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Spear Holdings RSC Ltd decreased its holdings in The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW  Free Report) by 14.3% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 400,900 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock after selling 66,850 shares during the period. Sherwin-Williams comprises 7.8% of Spear Holdings RSC Ltds portfolio, making the stock its 4th largest holding. Spear Holdings RSC Ltd owned about 0.16% of Sherwin-Williams worth $138,816,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Sherwin-Williams in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,296,565,000. Viking Global Investors LP raised its holdings in shares of Sherwin-Williams by 101.4% during the second quarter. Viking Global Investors LP now owns 1,957,750 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $672,213,000 after acquiring an additional 985,520 shares in the last quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. grew its stake in Sherwin-Williams by 4,029.8% in the second quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 621,532 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $213,410,000 after purchasing an additional 606,482 shares in the last quarter. Amundi raised its stake in shares of Sherwin-Williams by 55.8% during the 2nd quarter. Amundi now owns 1,665,333 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $587,047,000 after purchasing an additional 596,657 shares in the last quarter. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its holdings in shares of Sherwin-Williams by 22.3% during the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 3,039,306 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $1,043,595,000 after buying an additional 553,275 shares during the last quarter. 77.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Sherwin-Williams Stock Down 1.6%

Shares of SHW opened at $350.45 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.11, a quick ratio of 0.52 and a current ratio of 0.82. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $335.65 and a 200-day simple moving average of $343.71. The Sherwin-Williams Company has a 52 week low of $308.84 and a 52 week high of $379.65. The firm has a market capitalization of $86.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.19, a P/E/G ratio of 4.40 and a beta of 1.26.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Sherwin-Williams ( NYSE:SHW Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The specialty chemicals company reported $3.59 earnings per share for the quarter, topping 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%.Sherwin-Williamss revenue for the quarter was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $3.37 EPS. Sherwin-Williams has set its FY 2025 guidance at 11.250-11.450 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that The Sherwin-Williams Company will post 12 earnings per share for the current year.

Several brokerages recently weighed in on SHW. UBS Group reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $415.00 price objective (down previously from $422.00) on shares of Sherwin-Williams in a research report on Monday, January 12th. Citigroup restated a buy rating on shares of Sherwin-Williams in a report on Monday. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Sherwin-Williams in a report on Monday, December 29th. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $405.00 target price on Sherwin-Williams and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, Vertical Research upgraded Sherwin-Williams from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $371.00 price target for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Twelve analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Sherwin-Williams currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $387.94.

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Sherwin-Williams Company Profile

(Free Report)

Sherwin-Williams (NYSE: SHW) is a global manufacturer and distributor of paints, coatings and related products. Founded in 1866 and headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, the company supplies a broad range of coatings for residential, commercial and industrial applications. Its product offering includes architectural paints and stains, industrial and protective coatings, automotive finishes, and a variety of sundry products such as primers, sealants and specialty treatments used by professionals and consumers.

The company sells through multiple channels, including a large network of company-operated retail paint stores that serve professional contractors and do-it-yourself consumers, as well as through distributors and mass retailers.

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Strs Ohio increased its stake in shares of Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM  Free Report) by 10.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 2,166,210 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after purchasing an additional 198,186 shares during the period. Exxon Mobil accounts for about 0.9% of Strs Ohios holdings, making the stock its 13th biggest position. Strs Ohios holdings in Exxon Mobil were worth $244,240,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of XOM. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System boosted its stake in shares of Exxon Mobil by 2.6% during the 3rd quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System now owns 215,892 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $24,342,000 after purchasing an additional 5,573 shares during the last quarter. Linscomb Wealth Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Exxon Mobil by 1.4% during the second quarter. Linscomb Wealth Inc. now owns 389,769 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $42,017,000 after buying an additional 5,527 shares during the period. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in Exxon Mobil by 3.3% during the third quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 306,658 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $34,576,000 after acquiring an additional 9,831 shares during the last quarter. Capital Counsel LLC NY grew its stake in Exxon Mobil by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter. Capital Counsel LLC NY now owns 49,687 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $5,356,000 after acquiring an additional 460 shares during the period. Finally, OneAscent Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in Exxon Mobil by 116.7% in the 2nd quarter. OneAscent Wealth Management LLC now owns 7,657 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $825,000 after acquiring an additional 4,123 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 61.80% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In related news, VP Darrin L. Talley sold 3,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $117.19, for a total value of $351,570.00. Following the transaction, the vice president owned 28,584 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,349,758.96. The trade was a 9.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 0.03% of the companys stock.

Exxon Mobil Price Performance

Exxon Mobil stock opened at $133.54 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $120.42 and a 200-day moving average of $115.11. Exxon Mobil Corporation has a 52-week low of $97.80 and a 52-week high of $134.18. The company has a quick ratio of 0.79, a current ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12. The firm has a market capitalization of $563.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.41, a PEG ratio of 8.51 and a beta of 0.37.

Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The oil and gas company reported $1.88 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.72 by $0.16. The firm had revenue of $83.33 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $83.09 billion. Exxon Mobil had a net margin of 8.99% and a return on equity of 11.22%. The firms revenue was down 5.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.92 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that Exxon Mobil Corporation will post 7.43 EPS for the current year.

Exxon Mobil Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 14th were given a $1.03 dividend. This represents a $4.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 14th. This is an increase from Exxon Mobils previous quarterly dividend of $0.99. Exxon Mobils dividend payout ratio is currently 59.88%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on XOM shares. Piper Sandler decreased their price objective on Exxon Mobil from $144.00 to $142.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 8th. BNP Paribas Exane upgraded Exxon Mobil from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $114.00 price target for the company in a report on Monday, December 8th. Scotiabank reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Exxon Mobil in a report on Friday, January 16th. UBS Group restated a buy rating on shares of Exxon Mobil in a report on Friday, January 9th. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their price target on shares of Exxon Mobil from $135.00 to $137.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating, ten have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $132.00.

View Our Latest Analysis on XOM

More Exxon Mobil News

Here are the key news stories impacting Exxon Mobil this week:

Exxon Mobil Profile

(Free Report)

Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE: XOM) is an integrated oil and gas company engaged in the exploration, production, refining, distribution and marketing of petroleum products and the manufacture and sale of petrochemicals. Its operations span the full energy value chain, including upstream exploration and development of crude oil and natural gas; midstream transportation and storage; and downstream refining, product distribution and retail. The company also produces a broad range of chemical products for industrial and consumer applications.

ExxonMobil markets fuels and lubricants under well-known brands such as Exxon, Mobil and Esso, and its Mobil 1 motor oil is a prominent consumer product.

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Talos Energy Inc. (NYSE:TALO  Get Free Report)s stock price gapped up prior to trading on Friday . The stock had previously closed at $11.25, but opened at $11.73. Talos Energy shares last traded at $11.53, with a volume of 215,968 shares changing hands.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on TALO shares. Citigroup restated a buy rating on shares of Talos Energy in a research note on Friday. Mizuho raised their target price on Talos Energy from $11.00 to $14.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, December 12th. Wall Street Zen lowered Talos Energy from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Monday, January 12th. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d) rating on shares of Talos Energy in a report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, KeyCorp raised their price objective on Talos Energy from $12.00 to $13.50 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, December 5th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $14.25.

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Check Out Our Latest Analysis on TALO

Talos Energy Stock Up 2.2%

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

The firm has a market cap of $1.96 billion, a P/E ratio of -5.71 and a beta of 0.57. The firms 50-day moving average price is $11.19 and its 200 day moving average price is $9.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51, a current ratio of 1.27 and a quick ratio of 1.27.

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Virtus Fixed Income Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Talos Energy during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Larson Financial Group LLC increased its stake in Talos Energy by 142.9% during the third quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 3,301 shares of the companys stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 1,942 shares during the last quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Talos Energy by 134.4% during the second quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 3,703 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 2,123 shares during the period. Quarry LP bought a new position in shares of Talos Energy in the 3rd quarter worth about $36,000. Finally, CWM LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Talos Energy by 186.3% in the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 6,027 shares of the companys stock valued at $51,000 after buying an additional 3,922 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.35% of the companys stock.

Talos Energy Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Talos Energy Inc is an independent oil and gas exploration and production company headquartered in Houston, Texas. Founded in 2012 by industry veterans Tim Duncan and Jeremy Rights, the firm completed its initial public offering in 2021 and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol TALO. The companys core operations focus on the acquisition, exploration, development and production of offshore hydrocarbon reserves, with a primary emphasis on the U.S. Gulf of Mexico basin.

Talos Energys asset portfolio spans deepwater and shelf opportunities in the Gulf of Mexico, where it holds interests in several producing fields and exploration blocks.

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Teacher Retirement System of Texas grew its holdings in General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD  Free Report) by 35.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 175,660 shares of the aerospace companys stock after acquiring an additional 45,686 shares during the period. Teacher Retirement System of Texas holdings in General Dynamics were worth $59,900,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC bought a new position in General Dynamics during the third quarter valued at about $26,000. Louisbourg Investments Inc. acquired a new position in shares of General Dynamics during the 3rd quarter valued at about $27,000. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC raised its stake in shares of General Dynamics by 80.3% in the 2nd quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 110 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 49 shares in the last quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC grew its holdings in General Dynamics by 64.7% during the second quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 112 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 44 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Financial Consulate Inc. bought a new position in shares of General Dynamics in the third quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.14% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity at General Dynamics

In other General Dynamics news, VP David Paddock sold 20,360 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $334.92, for a total transaction of $6,818,971.20. Following the sale, the vice president owned 36,644 shares of the companys stock, valued at $12,272,808.48. This represents a 35.72% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 1.50% of the companys stock.

General Dynamics Trading Up 0.2%

GD stock opened at $365.62 on Friday. General Dynamics Corporation has a 1-year low of $239.20 and a 1-year high of $369.70. The company has a current ratio of 1.40, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. The businesss 50 day moving average is $345.75 and its 200-day moving average is $332.32. The firm has a market cap of $98.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.70, a P/E/G ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 0.41.

General Dynamics (NYSE:GD  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, October 24th. The aerospace company reported $3.88 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.69 by $0.19. The company had revenue of $12.91 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $12.49 billion. General Dynamics had a net margin of 8.18% and a return on equity of 18.27%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 10.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $3.35 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that General Dynamics Corporation will post 14.83 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

General Dynamics Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 6th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 16th will be paid a $1.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 16th. This represents a $6.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.6%. General Dynamicss payout ratio is currently 38.89%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Melius Research raised General Dynamics to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on General Dynamics from $380.00 to $385.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, December 19th. Bank of America increased their price objective on General Dynamics from $370.00 to $400.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. Robert W. Baird set a $390.00 target price on shares of General Dynamics in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Finally, Wolfe Research increased their price target on shares of General Dynamics from $400.00 to $415.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday, January 12th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating, ten have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, General Dynamics presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $366.70.

View Our Latest Analysis on GD

General Dynamics Profile

(Free Report)

General Dynamics is a major American aerospace and defense contractor that designs, manufactures and supports a broad range of products and services for government and commercial customers worldwide. Headquartered in the United States (Reston, Virginia), the company supplies platforms and systems used by armed forces, civil authorities and private operators across multiple domains including air, land, sea and cyber.

Its principal activities span several operating businesses: a business aviation unit that develops and supports Gulfstream business jets; land systems that produce armored combat vehicles and related logistics and sustainment services; marine systems that design and construct submarines and surface ships for navies; and mission systems and information technology operations that provide command-and-control, communications, cybersecurity and systems-integration services.

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Teacher Retirement System of Texas lifted its position in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 16.2% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 1,208,368 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after purchasing an additional 168,780 shares during the period. Teacher Retirement System of Texas holdings in Bristol Myers Squibb were worth $54,497,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Probity Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in the third quarter valued at about $317,000. Vanguard Capital Wealth Advisors lifted its holdings in Bristol Myers Squibb by 12.6% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Capital Wealth Advisors now owns 6,671 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $301,000 after purchasing an additional 745 shares in the last quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust boosted its stake in Bristol Myers Squibb by 3.5% in the 3rd quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 26,831 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $1,210,000 after purchasing an additional 898 shares during the period. iA Global Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in Bristol Myers Squibb by 20.8% during the 3rd quarter. iA Global Asset Management Inc. now owns 158,680 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $7,156,000 after buying an additional 27,347 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ridgewood Investments LLC raised its position in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb by 18.7% during the third quarter. Ridgewood Investments LLC now owns 48,602 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $2,192,000 after buying an additional 7,656 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 76.41% of the companys stock.

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Bristol Myers Squibb Price Performance

NYSE:BMY opened at $54.86 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $111.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.53, a PEG ratio of 0.17 and a beta of 0.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.39, a current ratio of 1.27 and a quick ratio of 1.17. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $52.41 and a 200-day simple moving average of $48.33. Bristol Myers Squibb Company has a 1 year low of $42.52 and a 1 year high of $63.33.

Bristol Myers Squibb Increases Dividend

Bristol Myers Squibb ( NYSE:BMY Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.63 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.52 by $0.11. Bristol Myers Squibb had a return on equity of 76.53% and a net margin of 12.57%.The company had revenue of $12.22 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.75 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.80 earnings per share. Bristol Myers Squibbs revenue was up 2.8% on a year-over-year basis. Bristol Myers Squibb has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.400-6.600 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Bristol Myers Squibb Company will post 6.74 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 2nd. Investors of record on Friday, January 2nd will be given a $0.63 dividend. This is an increase from Bristol Myers Squibbs previous quarterly dividend of $0.62. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 2nd. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.6%. Bristol Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio is currently 85.14%.

Key Headlines Impacting Bristol Myers Squibb

Here are the key news stories impacting Bristol Myers Squibb this week:

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have issued reports on BMY. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Bristol Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. Citigroup reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $53.00 target price (up from $45.00) on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on Bristol Myers Squibb from $53.00 to $55.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed a market perform rating on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a research note on Monday, November 17th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c-) rating on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $56.86.

View Our Latest Stock Report on BMY

Bristol Myers Squibb Company Profile

(Free Report)

Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey, focused on discovering, developing and delivering medicines for serious diseases. The companys core activities include research and development, clinical development, manufacturing and commercialization of prescription pharmaceuticals across multiple therapeutic areas. BMS concentrates on advancing therapies in oncology, hematology, immunology, cardiovascular disease and specialty areas through both small molecules and biologics.

BMSs marketed portfolio and latestage pipeline reflect a strong emphasis on cancer and immunemediated conditions.

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Teacher Retirement System of Texas lessened its position in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 20.3% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 478,986 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 122,066 shares during the period. Teacher Retirement System of Texas holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $64,155,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the second quarter valued at approximately $3,026,180,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 13,347.0% during the 2nd 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. boosted its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 1.8% during the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 172,800,851 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $23,502,644,000 after acquiring an additional 2,977,715 shares during the period. First Trust Advisors LP grew its position 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 valued at $416,659,000 after acquiring an additional 1,972,097 shares during the last quarter. Finally, TD Asset Management Inc increased its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 98.6% in the second 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 period. 75.18% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Key Headlines Impacting Abbott Laboratories

Here are the key news stories impacting Abbott Laboratories this week:

Abbott Laboratories Price Performance

NYSE ABT opened at $108.50 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $188.67 billion, a PE ratio of 13.60, a P/E/G ratio of 2.00 and a beta of 0.72. The firms 50 day moving average price is $125.23 and its 200-day moving average price is $128.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a quick ratio of 1.24 and a current ratio of 1.70. Abbott Laboratories has a 52-week low of $105.78 and a 52-week high of $141.23.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, January 22nd. The healthcare product maker reported $1.50 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $1.50. The company had revenue of $11.46 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.80 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 17.60% and a net margin of 31.88%.Abbott Laboratoriess revenue was up 4.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.34 earnings per share. Abbott Laboratories has set its Q1 2026 guidance at 1.120-1.180 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 5.550-5.800 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Abbott Laboratories Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 13th. Investors of record on Thursday, January 15th will be given a dividend of $0.63 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 15th. This is an increase from Abbott Laboratoriess previous quarterly dividend of $0.59. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.3%. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio is 31.58%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on ABT. BTIG Research lowered their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $145.00 to $140.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $142.00 to $146.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Sanford C. Bernstein raised their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $150.00 to $154.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, January 9th. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $162.00 to $169.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, January 5th. Finally, Raymond James Financial increased their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $141.00 to $146.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have assigned a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $146.56.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report 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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Despite Elon Musks multiple proclamations that he is an aliensomething he reiterated on the stage of the World Economic Forum on Thursdaythe billionaire SpaceX CEO thinks its very unlikely there is intelligent life beyond Earth.

In a conversation in Davos, Switzerland, with BlackRock CEO and World Economic Forum interim chair Larry Fink, Musk said this belief is the framework of his technology ventures and $600 billion of wealth. Because theres a small likelihood of life outside of Earth, Musk said the project of preserving humanity becomes more urgent.

More from Yahoo Scout What is Musk's vision for AI and robotics? What drives Musk's belief about extraterrestrial life? How do Tesla and SpaceX fit Musk's preservation philosophy? What criticisms exist of Musk's survivalist philosophy?

Im often asked, Are there aliens among us? And Ill say that I am one. They dont believe me, Musk said, unclear if he was joking or what particular point he was trying to make by asserting his alienness.

Or youre from the future, Fink responded, alluding to previous times Musk has called himself a 3,000-year-old time-travelling vampire.

The bottom line is, I think we need to assume that life and consciousness is extremely rare and it might only be us, Musk added. And if thats the case, then we need to do everything possible to ensure that the light of consciousness is not extinguished.

Musks vision of protecting humanity manifested more than a decade ago, when he founded OpenAI alongside Sam Altman in 2015 with the hopes of addressing the existential risks and safety concerns associated with the budding technology. He told Fink that Tesla and SpaceX, worth $1.4 trillion and $800 billion, respectively, were an extension of this belief, with the purpose not only to create sustainable technology, but sustainable abundance.

Musks vision for the future of humanity

Musk reiterated his vision of an abundance of humanoid robotics that would make work optional, claiming technology would ease the burden of humans to have jobs or even have money.

With robotics and AI, this is really the path to abundance for all, Musk said. People often talk about solving global poverty, or essentially, how do we make everyone have a very high standard of living? I think the only way to do this is AI and robotics.

The billionaire describes a world with billions of robotswhich would outnumber humansand would serve to complete tasks including caring for children and elderly parents. He predicted that there would be functional humanoid robot technology by the end of the year, and said he expected those robots to be retail available in the next couple of years.

To be sure, Teslas own Optimus robots have hit snags, continuously falling behind production schedule, with Musk saying as recently as Tuesday that manufacturing for the bots, as well as the Tesla Cybercab, would be agonizingly slow before production eventually ramped up.
Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Get Free Report) had its price target cut by equities researchers at The Goldman Sachs Group from $152.00 to $140.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday,MarketScreener reports. The brokerage presently has a buy rating on the healthcare product makers stock. The Goldman Sachs Groups target price suggests a potential upside of 28.81% from the stocks current price.

Several other analysts have also recently issued reports on ABT. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $147.00 price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Raymond James Financial boosted their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $141.00 to $146.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Piper Sandler decreased their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $150.00 to $135.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Friday. BTIG Research reduced their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $145.00 to $140.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday. Finally, Oppenheimer dropped their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $140.00 to $132.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have given a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $143.37.

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Abbott Laboratories Stock Up 0.1%

Shares of Abbott Laboratories stock traded up $0.08 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $108.69. 2,307,181 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 8,972,974. Abbott Laboratories has a twelve month low of $105.78 and a twelve month high of $141.23. The company has a market cap of $189.00 billion, a PE ratio of 13.65, a PEG ratio of 2.00 and a beta of 0.72. The company has a quick ratio of 1.24, a current ratio of 1.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $125.23 and a 200-day simple moving average of $128.54.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 22nd. The healthcare product maker reported $1.50 EPS for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $1.50. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 17.60% and a net margin of 31.88%.The firm had revenue of $11.46 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.80 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.34 earnings per share. Abbott Laboratoriess revenue for the quarter was up 4.4% on a year-over-year basis. Abbott Laboratories has set its Q1 2026 guidance at 1.120-1.180 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 5.550-5.800 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. IMG Wealth Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 759.1% during the second quarter. IMG Wealth Management Inc. now owns 189 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 167 shares during the period. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in Abbott Laboratories during the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Cloud Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the third quarter worth $29,000. Guerra Advisors Inc bought a new stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the third quarter valued at about $31,000. Finally, Anfield Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 81.3% in the second quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC now owns 232 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 104 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 75.18% of the companys stock.

Trending Headlines about Abbott Laboratories

Here are the key news stories impacting Abbott Laboratories this week:

Positive Sentiment: Several sellside analysts kept constructive ratings and still see meaningful upside  Piper Sandler cut its price target to $135 but remains overweight, and BTIG trimmed its target to $140 while keeping a buy call, signaling continued analyst confidence despite the pullback. Benzinga

Several sellside analysts kept constructive ratings and still see meaningful upside  Piper Sandler cut its price target to $135 but remains overweight, and BTIG trimmed its target to $140 while keeping a buy call, signaling continued analyst confidence despite the pullback. Positive Sentiment: Med tech (devices) and Established Pharmaceuticals delivered strong growth (doubledigit devices, midsingle to high single pharma), which management says helped offset weakness in other segments and supports the companys multiyear growth thesis. Blockonomi

Med tech (devices) and Established Pharmaceuticals delivered strong growth (doubledigit devices, midsingle to high single pharma), which management says helped offset weakness in other segments and supports the companys multiyear growth thesis. Positive Sentiment: Market commentators view the pullback as a potential buying opportunity for longterm investors because Abbott remains a cashgenerative Dividend King with capacity for buybacks and continued margin improvement. MarketBeat

Market commentators view the pullback as a potential buying opportunity for longterm investors because Abbott remains a cashgenerative Dividend King with capacity for buybacks and continued margin improvement. Neutral Sentiment: Adjusted EPS of $1.50 matched consensus, showing underlying earnings resilience even as revenues lagged; GAAP results included items that lowered headline net income. Press Release

Adjusted EPS of $1.50 matched consensus, showing underlying earnings resilience even as revenues lagged; GAAP results included items that lowered headline net income. Neutral Sentiment: Company guidance: Q1 2026 adjusted EPS of $1.1201.180 (below the ~1.20 consensus) and FY 2026 adjusted EPS of $5.555.80 (around consensus). Guidance tempered nearterm expectations but keeps mid/longerterm growth intact. Press Release

Company guidance: Q1 2026 adjusted EPS of $1.1201.180 (below the ~1.20 consensus) and FY 2026 adjusted EPS of $5.555.80 (around consensus). Guidance tempered nearterm expectations but keeps mid/longerterm growth intact. Negative Sentiment: Revenue missed Street estimates (~$11.4611.5B reported vs. ~$11.811.9B expected); the Nutrition business declined sharply (near9% yearoveryear) and Diagnostics weakened (lower COVID testing and volatility), which triggered the market selloff. Reuters Blockonomi

Revenue missed Street estimates (~$11.4611.5B reported vs. ~$11.811.9B expected); the Nutrition business declined sharply (near9% yearoveryear) and Diagnostics weakened (lower COVID testing and volatility), which triggered the market selloff. Negative Sentiment: Unusual bearish positioning: intraday put option volume spiked sharply, indicating heavy hedging or speculative bearish bets that can amplify downward price moves. (Reported market activity)

Unusual bearish positioning: intraday put option volume spiked sharply, indicating heavy hedging or speculative bearish bets that can amplify downward price moves. (Reported market activity) Negative Sentiment: Regulatory/legal overhang: documents show India regulators are scrutinizing supply of a codeinebased cough syrup tied to abuse investigations, introducing potential reputational and compliance risk. Reuters

Abbott Laboratories Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Abbott Laboratories is a global healthcare company headquartered in Abbott Park, Illinois, that develops, manufactures and markets a broad portfolio of medical products and services. Founded in 1888, Abbott operates through multiple business areas that focus on diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and established pharmaceuticals. The company supplies hospitals, clinics, laboratories, retailers and direct-to-consumer channels with products intended to diagnose, treat and manage a wide range of health conditions.

In diagnostics, Abbott provides laboratory and point-of-care testing platforms and assays used to detect infectious diseases, chronic conditions and biomarkers; its Alinity family of instruments and rapid-test solutions are examples of this capability.

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Trilogy Metals Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:TMQ  Get Free Report) has earned a consensus recommendation of Hold from the six ratings firms that are covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and two have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month target price among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $7.75.

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. TD Securities reiterated a hold rating on shares of Trilogy Metals in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. Cantor Fitzgerald raised shares of Trilogy Metals to a buy rating and set a $10.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Raymond James Financial reiterated a market perform rating on shares of Trilogy Metals in a report on Wednesday, January 14th. Cormark upgraded Trilogy Metals from a hold rating to a moderate buy rating in a report on Thursday, December 18th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed a market perform rating and issued a $5.50 target price on shares of Trilogy Metals in a research report on Friday, October 10th.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Trilogy Metals

Trilogy Metals Trading Up 5.7%

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Old West Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in Trilogy Metals by 9.7% in the third quarter. Old West Investment Management LLC now owns 12,165,552 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $25,548,000 after buying an additional 1,071,126 shares during the period. TSP Capital Management Group LLC grew its stake in Trilogy Metals by 17.8% during the second quarter. TSP Capital Management Group LLC now owns 6,152,500 shares of the mining companys stock worth $8,306,000 after buying an additional 930,000 shares during the period. Tidal Investments LLC increased its position in shares of Trilogy Metals by 33.0% in the third quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 3,625,129 shares of the mining companys stock worth $7,613,000 after acquiring an additional 899,656 shares in the last quarter. Alyeska Investment Group L.P. purchased a new position in shares of Trilogy Metals in the 3rd quarter valued at $1,050,000. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Trilogy Metals by 80.3% in the 3rd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,013,517 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $2,128,000 after acquiring an additional 451,437 shares during the period. 16.75% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

NYSEAMERICAN TMQ opened at $5.79 on Friday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $4.67 and its 200 day moving average price is $3.51. Trilogy Metals has a twelve month low of $1.13 and a twelve month high of $11.29. The company has a market capitalization of $990.90 million, a PE ratio of -115.80 and a beta of 1.17.

Trilogy Metals Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Trilogy Metals Inc is a mineral exploration and development company focused on advancing highvalue copper, zinc, lead, gold and silver projects in northwestern Alaska. The companys flagship asset lies within the Ambler mining district, where it has assembled over 100,000 acres of mineral rights. Through systematic exploration programs, Trilogy Metals seeks to delineate and expand polymetallic deposits in one of the worlds richest base and precious metal regions.

The centerpiece of Trilogys portfolio is the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects (UKMP), which includes the Arctic copperzincleadgoldsilver deposit and the Bornite copper deposit.

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Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE  Get Free Report) was upgraded by research analysts at UBS Group from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report released on Thursday, Marketbeat.com reports.

Several other brokerages have also issued reports on SRE. Jefferies Financial Group set a $89.00 target price on shares of Sempra Energy and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Citigroup reaffirmed a neutral rating and issued a $99.00 price objective (up from $80.00) on shares of Sempra Energy in a research note on Monday, November 24th. Mizuho increased their price target on Sempra Energy from $86.00 to $93.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 24th. Wells Fargo & Company reaffirmed an overweight rating and set a $112.00 price objective (down from $115.00) on shares of Sempra Energy in a report on Tuesday. Finally, BTIG Research upgraded shares of Sempra Energy to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have issued a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Sempra Energy currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $95.83.

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Sempra Energy Stock Performance

Sempra Energy stock opened at $85.75 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.56, a current ratio of 1.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76. The stock has a market cap of $55.97 billion, a PE ratio of 26.30, a P/E/G ratio of 2.30 and a beta of 0.74. Sempra Energy has a 12-month low of $61.90 and a 12-month high of $95.72. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $89.72 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $86.63.

Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The utilities provider reported $1.11 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.84 by $0.27. The firm had revenue of $3.15 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.99 billion. Sempra Energy had a net margin of 15.63% and a return on equity of 8.67%. The companys revenue was up 13.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.89 earnings per share. As a group, analysts expect that Sempra Energy will post 4.76 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Sempra Energy

In other Sempra Energy news, CFO Karen L. Sedgwick sold 7,564 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $92.29, for a total transaction of $698,081.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 41,280 shares in the company, valued at $3,809,731.20. This trade represents a 15.49% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, CAO Dyan Z. Wold sold 1,510 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $91.38, for a total transaction of $137,983.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 3,481 shares of the companys stock, valued at $318,093.78. This trade represents a 30.25% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 19,396 shares of company stock worth $1,785,606 over the last quarter. 0.27% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Sempra Energy

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of SRE. Meeder Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in Sempra Energy during the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Westside Investment Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Sempra Energy by 51.2% during the 2nd quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 375 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 127 shares during the period. NewSquare Capital LLC increased its stake in Sempra Energy by 245.1% in the 2nd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 421 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 299 shares during the period. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. lifted its position in Sempra Energy by 230.8% in the second quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 430 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 300 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bogart Wealth LLC boosted its stake in shares of Sempra Energy by 74.1% during the second quarter. Bogart Wealth LLC now owns 444 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 189 shares during the period. 89.65% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Sempra Energy

(Get Free Report)

Sempra Energy is a San Diegobased energy infrastructure company that develops, owns and operates businesses delivering electricity and natural gas. Its operations include regulated utility services that provide electric and gas distribution to residential, commercial and industrial customers, as well as nonregulated infrastructure businesses that develop and manage large-scale energy assets.

The companys product and service portfolio spans electricity and natural gas delivery, transmission and storage, liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities, power generation and electric transmission projects.

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Vantage Investment Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG  Free Report) by 18.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 968,639 shares of the restaurant operators stock after purchasing an additional 151,607 shares during the period. Chipotle Mexican Grill accounts for about 2.6% of Vantage Investment Partners LLCs holdings, making the stock its 18th biggest position. Vantage Investment Partners LLCs holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill were worth $37,961,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of CMG. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 0.8% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 123,457,125 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $6,932,118,000 after acquiring an additional 993,798 shares during the last quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. increased its position in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 1.9% during the 2nd quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 33,111,508 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $1,859,211,000 after purchasing an additional 606,190 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 1.1% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 29,659,508 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $1,657,193,000 after purchasing an additional 325,926 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 2.9% in the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 21,257,666 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $1,193,618,000 after purchasing an additional 595,038 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill during the 2nd quarter worth about $1,001,668,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.30% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on CMG. BTIG Research cut their price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $57.00 to $45.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $44.00 to $40.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Barclays raised their price objective on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $38.00 to $44.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. Mizuho lifted their price objective on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $36.00 to $38.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, January 9th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reduced their target price on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $48.00 to $44.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 13th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have issued a Buy rating and thirteen have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Chipotle Mexican Grill currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $50.32.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Trading Down 0.5%

Shares of CMG opened at $40.52 on Friday. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has a twelve month low of $29.75 and a twelve month high of $59.57. The firm has a market capitalization of $53.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.87 and a beta of 0.97. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $36.20 and its 200 day simple moving average is $40.06.

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The restaurant operator reported $0.29 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.29. The firm had revenue of $3 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.06 billion. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a return on equity of 45.39% and a net margin of 13.04%.The firms quarterly revenue was up 7.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.27 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts predict that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 1.29 earnings per share for the current year.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Profile

(Free Report)

Chipotle Mexican Grill is a fast-casual restaurant company known for its Mexican-inspired menu of burritos, bowls, tacos and salads. Founded in 1993 by Steve Ells, the chain emphasizes fresh, customizable meals made from a limited menu of core ingredients and a focus on ingredient quality. Chipotle operates primarily company-owned restaurants and offers dine-in, takeout, catering and delivery through its own digital platforms and third-party partners.

The company is headquartered in Newport Beach, California, and traces its roots to Denver, Colorado.

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VAT Group AG  Unsponsored ADR (OTCMKTS:VACNY  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $63.86 and last traded at $63.1637, with a volume of 7785 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $62.80.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have commented on VACNY. Oddo Bhf cut shares of VAT Group to a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded VAT Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, December 15th. Citigroup restated a buy rating on shares of VAT Group in a report on Tuesday. Jefferies Financial Group cut VAT Group from a hold rating to a moderate sell rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 13th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a hold rating on shares of VAT Group in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have given a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy.

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VAT Group Stock Down 0.3%

About VAT Group

The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $49.80 and a 200-day simple moving average of $43.02.

(Get Free Report)

VAT Group AG is a Switzerland-based manufacturer specializing in high-precision vacuum valves and related flow-control solutions for advanced technology industries. Its core products include gate valves, angle valves, slit valves and vacuum components designed to maintain ultra-high vacuum environments essential to semiconductor fabrication, flat-panel display manufacturing, scientific research and other industrial vacuum applications. In addition to standard product lines, VAT offers customized valve assemblies and integrated subsystems that address the stringent purity and reliability requirements of modern production processes.

Founded in 1965 and headquartered in Haag, Switzerland, VAT Group has grown into a global supplier serving customers across Europe, Asia and the Americas.

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Verdence Capital Advisors LLC lessened its holdings in DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (NYSE:DD  Free Report) by 64.2% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 6,382 shares of the basic materials companys stock after selling 11,440 shares during the quarter. Verdence Capital Advisors LLCs holdings in DuPont de Nemours were worth $519,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Salomon & Ludwin LLC boosted its stake in shares of DuPont de Nemours by 186.5% in the third quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 318 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 207 shares in the last quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in DuPont de Nemours by 64.4% in the second quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC now owns 365 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 143 shares during the period. Crews Bank & Trust boosted its position in shares of DuPont de Nemours by 55.8% during the 3rd quarter. Crews Bank & Trust now owns 508 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $40,000 after purchasing an additional 182 shares in the last quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC grew its stake in shares of DuPont de Nemours by 67.5% during the 2nd quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 541 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 218 shares during the period. Finally, Quaker Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of DuPont de Nemours by 200.7% in the 2nd quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC now owns 594 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 1,184 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.96% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms recently commented on DD. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their price objective on shares of DuPont de Nemours from $90.00 to $46.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on DuPont de Nemours from $80.00 to $44.00 in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Zacks Research raised DuPont de Nemours from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, January 9th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on DuPont de Nemours from $100.00 to $50.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d+) rating on shares of DuPont de Nemours in a report on Monday, December 22nd. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $45.99.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other DuPont de Nemours news, CEO Lori Koch sold 9,011 shares of DuPont de Nemours stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $39.46, for a total value of $355,574.06. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 288,326 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $11,377,343.96. The trade was a 3.03% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Erik T. Hoover sold 6,005 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, November 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $39.79, for a total value of $238,938.95. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president owned 112,101 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,460,498.79. This trade represents a 5.08% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 0.61% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

DuPont de Nemours Stock Performance

NYSE DD opened at $43.78 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.63, a current ratio of 2.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30. DuPont de Nemours, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $22.50 and a fifty-two week high of $44.96. The business has a fifty day moving average of $40.94 and a 200-day moving average of $35.54. The stock has a market cap of $18.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -23.79, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.22 and a beta of 1.08.

DuPont de Nemours (NYSE:DD  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 6th. The basic materials company reported $1.09 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.04 by $0.05. DuPont de Nemours had a positive return on equity of 7.81% and a negative net margin of 6.17%.The firm had revenue of $3.07 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.12 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.18 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was down 2.9% compared to the same quarter last year. DuPont de Nemours has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 0.430-0.430 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that DuPont de Nemours, Inc. will post 4.38 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

DuPont de Nemours Cuts Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Investors of record on Friday, November 28th were paid a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 28th. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.8%. DuPont de Nemourss dividend payout ratio is presently -43.48%.

DuPont de Nemours declared that its board has approved a share buyback plan on Thursday, November 6th that authorizes the company to buyback $2.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the basic materials company to reacquire up to 12.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are often an indication that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

About DuPont de Nemours

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DuPont de Nemours (NYSE: DD) is a global science and engineering company that develops and supplies specialty materials, chemicals and industrial biosciences for a wide range of markets. Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, the company traces its origins to 1802 and has evolved through more than two centuries of innovation. In recent history DuPont participated in a major combination with Dow Chemical and subsequent reorganization that refocused the company on differentiated, specialty businesses built around science-based solutions.

DuPonts operations center on advanced materials and technologies used by manufacturers and OEMs in industries such as transportation, electronics, construction, industrial manufacturing and worker safety.

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Vest Financial LLC boosted its stake in shares of Deere & Company (NYSE:DE  Free Report) by 23.8% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 6,616 shares of the industrial products companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,274 shares during the period. Vest Financial LLCs holdings in Deere & Company were worth $3,025,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in DE. Mid American Wealth Advisory Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Deere & Company during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Howard Hughes Medical Institute purchased a new position in Deere & Company in the second quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Center for Financial Planning Inc. grew its holdings in Deere & Company by 406.7% during the second 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. Soundwatch Capital LLC bought a new position in Deere & Company during the second quarter valued at $41,000. Finally, Lynch Asset Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Deere & Company in the third quarter worth $46,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.58% of the companys stock.

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Deere & Company Trading Down 1.5%

Shares of Deere & Company stock opened at $521.67 on Friday. Deere & Company has a 12-month low of $404.42 and a 12-month high of $533.78. The company has a market cap of $141.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.18, a PEG ratio of 2.02 and a beta of 1.00. The company has a current ratio of 2.22, a quick ratio of 2.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.68. The companys 50-day moving average price is $481.83 and its 200-day moving average price is $482.02.

Deere & Company Announces Dividend

Deere & Company ( NYSE:DE Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 26th. The industrial products company reported $3.93 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.96 by ($0.03). The firm had revenue of $12.39 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.77 billion. Deere & Company had a net margin of 11.00% and a return on equity of 20.54%. Deere & Companys revenue was up 14.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $4.55 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Deere & Company will post 19.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 9th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be issued a $1.62 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 31st. This represents a $6.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.2%. Deere & Companys dividend payout ratio is presently 35.01%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CEO John C. May II sold 41,472 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, January 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $501.49, for a total value of $20,797,793.28. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 117,970 shares in the company, valued at approximately $59,160,775.30. This trade represents a 26.01% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Cory J. Reed sold 12,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $510.00, for a total value of $6,120,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider owned 20,792 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $10,603,920. The trade was a 36.59% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 64,578 shares of company stock worth $32,471,682 in the last quarter. 0.29% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have recently commented on DE shares. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Deere & Company in a research report on Monday, December 1st. Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating and issued a $560.00 price objective on shares of Deere & Company in a research note on Tuesday, December 9th. Oppenheimer upped their price objective on shares of Deere & Company from $512.00 to $531.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, November 28th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Deere & Company from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. Finally, BMO Capital Markets restated a market perform rating and set a $460.00 price target on shares of Deere & Company in a research note on Tuesday, December 9th. Fifteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $524.20.

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Deere & Company 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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Vest Financial LLC increased its position in The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA  Free Report) by 23.8% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 19,441 shares of the aircraft producers stock after acquiring an additional 3,741 shares during the quarter. Vest Financial LLCs holdings in Boeing were worth $4,196,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Harbor Asset Planning Inc. bought a new position in shares of Boeing in the second quarter worth approximately $25,000. Davis Capital Management purchased a new position in Boeing in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $33,000. Howard Hughes Medical Institute purchased a new position in Boeing in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $34,000. Decker Retirement Planning Inc. bought a new position in Boeing in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Finally, IMG Wealth Management Inc. boosted its stake in Boeing by 159.4% during the 2nd quarter. IMG Wealth Management Inc. now owns 179 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 110 shares during the last quarter. 64.82% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Activity

In other Boeing news, EVP Uma M. Amuluru sold 1,366 shares of Boeing stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $197.66, for a total transaction of $270,003.56. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 14,656 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,896,904.96. The trade was a 8.53% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, SVP Dana S. Deasy acquired 554 shares of Boeing stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 24th. The stock was purchased at an average cost 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 of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,087,704.96. This represents a 1.99% increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. 0.09% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Boeing Trading Up 0.5%

Shares of BA stock opened at $251.25 on Friday. The Boeing Company has a 12 month low of $128.88 and a 12 month high of $254.14. The stock has a market cap of $190.97 billion, a P/E ratio of -18.37, a P/E/G ratio of 7.12 and a beta of 1.16. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $212.93 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $218.11.

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 firm had revenue of $23.27 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $21.61 billion. Boeings revenue for the quarter was up 30.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted ($10.44) earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts forecast that The Boeing Company will post -2.58 earnings per share for the current year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on BA shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on Boeing from $240.00 to $245.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, December 19th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut shares of Boeing from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $240.00 target price on the stock. in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d-) rating on shares of Boeing in a report on Wednesday. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a buy rating on shares of Boeing in a report on Tuesday, December 9th. Finally, New Street Research set a $257.00 target price on shares of Boeing in a report on Tuesday, December 9th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have given a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and four have issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $241.26.

Read Our Latest Research Report on Boeing

Boeing Profile

(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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Voestalpine AG (OTCMKTS:VLPNY  Get Free Report) saw strong trading volume on Friday . 9,499 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 362% from the previous sessions volume of 2,057 shares.The stock last traded at $9.25 and had previously closed at $9.55.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

VLPNY has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. UBS Group raised Voestalpine from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Monday, November 17th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating on shares of Voestalpine in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. Morgan Stanley reissued an overweight rating on shares of Voestalpine in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Finally, Citigroup restated a neutral rating on shares of Voestalpine in a research report on Thursday. Three equities research 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, Voestalpine presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy.

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Voestalpine Stock Down 3.1%

The firms 50-day moving average is $8.70 and its two-hundred day moving average is $7.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a quick ratio of 0.49 and a current ratio of 1.32. The stock has a market cap of $7.93 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.90 and a beta of 1.32.

Voestalpine (OTCMKTS:VLPNY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 12th. The company reported $0.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.12 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $4.31 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.31 billion. Voestalpine had a net margin of 1.50% and a return on equity of 3.10%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Voestalpine AG will post 0.45 earnings per share for the current year.

About Voestalpine

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Voestalpine AG is a leading steel-based technology and capital goods group headquartered in Linz, Austria. The company specializes in the production of high-quality steel and sophisticated components for a range of industries, including automotive, railway systems, aerospace, energy, and construction. It operates across all major processing steps in steel production, from rawmaterial processing and steelmaking to downstream activities such as coating, processing, and assembly.

Voestalpines portfolio is organized into several business divisions.

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Wolters Kluwer NV (OTCMKTS:WTKWY  Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week low during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as low as $98.86 and last traded at $99.34, with a volume of 10178 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $101.41.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

WTKWY has been the subject of a number of research reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised Wolters Kluwer from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, December 9th. Citigroup assumed coverage on shares of Wolters Kluwer in a report on Monday, January 12th. They set a buy rating for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and three have assigned a Buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Wolters Kluwer has a consensus rating of Buy.

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Wolters Kluwer Price Performance

About Wolters Kluwer

The firms 50-day moving average is $104.74 and its two-hundred day moving average is $125.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.05, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a current ratio of 0.71.

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Wolters Kluwer is a global information services and software company that provides professional information, software solutions and related services to customers in the health, tax & accounting, governance, risk & compliance, and legal sectors. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company operates internationally and its shares are listed on Euronext Amsterdam; its American Depositary Receipts trade on the OTC market under the symbol WTKWY.

The companys offerings center on subscription-based digital products and workflow tools designed to help professionals make decisions, meet regulatory requirements and improve operational efficiency.

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Macrons tax on those earning more than 250,000 was intended to tackle Frances high national debt - Denis Balibouse/Reuters

Emmanuel Macrons tax on the rich has backfired after raising less than a quarter of what was expected.

Frances finance ministry said that the differential contribution  a tax targeting those earning more than 250,000 (217,000) a year  raised just 400m last year, far less than the 1.9bn initially projected, the newspaper Le Monde reported.

The ministry blamed the reduced tax take on a change to the policy design that meant it could not be applied retrospectively. The tax is now expected to raise just 650m in 2026, 1bn less than planned.

The embattled French president has hit individuals and businesses with higher taxes in an effort to reduce the countrys stubbornly high budget deficit.

The differential contribution was designed to ensure that the highest earners paid an effective tax rate on their income of at least 20pc.

b'

'

Maxime Darmet, a Paris-based economist for insurer Allianz Trade, told The Telegraph that it was a very dangerous strategy to rely on tax increases to try to reduce the deficit.

He added: Taxes are already so high that you incentivise people and companies to escape new taxes via loopholes, avoidance or evasion.

[The tax] has backfired, not just in terms of the lower tax take and the deficit not reducing, but by taxing so much you de-incentivise companies to invest and people to work. You are starving the economy of its potential.

The levy is a watered-down version of a much harsher Zucman tax  an idea for a radical 2pc wealth tax on individuals worth more than 100m (87m) proposed by the socialists last year, and named after Gabriel Zucman, a prominent Left-wing economist.

A poll published in September found 86pc of French people were in favour of the Zucman tax. Sebastien Lecornu, the prime minister, has conceded that French voters had a political and societal demand for greater tax justice.

France is in the midst of a fiscal crisis as it struggles to keep spiralling debt under control and enact key reforms. Legislators in the countrys hung parliament failed to pass a full budget before the new year.

Mr Lecornu  Frances fourth premier in 18 months  has said he will force the budget through parliament without a vote in an attempt to break months of legislative deadlock, despite pledging last year that he would not do so. Opposition parties may respond by calling a vote of no confidence in the prime minister.

The French government warned last month that the countrys deficit will be 5.3pc of GDP in 2026  barely down from 5.4pc in 2025 and well above Mr Lecornus target of 4.7pc.

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Xior Student Housing NV (OTCMKTS:XIORF  Get Free Report) was down 1.9% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as C$33.52 and last traded at C$33.52. Approximately 150 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 16% from the average daily volume of 179 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$34.16.

Xior Student Housing Trading Down 1.9%

The company has a fifty day moving average price of C$33.30 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$34.10.

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Xior Student Housing Company Profile

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Xior Student Housing NV is a Belgian regulated real estate investment company specialising in the acquisition, development and management of purpose-built student living properties. Since its founding in 2008 and subsequent listing on Euronext Brussels in 2015, Xior has focused on providing fully furnished studios, shared apartments and communal living spaces tailored to the needs of students and young professionals. Its business model combines property development, strategic acquisitions and asset management to deliver high-quality student housing solutions.

As a public regulated real estate company (RREC), Xiors core activities encompass greenfield developments, adaptive reuse of existing buildings and targeted acquisitions.

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Cantillon Capital Management LLC lowered its stake in Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM  Free Report) by 1.1% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 2,040,234 shares of the restaurant operators stock after selling 22,945 shares during the period. Cantillon Capital Management LLCs holdings in Yum! Brands were worth $310,116,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of YUM. Valmark Advisers Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Yum! Brands by 3.7% during the second quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. now owns 1,915 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $284,000 after purchasing an additional 69 shares during the last quarter. GRIMES & Co WEALTH MANAGEMENT LLC raised its holdings in Yum! Brands by 2.3% during the 3rd quarter. GRIMES & Co WEALTH MANAGEMENT LLC now owns 3,197 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $486,000 after buying an additional 71 shares during the period. Lakeshore Capital Group Inc. lifted its stake in Yum! Brands by 1.8% during the third quarter. Lakeshore Capital Group Inc. now owns 4,085 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $621,000 after buying an additional 73 shares in the last quarter. Spirepoint Private Client LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Yum! Brands by 5.4% in the third quarter. Spirepoint Private Client LLC now owns 1,424 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $216,000 after buying an additional 73 shares during the period. Finally, Venturi Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Yum! Brands by 3.1% in the third quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,468 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $375,000 after buying an additional 75 shares during the period. 82.37% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Transactions at Yum! Brands

In other Yum! Brands news, CEO Aaron Powell sold 2,790 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $150.48, for a total value of $419,839.20. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 26,650 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,010,292. The trade was a 9.48% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Erika Burkhardt sold 1,269 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $149.37, for a total transaction of $189,550.53. Following the transaction, the insider owned 64 shares in the company, valued at $9,559.68. This represents a 95.20% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 30,695 shares of company stock worth $4,582,843. 0.33% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Yum! Brands Stock Down 0.7%

Yum! Brands stock opened at $153.36 on Friday. Yum! Brands, Inc. has a 12 month low of $125.51 and a 12 month high of $163.30. The stock has a market cap of $42.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.89, a P/E/G ratio of 2.24 and a beta of 0.67. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $151.96 and its 200-day simple moving average is $148.51.

Yum! Brands (NYSE:YUM  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The restaurant operator reported $1.58 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.46 by $0.12. Yum! Brands had a negative return on equity of 21.79% and a net margin of 17.95%.The firm had revenue of $1.98 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.96 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.37 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 8.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts expect that Yum! Brands, Inc. will post 5.94 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Yum! Brands Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 12th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 2nd were paid a $0.71 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 2nd. This represents a $2.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. Yum! Brandss payout ratio is presently 55.36%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

YUM has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. TD Cowen upgraded shares of Yum! Brands from a hold rating to a buy rating and boosted their price target for the company from $162.00 to $173.00 in a report on Monday, November 17th. Piper Sandler reissued a neutral rating on shares of Yum! Brands in a research note on Friday, December 5th. Gordon Haskett upgraded Yum! Brands from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on Yum! Brands from $165.00 to $176.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday. Finally, Citigroup upped their price target on Yum! Brands from $164.00 to $170.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday. Thirteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $170.30.

Check Out Our Latest Report on YUM

Yum! Brands Company Profile

(Free Report)

Yum! Brands, Inc (NYSE: YUM) is a global quick-service restaurant company that develops, operates and franchises a portfolio of well-known restaurant brands. The companys principal brands are KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, each focused on distinct product categoriesKFC on fried chicken and related menu items, Pizza Hut on pizza and complementary offerings, and Taco Bell on Mexican-inspired quick-service food. Yum! is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky and was formed as Tricon Global Restaurants in 1997 when PepsiCo spun off its restaurant businesses, later adopting the Yum! Brands name.

The companys operating model centers on brand development, system growth and franchising; a large portion of its restaurants are operated by independent franchisees, and Yum! generates revenue through franchise royalties and fees in addition to sales from company-operated locations.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding YUM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM  Free Report).

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Yes  safety oversight must come before anything else

Regulation is needed, but delays and red tape are the real problem

No  enforcement already exists; regulation wont prevent accidents

Vote

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FRANKFURT, Germany (AP)  The European Union is willing to implement a sweeping free trade agreement with the Mercosur group of South American countries on a provisional basis, the head of the EU's executive commission said Friday, despite a vote by the EU parliament to delay ratification for legal review.

The EU would be ready to act as soon as at least one Mercosur country ratifies, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at the conclusion of a summit of EU leaders in Brussels where several national leaders raised the issue.

There is a clear interest that we ensure that the benefits of this agreement apply as soon as possible, von der Leyen said at a news conference. In short, we will be ready when they are ready.

No formal decision to implement the deal had been taken yet, she said.

At the same news conference, Antonio Costa, head of the EU council of member governments, said the executive commission had the authority to move ahead on interim implementation.

A decision to do that is likely to provoke criticism from opponents of the deal, led by France. On Wednesday, the parliament narrowly voted to refer the trade deal to the European Court of Justice for legal review, holding up ratification since the parliament cannot vote on ratification until the court rules. That could take months.

The deal is central to Brussels plan to form trade relations outside a historic dependency on the U.S. in the wake of antagonism and aggression during U.S. President Donald Trumps second term. Theyve struck deals from Japan to Mexico and are expected to sign a similar accord with India later this month.

Supported by South Americas cattle-raising countries and European industrial interests, the accord is aimed at gradually eliminating more than 90% of tariffs on goods ranging from Argentine beef to German cars, creating one of the worlds largest free trade zones and making shopping cheaper for more than 700 million consumers.

France, Europes major agricultural producer, wanted stronger protections for farmers and has sought to delay the pact.

However German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the vote to delay regrettable and has urged provisional application of the agreement.

Ratification is considered all but guaranteed in South America, where the agreement has broad support.

Mercosur consists of the regions two biggest economies, Argentina and Brazil, as well as Paraguay and Uruguay. Bolivia, the blocs newest member, is not included the trade deal, but could join in the coming years. Venezuela has been suspended from the bloc and is not included in the agreement.
By Georgina McCartney and Arathy Somasekhar

HOUSTON, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Valero bought a cargo of Venezuelan crude oil, two sources said on Wednesday, the first deal by a U.S. Gulf Coast refiner struck as part of Washington's deal with Caracas to buy up to 50 million barrels of the South American country's crude.

More from Yahoo Scout How does this deal relate to Washington's agreement with Venezuela? What pricing discount did Valero pay for the Venezuelan crude? How much Venezuelan crude did U.S. refiners process before sanctions? What is the significance of Valero's Venezuelan crude purchase?

Valero bought the crude from trading house Vitol, one of the two sources said. The crude was traded for delivery to the U.S. Gulf Coast at a discount of about $8.50 to $9.50 to Brent crude, two sources said.

While Valero has been a buyer of Venezuelan crude through Venezuelan state oil company's partner, Chevron, the deal would mark the first purchase from trading houses that were only authorized this month to market crude from Venezuela.

Offers of Venezuelan flagship Merey heavy crude to U.S. refiners began last week at a discount of between $6 and $7.50 per barrel to Brent.

Before sanctions were imposed in 2019, several large U.S. Gulf Coast refineries bought and processed about 800,000 barrels per day of Venezuela's heavy oil, according to U.S. government data.

(Reporting by Georgina McCartney and Arathy Somasekhar in Houston; Editing by Himani Sarkar)
With a market cap of $13.5 billion, Hormel Foods Corporation (HRL) is a nearly 135-year-old American multinational food company. Headquartered in Austin, Minnesota, the company is a global branded food manufacturer, processor, and distributor with a presence in more than 80 countries. The company produces a wide range of meat and grocery products, including fresh and refrigerated items such as bacon, sausages, hams and prepared proteins, as well as shelf-stable foods like canned luncheon meats, snacks, nut butters and chili.

The food titan is expected to announce its fiscal Q1 2026 results soon. Ahead of this event, analysts expect Hormel Foods to report an adjusted EPS of $0.32, down 8.6% from $0.35 in the year-ago quarter. It has met or surpassed Wall Street's earnings estimates in two of the last four quarters while missing on two other occasions.

More News from Barchart

For fiscal 2025, analysts expect the company report an adjusted EPS of $1.46, 6.6% increase from $1.37 in fiscal 2024.

www.barchart.com

Shares of Hormel Foods have declined 20.8% over the past 52 weeks, lagging behind both the S&P 500 Index's ($SPX) 13.7% increase and the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Funds (XLP) 6.2% rise over the same period.

www.barchart.com

Hormel Foods has trailed the broader market over the past year primarily due to weakening operating fundamentals and limited earnings momentum. The company has experienced a decline in sales volumes, with average quarterly volumes falling about 2.5% over the past two years, signaling softer demand in its core consumer staples business. At the same time, Hormels relatively low gross margin of around 16.4% reflects weak pricing power and intense competition, which have constrained profitability. These pressures have contributed to a steady decline in earnings, with EPS falling at an annual rate of roughly 9% over the past three years.

But, Hormel shares rose 3.2% on Dec. 4, after the company issued an upbeat outlook for fiscal 2026, outweighing its mixed third-quarter performance. While third-quarter revenue of $3.19 billion slightly missed expectations, adjusted earnings of $0.32 per share beat forecasts. Investors focused on Hormels stronger-than-expected guidance, which projected fiscal 2026 adjusted EPS of $1.43 to $1.51 on revenues of $12.2 billion to $12.5 billion, despite ongoing pressure from high input costs.
It takes immense courage and an insane amount of time for many women to speak about sexual harassment or misconduct. It takes only minutes for the world to dissuade them and decide they should have stayed silent.



The recent death of Deepak U, a resident of Kozhikode in Kerala, following allegations of sexual misconduct, is indeed tragic. But what is even more disturbing is the way the incident has been repurposed in the social media echo chambernot as a moment for reflection or accountability, but as a warning aimed squarely at women.



The case raises many unanswered questions. Yet, what followed quickly was not an attempt to seek truth or clarity, but a rush to weaponise the situation into a public trial of women who dared to stand up for themselves.

The narrative was quickly changed from facts to fear-mongering!



There is no denying that Shimjitha Musthafa, a 35-year-old social media content creator and former panchayat member, who recorded the video during a bus trip showing Deepak's elbow allegedly grazing her chest, should have approached the police with the video evidence. Equally, one can only wish that Deepak had sought the legal route instead of taking matters into his own hands. These realities place anyone commenting on the case in a moral and ethical dilemma, a real grey area. Who is to be blamed? Who is the victim? Is it Deepak or Shimjitha? How are we sure?

These are questions that demand due process, not instant trial by social media courts.



Acting on a complaint filed by the mans family, Shimjitha was arrested and remanded to judicial custody for 14 days on charges of abetment to suicide. However, it appeared as though Deepaks death became less about justice and more about giving a prejudiced section of society an excuse to vent its resentment, particularly towards women.



Social media has since been flooded with memes and reels expressing solidarity with men portrayed as hapless victims who must now guard themselves from cameras.



Videos of men boarding public transport holding cardboard shields to protect themselves from accusations of sexual misconduct may seem humorous or even relatable to the thousands who liked and shared them. What often goes unnoticed, however, is the quiet but vengeful misogyny being served alongside the laughteran attempt to ridicule feminism and silence women.



I recently watched a reel by a journalist from a so-called reputable media organisation in Kerala, and it left me deeply unsettled. The wordplay was sharp, the delivery confident, but where were the journalistic ethics? Had the idea of avoiding a public trial been forgotten? Media, traditionally considered the fourth pillar of democracy, can shape or shatter public perception. It would serve better for everyone if journalists focused on reporting facts rather than assuming the role of judge and jury, conducting public trials.



One cannot forget the visuals of mens rights activists in Kerala welcoming a man accused of touching himself in public upon his release from judicial remand. That was a moment when the countrys most literate state appeared to sink into profound moral shame.



Stories from older generations of women carrying safety pins while travelling on buses and trains are not uncommon. Public harassment is not new; it has simply taken new forms. Yet this unfortunate death has triggered a sudden sense of emergency, particularly among cis-men who now claim they must protect themselves from the feminists or feminazis.



At this point, the loudest voices shouting for mens rights do not seem to care about the man who lost his life. Instead, the solidarity on display seems aimed at discrediting feminism and fostering hostility toward women. Across the world, women continue to experience abuse, assault, and violence, and are still expected to live through all of it.



Using one tragic case to spew hatred, manipulate public opinion, and undermine women who speak up against abuse is nothing more than a continuation of generational misogyny. The best course of action now is to allow the law to function, let policymakers do their jobs, and resist the urge to turn tragedy into a tool for silencing women.

(The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK)
India's S-400 air defence system, which played a crucial role in Operation Sindoor, will be part of the 77th Republic Day Parade tableau on Monday.

"The S-400 air defence system, which shot down a Pakistani air forces asset at the longest range in the world, would be showcased on the tableau of the Department of Military Affairs for the first time," Air Commodore Manish Sabharwal said on Friday.

For more defence news, views and updates, visit: Fortress India

Speaking about the tableau, he said it will showcase how India's Tri-services conducted the operation in perfect coordination.

"It shows all important elements, including the symbolic launch of a BrahMos by a Su-30, which destroyed one of the Pakistani airbases. We have demonstrated air defence elements, such as the S-400, which shot down a Pakistani air force asset at the longest range in the world," he said, adding, "This is to highlight the resolve of our country that together if we fight, victory is inevitable."

India's victory in Operation Sindoor will be a major attraction at the parade, with the jointness of the three wings of the armed forces being prominently displayed.

ALSO READ: DRDOs LR-AShM hypersonic glide missile for Indian Navy to be revealed on Republic Day

"One side will feature lethal military weapons that proved crucial during the operation. The other side will depict the destruction of the infrastructure on the side of the adversary," a military official was earlier quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

A formation flying named "Sindoor" comprising Rafale, Su-30, Jaguar and MiG-29 combat jets will feature in the Indian Air Force's Republic Day flypast. The Sindoor formation will comprise two Rafale jets, two MiG-29s, two Su-30s and one Jaguar aircraftall the combat jets that were part of the decisive military operation in May.
Key Points

The Trump administration, along with a group of governors, has initiated a plan to address rising power costs by making tech giants pay for new power plants.

GE Vernova has seen a stock surge due to its favorable position in providing gas turbines and grid solutions.

The power infrastructure provider has experienced significant growth, with gas power orders up 50% and equipment orders doubling in the third quarter.

10 stocks we like better than Ge Vernova 

On Jan. 16, President Donald Trump's administration, along with a bipartisan group of governors, launched an initiative targeting PJM Interconnection, the nation's largest power grid. To curb soaring residential utility prices driven by the artificial intelligence (AI) boom, the plan, if enacted, will force tech giants to pay their own way by funding new power-generation projects through emergency auctions.

The move is intended to stabilize costs for consumers but hurts independent power providers like Constellation Energy and Vistra, whose stocks fell on news of price caps. Meanwhile, power infrastructure leader GE Vernova (NYSE: GEV) surged on the news, as it is well positioned to provide gas turbines and grid solutions for the buildout.

GE Vernova is up 77% over the last year, but it could still be a smart investment given this recent news. Here's what investors need to know.

Surging demand is fueling unprecedented growth for GE Vernova

GE Vernova provides technology and services for the electric grid. Its equipment includes gas, steam, and wind turbines, along with power grid infrastructure, and it generates nearly one-quarter of the world's electricity. Investors have piled into GE Vernova thanks to incredibly strong demand for its gas turbines and grid equipment, driven by the growing use of AI and the data centers that power it.

In the third quarter, gas power orders increased 50% from last year while equipment orders more than doubled. GE Vernova received orders for 20 units of its heavy-duty gas turbines, which are huge machines designed to run continuously and provide baseload power, and 13 orders for its HA turbines, its more advanced high-efficiency units.

What has investors bullish is its growing backlog and capacity commitments. Demand has been so high that customers are paying GE Vernova just to hold a spot in the manufacturing line. It has 33 gigawatts (GW) of firm orders and another 29 GW in slot reservation agreements. And since demand is outpacing supply, it can charge higher prices for future slots.

More energy infrastructure is bullish for GE Vernova

GE Vernova has already enjoyed robust demand, and the recent news from the Trump administration should give it a further boost. The administration is looking to make hyperscalers pay for new power plants through emergency auctions and fund their own energy needs. The goal is to prevent tech companies from buying up all available electricity to maintain stable, affordable prices for households.
Those were the worst of times  the early 1960s. The military morale was low. So was the national morale. In 1962, India had failed to repel the Chinese aggression. In 1964, prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru passed away. The new prime minister, Lal Bahadur Shastri, did not yet have much popular support, and didnt enjoy the kind of statesmanly esteem that Nehru did. When China tested its atom bomb, scientists suggested that India could do the same in a matter of weeks, but Shastri refused to let them.

The Indian PM is a coward, concluded Pakistan's military dictator Field Marshal Ayub Khan. He judged that this was the opportune moment to seize Jammu and Kashmir.

For more defence news, views and updates, visit: Fortress India

Ayub secretly began preparations for war, using the state-of-the-art Patton tanks and Sabrejet aircraft supplied by the US. What did the Indian army have then? Rusting Sherman and Centurion tanks, which the British had used in World War II and left behind. The Indian Air Force, for its part, had a few vintage aircraft like the Dassault Mystere and de Havilland Vampire, and a few newly-bought small Gnat planes, which had few takers in the world market. Compared to the Sabres, they were like Ambassadors before Mercedes-Benzes.

On the night of August 5-6, 1965, 30,000 Pakistani soldiers, disguised as guerrillas, stormed into Indian Kashmir. The Indian Army in Kashmir could not hold its ground against the unexpected attack. Pakistani guerrillas and soldiers charged towards Srinagar.

The Indian Army Chief, General J.N. Chaudhuri, realised that by the time reinforcements could negotiate the mountains and valleys to reach Kashmir, the enemy would have already captured Srinagar. He realised that there was only one way out: to launch a tank assault from Indian Punjab into Pakistani Punjab. A perfect case of employing the strategy of indirect approach.

At first light on September 6, the plains of Punjab were rudely woken up by the huge roar of three full divisions of rickety Indian Centurion and Sherman tanks driving all along the border deep into Pakistan territory, and racing towards the fabled city of Lahore, which India had always coveted. And, before the Pakistani general staff could recover from the shock, they heard that another Indian armoured formation was rolling rapidly towards Sialkot, an important road and rail junction. India was attacking the mainland of Pakistan!

ALSO READ: Thimayyas dare: The impossible story of India's first high-altitude tank attack in 1948

Ayub was livid; the Lala, as Pakistani generals used to call Shastri, had outsmarted the Pathan. But he was not the one to back down. Using their 225 highly advanced Patton tanks, Ayub ordered a counter-attack on Khem Karan in Indian Punjab. This put the Indian Army in a tough spot, as they lacked the necessary artillery to stop the Pakistani Patton tanks.

Considering the situation, Major-General Gurbaksh Singh ordered his 4th Mountain Division, which was in the area, to fall back and assume a horseshoe-shaped defensive position with the village of Asal Uttar as its focal point. The Pakistanis thought the Indian Army was retreating out of fear. They advanced further, reaching the fields adjacent to the sugarcane plantations in Asal Uttar.

There they were in for a rude shockall of a sudden, water began to flow forcefully through the dry canals next to the fields, and soon flooded the fields. Within minutes, the vast cane field turned into a muddy quagmire, bogging down the Pakistani tanks.

A few surviving Pakistani tanks moved towards the cane fields. Just then, they came under fire from the Indian troops who were hiding in the canes. The Pakistani forces were scattered and shattered; of the 225 Patton tanks that had come to Assal Uttar, more than 60 (some accounts say, 100) were destroyed. Ten were captured intact by the Indian army. The enemy fled with the rest of their tanks and lives.

The name of the place where the battle took place is also interesting  Asal Uttar, translated as the 'perfect answer'.

Now, what had happened? How did water suddenly flow down the canals and flood the fields? Simple. The Indian Army had opened the small dams and dykes located upstream.

The tactics was the brainchild of Brigadier Thomas K. Theogaraj, who was commanding the 2nd Independent Armoured Brigade. He was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra for the action.
The Madras High Court is likely to pronounce judgment over the 'Jana Nayagan' release on January 27. If the high court ruled in favour of Vijay, it could clear the way for the theatrical release of the much-awaited film next Friday.

According to The Hindu, Madras High Court Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G. Arul Murugan will pronounce verdict over the Central Board of Film Certification's (CBFC) plea challenging the release of the film on January 27.

Earlier, a single-judge bench led by Justice P.T. Asha had ruled in favour of KVN Productions, producers of Jana Nayagan and had cleared CBFC certification for the release of the film. However, the film certification body immediately approached a two-judge bench of the high court and sought a stay against the release of the film.

Originally slated for release on January 9, Vijay's Jana Nayagan got embroiled in legal troubles after the CBFC withheld its certificate, allegedly following a complaint from the examining committee. The film's makers said that though they were granted U/A certificate initially, it was withheld, and the film has reportedly been referred to a revising committee for review.

Though the makers approached the Supreme Court, it redirected the producers to approach the high court for relief.

Said to Vijay's last film, the actor's fans allege politicial vendetta as the reason for blocking the film's release. Actor Vijay recently launched its political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and is set to contest the upcoming assembly polls. The actor-politician identifies the Bharatiya Janata Party as his ideological enemy.
A new study has found that regular physical activity during adolescence may play a protective role in reducing biological indicators linked to breast cancer risk later in life. Researchers suggest that engaging in recreational physical activity during the crucial years of breast development can influence breast tissue composition and lower markers of physiological stress, both of which are associated with future cancer risk.

According to the study published in Breast Cancer Research, adolescent girls who reported participating in at least two hours of recreational physical activity per week showed healthier breast tissue characteristics and reduced levels of oxidative stress biomarkers. The research was conducted by scientists from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health in the United States and highlights adolescence as a critical window for cancer prevention strategies.

Breast cancer remains one of the most common cancers worldwide. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), an estimated 23 lakh women were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022, and approximately 6.7 lakh deaths were reported globally. In India, the disease continues to pose a major public health challenge. Data from the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN 2022) shows that breast cancer accounted for more than 1.92 lakh new cases, representing 26.6 per cent of all cancers among Indian women.

Amidst this growing burden, the findings of the new study are particularly significant as they point to accessible lifestyle interventions that could help reduce long-term breast cancer risk, especially in younger populations.

What the study found

The study examined the relationship between recreational physical activity (RPA), breast tissue composition, and biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation in adolescent girls. Researchers analysed data from a population-based urban cohort involving 191 Black/African American and Hispanic (Dominican) girls aged between 11 and 20 years.

According to the studys methodology, participants reported the number of hours they engaged in both organised and unorganised recreational physical activity during the previous week. Physical activity was categorised into three groups, none, less than two hours, and two hours or more per week.

The results showed that more than half of the adolescent girls, 51 per cent, reported no recreational physical activity in the previous week. 73 per cent reported no participation in organised activities, while 66 per cent reported no unorganised physical activity.

Among those who engaged in at least two hours of organised recreational physical activity, researchers observed significantly healthier biological indicators. Girls in this group had lower percent water content in breast tissue compared to those who did not engage in any activity. They also recorded lower urinary concentrations of oxidative stress biomarkers.

Interestingly, researchers found that these associations were independent of body fat percentage, suggesting that physical activity itself, not just weight control, plays a role in influencing breast tissue biology.

For your daily dose of medical news and updates, visit: HEALTH

An association was also observed between higher oxidative stress levels and increased collagen content in breast tissue, which is linked to higher breast density. However, recreational physical activity was not significantly associated with inflammatory biomarkers after adjusting for body fat.

Summarising the findings, the authors concluded, These findings support that recreational physical activity is associated with breast tissue composition and oxidative stress in adolescent girls, independent of body fat. Additional longitudinal research is needed to understand the implications of these findings regarding subsequent breast cancer risk.

The data was drawn from the Columbia Breast Cancer and the Environment Research Program Study, which is part of the Columbia Center for Childrens Environmental Health Mothers and Newborns birth cohort. Participants were originally recruited between 1998 and 2006 from prenatal clinics at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Harlem Hospital, and affiliated satellite clinics serving urban neighbourhoods including Central Harlem, Washington Heights, and the South Bronx.

Highlighting the strength of the study design, senior author Mary Beth Terry, Professor of Epidemiology at Columbia Mailman School, said, Our research has several strengths, including the use of multiple biomarkers measured in urine, blood, and breast tissue. We measured biomarkers of stress and chronic inflammation that are widely validated and commonly used in epidemiologic research, enhancing confidence in our findings.

She also emphasised the importance of including historically underrepresented populations. Importantly, this research was conducted in a population-based, urban cohort of Black/African American and Hispanic girls - groups that are historically underrepresented in research and face persistent disparities in both physical activity levels and breast cancer outcomes, she added.

Rebecca Kehm, Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at Columbia Mailman School and first author of the study, echoed this concern. Our study population of urban Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black adolescent girls is critical to include in breast cancer research. These groups not only have been historically underrepresented in studies but they face higher risks of developing breast cancer at younger ages and of experiencing more aggressive subtypes. At the same time, Black and Hispanic girls consistently report lower levels of recreational physical activity than their non-Hispanic White peers, she said.

Why it matters

The findings align with a growing body of evidence linking physical activity to reduced breast cancer risk across different age groups and populations.

A large multinational study published in 2010 evaluated physical activity patterns among 1,463 breast cancer cases and 4,862 controls. Researchers reported that women who engaged in physical activity at least once per week had a 50 per cent lower risk of breast cancer compared to those who exercised less frequently. The study further noted that individuals who were physically active for more than 30 minutes per week experienced at least a 35 per cent reduction in risk across ethnic groups including Caucasian-American, African-American, Hispanic-American, Tunisian-Arab, and Polish-Caucasian populations.

The study concluded, Physical activity may reduce breast cancer risk regardless of race, weight category, or family history of breast cancer.

More recent evidence from India highlights the role of lifestyle factors in shaping cancer risk. A 2024 study analysing data from 28 population-based cancer registries under the National Cancer Registry Programme found that urban women face significantly higher breast cancer risk compared to rural populations. Cities such as Chennai, Bengaluru, and Delhi recorded much higher incidence rates, with the national age-standardised incidence reaching 32 per 100,000 women.

Researchers attributed this trend to urban lifestyle patterns marked by sedentary behaviour, obesity, delayed childbirth, reduced breastfeeding, and higher stress levels.

A 2025 review on breast cancer in India further revealed systemic challenges related to detection and treatment. The authors reported that challenges include lack of trained health care providers, limited access to screening, delayed diagnosis, and unequal treatment availability.

The review also pointed out that cultural stigma, gender inequality, and lack of awareness continue to prevent women from seeking early screening. More than half of patients were found to present at advanced stages of the disease, particularly among economically disadvantaged groups.

Another 2025 study analysing mammography uptake among over 35,000 Indian women aged 45 and above found low screening rates nationwide. The authors noted that disparities in mammography uptake by age, residence and co-morbidities reflect the need for special focus and context-specific research for pragmatic interventions.

International organisations have also reinforced the importance of physical activity in cancer prevention. The World Cancer Research Fund states that there is strong evidence that physical activity protects against breast cancer (pre- and postmenopausal). Similarly, the U.S. National Cancer Institute reports that multiple meta-analyses show a 12 to 21 per cent lower breast cancer risk among women with higher physical activity levels compared to those who are least active.

Steps taken by the government

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, The Government of India has introduced robust policies, strategic interventions, and financial assistance schemes to enhance prevention, early detection, treatment, and patient care nationwide.

In the Union Budget 202526, Rs 99,858.56 crore was allocated to the health ministry, including plans to establish Day Care Cancer Centres in all district hospitals over the next three years. Around 200 centres are expected to be operational in 202526 alone, improving access to cancer treatment at the district level.

Under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS), breast cancer is prioritised alongside oral and cervical cancers. The programme focuses on community-level screening, early detection through frontline health workers, digital reporting platforms, and strengthening district healthcare infrastructure.

The Strengthening of Tertiary Care for Cancer Scheme has decentralised advanced oncology services across states. India now hosts 19 State Cancer Institutes and 20 Tertiary Care Cancer Centres, including major facilities such as the National Cancer Institute in Jhajjar and Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute in Kolkata.

Ayushman BharatPMJAY continues to provide financial protection for cancer treatment, covering chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgical care. By 2024, more than 90 per cent of registered cancer patients had initiated treatment under the scheme. The Health Ministers Cancer Patient Fund also offers financial assistance of up to Rs 15 lakh for underprivileged patients.

India has additionally strengthened research and innovation. The launch of NexCAR19 in April 2024 marked the countrys first indigenously developed CAR-T cell therapy, significantly reducing treatment costs. The Quad Cancer Moonshot Initiative, launched with the US, Australia, and Japan in 2024, aims to eliminate cervical cancer in the Indo-Pacific region through collaborative screening and vaccination programmes.

Preventive health campaigns are also being scaled up. According to the ministry, Preventive aspect of cancer is strengthened under Comprehensive Primary Health Care through Ayushman Aarogya Mandir by promotion of wellness activities and targeted communication at the community level.

Initiatives such as Fit India Movement, Eat Right India, and national yoga programmes further promote physical activity and healthy lifestyles.

This story is done in collaboration with First Check, which is the health journalism vertical of DataLEADS.
After Indore, drinking water contamination in Mhow tehsil has triggered a fresh wave of panic among residents. At least nine people fell sick after drinking contaminated tap water. According to health officials, the first cases were reported from Patti Bazaar and Chander Marg areas.

The water contamination in the Bhagirathpura area of Indore earlier this month led to seven deaths.

Also read | Indore water contamination: Health officials on edge as 38 new diarrhoea cases fuel panic

Residents complained of foul smell and muddy water from the drinking water tap in the area.

Indore collector Shivam Verma visited patients undergoing treatment at a hospital and spoke to residents of the affected areas.

Also read | Indore water contamination tragedy: Antibiotic-resistant E. coli a major public health threat

For your daily dose of medical news and updates, visit: HEALTH



Verma directed the health department to ensure proper and effective treatment for all patients and has instructed the Mhow Cantonment Board to check the water quality and maintain cleanliness in the area.

Despite local reports of 25 fatalities, the Madhya Pradesh governments official toll stands at seven, including a five-month-old boy.

"No patient is in critical condition at present, and some of them will be discharged during the day," Verma told PTI.

Earlier, officials said that contaminated water was found in 51 tubewells in Bhagirathpura.

What's the cause of this contamination?

The Madhya Pradesh government told the High Court on January 20 that bacterial contamination of drinking water led to widespread infection in the Bhagirathpura area.

While hearing the petitions, the court had asked how the water supplied to residents of the locality, the epicentre of diarrhoea and vomiting outbreak.

According to health experts, E. coli is commonly found in water via sewage or faeces, and drinking water contaminated with this bacterium can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, and fever, PTI reported.
Now that the lottery in Mumbai Municipal Council has made it clear that the Mumbai mayors post was reserved for a woman from the General Category, power games have begun in Indias richest municipal council.



As the race intensifies, the BJP, the single largest party in the BMC, will hold its newly elected corporators in the next two to three days to choose a group leader, the party's Mumbai unit chief Ameet Satam said on Thursday.

According to reports, five names are being discussed as the face of the Mayoral post.

1) Tejaswi Abhishek Ghosalkar: Ghosalkar has won the elections, defeating Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate by a margin of over 10,000 votes. She contested from Dahisar Ward No. 2 in Mumbai. She had joined the party ahead of the elections, leaving the Shiv Sena (UBT). However, there was widespread anger within the party after the BJP decided to give her the seat.

2) Yogita Sunil Koli : Yogita Sunil Koli has won from Malad with a large margin. The win was decisive because the contest in this ward was a two-candidate fight. In this straight contest, Yogita Sunil Koli secured a historic win, defeating her lone rival by a massive margin.

3) Asha Marathe: BJP's Asha Marathe has become a corporator for the third time. Will she be the one to be elected mayor? There is also a lot of discussion about this.

4) Alka Kelkar: A senior BJP leader, she has also served as the Deputy Mayor of Mumbai. She has also become a corporator for the fourth time. Therefore, there is also talk that she may get the post of Mayor. Her close ties to the BJP's core group and organisation make her a strong contender.

5) Ritu Tawde: Ritu Tawde holds the post of the BJP's Mahila Morcha. She has also been elected for the second time. The BJP may place its trust in her

Other names doing the rounds include Rajshree Shirwadkar, a BJP councillor who won from Ward 172, and Sheetal Gambhir, who won from Ward 190.
The Karnataka high court on Friday lifted the ban imposed by it on bike taxi services in Karnataka.

The division bench composed on Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice CM Joshi quashed the single judge order made on April 2025, which imposed the ban. The order was to stop all bike taxi services until the state frames rules for such operations.

The appeal was filed by cab service companies like ANI technologies which owns Ola, Uber, and Rapido.

The court held that motorcycles used for bike taxi services fell under the definition of a transport vehicle under the Motor Vehicles Act 1988. therefore the state government cannot refuse or deny permit such vehicles on the grounds that the motorcycles are not transport vehicles.

It also said that bike taxi operators can file applications to get contract carriage permits to operate motorcycles as bike taxis.

The state also cannot refuse permits merely on the ground that the vehicle is motorcycles, it is whoever is free to examine all relevant aspects to decide whether to accept applications.

After the April order, a six-week deadline was later extended on a request by the affected bike operators who filed appeals. The bike taxi welfare associations and some individual drivers joined in filing appeals.

The court also observed on Friday that the existing framework of regulations requires a reconsideration and amendment to regulate bike taxi services.
UDF convenor and Congress Lok Sabha MP Adoor Prakash on Friday admitted that he had met Unnikrishnan Potty, the prime accused in the Sabarimala gold loss case, on multiple occasions. However, the senior leader dismissed allegations linking him to the controversial case.

Prakash reportedly alleged that the controversy was being raised at a time when a political atmosphere favourable to the UDF was emerging in Kerala.

"If anyone is attempting to portray me as a wrong person, the people of Kerala will not buy it. People of Kerala understand and evaluate everything," he was quoted as telling reporters in New Delhi.

The former Konni MLA said he first met Potty in 2019 after he was elected as the MP from the Attingal Lok Sabha constituency.

"He invited me to 'Annadhanam' (food distribution) at the Sabarimala temple and I took part in it," he said.

He said he later visited Potty's house after the death of his father.

"It is true that I visited his house and I am ready to say it if anyone asks about it," Prakash said.

He also said that he had visited the house of Potty's sister at Venjaramoodu along with KPCC leader Remani Nair.

"I have forgotten the specific purpose of that visit. I went there as these people are from my constituency," he said.

Prakash said he met Potty only in 2019 and was unaware of his background at the time.

He also mentioned an instance in which Potty gifted him a packet during a visit to Bengaluru. "It contained dates, and I handed it over to someone there," he added.

Denying allegations that he had received any benefit from the accused, Prakash said, "I can categorically say that it was not a share of anything that Potty allegedly stole from Sabarimala."

When asked about the cover seen being handed over by Potty in the photograph, Prakash said it was an invitation related to a function at Potty's sister's house.

He also said he was present when Potty met Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, but denied allegations that he facilitated the meeting.

"As a public person, I attend programmes when people invite me. If I am unable to attend, I visit them later," PTI quoted him as saying.

Prakash denied claims that he was a frequent visitor to Potty's house and said allegations against him were being raised by some individuals.

When asked whether anyone from within the Congress was behind the allegations, he reportedly said, "It can be. As someone who has faced such incidents earlier, there could be people within the Congress or outside. But I am not accusing anyone."
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Friday triggered speculations of a tiff with the High Command after he made his displeasure known for being mistreated at the Mahapanchayat held in Kochi. The event held to honour the Congress candidates who won the recent civic body elections was attended by senior leader Rahul Gandhi.

In his complaint to AICC general secretaries K C Venugopal and Deepa Das Munshi, Tharoor reportedly complained that Rahul Gandhi's behaviour on the Mahapanchayat stage was deliberately humiliating. During his address, Rahul Gandhi mentioned all the other leaders from Kerala by name but ignored Tharoor. He also overlooked Tharoor while greeting others on the stage. Tharoor's speech was also scheduled to conclude just as Rahul Gandhi arrived on stage.

Upset at the way he was treated, Tharoor had left the Mahapanchayat venue in Ernakulam before the event concluded. The visuals of the incident have since been widely discussed on social media.

Not just Tharoor, local media also aired visuals that purportedly showed Rahul Gandhi urging former KPCC President K. Sudhakaran to move from an adjacent chair. Reports also emerged that the Leader of the Opposition, V D Satheesan, was not allowed into the car.

It is in this context that Tharoor decided to stay away from tomorrow's discussion in Delhi as a means to express strong dissatisfaction with Rahul Gandhi's behaviour. The Delhi meeting, scheduled for Saturday evening, is being held to assess the situation in Kerala. The event, convened by Rahul Gandhi, will cover election strategy and candidate selection. Besides V.D. Satheesan, KPCC President Sunny Joseph will participate in the talks. Tharoor instead opted to attend the Kozhikode Literature Festival (KLF).

On Tharoor skipping the Kerala poll meeting, Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit said all strong and senior leaders from Kerala are attending. "Those who are relevant to the Congress are coming. It doesnt make a difference if leaders who are not major figures or relevant to the party are absent," Dikshit told reporters.
The previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi governments alleged phone tapping of hundreds of individuals, including politicians, businessmen, journalists, political strategists, and film stars, continues to create ripples in state politics. The issue once again gained prominence with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) summoning K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) for questioning on 22 January. A day earlier, senior party leader and MLA T. Harish Rao was questioned for about eight hours.

For the uninitiated, the Telangana phone-tapping case centres on allegations of illegal surveillance during the previous BRS government. The issue surfaced after businessman and BSP leader Gadhagoni Chakradhar Goud alleged that his phone, along with those of his family members and associates, had been unlawfully intercepted, and he filed a case at the Punjagutta police station. The police registered an FIR in March 2024. Subsequent investigations pointed to the alleged misuse of the Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) for unauthorised tapping. Several SIB officers were arrested in the case. To expedite the investigation, the Congress government constituted a Special Investigation Team on 18 December 2025, with Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar as its head.

Several politicians and businessmen have testified before the SIT about the suspected tapping of their phones. These leaders include Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar, BJP MP Eatala Rajender, Congress Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy, and TPCC President Mahesh Kumar Goud. Police have also informed senior BRS leader T. Harish Rao that his phone was allegedly tapped. While film personalities were mentioned in political debates, none came forward, fearing a public discussion and subsequent trolling regarding their private lives.

The case also became a sensation due to the suspicious conduct of former SIB officials. Soon after the Assembly elections, SIB officer Praneeth Rao allegedly entered the SIB office and destroyed hard disks to eradicate evidence of the wings internal operations. Former SIB chief T. Prabhakar Rao quietly left for the United States soon after the controversy surfaced and refused to return to India for several months. The Telangana government made sustained legal efforts to bring him back.

K. Kavitha, former BRS MLC and sister of KTR, later declared that she too was a victim of phone tapping. She left the BRS and recently resigned from her position after publicly attacking her brother KTR and cousins Harish Rao and Santosh Kumar for some time. She accused her cousins of tapping her phone and those of her family members and members of her brother KTRs team during the BRS regime. She implied that even members of her family may have been surveilled. However, she insisted that her father and former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao would not have ordered such actions.

Though the Congress government is attempting to establish the phone-tapping allegations, it has not claimed any major breakthrough so far. When Harish Rao attended the SIT questioning on 21 January, he said the case was nothing but a political vendetta and denied any wrongdoing. KTR, before attending the SIT questioning today, also called the probe a diversionary tactic by the Congress government. He questioned why senior police officials were spared, denied wrongdoing, and said the investigation had turned into a media spectacle.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off three new Amrit Bharat Express trains during his visit to Thiruvananthapuram on Friday. The visit to the State comes after the BJP had a historic victory in the Thiruvananthapuram corporation.

#WATCH | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala | PM Modi flags off three new Amrit Bharat trains, Nagercoil-Mangaluru, Thiruvananthapuram-Tambaram, Thiruvananthapuram-Charlapalli, and a new passenger train between Thrissur and Guruvayur.



(Video source: DD) pic.twitter.com/cUnLUnArVr  ANI (@ANI) January 23, 2026

The PM flagged off the ThiruvananthapuramTambaram, ThiruvananthapuramHyderabad and NagercoilMangaluru Amrit Bharat trains, along with the Guruvayur Thrissur passenger service.

A slew of central government-approved projects are also to be inaugurated today, including the laying of the foundation for the Innovation Technology and Entrepreneurship hub and other infrastructure projects worth Rs 250 crore. Loans and credit cards for one lakh beneficiaries under the Pm Svanidhit scheme will also be announced.

In a post on X, PM Modi said that he was looking forward to addressing the public in Thiruvannathapuram. In the recent corporation elections, this city made history by blessing us. It is clear that Kerala wants to come out of the fixed match between LDF and UDF," he said.

Looking forward to addressing a BJP-NDA public meeting in Thiruvananthapuram today. This city scripted history by blessing us in the recently concluded corporation elections. Its clear Kerala is looking to break free from the fixed match of LDF and UDF.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 23, 2026

The event took place at at Putharikandam Maidan. Modi is also set to address a crowd of about 25, 000 people consisting of the public, public representatives and party workers at the venue after the inauguration.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan thanked the Prime Minister for approving the development of the projects in the state.
Foreign countries are retreating from US debt markets. Denmarks holdings of US Treasuries are slipping to record lows, while India and China continue to scale back their exposure to US government debt.

This sustained retreat by major foreign holders points to a broader erosion of confidence in US fiscal discipline and long-term debt sustainability. This trend has major implications for global capital costs, liquidity conditions, and risk asset valuations.

Foreign Demand for US Debt Fractures as Some Exit and Others Double Down

In a latest post on X (formerly Twitter), The Kobeissi Letter, highlighted that over the past year, Denmark reduced its US Treasury holdings by $4 billion, a 30% decline.

"Denmark's US Treasury holdings are at record lows: The value of US Treasuries held by Denmark is down to ~$9 billion, the lowest in 14 years...Denmark is quietly exiting US debt market," the post read.

Since peaking in 2016, Danish holdings have dropped by more than half. The country now accounts for less than 1% of Europes total holdings of US government securities, valued at $3.6 trillion.

Furthermore, Danish pension fund AkademikerPension has stated it will fully divest from US Treasuries worth around $100 million by the end of the month. The fund's Investment Director, Anders Schelde, noted that the "decision is rooted in the poor US government finances."

https://twitter.com/Bricktop_NAFO/status/2013653966043648029?s=20

Nonetheless, while speaking to reporters at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday dismissed the concerns.

"Denmarks investment in US Treasury bonds, like Denmark itself, is irrelevant," he said. "That is less than $100 million. Theyve been selling Treasurys for years, Im not concerned at all."

While Denmarks move may not concern Bessent on its own, it is far from an isolated case. According to data released by the US Department of the Treasury, China's US Treasury holdings have dropped to a 17-year low.

Chinas holdings fell to $682.6 billion in November, down from $688.7 billion in October, marking the lowest level since 2008.

"And if they continue like this, they'll be below 500bn soon, below Belgium and Luxembourg haha. China is insulating itself from the incoming crash in the West," a market watcher wrote.

India has followed a similar path, with its US Treasury holdings dropping to around $190 billion by the end of October 2025. Taken together, these actions point to a fundamental reassessment of US credit risk among major foreign holders.
Udhampur police said that they successfully rescued 12 people amid the heavy snowfall in Jammu and Kashmirs Udhampur district, Chochru Galla area.

The victims, mostly women and children from mobile families, were stranded in the upper hills of the Basantgarh area.

A rescue team headed by Head Constable Mushtaq Ahmed, under the guidance of DSP PC Basantgarh Charanjith Singh and SHO PS Basantgarh PSI Rohin Chalotra, rushed to the spot after receiving information at the police post.

Videos show the authorities guiding the stranded locals down a hill as it is heavily snowing.

The rescue team had to cover several kilometres of snow-covered and foggy terrain to reach the stranded victims in the Chochru Galla area.

Police brought everyone to safety amid the difficult weather. Food and shelter were also provided to the victims. Officials said that the timely rescue averted a major disaster.

Local authorities have urges citizen to avoid unnecessary travel to high altitude and snowy areas.

Srinagar police have established an emergency helpline service to provide immediate assistance and a timely response.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday inaugurated the third meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) in Kochi.

The day-long meeting chaired by Sonowal will review more than Rs 1,500 crore of investments into the country's inland waterways ecosystem.

Rivers at Work. Bharat on the Move. 



1,500+ crore boost to inland waterways - driving green mobility, smarter logistics and river-led growth - from #Kochi to the #NorthEast .



 3rd Inland Waterways Development Council Meeting

 TODAY | Kochi, Kerala#IWDC2026 pic.twitter.com/6UKo9NKEDq  IWAI (@IWAI_ShipMin) January 23, 2026

This includes sessions on modernising water transport systems, enhancing the efficiency of cargo transportation, promoting green vessels for passenger transport, advancing river cruise tourism, and implementing digital and sustainable practices.

The meeting will also review the regulatory framework for inland waterways and address concerns raised by states related to ongoing and proposed waterways projects.

This also comes ahead of the third meeting of the #inlandwaterways Development Council (IWDC) at Kochi, Kerala, on January 23. #maritimenews https://t.co/9rN6vxu2wS  THE WEEK (@TheWeekLive) January 22, 2026

Foundation stones will be laid for various proposed projects worth Rs 150 crore, such as river cruise jetties in Kerala, Gujarat, Karnataka, Odisha, and Telangana, in addition to Ro-Ro/cargo terminals at two spots on the Krishna River in Andhra Pradesh, and onshore facilities along the Jhelum River in Jammu and Kashmir.

Asset procurements account for Rs 465 crore of the investments into inland waterways.

This includes 20 pontoons and eight quick pontoon opening mechanisms (QPOMs) which facilitate quicker bridge opening times, five survey vessels (of which four are hybrids), 12 dredgers, three tug-barges, and four jetties for berthing Ro-Pax vesselsa type of Ro-Ro vessel specifically used for ferrying passengers.

The IWDC 3.0 will also see the announcement of new waterways projects worth more than Rs 900 crore.

Inland Waterways Development Council 3.0 meet on Jan 23 might see major announcements about infrastructure along national waterways. #IWDC



By @NirmalJovialz @IWAI_ShipMin @shipmin_india https://t.co/67DmatlTqh  THE WEEK (@TheWeekLive) January 21, 2026

This includes a plan to develop 110 jetties in Odisha and northeast India. Commissioning 10 hybrid electric vessels for Jammu and Kashmir, bringing the National River Traffic and Navigation System (NRT&NS) to Maharashtra, and establishing a slipway facility in Kochi are also among the major projects to be proposed during the Friday meeting.

Other proposed projects of note include two Assam-based onesa cruise terminal at the Uzan Bazaar Ghat and an approach road at the Bogibeel River Port.

These major investments are expected to accelerate green mobility, modern logistics, and river-led economic growth.

There has been a 711 per cent increase in cargo movement on India's inland waterwaysfrom 18 million tonnes in 2013-14 to 146 million tonnes in 2024-25. The number of operational National Waterways (NWs) has also increased from three in 2013-14 to 32 in 2024-25.
Two days ago, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan made a two-hour visit to India, a trip that garnered attention due to its timing and its hurried nature. Sheikh Mohamed arrived at Palam air base and was received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with a number of senior officials, signifying the value India attaches to its partnership with the UAE and the personal rapport both leaders enjoy. The Prime Minister also shared photographs of the meeting, including images of the two leaders embracing and travelling together in the same car from the airport.

India signed a $3 billion deal to buy liquefied natural gas from the UAE, making it the Arab nations top customer. Both leaders also held talks to strengthen trade and defence ties, which included India and the UAE pledging to double bilateral trade to $200 billion in six years and form a strategic defence partnership.

As per this defence pact, the two sides will work to expand defence cooperation across a number of areas, including defence industrial collaboration and innovation and training, special operations, and counter terrorism.

It is this pact that has stoked speculation that India was aligning strategically with the UAE to counter the Pakistan-Saudi Defence Pact. Especially since this comes as relations between former allies Saudi Arabia and the UAE have frayed substantially, with the two countries backing opposing forces in the escalating civil war in Yemen.

It is also noteworthy that the Pakistani militarys role and strategic footprint in West Asia is growing rapidly, especially after Islamabad and Riyadh signed a mutual defence cooperation agreement in September 2025. Now, Turkiye is expected to join them to form what they call an Islamic NATO.

Interestingly, Ankara is of the view that India, the UAE, and Israel are coming together with Greece and Cyprus in a counter-move to this Islamic NATO.

This has prompted many to believe the proposed India-UAE Strategic Defence Partnership is aimed at enhancing Indias strategic presence in West Asia, a region key to its economic and energy security.

But there are important questions to be answered. Will India take a stance against Saudi Arabia if things sour between the Middle Eastern powers, especially since India has strong ties with the Kingdom, which is a major trade partner and oil supplier?

All these speculations have prompted the Ministry of External Affairs to address it. After the conclusion of Sheikh Mohameds visit, Indias Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri sought to dismiss speculations and downplayed the possibility of the Strategic Defence Partnership drawing India into West Asian conflicts.

Without mentioning the Pakistan-Saudi pact, Misri said the Partnership was not necessarily a response to any specific event that may have taken place in the region.

Misri said that the India-UAE defence partnership was to expand the existing bilateral defence cooperation across a number of areas. It was not about any [Indian] intent to get involved in a hypothetical future scenario in the region, he added.

That said, India needs to tread carefully. It has so much at stake in the Middle East, including the nine million Indians who live in the Gulf countries. Every policy decision from Delhi should ensure their livelihoods are not affected, along with the remittances from these countries.
US President Donald Trump has stated that the United States is sending a massive fleet of naval forces toward Iran. His statement comes as the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group approaches the waters of the Middle East.

We have a massive fleet heading in that direction, and maybe we wont have to use it, Trump told reporters onboard Air Force One. We have a big force going toward Iran. Id rather not see anything happen, but we will see. We are watching them very closely. We have an armada, we have a massive fleet heading in that direction, and maybe we wont have to use it. Well see," Trump said.

A US military aircraft carrier strike group and other assets will arrive in the Middle East region in the coming days, two US officials said, even as President Trump voiced hopes of avoiding new military action against Iran https://t.co/qo213LVP2I pic.twitter.com/d6vytIZ1iB  Reuters (@Reuters) January 23, 2026

Meanwhile, the USS Abraham Lincoln and its Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is now in the Indian Ocean, a U.S. Navy official told The War Zone on Thursday. This is in addition to more cargo jets and aerial refueling tankers that have arrived in the region.

For latest news and analyses on Middle East, visit: Yello! Middle East

There were reports that the US was deploying F-15E Strike Eagles, accompanied by KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling jets, from RAF Lakenheath in the UK. These F-15Es are a staple in the Middle East and were instrumental in defending against the cruise missiles shot by Iran at Israel. The US was also reportedly sending additional Patriot and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems to the Middle East for increased protection from any Iranian attack, The Wall Street Journal reported.

 The United States has significantly expanded its military presence in the Middle East, surpassing force levels seen in previous Gulf and Iraq wars. In the last 36 hours, twelve C-17 cargo aircraft have been positioned around Iran, alongside a broad deployment of air, pic.twitter.com/mmP737lgAA  The Battlefield (@TTheBattlefield) January 22, 2026

That said, many are unsure about the exact composition of U.S. forces that are already there and whether the US can effectively intervene in Iran if things go wrong. According to reports, the US has deployed three Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers and a submarine, but there is still only a limited number of fighter aircraft at several bases.

Available satellite images also show no major influx of U.S. airpower. Low-resolution satellite imagery observed by The War Zone showed no large deployments to Diego Garcia, the Indian Ocean island where U.S. bombers have previously been staged amid rising tensions with Iran.

The War Zone claims these are still not adequate enough for a major operation though significant additions to the standing force posture in the region. We have not seen evidence of those kinds of movements just yet, although some movements are not identified via open sources, it added.

However, the UK is also sending tactical combat jets to the region. The Royal Air Forces joint Typhoon squadron with Qatar, 12 Squadron, has deployed to the Gulf for defensive purposes, noting regional tensions as part of the UK-Qatar Defence Assurance Agreement, demonstrating the strong and enduring defence relationship between the U.K. and Qatar, the U.K. Defense Ministry (MoD) announced on Thursday.

12 Squadron has regularly deployed to Qatar to conduct joint training and share experiences which enhance national and regional security, the MoD added. Recently, the RAF deployed on exercises such as EPIC SKIES and SOARING FALCON  further reinforcing the operational capability between our two nations.
The United States has launched a major logistical operation to transfer thousands of detained Islamic State fighters in Syria to Iraq following the withdrawal of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The SDFs retreat has created a dangerous security vacuum, raising fears of an Islamic State resurgence.

The operation, overseen by the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), involves transferring detainees from prisons in Syria to what officials have termed secure locations in Iraq. Around 150 detainees have already been moved, with plans under discussion to transfer as many as 7,000. The US appears clearly worried about the escape of 120 inmates from the Shaddadeh detention facility near the Iraqi border.

Washington does not want a repeat of what happened as SDF forces retreat from areas they previously controlled. American officials believe that the existing detention system, long reliant on the SDF for security, is no longer viable amid collapsing ceasefire arrangements and shifting territorial control. The SDF itself has warned that abandoning these prisons could lead to a security catastrophe.

For latest news and analyses on Middle East, visit: Yello! Middle East

While the United States is executing the operation, it was initiated at the explicit request of the Iraqi government. Officials in Baghdad feared that instability across the border would allow hardened militants to slip out of detention and re-enter Iraq, where the memory of the Islamic States 2014 offensive remains deeply entrenched. An Iraqi security official confirmed that the decision was taken by Iraq and was welcomed by the US-led coalition and the Syrian government, pointing to a rare convergence of interests among historically wary actors.

For Baghdad, the transfer is framed as a pre-emptive measure to defend national security. The Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council has announced that detainees will be interrogated and prosecuted under Iraqi law. Intelligence officials have said the groups include high-value Islamic State commanders of various nationalities, including Tunisians, Tajiks and Kazakhs, whom they regard as particularly dangerous.

At the same time, Iraqi officials have been careful to stress that the burden should not fall on Iraq alone. They have demanded more international support, warning that the responsibility of housing thousands of Islamic State suspects cannot be left solely to Baghdad. To prevent further spillover from Syria, Iraq has reinforced its border presence, deploying additional patrols and tanks along sensitive stretches, particularly in Sinjar province, where the scars of the Islamic State genocide against the Yazidis are still raw.

Damascus has voiced full support for the transfers. Syrian officials say discussions about relocating detainees had been ongoing for months before the latest escalation and have presented the move as evidence of Syrias renewed commitment to counterterrorism. Under President Ahmed al-Sharaa, the government has sought to project an image of stability and cooperation, signalling what some analysts describe as a westward pivot and limited engagement with the United States. Damascus has even formally joined the Global Coalition to Defeat Islamic State.

Syrian authorities have declared the al-Hol camp and other Islamic State-linked detention facilities restricted zones and claim to be actively searching for escapees. At the same time, Damascus has placed blame squarely on the SDF, alleging that prisoners were released or escaped due to the chaos caused by the Kurdish withdrawal rather than the governments own military advance, a claim viewed sceptically by some observers.

For Washington, the prisoner transfers reflect a changing strategic reality. US officials have made clear that confidence in the durability of the ceasefire has evaporated. US envoy Tom Barrack has said that the American alliance with the SDF has largely expired, pointing to a major recalibration of US policy in Syria. The focus is now on securing detention facilities, preserving counterterrorism gains and facilitating the reintegration of northeastern Syria under the regime in Damascus.

Meanwhile, the United Nations has also stepped in. After the withdrawal of the SDF, the UN refugee agency has taken over the responsibility for the al-Hol camp, which houses tens of thousands of people, many of them women and children linked to Islamic State fighters. UN officials have described conditions inside the camp as tense and volatile and say they are working with Syrian authorities to restore order and humanitarian access.

Human rights groups, however, have raised serious concerns about the transfer of detainees to Iraq. Organisations such as Reprieve have warned that prisoners could face torture, unfair trials and even execution under Iraqs judicial system. They have urged governments, including the UK, to intervene to ensure their nationals, potentially including juvenile detainees, are protected from abuse. The UN Security Council continues to receive briefings on the situation, monitoring what diplomats describe as an increasingly volatile and consequential phase in Syrias long war.
US President Donald Trumps recent comments sparked outrage amongst British politicians and veteran NATO soldiers after he claimed that NATO troops avoided front lines in the war in Afghanistan.

Relations between NATO and the US have been tense recently due to the Greenland issue. Trump on Thursday ramped up the tensions after he said that he wasn't sure if the alliance would be there if we ever needed them.

Speaking to Fox news he said, Theyll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan  and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.

On Thursday, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey pointed out that 457 British service personnel were killed during the war in Afghanistan.

457 British troops lost their lives in Afghanistan.



Trump avoided military service 5 times.



How dare he question their sacrifice. Farage and all the others still fawning over Trump should be ashamed. pic.twitter.com/4xmsAYnt76  Ed Davey (@EdwardJDavey) January 22, 2026

The US saw about 2,461 deaths. The allies suffered a total of 1,160 deaths during the conflict, a third of the total deaths.

A total of 3,486 NATO troops died during the 20-year conflict.

In a post on social media, Ed said, Trump avoided military service 5 times.

How dare he question their sacrifice. Farage and all the others still fawning over Trump should be ashamed.

Trump has been previously criticised for avoiding conscription to Vietnam after being diagnosed with bone spurs in his heels, a claim that has been debated.

Conservative MP Ben Obese-Ject, who served in Afghanistan as a captain in the Royal Yorkshire Regiment, told Sky News that it was sad to see our nations sacrifice, and that of our Nato partners, held so cheaply by the president of the United States.

I saw firsthand the sacrifices made by British soldiers I served alongside in Sangin, where we suffered horrific casualties, as did the US Marines the following year.

I dont believe US military personnel share the view of President Trump; his words do them a disservice as our closest military allies, he added.

Labours Dame Emily Thornberry said that Trump's comments were an insult while speaking to the BBC. How dare he say we werent on the front line? How dare he? We have always been there whenever the Americans have wanted us; we have always been there, she said.

The USA is the only country to have invoked the collective security provisions of Nato Article 5 after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Even as the national elections in Bangladesh are just weeks away, the country's ousted prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, called for the ouster of the interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus and restoration of democracy.

In an audio message that was played at the Foreign Correspondents Club of South Asia in New Delhi, she said the nation must rise united and galvanized by the spirit of the Liberation War.

"To overthrow the foreign-serving puppet regime of this national enemy at any cost, the brave sons and daughters of Bangladesh must defend and restore the Constitution written in the blood of martyrs, reclaim our independence, safeguard our sovereignty, and revive our democracy," she said.

She urged the democratic, progressive, and non-communal forces to take a "solemn oath to build a humane and welfare-oriented democratic state and to confront with early resolve the treacherous designs of the murderous fascist and his collaborator."

ALSO READ: Sheikh Hasinas World Exclusive to THE WEEK: I have faced down unelected politicians before

She said her political party, the Awami League, has been the defender of Bangladeshs proud traditions of political and religious pluralism, and the committed upholder of our laws and Constitution and added, "At this darkest time for our countrymen and women, we reaffirm our determination to help you restore the thriving homeland that was snatched away from you."

She called Yunus a murderous fascist, a usurer, a money launderer, a plunderer, and a corrupt, power-hungry traitor, and claimed that he bled Bangladesh dry.

Hasina asserted that she is "the people's representative directly elected" and added that from the day she was ousted, "the nation has been plunged into an age of terror, merciless, relentless, and suffocating. Democracy is now in exile."

She said, The Awami League calls for the following actions to help unify Bangladesh and banish the divisive actions of the past twelve months. We urge Muhammad Yunus to stop ignoring his own people and do what needs to be done in order to heal our country by following five crucial steps we believe will lead to a better and stronger Bangladesh."

"First, restore democracy by removing the illegal Yunus administration. Second, put an end to the daily acts of violence we are seeing on our streets. Third, deliver an ironclad guarantee ensuring the safety of religious minority groups, women and girls, and the most vulnerable in our society. Fourth, end politically motivated acts of lawfare used to intimidate, silence, and jail journalists and members of the Bangladesh Awami League and opposition political parties. Fifth, invite the United Nations to conduct a new and truly impartial investigation into the events of the past year..."
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is significantly ramping up immigration enforcement and oversight operations across Minnesota. The 'arrest' of a 5-year-old boy arriving home from preschool in Minnesota has intensified the nationwide protests, which were triggered after a 37-year-old Minnesota woman, Renee Nicole Good, was shot dead by an ICE agent earlier this month.

The US Immigration officials have taken into custody at least four children from the Minneapolis suburb of Columbia Heights.

Liberals flood into the streets of Minneapolis to protest ICE deportations..



Is everyone in that city unemployed!? pic.twitter.com/fp9HLZUK2b  American AF  (@iAnonPatriot) January 20, 2026

Former US Vice President Kamala Harris also fumed against the detension and said he is "just a child".

Also read | Minneapolis ICE shooting: Has Jonathan Ross' 'immigrant' Filipina wife gone into hiding?

Hundreds of students just walked out to protest ICE.



Thats not kids being dramatic.

Thats a generation watching the government normalize cruelty and deciding to intervene.



Hope isnt dead. Its marching. pic.twitter.com/z5NRFP8b68  Brian Allen (@allenanalysis) January 23, 2026

Liam Conejo Ramos was detained by the immigration officials in a running car in the family's driveway on Tuesday afternoon. According to Columbia Heights Public Schools Superintendent Zena Stenvik, the officials used him as a "bait" to knock on the door of his home to see if people were inside the home.

Stenvik said that the officials won't leave Liam to any other adult or school officials.

Also read | Who is Jonathan Ross? Details about ICE agent's military past and Iraq connection emerge

Liam's family came to the US in 2024 and has an active asylum case. They were not ordered to leave the country, said Stenvik.

"Why detain a 5-year-old? You cannot tell me that this child is going to be classified as a violent criminal," she said.

Also read | Minneapolis ICE shooting: Did Renee Nicole Good have a criminal history? Fact-checking the rap sheet on X

With ICE facing severe backlash, Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughl, in a statement, said, "ICE did NOT target a child." She added that the ICE was arresting the child's father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, who McLaughlin said is from Ecuador and in the US illegally. He fled on foot, "abandoning his child," she said.

"For the child's safety, one of our ICE officers remained with the child while the other officers apprehended Conejo Arias," Tricia added.

In the last six weeks, immigration officers have made about 3,000 arrests in Minnesota.

Meanwhile, Vice President J.D. Vance defended ICE's action. While meeting the Minneapolis leaders on Thursday, he said he heard the "terrible story" but later learned the boy was only detained, not arrested.

"Well, what are they supposed to do? Are they supposed to let a 5-year-old child freeze to death? Are they not supposed to arrest an illegal alien in the United States of America?" said Vance, noting that he's the parent of a 5-year-old.

Before Liam, A 17-year-old was taken on Tuesday while heading to school, and a 10-year-old and a 17-year-old have also been taken, Stenvik said.
After a war of words erupted between US President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, the former rescinded his invitation for Canada to join his new Board of Peace.

Though Trump gave no detail about what triggered him, he posted: Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canadas joining, what will be, the most prestigious Board of Leaders ever assembled, at any time.

The crucial move came after Carneys speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he warned that the old world order is dead and urged middle powers to band together as larger ones try to pressure them through economic coercion. The powerful have their power. But we have something, too  the capacity to stop pretending, to name reality, Carney said.

Trump reacted to this, stating hed heard the prime ministers speech and said Carney was not grateful. Canada gets a lot of freebies from us. By the way, they should be grateful also, but theyre not. I watched your prime minister yesterday. He wasnt so grateful. They should be grateful to us, Trump said. Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements.

Canada was initially open to joining the council bu later was more cautious, saying there were still many unanswered questions about its structure.

Carney later ramped up his words, striking a nationalistic tone when he reacted to Trumps statement that Canada only lives because of the United States. Canada doesnt exist because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadian, Carney said.

Though he didnt take the name of Trump, Carney was clear who he was targeting. In a time of rising walls and thickening borders, we can demonstrate how a country can be both open and secure, welcoming and strong, principled and powerful.

The arc of history isnt destined to be warped toward authoritarianism, he said.
Image Credit: Dinkun Chen - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia.

General Motors is undertaking a quietly seismic shift in its global manufacturing strategy after confirming that the next generation of its Buick compact SUV, long built in China for the U.S. market, will move to American soil.

The Detroit automaker said the vehicle will be assembled at its Fairfax Assembly plant in Kansas City, Kansas, starting in 2028, marking a rare reversal of decades-long globalization trends and a major reshaping of North American supply chains.

For years, the Buick Envision compact crossover has stood out in GMs lineup as the lone vehicle imported from China. Introduced to North American buyers in 2017, it was built by the SAIC-GM joint venture and shipped across the Pacific to avoid domestic production costs.

Image Credit: Zotyefan - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia.

But import tariffs of 25 percent on Chinese-made vehicles, imposed under previous U.S. trade policies, have increasingly eaten into margins and made the old model a political and economic target.

For Us By Us

In a terse statement accompanying the announcement, GM said the decisions intent is to strengthen GMs domestic manufacturing footprint and support U.S. jobs. It aligns with broader industry pressures to onshore production, driven by rising trade tensions with China, union pushes for local work, and political advocacy for reshoring American manufacturing.

Moving the Buicks production back to the US is significant on several fronts. Fairfax Assembly, one of GMs oldest U.S. plants, has been only intermittently active in recent years after the company transferred production of some models to Mexico and other overseas sites.

The planned start of Buick compact SUV assembly there will come alongside other reshoring moves, including shifted production of the Chevrolet Equinox and the Chevy Blazer from Mexico to U.S. plants, and further efforts to consolidate manufacturing closer to major markets.

Image Credit: Dinkun Chen - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia.

GMs decision can be viewed through the lens of a broader reevaluation of global supply chains that became urgent after tariffs were first implemented in 2018 and later increased amid geopolitical tensions.

Automakers have felt the pinch not only from direct duties but from the political and consumer backlash against foreign production of vehicles sold in the United States. Domestic assembly is now a tangible selling point for many brands, particularly in key swing states where labor unions and political leaders have lobbied aggressively for factory jobs.

The Vision for the Envision

GMs plan also comes against the backdrop of shifting market preferences. Compact SUVs remain one of the fastest-growing segments in the U.S., and keeping production within North America could improve delivery times, reduce exposure to shipping volatility, and help GM adapt more responsively to demand.
Shares of Lavras Gold Corp. (CVE:LGC  Get Free Report) traded down 11% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as C$3.36 and last traded at C$3.41. 698,346 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 473% from the average session volume of 121,818 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$3.83.

Lavras Gold Stock Down 11.2%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60, a quick ratio of 11.12 and a current ratio of 4.11. The stock has a market cap of C$198.62 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -48.57 and a beta of -2.52. The businesss 50 day moving average is C$3.34 and its 200 day moving average is C$2.64.

About Lavras Gold

(Get Free Report)

Lavras Gold Corp. engages in the exploration and development of mineral resource properties in Brazil. It holds interests in the Lavras do Sul, an advanced exploration gold project with 29 mineral rights covering approximately 22,000 hectares located in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The company was incorporated in 2021 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

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HCI Group, Inc. (NYSE:HCI  Get Free Report)s share price traded down 4.3% on Thursday . The company traded as low as $162.80 and last traded at $162.8250. 130,337 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 15% from the average session volume of 153,013 shares. The stock had previously closed at $170.10.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Citigroup reiterated a market outperform rating on shares of HCI Group in a research note on Friday, January 16th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of HCI Group from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of HCI Group in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Zacks Research cut HCI Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, January 12th. Finally, Truist Financial raised their target price on HCI Group from $190.00 to $235.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, November 7th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $230.00.

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HCI Group Stock Performance

The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $180.10 and a 200 day simple moving average of $174.33. The company has a current ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04. The stock has a market cap of $2.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.30 and a beta of 1.20.

HCI Group (NYSE:HCI  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 6th. The insurance provider reported $4.90 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.44 by $2.46. The company had revenue of $216.35 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $223.53 million. HCI Group had a return on equity of 31.18% and a net margin of 24.97%. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that HCI Group, Inc. will post 6.78 earnings per share for the current year.

HCI Group Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 20th will be issued a $0.40 dividend. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 20th. HCI Groups payout ratio is 10.22%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On HCI Group

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in HCI. Quent Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of HCI Group during the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in HCI Group by 557.6% in the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 217 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 184 shares in the last quarter. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd lifted its stake in HCI Group by 645.2% during the third quarter. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd now owns 231 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $44,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the period. Westside Investment Management Inc. boosted its holdings in HCI Group by 100.0% during the third quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 252 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $47,000 after purchasing an additional 126 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Global Assets Advisory LLC acquired a new stake in HCI Group during the second quarter valued at approximately $46,000. 86.99% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About HCI Group

(Get Free Report)

HCI Group, Inc (NYSE: HCI) is a holding company whose principal business is the underwriting and issuance of property and casualty insurance through its insurance subsidiaries. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, the company focuses primarily on personal-line insurance products, writing homeowners, condominium, renters and mobile home policies. HCI Group also offers wind-only and flood coverage in coastal regions across the state, providing tailored solutions to both coastal and non-coastal communities.

The company distributes its insurance products through a network of independent agents and brokers, leveraging local market expertise to assess risk and deliver personalized service.

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Shake Shack, Inc. (NYSE:SHAK  Get Free Report) insider Stephanie Ann Sentell sold 200 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $99.19, for a total transaction of $19,838.00. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 9,507 shares in the company, valued at approximately $942,999.33. This represents a 2.06% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink.

Stephanie Ann Sentell also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Friday, December 19th, Stephanie Ann Sentell sold 200 shares of Shake Shack stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $85.78, for a total transaction of $17,156.00.

On Tuesday, November 25th, Stephanie Ann Sentell sold 1,100 shares of Shake Shack stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $85.14, for a total transaction of $93,654.00.

Shake Shack Price Performance

Shares of SHAK traded down $2.41 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $92.40. 1,210,881 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,689,942. The company has a current ratio of 1.84, a quick ratio of 1.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 90.59, a PEG ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 1.68. The business has a 50-day moving average of $86.79 and a 200 day moving average of $99.67. Shake Shack, Inc. has a one year low of $72.93 and a one year high of $144.65.

Institutional Trading of Shake Shack

Shake Shack ( NYSE:SHAK Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $0.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.31 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $367.41 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $363.69 million. Shake Shack had a return on equity of 10.43% and a net margin of 3.10%.The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 15.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.25 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Shake Shack, Inc. will post 1.26 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Holocene Advisors LP bought a new position in Shake Shack during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $115,432,000. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its stake in Shake Shack by 21.0% in the third quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 2,590,911 shares of the companys stock valued at $242,535,000 after purchasing an additional 450,406 shares in the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP raised its holdings in Shake Shack by 285.2% in the third quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 586,999 shares of the companys stock worth $54,949,000 after purchasing an additional 434,625 shares during the period. Jennison Associates LLC boosted its position in shares of Shake Shack by 57.1% during the second quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 593,971 shares of the companys stock worth $83,512,000 after purchasing an additional 215,984 shares in the last quarter. Finally, 12 West Capital Management LP grew its holdings in shares of Shake Shack by 13.6% in the 3rd quarter. 12 West Capital Management LP now owns 1,753,595 shares of the companys stock valued at $164,154,000 after buying an additional 210,000 shares during the period. 86.07% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Truist Financial decreased their price target on Shake Shack from $162.00 to $156.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Monday, September 29th. Mizuho raised shares of Shake Shack to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. Oppenheimer set a $145.00 price target on shares of Shake Shack in a research note on Friday, October 31st. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price objective on shares of Shake Shack from $160.00 to $137.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, September 30th. Finally, Robert W. Baird lowered their target price on shares of Shake Shack from $127.00 to $104.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 31st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have issued a Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $116.52.

Read Our Latest Report on SHAK

About Shake Shack

(Get Free Report)

Shake Shack, Inc (NYSE: SHAK) is a publicly traded hospitality company known for its modern take on the classic American roadside burger stand. The company operates a chain of quick-casual restaurants offering premium hamburgers, hot dogs, crinkle-cut fries, frozen custard, milkshakes and a curated selection of beer and wine. Shake Shack emphasizes high-quality ingredients, including 100% all-natural Angus beef with no hormones or antibiotics, and works with local suppliers where possible to maintain its commitment to fresh, responsibly sourced food.

Shake Shack traces its origins to a hot dog cart opened in New York Citys Madison Square Park in 2001 by Danny Meyers Union Square Hospitality Group.

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Victorias Secret & Co. (NYSE:VSCO  Get Free Report)s share price traded down 4.3% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $62.30 and last traded at $62.2350. 721,109 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 62% from the average session volume of 1,907,363 shares. The stock had previously closed at $65.04.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised Victorias Secret & Co. from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $34.00 to $60.00 in a report on Friday, December 5th. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d+) rating on shares of Victorias Secret & Co. in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Victorias Secret & Co. from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, December 8th. TD Cowen reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Victorias Secret & Co. in a research note on Monday, December 8th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on shares of Victorias Secret & Co. from $32.00 to $47.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, December 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have assigned a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $54.60.

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Victorias Secret & Co. Stock Down 4.3%

The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $50.79 and a 200 day simple moving average of $34.57. The company has a market capitalization of $4.99 billion, a PE ratio of 30.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.55 and a beta of 2.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.96, a current ratio of 1.30 and a quick ratio of 0.38.

Victorias Secret & Co. (NYSE:VSCO  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Friday, December 5th. The company reported ($0.27) earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.60) by $0.33. The business had revenue of $1.47 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.41 billion. Victorias Secret & Co. had a net margin of 2.67% and a return on equity of 33.47%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 9.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned ($0.50) earnings per share. Victorias Secret & Co. has set its FY 2025 guidance at 2.400-2.650 EPS and its Q4 2025 guidance at 2.200-2.45 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that Victorias Secret & Co. will post 2.37 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of Victorias Secret & Co.

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of VSCO. Savvy Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of Victorias Secret & Co. by 3.0% during the third quarter. Savvy Advisors Inc. now owns 11,895 shares of the companys stock valued at $323,000 after buying an additional 346 shares during the period. California State Teachers Retirement System lifted its stake in shares of Victorias Secret & Co. by 0.7% during the 2nd quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 65,191 shares of the companys stock worth $1,207,000 after acquiring an additional 483 shares during the last quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Victorias Secret & Co. by 7.7% during the 2nd quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 7,258 shares of the companys stock worth $133,000 after acquiring an additional 521 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its holdings in Victorias Secret & Co. by 6.8% during the 4th quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 8,412 shares of the companys stock valued at $456,000 after acquiring an additional 537 shares during the period. Finally, Arizona State Retirement System grew its position in Victorias Secret & Co. by 2.6% in the 3rd quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 21,266 shares of the companys stock valued at $577,000 after acquiring an additional 545 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.29% of the companys stock.

About Victorias Secret & Co.

(Get Free Report)

Victorias Secret & Co is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of intimate apparel, beauty products and accessories for women. The company operates a portfolio of brands that includes Victorias Secret, renowned for its lingerie, bras and sleepwear; PINK, a line targeting younger consumers with activewear and lifestyle products; and Victorias Secret Beauty, offering fragrances, cosmetics and personal care items. Products are sold through retail stores as well as direct-to-consumer channels, including e-commerce platforms and mobile applications.

The origins of Victorias Secret date back to 1977, when founders Roy and Gaye Raymond opened the first store in San Francisco.

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Shares of BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:BBAI  Get Free Report) shot up 3.5% during trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $6.02 and last traded at $5.91. 76,922,460 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 8% from the average session volume of 83,660,523 shares. The stock had previously closed at $5.71.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have issued reports on BBAI shares. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d-) rating on shares of BigBear.ai in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. HC Wainwright reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $8.00 price target on shares of BigBear.ai in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. Cantor Fitzgerald downgraded BigBear.ai from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and dropped their price target for the company from $7.00 to $6.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut BigBear.ai from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Saturday, January 10th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, BigBear.ai has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $6.00.

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BigBear.ai Stock Up 3.5%

The stock has a market cap of $2.58 billion, a PE ratio of -4.16 and a beta of 3.46. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $6.06 and a 200 day moving average price of $6.39. The company has a quick ratio of 3.13, a current ratio of 3.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18.

BigBear.ai (NYSE:BBAI  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 10th. The company reported ($0.07) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.06) by ($0.01). BigBear.ai had a negative net margin of 274.70% and a negative return on equity of 26.11%. The company had revenue of $33.14 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $31.82 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted ($0.05) earnings per share. The firms revenue was down 20.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts expect that BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. will post -0.28 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at BigBear.ai

In related news, CFO Sean Raymond Ricker sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $7.06, for a total transaction of $35,300.00. Following the sale, 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 sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Dorothy D. Hayes sold 22,000 shares of BigBear.ai stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $6.08, for a total transaction of $133,760.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 236,150 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,435,792. The trade was a 8.52% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders own 0.54% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On BigBear.ai

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Invesco Ltd. boosted its position in BigBear.ai by 26.4% during the first quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 26,728 shares of the companys stock worth $76,000 after purchasing an additional 5,579 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of BigBear.ai during the 1st quarter worth approximately $88,000. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. lifted its position in shares of BigBear.ai by 54.0% during the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 456,661 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,306,000 after buying an additional 160,096 shares in the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC grew its stake in BigBear.ai by 441.1% in the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 74,318 shares of the companys stock valued at $213,000 after acquiring an additional 60,583 shares during the period. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its stake in BigBear.ai by 569.0% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 2,340,713 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,694,000 after acquiring an additional 1,990,822 shares during the period. 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 Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX  Get Free Report) traded down 2.8% on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $58.24 and last traded at $58.89. 25,554,422 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 16% from the average session volume of 22,075,488 shares. The stock had previously closed at $60.58.

Trending Headlines about Freeport-McMoRan

Here are the key news stories impacting Freeport-McMoRan this week:

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

FCX has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $55.00 to $60.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, December 12th. Raymond James Financial boosted their price objective on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $53.00 to $66.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, January 15th. Jefferies Financial Group restated a buy rating and set a $68.00 target price on shares of Freeport-McMoRan in a research report on Monday, January 5th. BNP Paribas Exane dropped their price target on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $58.00 to $56.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, December 5th. Finally, Hsbc Global Res upgraded Freeport-McMoRan from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have assigned a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Freeport-McMoRan presently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $55.30.

Freeport-McMoRan Price Performance

The companys 50-day moving average is $49.00 and its 200-day moving average is $44.81. The firm has a market cap of $84.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 41.47, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.71 and a beta of 1.45. The company has a current ratio of 2.45, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29.

Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:FCX  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 22nd. The natural resource company reported $0.47 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.28 by $0.19. The business had revenue of $5.63 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.42 billion. Freeport-McMoRan had a net margin of 7.97% and a return on equity of 7.84%. The companys revenue was down 1.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.31 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that Freeport-McMoRan Inc. will post 1.68 earnings per share for the current year.

Freeport-McMoRan Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 2nd. Investors of record on Thursday, January 15th will be given a dividend of $0.075 per share. This represents a $0.30 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 15th. Freeport-McMoRans dividend payout ratio is currently 21.13%.

Insider Activity

In other Freeport-McMoRan news, CAO Ellie L. Mikes sold 9,572 shares of Freeport-McMoRan stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.66, for a total value of $456,201.52. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 38,761 shares in the company, valued at $1,847,349.26. The trade was a 19.80% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, CAO Stephen T. Higgins sold 28,423 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.99, for a total value of $1,364,019.77. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer directly owned 105,294 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,053,059.06. The trade was a 21.26% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Company insiders own 0.75% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Freeport-McMoRan

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Leo Wealth LLC boosted its position in Freeport-McMoRan by 2.5% in the 4th quarter. Leo Wealth LLC now owns 6,838 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $347,000 after purchasing an additional 170 shares in the last quarter. Iowa State Bank lifted its stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. Iowa State Bank now owns 49,059 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $2,492,000 after purchasing an additional 213 shares during the period. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 17.3% in the 4th quarter. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. now owns 1,628 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $83,000 after purchasing an additional 240 shares during the period. Portside Wealth Group LLC boosted its holdings in Freeport-McMoRan by 0.8% during the second quarter. Portside Wealth Group LLC now owns 30,333 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $1,315,000 after buying an additional 245 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Hollencrest Capital Management grew its position in Freeport-McMoRan by 0.6% during the second quarter. Hollencrest Capital Management now owns 45,133 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $1,957,000 after buying an additional 250 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.77% of the companys stock.

About Freeport-McMoRan

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Freeport-McMoRan Inc is a U.S.-based natural resources company primarily engaged in the exploration, mining and processing of copper, gold and molybdenum. Its operations encompass large-scale open-pit and underground mining as well as associated concentrator and milling facilities. The company produces copper in the form of concentrates and cathodes, and also recovers gold and molybdenum as co-products; its business model includes exploration, development, mining, beneficiation and the sale of bulk commodities to smelters and industrial customers.

Freeport-McMoRan conducts operations and development activities across multiple geographies, with substantial assets in the Americas and Indonesia.

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NIO Inc. (NYSE:NIO  Get Free Report) shares rose 2.1% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $4.90 and last traded at $4.77. Approximately 45,668,733 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 6% from the average daily volume of 43,083,898 shares. The stock had previously closed at $4.67.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on NIO shares. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d-) rating on shares of NIO in a report on Monday, December 29th. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of NIO from $3.00 to $4.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research note on Friday, November 28th. Citigroup lowered their target price on shares of NIO from $8.60 to $6.90 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, November 26th. Macquarie upgraded shares of NIO from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $6.10 target price on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 15th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group restated a neutral rating and set a $7.00 price target on shares of NIO in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, NIO currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $6.83.

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NIO Stock Performance

Institutional Trading of NIO

The firms fifty day moving average price is $5.13 and its 200-day moving average price is $5.72. The company has a market cap of $9.96 billion, a P/E ratio of -3.29 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a current ratio of 0.94, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.36.

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Farther Finance Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of NIO by 148.3% during the third quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 4,817 shares of the companys stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 2,877 shares during the period. Hedeker Wealth LLC bought a new stake in NIO in the 2nd quarter valued at $43,000. Allworth Financial LP raised its stake in shares of NIO by 183.5% in the 3rd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 6,596 shares of the companys stock valued at $50,000 after buying an additional 4,269 shares in the last quarter. Sandbox Financial Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of NIO in the 4th quarter valued at $51,000. Finally, SeaCrest Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of NIO during the 2nd quarter worth about $56,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 48.55% of the companys stock.

NIO Company Profile

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NIO Inc is a pioneer in the premium electric vehicle (EV) segment, dedicated to the design, development and manufacture of smart, high-performance EVs. Established in November 2014 and headquartered in Shanghai, China, the company focuses on integrating cutting-edge electric propulsion, advanced connectivity and autonomous driving technologies into its automotive platforms. NIOs vision centers on creating a holistic user experience that extends beyond the vehicle itself, encompassing energy services and digital solutions.

The companys product lineup includes flagship SUVs and sedans such as the ES8, ES6, EC6, ET7 and ET5, each engineered to deliver strong performance, long range and a suite of intelligent driver-assistance features.

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Pop Mart International Group Limited  Unsponsored ADR (OTCMKTS:PMRTY  Get Free Report)s share price gapped up before the market opened on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $24.24, but opened at $26.28. Pop Mart International Group shares last traded at $25.07, with a volume of 2,136 shares traded.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Nomura upgraded shares of Pop Mart International Group to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Zacks Research downgraded Pop Mart International Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, October 20th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein raised Pop Mart International Group to a strong sell rating in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy.

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Pop Mart International Group Stock Performance

About Pop Mart International Group

The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $25.59.

(Get Free Report)

Pop Mart International Group Ltd is a leading designer, developer and retailer of collectible art toys and lifestyle products. Founded in Beijing in 2010, the company has built a portfolio of proprietary intellectual property and artist collaborations, with its core business centered on blind-box collectible figurines that combine contemporary design with surprise-driven consumer engagement. Pop Marts distinctive toy offerings span a variety of artist-led series and thematic collections, making it a recognized name among collectors and casual consumers alike.

The companys product lineup features several signature brands, including Pucky, Molly and Dimoo, each characterized by unique aesthetic styles and narrative elements.

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Gold (GC=F) rose close to $5,000 per ounce on Friday while silver (SI=F) topped $100 as 'the debasement trade' gained steam.

Bullion was headed toward its best week since 2020, rallying 14% year to date. Goldman Sachs noted private sector investors have been getting in on the epic rally in addition to central banks' accumulation of gold.

Strategists cite a weaker US dollar, expectations of Federal Reserve easing, large fiscal deficits, and fading demand for government debt.

Earlier this week, a Danish pension fund said it would exit US Treasurys amid President Trump's pursuit for Greenland. Meanwhile Reuters reported that big Northern European investors are also assessing US assets in the face of geopolitical turmoil.

"The cat is out of the bag," wrote Ole Sloth Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank on X.

"One of the key reasons gold has been accumulated for months  and is likely to remain in demand  is the steady erosion of fiscal discipline in the United States," he added.

Silver futures have had an even bigger run than gold, up 29% year to date. Much of the metal's supply is used for industrial purposes.

China has been hoarding silver for its own domestic use, restricting exports since the start of the year.

"Silver prices have already significantly overshot our forecasted averages, though calling a top is close to impossible in markets displaying near-parabolic price momentum," JPMorgan analysts noted last week.

Mike McGlone, senior commodity strategist at Bloomberg, sees parallels with rapid price moves in 1979 and 1980 that were followed by a crash.

"Momentum is on pace for $100, but if the commodity lives up to its reputation as the 'devil's metal,' silver can rapidly retrace toward $50 and, in the process, put in a peak that lasts years," said McGlone.

The rest of the metals complex has also been on fire.

Platinum (PL=F) also touched new highs on Friday, gaining 36% year-to-date. Copper (HC=F) rose to a record high above $13,000 por ton in London.

Gold and silver continued to surge to new highs on Friday as investors flocked to precious metals amid geopolitical uncertainty and expectations for more interest rate cuts. REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth/File Photo  Reuters / Reuters

Ines Ferre is a senior business reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on X at @ines_ferre.

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ANA Holdings Inc. (OTCMKTS:ALNPY  Get Free Report) shares gapped up prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $3.76, but opened at $4.00. ANA shares last traded at $3.82, with a volume of 282 shares traded.

ANA Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a current ratio of 1.30. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $3.85 and a 200-day simple moving average of $3.91. The firm has a market cap of $9.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.94 and a beta of 0.42.

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ANA (OTCMKTS:ALNPY  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The transportation company reported $0.14 EPS for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.14. The firm had revenue of $4.22 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.32 billion. ANA had a return on equity of 12.88% and a net margin of 6.30%.

About ANA

All Nippon Airways Co, Ltd. (OTCMKTS: ALNPY) is a Tokyo-based airline offering passenger and cargo air transportation services. Founded in 1952, the company operates scheduled flights under its ANA brand, providing a network of domestic and international routes. In addition to core flight operations, ANA delivers ancillary services including in-flight catering, ground handling and aircraft maintenance.

ANAs diversified business model encompasses several subsidiaries such as ANA Wings and Air Japan for regional operations, and ANA Cargo for freight services.

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Shares of Hong Kong & China Gas Co. (OTCMKTS:HOKCY  Get Free Report) gapped down prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $0.9468, but opened at $0.8135. Hong Kong & China Gas shares last traded at $0.8135, with a volume of 4,074 shares trading hands.

Hong Kong & China Gas Price Performance

The company has a current ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63. The firms 50-day moving average price is $0.88 and its 200 day moving average price is $0.86.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Hong Kong & China Gas

A hedge fund recently raised its stake in Hong Kong & China Gas stock. Rhumbline Advisers lifted its holdings in shares of Hong Kong & China Gas Co. (OTCMKTS:HOKCY  Free Report) by 26.9% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 131,441 shares of the companys stock after buying 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 reporting period.

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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HubSpot, Inc. (NYSE:HUBS  Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week low on Tuesday after Zacks Research downgraded the stock from a hold rating to a strong sell rating. The company traded as low as $303.00 and last traded at $303.0420, with a volume of 94313 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $311.88.

Several other analysts have also commented on HUBS. Bank of America lowered their price objective on shares of HubSpot from $640.00 to $515.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Cantor Fitzgerald lowered their target price on HubSpot from $775.00 to $500.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price target on HubSpot from $650.00 to $560.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Oppenheimer reduced their price target on HubSpot from $750.00 to $550.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on HubSpot from $675.00 to $650.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-nine have given a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $603.07.

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Insider Activity

Hedge Funds Weigh In On HubSpot

In related news, Director Brian Halligan sold 8,500 shares of HubSpot stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $303.38, for a total value of $2,578,730.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 487,344 shares in the company, valued at approximately $147,850,422.72. This trade represents a 1.71% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website . Insiders have sold a total of 25,735 shares of company stock valued at $8,943,006 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 4.00% of the companys stock.

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Empowered Funds LLC lifted its holdings in HubSpot by 88.5% during the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 1,570 shares of the software makers stock valued at $897,000 after purchasing an additional 737 shares in the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of HubSpot by 12.9% during the 2nd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 360 shares of the software makers stock valued at $201,000 after buying an additional 41 shares in the last quarter. Park Avenue Securities LLC bought a new position in HubSpot in the 2nd quarter worth $729,000. CHICAGO TRUST Co NA purchased a new stake in HubSpot in the 2nd quarter worth $455,000. Finally, Ballentine Partners LLC raised its holdings in HubSpot by 251.0% during the second quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 2,050 shares of the software makers stock valued at $1,141,000 after acquiring an additional 1,466 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.39% of the companys stock.

HubSpot Stock Up 5.2%

The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $371.69 and a 200 day simple moving average of $444.10. The firm has a market capitalization of $16.67 billion, a P/E ratio of -3,977.00, a PEG ratio of 7.16 and a beta of 1.46.

HubSpot (NYSE:HUBS  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The software maker reported $2.66 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.58 by $0.08. HubSpot had a negative net margin of 0.12% and a positive return on equity of 1.21%. The company had revenue of $809.52 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $786.80 million. During the same period last year, the company posted $2.18 earnings per share. HubSpots quarterly revenue was up 20.9% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts anticipate that HubSpot, Inc. will post 1.01 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

About HubSpot

(Get Free Report)

HubSpot, Inc is a software company that develops a cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM) platform designed to help organizations attract, engage and delight customers. Its primary business activities center on providing integrated marketing, sales and customer service tools that support inbound marketing strategies, content management, lead nurturing, sales automation and customer support workflows.

The companys product suite is organized around modular hubs built on a central CRM: Marketing Hub, Sales Hub, Service Hub, CMS Hub and Operations Hub.

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Shares of Smith Douglas Homes Corp. (NYSE:SDHC  Get Free Report) gapped down before the market opened on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $22.05, but opened at $20.35. Smith Douglas Homes shares last traded at $20.8290, with a volume of 3,018 shares.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Wall Street Zen cut Smith Douglas Homes from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Sunday, November 9th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on Smith Douglas Homes from $20.00 to $18.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Friday, November 7th. BTIG Research began coverage on Smith Douglas Homes in a report on Monday, December 1st. They issued a neutral rating on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their price objective on Smith Douglas Homes from $16.00 to $15.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d+) rating on shares of Smith Douglas Homes in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Reduce and a consensus target price of $16.60.

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Smith Douglas Homes Stock Performance

The firms fifty day simple moving average is $19.16 and its 200 day simple moving average is $18.86. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 17.09 and a beta of 0.95.

Smith Douglas Homes (NYSE:SDHC  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported ($0.12) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.26 by ($0.38). The firm had revenue of $262.04 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $251.41 million. Smith Douglas Homes had a return on equity of 0.12% and a net margin of 1.13%. Analysts anticipate that Smith Douglas Homes Corp. will post 1.73 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Smith Douglas Homes

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Smith Douglas Homes during the 2nd quarter worth $34,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC bought a new position in Smith Douglas Homes in the second quarter valued at about $90,000. GSA Capital Partners LLP acquired a new position in Smith Douglas Homes during the third quarter worth about $188,000. AlphaQuest LLC acquired a new position in Smith Douglas Homes during the third quarter worth about $195,000. Finally, Inspire Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Smith Douglas Homes in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $214,000.

About Smith Douglas Homes

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Smith Douglas Homes Corp., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, construction, and sale of single-family homes in the southeastern United States. It also provides closing, escrow, and title insurance services. The company sells its products to entry-level and empty-nest homebuyers. Smith Douglas Homes Corp. was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Woodstock, Georgia.

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Shares of Emerald Holding, Inc. (NYSE:EEX  Get Free Report) gapped down prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $4.79, but opened at $4.50. Emerald shares last traded at $4.59, with a volume of 1,102 shares trading hands.

Analyst Ratings Changes

EEX has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Rosenblatt Securities reiterated a buy rating and set a $7.70 price objective on shares of Emerald in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d+) rating on shares of Emerald in a report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut shares of Emerald from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, November 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $7.70.

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Emerald Stock Down 4.1%

The company has a market cap of $923.77 million, a P/E ratio of 155.72 and a beta of 0.69. The company has a quick ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.35. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $4.26 and a 200 day moving average price of $4.66.

Emerald (NYSE:EEX  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The company reported ($0.07) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.04) by ($0.03). The company had revenue of $77.50 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $76.80 million. Emerald had a return on equity of 1.20% and a net margin of 1.05%.

Emerald Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 20th. Investors of record on Monday, November 10th were given a $0.015 dividend. This represents a $0.06 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 10th. Emeralds payout ratio is 200.00%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC bought a new stake in shares of Emerald during the first quarter worth $116,000. Copeland Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Emerald by 16.4% in the second quarter. Copeland Capital Management LLC now owns 19,328 shares of the companys stock valued at $94,000 after acquiring an additional 2,718 shares during the last quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. bought a new position in Emerald in the second quarter valued at about $61,000. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Emerald in the second quarter worth about $214,000. Finally, Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey acquired a new stake in Emerald in the second quarter worth about $33,000. 14.90% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Emerald Company Profile

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Emerald (NYSE: EEX) is a global provider of independent data, news and analytics for commodity, financial and energy markets. The company operates digital platforms that deliver real-time and historical price assessments, market commentary, research reports and risk-management tools. Its subscriber base spans traders, asset managers, corporate hedgers and financial institutions seeking timely intelligence to support trading, risk management and investment decisions.

Serving clients across North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, Emerald covers a broad range of markets including metals, energy products, agriculture, freight, environmental emissions and treasury benchmarks.

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Shares of ASM International NV (OTCMKTS:ASMIY  Get Free Report) saw unusually-high trading volume on Tuesday . Approximately 13,111 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 132% from the previous sessions volume of 5,654 shares.The stock last traded at $825.99 and had previously closed at $801.02.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. Rothschild Redb downgraded shares of ASM International from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, November 7th. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an overweight rating on shares of ASM International in a report on Friday, January 16th. Jefferies Financial Group downgraded shares of ASM International from a hold rating to a moderate sell rating in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a buy rating on shares of ASM International in a research report on Wednesday, September 24th. Finally, Citigroup reiterated a buy rating on shares of ASM International in a research report on Tuesday. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Buy.

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ASM International Price Performance

The company has a market cap of $41.19 billion, a P/E ratio of 46.44 and a beta of 1.87. The firms 50-day moving average is $639.29 and its two-hundred day moving average is $590.04.

ASM International (OTCMKTS:ASMIY  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The company reported $4.90 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.74 by $0.16. The company had revenue of $932.68 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $814.93 million. ASM International had a return on equity of 21.55% and a net margin of 24.50%. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that ASM International NV will post 14.46 EPS for the current year.

About ASM International

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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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Ouster, Inc. (NYSE:OUST  Get Free Report) shares gapped down prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $26.36, but opened at $24.65. Ouster shares last traded at $25.48, with a volume of 461,655 shares changing hands.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the company. Oppenheimer reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Ouster in a report on Thursday, December 4th. Cantor Fitzgerald set a $33.00 target price on shares of Ouster in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Westpark Capital reiterated a buy rating and issued a $50.00 price target on shares of Ouster in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Northland Securities set a $38.00 target price on shares of Ouster in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Finally, Zacks Research downgraded shares of Ouster from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, October 13th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Ouster presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $32.17.

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Ouster Stock Performance

Insider Buying and Selling

The stock has a market cap of $1.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -10.60 and a beta of 2.93. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $23.66 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $27.08.

In other news, General Counsel Megan Chung sold 5,837 shares of Ouster stock in a transaction on Friday, January 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.24, for a total value of $158,999.88. Following the completion of the sale, the general counsel directly owned 183,141 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,988,760.84. This trade represents a 3.09% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Ted L. Tewksbury III sold 1,695 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, December 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $21.47, for a total value of $36,391.65. Following the sale, the director owned 123,664 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,655,066.08. The trade was a 1.35% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last three months, insiders sold 9,227 shares of company stock valued at $238,411. 6.63% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. NewEdge Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Ouster by 2,532.6% during the second quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 1,132 shares of the companys stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 1,089 shares during the period. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Ouster by 153.3% in the second quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,211 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 733 shares during the period. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. boosted its holdings in Ouster by 8,823.5% during the second quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. now owns 1,517 shares of the companys stock worth $37,000 after buying an additional 1,500 shares during the last quarter. North Capital Inc. grew its position in shares of Ouster by 102.7% during the 2nd quarter. North Capital Inc. now owns 3,000 shares of the companys stock worth $73,000 after buying an additional 1,520 shares during the period. Finally, Game Plan Financial Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Ouster by 400.0% in the 2nd quarter. Game Plan Financial Advisors LLC now owns 3,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $73,000 after acquiring an additional 2,400 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 31.45% of the companys stock.

Ouster Company Profile

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Ouster, Inc is a leading provider of high-resolution digital lidar sensors, software and services designed to enable advanced perception capabilities across a range of industries. Headquartered in San Francisco, California, the company develops modular lidar solutions that capture precise three-dimensional data in real time, supporting applications from autonomous vehicles and robotics to mapping, smart infrastructure and industrial automation.

The companys core product lineup features multi-beam digital lidar units available in various form factors, including compact models for robotics and drones and larger units for automotive and mapping systems.

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Forestar Group Inc (NYSE:FOR  Get Free Report) shares gapped down prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $27.40, but opened at $25.50. Forestar Group shares last traded at $25.89, with a volume of 17,840 shares trading hands.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

FOR has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Forestar Group in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Citigroup increased their price objective on shares of Forestar Group from $33.00 to $36.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Citizens Jmp boosted their target price on shares of Forestar Group from $30.00 to $35.00 and gave the stock a market outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Forestar Group from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, September 26th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on Forestar Group from $23.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, November 4th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $32.00.

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Forestar Group Stock Performance

The stock has a 50-day moving average of $25.52 and a 200 day moving average of $25.73. The stock has a market cap of $1.29 billion, a PE ratio of 7.74 and a beta of 1.42. The company has a quick ratio of 1.33, a current ratio of 0.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44.

Forestar Group (NYSE:FOR  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, January 20th. The oil and gas exploration company reported $0.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.21 by $0.09. Forestar Group had a return on equity of 9.76% and a net margin of 9.90%.The business had revenue of $273.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $265.48 million. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.32 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 9.0% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts predict that Forestar Group Inc will post 3.44 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Forestar Group

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd increased its holdings in shares of Forestar Group by 1,206.6% during the 3rd quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 993 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 917 shares during the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP raised its position in Forestar Group by 3,273.8% in the second quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 1,417 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 1,375 shares during the period. Comerica Bank lifted its stake in shares of Forestar Group by 76.5% in the 3rd quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 1,269 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 550 shares during the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its holdings in shares of Forestar Group by 201.1% during the 2nd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 2,105 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock worth $42,000 after purchasing an additional 1,406 shares during the period. Finally, Signaturefd LLC grew its holdings in shares of Forestar Group by 43.1% during the 2nd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 2,166 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock worth $43,000 after purchasing an additional 652 shares during the period. 35.50% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Forestar Group Company Profile

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Forestar Group Inc, headquartered in Austin, Texas, is a residential lot development and management company focused on delivering finished home sites to homebuilders across the United States. The company acquires, entitles and develops land for single-family and multi-family housing, managing zoning, infrastructure and environmental approvals to prepare lots for construction. Forestars integrated approach to land development spans from initial site acquisition through final lot delivery, providing homebuilders with ready-to-build parcels in a variety of markets.

In addition to lot development, Forestar operates a retail homebuilding segment through joint ventures and strategic partnerships with national and regional homebuilders.

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International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (OTCMKTS:ICAGY  Get Free Report) saw unusually-high trading volume on Tuesday . Approximately 32,575 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 5% from the previous sessions volume of 34,360 shares.The stock last traded at $10.89 and had previously closed at $10.9860.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

ICAGY has been the topic of several analyst reports. Zacks Research upgraded shares of International Consolidated Airlines Group from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 13th. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on International Consolidated Airlines Group in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. They issued an overweight rating on the stock. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded International Consolidated Airlines Group from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have assigned a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy.

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International Consolidated Airlines Group Price Performance

The company has a current ratio of 0.68, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.99. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $10.79 and a 200-day simple moving average of $10.51. The firm has a market cap of $26.51 billion, a PE ratio of 3.52, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.41 and a beta of 1.65.

International Consolidated Airlines Group (OTCMKTS:ICAGY  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, November 7th. The transportation company reported $1.77 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.68 by $1.09. International Consolidated Airlines Group had a return on equity of 112.24% and a net margin of 9.52%.The firm had revenue of $10.90 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.95 billion. Equities analysts anticipate that International Consolidated Airlines Group SA will post 1.07 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

About International Consolidated Airlines Group

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International Consolidated Airlines Group (OTCMKTS:ICAGY) is a Europe-focused airline holding company formed in 2011 through the combination of British Airways and Iberia. The group owns and operates a portfolio of passenger carriers that provide short-haul, long-haul and low-cost services, together with associated aviation businesses. Its operations span international and domestic markets, with extensive networks across Europe, transatlantic routes and links to Latin America and other global destinations.

IAGs principal airline brands include British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Vueling and LEVEL.

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Galway Metals Inc. (CVE:GWM  Get Free Report) shares traded up 13.4% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as C$0.95 and last traded at C$0.93. 428,678 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 14% from the average session volume of 497,386 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.82.

Galway Metals Price Performance

The firms fifty day simple moving average is C$0.71 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$0.60. The company has a market cap of C$107.42 million, a PE ratio of -8.60 and a beta of 2.71. The company has a quick ratio of 4.81, a current ratio of 3.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.08.

Galway Metals Company Profile

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Galway Metals Inc engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral resource properties in Canada. The company primarily explores for gold, zinc, copper, silver, and lead deposits. It holds a 100% interest in the Clarence Stream project located in southwest New Brunswick, Canada; and Estrades mine, related Newiska concessions, and adjacent Casa Berardi claims located in western Quebec, Canada. Galway Metals Inc was incorporated in 2012 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

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Gold (GCG26) prices at mid-week were solidly higher but down from an overnight high that set another record of $4,891.10, basis February Comex futures.

Gold backed down a bit after President Donald Trump said at a speech to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, that he wont use force to acquire Greenland. That took some of the risk aversion out of the marketplace after Trump had said a couple weeks ago that he would not rule out using military force to take Greenland.

More News from Barchart

Gold and silver prices this week have extended their record rallies as the crisis over Greenland and a meltdown in Japanese government debt support safe-haven demand. March silver (SIH26) futures on Tuesday hit a new peak of $95.78 an ounce.

www.barchart.com

www.barchart.com

Bullish Elements for the Gold and Silver Markets

A very active and uncertain geopolitical environment at present is driving unprecedented safe-have demand for gold and silver. This situation is not likely to change anytime soon. I see three other main elements that will continue to drive better demand for gold and silver.

One is the growing competition between the U.S. and China for world dominance  both economically and militarily. The U.S. wants to acquire Greenland, which seems to open the door wider for China to more actively force its control of Taiwan. The U.S. has more aggressively enforced its foreign policy, as seen by the U.S. militarys capture of the Venezuelan president and the bombing of Irans main nuclear installation. My bias is that China thinks it will have to match the U.S. in its own more aggressive foreign policy. If this scenario plays out, it could mean a future military confrontation between the U.S. and China.

Another element that will continue to drive demand for gold and silver is the push by major global economies to stockpile so-called rare-earth minerals that has spilled over into increased demand for gold and silver. A report on Bloomberg today said extreme retail consumer investor demand for silver is creating supply shortages around the globe.

The last bullish element for gold and silver is the move by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) to move away from doing commerce via the U.S. dollar ($DXY). This de-dollarization means major central banks are buying more gold for their sovereign reserves.
JinkoSolar Holding Company Limited (NYSE:JKS  Get Free Report)s stock price traded down 8.2% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as low as $26.52 and last traded at $27.0740. 229,231 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 72% from the average session volume of 814,158 shares. The stock had previously closed at $29.50.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Zacks Research upgraded JinkoSolar from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. UBS Group restated a neutral rating on shares of JinkoSolar in a report on Friday, November 28th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c-) rating on shares of JinkoSolar in a research note on Wednesday, December 24th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of JinkoSolar from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, January 10th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price objective on shares of JinkoSolar from $18.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock a sell rating in a report on Wednesday, November 19th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Reduce and an average price target of $19.49.

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JinkoSolar Stock Up 1.1%

The stocks fifty day moving average price is $26.88 and its 200-day moving average price is $24.96. The company has a quick ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 1.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07. The company has a market capitalization of $1.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -2.79 and a beta of 0.52.

JinkoSolar (NYSE:JKS  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, November 17th. The semiconductor company reported ($2.30) EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($2.56) by $0.26. JinkoSolar had a negative net margin of 4.98% and a negative return on equity of 8.96%. The business had revenue of $2.27 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.72 billion. On average, sell-side analysts predict that JinkoSolar Holding Company Limited will post -0.24 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of JinkoSolar

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio raised its holdings in shares of JinkoSolar by 51.3% in the 2nd quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 33,900 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $719,000 after purchasing an additional 11,500 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. increased its position in JinkoSolar by 18.2% during the second quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 23,449 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $498,000 after buying an additional 3,608 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its position in JinkoSolar by 9.9% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 37,671 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $799,000 after buying an additional 3,394 shares during the last quarter. MTM Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in JinkoSolar in the second quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its position in shares of JinkoSolar by 7,759.6% in the second quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 11,082 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $235,000 after buying an additional 10,941 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 35.82% of the companys stock.

JinkoSolar Company Profile

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JinkoSolar Holding Co, Ltd. (NYSE: JKS) is a vertically integrated solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturer headquartered in Shanghai, China. The company specializes in the design, development and production of high-performance solar modules, silicon wafers, solar cells and related components. Since its founding in 2006, JinkoSolar has become one of the worlds largest solar module suppliers, known for delivering reliable products to utility, commercial and residential customers.

JinkoSolars product portfolio encompasses a broad range of monocrystalline and polycrystalline PV modules, including half-cell, bifacial and high-efficiency Tiger module series.

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Sydbank A/S (OTCMKTS:SYANY  Get Free Report)s share price was up 40.4% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $18.04 and last traded at $18.04. Approximately 277 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 39% from the average daily volume of 200 shares. The stock had previously closed at $12.85.

Sydbank A/S Trading Up 40.4%

The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $13.10 and its 200-day simple moving average is $13.03.

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Sydbank A/S Company Profile

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Sydbank A/S, founded in 1970 and headquartered in Aabenraa, Denmark, is among the countrys leading commercial banks. It offers a broad array of banking services to retail, corporate and institutional clients, including deposit accounts, lending solutions, mortgage financing and payment processing. The banks core activities also encompass trade finance and structured lending tailored to diverse sectors of the economy.

In addition to its extensive branch network across Denmark, Sydbank maintains a presence in Germany, providing cross-border transaction support, international cash management and foreign exchange services.

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Invesco S&P SmallCap 600 QVM Multi-factor ETF (NYSEARCA:QVMS  Get Free Report) traded up 0.1% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $30.80 and last traded at $30.58. 328 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 47% from the average session volume of 223 shares. The stock had previously closed at $30.56.

Invesco S&P SmallCap 600 QVM Multi-factor ETF Stock Up 0.1%

The stocks 50-day moving average price is $28.77 and its 200 day moving average price is $27.88. The firm has a market cap of $225.07 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.36 and a beta of 1.05.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A hedge fund recently raised its stake in Invesco S&P SmallCap 600 QVM Multi-factor ETF stock. Cobblestone Capital Advisors LLC NY boosted its holdings in shares of Invesco S&P SmallCap 600 QVM Multi-factor ETF (NYSEARCA:QVMS  Free Report) by 27.7% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 103,970 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 22,583 shares during the period. Cobblestone Capital Advisors LLC NY owned about 1.41% of Invesco S&P SmallCap 600 QVM Multi-factor ETF worth $2,674,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

About Invesco S&P SmallCap 600 QVM Multi-factor ETF

The Invesco S&P SmallCap 600 QVM Multi-factor ETF (QVMS) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in small-cap stocks. The fund tracks a market-cap-weighted index of small-cap companies in the US that exhibit quality, value and momentum factors. QVMS was launched on Jun 30, 2021 and is managed by Invesco.

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Shares of Admiral Group plc (LON:ADM  Get Free Report) have been assigned an average rating of Reduce from the seven ratings firms that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, four have issued a hold recommendation and one has given a buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is GBX 2,716.

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on ADM shares. UBS Group downgraded shares of Admiral Group to a neutral rating and decreased their price target for the stock from GBX 3,950 to GBX 3,350 in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered shares of Admiral Group to a sell rating and reduced their price objective for the company from GBX 3,954 to GBX 2,902 in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada downgraded shares of Admiral Group to a sector perform rating and lowered their target price for the stock from GBX 3,600 to GBX 3,100 in a research note on Thursday.

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Admiral Group Stock Performance

Admiral Group Company Profile

Shares of ADM opened at GBX 2,812 on Tuesday. Admiral Group has a 1 year low of GBX 2,627 and a 1 year high of GBX 3,686. The stock has a market capitalization of 8.41 billion, a PE ratio of 10.41, a PEG ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 0.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 115.01, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a current ratio of 7.57. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 3,110.79 and a 200-day simple moving average of GBX 3,271.30.

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Admiral Group plc is an established financial services provider offering motor, household, travel and pet insurance, as well as personal lending products, trading in five countries, namely the UK, France, Italy, Spain and the US. Founded in 1993, Admiral has grown to become an established multinational and multi-product insurer and is proud to be Wales only FTSE 100 Company. As the leading personal motor insurance provider in the UK, Admiral continues to focus on technology and agility, diversifying the businesses, and progressing with the evolution of motor.

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HP Inc. (NYSE:HPQ  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week low on Wednesday after Citigroup lowered their price target on the stock from $25.00 to $22.00. Citigroup currently has a neutral rating on the stock. HP traded as low as $19.58 and last traded at $19.7890, with a volume of 19617236 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $20.37.

Several other analysts have also weighed in on HPQ. Evercore ISI decreased their price objective on HP from $29.00 to $25.00 and set an in-line rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, November 26th. Bank of America dropped their price target on shares of HP from $29.00 to $26.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Friday, November 21st. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of HP in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. UBS Group set a $24.00 target price on HP in a report on Wednesday, November 26th. Finally, HSBC set a $30.00 price objective on HP and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has assigned a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and five have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $24.77.

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Insider Activity at HP

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

In other news, insider Anneliese Olson sold 16,726 shares of HP stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $24.83, for a total transaction of $415,306.58. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 169 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,196.27. This trade represents a 99.00% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink . Also, CEO Enrique Lores sold 41,922 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, December 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $26.00, for a total transaction of $1,089,972.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 141,456 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,677,856. This trade represents a 22.86% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure . Insiders have sold 110,123 shares of company stock worth $2,784,126 in the last ninety days. Company insiders own 0.38% of the companys stock.

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in HPQ. State of Alaska Department of Revenue grew its position in HP by 36.0% in the second quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 286,760 shares of the computer makers stock valued at $7,013,000 after acquiring an additional 75,895 shares during the last quarter. Railway Pension Investments Ltd grew its holdings in shares of HP by 6.1% during the 3rd quarter. Railway Pension Investments Ltd now owns 1,600,015 shares of the computer makers stock valued at $43,568,000 after purchasing an additional 92,400 shares during the last quarter. LBP AM SA acquired a new position in HP during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $7,279,000. First Horizon Corp acquired a new position in HP during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $5,573,000. Finally, RWC Asset Management LLP lifted its stake in HP by 2.0% in the 3rd quarter. RWC Asset Management LLP now owns 5,871,898 shares of the computer makers stock valued at $159,892,000 after purchasing an additional 116,279 shares during the last quarter. 77.53% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

HP Price Performance

The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $23.05 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $25.49. The stock has a market cap of $18.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.48, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.67 and a beta of 1.21.

HP (NYSE:HPQ  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 25th. The computer maker reported $0.93 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.91 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $14.64 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.50 billion. HP had a net margin of 4.57% and a negative return on equity of 330.68%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 4.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.93 earnings per share. HP has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.900-3.200 EPS and its Q1 2026 guidance at 0.730-0.810 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that HP Inc. will post 3.56 earnings per share for the current year.

HP Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 2nd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 11th were paid a $0.30 dividend. This is an increase from HPs previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, December 11th. HPs payout ratio is currently 45.28%.

About HP

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HP Inc is an American multinational information technology company that designs, manufactures and sells personal computing devices, printers and related supplies and services. Its product portfolio spans consumer and commercial notebooks and desktops, workstations, displays and accessories, as well as an extensive line of printing hardware that includes home, office and production printers. HP also provides consumables such as ink and toner, managed print services, device deployment and lifecycle support, and software for device and print management.

Founded from the original Hewlett?Packard Company, HP Inc became a separately traded public company in 2015 following a corporate split that created Hewlett Packard Enterprise to focus on enterprise hardware and services.

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Strathcona Resources (TSE:SCR  Free Report) had its price objective trimmed by Jefferies Financial Group from C$29.00 to C$26.00 in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday,BayStreet.CA reports.

Several other analysts have also weighed in on SCR. Natl Bk Canada upgraded shares of Strathcona Resources from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, January 9th. National Bankshares raised Strathcona Resources from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and decreased their price objective for the company from C$36.00 to C$32.00 in a report on Friday, January 9th. TD Securities upped their price objective on Strathcona Resources from C$35.00 to C$36.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Royal Bank Of Canada cut their target price on Strathcona Resources from C$40.00 to C$35.00 and set a moderate buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 13th. Finally, ATB Capital decreased their price target on Strathcona Resources from C$42.00 to C$32.00 in a research note on Tuesday, December 23rd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have assigned a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Strathcona Resources currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of C$32.43.

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Strathcona Resources Stock Down 0.2%

Strathcona Resources Dividend Announcement

SCR opened at C$26.25 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of C$5.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 5.13, a P/E/G ratio of -2.02 and a beta of 2.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 56.06, a current ratio of 0.53 and a quick ratio of 11.09. The firms fifty day moving average price is C$35.36 and its two-hundred day moving average price is C$35.84. Strathcona Resources has a fifty-two week low of C$22.75 and a fifty-two week high of C$45.09.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 15th were issued a dividend of $0.30 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 5th. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.6%. Strathcona Resourcess dividend payout ratio is currently 21.68%.

About Strathcona Resources

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Strathcona Resources Ltd. is a Canada-based oil and gas producers with operations focused on thermal oil, enhanced oil recovery and liquids-rich natural gas. The Company has three operations, including Lloydminster Heavy Oil, Cold Lake Thermal Oil and Montney. The Lloydminster Heavy Oil segment has multiple large oil-in-place reservoirs with existing and expanding enhanced oil recovery (EOR) opportunities primarily located in southwest Saskatchewan. Its Saskatchewan thermal properties rely on the same steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) processes as its Cold Lake Thermal properties.

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O-I Glass, Inc. (NYSE:OI  Get Free Report) saw unusually large options trading on Wednesday. Stock traders acquired 2,354 call options on the company. This is an increase of 3,039% compared to the average daily volume of 75 call options.

O-I Glass Stock Performance

NYSE:OI opened at $15.40 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $2.37 billion, a P/E ratio of -16.38, a P/E/G ratio of 0.19 and a beta of 0.77. The firms 50 day moving average is $14.54 and its two-hundred day moving average is $13.61. O-I Glass has a fifty-two week low of $9.23 and a fifty-two week high of $16.04. The company has a quick ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 1.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.36.

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O-I Glass (NYSE:OI  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The industrial products company reported $0.48 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.44 by $0.04. O-I Glass had a positive return on equity of 16.02% and a negative net margin of 2.26%.The business had revenue of $1.65 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.66 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted ($0.04) EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 1.5% on a year-over-year basis. O-I Glass has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.550-1.650 EPS. Analysts expect that O-I Glass will post 1.33 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts recently commented on OI shares. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d-) rating on shares of O-I Glass in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded shares of O-I Glass from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $15.00 to $18.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an outperform rating and set a $19.00 price objective on shares of O-I Glass in a research note on Thursday, January 15th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of O-I Glass from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Sunday, December 28th. Finally, Citigroup boosted their price target on O-I Glass from $14.00 to $17.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $17.88.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on O-I Glass

Institutional Investors Weigh In On O-I Glass

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of OI. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its stake in shares of O-I Glass by 33.9% in the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 112,800 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,294,000 after purchasing an additional 28,548 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in O-I Glass by 154.0% in the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 177,117 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,993,000 after buying an additional 107,388 shares in the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. boosted its position in O-I Glass by 4.6% in the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 92,151 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,057,000 after buying an additional 4,055 shares during the last quarter. United Services Automobile Association acquired a new stake in shares of O-I Glass during the first quarter valued at about $119,000. Finally, UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC increased its position in shares of O-I Glass by 43.9% during the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 526,279 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $6,036,000 after acquiring an additional 160,649 shares during the last quarter. 97.24% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About O-I Glass

(Get Free Report)

O-I Glass, Inc is a leading global manufacturer of glass containers, supplying the food and beverage, wine and spirits, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and personal care industries. Headquartered in Perrysburg, Ohio, the company produces a broad range of glass packaging solutions, including bottles and jars, designed to meet customer specifications for size, shape, color and performance. O-I leverages proprietary technologies in forming, decoration and quality control to serve both mass-market and premium brands.

Tracing its origins to the early 20th century through the merger of prominent regional glassmakers, the company adopted the Owens-Illinois name in 1929 before rebranding as O-I Glass in 2015.

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The Bank of Nova Scotia (TSE:BNS  Get Free Report) (NYSE:BNS) has earned an average rating of Hold from the eleven ratings firms that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and three have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is C$94.83.

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on the stock. CIBC raised their target price on shares of Bank of Nova Scotia from C$100.00 to C$103.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, December 11th. Raymond James Financial set a C$108.00 price target on Bank of Nova Scotia and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price objective on Bank of Nova Scotia from C$86.00 to C$96.00 in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. Barclays upped their price objective on Bank of Nova Scotia from C$95.00 to C$97.00 in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. Finally, Desjardins boosted their price target on shares of Bank of Nova Scotia from C$100.00 to C$104.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Thursday, December 18th.

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Insider Buying and Selling

Bank of Nova Scotia Price Performance

In other Bank of Nova Scotia news, insider Julie Walsh sold 3,716 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$100.62, for a total value of C$373,903.92. Following the sale, the insider owned 1,430 shares in the company, valued at approximately C$143,886.60. This trade represents a 72.21% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Company insiders own 0.03% of the companys stock.

BNS stock opened at C$102.48 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of C$126.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.07, a PEG ratio of 1.33 and a beta of 1.37. Bank of Nova Scotia has a 1-year low of C$62.57 and a 1-year high of C$103.10. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of C$99.35 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$89.89.

Bank of Nova Scotia (TSE:BNS  Get Free Report) (NYSE:BNS) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, December 2nd. The bank reported C$1.93 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia had a net margin of 17.68% and a return on equity of 9.64%. The company had revenue of C$9.77 billion for the quarter. As a group, analysts expect that Bank of Nova Scotia will post 7.1286267 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Bank of Nova Scotia Company Profile

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Bank of Nova Scotia is a global financial services provider. The bank has five business segments: Canadian banking, international banking, global wealth management, global banking and markets, and other. It offers a range of advice, products, and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. The banks international operations span numerous countries and are more concentrated in Central and South America.

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Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL  Free Report) had its price target hoisted by Jefferies Financial Group from $72.00 to $84.00 in a research report released on Tuesday,MarketScreener reports. They currently have a buy rating on the transportation companys stock.

Other equities analysts have also issued research reports about the company. BMO Capital Markets reissued an outperform rating on shares of Delta Air Lines in a research note on Wednesday, January 14th. BNP Paribas Exane lifted their price target on Delta Air Lines from $70.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, December 8th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their price objective on shares of Delta Air Lines from $63.00 to $72.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, October 10th. Susquehanna lifted their target price on shares of Delta Air Lines from $70.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a research note on Friday, January 9th. Finally, Citigroup reiterated a buy rating on shares of Delta Air Lines in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and twenty-two have assigned a Buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $80.47.

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Delta Air Lines Stock Performance

NYSE DAL opened at $68.95 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 0.40 and a quick ratio of 0.34. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $67.52 and its 200-day simple moving average is $61.28. The company has a market cap of $45.02 billion, a PE ratio of 8.99, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.66 and a beta of 1.38. Delta Air Lines has a 1-year low of $34.74 and a 1-year high of $73.16.

Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 13th. The transportation company reported $1.55 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.53 by $0.02. Delta Air Lines had a return on equity of 20.99% and a net margin of 7.90%.The firm had revenue of $14.61 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $15.80 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.85 EPS. The firms revenue was up 2.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Delta Air Lines has set its Q1 2026 guidance at 0.500-0.900 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 6.500-7.500 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Delta Air Lines will post 7.63 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider Peter W. Carter sold 14,300 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, January 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $70.30, for a total value of $1,005,290.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 177,142 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,453,082.60. This represents a 7.47% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Erik Storey Snell sold 39,420 shares of Delta Air Lines stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.02, for a total transaction of $2,799,608.40. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 35,625 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,530,087.50. This trade represents a 52.53% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 351,243 shares of company stock worth $24,742,087. Insiders own 0.88% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Delta Air Lines

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its position in Delta Air Lines by 54.8% in the 3rd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 5,817,783 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $330,159,000 after acquiring an additional 2,058,744 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Delta Air Lines by 2.3% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 74,572,577 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $3,667,479,000 after purchasing an additional 1,648,071 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its holdings in shares of Delta Air Lines by 23.3% in the third quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 7,661,911 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $434,813,000 after purchasing an additional 1,447,058 shares in the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP increased its stake in Delta Air Lines by 16,044.7% during the 3rd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 1,263,320 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $71,693,000 after buying an additional 1,255,495 shares during the period. Finally, Ninety One UK Ltd lifted its holdings in Delta Air Lines by 23.6% during the 3rd quarter. Ninety One UK Ltd now owns 3,860,710 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $219,095,000 after buying an additional 736,342 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 69.93% of the companys stock.

Key Headlines Impacting Delta Air Lines

Here are the key news stories impacting Delta Air Lines this week:

Positive Sentiment: Jefferies raised its price target on DAL to $84 and reiterated a Buy, which increases upside expectations and can attract buyers. Read More.

Jefferies raised its price target on DAL to $84 and reiterated a Buy, which increases upside expectations and can attract buyers. Read More. Positive Sentiment: DBS upgraded Delta to a moderate buy, adding to analyst momentum that supports demand for the shares. Read More.

DBS upgraded Delta to a moderate buy, adding to analyst momentum that supports demand for the shares. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Sector tailwinds from United Airlines strong Q4 (notably premium/corporate demand) are being read across to Delta, reinforcing expectations of resilient demand for major U.S. carriers. Read More.

Sector tailwinds from United Airlines strong Q4 (notably premium/corporate demand) are being read across to Delta, reinforcing expectations of resilient demand for major U.S. carriers. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: Delta reported record free cash flow for FY?2025 and a modest EPS beat, strengthening the balance-sheet and cash-generation narrative that underpins valuation conversations. Investors will watch whether cash flow sustains and funds buybacks/deleveraging. Read More.

Delta reported record free cash flow for FY?2025 and a modest EPS beat, strengthening the balance-sheet and cash-generation narrative that underpins valuation conversations. Investors will watch whether cash flow sustains and funds buybacks/deleveraging. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: Valuation pieces are highlighting DALs cheap forward multiples after debt reduction and cash-flow improvements  this frames the stock as a value play but hinges on execution of growth plans. Read More.

Valuation pieces are highlighting DALs cheap forward multiples after debt reduction and cash-flow improvements  this frames the stock as a value play but hinges on execution of growth plans. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: Press coverage notes Deltas boldest bet since the pandemic  a strategic expansion that could be accretive if executed, but raises near?term execution and capital allocation questions. Read More.

Press coverage notes Deltas boldest bet since the pandemic  a strategic expansion that could be accretive if executed, but raises near?term execution and capital allocation questions. Read More. Negative Sentiment: Insider selling: EVP Erik Storey Snell sold 39,420 shares at an average of $71.02 (SEC filing). Large insider disposals can spook some investors even if motivated by diversification or taxes. Read More.

Insider selling: EVP Erik Storey Snell sold 39,420 shares at an average of $71.02 (SEC filing). Large insider disposals can spook some investors even if motivated by diversification or taxes. Read More. Negative Sentiment: Deltas Q4 revenue missed some analyst estimates ($14.61B vs. ~$15.8B consensus), which tempers the optimism from the EPS beat and free?cash?flow strength. Read More.

About Delta Air Lines

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Delta Air Lines is a major U.S.-based global airline that provides scheduled passenger and cargo air transportation, aircraft maintenance and repair services, and related travel products. Its operations include mainline domestic and international passenger services, a branded regional network operating under the Delta Connection name, dedicated air cargo carriage, and in-house maintenance, repair and overhaul through Delta TechOps. Delta offers a range of cabin products for different customer segments, including premium business-class service on long-haul routes and tiered economy offerings on domestic and international flights, and it markets customer loyalty benefits through the SkyMiles frequent-flyer program.

The carrier operates a mixed fleet of narrow- and wide-body aircraft from multiple U.S.

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Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC  Get Free Report) and Raymond James Financial (NYSE:RJF  Get Free Report) are both large-cap finance companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, dividends, risk, institutional ownership, earnings, profitability and analyst recommendations.

Risk & Volatility

Wells Fargo & Company has a beta of 1.09, meaning that its stock price is 9% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Raymond James Financial has a beta of 0.99, meaning that its stock price is 1% less volatile than the S&P 500.

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Dividends

Wells Fargo & Company pays an annual dividend of $1.80 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.0%. Raymond James Financial pays an annual dividend of $2.16 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.3%. Wells Fargo & Company pays out 28.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Raymond James Financial pays out 21.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Wells Fargo & Company has increased its dividend for 4 consecutive years and Raymond James Financial has increased its dividend for 3 consecutive years. Wells Fargo & Company is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Analyst Recommendations

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Wells Fargo & Company 1 9 13 0 2.52 Raymond James Financial 0 9 3 0 2.25

This is a breakdown of current recommendations for Wells Fargo & Company and Raymond James Financial, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Wells Fargo & Company currently has a consensus price target of $94.87, suggesting a potential upside of 7.71%. Raymond James Financial has a consensus price target of $181.36, suggesting a potential upside of 5.71%. Given Wells Fargo & Companys stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Wells Fargo & Company is more favorable than Raymond James Financial.

Profitability

This table compares Wells Fargo & Company and Raymond James Financials net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Wells Fargo & Company 17.27% 12.90% 1.05% Raymond James Financial 13.42% 18.19% 2.61%

Insider and Institutional Ownership

75.9% of Wells Fargo & Company shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 83.8% of Raymond James Financial shares are held by institutional investors. 0.1% of Wells Fargo & Company shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.6% of Raymond James Financial shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Wells Fargo & Company and Raymond James Financials revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Wells Fargo & Company $123.53 billion 2.24 $21.34 billion $6.27 14.05 Raymond James Financial $15.91 billion 2.13 $2.14 billion $10.29 16.67

Wells Fargo & Company has higher revenue and earnings than Raymond James Financial. Wells Fargo & Company is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Raymond James Financial, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Summary

Wells Fargo & Company beats Raymond James Financial on 10 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Wells Fargo & Company

(Get Free Report)

Wells Fargo & Co. is a diversified and community-based financial services company, which engages in the provision of banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth and Investment Management. The Consumer Banking and Lending segment offers consumer and small business banking, home lending, credit cards, auto, and personal lending. The Commercial Banking segment provides banking and credit products across industry sectors and municipalities, secured lending and lease products, and treasury management. The Corporate and Investment Banking segment is composed of corporate banking, investment banking, treasury management, commercial real estate lending and servicing, and equity and fixed income solutions, as well as sales, trading, and research capabilities. The Wealth and Investment Management segment refers to personalized wealth management, brokerage, financial planning, lending, private banking, trust, and fiduciary products and services. The company was founded by Henry Wells and William G. Fargo on March 18, 1852 and is headquartered in San Francisco, CA.

About Raymond James Financial

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Raymond James Financial, Inc., a financial holding company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the underwriting, distribution, trading, and brokerage of equity and debt securities, and the sale of mutual funds and other investment products in the United States, Canada, Europe, and internationally. The company operates through Private Client Group, Capital Markets, Asset Management, RJ Bank, and Other segments. The Private Client Group segment provides securities brokerage services, including the sale of equities, mutual funds, fixed income products, and insurance products to their individual clients; and borrowing and lending of securities to and from other broker-dealers, financial institutions, and other counterparties. The Capital Markets segment offers securities brokerage, trading, and research services to institutions with a focus on sale of the United States and Canadian equities and fixed income products; and manages and participates in underwritings, merger and acquisition services, and public finance activities. The Asset Management segment engages in the operations of Eagle, the Eagle Family of Funds, Cougar, the asset management operations of Raymond James & Associates, trust services of Raymond James Trust, and other fee-based asset management programs. The RJ Bank segment provides corporate loans, SBL, tax-exempt loans, and residential loans. The Other segment engages in private equity activities, including various direct and third party private equity investments; and private equity funds. Raymond James Financial, Inc. was founded in 1962 and is based in St. Petersburg, Florida.

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Jan 23 (Reuters) - Paracetamol maker Granules India reported a 28% jump in third-quarter profit on Friday, driven by strong demand in its key European and North American markets.

Consolidated profit rose to 1.5 billion rupees ($16.3 million) in the quarter ended December 31, from 1.18 billion rupees a year ago.

Granules posted a 22% rise in revenue from operations to 13.88 billion rupees.

North America, which generates about two-thirds of the firm's revenue, logged a 14% jump in sales. Europe sales, which contribute 19% to the topline, more than doubled.

For further earnings highlights, click.

KEY CONTEXT

Granules India accounts for about 30% of the global paracetamol market and supplies the drug both as an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and in finished dosage form across Europe, Canada and South Africa.

APIs are key chemical components that give medicines their therapeutic effect.

Indian API makers are facing pricing pressure in major Western markets due to intensifying competition, even as global drugmakers increasingly look to India to diversify supply chains and cut reliance on Chinese suppliers.

PEER COMPARISON

Estimates Analysts'

(next 12 sentiment

months)

RIC PE EV/ Reve Prof Mea # Stock Div

EBI nue it n of to yie

TDA grow grow rat ana price ld

th th ing lys target (%)

(%) (%) * ts **

Granules 21 11. 15.3 22.3 Buy 3 0.95 0.2

India Ltd .1 92 7 1 6

2

Laurus 63 31. 16.4 37.8 Hol 14 1.17 0.1

Labs Ltd .9 23 2 4 d 5

8

Alivus 17 11. 12.3 16.3 Str 4 0.73 0.5

Life .6 84 7 3 ong 7

Sciences 0 Buy

Ltd

Divi's 54 38. 17.9 22.3 Hol 28 0.92 0.4

Laborator .5 72 9 8 d 8

ies Ltd 3

* Mean of analysts' ratings standardised to a scale of Strong Buy, Buy, Hold, Sell, and Strong Sell** Ratio of the stock's last close to analysts' mean price target; a ratio above 1 means the stock is trading above the PT

OCTOBER TO DECEMBER STOCK PERFORMANCE

-- All data from LSEG

-- $1 = 91.8590 Indian rupees

(Reporting by Kashish Tandon and Nandan Mandayam in Bengaluru; Editing by Sumana Nandy and Harikrishnan Nair)
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reiterated their market perform rating on shares of Regions Financial (NYSE:RF  Free Report) in a report issued on Tuesday, MarketBeat reports. They currently have a $31.00 price target on the banks stock.

A number of other analysts also recently commented on RF. Barclays upped their price objective on Regions Financial from $27.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Monday, January 5th. Piper Sandler upped their price target on Regions Financial from $29.00 to $31.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday. Wells Fargo & Company downgraded Regions Financial from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and set a $30.00 price objective on the stock. in a report on Friday, January 16th. Citigroup boosted their target price on Regions Financial from $30.00 to $32.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, September 23rd. Finally, TD Cowen reissued a buy rating on shares of Regions Financial in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $29.27.

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Regions Financial Trading Down 1.2%

Shares of RF stock opened at $28.31 on Tuesday. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $26.94 and its 200-day simple moving average is $26.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 0.80 and a quick ratio of 0.80. Regions Financial has a 1-year low of $17.74 and a 1-year high of $29.25. The firm has a market cap of $24.82 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.36, a PEG ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.03.

Regions Financial (NYSE:RF  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 16th. The bank reported $0.57 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.61 by ($0.04). The company had revenue of $1.92 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.94 billion. Regions Financial had a return on equity of 12.55% and a net margin of 22.44%.The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 5.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.56 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Regions Financial will post 2.26 EPS for the current year.

Regions Financial declared that its board has approved a stock repurchase program on Wednesday, December 10th that authorizes the company to buyback $3.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the bank to purchase up to 12.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are often a sign that the companys board believes its stock is undervalued.

Institutional Trading of Regions Financial

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in RF. American National Bank & Trust boosted its stake in shares of Regions Financial by 2,433.3% in the second quarter. American National Bank & Trust now owns 1,064 shares of the banks stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 1,022 shares during the period. CVA Family Office LLC increased its stake in Regions Financial by 163.2% during the 2nd quarter. CVA Family Office LLC now owns 1,058 shares of the banks stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 656 shares during the period. Darwin Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Regions Financial in the 2nd quarter worth $25,000. FNY Investment Advisers LLC purchased a new position in Regions Financial in the 2nd quarter valued at about $30,000. Finally, United Community Bank purchased a new position in Regions Financial in the 3rd quarter valued at about $30,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.39% of the companys stock.

Regions Financial Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Regions Financial Corporation (NYSE: RF) is a U.S. bank holding company headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, that provides a broad range of banking and financial services. Its primary banking subsidiary, Regions Bank, serves retail and commercial customers through a combination of branch and ATM networks, digital channels and relationship-based delivery. The company offers deposit accounts, consumer and commercial loans, mortgage origination and servicing, and payment and treasury services.

In addition to core banking, Regions offers wealth management, trust and brokerage services, insurance solutions, and capital markets capabilities to corporate and institutional clients.

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Northern Oil and Gas (NYSE:NOG  Free Report) had its price objective trimmed by Royal Bank Of Canada from $33.00 to $30.00 in a research report sent to investors on Tuesday morning, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The firm currently has a sector perform rating on the stock.

Other equities analysts also recently issued reports about the company. Citigroup dropped their price target on Northern Oil and Gas from $32.00 to $28.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 20th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c-) rating on shares of Northern Oil and Gas in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Morgan Stanley restated an underweight rating and set a $26.00 price target (down from $27.00) on shares of Northern Oil and Gas in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. Finally, Mizuho upped their price target on shares of Northern Oil and Gas from $28.00 to $30.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, December 12th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have assigned a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $29.57.

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Northern Oil and Gas Stock Performance

Shares of NOG stock opened at $23.36 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $22.30 and a 200-day moving average price of $24.07. Northern Oil and Gas has a 52 week low of $19.88 and a 52 week high of $40.52. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.28 billion, a PE ratio of 13.20 and a beta of 0.98.

Northern Oil and Gas (NYSE:NOG  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported $1.03 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.82 by $0.21. Northern Oil and Gas had a net margin of 7.61% and a return on equity of 20.61%. The company had revenue of $556.64 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $528.36 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.40 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 26.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Northern Oil and Gas will post 5.18 earnings per share for the current year.

Northern Oil and Gas Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 30th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 30th will be given a $0.45 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 30th. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.7%. Northern Oil and Gass dividend payout ratio is presently 101.69%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in NOG. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Northern Oil and Gas by 55.1% during the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 40,781 shares of the companys stock worth $1,233,000 after acquiring an additional 14,492 shares during the period. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. increased its stake in shares of Northern Oil and Gas by 3.3% in the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 58,334 shares of the companys stock worth $1,763,000 after purchasing an additional 1,865 shares in the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp raised its position in shares of Northern Oil and Gas by 181.0% during the 1st quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 1,107 shares of the companys stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 713 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC lifted its stake in shares of Northern Oil and Gas by 5.0% during the 1st quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 65,217 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,972,000 after buying an additional 3,124 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Intech Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in Northern Oil and Gas by 41.8% in the 1st quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 46,453 shares of the companys stock worth $1,404,000 after buying an additional 13,690 shares during the period. 98.80% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Northern Oil and Gas

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Northern Oil and Gas, Inc is a publicly traded independent energy company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and natural gas resources in the United States. The companys primary operations are concentrated in the Williston Basin, where it secures acreage positions and partners with drilling operators to advance upstream projects. Through strategic leasehold acquisitions and joint ventures, Northern Oil and Gas seeks to expand its footprint in both conventional and unconventional reservoirs.

Northern Oil and Gas employs horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing technologies to develop unconventional resource plays, particularly in the Bakken, Three Forks and Red River formations of North Dakota and Montana.

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The PNC Financial Services Group (NYSE:PNC  Free Report) had its price objective lifted by Morgan Stanley from $211.00 to $221.00 in a report issued on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an underweight rating on the financial services providers stock.

Several other equities research analysts have also recently weighed in on the company. Piper Sandler upgraded The PNC Financial Services Group from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $211.00 to $220.00 in a report on Thursday, October 9th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of The PNC Financial Services Group in a research note on Monday, December 22nd. Evercore ISI raised their price target on The PNC Financial Services Group from $220.00 to $230.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 30th. Oppenheimer lifted their price target on shares of The PNC Financial Services Group from $268.00 to $284.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday. Finally, Citigroup boosted their price objective on shares of The PNC Financial Services Group from $217.00 to $230.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 23rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, The PNC Financial Services Group has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $231.00.

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The PNC Financial Services Group Price Performance

PNC stock opened at $221.98 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $87.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.38, a PEG ratio of 0.94 and a beta of 0.99. The firms 50-day moving average price is $205.70 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $198.05. The company has a current ratio of 0.81, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.94. The PNC Financial Services Group has a 12-month low of $145.12 and a 12-month high of $227.78.

The PNC Financial Services Group (NYSE:PNC  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, January 16th. The financial services provider reported $4.88 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.23 by $0.65. The company had revenue of $6.07 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.90 billion. The PNC Financial Services Group had a net margin of 20.40% and a return on equity of 11.87%. The PNC Financial Services Groups revenue for the quarter was up 9.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $3.77 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts predict that The PNC Financial Services Group will post 15.37 earnings per share for the current year.

The PNC Financial Services Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 5th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, January 20th will be issued a $1.70 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, January 20th. This represents a $6.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.1%. The PNC Financial Services Groups dividend payout ratio is 40.99%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, EVP Michael Duane Thomas sold 1,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $183.57, for a total transaction of $183,570.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 5,802 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,065,073.14. The trade was a 14.70% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.41% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of PNC. Quarry LP purchased a new stake in The PNC Financial Services Group in the third quarter worth about $25,000. IMG Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of The PNC Financial Services Group during the second quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Concord Wealth Partners lifted its holdings in shares of The PNC Financial Services Group by 144.9% during the second quarter. Concord Wealth Partners now owns 169 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Westfuller Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of The PNC Financial Services Group in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $34,000. Finally, Beacon Financial Strategies CORP purchased a new stake in shares of The PNC Financial Services Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,000. 83.53% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

The PNC Financial Services Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, offering a broad range of banking, lending, investment and wealth management services. PNC operates a national banking franchise with a significant retail branch network and dedicated capabilities for commercial, institutional and government clients. Its services are designed to serve individuals, small businesses, corporations and public sector entities across the United States.

PNCs core business activities include consumer and business banking, residential mortgage lending, corporate and institutional banking, asset management and wealth advisory services.

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North American Construction Group Ltd. (TSE:NOA  Get Free Report) (NYSE:NOA) has earned an average rating of Hold from the eight brokerages that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and three have assigned a 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 C$28.06.

NOA has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. BMO Capital Markets dropped their price objective on North American Construction Group from C$27.00 to C$25.00 in a research note on Friday, October 10th. ATB Capital set a C$26.00 price target on shares of North American Construction Group and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. National Bankshares set a C$28.00 target price on shares of North American Construction Group and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, December 22nd. TD Securities lowered their price target on North American Construction Group from C$21.00 to C$19.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Friday, December 19th. Finally, CIBC dropped their price target on North American Construction Group from C$22.00 to C$20.00 in a research note on Tuesday, December 30th.

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North American Construction Group Stock Down 0.9%

Shares of NOA opened at C$21.07 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 212.25, a current ratio of 1.13 and a quick ratio of 0.79. North American Construction Group has a 1 year low of C$16.78 and a 1 year high of C$30.25. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of C$19.89 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of C$20.02. The firm has a market cap of C$612.61 million, a P/E ratio of 16.59, a P/E/G ratio of 0.79 and a beta of 0.44.

North American Construction Group (TSE:NOA  Get Free Report) (NYSE:NOA) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, November 12th. The company reported C$0.67 EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of C$317.25 million for the quarter. North American Construction Group had a net margin of 4.80% and a return on equity of 15.24%. On average, analysts forecast that North American Construction Group will post 4.0597484 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

North American Construction Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 9th were given a $0.12 dividend. This represents a $0.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, November 26th. North American Construction Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 37.80%.

North American Construction Group Company Profile

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North American Construction Group Ltd is Canadas provider of heavy civil construction and mining contractors. The company has provided services to the oil, natural gas and resource companies.

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Meta Platforms, zSpace, The Glimpse Group, and DIH Holding US are the five Virtual Reality stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Virtual reality stocks are shares of publicly traded companies whose core businesses involve developing, manufacturing, or supporting virtual reality hardware, software, platforms, and content. Investors buy these stocks to gain exposure to the VR markets growth potential while weighing risks like rapid technological change, heavy R&D costs, competition from big tech and AR, and uncertain consumer adoption. 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.

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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.

Read Our Latest Research Report on VRAR

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.

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Dover Corporation (NYSE:DOV  Get Free Report) has been given a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy by the twelve research firms that are covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and seven have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $218.0909.

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on DOV shares. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and set a $199.00 target price on shares of Dover in a research report on Thursday, January 15th. Oppenheimer lifted their price objective on shares of Dover from $225.00 to $228.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, November 14th. Barclays increased their target price on Dover from $195.00 to $205.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. BNP Paribas Exane began coverage on Dover in a research report on Thursday, December 4th. They set a neutral rating and a $195.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut Dover from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th.

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Dover Stock Up 0.4%

DOV opened at $209.40 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $28.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.88, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.45 and a beta of 1.31. Dover has a one year low of $143.04 and a one year high of $222.31. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $195.20 and a 200-day moving average price of $183.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 2.04 and a quick ratio of 1.44.

Dover (NYSE:DOV  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 23rd. The industrial products company reported $2.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.50 by $0.12. Dover had a return on equity of 17.62% and a net margin of 28.37%.The company had revenue of $2.08 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.11 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.27 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts expect that Dover will post 9.45 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Dover Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 28th were given a dividend of $0.52 per share. This represents a $2.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.0%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 28th. Dovers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 12.79%.

Insider Activity at Dover

In other news, SVP Ivonne M. Cabrera sold 2,630 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $190.80, for a total value of $501,804.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 72,968 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,922,294.40. The trade was a 3.48% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Christopher B. Woenker sold 1,627 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, November 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $186.04, for a total transaction of $302,687.08. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 2,553 shares of the companys stock, valued at $474,960.12. This trade represents a 38.92% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Company insiders own 1.30% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. First Trust Advisors LP grew its position in Dover by 717.4% during the 2nd quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 1,716,256 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $314,470,000 after acquiring an additional 1,506,288 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Dover in the second quarter worth approximately $274,135,000. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Dover by 912.9% in the second quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 789,409 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $144,572,000 after buying an additional 711,471 shares during the period. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd raised its holdings in Dover by 65.2% during the 3rd quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd now owns 1,317,787 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $219,846,000 after buying an additional 520,211 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Assenagon Asset Management S.A. boosted its position in Dover by 133.6% during the 3rd quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 656,349 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $109,499,000 after buying an additional 375,333 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.46% of the companys stock.

About Dover

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Dover Corporation is a diversified global manufacturer of industrial products, components and specialty systems that serve a wide range of commercial and industrial end markets. Headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois, the company has built a portfolio of operating businesses that design, manufacture and distribute engineered equipment, aftermarket parts and related services for customers around the world.

Dovers activities span several product and solution categories, including fluid-handling and pumping systems, material handling and processing equipment, refrigeration and foodservice technologies, product identification and printing systems, precision components and automation and sensing solutions.

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Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. trimmed its holdings in shares of Procter & Gamble Company (The) (NYSE:PG  Free Report) by 20.5% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 132,325 shares of the companys stock after selling 34,186 shares during the quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc.s holdings in Procter & Gamble were worth $20,332,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Procter & Gamble during the third quarter valued at $25,000. Signature Resources Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Procter & Gamble by 67.9% during the 2nd quarter. Signature Resources Capital Management LLC now owns 178 shares of the companys stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 72 shares during the period. Corundum Trust Company INC purchased a new stake in shares of Procter & Gamble during the 3rd quarter valued at about $32,000. Mid American Wealth Advisory Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Procter & Gamble in the second quarter worth approximately $34,000. Finally, RMG Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Procter & Gamble during the second quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Institutional investors own 65.77% of the companys stock.

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Key Stories Impacting Procter & Gamble

Here are the key news stories impacting Procter & Gamble this week:

Positive Sentiment: Q2 EPS beat and guidance reaffirmed  P&G reported $1.88 EPS, modestly above consensus, and reiterated FY?2026 EPS guidance (6.837.09), which supports confidence in cash returns and buybacks. MarketBeat Q2 release

Q2 EPS beat and guidance reaffirmed  P&G reported $1.88 EPS, modestly above consensus, and reiterated FY?2026 EPS guidance (6.837.09), which supports confidence in cash returns and buybacks. Positive Sentiment: Unusual call?option buying suggests bullish positioning  volume of ~241k calls (?760% above normal) points to aggressive, short?term bullish bets that can add upside momentum to the stock.

Unusual call?option buying suggests bullish positioning  volume of ~241k calls (?760% above normal) points to aggressive, short?term bullish bets that can add upside momentum to the stock. Positive Sentiment: Premiumization push in China  new silk?fiber Pampers for China targets higher?margin premium customers, a meaningful growth lever in P&Gs #2 market if adoption scales. CNBC: silk diapers

Premiumization push in China  new silk?fiber Pampers for China targets higher?margin premium customers, a meaningful growth lever in P&Gs #2 market if adoption scales. Neutral Sentiment: Management emphasizing data & technology  new CEO/President highlights digital tools and analytics as part of a reinvention plan to improve execution and margins over time. PYMNTS: data & tech

Management emphasizing data & technology  new CEO/President highlights digital tools and analytics as part of a reinvention plan to improve execution and margins over time. Neutral Sentiment: Investor narratives around a bottom and dividend resilience  some commentary frames PG as a dividend?king recovery/rebuild story, which attracts income and value buyers even with tepid growth. MarketBeat commentary

Investor narratives around a bottom and dividend resilience  some commentary frames PG as a dividend?king recovery/rebuild story, which attracts income and value buyers even with tepid growth. Negative Sentiment: Revenue and volume weakness  total revenue missed estimates ($22.21B vs. ~$22.36B expected) and organic sales were flat as pricing offset lower volumes; the company cited weak demand in razors and diapers. CNBC: revenue miss

Revenue and volume weakness  total revenue missed estimates ($22.21B vs. ~$22.36B expected) and organic sales were flat as pricing offset lower volumes; the company cited weak demand in razors and diapers. Negative Sentiment: Margin pressure and mixed metric read  some third?party summaries show year?over?year contraction in operating profit and diluted EPS nuances, underscoring execution and cost pressure risks. QuiverQuant analysis

Margin pressure and mixed metric read  some third?party summaries show year?over?year contraction in operating profit and diluted EPS nuances, underscoring execution and cost pressure risks. Negative Sentiment: Guidance vs. consensus  FY EPS range sits slightly below street midpoint and revenue guidance is wide, which leaves upside limited unless execution improves materially.

Procter & Gamble Trading Up 2.6%

Procter & Gamble stock opened at $149.88 on Friday. Procter & Gamble Company has a 12-month low of $137.62 and a 12-month high of $179.99. The firm has a market capitalization of $350.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.88, a P/E/G ratio of 4.94 and a beta of 0.39. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $144.67 and a 200 day moving average of $150.66. The company has a current ratio of 0.71, a quick ratio of 0.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46.

Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 22nd. The company reported $1.88 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.86 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $22.21 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $22.36 billion. Procter & Gamble had a net margin of 19.74% and a return on equity of 32.63%. The companys revenue was up 1.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.88 earnings per share. Procter & Gamble has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.830-7.090 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.91 earnings per share for the current year.

Procter & Gamble Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, February 17th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 23rd will be paid a $1.0568 dividend. This represents a $4.23 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.8%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 23rd. Procter & Gambles dividend payout ratio is presently 61.75%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Procter & Gamble news, CAO Matthew W. Janzaruk sold 725 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $149.57, for a total transaction of $108,438.25. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer directly owned 979 shares of the companys stock, valued at $146,429.03. This trade represents a 42.55% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 0.20% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on PG. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on shares of Procter & Gamble from $170.00 to $158.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Bank of America lowered their price target on Procter & Gamble from $180.00 to $174.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. TD Cowen reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Procter & Gamble in a report on Thursday, January 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on Procter & Gamble from $165.00 to $157.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, December 18th. Finally, Barclays set a $155.00 target price on Procter & Gamble in a research report on Friday, January 16th. Twelve analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $165.95.

View Our Latest Research Report on Procter & Gamble

About Procter & Gamble

(Free Report)

Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) is a multinational consumer goods company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. Founded in 1837 by William Procter and James Gamble, P&G has grown into one of the worlds largest producers of branded consumer packaged goods. The company focuses on developing, manufacturing and marketing a broad portfolio of household and personal care products sold to consumers and retailers worldwide.

P&Gs product offering spans several core business categories, including Beauty, Grooming, Health Care, Fabric & Home Care, and Baby, Feminine & Family Care.

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Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. reduced its position in BlackRock (NYSE:BLK  Free Report) by 6.3% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 20,261 shares of the asset managers stock after selling 1,359 shares during the period. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc.s holdings in BlackRock were worth $23,622,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Westerkirk Capital Inc. bought a new stake in BlackRock during the 2nd quarter valued at about $2,877,000. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey increased its position in shares of BlackRock by 7.9% during the second quarter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey now owns 23,167 shares of the asset managers stock worth $24,308,000 after acquiring an additional 1,693 shares during the period. Investment Research & Advisory Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of BlackRock during the third quarter valued at approximately $6,201,000. California Public Employees Retirement System boosted its holdings in shares of BlackRock by 8.2% in the second quarter. California Public Employees Retirement System now owns 256,937 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $269,591,000 after purchasing an additional 19,404 shares during the period. Finally, Liberty One Investment Management LLC grew its stake in BlackRock by 29.3% in the third quarter. Liberty One Investment Management LLC now owns 6,748 shares of the asset managers stock worth $7,867,000 after purchasing an additional 1,529 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.69% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on BlackRock from $1,514.00 to $1,550.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, January 16th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their price objective on shares of BlackRock from $1,296.00 to $1,380.00 in a research note on Thursday, January 15th. Loop Capital set a $1,255.00 target price on shares of BlackRock in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price target on shares of BlackRock from $1,300.00 to $1,250.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 13th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a buy rating and set a $1,351.00 price objective on shares of BlackRock in a research note on Friday, January 16th. Fifteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $1,314.71.

BlackRock Trading Up 1.0%

NYSE BLK opened at $1,139.45 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 3.33, a current ratio of 3.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34. The firm has a market cap of $176.79 billion, a PE ratio of 32.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 1.47. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $1,076.11 and a 200 day moving average price of $1,106.51. BlackRock has a 52 week low of $773.74 and a 52 week high of $1,219.94.

BlackRock (NYSE:BLK  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, January 15th. The asset manager reported $13.16 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $12.55 by $0.61. BlackRock had a net margin of 22.93% and a return on equity of 15.14%. The company had revenue of $7.01 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.80 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $11.93 earnings per share. BlackRocks revenue was up 23.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that BlackRock will post 47.41 EPS for the current fiscal year.

BlackRock Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 24th. Investors of record on Friday, March 6th will be paid a dividend of $5.73 per share. This is a positive change from BlackRocks previous quarterly dividend of $5.21. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 6th. This represents a $22.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.0%. BlackRocks dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 58.84%.

BlackRock News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting BlackRock this week:

Insider Transactions at BlackRock

In related news, CFO Martin Small sold 27,047 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,171.14, for a total transaction of $31,675,823.58. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 10,557 shares of the companys stock, valued at $12,363,724.98. This represents a 71.93% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 1.98% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

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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BlackRock Throgmorton Trust (LON:THRG  Get Free Report) crossed above its 50-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of GBX 616.54 and traded as high as GBX 661. BlackRock Throgmorton Trust shares last traded at GBX 656, with a volume of 161,801 shares changing hands.

BlackRock Throgmorton Trust Trading Down 0.3%

The company has a 50-day moving average of GBX 616.54 and a 200 day moving average of GBX 604.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.00, a current ratio of 2.75 and a quick ratio of 3.68. The company has a market cap of 490.72 million, a PE ratio of -14.49 and a beta of 1.20.

BlackRock Throgmorton Trust Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

The Company aims to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth and an attractive total return by investing primarily in UK smaller companies and mid-capitalisation companies traded on the London Stock Exchange.

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Vinci SA (OTCMKTS:VCISY  Get Free Report) passed below its 50-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of $34.88 and traded as low as $34.36. Vinci shares last traded at $34.43, with a volume of 403,258 shares changing hands.

Analyst Ratings Changes

VCISY has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Zacks Research upgraded Vinci from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating on shares of Vinci in a research report on Thursday, January 15th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy.

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Read Our Latest Analysis on Vinci

Vinci Stock Performance

Vinci Company Profile

The firms 50 day simple moving average is $34.88 and its 200-day simple moving average is $35.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a current ratio of 0.83.

(Get Free Report)

Vinci (OTCMKTS: VCISY) is a France-based integrated concessions and construction company that develops, finances, builds and operates infrastructure and facilities. The groups activities span large-scale civil engineering and building projects, operation of transport infrastructure, and specialist energy and technical services. Vinci serves public and private clients with capabilities across the full project lifecycle, from design and construction to long-term asset management and operation.

Vincis principal business lines include construction (building, civil engineering and major projects), energy and information & communication technology services, and concessions.

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In the convenience store space, size seems to matter.

"With expenses rising and labor continuing to be a daily struggle, many c-store retailers are choosing one of two directions: take a chance to grow the business through an acquisition or sell the company and make a clean exit. Industry experts have said that they dont foresee this years-long trend slowing down in 2026," C-Store Dive reported.

In 2025, Maverik completed its rebranding of Kum & Go locations after acquiring the chain in 2023, reflecting the broader consolidation trend in the c-store industry.

That trend has continued in 2026 with Pops Mart, a 54-store chain, selling itself to three separate buyers.

Pops Mart exits the convenience-store business

Pops Mart Fuel has sold its 54 convenience stores to three separate buyers.

"Sunoco LP purchased 36 of Pops Marts 54 convenience stores in addition to its wholesale distribution business, according to American Business Brokers & Advisors website. Meanwhile, according to the website, Petroleum Marketing Group acquired seven of Pops Marts c-stores, and details on who acquired the other 11 stores were not immediately available," C-Store Dive reported.

Financial details were not disclosed.

American Business Brokers and Advisors, the Fort Myers Beach, Florida-based firm that provided merger and acquisition advisory services to Pops Mart Fuel, shared on Jan. 19 that the sale was completed.

Sunoco LP and Petroleum Marketing Group have both acquired some Pops Mart stores.Shutterstock  Shutterstock

Pops Mart had a short run

The convenience store chain "formed its own LLC in 2021 after former parent company Winnsboro Petroleum sold its then two dozen locations to retail fuel investors Don Draughon and JD Dykstra," according to C-Store Dive. The company also made several small-scale deals as it grew its network to 54 stores.

Pops Mart had been working on growth plans when it was approached to sell.

"The company had been considering additional dealer-site acquisitions to keep expanding when it was approached by Sunoco. The strategic and operational synergies between the two firms ultimately led to the decision to sell the entire business," American Business Brokers & Advisors President Terry Monroe told Mass Market Retailers.

More Retail:

The acquiring companies have not announced when they will convert the Pops Mart stores into their brand.

"Pops Marts exit reflects a broader trend of consolidation in the convenience-store industry, as smaller regional operators keep selling assets amid a tough operating environment characterized by stagnant in-store transaction growth and rising competitive pressure," wrote Thorvardur de Shong for Mass Market Retailers.
Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA decreased its holdings in Quaker Houghton (NYSE:KWR  Free Report) by 3.4% in the third quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 241,092 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock after selling 8,588 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MAs holdings in Quaker Houghton were worth $31,764,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in KWR. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its position in Quaker Houghton by 176.2% during the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 54,443 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $6,094,000 after purchasing an additional 34,731 shares during the period. Advantage Alpha Capital Partners LP grew its position in Quaker Houghton by 21.3% in the 2nd quarter. Advantage Alpha Capital Partners LP now owns 46,853 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $5,245,000 after purchasing an additional 8,215 shares during the period. Ceredex Value Advisors LLC raised its stake in Quaker Houghton by 10.7% during the 2nd quarter. Ceredex Value Advisors LLC now owns 113,200 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $12,672,000 after buying an additional 10,950 shares during the last quarter. Nordwand Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Quaker Houghton during the 2nd quarter valued at $280,000. Finally, Capital Fund Management S.A. purchased a new position in shares of Quaker Houghton in the 2nd quarter worth $1,243,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 77.46% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms recently commented on KWR. Zacks Research upgraded Quaker Houghton from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Quaker Houghton from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, December 6th. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d) rating on shares of Quaker Houghton in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $190.00 target price on shares of Quaker Houghton in a report on Wednesday. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $158.67.

Quaker Houghton Stock Up 0.6%

NYSE KWR opened at $160.11 on Friday. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $141.82 and its 200-day moving average price is $135.69. The company has a market capitalization of $2.78 billion, a P/E ratio of -326.76, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.49 and a beta of 1.33. The company has a quick ratio of 1.77, a current ratio of 2.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61. Quaker Houghton has a 52 week low of $95.91 and a 52 week high of $162.10.

Quaker Houghton (NYSE:KWR  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The specialty chemicals company reported $2.08 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.94 by $0.14. Quaker Houghton had a negative net margin of 0.48% and a positive return on equity of 8.64%. The company had revenue of $493.84 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $475.06 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.89 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 6.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts predict that Quaker Houghton will post 7.75 earnings per share for the current year.

Quaker Houghton Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 16th will be given a dividend of $0.508 per share. This represents a $2.03 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 16th. Quaker Houghtons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -414.29%.

Quaker Houghton Profile

(Free Report)

Quaker Houghton is a global provider of process fluids, chemical specialties and sustainable solutions for industrial applications. The company develops and supplies metalworking fluids, coatings, and corrosion inhibitors, as well as heat transfer, lubrication and additive products designed to improve productivity and extend equipment life. Its portfolio addresses a range of end markets including automotive, aerospace, defense, energy, mining, agriculture and heavy industry.

The company traces its roots back to the founding of Quaker Chemical Corporation in 1918 and Houghton International in 1865.

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Shares of Pinnacle West Capital Corporation (NYSE:PNW  Get Free Report) have been given a consensus rating of Hold by the fifteen brokerages that are covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12-month target price among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $96.0833.

Several analysts have recently issued reports on PNW shares. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a buy rating and set a $115.00 price target on shares of Pinnacle West Capital in a research note on Tuesday, November 4th. BMO Capital Markets restated a market perform rating and issued a $99.00 target price on shares of Pinnacle West Capital in a report on Monday, October 20th. Argus decreased their target price on Pinnacle West Capital from $98.00 to $95.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, September 30th. KeyCorp downgraded Pinnacle West Capital from an overweight rating to a sector weight rating in a report on Friday, December 12th. Finally, Barclays reduced their price objective on shares of Pinnacle West Capital from $95.00 to $90.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 15th.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Pinnacle West Capital

Pinnacle West Capital Stock Performance

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Caldwell Trust Co acquired a new position in shares of Pinnacle West Capital during the 2nd quarter worth about $27,000. CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC bought a new position in Pinnacle West Capital in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Bayforest Capital Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Pinnacle West Capital during the third quarter worth approximately $29,000. Quent Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of Pinnacle West Capital during the third quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, Ameritas Advisory Services LLC bought a new stake in shares of Pinnacle West Capital in the second quarter valued at approximately $31,000. 91.51% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

PNW stock opened at $92.45 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $89.26 and a two-hundred day moving average of $89.87. Pinnacle West Capital has a 12 month low of $84.28 and a 12 month high of $96.50. The company has a market capitalization of $11.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.98, a P/E/G ratio of 5.60 and a beta of 0.55. The company has a quick ratio of 0.49, a current ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.28.

Pinnacle West Capital (NYSE:PNW  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The utilities provider reported $3.39 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.04 by $0.35. The business had revenue of $1.82 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.78 billion. Pinnacle West Capital had a net margin of 11.20% and a return on equity of 8.57%. Pinnacle West Capitals revenue for the quarter was up 2.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $3.37 EPS. Pinnacle West Capital has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.550-4.750 EPS and its FY 2025 guidance at 4.900-5.100 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Pinnacle West Capital will post 5.13 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Pinnacle West Capital Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 2nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.91 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, February 2nd. This represents a $3.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.9%. Pinnacle West Capitals payout ratio is currently 74.74%.

Pinnacle West Capital Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Pinnacle West Capital Corporation is a publicly traded utility holding company headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. Through its principal subsidiary, Arizona Public Service Company (APS), Pinnacle West generates, transmits and distributes electricity to more than one million residential, commercial and industrial customers across central and southern Arizona. The companys regulated operations focus on delivering safe, reliable power while meeting evolving environmental standards.

The companys diversified generation portfolio includes natural gasfired plants, the nuclear-powered Palo Verde Generating Stationthe largest nuclear facility in the United States by net outputplus growing investments in solar and battery storage projects.

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Sage Mountain Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ  Free Report) by 19.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 22,014 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 3,554 shares during the period. Sage Mountain Advisors LLCs holdings in Johnson & Johnson were worth $4,082,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Johnson & Johnson in the second quarter worth about $27,000. Clayton Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Johnson & Johnson in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Semmax Financial Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 55.0% during the second quarter. Semmax Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 203 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 72 shares in the last quarter. GFG Capital LLC bought a new position in Johnson & Johnson in the second quarter worth $35,000. Finally, Signature Resources Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Johnson & Johnson by 262.9% during the third quarter. Signature Resources Capital Management LLC now owns 254 shares of the companys stock valued at $47,000 after buying an additional 184 shares during the period. 69.55% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages recently issued reports on JNJ. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $240.00 price target on shares of Johnson & Johnson in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. TD Cowen raised their target price on shares of Johnson & Johnson from $222.00 to $250.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday. Johnson Rice set a $190.00 price target on Johnson & Johnson and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Daiwa Capital Markets upgraded Johnson & Johnson from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $203.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Monday, October 20th. Finally, Argus set a $210.00 target price on Johnson & Johnson in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $219.86.

Johnson & Johnson Stock Performance

Shares of JNJ opened at $218.58 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $526.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.78, a P/E/G ratio of 2.24 and a beta of 0.34. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $207.86 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $188.48. Johnson & Johnson has a 12 month low of $141.50 and a 12 month high of $222.17. The company has a current ratio of 1.07, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50.

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 21st. The company reported $2.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $2.46. Johnson & Johnson had a return on equity of 33.34% and a net margin of 28.46%.The firm had revenue of $24.56 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $24.14 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.04 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 9.1% on a year-over-year basis. Johnson & Johnson has set its FY 2026 guidance at 11.430-11.630 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Johnson & Johnson will post 10.58 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Johnson & Johnson Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 24th will be paid a $1.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 24th. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.4%. Johnson & Johnsons payout ratio is currently 50.19%.

Key Headlines Impacting Johnson & Johnson

Here are the key news stories impacting Johnson & Johnson this week:

Positive Sentiment: Q4 print and 2026 outlook: J&J beat revenue expectations, reported stronger margins and gave FY2026 sales and EPS guidance that was modestly above consensus  the core drivers cited were oncology strength and MedTech momentum. This underpins the bullish analyst reaction and higher expectations for organic growth. Business Wire: Q4 and Full-Year 2025 results

Q4 print and 2026 outlook: J&J beat revenue expectations, reported stronger margins and gave FY2026 sales and EPS guidance that was modestly above consensus  the core drivers cited were oncology strength and MedTech momentum. This underpins the bullish analyst reaction and higher expectations for organic growth. Positive Sentiment: Large analyst upgrade: Scotiabank boosted its price target sharply to $265 (sector outperform), signaling meaningful upside versus the current level and likely supporting buying interest. The Fly: Scotiabank price-target raise

Large analyst upgrade: Scotiabank boosted its price target sharply to $265 (sector outperform), signaling meaningful upside versus the current level and likely supporting buying interest. Positive Sentiment: Technical/market momentum: MarketBeat highlights a trend-following buy signal after the pullback to support levels, which can attract momentum traders and reduce downside risk for buyers. MarketBeat: trend-following buy signal

Technical/market momentum: MarketBeat highlights a trend-following buy signal after the pullback to support levels, which can attract momentum traders and reduce downside risk for buyers. Neutral Sentiment: Analyst tweaks with limited conviction: Bank of America and Stifel nudged targets higher (to $221 and $220 respectively) but kept neutral/hold stances  these adjustments offer modest upside but little change to conviction. Benzinga: analyst target changes

Analyst tweaks with limited conviction: Bank of America and Stifel nudged targets higher (to $221 and $220 respectively) but kept neutral/hold stances  these adjustments offer modest upside but little change to conviction. Positive Sentiment: Dividend and longer-term thesis remain intact: Coverage pieces note J&Js status as a Dividend King with a sustainable payout and a growing MedTech pipeline (including OTTAVA robotics), supporting steady institutional demand. Zacks: dividend thesis

Dividend and longer-term thesis remain intact: Coverage pieces note J&Js status as a Dividend King with a sustainable payout and a growing MedTech pipeline (including OTTAVA robotics), supporting steady institutional demand. Negative Sentiment: Talc litigation moving forward: A court ruling will allow plaintiffs expert testimony in the talc MDL, increasing legal uncertainty and potential exposure that remains an overhang for the stock. Benzinga: talc litigation update

Talc litigation moving forward: A court ruling will allow plaintiffs expert testimony in the talc MDL, increasing legal uncertainty and potential exposure that remains an overhang for the stock. Negative Sentiment: Stelara biosimilar pressure: Investors remain cautious after Stelara sales fell sharply following patent loss; biosimilar competition is dragging growth in that franchise and was cited as a reason for pre-market weakness even after the beat. Blockonomi: Stelara and market reaction

Johnson & Johnson 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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QV Investors Inc. grew its holdings in TFI International Inc. (NYSE:TFII  Free Report) by 25.1% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 441,478 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 88,697 shares during the quarter. TFI International comprises 3.4% of QV Investors Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 10th biggest holding. QV Investors Inc. owned approximately 0.54% of TFI International worth $38,862,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in TFII. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. increased its position in TFI International by 9.3% during the third quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. now owns 13,418 shares of the companys stock worth $1,182,000 after acquiring an additional 1,143 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its position in TFI International by 1.8% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 78,729 shares of the companys stock worth $7,060,000 after purchasing an additional 1,356 shares during the last quarter. United Services Automobile Association bought a new position in shares of TFI International during the 1st quarter worth about $217,000. Marshall Wace LLP acquired a new position in shares of TFI International during the second quarter valued at about $294,000. Finally, Baskin Financial Services Inc. raised its position in shares of TFI International by 1.6% during the second quarter. Baskin Financial Services Inc. now owns 420,152 shares of the companys stock valued at $37,711,000 after buying an additional 6,786 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.30% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages recently commented on TFII. Citigroup upped their target price on TFI International from $106.00 to $131.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on shares of TFI International from $100.00 to $113.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday. CIBC reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $121.00 price objective on shares of TFI International in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Morgan Stanley reissued an overweight rating and issued a $160.00 target price on shares of TFI International in a research note on Monday, December 8th. Finally, Susquehanna raised their price target on shares of TFI International from $105.00 to $123.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a research note on Monday, January 5th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have assigned a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $120.73.

TFI International Trading Up 0.6%

NYSE TFII opened at $111.66 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 1.06 and a quick ratio of 1.05. The stocks 50-day moving average is $100.69 and its 200-day moving average is $94.31. TFI International Inc. has a one year low of $72.02 and a one year high of $140.35. The firm has a market cap of $9.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.78, a P/E/G ratio of 5.09 and a beta of 1.49.

TFI International (NYSE:TFII  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $1.20 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.19 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $1.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.49 billion. TFI International had a net margin of 4.06% and a return on equity of 14.20%. Sell-side analysts anticipate that TFI International Inc. will post 7.76 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

TFI International Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st were given a dividend of $0.47 per share. This represents a $1.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.7%. This is a boost from TFI Internationals previous quarterly dividend of $0.45. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, December 31st. TFI Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 48.45%.

About TFI International

(Free Report)

TFI International Inc (NYSE: TFII) is a leading North American transport and logistics company headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. The company operates through a network of subsidiaries that provide truckload, less-than-truckload (LTL), specialized freight, package and courier, and logistics services. By integrating these operations, TFI delivers comprehensive end-to-end solutions, including long-haul and regional transportation, expedited delivery, warehousing, and cross-border freight movement.

Originally founded in 1957 as a regional trucking outfit in Cabano, Quebec, TFI International has expanded significantly through a disciplined acquisition strategy.

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Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited (NYSE:HMY  Get Free Report) has earned a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the six analysts that are covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, two have assigned a buy recommendation and one has assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year target price among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $16.00.

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on HMY. Investec upgraded shares of Harmony Gold Mining to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Hsbc Global Res upgraded Harmony Gold Mining from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Wall Street Zen raised Harmony Gold Mining from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Saturday, January 17th. Zacks Research lowered Harmony Gold Mining from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. Finally, HSBC upgraded Harmony Gold Mining from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, October 9th.

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Institutional Trading of Harmony Gold Mining

Harmony Gold Mining Price Performance

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in HMY. Advisory Services Network LLC bought a new position in Harmony Gold Mining in the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Assetmark Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Harmony Gold Mining by 907.5% in the 3rd quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 1,753 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 1,579 shares in the last quarter. Colonial Trust Advisors bought a new position in shares of Harmony Gold Mining in the 2nd quarter valued at $26,000. Farther Finance Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Harmony Gold Mining by 181.8% during the 3rd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 2,773 shares of the mining companys stock worth $50,000 after buying an additional 1,789 shares in the last quarter. Finally, First Horizon Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Harmony Gold Mining during the 2nd quarter worth $55,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 31.79% of the companys stock.

NYSE:HMY opened at $23.01 on Friday. Harmony Gold Mining has a 52 week low of $9.69 and a 52 week high of $23.80. The company has a quick ratio of 1.41, a current ratio of 1.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $20.07 and its 200 day simple moving average is $17.47.

About Harmony Gold Mining

(Get Free Report)

Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited is a South Africabased precious metals producer primarily engaged in the exploration, mining and processing of gold. The company operates a portfolio of underground and surface mining operations, targeting both reef-hosted and alluvial deposits. In addition to gold, Harmonys activities encompass the extraction of copper as a byproduct at its Papua New Guinea operations.

In South Africa, Harmonys mining footprint includes deep-level underground operations in the Witwatersrand Basin, where it employs a combination of conventional and mechanized mining methods.

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Intesa Sanpaolo SpA (OTCMKTS:ISNPY  Get Free Report) has earned an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the eight analysts that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, three have given a buy recommendation and one has assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company.

Several research firms have issued reports on ISNPY. Royal Bank Of Canada initiated coverage on Intesa Sanpaolo in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. They set a moderate buy rating on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut Intesa Sanpaolo from a moderate buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, November 14th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating on shares of Intesa Sanpaolo in a research report on Monday, November 24th. Citigroup reissued a buy rating on shares of Intesa Sanpaolo in a report on Monday, January 5th. Finally, Zacks Research cut shares of Intesa Sanpaolo from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th.

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Intesa Sanpaolo Trading Up 1.0%

Intesa Sanpaolo Dividend Announcement

Shares of ISNPY stock opened at $41.20 on Friday. The firms 50 day moving average is $40.67 and its 200 day moving average is $38.80. The stock has a market capitalization of $119.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.26, a PEG ratio of 1.03 and a beta of 0.75. Intesa Sanpaolo has a 12 month low of $25.13 and a 12 month high of $42.82.

The company also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 8th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 2nd were given a dividend of $0.9325 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 445.0%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 1st. Intesa Sanpaolos payout ratio is 55.65%.

About Intesa Sanpaolo

(Get Free Report)

Intesa Sanpaolo is an Italian banking group formed in 2007 through the merger of Banca Intesa and Sanpaolo IMI. The group is one of Italys largest financial institutions, serving a wide range of clients from individual retail customers to large corporations and institutional investors. Its long heritage traces to several regional banks and savings institutions that became part of the consolidated group, giving it a prominent role in the Italian financial system.

The company operates across multiple business lines, including retail banking (current accounts, deposits, mortgages and consumer loans), corporate and investment banking (cash management, lending, capital markets and advisory), private banking and wealth management, asset management and insurance.

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Strs Ohio lifted its position in Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ  Free Report) by 13.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,297,631 shares of the cell phone carriers stock after acquiring an additional 269,898 shares during the quarter. Strs Ohio owned 0.05% of Verizon Communications worth $100,981,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in VZ. Brighton Jones LLC boosted its holdings in Verizon Communications by 61.2% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 43,986 shares of the cell phone carriers stock valued at $1,759,000 after acquiring an additional 16,704 shares during the period. Maseco LLP purchased a new stake in shares of Verizon Communications during the second quarter valued at $66,000. Evanson Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Verizon Communications by 50.9% in the second quarter. Evanson Asset Management LLC now owns 9,310 shares of the cell phone carriers stock worth $403,000 after purchasing an additional 3,139 shares during the last quarter. Mather Group LLC. increased its stake in Verizon Communications by 1.6% in the 2nd quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 27,472 shares of the cell phone carriers stock worth $1,189,000 after buying an additional 425 shares during the period. Finally, Missouri Trust & Investment Co lifted its holdings in Verizon Communications by 6.2% during the 2nd quarter. Missouri Trust & Investment Co now owns 4,481 shares of the cell phone carriers stock valued at $194,000 after buying an additional 263 shares in the last quarter. 62.06% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have commented on VZ. TD Cowen dropped their target price on shares of Verizon Communications from $56.00 to $51.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price objective on Verizon Communications from $46.00 to $44.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Barclays assumed coverage on Verizon Communications in a report on Thursday. They issued an equal weight rating and a $43.00 target price for the company. Wall Street Zen lowered Verizon Communications from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, September 26th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on shares of Verizon Communications from $48.00 to $47.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating and twelve have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Verizon Communications presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $47.00.

Verizon Communications Trading Up 0.6%

NYSE:VZ opened at $39.49 on Friday. Verizon Communications Inc. has a 52 week low of $38.39 and a 52 week high of $47.35. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $40.40 and a 200 day moving average of $41.65. The company has a quick ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19. The stock has a market capitalization of $166.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.44, a PEG ratio of 3.74 and a beta of 0.34.

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The cell phone carrier reported $1.21 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.19 by $0.02. Verizon Communications had a net margin of 14.43% and a return on equity of 19.31%. The business had revenue of $33.82 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $34.19 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.19 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 1.5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Verizon Communications Inc. will post 4.69 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Verizon Communications Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 2nd. Investors of record on Monday, January 12th will be given a $0.69 dividend. This represents a $2.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, January 12th. Verizon Communicationss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 58.97%.

Verizon Communications Company Profile

(Free Report)

Verizon Communications Inc (NYSE: VZ) is a major U.S.-based telecommunications company that provides a broad range of communications and information services. Its operations span consumer and business markets, with core offerings that include wireless voice and data services, fixed-line broadband and fiber-optic services, and enterprise networking solutions. Verizon is headquartered in New York City and operates a nationwide wireless network that supports consumer subscribers as well as business and government customers.

The companys consumer products include mobile phone plans, unlimited data services, and Fios, its branded fiber-optic internet, television and voice service for homes and small businesses.

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Strs Ohio boosted its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC  Free Report) by 4.9% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,558,047 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 73,313 shares during the period. Wells Fargo & Company comprises about 0.5% of Strs Ohios investment portfolio, making the stock its 28th biggest holding. Strs Ohios holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $130,596,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 62.3% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 66,233 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $4,652,000 after purchasing an additional 25,436 shares during the last quarter. Accurate Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in Wells Fargo & Company by 11.3% during the 2nd quarter. Accurate Wealth Management LLC now owns 9,388 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $773,000 after buying an additional 951 shares during the last quarter. BCS Wealth Management acquired a new stake in Wells Fargo & Company in the second quarter worth $274,000. Financial Management Professionals Inc. lifted its stake in Wells Fargo & Company by 19.3% in the second quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. now owns 854 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $68,000 after buying an additional 138 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Retireful LLC acquired a new position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company during the second quarter valued at $233,000. 75.90% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wells Fargo & Company Trading Up 2.3%

Wells Fargo & Company stock opened at $88.08 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $276.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.93 and a beta of 1.09. Wells Fargo & Company has a 1 year low of $58.42 and a 1 year high of $97.76. The firms 50 day moving average price is $90.29 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $84.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a current ratio of 0.90.

Wells Fargo & Company Dividend Announcement

Wells Fargo & Company ( NYSE:WFC Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data 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 during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.63 billion. Wells Fargo & Company had a return on equity of 12.90% and a net margin of 17.27%.The companys revenue was up 4.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.43 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.89 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 7th were issued a dividend of $0.45 per share. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 7th. Wells Fargo & Companys payout ratio is presently 28.71%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms recently weighed in on WFC. Argus increased their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $94.00 to $101.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, January 15th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research report on Wednesday. Barclays raised their target price on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $94.00 to $113.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, January 5th. Wolfe Research reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $109.00 price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised Wells Fargo & Company from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, October 4th. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $94.87.

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Wells Fargo & Company News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Wells Fargo & Company this week:

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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Shares of Lloyds Banking Group PLC (NYSE:LYG  Get Free Report) have received a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the eleven research firms that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, five have given a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company.

LYG has been the topic of several research analyst reports. BNP Paribas Exane lowered Lloyds Banking Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a research report on Monday, November 24th. Wall Street Zen cut Lloyds Banking Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, October 20th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Finally, Kepler Capital Markets raised shares of Lloyds Banking Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 9th.

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Lloyds Banking Group Stock Up 0.2%

NYSE:LYG opened at $5.55 on Friday. Lloyds Banking Group has a fifty-two week low of $2.97 and a fifty-two week high of $5.57. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $5.18 and its 200-day simple moving average is $4.72. The stock has a market cap of $81.77 billion, a PE ratio of 15.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.63 and a beta of 0.89.

Lloyds Banking Group (NYSE:LYG  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 23rd. The financial services provider reported $0.05 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.12 by ($0.07). Lloyds Banking Group had a return on equity of 8.38% and a net margin of 18.04%.The company had revenue of $6.56 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.02 billion. Equities analysts anticipate that Lloyds Banking Group will post 0.27 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. True Wealth Design LLC acquired a new stake in Lloyds Banking Group during the 3rd quarter valued at $25,000. Salomon & Ludwin LLC boosted its stake in shares of Lloyds Banking Group by 2,671.6% during the third quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 5,959 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 5,744 shares during the last quarter. Private Trust Co. NA increased its position in Lloyds Banking Group by 115.2% during the 3rd quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 6,092 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 3,261 shares in the last quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in Lloyds Banking Group by 100.0% in the 3rd quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 6,406 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 3,203 shares during the last quarter. Finally, V Square Quantitative Management LLC purchased a new position in Lloyds Banking Group in the 2nd quarter valued at about $29,000. 2.15% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Lloyds Banking Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Lloyds Banking Group plc is a UK-based banking and financial services company that provides a broad range of retail, commercial and insurance products. Its principal consumer-facing brands include Lloyds Bank, Halifax and Bank of Scotland, through which it offers current accounts, savings, mortgages, credit cards and personal loans. The group also delivers services to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and larger corporate clients, supplying business accounts, lending, payments and cash-management solutions.

In addition to core banking, Lloyds operates a significant wealth and insurance arm under the Scottish Widows brand, offering life insurance, pensions, investment and retirement planning products.

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Millburn Ridgefield LLC DE cut its position in shares of iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF (NYSEARCA:EWT  Free Report) by 8.0% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 992,815 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 86,288 shares during the quarter. iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF accounts for 1.5% of Millburn Ridgefield LLC DEs portfolio, making the stock its 18th biggest holding. Millburn Ridgefield LLC DE owned approximately 0.95% of iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF worth $63,163,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership lifted its position in shares of iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF by 2,378.2% in the 2nd quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 1,905,456 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $109,373,000 after acquiring an additional 1,828,566 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Financial Markets boosted its stake in iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF by 393.4% during the second quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 2,085,693 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $119,719,000 after buying an additional 1,662,985 shares in the last quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group increased its holdings in iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF by 4,066.3% in the 2nd quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group now owns 1,677,273 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $97,030,000 after buying an additional 1,637,015 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF by 2,953.1% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 602,344 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $28,599,000 after buying an additional 582,615 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Meitav Investment House Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF by 151.5% during the 3rd quarter. Meitav Investment House Ltd. now owns 821,670 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $52,189,000 after acquiring an additional 495,000 shares during the period.

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iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF Stock Performance

Shares of iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF stock opened at $68.25 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $7.47 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.58 and a beta of 0.94. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $64.33 and its 200-day simple moving average is $62.80. iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF has a twelve month low of $39.44 and a twelve month high of $68.57.

About iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF

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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With a market cap of $73.6 billion, Dell Technologies Inc. (DELL) is a global technology company that designs, develops, manufactures, and sells integrated solutions, products, and services across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and other international markets. It operates through its Infrastructure Solutions Group and Client Solutions Group, serving enterprises, governments, institutions, businesses, and consumers worldwide.

The Round Rock, Texas-based is slated to announce its fiscal Q4 2026 results soon. Ahead of this event, analysts forecast DELL to post an EPS of $3.29, a growth of nearly 36% from $2.42 in the year-ago quarter. It has exceeded Wall Street's earnings expectations in three of the past four quarters while missing on another occasion.

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For fiscal 2026, analysts predict Dell Technologies to report EPS of $9.10, a surge of 21.7% from $7.48 in fiscal 2025.

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Shares of Dell Technologies have declined marginally over the past 52 weeks, lagging behind the broader S&P 500 Index's ($SPX) 12.8% rise and the State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF's (XLK) 20.9% return over the same period.

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Shares of Dell soared 5.8% following its Q3 2026 results on Nov. 25, with revenue of $27 billion and adjusted EPS reaching a record $2.59. Investors were encouraged by Dells strong AI momentum, highlighted by record AI server orders of $12.3 billion in Q3, $30 billion in AI orders year-to-date, and raised full-year AI shipment guidance to $25 billion (up over 150%).

Analysts' consensus view on DELL stock remains cautiously optimistic, with a "Moderate Buy" rating overall. Out of 23 analysts covering the stock, 15 recommend a "Strong Buy," two "Moderate Buy," five "Holds," and one "Strong Sell." The average analyst price target for Dell Technologies is $164.43, suggesting a potential upside of 47.1% from current levels.

On the date of publication, Sohini Mondal did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com
Parkside Financial Bank & Trust trimmed its position in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (BATS:EFV  Free Report) by 15.9% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 65,513 shares of the companys stock after selling 12,423 shares during the period. Parkside Financial Bank & Trusts holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF were worth $4,444,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Gateway Wealth Partners LLC increased its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 68.9% during the 2nd quarter. Gateway Wealth Partners LLC now owns 78,011 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,952,000 after purchasing an additional 31,811 shares during the last quarter. First Horizon Corp purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF during the third quarter worth about $1,662,000. Tempus Wealth Planning LLC raised its position in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 30.5% in the second quarter. Tempus Wealth Planning LLC now owns 32,836 shares of the companys stock worth $2,084,000 after acquiring an additional 7,674 shares during the period. Gilbert Capital Group Inc. bought a new stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF in the second quarter worth about $5,550,000. Finally, Apollon Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 52.9% in the third quarter. Apollon Wealth Management LLC now owns 196,067 shares of the companys stock valued at $13,299,000 after acquiring an additional 67,824 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Stock Up 40.7%

Shares of EFV stock opened at $73.56 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $30.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.17 and a beta of 0.73. The company has a 50 day moving average of $71.19 and a 200-day moving average of $68.36. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF has a 12-month low of $51.05 and a 12-month high of $66.83.

iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Profile

iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Value Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI EAFE Value Index. The Index is a subset of the MSCI EAFE Index and constituents of the Index include securities from Europe, Australasia (Australia and Asia), and the Far East. The Fund invests in sectors, such as financials, energy, healthcare, telecommunication services, industrials, utilities, consumer discretionary, materials, information technology and consumer staples.

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UNIVEST FINANCIAL Corp reduced its stake in United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI  Free Report) by 6.1% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 14,463 shares of the construction companys stock after selling 936 shares during the period. United Rentals accounts for about 0.8% of UNIVEST FINANCIAL Corps investment portfolio, making the stock its 29th biggest holding. UNIVEST FINANCIAL Corps holdings in United Rentals were worth $13,808,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Woodline Partners LP increased its position in United Rentals by 40.0% in the first quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 5,518 shares of the construction companys stock worth $3,458,000 after buying an additional 1,577 shares during the period. Farther Finance Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of United Rentals by 56.6% during the second quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 1,345 shares of the construction companys stock worth $1,013,000 after acquiring an additional 486 shares during the last quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp increased its holdings in shares of United Rentals by 2.8% in the 2nd quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 3,956 shares of the construction companys stock worth $2,980,000 after acquiring an additional 106 shares during the period. Maseco LLP bought a new stake in United Rentals in the 2nd quarter valued at about $32,000. Finally, Ballentine Partners LLC boosted its stake in United Rentals by 20.1% during the 2nd quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 1,565 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $1,179,000 after purchasing an additional 262 shares during the period. 96.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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United Rentals Trading Up 1.8%

Shares of United Rentals stock opened at $956.88 on Friday. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $841.58 and a 200-day simple moving average of $884.65. United Rentals, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $525.91 and a fifty-two week high of $1,021.47. The firm has a market cap of $60.89 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 1.69. The company has a quick ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

United Rentals ( NYSE:URI Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The construction company reported $11.70 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $12.43 by ($0.73). United Rentals had a return on equity of 31.30% and a net margin of 15.83%.The business had revenue of $4.23 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.16 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $11.80 earnings per share. United Rentalss revenue was up 5.9% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts forecast that United Rentals, Inc. will post 44.8 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Several equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Robert W. Baird upgraded shares of United Rentals from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and raised their price target for the company from $888.00 to $1,050.00 in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. Barclays lowered their target price on United Rentals from $620.00 to $600.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 20th. UBS Group upgraded United Rentals from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $1,025.00 price target for the company in a research report on Sunday, January 4th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of United Rentals in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Truist Financial reduced their price objective on shares of United Rentals from $1,169.00 to $1,045.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, December 18th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, United Rentals presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $970.76.

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About United Rentals

(Free Report)

United Rentals, Inc (NYSE: URI) is a leading equipment rental company headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut. The firm provides rental solutions and related services to construction, industrial, commercial, and municipal customers. Its business model centers on providing access to a broad fleet of equipment on a short-term or long-term basis, enabling customers to avoid the capital expenditure of ownership and to scale equipment use to match project needs.

The companys product and service offerings span general construction equipment and a range of specialty categories, including aerial work platforms, earthmoving and excavation machines, material handling equipment, pumps, power and HVAC systems, trench and shoring solutions, and tools.

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Tyler Technologies (NYSE:TYL  Get Free Report) had its price objective decreased by equities researchers at Oppenheimer from $600.00 to $510.00 in a report issued on Friday. The firm presently has an outperform rating on the technology companys stock. Oppenheimers price target points to a potential upside of 15.89% from the companys previous close.

A number of other equities research analysts have also issued reports on TYL. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on Tyler Technologies in a research note on Tuesday, January 13th. They set a buy rating and a $560.00 price target for the company. TD Cowen started coverage on shares of Tyler Technologies in a report on Friday, December 12th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Evercore ISI reiterated a positive rating on shares of Tyler Technologies in a report on Friday, October 31st. Robert W. Baird set a $660.00 price objective on Tyler Technologies in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Finally, DA Davidson cut their price target on shares of Tyler Technologies from $540.00 to $510.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, December 9th. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $611.14.

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View Our Latest Stock Report on TYL

Tyler Technologies Stock Up 1.3%

TYL stock opened at $440.09 on Friday. Tyler Technologies has a 52 week low of $427.65 and a 52 week high of $661.31. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $455.39 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $508.63. The firm has a market capitalization of $18.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 61.21, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 0.91.

Tyler Technologies (NYSE:TYL  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The technology company reported $2.97 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.88 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $595.88 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $594.34 million. Tyler Technologies had a return on equity of 10.57% and a net margin of 13.72%.The firms revenue was up 10.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.52 earnings per share. Tyler Technologies has set its FY 2025 guidance at 11.300-11.500 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that Tyler Technologies will post 8.52 EPS for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CFO Brian K. Miller sold 1,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $469.08, for a total transaction of $469,080.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 12,781 shares in the company, valued at $5,995,311.48. This represents a 7.26% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Glenn A. Carter sold 500 shares of the firms 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 transaction, the director owned 3,172 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,455,091.56. This trade represents a 13.62% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold 3,500 shares of company stock valued at $1,605,605 over the last 90 days. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Tyler Technologies

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. DLD Asset Management LP purchased a new position in Tyler Technologies during the second quarter worth about $5,780,190,000. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Tyler Technologies in the second quarter valued at $712,276,000. Van ECK Associates Corp raised its holdings in shares of Tyler Technologies by 55.1% in the 3rd quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 850,103 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $444,740,000 after buying an additional 301,885 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its stake in Tyler Technologies by 72.5% during the 3rd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 600,776 shares of the technology companys stock worth $314,302,000 after acquiring an additional 252,488 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Tyler Technologies by 4.2% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 5,805,036 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $3,036,963,000 after acquiring an additional 234,916 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.30% of the companys stock.

Tyler Technologies Company Profile

(Get 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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Myriad Asset Management US LP bought a new stake in shares of Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 16,394 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,664,000. Citigroup comprises about 0.9% of Myriad Asset Management US LPs investment portfolio, making the stock its 25th largest holding.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Brookstone Capital Management increased its stake in Citigroup by 31.5% during the 3rd quarter. Brookstone Capital Management now owns 75,914 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,705,000 after purchasing an additional 18,176 shares in the last quarter. Permanent Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of Citigroup during the 3rd quarter valued at about $1,238,000. Penobscot Investment Management Company Inc. raised its position in Citigroup by 61.5% in the third quarter. Penobscot Investment Management Company Inc. now owns 57,033 shares of the companys stock worth $5,789,000 after acquiring an additional 21,720 shares during the period. Perigon Wealth Management LLC increased its position in Citigroup by 27.2% in the third quarter. Perigon Wealth Management LLC now owns 75,566 shares of the companys stock worth $7,670,000 after buying an additional 16,171 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Keystone Financial Services bought a new stake in Citigroup during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $216,000. 71.72% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Citigroup News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Citigroup this week:

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on C shares. Piper Sandler set a $135.00 price objective on Citigroup in a research note on Thursday, January 15th. Barclays lifted their target price on Citigroup from $115.00 to $146.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, January 5th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Citigroup in a research note on Wednesday. Wells Fargo & Company set a $150.00 price objective on Citigroup in a report on Monday, January 5th. Finally, Wolfe Research reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $141.00 price objective on shares of Citigroup in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. Fourteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $125.56.

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Citigroup Stock Performance

Shares of Citigroup stock opened at $115.55 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.63, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a current ratio of 1.00. Citigroup Inc. has a one year low of $55.51 and a one year high of $124.17. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $111.77 and its 200 day moving average price is $101.83. The company has a market cap of $206.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.58, a PEG ratio of 0.72 and a beta of 1.18.

Citigroup (NYSE:C  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 14th. The company reported $1.81 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.65 by $0.16. The company had revenue of $19.87 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $20.99 billion. Citigroup had a return on equity of 8.28% and a net margin of 8.50%.The firms revenue for the quarter was up 2.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.34 earnings per share. On average, research analysts predict that Citigroup Inc. will post 7.53 EPS for the current year.

Citigroup Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 27th. Investors of record on Monday, February 2nd will be paid a dividend of $0.60 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, February 2nd. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.1%. Citigroups dividend payout ratio is presently 34.43%.

Citigroup Company Profile

(Free Report)

Citigroup Inc is a global financial services company headquartered in New York City with roots tracing back to the City Bank of New York, founded in 1812. The modern Citigroup was created through the 1998 merger of Citicorp and Travelers Group and has since operated as a diversified bank holding company that provides a broad range of banking and financial products and services to consumers, corporations, governments and institutions worldwide.

Citis principal businesses include retail and commercial banking, credit card and consumer lending products, wealth management and private banking, and a full suite of institutional services.

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Teacher Retirement System of Texas boosted its holdings in The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW  Free Report) by 34.5% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 665,805 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 170,773 shares during the period. Teacher Retirement System of Texas holdings in Charles Schwab were worth $63,564,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in Charles Schwab by 1.9% during the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 151,182,081 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $13,793,853,000 after purchasing an additional 2,786,829 shares during the period. State Street Corp increased its position in Charles Schwab by 0.7% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 72,464,619 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $6,611,672,000 after buying an additional 531,329 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Charles Schwab by 2.9% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 37,381,183 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $3,399,181,000 after buying an additional 1,038,376 shares during the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Charles Schwab by 2.8% during the second quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 30,035,937 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,740,479,000 after acquiring an additional 815,625 shares during the period. Finally, Fisher Asset Management LLC grew its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 1.0% during the second quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 21,376,690 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,950,409,000 after acquiring an additional 211,527 shares during the last quarter. 84.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Charles Schwab Stock Up 2.2%

SCHW opened at $104.07 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $184.93 billion, a PE ratio of 22.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.69 and a beta of 0.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a current ratio of 0.58 and a quick ratio of 0.58. The Charles Schwab Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $65.88 and a fifty-two week high of $105.81. The business has a 50-day moving average of $97.68 and a 200-day moving average of $95.81.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Charles Schwab ( NYSE:SCHW Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 21st. The financial services provider reported $1.39 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.32 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $6.34 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.19 billion. Charles Schwab had a return on equity of 22.07% and a net margin of 37.01%.The firms revenue was up 18.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.01 earnings per share. Charles Schwab has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.700-5.800 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that The Charles Schwab Corporation will post 4.22 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Several brokerages recently weighed in on SCHW. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of Charles Schwab from $119.00 to $121.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, October 20th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a buy rating and issued a $131.00 price target on shares of Charles Schwab in a research note on Thursday. TD Cowen boosted their price objective on Charles Schwab from $135.00 to $138.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday. Citizens Jmp raised their target price on Charles Schwab from $110.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a market outperform rating in a research report on Monday, January 12th. Finally, Bank of America lifted their target price on Charles Schwab from $88.00 to $91.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have assigned a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $115.60.

View Our Latest Research Report on SCHW

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, insider Jonathan S. Beatty sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $102.01, for a total transaction of $204,020.00. Following the transaction, the insider owned 11,923 shares in the company, valued at $1,216,265.23. This represents a 14.36% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 6.30% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

About Charles Schwab

(Free Report)

Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE: SCHW) is a diversified financial services firm that provides brokerage, banking, wealth management and advisory services to individual investors, independent investment advisors and institutional clients. Its primary offerings include retail brokerage accounts, online trading platforms, Schwab-branded mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), retirement plan services, custodial services for independent Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs), and banking products through Charles Schwab Bank.

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Myriad Asset Management US LP decreased its position in Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:MUFG  Free Report) by 52.1% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 124,956 shares of the companys stock after selling 135,655 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group comprises about 1.1% of Myriad Asset Management US LPs investment portfolio, making the stock its 20th biggest holding. Myriad Asset Management US LPs holdings in Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group were worth $1,992,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group during the second quarter worth approximately $31,000. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC bought a new stake in shares of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group during the 2nd quarter worth $36,000. True Wealth Design LLC acquired a new position in shares of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group during the 3rd quarter worth about $49,000. CWM LLC boosted its holdings in Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group by 188.9% in the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 3,504 shares of the companys stock valued at $56,000 after purchasing an additional 2,291 shares during the period. Finally, NewSquare Capital LLC increased its holdings in Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group by 162.6% in the 2nd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 3,723 shares of the companys stock valued at $51,000 after buying an additional 2,305 shares during the period. 13.59% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Stock Down 2.0%

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group stock opened at $17.90 on Friday. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $16.29 and a 200 day simple moving average of $15.42. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $10.46 and a 1-year high of $18.90. The company has a current ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39. The company has a market cap of $212.43 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.98, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 0.35.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group ( NYSE:MUFG Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Monday, December 29th. The company reported $0.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of $9.78 billion for the quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group had a return on equity of 9.39% and a net margin of 13.98%. Research analysts anticipate that Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. will post 0.99 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

MUFG has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Zacks Research lowered Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, December 1st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold.

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Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Profile

(Free Report)

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc (MUFG) is a Tokyo-based financial services holding company and one of Japans largest banking groups and among the worlds leading financial institutions. The group was formed through the integration of Mitsubishi Tokyo Financial Group and UFJ Holdings and operates a comprehensive suite of banking and financial services for retail, corporate, and institutional clients. MUFGs core banking operations are conducted through its commercial banking arm and a network of domestic and international subsidiaries and affiliates.

MUFG offers a broad range of products and services including commercial and retail banking, corporate and investment banking, global transaction banking, trust banking, asset management, securities and brokerage services, credit cards, consumer finance, leasing and custody services.

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Myriad Asset Management US LP bought a new stake in Banco Santander, S.A. (NYSE:SAN  Free Report) during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm bought 79,323 shares of the banks stock, valued at approximately $831,000.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Chevy Chase Trust Holdings LLC boosted its stake in shares of Banco Santander by 22.0% during the 2nd quarter. Chevy Chase Trust Holdings LLC now owns 14,482,986 shares of the banks stock worth $120,209,000 after acquiring an additional 2,607,392 shares during the period. Lazard Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of Banco Santander by 2,038,075.5% in the 2nd quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 7,643,158 shares of the banks stock valued at $63,438,000 after buying an additional 7,642,783 shares in the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE boosted its holdings in shares of Banco Santander by 68.5% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 4,778,086 shares of the banks stock valued at $39,658,000 after purchasing an additional 1,942,579 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. raised its stake in Banco Santander by 9.5% during the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 3,614,912 shares of the banks stock worth $30,004,000 after acquiring an additional 315,032 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in Banco Santander by 153.5% in the second quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 3,001,256 shares of the banks stock valued at $24,910,000 after buying an additional 1,817,192 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 9.19% of the companys stock.

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Banco Santander Price Performance

Banco Santander stock opened at $12.43 on Friday. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $11.42 and a 200-day moving average price of $10.24. Banco Santander, S.A. has a one year low of $4.85 and a one year high of $12.48. The firm has a market capitalization of $185.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.22, a PEG ratio of 0.73 and a beta of 0.73.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Banco Santander ( NYSE:SAN Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The bank reported $0.23 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.25 by ($0.02). Banco Santander had a return on equity of 11.68% and a net margin of 17.90%.The company had revenue of $26.22 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $15.32 billion. Sell-side analysts expect that Banco Santander, S.A. will post 0.83 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

A number of research analysts have recently commented on SAN shares. Barclays cut Banco Santander from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. UBS Group downgraded Banco Santander from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, January 16th. Zacks Research downgraded Banco Santander from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 18th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b+) rating on shares of Banco Santander in a report on Wednesday. Finally, DZ Bank cut shares of Banco Santander from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, December 18th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Banco Santander has a consensus rating of Hold.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on SAN

Banco Santander Company Profile

(Free Report)

Banco Santander, SA (NYSE: SAN) is a Spanish multinational banking group headquartered in Santander, Spain. Founded in 1857, the bank has grown from a regional institution into one of Europes largest banking groups, operating a diversified financial services platform that serves retail, small and medium-sized enterprises, and large corporate clients. Santander is publicly listed in Spain and maintains American Depositary Receipts on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker SAN.

The groups core activities include retail and commercial bankingoffering deposit accounts, payment services, mortgages, personal and auto loans, and small business financingalongside corporate and investment banking services for larger institutional clients.

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Teacher Retirement System of Texas reduced its holdings in Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE:BSX  Free Report) by 14.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 795,537 shares of the medical equipment providers stock after selling 136,256 shares during the quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas owned approximately 0.05% of Boston Scientific worth $77,668,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of BSX. State Street Corp lifted its holdings in Boston Scientific by 1.1% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 65,191,864 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $7,002,258,000 after buying an additional 713,379 shares in the last quarter. Synergy Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of Boston Scientific by 3,493.0% during the third quarter. Synergy Asset Management LLC now owns 493,323 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $48,297,000 after acquiring an additional 479,593 shares during the last quarter. Gladstone Institutional Advisory LLC lifted its stake in shares of Boston Scientific by 39.5% during the third quarter. Gladstone Institutional Advisory LLC now owns 51,884 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $5,065,000 after acquiring an additional 14,700 shares during the period. Bank Pictet & Cie Europe AG boosted its holdings in Boston Scientific by 75.3% in the second quarter. Bank Pictet & Cie Europe AG now owns 164,654 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $17,685,000 after acquiring an additional 70,753 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Channel Wealth LLC increased its position in Boston Scientific by 70.8% in the third quarter. Channel Wealth LLC now owns 28,577 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $2,790,000 after purchasing an additional 11,847 shares during the period. 89.07% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other Boston Scientific news, Director Ellen M. Zane sold 12,891 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $98.28, for a total transaction of $1,266,927.48. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 24,134 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,371,889.52. This represents a 34.82% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Arthur C. Butcher sold 17,313 shares of Boston Scientific stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $101.55, for a total value of $1,758,135.15. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 23,600 shares in the company, valued at $2,396,580. This represents a 42.32% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold a total of 93,095 shares of company stock worth $9,305,450 over the last ninety days. Company insiders own 0.50% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have issued reports on BSX. Citigroup restated a buy rating on shares of Boston Scientific in a research report on Wednesday, January 14th. Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Boston Scientific in a research note on Thursday, January 15th. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their target price on shares of Boston Scientific from $125.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b-) rating on shares of Boston Scientific in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on Boston Scientific from $124.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nineteen have assigned a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $123.89.

Check Out Our Latest Report on BSX

Boston Scientific Price Performance

Shares of BSX opened at $91.32 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a current ratio of 1.51. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $95.90 and a 200 day simple moving average of $99.95. Boston Scientific Corporation has a 52-week low of $85.98 and a 52-week high of $109.50. The firm has a market capitalization of $135.38 billion, a PE ratio of 48.83, a P/E/G ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 0.67.

Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The medical equipment provider reported $0.75 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.71 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $5.07 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.97 billion. Boston Scientific had a net margin of 14.43% and a return on equity of 19.46%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 20.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.63 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Boston Scientific Corporation will post 2.85 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Boston Scientific Profile

(Free Report)

Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) is a global medical device company that develops, manufactures and markets a broad portfolio of products used in less-invasive medical procedures. Founded in 1979 by John Abele and Peter Nicholas, the company is headquartered in Marlborough, Massachusetts, and focuses on technologies that enable physicians to treat a wide range of cardiovascular, digestive, urologic, pulmonary and chronic pain conditions without open surgery.

Boston Scientifics activities span product development, clinical research, regulatory affairs and commercial sales.

Further Reading

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Teacher Retirement System of Texas raised its stake in shares of Veralto Corporation (NYSE:VLTO  Free Report) by 24.6% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 518,243 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 102,339 shares during the period. Teacher Retirement System of Texas owned about 0.21% of Veralto worth $55,250,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the stock. Capital Advisors Inc. OK boosted its holdings in Veralto by 6.3% during the third quarter. Capital Advisors Inc. OK now owns 380,910 shares of the companys stock worth $40,609,000 after buying an additional 22,464 shares in the last quarter. Spire Wealth Management increased its holdings in Veralto by 1,579.5% in the third quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 12,311 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,312,000 after buying an additional 11,578 shares in the last quarter. Defender Capital LLC. raised its position in shares of Veralto by 9.2% in the second quarter. Defender Capital LLC. now owns 172,870 shares of the companys stock worth $17,451,000 after acquiring an additional 14,586 shares during the period. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. boosted its stake in shares of Veralto by 8.9% during the 3rd quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. now owns 1,159,417 shares of the companys stock worth $123,605,000 after acquiring an additional 94,607 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wolverine Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Veralto during the 3rd quarter valued at about $1,919,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.28% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other Veralto news, SVP Mattias Bystrom sold 1,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $101.73, for a total value of $101,730.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 31,430 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,197,373.90. This trade represents a 3.08% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.36% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on the company. Weiss Ratings lowered Veralto from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 31st. Barclays raised their price objective on Veralto from $119.00 to $121.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, October 30th. UBS Group upped their target price on Veralto from $110.00 to $112.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a hold rating and issued a $105.00 price target (down previously from $125.00) on shares of Veralto in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price objective on shares of Veralto from $108.00 to $111.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Veralto currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $112.89.

Read Our Latest Analysis on VLTO

Veralto Stock Down 0.5%

Shares of VLTO opened at $101.44 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $100.67 and a 200 day moving average price of $103.10. Veralto Corporation has a one year low of $83.86 and a one year high of $110.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 1.40 and a current ratio of 1.57. The stock has a market capitalization of $25.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.79, a PEG ratio of 2.90 and a beta of 0.88.

Veralto (NYSE:VLTO  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The company reported $0.99 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.95 by $0.04. Veralto had a return on equity of 38.69% and a net margin of 16.75%.The company had revenue of $1.40 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.40 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.89 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 6.8% on a year-over-year basis. Veralto has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.820-3.850 EPS and its Q4 2025 guidance at 0.950-0.980 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Veralto Corporation will post 3.66 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Veralto Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 30th. Investors of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be paid a dividend of $0.13 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 31st. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.5%. This is a boost from Veraltos previous quarterly dividend of $0.11. Veraltos dividend payout ratio is currently 14.25%.

Veralto Profile

(Free Report)

Veralto Corporation provides water analytics, water treatment, marking and coding, and packaging and color services worldwide. It operates through two segments, Water Quality (WQ) and Product Quality & Innovation (PQI). The WQ segment offers precision instrumentation and water treatment technologies to measure, analyze, and treat water in residential, commercial, municipal, industrial, research, and natural resource applications through the Hach, Trojan Technologies, and ChemTreat brands. This segment provides water solutions, including chemical reagents, services, and digital solutions.

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Standard Chartered (LON:STAN  Get Free Report) had its price objective boosted by research analysts at Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from GBX 1,700 to GBX 1,900 in a research note issued on Friday,Digital Look reports. The firm presently has a hold rating on the financial services providers stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschafts price objective would suggest a potential upside of 2.95% from the stocks current price.

A number of other research analysts also recently commented on STAN. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on Standard Chartered from GBX 1,770 to GBX 1,880 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Citigroup increased their target price on shares of Standard Chartered from GBX 1,675 to GBX 1,775 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, January 9th. Finally, Shore Capital reissued a hold rating on shares of Standard Chartered in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of GBX 1,727.50.

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Standard Chartered Stock Performance

Standard Chartered Company Profile

Shares of Standard Chartered stock opened at GBX 1,845.50 on Friday. Standard Chartered has a 1 year low of GBX 872.80 and a 1 year high of GBX 1,878.65. The firms 50-day simple moving average is GBX 1,743.28 and its 200-day simple moving average is GBX 1,529.77. The firm has a market cap of 41.73 billion, a PE ratio of 9.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.80 and a beta of 0.85.

(Get Free Report)

Standard Chartered PLC, together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking products and services in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas. The company operates in three segments: Corporate, Commercial & Institutional Banking; Consumer, Private & Business Banking; and Ventures. It offers retail products, such as deposits, mortgages, credit cards, and personal loans; wealth management products and services that include investments, portfolio management, insurance, and wealth advice; and transaction banking services, such as cash management, working capital, and trade financing products.

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House Republicans are opening a new front in Washingtons favorite sport: following the money. This time, their sights are trained on Rep. Ilhan Omar.

According to an exclusive report from the New York Post, attorneys for the House Oversight Committee are investigating how Omars household finances reportedly ballooned in recent years (1). Financial disclosure forms suggest her familys net worth may have climbed as high as $30 million.

Must Read

At the center of the inquiry is Omars husband, Tim Mynett, whose political consulting firm has done business with Democratic-aligned organizations. Oversight Chair James Comer has publicly questioned whether that income and the speed at which it was accumulated align with federal ethics and disclosure rules.

Comer told The Post that committee attorneys are even weighing the unusual step of subpoenaing Mynett.

There are a lot of questions as to how her husband accumulated so much wealth over the past two years, Comer said. Its not possible. Its not. Im a money guy. Its not possible.

A state already on the edge

The investigation into Omar is unfolding amid heightened scrutiny in Minnesota, where federal authorities have spent years unraveling some of the largest alleged public funds fraud schemes in the United States.

Since 2021, prosecutors have charged more than 90 people in cases tied to the misuse of government aid, with total estimated losses reaching as high as $9 billion.

Much of that stems from a COVID-era scheme involving Feeding Our Future, a nonprofit accused of submitting fraudulent meal reimbursement claims backed by fake invoices and attendance records. Prosecutors estimate the losses at nearly $250 million.

Omar has not been accused of wrongdoing in those cases. Still, the scale of fraud uncovered in her district has intensified Republican scrutiny of financial activity connected to her household.

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)

According to the New York Post, the Federal Bureau of Investigation was briefed during the Biden administration on concerns involving a network of companies tied to Omars husband.
UNIVEST FINANCIAL Corp grew its stake in shares of FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX  Free Report) by 10.5% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 37,615 shares of the shipping service providers stock after acquiring an additional 3,576 shares during the period. UNIVEST FINANCIAL Corps holdings in FedEx were worth $8,870,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Grey Fox Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of FedEx in the third quarter worth approximately $27,000. NewSquare Capital LLC raised its holdings in FedEx by 121.8% in the 2nd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 122 shares of the shipping service providers stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 67 shares during the last quarter. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in FedEx in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. City Holding Co. boosted its stake in FedEx by 167.0% during the 3rd quarter. City Holding Co. now owns 267 shares of the shipping service providers stock valued at $63,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Quent Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of FedEx in the 3rd quarter worth $71,000. 84.47% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Key FedEx News

Here are the key news stories impacting FedEx this week:

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts recently commented on the company. Citigroup increased their price objective on FedEx from $310.00 to $327.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, December 19th. Raymond James Financial raised their price target on shares of FedEx from $255.00 to $305.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday, December 22nd. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on shares of FedEx from $265.00 to $290.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Friday, December 19th. Barclays raised their target price on shares of FedEx from $320.00 to $360.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. Finally, Redburn Partners set a $271.00 target price on shares of FedEx in a research note on Wednesday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, FedEx has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $303.86.

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FedEx Stock Up 0.8%

FDX opened at $309.44 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.27, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72. The company has a market capitalization of $72.76 billion, a PE ratio of 17.06, a PEG ratio of 1.54 and a beta of 1.35. FedEx Corporation has a 1-year low of $194.29 and a 1-year high of $318.83. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $287.89 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $253.83.

FedEx (NYSE:FDX  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, December 18th. The shipping service provider reported $4.82 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.02 by $0.80. The business had revenue of $23.47 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $22.79 billion. FedEx had a return on equity of 16.63% and a net margin of 4.81%.FedExs revenue for the quarter was up 6.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $4.05 earnings per share. FedEx has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.800-19.000 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that FedEx Corporation will post 19.14 EPS for the current year.

FedEx Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, January 6th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th were given a dividend of $1.45 per share. This represents a $5.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 15th. FedExs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 31.97%.

About FedEx

(Free Report)

FedEx Corporation (NYSE: FDX) is a global logistics and courier company headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. Founded by Frederick W. Smith in 1971 and beginning operations in the early 1970s, the company pioneered overnight express shipping and has since expanded into a diversified portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and supply-chain services. FedEx operates an integrated air-and-ground network that moves parcels, freight and documents for businesses and consumers worldwide.

FedExs core operating segments include express parcel delivery via its FedEx Express division, domestic and residential parcel delivery through FedEx Ground, less-than-truckload (LTL) freight services, and logistics and supply-chain management solutions.

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Vest Financial LLC grew its position in shares of The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE:THG  Free Report) by 84.4% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 22,670 shares of the insurance providers stock after buying an additional 10,375 shares during the period. Vest Financial LLC owned 0.06% of The Hanover Insurance Group worth $4,118,000 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. Legal & General Group Plc lifted its holdings in The Hanover Insurance Group by 3.3% during the 2nd quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 75,356 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $12,801,000 after purchasing an additional 2,387 shares in the last quarter. Aviva PLC purchased a new position in The Hanover Insurance Group during the 2nd quarter valued at about $475,000. Boston Partners increased its position in shares of The Hanover Insurance Group by 141.4% during the second quarter. Boston Partners now owns 34,882 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $5,925,000 after buying an additional 20,432 shares during the period. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. lifted its holdings in shares of The Hanover Insurance Group by 252.3% in the second quarter. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. now owns 5,140 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $873,000 after buying an additional 3,681 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of The Hanover Insurance Group by 1.5% in the second quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 114,356 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $19,426,000 after buying an additional 1,724 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 86.61% of the companys stock.

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The Hanover Insurance Group Trading Down 0.1%

NYSE THG opened at $171.87 on Friday. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $180.20 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $175.77. The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $147.76 and a twelve month high of $188.18. The company has a quick ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 0.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. The company has a market capitalization of $6.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.94 and a beta of 0.33.

The Hanover Insurance Group Increases Dividend

The Hanover Insurance Group ( NYSE:THG Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The insurance provider reported $5.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.79 by $1.30. The firm had revenue of $1.67 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.72 billion. The Hanover Insurance Group had a return on equity of 21.73% and a net margin of 9.71%.The companys revenue for the quarter was up 6.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $3.05 EPS. Research analysts forecast that The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. will post 14.37 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 12th were given a dividend of $0.95 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 12th. This is an increase from The Hanover Insurance Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.90. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.2%. The Hanover Insurance Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 21.98%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of The Hanover Insurance Group in a research note on Wednesday. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price target on The Hanover Insurance Group from $198.00 to $200.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, November 4th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on The Hanover Insurance Group from $185.00 to $190.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada initiated coverage on The Hanover Insurance Group in a report on Monday, November 24th. They set a sector perform rating and a $200.00 price objective for the company. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $199.00.

View Our Latest Analysis on The Hanover Insurance Group

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, EVP Denise Lowsley sold 1,619 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $181.47, for a total value of $293,799.93. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 3,511 shares in the company, valued at approximately $637,141.17. The trade was a 31.56% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 2.50% of the stock is owned by insiders.

The Hanover Insurance Group Profile

(Free Report)

The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc (NYSE: THG) is a property and casualty insurance company that provides a range of commercial and personal insurance products. Through its subsidiary companies, Hanover offers coverage for businesses of all sizes, including workers compensation, general liability, commercial auto, and professional liability. On the personal lines side, the company underwrites homeowners, personal auto, flood, and umbrella policies designed to meet the needs of individuals and families.

In addition to its core commercial and personal insurance offerings, Hanover maintains a specialty arm that focuses on niche markets through tailored product solutions.

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Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC cut its stake in Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY  Free Report) by 9.5% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 185,848 shares of the technology retailers stock after selling 19,616 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC owned about 0.09% of Best Buy worth $13,981,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of BBY. Woodline Partners LP boosted its stake in shares of Best Buy by 40.1% in the 1st quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 16,436 shares of the technology retailers stock valued at $1,210,000 after buying an additional 4,701 shares during the period. Sowell Financial Services LLC increased its stake in shares of Best Buy by 19.0% during the second quarter. Sowell Financial Services LLC now owns 6,218 shares of the technology retailers stock worth $417,000 after buying an additional 991 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its holdings in Best Buy by 200.6% in the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 7,070 shares of the technology retailers stock valued at $475,000 after acquiring an additional 4,718 shares in the last quarter. Maseco LLP purchased a new position in Best Buy in the second quarter worth approximately $39,000. Finally, MEAG MUNICH ERGO Kapitalanlagegesellschaft mbH lifted its stake in Best Buy by 166.9% in the second quarter. MEAG MUNICH ERGO Kapitalanlagegesellschaft mbH now owns 78,164 shares of the technology retailers stock worth $5,247,000 after acquiring an additional 48,874 shares during the last quarter. 80.96% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Chairman Richard M. Schulze sold 74,553 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $84.31, for a total value of $6,285,563.43. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman directly owned 11,451,911 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $965,510,616.41. This represents a 0.65% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders sold a total of 334,993 shares of company stock valued at $28,233,849 in the last three months. 0.47% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have commented on BBY shares. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their price objective on shares of Best Buy from $95.00 to $93.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 26th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their target price on shares of Best Buy from $95.00 to $94.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 25th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Best Buy in a research note on Wednesday. Telsey Advisory Group lifted their price target on Best Buy from $90.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, November 26th. Finally, Guggenheim reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $90.00 price objective on shares of Best Buy in a research report on Wednesday, November 26th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $83.37.

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Best Buy Price Performance

Shares of BBY opened at $67.02 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a current ratio of 1.05 and a quick ratio of 0.26. Best Buy Co., Inc. has a 1-year low of $54.99 and a 1-year high of $91.68. The stock has a market cap of $14.04 billion, a PE ratio of 22.19, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.41. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $71.92 and a 200 day moving average price of $73.45.

Best Buy (NYSE:BBY  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, November 25th. The technology retailer reported $1.40 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.31 by $0.09. Best Buy had a return on equity of 50.02% and a net margin of 1.54%.The business had revenue of $9.67 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.57 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.26 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 2.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Best Buy has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.250-6.350 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Best Buy Co., Inc. will post 6.18 EPS for the current year.

Best Buy Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, January 6th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 16th were paid a $0.95 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 16th. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.7%. Best Buys payout ratio is currently 125.83%.

Best Buy Profile

(Free Report)

Best Buy Co, Inc is a leading North American consumer electronics retailer that sells a broad range of products including computers, mobile phones, televisions and home theater systems, major appliances, smart-home devices, gaming hardware and software, wearables and related accessories. The company operates through a mix of large-format stores, smaller specialty locations and an e-commerce platform, offering national and private-brand merchandise from major consumer-technology manufacturers as well as third-party sellers.

Beyond product retailing, Best Buy provides a suite of services aimed at installation, repair and ongoing technical support.

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Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC boosted its position in shares of Allegion PLC (NYSE:ALLE  Free Report) by 90.0% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 75,067 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock after purchasing an additional 35,556 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC owned approximately 0.09% of Allegion worth $13,289,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in ALLE. Rovin Capital UT ADV lifted its stake in shares of Allegion by 1.6% in the 3rd quarter. Rovin Capital UT ADV now owns 4,207 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $746,000 after purchasing an additional 66 shares during the last quarter. DMC Group LLC raised its stake in shares of Allegion by 2.6% in the 3rd quarter. DMC Group LLC now owns 4,171 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $740,000 after acquiring an additional 105 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA increased its holdings in Allegion by 5.1% in the 3rd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 2,356,869 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $417,991,000 after purchasing an additional 113,821 shares during the last quarter. Richardson Financial Services Inc. lifted its stake in Allegion by 207.5% during the third quarter. Richardson Financial Services Inc. now owns 329 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $58,000 after purchasing an additional 222 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Csenge Advisory Group purchased a new position in shares of Allegion during the third quarter worth $303,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.21% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have issued reports on ALLE. Robert W. Baird boosted their price target on shares of Allegion from $175.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Barclays lowered their price objective on Allegion from $187.00 to $180.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. Wells Fargo & Company restated a positive rating on shares of Allegion in a research note on Tuesday, December 16th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of Allegion in a report on Wednesday. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Allegion presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $174.25.

Allegion Stock Performance

Shares of ALLE opened at $166.92 on Friday. The company has a 50-day moving average of $162.01 and a two-hundred day moving average of $165.94. The stock has a market cap of $14.36 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.59, a PEG ratio of 3.03 and a beta of 1.04. Allegion PLC has a 12-month low of $116.57 and a 12-month high of $180.68. The company has a current ratio of 1.77, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06.

Allegion (NYSE:ALLE  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $2.30 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.21 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $1.07 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.05 billion. Allegion had a return on equity of 40.83% and a net margin of 16.09%.The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 10.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.16 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts predict that Allegion PLC will post 7.77 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Allegion Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 16th were given a dividend of $0.51 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 16th. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.2%. Allegions dividend payout ratio is 27.60%.

Allegion Profile

(Free Report)

Allegion plc (NYSE: ALLE) is a global provider of security products and solutions focused on ensuring the safety and security of people and property. The company was formed in December 2013 through a corporate spin-off from Ingersoll Rand and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. Allegions core mission is to deliver innovative mechanical and electronic access control systems for a wide range of end markets, including commercial buildings, residential properties, institutional facilities, and industrial sites.

The companys product portfolio spans mechanical locksets, door closers, exit devices, key systems and cylinders, as well as a growing suite of electronic and smart access control offerings.

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Teacher Retirement System of Texas lowered its position in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:IVV  Free Report) by 3.2% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 495,372 shares of the companys stock after selling 16,407 shares during the quarter. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF comprises approximately 1.3% of Teacher Retirement System of Texas holdings, making the stock its 10th largest holding. Teacher Retirement System of Texas holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF were worth $331,552,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its position in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 18.3% in the second quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 28,271,587 shares of the companys stock worth $17,553,830,000 after buying an additional 4,378,977 shares during the period. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 56.2% during the third quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 11,955,236 shares of the companys stock worth $8,001,639,000 after acquiring an additional 4,301,015 shares during the last quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 63,164.8% in the second quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,748,222 shares of the companys stock worth $1,706,371,000 after acquiring an additional 2,743,878 shares in the last quarter. Soundwatch Capital LLC grew its stake in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 474.9% during the 2nd quarter. Soundwatch Capital LLC now owns 1,507,952 shares of the companys stock valued at $936,287,000 after purchasing an additional 1,245,649 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. increased its holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 3.8% during the 2nd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 32,488,472 shares of the companys stock worth $20,172,093,000 after purchasing an additional 1,190,963 shares during the last quarter. 70.12% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Price Performance

Shares of IVV opened at $691.96 on Friday. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF has a 12-month low of $484.00 and a 12-month high of $699.17. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $685.31 and its 200 day moving average price is $666.00. The stock has a market capitalization of $762.78 billion, a PE ratio of 25.10 and a beta of 1.00.

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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Vest Financial LLC lifted its position in shares of TELUS Corporation (NYSE:TU  Free Report) (TSE:T) by 62.9% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 181,389 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock after buying an additional 70,006 shares during the period. Vest Financial LLCs holdings in TELUS were worth $2,861,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of TELUS by 20.8% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 4,529,471 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $76,335,000 after purchasing an additional 780,607 shares during the period. Scotia Capital Inc. increased its stake in TELUS by 1.6% in the second quarter. Scotia Capital Inc. now owns 18,842,084 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $302,519,000 after purchasing an additional 288,532 shares during the last quarter. Picton Mahoney Asset Management purchased a new position in TELUS during the second quarter worth about $51,091,000. Prudential PLC acquired a new stake in TELUS in the 2nd quarter worth about $531,000. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC purchased a new stake in TELUS in the 2nd quarter valued at about $457,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 49.40% of the companys stock.

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TELUS Trading Up 1.9%

NYSE:TU opened at $13.64 on Friday. The businesss 50-day moving average is $13.19 and its two-hundred day moving average is $14.91. The firm has a market capitalization of $21.11 billion, a PE ratio of 24.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.01 and a beta of 0.66. TELUS Corporation has a 12 month low of $12.54 and a 12 month high of $16.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.47, a current ratio of 0.76 and a quick ratio of 0.71.

TELUS Increases Dividend

TELUS ( NYSE:TU Get Free Report ) (TSE:T) last posted its earnings results on Friday, November 7th. The Wireless communications provider reported $0.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.19 by ($0.02). The company had revenue of $3.67 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.77 billion. TELUS had a net margin of 5.71% and a return on equity of 8.76%. TELUSs quarterly revenue was up .1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.28 EPS. Research analysts predict that TELUS Corporation will post 0.71 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 2nd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 11th were paid a $0.4184 dividend. This represents a $1.67 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 12.3%. This is a boost from TELUSs previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, December 11th. TELUSs payout ratio is currently 218.18%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on TU shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated an underweight rating and set a $19.00 price objective (down from $22.00) on shares of TELUS in a report on Tuesday, November 18th. Citigroup raised shares of TELUS to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, December 4th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c-) rating on shares of TELUS in a report on Monday, December 29th. Barclays lowered their price objective on shares of TELUS from $15.00 to $14.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lowered TELUS from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $18.17.

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TELUS Profile

(Free Report)

TELUS Corporation (NYSE: TU) is a Canadian telecommunications and technology company headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. It delivers a broad portfolio of consumer and business communications services across Canada, including mobile wireless, fixed-line voice, broadband internet, and television. TELUS also provides a range of enterprise services such as cloud and IT solutions, managed network services, cybersecurity and Internet of Things (IoT) offerings for business customers.

Beyond core connectivity, TELUS has expanded into health and digital services.

Further Reading

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Webster Financial (NYSE:WBS  Get Free Report) posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday. The financial services provider reported $1.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.52 by $0.07, FiscalAI reports. The firm had revenue of $760.48 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $731.95 million. Webster Financial had a return on equity of 11.07% and a net margin of 21.32%.During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.43 EPS.

Webster Financial Trading Down 1.4%

WBS traded down $0.90 during trading on Friday, reaching $65.32. The company had a trading volume of 147,747 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,410,333. The stock has a market cap of $10.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.25, a PEG ratio of 0.55 and a beta of 1.05. Webster Financial has a 52 week low of $39.43 and a 52 week high of $67.43. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $62.45 and a 200-day simple moving average of $60.11. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42.

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Webster Financial Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 20th. Investors of record on Monday, November 10th were paid a dividend of $0.40 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 10th. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.4%. Webster Financials dividend payout ratio is presently 29.80%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b-) rating on shares of Webster Financial in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Barclays upped their price target on Webster Financial from $78.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 11th. Citigroup reiterated a buy rating on shares of Webster Financial in a research note on Tuesday, December 30th. UBS Group reissued a buy rating on shares of Webster Financial in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Finally, TD Cowen reduced their price target on Webster Financial from $78.00 to $77.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Webster Financial has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $72.77.

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Insider Transactions at Webster Financial

In related news, CEO John R. Ciulla sold 8,000 shares of Webster Financial stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $55.45, for a total transaction of $443,600.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 231,872 shares of the companys stock, valued at $12,857,302.40. This trade represents a 3.34% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 0.54% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Webster Financial

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of WBS. Alyeska Investment Group L.P. boosted its stake in shares of Webster Financial by 7,442.8% during the 3rd quarter. Alyeska Investment Group L.P. now owns 2,032,937 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $120,838,000 after acquiring an additional 2,005,985 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in Webster Financial by 221.0% in the second quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 1,565,623 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $85,483,000 after purchasing an additional 1,077,819 shares during the period. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. increased its position in shares of Webster Financial by 2,735.9% in the third quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 735,151 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $43,697,000 after buying an additional 709,228 shares in the last quarter. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC raised its stake in shares of Webster Financial by 642.2% during the 2nd quarter. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC now owns 233,824 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $12,767,000 after buying an additional 202,318 shares during the period. Finally, Qube Research & Technologies Ltd grew its stake in Webster Financial by 51.4% in the 2nd quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd now owns 557,173 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $30,422,000 after acquiring an additional 189,149 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 85.58% of the companys stock.

Webster Financial Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Webster Financial Corporation is a bank holding company headquartered in Waterbury, Connecticut. Through its principal subsidiary, Webster Bank, N.A., the company offers a broad range of banking products and financial services to individuals, small businesses, and middle-market commercial clients. Key offerings include deposit accounts, residential and commercial real estate lending, equipment finance, treasury management, and payment processing solutions.

In addition to traditional banking services, Webster Financial provides wealth management and insurance products designed to help clients plan for retirement, preserve assets, and manage risk.

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CoastalSouth Bancshares (NYSE:COSO  Get Free Report) is one of 20 publicly-traded companies in the State Commercial Banks  Fed Reserve System industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its competitors? We will compare CoastalSouth Bancshares to similar businesses based on the strength of its institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, profitability, risk, dividends, valuation and earnings.

Profitability

This table compares CoastalSouth Bancshares and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets CoastalSouth Bancshares N/A N/A N/A CoastalSouth Bancshares Competitors 7.77% 7.44% 0.83%

Insider & Institutional Ownership

72.2% of shares of all State Commercial Banks  Fed Reserve System companies are owned by institutional investors. 6.7% of shares of all State Commercial Banks  Fed Reserve System companies are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Valuation & Earnings

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio CoastalSouth Bancshares $135.78 million N/A 21.62 CoastalSouth Bancshares Competitors $738.41 million $95.99 million 41.34

This table compares CoastalSouth Bancshares and its competitors top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

CoastalSouth Bancshares competitors have higher revenue and earnings than CoastalSouth Bancshares. CoastalSouth Bancshares is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its competitors, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current recommendations for CoastalSouth Bancshares and its competitors, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score CoastalSouth Bancshares 0 1 1 0 2.50 CoastalSouth Bancshares Competitors 31 175 218 26 2.53

As a group, State Commercial Banks  Fed Reserve System companies have a potential downside of 0.55%. Given CoastalSouth Bancshares competitors stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe CoastalSouth Bancshares has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors.

Summary

CoastalSouth Bancshares competitors beat CoastalSouth Bancshares on 10 of the 11 factors compared.

About CoastalSouth Bancshares

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CoastalSouth Bancshares, Inc. is a bank holding company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Through our wholly owned subsidiary, Coastal States Bank, a South Carolina state-chartered commercial bank, we offer a full range of banking products and services designed for businesses, real estate professionals, and consumers looking for a deep and meaningful relationship with their bank. Today, we have a community banking presence in some of the fastest growing and most business-friendly markets in the U.S., namely the Lowcountry of South Carolina (Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, and Beaufort), nearby Savannah, Georgia, and the Atlanta, Georgia market.  In addition to our traditional community banking operations, we operate four specialty lines of business that provide scalability and diversification:  Senior Housing Lending  focuses on lending to operators across the spectrum of senior care, with an emphasis on assisted living;  Marine Lending  focuses on consumer loans primarily to high-net-worth borrowers secured by yachts and high-end sport fishing vessels;  Government Guaranteed Lending  focuses on origination of small business and other loans guaranteed by the SBA and USDA; and  Mortgage Banker Finance  focuses on mortgage warehouse lending to mortgage originators. By combining the relationship-based focus of a community bank with our specialty lines of business, we believe we can capitalize on the substantial growth opportunities available in our markets, particularly given the scarcity of community banks between $1.5 billion and $5.0 billion in total assets. Our principal executive offices are located in Atlanta, Georgia.

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Core Laboratories Inc. (NYSE:CLB  Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Friday . The stock traded as high as $20.36 and last traded at $20.0010, with a volume of 12153 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $19.63.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Core Laboratories in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $12.50.

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Core Laboratories Stock Up 1.6%

The company has a current ratio of 2.37, a quick ratio of 1.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41. The company has a market capitalization of $928.64 million, a PE ratio of 29.78, a PEG ratio of 17.04 and a beta of 1.03. The business has a fifty day moving average of $16.79 and a 200 day moving average of $13.94.

Core Laboratories (NYSE:CLB  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The oil and gas company reported $0.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.19 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $134.52 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $130.92 million. Core Laboratories had a net margin of 6.21% and a return on equity of 12.85%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up .1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.25 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Core Laboratories Inc. will post 0.96 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Trading of Core Laboratories

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Quarry LP raised its position in Core Laboratories by 118.1% in the 3rd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 2,953 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 1,599 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its holdings in Core Laboratories by 73.3% during the 4th quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 5,157 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $83,000 after acquiring an additional 2,181 shares in the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its position in shares of Core Laboratories by 400.9% in the 2nd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 7,333 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $84,000 after purchasing an additional 5,869 shares during the last quarter. Assetmark Inc. lifted its position in shares of Core Laboratories by 160.8% during the 2nd quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 7,530 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $87,000 after purchasing an additional 4,643 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vestcor Inc acquired a new position in shares of Core Laboratories during the third quarter worth $101,000. 97.81% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Core Laboratories Company Profile

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Core Laboratories N.V. is a global provider of proprietary and patented reservoir description and production enhancement services to the oil and gas industry. The company applies specialized expertise in core and fluid analysis, advanced petrophysical interpretation, and reservoir engineering to optimize hydrocarbon recovery. By integrating laboratory testing with field services and digital analytics, Core Laboratories delivers insights that help operators maximize production and extend the life of their assets.

The companys portfolio spans two primary service lines: reservoir description and production enhancement.

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Bar Harbor Bankshares, Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:BHB  Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Thursday, January 22nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 20th will be given a dividend of 0.32 per share by the financial services provider on Friday, March 20th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 3.7%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 20th.

Bar Harbor Bankshares has a payout ratio of 39.4% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Analysts expect Bar Harbor Bankshares to earn $2.96 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $1.28 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 43.2%.

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Bar Harbor Bankshares Trading Up 0.1%

Shares of NYSEAMERICAN:BHB traded up $0.04 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $34.56. 12,866 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 77,544. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $31.49 and its 200 day moving average price is $30.99. Bar Harbor Bankshares has a 12 month low of $26.43 and a 12 month high of $35.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a quick ratio of 0.93 and a current ratio of 0.94. The stock has a market capitalization of $576.77 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.85 and a beta of 0.66.

About Bar Harbor Bankshares

Bar Harbor Bankshares ( NYSEAMERICAN:BHB Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, January 22nd. The financial services provider reported $0.93 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.89 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $49.37 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $42.80 million. Bar Harbor Bankshares had a net margin of 15.51% and a return on equity of 9.95%. Analysts predict that Bar Harbor Bankshares will post 2.84 earnings per share for the current year.

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Bar Harbor Bankshares, Inc is a bank holding company headquartered in Ellsworth, Maine, and the parent of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. The company provides a full suite of commercial and consumer banking products and services, including deposit accounts, residential and commercial lending, wealth management, treasury and cash management, and online and mobile banking solutions. Its subsidiary, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, operates branches across Maine and eastern New Hampshire, serving both individual and business clients with a focus on community banking relationships.

With roots tracing back to the late 19th century, Bar Harbor Bankshares has built its presence along the coast of Maine, extending from Casco Bay to Downeast communities, and into neighboring New Hampshire markets.

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Tim Beyers: Intel sets new highs, its climb just beginning. You're listening to Motley Fool Money. Welcome, Fools. I'm your host, Tim Beyers, and with me are two old friends, Rick Munarriz and Asit Sharma. I hope you're both fully caffeinated because we've got a pretty caffeinated stock to talk about today, and that is Intel , Ticker INTC. As of the time I wrote these notes on Friday, the stock had hit a fresh 52 week high, a $45.67 a share. Is this the beginning of an extended rally that will last years, or is this time to cash in on a burst of enthusiasm and move capital into more proven chip stocks? I think these are really interesting question, and we're going to tackle both of them. We are then going to get a bit philosophical because we're going to have another episode of Mindset Monday, which is perfect for Asit and Rick. But first we have to talk about Intel. Rick, I'm going to start with you here. Donald Trump, the president of the United States, had a meeting with Intel CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, and he was very excited about this meeting. He said, I just had a great meeting. He put this out on his social media platform saying, I just had a meeting with a very successful Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan. Intel just launched his first sub-2 nanometer CPU processor design built PAC is right here in the USA. I think we can say with some confidence here, Rick, that the president isn't making any serious technical statements. But what we do know is that he does seem to be excited about putting federal funds and federal backing behind Intel. In particular, there is one defense department initiative underway that will allow Intel to get a serious amount of money, billions of dollars, for manufacturing for the federal government. Do you think this enthusiasm for Intel is warranted? How are you feeling about Intel, knowing that it's hit a 52-week high??

Story Continues

Rick Munarriz: Sometimes you see stock start to move up before the fundamentals get there. With Intel you see that. At 2025 will be the fourth consecutive year of declining revenue. Until still not profitable on a reported basis. It's not generating positive free cashflow, something that analysts don't see changing until 2027. But what you mentioned what happened in August when the US said, we're going to put $8.9 billion for a 9.9% stake in August, that's basically now worth more than 20 billion. You, me, and Asit, we chown about $60, if my math is correct, $60 worth of Intel, just as being a US citizen. You have this case where there is that enthusiasm that obviously that's where the White House is coming from. But it is the thing where now it has to prove it to me. Show me that you can do this. I think that's the whole thing. Intel is doing a lot of right things, it had a great CES last week. A lot of buzz, but the results aren't there yet. That's, I think, what we need to wait for to see if the run-up that the stock has had, a monstrous run-up over the past year is warranted.

Tim Beyers: Asit, let's talk about at least part of the technical stuff that President Trump is talking about here. Intel in the United States is planning to bring online plants that will provide chip making in two distinct but very advanced processes. One called 18A, one called 14A. The president did point out correctly that these are sub two nanometer. 18A is 1.8 nanometer, 14A is 1.4 nanometer. This is really small, and the smaller the chip, the more power efficient it can be, sometimes you can put more of these chips together on a wafer so you can create a more powerful chip. The implication here is that these processes are going to be highly useful for things like, wait for it, AI, Asit.

Asit Sharma: You're right.

Tim Beyers: How big a deal is this, do you think, making essentially highly advanced chips here on US shores? How much credit should we give Intel for this, knowing that it's not done yet, but they are working on it?

Asit Sharma: Let's give Intel the credit upfront for working on it. The US ceded its most advanced chip making capabilities to Taiwan years ago. Intel itself was the manufacturer at scale of our best technology when it came to chips, and really just got off track in so many different ways. This represents a comeback for Intel. If you ever hear that Intel has a comeback story, this is part and parcel of that. Where we get into these distinctions between 18A and 14A, to put it simply, you can imagine the same process but getting more refined in Stage 2. 18A is distinguished by really two things. These nanosheet transistors, and then moving the power from the front of the wafer to the back of the wafer. Nothing in 18A should be taken as that number represents some smaller aperture, or whatnot. As you said, it's really already a two-nanometer and below process. Very intricate designs on a chip. When you move from 18A to 14A, what's going to happen is these machines that ASML makes, it's most valuable machines. These are lithography machines that companies like Intel buy to write onto silicon substrates. They're going to use their latest and greatest machines, which are high NA EUV machines. This is interesting because ASML has been waiting for its customers to adopt their latest technology. Funnily enough, it could be Intel that's at the forefront of that. But to get to 14A, and the reason why I'm going to this level of detail, it takes a lot. It's going to have to prove out this first process and, of course, they now have processor that's recently been released that runs on 18A. It's going to take a while, Tim, to get to 14A for that process to be widely adopted by major players, and this is why Rick says, look, the stock price is ahead of where the tech is just now. I'll point out NVIDIA, great story here. They invested in Intel also, $5 billion. They've been testing out 18A. They backed off, we heard in December, from going any further in their test. Now, we shouldn't confuse this with NVIDIA getting really down on Intel's process. NVIDIA in the first place is using this for its CPUs, and to get to where it needs to for 18A to be part of its GPU process flow, that development flow, it's going to take a lot. Intel's going to approve a lot. But they've got the money from NVIDIA. NVIDIA's a great partner for all the other stuff. There's a lot for this story to work out in the future. I myself, full disclosure here, more than 60 bucks, I purchased a Intel early last year and have enjoyed the gains. But I realize as a rational shareholder, it's still got to come up with a major foundry partners, and more big players need to step forward and say, we're going to use this technology before we can feel that Intel's out of the woods.

Tim Beyers: We don't have a lot of Intel announcements about customers that are using the Intel foundry for manufacturing at scale, their most advanced chips. We know that Amazon Web Services is doing this, we know that NVIDIA at least is trialing some things. What Intel has said is that they expect those most advanced chips, those 14A designs you were talking about, Asit, there will start to be decisions about manufacturing at that level in the first half of 2027, say that three times fast. But essentially, maybe call it spring or late spring of 2027. We're not there yet, but it's early enough. Having said that, Rick, I'll start with you here. Intel Foundry, for really the past few years has been a net zero in terms of contributor to Intel. Now that there's a chance that it's not going to be a net zero, are you buy, sell, or hold Intel on the promise that Intel Foundry, with doing business primarily here in the United States, is going to be a material contributor to Intel? Buy, sell, or hold, based on the hope for Intel Foundry here, Rick.

Rick Munarriz: Yes, I'm excited that the Intel inside company that's been the Intel outside looking in for so many years is back to having a nice primary seat, potentially a leader of this new revolution. The 18A not only just what we talked about AI, but also gaming and more power efficiency, these things that matter. They're making a splash in here. It'll take a while to catch up with the NVIDIAs and the MDs of the world in many ways. But I'm excited about all that. But again, I'm happy with my $60 that I have my share indirectly through being. I'm not so excited to jump on the stock now because it has run up so much. Even looking out to next year, it's not like investors are expecting it will be a return to growth and a return to profitability, but it's just a very small step not moving the needle yet. This is a long-term play. I think as an investor, it's exciting. Intel's definitely a better company now than it was a year ago. Definitely the 10 months that Lip-Bu Tan has been CEO has been an amazing run for any incoming CEO and outsider CEO at that. But I do think I want to wait. I think I can afford to wait because I think the stock will be volatile in the next year or two, and I think I'll be able to pick a better entry point, and hopefully at a point where some of these products and all this demand and the fact that they're saying, demand is exceeding supply, something that we haven't seen in Intel in a long time. These things that are being said and happening are exciting, I want to see it bear out to actual reality.

Tim Beyers: Asit, Rick is pretty happy with his holdings as a US citizen. You are a shareholder so are you buy, sell, or hold those Intel shares? You maybe want to buy a little bit more on the promise of Intel Foundry?

Asit Sharma: Yes, Tim. I am $1 cost average in buy on Intel. I think Rick put it so wonderfully. That doesn't have to be dollar-cost averaging it every month this year. You could just wait. This business is going to be volatile, and the stock is going to be volatile to follow. But I have to say, let's give a lot of credit to Lip-Bu Tan. This is a guy we knew about, Tim. He was the CEO of a esoteric company in the semiconductor industry on the design side, Cadence Design Systems. He has a master's degree in nuclear engineering from MIT. He was on the board of Intel and just was uncomfortable with all the middle management and inefficient use of resources when he was a board member. I think he's still on the board, but looking not as the operator of the business. Not only has he really set the future into motion, he's also proven to be good on the rubbing elbows side, the handshake side. He's been able to roll the punches with the Trump administration, they got off to a very rocky start. He's sealed an investment from we the taxpayers and from NVIDIA. I think he's showing that he brings a lot of tools to a very difficult turnaround. I will say that NVIDIA has many chances to fail. The competition doesn't slow down. When we hear about them being able to get 14A moving, let's say in 2027, that's so many months more, they're losing to competition. Competitors like AMD and those who are actual fabs, like Taiwan Semiconductor. But on the other hand, if this story plays out the way it could, you have here on American soil a really specialized chip manufacturer that will see a ton of demand in the future, because AI ain't going anywhere, Tim. We know that, right? If they can produce the chips here, that's a great revenue stream for Intel in the coming years. A chance for it to be great again. I caution anyone about getting too excited on this story in the very near term, I share Rick's caution on that. But I would say if you have a little bit of risk tolerance and you study this business averaging in, especially in those volatile periods where the stock gets taken to the woodshed, that's not a bad strategy.

Tim Beyers: Like it, hold it, maybe a cautious buyer here. Lip-Bu Tan got smarts real good is what we're hearing here. Up next let's do some Mindset Monday. You're listening to Motley Fool Money.

Tim Beyers: We're back with another Mindset Monday. This time we're going to look at breaks, specifically the benefit of a break from the market and from investing. Have you taken one recently? If you haven't, why not? Breaks are on my mind, guys, because I just took one. A holiday break where I did a lot of things other than work or think about the market. I did buy and sell some stock, though. But that was in the context of plans made a while back. I think being able to disconnect from the market and daily business news prove pretty restorative for me, I have to say. Let's talk about this. How you do it? Asit and Rick, I'd be very curious, and what's it like when you take a break from the market? Rick, I'll start with you here. Do you ever do this? Are you conscious about taking a break from the market and from investing?

Rick Munarriz: I am not. To me, it's the thing where the market isn't just work, it's also fun, and it's also life. It's a lot of factors that it's not something if you're working 9:00-5:00 job that you don't like, and you're like great, I get to take a vacation, so take a break that way. But there are times, of course, where I'm traveling with the family and then traveling far, like we were in Europe two years ago for about a week or two, there was no point for me to check in because I was at different market hours and everything was completely different and it felt great. I love that but I also was happy to get back into it. But yes, I do think it's important to take this break every once in a while, especially if you are watching the stock market every passing tick on your stocks. That is not healthy for anyone, as we're all long-term investors, so in that regard. But again, I do cheat, even when I tell myself, I still have a little side eye to look, let me see, CNBC playing at this hotel bar. It's probably not going to be on. But it is a thing where I can't really get away from it, but when I do, I'm thankful that I do it. I think I become a better investor by taking a break, just like you would with anything. If you can't crack a Rubik's cube or any puzzle or the New York Times Crossword, take a break and look at it with fresh eyes a little while later, and you're going to have a different approach that'll probably make you a better investor and a better person.

Tim Beyers: I'm going to have some things to say about that, but Asit, I want to hear from you first here. When's the last time you took a market break?

Asit Sharma: Yesterday. Now, we're taping on a Monday. There was no market there in front of me on Sunday, but I did take a complete mental break, as I tend to do. I have a few passions outside of investing, Tim. I love to read, I like to write some fiction, I love to learn languages. But I'm not gonna lie either. The three of us have chosen this as our profession so we're pretty wired in all the time. I think if I don't take that conscious break to chase my passions, it could easily be something that I don't turn off. I wanted to just go over three quick ways that I take a break. One is to take a walk out in nature. I try to do that every day. The second is what Rick mentioned, which is travel. Any time you pull yourself out of your normal rhythms, your daily rhythms and go somewhere else, it's a great way for your brain to disengage because your brain is disoriented. It's disoriented spatially, it's got a lot of new stimuli coming in so that makes it easier to disconnect. Then the third is to get absorbed in something. For me, that's reading. Your brain is trying to problem solve when you think about the markets, whether you're professionals like the three of us or someone who is more 9:00-5:00 and does investing in his or her spare time. When your mind is there, it's really trying to figure out, how do I achieve what I want to achieve? Why am I not having this success that I want, or wow this is great. I'm really exceeding my expectations. But it always sees investing as this problem, something to optimize. The way that you actually can really help yourself solve that problem is to immerse yourself in other problems. That could be the Rubik's cube, Rick, sites. It could just be letting yourself go into the flow of something else. Music, art, literature, seeing friends, going out for a beer. All of those things are really great in helping you disconnect from this thing that's tugging at you. I think it leads to better results, or at least it has in my case.

Tim Beyers: Nice, I like it. Well, a quick final thought on this, the greatest benefit, I think, I'm taking a break from the market, is perspective. Removing yourself from the daily grind of news, stock movements, and more can help you to reframe your portfolio as a loose collection of businesses with plans and purposes you may or may not believe in and following. That is something that's very valuable. It'll allow you to actually build a portfolio. Understanding what you like and where you still have questions is also a great way to not only steward your holdings, but also your Motley Fool membership, since we're here to help you answer as many investing in mindset questions as we can. If you have a mindset question you'd like to get answered, please write to me at tbeyers@fool.com, and you could be featured in a future show. Up next, we'll preview tomorrow. You're listening to Motley Fool Money.

For tomorrow's show Emily Flippen will have Jason Hall and Dan Caplinger, so you want to be sure and tune in for some more coverage of the markets and just the amount and variety of goofy things that are happening in the world. There's a lot to get to, and Emily will be here to give it all to you. That's tomorrow. Emily Flippen with Jason Hall and Dan Caplinger. As always, people on the program may have interest in the stocks they talked about, Motley Fool may have formal recommendations for or against, so don't buy or sell stocks based solely on what you hear. All personal finance content follows Motley Fool editorial standards and is not approved by advertisers. Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. See our full advertising disclosures. Please check out our show notes. Thanks to Rick Munarriz and Asit Sharma. Our engineer as always is Dan Boyd, producer is Anand Chokkavelu I am your host, Tim Beyers. Thanks so much for tuning in. We'll see you next time, Fools, Fool on.

Asit Sharma, CPA has positions in Advanced Micro Devices, Amazon, Intel, and Nvidia. Rick Munarriz has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Tim Beyers has positions in Amazon and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends ASML, Advanced Micro Devices, Amazon, Cadence Design Systems, Intel, Nvidia, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Intel Hits a 52-Week High: Time to Buy? was originally published by The Motley Fool
Shares of Sasol Ltd. (NYSE:SSL  Get Free Report) were up 6.1% during mid-day trading on Friday . The company traded as high as $7.41 and last traded at $7.4820. Approximately 797,617 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 48% from the average daily volume of 1,533,439 shares. The stock had previously closed at $7.05.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have weighed in on the company. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d+) rating on shares of Sasol in a research note on Wednesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated an underweight rating on shares of Sasol in a report on Friday, January 16th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Sasol from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, November 15th. Finally, Zacks Research lowered shares of Sasol from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Strong Sell.

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Sasol Stock Up 6.5%

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $6.53 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $6.18. The company has a current ratio of 1.87, a quick ratio of 1.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66.

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Sasol by 347.3% in the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 8,960 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $40,000 after acquiring an additional 6,957 shares in the last quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Sasol in the 2nd quarter worth $52,000. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its stake in Sasol by 107.9% during the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 8,637 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $54,000 after buying an additional 4,482 shares during the last quarter. Brevan Howard Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in Sasol in the third quarter valued at about $63,000. Finally, Centiva Capital LP acquired a new stake in Sasol in the third quarter worth about $67,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 1.21% of the companys stock.

Sasol Company Profile

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Sasol Limited is an integrated energy and chemical company headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa. The companys core operations encompass the conversion of natural gas, coal and heavy hydrocarbons into liquid fuels and a wide array of chemical products. Sasol leverages proprietary Fischer-Tropsch and gas-to-liquids (GTL) technologies to deliver cleaner-burning diesel, jet fuel and naphtha, alongside solvents, surfactants and specialty polymers for industrial and consumer applications.

In addition to its GTL business, Sasol operates downstream facilities for the manufacture of alpha olefins, ethylene, propylene and other base-chemical intermediates.

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Canadian Natural Resources (TSE:CNQ  Get Free Report) (NYSE:CNQ) had its price objective dropped by stock analysts at Morgan Stanley from C$51.00 to C$50.00 in a report released on Friday,BayStreet.CA reports. Morgan Stanleys price target would suggest a potential upside of 1.32% from the companys current price.

CNQ has been the topic of a number of other reports. Raymond James Financial lifted their target price on Canadian Natural Resources from C$55.00 to C$56.00 in a report on Monday, November 10th. Evercore ISI cut shares of Canadian Natural Resources from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. TD Securities boosted their target price on shares of Canadian Natural Resources from C$53.00 to C$54.00 in a report on Monday, November 10th. Scotiabank increased their target price on shares of Canadian Natural Resources from C$54.00 to C$58.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Finally, Desjardins set a C$52.00 price target on shares of Canadian Natural Resources and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of C$53.36.

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Canadian Natural Resources Price Performance

CNQ traded up C$0.46 during trading on Friday, reaching C$49.35. The stock had a trading volume of 2,340,299 shares, compared to its average volume of 15,423,016. The stock has a 50 day moving average of C$46.22 and a two-hundred day moving average of C$44.44. The company has a quick ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 25.79. The firm has a market capitalization of C$102.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 0.71. Canadian Natural Resources has a 1-year low of C$34.92 and a 1-year high of C$49.95.

Canadian Natural Resources (TSE:CNQ  Get Free Report) (NYSE:CNQ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported C$0.86 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Canadian Natural Resources had a return on equity of 19.14% and a net margin of 21.25%.The company had revenue of C$9.52 billion for the quarter. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Canadian Natural Resources will post 3.833989 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About Canadian Natural Resources

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Canadian Natural Resources is one of the largest oil and natural gas producers in western Canada, supplemented by operations in the North Sea and Offshore Africa. The companys portfolio includes light and medium oil, heavy oil, bitumen, synthetic oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas. Production averaged 1.16 million barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2020, and the company estimates that it holds over 11.5 billion boe of proven and probable crude oil and natural gas reserves.

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PCCW Ltd. (OTCMKTS:PCWLF  Get Free Report) shares gapped down before the market opened on Friday . The stock had previously closed at $0.7241, but opened at $0.6953. PCCW shares last traded at $0.6953, with a volume of 660 shares traded.

PCCW Trading Down 4.0%

The firms 50 day simple moving average is $0.74 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $0.71.

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PCCW Company Profile

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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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Gorman-Rupp Company (The) (NYSE:GRC  Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Friday, January 23rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 13th will be paid a dividend of 0.19 per share by the industrial products company on Tuesday, March 10th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 13th.

Gorman-Rupp has increased its dividend payment by an average of 0.1%annually over the last three years and has increased its dividend annually for the last 52 consecutive years. Gorman-Rupp has a payout ratio of 31.9% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities research analysts expect Gorman-Rupp to earn $2.25 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $0.76 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 33.8%.

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Gorman-Rupp Stock Down 2.9%

Shares of NYSE GRC traded down $1.57 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $52.24. 43,904 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 74,845. Gorman-Rupp has a twelve month low of $30.87 and a twelve month high of $54.26. The company has a current ratio of 2.08, a quick ratio of 1.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.35, a PEG ratio of 1.83 and a beta of 1.31. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $48.51 and a 200 day simple moving average of $44.98.

About Gorman-Rupp

Gorman-Rupp ( NYSE:GRC Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Friday, October 24th. The industrial products company reported $0.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.55 by ($0.03). Gorman-Rupp had a return on equity of 13.49% and a net margin of 7.41%.The business had revenue of $172.83 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $174.61 million. As a group, equities analysts expect that Gorman-Rupp will post 1.98 EPS for the current fiscal year.

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Gorman-Rupp Company is a U.S.-based manufacturer specializing in the design, production and distribution of pumps and pumping systems. Its product lineup includes centrifugal self-priming pumps, submersible pumps, vacuum priming pumps and engineered pumps for applications such as water and wastewater management, sewage handling, dewatering, industrial processing and agricultural irrigation. The company supports both standard pump requirements and custom engineered solutions for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and municipal clients.

Headquartered in Mansfield, Ohio, Gorman-Rupp has built a reputation for rugged, reliable equipment and aftermarket support services.

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Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. (OTCMKTS:IVPAF  Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high on Friday . The company traded as high as $12.3950 and last traded at $12.32, with a volume of 152724 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $11.75.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

IVPAF has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Citigroup reissued a buy rating on shares of Ivanhoe Mines in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Raymond James Financial reissued an outperform rating on shares of Ivanhoe Mines in a report on Wednesday, January 14th. Scotiabank upgraded Ivanhoe Mines from a hold rating to an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, September 29th. Jefferies Financial Group cut Ivanhoe Mines from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Sunday, December 7th. Finally, TD Securities reissued a buy rating on shares of Ivanhoe Mines in a research note on Monday, September 29th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $15.20.

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Ivanhoe Mines Price Performance

The companys 50 day simple moving average is $10.69 and its 200 day simple moving average is $9.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a current ratio of 4.23 and a quick ratio of 4.03. The stock has a market cap of $17.63 billion and a P/E ratio of 56.25.

Ivanhoe Mines (OTCMKTS:IVPAF  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The company reported $0.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.02) by $0.04. Ivanhoe Mines had a return on equity of 5.99% and a net margin of 89.02%.The business had revenue of $129.40 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $128.95 million.

About Ivanhoe Mines

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Ivanhoe Mines is a Canada-based mineral exploration and development company focused on unlocking high-value deposits of copper, nickel, zinc, and platinum-group metals. The company pursues a two-pronged strategy of advancing large-scale mining projects through feasibility and development stages while also expanding its exploration footprint. Ivanhoes technical expertise spans geology, engineering, environmental management, and community relations, enabling it to secure the necessary permits and infrastructure for major mine developments.

The companys flagship asset is the Kamoa-Kakula copper complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a joint venture with the government of the DRC and Zijin Mining.

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Shares of Finning International Inc. (OTCMKTS:FINGF  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $61.70 and last traded at $61.70, with a volume of 900 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $59.9150.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

FINGF has been the subject of several analyst reports. CIBC restated an outperform rating on shares of Finning International in a report on Monday, October 20th. Scotiabank restated an outperform rating on shares of Finning International in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Finning International has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy.

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Finning International Trading Up 0.4%

Finning International Cuts Dividend

The business has a fifty day moving average of $54.85 and a 200 day moving average of $48.83.

The firm also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 11th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 27th were paid a dividend of $0.2161 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 165.0%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, November 26th.

Finning International Company Profile

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Finning International Inc operates as the worlds largest dealer of Caterpillar machinery, engines and power systems, providing a comprehensive range of sales, rental, parts and service solutions. The companys core offerings encompass medium- and heavy-duty equipment for industries such as mining, construction, energy, forestry and transportation, along with bespoke power generation packages and digital monitoring tools. Through maintenance contracts and cost-per-hour service agreements, Finning helps customers optimize equipment uptime and total lifecycle costs.

Founded in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1933, Finning has grown from a single dealership to a global enterprise headquartered in Vancouvers downtown business district.

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Tompkins Financial Corporation (NYSEAMERICAN:TMP  Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $77.89 and last traded at $77.8160, with a volume of 11110 shares. The stock had previously closed at $75.01.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on TMP shares. Piper Sandler initiated coverage on Tompkins Financial in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. They issued a neutral rating and a $74.00 price objective for the company. Zacks Research raised Tompkins Financial to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, December 4th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $74.00.

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Tompkins Financial Trading Down 4.7%

The stock has a fifty day moving average of $72.71 and a 200-day moving average of $68.71. The company has a market cap of $1.09 billion, a PE ratio of 12.80 and a beta of 0.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a current ratio of 0.92.

Tompkins Financial (NYSEAMERICAN:TMP  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, October 24th. The financial services provider reported $1.65 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.70 by ($0.05). The business had revenue of $87.44 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $87.00 million. Tompkins Financial had a return on equity of 11.24% and a net margin of 18.24%. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Tompkins Financial Corporation will post 5.46 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Ita M. Rahilly acquired 1,463 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 21st. The shares were bought at an average price of $68.36 per share, with a total value of $100,010.68. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 10,511 shares in the company, valued at $718,531.96. This trade represents a 16.17% 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. 2.94% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Tompkins Financial

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in TMP. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Tompkins Financial by 95.4% in the 3rd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 551 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 269 shares during the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new position in Tompkins Financial in the second quarter worth $151,000. Allworth Financial LP increased its position in shares of Tompkins Financial by 3,207.7% during the second quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 2,580 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $162,000 after purchasing an additional 2,502 shares in the last quarter. CWM LLC grew its stake in Tompkins Financial by 122.6% during the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 2,812 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $186,000 after buying an additional 1,549 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS acquired a new position in Tompkins Financial during the 2nd quarter valued at about $202,000. 69.11% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Tompkins Financial

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Tompkins Financial (NYSEAMERICAN:TMP) is a bank holding company headquartered in Ithaca, New York, that provides a diversified range of financial services. Through its principal banking subsidiary, Tompkins Trust Company, the firm offers commercial and consumer banking products including checking and savings accounts, mortgage loans, and credit facilities. Beyond traditional banking, Tompkins Financial delivers asset management, trust and estate planning, retirement services and investment advisory solutions.

In addition to its core banking operations, Tompkins Financial operates Tompkins Insurance Agencies, which offers property and casualty, life and health insurance coverages to individuals and businesses.

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National Australia Bank (OTCMKTS:NABZY  Get Free Report) and CaixaBank (OTCMKTS:CAIXY  Get Free Report) are both large-cap finance companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, earnings, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, profitability, dividends and risk.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for National Australia Bank and CaixaBank, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score National Australia Bank 2 0 0 1 2.00 CaixaBank 1 3 1 0 2.00

National Australia Bank currently has a consensus target price of $38.00, suggesting a potential upside of 160.27%. Given National Australia Banks higher possible upside, equities analysts clearly believe National Australia Bank is more favorable than CaixaBank.

Risk and Volatility

Valuation and Earnings

National Australia Bank has a beta of 1.14, suggesting that its share price is 14% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, CaixaBank has a beta of 0.27, suggesting that its share price is 73% less volatile than the S&P 500.

This table compares National Australia Bank and CaixaBanks gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio National Australia Bank $38.78 billion 2.30 $4.35 billion N/A N/A CaixaBank $24.18 billion 3.60 $6.26 billion N/A N/A

CaixaBank has lower revenue, but higher earnings than National Australia Bank.

Profitability

This table compares National Australia Bank and CaixaBanks net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets National Australia Bank N/A N/A N/A CaixaBank N/A N/A N/A

Dividends

National Australia Bank pays an annual dividend of $0.52 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.6%. CaixaBank pays an annual dividend of $0.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.0%.

Summary

National Australia Bank beats CaixaBank on 5 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks.

About National Australia Bank

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National Australia Bank Limited provides financial services to individuals and businesses in Australia, New Zealand, and internationally. The company operates through Business and Private Banking; Personal Banking; Corporate and Institutional Banking; New Zealand Banking; and Corporate Functions and Other segments. It accepts transaction accounts, savings accounts, debit cards, and term deposits; and specialized accounts, such as foreign currency, business interest, cash maximiser, farm management, community free saver, statutory trust, and project bank accounts, as well as farm management deposits. In addition, the company provides home loans, personal loans, and business loans; vehicle and equipment finance; and trade and invoice finance, as well as business overdrafts and bank guarantees. Further, it offers insurance products consisting of home and content, landlord, travel, car, caravan and trailer, life, and business insurance products; and pension, self-managed super funds, cash management, and financial planning and advisory services. Additionally, the company provides investment products; credit, debit, and business cards; payments and merchant services; online and internet banking services; small business services; international and foreign exchange solutions; and industry specific banking services. The company was founded in 1834 and is based in Melbourne, Australia.

About CaixaBank

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CaixaBank, S.A., together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking products and financial services in Spain and internationally. The company operates through Banking and Insurance, Equity Investments, and BPI segments. It also provides solutions related to security, protection, internationalization, and financing; traditional financial advice, independent advice, and broker services; asset management; liquidity management; capital markets, cash management, project finance, asset finance, and M&A services; and various financial services and solutions to public and private sector institutions, as well as distributes non-life and life risk insurance policies; and private banking services. In addition, the company is involved in the real estate business. It has branches and ATMs in Spain; and branches and ATMs in Portugal. CaixaBank, S.A. was founded in 1904 and is based in Valencia, Spain.

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By Kanchana Chakravarty

Jan 23 (Reuters) - Intel's shares plunged 12% before the bell on Friday after the company struggled to meet strong artificial intelligence-driven demand for data-center chips due to supply constraints, disappointing investors betting on its turnaround.

After years of sitting out the AI boom that turned Nvidia into the world's most valuable company, Intel is finally enjoying a demand surge for its traditional server chips that are used alongside advanced graphics processors in data centers.

That and high-profile investments from the U.S. government, SoftBank <9984.T> and Nvidia have reignited investor interest. Intel's stock outpaced most semiconductor firms last year with an 84% gain and has extended its rally into 2026, up 47% in January so far.

"The rally had been largely driven by 'the dream' rather than the near-term reality or fundamentals," TD Cowen analysts said.

Intel cannot keep up with demand even as it runs factories at capacity, but Intel CFO David Zinsner said he expects available supply to improve in the second quarter after hitting its lowest levels in the first quarter.

Jefferies analysts also noted that Intel's supply shortage will likely bottom out in March, while brokerage Oppenheimer said the constraints will ebb by the second quarter.

Friday's losses followed quarterly profit and revenue forecasts that were below estimates. The drop will erase about $31 billion from Intel's market value, if the premarket moves hold.

"The server cycle seems real, but the company appears to have woefully misjudged it with its capacity footprint caught massively off guard," said analysts at Bernstein.

The company faces a lag in changing the type of semiconductors it makes, hampering efforts to increase production of in-demand data center processors.

Also weighing on Intel's forecast was the global memory supply shortage where price hikes are expected to dampen end-market demand in the personal computer market - Intel's biggest segment, where its new "Panther Lake" PC chips were expected to spark a comeback after years of market-share losses to AMD .

Investors are closely examining Intel's turnaround under CEO Lip-Bu Tan, who has focused on cutting costs and scaling back expansive contract manufacturing ambitions.

The prospect of new external customer announcements had greatly contributed to Intel's rally ahead of results, but Tan's comments on a post-earnings call indicated that two customers had only gone so far as to evaluate the technical details of its upcoming 14A manufacturing technology.

(Reporting by Kanchana Chakravarty in Bengaluru;Additional reporting by Samuel Indyk in London and Arsheeya Bajwa in Bengaluru; editing by Alun John and Maju Samuel)
The Minister for Foreign Affairs has condemned Israels destruction of buildings belonging to a UN agency delivering life-saving assistance in the occupied Palestinian territories

Helen McEntee said the the bulldozing of buildings at a UN headquarters in east Jerusalem by Israeli authorities earlier this week represented part of a sustained effort to undermine the United Nations Relief and Works Agency..

The commissioner-general of UNRWA said it was an open and deliberate defiance of international law by Israel.

Philippe Lazzarini said Israeli forces stormed the UNRWA headquarters and began demolishing buildings inside the compound.

He said it was an unprecedented attack against a UN agency and its premises.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres also condemned the action.

Mr Lazzarini said it followed other steps taken by Israeli authorities to erase the Palestine refugee identity.

Israels Foreign Ministry said UNRWA long ceased to be a humanitarian aid organization, serving instead as a greenhouse for Hamas terrorism.

Ms McEntee said she was appalled by the further destructive actions taken by Israeli authorities

In a statement, she said: These actions are not isolated incidents.

They form part of a wider and sustained effort to undermine and dismantle UNRWAs operations across the occupied Palestinian territory.

Ireland fully supports UNRWA and its mandate.

I call on Israel to immediately halt all attacks and measures directed at the agency.

Israel must respect international law, including the privileges and immunities of the United Nations and its staff.

Ms McEntee added: At a time of immense and worsening humanitarian need, the work of UNRWA, alongside other UN agencies, humanitarian organisations and NGOs, is indispensable.

These organisations are delivering life-saving assistance and essential services to civilians across the occupied Palestinian territory and the wider region.

Any actions that obstruct this work only deepen the humanitarian crisis and place civilian lives at even greater risk.

International law is clear: humanitarian aid workers, along with journalists and medics, must be protected in times of conflict.

It is unacceptable that they continue to be killed while trying to help others while carrying out their important roles.
This week activists from across the state rallied ahead of midterms.

We noticed Guv Kelly and many others offering a welcoming message and support.

Here's a worthwhile photo essay and video that a Topeka newspaper moved outside of the paywall:

LBGTQ+ supporters yell out and hold up signs during the Equality Day event at the Kansas Statehouse on Jan. 20, 2026.

Take a look via www.TonysKansasCity.com embed . . .
A bit of pearl clutching on this Jeff City "crisis" but still worth checking . . .

The Missouri House of Representatives voted 138 to 10 Thursday to sanction Democrat state Rep. Jeremy Dean for ethical misconduct following an investigation into an obscene text message he sent to a colleague last year.



The disciplinary action stems from a Sept. 4 incident in which the Springfield Democrat sent a lewd text message to Republican Rep. Cecelie Williams of Dittmer.



In Deans text to Williams he feigned surprise that You [Republicans] can even talk while performing fellatio on President Trump, though he worded it much more lewdly.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 23. As many as 10 Armenians and one Russian who lived in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan were handed over to Armenia on their own wish, Trend reports.

A total of 11 people appealed to the relevant bodies of Azerbaijan and Armenia on this issue, and based on these appeals, they were handed over to Armenia.

These people continued to live in those territories after the liberation of Khankendi city by Azerbaijan in September 2023.

They have been transferred solely at their own discretion and request.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 23. A series of meetings have been held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in connection with the 13th session of the UN-Habitat World Urban Forum (WUF13), the Azerbaijani Embassy in Ethiopia told Trend.

The embassy noted that meetings were held with Ethiopian Minister of Urban Development and Infrastructure Chaltu Sani Ibrahim, Mayor of Addis Ababa Adanech Abiebie, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa Claver Gatete, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment Affairs of the African Union (AU) Moses Vilakati, and other officials.

The meetings, organized by the Embassy of Azerbaijan, were attended by Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union Ruslan Nasibov, Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Kenya and Permanent Representative to the UN-Habitat Sultan Hajiyev, and Director of the Regional Office for Africa of UN-Habitat, the main organizing body for WUF, Oumar Sylla.

The meetings provided details on the nature of WUF13, its preparation process, initiatives, planned events, and activities, as well as opportunities for participation and collaboration.

The meetings emphasized the importance of the forum, which will be held under the theme "Housing for All: Safe and Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements," in terms of strengthening international cooperation in the field of sustainable urban development and highlighting Azerbaijan's contributions to global processes in partnership with international stakeholders. Moreover, the meetings noted that, for the first time in the history of the forum, a summit will be held with the participation of Heads of State and Government, as well as a briefing on the interests of Azerbaijan, recognized as a global urbanization champion, in cooperation with African states in the field of urban development under WUF13.

Moreover, most of the meetings highlighted Azerbaijans experience and initiatives related to COP29, as well as the interconnected impacts of sustainable urban development and climate change processes, as being of significant importance for Ethiopia's hosting of COP32, and expressed a strong interest in further relevant collaboration.

The Azerbaijani delegation also participated in an event held in Addis Ababa in cooperation with the Kenyan Government, under the "Building Climate Resilience for Urban Poor" (BCRUP) initiative, involving international partners.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 23. Francina Armengol Socias, Speaker of the Congress of Deputies of Spain, visited the Victory Park in Baku, Trend reports.

An honor guard lined up here in honor of the guest.

The Speaker of the Congress of Deputies of the Kingdom of Spain paid tribute by laying a wreath at the Victory Monument in the park.

Then, the guest was briefed on Victory Park, which was created to honor the undying heroism of the Azerbaijani people in the Second Karabakh War and the historic Victory, as well as to preserve the memory of Azerbaijani martyrs. Moreover, it was noted that at the entrance to the park, covering an area of about 10 hectares, a triumphal arch 44 meters high, 22 meters wide, and with 44 columns was erected as a symbol of the 44 days of the Second Karabakh War.

The guest then toured the Victory Museum. The Speaker of the Congress of Deputies of the Kingdom of Spain was told that the museums exhibition was developed on the basis of international experience and leading global museum concepts, with the use of the latest technologies. The museum features 8 exhibition halls: Karabakh and East Zangezur. Story of the Centuries, ArmeniaAzerbaijan Conflict. A Look at History, 44-Day Patriotic War. Operation Iron Fist, Glorious Victory. Liberation of Shusha, The Path of Heroes, Karabakh is Azerbaijan!, Restoration of State Sovereignty. 20.09.2023, and Karabakh and East Zangezur. Revival.

The visit highlighted that the Victory Museum, the surrounding Victory Park, and the Triumphal Arch at the parks entrance stand as enduring symbols of the Second Karabakh War, Azerbaijans glorious Victory, and the sacred memory of the nations heroic martyrs.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 23. I expressed Spains strong appreciation for the progress achieved in the process of normalizing relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia during the meeting, said Francina Armengol Socias, Speaker of the Congress of Deputies of Spain, Trend reports.

Speaking at a joint briefing with Sahiba Gafarova, Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament, Armengol Socias stated that the process began following the agreement signed at the Washington Summit in August 2025.

We hope that, under appropriate conditions, this process will culminate in a peace treaty that ends the decades-long conflict in the Karabakh region and opens a new era of progress and cooperation. The guiding principles of this process, international law, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, are also shared by both parliaments.

The joint commitment to deepen bilateral relations between Spain and Azerbaijan is clearly visible, she added.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 23. On January 23, Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov discussed the latest developments in Iran and regional issues with Deputy Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran Vahid Jalalzadeh, Trend reports via the Azerbaijani MFA.

The meeting also covered the agenda of bilateral and multilateral cooperation between the two countries.

Deputy Minister Jalalzadeh spoke in detail about the latest events in Iran and the current situation. Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, in turn, stressed the importance of stability in Iran and expressed his condolences to the families of those who died during the recent events.

Moreover, it was noted that the development of friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Iran was facilitated by contacts between the presidents of the countries, mutual visits, as well as the importance of ongoing political dialogue and discussion of issues of mutual interest. The work of the State Commission on Cooperation in Economic, Trade, and Humanitarian Spheres between Azerbaijan and Iran was noted with satisfaction.

The parties discussed prospects for cooperation between the two countries in the field of transport and communications and noted that several projects being implemented, in particular by Azerbaijan and Iran, play an important role in the development of transport corridors passing through our region.

The meeting also included an exchange of views on other issues of mutual interest.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 23. There are strong opportunities to further expand cooperation between Azerbaijan and Spain and explore new areas of collaboration, Sahiba Gafarova, Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament, said at a joint briefing with Francina Armengol Socias, Speaker of the Congress of Deputies of the Kingdom of Spain, Trend reports.

On the other hand, cooperation and mutual support within the framework of international parliamentary organizations are also of great importance. I was pleased to discuss with Armengol our meeting and talks held in Cape Town, South Africa, as part of the 11th Summit of Speakers of Parliament of the Group of Twenty (G20) countries. Undoubtedly, there are good opportunities to further strengthen ties between our parliaments. Francina Armengols visit also confirms our intention to take advantage of these opportunities, Gafarova said.
Reddit, Inc. (NYSE:RDDT) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer recently looked at. During the episode, a caller inquired if they should be worried about the stock, and Cramer responded:

Holy cow. You know what, I was trying to think which one, which one, which one, because Ive been watching this Its like a jumping bean, and it worries me that its so erratic. Its almost like theres not enough float. But Ill tell you the truth: in How to Make Money in Any Market, I go over a couple of stocks that I think could be future winners, and I include Reddit, so Im not backing down. I like the company Reddit right here.

brett-jordan-0FytazjHhxs-unsplash Reddit, Inc. (NYSE:RDDT) runs an online platform that hosts communities where users connect over shared interests, exchange ideas, and share content such as posts, images, and videos. During the December 1, 2025, episode, a caller asked whether they should trade around the stock or hang on to it. The Mad Money host responded:

Okay I am not going to recommend that you trade around this. Ill tell you why. Its at $42 billion. I think this company has within it more quality things to train on, more quality ideas, more quality writing than people realize. Its incredibly undervalued. Steve Huffman should come on the show. We would go over many of the different sectors. I go to Reddit constantly. I dont know about you. I think its worth a heck of a lot more than its selling for.

While we acknowledge the potential of RDDT as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 23. Spain remains committed to deepening relations with Azerbaijan, said Francina Armengol Socias, Speaker of the Congress of Deputies of Spain, Trend reports.

Speaking at a joint briefing with Sahiba Gafarova, Speaker of the Congress of Deputies of the Kingdom of Spain, Armengol Socias emphasized that parliamentary cooperation plays a key role not only in protecting democratic values and supporting peace processes but also in building sustainable ties between peoples.

Work to improve people's lives is being carried out in parliaments, where the paths for the development of our society are being shaped. In this period of tension and instability, our relations may be decisive for the possible future. Thus, our country reaffirms its commitment to stability, peace, and mutual understanding in this region, as well as to strengthening ties with the Republic of Azerbaijan, she said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 23. The visit of Francina Armengol Socias, Speaker of the Congress of Deputies of the Kingdom of Spain, reflects the growing development of interparliamentary relations between Azerbaijan and Spain, Sahiba Gafarova, Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament, said during a joint briefing with the Spanish official, Trend reports.

Last May, I made an official visit to Spain at the invitation of Ms. Armengol. That visit marked the first official trip of an NA speaker to Spain. Today, less than a year later, the Speaker of the Spanish Congress of Deputies is in Azerbaijan with her delegation, Gafarova said.

The Azerbaijani speaker stressed the significance of Armengol Socias official visit, noting that it is the first by a Spanish parliament speaker to Azerbaijan.

This visit reflects the importance that both Ms. Armengol and I place on advancing interparliamentary relations between our countries, Gafarova added.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 23. The Consultative Council of Religious Confessions in Azerbaijan addressed an appeal to President Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports.

"Dear Mr. President,

Thanks be to the Almighty for granting us the happiness of congratulating Your Excellency on your continued success and achievements. We sincerely congratulate Your Excellency on being awarded the international Zayed Award for Human Fraternity in recognition of your efforts toward achieving peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia. We wish you continued achievements in your activities for the sake of supreme human values.

Following the great Garabagh Victory won under the leadership of Your Excellency, you are giving the people of Azerbaijan the pride of celebrating historically significant victories and prestigious international awards at the global political and diplomatic level. Your ideas and initiatives serving human fraternity on a global scale bring invincibility, trust, and respect to the state of Azerbaijan at the international level. The fact that you have been decorated with this prestigious award, which was established on the basis of a document signed by Ahmed El-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders - where, thanks to your blessing, Azerbaijan is represented by the Sheikh-ul-Islam - as well as by the late Pope Francis, represents recognition by the human family of your efforts and deeds that are pleasing to the Almighty.

We are proud that Azerbaijans exemplary model of interfaith cooperation, multiculturalism, and understanding is appreciated around the globe, and this is the fruit of Your Excellencys modern and visionary public policy. Progress and prosperity are impossible without peace, stability, and mutual understanding, and Your Excellencys activities in this direction as the political leader of Azerbaijan deserve the kindest words and the highest awards. Your Excellencys position at the forefront of the worlds peace agenda, and your participation as a founder of the Board of Peace, is yet another vivid example of your valuable activities in the name of ideals that are pleasing to the Almighty. Seeing Your Excellency as a founder of such a prestigious body at the global level fills us with pride and evokes admiration among religious people, who are an integral part of the people of Azerbaijan. We are confident that this historic step of yours will play a major role in building global peace and eliminating the threats and dangers that cause concern for humanity, Inshallah. Our prayers are with you. May Almighty Allah protect you and your valuable family!

We, as leaders of the religious confessions of the country led by Your Excellency, feel infinite pride in having you as a world-class leader and wise statesman who has succeeded in strengthening the policy of the state of Azerbaijan, based on national spiritual and universal multicultural values founded by National Leader Heydar Aliyev, on an international scale. As people who experience this pride at the most prestigious international events beyond the borders of our country, we ask the Almighty to bless your activities.

Your Excellency, you are a powerful political figure who has raised the name of Azerbaijan and the glory of its people to great heights. On behalf of the religious people of Azerbaijan, we would like to express our deep gratitude to Your Excellency for the successes and achievements you have brought to Azerbaijan in all spheres of life thanks to your visionary statehood philosophy. We convey to you our best wishes and blessings. We pray to Almighty Allah to bless the efforts and deeds of our Leader, who is distinguished by respect for national spiritual and universal values, is an active participant and founder of the Board of Peace on a global scale, and is a Victorious Leader decorated with the highest award.

May the Almighty protect the state of Azerbaijan and always keep Your Excellency at the pinnacle. Amen!

With deep respect and reverence,

Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazada

Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Office

Aleksiy

Bishop of the Baku and Azerbaijan of the Russian Orthodox Church

Vladimir Fekete

Ordinary of the Apostolic Prefecture of the Roman Catholic Church in Azerbaijan

Milikh Yevdayev

Head of the Community of Mountain Jews in Azerbaijan

Aleksandr Sharovskiy

Head of the Community of European Jews in Baku

Robert Mobili

Chairman of the Albanian-Udi Christian Religious Community

Zamir Isayev

Head of the Baku religious community of Sephardic Jews".
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 23. The U.S. and Israel failed to achieve their objectives during the 12-day IranIsrael war, despite Iran suffering the loss of 1,000 people in the conflict, said Vahid Jalalzadeh, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran for Consular and Parliamentary Affairs, Trend reports.

Speaking at a friendly meeting with representatives of the media, Jalalzadeh added that in the days that followed, the number of those killed rose to 3,117, including civilians, police officers maintaining order, and other civilians.

In addition, we assess the events that took place on January 8-9 as terrorist acts, the deputy foreign minister emphasized.

The events of January 89 were not ordinary protests driven by economic dissatisfaction. They involved terror-type violence and were fundamentally different from what took place on the first day of demonstrations, with participants carrying weapons.

We have video footage showing a protester stabbing a police officer and then setting him on fire. The attackers prevented the wounded officer from being taken to an ambulance, leading to his death, and then danced around his body, he added.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 23. Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament, Sahiba Gafarova, and Speaker of the Congress of Deputies of the Kingdom of Spain, Francina Armengol Socias, delivered press statements following their bilateral meeting, Trend reports, citing the parliamentary press service.

Gafarova underscored the significance of the Spanish parliament speakers official visit to Azerbaijan, noting that it marks the first such visit by a Spanish parliamentary leader. Recalling her own official visit to Spain in May last year, Gafarova said it was also the first official visit by a speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament to Spain, reflecting the importance both sides attach to developing interparliamentary ties. She added that the active political dialogue observed recently between the two countries has created opportunities for in-depth discussions on the current state of relations and prospects.

Speaking about the bilateral talks, Gafarova said the discussions focused on relations between the two parliaments, with both sides emphasizing the importance of reciprocal visits by parliament members and individual delegations. She highlighted that cooperation and mutual support within international parliamentary organizations are of great importance and noted that there are strong opportunities to further expand ties between the parliaments. According to her, Armengol Socias visit confirms the shared intention to make use of these opportunities.

In her statement, Armengol Socias described the discussions as constructive, close, and productive, adding that it was a great honor for her to be in Azerbaijan as Speaker of the Spanish Congress of Deputies. She said the visit serves the goal of strengthening relations between the two countries and emphasized Spains desire to further consolidate shared values and maintain a high level of dialogue. Parliamentary diplomacy, she noted, is an important tool for enhancing mutual understanding and trust between countries and for contributing to regional stability.

Armengol Socias also said Spain highly appreciates the progress achieved in the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia following the agreement signed at the Washington meeting on August 8, 2025. She expressed hope that, if appropriate conditions are created, the process will result in a peace agreement that ends the decades-long conflict in the Karabakh region and opens a new era of progress and cooperation.

She further noted that a shared determination to deepen bilateral relations between Spain and Azerbaijan is clearly evident. The talks also addressed the importance of expanding the scope of existing agreements, such as memorandums of understanding (MoU) in tourism and education. The Spanish Congress speaker said both countries are working jointly to strengthen interparliamentary ties and added that Azerbaijan and Spain have also agreed to cooperate in the development of green energy.

This is my first visit to Azerbaijan. We must further strengthen our cooperation. Deputies from both sides are doing significant work to enhance ties between our parliaments, Armengol Socias said.

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Photo: Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 23. Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ali Asadov, met with Francina Armengol Socias, Speaker of the Congress of Deputies of the Kingdom of Spain, on January 23, Trend reports via the Cabinet of Ministers.

During the meeting, Asadov expressed condolences to Armengol Socias over the recent train accident in Spain that resulted in numerous casualties.

The sides noted that relations between Azerbaijan and Spain are demonstrating positive momentum across various fields and emphasized that interstate ties are based on the principles of friendship and mutual respect.

Issues of interparliamentary cooperation were also discussed, with particular emphasis placed on the importance of reciprocal visits and contacts at the parliamentary level.

The meeting further addressed prospects for expanding mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries in a range of areas, including trade and economic relations, investment, energy, including renewable energy, as well as transport and other sectors.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 23. Iran considers itself a partner for peace and cooperation in the South Caucasus, said Vahid Jalalzadeh, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran for Consular and Parliamentary Affairs, during a friendly meeting with media representatives, Trend reports.

Recalling past events, Jalalzadeh stated that Iran stood alongside Azerbaijan during the Second Karabakh War.

Supreme Religious Leader Ali Khamenei has also stated that Karabakh is Azerbaijani land. During the Second Karabakh War, a statement was adopted in our parliament, he said.

Jalalzadeh emphasized that Iran has consistently declared its role as a partner for peace and cooperation in the South Caucasus. "Tehran has supported the establishment of economic relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia that are in line with the national interests of both countries," he added.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 23. Thirty years ago, we created the Araz Corridor for our Azerbaijani brothers, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran for Consular and Parliamentary Affairs, said during a friendly meeting with media representatives, Trend reports.

He emphasized that both countries respect each others sovereignty and territorial integrity.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 23. The Human Rights Committee of the Azerbaijani Parliament held its first meeting of the spring session on January 23, Trend reports.

Chairman of the committee Zahid Oruj opened the session by congratulating members on the start of the new session and wishing them success in their work.

Before moving to the agenda, Oruj addressed current socio-political developments both regionally and globally, sharing his views on the significance of meetings held by President Ilham Aliyev in Davos.

The committees agenda included two main items: a report on the committees activities during the previous fall session and a draft work plan for the spring session. Oruj noted that the committee had been productive during the last session, holding ten meetings, reviewing eleven matters, and recommending four draft laws for consideration by the parliament. During that period, the committee also received 328 submissions from citizens.

Regarding the upcoming spring session, Oruj said the committee will focus on disinformation, digital sovereignty, and human rights issues. Proposed legislative initiatives will be discussed, and regular meetings with citizens will be organized.

Committee members Mirjalil Gasimli, Azer Allahveranov, Mubariz Gurbanli, Sayyad Aran, Hikmet Mammadov, Bahruz Maharramov, Razi Nurullayev, Vuqar Rahimzade, Elman Nasirov, and Tural Ganjaliyev took part in the discussions, offering their opinions and suggestions.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the committees previous session work was deemed satisfactory, and the 2026 spring session work plan was approved. MP Sevil Mikayilova and other officials also attended the event.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 23. Sahiba Gafarova, Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament, met with Francesina Armengol Socias, President of the Congress of Deputies of the Kingdom of Spain, during the Spanish delegations official visit to Azerbaijan on January 23, Trend reports.

The delegation was first introduced to the plenary hall of the Azerbaijani Parliament and then visited the Heydar Aliyev Museum, where Armengol Socias signed the guestbook.

An extended meeting was subsequently held, at which the historical significance of this visit, which is the first official visit by the Speaker of Spanish Congress of Deputies to Azerbaijan, was emphasized. Gafarova noted that this visit follows her first official visit to Spain in May 2025 and demonstrates the growing attention to the development of inter-parliamentary relations between the two countries.

Gafarova noted that the active political dialogue we have observed recently is a crucial factor. During the visit of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in November 2024 for the COP29 event, agreements were reached on several key initiatives to expand bilateral cooperation. Continuing this dialogue and conducting reciprocal visits will allow us to further strengthen our relations.

The meeting also addressed expanding the legal framework for bilateral cooperation, economic collaboration, the role of Spanish companies in Azerbaijan, and the importance of partnerships in renewable energy, education, science, and culture.

Gafarova briefed the guest on Azerbaijans renewable energy export projects to Europe, its role as a transit country in the Middle Corridor, and the ongoing peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia. She highlighted that the Washington Summit last August fundamentally transformed regional realities, with Azerbaijan and President Ilham Aliyev leading the creation of a new era of peace and security. She expressed confidence that a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia would soon be signed following the recent preliminary agreement in Washington.

Armengol Socias expressed her satisfaction with her visit, noting her impressions from the Victory Museum in Baku and the countrys development. She reaffirmed Spains support for Azerbaijans sovereignty and its interest in expanding cooperation across multiple sectors. The Spanish Parliament speaker emphasized the significance of economic ties, particularly in energy, and the readiness of Spanish companies to further expand operations in Azerbaijan.

The meeting concluded with an exchange of views on the future of inter-parliamentary relations and other areas of mutual interest. Delegates also visited the Victory Corner, dedicated to the 44-Day Patriotic War, located in the Parliament foyer.
By Jeffrey Dastin

DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Biting cold, political tensions and doubts about artificial intelligence did nothing to curb the enthusiasm of business leaders in Davos over technology's ability to create jobs.

Top executives at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting said that while jobs would disappear, new ones would spring up, with two telling Reuters that AI would be used as an excuse by companies which were planning layoffs anyway.

Flag bearers of AI's trillion-dollar expansion, including chip titan Jensen Huang, said the technology heralded higher pay and more jobs for plumbers, electricians and steelworkers.

"Energy is creating jobs. Chips industry is creating jobs. The infrastructure layer is creating jobs," the Nvidia CEO told the meeting in the Swiss mountain resort.

"Jobs, jobs, jobs," added Huang.

That optimism contrasted with a potential trade row that had reverberated through Davos until U.S. President Donald Trump struck a deal to call off tariffs and avert a security decoupling with Europe over Greenland.

But scepticism over AI simmered below the surface.

Delegates discussed how chatbots could lead consumers to psychosis and suicide, while labour union leaders questioned the cost of recent technology gains.

"AI is being sold as a productivity tool, which often means doing more with fewer workers," said Christy Hoffman, general secretary of the 20-million-strong UNI Global Union.

TOWARD RETURNS

Matthew Prince, CEO of internet security company Cloudflare, said during an interview with Reuters in a mountain restaurant above Davos that AI would keep advancing and that scrappy developers could overcome market or funding blips.

Prince, who said he sticks to six-minute chair-lift meetings rather than windowless conference rooms during Davos, warned that AI could become so dominant in the future that small businesses are eviscerated while autonomous agents handle consumers' shopping requests.

In recent years, businesses have griped about how to go beyond ill-fated AI pilots and capitalize on an AI craze started by ChatGPT in 2022.

Rob Thomas, IBM's chief commercial officer, said AI has reached a stage where there can be a return on investment. "You can truly start to automate tasks and business processes," he told Reuters.

However, PwC said only one in eight CEOs recently surveyed by the advisory firm believed AI was lowering costs and delivering more elusive revenue. And questions remain about what business model can make up for AI's enormous expenses.
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 23. The global industry is undergoing a profound structural transformation, driven by the forces of digitalization, sustainability, and shifting geopolitical dynamics. Industrial firms are swiftly integrating technologies such as artificial intelligence, the industrial Internet of Things, robotics, and big data analytics to enhance productivity, lower costs, and mitigate the challenges posed by a shortage of skilled labor. Simultaneously, the sector grapples with environmental concerns, fragmented global supply chains, and increasing geopolitical risks.

In recent years, Turkmenistan's industrial sector has demonstrated consistent growth, a trend attributed to both government initiatives aimed at developing processing industries and the strong performance of key specialized enterprises. From January to November 2025, the sector surpassed its planned targets by 5.2%. Notably, the Ministry of Industry and Construction achieved 109.2% of its projected output, while the Ministry of Energy exceeded expectations with 110.7%. Leveraging its abundant energy and raw material resources, Turkmenistan continues to build upon these assets to expand its processing sector.

A particularly significant development within the country's industrial landscape is the notable increase in the production of construction materials and textiles. Between January and June 2025, cement production saw a nearly 50% rise, while the output of rebar and other metal structures surged by more than 58% compared to the same period in 2024. Furthermore, cotton yarn production grew by 22.6%, and the output of cotton fabrics increased by 27.3% year-on-year.

At the same time, the chemical industry remains a key component of the countrys industrial complex. The largest enterprises under the state conglomerate Turkmenhimiya exceeded their planned targets for the period from January through November 2025 by 5%. Japanese companies play an active role in the development of Turkmenistans chemical sector. For example, the construction of a new urea and ammonia production complex in the Kiyanly area, valued at more than $1.3 billion, is being implemented under an agreement between Turkmenhimiya and the Japanese companies Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., and Mitsubishi Corporation. Another major Japanese industrial company, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, recently told Trend about its active presence in Turkmenistan. A company representative noted that We are primarily focused on modernizing industry, but we aim to use our solutions to expand activities into other sectors as well.

In the context of transitioning to zero-waste production, the country has highlighted an initiative by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov at the 2024 BRICS summit, where he supported the concept of a circular economy, aiming to keep materials and products in the production cycle for as long as possible while minimizing waste and pollution. The importance of this initiative was also noted by Hiroyuki Tsubaya, Chairman of the Japan-Turkmenistan Committee on Economic Cooperation, during his meeting with Turkmenistans Ambassador to Japan, Atadurdy Bayramov, on January 21, 2026, in Tokyo.

In recent years, Turkmenistan has established a comprehensive legislative framework to regulate its industrial sector. The Law on State Support for Small and Medium Enterprises, enacted in 2009, introduced incentives to foster the growth of small and medium-sized industrial enterprises. In 2010, the Law on the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan was adopted, while the 2014 Law on Foreign Economic Activity paved the way for enterprises to access international markets. Looking ahead to 2026, key priorities include implementing quality control measures in construction, advancing building materials and textile production, expanding the private sector, and boosting export deliveries.

Today, Turkmenistans industrial sector is characterized by a mix of operational production capacities, modernized enterprises, and new projects aimed at increasing output and enhancing product quality. Moving forward, the sector's success will hinge on the ability of enterprises to adapt to evolving global trends, integrate advanced technologies, improve energy efficiency, and diversify their product offerings. This will, in turn, strengthen Turkmenistan's competitiveness in both domestic and international markets, ensuring the sustainable long-term growth of the industrial sector.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 23. Cooperation with BlackRock opens new opportunities for Azerbaijan's digital, infrastructure, and energy transformation, the famous Azerbaijani economic expert, Ingilab Ahmadov, told Trend.

He made the remark commenting on the signing of a protocol on strategic cooperation between the State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ), BlackRock, the world's largest asset management company, and its affiliated structure Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) with planned investments of up to $1.5 billion in infrastructure and digital projects.

The expert said that this fully aligns with Azerbaijan's priorities, which are outlined in all strategic documents.

According to him, the tasks related to digitalization, the development of artificial intelligence, and all related fields fully correspond to the priorities of this cooperation.

"Therefore, such cooperation is to some extent expected and is very promising. It is symbolic that this priority is enshrined in the memorandum of understanding with BlackRock.

Azerbaijan began working with this company last year. In October, the first assets of SOFAZ were invested in Gatwick Airport in the UK for 50 million pounds through BlackRock and its affiliated company, Digital Infrastructure Platform (DIP). The project was successful, and this year the relationship was formalized as strategic, with the goal of investing through this fund in various promising projects, including the development of artificial intelligence and automation," said Ahmadov.

He noted that the planned investment amount of up to $1.5 billion is significant.

According to the expert, such large investments are not only economically advantageous but also reflect the political-economic and geopolitical aspects.

"Today, Azerbaijan is successfully utilizing these favorable conditions," he noted.

"Cooperation in the field of airport infrastructure and asset management is considered a priority, as it can significantly impact the modernization of the transport sector and Azerbaijan's integration into global logistical infrastructure chains.

Similar to digital projects, investments and partnerships in transport infrastructure align with the country's national priorities and strategic goals, including the development of the Middle Corridor, the Alat Port, the East-West Corridor, and the Zangezur Corridor, which have global significance. Such interaction allows for increased transportation efficiency, improved service quality, and strengthens Azerbaijan's role as a key transit hub between Europe and Asia," he added.

Ahmadov highlighted that the first joint project with BlackRock at Gatwick Airport was successful and confirmed the correctness of the chosen approach to investments and partnership.

"Working with the largest international investment company, whose assets exceed $14 trillion, has not only commercial but also geopolitical significance. This strengthens Azerbaijan's reputation as a key player in the region," he emphasized.

The expert said that due to the global energy transition, more attention is being paid to renewable energy projects, including large regional initiatives. Azerbaijan sets ambitious goals: connecting through the Caspian Sea, the Black Sea, and underwater cables to Europe.

"Cooperation with BlackRock opens up opportunities for joint investments in renewable energy, transit energy, and infrastructure beyond the traditional oil and gas sector. This direction is profitable both from a commercial standpoint and in terms of prestige, as it helps achieve energy transition goals. Today, investments in renewable energy worldwide already surpass those in traditional oil and gas, creating new opportunities for Azerbaijan," concluded Ahmadov.

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TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, January 23. Uzbekistan and the World Bank have discussed the formation and phased development of a state medical insurance system in the country, Trend reports via the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan.

The issue was reviewed during a meeting between Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance Otabek Fozilkarimov and World Bank representatives.

The sides emphasized the importance of accounting for macroeconomic stability, demographic trends, and labor market characteristics in further strengthening the healthcare system, with particular attention to balancing economic and social factors in the introduction of medical insurance.

Discussions also focused on healthcare financing, including the effective use of existing resources, expansion of financial protection mechanisms for the population, and improved access to medical services. The parties highlighted the need to form a balanced expenditure structure in the healthcare sector while consistently strengthening the states role.

It was noted that the key objectives of medical insurance are to expand access to healthcare services and ensure financial sustainability. In this context, defining financing approaches, coverage scope, and service packages, and developing transparent payment and information systems were identified as critical for building an effective insurance model.

The World Bank initiated its engagement with Uzbekistan in 1992, shortly after the country gained independence. Since then, the World Banks collaboration with Uzbekistan has deepened substantially, particularly after 2017, with a focus on supporting the countrys ambitious reform agenda through a range of financial and analytical projects spanning sectors such as agriculture, education, infrastructure, and digitalization.

Uzbekistans portfolio of joint projects with the World Bank now exceeds $14 billion.

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ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, January 23. Turkmenistan and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) concluded an agreement on strengthening integrated water resources management in the Amu Darya, Zarafshan, and Panj rivers, Trend reports via the press service of the Turkmen Government.

The documents were signed between the Ministry of Agriculture of Turkmenistan and the representatives of the organization on the sidelines of the International Conference titled Health and Nutrition in the Context of Climate Change, held on January 22 in Ashgabat.

Water resources in Turkmenistan are critically limited, with 95% of surface water sourced from transboundary rivers, primarily the Amu Darya (88% of supply). The vital Karakum Canal is the longest irrigation canal globally, crucial for agriculture, which uses 95% of the water. Key water challenges include high dependency on upstream neighbors for water supply, significant inefficiency in agricultural water use, and the potential for groundwater and desalination to mitigate shortages.

Turkmenistan became a member of the FAO in 1995. The collaboration was reinforced as the country participated in regional programs, with notable involvement in the initial phase of the FAO-Turkiye Collaboration Programme (FTPP) from 2009 to 2015. Initial collaboration concentrated on assisting the Turkmen government in enhancing cotton production, mechanizing harvesting processes, and providing technical help for agricultural and environmental conservation.

Earlier, on January 21, an agreement was signed between the government of Turkmenistan and FAO on the establishment of a representative office of the organization and the provision of technical assistance.

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ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, January 23. Turkmenistan and FAO reached an agreement on two project documents focused on accelerating nature-positive reforms in the agricultural sector to enhance climate resilience, as well as strengthening Turkmenistans capacity to comply with the Enhanced Transparency Framework under the Paris Agreement, Trend reports via the press service of the Turkmen Government.

The documents were signed between the Ministry of Agriculture of Turkmenistan and the representatives of the organization during the International Conference titled Health and Nutrition in the Context of Climate Change, held on January 22, in Ashgabat.

The conference brought together heads of relevant ministries and agencies of Turkmenistan, representatives of FAO, the United Nations Development Program, and other international organizations, as well as delegations from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Iran, and Russia.

Turkmenistan's agricultural sector, responsible for 10-12% of GDP and a significant share of employment, is transitioning from a state-controlled, monoculture system to one characterized by diversification and modernization. Key opportunities are identified in high-value crops such as vegetables, fruits, and non-traditional greenhouse farming, especially tomatoes, which saw exports rise by 77% in 2022. Livestock, particularly cattle and poultry, along with a growing agro-processing industry focused on domestic production, present further potential.

However, challenges such as water scarcity, exacerbated by inefficient irrigation and climate change, significantly hinder progress. The government aims to increase private sector involvement and international cooperation to enhance technology and sustainable practices in agriculture, though state control over significant crops remains a limiting factor.

Earlier, on January 21, an agreement was signed between the Government of Turkmenistan and FAO on the establishment of a representative office of the organization and the provision of technical assistance.

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ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, January 23. Turkmenistan and the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) discussed prospects for strengthening cooperation in sustainable development, energy, transport connectivity, and regional integration, Trend reports via the Turkmen MFA.

The talks took place during a meeting between Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov and UNECE Deputy Executive Secretary Dmitry Maryasin, who arrived in Ashgabat to participate in the High-Level Week of the Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) held from January 20 through 23.

The sides focused on sustainable energy, methane emissions reduction, and the development of safe and resilient transport corridors. The practical implementation of outcomes from the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3) and the Avaza Programme of Action for 2024-2034 was also emphasized, with UNECE recognized as a key regional partner.

During the meeting, the Turkmen side reaffirmed its commitment to the UNECE mandate and highlighted the Commissions role as an effective platform for implementing UN global decisions at the regional level. Participation in the 71st UNECE session in April 2025 at the high level was also noted as significant.

Turkmenistan, holding the world's 4th largest natural gas reserves, relies heavily on fossil fuels for over 88% of its economy. While facing sustainability challenges as the region's most carbon-intensive economy with significant methane emissions, Turkmenistan is beginning to pivot towards sustainable development. This includes commitments to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030 and the introduction of renewable energy pilot projects. The energy sector, primarily state-run, mainly exports natural gas to China.

Additionally, Turkmenistan is developing transport infrastructures, such as the CASCA+ and North-South corridors, to enhance connectivity with regional markets. The National Program of Socio-Economic Development (2022-2052) aims for a green economy, focusing on digital technologies and eco-friendly practices, supported by initiatives with the EU to decarbonize and upgrade energy efficiency.

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The company reported what it characterized as one of its best years for safety, with three lost time injuries in 2025, and said 97% of its staff are Mozambican. Kenmare said it has invested more than $25 million in community initiatives since 2004 and cited recent work on a new district hospital that it said is nearly 80% complete. It also reported more than 200,000 trees were planted as part of rehabilitation and said waste recycling exceeded 60% in 2025, extending the expected life of its existing landfill.

Kenmare also emphasized its position in Mozambiques economy, stating it accounts for about 6% of national GDP and is the largest employer in Nampula province. The company highlighted its inclusion in the FTSE4Good Index last year and said most of its electricity comes from hydroelectric power from the Cahora Bassa Dam.

Management described Moma as a long-life asset, noting close to 100 years of mineral resources at current production rates. Kenmare has operated in Mozambique for nearly 40 years and has produced at Moma for more than 18 years. The company produces titanium minerals, including ilmenite and rutile, used in paints, paper, plastics, and titanium metal, and said it is the largest vendor of ilmenite into open markets, representing about 6% of global supply.

Kenmare Resources (LON:KMR) used an investor presentation to review 2025 operating performance and outline 2026 priorities as it completes a major upgrade at its Moma titanium minerals mine in Mozambique and adjusts to a weaker pricing environment.

The WCP A upgrade (total cost $341M, >80% spent) is being commissioned to access the Nataka orebody (>70% of resources) and, while enabling longlife production, contributed to a ~15% decline in 2025 concentrate output; management also launched a new product, ZirTi, from stockpiles.

Kenmare is shifting to a 2026 focus on shipments and cash generation, guiding to 1.1 million tonnes of finishedproduct shipments (15% above 2025), production >800,000 tonnes, operating costs of $215$225 million , and roughly $60 million of capex ($30M development, $30M sustaining) while planning up to 15% workforce retrenchment.

$250 million$300 million impairment expected for fullyear 2025 (noncash) due to weaker mediumterm pricing, after a $100M H1 charge, plus an anticipated ~ $15 million inventory writedown and a $9.3 million atrisk customer receivable under recovery.

Story Continues

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Management added that Kenmare has won Mozambiques most transparent company prize for each of the last five years and said the president commended the company in meetings during 2025 for social programs, transparency, and job quality.

2025 operations: production, shipments, and a new product

Operations director Ben described Moma as a low-cost bulk mining operation, mining up to 50 million tonnes per annum, using dredge mining units with floating wet concentrator plants. Concentrates are transported to a mineral separation plant where ilmenite, rutile, zircon, and a monazite concentrate are separated using physical methods, with no chemicals, and shipped via Kenmares jetty using offshore transshipment.

 The Nuts and Bolts of Fastenal EarningsAnd What Comes Next

Kenmare said 2025 production was impacted by the WCP A upgrade, contributing to a 15% year-on-year reduction in heavy mineral concentrate production. Management said it made a deliberate decision not to offset the shortfall using higher-cost supplementary mining. Ilmenite production was also lower, though the company said it met revised guidance. Zircon production improved, with Kenmare saying it achieved original guidance by processing intermediate stockpiles and benefiting from improved recoveries at the mineral separation plant.

On concentrates, management highlighted production of a new product called ZirTi, created from previously stockpiled material that had not been valuable. The company said ZirTi will continue into 2026 and beyond.

Shipments were lower in 2025 due to poor weather in the first half and the five-year compulsory dry-docking of one transshipment vessel in the second half, management said.

WCP A upgrade and transition to Nataka

Kenmare detailed progress on the WCP A upgrade, which is designed to enable the companys largest plant to mine a new ore body, Nataka. Management said Nataka represents more than 70% of the mines mineral resources and is expected to support operations for more than 20 years with the new equipment being implemented.

The company said the WCP A upgrade has a total cost of $341 million, with more than 80% spent by the end of 2025. Major construction is complete, installation is done, and the plant has been handed over to operations, management said. Commissioning and ramp-up are ongoing, and while the project has been slightly later than anticipated, Kenmare said remedial measures discussed in prior Q4 announcementssuch as the slimes handling facility and a new tailings storage facilityare operating as expected. Additional debottlenecking and process optimization are continuing through the first quarter, according to management.

Market conditions, financial items, and 2026 guidance

Management distinguished between demand and supply conditions. Kenmare said demand for its products was stable and that it could sell as much as it produced, citing that zircon and rutile were sold out toward year-end. However, it said additional ilmenite supply in Chinaalong with ilmenite derived from imported concentrateshas contributed to oversupply and weaker pricing. Kenmare said it has a strong order book for the first quarter of 2026 and signed new sales contracts during 2025, while adopting more conservative pricing assumptions for recovery timing.

Finance director James provided unaudited financial updates ahead of full-year results expected in March. Kenmare ended 2025 with approximately $48.6 million in cash and net debt of just under $159 million. The company agreed with its lender group to relax its net debt to EBITDA covenant from 2.0x to 3.0x, which it said it considered a fairly safe level to remain compliant at year-end 2025.

Kenmare also discussed several accounting impacts tied to pricing and receivables:

Customer administration: A customer that received a shipment in September went into administration, leaving $9.3 million outstanding. Kenmare said sales processes are underway for two plants associated with the situation, including one at an advanced stage, and it is working to recover the amount.

Impairment: After a $100 million impairment at the half year, Kenmare expects a full-year impairment of between $250 million and $300 million, driven mainly by weaker medium-term pricing expectations. The company emphasized the impairment is non-cash.

Inventory valuation: Kenmare expects an expense of around $15 million in preliminary results because some ilmenite inventory net realizable value has fallen below production cost.

For 2026, Kenmare said it is shifting emphasis from production targets to shipments and cash generation, aiming to reduce high finished-product inventories. The company guided to:

Shipments: 1.1 million tonnes of finished products, roughly 15% above 2025, supported by having both transshipment vessels available.

Production: More than 800,000 tonnes, with management indicating output will be set as needed to meet shipment objectives.

Operating costs: $215 million to $225 million at the 800,000-tonne production level, reflecting cost actions, including a retrenchment program of up to 15% of personnel.

Capital spending: About $30 million of development CapEx in 2026 as the WCP A project nears completion, plus sustaining capital guidance of around $30 million. James said remaining WCP A spend beyond 2026 includes about $40 million spread over 2027 to 2032.

In a Q&A, management said it does not expect further multi-hundred-million-dollar obligatory investments, noting that future moves of other plants to Nataka should be significantly cheaper and not require material upgrades.

Kenmare also provided an update on ongoing efforts to renew its implementation agreement with the Mozambican government, saying it has proposed royalties rising from 2.5% to 3.5% over coming years versus the prior 1% rate, though it noted the company is entitled to renewal on the same terms. Management said the agreement requires approval by the Council of Ministers and cited broader government priorities as a factor in timing, adding there is no formal timeline but that it hopes to conclude the renewal in 2026.

About Kenmare Resources (LON:KMR)

The article "Kenmare Resources Reviews 2025 at Moma, Flags $250M-$300M Impairment and 2026 Shipment Push" was originally published by MarketBeat.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, January 23. Turkmenistan outlined its priorities for its 2026 chairmanship in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), focusing on economic, transport, energy, and humanitarian cooperation, Trend reports via the Turkmen MFA.

The announcement was made by Turkmenistans plenipotentiary, Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Russia and Chair of the Economic Commission Esen Aydogdiyev during the first event held under Turkmenistans chairmanshipa meeting of the CIS Economic Commission at the CIS Executive Committee in Moscow, Russia.

According to Aydogdiyev, Turkmenistan plans to use its chairmanship to strengthen regional security and trust, promote neutrality, and enhance diplomatic engagement, while advancing initiatives in economic development, transport, and energy cooperation, in line with the CIS Economic Development Strategy through 2030.

The Ambassador also emphasized the logistics potential of the CIS as a bridge connecting Eurasia, the Caspian, Central Asia, and the Middle East, proposing to designate 2027 as the Year of CIS Transport Connectivity.

Humanitarian cooperation was outlined as another priority, with a focus on education, science, culture, tourism, and media to strengthen mutual understanding and preserve the spiritual heritage of CIS peoples.

The Commonwealth of Independent States was established in 1991 after the dissolution of the Soviet Union to promote regional cooperation in political, economic, and humanitarian spheres. The CIS Economic Council coordinates efforts to implement joint economic policies, develop transport and energy networks, and foster trade integration. The CIS chairmanship passed from Tajikistan to Turkmenistan on January 1, 2026.

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Photo: The official website of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)

ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, January 23. Turkmenistan, as part of its 2026 CIS chairmanship, will endeavor to convene the Second Caspian Environmental Forum, focusing on regional cooperation in renewable energy and biodiversity protection, Trend reports via the Turkmen MFA.

The announcement was made by Turkmenistans plenipotentiary, Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Russia and Chair of the Economic Commission Esen Aydogdiyev during the first event held under Turkmenistans chairmanshipa meeting of the CIS Economic Commission at the CIS Executive Committee on January 22, in Moscow, Russia.

Aydogdiyev noted that Turkmenistan will continue to pay special attention to environmental and sustainable development issues, including cooperation on renewable energy and the conservation of biodiversity in the Caspian region.

Turkmenistan also plans to advance broader regional cooperation under its 2026 CIS chairmanship, emphasizing economic development, transport and energy links, and regional integration.

The Commonwealth of Independent States was established in 1991 after the dissolution of the Soviet Union to promote regional cooperation in political, economic, and humanitarian spheres. The CIS Economic Council coordinates efforts to implement joint economic policies, develop transport and energy networks, and foster trade integration. The CIS chairmanship passed from Tajikistan to Turkmenistan on January 1, 2026.

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ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, January 23. The CIS Executive Committee will provide all necessary support to ensure the successful execution of Turkmenistans 2026 chairmanship and the fulfillment of the provisions of the countrys leadership concept in the CIS, the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Sergei Lebedev, said, Trend reports via the Turkmen MFA.

He made the remark at a meeting with Turkmenistans plenipotentiary, Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Russia and Chair of the Economic Commission, Esen Aydogdiyev, at the CIS Executive Committee headquarters on January 22, in Moscow, Russia.

During the discussion, the sides exchanged views on joint work within the framework of Turkmenistans 2026 CIS chairmanship and the implementation of planned activities at a high organizational and substantive level.

The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) was established in 1991 after the dissolution of the Soviet Union to promote regional cooperation in political, economic, and humanitarian spheres. The CIS Economic Council coordinates efforts to implement joint economic policies, develop transport and energy networks, and foster trade integration. The CIS chairmanship passed from Tajikistan to Turkmenistan on January 1, 2026.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, January 23. Turkmenistan and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) discussed prospects for deepening cooperation in sustainable development, transport, energy, and disaster risk reduction, Trend reports via the Turkmen MFA.

The meeting took place on January 22 in Ashgabat, between Turkmen Foreign Minister, Rashid Meredov and UNESCAP Deputy Executive Secretary, Shombi Sharp.

During the discussions, the Turkmen delegation underscored the high level of their partnership and offered a positive evaluation of their collaborative efforts in key sectors such as sustainable development, transport, energy, disaster risk reduction, and cooperation within the framework of the Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA).

Particular emphasis was placed on digitalization, the advancement of paperless trade, the implementation of the "Single Window" principle, and the expansion of practical cooperation with the institutions of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP).

The commitment of Turkmenistan to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was reaffirmed, alongside its active engagement in the work of ECOSOC and relevant United Nations forums. Furthermore, the Turkmen side expressed its gratitude for the support provided by UNESCAP in advancing the countrys international and regional initiatives, particularly those related to sustainable development and environmental challenges, such as those concerning the Aral Sea basin.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, January 23. Uzbekistan plans to allocate 20 trillion soums ($1.65 billion) this year to improve regional infrastructure, Trend reports via the press service of the Uzbek president.

The announcement was made during a videoconference meeting chaired by Shavkat Mirziyoyev, focused on key tasks for poverty reduction and employment generation in 2026.

It was noted that studies conducted across districts based on 20 criteria, including infrastructure development, quality of life, business activity, and financial capacity, identified 37 challenging districts. In addition, a detailed assessment of each district resulted in the selection of 903 challenging local communities with high poverty levels.

Work has also begun to shape the image of the New Uzbekistan in an additional 33 districts and 330 challenging local communities.

Of the total 20 trillion soums ($1.65 billion), 12 trillion soums ($993 million) will be specifically directed to the challenging districts and local communities.

Funds returned from the republican budget to local budgets will be doubled, with 4.2 trillion soums ($347.5 million) allocated directly to local governors. Going forward, regional governors will channel 10 billion soums ($827,000) to each challenging district and 1 billion soums ($82,700) to each of the 903 local communities.

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IEA: Central Asias gas output shows mixed performance ahead of 2026 recovery

Photo: IEA/Facebook

While much of the recovery is projected to come from Russia, Central Asias outlook will depend on sustained growth in Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan and the pace of upstream reforms in Uzbekistan, alongside evolving export dynamics with China.

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Azerbaijan pulls lid on oil exports to India in 2025

In 2025, Azerbaijan's exports of crude oil and petroleum products to India saw a significant decline. Both the value and volume of exports dropped sharply compared to the previous year.

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The document is designed to optimize the utilization of public funds, ensure the timely execution of investment projects, and foster sustainable economic growth in 2026.

In accordance with the resolution, ministries, agencies, and local authorities are obligated to adhere to strict timelines for fulfilling budgetary commitments, with a particular focus on ensuring the prompt disbursement of social payments and salaries for employees in state institutions and budget-funded organizations.

Emphasis is also placed on ensuring strict compliance with public procurement plans and the efficient allocation of funds earmarked for the construction and reconstruction of facilities.

To promote transparency, the Ministry of Finance will be responsible for overseeing the use of budgetary resources and will compile quarterly reports. Additionally, all public procurement procedures must align with the established regulations, and any resulting savings are to be deposited into designated accounts.

The resolution also includes measures related to social payments and public funds, providing for the payment of wages via electronic cards and mandatory reporting on pension and social benefit disbursements.

Special attention is given to the timely completion of state investment projects. Ministries, agencies, and local authorities are instructed to submit detailed information on the allocation and use of grant and loan funds earmarked for project implementation.

Furthermore, the document establishes requirements for quarterly reporting on expenditures and revenues of the republican budget, including data on financial transactions, tax revenues, and other mandatory payments.

The resolution also provides for the introduction of electronic document management systems to optimize financial operations and increase transparency. Local authorities must ensure that data is entered into the public finance management system promptly.

The government further outlined measures aimed at improving tax compliance and enhancing coordination with international financial institutions to ensure effective financing of state programs.

Oversight of the implementation of the resolution has been assigned to Prime Minister Kokhir Rasulzoda.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, January 23. President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov held a meeting today, January 23, with the heads of major construction companies in the country, representatives of relevant state bodies, and the Bishkek City Mayors Office, Trend reports via the press service of the Kyrgyz president.

The meeting was held in a question-and-answer format. During the discussion, participants raised pressing issues related to developers fulfillment of their obligations, as well as the need to eliminate inconsistencies and improve the regulatory and legal framework governing the construction sector.

Furthermore, the head of state issued specific instructions to Minister of Construction, Architecture, and Housing and Communal Services Nurdan Oruntaev and Bishkek Mayor Aibek Junushaliev.

President Japarov placed particular emphasis on the integrity of construction companies, stressing the importance of open, transparent, and honest operations. He underlined the inadmissibility of violations of obligations to citizens, citing examples of certain companies whose activities were accompanied by breaches of legislation.

The president instructed the mayor of Bishkek and the minister of construction to hold such meetings on a regular basis to ensure that emerging issues do not accumulate but are resolved in a timely manner.

The construction sector in Kyrgyzstan is experiencing rapid growth, with a 21.1% increase in gross output projected for early 2025, positioning it as a leader in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). In the first half of 2025, the country saw a 1.9-fold increase in construction work, including 779,500 square meters of housing developed. The sector is vital for employment and investment, expecting a gross output of 438.5 billion soms ($5 billion) in 2025.

Key components include local manufacturing of materials like cement and brick, alongside challenges such as high material costs, investment needs, and safety standards. Emerging trends focus on eco-friendly materials in housing, with a notable 23.9% increase in housing construction. The government is enhancing oversight and standards to ensure safety in the sector.

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TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, January 23. South Korea and Uzbekistan have discussed prospects for cooperation on the construction of the TashkentSamarkand high-speed railway line, Trend reports via Uzbekistan Railways.

The discussions took place during a meeting between Sharafiddin Kadyrov, Chief Engineer of Uzbekistan Railways, and Cho Jin-hwan, Head of the overseas business division for the Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL).

During the meeting, the sides reviewed the progress of prior agreements, assessed interim outcomes, and identified key areas for future collaboration. Special focus was given to enhancing cooperation in the digitalization of railway operations.

The discussions also addressed plans to establish a dedicated depot for advanced maintenance of high-speed trains, as well as the exchange of expertise in the operation and servicing of Hyundai Rotem-manufactured high-speed electric trains, which are being supplied to Uzbekistan.

Following the talks, an addendum to the memorandum of understanding was signed to further strengthen and deepen the bilateral cooperation between Uzbekistan Railways and KORAIL.

Meanwhile, trade turnover between Uzbekistan and South Korea totaled $1.7 billion in 2025, accounting for 2.1% of Uzbekistans total foreign trade.
Kevin O'Leary said President Donald Trump's Davos speech signals a likely U.S.-Canada negotiation over a North American defense strategy, and he's placing bets on Canadian energy and currency as a result.

Trump's Davos Speech Focused On Power, Not Policy

On Wednesday, in a post on X, O'Leary shared a clip of his remarks and wrote, "I think there's a negotiation starting between Canada and the United States that's gonna be very good for both parties."

In the clip, O'Leary said, "He basically gave the same speech today that he gave yesterday."

He added, "What was new was his discussion about power, and the competition with the Chinese on power."

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O'Leary said the lack of available electricity capacity in North America has become a major obstacle in the "AI data center race," and Trump's proposal to fast-track permits for power projects has spooked financial markets.

"Maybe we better go find out where we can find stranded natural gas," O'Leary said, noting that a quicker permitting process could cut project timelines from years to months.

Canada Seen As Key To Trump's Dome Defense Plan

O'Leary also addressed Trump's comments about Greenland, arguing the president is likely aiming for a negotiation rather than a confrontation.

"Look, guys, we've been funding NATO for a long time," O'Leary quoted Trump as implying.

He added, "We want something back in return. It's called Greenland."

O'Leary said he believes Canada will be crucial to any proposed "dome" defense strategy over North America and said he has positioned himself accordingly.

"I went long Canadian dollars today. And I'm going long Canadian power sources," he said.

Trending: Bezos' Favorite Real Estate Platform Launches A Way To Ride The Ongoing Private Credit Boom

O'Leary partnered in 2024 with the Municipal District of Greenview to build Wonder Valley, a massive AI data centre park in northwest Alberta's Greenview Industrial Gateway.

The Canadian dollar showed mixed performance against the U.S. dollar, up 4.15% over the past year but down 7.28% over five years.

Over the past 24 hours, the Canadian dollar rose 0.17% to $0.7236 against the U.S. dollar.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, January 23. Turkmenistan supports ideas and proposals aimed at strengthening stability, trust, and mutually beneficial cooperation in accordance with the national interests of the participants of the Central Asia-Russia consultative format, said Turkmenistans plenipotentiary, Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Russia and Chair of the Economic Commission Esen Aydogdyev, Trend reports via the Turkmen MFA.

He made the statement during high-level consultations between Central Asia's nations and Russia on January 22, 2026.

The meeting, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, focused on the implementation of the Joint Action Plan between Central Asia and Russia for the period of 20252027.

The discussions also encompassed potential strategies for translating the outcomes of the Second Summit of the Heads of State of Central Asia and the Russian Federation into actionable steps. This includes facilitating consultations among the relevant ministries and governmental bodies from all six participating states.
Photo: The embassy of U.S. in Turkmenistan

ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, January 23. Turkmenistan and the U.S. exchanged views on regional stability and prospects for mutually beneficial economic cooperation, Trend reports via the U.S. Embassy.

The discussions were made during a meeting between Turkmenistans Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov and U.S. Special Representative for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor on January 22, in Ashgabat.

The U.S. side highly appreciated the level of diplomatic engagement between Turkmenistan and the United States.

On the same day, the U.S. Embassy in Turkmenistan hosted an official reception attended by the Special Representative and representatives of American and Turkmen business circles.
Photo: The official X account of the Ambassador of Turkmenistan in Belgium

ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, January 23. Turkmenistan and Belgium discussed prospects for developing bilateral and regional cooperation, the Turkmen ambassador, Sapar Palvanov, wrote on his X account, Trend reports.

The discussion was held at a meeting between Turkmenistans Ambassador to Belgium, Sapar Palvanov, ambassadors from Central Asian countries and Mongolia, and the President of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives, Peter De Ruwer, on January 22.

The sides exchanged views on parliamentary engagement and potential cooperation in transport, energy, climate, and education. They also emphasized the importance of strengthening contacts among people, youth, educational, and cultural circles as a key factor in building a strong and long-term partnership.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 23. Currently, Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR operates 564 fuel stations abroad, the company told Trend.

The network is distributed as follows:

Austria  87 stations

Switzerland  223 stations

Ukraine  54 stations

Georgia  103 stations

Romania  83 stations

Turkiye  14 stations

Domestically, SOCAR runs 72 fuel stations across Azerbaijan, including nine in the recently liberated territories of Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur.

The company also outlined plans to expand its domestic network: "In the liberated areas, the first fuel station put into operation was SOCAR Petroleum. Its main goal was to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply for vehicles during construction works. A long-term development strategy for the company is currently under preparation. Once approved, work will begin on opening new fuel stations across Azerbaijan later this year," SOCAR said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 23. The price of Azerbaijans Azeri Light crude at Italys Augusta port, on a CIF basis, declined by $1.32, or 1.9%, on January 22 from the previous level, coming in at $66.63 per barrel, a source in the oil market told Trend.

At Turkiyes Ceyhan port, the FOB price of Azeri Light crude decreased by $1.37, or 2.1%, to $64.07 per barrel.

The price of URALS crude went down by $0.83, or 2.3%, to $35.28 per barrel, while Brent Dated crude from the North Sea decreased by $1.65, or 2.5%, to $67.78 per barrel.

Azerbaijans 2026 state budget is based on an average oil price of $65 per barrel.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 23. The selection of a consulting company to conduct the feasibility study (FS) for the Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkiye-Bulgaria interconnector project will begin soon, General Director of the Green Corridor Alliance Joint Venture Tural Aliyev said during a roundtable event on the occasion of the International Clean Energy Day at ADA University, Trend reports.

"The terms of reference for the interconnector are ready, and the selection of a consultant will begin soon," Aliyev emphasized.

On April 4, 2025, a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Transmission and Trade of Green Electricity was signed between the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of Turkiye, and the Ministry of Energy of Bulgaria.

The document aims to develop regional renewable energy transmission infrastructure and expand cross-border trade in green electricity among the countries of the South Caucasus, Turkiye, and the European Union.

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Azerbaijan sheds light on oil exports to Czech Republic for 2025

In 2025, Azerbaijan's exports of crude oil and petroleum products, derived from bituminous minerals, totaled 1.4 million tons, valued at $742.2 million. This marked a significant decline compared to 2024, with a decrease of $338.8 million (31.3%) in value and a drop of 365,000 tons (20.6%) in volume.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 23. During the World Economic Forum in Davos, the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) unveiled an ambitious global expansion plan that combines investments in oil and gas fields, international retail expansion, and technological transformation. These initiatives reflect the country's long-term strategy to strengthen Azerbaijan's role as an energy bridge between East and West, as well as creating new opportunities for regional cooperation and diversification of energy supplies.

A key deal was the purchase of a 10% stake in the Baleine oil and gas field development project in Cote d'Ivoire, jointly with Italian company Eni S.p.A. The field, discovered in 2021 and already producing 62,000 barrels of oil and 75 million cubic feet of gas per day, will increase production to 150,000 barrels of oil and 200 million cubic feet of gas per day by the third phase. The project is positioned as the first zero-emission offshore oil and gas project in Africa, underscoring SOCAR's commitment to sustainability standards.

In terms of strategy, SOCAR's participation in African projects is not only about diversifying assets, but also about strengthening Azerbaijan's energy diplomacy. Continental expansion allows Azerbaijan to strengthen ties with key players in the region, integrate Africa into global oil and gas supply chains, and create potential for joint investments in clean energy. For Europe, this opens up an additional source of oil and gas supplies with a minimal carbon footprint, which increases the continent's energy security amid global market instability.

SOCAR's expansion into the European retail market is no less significant. Currently, SOCAR's network includes 564 stations in Austria, Switzerland, Ukraine, Georgia, Romania, and Turkiye. These steps strengthen the Azerbaijani company's influence in international markets, increase brand awareness, and create infrastructure bridges for energy integration between regions.

Technological innovation remains a key element of SOCAR's strategy. The SOCAR Carbamide plant has joined the prestigious Global Lighthouse Network and received the Digital Lighthouse Award for its implementation of Industry 4.0 technologies. The use of artificial intelligence, robotics, and digital tools has increased productivity by 21%, natural gas efficiency by 24%, and reduced carbon emissions by 19%. These achievements strengthen SOCAR's competitiveness, demonstrating that sustainable development and technological innovation can go hand in hand.

Simultaneously, the company is expanding its digital and environmental agenda through international cooperation: an agreement with Switzerland's SICPA SA on energy resource traceability, a partnership with Planet Labs PBC on satellite environmental monitoring, and joint initiatives with Honeywell and ADNOC Group on clean energy and sustainable infrastructure.

SOCAR's financial stability has been confirmed by leading international agencies. Moody's upgraded the company's rating to investment grade Baa3, while S&P Global Ratings improved its long-term credit rating to BB with a positive outlook. SOCAR's ESG rating according to Sustainable Fitch is 3, reflecting reliable risk management, emission reduction targets, and ongoing challenges in corporate governance.

The regional and global impact of SOCAR's initiatives cannot be overstated. Its expansion in Africa is creating new supply points for the global energy sector, its European retail network is strengthening its presence in key markets, and its technological and ESG initiatives are increasing the company's investment attractiveness. For Azerbaijan, this represents not only growth in corporate capital but also a strengthening of the country's position as a reliable partner in energy security. For the region, it means the development of energy cooperation, the creation of integrated supply chains, and new opportunities for joint investment in green energy.

SOCAR demonstrates that a national oil and gas company can combine global ambitions, innovation, and sustainable development, shaping Azerbaijan's energy brand on the world stage and laying the foundation for a safer and more sustainable future in global energy.
Kimmeridge, which owns a little over 1% of Coterra Energys (CTRA) outstanding shares, is preparing to nominate Scott Sheffield, the former CEO Pioneer Natural Resources, to join the companys board, Benoit Morenne of Wall Street Journal reports, citing people familiar with the matter. Kimmeridge has been seeking new leadership at Coterra and thinks the company should sell its natural-gas operations to focus on its crude business in the Permian Basin, the Journal says.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 23. Latvias Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) is discussing prospects for cooperation with Azerbaijan in the field of green energy, LCCI Director of the European Union (EU) Projects Department, Liga Siceva, said in an interview with Trend.

"Latvia has developed strong expertise in areas such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable construction, and circular economy solutions. This experience could become increasingly relevant for Azerbaijan as the country advances its energy transition, seeks to diversify its energy mix, and aims to improve efficiency across industry and urban infrastructure," she said.

According to Siceva, from the LCCIs perspective, cooperation in this area is most effective when it is built around concrete needs and practical applications, including pilot projects, technology transfer, and knowledge exchange.

She added that Latvian solutions can generate added value in areas such as smart energy management, energy-efficient buildings, and environmental technologies, supporting Azerbaijans sustainable development goals while also fostering mutually beneficial long-term cooperation.

"Based on existing experience, it is crucial to consider the readiness of the local ecosystem when discussing cooperation in green technologies, including the availability of supporting services, the regulatory framework, and the operational capacity to implement specific solutions," Siceva said.

Liga Siceva pointed out that while companies from Latvia and the Central Baltic region are often well prepared for cooperation and can offer advanced technologies, differences in market structures and implementation conditions may pose certain challenges, particularly in sectors such as construction, water management, and waste processing.

"Price competitiveness also plays a crucial role, as markets are increasingly shaped by alternative solutions from other regions, including suppliers from China and Turkiye that operate at different cost levels. A careful assessment of market conditions, combined with pilot partnerships, can help identify options that strike the right balance between technical reliability and economic efficiency," she noted.

Siceva emphasized that there is a clear readiness and openness on both sides to cooperate in green technologies.

"By identifying shared priorities, suitable market entry points, and the right partners, cooperation can be built in a practical and mutually beneficial way. A focused, phased approach that brings together technology providers, local partners, and public institutions will help ensure that green solutions are adapted to local needs and deliver sustainable results in the long term," she stressed.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 23. The UN stands ready to support the Government of Azerbaijan in implementing the ambitious targets under NDC 3.0 and progressing towards Sustainable Development Goal No. 7 (Affordable and clean energy), Igor Garafulic, interim resident coordinator in Azerbaijan, said during a roundtable event on the occasion of the International Clean Energy Day at ADA University, Trend reports.

He pointed out that today is a perfect opportunity to acknowledge Azerbaijans leadership and dedication in the shift towards clean energy.

"We commend Azerbaijan's nationally determined contribution (NDC 3.0) announced at COP30. Previously, the emission reduction target set for 2050 has been advanced by 15 years, with Azerbaijan now committing to reduce emissions by 40% by 2035. This is a clear indication of strong national will to accelerate climate actions," Garafulic noted.

The interim resident coordinator emphasized that the new NDC 3.0 outlines pathways to decarbonization through the development of renewable energy, transportation, and energy efficiency. A fair transition to a green economy will ensure economic diversification and enhance the country's competitiveness.

"Azerbaijan is also making significant progress on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 7'Affordable and Clean Energy.' Within the framework of the 2026-2030 Sustainable Development Cooperation Document, the UN is ready to support the government in achieving these ambitious goals," he added.

A roundtable discussion and an award ceremony of the Clean Energy Center of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Clean Energy Hackathon 2026 are being held in Baku on the occasion of the International Clean Energy Day.

The event features a roundtable discussion and an award ceremony on the topic of transition to clean energy and regional cooperation models to accelerate the expansion of renewable energy.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 23. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) calls on Turkmenistan to accelerate the transition to a sustainable future, Director-General of IRENA Francesco La Camera said during a roundtable event on the occasion of the International Clean Energy Day at ADA University, Trend reports.

According to him, regional cooperation is of particular importance for Central Asia.

"The region's growing energy demand and abundant renewable energy resources create a unique opportunity to transition to a sustainable, low-carbon future and reduce over-reliance on fossil fuels. Realizing these opportunities requires a solid basis for regional cooperation and investment mobilization. That's why IRENA has launched the 'Accelerated Partnership for Central Asia' (APCA) initiative at COP29. We are trying to unite international and regional partners around four key pillars of cooperation," the director-general explained.

He observed that Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan are currently collaborating.

"We call on Turkmenistan to join them and accelerate its path to a sustainable future," La Camera added.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 23. Azerbaijan currently consumes about 15 billion cubic meters of natural gas, and nearly one-third of this generates electricity, Deputy Minister of Energy Elnur Soltanov said during a roundtable event on the occasion of the International Clean Energy Day at ADA University, Trend reports.

He pointed out that Azerbaijan needs to take a few leaps in the realm of clean energy.

"The main issue here is undoubtedly related to technology and its cost. First of all, in some sectors, the appropriate technology does not yet exist, and we should view this as an exogenous factor. We are not among the countries that create technology, and we must accept this. This should not be considered a serious problem.

Therefore, these issues cannot be fully solved in the short term solely through our internal capabilities, even within the framework of the economic cooperation organization we are discussing today. Long-term strategic goals need to be defined in this direction," Soltanov explained.

The deputy minister pointed out that when it comes to clean energy, the crux of the matter lies in securing financial resources.

"Our region and the Economic Cooperation Organization can give a serious push to these processes.

The third important issue is cooperation in every sense. For example, Azerbaijan has a unique geographical location. We don't have access to the ocean, which creates certain limitations. However, the situation in electricity production is somewhat different.

We allocate approximately five billion cubic meters of gas solely for electricity production, which is more than the total annual gas consumption of some European countries. 'Greening' the electricity sector is not so difficult because the technologies exist. However, the main problem is energy storage systems.

These systems are very expensive, and without batteries, a full transition to solar and wind energy is impossible. Another alternative is to strengthen energy connections with neighboring countries. For example, this model is already being applied in the European Union, and it significantly facilitates the transition to green energy," he added.

A roundtable discussion and an award ceremony of the Clean Energy Center of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Clean Energy Hackathon 2026 are being held in Baku on the occasion of the International Clean Energy Day.

The event features a roundtable discussion and an award ceremony on the topic of transition to clean energy and regional cooperation models to accelerate the expansion of renewable energy.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 23. The Italian CESI company has begun preparing the feasibility study (FS) for the Trans-Caspian green energy corridor since January 15, Tural Aliyev, General Director of the Green Corridor Alliance JV, established within the framework of the Central Asia-Azerbaijan green energy corridor project, said during a roundtable event on the occasion of the International Clean Energy Day at ADA University, Trend reports.

"In December 2025, CESI was selected as a consulting partner for the preparation of an FS for the Central Asia-Azerbaijan green energy corridor project. In January 2026, specialists will have already started work," Aliyev noted.

The director general added that this process includes a technical, environmental, and financial feasibility study for the transportation of green energy from Central Asia to Europe, as well as a study of the resources required for the implementation of the project.

On November 13, 2024, within the framework of COP29, a Strategic Partnership Agreement was signed between the governments of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the Republic of Uzbekistan in the field of green energy development and transition.

In accordance with the agreement, the joint venture Green Corridor Union LLC was established in Baku on December 27, 2024, to oversee its implementation.

In addition, a Memorandum of Understanding on the implementation of this project was signed between the energy ministries of the three countries, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 23. Azerbaijan is discussing wind energy transfer from the Caspian Sea bottom to Europe with investors, Tural Aliyev, General Director of the Green Corridor Alliance Joint Venture, established within the framework of the Central Asia-Azerbaijan green energy corridor project, said during a roundtable event on the occasion of the International Clean Energy Day at ADA University, Trend reports.

According to him, currently, cooperation models are being discussed with potential investors on the green energy corridor (Black Sea Energy).

"Major work is underway to transport wind energy from the Caspian Sea to Europe through the seabed. The feasibility study for the project has already been completed, and cooperation models are currently being discussed with potential investors," Aliyev noted.

On December 17, 2022, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania, and Hungary signed a strategic partnership agreement outlining a plan to construct a 1,195-kilometer-long, 1,000-MW subsea energy cable under the Black Sea. This cable will transmit renewable electricity generated in Azerbaijan and Georgia to Romania, and then on to Hungary and other European countries, expanding Europe's access to renewable energy sources from the Caucasus region.

In September 2024, Romanian transmission system operator Transelectrica, Georgian State Electrosystem, Azerbaijani energy concern AzerEnerji, and Hungarian energy company MVM established a joint venture to implement the subsea cable project under the Black Sea.

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ASTANA, Kazakhstan, January 23. Kazakhstan exported 1.687 million tons of crude oil and petroleum products derived from bituminous minerals to Switzerland from January through November 2025, which is a 3.5% decrease compared to the same period in 2024 (1.748 million tons).

According to data obtained by Trend from the countrys Bureau of National Statistics, the value of these exports reached $786.648 million, reflecting a 15.8% decline compared to $934.462 million from January through November 2025

Overall, Kazakhstan exported 69.13 million tons of crude oil and petroleum products from January through November 2025, a 7.2% increase from 64.46 million tons in 2024. However, the value of these exports decreased by 7% to $36.475 billion, compared to $39.176 billion in 2024.

Kazakhstan's total foreign trade turnover for the mentioned period stood at $128.8 billion, showing a slight decrease of 0.1% year-on-year. Exports totaled $71.14 billion, marking a 4.2% decline, while imports increased by 5.5%, reaching $57.67 billion.
Australian investment company Knoxcorp has acquired Pro-Pac Packaging's Australian and New Zealand (NZ) businesses from administrator McGrathNicol Restructuring.

For Australia, the administrators have signed a business sale agreement covering the Australian operations and assets, but excluding the Perfection Packaging unit.

The buyer is Consolidated Packaging Australia, a Knoxcorp subsidiary.

The transaction is expected to be completed in early March 2026.

Based in Dandenong, Victoria, Perfection Packaging is in the process of winding down, with closure scheduled for next month.

In New Zealand, a separate business sale agreement has been signed for the local business and assets with Consolidated Packaging Limited, Knoxcorps New Zealand subsidiary.

Completion is expected by 30 January 2026.

The deals include the transfer of employment for existing staff, other than employees in the Perfection Packaging business.

Headquartered in Brisbane and was founded by Jim Knox, Knoxcorp holds investments across operating businesses and property developments.

Knox previously owned and ran Cospak, a packaging company active in both Australia and New Zealand, before it was sold to San Miguel Yamamura Packaging in 2009.

McGrathNicol said the sale proceeds are not expected to generate a return for shareholders.

McGrathNicol partner and administrator Rob Smith said: We are pleased to announce the sale of both PPGs Australian and New Zealand continuing businesses, which represents a positive outcome for PPGs customers, suppliers and employees.

Knox said: We are delighted with the acquisition of PPG. We look forward to further developing the business and continuing to serve its loyal customers. Local manufacturing remains essential to its customers supply chains and we will make significant investments in machinery to deliver on our core value proposition.

"Knoxcorp to buy Pro-Pacs Australian and New Zealand operations" was originally created and published by Packaging Gateway, a GlobalData owned brand.




ASTANA, Kazakhstan, January 23. Kazakhstans Minister of Agriculture, Aidarbek Saparov, and the Chairman of the Board of Fabe Polska, Fatih Budan, signed an investment agreement for the construction of a greenhouse complex in the city of Shymkent, Trend reports via the Ministry of Agriculture.

The capacity of the complex will be 38,000 tons of tomatoes per year. The total investment volume will amount to approximately 69 billion tenge ($137 million).

According to Saparov, Kazakhstan has all the conditions necessary for implementing modern greenhouse technologies: a favorable investment climate, state support, and high demand for quality products create a strong foundation for large-scale production.

Budan stated that the project would enhance production efficiency and ensure stable supplies of quality products to the market.

Fabe Agro is the agricultural division of Fabe Polska, based in Warsaw. The company specializes in modern horticulture and carries out large-scale greenhouse projects.

As of late 2022, Kazakhstan has over 2,500 hectares of registered greenhouses, with approximately 300 hectares consisting of high-tech complexes, primarily located in the southern regions. While total registered greenhouse units have historically numbered in the thousands, modern, industrial-scale developments are actively expanding to boost vegetable production and reduce seasonal imports.

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ASTANA, Kazakhstan, January 23. Coca-Cola Icecek Kazakhstan has signed an investment agreement to build a new plant in Aktobe city, Trend reports, citing the Kazakh Ministry of Agriculture.

The agreement was finalized following a meeting between the Minister of Agriculture of Kazakhstan, Aidarbek Saparov, and the General Director of Coca-Cola Icecek Kazakhstan, Veli Dincel.

The total investment in the project will amount to 41.9 billion tenge ($83 million), with the planned production capacity of the new plant reaching up to 280 million liters of non-alcoholic beverages per year. Construction of the facility is set to begin in April 2026.

The upcoming production facility will feature sustainable waste management systems and energy-efficient technologies. This marks the establishment of the fourth Coca-Cola Icecek facility in Kazakhstan.

Coca-Cola Icecek, the primary shareholder of which is Anadolu Group, is responsible for the production, distribution, and sale of both carbonated and non-carbonated beverages for the Coca-Cola Company. The company has been operating in Kazakhstan since 1994; it operates at three production sitesin the Almaty region, Astana, and Shymkent.

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ASTANA, Kazakhstan, January 23. Chairman of the Management Board of KazMunayGas (KMG), Askhat Khassenov, and Chairman of Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO), Cem Erdem, discussed prospects for expanding bilateral cooperation in geological exploration and hydrocarbon production, Trend reports.

The parties examined potential avenues for enhancing cooperation in geological exploration, hydrocarbon production, and the attraction of investments.

Moreover, it was further highlighted that, since the signing of a confidentiality agreement in June 2025, KMG and TPAO have been actively exchanging information and collaboratively exploring potential projects in Kazakhstan and Turkiye. As part of this initiative, technical sessions have been conducted for TPAO specialists, and they have been granted access to geological data about promising exploration blocks in Kazakhstan.

Following their assessment, the Turkish side expressed particular interest in the offshore Big Zhambyl project in the North Caspian Sea. TPAO is currently undertaking a comprehensive technical and economic evaluation of the project.

Khassenov reaffirmed KMGs full readiness to transition to the practical implementation phase of the project.

TPAO was established in 1954 as an integrated state-owned oil company engaged in hydrocarbon exploration, production, refining, and marketing. TPAO is one of Turkiyes key state energy companies and is implementing an extensive program to increase hydrocarbon output, particularly in the Black Sea and eastern regions of the country. In addition to its domestic operations, TPAO is involved in oil and gas exploration and production projects in Azerbaijan, Algeria, and offshore areas near Northern Cyprus. The company also operates its own fleet of seismic survey and drilling vessels.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, January 23. Kazakhstans Vice Minister of Energy Sanzhar Zharkeshov held talks with representatives of the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Embassy, David Wilbor and Gordon Tate, on energy cooperation, Trend reports via the country's Ministry of Energy.

Zharkeshov outlined Kazakhstans strategic priorities in oil and gas development, highlighting the role of major upstream projects in supporting economic growth and ensuring national energy security.

The sides also discussed cooperation in the coal sector, including the development of coal chemistry. Particular attention was paid to the potential use of modern coal processing technologies, improving production efficiency, and reducing environmental impact.

In addition, the participants emphasized the importance of the Kazakhstan-US Strategic Energy Dialogue (SED) as a key platform for expert engagement, exchange of best practices, and coordination on energy policy issues.

In November 2025, following the visit of President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to the U.S., 29 agreements were signed with a total value of approximately $17 billion, covering the industry, energy, digitalization, education, and innovation sectors. More than 600 American companies do business in Kazakhstan. American companies, including Chevron and ExxonMobil, are key partners of Kazakhstan in the Tengiz, Karachaganak, and Kashagan oil fields.

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ASTANA, Kazakhstan, January 24. Kazakhstan exported 265,892 metric tons of natural gas condensate in the period from January through November 2025, which is a 12% increase compared to 237,368 metric tons exported in 2024.

Data obtained by Trend from the countrys Bureau of National Statistics shows that the total value of these exports dropped slightly to $121.152 million, a 2.7% decline from $124.508 million in 11M2024.

In terms of export destinations, Azerbaijan received the largest share, with 206,092 metric tons, followed by Russia at 31,637 metric tons, Uzbekistan at 24,771 metric tons, Kyrgyzstan at 433 metric tons, and other countries accounting for 2,956 metric tons.

From January through November 2025, Kazakhstan exported a total of 69.13 million tons of crude oil and petroleum products, marking a 7.2% increase compared to the 64.46 million tons exported in 2024. However, the value of these exports declined by 7%, reaching $36.475 billion, down from $39.176 billion the previous year.

Kazakhstan's overall foreign trade turnover for the period amounted to $128.8 billion, reflecting a marginal decline of 0.1% compared to the previous year. Exports totaled $71.14 billion, representing a 4.2% decrease, while imports saw a 5.5% rise, reaching $57.67 billion.
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, January 23. An expanded meeting of the government of the Republic of Tajikistan began on January 23 at the Government House under the chairmanship of the President and Chairman of the Government, Emomali Rahmon, Trend reports, citing the press service of the Tajik president.

The meeting is attended by the leadership and members of the government, the Executive Office of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan and its structural subdivisions, heads of central government bodies, agencies under the president and the government, republican enterprises and institutions, chairpersons of regions, cities, and districts, heads of higher education institutions, centers for the implementation of state investment projects, state and joint-stock banks, official newspapers and journals, as well as other responsible officials.

The expanded government meeting is comprehensively reviewing the results of the countrys socio-economic development in 2025 and outlining key objectives and priorities for 2026.

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DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, January 24. Tajikistan and Malaysia discussed further steps to develop comprehensive cooperation, Trend reports via the press service of the Tajik MFA.

This issue was discussed during a meeting between Tajik Ambassador Ardasher Qodiri and Malaysias Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, Dato' Sri Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof, held on January 21, 2026.

During the meeting, the sides discussed bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and Malaysia in various areas, including the economy, trade, investment, as well as the water and energy sector.

They also discussed the participation of a Malaysian delegation in the 4th High-Level International Conference on the International Decade for Action Water for Sustainable Development, 20182028, which is scheduled to take place in Dushanbe from May 25 to 28, 2026.

Special attention was paid to strengthening trade and economic ties between the two countries, expanding and deepening trade relations, creating favorable investment opportunities, and supporting joint ventures in priority industrial sectors.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 23. The first meeting of the trilateral working group on security issues, comprising Russia, the United States, and Ukraine, is scheduled for January 23 in Abu Dhabi, said Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov during a briefing, Trend reports.

An agreement has been reached to hold the working groups inaugural session on that date.
Poundland bosses say the large-scale shop closures at the retailer are over after a significant overhaul of the business [PA Media]

Bosses at troubled retailer Poundland said large-scale shop closures at the firm were over.

The firm recently went though an overhaul that saw it shut nearly 150 shops and axe 2,200 jobs in a bid to secure its high street future. Bosses added there was still "much to do" to get back on track.

The discount brand confirmed it ended the year with 651 sites, down from about 800 before the reorganisation.

Changes at its customer service centre in Walsall, West Midlands, and closure of two of its four warehouses in Bilston, West Midlands and Darton, near Barnsley in South Yorkshire, resulted in its workforce shrinking from 14,200 to about 12,000 at the end of last year.

"Any future closures will be a consequence of standard business-as-usual lease events expected at a retailer with a large store network," the firm said.

'Price simplicity'

Managing director Barry Williams said the firm's focus in 2026 would be on delivering "the kind of ranges and price simplicity" customers wanted.

Figures for Christmas trade showed like-for-like underlying sales dropped 2.9% in the quarter to 28 December as the company slashed prices to get back to its discount roots.

Comparable store sales by volume increased by 2%.

Underlying earnings in its first quarter rose by 8.4m to 17.3m, in line with expectations.

The company was sold for 1 to investment firm Gordon Brothers in June last year.

It avoided entering administration after a restructuring plan was approved in the High Court in August, days before the company was due to run out of money.

Recovery efforts since have focused on simplifying the business, including by cutting stores and overhauling its pricing structure.

Poundland has also removed some categories, such as frozen foods and some chilled ranges, as well as ditching its online offering.

It is returning to a simple 1, 2 and 3 grocery pricing across all its UK shops - with almost two thirds of its grocery items priced at 1.

A nationwide advertising campaign will also be launched next week.

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Carl Benson embodied the far North

Photo by Ned Rozell

Carl Benson relaxes at the Geophysical Institute in 2014.

Carl Bensons last winter on Earth featured 32 consecutive days during which temperatures in his chosen town did not rise above zero Fahrenheit.

Its cleansing, the 98-year-old ice physicist said in December 2025 at the Fairbanks Pioneer Home. There, on Jan. 17, 2026, just after the cold snap broke, he passed away.

Benson found his place in Alaska as few people ever will. The tall Minnesotan arrived in Fairbanks in 1950 with the U.S. Geological Survey to perform reconnaissance geology in Naval Petroleum Reserve No. 4. He spent 1951 to 1956 with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Snow, Ice and Permafrost Research establishment, mostly in Greenland.

For three summers, Benson traversed the ice cap in a tracked vehicle known as a Weasel, digging hundreds of diagnostic snow pits with his grain shovel along the way.

Soon after, when Benson accepted an opportunity at the Geophysical Institute in 1960, he realized the unmatched value of the natural laboratory that is middle Alaska.

Photo courtesy of the UAF Geophysical Institute

Carl Benson pauses during one of his traverses of Greenland in 1953, when he was 25.

On the coldest days of winter, he drove around Fairbanks with a spatula, scraping into a vial the fallen residue of ice fog from plastic sheets he set out near busy intersections. In a paper that resulted, he calculated how much of that fog Fairbanks dogs emitted by exhaling (1,000 pounds of vapor each day).

On those same frigid streets, he drove with Sue Ann Bowling  the institutes first female graduate student  with a thermometer suspended by a 6-foot pole from a car bumper. Bowling mapped out the citys heat island when compared to the surrounding countryside.

Benson was fascinated with 14,163-foot Mount Wrangells volcanic interplay with the ice on its summit. He landed there 69 times in a plane piloted by Jack Wilson from Copper Center.

(Benson) came back any time he could scrape up enough funding for some work on Wrangell, Wilson wrote in his 1988 book, Glacier Wings and Tales.

He was a real brute for punishment. A couple of times he stayed so long he lost weight and became a bit sick from constantly breathing sulfur fumes, as well as from the general hardship of remaining so long at high altitude.

Photo courtesy of the UAF Geophysical Institute

Carl Benson, right, and pilot Jack Wilson of Copper Center confer after landing near the summit of 14,000-foot Mount Wrangell.

Back on the ground, Benson was politely pissed about affronts to his common sense, among them our countrys reluctance to embrace the metric system, daylight savings times misalignment with Alaska and the states lack of income taxes. In popular columns he wrote for the local newspaper, Benson described his Minnesota friend Bengts bewilderment at the Alaska state of affairs.

His mind was sharp as his ice axe for every minute of his near-century. Less than one week ago, from the bed upon which he passed, he worked with former graduate student Matthew Sturm on a paper in which they describe the significance of an atmospheric river that had drenched him on the Greenland ice sheet in the 1950s.

Benson is survived by his son Carl and daughters Sonja and Erika, as well as their families. His wife Ruth died in 2024. Bensons many friends are now awash in memories. Here are the words of a few:

Matthew Sturm, a Geophysical Institute professor emeritus. A student and friend of Bensons for 45 years:

Photo by Carl Benson

Carl Benson, born in Minneapolis in 1927, took this self-portrait of himself in Greenland when he was 28.

(Across Greenland from 1952 to 1955) Carl dug hundreds of individual snow pits, each precise  3.75 meters long, 3 meters wide and 6 meters deep. In each pit he painstakingly measured the snow layers and their properties. From these pits and data, Carl began to put together in his mind a picture  a map really  of how snowfall in Greenland turned into a vast ice sheet.

In 1993, using radar imagery from space, a group published an image of the entire ice sheet showing the facies (the characteristics, like wet and icy snow down low and pristine and dry snow up high). That satellite image was matched in uncanny detail by Carls 30-year-old hand-drawn map. He had figured out Greenland by shoveling snow.

Carla Helfferich, writer of the Alaska Science Forum here at the Geophysical Institute for many years, including during Bensons heyday:

For me, theres a feeling of a little less mischief in the world; good mischief, enlivening stuff now gone. My memory locks onto the image of Carl at institute Christmas parties, like a solemn choirmaster leading the assemblage in rousing renditions of the 'Glaciologists Anthem,' which he had composed: Ice is Nice . . . and good for you.

Pokerfaced, he once explained to me that Iowa should be referred to as Baja Minnesota. Then there was the time he handed me a book with a couple of grumpy-looking oldsters on the cover: Swedish Humor. The book was blank.

Photo by Ned Rozell

At the Elvey Building, home of UAFs Geophysical Institute, Carl Benson, far right, and Val Scullion of the GI business office attend a 2014 retirement party with Glenn Shaw.

Roman Motyka, a Geophysical Institute professor emeritus and glaciologist:

His fascination with Mount Wrangell Volcano bordered on an obsession. Carl and I (and others) spent years studying the volcanic heat and its effect on the glaciers. It became my Ph.D. dissertation. Carl taught me a lot about field work, especially about keeping accurate notes, and how to maintain levity and decorum despite working at high altitude and sometimes in stormy conditions.

Martin Truffer, a Geophysical Institute glaciologist whom Benson greeted at the airport when Truffer first arrived in Alaska. Truffer inherited Bensons fourth-floor office within the institutes Elvey Building. There, Bensons wood-handled ice axe still hangs from a chalkboard:

My favorite thing about Carl was probably his great sense of humor. He made the same remarks on a very predictable basis and they never failed to bring a smile. Some examples:

When he got on an elevator and somebody was already in there, he would always say Thanks for stopping.

On winter solstice he sometimes called me up to point out that in only six months days would get shorter again.

When he was studying ice fog (which forms at minus 30 F) he would sometimes come in on a minus 20 day and complain, One just can't get any research done in this heat.

Since the late 1970s, the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute has provided this column free in cooperation with the UAF research community. Ned Rozell is a science writer for the Geophysical Institute.
MILAN  Dave Nielsen, who led the transformation of Beyond Inc. and its flagship brands, Overstock and Bed Bath & Beyond, has been appointed to spearhead design platform Lumens, amid its parent companys ongoing organization reshuffle.

Nielsen is an e-commerce veteran who was most recently president of Bed Bath & Beyond and took over for interim chief executive officer Cristina Miller, who held the role since March 2025. Lumens is controlled by Italian luxury design group Flos B&B Italia, which is in the throes of its own corporate shift.

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In June 2025, its executive chairman Piero Gandini said the group was open to offers for its galaxy of brands that also includes heritage furnishing firms B&B Italia, Maxalto, Arclinea, Azucena, Audo Copenhagen and lighting firms Flos and Louis Poulsen.

Before doing so, What Ive agreed with the investors is that as we stabilize each business, they can sell them according to their model. Well do this company by company, based on readiness and quality, Gandini said at the time.

Lumens, which is based in San Francisco, runs its business on a marketplace model, where more than 400 high-end home design brands are sold.

MILAN, ITALY - APRIL 13: (L-R) Designer Antonio Citterio and Piero Gandini attend Ermenegildo Zegna And Flos Present "KELVIN LED" by Antonio Citterio And "NET" by Philippe Starck on April 13, 2011 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Stefania D'Alessandro/Getty Images)

In a statement, Gandini applauded Nielsens e-commerce marketplace business and expressed confidence in his potential to propel the company into a new phase.

Daves extensive background in e-commerce marketplace businesses makes him an exceptional fit as our CEO of Lumens, especially as we enter our next phase of scaling our business to become the preferred sourcing destination for design professionals and design aficionados, said Gandini, highlighting strong momentum at Lumens.

Since Gandini was appointed to his current role in 2025, after veteran luxury executive Daniel Lalonde stepped down, the company has gone through a string of top executive changes. Lighting company Flos also saw its CEO Roberta Silva depart in 2024. Kitchens brand Arclinea saw family member Gianni Fortuna step down from his CEO role. In December, B&B Italia CEO Demetrio Apolloni announced his departure on LinkedIn due to personal reasons, citing the need to dedicate himself to his family. B&B Italia has yet to name his successor.
Hi, my name is Scott C. Waring and I wrote a few books and am currently a ESL School Owner in Taiwan. I have had my own UFO sighting up close and personal, but that's how it works right? A non believer becomes a believer when they experience their first sighting. You witnessed it, your perceptual field changes, so now you need to share it.





I created this site to help the UFO community get a little bit organized. I noticed that there was a lot of chaos when searching for UFO sighting reports, so I hope this site helps. I wanted to support those eyewitnesses who have tried to tell others about what they have seen, yet were laughed at by even closest of friends.





More and more each day the governments of the world leak bits and pieces of UFO information to the public. They have a trickle down theory in hopes of slowly getting citizens use to the idea that we are not alone in universe and never have been. The truth is being leaked drop by drop until one day we look around and find ourselves neck high in it.





The discovery of alien species in existence is the most monumental scientific event in human history, suppression of that information is a crime against humanity.





About me:

I live in Taiwan. I OWN MY OWN ENGLISH SCHOOL, AND ONCE HAD 5 SCHOOLS.

Am Former USAF at SAC base (flight line).

Age: 42

Educ: BA in Elem ed. Masters in Counseling ed.





I had two UFO sightings, (30+bus size orbs) in military and in 2012 personally saw the UFO over Taipei 101 building on New Years Day (and recored it).
UMB Earns National Carnegie Community Engagement Classification

The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) has earned the Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement, a national designation recognizing colleges and universities for deep, sustained, and reciprocal partnerships with their communities.

Administered by the American Council on Education in partnership with the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, the designation is awarded through a rigorous, evidence-based review process. Institutions must demonstrate that community engagement is embedded across teaching, research, and service, and that their work produces meaningful benefits in partnership with community members and organizations.

The Carnegie Community Engagement Classification reflects how we understand our role as an anchor institution. At UMB, community engagement is integral to our mission to improve the human condition and serve the public good, UMB President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, said. This latest recognition affirms what we have long known: Our work has the greatest impact when it is informed by the people and communities we serve.

Fewer than 10 percent of colleges and universities nationwide hold the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification. Institutions seeking the honor must voluntarily apply and provide extensive documentation showing how community engagement is integrated across the institution, how partnerships are guided by community priorities, and how outcomes are assessed for both the university and the community.

At UMB, community engagement is grounded in long-term partnerships in West Baltimore and beyond. Faculty, staff, students, and community partners collaborate to address shared priorities related to health, education, economic opportunity, and equity.

Earning the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification is another milestone on UMBs long journey to fully integrate community engagement into its mission and academic culture, said Bill Joyner, JD, MSW, assistant vice president for community engagement and partnerships, UMB. Many institutions believe that universities need to pick between meaningful academic community engagement and robust research outcomes. UMB is proof that you can do both. We are now one of the very few American universities with the Carnegie Foundations highest classification of research activity [R1-Very High Research Activity] and the Community Engagement Classification.

The application process itself played a critical role in strengthening UMBs approach to engagement. Through data collection, assessment, and partner input, the University identified strengths and areas for growth, resulting in a clearer road map for improving its effectiveness as a partner to Baltimore communities in the years ahead.

About the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification

The Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement recognizes colleges and universities that demonstrate a sustained commitment to community engagement through reciprocal partnerships that shape teaching, research, and service. Institutions apply voluntarily and must provide extensive evidence of institutional alignment, leadership support, and community impact.
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Bank unions adamant on January 27 strike

Banking services across India are likely to face major disruptions as bank unions are adamant on their nationwide strike on Tuesday January 27, 2026

New Delhi: Banking services across India are likely to face major disruptions as bank unions are adamant on their nationwide strike on Tuesday January 27, 2026.

Closure of banks on January 27 means no transactions for consecutive 04 days  from January 24 to 27, 2026, with January 24 being 4th Saturday, January 25 weekly off and January 26 being National holiday due to the Republic Day.

The bank unions have announced shutdown on to press for their long pending demands.

The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) in a statement said that the strike has been announced as the meeting between the IBA and 8 other unions with the representatives of the Department of Financial Services (DFS) and the Ministry of Finance failed to arrive at any result.

There was no positive outcome out of the conciliation proceedings despite detailed discussions during the meeting. Hence it has been decided to go ahead with the strike on Jan. 27, the UFBU said.

Accordingly, most of the public sector banks have informed their customers about the disruption in banking services if the strike goes ahead.

Key Demand

Among other demands, the bank unions are asking for five-day work hours like RBI, LIC, GIC, Stock Exchange and other institutions. Currently, bank employees get the second and fourth Saturdays off each month, apart from Sundays.

The decision to declare all Saturdays as holidays was agreed between the Indian Banks' Association and UFBU during the wage revision settlement in March 2024.

"It is unfortunate that the government is not responding to our genuine demand. There would be no loss of man-hours as we have agreed to work an extra 40 minutes daily from Monday to Friday," UFBU had said earlier this month.

Meanwhile, the co-operative banks have also announced to join the nationwide strike called by the UFBU, IBA and other unions.

The strike will involve around eight lakh employees and officers from public sector, private, foreign, regional rural, and cooperative banks across India.

[With inputs from Press Trust of India]

Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates.

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TikTok announced Thursday that its U.S. business has been sold to a consortium of U.S.-majority investors to comply with U.S. law. File Photo by Alex Plaveski/EPA-EFE

Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Following years of wrangling and political uncertainty, TikTok announced Thursday that its China-based parent company, ByteDance, has sold its majority stake in the U.S. business rights of its social media platform to a group of non-Chinese investors.

The announcement was made a day before the deadline set by the Trump administration for the sale of TikTok's U.S. business rights or for the service to be pulled from smartphone application shelves and go dark in the United States.

TikTok has been a target of President Donald Trump since his first administration, due to its mass collection of data on U.S. users and fears ByteDance could be compelled to hand it over to China, representing a national security threat.

A divest-or-ban bill was then passed by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2024, spurring negotiations for TikTok to sell its U.S. operations. Once Trump returned to the White House in January 2025, he extended the deadline four times to allow TikTok divestment negotiations to continue, with the most recent deadline set for Friday.

Coinciding with the sale was the creation of a joint venture with a legal obligation to protect and secure U.S. data.

The newly created and majority American-owned TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC "will operate under defined safeguards that protect national security through comprehensive data protections, algorithm security, content moderation and software assurances for U.S. users," TikTok said in a statement Thursday.

The three managing investors are U.S. private equity firm Silver Lake Technology Management, U.S. tech giant Oracle and Abu Dhabi-based MGX Fund Management, each of which holds 15% of the venture. Dell Family Office investment firm, Vastmere Strategic Investments, Alpha Wave Partners and several other investors round out the consortium.

ByteDance retains nearly 20% of the joint venture.

The value of the deal was not made public.

"TikTok USDS Joint Venture's mandate is to secure U.S. user data, apps and the algorithm through comprehensive data privacy and cybersecurity measures," TikTok said.

"It will safeguard the U.S. content ecosystem through robust trust and safety policies and content moderation while ensuring continuous accountability through transparency reporting and third-party certifications."

Functionally and legally, there will be two TikTok platforms, one operating in the United States and one for the rest of the world, though the user is not expected to notice a difference.
This story was originally published on CFO.com. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily CFO.com newsletter.

David Ring got his first taste of manufacturing when he worked for accounting firm Baker Tilly Virchow Krause in the early 2000s.

Though he was exposed to clients across several industries there, he says the manufacturing sector was the most intriguing to him. So much so that his first and only CFO job to date has been with Oconomowoc, Wisconsin-based manufacturer Sentry Equipment, which he joined back in 2012.

The company, which got its start over a century ago as a maker of equipment for the dairy industry, today produces a range of products used by other manufacturers, including sampling equipment and oil separating devices. It employs about 200 people around the United States and in 2025 crossed the $75 million revenue mark, Ring says. Sentry Equipment is employee owned, which Ring describes as being like a publicly traded company, without all the red tape.

In an interview with CFO.com in late December, Ring shared the career path that led him to Sentry, why hes stuck with manufacturing for so long and his take on automation and artificial intelligence.

David Ring

CFO, Sentry Equipment

First CFO position: 2012

Notable employers:

Baker Tilly Virchow Krause

This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

DAN NIEPOW: You've been a manufacturing CFO for over a decade now. What's kept you in the industry that long?

DAVID RING: Prior to this job, I was in public accounting, where they divvied everybody up and put us in different sectors. The largest sector at the firm that I worked for was manufacturing distribution. I happened to land in that sector, though I did see various other types of industries with clients I had over time.

I heard a statistic recently that if manufacturing were its own economy, it would be the ninth-largest economy globally. And given Wisconsins history in manufacturing, Ive always enjoyed working at a contributor to the industry. You get a little taste of everything in the manufacturing industry, and youre often on the cutting edge of new technology.

Automation, in the form of artificial intelligence tools, is making its way into more and more jobs, including white-collar ones. As an executive working in manufacturing, where automation has long been at play, what's your take on this new wave of automation?

Personally, I think it's a phenomenal opportunity to supplement work that's already being performed. Its true that a large amount of the automation focus over the years has been aimed at the shop floor, and now it's kind of turning that focus into the office-type work, which totally makes sense. If it's done right, it'll lead to much more rewarding work being performed on the office side of the house.
Daniel Coles Meredith Journey Lindsey Gapinski Chuck Williams

Four University of Wyoming graduate students will present their research to the public during a Science Cafe Sunday, Feb. 1, at 1:30 p.m.

The event, hosted by UWs Biodiversity Institute, will take place at the Teton County Library, located at 125 Virginian Lane in Jackson Hole. The event is free and open to the public.

The four UW graduate students will present casual talks -- 10-15 minutes each -- about their research, with time for a question-and-answer session following each talk and at the end of the event.

At the Biodiversity Institute, we believe its important that students receiving our biodiversity graduate student research enhancement grants communicate their projects with the public. We encourage our awardees to connect with communities through public outreach that best suits their projects and audiences, says Abbey Morales, communications and marketing specialist for the Biodiversity Institute. Our Science Cafes are particularly popular with communities and students as a way to share the amazing research thats happening at the University of Wyoming. Weve hosted Science Cafes all over the state -- in English and Spanish -- and look forward to connecting with people in a casual way.

The four UW graduate students and their projects are:



-- Daniel Coles, A Flora of the Bighorn Mountains: Insights into the Region's Botanical History, Plant Diversity and Significant Discoveries. His research presents a comprehensive floristic inventory of Wyomings Bighorn Mountains. Through extensive fieldwork and the collection of over 8,500 voucher specimens, this project documents the regions plant diversity; clarifies historical taxonomic uncertainties and misidentifications; and updates species distributions.

The presentation will begin with an overview of herbaria and floristic inventories, highlighting their role in documenting plant diversity and informing research, conservation and land management, Coles says. I will then introduce the botanical history of the Bighorn Mountains, beginning with the first known voucher specimen collected near Bald Mountain in 1891 by University of Wyoming agricultural scientist B. C. Buffum; followed by Aven Nelsons small-scale inventory of the Goose Creek watershed in 1896; and then the first large-scale floristic inventory conducted by Ronald Hartman and Ernie Nelson in 1980.

This historical context will lead into Coles comprehensive floristic inventory of the Bighorn Mountains, which he conducted from 2023-25. He will then discuss regional plant diversity, including endemic taxa and species of conservation concern, and conclude with notable introductions of non-native weedy species and significant range expansions of uncommon and rare taxa.

Coles, of Cheyenne, is a masters student studying botany. He is in his final semester.

-- Meredith Journey, Plankton at the Peak: Zooplankton of Wyomings High Alpine Lakes. Journey is researching the Teton and Wind River ranges of Wyoming that are home to more than 2,000 alpine lakes.

Alpine lakes act as integrators of alpine watersheds and, as such, are important sentinels of ecosystem disturbance. High elevation ecosystems are harsh living environments and are home to highly specialized endemic species, including alpine-obligate invertebrate zooplankton. Zooplankton are important components of aquatic systems and are indicators of water quality and ecosystem health.

In this talk, I will introduce the audience to Wyomings unique alpine zooplankton species and explore their important role in maintaining pristine and picturesque landscapes, Journey says.

Journey, of Emerald Isle, N.C., is a third-year Ph.D. student studying aquatic biology.

-- Lindsey Gapinski, Forest birds are declining  How community science can help!" Gapinski is investigating population declines in western forest birds, one of the most rapidly declining groups of breeding birds in North America.

Although these birds have experienced a 30-percent loss since 1970, there is relatively little research being conducted to investigate the underlying mechanisms behind these declines. Without knowing why this group of birds is declining, land managers and policymakers cannot take effective action toward slowing or reversing their population losses. Gapinski says it is important to address these declines to conserve biodiversity and maintain functioning ecosystems, as these species play critical roles in the forests of western North America.





My talk will focus on the decline of western forest birds in North America and will highlight the great value of community science programs, such as the North American Breeding Bird Survey and eBird in addressing current problems in bird conservation, Gapinski says.

Gapinski, of Mount Horeb, Wisc., is a second-year Ph.D. student in the Program in Ecology and Evolution.

-- Chuck Williams, Float around and find out: Thermal mapping of the Snake River. This project aims to describe how variations in water temperature over space and time shape thermal habitats in a 25-mile stretch of the Upper Snake River in Wyoming, which is critical habitat for the native Snake River cutthroat trout.

By combining stationary temperature loggers with high-resolution, longitudinal temperature profiling using a Fast Limnological Automated Measurement (FLAMe) system, this research will model fine-scale thermal dynamics and identify key areas of thermal stress as well as locations that could function as thermal refuge. The goal is to better understand how changing thermal conditions may impact biodiversity and community stability while providing resource managers with actionable data.

I will be discussing seasonal and localized variation (i.e. tributaries) in water temperature on the Snake River, Willliams says.

Williams, of Helena, Mont., is a second-year masters student studying freshwater ecology.

For more information, go to the events Facebook page or email Morales at emorale3@uwyo.edu.
This story was originally published on Manufacturing Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Manufacturing Dive newsletter.

Micron Technology announced Jan. 17 it has signed a letter of intent to acquire Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corps P5 fabrication site in Tongluo, Taiwan.

The $1.8 billion acquisition includes an existing 300mm fab clean room of 300,000 square feet that will help Micron to address growing global demand for memory solutions, the company said in a news release. The LOI also aims to establish a long-term relationship between Micron and PSMC for Microns post-wafer assembly processing, and to support PSMC in its legacy dynamic random access memory (DRAM) portfolio.

This strategic acquisition of an existing clean room complements our current Taiwan operations and will enable Micron to increase production and better serve our customers in a market where demand continues to outpace supply, said Manish Bhatia, executive vice president of global operations at Micron Technology. The Tongluo fabs close proximity to Microns Taichung site will enable synergies across our Taiwan operations.

The transaction is expected to close by the second quarter of 2026, following the approval of deal agreements and the required regulatory approvals. Upon closing the transaction, Micron will assume ownership and control of the P5 site to equip and ramp up DRAM production in phases, with PSMC relocating its Tongluo operations over time. Micron expects this acquisition to contribute to meaningful DRAM wafer output beginning in the second half of 2027

In related news, Micron Jan. 16 broke ground on a $100 billion memory manufacturing complex in Onondaga County, New York. With up to four fabs, this will be the largest semiconductor facility in the U.S., generating 50,000 jobs in New York state, the company said in a news release.

As the largest private investment in state history, Microns Central New York project will be home to the most advanced memory manufacturing facility in the world and will help meet the growing demands of artificial intelligence systems and devices that are central to the modern economy, according to the company.

Through the $500 million community investment framework with Empire State Development, Micron said it plans to invest $250 million in workforce development, education and other community investments, including transportation and housing.

The New York project is a cornerstone of Microns approximately $200 billion broader U.S. expansion, which also includes two high-volume fabs in Idaho, the expansion and modernization of its existing manufacturing fab in Virginia, advanced high-bandwidth memory packaging capabilities, and an R&D center. These investments support the companys goal of producing 40% of its DRAM in the U.S. and are expected to generate approximately 90,000 U.S. jobs,
Vietnam Briefing has developed into a premium source for insight on doing business in Vietnam. It publishes business news concerning foreign direct investment into Vietnam, including the most important tax, legal and accounting issues. The Vietnam Briefing Magazine was first published in 2009, and is contributed to by investment professionals based in Vietnam.
 British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the return of the Chagos Islands to the archipelago of Mauritius (cf. VIN 2252).

A $139 million annual lease has been signed for the Diego Garcia military base, for 99 years. According to Starmer, it is essential to the preservation of the base, which is essential for the counter-terrorism and intelligence efforts of the United Kingdom and the United States. "By agreeing to this agreement now, on our terms, we are ensuring strong protection, including against malicious influences, that will allow the base to remain operational well into the next century, helping to ensure our security for future generations."

 US President Trump called the move an "act of total weakness." "The fact that the United Kingdom is ceding extremely important land is an act of great stupidity and is one more reason, among many others related to national security, to justify the acquisition of Greenland,"

 Donald Trump does not dispute that the Chagos Islands are Mauritius. The problem lies elsewhere: by handing over the Chagos to Mauritius, the Diego Garcia military base will join the Treaty of Pelindaba, which makes Africa a nuclear-weapon-free zone. The Pentagon will thus no longer be able to store nuclear weapons there.

Washington is convinced that London deliberately did not negotiate this point to embarrass the armies of its "special ally".

 This unexpected controversy seems to support the theory that US President Trump is trying to re-establish the hegemony of the United States and the unipolar world it led after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. It corresponds to Moscows reading and Sergey Lavrovs press conference on 21 January.
Our director of publication and editor-in-chief directed French magazines several years ago, and has won journalism awards abroad. He has regularly contributed to some fifteen major dailies and magazines around the world.

Voltaire, International Newsletter is available by subscription for 500 a year, is published 42 times a year (not in July-August, nor during the Christmas holydays). Its an indispensable tool for any professional in international relations or defense.

EDITORIAL

 4647 The underside of the Chagos Islands retrocession

AMERICAS

 4648 Mark Carney acknowledges that the rules-based international order is nothing but a lie and that its had its day

 4649 Donald Trump announces 10% tariffs for the eight countries opposing the sale of Greenland

 4650 For the CFR, Russia is not reliable

 4651 Donald Trump could encourage the immigration of British Jews to the United States

 4652 MAGA and the Midterm Elections

 4653 ICE would have the right to enter the home of an illegal immigrant

 4654 The Clintons prosecuted for "contempt of Congress"

 4655 Who is the interim president of Venezuela?

EUROPE

 4656 London resumes sanctions against Iran

 4657 London believes that discussions with Moscow are pointless

 4658 London could be involved in Operation Absolute Resolve

 4659 Greenlands price

 4660 Russia wont let NATO or EU regulate Baltic shipping

 4661 Controversy between Donald Trump and Jonas Gahr Stre

 4662 AfD warns of escalation in Ukraine and Europe

 4663 Viktor Orban and the European Commissions Ukrainian delusions

 4664 European Commission estimates its aid to Ukraine at 193.5 billion over the past four years

 4665 The EUs plan to fight racism

 4666 Ursula von der Leyen responds to US President Trump

 4667 Joint communique of the eight European countries sanctioned by the United States

 4668 European Parliament refers the EU/Mercosur agreement to the Court of Justice

 4669 Moldova could join Romania

 4670 Moldova withdraws from the CIS

 4671 Yulia Tymoshenko says the Zelensky administration is a "de facto fascist regime"

ASIA

 4672 Netanyahu asks his ministers not to communicate on Iran

 4673 Israel and Arab states call on the United States not to intervene in Iran

 4674 Hell on Earth

 4675 Ali Shaath, Chairman of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza

 4676 Composition of the Gaza Board of Peace

 4677 Failure of the "Rojava"

 4678 Nationalization of Russian assets in Iraq

 4679 Saudi Arabia builds a military alliance against the United Arab Emirates

 4680 Saudi Arabia imposes its rule in a tribal manner in South Yemen

 4681 The United States will not intervene in Iran

 4682 The human toll of the Iranian insurrection

 4683  23 years in prison for Han Duck-so

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION

 4684 Widening of the Atlantic Divide
Marijuana cant pass over state lines because its still federally illegal, and state law mandates that all marijuana must be grown within the state (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent).

At least seven marijuana cultivation facilities in Missouri have been fined over the last year for breaking whats known in the industry as the immaculate conception rule.

Marijuana cant pass over state lines because its still federally illegal, and state law mandates that all marijuana must be grown within the state.

However, there is one year after a licensee passes a commencement inspection when the state essentially closes its eyes and puts its hands over its ears on how a cultivation facility starts its inventory.

Its called the immaculate conception rule, and six facilities were fined up to $500,000 from breaking it last year.

A spokesperson for the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation said regulators discovered some licensees believed they were permitted to bring in clones or tissue cultures as well as seeds on an ongoing basis. However, this practice is a violation of seed-to-sale tracking regulations.

To keep up with customers preferences and demand, these companies had been bringing in clones, or starter plants, and tissue cultures, which is a form of in-vitro propagation, of popular plant varieties from other states

In lieu of penalties or other enforcement action, these violations were resolved for amounts ranging from $50,000 to $500,000, depending on the circumstances, said Lisa Cox, spokeswoman for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, which oversees the cannabis regulation division.

The licensees that saw the biggest fines are major players in other states as well, including the companies behind Good Day Farm and High Profile.

The combined fee for four cultivation licenses representing Good Day Farm and Codes, which share management, was $347,495. The facilities are located in Columbia, Carrollton and Chaffee.

For High Profile, it was $500,000 at its OFallon cultivation facility.

Two smaller cultivators also saw fines of $20,000 and $50,000.

None of the licensees who were fined by the state returned The Independents request for comment.

The mother plant

Cultivation facilities in Missouri are approved to grow marijuana plants, and the harvest is sent to a manufacturing facility that then makes pre-rolls, edibles and other products.

Oftentimes, cultivators will develop a mother plant to collect clones, or cuttings, from the plant and put those into their own pots. Those are genetically identical to the plant that theyre cut from.
1. The Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations strongly denounces and rejects the recent escalating unlawful acts by the United States of America and Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the blatant threats to use force and their intervention in its domestic affairs.

2. The Member States of the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations further denounce the U.S. and Israeli blatant incitement to the commission of terrorist acts and violence against Iranian people and government, inter alia, the most recent U.S. provocative rhetoric and official statement made on 13 January 2026 expressly aiming to instigate and foment violence and terrorist acts inside Iran.

3. The Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations, while reiterating its categorical rejection to all acts of terrorism, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed, strongly condemns the horrific attacks carried out by foreign-backed terrorist elements in the Islamic Republic of Iran, and expresses its deep concern at the fact that such elements have ruthlessly killed and injured Iranian civilians, including children and law enforcement personnel, while severely destructing and damaging public and private properties.

4. The Member States of the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations recall that acts, methods, and practices of terrorism, in particular, terrorist attacks carried out against the Iranian people and government by foreign-backed elements, constitute a grave violation of the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, and, in this context, reaffirm the obligation to refrain from organizing, instigating, facilitating, financing or encouraging terrorist activities against State and/or their citizens.

5. The Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations underlines that the ongoing and unlawful acts of the United States of America and Israel constitute flagrant violations of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the fundamental principles set forth therein, in particular, the prohibition of threat or use of force against the territorial integrity and political independence of States and the principle of non-intervention in the internal affairs of States, as well as duties to refrain from instigating terrorism as expounded above.

6. The Member States of the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations emphasize that all such illegal conducts of the United States of America and Israel should be stopped forthwith, while cautioning against any adventurism aimed at fabricating pretexts for intervention in the domestic affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran or the use of force against it, and highlighting, in this context, the responsibility of the international community as a whole, the United Nations and its Secretary-General, to unequivocally condemn the irresponsible and illegal acts of the United States of America and Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

7. The Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations renews its unwavering solidarity with the People and Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran  a fellow and founding member of the grouping  in the midst of the ongoing hostilities and heinous attacks against its sovereignty.
President Donald Trump speaks during an event on foster care in the East Room of the at the White House, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Misumi Group has appointed Dave Evans, co-founder and CEO of digital manufacturing platform Fictiv, as president and CEO of Misumi Americas.

Evans promotion follows Misumi Groups $350 million all-cash acquisition of Fictiv in 2025, a deal that expanded the Japanese industrial components giants footprint across the U.S., China, India and Mexico.

Evans to unify Misumi Americas and Fictiv into a single unified AI-powered platform for standard and custom parts serving climate tech, robotics, medtech, EVTOL, aerospace and factory automation.

We are entering a new era of manufacturing strength in the Americas, Evans said in a news release. By bringing these businesses together on a single digital platform, we are giving customers unmatched access to both standard and custom parts, powered by AI, digital manufacturing, and world-class precision, so innovators across the U.S. can move from idea to production faster than ever before.

Evans succeeds Nobuyuki Ashida, who led Misumi USA over the last decade.

Cross-border manufacturing at the center

Fictiv operates production and supplier networks in the U.S., China, India and Mexico, giving Evans hands-on experience managing multi-country sourcing at a time when tariffs, geopolitics and nearshoring pressures are reshaping supply chains.

Tokyo-based Misumi Group is one of the largest global industrial suppliers of off-the-shelf manufacturing components. The company has 22 manufacturing sites and 20 logistics facilities around the world, producing and distributing industrial supplies to 318,000 global companies.

Founded in 2013, Fictiv offers on-demand procurement services for custom mechanical components parts for the U.S. manufacturing industry. The company has production operations in the U.S., China, India and Mexico, with a total of 400 employees.

Evans will oversee the integration of standard and custom manufacturing services across the Americas, helping customers move from design through production while navigating customs, duties and fluctuating trade policies across the Americas.

The strategy includes connecting American customers more directly to Misumis global network, which serves more than 320,000 companies worldwide and processes more than 200,000 shipments per day.

The Americas are one of Misumis most important growth regions, Ryusei Ono, representative director and president of Misumi Group Inc., said in a statement. By expanding our digital model business, investing in AI in the U.S., and integrating Fictiv, we aim to significantly grow this business by 2030. Combining Japanese precision and quality with American digital innovation will create a manufacturing platform unlike any other in the world.
Allen was authoritative voice on Vatican affairs.

John L. Allen Jr, the veteran Vatican reporter who decoded the complexities of the Holy See for a global audience, died in Rome on Thursday aged 61 after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Over a career spanning three decades, Allen transformed Vatican reporting from a niche beat into an authoritative field of international analysis.

Known for his tireless work ethic and no-nonsense approach, the American journalist rose to prominence as the Vatican correspondent for the National Catholic Reporter, a role he held for 17 years.

In 2014 he joined Crux, an independent news outlet focused on the Catholic Church, which launched that year as a project of the Boston Globe. The newspaper transferred ownership of Crux to its staff in 2016, with Allen serving as its editor until his death.

Allen also served as a senior Vatican analyst for CNN, featuring in broadcast coverage of the papal conclaves of 2005 and 2013, as well as acting as a CBS News contributor during the election of Pope Leo XIV.

A widely-respected "Vaticanista", Allen's legendary ability to navigate the Roman Curia allowed him to break stories, offer incisive yet accessible insights, and predict shifts in policy and personnel with unrivalled accuracy.

Beyond his daily reporting, Allen authored 11 books that serve as a definitive history of the modern Church. His biographies of Pope Benedict XVI and his exhaustive coverage of the Vatican financial reforms and the clerical abuse crisis remain the gold standard for investigative religious journalism.

Announcing his death on Thursday, Crux hailed Allen as "a patient mentor, a generous colleague, and the consummate newsman", recalling that the prominent London-based Catholic publication The Tablet recognised him as the most authoritative writer on Vatican affairs in the English language".

He has also been remembered by countless younger Vatican reporters for his influential role in shaping their careers and sharing his vast knowledge of the intricacies of the Holy See.

Allen is survived by his wife, Elise Ann Allen, who is Cruxs senior Rome correspondent.
As Rome leaves behind the darkest days of winter, here are some tips for the best events and things to do in the Eternal City in February 2026.

Free museums

Italy opens its state museums and archaeological sites for free on Sunday 1 February - in parallel to Rome's free opening of its city-run museums. The list of sites open for free ranges from the Capitoline Museums to the Pantheon, the latter of which must be booked online in advance.

Six Nations

Rugby fever comes to Rome this time of the year thanks to the 2026 Six Nations tournament. The Azzurri will face Scotland on 7 February at the Stadio Olimpico, with the "third half" revellery always spilling over into Rome's pubs.

Romantic Rome

Valentine's Day on 14 February offers the perfect chance to explore the romantic side of Rome. Popular places to mark San Valentino include the Giardino degli Aranci or the viewpoint over the Roman Forum from the Capitoline hill, strolling down the Spanish Steps or enjoying the sweeping panorama from the Gianicolo. A quirky but less romantic idea is a visit to to see the skull of St Valentine in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin.

Classical music and opera

The Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia classical music programme in February include British conductor Alexander Soddy leading the orchestra and chorus in a programme of music by Faure and Ravel (12-14 Feb), and a performance of Haydns monumental oratorio The Creation (26-28 Feb) conducted by music director Daniel Harding.

Rome's opera house stages a production of the classic ballet La Bayadere (3-8 Feb) with choreography by Benjamin Pech, and the modern opera Inferno (19 Feb-7 March) by composer Lucia Ronchetti.

Exhibitions

New exhibitions in Rome include a blockbuster charting the strong links between Baroque genius Bernini and the Barberini family (from 12 February); a dazzling tribute to Valentino by Joana Vasconcelos; Zanabazar treasures at Galleria Borghese; and a tribute to Franco Battiato at MAXXI.

Carnevale fun

While no match for Carnevale in Venice, Rome's centuries-old carnival celebrations inject colour and fun into the city at this time of year. Children dress up fancy costumes, streets are strewn with colourful confetti, and bakery windows are full of tasty treats such as frappe and castagnole. This year the main Carnevale festivities centre on the days leading up to Shrove Tuesday on 17 February.

We will update the information on this list regularly and add new events as they are announced. For more events and things to do in Rome see our What's On guide.
Samaritans Waterford branch is appealing for new volunteers on Saturday, January 24. The charity will be hosting a volunteer open day from 10 am-3 pm at their offices on 16 Beau Street.

Since Covid, volunteerism is not as easy as what it was, said Samaritans Waterford Brand Publicity Officer Geraldine Guiry.

Some people found it hard to get back into it, so we lost a number of volunteers. We're working on trying to get our numbers of volunteers back up, but I know loads of charities are struggling.

What you get from being a volunteer is you go in to do your duty, and no matter how you're feeling going in, you go in, you listen, listen, listen, listen, providing empathy for people.

You leave feeling a million times better. You feel on top of the world when you leave.

The mental health and suicide prevention charity will celebrate 50 years in Waterford on March 1.

Ms Guiry said Samaritans operate an open-door policy, with new volunteers provided with in-house training and mentorship.

Our main aim is to prevent more people dying by suicide, she said.

Having said that, we provide a listening service for everybody, and we have people who ring us purely because they're lonely.

We might have a farmer up in Mayo somewhere, and he's just ringing up because he hasn't seen anybody for two or three days and he wants to chat.

The service operates on a 24/7, 365 basis and is 100% confidential. The charitys hunting system means inbound calls are passed to a readily available volunteer rather than being determined by caller location.

Samaritans Waterford can be reached at 085 777 6727 or www.samaritans.ie/Waterford.
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CultureArt & designVisual art Why this art is a crime  depending on how you look at it Nick Galvin January 24, 2026  2:30am 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

In a popular YouTube video from a couple of years ago, a well-known Sydney graffiti writer who goes by TAVEN films himself wandering around the Art Gallery of NSW. As he appraises some of the work (I love coming here, he says), he asks an attendant whether there is a graffiti section he could look at. Im not sure but if you want to check with the information desk  is the response. After receiving several more similar answers to his polite inquiries, he leaves the 150-year-old museum and wanders out into the Domain to a nearby wall long a favourite among local graffiti writers. The camera pans past 60 or more burners  top quality, vivid pieces created by the best writers  along the 200-metre wall. Fiona Lowry wanted to know what happened when graffiti was brought in from the street. Wolter Peeters

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Its not inside  they actually put it outside, says TAVEN with deadpan irony. The unmistakable message here: street art has no legitimate place in a proper gallery. It should be excluded from official, sanctified spaces and relegated to the street. But what happens if you bring graffiti into a gallery space? This question  among many  has captured Fiona Lowry, who, along with co-curator Katrina Cashman, has put together a new exhibition at Darlinghursts National Art School. Searchers: Graffiti + Contemporary Art is described as an exhibition about the politics and poetics of spray. Work by graffiti writer MACH. Works included range from household names, including Sidney Nolan, Howard Arkley and Ben Quilty, to graffiti writers such as TAVEN, SPICE and MACH, all legends in street art circles but whose names most of us might have glimpsed only on an inner-city wall or perhaps from the window of a moving train. Some of the works have been created directly on the gallery walls.

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For Lowry, the exhibition is not about conferring legitimacy on street art by hanging it in a conventional gallery. [Its] not a show about extracting graffiti from the street and translating it into gallery terms. If anything, the exhibition holds a tension between different value systems, she says. A detail from an untitled 1987 Sidney Nolan spray can work from his Remembrances of My Youth series. Photo by Rob Little Graffiti doesnt so much lose value in the gallery as shift value. On the street, it holds power through risk, speed, territory and peer recognition. In the gallery, different things become visible: form, discipline, lineage and the deep relationship to authorship and mark-making. Part of what the exhibition tries to do is hold those two value systems in tension rather than pretend one replaces the other. The seed for the show was sown when Lowrys own son, then aged about 11, became swept up in the graffiti world.

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Related Article Australia Australias most enriching places for culture-vultures What I discovered by watching him was that he had this really intense experience with it where he was constantly refining his word and the form of it and connecting with other writers online and watching films, says Lowry. She also recognised that within graffiti culture, there was an organised pedagogy in which experienced writers mentored up-and-comers. The older writers will often do sketches for the younger writers, says Lowry. Its almost a way of continuing their own style into that next generation. Its a very unofficial kind of art school. Searchers occupies two levels of the National Art School Gallery, and each space is intended to present a different experience for the viewer.

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Lowry describes the lower level, which is darker and more intimate, as a charged space. I wanted it to unfold in sequences, almost like a film, she says. Upstairs shifts into a different register, like an after-image. It becomes lighter, more optical and painterly  spray as drift, spray as breath  and it changes how the downstairs lingers in your body. One of the central threads running through all the works is the spray can, which gave birth to contemporary graffiti culture in the 1970s. Spray cans are at once unremarkable, everyday tools and objects so dangerous that in your local Bunnings, they are locked away in cages. In contrast to the brush, mark-making with a spray can largely removes the trace of the hand because the artist is not physically touching the surface. Skilled writers can also produce hard and soft edges by manipulating factors such as the distance from the wall. Theres also something very immediate and satisfying about it because its this air with paint particles that allows you to make a sweeping gesture quickly, says Lowry.

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Editor's pick Literature Sixty books to look out for in the first half of 2026 Any discussion of graffiti has to encompass its transgressive, criminalised context, which is often all that outsiders see. It provokes strong emotions. Sydney Trains spends more than $30 million annually removing graffiti. Theres a NSW Graffiti Hotline dedicated to eradicating spray work, and in New York in the 1990s, catching writers and wiping out graffiti was the tip of the spear of then-mayor Rudy Giulianis notorious broken windows policy. Writing on walls can also have an outsized political effect. When Dave Burgess and Will Saunders painted the words No War on the Opera House sails in 2003 with massive red letters, it reverberated around the world. Graffiti art also prompts questions of the ownership of public space and who gets to have a voice. I think a lot of writers dont have a voice, says Lowry. I think its making some space for themselves in the world.

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More broadly, I hope Searches comes across as resisting the easy binary of vandalism versus art. Its much more interested in questions of visibility, permission, public space and who gets to be seen. For Lowry, Searchers is also not strictly a show about graffiti in the narrowest sense. The project has always been more about the politics and poetics of spray: spray as a material and a visual language, and the way it moves between worlds  underground, suburban, cinematic, and contemporary art  carrying with it the charge of graffiti without being limited to it. Graffiti is central to that story, but it isnt the whole story. Searchers: Graffiti + Contemporary Art is at the National Art School, Darlinghurst until April 11
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CultureTV & radioStreaming Opinion After Bondi, The Pitt provides a moment of unexpected grace

Jessica Friedmann January 23, 2026  1:40pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

This article discusses the third episode of The Pitts second season. How do you write a show about a Jewish doctor in Pittsburgh, going about what should be an ordinary day, in the aftermath of the heartbreaking violence at the Tree of Life synagogue? In the first season of The Pitt, the answer seemed to be obliquely. Walking the halls of the Pittsburgh Medical Trauma Centre, and flashing back to the chaos of the COVID pandemic, Dr Michael Robby Robinavitch (Noah Wyle) seemed to carry more than his fair share of grief, breaking down slowly to reveal the effects of collective trauma, and the intractable weight of survivors guilt. Noah Wyle stars as Dr Robby in The Pitt. Warrick Page/MAX As an ER doctor, Robby was more likely to have been on shift than at shul on October 27, 2018  he only attends on High Holidays, and at his grandparents place of worship, Rodef Shalom. A half-hour walk from the Tree of Life, at which 11 people lost their lives, Rodef Shalom could just as easily have been the target of antisemitic violence; there is no rhyme or reason to this kind of horror-filled attack.

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The story of Tree of Life felt so infused into the first season, in which a mass shooting brought Dr Robby to his knees  in a brutal, climactic scene, he is found hunched over on the floor, clutching his Magen David and reciting the Shema prayer  that I was almost surprised to see it addressed explicitly on this weeks instalment of the show. Related Article 

Review TVs best drama is back  and yes, were still in safe hands But the scenes between new nurse Emma (Laetitia Hollard), Dr Robby, nurse Perlah (Amielynn Abellera), and their patient, Russian-Jewish emigre Yana Kovalenko (Irina Dubova), added a much-needed coda. They unfolded quietly, in the midst of a day in which former theology student Whitaker (Gerran Howell), Robbys new protege, takes care of frequent flier Louie, and Langdon (Patrick Ball), fresh from rehab, quotes from a book of blessings while removing beads from a little boys nose. New nursing graduate Emma, attempting to get to the bottom of Yanas burns, is in over her head culturally, doing her best but struggling to connect to a patient who is frustrated, possibly ashamed. Its a relief, to Yana and to us, when Robby walks into the room. Finally, a nice Jewish doctor who knows what a samovar is!

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Noah Wyle, who wrote this episode, has talked about incorporating his Russian-Jewish heritage into his character, and the rapport between Yana and Robby feels absolutely authentic. She pesters him about whether he is married, whether he attends synagogue and where, and in doing so, reveals she is a congregant of Tree of Life, and a survivor. Tree of Life survivor Yana (Irina Dubova) and Dr Robby (Noah Wyle) in The Pitt. Warrick Page/MAX In the next scene, more experienced nurse Perlah has taken over Yanas care; a woman who, in the chaos of last season, flung herself bodily over a patient to protect them from harm. It is Perlah who reaches out to touch Yanas shoulder when she opens up about the shooting, her flashbacks, and her sense of bewildering helplessness. Perlah is on the inside too; she knows what it means to be vulnerable. But it is later, as Perlah is wrapping Yanas burn, that the show does something I have rarely seen onscreen before. In a matter-of-fact way, Yana confirms of Perlah  who is a hijabi  Youre Muslim? And in a voice that threatens to break, says, Thank you. After the shooting, it was the Muslims that came together for us in support, and  walked with us. You raised money. You paid for all the funerals  Anyway. Thank you.

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Perlah (Amielynn Abellera) shines in the latest episode of The Pitt. Warrick Page/MAX Abellera is extraordinary in this scene. It is as though Perlah is taking off a skin. Both women are visibly emotional, but the scene never becomes too big; it is just a beat among many, stating very plainly what most narratives about Jewish suffering obscure  that we are part of a larger collective, and that the texture of our grief doesnt make it any greater or any less. Editor's pick Opinion

Antisemitism The aftermath of Bondi has helped me understand who my true friends are Melissa Singer Associate Editor, Sunday Life It has always been Muslim friends who have been the first to check on me when antisemitism is in the news, and to stand up against hateful speech and action; just as I would like to think that I have always stood by them. We know what it feels like to be pitted against one another, when the thing about being minoritised is that you have something in common. In the immediate wake of the Bondi attacks  in which ordinary Australians ran towards, not away from a threat to the Jewish people  Sydneys Muslim leaders announced they would refuse to receive the bodies of the attackers. It was a statement of solidarity much more profound than the politicking that has used antisemitism as a cudgel around speech.

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If antisemitic violence has shown us anything, it is paradoxically that by and large we are sheltered by a community that doesnt need any special taskforces, special laws, or special instructions to protect us. The Pitt is not a particularly subtle show  with a character named Doctor Rabbi, it probably isnt trying to be. But in an exhausting and sometimes demoralising cultural landscape, some things are worth simply saying out loud. Taking other peoples medication is a real big no-no. You shouldnt shove beads up your nose. And in solidarity, there is plentiful grace to be found. It goes a small way towards healing to acknowledge it. 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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Bushfires burning to the east of Mandurah in WAs Peel region have eased, prompting the warning for nearby residents to be lowered to a watch and act.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services had issued a bushfire emergency warning for a number of communities in Crossman, Dwarda, Williams and Wandering, near Boddington, after four fires took hold in the region on Thursday.

Aerial support was called in and several roads were closed, including Albany Highway in both directions between Jarrahdale Road and the Williams townsite.

However, by Saturday evening the fire threat was downgraded, although people were still urged to avoid the area.
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PoliticsFederalPolitical leadership Opinion Coalition crumbled, not by opposing One Nation, but by aping it Karen Middleton Political journalist January 24, 2026  2:00am

January 24, 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

Last Saturday morning, Barnaby Joyce took to social media with a proposal to jail people who burn or desecrate the Australian flag. Its an issue that enlivens the political right and with parliament being recalled early to commemorate the December 14 Bondi terrorist attack and debate tougher hate speech laws, the former Nationals leader turned One Nation defector saw an opportunity to press the case. On his Facebook page, he posted a copy of a draft amendment to make flag-burning a criminal offence, punishable by two years jail. Illustration by Simon Letch Little could speak louder to the hate of Australia than burning our nations flag, Joyce wrote on the social media site. So let us move an amendment to ban that action and see who votes for it. As the saying goes put up the flag and see who salutes. Within days, the opposition produced its own flag-burning amendment and put it on the table during hate speech negotiations with the Albanese government. The government refused to support it, but the Liberals insisted on it going to a vote anyway. Presented in parliament on Tuesday afternoon by north Queensland Liberal Phil Thompson  a military veteran and a ban advocate  the amendment was given major party priority over Joyces version. It was put to a vote and promptly failed as expected. Joyces amendment was then deemed redundant and was not allowed to be introduced. Mission accomplished.

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The Liberals and Nationals have been in the business of ostracising Pauline Hanson and her One Nation party for three decades. They used to do it by standing against their ideas. Now they copy them. The available evidence suggests its not working terribly well. Poll results published this week show a new year surge in voter support for One Nation. The Resolve poll found One Nations primary vote had jumped from 14 to 18 per cent since December 7 and News Corps Newspoll had Hansons party vaulting ahead of the Liberal-National partnership on primary votes, 22 per cent to 21  the first time that has happened and an increase of seven percentage points since November. Pauline Hanson, with One Nation recruit Barnaby Joyce, says her intention is to form government. Alex Ellinghausen Those figures went through the Coalition like a thousand volts. By mid-week, Nationals leader David Littleproud had led his party to its second separation from the Liberals in a year as their quest for differentiation went into overdrive. Their assertion of independence is no newer than the push to ban the burning of the flag, but now it has an extra frisson, propelled by panic. There has long been crossover between the issues the Nationals champion and those of One Nation, but Hansons was always the harder line. Despite that distinction becoming less and less, Hansons support has only increased.

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This is not how the Nationals used to approach the contest. Former Queensland Nationals senator and anti-One-Nation stalwart, the late Ron Boswell, diagnosed early that his partys best chance of withstanding the threat Hanson posed was to be a bulwark against the wildest of what she espoused. Related Article Political leadership The Trumpian policies Pauline Hanson would roll out if One Nation ran Australia Boswell made it his lifes work to keep the extreme right relegated to the fringes of politics. In 2014, as he retired from a 31-year parliamentary career, the burly Boz warned his colleagues against what he detected was a creeping inclination to appease rather than challenge Hanson, to serve short-term Coalition interests. All you are doing is legitimising people voting for her  making it safe for people to vote for her, Boswell later recounted telling them. Speaking to The Guardian in 2017, he said his parting missive had been to call his colleagues stupid bastards who could either fight Hanson or be dragged to the right. Boswell was recalling this in March 2017, in the wake of a speech Joyce had given to the Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics and Sciences. The then Nationals leader and deputy prime minister had lambasted Hanson and One Nation and warned against letting their influence increase.

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You have to ask where do you think the nation will go if those individuals are running the country? Joyce asked his audience. I can tell you where it will go as an accountant. I will tell you exactly where it is going to go. It is going to go down the toilet. Boswell praised the pushback. Eight and a half years on, Joyce joined One Nations ranks and Boswell was appalled, deriding One Nation as a party of complainers. He died, aged 85, just under a month later. At his funeral on January 16, he was lauded for his unwavering battle against the far right and especially his success in fending off a Senate challenge from Hanson in 2001 under the slogan: Hes not pretty, but hes pretty effective. Its probably just as well Boz didnt live to see what Littleproud has now done to their party and the mimicry of One Nation in which he and his colleagues are engaged. They seem to have misdiagnosed why increasing numbers of Australians are prepared to vote for Hanson. Imitation, inconsistency and melodrama are not going to win them back. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carneys eloquent dissertation on the rupture of the world order at this weeks World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, reminds us that this is not an Australian phenomenon. In a no-punches-pulled speech, Carney spoke of a brutal reality where geopolitics among the great powers is not subject to any constraints.

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Let me be direct: We are in the midst of a rupture, not a transition, Carney said. Over the past two decades, a series of crises in finance, health, energy and geopolitics have laid bare the risks of extreme global integration. Related Article Analysis

World politics A rupture, not a transition: The Davos bombshell that Australia cant ignore That rupture is being felt on the ground across the world, including here at home. Social research suggests Australians have begun to conclude the pressures theyre experiencing on housing and energy costs, and on household budgets overall, are not a temporary cost-of-living crisis but a permanent change to how things are. Some say they dont recognise their lives any more. Thats not necessarily a new intergenerational complaint, but the scale of this current rupture is making the sense of it acute. Its not hard to see why people feel this way, with the breakneck and bamboozling acceleration of artificial intelligence, the self-serving unpredictability of powerful global leaders who no longer observe the rules of civil discourse between people or nations and just the fact that the mail no longer comes daily, airlines cancel flights at will and supermarkets routinely have empty shelves. From the global to the local, life is much less certain than it used to be. Just look at how much the price of gold has shot up in the past year. Thats not a sign of confidence. Across the world, far right leaders are attracting support by giving voice to the fear that life is regressing and by promising to return things to how they used to be.

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Vowing to turn back the clock isnt realistic. As Carney so eloquently put it, nostalgia is not a strategy. But it appeals to people looking for a simple solution by persuading them there is one. Peoples fears are real and must not just be batted away. The failure of governments to reassure is what has sent politics to this place. But fears should be addressed, not amplified and exploited. Related Article Opinion

Political leadership Partisan politics after Bondi sowed seeds of Coalitions demise Malcolm Turnbull Former prime minister This is the business the Nationals are now engaging in. Boswell was right when he advised his erstwhile colleagues that the way to respond to peoples genuine grievances was to build, fix, protect and deliver  not to find minority groups to blame. On the Labor side, it seems to think One Nation is a Coalition problem. It takes the view that its National and Liberal voters who are deserting to the one-time fringe party. Most are, but not all. With the Nationals and the Liberals no longer willing to challenge the language and ideas of the hard right and instead adopting them, thats where debate will go too. That makes it a problem for everyone in politics.

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The real craziness in the Nationals attempt to outdo One Nation is that all imitation is likely to do is add to Hansons credibility. When people feel deeply unsettled, they look for consistency, authenticity and simplicity. When theyre encouraged to get angry, they look for someone to blame. The hardline condemnations of migrants (no longer just asylum seekers), renewable energy and gun control  Hanson said it all first. By adopting her policy positions, the Nationals are implying she was right all along. Until governments find ways to make everyday life feel more secure, that surely can only see her vote continue to rise. No wonder Barnaby Joyce doesnt seem too bothered that his old party is nicking his ideas. Karen Middleton is a political journalist and an author. Get a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up for our Opinion newsletter.
Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) is included among the 15 Best High Yield Stocks to Buy.

Morgan Stanley Raises Target (TGT) to $125, Reaffirms Overweight in Retail Sector Update

On January 15, Morgan Stanley raised its price target on Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) to $125 from $112, while sticking with an Overweight rating. The call was part of the firms broader 2026 outlook for hardline, broadline, and food retail names.

Target has also been picking up a lot more attention from investors lately. CNBC noted that during the week ending January 16, money flowed into a handful of retail stocks, and Target was one of the big beneficiaries. The buying pushed the stock into overbought territory, with an RSI of 80. Around the same time, Gordon Haskett upgraded Target to a Buy from Hold. Advisor Chuck Grom said the move was based on the combination of a fresh-start mindset and the search for contrarian opportunities, noting,

In the spirit of both a new year/clean slate along with the never-ending search for contrarian ideas . . . we are upgrading Target to Buy-Rated from Hold-Rated  establishing a new $140 Price Target, which suggests over 30% upside from current levels.

Targets long-term track record is another reason it continues to stand out. For years, it has been one of the more profitable retailers in the group, consistently posting stronger gross and operating margins than many of its peers. The companys continued investment in e-commerce and its efforts to strengthen the in-store experience have helped keep sales steady, while also supporting profits.

Even though Target is dealing with some short-term challenges, the balance sheet remains in good shape, which helps support its ongoing commitment to paying dividends to shareholders.

Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) is a major general merchandise retailer, selling products through both its store network and its growing digital channels.

While we acknowledge the potential of TGT 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: 13 Best Dividend Kings to Buy in 2026 and 14 Best Mid Cap Dividend Aristocrat Stocks to Buy Now

Disclosure: None.
By Mike Dolan

Jan 22 -

What matters in U.S. and global markets today

By Mike Dolan, Editor-At-Large, Finance and Markets

World stocks bounced back after Trumps U-turn on Greenland tariffs late Wednesday, leaving markets pondering what the whole four-day drama was for  except as a reminder of how erratic U.S. policymaking has become.

With Trump in Davos all day Thursday, anxiety remains about the potential for further twists and turns, partly explaining why this weeks losses have not yet all been erased despite the apparent detente. But the February 1 tariff threat has been removed for now.

Ill get into all that and more below.

But first, check out my latest column on just how extreme market positioning was to kick off the year - and the risk of mixing rising geopolitical conflict with an already stretched "hyper bull" market.

And listen to the latest episode of the Morning Bid daily podcast. Subscribe to hear Reuters journalists discuss the biggest news in markets and finance seven days a week.

DAVOS DETENTE

The pan-European STOXX index was up more than 1% in early trading on Thursday, following the S&P 500s 1.16% rise yesterday  its biggest in two months  on news of the Greenland deal. The VIX index, or so-called fear gauge, fell back towards baseline levels after hitting a year-to-date high on Tuesday.

Gold slipped from Wednesday's all-time high of $4,887.82 per ounce as tensions eased and investors sought riskier assets, but it remains elevated above $4,800 amid the still febrile geopolitical situation.

Indeed, details about the deal struck by Trump and NATO secretary-general Mark Rutte remain sparse. While Trumps sudden shift in tone has defused tensions, European diplomats noted the dispute was not yet resolved and Denmarks Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen reiterated the importance of Danish sovereignty and Greenlandic self-determination.

Whatever was agreed, it will not involve a U.S. takeover of Greenland. Trump noted all parties were very happy with the deal, which he said touched on security and minerals and would last "forever". Secretary-General Rutte said on Thursday the deal would focus on guarding against Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic and that NATO allies would have to step up on security in the region.

Meantime, Treasury yields retreated, helped by a decent 20-year bond auction and signals from the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday that justices would not support Trumps attempt to fire Fed Governor Lisa Cook. Conservative justice Brett Kavanaugh, for instance, noted that a low bar for dismissals by the president would weaken, if not shatter, the independence of the Federal Reserve.
Morning Minute is a daily newsletter written by Tyler Warner. The analysis and opinions expressed are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of Decrypt. Subscribe to the Morning Minute on Substack.

GM!

Todays top news:

Crypto majors very red and down 3-6% on day; BTC at $88,200

Saylors Strategy bought 9-month high $2.13B in BTC last week

Delaware Life added BTC to its insurane product via IBIT

Solana Mobiles SKR token debuted at $120M FDV

Infinex announced its TGE plans aiming for Jan 30

 Saylor Reloads With His Biggest Bitcoin Buy in 9 Months

Strategy is leaning on their newest instrument to keep stacking BTC.

 What Happened

Michael Saylors firm Strategy executed its largest Bitcoin purchase in nine months last week, spending roughly $2.1B to add to its already record BTC treasury.

They added 22,035 Bitcoin at a $95,280 average (unfortunately, nearly 7% above the price today).

Notably, Strategy financed a portion of the buy using STRC, a newly introduced structured credit instrument, rather than issuing common equity.

STRC is Strategys Series A Perpetual Stretch Preferred Stock, a variable-rate preferred equity instrument designed to trade near its $100 par value while paying monthly cash dividends

The dividend currently equates to roughly an 11% annualized yield , with the rate adjusting regularly to limit price volatility and keep the instrument functioning like a cash-style income product

Strategy uses STRC to raise capital for Bitcoin accumulation without issuing common equity or relying on traditional high-risk debt

STRC is not directly collateralized by Bitcoin, but is supported by a balance sheet dominated by BTC, linking investor returns to Strategys long-term Bitcoin strategy

Saylors newest financial instrument is starting to pay off.

 What Theyre Saying

3% of all btc owned by microstrategy was acquired last week - Udi Wertheimer on X

 Why It Matters

This purchase offers a clearer look at how Strategys ecosystem is evolving.

Bitcoin is now becoming the anchor for a growing credit framework that allows Strategy to raise capital without selling BTC or repeatedly diluting equity holders.

This is conceptually bullish MSTR, as he wont have to continue to dilute shareholders to raise capital for Bitcoin. And bullish Bitcoin as Saylor now has a new income stream from which to fund purchases.

What Is Strategy (MSTR)? The Bitcoin Treasury Company

All without touching his Bitcoin stack.

Over time, this approach pushes Strategy closer to a Bitcoin-backed financial platform than a single corporate treasury strategy.
Trump rolls out his Board of Peace, but it's not clear how many leaders will join him
Nebius (NBIS), which provides artificial intelligence (AI) services and infrastructure to data centers, recently announced that it has been chosen by Israel to launch and manage the country's supercomputer system. Given this deal and other agreements that Nebius has made, it's clear that the company has top-notch technology, and the firm is well-positioned to benefit tremendously from the continued rapid growth of AI.

Nonetheless, its valuation is rather high. And at a time when investors' enthusiasm for AI-infrastructure stocks appears to be stalling, one of Nebius' competitors seems to be a safer alternative. Therefore, I would not advise buying NBIS stock now, but the shares could very well become a buy down the road.

More News from Barchart

About Nebius

The company's graphics processing unit (GPU) chips and other hardware, based in data centers, are used by major hyperscalers, including Microsoft (MSFT) and Meta Platforms (META) to develop AI. Nebius also has other customers in several different sectors, including robotics, healthcare, finance, and government. Founder Arkady Volozh serves as the CEO of the company, which has also moved into launching and servicing supercomputers. Volozh holds Israeli citizenship and has called himself an Israeli businessman."

In the third quarter, Nebius' revenue climbed 39% versus the same period a year earlier to $146.1 million, while its EBITDA loss, excluding certain items, narrowed sharply to $5.2 million from -$45.9 million in Q3 of 2024.

NBIS has a trailing price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 66x. But based on analysts' average 2026 sales estimate for the firm of $3.45 billion, its forward P/S ratio is about 8x.

www.barchart.com

Nebius' Technology Has Been Extensively Validated and It's Growing Rapidly

In addition to Israel, Microsoft and Meta have also signed major deals with the startup. Specifically, Nebius in November disclosed a multi-year agreement with Microsoft valued between $17.4 billion and $19.4 billion. In November, NBIS announced that it had obtained a five-year deal with Meta worth about $3 billion.

On the growth front, in the 12 months that ended in September, the startup's total revenue came in at $363.3 million, versus $117.5 million in 2024. Its deals with Microsoft and Meta will supercharge its growth going forward.
Jan 23 (Reuters) - Netflix (NFLX) co-chief executive Greg Peters said the company is on track to win the backing of Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) shareholders for its $82.7 billion offer for the company's film and television studios, adding that Paramount's (PSKY) rival bid "doesn't pass the sniff test", the Financial Times reported on Friday.

In an interview with the FT, Peters said only a "very small" number of WBD shares had been tendered in support of Paramount's hostile $108 billion offer for the entire company.

Netflix, Warner Brothers and Paramount Skydance didn't immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment outside regular business hours.

Peters said the revised offer had "greater deal certainty" than Paramount's bid, partly financed with $55 billion in debt, and underscored the strength of Netflix's balance sheet, the newspaper added.

The Warner Bros board earlier this month rejected an amended Paramount bid that included a $40 billion in equity, personally guaranteed by Oracle's co-founder and Paramount CEO David Ellison's father, Larry Ellison.

"Without Larry Ellison independently financing this thing, there's no chance in hell Paramount would ever be able to pull this off," Peters told FT.

Paramount Skydance on Thursday extended the deadline on its hostile tender offer for Warner Bros Discovery to February 20, soon after Netflix revised its $82.7 billion offer to go all-cash in hopes of expediting the deal closure and providing greater financial certainty to investors worried about its previous stock-and-cash deal.

(Reporting by Disha Mishra in Bengaluru; Editing by Nivedita Bhattacharjee)
A Castlebar man with a lengthy record of public order offences may face a lengthy period in prison if he is found to have breached the terms of a suspended sentence.

Eamon Maughan, of 21 Castlegrove, Pontoon Road, Castlebar, appeared before Castlebar District Court last Wednesday, having been in custody since the end of October.

Gda Sgt John OReilly told the court that Gda Deborah Gilroy observed Maughan at Castlegrove in a highly intoxicated state on March 22, 2025. He was arrested and issued with a fixed charge penalty notice, which subsequently went unpaid.

Sgt O'Reilly said that on October 15, 2025, Maughan was convicted of two public order offences, fined 150 on each charge, with three months allowed to pay. He has approximately 20 previous convictions.

Solicitor Gary Mulchrone said most of the recent convictions were for public order breaches, with further ones due before the court.

He said his client has ongoing difficulties with alcohol and frequently comes to the attention of gardai while highly intoxicated, presenting a danger to himself. Maughan was on an alcohol treatment list within the prison system, but due to the lengthy waiting times, he is keen to rehabilitate outside of the prison setting. This is the first time his client has seriously sought treatment.

Mr Mulchrone said the most recent offence potentially triggered a suspended prison sentence imposed in 2021, adding that other suspended sentences had already been activated before Judge Eoin Garavan in the circuit court. The solicitor noted that a five-year suspended jail term had been imposed by the circuit court in 2021.

Judge Sandra Murphy said that treatment was the only effective way of addressing the situation and she did not see any purpose in imposing new financial penalties.

There is no point in going after him for tranches of money. It would cost more than it is worth, she said.

Judge Murphy indicated that the appropriate course was to finalise the matter and allow the statutory 14-day period to elapse before any further steps could be taken.

Maughan was remanded in custody to appear before Galway Circuit Criminal Court where the issue of the suspended prison sentence will be addressed by Judge Garavan.
A coroner has recommended the provision of a filter lane as a safety measure at a turn-off on the N17 where an 84-year-old woman received fatal injuries in a collision.

Kathleen Forkan, Treenkeel, Kiltimagh, was admitted to Mayo University Hospital on September 24, 2022 after being seriously injured when a car driven by her daughter Dympna Murphy was rear-ended at the turnoff at Cloonturk, Kilkelly.

Mrs Forkan, a mother of four and a grandmother of twelve, died in hospital a month later from pulmonary embolism (blood clot) due to deep vein thrombosis.

An inquest into her death in Ballina Courthouse was told that the embolism resulted from her immobility in being continuously confined to bed while in hospital.

The inquest, which was conducted by coroner Dr Eleanor Fitzgerald, heard that the deceased had been a passenger in her daughters Honda Jazz car, which was rear-ended at the Cloonturk junction while stationary and about to turn right for Kiltimagh.

The driver of the second vehicle involved was Mohammad Alqarra (38), a native of Gaza with an address at Windsor Lodge, North Road, Drogheda. He was given a suspended ten-month prison sentence and banned from driving for two years when he pleaded guilty to careless driving causing death at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court.

In a statement to gardai, read into evidence at the inquest, Dympna Murphy explained she had been visiting her cousin in the Ave Maria Nursing Home, Tooreen, on the day of the collision. She said her vehicle was hit from behind.

It was a big hit and it felt as if it was at speed. My car was spun a couple of times and we ended up on the opposite side of the road facing the other way. I immediately asked mum if she was okay. She was able to talk and she started shaking and the shock set in.

Mum stayed in hospital for about ten days and on October 4, 2022, passed away as a result of her injuries.

After returning a verdict of accidental death, Dr Fitzgerald noted that the N17 has a bad reputation for fatal accidents. She suggested a filter lane at the turnoff for Kiltimagh, noting that such a fixture could save lives.

However, earlier in the hearing, Gda Sgt Gabriel McLoughlin, PSV Inspector for Mayo, mentioned that a War of Independence monument would be a hindrance to the provision of any filter lane.

Both the coroner and Gda Sgt Sean McHale thanked the members of the public and the first responders who helped at the accident scene, with Dr Fitzgerald stating that it was comforting to know that when help is needed it is not too far away.
Imagine a scene in a beige-carpeted office in Belfast, a civil servant clutches her chest and crumples to the floor. Her colleague rushes over.

"What happened?" he gasps. "Was it the phrase 'good morning guys'?"

Another worker nearby begins hyperventilating into a paper bag as he's just heard someone say "old-school" and might need counseling. In the corner, a clerk pretends to swoon because his line manager used the words "mum and dad" in a memo about parental leave. The trauma, the horror, someone call HR!

The poor and unsuspecting denizens of Northern Ireland are ushered into a timid new world of tolerable verbiage as recommended by an enlightened Northern Ireland Civil Service. Their 26-page Inclusive Language Guide is merrily mapping the way forward for linguistic excellence in the 21st century.

As an inveterate old curmudgeon, I feel compelled to state the obvious. Calling this document anything but a perversion of the English language is like calling the infamous 1950s' McCarthy Inquiry an afternoon discussion group.

Tut, tut, but this isn't a banned list, they demurely insist. It's merely 31 recommendations for how not to make people of high or nervous sensibility feel unsafe.

Those of us who regard ourselves as civilised and of a caring disposition all know that nothing screams safe workplace quite like the linguistic equivalent of walking through a minefield wearing clown shoes while your every utterance is subject to scrutiny by a self-appointed internal inquisition.

The ill-advised list itself reads like it was compiled by someone who's never actually met an English-speaking native, so out goes "ladies and gentlemen" because it's apparently too gendered, and "Good morning, guys" is absolutely forbidden. The wickedly poisonous "Dear" and "darling" are now deemed verbal assault weapons, and you can't say "Christian name" because that might offend the legions of non-Christians awaiting offense. "Mum and Dad", however dear to you, must be scrubbed from existence because families come in all configurations and need to be acknowledged and, somehow, included, even if not present.

But here's where it gets most ludicrous, bordering on mad-cow-disease unhinged. You can no longer say "blind drunk" or "fell on deaf ears". These familiar throwaway phrases, part of English for centuries, are now deemed offensive to people with disabilities, whether the party so maligned had a say in this designation is entirely irrelevant.

It matters little that the colourful and cherished term, "blind drunk," has nothing to do with actual blindness and everything to do with being so hammered you can't see your way home. It is deemed entirely irrelevant to those parsing our language that "deaf ears" is an endearing metaphor for willful ignorance, not a treatable medical condition. But the dull, witless bureaucrats have spoken, and metaphor itself must be sacrificed on the altar of imagined hypersensitivity.

Our beloved metaphor for Irish weather, "Raining cats and dogs," is apparently problematic now, and I'm not entirely sure why. Maybe it promotes animal cruelty, or possibly someone in the diversity office had a vision of literal pets falling from the sky and decided we must protect people from such meteorological imaginings. The English language has been busily building its house of idioms for millennia, and suddenly, we have some enlightened committee that wants to condemn the whole thing because the foundations might contain some offensive detritus.

The more recent generational terms are perhaps the most revealing. You mustn't say Baby Boomer, Gen X, Millennial, or Gen Z because - well, I have no idea. These are literally the terms those generations use for themselves. It's like banning the word 'Irish' because it might make the Welsh feel excluded. "The elderly" and "old people" are out too, along with "young at heart" and  God help us  "coasting to retirement". Because nothing makes a 64-year-old feel more dignified than pretending they're not actually approaching the end of their working life.

This ill-judged guide treats language like a series of bear traps, rather than a living, breathing, constantly evolving organism that people use to communicate and connect. When you inform 24,500 presumably intelligent employees that previously innocuous words might make someone "feel unsafe", you're not promoting inclusion but fostering a culture of creeping paranoia. What youve created instead is a workplace where everyone's walking on eggshells while simultaneously terrified that inadvertently uttering "ladies and gentlemen" might trigger an impromptu interrogation or, worse, a tribunal.

Words like "dear" and "love", which in Ireland and Britain are terms of endearment used by everyone from bus drivers to shopkeepers don't make people unsafe. Actual intentional violence makes people feel unsafe. Experiencing discrimination in housing, employment, being denied healthcare, or being attacked for who you are, but being called "love" by someone's granny while shopping is not going to make you reach for the valium.

The guide insists we shouldn't use "English native" because it might offend people who speak English but aren't English. Right. So now we need a three-paragraph circumlocution to describe what everyone understands in two words. "Person who acquired English as their primary language during early childhood linguistic development in an Anglophone environment" doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, does it?

The term "Illegal immigrants" is apparently out too, as we must say "undocumented migrants" instead. This isn't about inclusion, it's about woke politics dressed up as sensitivity. People can disagree about immigration policy without one side pretending the word "illegal" has ceased to exist. When someone enters a country without authorisation, that's the definition of illegal immigration, and you can argue it shouldn't be illegal, you can argue for amnesty, you can argue for open borders, but you can't simply rebrand reality because you don't like the optics.

The truly offensive thing about this guide isn't the words it wants to ban but the facile list of assumptions behind it. The idiotic notion that adults need to be protected from language, like toddlers, perpetually protected from sharp corners, and dishwasher tablets. The idea that people are so fragile, so perpetually on the verge of emotional collapse, that hearing "good morning, guys" might be the straw that breaks the camels back. It infantilises the general populace and is woefully condescending to the very people it claims to protect.

Real inclusion doesn't mean neutering language until it's so bland and bloodless that nobody could possibly take offense. Real inclusion and fairness mean creating workplaces where people are judged on their work, not their background. Workplaces where actual, verifiable discrimination is punished, and management is not just concerned with previously acceptable verbal metaphors. Calm, good-humoured workplaces where someone innocently saying "ladies and gentlemen" doesn't cause a diplomatic incident requiring a formal apology and the threat of a six-hour diversity training session.

The English language as inherited is a magnificent, unruly beast built from Anglo-Saxon, Norman French and Latin, stuffed with words stolen from every corner of the globe, including Ireland, and seasoned with centuries of idiom and metaphor. It's complicated and occasionally contradictory, and that's what makes it beautiful and still surprising. When you start trying to sanitise it, you don't get a better language, but you do get a much duller one, dying on the lips from slow asphyxiation. You get the linguistic equivalent of a padded cell, the occupant technically harmless and neutered, but utterly soul-destroyed and void of any creative possibility.

These proscribed words aren't dangerous, but inserting this way of thinking into officialdom is insidiously damaging. The age-old bureaucratic compulsion to control every syllable, to police every phrase, to imagine offense where none exists is the real and present threat. When we make everyday language a minefield and when ordinary conversation requires consulting a 26-page manual, we don't get inclusion. We get silence. And in that silence, nothing good grows.
Steven Meyer, a state judge in Tippecanoe County in Indiana who was hurt in a shooting at his home on January 18, 2026, is shown in Nov. 4, 2014.
Key Points

Cameco is the world's second-largest uranium miner by volume produced.

It owns two of the world's highest-grade uranium deposits right next door to the American market.

Cameco's revenue growth is accelerating, and it has incredible profitability in the mining industry.

10 stocks we like better than Cameco 

I've made no secret of my love of nuclear energy stocks or of my bullishness on one of them, Canada's Cameco (NYSE: CCJ), in particular. The reason is simple: Artificial intelligence (AI) is already voraciously devouring every free electron on the power grid it can, and, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), AI-related power consumption is expected to double by 2030.

Nuclear energy offers a viable solution to this energy problem, as nuclear plants can generate electricity more reliably and efficiently while producing fewer carbon emissions than other energy sources, including green energy sources like wind or solar.

Image source: Getty Images

Big tech companies like Microsoft and Alphabet seem to agree, as does the U.S. government. Both Microsoft and Alphabet have signed agreements with Constellation Energy and NextEra Energy, respectively, to help bring nuclear power plants back online for the express purpose of powering their data center needs. And the Department of Energy has said it hopes to triple America's nuclear output by 2050.

All the new (or refurbished) nuclear reactors America has planned need one resource in common to function -- uranium, the ore that can be refined for use in fission reactions that generate heat and boil water used to power turbines that generate electricity. And Cameco is sitting on some of the best uranium reserves on the planet.

Mining the future

Cameco's business is pretty simple. It mines and refines uranium for use in the nuclear industry. It owns Cigar Lake, the world's highest-grade uranium mine, and McArthur River, the world's largest high-grade uranium mine.

That gives Cameco a competitive edge because the resources extracted from those mines need far less refining than what's extracted from lower-grade uranium deposits in places like Kazakhstan.

Cameco is the world's second-largest uranium miner by production. In 2024, it provided 17% of the world's uranium, a full 160 million pounds. The only larger producer is Kazakhstan's state-run Kazatomprom.

Finally, Cameco owns a 49% stake in Westinghouse, an engineering company that produces the most advanced nuclear reactor on the market, the AP1000. That's the same reactor that the U.S. government invested $80 billion into procuring last year. Now the U.S. has 10 AP1000 reactors planned for construction. And given Cameco's interest there, it's likely a safe bet that its uranium will be fueling those reactors.
In 1998, the worlds largest telecom, AT&T, cut a series of deals with a popular startup called Excite. By distributing Excites content and search tools over its giant cable network, the company believed it could extend its dominance into the emerging Internet era. Google, of course, had other plans and today its market cap is 20 times larger than AT&T.

I thought about AT&T as I read the New York Stock Exchanges announcement of a new platform for tokenized securities. The news represents a watershed moment for blockchain since not only is NYSE an iconic brand, but its parent company ICE owns other exchanges and clearing systems all over the world. A firm of that caliber embracing tokenization means blockchain technology is finally going mainstream.

Add to this the likely prospect that Congress will pass legislation to integrate crypto services into the current financial system, and the future seems clear: Equities will be tokenized; regulators will oversee a new era of blockchain based issuance and trading, and the NYSE and its peers will lead the way.

Not so fast, though. The first two of these things will almost certainly come to pass, but that doesnt mean the third one will as well. As with AT&T and the communications industry in the late 1990s, there is no reason the NYSEs dominance of the current era of finance means it is in position to dominate the next one.

In fact, there are good reasons to doubt this will be the casestarting with the tone of the NYSEs announcement, which is chockful of hype and buzzwords but contains very little in the way of details. If the exchange wanted to show it is serious about being a major player in the blockchain era of finance, it would address some obvious questions.

For starters, what blockchains and stablecoins does NYSE plan to support? Has its planned tokenized exchange decided upon programming languages, virtual machines, and token standards? This is just the beginning. The NYSE is also silent on what jurisdictions it will serve, and whether it will integrate decentralized tokens and DeFi tools. The announcement also says nothing about how NYSE itself intends to make money under a tokenized system.

The lack of details is even more curious given NYSEs grand plans are pending regulatory approvals. Regulators would need answers to these questions more than anyone. When Galaxy Digital tokenized its own equity, it put out a lengthy report on the tricky particulars, and that is just one company. For a major exchange like NYSE, the considerations are far more complicated.
On profitability, Savova said the U.K. delivered Adjusted EBITDA profitability of GBP 3.4 million in Q4, representing a 26% Adjusted EBITDA margin for the quarter.

The company increased marketing expenditure in the U.K. to GBP 2.0 million in Q4, up from GBP 1.2 million in Q4 2024, which management said positioned the business for a continued ramp-up in marketing-led growth in 2026 and beyond. Savova said the investment helped drive customer growth, with around 8,000 new invested customers onboarded in the quarter. Overall, PensionBee said it onboarded approximately 40,000 customers in 2025 , increasing net new customers relative to 2024.

Savova said the U.K. continued to represent the bulk of PensionBees assets and invested customers in the medium term. The U.K. ended the quarter with assets under administration (AUA) of GBP 7.4 billion , representing 27% year-on-year growth , and annual run-rate revenue of over GBP 50 million , representing 33% year-on-year growth . Invested customers in the U.K. totaled approximately 305,000 .

PensionBee Group (LON:PBEE) reported what management described as strong execution in both the U.K. and the U.S. during its Q4 2025 trading update for the period ended Dec. 31, 2025. CEO Romi Savova said the company remains focused on building a lifetime relationship with customers in the consumer retirement market by combining old retirement accounts into a single online plan, enabling contributions and investment selection, and ultimately supporting withdrawals in retirement.

PensionBee is targeting group revenue above GBP 100 million by year-end 2029 (adjusted EBITDA ~ 20% ) and > GBP 250 million by 2034 (adjusted EBITDA ~ 50% ), supported by a ~ GBP 33 million cash balance, a 22% productivity improvement and a self-imposed CAC cap of GBP 250 .

In the U.S. the first advertising campaign lifted prompted brand awareness (~ 12% New York, 9% Seattle, 6% Chicago) and PensionBee is advancing product and distribution initiatives  notably a 1% Match aimed at accelerating toward $1 billion AUA and onboarding inaugural Safe Harbor IRA clients.

PensionBee's U.K. business ended Q4 with GBP 7.4 billion AUA (27% YoY) and annual run-rate revenue of ~ GBP 51 million (33% YoY), delivering Q4 U.K. adjusted EBITDA of GBP 3.4 million (26% margin) and group adjusted EBITDA of GBP 2 million (16% margin).

Story Continues

Management highlighted continued investment in automation and operational efficiency. Savova said PensionBee generated a 22% year-on-year productivity improvement, with each staff member supporting 1,621 invested customers. She also previewed the rollout of a new and refreshed Beehive experience, which will soon include AI-powered chat in the app, aimed at improving customer experience and long-term productivity.

U.S. progress: brand awareness, product enhancements, and partnerships

In the U.S., Savova said the company remained focused on establishing a strong foundation for long-term growth. PensionBees first advertising campaign concluded with what management described as a meaningful uplift in prompted brand awareness in locations where billboard advertising was deployed. Savova cited prompted awareness levels of 12% in New York, 9% in Seattle, and 6% in Chicago, saying the increased visibility translated into a customer pipeline that continues to convert over time.

 The Nuts and Bolts of Fastenal EarningsAnd What Comes Next

The company also described product-led initiatives, including the introduction of performance analytics designed to improve transparency by giving customers more visibility into investment returns.

Looking ahead, management said PensionBee is entering 2026 poised for growth, pointing to early interest in its 1% Match initiative, which management said is designed to accelerate the path to $1 billion of AUA in the U.S., along with a number of new distribution partnerships. Savova also said PensionBee secured its inaugural Safe Harbor IRA contracts, with initial clients being onboarded and additional clients in late-stage discussions.

Financial update: margins, cash position, and long-term targets

Chief Financial Officer Christoph Martin reiterated Q4 growth metrics, citing 27% year-on-year AUA growth to GBP 7.4 billion and 33% year-on-year growth in annual run-rate revenue to approximately GBP 51 million. He said top-line growth and continuous cost discipline contributed to group profitability in the quarter, with adjusted EBITDA of GBP 2 million and a 16% group EBITDA margin, driven by the U.K.s profitability.

Martin attributed results to two core value drivers:

Predictable and recurring revenue , supported by a durable base of AUA and a resilient gross revenue margin.

Business scalability, reflecting a cost base that management said has continued to decline as a proportion of revenue.

Martin said the companys gross revenue margin in Q4 was around 65 basis points, which management said helped convert AUA growth into 34% quarterly revenue growth and 33% annual run-rate revenue growth.

On customer mix, Martin said customers joining in 2025 were slightly younger than in 2024, with an average age of 39.7 versus 40.6 in 2024, aligning with the companys marketing strategy. He said the younger cohort resulted in a slightly lower average balance for new customers versus the prior year.

For the U.K., Martin said adjusted EBITDA margin improved to 11% in 2025 from 7% in 2024. He also highlighted an operating margin pre-marketing metric, which he said improved to 39% in 2025 from 33% in the prior year, describing it as a measure of platform scalability.

Looking further out, Martin reiterated the companys guidance framework:

By year-end 2029 : group revenue above GBP 100 million and adjusted EBITDA margin of around 20% .

By year-end 2034: group revenue above GBP 250 million and adjusted EBITDA margin of around 50%.

Martin said the companys cash balance of around GBP 33 million supports continued scaling in the U.K. and investment in the U.S. opportunity.

Q&A: CAC discipline, marketing seasonality, and U.S. reporting

During Q&A, management addressed customer acquisition cost (CAC) and marketing strategy. Martin said the company maintains a self-imposed threshold of GBP 250 for CAC, which he said was met at the end of 2025. He also discussed a related metricgross inflows per pound of marketing spendciting 114 in 2025 (with average customer age 39.7), compared with 120 in 2023 (age 39.5) and 145 in 2024 (age 40.5), suggesting cohort age influences inflow efficiency.

On quarterly marketing fluctuations, Savova said Q4 is typically quite a special quarter, citing seasonality, the run-up to Christmas, and events such as anticipation around the U.K. government budget. She said PensionBee generally spends less in Q4 than in Q1 and Q2 due to personal finance sentiment and channel mix.

Regarding customer retention and losses, Martin said value retention is around 96% (implying about 4% attrition). He said reasons customers leave tend to be idiosyncratic, including consolidating with a workplace pension, moving to an advisor, or seeking a specific asset exposure, while emphasizing that retention has been consistently above 95% since inception on both value and volume.

On when PensionBee might disclose more U.S. operating statistics, Martin said management expects 2026 to be an important year, particularly as the Safe Harbor IRA channel begins onboarding and the 1% Match is featured more prominently, adding that more detailed reporting would follow once results become more material.

About PensionBee Group (LON:PBEE)

PensionBee is creating a global leader in the consumer retirement market with approximately 7 billion in assets on behalf of c.300,000 customers. Founded in 2014, we aspire to make as many people as possible pension confident so that everyone can enjoy a happy retirement. We help our customers to combine their retirement savings into a new online account, which they can manage from the palm of their hand. PensionBee accounts are invested by the world's largest investment managers, collectively looking after more than $10 trillion in savings between them.

The article "PensionBee Group Q4 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat.
HIV funding still falls short of targets after pledges

A mix of domestic revenue generation, efficiency gains and strategic partnerships is essential to sustain and expand HIV programmes despite declining aid.

The US government paused all foreign assistance in January 2025. This abrupt decision affected the delivery of life-saving HIV medicines and the provision of HIV prevention services to millions of people. A UNAIDS report estimates there could be an additional 6 million new HIV infections and 4 million Aids-related deaths by 2029 if the world does not act.

In November 2025, a global health initiative, The Global Fund, raised US$11.34 billion for HIV/Aids, tuberculosis and malaria. Melanie Bisnauth, a public health professional in healthcare systems strengthening and HIV/Aids leadership, discusses how far this latest funding could go and how African nations can tackle the dwindling funding for HIV/Aids control.

What is the funding status for HIV/Aids?

Raising US$11.34 billion is significant but it falls short of the US$18 billion target. The Global Fund is trying to raise US$18 billion for its work from 2027 to 2029. The Global Fund is a worldwide partnership to end the epidemic of HIV/Aids, tuberculosis and malaria and ensure a healthier, safer and more equitable future for all.

It is only a partial response to the global funding gaps.

The US pledged US$4.6 billion to the Global Fund during the funds summit in November 2025, on the side of the G20 meeting in South Africa. It was a reduction from its previous pledge of US$6 billion to support prevention, treatment, care and related services for the three diseases. But it is also an indication that the US has not abandoned all multilateral global health efforts. It remains the largest single contribution to the Global Fund 2027 to 2029 cycle.

The shortfall may strain existing programmes and delay expansion of life-saving interventions for HIV/Aids, tuberculosis and malaria.

HIV remains a major global public health issue, having claimed an estimated 44.1 million lives to date. An estimated 40.8 million people were living with HIV at the end of 2024, 65% of whom are in the WHO African region.

Job losses could create inefficiencies or service reductions. Building a sustainable HIV response and meeting key goals was already challenging before the sharp funding decline in 2025. Over 11 million people had unsuppressed viral loads in 2024.

Overall, while the funds raised demonstrate continued global solidarity, they are insufficient to fully compensate for the US withdrawal and broader declines in donor support.

There are potentially long-term consequences. Reduced funding and service disruptions threaten to reverse years of progress. Infections could rise, especially in communities where viral suppression was already low. Lack of service delivery and supply of treatment will weaken trust in health systems and can lead to treatment interruptions, drug resistance and poorer health outcomes.

As the Global Funds executive director said at the Replenishment Summit, the old model of development funding is over. This model is the heavy reliance on international funding like USAID and other donor organisations.

Its essential for countries to become more self-reliant. But the statement warned that too abrupt a transition could be dangerous.

I fear that the COVID-19 pandemic has already taken a toll on the quality of care provided. Healthcare systems are already overburdened.

National governments have to step up and locally support their healthcare systems, collaborate and build together, and strengthen their health funding structures.

What should the response be for better HIV funding in Africa?

Africas HIV response should be multi-pronged.

After attending the Africa Summit in Geneva in May 2025, stakeholders, country representatives, donor agencies and NGOs expressed a key message: those involved in the sector should not reinvent the entire wheel. There is value in the knowledge gained from programming, technical expertise, data insights, partnerships, communities and global health networks should be used to strengthen, adapt and scale what already works.

This will ensure that Africas HIV response remains community-centred, evidence-driven, and resilient in the face of emerging challenges.

The global health climate has changed and communities have lost trust because of severely disrupted or even completely cut programmes. African governments must allocate their own resources for HIV programmes, through budget prioritisation, health insurance schemes, and innovative financing such as public-private partnerships. Improvements, such as integrating HIV services into primary care, using data-driven targeting, and negotiating lower drug costs can maximise impact.

Strengthening regional collaborations and pooled procurement through organisations like the African Union or regional health bodies can improve bargaining power and reduce dependency on external aid. A balanced mix of donor support, domestic financing and operational efficiency is essential to maintain gains and expand access to treatment for all in need.

It is important not to rely solely on international support or one funding body. Diversifying funding portfolios is critical.

What effects has the withdrawal of US funds had?

Reduced US contributions led to immediate financial shortfalls, threatening ongoing HIV prevention and treatment programmes.

For example, some clinic supply and services faced disruption in delivery and supply of antiretroviral therapy, and stock-outs of treatment and malaria nets.

The world is still likely to feel the impact in the coming months. For example:

Progress towards epidemic control could slow, potentially increasing illness and death.

Programmes that relied heavily on US support have already scaled back services or will do so.

Funding uncertainty remains a major concern. Governments will have to reallocate limited domestic resources or seek alternative donors.

Global health co-ordination, technical assistance and advocacy efforts may be weakened. In the past these supported robust HIV responses in Africa in progress toward the UNAIDS targets.

Reliance on fragmented funding streams will increase.

How can African countries better fund their HIV programmes?

They can take steps that involve a mix of domestic revenue generation, efficiency gains and strategic partnerships:

diversify funding through raising domestic revenue, such as earmarked taxes

expand the reach of social health insurance coverage

leverage corporate investment and innovation through public-private partnerships

negotiate pooled procurement of drugs and diagnostics regionally to reduce costs

involve communities in decision making, which will help strengthen sustainability

integrate HIV programmes into broader health systems  it improves efficiency, reducing duplication and operational costs.

Melanie Bisnauth, Doctoral Researcher, School of Public Health and Public Health Technical Advisor, Anova Health Institute, University of the Witwatersrand

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Photographer: Nhac Nguyen/AFP/Getty Images

The western districts of Hanoi, home to wide boulevards and a national stadium, are far removed from the dense street life of the Old Quarter. But theyve taken on an even more austere tone this week as Vietnams most powerful officials gather to select the countrys next leaders.

This years Communist Party congress, a twice-in-a-decade event where decisions that shape the nations political and economic direction are made behind closed doors, is being held under the sort of security befitting a leader who rose up the ranks as the nations top cop.

Most Read from Bloomberg

General Secretary To Lam appears on track to secure a full five-year term as the head of the party. He may also secure the presidency, a rare dual mandate that would help him build on already sweeping reforms.

His pledge is to make doing business easier and faster in Vietnam as it pursues a new model to reach a 10% growth goal and enrich the countrys people. Along the way, he gutted a whole tier of local government and promoted officials seen loyal to him.

While the countrys citizens and the worlds investors and media await official announcements from the conclave, and the huge fireworks display expected to mark its conclusion, the sense of security and surveillance around Hanois National Convention Center is palpable.

Security appeared even tighter than 2021, when Lams predecessor, Nguyen Phu Trong, cemented his status as the countrys most influential leader since Ho Chi Minh.

Moments after going over the To Lich river, about one kilometer from the convention center, phones stop working as signal jamming kicks in. Snipers on rooftops monitor cars and pedestrians on the streets below, backed up by drones that hover above.

Inside the conference hall, theres a blanket ban on phones, cameras and other recording devices.

All delegates are under close surveillance, shuttled from designated high-end hotels in black and white buses with heavy police escorts. One who attempted to show a reporter the agenda on his tablet was quickly asked to put it away by security.

It all underscores a key priority for the party under Lam: controlling the flow of information. Last month, state media warned against rumors in the media ahead of the leadership choice, which it said was of paramount importance and the key of all keys.
Key Points

A dividend could be on the horizon for Berkshire shareholders.

Cash from operating activities continues to grow, supporting both a dividend and a comfortable cash cushion.

Warren Buffett feels the company is in great hands with Greg Abel.

10 stocks we like better than Berkshire Hathaway 

Warren Buffett's legendary run as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) (NYSE: BRK.B) has left a permanent mark on the company and the world of investing. His sage advice has undoubtedly helped many investors accumulate wealth and achieve financial independence.

Buffett stepped away from the CEO role this year and expressed his complete confidence and support for new CEO Greg Abel. In a recent CNBC interview, Buffett said he'd "rather have Greg handling my money than any of the top investment advisors or any of the top CEOs in the United States."

That implies Abel has the power and backing to make changes he sees fit at Berkshire. Here are two changes that might be coming this year.

Image source: The Motley Fool.

A dividend makes sense

Buffett famously refused to pay a dividend, but that doesn't mean he dislikes them. Buffett's reasoning was sound. He believed that Berkshire shareholders would be better rewarded if excess cash were put to work to grow the company and generate even more cash. Buffett also favored returning cash to shareholders through share repurchases when he felt Berkshire stock was at a reasonable valuation. His 60-year track record certainly supported his positions.

Buffett never shied away from investing, and sometimes taking large positions, in companies that do pay dividends, however. Berkshire's top 10 holdings as of Sept. 30 recently averaged a 2.17% dividend yield. Now that the company's consistent cash flow has built a record-breaking cash pile of $381.7 billion, it's a good time to initiate a dividend. Cash from operating activities soared 34% in the first nine months of 2025, offering a clear indicator that it is doing well and should continue to flow and support dividend payments.

Berkshire is in good hands

My other prediction is that Buffett will feel comfortable enough with the transition that he will step down from the board of directors and fully retire. It made sense for him to remain the chairman of the board when he made the announcement. There may even be potential deals he'd like to stay involved in. But Buffett has expressed immense confidence in Abel. In his Thanksgiving message, Buffett stated the following:
Weve seen fascism in our world and its happening again: Thousands march in downtown Minneapolis after CBP execution of VA nurse Alex Pretti

Several thousand protesters gathered in Government Plaza in downtown Minneapolis Sunday in an emergency protest following the killing of ICU nurse Alex Pretti by federal Border Patrol agents. Despite the freezing cold, young people, workers, and middle-class residents rallied to demand the removal of paramilitary forces and the prosecution of those responsible for the deaths of Pretti and Renee Nicole Good earlier this month.

The mood was angry and determined, with protesters carrying signs drawing historical parallels between Nazi stormtroopers executing Jews in Germany and the killing of Pretti by Trumps deaths squads. There was broad support for a general strike and anger at Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey for deploying state troopers, National Guard soldiers, and Minneapolis police to suppress the anti-ICE protests. (Protesters refer to all immigration police as ICE, although many other federal agencies are involved, including Customs and Border Protection-CBP).

One protester told WSWS reporters, This is not just a Minneapolis issue, this is across the country. This is bigger than ICE, this is bigger than immigration. We have these massive powers with all this money that they use to stifle us. Weve seen fascism in our world and its happening again... The world is watching us.

Sworn affidavits expose murder of Minneapolis nurse by immigration stormtrooper

Sworn declarations filed Saturday in federal court provide damning eyewitness testimony that federal immigration agents summarily executed Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a Minneapolis nurse. Pretti is the second Minneapolis resident, and third US citizen killed by a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) operative this year.

A memorial for Alex Pretti, 37, who was murdered by a Border Patrol agent, is displayed during a vigil on Saturday, January 24, 2026 in Minneapolis. [AP Photo/Adam Gray]

In one affidavit, a licensed pediatrician who witnessed the shooting and attempted to render aid testified under penalty of perjury that Pretti did not attack agents or threaten them with a weapon.

I did not see him attack the agents or brandish a weapon of any kind.

The physician stated that after Pretti was forced to the ground, multiple agents opened fire.

I saw at least four ICE agents point guns at the man. I then saw the agents shoot the man at least six or seven times. Initially, I was stunned. From what I could see from my apartment, there was absolutely no need for any violence, let alone lethal force by multiple officers. I immediately put on my boots and coat, ran outside, and approached ICE agents who were near the victim.

Exposing the murderous intent of the agents, after the shooting Pretti they temporarily blocked the physician from providing emergency care while refusing to administer any themselves.

At first, the ICE agents wouldnt let me through.  None of the ICE agents who were near the victim were performing CPR, and I could tell that the victim was in critical condition.

Instead, the physician testified:

Instead of doing either of those things, the ICE agents appeared to be counting his bullet wounds.

After finally being allowed to assess Pretti, the doctor documented multiple gunshot wounds.

The victim had at least three bullet wounds in his back.

I saw an additional gunshot wound on the victims upper left chest and another possible gunshot wound on his neck.

The physician attempted resuscitation.

I checked for a pulse, but I did not feel one. I immediately began CPR.

After emergency medical services arrived the extremely distraught physician returned to his apartment. Shortly thereafter, ICE agents deployed tear gas on the crowd that had gathered below, and the tear gas began seeping into my apartment.

A second sworn affidavit, submitted by a Whittier neighborhood resident who was observing activity by the immigration police (a mix of ICE and CBP agents) and recording with a phone, corroborates the physicians account.

The witness testified that Pretti was filming and attempting to help others who were being threatened with pepper spray.

There was a phone in the mans hand recording a video.

The man went closer to support them as they got threatened, just with his camera out. I didnt see him reach for or hold a gun. Then the ICE agent shoved one of the other observers to the ground. Then he started pepper spraying all three of them directly in the face and all over. The man with the phone put his hands above his head and the agent sprayed him again and pushed him.

Moments later, multiple agents forced Pretti to the ground and opened fire.

They agents pulled the man on the ground. I didnt see him touch any of themhe wasnt even turned toward them. It didnt look like he was trying to resist, just trying to help the woman up. I didnt see him with a gun. They threw him to the ground. Four or five agents had him on the ground and they just started shooting him. They shot him so many times.

I dont know why they shot him. He was only helping. I was five feet from him and they just shot him.

The witness explicitly rejected the Department of Homeland Securitys public claims.

I have read the statement from DHS about what happened and it is wrong. The man did not approach the agents with a gun. He approached them with a camera. He was just trying to help a woman get up and they took him to the ground.

The affidavit ends with a powerful account of fear, repression and resolve, describing what it means to live under conditions where the capitalist state terrorizes witnesses and seeks to violently silence peaceful opposition.



I feel afraid. Only hours have passed since they shot a man right in front [of] me and I dont feel like I can go home because I heard agents were looking for me. I dont know what the agents will do when they find me. I do know that theyre not telling the truth about what happened.

I am disgusted and gutted at how they are treating my neighbors and my state. I keep alternating between crying and feeling determinedit is important to remember the value of documenting injustice.  This is a struggle to protect our freedom and democracy, those things are on the line. He lost his life for those values.

The conduct described in the Minneapolis affidavits is consistent with prior incidents involving immigration Gestapo who have demonstrated open contempt for human life and democratic rights.

In Chicago last year, court proceedings revealed that after a Border Patrol agent shot Marimar Martinez, a 30-year-old US citizen five times, he texted other agents boasting about the attempted murder. According to evidence presented in court, the agent wrote:

I fired 5 rounds and she had 7 holes. Put that in your book boys.

In a second message, he added:

Read it. Five shots, seven holes.

The agent later testified that he was a firearms instructor and took pride in his shooting skills.

In sharp contrast to the endless lies and slanders issued by the Trump administration, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and White House official Stephen Miller, who branded Alex Pretti a domestic terrorist and a would-be assassin, reporting by People magazine documents who Pretti actually was.

A former patient, 71-year-old Air Force veteran Sonny Fouts, recalled being cared for by Pretti at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center following major surgery earlier this month.

I do remember how he comforted me, helped me, did his job.

Fouts described Prettis calm professionalism and humanity following the operation,

He made me feel as comfortable as possible. He made me laugh a few times  and I certainly didnt feel like laughing.

Sonnys partner, Kimerly Fouts also spoke highly of Pretti. After waiting in the family room for the 11-hour surgery, Kimberly recalled walking into the intensive care unit and seeing Sonnys just hooked up to so many machines and needles and tubes, and Alex was his nurse and he just lightened the situation.

She added, There are nurses who come in and dont really say anything, and Alex was not like that. I appreciate that I immediately felt comfortable with him. And I felt that Sonny was in good hands.

Reflecting on Prettis killing, Sonny Fouts said:

Im saddened. Im saddened to the deepest part of my heart. He said, Its very sad. I hate it. Im not a Democrat. Im not a Republican. But what the hells going on in this city of ours?

The veteran added that without the medical treatment he received from Pretti, I might not have been here.

He concluded, I dont use the word hero, but I guess I could say that.

Stop ICE murders and repression! Build a rank-and-file movement for a general strike!

This morning, only a few hours ago, ICE agents carried out a second cold-blooded execution of a citizen of Minneapolis. This killing has taken place only a few blocks from where Renee Nicole Good was murdered little more than two weeks ago.

Stop ICE murders and repression! Build a rank-and-file movement for a general strike!

The video of this atrocity shows that the ICE agents fired their guns repeatedly into the body of their victim as he lay helpless on the ground.

This crime is the response of the Trump administration to yesterdays powerful and peaceful demonstration against ICEs reign of terror against the workers and youth of Minneapolis.

These murders and other acts of violence are being perpetrated with the full support of the Trump administration. Following Renee Goods killing, the government denounced the victim as a terrorist and declared that there would be no criminal investigation into the circumstances of the shooter. The ICE agent who murdered her has gone scot-free.

Just one day before the city-wide general strike, Vice President Vance came to Minneapolis, where he once again defended the murder of Renee Good and denounced opponents of ICEs violent rampage as far-left agitators. One can be certain that in private meetings Vance instructed ICE to continue its operations and assured its agents that they would be fully supported by the government.

The reign of terror by Trumps ICE stormtroopers must be stopped.

The Socialist Equality Party proposes the organization of a nationwide general strike with the following demands:

The removal of ICE agents from Minneapolis and all cities; the disbanding of the organization; and the criminal prosecution of its officials and all agents responsible for murder and other acts of violence.

The immediate end to the vicious persecution of immigrants living in the United States.

The immediate release from detention of all immigrants who have been swept up in the ICE dragnet.

The resignation and prosecution of all members of the Trump administration responsible for the violation of rights guaranteed by the US Constitution.

Call meetings in factories, workplaces, neighborhoods and schools to discuss these and other practical proposals for effective action. The organization of a general strike requires the initiative of the working class. The preparation of a powerful nationwide strike must not be left to union bureaucrats, let alone the Democratic Party. They will do nothing. What is necessary is the formation of rank-and-file committees in every factory, work location, and neighborhood. These committees, operating democratically, should elect worker-delegates who enjoy the confidence of their co-workers and neighbors to coordinate strike activity on a city, state and national basis.

What is unfolding in Minneapolis is part of a conspiracy to establish a military-police dictatorship throughout the country. The few dozen billionaire oligarchs and massive corporations that control the country cannot tolerate democracy.

This conspiracy must be stopped. Fascism will not be allowed to triumph in the United States.

In 1770 the massacre of five colonials in Boston by British troops set into motion the revolutionary movement that overthrew monarchical rule and established the United States in 1776.

Two-hundred-and-fifty years later, the Minneapolis massacres of 2026 must be answered with a movement in defense of democratic rights against the attempt to establish a dictatorship of the oligarchs.

Now is the time to mobilize the massive power of the working class.

Networking is going to be more important and not just thinking about yourself

Ive never been teargassed before, and our own state troopers did that, with their backs to the murderers

Family of Alex Pretti denounces Trumps murdering and cowardly ICE thugs

Alex Jeffrey Pretti, the victim of the Border Patrol murder in Minneapolis Saturday morning, was a 37-year-old intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, where he treated critically ill patients, many of them military veterans.

Alex F. Pretti

A statement from the Pretti family of Alex Pretti, obtained by CNN, said:

We are heartbroken but also very angry. Alex was a kindhearted soul who cared deeply for his family and friends and also the American veterans whom he cared for as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital. Alex wanted to make a difference in this world. Unfortunately he will not be with us to see his impact. I do not throw around the hero term lightly. However his last thought and act was to protect a woman. The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting. Alex is clearly not holding a gun when attacked by Trumps murdering and cowardly ICE thugs. He has his phone in his right hand and his empty left hand is raised above his head while trying to protect the woman ICE just pushed down all while being pepper sprayed. Please get the truth out about our son. He was a good man. Thank you

Michael Pretti, Alexs father, described his son to the Associated Press as someone who cared about people deeply and he was very upset with what was happening in Minneapolis and throughout the United States with ICE, as millions of other people are upset. He added that his son felt doing the protesting was a way to express that, you know, his care for others. He told the AP his son had participated in protests following the ICE murder of Renee Good earlier this month.

Pretti trained as a nurse at the University of Minnesota and held an active registered nursing license. Colleagues told the Guardian he was respected not only for his clinical competence, but for his calm demeanor and willingness to help coworkers under pressure.

He wanted to help people, said Dimitri Drekonja, chief of infectious diseases at the VA hospital and professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota, who worked with Pretti at the hospital and on a research project. He was a super nice, super helpful guylooked after his patients. Im just stunned.

Alex was a nurse I worked with at the VA in the ICU, a fellow worker tweeted. He bought me coffee when I had a really bad day as an intern and saved my mental health more than once while there for a month. Our VA ICU staff are still working today despite this and I BEG YOU TO DO SOMETHING.

Pretti was a member of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3669. With outrage rising among its members and other health care workers, AFGE officials issued a repugnant statement claiming the facts were unclear and citing the lying statement by the Department of Homeland Security that the victim was brandishing a weapon at officers.

Noting that the Customs and Border Protection agent who killed Pretti might have been a union member, the AFGE bureaucrats concluded: [W]e urge everyone to remain calm and encourage peace and restraint in all communications and actions.

These craven comments were roundly denounced, with one worker posting: His gun was in the hands of an ICE officer when he was executed. He was executed & yall are feckless cowards for not saying as such.

Footage confirms federal agents executed Minneapolis man after assaulting him and another ICE watch observer

Cell phone footage obtained by Drop Site News confirms the man murdered by federal agents in south Minneapolis on Saturday morning was on his hands and knees when he was shot multiple times by a federal agent.

Alex Pretti

The victim, identified by the Minnesota Star Tribune as Alex Jeffrey Pretti, 37, was assaulted, pepper sprayed and disarmed by agents before he was shot for trying to help a woman to her feet after she was violently shoved by a federal agent.

The footage completely contradicts a lying statement issued by the Department of Homeland Security after the killing, which claimed that Pretti violently resisted Border Patrol agents, forcing them to fire defensive shots. These lies were echoed by President Trump.

In the cell phone footage obtained by Drop Site News, Pretti is seen carrying a cell phone and recording agents as they conduct a kidnapping operation. Pretti is observed trying to direct traffic when a federal agent approaches another Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) observer and begins to assault her. The footage clearly shows a federal agent pushing and shoving the woman observer to the ground, even though she is across the street from the kidnapping operation and in no way hindering or impeding agents.

A federal agent violently shoves and ICE watch observer, Pretti is to the right of the agent. [Photo: Drop Site News]

After the agent violently shoved the woman onto the pavement and icy snow, Pretti is observed getting between the agent and the woman on the ground, trying to help the latter to her feet. The violent agent responded by deploying pepper spray directly into Prettis eyes. Pretti did not retaliate against the agent in any fashion; instead, he turned his back to the agent and continued to try and help the woman up.

A federal agent pepper sprays Pretti in the face after he attempts to help up someone up after they were shoved to the ground by a federal agent. [Photo: Drop Site News]

As Pretti was trying to assist the woman, he was surrounded by other federal agents who began to assault and beat him, forcing him onto the pavement. As Pretti was on his hands and knees, at least four federal agents are seen on top of him, or actively hitting him.

After what appears to be a pistol is removed from Prettis waist, a different agent is observed pulling out his pistol and taking a step forward toward Pretti.

The agent then began firing his weapon, appearing to shoot Pretti in the head. The same agent followed this up with multiple shots, striking him several times as he lay on the ground.

While Pretti is on his hands and knees the agent circled in red pulls out his pistol approaches Pretti and begins to shoot him repeatedly, January 24, 2026. [Photo: Drop Site News]

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian OHara confirmed Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a permit and a US citizen. The Star Tribune confirmed that Pretti was a graduate of the University of Minnesota and was issued a nursing license in 2021, which was still active through March 2026.

A co-worker of Prettis, Dr. Avalon Swenson, posted on Threads that Pretti was a nurse at the Veterans Affairs Administration in the intensive care unit. She wrote that Pretti made a point to teach medical residents without judgment, but with a smile on his face and a joke. Photos from today show him as he will rest in power: a healer, a defender, and a fierce protector of humanity.

The unidentified agent who killed Pretti was reported to be an eight-year veteran of Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Similar to the murder of Renee Nicole Good just over two weeks ago, federal agents are preventing state investigators from accessing the murder scene. In a post on social media, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension stated that after they received a request from the Minneapolis police to investigate the federal-agent involved shooting, their agents and crime scene personnel were blocked by Department of Homeland Security personnel at the scene.

The latest execution of a Minneapolis resident for the crime of filming kidnapping operations has provoked mass anger throughout the city. Despite tear gas and pepper balls, hundreds of people are currently protesting at the scene of the crime. Residents have reported that police elements have deployed a cell phone jammer to block local communications. A vigil is planned for later this evening.

Governor Tim Walz has confirmed he has activated the Minnesota National Guard. This is not to protect residents from the masked federal agents executing residents on the street, but to aid local police to suppress protests at the Whipple Federal Building, the base of DHS kidnapping operations in the region.

Immigrants demand freedom from Texas ICE detention center

Opposition to mass roundups and deportations is mounting across the US. On Saturday, a demonstration of detainees took place at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Dilley, Texas.

The fence outside the Dilley detention center in Texas, January 24, 2026.

Five-year-old Liam Ramos, who was detained earlier this week in Minneapolis by ICE, is currently being held there with his father, according to family attorneys.

Five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos being detained by ICE agents on Wednesday, January 21 [Photo: Columbia Heights Public Schools]

Information on the developments inside the center are extremely limited. Media is not allowed inside the detention facility, and attorneys are not allowed to bring phones or other devices inside when visiting clients.

Eric Lee, an immigration attorney, posted on his X that he was conducting a routine meeting with a client when he was abruptly ordered to leave the facility with no explanation by officials.

We were all asked to leave, theres a drone flying ahead, its an extremely bizarre situation. You can hear them shouting Let us out! Let us out! There appears to be hundreds of people through the crack that I can see.

Further video account of the demonstration shows ICE guards shouting at Lee not to film, even though he is outside of the jail. He reported that up to 80 percent of the detainees at the facility engaged in the protest action. The facility holds 1,200 detainees, a third of whom are children.

ICE thug murders another Minneapolis observer day after mass demonstration

Early Saturday morning in south Minneapolis, a man observing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) kidnapping operations was assaulted and then shot multiple times by an as-yet unidentified federal agent. The victim has been identified as 37-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a south Minneapolis resident, a US citizen, and licensed nurse.

Pretti was on the ground and being beaten by multiple agents, at least seven of whom are visible in the video, when one of the agents stood up and began firing his pistol.

Audio in the social media video released indicates that one or more agents fired over 10 shots. The shots were fired deliberately over a five-second period, with the intent to kill. Pretti was on the ground the entire time the shots were fired and posed no threat to the multiple federal agents.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian OHara confirmed that the Pretti died following the execution-style shooting.

Following the latest murder of a Minneapolis resident, just over two weeks after Renee Nicole Good was killed, a large crowd has gathered at the scene demanding the ICE thug be arrested and that all agents leave the city immediately.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, in league with Police Chief OHara, has deployed Minneapolis Police officers to the scene, while Governor Tim Walz has deployed state troopers and the National Guard.

Some residents have already begun blocking off the street with dumpsters and furniture. Police have responded with tear gas.

The shooting comes less than 24 hours after over 50,000 people, workers, residents and youth, swarmed downtown Minneapolis in a mass demonstration against the federal occupation.

At mass rally, Minnesota students and workers speak out against ICE occupation and in support of general strike

Reporters for the World Socialist Web Site spoke to many workers and students at the mass protest in Minneapolis, Minnesota on January 23. Below is a selection of some of the video interviews gathered.

This city has risen up and come together. I have never felt solidarity like this before.

What ICE is doing is beyond unconstitutional

The Democratic Party has almost become a joke at this point.

The best thing we can possibly do, a general strike

Minneapolis teacher: Educators are supporting the students using their voice but the unions are telling us not to strike

Minneapolis families protest federal occupation and immigration thugs in Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 23, 2026.

At the rally an elementary school teacher said, Working in schools, I have seen a lot of children who are afraid, frustrated and scared. They are protesting at recess times. They are making signs to take home from art class. They are asking me questions about why the government would be kidnapping and killing kids. These are students who are kindergarten through sixth grade. The older students are starting to do their own organizing and walkouts.

Educators support the students using their voices, but the unions are telling teachers not to strike. It is frustrating to see them say they support us and then when we do something and organize and try to organize a strike, they suddenly oppose us.

The system that we have is not working. We need to come together and make sure that we are supporting the working peoples voice and make a system that works. I work in the same district that I went to school in. It is like night and day, the difference between how it was back then and now. I never had to worry about somebody bringing a gun to school. You know, I never had to worry about whether my classmates would be kidnapped by the government. It is crazy to watch what these kids go through and still be able to persevere and come together and support each other. It should inspire us all.

Asked what she thought about the role the Democratic Party was playing, she said, You know, its been a lot of big talk but all bark, no bite. Mayor Frey said, Get the f**** out to ICE and then he turned around and said he wouldnt support abolishing it. I think the people who know him and have been around didnt expect any better from him. Its all words and no action.

Governor [Tim] Walz says hes going to call in the National Guard to support us, then the guard shows up and starts suppressing protesters. Frey says he is going to call the MPD [Minneapolis Police Department] when we all know where they stand. Trying to suggest that the systems that have been oppressing us are suddenly going to be on our side when we all know that they are not, and we are watching them do the opposite is a bunch of bull.

Asked what she thought about developing a network of rank-and-file committees in the neighborhoods, schools and other workplaces so workers could begin organizing themselves independently of the union apparatus and build the momentum for a real general strike, she said, I think we've got the guts to do it. We have been able to see over the past week that people are willing to stand with each other. We have to be willing to come in and do the hard work that has to go in behind the scenes to make the big things happen. So, I think that's what we need not just in Minneapolis. We have seen it all over. I have been reading things that people all over the world are sending. Just seeing people from New Zealand and across the earth knowing that what is happening here is wrong and that they are willing to stand up and say they support what we're doing here on the streets is giving us some of the strength we need to keep going.

Over 100 protest in Detroit against immigration police

A section of the protest in Detroit, Michigan, January 23, 2026.

Despite wind chills hitting -25 degrees, over 100 people, including youth, middle class people and workers, protested the Trump governments attack on immigrants in front of the Detroit Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) headquarters in solidarity with the call for a general strike in Minneapolis.

Socialist Equality Party members noted overwhelming support for a mass strike against the Trump government. The majority of attendees took copies of the SEP statement, For a general strike against ICE violence and Trumps dictatorship! Many people came to the rally with homemade signs, including ICE: Incompetent, Cowardly, Evil, ICE out of Minneapolis, Cruelty + Chaos of ICE, Save Due Process, Dont Forget Her with several photos of Renee Nicole Good, and Fight Ignorance, Not Immigrants.

Anti-ICE protest in Detroit, Michigan, January 23, 2026.

There were contingents of teachers and nurses. One teacher explained that her mother emigrated from China and is now undocumented. She asked rhetorically, Am I undocumented too? A Wayne State University professor said the event was important because of its stance in defense of democratic rights.

The mood was very defiant. There was a lot of anger about the failure of the Democratic Party to mount any real opposition to Trump. When SEP members raised the need for workers to break with the Democrats, they found enormous support among both students and workers. Overall there was a strong sense that these demonstrations were just the beginning.

Protesters gather in downtown Minneapolis

A section of the protest against ICE in Minneapolis, January 23, 2026

Despite frigid temperatures, tens of thousands are participating in a day of mass protest across Minneapolis against the federal immigration crackdown and occupation of the city by ICE and other paramilitary agencies. Braving sub-zero wind chills, workers, students and immigrant families marched, rallied, and walked out of schools and workplaces in what organizers called a Day of Truth and Freedom. Hundreds of small businesses across the Twin Cities closed their doors.

Demonstrators gathered at The Commons near US Bank Stadium and marched through downtown to the Target Center, where an indoor rally is being held. Chants of Abolish ICE and Justice for Renee Good echoed through the streets, referring to the 37-year-old woman who was killed by ICE agents earlier this month. Participants carried homemade signs and banners calling for the end of the occupation.

Clergy members were arrested during protests at the airport. Demonstrators also rallied at the Whipple Federal Building, where police issued multiple dispersal orders under the pretext that ice chunks had been thrown at vehicles.

Fridays actions come amid escalating acts of repression and provocations by the Trump administration, including Vice President JD Vances inflammatory visit Thursday and reports that ICE agents have been authorized to break into homes without judicial warrants.

In one particularly outrageous case this week, ICE agents chased and arrested a child in the snow, who was shouting Im legal! Im legal! as they tackled and handcuffed him. A leaked DHS memo confirms that the agency is asserting sweeping, unconstitutional powers in open defiance of the Fourth Amendment.

University of Minnesota students back day of action

Reporters from the World Socialist Web Site spoke to students at the University of Minnesota about the day of action on Friday, January 23, against the occupation of Minneapolis by ICE agents.

Somalis are being used as scapegoats America belongs to everyone

A Somali student explained how her community was being targeted and expressed support for a fight to defend the democratic rights of immigrant and native-born residents alike.

ICE should get out of Minnesota because they're creating fear. What they're doing is not for safety. Somalis are being used as scapegoats. The government has stolen more tax dollars than Somalis ever did. Somalis are taxpayers. They work and contribute to this country, and theyre also citizens of the United States. Attacking a whole community is dehumanization.

Bringing in soldiers with guns to deal with civilians is not how America should be. Right now, America is not America. Trump and the government are trying to hide what they are doing by making American citizens go against each other. In 2025, Americans were opposing how billions in tax dollars were going to Israel. They are focusing on Somalis to shift the problem.

She continued, Somalis were brought here by the United States. They were migrants who fled war and instability. In the 1990s, when the war happened, America was involved there. So when you destroy people and their houses, and then bring them to your country, you should be respectful. You shouldnt be telling them to get out.

Were just Americans like others who came to this country, Mexicans, Asians. America doesnt belong to one specific color, race, or people. It belongs to everyone. Somalis are part of the working class, and they are not different from anyone else. We work, pay taxes, and do everything that any American citizen does.

She concluded with a somber warning, If today it is Somalis who are being picked out and you are silent or agree with Trump, then tomorrow it's going to be you next. Last year, you never heard about Somalis, and no one would have expected they would be picked out. You can be next. So stand up for whats right and dont fear anyone. Because if we are afraid, nothing can change. But if we come together, united, we can deal with so much more.

I work in emergency medicine, and people who have interactions with ICE are beaten, bruised, and have broken bones

WSWS reporters also spoke with a student who works as an Emergency Medical Technician. Speaking about the ICE occupation, she said, Its ridiculous and completely unnecessary, violent, and harmful to people who rightfully live here. I am completely against it.

Asked what she thought about Vice President JD Vance coming to Minneapolis, she said, What does he have to say about people dying and getting injured? I haven't heard a single thing about that, but he will come in and praise the people who are doing it. Its completely against what America stands for. I just dont like that at all.

I work in emergency medicine, and I see people after they have interactions with ICE. They are beaten, bruised, and have broken bones. Sometimes the ICE officers demand to come with us to the hospital, and they take them right after they get fixed.

They are just terrorizing the American people. They say immigrants will bring domestic terrorism, but you guys are the domestic terrorists.

Referring to ICE agents demanding information about the immigration status of patients, she said, In most of the hospitals I have seen, the staff, the nurses, and the doctors dont stand for that and will not give information. They are respecting patient privacy. I love to hear my coworkers tell me about the interactions they have with ICE agents, where they tell them what theyre doing is despicable and horrible. But they dont care.

Asked what she thought of the Democrats enabling Trumps attacks, she said, I voted for Democrats in every election. And just to see them completely go against what I stand for is frustrating, disappointing, and annoying. Its embarrassing to even call myself a Democrat. Its almost just like the Republican Party at this point.

Commenting on the strike of 15,000 nurses in New York City, she said, I love to see them fighting the horrible treatment theyre getting, underpaid, overworked, and understaffed. Its ridiculous, and now they are not even getting health care. They are the ones providing health care to American citizens, and they are not even getting it in return. Thats ridiculous.

Im glad they are striking and standing up for themselves. Its getting frustrating for them and other health care workers who are getting mistreated. You hear of these non-profit hospitals, and they are for profits. It doesnt matter if they call themselves not-for-profit. They only care about patient satisfaction when it benefits them. It has nothing to do with actual patient care.

Asked what she thought of developing a genuine movement of the working class beyond January 23, including a general strike, she said, I would completely support that. Thats what is really going to hit the government. They dont care about people. They care about money. What's really going to impact them is making them realize we won't stand for this. We dont want ICE here. We dont want you taking our immigrant neighbors or random people.

For a general strike against ICE violence and Trumps dictatorship!

The following statement will be distributed at demonstrations and protests organized in Minneapolis and other cities throughout the US on January 23, 2026.

Today, workers and young people are taking to the streets in Minneapolis and across the US to protest the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) occupation of Minneapolis, the murder of Renee Nicole Good, and the Trump administrations escalating assault on democratic rights.

Postal workers and community members march in opposition to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 18, 2026.

There is a powerful and growing sentiment for mass action, expressed in calls for a general strike to demand an end to police violence, repression and attacks on both immigrants and citizens. Todays protests are an important step forward, but January 23 cannot be seen as an endpoint. Rather, they must become the launching point for a nationwide counter-offensive by the working class against the conspiracy for dictatorship.

It is necessary to ask and to answer the question: What next?

The response of the Trump administration to opposition is escalation and provocation. The White House is threatening to invoke the Insurrection Act, effectively placing Minneapolis under martial law. Active-duty Army soldiers from Fort Bragg and the 11th Airborne Division in Alaska have been placed on alert for possible deployment to Minnesota.

Vice President JD Vance traveled to Minneapolis on the eve of todays demonstrations to deliver a show of force alongside ICE agents, hailing their work and defending the murder of Good. Vance said he wanted to end the chaos in the city and called upon local Democrats to deploy police forces to suppress popular opposition, which he blamed on left-wing agitators.

On Wednesday night, Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino led federal forces in a violent crackdown against protesters, deploying tear gas and making arrests outside a Minneapolis convenience store after a worker refused to serve them. Earlier in the day, ICE agents detained a five-year old child, Liam Ramos, who was used as bait to lure out family members. He and his father are now in an ICE prison in Texas.

Every fundamental democratic right is under assault. A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) memo leaked this week authorized ICE agents to break into homes without judicial warrants, effectively obliterating the Fourth Amendment and its protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.

To develop a counter-offensive, certain fundamental facts must be recognized. First, what is happening in Minneapolis is the spearhead of a broader conspiracy to establish a militarypresidential dictatorship in the United States, developed systematically since Trumps return to power a year ago.

Trump blurted this out at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week, declaring it is sometimes good to have a dictator. The democratic rights guaranteed in the Constitution and Bill of Rights are being obliterated, and the measures now being used against immigrants and protesters will be directed against all opposition, particularly in the working class.

Read the rest of the statement here.

In Minneapolis press conference, JD Vance defends ICE killers, calls on Democrats, local police to suppress popular opposition

On Thursday, Vice President JD Vance visited Minneapolis, Minnesota to defend immigration police and blamed far-left agitators for causing chaos in the city. Vance said he came to the city in part to study the weird reaction of residents to masked, unaccountable federal goons assaulting, shooting, and killing people.

JD Vance defends immigration police in Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 22, 2026.

Vances provocative visit comes one day before tens of thousands of Minnesota workers and residents are set to hold a mass protest against the ongoing federal occupation of the state and the refusal of the Trump administration to prosecute Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent Jonathan Ross for the murder of Renee Nicole Good.

In the 30-minute press conference, Vance, standing in front of ICE vehicles and flanked by immigration Gestapo, praised federal agents, saying they are doing a fantastic job in spite of far-left agitators, who he claimed were causing chaos by defending their neighbors, friends and family members from being abducted and sent to for-profit concentration camps.

Vance defended the killing of Good, falsely claiming she rammed Ross with her car, and said that he did not want to pre-judge an investigation, which he claimed was ongoing, or let Ross be subjected to a kangeroo court. Video evidence, seen by the vast majority of the country, flatly contradicts Vances lying statement.

Underscoring that Ross was in no danger when he murdered Good, on Thursday, the law firm Romanucci & Blandin, which is representing Goods family, released an independent autopsy confirming Ross shot her three times: once in the left forearm, once in her right breast, and the final fatal gunshot through the right side of her head at the temple. The bullet exited the left side of her head.

Obviously, if Ross had been rammed by Good, he would not have been able to fire three separate gunshots into her body and calmly walk away from the scene without suffering any injuries.

After shooting Good three times, neither Ross nor any other immigration thug provided any medical care to the dying mother and also prevented local residents and healthcare workers from providing assistance. More than six minutes after Good was shot, firefighters reached her and discovered she still had a thready and irregular pulse.

The same vice president who slandered Good as a domestic terrorist and a deranged leftist some 24 hours after she was murdered by Ross just over two weeks ago, called on local Democratic politicians to help him lower the temperature.

Local officials, Vance said, have influence over the people and should tell them to cooperate with the immigration police. In order to lower the temperature, Vance called on Democrats to order local police to round up protesters and residents who object to the ongoing occupation.

In order to further facilitate illegal kidnappings and abductions, Vance called for local politicians to provide the various police agencies within the Department of Homeland Security with state records.

What we would like to do is talk to local officials and say, You know what, according to the Medicaid rolls, where was the last address this person was domiciled? Or according to a SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) application, a food stamp application, maybe that can give us insight as to where that person is today, he said.

Minnesota healthcare workers, many of whom will be participating in the January 23 demonstration, have reported to the WSWS that ICE agents are operating inside hospitals. One emergency medical technician said that after healthcare workers stabilize residents and immigrants who have been assaulted by ICE, they are quickly kidnapped.

In a brief question-and-answer session held after Vances remarks, the vice president defended DHS agents using administrative warrants to break into peoples private residences, a clear violation of the Fourth Amendment, which protects residents from illegal searches and seizures without a judicial warrant. In another lie, Vance said, Nobody is talking about doing immigration enforcement without a warrant.

Following the press conference, the media presented Vances comments as an acknowledgment that immigration police had made mistakes. Nothing could be further from the truth. Vance defended the killing of Good and promised that kidnapping operations would continue.

Vances comments underscore that the only social force that can defend democratic rights is the working class, organized independently of both capitalist parties and the system they defend.

Federal agents use 5-year-old child as bait to seize family members in Minneapolis suburb

Five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos being detained by ICE agents on Wednesday, January 21 [Photo: Columbia Heights Public Schools]

Federal immigration agents in a Minneapolis suburb seized a 5-year-old child, Liam Conejo Ramos, on Wednesday, in an operation local school officials say deliberately used the child as bait to facilitate the arrest of his family members.

Liams father, Conejo Arias, was grabbed by ICE officers in the driveway of his home after returning from picking up his son from preschool. After his detention, another adult who lives in the home and was outside at the time of the arrest, begged the agents to leave the child in their care, according to school officials. ICE agents refused and instead instructed the 5-year-old to knock on the door of his home to determine whether anyone else was inside.

The child was essentially used as bait, Columbia Heights Public Schools Superintendent Zena Stenvik said at a press conference Wednesday. Why detain a 5-year-old? You cannot tell me that this child is going to be classified as a violent criminal, Stenvik added.

Approximately 20 minutes later, Liams middle-school-aged brother returned home to find that his younger brother and father had been taken away. Both were transported out of state and are now being held in San Antonio in the custody of the Department of Homeland Security, according to family representatives.

Their attorney, Marc Prokosch, said the family has an active asylum case and has complied with all immigration requirements. I want to point out that they have done every single thing the right way and that they were supposed to in every step of their immigration process, Prokosch said, adding that the father, an immigrant from Ecuador, does not have a criminal record. Liams detention may be legal under current immigration law, Prokosch said, but legal doesnt mean its moral.

Prokosch said he is exploring whether to file a habeas corpus petition in Texas challenging the childs detention, while also examining the familys broader immigration case. A GoFundMe campaign titled Help Bring 5-year-old Liam Home has already raised over $156,000 in less than 24 hours.

The appeal notes that for over 24 hours, Liams mother had no idea where her son and husband wereshe only learned of their whereabouts when the father was finally able to call from Texas.

During his provocative visit to Minneapolis Thursday, Vice President JD Vance defended the actions of the agents, claiming they were protecting the child after his father fled. Are they supposed to let a five-year-old child freeze to death? Vance said. If the argument is that you cant arrest people who have violated the law because they have children then every single parent is going to be completely given immunity from ever being the subject of law enforcement.

On the same day as Liams seizure, Stenvik said a 17-year-old high school student was taken by armed and masked agents while on the way to school, without a parent present. Two weeks earlier, a 10-year-old girl was taken by ICE agents on her way to elementary school and remains in a Texas detention center with her mother. Last week, another 17-year-old student was detained with her mother at their apartment.

District leaders also confirmed that an ICE vehicle drove onto Columbia Heights High School property Tuesday and approached a loading dock before administrators instructed the agent to leave.

Columbia Heights is a diverse north metro suburban district, where more than 50 percent of students identify as Hispanic or Latino. Across the Twin Cities, school districts have reported sharp attendance declines as families keep children home amid heightened fear of immigration enforcement near schools and bus stops. Columbia Heights officials said that on one day, nearly one-third of students were absent.

The sense of safety in our community and around our schools is shaken, Stenvik said. The onslaught of ICE activity in our community is inducing trauma and is taking a toll on our children, our families, our staff, and our community members.

Vance visit comes days after Governor Walzs appeal to Trump to help restore calm and order

US Vice President JD Vances visit to Minneapolis Thursday followed a public invitation two days earlier by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for President Trump to visit the city. I invite you to join me, and others in our community to help restore calm and order and reaffirm that true public safety comes from shared purpose, trust and respect, Walz wrote in a statement posted on X.

Walz made his appeal after weeks of sustained protests and neighborhood confrontations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the murder of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent. Workers, students and young people have repeatedly taken to the streets to oppose raids that have generated widespread fear in immigrant and working class communities. On Friday, January 23, thousands are expected to take part in a citywide day of action to demand the removal of ICE and the prosecution of Goods murderers.

Walz changed his tone from his previous criticism of the surge of 2,000 agents, which he described as a war thats being waged against Minnesota. Far from calling for mass resistance to oppose the attack on democratic rights, Walz has urged residents to rely on the courts and elections. Walz has also urged Trump to turn down the temperature after the president threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to crush opposition.

The governors invitation was issued one day after Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison were served grand jury subpoenas as part of a Justice Department investigation into false allegations that Democratic officials have conspired to hinder ICE operations in Minnesota. In fact, local police have protected ICE agents and suppressed protests.

In his remarks in Minneapolis, Vance declared he had come to turn down the temperature and end the chaos. Vance said Trump did not see the need to invoke the Insurrection Act right now, but urged Democratic officials to deploy state and local law enforcement to suppress anti-ICE protests, which he characterized as being led by left-wing agitators.

While there are tactical differences between the two corporate-controlled parties over rhetoric and presentation, both agree on the necessity of state repression to confront the mass opposition that has erupted in Minneapolis. This only underscores the need for the growing movement by workers and youth to be politically independent of the Democratic Party and the trade union apparatus, which is aligned with it.

UPS workers back Minneapolis general strike, oppose Teamsters sabotage of walkout against ICE

UPS workers in Minneapolis expressed support for a city-wide general strike on Friday, January 23, to force the withdrawal of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) paramilitary forces from the city and secure the prosecution of those responsible for the killing of Minneapolis resident Renee Nicole Good.

Workers spoke to WSWS reporters at the UPS distribution/sorting facility in Minneapolis Wednesday afternoon amid escalating opposition to the Trump administrations militarized occupation of the city. Federal immigration agents, backed by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) tactical units, have already arrested more than 3,000 residents in sweeping operations that have targeted entire neighborhoods, workplaces and schools. The repression has provoked weeks of protests, high school walkouts and community demonstrations across Minnesota.

In response, a coalition of unions and community organizations called for a city-wide day of action on Friday, urging residents to participate in no work, no school, no shopping. Workers interpreted the call as a general strike to use the power of the working class to shut down economic activity and oppose state repression.

However, the trade union apparatus has moved swiftly to suppress any independent action by workers. Teamsters Local 638, which has over 5,000 members in Minnesota and North Dakota, circulated a letter warning members that participation in a work stoppage would violate their labor agreements with the corporate bosses. The collective bargaining agreement that applies to you includes a no-strike provision, so you are not legally permitted to strike, the statement declared.

UPS workers spoke with WSWS reporters, sharply criticizing both the federal crackdown and the efforts by union officials to block collective action.

We are not doing anything on Friday. Its a general strike, one worker said. No work, no school, no shopping. If we can shut the economy down, thats the goal. No ICE. Get out. Thats the only thing thatll do it. Workers got to take the power. Its ours to take.

The union official I spoke to said they cant support it because its a work stoppage, so it doesnt sound like Teamsters are backing us up, he said.

Read the rest of the article here.
The International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) has called for an independent investigation, led by rank-and-file workers, into the recent deaths of US Postal Service workers Nick Acker, 36, in the Detroit area and Russell Scruggs, Jr., 44, near Atlanta. We urge postal workers to come forward with information about safety conditions at their facilities by filling out the form at the end of this article. All submissions will be kept anonymous.

Christopher Montano, a 46-year-old letter carrier, collapsed and died on December 15 in the parking lot of the US Post Office Carrier Annex near Lake Forest, Illinois of a reported cardiac arrest.

A 10-year veteran of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), Montano was finishing his shift around 9 p.m. when he collapsed. News reports indicate a co-worker saw him in distress and called 911. Paramedics arrived and made lifesaving efforts, but pronounced him dead at the scene.

Christopher Montano

The Lake County Coroners Office preliminary autopsy results indicated his death appeared to be natural and likely related to a cardiac condition, noting Montano had a significant cardiac history.

Montano is survived by his partner of 25 years, Isabel Rodriguez, his four children, his mother, sister and extended family members. Described by loved ones as a dedicated family man, a jokester, and a kind-hearted person, Montano was also a committed union steward with the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), who would take extra time to listen to and advise his fellow colleagues through different situations, even when it took away from his own free time, according to a notice posted by the family.

In a perfunctory statement to local media, a USPS spokesperson said, We are saddened to learn of the death of one of our own employees and coworkers, offering thoughts and deepest sympathies to his family and friends.

With the support of both big-business parties, the USPS has been transformed into a profit-driven entity at the direct expense of its workforce. For more than a decade, postal workers have faced relentless speedup, mandatory overtime, short-staffing, the elimination of breaks, and a punitive monitoring regime.



Letter carriers routinely work 10-12 hour days, six and often seven days a week, in all weather extremes, under constant pressure to complete ever-expanding routes. The stress is compounded by the threat of discipline for any delay. Sustained intense conditions are known contributors to cardiovascular crisis, especially for workers with pre-existing conditions.

43-year-old Russell Scruggs died in Palmetto, Georgia after a cardiac event inside a USPS facility where there was no defibrillator or medical personnel on hand. Earlier in the day, Russell felt unwell and requested to be sent home. According to a coworker, We know Russell asked a supervisor two times to go home and was told no. He didnt feel good. He was going back and forth getting water and others in his department said he was denied his request to leave early.

Its a standard practice for these supervisors: if youre sick and ask to go home, theyll say you cant, because they need you to keep things functioning. Were supposed to be allowed to leave with a 3971 form but they tell MHAs [mail handler assistants] and non-career employees that if you leave, you could get fired. They threaten you with that.

In 2024 another Chicago-area USPS worker in his 40s, Keywan Glenn, collapsed and died under remarkably similar circumstances. No public statement was made by USPS. Glenn was a warehouse worker who had gone in despite not feeling well that day, under ongoing pressure from a supervisor to avoid any absenteeism, as reported to the WSWS by his family.

Just one week before Scruggs death, USPS maintenance mechanic Nick Acker, 36, was killed at the Detroit Network Distribution Center in Allen Park, Michigan. His body was found stuck in a mail sorting machine, where authorities estimated he had been dead for many hours before being discovered.

Rank and file postal workers speak out against intolerable conditions

On December 3, 2025, the Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee issued a statement calling on all postal workers to come forward with information on the deaths of Russell Scruggs Jr., Nick Acker, and any other deaths and unsafe working conditions.



The committee explained that its independent inquiry will collect testimonies, inspect machine lockout/tagout records, document the bypassing of safety features, obtain grievance histories and witness statements, and preserve photographic and video evidence.

Since the investigation launched, USPS workers are exposing the extremely dangerous conditions that prevail in the facilities. One worker reports she suffered very serious health problems while working during a construction project at her facility. After falling into a coma due to breathing particulate pollution, she was later denied workers compensation. Management ignored her physicians work restrictions and then fired her.

The Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee stated, Workers in postal facilities across the country report speedup, lack of safety procedures, inadequate staffing and pressure from management to keep machines running instead of properly shutting down for repairs. Postal carriers are facing job cuts and wage cuts, along with a draconian monitoring regime.

Management, OSHA and the union bureaucracy have repeatedly failed to protect us. Company-run investigations and advance notice of inspectors allow management to temporarily clean up plants before visits. Union officials are complicit or passive, leaving grievances unresolved and safety failures unchecked.

Independent initiative by the rank and file is critical. Fill out the form below to get in touch with the committee. We will protect your identity.
On January 15, the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and Microsoft announced a new framework agreement on the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) in workplaces across the country.

Joseph Mitchell, Acting Secretary of the ACTU, and Steven Miller, Area Vice President, Microsoft Australia & New Zealand, sign the Framework Agreement [Photo: Microsoft]

The ACTU claimed the agreement sets a new benchmark for workers rights in the tech sector. In reality, it is a thoroughly procorporate arrangement designed to legitimise the widespread replacement of jobs with AI, and a pledge from Australias top union bureaucrats to suppress workers opposition to the rollout.

The ACTU and the bureaucracy are completely committed to the logic of the capitalist system, under which every advance in technology and productivity is used to slash pay and conditions. It is intensely hostile to any struggle against the profit system, the only means by which the potential of technological advances, such as AI, can be used to benefit workers, not the corporations.

The ACTU-Microsoft deal has been hailed by the Labor government, business groups and the corporate media as a model for how unions and major corporations can jointly impose a massive expansion of AI throughout industry.

It builds on a separate Memorandum of Understanding already signed between Microsoft and three ACTU affiliatesthe Australian Services Union, the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association and Professionals Australia. The earlier document enshrined the rights of these unions to cover Microsoft workers, thereby installing them as the official overseers of the AI transition.

The framework agreement is explicitly not legally binding and imposes no limits on the companys capacity to eliminate jobs.

Instead, it outlines three core objectives:

Information Sharing, under which Microsoft will run training sessions for union leaders and staff through the ACTU institute. In other words, the bureaucracy will be schooled by corporate experts in how to sell the AI transition to workers as inevitable and even beneficial, and in how to divert anger over job losses and intensification of labour into illusions in upskilling and lifelong learning.

Worker Voice in Technology Development, a euphemism for consultation processes, carefully stage-managed by the union bureaucracy and management, aimed at giving sweeping restructuring measures a false imprimatur of worker approval and involvement. Under the pretext of incorporating worker perspectives into the design, development and deployment of AI systems, workers will be dragooned into architecting the destruction of their own jobs or those of their colleagues.

Moreover, such mechanisms do not alter the basic fact that the underlying strategic decisionswhere and when AI systems will be deployed, what roles will be automated, and which sites will be downsized or closedremain entirely in the hands of Microsofts executives and shareholders.

Collaboration on Public Policy and Skills, a commitment from the ACTU to join Microsoft in lobbying to ensure that any regulation on the use of AI in the workplace is compatible with corporate profit demands. The framework is proudly linked to the Labor governments union-backed National AI Plan, announced last month, which rejects legal constraints on AI deployment in favour of voluntary principles drafted in close collaboration with industry.

The ACTU is promoting its accord with Microsoft amid a global wave of AIlinked restructuring, in which the company itself is playing a leading role. Last year, the company slashed more than 15,000 jobs worldwide in multiple rounds, under the vague pretexts of efficiency, business priorities and workers alleged poor performance. While Microsoft did not openly admit that these cuts were related to the expansion of AI, industry analysts generally take it as a given. The company invested some $80 billion in AI in 202425 and its executives were already bragging last year that almost one-third of software coding at the firm was done by AI.

Demonstrating the companys attitude, an executive from its games division posted on X after one round of cuts, Ive been experimenting with ways to use LLM AI tools (like ChatGPT or Copilot) to help reduce the emotional and cognitive load that comes with job loss, suggesting that sacked workers could simply seek solace from the same technology that replaced them.

Last years global cuts at Microsoft followed its elimination of 10,000 jobs in 2023 and an estimated 4,500 in 2024.

All of this has taken place since Microsoft in mid-2022 brokered a historic neutrality agreement with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and established labor principles for collaboration with unions more broadly. This was expanded and formalised with the December 2023 announcement that Microsoft had formed a new AI alliance with the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO).

In other words, the US deals that were the direct precursors to the ACTU agreement have provided the mechanism through which Microsoft has slashed almost 30,000 jobs in three years.

This should be a stark warning to all Australian workers, not just those employed by Microsoft or in the technology sector, of the carnage to be imposed across broad sections of the working class through the joint action of the unions, big business and government.

Federal Labor MP Andrew Charlton praised the Microsoft-ACTU agreement as a positive step entirely in line with the National AI Plan, which called for a consultative approach to AI adoption in the workplace and vowed to bring together government, unions and business.

A mere two weeks after the National AI Plan was announced, complete with promises to protect workplace rights and enable workers talents, not replace them, Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced that the government would slash $6.8 billion over four years from the budget by gutting the public service, specifically vowing to unlock the full potential of AI in public service delivery.

To date, Australian corporations have proceeded somewhat cautiously, invoking various pretexts to explain the culling of jobs while trying to downplay the relevance of their growing investment in and implementation of AI.

Most notoriously, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, which in July was the first employer in the country to openly announce the replacement of workers with AI, was forced to retract the announcement the following month, facing a public backlash and a hearing in the Fair Work Commission.

With the National AI Plan and the ACTU-Microsoft agreement, Labor and the union apparatus are sending a clear signal to big business that such caution is no longer required. The union bureaucracy will work closely with corporations to impose their AI plans and Labor governments will ensure the absence of any regulatory hurdles.

While the technology is new, the role of the union apparatus and Labor is not. Their commitment to the pro-business AI transition today is rooted in the ACTU-Labor Accords of the 1980s and 1990s, through which the always nationalist and pro-capitalist program of the unions was taken to its logical conclusion. These increasingly corporatist entities were charged with enforcing sweeping cuts to jobs, wages and conditions, under the guise of making Australian capitalism internationally competitive.

Serving as an industrial police force, the unions have over the past four decades presided over the destruction of vast swathes of jobs and even entire industries, suppressing workers opposition through the same empty promises as are contained in the new AI agreement: consultation, retraining, upskilling and redeployment. The reality for workers has been the gutting of whole towns and suburbs through long-term unemployment and a massive downturn in wages.

To defend jobs, wages and conditions, workers at Microsoft, in the tech sector more broadly and across all industries must draw the necessary conclusions. The struggle against AIdriven restructuring cannot be entrusted to organisations that function as partners of management and the government. It requires the formation of rankandfile committees, democratically controlled by workers themselves, independent of the unions and the Labor Party.

Such bodies would begin from the opposite standpoint to that of the ACTUMicrosoft pact. The introduction of new technologies, including AI, must be based on the needs of workers and society as a whole, not what delivers the greatest profits for shareholders.

The issue confronting workers in the AI transition is not the technology itself, but who owns and controls it. AI could be used to eliminate onerous tasks and shorten the work week without any reduction in outputand therefore paygiving workers more time for family, recreation and cultural activity. But in the hands of the ruling class, AI, as has been the case with every technological breakthrough for over a century, will be used to intensify the exploitation of workers and increase profits.

This poses the need for a political fight against capitalism, under which the progressive content of every technological advance is subordinated to the interests of the financial and corporate elite. The alternative is a socialist program: the expropriation of the tech giants, banks and major corporations, their transformation into publicly owned utilities under democratic workers control, and the reorganisation of economic life on the basis of human need.

While the ruling class is using the development of AI to intensify the assault on workers rights and conditions, they cannot eliminate the fundamentally progressive potential of the technology itself. The working class must make use of this scientific advance to take forward the fight to end capitalism. To arm workers for this struggle, the International Committee of the Fourth International has developed Socialism AI, a chatbot that provides workers with access to a vast trove of Marxist theory, history and strategy to help build the revolutionary socialist movement that is required to defend jobs, wages and conditions through the abolition of the capitalist system.
The World Socialist Web Site (WSWS) will host an online meeting in support of the 15,000 striking New York nurses at 3:00 p.m. EST on Sunday, January 25. Click here to register for the meeting.

The strike by 15,000 New York City nurses entered a critical stage Thursday as bargaining resumed between the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) and management at the citys three major hospital systems: Montefiore, Mount Sinai and New York-Presbyterian.

Talks are resuming under mediation. Nurses have been on strike since January 12, maintaining daily picket lines outside hospital facilities across the city.

As negotiations restart, nurses report that hospital management has engaged in retaliatory actions against striking workers, including the unlawful withholding of pay and disciplinary measures aimed at intimidating nurses and forcing an end to the walkout.

At Mount Sinai, several labor and delivery nurses were terminated via voicemail on the eve of the strike. The terminations followed earlier disciplinary actions taken against outspoken nurse leaders in the weeks leading up to the walkout, including three nurses who were disciplined for speaking to the press after an active shooter event. NYSNA has filed unfair labor practice charges in response, citing retaliation for union activity.

As management escalates pressure, a new section of healthcare workers has announced plans to join nurses on the picket line. Physicians affiliated with the Committee of Interns and Residents-SEIU (CIR-SEIU) said off-duty doctors will take part in picket actions beginning Monday evening at Montefiores Henry and Lucy Moses campus.

Only off-duty physicians will participate, however. CIR-SEIU said the so-called picket parties will begin at 6:00 p.m. Monday if the strike continues. Pickets normally end at 7:00 p.m.

The trade union apparatus in New York has worked to systematically isolate the strike. The NYNSA sought to prevent a strike altogether and then reached last-minute deals with 11 out of 15 hospitals.

Democratic Party officials have also appeared on the picket lines in recent days, with the aim of bringing the strike to a conclusion.

This is the significance of the intervention of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who called for a swift conclusion earlier this week. While mouthing words of support for nurses, Mamdani is closely allied with New York Governor Kathy Hochul, whose administration intervened in the dispute by authorizing hospitals to bring in out-of-state nurses to replace strikers.

Voices from the picket line

Nurses speaking from picket lines across New York City described unsafe staffing levels and the broader political crisis.

A pediatric nurse said they had no health insurance, that means no pharmaceuticals. ... I am going without healthcare. My husband needs healthcare. I am trying to get healthcare elsewhere. She said that nurses are not receiving strike pay and are resorting to GoFundMe to raise money.

We shouldnt have to do this. There are a lot of things we shouldnt have to do. We should have to be fighting ICE. She added, We are in a very very bad place. We have to do what we can do to have equality in our country.

She denounced Governor Hochul for giving the elite hospitals ... a whole bunch of money to fund their scabs. CEOs are getting millions, and the state is paying for scabs.

The pay for the CEOs is astronomical. They make in a week what the nurses make in a year. She also spoke about the disastrous state of staffing, nothing that she had to leave a department because it was so understaffed.

We have to get a cost of living. We are in New York City. ... If they want quality nurses, they have to be able to afford the cost of living in the area.

When asked about the broader political situation workers are confronting, especially in Minneapolis, another nurse told the WSWS, I just feel generally theres just an assault on our constitutional rights. What happened in Minnesota is just one component of that. There are a lot of things [happening] where there just are no precedents at this point.

Another nurse said, I think the struggle should be nationwide, like with California nurses who are going out. Were striking here, but were taking a risk if we cant get benefits from it. I mean, thats all over the place. Its not just in healthcare, but in any other [industry].

In general, nurses emphasized that the strike is driven by longstanding safety concerns that remain unresolved as negotiations resume.

Support for the strike has also come from workers inside and outside the healthcare industry. In Minneapolis, the WSWS spoke with UPS workers who spoke in support of the striking NYSNA nurses and voiced support for a broader general strike, linking the nurses struggle to wider opposition among workers to attacks on democratic rights, unsafe work conditions and concessions demanded by management.

A Minnesota EMT worker said about the NYSNA strike, I love to see nurses fighting this horrible treatment theyre gettingunderpaid, overworked, understaffed.

Nurses at Genesys hospitals in Michigan have also expressed solidarity with the striking New York nurses, pointing to growing national attention on contract battles across the healthcare system.

The WSWS urges nurses to form rank-and-file strike committees to assert control over the strike, including by establishing a list of non-negotiable demands before any return to work. They should also oppose any end to the strike before an agreement is voted on. The NYNSA indicated in a statement this week that it could conclude a strike based only on a tentative agreement.

The real allies of nurses are the millions of workers who are also facing the consequences of a system that subordinates healthcare and other basic rights to private profit.

A strategy to win the strike requires the rank and file organizing independently to link up with and advance the developing strike movement, including the broad mobilization in Minneapolis, among nurses in California, and across the many sections of workers in New York City who are preparing for contract struggles.
On January 20, 2026, Democratic U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff carried out a carefully choreographed congressional oversight visit to the California City Detention Facility, the newest and largest immigration detention center in California.

Located in the Mojave Desert in Kern County, roughly 100 miles north of Los Angeles, the facility is operated by the private prison contractor CoreCivic under contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Reactivated in 2025, it has a capacity of 2,560 beds and was holding more than 1,400 detainees at the time of the visit.

The senators toured the cellblock-style housing units for several hours and spoke with detainees and staff. In public statements afterward, Padilla and Schiff gave disturbing accounts of conditions inside the facility. Schiff claimed he spoke with a detainee with diabetes who said he had not received medical treatment for nearly two months. Detainees also described foul-smelling water and food that appeared spoiled or moldy.

Trousdale Turner Correctional Center operated by CoreCivic is seen Thursday, August 29th, 2024, in Hartsville, Tennessee. [AP Photo/George Walker IV]

Several detainees told the senators they were taken into custody during routine immigration check-ins rather than criminal arrests, contradicting claims that ICE targets only dangerous criminals. Others spoke of separation from family members. One detainee, an Afghan national who said he assisted US forces, told the senators he feared violence or death if deported and had been warned he could be sent to other countries where he has no ties.

These revelations were presented as evidence of Democratic concern for humane treatment. In reality, the visit was a political stunt aimed at damage control, designed to obscure the Democratic Partys central role in financing, legitimizing and sustaining the immigration enforcement apparatus.

Days earlier, a 1,059-page bipartisan minibus spending bill was presented maintaining $10 billion in funding for ICE. Democrats are requesting a few provisions, such as ICE agents wearing body cameras and undergoing additional training on how to interact with the public.

Two days after the visit, the House of Representatives approved the budget for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which includes ICE, by a 214-213 vote. Every Democrat opposed the bill, in a purely performative vote engineered by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who had the DHS funding separated from the main military spending bill with the understanding that no Republicans would vote against it.

This is taking place amid growing public outrage over escalating federal repression under the Trump administration. As Trump intensifies enforcement, for all the congressional theatrics, the Democrats are not opposing it. They are underwriting it.

Minority Leader Jeffries reportedly informed a private caucus of Democratic lawmakers that although he personally opposed extending funding for the DHS through the remainder of the fiscal year, the party leadership would not attempt to block or organize opposition to the measure, effectively guaranteeing its approval.

This calculated decision followed the January 7 killing of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis and the ensuing deployment of thousands of federal agents to occupy the Twin Cities.

Representative Rosa DeLauro, the ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, admitted that ICE is out of control while justifying the funding on procedural grounds, warning that blocking the bill could disrupt other agencies. This was a cynical excuse. ICE already operates with tens of billions in existing funds and faces no real constraints.

Padilla and Schiffs visit must be understood within the Democrats broader strategy. Their objections to Trumps immigration policies have never challenged the legitimacy of mass detention or deportation. Instead, they have consistently framed their criticism in administrative terms, arguing that enforcement must be better managed to prevent political backlash.

On January 5, Padilla and Schiff joined 28 other Democratic senators in a letter complaining about the administrations decision to strip federal law enforcement agencies of thousands of personnel that keep Americans safe and redeploy them to arrest, detain, and deport immigrants. This refers to the deployment of FBI and other federal cops to join ICE on raids. It was not a denunciation of the treatment of immigrants but a complaint about diverting the FBI from other priorities.

The concern of the Democrats is that Trumps methods risk provoking widespread opposition and destabilizing existing enforcement priorities. Trumps openly brutal tactics threaten to discredit the entire political system, something the Democrats fear far more than the repression itself.

The same logic underlies a December 2025 report released by Schiff, Padilla, Elizabeth Warren and Representative John Garamendi criticizing the diversion of funds from the Department of Defense to the DHS to support immigration enforcement. Here, too, the issue was not repression but strategy. Democrats prefer to limit highly visible domestic crackdowns that spark unrest, while channeling resources toward the military in preparation for expanding international conflicts.

This is a difference in foreign policy orientation, not principle. The Democrats oppose Trumps methods because they inflame opposition at home and interfere with imperialist priorities abroad, not because they reject authoritarian rule.

The fraud of this posture is exposed in California itself. There is no sanctuary state when ICE operates massive detention centers, carries out armed raids and now openly fires weapons during operations. On Wednesday morning, an ICE agent opened fire during an immigration operation in Willowbrook, California. Although no one was hit, the incident sparked an immediate response from crowds opposing ICE. Likewise, hospitals and schools are no longer protected spaces, despite repeated assurances from Democratic officials.

To get ahead of the protests, Padilla and Schiff decided to visit CoreCivic, one of the largest private prison corporations in the United States. The company derives over half of its revenue from federal contracts, primarily with ICE, the U.S. Marshals Service and the Bureau of Prisons. It owns or operates more than 70 facilities nationwide and has expanded its ICE detention contracts in recent years, pushing quarterly revenues to $538 million in 2025.

While CoreCivics donations skew towards Republicans nationally, it maintains deep ties to the Democrats as well. It has donated tens of thousands of dollars to the California Democratic Party and Democratic candidates, including Governor Gavin Newsom.

Between 2017 and 2018, California Democrats received more combined donations from CoreCivic and GEO Group, another private prison operator, than state Republicans did. The company holds contracts in Democratic-led jurisdictions across the country and lobbies both parties aggressively.

The Democrats role as enablers of repression is reinforced by the trade union bureaucracy. In Los Angeles, United Teachers Los Angeles, which has launched a strike authorization vote for its 35,000 members on January 27-29, has issued statements demanding justice and accountability from federal authorities, appealing to the same political forces responsible for the repression. This comes just weeks after Democrats joined Republicans to pass the largest military budget in US history.

As Minneapolis workers prepare for a general strike on January 23, 15,000 nurses are on strike in New York, 31,000 Kaiser nurses prepare to strike on January 26 and tens of thousands of UC workers and LAUSD teachers move toward strike authorization votes. The greatest danger is political containment. The Democratic Party and the union bureaucracies are working to isolate and control these struggles.

Workers cannot defend democratic rights or oppose authoritarianism by appealing to the very institutions enforcing repression. The formation of independent rank-and-file committees, democratically controlled and unified across industries and regions, is not optional. Under conditions of escalating state violence, it has become a matter of life and death.
On Wednesday, a whistleblower group published an internal memo issued by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) authorizing its agents to break into homes using only internal administrative warrants, in violation of the Fourth Amendment.

The exposure of the secret directive reveals the extent to which the Trump administration is erecting a police state and attempting to abolish fundamental democratic rights. These measures, which are today directed largely against immigrant workers and their families, are aimed ultimately against the entire working class.

The whistleblower complaint contains a copy of the internal memorandum dated May 12, 2025 and signed by Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons. It instructs ICE officers that they may enter private residences, including by force, based solely on a civil administrative warrant, without the consent of the occupants and without a warrant issued by a judge.

The memo was quietly circulated inside ICE and only came to light this week when two Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials submitted it to the whistleblower organization Whistleblower Aid and to Congress.

Lyons writes that although DHS has not historically relied on administrative warrants alone to arrest aliens subject to final orders of removal in their place of residence, the DHS Office of General Counsel has recently determined that the US Constitution, the Immigration and Nationality Act, and the immigration regulations do not prohibit relying on administrative warrants for this purpose.

In other words, the agencys lawyers have rewritten constitutional limits and prohibitions on warrantless searches and seizures at the heart of the Fourth Amendment to suit the requirements of Trumps fascist immigrant crackdown and deportation campaign.

The directive further specifies that agents armed only with Form I205, the official ICE warrant of removal, may enter homes without consent, including by a necessary and reasonable amount of force, provided they first knock and announce themselves.

The memo also sets a nominal time window of 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. for executing such administrative warrants, underscoring that what is being constructed is not an extraordinary or emergency power but a routinized practice of forced home invasions.

The Fourth Amendment bars unreasonable searches and seizures, and it has long been understood that a warrant from a neutral and detached magistrate is required before police may enter a home.

ICEs training materials as recently as 2025 acknowledged that a home arrest without a warrant or an exception to the warrant requirement typically violates the Fourth Amendment regardless of the officers probable cause to arrest the suspect.

A protester in Pahrump, Nevada carries a sign that reads, "ICE is Trump's SS" "Killers with badges" "Get out!"

Administrative warrants, such as Form I205, are signed by DHS officials and have never been recognized as the equivalent of a judicial search warrant. By asserting that internal DHS paperwork is a valid substitute for an order of a federal judge, the Trump administration has placed search and seizure authority under the unchecked control of the executive branch.

This is very significant given that a defining characteristic of all police states is the arbitrary power of the executive or dictator who, through control of police and security forces, operates outside the constraints of a constitution or judicial system.

The language of the Lyons memo is explicit in asserting the sweeping power of ICE to invade homes with administrative warrants alone.

The Trump administrations legal rationalizations for violating the basic rights of people within the US recall those of the Bush administration during the war on terror in the early 2000s. Lawyers in Bushs Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) justified the unconstitutional treatment and torture of socalled enemy combatants through convoluted legal constructionselaborated in the notorious torture memosthat redefined key terms and denied core legal protections and asserted unchecked presidential power to do so in wartime.

The Obama administration did much the same in its legal memoranda claiming that the president had intrinsic authority to order drone missile assassinations anywhere in the world, including of American citizens like the Islamic cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, murdered in 2011 in Yemen.

In their complaint to Congress, the two anonymous DHS officials represented by Whistleblower Aid describe the memo and the training built around it as a flagrant violation of the Fourth Amendment and of DHSs own policy manual.

The whistleblowers report that upon information and belief, and consistent with the May 12 Memo, instructors for new ICE recruits are directed to teach that Form I205 allows ICE agents to arrest aliens in their homewithout consent to enter the residence and without judicial warrant.

At the same time, the whistleblowers note that the Lyons memo was not broadly disseminated within ICE. Select officials were allowed to review it only in the presence of a supervisor and were required to return it afterward.

One whistleblower reported that agents implementing the policy in Texas justified it by pointing to the composition and opposition by federal courts in that region to the methods used in Trumps anti-immigrant sweeps. The secretive circulation of the memo exposes the fact that Lyons and other highlevel Trump officials are fully aware that what they are ordering is unconstitutional.

Whistleblower Aid also notes that the disclosure is particularly timely and relevant given recent news reports of ICE officers breaking into homes, including those of US citizens, without a judicial warrant and forcibly removing the residents.

Media reports have described incidents in which ICE agents have used administrative warrants as a pretext to force entry. In Minneapolis, for example, the directive has coincided with a dramatic escalation of immigration arrests as Trump has mobilized thousands of agents in a nationwide deportation drive.

Advocates report cases of officers battering down doors and dragging people out of homes in front of terrified children, relying solely on Form I205. Civil liberties organizations have documented instances in Texas and other states where ICE officers arrived at homes without judicial warrants, refused to show meaningful documentation beyond an administrative form, and proceeded to enter anyway, in some cases detaining US citizens along with noncitizens.

These operations are clearly test cases for a regime in which the claims by Trumps ICE Gestapo agents that they can enter any home, based on secret memos and internal warrants drafted by its own officials, are being normalized.

The response of the DHS to the exposure of the memo has been to double down on the illegal doctrine. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin told multiple outlets that every illegal alien who DHS serves administrative warrants/I205s has received full due process and a final order of removal from an immigration judge.

McLaughlin also claimed, The officers issuing these administrative warrants also have found probable cause, and continued, For decades, the Supreme Court and Congress have recognized the propriety of administrative warrants in cases of immigration enforcement.

These are specious arguments that turn the Fourth Amendment on its head. The question is not whether the government believes someone has violated the law but whether it may violently enter private dwellings without a warrant issued by an independent judge.

Civil rights attorneys and constitutional experts have issued sharp warnings about the implications of the exposed memo. Immigration lawyer Rosanna Berardi said the policy represents a fundamental Fourth Amendment challenge and another chapter of the Trump Administration ignoring longestablished legal precedence and acting like the legislative branch.

Legal commentators have emphasized that normalizing warrantless home entries with only internal administrative paperwork erodes one of the last remaining barriers to arbitrary state power. As one analysis put it, ICEs assertion that administrative warrants allow agents to break into homes collides with Fourth Amendment protections and upends years of advice given to immigrant communities, illustrating how immigration enforcement is being used to test the boundaries of constitutional rights more broadly.
This story was originally published on C-Store Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily C-Store Dive newsletter.

Convenience retailers have spent the past several years investing in new foodservice staff, equipment and menu items to elevate their on-site grub and better compete with restaurants. Besides proprietary programs, the industry has increased its partnerships and franchise opportunities with QSRs to make stores more of a food-focused destination.

Until last year, the thought of a c-store operator acquiring a QSR brand felt unfathomable. That changed overnight when RaceTrac acquired sandwich QSR chain Potbelly for $566 million in late 2025.

The deal rattled the convenience retailing industry  not just because of the size and scale of the move, but because of its implications. How might this acquisition change the way in which c-store operators level up their food games? Instead of spending the time and effort to build an in-house offering from the ground up, can a retailer go out and buy out a QSR brand?

Which leads to a single question thats top of mind as 2026 gets underway, and one that industry experts across the board can't seem to fully agree on. Was RaceTracs acquisition of Potbelly an anomaly, or the start of a wave?

A move out of left field

Josh Benn has spent the past two decades managing mergers, acquisitions and divestitures for food retailers and restaurant operators, from Twin Peaks Restaurants and Fazolis to Superior Grocers and Morton Williams Supermarkets.

Benn, who is global head of consumer, food, restaurant and retail investment banking for advisory firm Kroll, said that although RaceTracs purchase of Potbelly came out of left field, he "wouldn't be surprised at all if more c-store operators followed suit. He pointed to national and super regional retailers that are upping their food operations and have the capital for splashy acquisitions.

RaceTracs move worked because of its scale, leadership commitment and long-term food ambition. Without those ingredients, an acquisition like this introduces more risk than reward.

Mendy Meriwether

Principal and vice president of foodservice for NexChapter

To have a better food offering for some of these players that are not Wawa or Sheetz or even Buc-ees it definitely makes sense to me that they can add another amenity and bring more people in to spend more money and generate more margin, Benn said.

Meanwhile, Robert Hampton, an industry consultant who was recently named chief technology officer at Yesway, said its entirely possible that another c-store retailer buys a restaurant in 2026. That type of acquisition could help c-store operators expand into adjacent markets and increase their footprint, he said.
The ongoing collapse of Prospect Medical Holdings (PMH) in Connecticut stands as a chilling testament to the social crime that is for-profit healthcare under the dictates of the financial oligarchy. Following years of predatory financial extraction, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January 2025, leaving a trail of broken equipment, more than $100 million in unpaid state taxes, and devastating patient care.

This collapse has left safety-net institutions like Manchester Memorial, Rockville General and Waterbury Hospital reeling from long-term neglect and infrastructure gaps.

The fallout has seen the Eastern Connecticut Health Network (ECHN) systemincluding Manchester Memorial and Rockville Generalauctioned off to Hartford HealthCare for $86.1 million, a fraction of its former valuation, while UConn Health has emerged as a stalking horse bidder for the dilapidated Waterbury Hospital. These maneuvers preserve capitalist relations while patients and healthcare workers are left to suffer the consequences of decades of mismanagement and plunder.

Prospect Medical Holdings is a private healthcare company, founded by physicians in 1996, based in Los Angeles. It operates 16 hospitals in the US, mainly in the Northeast. As of 2024 it employed about 18,000 people. For its first decade, the company operated primarily as a management service organization for doctors groups. But in 2007, Prospect moved to full hospital operations by acquiring the Alta Hospitals System, a network of four community-based hospitals in Southern California.

The Real Estate Investment Trust model

To understand how Wall Street vultures like Prospect extract wealth from the sick and dying requires examination of the mechanics of Real Estate Investment Trusts. REITs are companies that own, operate or finance income-generating real estate. REITs function like mutual funds for real estate, allowing investors to pool money to purchase and manage portfolios of properties, instead of buying a physical property directly, which might be too expensive for most individual investors.

In the healthcare sector, private equity firms utilize REITs to execute a predatory maneuver known as a sale-leaseback. In this scheme, a hospital system sells its land and buildings to a REIT for immediate cash, only to be forced to lease these same facilities back at exorbitant rates, stripping the hospital of its most valuable assets.

The expansion of REITs into hospital property ownership took off in a big way with the penetration of private equity investments after the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010. The promise of a dramatically expanded insurance pool and improvements in hospital margins brought Wall Street venture capitalists into the business of healthcare, creating a powerful set of financial incentives and pressures that made hospital property acquisition by private investors an attractive strategy for both hospitals and investors.

The ACA fundamentally changed hospital reimbursement models, moving away from fee-for-service (paying for each procedure) toward value-based purchasing (paying for outcomes and efficiency). This put immense pressure on hospital margins and represented a fundamental financialization of hospital real estate.

Even before the ACAs full impact, Prospect used a version of this model when they sold the real estate of their California hospitals to an REIT (initially Medical Properties Trust, or MPT) in 2010 for cash and leased them back. This amounted to a 61.3 percent stake in Prospect through a $363 million leveraged buyout, providing liquidity and de-leveraging their balance sheet by turning real estate equity into cash, ostensibly to invest in operations. Flush with cash from real estate sales and backed by private equity, Prospect went on a debt-fueled acquisition spree in 2016, purchasing Waterbury Hospital in Western Connecticut for $31.8 million and two hospitals in the Eastern Connecticut Health Network (ECHN).

All three are safety-net hospitals that are legally mandated to provide a significant amount of care to uninsured, Medicaid-enrolled and other vulnerable patients who face financial, social or other barriers to healthcare.

ECHN is a regional healthcare system serving 19 towns in Eastern Connecticut. It consists of two main hospitalsthe 249-bed Manchester Memorial Hospital in Manchester and the 102-bed Rockville General Hospital in Vernonas well as multiple outpatient facilities and a comprehensive physician network. The system provides a spectrum of care ranging from wellness and prevention to acute care and rehabilitation.

ECHN was significantly impacted by its acquisition and subsequent management by Prospect. Despite promises by Prospect to improve facilities and expand services, a pattern of mismanagement and plunder took place instead.

Shortly after purchase, Prospect sold the hospitals land and buildings to MPT and leased them back. This transaction left ECHN hospitals with permanent, substantial annual lease payments to use their own facilities, while the proceeds were largely used to fund massive dividends for Prospects shareholders and executives rather than reinvesting in the hospitals. The quality of care and security at ECHN facilities deteriorated under Prospects ownership.

Prospect centralized financial control in California, often refusing to pay vendors, leading to supply shortages, inability to perform criminal background checks on applicants, and broken equipment. At one point, inoperable elevators required patients to be carried up and down stairs.

The devastating impact on patient care

The impact on Rockville General Hospital was particularly severe. Staffed beds dropped from over 50 to just 11 by September 2022, and the average number of nightly patients fell to less than one. Once a full-service facility, it was reduced to offering only emergency, one-day surgery and behavioral health services.

In 2018, Manchester Memorial Hospital was cited for immediate jeopardy after mishandling two high-risk pregnancies, resulting in the death of one mother and stillbirth of her baby, and severe brain damage in another infant.

In August 2023, all three hospitals suffered a debilitating cyberattack that forced staff to use manual paper charting and diverted ambulance traffic to other hospitals for more than five weeks. A $7 million state bailout was required to keep Waterbury Hospital and Prospects other two Connecticut hospitals running.

While not part of the ECHN, Waterbury Hospital, with 357 beds, in the Western Connecticut city of the same name, also experienced significant operational, financial and clinical decline, culminating in its inclusion in Prospects 2025 bankruptcy filing.

In March 2019, state health inspectors found the hospital failed to properly monitor two suicidal patients. One patient hanged himself with a belt that staff had returned to him; a second patient attempted suicide with hospital socks while a nurse was at lunch.

Unannounced visits by state inspectors revealed deteriorating conditions, including rusting equipment in operating rooms and a chronic nurse staffing crisis.

As part of Prospects larger Connecticut network, Waterbury Hospital contributed to a massive $127 million debt in unpaid hospital provider taxes owed to the state.

A 2022 agreement to sell the hospital to Yale New Haven Health (YNHH) as part of a $435 million package failed after YNHH sued to terminate the deal, citing Prospects irresponsible financial practices and the deteriorating condition of the facilities.

Following years of financial distress, Prospect filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January 2025. As a result of the restructuring, the ECHN system was sold to Hartford HealthCare (HHC) for $86.1 million. This sale, approved in late 2025, was intended to stabilize the workforce and ensure the continuity of healthcare services for the Eastern Connecticut population. The private equity model didnt just contribute to Prospects eventual bankruptcy; it was the central reason that led to its collapse.

In November 2025, UConn Health (through UCHCFC Waterbury Hospital Corp.) submitted a $35 million stalking horse bid to acquire the hospitals assets, real estate and limited liabilities. State leaders noted that the facility will require deep investments to restore the level of care expected by the community.

Most recently, Manchester Memorial Hospital and Rockville General Hospital, both of which were recently acquired by Hartford HealthCare (HHC), still require a significant combined financial infusion of approximately $300 million for years of long-term neglect and mismanagement, infrastructure and technology gaps, staffing and vendor debts, restoring quality and safety, and debt and tax obligations, including more than $100 million in unpaid health provider taxes owed to the state.

The Prospect model of financialization

The Prospect model has left a trail of medical deserts across the US. In Pennsylvania, LGPs ownership of the Crozer Health system resulted in the sudden closure of Crozer-Chester Medical Center and Taylor Hospital in 2025 after Prospect failed to find a buyer. These closures left a community of over 500,000 people without a local hospital and cost 2,651 healthcare workers their jobs.

In Massachusetts, similar financial plunder by the Steward Health Care systemformerly owned by the private equity firm Cerberus Capital Managementproduced even more lethal results. At St. Elizabeths Medical Center, a new mother bled to death after giving birth because a medical device needed to stop her hemorrhaging had been repossessed by the manufacturer because Steward had failed to pay its bills. At another Steward-owned facility, a patient died in the emergency room after waiting in a line that was backed up due to chronic short-staffing.

The entry of private capitalwhether through corporate chains, private equity firms, or the marketisation of public serviceschanges healthcare from a social provision into a vehicle for profit. The consequences are systemic: higher costs, worse working conditions, reduced patient access and, ultimately, preventable illness and death. Investors pull hundreds of millions of dollars out of the system even as hospitals are pushed toward bankruptcy. The pattern is not an accidental sideeffect but the material outcome of subordinating health care to private ownership and shortterm financial returns under the capitalist system.

The impact of this financialization is an objective affirmation of a truth capitalism seeks to hide: financial engineering kills. A 2025 study from Harvard Medical School revealed that when hospitals are acquired by private equity, Medicare patients in emergency departments face a 13 percent relative increase in mortality. This rise in preventable deaths coincides with deep cuts to frontline staffing; emergency room salary expenditures typically fall by 18 percent and full-time employment drops by 12 percent following a private equity takeover.

For healthcare workers, this means being forced to work in dilapidated facilities with leaking ceilings, rusted operating room equipment and broken elevators. At Waterbury Hospital, morale has reached dangerous levels as nurses are forced to work excessive overtime to compensate for a recruitment failure that is the direct result of the owners refusal to invest in human life.

The collapse of Prospect Medical Holdings and Steward Health Care proves that the profit motive is incompatible with public health. While the Democratic Partyled by figures like Governor Ned Lamontpostures as defenders of the people, they have presided over this crisis for years, offering taxpayer subsidies and emergency certificates of need that serve only to reward the looters.

The only way to halt this social catastrophe is for healthcare to be taken out of the hands of the financial oligarchy. Together with the communities they serve, healthcare workers must organize rank-and-file committees, independent of the pro-corporate unions, to reclaim hospitals as social provisions. The choice is stark: a society organized for the enrichment of Wall Street speculators, or a socialist system organized according to human need, where healthcare is an inalienable right for all.
Postal workers and community members march in opposition to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 18, 2026.

The following statement will be distributed at demonstrations and protests organized in Minneapolis and other cities throughout the US on January 23, 2026.

Today, workers and young people are taking to the streets in Minneapolis and across the US to protest the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) occupation of Minneapolis, the murder of Renee Nicole Good, and the Trump administrations escalating assault on democratic rights.

There is a powerful and growing sentiment for mass action, expressed in calls for a general strike to demand an end to police violence, repression and attacks on both immigrants and citizens. Todays protests are an important step forward, but January 23 cannot be seen as an endpoint. Rather, they must become the launching point for a nationwide counter-offensive by the working class against the conspiracy for dictatorship.

It is necessary to ask and to answer the question: What next?

The response of the Trump administration to opposition is escalation and provocation. The White House is threatening to invoke the Insurrection Act, effectively placing Minneapolis under martial law. Active-duty Army soldiers from Fort Bragg and the 11th Airborne Division in Alaska have been placed on alert for possible deployment to Minnesota.

Vice President JD Vance traveled to Minneapolis on the eve of todays demonstrations to deliver a show of force alongside ICE agents, hailing their work and defending the murder of Good. Vance said he wanted to end the chaos in the city and called upon local Democrats to deploy police forces to suppress popular opposition, which he blamed on left-wing agitators.

On Wednesday night, Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino led federal forces in a violent crackdown against protesters, deploying tear gas and making arrests outside a Minneapolis convenience store after a worker refused to serve them. Earlier in the day, ICE agents detained a five-year old child, Liam Ramos, who was used as bait to lure out family members. He and his father are now in an ICE prison in Texas.

Every fundamental democratic right is under assault. A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) memo leaked this week authorized ICE agents to break into homes without judicial warrants, effectively obliterating the Fourth Amendment and its protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.

To develop a counter-offensive, certain fundamental facts must be recognized. First, what is happening in Minneapolis is the spearhead of a broader conspiracy to establish a militarypresidential dictatorship in the United States, developed systematically since Trumps return to power a year ago.

Trump blurted this out at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week, declaring it is sometimes good to have a dictator. The democratic rights guaranteed in the Constitution and Bill of Rights are being obliterated, and the measures now being used against immigrants and protesters will be directed against all opposition, particularly in the working class.

Second, Trump is not acting as a rogue individual, but as the political representative of the capitalist oligarchy. In the United States alone, the combined wealth of billionaires increased by $1.5 trillion, about 22 percent, during Trumps first year back in office, bringing their total holdings to roughly $8.2 trillion. Globally, billionaire wealth surged at three times the rate of the previous five years in 2025, reaching a record $18.3 trillion.

The oligarchy has placed Trump in power because its interests are no longer compatible with democratic and legal forms of rule. The ruling class is waging a counterrevolution on every front: dismantling public education, gutting core social programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, and subjecting culture and intellectual life to the dictates of Wall Street. Corporations are using AI technologies to carry out mass layoffs across all industries.

Third, the assault on democratic rights is inextricably connected to the eruption of American imperialism. In the first weeks of 2026 alone, the Trump administration has overseen an illegal military intervention in Venezuela, including the capture of President Nicolas Maduro, threatened war against Iran, demanded control over Greenland, and issued increasing provocations against the allies of US imperialism in Europe and North America.

For a general strike to stop Trumps occupation of Minneapolis!

To counter the rampage of the oligarchy, mass action is necessary. The sentiment for a general strike now emerging reflects the growing recognition that appeals to politicians, lawsuits and electoral maneuvers are incapable of countering the violence and criminality of the Trump regime.

A general strike, however, is not a one-day protest or consumer boycott. It is the mobilization of the collective power of the working classthe producers of all wealth in societyto bring the machinery of exploitation and repression to a halt. That power must now be organized and directed against the conspiracy to establish a dictatorship.

There is a powerful precedent for such a movement in the history of Minneapolis itself. In 1934, the city was the site of one of the most significant general strikes in American history, led by Trotskyist militants in the Teamsters. Workers defied the Citizens Alliance, the National Guard and police repression. Despite shootings and martial law, they won decisive victories and laid the foundation for industrial unionism across the country.

That tradition must be taken up againin defense not only of workers rights, but of democratic rights themselves. The fight against dictatorship in Minneapolis is the fight of workers everywhere, in the United States and internationally, who face the same crisis and have the same interests.

A counter-offensive of the working class must be completely independent of the Democratic Party and the trade union apparatus. The Democratic Party is not an ally in the fight against Trump. It is a party of Wall Street, the Pentagon and the intelligence apparatus whose central objective is to contain and manage popular anger rather than mobilize a working class movement against dictatorship.

In recent days, House Democratic leaders announced that they will ensure passage of a bill that fully funds the DHS and ICE. Whatever their hypocritical statements of concern over the killing of Renee Nicole Good, the Democrats have helped build up and deploy the deportation regime and the instruments of repression.

Democrats, including Governor Tim Walz, Senator Bernie Sanders and others advise those outraged over ICEs murderous actions to direct their attention to the courts and the midterm elections. This is political deception. Trump has already declared his intention to ignore court orders that go against him, and the Supreme Court is controlled by a fascist cabal. As for the elections: there is no guarantee that they will even take place, or that, if they do, they will bear any resemblance to democratic norms.

For its part, the response of the trade union apparatus to the growing support for a general strike has been to suppress and counteract sentiment for mass struggle. The unions that have nominally backed the protestsuch as the Teamsters, the CWA, the SEIU, and the nurses unionshave told their members that they cannot strike, citing no-strike clauses that the apparatus negotiated and enforces. This under conditions in which the Trump administration is obliterating every legal and constitutional constraint on state violence and refuses to investigate Goods killer.

To carry forward the struggle, the Socialist Equality Party and the International Youth and Students for Social Equality therefore call for the formation of rank-and-file committees in every workplace, school and neighborhood. Rank-and-file committees must take the initiative out of the hands of the bureaucracies, establish democratic control over the struggle, and begin to coordinate strike action and mass resistance from below.

Resolutions must be adopted calling for open-ended strike action, with clearly articulated demands: the immediate arrest and prosecution of Renee Nicole Goods killer; the withdrawal of all federal paramilitary forces, including ICE, DHS, and CBP; the abolition of these repressive agencies; and the release of all detainees in ICE custody.

Coordinating committees must be built to unify these rankandfile bodies across industries, cities, and states, and link them with workers internationally. The International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) provides the framework for this struggle, and we urge all those who want to build a real movement to join it.

It is impossible to fight fascism and dictatorship without fighting the social system from which they arise. The source of Trumps assault on democratic rights is the domination of society by a capitalist oligarchya tiny layer of billionaires whose wealth and power are incompatible with democracy. The entire political establishment, including the Democratic Party, is committed to preserving this social order.

Capitalism has reached a historic dead end. To defend jobs, wages, education, health care, and democratic rights, the working class must build its own independent political movement to challenge the dictatorship of the banks and corporations and fight for socialism. The Socialist Equality Party calls on all those who agree with this perspective to join us, build rank-and-file committees, and take up the fight to mobilize the working class in the United States and internationally for a socialist future.
Immigrants at the ICE South Texas detention center in Dilley, Texas. [AP Photo/Eric Gay]

A number of supporters rallied on Monday, Martin Luther King Day, in Denver, Colorado, calling for an end to the illegal detention of a mother and her five children, ages 5 to 18. The family continues to be held at an ICE detention facility in Dilley, Texas after the childrens father, Mohamed Soliman, was accused of throwing Molotov cocktails at a pro-Israel march in Colorado Springs on June 1 last year, more than seven months ago.

Speaking at Mondays rally, Elizabeth Reinhold, who had previously taught several of the siblings, noted that in the years I have known them [the Soliman children], I have never heard them say an unkind word to or about anyone or show any signs of aggression, anger or hatred. Reinhold continued through tears, the [5-year-old] twins were stripped of their opportunity to start kindergarten with their siblings. Habiba [the eldest] was stripped of her freshman year in college and the two other children were stripped of a year of education and friendship as well, all for a crime that they did not commit.

A friend of the family, Alisha Oliveras, told rally goers, We condemn the June 1 terrorist attack in Boulder and offer condolences to the victims family. And we want to state clearly, we support the release of Hayam El-Gamal and her five children, ages five to 18.

As the World Socialist Web Site wrote at the time of the arrests, these events make clear that the Trump administration is reviving the medieval and fascist practice of kin punishment, a type of collective punishment illegal under both international law and the US Constitution, which forbids violations of due process and the imposition of cruel and unusual punishments.

The family had been taken into custody around the same time as Mohamed Solimans arrest shortly after the Colorado Springs attack. The children and their mother were lied to by ICE agents who promised them they were being moved to a hotel for their safety only to find themselves actually locked away in the Texas detention center shortly thereafter.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claimed at the time that the familys arrest was relevant to the overall investigation. We are investigating to what extent this family knew about this heinous attack, she said, if they had knowledge of it, or if they provided support to it.

Celebrating the illegal detention of Solimans family members last June, the White House itself released social media postings boasting of their arrest and planned deportation. Wife and Kids of Illegal Alien Behind Antisemitic Firebombing COULD DEPORT AS EARLY AS TONIGHT.

In a later court case against Mohamed Soliman, however, an investigating FBI agent testified that the family was not in any sense aware of what their father was planning, but the family still remains imprisoned regardless.

Soliman pleaded not guilty to federal charges in November and his trial is scheduled to begin on July 13, 2026. He had worked long hours as an Uber driver prior to the incident and according to the familys testimony, he often slept in his car after long drives and only occasionally came home.

While initial attempts to deport the family may have been unsuccessful due to court challenges, the familys prolonged detention also serves much the same political function, i.e., to put workers on notice that should they dare to oppose the crimes of the ruling elite, they put not only themselves but their friends and family at risk, especially very young children.

This was made abundantly clear in a recent press conference with DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. At the January 8 event to discuss the ICE killing of Minneapolis mother of three Renee Nicole Good, Noem appeared behind a podium emblazoned with the slogan One of Ours, All of Yours.

The slogan was a fascist rallying cry in Francos Spain and Hitlers Germany and was the justification for the 1942 Lidice Massacre, after Czech partisans assassinated SS Obergruppenfuhrer Reinhard Heydrich, one of the most brutal Nazi leaders under Hitler and a key architect of the Holocaust. One hundred seventy-three men and boys, aged 15 years and older in the village were murdered, with many of the remaining women and children placed in concentration camps.

Habiba Soliman, the eldest of the five children, and one of the top students in her high school graduating class in Colorado Springs last year, wrote a public letter on January 6 protesting her familys imprisonment. We are six innocent people, she wrote, including 5-year-old twinstrapped in a nightmare we didnt create and punished for our fathers actions. She continued, They [DHS] chose to ignore the results of the FBI investigation that shows we did not know anything.

In September, a judge ordered the family released on bond as they were considered neither a flight risk nor danger to the community. ICE once again has refused to release the six and has appealed the ruling using the pending appeal as a pretext to defy the judges order.

While the family and its supporters continue to fight against their unjust incarceration, the Trump administration has accelerated its open war against the working class, both immigrant and native-born alike. The massive deployment of troops and ICE agents to cities across the country, especially Minnesota, has been accompanied by an unannounced campaign of child kidnapping.

At Valley View Elementary in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, four minor children were taken away by ICE agents Tuesday. These included a 5-year-old boy, a 10-year-old girl and a 17-year-old who was taken without her parents present.

The 10-year-old had been allowed to call her father telling him that the agents were bringing her and her mother to school, only for her father to find both his wife and daughter not present when he arrived. As he later found out, the agents had used the call as a diversionary tactic while they moved both mother and daughter to a detention center in Texas.

One of the more notorious of these ICE child arrest rampages was a military-style assault on a residential Chicago apartment building in November.

Such actions are not novel to the Trump administration either. Trump himself is only building upon the framework of Obama and Biden beforehand, who both initiated widespread crackdowns on immigrants along with family separation practices and the arrests of children.

To cite only one example, the Deportation Data Project found that in the state of Alabama alone, which ranks 25th in the country in population, 70 children were arrested by ICE agents between September 2023 and September 2025.

These outrages have evoked no significant opposition whatsoever from the Democratic Party, while the trade union apparatus has done everything in its power to prevent Fridays general strike in Minneapolis from spreading.

Workers and young people must instead take the struggle into their own hands, forming their own rank-and-file committees to initiate a national general strike to bring down the Trump regime and hold accountable all those responsible for these vile attacks against workers and their children.
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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Chinese President Xi Jingping in Beijing, China on January 16, 2025.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney painted a stark picture of a global capitalist system roiled by inter-imperialist rivalries and hurtling towards world war in a speech Tuesday to the World Economic Forum.

Speaking before an audience of capitalist politicians, imperialist strategists, global CEOs and billionaire oligarchs, Carney declared the world to be at a turning point. This was not a mere transition, he insisted, but the rupture of the world order and the beginning of a brutal reality where geopolitics among the great powers is not subject to any constraints.

The collapse of the US-led, post-Second World War economic and geopolitical order has ushered in a new era of great power rivalries, said Carney, in which the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must.

Carneys remarks were a damning admission by the leader of one of the G7 imperialist powers that an imperialist-led struggle to repartition the world economically and territorially, akin to that which culminated in the imperialist world wars of the last century, is underway.

Carney made no reference to Americas would-be dictator President Donald Trump and mentioned the United States just once. But coming after a year of escalating trade war and belligerence from Washington targeting ostensible allies and foes alike, it was clear to all that Carney was calling on the European powers to join Canada in ruthlessly asserting their own imperialist interests, including against the United States.

Just in the three weeks prior to the opening of the World Economic Forum (WEF), Trump ordered the invasion of Venezuela to abduct its president, Nicolas Maduro, and announced he was seizing the countrys vast oil reserves; repeatedly threatened to wage war on Iran; demanded Denmark, a European Union state and fellow NATO member, cede Greenland to the US; and threatened eight European countries with tariffs when they sent troops to Greenland to signal their opposition to his threat to seize the island by military force.

Carneys attack on a rampaging US imperialism was all the more remarkable in that it was given by the head of the government of Canada, which for the past eight decades has been Americas closest economic, geopolitical and military ally. For more than 50 years, up until 9/11, Ottawa and Washington boasted that they shared the worlds longest undefended border, some 5,500 miles (8,800-plus kilometers) long.

However, as part of a drive to consolidate unbridled US domination over the Western Hemisphere in preparation for war with China and other great powers, Trump has hit Canada with a barrage of tariffs, threatened to scuttle the US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement and vowed to use economic force to make Canada Americas 51st state.

Carney appealed to Canadas NATO allies to recognize reality: The rules-based international order, the euphemism that US imperialism employed to mask its post-World War II global hegemony, and from which Canadian and European imperialism benefited handsomely, has irreversibly collapsed. Citing a series of crises in finance, health, energy and geopolitics over the past two decades, Carney stated, great powers have begun using economic integration as weapons. Tariffs as leverage. Financial infrastructure as coercion. Supply chains as vulnerabilities to be exploited.

Revealing more than he intended, he continued,

For decades, countries like Canada prospered under what we called the rules-based international order. We joined its institutions, we praised its principles, we benefited from its predictability  We knew the story of the international rules-based order was partially false. That the strongest would exempt themselves when convenient. That trade rules were enforced asymmetrically. And we knew that international law applied with varying rigour depending on the identity of the accused or the victim. This fiction was useful. And American hegemony, in particular, helped provide public goods: open sea lanes, a stable financial system, collective security and support for frameworks for resolving disputes.  This bargain no longer works.

The WEF summit was itself overshadowed by a bitter dispute between American imperialism and its erstwhile European allies over the fate of Greenland, with European leaders warning that were Trump to act on his threats to seize Greenland, NATO and the trans-Atlantic alliance would collapse. While their own speeches were less bluntly worded than Carneys, and still included calls for the trans-Atlantic partnership to be revived, the leaders of the European Union and its principal states all called for massive rearmament to develop strategic autonomy, that is, the capability to act independently of the US in the struggle to redivide the world.

Trump wants full control over Greenland as part of his America First strategy to expel all non-hemispheric competitors from the Americas. He views total dominance over the Western Hemisphere, including the right to seize any assets, resources, territories or waterways deemed vital to US national securitythe so-called Donroe Doctrineas a necessary precondition to waging war against Washingtons most powerful rivalsChina, Russia and the European Unionto restore US global hegemony.

On Wednesday, Trump pulled back from his Greenland tariff threat, dropping the 10 percent surcharge set to come into force on February 1. He cited a deal on Greenland struck at a meeting on the sidelines of the WEF with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, in which representatives of Denmark and Greenland took no part. No details of the deal have been made public, but reports suggest the US will be ceded bits of the Arctic island for an expanded network of military bases and given unlimited military control over its land mass, airspace and territorial waters.

Trumps foreign policy threats and sudden shifts resemble nothing so much as those of Adolf Hitler in the late 1930s, just as the sharpening inter-state conflicts recall the jostling between the imperialist powers in the years immediately preceding World War II. If a deal has in fact been reached over Greenland, it is likely to prove as durable as that Hitler struck in September 1938 with Italys Mussolini, the British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain and his French counterpart, Edouard Daladier, over the fate of Czechoslovakia. Chamberlain infamously claimed he had secured peace in our time, but within months Hitler made fresh demands, carved up what remained of the Czechoslovak Republic and set his sights on Poland.

Amid the surge in great power rivalries, Carney has drawn the conclusion that an alternative imperialist alliance is necessary to counter Trump and the US. In his WEF speech, he tried to cloak the predatory character of such a project by repeatedly referring to Canada as a middle power, rather than the imperialist power that it isone, as he himself conceded, that previously profited from US global domination, aggression and war. Middle powers must act together, he declared, because if were not at the table, were on the menu.

The table he speaks of is the high table of imperialism, where territories are carved up, deals to monopolize the exploitation of natural resources and cheap labour are made, and the financial oligarchy extracts its pound of flesh.

Carneys alliance of middle powers would be a partnership first and foremost with French and British imperialism, whose colonial empires bestrided the world until 1945, and with German imperialism, which twice in the last century sought to resolve its crisis by conquering Europe. While their world power is diminished, the imperialist appetites of the European powers are, if anything, greater today.

Over the past year, Germany, France and Britain have repeatedly thwarted Trumps effort to reach an accommodation with Putin over the heads of the European powers that would give US companies and investors access to raw materials, markets and geostrategic influence in both Ukraine and Russia at Europes expense. Having invested heavily in the war on Russia and lacking the ability to continue it alone, the European imperialist powers are determined to keep the US involved and escalate the conflict to secure their share of the loot and plunder.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who explicitly praised Carney in his own WEF speech, heads a government committed to spending 1 trillion on war and destroying what little is left of Germanys welfare state. Frances Emmanuel Macron has increased military spending and deployed the full force of the state against workers opposed to his austerity agenda. For his part, Carney boasted in his speech about his governments right-wing record at home, including tax cuts for the wealthy, public spending austerity, a doubling of military spending by 2030, and attacks on democratic rights including a massive assault on the right to strike.

Workers on both sides of the Atlantic can only oppose the revival of imperialist barbarism by unifying their struggles against all of the imperialist powers and their political representatives. The looming danger of world war is rooted in crisis-ridden capitalism, which will plunge humanity into the abyss as it did twice in the 20th century, unless it is overthrown by a revolutionary socialist movement of the working class.

The World Socialist Web Site and International Committee of the Fourth International fight to provide the revolutionary leadership required to unite workers struggles internationally against war, attacks on democratic and social rights, and the growth of inequality into a mass industrial and political movement for the abolition of capitalism and the socialist transformation of society.
Theres been an ongoing general diversification away from US assets, especially by global central banks, according to Ray Dalio, the founder of hedge fund firm Bridgewater Associates.

When you look at gold being up 67%, its not a precious metal that goes up 60%, Dalio told Bloomberg Televisions Francine Lacqua in Davos on Thursday. It was bought by central banks particularly, but others, and in order to diversify fiat currencies, not just dollars.

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Weighing in on global tensions, he said a lot of attention is being paid to the trade war, but very little to what he called a capital war and how it works pertaining to the markets. Referring to US President Donald Trump ruling out the use of military force in his bid to acquire the sovereign Danish territory of Greenland, Dalio said the speech was very important because there is a line, red line.

If theres a military move, it has capital-war implications, Dalio added.

The topic of diversification away from US assets has been gaining ground following transatlantic tensions and the prospect of a fracturing of NATO as Trump cranked up his threat to take over Greenland. Danish pension fund AkademikerPension said its planning to exit US Treasuries by the end of the month, citing credit risks too big to ignore. UBS Group AG Chief Executive Officer Sergio Ermotti, however, has warned that the temptation to weaponize holdings of US government debt is a dangerous bet.

Billionaire Dalio, 76, founded Bridgewater in 1975. Last year, he completely exited the firm, selling his remaining stake and stepping down from the board. The firm has been in reboot mode since Nir Bar Dea became sole chief executive officer in 2023.

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Interestingly, the CORCA Act is gaining rare bipartisan momentum as organized retail crime and counterfeiting gain national attention, Brewster said, noting that retailers have been battling increasingly complex, multistep supply chainsplus a sprawling ecosystem of 3PL and e-commerce logistics partners; policymakers are eager for proven, widely deployed technology.

While legislative momentum, like the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025 , has highlighted the urgency of item-level traceability, technological developments can give retailers the visibility needed to see (and prevent) fraud. Such technologies, she continued, can improve inventory accuracy, support returns and recycling, and future-proof operations for regulatory compliance.

With many shipments lacking basic hygiene like advance shipping notices, brands often dont know exactly what arrived, when or from who, Brewster said. That fragmentation creates perfect entry points for counterfeit goods and fraudulent relabeling.

Thats because counterfeiting and fraud have reached a tipping point, per Brewster, as U.S. consumers grow more awareand vocalaround phony products or dishonest deliveries.

After years of choosing between durability and affordability, advances in tagging technology in recent years mean brands can finally implement tagging strategies that deliver both, Brewster said. For apparel and other high-volume categories, embedded tagging will become the new standard, enabling visibility through the items lifecycle, smoother returns, easier recycling and future readiness for DPP requirements.

According to the former White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) senior advisor, the 2026 tech investments retailers should watch are those focused on embedded tagging , item-level traceability and supply chain intelligence.

With the EUs impending deadlines for textiles and tires in 2027, retailers will no longer be in wait-and-see modetheyre locking in their plans not only to ensure compliance, but also to ensure their investments here drive broader operational benefits, said Megan Brewster , vice president of advanced technology at Impinj.

Seattle-based RFID technology provider Impinj predicts that 2026 will be pivotal for digital product transparency, supply chain integrity and tech-driven operational efficiency.

As retailers embark on 2026, the industry is collectively facing a convergence of regulatory pressures, operational innovation outlooks and consumer expectations.

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Item-level traceability makes it harder for bad actors to hide; technologies like RAIN RFID give supply chain partners shared visibility into authentic productshelping to expose counterfeits much earlier in the supply chain, she continued. For retailers selling premium, organic or ethically sourced goods, this matters even more, as one counterfeit product can erase years of sustainability gains and consumer trust in a brand.

At the same time, DPP-as-a-Service is emergingwhat Brewster called already becoming a ready-made plug-and-play infrastructure for brand storytelling and loyalty as well as for compliance. Thus, brands can externally offer consumers instant access to verified product data while internally streamlining implementation and reducing complexity.

With a growing mix of third-party logistics partners, fragmented shipping models and ongoing tariff uncertainty, cleaner data-sharing across partners based on item-level tracking and visibility is also becoming essential for protecting margins and preventing issues like wrong shipments or counterfeits, Brewster said.

In tandem, Impinj predicts that retailers will equally double down on supply chain intelligence and improved data insights. Similarly, Propel Software pegged 2026 as the year that will mark the tipping point for connected intelligence.

The next generation of AI agents wont live inside individual apps, said chief executive officer Ross Meyercord. Theyll communicate, coordinate and act across entire tech ecosystemsturning fragmented processes into fluid, intelligent networks.

According to the product value management (PVM) solution provider, the software platforms that can extend data and workflows across an entire enterprise will dominate, while isolated tools will fade into irrelevance. Its already been evidenced by agentic AI advances, per the fintech firms findings.

In this new era, standalone software simply wont be able to compete, Meyercord said. The demise of remaining on-premises software will accelerate, leaving just 15 percent of those companies over the next three years.

That said, SaaS is far from dead; instead, it is undergoing a resurgence alongside AI agents, per Propel. The Silicon Valley company sees the 2026 winners as those who can combine the agility of AI agents with the reliability of SaaS to deliver measurable business value.

SaaS brings the workflows, governance and guardrails that enterprises demand, while AI agents extend productivity and speed, said Meyercord. One without the other falls short, but together, they set the new standard for enterprise software.

On that note, software giant SAP argued that as retail enters an agentic eraone in which AI agents increasingly shape how consumers discover and buy productsthe brands that keep optimizing only for traditional search risk quietly disappearing from the models driving next-gen discovery.

Which means that SEO isnt dead either, the enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions provider said, but evolving into AI Engine Optimization (AEO).

Agentic shopping isnt about replacing SEO; its instead a valuable and necessary mix to meet customers where they are, said Jessica Keehn, chief marketing officer of SAP Customer Experience.

To back up a bit: Agentic commerce is when a customer tells AI answer engines (like ChatGPT or Gemini) what they want, explained Keehn. It then allows the AI agent to research, compare and even buy on the customers behalf. So instead of clicking through websites, the AI becomes a shopping assistant, handling the steps from discovery to checkout in one place.

That means the new digital shelf is the AI answer engine, Keehn continued. Retailers that dont make their pricing, inventory, and product data clean, structured and LLM-ready will simply never be recommended.

She cited McKinsey & Companys estimates that about 50 percent of Google searches already include AI summaries and expects that figure to exceed 75 percent by 2028; it also projects that AI-powered search could shape $750 billion in U.S. revenue by then.

Traditional SEO will still matter, but SAP warns that brands that arent ready could see meaningful drops in site traffic as AI agents increasingly steer shoppers through recommendationssometimes without ever clicking through to a brands site.

Retailers must have a mixed strategy to ensure that products are understood and surfaced wherever customers choose to shop, Keehn said. Brands that do this well will earn trust, reduce friction in the buyer journey, increase discoverability, and build loyaltya virtuous cycle.

Keehn argued that in an agent-led shopping model, loyalty becomes a compounding signal: when a brand consistently meets expectations, the agent learns to prioritize it and surface it more oftenturning loyalty into an acquisition lever, not just a retention one.

And, she added, agents are only as good as the systems behind them: product catalog, inventory, pricing, fulfillment, and order history. When that data is siloed, the agent cant reliably tell shoppers whats available, when it will arrive, or what theyll actually pay.

Thats why retailers are consolidating ERP with commerce, marketing, sales and service into a single, integrated stackso enterprise data stays clean and connected (therefore functional) across the business. With ERP as the connective layer, Keehn said, agents can use operational context to personalize recommendations more effectively and drive profitable growth.

Loyalty was never won or lost on Google or up to AI or SEO, Keehn said. Its earned through reliability and consistency.
A TikToker's North Carolina lawsuit is making headlines.

In a civil lawsuit filed in May 2024 with the Durham County Superior Court, Akira Montague accused TikToker Brenay Kennard of alienation of affection, intentionally spurring the end of her marriage, and criminal conversation, having sex with a persons spouse. Both legal claims are only recognized in five states, North Carolina included.

Kennard, who maintains a following of over 3 million across TikTok and Instagram, shares day-in-the-life videos and other vlog-style content, regularly featuring Timothy in her posts.

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On Monday, Nov. 10, a jury sided with Montague, who had sought $3.5 million in damages for an affair with her then-husband, Timothy Montague. Kennard was ordered to pay $1.75 million in damages to her husband's ex-wife.

Brett Ward, a partner in Blank Rome's Matrimonial & Family Law Group and co-chair of the firm's litigation department, tells PEOPLE about the history of alienation of affection and how social media played a role in Montague v. Kennard.



What is alienation of affection?

Alienation of affection is a civil tort that allows individuals to sue another for intentionally spurring the end of a marriage. Ward says the law often goes hand-in-hand with another civil tort, criminal conversion, which allows one to sue for extramarital sexual acts. Montague accused Kennard of both statues.

In alienation of affection cases, the burden of proof is only preponderance of the evidence, which Ward notes is the lowest possible burden, being "just one tick higher than 50 percent chance this happened," he says.

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"What's very interesting about these cases is [that] it's often very hard to prove, other than when you go on social media and publicize what you're doing," says the attorney, referring to Montague v. Kennard. Otherwise, the case is controlled by "circumstantial evidence," which also informs the jury's decision.



Brenay Kennard/TikTok Brenay Kennard. Brenay Kennard.

Which states still observe alienation of affection?

Only five states allow people to sue for alienation of affection: North Carolina, Utah, Mississippi, South Dakota and Hawaii. According to Ward, it's "very rarely" pursued by plaintiffs, especially now that every state has "no-fault laws" which allow people to get divorced without proving adultery.

"The law has trended in the direction against having these type of matters brought before the court," he explains. "Almost every state legislature where there is alienation of affection has made efforts to abolish these civil remedies."

There are somewhat similar areas still in existence more nationally, which is known as intentional infliction of emotional distress. However, the doctrine is very limited, says Ward, because individuals need to prove "extreme and outrageous conduct." The vast majority of states have determined that affairs don't fall under that category, save for some exceptions.

Brenay Kennard/TikTok Brenay Kennard. Brenay Kennard.

Who could be sued for alienation of affection?

Scorned spouses are not the only people at risk of being sued for alienation of affection in states that allow it, and the doctrine does not require a sexual act. Ward says that anyone who knows about a relationship, knows it's a good relationship and then seeks to undermine it is technically liable.

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That could be anyone from a friend to a mother-in-law. "Same for a psychologist [who says], 'I know you love him, but he's not right for you. Long-term, it's bad for you.' And this person says, 'You know what, you're right,'" Ward explains. "That person may have a cause of action against them."

He notes that the risk lies in the possibility of using the law "as a sword as opposed to a shield." The potential breadth of who can get caught up in this type of doctrine is quite large, Ward adds, "Think how far down this could go. It could even be domestic violence counselors."



What is the statute of limitations on alienation of affection?

Four of the five observing states assign a three-year statute of limitations to alienation of affection claims. Only Utah stands out, allowing people to sue for four years after the alleged offense.

Ward specifies that the limitation period starts as early as when "the acts that constituted the alienation happened." Some lower courts originally ruled that the clock should start when the plaintiff found out about the acts, however, the issue was raised to the Supreme Court in North Carolina and the timeline was limited.



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How can social media affect the outcome of alienation of affection cases?

In Montague's case against Kennard, Ward says social media played "two major roles," one in terms of actual damages and another on a more psychological level. Addressing the latter, the attorney surmises that the fact of the affair was amplified by the way Kennard treated it online.

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"People know that [cheating] happens. They do. They don't like it, but okay, it happens," he says. "But when the defendant publicized about it in social media videos talking about how she wanted to have this man's children and things like that ... I have to imagine for any jury that that was salt in a wound."

As for actual damages, social media resulted in actual damages for Montague, Ward says, "because she was receiving death threats. Her children could see this, read about it, and she was embarrassed to be in places, and she was frightened by this woman's followers threatening her."



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Amanda Knox returned to Italy to confront the prosecutor who sent her to prison back in 2008 for a murder she didnt commit.

Knox, 38, returned to Italy in 2022 to speak at the Italy Innocence Project conference, and while she was there, decided to have a one-on-one meeting with Giuliano Mignini, who prosecuted her case 20 years prior. The encounter was filmed for a documentary thats releasing on Hulu and Disney+ on Monday, January 26.

I had shy treatment from the media, but the media did not put me in prison, he did, she says in the trailer for Mouth of the Wolf: Amanda Knox Returns to Italy, which was directed by her husband of five years, Christopher Robinson. I wanted to know if the person who hurt me cared. So, I went back to confront the man who put me in prison face-to-face.

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In 2008, Knox was studying abroad in Perugia, Italy, when her roommate, U.K. student Meredith Kercher, was sexually assaulted and killed. Knox and her then-boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, were convicted and imprisoned for murder. However, the evidence was spotty and a media firestorm that seemingly tried her in the court of public opinion put a cloud over the case. She and Sollecito were convicted of murder and acquitted two different times. After years of legal battles, they were fully exonerated of the crime in 2015.

Eventually, Rudy Guede was convicted of killing Kercher after his DNA matched evidence found at the scene. Guede, who insisted he was innocent, served 13 years in prison and was released in 2021, according to the Associated Press. In November, Mignini claimed there was a new person of interest in the crime. However, he has yet to make the persons name public.

Since being exonerated, Knox has worked as a writer and activist. However, the National Enquirer previously reported that she is also beginning a foray into standup comedy.

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This story Amanda Knox Confronts Prosecutor Who Tried Her Case: The Media Didnt Put Me In Prison, He Did first appeared on National Enquirer. Add National Enquirer as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
NEED TO KNOW

Amanda Knox returned to Italy in 2022 and met with the prosecutor who sent her to prison

A new documentary directed by Knox's husband recounts this experience

Mouth of the Wolf: Amanda Knox Returns to Italy premieres on Hulu on Jan. 26

Amanda Knox returned to Italy in 2022 to confront the prosecutor who sent her to prison  and the experience is now being included as part of a documentary directed by her husband.

Knox, whose murder conviction and eventual exoneration made her the subject of an intense media firestorm, took part in the upcoming Hulu documentary Mouth of the Wolf: Amanda Knox Returns to Italy, which saw her go back to the country where she was imprisoned.

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In 2008, Knox, then an American student studying in Italy, was convicted of the murder of her roommate, Meredith Kercher, a British student who was sexually assaulted and then violently killed the year before.

Knox and her then-boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, were the primary suspects in the case and both were eventually convicted, though both have since been exonerated and set free.

Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Giuliano Mignini Giuliano Mignini

Rudy Guede was convicted of the murder in 2008 after traces of his DNA were found at the scene.

Since she was set free, Knox has been working as a writer and activist and has two children with her husband, Christopher Robinson, whom she married in 2020.

Robinson directed Mouth of the Wolf, which gives "audiences unprecedented access to [Knox's] story," according to a press release.

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Mouth of the Wolf, which premieres on Hulu and Disney+ on Monday, Jan. 26, follows Knox on a trip to speak at an Italy Innocence Project conference and culminates with a meeting between her and Giuliano Mignini, who prosecuted her case nearly 20 years ago.

Knox's conviction was overturned and she was released from an Italian prison in 2011. She was exonerated in 2015.

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.

Guede was sentenced to 30 years in prison following his conviction but after an appeal, it was reduced to 16 years.

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He was released three years early in 2021, the Associated Press reported.

In 2025, Hulu released a limited series about the case titled The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox, in which she was portrayed by Grace Van Patten.

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Monica Long, president of Ripple (CRYPTO: XRP), predicts half of Fortune 500 companies will adopt formal crypto strategies by the end of 2026 as stablecoins become the default for global payments.

Stablecoins Become The Default Payment Rail

Long says stablecoins will replace traditional payment systems within five years, not as an alternative but as the foundation.

The shift is already happening. Visa Inc (NYSE:V) and Stripe are building stablecoin infrastructure into their core systems.

The GENIUS Act legalized compliant U.S. stablecoins, making them the standard for 24/7 global payments.

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Ripples recent conditional approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to charter a national trust bank signals where this is headed.

Long says this positions Ripple USD (CRYPTO: RLUSD) as the gold standard for programmable payments.

The numbers back up the momentum. B2B payments drove stablecoin adoption to $76 billion annualized in 2025  a massive jump from under $100 million monthly in early 2023.

But the real opportunity lies in the over $700 billion sitting idle on corporate balance sheets that stablecoins could unlock for real-time liquidity.

Fortune 500 Goes All-In On Crypto

Long predicts balance sheets will hold over $1 trillion in digital assets by the end of 2026, with roughly half of Fortune 500 companies running active crypto strategies.

The data supports it. A 2025 Coinbase Global Inc (NASDAQ:COIN) survey found 60% of Fortune 500 companies are working on blockchain initiatives. Over 200 public companies now hold Bitcoin as a treasury strategy.

Trending: If there was a new fund backed by Jeff Bezos offering a 7-9% target yield with monthly dividends would you invest in it?

Digital asset treasury companies grew from four in 2020 to over 200 today. Nearly 100 formed in 2025 alone.

Additionally, more than 40 crypto ETFs launched in 2025, but they still represent only 1-2% of the total U.S. ETF market. That gap shows how much room exists for institutional money to flow in.

Long expects 5-10% of capital markets settlement to move on-chain in 2026 as custodian banks and clearing houses adopt tokenization.

The Custody Consolidation Wave

Crypto M&A hit $8.6 billion in 2025, driven by institutional participation.
Rudy Youngblood, best known for playing Jaguar Paw in Mel Gibsons Oscar-nominated "Apocalypto," is back in the headlines after being arrested in Texas on a felony substance charge. Youngblood was taken into custody on Thursday after officers picked him up on a warrant filed in Bell County the day before. Rudy Youngblood was booked into the Henderson County jail for possession of a controlled substance in an amount between 1 gram and 4 grams, a felony that can carry up to two years behind bars and a fine of $10,000.

Speeding Stop Allegedly Uncovered Warrant, Leading To Rudy Youngbloods Arrest

Rachel Worth / WENN Newscom/MEGA

City of Brownsboro Chief of Police Scott Myntti told TMZ that Rudy Youngblood was initially pulled over for speeding, and once officers ran his license, it allegedly showed he was wanted. From there, he was cuffed and booked without incident. As of Friday morning, he remains in custody.

TMZ reports this latest arrest is connected to an earlier incident in October, when officers stopped Youngblood at a boat ramp in Bell County, Texas. At the time, police allegedly discovered there was a warrant out for his arrest tied to an accusation that he assaulted a member of his household.

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Court documents reportedly claim officers also found a baggie of what they suspected was meth, along with a metal scale, a straw, and a glass pipe. The substance was sent off for testing, and after it was confirmed to be meth, law enforcement signed a warrant for his arrest, leading to this weeks custody.

Youngbloods Legal Trouble Reportedly Stretches Back Years

Katherine Burgers/WENN Newscom/MEGA

This isnt the first time Youngblood's name has popped up in a police report. TMZ previously reported that in October 2025, he was arrested for allegedly assaulting a family or household member by impeding their breathing or circulation.

He was also arrested in Miami in 2017 for disorderly intoxication, though those charges were eventually dropped.

Rudy Youngbloods 2025 Arrest Resurfaces As Cops Allege Assault Warrant And White Crystalline Substance

John Elliott / Hutchins Newscom/MEGA

During his October 2025 arrest, authorities say Youngblood was taken into custody after a warrant was issued accusing him of assaulting a family or household member by impeding their breathing or circulation. Police also allege a white crystalline substance was found on Youngblood during the arrest.

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Officials said the warrant surfaced after a vehicle was reported parked near a Lake Belton boat ramp at around 12:20 a.m. Corey Powell, public information officer for the Bell County Sheriffs Office, told the Daily Mail, Rudy Youngblood was arrested by the Belton, Texas Police Department and booked into the Bell County Jail on October 15, 2025, at 12:31 a.m., on an outstanding warrant issued out of the Austin Municipal Court on the felony charge of assault family/household member, impede breath or circulation.

Greece Run-In Added Another Chapter To Youngbloods Legal Troubles

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Long before this Texas arrest made waves, Youngblood was already dealing with serious legal drama overseas. Less than a year ago, he reportedly spent time in custody in Athens, Greece, after an early-morning confrontation with police that quickly spiraled.

According to local reports, Youngblood was stopped in the early hours of December 27, 2024, and authorities alleged he was intoxicated and threatening officers with a knife. Youngblood, however, claimed the officers werent wearing identifying insignia and didnt explain his rights.

Youngblood was later charged with resisting arrest, making threats, and carrying a weapon after police said he had a pocketknife. He ultimately received a 10-month suspended prison sentence, but the situation didnt end there. Reports said he remained held due to an expired visa, triggering a deportation order that he later appealed before leaving Greece voluntarily.

From 'Apocalypto' Breakout To Recent Indie Roles, Rudy Youngbloods Career Spans Nearly Two Decades

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Youngblood rose to fame as the lead in "Apocalypto" in 2006, a role that put him on Hollywoods radar. His filmography also includes titles like 2010's "Beatdown," 2015's "Wind Walkers," 2016's "Crossing Point," 2018's "Attrition," and 2019's "Hell On The Border," showing he stayed active with a steady run of action-heavy projects in the years that followed.

More recently, hes appeared in projects including 2023s "The Haunting of Hell Hole Mine" and 2021s "Dandelion Season," among others.
Ben Afflecks love for Dunkin has produced some of the brands most talked-about commercials, but not every idea made it to air. The actor recently shared how a prank filmed during a 2025 Dunkin ad shoot backfired when unsuspecting customers became part of the joke.

Ben Affleck trolled Dunkin customers

Ben Affleck and Matt Damon recently talked about Afflecks long-running association with the coffee chain while promoting their new film The Rip. During this, Damon brought up an unreleased Dunkin commercial that never saw the light of day.

There was actually an amazing one that he did that they couldnt air because he did a bit where he was telling everybody coming through the drive-through that they didnt have coffee, Damon shared. Affleck then explained that the prank happened in Medford, Massachusetts, where real customers pulled up expecting their usual caffeine fix. We were in Medford, Massachusetts and telling people, We dont have coffee,' he recalled.

While the idea amused Affleck and Damon, the reaction from customers was far less forgiving. Damon shared that many of the people in the drive-through were headed to work and had little tolerance for the joke. These guys are on their way to go paint a house or These guys are, like, working, and they were not having it, he quipped.

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The situation may have been funny on set, but it raised red flags for the brand. According to Damon, Dunkin quickly shut down the concept, making it clear that suggesting the company had no coffee was not something they could promote. Affleck, however, still stood by the creativity behind the stunt. I thought it was genius, he said. He also joked about the irritated responses he received, recalling customers who felt they had wasted their time. I didnt wait an hour for water, Affleck enacted.

Despite the abandoned drive-through gag, Ben Afflecks partnership with Dunkin continued to grow. Affleck, Damon, and Tom Brady later appeared together in a seven-minute Dunkin commercial for the 2025 Super Bowl.

Originally reported by Devanshi Basu on Mandatory

The post Ben Affleck Recalls Joking Around With Dunkin Customers During Ad Shoot appeared first on Reality Tea.
The real source of pain for Victoria and David Beckham, regarding their estranged son, Brooklyn Beckham, has been revealed.

The power couple has expressed strong reservations about a particular legal aspect of Brooklyn and Nicola's marital agreement and how it may work against the photographer.

Victoria and David Beckham are currently dealing with the aftermath of their son, Brooklyn Beckham's, explosive Instagram statement, which painted them as a family who would do anything to uphold a false image.

Brooklyn Beckham Gets None Of Nicola Peltz's Family's Largesse In The Case Of A Divorce

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David and Victoria now have another worry to add to their plate following a revelation that Brooklyn had signed an iron-clad prenuptial agreement before exchanging vows with Nicola in 2022.

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Brooklyn had agreed not to own any part of the Peltz family's wealth if he parted ways with the model. If Brooklyn leaves the model today, he only has the right to claim half of what they have amassed as a brand.

A source close to Victoria and David has since expressed their worries, noting that they feel their son is wholly lost in Nicola's world and has lost touch with the outside. This also means that if he ever leaves Nicola, he will be completely shut out with little cash to show for it.

"It's as if he's being held captive or something, because heartbreakingly, that's what it feels like for them. His future is completely in the hands of the Peltzes," the source explained.

According to Page Six, Nicola's father is reportedly worth $1.6 billion, compared to the Beckhams, who are only at $673 million.

The Budding Chef's Instagram Outburst May Birth A Memoir In The Future

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Several speculations trailed Brooklyn's statement on Instagram, including talks that the media personality is quietly embarking on a mission to shape his public image and tell his own story.

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As shared by The Blast, some sources are predicting that he may decide to become an author anytime soon. After all, Brooklyn has retained the services of a literary agent for several years, who has helped deflect publishers who have endlessly tried to make money off the Beckham name.

Though he has rejected opinions to write something about his life in the past, some sources are saying that the growing controversy around his life has now made writing his story a necessity rather than an option.

"This is the first time he's seriously considered telling his side of the story to clear the air. He's sick of others rewriting it for him," the source emphasized.

Brooklyn Beckham May Gain Much-Needed Financial Breakthrough From A Memoir

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The photographer's friendship with Prince Harry and Meghan has also taken center stage in the discussions surrounding the possibility that he might decide to spill it all in a book.

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Prince Harry reshaped the culture of writing memoirs with "Spare," which sold nearly 500,000 copies in the UK and broke the fastest-selling non-fiction title record in history.

Sources are now saying that Brooklyn may decide to draw inspiration from Harry, seeing how well he sold his books, and also release a project of his own. While this will ensure all rumors are denied and the stories are set straight, it might also set Brooklyn on the path of a financial breakthrough.

His experience with publishing since releasing his debut photography book, "What I See," in 2017, which was published by Penguin Random House, will also help him navigate the business side of things.

The 26-Year-Old Claimed Instagram Outburst Was Due To Frustration

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Brooklyn broke his silence on Instagram on Monday, January 19, when he emphasized how he was left with no choice but to come out publicly and establish some hard facts in the face of allegedly misleading narratives by the press.

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He accused his parents of repeatedly speaking to the media about him and his marriage, which often leaves him with no choice but to fight back. The Blast noted that Brooklyn clarified that no one is controlling him and has no interest in settling the scores with his family.

"I'm standing up for myself for the first time in my life. For my entire life, my parents have controlled narratives in the press about our family," Brooklyn added, revealing that most of their public images are very curated and built around inauthentic relationships.

He also accused his mother of disappointing Nicola by changing her mind on making her wedding dress at the last minute and also joining forces with David to make him relinquish legal rights to his name ahead of his wedding.

Brooklyn Beckham Does Not Want Any Direct Contact With His Parents

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Before his Instagram post, the photographer had established a new communication channel between himself and his parents. He had reportedly told his parents not to attempt contacting him directly and instead do it through a lawyer if the message was so important.

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He also wants his parents to desist from making any public statement about him on social media, as reports have filtered around that his wife was controlling him.

The exclusion of David and Victoria from Brooklyn's life follows the photographer's decision to carry on with his vow renewal ceremony in America, with his parents far away in the United Kingdom.

Nicola and the photographer's event had about 100 to 200 guests in attendance, and their loved ones delivered heartfelt speeches. The wedding ceremony took place very quietly at the Peltz's expansive New York estate without signs of Brooklyn's siblings in attendance.

Will Brooklyn Beckham's parents take any drastic steps to address this new development?
PITKIN COUNTY, Colo. (KREX)  The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) announced on Friday that it has completed its review of the death of author Hunter S. Thompson and confirmed he died by suicide.

The CBI stated that its review did not uncover any new physical evidence, factors, or circumstances that supported a different conclusion.

While we have always believed the original investigation was conducted properly, we recognized the importance of an independent review for the Thompson family, said Buglione. CBIs conclusions reaffirm the original findings and, we hope, provide reassurance and clarity.

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According to CBI, the case review was initiated after a request on July 31, 2025, from Thompsons widow, Anita Thompson, who contacted Pitkin County Sheriff Michael Buglione. She said she had new concerns and possible information regarding her Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas authors death, which happened on Feb. 20, 2005, at their home in Wood Creek near Aspen.

Im thankful for the kind and thorough work done by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation in their review of this case, and not a single attempt to overstep the ethical boundaries of a technical review, especially under such difficult circumstances, said Anita Thompson. This allows all of us who loved Hunter to move forward with a clean conscience.

The review included reviewing the Pitkin County Sheriffs Office (PCSO) law enforcement records and autopsy reports from forensic pathologist Dean Havlik, who is the current Mesa County coroner.

Agents also interviewed Anita Thompson, Hunter S. Thompsons son, Juan, and ex-daughter-in-law, Jennifer, original lead investigator, Ron Ryan, current Pitkin County Coroner Steven Ayers and former Pitkin County Sheriff and Undersheriff Joe DiSalvo.

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CBI stated the final review process included conducting a scene examination, which was necessary as most original physical evidence and photographs had been disposed of by the PCSO in accordance with non-criminal case retention schedules.

The bureau also corroborated the original investigation by employing modern trajectory analysis and scene reconstruction techniques. Agents based this on the intact bullet defect, which they found was consistent with the PCSOs findings, the autopsy report and the observations of the original investigators.

CBI found the evidence was consistent, as investigators found none of the information to contradict the follow-up interviews or the recent scene examination. Original crime scene photographs, recovered by Anita Thompson, were examined and confirmed that the authors body was aligned with the bullet trajectory.

The body was not moved or staged after his death, according to CBI.

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Witnesses told investigators Hunter S. Thompson had significant depression and chronic.

Ayers said the author was experiencing a physical and mental decline and reported suicidal ideations. Hunter S. Thompson also idolized writer Ernest Hemingway, who also died by suicide, but these theories could not be substantiated, CBI stated.

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 WesternSlopeNow.com.
DENVER (KDVR)  The Colorado Bureau of Investigation has affirmed that the 2005 death of author and journalist Dr. Hunter S. Thompson was a suicide, following a comprehensive case review.

CBI said Friday that the review affirmed the original determination of suicide, as the cause of death for Hunter S. Thompson, 67, who was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his residence, Owl Farm, in Woody Creek, Colorado, in February 2005.

Renowned journalist Hunter S. Thompsons death under review 20 years later at widows suggestion

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The agency said it initiated the review following a written request from the Pitkin County Sheriffs Office on July 31, 2025, with the request coming after Hunter S. Thompsons widow, Anita Thompson, contacted the sheriffs office with new concerns and potential information regarding the investigation into the death.

While we have always believed the original investigation was conducted properly, we recognized the importance of an independent review for the Thompson family, said PCSO Sheriff Michael Buglione, in a statement. CBIs conclusions reaffirm the original findings and, we hope, provide reassurance and clarity.

CBI said the review did not uncover any new physical evidence, facts or circumstances to support a conclusion different from the original 2005 investigation.

As part of its review, CBI said it reviewed PCSO law enforcement records and autopsy reports, conducted interviews with Anita Thompson, Hunter S. Thompsons son, Juan Thompson and ex-daughter-in-law Jennifer Thompson.

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CBI said it also interviewed the original lead investigator in the case, the Pitkin County coroner and former PCSO sheriff and undersheriff Joe DiSalvo.

The agency also conducted a scene examination, saying doing so was necessary as most of the original physical evidence and photographs had been disposed of by the PCSO in accordance with non-criminal case retention schedules.

Among the key findings included interviews confirming Hunter S. Thompson suffered from significant depression and chronic pain, had physical and mental decline and suicidal ideations, and idolized author Ernest Hemingway, who also died by suicide, according to CBI.

CBI said the review also corroborated that Hunter S. Thompsons body was not moved or staged after death.

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Anita Thompson, in response to the review, said she was thankful for the kind and thorough work done by CBI, noting that not a single attempt was made to overstep the ethical boundaries of a technical review, especially under such difficult circumstances.

This allows all of us who loved Hunter to move forward with a clean conscience, Anita Thompson said, in a statement provided by CBI.

CBI offering $75K for information about 8-year-old cold case

Hunter S. Thompson was known as the father of gonzo journalism, and cemented his legacy as a writer, journalist and counterculture figure in 1971 after his famous semi-fictional account of covering an off-road race in Las Vegas was published in Rolling Stone magazine.

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In the late 1960s, Hunter S. Thompson moved with his family to Woody Creek, a town near Aspen. The author and journalist also ran for sheriff of Pitkin County in 1970, but lost the election.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
A federal magistrate judge rejected a proposed criminal complaint from the Department of Justice against former CNN anchor Don Lemon connected to a protest inside a Minnesota church on Jan. 18 that led to the arrest of three protesters on Jan. 22  multiple outlets reported citing anonymous sources.

Lemon was one of several journalists in attendance at the protest of Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, speaking with congregation members, protesters and one of the church's pastors, all shared in a nearly seven-hour livestream available on Lemon's YouTube channel.

CNN, Reuters and CBS News reported that their source told them that the decision "enraged" Attorney General Pam Bondi.

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USA TODAY has reached out to Lemon for comment but his lawyer, Abbe Lowel, told CBS News in a statement that the rejection confirms "the nature of Don's First Amendment protected work this weekend in Minnesota as a reporter."

"Should the Department of Justice continue with a stunning and troubling effort to silence and punish a journalist for doing his job, Don will call out their latest attack on the rule of law and fight any charges vigorously and thoroughly in court," the statement reads

Don Lemon takes part in the panel 'Future of news: How creators and influencers are reshaping journalism', at the Reuters NEXT conference, in New York City, New York, U.S., December 3, 2025.

Protest fallout: Don Lemon says Nicki Minaj should 'get a life' after she calls for his arrest

The Pioneer Press reported that independent journalist Georgia Fort was also briefly listed as a defendant in early court filings, citing anonymous sources.

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"Like Don Lemon, Georgia is an award-winning journalist who attended the demonstration solely in that capacity.  The governments actions are deeply troubling and Georgia is prepared to defend herself if necessary," Leita Walker, Fort's attorney, told The Pioneer Press.

Activists arrested for church protest

Bondi said on Jan. 22 that FBI and Homeland Security agents took part in the arrests of civil rights activists Nekima Levy Armstrong and Chauntyll Louisa Allen, who helped organize the protest. William Kelly, an anti-ICE activist and Army veteran, was also arrested, Bondi said.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on X that Armstrong and Kelly faced charges of "conspiracy to deny rights" under a federal law that bars physical obstruction of houses of worship. The official Department of Homeland Security X account said the same for Allen.

An arrest warrant for Allen obtained and broadcast by Minneapolis CBS affiliate WCCO shows two charges filed against her and magistrate judge Douglas Micko striking out one charge by hand, writing "no probable cause."

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Armstrong and Allen were granted release by Micko but remain detained after the government appealed the release order, James Cook, Allen's attorney, confirmed to USA TODAY in an interview. "I've never seen anything like this before," Cook said. The Pioneer Press reports a detention hearing is expected on Jan. 23.

These are officials making a political decision, and purposely making a political spectacle and a political circus out of the court system for their own purposes. Jordan Kushner, Armstrong's attorney, said after the hearing  according to the Pioneer Press.

The Minnesota Star Tribune reported that Chase Iron Eyes, Kelly's lawyer, said that his client "was doing nothing more than exercising his right to free speech."

ChongLy Thao looks out the window with his son Chris Thao as several vehicles with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents idle in the street outside of their home in St Paul, Minnesota, U.S., January 19, 2026. ChongLy "Scott" Thao's four-year-old grandson, (name withheld for security reasons), traces his finger in frozen condensation at the back door of the family home a day after Scott Thao was taken by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and then returned. ChongLy Thao was taken by ICE agents after they broke down his door and was only returned some time later after they discovered they took the wrong person and that he is a U.S. citizen. ChongLy Thao, who goes by Scott, was taken by ICE agents after they broke down his door and was only returned some time later after they discovered they took the wrong person and that he is a U.S. citizen. ChongLy Thao, who goes by Scott, pets the family dog Rocky during an interview with Reuters in his home a day after he was taken by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ICE agents and later returned in St Paul, Minnesota. ChongLy Thao, who goes by Scott, poses for a portrait outside of his home a day after he was taken by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ICE agents before he was later returned in St Paul, Minnesota, U.S., January 19, 2026. ChongLy Thao, who goes by Scott, is hugged by his sister (who preferred not to give her name for security reasons), a day after he was taken by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and later returned in St Paul, Minnesota, U.S., January 19, 2026. ChongLy Thao, who goes by Scott, looks out the window as several vehicles with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents idle in the street outside of his home a day after he was taken by ICE agents and later returned in St Paul, Minnesota, U.S., January 19, 2026. ICE pulls Minnesota man from house, barely clothed. Later returned. 1 of 8 ChongLy Thao looks out the window with his son Chris Thao as several vehicles with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents idle in the street outside of their home in St Paul, Minnesota, U.S., January 19, 2026.

On video: ICE agent enters St. Paul restaurant with gun drawn

What happened at Cities Church?

A group of protesters entered Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota on Jan. 18, alleging that Pastor David Easterwood works as the ICE St. Paul Field Office acting director.

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St. Paul Police Department Public Information Officer Nikki Muehlhausen told USA TODAY that officers responded to the church, but by the time they arrived, the group of 30 to 40 protesters had moved outside. The department is actively investigating the protest as disorderly conduct, Muehlhausen added.

Videos of the protest showed demonstrators chanting "ICE out" and the church's lead pastor, Jonathan Parnell, shouting, "Shame on you, this is the house of God and we are worshipping." Kelly can be seen in a heated conversation with a man who appears to be a congregant.

A video of the protest posted by Armstrong showed that she stood inside the church and said Easterwood's role as a pastor was incompatible with his alleged role overseeing ICE agents.

Activists hold signs during a protest on the one-year anniversary of President Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20, 2026 in Washington, D.C. Protestors gathered to call for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to leave Washington, D.C. Activists carry signs during a protest on the one-year anniversary of President Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20, 2026 in Washington, D.C. Protestors gathered to call for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to leave Washington, D.C. Activists hold signs reading "Justice For Renee Good" as they demonstrate against ICE during a protest on the one-year anniversary of President Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20, 2026 in Washington, DC. Protestors gathered to call for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to leave Washington, D.C. Activists hold signs reading "Justice For Renee Good" as they demonstrate against ICE during a protest on the one-year anniversary of President Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20, 2026 in Washington, DC. Protestors gathered to call for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to leave Washington, D.C. Activists hold signs during a protest on the one-year anniversary of President Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20, 2026 in Washington, D.C. Protestors gathered to call for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to leave Washington, D.C. A demonstrator holds an upside-down U.S. flag, with name Renee Good written on it, after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good on January 7 during an immigration raid, as people attend a rally against U.S. President Donald Trump's policies, on the one-year mark into his second term in office, in Washington on Jan. 20, 2026. Demonstrators hold placards during a protest against U.S. President Donald Trump's policies on the one-year mark into his second term in office, in Manhattan, New York City on Jan. 20, 2026. Demonstrators shout during a protest against U.S. President Donald Trump's policies on the one-year mark into his second term in office, in Manhattan, New York City on Jan. 20, 2026. A demonstrator holds a sign as people gather at Pershing Park during the "Walk Out for Freedom" demonstration on Jan. 20, 2026 in Washington, DC. Students across the nation are walking out to protest against the Trump Administration's policies, including immigration enforcement. Dustin Pack holds an upside down American flag at Pershing Park while a crowd gathers below during the "Walk Out for Freedom" demonstration on Jan. 20, 2026 in Washington, DC. Students across the nation are walking out to protest against the Trump Administration's policies, including immigration enforcement. About 50 people gather on the north and south sides of the Merrill P. Barber bridge, Jan. 20, 2026, to participate in the "Free America Walkout" in solidarity with the Women's March and other grassroots organizations in Vero Beach. The gathering was organized by Jeanne Warfield, who described the group as a mix of both seasonal and full-time Vero Beach residents; many of whom live at the Vero Beach Municipal Marina. Americans across Florida and the U.S. walked out of their jobs and schools in protest to what organizers call President Donald Trump's "second regime." About 50 people gather on the north and south sides of the Merrill P. Barber bridge, Jan. 20, 2026, to participate in the "Free America Walkout" in solidarity with the Women's March and other grassroots organizations in Vero Beach. The gathering was organized by Jeanne Warfield, who described the group as a mix of both seasonal and full-time Vero Beach residents; many of whom live at the Vero Beach Municipal Marina. A nationwide Free America Walkout protest on the anniversary of Trump's presidency took place outside the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus. A nationwide Free America Walkout protest on the anniversary of Trump's presidency took place outside the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio. A nationwide Free America Walkout protest on the anniversary of Trump's presidency took place outside the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus. Protestors assembled outside of Wilmington City Hall for a Free America Walkout protest of the Trump administration in Wilmington, N.C., on Jan. 20, 2026. Activists hold signs and listen to speakers after marching from San Jacinto Plaza to Aztec Calendar Park near the El Paso County Courthouse in Downtown El Paso, Texas, during a Free America Walkout peaceful protest on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2025. Activists hold signs and listen to speakers after marching from San Jacinto Plaza to Aztec Calendar Park near the El Paso County Courthouse in Downtown El Paso, Texas, during a Free America Walkout peaceful protest on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2025. Thousands rally against ICE on anniversary of Trumps second term 1 of 18 Activists hold signs during a protest on the one-year anniversary of President Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20, 2026 in Washington, D.C. Protestors gathered to call for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to leave Washington, D.C.

ICE backlash: Voters say Trump has gone too far in immigration efforts in new WSJ poll

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"How dare you claim to be a pastor of God, and you are involved in evil in our community?" Armstrong said.

The church called the protesters "agitators" who "accosted members of our congregation, frightened children, and created a scene marked by intimidation and threat" in a statement posted to X on Jan. 20. The church added that it is considering legal action.

The protest was held less than two weeks after the fatal shooting of Renee Good, who was killed by ICE officer Jonathan Ross on Jan. 7 in Minneapolis.

Contributing: Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Don Lemon not charged in Minnesota church protest; 3 activists arrested
Actress Jameela Jamil didnt hold back in private texts to a publicist amid the ongoing drama between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.

The text thread between the The Good Place alum and Baldonis publicist, Jennifer Abel, surfaced as part of a batch of messages revealed in newly unsealed court documents related to Livelys lawsuit against her co-star and director of It Ends With Us.

The messages, sent in August 2024, show Jamil and Abel reacting to a TikTok video that criticizes Livelys promotion of the film as out of touch and tone-deaf.

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I want to officially incorporate nightmare ct and demon ct into my vocabulary; UNBELIEVABLE, Abel wrote, adding that the backlash Lively received from the public was all of her own doing.

Shes a suicide bomber at this point, Jamil replied.

At the time, Lively was under fire for highlighting her haircare line and adopting a light-hearted tone in interviews, rather than addressing the films serious themes of domestic violence.

After taking a hit to her reputation, Lively posted a link to a domestic violence hotline, which Jamil and Abel also referenced in their texts.

So cold, just some stats and a link, Jamil described the post.

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Ive never seen such a bizarre villain act before. Shes OVER over, Jamil added after agreeing with Abel that she hates Lively so much.

A source close to Lively responded to the recently revealed exchange, telling TMZ that its disappointing that instead of listening to women when they speak out, other women call them names and discredit them in defense of a fake male feminist.

The text thread is just one of many private communications that were released this week in regard to the Lively-Baldoni dispute, with court documents also disclosing texts between Lively and her reportedly estranged bestie Taylor Swift, as well as now-viral email Lively sent to Ben Affleck.

Lively and Baldoni are facing off over her December 2024 lawsuit accusing him of sexual harassment on set of It Ends With Us, and a retaliatory smear campaign  both of which he denies.

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Baldoni, in a since-dismissed $400 million countersuit, claimed Lively defamed him and robbed him of control of the film.

A trial in the case is currently set to begin this May in New York City.
NEED TO KNOW

Melissa Gilbert's husband Timothy Busfield is facing child sex abuse charges in New Mexico

Busfield, 68, was released from custody pending trial in New Mexico on Jan. 20, over a week after a warrant was issued for his arrest

Modern Prairie, the clothing brand Gilbert founded, issued a statement of support for her on Jan. 22

Melissa Gilbert's company has issued a new statement amid her husband Timothy Busfield's ongoing legal battle.

Busfield, 68, who married Gilbert in 2013, is facing child sex abuse charges in New Mexico. On Jan. 13, he was officially charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor (child under 13) and one count of child abuse.

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He was released from custody on Jan. 20 pending trial. Gilbert, 61, was in the room during the pretrial detention hearing to support the actor and was seen crying when the judge ruled he would be released.

Two days later, in a Jan. 22 Instagram post, the founder and CEO of Modern Prairie, Nicole Haase, shared an update regarding Gilbert's involvement in the lifestyle brand.

"We want to thank everyone who has reached out with notes of care, kindness, and support. Weve felt them, and Melissa has too ," the message began.

"Many of you are used to seeing Melissa regularly in our feed, and we understand why her absence has prompted concern," the post read. "At this moment, were choosing to honor Melissas need for privacy. Supporting someone doesnt always mean showing up loudlyit often means holding space with respect and compassion."

VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Melissa Gilbert and Timothy Busfield attend the Golden Nymph Awards ceremony of the 62nd Monte-Carlo Television Festival in the principalty of Monaco on June 20, 2023 Melissa Gilbert and Timothy Busfield attend the Golden Nymph Awards ceremony of the 62nd Monte-Carlo Television Festival in the principalty of Monaco on June 20, 2023

Haase continued, "What we can share, and want to be very clear about, is this: Melissa is, and will continue to be, an essential part of Modern Prairie as our Chief Creative Officer. Her creative voice and heart are deeply woven into who we are and what we create-and that does not change."

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Haase's post thanked their customers for their "patience" and "grace" as she reaffirmed the brand's "commitment" to their community. "Our team is here every day, caring for the work, the conversations, and the values that define Modern Prairie: kindness, dignity, and the belief that women deserve to feel seen, supported, and celebrated."

A warrant was issued for Busfield's arrest on Jan. 9 by the Albuquerque Police Department related to allegations of unlawful sexual conduct with twin 11-year-old boys. He surrendered to police on Jan. 13 in New Mexico.

One day later, a pretrial detention motion included another accusation of sexual abuse. Colin Swift reported to law enforcement on Jan. 13 that Busfield allegedly sexually abused Swift's then-16-year-old daughter "several years ago" in Sacramento, Calif.



Sam Wasson/Getty Timothy Busfield before a hearing in the Second District Judicial Court at the Bernalillo County Courthouse on January 20, 2026 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Timothy Busfield before a hearing in the Second District Judicial Court at the Bernalillo County Courthouse on January 20, 2026 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

After Busfield turned himself in, Modern Prairie released a statement calling the allegations a "personal" matter that "do not directly involve Melissa or the brand" and said their focus "remains on supporting our community and continuing our work with care, responsibility, and intention."

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Gilbert has been standing by her husband since the warrant was issued. Her rep, Ame Van Iden, issued a statement on her behalf on Jan. 13 that made it clear that Gilbert will not "speak publicly while the legal process unfolds."

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"During this period, her focus is on supporting and caring for their very large family, as they navigate this moment. Melissa stands with and supports her husband and will address the public at an appropriate time. We ask that their privacy be respected.



Sam Wasson/Getty Melissa Gilbert attends a hearing for Timothy Busfield in the Second District Judicial Court at the Bernalillo County Courthouse on January 20, 2026 in Albuquerque, New Mexico Melissa Gilbert attends a hearing for Timothy Busfield in the Second District Judicial Court at the Bernalillo County Courthouse on January 20, 2026 in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Busfield's civil attorney, Larry Stein, denied all allegations that Busfield engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with 11-year-old twin boys during an interview on Jan. 13.

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He's absolutely shocked," Stein said of Busfield. "He's devastated and will defend himself, because these are absolutely false allegations."

Stein also denied the new allegations in the pretrial motion. "The allegations were never challenged, they were never proved, and theyre 25 years old, Stein told PEOPLE. And there doesn't seem to be any connection between these allegations regarding women 25 years ago and the allegations regarding these young boys.



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.



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In a shocking turn of events, renowned OnlyFans model and social media influencer Nicole Pardo Molina has reportedly been abducted by a group of masked men. The cameras installed in nearby vehicles seem to have captured the terrifying incident, which sees three unidentified assailants forcefully kidnapping the online celebrity in their car.

OnlyFans Nicole Pardo Molina reportedly kidnapped amid clip circulating online

According to a viral clip currently making the rounds on the internet, three armed men recently succeeded in kidnapping the OnlyFans personality from her lilac Cybertruck.

The video, shared by Blog del Narco Mexico on X (formerly Twitter), starts with Nicole Pardo Molina trying to get into her distinctive car, outside a shopping mall in Culiacan, Sinaloa State. Suddenly, a white Toyota Corolla pulled up beside her, frightening the content creator. Initially, Molina tried to stop a man from coming out of the backseat by pushing the rear door.

Levantan a La Nicholette (Nicole Pardo, 25) en Isla Musala, Culiacan. Armados en Corolla blanco. Abandonan CyberTruck lila.



 Mas detalles en https://t.co/ARQgKMNMtx@Grok, crimen selectivo o mensaje del narco? pic.twitter.com/j7lqrTFR0w  El Blog del Narco (@narcoblogger) January 21, 2026

The 20-year-old then proceeded to board her own car, only for an armed masked man from the white Corolla to intercept her. With help from one of his gang members, the man overpowered Molina and dragged her into his car. Finally, the third assailant, stationed in the drivers seat (not seen in the video), accelerated away from the crime scene.

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Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Nicole Pardo Molina reportedly owns a hat and clothing store in the shopping plaza outside where the aforementioned perpetrators kidnapped her. Authorities have since linked the abduction of the OnlyFans model, who supposedly had ties to a Mexican cartel, to a rival gang.

Versions circulating on social media, particularly TikTok, point to the Los Mayos faction as responsible for the incident; this is part of the ongoing investigation, police officials noted, as per El Pais.

Nicole Pardo Molinas abduction comes in the wake of a steep rise in crimes against women in Sinaloa. According to data from the Attorney Generals Office, as many as 398 women were victims of kidnapping, went missing, or forcibly disappeared in 2025 alone.

The post OnlyFans Nicole Pardo Molina Reportedly Kidnapped in Mexico appeared first on Mandatory.
Donald Trump is facing backlash across Europe, notably from Prince Harry, for his comments about the US not needing other NATO countries in the war in Afghanistan. In an interview on Thursday, the president said that troops from those countries stayed a little back, a little off the front lines. British prime minister Keir Starmer said the remarks were insulting and frankly, appalling, while the Duke of Sussex, 41, who served two tours in Afghanistan, fired back with a strong statement on the sacrifices that his countrymen made.

Prince Harry lost friends during his deployment in Afghanistan

In response to Donald Trumps comments, Prince Harry said that families who lost their loved ones in the war deserve respect, in an official statement made on Friday through his spokesperson.

In 2001, NATO invoked Article 5 for the first  and only  time in history, he wrote, referencing the attack on September 11. It meant that every allied nation was obliged to stand with the United States in Afghanistan, in pursuit of our shared security. Allies answered that called.

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Prince Harry continued, I served there. I made lifelong friends there. And I lost friends there. The United Kingdom alone had 457 service personnel killed.

Thousands of lives were changed forever. Mothers and father buried sons and daughters. Children were left without a parent. Families are left carrying the cost. Those sacrifices deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect, as we all remain united and loyal to the defence of diplomacy and peace.

This statement is particularly surprising given that members of the royal family typically avoid political subjects and given that he has attempted to stay out of the media spotlight, particularly as he is embroiled in a lawsuit against Associated Newspapers, which publishes The Daily Mail.

In September last year, Donald Trump allegedly left Prince Harry out of a speech intentionally during a visit to the UK to stir drama. Later in December, Prince Harry appeared on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert and remarked that Americans were obsessed with royalty, joking that they had elected Trump as a king.

The post Prince Harry Fires Back at Donald Trump Over Insulting Comments appeared first on Reality Tea.
While Tethers USDT has become a key asset for Russia to evade Western sanctions imposed after the Ukraine invasion in 2022, transactions with the ruble-pegged stablecoin A7A5 surpassed $100 billion.

Elliptics Jan. 22 report reveals that as A7A5 is issued on Ethereum and Tron, public blockchains, it was able to monitor that 250,000 transactions that took place among 41,300 wallet addresses in less than one year.

The data Elliptic shared shows 35,500 accounts now hold A7A5, an increase from the 14,000 in July 2025. Total A7A5 exchange volumes have now reached $17.3 billion, the report said. The primary trading pairs are, A7A5/rubles ($11.2 billion) and A7A5/USDT ($6.1 billion), indicating stablecoins primary role as a bridging asset between rubles and USDT.

Elliptic noted that currently A7A5 activity shows signs of stalling following U.S., U.K. and EU sanctions targeting Russian-linked crypto infrastructure. Since Russias full-scale Ukraine invasion, Western governments imposed sanctions targeting energy, finance and strategic goods. The EU froze roughly $250 billion of Russian assets and the U.K., nearly $35 billion.

There are indications that demand for A7A5 has stalled. There are just over 42.5 billion A7A5 in circulation, with a US dollar value of $547 million. No major issuances of new A7A5 have taken place since late July 2025.

Elliptic noted that transaction volumes have also dropped from a peak of over $1.5 billion per day last year to around $500 million per day this year. This drop in activity can perhaps be attributed to the impact of US, UK and EU sanctions imposed on A7A5, which has manifested in a number of visible ways, Elliptic said.

Tether did not immediately respond to a CoinDesk request for information whether any Western country has asked for Russian-linked USDT accounts to be frozen. However, on Thursday, a spokesperson told CoinDesk they freeze USDT accounts upon official legal request.

An Elliptic spokesperson told CoinDesk that a number of (Russian) entities have been sanctioned by the US and EU for their role in facilitating sanctions evasion with cryptocurrencies including stablecoins. The spokesperson said Elliptic collaborated with Tether and the U.S. Secret Service in March 2025 to freeze USDT held by the sanctioned Russian crypto exchange Garantex.

However, when it comes to A7A5, only that asset's issuer has the ability to blacklist addresses. While A7A5 remains a growing tool for Russian cross-border trade, it is increasingly becoming isolated from the broader crypto ecosystem, Elliptic concluded.
Rachael Ray was honored with a Golden Heart Award by President Volodymyr Zelensky for her humanitarian work in Ukraine.

The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) announced on Thursday, Jan. 22, that Ray was honored with the award. The Gold Heart Award is given to individuals who, "have made significant contributions to humanitarian aid and volunteerism, particularly in support of Ukraine during Russias military aggression," according to the UCCA announcement.

The celebrity chef has participated in numerous humanitarian missions in Ukraine providing meals, first aid kits, and medical supplies to children and wounded soldiers.

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"Through her platform, she has consistently highlighted the importance of supporting Ukraine and the urgency of humanitarian aid," the UCCA said.

Andriy Futey, who accompanied Ray on all seven of her humanitarian missions and served as UCCA president from 2016 to 2024, praised the chef for her dedication and compassion.

"Our entire Ukrainian American community is thrilled that President Zelensky has recognized Rachael with this prestigious award, Futey said. "Her dedication, compassion, and partnership with UCCA have been an inspiration and a lifeline to the people of Ukraine. We are deeply grateful for her continued support and tireless contributions."

Ray expressed humility and her gratitude towards Zelensky for this prestigious honor in a statement to People.

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"Im overwhelmed and humbled and a little embarrassed to be noticed for something that should simply be done," she said. "Im profoundly grateful to President Zelenskyy for this honor, and I share it with our partners. I feel blessed to serve Ukraine, and Im already planning our eighth mission."

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This story was originally published by Parade on Jan 23, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
NEED TO KNOW

A Dutch royal couple announced their divorce after 25 years of marriage

Prince Bernhard, a cousin of King Willem-Alexander, and Princess Annette shared the news via a press release

Although Prince Bernhard was once in the line of succession to the throne, he was removed after King Willem-Alexander acceded

A royal couple has decided to end their marriage.

Prince Bernhard and Princess Annette of Orange-Nassau of the Netherlands announced their divorce after 25 years of marriage.

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An official announcement was shared on the Dutch royal family's website on Friday, Jan. 23. It read, "After 25 years of marriage, we have decided to divorce. We are doing this by mutual agreement and with mutual respect. We will continue to care for our three children together. Despite this, it remains a difficult step. We therefore ask for everyone's understanding and respect for our privacy."

The message was signed, "Bernhard van Oranje and Annette Sekreve," using her maiden name.

P van Katwijk/Getty Princess Annette and Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands on April 27, 2022 Princess Annette and Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands on April 27, 2022

Prince Bernhard, who is King Willem-Alexander's cousin, was photographed with Annette celebrating the national holiday of King's Day in April 2025 in Doetinchem. They smiled for a photo, with Bernhard wrapping his arm around Annette.

After meeting in college, Prince Bernhard and Annette wed in July 2000. After a civil ceremony on July 6, their marriage was blessed two days later in the Cathedral of St. Martin in Utrecht.

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They went on to welcome three children: Isabella, born in 2002, Samuel, born in 2004, and Benjamin, born in 2008. Their children were not granted royal titles and go by the last name van Vollenhoven.

Reuter Raymond/Sygma via Getty Princess Annette and Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands in July 2000 Princess Annette and Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands in July 2000

Prince Bernhard is not in the line of succession to the Dutch throne, although he previously was. After the 2013 abdication of Queen Beatrix, the children of Princess Margriet and Pieter van Vollenhoven, including Bernhard, were removed from the line of succession and ceased to be members of the Royal House, as the Netherlands' constitution limits the line to three degrees of kinship from the current monarch.

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Prince Bernhard is a self-employed entrepreneur, per his bio on the royal family's website, and he rarely takes part in official duties. However, he does join family events such as King's Day.

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Timothy Busfields first day out of jail was a total contrast to the week he spent behind bars.

Just hours after being released from custody in New Mexico, the 68-year-old was photographed re-entering a world of comfort, quiet routines, and familiar privilege.

Cameras captured Busfield trading confinement for convenience, marking his first public appearance since his arrest.

The outing unfolded as legal pressure mounted and personal support rallied closely around him.

Timothy Busfield Leaves Jail Behind With Low-Key Public Appearance

Newscom/ MEGA

Timothy Busfields first day of freedom included swapping out his jail jumpsuit for a neat pair of navy slacks and a casual grocery run, the Daily Mail revealed.

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Cameras captured the actor stopping by Citarella and Trader Joes, marking his first public outing after being released from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Tuesday.

Busfield had spent a week in custody following his January 13 surrender to Albuquerque police on child molestation charges.

During his incarceration, he was housed in the Restrictive Housing Unit, a section of the jail reserved for inmates requiring additional protection.

Photos taken shortly after his release showed a visibly groomed Busfield outside his temporary residence, a scene that stood in sharp contrast to the rigid jail schedule that famously wakes inmates at 5 a.m. for breakfast.

Busfield Returns To Comfort At A Luxury Albuquerque Rental

UPI /Laura Cavanaugh Newscom/ MEGA

After leaving the detention center, Timothy Busfield was seen exiting a white Toyota 4Runner SUV outside Villa de Rafael, a swanky Italian-style mansion in Albuquerque.

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The property is currently being rented by his wife, Melissa Gilbert, at a cost of $2,483 for three nights.

Busfield appeared relaxed as he stepped out of the vehicle, a clear shift from his earlier courtroom appearance.

The rental includes a private hot tub, a separate backyard casita, and a main house featuring a striking stained-glass window dome.

Guests also have access to a gas-fired barbecue, a spacious library, a fully stocked games room, and beds dressed in high quality linens.

Timothy Busfield Supported By Melissa Gilbert As Case Unfolds

ravis Wade/WENN.com Newscom/ MEGA

Busfields wife, Gilbert, has remained firmly at his side. She was spotted at the rental property early Wednesday morning, casually taking out the trash in her pajamas.

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Her presence followed an emotional day in court, where she was seen crying tears of joy after Judge David Murphy ruled in favor of releasing her husband.

Despite the gravity of the accusations, the actress has continued to show public loyalty.

She attended Tuesdays hearing in Albuquerque, accompanied by a team of lawyers, and submitted a deeply personal letter to the judge ahead of the proceedings.

In the letter, she wrote, The reality is that Tim Busfield is my love, my rock, my partner in business and life.

She went on to say, He is my comfort and my council. His joy, humor and quick wit bring sparkle to my life. Tim is, quite simply, the beating heart of our wild and wonderful extended family.

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Gilbert also emphasized the depth of their bond, writing, I can tell you, and anyone, that I know Tim better and more intimately than anything in his life ever has. Conversely, he knows me in the same way.

Busfield Faces Courtroom Battles And Public Fallout

OConnor / AFF-USA.com / MEGA

While Gilberts support has been unwavering, the courtroom proceedings painted a far more contentious picture for Timothy Busfield.

During the release hearing, prosecutors argued that he should remain behind bars, claiming he posed a danger to the public.

The defense pushed back, stating that the allegations had already resulted in him being canceled and stripped of any professional power or influence.

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Following the hearing, Gilbert thanked supporters for the outpouring of support her husband had received, a response that contrasted sharply with the prosecutions claims.

The case has continued to generate damaging headlines, including reports that additional alleged victims have come forward. Prosecutors described these accounts as evidence of a pattern of inappropriate touching.

Court documents filed ahead of the hearing also revealed intimate details from a sex offender risk evaluation.

One section noted, Mr Busfield reports he and his current wife have a satisfying sex life and at their ages they simply enjoy one anothers company and cuddling more often than engaging in sexual intercourse.

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The report added, Mr Busfields wife confirms his statements about a satisfying sexual relationship between them.

Timothy Busfields Legal Trouble Traced Back To January Arrest

NEILL J. SCHUTZER/2008 RAMEY PHOTO

The allegations against Busfield first became public on January 9, when the Albuquerque Police Department issued an arrest warrant accusing him of molesting twin 11-year-old boys while filming The Cleaning Lady.

After the warrant was issued, Busfield vanished from public view for several days, fueling speculation about his whereabouts.

Busfield resurfaced on January 13 in New Mexico, where he turned himself in after driving roughly 2,000 miles from his upstate New York cabin.

The director was officially charged the same day and made his first court appearance on January 14.

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During that appearance, he was seen looking glum in an orange prison jumpsuit as the charges were read aloud.

A few days prior, Busfield denied all the accusations. In a video sent to TMZ while he was on his way to surrender, he said he was devastated by the allegations.

Gilbert also stated publicly that she did not believe her husband had done anything wrong.

Meanwhile, the defense has argued that the case amounts to a shakedown, claiming it began after the boys services were no longer required on the production set.
EXCLUSIVE: From the music, to the cinematography, to the lighting, the marketing and beyond, first lady Melania Trump has planned "every element" of her upcoming first film, "Melania," with her agent and exclusive senior advisor telling Fox News Digital that her involvement in bringing her vision to life has been "unparalleled."

"Melania," a 104-minute film, is set to hit the big screen globally Jan. 30, appearing in theaters across North America, South America, Asia, Europe, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and more.

Trump, First Lady Set For Washington Trumpkennedy Center Premiere Of Melania Ahead Of Global Release

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But the night before, on Jan. 29, premiere events will be hosted across the nation, as Amazon brings the film to theaters.

Fox News Digital has learned that President Donald Trump and the first lady will attend the premiere event at the newly renamed TrumpKennedy Center in Washington Jan. 29.

Premiere events also will be held in New York; Phoenix; Salt Lake City; Chicago; Miami; San Diego; Nashville, Tennessee; Orlando, Florida; Orange County, California; San Francisco/Palo Alto; Minneapolis; Philadelphia; Denver; Detroit; Kansas City, Missouri; Boston; Austin, Texas; Houston; Las Vegas; Dallas; and Los Angeles.

Read On The Fox News App

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Fox News Digital has learned that Amazon executives will attend premiere events for the film.

Marc Beckman, the first lady's agent and exclusive senior advisor  and her right-hand-man  told Fox News Digital that the first lady has been hands-on from day one.

"The first ladys involvement and her participation in this film is unparalleled," Beckman said. "She is fully committed from ideation of the concept itself to the creative direction across all touchpoints."

"As everyone knows, the first lady is a very visual person  she is best in class when it comes to style and design," Beckman said. "She had the idea of getting into the film industry for many, many years."

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Beckman said that from the get-go, the first ladys idea was "to create a very rich, cinematic experience unlike anything that has been created before. This is not a documentary. This is a film."

"It is to give her fans, and Americans, and people around the world the opportunity to look into the life of a first lady who has been very, very private," he explained.

The film will give the audience a look into the first ladys business, her philanthropic efforts and her family life, "all as she prepares to be the first lady of the United States again."

"She brings the audience into certain moments  interacting with her husband; the U.S. Secret Service for security; geopolitical moments; moments with world leaders; and  of course, for those who want it  there is tons of fashion here."

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Beckman added: "I call it a fashion explosion. Vogue can't keep up with the first ladys fashion. She is undeniably the most fashionable first lady in history."

"She brings the audience into incredible meetings that no one has ever seen before of a first lady and a president of the United States going into office  this is unprecedented access that all Americans, and people all over the world, would love to see."

Beckman said that the film, on one hand, is about Melania Trump.

"But on the other hand, it is about what a first lady of the United States has to do to get her family ready, on the personal side, to retake the office, on a professional side," he said.

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Beckman detailed the original negotiations he led with major companies like Amazon, who ultimately bought the rights, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Paramount, Netflix and Disney.

Exclusive: First Look At 'Melania' Film

Fox News Digital has learned that Disney sought to obtain the exclusive rights to the film, as well as Netflix and Paramount. Amazon and MGM had the highest bid, purchasing the license for the film for $40 million  the largest documentary deal in history.

Beckman stressed that he negotiated the deal on behalf of the first lady while dealing with "all the studios directly."

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"Effectively, we created a bidding war," he said. "I was able to have a very competitive bidding process between best-in-class companies."

Beckman said the decision to select Amazon was "not only for their financial offer, but because they had the most impressive team for what the first lady wanted to create  a quality film in theaters, and later, the docuseries."

"The docuseries will allow the first lady to unpack these stories in a much bigger, detailed way," he said.

As for the deal, Beckman said it was structured in a way that made "both sides very enthusiastic."

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"Amazon has been incredible," he said. "They have been so great and so committed to the first lady and the success of this film. Were very grateful."

The film is directed by Brett Ratner, director of the "Rush Hour" film series, who worked hand-in-hand with Melania Trump to bring her vision to life.

"Brett Ratner has been amazed  he says it is as if Mrs. Trump has been working in Hollywood for her whole life  shes a natural," Beckman explained. "She has been involved in setting the tone with regard to, not just the concept, but lighting and filming."

Post-production, the first lady was very hands-on alongside the director with editing, color-correcting and hand-selecting all the songs for the film.

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"Beyond that, the first lady is also involved in the developing of all of the marketing elements," Beckman said, noting that she built the trailer with the director and the Amazon team, commercials and the ad and print campaign.

Meanwhile, the first ladys team tapped famous fashion photographer Ellen von Unwerth for the photography of the film.

"This is something the fashion industry will not expect," Beckman said. Ellen is at the top of her game  a modern legend.

Unwerth works on some of the biggest fashion campaigns for Chanel, Dior and more. She has been featured in Vanity Fair and Vogue.

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"They worked together years ago on a campaign, and, for obvious reasons, we thought it would be amazing to have Ellen involved," Beckman said. "Ellen and Melania have an incredible relationship."

Melania Trump, Amazon Partner To Release New Film About Her Life In Theaters Worldwide

Unwerth will travel to Washington, D.C., from Europe for a private viewing of the film at the White House, Beckman said.

"Ellen personally was an orphan when she was young, and she is very fond of Melanias work for the foster care community," Beckman said. "It is just an interesting part of their relationship  a sensitive component which makes their relationship even stronger."

Meanwhile, the film is launching in the United States, but also around the globe in 30 countries, including Italy, Japan, Korea, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Israel, Mexico, Hungary, Slovenia and more.

"All 30 countries have an ad campaign in different languages," Beckman said. "Melania supervised the campaign in every region of the world."

One ad campaign, in Florence, Italy, features the movie images on the Duomo church, he said.

Melania Trump To Release 'Collector's Edition' Of Memoir Featuring Images Photographed By Former First Lady

As for the premieres, on Jan. 29 in multiple cities, Beckman said the first lady has planned "every element" of the events, from the gifts being given to guests, to the seating, the food, the menus and more.

"She has even created amazing packaging designs for collectible popcorn tubs," he said. "It is all her."

Fox News exclusively obtained the trailer in December 2025, which opens with the first lady walking into the U.S. Capitol rotunda ahead of her husband's second inauguration. She looks to the camera in her now-iconic inauguration outfit, and says, "Here we go again."

The trailer jumps from the first lady and president at the inauguration; to standing together outside of Mar-a-Lago; behind-the-scenes of the inauguration showing Barron Trump and Melania Trumps father; to a series of images of the first lady; Air Force One; the presidential seal and more.

The famous Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer lion roars and takes over the screen.

The launch of the film comes a year after the release of her book, "Melania." The memoir presents an intimate portrait of Melania Trump and includes personal stories and family photos she had not previously shared with the public.

"Melania" has been at the top of The New York Times Best Sellers list since its release to the public.

Upon the release of the memoir in 2024, the first lady told Fox News Digital that writing her story was "an amazing journey filled with emotional highs and lows."

"Each story shaped me into who I am today," she said. "Although daunting at times, the process has been incredibly rewarding, reminding me of my strength, and the beauty of sharing my truth."

The first lady released the original "Melania" book along with a special collectors edition that includes photos she hand-selected, many of which she took herself, of her home and of various trips she has taken around the world.





Original article source: Inside MELANIA: The unprecedented access behind Melania Trumps first film
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ARMY, we are so back! The comeback weve all been waiting for is almost here  BTS fifth album, ARIRANG, officially drops on March 20, 2026. While we eagerly await the big day, theres one really big piece of important business to handle first: securing your ticket(s) to BTS 2026 World Tour. Now that the Weverse presale has wrapped, its time to talk general sales. The BTS general sale kicked off on Saturday, January 24, with ticket drop times varying by city. As you can imagine, tickets quickly sold out in many tour stops fast. Fortunately, you still have a chance at securing your tickets for one of the biggest music comebacks of this year (and for less than $200 a ticket because yes, those are still available). We have all the information you need to know to secure your BTS concert tickets today.

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Today's Top Deals

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Its important to note that BTS general sale tickets are sold out, but you can still get tickets from verified resale ticket platforms like StubHub or SeatGeek. Read on to learn everything you need to know to successfully secure your ticket today, and where you might be able to find the cheapest seats for BTS World Tour.

Where to Buy the Cheapest Tickets for BTS World Tour 2026

TAMPA: Lowest current price is $133 via SeatGeek (Day 2)

STANFORD: Lowest current price is $215 via SeatGeek (Day 3)

EAST RUTHERFORD: Lowest current price is $213 via SeatGeek (Day 2)

CHICAGO: Lowest current price is $278 via SeatGeek (Day 1)

LAS VEGAS: Lowest current price is $158 via SeatGeek (Day 3)

BALTIMORE: Lowest current price is $148 via StubHub (Day 1)

TORONTO: Lowest current price is $395 via StubHub (Day 2)

EL PASO: Lowest current price is $273 via StubHub (Day 2)

FOXBOROUGH: Lowest current price is $104 via SeatGeek (Day 1)

ARLINGTON: Lowest current price is $356 via StubHub (Day 2)

LOS ANGELES: Lowest current price is $177 via SeatGeek (Day 4)

This article was last updated on January 28, 2026, to reflect the most current BTS ticket availability and resale details.

As youre well-aware, BTS recently announced a nearly year-long BTS World Tour, slated to kick off this April in Tampa, FL. Although many of us saw it coming, news of the highly anticipated tour was very much welcome for fans following the South Korean boy bands four-year hiatus. Given all the excitement over seeing the boys back together and the new music to come, tickets are expected to sell out in seconds. After all, BTS music appeals to all generations. At this point, their concert is one the entire family can go to and enjoy together.

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If youre looking to see RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook take the stage this year as they tour across the world for the first time since the Permission to Dance on Stage tour in 2022, then youll need to secure your tickets ASAP. As we said, this wont be an easy feat given millions of people will be logging on at the same time. However, the more knowledge you have on how to get tickets to see BTS live in concert, the better.

Thats where we come in!

Ahead, weve listed everything you need to know to increase your likelihood of securing BTS World Tour tickets, so you can see your ULT-bias live in concert this year. Now, lets get to it.

How Much Are BTS World Tour Ticket Prices in 2026?

how much are bts world tour tickets in 2026?, how to buy bts tour tickets in 2026

Prices for BTS World tour 2026 tickets vary widely depending on city, venue, and seating section. Some of the lowest-end prices weve seen are currently around $200, but weve also seen tickets well into the thousands ($20,000!). Again, it really depends on your city and venue. For example, looking at the Los Angeles Day 1 stop, ticket prices start at $203 for seats in the 500s when you use StubHub. Tickets on SeatGeek for that exact same show in the 500s as well, start at $187.

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Since the general public sale sold out quickly for many shows, most tickets will now be sold through verified sale platforms. Our top picks? StubHub and SeatGeek are our top picks for safely buying BTS tickets, but prices fluctuate depending on availability, location, and day of the show. Doing some research beforehand can be beneficial. But of course, that leads us to our next big item on the agenda 

How Can I Find the Most Affordable Tickets to BTS Tour (Official & Resale)?

For the BTS 2026 World Tour, tickets will be available through official sellers like Ticketmaster in the U.S. and Live Nation events, as well as authorized platforms in other regions. That said, if youre looking to find cheaper tickets to the tour, you may want to check other platforms such as StubHub, Vivid Seats and SeatGeek. These offer verified resale tickets and have policies in place to make sure you wont be getting scammed.

But of course, if youre really looking to score those insanely good cheap deals, its recommended to wait until closer to the date (sometimes even the day of) to check if anyone has posted tickets at less than face value. At that point, fans who cant make the show or havent sold their tickets will be looking to offload them. We know its stressful and totally risky, but it is a good last-minute option. Fortunately, more in-demand cities like Los Angeles have multi-day shows, so there is a chance that you may be able to score a cheaper ticket on the second or third day.

BTS World Tour 2026 Tickets Online: Where to Buy Cheapest Seats (Updated)

WHERE TO BUY CHEAPEST TICKETS FOR BTS WORLD TOUR 2025

StubHub

Buy Now

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As far as finding tickets go, especially from resellers, you cant go wrong with StubHub. Their site is safe, super easy to use, and generally a good for both sellers and buyers. Plus, a lot of people use StubHub to both buy and sell, especially for K-Pop concerts. That means, there should be a good amount of options available to you, especially after tickets drop. So, wed recommend starting here (after trying your luck on Ticketmaster, of course).

BTS World Tour 2026 Tickets Online: Where to Buy Cheapest Seats (Updated)

WHERE TO BUY CHEAPEST TICKETS FOR BTS WORLD TOUR 2025

SeatGeek

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SeatGeek is another good option to check out if youre looking to score BTS concert tickets in 2026. They have a Deal Score feature, which allows you to see whether youre actually getting a good deal on your ticket or not. They also have view from my seat features, that can show you what you can expect from your ticket.

BTS World Tour 2026 Tickets Online: Where to Buy Cheapest Seats (Updated)

WHERE TO BUY CHEAPEST TICKETS FOR BTS WORLD TOUR 2025

Vivid Seats

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Lastly, weve got Vivid Seats. Its another legitimate source for buying concert tickets, if youre someone who likes to compare prices. While it may not have as many options as StubHub or SeatGeek, its always worth doing a bit of research and checking out all your options just in case.

BTS World Tour 2026 Presales (Now Closed): What Fans Need to Know

Its important to note that presale for the BTS 2026 World Tour is only available to members of the official ARMY fan club. These tickets go on sale on January 22nd and January 23rd for select shows. If youre already a member, youll want to register for the presale now on Weverse and verify your membership by January 18 at 6:00 p.m. ET and 3:00 p.m. PT. Only those who have pre-registered will have access to the presale tickets on January 22nd, so its imperative that has been done ahead of time.

Members will be given a 9-digit ARMY membership number that starts with BA. This will unlock access to tickets during the presale.

According to the official BTS website, for shows in the US, Canada, and Mexico, youll need to use your US or GLOBAL Membership number. If you have both US and GLOBAL Memberships, only your US Membership number will be validated. This is what youll enter for the presale code. For shows in the UK and Europe, youll need to use your GLOBAL Membership number.

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If you arent part of the ARMY fan club, tickets for the BTS World Tour will be on sale at Ticketmaster starting Saturday, January 24th. The times for the pre-sale and regular sale will vary based on market, so youll want to check the show youre planning on. This leads us to our next important to know.

When Do BTS World Tour Presale Tickets Go on Sale for My City?

Update: Weverse presales have now ended.

Excellent question! For this, we turned to our fellow ARMY on Reddit. The BTS 2026 Comeback Tour Megathread has pretty much all the info you need to know, including when you should log on to buy tickets. As mentioned before, presale times vary by city. So, check the list below to see when your citys presale time opens for North America tour dates.

Since we are on Day 2 of Weverses presale, the tickets going live today will be for select cities and dates only. All three dates of the Mexico City leg of the tour will be officially live today, along with day three of Las Vegas, and days three and four of Los Angeles. Tickets go live in local time, so be sure to log on at least 30 minutes early to secure your place in the queue. Good luck!

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TAMPA: 9 a.m. on Thursday, January 22 (Local Time)

MEXICO CITY Day 1 and 2: 9 a.m. on Friday, January 23 (Local Time)

MEXICO CITY Day 3: 12 p.m. on Friday, January 23 (Local Time)

STANFORD: 11 a.m. on Thursday, January 22 (Local Time)

EAST RUTHERFORD: 11 a.m. on Thursday, January 22 (Local Time)

CHICAGO: 11 a.m. on Thursday, January 22 (Local Time)

LAS VEGAS Day 1 and 2: 1 p.m. on Thursday, January 22 (Local Time)

BALTIMORE: 1 p.m. on Thursday, January 22 (Local Time)

TORONTO: 1 p.m. on Thursday, January 22 (Local Time)

LAS VEGAS Day 3: 1 p.m. on Friday, January 23 (Local Time)

EL PASO: 3 p.m. on Thursday, January 22 (Local Time)

FOXBOROUGH: 3 p.m. on Thursday, January 22 (Local Time)

ARLINGTON: 3 p.m. on Thursday, January 22 (Local Time)

LOS ANGELES Day 1 and 2: 3 p.m. on Thursday, January 22 (Local Time)

LOS ANGELES Day 3 & 4: 3 p.m. on Friday, January 23 (Local Time)

The general sale opens on Saturday, January 24th for anyone who isnt a member or wasnt able to secure a ticket during the presale. Yes, it does happen and very often! So, be sure to keep your presale launch time in mind and have the ticketing site open around 15 to 30 minutes before.

BTS World Tour General Sale: On-Sale Times by City

Starting Saturday, January 24th, everyone will have a chance at buying tickets for the BTS World Tour once the general sales go live. Similar to the presale, tickets are opened by city, so be sure to check your local on-sale time below. This time around, tickets will be open for all dates.

TAMPA & MEXICO CITY: 9 a.m. on Saturday, January 24 (Local Time)

STANFORD, EAST RUTHERFORD, & CHICAGO: 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 24 (Local Time)

LAS VEGAS, BALTIMORE, & TORONTO: 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 24 (Local Time)

EL PASO, FOXBOROUGH, ARLINGTON & LOS ANGELES: 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 24 (Local Time)

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We recommend logging on to Ticketmaster about 15 to 30 minutes ahead of the ticket drop to join the waiting room. Once the tickets officially go live, you will then be redirected to the actual queue to select your seats and purchase your tickets. Whether or not tickets will still be available during the general sale really depends. So, dont give up just yet. Definitely give Ticketmaster a try, or you can always try your luck at StubHub, SeatGeek, or Vivid Seats, which honestly arent bad options.

BTS World Tour Dates & Cities

The 2026-2027 BTS World Tour begins on April 9, 2026 in Goyang, South Korea and ends in Manila on March 14, 2027. The tour will span 79 shows across 34 cities on five continents, which will be the groups longest tour to date. While we dont know exactly what will be on the setlist just yet (stay tuned for that April 9th concert for an update!), were sure theyll deliver an incredible high-energy show filled with hits plus new songs from their upcoming fifth album.

If youre just as excited to see them live in concert once again, just as we are, heres a full list of tour dates and cities on the BTS World Tour.

2026 Dates & Cities

April 9: Goyang, South Korea  Goyang Stadium

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April 11: Goyang, South Korea  Goyang Stadium

April 12: Goyang, South Korea  Goyang Stadium

April 17: Tokyo, Japan  Tokyo Dome

April 18: Tokyo, Japan  Tokyo Dome

April 25: Tampa, Fla.  Raymond James Stadium

April 26: Tampa, Fla.  Raymond James Stadium

May 2: El Paso, Texas  Sun Bowl Stadium

May 3: El Paso, Texas  Sun Bowl Stadium

May 7: Mexico City, Mx.  Estadio GNP Seguros

May 9: Mexico City, Mx.  Estadio GNP Seguros

May 10: Mexico City, Mx.  Estadio GNP Seguros

May 16: Stanford, Calif.  Stanford Stadium

May 17: Stanford, Calif.  Stanford Stadium

May 23: Las Vegas, Nv.  Allegiant Stadium

May 24: Las Vegas, Nv.  Allegiant Stadium

May 27: Las Vegas, Nv.  Allegiant Stadium

June 26: Madrid, Spain  Riyadh Air Metropolitano

June 27: Madrid, Spain  Riyadh Air Metropolitano

July 1: Brussels, Belgium  King Baudouin Stadium

July 2: Brussels, Belgium  King Baudouin Stadium

July 6: London, U.K.  King Baudouin Stadium

July 11: Munich, Germany  Allianz Arena

July 12: Munich, Germany  Allianz Arena

July 17: Paris, France  Stade de France

July 18: Paris, France  Stade de France

Aug. 1: East Rutherford, N.J.  MetLife Stadium

Aug. 2: East Rutherford, N.J.  MetLife Stadium

Aug. 5: Foxborough, Mass.  Gillette Stadium

Aug. 6: Foxborough, Mass.  Gillette Stadium

Aug. 10: Baltimore, Md.  M&T Bank Stadium

Aug. 11: Baltimore, Md.  M&T Bank Stadium

Aug. 15: Arlington, Texas  AT&T Stadium

Aug. 16: Arlington, Texas  AT&T Stadium

Aug. 22: Toronto, Canada  Rogers Stadium

Aug. 23: Toronto, Canada  Rogers Stadium

Aug. 27: Chicago, Ill.  Soldier Field

Aug. 28: Chicago, Ill.  Soldier Field

Sept. 1: Los Angeles, Calif.  SoFi Stadium

Sept. 2: Los Angeles, Calif.  SoFi Stadium

Sept. 5: Los Angeles, Calif.  SoFi Stadium

Sept. 6: Los Angeles, Calif.  SoFi Stadium

Oct. 2: Bogota, Colombia  TBD

Oct. 3: Bogota, Colombia  TBD

Oct. 9: Lima, Peru  TBD

Oct. 10: Lima, Peru  TBD

Oct. 16: Santiago, Chile  TBD

Oct. 17: Santiago, Chile  TBD

Oct. 23: Buenos Aires, Argentina  TBD

Oct. 24: Buenos Aires, Argentina  TBD

Oct. 28: Sao Paulo, Brazil  TBD

Oct. 30: Sao Paulo, Brazil  TBD

Oct. 31: Sao Paulo, Brazil  TBD

Nov. 19: Kaohsiung, Taiwan  TBD

Nov. 22: Kaohsiung, Taiwan  TBD

Dec. 3: Bangkok, Thailand  TBD

Dec. 5: Bangkok, Thailand  TBD

Dec. 6: Bangkok, Thailand  TBD

Dec. 12: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia  TBD

Dec. 13: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia  TBD

Dec. 17: Singapore, Asia  TBD

Dec. 19: Singapore, Asia  TBD

Dec. 20: Singapore, Asia  TBD

Dec. 22: Singapore, Asia  TBD

Dec. 26: Jakarta, Indonesia  TBD

Dec. 27: Jakarta, Indonesia  TBD

2027 Dates & Cities

Feb. 12 : Melbourne, Australia  TBD

Feb. 13 : Melbourne, Australia  TBD

Feb. 20: Sydney, Australia  TBD

Feb. 21: Sydney, Australia  TBD

March 4: Hong Kong  TBD

March 6: Hong Kong  TBD

March 7: Hong Kong  TBD

March 12: Manila, Philippines  TBD

March 14: Manila, Philippines  TBD

Looking for more great concerts to watch in 2026? Heres everything you need to know about Harry Styles Madison Square Garden residency and tour.

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The Dropkick Murphys thanked Michael Fanone, the former D.C. Metropolitan Police officer who defended the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, as Fanone was spotted wearing a Dropkick Murphys T-shirt in the gallery at the House Judiciary Committee hearing with former special counsel Jack Smith.

The T-shirt says Fighting Nazis Since 1996 on the back.

Thanks for all you do 'Michael Fanone', stated the Boston band with a pic of Fanone on their Instagram account.

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Fanone stood out at the Thursday, Jan. 22 hearing beyond wearing the Dropkick Murphys T-shirt. He got into a confrontation with conservative activist Ivan Raiklin.

This guy has threatened my family, threatened my children, threatened to rape my children, you sick bastard, said Fanone as other Jan. 6 police officers held him back.

Former Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department officer Michael Fanone walks to take a seat ahead of Former Special Counsel Jack Smith's arrival to testify before the House Judiciary Committee about his criminal investigation of U.S. President Donald Trump, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., January 22, 2026.

Later, U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, directed his statements to tell Fanone and his fellow Capitol Police officers that Jan. 6 wasn't the fault of President Donald Trump but rather of police leadership.

Fanone feigned a cough then said Go (blank) yourself.

Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, told Fanone to be in order.

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Last thing, your hand gestures, Mr. Fanone. You need medication, Nehls said.

Fanone is a Washington D.C. native. South River's Brian Sicknick, a U.S. Capitol Police Officer, died after defending the Capitol on Jan. 6.

The Dropkick Murphys, who have large following Jersey Shore, have been vocal in their opposition to the Trump administration.

Ken Casey, a member of Dropkick Murphys, performs on the Ford stage at SunFest 2023 in West Palm Beach Saturday May 6, 2023.

I feel if we could all take the airwaves back it would take control back this narrative, said frontman Ken Casey previously to the Asbury Park Press. They keep you down because you dont want to be bothered by MAGA trolls, half of which are frickin' Russian bots by the way and other half are guys in their basement on a fake account because they dont even want their wives to know the frickin' (blank) they believe and what theyre saying.

The Dropkick Murphys, who play Feb. 10 at the Wellmont Theatre in Montclair, have performed several times with Freehold native Bruce Springsteen. The most recent performance was 2020 at the special remote benefit concert for Boston-area hospitals due to the COVID outbreak. The band played in the infield of an empty Fenway Park in Boston while Springsteen played along in his Colts Neck studio.

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Springsteen criticized the Trump administration's deployment of ICE agents to the Minneapolis and the fatal shooting by an ICE agent of Renee Good as part of a migrant crackdown at the Light of Day Winterfest main event show Saturday, Jan. 17 at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank.

Subscribe to app.com for the latest on the New Jersey music scene.

Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at cjordan@app.com

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Dropkick Murphys thank ex-DC cop for wearing T-shirt to Capitol hearing
For months now on General Hospital, Nathan has remained a loose thread. His unexplained seven-year absence has had fans talking and speculating, while Nathan doesnt seem too interested in knowing why his death was faked and who did it. As that continues to play out, Ryan Paevey resurfaced online, sharing exciting news that his latest project is nearing fruition.

Key Takeaways

Nathans fate on GH remains unresolved, fueling fan speculation.

Ryan Paevey resurfaced online, launching a Barbados travel series on YouTube.

The project emphasized surfing, friendship, and unstructured adventure over polish.

Fans responded warmly to the relaxed, personal tone.

A Plane Ticket, a Camera, and a Not-So-Subtle Nudge

Paevey wrote on Instagram, The first chapter of our epic adventure in Barbados is live now on my YouTube! Id be super grateful if you could hire billboards in your town to tell everyone to go watch. Or at least tell a couple friends, haha. Gonna link it in my story, and the channel link is also in the linktree in my bio. . It came off easy and familiar, with the same laid-back confidence he brought to the rest of the trip.

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In the attached clip, he kept it simple, saying theyd pulled the trip together over roughly 20 weeks and were heading to Barbados with two close friends, no grand pitch attached. The plan was loose by design; surf when it worked, roam when it didnt, and stay open to whatever turned up. Paevey explained that the island had the feel of a hidden cave you stumble into by accident, the kind with pools you didnt expect and stories you dont rush past.

In the longer YouTube video, he spoke about surfing like it was a baseline, not a thrill, something that keeps him straight rather than hyped. Days moved between the workshop and the water, between silver, motorcycles, and an old truck that only cooperates if you dont rush it. His brother popped in, the soreness became part of the joke, and the conversation drifted toward mental health and friendship in a casual discussion.

Making Something Out of Nothing, On Purpose

What came through wasnt a scripted performance, just a sense of how his days actually stack up when no ones shaping them for television. The waves werent always great, the truck took its time, plans bent and doubled back, and that looseness didnt feel accidental so much as chosen, like the whole thing worked precisely because it refused to lock into something tidy.

Fans responded in kind. One viewer called the video absolutely amazing, another said he looked so relaxed and happy, while someone else chimed in with memories of rare surf days on the island. Several promised to watch immediately, others just dropped hearts, fire, and wave emojis, letting the mood speak for itself.

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If Nathan remained a question mark in Port Charles, Paevey, at least for now, seemed comfortable letting the answer wait while he chased something simpler, louder, and sunburned on his own terms. (Find out Paeveys surprising take on Nathan not being with Maxie (Kirsten Storms).

Read Next

This story was originally reported on Soap Hub on January 21, 2026. Add Soap Hub as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
For millions of classic TV viewers and generations of fans, actor Fred Gwynnedespite a lifetime of resistance on his partwill always be recognized as Herman Munster, patriarch of the 1964 to 1966 spooky sitcom The Munsters. Looking (intentionally) like Frankensteins monster from the Universal horror films of the 30s and 40s, Herman was a towering, soft-spoken sitcom dad with a gentle soul and boisterous sense of humor. But what the vast majority of those same people likely dont realize is that long before he lumbered down the stairs at 1313 Mockingbird Lane, Gwynne had already lived through an experience that helped to shape the rest of his life: military service in the United States Navy during World War II.

From prep school to the Pacific: Fred Gwynnes early life

Born Frederick Hubbard Gwynne on July 10, 1928, in New York City, he enlisted in the Navy in June 1944, not long after turning 17 and at a time when the war was looming over nearly every American household. As was the norm with young men of his generation, the path he was on in lifeto become an artistwas interrupted by global events that were changing everything. He entered the service as an Apprentice Seaman and reported to boot camp at the Naval Training Center in Sampson, New York, later that summer. Needless to say, this was a sharp turn from the privileged academic world he had known (having entered prep school at 13) and one that locked him into a rigid structure built around discipline, hierarchy and responsibility.

A radioman at sea: Fred Gwynnes military service on the USS PC-581

CAR 54, WHERE ARE YOU?, Joe E. Ross, Fred Gwynne, TV GUIDE cover, January 18-25, 1963.

Philippe Halsman. TV Guide/courtesy Everett Collection

Following basic training, Gwynne continued his naval education, attending communications training and advancing through the enlisted ranks. He ultimately became a radioman, responsible for monitoring ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore communications, logging incoming messages and ensuring orders were received clearly and relayed without error. It was work that demanded long hours of listening, waiting and absolute accuracyoften in cramped radio rooms where silence and concentration mattered as much as speed. While its tempting to dramatize such positions, the reality of wartime naval service was often about repetition and readinessbeing prepared to act instantly, even if nothing happened for long stretches at a time.

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In April 1945, Gwynne reported for duty at Pearl Harbor and was assigned to the USS PC-581, a patrol craft operating in the Pacific during the final months of the war. Like hundreds of similar ships, PC-581 was known only by its number rather than a name, one of many reminders that life in the Navy was built around function, not sentiment. Gwynne served aboard the ship into 1946, spending long stretches at sea as the fighting came to an end and the Navy gradually shifted from wartime operations to the routines of peacetime.

Fred Gwynne when he was a part of the U.S. Navy in World War II.

U.S. Navy

Gwynne rarely talked about his Navy service in dramatic terms, and that says a lot. Rather than a series of war stories, his time in uniform seems to have been about growing up fast. He went in as a teenager and came out having spent years inside a system where nothing revolved around any one person, including himself.

After his honorable discharge, he returned to civilian life and took advantage of the G.I. Bill, initially studying art at the Phoenix School of Design before transferring to Harvard University in 1948. There, he majored in English, contributed to the Harvard Lampoon and immersed himself in drawing and performance prior to his graduation in 1951. He joined the Hasty Pudding Club and appeared in student theatrical productions, laying the groundwork for a career that would eventually blend visual art, writing and acting.

THE MUNSTERS, Yvonne De Carlo, Fred Gwynne, 1964-1966

Courtesy the Everett Collection

The lasting legacy of 'The Munsters' stars wartime experience

That shiftfrom sailor to student to artistwas a familiar path for many veterans of Gwynnes generation. And while the Navy didnt turn him into an actor, it did give him something just as lasting: perspective. By the time success arrived, whether on Broadway, in television roles like Car 54, Where Are You? and The Munsters or later through his work as a writer and illustrator of childrens books, Gwynne carried himself with a calm assurance that suggested hed already been through something bigger than show business.

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Looked at that way, Fred Gwynnes time in uniform doesnt compete with his acting legacyespecially as star of The Munstersbut it does add another layer to it. It's a quieter chapter than his television fame, but it adds a more human face to his on-screen persona.

More stars in the military

Jimmy Stewarts Military Career: How the Its a Wonderful Life Star Became a War Hero

Sam Elliott, 81, Opens Up About His Military Pastand the Guilt He Carried for Decades

Did Johnny Cash Serve in the Military? The Truth About His Air Force Years and Impact
Spoiler warning: This article contains details about what happened in The Traitors final.

She's only gone and done it. Rachel has won and she brought her fellow traitor Stephen along with her.

The final of the hit BBC show will go down as one of the best yet - it had viewers on the edge of their sofas wondering if the pact between the woman from Northern Ireland and the Scot would hold.

They promised they would never vote for each other and they stayed faithful to that.

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Yes, Stephen was briefly tempted by the money, as Rachel predicted, but he did not want to disappoint his steely partner who, secret traitor curveball aside, had controlled the whole game.

The 42-year-old will be remembered for her calm, cool and collected game play.

They are the first pair of traitors to win, and she's the first female traitor to pocket the gold.

Will she also make Traitors history as the best ever?

The final six, from left to right, Jack, Rachel, Faraaz, Stephen, Jade and James [BBC/PA Wire]

It is doubtful that even her opponents would deny Rachel a place in the Traitors' hall of fame.

Upon finding out her identity, most were shocked to the core, with many conceding that she deserved to win - she had "played a blinder" was the consensus.

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Dr Kevin Hochard predicted she would win.

He's head of psychology at the University of Chester and one of the hosts of the podcast, The Psychology of The Traitors.

He said Rachel had to be very adaptable because she walked in not knowing there was going to be a secret traitor - a first for the show - and that set her apart.

She faced more pressure than other traitors and for that, he puts her above gold-standard traitor Harry, from season two, who also won the show.

"Adaptability is one of the key things that makes a good traitor because you've just got to keep on rolling with the punches," he said.

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And roll Rachel did. She had to fend off a very public bombshell from fellow traitor Fiona, an attempted assassination by fiery faithful Harriet and a chest of chance for survival with James.

Hochard said she had been willing to take risks and had managed to talk Stephen into taking them too.

He also remarked on her timing - how she dropped in bits of information at the right moment, or within earshot of the right people.

For instance when she brought up the now infamous line about her FBI profiling training at the round table. This turned out to be a little bit of an exaggeration.

"When you drop a bit of information like that at the last minute, there's only one thing that it's designed to do, which is to try and and say to people - no, no, trust me because I'm the expert.

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"If she had told them beforehand, they could have digested it and actually weighed it up. But they don't have the time. They're under pressure."

Rachel, who is a director of communications in real life, claimed she had taken a course in microexpressions. However Connor Pell, a lecturer who hosts the podcast alongside Hochard, is not convinced it would have done her any good.

"If you're in the castle, you're moving around, you're doing activities, you're trying to navigate lots of different relationships there," he said.

"So you're not going to be staring at someone's face 24/7. But it does have a veneer of credibility."

'Major revenge plays'

The pair agree that Rachel was brilliant at reading the room, re-direction and reflecting on what she was doing.

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Pell says she was also "incredibly likeable" - like Stephen - and had a good deal of social capital in the castle. Her main strength, he said, was resilience. His prediction was for Stephen to win.

Katie McGaughey, from the School of Psychology at Queen's University Belfast, said one of the most impressive aspects of Rachel's game play was how she repeatedly survived and even benefited from the "major revenge plays" against her.

She's talking here about the moves by Fiona and Harriet, and in both cases McGaughey said Rachel "didn't panic or scramble".

"Instead, she immediately took control of the narrative. Psychologically, that matters," she said.

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"Rachel's real skill has been emotion regulation under threat - she doesn't mirror aggression, she reframes it."

Former faithful and fan favourite Diane Carson, who hails from Northern Ireland, also spoke of Rachel's coolness.

"She's a very clever player and she has proved herself as such," she said.

"She's swayed everyone every time. She beat off two very fierce attacks from Harriet and Fiona and remained calm, whereas they weren't as calm."

Did Rachel's accent make her more believable?

Rachel was also an expert in side-eyes and quips (when she asked Ross 'Was Hugo that dramatic in the turret') - and there was a definite Northern Irish-ness to them.

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Much was made of the Welsh contestants in the previous series and whether certain accents were more trustworthy than others.

Dr Chris Montgomery is a senior lecturer in dialectology at the University of Sheffield and his area of expertise is in how people perceive accents.

He does watch the show, albeit a late adopter to the Traitors phenomenon, and he said Rachel's accent probably helped her initially.

He said over the last 50 years, studies have consistently shown that Scottish, Welsh and Irish (north and south) accents are rated highly for pleasantness, "read trustworthiness, friendliness and authenticity to a certain extent".

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"Studies that look at this tend to also look at a prestige or status ranking. And actually for that, Northern Irish does slightly less well. And that's kind of interesting in relation to the Traitors."

While he joked that there's not much research on accents and treachery, he said people with an accent from Northern Ireland could be perceived as less prestigious perhaps and therefore less likely to be devious.

Rachel may have had the accent, the intelligence and the temperament but in the end, it all came down to having friends in the right places.
Some places have a reputation for being easy, friendly, and low-stress. Then you arrive and realize the safety vibe depends heavily on where you are, what time it is, and how you move around. That gap between safe on paper and messy in real life is where travelers get caught off guard.

This list is not here to scare you out of a trip. Its a reality check on destinations that feel carefree until you run into pickpockets, robberies, break-ins, or sketchy nightlife situations. With the right habits, many of these spots are still totally doable. Just dont travel on autopilot.

1. The Bahamas (Nassau and Freeport)

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

The Bahamas sells a postcard version of the Caribbean: calm water, bright resorts, and cruise-friendly streets. The tricky part is that a large share of reported crime is concentrated in Nassau and Freeport, where visitor areas sit close to neighborhoods with higher risk. Even short errands can feel different once youre a few blocks away from the usual tourist routes.

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Local guidance often highlights increased risk in parts of Nassau like the Over the Hill area south of Shirley Street. Vacation rentals can also be a weak point if they dont have solid security. If youre going out at night, stick to busy areas, use reputable transport, and keep your plans simple.

2. Jamaica (Montego Bay and Kingston)

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Jamaica is one of the most loved beach getaways in the Caribbean, especially for all-inclusive travelers. That resort bubble can feel extremely relaxed, but official advisories still warn about serious violent crime in parts of the country. The contrast can be jarring: the hotel feels dreamy, while the wrong turn outside it can feel tense.

The biggest mistakes visitors make here are wandering without a plan and assuming tourist town means risk-free. Book transportation through trusted providers, avoid isolated roads, and keep nightlife decisions conservative. Jamaica can be amazing, but it rewards travelers who move smart.

3. Costa Rica (San Jose, Jaco, and popular beach hubs)

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Costa Rica has a gentle, nature-first image, so people often arrive with their guard completely down. In reality, theft and robberies are common enough that embassies regularly warn tourists to stay alert, especially in busy areas and near beaches. Its a classic case of a nice place that still has opportunistic crime.

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Financial scams and property crime can spike around crowded hotspots, airports, and nightlife zones. Dont leave bags unattended even for a minute, and be careful using ATMs in quiet spots. A small routine like keeping phones out of sight while walking can make a big difference.

4. Belize (Belize City)

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Belize is famous for reefs, snorkeling, and quick island escapes that feel low-key and friendly. The catch is that Belize City has a long-standing crime problem, and travel guidance often recommends avoiding parts of it. Many visitors pass through without issues, but its not a place to wander casually.

Violent incidents are often linked to gang activity in the Southside, which typically sits outside the main tourist flow. Still, tourists can get pulled into the chaos if they roam aimlessly or flash valuables. If you need to transit Belize City, do it during daytime hours and keep your route direct.

5. Dominican Republic (Punta Cana and Santo Domingo)

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

The Dominican Republic markets itself as effortless beach time, especially in Punta Cana. Even with extra police presence near popular resorts, violent crime is still listed as a concern in official guidance. That doesnt mean every trip is dangerous. It means visitors should avoid sloppy decisions.

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Resort areas can feel controlled, but problems can pop up during nightlife outings, informal taxi rides, or meetups arranged online. Keep your plans public, skip deserted areas, and avoid carrying anything youd hate to lose. The DR is easiest when you treat it like a real city-country mix, not a theme park.

6. Mexico (Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum)

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Mexicos Caribbean coast has a safe vacation zone reputation, which is exactly why people take risks there. Official travel guidance warns that crime, including violent crime, can occur even in popular destinations. Visitors tend to run into trouble through nightlife, drugs, or wandering far outside the main areas late at night.

A common mistake safety step here is simple: dont chase sketchy fun. Use licensed transport, keep drinking under control, and avoid buying anything illegal because thats where scams and extortion get ugly fast. You can still have an incredible trip, but the carefree version works best in daylight.

7. Colombia (Cartagena)

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Cartagena is often seen as Colombias easy mode destination: beaches, history, and a steady tourist flow. Even so, Colombias broader travel alerts stay cautious due to crime risks in parts of the country. In Cartagena specifically, the most common problems are robberies, aggressive scams, and situations that go sideways after dark.

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Tourists tend to get targeted in crowded plazas, nightlife districts, and near ATMs. Keep your phone secured, stay in groups at night, and avoid getting pulled into random conversations that feel too persistent. Cartagena can be gorgeous, but its a city where street smarts matter.

8. South Africa (Cape Town)

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Cape Town looks like a dream destination: mountains, beaches, wine country, and dramatic coastal drives. It also has serious crime issues, including robbery and car-related attacks, and government safety advisories frequently call this out. Many travelers have great trips, but the risks are real enough that planning matters.

Smash-and-grab theft from cars is a known problem, especially when valuables are visible. Avoid leaving anything on seats, dont stop in quiet areas with luggage in view, and use trusted ride services at night. Cape Town is stunning, but its not the place to freestyle your safety habits.

9. France (Paris)

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Paris feels polished, iconic, and safe enough that tourists assume they can relax immediately. The reality is that the city has persistent pickpocketing and theft issues, especially on the Metro, RER lines, and major stations. Its not usually violent, but its extremely efficient.

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Pickpocket teams often use distractions: someone bumps you, someone helps, and your stuff vanishes. Keep bags zipped and in front of your body, and dont hang phones on cafe tables like theyre decorations. In Paris, the smartest move is to stop acting like youre in a movie instead of a major capital city.

10. Spain (Barcelona)

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Barcelona is bright, walkable, and packed with visitors, which makes it a prime environment for street crime. Travel guidance often warns that thieves use distraction tactics and work in groups, especially in busy areas. It can feel harmless until you realize how fast a passport or phone can disappear.

Car-related scams also happen, including schemes aimed at rental vehicles. If someone flags you down claiming something is wrong with your car, stop only in a well-lit public place. The city is still fantastic, just treat your belongings like theyre trying to escape.

11. Italy (Rome)

Image Credit: Kraft74 / Shutterstock.

Rome is one of the worlds most visited cities, so people expect a smooth tourist experience. Instead, many visitors meet Romes famous pickpocket culture, especially around public transport, stations, and major sights. Its less dangerous and more constant low-level theft pressure.

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The typical pattern is crowded spaces where your attention is already split. Keep bags closed, dont carry everything in one spot, and watch for anyone pressing too close for no reason. Rome is unforgettable, but it has a talent for teaching travelers the value of a crossbody bag.

12. Netherlands (Amsterdam)

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Amsterdams calm reputation makes it feel like a low-risk European stop. But pickpocketing and bag-snatching are common in central areas and around Amsterdam Central Station, including trains and trams from the airport. Thieves often work in groups, using distractions.

Restaurants and cafes can also be trouble spots when bags are left hanging on chairs. Keep essentials on your body, and dont get casual with your phone in crowded zones like markets. Amsterdam is chill, but tourists still get treated like easy targets.

13. United States (New Orleans)

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New Orleans is a bucket-list city for music, food, and late-night energy, so visitors often focus on fun first. The city has also struggled with high violent crime compared to many U.S. destinations, even though 2025 saw a major drop in murders and other violent offenses. That improvement is real, but it doesnt erase the need for caution.

Tourist-heavy neighborhoods can feel safe, but change quickly a few streets over. Use rideshares at night, avoid quiet blocks after bar hours, and keep valuables minimal when walking. New Orleans is electric, just treat it like a big city with big-city rules.
MOSCOW, Jan 23 (Reuters) - China is set to ramp up imports of Russian oil in January, absorbing barrels that would have previously gone to India and Turkey, as tougher Western sanctions force Moscow to redirect flows, LSEG data and traders said.

The United States and the European Union imposed sweeping sanctions in late 2025 targeting Russian oil sellers and shippers, including energy giants Rosneft and Lukoil, complicating purchases for global buyers and tightening scrutiny on Russian crude exports.

China is poised to receive nearly 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd) of Russian oil by sea this month, compared with 1.1 million bpd in December, according to preliminary LSEG data. Beijing, already a key consumer of Russian Far East ESPO Blend, also boosted imports of Russian Urals oil to a record high of 405,000 bpd in January, the highest since mid-2023, data provided by energy consultancy Kpler showed.

India, previously the largest buyer of Russian Urals by sea since the EU embargo on Moscow's oil in 2022, slashed purchases to below 1 million bpd in December, down from an average of 1.3 million bpd last year, LSEG data showed. Indian refiners are expected to keep Russian oil imports near 1 million bpd in January as they diversify supply sources.

Turkey, also a major Russian oil buyer, reduced Urals imports in January to about 250,000 bpd, compared to an average of 275,000 bpd in 2025 and well below the record 400,000 bpd reached in June last year.

"As Indian and Turkish buyers cut purchases recently, some Russian Urals cargoes headed for China," said a trader involved in Russian oil sales. He added that the surplus of Urals barrels weighed on prices.

Discounts for Urals crude delivered to China in late 2025 widened to as much as $12 per barrel below ICE Brent for some cargoes, while current Urals differentials hover near minus $10 to the benchmark, according to two traders active in the Asian market.

Demand for Urals in India and Turkey, both major exporters of diesel to Europe, slumped due to the EU ban on fuels produced from Russian-origin crude, the traders added.

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Susan Fenton)
On Wednesday, the James Beard Foundation Awards announced the list of restaurants and chefs who are semifinalists for the 2026 awards.

Several restaurants from Washingtonparticularly in Seattlemade the cut.

Outstanding Chef

Archipelago returns to the list with a nomination for Outstanding Chef for Aaron Verzosa.

The fine-dining Filipino restaurant was nominated last year for Best Hospitality, making it all the way to the finals in 2025.

Emerging Chef

Ahmed Suliman of Cafe Suliman on Capitol Hill was nominated for the Emerging Chef award.

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Cafe Suliman, located in Melrose Market, is known for its Middle Eastern and Arabian flavors and traditions.

Best New Restaurants includes

Both Little Beast Ballard and The Wayland Mill were named nominees for Best New Restaurant.

Little Beast Ballard is known for its hearty English pub fare and cocktails.

The Wayland Mill creates Japanese-inspired Western dishes in the Northlake neighborhood.

Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker

In the Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker category, Christina Wood of Temple Pastries in East Seattle was nominated.

Temple Pastries is a bakery that challenges traditional bakery norms through innovative flavors and textures.

Bar and Beverage

Le Caviste, known for its romantic setting and French wine, was nominated for Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages.

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Roquette, a small, cozy bar with a big reputation in Belltown, was nominated for Outstanding Bar.

Vancouvers The Elbow Room was nominated as a semifinalist for Best New Bar.

Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service went to Anu Apte of Rob Roy, a bar within walking distance of the Seattle waterfront.

Best Chef

Best Chef is the most coveted award on the list.

In the Northwest & Pacific category, seven chefs from Washington State were nominated:

Janet Becerra, Pancita  Seattle (Ravenna)

Johnny Courtney, Atoma  Seattle (Wallingford)

Logan Cox, Homer  Seattle (North Beacon Hill)

Jordan Koplowitz, Starlas  Bellingham, WA

Melissa Miranda, Musang  Seattle (Beacon Hill)

Thai Nguyen and Trinh Nguyen, Ramie  Seattle (Capitol Hill)

Aaron Tekulve, Surrell  Seattle (Cherry Hill)

The finalists for the James Beard Foundation Awards will be announced on March 31.
Wrought in a fire of molten lava, isolated out amidst the thrashing waters of the wild Pacific, and densely populated by weird and wonderful wildlife, Ecuador's Galapagos Islands are almost unique. So pristine that the entire theory of evolution could be mapped out through its distinct species, the "near-perfect family destination" is a wildlife wonderland with snorkeling bays and lava moonscapes.

However, the Galapagos Islands aren't alone in their otherworldly draw. Scattered over oceans and continents across the globe, an array of other islands has laid claim to being the "Galapagos of" each of their global locales. Distinguished by craggy volcanic coastlines and replete with unique endemic wildlife, these destinations are also renowned amongst animal enthusiasts and lovers of unblemished, isolated isles. If you're deterred by the price tag, the popularity, or the far-flung distance of the Galapagos Islands, these alternatives can offer a similarly spectacular experience.

Read more: Florida Beach Towns That Could Pass For The Caribbean

Ballestas Islands, Peru

Sea lion on the wildlife-filled Ballestas Islands, Peru - Alexandra Lande/Shutterstock

While local travelers may unfairly but affectionately hail Peru's Ballestas Islands as "the poor man's Galapagos," their stunning rock vistas and dolphin sightings make these underrated islands a treat to behold. A rocky archipelago exclusively inhabited by animals, the outcrop of rust-hued crag is an ideal day-trip destination for travelers looking to see wildlife without paying the Galapagos' price tag.

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Located just off South America's west coast, they share much of the same marine life commonly found in the Galapagos. Plastered to its wave-lashed rock faces, herds of sea lions have to clamber over one another to acquire any free real estate in the prime sun lounging spots. Above their craning necks, flocks of sea birds whirl and roost, including the vast numbers of pelicans and waddling boobies found all over Ecuador's far-flung isles. They're joined by huddles of Humboldt penguins, the slightly larger cousins of the Galapagos penguins found farther north. Beyond the rocky rim of each island, the Pacific surface is skimmed by migrating humpback whales, leaping dolphins, and marine otters.

Found about 15 miles off the coast of the underrated beach town of Paracas, the islands are easily accessible to travelers visiting the Peruvian coast. Tour companies in Paracas offer daily excursions to the islands, on which visitors can spy the rare Galapagos-style wildlife from the comfort of the boat. The easiest way to access the gateway town is to catch a bus or rent a car to travel the 160-odd miles from the capital city of Lima, which has an international airport with direct flights to more than half a dozen U.S. hubs.

Haida Gwaii, Canada

Ariel view of Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, Canada - Russ Heinl/Shutterstock

Doused by the characteristic steady rainfall of the Pacific Northwest and filled with thick forests of ancient evergreens, British Columbia's Haida Gwaii archipelago may not have the same tropical, equatorial heat as the southerly isles. Nonetheless, many refer to the islands as "Canada's Galapagos," including outlets like National Geographic, due to the wealth of unusual and endemic wildlife found on both. Haida Gwaii swaps sea lions for plodding black bears and iguanas for cute, weaselly Haida ermines, but both destinations are distinguished by their abundance of animals and prime wildlife-spotting opportunities.

Made up of more than 150 islands off the northern coast of British Columbia, tucked beneath the southeastern corner of Alaska, the archipelago is so far-flung that Go Haida Gwaii's byline is, "Once you've reached the edge of your world, ours begins." Its remoteness allowed it to flourish under the stewardship of its indigenous Haida population, resulting in the pristine condition of its temperate rainforests, mist-bleared shores, and volcanic topography.

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Despite being tucked away in the northeast corner of the continent, accessing Haida Gwaii is a relatively straightforward process. Air travelers can catch a flight to the islands from Vancouver International Airport, a major transit hub that receives direct flights from most U.S. hubs. Those looking to island hop across the archipelago and take in the full breadth of its natural diversity can also join a small-boat expedition cruise, sailing past migrating whales and rugged coastal crags capped by dense green forests.

Sao Tome and Principe

View of the lava rocks and palm forests of Sao Tome and Principe's coast - Jakub Kopycki/Shutterstock

This smattering of islands strung out off of Africa's west coast has yet to become a hotbed of tourism. In fact, it is one of the world's least-visited island countries, despite being a pure paradise dubbed the African Galapagos. Roughly 170 miles off the coast of Gabon, Sao Tome and Principe's diverse wildlife was given room to breathe. Between its soft sand beaches, turquoise waters, and the emerald forests that coat much of the inner isles, viridescent tropical birds and mega marine mammals thrive.

Much of the nation's verdant rainforests, mangroves, and grasslands are wrapped into Obo National Park, an essential destination for wildlife lovers exploring the island nation. Protecting almost 30% of the country, the park is teeming with slinking snakes, flamboyantly decorated frogs, and rare endemic birdlife with a variety comparable to the Galapagos themselves. Several species of endangered turtles scuttle onto the sand to lay and hatch their eggs between October and April, and boat tours are available to see migrating humpback whales and dolphin pods that travel just off the shores of Sao Tome and Principe between August and October.

Though no U.S. airports offer flights to the far-flung African nation, it is easy to connect through other African or European hubs. Sao Tome's airport has direct flights to Lisbon, Portugal; Accra, Ghana; and several other African cities. Upon arrival, the best and safest way to travel between islands is on one of the regular inter-island flights.

Komodo Island, Indonesia

Komodo Dragon on Komodo Island in Indonesia - miroslav chytil/Shutterstock

Few island nations on earth can compare to the enormous diversity and beauty of Indonesia, South East Asia's affordable, beach-filled tropical travel paradise. Spanning across more than 17,000 islands and seven major biomes, 12% of the world's mammal species can be seen there, 16% of the reptiles, and 17% of all birds. As such, several islands have been called the "Galapagos of Indonesia" or the "Galapagos of the East." But Komodo National Park and its eponymous Komodo Island are especially worthy of the moniker.

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Most travelers venture to the sultry isle to spy a glimpse of the world's largest lizard: the gigantic, foreboding Komodo dragon. Though they may not breathe fire, the fascinating reptiles have populated the island for over one million years, living Ice Age relics whose ancestors once shared the planet with famous megafauna like the woolly mammoth and saber-toothed cat. Still a significant threat to the humans that travel to their island, they should be approached with caution. Park rangers accompany hikers on the 1.2-mile trek to Banunggulung, the best route for spotting the dragons in the wild. In addition to its famous reptilian inhabitants, Komodo Island offers exceptional snorkeling and diving amid its technicolor reefs, and otherworldly sun lounging on its pale pink sand beach.

There's no airport on Komodo Island itself, so visitors will have to catch a boat to access its pristine shores. Komodo Airport is actually in Labuan Bajo, on nearby Flores. The only direct flights depart from other Indonesian hubs or from neighboring Singapore or Malaysia. The most convenient is probably Singapore, where regular direct flights land from several U.S. cities.

Channel Islands, United States

Coast of Anacapa Island in Channel Islands National Park, U.S. - Benedek/Getty Images

Comprised of a slew of quiet, craggy islands off the coast of California, this beautiful national park is best known as "America's Galapagos Islands." Unperturbed by the rest of the world for thousands of years, the islands' plant life and endemic animals evolved in isolation, resulting in rare encounters that travelers cannot find anywhere else on the planet. Its five tectonically forged islands, born millions of years ago from the furnace of a submerged volcano, are protected by the Channel Islands National Park.

While the wildlife varies from island to island, the best places for spying rare endemic animals are on Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, and San Miguel, according to National Geographic. Hikers can take San Miguel's 13.6-mile round-trip trail to Point Bennett to witness a colony of more than 100,000 seals and sea lions, and explorers on Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa can scout for island foxes and island spotted skunks. Meanwhile, all travelers can hop on a marine tour cruising through the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary to spy some of the 27 species of whales and dolphins that have been seen here.

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There are no hotels on the islands, no restaurants, and no significant tourism infrastructure to impede the wild coastal views. As such, there's no possibility of flying in, and travelers need to catch a boat from mainland California. Routes run to almost all the islands with varying seasonal schedules, the majority of which depart from Ventura Harbor. Just outside the city of Oxnard, the port is only an hour away from Los Angeles. Once on the islands, there is no transportation other than your own two feet.

Methodology

Dragon Hill on the island of Santa Cruz, Galapagos, Ecuador - Michal Hamet/Shutterstock

Each of the destinations selected claims, or has been assigned, the common moniker of the "Galapagos of ..." (their location): For example, the "poor man's Galapagos" or "Peruvian Galapagos," "Canada's Galapagos," the "Galapagos of Africa," the "Galapagos of Indonesia," and "North America's Galapagos." Many islands claim similar titles. In fact, Natural Habitat Adventures compiled a list of 25 "Galapagos" destinations around the world.

This list was influenced by the writer's travels to these destinations, as well as to the Galapagos themselves, which allowed for first-hand confirmation of the claim. Each island destination possesses a distinguishing feature typical of the Galapagos, such as abundant and unusual wildlife, volcanic rock formations, and exceptional biodiversity. Additional research was conducted based on expert recommendations, visitor blogs, and tourism office publications to gauge the experience of other travelers visiting these remote islands.

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Read the original article on Islands.
Travelers are already circling August 12, 2026 on their calendars. On that day, a total solar eclipse will trace a narrow arc of darkness across the Earths surface, passing over Greenland, Iceland, and northern Spain before setting over the Mediterranean Sea . This rare alignment of sun, moon, and Earth has inspired travelers to seek not just a view, but a place worth remembering.

What makes this eclipse special is not only its rarity but the diversity of landscapes it touches. From Arctic ice to volcanic beaches to historic European coasts, each destination offers a different flavor of human experience against a backdrop that blurs the line between science and soul.

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Under Icelands vast skies, the 2026 solar eclipse transforms glaciers, cliffs, and coastlines into a celestial stage.Photo by Josh Reid on Unsplash (Photo by Josh Reid on Unsplash)

A cosmic invitation: planning for the 2026 total solar eclipse

Snfellsnes Peninsula, Iceland

Few places combine spectacle and celebration quite like the Snfellsnes Peninsula in western Iceland. Here, the Iceland Eclipse Festival will take place from August 12 to 15, 2026, turning an astronomical event into a multi day cultural gathering filled with music, talks, art, and wellness activities in dramatic landscapes .

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Snfellsnes is often called Iceland in miniature because of its variety of scenery, including glaciers, black sand beaches, volcanic formations, and sweeping coastal cliffs. Imagine setting up your eclipse glasses against a view of the Snfellsjokull glacier, watching daylight fade into an almost surreal twilight of totality. That sense of place is what makes this peninsula especially appealing for travelers who want an immersive experience rather than a single moment.

Arriving a few days early allows time to hike coastal trails, explore fishing villages, and soak in geothermal pools. The festival atmosphere adds a communal layer, with shared meals and conversations unfolding beneath expansive northern skies. It turns the eclipse into a collective memory rather than a solitary event.

Related: When to travel to Iceland for the best experience

Westfjords, Iceland

For travelers who lean toward wilderness and drama, Icelands Westfjords offer some of the longest durations of totality visible on land in 2026, lasting just over two minutes in certain areas . Locations like the Latrabjarg cliffs provide uninterrupted views over the North Atlantic, where land drops sharply into the sea.

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The Westfjords feel quieter and less traveled than southern Iceland, which adds to their appeal. Eclipse viewing here is likely to be intimate and still, marked by the hush of seabirds and the sudden shift in light across the water. Many travelers describe moments like this as grounding, as though the landscape itself is part of the event.

Reaching the Westfjords takes more planning, but that effort becomes part of the story. For eclipse chasers, the journey often enhances the meaning of the moment itself.

Reykjavik and the Reykjanes Peninsula

For those who want comfort without sacrificing spectacle, Reykjavik and the nearby Reykjanes Peninsula offer a practical and rewarding base. Reykjavik sits within the path of totality and will experience roughly one minute of darkness during the eclipse .

The Reykjanes Peninsula adds another dimension with its geothermal fields and volcanic terrain. Travelers may choose to watch the eclipse from outdoor pools or lava edged coastlines, combining physical relaxation with an extraordinary sky event .

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Icelands weather can be unpredictable in August, which is why many travelers plan flexible itineraries. Staying in or near Reykjavik allows for last minute adjustments while still enjoying restaurants, museums, and cultural programming before and after the eclipse.

Northern Spain

After crossing Iceland, the eclipse will move across northern Spain, arriving late in the day as the sun approaches the horizon . Regions like Galicia, Asturias, and the Basque Country are preparing public viewing areas and cultural events to mark the occasion.

Spains approach treats the eclipse as both a scientific phenomenon and a social gathering. Local governments and tourism boards are coordinating viewing points, educational programming, and crowd support in anticipation of high visitor numbers .

For travelers, this means a rare opportunity to pair an eclipse with coastal cuisine, historic towns, and communal plazas where locals and visitors experience the moment together. It is less solitary than watching from a remote cliff and more about shared wonder.

Arctic and North Atlantic Cruises

Some travelers prefer to follow the eclipse by sea. In 2026, several cruise lines are positioning ships within the path of totality near Iceland and Spain, offering open horizon views and onboard experts to guide the experience .

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Watching an eclipse from the ocean creates a different sensory experience. There are no buildings or terrain to interrupt the sky, and the gradual dimming of light across the water can feel especially pronounced. For many, it becomes one of the most memorable settings possible.

Cruise options range from expedition style journeys to more traditional luxury sailings, allowing travelers to choose the pace and atmosphere that suit them best.

Related: Carnivals 2027 Europe cruises include epic solar eclipse sailing

Greenland Fjords

Greenland offers perhaps the most remote eclipse viewing opportunity of all. Parts of eastern Greenland fall directly under the path of totality, surrounded by ice filled fjords and vast Arctic landscapes .

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Reaching these areas often involves expedition travel or cruise itineraries, but the reward is a viewing experience shaped by silence and scale. Icebergs drift slowly while the sky darkens, and the absence of urban noise heightens the sense of awe. For travelers drawn to extremes and rarity, Greenland transforms the eclipse into something closer to a personal pilgrimage.

Essential tips for experiencing the 2026 solar eclipse

Whether you are heading to Iceland, northern Spain, or Greenland, planning ahead will make your eclipse experience smoother, safer, and more memorable. Here are key tips to keep in mind:

Book early and plan logistics: Accommodations and tours near prime viewing locations fill quickly, especially in Iceland and northern Spain. Secure your spot months in advance.

Check the weather forecast: Clear skies are crucial. In Iceland, weather can change rapidly, so have alternative viewing locations or flexible dates in mind.

Bring certified eclipse glasses: Never look directly at the sun during partial phases. Approved solar viewers or eclipse glasses are essential to protect your eyes.

Choose a comfortable viewing spot: Whether a fjord cliff, seaside plaza, or cruise deck, make sure your location is safe, accessible, and gives an unobstructed view of the sky.

Pack for the environment: Layers are key. Iceland and Greenland can be chilly even in August, while Spain may require sun protection and lighter clothing.

Add local experiences: Combine eclipse viewing with hikes, cultural tours, local cuisine, or geothermal spas to make the trip more immersive.

Document thoughtfully: Photos and videos are great, but take a moment to pause and enjoy the experience without looking through a lens.

These tips help you enjoy the eclipse not just as a single astronomical moment but as part of a larger travel adventure.

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Why this eclipse will stay with you

I have found that eclipse travel stays vivid long after the sky returns to normal. The 2026 solar eclipse offers an unusual combination of dramatic geography, cultural response, and shared human attention focused on a single moment.

Whether you watch from a festival filled peninsula, a quiet Arctic cliff, a Spanish seaside town, or the deck of a ship, the experience tends to linger. It becomes part of how you remember a place, a time, and even yourself. This is not just a trip built around an astronomical event. It is a reminder of how travel can still surprise us, especially when we look up together.

This story was originally published by TravelHost on Jan 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the Attractions section. Add TravelHost as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Woman placing beer bottle into basket - Nomad_Soul/Shutterstock

Once upon a time, beer was the drink of choice for American drinkers who were strapped for cash or wanted something mindlessly pleasant to bring to their next beach cookout or pool party. With few exceptions, if you ordered beer, what you got would be a fizzy, low-proof lager. This all changed with the craft beer revolution of the 1980s and 1990s, when small-scale brewers started to revive forgotten traditional brews and create new styles of their own. Today, the beer aisle at any supermarket will offer beers at a variety of price points with a huge range of flavors, from sweet to hoppy to sour.

Not all brands, however, are worth the price. While some premium brands earn their price tags by using high-quality ingredients and labor-intensive brewing and aging techniques, others slap higher prices on rather ordinary brews to boost their perceived prestige. Or their brewers aren't as skilled as their publicists. And unless you're a serious beer nerd or have friends who are, it can be hard to tell the difference. Luckily for you, we've found two such beer experts to share their insider tips on craft beers better left on the shelf: Bridget Fahey, owner and bartender at The Wander Bar, a New Hampshire-based mobile bar; and Ryan Hopay, special projects and beverage coordinator at Flanker Kitchen + Sporting Club in Salt Lake City.

Read more: 12 Bread Pudding Mistakes You Might Be Making

New Belgium Fat Tire

Bottles of Fat Tire ale - Rosemarie Mosteller/Shutterstock

Many beer lovers fondly remember New Belgium's Fat Tire as their gateway craft beer. It was originally created as a homebrew in the 1980s, inspired by the co-owners' recent biking trip through Belgium. The brew was a hit with the brewers' friends and fellow homebrewers, who encouraged them to produce the beer commercially. This flattering but seemingly dubious advice turned out to be sound: When Fat Tire launched in 1991, it won over fans with its distinctively malty, toasty flavor profile, which made it a novel and welcome change of pace from the light lagers most beer drinkers of the era expected. It was also a great beer with food, pairing well with hearty roasts and meaty braises.

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But if you're a longtime fan of Fat Tire and suspect it's lost its mojo as of late, you're not imagining it. "In 2023, New Belgium changed their recipe for Fat Tire, much to the disappointment of those that enjoyed its malt-heavy taste," Bridget Fahey said. "This change was meant to suit the more 'modern' palate and resulted in what tastes like a largely different beer." The new recipe, Fahey said, is no longer a malt-forward traditional amber ale, but "contains much lighter notes with hints of floral and caramel." If you're new to Fat Tire, it might be fine on its own terms. For those who loved the original, however, it's a real loss.

Goose Island Beer Co.

Sign outside Goose Island taproom - Saejun Ahn/Shutterstock

Like growing businesses in many industries, craft breweries have been undergoing a wave of consolidation, as larger producers and distributors buy up beloved local and regional brands. This can be a win for beer lovers, since it can make favorite regional brews more easily available in more places. But heavy-handed corporate owners may also change recipes in the interest of cost or market trends, neutralizing the very qualities that made that brand special.

Among the brands that have seen a noticeable decline, Ryan Hopay says, is Chicago-founded Goose Island, which was purchased by Anheuser Busch/InBev in 2011. "Goose Island brand has fallen off when AB acquired the beer brand," he said. "They recently even closed their brew house in Chicago after 35 years of operation but will reopen in the future." This must have felt like a betrayal to Goose Island's longtime Chicago fans. Even worse for the brand's other fans, the beer itself has changed since the acquisition  and not for the better. In particular, some critics have noted that its famed IPA has lost much of its distinctively refreshing tropical fruit notes.

BrewDog

Exterior of BrewDog taproom - Nigel Harris /Getty Images

Smart beer lovers approach heavily hyped beers with caution. Most have learned from hard personal experience that breweries with the best ad campaigns and most social media buzz don't always produce the best beer. As a prime example, Ryan Hopay cites beers from BrewDog. Founded in Scotland in 2007 by a pair of self-described "punks," BrewDog leans hard into its rebel outsider image  all while expanding its breweries to the U.S. and Germany and opening over 100 branded locations around the world. It also has a penchant for high-drama novelty beers, including one with 55% ABV and beers brewed on planes and boats.

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All this makes BrewDog the kind of brand curious beer fans want to follow. But according to Ryan Hopay, despite its aggressive marketing and image building, BrewDog offers "inconsistent quality across regions," "modest brewing innovation," and critically for frugal shoppers, "prices [that] don't always match execution." Lesser-known but superior alternatives Hopay recommends are Cloudwater (Manchester, UK), for its "cleaner, more expressive modern styles," and Verdant (Penryn, UK) for its "excellent hop handling."

The Alchemist Heady Topper

Can of Alchemist Heady Topper in the snow - alch3mistb33r / Instagram

Even casual craft beer drinkers can see that India pale ales (IPAs) are everywhere  they're pretty much unavoidable anywhere there's a decent beer selection. Indeed, by some estimates, IPA variants, from hoppy West Coast IPAs to fruity New England versions and boozy double IPAs, comprise between 40 and 50 percent of all U.S. craft beer sales. And drinkers have plenty of options to choose from, many of which have become local favorites.

But not all IPAs are created equal. For instance, The Alchemist's Heady Topper is a New England favorite  an imperial IPA with an ABV of 8% that we named one of the best beers in America back in 2018. While it's a go-to choice for some hop lovers, according to Bridget Fahey, it's pricy for the quality it offers, and serious hopheads have better, more affordable options. "While I hate to say it as a New Englander myself, I do find The Alchemist's Heady Topper to be a bit overpriced with quality that isn't overwhelmingly new. If you're searching for a double IPA that isn't quite as pricey with no missed quality, I highly recommend the Four Fours Double IPA," she said. This highly-rated beer is brewed by Equilibrium Brewery in Middletown, New York.

Ballast Point Brewing

Ballast Point glasses and beer - EWY Media/Shutterstock

Founded in San Diego in 1996, Ballast Point later won over fans with its Sculpin line of punchy IPAs. Offered in fruity flavors ranging from grapefruit (considered a classic in some circles) to habanero (definitely not for everyone), it's credited by some for whetting the public's appetite for today's fruit-accented and hazy IPAs. Its popularity proved to be both a blessing and a curse. Obviously, every brewery loves to be loved. But Ballast Point's rising profile made it an attractive target for corporate acquisition, which led to a tumultuous period in which the brand changed hands multiple times.

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In 2015, Ballast Point was acquired by Constellation Brands, and shortly thereafter, the brewery's founder and several other senior executives left the company. In 2019, Constellation sold the brand  at a significant loss  to the Chicago brewery Kings and Convicts. All of this resulted in changes to the brewery's offerings and quality, which some drinkers feel have deteriorated over time. Perhaps Ballast Point realized it overshot its mark, since, according to Ryan Hopay, it seems to be undergoing a retrenchment. "Ballast Point is very well known in San Diego, where it is brewed," he said. "[It] feels like they took a step back in secondary markets due to local breweries making craft beer."

Victory Sour Monkey

Bottle of Victory Sour Monkey - USA Craft Breweries / Facebook

Sour beers aren't for everyone, and despite their growing popularity, they're still a bit of an acquired taste. And they have a long history: in the days before germ theory and sanitation were well understood, almost all beers picked up sour flavors from airborne yeasts and bacteria. Today, some traditional Belgian breweries intentionally produce their sours the original way, by leaving unfermented beer exposed to open air to pick up these organisms and the flavors they contribute.

American craft brewers have also embraced sour beers, but use carefully nurtured cultures for sourness rather than taking their chances on nature. Among the more prominent varieties is Victory's Sour Monkey. This super-popular sour packs a punch  with an ABV of 9.5%, it's not exactly a lawn-mowing beer. And it's fine for what it is. But according to Bridget Fahey, its ubiquity leads drinkers to overlook more interesting options. "Fans of sour beer are often shy to branch off and try new sours, which results in missing out on some great smaller brands," she said. One she recommends is The Bronx Brewery City Island Sour from New York. This alternative not only boasts a balanced, refreshing flavor even non-sour-lovers can get behind, but with an ABV of 6%, it won't knock you out after your first pint.

Allagash Curieux

Open bottle of Allagash Curieux - Joseph Peter Klapatch / Facebook

Brewers have aged beer in barrels for centuries  Belgium's famed lambics, for instance, have traditionally been aged in barrels. And in the 1990s, American craft brewers discovered that aging rich imperial stouts and other strong beer varieties in used bourbon barrels lends the beer a distinct bourbon flavor and aroma, thus creating seriously tasty beers. The catch is these beers aren't easy or cheap to make, and creating a harmonious balance between the flavors and aromas of the beer and bourbon requires finesse.

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An interesting example of such a beer is Allagash's Curieux. Unlike most bourbon-barrel-aged beers, it's a Belgian tripel, rather than a more common chocolaty imperial stout. And with its 10.2% ABV, it's meant to be a celebration beer to be sipped and shared rather than glugged. Because of its expensive ingredients and painstaking production process (including aging in just-emptied bourbon barrels and bottle conditioning), it comes with a hefty price tag. But for all its potential, Ryan Hopay feels it misses the mark. "The bourbon barrel character (vanilla, oak, light coconut) often overwhelms the tripel base rather than integrating with it," he said.

Any brand that's mysteriously unobtainable or suddenly everywhere

Woman shopping for beer - Lordhenrivoton/Getty Images

Our experts also advised consumers to look out for general red flags when exploring craft beer brands. For instance, if you've been to multiple stores in search of a buzzy new brew that's almost impossible to find, stop. While there could be legitimate reasons for shortages, according to Bridget Fahey, breweries sometimes create artificial scarcity to raise prices and perceived prestige.

Conversely, Ryan Hopay warns beer lovers to be wary of niche brands that suddenly go national  growing pains can lead to inconsistent flavors due to uneven quality control, shipping, and storage glitches. If you notice the same beer tastes different from batch to batch or find off-flavors, this is a sign of quality control issues. Beers with no canned-on or bottled-on dates are another red flag. Contrary to popular belief, most beer (with the exception of some high-proof varieties) should be consumed fresh. And as an industry professional, Hopay distrusts breweries that blame old or off beers on distributors or retailers instead of owning the problem.

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Given the generally high cost of coffee, you may be reconsidering your morning cup of joe. But if your coffee is non-negotiable, it pays to take advantage of a bargain, especially when it comes to the good stuff. Sure, gourmet coffee doesn't always translate to quality, but chances are certainly higher with those varieties.

Whether you call it gourmet, specialty, or premium, high-quality coffee is typically in a league of its own (and must pass certain standards to earn its title)  and its usually high prices reflect this. But if you're cringing at those dollar signs, we found a few places to grab gourmet coffee for a bargain so you can satisfy your taste buds without damaging your wallet ... too much, at least. Gourmet coffee is more than just good coffee, after all. It's the result of bean traceability, quality processing and testing, and sustainability. The origins of the beans must be known and of a singular region or country, typically a family farm that grows Arabica beans in rich soil and ideal climate. Thanks to the care and craft that goes into creating a well-balanced and nuanced coffee, gourmet coffee can have undertones of chocolate, nuts, fruit, or florals.

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There's just something about those underlying notes, but the downside is higher prices. Thankfully, the following stores offer you the opportunity to snag a bag of the good stuff for a nicer price. Here are seven places to find bargain-priced gourmet coffee.

Read more: 10 Frequently Returned Food Items At Costco

Dollar Tree

Front and back of a bag of Harry and David Breakfast Blend Coffee. - Dollar Tree

Dollar Tree may be one of many dollar stores that no longer sells everything for an actual dollar. But it's still among the best places to find a bargain, including a gourmet coffee brand you can find for $2. Now, before you get too excited about that price, keep in mind: It's $2 for 4 ounces (as of this writing). But $8 for a pound of coffee is a sweet deal, making Harry & David a top notch find at Dollar Tree.

Not exclusively a coffee company, Harry & David focuses on gourmet products that are high quality, using hand-picked beans. Its coffee comes from small estate farms that grow and harvest 100% Arabica beans by hand, and reviews are mostly positive (though a few customers offered complaints about staleness).

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That's not your only gourmet coffee choice at a bargain price from Dollar Tree, though. It also sells Victor Allen coffee, which is made with 100% Arabica beans that are roasted in small batches. Additionally, you'll find canned iced coffee lattes that just might be an affordable alternative to higher priced coffee shop lattes; one reviewer noted they found it more enjoyable than what's sold at Starbucks (and at a more affordable cost)

Ocean State Job Lot

A 42-count box of Boston's Best Coffee Shop Blend coffee pods. - Boston's Best

If you're familiar with Ocean State Job Lot, you're probably aware of the many bargain finds to be had there. At this store, you may even find yourself grabbing more than you actually need. It typically features products that are normally priced higher elsewhere, so every purchase feels like a good deal. And among those good deals is a variety of gourmet coffees.

Boston's Best is a family-owned coffee roasting company in Massachusetts that prides itself on roasting its 100% Arabica coffee beans on-site. It uses modern technology to ensure every bean is roasted meeting the highest standards, qualifying as organic, certified fair-trade, and award-winning. You can snag a 12-ounce bag of ground for around $5 as of this writing. But if you prefer single-serve, Ocean State also offers Boston's Best as pods, with a 42-count box costing a little more than $10.

Ocean State Job Lot also offers Portofino Coffee Merchants, a dark roast made from 100% Arabica beans that are hand-selected, and costs less than $10 for a 26-ounce bag is available for less than $10. Black Pointe Coffee Roasters can also be found at the store in an 80-count box of single-serve pods. It sources its beans from small-lot coffee farmers, which are then roasted in small batches so the coffee stays fresh when shipped.

Grocery Outlet Bargain Market

Front and back of a bottle of La Colombe cold brew coffee. - Grocery Outlet Bargain Market

Just like there are multiple dollar stores with similar names, there are also multiple grocery outlets with similar names. Not to be confused with the unrelated Grocery Outlet stores found in southern Alabama and Florida, Grocery Outlet Bargain Market is a discount chain located primarily in California, the Pacific Northwest, Ohio, and parts of the East Coast. Focused on offering brand name items at affordable prices, you can find sweet deals on products that might've gone through a marketing update, had surplus in stock, or were overproduced  and gourmet coffee is no exception.

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While you can find a number of coffee options at Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, if you're looking for something on the higher end, it offers La Colombe cold brew and draft latte. The 42-ounce regular unsweetened option generally costs around $5 depending on roast, making it a budget-friendly cold brew you could use to create unique iced coffees for the summer (or any time of year). Plus, the draft latte is made with farm-fresh milk.

La Colombe sources its coffee beans from farmers it meets and forges ongoing relationships with. If you're looking for a gourmet coffee to brew yourself, Grocery Outlet Bargain Market also offers a 24-ounce bag of Four Sisters ground coffee for less than $10, which uses 100% Arabica beans that have been hand-picked and small batch roasted.

Sam's Club

Bag of Boyer's Coffee in mountain setting. - Sam's Club

You likely expect a wholesale club to have more affordable prices, so what better place to find gourmet coffee for less than Sam's Club? Of all the Sam's Club food finds you shouldn't skip, good coffee is one of them. While you'll likely find brands like Starbucks, Caribou, and Cameron's for a bargain, there's a lesser-known one that's worth a look: Boyer's Coffee.

Roasted in Denver, Colorado, Boyer's Coffee sources the top 2% of Arabica beans, and takes advantage of Denver's altitude to effectively roast the beans without burning them. Plus, the company partners with farming communities to help give back. And while it may seem like a pricier product at first blush, with a 36-ounce bag of Boyer's Coffee costing $23 from Sam's Club as of this writing, we're talking about a bag of whole beans rather than pre-ground coffee (which some may prefer).

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Of course, other options are also available, such as Copper Moon Coffee, which is a family-owned roastery that sources 100% Arabica beans from around the world. It focuses on high-quality beans from tropical climates with rich soil, earning an organic certification (and a 32-ounce bag of beans for around $20). Other gourmet coffees priced well to consider include Pablo's Pride, Zavida, and Luna Roasters.

Costco

Bag of Costco Kirkland Organic Ethiopia whole bean coffee. - Costco

Along with Costco Kirkland products that can transform your morning coffee (like grass-fed butter or heavy whipped cream), you also have a few choices when it comes to making that coffee a gourmet sip. Brands like Ruta Maya, Copper Moon, Mayorga, and Mother Earth offer you the opportunity to enjoy a rich, bold cup of organic coffee that's a treat for your taste buds, yet easy on your wallet.

Now, since you're likely looking at buying in bulk, you have to expect the initial price to take a bigger bite. However, when comparing price per ounce or pound, Costco rivals the likes of dollar stores and regular grocery outlets. Whether you want Mayorga Organics, Mother Earth Organic, or Jose's Organic, you're looking at obtaining multiple pounds in one go for a decent price.

Generally, the wholesale store's prices differ depending on brand and roast, but you'll end up paying less than $15 per pound or less than $1 per ounce (as of this writing). Costco's in-house brand, Kirkland Signature, also offers you certified organic single-origin coffee from regions such as Ethiopia or Indonesia , including a pack with 4 total pounds of coffee for $50.

Aldi

Front and back of a bag of Barissimo Colombia coffee. - Aldi

While there are a number of foods you can find for less than $1 at Aldi, coffee won't be on that list. Still, you can score some gourmet coffee brands from Aldi for a bargain. Now, the popular and affordable grocery store offers its own store brand, Barissimo Coffee, in a wide variety of styles, roasts, and flavors. And while not all of them qualify as gourmet, you'll find Colombia, Sumatra, and Guatemala single-origin coffee varieties made from 100% Arabica beans that are Fair Trade certified. With that in mind, consider grabbing a 12-ounce bag or a 12-count box of single-serve pods, both of which are usually bargain-priced.

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In addition to Barissimo, Aldi carries Simply Nature, a brand that focuses on organic and non-GMO ingredients, including its line of coffee products. You can choose from Fair Trade certified single-origin options from regions like Peru and Honduras, and find yourself with 12-ounce bags of ground coffee for less than $10 or a 12-count box of single serve coffee pods for roughly $5.

Kroger

Back and front of a bag of Simple Truth Organic Colombian coffee. - Kroger

Among the many coffee brands to be found at Kroger  including Starbucks, Peet's, Gevalia, and Green Mountain  you'll find Stumptown Coffee Roasters. Of course, that gourmet coffee brand (which focuses on freshness, transparency, and sustainability) is also sold for up to $20 per 12-ounce bag  not exactly a bargain. Thankfully, Kroger also offers Simple Truth, which is its own private label for organic goods, and has gourmet-level coffee available for at a far cheaper cost.

Simple Truth focuses on transparency and honest labeling, so you know your coffee from this brand is top-notch. Plus, it aims to keep prices affordable, so you don't have to pay high-end prices for high-end foods. At Kroger, you'll find Simple Truth Organic coffee that's Fair Trade certified, including an 11-ounce bag of ground coffee that costs less than $10. It also offers a 12-count box of single-serve coffee pods for slightly less than the ground coffee, and you can choose from a house blend or Colombian varieties.

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Read the original article on Tasting Table.
Thousands of flights were canceled this weekend amid a major winter storm.

The storm stretched over 2,000 miles from New Mexico to Maine.

Airlines must refund canceled flights. Some offer meals or overnight hotel accommodations.

US airlines are canceling thousands of flights and expanding travel waivers as Americans battle a major winter storm stretching from Maine to New Mexico.

As of 11 a.m. ET on Monday, more than 22,000 US flights have been canceled since Saturday, according to data from the flight-tracking website FlightAware. The majority of those, over 12,000, were on Sunday.

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"This storm is unique," Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told CNBC on Monday. "You get the ice, and you get the snow, and on top of that, we have now a cold weather snap that comes after it."

Sunday was the worst day for flight cancellations since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, Duffy said. He added that the government expects flight schedules to return to normal on Wednesday.

People who had their flights canceled due to the weather can get a refund or a credit, Duffy said.

American Airlines, JetBlue, and Delta Air Lines were the large carriers with the most cancellations on Monday morning, per FlightAware.

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At Boston's Logan International Airport, about 60% of flights were canceled Monday  the largest share of any major US airport.

Washington, DC's Ronald Reagan National Airport said airlines canceled all flights on Sunday. As of Monday morning, airlines were resuming flights, though airport officials told travelers to expect "lingering delays or cancellations."

Delta Air Lines said on Sunday that it would operate a reduced schedule while continuing to monitor storm conditions.

The airline said it was also adjusting staffing levels, including deploying cold-weather specialists from northern hubs to support deicing and ground operations at airports such as Atlanta, Birmingham, Huntsville, Knoxville, and Nashville.

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American Airlines has said it is waiving rebooking fees for travelers flying to or from eligible airports on select dates. Late on Friday, the carrier added that it would schedule extra flights across several markets.

Other major carriers have also rolled out travel waivers, including Southwest Airlines, United, and JetBlue.

Here's what to do if your flight is disrupted.

1. Know your rights as an airline passenger in the US

Airline passengers have some customer rights in the US. Li Rui/Xinhua via Getty Images

According to the Department of Transportation, there is no law requiring US airlines to compensate passengers for disruptions caused by uncontrollable events, such as weather. That also includes air traffic control delays.

The only rule carriers must follow is to refund customers for cancellations, even for non-controllable events. And that does not mean travel credits or vouchers  it must be cash, and includes any add-ons, such as bags or seats.

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But carriers do not owe meals, hotel rooms, or financial compensation for storm-related cancellations or delays  because the cause is the weather, not the airline.

Passengers are still entitled to a refund or rebooking on the same airline, but carriers are not required to provide additional accommodations or rebook on another airline.

If you choose to travel but your flight is delayed or canceled, ask the airline for the reason  ideally in writing  so you know what you're entitled to. Airlines have different policies for disruptions they control, like crew or maintenance issues.

The DoT's Airline Customer Service Dashboard  launched in 2022  shows what the 10 largest US airlines promise in those cases, including rebookings, meal vouchers, and hotel accommodations.

2. Monitor your airline's app for rebooking options

Most airlines allow customers to adjust their flights online. Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images

When a flight delay or cancellation is announced, expect people to flock to the nearest customer service line for assistance, and for the phone lines to clog.

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Wait times can be painfully long, and the best alternatives will likely go quickly. However, some airlines offer the option to rebook on their website or mobile app and waive any fees, making it sometimes easier to make changes online than in person.

If all available options are exhausted, have a plan B, such as waiting to speak with a live agent, contacting the airline through social media, or booking a hotel for the night.

Direct messaging on Facebook or Twitter can actually serve as a virtual placeholder, and you may hear back via chat before speaking to a live agent.

Here are the phone numbers for each airline:

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Alaska: 1-800-252-7522 or text 82008

Allegiant: 1-702-505-8888

American: 1-800-433-7300

Avelo: 1-346-616-9500

Breeze: No phone number to call, but you can text the airline at 501-273-3931. If you call this number, it'll tell you different ways to contact Breeze, like via email or Facebook Messenger.

Delta: 1-800-221-1212

Frontier: No phone number. The best way to contact Frontier is via online chat or email.

JetBlue: 1-800-538-2583

Southwest: 1-800-435-9792

Spirit: 1-855-728-3555

Sun Country: 1-651-905-2737

United: 1-800-864-8331

3. Ask for a hotel or meal voucher

The Hyatt hotel inside Orlando airport. : Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

For controllable delays or cancellations that result in a customer waiting at least three hours for a new flight or requiring an overnight stay, several airlines will offer meal or hotel vouchers.

Carriers offering both are Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and United Airlines, per the DoT dashboard.

Frontier Airlines is the only carrier that does not offer accommodations in the event of an overnight delay or cancellation, but it will provide a meal voucher.

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For US airlines not listed on the dashboard, or in cases where the disruption is uncontrollable (like because of a winter storm), or if the compensation is unclear, simply ask.

It never hurts to request a meal or hotel during flight disruptions, and you might get lucky with a goodwill gesture from the carrier.

4. Check if your credit card company offers travel insurance

American Express and Chase have travel credit cards. Illustration by Mario Tama/Getty Images

Several major banks offer credit cards with travel insurance, such as Chase's Sapphire Reserve and American Express' Platinum Card. Both offer trip protection, meaning customers who purchased their flights with those cards can reap the benefits.

For example, during a major storm system, it's likely many passengers will end up stranded in random cities across the US.

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However, banks with travel insurance included can reimburse cardholders for unexpected expenses outside their control, including hotel, meal, and transportation costs.

Travel insurance does not apply in all circumstances, like short delays, so be sure to check your policy before making a claim  but it also doesn't hurt to make the claim anyway, even if the answer is no.

5. Know when to walk away

Consider renting a car or taking the train. Wang Ying/Xinhua via Getty Images

Delays and cancellations are inevitable. Don't spend all day sitting around waiting  give yourself a cut-off time. Once that moment passes, consider alternative means of getting to your destination, such as driving or taking a bus or train (which may also be covered by travel insurance).

If you are stuck in another city and have no other option but to stay in a hotel or wait at the airport, decide how you want to spend your time and make a plan.

Editor's note: This article was originally published in 2023 and has been updated.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Editor's Note: Due to weather, an opening reception has been rescheduled for 5:30 p.m. Jan. 30.

Holland Museum is launching a new exhibit to celebrate the stories and contributions of local Laotian families.

"Sabai Dee: Celebrating Hollands Laotian Community" will open in the organization's Focus Gallery on Jan. 23 and run through May 17, according to a community announcement. Sabai Dee means "hello."

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The exhibit highlights the experiences of Laotian immigrants, refugees and children who re-settled in Holland in the late 1970s and 1980s. Many families came to the United States following the Vietnam War and the Secret War in Laos, the announcement said, bringing their traditions and hopes for a new beginning.

Guests will find personal narratives, family photographs and meaningful artifacts, the announcement said. Sabai Dee explores how the local Laotian community has navigated challenges, nurtured heritage across generations and established deep roots that continue to enrich Holland in 2026.

More: American Girl Exhibit proves super popular at Holland Museum

"(This exhibit) is made possible because members of the Laotian community generously shared their personal stories, photographs and treasured belongings with us," wrote Executive Director Michelle Stempien. "We are deeply thankful for their openness and trust, and we are honored to help share these stories of resilience, cultural pride and belonging."

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For more information, visit hollandmuseum.org.

This story was created by reporter Nida Tazeen, ntazeen@usatodayco.com , with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: New exhibit at Holland Museum celebrates local Laotian families
Lebanon Valley Mall officials will host the Lebanon County Volunteer Fair on Saturday, Jan. 24.

The free community event will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and will provide a centralized hub for residents to explore the services of more than a dozen local nonprofits. Officials said the fair was established to foster a stronger culture of service within the region, and seeks to support and uplift the local community through dedicated volunteerism.

Several groups will be featured at the volunteer fair, including the United Way of Lebanon County, the Swatara Water Trail and the Lebanon YMCA.

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Whether you are a student seeking service hours, a retiree looking to stay active, or a professional wanting to share your skills, this fair offers a pathway to meaningful involvement, said Deborah Hornick, director of community development at the United Way of Lebanon County. Our goal is to showcase the incredible breadth of service work happening right here in Lebanon County.

The fair aims to bridge the gap between community members eager to give back and organizations in need of support, officials said. Attendees can meet directly with representatives from various nonprofit sectors that include senior services, youth mentorship, veteran support, animal welfare and environmental conservation.

Organizers said the event will include a live broadcast by Froggy Radio at the Fountain Stage from 10 a.m. to noon, with live interviews with participating nonprofits. Mall businesses have also sponsored door prize raffles that will be awarded to attendees throughout the event.

The Lebanon County Volunteer Fair requires no prior registration, with organizers saying that all residents are invited.

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Matthew Toth is a reporter for the Lebanon Daily News. Reach him at mtoth@ldnews.com or on X at @DAMattToth.

This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: Volunteer Fair to connect residents with nonprofits at Lebanon Mall
The Rev. Jeffrey Roy was leading his Rumson congregation in a hymn when he suddenly heard the screeching from the pews.

A baby in the gallery? A worshipper brought to ecstatic prayer?

No, it was Zinny the cockatoo, perched on a parishioner's shoulder in the Monmouth County church. The spirit apparently moved the parrot to join the rest of the sanctuary in song.

It was a typical weekend service at St. George's by the River Episcopal Church, where cats, dogs, rabbits and birds are integral participants of the faithful congregation.

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"About 15 minutes in, I start to lose control and the barking starts," said Roy. "But I've learned to talk over it."

Story continues after gallery.

Roy launched the inclusive service eight years ago in recognition of the importance of pets in local parisioners' lives. "We saw an evangelical opportunity," he said. "We hoped then and know now that we are reaching more and different people."

In an era when the pews in many churches are emptying, he discovered the payback of welcoming four-legged friends into the fold: Weekly attendance has grown from about 15 humans the year St. George first offered a pet-friendly service to over 60 today, Roy said.

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"It has turned into its own congregation."

Betty Kish started bringing her three miniature pinschers to Christ Episcopal Church of Bloomfield & Glen Ridge every week seven years ago because she didn't want to leave them home alone. When she explained her problem to the Rev. Diana Wilcox, the pastor urged her to bring the animals along.

"They seem to like being at church. People look forward to seeing them," Kish said proudly.

She and her partner, Ann Watson, often sit on the pew with a blanket between them, where their pooches sprawl out. Spy, Holly and Poppy, snooze or nibble on treats as the prayers go on.

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"It means a lot to us that our animals are welcome," Kish said. "They are all God's creatures. I wish more churches accepted animals."

Worshippers and their pets at St. George's By The River Episcopal Church in Rumson

In Rumson, Roy often condenses his sermon to adapt to the shorter attention spans of the pets, who receive a special blessing at the end of the service. Happily, nobody has ever been bitten, and no major fights have broken out among animals, he said

"We only had two messes I had to clean up. It's almost like they understand they are in church."

Searching for any advantage as America grows increasingly secularized, other churches around the country have also welcomed paws onto their pews.

Blessing of the Animals

Many denominations of Christianity have long held an annual Blessing of the Animals in October to honor St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.

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Locally, the most famous of these benedictions is probably the Feast of St. Francis, held in St. John the Divine Cathedral in Manhattan. The annual ceremony draws hundreds of exotic and barnyard animals, including horses, camels and owls as well as New Yorkers who bring along their dogs, turtles and lizards.

Some churches have established grief programs for bereaved pet owners. And an increasing number of houses of worship allow service animals to accompany their owners. In September, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America became the latest of many churches and synagogues to announce a policy permitting service dogs.

Rev. Diana Wilcox blessing a bearded dragon at Christ Episcopal Church in Bloomfield & Glen Ridge

Wilcox of Christ Episcopal Church said welcoming Kish's dog opened the barn door, if you will, in her parish.

"Since then, other people have also been bringing their dogs to worship," said Wilcox, whose own black Lab, Lexi, hangs out at the church. "It's become a thing."

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"They are all very well-behaved," she said. "We are welcoming to all of God's creations."

The Jewish community too, has welcomed service pets and other animals into its congregations, with some Reform synagogues holding a blessing for animals to honor the Jewish value of Tza'ar ba'alei chayim, a Jewish obligation for compassion to animals.

A happy Bark Mitzvah

More Jews are holding "Bark Mitzvahs" as a way to celebrate a dog's coming of age. While some of these events are just an excuse for a shindig, with photos ops and treats for all, others involve blessings and a dog-sized kippah and talit  a traditional Jewish head covering and a prayer shawl  for the guest of honor.

Brittany Lapidus, a native of Marlboro, recently celebrated the ritual with her chihuahua Matilda. "She's like my best friend and has been with me through multiple jobs and moves as I've grown through my 20s and early 30s," said Lapidus, 34, who now works as a licensing manager in Cleveland.

Brittany Lapidus of Marlboro, N.J., celebrated the recent "Bark Mitzvah" of her dog Matilda.

Though she was raised in a secular Jewish home, Lapidus recently began leaning into her roots and joined a temple. When Matilda turned 13, she wanted to mark the milestone, which has significance in Jewish life.

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Lapidus wanted something more meaningful than an elaborate party. She dressed Matilda in a kippah and talit, but the celebration was primarily "about giving back and helping others," she said. "We asked people to donate to the animal shelter in Portland, Oregon, where Matilda came from. It was a great way to raise money for a wonderful cause, celebrate Matilda and introduce others to Judaism in a fun way!"

The wilding of the pews also reflects another trend: The percentage of Americans who consider pets to be a member of their family has increased in the past two decades, from approximately 80% to 97%, according to Pew Research Survey Center.

Betty Kish, Holly, and Ann Watson listen to Sunday service at the Bloomfield Christ Episcopal Church, Jan 18, 2026, Glen Ridge, New Jersey, USA.

More: Where to find NJ's most stunning Gothic churches

David Drislane, who runs the animal ministry at Christ Episcopal Church, said it's as important for churches to be welcoming to pets as they are to children.

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The church also supports PAWS Montclair, a local animal rescue, through food and donation drives, he added.

"A number of folks have a need for comfort or support animals so its important for them to have places they can go that openly welcome them," he said. "Having pets in the church pews also brings joy and comfort to those that do not have a pet to bring to church."

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ seeing more dogs, cats and other pets at church
After featuring a viral TikTok of a woman explaining the "stark differences" she noticed after moving from a Republican-leaning to a Democrat-leaning state, BuzzFeed Community members who did the same  or vice versa  came forward to share their own stories. Here are the major, wild differences people who've lived in both blue-leaning and red-leaning states noticed:

1. "I felt like my vote mattered more when I lived in a blue state. I'd never seen a candidate I'd voted for actually win the Electoral College votes in my state. I was wrong. Now, I realize that the exact opposite is true. My vote matters a lot more in a red state, and the GOP wants you to feel apathetic and powerless."

DAVID DEE DELGADO / AFP via Getty Images

promisingyoungwoman

2. "I grew up in New York , and I ended up moving to Florida for a job opportunity. It's...quite different from NYC, but overall, the people are very nice. I don't get into the politics of things, so that's probably why I had an easier time adjusting."

Anton, 42

Related: If You Can Pass This Geography Quiz, You're Officially Smarter Than The Average American

3. "Mine's a silly one, but once I moved from a rural red area to a blue one, I was never accused of trying to steal someone's subpar boyfriend again. Almost all of the women I know who've moved from a red area to a blue one have been accused of this in their red hometowns. Like, ma'am, it's literally just Tyler from the Jiffy Lube who blew his first paycheck on the biggest, loudest, ugliest truck he could find."

witchylegend85

4. "We moved from Nebraska to Arizona when we retired. Except for having to deal with a few MAGA-crazed friends, we love it. It was so disheartening to see Arizona go to Trump in the last election, but overall, AZ is still a wonderful place for retirees and families. In Nebraska, I knew if I spoke up about my more liberal views, I'd be chased out of the room with pitchforks. Those right-wing conservatives out there are radical. Once, we had a tiny, tiny Black Lives Matter gathering in our small town, and there were men who showed up in flak vests and guns."

"People drove by and threw water on my family, which included our 10-year-old grandson. They drove their monster trucks by protesters and gunned the motor to spew diesel fumes, and then peeled off laughing. Shame on ALL of them."

grumpytruck292

5. "I am a military veteran and retired teacher. I lived in Illinois for most of my life, but when my daughter left home, I decided to move to a warmer climate near the beach. I ended up in North Carolina. That was in 2015. Wilmington was OK because the population was more diverse, but then MAGA moved in, and I stopped feeling safe. I lived with my Black partner, and I felt like I was living in 1955. Overt racism was not uncommon. People referred to Black people as 'colored,' they grocery shopped with firearms on their hips, and Trump signs were everywhere. It was even suggested that I not teach about Civil Rights. I stayed for seven years before I moved back to Illinois. I will never leave here again. Red states demand absolute conformity, or you will pay the price."

Amber, Illinois

6. "I live in a blue state, Illinois, but recently moved to a red rural county because it's cheaper. I have to put up with really dumb, out-of-touch people, many of whom are glued to Fox News all day and believe all of the lies. It's hard to believe how many of them are on Medicare and Medicaid. They're poor as heck but praise Trump, who just keeps them dumb and poor."

purplegoat4588

Related: 21 Fascinating Confessions From A Former Disney Parks Employee That Will Change The Way You See The Magic Kingdom

7. "I grew up in a blue state and have mostly lived in blue-leaning states. I now live in Florida, where I have to watch what I say and to whom, because there always seems to be an angry MAGA member ready to argue  or worse. For safety reasons, I even changed my party affiliation."

Anonymous

8. "Red areas are very cheap to live in, but there aren't jobs. Blue areas have everything you could ever want, but you'll never be able to afford any of it."

collapse

9. "I grew up in Northern Virginia, which is VERY liberal and affluent, but I spent every summer with my family in Florida. Now, I live in a not-as-liberal-but-still-liberal area in southeast Virginia. I love being from Virginia and am genuinely very grateful for the benefits I get from living here. I also love being a public school teacher in this state. Whenever we visit my family in Florida, it's like being on another planet. Driving through the Bible Belt is wild. People are so judgmental and close-minded! Massive billboards with 'REPENT' or 'BURN IN HELL' are all over the interstate, and Confederate flags are super common, too. Signs for gun shops, sex shops, and churches or anti-abortion clinics are all right by each other."

"It's so weird and honestly scary. I'm Cuban, and my best friend is a Black man. We drove down to visit my family and go to Disney World in the summer of 2024, and we were legit scared to stop for lunch or bathroom breaks. And when we did, we were SO careful, because we were genuinely terrified of being harassed, shot, or both."

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Eleanora, 25, Virginia

10. "I grew up in Minnesota and lived in Wisconsin, South Carolina , and South Dakota. The most surprising thing to me was the vast difference between Minnesota and South Dakota, since they're neighbors. South Dakota is very Christian and conservative, while Minnesota is pretty liberal-leaning across most of the state. As a minority, I actually felt more at home in South Carolina than in South Dakota. I've learned that if you know where to look, though, there are really conservative and really liberal pockets in every state."

Anonymous

11. "I've lived in 12 states in every part of the country, including Hawaii , but excluding Alaska, large cities (NY, SF, and Houston), and smaller cities, including college towns. Everyone seems to be commenting on politics and the cost of living, so here are some other differences. First, there's the food. As the grub-rustler in my home, I've learned so much about the food and wine of different regions. Frankly, food in the Midwest is terrible, and some of the regional fare in Southern states is amazing. The culinary diversity of large cities in blue states is so enlightening."

"Second, the culture and the arts. It is impossible to match the museums and high arts of large cities in blue states, but there are good orchestras and regional arts to enjoy everywhere. Lastly, over the many years, I've developed a basic understanding: there are positives and negatives everywhere one goes. If you focus on the good and respect the positives, and ignore or avoid the negatives, life can be good anywhere."

famoussalt737

12. "I grew up in central Florida in a metro area, which was fairly politically purple. I moved to the Philadelphia area a few years ago, and the differences have been shocking to me. Although Philly can be dangerous, the suburbs I live in are far safer than where I lived in Florida. Also, politics aren't shoved in your face all the time, and the people in Philly are actually nice. The biggest arguments I might see are people complaining about who's holding the door open at Wawa. Additionally, the quality of medical care is better, as is the overall quality of life."

brandonbear35

13. "I grew up in Missouri and moved to California. Politics aside, the food is SO MUCH BETTER. Like, seriously. Everyone should have a California burrito once in their life."

Anonymous, 37, California

14. "I moved from Pittsburgh to a small beach town in Florida and back to Pittsburgh after 10 years. My partner is European. I was enthralled by the weather and beach life at first; the Florida town where I moved was lovely, but it hadn't voted for a Democrat at any level since FDR. People, teachers, government workers, and hospital staff make up a bulk of the jobs there, yet they religiously vote against their own interests. Very strange. Moving back to the Pittsburgh suburbs was like a return to civilization. Education, the friendliness of strangers, the cost of living and services, and even the quality of drivers following the rules of the road were all much better. The medical was second to none, and though winters are less welcome, the quality of life compared to Florida was way better."

Anonymous, 72, Pennsylvania

15. "I lived in eastern Idaho for 17 years. I'm an atheist, but never told anyone. The bulk of the population in eastern Idaho is Mormon and very conservative. I was a public school teacher, but was frequently asked about my religious beliefs by students and coworkers. The state is beautiful, with mountains and high deserts, and the cost of living is low, but I was miserable. Finally, I moved west to Oregon, near the coast. The cost of living is much higher, but worth it. Nobody here asks about my religion or political preferences. I'll never move again."

Mary, 73, Oregon

16. "I am retired and snowbirding it from Colorado to Texas because of warmer winters and closer relatives (in small-town Texas). In Texas, we're very careful about who we're talking to and what we're saying, especially in politics and religion. There is a certain kind of independence and pride that 'everything is better in Texas,' but it's not. The state favors the rich, misleads the average Joe into voting against their interests, and tries to control kids' minds and women's health."

Anonymous

17. Lastly: "I grew up in California, then joined the army at 17. I was pretty lucky; other than a couple of deployments, I was mostly on the West Coast. When we left the military, my husband and I moved to a red state for work. We kept swearing that we were going to get out, but it just wasn't possible until this last fall. Now, we're moving back to California after more than 20 years. I'm already getting more support as a disabled vet there than I ever did in my little red state. My kids get free tuition, and healthcare is so much better. The grocery stores are wildly good  they have so much more variety, and the produce is extraordinary comparatively. Plus, it's all so much cheaper."

"We pay way more for gas, and the utilities are technically higher, but since we downsized our house, the bills are pretty comparable. The biggest thing, though, is that people actually care about others. Like, there are groups that meet up and put together baskets for families that need help, including non-essentials, which are just for fun. It's completely secular; there are no religious requirements, and no judgment. Coming from one of those 'poor-people-dont-deserve-cookies' places, its an absolute breath of fresh air. Books, too. There are libraries that function, book drives, events where people read to kids...there are so many programs without an agenda. Its so nice."

Anonymous, 43

If you moved from a Republican-leaning state to a Democrat-leaning one or vice versa, what was your experience? Share with us in the comments, or you can anonymously submit your story using the form below.

Note: Some submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.

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Blockchain analytics firm Elliptics report shows that Russias ruble-backed stablecoin A7A5, launched last year to help evade sanctions, has processed over $100 billion in transactions in less than a year.

Russia-based cross-border payments firm A7 LLC launched the stablecoin in January 2025 to circumvent Western sanctions. It claims a 1:1 backing by ruble deposits held at Russian state-owned Promsvyazbank (PSB).

Per the report released on Thursday, the stablecoin issued on Ethereum and TRON blockchains processed nearly 250,000 on-chain transactions from 41,300 distinct accounts.

Transaction numbers increased significantly in late September 2025, due to the introduction of the ability to purchase A7A5 with PSB bank cards, Elliptic noted.

In June 2025, Cryptonews reported that A7A5 crossed over $9.3 billion in transactions on crypto exchange Grinex.

The stablecoin helps facilitate sanction evasion by functioning as a 1:1 ruble-backed safe harbour, even though Tethers USDT became the primary crypto asset for Russian sanctions evasion.

A7A5 Stablecoin Hits $100B Transactions  Heres How

The asset, which is currently listed only on Uniswap, has a market cap of more than $540 million, per CoinMarketCap data.

Further, the Elliptic data shows that 35,500 accounts now hold the stablecoin, an increase from the 14,000 in July 2025.

Total A7A5 exchange volumes have now reached $17.3 billion, Elliptic added. The primary trading pairs, A7A5/rubles ($11.2 billion) and A7A5/USDT ($6.1 billion), highlight the stablecoins primary role as a bridging asset between rubles and USDT.

Stablecoin Supply Stalled Amid Heavy Western Sanctions

Besides, the stablecoin activity is currently showing signs of stalling after heavy sanctions by the US, UK and EU on Russia-linked cryptos. The Western sanctions were imposed on Russia, targeting finance, energy and goods, since the nations full-scale Ukraine invasion.

Despite relatively high transaction volumes, there are indications that demand for A7A5 has stalled, Elliptic report noted. There are just over 42.5 billion A7A5 in circulation, with a US dollar value of $547 million.

Additionally, the transaction volumes have dropped from a peak of over $1.5 billion per day to around $500 million per day.

Read original story Russian Ruble-Pegged Stablecoin Surpasses $100B in Transactions Less Than a Year  Report by Sujha Sundararajan at Cryptonews.com
TorriPhoto/Getty Images Algae blooms seen across the waters surface. Algae blooms seen across the waters surface.

If youve ever shown up to the beach only to find the water covered with brown, floating algae, youve experienced a brown tide. The eyesore is the result of increased levels of sargassum seaweed, which floats in island-like masses and are brought to shore by the tides.

In addition to being unsightly, sargassum seaweed inundation causes a host of problems. It can block the sunlight from the ocean floor, killing seagrass and harming shellfish. It can also cause some health effects in humans, making going to the beach and recreating in the ocean less appealing, two things that affect tourism.

Thats the focus of a new study from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the University of Rhode Island. Their research has found that recurring sargassum seaweed inundation has led to multi-million, and in some cases billion-dollar, losses. The beaches hit the hardest tend to be in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and along Floridas Atlantic coast, thanks to their proximity to the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt, a roughly 5,500-mile-long mass of floating seaweed that stretches from West Africa to the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and the U.S. Atlantic coastline.

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The study examined the economic impacts of sargassum accumulation on tourism, recreation, and fisheries in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Florida in an effort to translate the environmental problem into actionable economic evidence.

Understanding the economic scale of sargassum impacts is essential for informed decision-making, said Di Jin, a senior scientist at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the lead author on the study, in the release. Our findings provide resource managers with evidence-based estimates that can guide investments in forecasting, response, and long-term mitigation strategies.

In the study, researchers relied on satellite observation, data from fisheries and tourism boards, and long-term sargassum monitoring. They found that sargassum seasons are starting earlier and lasting longer. The cause is suspected to be changing ocean currents paired with an increase in nutrient input, according to the Smithsonian. The result is seaweed-covered coastlines, disrupted fishing operations, damaged coastal infrastructure, and waning visitors.

According to the study, the cost of cleaning and disposal, infrastructure damage, and tourism losses is millions of dollars for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and potentially up to $1 billion for Florida's Atlantic coast.

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In addition to the financial impacts, there can also be some public health risks. As sargassum seaweed that has been washed ashore begins to decay, it releases hydrogen sulfide gas, which can irritate the nose, eyes, and throat. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency warns that Exposure to hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, produced during the decay of Sargassum, may also cause mild to serious health effects, including respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological impacts. Additionally, Sargassum accumulates and leaches pollutants, including pesticides and heavy metals like arsenic, which could harm human health and the environment.

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
As more than half of the United States braces for a massive winter storm, Americans are rushing to grocery stores to stock up on essentials. With temperatures expected to plunge through the weekend, people may be tempted to turn to food delivery services rather than brace the cold.

But experts say ordering food delivery during inclement weather poses tricky ethical dilemmas.

It involves competing values, such as worker safety, worker economic security and consumer need, says Brad Fulton, associate professor of management and social policy at Indiana University Bloomington.

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It's normal to seek convenience during a storm, but some consumers forget to consider their delivery driver's safety. However, some workers rely on food delivery as their only source of income, which may be threatened by the inability to make deliveries or decreased orders during inclement weather.

So, if youre on the fence about ordering in after snowfall hits, heres how to go about it, and what you can do instead.

Drivers navigate icy conditions on Briley Parkway in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. A winter storm brought snow and ice to Middle Tennessee starting on Saturday. Motorists travel along north bound lanes of Interstate 65 as a winter storm moved into the region Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 in Brentwood, Tenn. The storm is expected to bring snow, sleet, freezing temperatures and ice across multiple states this weekend. Pedestrians walk through the heavy snow in Columbus as Winter Storm Fern continues to dump snow on Central Ohio on Jan. 25, 2026. Mark Anstaett of Clintonville, Ohio cross country skis though Whetstone Park as Winter Storm Fern continues to dump snow on the Columbus area on Jan. 25, 2026. Vehicles make their way along I-95 southbound into Wilmington, Del. past the W. 18th Street overpass, early morning, Jan. 25, 2026. NES crews work on restoring power after a tree fell across Bluefield Ave. in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. A winter storm brought snow and ice to Middle Tennessee starting on Saturday. Snow is plowed on route 9 in Tarrytown, NY during the winter storm Jan. 25, 2026. The storm was predicted to drop up to a foot of snow on the lower Hudson Valley. A family sleds Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, at Unity Park in Greenville, SC. Cars travel Interstate 65 as snow falls Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Indianapolis. Ted Bieber of the Knolls walks across the SR-315 pedestrian bridge as Winter Storm Fern continues to dump snow on the Columbus, Ohio area on Jan. 25, 2026. Mark Bruce uses a snowblower Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, along the street in front of his Avon, Ind. home. A layer of snow blankets the back of two horses in Greenville on Jan. 25, 2026. Snow covers the ground of the Lower Brandywine Presbyterian Church in New Castle County, Del. on Jan. 25, 2026. Snow is plowed on route 9 in Tarrytown, N.Y. during the winter storm Jan. 25, 2026. The storm was predicted to drop up to a foot of snow on the lower Hudson Valley. A major winter storm is forecast to spread heavy snow, sleet and dangerous ice to tens of millions of Americans across two dozen states starting on Friday and continuing into the weekend.

See here, Keith Wilson, of Milwaukee, walks with frozen eyelashes down East State Street in Milwaukee on Jan. 23, 2026. The National Weather Service issued an extreme cold watch across Wisconsin with windchills between 30 and 40 below zero. Erie Downtown Partnership Ambassadors Derek Smith, right, and Rob Nelson clear ice and snow near a bus stop, with single-digit temperatures outdoors, in Erie, Pa., on Jan. 23, 2026. Smith said they try and keep paths clear during heavy snow events. American Red Cross shelter set up at the Civic Center of Anderson, SC, on Jan 24, 2026. A customer loads ice melt into their car at Lowes on Jan. 22, 2026 in Little Rock, Ark. Yahaira Rojas, of Milwaukee, shields her face from the cold as she walks down North 10th Street in from of the Milwaukee County Courthouse in Milwaukee on Jan. 23, 2026. An employee restocks a shelf with snow shovels at Keith's Hardware store on Jan. 23, 2026 in Louisville. Victoria Parker volunteers at The Store assisting customers before the winter storm in Nashville on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. The Store is a non-profit organization founded by Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley to support foodinsecure neighbors. A pedestrian walks to the grocery store for milk during a stretch of extreme cold weather, Jan. 23, 2026, in Menasha, Wisc. Joe Gegelbach loads his trunk with ice melt at the Home Depot as he potential winter storm Evansville, Ind., Jan. 23, 2026. Orangetown Highway Department crews load salt on snow plows in preparation for the snow storm at their facility in Orangeburg, N.Y., Jan. 23, 2026. Firewood, snow shovels and other items to help deal with the coming storm at s Home Depot in Gastonia, N.C. on Jan. 23, 2026. Lynn Batizy of Anderson volunteers setting up cots for American Red Cross warming center at the Civic Center of Anderson, S.C., Jan. 23 2026. On Jan. 23, 2026, Lynn Sealey (left) and Colby Coates (right) replenish produce after an increased number of customers visited the WNC Farmers Market vendor in Asheville, N.C., ahead of the winter storm. Large trucks are filled with a salt and sand mixture at the Easter Salt Co., in Quincy, Mass. on, Jan. 22, 2026. Overnight snowfall left the morning commute in downtown Rochester, NY a little slippery on Jan. 22, 2026. A nearly empty bread shelf is seen in Madison, Tenn., ahead of the storm on January 22, 2025. John Pickering looks over a new shovel at Curry Hardware in West Quincy, Massachusetts, on Jan. 22, 2026. A sun dog seen Jan. 22, 2026 near Pittsville, WI. Sun dogs are caused by refraction of sunlight by ice crystals. A "drive safely" sign is displayed in Greenville, SC as crews work on treating roads, Jan 22, 2026. People brace the cold temperatures while walking on the Brooklyn Bridge in the Manhattan borough of New York City on January 21, 2026. Bringing icy temperatures, Winter Storm Fern will slam a massive stretch of the United States this week, with more than 175 million people facing the prospect of heavy snowfall, power outages and travel disruption. Forecasters warned it could be 2,000 miles long, well over half the length of the continental US. Massive winter storm blankets nation. See photos 1 of 34 Drivers navigate icy conditions on Briley Parkway in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. A winter storm brought snow and ice to Middle Tennessee starting on Saturday.

If you choose to order delivery, leave a generous tip

This conversation doesnt just highlight an ethical dilemma; it also reveals weakness in our economic system, according to Fulton.

Workers must choose between income and safety during dangerous conditions, he explains.

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If you choose to order food during a snowstorm, Fulton recommends leaving a generous tip.

In addition, he says food delivery companies could offer drivers bonus pay for delivering during inclement weather to offset the additional burden.

Already shivering ahead of the storm? How to avoid hypothermia

Avoid panic buying, but get enough of the essentials

If you're trying to plan ahead, you might end up panic-buying. It isn't a new phenomenon, but it can be an annoying one, especially for those trying to grab a normal cart of groceries.

Following forecasts of extreme cold and major snow, photos, news reports and social media posts showed empty grocery shelves across the country. It's not just cans of soup or batteries shoppers are stocking up on, either  perishable goods and normal grocery items are subject to the stockpile as well.

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And while the storms are predicted to be serious, it's not practical calculations that drive people to buy out their local corner store's toilet paper supply, experts say. It's fear  and maybe a little bit of peer pressure.

Prep for this week's winter storm: USA TODAY's power outage essentials

When it comes to food, the National Weather Service recommends stocking up on extra food and water, including nonperishable items such as granola bars, nuts and dried fruit, and baby necessities such as formula.

You can also plan to order or pick up food ahead of the storm, and reheat leftovers if trapped indoors during or after snowfall. Meal prepping can also help quell the urge to order delivery when inclement weather arrives and stop (somewhat) your ethical dilemma in its tracks.

Contributing: Mary Walrath-Holdridge

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Winter storm: Is it OK to order food delivery?
France is one of Europe's most iconic countries. Brimming with an almost overwhelming array of things to see and do, it's the country of cheese and wine, of effortless elegance, of mouthwatering morning croissants, and sun-drenched beaches. It boasts an almost unrivaled history, as well as some of the most impressive and influential artists and writers in the world. Overall, France is a destination no traveler to Europe should miss out on.

Choosing where to go in France is a more difficult decision. Many tourists opt for the chic sophistication of Paris or stunning turrets and towers of the must-see castles of the Loire Valley. Bordeaux's vineyards are world-famous, while the wild natural beauty of the Auvergne and the Cevennes call to some. But it's hard to look beyond the remarkable region of Provence, thanks to its "splendid recipe of arid climate, oceans of vineyards, stunning scenery, lively cities, and adorable hill-capping villages," as described by European travel expert Rick Steves.

Provence is in the southeastern corner of France, bordering Italy and the Mediterranean Sea. Most visitors arrive in Provence at one of its three main cities: Avignon, Marseille, or Nice, all of which have international airports. Other popular spots in Provence include Toulon, Cannes, Aix-en-Provence, and St. Tropez.

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Read more: So-Called 'Tourist Traps' That Rick Steves Loves

Sun-drenched beaches and ancient history

Aerial view of the Calanque de Vau and the surrounding hiking area in the Calanque de Cassis - Michael Workman/Getty Images

Provence is one of France's most famous, beautiful, and varied regions. In the south lies the fabled French Riviera, the Cote d'Azur, that has been immortalized on screen and been one of the foremost vacation destinations for the rich, the famous, and the fabulous for decades. Spots like Cannes, Nice, and St. Tropez are filled with glamorous actors and millionaire yacht parties, but there's more to Provence's Mediterranean coastline than that. The stunning Calanques National Park between Marseille and Toulon is a natural wonder, a wrinkled coastline of dramatic limestone cliffs, bays, and coves offset by gorgeous turquoise water. There are medieval churches in Castagniers and Ile Saint-Honorat, remarkable art museums like the Musee Renoir and Fondation Maeght, and extraordinary, picture-perfect beaches everywhere you look.

While many people come to Provence just to soak up the sun on some of the best beaches in Europe, there's plenty to explore inland as well. The region is overflowing with history, from antiquity to the recent past, and cultural explorers will find plenty to enjoy. According to Steves, "the area is crammed with ancient history  the Roman ruins here are among the finest. Many scholars claim the best-preserved Roman buildings are not in Italy, but in France."

He particularly recommends the city of Nimes, with its magnificent aqueduct and bronze crocodile-palm medallions that line the streets, and the open-air theater in Orange. Steves says that "all of Roman Provence is basically an open-air museum," but there are a few indoor versions that are worth a look, including the Ancient History Museum in Arles, which helps "fill in the blanks" of the remarkable history of the region.

Glamorous wineries and stunning purple fields

Blooming lavender fields and village of Aurel in background in Vaucluse, Provence - Serbek/Getty Images

One of the most enduring images of Provence in popular imagination is its rolling hills covered in gnarled vines and soft purple lavender flowers, and exploring the vineyards and lavender farms of the region is one of the best experiences you can have. Start off at the Chateau de Saint Martin, which has been producing wines since 1740. Situated high in the mountains above St. Tropez, it offers views almost as delicious as its vintages.

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After, you might want to explore the boutique delights of Domaine de l'Olivette, a family winery that's been passed down through generations for over 200 years. Located in one of the best grape-growing areas in Provence, near La Cadiere-d'Azur, its Bandol wines are particularly excellent. The vineyard is small, making each bottle something of a prize. If you want something even more picturesque, the Abbaye de Lerins is located on the tiny island of Ile Saint-Honorat, attached to an exquisite historic abbey, and makes for a truly exceptional day of wine-tasting and deserted beach-hopping.

Experience a show-stopping finale at Chateau La Coste, a winery owned by the same family as the Connaught and Claridge's luxury London hotels. This 500-acre property combines mouthwatering wines with fine art, as the grounds contain a fabulous sculpture park with work from some of the most renowned artists in the world, including Frank Gehry, Damien Hirst, and Andy Goldsworthy. To experience the glory of Provence's lavender fields, head to the Luberon and Verdon plateaus to the north of Aix-en-Provence in July, when the countryside is painted in a myriad of shades of purple, lilac, and mauve.

Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter for access to the world's best-kept travel secrets. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google.

Read the original article on Explore.
Bob Hall takes Hertford Vale CofE Primary School's mascot bear on his travels [Intrepid Travel]

From the city streets of Tokyo to Cape Town's coastline, Herry the teddy bear and his human companion Bob Hall have visited over 30 far-flung places together.

But when he's not catching flights or seeing sights, Herry-Bear has another important role - as the mascot for Hertford Vale CofE Primary School in Staxton.

The teddy was gifted to Bob, 81, from Staxton, by the school so pupils can learn about different countries and cultures across the globe.

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"I've been all around the world maybe about five times, and Herry-Bear has been with me the entire time," Bob says.

"He's my boss, friend and companion."

Today, both man and bear have come to speak to the whole school about their adventures, presenting a slideshow of pictures to show pupils where they've been.

Images of Herry-Bear riding a camel or posing with a Chinese lantern go down a treat, and when it comes to guessing the location of each picture, a flurry of hands wave in the air.

Bob is no stranger to adventure, his career in the army and the civil service took him to many exciting destinations when he was younger.

Herry-Bear has been to Japan, China, South America and India on his travels [Intrepid Travel]

However, he had to put his travels on hold to become a full-time carer for his wife, Mary, who lived with Alzheimer's for over a decade before she passed away.

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As a neighbour of the school and long-term Staxton resident, Bob was a familiar face to many in the village.

He describes the support that Hertford Vale headteacher Andrew Barber offered him as "instrumental" in helping him recover from the grief of losing his wife.

When he decided to take a trip to Australia in 2019 Bob proposed the idea of coming to talk to pupils about his travels, as a way to give back to the school.

From there the idea of taking the school's cuddly mascot to help the children "have a direct interest in exactly where I've been to in the world" was born, he explains.

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"With my pictures, they can actually visualise what these countries are like and it's immediate for them," he says.

"Particularly because Herry-Bear is there."

Pupil at Hertford Vale Primary School heard all about Bob and Herry-bear's travels [BBC]

While there have been many standout moments, the pair's safari trips in South Africa and Botswana are a particular highlight, according to Bob.

Understandably, other tourists are curious about his furry sidekick.

"They're very interested, and when I tell them they are absolutely amazed that somebody my age should want to share my life story with Herry-bear," he says.

Presentation over, and Hertford Vale pupils are discussing where they'd like to travel to.

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Bodhi, 8, says she's been to Bulgaria, Cornwall and Wales before, but would love to go to Korea because "some of my favourite bands are from there".

10-year-old Oliver's dream destination would be Japan.

"It's really futuristic and there's lots of nice food there," he explains.

Meanwhile, six-year-old Hannah says "it was awesome" to find out about Herry-Bear's adventures, adding she'd like to take him on her next holiday.

Chester, 5, has a very simple goal.

"I only want to go to America."

Why?

"So I can go to the shop where you get the sweeties," he announces proudly.

Bodhi (left) and Oliver want to travel to Asia for their next holiday [BBC]

Unlike the children, Bob doesn't have an ideal location in mind for a holiday.

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"I don't believe in a bucket list - I think where I want to go, and when I want to go is how I feel at a particular time," he says.

Their next big adventure will be travelling to South America, ending the trip by attending the Rio de Janeiro Carnival, in which Herry-Bear will take a starring role.

But first, Bob has a solo trip to Barbados to look forward to.

"I'm not taking the bear - it's me time," he jokes.

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.

More on this story
Jan. 23 (UPI) -- Residents of a Montana town are at a loss to explain a years-long local mystery -- the presence of three bicycles on a log in the Missouri River.

The three bikes have been wedged on top of the log in Great Falls since at least the fall of 2020, and despite efforts to solve the mystery on websites including Reddit, the questions of who put them there, and why, remain.

An investigation by KRTV's Quentin Shores failed to find any answers, but raised a few theories including the idea that the bikes could be an urban art installation or a prank of some kind.

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"I know nothing about who's responsible for putting the bikes on the log," Rebecca Engum, executive director of Great Falls, Montana Tourism, told Shores. "I recall seeing them driving by one day and thought it was just this beautiful kind of impromptu urban art feature."

Engum said the installation of the bicycles would have been a complicated endeavor.

"For people to still be carrying bikes out to the log and somehow securing them is a unique thing that is happening," Engum said.

Krystal Pfleger, general manager of Mackenzie River Pizza Co., said the bikes are a frequent topic of local conversation.

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"A lot of our guests come in -- especially tourists -- and they're like, 'What are those bikes up there?'" Pfleger said. "Honestly, I don't have a good answer for them, but I think it's really cool."
An allegedly armed robbery suspect was shot and killed during a deputy-involved shooting outside a Michaels store in West Hills.

The incident unfolded around 8:40 p.m. Thursday near the craft store in The Fallbrook Center on Fallbrook Avenue near Vanowen Street, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Investigators say detectives with the department's Major Crimes Bureau were in the shopping center's parking lot conducting a surveillance operation into recent robberies in the Malibu and Lost Hills areas.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is investigating a deadly deputy-involved shooting at a Michael's store in West Hills.

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That's when they saw a suspect approach a woman in front of the store and tried to rob her. He was allegedly armed with a semi-automatic handgun with an extended magazine.

Detectives got out of their car and tried to stop the suspect. Details about what exactly transpired after that were unclear, but deputies opened fire, striking the suspect.

He did not survive. The alleged robbery victim was not hurt.

A woman at the scene told Eyewitness News she believes the suspect is her son. She said he had just turned 18, just got his first job, and that she's not sure what took place there.

"I know it's him," the woman, who declined to be publicly identified, told ABC7 in an interview at the scene. "I'm in shock. I don't want to lose my baby."

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The mother said she went to the location after receiving a phone call from a woman that her son had been spending time with. The caller said she was being chased by authorities after the son was shot.

"I cannot believe this happened because my son's not this type of kid at all," the mother said. "I'm in shock. I don't even know what transpired in the couple months of knowing this woman."

Officials have not released the identity of the deceased suspect.

"He was like a gamer kid, very innocent, not a gang member, never been arrested," the mother said. "And he was manipulated by this woman -- 28 years old, 10 years older than him -- that he's only known for a couple months."

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AIR7 was above the scene as the investigation was unfolding and captured a large law enforcement presence with multiple police vehicles in the parking lot.

Several agencies responded to the scene, including the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles Fire Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service. The sheriff's department, however, is the lead agency investigating the incident.

AIR7 video also showed at least two bullet holes in one of the windows at the front of the store.

A second suspect, only described as a woman, fled the scene during the shooting.

AIR7 was also in the air around 9 p.m. when a police chase ended in nearby Agoura Hills. The driver of that vehicle was taken into custody.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  One woman died, and another was hurt in a house fire early Friday morning in the Northland, according to the Kansas City Fire Department.

The fire department said in a news release that it was called to the house fire at 5 a.m. Friday on North Indiana Avenue near Northeast 45th Street, just north of Interstate 35. The caller told dispatch that multiple people were trapped inside the home.

See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri

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Arriving crews said they saw fire coming from the single-story home.

One woman was able to escape the burning home but was taken to a hospital with severe smoke inhalation, the fire department said. She is reported to be in stable but critical condition.

A second woman, who the fire department said was physically challenged, was not able to make it out of the home and died at the scene, the fire department said. The victims name has not been released.

The fire was reported to be under control by 5:25 a.m.

As part of protocol, the Kansas City Police Departments Bomb and Arson Unit has been requested to investigate due to a death being reported.

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The cause of the fire has not been released.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
The most destructive ice storms bring heavy ice accumulation, sometimes on the order of several inches. When combined with strong winds, they can bring down trees and power lines, and plunge hundreds of thousands into the dark sometimes for several days.

We've collected a list of 10 of the worst ice storms in U.S. history, starting with one in northern Idaho.

10. New Year's 1961 (Northern Idaho)

A three-day ice event ushering in 1961 with not only freezing rain but also occasional freezing fog set a U.S. ice accumulation record of 8 inches in north-central Idaho. Accumulations of more than a half-inch are considered major.

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Power outages and tree damage were widespread in this area.

Incidentally, one somewhat common ice storm corridor is along the Columbia River, where subfreezing air spilling over the Continental Divide can sometimes remain trapped ahead of a wet Pacific storm.

9. January 2000 (Atlanta)

Rick Solomon/Getty Images

The week before Super Bowl XXXIV, an ice storm left half a million customers without power, some for more than a week. Just days later, another winter storm hit Atlanta on Super Bowl weekend.

January 2000 ice storm facts

A winter storm from Jan. 21-24 caused damage and disruption that cost $1.2 billion (CPI-adjusted) from parts of Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia to the Carolinas and Virginia.

Estimated total losses in North Georgia alone: $48 million

The second winter storm disrupted practice the Saturday before the Super Bowl. Roads from the teams' hotel to the Georgia Dome were too hazardous.

8. New Year's Eve 1978 (North Texas)

NOAA

There have been many ice storms in Texas history.

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New Year's Eve 1978 was the worst ice storm in North Texas in three decades, producing ice accumulations up to 2 inches thick in a 100-mile-wide swath from just west of Waco to Paris, Texas.

New Year's Eve 1978 ice storm facts

2,000 residents were treated for injuries from vehicle accidents, falls on ice and frostbite.

Nearly 300,000 Dallas County customers lost power for two days. Others lost power for up to 10 days.

Damage was estimated at $14 million in Dallas County alone.

7. Christmas 2000

You can certainly vouch for grumpy moods around Christmas 2000 in parts of the South.

In mid-December, an ice storm left more than 500,000 customers without power in parts of Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. At the time, one Arkansas official called it the most destructive ice storm he'd seen to the state's electrical utility infrastructure.

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Less than two weeks later, the weather grinch delivered a lump of coal to stockings from New Mexico to Oklahoma and Arkansas in the form of another ice storm.

Christmas 2000 ice storm facts:

Over 1 inch of ice accumulated in many locations from northeastern Texas into southeastern Oklahoma, Arkansas and northern Louisiana.

At least 600,000 customers were without power.

These were the two most widespread, damaging ice storms of record in Arkansas at the time, dating to 1819, according to the National Weather Service.

Most of Texarkana, Hot Springs and Little Rock, Arkansas, were without power.

Water systems in Texarkana and Hot Springs were also knocked offline.

6. New England 1921

Used with permission from the Worcester Historical Museum

One of the most prominent ice storm alleys in the U.S. is the interior Northeast, from northern Pennsylvania into central and upstate New York and New England.

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In the days after Thanksgiving 1921, a four-day ice storm with accumulations over 3 inches in spots wreaked havoc over parts of New England, including the city of Worcester.

Damage to power lines, trees and phone lines was estimated at $20 million.

Compounding the mess were high winds that turned streets into ice rinks, a challenge to anyone on foot.

In his book, Extreme Weather, Christopher Burt cited a paper in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, stating, "Ice on the side of any dense, unbroken evergreen tree 50 feet high and on average 20 feet wide would have weighed five tons" due to the weight of accumulated ice.

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At the time, this was the most destructive ice storm of record in New England.

5. Great Ice Storm of 1951

Tennessee State Library and Archives/Ralph Morrissey Collection

A more-than-100-mile-wide swath from Louisiana to West Virginia was affected by a severe ice storm from Jan. 29 through Feb. 2, 1951.

1951 ice storm facts

Ice accumulations of up to 2 inches were reported on power lines and tree limbs.

The heaviest accumulations were between Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee, and Lexington, Kentucky.

High winds from a line of thunderstorms that developed from southwestern Louisiana to central Mississippi and northern Alabama combined with the ice glaze to result in widespread tree and power line damage.

The storm was also accompanied by frigid temperatures. Nashville recorded a low temperature of minus 13 on Feb. 2.

Communications and utilities were interrupted for seven to 10 days.

Damage was estimated to be $100 million.

Twenty-five people were killed and about 500 were injured.

4. Dec. 4-5, 2002, Ice Storm

An early-season winter storm struck many states from Dec. 4-5, 2002. Locations from Oklahoma to southern Missouri, southern Illinois, Kentucky, northern Tennessee, northeastern Georgia and the Carolinas were impacted by freezing rain, sleet and snow. North Carolina was hardest hit by freezing rain accumulations.

2002 ice storm facts

It was one of the worst ice storms to hit North Carolina.

Ice accumulations of up to an inch were reported in central parts of the state.

The storm caused one of the largest power outages in North Carolina's history at that time. More than 1.7 million customers lost power and 41,000 remained without power eight days later.

Widespread damage to trees and power lines was reported.

Property damage in North Carolina was estimated at almost $100 million.

Parts of the Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham metro areas were paralyzed for days.

Photo by Brian Gomsak/Getty Images

3. Jan. 26-28, 2009 (Arkansas and Kentucky)

Days of freezing rain led to heavy ice accumulations of 1 to locally more than 2 inches in northern Arkansas and portions of Kentucky in late January 2009.

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The heavy icing caused widespread damage to trees, power lines and power poles. Trees fell on homes and cars and blocked roads.

The storm was so damaging that the National Weather Service in both Paducah and Louisville, Kentucky, rated it as the worst weather event of the decade for their respective areas.

Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear described it as the biggest natural disaster the state had experienced in modern history. Beshear called in National Guard troops to help clear roads and go door-to-door to check on families in the western part of the state, the worst-hit area.

In Arkansas, Mel Coleman, CEO of North Arkansas Electric Cooperative described the scene: "In all of my years I have never seen anything that compares to the damage this storm has caused. I have yet to see a mature tree standing that was not severely damaged. Just opening the door to the outside sounds like a war zone, with the continuous sounds of trees and limbs breaking."

2009 ice storm facts

At its peak, 1.3 million customers were without power.

It was Kentucky's largest power outage in history at the time, with 609,000 homes and businesses in the dark.

Over 200,000 customers lost power in Louisville and it took as long as 10 days to get all customers back online. Area schools were closed for up to a week.

Necessities such as food and water were difficult to obtain and lines for gas were hours long.

Heavy sleet accumulations across much of southern Illinois and parts of southeastern Missouri caused dozens of roof collapses.

At least 30,000 power poles were downed or snapped in Arkansas.

More than 145 miles of high-voltage transmission lines were downed in southeastern Missouri.

Debris cleanup from the storm lasted into the summer.

The storm claimed 24 lives in Kentucky and another 18 in Arkansas from a combination of traffic accidents, hypothermia and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

2. Feb. 9-13, 1994, Southern Ice Storm

The ice storm caused extensive damage totaling $5.7 billion (CPI-adjusted) in portions of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia.

1994 ice storm facts

Of all the states affected, Mississippi, Tennessee and Alabama saw the worst impacts.

More than 2 million lost power. A half-million were still without power three days after the storm. Some residents in Mississippi were without power a month after the storm.

More than 80,000 utility poles were pulled down by the weight of the ice.

Downed trees and limbs caused widespread damage to homes, businesses and vehicles. Many roads were blocked as well, making travel nearly impossible in some areas.

In Mississippi, 3.7 million acres of commercial forests were severely damaged.

At least nine deaths were reported from the storm.

1. Jan. 5-9, 1998, New England and Southeast Canada

Marcos Townsend/AFP/Getty Images

A devastating ice storm hit portions of upstate New York, northern Vermont, northern New Hampshire, much of Maine and southeastern Canada.

1998 ice storm facts
Greater Cincinnati, start preparing for Winter Storm Fern this weekend.

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for all counties in Greater Cincinnati early Friday morning.

The warning will be in effect from Saturday morning through late Sunday night for counties in Southwest Ohio, Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana.

Winter storm warnings are issued ahead of a weather event when there is an 80% or greater chance of a winter storm and conditions pose a threat to life or property. Travel will be difficult or impossible.

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Greater Cincinnati could see 8 to 12 inches of snow this weekend. Very cold temperatures, including sub-zero windchills, are also expected Friday night through Tuesday.

So, what should you do? Here's how to prepare for Winter Storm Fern.

The following is information compiled from the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, the National Weather Service and Duke Energy regarding how to prepare for a storm.

Adrian Reid, 21, clears snow off his car, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Xavier University in Evanston.

12 winter storm essentials

Build an emergency kit for your home that includes:

Nonperishable food.

Manual can opener.

Disposable plates, cups and utensils.

First-aid kit.

Flashlights/lanterns with spare batteries.

Five gallons of water (per person).

Rubber boots, sturdy shoes.

Prescription medicines.

Pet supplies.

Cellphone and chargers.

Non-electric clock.

Baby supplies.

Three steps to take to prepare for the winter storm

Prepare your home:

Make a household plan.

Build an emergency kit (see above).

Be cautious of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Check the batteries in your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.

Learn how to keep pipes from freezing.

Prepare your cars:

Check tires and fluids.

Fill your gas tank.

Keep an emergency kit in each car.

Prepare your family:

Check the weather forecast.

Make sure you have layers of light and warm clothing available.

Check on your neighbors who may need assistance.

Know where to receive emergency communications, alerts and warnings.

More details: How to prepare for the winter storm

Make a household plan: Plan for the needs of each member of your household, keeping in mind if certain members need medical or mobility equipment. Also, consider the needs of your pets. Make sure to communicate the plan to all household members.

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Be cautious of carbon monoxide poisoning: Know how to safely use generators to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Generators and fuel should always be used outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows, doors and attached garages. Also, make sure you have working carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home.

Build an emergency kit for your car that includes:

First-aid kit.

Blankets.

Cold weather gear.

Flashlight.

Extra batteries.

Water.

Snacks.

Cell phone charger.

Emergency flares.

Check on your neighbors and family members: Make sure your neighbors and family have adequate heating and enough food and water to sustain the storm.

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Know where to receive alerts: The Hamilton County Emergency Management Agency is encouraging people to sign up for its system, which the agency says is "the best way to receive important information about hazards that may impact your safety." To sign up, visit AlertHC.org. To sign up for phone and email alerts from Duke Energy about power outages, visit duke-energy.com/outages/alerts.

Further reading:

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Get ready for a winter storm. Here are the best storm prep tips
Fast Facts:

Crippling ice expected across a corridor from Texas to the Carolinas

High-impact snowstorm headed for the Northeast with double-digit snow totals

Over a thousand flights already canceled before storm's impacts begin

More than 240 million people across more than 40 states, from Arizona to Maine, are in the path of a potentially historic winter storm that's expected to extend over 2,300 miles and deliver crippling snow and ice.

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A trailing blast of Arctic air associated with the p olar vortex is expected to bring a dangerous refreeze that could create long-duration power outages and paralyze travel for days.

In anticipation for the intense storm, as of 7 p.m. EST Friday, over 10,000 flights have already been disrupted across the U.S. through Sunday, with thousands more expected to be canceled into early next week.

The storm has set the record for most counties under a Winter Storm Warning. As of 2:30 p.m. EST, that number stands at 1,389, according to the FOX Forecast Center.

Timeline: When The Historic Winter Storm Is Expected To Sweep Across Nation

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States of Emergency have already been declared in 14 states, including, Arkansas, Virginia, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, Missouri, Mississippi, Kentucky, New York, New Jersey, West Virginia and Kansas, along with Washington D.C.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration to more than 130 counties across the Lone Star State.

Major cities, including Philadelphia and Washington D.C., have announced snow emergencies.

A White House official said President Donald Trump is being briefed on the storm frequently and is in close contact with officials.

"The entire Trump administration is closely monitoring the anticipated weather and is undertaking a whole-of-government approach to respond as appropriate," the official said.

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How To Stay Safe From Dangerous Winter Ice

Energy companies have already begun mobilizing additional crews to prepare for ice accretion, known to be capable of taking down power lines and creating impossible driving conditions.

How To Watch Fox Weather On Any Device For Free

People have already flocked to their nearest grocery store to stock up ahead of the system's arrival in their area, leaving shelves empty and supplies scarce.

More than 177 million Americans are under Winter Weather Alerts.

The Southern and Central Plains will be the first to feel the impacts of this monstrous storm. Winter Storm Warnings are in place for most of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kansas, including cities like Dallas, Oklahoma City, St. Louis, Wichita, Kansas City and Little Rock. These warnings will remain in place through midday Sunday as heavy snow and ice develop.

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Snow is expected to blanket an area from the Texas Panhandle into Kansas and possibly Missouri, with 5 to 8 inches probable. However, some areas like Wichita, Oklahoma City and Tulsa could see up to a foot.

See How Much Snow Your Area Will Get As Winter Storm Is Expected To Drop Historic Amounts Of Snow Across Us

Eastern Texas through southern Arkansas will be dealing with the highest ice accretions of 0.50 inches or more by Sunday afternoon. Power outages will become increasingly likely.

The storm will continue to move into the Southeast by Saturday, bringing up to a foot of snow to some areas like Louisville, Kentucky. Nearly half an inch of ice is expected in major cities like Memphis, Nashville and Charlotte.

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Ice Storm Warnings are in place across Tennessee, northern Mississippi, Alabama and northeastern Louisiana.

What Is An Ice Storm And Why Are They So Dangerous?

South Carolina has enacted its emergency operations plan, which allows state agencies to quickly mobilize resources, and allows the state National Guard to activate personnel and prepare equipment.

What Does A Winter Storm Warning Mean For Me?

In North Carolina, Governor Josh Stein said the state's emergency response team is already working to make sure resources are in place to keep residents safe.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey joined the coalition of southern states and declared a state of emergency for 19 northern counties ahead of the anticipated arrival of the strong winter storm.

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As the storm continues along its path, it will sweep through the Mid-Atlantic and is expected to bring up to 18 inches of snow to Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, and nearly an inch of ice to areas like Richmond, Virginia.

LIVE MAP TRACKER: FORECAST, RADAR, ACTIVE WEATHER ALERTS & POWER OUTAGES

"Our state agencies are preparing for dangerously low temperatures, power outages, and icy road conditions," Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger said. "Virginians, please stay safe."

As the storm moves into the Northeast, cities like Philadelphia and New York City are expected to get walloped by 18 inches of snow.

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Winter Storm Watches continue for most of the Northeast, while further to the west, Pittsburgh is now under a Winter Storm Warning.

What Is The Polar Vortex?

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said teams are "working closely with local officials to get ready for this weekend's winter storm  coordinating with counties, working through preparedness plans, and getting equipment ready to clear the roads."

The Big Apple has activated its snow removal employment system, where the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) hires temporary emergency snow shovelers to remove snow and ice from bus stops, crosswalks, fire hydrants and other public areas throughout the city.

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As the storm moves into New England, cities like Hartford, Providence and Boston could possibly see over a foot of snow.

According to the FOX Forecast Center, a "jackpot" region in terms of snow totals will be coastal Massachusetts. Heavy snow is likely to set up from the North Shore of Massachusetts and extend down into the northern Cape.

A widespread 12 to 18 inches of snow is likely with locally higher amounts possibly closer to two feet, including Boston down to Plymouth.

STAY WITH FOX WEATHER FOR LIVE 24/7 COVERAGE TRACKING THIS STORM ALL WEEKEND LONG.





Original article source: 2,300-mile winter storm: Impacts imminent as millions brace for dangerous snow, ice brewing across 40 states
By Gleb Bryanski

MOSCOW, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Sberbank, Russia's biggest bank turned technology conglomerate, has taken a major stake in leading electronics producer Element, as Moscow pushes for sovereignty in the production of the high-tech components needed for the war in Ukraine.

Western nations have restricted Russia's access to critical technology, including semiconductors and microelectronics. But Ukraine has warned that Russia is increasingly able to replace smuggled Western components with its own technology.

Sberbank said late on Thursday it had acquired a 41.9% stake in Element from private equity fund Sistema and unidentified minority shareholders for 27 billion roubles ($355.73 million).

All three companies are targeted by Western sanctions over the war.

LOOMING SHOWDOWN BETWEEN SBERBANK AND ROSTEC

Russian newspaper Kommersant, citing sources, reported that under the deal, Element's manufacturing assets will be integrated into Sberbank's tech arm. Sberbank, which rebranded as Sber in 2020, now calls itself a technology company.

Element manufactures integrated circuits, semiconductor devices, and microchips, accounting for about half of Russia's microelectronics production.

Sberbank said it will make a buyout offer to minority shareholders.

But it now looks set for a showdown with state-owned defence and technology conglomerate Rostec, which owns 41.6% of Element and was quoted by Russian news outlets as saying it will not sell its stake.

Rostec - headed by Sergei Chemezov, a longtime friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin - helped create Element, merging its own electronics manufacturing assets with those of Sistema.

PUTIN CALLS FOR 'MADE IN RUSSIA' MILITARY SMART TECH

Moscow has stepped up long-range strikes on Ukraine, using drones and missiles, as it presses its position amid U.S.-brokered efforts to end the conflict.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Thursday, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called for increased scrutiny on Russia's tech imports, saying it would not be able to produce missiles without "critical components sourced from China, Europe, the United States, and Taiwan."

Following Thursday's announcement of the Element stake purchase, Sberbank CEO German Gref took part in a meeting on the microelectronics industry chaired by Putin at the Kremlin.

"Leading countries and unions, such as the United States, China, and EU countries, are now focused on strengthening sovereignty over key elements of the production chain in electronics," Putin said in remarks released by the Kremlin.
The Fresno Police Department announced that three people have been arrested for two unrelated attacks on U.S. Postal employees.

One of the suspects is identified as Brett Thomas, and the other two are teenagers

This comes after federal workers have been targeted in three separate violent encounters in less than a week.

RELATED: Fresno postal workers targeted in 3 violent encounters in last week

Police say Thomas was taken into custody for threatening a postal worker with a box cutter yesterday afternoon at Cornell and Maroa.

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It happened after his dog was pepper-sprayed by the carrier following an aggressive encounter.

The two teens were taken into custody following an incident on Tuesday.

Police say the two teens assaulted the postal worker in an attempted robbery at Marks and Dakota.

The search is still on for a third suspect who attacked a postal worker last week in Central Fresno, taking their wallet, keys and phone.
TREMPEALEAU, Wis. (WFRV)  A 40-year-old Wisconsin man with a history of sexual abuse was sentenced for transporting child sexual abuse material (CSAM), commonly referred to as child pornography.

Cartel member convicted for fentanyl distribution in Wisconsin, death threats against witnesses

According to Chadwick Elgersma, the Interim United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, Stephen Jenkins of Trempealeau was sentenced to 246 months in prison, with lifetime supervision after his release.

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Officials found that Jenkins, a long-time friend of three child victims, sexually assaulted one of them. That victim found Jenkins iPad, which contained explicit images of the other two, and then reached out to family members for help.

Authorities eventually searched Jenkins home, locating hundreds of sexually explicit images of minors. Before assaulting the three minors in this case, Jenkins had been convicted of groping a 10-year-old boy and sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy.

3-vehicle crash with head-on collision kills one, injures 2 in Wisconsin

Jenkins is a repeat child sex offender who represents a profound ongoing danger to children, Interim U.S. Attorney Elgersma said via the release. Our office is dedicated to prosecuting anyone who creates and circulates depictions of child sexual exploitation and violence.

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During sentencing, U.S. District Judge William Conley called Jenkins a serial predator who was calculated, manipulative and a danger to minors, citing Jenkins abuse of trust to groom and exploit children.

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 WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.

The archaeological rock shelter site where the Treponema genome was recovered, at the border of the Bogota Savanna (Sabana de Bogota) in Colombia. | Credit: Angelica Triana

The world's oldest evidence of Treponema pallidum, the bacterium that causes syphilis and several chronic skin infections, has been found in a 5,500-year-old skeleton buried in a rock shelter in Colombia. But the genetic evidence suggests that the person was infected with a previously unknown strain of T. pallidum, adding to an already-complicated picture of the evolution of syphilis.

Researchers have debated the geographical origin and spread of the treponemal diseases  syphilis, bejel, yaws and pinta, all of which are caused by bacteria in the genus Treponema  for centuries. Because the best-documented epidemics of syphilis occurred in Europe in the 15th century, early theories suggested that Christopher Columbus brought syphilis to the Americas or, conversely, that Indigenous people in the Americas transmitted syphilis to Columbus and his crew.

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More recent DNA studies, however, have identified T. pallidum in a person buried around A.D. 1000 in Chile and in several people buried between 350 B.C. and A.D. 570 in Brazil , placing the bacterium in the Americas long before the Columbian expedition.

In a study published Thursday (Jan. 22) in the journal Science , researchers isolated the oldest T. pallidum genome yet, from the skeleton of a middle-aged hunter-gatherer who was buried in Colombia 5,500 years ago.

"Our results push back the association of T. pallidum with humans by thousands of years," study lead author Davide Bozzi , a computational biologist at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland, said in a statement .

Ancient genomes of Treponema are exceptionally difficult to recover and are usually found in skeletons with bony evidence of treponemal disease lesions, such as holes that make the bone appear moth-eaten, which are often associated with the later stages of infection. Surprisingly, the 5,500-year-old skeleton containing evidence of T. pallidum did not have any obvious skeletal lesions, although other skeletons in the area did.

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While investigating the new T. pallidum genome, which they named TE1-3, the researchers found that it was a different lineage than all other subspecies of T. pallidum identified to date. Based on a statistical analysis of the differences among the genomes, the researchers estimated that TE1-3 diverged from today's lineages around 13,700 years ago. This suggests that Treponema began circulating in the Americas thousands of years earlier than experts previously thought.

But the new genome does not clarify whether early Treponema lineages like TE1-3 were capable of sexual transmission like venereal syphilis.

"Current genomic evidence, along with our genome presented here, does not resolve the long-standing debate about where the disease syndromes themselves originated, but it does show there's this long evolutionary history of treponemal pathogens that was already diversifying in the Americas thousands of years earlier than previously known," study co-author Elizabeth Nelson , a molecular anthropologist at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, said in the statement.

In a related perspective published in Science, Molly Zuckerman and Lydia Bailey , anthropologists at Mississippi State University who were not involved in the study, wrote that the new finding "points to an origin for syphilis in the Americas rather than Europe." Comparing progressively ancient genomes of Treponema with modern genetic data could help inform infection control strategies for syphilis, which has rebounded globally over the past decade, they wrote, as well as help researchers understand the history of infectious disease.

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RELATED STORIES

Syphilis originated in the Americas, ancient DNA shows, but European colonialism spread it widely

See how syphilis ravaged a womans face 500 years ago, in an artistic interpretation

Medieval religious hermit buried in 'extremely unusual' position had syphilis

"It is possible that 15th century syphilis was the first globalized emerging infectious disease and a harbinger of all subsequent ones, from HIV/AIDS to COVID-19," Zuckerman and Bailey wrote.

The new discovery shows "the unique potential of paleogenomics to contribute to our understanding of the evolution of species, and potential health risks for past and present communities," study co-author Lars Fehren-Schmitz , a geneticist at the University of California, Santa Cruz, said in the statement.
LAFAYETTE, IN  Police say they have arrested five people from multiple states in connection with the shootings of a Tippecanoe judge and his wife Jan. 18 in their Mill Pond Lane home.

In a news release late Thursday night, Lafayette police announced the arrests of:

Thomas Moss, 43, of Lafayette, on several charges including suspicion of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder, several allegations of battery, intimidation and attempted obstruction of charges, who was in the Tippecanoe County Jail with no bond as of Friday morning;

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Raylen Ferguson, 38, of Lexington, Kentucky, on suspicion of several charges, including attempted murder and conspiracy, three charges of battery, intimidation and attempted obstruction of justice;

Blake Smith, 32, of Lafayette, on suspicion of several charges, including attempted murder and conspiracy, three charges of battery, intimidation and attempted obstruction of justice;

Amanda Milsap, 45, of Lafayette, on suspicion of bribery and obstruction of justice, who was in the Tippecanoe County Jail with no bond as of Friday morning;

and Zenada Greer, 61, of Lexington, Kentucky, on suspicion of assisting a criminal and obstruction of justice.

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Tippecanoe Superior 2 Judge Steven Meyer, 66, and his wife, Kimberly, 66, were shot about 2:15 p.m. Sunday at their front door on Mill Pond Lane in Lafayette. Steve Meyer was wounded in his arm, and Kim Meyer was shot in the hip. Both are in stable condition and have released statements expressing their gratitude to law enforcement and an outpouring of support.

Lafayette police thanked many law enforcement agencies in their statement Thursday night for their help, including the FBI, U.S. marshals and agencies across Tippecanoe County, in Lexington, Kentucky, and Allentown, Pennsylvania. They did not include details about the shootings or potential motives of those arrested.

But Indiana court records show that Moss has an active case in Meyer's court, in which he is charged with nine counts that include domestic violence, intimidation and of being a violent felon carrying a weapon.

The case shows that a hearing was scheduled in the case for the morning of Friday, Jan. 23.

Ron Wilkins contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: 5 arrested in shooting of judge, wife in their Lafayette home
Jan. 23 (UPI) -- A California man who lost $6,270 cash had the money returned to him thanks to the kindness and honesty of a neighbor, authorities said.

The Nevada County Sheriff's Office said on social media that a member of the public contacted the office Wednesday to report "he had found several personal possessions in the front yard of his Nevada City home, not belonging to anyone at his residence, along with loose cash scattered on his property, amounting to $6,270."

Deputies were able to identify the owner of the loose cash thanks to the other items involved.

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"His cash and items had been in a satchel, but it was left unsecured in error and had fallen out on his walk home," the post said. "The man retraced his steps after realizing what had occurred but was unable to find his money and items."

The owner's family told the sheriff's office the return of the money and other possessions was "a dream come true and prayers answered."

"The Good Samaritan serves as a reminder that doing the right thing doesn't require recognition -- only compassion and the willingness to act," Operations Capt. Rusty Greene said. "In a moment when it mattered most, he stepped up and showed how small choices can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others."
The National Weather Service has issued an Ice Storm Warning for parts of northeast Georgia, with dangerous winter weather expected to develop Saturday afternoon and last through Monday morning.

Forecasters say ice, not snow, is the main concern, with some areas expected to see significant ice accumulation that could make travel dangerous and lead to power outages

Here's what to know.

Which parts of Georgia are under the warning?

The Ice Storm Warning covers portions of northeast Georgia (the purple portion on the map below), where ice accumulations between 0.25 inches and 1 inch are possible.

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A broader Winter Storm Watch remains in effect for much of north, central, and east-central Georgia, including metro Atlanta and surrounding counties.

According to the NWS, affected areas span from northwest and northeast Georgia down through parts of central Georgia.

Georgia counties under warning

Dawson

Lumpkin

White

Forsyth

Hall

Banks

Jackson

Madison

Rabun

Habersham

Stephens

Franklin

Hart

Elbert

Georgia cities under warning

Dawsonville

Homer

Comer

Dahlonega

Cleveland

Cumming

Gainesville

Commerce

Royston

Toccoa

Hartwell

Cornelia

Elberton

What impacts are expected?

The NWS warns that power outages and tree damage are likely due to the weight of ice on trees and infrastructure.

"Travel could be nearly impossible," the NWS wrote, noting that hazardous conditions may impact the Monday morning commute.

How to stay informed? Get weather alerts via text

Georgia radar

Vanessa Countryman is the Trending Topics Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team Georgia. Email her at Vcountryman@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: 14 Georgia counties under latest NWS Ice Storm Warning. See the map
Donald Trump is shaping a new world order of empires and coercion, from Venezuela to Greenland and through his newly created "Board of Peace, shattering the post-war global consensus.

As the old order crumbles, AFP sought the views of ministers, advisers, lawmakers and military from across the globe.

Celso Amorim, chief adviser to Brazil's President Lula Inacio Lula da Silva, described the situation as "a very difficult moment of transition to a new order".

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"But these periods of transition sometimes lead to terrible consequences," he added.

One Filipino diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said no one felt able to speak out that "the emperor has no clothes".

Weng Hsiao-ling, a Taiwanese lawmaker from the main opposition Kuomintang party, said there had been a belief in "international rules".

"But Trump's approach has broken those norms," she said.

- Geography -

How the future could play out looks different from the Americas, Europe, Eurasia and South Asia.

Brazil, for example, is an emerging power and member of the BRICS group of developing nations, but also located within Trump's purported sphere of influence.

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Amorim said Brazil needed "to maintain and build on what's being done", pointing to the recent trade agreement between the European Union and the Mercosur bloc of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.

It also needed to stay onside with the United States, as well as China, India and other BRICS countries, he added.

"We are very much interested in maintaining good relations with the United States, let that be clear," said Amorim. But he added: "Those relations must be based on mutual respect; they must be conducted through dialogue."

Many countries on the continent may find it difficult to find a balance and distance from American hegemony. Trump, for example, regularly threatens neighbouring Mexico.

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But Ricardo Monreal, parliamentary leader for the ruling Morena party, rejected the idea that Washington could make Mexico a "subordinate".

"The United States believes that Mexico's alignment with the American empire is automatic. I don't think it's that simple," he said.

"The margin we have is very limited because our dependence is strong. Our proximity is unavoidable.

"But I maintain that Mexico, with 110 or 120 million inhabitants, is a country that can shape the economic bloc -- and that the way the United States treats Mexico is not as a partner, but as a subordinate. And I don't think theyre going to pull that off."

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- Protection -

China and Russia may feel emboldened by US action under Trump but the countries threatened by their territorial ambitions still want to believe they are protected.

In Taiwan, whose survival in its current political form depends largely on US support, lawmaker Wang Ting-yu, of the ruling DPP party, hopes the show of force to capture Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro will force authoritarian regimes to think twice about acts of aggression.

That will be "a good thing" for Taiwan. But he added: "We need to be careful because China will learn from this kind of operation."

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The Filipino diplomat said the Indo-Pacific, including the Philippines and the ASEAN bloc, was vital for the United States' economic security, whatever happened in Greenland.

"I'm not saying (Trump's actions) don't keep people awake at night. But there's a level of comfort there, and we hope we're proven right," they added.

On the South China Sea, where Beijing has designs, Filipino Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad also said he was reassured by "the surge and upscale of not only US but even allied forces in this part of the globe".

- 'Darwinian' -

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Europe enjoyed US protection from the Soviets for decades and according to some remains indispensable to Washington because of its geographical location as the gateway to Eurasia.

Yet one high-ranking officer said the continent was "completely paralysed" and bogged down in debate rather than action.

"The world has become very Darwinian again," he warned. "It's not intelligence that matters most, it's the speed of adaptation" to the new reality.

The chairman of the German parliament's foreign affairs committee, Armin Laschet, said the US-Europe alliance needed to be maintained "for as long as possible" -- even if that means calling Trump "daddy", like NATO chief Mark Rutte.

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The current state of affairs has raised questions about the effectiveness of the traditional tools of multilateralism.

Colombia's deputy foreign minister, Mauricio Jaramillo, said he was "surprised" at the lack of weighty UN reaction after Maduro's capture.

But despite criticism about its limitations, Laschet said there was "no alternative" to the world body, which emerged from the failings of the post-World War I League of Nations, and the ashes of World War II in 1945.

"But today the big difference is that countries have atomic weapons that can destroy everything. So, we need to act beforehand."

bur-fz/thm/phz/jj
The Jacksonville Sheriffs Office on Friday announced the arrests of four Jacksonville Fire and Rescue firefighters following an investigation by Action News Jaxs Ben Becker.

The investigation revealed that the firefighters were reassigned during a JSO criminal investigation into paintball guns being fired near a Downtown fire station in an incident that damaged a civilians car and a marked JSO patrol vehicle.

The firefighters arrested include Engineer Landon T. Simmons, age 30; Engineer Wesley P. Parker, age 32; Engineer Tristen C. Harrison, age 25; and Firefighter Colby B. Lesage, age 23.

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They were arrested on misdemeanor criminal mischief charges, JSO said.

The investigation is raising serious questions about public safety and why no arrests were initially made.

Civilian says he thought he was under attack

In late December, William Sousa said he was stopped at a red light in Downtown Jacksonville when he suddenly heard loud impacts striking his car.

I heard the first few thuds hit my car and I thought, What the hell is going on? Sousa said.

Sousa said his car was hit four or five times by paintballs. The sound of the impacts is unmistakable -- sharp strikes against metal.

READ: Action News Jax Investigates: Did a firefighter receive special treatment during JSO investigation?

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The incident happened near North Jefferson and West Duval Streets, just feet from Jacksonville Fire Rescue Station 4, which is home of JFRDs elite Special Operations unit who are experts in building collapses, high-rise rescues, construction accidents, and are trained to rescue fellow firefighters in life-threatening situations.

It didnt necessarily seem like it was an accident or anything like that, Sousa said.

Police Report: Patrol vehicle also hit

Police documents confirm Sousas car was not the only vehicle damaged.

A marked JSO patrol vehicle was also struck multiple times, resulting in what officers described as green paint splatters. The road, signs and dumpsters around Fire Station 4 were also hit.

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According to the police report, the damage was consistent with a high-velocity launcher -- a paintball gun.

Shots came from above, investigators say

The report further revealed the angle of impact showed the paintballs were fired from above.

Investigators noted the tallest occupied structure in the area was Jacksonville Fire Rescue Station 4.

When an officer attempted to investigate, firefighters closed both bay doors.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

Once additional officers arrived and once inside, firefighters were mirandized, questioned and denied any involvement, claiming there was a prank war, suggesting another station may have been responsible.

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However, JSO reported finding 14 red and green paintballs on the roof of Station 4 and noted the only way to access the roof was through the building itself.

Despite that finding -- and JSO determining the paintballs came from Fire Station 4 -- no one was arrested until Friday.

Sheriff pressed on lack of arrests

Becker sat down with Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters on Thursday to press him for more information about the investigation -- an interview Waters declined at first through a JSO spokesperson, then accepted, declined, and finally accepted again -- agreeing only if it was limited in scope because the case is an active criminal investigation.

However, Becker was initially told via email from a JSO spokesperson that the criminal case was closed:

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In researching the given information, the applicable Information Report has been closed following the initial response and follow-up by detectives. According to the additional information, a subject in the reported action was unable to be identified as a result of the investigation. Furthermore, there was no reported damage to either vehicle and neither complainant (potential victim) wished to seek any further law enforcement action. As a result, the Information Report was closed and due to the nature of the complaint and the potential of it involving one of their employees, JFRD was made aware of the investigation and our findings.

Only when public records requests were submitted by Becker was he informed the case had suddenly been reopened and that records could not be released, despite the agency already being in the midst of processing 911 calls, radio traffic, and photos from the incident according to its records portal.

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The Integrity Unit has re-opened the criminal investigation at the request of their chain of command. There is no investigation being conducted by the Internal Affairs Unit, said a second statement from a JSO spokesperson.

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Complicating matters, there is now a one-year wait for body-camera footage from any police encounter. Waters insists the case was always open.

I know you want to dig. I get it. I understand you are an investigative reporter, youre Ben Becker, Waters said.

When asked whether JFRD received special treatment, Waters said, No, I dont give my own officers special treatment.

But when pressed on why no one was taken in for questioning, Waters quipped, Stay tuned. Youll find all that out.

Past paintball cases led to arrests

Action News Jax previously reported that in 2018, JSO arrested two men for firing paintball guns at vehicles and property. At the time, JSO issued a public warning on Twitter -- now X -- that Becker read back to Waters:

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Want to shoot vehicles, houses, or people with paintball guns? Youre going to get arrested. This is not funny. This is not a joke.

Asked whether he still stands by that statement, Waters, who was assistant chief at the time, said he does, while strongly emphasizing that the investigation must be completed before deciding whether arrests are warranted.

JFRD responds

JFRD issued the following statement Friday when JSO announced the arrests:

The Jacksonville Sheriffs Office arrested four Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department personnel this afternoon on misdemeanor charges of criminal mischief following an investigation into personnel misconduct while on duty.

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The four individuals, have been reassigned to administrative duties pending the outcome of an internal JFRD investigation.

JFRD was made aware of the allegations by the JSO on December 29, 2025, and has fully cooperated with its investigation into this incident.

This incident will have no impact on public safety or JFRD operations. The station where this occurred remains fully staffed with qualified personnel.

We value the trust the community places in our department as first responders, and we are committed to the highest standards of conduct and accountability. JFRD holds all personnel to these standards. This matter involves four individuals and does not reflect the professionalism and dedication of the 1,900 firefighters who serve Jacksonville with pride.

Victim still wants answers

As for Sousa, he said he never initially thought about pressing charges, but he does want accountability.

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I definitely wanted to know who did it, he said.

Action News Jax is still requesting radio transmissions, photographs, and 911 calls related to the incident.

JSO said those records will not be released until the case is officially closed.

Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Attorney General Jay Jones announced a nationwide search for university counsels at UVA, VMI and GMU on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. (Photo by Charlotte Rene Woods/Virginia Mercury)

After 2025 proved to be a tumultuous year in Virginias higher education landscape, the Virginia Attorney Generals office, now under Democratic leadership, has launched a national search to recruit university counsels for three of Virginias public colleges and universities, the office announced Friday.

The search is part of Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones promise to take politics out of higher education and defend Virginias students by recruiting and hiring talented legal professionals. Jones was sworn into office, along with Gov. Abigail Spanberger and Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi, last Saturday.

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The positions are at the University of Virginia, George Mason University, and Virginia Military Institute, all of which have been subject to federal scrutiny for their diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, as U.S. Department of Education leaders attempt to align higher education institutions nationwide with the policies of President Donald Trumps administration.

UVA and George Mason have been the subject of multiple federal investigations.

Virginias world-class institutions of higher education are integral to spurring innovation, building the workforce of today and tomorrow, and driving economic growth, said Attorney General Jay Jones in a statement.

The Trump administrations continued politically-motivated assaults on Virginias academic institutions have sought to tarnish their reputations and undermine their ability to successfully prepare our students for the future over the past year, Jones said.

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Virginians made it clear this past November that they want leaders who will fight back against this federal overreach, and this national search delivers on that promise, Jones said.

In recent days, the Washington Post reported that Jones removed university lawyers at George Mason and VMI.

Former Attorney General Jason Miyares similarly removed university counsel in 2022, with the office stating at the time it is common for a new attorney general to appoint counsel who share their philosophy.

Jones office said postings for higher education counsel have been advertised in several nationally recognized higher education associations to find top legal talent to represent our institutions and protect their integrity.

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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he discussed air defence, security guarantees and funding for Ukraine's recovery  including the Donbas region  with US President Donald Trump in Davos.

Source: European Pravda, citing Zelenskyy during an online briefing with the media

Details: Zelenskyy described his meeting with Trump and his team as positive.

He said he had raised the issue of air defence and believes that "the United States will return with a positive result".

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"Second, our security guarantees are ready. The agreement is ready to be signed. Of course, there will still be many technical details, and additional documents will follow on the basis of this one, but the main agreement on security guarantees is in place. Now I am waiting for President Trump to propose a date and a venue. We are ready to sign this document, which is extremely important for us  I am confident it is historic," Zelenskyy said.

He added that the document would require ratification by the US Congress and the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (Ukrainian parliament).

Zelenskyy also said they had discussed a package of documents known as the "prosperity plan" but noted that they were "not yet ready".

"It is very important to understand the sources of funding. They must be clear and transparent, because this will be the foundation for Ukraine's reconstruction in the coming years," the president explained.

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The issue of the Donbas was also discussed, which Zelenskyy called key.

"It will continue to be discussed, including the modalities, as the three sides see them in Abu Dhabi today and tomorrow (2324 January)," he said.

Background:

The meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump took place on 22 January and lasted about 50 minutes. Zelenskyy's team described it as "good".

US President Donald Trump also called the meeting "very good".

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Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) is included among the 15 Best High Yield Stocks to Buy.

Scotiabank Raises CVX Target to $168 in U.S. Integrated Oil and E&P Update

On January 16, Scotiabank raised its price target on Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) to $168 from $165. The firm maintained a Sector Perform rating on the stock. The bank said the change is part of a wider update to its coverage across U.S. integrated oil, refining, and large-cap E&P companies. Scotiabank also expects this quarters earnings picture to be fairly clean, mainly because there havent been any major winter weather events to disrupt operations. Looking ahead, the firm thinks investors will be focused on whether the recent market volatility leads companies to adjust their 2026 guidance and whether more E&P players start rolling out cost-cutting programs.

At the same time, Chevron is also getting attention because of the activity in Venezuela. On January 16, Reuters reported that the US is moving quickly to grant Chevron a broader license that would expand its ability to operate and produce oil in the country, according to US Energy Secretary Chris Wright. The report said the US plans to allow Chevron to pay the Venezuelan government in cash rather than crude, which would be a major shift since it would let Chevron sell all of the oil it produces there.

Under the current license terms, Chevron has been paying Venezuelas royalties and taxes using oil, not cash. That setup has effectively limited the companys exports to roughly half of what it produces in the country. Reuters also noted that the Trump administration has been working to restart Venezuelas oil industry after Nicolas Maduro was removed from power earlier this month, and Chevron is expected to receive an updated license that could support higher production and exports.

Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) is one of the worlds largest integrated energy companies, producing oil and natural gas while also making fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals, and other energy-related products, along with investing in new technologies to strengthen its operations.

While we acknowledge the potential of CVX 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: 13 Best Dividend Kings to Buy in 2026 and 14 Best Mid Cap Dividend Aristocrat Stocks to Buy Now

Disclosure: None.
If you had plans to fly to roughly half of the United States this weekend, you may need to change your plans. A massive winter storm is forecast to sweep across a large part of the country from Texas up through the Carolinas to Maine, bringing snow, sleet and potentially dangerous traveling conditions.

Airlines have started canceling flights for the next few days, with more than 3,500 already canceled and 2,573 delayed nationwide within, into, or out of the United States through the weekend as of 2:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, according to flight-tracking site FlightAware.

Florida airports aren't getting hit as hard as other areas of the country, but by Friday afternoon there have been 3,522 delays and 25 cancelations at Florida airports, especially Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Tampa. Sunshine State travelers heading to states in the storm's path may run into issues over the next few days if their destinations get snowed in.

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Several airlines have issued travel alerts, warning travelers about the storm system and waiving change fees for potentially affected flights. At least 80 U.S. airports have been listed as potentially affected.

Here's what to know.

How do I check if my flight is canceled?

Don't wait until you're already at the airport to check your flight. Monitor your flight early and often, starting now, as cancellations will increase as the weather conditions worsen.

Download your airlines mobile app and turn on push and text notifications for alerts about your flight. Some apps have a Wheres My Plane? feature that lets you see whether the aircraft scheduled to operate your flight has arrived, is delayed en route, or hasnt departed yet from its previous airport. That can be an early signal of trouble.

What should you do if your flight is delayed or canceled? Latest on rebooking, refunds

If your flight is canceled, use the airline's mobile app to rebook as soon as possible, according to Scott Keyes, founder of Going. If you need to talk to someone, Keyes suggests calling one of the carriers international lines.

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"The best thing travelers can do is to be as proactive as possible switching to a new flight, Keyes told USA TODAY. When a flight gets canceled, all of a sudden hundreds of passengers need new itineraries. There may only be a handful of seats left on the best flights, and it's a first-come, first-(served) endeavor.

If your flight is canceled for any reason, youre entitled to a full refund if you choose not to fly on alternative itineraries offered by your airline. The same goes for significant delays or changes.

Most major airlines have announced they are waiving change fees for anyone rebooking a weekend flight within the danger areas, with some restrictions on when you can rebook. Check now to see if you need to act.

How many airline delays, cancellations reported into and out of US Jan. 23?

According to FlightAware.com, which provides real-time flight information, as of 8:30 a.m., the following delays and cancellations of flights have been reported within, into or out of the United States today, Jan. 23:

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Friday, Jan. 23 Delays: 2,573 Cancellations: 540

Saturday, Jan. 24 Delays: 0 Cancellations: 2,163

Sunday, Jan. 25 Delays: 0 Cancellations: 819



How many delays, cancellations reported at Florida airports?

Here's the breakdown by airport as of 2:45 p.m. Jan. 23. Click the airport names for detailed flight info.

Delays: 1

Cancellations: 0

Delays: 3

Cancellations: 0

Delays: 92

Cancellations: 2

Delays: 0

Cancellations: 0

Delays: 15

Cancellations: 0

Delays: 5

Cancellations: 0

Delays: 0

Cancellations: 0

Delays: 75

Cancellations: 11

Northwest Florida beaches International (ECP) cancellations, delays

Delays: 2

Cancellations: 0

Delays: 108

Cancellations: 8

Delays: 6

Cancellations: 0

Delays: 31

Cancellations: 0

Delays: 6

Cancellations: 0

Delays: 4

Cancellations: 0

Delays: 12

Cancellations: 1

Delays: 29

Cancellations: 3

Delays: 12

Cancellations: 0

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Shutdown could cause Thanksgiving chaos: What about RSW in Fort Myers?Edit

Delays: 0

Cancellations: 0

Delays: 33

Cancellations: 4

C. A. Bridges is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida's service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Floridas best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY.

(This story was updated with new information.)

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Thousands of Florida flights canceled, delayed due to winter storm
The massive winter storm we've been warned about all week is almost here, and airlines have already canceled thousands of flights through the weekend.

More than 560 U.S. flights have been canceled for Friday, Jan. 23, and nearly 2,400 others have been canceled for Saturday, Jan. 24, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware. More than 1,600 scheduled to operate on Sunday, Jan. 25, have also been canceled as of 4:40 p.m. ET on Jan. 23.

Those numbers are expected to climb as the weather worsens in the coming days, and the storm moves east.

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Airlines began offering travel waivers to help customers avoid flight disruptions earlier in the week and have since expanded which flights are covered.

Weekend flight cancellations

Airlines often start preemptively cancelling flights ahead of bad weather to ensure airplanes and crews are positioned to get things moving as soon as possible after the storm clears.

That's likely why there are already thousands of flights axed for this weekend, according to FlightAware. Airlines are slowing their operations to aid in their recovery and proactively canceled around 2,400 flights for Jan. 24 and 1,600 flights for Jan. 25.

Its about keeping the airport, the environment clean and ready, snow removed, and then its about having our pilots, our flight attendants and our airplanes all lined up so we can get our customers onboard and move them to where they want to be, John Laughter, Delta Air Lines' chief of operations, previously told USA TODAY.

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As the storm closes in and then starts hitting airports, it's likely those cancellation numbers will climb. It's also likely that some flights will be canceled for a day or two after the weather clears, as airlines work to get all their aircraft and crews back into place for normal operations.

The focus is really to recover as quickly as we can and do right by the customer, Suzanne Williamson, managing director of American Airlines' Integrated Operations Center, previously told USA TODAY. Two days later, its really hard to explain that the weather is what caused your flight to be delayed or canceled.

What to do if you're planning to fly this weekend

Get ready for disruptions. Monitor updates from your airline and consider rebooking if you can. More info on airline-specific rebooking policies related to this storm are in the section below.

If you absolutely have to travel, be prepared to roll with the punches. More flights are likely to get delayed or canceled as the storm progresses. Research your rebooking options and alternative itineraries in advance, and take advantage of airlines' self-service tools to avoid long lines at airport agent desks or long hold times on the phone.

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"Speed is going to be critical," Katy Nastro, a travel expert at Going, told USA TODAY in a statement. "We want those who are flying to make alternative plans much sooner rather than later so they ensure they get a rebooking that works best for them. There will not be an endless supply of seats to reaccommodate you on ... there is no time like the present to give yourself the best odds at a decent rebooking."

It's also a good idea to pack extra provisions for yourself if you're heading to the airport this weekend.

According to Matas Cenys, head of product at eSim company Saily, bringing extra clothes and doses of any medication you may be taking, as well as essentials like charging cables, could come in handy if you get stuck.

Travel waivers by airline

Terms vary, but these waivers generally allow travelers to rebook without penalty or get flight credit if they cancel their trips.

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Customers can find details, including impacted airports and key dates, on each carrier's website linked below.

What happens if a flight gets canceled?

Airlines will automatically rebook you on another flight if your flight is canceled. Typically, its on the same airline, but depending on the reason for the cancellation and carrier, some may be able to rebook you on a partner airline.

If your flight is canceled for reasons within the carriers control  say, due to staffing or aircraft maintenance  youre entitled to a meal if you have to wait more than three hours for the next flight. If you end up stranded overnight, most airlines will also cover your hotel and ground transportation if the cancellation was within their control.

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Weather is notably outside of airline control.

If your flight is canceled for any reason and you choose to no longer fly, Department of Transportation rules require the airline to offer you a refund, regardless of ticket type.

You can find airline-specific information on the DOTs Airline Customer Service Dashboard.

People are pictured walking inside the McNamara Terminal at Detroit Metro Airport on Nov. 6, 2025.

What happens if my flight is delayed?

Airlines are required to get you to your destination, but they dont owe you anything else for delays due to weather or anything else outside of their control.

Its a different story for significant delays due to issues within their control.

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All airlines will rebook customers on their same airline for significant delays (typically at least three hours) within their control, but some will also book customers on partner carriers.

Airlines will also cover meals for controllable delays at least three hours long. Most airlines will also cover a hotel stay and ground transportation for overnight delays within their control.

Again, weather is outside of airline control.

Additional details can be found on the DOT dashboard. Its worth noting that U.S. regulators dont require cash payments for delays. Also, even when its not required, airline customer service representatives may have the power to provide meal vouchers, mileage credit or other compensation for your trouble, on a case-by-case basis.

(This story has been updated with new information.)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Get ahead of the weekend flight cancellations, delays. What to know.
Japan suspended the restart of the worlds largest nuclear power plant just a day after it began operating for the first time since the 2011 Fukushima disaster, after an alarm sounded during start-up procedures.

An alert from a monitoring system was triggered while workers were starting up the reactor number six at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, prompting the decision to halt operations, its operator Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco) said. The company said it did not yet know how long it would take to resolve the issue.

Tepco said the reactor was stable and that there had been no radioactive impact outside the plant.

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We dont expect this to be solved within a day or two. There is no telling at the moment how long it will take, site superintendent Takeyuki Inagaki told a news conference. We will for now fully focus on trying to identify the cause of what happened.

The issue was linked to malfunctioning electrical equipment connected to the control rods, which are crucial for the safe operation of reactors, according to Tepco.

The Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc.'s Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant is seen in Kashiwazaki, Niigata prefecture, Japan, Wednesday, 21 Jan 2026 (Kyodo News)

The restart had already been delayed earlier this week after another technical problem was detected during preparations to remove the rods, a problem the operator said had been resolved before operations began.

Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, located in Niigata province about 220km northwest of Tokyo, is the worlds largest nuclear power plant by potential generating capacity. Only one of its seven reactors had been scheduled to restart. The No 6 reactor alone is capable of generating about 1.35 million kilowatts of electricity  enough to power more than one million households in the Tokyo region.

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The facility was taken offline in 2011 after a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami triggered meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, also operated by company. Japan subsequently shut down most of its nuclear fleet amid public opposition and tighter safety regulations.

In recent years, the government has moved to revive nuclear power to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, cut emissions and meet rising electricity demand, including from data centres and artificial intelligence. Fourteen reactors have restarted across Japan since 2011, but Kashiwazaki-Kariwa is the first Tepco-run plant to resume operations.

A woman holds a banner that reads, "Against Restart" near auditors seated on the day Niigata Prefectural Assembly lawmakers take part in a vote of confidence (REUTERS)

In December 2025, a vote in the regional assembly in Niigata removed the final political hurdle for the plant to be reopened. The assembly passed a vote of confidence in governor Hideyo Hanazumi, who backed the restart last month.

This is nothing other than a political settlement that does not take into account the will of the Niigata residents, an assembly member opposed to the restart said during the session..

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Outside the assembly building, around 300 people protested against the decision, holding banners reading No Nukes, We oppose the restart of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa and Support Fukushima.

I am truly angry from the bottom of my heart, Kenichiro Ishiyama, a 77-year-old protester from Niigata city, told Reuters after the vote. If something was to happen at the plant, we would be the ones to suffer the consequences.

Public opinion in Niigata remains sharply divided. Around 60 per cent of residents oppose the restart, while 37 per cent support it, according to a survey conducted in September. Earlier this month, seven anti-nuclear groups submitted a petition signed by nearly 40,000 people to Tepco and Japans Nuclear Regulation Authority, citing seismic risks at the site.

Kashiwazaki-Kariwas proposed restart has been put off for years by extensive safety upgrades and tighter security rules introduced after Fukushima, including measures to prevent deliberate attacks on nuclear facilities.

Japans former prime minister, Fumio Kishida, has previously said nuclear energy would play a role in achieving the countrys target of carbon neutrality by 2050, though Thursdays setback highlights the technical and political challenges facing the policy shift.
Jeff Toole and Bernadette Hartley help assemble kits containing naloxone, a drug that reverses opioid overdoses, at a Aug. 29, 2025 event in Anchorage. The volunteer event held at the Fairview Community Recreation Center was organized by the Alaska Department of Health's Project HOPE and the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. Wider distribution of the naloxone kits may have contributed to a decreate in overdose deaths. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska had fewer overdose deaths in 2024 than in the year prior, and state health officials are working on ways to continue to reduce that total in the future.

In all, 339 people died from drug overdoses in 2024 Alaska, a 5% decline from the record high of 357 hit the year before, according to an annual report released by the state Department of Health.

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Alaskas decline was not as dramatic as the nationwide drop in overdose deaths.

Nationally, the 2024 death total was nearly 27% lower than the total for the previous year, continuing a declining trend that followed several years of sharp increases, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Overdose deaths, as measured in total numbers, peaked in the U.S. in 2021, according to the CDC. As measured by rate per 100,000 people, they peaked in 2022.

It is not yet clear whether Alaskas decline in fatal overdose rates will catch up to the national rates or even if the states decline will last, said Jessica Filley, an epidemiology specialist with the department.

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I think its too early to say if this trend is going to continue, said Filley, speaking on Thursday during a break at the annual Alaska Public Health Association Summit in Anchorage.

If the trend does continue, several factors may be responsible, she said. One of those factors could be the wider use of naloxone, an overdose-reversal medicine, she said.

Distribution of the emergency medicine has increased substantially in recent years, said Tim Easterly, coordinator of a Department of Health program that provides naloxone kits to people who might be treating at-risk Alaskans.

When the program started about eight years ago, it distributed about 8,000 kits annually, Easterly said at the health summit. In the past two years, it has distributed more than 40,000 kits annually, he said. So this program has grown. And, unfortunately, we continue to see demand, steady around that 40,000 kits per year, he said.

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Naloxone kits are provided to schools around the state under a law enacted in 2024, for example.

Filley, in a presentation at the conference, described some state efforts to try to use a more holistic approach to prevent overdose deaths.

The states medical examination process includes an overdose committee that gathers information not just from official documents like toxicology reports, but also from family members, healthcare providers, first responders and other people who can fill in the backstories of overdose victims.

Those reviews reveal life stories that can contain complex and interwoven challenges that preceded the overdoses. Some victims had complex mental or physical health problems that did not get addressed. Some had traumatic experiences in childhood. Housing insecurity and homelessness also emerged as a factor in some cases, she said.

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Reviewing each case took hours; the committee reviewed two every quarter, or eight in the past year. Using those reviews, the committee compiled some recommendations for more comprehensive prevention and treatment.

One of the committees recommendations, Filley said, is for more integrated peer support and more coordination of case management across different settings, including healthcare facilities, treatment facilities, parole operations and interactions with first responders.

Another recommendation is for better education about trauma, including from experiences in childhood that may have long-lasting effects, she said. We definitely have some cases where theres evidence that the decedent experienced trauma or adversity in childhood, she said.

The committee also recommended more education about dangers from substances other than opioids, including alcohol. While opioids have received heightened attention in recent years and are implicated in most fatalities, there are many cases where victims are abusing multiple substances simultaneously.

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Statistics from the states annual report show that only 35% of overdose deaths between 2020 and 2024 involved a single drug. The most common combination in fatal cases over those years was a blend of synthetic narcotics like fentanyl with psychostimulants, the state report said. Examples of psychostimulants are amphetamines and cocaine.

There were twice as many fatal overdoses among men than among women in 2024, similar to ratios in the four preceding years. By region, Anchorage had the highest rate of fatal overdose per 100,000 people over all years from 2020 to 2024, according to the state report. In 2024, Anchorage had about two thirds of the states overdose deaths, even though it has about 40% of the states residents.

Alaska overdose death from 2015 to 2024. Deaths in the state peaked in 2023. (Graph provided by the Alaska Department of Healths Division of Public Health)

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After losing their home in the Eaton Fire, the Rodriguez family didn't know how they were going to make it back to Altadena.

But one year later, thanks to the nonprofit Steadfast LA and the modular home company Samara, the family will be back in March.

"We're restoring the idea of home, because everyone watched their homes burn up and be gone," said Beverly Rodriguez. "Some people drive through this town still, through the blocks, and it's unrecognizable - the place that we once lived."

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The Rodriguez family is the first of nine recipients in Altadena to receive a viable housing option - free of charge.

The homes are donated to families who, otherwise, would have been forced to relocate.

"The outside is all fiber cement. This basically doesn't burn," said Samara CEO Michael McNamara. "The structure is an all-steel 2 by 6 frame. It doesn't burn, it doesn't rot, it's very sustainable. The roof is all metal roofing. The insulation is almost twice the California requirement because we live in an environment where utilities are very expensive."

Steadfast LA is a public-private partnership led by Rick Caruso that's committed to helping fire victims return home quickly and getting them into more fire resilient structures.

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"It shows hope, and then hope is going to motivate more people to come back into their communities, and that's what we want to see happening here, out at the Palisades and certainly out in Malibu, too," he said.

Making his first public comments since deciding last week not to run for political office at this time, Caruso said he decided not to run because he felt that the well-being of his family could be at risk.

"One of the toughest decisions that I've had to make," he said. "It's not what I wanted to end up at. I was eager and ready to run for governor."

READ MORE: Rick Caruso won't run for California governor or LA mayor

Billionaire developer Rick Caruso announced that he will not run for California governor or Los Angeles mayor.
NEED TO KNOW

Anna Chavez and her family were rescued from a third-floor apartment fire by firefighters using a ladder

Chavez attempted to escape by tying bed sheets together before firefighters arrived and urged them not to jump

The family lost all their belongings in the fire, and Chavez now experiences lingering trauma and panic attacks

A Michigan woman who was trapped inside a burning Wyoming apartment with her sister and infant niece says she believed she was going to die before firefighters rescued them using a ladder.

Anna Chavez was inside her third-floor apartment at the Crossroads Apartments on Clyde Park Avenue SW on Monday, Jan. 19 when a fire broke out shortly before 9 p.m., according to local reports.

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Helmet video released by the Wyoming Fire Department and shared by the City of Wyoming shows firefighters raising a 35-foot ladder to the window as smoke poured from the building.

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.

In an interview with NBC affiliate News-8, Chavez  who asked the station not to show her face  said the situation escalated almost instantly.

"Everything was really fast," she told the outlet. "I am just thinking, 'I am going to die in here. If they can save [my niece], its going to be okay because shes a child and shes little.' "

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Chavez said she first realized how serious the fire was when she opened her apartment door. "I see a lot of smoke and fire from everywhere, and when I see that, I get really scared," she said.

With their escape blocked, survival instincts took over. "In that moment, you dont have to start thinking too much. You only have to take action and do things," she recalled. "We open the window and we was trying to jump."

In a separate interview with Fox-17, Chavez shared additional details about the moments before firefighters arrived, saying she attempted to tie bed sheets together to create a makeshift rope.

"We was trying to leave from there," Chavez told the station. "We was trying to jump."

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The attempted exit was intercepted by firefighters, who begged the family not to jump as they raised their ladder to the window.

In the footage, Chavez could be heard pleading for support as her sister hands her niece off. "Thank you. Thank you guys," she told rescue workers, putting her daughter first. "My baby, please, my baby."

"It's okay, it's okay," the firefighter told the little girl, comforting her as he carried her down the ladder to safety. "I got you, okay? It's okay. It's alright. We're going down."

That same comfort was given to Chavez. "They tell me to calm down a little bit," she recounted to Fox-17. "But at the same time, I was nervous, and it was hard for me to talk."

The Wyoming Fire Department Firefighters rescue a family from a Wyoming apartment fire Firefighters rescue a family from a Wyoming apartment fire

Ultimately, Chavez, her sister, her niece and their cat were all safely rescued. But the family's belongings were all destroyed in the fire. "I feel sad," Chavez said to Fox-17. "I lost everything."

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The trauma has lingered, too. Chavez told Fox-17 that even small noises now trigger fear and anxiety. "We hear like something, it was a little bit low, and I get scared," she said. "I have like a panic attack, and I was feeling nervous, because I remember everything."

Still, Chavez told both outlets she remains deeply grateful to the firefighters who saved her family.

"I just want to say thank you," she said to News-8. "It saved my kids life, my nieces life and my sisters life."

Read the original article on People
By Ammu Kannampilly

KAMPALA, Jan 23 (Reuters) - As Uganda's 81-year-old President Yoweri Museveni starts a seventh term, his tough-talking son and head of the military Muhoozi Kainerugaba is favourite to succeed him after consolidating his power base and sidelining critics.

Kainerugaba, best-known to many Ugandans for his fiery social media posts, helped his father to election victory last week by ordering a crackdown on opponents and cutting the internet, said sources familiar with the matter.

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Having repeatedly threatened to kill opposition leader Bobi Wine, who says the vote was rigged and is in hiding, Kainerugaba boasted on Friday that 30 "terrorists" from Wine's party had been killed and 2,000 "hooligans" arrested. There was no immediate response from the party.

In the run-up to the vote, security forces disrupted opposition rallies, detaining supporters and sometimes opening fire.

Adding to accounts from a business source and a security official, Andrew Mwenda, a close adviser to Kainerugaba, told Reuters he had played a critical role in the four-day internet blackout, saying it was to prevent any sabotage.

Kainerugaba personally mobilised the police and army to target "roughnecks and ruffians" supporting the opposition National Unity Platform party led by popstar-turned-politician Wine, Mwenda added.

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"He's number one in security in this country," Mwenda said.

Kainerugaba could not be reached and spokespeople for the government, military and presidency did not respond to requests for comment on the internet blackout, crackdown or succession plans.

'TIRED OF WAITING' FOR POWER

Kainerugaba, who attended Britain's prestigious Sandhurst military academy and is an admirer of Mao Zedong and Fidel Castro, first announced in 2023 that he wanted to be president after his father, saying he was "tired of waiting forever".

Since then, he has sidelined critics within the ruling party and military, retiring rival officers and boosting pay to secure soldiers' loyalty.

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Museveni has never commented in public about who will follow him, beyond saying his party will make the decision.

Though Kainerugaba's presidential ambitions have previously sparked concern in Museveni's inner circle, his role in securing the election victory has strengthened his position, the security official and business source said.

A handover from father to son would not be without risks of a backlash in the East African country, which has a $65 billion economy and enjoyed decades of stability under Museveni.

Kainerugaba does not speak to journalists and has a reputation for late-night social media posts  including threats to behead Wine and castrate another opposition leader in 2025 and invade Kenya in October 2022.

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Both he and his father apologised for the threat to a neighbouring nation, and Kainerugaba has said some of his posts are meant to be ironic.

His erratic style has displeased some in the older generation of Uganda's political and military elite.

But his position as security czar and prospective future leader looks stronger than ever, according to five people with close knowledge of the matter, two of whom are involved in talks about the transition.

"At this point, it's hard to think of anyone outside the family who could challenge him," said Kristof Titeca, a Uganda expert and professor at the University of Antwerp.

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Kainerugaba grew up in exile in Tanzania, Kenya and Sweden before his father took office in 1986. He returned home to lead the Special Forces Command, an elite unit often described as an army within the army.

His swift rise and frequent interjections in politics have drawn some criticism but seldom serious sanction.

"There (are) people who are in the military who are not happy with General Muhoozi's behaviour ... either expressing interest in the presidency for himself or praising his father or insulting his father's rivals," said Frederick Golooba-Mutebi, a Ugandan researcher and analyst.

"It would seem as if there are laws that apply to other military officers, but those laws don't apply to the president's son."

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In 2022, Museveni and his younger brother Salim Saleh, who serves as a special presidential adviser, did warn Kainerugaba about his posts, two business sources told Reuters, citing family members. Saleh did not reply to a request for comment.

CALMER IN PERSON?

Despite his intimidating public profile, three sources who have met Kainerugaba say he is thoughtful and strategic in person. "When you talk to him outside the confines of Twitter, he is a different person," said political commentator Charles Onyango-Obbo.

Mwenda said most of Kainerugaba's incendiary posts were in fact jokes. Kainerugaba enjoyed "a glass or two of whisky" but did not abuse alcohol, he added.

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If Museveni dies in office, the vice president is meant to take over temporarily and hold an election. Saleh is expected to play a kingmaker role on behalf of the family, several sources told Reuters.

"Nobody is safe in Uganda ... in a country where a military general will consume their whisky and wish somebody death," Wine told Reuters this week from an unknown location, in a clear allusion to Museveni's son.

Veteran ruling party politicians have made no secret of their disquiet over the prospect of a Kainerugaba takeover, but their influence is waning.

All but two members of the ruling National Resistance Movement's 14-member central executive committee were replaced last year, and current members are more broadly supportive of Kainerugaba, said academic Titeca.

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Kainerugaba has overseen increases in salaries of rank-and-file soldiers, in some cases by over 300%, while also personally announcing promotions and retirements and launching an anti-corruption drive.

Kainerugaba's strong relationship with Rwanda's President Paul Kagame, whom he refers to as "Uncle Paul", has fuelled speculation that he might ask Kagame for help should he be challenged, according to sources.

Mwenda said the friendship went back decades and was clearly an advantage. "If I was asked for an ally, he (Kagame) is the first person I would go to." A spokesperson for Rwanda's government did not respond to requests for comment.

On the streets of Uganda, where the average national age is just 16, many condemn the idea of a family handover.

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"Uganda is not a kingdom, we won't allow it. If they think they can put the son in place of the father they are wrong," 23-year-old Fahad said in the capital Kampala.

(Reporting by Ammu Kannampilly; Editing by David Lewis and Alexandra Hudson)
By Libby George and Trevor Hunnicutt

LONDON/WASHINGTON, Jan 23 (Reuters) - U.S. control of Venezuela's oil exports has ensnared barrels that had been servicing debt to China, lining up another potential showdown between the two superpowers that could further complicate the South American country's path out of default.

Around a tenth of Venezuela's $150 billion foreign debt pile is estimated to be loans from China that the OPEC member was paying in oil cargoes - until the U.S. seized Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro earlier this month.

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Debt experts said the ramifications of China's claim on the cargoes and any clash with the United States could make it tougher for Venezuela to restructure its debt after a 2017 default and put at risk Beijing's cooperation in restructuring deals for other developing nations.

"Even under the best circumstances, this was going to be very messy - trying to disentangle where all these creditors stand in the credit hierarchy," said Christopher Hodge, chief economist with Natixis and a former U.S. Treasury official.

"The fact that now America is controlling all the finances into and out of the country...this seems to be unprecedented to me, that we're going to have such entanglements, such opacity about the finances of a government," Hodge said.

While Washington currently controls only oil sale proceeds, Hodge noted that these are Venezuela's main source of revenue.

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OIL FOR DEBT

Documents and sources from state-run oil firm PDVSA show three supertankers have been shuttling between Venezuela and China over the last five years carrying oil for interest payments under the terms of a temporary deal struck in 2019. But these shipments are only a fraction of Venezuela's total crude exports to China.

AidData, a research lab at the U.S. university William & Mary that tracks lending, said some cash proceeds from oil sent to China went into an account controlled by Beijing and on to service the debt - even as sanctions and default blocked payments to many of Venezuela's other creditors.

The Trump administration has now said that proceeds from the sale of Venezuela's oil will go into a Qatar-based account controlled by Washington, potentially giving the U.S. President himself substantial leverage over which creditors get paid, and when.

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In response to a request for comment on the cargoes and debt payments, China's foreign ministry said Beijing "has repeatedly stated its position".

Beijing condemned the redirection of Venezuelan oil exports during a January 7 news conference, adding "legitimate rights and interests of China and other countries in Venezuela must be protected".

White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers told Reuters that Trump had brokered an oil deal with Venezuela that "will benefit the American and Venezuelan people".

The Trump administration is allowing China to purchase Venezuelan oil but not at the "unfair, undercut" prices at which Caracas sold the crude previously, a U.S. official said on Thursday.

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Traders managing Venezuelan oil sales have offered some to Chinese refiners, but these are private market transactions, not intended as debt payments.

"The people of Venezuela will collect a fair price for their oil from China and other nations," the U.S. official said.

The Venezuelan communications ministry, which handles all press inquiries for the government, did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

OTHER OPTIONS

Trump could yet make a deal with China. However, the planned U.S. takeover of Venezuela's oil sector and control of its revenue could upend the hierarchy of creditors, restructuring advisors warn.

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"All of these things will have the practical effect of subordinating the claims of legacy debtholders," said global sovereign debt expert Lee Buchheit, adding it was unclear if Trump had the legal right to determine who gets paid first.

Some $60 billion of Venezuela's bonds tipped into default in 2017, and a restructuring agreement is essential to enable it to borrow again and attract new investment.

In a typical restructuring, bilateral lenders come together and agree what losses they will accept, usually via the Paris Club of creditor nations. This sets the bar for the "comparable" losses private lenders - bond investors, banks and others - must take.

"Comparability of treatment will be a real challenge, particularly if the U.S. controls the use of oil revenues," said Mark Walker, a longtime sovereign debt advisor who previously worked on potential Venezuelan restructurings.

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PUSHING CHINA

If the U.S. pushes China to swallow significant writedowns on its debt - and China digs its heels in - it could slow a restructuring and hinder Venezuela's economic recovery in the process.

That could keep Venezuela "in very dire straits during the foreseeable future", said Jean-Charles Sambor, head of emerging market debt with TT International, which holds Venezuelan bonds. In turn, this would limit how much the country can afford to repay to bondholders and other creditors.

China has little immediate leverage. Countries typically do not take other nations to court or arbitration over lending claims, Walker said, and would need to settle the situation "on a government-to-government basis".

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But ramifications are possible: China is the largest bilateral lender to the developing world and its cooperation with the Paris Club has been crucial over the past decade. Beijing agreed restructuring terms via a platform called the Common Framework during Ghana, Zambia and Ethiopia's debt restructuring talks.

"China's obvious leverage is to refuse to cooperate in future Common Framework sovereign debt workouts until it feels that it has been treated fairly in Venezuela," Buchheit said. "And that threat would have some force."

(Reporting by Libby George, additional reporting by Joe Cash in Beijing and Marianna Parraga in Houston, editing by Karin Strohecker and Kirsten Donovan)
The first known outbreak of syphilis in Europe began at the turn of the 16th century, but on the distant continent of South America, the pathogen's history goes much deeper than that.

A 5,500-year-old skeleton discovered at an archaeological site in Colombia has now offered up DNA from the spiral-shaped bacterium Treponema pallidum.

This strain, called TE1-3, is not in circulation today, but based on its genome, it belongs to a very old branch, or an "early-diverging sister lineage" of T. pallidum.

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It seems to have split off before other subspecies responsible for diseases like syphilis, yaws, bejel, and pinta emerged and spread around the world.

Related: Study Reveals Just How Bad Syphilis Got in London in The Late 18th Century

The discovery, led by evolutionary genomics researcher Davide Bozzi, pushes back the evidence for treponemal diseases, as they're known, by roughly 3,000 years.

It also points to an origin for syphilis in the Americas rather than in Europe, adding to growing genetic evidence elsewhere in South and Central America.

In Europe, the first outbreaks of syphilis occurred just after the Italian explorer Christopher Columbus returned from his journey to the Americas, and as a result, the two events have been historically tied together  a knot firmly tightened by racist and xenophobic ideologies about the way diseases spread.

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Today, genomic researchers are picking apart these deep and twisted roots using ancient DNA. Growing evidence from ancient bones suggests that syphilis-like diseases were present in the Americas long before their likeness emerged in Europe.

Pre-Columbian skeleton in Brazil found containing evidence of an ancient bacterial subspecies related to syphilis ( Jose Filippini

It's unknown whether TE1-3 was spread from human to human via sexual activity, as is the case with syphilis, or by skin-to-skin contact, as is the case with yaws, bejel, and pinta. But based on its genome, this ancient strain possessed virulence genes found in modern versions, which suggests it was harmful  or at least had already adapted to infect human hosts.

Based on their results, Bozzi and colleagues estimate that the divergence between TE1-3 and other T. pallidum lineages occurred roughly 13,700 years ago  well before agricultural expansion in the Americas.

The findings suggest that contagious diseases were emerging among hunter-gatherer communities before the rise of dense farming populations living close to domesticated animals.

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"Our findings show how even a single ancient pathogen genome can shift current understanding of pathogen emergence," the researchers write in their published paper.

But just because the oldest known evidence for a syphilis-like disease was found in South America doesn't mean it was solely confined to this one continent.

While controversial, a subset of scientists working in Europe maintains that treponemal diseases and strains closely related to syphilis were present in Europe centuries before Columbus set sail for the Americas, suggesting that T. pallidum was present on both continents before Columbus's journey connected the two.

Besides, there's even a chance that the expression of syphilis and other treponemal diseases is environmentally and socially determined. In other words, the bacterium may have been present in various populations but began to spread in different ways, and cause variations of the same disease, depending on environmental conditions.

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This means the pathogen behind syphilis may not have been a sexually transmitted infection in pre-Columbian populations in the Americas; it may have later acquired this mode of transmission  and the stigma associated with it  in 15th-century Europe.

Without more evidence, all of these hypotheses remain possible.

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In a related perspective, anthropologists Molly Zuckerman of Mississippi State University and Lydia Bailey of the US National Museum of Natural History, who were not involved in the recent research, argue that these findings "make it possible to move beyond simplistic ideas of where diseases geographically come from."

"Framing Treponema origins through geographic binaries, such as 'Old World' versus 'New World,' obscures the ecological realities," they continue.

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"Far from static or specific to a human population or environment, pathogens are tethered to mobile human and animal hosts and reservoirs, molded by human experiences and biosocial and environmental conditions, adaptable, and globalized."

The study was published in Science.

Related News
An anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement protest in solidarity with Minnesota is planned in Los Angeles on Friday, Jan. 23, organizers said, the latest demonstration coming to the city amid ongoing tensions between federal immigration agents and communities nationwide.

It comes just days after nationwide walkouts were planned in protest of the Trump administration, and previous protests earlier January over the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis on Jan. 7.

Hundreds of Minnesota businesses are expected to close on Friday as part of a statewide protest over the Trump administrations immigration enforcement.

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The Southern California rally will be held in downtown Los Angeles, complete with a march planned to the Metropolitan Detention Center on Alameda Street.

Activists hold signs during a protest on the one-year anniversary of President Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20, 2026 in Washington, D.C. Protestors gathered to call for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to leave Washington, D.C. Activists carry signs during a protest on the one-year anniversary of President Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20, 2026 in Washington, D.C. Protestors gathered to call for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to leave Washington, D.C. Activists hold signs reading "Justice For Renee Good" as they demonstrate against ICE during a protest on the one-year anniversary of President Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20, 2026 in Washington, DC. Protestors gathered to call for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to leave Washington, D.C. Activists hold signs reading "Justice For Renee Good" as they demonstrate against ICE during a protest on the one-year anniversary of President Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20, 2026 in Washington, DC. Protestors gathered to call for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to leave Washington, D.C. Activists hold signs during a protest on the one-year anniversary of President Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20, 2026 in Washington, D.C. Protestors gathered to call for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to leave Washington, D.C. A demonstrator holds an upside-down U.S. flag, with name Renee Good written on it, after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good on January 7 during an immigration raid, as people attend a rally against U.S. President Donald Trump's policies, on the one-year mark into his second term in office, in Washington on Jan. 20, 2026. Demonstrators hold placards during a protest against U.S. President Donald Trump's policies on the one-year mark into his second term in office, in Manhattan, New York City on Jan. 20, 2026. Demonstrators shout during a protest against U.S. President Donald Trump's policies on the one-year mark into his second term in office, in Manhattan, New York City on Jan. 20, 2026. A demonstrator holds a sign as people gather at Pershing Park during the "Walk Out for Freedom" demonstration on Jan. 20, 2026 in Washington, DC. Students across the nation are walking out to protest against the Trump Administration's policies, including immigration enforcement. Dustin Pack holds an upside down American flag at Pershing Park while a crowd gathers below during the "Walk Out for Freedom" demonstration on Jan. 20, 2026 in Washington, DC. Students across the nation are walking out to protest against the Trump Administration's policies, including immigration enforcement. About 50 people gather on the north and south sides of the Merrill P. Barber bridge, Jan. 20, 2026, to participate in the "Free America Walkout" in solidarity with the Women's March and other grassroots organizations in Vero Beach. The gathering was organized by Jeanne Warfield, who described the group as a mix of both seasonal and full-time Vero Beach residents; many of whom live at the Vero Beach Municipal Marina. Americans across Florida and the U.S. walked out of their jobs and schools in protest to what organizers call President Donald Trump's "second regime." About 50 people gather on the north and south sides of the Merrill P. Barber bridge, Jan. 20, 2026, to participate in the "Free America Walkout" in solidarity with the Women's March and other grassroots organizations in Vero Beach. The gathering was organized by Jeanne Warfield, who described the group as a mix of both seasonal and full-time Vero Beach residents; many of whom live at the Vero Beach Municipal Marina. A nationwide Free America Walkout protest on the anniversary of Trump's presidency took place outside the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus. A nationwide Free America Walkout protest on the anniversary of Trump's presidency took place outside the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio. A nationwide Free America Walkout protest on the anniversary of Trump's presidency took place outside the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus. Protestors assembled outside of Wilmington City Hall for a Free America Walkout protest of the Trump administration in Wilmington, N.C., on Jan. 20, 2026. Activists hold signs and listen to speakers after marching from San Jacinto Plaza to Aztec Calendar Park near the El Paso County Courthouse in Downtown El Paso, Texas, during a Free America Walkout peaceful protest on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2025. Activists hold signs and listen to speakers after marching from San Jacinto Plaza to Aztec Calendar Park near the El Paso County Courthouse in Downtown El Paso, Texas, during a Free America Walkout peaceful protest on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2025. Thousands rally against ICE on anniversary of Trumps second term 1 of 18 Activists hold signs during a protest on the one-year anniversary of President Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20, 2026 in Washington, D.C. Protestors gathered to call for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to leave Washington, D.C.

"We are witnessing a dangerous pattern of behavior by ICE agents as they traverse select communities across the United States imposing their version of a warped mandate by the Trump Administration, said Angelica Salas, CHIRLA executive director in a statement.

These are not normal times and all communities who wish to see their neighborhoods freed from these military operations and abusive behavior should express their discontent and join this national day of action to say 'Not In Our Name,' 'Not On Our Watch,'" Salas said.

The L.A. demonstration comes as federal immigration enforcement agents have continued to conduct operations in Southern California. Earlier January there was reported ICE activity in the Fashion District, and on Jan. 21, a federal agent fired shots in a targeted operation in Willowbrook near Compton.

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Paris Barraza is a reporter covering Los Angeles and Southern California for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at pbarraza@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Anti-ICE protest in LA planned as Minnesota businesses close Friday
In January 2026, Archer Aviation announced a partnership with the Government of the Republic of Serbia, which selected Archer as its preferred eVTOL partner with an option to purchase up to 25 Midnight aircraft and named the company the official air taxi partner for EXPO 2027 Belgrade.

Beyond potential aircraft sales, the agreement opens a pathway for Archer to participate in Serbias industrial development around rare earth magnets and battery-related critical minerals, giving the company a broader foothold in the European advanced air mobility ecosystem.

Against this backdrop, well examine how becoming Serbias preferred eVTOL partner and EXPO 2027 air taxi provider could reshape Archers investment narrative.

Outshine the giants: these 24 early-stage AI stocks could fund your retirement.

What Is Archer Aviation's Investment Narrative?

To own Archer Aviation, you have to buy into a story where eVTOL moves from prototype to everyday infrastructure, and where Archer turns partnerships into real aircraft deliveries and operating revenue. The Serbia deal fits that thesis symbolically more than financially in the near term: a potential 25-aircraft option and EXPO 2027 showcase reinforce Archers global brand and political connectivity, but do not change that the key short term catalysts still sit with certification progress, execution of the Launch Edition programs, and access to fresh capital after recent heavy losses and equity raises. The Serbia industrial dialogue around rare earth magnets and batteries could incrementally widen Archers optionality, yet it also adds another complex initiative to an already ambitious agenda for an unprofitable, equity-funded business.

However, there is a funding risk here that shareholders should not ignore. Archer Aviation's shares have been on the rise but are still potentially undervalued. Find out how large the opportunity might be.

Exploring Other Perspectives

ACHR 1-Year Stock Price Chart

Fifty three Simply Wall St Community members see Archers fair value stretching from about US$8.32 to a very large US$83.24. Set that against an early stage company still loss making, reliant on capital markets, and only now layering in Serbias partnership as another proof point rather than a near term financial driver.

Explore 53 other fair value estimates on Archer Aviation - why the stock might be worth 8% less than the current price!

Build Your Own Archer Aviation Narrative

Disagree with this assessment? Create your own narrative in under 3 minutes - extraordinary investment returns rarely come from following the herd.
Associated Press executive editor Julie Pace has expressed concern about declining press freedom in the United States, in an interview with dpa.

"The context that I always look at is the 100 countries that the AP operates in," Pace said. "We work in a lot of places where freedom of the press is not guaranteed. It's not guaranteed by the government, and the press is actively under scrutiny and pressure from governments."

"We have to be honest that we've seen some of those same tactics in the United States. And that's concerning," she added.

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US President Donald Trump has launched multibillion-dollar lawsuits against several major media outlets since the start of his second term, including against the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal.

The White House has restricted access for the Associated Press, one of the world's largest news agencies, after it continued to use the term Gulf of Mexico for the body of water Trump single-handedly renamed Gulf of America.

AP has filed a lawsuit against the restrictions placed on its work. The news agency is currently awaiting a decision in the appeal process after winning an initial court hearing.

Depending on the outcome, either AP or the US administration could refer the case up through the courts, Pace said in Berlin during a visit to dpa.

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"We do think that this is a principle that's worth fighting through the courts," she added, noting that the case could go all the way to the Supreme Court.

She said White House access for AP's text reporters remained restricted, although its photographers were still in the so-called pool, a group of journalists that almost always accompanies the president on official duties.

'A lot of challenges' delivering the news

Pace said she struggled with Trump's depiction of the media as the "enemy of the people," and the way the idea had taken hold.

"I got into this business because I fundamentally believe that the public has a right to accurate information," the 43-year-old said.

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"And so, when someone says: 'You're actually the enemy of the people,' it just completely flips on its head everything I believe in."

She also expressed concern at the way social media algorithms were deprioritizing news.

"We can be producing as much factual, accurate, transparent journalism as we want. But if the delivery mechanisms for people are not prioritizing that information, then it presents a lot of challenges there," Pace said.

"The one thing that does make me optimistic is that people are consuming information, right? We just have to make sure that we're going to be delivering content in the ways in which they want to consume it."
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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer released a strongly-worded video on Friday slamming President Donald Trumps assertion that NATO troops  including those from the United Kingdom  avoided the front lines in Afghanistan.

Starmers statement pointed to further erosion of relations between the U.S. and European allies, which escalated when Trump repeatedly threatened to acquire Greenland without Denmarks permission. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, this week, Trump further incited European leaders by questioning the existence of NATO.

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Weve never needed them, Trump said in an interview with Fox Business in Davos. We have never really asked anything of them. You know, theyll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan or this or that. And they did. They stayed a little back, little off the front lines.

In fact, the only time in history when NATO invoked the Article 5 collective security agreement was after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.

Starmer joined other prominent British politicians in denouncing Trumps statements.

Let me start by paying tribute to the 457 of our armed services who lost their lives in Afghanistan, Starmer began.

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He continued:

I will never forget their courage, their bravery, and the sacrifice that they made for their country. There were many also who were injured, some with life-changing injuries. And, so, I consider President Trumps remarks to be insulting, and frankly, appalling. And Im not surprised theyve caused such hurt to the loved ones of those who were killed and injured, and in fact, across the country.

We will never forget the sacrifices of those who served in Afghanistan. pic.twitter.com/kueDIF1KOu  Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) January 23, 2026

John Healey, Britains defense secretary wrote on social media, NATOs Article 5 has only been triggered once. The UK and NATO allies answered the US call. And more than 450 British personnel lost their lives in Afghanistan. Those British troops should be remembered for who they were: heroes who gave their lives in service of our nation.

Kemi Badenoch, leader of the U.K.s Conservative Party, released a video message calling Trumps comments, absolute nonsense.

Comments like this are factually wrong, weaken NATO, and denigrate the memory of our brave soldiers who served there, she wrote.

President Trumps comments about British Troops in Afghanistan are disgraceful. Comments like this are factually wrong, weaken NATO, and denigrate the memory of our brave soldiers who served there. pic.twitter.com/m6KVPw8VZB  Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch) January 23, 2026

And Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrat party wrote, 457 British troops lost their lives in Afghanistan. Trump avoided military service 5 times. How dare he question their sacrifice. [Nigel] Farage and all the others still fawning over Trump should be ashamed.

457 British troops lost their lives in Afghanistan. Trump avoided military service 5 times. How dare he question their sacrifice. Farage and all the others still fawning over Trump should be ashamed. pic.twitter.com/4xmsAYnt76  Ed Davey (@EdwardJDavey) January 22, 2026

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So far, Trump hasnt commented on the backlash.

The post Appalling: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Slams Trumps Claims About NATO Soldiers in Afghanistan first appeared on Mediaite.
An area police department is mourning the unexpected loss of a K9 officer.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The West Chester Police Department announced on Thursday that K9 Rico passed away after a medical emergency.

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K9 Rico served the West Chester community from April 2018 to Jan. 21, 2026, alongside his partner Officer Adam Roth.

During his years of service, he was responsible for numerous narcotics seizures and successfully located several individuals, including missing persons and violent offenders, the department said.

Ricos dedication played a major role in keeping the community safe.

Rico was more than a police caninehe was a trusted partner, a protector, and a beloved member of the West Chester Police family. His service and sacrifice will never be forgotten, the department said.

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said on Friday that she was deploying National Guard troops in advance of the anticipated severe winter weather.

The governor said 28 Guard winter weather response teams are being activated across the state. The teams are made up of 140 Guardsmen who will assist the Arkansas State Police (ASP) in helping stranded motorists.

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders declares State of Emergency in advance of winter storm

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Each winter weather response team consists of five Guardsmen, two Humvees, plus communications equipment. Teams are permitted to recover first responder emergency vehicles to a safe area, if possible. Teams are not authorized to recover privately owned vehicles, officials said.

Courtesy of Arkansas National Guard Courtesy of Arkansas National Guard Courtesy of Arkansas National Guard Courtesy of Arkansas National Guard

Also, 12 Guard members have been put on active duty to provide command and control and public affairs support, Sanders said, adding that the support will be around the clock, beginning Friday and will run until no longer needed. This includes an additional 12 Guardsmen who will assist with winter weather debris removal.

Our National Guardsmen are always on call to assist our state when disaster strikes and, as this weekends winter storm approaches, we will need all the assistance we can get to keep Arkansans safe, the governor said.

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Arkansas Storm Preparations: Readying for the worst, Hoping for the best

The 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team will provide four teams to ASP Troop D in Forrest City, and two teams each to Troop E in Pine Bluff, Troop F in Warren, Troop G in Hope, Troop K in Hot Springs and Toop J in Clarksville.

The 77th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade will provide four teams to Troop A in Little Rock.

The 87th Troop Command will provide two teams each to Troop B in Newport, Troop C in Jonesboro and Troop I in Harrison.

The 142nd Field Artillery Brigade will provide two teams each to Troop H in Fort Smith and Troop L in Lowell.

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The 189th Airlift Wing will deploy three teams of four Guardsmen to assist with winter weather debris removal at the request of the Arkansas State Police.

On Thursday, Sanders declared a state of emergency and directed $250,000 to support response and recovery.

Arkansas Storm Team Forecast: Alert Days are here; winter storm hits tonight

Arkansans in need during this period can check HelpArkansas.com for information on such things as food assistance, warming center and shelter locations, traffic and road conditions, power outage info and preparation tips.

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 KARK.
Police have ruled a Florida mans actions self-defense after he shot a felon who allegedly attempted to abduct his wife.

According to Fox News affiliate Wtvt-tv, citing the Manatee County Sheriffs Office, Nicholas Palomo, a 36-year-old felon who had previously gone to prison for kidnapping and other crimes, attempted to abduct a woman who was walking her dog in Bradenton, Florida, on New Year's Day.

The woman managed to run away from Palomo's car and warned her husband, who went outside to confront Palomo.

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Detectives say that Palomo began acting in a threatening way before advancing towards the husband. That's when, according to police, he allegedly opened fire on Palomo.

Nicholas Palomo in a 2023 booking photo. Police said that on Jan. 1, Palomo had caused a disturbance at nearby Circle K and appeared under the influence of drugs before approaching a woman walking her dog. (Fox News)

Armed Americans Fight Back: Inside 2025S Most Gripping Self-defense Shootings Across The Us

Deputies arrived at the shooting at 12:27 a.m. to find the suspect, who died at the scene despite life-saving efforts. An autopsy found that Palomo died at the scene from a single gunshot wound to the chest.

Read On The Fox News App

Before the alleged abduction, Palomo reportedly caused a disturbance at a nearby Circle K while appearing to be under the influence of drugs.

The State Attorney's Office determined the homeowner acted in self-defense when confronting Nicholas Palomo on New Year's Day.

Like What You're Reading? Find More On The True Crime Hub

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According to the outlet, after reviewing the case, the State Attorneys Office determined that the homeowner's actions were justified.

The Manatee County Sheriff's Department ruled that the homeowner's action were justified.

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The names of the husband and the wife were not released in accordance with Marsys Law. Fox News Digital has reached out to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office for comment.

Original article source: Armed husband confronts suspected Florida kidnapper after wife is followed home
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  A man has been arrested after the Oklahoma State Capitol was vandalized on January 13, officials say.

The vandalism included the word die spelled out on three pillars. In other areas, it said Im still here and Sons of Liberty. There was also an anarchy symbol.

Vandals spray paint state capitol. Image: FOX 23.

Vandals spray paint state capitol. Image: FOX 23.

Vandals spray paint state capitol. Image: FOX 23.

According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Shelby Lang Smith was arrested after a warrant was served Friday morning.

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Officials say Smith is also a registered sex offender.

Hes facing charges of Malicious Destruction of Property and Threatening Acts of Violence.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is charged with the protection of the State Capitol and the safety of those who work in and visit this building. We will aggressively investigate and pursue anyone who threatens that safety or damages public property. Acts of vandalism and threats of violence against the Capitol will not be tolerated. said OHP on social media.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Three Australian and Palestinian legal groups have formally called on the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to investigate Israeli President Isaac Herzog for his role in alleged war crimes amid reports he will visit Australia early next month.

The organisations said on Friday that they had written to urgently alert the AFP of their concerns in light of serious and credible criminal allegations of incitement to genocide and advocating genocide by President Isaac Herzog during Israels military onslaught in Gaza since October 7, 2023.

The Australian Centre for International Justice (ACIJ), Al-Haq, and the Al Mezan Center for Human Rights included a 10-page submission detailing the allegations against Herzog as well as Australias obligations under international law and its own domestic law.

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Where credible international findings indicate incitement to genocide and where domestic accountability has not occurred, Australia has both the legal authority and responsibility to act, Rawan Arraf, executive director at the ACIJ, said in a statement.

Arraf also said that the Australian government would be showing a blatant disregard for its international legal obligations by allowing Herzog to enter Australia without an AFP investigation.

Shawan Jabarin, the general director of Al-Haq, noted that Herzog has said that there are no uninvolved civilians in Gaza and was the head of state as Israel killed 23,000 children and 1,000 babies before their first birthday in Gaza.

Even the IVF clinic was bombed, destroying 4,000 human embryos and the hope of future life, Jabarin added.

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Herzog is due to visit Sydney on February 7, The Times of Israel newspaper reports, at the invitation of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the wake of last months mass shooting that targeted a Jewish celebration at Bondi Beach and left 15 people dead.

Albanese told reporters in December that the Australian government had extended an invitation to Herzog to honour and remember victims of the Bondi anti-Semitic terrorist attack and provide support for Jewish Australians and the Australian Jewish community at this time.





However, Jewish Council of Australia executive member Ohad Kozminsky told Australian public broadcaster SBS last month that a visit from Herzog following the Bondi attack will only inflame tensions and exacerbate division in our community, considering he is the head of a foreign country that has been committing genocide.

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Australias federal parliament has introduced tough new gun reform laws in the wake of the attack, as well as hate speech reforms that have prompted concerns from advocates over some far-reaching provisions.

The Jewish Council of Australia said in a statement that while some of the most contentious provisions were removed before the legislation was quickly passed earlier this week, others remained, including enhanced ministerial powers to deport migrants based on arbitrary decision-making.

The council said on Wednesday that 60,000 people had signed its petition calling on Australian leaders to reject attempts to weaponise Jewish grief, erode civil liberties, or pit communities against one another in the aftermath of the antisemitic attack at Bondi.

One month on, instead of space for mourning and healing, we are watching our grief and anger being turned into a political weapon to demonise Palestinians, Muslims, migrants and the anti-genocide protest movement, Kozminsky said in a statement.

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Jewish safety is not strengthened by rushed political deals or parliamentary chaos, Kozminsky said.

It will be strengthened by calm, consistent measures to combat antisemitism, and by protecting all communities from racism and violence including Muslims, Palestinians, and migrant Australians who are also being unfairly targeted in the wake of this tragedy, he added.
Thursday had been earmarked for Australians to mourn the victims of last month's Bondi shootings.

Those who had lost loved ones in the antisemitic attacks wanted it to be a chance to remember the dead, and spread light and kindness in their honour.

Instead, it was a day dominated by a political row resulting in the collapse of the opposition coalition.

"I mean, you would have thought they could have put this off for 24 hours," veteran political commentator Malcolm Farr told the BBC.

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"It's at the very least unfortunate timing and shows a certain amount of self-indulgence."

The fight - which centred around reforms sparked by the tragedy - looks set to sink two leaders and trash their parties' electoral chances, and caps off what many Australians say has been a disappointing month of politics.

When two gunmen opened fire on an event marking the Jewish festival of Hanukkah at Bondi Beach, killing 15 people - including a 10-year-old child - the recriminations began almost immediately.

"The turnaround was amazing in the way they [politicians] politicised it," says Bondi local Kass Hill, 52. "The fingerpointing isn't solving anything."

Heckles and blame

Bondi was covered with a sea of floral tributes in the days after the attack [Getty Images]

While families were waiting to bury their loved ones, a conveyer belt of politicians - including the opposition leader - visited the scene to apportion blame. Populist leaders came to rail against immigration. Prominent businesspeople popped by to pose with flowers.

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, accused by many Jewish Australians of ignoring their concerns ahead of the attack, spent the weeks after it dismissing calls from many in the community for a national inquiry into antisemitism.

He was repeatedly heckled in public, arriving at a memorial to a tidal wave of boos and cries of "You're not welcome". "You might as well go to a jihadist nation where you can fit in," one person shouted. Looming over the crowd, a large screen read "a night of unity".

Criticised as being overly defensive and slow to listen, Albanese has in turn rebuked his parliamentary rivals for "playing politics" with tragedy.

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The 14 December Bondi attack was Australia's worst mass shooting since the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, when 35 people were killed, but the responses to the tragedies couldn't be more different.

Then Prime Minister John Howard visited the scene of the shooting in Tasmania to lay wreaths together with opposition leaders, who shortly afterwards united to help him pass firearms laws that made Australia a world leader on gun control.

"Australian society and politics is very different than it was 30 years ago and we're just a far more divided society," says John Warhurst, an emeritus professor of political science at the Australian National University.

Political leaders presented a united front in the wake of the Port Arthur massacre in 1996 [Getty Images]

A society already fractured over Israel-Gaza war

There are a number of reasons why this attack has divided people in ways Port Arthur didn't - including the already fraught debate raging in Australia over Israel, Gaza and antisemitism, according to Mark Kenny, a political columnist and host of the Democracy Sausage podcast.

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"Then this event lobs into that, [and] I think it led to it being immediately politicised," he told the BBC.

Since the 7 October 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas and protests in Australia against Israel's war on Gaza which followed, Albanese has consistently been accused of failing to do enough to stamp out antisemitism. The Executive Council of Australian Jewry says antisemitic incidents have increased from an average of 342 before the 7 October attacks in 2023 to 1,654 last year.

Likewise, he's been accused of not doing enough to call out Israel's actions in Gaza, which UN experts have called genocide and Israel denies.

Hours after the Bondi shooting, the antisemitism commissioner appointed by Albanese linked it to the pro-Palestinian protests that have regularly taken place in Sydney and which Jewish leaders have lobbied against.

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"It began on 9 October 2023 at the Sydney Opera House," Jillian Segal said in a statement. "Now death has reached Bondi Beach."

Investigators have not said there is any link between the alleged gunmen and the pro-Palestinian movement, instead alleging the pair were inspired by the jihadist group Islamic State, with the younger of the father-son duo on intelligence agencies' radars for a period in 2019.

Tens of thousands of Pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched across the Sydney Harbour Bridge in August [Getty Images]

No simple solutions and 'either-or-ism'

As it was after Port Arthur, gun reform was the first thing on the legislative agenda after the Bondi attack.

"We know that one of these terrorists held a firearm licence and had six guns, in spite of living in the middle of Sydney's suburbs... There's no reason why someone in that situation needed that many guns," Albanese said as he announced a suite of changes in the following days.

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Unlike Port Arthur, when the measures were broadly popular, Albanese's focus on gun laws was immediately attacked by the Liberal opposition and parts of the Jewish community as a distraction from what they view as the real cause of the attack  antisemitism. Even Howard, the architect of the 1996 reforms, came out to suggest they were an "attempted diversion".

Tensions were on display at a memorial services a week after the attacks [Getty Images]

"That kind of 'either or ism' is a feature about politics these days probably everywhere in the West. Everything becomes supercharged and divisive," says Kenny.

"There's just this fundamental lack of trust that's almost like we're in the grip of a toxic cynicism that means that motives of political leaders the first instinct is to question them, to regard them as disingenuous."

The recent decision by a festival in Adelaide to disinvite a Palestinian-Australian author  leading ultimately to the collapse of the entire writers' week portion of the event  due to "sensitivities" after Bondi and her "past statements" is also a sign of how tense the current circumstances are, adds Kenny.

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Demands for immediate action on antisemitism were loud in the days after the attack, and Albanese did soon announce a crackdown on hate speech, backed by the antisemitism commissioner.

But some critics said the measures would impinge on free speech, including the right to criticise Israel, and on protest, while others argued they did not go far enough in protecting other minorities.

"[It's] a can of worms," says Warhurst, noting that there has never been "an easy agreement on finding where that balance lies" between free speech and hate speech.

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"Now is the worst time, I think, to be trying to resolve those sorts of issues because you are doing it fairly quickly and you're doing it in a heated environment."

The hate speech laws had the backing of the Jewish community, but many felt it was not enough - with several of the victims' families pushing Albanese to call a royal commission, Australia's most powerful form of independent inquiry.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was booed when he arrived at a memorial for the victims of the Bondi shooting [EPA]

For weeks, Albanese argued the measures already announced were enough and that a royal commission would be the wrong tool to unpick what had happened. It could give a platform to antisemites, he said.

Royal commissions had not been launched into previous tragedies like Port Arthur, Albanese pointed out, comments which were widely dismissed. Promised reviews of intelligence agencies and law enforcement similarly did nothing to dissuade those calling for the inquiry.

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Their pleas were mirrored by a coordinated campaign of letter writing that featured on the front pages of right-wing newspapers. "I don't think it's controversial to say that the News Limited and other parts of the media were certainly stirring the pot," says Warhurst.

Albanese's arguments against a royal commission were "really hard to make in these circumstances", says Kenny, and it backfired on him when he was ultimately forced to reverse course on the issue.

Analysts have also suggested his reluctance may have been down to fears it could become complex, controversial and divisive. It could invite discussion of the war in Gaza, while potentially excluding examination of Islamophobia  which exploded after Bondi, with The Islamophobia Register Australia recording a 740% rise in incidents by early January - when many Labor MPs have large Muslim electorates.

There was likely also a "reluctance to cave to the opposition", Farr believes: opposition leader Sussan Ley had vociferously demanded the royal commission, asking what Albanese was "hiding", and revelled in his backflip.

A political opportunity

It is fair to say that, before December's attack, Ley had been struggling to land a punch on the government and assert authority over her own party. In the weeks before the shooting, some pundits were even predicting her imminent ousting.

"The Bondi attacks offered her an opportunity to prosecute a very strong case against the government," says Kenny.

But any momentum she gained over the royal commission collapsed this week when she failed to rally her Coalition behind the very hate speech laws she had so loudly demanded Albanese quickly implement.

By Thursday - the national day of mourning for the Bondi attacks - things had fallen apart.

The National Party announced they were leaving the coalition, having refused to vote for the legislation despite a shadow cabinet agreement. They, despite earlier calls for haste, said they had not been given enough time to examine the proposals which they said could threaten free speech.

David Littleproud on Thursday said his National Party would not work with Sussan Ley [Australian Broadcasting Corporation]

On his way out the door, Nationals leader David Littleproud suggested the only way his party would consider returning to the fold was if Ley was dumped, leaving her already shaky leadership hanging by a thread.

"I'm quite sure there are people... who are polishing their shoes and tightening the knot on their ties to step forward should that vacancy occur or be forced," says Farr.

However, Littleproud's bold ultimatum could be an overstep which costs him his own job, with mutterings that Liberals wouldn't accept him as a leader in any future coalition either.

But then, it seems all of Australia's politicians may be on shakier ground.

The posturing of the main parties over the past month has left a bitter taste in the mouths of many Australians. In a poll released earlier this week, Albanese's net approval rating had plunged to minus 11 from his previous score of zero in November, while Ley's approval rating - never high - barely budged at minus 28.

The repeated calls for unity by politicians who simultaneously fail to heed their own statements will not have gone unnoticed, and Thursday's display of political infighting is unlikely to improve the fortunes of any party, says Farr.

"It will reinforce the view of so many Australians who already are cynical about what politicians, no matter their party, actually represent and will reinforce the belief that politicians, MPs, just stand for themselves rather than the national good."
Austria intends to step up deportations to Syria and Afghanistan, Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said on Friday.

In 2025, the Alpine country was one of the first in the EU to start sending back asylum seekers from the two countries, in Syria's case since the fall of the al-Assad regime in late 2024.

Such deportations should be the norm, said Karner, who belongs to the conservative Austrian People's Party (OVP), noting that the United Nations had now identified safe regions in Syria.

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Overall, 40 people a day in all categories were deported last year - "more than ever before," said Karner, vowing "zero tolerance" for those who abuse the country's immigration laws.

Some 6,850 people had made initial asylum applications to Austria, the ministry reported, a big drop from the previous year. Some 4,000 asylum seekers were deported in total, leaving on balance just under 3,000 more asylum-seekers in the country over the year.

The number is still too high, said Karner, stating that the goal remains a zero balance.

One indication of the success in the fight against illegal migration is the sharp decline in the number of smugglers arrested, said the minister.

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In 2022 and 2023, the number was around 800 in Austria, while last year 115 smugglers were reportedly arrested.

As in Germany, illegal migration is one of the thorniest domestic policy issues in Austria. According to experts, combating illegal migration is an area where the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPO) stands to score well with citizens.
Federal authorities are accusing a Hopkinton woman with taking part in a multimillion-dollar bank scam.

According to a federal affidavit, Rosemary Parks, 59, impersonated eight Citizens Bank customers by using fake drivers licenses  they contained the customers' names but with Parks' photos on them  to make large withdrawals from customers' accounts in the form of cashier checks.

Parks possessed the customers' bank account numbers and Social Security numbers, according to the affidavit. To alleviate suspicion, authorities say she made small deposits into the customers' accounts several days ahead of making large withdrawals.

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Parks is alleged to stolen more than $536,000 from eight customers between August 2024 and October 2024.

The John Joseph Moakley federal courthouse in Boston.

According to a federal Department of Justice press release, she was arrested as part of a large-scale investigation.

Authorities say several million dollars was stolen

In July, federal authorities arrested six men, who are accused of obtaining bank account and Social Security information for several people. The men then recruited people throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island to pose as the victims. The group is alleged to have stolen several million dollars in all.

A seventh man was arrested on Jan. 15, the same day as Parks.

More: Natick roofer pleads guilty to tax evasion, is sentenced to year in prison

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Parks is charged with three counts of bank fraud and three counts of aggravated identity theft. She made an initial appearance on Jan. 16 in U.S. District Court in Boston. She was released without bail.

If convicted, Parks faces up to 30 years in prison, along with a $1 million fine or twice the gross gain of the money obtained in the commission of the crime.

Parks' lawyer, Joan Griffin, could not be reached for comment.

Parks is due back in court on March 10 for a status conference

Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date public safety news, follow him on X @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerJournalist.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Authorities: Hopkinton woman took $536K from customers' bank accounts
This story was originally published on Food Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Food Dive newsletter.

Dive Brief:

Smithfield Foods is buying hot dog brand Nathans Famous for $450 million in cash, or $102 per share. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2026.

Shane Smith, Smithfields CEO, said the purchase will allow the meat giant to unlock new growth opportunities for its packaged meats business, the Virginia-based companys largest segment.

Smithfield has held an exclusive license to manufacture Nathans Famous within the United States, Canada and Sams Clubs in Mexico since 2014. The license is scheduled to expire in March 2032.

Dive Insight:

The 110-year-old Nathans, best known for its Coney Island hot dog eating contest on Fourth of July, has had a close connection to Smithfield for more than a decade. Now, the pork processor is aiming to cement those ties by acquiring the popular frank brand.

In a statement, Smithfield said the purchase will solidify long-term sales and cash flow, while improving the margins of its packaged meat business. Smithfield also owns Farmland, Eckrich and its namesake brand, among other offerings.

The meat giant also noted that the acquisition will enable it to expand Nathans portfolio to build customer awareness across Smithfields retail and foodservice sales channels. Nathan's all-beef franks also solidify Smithfield's presence in beef, which has been a small part of the pork company's portfolio.

Since entering into our licensing agreement in 2014, we have made significant investments to build and grow the Nathans Famous brand, Smith said. With our manufacturing scale, marketing strength, product innovation capabilities, and retail and foodservice channel expertise, acquiring Nathans Famous will allow us to take the brand to new heights.

The transaction is expected to achieve annual cost synergies of approximately $9 million by the second anniversary of the deal closing.

Nathans, whose hot dogs and other products are sold in stores, theme parks, movie theaters and other outlets, also operates or franchises more than 200 restaurants around the world. In its 2024 fiscal year, the New York-based food maker recorded $148 million in revenue, compared to $14.1 billion in net sales for Smithfield.

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Authorities in Malaysia recently made a troubling discovery off the coast of Batu Pahat, where hundreds of protected animals were found being illegally held, apparently in a wildlife trafficking scheme.

What happened?

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), working alongside the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan), seized 245 protected animals during a joint enforcement operation near the Batu Pahat community in late December, reported Malay Mail.

Agents recovered the animals around 10:30 p.m. at a fish farming platform roughly 1.2 nautical miles southwest of Sungai Suloh. The seizure included 234 oriental magpie robins, 10 pythons, and one monkey, all of which are protected under Malaysia's Wildlife Conservation Act 2010.

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Batu Pahat maritime zone director Commander Mohammad Zaini Zainal said the animals were rescued and transferred to Perhilitan for investigation and further action. "We stress our commitment to curbing all smuggling activities and wildlife trafficking and will continue working with enforcement agencies to preserve the national biodiversity heritage," he said in a statement cited by Malay Mail.

Why is wildlife trafficking concerning?

Smuggling protected animals disrupts the trafficked species as well as entire ecosystems, even potentially putting communities at risk. When wildlife is removed from its natural habitat, food webs can be destabilized, and breeding cycles are interrupted. Plus, when traffickers move species into regions where they don't belong, invasive species can wreak havoc on ecosystems by outcompeting native species. Beyond threatening biodiversity, such impacts can harm nearby human communities that depend on ecosystems for food, livelihoods, and healthy natural resources.

These crimes are often tied to broader illegal networks, putting added strain on enforcement agencies and local residents who can be negatively affected by the criminal activity spreading through their communities.

What's being done about wildlife trafficking?

Malaysian authorities told the news outlet that joint operations such as this one will continue, with maritime patrols and wildlife officers working together to intercept illegal activity  ideally before any animals are actually moved.

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For the public, officials say it's helpful to keep a watchful eye and quickly report any suspicious activity to authorities, particularly in coastal and rural areas targeted by smugglers. On a broader level, conservation experts stress that reducing demand for trafficked wildlife  whether as exotic pets, status symbols, or illegal trade goods  is essential to slowing the destruction of biodiversity and protecting communities that live near the threatened ecosystems.

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.
As a Rhode Island judge heard arguments on who should control the business dealings of The Conjuring House Thursday afternoon, Jan. 22, a fourth front has opened in the legal battle over who will own the haunted house made famous by the 2013 film "The Conjuring."

Elizabeth Greenhalgh, the Utah sister of Conjuring House owner Jacqueline Nunez, has asked a Boston probate court to name her her younger sister's "conservator," a form of legal guardian, to manage Nunez's personal finances.

Greenhalgh filed Tuesday in Suffolk County Probate and Family Court, which covers the area of Nunez's Dorchester home.

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"Her home in Dorchester is under a Writ of Attachment, and her property in Rhode Island is purportedly under agreement for sale through a fraudulently obtained Power of Attorney document," Greenhalgh said in her filing.

Outside that power of attorney, Nunez has now signed two deeds, one in October and one in December, to transfer the property to "Ghost Hunters" star Jason Hawes for $1.3 million. (Hawes had agreed in Rhode Island Superior Court not to use the October deed after Greenhalgh's lawyers raised concerns about the way it was notarized, and his lawyer told a different Superior Court judge Thursday that Nunez had signed a second deed in December, witnessed by a different notary.)

The Conjuring House property on Round Top Road in Burrillville, which inspired a film franchise.

In the probate court filing, Greenhalgh estimated the fair market value of the house at $2 million, calling Hawes' offer too low. Real-estate marketplace Zillow.com estimates the sale price for the Conjuring House at $967,500.

Greenhalgh also referenced the suit she has filed against Hawes in Rhode Island to block the sale, which has a hearing scheduled for Tuesday. Hawes has sought to dismiss that suit, arguing that Greenhalgh lacks legal standing to act on Nunez's behalf. "I need to be appointed Temporary Conservator before that date in order to stave off the Motion to Dismiss and continue the court action in Rhode Island" to block sale of the Round Top Road house in Burrillville, she said.

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"Over the past year and a half, Jacquelines mental health has deteriorated to the point where she is no longer capable of managing her affairs," Greenhalgh said in her filing. "Over the last year and a half Jacqueline has been treated at three separate psychiatric units in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Her e-mails and Facebook posts have grown increasingly bizarre and unhinged, referencing cannibalism, her '87 parents,' her own 'Immaculate Conception,' and her hundreds of children, which include many named famous entertainers."

In a motion to compel Nunez to be examined by a doctor for the probate court, Greenhalgh said, "Jacqueline desperately needs help. Substantial harm will occur to her personally and to her property if someone is not appointed immediately to address her issues."

A Massachusetts judge has scheduled an emergency hearing on Greenhalgh's request for Monday.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, Superior Court Judge Brian P. Stern heard arguments in another case about control of The Conjuring House.

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That case was filed by YouTuber Elton Castee, a friend of comedian Matt Rife, who together have said they bought another paranormal site in Monroe, Connecticut, the former home of self-described demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren. Through his company, Summit & Stone LLC, Castee is seeking to put Bale Fire LLC, the company Nunez formed to buy the house, into receivership, a state form of bankruptcy. A receiver would have the power to craft a sale of the house, absent the issues raised in Greenhalgh's Superior Court lawsuit.

At least twice, Stern asked lawyers why he should interfere with Hawes' deal to buy the house from Nunez. "If there's a valid contract between parties, why would I put it into receivership?" the judge asked.

Vincent A. Indeglia, a lawyer for Castee's company, and Daniel E. Burgoyne, who represents Needham Bank, which loaned Nunez $1.22 million to buy the house before purportedly selling the mortgage to Castee, said that the lawsuits swirling around the property could take months, if not longer, to be resolved, time during which Castee's company is not collecting mortgage payments and the house is sitting empty.

"At least we'll have a status quo and an organized process," Indeglia said.

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"This would bring some order to the chaos regarding the future of this property," Burgoyne said later in the hearing.

Stern asked about the state of the house and whether it's being maintained while the cases proceed in court.

"It would meet the definition, in my humble opinion, of being abandoned," Indeglia said.

Hawes' lawyer, Nicole Labonte, said the situation is not appropriate for receivership. "The purpose of this receivership is not because this is an insolvent LLC who can't pay its debts."

She pointed out that Hawes' sale would give Nunez enough to pay off her mortgage, with money to spare. Castee is "tortiously interfering in this purchase and sales agreement," she said. "His intention is to own the property."

Stern did not immediately rule, promising a decision soon.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: 4 judges now handling cases deciding Conjuring House fate
Naysayers blasted the logo for Donald Trumps Board of Peace after the president inaugurated the group Thursday in Davos, Switzerland.

Here it is as presented at the World Economic Summit:

MANDEL NGAN via Getty Images

The intent of the organization is to galvanize nations behind a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, but many U.S. allies are avoiding the fledgling group.

Still, Trump claimed everyone wants to be a part of something that could rival the United Nations.

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In the meantime, he might want to work on the emblem. One critic called it Beyond parody for looking like the UN logo repainted in tacky fake gold and with the world reduced to only North America.

Beyond parody: Trump's "Board of Peace" logo is basically the UN logo repainted in tacky fake gold and with "the world" reduced to only North America. pic.twitter.com/t6e66oNbe8  Arnaud Bertrand (@RnaudBertrand) January 22, 2026

Others called it AI slop and something that belongs in several places but not on an international effort for global harmony.

When it comes to appreciating the design, it definitely appears there wont be peace in our time.

Check out more of the comments:

Trumps "Board of Peace" logo looks like something you unlock in an unlicensed FIFA game called World Soccer Legends or something pic.twitter.com/YFQ16OBTYx  Etan Nechin (@Etanetan23) January 22, 2026

Is it just me or does the "Board of Peace" logo look like it should have been lifted from Rodney Dangerfield's golf shirt? pic.twitter.com/1qwp1gtBo1  Robert Young Pelton (@RYP__) January 22, 2026

The "Board of Peace" logo looks a lot more like a logo from Star Trek than the UN emblem, am I rught? pic.twitter.com/Bp8Kno32vc  Jeremy Democritus (@EthicsArbitrage) January 22, 2026

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Another surreal Trumpian day.



Board of Peace logo is perfectly evocative:



An America First Western Hemisphere that includes US territorial demands (Venezuela, Canada and Greenland)



Olive branches ripped from the UN.



And of course, Trumpian Gold! pic.twitter.com/EclBqORfQW  Hugh Lovatt (@h_lovatt) January 22, 2026

theres no way, that the Board of Peace logo was created by a graphic designer. pic.twitter.com/9NZtkO11fr  Michael Boegl (@michaelboegl) January 22, 2026

Trumps "Board of Peace" logo is basically the UN logo, except dipped in gold and edited so the world only includes America. pic.twitter.com/8XaHk2MmWj  Adam Schwarz (@AdamJSchwarz) January 22, 2026

Trump's #BoardOfPeace" logo: Golden color with an America-centric "international community".



The United Nations logo represents the shared vision of mankind and the real international community on this blue planet. pic.twitter.com/aUgY4114R0  Shen Shiwei  (@shen_shiwei) January 22, 2026

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Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
Rep. Austin Baeth, D-Des Moines, an internal medicine physician, spoke in opposition to a bill on establishing over-the-counter dispensing of ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine at a subcommittee meeting Jan. 22, 2026 with Rep. Eddie Andrews, R-Johnston, (right) and Rep. Brett Barker, R-Nevada. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Lawmakers advanced a bill Thursday for dispensing hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin without a prescription after medical professionals and advocates spoke on the proposal at a House subcommittee meeting Thursday.

House File 2056 would require the state medical director to establish a standing order for the dispensing of hydroxychloroquine, a prescription drug typically used in treating malaria and managing autoimmune diseases, and ivermectin, typically used to treat parasitic infections.

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Both drugs, approved for certain human uses in specific settings, became the focal point of debates following the coronavirus pandemic as some sources claimed these drugs could be used to prevent or treat symptoms COVID-19. While certain initial research showed a correlation between these drugs and positive outcomes for COVID-19 health care, further studies have not found either drug to be effective in preventing the spread or alleviating the severity of symptoms of COVID.

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The proposal would require a pharmacist to dispense these two drugs to patients age 18 or older at their request, and could not require the patient to have a prescription from a medical practitioner or to schedule an appointment prior to dispensing the drug  nor could a pharmacist maintain a record of their encounter with a patient requesting hydroxychloroquine or ivermectin.

While the bill states pharmacists dispensing these drugs under the standing order would be immune from criminal and civil liabilities for any damages caused by the dispensing or use of these drugs, medical advocates opposed the bill, saying the measure would require them to give these drugs to patients  even when they know the patient could suffer adverse side effects or have negative reactions due to interactions with other prescriptions.

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Wes Pilkington, the owner of Evans Crossing Pharmacy and president of the Iowa Pharmacy Association, said the bills language stating, notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a pharmacist shall dispense these drugs was particularly concerning.

The phrase shall dispense removes professional judgment at the very point where pharmacists are legally and ethically obligated to evaluate patient safety, Pilkington said. Pharmacists are not vending machines. We are licensed health care professionals whose role is to ensure medications are safe and appropriate before they reach the patient.

These two drugs in particular carry many potential risks for consumers, Pilkington said. Patients taking ivermectin are at risk of severe skin reactions, drops in blood pressure, central nervous system depression and neurotoxicity, he said, and risks are increased when people take increased dosages of the drug.

Hydroxychloroquine presents even more significant concerns, Pilkington said, as the drug presents risks of overdose and can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias, severe hypoglycemia, blood disorders, irreversible retinal damage, lung disease, acute liver failure and kidney injury, especially among elderly patients.

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The drug has enough risks that patients taking the medication as prescribed regularly require routine eye exams, periodic blood counts, monitoring for heart toxicity and kidney function, as well as muscle strength and reflex testing, he said. By not allowing pharmacists to practice clinical judgment in dispensing these drugs, Pilkington said the bill raises critical unanswered questions.

What prevents a patient from following high dose recommendations found online and obtaining repeated prescriptions, he said. What stops them from visiting multiple pharmacies or obtaining a new prescription every week or every month? What happens when an elderly patient with known cardiac or kidney disease (requests) one of these medications, and I know that medication will cause them harm? This bill states that pharmacists would carry no legal liability for patient harm, but legal immunity does not erase our moral and professional responsibility to protect patients.

Rep. Eddie Andrews, R-Johnston, who is running for governor, said other medicines currently available for purchase without a prescription also have side effects.

I mean, just the ones that we all know about, Tylenol, ibuprofen, they have a long laundry list of side effects, from liver (problems) to  asthma, to blood pressure to cardiovascular risk, to stomach and GI issues, Andrews asked. What separates this one, and why are those okay?

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Medical professionals and pharmacists at the meeting said the rate of developing adverse side effects  and the severity and risk of those side effects, like cardiac arrhythmias caused by hydroxychloroquine  are far higher than other drugs currently available over the counter.

Lindsay Maher with the group Informed Choice Iowa, said several states have passed laws allowing over-the-counter dispensing of ivermectin and claimed research continues worldwide to uncover the various diseases that ivermectin is capable of treating. She also said as ivermectin has established efficacy for proven uses  largely regarding parasitic infections  that requiring doctors visits and prescriptions to access the drug adds unnecessary burdens and delays treatments and could increase costs by not allowing these things to be over-the-counter.

It has serious side effects. That is true. A lot of things do. They are  abundantly rare, though, in standard human doses, Maher said.

She also pointed to language in the bill requiring the manufacturers label be included in the product, meaning patients can evaluate the full safety profile of the drug themselves.

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Rep. Austin Baeth, D-Des Moines, an internal medicine physician, said the bill was mandated medical malpractice.

This bill is a group of politicians forcing a medical director to commit malpractice, and then forcing pharmacists to commit malpractice when a pharmacist is forced to give that drug when they know it might be harming that patient, Baeth said. Think of the ethical and moral situation of these pharmacists, when they know this patient might have Long QT syndrome or (theres) a drug that theyre already taking that might interact with ivermectin or hydroxychloroquine. And yet, because this group of politicians in this Capitol is forcing them to give it to that patient, that pharmacist has to harm them against the oath that they took.

Rep. Brett Barker, R-Nevada, a pharmacist, said he also had strong concerns about the bill as written.

Barker, the former executive director of the Iowa Pharmacy Association, said he believes pharmacists have a responsibility to ensure the safety and appropriateness of every prescription that they provide to a patient, and that the bills requirement that pharmacists shall dispense these drugs even if it goes against their professional judgement was a problem.

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He also said he believed the measure could set a dangerous precedent, saying the measure would conflict with other bills supported by Republicans in previous sessions on issues like medical conscience, or could create problems if pharmacists were required to dispense abortion drugs.

While Barker did not sign off on the bill at the subcommittee meeting, he signed off on the measure later Thursday with a recommendation for amendment. Andrews said he believes concerns about the current language can be addressed during the amendment process for the bill.

The measure moves to the House Health and Human Services Committee for further consideration.

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The U.S. Department of the Interior has said it will revoke the grazing permits that have allowed American Prairie to run bison on roughly 63,000 acres of federal public land in Montana. This decision would affect seven parcels managed by the Bureau of Land Management in Phillips County, and it would hinder the organizations larger goals of conserving large swaths of intact grasslands while restoring the native grazers to those landscapes.

The Interiors rationale for yanking the permits, according to its Jan. 16 proposed decision, is that under the Taylor Grazing Act, the BLM can only issue grazing permits for livestock managed for production-oriented purposes. It claims that American Prairies emphasis on conservation runs counter to those purposes.

American Prairie CEO Alison Fox criticized this reasoning as both unfair and inconsistent with long-standing public-lands grazing practices in Montana. She said in a response to the decision that it creates uncertainty, not just for American Prairie  which has been grazing bison using federal leases since 2005  but for all other livestock owners in the West. She added that American Prairie plans to protest the decision and will take further legal action, if necessary.

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This is a slippery slope, Fox said in a statement shared with Outdoor Life. When federal agencies begin changing how the rules are applied after the process is complete, it undermines confidence in the system for everyone who relies on public lands. Montana livestock owners deserve clarity, fairness, and decisions they can count on.

As Americas largest land mammal, bison are uniquely equipped to survive on the prairie. Photo courtesy Dennis Lingohr / American Prairie

The grazing permits now in limbo were approved by the BLM in 2022 after years of analysis and public comment. The agency noted in its record of decision that the feeding habits of bison could lead to habitat improvements there, and that it had granted similar bison grazing permits on BLM lands in Colorado, North Dakota, Wyoming, and other Western states.

This approval, however, drew intense pushback from industry livestock groups and politicians in Montana, who considered it a radical proposal and an attack on the states ranchers. Those same groups challenged the BLMs approval in court, and they are now celebrating the Interiors more recent decision  one that was signaled in December, when Interior secretary Doug Burgum used his authority to assume jurisdiction over the long-running legal battle.

[This] decision by the BLM is a win for Montanas ranchers, our agricultural producers, and the rule of law, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte said in a press release praising the decision.

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At the heart of this dispute are the livestock industrys concerns around the impacts that bison could have on traditional grazing operations. American Prairies director of public affairs Beth Saboe says these concerns tend to be misplaced, and that the organization has proven over the past 20 years that cows and bison can  and do  coexist on the prairie.

Saboe explains that of the 600,000 acres in Montana that American Prairie manages, over 500,000 acres are being leased back to local cattle ranchers. The vast majority of the organizations habitat base is public land, and American Prairies long-term goal is to stitch together both public and private holdings to establish a sprawling conservation reserve benefitting wildlife, ranchers, and the American public.

There are 25 ranching families who run their cows on those leases, and its somewhere around 8,000 head of cattle, says Saboe, who comes from a ranching family herself. We know this region is very important to the livestock industry and the ag economy. What were saying is we can be additive. Were not taking that land out of production.

American Prairies bison are classified, regulated, and managed as livestock in Montana. Photo courtesy Mike Kautz / American Prairie

The organization also takes issue with the Interiors core argument for revoking the grazing leases, which is that American Prairies bison are a conservation herd (emphasis added by the Interior), and not a domestic livestock herd used for commercial purposes. Saboe says these bison are actually classified and regulated as livestock by the state of Montana, and that short of sending these animals to market, they are also managed in the same manner as a production operation. This includes trading the animals with tribes and other organizations, and, when possible, donating bison meat to local food banks.

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Weve also offered public bison harvests, where we give between 20 and 25 tags per year, Saboe says. The tags are distributed through a lottery system, and successful applicants pay $300 per tag. So, one, theyre paying for the tag. And two, theyre getting the meat. Weve also donated numerous harvests to local charities as raffle items  Those charities have raised more than $150,000 over the last eight years.

Read Next: After More Than a Century of Conservation Efforts, Why Cant We Recover Americas Buffalo?

This would seem to align with the Interiors own definition, included in its recent decision, of animals to be grazed and used for production-oriented purposes: That would include their being used for their meat, milk, fiber, or other animal products. And its only part of the economic value that these herds bring to Americas public land owners. Bison contribute to healthier grasslands, which in turn provide more opportunities for hunters, ranchers, and the prairies other inhabitants.

There arent many places left on the planet where intact prairie grasslands have been saved, and where this type of landscape-scale conservation is possible. Montana, and this section of the Northern Great Plains, is one of them, Saboe says. How will people feel knowing that our federal government has just said that our national mammal cant graze on our public lands?
The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 1, 2025. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

A physician recruiter and leader of the states higher education oversight board announced Friday she intends to run for Congress.

Misti Cordell

Misti Cordell of Monroe, chair of the Louisiana Board of Regents, will seek the 5th Congressional District seat U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow is vacating to run for U.S. Senate. State Sen. Rick Edmonds, R-Baton Rouge, also declared this week he will enter the race.

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Cordell, 52, owns a health care consulting business and was appointed to the Board of Regents by Gov. Jeff Landry, who Cordell worked with when he was attorney general. She was also part of his health and hospitals transition team after he was elected governor.

A member of the Republican State Central Committee, Cordell was a delegate in support of President Donald Trump at the Republican National Conventions in 2020 and 2024.

It is a critical time for our country, Cordell said in a statement. President Trump is under constant attack by the extreme left. Radical voices in Washington are pushing policies that undermine our values, our economy and our families. We need strong Republicans who will stand up for common sense, defend America-First principles and fight back. We need leaders from the real world, not more career politicians. As a Republican leader and small business owner, I believe now is the time to step forward.

In her announcement, Cordell said she would focus on defending President Trump from partisan impeach attacks, cutting taxes, protecting the right to life and womens sports, and restoring parental rights in education, among other priorities.

She is the first announced candidate of note from Northeast Louisiana for the congressional district that reaches from that area down to the Capital region.






Jan. 22Arnoldo Tiul Caal dropped his daughter off for school at Logan Elementary the morning of Jan. 9 with the unnerving sense that they were being followed.

After seeing 10-year-old Karla Tiul Baltazar off to her class, Tiul Caal didn't make it back to their nearby apartment before he was stopped by federal immigration agents, detained and taken to a Border Patrol office in North Spokane.

Tiul Caal has been in Spokane for six years, said Olga Lucia Herrera, who has been volunteering to help him through court proceedings and regular check-ins with immigration officials in that time. He does not have a criminal record.

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He has an active asylum case and a court date for 2027, a valid work permit and a Social Security number, Herrera said. He had made nearly every appointment for a regular check-in with immigration officials, except for a recent date around the holidays when he was having phone problems.

"He was afraid this would happen," Herrera said of Tiul Caal's detention.

He waited at the Customs and Border Patrol Spokane sector headquarters for three hours, head full of unanswered questions. He worried about Karla, who was born in Guatemala and is otherwise alone in the United States.

"I had told him, 'If this ever happens, you're going to cry, scream and beg them, because you cannot leave your daughter,'" Herrera said. "So he did that. He said, 'I cannot leave my daughter. I cannot leave.' "

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Agents allowed Tiul Caal to pick Karla up from school and told him to come back the next day, Herrera said. He signed papers saying he would leave the country voluntarily. But Herrera said he was coerced.

"He says, 'They're going to come and get me and they threatened me, they said they would separate me from my daughter if I didn't go,' " Herrera said.

The next day, Herrera drove Tiul Caal and his daughter back to the Border Patrol headquarters with two bags of belongings each, all the while still trailed by an off-duty immigration agent, Herrera said. They were again detained and later transported to an immigration processing facility in Dilley, Texas, where they now await a court date in March.

Herrera said 10-year-old Karla is stressed thinking of the school she's missing.

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"She would at least want to finish elementary school," Herrera said.

Spokane Public Schools board member Nikki Otero Lockwood held a moment of silence at Wednesday's board meeting after she learned of the young student's detention.

"The child's absence is deeply felt by classmates, educators and a school community that is grieving and trying to make sense of this loss," Lockwood said.

Karla is an "amazing" girl and left everyone with that impression, Herrera said. She came to Spokane at 4 years old and eventually enrolled in school and learned English. She loves books, Herrera said, and was teaching herself to write Japanese characters.

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One of the last times they spoke, Herrera said Karla was excited to see her mom and sister who live in Guatemala, but she was mostly scared.

"She said, 'I'm just afraid that they're going to make fun of me, because I think I understand English better than Spanish.' "

Herrera said Karla "was saying goodbye to everything she knew with that kind of innocent certainty only a child has."

Jennyfer Mesa, executive director of Latinos en Spokane, said she has been in contact with the family almost every day since their detainment.

Mesa, who has known the family for years, said the nonprofit has been providing them legal guidance and support in hopes of making their process less anxiety-inducing and stressful.

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"She is one of the sweetest girls," Mesa said of the young student. "I always have this image of her just riding her bike to and from school, rain or shine, even in the snow."

"We've seen her grow up; it's just absolutely heartbreaking," she said.

Karla is now one of the 1,700 children in custody since family detention centers reopened in April.

Tiul Caal supported his daughter through work as a roofer in Spokane, but work is slow in the colder months. Herrera is not sure specifically why the pair fled Guatemala to seek asylum in the United States. Many asylum-seekers cite dangerous conditions in their home countries or a lack of work that puts their families at risk of starvation, Herrera said.

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Tiul Caal and Karla came to the U.S. from a rural part of Guatemala in the jungle. His native language is Q'eqchi', an indigenous Mayan language used by some 1 million people in Guatemala, according to the University of Virginia Institute of World Languages.

Tiul Caal will likely remain in detention until his next court hearing slated for March 9 under immigration Judge Veronica Marie Segovia.

Segovia, who was appointed as an immigration judge in November 2023, is known for denying immigrants asylum in the U.S., and more often than other immigration judges across the board.

Segovia denied a Turkish immigrant's asylum case in 2025, despite the Department of Homeland Security stating the immigrant had met the legal requirements for asylum, according to a report by the Guardian. Segovia suggested the immigrant's rape, torture and beatings he experienced in Turkey were "not as bad" as the report states.

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Segovia saw 193 cases in the first 11 months of 2025. She granted other forms of relief for eight of those cases, but only granted full asylum for one of them, according to data from the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, a nonpartisan research center.

Her asylum denial rates are also significantly higher than her counterparts, data shows. Segovia denied 36% more asylum claims than other immigration judges across the U.S. in that same time period.

The Texas processing center is crowded, Tiul Caal told Mesa, with many detainees falling ill because of poor conditions.

"This case is particularly eye-opening for many of us, because I've been hearing rumors about ICE not engaging anymore in family separation, and now it seems like the tactic is to just deport everyone together," Mesa said.

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The facility in question, the South Texas Family Residential Center, is currently the center of a lawsuit from migrants held there alleging they have limited access to clean drinking water, poor medical care and are given food with worms and mold.

Ryan Lancaster, spokesman for Spokane Public Schools, said the district is committed to keeping schools safe and welcoming regardless of a student's immigration status.

"We're saddened to learn that circumstances involving immigration enforcement will prevent one of our students from completing the school year with their classmates," he said. "Our focus remains on supporting students, staff and families by maintaining safe, inclusive spaces where every student can learn and belong."

Spokane Public Schools has an explicit policy preventing immigration enforcement agents from entering district schools and barring staff from working with them. The policy was last amended in March 2024 to the fanfare of many Latinos in the community after several families complained that a Border Patrol agent gave a career presentation at a school.

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Board President Jenny Slagle said she is holding Tiul Caal and Karla in her thoughts. Karla leaves behind more than an empty desk in her classroom at Logan.

"It definitely impacts all of us as humans and as students who are there to learn, and educators who are building these relationships are also being harmed," Slagle said.

Reporter Alexandra Duggan contributed to this article.

Elena Perry's work is funded in part by members of the Spokane community via the Community Journalism and Civic Engagement Fund. This story can be republished by other organizations for free under a Creative Commons license. For more information on this, please contact our newspaper's managing editor.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has been one of the most vocal critics of President Donald Trump since his return to office last year. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent argues its a sign of Newsoms weakness.

I think Gavin Newsom may be cracking up, some of these things hes saying. I think he may be in over his hairdo, Bessent said in an interview Thursday with POLITICOs Dasha Burns for The Conversation."

Trumps top economic adviser said that Newsom, a potential 2028 presidential candidate and longstanding Trump foe, has a brain the size of a walnut and that he knows less about economics than former Vice President Kamala Harris, which he clarified is a terrible place to be in.

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The attacks are the latest in a simmering feud between Trump and Newsom, which escalated over the course of the week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Newsom was scheduled to speak at USA House on Wednesday as part of the conference, but his appearance was cancelled at the last minute. Newsom blamed the Trump administration, but an organizer said they decided to focus on programming with business leaders.

At Davos, Newsom met with world leaders, as did Bessent and Trump.

Upon arriving, Newsom urged European leaders not to cave to Trumps demands over a wide-range of foreign policy issues. In a panel at the conference, the California governor brandished a pair of kneepads bearing Trumps signature to mock world leaders he feels have been overly accommodating of the president.

Bessent dismissed the strange things Newsom has said to attack Trump, including the knee pad stunt and a comment in which Newsom analogized Trump to a dinosaur.

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To say strange things like President Trump is a tyrannosaurus rex, what the hell does that mean? I can say Gavin Newsom is a brontosaurus with a brain the size of a walnut, Bessent said. And, if you brought the knee pads, maybe that was for his meeting with Alex Soros.

Bessent also defended the Trump administration from criticisms that theyre out of touch with the economic concerns of Americans. During a panel in Davos, Bessent said the administration wants to protect the investments of mom and pop retirees who may have purchased 5, 10, 12 homes.

In his defense, Bessent took another opportunity to swipe at Newsom, who he labeled Patrick Bateman meets Sparkle Beach Ken during a speech earlier at the conference.

I think it was a Dem governor, Newsom, who made the comment of being out of touch. What does he know? Like, his father worked for the Getty family, Bessent said. I actually think he knows less about economics than Kamala Harris, which is a terrible place to be in.

The full interview with Bessent will air on "The Conversation."
Sir Keir Starmer has not taken part in Donald Trumps signing ceremony for his Gaza board of peace over concerns about the inclusion of Vladimir Putin, in what will be viewed as a snub to the US president.

Trump signed the document on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum on Thursday at a ceremony attended by Tony Blair, who was named on the board, as well as Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner and US secretary of state Marco Rubio.

The prime minister has expressed concerns about the board in recent days, with his spokesperson telling reporters that Britain was still looking at the terms.

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Foreign secretary Yvette Cooper cited unease about the Russian president being part of something which is talking about peace.

Mr Putin was also not present. The Kremlin has acknowledged an invitation to the board and is studying the details to seek clarity of all the nuances, according to spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.

The US president signed the document on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum at a ceremony attended by Tony Blair, who was controversially named on the board (Getty)

The board of peace was originally laid out by Mr Trump as a small group of world leaders who would oversee the reconstruction of Gaza, but has since developed into playing a broader role.

At the ceremony, Trump claimed just about every country wants to be a part of the newly formed board, adding that once it is completely formed: We can do pretty much whatever we want to do.

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When America booms, the entire world booms, Trump told the gathering. This board has the chance to be one of the most consequential bodies ever created and its my enormous honour to serve as its chairman.

Countries represented on stage included: Bahrain, Azerbaijan, Hungary, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Uzbekistan and Mongolia (AFP/Getty)

Mr Trump extended invitations to dozens of nations and suggested the board could soon mediate various international conflicts, akin to a pseudo-UN Security Council.

Around 35 countries have committed to join including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Turkey and Belarus.

Senior officials from 19 countries were introduced as founding members of the collective that Trump is set to oversee.

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Countries represented on stage at the ceremony included: Bahrain, Morocco, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Hungary, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Pakistan, Paraguay, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, UAE, Uzbekistan and Mongolia.

The event featured Ali Shaath, the head of a new, future technocratic government in Gaza, announcing that the Rafah border crossing will open in both directions next week. But there was no confirmation of that from Israel, which said only that it would consider the matter.

Yvette Cooper said Britain will not take part because of concerns about President Putin being part of something which is talking about peace (PA)

Norway, Sweden and France have said they will not join the board for now as tensions rise between the US and Nato over Trumps desire to own Greenland.

Italy is also set to reject the invitation, according to national paper Corriere della Sera.

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French officials stressed that while they support the Gaza peace plan, they were concerned the board could seek to replace the UN as the main venue for resolving conflicts.

Sir Keir Starmer has expressed concerns about the board in recent days, with his spokesperson telling reporters that the UK was still looking at the terms (PA Wire)

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, who was also invited to join, said it was hard for him to imagine being together with Russia on this or another board.

UN officials have so far dismissed concerns that Trump is trying to sidestep the organisation, saying it is unlikely that decades of multilateral peacebuilding with the participation of more than 190 member countries could be replaced.

Mr Trump insisted the board will work in conjunction with the United Nations and added: Ive always said the United Nations has got tremendous potential, has not used it, but theres tremendous potential in the United Nations, and you have some great people at the United Nations, but so far, it hasnt.

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Farhan Haq, UN deputy spokesperson, said: There have been any number of organisations  regional organisations, defence alliances and others  that have coexisted with the UN over the 80 years that the UNs been in existence.

Trump's push for peace also comes after he threatened military action this month against Iran as it carried out a violent crackdown against some of the largest street protests in years, killing thousands of people.

Trump, for the time being, has signaled he won't carry out any new strikes on Iran after he said he received assurances that the Islamic government would not carry out the planned hangings of more than 800 protesters.
Brown water issues are reportedly burdening residents of military housing on certain bases as the military continues its campaign to improve service member quality of life.

Personnel who live in base housing have long cited struggles with lackluster living conditions, but recent photos from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst show a alarming trend of water discoloration.

At least four pictures of murky water from residents at Joint Base MDL circulated on the popular Air Force amn/nco/snco page this past month, prompting United Communities, which operates privatized military housing on the base, to address the issue in a statement.

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We are working in close coordination with Joint Base leadership and their water team to resolve water discoloration issues as they arise, the Jan. 9 statement reads.

United Communities pointed at the installation as the water provider and stated that the base is responsible for the water plant and overall quality of water. The organization added that they only own and maintain the water mains within the housing areas.

A Joint Base MDL official confirmed the authenticity of the memo to Military Times on Friday and shared a copy.

Access to safe, reliable water is a basic expectation, and when issues arise our top priority is to respond quickly and in coordination with our United Communities housing partners, base officials said in a statement provided by the spokesperson. We are actively engaged to ensure both immediate and long-term solutions are in place.

(Courtesy of Air Force amn/nco/snco)

United Communities noted in the memo that they recently contracted with Paetzold Construction to run an additional water line within certain neighborhoods. That project is set to begin within the next month, with completion slated for late winter, the memo stated.

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This new line will improve the water loop and ensure a continuous flow of water in and out of the neighborhood, the statement says.

The base spokesperson, meanwhile, told Military Times the discoloration is believed to be from sediment in portions of the water distribution system.

The upgrades, like the new main water line designed to create a better loop, are meant to improve the continuous flow of water and prevent sediment from settling in the pipes, the spokesperson added.

The United Communities statement claims that residents can run cold water until the discoloration clears, and adds that those impacted should avoid running hot water to prevent sediment from entering the water heater. The housing manager also noted that a maintenance team can flush the residents water heater if hot water continues to be discolored.

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In response to how long water discoloration issues have been reported at the base, the spokesperson said isolated reports can occur at any installation, but the base is focused on a permanent solution.

The infrastructure upgrades currently underway are the result of a deliberate engineering and planning process designed to address the root cause of the issue and ensure the long-term reliability of the system for our families, the spokesperson said.

(Courtesy of Air Force amn/nco/snco)

The McGuire Drinking Water System obtains water from the Potomac-Raritan-Magothy aquifer, a groundwater source, according to the bases latest water consumer confidence report.

The latest water consumer confidence report for Joint Base MDL, which was published in June 2025, monitored the water from Jan. 1, 2024 to Dec. 31, 2024. It found that the tap water met the drinking health standards for the Environmental Protection Agency and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

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The base spokesperson said the McGuire Drinking Water system is regularly tested in accordance with the EPA in the Safe Drinking Water Act and the NJDEP Safe Drinking Water Act Rules.

But in an independent water quality testing conducted by TapWaterData, it found that even though Joint Base MDLs water meets all federal standards, it still contains four contaminants above EPAs health-based guidance.

That test recommended that a certified water filter be used to reduce exposure. The platforms data was last updated at the end of March 2024.

Issues with base housing are not new to service members, as others have recently claimed to face similar challenges.

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On other bases around the country, there have been reports of black mold, contaminated water and asbestos in the ceilings and walls, resulting in health and readiness issues for residents as well as out-of-pocket costs.

In October 2025, Change the Air Foundation conducted a survey of 3,401 service members and families from 57 military installations across 30 states and Washington, D.C. to determine the effectiveness of the current systems and policies in place for military housing.

The survey found that at least 97% of those surveyed had at least one significant or dangerous issue in their military housing, with over 50% reporting water damage and 35% reporting water contamination, discoloration and unusual taste or odor.

After my son went to the ER twice in a week for very elevated heart rate, we emergency evacuated out of our house, an active Marine service member in Florida said of their housing in the survey.

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Congress is aware of this issue, with a proposed law introduced on Jan. 15 coined the Military Occupancy Living Defense Act, or MOLD ACT.

The act would require privatized military housing companies to bear all financial responsibility for mandated mold inspections and refund military families payments made through their Basic Allowance for Housing when their previous homes were uninhabitable.

It would also require the Defense Department to establish standards for acceptable levels of humidity, ventilation, dampness and water intrusion.

But certain topics in the legislation, like reimbursement, have faced questions from legal experts and military families on proper enforcement.
US pork processor Smithfield Foods has struck a deal to acquire hot-dog brand Nathans Famous.

In a statement issued yesterday (21 January), the WH Group subsidiary said it will purchase all Nathans Famous for $102 per share. The all-cash transaction values the business at around $450m.

Smithfield already has the rights to manufacture and sell Nathans Famous products in the US and Canada and at Sam's Club stores in Mexico since March 2014.

The licence is due to expire in March 2032.

Shane Smith, the president and CEO of Smithfield, said: Since entering into our licencing agreement in 2014, we have made significant investments to build and grow the Nathans Famous brand.

With our manufacturing scale, marketing strength, product innovation capabilities, and retail and foodservice channel expertise, acquiring Nathans Famous will allow us to take the brand to new heights.

Smithfield expects the deal to be immediately accretive to its adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations, adding it will "drive growth" in its packaged meats business unit.

The company projects annual cost synergies of about $9m by the second anniversary of closing.

The Nathans Famous acquisition is a meaningful step in the progression of Smithfield Foods allowing us to own all of the top brands in our packaged meats portfolio and unlock new growth opportunities for our largest segment, added Smith.

Nathans Famous distributes its products across all 50 US states and the District of Columbia.

The brand is also present in 21 other countries through restaurants, foodservice programmes and licensing deals.

In fiscal 2025, the company reported a net profit of $24m and revenues of $148.2m.

Members of the Nathans Famous board of directors, who collectively own or control around 29.9% of the companys outstanding shares, have entered into a voting agreement to support the deal.

Eric Gatoff, the CEO of Nathans Famous, said: This combination is a natural fit and provides a compelling valuation for Nathans Famous stockholders.

"Smithfield Foods pounces for Nathans Famous hot dogs" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand.




WARSAW, Poland  In a bid to bolster the countrys Black Sea coast defense capabilities, the Bulgarian government has approved a project to purchase the Naval Strike Missile coastal defense system for the nations military.

The procurement, which is to be carried out as a government-to-government deal with the United States, is estimated to be worth around $205 million, according to the countrys outgoing Defense Minister Atanas Zaprianov.

Following the Cabinets decision, the acquisition of anti-ship missiles developed by Norways Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace will now be submitted for clearance by the National Assembly, Bulgarias unicameral parliament. Zaprianov said that payments for the missiles are expected to be concentrated in the years 2029 to 2030, local news outlet Novinite - Sofia News Agency reported.

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The caretaker government which approved the program is fulfilling its responsibilities until a new Cabinet is formed following a snap election anticipated for this spring. At the same time, given Bulgarias broad political consensus on the planned procurement, the parliament vote is expected to be a formality.

Last July, the U.S. State Department approved the foreign military sale of the Naval Strike Missile system and related gear for an estimated cost of $620 million. The authorized package includes missiles in several variants, mobile fire control centers with associated communications equipment, launch and transport vehicles, Link-16 multifunctional information distribution systems  joint tactical radio systems (MIDS-JTRS), as well as related training and spare parts assistance.

Amid Russias increasingly belligerent activities in the Black Sea, Bulgaria is set to join its neighbor Romania which has also purchased Naval Strike Missiles for its armed forces. The weapon is a sea-skimming, over-the-horizon missile enabled with a range that exceeds 185 kilometers (115 miles), according to data from Kongsberg.
(This story was updated to add new information.)

California is challenging an agency under the Department of Transportation for giving the green light to a company to restart pumping oil through pipelines officials said have been federalized.

Against the backdrop of ocean waves at Dockweiler State Beach, Attorney General Rob Bonta said on Friday, Jan. 23 that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has unlawfully given Sable Offshore Corp. the green light to restart pumping oil through two onshore pipelines that start from Santa Barbara County and end in Kern County.

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In a petition for review filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, the attorney general argued that PHMSA issued an order to assume federal jurisdiction over a pair of pipelines.

According to Bonta, these pipelines are solely located in California and yet it has been reclassified as interstate. He described the move as lawfully federalizing the pipelines and usurped state control.

"This pipeline was regulated for decades, under both Republican and Democratic administrations, as an interstate pipeline," a PHMSA spokesperson said in an email to the USA TODAY Network. "The Las Flores pipeline was only redesignated as intrastate in 2016 when it was taken out of service. Based on the facts presented by Sable in their letter to us last November, PHMSA agreed with the operator that returning the pipeline to our jurisdiction was appropriate."

It comes after the Trump administration began unveiling plans to restart oil operations off Californias coast, a move that quickly prompted concern from advocates who warn the move could harm the environment, including through oil spills.

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PHMSAs approval of Sables restart of this potentially dangerous pipeline is the latest example of Trump doing the oil industrys bidding, Bonta said.

One of the pipelines previously ruptured, which led to the Refugio oil spill along the states coast in 2015, Bonta said.

A massive fire erupted on Oct. 2 at an oil refinery in Southern California, producing giant flames visible across the Los Angeles basin. At about 9:32 p.m. local time, a fire was spotted at the Chevron refinery in El Segundo, located about 20 miles southwest of downtown Los Angeles, the El Segundo Police Department told USA TODAY. Multiple fire departments worked to suppress the blaze, police said.



The fire was later contained.

Flames and smoke from a large fire rises from the Chevron refinery, in El Segundo, California, October 2, 2025. A police vehicle drives on a road as smoke rises from the Chevron refinery, after a large fire broke out at the refinery, in El Segundo, California, October 2, 2025. Firefighters work to contain a large fire that broke out at the Chevron refinery, in El Segundo, California, October 2, 2025. Flames and smoke from a large fire rises from the Chevron refinery, in El Segundo, California, October 2, 2025. A ladder of a firefighting vehicle is partially covered by smoke from the fire that broke out at the Chevron refinery, in El Segundo, California, October 2, 2025. Massive fire breaks out at Chevron's oil refinery. See the intense flames and smoke. 1 of 6 A massive fire erupted on Oct. 2 at an oil refinery in Southern California, producing giant flames visible across the Los Angeles basin. At about 9:32 p.m. local time, a fire was spotted at the Chevron refinery in El Segundo, located about 20 miles southwest of downtown Los Angeles, the El Segundo Police Department told USA TODAY. Multiple fire departments worked to suppress the blaze, police said.



The fire was later contained.



Sable, which is headquartered in Houston, said on its website that restarting both the Santa Ynez Unit and the Las Flores Pipeline System  the latter the subject of Bontas legal challenge on Jan. 23  will bring critical energy and economic opportunity to the state. More specifically, it'll bring energy to a "state with the highest gas prices in the country," a spokesperson with PHMSA said.

Last November, the Department of the Interior announced its plans to end a restrictive Biden administration-era 20242029 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program, which was then described by the department as the fewest oil and gas lease sales in history.

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The new proposal includes as many as 34 potential offshore lease sales off coasts that include the Pacific, according to the Department of the Interior.

The news had prompted objection by environmental nonprofit the Surfrider Foundation.

The Surfrider Foundation urges the federal administration to adopt a 5-year offshore oil and gas program with no new lease sales, the foundation said in November. Such action will protect valuable marine and coastal ecosystems, as well as the communities and businesses that depend on these resources.

Paris Barraza is a reporter covering Los Angeles and Southern California for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at pbarraza@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: California says Trump administration has taken over two oil pipelines
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  California sued the federal government Friday for approving a Texas-based company's plans to restart two oil pipelines along the state's coast, escalating a fight over the Trump administration's removal of regulatory barriers to offshore oil drilling for the first time in decades.

The administration has hailed the project by Houston-based Sable Offshore Corp. to restart production in waters off Santa Barbara damaged by a 2015 oil spill as the kind of project President Donald Trump wants to increase U.S. energy production.

The state oversees the pipelines that run through Santa Barbara and Kern counties, said Democratic Attorney General Rob Bonta.

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The federal administration has no right to usurp Californias regulatory authority, he said at a news conference. Were taking them to court to draw a line in the sand and to protect our coast, beaches and communities from potentially hazardous pipelines.

But the U.S. Transportation Department agency that approved Sable's plan pushed back on the lawsuit.

Restarting the Las Flores Pipeline will bring much needed American energy to a state with the highest gas prices in the country, said a spokesperson with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

Sable did not respond for comment on the lawsuit.

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Trump signed an executive order on the first day of his second term to reverse former President Joe Bidens ban on future offshore oil drilling on the East and West coasts. A federal court later struck down Bidens order to withdraw 625 million acres of federal waters from oil development.

The federal administration in November announced plans for new offshore oil drilling off the California and Florida coasts, which the oil industry has backed for years.

But critics say the plans could harm coastal communities and ecosystems.

Bonta said one of the pipelines Sable wants to restart burst in 2015, spilling oil along the Southern California coast. The event was the states worst oil spill in decades. More than 140,000 gallons (3,300 barrels) of oil gushed out, blackening beaches for 150 miles (240 kilometers) from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles. It polluted a biologically rich habitat for endangered whales and sea turtles, killing scores of pelicans, seals and dolphins, and decimating the fishing industry.

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The drilling platforms were subsequently shuttered.

Sable has faced a slew of legal challenges but has said it is determined to restart production, even if that means confining it to federal waters, where state regulators have virtually no say. California controls the 3 miles (5 kilometers) nearest to shore. The platforms are 5 to 9 miles (8 to 14 kilometers) offshore.

Its crazy that we are even talking about restarting this pipeline, said Alex Katz, executive director of the Environmental Defense Center, a Santa Barbara group formed in response to a catastrophic 1969 California oil spill.

The federal government's approval to restart the pipelines ignores painful lessons the community learned from the 2015 oil spill, said California Assemblymember Gregg Hart, a Democrat representing Santa Barbara.

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"California will not allow Trump and his Big Oil friends to bypass our essential environmental laws and threaten our coastline," he said in a statement.

California has been reducing the states production of fossil fuels in favor of clean energy for years. The movement has been spearheaded partly by Santa Barbara County, where elected officials voted in May to begin taking steps to phase out onshore oil and gas operations.
Jan 23 (Reuters) - California's attorney general on Friday said the state was suing the Trump administration for asserting federal authority over two state pipelines and permitting Sable Offshore to restart pumping oil through them.

The lawsuit is the latest turn in a dispute between Sable and California state officials over a drilling project off the coast of Santa Barbara that was shut down following a 2015 oil spill.

It is among the slew of conflicts between U.S. President Donald Trump, who wants to supercharge domestic fossil fuel production, and California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat who has championed his state's ambitious climate change agenda and is among Trump's harshest critics.

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California Attorney General Rob Bonta, in a statement, said the administration broke the law by reclassifying the Las Flores pipelines last month as "interstate" even though they run between two California counties.

The reclassification allowed the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, which regulates interstate pipelines, to issue an emergency permit to restart operations.

The petition will be filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, the attorney general's office said.

(Reporting by Nichola GroomEditing by Rod Nickel)
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has rejected President Donald Trump's assertion that "Canada lives because of the United States."

"Canada and the United States have built a remarkable partnership in the economy, in security, and in a rich cultural exchange," Carney said on Thursday while speaking in Plains of Abraham, Quebec, during a cabinet retreat.

"But Canada doesnt live because of the United States," he said, referencing Trump's remark. "Canada thrives because we are Canadian. We are masters in our own house. This is our country. This is our future. The choice is ours."

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In response to Fox News Digital's request for comment, the White House pointed to Trump's Truth Social post.

Trump Snubs Canada By Withdrawing Countrys Invite To Join Most Prestigious Board Of Leaders Ever

Tensions between Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and U.S. President Donald Trump flared after the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. (Getty Images)

On Thursday, Trump published an open letter to Carney informing him that Canada's invitation to join the Board of Peace  a U.S.-led council tasked with managing Gaza's post-war future  had been rescinded.

Read On The Fox News App

"Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canadas joining, what will be, the most prestigious Board of Leaders ever assembled, at any time. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" Trump wrote on Truth Social.

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The board was inaugurated in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday, though Carney had already left, according to The Associated Press.

Tensions between Carney and Trump flared as world leaders met in Davos for the annual World Economic Forum. Both Trump and Carney took swipes at each other in their respective speeches.

President Donald Trump arrives for his speech during the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026.

Us Trade Rep Shrugs Off World Leaders Swipes At Trump Amid Davos Backlash

During his address on Tuesday, Carney did not mention Trump by name, but rather he said that "rules-based order is fading," referencing the U.S.

He admitted that there were benefits to US. leadership on the world stage, but painted the entire concept of a rules-based international order as a falsity that is actively failing. Additionally, in his address, Carney urged middle powers, like Canada, to assert themselves and take the opportunity to "build a new order that embodies our values."

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney delivers a speech at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting held in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 20, 2026.

When delivering his address on Wednesday, Trump did not shy away from taking aim at Carney. He said that Canada "should be grateful" because the country gets "a lot of freebies" from the U.S., though he did not say what he was referring to.

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"I watched your prime minister yesterday, he wasn't so grateful," Trump said. "Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements."

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The friction between Trump and Carney underscored a growing rift between the two. In his address to a cabinet retreat, Carney framed it as a moment for Canada to assert its own power and build a future based on its own values.

Fox News Digital reached out to Carney's office for comment.





Original article source: Canadian PM Carney fires back at Trump over claim that 'Canada lives because of the United States'
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney hit back Thursday at President Donald Trump's inflammatory claim at the World Economic Forum that "Canada lives because of the United States."

"Canada doesn't live because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadian," Carney responded in a national address in Quebec City ahead of a new legislative session, even as he acknowledged the "remarkable partnership" between the two nations.

Trump appeared to shoot back later Thursday on his Truth Social platform, withdrawing an invitation for Canada to join the "Board of Peace" -- his self-styled billion-dollar body for resolving global conflict.

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A government source told AFP Monday that Canada will not pay to be on the board, although Carney had indicated he would accept an invitation to join.

The rhetorical back-and-forth between the two leaders underscores growing tensions between the allied nations.

Carney's speech on Thursday followed his remarks at the forum of political and financial elites in Davos, Switzerland, where he won a standing ovation for his frank assessment of a "rupture" in the US-led, rules-based global order.

That speech on Tuesday, which made world headlines, was widely viewed as a reference to Trump's disruptive influence on international affairs, although he was not mentioned by name.

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Carney told Davos that middle powers like Canada who had prospered through the era of an "American hegemon" needed to realize that a new reality had set in, and that "compliance" would not shelter them from major power aggression.

Trump took umbrage, and taunted Carney during his own speech a day later.

"I watched your prime minister yesterday. He wasn't so grateful," the US president said on Wednesday.

"Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements."

- Alliances 'redefined, broken' -

In Carney's speech on Thursday, aimed at a domestic audience, he said that Canada should serve as a model in an era of "democratic decline."

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"Canada can't solve all the world's problems, but we can show that another way is possible, that the arc of history isn't destined to be warped towards authoritarianism and exclusion," the prime minister said.

While Carney has not been shy of criticizing Trump since he took office nine months ago, he heads a country that remains heavily reliant on trade with the United States, the destination for more than three quarters of Canadian exports.

Key Canadian sectors like auto, aluminum and steel have been hit hard by Trump's global sectoral tariffs but the impacts of the levies have been muted by the president's broad adherence to an existing North American free trade agreement.

Negotiations on revising that deal are set for the start of this year and Trump has repeatedly insisted the United States doesn't need access to any Canadian products -- which would have sweeping consequences for its northern neighbor.

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Trump has also repeatedly threatened to annex Canada, and this week posted an image on social media of a map with Canada -- as well as Greenland and Venezuela - covered by the American flag.

On Thursday, Carney said Canada was not under any "illusions" about the precarious state of global relations.

"The world is more divided. Former alliances are being redefined and, in some cases, broken."

Citing his government's plans to ramp up defense spending, Carney said "we must defend our sovereignty (and) secure our borders."

Canada, he further said, has a mandate "to be a beacon, an example to a world that's at sea."

bs/msp/sla
Prime Minister Mark Carney's speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier this week is being lauded by some for its bold description of where the world is  and where it needs to go.

Without naming U.S. President Donald Trump, Carney said "American hegemony" and "great powers" are using economic integration as "weapons."

"The old order is not coming back," he said. "We should not mourn it. Nostalgia is not a strategy. But from the fracture, we can build something better, stronger and more just."

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The 16-minute speech not only challenged the behaviour of America under Trump, but suggested a bold path forward where middle powers like Canada and others band together so they can approach those great powers from a place of strength.

Here's some of the reaction the speech has gotten from political leaders, from Australia to Europe to Mexico.

Alexander Stubb, president of Finland, attends a panel discussion during the 56th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday. (Gian Ehrenzeller/Keystone via Associated Press)

Finnish President Alexander Stubb

"I think it was an excellent speech," Stubb said at the end of a panel discussion in Davos on Wednesday where Europes security situation was being discussed.

"It was a deep analysis of the change in the world order and the new balance that were looking at," he said.

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"It was very realistic. It talked about values based realism as a driver for Canadian foreign policy. All in all, I think [it was] one of the best speeches that weve heard here in Davos this week so far."

Mark Rutte, secretary general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), speaks at a panel discussion during the 56th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday. (Gian Ehrenzeller/Keystone via Associated Press)

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte

Rutte, who was on that same panel, said the thrust of the speech tells him that "Canada is back" as a key NATO player and leader on the world stage.

"I respect him a lot," Rutte said of Carney.

"I think he had a speech which was strong on Canadian values and what Canada can contribute to the world," he added. "At the same time I would say this is very good, and Canada is back when you look at NATO."

Governor of California Gavin Newsom speaks during a session at the 56th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday. (Gian Ehrenzeller/Keystone via Associated Press)

California Gov. Gavin Newsom

"I had more leaders from the United States quietly send me, not publicly, the transcript of that speech saying, 'Wow.' It got in Trump's head yesterday, he brought it up," Newsom told an audience in Davos during a moderated discussion Thursday.

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"The clarity came from the prime minister of Canada," the California governor said.

"I respect what Carney did because he had courage of convictions, he stood up, and I think we need to stand up in America and call this out with clarity."

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick listens during an event with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House earlier this month. (Alex Brandon/Associated Press)

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick

Lutnick unsurprisingly criticized Canada for "complaining" about its treatment by the Trump administration while enjoying the "second-best" trade deal of any country in the world with the U.S.

"Give me a break, they have the second-best deal in the world and all I gotta do is listen to this guy whine and complain," Lutnick said during a media interview in Davos.

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"If we take it correctly, we should just look at it as political noise coming out of a prime minister, and maybe this is working for his election, right, because I don't think it can be real."

Australia's Treasurer Jim Chalmers at the G-20 meeting in Gandhinagar, India, in July 2023. (Ajit Solanki/Associated Press)

Australia's Treasurer Jim Chalmers

Chalmers, the most senior economic minister in the Australian government, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) , that country's public broadcaster, that he was stunned by Carney's speech.

"I thought Mark Carneys speech was stunning. I thought it was very impactful, very thoughtful, certainly widely shared and discussed in our government and no doubt around the world," Chalmers said.

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"For Australia, no doubt for Canada, the point that Prime Minister Carney was making is that our interests are best served by co-operation and by managing our differences within international law and international institutions."

Former Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull waves while holding his granddaughter Alice during a final news conference in Canberra before stepping down in 2018. (Andrew Taylor/The Associated Press)

Former Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull

Turnbull also spoke to ABC , telling its audience that anyone who's been "paying attention to whats happening in the world" would understand Carney had hit the mark.

"[Australian Prime Minister] Anthony Albanese should give the same speech because basically the message is: We will not be bullied, we will maintain our sovereignty. And as a middle power, we will work with other middle powers to stand up to the bully," Turnbull said.

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"If you are integrated with the United States economically or you are dependent on the United States, Trump will use that as a vulnerability and exploit it."

Marko Mihkelson, chair of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Estonian Parliament, takes a selfie with protesters in Estonia in 2024. (Zurab Tsertsvadze/Associated Press)

Marko Mihkelson, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Estonia's Parliament

Mihkelson posted Carney's speech on X and encouraged his followers to watch it.

"This is a genuine manifesto of free people standing up to bullies. Listen, adjust, and execute," Mihkelson wrote.

Carl Bildt, shown speaking with journalists in 2014 while he was Sweden's foreign minister, praised Carney's Davos speech. (Virginia Mayo/The Associated Press)

Carl Bildt, former prime minister of Sweden

"Very important and very well put remarks by Canadian PM Mark Carney," Bildt wrote in a post on X .

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"Its time to take down the sign and speak up," he added, referring to a famous parable used by former Czech president Vaclav Havel in his 1978 essay The Power of the Powerless, to which Carney alluded in his Davos speech.

Alastair Campbell, the former director of communications and strategy for former British prime minister Tony Blair. (Matt Dunham/The Associated Press)

Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair's former director of communications

Campbell mentioned the speech several times on X, lauding Carney for taking a stand against Trump.

"Yesterday it was impossible to walk down the street in Davos without people stopping to want to talk about the Orange Man Baby," Campbell wrote in one post . "Today it is [Mark Carney] they want to talk about."

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In another post, the man who played a key role in Blair's rise to power wrote: "Speeches still matter. A privilege to be there to hear one of the best  and most important  of recent times from [Mark Carney] yesterday. Others need to follow his lead."

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum at the National Palace in Mexico City last November. (Marco Ugarte/Associated Press)

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum

Speaking during her morning news conference in Mexico on Wednesday, Sheinbaum said Carneys speech was "in tune with the current times."

"That was a very good speech by Carney, from Prime Minister Carney, I dont know if you heard it," Sheinbaum said.

Her remarks were echoed by Juan Ignacio Zavala Gutierrez of the opposition Movimiento Ciudadano (Citizens' Movement) party, who said Carneys speech struck a chord with him.

"I think it was a very powerful, clear and intelligent speech," he said, noting that it revealed how "emerging forces like Canada" are planning to "forge alliances" in order to deal with hegemonic powers like the U.S. and China.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court July, 2024 (Jen Barker Worley/ Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts)

A long-running court battle over the cash-strapped city of Chesters water authority ended Wednesday with a state Supreme Court ruling that rejects its sale to a for-profit company, for now.

The justices blocked the citys financial guardian from unilaterally forcing a transfer of the Chester Water Authoritys assets to the city government. Instead, such a transfer would require the joint action of all three of the authoritys governing municipalities, the court said in the 5-1 decision.

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The decision draws a clear line between public ownership and privatization, CWA Board Chairperson Noel Brandon said. The court sided with everyday residents who drink CWA water and affirmed that the authority belongs to its customers  not to a receiver, politicians, or private interests. This ruling should set an important precedent for similar cases across Pennsylvania.

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In the majority opinion, Justice Christine Donohue said the lower Commonwealth Court erred by determining the city could seize the water authoritys assets. It did so by incorrectly relying on its own prior caselaw and overlooking a 1957 state Supreme Court decision that held a transfer would require the CWA boards approval.

Acquisition of public water and sewer companies by investor-owned companies has been a frequent subject of judicial and legislative scrutiny since 2016, when the state passed a law known as Act 12.

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Signed by then-Gov. Tom Wolf, the law allows municipal water and sewer utilities to negotiate with for-profit utilities for the fair market value rather than the actual value of the system. The higher purchase prices, in turn, give new owners a basis to seek approval to charge higher rates. They usually receive them, consumer advocates testified during a 2023 hearing before a state House panel.

Critics say Act 12 has resulted in soaring water and sewer bills for hundreds of thousands of customers across the state.

Chester, once a prosperous port and shipbuilding city on the Delaware River, has suffered decades of disinvestment and decline. It entered receivership in 2020 and filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy in 2022 to restructure its pension and retiree healthcare debt.

Court-appointed Receiver Vijay Kapoor contends that the water authority, established by the city in 1939, was stolen without compensation. In October, he moved to amend the citys recovery plan to address issues of the authoritys ownership and rate hikes.

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Initially, the city drew water from the Delaware River, according to the Supreme Courts opinion. In 1945, the CWA constructed a reservoir by damming Octoraro Creek in southwest Chester County, more than 40 miles from the city.

Since the reservoir began supplying water, the CWA has expanded to supply around 200,000 people in the suburban Philadelphia counties of Delaware and Chester. The authoritys board is now composed of members appointed by Chester city and Delaware and Chester counties.

In 2017, the board rejected an unsolicited $320 million bid to buy CWAs assets from publicly-traded water company Aqua. Brandon, the boards chairperson, warned in a statement after the decision that monetizing the authority remains Kapoors only strategy to address Chester citys financial problems

Several CWA board members who opposed the transfer have terms that end in 2027, meaning that authoritys future is in the hands of Chester City Council, Delaware County Council, the Chester County commissioners and the replacements they select.
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)  Governor Henry McMaster has selected chefs from Charleston, Myrtle Beach, and Greer to represent South Carolina as 2026 Chef Ambassadors.

The chef ambassadors will represent the state through food festivals and other community-driven events to highlight South Carolinas deep culinary traditions, agricultural heritage, and undiscovered places.

According to the governors office, the chefs were selected for their support of homegrown farmers by using Certified South Carolina products: produce, meats, dairy, and seafood.

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Among them is James London, owner of Chubby Fish and Seahorse, two popular seafood restaurants on Coming Street.

London is a Charleston native who discovered his passion for fishing and food at a young age  starting his career at 14.

After earning a business degree from the College of Charleston, London developed his craft at The French Culinary Institute in New York City and went on to work in kitchens from the Big Apple to San Francisco.

Returning home, London opened Chubby Fish, a celebrated dock-to-table seafood concept, in 2018. The restaurant features local, seasonal catches and sustainable sourcing.

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Next door, his cocktail bar and supper club, Seahorse, offers guests a selection of spirits and a rotating menu of small plates.

South Carolina has such a bounty of amazing food. Theres been impressive growth of the culinary scene in the past 10 years that allowed us to diversify our portfolio of offerings using South Carolina ingredients, said London. Theres been a surge of culinary professionals who started cooking in South Carolina, left to explore other regions and cuisines, and then returned with a whole new lens through which to view our native ingredients. Im very excited to see where we go with it.

The South Carolina Chef Ambassador program, now in its 12th year, unifies the tourism and agriculture industries, which together contribute tens of billions of dollars to the states economy and account for hundreds of jobs.

The Chef Ambassador program highlights the strong partnership between South Carolinas chefs and farmers and the role they play in our tourism and agribusiness success, said Gov. McMaster. Were proud to welcome the 2026 class of Chef Ambassadors to represent our great state.

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The chefs are appointed by the governor, and the program is run through a collaboration effort between the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture.

Representing Myrtle Beach is Jordan Heyd, owner and executive chef of Lekker Eats, and from Greer is Guichard Ulysse, chef and owner of House 509 Bistro and Wine Bar.

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 WCBD News 2.
MISHICOT  Charlie Berens has been named as a special guest at an informational meeting in Mishicot to discuss potential AI data center plans for Manitowoc County.

The event is open to residents of Two Rivers, Two Creeks and Mishicot and is aimed at giving residents the chance to hear about what a data center might mean for the community, ask questions and prepare for an upcoming Mishicot Town Hall meeting Feb. 2.

Read more: Two Rivers residents asked for opinions on concession stand renovation

Why will Charlie Berens speak at the event?

Berens, a comedian known for "Manitowoc Minute," is expected to kick off the event. He has been actively speaking out against large-scale AI data centers in Wisconsin, using his "Manitowoc Minute" platform and opinion pieces to criticize tax breaks, vague regulations and the potential negative impacts on water, energy and local communities, while also acknowledging potential benefits like skilled construction jobs if projects are negotiated well.

Comedian Charlie Berens performs standup Oct. 9-11, 2025, at Off The Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, No. 1100, Naples, Florida.

Berens has urged lawmakers and residents to demand stronger community benefit agreements, better environmental protections (especially water limits), and true accountability from tech companies, calling for specific legislation to protect ratepayers and prevent Wisconsin from becoming "America's motherboard."

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Read more: Manitowoc expands yearround DORA in downtown area

Who else is speaking at the event?

Berens will be followed by two speakers. The first is Jodi Labs, an attorney who specializes in environmental, employment and construction law and who is president of the Izaac Walton League, a national conservation organization.

The second speaker is Prescott Balch, a resident of Caledonia who opposed Microsoft Corp.'s plan to build a data center in his town. Microsoft changed course on the plan in October a week before the Caledonia Village Board meeting to have 244 acres of farmland rezoned for the planned data center.

When and where is the meeting? Is RSVP required?

The informational meeting on AI data centers is set to take place at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26, at the Grey Fox Bar & Grill in Mishicot. Because of a limited number of seats, event organizers have made RSVPs to the event mandatory. People can RSVP online at addevent.com.

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Alisa M. Schafer is a reporter for the Herald Times Reporter in Manitowoc County. She can be reached by email at aschafer@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Mishicot hosts AI data center info meeting with Charlie Berens
Soybeans futures held on to the Wednesday gains as contracts were up 8 to 11  cents across most months. The cmdtyView national average Cash Bean price was 12 1/4 cents lower at $9.94. Soymeal futures were down 20 cents to $2.10/ton, with Soy Oil futures 107 to 145 points higher.

In an interview late on Tuesday, US Trade Rep Greer stated there is a chance that he and secretary Bessent meet with Chinese counterparts before April when President Trump is expected to meet with President Xi. Secretary Bessent met with Chinas Vice Premier on Wednesday in Davos and had positive trade tals

More News from Barchart

Rains are expected in northern portions of Brazil in the next week, slowing some early harvest. The southern portions are expected to be drier, as well as parts of Argentina.

Mar 26 Soybeans closed at $10.64 1/2, up 11 1/2 cents,

Nearby Cash was $9.94, up 12 1/4 cents,

May 26 Soybeans closed at $10.75, up 11 cents,

Jul 26 Soybeans closed at $10.87 1/4, up 11 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
A member of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemers security detail was placed on administrative leave as part of a widening investigation by the department's inspector general, according to a DOL employee and one person with knowledge of the probe.

The IGs office is investigating allegations that the security staffer and Chavez-DeRemer were engaged in a romantic relationship, said the people, who were granted anonymity to discuss sensitive details.

The security staffer, who was placed on leave in recent days, could not immediately be reached for comment. The individuals alleged involvement was first reported by Bloomberg Law.

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A complaint filed with the IGs office alleges Chavez-DeRemer scheduled official events to benefit her personal travel plans and drank on the job, in addition to having an affair, the New York Post reported earlier this month. POLITICO has not independently reviewed the complaint.

Two top aides for the Labor secretary, chief of staff Jihun Han and deputy chief of staff Rebecca Wright, were recently placed on investigative leave  a status that could last for weeks and possibly result in their removal. However, it is not necessarily indicative of wrongdoing.

The White House has defended Chavez-DeRemer and said that President Donald Trump continues to have faith in her.

An attorney for Chavez-DeRemer, Nick Oberheiden, said that the secretary will ultimately be vindicated. Chavez-DeRemer is married.

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"Confronted with ghost allegations potentially coming from internal sources with apparent (political) bias, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer remains calm and confident and does what she always does: working for the American people with a deep commitment to President Trump and his administration, Oberheiden said in a statement. Secretary Chavez-DeRemer trusts that a fair and unbiased process will tell a different, that is, the true story.

DOL spokesperson Courtney Parella said the agency does not comment on personnel matters. The IGs office did not respond to a request for comment.

At least two other complaints have been filed that claimed Chavez-DeRemers aides attempted to improperly steer grant decisions to favored entities, according to the DOL employee.

A meeting of DOL political appointees last Wednesday included a discussion about whistleblower protections, the employee said. DOL recently issued a memo to its employees and contractors stating that nondisclosure agreements that infringe on those rights are unenforceable, according to two copies of the document reviewed by POLITICO.

Chavez-DeRemer has maintained her frequent travel schedule. DOL said Thursday that the Labor secretary had visited West Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee this week as she continues her quest to visit all 50 states in her first year in office.
NEW YORK  The childcare plan unveiled this month by Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani elevated their budding alliance far beyond policy: With a single press conference, the unlikely duo tackled some of their biggest electoral challenges in 2026.

The planning for that initiative, according to three people with knowledge of the negotiations who spoke with POLITICO, began months earlier.

In the aftermath of Mamdanis primary win over the summer, Hochuls team began discussions with advocates and the soon-to-be mayors inner circle on how to quickly deliver Mamdanis signature campaign promise, a goal that would bring together two disparate factions of the Democratic Party: a democratic socialist mayor and a far more moderate governor.

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What followed was a blueprint that, if ratified, will be both a salve to New York parents and an electoral antidote for its two chief proponents.

Mamdani gets to claim a major milestone on the way to delivering his signature campaign pledge while showing his haters the left can achieve results.

Hochul, whos facing reelection challenges from both her left and her right, instantly created problems for her adversary in the Democratic primary. And by launching the childcare plan without tax increases, she blunted what would have become a central attack line from GOP forces mustering on Long Island.

Yeah, its good politics, said Rebecca Bailin, head of New Yorkers United for Child Care, one of the main proponents of the childcare plan. But this is what Hochuls constituents want. And she and the mayor are following our proposal, so the policy is very carefully thought out.

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Despite concerns about the massive cost of a statewide childcare program for children up to five years old  with some estimates running around $15 billion annually  Hochuls team worked with advocates and Mamdani and found a feasible first step would be far less pricey. For around $1.7 billion in new spending this year, New York City would get free childcare for 2,000 two-year-olds and increased 3K options, while the rest of the state would get cash to beef up prekindergarten services and explore other childcare options. The governor also committed to funding the program next year, when 2-Care would be rolled out to 10,000 New York city tots in 2027.

Those advances, Hochul made sure to emphasize, could be covered with existing revenue, giving her partial cover against Republicans  and Mamdanis base, which continues to push strenuously for a tax hike.

While Mamdani has not made an income tax increase a central demand of his Albany agenda , he has not given up on the slogan, either. Raising levies on the wealthy remains a popular prospect among Democrats in the state Legislature, through which the childcare deal must pass. And advocates like the Democratic Socialists of America plan to keep the pressure up through the coming budget season.

We will not settle for impermanent, partial solutions that set up child care programs to fail and we wont allow the gutting of federal funding to go unchecked, the organization said in a statement last Friday. We can fully fund all-day, year-round care from infancy and we must tax the rich to ensure sustained funding for these programs. These demands are the basic necessities for the working class.

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Mamdani likes to highlight how quickly he advanced a major step toward universal childcare  he and Hochul made their announcement on Jan. 8  though his team had been working with the governor on the project since shortly after Hochul endorsed him in September.

At the time, Hochul and her advisers had a range of feelings about Mamdanis proposals, some of which required siphoning copious outlays of tax revenue from the states coffers. Childcare, however, stuck out as a logical point of collaboration.

The governor had already funded expanded services for New Yorks youngest residents and expressed a desire to achieve universal childcare in her January 2025 State of the State speech. In the subsequent months, the 34-year-old mayor elevated the issue to new prominence as he campaigned on a platform focused on affordability.

He wins the primary. She is clear that he is going to win the general [election] despite all the hysteria. And she begins to engage in a very thoughtful way about what might be possible, said one person close to the Mamdani administration, who was granted anonymity to discuss internal strategy. They really connected on the childcare issue, and it became clear early on that it would be a top priority for both of them.

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The two executives first spoke conceptually about how they might work together on a childcare plan during their first meeting in June, according to one person with knowledge of the sitdown. By early October, staffers with the governor and mayor began to game out what a rollout might look like in practice.

Those conversations accelerated in November and December after Mamdani appointed his first deputy mayor and his budget director, two hires that could negotiate details both programmatic and pecuniary. A key question became one of scale. The new mayor had won in part on soaring rhetoric that promised not only universal childcare but a transformation of city government into something unrecognizable: a paragon of efficiency and effectiveness.

There were, however, practical limitations to consider. Hiring and vetting childcare staff takes time. Ensuring the existing childcare network remains stable requires prudence. And finding suitable locations for new facilities can be laborious. What resulted was an initiative largely aligned with what City Hall thought it could reasonably accomplish and the bones of a plan rolled out by New Yorkers United for Child Care.

Its always about striking a balance to make sure its fast enough so the political winds are at your back, but slow enough that it doesnt destabilize the provider network, Bailin, the head of the organization, said. What they are proposing reflects pretty directly a blueprint that we released that outlines how they should roll out 2-Care.

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The announcement immediately became a boon for Hochuls reelection slog, which will begin with a battle against her own lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado, a progressive-gone-rogue who is challenging her in the Democratic primary.

Delgado has amassed endorsements from a slate of left-leaning lawmakers keen on seeing him topple the more moderate governor. But so far Mamdani  who owes his first major policy win to Hochul  has signaled he is unlikely to be one of them. On the day of the childcare announcement, as democratic socialist state Assemblymember Emily Gallgher released a glowing endorsement of Hochuls challenger, Mamdani was busy heaping praise on the incumbent, suggesting a coming fissure on the left.

I think he understands that he needs her as a partner to actually deliver on this agenda, said an adviser to Hochul, who was granted anonymity to discuss relations with City Hall. He has so far struck me as a collaborator and a coalition builder, which is what her natural bent is as well and is why they have started to chart this path together.

So far, the fight over taxing the rich has remained compartmentalized from the childcare push, as The New York Times recently noted . And that bodes well for Hochul in the near term.

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By accepting her offer to foot the bill with existing revenue, Mamdani has deemphasized tax hikes and avoided the fate of former Mayor Bill de Blasio, who in 2014 became embroiled in a protracted fight with Gov. Andrew Cuomo over how to fund his prekindergarten proposal. Leaving a tax hike off the table has also deprived Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who is running for governor as a Republican, of a potentially potent attack line. And by proposing a rollout largely in line with the wishes of City Hall and advocates, Hochul has deadened criticism that additional revenue is needed to realize Mamdanis vision.

Even with those defensive measures in place, the issue will remain a thorny one for both Hochul and Mamdani as they traverse their first budget cycle together.

Childcare advocates believe new revenue is needed to fully fund a universal program. And with Mamdanis base clamoring to tax the rich, the mayor himself has recently ratcheted up the rhetoric, citing a $12 billion gap in the city's budget spanning the next two years.

Our administration is preparing to make the case that it is the time for New York's most profitable corporations and wealthiest residents to pay their fair share, he said during an unrelated press briefing this week. And I also was speaking about the relationship between the city and the state.

NOTE: An earlier version of this story misstated the name of New Yorkers United for Child Care.
Chilean authorities announced Thursday the arrest of a fourth person suspected of causing deadly wildfires that have ravaged the south of the country.

The massive fires in recent days have killed at least 21 people and affected some 20,000 others.

Firefighters were still battling 19 fires Thursday in the hardest-hit regions of Araucania, Nuble and Biobio.

Although no charges have been filed against the four suspects, regional prosecutor Marcela Cartagena alleged the latest person arrested was suspected of "causing what are, as of today, 20 deaths" in Biobio.

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The other fatality in the wildfires was in the neighboring Nuble region.

Earlier Thursday, a man was arrested as he was lighting a fire in a forested area of Punta de Parra, a town of about 3,000 residents surrounded by eucalyptus forests, police said.

Two other people were arrested earlier in the week: one in Biobio on Monday, who was released shortly thereafter, and the other in Araucania on Wednesday.

"It's pure malice, just to cause harm -- there's no other explanation," Felicia Lara, a 68-year-old resident of Punta de Parra, told AFP. Her house was one of those destroyed by a wildfire that wiped out much of the town.

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High temperatures amid the Southern Hemisphere summer and strong winds have fueled the spread of the wildfires.

Wildfires have severely impacted south-central Chile in recent years, especially in its warmest and driest months of January and February.

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.

Investigations later found some of those blazes had also been deliberately started.

axl/vel/sf/lab/mlr/des/msp
In cities across Australia, fleets of nice-looking electric buses quietly ferry thousands of commuters each day. But new warnings from cybersecurity experts have transformed what once looked like a clean energy success story into a geopolitical flashpoint.

Officials in Australia and the United Kingdom now say some Chinese-made buses may contain code that theoretically lets the buses manufacturer shut them down remotely via a so-called kill switch.

The revelation has renewed global fears about foreign-controlled technology embedded in critical infrastructure.

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The spotlight is on the Yutong-made battery-electric buses. Its a major Chinese manufacturer whose vehicles have been widely purchased in Australias capital, Canberra, and other jurisdictions.

British reports, citing tests by the UKs National Cyber Security Centre and Transport for the UK government, found that similar models in Europe could be accessed remotely by the manufacturers systems, including diagnostics and software updates, and that, theoretically, such access could be used to stop a buss drive system.

Image Credit: Yutong Australia.

This marks a dramatic escalation in cyber-risk warnings tied that arent about phone networks or internet routers but about public transit vehicles. Transport Canberra reportedly responded by launching a fresh investigation into cybersecurity risks linked to the buses, following the British analysis and earlier flags from Norwegian transit authorities who found what they termed a functional remote shutdown capability during tests.

To cyber researchers, the worry is not that a Chinese government operator is now flipping switches in real time, since there arent any confirmed cases of foreign actors actively disabling buses. The concern is that the vulnerability exists at all in imported vehicles that operate on public streets and, in some cases, carry government employees and personnel.

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This isnt just about buses, Australian cybersecurity expert Alastair MacGibbon told local media. It goes to how much control is embedded in the technology we import, and whether those controls could be abused.

Hits Too Close to Home

Image Credit: Yutong Australia.

This episode in neighboring Australia (ally, we mean) reads like vindication for policymakers in the US who have long sounded the alarm over dependencies on Chinese technology.

Transport Secretary Sean Duffy and other hardliners have repeatedly asserted that Chinese-linked vehicles and connected technologies pose unacceptable security risks  even going so far as to say China should never sell cars (or similarly connected vehicles) on American roads as long as I have breath in my body.

While those comments were dismissed as bluster by critics, the Australian kill-switch story has suddenly given them a concrete, globally reported incident to point to.

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In Washington, the Biden administration tightened restrictions on connected vehicles containing Chinese software or hardware, with new rules designed to ban such imports by model year 2027  a response to precisely the kinds of national security vulnerabilities highlighted by the Australian case.

Image Credit: Yutong Australia.

Opponents of these policies argue that connectivity features, including remote diagnostics and over-the-air updates, are standard across the global auto and transit industries, not unique to Chinese manufacturers.

Indeed, any modern vehicle with internet connectivity might in theory be accessed remotely, whether made in Beijing, Detroit, or Tokyo. Critics in China have taken to global media to warn that U.S. bans could backfire by raising costs and supply chain challenges for American automakers dependent on global components.

But for many U.S. national security experts, the defining issue isnt simply connectivity but control. If a foreign company can access the mission-critical systems of vehicles running on public streets  or the energy grids, solar inverters, or AI systems that undergird modern life  then that access becomes a lever that adversaries could exploit during crises.

Global Security, Local Streets

The Australian episode has already spurred official reviews of every Yutong model in service. Transport Canberra officials insist there is no immediate operational concern based on current investigations, and that local buses are updated via physical service centers rather than remote connectivity.

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But the warnings broader resonance has rippled through capitals from London to Canberra, Oslo to Washington: as nations electrify their transit fleets and embrace connected vehicles, they must also reckon with who controls that connectedness.

And for American lawmakers who warned loudly (and, in the eyes of some, prematurely) that Chinese technology on wheels isnt just another import, this moment may well feel like a long-anticipated reckoning.

Sources: ABC, afr.com
BEIJING/SAO PAULO, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Chinese leader Xi Jinping assured his Brazilian counterpart on Friday that China would stand by Latin America's biggest economy and the Global South, and called for both nations to maintain the role of the United Nations, state news agency Xinhua said.

Xi's comments in a telephone call with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva followed the latter's criticism of the U.S. attack on Venezuela in an opinion piece in the New York Times this week.

Xi said China and Brazil should safeguard the shared interests of the Global South and jointly maintain the role of the United Nations in the "current turbulent international situation", the agency said.

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Lula's office confirmed the 45-minute call, saying that both leaders "reiterated their commitment to strengthening the United Nations as a path to safeguarding peace and stability in the world".

U.S. MOVE STOKES WORRIES IN LATIN AMERICA

The U.S. three weeks ago seized Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to be prosecuted on narcotics charges. Since then, U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed a Board of Peace that some fear may be intended to rival the U.N.

The U.S. action in Venezuela stoked worries among Latin American countries about the risk of similar interventions by force on their turf, and prompted criticism from the United Nations.

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U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told Britain's BBC that the U.S. was putting the founding principles of the United Nations, including the equality of member states, at risk.

In his January 18 piece, Lula wrote that the future of Venezuela and any other country must remain in the hands of its people.

"In more than 200 years of independent history, this is the first time that South America has come under direct military attack by the United States, though American forces previously intervened in the region," he said.

"It is crucial that the leaders of the major powers understand that a world of permanent hostility is not viable. However strong those powers may be, they cannot rely simply on fear and coercion."

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TRUMP'S MOVES CHALLENGE CHINESE INFLUENCE

Trump's threat to use force to acquire Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, has also opened a rift with security allies across the Atlantic.

U.S. bombings and the capture of Maduro challenge China's influence in Latin America and the Caribbean, where Xi has promised new credit lines and infrastructure investment.

"China is willing to remain a good friend and partner to Latin American and Caribbean countries," Xi told Lula.

He said a 2024 strategic partnership to align China's Belt and Road Initiative with Brazil's plans on farming, infrastructure and the energy transition exemplifies solidarity and cooperation among Global South countries.

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China also seeks to help build a China-Latin America community with a shared future, he said.

Lula told Xi that Brazil would move to grant exemptions from some categories of shortstay visas for Chinese citizens, in reciprocity for a visa waiver measure adopted by China since last year, the Brazilian government said.

(Reporting by Liz Lee, Ryan Woo and Beijing newsroom; Additional reporting by Gabriel Araujo in Sao Paulo; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
Sample claim mailers included in part of a class action lawsuit against Deloitte that now has a proposed settlement. (Photo illustration by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current)

Slightly more than 47,000 people have filed claims in a class action suit over the 2024 RIBridges data breach, according to a court filing Thursday from the court-appointed settlement administrator.

Kroll Settlement Administration, the national firm handling the claims, sent postcards to 729,946 people whose personal information was compromised by the breach of the states public benefit and health insurance portal. These class members could pursue one of two reimbursements under the settlement terms. Those with documented losses related to the breach could apply for up to $5,000, while all class members were permitted a flat, approximately $100 payment sans proof.

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Class members could also submit claims for two years of medical data monitoring in addition to whatever payout they chose.

The $100 estimated payment is subject to pro rata increase or decrease, meaning the final amount is dependent in part on how many people submitted a claim. The $6.3 million in the settlement fund will be dispensed first to medical monitoring costs, then documented loss payments and finally the flat payment recipients.

The settlement fund has other costs to absorb as well: up to $2.1 million can go toward attorney and legal fees, and the class representatives  the seven named plaintiffs in the lawsuit  are eligible for up to $2,500 each.

A Dec. 15 filing  the plaintiffs motion for final approval  relayed additional details about what transpired between claim forms going out in late November and last weeks deadline to submit.

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The filing noted that Kroll used address tracing to re-mail notices for some class members, and that the firms expected success rate in reaching affected people far exceed[ed] the Federal Judicial Centers standard of 70-95%.

As of Dec. 8, 2025, Kroll reported that it had received 15,522 claim forms. The company also received 399 calls to the toll-free line, it reported a day later.

Class Counsel are pleased with the current Settlement class participation rate, the document reads. With a month left before the Claim Form Deadline, Class Counsel anticipate the number of Claims will continue to increase.

From the Dec. 8 data to the Jan. 14 deadline, claims more than tripled, rising roughly 204%.

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Patrick M. Passarella, senior director at Kroll, reported in Thursdays filing that by the opt-out and objection deadline of Dec. 30, there were no objections and 35 opt-outs. He also noted that the response from 47,140 people, or 6.5% of the total amount of people who received mailers, was significantly higher than what is typically seen in data breach settlements.

The settlement is expected to receive final approval next Thursday, on Jan. 29, at U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island in Providence.

An attorney for the plaintiffs did not respond to a request for comment by press time Thursday.

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A neighborhood is blanketed with snow in Lower Allen Township, Cumberland County, on January 20, 2024. (Photo by Tim Lambert/Pennsylvania Capital-Star)

One of the biggest winter storms in at least a decade is expected to hit Pennsylvania Saturday night. Snow is projected to fall across the state with the National Weather Service forecasting anywhere between six inches to 18 inches, depending on the county.

Pennsylvanians are being reminded to limit their travel and stay sheltered  but for the more than 12,000 people without homes, emergency shelters may be their only option.

A map from the National Weather Service Station in State College, Pennsylvania, forecasts snowfall for the states central counties this weekend. (Map from the National Weather Service)

The states 211 site lists 71 extreme weather shelters across the state, including ones that cater exclusively to men or women as well as one that focuses on LGBTQ services. Some operate as Code Blue shelters, meaning their doors open only if temperatures fall below a certain threshold.

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For examples of how they work, the Pennsylvania Capital-Star reached out to a dozen organizations in different parts of the state, though most didnt respond.

The YMCAs Allentown Warming Station plans to collaborate with several organizations  including the United Way, city and county services, Valley Youth House, Ripple Community, Inc., and Magellan Health  to open their doors two hours earlier on Saturday at 5 p.m. The building, which regularly houses 80 guests, will try to accommodate up to 85 with the storm. It is looking for additional community partners, according to a Friday email from Michael Reisman, the associations director of communications.

A determination to return to regular warming station hours will be made on Monday. The YMCA is also looking to expand bed capacity during the storm, if needed, said Reisman.

Lehigh County diverted $10,000 in funds to help the shelter pay for the extra staffing, blankets and food, he noted. Thursday night was the first night the building hit its 80-person capacity.

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According to the 2025 Point-in-Time count, 401 people were unhoused in Lehigh County.

In Bradford County, vouchers to two hotels will be distributed through law enforcement to accommodate the extra need, according to county housing specialist Mary Sturdevant.

Nobody in this county, during this kind of situation, should need to go without shelter, said Sturdevant.

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Sturdevant shared that she once sheltered in her car decades ago when she was unhoused.

Its still pretty fresh in my mind and I empathize, regardless of the reasons that people are unhoused, she said. I dont want to see anybody suffer unnecessarily.

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People in need must contact law enforcement, who will screen the requests before hotels can distribute the vouchers. Though normally capped at 10, Sturdevant said extras could be secured as needed during the forecasted weather.

These two hotels we work with are wonderful, said Sturdevant, not sharing their names. Theyre so willing to do that social service piece for us. Without that, we really would not be able to pull this off.

Last years count identified 50 unhoused people, and Sturdevant said that planning ahead was tough financially.

We have a church-run shelter thats small, so its already full, said Sturdevant. So when something like this comes up  they only have so much space. We offered this resource to expand on that already existing service.
DENVER (KDVR)  A snowstorm is heading into Colorado with some areas expected to see between 10 inches and over a foot of snow.

The Pinpoint Weather team is tracking a storm that will keep temperatures below freezing for several days and bring anywhere from a few inches to a foot of snow into Colorado. Snow has already fallen in Colorado by Friday morning, and its expected to continue to fall until Sunday.

Timing, totals, impacts on incoming weekend snowstorm in Colorado

These Colorado areas could see the most snow

The Denver metro is expected to get only 1 to 4 inches, but other areas across Colorado are expecting much more. The foothills could see 2 to 5 inches, while the high country could see 5 to 11 inches.

Here are the areas expected to see the most snow:

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San Juan Mountains: 8-10+ inches

Elk Ranges: 8-10+ inches

Aspen: 10 inches

Telluride: 10 inches

Aspen and Telluride will likely see the most snow across any Colorado town or city, but the Pinpoint Weather team said the peaks will see the most at higher elevations. While Aspen could see 10 inches, peaks in the San Juan Mountains and Elk Ranges could see over a foot of snow.

If youre heading out this weekend, be sure to stay up to date with the most recent forecast.

Denver, Colorado weather resources

Stay prepared for storms and forecast changes, a Pinpoint Weather Alert Day and other important weather information:

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The Pinpoint Weather team will continue to update the forecast multiple times each day.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
(The Center Square) - Legislators working on Colorados budget are considering an increase for daily per-person costs for private prisons.

State Sen. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, provided a budget briefing to the Joint Judiciary Committee, where she said Gov. Jared Polis is requesting to increase the daily amount spent per inmate from $66.52 to $80. This covers housing them in prisons and related services.

She said Colorado has a lot of elderly people in its prisons.

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The average inmate in Colorado is 40 years old, and that age is increasing every year, Amabile said during the committee meeting at the Capitol.

The costs to run Colorado prisons have gone up dramatically, including hiring, food and inmate transportation, she told the senators and representatives in Denver.

The senator said if Colorado wants to continue its sentencing structure and not provide avenues for release for people who are safe, the state will need to continue to pay for more prison beds.

Ten percent of Colorado's prisons are privately run.

Colorado did not change its private prisons daily rate per person at the same time it changed its county jail rate.

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Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Larimer, said Colorado's daily per-person rate for housing someone in a county jail is $77, which was changed in 2023.

Some counties think this rate is not enough when medical costs are factored in, Kirkmeyer said. She noted the counties think the actual daily rate per person should be between $120 and $150.

The daily rate per person in private prisons includes pharmaceuticals but not hospital visits, Kirkmeyer said.

Rep. Rick Taggart, R-Mesa, said one issue hurting Colorado's budget is the lack of clinicians working for the state Department of Corrections.

The department has 89 open clinician vacancies, Kirkmeyer estimated.

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She described the contracts with external medical services as more expensive than internal medical services.

Colorado is doing a great deal of medical services externally as compared to internally, Taggart noted.

The state government estimated that 55% of Colorado's inmates as of November 2025 had medical needs.

Colorado cant serve the inmates in its Department of Corrections without spending a lot more money, Amable noted. The Boulder legislator added that the state is seeing a dramatic rise in the number of people who are being incarcerated and a reduction in the number of releases.

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Mark Ferrandino, director of Colorados Office of State Planning and Budgeting, sent a letter to Colorados Joint Budget Committee earlier this month saying Colorado will exceed its inmate capacity limits as soon as fiscal year 2027-28.

The state currently has a 2.4% inmate vacancy rate as of Jan. 9, including 0.5% for male inmates, Ferrandino told the legislative committee.

The Colorado Division of Criminal Justice estimated Colorados inmate population would increase 4.5% from fiscal year 2024-2025 to fiscal year 2025-2026.

Furthermore, the division said Colorados inmate population would increase again by 2.8% from fiscal year 2025-2026 to fiscal year 2026-2027.

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This comes out to an estimated 17,281 inmates.

On Wednesday, the Legislature's Joint Budget Committee voted 4-2 against Polis' request for money for more prison beds. The four who voted against it are Democrats, whose party hold majorities in both houses.
Ballot drop box signs at the Douglas County Election Commission office near 120th Street and West Center Road in Omaha, on Nov. 5, 2024. (Naomi Delkamiller/Nebraska News Service)

LINCOLN  Two proposals with competing visions for the future of voting in Nebraska show some differences between how the two major political parties approach voting regulations.

Both state constitutional amendments were heard Thursday in the Nebraska Legislatures Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. One, from a Democrat, would lower the voting age to 16 from 18. The other, from a Republican, would tweak the state constitution to say only U.S. citizens can vote in elections, which is already a requirement.

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Dona-Gene Barton, a political scientist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln who studies political behavior, said the amendments offer a glimpse of how some Democrats and Republicans, at the state and federal level, view voting regulations. As an example, she pointed to recent bills in the GOP-led statehouse, which is officially nonpartisan.

Voting-rights advocacy organization Civic Nebraska said the age-lowering proposal from Democrats strengthens democracy and questioned the GOP proposals new language on citizenship as unnecessary, saying it risks reinforcing misinformation.

Republican Secretary of State Bob Evnen described the GOP proposal on citizenship as important, while the Government Committees GOP majority questioned the value of the Democratic proposal for lowering the states voting age.

A Tennessee voter casts his ballot in Nashville during a special election this month. (Jon Cherry/Getty Images)

Niobrara State Sen. Barry DeKays Legislative Resolution 283 would specify in the state constitution that only U.S. citizens can vote in all Nebraska elections. DeKay said he wants to make it clear on who can and cant vote because, to him and others, he said, there is some ambiguity.

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Currently, the section of the state constitution that details who can vote  Article VI, Section 1  says every citizen.

DeKays constitutional amendment is cosponsored by six of his fellow Republicans: State Sen. Rob Clements of Elmwood, Loren Lippincott of Central City, Dave Murman of Glenvil, Brian Hardin of Gering, Rick Holdcroft of Bellevue and Bob Andersen of western Sarpy County.

This should be a bipartisan issue that everybody should be on board [with]  saying, Hey, everybody, that a citizen should have the right to vote, DeKay told the Examiner.

Evnens office, which supports DeKays proposal, confirms that no local elections in Nebraska allow non-citizens to vote, so nothing would change if voters approved the language. Federal and state elections in Nebraska already require voters to be U.S. citizens.

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DeKay pointed to other states where some cities allow non-citizens to vote in municipal or local elections, including Washington D.C and some municipalities in Vermont, Maryland and California.

Nine conservative-led states have recently passed similar constitutional amendments to his, including Texas, where voters approved a citizen-voting amendment last year.

The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, analyzed elections from 2003 to 2024 and found 24 instances nationally of noncitizens voting out of millions of votes cast.

A lobbyist for Americans for Citizen Voting, a group that has backed such measures elsewhere based in Virginia, testified at Thursdays hearing, saying its a pretty simple, straightforward change.

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Tanner Cano, a spokesperson for Civic Nebraska, disagreed, calling DeKays proposal unnecessary.

This measure does not address a demonstrated need and would place a misleading question before voters without improving election administration or security, Cano said.

State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha, a member of the Government Committee, said of the proposal, Its a dangerous situation when you start wanting to clarify ambiguities.

Barton, the UNL professor, said she sees a trend of some Nebraska state leaders echoing concerns of some national Republicans and President Donald Trump over election integrity since the 2020 presidential election, which election experts warn could undermine trust in elections.

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Those concerns have influenced state policy proposals. Among some recent examples: Nebraskans passed a state constitutional amendment in 2022 requiring the Legislature to implement voter ID.

Last year, a bill from State Sen. Rick Holdcroft of Bellevue aimed to eliminate online voter registration, restrict absentee voting, provide more security for ballot boxes and require hand-counting of election results.

Over the past year, Evnen has started more frequently discussing the need to address public fears of widespread voting by non-citizens, which election experts call a myth. He is seeking reelection.

Evnens support for DeKays constitutional amendment echoed that emphasis. Evnen said its important to constitutionally reaffirm the citizenship requirement to vote.

Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen. June 6, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

Especially during a time when millions of people have walked across the U.S. border in recent years without the legal right to do so, there are those who believe that noncitizens should be able to vote, Evnen said in his statement. I reject that idea.

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This session, Andersen has introduced a bill that would require the secretary of state to create a process to use the Department of Homeland Securitys Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements system to verify citizenship and tighten the delivery and handling of ballots by poll watchers.

In the same committee Thursday, State Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha made the case for his Legislative Resolution 284, which would let Nebraska voters consider lowering the states voting age to 16 from 18.

McKinney said he wants to get younger people more engaged in the political process. He said its an opportunity to make sure younger people are prepared to lead.

We make a lot of decisions here thatre gonna affect them for the rest of their lives  [and] they have no say so, McKinney said.

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Last year, the British government announced it would lower the voting age to 16. There have been multiple attempts by congressional Democrats to lower the voting age, but those proposals gained little traction.

Cano, of Civic Nebraska, said McKinneys proposal is forward-looking.

Allowing 16 and 17-year-olds to vote recognizes that young Nebraskans already take on significant responsibilities, are capable of informed decision-making and have a strong stake in the long-term impacts of public policy, Cano said.

His organization pointed to research showing early participation builds lifelong voting habits and increases civic engagement across entire households.

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State Sen. Dan Lonowski of Hastings questioned one testifier in support, asking whether the draft age also should be lowered to 16.

Some cities in California, New Jersey and Maryland hold municipal elections that allow 16-year olds to vote.

A handful of high schoolers from Lincoln and Omaha expressed support for McKinneys proposal.

Holly Bowen, a junior at Lincoln Southeast High School, said she is subject to a state policy that she has no say in, citing the states recent policy changes in higher education as an example.

I dont know if I would be able to consider committing to Nebraska if the state I grew up in still doesnt want to hear my voice, Bowen said.

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Another high schooler pointed to 16-year-olds paying taxes and driving as one reason why they should be able to vote.

State Sen. Fred Meyer of St. Paul, who replaced former State Sen. Dan McKeon in central Nebraska, said paying taxes doesnt give a person the right to vote. Lonowski said he doesnt want to tie driving and voting together.

We have pretty well established 250 years ago that theres no connection between paying taxes and voting, Meyer said.

McKinney, a Democrat, said well see on whether theres any appetite to move the bill forward. Lonowski, in the hearing, called lowering the voting age to 16 an intriguing topic.

Said McKinney: We need to be more open-minded to things like this if we want to make our society a better one.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

About 14.3 million federal student loan borrowers are aged 25 to 34, with the average balance for this age group at $33,566.

Payment pauses and lawsuits against the Saving on a Valuable Education repayment plan have made repayment schedules unusually chaotic.

As of September 2025, there were about 14.3 million borrowers aged 25 to 34, owing a total of $480 billion in federal student loans, according to data from the Department of Education. The average borrower in this age group has a student loan balance of about $33,566.

That's below the average loan amount of $39,546 held by all borrowers. The age group 25 to 34 has the second-highest borrower countabout a third of the 42.8 million total.

Payment Pauses and Policy Shifts Defined Their Early Repayment

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Education paused payments for all borrowers. But this pause, along with later efforts to lower monthly payments, made repayment more confusing for borrowers aged 25 to 34.

When the pandemic began, borrowers in this age group were 19 to 28. Some of these borrowers have not made a payment in almost six years, and others who graduated during or after the pandemic have also yet to make any payments.

The COVID-19 payment pause ended in 2023, and missed payments began to negatively impact borrowers' credit or lead to default in 2024.

In addition, borrowers who entered Biden's signature income-driven repayment plan, the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE), in 2023 have faced unprecedented changes to their repayment plan as lawsuits challenged the plan's legality.

Borrowers in the SAVE plan have been in an administrative forbearance since July 2024. In December 2025, the Department of Education announced that the SAVE plan was ending. It's still unclear when borrowers must leave the plan and how they'll manage once payments resume.



Where These Borrowers Go From Here

Borrowers on the SAVE plan will eventually have to move to a repayment plan, but other income-driven plans could also offer low monthly payments.

Federal Student Aid's Loan Simulator allows borrowers to compare different repayment plans and their monthly payments. In addition, a new income-driven repayment plan, the Repayment Assistance Plan, will be open for enrollment on July 1, 2026. For some borrowers, monthly payments under the RAP plan will be lower or similar to those under income-driven plans.

With payment pauses and changes to the SAVE plan confusing borrowers, millions have fallen behind on their payments. While fewer younger borrowers are delinquent on their loans than older borrowers, about 10% of the loan portfolio held by borrowers ages 18 to 29 is in serious delinquency, according to the New York Federal Reserve.




Connecticut municipalities have announced temporary parking bans and restrictions on local streets as the region braces for a major winter storm that could bring more than a foot of snow on Sunday.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning from Saturday night through Monday morning, warning the storm could dump between 12 to 18 inches of snow, with 8 to 12 inches along the coast.

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The agency said the heavy snow could limit visibility for drivers and make the roadway slick with ice. Officials urged motorists to stay off the roads during the storm.

Due to the looming storm, many Connecticut municipalities have announced parking bans to ensure public safety and make room for snow plows. Here are some of the municipalities that have issued bans or restrictions:

Andover

Andover bans street parking during or after a snow or ice event while roadways remain hazardous, according to the town's Facebook page.

Ansonia

A parking ban on all city streets is in effect from 7 p.m. Saturday to 11 p.m. Monday. The Ansonia Police Department said vehicles not removed from the street will be ticketed at the owner's expense. Officials said all city parking lots will be open for residents, but that vehicles parked in school lots should be removed by Monday night.

Beacon Falls

Parking is prohibited on all town highways between midnight and 6 a.m., according to the Beacon Falls Police Department.

Berlin

A parking ban will be in effect from 12 a.m. Sunday through all day Monday, officials said.

Bethel

The town of Bethel's on-street parking ban is in effect between 2 a.m. and 6 p.m. during the winter season, according to its Facebook page.

Bethlehem

From 8 a.m. Sunday to noon Monday, a parking ban will be enforced in Bethlehem.

Bloomfield

An on-street parking ban will be in effect from 8 a.m. Sunday to 11:59 p.m. Tuesday. Officials said vehicles left parked on any town roadway will be ticketed and subject to being towed.

Branford

Parking is prohibited on the even-numbered side of the street during and immediately after all snow storms. Officials are also urging residents of the following streets to make alternative parking arrangement due to the narrow roadways:

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Curve Street, Beckett Avenue, Pentecost Street, Gilbert Lane, Bristol Street, Brainerd Road, Court Street, Mona Avenue

Bridgeport

Parking will be banned on all snow emergency streets between 6 a.m. Saturday and 11:59 p.m. Monday. A full list of the streets can be found on the city's website.

On all nonemergency streets, residents must parking on the even-numbered side of the street. Officials said vehicles that are not following parking restrictions will be subject to fines and towing.

Bolton

Bolton's parking ban started at 7 p.m. Saturday and will continue through noon on Tuesday.

Bristol

A parking ban is in effect from 9 a.m. Sunday until 6 a.m. Tuesday, the Department of Public Works said on social media.

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The post asked residents to "limit travel" during the storm and comply with the parking ban to help crews clear the streets.

Cheshire

A town-wide parking ban will be in place from 12 a.m. Saturday to 11:59 p.m. Monday, officials said.

Clinton

The Clinton Police Department said vehicles are prohibited from parking on town roadways during a snow or ice storm and for 24-hours after the cessation of the event.

Colchester

Colchester's parking ban goes in effect on town roads after a half inch of snow has accumulated, according to the town's website. The parking ban will remain in effect for 12 hours after the snowfall stops.

Cornwall

From Dec. 16 through March 30, Cornwall's parking ban is enforced on town highways.

Coventry

A parking ban will be in place from 8 a.m. Sunday to 6 p.m. Monday, officials said.

Cromwell

An on-street parking ban will be in effect from 9 a.m. Sunday to 9 a.m. Monday, according to the Cromwell Police Department. Officials said vehicles in violation may be ticketed and towed.

Darien

Town officials urged drivers to avoid on-street parking during the duration of the storm. Officials noted that overnight parking is banned on town streets between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. through March 1. Violations may result in a $99 fine.

Danbury

Officials said a parking ban will be in effect during the storm on all city roads and crews will begin towing vehicles at 6 a.m. Sunday. Free parking is available at the Patriot and Bardo garages.

Deep River

A parking ban will be in effect in Deep River from 11:59 p.m. on Saturday until 11:59 p.m. on Monday.

Derby

Parking will be restricted to the even-numbered side of all city streets until 36 hours after the storm ends. Officials said the Derby Municipal Parking Garage at 2 Thompson Place will be open for residents of the downtown area to park until 9 a.m. Tuesday.

Durham

A parking ban on town streets and highways will be in effect starting at 10 p.m. Saturday until further notice. Officials said violators will be subject to a fine and the cost of towing, per town ordinance.

East Haven

A parking ban will automatically go into effect when snowfall begins and will remain in place for 36 hours after the snow event ends, officials said.

East Lyme

Parking will be banned on town streets starting 12 a.m. Saturday, according to the East Lyme Police Department. Officials said alternative parking will be available at the, McCooks Lower Lot, Hope Street Commuter Lot, Bridebrook Park and Methodist Street Parking Lot.

East Windsor

A parking ban will be in effect in East Windsor starting Sunday at 6 a.m. and remain in place until Tuesday at 6 p.m., according to the East Windsor Police Department.

Enfield

A parking ban will be in effect from 6 p.m. Saturday to 6 p.m. Monday, officials said.

Essex

Essex's parking ban will be enforced from Sunday at 7 a.m. through Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Fairfield

An alternate side parking ban will take effect at 6 a.m. Sunday and last 36 hours. Officials said parking will only be allowed on the odd-numbered side of public streets and violators may be ticketed and towed.

Farmington

A parking ban will be in effect from 8 p.m. Saturday through 2 p.m. Tuesday. Officials said the ban includes town building and school parking lots, and violators may be ticketed or towed.

Glastonbury

The Glastonbury Police Department will enforce a parking ban from Sunday at noon until Monday at noon.

Goshen

From Nov. 1 to April 1, Goshen enforces a parking ban on town roads.

Granby

Parking on any roadway will be prohibited from the start of the snow storm until at least 12 hours after the event. Officials said vehicles left on the road may be towed and issued a $250 fine.

Griswold

From 6 a.m. Sunday through 6 p.m. on Monday, a parking ban will be in effect in Griswold.

Groton

A parking ban will be in effect in Groton from 6 a.m. Sunday to 11 p.m. Monday.

Greenwich

On-street parking will be banned on designated snow emergency routes starting 12 a.m. Sunday until further notice, town officials said. The streets include:

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Amogerone Crossway, Arch Street, Benedict Place, Bolling Place, Brookside Drive, Bruce Park Avenue, Bruce Place, Church Street, Connecticut Avenue, Davis Avenue, East Elm Street, East Putnam Avenue (Maple Ave. to Library), Fawcett Place, Field Point Road, Greenwich Avenue, Grigg Street, Havemeyer Place, Hillside Road, Horseneck Lane, Hunter Place, Lafayette Place, Lake Avenue, Lawrence Street, LeGrande Avenue, Lenox Drive, Lewis Street, Lexington Avenue, Locust Street, Maher Avenue, Maple Avenue, Mason Street, Milbank Avenue, Perryridge Road, Railroad Avenue, Ridge Street, Sherwood Place, Shore Road, Sound View Drive, Steamboat Road, West Elm Street, West Putnam Avenue, William Street, Beech Street, Byram Road, Cedar Street, Chestnut Street, Church Street West, Delavan Avenue, Division Street West, Hervey Street, Kirby Street, Mead Avenue, Mill Street, North Water Street, Oak Street, Pine Street, Richland Road, South Water Street, Spruce Street, Western Junior Highway, William Street West, Hamilton Avenue, Old Field Point Road, Saint Roch Avenue, Comly Avenue, Pemberwick Road, Moshier Street, Glenville Road/Street from Glenridge Road to Pemberwick Road, Riversville Road from Glenville Road, north to entrance to Glenville School, Bible Street, East Putnam Avenue (Field Rd. to Diamond Hill), Loughlin Avenue, Orchard Street, Relay Place, River Road, River Road Extension, Sinawoy Road, Strickland Road, Suburban Avenue, Valley Road, Hendrie Avenue, North Sound Beach Avenue, Arcadia Road, Lockwood Avenue, Sound Beach Avenue and West End Avenue.

Guilford

Guilford police announced a parking ban from 1 a.m. on Sunday to 12 p.m. on Tuesday on all roads in town, and the department made its announcement Star Wars-themed, complete with a photo of an office fueling up an AT-AT Walker.

Haddam

Officials said parking is be banned on town roads between Nov. 15 and April 15. to facilitate snow plowing, and violators will be towed at the owners' expense.

Hamden

A parking ban will be in effect starting Saturday at 11 p.m. until further notice, according to officials.

Hartford

A parking ban will be in place from 8 a.m. Saturday until sometime Monday. City officials said the end of the ban will be determined after road conditions are assessed. Officials said residents should move their vehicles to the following authorized parking areas to avoid being ticketed and towed:

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Blue Light Lots: 130 Sisson Ave., 2434 Main St., 141 Sheldon St., 1213 Main St., 60 Chadwick Ave., 45 Evergreen Ave., 175 Mather St. Sigourney Street and Homestead Avenue, Learning Corridor Parking Garage - Brownell St. Entrance and 75 Clark St.

City Parks and Centers: Colt Park  Wawarme St. Lot, Elizabeth Park  Asylum St. Lot, Elizabeth Park  Prospect Ave. Lot, Goodwin Park  Hubbard Rd. Lot, Goodwin Park  Maple Ave. Golf Course Lot, Keney Park  Woodland St. Lot, Keney Park  Ridgefield St. Lot, Rocky Ridge Park  Zion St. Lot, Thomas J. Hyland Memorial Park  Ansonia St. Lot, Foster Heights Park  Amherst St. Lot, Holcomb Health and Human Services Campus - 2 Holcomb St. Lot, North End Senior Center - 80 Coventry St. Lot, Parker Memorial Community Center - 2621 Main St., Metzner Recreation Center 680 Franklin Ave., Samuel Valentin Arroyo Recreation Center  30 Pope Park Dr.

Hartford Public Schools Parking Lots.

Kent

Kent's winter parking ban is in effect from midnight until 7 a.m. between Dec. 1 and April 1.

Killingly

Town officials said a parking ban will be in place for all public roadways when the snow starts and will remain in effect until the Highway Department has cleared the roadways. Officials said an exact time will be released later.

Ledyard

Ledyard's parking ban will be enforced from Sunday at 12:01 a.m. to noon on Tuesday.

Lisbon

From midnight Saturday through noon on Tuesday, a parking ban will be in effect in Lisbon.

Madison

Madison Police Department's parking ban for the winter season will remain in effect from midnight to 7 a.m. during the storm.

Manchester

A parking ban will be in effect from 2 a.m. Sunday to 12 a.m. Tuesday. Officials said vehicles left on the roadway may be towed.

Mansfield

During the winter season, Mansfield enforces a parking ban on public streets and lots between midnight and 6 a.m. or at all times when there is an accumulation of snow or ice.

Marlborough

According to Marlborough's town ordinance, no parking is permitted on any highway or town road between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m. from Nov. 1 to April 1.

Meriden

A parking ban will be in place from midnight Saturday until noon Monday. The Meriden Police Department said residents should remove all vehicles from city streets. Officials said temporary parking is available in the following areas: Columbus Park, Washington Park, Ceppa Field, North End Field, City Park, Municipal Lot (Catlin St.), Municipal Lot (St. Casimir Dr.), 79 Miller St. and Orange Cook Ave. Lot.

Middlebury

A parking ban will go into effect at midnight Sunday and remain in place through Tuesday morning, officials said.

Middlefield

A town-wide parking ban will be in effect in Middlefield from 1 a.m. on Sunday through 8 a.m. on Tuesday.

Middletown

Middletown's parking ban goes into effect starting at 5 a.m. on Sunday, according to officials.

Milford

Milford's parking ban will be enforced from 6 a.m. on Sunday through 6 a.m. on Tuesday, according to the Milford Police Department.

Montville

A parking ban will be in effect in Montville from Sunday at 5 a.m. until evening snow plowing operations end on Monday, according to the Montville Volunteer Fire Service.

New Britain

A parking ban on all city streets will be in place starting 8 p.m. Saturday. Officials said violators will be subject to a $100 parking ticket and will be towed at the owner's expense. Alternative parking will be available at the following locations:

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Stanley Golf Course, Osgood Park, City parking lot at Wildwood St. & Linden St. (next to Police substation), Washington Park (lot opposite Gold Street), Martha Hart Park, City parking garages (Bank St/Chestnut St. & Columbus Blvd. at the corner of Washington St.) and All New Britain Public School Parking Lots.

New Haven

A parking ban will go into effect at 10 p.m. Saturday. Officials said parking is prohibited downtown, on emergency snow routes, on the odd-numbered side of residential streets and within 25 feet of fire hydrants, intersections and bus stops. New Haven residents can park for free in designated Yale University parking lots or find other free and low-cost options in city lots and downtown parking garages, according to the university. For specific locations and details, visit the city's Office of Emergency Management web page at newhavenct.gov and click "Designated Winter Storm Parking."

Newington

A townwide parking ban will be in place from 6 a.m. Sunday to 7 a.m Tuesday, according to the Newington Police Department.

New London

A parking ban will be in place downtown and on narrow streets from 11 p.m. Saturday through the end of the storm. Officials said complimentary parking will be available in the Water Street Garage, but prohibited in the municipal lots on Eugene O'Neill Drive between Pearl Street and Tilley Street.

New Milford

A parking ban will be in place from 12:30 p.m. Sunday to 12 p.m. Monday. Officials said residents will be allowed to use the municipal parking lots at Town Hall, Senior Center and Patriots' Way.

North Branford

Town officials said a temporary parking ban will be in effect from 8 a.m. Sunday to 6 p.m. Monday evening at 6 p.m., but that could change depending on the course of the storm. Officials said violators may be ticketed and towed.

North Haven

North Haven's parking ban will go into effect starting midnight on Sunday and continue through 11:59 p.m. on Monday.

Norfolk

Norfolk's parking ban at Station Place will be in effect from Sunday at noon to Monday at 8 a.m. Parking will be available at the Town Hall.

Norwalk

A parking ban will take effect at 2 p.m. Saturday on all snow emergency routes. Officials said alternative parking will be free for residents at the Yankee Doodle and Maritime Aquarium garages, but not in school lots. A map of emergency routes can be found online.

Norwich

The Norwich Police Department has issued a parking ban starting at 8 p.m. Sunday. Officials said parking will be prohibited on the odd address side of the street until the conclusion of the ban. There are also several streets where parking is banned on either side of the street. Check the Norwich Police Department Facebook page for a full list.

Old Saybrook

A parking ban will be in place on both sides of Main Street from 3 p.m. Sunday to 12 a.m. Monday, according to the Old Saybrook Police Department.

Old Lyme

A parking ban on all roads will be in place from 7 a.m. Sunday through 7 a.m. Tuesday, according to the town's website.

Plainfield

A parking ban will be in effect for all public roadways when one inch of snow has fallen and will remain in effect until the Highway Department has cleared the roadways, officials said.

Plainville

A parking ban will be in place from 9 a.m. Sunday to 9 p.m. Sunday, officials said.

Plymouth

A parking ban on all roadways will be in place from 9 a.m. Sunday to 12 p.m. Monday. Officials said vehicles parked in violation may be ticketed and towed.

Putnam

Starting Sunday at 8 a.m., the Putnam Police Department will enforce a parking ban throughout the town. The ban will continue until Tuesday at noon.

Redding

Redding's parking ban will begin Sunday and continue through Tuesday, according to its Instagram page.

Salem

A parking ban will be enforced in Salem from 5 p.m. Saturday through Monday at noon.

Seymour

A parking ban will be in place on all streets from 7 p.m. Saturday to 7 p.m. Monday, officials said. Officials said vehicles that are not removed will be towed and urged residents to park in school or community lots.

Southington

A parking ban will be in effect from 12 p.m. Sunday to 6 p.m. Monday, officials said.

Stamford

Mayor Caroline Simmons has declaring a winter storm emergency effective 8 a.m. Saturday to 11:59 p.m. Tuesday. Officials said streets that normally allow parking on both sides will be subject to "alternate side of street" parking, and that parking is permitted on the odd-numbered side of the street of odd-numbered dates and on the even-numbered side on even-numbered dates. Officials said cars must be moved by 8 a.m. the following day.

Stonington

Town officials said a parking ban will take effect when the storm begins. Vehicles left in the road may be ticketed and towed.

Stratford

A parking ban will be in place from 8 a.m. Sunday until all streets are cleared. Officials said residents must park on the odd-numbered side of the street during the ban.

Thompson

A parking ban will be in effect from 1 a.m. on Sunday through 8 a.m. on Tuesday in Thompson.

Tolland

Tolland's parking ban started at 6 p.m. Saturday and will remain in effect until Tuesday at noon.

Torrington

A parking ban will be enforced in Torrington from Sunday at 7 a.m. until Monday at 7 p.m.

Trumbull

Trumbull's parking ban will go into effect at 6 a.m. Sunday. The expiration of the parking ban will be announced on the town's website at www.trumbull-ct.gov and its social media accounts.

Vernon

Town officials announced a parking ban on all public streets from 7 a.m. Sunday until 6 p.m. on Monday. Violators of the ban may be ticketed and towed.

Wallingford

A parking ban will be in effect on all streets from 12 a.m. on Sunday until 8 a.m. on Tuesday, officials said. According to Wallingford police, motorists who violate the ban could have their cars towed.

Waterbury

A citywide parking ban will be in effect from 6 a.m. Sunday to 5 p.m. Monday. During the ban, parking will be prohibited on the odd-numbered side of the street, officials said. Alternative parking will be provided at the Scovill Street Garage (33 Scovill Street) and Buckingham Garage (210 Bank Street).

Waterford

A parking ban will be in place from 6 p.m Saturday until the storm has ended and the roads have been cleared of snow. Officials said vehicles left on the road may be towed and ticketed.

Watertown

A town-wide snow emergency parking ban will be in effect from midnight Saturday to 7 a.m. Tuesday, officials said. Public parking is available at Mosgrove Field in Oakville (Davis Street) and in the municipal parking lots off Main Street.

West Hartford

A parking ban will be in place starting at 5 a.m. Sunday until further notice. Officials said residents may park in municipal lots and garages (fees apply for both) and public school lots until 12 p.m. Monday.

West Haven

A parking ban is in effect from 8 a.m. Sunday until further notice on the even-numbered side of most roads, unless one is posted with a "No Parking" sign on the odd side. Parking is also banned on the both sides of the following emergency snow routes:

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Campbell Avenue, Savin Avenue, Morgan Lane, Elm Street, Meloy Road, West Spring Street, Kelsey Avenue, Spring Street, Second Avenue from Elm Street to Beach Street, Benham Hill Road from Woodmont Road to Morgan Lane, Shingle Hill Road from Morgan Lane to Allings Crossing Road, Main Street from Allings Crossing Road to First Avenue, Fairfax Street, Rangely Street, David Street, Fenwick Street, Plainfield Avenue, Admiral Street, Gilbert Street, Ruden Street, Spruce Street, Hemlock Street, Farwell Street, Colonial Boulevard to Lake Street and South Street.

Officials said alternative parking is available in the following municipal lots:

School parking lots, Campbell Avenue and Captain Thomas Boulevard, next to Biagetti's Restaurant, 77 Campbell Ave., and Scoreboards Cafe, 100 Campbell Ave., Campbell Avenue, across from Duffy's Tavern, 241 Campbell Ave., Curtiss Place, behind 473 Campbell Ave., Campbell Avenue, behind 519 Campbell Ave., City Hall, 355 Main St., Johnson Community Center, 201 Noble St., First Avenue commuter lot, Former St. Paul Church, 898 First Ave., Quigley Stadium, 362 Front Ave. and Sawmill Road commuter lot, across from Econo Lodge, 370 Highland St.

Wethersfield

A a parking ban in effect from 12 a.m. Sunday to 12 p.m. Tuesday, officials said. Officials warned the ban could be extended depending on the weather conditions.

Willimantic

A parking ban for local streets is active from 7 a.m. Sunday to noon Tuesday. Officials said individuals can park their vehicles in municipal parking lots.

Winchester

A town-wide parking ban will be in effect from 3 p.m. Saturday to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Parking on Main Street will also be prohibited from 11 p.m. Saturday to 8 a.m. Tuesday.

Windsor Locks

Town officials said parking on any roadway is prohibited during snow events. The ban will begin at the start of the storm and will remain until at least 12-hours after it ends. Vehicles left on the roadway may be ticketed and towed at the owner's expense.

Woodbridge

A parking ban will be in place from 7 a.m. Sunday to 2 p.m. Monday.

Wolcott

A parking ban will be in effect from 6 a.m. Sunday to 6 a.m. Tuesday.

This article originally published at Connecticut towns and cities announce parking bans as Sunday snowstorm looms.
A government contractor whose handling of classified information triggered a court-authorized search of a Washington Post reporters home was charged Thursday by a federal grand jury in Maryland with six felony violations of the Espionage Act, the Justice Department said.

Aurelio Luis Perez-Lugones, 61, was indicted on five counts of unlawfully transmitting and one count of unlawfully retaining national defense information, the U.S. Attorneys office in Maryland announced.

While the announcement did not name the journalist Perez-Lugones allegedly sent classified information to, DOJ officials said the charges stemmed from his sharing of national security secrets with Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson.

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The federal investigation of Perez-Lugones swept in Natanson last week when the FBI searched her Alexandria, Virginia, home and seized several electronic devices in a bid to unearth evidence of her contact with the information technology contractor and Navy veteran.

That search drew criticism from First Amendment and press freedom advocates for departing from the usual practice of subpoenaing records from the media instead of seizing them. It also raised questions about whether DOJ complied with a 1980 law that sharply restricts the use of search warrants for records related to newsgathering.

On Wednesday, a magistrate judge in Alexandria ordered investigators to halt any review of Natansons devices until the court rules on a request from her and the Post to return them. A hearing on the matter is slated for early February.

The text of the indictment against Perez-Lugones was not immediately available Thursday, but the DOJ announcement alleged that, between October and January, he repeatedly accessed classified reports, printed or copied the information in these classified reports, and then removed this classified information from the sensitive compartmented information facility (SCIF) where he worked.

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Perez-Lugones transmitted the classified national defense information to a reporter  who was not authorized to receive it. In turn, [the reporter] co-authored and contributed to at least five articles that contained classified information Perez-Lugones provided, resulting in the dissemination of the information to the public, the DOJ statement said.

Natanson is not charged with any offense.

DOJ claims that on Jan. 8, the day FBI agents searched Perez-Lugones Laurel, Maryland, home, he wrote to Natanson on an encrypted app: Im going quiet for a bit ... just to see if anyone starts asking questions.

Perez-Lugones could face a maximum sentence of 60 years in prison if convicted on all charges, but defendants in federal criminal cases are usually sentenced under guidelines that typically call for shorter sentences. Last week, a magistrate judge ordered Perez-Lugones released pending trial, but prosecutors appealed that ruling and he and his attorneys later withdrew his request for release, at least for now.

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Illegally disclosing classified defense information is a grave crime against America that puts both our national security and the lives of our military heroes at risk," Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement. "This Department of Justice will remain ever-vigilant in protecting the integrity of America's classified intelligence."

A spokesperson for the Washington Post did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
FIRST ON FOX: As federal agents flooded Minnesota streets this week, Fox News Digital obtained new details about some of the "worst of the worst" criminal illegal immigrants arrested within the last 24 hours, a roster that includes convicted pedophiles, sexual predators and drug traffickers.

The new information comes after a news conference Friday, where Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino spoke about immigration enforcement in Minneapolis, emphasizing the importance of agents' recent operations.

In addition to two criminal illegal immigrant arrests highlighted at the news conference in the blue city, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials told Fox News Digital others snatched Thursday during Operation Metro Surge were convicted of sex crimes against children, domestic abuse and drug trafficking.

A federal agent of Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino's team during a stop at a gas station as immigration enforcement continues after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good Jan. 7, in Minneapolis Jan. 21, 2026. (Reuters)

La County Eyes 'Ice-free Zones' On Government Property Despite $1B In Federal Funding At Risk

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"DHS law enforcement continues to remove violent criminal illegal aliens from the streets of Minnesota. Just yesterday, they arrested pedophiles, sexual predators, and drug traffickers in Minnesota," DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin wrote in a statement. "Many of these public safety threats were released from Minnesota jails."

McLaughlin added DHS is calling on Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey to honor Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers on the more than 1,360 illegal immigrants in Minnesota jails.

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"Despite horrific smears and violent assaults against them, our officers continue to put their lives on the line to arrest the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens," she said.

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Noem Praises Dhs Officers On Law Enforcement Appreciation Day As Attacks On Federal Agents Spike Nationwide

According to DHS, some of the criminal illegal immigrants arrested during Operation Metro Surge on Thursday include:

Jose Eliborio Ocampo-Leon, a criminal illegal immigrant from Mexico, was previously convicted of criminal sexual conduct with a victim under the age of 16.

Rudy Alexander Pineda-Aguilar, a criminal illegal immigrant from Guatemala, was previously convicted of criminal sexual conduct.

Gerardo Sanchez-Acuna, a criminal illegal immigrant from Mexico, was previously convicted of drug trafficking.

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Jeffrey Alexander Roman-Rabanales, a criminal illegal immigrant from Guatemala, was previously convicted of assault, domestic assault and damage to property.

Salvador Salazar-Rivera, a criminal illegal immigrant from Mexico, was previously convicted of domestic assault and inflicting corporal injury on a spouse.

Ayro Ariel Mimbrera-Fernandez, a criminal illegal immigrant from Mexico, had an outstanding federal arrest warrant for amphetamine sale.

Mimbrera-Fernandez was also previously convicted of theft and driving while intoxicated.





Original article source: Convicted pedophiles, sex predators arrested in Minnesota immigration sweep within the last 24 hours
What began as an attempt to impress a first date ended with an arrest Saturday night after deputies say a man performed aggressive driving maneuvers in a church parking lot in Englewood, Florida.

Charlotte County deputies arrested 28-year-old Landon Morris after receiving multiple reports of a gray Corvette spinning donuts at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovahs Witnesses on Gulf Coast Boulevard. Witnesses said the car tore through the parking lot at high speed, leaving heavy tire marks and sending thick blue smoke into the air. At one point, the smoke was so dense that the vehicle was briefly obscured from view.

The activity unfolded close to nearby homes, alarming residents who described the noise as extremely loud and consistent with a heavily modified vehicle. Deputies noted that the sound of the Corvette could be heard well beyond the parking lot.

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According to investigators, a deputy initially heard the Corvette accelerating south on Winchester Boulevard near South McCall Road. The vehicle was then seen speeding through several residential neighborhoods before entering the church parking lot, where Morris allegedly began spinning the car in tight circles. Smoke continued to rise from the pavement even as law enforcement arrived on scene.

Deputies said Morris admitted he had driven from Orlando to meet a woman from Rotonda West for what was supposed to be their first date. The passenger reportedly acknowledged her role in encouraging the stunt, apologizing to deputies and saying she had asked Morris to perform the donuts as a way to impress her.

Instead, the display drew swift attention from neighbors and law enforcement. Morris was taken into custody and charged with racing.

Residents in the area said the incident underscored ongoing concerns about reckless driving in the neighborhood. Those concerns have been heightened since a fatal crash in July led county officials to install a new four-way stop on Ocean Spray Boulevard. Neighbors noted that the streets are frequently used by families and children, making dangerous driving especially troubling.

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Authorities did not report any injuries related to the incident, but deputies emphasized the potential risk posed by high-speed stunts in residential areas. The investigation concluded with Morris arrest at the scene, closing out a first date that ended far differently than planned.

Source





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Maines senate race is undergoing upheaval as Donald Trump and his administration put a thumb on the scale in a manner that could cost one of the most senior Republicans in Congress their seat.

Sen. Susan Collins, a five-term Republican, is hoping to once again secure victory for her party and help them protect the majority in the upper chamber this fall. Typically, shed be doing so in her usual fashion: As a maverick but reliably red centrist Republican known for breaking with her party on some issues but generally remaining a loyal member of the Senate GOP caucus.

This year, however, things are different. After spurning the president on a War Powers resolution meant to constrain further hostilities with Venezuela, Collins finds herself running with Trumps anti-endorsement: He urged his Republican voters to leave Collins and four other GOP senators at the altar this election season and beyond, in a Truth Social post. Days after the Senate GOP leader insisted he didnt mean it, Trump doubled down, calling her a disaster.

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And this week, Homeland Security officials confirmed that a surge of ICE operations will soon begin in Collinss home state  provoking a furious response from her two declared Democratic opponents, one of whom is the states current governor, Janet Mills.

Dubbed Operation Catch of the Day, it will target Maines Somali-American community based largely in Lewiston, according to CBS News, as well as other locations in the state where the administration says undocumented immigrants from other African nations are located. It follows the Trump administration and the president leaning into a wave of targeted enforcement against Minnesotas Somali-American community and Trumps own heavy criticism of Somali-Americans, which has been called overtly racist by Democrats. A DHS official who spoke to Fox News said that the administration wanted to arrest 1,400 people in the state.

Sen. Susan Collins found herself on the wrong end of Donald Trump's ire after a vote on Venezuela (Getty Images)

Across the country, a larger-scale ICE surge in Minneapolis has become the site of rising tensions and angry demonstrations after an ICE agent shot and killed a woman in her car, Renee Good, during a confrontation on a street. Thousands of people have begun protesting the ICE presence, including in Maine.

On Thursday, both Mills and Collinss Democratic-caucusing independent colleague in the U.S. Senate, Angus King, briefed reporters in Portland, Maine, about the ICE surge. Both raised concerns about reports of an ICE memo supposedly rationalizing agents entering homes and businesses without warrants to detain suspected targets for immigration enforcement. Collins was conspicuously absent and has been since the enforcement surge was announced.

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Mills said that she was also concerned that the surge would not target individuals with criminal backgrounds, and would instead involve broad sweeps to pick up anyone with problems in their immigration background.

"We take allegations of criminal activity seriously, no matter who the person is. I don't sense that there's any greater incidence of crime among non-citizens than there is among citizens; in fact, I think probably the opposite," Mills said at a news conference. "But that's not what we're hearing about.

King issued a forceful statement on Wednesday, condemning what he called the most dangerous assault on our economy, our democratic system, and our people since the Civil War, perpetrated (he said) by the White House. He pledged to vote against ICE funding once it reaches the Senate.

Janet Mills, Maines governor, now has the opportunity to respond to Donald Trumps ICE surge in the spotlight as she runs for Senate against Susan Collins (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Collins also released a statement with a notable amount of nuance to it on Wednesday, her first on the situation since telling HuffPost a week ago that she didnt see the rationale for a large number of ICE agents to come in.

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There are people in Maine and elsewhere who have entered this country illegally and who have engaged in criminal activity. They could be subject to arrest and deportation pursuant to the laws of the United States, and people who are exercising the right to peacefully gather and protest their government should be careful not to interfere with law enforcement efforts while doing so, said the senator.

I have advocated for providing body cameras and de-escalation training for ICE personnel. At this time of heightened tensions, these steps could help improve trust, accountability, and safety, Collins went on. Our proposed funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security includes $20 million for body cameras and $2 million for de-escalation training, which could help protect both ICE agents and the general public. I hope that Congress will adopt these measures quickly.

As a centrist Republican, Collins has always been in a tough spot  one that grew immeasurably tougher under the rise of Donald Trump. But before now, Republican leaders and Trump himself have always been willing to give her some slack on the rope to work outside of the party lines. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has said that Collins is the only Republican who can win in the state, and the Senate Leadership Fund (Thunes Senate GOP campaign PAC) said this week that it is dumping $42m into Collinss race to boost her, meaning that Washington has far from given up her seat.

Donald Trump lashed out and called Susan Collins a disaster after her vote to invoke the War Powers Act over his strike on Venezuela (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Shell be running against powerful anti-Trump headwinds in her home state, where, according to an Economist/YouGov tracking poll, the presidents net approval rating is more than 18 points underwater.

And Donald Trump has made very, very clear in recent days that, despite Thunes insistence to the direct contrary, he actually does not care if Collins wins her seat again this year. His ICE raids in her home state, weeks after a tough vote that comforted Democrats with her drift from GOP doctrine, signal that the president is completely fine with centering an uncomfortable national fight in Collinss backyard, and giving her opponents ammunition at a very bad time.
An Iowa Republican lawmaker wants to pursue a study on absorbing counties in Illinois, where a secessionist movement has grown fueled by divisions over the Prairie State's policy direction.

A proposal from Rep. Taylor Collins, R-Mediapolis, House File 2141, would establish an "Iowa-Illinois boundary adjustment committee" to consider whether to move the dividing line between the two states by transferring one or more Illinois counties along the Iowa border to the Hawkeye State.

Collins said the bill would primarily look at all counties that along the Mississippi River.

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"As somebody that represents really a district that's right along the border and along the Mississippi River, I know many folks on both sides of the river, and I know there's a lot of folks in the high-tax state of Illinois that's now basically supporting career criminals," Collins said. "They would love to be Iowa residents, and many of them have taken the steps to actually move to the state of Iowa."

If advanced, Iowa would follow in the footsteps of Indiana, where Gov. Mike Braun in 2025 signed a law creating a commission to explore the possibility of annexing parts of Illinois. That passed after more than 30 Illinois counties voted on nonbinding referendums to secede from the Democratic-led state of Illinois over differences in policy and political ideology with Chicago.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a Democrat eyeing a run for the White House in 2028, had called Indiana's legislation a "stunt."

"I'll just say Indiana is a low-wage state that doesn't protect workers, a state that does not provide health care for people when they're in need, and so I don't think it's attractive for anybody in Illinois where wages are higher where the standard of living is higher, and we do provide health care for people in need," he said.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks during the Polk County Democrats Steak Fry at Water Works Park on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Des Moines.

This is not the first Iowa proposal looking to take a neighboring state's counties.

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Sen. Mike Bousselot, R-Ankeny, introduced a bill in 2025 proposing to enter into negotiations with Iowa's northern neighbor and allow Iowa to buy nine southern Minnesota counties. It never received a subcommittee hearing.

Under Collins' bill, the boundary adjustment study committee would be made up of:

Six individuals from the state of Iowa who are not lawmakers or appointees of the governor.

No more than four members of the same political party.

Five individuals from Illinois appointed under Illinois state law.

The governor would have to notify the Illinois governor when committee members have been appointed and schedule the committee's first meeting no later than Sept. 1, 2026.

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The panel would have to submit a report to legislatures in both states containing its recommendations, including any potential legislation and a summary of its work.

Each state would need to approve new boundary lines. And Congress would ultimately have to approve any changes to the states' boundaries.

Collins said he had not yet spoken with the Senate to gauge support for his bill.

Asked if the bill would receive consideration in a subcommittee hearing, Rep. Jane Bloomingdale, R-Northwood, who chairs the House State Government Committee, said she had only learned of the bill Jan. 22 and had not yet reviewed it.

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Marissa Payne covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. Reach her by email at mjpayne@registermedia.com. Follow her on X at @marissajpayne.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa GOP lawmaker's bill looks to study absorbing Illinois counties
As the Trump administrations crackdown on immigration continues and the administration prepares the military for deployment, Minnesota organizers describe Immigration and Customs Enforcements presence as so pervasive and violent that some question whether the deployment of the actual military would even affect conditions there in practical terms.

Christa Sarrack, the president of Unite Here Local 17, a Minnesota hospitality workers union, told Salon that union members were afraid to go to work in hotels and airports in particular due to the ICE presence there.

Many are choosing to just stay home and not go to work because of that fear. And this is across the board, regardless of immigration status, Sarrack said. It seems that ICE doesnt really care about immigration status. It is just about the color of their skin. Thats how our membership is feeling. At the airport, we have had 15 members who have been detained.

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Sararck said that if the federal government cared about the safety of Minnesotans, it would pull ICE out of the state. Still, Sarrack noted, ICEs behavior in the city  which has included snatching immigrants, citizens, protesters and bystanders alike  has sparked fierce resistance, which culminated Friday in a city-wide general strike.

Billed by organizers as ICE Out of Minnesota: Day of Truth and Freedom, the protest is a product of collaboration between unions, faith leaders and community organizations. It also acts as a call for national leaders and those in cities that have not yet experienced the ICE treatment to take heed. The day will feature an economic blackout, with organizers calling on those who can to not go to work and not to shop. School closures were already planned due to a dangerous storm bringing temperatures as cold as below 21 degrees to the region.

So far, Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, has called on ICE to leave the state, alongside Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey. Since the killing of Minneapolis resident Renee Nicole Good by ICE officer Jonathan Ross earlier this month, tensions have escalated between the state and federal authorities. Trumps Justice Department has launched an investigation into Walz and Frey with Trumps former personal attorney, Todd Blanch, who now serves in the DOJ, accusing them of terrorism.

Trump has also ordered the military police to prepare for deployment to Minneapolis and has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act, a 19th century law that could empower him to deploy active duty military in Minneapolis.

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Shannon Gibney, an organizer with Minneapolis Families for Public Schools, one of the groups participating in the Friday protest, told Salon that she hoped those in power would take notice of the action. She also highlighted a recent House bill that passed Thursday, which would funnel $10 billion into ICE, thanks to seven Democrats voting in favor.

All this money is going towards this mass deportation complex, and so the idea is just to refuse, Gibney said. We refuse to participate in the economy that is ripping our neighbors from us, that is destroying families.

Gibeney has been helping to raise money and resources for families with children at public schools and said that families have needed help with everything from making rent to putting food on the table since ICEs operations in Minnesota started. The organization has helped orchestrate the delivery of groceries and household products to these families since ICEs blitz on Minnesota began.

There are families that havent been able to work because they cant leave their house for fear of being deported, Gibney said. Then the other huge need that we have is rent. Were pushing the Walz administration for an eviction moratorium, but thats not looking super likely at the moment.

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In her own experience, Gibney has seen ICE conducting early morning raids in South Minneapolis. One Saturday morning, she said, she was woken up by her dog around 6:30 am because ICE was in the process of taking two of her neighbors, people that she and others in the community are still working to locate.

We have been trying to track down who was taken for a week, more than a week, and we cannot, we cannot find any information. Theyre trying to detain people and then send them to Texas, Gibney said, adding that organizers have been trying to support those detained by ICE as soon as they can. So this information is crucial to interrupt the process.

Jill Garvey, the co-director of States at the Core, a rapid response organization that has worked in multiple states affected by ICE, told Salon that she doesnt see how even the military, which has been put on alert for a potential deployment, could further militarize the federal presence in the Twin Cities.

I cant imagine deploying the military to Minneapolis will change much, given the current reality that the city is already overwhelmingly occupied by armed forces, Garvey said. In my opinion, additional armed forces are meant to escalate tensions and fear, and perhaps normalize these types of developments for other cities.

Start your day with essential news from Salon.

Sign up for our free morning newsletter, Crash Course.

Garvey, who has been working in Minneapolis since the ramp-up of ICE operations there, said that people can barely leave the house or navigate the city without interacting with ICE in some way, whether its in traffic, at work, at a shopping center or in their own neighborhoods.

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One issue that Gibney noted is that, despite myriad videos showing ICE deploying so-called less lethal force against Americans, officers themselves are not eager to confront larger groups of people, understanding that their actions and presence is incredibly unpopular. Instead, Gibney said, the officers prefer to grab people and then quickly make their escape.

They are hated here. I just dont think theyre going to come to a place where there are literally thousands of people who want them out and are marching in sub zero weather, Gibney said of the prospects of ICE confronting protesters Friday.

The post Could the military further militarize Minneapolis? appeared first on Salon.com.
The Cumberland County Commission unanimously approved the 2026 Cumberland County road list in a 16-0 vote during its January meeting Tuesday night.

The 2026 list includes additions voted on previously Tuesday night and throughout 2025.

Tennessee law states only roads listed on the countys official road list are considered county roads.

The road list is approved annually in January.

Changes to the road list were approved and recommended by the Cumberland County Road Department, Cumberland County Regional Planning Commission, and Environmental Committee. Public hearings regarding the changes were held by the Cumberland County Planning Commission.

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The following changes are included on the 2026 Cumberland County road list:

 Remove 4,552 feet from the end section of Natures Way.

 Add Grapevine Road at .63 miles.

 Add Laurelwood Drive at .098 miles and Laurelwood Circle at .047 miles.

 Add Perry Creek Drive at .38 miles.

 Shorten Camp Nakanawa Road, removing .78 miles, making the remainder private.

 Shorten Lavender Lane by .08 miles to .09 miles.

 Calusa Circle corrected and changed to Warpath Circle.

 Add Chestnut Ridge Lane at .42 miles and Chestnut Ridge Court at .12 miles.

 Add Racquet Club Drive at .11 miles.

 Extend Houston Drive from .25 miles to .52 miles.

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Resolutions adding Chestnut Ridge Lane and Chestnut Ridge Court; Racquet Club Drive; and extending Houston Drive were also approved unanimously.

Colleen Mall, 9th District, motioned for approval. Joe Sherrill, 6th District, supported the motion.

County commissioners Darrell Threet, 3rd District; and John Patterson, 9th District; did not attend the meeting.
Gov. Spencer Cox delivers his State of the State address at the Utah Capitol in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. (Pool photo by Bethany Baker/The Salt Lake Tribune)

Utah Gov. Spencer Coxs State of the State speech this year had hints of state policy, while again focusing on building. But now, what needs to be built the most, Cox emphasized, is moral infrastructure.

In an almost 30-minute speech to members of the state Senate and House Thursday evening, Cox called for a return to virtue, which, he said, may mean a return to Utah.

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In todays Utah, that may take shape by solving challenges, like nearly half of the states third graders not being able to read at their grade level. Also, housing affordability struggles, and the growth of homelessness and addiction to both drugs and social media.

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Utah may be perhaps the greatest success story of the American experiment, Cox said, ranking high on best of lists. And yet, dark clouds are building all around us, he said, describing a growing sense of loneliness and isolation, especially among young people, despite endless tools to digitally connect.

2026 priorities

The governor has a notable animosity against social media companies. So much so that last month he told a room full of tech executives however much you hate social media, you do not hate it enough, and, during his tenure, the state has sued social media companies for their addictive features.

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This year, Cox has unveiled one bill that seeks to fix what he called a mistake the Legislature made last year  to not extend a school cellphone ban throughout the whole school day rather than just class time.

Phone-based childhoods are reshaping attention, sleep, relationships, and mental health  not because parents dont care, but because this is a problem that no single family can solve alone, he said.

Calling tech companies the most powerful in human history, he added he believes the role of government includes establishing commonsense guardrails.

What social media companies do, without a doubt, is tyranny over the minds of our children and grandchildren, Cox said. And, well, us adults too.

Gov. Spencer Cox delivers his State of the State address at the Utah Capitol in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. (Pool photo by Bethany Baker/The Salt Lake Tribune)

However, other tangible issues may also be affecting Utahns morale.

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Too many Utahns are doing everything right, but are left to wonder if theyll be able to afford a place of their own, Cox said.

This weakens trust and frays the bonds that hold us together.

He promised that Utah will not become a state of renters, calling leaders to pull every lever to increase housing supply, including zoning reforms, streamline permitting, and more support for infrastructure and innovation.

But, still, he made a case for small government, saying building more homes means less government, not more.

We will never solve all of our challenges with more laws. This great experiment in self government demands, well, more self government, Cox said in his speech to Utah lawmakers who this week convened for a 45-day general session, where they are expected to discuss and approve hundreds of bills.

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Cox also made a big mention of homelessness, an issue he has vowed to work to solve, and that has made headlines in the state with the announcement of the site of a 1300-bed homeless campus on the west side of Salt Lake City.

He vowed to make Utah the worst place in the country to camp on the street, and the best place to get help.

Saying that homelessness is growing across the nation, driven by addiction, mental illness, and the devastating spread of fentanyl, he committed to help break addiction and crime cycles.

Real compassion doesnt leave people trapped. It tells the truth and it restores agency, he said. Accountability is not cruelty, it is respect for human dignity.

It has to mean more than words

Utah prides itself on being a family state. That has to mean more than words. It means showing up for families in real ways and building a future where they dont just get by, but truly succeed, Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla said in legislative Democrats response to the State of the State address alongside House Minority Leader Angela Romero.

Let us know what you think...

Both Salt Lake City Democrats committed to fight to advance bills to protect access to food and health care amid federal cuts. Also, to advocate for gun safety laws, protections for the Great Salt Lake, and investments in public education in the state, in addition to other hot topics expected to be studied this session like changes to the judiciary and citizen initiatives.

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At its core, representation is about trust. When people feel seen and respected by their government, our democracy works better, Romero said. We are committed to building a Utah where every person knows they belong and has a voice in shaping our shared future.

But no ones like Utah

During his speech, the Republican governor also took a moment to criticize the countrys two major political parties, saying national elected officials are making a mockery of (Benjamin) Franklins virtues, rewarding grift, rejecting decency, and wantonly tearing down the very institutions that made us the envy of every nation.

Outrage is rewarded and attention is captured by what is loud or divisive, Cox said. And the economy is increasingly profiting from keeping people scrolling, gambling, borrowing and consuming at the expense of their health, their families and their future.

But, he said, no other state in the nation reflects virtue more than Utah.

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We still believe in those old fashioned concepts of order, temperance, justice, frugality, industry, humility, sincerity, and yes, even moderation, he said. Of course, we have flaws, and we too sometimes drift from those virtues, but Im grateful to be surrounded tonight by people who love their enemies, still believe in our better angels and try a little harder to be a little better every day.

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Tree trimming crews traveled to Catawba County from Michigan to help protect power lines through the incoming winter weather.

An ice storm warning has been issued for the Charlotte area, and crews are preparing to respond.

The team from Detroit told Channel 9s Dave Faherty that they hope to restore power to any homes that lose it as soon as possible.

Davey Tree Trimming was working from a Walmart parking lot Friday morning. Workers told Faherty that they arrived last night after a 10-hour drive from Michigan to help crews across the Carolinas.

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They know the area well. They spent time in North Carolina after Hurricane Helene.

Feels great to be down here doing our part, said Troy Keteyian, worker. We arrived here last year for Hurricane Helene. Hopefully, we dont get hit too hard but if we do were here to help everybody.

We clear all the trees off the powerlines, said Trevor Whitman, worker. Anything to get out of the linemans way, so they can do their job and restore power.

In Caldwell County, Blueridge Energy Crews put chains on all their trucks in Lenoir Friday afternoon. They are prepared to work 16-hour shifts and make sure they can get there.

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We hope its not as bad as they say it is, said Gavin Reed, Blue Ridge Energy. Were trying to prepare for the worse. Its better to over prepare than under prepare.

In Burke County, people were out early filling up propane tanks.

Workers said there have been lines at Espey Hardware for the last two days.

Crazy busy, said Rodney Wood, Espey Hardware. They were lined up halfway down the street yesterday.

Generators and gas cans were also big sellers. Pallets of those containers sold out at The Home Depot in less than 30 minutes Friday morning.

WATCH: AAA advises caution on roads this weekend
March NY world sugar #11 (SBH26) today is up +0.04 (+0.27%). March London ICE white sugar #5 (SWH26) is down -0.50 (-0.12%).

Sugar prices recovered from early losses today and are trading mixed. Short covering emerged in sugar futures today after the Brazilian real (^USDBRL) rallied to a 1.5-month high against the dollar. The stronger real discourages export sales from Brazil's sugar producers.

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Sugar prices initially moved lower today on higher sugar production in Brazil. Unica reported today that Brazil's cumulative 2025-26 Center-South sugar output through December rose by +0.9% y/y to 40.222 MMT. Also, the ratio of cane crushed for sugar rose to 50.82% in 2025/36 from 48.16% in 2024/25.

The outlook for a global sugar surplus is weighing on prices. Last 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.

Signs of stronger sugar output in India are negative for prices. On Monday, the India Sugar Mill Association (ISMA) reported that India's 2025-26 sugar output from Oct 1-Jan 15 is up +22% y/y to 15.9 MMT. The 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.

Sugar prices have been under pressure amid prospects of higher sugar exports from India, after India's food secretary said the government may permit additional sugar exports to reduce a domestic supply glut. In November, India's food ministry said it would allow mills to export 1.5 MMT of sugar in the 2025/26 season. India introduced a quota system for sugar exports in 2022/23 after late rain reduced production and limited domestic supplies.

The outlook for record sugar output in Brazil is bearish for prices. Conab, Brazil's crop forecasting agency, on November 4 raised its Brazil 2025/26 sugar production estimate to 45 MMT from a previous forecast of 44.5 MMT.
A Connecticut roofing contractor has been sentenced to eight months in federal prison and ordered to pay more than $600,000 in restitution after pleading guilty to tax evasion.

Angelo Delmaro, 49, of Farmington faced sentencing on Wednesday in federal court in Hartford, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Connecticut.

U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala ordered that Delmaros prison term be followed by two years of supervised release and that he perform 200 hours of community service during that time, federal officials said. Nagala also ordered Delmaro to pay $630,869 of restitution to the IRS.

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The sentencing came after Delmaro took a plea bargain in September.

According to federal officials, Delmaro has owned and operated commercial roofing businesses in Connecticut since at least 2012. He has done business as Value Roofing, then Roofing Services of New England and, most recently, as Roofing Services, officials said. The businesses also provided paving services.

According to federal officials, none of Delmaros companies registered with the Connecticut Secretary of State or had a federal Taxpayer Identification Number.

From 2012 to 2022, Delmaros companies earned about $12.7 million in customer receipts, though authorities said he paid his workers in cash, never filed income or payroll tax returns for himself or the business, and took several steps to conceal income and operating expenses from the IRS. As part of the scheme, Delmaro and others associated with his business cashed checks from customers at various businesses instead of depositing them into bank accounts, officials said.

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Authorities said Delmaro provided the check cashers with addresses associated with UPS mailboxes rather than his home address. When the check cashers filed Currency Transaction Reports, the IRS only had a UPS mailbox location to try to identify the source of income.

According to officials, Delmaro also had customers file false Forms 1099 made out to a family member rather than his business or himself, making income attribution more difficult. When customers requested a Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification, Form W-9, Delmaro worked with his father to prepare a false W-9 that included the name and social security number of his father and a UPS mailbox address, officials said.

Authorities said Delmaro would sometimes provide customers with W-9 forms using false identities, such as Harvey Rubino or Tony Stano, which the customers used on the 1099. Delmaros father allegedly used an alias, which differed from the name and information Delmaro provided to the customer, officials said.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  An impressive effort by the Connecticut Department of Transportation in 2024 was recently recognized with a prestigious national award, the proceeds of which will benefit two charitable organizations helping people throughout Connecticut.

After a fiery tanker crash badly damaged a bridge over I-95 in Norwalk in 2024, many worried that the highway would be closed for weeks.

In less than 80 hours, the bridge was demolished and traffic was flowing again for the 120,000 vehicles that rely on I-95 daily through there, Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto of the Department of Transportation said.

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Connecticut Foodshare ramping up efforts ahead of holiday season

A replacement bridge was opened in seven months, and the project was completed at $3 million below the projected budget. The accomplishment earned Americas Transportation Awards Grand Prize, which included $10,000 to donate to charity.

Half the money from the CTDOTs big success went to the foundation named for the victim of the departments big recent tragedy, Andrew DiDomenico.

His Wallingford garage was like his second family, Andrews sister, Vincenza DiDomenico, said. He loved going to work. He loved going in for the snowstorms, so he would have been really excited about this coming weekend.

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DiDomenico died in June of 2024 as he worked along the Wharton Brook Connector in Wallingford. He was hit and killed by a woman who admitted to driving under the influence.

The mission of this foundation is to grant scholarships, make meaningful donations in Andrews memory, and increase awareness of workzone safety, Vincenza said.

One thing Vincenza shared about her brother was that they both used to volunteer at their local soup kitchen with their grandmother. That pairs very nicely with the other recipient of this award money: Connecticut Foodshare.

So, a $5,000 contribution to us means 10,000 meals for people across the state of Connecticut, Jason Jakubowski, president and CEO of Connecticut Foodshare, said.

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But, there are still half a million people in Connecticut who are food insecure. Thats a much harder gap to bridge.

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 Brief

The Jan. 3 death of 55-year-old Geraldo Lunas Campos at an El Paso detention camp was caused by asphyxia while being restrained by officers.

The medical examiner's ruling of homicide directly disputes initial agency claims that the death was caused by "medical distress" or a "suspected suicide."

This is the second of three recent deaths at Camp East Montana, a massive temporary facility currently under intense scrutiny for its safety conditions.

EL PASO, Texas - The death of a Cuban national at a federal immigration detention camp in El Paso has been ruled a homicide, according to autopsy findings released Wednesday by the El Paso Medical Examiners office.

Homicide ruling in El Paso ICE death

What we know

Geraldo Lunas Campos, 55, died Jan. 3 at Camp East Montana while being physically restrained by law enforcement officers, the report stated. The medical examiner determined the cause of death was "asphyxia due to neck and torso compression," indicating that pressure applied to his body prevented him from breathing.

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The ruling contradicts initial accounts provided by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). On Jan. 9, the agency stated Lunas Campos died following "medical distress." A week later, ICE told the Associated Press that the death was a suspected suicide and that personnel had attempted life-saving measures.

The agencys shift in narrative followed a report by the Washington Post, which cited a recorded conversation between the medical examiners office and the victim's daughter suggesting a homicide ruling was imminent.

The backstory

Lunas Campos, who had a history of anxiety and bipolar disorder, was a convicted felon and registered sex offender. He had lived in Rochester, New York, for nearly 20 years before being detained in July 2025.

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Although a judge had ordered his deportation two decades ago, the federal government was previously unable to secure the necessary travel documents to return him to Cuba.

Dig deeper

His death is the second of three recorded in recent months at Camp East Montana, a temporary facility erected last summer on the Fort Bliss Army base. With a 5,000-person capacity, the site has become the nation's largest immigration detention center amid a surge in enforcement and deportation efforts.

The facility has been under increased scrutiny following other fatalities:

Dec. 3: Francisco Gaspar-Andres, 48, of Guatemala, died of suspected organ failure. An autopsy is pending.

Jan. 14: Victor Manuel Diaz, 34, of Nicaragua, was found unresponsive in his room in what ICE officials described as a potential suicide.

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Additionally, a fourth detainee, 42-year-old Luis Gustavo Nunez of Honduras, died of heart complications on Jan. 5 at a separate facility near Houston.

Lunas Campos was among the first group of detainees moved to the El Paso tent camp in September. He is survived by four children.

The Source

Information in this article is from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Associated Press, the Texas Tribune, and the Washington Post.
People insured through Horizon NJ Health will no longer be able to get their prescriptions at CVS Pharmacy locations, unless they are willing to pay full price.

Effective April 30, CVS will be considered an out-of-network pharmacy for Horizon NJ Health, a subsidiary of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. The company serves more than 800,000 publicly insured children and adults in the Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare programs.

The change is a result of disagreements over pricing. Horizon claims CVS was demanding a substantial increase in the cost of prescription drugs, but the drugstore disputes that.

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CVS Pharmacy submitted a proposal that was equitable and competitive with other New Jersey Medicaid plans, but Horizon rejected it and demanded rates that are unsustainable for our pharmacy business, according to a CVS statement.

A Horizon spokesman said Friday that CVS refused to negotiate a fair price and chose instead to leave our Medicaid pharmacy network.

The move does not affect Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jerseys commercial medical plans.

CVS remains in-network with the states other managed care health plans. These are: Aetna Better Health of New Jersey, Fidelis Care, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, and Wellpoint.

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Dangerous cold weather is expected to hit Massachusetts this weekend, with wind chills as low as 15 below expected in the Brockton area, according to a National Weather Service advisory. The deep freeze could push heating systems to work overtime and drive up energy bills for many households.

A cold weather advisory has been issued for all of Massachusetts from 10 p.m. Friday to 10 a.m. Saturday as temperatures are set to hit a dangerous chill. A winter storm warning has also been issued for Massachusetts from 7 a.m. Sunday to 8 p.m. Monday.

"Very cold wind chills as low as 15 below expected," the National Weather Service advisory says. "Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin is exposed to these temperatures."

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Hats and gloves are a must in these in temperatures.

With how cold it is outside, what temperature should set the inside of your house to in order to stay cozy without being horrified by your energy bill. Low sixties? 68? In the 70s?

While there is certainly room for personal preference, the Department of Energy does have an official answer to the question.

What to set your thermostat to in winter

The Department of Energy's recommendation is to set your thermometer to 68 degrees during the winter. However, Ram Narayanamurthy, deputy director of the U.S. Department of Energy's Building Technologies Office, told USA TODAY that anywhere near 70 degrees is a safe bet.

68-70 is a good temperature for your thermostat during winter months, according to the Department of Energy.

More: #NoHeatNovember: How one RI man manages to avoid turning on the heat until December

How to avoid overheating your house in winter

No matter how cold it gets, it's still important to balance heat and cold while warming your house, for the sake of your health and your energy bill.

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The Department of Energy suggests dropping the temperature of your thermostat 7 to 10 degrees while you're out of the house. As heating systems (unlike air conditioners) generally don't work any harder to warm your home back up after you lower temperatures, it can't hurt to drop it even by significant amounts.

Still, make sure you don't drop your thermostat too low. Temperatures below 64 degrees could pose possible health risks for healthy people according to the World Health Organization. If you have very young or older people in your home, the minimum temperature should be higher at 68 degrees.

How to save on your energy bills this winter

Keeping your home warm during winter is important, but keeping the bills down is also a priority.

Things like space heaters, fireplaces, electric blankets and wood-burning stoves are all ways that people cut costs spent on heating homes. These items require less energy than a heating system, but while they are safer than they were in the past, they may require routine maintenance or replacement.

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Have your heating unit inspected annually to make sure it is running properly. If not, it could end up costing you more money in maintenance costs or overworking to produce heat costs.

Consider investing in a smart thermostat as you can control the temperature of your home throughout the day to save money. Many smart thermostats have scheduling options to set the temperature for certain times of the day.

Thick curtains, energy efficiency audits How to penny-pinch on heat costs this winter

How to keep pipes from freezing

Frozen pipes are a nightmare to deal with when the temperature drops, but it can be prevented. Frozen pipes can happen at any temperatures below freezing, depending largely on how insulated the pipes are, so it's always best to be cautious.

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Here are some tips from Providence Water on the best way to avoid it.

Run a trickle of water: Standing water in the pipes, which will expand if it freezes potentially causing the pipes to crack, is the enemy. The best way to prevent that is to run a trickle of water during freezing periods. The cost of running the water is far less than what it will cost to hire someone to repair the pipes.

Open the cabinet under your sink: To help keep the pipes under your sink and in the walls warm, it helps to open the cabinets allowing more heat from the rest of the house to get in there than if the doors were closed.

Know how to shut off your water: In the event a pipe does freeze or break, the first course of action should be shutting the water off. Then, you can try thawing it with a hair dryer or space heater. Go slow when turning the water back on, and be prepared to call a plumber.

USA TODAY contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: What's best temperature to set your thermostat during bitter cold?
A data center under construction. (Getty Images)

Colorado is at a moment of real opportunity when it comes to jobs and economic growth. As demand for digital infrastructure accelerates, data centers are emerging as one of the most significant job creators tied to the modern economy, particularly for skilled trades and technical professionals. For Colorado workers and families, this represents sustained, high-quality work that supports their ability to thrive and care for themselves and their families.

Recent coverage suggesting that the jobs picture is mixed when it comes to data centers in Colorado misses a critical reality of how our economy and our workforce actually function. The idea that data centers only create jobs during construction is not just incomplete. It undervalues thousands of skilled workers, dismisses years of high-paying employment, and misunderstands how the trades work in the first place.

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Data centers create jobs at every stage of their lifecycle  construction, operations and long-term community support. Building these facilities requires large teams of electricians, engineers, technicians, and skilled tradespeople.

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Lets take a look at the numbers. Its estimated that each large scale data center employs as many as 1,500 construction jobs for up to three years, creating on average $140,000 in total wages and benefits per worker per year, and up to 100 long-term positions for maintenance and other projects. Just six new large data centers could generate more than $2.6 billion in compensation for Colorado workers and their families. Once operational, data centers employ highly trained professionals in fields like IT, network engineering, facility management, and energy systems.

That means one data center project can generate over $428 million in total compensation during a two-year build, and more than $640 million over a three-year build. Multiply that impact across multiple facilities, and you are talking about billions of dollars flowing directly into the paychecks, pensions and health plans of working families.

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A steady job paying $70 an hour is anything but a mixed picture to workers in this challenging economy. Yet some critics wave this away by pointing out that once construction is complete, a data center may employ fewer than 100 permanent workers. That framing fundamentally misunderstands the construction industry and, frankly, comes across as dismissive of the people who work tirelessly to build the infrastructure that forms the backbone of our communities.

Construction is not supposed to last forever. Tradespeople move from project to project, often over multiple years. Suggesting that three years of steady, well-compensated work somehow doesnt count because it has an end date ignores how these careers are structured and how families across Colorado make a living.

And when it comes to data centers, the work doesnt stop once construction is complete. Data centers require ongoing maintenance, repairs and upgrades, employing up to 100 permanent service and maintenance workers per facility. Think of the impact even 100 good-paying jobs can have in places like Pueblo and Craig, where closing power plants are leaving many workers without a way to support their families.

Of course, the impact of data centers goes far beyond jobs alone.

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These projects bring massive investment into local infrastructure, upgrading roads, utilities, broadband and energy systems that many communities desperately need. Not to mention that they generate substantial property tax revenue that supports local schools, public safety and other public services, often in rural areas that have lost industries that once formed the backbone of their communities.

At a time when so many Colorado families are grappling with a cost-of-living crisis, a shaky economy, and an unforgiving job market, data centers represent an opportunity to invest in people and places that are too often overlooked. This isnt about choosing between short-term and long-term jobs. Its about recognizing the real value of skilled labor and understanding that large-scale infrastructure projects create lasting economic ripples. Data centers dont just create servers. They create careers and economic opportunity.

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It didnt take long for the tragic headlines to crop up, stories of artificial intelligence encouraging young people to embrace delusions, end marriages or commit suicide.

Since taking the public imagination by storm in 2023, the real-life science-fiction of AI chatbots has become a tool used by millions  and a target for new public policy.

In 2023, Utah lawmakers received national attention for creating a first-of-its-kind AI policy lab to guide innovation in a way that helps to craft consumer protection reforms.

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Now, the Legislatures most ardent advocate of Big Tech accountability says Utah must take an urgent step to ensure that rapidly evolving AI prioritizes child safety.

Former Google employee Rep. Doug Fiefia, R-Herriman, is the sponsor of two bills that would require AI companies to publish child safety plans and to prevent chatbots from engaging in inappropriate conversations with minors.

Both bills really come from the same place, which is AI is already shaping kids lives and the rules just havent caught up, Fiefia told the Deseret News.

Fiefia believes this is the next step after Utah became the model for accelerating AI safely. However, some of the states top AI policy experts worry the proposals may stifle progress and run afoul of the Trump administration.

What do the bills do?

On Monday, the day before the start of the 2026 general session, Fiefia unveiled HB286, Artificial Intelligence Transparency Amendments. His bill addressing how minors use AI chatbots has not been made publicly available.

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HB286 would require developers of new AI technology to post public safety and child protection plans on their website, to publish risk assessments for original AI models and to report safety incidents to the states AI policy office.

In addition to establishing a civil penalty of $1 million for a first violation and $3 million for subsequent violations, the bill also provides legal protections for whistleblowers who report safety concerns about AI programs.

Mechanisms are needed to guarantee AI companies follow their own safety protocols because competition has made safety precautions an afterthought, according to Fiefia.

OpenAI's ChatGPT is displayed on a phone. | Adobe.com

This is what were afraid of, Fiefia said. We want AI to innovate  we believe that that is important for national security and as a country, but we cant lose our children at the same time."

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Fiefias other bill, based on recommendations from the states AI policy lab, would empower Utahs Department of Commerce to restrict AI bots from exposing young users to explicit content or encouraging self-harm, he said.

Many chatbots advertise providing romantic relationships or mental health support. Fiefia has met with several parents whose children formed deep attachments to chat bots, and one whose child was talked through suicide, he said.

We cannot wait for the next tragedy to act, Fiefia said. That, to me, is not innovation, thats negligence.

What will the White House think?

The states go-to guru on AI policy, Senate Majority Leader Kirk Cullimore, R-Sandy, said the upper chamber is likely to support the chatbot bill because of its focus on consumer protection, in line with social media laws passed in 2023.

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But Cullimore expressed concern that HB286 could contradict the states prior approach to AI regulation by influencing the way future AI models are created, instead of only addressing the impact of currently existing models.

Our position has always been that we should have a super light touch on the technology and the development of AI because we want to encourage that development and the entrepreneurship that comes with that, Cullimore said.

Senate Majority Leader Kirk Cullimore, R-Draper, speaks on the opening day of the 2026 legislative session at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

In 2023, Utah passed groundbreaking legislation to form a state AI policy lab that garnered international attention by providing liability protection for AI companies as the state works with them to develop pro-growth AI regulations.

This past legislative session, lawmakers placed guardrails on the use of AI chatbots for mental health treatment, expanded prohibitions on AI abuse of personal identity and established AI disclosure requirements for businesses.

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In December, President Donald Trump ordered the Department of Justice to challenge state AI regulations. Senate leadership told the Deseret News the White House has backed away from litigating Utahs approach.

However, HB286 could conflict with the intent of the executive order, Cullimore said. That doesnt mean the bill is dead on arrival, but Cullimore said it needs work to ensure it doesnt dictate how AI companies develop their models.

Policy from fear or evidence?

Cullimore isnt the only AI expert worried Fiefias proposals could hamper AI innovation.

AI companies have already demonstrated their ability to respond quickly to market forces to improve products, said Kevin Frazier, a senior fellow at the Utah-based think tank Abundance Institute, in a Deseret News interview.

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Fiefias bills, Frazier said, attempt to blame AI for much deeper mental health problems affecting young Americans and could raise First Amendment concerns by controlling what information users can access from AI programs.

A student uses a cellphone in a hallway at Olympus High School in Holladay on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

Rather than rush ahead and design regulations based off of speculative fears ... (and) the experience of a handful of unrepresentative users, our focus should instead be equipping Utah residents to make informed decisions, Frazier said.

But Fiefia has reason to believe Utahns are firmly in his camp.

More than 90% of Utah voters support every component of HB286, with around 80% signaling strong support, according to a new poll obtained by the Deseret News conducted in January by Public Opinion Strategies.

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The poll, commissioned by Secure AI Project and Encode AI, found 78% of Utah voters want lawmakers to prioritize AI safety bills, 71% worry the state will not regulate AI enough and 61% oppose Trumps order blocking state AI legislation.

Fiefia, who made a name for himself as a freshman passing a landmark online privacy law, insists his bills take a narrow approach to protect transparency and children, while also supporting the Trump administrations goals of innovation.

Im aligned with the goal of American AI leadership, Fiefia said. We want to work with the administration and not fight it.

Unlike Utahs social media child protections, Fiefia is hopeful his bills will not be put on hold if they pass by the courts because he is working with all of tech and AI companies to find a consensus Utah approach.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  Irans top prosecutor on Friday called U.S. President Donald Trumps repeated claims that he halted the hangings of 800 detained protesters there completely false. Meanwhile, the overall death toll from a bloody crackdown on nationwide demonstrations rose to at least 5,032, activists said.

Activists fear many more are dead. They struggle to confirm information as the most comprehensive internet blackout in Iran's history has crossed the two-week mark.

Tensions remain high between the United States and Iran as an American aircraft carrier group moves closer to the Middle East, something Trump likened to an armada in comments to journalists late Thursday.

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Analysts say a military buildup could give Trump the option to carry out strikes, though so far he's avoided that despite repeated warnings to Tehran. The mass execution of prisoners had been one of his red lines for military force  the other being the killing of peaceful demonstrators.

While President Trump now appears to have backtracked, likely under pressure from regional leaders and cognizant that airstrikes alone would be insufficient to implode the regime, military assets continue to be moved into the region, indicating kinetic action may still happen, New York-based think tank the Soufan Center said in an analysis Friday.

Prosecutor denies Trump claim

Trump has repeatedly said Iran halted the execution of 800 people detained in the protests, without elaborating on the source of the claim. On Friday, Irans top prosecutor Mohammad Movahedi strongly denied that in comments carried by the judiciarys Mizan news agency.

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This claim is completely false; no such number exists, nor has the judiciary made any such decision, Movahedi said.

His remarks suggested Irans Foreign Ministry, led by Abbas Araghchi, may have offered that figure to Trump. Araghchi has had a direct line to U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and conducted multiple rounds of negotiations over Irans nuclear program with him.

We have a separation of powers, the responsibilities of each institution are clearly defined, and we do not, under any circumstances, take instructions from foreign powers, Movahedi said.

A White House official disputed Movahedi's assertion later Friday, and reasserted that planned executions were called off as a result of Trumps warnings. The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, underscored that Trump was watching the situation in Iran closely and all options are on the table if the regime executes protesters.

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But the official did not provide any evidence or details backing Trumps claim.

Iranian judiciary officials have called some of those being held mohareb  or enemies of God. That charge carries the death penalty. It had been used along with others to carry out mass executions in 1988 that reportedly killed at least 5,000 people.

At a U.N. Human Rights Council special session on Iran held in Geneva Friday, Volker Turk, the U.N.'s high commissioner for human rights, expressed concern over contradictory statements from the Iranian authorities about whether those detained in connection with the protests may be executed.

He said Iran remains among the top executioner states in the world, with at least 1,500 people reportedly executed last year  a 50% increase over 2024.

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Meanwhile, Mohammad Javad Haji Ali Akbari, the Friday prayer leader in Tehran, mocked Trump as a yellow-faced, yellow-haired and disgraced man" who is "like a dog that only barks.

That foolish man has resorted to threatening the nation, especially over what he said about Irans leader, the cleric said in comments aired by Iranian state radio. If any harm were to occur, all your interests and bases in the region would become clear and precise targets of Iranian forces.

Iran's foreign ministry lashed out at a European Parliament resolution adopted Thursday which slammed repression and mass murders being perpetrated by the Iranian regime against protesters in Iran. The resolution called for the release of those detained and urged the European Council to designate Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, which was key in putting down the nationwide protests, as a terrorist organization.

The foreign ministry expressed its strong revulsion at the insulting assertions of the resolution. In a statement issued Friday, it stressed that "any illegal or interventionist decision or position concerning the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the countrys security defenders will be met with reciprocal action by Iran, and responsibility for the consequences will rest with those who initiate such actions.

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Death toll rises

The latest death toll was given by the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which reported that more than 4,700 of the dead were demonstrators. It added that more than 27,600 people had been detained.

The group's figures have been accurate in previous unrest and rely on a network of activists in Iran to verify deaths. That death toll exceeds that of any other round of protest or unrest there in decades, and recalls the chaos surrounding Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Irans government offered its first death toll Wednesday, saying 3,117 people were killed. It added that 2,427 of the dead in the demonstrations that began Dec. 28 were civilians and security forces, with the rest being terrorists. In the past, Irans theocracy has undercounted or not reported fatalities from unrest.

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The Associated Press has been unable to independently assess the death toll, in part because of authorities cutting access to the internet and blocking international calls into the country.

US warships on the move

The American military meanwhile has moved more military assets toward the Mideast, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and associated warships traveling with it from the South China Sea.

A U.S. Navy official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military movements, said Thursday the Lincoln strike group is in the Indian Ocean.

Trump said Thursday aboard Air Force One that the U.S. is moving the ships toward Iran just in case he wants to take action.

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We have a massive fleet heading in that direction and maybe we wont have to use it, Trump said.

Trump also mentioned the multiple rounds of talks American officials had with Iran over its nuclear program prior to Israel launching a 12-day war against the Islamic Republic in June, which saw U.S. warplanes bomb Iranian nuclear sites. He threatened Iran with military action that would make earlier U.S. strikes against its uranium enrichment sites look like peanuts.

They should have made a deal before we hit them, Trump said.

The U.K. Defense Ministry separately said its joint Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet squadron with Qatar, 12 Squadron, deployed to the (Persian) Gulf for defensive purposes noting regional tensions.

___

Konstantin Toropin and Aamer Madhani in Washington, Geir Moulson in Berlin and Elena Becatoros in Dubai contributed to this report.
Every summer, while some children head to camp and family vacations, thousands of Delaware students quietly fall behind. Known at the "summer slide,",this learning loss can erase up to two months of reading progress. Over time, that loss compounds, limiting opportunities, widening achievement gaps and weakening the talent pipeline our state depends on.

This is not just an education issue.

It is an economic issue.

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Delawares future workforce is sitting in our classrooms today. Yet the National Assessment of Educational Progress ranks our state 43rd in reading proficiency. Only 26% of Delaware students entering fourth grade are reading at or above grade level. Students who struggle to read by the end of third grade are far more likely to struggle in every subject that follows, are less likely to graduate from high school and are less prepared for the jobs our economy is creating.

If we want a strong Delaware that attracts employers, grows local businesses and competes nationally, we must build strong readers now.

Get Delaware Reading: Summer can make an impact

That is why Get Delaware Reading: Summer  or GDR Summer  matters.

GDR Summer is a statewide coalition of over 25 community partners working to stop summer reading loss before it starts. Through high-dosage tutoring, literacy enrichment and joyful learning experiences across 50 sites, GDR Summer reaches students in the communities that need it most. This is not remediation. It is early investment. It is workforce development in its earliest form.

D'Aviona Perrigan, 9, Jhaliem Branch, 9, and Corey Eastburn, 10, all fourth graders at Shortlidge Elementary School, work on a reading assignment with paraprofessional Jai Wright, who was briefly helping out teacher Christine Stuart.

And it works.

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In 2025, nearly 2,500 students in grades K8 from 16 school districts, 20 charter schools and several private schools participated in GDR Summer. On average, students entered below grade level and left having closed the gap by nearly a full grade level. The more they attended, the more they gained. That is momentum. That is return on investment.

Looking ahead to 2026, GDR Summer is ready to reach more high-need communities, deepen parent engagement, and elevate student and community voices. But growth requires partnership.

Opinion Delaware supported teachers  and set a national standard

A call to action for Delaware leaders

This is a call to action for business leaders, policymakers, educators and community champions. If we want a skilled workforce tomorrow, we must build strong readers today. If we want economic growth, we must invest in literacy. If we want Delaware to thrive, we must act together.

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When Delaware reads together, our children thrive and so does our economy.

Join us. Invest in literacy. Invest in Delaware's future workforce.

Learn more and get involved at uwde.org/GDRSummer.

Michelle A. Taylor is president and CEO of United Way of Delaware, and John Wellons is president and CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of Delaware.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware literacy grows economy | Opinion
Senator Elizabeth Warren and fellow Democrats have accused Donald Trump of letting white-collar criminals off the hook by diverting crucial resources to his sweeping immigration crackdown.

In a letter to federal watchdogs, the Democrats demand an investigation into the US president for shifting more than 25,000 personnel away from investigating fraud, tax evasion and money laundering in favour of his immigration enforcement agenda.

The Trump Administration is letting white-collar criminals off the hook for all kinds of wrongdoing, Warren, from Massachusetts, said in a statement. Instead of protecting American families from fraud and predatory behavior, the Administration is diverting resources to pursue its inhumane immigration agenda.

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Nobody is above the law, and the Trump Administration needs to stop treating white-collar criminals with kid gloves.

Related: House approves homeland security bill despite Democrats opposition over ICE

In the letter to inspectors general of the justice department, state department, homeland security, the postal service and the treasurys tax division, the Democrats allege that the administration is diverting critical federal law enforcement personnel and resources away from corporate crime and into what they describe as Trumps civil immigration dragnet.

The letter  signed by Democrats including Warren, Senator Richard Blumenthal and Representatives Dan Goldman, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Madeleine Dean  demands a formal evaluation of the extent of the transfers and their impact on US financial crime enforcement.

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It cites a deep concern that entire investigative units have been gutted as agents are sent to bolster Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.

According to the Democrats, more than 25,000 federal agents across multiple departments have been reassigned since January 2025, including specialists in financial fraud, sanctions enforcement, money laundering and cybercrime.

The authors warn that the shift has already stalled complex investigations and risks emboldening corporate criminals who believe the federal government has in effect stood down.

The most dramatic allegation concerns the FBI, where the letter claims nearly a quarter of agents nationwide, and up to 40% in major field offices, have been diverted to support ICE enforcement. Staff who once pursued public corruption cases, cyber-enabled fraud and organised financial crime are now reportedly guarding detention facilities and performing immigration checks.

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Other agencies appear similarly affected. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), long regarded as one of the governments most effective financial crime units, is said to have reassigned 1,700 criminal-investigation staff, compared with just 250 last summer.

Diplomatic Security Service agents normally tasked with cross-border fraud and international corruption cases have likewise been detailed to ICE, while Homeland Security Investigations  historically the home of complex global fraud cases  has, according to one estimate, shifted 90% of its workforce to removal operations.

Even the US Postal Inspection Service, better known for policing mail fraud, has reportedly loaned officers to track down immigration targets.

The letter paints the shift as part of a broader pattern under Trumps second administration, accusing the White House of a failure to enforce the law against corporate criminals and lambasting a string of controversial presidential pardons. Citing congressional analyses, the authors say Trumps clemency decisions have erased an estimated $1.3bn in fines and restitution owed to taxpayers and victims.

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They warn that the combined effect has left ordinary Americans more vulnerable to fraud schemes, market manipulation, predatory financial practices, and corruption.

The Democrats cite reports of corruption and financial-fraud cases being delayed or abandoned as investigators are pulled off long-running inquiries. One justice department investigation into a financial services firm has allegedly stalled because key staff were moved to immigration work, while the FBIs white-collar unit in Houston was reportedly decimated in 2025.

They also highlight a dramatic shrinking of the justice departments public integrity section, responsible for prosecuting corruption among elected officials. The unit has allegedly fallen from 36 lawyers to just two, with staff reassigned to a new sanctuary cities enforcement team, where some have complained of having so little to do that they completed jigsaw puzzles to pass the time.

The letter asks watchdogs across the federal government to disclose how many personnel have been reassigned since January 2025, how many white-collar cases have been opened, closed or suspended during the period, and how many investigations have been derailed due to staffing shortages.

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The Democrats also request details of any whistleblower complaints relating to the transfers and ask what safeguards, if any, remain to ensure statutory duties on financial and corruption cases are still being met.

Related: Deportations up, job growth down: Trumps second term so far  in charts

They conclude with a stark warning that the safety of American families and the integrity of our financial system depend on restoring the governments ability to investigate corporate wrongdoing.

Blumenthal, a senator for Connecticut, said: The Trump administrations diversion of critical resources and personnel away from white-collar crime undermines our countrys ability to combat fraud schemes, market manipulation, and corruption seriously threatening the security of American families and leaving them vulnerable to predatory practices.

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These staff and resource diversions exemplify this administrations reckless decision-making in service of Trumps brutal, ruthless immigration enforcement agenda. I call on the inspectors general to fulfill their duty as nonpartisan watchdogs and illuminate this administrations abuse of power.

Goldman, a congressman from New York, added: Trump is letting white collar criminals run rampant without consequences so he can shift law enforcement to violently attack immigrants  the overwhelming majority of whom have no criminal record.

Having 25,000 fewer law enforcement personnel investigating and prosecuting white collar crime enables fraud, tax evasion, money laundering, and other crimes that hurt the American people. Federal inspectors general must conduct a thorough investigation of the impact of these diversions.
This story was originally published on CIO Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily CIO Dive newsletter.

The foundation of digital transformation in the AI era begins with clean data. At least, that will be part of the focus for Sunwest Bank Chief Technology and Strategy Officer Ben Xiang in 2026 as he unfolds his AI strategy.

This is probably the most exciting time that I can think of to get into an industry that is really primed for innovation with AI, Xiang told CIO Dive.

Big banks including Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs and Citigroup are funneling significant investments into AI initiatives aimed at transforming workflows and improving productivity and efficiency. Xiang said hes chasing similar goals for Sunwest Bank this year, with a sharp focus on improving the data layer.

Ultimately, once you have the data in place, then you can start to automate things and you can leverage artificial intelligence in order to realize business value from that, he said.

Sunwest Bank, a privately held commercial bank headquartered in Sandy, Utah, tapped Xiang to lead its multiyear modernization initiative and technology projects in September 2025. Xiang has also served as a member of the banks board of directors since 2015 and held the role of interim CIO in 2019, according to a press release.

Amid the modernization efforts, one of the banks projects is the rollout of Microsoft Copilot powered by OpenAIs GPT-5 model, Xiang said. The AI tool will provide a central source of information for employees, combining publicly available and shareable information within the bank.

The next component of the bank's AI strategy hinges on connecting disparate data sources within the bank into a data lake. Cleaning up the banks data and centralizing it will enable future advanced agentic workflows, Xiang said.

By doing this, were able to provide some pretty comprehensive and advanced data analytics that will enable a lot of automation that were looking to implement throughout the bank, he said.

In search of productivity gains

Ultimately, Xiangs goal is to assess existing workflows that could benefit from automation and intelligence tools  while not misallocating investments into innovative projects that wont yield business results.

Xiang said hes paid attention to external research indicating how some generative AI projects arent translating into ROI, which is why he plans to pursue low-hanging fruit and projects with the highest chance of success within the organization.
After 46 years of service to the Royal Danish Air Force, Denmark has retired its fleet of F-16 fighter planes as of January 18, 2026. Denmark has used this versatile, but now obsolete, fighter plane since 1980, having bought a total of 77 of these aircraft. A farewell ceremony was held at Skrydstrup Air Base's Hangar 3, where four F-16s landed after performing one final flight over Danish soil. Pilots, technicians, and others who had worked with the F-16s greeted the invited guests, showing off these planes one last time.

The history of the F-16 starts in the early 1970s, when a group of General Dynamics aerospace analysts and engineers designed what would become the F-16. Dissatisfied with the trend of making fighter planes more difficult to maneuver and heavier than their predecessors, this group, known as the Lightweight Fighter Mafia, created something completely different.

By emphasizing high speed and agility, the F-16 was intended to be faster and more maneuverable than the fighters it would go up against, with the ability to evade any weapons used against it. The F-16 featured advanced technologies like fly-by-wire and a head-up display. Over time, the F-16 was upgraded to fulfill a wider range of missions, including close air support and bombing runs. The F-16, which a civilian can buy, had evolved into a plane that showed its versatility to great advantage during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, when it handled both the bombings of Iraqi facilities and also shot down an Iraqi MIG. To date, over 4,500 F-16s have been produced.

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Read more: Top 10 WWII Fighter Aircraft, Ranked

Which high-tech jet is replacing Denmark's F-16s?

Front 3/4 view of F-35A Lightning II in flight - wz94/Shutterstock

Denmark is replacing the last of its F-16 aircraft with the F-35A Lightning II fighter jet, which has been used by the Danes since the first ones arrived there in 2023. On the first of April 2025, Denmark's F-35s took over from its F-16s in NATO's Quick Reaction Alert mission. In total, the Danish Defense Ministry has bought a total of 43 F-35s, 27 of them ordered in 2016 plus 16 additional planes in 2025. The F-35A is a single-seat aircraft powered by a Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engine with 40,000 pounds of thrust.

Denmark's switch to a full fleet of F-35A Lightning IIs makes the Royal Danish Air Force the third air force in the world, after Norway in 2022 and the Netherlands in 2024, to consist entirely of fifth-generation fighter planes, all of them being F-35As. They have all replaced their obsolete fleets of F-16s with these cutting-edge, multirole fighters. The replacement process took as long as it did due to major delays in producing the F-35 for the various forces around the world.

The F-35, which comes in many variants with distinct features, is made in three different versions for various use cases. The F-35A, the version which the U.S. Air Force and Denmark uses, is designed for conventional takeoff and landing. The F-35B, made for the U.S. Marine Corps, has a short takeoff and vertical landing capability. The F-35C, produced for the U.S. Navy, is adapted for launching from and landing on the Navy's aircraft carriers.

What happens to Denmark's fleet of F-16s?

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in front of two Ukrainian F-16 aircraft - UkrPictures/Shutterstock

Denmark's fleet of F-16 fighter jets are going to two different locations. Even though these F-16s are quite old, with the first batch delivered in 1980, the Danes have not only maintained them very well, they have also modernized them over the years. These actions have helped to make these planes more suitable for sale than scrapping.

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One group of F-16s will be donated to Ukraine, as part of the 19 planes Denmark agreed to donate to the Ukrainian Air Force in 2023. The first of the Danish F-16s, one of the many kinds of fighter jets Ukraine has, reached Ukraine in August 2024. Denmark has also pledged to support the costs associated with training of Ukrainian pilots in Denmark, as well as those required for the maintenance and operations of these planes after they reach Ukraine. The Ukrainian Air Force uses their F-16s primarily to defend the country against Russian drones and missiles, as well as for dropping precision-guided bombs to provide close air support.

A total of 24 of Denmark's F-16s will be sold to Argentina, which has not had any supersonic fighters in its arsenal since the country retired its French Mirages back in 2015. The U.S. Government was heavily involved in this deal due to its export regulations. The Argentinian F-16 package also includes training, parts, and simulators, to ensure proper maintenance and operation of the Argentine Air Force's 'new' F-16s. The first six planes were delivered in December, with additional batches each year through 2028.

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Read the original article on SlashGear.
San Bernardino County sheriff's deputies opened fire and killed a man Thursday in the parking lot of a busy shopping center in Riverside.

The shooting unfolded in the parking lot of the Magnolia Tyler Shopping Center in the 3700 block of Tyler Street, across the street from the Galleria at Tyler shopping mall.

A large police presence descended on the area and cordoned off a portion of the parking lot in the aftermath of the deadly shooting.

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San Bernardino County sheriff's deputies were in Riverside looking for a man with a felony arrest warrant when the search ended in gunfire.

The man died at the scene and no deputies were injured, said Jenny Smith, a spokesperson for Sheriff's Department.

Tyesha Moody, the man's mother, was at the parking lot and spoke to Eyewitness News. She said her son didn't deserve to die.

"He wasn't doing enough to get killed," she said.

Moody described her son as misunderstood but was a "very sweet" person with a "good heart."

Sheriff's officials have not released further details on what led up to the shooting or if a weapon was recovered.

"It's a very busy shopping center, so because of that I'm sure there's going to a be a lot of interviews that need to be conducted," Smith said. "That's going to take a lot of time for us."
President Donald Trump called for Jack Smith to be prosecuted after the former special counsel testified before the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday.

In a post to Truth Social, Trump called Smith deranged and accused him of committing large scale perjury in his testimony.

Based on his testimony today, there is no question that Deranged Jack Smith should be prosecuted for his actions, Trump wrote. He destroyed the lives of many innocent people, which has been his history as a prosecutor. At a minimum, he committed large scale perjury!

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In his testimony, Smith laid the blame on Trump for the Jan. 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol. Smith told representatives that Trump knew of the potential for a riot in advance and wished to take advantage of the confusion to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

Our investigation revealed that Donald Trump is the person who caused Jan. 6, it was foreseeable to him, and that he sought to exploit the violence, Smith testified.

Start your day with essential news from Salon.

Sign up for our free morning newsletter, Crash Course.

Smith added that he believed he would face prosecution from Trumps Department of Justice for sharing his read on Trumps culpability.

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I will not be intimidated, he said. We did our work pursuant to department policy. We followed the facts, and we followed the law, and that process resulted in proof beyond a reasonable doubt that he committed serious crimes. Im not gonna pretend that didnt happen because hes threatening me.

The post Deranged: Trump calls for Jack Smith to be prosecuted following congressional testimony appeared first on Salon.com.
DES MOINES, Iowa  The Des Moines Police Department said that no evidence of gunfire has been found following a reported shooting Friday afternoon.

Extreme cold settles in central Iowa for the weekend

The DMPD said officers were responding to a fight at around 12:30 p.m. in the 1200 block of Clinton Avenue. While officers were on scene they heard what sounded like gunfire, however the DMPD says that no evidence of gunfire has been found.

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According to the DMPD, when first responders arrived, they found one person with a minor injury.

No additional information has been released.

Metro news

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 who13.com.
Politico has published details of a draft agreement between the EU and the United States on an US$800 billion "prosperity plan" for Ukraine.

Source: a document obtained by Politico, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The 18-page draft sets out a 10-year plan for Ukraine's recovery and includes an accelerated path towards EU membership.

The document is described as the same paper the European Commission sent to EU member state capitals ahead of the summit on Thursday 22 January where it was discussed, three European officials and diplomats said on condition of anonymity.

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The funding strategy runs until 2040 and also refers to a "100-day operational plan" to launch the project.

A key challenge remains the difficulty of attracting external investment into Ukraine until the war ends in a "reliable" way, which the document suggests is unlikely in the foreseeable future.

The "prosperity plan" was developed as an extension of an idea from a "20-point plan" drafted on the basis of Donald Trump's initial "peace plan".

The US is set to play a "prominent role" in Ukraine's recovery but the document frames Washington not as a donor of resources but as a "strategic economic partner, investor and credibility anchor".

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The draft envisages the EU, the United States and international financial institutions  including the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank  investing US$500 billion in public and private capital in Ukraine over the next 10 years.

The European Commission plans to add a further 100 billion through budget support and investment guarantees within the EU's seven-year budget framework after 2028. This funding is expected to unlock investment worth 207 billion.

The US plans to channel capital for reconstruction through a US-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund, though no figures are provided.

The document says that Washington wants to invest in the extraction of critical minerals, infrastructure, energy and technology.

Background:

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said the EU and the United States are close to an agreement on a "prosperity plan" for Ukraine, which is based on five pillars: productivity, Ukraine's integration into the EU market, investment, strengthening donor coordination and reforms.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has said that EU leaders at an EU summit were presented with a confidential European Commission document that envisages Ukraine joining the European Union by 2027 and that no Hungarian parliament over the next hundred years would ever vote for Ukraine's membership of the EU.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has said that Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban is overstating his ability to block Ukraine's European future.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
The Trump administration cant yet deport detainees reportedly present when a 55-year-old Cuban man died inside a Texas detention facility, a judge ruled.

On Jan. 21, the El Paso County Medical Examiner ruled Geraldo Lunas Campos Jan. 3 death inside the Camp East Montana detention facility a homicide, the El Paso Times, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported. The autopsy report showed his cause of death as asphyxia due to neck and torso compression.

The same day as the autopsy reports release, U.S. Judge Steven Briones temporarily blocked federal immigration officials from removing two detainees who said they saw guards choking Lunas Campos.

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There is very strong evidence that the guards at this detention center killed Mr. Lunas Campos, Max Schoening, a lawyer for Lunas Campos' family, said in an interview with USA TODAY.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security didnt respond to emailed questions about the court ruling or its assessment about the medical examiners report.

In an emailed statement, DHS said Lunas Campos violently resisted the security staff and tried to take his own life.

During the ensuing struggle, Campos stopped breathing and lost consciousness, the DHS statement said. Medical staff was immediately called and responded. After repeated attempts to resuscitate him, EMTs declared him deceased on the scene.

Geraldo Lunas Campos

Lunas Campos three children plan to sue federal officials for his death. Lawyers for his family petitioned a federal court to block the removals of Santos Jesus Flores and Antonio Ascon Frometa, who are respectively from El Salvador and Cuba.

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Flores and Frometa told the Washington Post they saw guards choking Lunas Campos as he said he couldnt breathe. The Post reported the Trump administration sought to remove the two men days after speaking with the newspaper. Records show both men are still held at Camp East Montana, which is a privately run detention facility. Briones temporary restraining order blocking their removal is effective until Feb. 4.

When U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement first announced Lunas Campos death, officials said Lunas Campos was experiencing medical distress before dying. Later, after the Washington Posts reporting, the Department of Homeland Security said Lunas Campos attempted to take his own life before a violent struggle with staff.

The medical examiners report, while not indicative of criminal charges, is significant in understanding the circumstances leading up to Lunas Campos death. A homicide means at least one person caused his death.

Schoening said the governments version of events has been changing, and has been contradicted by the medical examiners ruling and witnesses present when Lunas Campos died.

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It's basically consistent with the pattern of lies covered up in fabrication by DHS, ICE, and the United States government about its treatment of immigrants in this country, Schoening said.

DHS has frequently highlighted Lunas Campos as a convicted sex offender. Officials said he entered the United States in 1996 and has several convictions, including criminal possession of a weapon, sexual contact with a child under 11, petit larceny and driving while intoxicated.

An immigration judge in 2005 ordered his removal, DHS said, but the U.S. government couldnt obtain travel documents to remove him to Cuba.

An aerial view shows an ICE detention facility at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, on Aug. 8, 2025.

Schoening declined to answer questions about his criminal record.

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Federal immigration agents arrested Lunas Campos during a July 14 planned enforcement operation in Rochester, New York, where his family lives. He had been held in Camp East Montana since his Sept. 6 transfer.

Lunas Campos is the third Camp East Montana detainee to die since the facility opened in August. On Dec. 3, Francisco Gaspar-Andres, a 48-year-old Guatemalan man at the detention center, died at an El Paso hospital after experiencing kidney and liver issues, ICE said. On Jan. 14, 36-year-old Nicaraguan national Victor Manuel Diaz died in custody. ICE on Jan. 18 said Diaz's death was a presumed suicide but is under investigation.

A USA TODAY analysis found ICE has rapidly expanded its facilities and the number of people in its custody. There are also more deaths in immigrant detention.

Contributing: Chloe Kim, Lauren Villagran, Ignacio Calderon and Jennifer Borresen of USA TODAY; Aaron Martinez of the El Paso Times

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Judge blocks deporting detainees who saw man's death in ICE detention
TOPEKA (KSNT)  Lawmakers are taking action after months of hearings where nurses voiced their frustrations against the Kansas Board of Nursing.

Representative Sandy Pickert (R) introduced House Bill 2528 on Jan. 23. The legislation, if approved in its current state, would require that all actions by the Kansas Board of Nursing related to nonpractice violations be declared void. It would also make other changes in state law related to the board:

Allow for late license renewal for professional, practical and advanced practice registered nurses

Set fees for late license renewal

Limit unprofessional conduct to acts related to the practice of nursing

Prohibit the board from taking retaliatory action against a licensee based on lawful acts made against the board and creates a cause of action for violation of such prohibition

Requires board members to be subject to senate confirmation

Requires the board to issue refunds for overpayment or duplicate payments

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Numerous errors identified in Kansas SNAP program

Any action by the Kansas Board of Nursing or record created on or after Jan. 1, 2005 and prior to July 1, 2026 that pertains to disciplinary action related to applications for licensure or license renewal are rendered void under this bill. Pickerts bill would also give nurses a chance to seek injunctive relief against the board if the agency fails to comply with the bills stipulations.

HB 2528 addresses issues brought forward by nurses last year who claimed the board is wrongfully disciplining nurses for minor mistakes such as computer errors when they are trying to renew their licenses. Many nurses testified before lawmakers they were wrongfully accused of unprofessional conduct.

Pickert and Representative Kristey Williams (R) told our Capitol Bureau they were working to draft a bill to bring reform to the Kansas Board of Nursing in 2025. The bill is slated to receive a hearing next week.

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Minimum age to get married in Kansas could change under newly proposed law

For more Kansas Capitol Bureau news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf

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 KSNT 27 News.
As winter weather moves into the Midlands, students might be hoping for a day off.

The latest forecast shows that South Carolina wont likely see any snow this weekend, according to the National Weather Service. But other cold precipitation is expected. It will likely rain Saturday morning, and could turn into sleet and freezing rain Saturday night through Sunday, and possibly Monday. The ice and cold is a threat to road conditions, and some worry about losing heat in their homes.

Gov. Henry McMaster has declared a state of emergency.

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Could this cold weather cause the University of South Carolina to classes? That remains to be seen.

State agency closures in Richland County, including USC, are determined by the governors office, not county officials as it was the past, university spokesman Jeff Stensland said. But USC is monitoring the situation and will send updates when they become available.

Here are three times the university decided to cancel classes due to weather.

Last years snow

USC canceled classes in Columbia in January 2025 when the Midlands received snow for the first time in a few years. Several inches of snow fell and many government agencies and businesses closed.

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Officially had originally announced the campus would close after 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21, and the closure lasted until noon on Thursday, Jan. 23.

USC events, like the groundbreaking ceremony for the School of Medicine Columbias new facility, were rescheduled.

Hurricane Helene

In September 2024, Hurricane Helene battered the Carolinas, and it later became the deadliest storm in South Carolinas modern history, surpassing the infamous Hurricane Hugo. The storm caused significant flooding and fallen trees, and it left millions without power.

Prior to the storm, USC closed campus before the storm from 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26 through the next day, and made classes virtual. Campus remained open for essential employees.

Hurricane Ian

Hurricane Ian caused the university to cancel classes in September 2022, both in-person and virtual, though operations like dining halls and health services remained intact.

Ian was later downgraded to a tropical storm once it reached South Carolina, but is one of the costliest storms Florida has ever seen.
It began Tuesday with a surprise announcement from the presidential press secretary. Donald Trump was returning to the Brady Briefing Room. Sound the klaxons.

After an hour of the presidents listless word-salad monologue, it occurred to me, as he unraveled his greatest hits, that he wants to be the corpse at every funeral, the bride at every wedding and the baby at every christening, as Alice Roosevelt said of her father Teddy, our 26th president.

With the advent of hologram technology, Im sure Trump would like to one-up Roosevelt; he has probably already produced his own eulogy. He certainly loves talking about how great his presidency is Nobodys seen anything like it, he reminds us.

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Mary Trump, the presidents niece, says that every time her uncle glorifies himself he is speaking to an audience of one. Hes still trying to prove himself to my grandfather. And hes been dead 30 years, she said recently, before adding that if she could say one thing to her uncle, it would be Im sorry nobody ever loved you.

The press briefing this week gave us Great-Grandpa Don  the best cure for insomnia. Trump strode into the briefing room with reams of paper, snapped a binder clip and joked that he could snap off his finger with the clip and he wouldnt say a word about it. Many reporters nodded off as Trump rambled through his briefing. Some smiled, warmed by the thrill of being in the same room with a president they love. His slow monotone and low-energy delivery eventually felled most people in the room. Apparently, according to some reporters in the room, even members of his staff briefly nodded off.

Trump mused that his public relations were failing due to his staff. Pep Secretary Karoline Leavitt was sitting in the room. I wonder if she, chief of staff Susie Wiles and communications director Steven Cheung were aware the president would say that. Either way, Im sure there was a debriefing later.

This set the stage for his appearance at the World Economic Forum on Wednesday. The trip began with a bit of drama that some later conflated: Air Force One, enroute to Davos, had to turn around because of an electrical problem in the Boeing 747. Defense reporters everywhere were not surprised. Even less surprisingly, the aircraft had apparently gone through its annual maintenance recently.

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Perhaps it was because of this delay that when the president got to Switzerland, we saw Mean Don hit the stage. We havent seen that version of him since his Christmas speech. Trump insulted our allies, said he didnt like NATO, cheered on our enemies, told our closest friends theyre lucky they arent speaking German  or perhaps a little bit of Japanese  and metaphorically stuck his tongue out at everyone. Some who witnessed it live called it juvenile. And then he talked about Greenland, teasing his remarks as if he were standing on a junior high school stage introducing an eighth-grade production of Were No Angels. He looked incredibly small as he proceeded to threaten Europe.

All the U.S. is asking for is a place called Greenland, Trump said. We want a piece of ice for world protection, and they wont give it. You can say yes and we will be very appreciative. Or you can say no and we will remember.

Yeah. You can do it the easy way or the hard way. Comic book mobsters talk this way. In fact, it was actually more like a scene from The Incredibles. We caught him monologuing again: if hed only gotten the Nobel Peace Prize. If our borders were only as solid as North Koreas. If only the world would listen to Vladimir Putins peace plan.

At the end of the day, Trump played everybody  especially the press who had to cover him. A short time after the meeting, the president posted on Truth Social that hed had a very productive meeting on Greenland with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, in which they formed the framework of a future deal on the island and, in fact, the entire Arctic Region.

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Whats this framework? Can we touch it? Can we see it? Can he describe this framework? To hear Trump tell it, without offering any details, it will be the best deal ever: This solution, if consummated, will be a great one for the United States of America, and all NATO Nations. He also announced that he was revoking the additional tariffs he had imposed on eight European countries  including the United Kingdom, France and Germany  after they sided with Denmark and Greenland against Trumps threats.

The irony of this entire debacle in Greenland is this: Trump calls climate change the biggest scam on the planet. But the sea lanes opening up in the Arctic because of climate change is the reason that Greenland is suddenly a larger security concern. The president understands that. I wonder, however, if he can connect the dots.

But never mind the facts. It was another day he didnt have to talk about Jeffrey Epstein, Venezuela, killing American citizens or needlessly investigating his Democratic opponents out of spite. Its all good.

At nearly the same time Trump took the stage in Davos, Ed Davey, a British member of Parliament and the leader of the Liberal Democrats, called Trump an international gangster, a bully and the most corrupt president the U.S. has ever seen.

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As John McClane told us in Die Hard: Welcome to the party, pal.

Its certainly a different party than the first Trump administration, which was chaos in a blender  and Trump operated the blender. Now? Im not so sure he isnt in the blender himself, although unfortunately he still has his finger on the nuclear button.

He bragged in Davos about the American economy and seizing oil from Venezuela. He told the world that the American military is stronger than they understand after bragging that he had kidnapped the leader of a small country and took his oil. Nicolas Maduro, the deposed president of Venezuela, is not well liked in his own country, nor among many world leaders, but few could miss the implied threat Trump was making. Unless youre Russia or China, with few exceptions, you are up for grabs, I was told by a Senate staffer, who echoed a recent statement by the German president.

Want more sharp takes on politics? Sign up for our free newsletter, Standing Room Only, written by Amanda Marcotte, now also a weekly show on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

Its obvious he doesnt understand international diplomacy, a Republican senator explained to me. As usual, they are much braver when their names arent attached to their opinions. Nobody crosses the Donald  though many want to.

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The president is obviously faltering. As a source close to the White House explained to me, I may not be a mechanic, but I know when theres something wrong with the car. Trump is the car. I dont know if hes out of gas, has a busted radiator, flat tires or is suffering from dementia. I can only report that this is not the Trump I covered in the first administration.

That Trump was more cogent and could read a room a lot better than the current version, leading one to wonder if hes just fronting for the worst instincts of people who work for him who have far darker visions of America than even he does. Yes, Im talking about Stephen Miller. Hes practically the deputy president right now, and every action taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement is apparently organized, orchestrated and implemented by him. I wouldnt be surprised if Miller was in charge of the presidents vitamin E injections.

Trump is quickly becoming irrelevant to the MAGA movement. Peter Thiels surrogate is warming up in the bullpen, which is a potentially worse scenario than having Trump for the next 1094 days.

The question isnt whether we have had enough of Donald Trump. The question is what will Donald Trump do when he finally realizes that? If what Trump did to Michael Cohen is any indication, the chances of Stephen Miller, Pam Bondi and others spending time behind bars grow exponentially daily. The president knows no loyalty. If he believes it would be better to throw his confidants under a bus, his past actions show he will do so eagerly. Maybe the Democrats, along with some Republicans, should try to convince him to flush a few.

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Trumps trip to Switzerland was embarrassing on nearly every level. He looked okay. Makeup and a clean suit can do wonders. But from cursing wind power, to saying that our allies are lucky theyre not speaking German is the mark of an ignorant bully. It wasnt civil. It wasnt diplomatic. It wasnt professional. It was beneath his office. But nothing is beneath Donald Trump.

As a reporter, Id almost feel sorry for Trump if he werent president. But since he is, I cannot go there. His actions are irretrievably dangerous not only to himself but also to everyone on the planet.

Trumps first administration was disastrous. Standing in front of him every day and trying to ask him salient questions was often futile. At the end of his first administration, when he refused to admit hed lost to Joe Biden, I asked him to his face why he was so delusional.

This version of Trump is so delusional that he not only wont admit he lost the 2020 election, but he also claimed on an international stage that he won the 2024 election by a major landslide when anyone literate enough to spell their own name in the language of their choice knows that hes lying through his whistling dentures. Not to mention that gas still isnt $1.99 a gallon anywhere in the United States, and why would our allies care if it were?

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The question is not if Trump has already leapt into instability. He has. The question is will his swan dive send us all over the cliff into oblivion. There are a growing number of people who believe that he would burn it all down to rule over the ashes. And that is madness.

The first month of the year isnt over yet, and already the new Trump kaleidoscope of chaos has dished out the murder of a young mother by ICE goons, a claim by federal officers that they dont need a warrant to enter your home, the kidnapping of a head of state, the search of a reporters home and ham-fisted moves against Greenland.

It certainly makes you wonder what the mad man will do next. The only way to achieve the impossible is to believe it is possible, the Mad Hatter told us.

I wouldnt be surprised if Trump turned and asked, Would you like some more tea?

The post Donald Trump lurches further into delusion on the world stage appeared first on Salon.com.
President Donald Trump appeared tohave a new bruise on the back of his left hand Thursday during a signing ceremony for his newly formedBoard of Peace inDavos, Switzerland.

The purple, blue and red mark was visible as he addressed world leaders about the new group, which is intended, among other things, to oversee the rebuilding of the Gaza Strip following the war there. Trump didnt mention the bruise during his address, unlike his recentnear-miss with a binder clip.

Politics: Officer Beaten In Capitol Riot Coughs Obscene Message To GOP Rep During Hearing

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later told reporters that the bruise occurred after the presidentstruck his hand on a corner of the signing table during the event.

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MS Now reviewed footage of the event, but was unable to find a moment where Trump bashed his hand. However, photos and videos from the beginning of the event dont show the bruising on the left hand. In addition, White House officials noted that the bruise did not appear on Trumps hand during photos taken on Wednesday.

A White House official told Fox Newsthat the president is more prone to bruising because he takes a daily aspirin, a regimen previously disclosed by his physicians.







A bruise can be seen on the back of U.S. President Donald Trump's left hand during a signing ceremony for the Board of Peace at the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Jan. 22, 2026 in Davos, Switzerland. The U.S.-backed Board of Peace is intended to administer the fragile ceasefire in the Gaza Strip after the war between Israel and Hamas. The final makeup of the board has not been confirmed. Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images

Trumps hands have long been a target of interest. Once upon a time, much of the focus was on whether or not theyre small.

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Former Florida senator and current Secretary of State Marco Rubio evenmade jokes about Trumps hand size during a 2016 presidential debate, saying, If theyre small, something else must be small.

Politics: 'Beyond Parody': Trump's 'Board Of Peace' Logo Is Already Under Attack

Most of the current interest is less about their size and more about their health status. It started last February, when the White House claimed that a bruise on the back of Trumps right hand was caused by shaking hands all day, every day.

In July, Leavitt offered a different explanation, claiming that a thorough evaluation discovered Trump had chronic venous insufficiency, and stressed that it was a benign and common condition in people over the age of 70.

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A month later,Leavitt once again blamed handshakingfor a new bruise on Trumps left hand.

Last month, Trump showed up at a Cabinet meeting with two large Band-Aids on his right hand, but the fact that he appeared to doze off during the meetinggot the most attention.

Politics: Jake Tapper Rejects White House Reason For Trump's Bruises: 'There Is Something Going On'

The White Houses explanations for the bruises have inspired a lot of skepticism  especially afterhe had two routine yearly check-ups in a single year.

Last month, CNNs Jake Tapper suggested that there is something going on with his health that theyre not telling us.

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In October, Stephen Colbert joked that Trumps hand injuries were caused by his notorious obsession with McDonalds.

Yes, he needs his McDonalds fresh and piping hot, Colbert said. And he apparently pulls his Filet-O-Fish straight out of the fryer, which is why his hand looks like that.

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
TAIPEI, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Taiwan looks forward to even more semiconductor investment in Arizona to bolster ties with the United States, President Lai Ching-te told a visiting senator from the state on Friday.

U.S. President Donald Trump has pushed the major producer of semiconductors, which runs a large trade surplus with the United States, to invest more in the U.S., specifically in chips that power AI.

TSMC, the world's largest contract chipmaker and producer of the advanced chips powering the artificial intelligence revolution, is investing $165 billion in Arizona's capital, Phoenix, to build factories.

Meeting the Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego from Arizona, Lai said TSMC's investment in the state has been a notable product of the cooperation between Taiwanese and U.S. industry.

"We look forward to even more semiconductor manufacturing, research and development facilities springing up in the greater Phoenix area. This will continue to strengthen Taiwan-U.S. relations," he added.

Last week, Taiwan and the United States struck a deal to cut U.S. tariffs on the island's exports to the country to 15% from 20%.

Taiwan companies will also invest $250 billion to boost production of semiconductors, energy and artificial intelligence in the U.S., while Taiwan will also guarantee an additional $250 billion in credit to facilitate further investment.

Gallego is the first U.S. lawmaker or official that Lai has met in person since the agreement was reached.

"The amount of investment that is happening in Arizona right now from Taiwanese firms, especially TSMC, is impressive," he told Lai.

"We are the envy of other states and we want to continue to see that growth."

The United States is Chinese-claimed Taiwan's most important international backer and arms supplier, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties.

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard and Yi-Chin Lee; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)
Anti-ICE flyers have appeared in shop windows across Portland since the U.S. Department of Homeland Security launched its operation in Maine on Jan. 20, 2026. (Photo by Jim Neuger/ Maine Morning Star)

A retail worker arrested at a routine immigration check-in. A mother and a student, both asylum seekers, taken into custody. A civil engineer on a work visa and a corrections officer recruit, whose boss said he has a squeaky clean record and permission to work, both picked up during their commutes.

These are a few of the people U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have detained so far during their operation in Maine, which the agency said targets the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens who have terrorized communities. Accounts from family members, employers and background checks of those five people failed to show evidence of criminal records. Meanwhile, the incomplete list of arrests that the federal government has shared so far included 13 people with criminal records of the nearly 100 ICE said it has arrested.

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The administration is taking 100% a dragnet approach to their operations, said Sarah Mehta, deputy director of policy and government affairs for immigration at the American Civil Liberties Union.

Part of that, Mehta said, is that cruelty is the point, designed to cause suffering and fear as a deterrent. But, its also happening because the government has the most information about immigrants who are already in proceedings, she said.

With the Trump administrations stated goal of 1 million deportations per year, the easiest people to go after are those the government already has personal identifying information about, Mehta said  people that are checking in at their immigration interviews, people that are going to immigration court proceedings, people that have temporary protected status, people that are, again, lawfully here.

Available data underscores that. Not only has the number of people in detention surged during Trumps second term, but also the percentage of ICE detainees with no criminal record. During the first nine months of Trumps presidency, ICE arrested more than 74,000 people with no criminal record, amounting to more than a third of the total ICE arrests over that period, according to data obtained by the Deportation Data Project through a lawsuit against ICE.

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Those figures dont include arrests made by Border Patrol, which has reported record apprehensions in Maine, or people referred to ICE by other agencies.

The Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project, Maines only statewide immigration legal services organization, does not have complete information on all of the people who have been arrested in the first days of the operation in Maine but confirmed that several are asylum seekers following a lawful process.

On Tuesday in Maine, ICE detained Yanick Joao Carneiro of Portland at a routine immigration check-in at the agencys Scarborough field office without a warrant, according to the petition filed by his lawyer. An asylum seeker from Angola, Carneiro was waiting for an immigration court hearing in 2027. Asylum seekers are typically allowed to live in the United States while their case proceeds.

Carneiro was the first person to challenge their detention after ICE began its increased enforcement in Maine, what the agency is calling Operation Catch of the Day.

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While some of the door-to-door and apartment building raids may be targeted, it is clear the overall operation is anything but targeted, Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project Executive Director Sue Roche said. People are being racially profiled on the streets and in their cars. As is their playbook, ICE is doing everything they can to inflict maximum cruelty and chaos.

Arrests have become quicker and quieter, as opposed to the large workplace raids seen in Los Angeles last year. ICE is also reversing longstanding policy, according to an internal memo, by asserting sweeping power to forcibly enter peoples homes without a judges warrant.

This is not the law as I understand it, said Joyce White Vance, a former U.S. attorney who now lives in Maine, and it is not the law that [the U.S. Department of Justice] has historically applied.

In Minnesota, where a federal agents fatal shooting of Renee Good sparked protests and subsequent deployment of thousands more agents, the federal government is re-examining the cases of refugees, who have gone through a robust screening process and are on a path to citizenship. During Trumps second term, there have also been instances of judges tossing out asylum cases only for people to walk outside to find ICE waiting to arrest them.

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Maine Gov. Janet Mills on Thursday demanded the federal government provide arrest numbers, warrants and basic information about who is being detained. DHS told reporters on Thursday that 100 people have been arrested in the operation so far, up from the 50 reported by Fox News two days prior.

When asked whether she has any reason to doubt the numbers provided by DHS, Mehta said, I think its more that I dont have any reason to trust the information.

What does arrest mean? They've also arrested a ton of U.S. citizens, arrested lawful permanent residents.

 Sarah Mehta, deputy director of policy and government affairs for immigration at the American Civil Liberties Union

Mehta also said general arrest numbers dont truly reveal whats happening.

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What does arrest mean? Mehta questioned. Theyve also arrested a ton of U.S. citizens, arrested lawful permanent residents.

Jean-Pierre Obiang, an 18-year-old student at the University of Southern Maine, was detained after being involved in a minor traffic accident outside of Market Basket in Westbrook on Tuesday. He and his mother are asylum seekers from Gabon and have lived in Maine for three years.

In Portland on Wednesday, agents detained Micheline Ntumba after she dropped off one of her four children at Portland High School, her daughter told the Maine Monitor. Her daughter said Ntumba, who is from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has a pending asylum claim and has been in the U.S. for nearly 10 years.

Then Wednesday night, ICE agents arrested a Cumberland County corrections officer recruit, whose name has not been shared  leading County Sheriff Kevin Joyce to publicly question the agencys priorities.

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Every corrections hire has to fill out documentation that proves theyre legally allowed to work in the U.S. and undergo background checks including on criminal history. The recruit had a squeaky clean record, as Joyce described it.

The book and the movie do not line up, Joyce said, referring to ICEs claims that theyre focused on criminals. He later added, Were being told one story, which is totally different than whats occurring.

On Thursday, agents took Juan Sebastian Carvajal-Munoz, a civil engineer, in Portland while he was on his way to work. Carvajal-Munoz, who is from Colombia and in the U.S. on a work visa, has since been released, according to one of his colleagues.

DHS and ICE have not responded to questions about the basis for any of these detentions.

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Agents smashed Carvajal-Munozs car window and left the car running after taking him. Portland police officers went to the area after a report of a disturbance but identified no public safety concerns and did not take custody of the car, said spokesperson Brad Nadeau. The corrections officers car was also left after ICE detained him in Portlands Bayside neighborhood.

They left it right on the side of the street, Joyce said. Folks, thats bush league policing.

Across the country, federal agents have also left peoples vehicles and other personal belongings behind. The city of St. Paul paused the towing of abandoned vehicles due to the ICE surge in Minnesota.

In Maine, the Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition and community organizers are mapping out a plan for a more coordinated system to return items to the family members of those detained. That type of grassroots effort to create de facto middle men has been seen in other states, too.

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Additionally, Maine organizers are helping loved ones get connected with legal counsel, as detention presents inherent challenges for due process.

In the U.S., there is no right to appointed counsel for immigration proceedings because theyre civil, not criminal, matters. People in detention are less likely to get an attorney because facilities are often located in remote areas and because there are few places where attorneys can meet with their clients while theyre in custody, even by phone.

In turn, Mehta said, that means people are left trying to navigate the complex system themselves and often unable to make claims.

You have people going through a faster, much more unfair process, where they are functionally being processed by the immigration court and expedited into a deportation system, she said. I think it would be absurd to pretend that it is a benefit for someone to be going through the proceedings while theyre in detention.
Driver accused of striking and killing pedestrian in Sandy was six times over Utahs blood alcohol limit

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

SANDY, Utah (ABC4)  The woman accused of striking and killing a 44-year-old man at a crosswalk in Sandy has been charged. Documents say she was six times over Utahs blood alcohol limit.

Zoe Blankenstein, 55, of Draper, has been charged with automobile homicide, interfering with a police officer, having an open container or drinking alcohol in a vehicle, and failing to obey a stop sign.

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On Jan. 15, just before 7 p.m., 44-year-old Joshua Perry was walking in the crosswalk at 1000 E and 11000 S, near Alta High School, in Sandy. A vehicle ran the stop sign and struck Perry, causing him to be thrown into another vehicle and critically injured.

Pedestrian struck by vehicle in Sandy dies, driver booked for impaired driving

Medical crews responded and transported Perry to the hospital, but he was ultimately pronounced deceased.

At the scene of the crash, law enforcement located the vehicle that struck Perry, and reportedly found that the driver was Blankenstein. She told officers that she was driving home from celebrating her birthday at the Tin Roof Grill.

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Despite there only being stop signs at the crosswalk, Blankenstein allegedly stated that she saw the light turn green and started driving when she suddenly struck a person who came out of nowhere.

Blankenstein was having difficulty maintaining her balance and had slurred speech. She declined to perform any sobriety tests, and officers say that she resisted being arrested, even urinating on herself and the officers shoes.

Fatal crash at troubled Sandy City intersection sparks demands for change, community speaks out

Ultimately, Blankenstein was transported to the Sandy City Police Department for questioning. Police performed a blood draw test, and her toxicology report showed that she had a blood alcohol level of 0.309, which is six times Utahs limit of 0.05.

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During an interview with police, the 55-year-old allegedly admitted that she had started drinking around 4 p.m., but only had one beer and left the restaurant around 7 p.m. She told police she was under the influence of alcohol.

Blankenstein continued to tell officers that she struck Perry while driving, but claimed he came out of nowhere and repeatedly mentioned that he was wearing dark clothing.

The Sandy City Police Department searched Blankensteins vehicle and allegedly located a tumbler-style cup that was full of amber-colored liquid that smelled like beer.

Blankenstein was arrested and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail.

Latest headlines:

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Duquesne Light Co. says its entire fleet of more than 1,200 vehicles is ready as the region prepares for a major winter storm expected to move through western Pennsylvania this weekend.

Click here for a list of closings and delays.

Click here to track the snow with LIVE RADAR.

Inside one of the utilitys garages in Marshall-Shadeland, crews were busy preparing trucks and equipment, including a mobile command center the company says has become a key tool during severe weather.

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Its been a game changer for us so far, said Matt Neistein of Duquesne Light.

>>> City of Pittsburgh outlines plans, prepares for biggest snowfall in years <<<

Utility officials said workers have been outfitting vehicles with snow chains, checking equipment and making sure everything is operating properly ahead of the storm.

Right now the guys are in the garage getting everything ready for this weekend, putting snow chains on tires, making sure that everythings working in fine capacity for this weekend, Neistein said.

While crews prepare, the company is closely monitoring the forecast. Neistein said wind and ice are the biggest concerns during winter storms, though heavy snow can also create problems.

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>>> LATEST: What first responders, community crews need from you ahead of major winter storm <<<

Despite receiving requests for assistance from out of state, Duquesne Light said its priority will remain local customers in the Pittsburgh region.

Its such a big storm that were going to focus on Pittsburgh first and then worry about if we can spare some resources for everyone else, but our customers come first, Neistein said.

The company said it is meeting with the National Weather Service later for another update as conditions continue to develop.

Click here for how to prepare your house for the incoming snow.

Click here for how to prepare your vehicle for the incoming storm.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
Colombia and Ecuador punished each other with dueling levies Thursday on fuel and other imports, escalating a trade and diplomatic feud over narco activity on their shared border.

Quito accuses Colombia -- the world's biggest cocaine producer -- of falling short in the fight against drug cartels blamed for a steep rise in violent crime in once peaceful Ecuador.

On Wednesday it announced a 30 percent tariff, starting in February, on imports from Colombia, whose energy minister denounced "an act of economic aggression."

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Bogota retorted Thursday with a matching 30-percent "corrective action" on about 20 unspecified products, for now.

Bogota also announced it would suspend electricity sales to Ecuador, which relies heavily on its neighbor for power and hit back with a levy on Colombian oil traveling through its majority state-owned OCP pipeline.

Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa is an ally of US counterpart Donald Trump, who has also made the drug fight a priority and has similarly used tariffs in pursuit of his goals.

But experts contacted by AFP said Ecuador may draw the short straw in its standoff with Colombia, whose ministry of mines and energy announced a suspension of "international electricity transactions" with the neighboring country.

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Without mentioning the trade spat, the ministry cited "increased pressure on the Colombian electrical system" as it announced "a preventive measure aimed at protecting Colombias sovereignty and energy security."

Colombia repeatedly came to its neighbor's aid as Ecuador suffered prolonged electricity outages during droughts in 2024 and 2025.

Ecuador, a country of 17 million, relies on hydro generation for 70 percent of its electric power. It consumes more energy than it produces, and Colombia covers about half of the deficit.

A shortage of electricity "could paralyze" Ecuador," Alberto Acosta Burneo, an economic analyst at Grupo Spurrier, told AFP.

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Colombia proposed a bilateral meeting at the border on January 25, according to an official letter published by local media.

- 'Reciprocal' -

Colombia, too, will the feel the pain of a trade war if it has to pay a higher levy for oil transport through Ecuador's OCP pipeline.

"The tariff for transporting Colombian crude oil through the OCP will be reciprocal to the measures taken regarding electricity," Environment and Energy Minister Ines Manzano said on X.

According to the OCP website, 46 million barrels of Colombian crude have been carried through the pipeline since 2013, from the Amazon jungle to a port on Ecuadors Pacific coast.

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The OCP has capacity for 450,000 barrels per day.

Ecuador, once one of South America's safest countries, has been transformed into a major cocaine trafficking hub in the space of a few years, plagued by gangs with ties to Mexican and Colombian cartels.

It closed 2025 with a rate of 52 homicides per 100,000 residents, amounting to one every hour, according to the Geneva-based Organized Crime Observatory.

Ecuador's 600-kilometer (370-mile) border with Colombia, which stretches from the Pacific Ocean to the Amazon, is porous and riddled with contraband crossings.

Leftist Petro and counterpart Noboa are on opposite ends of the political spectrum, and have frequently clashed on issues including the recent US military ouster of Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro.

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But the countries are historically close trading partners.

Colombia's main exports to its neighbor are electricity, medicines, vehicles, cosmetics, and plastics, according to Colombias National Association of Foreign Trade.

Ecuador's exports include vegetable fats, canned tuna, minerals and metals.

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As lawmakers prepare to work on the states annual spending plan, they can expect a lot of noise: Voices of lobbyists paid to represent the wealthy interests that seek to divide Floridas bounty like spoils of war. Voices of their colleagues, who want funding to back their pet projects and political experiments.

Smallest of all will be the voices speaking for those with little to no clout: The children. The low-income working Floridians who trudge from one job to another, trying to make ends meet. The elderly and disabled. The homeless.

Editorial: This year more than most, the budget is key to Floridas future

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These voices can be easily drowned out in a year like this one, in a state facing an uncertain fiscal future and a Legislature and executive branch packed with politicians planning their next move. But state leaders should understand that ignoring their needs is not only heartless, but fiscally irresponsible. And this year, many of the key budget decisions will be made outside the formal appropriations process.

Voucher madness

That starts with public education. The states reckless expansion of its voucher programs  which has allowed any family to get a state-backed subsidy toward private-school tuition  dumps more than $4 billion into a system that was improperly safeguarded from the start. The result has been myriad  accountability challenges that left a statewide funding shortfall and a system where funding did not follow the child, according to an independent audit of the states voucher system. The result: Hundreds of millions of dollars potentially gone astray.

Thats a massive problem, because the program expanded far more rapidly than most experts expected, with approximately 500,000 children using some form of voucher. The result: Out-of-control spending on the voucher side, coupled with unexpected declines in the funding flowing to public schools. Across the state, school districts that had been focused on meeting the demands of the states rapid growth are now struggling with decisions to close campuses. Orange County alone is seeing a shortfall of nearly 7,000 students.

The Senate has come up with a plan (SB 318) that is a sensible prelude to getting the voucher program under control. In an op-ed Sunday, Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, described legislation that would split funding off from traditional public education financing; track money allocated to each child whose family claims a voucher; and take measures to stop fraud and abuse that often catches families who are seeking to do the best for their children, only to find themselves trapped in low-quality programs. Students move back and forth between public, private and home school within the same year, sometimes within the same month or week, Gaetz wrote. The state has lost track of roughly 30,000 children believed to be receiving vouchers, but the state already knows that some fraudulent organizations created fictitious students and claimed vouchers in their name.

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These shortfalls cant be dismissed as a mere consequence of growing pains, because the stakes for public schools are so high. Many are being hollowed out by the rush to vouchers  but its likely that many of those students will eventually come back. In the meantime, however, districts will be forced into deep cuts, including the decision to close schools and hesitation about some of the technical, career-oriented options that are expensive to run, but have shown great success in preparing students for lifelong achievement.

The Senate legislation  which it passed on the second day of this years legislative session  is a good start. Putting a rein on some of these expenses wont be easy: The Legislature is faced with the difficult task of trying to repair a rollercoaster thats already running full-tilt. But House Speaker Daniel Perez, like Gaetz, has proven himself a leader with an appetite for honesty. He should free lawmakers to pass the Senate accountability legislation  but he should also have the courage to re-examine some of the core principles of the voucher program, including the notion that the state can afford to bleed resources from public school systems in support of families who can well afford to send their children to private schools.

Other vulnerabilities

Beyond the issue of public schools, there are the programs that help support the states most vulnerable. Florida has critical funding shortfalls in many areas  including mental-health services, homelessness prevention and programs targeted at families whose dire economic circumstances are dimming their childrens hope for a brighter future. Failing to make up these shortfalls is already costing the state money. For example, the Florida Policy Institute estimates that the state has already missed out on $2 billion in federal match funding for programs that would have improved healthcare access for some of Floridas lowest-income students. The cost of such short-sightedness isnt just measured in that lost federal funding  but in future costs as students grow into adults that are more vulnerable to addiction and chronic health problems such as diabetes or heart disease.

Lawmakers are already seeing a push to save money on Medicaid by enacting cruel work requirements that penalize Floridas sickest, impoverished households. They could overlook the reality that fewer than half the families who qualify for assistance with child care are receiving the help they need to stay in the workforce. Theyll be encouraged to ignore the fact that an estimated 526,000 uninsured Floridians are struggling with mental-health or substance abuse problems that, left untreated, could lead to increased crime and reliance on social services.

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The budget process will be laden with dozens of decisions that break down like these. And certainly, lawmakers could subsidize the consequences of big political decisions that went wrong, by starving the states most powerless residents of the resources they need.

It is cynical and heartless to balance an error-laden budget on the backs of those who can least afford it. It is also fiscally irresponsible. Diminishing the quality of the states public-school system will stifle its economy. Cutting funding for social programs is likely to lead to increased costs in coming years, as jails and hospitals struggle to with the impact of deprivation.

The right choice, the moral choice, is to make sure the most vulnerable Floridians arent left behind in this rough-and-tumble budget year. It might not be easy to hear their voices in the tumult of a tempestuous session. But legislators should recognize that these needs cant be silenced through negligence and deprivation.

The Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board consists of Opinion Editor Krys Fluker, Executive Editor Roger Simmons and Viewpoints Editor Jay Reddick. Use insight@orlandosentinel.com to contact us.
On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Education has accused a New York school district of violating federal civil rights law after it modified a Native Americanthemed mascot to comply with a state ban on Indigenous imagery.

The Connetquot Central School District on Long Island changed its mascot name from the Thunderbirds to the T-Birds following a directive from the New York State Education Department and the Board of Regents prohibiting Native American imagery in school mascots. Federal officials said the change violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act because it was made solely because it originates from Native American symbolism.

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The Education Department has asked the district to restore the original mascot name.

In April, the Departments Office for Civil Rights determined that New Yorks regulation banning Native American mascots violated Title VI, setting up a conflict between state policy and federal civil rights enforcement.

Today, we found Connetquot Central School District in violation of Title VI for erasing its Native American heritage to comply with a discriminatory New York state regulation. We will not allow ideologues to decide that some mascots based on national origin are acceptable while others are banned. Equal treatment under the law is non-negotiable, said Kimberly Richey, assistant secretary for civil rights at the Education Department, in a statement issued Thursday.

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We expect the District to do the right thing and comply with our resolution agreement to voluntarily resolve its civil rights violation and restore the Thunderbirds rightful name. The Trump Administration will not relent in ensuring that every community is treated equally under the law, Richey added.

The use of Native American names, symbols and imagery in school mascots has long been a contentious issue, with many Tribal Nations and Indigenous advocates arguing such representations perpetuate stereotypes and misappropriate Native cultures, while others emphasize community tradition and local decision-making.

Under an agreement reached last year, Connetquot was permitted to keep the T-Birds name and related imageryincluding an eagle, thunderbolt, or lightning boltafter dropping its legal challenge to the states Native American mascot ban.

About the Author: "Levi \"Calm Before the Storm\" Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print\/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at levi@nativenewsonline.net."

Contact: levi@nativenewsonline.net
An approximately 80-year-old man may have lived for decades under inhumane conditions in a cellar in Helsinki, Finnish police reported on Friday.

The officers found the man during a search of a detached house in the Finnish capital.

He was in poor physical condition and had no access to a toilet in the windowless room, nor the ability to wash or prepare food, the police said.

Initial investigations have revealed that the man moved in there several decades ago.

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The police have arrested two men and a woman, all around 60 years old and living in Helsinki. The suspects are not related to the victim but have known him for a long time, the head of the investigation, Jari Korkalainen, told the broadcaster Yle.

It is now being investigated whether the residents of the house where the elderly man was found committed human trafficking by exploiting the man and subjecting him to degrading living conditions, according to the police statement.

The suspects' motive could have been financial gain, the police said.
Damari was released from Hamas captivity in January 2025 alongside former hostages Romi Gonen and Doron Steinbrecher.

Former hostage Emily Damari, and her girlfriend, social media influencer Danielle Amit, got engaged this week, Israeli media reported on Thursday.

A video circulating on social media showed Damari, dressed in white, getting down on one knee to propose to Amit at an event marking the anniversary of her release from Hamas's terror captivity in the Gaza Strip.

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Damari and Amit publicly announced their relationship in June 2025.

Damari, who also holds British citizenship, revealed in a May 2025 interview with N12 that she had hidden her preference for women from her Hamas captors. "From their perspective, it's a sickness," she said at the time.

Damari added that she had questioned her Hamas captor about what he would do if he discovered his brother was gay, to which he responded that he would "murder him."

She also revealed that during captivity, she was questioned why she wasn't married, answering that she kept to herself.

Kidnapped from Kfar Aza, released 500 days later

Damari was kidnapped by Hamas from her home in Kfar Aza on October 7, 2023, alongside her friends, twins Gali and Ziv Berman.

She was released from Hamas captivity 500 days later in January 2025 alongside former hostages Romi Gonen and Doron Steinbrecher.
By Lili Bayer and Bart H. Meijer

BRUSSELS, Jan 23 (Reuters) - EU leaders heaved a sigh of relief over Donald Trump's U-turn on Greenland as they met for an emergency summit in Brussels late on Thursday.

The leaders said they want an EU-U.S. trade deal to be back on track after the European Parliament suspended its ratification in protest over U.S. pressure to acquire Greenland.

While saying they want to work on strengthening the transatlantic cooperation, the EU leaders warned that they were ready to act if Trump was to threaten them again.

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The Thursday evening summit was convened after the U.S. threatened steep tariffs, and possibly even military action in Greenland, before pulling back from those threats, saying a deal over the Arctic island was in sight.

"We were successful by being firm," European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said, referring to Trump dropping its threats against Europe over Greenland.

But Trump's threats badly shook Europe's confidence in its partner, EU officials and leaders said.

"Transatlantic relations have definitely taken a big blow over the last week," the bloc's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said as she arrived at the meeting.

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TRUMP'S U-TURN IS GOOD NEWS, BUT EUROPE VIGILANT

The emergency summit, convened to reassess the EU-U.S. relationship, did not take any concrete decision.

"Things are quietening down and we should welcome that," French President Emmanuel Macron said.

"We remain extremely vigilant and ready to use the instruments at our disposal should we find ourselves the target of threats again," Macron told reporters, referring to "bazooka" trade sanctions the bloc had considered using.

The EU "will defend itself, its member states, its citizens and its companies, against any form of coercion," European Council chief Antonio Costa said.

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Most leaders said the relationship with the United States remained key for the EU and it was one they were ready to work hard to maintain - while expecting hard work, and respect, from Washington as well.

"Europe is not willing to junk 80 years of good transatlantic relations because of disagreements ... we are willing to invest our time and energy in this," Kallas said.

NO MORE THREATS

EU governments remain wary of another change of mind by a mercurial president increasingly seen as a bully whom Europe will have to stand up to.

"Trump crossed the Rubicon. He might do it again. There is no going back to what it was," one EU diplomat said, adding that the bloc needed to move away from its heavy reliance on the U.S. in many areas.

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"We need to try to keep him (Trump) close while working on becoming more independent from the U.S. It is a process, probably a long one."

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said she was more than ready to discuss security cooperation in Greenland with the United States - as long as it fully respects their sovereignty.

"We have to work together respectfully without threatening each other," she said.

THE US HAS SUBSTANTIAL LEVERAGE

After decades of relying on Washington for defence within the NATO alliance, the bloc lacks the needed intelligence, transport, missile defence and production capabilities to defend itself against a possible Russian attack.

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This gives the U.S. substantial leverage.

The U.S. is also Europe's biggest trading partner, making the EU vulnerable to Trump's policies of imposing tariffs to reduce Washington's trade deficit in goods, and, as in the case of Greenland, to achieve other goals.

One of the key questions will be how close Europeans want to remain to the United States, and how much trust remains. All said Europeans need to be united and have a common stance, but historical ties vary from one country to another.

"I still treat United States as our closest friend," Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said.

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Others were more cautious.

"It is important for ... our partners in Washington to understand the difference between domination and leadership. Leadership is OK," Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk said. "Coercion is not a good method."

EU-US TRADE DEAL

The EU had been ready to deploy a package of retaliatory tariffs on 93 billion euros ($108.74 billion) of U.S. imports and anti-coercive measures if Trump had gone ahead with his own tariffs that were to kick in on February 1, officials said.

European lawmakers are likely to resume their work on the ratification of the trade deal now that Trump has taken back his threats, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said.

(Additional reporting by Andrew Gray, Bart Meijer, Ingrid Melander, Louise Rasmussen, Inti Landauro, Julia Payne Phil Blenkinsop, Maria Martinez, Dominique Vidalon; Writing by Ingrid Melander and Jan Strupczewski; Editing by Gareth Jones, Andrew Cawthorne and Andrew Heavens)
Ukraine is expected to join the European Union by 2027 and may receive $1.6 trillion in funding by 2040, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban claimed on Jan. 23.

He cited a confidential document on Ukraine's accession allegedly presented at an EU summit in Brussels on the previous day.

The European Commission told the Kyiv Independent it cannot comment on Orbans claims, but confirmed it is close to an agreement with the U.S. and Ukraine on a single unified prosperity framework. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry declined to comment.

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Hungary has opposed Ukraines EU accession and providing aid to Kyiv, with Orban claiming that financing Kyiv will destroy the European Union. Furthermore, Orban maintains close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Without specifying the timeline, Orban said on Facebook that Ukraine was expected to get $800 billion in funding. The Hungarian news sites Telex and Portfilio reported the $800 billion amount is expected to be provided within 10 years and will allegedly include U.S. funds and private capital in addition to EU money.

The U.S. and EU are hoping to attract $800 billion of public and private funds within 10 years to help rebuild Ukraine once Russia ends its full-scale invasion, Politico reported on Jan. 23, citing a document that it has obtained.

Taras Kachka, Ukraine's deputy prime minister for European integration, also said on Jan. 20 that Ukraine was expected to get $800 million as part of a "prosperity package" that is being negotiated by Ukraine, the U.S., and the EU. The prosperity plan for Ukraine's recovery is part of a 20-point peace blueprint that the U.S. is trying to broker.

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Orban also said, as cited by Telex, that Ukraine may receive an additional 700 billion euros ($823 billion), according to the EU plan  an apparent reference to military aid. He said on Facebook that the additional money may be provided by 2040.

Kachka said on Jan. 21 that maintaining the Ukrainian army over the next 10 years could cost up to $700 billion if Russias aggression continued.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also said in February 2025 that EU spending on military equipment for Ukraine could amount to 700 billion euros, Die Berliner Zeitung reported.

The same confidential document allegedly states that Ukraine should join the EU by 2027.

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The latest draft of the peace proposal under negotiation envisaged Ukraine joining the EU by Jan. 1, 2027 under a fast-tracked process, the Financial Times reported in December, citing its sources.

Meanwhile, Kachka said on Jan. 22 that Ukraine could become a member of the European Union in 2028 if it finishes key reforms by the end of 2027.

Orban argued that the proposal on Ukraine's accession and funding was exactly as it came from Ukraine." He predicted that achieving the goals of this plan would inevitably require extensive borrowing, thereby placing a strain on Europes economic future.

He argues that support for Ukraine should be a voluntary choice for each country, rather than a collective undertaking by the European Union as a whole.

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Orban also responded to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys recent address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where Zelensky called on European allies to step up their support, both militarily and financially.

While President Zelensky sits on a horse, the people of Brussels are ready to pay, like military officers," he wrote on Facebook.

Orban also stated that in the next 100 years there will not be a parliament in Hungary that would vote for the Ukrainians accession to the European Union.

Ukraine applied to join the EU in February 2022, mere days after Russia unleashed its full-scale invasion.

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Kyiv was granted candidate status in 2022, and the EU formally opened accession talks with Ukraine in 2024. However, de facto negotiations on specific accession clusters have not yet begun, and Hungary has blocked the process.

The EC has called Ukraines implementation of necessary reforms impressive, even during wartime and finalized the screening process in September 2025.

Read also: BREAKING: Ukraine holds trilateral talks with US, Russia as Kremlin ties any deal to Donbas capitulation

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL) is among the stocks under $50 to buy now. On January 13, TD Cowen lifted the price target on Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL) to $38 from $35 and maintained a Buy rating. Matching the consensus 1-year median price target, the new price target reflects an upside potential of 35.42%.

Although Caribbean yield pressures will make a tough earnings season for Royal and Norwegian, underlying demand for cruise remains strong, and capacity dynamics are positive through FY29, the analyst noted. With investors looking beyond temporary Caribbean headwinds, TD Cowen forecasts share upside in 2026.

Carnival Corp (CCL), NYSE:CCL,

On the same day, UBS reaffirmed its Buy rating and $38 price target on Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL). Robin Farley, an analyst at UBS, anticipates FY26 yield growth 0.3% higher than the companys projection of 2.5%. Despite this, the firm lowered its reported net yield forecast to 4% YoY, down from 4.4%, due to a more modest foreign exchange tailwind. The firms FY28 net yield estimate remains the same at 2.5% YoY growth.

Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL) is a Florida-based provider of leisure travel services. Founded in 1972, the cruise company operates through four segments: NAA Cruise Operations, Europe Cruise Operations, Cruise Support, and Tour and Other.

While we acknowledge the potential of CCL 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: The Best and Worst Dow Stocks for the Next 12 Months and 10 Unstoppable Stocks That Could Double Your Money.

Disclosure: None.
BRUSSELS, Jan 23 (Reuters) - The European Commission said on Friday it would propose suspending for another six months an EU package of retaliatory trade measures against the U.S. worth 93 billion euros ($109.19 billion) that would otherwise kick in on February 7.

The package, prepared in the first half of last year when the European Union was negotiating a trade deal with the United States, was put on hold for six months when Brussels and Washington agreed on a joint statement on trade in August 2025.

U.S. President Donald Trump's threat last week to impose new tariffs on eight European countries over Washington's push to acquire Greenland had made the retaliatory package a handy tool for the EU to use had Trump followed through on his threat.

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"With the removal of the tariff threat by the U.S. we can now return to the important business of implementing the joint EU-US statement," Commission spokesman Olof Gill said.

The Commission will soon make a proposal "to roll over our suspended countermeasures, which are set to expire on February 7," Gill said, adding the measures would be suspended for a further six months.

"Just to make absolutely clear -- the measures would remain suspended, but if we need them at any point in the future, they can be unsuspended," Gill said.

($1 = 0.8517 euros)

(Reporting by Jan StrupczewskiEditing by Gareth Jones)
Investing.com -- The European Commission announced Friday it will propose suspending a package of retaliatory trade measures against the United States worth 93 billion ($109.19 billion) for another six months, extending beyond the current February 7 expiration date.

The trade package was initially prepared in the first half of last year during EU-US trade negotiations and was put on hold for six months after both sides reached a joint statement on trade in August 2025.

The measures gained renewed attention last week when U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose new tariffs on eight European countries amid Washingtons efforts to acquire Greenland. The EUs retaliatory package could have served as a response tool had Trump implemented his threatened tariffs.

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"With the removal of the tariff threat by the U.S. we can now return to the important business of implementing the joint EU-US statement," Commission spokesman Olof Gill said.

Gill clarified that while the measures would remain suspended for an additional six-month period, they could be reactivated if needed. "Just to make absolutely clear -- the measures would remain suspended, but if we need them at any point in the future, they can be unsuspended," he stated.

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EVANSVILLE  Everywhere in the Tri-State is going to get a lot of snow. But as of now, it looks like Evansville could get the most.

The Paducah, Kentucky office of the National Weather Service now has Evansville and a thin slash of Southwestern Indiana in the bullseye for the weekend winter storm that could dump mounds of snow on the area between Saturday morning and Sunday evening.

The NWS now believes Evansville could get between 12 and 18 inches of snow. According to the latest bulletin released just before 8 a.m. Friday, the city and the area immediately around it has a 78% shot of getting at least 8 or more inches. The chance of 12 or more inches stands at 39%.

Henderson County, Kentucky is split between 12-18 inches of snow and 8-12 inches.

 Download the free the Courier & Press app and turn on Notifications to get breaking news updates on the winter storm. Prefer email news alerts? Sign up for those here.

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If you're looking for the dimmest of silver linings, those percentages have dropped somewhat from NWS' Thursday night bulletin. Either way, it looks like we're about to endure a lot of snow.

Naturally, the entire Tri-State from Southern Illinois to Southwestern Indiana to Western Kentucky is under a winter storm warning for at least the next few days.

A National Weather Service graphic shows Evansville square in the bullseye of the heaviest snow totals between Saturday, Jan. 24 and Sunday, Jan. 25. NWS believes the Evansville area could get as much as 18 inches of snow.

Evansville will be brutally cold as well

On top of all that, the entire Tri-State will plunge into days' worth of dangerously cold temperatures. High temperatures in Evansville will hover between the low 20s and upper teens Friday through Sunday, while the lows will drop as far as single digits.

Somehow, Monday and Tuesday will be even worse. The low temperatures both days  the temperatures themselves, not the wind chill  are expected to plummet to minus-2 degrees. With the wind chill, that will feel as frigid as minus-12 degrees.

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That means residents should leave their faucets dripping to help prevent frozen pipes. And it goes without saying that anyone who works or spends time outside should bundle up with hats, multiple layers, boots and the heaviest coat you can find.

When will the snow arrive?

This is a question the NWS hadn't been able to fully pin down until late Thursday and early Friday. According to the latest maps, however, we at least have some idea.

The first taste of snow will hit the far-western edges of Indiana and Kentucky sometime between midnight and 6 a.m. Saturday. It likely won't reach the Evansville area later that morning, between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m., when the city has about a 55% chance of snow.

The snow will come in waves, but should pick up in intensity later Saturday and into Sunday. That's when Evansville should accumulate most of that 12-18 inches.

A graphic from the National Weather Service shows the probability of heavy snow across the Tri-State between Saturday, Jan. 24 and Sunday, Jan. 25.

'Dangerous or impossible driving conditions' in Evansville; school and business closures possible

The NWS expects all this mess to create "major impacts" in Evansville and Western Kentucky. That includes "dangerous or impossible driving conditions" in the teeth of the heaviest snow. Officials are urging motorists to stay off the roads completely, if possible.

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 Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events in your area

Residents should plan for some business closures. With the heaps of snow forecast, school closures next week could be inevitable as well. In an email to parents Thursday, the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. asked students to bring their backpacks to school Friday so they could haul home the electronic devices and materials they'll need for possible virtual days next week.

Is there any chance of ice?

Due to the ice storms in 2009 and 2025, Tri-State residents get an extra knot in their stomachs any time a winter storm rolls in. But according to NWS, Evansville isn't forecast to get sleet or freezing rain.

That should stay well south of the area. It could creep into the more southern reaches of Western Kentucky.

OK, then. Do you have any good news?

Not much. But the lack of ice is a positive. NWS also predicts much of the snow could be of the drier, fluffier variety, making easier to shovel than the heavy, wet variety.

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Wind gusts should be relatively tame, as well. With any luck, that could keep power outages at a much lower clip than we experienced in the January 2025 ice storm.

Evansville weather radar

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Evansville Indiana winter storm snow totals
The ex-husband accused of killing an Ohio dentist and his wife last month appeared in court on Friday.

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Michael McKee, 39, appeared in Franklin County Court of Common Pleas for his arraignment. There, he pleaded not guilty, our news partners at WBNS reported.

A judge issued no bond for McKee.

TRENDING STORIES:

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As News Center 7 previously reported, McKee was indicted by a Franklin County grand jury last week on four counts of aggravated murder and one count of aggravated burglary in connection with the killing of his ex-wife, 39-year-old Monique Tepe, and her 37-year-old husband, Spencer.

The couple was found dead in their Weinland Park home on Dec. 30.

Officers found the couple during a wellness check after Spencers coworker reported that the dentist had not appeared for work at a dental practice in Athens.

Records obtained by WBNS revealed police were able to identify McKee as a suspect through neighborhood video surveillance. He was reportedly tracked to a vehicle that showed up shortly before the shootings and left shortly after.

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The vehicle was later found in Illinois. Officers also found evidence that McKee had ownership of the car, WBNS said.

Police also revealed to WBNS that multiple weapons were recovered from McKees property. One of those is preliminarily linked to the deadly shooting.

He was arrested on Jan. 10 and made his first court appearance in Winnebago County, Illinois, two days later.

McKee was booked into the James A. Karnes Corrections Center on Tuesday after being extradited from Illinois, WBNS reported.

If convicted, McKee faces a minimum of life in prison with a chance at parole after 32 years.

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School (in)Security is our biweekly briefing on the latest school safety news, vetted by Mark Keierleber. Subscribe here.

It took 77 minutes and 370 law enforcement officers to stop the Uvalde, Texas, elementary school shooter after he killed 19 children and two teachers in 2022.

Among the first officers to respond to what would become one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history was former campus cop Adrian Gonzalez. On Wednesday, after an emotional three-week trial, a jury found Gonzalez not guilty of failing to save lives during the shooting. Prosecutors had alleged the 52-year-old endangered childrens lives and abandoned his training when he failed to stop the 18-year-old gunman before entering Robb Elementary School and opening fire.

Getty Images

Big picture: Its the second time ever that a school-based officer has faced criminal charges for their failure to protect and serve as shots rang out inside a school. Its also the second time the officer has walked free.

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In 2023, former school-based police officer Scot Peterson was acquitted of similar charges after he took cover outside a Parkland, Florida, high school as a gunman killed 17 people in a 2018 mass shooting.

Both cases raise the same question: Once a gunman enters a school and starts shooting indiscriminately at innocent people, what level of responsibility do armed police officers have to stop them?

Three for three? Gonzalezs acquittal doesnt mark the end of the criminal fallout from what the Justice Department determined were cascading police failures in Uvalde. Pete Arredondo, the school districts former police chief, will stand trial on 10 child endangerment charges. A trial date for that case hasnt yet been set.

In the news

Updates to Trumps immigration crackdown:

As thousands of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol agents descend on Minnesota, school communities have been pushed into chaos and fear, my Twin Cities-based colleague Beth Hawkins reports. | The 74



The Columbia Heights school district announced that federal agents have detained four of its students over the last two weeks  including a 5-year-old boy who was used as bait as officers pursued his family members. The Department of Homeland Security said the elementary schooler had been abandoned by his father during a traffic stop. | MPR News, X



The former Des Moines, Iowa, superintendent, who was arrested by federal immigration agents in September, has pleaded guilty to felony charges connected to lying about his citizenship status on school district employment forms and for possessing a gun while in the country illegally. | The New York Times



Maine parents have stopped sending their kids to school as the state becomes the next immigration enforcement battleground. | Maine Morning Star



Immigrant-rights advocates have called for a Texas judge to recuse herself from a case involving an unaccompanied minor, alleging she demonstrated cruelty and bias including grilling immigrant children about whether they had abandoned their families in their birth countries. | El Paso Matters



Worms and mold in the food: As the Trump administration restores the practice of family detentions, children in ICE custody are being exposed to unsanitary conditions and limited access to clean drinking water. | PBS

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As Instagram and Facebook parent company Meta prepares for a trial over allegations it failed to protect children from sexual exploitation, the company has asked a judge to exclude from court proceedings references to research into social medias effects on youth mental health.| WIRED

Employees of Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency inappropriately handled sensitive Social Security data, the Justice Department acknowledged in a court filing. The president of the American Federation of Teachers, which sued to halt DOGEs access to such confidential information, said the revelation confirms our worst fears that the quasi-agencys data practices jeopardized Americans personal and financial security. | CNN

Poor reception: Turns out, kids arent so hip to the idea of school cell phone bans. Fifty-one percent of teens said students should be allowed to use their devices during class. A resounding 73% oppose cell phone bans throughout the entire school day. | Pew Research Center

School districts across Michigan have rejected new school safety and mental health money from the state over objections to a new requirement that they waive legal privilege and submit to state investigations after mass school shootings. Some school leaders have argued the requirement creates legal uncertainties that outweigh the financial support. | Chalkbeat

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As the Prince Georges County, Maryland, school district faces a crisis budget and braces for $150 million in cuts, officials plan to spend $6 million on artificial intelligence-enabled security technology, including weapons detection systems and license plate readers. | WUSA

ICYMI @The74

From Head Start to Civil Rights, 8 Ways Trump Reshaped Education in Just 1 Year

Education Dept. Drops Appeal in Case Challenging Anti-DEI Letter

High Court Shows Support for State Bans on Trans Athletes

Emotional Support

School (in)Security features all the news thats fit to
By Alexander Cornwell

TEL AVIV, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Israel wants to restrict the number of Palestinians entering Gaza through the border crossing with Egypt to ensure that more are allowed out than in, three sources briefed on the matter said ahead of the border's expected opening next week.

The head of a transitional Palestinian committee backed by the U.S. to temporarily administer Gaza, Ali Shaath, announced on Thursday that the Rafah Border Crossing - effectively the sole route in or out of Gaza for nearly all of the more than 2 million people who live there - would open next week.

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The border was supposed to have opened during the initial phase of President Donald Trump's plan to end the war, under a ceasefire reached in October between Israel and Hamas.

Earlier this month, Washington announced that the plan had now moved into the second phase, under which Israel is expected to withdraw troops further from Gaza and Hamas is due to yield control of the territory's administration. The Gaza side of the crossing has been under Israeli military control since 2024.

The three sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, said it was still not clear how Israel planned to enforce limits on the number of Palestinians entering Gaza from Egypt, or what ratio of exits to entries it aimed to achieve.

Israeli officials have spoken in the past about encouraging Palestinians to emigrate from Gaza, although they deny intending to transfer the population out by force. Palestinians are highly sensitive to any suggestion that Gazans could be expelled, or that those who leave temporarily could be barred from returning.

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The Rafah Crossing is expected to be staffed by Palestinians affiliated with the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority and monitored by EU personnel, as took place during an earlier, weeks-long ceasefire between Israel and Hamas early last year.

The Israeli prime minister's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment for this story. The military referred questions to the government, declining to comment.

An Israeli official told Reuters the government would determine when the border would open and that Palestinians would not be able to leave or enter Gaza without approval from Israel.

The three sources said that Israel also wants to establish a military checkpoint inside Gaza near the border, through which all Palestinians entering or leaving would be required to pass and be subjected to Israeli security checks.

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The U.S. Embassy in Israel did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether Washington supported Israel in limiting the number of Palestinians entering Gaza or setting up a checkpoint to screen those entering and leaving.

Under the initial phase of Trump's plan, the Israeli military partially pulled back its forces within Gaza but retained control of 53% of the territory including the entire land border with Egypt. Nearly all of the territory's population lives in the rest of Gaza, under Hamas control and mostly in makeshift tents or damaged buildings.

The sources said that it was not clear how individuals would be dealt with if they were blocked by Israel's military from passing through its checkpoint, particularly those entering from Egypt.

The Israeli government has repeatedly objected to the opening of the border, with some officials saying Hamas must first return the body of an Israeli police officer held in Gaza, the final human remains of a hostage due to be transferred under the ceasefire's first phase.

U.S. officials in private say that Washington, not Israel, is driving the rollout of the president's plan to end the war.

(Reporting by Alexander CornwellEditing by Peter Graff and Ros Russell)
Claim:

In January 2026, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt denied U.S. President Donald Trump said "Iceland" when he meant "Greenland" during his speech at the World Economic Forum, even though video evidence showed he did confuse the two.

Rating:

Rating: True

After U.S. President Donald Trump gave a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 21, 2026, a rumor spread online that White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt denied Trump had mistakenly referred to Greenland, a territory of the Kingdom of Denmark, as Iceland, a sovereign country in the North Atlantic. According to people sharing the claim, Leavitt's denial contradicted video evidence and credible reporting that Trump did mix up the names multiple times during the speech.

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For example, the claim that Leavitt denied Trump's mix-ups appeared on X and TikTok. One X user asked, "Why do they lie about obvious things?" (archived):

(X user @micah_erfan)

The claim also appeared in an article by the left-leaning media outlet The New Republic. Meanwhile, Snopes readers searched the website seeking to confirm Leavitt had denied Trump had confused Greenland's and Iceland's names in his speech.

The rumor was true, as we outline below. An emailed statement from a White House spokesperson did not address our questions about why Leavitt had said Trump had not confused the two places.

Trump's mistakes

On Jan. 21, 2026, Trump gave a speech in Davos in which he referred to Greenland several times as a "piece of ice." He discussed Greenland following the international reaction to his stated plan to acquire Denmark's autonomous territory, as various NATO allies sent military personnel to Greenland to prepare for a possible takeover by the U.S. In the following livestream of the speech from reputable news outlet The Associated Press, Trump referred to Greenland as Iceland starting at the 42:15 and 43:29 time stamps.

His four references to Iceland also appeared in the official transcript of his speech published on the WEF website. Here are the specific quotes, with context:

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Starting at 42:15: "Until the last few days when I told them about Iceland, they loved me." Context showed Trump was using "them" and "they" in this sentence to refer to NATO. Concerns about the U.S. taking over Greenland resulted in new diplomatic brinkmanship between NATO allies in the days leading up to the WEF. Trump had not mentioned Iceland earlier in the speech, and there was no evidence Iceland had been the focus of any discussion or dispute.

Starting at 43:29: "They're not there for us on Iceland. That I can tell you. I mean, our stock market took the first dip yesterday because of Iceland. So, Iceland's already cost us a lot of money." In context, it was clear Trump was describing concerns about Greenland, not Iceland, that had roiled the markets the day before Trump's speech.

(After the speech, Trump said a new framework for negotiations on Greenland was in place, following a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.)

Leavitt's response

As news outlets and social media users began to comment on Trump's mix-up, Leavitt shared one such X post (archived) by NewsNation journalist Libbey Dean. Misspelling Dean's first name, Leavitt claimed that the remark was incorrect (archived):

(X user @PressSec)

No he didn't, Libby. His written remarks referred to Greenland as a "piece of ice" because that's what it is. You're the only one mixing anything up here.

Leavitt referred to Trump's "written remarks," not what he had said. Asked why Leavitt would deny Trump had made this mistake, White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers replied with a written statement that provided no more clarity on the matter:

President Trump delivered a historic speech in Davos laying out America's compelling national security interests involving Greenland. Mere hours afterward, President Trump announced the framework for a future deal with respect to Greenland. President Trump continues to deliver results while the failing, liberal media melts down.

We replied, asking again what motivated Leavitt's denial that Trump had said these words during his speech, which was recorded, widely broadcast and extensively reported on. We will update this report should Rogers respond.

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For further reading, Snopes verified that Trump said "Sometimes you need a dictator" during a reception of business leaders in Davos.

Sources:

Conlon, Sean. "Rising Greenland Tensions Sent the Market Reeling Tuesday. Many Doubt the Sell-off Will Last." CNBC, 20 Jan. 2026, www.cnbc.com/2026/01/20/rising-greenland-tensions-roiled-stocks-tuesday-many-doubt-it-will-last.html. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.

Jake, Lara, et al. "Trump Says He Has Framework for Greenland Deal as NATO Mulls Idea of U.S. Sovereignty over Bases." The New York Times, 21 Jan. 2026, www.nytimes.com/2026/01/21/us/politics/trump-greenland-threats-diplomacy-force.html. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.

Liles, Jordan. "Yes, Trump Said, 'Sometimes You Need a Dictator.'" Snopes, Snopes.com, 21 Jan. 2026, www.snopes.com/fact-check/trump-sometimes-you-need-a-dictator/. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.

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"LIVE: Trump Speaks at WEF 2026 in Davos (Full Speech)." Www.youtube.com, 21 Jan. 2026, www.youtube.com/watch?v=qo2-q4AFh_g. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.

Olmsted, Edith. "Leavitt's Response to Trump Greenland/Iceland Slip Will Blow Your Mind." The New Republic, 21 Jan. 2026, newrepublic.com/post/205517/karoline-leavitt-donald-trump-greenland-iceland. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.

The Economist. "The President's Hunger for Greenland Is Tearing NATO Apart." The Economist, 17 Jan. 2026, www.economist.com/europe/2026/01/17/the-presidents-hunger-for-greenland-is-tearing-nato-apart. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.

World Economic Forum. "Davos 2026: Special Address by US President Donald J Trump." World Economic Forum, 21 Jan. 2026, www.weforum.org/stories/2026/01/davos-2026-special-address-donald-trump-president-united-states-america/. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
Credit: YouTube/@Assemblee-nationale

A map of the Falkland Islands was covered up with a Post-it note after Argentinas ambassador to France refused to speak in front of an image labelling the territory as British.

Ian Sielecki, Buenos Airess top diplomat in France, objected to answering a single question at the French national assemblys foreign affairs committee in Paris, saying he could not speak freely in front of the map.

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He compared British presence on the island to Russias invasion of Ukraine during the meeting on Wednesday.

Thank you very much for receiving me, he began, before adding: I have a small problem, which is in fact a major problem for my country.

He then pointed to the map behind him. I have just noted that I am seated in front of a map that shows the Malvinas Islands as part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, he said, according to footage broadcast by the parliamentary channel LCP.

I cannot  as a representative of the Argentine state  speak freely in front of that map, he told MPs. Doing so would mean legitimising a situation that constitutes an attack on my countrys sovereignty, on the dignity of the Argentine nation and a flagrant violation of international law.

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To drive home his point, Mr Sielecki drew comparisons to the war in Ukraine. It would be like asking the ambassador of Ukraine to speak in front of a map showing Luhansk or Crimea as a legitimate part of Russia, he said.

French officials sought a way to defuse the situation after a few moments of silence, placing a yellow Post-it note over the section of the map depicting the Falklands.

Mr Sielecki pointing to the map, which referred to the Falklands as British territory

The islands, known in Argentina as the Malvinas, lie around 370 miles off the countrys Patagonian coast and remain one of the most sensitive issues in Argentine politics.

In 1982, Argentina and the UK fought a 74-day war over the territory, in which 649 Argentine soldiers and 255 British servicemen were killed.

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Argentina continues to claim sovereignty over the islands.

Britain maintains that it has historically administered the territory and points to a 2013 referendum in which 99.8 per cent of islanders voted to remain a British overseas territory.

Defence analysts said Britain needed to ramp up military capabilities in the region, saying efforts by Javier Milei, the president of Argentina, to lift a weapons ban could soon pose a serious threat.

Mr Milei is planning on travelling to Britain in the coming months, which would make him the first Argentine president to visit since 1998.

He has previously stated that Sir Keir Starmers deal to hand over the Chagos Islands proved that the Falklands could become Argentine again, but said he would favour a diplomatic solution to the Malvinas question.

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BARNSTABLE  A 24-year-old Romanian man living in Falmouth and accused of arranging a time and place to pay for sex with a minor pleaded not guilty in Barnstable Superior Court, as part of a trio of arrests announced in December by the Cape and Islands District Attorney.

Ionut Andrei Stamatin is charged with paying for sexual conduct with a child under 18, attempting to commit a crime, electronic enticement of child for commercial sexual activity, and enticing a child under 16, according to court records. He appeared in court on Wednesday, Jan. 21, for arraignment after a grand jury indicted him.

Stamatin is among three Cape Cod residents to recently face human trafficking-related charges after separate criminal investigations in Yarmouth, Falmouth and Barnstable, the District Attorney's office announced. District Attorney Robert Galibois established a human trafficking division in his office in 2023 to combat commercial sex and labor trafficking on the Cape and the Islands.

DA: Stamatin responded to ad by undercover trooper

Cape and Islands Assistant District Attorney Courtney Scalice said in court the charges stem from an undercover Massachusetts State Police investigation. Stamatin responded to an ad placed by an undercover trooper on a website for purchasing and selling sex, according to Scalice.

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"In summary, the undercover trooper maintained that they were 15 years old and there was a subsequent conversation about the acts in which Mr. Stamatin and the undercover trooper would perform in exchange for a certain amount of money," said Scalice.

Stamatin then went to a Falmouth hotel after the undercover trooper gave that address, said Scalice, where he was arrested. State police found the money previously agreed upon for the sexual act on Stamatin, according to Scalice.

They also found a cell phone believed to have been used to text the undercover trooper. Officers sent a text message to the phone and saw the undercover phone number appear on the lock screen, said Scalice.

Defense: Stamatin in custody of ICE, 'defensible case'

Stamatin was originally scheduled for arraignment in Superior Court on Jan. 13.

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James T. Morse, Stamatin's defense attorney, said in court on Jan. 21 that his client made all appearances in district court while the case was pending. But on Jan. 13, Stamatin was reported as taken into custody by U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The scheduled arraignment for Jan. 13 did not take place because he was not transported to court, according to court records.

"He was lawfully present up to his arrest on these charges," said Morse.

Stamatin is currently being held on an ICE detainer pending deportation hearings at the ICE wing at Plymouth County Correctional Facility. He was scheduled to be in front of an immigration judge on Thursday, Jan. 22.

"I recognize the allegations seem quite serious, however this is a defensible case," said Morse.

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The ad in question indicated that the person was 19, said Morse.

"I would suggest that based on the facts recited by the government there's a clear indication that he did not wish to engage in statutory rape," said Morse, pointing to a "potential entrapment defense."

Morse asked for nominal bail, so Stamatin could receive credit while held on the federal detainer. Bail was set at $5,000 surety or $500 cash with prejudice. Conditions include no unsupervised contact with minors under 16, to surrender his passport, and to not apply for any other passports as this case is pending.

Stamatin's next court date is set for Feb. 25 for a pre-trial conference.

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Zane Razzaq writes about housing and real estate. Reach her at zrazzaq@capecodonline.com. Follow her on X @zanerazz.

Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Cape Cod Times subscription. Here are our subscription plans.

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Falmouth man accused of paying for sexual conduct with child arraigned
(This story was updated to add new information.)

BOCA RATON  Kate Polak didn't set out to be a martyr for academic freedom. She just wanted to be a teacher.

Growing up in what she described as a violent neighborhood in Cincinnati, she viewed the classroom as a sanctuary, a place where the "destigmatization of failure" was the most important lesson on the syllabus.

"I walked into the classroom the first time and I was like, 'Oh, no, I love this. I'm going to be poor forever,' " Polak said. "When I realized that was my vocation, I realized I could make it a kinder world for them than it had been for me."

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But on Jan. 20, that world grew significantly smaller. Florida Atlantic University officially severed ties with the English instructor, ending a monthslong investigation into social media posts she made following the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in September. Kirk died when a gunman fatally shot him as he led an outdoor rally at a university in Utah.

The termination came via an email that Polak didn't even read at first; she said she was too busy avoiding the threats and insults that had flooded her professional inbox. She said she found out she was fired from a reporter.

The university's decision marks the final chapter in a process involving three faculty members placed on leave last fall. In a statement to the media, FAU Associate Vice President Joshua Glanzer confirmed the school had "accepted the findings" of former Florida Supreme Court Justice Alan Lawson, who was hired to conduct an independent review.

The FAU investigation findings: 'Permissible' but 'not warranted'

According to the investigative report, several of Polak's posts fell "well below the University's standards for civility and respect for others" and "would be understood by most readers as condoning on-campus violence."

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However, Lawson noted the posts were not widely viewed and garnered only three complaints, ultimately failing to meet the school's legal threshold of "actual harm" to the institution.

Consequently, Lawson wrote that neither university policy nor the faculty's collective bargaining agreement warranted discipline, concluding that while the university maintains discretion over "next steps," the facts did not meet the threshold for formal punishment.

The university's move effectively contradicts those findings. Instead of formal discipline, FAU used a notice of nonrenewal  delivered in what the school termed a "professional courtesy" letter  to inform Polak her contract would not be extended.

Back in September, officials confirmed the initial leaves but steered away from specifics, instead pointing to the school's commitment to "civil discourse" and mutual respect. At the time, FAU's senior media relations director Lisa Metcalf said the school's focus was on a "responsibility to promote healthy debate," adding that the standard applied "to all members of the FAU community, no matter their political leanings."

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To Polak, the distinction is a political maneuver designed to bypass the protections that saved her tenured colleagues, professors Karen Leader and Rebel Cole, both of whom were reinstated in November.

"I was not really blindsided by this news, so much as it was a confirmation of something I figured was happening," Polak said. "It is very clear that I am being treated differently because I am an instructor and therefore do not have the protections of tenure."

Despite suspension, FAU teacher says students were her priority

Florida Atlantic University English instructor Kate Polak, who remains on administrative leave following a university investigation into her social media activity.

During the investigation, Polak said she was questioned about her PTSD diagnosis in relation to her social-media posts. She recalled having to disclose to investigators that she is a survivor of sexual assault to explain her medical history, only for the interviewers to "just move on" to the next question without acknowledgment.

Despite the leave, the investigation and the ultimate firing, Polak's first priority remained her students. Over the summer, unpaid, she had redesigned curriculum for the writing program to align with new state standards while ensuring the material remained "fun to teach."

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For Polak, the job wasn't about politics. She saw her classroom as an "introduction to adulthood" for her students. She memorized all 100 student names within a month. She allowed endless revisions because "no grade was final until the very end." She wanted to build a better world where students received the grace she wasn't always afforded.

"I've seen education crush the curiosity out of so many people," she said. "I told myself I would never, ever be like that."

FAU instructor Kate Polak fears it's 'open season' on public comment

An investigative report has recommended that two Florida Atlantic University professors, who were placed on administrative leave following controversial social media posts relating to the late Charlie Kirk, be reinstated. An instructor, Kate Polak, remains barred from campus.

The message sent by her termination, Polak believes, is simple: "Shut up or else." She worries about the precedent this sets for colleagues teaching anything from gender studies to environmental science.

"While I am sad for myself, I'm also sad for literally every one of my Florida colleagues right now," she said. "The moment they do this to me, it's open season on everyone."

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The message her empty chair sends to students is Polak's "worst fear." Her voice faltered as she considered the lesson they might take away: "that the bad guy can still win no matter how hard you fight."

"I'm scared for the kind of society that creates," she said.

Instructor considers legal options following ouster from FAU

These days, Polak's work has shifted from the classroom to the kitchen table of a house she can no longer afford without her paycheck. She confirmed she will be pursuing legal action regarding the First Amendment.

"I will certainly be pursuing something," she said, noting she is represented by both union and outside counsel.

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The paperwork, however, cannot fill the void left by her students.

"I am unbelievably bored without them," Polak said. "Who knows who I would have met this semester?"

Jasmine Fernandez is a journalist covering Delray Beach and Boca Raton for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at jfernandez@pbpost.com and follow her on X at @jasminefernandz. Help support our work. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: FAU cuts ties to instructor suspended for Charlie Kirk comments
Tesla's (TSLA) on-again, off-again relationship with its in-house supercomputer just took another surprising turn. CEO Elon Musk announced over the weekend that the electric vehicle maker will resume development of Dojo3, its third-generation AI chip project, after abruptly shutting it down just five months ago. The decision marks a strategic reversal for the automaker as it seeks to regain control over critical artificial intelligence infrastructure.

The revival comes as Tesla reports progress on its AI5 chip design, which Musk described as being in good shape. This development apparently provided enough confidence to restart the Dojo program despite the company previously concluding it made more sense to consolidate resources around a single chip architecture.

More News from Barchart

The original Dojo supercomputer was designed to train Tesla's autonomous driving models, including the controversial Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology that remains central to the company's future ambitions.

However, Musk's latest vision for Dojo3 extends far beyond terrestrial applications. The billionaire executive stated the revived project will focus on space-based AI compute. This ambitious pivot aligns with broader industry speculation that future data centers could operate off-planet to avoid straining already maxed-out power grids on Earth.

The announcement raises important questions for investors about Tesla's strategic direction, capital-allocation priorities, and competitive positioning relative to peers in AI infrastructure.

www.barchart.com

All Eyes on Teslas Upcoming Earnings

Valued at a market cap of $1.4 trillion, TSLA stock is down over 15% from all-time highs. While the supercomputer could drive future revenue, Tesla still generates most of its sales from electric vehicles.

In recent years, the EV maker has wrestled with rising interest rates, competition from China, and slowing consumer demand. In fact, after years of stellar revenue growth, Tesla is forecast to end 2025 with sales of $94.6 billion, down from $96.77 billion in 2023.

Since 2022, Tesla has been forced to lower its gross margins to fuel demand. The companys gross margins are forecast at 17% in 2025, down from 25.3% in 2021. This gross margin compression has meant that Tesla could end 2025 with a free cash flow of $4.87 billion, down from $7.6 billion in 2022.
Red Onion State Prison in Wise County (Photo courtesy of Virginia Department of Corrections.)

A class action lawsuit alleging that the Virginia Department of Corrections has violated its Step Down program by arbitrarily keeping people confined solitarily for long periods of time will be allowed to move forward, a federal district judge ruled this week.

While Virginia does not have what is colloquially referred to as solitary confinement, Virginia law does have restorative housing. This is when incarcerated people are placed in restrictive or isolated housing, typically for safety or punishment reasons due to behavior issues.

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The Step Down program is a special type of programming for people placed in solitary housing, meant as an incentive to help them transition back into general population quarters. ACLUs Thorpe v. VADOC case alleges that in practice, the program lacks transparency.

Because the committee of prison staff that reviews their conduct meets in secret and does not document the rationale for its decisions, people in the program are not given the opportunity to know why they are kept in the Step-Down Program, much less respond or adjust their behavior, an ACLU press release explained.

After Del. Holly Seibold, D- Fairfax, and Sen. Mike Jones, D-Chesterfield, each visited Red Onion last year, they said they saw people in restorative housing unable to participate in legally-required out-of-cell time. Seibold worried that this sort of treatment could further exacerbate someones behavioral issues or lead to poor mental health.

Solitary confinement will damage even the most resilient of minds, Seibold said in 2025. I cant even imagine myself being in there for more than a few days and being able to remain stable.

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With the recent ruling, the litigation that was filed in 2019 can finally proceed to trial.

In recent years, incarcerated people and their families have been outspoken about concerns of racism, abuse, retaliation and misuse of restorative housing.

A state watchdog report found several of the claims unsubstantiated, but did not rule out racism or retaliation from among inmates experiences. The probe, however, was narrow in scope, as it focused on allegations stemming from a handful of inmates whod burned themselves in late 2024.

The investigation, conducted by Virignias Corrections Ombudsman, was made possible after state lawmakers created the position in 2024 to focus on oversight of prisons. The reports of inmates burning themselves either in protest or seeking transfer to another facility prompted the ombudsman to prioritize the investigation shortly after taking the job. She then spent a few months hiring additional staff before the team could conduct it.

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Published this month, the probe was limited to relevant circumstances as specified in the complaints, the report stated.

But due to the information ACLU has gathered in its seven-year case against VADOC, attorney Vishal Agraharkar said that the ombudsman will have to conduct a thorough, transparent, and far more sweeping investigation than this.

In the meantime, with their case deemed merited, its details could emerge through the trial process before judgement is made.

New lawsuit alleges withholding of earned sentence-trimming credits for inmates

Virginia has not had parole since the mid-1990s, and a relatively new law called Enhanced Earned Sentence Credits is a way that people who meet certain good behavior benchmarks can trim time behind bars off their sentences. In two new lawsuits ACLU Virginia filed in federal court, the group alleges that VADOC has unlawfully withheld credits that people have earned.

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Its not the first time VADOC has been taken to court over the matter. The Virginia Supreme Court previously found the department kept people behind bars unlawfully.

Just because VDOC doesnt like the law as its written doesnt mean it can go rogue and make its own, Agraharkar said.

State statute dictates that people can begin earning the credits as soon as they start their incarceration and have a final conviction order. However, the suit points to a VADOC policy wherein people do not begin earning the credits until the department calculates their projected release date.

This process can take months, meaning a persons incarceration can take longer, and the ACLU argues it is wasting taxpayer dollars when people are incarcerated when they should not be.

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Despite becoming law in 2020 under previous Gov. Ralph Northam, Enhanced Earned Sentence Credits had a delayed enactment that later was stalled for another few years by former Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

The credits were not fully implemented until 2024, before facing fresh scrutiny from both Youngkin and former Attorney General Jason Miyares.

VDOC has faced three previous, successful challenges concerning its application of the credits.

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State Sens. Brad von Gillern of the Elkhorn area, chair of the Legislature's Revenue Committee, and Rob Clements of Elmwood, chair of the Appropriations Committee, from left. Oct. 30, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

LINCOLN  For the second quarter in a row, Nebraskas federally measured Gross Domestic Product grew by about 5%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

On Friday, the BEA released its report on statewide GDP growth for the third quarter of 2025, which includes tallies for July, August and September. The report showed that Nebraskas GDP grew 5%, tying the state with Iowa and Vermont for the 13th-highest GDP growth over that time.

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen talking at St. Teresa Catholic School in Lincoln on Sep. 29. 2025. (Juan Salinas II/Nebraska Examiner)

The data is in  and Nebraskas economy is knocking it out of the park, Gov. Jim Pillen said in a social media post celebrating the BEA report Friday.

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The real GDP nationally rose about 4.4% for the quarter, making it the highest overall growth so far in 2025.

In 2025, Nebraskas GDP has been a tale of extremes. In Q1, Nebraska tied with Iowa for largest losses of GDP at 6.1%, but the state bounced back in Q2, seeing its state GDP grow about 5.2%  the sixth highest growth nationally.

Although Nebraskas overall GDP is up for 2025, state tax revenues havent mirrored that growth. Nebraskas tax receipts for July, August and September were a mixed bag, but altogether posted a net decline of roughly $15 million compared to prior economic forecasts.

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In the ongoing 60-day legislative session, state lawmakers are working to adjust the states two-year budget to fill a projected $471 million budget deficit. That goalpost may move even farther when Nebraskas Economic Forecasting Advisory Board meets in February, as the latest tax receipts for November and December are down about $46 million.

Januarys receipts will be quite telling, said State Sen. Brad von Gillern of the Elkhorn area, chair of the Nebraska Legislatures Revenue Committee. Then the forecasting board, which meets on February 27  that will be very telling. That will determine our destiny for the rest of the session.

Even though the latest tax receipts are down, von Gillern added that the full impact is relatively minor compared to Nebraskas overall budget. The states general fund appropriations are set at about $5.5 billion per fiscal year.

Legislative Fiscal Analyst Keisha Patent said many factors contribute to GDP growth and the states monthly tax receipts, but not all of them align with one another.

Cattle gather near a feeding trough at a feedlot run by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Saunders County. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)

For example, the BEA report notes that increases in agriculture added to several states GDP growth, including in neighboring states Kansas and South Dakota, which saw the two largest growth rates for that quarter.

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While Nebraska has an expansive ag industry, Patent noted that the states tax receipts incorporate collections from all industries.

Still, Patent said, Nebraskas GDP growth will be a positive driver that could help balance the impacts of lower-than-expected tax receipts. She said her office incorporates GDP changes as a factor in the reports they present to the state forecasting board.

State Sen. Rob Clements of Elmwood, chair of the Legislatures Appropriations Committee, said Nebraskas GDP growing 5% is a very good sign that the states economy is stable.

More economic activity means more sales taxes and more income taxes in the long run, Clements said. Thats really reassuring to me.

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RACINE, Wis. (WFRV)  One felon was arrested, and another is at-large following a drug investigation and search warrant in southeastern Wisconsin that yielded over 100 grams of cocaine and marijuana each.

Deputies with the Racine County Sheriffs Office say that on January 21, its SWAT Team and Metro Drug Unit (MDU) conducted a search warrant in the 100 block of North Memorial Drive in Racine.

Racine County Sheriffs Office

The search was part of an ongoing investigation after authorities had conducted a controlled buy of crack cocaine from the residence on a previous date. The investigation revolved around 31-year-old Jarvis Walker and 54-year-old Patsy Clemmer.

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Cartel member convicted for fentanyl distribution in Wisconsin, death threats against witnesses

Coincidentally, in 2025, the SWAT Team and the MDU executed a search warrant at the same residence for similar drug-related activity involving different people, noted deputies in the release.

During the search, Walker and Clemmer were not there, but authorities seized 41.5 grams of powder cocaine, 139.3 grams of crack cocaine, and 119.8 grams of marijuana. Agents also found an empty gun box with three loaded magazines, but no guns.

The release notes that both Walker and Clemmer are convicted felons, which makes possessing a firearm a felony.

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Shortly after the search, deputies stopped Walker, who was reportedly in a vehicle known to authorities, and took him into custody.

Jarvis Walker (Racine County Sheriffs Office)

Patsy Clemmer (Racine County Sheriffs Office)

Walker was taken to the Racine County Jail and is being held on a $72,500 bail for the following charges:

Manufacture/Delivery of Cocaine (>40g)

Possession of THC  2nd or Subsequent

Maintaining a Drug Trafficking Place

Felony Bail Jumping

Green Bay police warn residents of scam calls using spoofed department number

It was noted that Walker also has two open criminal cases, both drug-related, which reportedly include 28 felony counts and one misdemeanor count.

Clemmer, however, is still at-large, and a warrant will be issued for her arrest. Clemmer reportedly has open criminal cases in Racine County, including an active bench warrant.

Drug trafficking will not be tolerated in Racine County. This investigation and enforcement action reflect the continued commitment of our SWAT Team and Metro Drug Unit to aggressively target drug trafficking that threatens the safety and quality of life in our communities. I commend the agents and deputies involved for their professionalism, decisiveness, and unwavering dedication to public safety. Sheriff Schmaling, Racine County Sheriffs Office

Anyone with relevant information on Clemmers whereabouts is asked to contact the Racine County Communications Center at (262) 886-2300 or through Crime Stoppers at (888) 636-9330.

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No additional details were provided.

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 WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
Former Georgia Public Service Commission candidate and Georgia Power critic Patty Durand was not indicted on a felony theft of trade secrets charge Tuesday after prosecutors determined the material she took did not meet the states legal definition of a trade secret.

Durand was arrested in late October after taking a notebook labeled Georgia Power Trade Secrets from a table during a PSC meeting at the state Capitol.

To convict someone of felony theft of trade secrets in Georgia, prosecutors said they would have to prove the information involved qualifies as a trade secret under state law, and in this case, it didnt.

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To qualify as a trade secret, the information must not be publicly available, must have economic value because it is not widely known, and must be subject to reasonable efforts to keep it secret.

The district attorneys office concluded they could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the notebooks contents met that definition, mainly because the efforts to maintain secrecy were too weak.

Why prosecutors said the secrecy standard failed

The filing describes how multiple notebooks, including the one Durand took, were placed on tables right next to a public comment podium, within arms reach of anyone speaking.

At various times during the meeting, as many as 50 individuals were seated in the audience with no physical barrier between them and the tables where the notebooks were located, and any of those individuals could have accessed or taken the notebooks, the filing reads.

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Most of the notebook content was publicly available, the district attorneys office said, with only a smaller portion marked confidential. Other individuals also had accessed the information already.

Confidential information is often included in PSC hearing materials, with witnesses and staff instructed not to disclose it publicly, the filing said. Intervenors can sometimes access these confidential documents through a portal under nondisclosure agreements, but Georgia Power cannot guarantee who sees that information and largely relies on an honor system to ensure it is returned or destroyed after cases end.

Evidence supported probable cause for misdemeanor theft by taking or criminal trespass charges, though prosecutors declined to pursue either , the district attorneys office said. They cited circumstances of the case, including Durands lack of criminal history, time spent in jail following her arrest, the absence of financial harm to Georgia Power, and her completion of community service and a theft awareness class.

Although I am pleased with the outcome of my particular case, Georgia Power customers deserve more transparency and accountability in proceedings at the Georgia Public Service Commission, Durand said. The extensive redactions and trade secrets Georgias commissioners allow are outside of regulatory norms and continues to harm Georgia Power customers. Its wrong and it needs to end.

Broader concerns over trade secrets at the PSC

Durands case highlights ongoing concerns about Georgia Powers use of trade secret claims in Public Service Commission proceedings.

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In recent PSC cases, the company has shielded most power plant cost data as trade secrets, a practice the Southern Environmental Law Center criticized in a January motion seeking reconsideration of the PSCs approval of new fossil gas generation. The law center argued that the heavy reliance on trade secret designations limited public scrutiny of decisions that will lock customers into billions of dollars in long-term energy costs.

The motion said while confidential information is common in PSC cases, widespread trade secret designations undermine transparency and make it difficult for the public to independently assess the cost impacts that ultimately fall on ratepayers. Though the motion does not challenge the legality of trade-secret protections, it argues that these redactions hinder public oversight in proceedings with major financial consequences for Georgia Power customers.
Speculation is mounting about the return of a direct ferry crossing from Scotland to mainland Europe after a French port announced it was looking forward to a new service between Rosyth in Fife and Dunkirk.

It has been nearly eight years since freight ferries sailed between Rosyth and Europe and more than 15 years since the last passenger service ceased operations.

Earlier projections to re-establish the international link by this spring appear to have been set back while the Scottish government seeks to establish a new border control post for checking goods.

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However, Dunkirk Port said this week that it was looking forward to the new crossing to Rosyth ahead of the Six Nations rugby tournament in early 2027.

What happened to Scotland's international ferry services?

The only major service from Scotland in recent years took freight and passengers from Rosyth, just outside the Scottish capital, to Zeebrugge in Belgium.

Superfast Ferries initially launched the route in 2002, but it was later taken over by Norfolkline, which was then acquired by the Danish company DFDS.

By 2010, the passenger element was scrapped, with DFDS blaming a lack of demand.

The company then axed its freight service between Rosyth and Zeebrugge in 2018 following a fire on one of its ships.

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At the time, the operator said it had "lost all hope" of reversing the fortunes of the already "loss-making" route.

Since then, alternative plans have emerged - including reopening the link to Zeebrugge and a service to Eemshaven, Netherlands - but these have been unsuccessful.

Why is there a push for a new Scottish route?

A direct route to mainland Europe is seen as beneficial for both hauliers and tourists, bringing economic benefits for Scotland.

Exporters would have more direct access to the European market post-Brexit than using ports in England, and would be able to reduce road miles and emissions.

The ferry route would also make Scotland easier to access for tourists travelling with campervans, motorbikes or bicycles.

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Politically, there has been sustained enthusiasm from the Scottish government to restore the service, and give Scottish exporters "more direct routes to market".

A Scottish government spokesperson has said it supports the development of Scotland's ports and the "potential for new direct freight and passenger ferry services linking Scotland to Europe".

A spokesperson said: "We will continue to engage with port operators and others to explore how that might be delivered so that Scottish exporters have more direct routes to market and the Scottish government is continuing to work with DFDS to assess the long-term commercial viability of the proposed service."

What is the planned new service?

[BBC]

The proposed new RosythDunkirk crossing would be operated by DFDS, potentially with a 20-hour journey, three times a week.

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A DFDS spokesman said there was "no firm timeline yet" on launch dates or schedules.

"DFDS is still interested in the service, and we are actively engaged in constructive discussions with the local authorities," he told BBC Scotland News. "Progress is being made, and we remain optimistic about the potential of this new route."

At an announcement of the port's annual results this week, Daniel Deschodt, deputy director of the port of Dunkirk, said that they were ready to roll with the Scottish link.

However, he said there were some remaining obstacles with custom checks.

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"The Scots will, I hope, be able to attend the match in France as part of the Six Nations tournament by boarding the future ferry," Deschodt is reported to have said at the press conference.

On the Scottish side, Forth Ports was not able to offer clarity this week.

A spokesperson said: "We support the return of a ferry service to the Port of Rosyth and we will continue to be part of the discussions and work alongside those who have an interest in the resumption of this service."

What are the obstacles to establishing a new route?

With any new ferry route there will be issues around financial viability and potential government support.

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However, since Brexit, regulations around freight have been complicated for UK hauliers.

Food and other agricultural products must undergo biosecurity checks at a Border Control Post (BCP) before entering or leaving the UK.

As there is no such facility at Rosyth, legislation changes will be required to allow goods travelling through the port to be checked offsite.

Similar arrangements have been made at Sevington near Ashford, Kent where lorries using the Port of Dover travel 22 miles (35km) to undergo checks for potentially dangerous foods before they reach UK industry and shops.

The Scottish government is considering a proposal for the BCP at Grangemouth, 20 miles (32km) away, to be used instead.

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A spokesperson for the government said: "A consultation on proposals to amend the minimum requirements for the location of a Border Control Post ended last week and next steps will be announced in due course."
Gov. Mike Dunleavy shakes hands with Rep. Frank Tomaszewski, R-Fairbanks, as he exits the House chambers after his State of the State address on Jan. 23, 2026. (Photo by Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy delivered his eighth and final State of the State address on Thursday to a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature, touting the accomplishments of his term and promising continued momentum, particularly for large-scale resource development.

Even though its my last year, there is no slowing down, he said, and promised to work with legislators to advance policies in the spirit of Alaskas independence and resilience.

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In a nearly 80 minute speech, Dunleavy gave wide-ranging remarks on his administrations initiatives over the last seven years, from reducing crime to improving reading scores. He touched on economic and workforce development, as well as the advancement of mining, oil and gas projects, like the proposed Alaska LNG gas pipeline project from the North Slope to Cook Inlet.

On Thursday, Dunleavy shared only a few details on a promised new state fiscal plan to help balance declining state oil revenues and pay for his proposed $7.75 billion draft budget this year. He said he plans to introduce a fiscal package in the next week, as well as bills focused on job training, child care and affordable housing.

Dunleavy did not mention a seasonal sales tax proposal, as promised in a cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

Lawmakers with the House and Senate majorities expressed interest and some skepticism about his new fiscal plan after the speech, and concern around the lack of details for potential new tax proposals as the session gets underway.

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Honestly, thats a tremendous amount of things he said he wants us to get through, so we have to do things properly and slowly and rightly and correctly, said Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak. And everything does take more time than you think, but were willing to work with the governor, and anxious to see what the specifics are of his fiscal plan.

House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, said he is not optimistic for a fiscal plan this year.

This is the eighth year that the governor has put a budget in front of the legislature with an over billion dollar deficit, he said. Yet to be contrasted this session with a fiscal plan that is going to be very controversial that none of us have seen yet.

Dunleavy began the speech by applauding the states disaster relief efforts, most recently the response this fall in the devastating aftermath of ex-Typhoon Halong in Western Alaska. He noted the state has experienced 85 state and federal disaster declarations during his term, an average of one per month.

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We cant control natural disasters. But we can control how we respond, Dunleavy said. I couldnt be prouder of how weve responded to these events thanks to the brave men and women that I have the honor to serve as Governor.

Dunleavy thanked the Trump administration throughout the speech, particularly for its focus on boosting Alaska resource development, which was outlined in the presidents executive order that promised to develop the states resources to the fullest extent possible.

He praised the Trump administration for re-opening offshore drilling and federal lands in the Arctic for oil and gas development, as well as for the millions promised for health care through the Rural Health Transformation Program.

Alaska is benefitting greatly thanks to President Trump, and his administration. We need to do all we can to work with our federal partners over the next three years, he said. We may never get this opportunity again.

Television cameras capture Gov. Mike Dunleavys State of the State speech on Jan. 22, 2026. (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)

Dunleavy touted dropping crime rates and a declining unemployment rate, citing a growing economy and state population.

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I know theres a feeling that things can be better, and of course they can, but our economy has been getting stronger and stronger every year of my administration, he said.

Dunleavy said his administration will continue to work on reducing crime, in part by focusing on a new partnership with the municipality of Anchorage to combat crime there.

Public safety has been my No. 1 priority and it will continue to be so until the end of my term, he said.

Support of the proposed AK LNG pipeline featured prominently in his speech, though the financing and budget ask from the legislature remains uncertain. Dunleavy applauded the gas line developer, Glenfarne, a private energy developer that owns 75% of the project while the state of Alaska owns a 25% share.

Glenfarne Group CEO and founder Brendan Duval and Alaska LNG President Adam Prestidge stand while Gov. Mike Dunleavy recognizes their work in his State of the State address on Jan. 22, 2026. (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)

Glenfarne executives were in the House chamber as Dunleavy praised the companys most recent announcement: that they had signed new gas sales and contractor agreements and are headed into final investment negotiations to begin construction.

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This will be the single most transformative project in Alaska since the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, he said.

While education was a major priority of the governor and legislature last year, Dunleavy only briefly touched on the topic. He said he would like to see legislators take action on bills hes already introduced to expand charter schools, create open enrollment, address teacher retention and expand tribal compacting, which would allow schools to be run by local Alaska Native tribes.

Lawmakers react to the governors state of the state address

Republican lawmakers praised the speech and its scope.

I thought it was a great address, said Senate Minority Leader Mike Cronk, R-Tok, who was especially excited about movement towards a new gas pipeline. He tried to cover everything that he possibly could, you know, still holding that optimism of getting things done that we need to get done.

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It was good to hear his overall enthusiasm going into his last year, said House Minority Leader Rep. DeLena Johnson, R-Anchorage. We do need to evaluate our revenue and our expenses and to really take a good look and be good stewards going forward. So Im interested in seeing what he will promote.

Members of the House and Senate majority caucuses echoed the interest in more details on the AK LNG pipeline proposal.

I come from a district where people are not opposed to resource development, but were definitely skeptical, said Rep. Ashley Carrick, D-Fairbanks. We want to be practical, and we want to be critical, not to the point of stopping projects, but to the point of just understanding and having fair and reasonable oversight on projects.

Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, answers press questions following Gov. Mike Dunleavys State of the State address on Jan. 22, 2025, while Sen. Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, Senate Majority Leader Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, and Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, look on. (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)

Others, like Sen. Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, were more skeptical about the project. Do they have gas purchase agreements? Not that were aware. Do they have gas sales agreements? Not that were aware. Do they have financing for the project? Not that were aware, he said. So theyre talking a lot about the project, and it feels like progress, but do they have any firm commitments on any of those things? Not that Im aware.

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We applaud his efforts. We all want a gas line. Were all excited that were as close as we are, Edgmon said. But there are other sorts of existential issues that were not dealing with here in the legislature.

The speech failed to address fisheries for the second year in a row. Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, praised the governors optimism, especially around other resources, but noted the fisheries omission on Thursday.

It is one of our largest employers in the state, and theyre still having significant problems after the turn down a couple years ago. So well continue to have discussions with the administration and see what help we can put forward for the industry guys, he said.

Rep. Calvin Schrage, I-Anchorage, said most of his constituents would like to see an improvement in the level or quality of state services. The governor did a good job of highlighting some of the achievements from his administration, but I think in many cases, he missed the mark on the reality felt on the ground, he said.

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With closing small businesses, we have a summer construction season thats not funded  for the first time in state history. We have to address that, said Rep. Zack Fields, D-Anchorage. We have a stressed fishing industry. So just a big difference between a sort of a glossy speech and the much more challenging reality on the ground that we have to address.

But Dunleavy noted in his speech that hes still got some time to get work done  and hes not running down the clock.

Contrary to what you may have heard, my time is not up until noon on December 7th, 2026, he said. And our time here together in this last regular session isnt up until midnight on May 20th.

Claire Stremple contributed to this story.

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A Canadian medical report published Friday found no evidence linking environmental factors to an unusual set of neurological symptoms affecting hundreds of people, a five-year saga that has shaken a small Atlantic province.

In 2021, health officials in New Brunswick launched an investigation involving 48 patients with a range of neurological symptoms but no apparent common illness. These included muscle spasms, memory loss, hallucinations and balance issues.

Some in the province of less than a million people began describing the condition as a mystery brain disease.

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Provincial officials said at the time that the patient group could be suffering from a new disease not previously seen in Canada and began using the term "possible neurological syndrome of unknown cause."

But the provincial investigations that followed, including the final report released Friday, dismissed claims that there was anything linking the patients other than a reported set of symptoms -- and a single neurologist, named Alier Marrero.

The first investigation, which concluded in 2022, "found no evidence of a common illness among these patients."

But in 2023, Marrero reported additional people complaining of neurological symptoms and the patients' stories continued receiving widespread media coverage.

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Marrero said that while the condition could not be diagnosed, he believed the patients had elevated levels of certain substances -- like herbicides or toxic metals -- in their systems, suggesting an environmental cause for the illness.

- 'Unanswered questions' -

New Brunswick launched a new investigation, this time looking at data from 222 patients, about 75 percent of whom lived in or around the city of Moncton.

A Journal of the American Medical Association study published last year found no evidence of a common mystery disease, either.

But New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt said in May that her government would do what it could to provide patients "the information they need about what's causing these illnesses."

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"There's too many unanswered questions for us to stop the work," Holt said.

Investigators studied living patients and analyzed autopsies.

The report released Friday would appear to close the case from the government's perspective.

"We are able to conclude that our investigation found no evidence of a widespread issue among this patient group," the report said.

"We do not feel that exposure to these substances is a contributing factor to most patients' illness," it added.

The report also pointed to concerns with Marrero's work.

"Patients were reported to (the province) as having an undiagnosed illness; however, our findings suggest that it is possible that many patients do have illnesses that can be diagnosed," it said.

The report also recommended that before a neurological condition is declared "undiagnosed," a patient must be seen by two specialists.

bs/dw
Jan. 23JUNEAU  Gov. Mike Dunleavy delivered his eighth and final State of the State address Thursday, spending more than half of the 80-minute speech touting an extensive list of what he said were the top accomplishments of his seven years as governor.

"Despite what some in the media would like to portray, despite what some bloggers might want to say, and some special interests and political opponents like to convey, some really great things for Alaska have happened under my administration," said Dunleavy.

The governor for months has promised to propose during his last year in office a fiscal plan that will include new taxes amid unstable oil revenue. He again reiterated his intention to introduce such a plan during the Thursday speech, but provided only a vague outline of what it would include and no specifics on the taxes it will encompass.

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Dunleavy said earlier in the week that his plan includes a new sales tax, but the sales tax was not mentioned in his address.

"In my last year, I am going to once again make a concerted effort, by introducing what I believe is a fiscal package  a package that will not only work, but will solve this issue for many, many years to come," said Dunleavy.

Majority lawmakers met the governor's speech, and in particular his promise to solve the state's fiscal crisis in his final year in office, with some skepticism.

"Is he going to put out revenue measures? We haven't seen them," said Rep. Louise Stutes, a Kodiak Republican who caucuses with the bipartisan House majority, after the speech concluded. "We haven't even had a conversation with him about these revenue measures."

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Dunleavy said his fiscal plan will also include new limits on state spending. Alaska already has statutory and constitutional spending limits, but it does not currently have enough revenue available to reach those spending limits without drawing from savings.

"No new revenue source can be enacted without corresponding fiscal restraint," Dunleavy said.

The governor urged lawmakers to take his fiscal plan seriously during the four-month legislative session.

Legislative leaders said that passing a plan like the one envisioned by the governor would take two to three years, not four months. Such a plan would be a particularly heavy lift in an election year, they said.

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"I'm not optimistic for a fiscal plan this year," said House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, a Dillingham independent.

Dunleavy painted a largely positive picture of the state during his speech, listing reductions in crime and expansion of resource development among improvements during his tenure.

Leaders in the majorities said many of the accomplishments listed by Dunleavy were possible only thanks to his work with the Legislature, illustrating the need for better collaboration between the separate branches of government.

"It underscored the fact that this is teamwork. It takes the Legislature and it takes the executive branch," said Sen. Cathy Giessel, an Anchorage Republican.

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But in the governor's speech, he was largely dismissive of lawmakers' calls for closer collaboration, saying he was "not a 61st legislator."

Dunleavy extolled President Donald Trump's embrace of Alaska's resource development industry and said his "positive relationship" with Trump was key in securing for Alaska tens of millions of dollars in federal highway funding, promoting the Alaska natural gas pipeline, advancing new mines, and securing hundreds of millions in funding for Alaska's rural health care services.

Dunleavy dedicated the latter part of his speech to a series of policies he said his administration would work on in its final months, including ones to improve housing supply and reduce crime.

Dunleavy said his Department of Law and the Municipality of Anchorage would begin partnering to "drive down crime," which remains far above the national average. The first phase of the partnership would focus on retail theft, public camping, drug activity and disorderly behavior, he said.

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The governor also said he would introduce an initiative involving his administration and the Alaska Housing Finance Corp. to provide buildable land and competitive mortgage rates, and lower down payments. Municipalities participating in the program would provide long-term tax breaks for first-time buyers, he said.

"It's a win-win-win for the state, our communities and, most importantly, our young people," he said.

Sen. Bert Stedman, a Sitka Republican, said the plan could be "very helpful to most of the cities around the state."

Among Dunleavy's guests in the legislative gallery were Brendan Duval and Adam Prestidge, the chief executive and president of Glenfarne, a private energy developer that has taken over planning of a long-envisioned natural gas pipeline in Alaska.

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Dunleavy showered the company with praise, hours after Glenfarne announced it had signed new agreements to advance the pipeline. The governor's speech did not include new specifics on the project's cost or the timing of a final investment decision.

Still, Dunleavy said there is "no shortage of good news about this project." Alaska LNG is "a dream realized, a hope fulfilled" that will "keep our young people in this state and attract others Outside," Dunleavy said.

Dunleavy again indicated he would ask lawmakers to approve tax breaks to help it advance.

The governor concluded his address with a call on lawmakers to embrace "new ideas," including on artificial intelligence and robotics.

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"Let's not be afraid of what the future may bring," he said. "Let's take advantage of the opportunities instead."

At the end of the lengthy speech, lawmakers appeared ready for a busy session of considering the governor's priorities while also focusing on ones that the governor made no mention of  like helping the state's ailing commercial fishing industry.

"Obviously, there's a lot to accomplish in the next few weeks  few days, honestly," said Senate President Gary Stevens, a Kodiak Republican. "There's a tremendous amount of things he said he wants us to get through. We have to do things properly and slowly and rightly and correctly, and everything does take more time than you think."
Five people have been arrested in connection with the recent shooting of an Indiana state judge as well as his wife at the couples home.

In a statement, police said three of the suspects face counts of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the 18 January shooting of Judge Steven Meyer and his wife, Kimberly, in Lafayette, Indiana.

The police identified those suspects as Raylen Ferguson, Thomas Moss and Blake Smith.

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Police said the Meyers shooting was a concerted effort to impede the proceedings of a jury trial that was scheduled to begin for Moss in front of the judge two days later.

Like Moss, 32-year-old Smith is from Lafayette, police said. Ferguson, 38, is reportedly from Lexington, Kentucky, which is about 250 miles (400km) from Lafayette.

Officials were pursuing gang and firearm enhancements against Ferguson, Smith and Moss, which could subject them to stiffer punishments if they are eventually convicted, according to the Lafayette police. The police statement made it a point to describe Moss and Smith as habitual offenders, though the agency did not elaborate.

Related: Police search for suspect in the shooting of Indiana judge and his wife

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Meanwhile, 45-year-old Amanda Milsap of Lafayette is accused of bribery and obstruction of justice. And the Lafayette polices statement accused Zenada Greer, 61, of Lexington, of assisting a criminal and obstruction of justice.

Steven Meyer released a statement on Wednesday in which he expressed gratitude for an outpouring of support from friends, the community, court colleagues and law enforcement.

I want the community to know that I have strong faith in our judicial system, said the statement from the Tippecanoe county superior court judge. This horrific violence will not shake my belief in the importance of peacefully resolving disputes.

I remain confident that we have the best judicial system in the world, and I am proud to be a part of it.

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Meyers statement also extended heartfelt thanks to his medical team, adding that he and his wife were improving and healing.

In a sworn statement cited by ABC News, police said the Meyers were shot through their closed front door. Surveillance footage from the couples home showed a masked man knock, claim he was looking for a dog and then fire a gun from the porch through the door.

The attack wounded Steven Meyers arm and injured Kimberly Meyers hip. Officers reported recovering shell casings from the scene.

Investigators later identified Ferguson as the shooter. The gun used in the shooting was purportedly bought by Smith, police wrote in the sworn statement. Both are said to be members of the same motorcycle gang as Moss.

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The sworn statement says Greer lives with Ferguson and helped him travel to Lafayette at about the time of the shooting. Milsap is alleged to have unsuccessfully tried to pay $10,000 to the victim in Mosss case in exchange for her agreeing not to testify in [the] upcoming trial, police wrote.

Several law enforcement agencies across multiple states joined the ensuing search for suspects in the double shooting. Among them were police in Lexington as well as in Allentown, Pennsylvania, along with the FBI and the US marshals.

Judges in the US for years have generally been grappling with escalating threats amid a growing trend of politically driven violence.

Notably, about 150 miles from Lexington, in Letcher county, Kentucky, local judge Kevin Mullins was shot to death in his judicial chambers in September 2024. Letchers sheriff, Shawn Stines, was charged in Mullinss slaying.

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The Meyers shooting caused alarm among other Indiana judges, and state supreme court chief justice Loretta Rush urged her fellow judiciary members to remain vigilant in your own security.

I worry about the safety of all our judges, Rushs statement said. As you work to peacefully resolve more than 1 million cases a year, you must not only feel safe, you must also be safe. Any violence against a judge or a judges family is completely unacceptable.




Flight cancellations were low at Connecticut-area airports as of Friday morning, despite the massive winter storm barreling across the eastern two-thirds of the country through the weekend.

The storm is expected to hit the state Sunday and drop more than a foot of snow on the state, blanketing roads and making travel dangerous.

At Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, the state's busiest airport, one flight to San Juan, Puerto Rico, was delayed on Friday, two flights to and from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport were canceled on Saturday and no schedule changes were reported for Sunday, according to flight tracking app FlightAware.

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Dallas' airport has had more than 1,000 flights canceled in preparation for the storm, and American Airlines, which was chartering the flights from Bradley, has issued a travel warning for the airport. In Connecticut, flight delays and cancellations are determined by individual airlines, rather than the airport.

At Tweed New Haven Regional Airport in New Haven, one inbound flight from Orlando was canceled on Friday, with no delays or cancellations reported over the weekend, according to FlightAware.

Snow plows crisscross the runways of Danbury Airport clearing snow on December 16, 2017. (H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media)





And while close to 1,000 flights have been delayed and another 450 canceled in the United States on Friday, with more than 1,500 flight cancellations reported for Saturday, nearby airports in New York and Massachusetts had similarly low cancellation numbers.

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At New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport, 47 delays and five cancellations were reported for Friday, in line with usual numbers, with nine delays and 15 cancellations reported for the weekend. While half of the cancellations were for international flights, some cancellations were for cities set to be affected by the storm, including Dallas, Austin and Nashville.

At LaGuardia Airport, cancellations were slightly higher, with 22, to go along with 28 delays, on Friday. The majority of the canceled flights were to southern airports in the path of the storm, including destinations in Texas, Tennessee, Oklahoma and Arkansas. Over the weekend, 19 flights have been canceled at LaGuardia, with nearly half of them flying into Dallas-area airports.

A crewmember de-ices a Frontier Airlines plane at LaGuardia Airport in New York, Monday, Jan. 26, 2015. ((AP Photo/Seth Wenig))





And at Westchester County Airport, there were six delays and no cancellations on Friday, and no delays or cancellations over the weekend, according to FlightAware.

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At Massachusetts's flagship Boston Logan International Airport, the storm effects on flights also seemed largely limited to Dallas. Between Friday and Sunday, the airport reported 33 and 22 cancellations, with 10 of those cancellations involving flights to or from a Dallas-area airport.

More than 170 million Americans could be affected by what the National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center described as a "significant, long-duration winter storm."

Significant snow amounts of 8 to 14 inches are likely from Sunday into Monday across Connecticut. Some localized spots could see up to 20 inches from this storm. (Dan Amarante)





The storm will start off Friday with heavy snow as far west as the southern Rockies. Heavy snow will stretch from New Mexico to the mid-Atlantic and Northeast by Saturday. Snow arrives in New England and New York on Sunday.

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Along with snow, the storm will produce freezing rain from Texas to the Mid-Atlantic and parts of Pennsylvania Friday through Sunday. Farther south, the Gulf Coast and Florida peninsula can expect to see rain from the event.

This article originally published at Flight delays and cancellations remain low at Connecticut airports ahead of winter storm.
HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, Jan. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- With Tet just around the corner, the spirit of reunion and celebration is already building across Vietnam, and travel plans are no exception. Embracing the excitement of the Lunar New Year, digital travel platform Agoda today revealed that more Vietnamese travelers are looking to pack their bags over the national holiday this year compared to the Tet holiday period last year - with a clear preference for exploring destinations within the country.

Based on searches made by travelers in Vietnam between October and November 2025 for check-ins during 1422 February 2026, Agoda observed that overall Tet travel interest for both domestic and international travel increased compared to the Tet travel period last year. Most of this growth is driven by domestic travel, which rose by 22%, while interest in outbound trips also increased, though more modestly, by 7%.

This trend reflects findings from Agoda's 2026 Travel Outlook Report, which shows that 50% of Vietnamese respondents plan to travel domestically in 2026. With nine consecutive days off during Tet  and a cultural tendency to add some annual leave to the period and extend the break - the holiday offers the ideal opportunity for Vietnamese families to reconnect, relax, and explore destinations across the country without the complexities of international travel.

According to Agoda, Da Lat remains the top domestic destination for Tet 2026, showing a 44% increase in searches thanks to its cool climate and festive atmosphere. Phu Quoc has overtaken Nha Trang to secure second place with a 41% increase, appealing to travelers seeking sun, beaches, and family-friendly resorts. Nha Trang and Da Nang remain strong contenders ranking third and fourth, respectively, known for their coastal charm and diverse activities. Vung Tau rounds out the top five with a 31% increase, remaining a convenient short getaway for Ho Chi Minh City residents.

For those traveling abroad, Bangkok continues to be the most favored international destination for Vietnamese travelers during Tet. Singapore rises to second place this year with a 25% increase in travel interest, replacing Tokyo, which now sits in third. Meanwhile, Hong Kong makes a notable appearance in fourth place, recording a 46% increase in Tet travel interest. Bali completes the top five, maintaining its reputation as a relaxing and culturally rich holiday spot.

Vu Ngoc Lam, Country Director at Agoda Vietnam, said:

"Tet is one of the most meaningful times of the year for Vietnamese travelers. With an especially long break this year, it becomes the perfect moment for families and friends to begin new journeys - whether exploring the beauty of Vietnam or venturing abroad. Agoda is delighted to support this spirit of travel by offering a seamless platform and a wide range of accommodation, flight, and activity options, helping travelers enjoy a smooth and memorable Tet holiday."
HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP)  As floods ravage Mozambique, crocodiles are appearing in submerged towns and responsible for at least three deaths.

In the town of Xai-Xai, the provincial capital of Gaza province and one of the worst-affected areas in the countrys south, authorities have warned residents of heightened crocodile risks as floodwaters spread and evacuations to higher ground continue.

Torrential rains and severe flooding across parts of southern Africa over the past month have killed more than 100 people in Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe, destroying thousands of homes and damaging infrastructure such as roads, bridges, schools and health facilities.

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Of the 13 people reported dead from the floods in Mozambique, three were killed by crocodiles, authorities said.

The river levels are rising and are reaching urban areas or heavily populated areas, Paola Emerson, head of the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Mozambique, said this week after visiting the town.

So the crocodiles that are in the Limpopo river in this case are able to get into populated areas that are now submerged under water and that is the concern.

The Limpopo river flows from South Africa through Mozambique on its way into the Indian Ocean.

Two people were killed in an attack that left three others injured in the Gaza region earlier this month. A man was swallowed by a crocodile in Moamba, a small town in Maputo province, local media quoted Henriques Bongece, the provinces secretary, as saying this week. Maputo is the impoverished countrys capital.

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Authorities said in Maputo that the crocodiles appeared to have been driven into the area by floodwaters from a park in neighboring South Africa.

We want to urge everyone not to approach still waters because crocodiles are drifting in these waters. The rivers have connected with all areas where there is water, local media quoted Bongece as saying this week.

Beyond the immediate danger posed by wildlife, the floods have triggered a deepening humanitarian crisis.

Weeks of heavy rainfall, compounded by dam releases to prevent structural failure, have affected more than 700,000 people, more than half of them children, leaving a trail of destruction across vast farmland, according to humanitarians bodies such as the World Food Program and UNICEF.

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On Friday, the World Health Organization warned of severe disruptions to health services in Gaza and Maputo provinces following the destruction of at least 44 health facilities, leaving tens of thousands without access to care.

The U.N. agency said that damage to critical infrastructure has interrupted service delivery, while more than 50,000 people who have been forced to relocate to temporary shelters face limited or nonexistent basic health services.

It warned that displaced people on long-term medication face life-threatening interruptions, and said that urgent action is needed to restore essential services, deploy mobile health teams and ensure continuity of care for people with chronic conditions.

Across the three countries, humanitarian agencies say hunger and disease risks are rising, with extreme weather wiping out crops that millions of small-scale farmers rely on to feed themselves, while the threat of water-borne diseases such as cholera looms large.

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The Associated Press receives financial support for global health and development coverage in Africa from the Gates Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
As the Florida Senate continues to ponder an approach to lowering property taxes, House committees on Thursday advanced two tax-cut proposals that could go before voters.

The Republican-dominated House Ways & Means Committee voted mostly along party lines to approve a proposed constitutional amendment (HJR 203) that, if approved by 60 percent of voters in November, would phase out non-school homestead property taxes over the next decade. The proposal drew objections from Democrats and local-government officials concerned that homestead property-tax cuts could lead to decreasing services and shifting the tax burden to renters and businesses.

Rep. Monique Miller, a Palm Bay Republican who is sponsoring the proposal, said it is intended to give local governments time to adjust to the eventual elimination of non-school property taxes. It would be phased in by gradually raising the homestead tax exemption.

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I believe that this is going to give everybody an opportunity to live within their means, and I think theyll be able to deliver their core services without any problems given the change in budget, Miller said.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has made a priority of putting a property-tax cut proposal on the November ballot. Miller, echoing comments by DeSantis and state Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia about spending, said local governments have used residential property taxes as an ATM the past few years.

But opponents pointed to the potentially billions of dollars in lost revenue for local governments and such things as special districts and water management districts.

Manatee County Commissioner George Kruze said Millers proposal is conditioning our citizens to accept a lower quality of life over time.

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Rep. Dianne Hart-Lowman, D-Tampa, said property owners are more concerned about home-insurance costs than property taxes.

Also Thursday, the House State Affairs Committee approved a proposal (HJR 213) that would limit increases in taxable values for homesteaded property under the Save Our Homes cap to 3 percent over three years. Currently, under the cap, taxable values can increase 3 percent a year.

The measure also would limit increases in the taxable values of non-homesteaded property to 15 percent over three years, rather than the current 10 percent a year.

Sponsor Griff Griffitts, R-Panama City Beach, said the proposal could slow some major projects, but added, I dont believe it will have a disruption in services.

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This is not a hatchet job for property taxes, Griffitts said. This is a very balanced and common-sense approach. It allows cities and counties to look over a three-year period and have some predictability.  It doesnt affect public safety. So those primary services will remain in place.

The proposals approved Thursday were among eight released by the House in October. But Miller said the fate of the House proposals are in a holding pattern as the Senate has not released property-tax plans.

We really need to have a two-sided discussion before we decide how to move forward, Miller said.

Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, told reporters Thursday that he continues to get input, but hes not certain what the Senate position will be or if the issue will need to be addressed in a special legislative session, as DeSantis has suggested.

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What matters more than the timing is getting it right, Albritton said.

The time that were taking to do the measuring, that youve all heard me talk about, is yielding good results, Albritton added. At some point, I think sooner than later, were going to have that public conversation about where the Senate is.

DeSantis has called for voters to consider a single proposed constitutional amendment on property taxes. While the House has released multiple proposals, House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, said last week he expects the House to put forward a single amendment.

Millers proposal and a proposal that would increase the homestead exemption for residents who have property insurance (HJR 209) are procedurally ready to go to the full House. Griffitts proposal needs to go to the Ways & Means Committee.

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A Florida couple is suing a fertility clinic in the state after they say the clinic implanted the wrong embryo in the mother, who went on to give birth to a child that was not her own.

According to a lawsuit filed in the Palm Beach County Circuit Court and obtained by USA TODAY, the couple, identified under the pseudonyms Jane and John Doe, underwent in vitro fertilization treatment at the Fertility Center of Orlando, Florida.

In March 2025, the mother was implanted with an embryo, which resulted in the birth of a baby girl in December, the lawsuit says. Shortly after, questions began to arise after the document says the baby appeared to be a different race than the woman and her husband, who are both white.

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Trump wants more US babies. This is his plan to lower costs, expand access to IVF.

Further testing confirmed that the baby had "no genetic relationship to either of the Plaintiffs," the lawsuit reads, adding that the couple developed a deep emotional bond with their baby.

According to the lawsuit, the couple believes the child should legally and morally be united with her genetic parents, and that another woman could be carrying their biological child.

In a statement to Florida Today, part of the USA TODAY Network, the Fertility Center of Orlando acknowledged the mistake and said it was cooperating with the investigation.

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"Multiple entities are involved in this process, and all parties are working diligently to help identify when and where the error may have occurred," the center said. "Our priority remains transparency and the well-being of the patient and child involved. We will continue to assist in any way that we can, regardless of the outcome of the investigation."

In an emailed statement to USA TODAY, the couple's attorney, Mara Hatfield, said her clients hope "to introduce their daughter, Baby Doe, to her genetic parents and to find their genetic child soon."

"Our clients love this little girl but are every day aware that they have a moral obligation to find and notify her biological parents, as it is in the best interest of the child that her genetic parents are provided the option to raise her as their own," Hartfield said.

Another embryo mix-up case in Georgia

The case in Florida is not the only recent case of an embryo mix-up.

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Back in February 2025, a Georgia woman, who gave birth to and raised a baby boy for months, filed a lawsuit against a fertility clinic claiming it implanted the wrong embryo in her, resulting in her giving birth to another couples biological child.

Krystena Murray, 38, of Savannah, filed the civil suit against Coastal Fertility Specialists, saying the mistake left her emotionally broken from the experience.

"Despite the clinics misconduct, Krystena wanted to keep her baby, and she was heartbroken when she lost custody five months after giving birth," her attorneys with Peiffer Wolf said in a statement at the time.

This story was updated to add new information.

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Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Florida IVF clinic sued for implanting the wrong embryo
NEED TO KNOW

A boy was caught on camera chasing, stomping and killing a duck in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. on Jan. 18

The child is being referred to as a suspect in an aggravated animal cruelty investigation

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest

Police are searching for a young boy who allegedly stomped a duck to death in an incident that was caught on video.

The alleged act of animal cruelty occurred near the 300 block of Southwest 8th Avenue in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Jan. 18, and authorities are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest, CBS News Miami reports.

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The boy was recorded on camera running towards the duck with another child. The boy chased the duck, caught it and then stomped on the animal seven times, ultimately killing the bird, according to CBS News Miami.

Nearby neighbors said the neighborhood has noticeably fewer ducks since the incident, and it is much quieter.

Neighbor Dan Burkett described the animal cruelty as brutal, adding, Im glad someone was there to stop it but yeah its really disheartening to see something like that in my backyard, per Local 10.

One video viewer, Tyler Sutten, called it an incredibly disturbing sight, NBC 6 reports.

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Anyone who recognizes the child or the child's family is asked to contact the Fort Lauderdale Police Department's Animal Cruelty Unit or Broward Crime Stoppers at (954) 493TIPS. Tipsters can remain anonymous.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

PEOPLE reached out to the Fort Lauderdale Police Department for comment.

Read the original article on People
Millions of Americans from Texas to the Northeast are bracing for a major winter storm expected to bring heavy snow, sleet and dangerous ice starting Friday and lasting into the weekend.

Airlines are already canceling flights and rebooking due to the storm The Weather Channel is referring to as Winter Storm Fern.

 Live updates: Winter storm to spread snow, ice and cold across US

The latest forecasts spare Florida from any snow or sleet but "bitterly cold temperatures" behind the front could impact portions of the Sunshine State late this weekend and into early next week.

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Some strong storms also could impact Florida.

The dynamics are setting up for possible severe thunderstorms across the Florida Panhandle to the Big Bend of Florida Sunday (Jan. 25)," Fox Weather meteorologist Craig Herrera said via email.

"Some of these cells may products strong wind gusts and a few isolated tornadoes and waterspouts."

 Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location

Weather watches, warnings show dangerous conditions across US

For more coverage of the winter storm:

How much snow is expected across US? See snowfall tracker map

Weather alerts issued in Florida

Radar shows location of any storms moving through Florida

What can Florida Panhandle, Pensacola, Tallahassee expect from winter storm? Watch temperatures 'crash'

Arctic air is expected to hit the western Panhandle, sending temperatures into the teens to 20s between Jan. 25-27, 2026.

Strong storms are possible Sunday, Jan. 25, ahead of a strong cold front moving across the area late Sunday." After the front moves through "temperatures crash Sunday night into the upper teens to mid 20s Sunday night.

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"As winds settle Monday night, even colder low temperatures in the teens over areas inland from the coast are expected Monday night," the National Weather Service Mobile said.

"We could see a round of strong to possibly severe storms Sunday afternoon capable of damaging winds and possibly a tornado or two."

"There is a low chance of damaging wind gusts and a brief tornado or two," mostly Sunday afternoon into Sunday evening, the National Weather Service Tallahassee posted on X.

"Bitterly cold temperatures and wind chills are expected from Sunday night through much of next week. Chances for a hard freeze are high (more than 70%) Monday and Tuesday nights. There is at least a medium chance of wind chills in the teens, especially Monday (Jan. 26) night," according to the National Weather Service Tallahassee.

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Read more of what can be expected across North Florida:

What can Northeast Florida, Jacksonville expect from winter storm? Watch for 'bitter cold'

Inland nightly freezes return Jan. 26, 2026, and will continue through at least Wednesda6, Jan. 28.

"Inland nightly freezes return Monday (Jan. 26) night and will continue through at least Wednesday night next week," the National Weather Service Jacksonville posted on X.

"Cold weather advisories may be necessary for northeast and north central Florida early on Tuesday morning as wind chill values potentially fall to the low and mid 20s."

"The strong cold front sweeps the area Sunday night with temperatures tumbling quite quickly. Bitterly cold temperatures are expected Monday and beyond.

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"Highs through the week will be in the 40s and 50s. Chances for a hard freeze are high (70-100%) both Monday and Tuesday nights across the entire area. Lows Monday night will be in the teens and low 20s for just about everyone except the immediate beaches. However, everyone will have wind chills well down into the teens."

Read more of what can be expected across Northeast Florida:

What can Central Florida, east coast from Daytona Beach to Stuart expect from winter storm? From heat wave to cold front

Highs approaching daily records by Sunday Jan. 25, 2026, before turning much colder.

"While a major winter storm impacts a significant portion of the eastern US, Florida will be dealing with a heat wave," according to the National Weather Service Melbourne.

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"Highs in the upper 70s to lower 80s today (Jan. 23) will increase each day into Sunday. By the end of the weekend, highs in the mid to upper 80s will be near-record for many locations, especially over the interior," according to the National Weather Service Melbourne.

Expect high temperatures 15 degrees above normal on Sunday, Jan. 25.

The cold front is expected to arrive Sunday night into Monday morning, ending the heat wave, and bringing widespread temperatures in the 30s, although some models are trending warmer.

"Below-normal temperatures are expected to continue into next weekend. Highs in the 50s and 60s look likely most days, with overnight lows in the 30s and lower 40s."

What can South Florida, West Palm Beach, Naples expect from winter storm? Temps to look like rollercoaster

A period of below-normal temperatures is forecast for South Florida at the end of January into early February 2026.

Before the arrival of a cold front Monday, high temperatures are forecast to range from the low to mid 80s, with possible temps in the low 90s for some inland locations, depending on cloud cover.

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"A series of cold fronts beginning on Monday are forecast to bring below-average temperatures back to the region," according to the National Weather Service Miami.

Temperatures Tuesday morning could dip into the upper 30s west of Lake Okeechobee. Elsewhere, high temperatures are currently forecast to reach the upper 60s to low 70s, which is below-average compared to seasonal norms.

Temperatures will moderate slightly on Wednesday Jan. 28, reaching the low to mid 70s across the region and just below or at seasonal norms.

"The Climate Prediction Center highlights a high chance (70-90%) chance of below-normal temperatures" by the end of January.

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Read more of what can be expected across South Florida:

What can Southwest Florida, west coast from Fort Myers to Sarasota expect from winter storm? Record high temps possible

Record high temperatures are possible in some areas of Florida Jan. 24-25, 2026.

"Warm temperatures are expected through this weekend and even a few records are possible for interior locations," according to the National Weather Service Tampa Bay. Expect cooler air to arrive in Southwest Florida Monday, Jan. 26.

Then the cold front will hit.

Overnight lows Monday night could drop into the mid to upper 20s across the Nature Coast, with borderline hard freeze conditions.

"High temperatures will struggle to reach the mid 50s north to the mid 60s south on Tuesday Jan. 27, with freezing temperatures again possible across the Nature Coast Tuesday night/Wednesday morning.

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"Temperatures are expected to recover a bit on Wednesday, but will still remain well below climatic normals with high temperatures generally in the 60s.

"A secondary cold front is expected to push across the forecast are Wednesday night and Thursday with a reinforcing shot of cold Canadian air. Sub-freezing temperatures again possible across the Nature Coast and portions of the interior Thursday night/Friday morning."

Read more of what can be expected across Southwest Florida:

Get the latest NWS forecasts on X

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Cheryl McCloud is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida's service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Floridas best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://tallahassee.com/newsletters.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida weather forecast goes from near-record highs to freezing
Des Moines' former schools superintendent, once a rising star in education, has pleaded guilty to two federal criminal offenses related to his immigration status and firearm possession.

Ian Roberts' pleas came in a Thursday, Jan. 22, hearing in federal court in Des Moines. His sentencing is set for May 29, and any prison term is likely to be followed by deportation to his native Guyana.

In his first public appearance in Des Moines since his arrest, Roberts, escorted by U.S. marshals, wore a jail-issued uniform in two shades of green, with Polk County Jail printed on the back, and had chains around his waist and hands. It was an unfamiliar look for a man typically seen in fitted suits.

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He responded confidently and firmly to questions from the magistrate judge, stating that he is 55 years old.

Hired to lead the state's largest school district in 2023, Roberts resigned Sept. 30, days after he was arrested while allegedly trying to flee from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents who sought him in connection with a previously unreported deportation order by an immigration judge in Texas.

Federal officials have since said Roberts, contrary to representations he made in connection with his hiring, was not a U.S. citizen and lacked legal authorization to work in the United States.

It was a full house at the Knapp Center May 24 as Roosevelt High School honored 470 new Roughrider alum at Des Moines Public Schools' Class of 2025 commencement ceremony.

Those were among multiple other apparent mistruths and exaggerations about his background and qualifications.

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Roberts was indicted Oct. 16 for possessing a firearm as an illegal alien and making a false statement for employment. Prosecutors alleged that Roberts illegally had four guns, including a loaded handgun left in his district-owned vehicle after he fled from ICE, and that he falsely attested he was a United States citizen when filling out his I-9 employment authorization to work in Des Moines.

Roberts had denied wrongdoing, and his attorneys suggested they planned to challenge the validity of his underlying immigration proceedings. But on Wednesday, prosecutors filed a plea deal in which Roberts admitted to both charges. He formally pleaded in Thursday's hearing before a federal magistrate judge, saying, "Guilty, your honor."

The plea deal does not commit either side to recommend any particular sentence, but does promise that prosecutors will not bring any further charges against Roberts or anyone else related to the guns and false statements at issue in the case.

Speaking after the hearing, defense attorney Alfredo Parrish said it was "not one of the happiest moments in my legal career" but that Roberts had made the choice to take the plea.

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"He wanted to accept responsibility, and that's what he did," Parrish said. "He wanted to accept responsibility so he could move on."

Ian Roberts could face prison, deportation after sentencing

During Thursday's hearing, Roberts did not speak except to answer questions from the court, confirming he understood his rights and he wished to plead guilty to both charges.

Parrish told the court that the team had discussed with Roberts a number of potential defenses, including an "advice of counsel" defense based on information Roberts had received from an immigration attorney who represented him in the Texas case.

Parrish also noted possible Second Amendment defenses, including that Roberts had safety concerns due to his past work as a police officer in Guyana and threats he'd received while working in Des Moines.

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Related: Ian Roberts was a revered superintendent. Then came the arrest, the guns and the lies.

Ultimately, Parrish said and Roberts confirmed, Roberts elected to take the plea deal.

Next up in the case is sentencing by U.S. District Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger. The maximum sentences are five years for false statements and 15 years for the gun charge, but Roberts also could receive as little as probation.

Roberts also faces probable deportation after serving any sentence he receives, pursuant to the 2024 deportation order issued in Texas.

The plea agreement notes that he "may be subject to immediate removal from the United States" after serving his sentence, and his plea will limit his ability to challenge the deportation proceedings.

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Roberts' arrest and subsequent revelations have caused turmoil for the school district. Legislators have called for a state takeover and the district has requested a state audit. In a statement, it declined to comment on Roberts' plea.

Recently departed School Board Chair Jackie Norris described the criminal consequences facing Roberts as unfortunate but necessary.

As human beings, we should never celebrate another persons downfall  especially someone who once held a position of trust in the lives of many DMPS staff and students," she said in a statement. "At the same time, it is essential that our young people see that integrity, honesty and respect for the law matter, and that actions carry consequences.

Staff writer Samantha Hernandez contributed to this article.

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William Morris covers courts for the Des Moines Register. He can be contacted at wrmorris2@registermedia.com or 715-573-8166.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Former Des Moines superintendent Ian Roberts pleads guilty
A former TD Bank employee has admitted in court that he accepted bribes to facilitate a $26 million international money laundering scheme.

Oscar Marcel Nunez-Flores, 34, of North Plainfield, pleaded guilty in Newark federal court on Thursday to conspiring to launder monetary instruments and receipt of bribes by a bank employee, the U.S. Attorneys Office District of New Jersey said in a statement.

Nunez-Florez, who worked at the banks Scotch Plains branch, accepted bribes and used his position to facilitate a money laundering networks scheme from March 2021 to October 2023, federal authorities said. The scheme involved the transferring of more than $26 million between the United States and the country of Colombia.

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He opened dozens of bank accounts under the names of shell companies, most of which were opened with no customer present, officials said. About 600 debit cards were eventually issued for those accounts and the cards were used to make more than 120,000 ATM withdraws in Colombia, according to federal prosecutors.

Nunez-Florez also registered some of the shell companies that were later used to open bank accounts and personally shipped a debit card to a co-conspirator in Colombia, authorities said. He accepted bribes between $500 and $2,500 for each account that he opened, prosecutors said.

A TD Bank spokesperson said the company has cooperated with law enforcement throughout the investigation and that anti-money laundering efforts are one of its top priorities.

TD has made significant progress in building a best-in-class AML program, including through deep investments in talent, training, process improvements and technology, the spokesperson said.

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The U.S. Attorneys Office did not name any of Nunez-Flores co-conspirators or say whether anyone else was charged. Multiple agencies were involved in the investigation, including the DEA, IRS, FDIC and federal prosecutors in Washington state and Puerto Rico.

Nunez-Florez will be sentenced on May 27.

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Former New York lawmaker Chris Collins on Friday announced a comeback House bid in Floridas 19th Congressional District, becoming just the latest high-profile Republican from outside the Sunshine State to make a play for the open seat.

Collins is known in the MAGA orbit for being the first member of Congress to back President Donald Trumps first bid for the White House in 2016.

We need to take our country back, he said in an announcement video. We need to make America great again, we need to be a country where our children and grandchildren can live the American dream like many of us did.

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The first act of Collins political career came crashing down in 2019, when he resigned his New York House seat and pleaded guilty to two felony insider trading charges. Collins started a 26-month prison sentence but was pardoned by Trump in December 2020.

Collins joins a crowded Republican field including former North Carolina Rep. Madison Cawthorn and ice cream magnate Jim Oberweis, who spent nearly a decade as a state senator in Illinois and repeatedly ran for Congress there. Catalina Lauf and Ola Hawatmeh, who previously ran for Congress in Illinois and New York, respectively, are also vying for the seat.

The ruby-red seat is being vacated by Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), who is running for Florida governor. Candidates hoping to win it will need the coveted Trump endorsement. Collins is flexing his early support of the president in an effort to reenter national politics with his blessing.

From DAY ONE, I had Trump's back, Collins wrote Friday on X. Im Chris Collins. Successful businessman. The original Trump conservative. I helped President Trump start the fight in 2016. I'm running for Congress to help him finish it.
The French Navy intercepted a Russian oil tanker, the Grinch, between Spain and Morocco on Thursday morning.

The operation was conducted with the support of several of our allies, according to French President Emmanuel Macron, who shared the news on social media platform X.

This morning, the French Navy boarded an oil tanker coming from Russia, subject to international sanctions and suspected of flying a false flag, he said, adding: The vessel has been diverted.

We will not tolerate any violation. This morning, the French Navy boarded an oil tanker coming from Russia, subject to international sanctions and suspected of flying a false flag. The operation was conducted on the high seas in the Mediterranean, pic.twitter.com/zhXVdzPx1r Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) January 22, 2026

The Russian Embassy in Paris has said that it was not informed about the Grinchs interception, according to Russian news agency TASS.

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At the moment, together with diplomats from the consulate general in Marseille, we are trying to find out whether there are any Russian citizens among the crew members in order to provide the necessary assistance, said the embassy.

The Grinch is part of Russias shadow fleet, comprised of hundreds of aging tankers used to transport Russian oil. The vessels are unregulated and often operate under several identities, swapping flags throughout a journey, to evade Western sanctions on oil exports.

The vessel was reportedly travelling from the Arctic port of Murmansk in northern Russia and was flying a Comoros flag when the French Navy boarded.

The EU has imposed 19 packages of sanctions since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with the most recent introduced on 23 October 2025.

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However, Moscow still sells millions of barrels of oil outside of Europe. In 2024, China imported $62.59bn (435.87bn yuan) of crude oil from Russia, while Indias imports came to $52.73bn (Rs4.84tn), according to the UN COMTRADE database on international trade.

Macron referred to the purchasing of Russian oil in his post, commenting that the activities of the shadow fleet contribute to financing the war of aggression against Ukraine.

His comments were supported by UK Defence Secretary John Healy, who said: Alongside our allies, we are stepping up our response to shadow vessels to choke off the funds that fuel Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine.

He said the UK Navy had provided tracking and monitoring and that HMS Dagger had monitored the Grinch through the Straits of Gibraltar.

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The UK currently has sanctions imposed on 544 Russian shadow fleet vessels.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded directly to Macron on X.

This is exactly the kind of resolve needed to ensure that Russian oil no longer finances Russias war. Russian tankers operating near European shores must be stopped, he said.

Thank you, France! Thank you, @EmmanuelMacron! This is exactly the kind of resolve needed to ensure that Russian oil no longer finances Russias war. Russian tankers operating near European shores must be stopped. Sanctions against the entire infrastructure of the shadow fleet https://t.co/6t0DbJ9xS1 Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) January 22, 2026

The interception of the Grinch comes only months after France seized the Boracay in October 2025. It is indicative of the broader shadow fleet trend, with Venezuela and Iran also accused of using such vessels to avoid international oil sanctions.

"France intercepts suspected Russian shadow fleet oil tanker " was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




France's health minister on Friday sought to reassure consumers that all suspicious infant formula had been withdrawn, as an investigation began into the deaths of two babies who drank possibly contaminated powdered milk.

The infant formula industry has been rocked in recent weeks by several firms recalling batches that could be contaminated with cereulide, a toxin that can cause diarrhoea and vomiting.

The potentially contaminated milk has been "withdrawn" from the market, Health Minister Stephanie Rist said.

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In particular, Nestle pulled batches of infant milk in several European countries on January 6.

French investigators are looking into the cause of death of two infants who allegedly consumed Nestle milk.

One was a two-week-old who died on January 8 in Bordeaux, southwest France, after drinking milk from the now-recalled batches, a prosecutor in the city said on Thursday.

The second, aged just 27 days, died on December 23 in the western city ofAngers, the local prosecutor said.

The mother contacted the authorities this week, saying her baby had drunk Nestle milk from one of the lots removed from the market.

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At this time, there was no established causal link between the formula and their deaths, according to French authorities.

Nestle told AFP on Friday it would cooperate with the probes, adding there was "no evidence" at this stage linking its products to the infant deaths.

In another recall, Danone on Friday said it would "withdraw from targeted markets a very limited number of specific batches of infant formula" to comply with the latest guidance from local food safety authorities.

A source close to the matter said the move followed changes introduced by authorities, notably in Ireland.

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Danone later told AFP in a statement it was voluntarily recalling two batches in France as a precaution "in light of new recommendations from a European authority".

It comes after Singapore authorities on Saturday recalled Dumex baby formula, a brand owned by the French food giant.

French group Lactalis on Wednesday also said it was recalling batches in France and other countries over worries they contained cereulide.

Lactalis did not name the supplier behind the tainted ingredient.

Outside France, countries concerned included Australia, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo-Brazzaville, Ecuador, Spain, Madagascar, Mexico, Uzbekistan, Peru, Georgia, Greece, Kuwait, the Czech Republic and Taiwan, a Lactalis spokesperson told AFP.

burs/jxb/jhb
Key Takeaways

Thailands SEC is finalizing rules for crypto ETFs in early 2026, enabling easier access without direct custody risks.

Crypto futures trading will launch on TFEX, adding hedging tools and boosting liquidity via market makers.

These steps, plus tokenized products, position Thailand as a rising regulated crypto hub in Asia.

Thailand is accelerating the integration of cryptocurrencies into its financial ecosystem, positioning itself as a progressive player in Southeast Asias digital asset landscape.

In early 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) outlined plans to formalize regulations for cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and futures trading, building on prior approvals and tax incentives.

Thailand Goes All In on Crypto

The Thai SEC is preparing new regulations to support crypto ETFs, crypto futures trading, and tokenized investment products.

SEC Deputy Secretary-General Jomkwan Kongsakul stated that Thailand plans to:

Issue regulatory guidelines for the establishment of crypto ETFs early this year.

Advance crypto futures trading on the Thailand Futures Exchange (TFEX) with market-maker mechanisms.

Recognize digital assets as an official asset class under the Derivatives Act.

The SEC board has already approved ETFs in principle, focusing on detailed rules for investment operations, including collaboration between asset managers and licensed crypto exchanges.

These ETFs would allow investors, both retail and institutional, to gain exposure to assets like Bitcoin without the complexities of self-custody.

Thailand approved its first spot Bitcoin ETF in June 2024, initially limited to institutional investors.

By October 2025, the SEC announced plans to expands its offerings beyond Bitcoin to include other assets, such as Ethereum, creating a basket of cryptocurrencies.

This expansion addresses previous limitations that required investors to rely on direct token purchases or foreign ETFs.

Investors may allocate up to 5% of diversified portfolios to digital assets under the new framework.

This is designed to appeal to risk-averse institutions while mitigating volatility concerns.

Crypto Futures Trading, Tokenization and Beyond

Alongside ETFs, the SEC is rolling out new rules for cryptocurrency futures trading on the Thailand Futures Exchange (TFEX).

TFEX will operate under the Futures Trading Act and rely on existing infrastructure.

This setup supports price discovery, hedging, and wider participation without requiring investors to hold crypto directly.

Additionally, regulators will formally recognize digital assets under the Derivatives Act, giving crypto futures a clear legal foundation.
MARSEILLE, France, Jan 23 (Reuters) - The French navy has diverted the Grinch oil tanker it detained on Thursday towards the port of Marseille-Fos for further investigation, a source close to the investigation told Reuters on Friday.

The navy had intercepted the tanker, which had left the Russian port of Murmansk in early January, on suspicion of operating under a false flag and belonging to the "shadow fleet" that enables Russia to export oil despite sanctions.

The ship was sailing under a Comoros flag.

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The interception was on high seas in the western Mediterranean, between the southern coast of Spain and the northern coast of Morocco, the French maritime police said in a statement on Thursday. It added that navies of other countries, including Britain, supported the operation.

The office of the prosecutor of Marseille, which handles matters related to maritime law and is investigating the case, said on Friday that the ship had been diverted, but did not specify where to.

The EU has imposed 19 packages of sanctions against Russia, but Moscow has adapted to most measures and continues to sell millions of barrels of oil to countries such as India and China, typically at discounted prices.

Much of the oil is carried by what is known as a shadow fleet of vessels operating outside of the Western maritime industry.

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In October, France detained another sanctioned tanker, the Boracay, off its west coast and released it after a few days.

(Reporting by Marc Leras and Alessandro Parodi, editing by Inti Landauro and Ros Russell)
PARIS (AP)  French prosecutors said Friday they opened an investigation into an oil tanker intercepted in the Mediterranean Sea by the French navy and suspected of shipping Russian petroleum in violation of sanctions against Moscow.

The Grinch, an oil tanker that came from Murmansk in northwestern Russia and is suspected of being part of the sanctioned Russian shadow fleet, was redirected to an anchorage following Thursdays operation by the French navy.

Prosecutors in the southern French city of Marseille said Friday they were investigating the ship's alleged failure to confirm its nationality.

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A video provided by the French military show members of the navy boarding the ship from a helicopter.

Russia is believed to be using what has been described as a shadow fleet of over 400 ships to evade sanctions over its war on Ukraine. France and other countries have vowed to crack down.

The fleet is a compilation of aging vessels and tankers owned by nontransparent entities with addresses in non-sanctioning countries, and sailing under flags from such countries.

Last September, French naval forces boarded another oil tanker off the French Atlantic coast that Macron also linked to the shadow fleet. Putin denounced that interception as an act of piracy.

The tankers captain will go on trial in February over the crews alleged refusal to cooperate, according to French judicial authorities.
Buriel moves slowly because she is in pain. She points to the very large bruise on her back.

I was beaten by [people who] were probably settlers, who set fire to the place where I was staying and struck us around 20 times with crowbars, she told RFI's correspondent in Jerusalem.

The French researcher, who specialises in education sciences, arrived in Jerusalem around 10 days ago to volunteer with the Israeli non-profit Torat Tzedek.

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Set up by Rabbi Arik Ascherman in 2017, the organisation provides what it calls a "protective presence" in Palestinian villages in the West Bank.

Volunteers remain day and night with the most vulnerable Bedouin communities in order to deter attacks by Israeli settlers.

Buriel is no stranger to conflict zones, having worked in Iraq and Syria. "Protective presence is intended, in a peaceful way, to protect civilians," she says.

West Bank Bedouin community driven out by Israeli settler violence

Masked assailants

The assault took place on 17 January in the Bedouin village of Mukhmas, between Jerusalem and Ramallah.

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Buriel was woken up by one of the inhabitants at about 9pm to see 20 masked people heading towards her.

They arrived at full speed and I saw they had iron bars and they started throwing stones at me," she says. "There was a car in front of me, so I lay down on the ground and one of them struck me directly with a very heavy metal bar. I was alone at that moment."

She says another person set fire to the car she was sheltering against.

Buriel was joined by an American volunteer and the pair tried to run away but the researcher says she was hampered by her painful injuries. The attackers caught up with them and beat her colleague.

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Crowbar blows to a body are really horrific." She recalls his scream and says he was beaten in the same way  with 15 to 20 blows.

"I have the impression it was controlled enough to be done without killing. This violence appears to be systemic," she added.

A Palestinian from the village was also seriously injured.

Albane filed a complaint in Israel and has since returned to France.

UN accuses Israel of West Bank 'apartheid'

Rise in assaults

In a separate incident, The Guardian reported that a French national was among international volunteers attacked by "a gang of eight masked Israeli settlers armed with clubs" when they raided a Palestinian family home near Ramallah on 7 December.

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A 13-year-old Palestinian boy, his grandmother and activists working with the International Solidarity Movement from Colombia, the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as France, were injured in the attack.

Data from the United Nations Office for the Coordonation of Humanitarian Affairs shows settlers carried out more than 750 attacks on Palestinians and their property during the first half of 2025, with an average of nearly 130 assaults a month.

According to the Israeli army, settler violence rose by 27 percent in 2025, compared to the previous year. Ten Palestinians have been killed in attacks by settlers and nearly 400 injured since 2024.

The military says it tries to prevent the attacks, but an investigation by the New York Times last year found that the Israeli authorities have failed to impose significant restraints on settlers committing crimes.

This article was adapted from the original version in French.
Florida State University is looking to participate in what could be a groundbreaking drug discovery study through a Denmark-based research consortium.

But because a member of the proposed study is based in China, it triggers state legislation about foreign countries of concern.

Despite the Chinese company's involvement, FSUs Board of Trustees met virtually Jan. 22 and unanimously approved to seek permission from the Florida Board of Governors to be a part of the consortium.

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This is really a great opportunity for Florida State University, FSU President Richard McCullough told trustees during the virtual meeting Thursday. We dont have enormous amounts of corporate-sponsored research at the university, so its something were working on.

FSU President Richard McCullough.

A research investigator in FSUs Department of Chemistry  who was not named  was chosen to be part of the project, which would pay the university $2.2 million over three years in exchange for its participation, according to FSU's Vice President for Research Stacey Patterson.

It's a big number for a corporate contract in my experience, McCullough said, referring to the funding amount. Prior to stepping into his role as FSU's president in 2021, he served as vice provost for research at Harvard University since 2012.

"The prestige of something like this is really, really significant for Florida State University," he added.

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Other FSU news: FSU Day at the Capitol: President says university is 'on a roll'

The consortium is sponsored by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, which is a large, multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Denmark. The research project would include FSUs participation in a study called the Gram-Negative Antibiotic Discovery Innovator Initiative (Gr-ADI).

Through the project, the FSU research investigator's objective would be to discover new antibiotic regimens that can fight a multi-drug-resistant bacteria called Klebsiella Pneumoniae, which is commonly known for causing serious health issues like pneumonia and bloodstream infections.

Antibiotic resistance is really a burgeoning global public health problem  probably one of the biggest public health concerns of our time, Patterson said Thursday. Infections that are caused by bacteria like Klebsiella Pneumoniae are increasingly difficult to treat with existing drugs, and this is going to continue to be a greater and greater problem.

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While over 700 proposals were submitted by institutions interested in being a part of the foundation's research study, 22 were selected for the highly competitive consortium, according to Patterson.

But while the foundation's location in Denmark does not trigger Board of Governors Regulation 9.012 on "foreign influence," one member of the consortium is the Beijing Huayi Health and Drug Research Institute. Despite the China-based companys selection, Patterson assured the board that a research security screening was completed and did not flag concerns about any of the participating entities.

The consortium would be made up of 22 institutions. Other American universities that were selected include the University of Wisconsin, the University of Washington and Harvard University as well as international institutions such as the University of Oxford and Cambridge University, both of which are in England.

We would be in good company as part of this consortium, Patterson said, making it clear to the board that none of FSU's resources would be shared or made accessible to any of the partners under the consortium agreement.

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FSU trustee and Faculty Senate President Roxanne Hughes says the invitation to be a part of the research study is an amazing opportunity for the university's faculty member that would be involved, and for FSU as a whole.

FSU Faculty Senate President Roxanne Hughes is an associate professor in the School of Teacher Education at FSU Anne's College.

This is just amazing for this faculty member, Hughes told trustees. Antibiotic resistance is a huge issue that is going to continue to affect us... so, I fully support this from a faculty perspective. I think its really exciting for FSU.

A few other trustees also voiced their support.

Its obviously a great opportunity for FSU, said trustee Jorge Gonzalez, chair of the boards university research committee.

What's next

The FSU trustees approval for the university to pursue participation in the research consortium will go before the Board of Governors for a final vote.

Although that board is set to meet on Jan. 28 and 29 on FSUs campus, it is unclear when it will vote on the request as the item is not listed on any upcoming meeting agendas.

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Tarah Jean is the higher education reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat, a member of the USA TODAY Network  Florida. She can be reached at tjean@tallahassee.com. Follow her on X: @tarahjean_.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU groundbreaking Novo Nordisk research needs state approval
Patty Durand, who is a clean energy advocate and former Democratic candidate for the PSC, is accused of stealing a booklet labeled Georgia Power Trade Secrets. Screenshot from meeting video provided by the Public Service Commission

Clean energy advocate Patty Durand, who was accused of stealing a booklet labeled as containing trade secrets during an energy regulatory hearing, will not be indicted after the Fulton County District Attorneys office formally declined to prosecute the case.

The decision was filed Wednesday in Fulton County Superior Court. Durand, who founded a watchdog organization called Georgians for Affordable Energy and is a frequent critic of the Public Service Commission, had been charged with one felony count of theft of trade secrets following an incident at a Public Service Commission meeting in October. Durand was captured on video picking up the booklet during a lunch break.

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The original charge could carry a penalty of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000.

Although I am pleased with the outcome of my particular case, Georgia Power customers deserve more transparency and accountability in proceedings at the Georgia Public Service Commission, Durand said in a statement Thursday. The extensive redactions and trade secrets Georgias commissioners allow are outside of regulatory norms and continue to harm Georgia Power customers. Its wrong and it needs to end.

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The district attorneys office in the filing highlighted several legal shortcomings in the case, saying that the arrest warrant fails to claim that Durand actually intended to steal anything from Georgia Power or that the booklet contained any information that was a protected, valuable secret.

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Matthew Kent, a spokesperson for Georgia Power, pointed to a previous statement saying that confidential data is meant to protect customers interests, and that revealing trade secrets can harm their business operations. A message seeking comment was left with a spokesperson for PSC.

Prosecutors also wrote that two people were tasked with supervising the protected information, but they were not paying attention at the time of the incident. They also found that Durands actions did not financially hurt the utility.

Georgia Power further confirmed that the Defendants taking of the booklet did not result in any actual financial harm to Georgia Power, the prosecutors wrote in the court document.

Furthermore, the prosecutors said that Durand voluntarily returned the notebook on the same day it was taken. The warrant also failed to establish that the information inside the booklet was subject to efforts that were reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy or that the information was not commonly known by or available to the public.

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As part of the resolution, Durand completed a four-hour theft awareness class, and the district attorney has requested that the court restrict access to her criminal history record for this case.

Durand, a former Democratic candidate for the commission, indicated she plans to continue her advocacy through her newsletter, which she said has a subscriber base of 7,000, and by engaging with newly elected commissioners Peter Hubbard and Alicia Johnson, who flipped two Republican-held seats in November by running on energy affordability.

I dont have a game plan other than to ask the new commissioners to object to the high levels of trade secret information, whereas previously no commissioners had done so, Durand said.

Hubbard said in a statement Thursday that he is committed to transparency and believes the public benefits when dockets are as open and transparent as possible, pointing to testimony he provided the commission previously calling attention to other state utilities that provide the public with information about infrastructure costs.

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I also hope to maintain the public trust that I earned as an advocate and intervenor on behalf of consumers, such that I am reviewing all information in the dockets before the Commission and will look with a critical eye at what was vs. what was not designated trade secret and what can be moved in the public disclosure category, Hubbard said.

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Vice President JD Vance is the Trump administrations unofficial envoy to Gen Z. But young Trump supporters may not be all that enamored with him as they weigh their 2028 options.

In a focus group of nine young men who supported Trump in 2024, conducted Monday by Longwell Partners and shared with POLITICO, they showed tepid enthusiasm about the vice president and suggested he is too bridled by the baggage of Trump's second term.

I feel like it's just time for someone new, especially for the Republican Party, said Alexandre M., a voter in Maryland, who raised concerns about Trumpss handling of the Epstein files, because JD Vance was also pushing that as well.

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When the 18- to 24-year-olds were asked who else they would like to see as potential candidates in 2028, they named Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Florida gubernatorial candidate James Fishback. When the moderator asked who wants to see Vance as the GOP nominee, just one of the nine raised their hand  and even he later signaled he is still unsure of his support.

Others in the group raised concerns about electability as well as Vances changing views.

I dont think Vance can win, because I think he's too connected to the current political establishment in Washington, which I think has a very negative approval rating right now, said Sam Z., a voter in Minnesota. If you look at what he was about in 2018, 2019, 2020, and you look at what he's about now, it's very, very different.  Somebody younger running in office would be awesome. So that's the one thing I wouldn't mind for Vance. But overall, I just don't think [he] can win. I think he's kind of flip-flopped on a lot of issues.

The one voter who said hed be open to Vance in 2028 said he liked Vances experience. I think because he already is a VP, like he has more experience than most people will, which puts him at an advantage, said Ruben T., a voter in Georgia.

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Vance wasnt the only topic where these voters split from the traditional party line.

Asked about U.S. support for Israel, five said they felt the U.S. supports Israel too much and four said the right amount. None said too little.

Some mentioned conspiracy theories  like Candace Owens assertion that Charlie Kirk was assassinated by the Israeli government  for steering their belief that the U.S. should support Israel less.

I don't know how factual some of this stuff is, but after seeing a lot of things after Charlie Kirk's death and with Candace Owens private investigation, I kind of started to notice of, like, Israel was kind of always a big talking point with the Republicans, said Richard B., a voter in Pennsylvania. I personally have an issue with it.

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Some of them spoke in free-speech terms, through a humanitarian lens or from an America First perspective. I just don't believe that death is justifiable in any way, and of course, Israel is responsible for many deaths, Matteo R. in Illinois said.

I think we should be more focused on eliminating problems that we have in our own country, versus one that's pretty far across the world, said Sam M., a voter in New Mexico.

That domestic-first approach applied to Trumps flirtations with Greenland. When asked, Who would like to see the U.S. buy Greenland? none raised their hands.

No other president has ever said that, said Mukeesh S., in California. It's been part of Denmark. I think we should just respect it and leave it, and focus on what's actually happening inside the nation.

Dillon, a voter from Rhode Island, added: I think it's kind of an unnecessary thing to do right now, and it's not what our resources could best be used on.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has declared a state of emergency Thursday ahead of a winter storm that is expected to impact the Peach State this weekend.

WATCH THE FORECAST | DOWNLOAD THE APPS

The state of emergency is for all 159 counties across the state as winter weather approaches North Georgia.

The order will remain in effect through Thursday, Jan. 29.

Heres what Action News Jax First Alert Chief Meteorologist Mike Buresh said Southeast Georgia can expect in the forecast :

A strong cold front  attached to a storm system that will bring a wide swath of freezing rain/sleet & snow from the Southern Plains to New England over the weekend  will swing across Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia Sunday night into early Monday with a weakening band of rain showers. Highs Monday will be only in the 50s, plummeting to the 20s and 30s by early Tuesday with a widespread frost & freeze. Another frost & freeze can be expected early Wednesday and inland early Thursday."

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Ice will have significant impacts on North Georgia

Chances for wintry precipitation are high across North Georgia throughout the weekend, the release from Kemps office said. Severe Weather Team 2 at Action News Jax sister station WSB-TV in Atlanta said a winter storm watch has been issued for dozens of counties.

INTERACTIVE RADAR: Keep track of the rain as it moves through your neighborhood

Kemp advises Georgians to prepare for the conditions ahead of time:

As forecasts continue to evolve, Georgians should be prepared for freezing precipitation that causes dangerous conditions and the potential for damage and power loss beginning Saturday, Kemp said. I have been working closely with state and local officials to ensure we are prepared for all scenarios. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) will begin treating roadways ahead of the storms initial impact, and -- along with our emergency management and public safety teams -- they will be working around the clock throughout this weather event. Im urging all Georgians to take necessary precautions now to ensure their families and pets can stay safe, warm, and fed over the coming days.

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ALLERGY TRACKER: See what the pollen counts look like in our area

Heres what the State of Emergency does:

The State of Emergency allows for the Georgia Department of Defense to provide up to 500 Georgia National Guard troops, should they be needed for preparation, response, and recovery efforts. Among other provisions, the State of Emergency order also prohibits price gouging; suspends hours-of-service limitations for commercial vehicle operators involved in response activities; and temporarily increases weight, height, and length limits for commercial vehicles transporting essential supplies.

You can view Kemps full executive order by clicking here.

Follow Action News Jax Meteorologists on X for updates:

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A former nurse in Germany who was convicted of killing 10 patients may be connected to over 100 additional deaths.

Chief prosecutor Katja Schlenkermann-Pitts told the BBC this week that the ex-nurse, who has not been identified publicly, could be connected to "a correspondingly high number of suspicious cases" that are currently being reviewed.

Schlenkermann-Pitts also said some of the cases may be thrown out if forensic evidence indicates the nurse was not involved.

The man was accused of killing at least 10 people, maybe many more

The court found that during December 2023 and May 2024, the palliative care nurse administered mostly elderly and severely ill patients with sedatives and/or painkillers to make his night shifts easier to get through. The man began working at a hospital in Wuerselen in 2020.

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According to prosecutors, the man "injected patients with large doses of morphine and midazolam, a muscle relaxant, in an effort to reduce his workload during night shifts." They also argued that in some cases, the drugs were delivered more than once, and that the man knew how fatal the drugs could be.

The former nurse denied the allegations and insisted, "he had intended to help patients sleep and had not believed the medication posed a lethal risk given their underlying illnesses," per the BBC.

He was arrested in 2024 and sentenced to a life sentence.

The new allegations date back to 2018

The new allegations against the former nurse date back to his time at a different hospital in Cologne, Germany. Investigators have so far ordered more than 60 exhumations, 27 of which have already taken place. Another 30 or so are pending, and the former nurse may face additional charges.

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The case is reminiscent of the 2019 trial of Niels Hogel, who was convicted of killing 85 patients at two different hospitals between 1995 and 2005. Per the BBC, prosecutors in the case argued Hogel "attacked patients in order to impress colleagues by subsequently trying to revive them."

Hogel confessed to 55 murders and was ultimately convicted of 85. He was only stopped because another medical professional at the caught him giving a patient unprescribed medication. He injected patients with ajmaline, amiodarone and sotalol to induce heart attacks.

"It was the clinical daily routine which failed to challenge me," Hogel told the court. He worked at both the Oldenburg Clinic and a second clinic in Delmenhorst. Ultimately, authorities exhumed at least 130 bodies from cemeteries throughout Germany and nearby countries to test for the drugs Hogel used.

The death toll is unique in the history of the German republic, chief investigator Arne Schmidt said at the time. Hogel is considered one of the country's most prolific killers and was nicknamed Resuscitation Rambo.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jan 23, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Germany and Italy are set to expand defence and economic cooperation, including by ramping up collaboration on arms production and conducting more joint military exercises, according to an agreement signed by the two country's leaders in Rome on Friday.

As agreed by Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Berlin and Rome are to join forces in the production of drones, naval vessels, underwater systems and air and missile defence systems.

They also aim to deepen collaboration on the development of electronic warfare and air-combat systems.

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Merz and Meloni also signed a new version of a 2023 action plan on cooperation in areas ranging from internal security matters to migration and cultural heritage.

Germany is seeking closer relations with Italy at a time when ties with traditional ally France are a little strained.

Late last year, Berlin and Paris postponed a decision on the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), a joint European air-defence initiative, indefinitely.

If realized, FCAS would be the largest and most expensive European armaments project. In addition to Germany and France, Spain also wants to participate.

The decision on implementation was originally supposed to be made by the end of August, but was then postponed until the end of the year, mainly due to differences over the share of the project held by the aviation firms Dassault, Airbus and Indra.

Meanwhile, France also opposes an EU free trade deal with four South American countries, which was signed last week. Italy, on the other hand, eventually backed the agreement after changes were made to better safeguard the interests of EU farmers.
Germany and Italy are set to expand defence and economic cooperation, including by ramping up collaboration on arms production and conducting more joint military exercises, according to an agreement signed by the two country's leaders in Rome on Friday.

As agreed by Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Berlin and Rome are to join forces in the production of drones, naval vessels, underwater systems and air and missile defence systems.

They also aim to deepen collaboration on the development of electronic warfare and air-combat systems.

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Merz and Meloni also signed a new version of a 2023 action plan on cooperation in areas ranging from internal security matters to migration and cultural heritage.

Germany is seeking closer relations with Italy at a time when ties with traditional ally France are a little strained.

Late last year, Berlin and Paris postponed a decision on the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), a joint European air-defence initiative, indefinitely.

If realized, FCAS would be the largest and most expensive European armaments project. In addition to Germany and France, Spain also wants to participate.

The decision on implementation was originally supposed to be made by the end of August, but was then postponed until the end of the year, mainly due to differences over the share of the project held by the aviation firms Dassault, Airbus and Indra.

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Meanwhile, France also opposes an EU free trade deal with four South American countries, which was signed last week. Italy, on the other hand, eventually backed the agreement after changes were made to better safeguard the interests of EU farmers.

In light of a special EU summit on competitiveness scheduled for February 12, Germany and Italy have drawn up proposals to strengthen the EU single market, shorten approval procedures and repeal legislation.

In the past, such initiatives were often jointly put forward by Germany and France, long regarded as Europe's twin engines.
A Detroit-area caller feared wage garnishment after appearing in court over a $7,000 credit card lawsuit.

Amber, an independent contractor, told "The Ramsey Show she was summoned to court, where an attorney representing the creditor approached her with a proposed settlement she could not afford. She told the attorney she was in financial hardship, but the proposed settlement did not change.

"There's nothing on fire," personal finance expert Dave Ramsey told her. "Nothing's going to happen bad to you in the next 10 minutes," as he addressed the caller's concerns about timing and enforcement.

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What A Judgment Actually Triggers

Ramsey said that in states where wage garnishment is allowed, enforcement does not begin immediately after a court ruling. At least 30 days typically pass before any action can take place, and sometimes longer.

He said fear often leads people to agree to payment plans they cannot afford. Ramsey also said it was unusual for a settlement offer on a $7,000 credit card balance to come in close to the full amount. Based on his experience, he said similar cases often settle for less as negotiations continue.

"Their chances of actually collecting anything from you is statistically zero," Ramsey told her, saying creditors rarely recover money from judgments like the caller's.

He said many people in similar situations either file for bankruptcy or cannot be located, outcomes creditors already expect. As a result, he said, creditors may consider settlement offers rather than risk recovering nothing.

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Using A Lump Sum To Reset Negotiations

When Amber said she could raise about $2,000, Ramsey advised her to withdraw a court motion she had filed requesting installment payments, saying it locked her into an arrangement she could not sustain.

He then suggested offering the $2,000 as a lump-sum settlement and increasing the amount gradually if needed, while staying well below the full balance. He added that the court process itself was far less dramatic than many people expect, describing it as moving cases through a system that handles people one at a time.
Jan. 22Gov. Kay Ivey on Thursday declared a state of emergency for 19 north Alabama counties, including Morgan, Lawrence and Limestone, ahead of winter storms expected to begin late Friday night.

The state of emergency became effective immediately to allow any state resources to be in place.

"In Alabama, we are no stranger to Mother Nature. However, when it comes to winter weather, we are not as familiar. So, as we head into this weekend, I am urging my fellow Alabamians, especially in the northern part of our state, to stay weather aware," Ivey said. "Based on the current forecast, we have a few concerns, including potentially dangerous driving conditions. For those reasons, I have issued a state of emergency for potentially impacted counties."

Other counties included are Blount, Cherokee, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Fayette, Franklin, Jackson, Lamar, Lauderdale, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Walker and Winston.
Gov. Kim Reynolds has returned from a five-day trip to visit Iowa National Guard members deployed to the Middle East, one month after two soldiers were killed in Syria.

Reynolds' trip, alongside Maj. Gen. Stephen Osborn, the Iowa National Guard's adjutant general, included visits to Syria, Jordan, Iraq and Kuwait, according to a news release from the governor's office.

Iowa has nearly 1,800 soldiers deployed throughout the region as part of Operation Inherent Resolve.

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The visit comes after Iowa National Guard Staff Sgts. William Nathaniel Nate Howard, 29, Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, and a civilian interpreter, Ayad Mansoor Sakat, of Michigan, were killed in Palmyra, Syria on Dec. 13 by an attacker who targeted a convoy of American and Syrian forces before being shot dead.

"It was an honor to visit our deployed Soldiers and Airmen in the Middle East and personally thank them for their service on behalf of a grateful state," Reynolds said in a statement. "I am incredibly impressed and proud of the Iowa National Guards vital contributions to this global mission."

Gov. Kim Reynolds shakes hands with an Iowa National Guard member during a visit to the Middle East in January 2026.

Reynolds paid tribute to the two fallen soldiers in her Condition of the State address on Jan. 13, where she said that two other Iowa National Guard members who were seriously wounded in the attack had been discharged from the hospital. One other Iowa National Guard member received minor injuries.

Osborn used his annual Condition of the Guard address to the Iowa Legislature on Jan. 15 to honor the soldiers and brief lawmakers on the status of Iowa's mission in Syria.

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"Seeing our soldiers and airmen reinforces why this mission matters," Osborn said in a statement. "Across the region, they are executing with professionalism, precision and purpose. Their dedication  often far from home  demonstrates the very best of our force and the critical role we play in protecting regional stability and our national security."

Reynolds awarded a Purple Heart to an Iowa soldier wounded during the Dec. 13 attack during a visit to Al Tanf Garrison, a strategic U.S. outpost in Syria, where she met with soldiers assigned to Task Force Armadillo (1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment).

In Jordan, Reynolds and Osborn visited a deployed medical team from the 185th Air Refueling Wing, which provided medical care to those injured in the Dec. 13 attack. Reynolds honored one of those Airmen, Lt. Col. Niles, in her Condition of the State speech.

Reynolds also traveled to Erbil, Iraq and received briefings from soldiers in the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division (Task Force Guardian).

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And she concluded the trip with visits to the Ali Al Salem Air Base and Camp Buehring in Kuwait, where she spoke with Detachment 6 of the 641st Operational Support Airlift Command, a unit of Army fixed-wing aviators, and soldiers from Task Force Nyala (334th Brigade Support Battalion) and Task Force Redleg (1st Battalion, 194th Field Artillery).

Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on X at @sgrubermiller.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Kim Reynolds returns from visiting Iowa National Guard in Middle East
The so-called bathtub ring, a deposit of pale minerals left behind where reservoir water levels once reached, is shown on the edge of Lake Powell near Page, Arizona on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has invited all seven Colorado River Basin governors and their negotiators to meet in Washington D.C. next Friday as states approach a federal deadline to reach a voluntary agreement to replace river operating guidelines.

Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo and the states top river negotiator, Southern Nevada Water Authority General Manager John Enstminger, are planning to attend the meeting, according to a spokesperson for Enstminger.

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The Bureau of Reclamation  which manages water in the West under the Interior Department  initially gave states until Nov. 11 to submit a preliminary agreement for a plan that could replace the rivers operating guidelines set to expire at the end of 2026.

But after states missed the deadline, the Bureau extended the deadline to submit a seven-state agreement for post-2026 operations to Valentines Day.

A similar meeting of governors to discuss the status of negotiations was planned for December, but was cancelled due to scheduling challenges. River negotiators for Utah and New Mexico said they could not accept the December invitation because their state governors had prior commitments that could not be moved.

Lombardo responded by sending a letter to Burgum affirming Nevadas commitment to achieving a seven-state agreement, and requesting that the meeting be rescheduled for early January.

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As of Thursday, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, and Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs also planned to attend the new meeting next week, reported Fox 13 in Salt Lake City.

Negotiators for the seven states that share the Colorado River also met in Salt Lake City last week for a two-and-a-half day meeting, according to the Utah News Dispatch.

Utahs chief negotiator Gene Shawcroft said they made little progress on a deal, but were committed to continuing negotiations and meeting their upcoming Feb. 14 deadline.

Current negotiations are largely focused on operational terms for an initial five-year period after 2026, with longer-term provisions to be addressed if a seven-state agreement can be reached on the near-term framework.

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One of the biggest disagreements between the Lower Basin states  Nevada, Arizona, and California  and Upper Basin states  Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming  is over which faction should have to cut back on their water use, and by how much.

Lower Basin states want all seven Colorado River states to share mandatory water cuts during dry years under the new guidelines. The Upper Basin, which is not subject to mandatory cuts under the current guidelines, say they already use much less water than downstream states and should not face additional cuts during shortages.

State negotiators for both the Upper and Lower Basin have said they would prefer a seven-state agreement than the alternative river management options proposed by the federal government.

The Bureau of Reclamation will still need to go through the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process so they can assess the environmental impact of the plan before issuing a final decision on new guidelines for the rivers management.

A final environmental review is expected in summer 2026 and will include either a seven-state consensus agreement or a federal alternative in its place. A final decision must be completed by no later than September 2026, to guide operations at Lake Powell beginning October 1, 2026, and at Lake Mead beginning January 1, 2027.
STAUNTON  Grace Christian School held a ribbon-cutting Jan. 21 for its newly renovated school at 116 Cedar Green Road. It's the former home of Augusta County's Beverley Manor Elementary School.

Following a $3.5 million purchase and renovation of the building, the Grace high school and administrative offices moved into the building in December. Classes began at the new facility Jan. 7.

Elementary and middle school students are expected to relocate to the school at the start of the 2026-27 academic year.

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Grace faculty and staff members, as well as community members, gathered to celebrate the occasion.

Don Larson, Grace's head of school, told the crowd that there was a strategic meeting in 2018 with the goal of consolidating all students on one campus. At the time high school students were in a building on South Market Street in Staunton while the facilities for elementary and middle school students were located on Thornrose Avenue across from Gypsy Hill Park.

Larson admitted that he didn't ever think that goal would come to fruition, especially with the cost of new construction. Then school officials heard about Beverley Manor Elementary, which had closed in 2017. After a tour in 2021, Larson said the dream continued to grow.

It was June of 2022 that Grace purchased the former elementary school, which had also been Central Augusta High, an African-American school in Augusta County that educated students from 1961 until integration in the summer of 1966.

A large pair of scissors rests on a bench outside of the new Grace Christian School on Cedar Green Road in Staunton. The school held a ribbon cutting ceremony Jan. 21.

More than three years later, renovations were complete and high school students began classes.

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"It's an answer to a dream," Larson said, "and a lot of prayer.

Community Fellowship Church founded Grace Christian School in 1980 in the home of John Morrison, with seven kindergarten and first-grade students. The first class of five graduated in 1992. Over the last 46 years, Grace has continued to grow, occupying several different buildings in Staunton to accommodate more students.

Grace moved into the Lincoln Avenue Pentecostal Church for one year, prior to moving into the Stonewall Jackson Grammar School on West Beverley Street. This building served as Graces home for 20 years, from 1981 until 2001, when the elementary school moved to Thornrose Avenue, into what for many years was known as the Statler Complex.

Simultaneously, in 1995, Community Fellowship Church purchased 19 South Market Street, previously the City of Stauntons Fannie Bayly King Library. After renovations, the high school moved there for the 1996-97 school year. The middle school also moved to Market Street for a few years, prior to joining the elementary school at the Statler Complex for the 2003-04 school year.

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Augusta County Administrator Tim Fitzgerald also spoke at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. A parent of both a Grace Christian graduate and current high school student, Fitzgerald recalled that tour in 2021.

"As this group walked through the building, they didn't see the failures of the building, they didn't see the wires hanging from the ceiling or the ceiling tiles gone or the graffiti on some of the windows," Fitzgerald said. "But each saw an opportunity for the future of the building."

Fitzgerald remembered the group coming together in prayer at the end of that tour, asking for guidance and reflection. Fitzgerald compared the leap of faith the school was about to take with this new school to what John Morrison must have been thinking when he first launched Grace more than 45 years ago.

"To see how this school has grown and to think of how many lives have been shaped by the Grace community it is truly remarkable," Fitzgerald said. "The Lord answered prayers back in 1980. He answered prayers again in 2021."

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More: What to expect with winter storm watch in effect for northwest Virginia

More: Sabores De Mexico Bakery opens near Fishersville

Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips are always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and on Instagram @hitepatrick. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Grace Christian celebrates new home at former Beverley Manor Elementary
The 2025 graduation rate for Palm Beach County School District schools ticked up to 93.5%, the second-highest rate among Florida's largest school districts.

Only the Orange County School District, at 97.2%, had a higher rate than Palm Beach County among the biggest districts. Broward is at 91.4%, and Miami-Date is at 93.1%.

The Palm Beach County School District's 2025 graduation rate is up by 1.4% from the year before and exceeds the statewide graduation rate of 92.2% by 1.3%.

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"Maintaining high graduation rates requires a relentless focus on academic excellence and a commitment to preparing every student to be college and workforce ready, Superintendent Mike Burke said in a statement released by the district.

"This success affirms our status as an 'A' rated, Academically High-Performing School District and is driven by the collective effort of 'Team Palm Beach' and the support of our community. Congratulations to our graduates and their families!"

Graduation rates rose across student groups, including at charters

The graduation rate at district-operated schools is at 96.7%, up from 95.9% the year before. Black and Hispanic students, as well as those learning English and those with disabilities, saw their graduation rates increase.

The Black graduation rate is up 3.4% to 92.4%. The Hispanic graduation rate is 91.5%, up 1.3%. English-language learners have a graduation rate of 87.8%, an increase of 4.4%, and students with disabilities have a graduation rate of 91.3%, which is up 1.2% from the year before. The white graduation rate is 96.4%, down 0.4% from the year before.

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Ten of the district's high schools had a graduation rate of 99% or higher. Three  Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Suncoast and Village Academy  had graduation rates of 100%.

Three charter high schools  Inlet Grove, Somerset Academy Canyons and South Tech Academy  had graduation rates of 100%. Overall, however, the district's charter schools had a comparably abysmal graduation rate of 71.6%, and that is an increase of 5.3% from the year before.

Charter schools, public schools run independently by people or companies with a charter from a traditional public school district, are frequently lauded as a necessary alternative to traditional public school. But their academic performance often lags behind that of traditional public schools.

Traditional public school advocates argue that attention and funding directed to charter schools and private schools diverts resources from traditional public schools, which educates the vast majority of Florida's children.

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The high graduation rate in the Palm Beach County School District will likely be seized upon by the district's teachers, whose union has declared an impasse in salary negotiations with the district. The union, noting teachers' contribution to the district's "A" rating and this area's high cost of living, are seeking a 5% raise. The district, citing a big enrollment drop and a looming budget shortfall, is offering a package with a one-time bonus of 1.5% and raises that average 1.5%.

Gordon Longhofer, the Palm Beach County Classroom Teachers Association president, and several teachers urged school board members during their most recent meeting on Jan. 21 to recognize the contributions of teachers with higher pay.

"Let's also remember that Palm Beach County is an A-rated school system and has been for several years, that it's also received the state's designation as a high-performing academic district," Longhofer said. "These honors are based on student performance that was cultivated and motivated by outstanding teachers working passionately with their students every day."

Glades Central Community High School students prepare for graduation ceremonies at the South Florida Fairgrounds and Expo Center in unincorporated Palm Beach County, Fla., on May 15, 2025.

Longhofer urged board members to stop blaming lawmakers in Tallahassee for not providing enough funding for bigger teacher raises.

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"We cannot count on them," he said. "We must look to ourselves. It's time to authentically, and I mean authentically, prioritize expenses, including teacher pay and benefits just as if they were utilities, transportation and supplies.

"Raises that don't let teachers meet their expenses at home are not raises. They are pay cuts. And when people can't live where they work, they will move to where they are able to live and work."

Wayne Washington is a journalist covering education for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at wwashington@pbpost.com. Help support our work; subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Palm Beach County School District graduation rates rise again
As the Great Lakes face mounting pressures, a new binational assessment offers a mixed report card on the health of the world's largest surface freshwater system. But whether it gives a complete picture is another story.

The U.S. EPA and Canada released the 2025 State of the Great Lakes on Jan. 20, outlining successes and ongoing threats to the Great Lakes. The report, which has been released every three years, scores each lake based on indicators established in the Great Lakes Water Quality agreement, a commitment between the two countries to protect and restore the Great Lakes.

In the new report, each of the five Great Lakes gets a score  good, fair or poor  as well as an indicator showing if the lake is improving, deteriorating, unchanging or shows no trend. These scores are based on nine factors that assess ecosystem health: drinking water, beaches, fish consumption, toxic chemicals, habitat and species, invasive species, nutrients and algae, groundwater, and watershed impacts.

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But there were also key missing pieces, one of which was climate change.

Climate change was an important theme in the 2022 report, described as an emerging threat exacerbating other challenges. The term wasn't included in the latest report.

Here's what to know about how the Great Lakes are faring.

Great Lakes drinking water, beaches are bright spots

The status of treated drinking water from the Great Lakes continues to be good and unchanging for the past decade, according to the report. More than 40 million people rely on the Great Lakes for drinking water, with about half of those being U.S. residents. In 2023, 97% were serviced with drinking water that met all health standards, the report says.

Beachgoers enjoying the new South Shore beach along Lake Michigan on Jul. 18, 2025. The popular beach in Milwaukee's Bay View neighborhood was moved farther south due to consistent closures from bacteria contamination.

Beaches, which are enjoyed by millions of people each year and contribute significantly to local economies, also were listed as good and unchanging for the past decade. However, some beaches are still listed as unsafe, largely due to bacteria contamination.

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Specifically, Lake Michigan beaches were listed as good and improving. Efforts like moving and rehabilitating Milwaukee's South Shore beach, which has been considered one of the worst beaches in the country, play a big role in improving access to the water.

Invasive species impact has more than doubled

Invasive species were scored based on prevention and impact, which were good and poor, respectively. According to the report, prevention efforts are working as the number of new invasive species that have entered the Great Lakes has been significantly reduced. However, the ones already in the Great Lakes, like zebra and quagga mussels and the emerald ash borer, are still causing substantial ecological and economic harm.

In fact, the report says that since 1950, the cumulative impact  which considers increase in numbers, spread and magnitude of impacts  has more than doubled.

Zebra and quagga mussels, which are considered the worst invaders in the Great Lakes, are native to eastern Europe, and arrived in the U.S. via ballast water in the late 1980s.

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Invasive mussels eat up all the plankton, which form the base of the food web, causing fish populations to decline. They also have taken over reefs used as spawning habitat by fish and have pushed lake whitefish to the brink of collapse in lakes Michigan and Huron.

According to the report, invasive mussels populations are increasing in deeper waters in Lake Michigan. In Lake Superior, invasive mussel populations remain low and localized to coastal areas.

Scientists race to protect Lake Superior from invasive mussels

Invasive mussels drastically altered the Great Lakes. Now, scientists are fighting back.

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Efforts to control sea lamprey, a lethal parasite of many fish species, have successfully suppressed populations by 90% compared with before these efforts began. However, the report notes that due to restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, the three-year average population exceeds targets, highlighting the need for constant management of the parasite.

A black ash tree, that has been infested with emerald ash borers, seen in a black ash tree swamp on the Menominee Reservation in Neopit, Wisconsin, on the afternoon of Oct. 9, 2025. Black ash trees are an important part of the water filtration system on the reservation.

The report said the emerald ash borer continues to have devastating impacts on forests around the region. The invasive beetle bores into wood and kills ash trees by eating tissues under the bark. First detected in the U.S. in 2002, the emerald ash borer has killed hundreds of millions of trees, more than 50 million in the Midwest alone.

High nutrient loads, harmful algae blooms degrade water quality

Across the Great Lakes, nutrients and algae blooms were scored poor to fair as they continue to degrade water quality throughout the region, the report said. High nutrient loads continue to drive increases in blue-green algae blooms as well as Cladophora, a kind of algae that grows on the bottom of the lakes. Some blue-green algae blooms  which are actually caused by bacteria called cyanobacteria  can be harmful because they release a toxin known as microcystin.

Harmful algae blooms continue to be a significant problem in western Lake Erie, largely driven by nutrients from agricultural fertilizers that make their way into the lake via the Maumee River. These blooms also continue to negatively impact recreation and ecosystem health in more localized areas throughout the Great Lakes, like the bay of Green Bay in Lake Michigan, Saginaw Bay in Lake Huron and Lake St. Clair, between lakes Erie and Huron.

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Algae blooms have even been forming in nearshore areas around Lake Superior, which scientists say is likely due to climate change warming the largest of the Great Lakes.

Cladophora grow to nuisance levels in nearshore areas of lakes Michigan, Erie and Ontario. Invasive mussels have even promoted the growth of Cladophora by clearing up the water and allowing more light to shine to the bottom.

Cobble rocks intermixed with Cladophora, a kind of algae, on the bottom of Lake Michigan in Door County in Wisconsin.

The Great Lakes are evolving. Why not say the reason?

According to the 2025 report, long-term datasets show the Great Lakes are experiencing many physical changes, like more annual precipitation, warmer water temperatures and declining ice cover.

For instance, from 1973 to 2023, annual maximum ice cover has declined across all five lakes. Lake Superior has experienced the largest drop, with a 34% decline in maximum ice cover. And since 1980, surface water temperatures have warmed about 1 degree Fahrenheit per decade in lakes Superior, Michigan and Huron.

The 2025 State of the Great Lakes report noted that from 1973 to 2023, annual maximum ice cover has declined across all five lakes. Lake Superior has experienced the largest drop, with a 34% decline in maximum ice cover.

Climate change has been impacting the character of the Great Lakes for decades, and ignoring it doesn't change the reality, Brammeier said.

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Changes by the Trump administration will make it harder to track climate change impacts to the Great Lakes. For example, the administration has scrubbed mentions of climate change from government websites; begun dismantling the leading climate and weather research center; stopped updating the website that keeps track of billion dollar climate and weather disasters; and cut jobs and grants to many federal agencies that collect these data.

Regardless of what this administration chooses, Brammeier said, "We have to face this problem head on."

The data doesn't tell the whole story

Efforts around the region to clean up legacy pollution from industry and restore habitat have allowed many of the improvements noted in this report to happen, Brammeier said. Many communities are on the upswing, he said, able to move forward with development and improve their local economies.

In a statement on Jan. 23, the EPA touted those improvements. "An independent study found every dollar of federal spending on Great Lakes Restoration Initiative projects will produce $3.35 in additional economic activity in the Great Lakes region," said a statement emailed by David Shark, press officer for the EPA Region 5. The statement went on to say, "Great Lakes Restoration Initiative-funded projects implemented since the programs inception have prevented more than 2.6 million pounds of phosphorus from leaving agricultural watersheds and entering the Great Lakes, including more than 450,000 pounds of phosphorus in the last three years."

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But there is a story the report isn't telling, and the indicators are disconnected from what people are experiencing on the ground, Brammeier said. For instance, there are many communities throughout the region that can't rely on their drinking water supplies because of lead pipes or affordability challenges.

"It calls for a fresh look at what it means for the Great Lakes region to be healthy," Brammeier said.

This story was updated to include new information.

Caitlin Looby covers the Great Lakes and the environment for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Reach her at clooby@gannett.com and find her on X @caitlooby. All of her work and coverage decisions are overseen solely by Journal Sentinel editors.

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Caitlin is an Outrider Fellow whose reporting also receives support from the Brico Fund, Fund for Lake Michigan, Barbara K. Frank, and individual contributions to the Journal Sentinel Community-Funded Journalism Project. The project is administered by Local Media Foundation, tax ID #36-4427750, a Section 501(c)(3) charitable trust affiliated with Local Media Association.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: New Great Lakes report card has one factor erased: climate change
If you live in Greater Cincinnati, you've heard this story before: forecasts calling for epic amounts of snow only to see a light dusting in your own neighborhood.

In the past week, predictions for this weekend's winter storm has been anywhere from four inches to as much as 25 inches of snow  and that number keeps changing.

Is it fake news? Meteorologists who are awful at their jobs? And should we really expect almost a foot of snow in Greater Cincinnati this weekend?

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Two local meteorologists addressed why people keep seeing changes in local forecasts over the next few days and what exactly could affect how much snow you get this weekend.

Small storm shifts mean big changes when it comes to snowfall

When it comes to winter storms, even a small shift in wind or atmospheric pressure can have a massive effect on snowfall.

The storm Greater Cincinnati can expect this weekend, which The Weather Channel named Winter Storm Fern, is no exception.

"Snow is a very delicate forecast," said Erin Ashley, a meteorologist with FOX19.

For instance, Winter Storm Fern has shifted further north in the past few days so the amount of forecasted snow has increased.

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"All it takes is a 50-mile difference to make or break how much snow you see," she said.

So it seems likely, as of Thursday afternoon, that the Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati area will get at least 8 inches of snow.

A few blocks can even make a difference

That forecast may be correct a mile away. It's not unusual for people who live just a few blocks away from each other to see a difference in snowfall.

Steve Horstmeyer, who spent 48 years as a forecaster in Greater Cincinnati before retiring last summer, said that's due to natural variations.

"Snowfall amounts just vary across a region and it might be even within a mile  some spots may get a lot of snow and some spots may get half that," he said.

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If that's normal, why does it sometimes feel like forecasts are less reliable?

'Curse of the internet'

Weather models have become so accurate and widely available that people are living in the best era of weather awareness ever, Horstmeyer said.

The problem is what he calls the "curse of the internet."

Earlier this week, for instance, a weather model indicated Cincinnati could get 25 inches of snow from Winter Storm Fern. Local meteorologists, though, know that particular model tends to initially overpredict snowfall.

"My rule of thumb for that, was a week out, cut the snow amounts of this forecast in half," Horstmeyer said.

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But not everyone is a meteorologist and rumors of two feet of snow in Cincinnati started circulating on social media.

Ashley said that can overshadow the work meteorologists do, which involves looking at patterns, weather prediction models, and trends to put everything into context for a forecast.

"That's our whole job ... to try to predict the future," she said.

Heavy or wet snow makes a difference

The kind of snow each storm brings in makes a difference in both how much sticks to the ground and how people experience the snowfall.

For instance, low temperatures Saturday will likely cause fluffy snow that accumulates quickly. But, Horstmeyer said, it's so light it can blow out of people's yards and is easier for people to shovel.

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Heavier, wet snow expected Sunday will accumulate less. But it will be more dense, likely ice over, and be harder for people to shovel  even if there's less of it.

Living in a city versus the countryside matters (most of the time)

Living in a city rather than in a rural area can sometimes mean less snowfall in the winter.

Cities just produce more heat. So, snow that forms thousands of feet above ground level can melt before it sticks to roadways and buildings. But that's not the case for winter storms with extremely low temperatures, like the one expected this weekend.

"Overall, the effect is minimal on a big, sizable storm like the one coming our way," Horstmeyer said.

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City residents should also be aware of the effects of urban canyons in the winter, Horstmeyer added. Tall buildings essentially create artificial canyons that can cause extreme wind gusts and possibly kick up additional snow flurries.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Is Greater Cincinnati really getting almost a foot of snow?
Greenland, the world's largest island, has been making headlines for several weeks. US President Donald Trump has repeatly floated the idea that the United States should acquire the Arctic territory.

In a recent speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, he struck a more conciliatory tone towards NATO allies. Although Trump once again insisted that Greenland ought to belong to the US, he underlined that he would not seek to achieve this by force.

Trump presents the proposal as a question of national security, arguing that China or Russia could attempt to gain influence on the island and accuses NATO and Denmark of failing in recent years to ensure Greenland's security. In his view, only the United States is ultimately in a position to guarantee it.

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Denmark and several NATO partners responded last weekend by sending a reconnaissance mission to Greenland. The deployment also included 15 soldiers from the German armed forces, who were originally scheduled to stay until 20 January, but were withdrawn a day earlier after adverse weather conditions set in.

Bundeswehr soldiers in Greenland next to a Dutch soldier - Bundeswehr/Marc Tessensohn

According to Henrik Schilling from the Institute for Security Policy at Kiel University (ISPK), it is important to distinguish between peacetime operations and deployments under wartime conditions, as each comes with very different requirements.

"If a runway is completely iced over, you would not land there in peacetime, but in wartime the calculation would be different," Schilling explained in an interview with Euronews.

Reports suggest that Donald Trump initially "misunderstood" the Danish-led mission, but was later reassured by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

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Schilling, however, said that a mission like that did not come "out of the blue" from his perspective. Naval forces are regularly involved in exercises in the Arctic region. He pointed to the task force provider "Berlin," which returned to Germany in December last year after taking part in multinational manoeuvres in the North Atlantic and off the US coast.

The task force provider "Berlin" in front of the Statue of Liberty - Bundeswehr/Alessandro Vollborth

Is Greenland important for Germany's and Europe's national security?

Donald Trump has justified his calls for the United States to take control of Greenland by pointing to American national security interests. While the US state of Alaska already borders Russia, Trump argues that Washington must prevent Russia or China from gaining influence over Greenland and thereby becoming direct neighbours of the United States.

According to security expert Henrik Schilling, the Arctic has become increasingly important in recent years.

One key reason, he explains, is the strategically vital sea and air corridor between Greenland, Iceland and the UK, known as the GIUK gap. This area is regarded as a critical bottleneck for Russian naval and submarine movements between the North Atlantic and the Arctic.

Boats are docked at the harbour of Nuuk, 22 January, 2026 - AP Photo

"In addition, there are likely to be alternative airfields in Greenland. If something were to happen in the Atlantic, operations could be run from there."

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More broadly, the Arctic is becoming an increasingly significant region, according to Schilling. He pointed to competing territorial claims by neighbouring states, including Russia, as well as China's growing presence.

The main driver, Schilling argued, is that "entirely new supply routes are emerging in the region". As the ice continues to melt, large parts of the Arctic could become increasingly ice free and therefore usable for commercial shipping in the future.

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So far, however, there is no concrete evidence to suggest that China or Russia are directly seeking to take control of Greenland.

Beijing has firmly rejected such accusations. It denies any intention of undermining the United Nations Charter and stresses its self declared role as a defender of state sovereignty.

On Monday, Foreign Office spokesperson Guo Jiakun called on the United States to stop citing an alleged "China threat" in Greenland as justification for punitive tariffs on European countries.

ARCHIVE- Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base) in northern Greenland on 4 October 2023 - Thomas Traasdahl/Thomas Traasdahl/RitzauScanpix

Permanent presence in the Arctic?

In a statement to Euronews, a spokesperson for the German navy said it is "focusing its capabilities on national and collective defence along NATO's northern flank." This, the spokesperson explained, covers the North Atlantic, European Arctic waters, the North Sea and the Baltic Sea within the framework of NATO.

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According to Schilling, the German armed forces do have the equipment and expertise "to be able to operate in the region". At the same time, he pointed to a structural problem: there are simply too few soldiers in the Bundeswehr.

Bundeswehr soldiers in Greenland, January 2026 - Bundeswehr/Marc Tessensohn

Schilling added that the demands on the military have also shifted since the start of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine in February 2022. In the past, the navy was mainly involved in peacekeeping and stabilisation missions, he explains, such as refugee rescue operations or anti piracy deployments off the coast of Africa.

"That has now changed to national and alliance defence," Schilling said, pointing to the increased German presence in the Baltic Sea. "That's essentially the problem: you can't do everything, so you have to set priorities," he told Euronews.

If the Arctic were to be prioritised as part of national and collective defence, Schilling believes a sustained commitment would be feasible in principle. The necessary equipment would then also be available. While existing German naval vessels meet national standards, they are not icebreakers and would struggle to operate independently in conditions of heavy icing.

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This limitation, Schilling argued, could be offset through cooperation within NATO or with partner countries that already have the required capabilities.

Schilling conceded, however, that the timing of the US president's renewed focus on the Arctic is "rather unfavourable". If NATO, and by extension the Bundeswehr, were to contribute troops to an Arctic deployment, "we would also need those forces here", he said.

So far, no such mission has been planned.

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Schilling compared this dilemma to arms deliveries to Ukraine. "You initially give away weapons from your own stocks, hoping you won't need them yourself in the coming years. But they are then missing, at least temporarily," he explained.

Weapons can be reproduced, he adds, but rebuilding personnel capacity is far more difficult and takes much longer.

US President Donald Trump meets with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Davos, 21 January, 2026 - AP Photo

From his perspective, the key is to establish a sustained presence over time, ideally within the framework of NATO and in close coordination with partner countries, to ensure a workable rotation system. This would also serve to demonstrate NATO's ability to carry out such a commitment.

A spokesperson for the German Ministry of Defence, Colonel Mitko Muller, made a similar point at the Federal Press Conference on 19 January.

He said the Bundeswehr is, in principle, capable of operating in Arctic and polar regions. Specialised units, such as the mountain troops, regularly undergo cold weather and high altitude training, including exercises in Norway.
The U.S. is pressing ahead on long-running talks between Russia and Ukraine with a flurry of meetings lasting into the weekend in an effort to regain momentum after the crisis over Greenland appeared to shove aside most discussions of Ukraines future.

President Donald Trumps decision to hold a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday signaled a renewed push for peace. The U.S., Ukraine and Europe have largely agreed on plans for deterring Russia from attacking Ukraine after a deal is reached. And Trump administration envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Moscow Thursday evening to see if Russia will agree to these arrangements and narrow gaps on the thorny issue of territory.

The Greenland framework has given Ukraine and its allies hope this round of meetings could yield more meaningful progress toward ending the fighting.

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But there are few indications Russia has budged on its demands during the interlude, and the scars from the Greenland scrap linger with allies. European and Ukrainian officials regretted that Trumps attempt to seize the island took over the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where it had been expected that Ukraine would be a main focus.

When Americans say that they are threatened by Russia in Greenland, we say to Americans, OK, we understand this worry, but the best and most effective way would be to defeat Russia in Ukraine, that's where we have a front line, our common front line, said Zygimantas Pavilionis, a Lithuanian lawmaker who is on that countrys foreign affairs committee.

Even if the U.S. and Europe have found an off-ramp for Greenland, the damage is lasting.

One European official, who was granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, said there is a lot of frustration and regret about the dustup over Greenland that has spilled over into discussions of how much to trust the U.S. efforts on Ukraine.

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Its not so much that Europe had to divert military resources to Greenland, because its a small amount. But the loss of faith and trust in the U.S. is profound, the official said. So until there are security guarantees for Ukraine that are ratified by Congress, its going to be hard for any Trump promises or commitments to be taken seriously.

And it isnt clear that the meetings on Ukraine this week come with any new proposals beyond those that have already been rejected by Russia. While Zelenskyy said he had a good meeting with Trump at Davos, he lamented that much felt stuck.

"Everyone remembers the great American film Groundhog Day, but no one would want to live like that," Zelenskyy said during a speech at Davos after his meeting with Trump. "Repeating the same thing for weeks, months, and of course, years. And yet that is exactly how we live now."

He said Trump was trying to end the war, but also cautioned that he did not expect the American leader to change his long-held views about the continent.

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"Europe looks lost trying to convince the U.S. president to change. But he will not change," Zelenskyy said. "President Trump loves who he is. And he says he loves Europe, but he won't listen to this Europe."

Trump, for his part, said on Air Force One heading back to the U.S. that Zelenskyy told him he "wants to make a deal," adding "I think he should make a deal."

Witkoff, speaking earlier at a breakfast on Ukraine at Davos, said the talks largely center around one unnamed issue.

We have discussed iterations of that issue and that means it's solvable, he said. He did not specify the sticking point, but Russias demand that Ukraine cede the Donbas to Moscow, including parts Kyiv controls, has long dogged the talks.

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The U.S., Ukraine and Europe have mostly agreed on security guarantees to Kyiv should the fighting stop. Zelenskyy told the conference the deal was only waiting for Trumps signature.

While Western intelligence indicates Russian President Vladimir Putin is not ready to end the war, Witkoff has remained optimistic that the Russian leader can reach a compromise. After they meet Putin in Moscow, Witkoff and Kushner head to Abu Dhabi for the first trilateral talks among U.S., Russian and Ukrainian negotiators since the war began.

The Trump team is putting a big emphasis on what a deal would mean to Ukraines economy, part of a bid to get Kyiv to swallow tough compromises. It's also unclear whether Putin would actually agree to having European troops on Ukrainian soil as Western security agreements envision.

Prosperity is really big, Witkoff said. The president has talked about a tariff-free zone in Ukraine that I think would be game-changing.

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But Zelenskyy, at Davos, stressed the U.S. and Europe should be prepared to put more pressure on Russia. Russians have to be ready for compromise, he said. Everybody has to be ready, not only Ukraine.

Paul McLeary and Eli Stokols contributed to this report.
The chaotic Broadway comedy hit Oh, Mary! by Cole Escola will begin its first national tour in Hartford in September.

Only two dates on the tour have been announced so far with unspecified dates in September at The Bushnell and Oct. 6-11 at The Smith Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. A press release announcing the tour mentions potential bookings in Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.

The show is extremely loosely based on the life of Mary Todd Lincoln, the wife of President Abraham Lincoln, and is set shortly before his assassination at Fords Theatre in Washington, D.C. in 1865. It depicts Mary Lincoln as an unstable alcoholic cabaret diva. There is strong LGBTQ+ elements in the play, from its title (a classic phrase from early 20th century gay culture) to its portrayal of Abraham Lincoln as a closeted gay man, for which there has been some scholarly evidence, though Oh, Mary! is not considered an accurate historical play in any way.

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Escola was the first non-binary actor to be awarded a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play. Oh, Mary! also won the Tony for Best Play.

Oh, Mary!s Broadway run has been extended multiple times and is now said to be running through July 5, 2026.

No casting information for the tour has been released. Escola played the role of Mary Todd Lincoln on Broadway but left the show in 2024 and has been succeeded by an unpredictable stream of other performers in the role including Betty Gilpin, Titus Burgess, Jinkx Monsoon, Jane Krakowski, John Cameron Mitchell and others. The star of the London production, which opened this year, is Mason Alexander Park, who starred in the play I Am My Own Wife at the Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven in 2020 and later streamed a concert special for the Long Wharf during the COVID-19 shutdown.

Oh, Mary! is the first show to be officially announced as part of the 2026-27 Broadway season at The Bushnell. The theater typically announces its forthcoming seasons in late March or early April.

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If, once all the dates are announced, the Oh, Mary! tour does indeed start in Hartford, that would be a rare occurrence. While The Bushnell sometimes does get tours early in their runs, they tend to have already been rehearsed and built and premiered in other cities, notably at the Providence Performing Arts Center in Rhode Island. When the national tour of the Broadway revival of Spamalot came to The Bushnell in December it was the second stop on the tour following rehearsals and performances in Cleveland, Ohio.

In Connecticut, national tours for shows such as Six and Jersey Boys have had their technical rehearsals at the Shubert Theatre in New Haven before having the the first public performances of those shows in other cities. New Haven has been a key try-out town for Broadway-bound shows or post-Broadway tours for around a hundred years now.
In Tongxin county, Ningxia Hui autonomous region, a hemodialysis room has brought new hope to uremia patients. Earlier, local kidney disease patients had to travel hundreds of kilometers each week just to receive essential dialysis. Today, their wish of "receiving dialysis at their doorstep" has been fulfilled, restoring their dignity and confidence in life.

Ma Yongpeng from Xiamaguan town was diagnosed with kidney disease in 2019, which progressed to uremia. Since 2023, he has struggled with long medical trips. "I traveled to the hospital over 200 times a year, spending over 100 yuan per trip, or 400 yuan for a car in snowy winters," he recalled.

The turning point came in 2025 with the opening of Xiamaguan's hemodialysis room  the second at the township health center level in Northwest China. Equipped with four dialysis machines (serving eight patients daily) and a nine-member medical team including two auxiliary experts, it provides full-time care.

Medical workers offer careful daily care guidance. The clinic offers flexible appointment slots in the morning, afternoon and evening, with most of the costs covered by medical insurance, significantly easing the financial burden on patients.

This facility solves the "difficulty and high cost of accessing medical care" problem for local patients, reflecting the Party's and government's focus on people's well-being. It witnesses the development of primary medical care and the practice of a people-centered concept. Kidney disease is neither incurable nor infectious, and it is hoped that this grassroots medical support will let more patients live a normal life.


TikTok has closed a deal that will allow the hugely popular short-video app to continue operating in the US, it announced on Thursday.

The deal comes after a years-long tussle between Washington and Beijing that began in Trump's first term in the White House when he tried unsuccessfully to ban the app over national security concerns.

The platform was due to be banned in the US in January 2025 if its Chinese owner, ByteDance, failed to sell its US operations to American investors. But US President Donald Trump repeatedly postponed the enforcement of legislation to take down the app.

The main source of contention was the app's powerful algorithm, which dictates the content recommended to users. Now that formula has been licensed to the app's American owners and will be trained only on US data.

Experts say this will certainly produce changes, but how exactly it affects the 200 million Americans on the app remains unclear.

What is the deal about?

For years Washington has been pressuring TikTok to sell its US operations, citing national security concerns over its Chinese owner ByteDance.

Lawmakers had expressed fears that Beijing could force the firm to hand over US users' data. Both TikTok and ByteDance have consistently denied the claim.

The idea of a TikTok ban, first floated by Trump during his first term in 2020, gained momentum under Joe Biden's presidency. In 2024, Biden signed a law demanding that ByteDance sell TikTok or face a ban in the US.

A legal battle ensued between ByteDance and the US government, and in January last year the app went offline for US users for 12 to 14 hours. That temporary blackout was restored after Trump, then the president-elect, pledged to reverse the ban.

Last September, Trump announced that he had reached a deal with China to keep the app running in the US.

And in December, binding agreements were signed with American and global investors to operate TikTok's business in the US, according to a memo from its chief executive Shou Zi Chew.

More details of this deal were outlined in TikTok's latest announcement.

Under the agreement, a new business called TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC will secure US user data, apps and algorithms through data privacy and cybersecurity measures.

Trump has weighed in on the deal, writing on social media that he was "so happy to have helped in saving TikTok".

The BBC has contacted the White House and the China's embassy in Washington for comment.
Haitians woke up Thursday under a cloud of uncertainty as the countrys fragile political transition descended into open confrontation, with the sides locked in a standoff and neither appearing willing to back down.

With just days remaining until its mandate ends, Haitis Transitional Presidential Council is seeking to remove Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime from office. Such a move would create a dangerous political vacuumone the United States and other international partners are anxious to avoidand could open the door to renewed instability at a moment Haitis security forces have begun to make measurable gains against armed gangs.

On Thursday, the U.S., Canada and the United Nations publicly expressed their concerns about the latest development. While House Republicans reposted a post from the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince warning of dire consequences should attempts be made to change the composition of the government by the non-elected presidential council.

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Canada took to social media to air its concerns.

Canada is deeply concerned by the attempts of several [transition] members to replace the Prime Minister just a few days before the end of their term. This action can only weaken the countrys stability and security at a crucial moment in its history, said the post on X from the Canadian embassy in Port-au-Prince.

The head of the U.N.s political office in Port-au-Prince said it is monitoring the developments, adding that Haitis political leaders need to put the country above self-interest. It was the same message that Carlos Ruiz-Massieu, the U.N.s special representative in Haiti, delivered the day before as he addressed the Security Council on Haiti as rumors of the possible dismissal of Fils-Aime were spreading in Port-au-Prince.

The country cannot spare more internal fighting. It is time... to come together and think about the national interest, Ruiz-Massieu said during the U.N.s noon press briefing Thursday in New York. We cannot spare instability on the political side when we have instability already on the security side.

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He noted that the U.N. Integrated Office in Port-au-Prince shares the concerns voiced by Security Council members over the lack of clarity and decisiveness over how Haiti is to be governed after Feb. 7. That has led to debate about whether the country should have only a prime minister in charge, or some version of the transitional council.

What we need is an authority that can work with the international community and manage the public forces in a way that can really increase security in different areas, Ruiz-Massieu said. He added that the current framework of seven presidential advisers with voting rights and two observers, put in place in April 2024, unfortunately has not worked. We dont have an improved security scenario and Haiti couldnt have elections.

Council members political maneuvering to oust their second prime minister in 13 months, with just 16 days left in power, is unfolding not just against the ongoing gang violence thats spreading to other regions, but as the first contingent of the newly U.N. authorized Gang Suppression Force prepares to arrive by April with the opening of the U.N.s new Haiti Support Office to assist the mission.

More lethal, and five times the number of Kenyan troops currently in Haiti, the new military-leaning mission is tasked with helping Haitian police create the space for elections that last took place in 2016.

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Since late December, Haitian police, supported by a newly deployed drone task force, have pushed back gangs and re-entered neighborhoods where authorities had not operated since 2018. In one dramatic operation, security forces bombed two homes belonging to gang leader Jimmy Barbecue Cherizier. In a video posted afterward, Cheriziera former police officerappeared visibly shaken as he appealed to current members of the force.

Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres said Thursday that theyve recorded a marked increase in violence-related admissions at one of its hospitals in Haiti. More than 100 people injured by violence have been treated in the groups facility in the Drouillard neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. The organization cited a surge in clashes between the Haitian national police and armed groups, mainly in densely populated neighborhoods under the control of armed groups.

For thousands of civilians, daily life is now marked by gunfire and drone strikes, leaving many trapped in these areas, the aid group said.

With so much at stake, the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince, in unusually blunt language, issued a warning late Wednesday that was later echoed by U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau. In essence, the statements warned that members of the unelected presidential council were walking a dangerous line days before their mandate is set to expire on Feb. 7.

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The U.S. objective for Haiti remains the establishment of baseline security and stability, Landau wrote in a post on X that mirrored the embassys statement. The United States would regard any effort to change the composition of the government by the non-elected Transitional Presidential Council at this late stage in its tenure... as an effort to undermine that objective.

Landau added that Washington would view anyone supporting such a move as favoring armed gangs and acting against the interests of the United States, the region and the Haitian people, warning that the U.S. will act accordingly.

.@USEmbassyHaiti: The U.S. objective for Haiti remains the establishment of baseline security and stability. The U.S. would regard any effort to change the composition of the government by the non-elected TPC at this late stage in its tenure to be an effort to undermine that https://t.co/0wiJEfhRLa  House Foreign Affairs Committee Majority (@HouseForeignGOP) January 22, 2026

So far, the warnings seem to have had little effect. One of the members of the nine-member council, Smith Augustin, confirmed in a text to Le Nouvelliste newspaper that he and four others had voted to oust Fils-Aime. The other four members are said to be Leslie Voltaire, Gerald Gilles, Fritz Alphonse Jean and Edgard Leblanc Fils. Sources told the Miami Herald that a second resolution is also in the works to remove the councils coordinator, Laurent Saint-Cyr, who since last month had fought against the firing.

Human rights advocate Pierre Esperance called the moves a suicide mission that isnt going to take the country anywhere.

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In an interview with Magik 9 on Thursday morning, Esperance predicted that Saint-Cyr would not send the resolution to the secretary general of the presidency to make the firing official after being published in the countrys gazette, Le Moniteur.

If by some chance the resolution is forwarded, Esperance called for the army and the Haiti National Police to make every effort to take control of Villa dAcueil  the old prime ministers office where the council works from. As prime minister, Fils-Aime heads the entity that oversees Haitis security forces.

Esperance called for the government to remove all of the presidential councils security because they have no authority, morality, integrity and legitimacy to do what theyve done. He accused the council members of acting out of self-interests and not nationalism.

Haitis political parties and civic groups have moved to distance themselves from the presidential council as it faced bribery and corruption allegations and come under scrutiny over alleged ties to armed gangs.

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Now at the moment they are supposed to leave, they want to install a prime minister so that they can stay, Esperance said, noting that the seven voting members of the council have various plans to remain in power after Feb. 7.

In addition to targeting Fils-Aime, council members also want to remove police chief, Vladimir Paraison, and the head of the Anti-corruption agency, Hans Joseph, who early in the transition investigated three of the council members on allegations of bribing the head of a state-owned bank, and recommended that they be prosecuted.

Members of the council have not publicly stated why they want Fils-Aime out. But tensions have been brewing for some time, with efforts to remove both the prime minister and Saint-Cyr began intensifying last month as discussions about the end of the councils mandate on Feb. 7 got under way.

In agreeing to lead Haitis transition in April 2024, the seven voting members and two observers agreed that they would leave office on Feb. 7. Though the goal was to hand power at that point to an elected government, the first round of elections is now scheduled for this summer.

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Some members of the council have decided that Fils-Aime has not done enough to assure them a place in the countrys governance after Feb. 7, or protection from possible sanctions by the U.S. and other nations.

In December, the council issued a decree granting members immunity from future prosecution for actions taken while in office. Days later, it approved another decree expanding Haitis criminal defamation laws, potentially opening the door to prosecutions of journalists and other critics.

Late Thursday, the State Department issued a strongly-worded statement on council members, who were put in power after then-Secretary of State Antony Blinken flew to Kingston, Jamaica, and along with the Caribbean Community and others foreign diplomats, influenced the agreement that established and legitimized the panel. The panel, however, never published an April 3, 2024 political accord, which until now had been ignored by Haitis foreign partners but resurfaced as observers asked about the groups sense of empowerment to do what they had done.

In its post on X that was later retweeted in Haitian-Creole by the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince, the Bureau of Western Hemisphere said Haitis chronic instability is not due to any defect in the Haitian character, culture or constitution.

It is the responsibility of corrupt Haitian politicians who use gangs and other armed groups to create chaos in the streets and then insist on a role in government to turn down the chaos they themselves have created., the statement said. Real stability will come when political leaders get their power from the support of voters rather than their ability to sow chaos. The members of the TPC who have followed this path are not Haitian patriots. They are criminals like the gangs they conspire with.
A New Hampshire man is facing charges after he barricaded himself during an hours-long standoff after police tried to serve him with a domestic violence protection order.

James Carpentier, 48, of Webster, was taken into custody and charged with obstructing government administration and resisting arrest, state police said in a statement.

At 4:33 p.m. Wednesday, troopers responded to a home on Battle Street in Webster to serve a domestic violence protection order.

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The order was for Carpentier, who was inside a camper located on the property at the time.

When a state trooper knocked on the camper door, Carpentier became uncooperative and made statements indicating that he had a firearm, state police said.

Carpentier then refused to come out of the camper, which resulted in a multi-hour standoff, state police said.

During this time, additional law enforcement agencies responded to the scene, as well as the New Hampshire State Police SWAT Unit. A portion of Battle Street was closed for public safety.

After extended negotiations, negotiators were able to convince Carpentier to surrender peacefully and exit the camper, state police said.

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Troopers were assisted at the scene by members of the Webster police and fire departments, the Merrimack County Sheriffs Office, the New Hampshire Department of Transportation, and several other surrounding agencies.

The incident remains under investigation.

Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact Trooper Kevin Barry at (603) 223-4381 or Kevin.J.Barry@dos.nh.gov.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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A New Hampshire man has pleaded guilty to conspiring to smuggle plastic resin from China into the United States to evade increased tariffs on Chinese goods, the U.S. Attorney said Thursday.

David Guimond, 48, of New London, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to smuggle goods into the United States, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan said in a statement. Chief U.S. District Judge Samantha D. Elliott scheduled sentencing for June 11.

Trade laws and customs duties exist to protect American businesses, workers, and the integrity of our markets, Creegan said. Schemes that falsify country-of-origin information and evade lawful duties undermine fair competition and take money away from the American taxpayer. This office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect the public from those who attempt to circumvent our trade laws.

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According to public records, in 2021, Guimond was a shareholder and chief operating officer of Global Plastics and its sister company, Marco Polo International, which are U.S.-based plastic resin distributors.

In February 2021, Winter Storm Uri severely disrupted the domestic resin supply, and as a result, Global Plastics and Marco Polo International began importing resin from countries other than the United States, including China.

At the time, plastic resin originating from China was subject to an additional tariff rate of 25%.

Prosecutors said Guimond instructed and agreed with other employees to input manufacturers and countries of origin other than China on paperwork submitted to U.S. Customs and Border Protection to avoid the additional tariff rate.

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Guimond also instructed an employee to repackage plastic resin from bags to boxes that were shipped through Canada to conceal the resins country of origin, prosecutors said.

The conspiracy resulted in at least $497,249 of unpaid tariff duties to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Creegan said.

Guimond faces a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater.

Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations is investigating the case.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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A report by Canadian officials has found no evidence of a new disease after hundreds of reports of neurological symptoms led to claims of a mystery brain condition.

The results of the investigation by New Brunswick's Chief Medical Officer of Health add to a growing body of research that suggests patients may have diagnosable illnesses instead.

About 500 people in New Brunswick and other provinces have been identified by neurologist Dr Alier Marrero as having unexplained neurological symptoms.

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Officials said they also found no evidence to support Marrero's claims that patients' symptoms were caused by elevated levels of herbicides and heavy metals. The BBC has contacted Marrero for comment.

"Regardless of the findings of our investigation, the fact remains there are patients who are very ill and need support," said New Brunswick's chief medical officer of health Dr Yves Leger on Friday.

A BBC report published earlier this month questioned the legitimacy of the cluster of patients and asked whether hundreds may have been misdiagnosed by Marrero, and had suffered instead from known neurological illnesses.

The BBC report also revealed that at least one cluster patient had opted for death via medically assisted dying  with the mystery disease cited as the cause on the death certificate  and that at least one other patient was considering medically assisted dying.

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The provincial study published on Friday examined the cases of 222 of Marrero's patients and reviewed results of extensive testing he had ordered on the patients which he said showed elevated levels of herbicides and heavy metals.

After comparisons with test results from among the broader population in the Atlantic Canada region, the province's findings showed that the herbicide levels among the cluster patients were normal, officials said.

A small number of patients did show higher than expected levels of heavy metals, the report found, but officials said it was difficult to confirm the results because of issues with the way they had been tested and they said there was no clear evidence to suggest the elevated levels could have led to adverse neurological health effects.

Officials said the provincial review was limited by several factors, including that some of Marrero's initial testing had not been done according to correct guidelines and that most patients had not been regularly retested to establish a pattern of elevated levels.

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The report also found that close to 60% of patients in the group had also been seen by a second neurologist, and that none of the other neurologists had raised concerns to health authorities regarding the patients' conditions.

In response to the report's findings, health officials said that any patient referred to the province with an unexplained neurological condition would now have to be examined by two separate specialists.

Dr Leger told reporters on Friday that there was "mounting evidence that these patients have diagnosable conditions", adding that the province was "certainly concerned about that and about patient care".

He said the province's findings would be shared with Marrero, and that it was important the neurologist "understand what we've found from our analysis".

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The data will also be shared with the Public Health Agency of Canada, Leger said, which will conduct a further review.

Sarah Nesbitt, a patient in the cluster and an environmental advocate, said she was concerned about the limitations of the study and that some patients did prove to have elevated levels of metals in their system.

But Nesbitt told the BBC she is hopeful that this a step towards helping patients, especially those with elevated levels, get more answers and additional support for their illnesses.

"At the end of the day, it's about finding the problem with the patients, helping them heal or cure or symptom manage," she said.

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Friday's study is the second conducted by the province into the purported mystery illness.

Results of the previous study, which examined the first 48 patients in the cluster, was published in 2022 and similarly found no common exposures and concluded the patients were likely suffering from a range of different illnesses.

Last year, a separate research paper published by the JAMA neurology journal echoed the conclusions of the 2022 provincial report. The paper, based on a review of 25 cluster cases, found that the patients had all suffered from known and diagnosable illnesses including cancer and dementia.

The lead author of the JAMA paper, Dr Anthony Lang, told the BBC on Friday that the provincial report "confirms our suspicion or belief that there was no environmental factor that could have accounted for such a broad range of neurological problems".

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"There was no consistent neurological disease that we had seen in this small group of patients we described," Lang added.

"So this just confirms exactly what we've suspected and really emphasises the suffering and pain that patients and families have had."

Nesbitt and other patients have rejected accusations that Marrero has misdiagnosed patients, and said he rightfully raised concerns about their test results of elevated metals.

She added some patients have expressed they do not want to see another neurologist "because they don't trust anybody anymore".

"He's a kind man, he's intelligent, he does due diligence," Nesbitt said, adding that he has done a considerable amount of testing on patients to help give them answers.

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Marrero did not immediately reply to a request for comment about Friday's report. In September, he told the BBC that other senior federal and provincial scientists had also believed there was a novel syndrome in New Brunswick and that he was now being portrayed as the sole purveyor of the idea.

"They are trying to present me as it," he said. "I was part of it, but I was not it. The only difference is, when the table was empty, I stayed."
A gray wolf. (Wisconsin DNR photo)

Wisconsin Republicans on Thursday continued their yearslong effort to reverse the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources decision not to quantify a specific statewide goal for the states gray wolf population with a public hearing on a bill that would require the agency to set one.

The bill, authored by Sen. Rob Stafsholt (R-New Richmond) and Rep. Chanz Green (R-Grand View), is unlikely to be signed into law by Gov. Tony Evers if its passed, but shows how the contentious politics around wolves continue to play a major role in the states natural resource policy debates  especially in an election year. U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, seen as the frontrunner in the Republican primary for governor, was the author of a bill recently passed in the House that would remove the gray wolf from the federal endangered species list.

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State law in Wisconsin requires that whenever the wolf isnt listed as endangered, the state must hold an annual wolf hunt.

The states wolf management plan was updated for the first time in decades in 2023. The plan was established after a two and a half year process involving an advisory committee made up of 28 member organizations and thousands of public comments.

Prior to the current plans adoption, Wisconsin was operating under a plan that was first approved in 1999 and then updated in 2007. That plan went into effect as the state was working to responsibly handle the animals return to the state after its extirpation in the 1960s.

Initially, the state set a population goal of 350 wolves.

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More than a quarter century after the 1999 plans adoption, the states wolf population is estimated to be about 1,200 wolves. The 350 number that was initially set as an aspiration for a healthy wolf population has come to be seen by some hunters and farmers as a wolf population ceiling.

But under the current wolf management plan, the DNR opted to use an adaptive management system which forgoes setting a specific population number. Instead, the state gets divided into zones and in each zone the DNR annually assesses the local wolf population to decide if it needs to be kept stable, allowed to grow or reduced through a hunt.

Adaptive management is the method used by the state for most other game species, including black bear, bobcat, coyote, white-tailed deer and wild turkey. But since the plans adoption, Republicans have been opposed to using the method for wolves.

Rep. Green, the bills co-author, said that the growth of the wolf population in northern Wisconsin is causing a number of problems, including in the areas deer population.

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Wed like to see a wolf management goal in place where  most of these wolves are concentrated in northern Wisconsin and wed like to see that reduced, Green said. Its been heavily impacted on our deer populations and things like that.

Research has shown that Wisconsins wolves have helped cause a noticeable decline in the number of vehicle-deer collisions that occur in the state.

At the hearing, Chris Vaughan, Wisconsin director of the pro-hunting organization Hunter Nation, complained that the wolf management plan focuses too much on the social effects of the wolf population, putting too much weight on peoples personal views about wolves. Vaughan lamented how frequently Wisconsins plan uses the word social compared to other states

But representatives of the DNR said social carrying capacity is an important consideration for biologists when managing any species.

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Dare I say the biological part of wolf management is the easy part, Randy Johnson, the DNRs large carnivore species specialist, said. We know how to have a pretty good system of monitoring the population. The science is pretty clear about how we can move the population up and down through harvest. It is the social side of this that continues to be the difficult part of it. Everybody knows its a contentious issue. Some people see it different ways, some people want more, some people want less and its our job to try to balance that.

Proponents of a hard limit on the wolf population also cast their argument in social terms.

Brad Olson, president of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau, said the state should have a specific population number to assuage the feelings of farmers who are traumatized by losing livestock to wolves.

For those of us who live in wolf country and deal with wolves on a day in, day out basis, at times, I think the number is very important to those of us in wolf country who have these issues, Olson said. You havent been on the farms like I have where, where the mule has been killed by a pack of wolves  and I think in all of this, what were really missing from the legislative side, from the DNR side, is were missing the impact of the mental health on rural ag and those in rural Wisconsin.

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When compared to other species where adaptive management works, wolves sit at a completely different intersection of biology, social politics and law, where this vague management tool is impossible to apply, Vaughan said.

Democrats on the committee questioned the prudence of changing the DNRs management plan before the wolf has been delisted and the plan has a chance to be put to the test when a hunt must be held.

So if we actually could accomplish [a healthy wolf population] utilizing the tools and the science that the DNR has provided, would that or would that not actually accomplish the goal? Sen. Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (D-Appleton) asked.
The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning early Friday afternoon, Jan. 23, for a storm that's expected to drop 12 to 17 inches of snow on much of Southern New England.

The weather service had issued a winter storm watch for the upcoming storm, but replaced it with the more serious winter storm warning, which indicates that "heavy snow of at least 6 inches in 12 hours or at least 8 inches in 24 hours is expected," according to the weather service's website.

"Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Travel could be very difficult to impossible, especially if traveling overnight into the Monday morning commute," the weather service says in the warning.

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The hazardous conditions could extend into the evening commute, as well, the weather service said.

"If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Persons should consider delaying all travel. Motorists should use extreme caution if travel is absolutely necessary," the weather service said.

How much snow could Rhode Island get?

Rhode Island and other parts of Southern New England could see up to 18 inches of snow from a storm starting Sunday and continuing into Monday, according to the weather service.

The weather service has also issued a cold weather advisory for dangerously cold weather moving into the region ahead of the storm on Friday.

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"At the moment the most likely snowfall totals are in the 8-14 inch range," the weather service said in its forecast discussion early Friday morning.

The range could be higher, 12 to 18 inches, for most of Southern New England, the weather service indicated in a graphic posted to social media also early on Friday morning. The weather service predicted those snowfall totals early as part of its "initial most likely snow accumulation forecast."

Setting records: How often does RI get a foot of snow? How this weekend's storm stacks up

In a social media post, the agency characterized its confidence in the snowfall total forecast as "medium" and said, "Keep in mind, this will be refined/changed as things come into better focus over the next 24-48 hours, so check back!"

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The 12- to 18-inch snowfall forecast indicated on the graphic is consistent throughout Southern New England, except for Block Island, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, which could get lower totals, 8 to 12 inches, due to the potential for mixed precipitation, the weather service said.

This image produced by the National Weather Service shows the agency's "initial most likely snow accumulation forecast." The weather service says the forecast "will be refined/changed as things come into better focus over the next 24-48 hours."

When will the snow start?

The snow is most likely to start Sunday morning into early Sunday afternoon, with the heaviest snowfall Sunday evening into early Monday morning, the weather service said. Light to moderate snow will linger during the day Monday, the weather service said.

"Travel will be difficult, especially Sunday night into Monday morning when accumulation rates will be highest," the weather service said.

The storm will affect millions of Americans as it moves across the central part of the country through the Southeast then into New England, according to forecasters.

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"The system moving out of the plains will direct a plume of deep moisture and warm air into/over top of a dome of subfreezing air associated with a sprawling high pressure over the northeast which will lead to a prolonged period of snowfall, some of it heavy," the weather service says in its forecast discussion.

Computer models are showing some "varying degree of spread" in the track of the storm, "which is one factor that would lead us to be cautious in declaring exact snowfall amounts as the track is a factor," the weather service said.

In trying to determine the impact of winter storms, forecasters consider how close it will pass to a benchmark about 80 miles southeast of Nantucket, at 40 degrees north latitude and 70 degrees west longitude.

"Another related factor" is a layer of warmer air that could "lead to a period of mixed precipitation on the south coast overnight, potentially up into the south shore of eastern MA and northern RI," the weather service said.

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"Whatever snow does fall isn't going anywhere fast as a cold airmass remains entrenched over the northeast next week (highs in the teens and 20s)," the forecast discussion said.

This story has been updated with new information.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI weather forecast: Snowstorm Sunday and Monday could dump 18 inches
High Springs Community School science teacher Barbara Brock was named Teacher of the Year on Jan. 22 at the 34th Annual Robert W. Hughes Teacher of the Year Program held at Trinity United Methodist Church in Gainesville.

Brock was one of three finalists nominated for the award, including Robert Ryan McNickle, a history teacher at Buchholz High School, and Katie Dawson, a teacher at Meadowbrook Elementary.

Thank you to all my students who make this work meaningful, to my colleagues, and to the administrators who make it possible, Brock said. To the families who trust us and to my husband for his always listening ear.

High Springs Community School science teacher Barbara Brock.

Brock has been an educator since 2003. But her entry into the profession wasnt straightforward. During her nomination speech, she recounted her childhood dreams of becoming a dentist, an author, an astronaut, a pilot and then a geologist. While those dreams went unrealized, they ultimately led her to a career in science education.

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She worked in museums as an informal science educator and later ran her own business, FunDaMentals Science and Creativity Toy Store, where she sold science-focused toys, hosted science parties, and provided educational programming for museums.

The years she spent learning how to bring science to life prepared her to take on a new challenge.

All that taught me a simple truth: Science doesnt come in textbooks. Its in the questions and its in the play, she said.

So, when her son came home one afternoon saying science was boring, she set out to change that  dedicating herself to sparking students curiosity and creating a space where they feel its safe to take risks, collaborate, fail and then try again.

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Local news: Alachua County School Board denies rumors of Hawthorne Middle/High closure

Superintendent Kamela Patton attended the ceremony alongside Alachua County School Board members Thomas Vu, Leanetta McNealy, Sarah Rockwell and Janine Plavac.

Tina Certain was unable to attend because she was out of town for an inperson Florida School Boards Insurance Trust meeting.

Teaching is more than just a job, its a calling, deeply rooted in patience, hope and an unwavering belief in students, Patton said. Sometimes even before they believe in themselves."

Brock and 38 elementary, middle and high school teachers from across the district who were recognized during the ceremony received $500. She will represent Alachua County Public Schools at the statewide Teacher of the Year program later this year.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: 2026 Alachua County Public Schools teacher of the year program winner
A new gun store is opening in Louisville. That is not news. What is news is where it is opening  in an area that overwhelmingly supports anti-gun legislation and, according to reports from the Louisville Metro Police Department, has the second lowest crime rate in the city.

At a neighborhood community forum on Jan. 14, nearly 400 people came out in the snowy cold weather to hear why this type of store is allowed to open and to voice their concerns.

The legitimate concerns mirror the hundreds of emails and phone calls to local elected officials: while legal under federal and Kentucky laws, a gun store is dangerous for this area.

Highland residents will not support a firearms business

A bank and two churches are next door to the proposed gun shop. Less than a mile away are two synagogues, two high schools and an elementary school, all in the middle of a heavily dense residential area. Numerous residents cited how the mass shootings in churches, synagogues and schools are at an all-time high. To put a gun store in this area is tone-deaf at best.

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Yes, this gun shop has the perfectly legal right to open in this location. The owner, who seems very professional in a recent media interview, has all the requirements and permits he needs. The landlord has a perfectly legal right to lease this space to him, passing all codes and regulations.

With Louisville already having nearly 60 businesses that are approved for gun sales by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the question is why this one in this specific neighborhood?

Neither the owner nor the landlord live anywhere near this area. Most businesses in the Bardstown Road retail corridor cater to Highlands residents. Highlands residents will not support a firearms business.

Opinion: We walked out of school because KY lawmakers won't make gun laws to protect us

Gun stores are linked to increased crime

While we respect the laws that allow the landowner and gun shop to do so, the move is both economically and socially shortsighted.

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One resident presented her research at our meeting:

Increased crime in the vicinity of gun shops has been documented in several studies over the past 10 years. A recent study by Rutgers University researchers published in October 2025 links firearm dealerships to increases in local shootings. The study found that opening new gun stores may raise neighborhood shootings for years and highlights how firearm availability affects community violence. This data strongly suggests that gun dealer openings are a critical factor driving neighborhood-level gun violence, with effects lasting over time. Increased suicide rates using firearms are linked to the number of gun shops in an area. This was the conclusion of a study by the University of Washington School of Medicine Firearm Injury and Policy Research Program published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine in September 2024.

The anticipated rise in crime leaves many homeowners in the area validly concerned about dropping property value. Three neighborhood associations  Tyler Park, Belknap and Upper Highlands  within this area surveyed their members, 90%, 80% and 75% respectively against.

Opinion: Mid City Mall closures take away what makes Louisville great

Please find another location for this gun shop

People who live in the Highlands are not against the Second Amendment or Kentucky and federal laws. Residents, joined by our neighboring churches, synagogues, schools and banks, are voicing deep concerns and outright fear that a gun store will be located in their beloved community.

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We urge the gun shop owner and the landlord to listen to us. Please find a more appropriate location.

Agree or disagree? Submit your letter to the editor.

Louisville native Honi Marleen Goldman is a community activist who writes about Jewish holidays, social issues and cooking.

Honi Goldman is the chair of the District 8 Advisory Board.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: A gun store in the Highlands is tone-deaf and shortsighted | Opinion
NEED TO KNOW

A hiker has been found dead after attempting to climb Mount Whitney in California despite their companion turning back

At around 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, while near the 12,500-foot elevation, one hiker determined it was safest to turn around and descend," per a release from a local search & rescue group, though the second hiker continued on and ultimately died

After a thorough search, the subject was located on the north face of Mount Whitney, below the Final 400 on the Mountaineers Route, and was confirmed deceased, officials said. They did not reveal the person's identity



A hiker has been found dead after attempting to climb Mount Whitney in California despite their companion turning back.

On Wednesday, Jan. 21, the Inyo County Search & Rescue confirmed in a post on Facebook that they received a report about a missing hiker on Monday.

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Officials said the individual began hiking with another person at around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday and into the next day.

However, at around 3:30 p.m. local time on Sunday, while near the 12,500-foot elevation, one hiker determined it was safest to turn around and descend.

The second hiker continued ascending toward the summit, the release read. When the second hiker failed to return by the following morning, the reporting party contacted the Inyo County Sheriffs Office, and a SAR response was initiated.

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.

The rescue operation involved a team of six rescuers and the California Highway Patrol Inland Division helicopter (H-82), which departed from Lone Pine.

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When the helicopter arrived at Mount Whitney at around 2:00 p.m., a rescuer was inserted with the flight crew to conduct an aerial search.

Inyo County Search & Rescue/Facebook Inyo County Search & Rescue Inyo County Search & Rescue

After a thorough search, the subject was located on the north face of Mount Whitney, below the Final 400 on the Mountaineers Route, and was confirmed deceased, officials said. They did not reveal the person's identity.

The rescuers then returned to Lone Pine just before 6:00 p.m.

Inyo County Sheriff's Office police car Inyo County Sheriff's Office police car Inyo County Sheriff's Office police car

The incident occurred within Tulare County jurisdiction, and proper notification was made to the Tulare County Sheriff's Office, Inyo County Search & Rescue continued.

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The news comes after the body of a missing 21-year-old hiker was recovered on Mount Whitney, Los Angeles Times reported.

PEOPLE also previously reported that a father of two died after falling from a trail while climbing Mount Whitney in October.

In their recent statement, the Inyo County Search & Rescue said the recent fatalities on Mount Whitney and Mount Baldy, serves as a reminder that winter ascents are serious mountaineering endeavors, not hikes.

Winter conditions leave little margin for error, and the consequences can be severe, they added. Additionally, many fatalities occur when individuals travel solo or when groups separate.

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They went on to say that the safety concerns of a person in a group  should be taken seriously.

Fatigue is also a critical contributing factor, they added. Extended periods of exertion negatively impact decision-making and increase the likelihood of missteps and falls. Knowing when to turn around can save lives."

The statement from rescuers concluded, Please be respectful in your comments. The victims family and friends may be following this post, and some comments may be hurtful. Thank you!

Mount Whitney is the tallest mountain in the contiguous U.S., according to the National Park Services website. The elevation at the summit is reported to be 14,505 feet.

Read the original article on People
This story was originally posted on MyNorthwest.com

A series of warm, soaking atmospheric rain events swamped Western Washington and the Cascades during the period of December 8-December 18, 2025. The Cascades received between 10 and 20 inches of rain and, in some locations in Snohomish and Skagit counties, nearly 25 inches during this period.

Widespread flooding displaced families from dozens of communities just as the holiday season was approaching. The American Red Cross jumped into action to provide shelter, warm meals, and compassionate support at this moment of great need for these families and their pets.

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Red Cross authorities recently released details about their response. For instance, the Red Cross response was a Level 5, the highest level nationwide. Hundreds of Red Cross relief workers from across the country and local communities mobilized, most involving volunteers and nearly half from Washington.

Shelters opened across WA to support families

Several dozen shelters were opened within a matter of hours after flooding started. Essentially, the Red Cross opened a Fortune 500 company in that short time. Shelters opened from Whatcom County south to Lewis County, and east of the Cascades, including Ellensburg, and as far east as the Tri-Cities. Red Cross partners, such as places of worship, schools, and other locations, offered these shelters.

A map of counties affected by December flooding, for which the Red Cross set up shelters. (Photo courtesy of Washington State Emergency Management)

Shelters remained open well after the flood waters receded, providing support until families could begin their recovery. The final shelter in Packwood along the upper Cowlitz River closed just last week.

During this response, more than 3,000 overnight stays statewide were provided, furnishing thousands of nights for those displaced, with safety, heat, and a place to go during this period of great uncertainty.

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Nearly 30,000 meals and snacks were served or distributed. In addition, more than 9,000 clean-up kits were distributed, giving displaced residents a key element to begin their recovery.

Ten counties were declared a disaster area by local authorities and the state of Washington, encompassing areas on both sides of the Cascades. The Red Cross supported around 1,750 households in those 10 counties.

When the heavy rainfall started, the mountains had little snowpack, and with snow levels well above 6,000 feet, the rain simply ran off into rivers and streams, resulting in widespread flooding. More than 20 rivers on both sides of the Cascades soared over flood stage, with a few exceeding previous all-time flood levels, such as the Snohomish River at Snohomish.

The North Sound region, from Whatcom to Snohomish counties, was the hardest hit, where the Red Cross focused its greatest amount of response and support. As Red Cross NW Region Executive Director Alex Newman put it, Our area was ground zero.

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Red Cross authorities described the response and mobilization as what the national mission with local impact looks like. Local community officials, partners, and elected officials also came together to support Red Cross efforts. Such strong ties helped fuel lifesaving work and begin the process of getting displaced people back on their feet.

Ted Buehner is the KIRO Newsradio meteorologist. Follow him on X and Bluesky. Read more of his stories here.
Chinese-owned TikTok has avoided a ban in its biggest market, the United States (Patrick T. Fallon)  Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/AFP

TikTok announced Thursday it has established a majority American-owned joint venture to operate its US business, allowing the company to avoid a ban over its Chinese ownership.

The video-sharing app is a global digital entertainment powerhouse but its mass appeal and links to China have raised concerns over privacy and national security.

The TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC will serve more than 200 million users and 7.5 million businesses while implementing strict safeguards for data protection and content moderation, the company said.

The new structure responds to a law passed under US President Donald Trump's predecessor Joe Biden that forced Chinese-owned ByteDance to sell TikTok's US operations or face a ban in its biggest market.

Trump welcomed and claimed credit for the deal, but also thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping for approving it.

"I am so happy to have helped in saving TikTok!" Trump said in a post on Truth Social late Thursday.

"It will now be owned by a group of Great American Patriots and Investors, the Biggest in the World, and will be an important Voice."

"I would also like to thank President Xi, of China, for working with us and, ultimately, approving the Deal," he added.

- Cybersecurity audit -

ByteDance retains a 19.9 percent stake in the joint venture -- keeping its ownership below the 20 percent threshold stipulated by the law.

Three investors -- Silver Lake, Oracle and Abu Dhabi-based AI investment fund MGX -- each hold 15 percent stakes. Oracle's executive chairman Larry Ellison is a longtime Trump ally.

Other investors include Dell Family Office, affiliates of Susquehanna International Group and General Atlantic.

The joint venture will retain decision-making authority over trust and safety policies and content moderation for US users.

But TikTok's global entities will manage international product integration and commercial activities including e-commerce and advertising.

Under the arrangement, US user data will be stored in Oracle's secure cloud environment, with cybersecurity audited by third-party experts and adhering to federal standards, TikTok said.

Jasmine Enberg, co-CEO of Scalable, a media company focused on the creator economy, said TikTok users would be relieved by the deal but that there were "still big questions about how this will all play out."

"Behind the scenes, TikTok is likely working hard to assure advertisers it will remain business as normal," she told AFP.

"While the need for users to download a new app seems unlikely, brand partners will want to know that their TikTok strategies won't be disrupted."
Sen. Hanna Gallo, a Cranston Democrat, is pictured at a May 2024 event at the Rhode Island State House. She has introduced legislation that would allow state and local candidates to spend campaign money on security during an election cycle. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current)

As threats and acts of violence against elected officials increase nationwide, the Rhode Island General Assembly will consider letting candidates for office use campaign funds for personal security.

The Safeguarding Election Candidates Using Reasonable Expenditures (SECURE) Act introduced Thursday by Senate President Pro Tempore Hanna Gallo, a Cranston Democrat, would add home and office security systems to the list of ways state and local candidates can spend campaign money during an election cycle.

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Individuals who seek public office make many sacrifices, but they cannot be expected to sacrifice their personal safety, Gallo said in a statement. Far too often, we are seeing threats and acts of violence against elected officials at all levels of government. Elected officials and their families should not have to endure this, and we should be doing everything we can to ensure they are safe.

In June 2025, two Minnesota lawmakers, House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Sen. John Hoffman, along with their spouses, were shot in their homes. Hortman and her husband died.

Closer to home, at least two members of the Senate leadership team, Senate President Valarie Lawson and Majority Leader Frank Ciccone, received emailed bomb threats in September, later determined to be hoaxes by Rhode Island State Police.

Earlier this month, an envelope with a suspicious white powder was sent to the Rhode Island Department of States elections office in what Secretary of State Gregg Amore condemned as an attempt to frighten state elections administrators. One person was taken to the hospital as a precaution, according to news reports.

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Gallo said she has never been threatened since she first ran for state office in 1998, but increasingly hears stories of threats from fellow lawmakers and local election administrators. The fatal shooting at Brown University in December finally spurred her to act.

I always felt like it wouldnt happen in Rhode Island, right up until Brown, Gallo said in an interview Friday. Now, I think its necessary, unfortunately.

Her legislation does not cover violence or threats against anyone other than officeholders or candidates.

Its a start, she said. It gets the conversation going. I do think anyone who is out there in the public should be able to protect themselves.

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At least 20 states, including Minnesota and Massachusetts, let candidates for office spend campaign funds on security, according to the Vote Mama Foundation. Some have enacted formal legislation, while others developed security spending policies under ethics rulings, opinions from their attorneys general or secretaries of state. Some states allow officials to self-report spending campaign funds on security without penalty even though such expenditures are not expressly permitted. Cybersecurity, identity theft services and security for staffers are permitted in some states, along with physical security systems.

The Federal Election Commission codified a 15-year practice, previously considered on a case-by-case basis, to let federal candidates spend money on security devices, personnel and software in September 2024.

Rhode Islands existing campaign finance laws do not expressly ban security spending. Office equipment and supplies are among the authorized uses for campaign money, along with advertising, food, travel, consultants and employees, child care and donations to other political candidates and causes. But candidates are expressly prohibited from using campaign funds for personal use, including any residential or household items, supplies or expenditures.

Gallos bill, still awaiting a companion in the House, would cap candidate spending on home and office security at $10,000 per person per election cycle. Unrelated home improvements and firearms or ammunition would not be included in the permitted uses.

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Chris Hunter, a spokesperson for the Rhode Island Board of Elections, which enforces state campaign finance laws for candidates and officeholders, declined to comment Friday, awaiting a formal review and vote by the elections panel on the legislation.

Gallos bill was immediately referred to the Senate Committee on Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs for review. A preliminary hearing has not been scheduled as of Friday.

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A 38-year-old Honduran national has received a 47-month prison term for his involvement in a multiyear operation that illegally transported migrants and cocaine from Honduras to the United States.

Josue Alexander Flores Villeda conspired with at least six others to move Honduran nationals and narcotics northward. The group conducted multiple voyages over about 3 years, carrying at least 15 migrants on each.

In February 2022, Villeda and accomplices tried to deliver more than 20 Hondurans and roughly 24 kilograms of cocaine from Utila, Honduras, to Cocodrie, Louisiana, using the sportfishing boat M/V Pop, co-owned by co-conspirator Carl Allison. Some migrants paid as much as $20,000 for the passage.

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The vessel encountered mechanical issues en route, leading Villeda and others to arrange fuel delivery via a chartered boat. Before aid arrived, the U.S. Coast Guard intercepted the craft off Louisianas coast and brought it ashore.

Villeda entered a guilty plea to charges of conspiracy to unlawfully bring aliens to the United States for financial gain and conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine hydrochloride.

Among his co-defendants, three others pleaded guilty and have been sentenced: Pittsburgh resident Carl Allison and Honduran Darrel Martinez, on identical charges to Villeda; and Honduran Lenord Cooper, for conspiracy to aid and assist aliens in unlawful entry and for attempting to bring aliens for commercial advantage and private financial gain.

Two more Hondurans, Hennessy Devon Cooper Zelaya and Rudy Jackson Hernandez, were found guilty at trial of conspiracy to unlawfully bring aliens for commercial advantage and private financial gain, as well as attempting to bring aliens for such purposes.

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A sixth participant, Honduran Olvin Javier Velasquez Maldonado, was extradited from Honduras in April 2025 and faces one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. His trial is set for February 2026.

Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Departments Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle for the Eastern District of Louisiana, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Matthew Wright of Immigration and Customs Enforcements Homeland Security Investigations New Orleans Field Office announced the sentencing.

The prosecution falls under Joint Task Force Alpha, a Justice Department-led initiative with the Department of Homeland Security targeting high-level human smuggling and trafficking by cartels and transnational criminal organizations. Focused on organizers in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Canada, the Caribbean, and maritime areas, it has yielded over 435 arrests domestically and internationally, more than 385 U.S. convictions, over 330 substantial prison terms, and significant asset seizures.

The case also aligns with Operation Take Back America, a department-wide effort to counter illegal immigration, dismantle cartels and transnational groups, and safeguard communities from violent offenders through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhoods.

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HSIs Houma office led the probe, supported by HSI units in Pittsburgh and Atlanta, the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation, HSIs Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, U.S. Customs and Border Protections National Targeting Center International Interdiction Task Force, the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, CBP Air and Marine Operations, Louisiana State Police, Pennsylvania State Police, North Huntington Township Police and the Terrebonne Parish Sheriffs Office. The Justice Departments Office of International Affairs and Criminal Divisions Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training in Honduras contributed as well.

Deputy Chief Rami Badawy of the Criminal Divisions Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carter Guice for the Eastern District of Louisiana are handling the prosecution.
Hi. Sorry, I'm about to ruin your day. Donald Trump said something weird again.

Anadolu / Getty Images

In other, equally groundbreaking news, the sun rose today, and is even expected to set later.

After Trump's, um... interesting speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, he attended a CEO reception, where he said this : "We had a good speech. We got great reviews, I can't believe it. We got good reviews on that speech."

Fox News / Via x.com

Related: Greenlanders Created Their Own Version Of A MAGA Hat, And The Internet Is Absolutely Loving It

"Usually they say, 'He's a horrible dictator-type person,' I'm 'a dictator,'" he continues. "But, sometimes you need a dictator."

Fox News / Via x.com

You can watch the full clip here

Fox News / Via x.com

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This is unfortunately not the first time Trump has responded to claims suggesting he's a dictator. Earlier this month, he said , "I won't say 'cancel the election,' 'they should cancel the election,' because the fake news will say, 'He wants the elections canceled. He's a dictator.' They always call me a dictator. Nobody is worse than Obama."

Related: Karoline Leavitt Just Made A Trump Claim So Ridiculous That Even Republicans Are Calling It Out

He also said this about dictatorships in August : "And they say, 'We don't need him! Freedom, freedom! He's a dictator! He's a dictator!' A lot of people are saying, 'Maybe we'd like a dictator.' I don't like a dictator. I'm not a dictator. I'm a man with great common sense, and I'm a smart person."

People are seriously pissed and disturbed about Trump's latest dictator remarks. Which, like, duh. One person tweeted, "There's NEVER a time when a dictator is needed. Not now. NOT EVER."

Related: People Have Little Sympathy For This Trump Supporter Who Said They'd "Gladly" Pay More For Groceries...Until They Got The Bill

"The mask all the way coming off. Anyone still pretending this is normal is lying to themselves."

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"'Sometimes you need a dictator.' - Says the 'President' of the United States, a country that supposedly prides itself on 'freedom,' 'democracy,' and was founded solely because people wanted liberty, self-government, and political autonomy. I'm so sick of this shit. I'm sick of the ignorance. I'm sick of the behaviors. Sick. Sick. Sick."

"no, in a free country you do not sometimes need a dictator."

Related: Trump Just Got A Message From Pope Leo That He's Definitely Not Going To Like

"The Founders built checks and balances specifically for men who talk like this. If Biden said this, Fox News would be calling for impeachment by sunset."

I need a cigarette. Thoughts??

Also in In the News: "She Didn't Get Married Until She Was 32": Erika Kirk's Comments About Marriage Seem To Have A Glaring Problem

Also in In the News: "What Trump Derangement Syndrome Really Looks Like": 34 Of The Very, Very Best Political Tweets Of The Week

Also in In the News: Trump's Face While He's Being Booed At The Commanders Game This Weekend Is Going Viral

Read it on BuzzFeed.com
A parking ban in the City of Hornell will go into effect at 11 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24 as the city braces for a snowstorm forecasted to hit the region this weekend.

The citywide parking ban will remain in place through noon on Monday, Jan. 26. Residents are asked to remove vehicles from city streets to assist with snow removal operations.

"Please make alternate parking arrangements during this time," the city stated. "Unnecessary travel is strongly discouraged during this weather event. If travel is unavoidable, please use extreme caution and allow extra time to reach your destination.

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"Please stay home when possible, stay safe and warm, and remember to check on neighbors and family members. Thank you for your cooperation."

Snow forecasts for Sunday range from 6 to 15 inches, and AccuWeather forecasts wind gusts as high 20 miles per hour in the Hornell area.

Blowing and drifting snow, as well as ice on roadways, is expected to result in hazardous conditions for drivers.

Gov. Kathy Hochul has declared a State of Emergency for New York ahead of the massive winter storm expected to impact the entire state.

More: How much snow will winter storm drop on Hornell area? See projections

Hornell Area Transit, Canisteo parking impacted by storm

Hornell Area Transit announced it will be closed on Monday, in anticipation of the storm and in light of the governor's statewide emergency declaration.

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The village of Canisteo has issued a parking ban on all village owned streets beginning 1 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 25. The ban remains in effect until 3 p.m., Monday, Jan. 26.

Violators may be subject to parking citations and towed at the owner's expense. Village officials said they appreciate the publics cooperation.

This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: Hornell, Canisteo issue parking bans ahead of winter snowstorm
A state House panel voted along party lines Thursday afternoon to advance a bill banning local governments in New Mexico from contracting with the federal government to run immigration detention centers.

We have the power to push back against this administrations deportation agenda, state Rep. Eleanor Chavez, D-Albuquerque, one of the co-sponsors of House Bill 9, told the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee.

New Mexico is home to three detention facilities that contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement  in Cibola, Otero and Torrance counties. The bill, which Democratic lawmakers have said is a priority, could turn out to be one of the most controversial of the session and, if adopted, could put the state on a collision course with the Trump administration and its aggressive immigration enforcement efforts.

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The bill gets New Mexico out of the business of immigration detention, Rebecca Sheff, senior staff attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico, said at Thursdays hearing.

There are currently around 2,500 beds available for ICE in the state, Sheff added.

The bill advanced on a 4-2 vote with all the Democrats in favor and the Republicans opposed and is also scheduled to go through the House Judiciary Committee before reaching the House floor.

Republicans have vowed to fight the bill, arguing it would devastate rural economies that lack other major employers and would only outsource detention to other states.

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Rep. Stefani Lord, R-Sandia Park, said the closure of the facility in Torrance County, in her district, could cost the county up to $30 million, or 40% of its budget. There isnt a plan to subsidize my district so that we dont go broke, Lord said.

For her constituents, she said, it comes across very much that youre trying to punish them, because there is nothing out there. There is no solution.

Called the Immigrant Safety Act, HB 9 has several co-sponsors in the House  and notably Sen. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, in the Senate.

Cervantes had reservations about a version of the bill last year that passed the House but never got a hearing in his Senate Judiciary Committee. However, he said last summer he was changing his mind on the issue, citing what he viewed as unlawful actions by the Trump administration.

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Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, recently said the bill is poised to pass, with the support of Senate Democrats.

Tremendous harm

The proposal would prohibit public entities such as county governments from contracting with the federal government to detain people for federal immigration violations. Local governments with active contracts would need to terminate the agreement as soon as possible under the contracts terms.

The bill wouldnt guarantee the facilities are shut down, advocates said, because it only regulates public entities. Private companies could still contract directly with ICE to hold detainees.

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Seven other states have passed similar legislation, Sheff said.

Lord argued the bill would only serve to outsource detainees to other states.

What I see is a bill that has come before me that says, Well, we just dont want this in our backyard. We dont care. Theyre going to go somewhere else. Thats not our problem. 

But proponents said it would protect New Mexico communities.

We are talking about getting New Mexico out of a system that causes tremendous harm, that causes due process violations, human rights violations and causes deaths  weve seen at least five deaths in New Mexico ICE detention facilities in recent years, including at Otero, said Sheff.

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Jessica Inez Martinez, director of policy and coalition building at the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center, said her colleagues throughout the state are reporting serious concerns at the detention facilities.

Those include, she said, due process violations, protections for immigrant children being stripped away, mothers and fathers doing everything right and still being arrested at their court hearings and ICE check-ins. She also said they have heard about people with legal status and humanitarian protections being detained and serious human rights violations and abuses in these three detention facilities in our state.

The Republicans on the committee disputed criticisms of the facilities in their districts.

Rep. John Block, R-Alamogordo, whose district includes Otero County Processing Center, said when I toured it, I found it to be very nice, clean, accommodating, to all folks who are temporarily there.

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There are many people who want to make this sound like its subhuman, Third World, he continued. However, these facilities are absolutely not.

But Rep. Andrea Romero, D-Santa Fe, one of the bills co-sponsors, said she has visited the same center and saw the absolute despair of the detainees in the facility.

Built on cages

Rep. Angelica Rubio, D-Las Cruces, who said shes been proposing versions of the legislation for a decade, disputed the notion ICE contracting is the only option for small rural economies.

I take real offense, having grown up in a small town, to the idea that the best we can offer rural New Mexico is incarceration for profit, Rubio said.

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 An economy built on cages is not development: It is dependency, it is harm and it sets communities up to lose no matter what happens next, she added. Our responsibility is bigger than saying no  our responsibility is to build real investment, real jobs, real opportunity, outside of prisons, outside of extraction and outside of industries that exploit people and land.

Shortly after the hearing ended, a few moments of hubbub ensued. As attendees were turning away from the lawmakers and walking out, Lord yelled, Hey, security, can you have him removed right there please?

Lord said one of the audience members had come up to the committee table, touched me and insulted me, and pointed to a man in the crowd wearing sunglasses and a medical mask.

Get him out of here now, she yelled.

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State police officers stationed at the Capitol ushered the dozens of other people out of the committee room.

In a phone interview Thursday night, Lord said the attendee had initially put his hand out for a handshake.

I thought, OK, hes going to be cool,  she said. And he goes, Ive never met such a representative that doesnt effing get the point of a bill. And squeezed my hand really hard.

Im like, Oh, no, no, no. Were not playing that game,  Lord continued. Were not going to do that, because I dont care what side of the aisle youre on, you dont do that to Republicans or Democrats.

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Security then blocked off the hallway outside the committee room for several minutes. Lord said state police took down the mans information and banned him from the Capitol. There were no criminal charges, she said.

It was handled  nothing important, she said.
The House on Thursday narrowly voted down a Democratic-led war powers resolution designed to block President Trump from using military force in Venezuela without explicit approval from Congress.

Republicans successfully blocked the measure in a 215-215 tie vote. Two Republicans  Reps. Don Bacon (Neb.) and Thomas Massie (Ky.)  joined all 213 Democrats in voting for the measure.

A dramatic scene unfolded on the House floor as GOP leaders held the vote open until Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas)  whom Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) had chided for being absent on a tricky vote earlier in the day  arrived to make the vote a tie, causing the measure to fail. Hunt was reportedly spotted at Dulles International Airport, about 45 minutes from the Capitol, when the vote series that included funding bills started.

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Democrats shouted at the chair to close the vote, to no avail.

This is serious s. Close the vote, Rep. Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.) yelled at one point.

Hunt did not directly answer questions about his absences as he rushed off the House floor and got in a car after votes  only telling reporters to be safe in the upcoming winter storm this weekend. He has missed many votes as he campaigns for Senate, irking colleagues.

The war powers resolution, led by House Rules Committee ranking member Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), would direct the president to remove United States Armed Forces from Venezuela, unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific statutory authorization for use of military force.

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McGovern triggered a vote on his resolution in wake of Trump using the military to assist in capturing Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro earlier this month, shocking the world.

Shouldnt we all agree, whether you support Trumps actions or oppose them, that we should have a debate on this stuff  that we should authorize an expansion of military forces if thats whats in the future? McGovern said on the House floor. This is crazy. We cant be asleep at the switch  no oversight, no hearing, no votes, just blind obedience to the executive. Thats not the way this place is supposed to run.

Republicans brushed off the measure as unnecessary.

The U.S. is not at war with Venezuela, Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Brian Mast (R-Fla.) said on the House floor. There are no votes on the ground. Democrats are asking us to vote on a resolution about a situation that literally does not exist.

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House Foreign Affairs Committee ranking member Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), though, noted the large presence of troops outside Venezuela.

For those of you who deny this is warmongering, there is still a U.S. aircraft carrier parked in the Caribbean, Meeks said. Tens of thousands of young American men and women remain on standby. And if the president wants to drag the United States into a war the American people dont want  they dont want this  he must come to Congress first.

A nearly identical resolution directing Trump to remove armed forces within or against Venezuela similarly failed in the House in December. On that vote, three Republicans  Bacon, Massie, and isolationist then-Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.)  voted in favor of the resolution, while Rep. Henry Cuellar (Texas) was the only Democrat to vote against it.

Earlier this month in the Senate, Republicans defeated a similar war powers resolution to block Trump from using military force within or against Venezuela. In that vote, Sens. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.), who had initially voted in favor of advancing that measure, reversed to block it after intense pressure from Trump, who had called to oust them over their initial votes.

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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 The Hill.
Tigray, Ethiopia  Lately, 88-year-old Nireayo Wubet spends many of his days burying friends and family members. As he grieves, he worries about whether there will be anyone left to offer him a decent burial when the time comes, as severe hunger ravages a large swath of his village in Ethiopias northern Tigray region.

We have little humanitarian support, laments the octogenarian whose frail appearance is mirrored by many others in his village of Hitsats, near the Eritrean border. Its not conflicts that will ultimately kill us, but famine, he says.

Once a proud farmer from Humera  currently a disputed area within the Amhara region  Wubet took shelter in Hitsats four years ago, after fleeing conflicts and ethnic strife that uprooted him and others in the region.

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He was first displaced in the middle of the Tigray war, which started in 2020, killing thousands of people and displacing millions more. He has not been able to return and reclaim his life even as the conflict ended in 2022.

Hitsats is a destitute village that has been sustained mostly by humanitarian organisations, including the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)  once Ethiopias largest source of humanitarian aid.

But that changed abruptly a year ago when US President Donald Trump took office and promptly demolished the agencys work and cut funding across the globe.

Across Tigray province, humanitarian organisations including the World Food Programme (WFP) say that up to 80 percent of the population is in need of emergency support. But the USAID cuts mean there is less humanitarian funding available overall, and what remains is often directed towards hotspots and global conflict zones that are considered worse emergencies.

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Medical aid organisation Doctors Without Borders, known by its French initials MSF, which assists vulnerable populations in Ethiopia and across the Horn of Africa region, notes that the US cuts upended global health and humanitarian programs around the world in 2025.

The human costs [around the world] have been catastrophic, MSF said in a statement this week.

It said in Somalia, aid disruptions caused shipments of therapeutic milk to stop for months, leading to a rise in child malnutrition cases at the MSF clinic there; in Renk in South Sudan, funding cuts forced an aid organisation to stop supporting hospital staff, which left gaps in maternity care; and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the dismantling of USAID caused the cancellation of an order of 100,000 post-rape kits, which included medication for preventing HIV.

In Ethiopia, which used to be the largest recipient of USAID funds in sub-Saharan Africa prior to Trumps cuts, the funding shortfalls have created critical gaps and put more pressure on other organisations.

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In Tigray, donor funding cuts have placed additional strain on an already fragile public health system, Joshua Eckley, MSF head of mission for Ethiopia, told Al Jazeera.

As aid actors scale back or suspend activities in the region due to funding constraints, the most vulnerable are experiencing reduced access to medical care, water and sanitation services  while overall humanitarian needs continue to exceed the collective capacity.

Nireayo Wubet, 88, and his community are struggling with a worsening hunger crisis and little humanitarian aid [Amanuel Gebremedhin Berhane/Al Jazeera]

Like pouring a glass of water in a lake

Wubet and others in his community are living through the impact of the cuts to humanitarian aid, which have brought more devastation to already struggling communities.

Terfuneh Welderufael was displaced from the town of Mai Kadra during the Tigray war.

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The 71-year-old has lived in Hitsats since 2022. He says hunger runs deep in the village, and that its rare to find anyone who has not buried a loved one in the last year because of it.

Abraha Mebrathu, the coordinator of a government-run camp housing about 1,700 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Hitsats, says he has witnessed minimal humanitarian aid entering the village. He confirms many civilians are dying, and that there seems to be little support forthcoming even as the situation worsens.

He says that they no longer keep data on the people who have died since the numbers are too high, and they are now more focused on helping advocate for those surviving in a desperate situation.

We have had little support, and the need is overwhelming, he told Al Jazeera. Most of the land is not arable, and displaced people dont have the option to grow food. The majority, he says, are waiting for their turn to die.

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To make matters worse, many local humanitarian workers have not been paid for the last year, and Mebrathu says most are starving like many of their neighbours.

At the same time, the situation in Hitsats has been made worse by the abrupt closure of the WFP office in nearby Shire, which is host to one of the largest IDP populations in Ethiopia, because of budget cuts linked to USAIDs reduced role in Ethiopia.

Months after suspending USAID in Ethiopia, the US government announced the resumption of some of its support to the country, but many say little has come to regions like Tigray, whose economy, as well as population, remain devastated after years of conflict.

While little support is starting to come to Hitsats, with close to 2,000 people in dire and urgent need, its like pouring a glass of water in a lake, Mebrathu says.

Most villagers say it has been a slow death as aid sharply declines in Hitsats [Samuel Getachew/Al Jazeera]

Watching people die from a distance

In the absence of USAID support, some Ethiopians decided they wanted to help.

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Last month, there was a wave of support for internally displaced and vulnerable civilians initiated by online influencers from Tigrays provincial capital Mekelle and from Addis Ababa.

However, the Ethiopian authorities said they were already sending ample resources to support the vulnerable community there, and warned citizens  including influencers  against raising funds and directly donating to those affected in such places, including Hitsats. The government has yet to officially acknowledge that there is a severe hunger crisis occurring. Observers say its focus is on presenting a positive, aspirational image of Ethiopia and avoiding narratives that may depict it as destitute or aid-dependent.

One influencer called Adonay, with millions of followers, had joined others to help raise funds for the residents of Hitsats  but their effort was aborted midway, fearing reprisal from the authorities.

Another influencer involved in the fundraiser, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Al Jazeera, We went to the area most affected by the famine, we had the will and ability to save lives and collect scarce resources, and it hurts that we cannot do that and we are forced to watch them die from a distance.

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The Ethiopian government maintains that the Horn of Africa nation has become wheat self-sufficient and able to feed its vulnerable populations, but that is challenged by critics.

In 2024, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed told parliamentarians that there are no people dying due to hunger in Ethiopia, while WFP claimed more than 10 million Ethiopians were facing famine.

Last year, Abiy announced the creation of EthioAid, similar to USAID, to help neighbouring nations facing famine, including war-torn Sudan, which received $15m from the Ethiopian government.

The Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission, a federal government agency in charge of disaster relief, has denied claims of massive starvation in villages like Hitsats and around the country. However, according to the latest outlook by the Famine Early Warning Systems Network, more than 15 million Ethiopians are in need of emergency food aid amid shrinking international humanitarian support.

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The government agency said it recently distributed food aid worth the equivalent of $1.8m to the Tigray provincial government, blaming them for misappropriation and distribution problems. The provincial government, however, denies receiving such support.

The head of the Tigray Disaster Risk Management Commission, Gebrehiwot Gebre-Egziahber, told Al Jazeera the provincial government has been forced to cut humanitarian support in most places across the region, mainly in rural areas where severe hunger affects a large population.

Despite Addis Ababas insistence that the situation is stable, with dwindling international humanitarian aid and an overwhelming hunger crisis causing people to flee in desperation, this month the government belatedly announced that it will soon launch a new tax system on fuel and telecommunications to help fund local initiatives to curb the impending famine that many say is in Ethiopias future.

Chronically ill, Marta Tadesse believes hunger will ultimately kill her [Samuel Getachew/Al Jazeera]

Running short of burial space

Almaz Gebrezedel, 71, has lived in Hitsats for four years. She scouts around for any kind of help from strangers and the few organisations that have come to help. There are few resources in the village, so she competes for what is available  mostly leftovers from local restaurants.

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She says many people are just falling like leaves, with little humanitarian support in the village aside from small donations from local organisations with little financial means.

Her next-door neighbour, Marta Tadesse, in a makeshift shelter under a torn tent, is bedridden, sick and hungry.

The 67-year-old widow says she has HIV, was abandoned by her children when they sought better opportunities elsewhere, and she has been forced to fend for herself.

Her HIV medication was provided to her courtesy of PEPFAR, the US Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, which was initiated in 2003 by former President George W Bush. It was credited with saving millions of lives around the world, but the assistance is no longer provided to Tadesse and millions like her.

But more than her medical needs, Tadesse says her priority now is food, as hunger has become a recurring problem.

Tadesse predicts she will die a silent death amid her neighbours, who are facing a desperate and deteriorating situation.

A deacon, Yonas Hagos, at a church overlooking the village says the burial sites are being filled up fast.

With the many residents that are dying constantly, mostly as a result of hunger, its obvious we will soon be running out of space, he says.

Wubet, the farmer, continues to bury people in Hitsats who have died from hunger and malnutrition. With the crisis now expedited by the aid cuts, he believes he will almost certainly die soon. Its a matter of time before I am gone, he says.




This is part of a series of on-the-ground reports from Minneapolis.

As masked men dressed for war surrounded the car my friend Patty and I sat in, all I could think about were the moments that had led to my neighbor Renee Goods death. Im not mad at you, she had told her killer. These agents, who I had to assume were from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (they never identified themselves), were already banging on our windows and recording us. Then they pepper-sprayed the intake vent of the car. They were definitely mad at us.

Youre under arrest! the agents yelled. Terrified, I thrust my hands in the air and waited for instruction. They did not give me anyinstead, they shattered our windows and pulled me out. I was roughly handcuffed and shoved into the back of an unmarked Subaru.

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I was a recent volunteer to the neighborhood group that had organized to observe and report ICE after Operation Metro Surge began here in Minnesota weeks ago. The efforts had only increased since Goods killing. In community chats, suspected ICE sightings are reported, their license plates checked against a constantly updated public spreadsheet. If they are confirmed, people in cars drive to the scene to record what the agents are doing and warn people that ICE is in the area with car horns and whistles. Recording, a legally protected action, occurs on public streets.

Most of the time, commuting (as its known in activist circles) is boring. You typically drive in circles around familiar streets. Volunteer dispatchers will help coordinate where people should go, but usually they just recommend sticking around areas with lots of brown people: restaurants, community centers, the kinds of places that make Minneapolis vital. Commuting has become so popular as of late that its common to hear a dispatcher request that listeners please leave the call if you are not actively commuting. Signal calls have limited space.

Occasionally, though, commuting is terrifying. Have yall not learned? an agent provocatively asks a legal observer in a video thats been circulating among volunteers, two days after Good was killed. Her response, Whats our lesson here?, angers him, and he tries to snatch her phone. Agents have also been known to follow commuters to their homes to intimidate them, which means Hes following me to my house has become another common refrain on the Signal chat. One time, I suggested that a woman on a call drive to a nearby gas station to meet me because an ICE vehicle was idling outside her home and she was audibly terrified.

I ended up in ICE custody shortly after beginning a commute on Jan. 11. Someone in our neighborhood chat had reported that ICE vehicles were pepper-spraying an observer. Patty and I, not far away, drove there. I was keenly aware of Goods death when we arrived on the sceneit had been just four days and was a six-minute drive from where she was killed. This was the first time I had ever seen ICE agents in my life (I wasnt joking when I said some commuter shifts are boring), and thats when they pepper-sprayed the interior of our car and hauled us out of it. By the time the agents shoved me into that unmarked SUV, three minutes and 30 seconds had elapsed. We didnt understand why we were being taken in: We hadnt blocked their cars or done anything beyond routine observing.

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Patty, separated from me, was subject to humiliation on her drive in. They called her ugly, took pictures of her, and referred to Renee Good as that lesbian bitch. They took us both to the Whipple Federal Building, a place where, the day before, three local lawmakers had been denied access. They had been trying to ascertain the conditions within. As I was being processed, shackled, and led into a cell, I wondered if I would be able to report to the outside world what it was like in there.

In a bare yellow cell, I tried to sleep, but when I closed my eyes, I could hear screaming and crying from deeper inside the facility. My requests to use the bathroom or to drink water were routinely ignored, met only after I banged on the one-way glass in my cell and begged agents directly.

I saw other detainees only when I was finally able to go to the bathroompresumably, they were the other people that ICE was here to hunt. The looks on their faces horrified me. Through observation glass, I saw more than a dozen people crammed into a cell, seemingly lacking energy. They stared at the ground or at the wall. They didnt talk to one another. One man pushed his face up against the one-way glass, either trying to see out or just desperate for any kind of stimulation.

Elsewhere, I saw a woman, through an observation glass, using the bathroom. She wore a garment to preserve her modesty, but that could not protect her from three leering agents who stood watching her, making small talk and laughing. She cried on the toilet.

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I was luckyafter the eight hours I spent in custody, I was released with no charges. It helped that I had a lawyer, Emanual Williams, whom my family contacted as they tried to piece together what had happened to me.

After I got out, I called Williams to thank him. I asked him if it was difficult to come speak with me. Legal counsel is supposed to always be allowed in the building, even when its closed. He told me that things are changing at Whipple. Weve started to see a process thats more dangerous towards U.S. citizens being detained, receiving charges, and being transported to federal jails, he said.

Often, whether someone in custody gets to see their lawyer simply depends on who is working that day. Some people at the door have said its not possible to see someone unless someone has retained us, Williams said. One time, I drove up to the guard post outside of the Whipple building, and they told me it was closed. One of the postmenI think they were part of the police teamapproached my vehicle with pepper spray.

A video of the arrest of my cellmate, a legal resident named Dennis, shows his body being bent forward into an unmarked van as two agents try to force him in. Dennis face is placid. A third agent, trying to be helpful, gropes for pepper spray on his tactical vest.

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Do you want me to spray you? he demands, thrusting it an inch from Dennis eye.

Dont spray him, dont fucking spray him, the agent in the front of the car scolds his partner, swatting the pepper spray away from Dennis face.

I told him, Go ahead,  Dennis had said to me in our cell, laughing.

Patty and I werent the only ones detained for trying to alert people to ICEs presence and filming agents. Weve since met four others who had similar experiences. I was never charged with a crime; I now assume that my detention was meant to stop me from recording ICE officers.

The effort to intimidate observers continues, but they havent been discouraged. Minneapolis is so organized in its observer responses that increasingly, the agency has spread its activities to the surrounding area, where there arent as many residents mobilized, alerted to their presence, and filming them. ICE officers dont want people to see what theyre doing, which is why its more important than ever to document it. My arresting agent stole my whistle. After I got out, I bought a pack of 24 more.
He was arriving home from preschool with his dad. The photos show what Minnesota school officials say happened next.

They said a five-year-old boy, wearing a blue tuque with droopy ears and carrying a Spider-Man backpack, was apprehended by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in the driveway of his Columbia Heights, Minn., home on Tuesday.

Liam Conejo Ramos was essentially used "as bait" as federal officers pursued his father, said Zena Stenvik, the superintendent with Columbia Heights Public Schools.

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"Another adult living in the home was outside and begged the agents to let them take care of the small child, but was refused," Stenvik said in a statement Thursday.

"Instead, the agent took the child out of the still-running vehicle, led him to the door, and directed him to knock on the door, asking to be let in, in order to see if anyone else was home  essentially using a five-year-old as bait."

Liam and his father are now being held at the Dilley Immigration Processing Centre in Dilley, Texas, the familys lawyer Marc Prokosch told CBC News on Thursday. He said he could not know for sure whether father and son were being held together.

Prokosch said detaining children and families seeking asylum is "inhumane and unacceptable."

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Columbia Heights is a suburb of Minneapolis, where a massive immigration crackdown has seen thousands of officers sent into the Twin Cities region. It's become a powder keg of protests and aggression ever since an ICE shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Good, a mother of three, on Jan. 7.

Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin told CBC News in a written statement that ICE didn't target the five-year-old, but was instead conducting a "targeted operation" to arrest his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, who she described as an "illegal alien from Ecuador."

Liam Conejo Ramos is seen reportedly being detained by ICE in Columbia Heights, Minn., outside his home on Tuesday. The Department of Homeland Security denies the child was targeted. (Columbia Heights Public Schools)

ICE did NOT target a child," McLaughlin said.

"As agents approached the driver Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, fled on foot  abandoning his child. For the child's safety, one of our ICE officers remained with the child while the other officers apprehended Conejo Arias."

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She added that parents are asked if they want to be removed with their children, "or ICE will place the children with a safe person the parent designates."

In a visit to Minnesota on Thursday, U.S. Vice-President JD Vance echoed McLaughlin in saying ICE agents took the child into custody because his father left him behind.

"I see this story  and I'm a father of a five-year-old, actually, a five-year-old little boy  and I think, 'Oh my God, this is terrible. How did we arrest a five year old?' I did follow-up research. What I find is the five-year-old was not arrested. His dad was an illegal alien and when they went to arrest his illegal father, the father ran," Vance said during a news conference.

"So the story is that ICE detained a five-year-old. What are they supposed to do? Let a five-year-old child freeze to death?"

(Submitted by Columbia Heights Public Schools)

McLaughlin's statement did not say what happened to Liam after the arrest or where he is now. The Department of Homeland Security has yet to respond to CBC's requests for that information.

'Why detain a 5-year-old?'

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz criticized the child's reported detainment.

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In an online post, the governor said the Trump administration's "campaign of retribution has got to stop."

"Minnesotans want safety. They want freedom. They want whats best for our kids. Masked agents snatching preschoolers off the street and sending them to Texas detention centers serves none of those purposes," he wrote.

The photos of Liam, which were provided to CBC News by Columbia Heights Public Schools, were taken by "known and confirmed community members who were on site," school officials said.

Twenty minutes after Liam and his father were taken, an older son in middle school arrived home "to a missing dad, a missing little brother and a terrified mother," said Stenvik.

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"Why detain a five-year-old? You cannot tell me that this child is going to be classified as a violent criminal," she said.

Prokosch said Adrian Conejo Ramos and his son entered the United States lawfully through the border crossing in Brownsville, Texas. He said Adrian, who is from Ecuador, had an asylum claim and no criminal record in Minnesota.

School officials said Liam was the fourth student from their district to be apprehended by ICE agents in recent weeks.

On Tuesday, a 17-year-old high school student was taken by armed and masked agents while on their way to school, with no parents present, Stenvik said. Two weeks ago, a 10-year-old and her mother were arrested on their way to school, she added.

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"By the end of the school day, they were already in a detention centre in Texas, and they are still there," Stenvik said.

She said another 17-year-old student in the district was detained last week.

The statement from Homeland Security doesn't mention any other children. CBC News has requested information about them, but has not yet received a response.
This story appears as part of a collaboration between The Maine Monitor and Maine Focus, the investigative team of the Bangor Daily News, a partnership to strengthen investigative journalism in Maine. You can show your support for this effort with a donation to The Monitor. Read more about the partnership.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees held in the Portland jail have started to be removed, according to a lawyer and federal court filings.

It is unclear whether the federal government or Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyces office initiated the removals. U.S. Attorney Andrew Bensons office requested permission Thursday to move a detainee being held there to an ICE facility in Boston. It was granted by District Court Judge John Woodcock Jr., who said in a decision that the jail had no more bed space.

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News of the moves came shortly after Joyce held a Thursday news conference criticizing agents for their arrest of a county corrections recruit. He was ripped from his vehicle and detained a day earlier as part of ICEs surge into Maine.

The removals appeared to be sudden. The jail holds about 60 ICE detainees on any given day. Some of the detainees have been moved to federal prisons in New Hampshire and Rhode Island, said Anna Welch, a University of Maine School of Law professor who runs a legal aid clinic working with detainees at the jail.

We work closely with immigrants at and are quite surprised by this turn of events, she said.

Neither Joyces office nor ICE and other federal agencies responded to questions about the moves on Friday morning. A spokesperson for Bensons office pointed a reporter to the court filing.

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Welch did not know when detainees started to be moved, describing the process as very chaotic. The people held at the Portland jail have typically been arrested by ICE outside of Maine.

Joyces office faced protests last year for holding inmates for ICE. Several people arrested in Maine in recent days have been sent to a jail in Massachusetts.

On Thursday, Joyce condemned ICE agents for bush league policing in the arrest of his recruit, whose car was left running on a Portland street. He described the actions of ICE agents as being in stark contrast to what he was told by Tom Homan, Trumps border czar, who said ICEs priorities were securing borders and getting criminal immigrants off the street.

Clearly, their motives are a little different than what weve been told, or at least in this case, Joyce said Thursday.
Tron founder Justin Sun invested $8 million in DeFi project River to support ecosystem integration on the Tron blockchain and deployment of Rivers chain abstraction stablecoin infrastructure.

The deal positions Tron to leverage Rivers cross-chain technology through satUSD, a stablecoin mintable at a 1:1 ratio with USDT, USDD, or USD1.

River announced the funding on X, emphasizing its mission to build a system that connects every asset to its opportunity while allowing value to flow freely across ecosystems without locking capital away.

The investment comes weeks after MaelstromFund, founded by BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes, also backed the project in early January.

River Bags Stablecoin Integration Across the Tron Ecosystem

Per the announcement, Justin Suns capital will support multiple deployments, including stablecoin pools alongside USDT and USDD on SUN, lending and borrowing on JustLend, and price feeds provided by WinkLink.

Integration extends across core assets,s including USDT, TRX, wBTC, BTT, JST, SUN, WIN, and NFT use cases, with native sTRX staking yield serving as the initial entry point.

River also plans to launch Smart Vault and Prime Vault products targeting yield strategies for stablecoins, TRX, and other core Tron assets.

Since the funding announcement, Rivers ($RIVER) token appreciated over 20%, reaching an all-time high of $48.74.

The token posted over 800% gains in the last 30 days to reach a market capitalization of around $840 million, jumping from $8 to the current $42.68 after starting January with approximately $100 million market cap.

Source: Coingecko

Hayes Maelstrom investment in early January triggered a 600% surge for RIVER within weeks, with the token rising from around $3 to $19.

Market observers attributed the rally to Hayes endorsement and his stated belief in chain abstraction technology as fundamental to DeFis next growth phase.

River currently integrates with over 30 protocols across major ecosystems, including Ethereum, BNB Chain, and Base, with satUSD circulation exceeding $100 million.

Legal Challenges Shadow Suns Investment Activity

Suns recent capital commitment unfolds amid ongoing legal scrutiny around the alleged misappropriation of TrueUSD (TUSD) stablecoin reserves.

Last November, a judge at the Dubai International Financial Centre imposed a worldwide freeze on $456 million in assets tied to TUSD reserves, linked to Suns earlier bailout of the token.

According to case filings, Techteryx, which acquired TrueUSD in 2020, failed to redeem a large portion of its U.S. dollar reserves managed by First Digital Trust between 2022 and 2023.
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers detained a five-year-old boy on Tuesday during an immigration enforcement operation, Minnesota school officials and the family's lawyer have said.

Pre-schooler Liam Ramos was with his father - named by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias - when Conejo Arias was approached by agents on his driveway.

In a statement posted on X, the DHS said "ICE did NOT target a child", but was conducting an operation against his father, an "illegal alien" who "abandoned" his son when approached.

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Zena Stenvik, the Columbia Heights Public Schools superintendent, asked: "Why detain a five-year-old?

"You can't tell me that this child is going to be classified as a violent criminal."

In a post on X, ICE denied the child had been detained.

"A criminal illegal alien ABANDONED his child as he fled from ICE officers, and our officers ensured the child was kept SAFE in the bitter cold," the agency said.

"ICE made multiple attempts to get the family inside the house to take custody of the child.

"They refused to accept custody of the child. The father told officers he wanted the child to remain with him."

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DHS did not immediately respond to the BBC's request for comment.

Photos provided to the BBC by the school district show a boy, identified as Liam Ramos, wearing a bunny-shaped winter hat, standing outside as an officer holds on to his backpack.

The Columbia Heights Public Schools authority described these as bystander photos. The district did not identify the individuals who took the pictures, referring to them as "known and confirmed community members".

Marc Prokosch, a lawyer representing the family, told a press conference on Thursday that Liam and his father were being held at a detention centre in San Antonio, Texas, and attorneys were trying to contact them.

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Prokosch said the boy and his father had come to the US in 2024 from Ecuador to seek asylum.

"This family was not eluding ICE in any way," he said. "They were following all the established protocols."

School officials said an agent asked the child to knock on the door of the home to see if anyone else was there.

The boy had just arrived home from pre-school at the time, Stenvik told the press conference.

She said another adult living in the home asked to take the young boy inside, but was refused.

School board member Mary Granlund said she was on the scene and told immigration officials she could take Liam Ramos, but they still detained him.

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US Vice-President JD Vance, who visited Minnesota on Thursday amid ongoing protests against immigration enforcement, told reporters ICE had no choice because "the father ran".

"What are they supposed to do?" he said of ICE agents. "Are they supposed to let a five-year-old child freeze to death?

"Are they not supposed to arrest an illegal alien in the United States of America?"

He added: "If the argument is that you can't arrest people who have violated laws because they have children. . . that doesn't make any sense."

Stenvik said that ICE had recently detained a total of four students in her school district, including a 10-year-old, and two 17-year-olds.

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"The onslaught of ICE activity in our community is inducing trauma," Stenvik told reporters.

The DHS maintains it is arresting the "worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens" in an effort to restore public safety in Minnesota.

At a DHS press conference on Tuesday, Gregory Bovino of the US Border Patrol said: "Our operations are lawful, are targeted, and are focused on individuals who pose a serious threat to this community."

The immigration enforcement initiative, dubbed Operation Metro Surge, has sparked outcry from residents in Minneapolis, St Paul and other cities in the state.

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On 7 January, a federal officer fatally shot a woman named Renee Good in Minneapolis, sparking protests and condemnation from local and state officials.

The Trump administration alleged the 37-year-old was using her vehicle as a weapon and the officer acted in self-defence.

Also on Thursday, seven Democrats in the US House of Representatives voted with Republicans to narrowly pass $1.2tn (900bn) in funding for government agencies, including ICE.

The measure - which would allocate $64.4bn to DHS, including $10bn for ICE - was approved 220-207. It must still pass the Senate.

Democrats who voted in favour said they did so to fund the Transportation Security Administration and Federal Emergency Management Agency, both under DHS.
Vice President JD Vance on Thursday defended the detainment of a 5-year-old boy by federal agents and said the Trump administration does not believe the Insurrection Act is needed amid unrest over immigration enforcement in Minnesota.

Vance's comments come as outrage swelled over Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents taking into custody four students under the age of 18 in the Minneapolis suburb of Columbia Heights. School officials said Liam Conejo Ramos, a preschooler, and his father were detained in their driveway after school on Tuesday.

When an adult known to the family offered to take Liam, ICE agents refused and instead led the boy to his front door and ordered him to knock  "essentially using a 5-year-old as bait," according to a news release from Columbia Heights Public Schools.

A photo showing 5-year-old Liam Ramos being detained by a federal immigration agent in Minnesota.

Vance on Thursday said ICE was targeting the boy's father, an undocumented immigrant from Ecuador, who federal officials accuse of trying to flee from immigration agents. The mans attorney vehemently denied federal officials' account of the arrest and said the man was in the country legally, awaiting asylum.

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"Are they supposed to let a five-year-old child freeze to death?" Vance said. "If the argument is that you cant arrest people who have violated the law because they have children, then every single parent is going to be completely given immunity from every being the subject of law enforcement."

The vice president gave those remarks after a closed-door meeting in Minneapolis with federal agents, business leaders, and others in an effort to "bring down the temperature," Vance said. More than two weeks after an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, daily protests continue to roil Minneapolis as state officials and the Trump administration square off in bitter legal fights.

US Customs and Border Protection agents arrest a man after not providing documents proving he's a citizen of the United States while patrolling a neighborhood during immigration enforcement activity in Minneapolis in Minneapolis, Minn. on Jan. 11, 2026. A US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good on the streets of Minneapolis on Jan. 7, leading to huge protests and outrage from local leaders who rejected White House claims she was a domestic terrorist. U.S. Border Patrol agents smash a man's car window before dragging him out and taking him into custody when he failed to present citizenship documentation at a gas station on Jan. 11, 2026 in St. Paul, Minn. The Trump administration has sent an estimated 2,000 federal agents into the area as they make a push to arrest undocumented immigrants. Border Patrol agents deploy tear gas as they clash with residents in a residential neighborhood after a minor traffic accident Jan. 12, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minn. The Trump administration has sent an estimated 2,000 federal agents into the area in a push to arrest undocumented immigrants. Federal law enforcement agents clash with residents in a neighborhood following a minor traffic accident Jan. 12, 2026 in Minneapolis. The Trump administration has sent an estimated 2,000 federal agents into the area in a push to arrest undocumented immigrants. Federal law enforcement agents deploy tear gas as they clash with residents in a residential neighborhood after a minor traffic accident Jan. 12, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minn. The Trump administration has sent an estimated 2,000 federal agents into the area in a push to arrest undocumented immigrants. Federal law enforcement agents ask a women to produce citizenship documentation as she was walking down the street Jan. 12, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minn. The Trump administration has sent an estimated 2,000 federal agents into the area in a push to arrest undocumented immigrants. Federal law enforcement agents take a person who was standing in a residential neighborhood into custody when he was unable to produce citizenship documentation Jan. 12, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minn. The Trump administration has sent an estimated 2,000 federal agents into the area in a push to arrest undocumented immigrants. ICE agents in St. Cloud on Jan. 12. State Sen. Aric Putnam, DFL-St. Cloud, speaks with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents at around 12:30 p.m. Jan. 12 in front of a few businesses on Third Street North. Crowds gathered at the intersection of Third Street N and 33rd Avenue N in St. Cloud as ICE agents came through the area Jan. 12. Federal agents continue surge of immigration enforcement in Minnesota 1 of 10 US Customs and Border Protection agents arrest a man after not providing documents proving he's a citizen of the United States while patrolling a neighborhood during immigration enforcement activity in Minneapolis in Minneapolis, Minn. on Jan. 11, 2026. A US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good on the streets of Minneapolis on Jan. 7, leading to huge protests and outrage from local leaders who rejected White House claims she was a domestic terrorist.

Developments:

 The Department of Homeland Security on Thursday announced the arrests of three people accused of participating in a protest at a church in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Sunday. A federal magistrate judge declined to sign a complaint charging journalist Don Lemon in connection with the protest, CBS News and CNN reported.

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 ICE has conducted stops and arrests in Maine as part of an immigration operation that was launched over the objections of state and local leaders. The mayors of Lewiston and Portland, who said the operation was unnecessary, reported a surge of federal agents and asked residents to remain calm.

'How can you justify incarcerating a child"

Marc Prokosch, a Twin Cities immigration attorney representing Liams family, slammed immigration authorities for detaining the 5-year-old and his father.

"How can you justify incarcerating a child," Prokosch told reporters on Thursday. The Minnesota attorney said the boys father had no criminal record according to a search of state records, and that the family was in the country legally.

The family entered the U.S. in 2024 through the border in Brownsville, Texas, said Prokosch, adding the family used an immigration authorities app to apply for asylum.

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"These are not illegal aliens," the attorney said, responding to comments from Vice President Vance. "They came properly and are pursuing a legal pathway."

Prokosch said the family is currently being held at a family detention center in San Antonio. He said he has not been able to directly speak with his clients.

The attorney said he could not disclose what prompted the family to flee their home country of Ecuador. The South American nation is among the most violent in Latin America, according to Human Rights Watch.

Gov. Walz: ICE needs to turn the temperature down

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said immigration authorities in Minneapolis need to abandon their controversial tactics for calm to return to the city.

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"Im glad the Vice President agrees the temperature needs to be turned down, but actions speak louder than words," Walz said in a statement on X. "We dont need 3,000 ice agents in our streets  more than every local police department combined. Take the show of force off the streets and partner with the state on targeted enforcement of violent offenders instead of random, aggressive confrontation."

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey criticized federal authorities for detaining the 5-year-old boy and said the child is "not a threat of our community."

"When the federal government treats kids like criminals, something has gone seriously wrong," Frey said on social media.

The governor and mayor did not respond to USA TODAY's requests for additional comment.

Teachers ask authorities to stop targeting students

Zena Stenvik, the superintendent for Columbia Heights Public Schools, said Liam was the fourth child in the school district to be detained by immigration authorities.

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The first, Stenvik said, was a fourth grader who had been in the school district since kindergarten.

"All the teachers in that school were shattered," Stenvik said, "and then it happened again and again and again."

The other students immigration authorities detained were a 17-year-old girl arrested at her home and a 17-year-old boy arrested in his car on the way to school, the superintendent said.

"The kids just want to come to school, they want to be in school, we want them in school," Stenvik said. "They want to be in-person learning. They thrive. Theyre happy learning."

Immigration agents have repeatedly followed school buses and made appearances in school parking lots, the superintendent said.

Minneapolis police on how it responds to ICE-related 911 calls

The Minneapolis Police Department told USA TODAY that the agency has an official dedicated to answering 911 calls related to immigration enforcement incidents and determining whether a police response is warranted.

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"Calls that involve property damage and threats to life safety take priority," public information officer Sgt. Garrett Parten said. But "the presence of protestors alone is not sufficient reason for MPD to respond."

The police statement came in response to allegations that the agency ignored at least two calls for help from federal agents. According to Parten, police have no record of a call on Jan. 21 from agents asking for help recovering a gun magazine loaded with ammunition they left on a residential sidewalk in Minneapolis.

In the second incident on Jan. 19, federal agents called for help handling anti-immigration enforcement protesters.

"The agents expressed concern that the situation could become physical. MPD monitored the situation and determined that the federal agents had sufficient resources available to manage the incident," said Parten, adding police kept watch on a car the agents left behind.

Vance on Insurrection Act: 'We dont think we need that'

Vance said the Trump administration doesnt believe it needs to invoke the Insurrection Act in Minnesota, right now, amid tensions over immigration enforcement.

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"We dont think that we need that," Vance said. "Now the president could change his mind, of course, things could get worse."

In a social media post earlier this month, President Donald Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act in Minnesota, which gives him authority to deploy U.S. troops to suppress rebellions and civil unrest or when federal laws are being obstructed.

Vice President JD Vance spoke in Minneapolis on Jan. 22, 2026, amid rising tensions over ongoing immigration raids. His visit followed public outrage over recent operations, including an incident where ICE agents detained four students  among them a 5yearold boy  in Columbia Heights, a Minneapolis suburb. A photo showing 5-year-old Liam Ramos being detained by a federal immigration agent in Minnesota on the same day Vice President JD Vance was visiting the state. Vice President JD Vance gives remarks while standing in front of ICE agents following a roundtable discussion with local leaders and community members amid a surge of federal immigration authorities in the area, at Royalston Square on Jan. 22, 2026 in Minneapolis. The Trump administration has sent a reported 3,000-plus federal agents into the area, with more on the way, as they make a push to arrest undocumented immigrants in the region. Vice President JD Vance speaks at Royalston Square in Minneapolis on Jan. 22, 2026. The Pentagon has ordered 1,500 US soldiers to prepare for a possible deployment to Minnesota, a state roiled by unrest over an immigration crackdown, US media reported on Jan. 18, 2026. Vice President JD Vance gives remarks following a roundtable discussion with local leaders and community members amid a surge of federal immigration authorities in the area, at Royalston Square on Jan. 22, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Trump administration has sent a reported 3,000-plus federal agents into the area, with more on the way, as they make a push to arrest undocumented immigrants in the region. ICE vehicles sit in the background as federal immigration agents listen to Vice President JD Vance speak at Royalston Square in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Jan. 22, 2026. The Pentagon has ordered 1,500 US soldiers to prepare for a possible deployment to Minnesota, a state roiled by unrest over an immigration crackdown, US media reported on Jan. 18, 2026. Vice President JD Vance is greeted upon arrival on Air Force Two at Minneapolis Saint Paul International Airport in Saint Paul, Minnesota, on Jan. 22, 2026. The Pentagon has ordered 1,500 US soldiers to prepare for a possible deployment to Minnesota, a state roiled by unrest over an immigration crackdown, US media reported on Jan. 18, 2026. 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, following the January 7 killing of Renee Nicole Good by a federal immigration agent. Vance urges Minneapolis to 'stop fighting' ICE amid immigration crackdown 1 of 7 Vice President JD Vance spoke in Minneapolis on Jan. 22, 2026, amid rising tensions over ongoing immigration raids. His visit followed public outrage over recent operations, including an incident where ICE agents detained four students  among them a 5yearold boy  in Columbia Heights, a Minneapolis suburb.

Vance blames 'chaos' in Minnesota on state and local officials

Speaking in Minneapolis on Thursday, Vance acknowledged the prevalence of videos and reports raising concerns about the aggressive tactics being used by immigration agents.

Vance said some videos and reports suggest some federal agents "are not doing everything right. He added: But if you look at the context of whats going on, you understand that these people are under an incredible amount of duress, an incredible amount of chaos.

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Vance placed the blame squarely on Minnesota's state and local officials.

"Do we want these things to happen? Do we want these arrests to be so chaotic? No, we dont," Vance said. "But if we had a little cooperation from local and state officials, I think the chaos would go way down."

'Incredible job' Vance backs ICE in Minneapolis

While kicking off his remarks in Minneapolis, Vance reiterated his support for ICE.

"The guys behind me are doing an incredible job," Vance said, speaking with uniformed individuals standing behind him, including one wearing an ICE jacket.

The vice president said he came to Minneapolis to better understand the situation so he can "tone down the temperature a bit, reduce the chaos." There has been a wave of anti-ICE demonstrations since an agent shot a killed a woman in Minneapolis. Vance said he sympathizes with ICE agents who are operating in a very, very tough environment.

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I wanted to show some support for these guys, Vance said.

Feds announce third arrest related to St. Paul church protest

A third person has been arrested in connection with the protest at a St. Paul church that interrupted a service on Sunday, Jan. 18.

Attorney General Pam Bondi on X named the third person as William Kelly.

Earlier in the day, Bondi announced the arrests of Nekima Levy Armstrong and Chauntyll Louisa Allen, a member of the St. Paul Public School board. Homeland Security Secretary said all three were being charged with conspiracy to deprive rights.

The arrests come after the DOJ said it was investigating the protest as a potential violation of the FACE Act, which protects access to religious worship under the First Amendment.

Protesters greet Vance in Minneapolis

Roughly a dozen protesters greeted Vance outside the Royalston Square event venue in Minneapolis, with two holding signs reading "ICE out."

Vance arrived at the Royalston and met with ICE agents before his speech. He is also held a roundtable discussion.

Minneapolis police not responding to feds' calls for help, official says

Border Patrol Commander-at-Large Gregory Bovino said the Minneapolis Police Department has not been responding to calls from federal agents amid heated protests in the city.

Minneapolis Police Department has been called on several situations that they have not responded to," Bovino said at a news conference on Thursday. He described an incident in which two off-duty agents were confronted by protesters at a restaurant. Bovino said the agents called police but had to be assisted by a federal tactical team after 40 minutes without a police response.

The Minneapolis Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The surge of immigration agents into Minnesota has strained the relationship between federal and local law enforcement. Local police chiefs have criticized the tactics employed by federal agents and accused agents of racially profiling off-duty police officers.

ICE faces backlash as agents enter homes without judge-signed warrants

Immigration and Customs Enforcement is facing intense scrutiny over its agents forcibly entering homes without a judge's warrant.

An internal ICE memo authorized agents to use force to enter residences with only administrative warrants, which are signed by ICE officers and do not require a judge's signature, multiple outlets reported, including the Associated Press and the Washington Post.

Marcos Charles, the executive associate director of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, confirmed that agents enter homes with only administrative warrants at a news conference on Thursday.

"We don't break into anybody's homes," Charles said. "We make entry either in a hot pursuit with a criminal arrest warrant or an administrative arrest warrant."

Image showing 5-year-old Liam Ramos with a federal immigration agent outside his home in Minnesota on Tuesday, Jan. 20.

School official: Immigration agents detained 4 students

At least four students under the age of 18 have been detained by immigration agents over the last two weeks in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, the school district said in a statement.

Liam Ramos, 5, was detained with his father on Tuesday, Jan. 20, and taken to a detention facility in Texas, according to the district. On the same day, a 17-year-old was detained on his way to school after agents removed him from his car.

Last week, a 17-year-old student was taken into custody after ICE agents pushed their way into an apartment, according to Columbia Heights Public Schools.

And two weeks ago, a 10-year-old student and her mother were detained while on their way to class. The father immediately came to the school to find that both his daughter and wife had been taken, the district said in a statement. By the end of the school day, they were already in a detention center in Texas, and they are still there.

The school district said it is working with an immigration lawyer to get the students back.

ICE agents have been roaming our neighborhoods, circling our schools, following our buses, coming into our parking lots and taking our children, the district said. The sense of safety in our community and around our schools is shaken and our hearts are shattered.

Vance wants more arrests after church protest

Ahead of his visit to Minneapolis, Vance touted the investigation into an anti-ICE protest at a St. Paul church. He said he wants to see more arrests after the Department of Justice announced two of the protesters had been apprehended.

I certainly want to see more arrests, Vance said. Because Ive seen the videos and there are very clearly more people who have violated the law.

The vice president predicted more prosecutions.

Theyre scaring little kids who are there to worship God on a Sunday morning, Vance said. Those people are going to be sent to prison.

DOJ announces 2 arrests in St. Paul church protest

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said federal agents arrested two people involved in a protest that interrupted Sunday service at a church in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Bondi identified those arrested as Nekima Levy Armstrong and Chauntyll Louisa Allen but did not describe any alleged charges. "More to come," Bondi said on X. "WE WILL PROTECT OUR HOUSES OF WORSHIP."

A group of protestors entered Cities Church on Jan. 18, alleging that Pastor David Easterwood serves as the ICE St. Paul Field Office acting director. Videos show dozens of protesters changing "Renee Good," and "don't shoot," as some verbally confronted churchgoers.

The DOJ launched an investigation into the protest as a potential violation of the FACE Act, a federal law that prohibits the use of force, threats, or physical obstruction to block people from reproductive health care or access to religious worship under the First Amendment right to religious freedom.

Vance says Good was in leftist network. Where's the evidence?

Vance says he wants to 'calm the tensions' in Minneapolis

As the Trump administrations immigration enforcement efforts continue to roil Minneapolis, Vance said he hopes his presence in the city Thursday will calm things down.

Certainly one of my goals is to calm the tensions, to talk to people, to try to understand what we can do better, Vance said during a speech in Toledo, Ohio, before flying to Minnesota.

At the same time, Vance blasted local officials for not cooperating with federal immigration authorities and blamed the lack of cooperation for chaos in the city. The vice president said he also wants to send a message to law enforcement that we stand with them and were not going to abandon them.

Were not going to do what the last administration did, Vance continued. Which is throw them under the bus to appease a bunch of left-wing radicals.

People confront an agent in an ICE vehicle near the regional ICE headquarters at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building on January 10, 2026 in Minneapolis. Protests in the city continued Saturday after the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, who was shot and killed on January 7 by a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis. Federal agents stage at a front gate as Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Rep. Kelly Morrison (D-MN), and Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) attempt to enter the regional ICE headquarters at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building on January 10, 2026 in Minneapolis. U.S. Rep. Kelly Morrison (D-MN) (L), Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) (C), and Rep. Angie Craig (R) hold a press conference outside of the regional ICE headquarters at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building on January 10, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Democratic Reps. Ilhan Omar and Annie Craig had their access to a federal detention facility revoked while touring the building in Minneapolis where the Department of Homeland Security has been headquartering operations in the state. People gather near were a 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good on January 10, 2026. People gather at a makeshift memorial for 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good on January 10, 2026. Federal agents stage at a front gate as Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Rep. Kelly Morrison (D-MN), and Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) attempt to enter the regional ICE headquarters at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building on January 10, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Federal agents move media members from the front gate outside the regional ICE headquarters at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building on January 10, 2026 in Minneapolis. See anti-ICE protests in Minneapolis after Renee Good's fatal shooting 1 of 7 People confront an agent in an ICE vehicle near the regional ICE headquarters at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building on January 10, 2026 in Minneapolis. Protests in the city continued Saturday after the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, who was shot and killed on January 7 by a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis.

Appeals court freezes order limiting force against protesters in Minnesota

A federal appeals court on Jan. 21 paused a lower court's order that had ordered federal immigration agents in Minnesota not to use "intimidation tactics" against peaceful protesters.

The move by the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals delivered a win to the Trump administration, which had vowed to appeal the lower court's order that set up guardrails around the behavior of federal agents.

In the lower-court order, U.S. District Judge Kate Menendez said agents appeared to have engaged in "chilling conduct" and "intimidation tactics." She noted actions such as the "drawing and pointing of weapons," the "use of pepper spray and other non-lethal munitions," and "actual and threatened arrest and detainment of protesters and observers."

'ICE Out of Minneapolis' protest planned for Friday

Organizers in Minneapolis asked people to call out of work, skip school, and refrain from buying anything as part of a protest against the ongoing immigration operations.

"Faith leaders, business owners, workers, and concerned Minnesotans have called for a statewide day of public mourning and pause through 'No Work, No School and No Shopping' and a massive, peaceful march in downtown Minneapolis that afternoon," said a news release about the demonstration scheduled for Friday, Jan. 23.

Over the last two weeks, students at schools across Minnesota have held walkouts in protest of the immigration operation and Good's killing.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Immigration updates: Vance defends ICE detainment of 5-year-old
By Rich Matthews and Aaron McNicholas

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, Minnesota, Jan 22 (Reuters) - U.S. immigration officials have detained at least four children, including a five-year-old, from the Minneapolis suburb of Columbia Heights, according to school officials and a lawyer for the family, who challenged the government narrative of the five-year-old's detention put forward by Vice President JD Vance.

The Ecuadorean boy and his father - both in the country legally as asylum applicants - were whisked off to a family detention facility in Dilley, Texas, said Marc Prokosch, an attorney representing the family who is attempting to gain their release.

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Zena Stenvik, superintendent of the Columbia Heights Public School District, told a press conference that armed and masked ICE officers had apprehended four students as of this week, listing two 17-year-olds and a 10-year-old in addition to the five-year-old boy, Liam Conejo Ramos.

"ICE agents have been roaming our neighborhoods, circling our schools, following our buses, coming into our parking lots multiple times and taking our kids," Stenvik said.

"The onslaught of ice activity in our community is inducing trauma and is taking a toll on our children."

The detentions form part of U.S. President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown, which has deployed about 3,000 federal law enforcement officers to the Minneapolis area, where people have been on edge since an immigration officer shot and killed Renee Good, 37, a U.S. citizen and mother of three, on January 7.

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Heavily armed federal officers have pursued suspects they say are dangerous criminals and immigration violators, while protesters unnerved by the show of force have responded with their own observer patrols, blowing whistles to warn people of ICE raids while voicing displeasure with Trump's escalation.

The Department of Homeland Security said Liam's father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, was in the country illegally but did not provide details.

SPIDER-MAN BACKPACK

Liam, wearing a blue hat and a Spider-Man backpack, watched as masked agents took his father from the driveway of their home after the two returned from preschool on Tuesday, according to witnesses. Officers then attempted to use the boy as bait to lure his mother out of the house, at least two witnesses said.

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Vance told a press conference on Thursday that immigration officers were pursuing Liam's father, who ran away, leaving officers no choice but to take the abandoned boy.

"What are they supposed to do? Are they supposed to let a five-year-old child freeze to death? Are they not supposed to arrest an illegal alien?," Vance told a press conference during a visit to Minneapolis to show support for ICE.

However, school officials, an adult from the family home and neighbors all offered to take the boy, only to be denied by ICE officials, according to witnesses including Mary Granlund, the chair of the Columbia Heights school board. Granlund said school officials are authorized to take custody of a child in the absence of a parent.

The boy's mother was inside the home, but her husband instructed her to remain inside, most likely to avoid detention herself, Granlund told reporters. When asked if the boy was being used as bait, Granlund said, "Correct."

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"The sense of safety in our community and around our schools is shaken and our hearts are shattered, and honestly, at the end of the day, children should be in school with their classmates," Granlund said.

The officers put the child in the back seat of a black SUV and sped away, said Rachel James, a Columbia Heights city council member who also witnessed the events.

"I can't imagine what was going through Liam's mind, but I can tell you what I saw on his face. He was frozen and paralyzed," James told Reuters on Thursday. "He was not crying, but he looked so scared."

Prokosch denied that Liam's father was in the U.S. illegally and said Minnesota records did not show any criminal history for the family. They were awaiting a hearing before an immigration judge, he said.

(Reporting by Rich Matthews and Aaron McNicholas in Columbia Heights, Minnesota; Additional reporting by Doina Chiucu in Washington and Daniel Trotta in Carlsbad, California; Writing by Doina Chiacu and Daniel Trotta; editing by Scott Malone, Chizu Nomiyama, Deepa Babington and Michael Perry)
An ice storm warning issued earlier Friday has now been extended to more metro Atlanta counties.

Up to an inch of ice is possible for areas under this warning, and widespread power outages are likely. Significant amounts of ice accumulations will make travel dangerous or impossible Saturday night through at least Monday.

Gov. Brian Kemp issued a State of Emergency for the whole state.

This is an evolving weather situation. Severe Weather Team 2 is going over the updating timing and impacts for your area, LIVE on Channel 2 Action News starting at 4:00 p.m.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV Weather App for alerts wherever you go]

WARNINGS AND WATCHES

An ice storm warning is in effect for the following counties:

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Banks, Barrow, Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Clarke, Clayton, Cobb, Dade, Dawson, DeKalb, Douglas, Elbert, Fannin, Floyd, Forsyth, Franklin, Fulton

Gilmer, Gordon, Greene, Gwinnett, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Henry, Jackson, Lumpkin, Madison, Morgan, Murray, Newton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Paulding, Pickens, Polk

Rabun, Rockdale, Stephens, Taliaferro, Towns, Union, Walker, Walton, Warren, White, Whitfield, Wilkes

Clay County, North Carolina

Areas north and east of Atlanta will have the most significant impacts from 1/2 to 1 ice accumulation and gusty wind. This will lead to widespread, long-duration power outages and impossible travel in many areas.

In Atlanta, 0.25 to 0.50 inch ice will also lead to power outages and dangerous travel, but impacts are likely to be a little less severe and widespread.

A winter storm watch will be in effect for the following counties starting Saturday through Monday morning

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Baldwin, Butts, Carroll, Coweta, Fayette, Glascock, Hancock, Haralson, Jasper, Jefferson, Jones, Putnam, Spalding, Washington

Cleburne County, Alabama

TIMING

We will start off dry Saturday morning and moisture will begin to move in mid-morning in far north Georgia.

By afternoon and evening, increasing moisture will allow precipitation to fall as a freezing raincold rain mix. This will continue overnight into the day on Sunday before changing over to rain Sunday night.

Widespread melting is not expected to occur until Tuesday.

ICE IMPACTS

Severe Weather Team 2 Chief Meteorologist Brad Nitz says most of our area, including metro Atlanta, is looking at a quarter inch to a half inch of ice accumulation Saturday and Sunday.

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Up to an inch of ice is possible for the areas under the ice storm warning.

A quarter-inch of ice can add up to 400-500 pounds of weight on powerlines. On top of the ice, winds will also be gusty. This will lead to a higher probability of downed trees and powerlines.

STORM PREPARATIONS

Complete your storm preparations today or the latest by the early hours of Saturday morning.

Severe Weather Team 2 Chief Meteorologist Brad Nitz shared this winter preparedness checklist for your home and car. Make sure you have the essentials, charge your devices, and check in with your loved ones who may need help with their preparations. Dont forget to bring your pets in.

ROAD IMPACTS

State officials are urging everyone to stay off the roads, especially Saturday afternoon through Monday afternoon.

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If there is any time that you are going to heed a warning, it is during an ice storm situation. Ice travel is no travel, GDOT spokeswoman Natalie Dale told Channel 2 Action News This Morning. It is not limited travel. It is if you need to be somewhere, you need to cancel your plans.

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An ice storm warning is in place for Knoxville and parts of East Tennessee.

While the rest of the Volunteer State is under a winter storm warning, East Tennessee is bracing for crippling ice.

The ice storm warning runs from 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, through 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, according to the National Weather Service.

It is in place for the following counties: Anderson, Bledsoe, Bradley, Cherokee, Clay, Hamilton, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Rhea, Roane and Sequatchie.

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Northeast Tennessee has a winter storm warning for the following counties: Campbell, Claiborne, Grainger, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Morgan, Scott, Sullivan and Union.

Here's what to know about the warnings and how to stay safe.

What is an ice storm warning?

An ice storm warning is issued when an area may receive a quarter-inch or more of ice accumulation, according to the National Weather Service.

"Travel is strongly discouraged. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Prepare for possible power outages," the weather service warned.

Great Smoky Mountains under warnings

A winter weather advisory has been issued for the Great Smoky Mountains, where mixed precipitation of snow and sleet is expected.

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The warning is in effect from 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, to 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25.

"Power outages and tree damage are possible due to the ice. Travel will be hazardous. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches," the weather service warned.

The mountaintops have a high wind warning from 7 p.m. Saturday to 7 p.m. Sunday. Widespread power outages are expected.

What's the difference between a winter storm watch and warning?

A winter storm watch indicates severe weather is on the way. The watch will be issued at least 24 hours before a storm that has a risk of being hazardous, according to the National Weather Service. The storm's occurrence, location or timing may be uncertain under a watch.

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A watch will normally be upgraded to either a warning or an advisory, depending on how a storm develops.

A winter storm warning means that a storm is imminent. Warnings are issued for a significant winter weather event, including snow, ice, sleet or blowing snow  or a combination of these hazards, according to the National Weather Service.

If a winter storm warning is issued, it's best to stay off the roads.

A winter storm advisory means the storm is happening, but the winter weather storm dangers are limited. Be prepared for winter driving conditions and possible travel difficulties. Use caution when driving.

How to prepare for winter weather

There are things that you can do to prepare yourself, your car and your home for the upcoming winter weather.

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Make sure that you have food, extra water and warm clothes ahead of a storm in case the ice or snow causes a power outage, according to the Red Cross. It's also helpful to have a snow shovel and salt on hand for your driveway and sidewalks.

Also, consider filling up your car with gas before a snowstorm. Keep a blanket, an emergency kit and warm clothes in your car in case you get stuck on the side of the road, according to the Red Cross.

There's still much uncertainty about the details of the expected winter storm this weekend. Regardless, now is the time to start preparing. pic.twitter.com/CwDRlQLVXV  NWS Morristown (@NWSMorristown) January 21, 2026

Allison Kiehl covers trending and breaking news from Knoxville for the Tennessee Connect Team. Email: allison.kiehl@knoxnews.com

Support strong local journalism and unlock premium perks at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knoxville snow forecast: Ice storm warning in place for East Tennessee
Video taken this morning in Maine shows an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer taking pictures of a legal observer's car. When she asks why he's doing that, he says, "Because we have a nice little database, and now you're considered a domestic terrorist."

ICE agent asked why he's taking pictures of a legal observer's car, replies: "Cuz we have a nice little database and now you're considered a domestic terrorist. So have fun with that." pic.twitter.com/IbyRqycSc2  Ken Klippenstein (NSPM-7 Compliant) (@kenklippenstein) January 23, 2026

The video is the latest example of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) labeling anyone who engages in First Amendmentprotected activity opposing the Trump administration's mass deportation program as a "domestic terrorist" and suggesting they'll be subject to federal investigations.

However, Tricia McLaughlin, DHS assistant secretary for public affairs, denied such a database exists.

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"There is NO database of 'domestic terrorists' run by DHS." McLaughlin said in an emailed statement to Reason. "We do of course monitor and investigate and refer all threats, assaults and obstruction of our officers to the appropriate law enforcement. Obstructing and assaulting law enforcement is a felony and a federal crime."

DHS has issued numerous factually incorrect statements attributed to McLaughlin.

Independent journalist Ken Klippenstein reported today that an unnamed federal law enforcement official told him that DHS "has ordered immigration officers to gather identifying information about anyone filming them."

In September, President Donald Trump issued a memo ordering federal law enforcement to focus on ideologies that are allegedly fueling "domestic terrorism." These include "anti-Americanism, anti-capitalism, and anti-Christianity; support for the overthrow of the United States Government; extremism on migration, race, and gender," as well as opposition to "foundational American principles (e.g., support for law enforcement and border control)."

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As Reason's Joe Lancaster wrote at the time, the memo was "an assault on the First Amendment" that listed protected free speech "as evidence of criminality that requires federal intervention."

And since the Trump administration's deportation campaign began last year, DHS officials have repeatedly insisted that following and recording federal immigration agents in public is a violation of a federal statute that makes it a crime to assault or impede law enforcement officers.

There have been dozens of recorded instances of ICE and Border Patrol officers harassing, assaulting, and detaining people for filming and following them, even though there is a well-established First Amendment right to record and observe the police.

For example, today Slate published the first-person account of Brandon Siguenza, a Minneapolis man who was volunteering with a local group that monitors and records ICE activity. Federal immigration officers surrounded his car, smashed out his windows, roughly arrested him, and detained him for hours.

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Siguenza also submitted a sworn declaration describing his experiences in a civil rights lawsuit challenging the DHS' actions in Minneapolis.

Last week, the federal judge in that lawsuit ruled that the plaintiffs were likely to succeed on their claims that federal officers engaged in targeted First Amendment retaliation against them. The protesters' and monitors' actions, the judge found, "did not forcibly obstruct or impede the agents' work."

Reason has argued through both Republican and Democratic administrations that government fears of "domestic terrorism" are a pretext for increased snooping and harassment. and comments like the ones by the ICE agent in Maine are only more evidence in favor of that argument.

The post ICE Tells Legal Observer, 'We Have a Nice Little Database, and Now You're Considered a Domestic Terrorist' appeared first on Reason.com.
With illegal items on the rise in the Idaho prison system, including attempts to introduce them with drones near the main corrections complex south of Boise, a state lawmaker has proposed a bill to ban unmanned aircraft from flying near prison facilities.

Rep. Ted Hill, R-Eagle, aims to help ease the Idaho Department of Corrections efforts to prevent prisoners from obtaining contraband, including cellphones, drugs and weapons. A retired U.S. Navy combat fighter pilot, Hill said its the first in a series of bills he foresees to get ahead of challenges posed by drones  starting with halting prohibited items from landing in the prison yard.

This bill will allow the Department of Correction and law enforcement to take reasonable measures against drones and drone operators that are operating in a nefarious manner, Hill told the House Judiciary Committee on Monday. The drones are tremendously threatening.

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Detecting them is difficult; Stopping them is extremely difficult, he added.

If passed into law, House Bill 499 would set a punishment of up to one year in prison or a fine between $2,000 and $5,000 for flying a drone in the restricted airspace within the proximity of the prison complex. The complex has six state correctional facilities, including Idahos maximum security prison.

A drone hovers above DZYNE Technologies Sage Works test site south of the Boise Airport near Kuna. The facility, not far from the Idaho Department of Corrections Boise-area prison complex, will expand to 100 acres and carries approval from the FAA to conduct beyond visual line of sight testing. (DZYNE Technologies/Provided)

A revised version of Hills bill with technical changes was reintroduced Friday morning in the committee. It specified the crime would be charged as a misdemeanor and detailed airspace parameters near and over the prison complex.

As of now, there is no law specific to drone flying over a prison with penalties if someone does, Hill said in an email to the Statesman. This law will be specific for any encroachment of the prison perimeter by a drone, nefarious or not. Providing contraband into a prison, by whatever source, is a separate crime and a felony.

Other states ban drones near prisons

Since June 2018, the Federal Aviation Administration has restricted drones from flying over federal prisons under a special security authority. But state prisons are not eligible unless deemed a national security concern by the Justice Department, an FAA spokesperson said in an email to the Statesman.

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A new carve-out to pursue restricting drone flights over state prison facilities was included in the federal law in 2024 that funded and reauthorized the FAA. That rulemaking process remains under development, the FAA spokesperson said.

Federal law also prohibits shooting a drone out of the sky.

You cant shoot these things down like a duck, Hill said Monday. Theyre going 50 mph, you cant get your shotgun and shoot them. You cant.

Razor wire fencing surrounds the Idaho Department of Corrections maximum security prison south of Boise. Attempts to drop contraband over prison walls with drones is on the rise, according to prison officials. (Sarah A. Miller/Sarah A. Miller for ProPublica)

In the meantime, other state prison systems in the U.S. have faced the issue of drone drops. At least seven states have passed laws that ban the use of unmanned aircraft over its prisons, including Florida, Nevada and Georgia.

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The Idaho prison system has seen a recent increase in the use of drones to drop contraband over its walls, IDOC Director Bree Derrick told the same House committee last March. Over the past year, drones have entered the secure perimeter of the prison complex on several occasions, IDOC spokesperson Ryan Mortensen told the Idaho Statesman.

Contraband remains an ongoing threat to the safety and security of Idahos prisons. As technology evolves, so do the methods by which contraband is introduced, he said in an email.

Derricks predecessor, former IDOC Director Josh Tewalt, advocated last year for supplemental funding from the Idaho Legislature to acquire a drone detection system for the prison complex. The budget request totaled $385,500 for a pilot program, which Mortensen said ended in November.

The Idaho Legislature approved $385,500 last year to a drone detection system for the state prison complex south of Boise. The pilot program ended in November. (Sarah A. Miller/Sarah A. Miller for ProPublica)

At least one suspected attempt to drop contraband into the prison complex with a drone took place in 2024, Tewalt previously told the Statesman. Two more happened in January 2025, he told the finance committee at the time.

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We enjoyed a period of time when we were not dealing with drones, he said. Its not just a threat that we are trying to anticipate around the corner  its here.

Prisoner escape put spotlight on drones

The heightened attention paid to drones near the prisons outside of Boise came after a violent incident in which a prisoner escaped during a March 2024 visit to the hospital for treatment. He used a contraband cellphone to plan an ambush with a former prisoner, and three correctional officers were injured by gunfire in the attack, but survived.

A statewide manhunt ensued to locate prisoner Skylar Meade, who was assisted by Nicholas Umphenour, before they were apprehended 36 hours later in Twin Falls. During that window until they were captured, law enforcement in North Idaho suspected them of killing two men: 83-year-old James Mauney, of Juliaetta, and 72-year-old Gerald Don Henderson, of Orofino.

It remains unclear how Meade, who was housed in solitary confinement at the maximum security before his escape, was able to obtain the cellphone. To aid their escape plan, the two men discussed where to buy ammunition, and also shared which guards would be carrying weapons, according to text messages presented in court.

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Tewalt did not rule out the possibility that the confiscated cellphone came into the prison by way of a drone.

The level of sophistication that is being deployed today to introduce contraband in the correctional facilities is unlike anything that any of us in the field have ever seen, he said last year. Its unlike anything weve ever experienced.

Aside from the drone technology, IDOC requested more supplemental funding from the Legislature for software to transcribe phone calls and technology to digitize prisoners mail.

It doesnt take the attempts to introduce contraband off the table, but it allows us to plug one hole and redeploy resources elsewhere, Tewalt told the finance committee at the time.

Skylar Meade, 33, left, and Nicholas Umphenour, 30, were suspected of killing two North Idaho men after Meades March 2024 prison escape during an ambush planned with Umphenour. (Darin Oswald/doswald@idahostatesman.com)

Now, Meade, 33, and Umphenour, 30, will spend the rest of their lives in prison. Both men were handed decade-long prison sentences after each of them pleaded guilty to several felonies in Ada County related to the escape. And, any chance they had of parole vanished after the two men were offered plea deals in the murders of Mauney and Henderson, of Orofino.

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According to Idaho State Police, Mauney, who was last seen walking his dogs north of Lewiston, was found dead in a desolate area near Leland. On the same day, deputies from neighboring Clearwater County found Hendersons body in his cabin outside Orofino, where police also found Mauneys dogs, and shackles left behind by Meade.

Meade pleaded guilty through an Alford plea to the two counts of first-degree murder and is expected to be sentenced to life in prison next week. An Alford plea carries the same weight as a guilty plea, but the defendant does not admit guilt, only that theres enough evidence to convict.

Umphenour, meanwhile, hasnt officially pleaded guilty, but reached a plea deal with Nez Perce and Clearwater prosecutors. According to court records obtained by the Statesman, hes scheduled for a change of plea hearing on Feb. 10, and is expected to enter an Alford plea as well.
When Yvonne St Cyr  one of seven people with ties to Idaho who participated in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol after Donald Trumps 2020 election loss  appeared before U.S. District Judge John Bates in Washington D.C., he told her just before sentencing her to federal prison that she had little or no respect for the law, the countrys democratic systems or the criminal justice system.

St Cyr was sentenced to 30 months in prison and three years of supervised release, and she was fined over $3,000.

Youre not being held responsible for your beliefs. Youre not being held responsible for what you have said, Bates said in September 2023. Youre being held responsible for the choices you made on Jan. 6 and the conduct that you engaged in.

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Two years later  after her sentence was cut short by the sweeping presidential pardons Trump issued to all of the rioters  St Cyr, of Caldwell, went before Judge Bates again  and this time she asked for her money back.

In a motion, she asked for the $2,270 she paid to help cover the millions of dollars in damages that Trump supporters did to the U.S. Capitol while violently trying to stop the certification of former President Joe Bidens victory over Trump. (She didnt pay $1,000 of the fines.)

With some reluctance, Bates agreed to grant her the reimbursement.

Sometimes a judge is called upon to do what the law requires, even if it may seem at odds with what justice or ones initial instincts might warrant, Bates, an appointee of Republican George W. Bush, wrote in his order. This is one such occasion.

Yvonne St Cyr, an Idaho resident, posted at least two photos on Facebook after getting inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (Facebook)

During the riot, St Cyr entered the Capitol and posted a livestream video on Facebook that was widely circulated on other social media platforms and picked up by national news outlets. She filmed an office window getting destroyed and continued to stand in the window as she shouted to the crowd.

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As Bates explained in his 15-page order, because St Cyr was actively appealing her conviction when she was pardoned, her charges were listed as dismissed  meaning the law presumes that she was not found guilty. Therefore, the government has no right to keep the money.

If St Cyr hadnt appealed her conviction or had the appeals court affirm her prison sentence before Trumps pardon, then shed have no right to be refunded the money, he wrote.

Of the other people with ties to Idaho who were convicted for their actions that day, none have filed motions requesting their money back, according to a search of court records. But that doesnt mean others throughout the country wont follow suit.

The Washington Post reported that while St Cyr was the first of the Jan. 6 defendants granted a refund, at least two others are expected to get their money back. Five others have been denied their refunds but are appealing those decisions, the newspaper reported.

Yvonne St Cyr could be seen in photo evidence moving toward the Capitol after breaking through the police line. (United States District Court for the District of Columbia)

St Cyr was the only one who was still in prison in 2025, as the other four with convictions had been released or were on probation. Theo Hanson and Michael Pope had their charges dropped as their cases were still ongoing. Because neither had been convicted, they hadnt paid any fines or restitution.

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Pamela Hemphill, one of the seven Idahoans who participated in the Jan. 6 riot, told the Idaho Statesman that taking any money back would be a disgrace and that shed never consider it. Hemphill was fined $500, which she paid.

The Boise resident, who was once nicknamed the MAGA Granny, found herself becoming politically involved after retiring in 2011 and became connected with far-right figures, including Idahos Ammon Bundy, the Statesman previously reported. But once she was released from two months in federal prison, she noticed that other rioters online were supporting the violence against Capitol police officers, and began to change her perspective on the 2020 election.

She thought of herself as being in a cult, she told the Statesman at the time. That mindset change led to her rejecting her pardon, and more recently testifying at the U.S. Capitol earlier this month on the fifth anniversary of the attack.

Nobody forced anybody to do anything, she said by phone Thursday. We made our own choices that day.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  An Illinois doctor indicted on murder charges in the December shooting deaths of his ex-wife and her dentist husband in their Columbus home pleaded not guilty to the killings in an Ohio courtroom on Friday.

Michael David McKee, 39, appeared remotely on camera from jail for his arraignment in Franklin County, where he faced four aggravated murder counts and one count of aggravated burglary while using a firearm suppressor in connection with the Dec. 30 double homicide of Monique Tepe, 39, and Dr. Spencer Tepe, 37. He was garbed in prison attire and did not speak during the brief hearing. Defense attorney Diane Menashe waived a request for bond, at least for now.

The mystery that first surrounded the case  which featured no forced entry, no weapon and no obvious signs of theft, additional violence or a motive  drew national attention. McKee, of Chicago, was arrested 11 days later near his workplace in Rockford, Illinois. He was returned to Ohio on Tuesday to face the charges against him.

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Who is Michael David McKee?

McKee attended Catholic high school in Zanesville, a historic Ohio city about 55 miles (89 kilometers) east of the capital, according to the Diocese of Columbus. He enrolled at Ohio State University in September 2005  the same semester that his future wife, then Monique Sabaturski, enrolled, university records show. Both graduated with bachelor's degrees in June 2009. Sabaturski earned a master of education degree from Ohio State in 2011, and McKee earned his medical degree there in 2014.

Sabaturski and McKee married in Columbus in August 2015 but were living apart by the time Monique filed to end in the marriage in May 2017, court records show. Their divorce was granted that June. McKee was living in Virginia at the time, court and address records show. He completed a two-year fellowship in vascular surgery at the University of Maryland Medical Center in October 2022, according to the school.

McKee also lived in and was licensed to practice medicine in both California and in Nevada, where he was among doctors named in a personal injury lawsuit in a Las Vegas court in 2023. OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, Illinois, where McKee was working at the time of his arrest, declined to provide specific information on the dates of his employment. His Illinois medical license became active in October 2024.

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What is McKee accused of?

An Ohio grand jury indicted McKee in the double homicide last week.

McKee is accused of illegally entering the Tepes home with a firearm equipped with a silencer, shooting the Tepes  whose bodies were found in a second-floor bedroom  and leaving the property along a dark alley alongside the house.

Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant has said that McKee was the person seen walking down that alley in video footage captured the night of the killings. She also said a gun found in his Chicago apartment was a ballistic match to evidence at the scene and that his vehicle's movements were tracked from Columbus back to Illinois.

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A message seeking comment was left with McKee's attorney.

McKee is charged with two aggravated murder counts for each homicide, one for prior calculation and design and one for committing the crime, as well as facing the aggravated burglary count. If convicted, he faces a minimum of life in prison with parole eligibility after 32 years and a maximum term of life in prison without parole.

How were the killings discovered?

Columbus police conducted a wellness check on Spencer Tepe at around 10 a.m. on Dec. 30, after his manager at a dental practice in Athens, Ohio, reported that he had not shown up to work on that day, saying tardiness was very worrying and out of character for Tepe, according to a 911 call.

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Someone else called to request a wellness check before a distraught man who described himself as a friend of Spencer Tepe called police and said, Oh, theres a body. Theres a body. Oh my God. He said he could see Spencer Tepes body was off the side of a bed in a pool of blood.

The Franklin County Coroners Office deemed the killings an apparent homicide by gunshot wounds.

Who were the Tepes?

Family members said the Tepes were extraordinary people whose lives were filled with love, joy and deep connection to others.

They have described Monique as a joyful mother, avid baker and thoughtful planner. According to their obituaries, which were issued jointly, the pair were married in 2020.

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Spencer Tepe got his bachelor's degree from Ohio State University in 2012 and earned his doctor of dental surgery degree in 2017, according to school records. He was a member of the American Dental Association and had been involved with the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization.

They had two young children. Both were home at the time of the killings and left unharmed, as was the family dog.
Indiana voters are poised to vote on a state constitutional amendment during the November election this year, but unlike in other states, the language won't be about the hot-topic issues of marijuana or abortion.

The state Senate approved a proposed amendment allowing judges to withhold bail from accused people who are deemed dangerous Jan. 22 by a 43-2 vote, sending the measure to the House. Should the House also pass it  which is expected  the General Assembly will then push the question to Hoosier voters on their November 2026 ballots.

The amendment would allow judges to withhold bail from defendants if the state proves that they pose a "substantial risk" to the safety of another person or the community. Current law says only those accused of murder or treason can have bail withheld, but this language expands that possibility to other offenses, such as misdemeanors.

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The General Assembly passed the same language in 2023. Per Indiana law, this proposed constitutional amendment needs to pass a second session of the General Assembly after a general election in order to be put to the voters.

The amendment would give judges the "flexibility to use a policy that most of the country already enjoys," Bedford Republican Sen. Eric Koch said, noting that judges have this ability in more than half of states.

Along with the constitutional amendment, the Senate this week also sent to the House two companion bills: Senate Bill 3, which spells out the ballot language, and Senate Bill 2, which lays out the due process required of judges who must make these decisions.

As evidenced by the overwhelming vote for the constitutional amendment, Senate Democrats were generally on board with putting this question to Indiana voters. Where they had more discomfort was in the details, such as Senate Bill 2, which eight of them voted down.

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That bill lists factors that judges must consider in their decision to deny bail for offenses other than murder and treason, including the weight of the evidence, the nature of the charge, the availability of other options, and a number of the defendants characteristics: their character, mental condition, family and community ties, employment, past conduct and criminal history, among others.

Democrats expressed concerns that this opens the door for judges to deny bail to people without prior convictions. Bill author Aaron Freeman, R-Indianapolis, acknowledged that there's nothing preventing that, but he doesn't think that's what's going to happen in practice.

"What were going after is repeat violent offenders," he said.

Sen. Rodney Pol, D-Chesterton, argued that the broad list of considerations for judges opens up the possibility that they could make a decision based on the organizations a person associates with or expresses fondness for, such as gun rights groups.

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"It is such a drastic change and such a stiff penalty before youve seen your day in court," he said.

These arguments echo concerns raised on the constitutional amendment itself. Community advocate DeOnyae-Dior Valentina called this "incarceration based on prediction" and predicted non-white people would be disproportionately affected.

"That is a fundamental shift in constitutional values," she said. "This is a permanent expansion of state power over people who are presumed innocent."

But advocates for the change, like Courtney Curtis of the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council, argue that the judge must weigh both the risk to the community and the strength of the case against the defendent, presenting two layers of protection.

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"It allows the judges on the bench to have one additional tool in their toolbox if the state meets its burden," she said.

If the court receives new and relevant information after such a hearing, the judge can reconsider; these decisions would also be appealable, Senate Bill 2 says.

Contact IndyStar Statehouse reporter Kayla Dwyer at kdwyer@indystar.com or follow her on X@kayla_dwyer17.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana House OKs amendment to state constitution. Here's what it does
By Karen Freifeld and David Shepardson

Jan 23 (Reuters) - The Trump administration has pushed out a Commerce Department official whose office effectively barred nearly all Chinese cars from the U.S. market for national security reasons, according to people familiar with the matter.

Elizabeth "Liz" Cannon has resigned as executive director for Information and Communications Technology and Services (ICTS), an office created in 2022 to investigate threats to the supply chain from foreign adversaries, the people said.

News of Cannon's impending departure comes shortly after the department dropped a plan to impose restrictions on Chinese drones despite the risk that U.S. adversaries might remotely access and manipulate the devices, exposing sensitive U.S. data.

The office, which falls under the department's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), also has not issued regulations to address concerns about medium and heavy-duty truck exports. It finalized rules a year ago under then-president Joe Biden that effectively barred Chinese passenger vehicles.

BIS is committed to using its ICTS authorities to address national security risks from foreign technology," a spokesperson for the bureau said in a statement Friday. "Recent staffing changes at the ICTS Office will strengthen the Office and ensure that it continues to deliver for the American people.

The sources said that, had she not resigned, Cannon would have been reassigned, and that the new administration plans to put a political appointee in the post. Her last day is expected to be February 20, two people said.

(Reporting by Karen Freifeld and David Shepardson; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Kevin Liffey)
An inmate in Warren County has learned his punishment for punching a corrections officer in the face, according to the Warren County Prosecutors office.

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A Warren County grand jury convicted Todd Anthony King, 63, of felonious assault and assault on a corrections officer.

King is currently an inmate at the Warren Correctional Institution.

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In July 2024, King began serving his sentence for two counts of felonious assault on a police officer, having weapons while under disability, tampering with evidence, and inducing panic.

The prosecutors office said King punched a prison investigator in the face after refusing to hand over contraband items.

The assault left the officer with a fractured orbital.

A case like this demonstrates the risk that ODRC staff face each day when they enter those prison walls  all to keep the rest of society safe. Unfortunately, when certain people do horrible things when they walk free among us, they dont stop doing horrible things once theyre locked up, Prosecutor David Fornshell said.

King was sentenced to six to nine years in prison, which will be served consecutively to the time hes currently serving.

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Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has called on European Union countries to assume responsibility for their nationals being held in Iraq on Islamic State terrorism charges, as the country prepares to receive thousands of extra prisoners.

Iraq has recently begun receiving foreign Islamic State detainees amid growing concerns over the security of detention facilities in north-eastern Syria, where shifting control and renewed fighting have raised fears of prison breaks and instability.

Two days ago, US forces transferred the first batch of a planned total of nearly 7,000 Islamic State inmates from Syria to Iraq.

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In a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, al-Sudani focused on the temporary transfer of foreign Islamic State detainees from prisons formerly run by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to detention facilities in Iraq, his office said in a statement on Friday.

Al-Sudani emphasized the responsibility of the international community - particularly EU member states - to repatriate detainees who are their nationals, ensure they are prosecuted under their own legal systems, and receive what he described as "fair punishment."

In 2025, the US and allied forces detained more than 300 Islamic State operatives in Syria and killed about 20 others.

The Islamic State group controlled large parts of Iraq and Syria between 2014 and 2019. It was militarily defeated in Iraq in 2017 and declared defeated in Syria two years later.

However, the organization was not completely eradicated, and cells continue to carry out deadly attacks in both countries.
CAIRO (AP)  Israeli forces on Wednesday killed at least 11 Palestinians in Gaza, including two 13-year-old boys, three journalists and a woman, hospitals said, on one of the war-battered enclave 's deadliest days since the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel took effect in October.

The United States is trying to push the deal forward and implement its challenging second phase.

Among the dead were three Palestinian journalists who were killed while filming near a displacement camp in central Gaza, a camp official said. Israel's military said it had spotted suspects who were operating a drone that posed a threat to its troops.

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The two boys were killed in separate incidents. In one, a 13-year-old, his father and a 22-year old man were hit by Israeli drones on the eastern side of the Bureij refugee camp, according to officials from Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the central town of Deir al-Balah, which received the bodies.

It wasnt immediately clear whether the three had crossed into Israeli-controlled areas.

A mounting death toll

The other 13-year-old was shot by troops in the eastern town of Bani Suheila, Nasser Hospital said after receiving the body. In a video circulated online, the father of Moatsem al-Sharafy is seen weeping over it.

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The boys mother, Safaa al-Sharafy, told The Associated Press that he had left to gather firewood so she could cook.

He went out in the morning, hungry, she said, tears running down her cheeks. He told me hed go quickly and come back.

Later Wednesday, an Israeli strike hit a vehicle carrying the three Palestinian journalists who were filming a new displacement camp managed by an Egyptian government committee in the Netzarim area, said Mohammed Mansour, the committee's spokesperson.

Mansour said the journalists were documenting the committees work and that the strike occurred about 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the Israeli-controlled area. He said the vehicle was known to Israel's military as belonging to the committee. Video footage showed the charred and smoking vehicle by the roadside.

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One journalist killed, Abdul Raouf Shaat, was a regular contributor to Agence France-Presse but he was not on assignment for it at the time, the news agency said.

Abdul was much loved by the AFP team covering Gaza. They remember him as a kind-hearted colleague," the agency said in a statement that demanded a full investigation into his death.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, more than 200 Palestinian journalists and media workers have been killed in Gaza since the war began in 2023, including visual journalist Mariam Dagga, who worked for the AP and other news organizations.

Nearly five months after the strikes on a hospital that killed Dagga and four other journalists, the Israeli military says it is continuing to investigate.

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Aside from rare guided tours, Israel has barred international journalists from entering to cover the war. News organizations rely largely on Palestinian journalists in Gaza  as well as residents  to show what is happening.

Nasser Hospital officials also said Wednesday they received the body of a Palestinian woman shot by Israeli troops in the Muwasi area of the southern city of Khan Younis, which is not controlled by the military.

In a separate attack, three brothers were killed in a tank shelling in the Bureij camp, according to Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital.

More than 470 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the ceasefire took effect on Oct. 10, according to Gaza's health ministry. At least 77 have been killed by Israeli gunfire near a ceasefire line that splits the territory between Israeli-held areas and most of Gazas Palestinian population, the ministry says.

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The ministry, which is part of the Hamas-led government, maintains detailed casualty records that are seen as generally reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts.

A mother's plea

The first phase of the October ceasefire that paused two years of war between Israel and Hamas militants focused on the return of all remaining hostages in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian detainees and a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces in Gaza.

All but one hostage, living or dead, have been returned to Israel. Ran Gvili, a 24-year-old police officer known as Rani, was killed while fighting Hamas militants during the Oct. 7, 2023 attack that started the war.

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His relatives on Wednesday called again on Israel's government and U.S. President Donald Trump to ensure the release of his remains.

We need to continue to amplify Ranis voice, explain about him, talk about him, and explain to the world that we, the people of Israel, will not give up on anyone, his mother, Talik Gvili, said. She told the AP the family doesn't "really know where he is.

Hamas said Wednesday it has provided all information it has on Gvili's body to the ceasefire mediators, and accused Israel of obstructing search efforts in areas it controls in Gaza.

Israel targets more sites in Lebanon

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Israels air force carried out multiple strikes Wednesday against sites in southern Lebanon that it said the militant Hezbollah group used to store weapons, and at sites along Lebanons border with Syria where it said weapons were being smuggled.

The military said it struck four border crossings in Lebanons northeastern region of Hermel.

Earlier, strikes in three villages in southern Lebanon targeted weapons storage facilities. Israel's military said it had issued warnings to evacuate. Lebanons health ministry said 19 people, including journalists, were wounded in the southern village of Qennarit, south of the port city of Sidon.

Lebanese officials condemned the strikes in southern Lebanon, which President Joseph Aoun called systematic aggression.

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In addition, drone strikes on cars in the villages of Bazouriyeh and Zahrani killed two people, according to state-run National News Agency.

The strikes were the latest in near-daily Israeli military action since a ceasefire more than a year ago ended the 14-month Israel-Hezbollah war. The agreement included a Lebanese pledge to disarm militant groups, which Israel says has not been fulfilled.

___

Associated Press writer Bassem Mroue in Beirut contributed to this report.
Jan. 22 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump broke federal laws and rightfully was prosecuted, former Special Counsel Jack Smith said while testifying before the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday.

The committee held a public hearing to ensure transparency in the matter, so that the general public is better informed of the prior efforts to prosecute Trump for organizing a protest against the 2020 election that turned into a riot at the Capitol and over his handling of classified documents.

Committee chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, accused Smith of politicizing the Justice Department and using statements that he knew were false to press legal claims against Trump.

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"It was always about politics and to get President Trump," Jordan said of the Biden administration. "They were willing to do almost anything."

Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., accused Smith of targeting Trump and others because they were President Joe Biden's and Vice President Kamala Harris' "political enemies."

"They were the enemy of the president," Issa said. "And you were their arm, weren't you?"

Smith denied engaging in politicized lawfare against the president and instead said Trump knowingly violated federal laws when organizing the protest that devolved into a riot on Jan. 6, 2021.

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The president "willfully broke the very laws that he took an oath to uphold," Smith said.

"If asked whether to prosecute a former president based on the same facts today, I would do so regardless of whether that president was a Republican or a Democrat," he told the committee.

Smith said he is "not a politician" and that he has "no partisan loyalties."

He also denied accusations of spying on lawmakers and others when committee members raised the matter of Smith secretly examining the phone records of nine Republican senators while investigating the Capitol riot that began as a protest against the 2020 election.

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Smith told the committee that the phone records were germane to the investigation and defended a $20,000 payment made to a confidential source.

Some Republican committee members suggested the payment was an improper use of taxpayer dollars, but Smith said the payment was for a source that reviewed photographic and video evidence of the event.

"No one should be above the law in our country," he told the committee. "The law required that he be held to account, so that is what I did."

Smith said the only regret he had about the dual prosecutions was that he did not do more to express his appreciation for the staff that assisted him at the time.

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His investigative team collected enough evidence to support his charges against Trump, Smith said, adding that the president "was by a large measure the most culpable and most responsible person in this conspiracy."

Some Democratic Party members of the committee expressed their support for Smith and his efforts to investigate and prosecute Trump.

Ranking Member Jamie Raskin, D-Md., called Smith one of the country's "great prosecutors," and some of the committee's other Democrats told Smith that they agreed that Trump had broken federal laws.

While Smith's testimony was underway, the president on social media called him a "deranged animal" who should not be allowed to practice law

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"Deranged Jack Smith is being decimated before Congress," Trump said. "It was over when they discussed his past failures and unfair prosecutions."

He accused Smith of destroying "many lives under the guise of legitimacy" and said his law license would have been revoked and "far worse" would have been done if he were a Republican.

"Hopefully, the attorney general is looking at what he's done, including some of the corrupt witnesses that he was attempting to use against me," the president continued.

"The whole thing was a Democrat scam," he added. "A big price should be paid by them for what they have put our country through!"

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When committee members informed Smith of Trump's comments, he declined to respond to them and instead said that he expected the Justice Department to punish him in some way.

Smith largely declined to answer questions regarding a separate case against Trump over the president's handling of classified documents.

He said an ongoing court case on the matter prevents him from discussing it.

Smith earlier testified before the committee for eight hours on Dec. 17, which the committee later made public, along with a 255-page transcript of his testimony.

Smith secured two indictments against Trump in 2023. One accused Trump of keeping classified documents after his first term, and the other accused him of plotting to overthrow the 2020 election.

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He dropped both cases after Trump won in 2024 because the Justice Department has a policy against prosecuting a sitting president.

Trump denied any wrongdoing and has called the indictments "witch hunts" and repeatedly has called for the prosecution of Smith since he took office last year.
Japan is currently developing the worlds fastest train, the L0 Series, which is a Japanese maglev train being produced and tested by the Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central).

This train is expected to be able to reach speeds of up to 603.5kmh, far surpassing the only commercial maglev train in the world at the moment, Chinas Shanghai Maglev, which goes up to 460.2kmh.

In contrast, Europes fastest trains, the French TGV and the Italian AGV Italo, have top operational speeds of between 306-354kmh.

Slashing travel time between Tokyo and Nagoya to mere minutes

Usually, a train from Tokyo to Nagoya can take anywhere between one hour and 26 minutes to two and a half hours or more, depending on whether travellers take the faster bullet train (Shinkansen) services, or the slower Kodama or Hikari ones.

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However, the L0 Series Chuo-Shinkansen line being built at the moment, will likely cut this travel time down to only 40 minutes. A service between Nagoya and Osaka is also expected to be implemented down the line, which will then combine the three cities into a single larger serviceable region.

To give a Europe-based example, this train would reduce the journey time between London and Edinburgh to only 60 minutes - a journey that takes anywhere betweenfour to five hours and 45 minutes on current UK trains.

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What makes the L0 Series so fast?

The L0 Series will use magnetic levitation (maglev), a technology that lifts the train above the tracks, allowing the carriages to be propelled forward by another electric motor.

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Using both electricity and magnets, this method enables the train to glide through the air at previously unimaginable speeds.

Once deemed commercially operational, the L0 Series train will be able to travel from Tokyo to Osaka in one hour, a journey which currently takes anywhere from two hours 20 minutes to four hours.

Needless to say, this futuristic train needs massive investment, with costs coming up to around 52bn (59.9bn) so far.

Originally scheduled for completion in 2027, the project has also already been delayed by eight years, with a more realistic inauguration date now likely between 2034 and 2035.

Could this train work in Europe?

Although train enthusiasts will be thrilled to hear about this new development, the real question remains: could this train work outside Japan, in markets like the UK or Europe?

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Integrating such a high-speed train in the UK or European market could be a lot more challenging than it appears. This is because these markets typically focus equally, if not more, on user comfort, overall journey experience, luxury and accessibility on train journeys, which are usually prized for their slow, scenic beauty.

Unless linked to purely functional and business travel routes, such as London to Paris, or London to Brussels, this preference could put an ultra-high speed train at an immediate disadvantage in these markets.

Apart from this, a train like the L0 Series would require significant investment, as well as infrastructure support, as it would not be able to run on existing train lines. Most of the line also needs to be through tunnels, which would have to be excavated specially for this purpose.

It is also much more power-intensive than normal UK or European trains, which further bumps up costs. And it has a smaller capacity than most European trains, which would make it harder to break even in terms of costs.
A Charlotte man was sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of a shooting that killed a bystander and injured another person.

Hubert Wilkinson was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday for the first-degree murder of 44-year-old Lawrence Crank in a shooting that occurred on June 29, 2020, at a convenience store on Tuckaseegee Road.

The trial began on Jan. 12. A jury found Wilkinson guilty of first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury, and attempted first-degree murder.

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READ: Man accused of shooting 2 people at west Charlotte business, leaving one dead

On the afternoon of June 29, 2020, Wilkinson followed a male customer into a convenience store, prosecutors said, and fired several shots after approaching from the back. Surveillance video captured the incident, which showed Wilkinson firing three shots. Two shots struck the customer, and one fatally hit Crank, who was waiting in line to pay for merchandise.

Crank was pronounced dead at the scene, while the injured customer was transported to a hospital where he underwent surgery for his injuries, officials said.

The legal proceedings concluded with a judge sentencing Wilkinson to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the first-degree murder charge, as well as a consecutive sentence of 180 to 228 months for the attempted murder charge.

WATCH: Lenoir police investigate deadly shooting; suspect in custody
A federal judge ruled Thursday that university association members may seek relief from the court if their immigration status is changed as retribution for challenging an alleged Trump administration policy to single out campus activists critical of Israels war in Gaza for immigration enforcement.

U.S. District Judge William Youngs order follows a trial last year where he found top Cabinet officials conspired to target noncitizens for deportation on account of their support for Palestinians and criticism of Israel.

At a hearing last week, Young said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Secretary of State Marco Rubio operated an unconstitutional conspiracy to deport certain people so the university association members would be hesitant to speak out.

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The big problem in this case is that the Cabinet secretaries, and ostensibly, the president of the United States, are not honoring the First Amendment, Young said. There doesnt seem to be an understanding of what the First Amendment is by this government.

The judge, an appointee of President Reagan, described his Thursday order as a remedial sanction to protect certain of the Plaintiffs non-citizen members from any retribution for the free exercise of their constitutional rights.

For a noncitizen to seek relief for their immigration status change under the order, Young said they would first have to show they were a member of the American Association of University Professors or Middle East Studies Association  the two university associations that sued  between March 25, 2025, and Sept. 30, 2025. Additionally, they would need to prove their immigration status had not expired and that they committed no crimes after Sept. 30, 2025.

If they prove as much, Young ruled the presumption will be that the alteration in their immigration status came in retribution for exercising their First Amendment rights during the course of the case.

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It would void alteration of the persons immigration status unless the government can prove their immigration status had expired, they were convicted of a crime where a jury trial was their right or there was an APPROPRIATE reason under immigration law for changing their status.

Ramya Krishnan, a senior staff attorney with the Knight First Amendment Institute, which represented the challengers, said in a statement the judgment makes emphatically clear that the Trump administrations campaign of intimidation must end.

The administrations lawless efforts to deport pro-Palestinian advocates has spread terror in our campus communities, Krishnan said. Students and scholars shouldnt have to live in fear that ICE agents could seize them from their homes merely for engaging in political expression.

A State Department spokesperson told The Hill that the agency abides by all applicable laws to ensure the U.S. does not harbor aliens who pose a threat to our national security.

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The Trump Administration is using every tool available to get terrorist-supporting aliens out of our country, the spokesperson said in a statement. A visa is a privilege, not a right.

Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin signaled the administration will appeal.

There is no room in the United States for the rest of the worlds terrorist sympathizers, and we are under no obligation to admit them or let them stay here, McLaughlin said in a statement. The framers of our Constitution and its Bill of Rights never contemplated a world where foreign citizens could come here as guests and hide behind the First Amendment to advocate for anti-American and anti-Semitic violence and terrorism.

We expect a higher court to vindicate us in this, she added.

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Last years trial over the arrests of and efforts to deport foreign-born students and faculty members linked to campus demonstrations lasted roughly two weeks  the first major trial of Trumps second administration.

Young has called the case perhaps the most important ever to fall within the jurisdiction of this district court.

Green card-holding professors at U.S. universities testified at trial that the high-profile arrests of outspoken students, such as former Columbia University pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil and Tufts student Rumeysa Ozturk, made them fearful and stifled their speech.

Khalil faced a setback in his bid to remain in the U.S. earlier this month, after an appeals court panel ruled a federal judge had no power to order his release. The 2-1 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit could lead to Khalils rearrest, though he is able to continue appealing.

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The trial also revealed that more than 5,000 pro-Palestinian protesters were targeted in the campaign. Many of those targeted appeared to have their names plucked from the online blacklist Canary Mission.

A senior Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official said between 100 and 200 reports were ultimately compiled on people identified but that analysts who were working on cases involving counterterrorism, cybercrimes and global trade were moved to put together reports on demonstrators because of the workload.

At the hearing earlier this month, Young expressed disbelief at the Trump administrations tactics.

How could this happen? How could our governments highest officials seek to so infringe on the rights of people lawfully here in the United States? the judge said. The record in this case convinces me that these high officials  and I include the president of the United States  have a fearful view of freedom.

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Updated at 12:16 p.m. EST

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.
Luigi Mangiones federal murder trial in the killing of the United HealthCare CEO Brian Thompson is scheduled to start with jury selection on 8 September, a judge said on Friday, triggering one of the most eagerly anticipated criminal trials in recent US history.

Judge Margaret Garnett announced the trial date to a packed Manhattan federal courtroom shortly before an evidence-related hearing in his case.

The gunning down of Thompson on a Manhattan street triggered an intense manhunt for his killer. At the same time the shooting saw a wave of public anger at the practices of the for-profit US healthcare industry, and since his arrest Mangione has attracted a cult following of supporters.

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Related: Luigi Mangione lawyers fight death penalty, saying Pam Bondi is biased

Mangione entered the courtroom at 11.05am in khaki jail garb. He had scruffy facial hair. When Mangione walked into court, some of the approximately two dozen supporters in attendance craned their necks to get a better look.

Many of his supporters in attendance sported green, a nod to the Nintendo character with whom Mangione shares a first name. The hues ranged from olive to hunter to emerald to pine. One woman wore a pink flower crown and a coordinating furry coat.

After jury selection, the next major trial date hinges on whether Garnett decides Mangione will face the death penalty.

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Donald Trumps attorney general, Pam Bondi, is pushing for the death penalty. Lawyers for Mangione, who has pleaded not guilty, are fighting to take that off the table.

If Mangione does not face the death penalty at trial, openings would kick off on 13 October. If Mangione does face a capital trial, openings would be expected on 11 January 2027.

Following Garnetts scheduling announcement, Nathan Snyder, the deputy police chief of Altoona, Pennsylvania, was called to testify about search procedures during Mangiones arrest in the town.

Garnett decided to hear testimony about search procedures following a 9 January conference, citing the seriousness of the charges the defendant is facing.

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Altoona police encountered Mangione at a McDonalds on 9 December 2024. Police cuffed Mangione after he provided a false ID, and an officer started searching his backpack. The officer encountered a firearm, loaded gun magazine and notebook.

Mangiones team contends that his backpack was illegally searched upon arrest. They contend that police were wrong to go through his bag without a warrant and are asking for that evidence to be barred from his trial.

Garnett is expected to rule on the evidence issue at a later date.
A former interim fire chief with the City of Orlando is the new head of the Kansas City Fire Department, city officials announced Friday.

Craig Buckley, who held leadership positions in the Orlando Fire Department and once worked for the Department of Homeland Security, will replace Fire Chief Ross Grundyson, who is retiring.

Chief Buckley is a seasoned leader with a deep understanding of what it takes to run a modern fire department, City Manager Mario Vasquez said in a statement Friday morning.

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Beyond his operational experience, he is committed to developing the next generation of leaders within the Kansas City Fire Department, ensuring the organization remains strong, resilient, and ready for the future.

Buckleys appointment is effective Monday, the announcement said. Vasquez said Buckley would focus on operational excellence, workforce development, and supporting a culture of leadership at all levels of the department.

His appointment reflects the Citys continued emphasis on building long-term capacity within public safety organizations while maintaining high standards of service for residents, he said.

Craig Buckley previously held leadership positions at the Orlando Fire Department. (Courtesy photo)

The announcement comes seven weeks after the city held a public forum featuring the three finalists selected for the fire chief position. Like Buckley, the other two  from Houston and Washington, D.C.  were external candidates.

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Sources within the fire department told The Star that city leaders had received strong pushback from the community because there were no internal candidates, women or minorities among the finalists.

In Fridays announcement, Vasquez thanked outgoing Chief Ross Grundyson for his leadership.

Grundyson guided the department through an important transition period and concludes his service with a legacy of professionalism and dedication to Kansas City, he said. Chief Grundyson has been a trusted and respected leader within the organization. Kansas City is grateful for his service and wishes him the very best in retirement.

Who is Craig Buckley?

Buckley served as interim fire chief in Orlando from August 2021 to October 2022, according to his resume. He was elevated to that position when Fire Chief Benjamin Barksdale resigned after being accused of punching a 55-year-old man and his daughter in a North Carolina restaurant.

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Before that, Buckley had been a deputy fire chief in Orlando since November 2020. Prior to taking the Orlando job, he was an assistant fire chief of the emergency services division for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Fire and Rescue Department.

Other jobs during Buckleys 45-year career, his resume says, were working for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which is under DHS; the Virginia Department of Emergency Management; and nearly 35 years as battalion chief for the Fairfax County Fire Department in Virginia.

Craig Buckley, a candidate for KCFD Chief, responds to a question during a public forum at the Truman Forum Auditorium at the Kansas City Public Library, on Thursday, Dec.4, 2025.

Buckley also has led training classes for fire and rescue departments across the country on issues such as dealing with hazardous materials and emergency responses to terrorism.

He has a bachelor of science degree in fire administration from Columbia Southern University, a private online university based in Orange Beach, Alabama, and a master of science degree from the university in fire executive leadership and emergency services management, according to his LinkedIn site.

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Among several honors listed on Buckleys resume are outstanding performance awards from DHS/FEMA to Fairfax County Urban Search and Rescue for its Hurricane Katrina response and from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department involving the terrorist attack on the Pentagon on 9-11.

Who were the finalists?

The three Kansas City fire chief finalists were introduced at the public forum on Dec. 4. Like Buckley, the others had decades of experience in emergency response.

Michael Marino has worked in fire, EMS, homeland security and emergency management, including serving as Director of Emergency Preparedness for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. And Michael Mire has held leadership roles  including assistant chief  and overseen emergency operations in the Houston Fire Department.

Mike Marino, a candidate for KCFD Chief, responds to a question during a public forum at the Truman Forum Auditorium at the Kansas City Public Library, on Thursday, December 4, 2025.

Mire also was a recent finalist for Des Moines fire chief, but last month the city announced it had chosen a longtime department employee instead.

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Buckley will replace Grundyson, a 30-year KCFD veteran who announced in September that he would retire in January. Grundysons three-year term as chief has been marked by the deaths of two firefighters; felony charges against some in his ranks; and a string of lawsuits by employees alleging discrimination, retaliation and harassment.

One of those lawsuits is being heard by a jury this week. Filed in 2024 by fire Capt. Anthony Seymour, the suit alleged that Seymour was retaliated against by department leaders when he reported discrimination and mismanagement concerns.

New chief faces continuing turmoil

Other candidates for Grundysons replacement included Deputy Chief Laura Ragusa and Deputy Chief and Fire Marshal James Dean, both of whom have lawsuits pending against the city.

Ragusa, KCFDs chief medical officer, is the highest-ranking female member of the fire department in uniform. She has two advanced college degrees and has applied for the chief job three times since former Chief Donna Lake retired in January 2023. Dean has an advanced college degree and has been with KCFD for nearly four decades.

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Ragusas lawsuit, filed in February 2025, alleged that Grundyson had retaliated and discriminated against her after she informed him of what she believed were illegal and unethical practices related to department contracts and reporting requirements for federal reimbursements.

In June, Ragusa was granted permission to amend the suit to include new allegations regarding what she says are the citys unfair and discriminatory hiring practices in picking a new fire chief.

Dean, who is Black, filed a lawsuit on Dec. 19, accusing the department of discriminatory, hostile and retaliatory conduct.

The lawsuit said Dean had applied for the fire chief position when Lake retired in 2023. It alleged that the most qualified internal applicants  and the only ones with graduate degrees  were minorities, including Black men and white women.

Deputy Chief James Dean joined the Kansas City Fire Department in 1987 and as of 2025 was the citys chief fire marshal.

Despite his qualifications, Plaintiff was never interviewed for the Fire Chief position and was never asked to complete a questionnaire or otherwise participate in the selection process, the suit said.

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Instead, it said, the city rejected the entire applicant pool because it contained no highly qualified white male applicants.

In December 2023, the lawsuit said, the city removed the interim designation from Grundysons title, making him the fire chief.

Grundyson, a white male, did not meet the posted qualifications for the Fire Chief position, including the requirement of possessing a college degree, the suit said. It also alleged that Grundyson has publicly expressed hostility toward diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and declared that such initiatives were going away, despite directives from the City Council to create and implement a DEI program with a strategic plan.

For years, the lawsuit alleged, the fire department had manipulated promotional processes to the disadvantage of Black firefighters. Among the tactics, it said, were altering eligibility criteria, engineering subjective testing processes and making lateral personnel moves to avoid promoting qualified Black candidates.

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Deans lawsuit also accused KCFD of tolerating racially hostile conduct, including overtly racist incidents and failing to meaningfully investigate, discipline, or remediate such conduct when it is reported by African American firefighters, including incidents involving explicitly racist symbols and conduct during training and academy environments.

The citys failure to investigate or correct the conduct has only resulted in emboldening it, the suit said.

Defendant has continued, and is continuing, the pattern and practice of discrimination and retaliation against Plaintiff, including but not limited to continuing to pass him over for the Chief position, preventing him from even applying for the Chief position, and changing the qualifications to intentionally exclude Plaintiff from the process.
Kazakhstan became one of the first member countries on US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace which was unveiled at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who reportedly received an invitation to join earlier this week, signed the charter on behalf of his country.

Tokayev agreed to join "this new association," according to the presidents Assistant Press Secretary Ruslan Zheldibay.

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"President Tokayev reaffirmed Kazakhstan's commitment to making a meaningful contribution to achieving lasting peace in the Middle East, strengthening interstate trust, and global stability," Zheldibay said in a press statement.

The board, which was endorsed by the United Nations Security Council late last year, was initially conceived as a mechanism to bring stability to post-war Gaza, but has since morphed into a broader conflict resolution platform.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and US President Donald Trump seated together in Davos, 22 January, 2026 - Press service of Kazakhstan President

Membership to the board is determined solely by its chairman, Donald Trump, who will retain this position even after he leaves the office. Until then, he will have two votes on the panel, one as chairman and one as US President.

One of membership requirements is a $1 billion dollar entrance fee for countries wishing to have a permanent seat, otherwise members will only be board members for three years.

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It is unclear at this stage if Kazakhstan intends to pay the hefty sum, but it would almost certainly raise questions among its population, who have recently seen taxes raised by a new tax code which authorities say is necessary due to clampdown on a growing budgetary deficit.

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The signing ceremony

Video footage from the signing ceremony shows Trump and Tokayev talking and laughing with the Kazakh president's press service explaining that Tokayev drew Trump's attention to the "365 wins in 365 days" document, which was disseminated during the Davos forum.

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In that document, the 177th win is listed as Kazakhstan joining the Abraham Accords, which happened in November, during C5+1 meeting of Central Asian states with the US in Washington.

The Abraham Accords are a series of US-brokered agreements which see countries normalise relations with Israel.

"In addition, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev wished the American leader success in pursuing a domestic policy of common sense," Zheldibay added.

Tokayev often mentions Trump in public comments and compliments his policies in his speeches, including at the recent National Congress, which was mostly concerned with domestic issues.

"President Tokayev and President Trump have a very close relationship and they speak frequently," US Ambassador to Kazakhstan Julie M. Stufft said when she presented her credentials in Astana on 9 January.
Its also worth noting that the White Houses figures consider only beneficiaries aged 65 and over, but Social Security can be claimed as early as 62, meaning a portion of the recipient population is excluded from their estimate.

Meanwhile, older Americans who are barely getting by likely wont have the income necessary to take advantage of the deduction. If your total allowable deductions already exceed your income, an extra $6,000 doesnt do much.

Only Individuals earning $75,000 or less can claim the full deduction. After this, it phases out and vanishes completely at $175,000. For joint filers, it starts phasing out at $150,000 and disappears entirely at $250,000.

These deductions reduce taxable income for older Americans. However, the White House acknowledged that about 64% of Social Security recipients already paid no federal tax on their benefits before the new law, thanks to existing deductions and exemptions.

Starting this year, seniors aged 65 and above can claim a new deduction of up to $6,000 per person. For couples filing jointly, that could mean up to $12,000 if both spouses qualify.

The White Houses calculations hinge on the megabills new and raised tax deductions for many seniors.

Understanding why experts disagree with the Trump administration on this issue could help you and your loved ones figure out if the new bill will help your finances or hurt you instead.

Experts at the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), meanwhile, have taken a closer look at the megabills impact on the Social Security program and found that the claims could be false and exaggerated (3).

Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake  heres what it is and 3 simple steps to fix it ASAP

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However, the White House cited the U.S. Council of Economic Advisers (2), a branch of the Presidents office, as the source for this claim rather than an independent body.

The White House claimed this to be the largest tax break in American history for our nations seniors.

Back in July, the White House issued a statement claiming that 88% of all seniors who receive Social Security  will pay NO TAX on their Social Security benefits because of President Donald Trumps new One Big Beautiful Bill Act (1).

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If your household income exceeds this $175,000 threshold for single filers and $250,000 for joint filers, you might want to consider employing tax-planning strategies to find ways to reduce your tax bill at the end of the year.

Getting a clear estimate of your Social Security benefits  and the taxes that could come with them  can make a huge difference in deciding when to start claiming.

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Read More: Approaching retirement with no savings? Dont panic, you're not alone. Here are 6 easy ways you can catch up (and fast)

Reports of inaccuracy

The White Houses claims regarding eliminating taxes on social security has been challenged by many.

On July 14, 2025, 11 senators sent a letter to Frank Bisignano, the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, pointing out how wholly inaccurate the claim made by the White House is (4).

While the bill does provide a temporary income tax deduction for some older Americans, only about 46% of older adults would benefit from this deduction, the letter says. The SSA press release claimed the bill would eliminate taxes on Social Security for 90% of beneficiaries, but the truth is that about half of recipients will owe some amount of income tax on their benefits.

In total, fewer than 24% of all current Social Security recipients will see a reduction in taxable income directly due to the new law, according to the CBPP. This doesnt meet Trumps campaign promise to eliminate all taxes on Social Security, and it also has second-order effects that could actually expose many seniors to lower benefits over the long term.

Temporary deductions, faster trust fund depletion

The new senior deduction is temporary and only applies through 2028. Most older Americans who benefit from it will have just four years to take advantage of the savings.

At the same time, the cost of all the tax deductions and reductions in Trumps megabill could reduce federal tax revenue from Social Security benefits by $30 billion annually, according to the CBPP.

This is enough to accelerate the insolvency of the Social Security retirement fund and Medicare Hospital Insurance fund to 2032, a year sooner than the programs trustees projected just last month, the report stated.

Upon insolvency in 2032, we estimate that Social Security beneficiaries would face an across-the-board benefit cut of around 24 percent  even deeper than the cuts scheduled under current law, the CBPP report claimed.

And the CBPP isnt alone in this assessment.

The Committee for a Responsible Budget also estimates that the SSAs retirement trust fund will go broke in 2032 without intervention. If the fund goes bankrupt, the report states that all retirees will face an across-the-board benefit cut of 24%. For couples retiring after the funds insolvency, that could mean a combined $18,400 reduction in benefits (5).

In other words, the new law likely offers short-term tax relief for some seniors, but at the expense of the long-term stability of Social Security and Medicare trust funds, which affects all beneficiaries.

The newly passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act also slashed Medicaid spending by roughly $1 trillion over the next decade. This could result in nearly 11.8 million Americans losing their health insurance by 2034, according to estimates from the Congressional Budget Office (6).

Taken together, this suggests that in the early 2030s, some older Americans could see their Social Security benefits crash while also losing their health insurance.

Other ways to save for retirement

Chances are, Social Security paychecks wont be enough to cover your expenses during retirement. And if you dont meet the income requirements outlined in the OBBBA, you are required to pay taxes on these government checks.

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As such, even if multifamily rentals dont appeal to you, Lightstone could still serve you well as an investment vehicle for other real estate verticals.

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Article Sources

We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.

The White House (1), (2); Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (3); United States Senate (4); The Committee for a Responsible Budget (5); UC Berkeley Public Health (6)

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
The path of a major winter storm thats hitting the southern and eastern United States is moving further north, which means Kansas City could get even more snow than originally expected, according to the National Weather Service.

Snow totals have increased significantly over the past couple of days, Brent Pesel, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Kansas City, said in a video storm briefing.

Kansas City, along with other places along Interstate 70, now could see 8 to 9 inches of snow, Pesel said. Farther south, 11 to 12 inches of snow become more likely.

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Meanwhile, north of Kansas City, anticipated snowfall totals sharply drop off  with 6 to 8 inches between I-70 and U.S. 36 across northern Missouri and less than 4 inches farther north.

Kansas City, along with other places along Interstate 70, could now see 8 to 9 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service. Farther south, 11 to 12 inches of snow becomes more likely. (National Weather Service in Kansas City)

The snow is expected to be light and fluffy, Pesel said. With winds around 20 to 25 mph, gusting to 30 mph, there is a risk of blowing snow, which could reduce visibility and affect travel throughout the day Saturday.

The snow is expected to start falling late Friday night into early Saturday morning. Areas south and east of the metro could see snow begin falling between 9 p.m. and midnight Friday.

In the metro, the snow is expected to arrive between midnight and 3 a.m. Saturday, while areas to the north and east of Kansas City could see the snow start falling between 3 and 6 a.m.

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There is a dry air mass that is expected to move into the area ahead of the storms arrival, Pesel said. This could delay the start of the snowfall by 2 to 3 hours.

If the start of the snow is delayed, that could lower the snowfall totals. On the other hand, an earlier onset could result in snow totals on the higher end of the forecast range. This is the primary uncertainty heading into the storm, Pesel said.

Still, were expecting the heaviest snowfall rates from the storm to be Saturday morning toward midday, Pesel said. We could see a few bursts of heavier snowfall through the afternoon.

Forecasters are seeing the storm has generally slowed, which could mean it lingers longer before exiting the region overnight Saturday. The storm is expected to exit the area Sunday morning, Pesel said.

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Dangerously cold weather is expected this weekend. For more than 48 hours, the wind chill in the Kansas City metro will be below zero.

These dangerously cold conditions are expected to last through Saturday, Sunday and even into Monday morning, Pesel said
Parents of soldiers killed in Afghanistan have criticised Donald Trump's comments that NATO troops stayed "a little off the front lines".

Carol Brackpool, told BBC Radio Sussex she was "angry and shocked" by the US president's remarks, which she called "disrespectful".

Her son John, from Crawley, died while fighting in Afghanistan in 2009.

"President Trump is right - America's contributions to Nato dwarf that of other countries," said the White House.

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"How dare that man say things like that," said Brackpool.

She said the pain was still there from losing her child and that it "does not matter how many years it is".

"How can he say that we were behind the American soldiers - we were fighting with them," she added.

The US invaded Afghanistan in 2001 following the 9/11 terror attacks.

The UK was among several allies to join US troops in the country after Washington invoked Nato's collective security clause.

Four hundred and fifty-seven British service personnel were killed in the conflict.

'Lacking history knowledge'

Robert Dicketts, whose son Oliver was killed while serving with the Parachute Regiment in Afghanistan in 2006, said Trump's words "beggar belief".

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"I think my thoughts about Donald Trump are probably unprintable.

"To put it politely, Donald Trump's knowledge of history is lacking considerably," he continued.

Dicketts, from Tunbridge Wells in Kent, said his 27-year-old son was killed in a frontline operation.

He called on the government to point out the loss of life by British troops.

"A lot of other Nato forces suffered losses as well and were in frontline positions."

The government has said the armed forces will "never be forgotten" [Getty Images]

The Prime Minister's official spokesman has said Trump was "wrong to diminish the role of Nato troops, including British forces".

The spokesman added that "many hundreds" of troops had suffered "life-changing injuries from their service"

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"We are incredibly proud of our armed forces and their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten."

Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.

More on this story
Is a five-year-old Minnesota boy's father a "criminal illegal alien" who abandoned him in a running car at their home, running away when confronted by Immigration & Customs Enforcement officers? Here's what we know so far: School officials who were at the scene Jan. 20, 2026 when the boy and his father were taken into custody say that's not true. Lead Stories has requested body cam video and agents' official reports to see if they corroborate ICE's version of events. Liam Ramos' lawyer said he has searched the Minnesota criminal database and found no cases against the father and that the father, an Ecuadoran national, was adhering to the legal steps to seek asylum.

The abandonment claim, made by ICE after the boy and his father were detained in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, was reiterated in a Jan. 22, 2026 X post (archived here) on the @ICEgov X account. The post began "Five months ago, activists tried to paint the same picture they're so desperately trying to paint now. They lied and claimed ICE "detained a 5-year-old." That was a LIE then and it's a LIE now." It continued:

Both children were ABANDONED by their criminal illegal alien parent who put the child's life in danger by leaving him/her behind and fleeing. Lies like these discredit the work of our brave men and women of @DHSgov who are enforcing federal immigration laws.

Here's the image ICE included in its post at the time this factcheck was written:

Image source: Lead Stories screenshot of post at /x.com/ICEgov/status/2014367006363930843/photo/2.

The boy is shown in a photo circulated by his school district, showing him in a parka and backpack outside his home while ICE prepares to detain him and send him to Texas. Here are claims about the boy and his father and the publicly available information Lead Stories has assembled on those claims:

ICE Claim: Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias abandoned his son in a running car

ICE made the claim several times, including in a Jan. 22, 2026 X post (archived here) that read, in part: "The child was ABANDONED" and "... As agents approached the driver Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, fled on foot -- abandoning his child."

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Lead Stories reached out to ICE, seeking body cam or other evidence to support the assertion. We will update this fact check, as relevant, when they supply it.

At a Jan. 22, 2026 news conference at the office of the boy's attorney, Mark Prokosch, officials from the boy's school said it's not true the father abandoned his son.

In CSPAN video of the news conference, Columbia Heights Superintendent of Schools Zena Stenvik said she arrived at the scene in hopes of taking the boy back to school. She said she was told by witnesses there that ICE agents grabbed the father on the driveway of their home. "The accusation is he fled," Stenvik said, at timecode 05:00 of the CSPAN video . "Everything I heard was that he was handcuffed in the driveway. What we saw when we arrived was the father's car in the driveway, still running."

Mary Granlund, Chair of the Columbia Heights school board, who spoke starting at timecode 9:32 on the CSPAN video, said she arrived on the scene just as the boy was seized by ICE.

I was on my way to get my own children and I heard the commotion and saw all the people... As I got out of my car and came around the corner I heard, 'What are you doing? Don't take the child...The school is here, you don't have to take the child.' There was ample opportunity to be able to safely hand that child off to adults. Mom was there and she saw out the window. Dad was yelling "Please do not open the door. Don't open the door.'

ICE Critics' Claim: ICE used the boy as "bait", trying to lure other adults out of his home

Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin posted on Jan. 21, 2026 on X (archived here) that "ICE detained a 5-year-old child in Minnesota to use as "bait." An innocent child. America, let this sink in. This is what the government is doing right in front of our eyes."

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Granlund said online videos of the scene match what she saw: the boy walked to the door with an agent and knocking "with an ICE agent looming over him. I was there. This is what happened."

ICE called the "bait" characterization "Lies." In ICE's third in a series of posts about the case on Jan. 22, (archived here) ICE said the agent was helping the boy, not using him as bait:

As agents approached the driver Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, fled on foot--abandoning his child. For the child's safety, one of our ICE officers remained with the child while the other officers apprehended Conejo Arias.

ICE Claim: Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias is a "criminal" and "illegal alien"

The lawyer working to get the child out of ICE custody in San Antonio, Texas, said neither of those things is true.

Marc Prokosch said he has searched Minnesota criminal records and found no criminal charges against Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias.

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Using the portal available to the general public, Lead Stories confirmed this by searching for Arias in the Minnesota Judicial Branch's online case lookup system for any cases between Jan. 1, 2024 and Jan. 22, 2026. Searching with his full name resulted in zero cases found, as the screenshot below shows:

Image source: Lead Stories screenshot of search results at https://publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us/CaseSearch.

Prokosch said the Arias family has abided by all federal laws governing their petition for asylum. He said they used the CBP-1 app in 2024 to request asylum based on fears for their safety in their native Ecuador. "They entered at a port of entry in Brownsville, seeking CBP-1...presented themselves to Customs."

He said the family have shared information with the U.S. government about where they are, not hiding and following the steps required to pursue an asylum claim.

Lead Stories was not able to confirm this, since asylum applications are confidential, to protect people fleeing political persecution or other threats in their homeland.

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Stenvik confirmed that the family's papers are in order, saying that after the boy and his father were driven away by ICE agents, she was admitted to their home, where she met the mother and a sibling. "Liam and his father have the documentation," the Superintendent said. "I saw it with my own eyes when I visited the home."

Lead Stories searched the Google News index of thousands of news sites, in case any criminal case against Arias was reported on by news organizations, but slipped through the state criminal database. Using search terms "Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias" , arrested and Minnesota, no reports of criminal cases or arrests were found, only January, 2026 reports about the ICE detention of the boy and his father.
President Trump on Wednesday reached the framework of a deal with NATO over mineral rights and strengthening security in Greenland after backing off from his suggestion that the U.S. militarily take over the island territory.

This solution, if consummated, will be a great one for the United States of America, and all NATO Nations, Trump wrote on Truth Social after meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in Davos, Switzerland.

Trump added that discussions about the Golden Dome as it relates to Greenland were on pause, with more information to be made available as discussions progress. He told reporters the deal was infinite, the ultimate long-term deal, and I think it puts everyone in a pretty good position especially as it pertains to security and minerals and everything else.

Mineral rights and military bases

The deals framework includes giving the U.S. access to Greenlands minerals. One of the frameworks proposals is to restrict non-NATO member countries from acquiring the rights to mine Greenlands rare earth minerals below the ice sheet, The New York Times reported.

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Minerals are rich near the islands coastal regions, The Telegraph reported. The U.S. would not have to seek permits to use any iron ore, diamond, copper, zinc, nickel, gold, tungsten and graphite in the ice sheet. The Trump administration has pushed for developing a rare earth supply chain as a means to cut down on the U.S.s dependence on China.

Trump previously said the U.S. needs Greenland for national security, not minerals.

The deal framework also updates the 1951 deal between the U.S. and Greenland. It gave the U.S. the right of free access to and movement between the defense areas through Greenland, including territorial waters, by land, air and sea. It also allowed U.S. aircraft to fly over the island and land in any part of Greenland.

Changes were made to the agreement in 2004.

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Trumps update would provide the U.S. with more access to the island, which officials told the Times could be limited if Greenland achieved independence from Denmark.

Greenland, Denmark draw red lines

Despite Trump claiming the deals are infinite, Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the terms of the deal are less determined and said only Denmarks and Greenlands leaders decide what happens to their lands.

In terms of the deal thats been [talked] about, I dont know whats concrete in that deal, either, Nielsen said Thursday. But I know that we have now a high-level working group working on a solution for both parties. We have said from the beginning in Greenland, we have some red lines. We cannot cross the red lines. We have to respect our territorial integrity. We have to respect international law.

Greenlandic Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said in a statement on Thursday that she has maintained discussions with Rutte before and after his meeting with Trump. She said NATO is fully aware of the position of the Kingdom of Denmark.

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We can negotiate on everything political, security, investments, economy, she continued. But we cannot negotiate on our sovereignty.

Rubio, Vance to lead ongoing talks

Trump said Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President Vance, along with special envoy Steve Witkoff, will lead the ongoing discussions with their Danish and Greenlandic counterparts, Reuters reported.

The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment about Vances and Rubios roles in future talks.

Rubio and Vance met the Danish and Greenlandic foreign ministers last week in Washington over the island territorys future. The meeting ended with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen saying there was a fundamental disagreement between the diplomats and Trump administration officials.

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European ministers and officials who were at that meeting told Politico that they do not see Vance as an ally to Europe, with one official telling the outlet, Vance hates us. The same officials referred to Rubio as solid.

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.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has said that Moscow insists on the withdrawal of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from the Donbas, presenting it as a key condition for negotiations to end the war.

Source: Russia's Interfax

Details: Peskov was asked whether the so-called "Anchorage formula" being discussed in talks envisages full Russian control over Ukraine's Donbas, or whether other options exist.

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Quote: "First of all, we certainly do not want to go into the details of the provisions being discussed publicly, and therefore I cannot and will not say which specific formula is meant by the 'Anchorage formula'. We consider this inappropriate."

Details: Nonetheless, he added that Russia's position is "well known"  that Ukraine and the Ukrainian armed forces must leave the territory of the Donbas.

"This is a very important condition. There are also other nuances that remain on the agenda of the negotiations," the Kremlin spokesperson said.

Previously:

Talks were held in the Kremlin between Russian leader Vladimir Putin and US president's special envoy Steve Witkoff, lasting more than three and a half hours.

Following the meeting, Putin's aide Yuri Ushakov said that without resolving the territorial issue under the "Anchorage formula", it would not be possible to count on long-term peace in Ukraine.

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Background:

US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin met on 15 August 2025 at a military base in Anchorage, Alaska.

The meeting ended without agreements or a ceasefire, despite statements about "significant progress".

On 16 August 2025, Trump held talks first with Volodymyr Zelenskyy and then with him and European leaders.

According to Bloomberg, during the conversation with European leaders and Zelenskyy, Trump said that Putin continued to demand the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the entire territory of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts but was ready to freeze the front line in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts.

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HARLAN COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56)  Kentucky State Police (KSP) said one person was killed Thursday morning in a Harlan County crash.

Trooper Jacobs with Post 10 in Harlan posted on Facebook that just before 9:15 a.m. on Jan. 22, troopers were called to a deadly crash on Kentucky Highway 215 at the junction of Pounding Mill Branch Road.

In addition to state police, the Harlan Rescue Squad, LifeGuard, Evarts Fire Department, and the Harlan County Coroner reportedly also responded to the crash, according to authorities.

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Read more of the latest Kentucky news

KSP said the driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Harlan County Coroners Office later identified the driver as 73-year-old Gloria Hoskins of Evarts. Hoskins was reportedly the only person involved in the accident.

Although road conditions at the time may have contributed to the wreck, Deputy Jones says the investigation into the accident is continuing by the Kentucky State Police, the coroners office said in a Facebook post.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

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KSP said Trooper Jason Young is leading the investigation, which remains ongoing.

Camille Hantla contributed to this 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 FOX 56 News.
Jan. 22 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump's son-in-law and U.S. special envoy Jared Kushner revealed a masterplan for Gaza's reconstruction while attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday.

Kushner laid out an estimated $25 billion rebuilding project that includes skyscrapers, schools, urban housing and medical facilities. He said the detailed blueprint would turn Gaza into a regional economic power by 2035, The Jerusalem Post reported.

The rebuilding will proceed if Hamas disarms as required by a peace agreement, Kushner said.

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"If Hamas does not demilitarize, that will be what holds back the people of Gaza from achieving their aspirations," he said, as reported by CNN.

Kushner presented the rebuilding plans for Gaza after the signing of the charter for the Board of Peace that Trump created, he said, to help ensure a lasting peace in Gaza.

The rebuilding plan includes a coastal tourism zone capable of holding up to 180 skyscrapers, many of which would be hotels.

Gaza also would get a new port facility, which likely would be among the first items completed to enable the rest of the rebuilding to occur.

A new airport also would be built to replace the old one that was demolished by military conflict more than 20 years ago.

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Kushner said two new urban developments are part of the masterplan and would be named New Gaza and New Rafah.

New Rafah would contain more than 100,000 housing units and more than 200 schools and healthcare facilities.

That part of the masterplan could be finished within three years, and work already is underway to remove debris, Kushner said.

New Gaza will be an industrial center capable of fully employing all able-bodied Gazans and would resemble similar communities in Dubai and Doha.

Kushner said various governments would provide funding to begin construction to implement the masterplan.

Private investors also are expected to participate in what Kushner called an "amazing investment" opportunity for them.

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"I know it's a little risky to be investing in a place like this," Kushner told his audience. "But we need you to come, take faith [and] invest in the people."

Palestinian officials mostly have remained silent on the matter, but at least one third-party official criticized the plan as a threat.

"Palestinians face a plan to eliminate their very presence, based on domestication, subjugation and control," said Ramy Adbu, founder of the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor.

The newly formed Board of Peace will deploy a special committee made up of Palestinians to oversee the demilitarization that is needed to enable Gaza to be rebuilt.

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The demilitarization would include removing the Israeli Defense Forces, which currently occupy about half of the Gaza Strip.

The IDF would withdraw to a predetermined security perimeter that is intended to maintain a lasting peace.
Millions of Ukrainians have been under constant threat of Russian air strikes since the war began in 2022. In Kyiv, large-scale raids typically came every two or three weeks  but this year, Russia has ramped up its attacks, which now pound the capital daily.

While Moscow denies targeting Ukrainian civilians, they have become the primary victims of hundreds of drones and missiles that have struck the country's energy infrastructure since October.

More than 3 million residents in Kyiv are facing prolonged shortages of electricity, water and heat in the middle of a harsh winter. Ukraine is in the grip of a polar cold snap, with temperatures approaching -20C in the past two weeks.

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Following a devastating strike on the city's power stations on 9 January, Mayor Vitali Klitschko urged residents to leave Kyiv if they could.

Two weeks later he said that, according to estimates based on mobile phone use, nearly 600,000 people had left the Ukrainian capital.

Not everyone can get out.

On the left bank of the city, home to several working-class neighbourhoods, residents of high-rise apartment blocks are particularly vulnerable. They live close to power stations targeted by the Russians, and they can no longer rely on basic utilities.

"We find ourselves without electricity for 10 hours, 20 hours at a time," says Oksana, who lives in the area with her children.

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"When it does come back on, it's in the middle of the night, so I get up to charge all our batteries. Without electricity, there is no water either, and as the building has several floors, it no longer reaches the upper floors."

Her building has already been gutted by a drone strike, the windows on lower floors replaced with wooden boards.

Yet Oksana has no plans to leave Kyiv. "We do have family in the west, where we took refuge in early 2022, but my husband is disabled and awaiting surgery, so I can't see myself leaving now. What's more, all our loved ones, including my parents, live here in buildings nearby."

Ukraine seeks $43bn in climate compensation from Russia over war

Islands of warmth

For residents who remain, daily life revolves around the few hours of electricity  their only chance to recharge phones, run the washing machine, or stock up on tap water.

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Valentina, a pensioner, is in survival mode. "Thank God, part of the building is still heated, and at home, I keep my coat on so I don't get cold."

Faced with a worsening humanitarian crisis, the city has deployed around 50 mobile generators. In the courtyards of some apartment blocks, rescue workers have set up large orange tents that serve as so-called "points of invincibility"  energy islands where residents can come to warm up, work remotely or even spend the night if conditions no longer allow them to sleep at home.

In the historic centre of Kyiv, opposite Taras Shevchenko National University, a yurt set up by a Ukrainian-Kazakh association serves as a sanctuary of warmth and electricity. Natacha welcomes visitors with hot tea and Kazakh pastries.

"The Kazakhs believe in our victory, and with this yurt they are showing us a little love and support. They can't supply us with weapons, but they are showing us in other ways that they are on our side," she tells RFI.

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Ukraine has turned thousands of public buildings, restaurants and schools into similar shelters since the start of the air raids in the winter of 2022.

But in Kyiv, many of these havens are no longer able to take residents in.

Schools closed

Until recently, the city centre  home to government offices, embassies and international organisations  had been relatively spared from power cuts. Now the situation has deteriorated significantly.

Cafes and restaurants are still operating, albeit in semi-darkness, thanks to small diesel generators that put out a deafening hum and heady fumes. Yet public buildings that once stayed open 24/7 to provide residents with heat and electricity remain shut.

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Alla, caretaker at a deserted school, explains why. "There's no heating, no internet connection, no electricity here, and no one to come and fill the generator's tank, so we're staying closed."

Schools in Kyiv will remain closed for several more days: the school holidays have been extended until early February so that pupils can stay out of the city.

Corruption scandal exposes absolute impunity in Ukraines energy sector

"The city's energy grid is still operating in emergency mode," main private electricity supplier DTEK warned in one of its latest statements.

"Nothing like this has ever happened on a global scale. For the past month, there has not been a single day without power cuts, and our engineers have the historic task of getting us back on our feet."

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Ukraine's new Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal has promised to restore infrastructure as quickly as possible, but has also warned of further Russian strikes  "including on infrastructure that keeps nuclear power plants running".

This article was adapted from the original in French by RFI correspondent Emmanuelle Chaze.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry speaks to reporters at an Oct. 29, 2025, news conference at the State Capitol. Flanking the governor are Senate President Cameron Henry, left, and House Speaker Phillip Devillier. (Photo by Greg LaRose/Louisiana Illuminator)

For the second year in a row, Gov. Jeff Landry is asking Louisiana lawmakers to double state funding for vouchers that pay for students private education expenses. The request has put him at odds with legislative leaders, who said state education officials still wont answer basic questions about the programs structure.



State legislators, with Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, leading the resistance, rejected a request from Landry last year to give Louisianas publicly funded voucher program called LA GATOR an additional $50 million.

Landry is now asking for almost the same amount of extra money, $44.2 million, to cover vouchers for the 2026-27 school year. The governors budget architect, Commissioner of Administration Taylor Barras, said the allocation would expand the program to include another 4,000 to 5,000 students.



Henry and other legislative leaders said their reservations about the program havent changed.

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If you want to take a kid from a failing school and put them in a good school, I dont think many people would object to that, Henry told officials with the Landry administration Friday. Its all the other stuff thats involved in [LA GATOR] that has muddied the water, that no one likes to discuss, that people have a difficult time justifying.

The Senate presidents comments came at the end of a public presentation of Landrys overall budget proposal for the state fiscal year that starts July 1.



Ted Beasley, spokesman for the Louisiana Department of Education, said his agency has given precedence to communication with legislators about LA GATOR and will continue to do so.

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The Louisiana Department of Education has prioritized timely, accurate support as legislators developed LA GATOR legislation, voted the program into law, and authorized implementation, Beasley said in a written statement. This includes multiple presentations to the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget. As the state agency responsible for administering LA GATOR, we will continue to operate this program in alignment with state law.

For well over a decade, Louisiana had a small statewide voucher program that used taxpayer funds to pay for around 5,600 low-income students to attend private schools, most of them affiliated with the Catholic Church. But Landry and conservative lawmakers overhauled the school voucher guidelines in 2024 to be far more permissive.

At the time, Landrys intent was to greatly expand the voucher program to cover far more children and allow families of all income levels, including the wealthy, to access to state funds to pay for private education expenses.

Daniel Erspamer, who leads the conservative Pelican Institute public policy think tank, helped advocate for the change. He said the new, more accessible voucher program should help more families meet their childrens educational needs.

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Every child in the state will have an opportunity to attend a school that fits them best, Erspamer said of LA GATOR.

But Henry has repeatedly expressed concern that the cost of LA GATOR could grow beyond what the state can afford.

The reason I didnt like GATOR is because every year it has to double, right? And lo and behold, this year its doubled, he told Landrys staff Friday.

Under Henrys leadership, legislators agreed last year to continue $44 million in funding for 5,600 school vouchers slots mostly for low-income students who participated in the older, more restrictive voucher program. With the limited allocation, the state could only add 680 seats statewide in the 2025-26 school year for new students who qualified under the more lenient LA GATOR regulations.

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Unless lawmakers provide more funding this year, the program will continue to be very limited. The education department hasnt said when the LA GATOR application period will open for the 2026-27 school year.

Legislators skeptical of the program have raised questions about whether extending vouchers to more families would actually help children escape inadequate public education or simply subsidize families who already send their children to private schools. Approximately three-quarters of the 39,189 students who applied for LA GATOR last year were already attending private schools, according to information Henry and other legislators provided.

The Senate president is also unhappy families can use the grants to pay for ancillary school expenses such as uniforms, laptops and tutoring for private school students  and not just tuition.

Legislators agreed to this flexibility when they approved the new voucher law in 2024, though several seem uncomfortable with it now. They are also concerned that items beyond tuition  such as laptops and tutoring  can only be purchased through a portal that a single government contractor, Odyssey, controls.

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Erspamer said LA GATORs flexibility is meant to maximize choices for parents. It would allow a family with a child at a private school to pay for a single course at a public school that isnt offered where they attend for example.

Parents will have the opportunity to create a customized program, he said.



Yet Rep. Jack McFarland, R-Jonesboro, who chairs the budget-writing committee in the Louisiana House, said he shares Henrys worries about LA GATOR. He is concerned voucher funding can be used on expenses other than tuition, when families with public school students dont have those same opportunities.

The devil is in the details, and we need to see what the devil is doing, McFarland said in an interview.

Continued uncertainty around public school teach pay

While the governor wants to see public spending on private education go up, his $47 billion budget plan does not include approximately $200 million needed to avoid a cut to public school teacher and support staff pay next school year.

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Instead, the governor and legislators hope voters approve a constitutional amendment on the May 16 election ballot that will free up state money to give the teachers and support staff permanent pay increases of $2,250 and $1,125 per year, respectively.

The salary hikes would replace temporary stipends of $2,000 and $1,000 school faculty and staff have received the past two years.



The April ballot measure specifically asks voters to dissolve education trust funds that currently support higher education and K-12 schools in order to pay down $2 billion worth of educator retirement debt. Local school districts will then be required to use their debt savings to give out the raises in the 2026-27 school year. Voters rejected a similar amendment Landry pushed last year, but the new proposal has been rewritten to address teacher compensation more directly and leaves out tax policy changes that werent as popular with the public.



If the amendment fails, however, teachers and school support staff will be at risk of seeing their pay cut under Landrys budget plan. It could send lawmakers scrambling to try to fill the gap as they did last spring.

In addition to private school voucher funding, Landrys budget proposal for next fiscal year includes large state funding increases for prisons ($82 million) and a Louisiana Economic Development program called High-Impact Jobs ($75 million).

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ABERDEEN  The family of a Tupelo man killed in a fatal wreck on the Natchez Trace Parkway nearly two years ago has settled a federal civil wrongful death lawsuit in part.

According to a court order filed Wednesday in federal court in Aberdeen, the family of Alan Lee Langford, 42, reached an agreement with driver Connor Milhorn, his family and their insurance company. Senior U.S. District Judge Glen Davidson dismissed those portions of the lawsuit with prejudice, meaning they cannot be brought back up.

The portions of the lawsuit against the liquor store that allegedly provided the underage Milhorn with alcohol still remain.

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Brandon Scott Leslie, attorney for the Langford family, could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Milhorn, 21, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, was driving a Hummer H3 south down the Trace in the predawn hours of May 11, 2024, when he drifted across the center line and hit Langfords Toyota Tundra pickup nearly head-on. The bass boat Langford was hauling was ejected from its trailer by the impact and landed on the truck, crushing the cab. Langfords son was in the back seat of the truck and suffered severe facial and internal injuries, including brain trauma, lost teeth, a fractured jaw and a fractured pelvis.

Vehicle data shows at the time of the wreck, Milhorn was doing 70, or 20 mph over the posted speed limit on the parkway. His blood alcohol content measured 0.18% several hours after the 4:30 a.m. wreck.

About three months after the wreck, Langfords widow, Jacqueline Langford, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Milhorn and his father, James Milhorn, who owned the yellow Hummer.

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At the time of the wreck, Milhorn was only 20 years old and not legally permitted to purchase, possess or consume alcohol. Officers found at least two partially consumed bottles of liquor in Milhorns vehicle. He also had in his possession a fake Georgia drivers license in his name that showed him to be 23 years old.

As part of the civil lawsuit, the victims family searched for whoever illegally supplied the underage driver with alcohol. According to court documents filed in September 2025, it was a Murfreesboro, Tennessee, liquor store.

Under questioning, Milhorn told investigators that he got the alcohol at Boro Liquors.

An amended complaint was filed listing Boro Liquors, parent company Shree Sai Baba Inc. and owner Samir Patel as defendants. Patel later filed two motions to dismiss because, in part, Mississippi laws do not apply to a Tennessee business. He also asked that the lawsuit be put on hold until the motions could be heard.

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On Jan. 16, Magistrate Jane Virden granted a limited stay pending a ruling on the defendants motion to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction. The magistrate has not ruled on the motion or set a date to hear arguments for and against the motion.

Separate from the civil wrongful death lawsuit, Milhorn also faced criminal charges for the fatal wreck. He pleaded guilty last year in federal criminal court to charges of DUI-death and DUI-maiming. Last summer, he was sentenced to 20 years and is currently incarcerated at a low-security federal correctional institution in northeast Memphis, Tennessee.

According to the Bureau of Prisons, Milhorns tentative release date is April 22, 2042.
In todays CEO Daily: Diane Brady wraps up a week at Davos.

The big story: Trump sues Dimon and JPMorgan.

The markets: Mixed globally, with U.S. futures edging down.

Plus: All the news and watercooler chat from Fortune.

Good morning. When BlackRock CEO Larry Fink became co-chair of the World Economic Forum last year, he called up U.S. President Donald Trump and asked him to come speak, which he did. Fink also called Scott Galloway, an author, podcaster and NYU Stern marketing professor who has a very different view of what will make America great. As Galloway told me last night at our annual Fortune Global Leadership Dinner: Larry Fink called me and said, I want you to come. That was more than enough.

With all the focus at WEF on heads of stateI even joined a media scrum after Trumps meeting with Ukraine leader Volodymyr ZelenskyI thought Id bring you some insights from my conversation with Galloway. (I first met Galloway in 2009 as a fellow mentor at the Kairos Summit organized by then Wharton student Ankur Jain, who went on to found Bilt Group.)

Galloway last attended WEF in 1999. The call sign of America back then was consumerism; it was more cooperation, alliances. Now, I feel the American brand is chaos, corruption, and coercion, he said. America has been the operating system of the world  Theres just a sense of unease  In 1999, we said we want more, now we want to make sure things dont get worse. He praised Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carneys speech as the best of the week. All 27 member EU states should have been sitting behind him, Galloway said. Right now, its like Germany and the 26 dwarves.

In soliciting both Galloway and Trump to come to Davos, Fink understands the power of WEF in bringing opposing world views under one roof. I heard Saudi Tourism Minister HE Ahmed Al-Khateeb compare notes with Switzerland Tourism CEO Martin Nydegger, saw Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick chat with random people in the hall, including me, and witnessed dozens of global leaders find areas of commonality at our dinners and lunches. (Thats why I also appreciated having Deloitte, Aon, PMI, Toptal, and Workday sponsor editorial gatherings that let us create our own village greens.)

On Monday, I moderated a CEO salon to discuss the results of the 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer, in which 70% of this years respondents expressed an insular mindset; they dont want to talk to, work for, or even be in the same space with anyone who doesnt share their world view. Richard Edelman told me CEOs need to urgently address the sense of grievance thats consuming the business world.
A bill that would repeal a 1965 law that established the University of Alabamas School of Social Work was approved Tuesday by the House Ways and Means Education Committee.

It will now go to the House for a full vote.

Bill sponsor Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, said Tuesday the bill would give the university flexibility to structure the program as they see fit.

He said that the bill was not anti-social work, but would remove the structure currently required for that specific school from the law.

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We discovered that this was a structure that was mandated by the legislature and really we shouldnt be doing that, he said.

The bill does not prohibit UA from keeping a standalone School of Social Work, it just removes the requirement that they do so, Garrett added.

Other Alabama universities, like Auburn, the University of North Alabama, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, do not have standalone social work schools.

The programs are instead embedded in larger colleges, according to their websites.

Students and alums of the school recently expressed their concerns surrounding the bill to The Crimson White.

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If the harmful bill is passed, I hope UA advocates for and funds the School of Social Work in a way that recognizes it as the asset to our states communities and economy that it is, said Reagan Hope Wilson, a senior majoring in social work.

According to the CW, Wilson said that the School of Social Work, with its present statutory obligation to be protected by state law, has been able to educate and train the workforce that Alabama relies on to meet its most critical human service needs.

If passed, the bill would go into effect Oct. 1.

Efforts to reach UA representatives for comment were not immediately successful.

Read the original article on al.com.
A federal judge in Chicago on Thursday officially dismissed a lawsuit that led to her landmark injunction limiting the use of force by immigration agents during Operation Midway Blitz.

Though U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis agreed to dismiss the case without prejudice, which leaves open the possibility that the claims could be reinstated, it marked an anticlimactic end to a case that made national headlines as one of the first to challenge the tactics of immigration officials on the ground.

Ellis granting of the plaintiffs request to drop the case was largely a foregone conclusion. The judge did, however, press the pause button on making a decision after the fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen in Minneapolis on Jan. 7.

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Ellis told the parties at that time she still had concerns over her obligation to protect the class of journalists, clergy and other protesters certified in the lawsuit, noting if I dismiss this case the preliminary injunction ceases to exist.

On Thursday, in addition to dismissing the suit, Ellis also decertified the class.

The case brought by the Chicago Headline Club and other media groups led to a sweeping preliminary injunction by Ellis in November limiting the use of tear gas and other chemical munitions against members of the media and protesters and also requiring agents to wear body cameras and clear identification.

The plaintiffs moved to drop the suit last month, however, following ominous signs from the 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, which called Ellis order overbroad and a potential infringement on the separation of powers.

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In the request, the plaintiffs claimed victory, saying Bovino and his surge of agents left town soon after Ellis injunction was entered on Nov. 8 and that there had been no reports of any unconstitutional behavior by agents in the weeks that followed.

Since then, Bovino and a contingent of Border Patrol agents have already returned once to Chicago, in the form of a seemingly made-for-television jaunt shortly before Christmas. Agents made several arrests in supermarket parking lots and tamale stands while goading angry residents who confronted them and threatening to unleash tear gas.

As recently as Dec. 30, Bovino posted on social media: If you think were done with Chicago, youd better check yourself before you wreck yourself.

An attorney for the administration of President Donald Trump said in a hearing Dec. 4 that, contrary to media reports, Operation Midway Blitz has not ended and that the Trump administration continues to carry out lawful immigration enforcement  though she declined to say when or if another surge in Border Patrol agents would hit the city.

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Department of Justice attorney Elizabeth Hedges also claimed the dismissal of the lawsuit would bar journalists and protesters from bringing similar claims of constitutional violations in the future  an argument that was immediately called out by Ellis and plaintiffs attorneys as a misstatement of the law.

While it was the governments position that no agent did anything illegal or unconstitutional, having watched the videos, and having read the reports, and having listened to the witnesses, I strongly disagree, Ellis said.

The Headline Club case came to symbolize the havoc Midway Blitz caused in Chicago and shed light on how the operation was carried out, through sworn depositions by Bovino and other leaders as well as the release of body-camera footage showing agents deploying tear gas, pointing guns from passing cars and tackling civilians on the street.

Ellis had tentatively set a hearing on a permanent injunction for March.

The 7th Circuit later granted an emergency stay of Ellis injunctive relief pending appeal, a process that will also be shelved once the dismissal is approved.

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NEED TO KNOW

Officials said more than 100 people have died after weeks of flooding triggered by heavy rain

Three of those who died were killed by crocodiles that are lurking in the floodwaters, authorities said

Authorities have since warned the public not to approach still waters due to crocodile risk

Dozens of people have died after significant flooding in Mozambique, including three who were killed by crocodiles lurking in the water.

Authorities announced on Jan. 16 that more than 100 people have died across Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe after weeks of flooding triggered by heavy rain, according to the Associated Press.

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Thirteen of the deaths occurred in Mozambique, including three people who authorities said were killed by crocodiles, according to Reuters and the Associated Press.

One attack earlier this month reportedly left two dead and three others injured. More recently, local media reported that Henriques Bongece, Maputo's province secretary, said one man was swallowed by a crocodile in the town of Moamba.



Orlando Chauke / AFP via Getty A general view of building and an informal structure submerged in floodwater in Giyani on January 16, 2026. A general view of building and an informal structure submerged in floodwater in Giyani on January 16, 2026.

Paola Emerson, head of the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Mozambique, said the animals are in the Limpopo river and are able to get into populated areas that are now submerged under water and that is the concern.

Meanwhile, Bongece has warned the public "not to approach still waters" due to crocodiles "drifting in these waters," according to the AP.

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More than 700,000 people have been impacted by the flooding, half of which are children, the AP reported.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said over 72,000 homes have been destroyed, according to Reuters.



IFRC Program and Operations Manager Rachel Fowler warned that the situation could worsen as more rain is expected in the coming days while dams are already at full capacity, according to Al Jazeera.

Emidio JOZINE / AFP via Getty This aerial view shows residents wading through floodwater to cross a road near Maputo on January 20, 2026. This aerial view shows residents wading through floodwater to cross a road near Maputo on January 20, 2026.

Officials have said the flooding is the worst in the region since 2000, when an estimated 700 people died in Mozambique, according to Reuters. The death toll from the current flooding is expected to rise.

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Among the missing is Andile Mngwevu, a councillor in the Ekurhuleni municipality in South Africa, according to the BBC.

Officials reportedly said Mngwevu went missing after he and four others were stuck in a car when it was caught in floodwaters in the Gaza province. Only one of the five people has been accounted for so far.

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.

It will cost an estimated $30 million to repair the damage caused by the floods, according to Al Jazeera.



Read the original article on People
The Washington state Supreme Court building in Olympia. (Photo by Aspen Ford/Washington State Standard)

It was more than a year ago when voters approved a ballot measure to protect access to natural gas service in homes and other buildings, undercutting Washingtons efforts to transition away from fossil fuels.

The fate of that initiative now rests with the state Supreme Court.

The justices heard arguments Thursday morning in a challenge environmental groups and local governments brought against Initiative 2066. They argue the measure is unconstitutional because it covers more than a single subject and does not contain the full text of state laws it would alter.

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Last March, a King County Superior Court judge agreed. Backers of the initiative appealed, landing the case at the states highest court.

The Building Industry Association of Washington, a trade group for homebuilders, sponsored the initiative and is defending it alongside the state. The state has to defend the initiative because it was passed by voters, even though lawmakers have previously approved policies that it conflicts with.

The people of Washington enacted 2066 for one singular purpose: to ensure that they had the option of gas as a source of energy for their homes and their buildings, said Callie Castillo, an attorney for the Building Industry Association.

The pro-gas initiative passed in November 2024 with 51.7% of the statewide vote. It includes provisions to ensure customers will have a supply of natural gas, for appliances like furnaces and stoves, and that providers will continue to have consumer demand, proponents said in a court filing.

Karl Smith, deputy solicitor general at the Washington State Office of the Attorney General, argues in support of Initiative 2066 at the Washington state Supreme Court on January 22, 2026. (Photo by Aspen Ford/Washington State Standard)

Initiative 2066 is constitutional, said Karl Smith, deputy solicitor general at the Washington State Office of the Attorney General. Each of the provisions is germane to the general subject of protecting access to and use of natural gas.

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But a coalition of environmental and clean energy organizations, along with the city of Seattle and King County, contends that the ballot measure does far more than protect access to natural gas.

They claim that the multi-part initiative, which ran 21 pages, would change building code rules, air pollution regulation authority, repeal provisions to accelerate Puget Sound Energys transition away from natural gas and limit local governments ability to establish energy efficiency standards.

Paul Lawrence, attorney for the groups and local governments challenging the initiative, called the provisions silent amendments to existing law.

Stop the gas ban, was BIAWs motto for having people sign and vote for this, said Lawrence, adding that the pitch for the initiative was combined with much broader attacks on state climate policy and building codes.

Justices on the Washington Supreme Court hear oral arguments on January 22, 2026. (Photo by Aspen Ford/Washington State Standard)

In a friend-of-the-court brief filed in the case, former Gov. Jay Inslee, who championed climate policy during his time in office, along with Sen. Rebecca Saldana, D-Seattle, Rep. Beth Doglio, D-Olympia, and House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon, D-West Seattle, argued the initiative would dismantle years of policy to curb air pollution, protect public health and transition to cleaner energy.

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Doglio, the House and Environment Energy Committee chair, sponsored the legislation related to Puget Sound Energy that the initiative would roll back.

The building codes the measure targets were designed to get more electric heat pumps installed in newly built homes and other buildings.

Do the voters want to preserve access to natural gas and also undermine several statutes that have been enacted over the years to promote a policy of looking at sustainable, clean energy housing? Lawrence said in court Thursday, as he argued that the initiative was too broad.

He expressed confidence afterward that the Supreme Court would reach the same conclusion as the lower court judge.

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Greg Lane, executive vice president of the Building Industry Association of Washington, said the group hopes that the court will recognize the urgency of this case and provide a ruling swiftly.

The 546,000 citizens who signed the initiative and the nearly 2 million voters who supported its passage deserve a resolution soon, he said.

The Supreme Court is expected to rule on the case in three to six months.
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP)  The incoming winter storm in western Massachusetts has many cities and towns in the area implementing parking bans beginning on Sunday.

Tips to prepare for the weekend snowstorm approaching western Massachusetts

Agawam

No on-street parking from noon on Sunday until noon on Tuesday.

Belchertown

The Belchertown Police Department stated that there is no parking on public ways if it interferes with snow removal during a storm. Residents must remove obstacles such as basketball hoops and trash barrels from the right-of-way. Vehicles may be towed at the owners expense.

Easthampton

A parking ban will be in effect from 12 p.m. Sunday through 12 p.m. Tuesday.

Granby

The Town of Granby announced that a Parking Ban will be in effect beginning Sunday at 10 a.m. and continuing until Tuesday at noon. This means that there is no on-street parking allowed.

Hadley

The town of Hadley has a seasonal parking ban for all winter months. Residents are encouraged to stay off the roads on Sunday to allow for plowing operations.

Hatfield

No on-street parking from 1 p.m. Sunday until further notice.

Holyoke

The City of Holyoke, Department of Public Works, has issued a regular Winter Parking Ban to be in effect from 7 a.m. Sunday until further notice. Residents may park inside the Ernest Proulx Municipal Parking Garage at 505 Dwight Street.

Monson

No on-street parking from midnight on Sunday through Tuesday at noon.

South Hadley

A parking ban is in effect from noon Sunday to noon on Tuesday.

Southampton

The Highway Superintendent has issued a parking ban from 6 a.m. Sunday through 12 p.m. Tuesday.

Springfield

A citywide parking ban is in effect at 9 a.m. on Sunday.

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No parking on the even side of the street from 7 p.m. Sunday through 7 a.m. Monday.

No parking on the odd side of the street on Monday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.



Westfield

A parking ban will be put in place on Sunday at 7 a.m. and will remain in effect until further notice.

The 22News Storm Team has issued a Weather Alert for heavy snow on Sunday into Monday. Snow arrives late in the morning/early afternoon on Sunday. The heaviest snow is on target for late afternoon and Sunday evening. The snow is expected to linger through the Monday morning commute. Double-digit snowfall totals are possible.

Weather News

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 WWLP.
In more than 30 states stretching across the country, the messages are growing more urgent about the impacts of the massive and potentially historic Winter Storm Fern as it now moves across the country.

Multiple states have made emergency declarations, schools and public offices are closing and people are being urged to have their emergency supplies ready and to get off the roads as soon as they can.

Heavy snow and devastating ice could leave many without power for days, not hours. Some 230 million people are under a variation of winter storm or ice storm warning.

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You can track the storm here and below is a look back at our live coverage for Friday.

(08:47 p.m. EST) What To Expect From The Storm Overnight

From meteorologist Sara Tonks:

The winter storm is just getting started Friday evening, but the threat starts to pick up as we enter the overnight hours and temperatures fall across the South. The wintry, icy mix will spread across the Southern Plains from New Mexico into Mississippi as snow falls across the Central Plains and parts of the Midwest.

The threat of wintry weather across the South and Southeast picks up on Saturday, but some parts of Texas and Arkansas could receive up to a quarter-inch of ice by Saturday morning. Areas that receive icing overnight could experience widespread power outages as the ice accumulates on tree limbs and power lines.

(08:22 p.m. EST) Travel Delays To Affect Thousands This Weekend

More than 2,800 flights are already delayed or canceled on Saturday, according to FlightAware.com. Their MiseryMap was already showing signs of stress on the airways on Friday evening.

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Nearly 1000 flights were canceled or delayed during the day. Many of the delays were out of Dallas, Denver and Chicago, with the winter storm located in between the three major hubs.

Delays could continue for several days as Winter Storm Fern moves through the South and East through Monday.

FlightAware.com's MiseryMap

(07:58 p.m. EST) Wide Variety Of Precipitation Spreading East

Snow, sleet and freezing rain are becoming more widespread in Oklahoma and Texas, but is also spreading east into Arkansas this evening. Snow flurries are fluttering in the sky across Central Oklahoma.

Back in the Texas Panhandle, where Fern began, grassy and metal surfaces are now covered in snow and sleet. Roads are beginning to deteriorate and were starting to see accidents.

(07:38 p.m. EST) Hundreds Of Pets Rescued In Mississippi Ahead Of Ice Storm

AP Photo/Stephen Smith

Members of Paws of War raced across the country to rescue the more than 200 dogs from a home in Tupelo, Mississippi, on Thursday, ahead of Winter Storm Fern.

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More than 100 dogs were placed in local shelters, but 80 dogs and the team will bed down in a warehouse and wait out the severe weather.

The dogs were living both inside and outside of the home, which was described by the organization's co-founder as a house of horrors.

At the warehouse, the dogs will be kept warm with several heaters. Members of the Paws of War team will stay at the warehouse with the animals during the storm and play classical music to soothe them at night.

Winter Storm Fern is expected to bring more than an inch of ice to Tupelo through Sunday. Temperatures may not rise above freezing again until Tuesday.

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Please bring your pets inside during this winter storm and for all of the cold nights ahead.

The Paws of War is a New York-based nonprofit that rescues animals and places them with veterans and first responders.

Portions of this story were originally published by the Associated Press.

(07:10 p.m. EST) Forecast Change: Warmer Air Coming Into The Tri-State?

From senior digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

Meteorologist Sara Tonks and I were discussing the New York City area on Thursday, and at that time, we were sure that the precipitation would be coming down as snow, but theres been a change in that thinking.

It is now apparent that some sleet and ice could mix in along with the snow and cut some of the snowfall totals down to the east and south of Manhattan. The National Weather Service has noticed this, too.

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If you live in the area, keep an eye on this trend.

Weather Channel snowfall forecast posted at 7 p.m. Friday evening

(06:45 p.m. EST) Act Now To Save Your Pipes So That You Aren't Angry Later

From senior digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

As somebody who has had to deal with busted pipes after a widespread deep freeze, there is nothing more frustrating than seeing water come through the ceiling, walls and sinks of your house after a weather event. Save yourself some frustration, time and effort before Fern arrives.

Watch this: How To Save Your Pipes From Busting As Temperatures Tumble

(06:12 p.m. EST) Dont Crowd The Plows

Each year, dozens to hundreds of people are injured, even killed, in snowplow-related accidents. Snowplow drivers have large blind spots and tons of equipment to manage in less-than-ideal weather conditions. Theyre out there trying to keep us safe and make the roads safer, too. Stay back from snowplows, salt spreaders and other large vehicles on the roads.

(05:45 p.m. EST) Time To Get Off The Roads

Freezing rain and sleet are now falling in parts of Texas and Oklahoma. Travel conditions are expected to worsen tonight as temperatures drop across the Plains. Bridges and overpasses will freeze first, then other surfaces including roadways.

(05:25 p.m. EST) Denver Zoo Closes For Frigid Temps

This weather might be for the polar bears, but the Denver Zoo has decided that temperatures will be too cold for us humans. Temperatures will only reach the mid-20s on Saturday with snow showers through the day.

(04:59 p.m. EST) What Ice Storm Accumulations Mean

Ice could be a major problem for a large swath of the country this weekend. But what does that mean?

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Ice Storm Facts

*Ice can increase the weight of tree branches by 30 times.

*A one-half inch ice accumulation on power lines can add 500 pounds of extra weight.

For a deeper dive into the dangers of ice accumulation, click here.

(04:43 p.m. EST) Cold Weather A Good Thing For Baseball Fans?

Get this, the cold weather could be a boost for baseball fans.

The Memphis Redbirds are selling tickets for their March 8 event against the Savannah Bananas, with a twist.

The high tomorrow is 20 degrees, and the high doesn't look to pass the freezing mark until Tuesday. But if you have ever had the opportunity to witness Banana Ball live, you will understand that this is a good deal either way.

(04:37 p.m. EST) Brutally Cold In Chicago

AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato

The city of Chicago is dealing with some bone-chilling temperatures right now. They are about 30 degrees below average today, currently -2 degrees. A cold weather advisory is in effect until 9am CT, and the overnight low will be a brutal -10 degrees.

AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato

Saturday, the high is 11 degrees, and it will warm up to a balmy 17 degrees on Sunday before dropping back down to a high of just 6 degrees on Monday

AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato

While the windy city won't be in for the bulk of Winter Storm Fern, it could see some flurries fall at times late Saturday into Sunday. Snowfall totals will be heavier the further the south in Illinois you are.

(04:16 p.m. EST) Why This Storm Is A Little Different

From senior digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

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Storms in the middle of winter that stretch for hundreds of miles arent atypical. But this system has one thing that might define it as a whole: Abundant subtropical moisture.

Winter storms nearly always have their start somewhere in the Pacific and they gain their wintry side from Canada. And that is true of this storm, too, but we have to look at an entirely different part of the Pacific for this storm.

If you are a weather nerd like I am, you probably saw that the Hurricane Hunters were out in the Pacific flying around over the last day or two. They were west of Mexico and Southern California, getting a read on the amount of moisture this winter storm was going to be bringing to the South and East this weekend. That is a region that has substantially more moisture than the Gulf of Alaska or over Canada where many of our other storms come from.

(03:21 p.m. EST) What Exactly Is Freezing Rain?

From senior digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles

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If youre looking out the window this weekend, you might not notice when plain old rain becomes something more dangerous: freezing rain. Unless youve got a thermometer outside your home, plain rain and freezing rain may look the exact same.

The difference: Whether the temperature is above or below 32 degrees. After several hours of freezing rain, youll likely begin to see the ice accumulate on trees, cars, sidewalks and metal objects, but it may not be visible at first. That doesnt mean that the ice isnt there or that you cannot take a fall or slide on pavement. Make sure to check a thermometer before you head outdoors.

(MORE: Why Freezing Rain is The Worst)

(02:41 p.m. EST) Crews Prepping For The Storm In Houston, Texas

Texas Department of Transportation crews are out and about the Houston area prepping for Winter Storm Fern:

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For the latest forecast for the Houston area, click here. Meanwhile, the National Weather Service released the following information for the region:

(02:25 p.m. EST) First Plume Of Wintry Precip Expected Soon In The Southern Plains

From senior digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

Temperatures are dropping in the Plains as moisture increases. That will soon lead to the first batch of sleet and freezing rain in western Texas and Oklahoma within the next couple of hours. This frozen precipitation will eventually grow into a swath several hundred miles long his weekend.

(02:04 p.m. EST) Costco Gets Busy Before The Storm

Just how busy does a Costco get before a storm? Check out this timelapse from MyDrone.Pro from the Washington metro area, ahead of the winter storm:

This was what it looked like on Thursday in Gaithersburg, Maryland, days ahead of the expected arrival of the winter weather. Being prepared is important, so heres hoping you were able to get your supplies before the crowds hit the stores!

(12:51 p.m. EST) One Of The Biggest Forecast Challenges Yet To Come

From senior digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

If you live near the Southern Appalachians, you should be paying attention to this forecast. Whether you are west, east or south of the Smoky Mountains will dictate the weather you get from Fern this weekend, and it might not be what you usually get from winter storms.

You and your extended family could also see very different impacts in your town depending on elevation and proximity to higher terrain.

To the west, across much of eastern Tennessee, the western Virginias and eastern Kentucky, youll likely end up with plain rain as Ferns circulation pumps Gulf moisture and warmth northward. These are typically spots where snowfall would be a lock.

To the east, a high pressure system in the Northeast will pump chilly air down the east side of the Appalachians and that cold air will spill as far south as the western Carolinas and north Georgia. This will result in freezing rain for many. Even in some of the lower elevations of the mountainous terrain that would typically see snow, it could be freezing rain or sleet.

The challenge here is how quickly these airmasses shift. The cold air is notoriously difficult to scour out, but could the usual subtropical air do the trick? How much moisture will stick around in the Tennessee Valley when the cold air arrives?

(12:40 p.m. EST) Winter Storm Shifts Top College Basketball Times

From content writer Toby Adeyemi:

Winter Storm Fern is now forcing the NCAA to reschedule some of their biggest games of the weekend.

The tip-off times for these games have all been shifted to earlier in the day Saturday:

Wake Forest vs. Duke

Houston vs. Texas Tech

Virginia vs. North Carolina

Expect more games to be rescheduled or even canceled.

(12:21 p.m. EST) Snow From Winter Storm Fern Has Begun

Scattered snow flurries are falling throughout the Four Corners and in the Central Plains.

Temperatures are also falling throughout the Plains. Wintry precip (snow, freezing rain and sleet) is expected to become more widespread over the next few hours.

(12:00 p.m. EST) Protect Your Pets

Dogs and cats are especially vulnerable during a winter storm. The ASPCA is sharing several tips to keep your furry family members safe.

And when is it just too cold to walk your dog? We have this guide that not only gets into temperatures, but also the size and breed of your pup.

(11:45 a.m. EST) Washington Just Declared An Emergency

Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

From content writer Toby Adeyemi:

Washington, D.C. is the latest to declare a state of emergency.

They also declared a snow emergency which means locals must move vehicles off of snow emergency routes.

States of emergency are also in effect in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and southeast counties of Oklahoma.

(11:24 a.m. EST) Keep These Things In Mind As You Gear Up For The Storm

From digital meteorologist Caitlin Kaiser:

There is still time to prepare for many of you who will be impacted by Winter Storm Fern.

Here are a few good reminders of what you can do ahead of the storm and what to keep in mind once you start seeing impacts:

(11:17 a.m. EST) Hundreds Of Saturday Flights Canceled

More than 1,500 flights scheduled to fly through U.S. airports tomorrow are canceled, according to FlightAware.com.

Airports in Dallas, Atlanta, Oklahoma and Tennessee are the most affected so far, but you can expect more cancellations and delays into next week as the full impact of the storm is felt.

(11:07 a.m. EST) Oklahoma Schools Call It Early

From content writer Toby Adeyemi:

Numerous Oklahoma school districts are either closed or moved to remote work today.

The University of Oklahoma Norman campus will also close today at noon.

Oklahoma is anticipating freezing rain, sleet, and brutal cold throughout the morning and then snow piling up into the weekend.

(10:56 a.m. EST) Scrambling To Get Ready For The Snowstorm? Heres Your Cheat Sheet

From managing editor Sean Breslin:

We get it. Theres a ton of information out there about this storm, and with so many areas facing a variety of weather conditions, it can be overwhelming.

Were here to help you get everything you need to prepare. On our winter storm safety page, you can find dozens of stories that focus on what you need to know to finalize your preparations and stay safe throughout the storm.

As we always say: Be prepared, not scared.

(10:30 a.m. EST) New Ice Storm Warnings Issued For Carolinas, Tennessee

From meteorologist Tiffany Savona:

The National Weather Service has just issued Ice Storm Warnings for portions of Western North and South Carolina and eastern Tennessee.

This includes the cities of Charlotte, Asheville, Greenville, Chattanooga and Knoxville. One-half inch to 1 inch of ice accumulation is possible in these areas Saturday-Monday.

Tree damage and power outages in the bitter cold appear likely and could last for days. Travel will become difficult to impossible.

(10:15 a.m. EST) When To Finish Preps Before Storm

From senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman:

If you need to run errands or wrap up any travel plans before the storm, heres when you should finish those up:

By Friday afternoon: Kansas, Oklahoma, north Texas

By Friday evening: Missouri, Arkansas, northern Louisiana, northern Mississippi, Tennessee, western Kentucky

By Saturday morning: Rest of Kentucky, southern Ohio, Indiana, Illinois

By Saturday afternoon: Central Texas, southern Appalachians, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, Upstate South Carolina, northeast Georgia including Atlanta metro, most of rest of Indiana and Ohio

By Saturday evening: Mid-Atlantic/Northeast I-95 corridor up to New York City Tri-state

By early Sunday morning: Much of New England, including Boston

(09:52 a.m. EST) Two More States Declare Emergencies

From content writer Toby Adeyemi:

Governor of Kentucky Andy Beshear and New York Governor Kathy Hochul have each held press conferences declaring states of emergency ahead of Winter Storm Fern, preparing their states for extremely hazardous conditions.

Gov. Hochul also announced that early voting for two New York City special elections will be canceled on January 25 due to the storm.

(09:34 a.m. EST) Worse Than A Hurricane?

I hate ice storms, said Keith Avery, the CEO of Newberry Electric Cooperative in South Carolina. They are worse than hurricanes.

Ice-coated trees and power lines can keep falling long after the storm has moved on.

And in the South, its not just the loss of power; its also the loss of heat.

A majority of homes are heated by electricity in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia, according to U.S. Census Bureau data reported by the Associated Press.

Photo by Brad Vest/Getty Images

And who can forget the 2021 winter storm that took down the Texas power grid? More than 200 people died as millions went without power in freezing temperatures for days.

Gov. Greg Abbott said Thursday that won't happen again, saying the power system has never been stronger."

(09:10 a.m. EST) Nations Third-Largest School District Is Closed

The Chicago Public Schools system canceled all classes and after-school activities for Friday, pointing to dangerous wind chills.

Earlier we shared with you teeth-chattering wind chills in the Midwest, including a minus 29 degrees measured in Chicago.

Todays high at OHare International Airport is forecast to remain below zero. Senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman says the last time that happened was Dec. 23, 2002.

(08:43 a.m. EST) Long Lines And Empty Shelves

Shoppers packed a supermarket in Louisville, Kentucky, this morning. Spectrum News shared these images on X.

But as our managing editor Sean Breslin pointed out earlier, your last-minute grocery run doesnt have to be panicked.

Scroll back and take a look at some of the best food items to pick up.

(08:14 a.m. EST) Build An Emergency Kit For Your Car

From digital meteorologist Caitlin Kaiser:

As we head into the weekend, travel will only get more dangerous for those in the South and East. We recommend you stay at home if at all possible, but if you find yourself in a situation where you need to drive, it is important to be prepared ahead of time.

Make sure you have these key items, shown below, in your vehicle ahead of winter storm impacts. Even if you dont use them this time around, you never know when you might find yourself stuck in a weather emergency.

(07:41 a.m. EST) Flight Delays, Cancellations Already Stacking Up

Getty Images

Four major U.S. hubs are in the path of the southern end of Winter Storm Fern: Dallas-Fort Worth, Atlanta, Memphis and Charlotte.

More than 10,000 flights are delayed nationwide already this morning and more than 700 others have been canceled, according to the flight tracking site FlightAware.com.

Even more major hubs on the East Coast could see extensive flight disruptions as the storm barrels that way.

(07:18 a.m. EST) What 'Catastrophic' Ice Means

From senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman:

In an early Friday morning forecast discussion and post on X, NOAAs Weather Prediction Center warned of catastrophic ice accumulation forecast in parts of the South.

While tornadoes, hurricanes and flash floods are notorious for their destruction, ice storms can also be very damaging. In this case, we expect numerous trees and limbs to be downed due to heavy ice accumulation in the areas in the darkest contours on the map below. We also expect power outages to be widespread and could last for days in those areas.

Not to mention, roads may remain ice-covered for some time after the storm, until sunshine and warmer air can finally melt them.

Our list of the worst U.S. ice storms provides some perspective on the mess they cause.

(06:58 a.m. EST) Jaw-Dropping Wind Chills

Were already seeing bitterly cold temperatures across the Northern Plains and Midwest. Meteorologist Tiffany Savona rounded up some of the jaw-dropping wind chills:

Grand Marais, Minnesota: minus 60 degrees

Duluth, Minnesota: minus 55

Minneapolis: minus 45

Bismarck, North Dakota: minus 42

Milwaukee: minus 35

Chicago: minus 29

Frostbite can develop in as little as 5 to 10 minutes on exposed skin with wind chills this low.

Temperatures like this are also why extended power outages are a huge concern with this storm. Check out just some of the ways you can stay warm inside, if you lose power.

(06:33 a.m. EST) Dont Panic-Shop  Look For These Items Instead

Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images

From managing editor Sean Breslin:

If youre in the path of Winter Storm Fern and you havent had a chance to get your emergency food supplies, keep in mind that in a power outage, your fridge food will only last about four hours, and food in your freezer will start to spoil within 24 to 48 hours.

So why would you fight with strangers over the last remaining package of chicken thighs at the supermarket?

Keep in mind that you will also have fewer heating sources for food in a power outage, if any. So opt for these shelf-stable protein-packed foods instead to stay full for longer:

Canned meats, like tuna, chicken or Spam.

Jerky (pick your favorite flavor so you dont hate it after three bites)

Seeds, nuts and nut butter

Oats, pasta and beans  but only if you know youll have a reliable way to cook them

Finally, if the power goes out, it might seem like a good idea to just set perishable foods outside, but the USDA says thats a bad idea. Heres why.

(06:00 a.m. EST) More States Declare Emergencies

Arkansas and Virginia have joined South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Texas and parts of southeast Oklahoma in declaring a state of emergency ahead of the storm. This opens up resources and personnel for emergency assistance.

In Georgia, 500 National Guard troops have been called up.

In Oklahoma, National Guard troops will assist the State Patrol in rescuing any stranded drivers.
Ready the shovel and gas up the snowblower! Massachusetts is in for what could be the biggest storm since January 2022.

Bay Staters on Friday were bracing for a massive, long-duration winter storm thats slated to move into Massachusetts this weekend, which could dump 1-2 feet of snow across the region.

The Boston 25 Weather team has issued a Weather Alert for extreme cold on Saturday, followed by impactful snowfall on Sunday into Monday.

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Sunday snow started before lunchtime. The storm is expected to intensify throughout the afternoon into the evening.

Its going to be a long-duration storm, youll notice through midnight well have some pretty intense snowfall rates, at about one to two inches per hour, said Boston 25 Meteorologist Vicki Graf.

Avoid traveling if you can, just stay inside, and wait for this storm to pretty much clear out.

The heaviest snowfall is expected along the coastline, where up to 24 inches of snow is possible. Fifteen to 20 inches of snow is likely across most of Massachusetts. These areas will see a lighter, fluffier snow.

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Cape Cod and the Islands are in for about 7 to 10 inches, where wetter snow and sleet will help compact accumulations, keeping totals slightly lower in those areas.

Monday, well see some lingering snow showers, and we will see additional accumulation but by that part of the storm will be over.

That snow is going to be on the ground for quite some time as temperatures are a lot colder, said Vicki.

Because the temperatures are so cold, that is why were expecting such intense high snowfall amounts. The snow is expected to be fluffy, not exactly ideal for building snowmen.

Major grocery stores like Market Basket will be closing early due to the inclement weather. The grocery store chain has stores in New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.

After the storm wraps up, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday look frigid again with highs in the low 20s.

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For the latest weather updates, visit the Boston 25 Weather page.

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Stay Informed:

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WASHINGTON (AP)  The Pentagon has sent a host of U.S. military assets into the Middle East over the past several weeks, including an aircraft carrier group and its thousands of troops, as President Donald Trump indicates he is maintaining the possibility of strikes on Iran.

We have a lot of very big, very powerful ships sailing to Iran right now, and it would be great if we didnt have to use them, Trump said Thursday.

Trump initially threatened military action if Iran carried out mass executions of prisoners or killed peaceful demonstrators, but he later claimed that Iran halted the hangings of 800 detained protesters. Irans top prosecutor later called Trump's claim completely false.

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Trump said this week that Iran must make a deal on its nuclear program. He suggested that if the Islamic Republic does not, he would order an attack that would be far worse than last years U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

Aircraft carrier bolsters US presence in the Middle East

The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and three guided-missile destroyers are in the Arabian Sea, according to U.S. Central Command.

The carrier strike group left the South China Sea last week and arrived in the Middle East on Monday. It joined in the region three other U.S. Navy destroyers, two of which are currently sailing near the Strait of Hormuz and another in the Red Sea.

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Three smaller littoral combat ships also are currently at sea in the Persian Gulf.

The arrival of the carrier strike group brought roughly 5,700 additional service members. The U.S. has several bases in the Middle East, including Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which hosts thousands of American troops and is the forward headquarters for U.S. Central Command.

Moving in the aircraft carrier comes after the Trump administration had shifted some resources from the region to the Caribbean Sea as part of a pressure campaign on former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

The worlds largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, was ordered in October to sail from the Mediterranean Sea to the Caribbean along with several destroyers. The carrier USS Nimitz, which helped conduct the June strikes on Irans nuclear sites, also departed the region in October.

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More aircraft also have arrived

Central Command said on social media that the Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle now has a presence in the Mideast, noting the fighter jet enhances combat readiness and promotes regional security and stability.

Similarly, the U.K. Ministry of Defense said last week that it deployed its Typhoon fighter jets to Qatar in a defensive capacity."

Analysts of flight-tracking data have noticed dozens of U.S. military cargo planes also heading to the region.

The activity is similar to last year when the U.S. moved in air defense hardware, like a Patriot missile system, in anticipation of an Iranian counterattack following the bombing of three key nuclear sites. Iran launched over a dozen missiles at Al Udeid Air Base days after the strikes.

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Trump administration threats against Iran

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Thursday that the U.S. military will be prepared to deliver whatever the president expects, a day after Trump warned that he wants movement toward a deal over Iran's nuclear program and that time is running out."

They have all the options to make a deal, Hegseth said at a Cabinet meeting, referring to Iran. They should not pursue nuclear capabilities.

Hegseth cited the U.S. military raid to capture then-Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in his Iran warning, saying the military was ready to deliver what Trump wants just like we did this month.

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the increasing military presence as an effort to defend against what could be an Iranian threat against our personnel. He said during a congressional hearing Wednesday that it was wise to have a force that could if necessary, preemptively prevent the attack against thousands of American servicemen and other facilities in the region and our allies.

Trump said Thursday night that his message to Iran was no nuclear and stop killing protesters.

Iran cracked down on nationwide protests that were sparked by economic woes and broadened into a challenge to the theocracy. Activists say at least 6,479 people were killed in the crackdown.

The Trump administration and the European Union this week imposed new sanctions targeting high-ranking Iranian officials over the crackdown.
By Jack Queen

NEW YORK, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Luigi Mangione, the man accused of gunning down a health insurance executive outside a hotel in Manhattan, appeared in federal court on Friday as his lawyers sought to convince a judge to exclude key evidence from his death penalty case.

Mangione, 27, has pleaded not guilty to murder, stalking and weapons charges in connection with the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Public officials condemned the shocking assassination, but Mangione became a folk hero of sorts to some Americans who decry steep healthcare costs and insurance practices.

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He arrived in court on Friday wearing prison garb and shackled at the feet before U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett in Manhattan, who called an evidentiary hearing over whether police who arrested Mangione in Pennsylvania legally searched his backpack.

Mangiones lawyers argue prosecutors with the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York should be barred from using evidence found in the backpack -- including a 9-millimeter pistol, silencer, and journal entries -- because police illegally searched it without a warrant.

Prosecutors have argued that police officers in Altoona, Pennsylvania did not need a warrant because they had lawfully arrested Mangione for providing fake identification and were legally permitted to search the bag for dangerous items before transporting it.

On Friday, defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo questioned the deputy chief of the Altoona, Pennsylvania, Police Department about its procedures for searching a suspect's property after arresting them.

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The deputy chief, Nathan Snyder, testified that if officers found something illegal like drugs or a firearm, they would "probably go get a search warrant." Under questioning by a prosecutor, however, Snyder said that if officers found a gun they would continue searching for other dangerous items.

Garnett concluded the hearing without ruling. She has scheduled jury selection for Sept 8.

Mangiones lawyers are separately asking Garnett to throw out an indictment against Mangione over purported legal deficiencies, or block prosecutors from seeking the death penalty over alleged violations of Mangiones constitutional rights.

Mangione has pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges in a separate case brought by the office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

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The judge overseeing that case is also weighing a request by Mangiones lawyers to suppress evidence from the backpack. A trial date has not been set.

(Reporting by Jack Queen in New York, Editing by Franklin Paul, Deepa Babington and Nick Zieminski)
Get out the snow shovels and prepare the generators, the weather forecast in the DC area, Virginia, and Maryland shows a major snow storm coming this weekend, according to the National Weather Service, but how much snow are we getting?

The NWS issued winter storm warnings in Washington, D.C., areas and Baltimore, Maryland, as a Northeast snow storm coming this weekend could drop "massive" snow, coupled with a bitter polar vortex collapse bringing frigid wind chills.

Toppled trees, power outages, dangerous travel, airport cancellations and delays are expected. Here's the latest snow forecast for D.C., Virginia and Maryland as governors declare state of emergency plans.

When is the snow storm coming? When will the snow start?

A potential major winter snow storm coming to the DC area, Virginia and Maryland is expected to start after 10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, as bitter Arctic air arrives. Snow on Sunday, Jan. 25, will transition to rain and sleet, but NOAA's NWS warns of dangerous ice, that could force emergency road closures, school delays, massive power outages and near-impossible travel.

The arrival times of snow this weekend stretch from New Mexico to Maine.

How much snow in Washington, DC?

In Washington, DC and Baltimore metro areas, snowfall predictions are 6 to 12 inches of snow for the major winter storm coming in, starting around 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, according to the National Weather Service and AccuWeather. In south and southeast DC, 4 to 8 inches of snow is expected.

AccuWeather's expected snowfall amounts from Friday, Jan. 23, through Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026.

How much snow are we getting? Snow predictions for Maryland

In metro areas like Baltimore, Maryland, the I-95 corridor, and central Maryland you can expect 6 to 12 inches of snow. In western Maryland, Cumberland, Maryland, and west of the I-81 corridor, you may see closer to a foot of snow or more. East toward the Chesapeake Bay will see around 4-8 inches, while southern Maryland will see closer to 2-4 inches. See your local forecast here.

How many inches of snow in Virginia?

You can expect 12 to 18 inches of snow in areas of northern Virginia and near Front Royal, Virginia, although most northern areas will get 6-12 inches, NOAA's forecast shows. In the Richmond, Virginia, area, snowfall will be around 4-8 inches, while the coastal Virginia areas will see 2 to 4 inches.

Snow map; latest snow forecast DC, Virginia, Maryland

The snow map below tracks snowfall forecasts in real-time, showing live, updated Maryland, Virginia, and DC weather forecasts through the weekend. Expected snow predictions from NOAA's NWS are shown.

Live weather radar DC area

The National Weather Service's Doppler radar show the track of the major winter storm headed to the DC area, Maryland, and Virginia. The live radar map refreshes in real-time. Having trouble viewing? Click here: NWS Radar.

Winter storm warnings DC, Maryland, Virginia

Snowfall tracker: Search snowfall totals by address

Lori Comstock is a New Jersey-based journalist with the Mid-Atlantic Connect Team.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: How much snow is expected in DC area, Virginia, Maryland this weekend?
As major Gulf markets track global shares higher, buoyed by easing trade tensions and robust fourth-quarter earnings, investor sentiment in the Middle East remains optimistic. In this environment, identifying stocks with solid fundamentals and growth potential becomes crucial for those looking to capitalize on the region's dynamic market landscape.

Top 10 Undiscovered Gems With Strong Fundamentals In The Middle East

Name Debt To Equity Revenue Growth Earnings Growth Health Rating Nofoth Food Products NA 21.36% 25.28%  Qassim Cement NA 4.02% -11.40%  Baazeem Trading 10.02% -1.27% -1.66%  Saudi Azm for Communication and Information Technology 3.26% 17.17% 23.30%  MOBI Industry 13.81% 5.67% 19.69%  Najran Cement 14.49% -4.20% -30.16%  Amanat Holdings PJSC 10.86% 27.51% -0.92%  Etihad GO Telecom 0.85% 38.36% 57.78%  Space42 17.28% 37.30% 24.29%  Ajman Bank PJSC 53.89% 16.11% 18.02% 

Click here to see the full list of 186 stocks from our Middle Eastern Undiscovered Gems With Strong Fundamentals screener.

Let's uncover some gems from our specialized screener.

Simply Wall St Value Rating: 

Overview: Amlak Finance PJSC, along with its subsidiaries, operates in the Middle East focusing on real estate financing and investment activities, with a market capitalization of AED 2.60 billion.

Operations: The company's primary revenue streams are derived from real estate investment, generating AED 3.16 billion, and real estate finance, contributing AED 83.97 million. Corporate finance investment adds AED 68.42 million to the total revenue mix.

Amlak Finance PJSC, a financial entity in the Middle East, has turned profitable this year with net income reaching AED 1.95 billion for the first nine months of 2025, up from AED 15.92 million a year ago. The company boasts high-quality earnings and operates debt-free, contrasting its past debt-to-equity ratio of 30.4% five years back. With a price-to-earnings ratio of just 1.3x compared to the AE market's average of 12x, Amlak seems undervalued despite its robust performance and profitability surge in recent quarters, making it an intriguing prospect for investors seeking value opportunities in emerging markets.

DFM:AMLAK Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Jan 2026

Simply Wall St Value Rating: 

Overview: East Pipes Integrated Company for Industry specializes in providing coating services for customer-supplied pipes and has a market capitalization of SAR4.10 billion.
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Malaysia has restored access to Grok for its users after social media platform X implemented additional safety measures, its communications regulator said on Friday.

Malaysia this month temporarily blocked access to Grok amid a global backlash against a feature of the artificial intelligence chatbot that allowed users to create and publish sexualised images of others.

(Reporting by Rozanna Latiff; Editing by Martin Petty)
A man was arrested in Superior on Thursday night after Erie police ordered a shelter-in-place that morning while searching for him after a hit-and-run on Longmonts Main Street early Thursday morning.

Boulder County Sheriffs deputies arrested Alberto Jouvon Dias, 30, late Thursday night in Superior on charges of second-degree assault, failure to remain at the scene of an accident resulting in injury, reckless driving and vehicular eluding, according to an arrest affidavit. Dias was arrested after Erie police failed to find him in a search that prompted a shelter-in-place order for a neighborhood Thursday morning.

Dias reportedly pulled out of a parking spot and hit a man around 2:30 a.m. Thursday on Main Street in Longmont, before driving away and eluding Longmont police by blowing through a stop sign and driving recklessly, the affidavit states.

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The man who was hit told police that Dias came into a bar on Main Street and got into an argument with some people. When the man and his friends were getting ready to leave, they were worried Dias was going to follow a woman in her car, so another man tried to distract Dias while she drove away, the affidavit states.

The man was standing next to the womans car while she drove away, when Dias reportedly peeled out of the parking spot to follow her, hitting the man with his car in the process. The man went up on the hood of the car and rolled off, cutting his hand, according to the affidavit.

Police found both the vehicle Dias was driving and the vehicle the woman was driving, and pulled her over, but Dias kept driving, the affidavit states. Dias reportedly was driving fast and blew through a stop sign at East Ken Pratt Boulevard and Great Western Drive, and police stopped pursuing him because he was driving too recklessly.

About four hours later, Erie police, on the request of Longmont police, attempted to apprehend Dias in a neighborhood in southeast Erie, and police ordered a shelter-in-place for the area around 6:40 a.m.

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Residents living around Eagle View Place and Vale Way in Erie were ordered to shelter in place from about 6:40 a.m. to 7:06 a.m while police searched for Dias. Police had lifted the order that morning because the person of interest was likely no longer in the area, according to Erie Police Department spokesperson Amber Luttrell.

The shelter-in-place order, which included parts of Hickory Place and the Right Start Preschool, was given because Erie police wanted to be cautious, as they knew Dias was accused of using his vehicle as a weapon, Luttrell said. The police action happened around the time people are getting ready for work and children are walking to school, so more caution was warranted, Luttrell said.

The order also let the community know what police were doing while they were doing it, Luttrell said.

As of 4 p.m. Thursday, police had stopped actively searching for Dias, according to Longmont spokesperson Robin Ericson.

Late Thursday night, Dias was booked and remains in custody at the Boulder County Jail on $5,000 bail, according to online court records. He was scheduled for a hearing on advisement in Boulder County Jail court on Friday.
NEED TO KNOW

New Jersey man pleads guilty to first-degree assault in violent New York City pizzeria attack

The victim suffered brain bleeding, skull fractures and a weeks-long medically induced coma

Prosecutors say defendant attacked manager after dispute over dog inside restaurant

A man has pleaded guilty to violently assaulting a Manhattan pizzeria manager in a 2024 attack that left the victim with severe brain injuries and in a medically induced coma for weeks.

According to a statement from the Manhattan District Attorneys Office, obtained by PEOPLE, Tyshaun Watson, 36, pleaded guilty in New York State Supreme Court on Dec. 3, 2025, to two counts of first-degree assault. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Watson was sentenced to 17 years in state prison on Jan. 15, 2026, followed by five years of post-release supervision.

Manhattan DA Security camera footage of Tyshaun Watson, 36, attacking Roma Pizza manager. Security camera footage of Tyshaun Watson, 36, attacking Roma Pizza manager.

Tyshaun Watson is facing accountability for viciously attacking a pizzeria manager. This employee, who was just doing his job, suffered significant injuries and had to be placed in a medically induced coma for two weeks, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. said in a statement. No worker should ever have to fear for their safety, and my Office will prosecute those who harm them.

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The attack occurred on Aug. 19, 2024, at around 9:45 p.m. inside Roma Pizza, located at 146 Fifth Avenue, according to court records and statements made during Watsons plea. Prosecutors said Watson entered the restaurant with his unleashed dog, ordered food and sat down to eat. The manager told Watson twice that dogs were not permitted inside the restaurant.

Manhattan DA Security camera footage of Tyshaun Watson, 36, attacking Roma Pizza manager. Security camera footage of Tyshaun Watson, 36, attacking Roma Pizza manager.

Authorities said the situation escalated after the manager boxed Watsons pizza to go. In the security footage provided by the DA's office, Watson became visibly angry and then went behind the counter and began physically assaulting the manager. He punched the man in the head, tackled him to the ground and continued striking him while Watsons dog bit the victim.

Another employee attempted to intervene, but Watson swung at that worker as well, who ultimately backed away from the situation once Watson hit him.

The attack continued both inside and outside the restaurant. After the manager tried to flee and close the door behind him, Watson forced it open, placed the man in a chokehold and threw him to the ground, continuing to punch him while the dog bit him. Watson then kicked the manager in the face, rendering him unresponsive, before punching him in the stomach and stomping on his face twice times on the sidewalk.

Manhattan DA Security camera footage of Tyshaun Watson, 36, attacking Roma Pizza manager. Security camera footage of Tyshaun Watson, 36, attacking Roma Pizza manager.

After the assault, Watson walked back into the pizzeria and sat down with his dog until police arrived and arrested him at the scene.

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The manager was rushed to Bellevue Hospital, where he was treated for bleeding in the brain, facial and skull fractures, multiple dog bite wounds and a traumatic brain injury. Prosecutors said he remained intubated and in a medically induced coma for approximately two weeks and spent about two months hospitalized.

Read the original article on People
Secretary of State Marco Rubio personally approved the arrest and removal of five international student activists for their Palestinian advocacy and writings against the war in Gaza, according to government documents unsealed by a federal judge.

The release of the documents follows a months-long legal battle which has accused the Trump administration of an unconstitutional and retaliatory campaign against campus activists.

Last week, District Judge William Young, a Reagan-era appointee, found that Trump officials including Rubio and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem engaged in an unconstitutional conspiracy and failed in their duties to protect the Constitution by violating the First Amendment rights of students and faculty with threats to strip them of visas and arrest and deport them.

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Dozens of internal government documents unsealed Thursday reveal how Rubio directed officials to deport several high-profile activist figures, including Columbia Universitys Mahmoud Khalil, before their arrests and detentions last year.

One senior diplomat repeatedly cautioned Rubio against targeting those students and stressed that stripping their visas and green cards over actions inextricably tied to speech protected under the First Amendment would likely face an avalanche of lawsuits, the documents show.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio personally gave permission for immigration officials to arrest and deport international students over their pro-Palestine activism, according to unsealed government documents (AFP via Getty Images)

A memo related to Palestinian Columbia student Mohsen Madhawi, a green card holder who was arrested at a citizenship interview in April, stated: Given the potential that a court may consider his actions inextricably tied to speech protected under the First Amendment, it is likely that courts will scrutinize the basis for this determination.

The unsealed government documents include dossiers prepared by activists like pro-Israel group Canary Mission that largely relied on news clips about pro-Palestine campus demonstrations. The group describes its work as collecting information about people who promote hatred of the USA, Israel and Jews.

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Trump officials also repeatedly acknowledged that there was virtually no basis to deport the students other than invoking a rarely used Red Scare-era law that allows the Secretary of State to deem noncitizens deportable over perceived threats to U.S. foreign policy.

Rubio and other officials alleged that demonstrators against Israels war in Gaza were promoting antisemitism and providing material support for terrorist groups. The targeted students, their attorneys and advocates have roundly rejected those accusations.

In public statements, Rubio sought to justify the students arrests by claiming their presence in the U.S. undermines foreign policy interests to prevent antisemitism. He has said he proudly revoked hundreds of student visas over campus activism.

Legal battles brought by foreign students, including Mahmoud Khalil, accused the Trump administration of infringing on their First Amendment rights by trying to deport them in retaliation for their activism against Israels war in Gaza (REUTERS)

Documents show that even Homeland Security officials acknowledged that they had not identified any alternative grounds to deport the students, including the ground of removability for aliens who have provided material support for a foreign terrorist organization or terrorist activity.

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In a statement to The Independent on Judge Youngs order, a State Department official said the Trump administration is using every tool available to get terrorist-supporting aliens out of our country.

A visa is a privilege, not a right, the official said. We abide by all applicable laws to ensure the United States does not harbor aliens who pose a threat to our national security.

Four students at the center of the case  Khalil, Mahdawi, Tufts University PhD student Rumeysa Ozturk, and Georgetown scholar Badar Khan Suri  were all granted release from Immigration and Customs Enforcement by federal judges last year.

Another, Columbia student Yunseo Chung, had obtained a restraining order before ICE could arrest her.

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The five students remain free from ICE custody. But the Trump administration is still trying to re-arrest and deport them.

Earlier this week, administration officials threatened to deport Khalil to Algeria after a federal appeals court reversed a lower-court decision that released him from ICE custody.

Memos unsealed in court show that the Trump administration did not have any evidence against Tufts University Phd student Rumeysa Ozturk, who was held in an immigration detention center for six weeks and threatened with deportation because she co-wrote an op-ed critical of Israel (AFP via Getty Images)

While administration officials publicly accused Ozturk of engaging in activities in support of Hamas, an internal State Department memo said there was no such evidence that she engaged in any antisemitic activity or made any public statements indicating support for a terrorist organization or antisemitism generally.

The Turkish scholar, who had written an op-ed for a campus newspaper critical of Israels war, was arrested by masked agents off the street near her Massachusetts home last March and held in a detention center in Louisiana for more than six weeks.

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I find it breathtaking that I have been compelled in the evidence to find the conduct of such high-level officers of our government, cabinet secretaries, conspiring to infringe the First Amendment rights, Judge Young said in closing remarks from the bench last week.

Ive never had a case that approached that level of consequence, he said. But Ive asked myself, why? How did this happen? How could our own government, the highest officials in our government, seek to so infringe the rights of people lawfully here in the United States?

He said he was convinced by evidence in the case that high-ranking government officials, including the president, have a view of freedom by whos excluded as though they fear First Amendment protections and exclude from participation everyone who does not agree with them.

In Thursdays ruling, the judge ordered that any further attempts to deport members of the groups that sued would likely be considered unlawful retaliation.
Crossville Fire and Rescue were unable to determine what caused a gas odor that forced the evacuation and dismissal of Martin Elementary School Wednesday morning.

Crossville Fire Chief Chris South said the entire school and gas piping was tested and checked after students and staff were evacuated to Cumberland County High School.

There were no injuries and all children were safe and accounted for after the evacuation.

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The Crossville Fire Department was dispatched at 7:49 a.m. and was on the scene within minutes, according to the CFD report filled out by Brian Wyatt.

South said, The staff at Martin, the SRO and everyone did a commendable job. There are practices set in place for emergencies like this and they performed it perfectly, South said.

Middle Tennessee Natural Gas was called and dispatched to the school. Fire crews, maintenance and MTNG staff searched the entire school and HVAC units on the rooftop for a leak.

The students were evacuated to CCHS at 7:59 a.m.

With student and staff safety as an utmost priority, all at Martin Elementary were evacuated to CCHS this morning while a potential gas leak was detected and diagnosed. With the diagnosis ongoing, Martin Elementary students are being dismissed from the CCHS auditorium at 11:30 a.m., Cumberland County Director of Schools Rebecca Farley said in a statement emailed to the Chronicle.

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Multiple sweeps of the school were performed, according to the report.

Parents and guardians were contacted through the school system and given instructions on where to pick up students.

Later in the day, Farley reported, MTNG walked throughout the building and did not find any reading of natural gas. MTNG did shut off the gas to the building and Cumberland County Schools maintenance did a pressure test on the gas piping in the building at 5 psi for 1 hour, the pressure test passed. Cumberland County Schools maintenance has checked all gas heating units with no leaks found. We have the all clear.

Martin school reopened and was on schedule Thursday morning.

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In an emailed statement to the Chronicle, Farley said, I would like to thank MTNG, city of Crossville fire and police department and Martin staff for a great job today. Also, a thank you to Martin families as well as for their patience and understanding.

In addition to the Crossville Fire Department, Crossville Police, Cumberland County Emergency Management Agency, Cumberland County EMS, MTNG and Crossville Police responded to the scene.
A manager of numerous sober homes in Massachusetts has been sentenced to federal prison for fraud schemes involving sober homes in the Greater Boston area, the Mass Save Program, and a mortgage lender, the U.S. Attorney said Friday.

Nicholas Espinosa, 39, formerly of Randolph, was sentenced Thursday in federal court in Boston to 30 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Leah Foley said in a statement.

U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young handed down his sentence.

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In October 2024, Espinosa pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud conspiracy; one count of conspiracy to make false statements to a mortgage lending business (mortgage fraud conspiracy); 15 counts of wire fraud; six counts of unlawful monetary transactions (money laundering); and one count of making false statements to a mortgage lending business.

Espinosa was arrested and charged in March 2023 along with co-conspirator Daniel Cleggett, Foley said.

Cleggett was the founder of the sober home business A Vision From God LLC, which owned and operated sober homes in Boston, Wakefield, Quincy and Weymouth under trade names including Bradys Place, Lakeshore Retreat and Lambert House.

Espinosa managed the day-to-day operations of Cleggetts sober home business, which was established in November 2016.

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Prosecutors said Cleggett, Espinosa and a sober home client entered into a conspiracy to defraud a New York-based family trust that was paying for the clients room and board at Bradys Place, located in Quincy.

Specifically, Cleggett and Espinosa overcharged the family trust for room and board by up to $12,500 per month by submitting false and fraudulent invoices to the family trust, prosecutors said. Cleggett and Espinosa would then issue refund checks to the client in furtherance of the fraud scheme.

From October 2019 to December 2021, Cleggett personally, and through straw purchasers including Espinosa, purchased three residential properties in Weymouth and Boston to use as sober homes, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said Cleggett, Espinosa and others submitted false information and fraudulent documentation.

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That included falsely representing that the three properties were intended to be purchased as primary residences when, in fact, each was intended to be a sober home, prosecutors said.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Massachusetts State Police are investigating a bus accident in Roslindale.

Around 3:20 p.m., first responders were dispatched to the area of 46 Enneking Parkway to reports of a school bus that had rolled over.

State police confirmed that all students and bus occupants were able to exit the bus, with no injuries reported.

Parents are currently on the way to pick up their children, and a tow is on scene for the bus.

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Officials are investigating the cause of the crash.

Boston 25 News crews are on the way to the scene of the accident.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Governor Maura Healey applauded the resilience and strength of Massachusetts during her third State of the Commonwealth address.

Governor Healey reflected on the past year and outlined her policy priorities for the upcoming fiscal year during Thursday nights speech.

She made several references to the Commonwealth continuing to stand up to the damage she said the Trump administration is doing every day.

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She said people across Massachusetts can count on a state that stands united during a time in America that feels divided.

People are feeling fear, anxiety, and anguish. Theyre seeing the chaos coming from Washington every day. Theyre worried about their family, their job, their healthcare, their rights, said Governor Healey. But I have a message tonight: This is Massachusetts.

The Governor said her administration is working hard to make life more affordable.

She announced new actions to lower costs for people and businesses across Massachusetts.

It starts with housing. Its got to, said Governor Healey. Weve got to be a state where your teachers, nurses, and recent grads can actually afford to live.

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She said her plan is to build more housing and faster.

According to Governor Healey, that includes speeding up the permitting process, turning state land into thousands of new homes, and creating a first-in-the-nation fund to finance mixed-income development.

In this moment, part of my job as governor is to help us provide what this federal government hasnt: stability, security  and how about a little common sense? she said.

The Governor talked about the states healthcare rate relief, new regulations to ban medical debt from being reported to credit agencies, and an $8 billion plan to modernize roads, bridges, and rails.

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Healey faces her first re-election fight this year, and thus far, her competitors are all Republicans.

Former MBTA administrator Brian Shortsleeve, former Baker administration Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Michael Kennealy, and former Abiomed CEO Michael Minogue are vying to win a Republican primary in the fall.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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MATTAPOISETT  A fire in a four-unit apartment building at 5 North St. on Thursday, Jan. 22, that drew mutual aid from five towns and caused $350,000 in damages is under investigation but believed to have been accidentally caused by improperly discarded smoking materials.

One resident was treated for smoke inhalation and transported to the hospital by Mattapoisett Police EMS. One resident was evaluated at the scene by Fairhaven Fire EMS and did not require transport, according to a Mattapoisett Fire Department press release.

One firefighter was also transported to the hospital and expected to make a full recovery.

Ryan Haden embraces his sister Dina Haden after learning she is safe following a fire on the second floor of the house where she resides on North Street in Mattapoisett.

Friends Meeting House: New Bedford historical landmark seeks $223K to stop deterioration

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The Mattapoisett Fire Department received a call for smoke inside of a home located at 5 North St. on Jan. 22 at 11:04 a.m.

An alarm was immediately transmitted, and Fire Chief Andrew Murray arrived on scene at 11:06 a.m. confirming there was smoke and visible flames coming from the structure.

Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the structure had four apartments and people were still inside the home.

Mattapoisett, Fairhaven and Marion firefighters respond to a second floor fire of a home on North Street in Mattapoisett.

Retired Mattapoisett Firefighter Mike Hickey, who happened to be with Chief Murray at the time of call, aided and assisted the chief with evacuating a resident from the smoke-filled first floor, according to the release.

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The rest of the tenants were notified and ordered to evacuate on their own. Engine 3, Engine 1, and Ladder 1 arrived moments later and began fire suppression and search and rescue activities.

While firefighters were conducting searches throughout the building, a dog was located and successfully rescued from a second-floor apartment.

Mattapoisett, Fairhaven and Marion firefighters respond to a second floor fire of a home on North Street in Mattapoisett.

Marion, Fairhaven, Acushnet, and Rochester assist on scene

The fire ultimately reached a second alarm bringing in mutual aid to assist Mattapoisett Fire. The mutual aid companies and fire departments that assisted at the scene were Marion, Fairhaven, Acushnet, and Rochester.

Wareham provided coverage at the fire station while crews worked at the fire scene. The firefighters and crews worked to bring the fire under control, which was extremely difficult with this type of older style construction, where the fire can travel in the walls, ceilings, and floors, according to the release. According to assessor records, the structure was built around 1836.

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DA stepping away: Bristol County District Attorney Tom Quinn will not seek reelection

'Exceptionally proud of the work and efforts'

Murray said, Im exceptionally proud of the work and efforts that everyone demonstrated today.

The residents that lived in the four apartments have been displaced and are being assisted by the American Red Cross. The Mattapoisett Police Department provided scene security and assisted with traffic.

Mattapoisett fire chief and Fairhaven fire chief inspect the heater suspected in the second floor fire of a home on North Street in Mattapoisett.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Mattapoisett Fire Department and Massachusetts State Police Fire Investigation Unit through the Department of Fire Services. At this time, the fire appears to be accidental and caused by improperly discarded smoking materials.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: 2 transported to hospital following Mattapoisett apartment fire
Rep. Brandon Potter, a Cranston Democrat, speaks during a press event to promote the 'Fair Share for Rhode Island' legislative priorities for the 2026 legislative session on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2026. (Photo by Nancy Lavin/Rhode Island Current)

Eleven minutes after Gov. Dan McKee unveiled his proposed fiscal 2027 budget, the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce sent out an email blasting the governors support of a millionaires tax.

An hour later, the Working Families Party came out with its own criticism of the governors income tax plan, faulting McKee for leaving too much money on the table.

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The familiar debate over raising taxes on top earners, as Massachusetts did in 2023, has returned in full force to Smith Hill, with even more at stake thanks to federal funding cuts under the Trump administration.

Already, accusations over false information are flying as progressives and business leaders unleash contradicting narratives over the economic implications, with McKee reluctantly sandwiched in the middle.

McKees plan to add a 3% surtax on state income over $1 million would make Rhode Islands top income tax rate second in New England, behind Massachusetts, generating $67 million in revenue fiscal 2027, with $135 million in revenue by fiscal 2028. Roughly 2,300 Rhode Island millionaires would see their taxes rise from 5.99% to 8.99%, with 5,500 nonresident millionaires who work or otherwise have tax liabilities in the state also affected, according to analysis by the state budget office.

Massachusetts voters in 2022 approved a ballot measure adding a 4% surtax on income over $1 million. Since the millionaires tax, also known as the Fair Share Amendment, took effect in 2023, the Commonwealth has brought in more than $2 billion in revenue from the tax each year, exceeding estimates.

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But it wasnt until the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which threatens to decimate critical state funding and social service programs, that McKees administration reconsidered.

H.R.1 really forced our hand on this, Brian Daniels, director for the Rhode Island Office of Management and Budget said during a budget briefing with reporters on Jan. 15.

A matter of fairness

Progressive lawmakers also see devastation down the road from federal budget cuts, which is why they view McKees pitch as falling short.

At a time when families are choosing between groceries and rent, when seniors are skipping out on prescriptions and vulnerable people are being pushed out of their health care, we cannot just shrug and say thats the way it is, said Rep. Brandon Potter, a Cranston Democrat.

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Potter was among two dozen Democratic lawmakers who unveiled a more aggressive and expansive set of wealth and income taxes at a State House press conference Thursday. The four-bill package has not been formally introduced in the Rhode Island General Assembly yet.

The Fair Share for Rhode Island package applies an extra 3% surtax to income over $640,000  representing the top 1% of earners in the state. The package also includes three new taxes for residents and companies:

A 1% charge on state filers intangible assets like stocks, bonds and annuities worth over $25 million A 4% tax on passive income like capital gains, dividends, some kinds of rent and royalty payments A tiered tax system of up to 7.5% on local advertising from global companies with at least $1 million in gross revenue. A version of the digital advertising tax was included in McKees fiscal 2026 budget plan, but failed to advance amid legal concerns. It was not included in the governors fiscal 2027 spending proposal.

Otra vez, estamos acqui,  in English, here we are again  Rep. Karen Alzate said at Thursdays event. Alzate, a Pawtucket Democrat, has sponsored legislation increasing state income taxes on top earners every year since 2020.

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The Fair Share package would bring in at least $650 million in its first full year of implementation, according to analysis from various federal tax and legal sources cited by local progressives. Preliminary estimates do not include a tax on digital advertising companies, revenue for which has not been calculated.

Roughly 6,100 tax filers would pay an 8.99% tax on income over $640,000, bringing in $200 million to state coffers. Taxing financial assets over $25 million would generate another $300 million; the number of filers affected has not been calculated, although there are 243 people who have more than $50 million in collective wealth, according to research from the State Revenue Alliance. The wealth proceeds tax would generate $144.4 million, collected from 21,000 filers.

The number of tax filers affected by multiple tax increases under the four-bill package was not immediately available.

Mind the gap

Progressive lawmakers framed the package as a way to right the states upside-down tax system, which has capped personal income taxes at 5.99% since 2010. Under the three-tier system, anyone who earns more than $186,450 in the 2026 tax year pays the same rate.

Sen. Tiara Mack, a Providence Democrat, speaks during a press event to promote the Fair Share for Rhode Island legislative priorities for the 2026 legislative session on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2026. (Photo by Nancy Lavin/Rhode Island Current)

Sen. Tiara Mack, a Providence Democrat, offered a hypothetical comparison between a Newport heiress and a public school teacher. Each might bring in $50,000 in paid income in a given year, paying the same taxes despite their drastically different financial circumstances.

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The gap between the wealthy and the working class is posed to widen further under federal budget cuts that will kick tens of thousands of Rhode Islanders off Medicaid, food assistance, or both.

Without raising revenue and backfilling these cuts, peoples lives will be lost, make no mistake, said Rep. Teresa Tanzi, a South Kingstown Democrat.

Higher taxes on the wealthy aims to cushion the blow, funding child care, education, public transit and health care, proponents argued. And teachers, nurses, janitors and working families would not sacrifice any more of their income to state taxes.

But local mom and pop shops might. Laurie White, president of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, and Michael DiBiase, president and CEO of the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council (RIPEC), warned that because most of the states small businesses are pass-through entities, increasing income taxes on their owners will cut the money available for hiring, wage growth and business expansion.

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Without raising revenue and backfilling these cuts, peoples lives will be lost, make no mistake.

 Rep. Teresa Tanzi, a South Kingstown Democrat

A tax the rich policy is, in practice, a tax on many of the home-grown businesses that form the backbone of Rhode Islands economy, White and DiBiase wrote in a joint commentary published on Jan. 4 on the chambers website.

Democratic lawmakers called the opinion piece misleading at the Thursday press conference.

The notion that theres some small mom and pop business corner store making profits of $1 million or more, and yet struggling so much that this tax is going to put them under or damage the state economy, is hard to understand, said Alan Krinsky, director of research and fiscal policy for the Economic Progress Institute.

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Small businesses stand to benefit from more aggressive taxes on the wealthy, which would put money back in consumers pockets to spend at local restaurants and retailers, Alzate said.

White held the line on her stance in a phone interview Friday.

Government is overspending, she said. Instead of fixing it, were reaching deeper into the pockets of working businesses. This is 100% accurate in terms of what is deductible before profit-taking.

She continued This is dangerous.

The Providence Chamber sent out a second email blast Thursday to reiterate opposition to increases in income taxes, querying members on how many were pass-through businesses that oculd be affected by increases in income taxes. Sixty-three responses had been submitted as of 10:30 a.m. Friday, with more than half claiming the personal income tax policy.

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Its been a solid response, White said.

Playing catch up?

Increasing taxes on top earners would worsen the states already unfriendly tax environment for businesses and some residents, DiBiase said.

Were relatively uncompetitive right now with respect to taxes, DiBiase said. I dont think we should be going in this direction and making things worse.

Rhode Island is already considered the 11th most progressive tax state nationwide, based on the percentage point difference between the highest and lowest tax rate, according to analysis by RIPEC.

Meanwhile, the Ocean State continues to fall to the bottom of the heap in state business-climate rankings.

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While Massachusetts has not seen top earners flee and businesses fold since increasing taxes on top earners, its ability to attract and retain employers and people of wealth far exceeds Rhode Islands, DiBiase said.

Hasbro Inc., CEO Chris Cocks cited the Commonwealths talent pool and burgeoning business scene as reasons for the Pawtucket companys move to Bostons Seaport by the end of the year.

Rep. Rebecca Kislak, a Providence Democrat, saw Hasbro leaving the state as a reason to increase taxes.

We heard a lot last year about how we couldnt pass laws like this because we were afraid that companies like Hasbro would move out of state, Kislak said during the press conference. We see that companies like Hasbro, and in fact, Hasbro, moved out of state for the better infrastructure that taxes in neighboring Massachusetts are able to support.

Laura Hart, a spokesperson for McKees office, defended the governors proposal in an emailed statement on Thursday, describing it as a real millionaires tax.

It is unknown what negative impacts a much lower threshold for increased taxation could have on both Rhode Island families and small businesses, Hart said. A lower threshold would also put Rhode Island out of line  and at a competitive disadvantage  with Massachusetts.

House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi and Senate President Valarie Lawson were noncommittal.

When the legislation is introduced, it will undergo the usual thorough and public committee review process for consideration on its merits, Greg Pare, a spokesperson for Lawson, said in an emailed response on behalf of both leaders.

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Jan 23 (Reuters) - U.S. equity funds faced outflows in the week through January 21 as investors reduced risk exposure on concerns about President Donald Trump's tariff threats against European nations over Greenland.

Investors pulled a net $5.26 billion from U.S. equity funds, partly reversing the roughly $28.17 billion of net purchases made the previous week.

Trump stepped back from the tariff threats against eight European countries on Wednesday and ruled out seizing Greenland by force.

U.S. large-cap, small-cap and mid-cap funds recorded net outflows of $12.94 billion, $2.1 billion and $1.21 billion, respectively, in the latest week.

Sector funds, meanwhile, logged a net $3.3 billion in weekly inflows, led by financials, metals and mining, and healthcare funds, where investors bought a net $1.5 billion, $904 million and $615 million, respectively.

Weekly net investments in U.S. bond funds eased to a three-week low of $5.9 billion. Short-to-intermediate investment-grade funds saw stronger demand, drawing in a net $3.05 billion, a 44% jump from the $2.11 billion taken in the prior week.

General domestic taxable fixed-income funds, municipal debt funds, and short-to-intermediate government and Treasury funds attracted a net $1.1 billion, $994 million and $827 million, respectively.

Money market funds recorded a second straight week of outflows, with investors withdrawing a net $34.93 billion.

(Reporting by Gaurav Dogra. Editing by Mark Potter)
Two cases of measles have been confirmed in Mecklenburg County, including one adult who traveled to a confirmed case and one unvaccinated child who was in contact with a child from Spartanburg.

Health officials confirmed the illnesses today, stating the adult contracted measles through travel and the child from contact with an infected individual.

In response to this outbreak, health department officials are working to identify those who may have been in contact with the patients.

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ALSO READ: Measles cases reach 558 in South Carolina, quarantine issued for students

Symptoms of measles typically include a fever, a runny nose, a cough, and a distinctive rash. Both patients are now isolated and recovering at home, according to health department officials.

Jayquan Williams, a parent, expressed surprise at the news of the measles cases, stating, I mean, I havent gotten him vaccinated, yet obviously I would not want him to catch measles.

He emphasized that he believes vaccinations are a personal choice.

In contrast, Debra Kocan, a grandparent invested in her grandsons health, advocates for vaccinations, saying, go and get your child vaccinated right away, I mean I wouldnt take a risk.

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Jillian Harvey, another local parent, expressed her concerns about unvaccinated children: I think to each his own, but I am concerned that it causes issues for other parents, like if you have a baby that is not able to get vaccinated yet, I think its a little unfair for our child to be exposed.

North Carolina has reported a total of 13 measles cases since December, with two noted in Cabarrus County, while South Carolinas total stands at 646 cases, predominantly in Spartanburg County.

Health department officials plan to hold a press conference tomorrow to address public concerns and provide further information about the cases.

VIDEO: Measles cases reach 558 in South Carolina, quarantine issued for students
Members of the congressional Haiti and Black caucuses announced Thursday that they are pursuing a petition to attempt to force a House vote aimed at protecting hundreds of thousands of Haitians in the United States from losing their temporary immigration protections.

The effort is being led by Democratic Rep. Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, who was supported by members of Congress at a press conference in Washington calling for urgent relief for Haitians at risk of losing Temporary Protected Status and being deported to a country engulfed by violence and a humanitarian crisis.

This is a necessary step to protect people who have lived here legally for years. Its sound policy, said Democratic Rep. Maxwell Frost, whose Florida district includes Orlando. TPS holders play a critical role in our nations economy and in the culture of our country, and this is one of the tools that we have members of Congress that we can use to force a vote.

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More than 350,000 Haitians face the end of their TPS benefit after the Trump administration announced an end to Haitis designation as of Feb. 3. While multiple lawsuits are challenging the decision in federal court  and at least one judge has indicated she plans to rule on Feb. 2  the looming deadline has triggered fear and uncertainty in Haitian communities nationwide.

Armed gangs control most of Haitis capital and all major roads connecting Port-au-Prince to the rest of the country. More than 1.4 million Haitians have been internally displaced from their homes, many living in soiled encampments, while more than six million are in need of humanitarian assistance. The United Nations said this week that more than 8,100 Haitians were killed last year, noting that the figure is likely an undercount due to the lack of access into gang-controlled territories.

To send vulnerable families back to a country that is plagued with violence and a horrific humanitarian crisis is unconscionable. It is shameful, and again, it is dangerous, said New York Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, chair of the Black Caucus. We know that Haitian nationals here in the United States have added such value to our communities, doing work that so many Americans would see as beneath them. They continue to undergird and underpin and support those in our communities that need the help, whether it is in health care, whether it is in transportation, whether it is those who have become entrepreneurs and have done great things to strengthen our economy.

The effort to end TPS is really a cruelty that this administration is leveling against those who have come to our shores, seeking refuge, seeking support, seeking protection, she added.

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Lawmakers were joined by immigration and Haitian advocates, representatives of healthcare labor unions, domestic workers and others whose businesses rely on Haitians and other TPS holders facing the loss of their status.

All are essential contributors in the U.S. economy, filling labor gaps in healthcare, construction, hospitality and education, said Arnoldo Diaz, the co-coordinator of the National TPS Alliance. Diaz said that in 2021, TSP beneficiaries paid $1.3 billion in federal taxes and a billion dollars in state and local taxes, and had a combined purchasing power of $8 billion.

Yet the current administration persists in terminating TPS, threatening over 1.5 million TPS holders with deportation and stripping protections from long term contributors, he said. We see devastating consequences, deportations, heartbreaking deaths and communities shattered.

With communities across the U.S. at risk of losing essential workers, Diaz said Congress must act now to protect TPS families and provide a permanent solution.

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Our lives are not temporary. We are parents, workers and caregivers who built our lives here. We urge everyone to work together, to look for a legislative solution, he said. Protect our families, our communities and the economy that relies on us.

In South Florida  home to the largest Haitian and Haitian American population in the country  the potential loss of legal status has caused widespread fear. A mother of U.S.-born children, including a 3-year-old son with autism, told the Miami Herald on Thursday that returning to Haiti would put her family in grave danger.

Gangs have taken over all the roads, said the mother, 44, who asked to be identified just by her first names, Marie Josue, and who works as a janitor at a local university. She fled to the U.S. legally, she said, after she could no longer live under the control of gangs in Carrefour, a Port-au-Prince suburb where there is no police presence and gangs control all movement. There are a lot of problems, a lot of bandits.

I dont know what I am going to do, she said. Returning to Haiti is very difficult. We would not be able to live, and my child wouldnt be able to get the treatment he needs.

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Representatives of the American Business Immigration Coalition, Haitian Bridge Alliance, the National Domestic Workers Alliance and others also joined Thursdays press conference. They all warned that ending TPS would have severe consequences for hospitals, nursing homes and senior care.

Lets take a look at what February 4 would look like after if the proposed extension doesnt happen, said Katia Guillaume, vice president of 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers. What would happen to our hospitals? Cancellations of important surgeries, clients not able to get the valued care that they need from their personal care assistance. Residents in nursing homes would not be waking up to their favorite [nursing assistants.] All of this because of the administration has not done the due diligence to just verify the situation in Haiti.

Were asking this administration to please consider, find a way to help this valuable population, this valuable group of immigrants that have been lawfully here, been valuable service to us in the healthcare community, she said.  This loss, if it does happen, would be a devastation to our healthcare system.

Correction: An earlier version misattributed Congresswoman Yvette Clarkes statements to Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley, who filed the legislation.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  A memorial was held on Jan. 22 honoring the life of First Lieutenant Nainoa Hoe.

The 1995 Kamehameha Schools graduate earned both his bachelors and masters at the University of Hawaii and took part in the Universitys ROTC program.

Armys Lightning Surge set to bring new data, AI-supported tech to Hawaii

He was killed in 2005 by a sniper in Iraq while leading his platoon on foot patrol. He was 27 years old.

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First Lieutenant Nainoa Hoe was a son of Hawaii, a leader of uncommon character, and a soldier whose devotion to his platoon will forever inspire every soldier that walks through the doors of this Mission Training Complex behind us.

The annual ceremony honors his legacy of leadership and courage while inspiring the current generation of Tropic Lightning soldiers.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
Jan. 22 (UPI) -- The governments of Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil are moving forward with their internal ratification processes for the trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union.

That is occurring despite a decision by the European Parliament to delay final approval and submit the text for legal review to the Court of Justice of the European Union.

The treaty, signed Saturday after more than two decades of negotiations, must be ratified by national legislatures. In South America, governments say that advancing domestic approval is key to maintaining political momentum, even as the European process remains uncertain.

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In Europe, the agreement still faces additional legal scrutiny beyond political approval, a step that could delay or even block its application regardless of progress in Mercosur countries.

Uruguayan Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin said that, barring a scenario of outright blockage in Europe, the agreement's tangible effects could begin to be felt between 2027 and 2028.

In an interview with Uruguayan daily El Pais, Lubetkin said the European Parliament's decision to refer the text to the court could result in a delay of 18 to 24 months. He noted, however, that similar reviews were carried out in the past for agreements with Canada and Singapore, which were ultimately upheld by the court.

Lubetkin acknowledged that the move affects Europe's credibility as a negotiating partner, but rejected the idea that it signals the cancellation of the deal.

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"We cannot come to a standstill," he said, stressing that Uruguay will continue with its own ratification process.

He added that the focus this year will be on parliamentary approval and technical preparation, while the economic and trade impacts are expected to materialize later.

Argentina has taken a firmer stance in response to the European decision. The government of President Javier Milei plans to submit the agreement to Congress for debate starting Feb. 2 during an extraordinary legislative session, aiming for Argentina to become the first Mercosur country to ratify the treaty.

According to Argentina's La Nacion newspaper, official sources said the executive branch will not wait for the European court's ruling and claims to have secured enough votes in both chambers.

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Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno reaffirmed Buenos Aires' support for the agreement after meeting with his Dutch counterpart at the World Economic Forum in Davos. In a message posted on X,

Quirno said the treaty is essential to strengthening competitiveness, attracting investment and consolidating stable rules between the two blocs.

Paraguay is also seeking to move quickly. President Santiago Pena announced that he will submit the agreement to Congress next week, likewise aiming for Paraguay to be the first to ratify it.

Pena said the referral of the text to the European Court of Justice was an anticipated scenario and does not represent a real obstacle. He pointed out that other EU agreements have been applied provisionally for years while legal reviews were resolved.

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In Brazil, the government of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also has accelerated internal steps following the European Parliament's narrow vote in favor of legal review.

Lawmakers believe demonstrating domestic commitment could serve as a political signal to prevent the agreement, negotiated over 26 years, from becoming mired in another prolonged period of uncertainty, Folha de S. Paulo newspaper reported.

Even if Mercosur legislatures approve the treaty, its implementation will ultimately depend on decisions taken by European institutions, a process that could extend for several years.
Jeff Merkley would vote against a $1.2 trillion federal spending bill if it comes to the Senate in its current form, the Democratic junior senator from Oregon told about 300 people at the Colonel Nesmith Readiness Center in Dallas on Jan. 22.

The event was the first of three town hall meetings Merkley hosted in the region that day. He also visited Chemeketa Community College in Salem and the National Guard Armory in McMinnville.

The House of Representatives passed the spending package on Thursday despite concerns about funding it provides for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The agency has come under fire for strong-arm tactics, including arresting legal citizens, in the wake of the Jan. 7 killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis.

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The Senate has to pass the funding measure by Jan. 30 to avoid another partial government shutdown.

Yes, as I said, if that bill comes over, I will be voting against it, Merkley told the audience of the Department of Homeland Security part of the package.

Rep. Paul Evans, D-Monmouth, joins U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, during a town hall in Polk County on Jan. 22 in Dallas.

That department got $190 billion over four years from the so-called "big, beautiful bill" President Trump signed into law in 2025.

In its current form, the spending package now making its way through Capitol Hill does not include most of the proposed Democratic constraints on ICE.

The bill allocates $20 million for the purchase and operations of body cameras for ICE officers, reduces funding for the office of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and requires the department to provide monthly updates on its spending.

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Merkley said he hopes the bill, which gives another $10 billion ICE, will be broken up to fund separate agencies.

Im hoping that the Department of Homeland Security stays in an individual bill or, if its joined on other bills, we have a chance to amend it and take the funding for ICE out, Merkley told the Statesman Journal in an interview before the town hall.

Community members listen to U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, answer questions during a town hall in Polk County on Jan. 22 in Dallas.

Merkley was originally going to hold a town halls in Polk and Marion counties Jan. 9 but canceled after a federal immigration agent shot two people in Portland.

Merkley took questions from the crowd in Dallas on everything from how people can get involved in politics for the first time, the Epstein files and climate change.

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But the most passionate attendees had questions about ICE and the tactics the agency has dispatched in arresting and detaining people.

Merkley said ICE has been a common subject in all 18 town halls he has done this year.

They feel empowered to be abusive because they know they cant be held accountable, Merkley told the audience. And then after people are detained, theyre often preventing that person from having contact with either a layer or with family members. In fact, family cant even find out where is their loved one and where have they been taken to. Our government has been hiding that information.

Thats fascism, and we have to stop it.

U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, speaks to constituents during a town hall in Polk County on Jan. 22 in Dallas.

Bill Poehler covers Marion and Polk County for the Statesman Journal. Contact him at bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Polk County town hall draws residents passionate in opposition to ICE
With a major winter storm about to blast pretty much every US state east of the Rocky Mountains, many are scrambling to prepare for the cold, ice, and snow.

And according to popular meteorology influencer Max Schuster, theres yet another winter-weather hazard to watch out for: trees exploding in the frigid air.

On a viral post on X-formerly-Twitter, Schuster  who holds a meteorology degree and goes by Max Velocity on social media  declared an area of exploding tree risk across the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and northern Michigan.

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Exploding trees are possible in the Midwest and Northern Plains on Friday and Saturday, as temperatures are forecasted to fall 20 degrees below zero! Schuster warned.

EXPLODING TREES are possible in the Midwest and Northern Plains on Friday and Saturday, as temperatures are forecasted to fall 20 degrees BELOW zero! pic.twitter.com/nqnoqsbHNU  Max Velocity (@MaxVelocityWX) January 21, 2026

While the claim may sound far fetched, a number of legitimate publications have come out of the woodwork to back the assertion, suggesting that sap and moisture from within the trees can indeed expand so rapidly that the trees structure simply cant hold it.

As with anything originating from the internet, the reality is more mundane than viral post suggests. Yes, it can and does happen  though midwestern forests arent about to start popping like corn kernels.

In an attempt to clear things up, Bill McNee, a forest health specialist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that its not unheard of for rapid temperature drops to cause frost cracks in trees, which can be accompanied by a loud and unsettling bang.

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Its going to get cold enough that this sap may actually finally freeze. And when it does that, like ice cubes in your freezer, they expand very quickly, McNee told the Sentinel. That just creates a lot of physical pressure that can lead to the frost cracking appearing suddenly, branches can fall off, and people hear this really loud crack from their tree, almost like its a gunshot.

While these frost cracks can be large enough to cause a trees exterior tissue to literally explode, McNee says its extremely rare.

Ive never seen the damage of it, McNee continued, but from what I have seen and what I read online is that it is rare for there just to be so much pressure that is suddenly released inside this tree that it almost does explode.

More on cold weather: Theres a Particularly Sinister Explanation for Why Trump Wants to Seize Greenland


Amidst a sea of cameras and reporters from local and national media outlets, the Chicago doctor accused of fatally shooting his ex-wife and her husband appeared in an Ohio courtroom for less than two minutes.

Michael McKee appeared for an arraignment on Jan. 23 in Franklin County Common Pleas Court. He arrived in Ohio and was booked into the Franklin County jail on Jan. 20.

Arraignments, a cursory early hearing in the judicial process, are often sparsely attended affairs. The Jan. 23 hearing in the Tepe killings illustrated the national attention surrounding the case.

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Cameras from Court TV, local news outlets and their national affiliates crowded the jury box of Franklin County Common Pleas courtroom 2B. In addition, several members of the public who were in attendance, either for McKee's hearing or others on the day's docket, were chided by courtroom security for trying to take photos of the hearing and the heavy media presence.

At least two people who identify themselves as true crime content creators were also in attendance. No members of McKee's family or the Tepe family attended the hearing.

McKee, 39, wearing a jail uniform and appearing via closed-circuit TV, pleaded not guilty through his attorney, Diane Menashe. The not-guilty plea is standard in criminal cases, so attorneys can review evidence as it continues to be collected. Instead of agreeing to a bond, Menashe waived McKee's right to have a bond at this time but could ask for one to be set at a later date.

McKee is charged with four counts of aggravated murder and one count of aggravated burglary, in connection with the Dec. 30 deaths of his ex-wife, 39-year-old Monique Tepe, and her husband, Spencer Tepe, 37.

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He is accused of going to the Tepes' home on the 1400 block of North 4th Street in Weinland Park around 3:50 a.m. on Dec. 30 and fatally shooting the Tepes. The charges McKee faces also include a specification that alleges he used a silencer or other noise suppression device during the killings.

If convicted, McKee faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. A judge will be assigned to McKee's case following his arraignment, and a trial schedule will be created.

Until evidence has been collected, analyzed, and reviewed by all parties in the case, trial dates will be continued.

Why is Michael McKee facing four aggravated murder charges?

Ohio law allows charges to be filed based on multiple theories of the same crime, as well as to cover different aspects of the alleged crime.

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In McKee's case, the four aggravated murder charges relate to two different aspects of the homicides he is accused of committing.

Two of the charges, one for each of the Tepes, accuse McKee of killing them with prior calculation or design, often called premeditation, which is one subsection of Ohio's aggravated murder law.

The other two charges, again one for Monique and one for Spencer, accuse McKee of killing them while committing another violent crime, specifically aggravated burglary.

This type of charging is common in homicide cases.

What happens at an arraignment?

Arraignments are the first court appearances for a defendant after a grand jury issues an indictment. Defendants can appear with an attorney they have hired or be represented by the Franklin County Public Defender's office while applying for court-appointed counsel.

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Defendants will enter a not guilty plea, which allows the case to move forward while evidence continues to be gathered.

In Franklin County, a Common Pleas Court Magistrate oversees arraignments. The magistrate will set a bond in the case. Defendants in custody at one of the two Franklin County jail facilities appear for hearings via closed-circuit television and do not appear in person for arraignments.

Why does Michael McKee get a chance for bond?

Ohio's constitution requires bonds to be issued in criminal cases unless the defendant is charged with a felony, there is significant evidence in the case, and the defendant poses a substantial risk of serious physical harm to any person or the community.

A hearing is held to determine those circumstances and can be requested by prosecutors through a written motion. As of Jan. 22, no such motion had been filed in McKee's case. Prosecutors can file the motion at any time during the case.

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Judges and magistrates who set bond are required by law to consider public safety, the seriousness of the crime, the defendant's prior criminal history, and whether the defendant is likely to appear at future court dates. Excessive bond is not permitted.

Judges and magistrates are urged to impose the least restrictive release conditions that ensure a person will return to court and will not pose a threat to public safety.

Reporter Bethany Bruner can be reached at bbruner@dispatch.com.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Suspect in Monique, Spencer Tepe murders, Michael McKee, waives bond
The U.S. is continuing to build up its military presence in the Middle East ahead of a possible attack on Iran. The USS Abraham Lincoln and its Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is now in the Indian Ocean, a U.S. Navy official told The War Zone on Thursday. The CSG was in the South China Sea until U.S. President Donald Trump ordered it moved west. In addition, more cargo jets and aerial refueling tankers have arrived in the region. Trump on Thursday said a large naval presence is heading to the region.

These movements come as Trump has threatened to strike Iran over its brutal treatment of anti-government protesters, which has resulted in thousands of deaths.

We have a big flotilla going in that direction, and well see what happens, Trump told reporters Thursday afternoon. We have a big force going toward Iran. Id rather not see anything happen, but were watching them very closely.

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We have an armada, Trump added after claiming he stopped 837 hangings on ThursdayWe have a massive fleet heading in that direction, and maybe we wont have to use it. Well see.

Trump on Iran:



We have a big flotilla going in that direction, and well see what happens. We have a big force going toward Iran. Id rather not see anything happen.



But we are watching them very closely. pic.twitter.com/pyBJpILnYH  Clash Report (@clashreport) January 22, 2026

Aside from threatening to strike Iran, Trump on Jan. 13 also promised those taking to the streets that help was on its way.

However, he relented after being told the killings would stop and reportedly called off a strike against Iran last week. According to some accounts, Trump does not want to become involved in a protracted battle with Iran while still contemplating regime change. There are lingering concerns in Washington and Jerusalem about not having enough assets in the region to defend against an expected Iranian response, which in part led Israel to urge Trump to hold off any attack. This was also our analysis at the time.

Underlying theme: the admin is seriously thinking about regime change in Iran.



Issue they're running into is how to make it happen without a protracted campaign. https://t.co/oEqVUq0aUd  Gregory Brew (@gbrew24) January 22, 2026

The influx of additional assets to the region will give Trump a greater range of potential action, and allow for the ability to defend against an Iranian attack, whether in response to U.S. military actions or not.

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If Iranian leadership perceives that regime collapse is imminent, the expectation within this assessment is that Iran would escalate aggressively across multiple vectors, the Times of Israel recently suggested in an opinion piece. This would include attacks on American assets throughout the region, coordinated pressure against allies such as Israel, and actions designed to disrupt global energy flows. In particular, the Strait of Hormuz represents one of Irans most consequential pressure points. Energy agencies estimate that roughly 20 million barrels per dayabout one-fifth of global petroleum liquids consumptiontransit the strait.

All this depends on the state of Irans command and control at the time of such an operation, as well as many other factors. While the specter of major retaliations in the Strait of Hormuz have persisted for years, it did not come to fruition during the war with Israel in June. Still, operations that seek regime change could change this calculus.

As for U.S. force posture in the region, there remains a large number of unknowns, including the exact composition of U.S. forces that are already there and what role, if any, will be played by Israel and other U.S. allies if Trump moves forward with an attack. We do know that the U.S. already had a limited number of fighter aircraft at several bases throughout the Middle East, as well as three Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyers and perhaps a submarine plying its waters, among other capabilities, prior to the protests.

The Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt is one of three of this class of ship in the Middle East region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Indra Beaufort) Petty Officer 1st Class Indra Beaufort

Many additional assets have poured in since then, but it remains unclear at the moment whether the current force can support in terms of a sustained conflict and what will be added in the coming days or even weeks leading up to an operation. At the same time, an operation could begin any time, so the current picture is quite murky. Even a limited decapitation operation aimed at the regime would require a huge number of contingencies.

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The Lincoln CSG, which appears to be several days away from arriving in the Arabian Sea, would boost U.S. striking power in the region. Its embarked CVW-9 Carrier Air Wing consists of eight squadrons flying F-35C Lightning II, F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers, E-2D Hawkeyes, CMV-22B Ospreys and MH-60R/S Sea Hawks. Its escorts, Ticonderoga class guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay and the Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyers of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21 bring a large number of missile tubes that could be used to strike Iran. These vessels could also be used in the defense of U.S. targets and those of its allies during a reprisal.

So far, there does not appear to have been a major influx of U.S. airpower. Low-resolution satellite imagery observed by The War Zone shows no large deployments to Diego Garcia, the Indian Ocean island where U.S. bombers have previously been staged amid rising tensions with Iran. However, online flight trackers are reporting that there have been flights of C-17 Globemaster III cargo jets to the region. These would be needed to move materiel and personnel. As we projected, the U.S. is sending additional Patriot and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems to the Middle East for increased protection from any Iranian attack, The Wall Street Journal reported.

UPDATE: 20260122-1630Z



Due to people stealing the tables without credit, I've had to resort to watermarking. Once the 2 incoming tankers arrive at Al-Udeid, the fleet there will now be at least 20 KC-135s!!



cc: @ArmchairAdml @vcdgf555 @TheIntelFrog @BrianE6B @steffanwatkins pic.twitter.com/mskTvTegR6  DefenceGeek  (@DefenceGeek) January 22, 2026

As we previously mentioned, online flight trackers also noted that F-15E Strike Eagles, accompanied by KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling jets, headed east from RAF Lakenheath in England to the Middle East earlier this week.

The presence of Strike Eagles in the region, especially those coming from RAF Lakenheath, is in itself not new. These jets have maintained a steady presence at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan for nearly a decade, and their recent arrival in the Middle East was largely expected due to the current instability and saber-rattling. F-15Es played a key role in defending against multiple Iranian drone and cruise missile barrages on Israel and they are now more capable of that mission than ever. Beyond its offensive capabilities, if Iran were to launch a major attack on Israel and/or U.S. assets in the region, preemptive or in retaliation, the F-15Es would play a key part in defending against those attacks.

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While these are significant additions to the standing force posture in the region, more fighter aircraft would be expected for a major operation against Iran. We have not seen evidence of those kinds of movements just yet, although some movements are not identified via open sources.

Beyond tactical combat aircraft in the region, the U.S. can fly bombers there from the continental United States, as was the case when B-2 Spirits attacked Irans nuclear facilities during Operation Midnight Hammer last June.

The U.K. is also sending tactical combat jets to the region.

The Royal Air Forces joint Typhoon squadron with Qatar, 12 Squadron, has deployed to the Gulf for defensive purposes, noting regional tensions as part of the UK-Qatar Defence Assurance Agreement, demonstrating the strong and enduring defence relationship between the U.K. and Qatar, the U.K. Defense Ministry (MoD) announced on Thursday.

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12 Squadron has regularly deployed to Qatar to conduct joint training and share experiences which enhance national and regional security, MoD added. Recently, the RAF deployed on exercises such as EPIC SKIES and SOARING FALCON  further reinforcing the operational capability between our two nations.

RAF Typhoon jets have deployed to Qatar in a defensive capacity.



The UK and Qatar have been close defence partners for decades. This deployment builds on that relationship, supporting regional stability and keeping us secure at home and strong abroad. pic.twitter.com/83FkaBPJng  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) January 22, 2026

Israel too remains at a high state of alert for an attack on or from its arch-enemy.

It is my assessment that a strike will take place, a high-ranking Israeli Defense Force (IDF) official told The War Zone. The key variables  timing, method of execution, and the identity of participating forces, whether U.S. assets, the IDF, or additional coalition elements should they be involved, will be subject to strict and aggressive compartmentalization.

Likewise, the final decision to proceed with execution rests with a single individual alone, the official added, referring to Trump.

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As the U.S. and allies flow assets into the region and Israel stands at a heightened state of readiness, Iranian officials are ratcheting up their rhetoric.

On Thursday, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander General Mohammad Pakpour warned Israel and the United States to avoid any miscalculations, by learning from historical experiences and what they learned in the 12-day imposed war, so that they do not face a more painful and regrettable fate.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and dear Iran have their finger on the trigger, more prepared than ever, ready to carry out the orders and measures of the supreme commander-in-chief  a leader dearer than their own lives, he added, referring to Irans Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The IRGC also released a video showing the location of U.S. bases in the region.

Iranian Revolutionary Guard media released a video warning the United States, showing the locations of U.S. military bases across the Middle East that are within range of Iranian missiles



               pic.twitter.com/t2O2dAPWTO  WW3 Monitor (@WW3_Monitor) January 22, 2026

Khameneis government is also claiming it has suppressed the nationwide unrest that began Dec. 28 over rising prices, devalued currency that saw the rial crater now to basically nothing, a devastating drought, and brutal government crackdowns.

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The sedition is over now, said Mohammad Movahedi, Irans prosecutor general, according to the judiciarys Mizan News agency. And we must be grateful, as always, to the people who extinguished this sedition by being in the field in a timely manner.

However, getting verifiable information out of Iran remains incredibly challenging as the regime has cut off internet and phone service, and it is possible that at least some protests are ongoing.

While there is no indication of any imminent fighting, the regional players are increasingly preparing for conflict. This remains a volatile situation we will continue to monitor it closely.

Update: 8:01 AM Eastern Jan. 23-

On Friday, Irans top prosecutor, Mohammad Movahedi, strongly denied Trumps claim that he stopped more than 800 protesters from being hanged.

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This claim is completely false; no such number exists, nor has the judiciary made any such decision, Movahedi said, according to The Associated Press, citing Iranian media.

Irans top prosecutor dismissed President Trumps claim that his intervention stopped the execution of 800 protest detainees, calling it completely false. https://t.co/0S5kzlYg4Q pic.twitter.com/0kL7tJM4d0  Open Source Intel (@Osint613) January 23, 2026

As internet service is returning to Iran, more accounts are emerging of the scope of the regimes crackdown.

Human rights groups say they have gathered so many individual testimonies of people who witnessed large numbers of bodies collecting at morgues and cemeteries across the country that they expect the death toll to rise far beyond the current estimates of up to 4,500, according to the New York Times.

A Washington Post opinion piece highlights the challenge of creating a new government should Khamenei be ousted.

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Irans ethnic geography sharpens the stakes. Persians dominate the central plateau around Tehran and Isfahan, according to the piece, by Michael Doran is director of the Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East at the Hudson Institute. Minority populations concentrate along the borders  more accurately, astride them  bound by language, culture and history to communities just across the frontier. Azerbaijanis cluster in the northwest along Azerbaijan and Turkey; Kurds in the west face Kurdish regions of Iraq and Turkey; Arabs in the oil-rich southwest look toward Iraq; Baluch in the southeast connect to kin in Pakistan and Afghanistan; Turkmen in the north border Turkmenistan.

Neighboring states therefore have a direct interest in how Iran manages  or fails to manage  its diversity, he added. And one neighbor matters more than any other: Azerbaijan.

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com
In what is potentially the world's most expensive parking ticket, a Russian-registered Antonov An-124 has remained locked in a frozen embrace with the tarmac at Toronto Pearson Airport.

Stranded for almost four years, the aircraft has racked up over $1.5 million Canadian dollars ($1.1 million) in parking fees. Parked so long, in fact, that it has found its way onto the infrequently updated satellite views of the airport in both Apple Maps and Google Maps.

But for an international community that just watched the European Union retreat from a plan to use frozen Russian reserves as loan collateral, this Kyiv-designed aircraft is more than just an interesting anecdote in the history of long-term parking. It represents a crucial inflection point in Western resolve.

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As Canada enters the legal endgame to forfeit the aircraft, the question to be answered is whether a Western democracy can move beyond freezing Russian property and reallocate it to benefit Ukraine.

True forfeiture cases are rare. There have been a handful of success stories: the $300-million superyacht Amadea was sold at an auction in San Diego after a two-year legal battle, with the U.S. government successfully piercing the straw ownership of Russian oligarchs.

Antonov An-124, a Russian-owned cargo aircraft at Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on Jan. 8, 2025. (Richard Lautens / Toronto Star via Getty Images)

But frozen is usually a state of decay. Most seized assets, like the yachts languishing in European ports or the $210 billion in Russian Central Bank reserves locked in Belgium, remain in a legal coma. The An-124 in Toronto is Canadas attempt to follow the Amadeas lead, but the path has been anything but swift.

It began on June 8, 2023, when Canada officially took control of the aircraft, just over a year and three months after landing and being refused permission to depart. But as the government dug into the planes paperwork, they found a familiar obstacle: a maze of ownership.

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To ensure the seizure would hold up in court, Canada issued a new order in mid-February. The initiative aimed to dig through a complex corporate veil, focusing on a network of subsidiaries and individuals from Ireland to the Netherlands, all of whom held a significant controlling interest in the hull.

Read also: We asked an expert about Russias updated mass missile, drone tactics

Read also: Exclusive: American, European microchips found in Russias latest missile-like drone

Read also: 80% of Ukraine faces emergency power cuts following Russias overnight aerial attack, focused on Kyiv

On March 18, the Attorney General felt confident enough to take the next step, filing a formal application with the Superior Court of Ontario for forfeiture. Russias Volga-Dnepr Group, the plane's operator, has since fired back with a $100-million lawsuit against the Canadian government, while calling Ottawas move pirate hijacking.

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Despite the accusations, legal experts view Canadas move as a calculated first step in a new era of asset forfeiture.

Volga-Dneper can call it whatever they want, but the freezing and seizure of assets belonging to sanctioned individuals is a common foreign policy move, Robert Currie, a professor of transnational criminal law at Dalhousie University, told the Kyiv Independent.

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What is new in this is that the aim of the government of Canada is to confiscate and repurpose the asset, in order to assist Ukraine against Russian aggression, he said, adding that the Special Economic Measures Act (SEMA) was amended to allow exactly this.

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Under the 2022 amendments to the Special Economic Measures Act (SEMA), Canada became the first G7 nation to move beyond simply freezing assets. The new powers allow the government to seize property, seek its permanent forfeiture in court, and repurpose the proceeds towards rebuilding the war-torn country, restoring international peace, or compensating victims of the conflict.

Read also: Europes far-right parties face growing obstacle: Donald Trump

Read also: Why the West must support the mental health of Ukraines defenders

It is a safer bet for forfeiture than the monies belonging to the Russian Central Bank, insofar as those monies are (as a starting point) immune from seizure by foreign states. Of course, there is a very solid legal argument in favor of the seizure (countermeasures), and all that is preventing it is lack of political will in the EU. But that being so, property of sanctioned private individuals should, in principle, be easier to work with, according to Currie.

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As the forfeiture case unfolds, speed is often traded for certainty. However, the legal slow-walk could potentially be a matter of strategy, not just paperwork. At a news conference on Oct. 31, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand defended the years of delay, explaining that the government has been forced to disentangle a complex web of Russian shell companies to ensure the seizure is final.

Currie also believes that Canada is serious about transferring the plane to Ukraine, or at least has gotten more serious about it in recent months.

Anita Anand, Canadas minister of foreign affairs, speaks to the press as she arrives at NATO headquarters for a NATO foreign ministers meeting in Brussels, Belgium, on Dec. 3, 2025. (Omar Havana / Getty Images)

The delay in part reflects a prosaic reality in the Canadian legal system  our legal processes often move too slowly, and it can be hard even to get a courtroom for the number of days you need one, Currie told the Kyiv Independent.

For Anand, the goal isn't just to punish a sanctioned airline, but to perform a symbolic act of restoration: This is a legal process, but its also in the context of: How else can we help Ukraine in its time of need?'... Russia completely obliterated some of Ukraines Antonov aircraft that were in Ukraine at the beginning of the war. And so this is, in a sense, replenishing the Antonov fleet.

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However, replenishing a fleet requires a plane that can actually fly. After enduring three harsh Canadian winters on the tarmac, the aircrafts airworthiness is a growing concern. While it was briefly seen moving across the airports tarmac for routine checks this September, it is unclear if the plane is still mechanically sound.

Public Services and Procurement Canada did not respond to the Kyiv Independents questions regarding whether the million-dollar parking fees have ever been paid or if the plane currently has any dedicated security.

Similarly, Global Affairs Canada remains silent on whether the government is exploring the possibility of bringing in Ukrainian technicians from the Antonov Company to service the plane on-site if the forfeiture is successful. Currently, the Russian plane presents a $100-million opportunity, poised for a court decision that could turn it into a valuable support asset for cash-strapped Ukraine.

Note from the author:

Hi, this is Oleksiy Sorokin, deputy chief editor of the Kyiv Independent.

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At the Kyiv Independent, we believe quality journalism should be accessible to everyone  which is why we dont have a paywall. Our work is made possible by readers who choose to support us.

If you found this article valuable, consider joining our community today and helping us keep independent journalism free and accessible to all.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
More than 50 people have been displaced after an apartment building in Milwaukee's Merrill Park neighborhood was evacuated Jan. 22 due to the heating system failing and bursting pipes  what city officials call a "life safety issue."

The building, located at 2829 W. Wisconsin Ave., had 35 of its 36 units occupied, and 47 adults and six children were evacuated between 3:30 and 9 p.m. Jan. 22, said Jeremy McGovern, communications officer for the City of Milwaukee's Department of Neighborhood Services.

The property owner, Berrada Properties, did not immediately reply to a request for comment. The company is notorious in Milwaukee for evicting its tenants with regularity and being sued by the state Department of Justice over shoddy living conditions in 2021.

A Berrada Properties apartment building was evacuated after the housing company failed to repair its heating system on a city order. The city gave the company 48 hours to repair it, before the decision was made to evacuate the building.

The residents were evacuated just hours before an extreme cold warning went into effect, bringing windchills as low as minus 40 degrees to Milwaukee.

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Due to the extreme weather conditions, the City of Milwaukee paid for residents to stay in a hotel for a few nights, McGovern said. That's not common practice for the city when DNS issues placards on residential buildings, but the severity of the situation called for it, he said. In addition to the bitter cold, community advocates who typically join DNS on sites of apartment evacuations were not available at the time, McGovern said.

"With the temperatures this weekend, turning people out on the streets, particularly children, was going to make a bad situation worse," he said.

DNS was notified of the heating issues at the apartment and issued an emergency order on Jan. 20, giving Berrada Properties two days to repair or replace the building's defective heating system. That was not met, prompting the evacuation of the building.

On Jan. 23, Berrada Properties filed a commercial repair permit with the city, but the document's details were not immediately available online.

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Ald. Sharlen Moore stayed on scene with other city officials to support residents as the building was evacuated.

A Berrada Properties apartment building was evacuated after the housing company failed to repair its heating system on a city order. The city gave the company 48 hours to repair it, before the decision was made to evacuate the building.

Once I got on scene, I realized how dire and dangerous the situation was," Moore said.

McGovern said the pipes burst due to freezing, which caused much of the building's operations to stop working, including heat, water and electricity in some units.

Company troubled by lawsuit, issues

It's not the first time the apartment building or its owner have run into issues with its tenants and officials.

City records show Youssef "Joe" Berrada, the owner of Berrada Properties, purchased the building in 2019 for $724,000 and sold it to Berrada Properties 36 LLC, for $2.846 million the same day.

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In the years since the purchase, DNS records show violations in the building for defective fire alarms and exit signs and, more recently, a mice and roach infestation was reported on Jan. 17.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice sued Berrada Properties in 2021 for regularly violating the rights of tenants through illegal actions. Those included forcing some renters out of their units and confiscating their property. Berrada settled that suit for $1.7 million.

Berrada has been known as a notoriously aggressive evictor. In 2018, the Journal Sentinel profiled the businessman, and an investigation found his operations were responsible for more than 10% of the county's evictions in 2017.

Moore criticized the company for its inaction and unwillingness to pay for its tenants' emergency housing.

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State law doesn't allow for the city to more strongly penalize the property owner for the failed heating system, she said. That complaint has been a longtime issue cited by Common Council members who say their hands are tied in doing more.

That's exacerbated by the city's lack of housing, Moore said.

"So people are stuck in poor living conditions," she said. "Thats how slumlords are bred. They thrive in moments like that.

County, city officials step in

The Jan. 22 evacuation required the help of both county and local government.

In addition to help from Moore and city officials, including some acting as Spanish-to-English translators, Milwaukee County stepped in as well to provide a transit bus to bring the displaced residents to a hotel.

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McGovern praised the city and county officials for collaborating to "come up with the best situation for people in a dangerous situation."

I know it can be a bit of an oxymoron that to keep them safe, were throwing them out, so to speak. But no heat alone is dangerous enough, now were throwing in water and also compromising electrical systems  that's a real recipe for disaster," McGovern said.

Contact Kelli Arseneau at (920) 213-3721 or karseneau@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @ArseneauKelli.

David Clarey is a public safety reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He can be reached at dclarey@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee apartment building evacuated following heating, water failure
Coupangs two major stakeholders have called on officials in Washington, DC, to scrutinise how South Korea is treating the online retailer and to weigh potential trade actions in response.

According to Reuters, technology-focused investors Greenoaks and Altimeter have filed a petition with the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) and initiated arbitration proceedings under the USKorea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS).

They argue that Seoul has subjected Coupang to unfair regulatory pressure after a large-scale consumer data breach, which they say has wiped billions of dollars from shareholder value.

Coupang disclosed in November that information linked to approximately 33 million South Korean customers had been exposed.

The incident triggered political criticism, regulatory probes and legal action from both investors and consumers.

In their submissions to US authorities, the investors argue that the governments response has gone far beyond ordinary regulatory oversight and has become excessive in scope.

They claim it now resembles a whole-of-government campaign, involving labour, customs, and financial investigations that they say are largely unrelated to the original breach.

Consequently, they are demanding that this discriminatory behaviour cease and are advocating for a restoration of stable, predictable operating conditions for US businesses in the country.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung told a Reuters-reported news conference that the nation was sovereign and would deal with the matter fairly under existing laws and principles.

Trade minister Yeo Han-koo has also rejected claims of bias, saying earlier this month that US officials had misunderstood Seouls actions following meetings in Washington with USTR Jamieson Greer and lawmakers.

Under KORUS rules, the investors notice starts a 90-day consultation window before arbitration can proceed.

Separately, USTR has 45 days to decide whether to launch a formal inquiry that could involve hearings and potential countermeasures, including tariffs on South Korean goods and services.

"US investors seek trade action over South Koreas handling of Coupang  report" was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand.




Hundreds of businesses in Minnesota closed on Friday and thousands of protesters turned out in severely cold weather to demonstrate against the ongoing immigration crackdown in the state.

The widespread rallies come after organisers encouraged residents to skip work or school and refrain from shopping in a show of opposition to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The ICE operation ordered by the Trump administration in Minnesota has been going on for more than six weeks.

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The administration has characterised it as a public safety operation aimed at deporting criminals illegally in the country. Critics warn migrants with no criminal record and US citizens are being detained too.

On Friday, about 100 clergy members were arrested at the Minneapolis airport while holding a protest calling on US airlines to refuse to transport detainees arrested by ICE.

A spokesman for the airports commission told the Minnesota Reformer that the arrests took place after the "permitted activity went beyond agreed upon terms" and was to done to protect the public safety and airport access.

Thousands of federal officers have been deployed to Minnesota as part of "Operation Metro Surge".

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The killing of 37-year-old Minneapolis woman Renee Good earlier this month flared tensions across the state and brought condemnation from local officials.

"We want ICE out of Minnesota, and we want ICE out of every state, with their extreme overreach," said Bishop Dwayne Royster, whose organisation Faith in Action is supporting local partners in Minneapolis during the strike. "We want Congress to stand up and provide oversight to ICE."

Thousands of protesters held a rally in downtown Minneapolis [Getty Images]

Friday's marches are thought to be the largest display of opposition to date to the current immigration policy in the state, as thousands of people walked downtown through temperatures of -23C (-10F).

As they made their way to the city's NBA arena to hold an anti-ICE rally, taking place on the home court of the Minnesota Timberwolves, protesters chanted and played music.

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On Friday morning, Minneapolis resident Corey Lahm closed his business, Harriet Grove Botanicals, in solidarity and headed to a protest. He objected to the presence of ICE agents in his city, and was outraged by Good's death in early January.

He also saw the immigration raids as an economic threat to his business, and others in his community.

"We have a lot of friends that we rely on, we have a lot of businesses that we rely on, in order to make our business work," Lahm told the BBC.

"When those individuals are struggling because they're afraid of being detained or disappeared, it has an effect not only morally but economically on what's going on here, and also in the greater Midwest."

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Lahm's business was joined by hundreds of others, from restaurants and tattoo parlours to toy stores.

Kim Bartmann is the owner of six restaurants in Minneapolis, including four that remain open in the winter but that she shut on Friday.

While she supports the cause, she said the decision to participate had been a tricky one, given the costs.

"Everyone is in solidarity, but everyone needs to buy groceries and pay their rents," she said, noting that staff at one of her locations had initially asked to stay open, before deciding the risk of backlash over not participating would be too great.

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"Economically, it is a severe blow to my business," she said.

She said sales at her restaurants, which include Barbette and Gigi's Cafe, have already dropped more than 30% over the past three weeks as a result of the ICE operation, which has prompted her to limit her opening hours as customers and staff stay home.

"We have a lot of employees who are US citizens or have paperwork to work in the US who are still terrified to leave their homes," she said.

ICE's presence has outraged many of Minnesota's residents, who have protested against their operations and other federal officers operating in their city.

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This week, school officials in the suburb of Columbia Heights announced that four of their students had been detained by ICE, ranging from ages five to 17.

A two-year-old child was also detained on Thursday alongside her undocumented father while returning home from a grocery store in south Minneapolis, according to CBS News, the BBC's US partner.

[Getty Images]

Protesters outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, near the Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport [Getty Images]

In a speech on Thursday, Vice-President JD Vance called for local Minnesota law enforcement to coordinate with federal officers to carry out immigration enforcement.

Minnesota, and some of its cities, have so-called "sanctuary" policies, which limit the ways that local government and law enforcement cooperates with ICE. The Trump administration has criticised these policies as a threat to public safety.

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Meanwhile, a Minneapolis FBI agent resigned this week over concerns about the bureau's handling of the investigation into Good's shooting, CBS News, the BBC's US partner, reported. The New York Times was first to report the resignation.

Tracee Mergen left "in part due to the pressure on her to reclassify/discontinue the investigation" over Good's death, CBS News reported, citing sources.

The BBC has contacted the FBI for comment.

Earlier this month, US media reported that at least six prosecutors in the Minneapolis US Attorney's office resigned over the administration's handling of the federal investigation.
Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes, was once known for its natural beauty and its residents superabundant American friendliness. Now it is looking more and more like a failed state.

It all began with astonishing revelations about massive welfare fraud, perpetrated in large part by members of the states Somali population. Some of the stolen funds, which could total as much as $9bn in Minnesota alone according to one estimate, may well have been expatriated to Somalia, where they may have ended up in the coffers of al-Shabab, a designated terrorist organisation and al-Qaeda affiliate.

Investigations have been under way for several years, and have so far resulted in criminal charges against 92 individuals, 62 of whom have been convicted.

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But just as damaging as the scale of the fraud has been the suspicion that leading Democratic leaders in the state had done little to stop it. There has certainly been significant pandering among Left-wing politicians to the Somali-American vote. Some have even pointed out that the states new flag bears a remarkable resemblance to that of Somalia, though we are reassured that this is coincidental.

Democratic leaders, including state governor and failed 2024 vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz and Squad congresswoman Ilhan Omar, have angrily opposed Donald Trumps immigration policies, appearing to believe that the US should admit unlimited migrants, even from countries with high levels of corruption.

Tim Walz opposes Donald Trumps immigration policies - Tim Evans

Just before the New Year, however, the fraud scandal departed from the sober realm of federal jurisprudence for the world of viral journalism. Videos posted to YouTube by the 23-year old independent journalist Nick Shirley quickly captured the attention of Trump, Republican lawmakers, Elon Musk, and other influential personalities, who are now highlighting Minnesota as a nexus of corruption, illegal immigration, Democratic politics, organised crime, and, more recently, out-of-control street violence.

Walz denounced Republican criticism as vile, racist lies and slander towards our fellow Minnesotans. But the evidence is already taking its toll. Allegations of racism cant deflect attention from the scandal or uncomfortable questions about what Walz and other leading Minnesota Democrats knew about the fraud.

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The issue now confronting the US is whether state and local governments in Minnesota can really be trusted to clean up the mess or will even allow federal law to be enforced  particularly on immigration.

The department of health and human services has suspended all federal family assistance to Minnesota, which totals $185m annually, until matters are cleared up. But Trump has also lifted temporary deportation restrictions that protected some Somalians, as well as announcing that as many as 2,000 extra federal agents would be unleashed on Minnesotas twin cities of Minneapolis and St Paul. This comes on top of the hundreds of other federal agents already operating in the duopolis. According to ICEs acting director Todd Lyons, this represents the largest immigration policing operation in American history.

Trump has now placed 1,500 airborne soldiers and other troops on alert, for a potential deployment under the Insurrection Act of 1807, a measure last used in 1992, but one that allows the president to deploy the military on his own initiative to preserve law and order where they are not being enforced. Vice-president JD Vance visited ICE units in Minnesota on Thursday in a show of support.

JD Vance in Minnesota on Thursday - Angelina Katsanis

The Democrats are fighting back. Minnesota politicians, including Walz, have instructed concerned citizens to film immigration agents committing what he calls atrocities in an effort to collect evidence for future prosecution. This followed an incident on Jan 7 in which Renee Good was killed by an ICE agent, who the White House has said was acting in self-defence.

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But the behaviour of the Left in the state hardly disproves the need for federal intervention. Thousands of protesters have taken to Minnesotas streets despite the brutal winter cold. Reports have emerged of ICE agents being physically assaulted by protesters. On Sunday, a mob of anti-Trump protesters stormed a church to disrupt a religious service.

The Trump administration blames Walz and his fellow Democrat leaders for the mess in Minnesota. [The] Minnesota insurrection is a direct result of a FAILED governor and a TERRIBLE mayor encouraging violence against law enforcement, posted deputy attorney general Todd Blanche on Tuesday.

Last week, Walz, Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey, and several other Minnesota Democrats were subpoenaed by federal investigators who believe their actions and statements may have illegally obstructed federal law enforcement. Back home, labour unions, cultural groups, and civic associations have called for the protests to escalate into an economic blackout set for Jan 23, an event approximating a general strike.

If the tense situation gets out of control  or even if it does not  Trump has the Insurrection Act and the armed forces at his command. The time may have come to use them.

Paul du Quenoy is a historian and president of the Palm Beach Freedom Institute

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A Virginia truck driver who was arrested in Newport with a pregnant teenager in his tractor-trailer has been sentenced to 17 years in federal prison for sexual contact with a minor, United States Attorney Charles C. Calenda announced.

David Romero Reyes, 55, of Stafford, Virginia, pleaded guilty on Sept. 3, 2025, to transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, Calenda said in a press release.

Reyes was sentenced Tuesday, Jan. 20, by Chief Judge John J. McConnell. McConnell also ordered that Reyes register as a sex offender and serve 20 years of supervised release after his prison term, Calenda said.

Background on the case

Romero Reyes was arrested in April 2021 when he tried to enter the Naval Station Newport, and a routine background check revealed he was wanted in Texas for felony sexual assault of a child.

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During a search of Reyes tractor-trailer, Naval Station Newport Police found a 15-year-old girl in the sleeping compartment. She was reported missing from her Virginia home in July 2020, when she was 14 years old, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

The girl was brought to Hasbro Childrens Hospital in Providence for a medical examination, and hospital staff determined she was about five months pregnant, according to the criminal complaint filed against Romero Reyes in Rhode Island's U.S. District Court.

An investigation determined that Romero Reyes was known to the girl and to her family before her disappearance, Calenda said.

The sentence imposed in this case reflects the defendants monstrous actions. There is no place in our federal district or in our society for such egregious abuse of a child, Calenda said in the press release. "This office will use every available resource to ensure that those who prey on the most vulnerable will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

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The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ronald R. Gendron and John P. McAdams.

The matter was investigated by the Naval Station Newport Police, FBI, and Rhode Island State Police.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Trucker arrested in RI with missing pregnant teen sentenced to prison
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.  Governor Mike Kehoe signs Executive Order 26-05, placing Missouri in a State of Emergency as the Show-Me-State prepares for extreme winter conditions this weekend.

In a release Thursday, the governors office said this order activates the states National Guard in anticipation of response efforts. Overall, it allows Governor Kehoe to delegate portions of Missouris organized militia to assist residents as needed.

With hazardous winter weather forecasted for this weekend across much of the state and nation, our focus is on preparedness and coordination, said Governor Kehoe.

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Declaring a State of Emergency allows the state to respond quickly and support local communities as needed, but each of us must do our part. Were asking Missourians to stay informed, plan ahead, and use extreme caution during this potentially dangerous winter weather event.

Closings

The two-wave winter storm will arrive first Friday night into Saturday across much of the South-Midwest  including the Four State area  mostly in the form of snow. The second wave is expected Saturday night and into Sunday.

The National Weather Service adds that the heaviest accumulation is likely south of the I-70 corridor.

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Winter Weather Preparedness

Road crews with the Missouri Department of Transportation have already begun operations. While they work, motorists are advised to take extra precautions when driving in already hazardous conditions and to slow down where workers are present. Otherwise, drivers are advised to postpone travel until conditions improve.

Conditions on Missouris roads can always be found on MoDOTs Traveler Map.

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 KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com.
House Speaker Jon Patterson, a Lee's Summit Republican, speaks at a press conference at the end of special session on June 11, 2025 (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).

The latest version of a proposal meant to implement the governors income tax cut could also trigger a first for Missouri: sales taxes on gasoline and diesel, a result the bills sponsor says was accidental.

Under the terms of the proposed constitutional amendment sponsored by House Speaker Jon Patterson, sales tax could be imposed on transactions involving any goods and services and the revenue would be exempt from the prohibition on using money generated from a tax on fuel sales for state needs other than highways.

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Missouri has earmarked money from taxes on motor fuels for highways since 1928.

That is not the intent, Patterson said in an interview with The Independent on Thursday, the day after he filed a revised version of the proposal that fixes earlier errors and expands on limitations intended to prevent a windfall of new revenue for state and local governments.

There is absolutely zero intention on my part to see any increase in the motor fuel tax, Patterson said.

An amendment to his bill will be prepared to make that explicit, Patterson said. The reference to how taxes on motor fuels are used is intended to prevent a new sales tax on fuel, Patterson said, not to divert money from highways.

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The purpose of that whole paragraph is to say, no, the motor fuel tax is not part of this, Patterson said.

Gov. Mike Kehoe, in a brief interview, declined to comment on imposing sales tax on fuel. He said he had not read Pattersons proposal.

Missourians, who would have to vote on Pattersons proposal, dont want to pay more for gasoline, said Senate Minority Leader Doug Beck, a Democrat from Affton, at his weekly news conference.

Theyre going to be upset, Beck said. I think theyre going to be upset because theres a lot of this.

Senate Minority Leader Doug Beck, D-Affton, discusses Democratic opposition to increasing the sales tax during a Thursday news conference. Beck was joined by Sens. Angela Mossley, D-Florissant, left, and Steve Roberts, D-St. Louis (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent).

Kehoe and Republicans who control the General Assembly have made eliminating the state income tax on individuals their top priority for the year. Pattersons proposal, which is expected to receive a public hearing next week, does not specify a sales tax rate to replace the income tax.

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Missouri currently charges 4.225% on taxable goods other than food from groceries and vending machines. Of that, 3% is for general revenue, generating about one-fifth of the $13.4 billion in general revenue collected in the most recent fiscal year.

Local sales tax can double or almost triple the basic state rate.

The version filed Wednesday is Pattersons second attempt. A constitutional amendment he filed last week had a drafting error that misstated which article contains the limit on the use of highway funds.

Pattersons new proposal asks voters to grant lawmakers broad authority to expand sales tax to currently untaxed goods and services. Services such as accounting fees for tax preparation or car repairs are not currently taxed, and goods currently exempt include prescription drugs and home utilities.

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In his State of the State Address, Kehoe said he wants to target monthly subscriptions and digital services like online advertising, e-books and AI platforms that fall outside our current sales tax base.

Lawmakers are also authorized by Pattersons proposed amendment to set revenue triggers that would reduce, and then eliminate, the individual income tax as early as Jan. 1, 2031.

Other provisions would:

Exempt the tax legislation implementing the proposal from revenue lids that require tax increases to be submitted to voters.

Require local governments to adjust local tax rates downward to offset any increase in revenue from the broader sales tax base.

Reduce the constitutionally imposed sales taxes for conservation and state parks and soil conservation, 0.225% total, to make revenue from the new tax base equal the average of recent years.

Keep in place income taxes on corporations and other businesses, as well as allow income taxes on estates and trusts.

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The exact list of things to be taxed, and the rate needed to replace current revenue, will be decided later, if voters approve his amendment, Patterson said.

The people and their elected representatives will come together and decide, No.1, if they even want to do this, and if they do how theyre going to do it, Patterson said. But itll be the people and their elected representatives doing it together.

Asking voters to trust Republican leaders to get the details right is irresponsible, Beck said. The GOP has rushed and made mistakes on tax cuts, congressional district maps and state budget estimates, he added.

When a bill eliminating the income tax on capital gains passed last year, it carried an estimated price tag of about $160 million in the current fiscal year and ongoing cost of $111 million The actual revenue cut is about $500 million in the current year and $350 million annually.

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The mistake in state budget estimates was a $250 million math error in the forecast for how much the state would have on hand at the end of June 2027.

The whole tax scheme in general, Im just going to be honest with you, is ill conceived, Beck said.

Missouris two largest population centers are on the states border and people who can shift purchases over the state line to avoid taxes will do so, Beck said.

I dont see this as an economic driver for the state, Beck said. I dont see this as helping anything.

Gasoline prices are one of the most visible barometers of the economy, rising after disruptions or when there is high sustained demand and falling when supplies are plentiful or purchases fall off in a recession.

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Missouri fuel taxes have increased 12.5 cents per gallon since Oct. 1, 2021, and stand at 29.5 cents a gallon.

Missourians consume about 4.1 billion gallons each year, generating approximately $1.2 billion in highway revenue.

That fuel, if sold at $2.50 per gallon, would generate about $435 million if subject to the the current state sales tax. The price of a 15-gallon fill-up would increase from $37.50 to $39.10.

Republicans have been cutting state income tax rates since 2014, when the top rate stood at 6% for taxable incomes greater than $9,000. The top rate is now 4.7%. Two future cuts, bringing the rate down to 4.5%, are already on the books and will take effect if general revenue growth hits certain targets.

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Missouri collected $9.2 billion from the individual income tax before refunds in fiscal 2025. Generating the same revenue on the current sales tax base would require an additional sales tax of about 8.5%.

Those funds pay for public schools, prisons and medical care for more than 1.3 million people, among other state services.

The goal, Patterson said, is to replace a tax structure put in place in the 1920s and 1930s with one that fits modern economic activity.

It really needs to be modernized, Patterson said. And this is something that youre seeing, not just in red states or blue states. A lot of states are looking at modernizing their tax system.

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The lack of details on what will  and what wont  be taxed is a big problem, Beck said.

Theyre taking (income tax) away, Beck said, and theyre saying the legislature knows better than the people, just like theyve done in the past.
The Missouri Supreme Court on Friday struck down a law giving special appeal power to the attorney general and revising how ballot summary cases are handled. The judges, shown in a September 2024 photo, are from left, Kelly C. Broniec, Robin Ransom, W. Brent Powell, then-Chief Justice Mary R. Russell, Zel. M. Fischer, Paul C. Wilson and Ginger K. Gooch (Pool photo by Robert Cohen/St. Louis Post-Dispatch).

The Missouri Supreme Court on Friday threw out a law passed last year that was designed to keep politicians in control of writing ballot summaries and give the attorney general extraordinary appeal power.

The bill was changed too much during its path through the General Assembly, Chief Justice W. Brent Powell wrote in the unanimous opinion. The changes, he wrote, violated the Missouri Constitutions requirement that amendments should not change the original purpose of legislation.

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The original bill contained one section intended to prevent the courts from rewriting ballot language for measures referred to voters by the General Assembly. By the time it was passed, it changed five sections of state law, completely revising the process for court challenges to ballot suumaries and granting the attorney general authority to appeal preliminary injunctions preventing enforcement of state laws or regulations in any field.

In arguments on Jan.7, Deputy Solicitor General Samuel Freedlund tried to convince the judges that changes to how ballot summary cases are managed are germane to the attorney generals appeal power because the bill, from the start, was designed to amend the process for judicial review of state laws.

This argument stretches the boundaries of logic, Powell wrote.

The court considered allowing the changes to ballot title cases to remain in effect, which was the result when Cole County Circuit Judge Danel Green ruled in September. Green found that the original purpose of the bill had not been improperly changed but there was no legal basis for allowing the attorney generals office to have special appeal power.

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The Supreme Court considered whether the bill would have passed absent the provisions for the attorney general, Powell wrote.

While it remains possible the General Assembly would have passed (the law) without the amendmentthis mere possibility is not enough for this court to save the non-offending provisions (the law), he wrote.

The decision restates what lawmakers should have known when they passed the bill because what is and is not allowed procedurally has been argued repeatedly in court, attorney Chuck Hatfield said.

Hatfield represented Sean Nicholson, who sued in part because the new ballot summary process is more expensive and creates delays for ballot initiatives

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Every few years, the Supreme Court needs to remind the Legislature that they have to follow the procedural requirements of the Constitution when they pass a bill, Hatfield said. Its not that hard. They need to vote on things separately.

The ballot summary provisions of the law were written to take revisions out of the hands of the courts. In lawsuits during 2023 and early 2024, the courts rewrote the language for the abortion rights initiative petition, finding the original version written by then-Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft replete with politically partisan language.

Instead of a judge making changes when summaries are deemed unfair or biased, the law gave the secretary of state three chances to make revisions.

The law was used last year during a challenge to the summary of a proposal to reinstate Missouris almost-total ban on abortions. Cole County Circuit Judge Daniel Green approved a summary from Secretary of State Denny Hoskins after rejecting two previous versions, but that decision was overturned at the Western District Court of Appeals, which issued its own revision.

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By throwing out the law, the judges put revisions to a referendum on Missouris gerrymandered redistricting plan into the hands of Cole County Circuit Judge Brian Stumpe. Hoskins has already admitted in court through his attorneys that the ballot summary is close to the line of being inherently argumentative.

In the effort to save the law, Freedlund during oral arguments asked the court to reject the lawsuit entirely. Nicholson is not working for any initiative campaign engaged in litigation over a ballot title and therefore had no injury, he contended.

And there is no standing, or right to sue, for anyone to challenge the appeal power because it involved no new expense for the state, he argued.

The court did not address the first argument and rejected the second. While in many cases a challenge could not be sustained if the only expense is for state employees who would be paid a salary anyway, this case is different, Powell wrote.

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Lawmakers added the appeal power to the bill specifically to allow the attorney general to challenge a preliminary injunction in the court battle over abortion rights playing out in Kansas City.

Planned Parenthood and the ACLU of Missouri are suing the state over laws and regulations that prevented Missourians from immediately accessing abortion following the passage of an abortion rights amendment in 2024.

Jackson County Judge Jerri Zhang found some of the regulations to be unconstitutional under the new abortion rights law and issued two preliminary injunctions.

Immediately after the bill was signed, Bailey used the new authority to file appeals that were ultimately unsuccessful. Those filings, Powell wrote, are a use of state funds that would not have been made absent the new legal authority.

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In connection with the attorney generals appeal of a preliminary injunction filed after passage of (the law), tax dollars necessarily have been spent on the pursuit of that appeal when no appeal was previously allowed, Powell wrote. This expenditure establishes taxpayer spending.

The decision helps clarify when a lawsuit challenging a new law or regulation can be filed, Hatfield said.

Thats somewhat helpful, he said, to those of us who worry about this kind of thing.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.  A Lawrence County woman was sentenced in federal court for her role in a wire fraud scheme that targeted the Missouri Lottery and a southwest Missouri gas station.

Amy Young, 42, of Mount Vernon, was sentenced to 23 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud, according to a federal news release.

The release said Young conspired with others to purchase Missouri Lottery tickets using stolen and fraudulent credit cards and credit card numbers at a gas station in Joplin. The crime took place over several weeks in July and August 2022.

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Investigators said Young and her co-conspirators made more than $62,000 in fraudulent credit card transactions at the gas station, including lottery ticket purchases. The group then sent other individuals to redeem winning tickets, fraudulently claiming $54,248 in cash prizes from the Missouri Lottery Commission.

In total, the fraudulent credit card transactions and lottery payouts amounted to $116,330.50, authorities said.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the FBI and the Joplin Police Department.

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Mohawk Valley, prepare to hunker down over the next five days as extreme cold, followed closely by significant Sunday snow moves into Central New York.

A National Weather Service Cold Weather Advisory now blankets almost all of Central New York through Monday night, with an Extreme Cold Weather Advisory in effect for parts of Northern Oneida County and Herkimer County.

Low temperatures in metro Utica are forecast to dip as low as -4, with the thermometer not expected to push past 20 degrees until Wednesday. Madison Countys outlook mostly mirrors neighboring Oneida County, with Herkimer County predicted to see temps even slightly lower, with an Extreme Cold Watch stretching into Northern Herkimer County that could also nip Frankfort, Ilion, and Little Falls.

An Uber driver turns onto Lincoln Avenue in Utica, NY during a lake effect snowstorm on Tuesday, December 30, 2025.

According to National Weather Service Meteorologist Bryan Greenblatt, who serves the Binghamton Field Office (covering Madison and Oneida Counties), sub-zero windchill forecasts for the general Mohawk Valley region for Jan. 23 through Jan. 24 could descend as low as 20 to -30, with the northern most tip of Oneida County and northern Herkimer County possibly experiencing the lowest feels like temps. Reports of -40 windchill are currently predicted as possible for the mid-to-Northern Adirondacks.

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Greenblatt advised that a snowstorm is currently predicted to move into the wake of the frigid temps earlier in the weekend, beginning late on Jan. 24 through Jan. 25, tapering off by early afternoon, on Jan 26, with lingering snow showers possible till early evening.

Both predicted accumulation and where remain uncertain. Right now, there is quite a bit of uncertainty, said Greenblatt.

Currently, a Winter Storm Watch is effect for most of the Mohawk Valley area till Monday Evening. In sum, Greenblatt said, a significant storm is becoming increasingly likely; there is just some uncertainty as to how much snow.

But now would be a good time to prepare in terms of supplies, Greenblatt concluded.

Recommendations to prepare for extreme winter weather

Extreme cold poses a huge risk  it is crucial that New Yorkers take steps to prepare ahead of time to make sure they can stay safe, Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement. Dress appropriately if heading outdoors, have supplies on hand and continue to monitor your local forecast. Severe weather doesnt discriminate  prepare ahead of time.

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The governors statement warned of possible Near whiteout conditions ... at times due to blowing and drifting snow and asked New Yorkers in impacted areas to avoid travel when possible. For those who must travel, be sure to leave extra time between destinations and ensure your car is packed with supplies like extra blankets, water and snacks.

Per the governors statement, under state regulation, a Code Blue is automatically in effect whenever the temperature and wind chill equal less than 32 degrees. Local social services districts are legally required to take necessary steps to ensure those experiencing homelessness have access to shelter and that shelter hours are extended.

See snow totals by address

Utica, Mohawk Valley weather radar

New York severe weather watches and warnings

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Mohawk Valley set for extreme cold, snow
A mother accused of leaving her 10-month-old baby inside a hot car as she worked a shift at a Wendys in Louisiana was sentenced to five years in prison in her daughters death, a district attorney announced.

Hannah Faith Cormier brought her infant to work on August 13, 2024, and later, told police that she had forgotten her daughter was still in the vehicle after she went inside for work, KPLC reported. According to police, temperatures inside the car reached between 140 and 150-degrees.

Later that day, Cormiers baby was seen at a hospital in Jennings, where Cormier told staff that her baby had been in the car for about an hour and a half, the Jennings Police Department said in an August 14, 2024, news release. Jennings is about a 90-mile drive southwest from Baton Rouge.

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The heat index outside the car was more than 106 degrees as Cormier, then 32, worked at Wendys, according to police, KADN-TV reported. Her daughter ultimately died at the hospital.

On Wednesday, January 21, a judge sentenced Cormier to five years of imprisonment, with hard labor, without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence in her babys death, the Jeff Davis Parish District Attorney's Office said in a news release.

"The death of any child is heartbreaking and losing this 10-month-old baby has deeply affected our whole community," District Attorney Lauren Heinen said in a statement. "No sentence can bring her back or take away the pain everyone feels.

Iowa Mothers 3-Year-Old Son Dies After Allegedly Being Left in a Hot Garage While She Slept

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This was a difficult case with tragic circumstances, but every child deserves to be protected, Heinen added.

Information on Cormiers legal representation was not immediately available on Friday, January 23.

A few months after her daughters death, Cormier was indicted on a negligent homicide charge, according to the district attorneys office.

Cormier ultimately pleaded no contest to the charge, the office announced in July 2025.

Louisiana law defines negligent homicide as the killing of a human being by criminal negligence, the district attorney's office said.

Jennings Police Chief Danny Semmes previously said that investigators believe that Cormier intentionally took the child to work and left her in the hot car, not with the intent to do harm to the child, but by her actions, harm was caused, according to KADN-TV.

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Cormiers daughters body temperature was measured at 109 degrees at the hospital on August 13, 2024, according to police, the Associated Press reported. Police said the girl died from a heat stroke.

North Carolina Mom Charged After Missing Toddler Drowns on Front Porch

Since Cormiers baby was younger than 10 years old, she was required to face an enhanced penalty under state law  specifically serving prison time with hard labor, according to the district attorneys office. She was also required to not be allowed probation, parole or a suspension of her sentence.

This case has drawn significant public attention throughout the legal proceedings, reflecting our community's collective grief over the loss of an innocent life, the district attorneys office said.

If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
NORTH EAST  A Monroe County man accused by state narcotics investigators of trafficking cocaine in Erie and Crawford counties was apprehended off Interstate 90 on Jan. 22 and arraigned on drug charges, according to Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday.

Authorities are still looking for the man's cousin, who is also accused in the crime, according to Sunday.

Corey O. Scott, 50, of East Stroudsburg, was arraigned Jan. 22 by North East District Judge Scott Hammer on felony counts of possession with intent to deliver and criminal use of a communication facility and on misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is free after posting his $25,000 bail Jan. 23, according to information in his criminal docket sheet.

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Similar charges were filed before Hammer against Arden L. Scott, 36, of Bronx, N.Y., but he had not been arraigned on the charges as of Jan. 23, according to court documents.

The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General's Bureau of Narcotics Investigation and Drug Control filed the charges against both men Jan. 7, according to information in their criminal docket sheets.

A lawyer for Corey Scott was not listed on his docket sheet Jan. 23.

More: Erie man charged in Edinboro drug case involving ex-Titusville officer

Sunday, in a news release issued Jan. 23, said the charges against the Scotts were recommended by a statewide investigating grand jury and followed what he said was a comprehensive investigation that included testimony regarding the distribution of cocaine in northwestern Pennsylvania.

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According to Sunday, investigators learned Corey Scott was making regular trips to Delaware County to meet a supplier and returned to the Erie region with bulk cocaine. The Scotts were stopped in a vehicle on Route 86 in Erie County in October 2024 and investigators seized over 10 ounces of cocaine, he said.

"This case involved a large network of law enforcement partners employing numerous tactics to track and document the movement of cocaine across the commonwealth, which the astute grand jurors heard testimony about and ultimately recommended charges," Sunday was quoted in the release. "These are significant charges, and I commend our team and the many partners for their shared commitment to stopping drug traffickers."

Corey Scott is tentatively scheduled to appear in court for his preliminary hearing before Hammer Feb. 5.

Contact Tim Hahn at thahn@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: State AG announces charges against pair in cocaine probe in Erie area
By Arathy Somasekhar and Tanay Dhumal

HOUSTON, Jan 23 (Reuters) - U.S. oilfield service company SLB said on Friday it can rapidly increase its activities in Venezuela, provided the appropriate licensing, safety parameters and compliance measures are in place.

The Houston-based company was among the oil companies that met with White House officials to discuss potential investment in Venezuela after the U.S. ousted President Nicolas Maduro in early January.

"We are already receiving a lot of inquiries from our customers," SLB CEO Olivier Le Peuch said during a post-earnings conference call.

"I would have to preface this with the right conditions, including licensing, including payments and operating license will have to be put in place," Le Peuch said.

HALLIBURTON ALSO LOOKING TO RE-ENTER VENEZUELA

Similarly, rival oilfield service provider Halliburton, which also met with White House officials, said this week it would seek to re-enter Venezuela as soon as commercial and legal terms, including payment certainty, were resolved.

Halliburton said it was working through the mechanics of licenses that it said were certain to fall in place.

SLB said it was the only international service company actively operating in Venezuela, delivering services for Chevron under the oil major's license. Chevron is the only U.S. oil major producing crude in the South American country, with some 240,000 barrels per day in joint ventures with Venezuelan state-run oil company PDVSA.

SLB reported a bigger-than-expected fourth-quarter profit and said it had maintained active facilities, equipment, and local personnel on the ground in Venezuela.

The company said it had more than $1 billion in peak annual revenue from Venezuela about a decade ago, and more than 3,000 people employed in the country. It currently has about 80 Venezuelans working there, and more than 1,000 Venezuelans are employed by SLB overall.

Halliburton has been seeking resumes for a range of positions in Venezuela, including engineers and technicians, according to a job board posting from the oilfield service company last week. The company has also said it could move equipment quickly into Venezuela, adding that it would be fairly straightforward to become operational.

Stifel analyst Stephen Gengaro has said SLB and Halliburton are among the best-positioned companies to benefit from any new investment that flows into Venezuela.

President Donald Trump said on Thursday that U.S. oil companies will soon start drilling for oil in Venezuela, even as companies expressed concern about the viability of quickly returning to the country.
A truck driver has been sentenced to federal prison for having sex with a minor girl who traveled with him to Rhode Island in his tractor-trailer truck, the U.S. Attorney said Thursday.

David Romero Reyes, 55, of Stafford, Virginia, was sentenced on Tuesday to 17 years in federal prison, U.S. Attorney Charles Calenda. Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr. handed down his sentence.

Romero Reyes pleaded guilty on Sept. 3, 2025 to transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. He was also given 20 years of supervised release following his prison term and was ordered to register as a sex offender.

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The sentence imposed in this case reflects the defendants monstrous actions. There is no place in our federal district or in our society for such egregious abuse of a child, Calenda said. This office will use every available resource to ensure that those who prey on the most vulnerable will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

According to court documents, in April 2021, Romero Reyes was detained by Naval Station Newport Police after a routine background check to enter the Navy base to make a delivery.

Police determined that he was wanted in Texas on a charge of felony assault of a child.

The young girl was found inside the sleeping compartment of the truck during a routine inspection, prosecutors said. The girl was brought to Hasbro Childrens Hospital for medical evaluation. There, doctors determined that she was approximately five months pregnant.

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The girl was reported missing from her Virginia home in July 2020, when she was 14 years old.

An investigation determined that Romero Reyes was known to the girl and to her family before her disappearance, Calenda said.

The Naval Station Newport Police, FBI, and Rhode Island State Police investigated the case.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Many of the countries that signed on to join President Trumps Board of Peace to stabilize Gaza are also temporarily banned from immigrant visas by the State Department.

Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Egypt, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Morocco, Mongolia, Pakistan and Uzbekistan are among the 75 countries the Trump administration has deemed to have citizens likely to require public assistance while living in the United States.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio instructed consular officers to halt immigrant visa applications from these nations earlier this year given the likelihood that migrants from the nations could become public charges in the U.S..

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President Trump has made clear that immigrants must be financially self-sufficient and not be a financial burden to Americans, the State Department wrote in a release last week.

The Department of State is undergoing a full review of all policies, regulations, and guidance to ensure that immigrants from these high-risk countries do not utilize welfare in the United States or become a public charge, it added.

The 12 countries who are paused from visa processing are supporting Trumps mission in the Middle East despite staunch pushback from leaders within the European Union.

Some have said the Board of Peace will cancel out the United Nationss functions, raising concerns among potential member nations. Others have decried the $1 billion cost of a permanent seat on the board.

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Heads of state solidified their commitment to join the board during a Thursday signing ceremony in Davos, Switzerland, where foreign chiefs gathered for the World Economic Forum.

True leadership doesnt just talk about peace, it delivers it. That is exactly what @POTUS Trump is doing through this historic initiative, Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani wrote on social platform X.

America helped bring peace to Kosovo. Today, Kosovo stands firmly as Americas ally, ready to help carry that peace forward. History remembers those who take bold steps to build peace  and we are ready, she added.

Other countries with visa bans echoed her enthusiasm.

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Pakistan expresses the hope that with the creation of this framework, concrete steps will be taken towards the implementation of a permanent ceasefire, further scaling up of humanitarian aid for the Palestinians, as well as reconstruction of Gaza, Pakistans Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote in a statement.

Sherzod Asadov, Uzbekistans press secretary to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, said the country is ready to join the Board of Peace as a founding state, according to The Times of Central Asia.

Mirziyoyev noted that this initiative is seen as an important step in resolving long-standing conflicts in the Middle East and ensuring peace and stability in the vast region, Asadov said this week.

This story was updated at 11:04 a.m. to highlight that the restrictions on vica processing are a part of a pause as new rules are instituted.

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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 The Hill.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  The mother of an Oklahoma City teen is speaking out after her son was killed while getting his hair done.

Last weekends violence was marked by seven homicides. One of them was at an apartment complex on Stonewall Avenue that claimed the life of 19-year-old Emmitt Gresham Jr.

He was simply getting his hair done, and because of the greed in this world. They took my babys life, said Emmitts mother, Teri Thompson.

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Thompson says her son could put a smile on anyones face. He would just come in and give me a big ol kiss on my forehead and say, I love you, momma, she said.

On Sunday, Emmitt left to get his hair done in exchange for offering his tattoo services.

He told me that someone wanted to do his hair in exchange for a tattoo, and he said, I dont really want my hair done. However, he went ahead and got that hair done in exchange for the tattoo, his mother said.

Thompson said she first learned of the shooting at the apartment complex while watching the news, unaware it involved her son.

Yukon offices and facilities closed Friday at noon

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No one even notified me my son was gone, Thompson said as she thought back.

After days had gone by and she didnt hear from her son, she began making calls to the police.

I told them that I heard on the news that someone was killed at his last known location, and they said, unfortunately, your son was the victim, Thompson said.

Thompson said police told her she wasnt notified because Emmitts wallet and I.D. were stolen.

Thompson questioned her sons murder, saying, People will take your life, take you away from your family, for what? Material gain? Whats going through my mind is my son was set up.

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Thompson and her family are waiting for answers, justice, and more than anything, an end to gun violence.

They could have just taken his stuff. They didnt have to take his life, Thompson said.

To help with Emmitts funeral costs, Thompson and her family created a GoFundMe. To donate, click here.

The Oklahoma City Police Department is asking anyone with information to call their homicide tip line.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
A 21-year-old Milwaukee, Wisconsin man is dead after the motorcycle he was riding collided with an SUV Thursday night. The accident occurred at about 10:13 p.m. on A1A and Sawgrass Village Drive.

He was traveling northbound on A1A as the SUV, driven by a 64-year-old Ponte Vedra man, was traveling south, a Florida Highway Patrol news release states.

The SUV attempted to turn left into the Fountains of Ponte Vedra condominium complex and entered the path of the motorcycle, the news release states. The front end of the motorcycle collided with the middle right side of the SUV.

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The motorcyclist was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. The SUV driver and his passenger, a 70-year-old Ponte Vedra woman, were not injured, the news release states.

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Southcentral Pennsylvania could see more than 10 inches of snow from a winter storm this coming weekend, according to the latest forecasts.

The National Weather Service in State College is predicting a total accumulation of 10 inches or more of snow for the region, including Adams, Lebanon and York counties. A winter storm watch is in effect from Saturday, Jan. 24 through Monday, Jan. 26.

Forecaster David Martin said sleet could mix in closer to the state line, but for the majority of the area, the precipitation is expected to be all snow.

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AccuWeather.com predicts six to 10 inches of snow for Lebanon and York counties, but 10 to 15 inches of snow could fall in Adams County.

What's the timing of the winter storm in southcentral PA?

The winter storm is expected to arrive late on Jan. 24. Snowfall and is expected to continue through Sunday and eventually taper off on Jan. 26, Martin said.

AccuWeather.com predicts that York County could receive six to 10 inches of snow this coming weekend. Adams County could get even more.

AccuWeather.com is predicting a similar timeline with the snow first starting to fall in Adams County around 7 p.m. on Jan. 24. It's expected to begin around 9 p.m. in York County and 1 a.m. Jan. 25 in Lebanon County. The precipitation is expected to end during the morning hours of Jan. 26.

The snow is expected to be light and fluffy, Martin said.

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With gusty winds and cold temperatures, the snow could blow and drift. The cold weather is expected to stick around after the storm moves out of the area.

While widespread power outages are not anticipated in southcentral Pennsylvania, travel is expected to be treacherous.

Residents are encouraged to prepare for the storm now by stocking up on gas, food and supplies, Martin said.

Cold weather advisory before the winter storm

The National Weather Service has issued a cold weather advisory ahead of the winter storm.

Wind chills could reach 13 degrees below zero, putting people at risk of hypothermia.

That advisory is in effect from 10 p.m. Jan. 23 through 10 a.m. Jan. 24.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Storm could drop more than half a foot of snow or more in York County
The mother of a soldier shot dead in Afghanistan says she is disgusted at Donald Trump after he claimed British soldiers stayed "a little off the front lines" during the conflict.

The US president's comments, made to Fox News, have sparked outrage in the UK from politicians and the veterans' community.

Angie Moore's son, Pte Gregg Stone, 20, of The Yorkshire Regiment, was killed in Helmand province during a mission to rescue an Afghan police officer kidnapped by the Taliban in June 2012.

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Refusing to use Trump's name, she said: "He has returned me to the moment I got a knock on my front door from the Army telling me my son was dead."

Pte Gregg Stone, 20, was killed while serving in Afghanistan in 2012 [MOD]

The UK joined the US in Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks in 2001.

A total of 457 British service personnel were killed in the resulting conflict - including Pte Stone, a father-to-be, from Atwick, near Hornsea, in East Yorkshire.

Trump told Fox News on Thursday that he was "not sure" the military alliance would be there for the US "if we ever needed them".

He added: "We've never needed them. We have never really asked anything of them.

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"They'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan. And they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines."

Live: Downing Street says Trump 'wrong' to claim Nato troops avoided Afghanistan front line

Pte Stone was living in a remote checkpoint in Nahr-e-Saraj, with his platoon fighting a constant battle with the Taliban when he was killed.

His comrades tried to save his life by carrying him to safety while under gunfire, with one soldier carrying him across a river, an inquest into his death heard.

British forces in action in Afghanistan in 2008 [MOD (via PA)]

Angie said: "When I read his comments, I expect I felt the same as the other 400-plus families of the men and women who lost their lives in Afghanistan."

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Asked if she had a direct message for Trump, she replied: "It would not be printable."

Now living in North Yorkshire, she added: "Trump is disrespectful, inconsiderate and unfeeling. He does not give a damn.

"It's the suits who start the wars - and it's the young men and women who go out and fight."

Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.

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More on this story
An off-duty Glendale firefighter has been charged with domestic violence murder in connection to the death of his wife in North Hollywood, officials announced early Friday afternoon.

Andrew Jimenez, 45, a firefighter-paramedic with the Glendale Fire Department, is charged with one count of murder with an allegation of using an axe as a deadly weapon.

Jimenez appeared in court in downtown Los Angeles Friday afternoon. If convicted as charged, Jimenez faces 26 years to life in state prison.

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"The domestic violence death of Mayra Jimenez is a devastating reminder of the persistent scourge of intimate partner violence in our communities," said Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman. "No one, including those sworn to protect others, is above the law, and we will hold the defendant accountable for this horrific crime and bring justice to Ms. Jimenez and her loved ones. Too often, cases of domestic violence go unreported and have the potential to end tragically, as in this instance. I want to urge anyone experiencing or witnessing domestic abuse to contact the Los Angeles County Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 978-3600."

The suspect's attorney told Eyewitness News he was withdrawing from the case.

Police say they found the victim, identified as Mayra Jimenez, bludgeoned inside the couple's home. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officers responded to a home in the 5600 block of Satsuma Avenue after a man went to a police station around 4 a.m. and requested a welfare check on his wife, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

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The city of Glendale sent ABC7 a statement, saying that the fire department was notified by LAPD that an off-duty member of the department had been detained in connection with the investigation.

"LAPD is the lead investigating agency and the matter is ongoing," the city's statement read.

According to court records, he's been booked into jail on suspicion of murder with a $2 million bail.

Detectives working the crime scene said they found Mayra Jimenez's body with injuries from blunt force trauma inside the home. They said Andrew Jimenez, her husband, alerted police to the gruesome scene.

A statement from an attorney retained by Andrew Jimenez's family appeared to suggest he found out his wife was having an affair.

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"Our office is currently in contact with law enforcement regarding a diary of the decedent, apparently read moments before the homicide, that verified infidelity by the decedent," the statement said.

Detectives say the tragedy appears to be an incident of domestic violence.

"From what we've determined, very preliminarily at this stage, this was an isolated incident of domestic violence between cohabitating adults," LAPD Lt. Guy Golan said. "There's no threat to public safety at this time. The individual who is in custody at Northeast Station, we believe, is responsible for the incident."

Detectives were seen carrying out two large rifles from the scene.

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Neighbor Camille Cabrera said she overheard detectives talking about the crime scene.

"I could just hear them talk about how horrific it was... it was just bloody. Next thing you know they found an axe. They said they found an axe," she said.

Loved ones told Eyewitness News the couple had been married for more than 10 years. They said Mayra Jimenez was a teacher at Wilshire Park Elementary.

Friends say Mayra loved helping others - from teaching children to serving as a non-denominational ordained minister for weddings. They added that she was a huge Dodgers fan.

The incident remains under investigation.

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A vigil was scheduled to take place at the school where Mayra taught Friday evening.

Jimenez has served with the Glendale Fire Department since April 28, 2008.

Glendale Fire Chief Jeff Brooks released a statement Friday that said:

"Our hearts are with Mayra Jimenez's family and loved ones, and with all those impacted by this tragic loss. Mayra was part of our extended Glendale Fire Department family, and this has deeply affected our entire organization.

The formal charges filed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office are extremely serious and deeply troubling. Any form of violence is appalling and unacceptable. This conduct does not reflect the values of the Glendale Fire Department or the character and professionalism of the women and men who serve this community with integrity and compassion every day.

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The Los Angeles Police Department is the lead investigating agency, and the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office is proceeding with the prosecution. The City of Glendale and the Glendale Fire Department will continue to cooperate fully throughout the investigative and legal process.

Because this matter involves an active investigation and ongoing criminal proceedings, the City and the Glendale Fire Department cannot comment beyond information released through official channels. Media inquiries related to the investigation should be directed to the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office."

Jimenez's arraignment was continued to February 19.




New York City public schools have already announced they will offer remote learning on Monday if this weekends huge snowstorm lives up to expectations. But that option remains unavailable for New Jersey public schools.

Thats because state law prevents school districts in New Jersey from switching to remote learning on days when snow or other factors make it difficult or impossible for students and teachers to get to class.

School districts must instead announce either a delayed opening or a full snow day, giving teachers and students a day off.

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Under state law, New Jersey public school students must be in classrooms for the day to be counted toward the minimum 180 days of instruction that are required. So, learning from home via video or doing remote schoolwork on laptops would not count as a school day under New Jerseys rules.

However, the law includes an exception that was used during the COVID-19 pandemic. Remote learning may be offered when schools are closed more than three consecutive school days due to a declared state of emergency or a public health emergency, said state Department of Education spokesperson Michael Yaple.

Any proposal to change the statute would need to be determined by the Legislature, Yaple said.

Gov. Mikie Sherrills office did not immediately respond to a request to comment on the remote learning rules.

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The latest forecast issued Friday morning called for a mix of ice, sleet and snow as a massive winter storm slams New Jersey from Saturday night through Monday.

Forecasters say parts of New Jersey could be buried under 12 to 18 inches of snow. There could also be a band of dangerous icing from Salem County to Hudson County.

Other states have more flexible rules on allowing schools to offer remote classes in bad weather.

In New York City, Mayor Zohran Mamdani told NY1 that a decision will be made by noon Sunday on whether to open school buildings Monday or transition to remote learning for the day.

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The new mayor ruled out a snow day for New York City students.

I know, to the disappointment of any student thats watching this right now, Monday is either going to be a remote learning day or its going to be an in-person school day, Mamdani told New York City students.

Some New Jersey educators have sought for years, even prior to the pandemic, to loosen the states restrictions on remote learning. Efforts to change New Jerseys law date back to at least 2015, when the Bergen County Association of School Administrators first endorsed learning from home as an option.

In 2016 and 2018, then-Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle, D-Bergen, introduced legislation that would permit up to three days of virtual instruction when schools close due to weather or other emergencies.

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Neither bill came up for a vote.

A similar bill was introduced in the state Legislature in 2024, but did not come up for a vote before the legislative session ended last week. The proposed law would have allowed New Jersey schools to offer remote classes for one or more school days due to inclement weather or hazardous transportation conditions.

Richard Bozza, executive director of the New Jersey Association of School Administrators, has offered support for allowing remote learning when it snows or due to problems unrelated to weather, such as a malfunctioning boiler.

Its hard to understand, post-pandemic, why this hasnt moved. It makes absolutely perfect sense, Bozza told NJ Advance Media in 2024.

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The New Jersey Education Association, the states largest teachers union, has not taken a position on changing the law to allow remote learning on snow days, spokesperson Steve Baker said Friday.

Some school districts have also pushed for New Jersey to make exceptions to the limits on remote learning.

The Wayne school district in Passaic County recently requested permission to switch to remote instruction on Feb. 5 and April 16 because its buildings are serving as polling places in the primary and special election to fill the 11th District Congressional seat vacated by Sherrill before she became governor.

The state Department of Education had not announced a decision on Waynes request as of last week.

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Donald Trump has provoked outrage among MPs and veterans after claiming that Nato troops stayed away from the front line in Afghanistan.

The Government led condemnation of his deeply disappointing assertion that British troops who fought alongside the US stayed a little back.

Between 2001 and the withdrawal of coalition troops 20 years later, 457 British troops were killed in combat and other operations in Afghanistan.

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Britain became involved in the country after the US invoked the collective security provisions of Natos Article 5 following the terrorist attacks of Sept 11 2001.

Mr Trump made his claims in an interview with Fox News in which he reiterated his suggestion that Nato would not support America if asked.

He said: Weve never needed them. Theyll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan... and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.

Plainly wrong

Stephen Kinnock, the care minister, said the presidents comments were plainly wrong.

Mr Kinnock told Sky News: It just doesnt really add up, what he said, because the fact of the matter is that the only time Article 5 has been invoked was to go to the aid of the United States after 9/11.

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And many, many British soldiers and many soldiers from other European Nato allies gave their lives in support of American missions, the American-led missions in places like Afghanistan and Iraq.

I am incredibly proud of our Armed Forces. They have put their lives on the line for our country. They are the definition of honour and valour and patriotism and I think anybody who seeks to criticise what they have done and the sacrifices that they make is plainly wrong, and I think the reaction to President Trumps comments are very clear from right across the political spectrum.

Mr Kinnock was then asked whether he agreed with Lucy Aldridge, whose son William was the youngest Briton to die in combat in Afghanistan. He was killed aged 18 in 2009.

On Thursday night, Ms Aldridge had called Mr Trumps comments extremely upsetting and said she would be traumatised for the rest of her life by the loss of her son.

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Mr Kinnock said: President Trumps comments are deeply disappointing. There is no other way to say that. I dont know why he said them, I dont think theres any basis for him to make those comments.

Its clear that the mother of that brave soldier is absolutely right when she talks about the sacrifice that her child, the child she loves so much, made in the interests of our own country, the interests of our national security.

British troops in Helmand in 2007. There were 457 British deaths in Afghanistan - Getty Images

Calvin Bailey, a Labour MP and former RAF officer who served alongside US special operations units in Afghanistan, said Mr Trumps claim bears no resemblance to the reality experienced by those of us who served there.

Ben Obese-Jecty, a Tory MP who served in Afghanistan as a captain in the Royal Yorkshire Regiment, said it was sad to see our nations sacrifice, and that of our Nato partners, held so cheaply by the president of the United States.

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Tan Dhesi, the chairman of the Commons defence committee, said the presidents comments were appalling and an insult to our brave British servicemen and women, who risked life and limb to help our allies, with many making the ultimate sacrifice.

Dame Emily Thornberry, the foreign affairs committee chairman, described Mr Trumps remarks on the BBCs Question Time as so much more than a mistake and an insult to the families of those who had died.

"How dare he say we weren't on the frontline, how dare he?"



Labour's Emily Thornberry says Donald Trump's claim European soldiers in Afghanistan avoided the frontlines was an "absolute insult", and is "proud" the UK helped stand up to him over Greenland#bbcqt pic.twitter.com/BnkuNLWayj  BBC Question Time (@bbcquestiontime) January 22, 2026

Mr Trump has previously been criticised for avoiding conscription to fight in Vietnam thanks to being diagnosed with bone spurs in his heels  a claim that has been subject to significant doubt.

Stephen Stewart, a former soldier, author and journalist, said: Trumps comments are as offensive as they are inaccurate.

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Its hugely ironic that someone who allegedly dodged the draft for the Vietnam War should make such a disgraceful statement.

He has desecrated the memory of hundreds of British soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan, people who we called friends and comrades.

If he was a man of honour, he would get down on bended knees to ask forgiveness from the families of the fallen.

Sir Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat leader, said in a post on X: Trump avoided military service 5 times.

How dare he question their sacrifice. Farage and all the others still fawning over Trump should be ashamed.

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The US is the only Nato member to have invoked the collective security provisions of its Article 5 clause that dictates that an attack against one member is an attack on all.

On Thursday night, Mr Trump suggested he should have invoked Article 5 to compel Americas allies to defend its borders from immigrants:

The UK suffered the second highest number of military deaths in the Afghanistan conflict, behind the US, which had 2,461 deaths. In total, Americas allies suffered 1,160 deaths in the conflict.

Mr Bailey also pointed to the high number of deaths per capita suffered by Denmark, which sent troops to fight alongside the British in Helmand province but has now had to fend off Mr Trumps bid to annex Greenland.

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He said: As I reminded the US forces I served with on the 4th of July in 2008, we were there because of a shared belief, articulated at Americas founding, that free people have inalienable rights and should not live under tyranny.

That belief underpinned the response to 9/11, and it is worth reflecting on now.

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.
Near record high temperatures are expected this weekend in Central Florida.

Our area is expected to experience highs in the 80s this weekend, with Sunday potentially breaking record temperatures.

Meanwhile, much of the nation will face extreme cold weather, including snow and ice.

The National Weather Service indicates that a cold front will move into Central Florida on Monday morning, bringing rain before colder temperatures settle in.

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Mornings next week are expected to dip into the 20s and 30s, while afternoon highs will only reach the 50s and 60s.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Elnur Enveroglu



On one front, the war grinds on without respite: drone swarms, missile strikes and intelligence operations continue to define daily life along the Ukrainian frontline. On another, almost paradoxical front, two sworn enemies - Ukraine and Russia - appear ready, after nearly four years of relentless conflict, to sit across the same table. The prospect of a tripartite meeting involving the United States has therefore drawn intense scrutiny, not because expectations are high, but because exhaustion is deep.

Both Kyiv and Moscow are visibly worn down. Despite last-ditch efforts to mobilise remaining military, economic and political resources, neither side can plausibly claim momentum decisive enough to dictate terms outright. The war, it seems, must be paused or reshaped, if not resolved. For Ukraine, the urgency is acute. Repeated Russian drone attacks on energy infrastructure, combined with a harsher winter and a perceptible cooling of US generosity since Donald Trumps return to centre stage, have pushed Kyiv into a deepening energy and social crisis. Survival, not victory, is once again the immediate concern.

It is in this context that Trumps carefully calibrated pressure campaign must be understood. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, he delivered what appeared to be oblique remarks, but the message was unmistakable: the war must end, and delay would be an act of strategic folly. Kyiv, which continues to see US backing as existential, has little room to refuse such an invitation. With EU leaders locked in strained relations with Trump and Ukrainian civilians facing rolling blackouts and bitter cold, President Volodymyr Zelensky has scant political capital to issue counter-demands or to walk away from the table altogether.

All eyes are now fixed on Abu Dhabi, where the proposed tripartite meeting is expected to take place. Speculation has filled newsrooms and diplomatic corridors alike, not because a comprehensive peace is anticipated, but because even a temporary freeze would mark a fundamental shift. For many analysts, the Ukraine-Russia war is no longer merely a regional conflict; it has become a test case for Europes future security architecture. Brussels, in particular, finds its relevance under scrutiny.

This is not without precedent. Previous negotiation attempts faltered amid discord within the EU and sharp reactions from Brussels, where member states struggled to reconcile their strategic instincts. Trumps earlier peace packages, which blended ceasefire proposals with territorial ambiguity, collapsed either because Moscow rejected them as insufficient or because Kyiv, under European pressure, deemed them unacceptable. The EU repeatedly framed such initiatives as dangerously legitimising Kremlin gains.

Today, however, the calculus has changed. Trumps blunt assessment in Davos, that failure to make peace would amount to collective irrationality, signalled impatience not only with Kyiv and Moscow, but also with Brussels. Ukraine knows that reclaiming roughly 20 per cent of its lost territory through force, even with frozen Russian assets or symbolic European support, borders on fantasy. With the immediate task of getting through winter and preventing social collapse, Kyiv cannot afford to fight to the last transformer.

Moscow, meanwhile, finds itself in a curious position. Despite limited territorial advances, Russia has been unable to move decisively beyond entrenched lines. Yet recent activity near Polands border suggested a deliberate attempt to test NATOs nerves. Whether this reflects waning US attention to the alliance or a calculated warning to the EU remains open to interpretation. Either way, the Kremlin senses a vacuum and vacuums invite ambition.

Abu Dhabi, chosen deliberately, offers Trump a neutral stage, distant from European capitals and their reflexive objections. For Trump, symbolism matters. He appears keen to turn what he frames as an eight-year failure into a ninth-year breakthrough, regardless of who resists. Ukrainian realism and Russian recuperation plans may, for the first time in years, overlap just enough to permit a provisional arrangement.

Yet Trumps strategy does not end there. A crucial and often overlooked element of his approach lies in distraction. By resurrecting the Greenland issue, Trump has skilfully diverted European attention away from Ukraine at a moment when EU interference could again derail talks. Previously, Panama had featured in Trumps geopolitical signalling. Greenland, however, is far more potent: it touches NATO sensitivities, Arctic security, climate routes and European sovereignty anxieties all at once.

By floating Greenland as a strategic concern, Trump forces Brussels into a reactive posture. Instead of micromanaging Ukraine diplomacy, EU leaders are compelled to defend their northern flank and internal cohesion. The timing is not accidental. Trump understands that the EU has consistently resisted any provisional peace it did not shape, branding such efforts as Kremlin appeasement. Greenland, therefore, functions as a geopolitical decoy.

Even if the EU attempts to sabotage or delegitimise a temporary Russia-Ukraine arrangement - 'something it has never fully supported' - Trump retains leverage. Hovering over Greenland keeps Brussels distracted, divided and strategically overstretched. In this sense, Trumps approach is not about Greenland itself, but about neutralising European veto power over a US-driven settlement.

What, then, can realistically emerge? Almost certainly not a final peace. But a conditional ceasefire, territorial ambiguity without formal recognition, and security guarantees deferred rather than denied all remain plausible. Crucially, there is little indication that Ukrainian territory would be irrevocably absorbed by Russia under such terms, despite European fears. The arrangement would be fragile, temporary and deeply unpopular in some quarters, yet it may still be the only viable pause in a war that neither side can win outright.
The New York Stock Exchanges quiet expansion into Texas is gaining rapid traction, with NYSE President Lynn Martin revealing that more than 100 companies have already dual-listed on NYSE Texas in under a year  a milestone that underscores Wall Streets accelerating pivot toward the Lone Star States pro-business climate.

"NYSE Texas, which we announced February of last year, brought it live March 31 of last year, and now have more than 100 dual listings on NYSE Texas in less than a year," President Lynn Martin told FOX Business Maria Bartiromo at the World Economic Forum on Thursday.

"Its going great," she continued.

Texas Chain Crushes Costco And Trader Joe's To Claim America's Top Grocery Store Title

Earlier this week, President Donald Trump blasted plans to expand the New York Stock Exchange to Dallas, calling the move "unbelievably bad" for New York and a failure of city leadership.

The Texas state flag is flown at half-staff outside the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on Tuesday, May 31, 2022.  Getty Images

"Building a New York Stock Exchange in Dallas is an unbelievably bad thing for New York. I can't believe they would let this happen," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. He added that the move posed a "big test" for New York's newly inaugurated mayor, Zohran Mamdani.

Read On The Fox Business App

The New York Stock Exchange has said the Dallas expansion  a fully electronic equities exchange based in Dallas  is intended to broaden its footprint and better serve companies in the South and Southwest, not to replace its New York operations. NYSE Texas launched in March 2025 and continues to operate alongside the main exchange.

"So many companies have taken the opportunity to dual list on NYSE, all the protections of the floor, everything as well as list on NYSE Texas," Martin said. "The advantage of dual listing on NYSE Texas is you are able to take advantage of all that pro-business legislation that Governor [Greg] Abbott has enacted around shareholder rights, around... litigation, around protection of C-suite of existing companies."

Additionally, NYSE Texass growth coincides with a broader rebound in IPO and listings activity, according to Martin, who described a potential "super cycle" for capital markets in 2026.

"We're seeing demand from all sectors. It feels like it's gonna be a bit of a super cycle year in terms of the amount of deals that come to market," she noted. "Now, I'm not just talking about the mega IPOs, they may or may not come to the market, but there's a tremendous amount of demand of backlog companies, companies that have been sitting on sponsors books, as well as companies that have just wanted to go for some time and put plans on hold because of volatility."
LEBANON, Tenn. (WKRN)  More than 300 new homes are coming to Lebanon near what community members have called a quiet area: Maple Hill Road and Carver Lane.

The project has sparked several concerns, but the most pressing question is whether the areas infrastructure is ready to handle more growth.

Earlier this month, News 2 met with Allison and John DAndria, who live on Maple Hill Road. They expressed apprehension over Summit Development building 311 single-family homes around their property, adding that part of their house would look into the development.

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Strong winter storm to impact Middle TN this weekend

The infrastructure of the road is our main concern. We live right on a curve, and its the same curve that the neighborhood would be built on, Allison said.

Traffic and infrastructure were two issues neighbors mentioned during the Lebanon City Council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 20.

You have to prepare. You cant just overnight say the roads are ready, the schools are ready. Financially, are we ready? explained Sandy Donnell, a resident of Wilson County for more than 60 years and a former county commissioner.

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Gov. Bill Lee declares state of emergency ahead of winter storm as TEMA urges preparedness

Ive seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. I believe in growth, but I think whats happening right now is its rapid, Donnell said.

On Tuesday night, the city council voted 4-2 to approve the housing development. Donnell was one of the first to speak against the project, but a representative for the developer was also there to help ease concerns.

Weve met with the utilities department. We talked through multiple things  removing aging pump stations offline. This project would complete the sewer shed, said Bart Netherland with Summit Development LLC.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

According to the spokesperson, millions of dollars would be spent on the sewer system. On top of that, Summit Development is reportedly looking to add a roundabout to address safety concerns, as well as a few miles of sidewalks and greenway trails.

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We met with the traffic engineer, scoped on where to do traffic study, looked at different intersections, Netherland said.

However, even with the potential changes, Donnell said she does not believe the infrastructure will suffice.

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 WKRN News 2.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Democratic Nevada Sen. Jacky Rosen said ICE is out of control when responding to the 8 News Now Investigators reporting about a deportation that occurred before a man who killed a woman faced any consequences.

On June 19, 2025, Las Vegas Metro police arrested Angel Franco Merida, 37, on a charge of reckless driving resulting in death after he collided with Amber Brown, 33, a nurse. Brown was crossing Rancho Drive at Decatur Boulevard when Franco Merida ran a red light and killed her, police said.

Prosecutors quickly charged Franco Merida, and he appeared before a Las Vegas Justice Court judge for a probable cause hearing the next day. A judge set bail at $50,000, and Franco Merida posted bond the next day, records said.

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But shortly after leaving the Clark County Detention Center, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained Franco Merida, and weeks later, an immigration judge granted his deportation.

Court records indicate ICE deported Franco Merida to Guatemala.

We are a country of laws, Rosen said Thursday. If somebody has broken the law, they should be adjudicated here and not be deported. ICE is out of control.

Rosen slammed ICEs behavior, saying she was aware of reports of possible Fourth Amendment violations.

Is the deportation itself justice? Charns asked Rosen.

Nevada Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen speaks with 8 News Now on Jan. 22, 2026. (KLAS)

He is going to live a free life in the other country or wherever he is going back to in a case like this, and for the victim and the victims family, do they have some right to justice? Rosen said. What are their rights to have their day in court?

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Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said ICE never notified his office of their actions or deportation.

The charge of reckless driving resulting in death carries a potential prison sentence of one to six years. A review of ICE and federal court records shows a good portion of ICE arrests in Nevada are happening as inmates leave prison after completing their sentences.

The 8 News Now Investigators received no official response from ICE or the immigration court about their actions involving Franco Meridas deportation or how often similar arrests occur.

Amber Brown, 33, was killed on June 19, 2025, when a car hit her as she was crossing the street. (Cheri Brown)

During sentencings in Clark County District Court, judges will warn defendants about possible immigration consequences post-sentence.

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Franco Meridas arrest report does not indicate a Social Security Number and indicates he was born in Guatemala. It, along with all the court documents the 8 News Now Investigators obtained, does not include his exact immigration status. A source with knowledge of the case said he was not authorized to be in the country.

8 News Now Investigator David Charns can be reached at dcharns@8newsnow.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.
India is moving quickly to contain a Nipah virus outbreak in the eastern state of West Bengal after two cases were confirmed by the federal health ministry.

Nearly 200 people have been quarantined after they were identified as contacts of the infected patients, according to officials. All were found to be asymptomatic and tested negative for the virus, the ministry said.

But the West Bengal cases have sparked concern across Asia, with several countries introducing new Covid-style health checks at airports receiving flights from the region.

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Nipah is a deadly virus with no vaccine or cure and is considered a high-risk pathogen by the World Health Organization. Experts say human infections are rare and usually occur when the virus spills over from bats, often through contaminated fruit.

Here is everything you need to know about this virus:

Nipah virus (NiV) infection: What are the symptoms?

Nipah virus (NiV) infection most often begins with non-specific symptoms, making early detection difficult.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the incubation period is generally believed to range from four to 21 days, though longer delays between exposure and illness have been reported in rare cases during previous outbreaks.

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Patients typically develop a sudden flu-like illness marked by fever, headache, muscle pain and fatigue. In some cases, respiratory symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath or pneumonia also occur, although the timing and severity of these symptoms can vary widely.

The most serious and defining complication of Nipah infection is inflammation of the brain, known as encephalitis. Neurological symptoms, including confusion, altered consciousness, seizures or coma, usually appear several days to weeks after the initial onset of illness.

Some patients may also develop meningitis.

File. An official directs traffic while another fogs the area of Seelong in the southern state of Johor, 10 May 1999. - Malaysia extended its pig culling operation to Johor and the eastern state of Kelantan after tests showed positive results of the deadly Nipah virus in 40 pigs (AFP via Getty Images)

How deadly is the Nipah virus?

Nipah virus is associated with a high death rate, with fatality levels reported between 40 and 75 per cent depending on the outbreak and the viral strain involved.

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Survivors may experience long-term neurological effects, such as persistent seizures or changes in personality, according to the UK Health Security Agencys update.

In rare cases, encephalitis has been reported to recur months or even years after the initial infection, either due to relapse or reactivation of the virus.

How does the Nipah virus spread?

Nipah virus is a zoonotic pathogen that can be transmitted from animals to humans and from person to person, according to the World Health Organization.

The primary natural carriers are fruit bats (Pteropus species); humans can become infected through direct contact with infected bats or other animals, or by consuming food contaminated with bat saliva, urine or faeces.

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Humantohuman transmission has also been reported, particularly through close contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person.

Where was the Nipah virus first found?

Nipah virus (NiV) was first identified in 1999 after an outbreak of encephalitis and respiratory illness among pig farmers and others who had close contact with infected pigs in Malaysia and Singapore. The episode led to the recognition of NiV as a serious zoonotic pathogen capable of crossing from animals to humans.

Since then, repeated outbreaks have been recorded in South Asia. Parts of northeast India and several districts in Bangladesh have reported cases, with Bangladesh experiencing outbreaks almost every year since 2001.

In southern India, the state of Kerala reported its first Nipah outbreak in 2018, followed by sporadic cases in subsequent years.

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Beyond South Asia, infections have also been reported in the Philippines, with investigations suggesting they were caused by the Nipah virus or a closely related Nipah-like strain.

File. Health workers wearing protective gear shift a man with symptoms of Nipah virus to an isolation ward at a government hospital in Kozhikode in the south Indian state of Kerala on 16 September 2023 (AFP via Getty Images)

Scientific studies have identified fruit bats as the natural reservoir of the virus. Nipah virus has been isolated from bat urine in Malaysia, and antibodies have been detected in at least 23 bat species across Asia as well as in parts of Africa, including Ghana and Madagascar.

Despite this wide animal reservoir, confirmed human outbreaks have so far been limited to South and Southeast Asia, typically occurring in rural or semi-rural settings where contact between humans, bats and domestic animals is more likely, WHO says.

Human-to-human transmission of Nipah virus has also been reported among family and caregivers of infected patients, according to WHO.

Is there any treatment?

There is currently no proven, targeted treatment for Nipah virus (NiV) infection and no approved vaccine to prevent it.

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Care for patients remains largely supportive, focusing on managing symptoms and complications as they arise.

Follow these essential precautions to prevent Nipah Virus infection. Stay alert, stay informed, and follow advisories issued by local health authorities.#NipahVirus #PublicHealth #HealthForAll pic.twitter.com/itTuZA18ev  Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) January 22, 2026

The virus is listed by the WHO as a priority pathogen under its Research and Development Blueprint, which identifies epidemic threats that require urgent research.

Reducing the risk of Nipahinfection

With no vaccine available, preventing Nipah virus infection relies on awareness and simple protective measures, global health agencies recommend. Public health advice focuses on reducing contact with the virus, whether from bats, animals, or infected people.

Bats are the main carriers of Nipah. People should avoid consuming raw date palm sap or fruits that might have been contaminated by bats, WHO guidelines advise.

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Boiling fresh date palm juice and thoroughly washing or peeling fruits can reduce risk. Any fruit showing signs of bat bites should be discarded, the health agency advises.

People handling sick animals, their tissues, or during slaughter should wear gloves and protective clothing. Contact with infected pigs should be minimised, and pig farms in areas with fruit bats should take steps to protect feed and enclosures from bats.

Symptoms of Nipah Virus in humans can range from fever and headache to respiratory distress and neurological complications.

Early recognition of these symptoms and timely medical care are critical to reducing severity and preventing complications.#NipahVirus #HealthAwareness pic.twitter.com/odW9baGomD  Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) January 20, 2026

Avoid close, unprotected contact with people infected with Nipah. Regular hand washing after caring for or visiting sick individuals is essential to stop the virus from spreading.

Nipah virus in popular culture

The 2011 film Contagion, which depicts a fast-spreading global virus, was partly inspired by real-life pathogens like the Nipah virus, a bat-borne virus first identified in Malaysia in 1999, according to global health non-profit Paths website.

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Nipah causes severe respiratory illness and brain inflammation (encephalitis) and can spread from animals to humans, contaminated food, or infected people.

Its high fatality rate, potential for outbreaks, and lack of a vaccine made it a model for how a zoonotic virus could trigger a pandemic, which filmmakers used to shape the realistic global crisis in Contagion, Path noted.
Rep. Joanne Ferrary presided over a House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee hearing on a bill that would prohibit public bodies in the state from entering immigrant-detention contracts. (Danielle Prokop/Source NM)

New Mexico lawmakers advanced an immigration detention bill out of committee Thursday afternoon after Republican representatives warned it could irreparably harm rural economies.

House Bill 9, known as the Immigrant Safety Act, would prohibit government entities across the state from signing contracts to detain people accused of federal immigration violations. Lawmakers on the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee voted 4-2 to move the bill.

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An economy built on cages is not development  it is dependency, Rep. Angelica Rubio (D-Las Cruces), one of the bills co-sponsors, said during the hearing. She said she has tried to pass similar legislation for a decade.

The move came as dozens of immigrants arrested in Minneapolis were shipped to the Torrance County Detention Facility, which is run by private prison operator CoreCivic, in New Mexico. One of them, 33-year-old Jorge Cordoba, told Source NM he lived in Minneapolis for more than 20 years and was in the country legally under protected Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival status.

Republican Representatives Stefani Lord of Sandia Park and John Block of Alamogordo expressed concerns about the proposed bill. They disputed assertions that incarcerated people are mistreated in custody and argued that passing this bill could cause companies like CoreCivic to shut down the facilities and take jobs away from rural New Mexico communities.

Would you accept an amendment to subsidize my district so that we dont go bankrupt? Lord , whose district includes Torrance County, asked committee members during the committee meeting. Theres been a lot of concern about people in the prison there. What happens when they go to Montana or Florida or Guantanamo Bay? We dont care anymore, because theyre out of sight, out of mind?

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Block took up Lords line of questioning for nearly an hour and asked presenters  who included Rep. Eleanor Chavez (D-Albuquerque), American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico senior attorney Becca Sheff and New Mexico Immigrant Law Center attorney Jessica I. Martinez  if they were OK with the federal government shipping immigrants currently detained in New Mexico elsewhere.

Blocks interrogation ran so long that at one point, committee Chair Rep. Joanne Ferrary (D-Las Cruces) accused him of harassing Chavez, Sheff and Martinez. Later in the afternoon during Blocks questioning, Rubio left the dais to distribute bottled water to testifying experts and some members of the audience.

Residents who spoke during public comment were overwhelmingly in favor of the bill, though Otero County Attorney R.B. Nichols spoke during a virtual public comment period to oppose the bill. He said it would disproportionately harm economies in regions like Otero or Torrance counties that rely on detention centers for jobs.

The bills supporters, though, contend that it would not force these facilities to shut down. Many detention centers contract with other law enforcement agencies, such as the U.S. Marshals, and would still detain people accused of crimes.

Were disentangling ourselves from the immigration industry thats beena money-making, for-profit machine off the backs of our neighbors and families and friends, Chavez, one of the bills sponsors, told Source NM. I think that it sends a message to the rest of the country.
New Mexico Immigrant Law Center attorney Jessica I. Martinez, Rep. Eleanor Chavez (D-Albuquerque) and American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico senior attorney Becca Sheff brief the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee regarding an immigration detention ban on Jan. 22, 2026. (Danielle Prokop/Source NM)

The current 30-day legislative session and subsequent interim committees could cost New Mexico more than $66 million.

The House of Representatives on Thursday passed House Bill 1, commonly known as the Feed Bill, a formality that picks up the tab for the work that goes into the legislative session.

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The bill, sponsored by State Majority Floor Leader Rep. Reena Szczepanski (D-Santa Fe), would set aside $66.6 million for the 30-day legislative session as well as the activities of interim committees such as the Legislative Finance Committee and Legislative Education Study Committee.

While state lawmakers do not collect a salary for their part-time gigs in the Roundhouse, the feed bill calls for $7.2 million to pay for their per diem and mileage reimbursements, as well as staff member salaries. If approved, it would also appropriate $49 million for recurring expenses at legislative offices, according to a fiscal impact report.

It has yet to be signed into law.

Immigration detention ban

In the afternoon, lawmakers voted to advance a bill that would prohibit public bodies across the state from entering into immigrant detention contracts. House Bill 9, known as the Immigrant Safety Act, would prevent any public entity in New Mexico from entering into a contract to detain immigrants  and it would mandate the cancelation of any such existing contracts.

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Dozens of immigrants apprehended in Minneapolis are currently being held in the Torrance County Detention Facility.

Money for something

The Senate Finance Committee convened Thursday morning to discuss capital outlay spending  the money set aside for large projects, like repairing a highway or redoing the stucco on a local library  and general obligation bonds. For months, lawmakers have remained optimistic about their ability to pay for projects that require one-time funding, but recurring spending, like hiring new employees at state agencies or shouldering more of the cost of employee health care premiums, is more imperiled this year.

Lawmakers reviewed an interactive online dashboard, caps.nm.gov, which lets residents explore and review capital projects in their communities. Cally Carswell, Legislative Finance Committee principal analyst for capital outlay, told lawmakers they have roughly 2,300 requests for direct appropriations, totaling about $3.7 billion.

You have a lot of demand for what is a pretty limited pot of funding each year, she said.

Clear skies ahead?

Also Thursday, Sen Pro Tempore Sen. Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque) reintroduced Senate Bill 18, also called the Clear Horizons Act, which if enacted would enshrine state emission reduction goals into state law. A copy of the legislation was not available on the Legislatures website immediately Thursday afternoon.

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Based on an executive order Lujan Grisham issued in 2019, the bill would set goals to reduce greenhouse gas emission levels by 45% in 2030, 75% in 2040 and 100% in 2050 of the emission levels in 2005. It would also allow state agencies to plan and measure the states pollution levels. The bill would apply to polluters who emit greater than 10,000 tons individually, according to a news release from Senate Democrats.

Weve shown that clean energy can lower costs and strengthen our economy, Stewart said in a statement. This bill ensures we have the tools to responsibly manage the energy needs of the future, while holding the biggest polluters accountable and protecting the health and livelihoods of everyday New Mexicans.

Similar legislation introduced last year failed to clear the Senate Finance Committee. SB18 was assigned to the Senate Conservation Committee.

Workers Day in the Rotunda

Melanie Aranda, the chief operating officer and a founding member of the Center for Civic Policy, prepares a banner to hang in the rotunda for Workers Day at the Roundhouse on Jan. 22, 2026. (Danielle Prokop/Source NM)

Sarah Hager, vice president of membership and involvement for the Albuquerque Teachers Union, told Source that Workers Day came about to bring together labor unions and workers of all types to focus on shared interests.

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We know that we cant do anything by ourselves, especially in one single union, and so when we had the idea and were invited to be a part of this coalition with not only labor but workers, we thought that it was a wonderful opportunity, she said.

Part of the coalition is the New Mexico Dream Team, which advocates for immigrants targeted by ICE in New Mexico and elsewhere. Shortly before the House Committee began debating HB9, Fernanda Banda, co-executive director of the New Mexico Dream Team, led a gathered crowd in the rotunda in cheers and song to express support for the Immigrant Safety Act.

She described her fathers ICE arrest and deportation nearly a decade ago and called on lawmakers to take any action they can not to support the agency that she said stole her father. Many congressional Democrats on Thursday (including New Mexicos delegation) refused to fund ICE as part of spending packages to keep the government open (the bill passed nonetheless).

New Mexico can continue to be complicit in Trumps deportation machine, putting profit over people, she said. Or we can choose to end the contracts that cage our people, keep families together and choose to do the right thing. History is watching us.

Is this a Roundhouse for ants?

A miniature model of New Mexicos Capitol in the Senate Finance Committee on Jan. 22, 2026. The model was part of a display for the states proposed new executive building in downtown Santa Fe approved in 2022. (Danielle Prokop/Source NM)

Looking ahead

On Friday afternoon, the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee is scheduled to discuss Senate Bill 6, which proposes nearly $547 million for a new school of medicine facility at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. Lujan Grisham in her State of the State address highlighted the proposal as a priority, which she said could double enrollment and train the next generation of New Mexico physicians.
Vladimir Putin has told the United States that peace will not be possible unless Ukraine cedes territory to Russia.

Hours before Russian, Ukrainian and US negotiators met for the first trilateral talks of the war, Putin told Donald Trumps envoys that there was no hope of a settlement without territorial concessions.

On Friday, senior officials from all three nations met in Abu Dhabi to tackle the vital issue of the postwar control of Ukraines eastern Donbas region, despite there being no sign of compromise.

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Volodymyr Zelensky said later that it was too early to draw conclusions from the first day of talks. We will see how the conversation goes tomorrow and what the results will be, he said.

The previous night, Putin held a meeting with Steve Witkoff, the US special envoy, and Jared Kushner, Mr Trumps son-in-law, in Moscow in what the Kremlin said were substantive, constructive and very frank discussions.

However, it was clear there was no breakthrough.

Referring to last years failed summit in Alaska, Yuri Ushakov, a Kremlin aide, said: Most importantly, during these talks between our president and the Americans, it was reiterated that without resolving the territorial issue according to the formula agreed upon in Anchorage, there is no hope of achieving a long-term settlement.

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The formula sets out Russia being handed the entire mineral-rich Donetsk region, including the 25 per cent still under Ukrainian control. Mr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, has repeatedly ruled out such a move.

The Ukrainian leader met Mr Trump in Davos on Thursday for what he called really positive talks that finalised Washingtons security guarantees for Ukraine, but did not solve the issue of territory.

Igor Kostyuykov, a Russian admiral, is leading the Moscow team at the talks in the United Arab Emirates. Kirill Dmitriev, the investment envoy, will meet Mr Witkoff separately to discuss economic issues.

Mr Zelensky said that Ukraines delegation would be led by Rustan Umerov, the secretary of the national security and defence council, and would include Lt Gen Andriy Gnatov, the chief of staff of the armed forces, and Kyrylo Budanov, the new head of Mr Zelenskys office.

Volodymyr Zelensky said the issue of territory remained unsolved after meeting Donald Trump in Davos - Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via REUTERS

Ukrainian and Russian negotiators have rarely held direct discussions since Moscows full-scale invasion, instead relying on the US as a mediator.

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Mr Trump, who has grown increasingly impatient with the failure to bring about peace, said this week that Mr Zelensky and Putin would be stupid if they did not secure a deal at this point.

Mr Witkoff previously said that the two countries were down to one issue, now understood to be territory.

Kyiv has warned that ceding ground will embolden Moscow and has said it will not sign a peace deal that fails to deter Russia from launching a renewed assault.

Mr Ushakov said Putin was sincerely interested in a diplomatic solution but would continue military action in Ukraine until this is achieved.

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The talks are unfolding against a backdrop of intensified Russian strikes on Ukraines energy system, which have cut power and heating to major cities including the capital during its harshest winter of the war.

As of Friday morning, Kyiv has claimed that 1,940 apartment buildings remain without heating in the city following a Russian air attack this week.

Ukraine cites this as evidence that Putin has no real interest in peace, which Moscow disputes.

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.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels, and other city officials were set to explain their snow plan for this weekend and Monday.

As the city prepares for the winter storm, Mayor Mamdani said Friday morning that there will be no traditional snow day on Monday in the case that one is needed.

LATEST INFORMATION ON TRI-STATE WINTER SNOWSTORM

Instead, schools will either remain open for in-person instruction on Monday or shift to remote learning if school buildings are closed.

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Mamdani said he will decide whether schools will be open by noon Sunday.

A city official noted the absence of a traditional snow day is largely out of the mayor's control.

This year's school calendar is set at exactly 180 days, the state minimum required to qualify for funding, leaving the Mamdani administration no choice but to rely on remote learning to comply with state law.

The mayor cited six inches of snow as a general threshold for closing school buildings.

Less than six inches would likely mean schools remain open as normal, while more than six inches would likely lead to building closures and remote learning. He emphasized this is only an indicator, not a firm commitment.

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To prepare for the possibility of remote instruction, the city will test its virtual learning technology over the weekend, including stress tests.

New York City officials hold update on preparations ahead of the winter storm.

Officials are also planning staggered school start times Monday to prevent system overloads that have occurred in the past.

Public school students will be sent home Friday with equipment and instructions for virtual learning.

Principals have been directed to ensure students have tablets or laptops so they can participate remotely from home if buildings are closed.

The city has continued transitioning to remote learning since the pandemic, despite recent technical glitches.

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While Mamdani appeared nostalgic for traditional snow days, recounting a childhood sledding injury, he acknowledged the "massive impact on people's day-to-day lives" that school closures can have, including childcare challenges.

That impact is one reason city schools have historically stayed open during routine winter storms.

High school students already have Monday off for a previously scheduled Professional Development Day.

Elementary school students and most middle school students are scheduled to be in session.

As the city notes, "Students in high schools and schools that serve only grades 6-12 are not in attendance."

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The approaching storm marks the first major test of governance for the Mamdani administration.

The mayor plans to tour neighborhoods throughout the weekend to monitor conditions and post updates on social media.

Administration officials have also studied past missteps by previous mayors in hopes of avoiding similar problems.

Upon taking office, Mamdani announced he would temporarily retain Acting Sanitation Commissioner Javier Lojan and Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol to ensure continuity of critical winter operations. Iscol has since submitted his resignation, effective February 11.

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Snow preparations are already underway. Crews began pre-treating roads today, brining highways, major streets, and bike lanes. About 2,000 sanitation workers will begin 12-hour shifts Saturday morning.

The city has more than 2,000 plows, most of them collection trucks with plows attached, 700 salt spreaders, and roughly 700 million pounds of salt on hand for the weekend.

More information on school closings

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GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV)  There are places that those experiencing homelessness can go to escape the cold weather during this Arctic air blast in Northeast Wisconsin.

Thats the purpose of us existing during the cold weather months, where people have no shelter, getting people off the streets so that theyre safe, St. Johns Ministries executive director Jesse Brunette told Local 5 News on Thursday afternoon.

Despite a record number of guests needing their services the last two winters, Brunette emphasizes that there are beds available in their overnight shelters for people who need to get out of the cold. The daytime facilities, which usually dont open on the weekends, will be open on Saturday because of the cold.

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We want people to come to us because its better than them being cold on the street, Brunette said.

Northeast Wisconsin Closings and Delays

He said theyre actively trying to reach out to folks experiencing homelessness to discuss their options during this extreme cold stretch. They also have winter gear available for people in need.

The Salvation Army of Greater Green Bay offers its building as a daytime warming shelter during regular business hours when there are sub-zero temperatures. They have snacks, winter gear, and hand warmers.

Salvation Army officials told Local 5 News that when it gets really cold out, they see more people coming out early to hang out at their building ahead of their daily community meals.

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Not everybody has somewhere to go where theyre not going to be harassed or asked to move, so this is a place where everybody can be welcome, they can relax, Salvation Army of Greater Green Bay area coordinator Catherine Fitzgerald said.

Safe Haven Pet Sanctuary in Green Bay has also opened up its doors as a warming option for people over the next few days during its regular business hours.

Over 500 coats donated to Menashas Community Clothes Closet ahead of bitter cold

Down in the Fox Valley, Pillars and Cots are two of the larger homeless shelters in the area. St. Paul Lutheran Church in Neenah has opened its church as a daytime warming shelter on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

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For a full list of Northeast Wisconsin warming shelters, please click here.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
Blast walls, rocket attacks, Forward Operating Bases (FOBs), Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)... and long queues in the canteen. Anyone who deployed to Afghanistan, in whatever role, between 2001-2021 will have their own vivid memories of that time.

It started with the flight in  to Kandahar, Kabul or Camp Bastion. It could be a long, slow descent with the lights out on an RAF jet, or a rapid, corkscrew down in a C-130 transport plane. In both cases the aim was to avoid being blown out of the air by a Taliban surface-to-air missile.

Over the course of 20 years thousands of servicemen and women, as well as civilians, from dozens of countries deployed to Afghanistan, answering the US call for assistance.

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That call came in the form of invoking Nato's Article 5 of its charter  the only time it has ever happened in Nato's 77-year history  which states that an attack on one member shall be deemed an attack on all.

America was reeling from the devastating 9/11 attacks when al-Qaeda, which was being sheltered by the Taliban in Afghanistan, murdered nearly 3,000 people by flying packed airliners into New York's Twin Towers and the Pentagon in Washington.

The Taliban were swiftly driven from power in a joint effort by the US military, the CIA and Afghanistan's Northern Alliance.

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Then it was all about trying to hunt down the remnants of al-Qaeda as Britain's Royal Marines, together with UK Special Forces, pursued them over the mountains but many escaped to safety to regroup in Pakistan.

It was not until ten years later that the US Navy's Seal Team Six commandos tracked down the al-Qaeda leader, Osama Bin Laden, in a villa in Abbottabad, Pakistan.

The first two years of the US-led "Operation Enduring Freedom" as it was called, were relatively quiet. By late 2003, as America's attention switched to Iraq, US servicemen we met even started referring to Afghanistan as "Op Forgotten". But it was still dangerous.

From a rain-soaked Kandahar airbase we watched Romanian troops edge nervously out on patrol in their Soviet-era armoured vehicles, wary of the next ambush.

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Flying into a remote US-manned firebase in the mountainous Paktika province in a Blackhawk helicopter, my BBC crew and I were told cheerfully: "You've come to the worst place in the world".

Sure enough, the Taliban launched Chinese-made rockets at the base after dark, planted there, we were told, by farmers who had been either bribed or coerced into doing so.

Everything changed after 2006, when the UK deployed in force to Helmand province, a part of Afghanistan that had been relatively peaceful until then.

The Taliban made their intentions clear. If you come, they said, then we will fight you.

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And yet the UK government at the time appeared shocked at the ferocity of the fighting 3 Para now found themselves engaged in, with British paratroopers calling in mortar and artillery fire so close to their positions it was termed "danger close", in an effort to stop their bases from being overrun.

Over the next eight years, until the end of combat operations in 2014, it was not just Americans who were risking life and limb to serve in Afghanistan.

Brits, Canadians, Danes and Estonians were among those who saw the toughest fighting in Kandahar and Helmand provinces. It would also be churlish to ignore the bravery and sacrifice of so many Afghans who fought and died over two decades.

I say "fighting" but most soldiers' biggest fears stemmed from the hidden IEDs, those expertly concealed Improvised Explosive Devices. The Taliban, who of course knew every inch of their terrain, were often able to guess correctly exactly where troops would need to cross an irrigation ditch or canal and so place the bomb accordingly.

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In the space of a split second, in a blinding flash and puff of black smoke, a fit, healthy, 20-something individual would have their life either ended or catastrophically changed, facing amputation and a host of other complications.

So prevalent were these IEDs that soldiers were going out of the gates of their FOBs - Forward Operating Bases - on patrol praying that if they got hit it would result in a below-the-knee amputation, not one above the knee.

The courage and resilience of the people I have met since, who have managed, despite terrible loss and adversity, to turn their shattered lives around, is both humbling and awe-inspiring.

These are just some of the people who answered America's call for help after the 9/11 attacks.

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It is little wonder there has been such nationwide outrage at that country's President suggestion that they somehow dodged the fighting.
Jan. 22A winter weather system is expected to bring snow, sleet and freezing rain to north Alabama this weekend, creating dangerous travel conditions and the potential for power outages, the National Weather Service in Huntsville said at 2 p.m. Thursday.

Forecasters say less than 1 inch of snow is expected across much of the Tennessee Valley, with higher totals possible north of the region, particularly across parts of southern middle Tennessee. Snow totals in north Alabama are expected to remain light.

Ice accumulation poses the greater concern. The weather service projects ice totals of up to 0.25 to 0.5 inches in far northwest Alabama, with ice amounts near 0.1 inch or less elsewhere across the region.

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Freezing rain is expected to begin moving into northwest Alabama around 12 a.m. Saturday and expand eastward. By midday Saturday, temperatures are expected to warm enough for precipitation to transition mostly to rain, allowing some ice to melt.

Colder temperatures are forecast to return Sunday, causing rain to change back to sleet or freezing rain by midday. All precipitation is expected to end by early Monday, followed by a period of dangerously cold conditions.

The National Weather Service warns that impacts could include extremely hazardous travel, icy roads and bridges, and possible power outages due to ice accumulation.

Residents are urged to avoid or limit travel if possible, prepare emergency kits for their vehicles, and inform others of their travel plans and expected arrival times.
Walmart is in the midst of a major C-suite shakeup. Its CEO, Doug McMillon retires at the end of this month, and new CEO John Furner is already making key changes to his management team. The moves, which come with a multimillion-dollar payday, are critical for the company's future, setting the stage for Walmart to accelerate its roadmap this year. However, it also exposes a widening gap between C-suite salaries and employee pay.

The big box chain is a retail Goliath by any measure, operating 10,800 stores worldwide, including 4,606 locations in the United States. Walmart does $681 billion in sales annually, including $121.9 billion internationally, owns the Costco Wholesale rival Sam's Club, and rakes in over an estimated $120 billion per year from e-commerce.

Running a company of that size isn't easy. Decisions have to be made in the moment that can impact sales, profits, workers, and customer satisfaction. Make a misstep, and it can be incredibly painful for the brand. Just ask former TargetCEO Brian Cornell, who landed on the hot seat in 2024 amid widespread criticism over both "woke" and "non-woke" decisions.

Walmart quick facts at-a-glance:

10,800 stores and clubs

19 countries

2.1 million employees worldwide, including 1.6 million in the U.S.

Annual revenue: $681 billion (2025)

Annual net income: $20.2 billion (2025)

Source: Walmart SEC filings.

Having the right people at the helm is critical, and once you find a leader capable of excelling under the pressure, you don't want to lose them -- until you have to.

Walmart's McMillon, a 40-year veteran of Walmart, was one of those rare leaders who successfully presided over a big company through an incredibly transformative tenure that included navigating Covid shutdowns, creating a fierce third-party marketplace to rival Amazon, building Walmart+, a membership program similarly aimed at Amazon, instituting a major expansion overseas, including in India and China, and navigating the highest tariffs since the 1930s.

McMillon's reign at the helm of Walmart ends January 31, 2026. When he retires, he'll hand the keys to incoming CEO John Furner (another long-time Walmart vet).

Ahead of the transition, Furner made a series of promotions this month, clearing the slate as he builds out a leadership team to manage the big-box giant through its next iteration. The moves included SEC filings detailing compensation totaling $28.5 million, once again raising questions over the pay gap between C-suite executives and Main Street workers.

Paul Morigi / Stringer  Paul Morigi / Stringer

Walmart CEO salary dwarfs average workers hourly wages

Few people can say they run one of the biggest companies on the planet, and unsurprisingly, Furner will be paid handsomely for running Walmart's global empire.
A pastor in Northern Ohio has pleaded guilty to crimes involving a 13-year-old girl, according to our CBS affiliate WOIO-19 TV.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Jesse Santos was arrested on kidnapping, gross sexual imposition and endangering children charges in February 2025.

He is the pastor of Canton Seventh-Day Adventist Church.

TRENDING STORIES:

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Santos pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of abduction on Jan. 22, WOIO-19 reported.

He will be sentenced in Ashland County on March 5.

WOIO-19 obtained a police report indicating that the crime occurred at a campsite at River Run Campground in Loudonville.

[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]




A person was killed early Friday morning in a head-on, three-vehicle crash on Adobe Road near Santa Rosa, authorities said.

The collision occurred just before 5:50 a.m. on Adobe Road east of Frates Road, according to the California Highway Patrol. Investigators said a gray Honda CR-V traveling eastbound crossed over the double yellow lines for reasons that remain under investigation.

The Honda first sideswiped a white Chevrolet Silverado traveling westbound before colliding head-on with a black Toyota Camry, also heading west, CHP officials said.

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The driver of the Honda CR-V was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Chevrolet Silverado suffered minor injuries, while the driver of the Toyota Camry was taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital with major but non-life-threatening injuries, authorities said.

The crash prompted a shutdown of Adobe Road in the area for several hours Friday morning as emergency crews responded and investigators worked at the scene. Caltrans assisted with traffic control and debris removal. The closure disrupted the morning commute along the rural roadway west of Petaluma.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Santa Rosa office of the California Highway Patrol at (707) 806-5600.

This article originally published at 1 killed, 2 injured in head-on crash in Sonoma County.
The European Union just dodged a bullet. President Trump announced at the World Economic Forum that he would not use military force against Greenland.

Until his announcement, it appeared that the U.S. could potentially confront its NATO allies militarily. The United Kingdom, Norway and four European Union states  Sweden, Netherlands, Finland, and Germany  joined Denmark in sending a token number of troops to the island, in what they termed a training exercise called Operation Artic Endurance.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, whose countrys fifteen-person contingent was the largest of the small European tripwire force, said the exercise would demonstrate the Europeans full and complete ability to ensure their own security, and Arctic security is inseparable from Europes security.

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What was noteworthy about the nature of the small European force, however, was the number of EU states that did not contribute even a single soldier to the exercise. Europes response to the American threat on Greenland by force was a test of article 42.7 of the 2007 Lisbon Treaty. The article states that if a member state is the victim of armed aggression on its territory, the other member states shall have towards it an obligation of aid and assistance by all the means in their power, in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.

As one commentator has noted, NATOs Article Five works differently from Article 42.7. In NATOs case, the North Atlantic Council must agree unanimously to respond to an attack. In contrast, 42.7 is automatically triggered if a member state invokes it.

The Lisbon Treaty was the first European effort to create a collective defense mechanism for the 1954 Brussels Treaty that created the Western European Union.

The Treaty committed the United Kingdom and the original six members of what was then the European Economic Community  Italy, France, West Germany, Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg  to a mutual defense pact that called the immediate and automatic defense of any of them facing an attack. For most of its existence until its dissolution in 2011, however, WEU played only a marginal role as a viable military entity.

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It is noteworthy that, despite the provision of the Lisbon Treaty, only a handful of the EUs states responded to the presumed threat that the U.S. seemed to pose to Greenland. Indeed, two days after they deployed to Greenland, the German soldiers returned home.

Strictly speaking, it was not clear whether any European state was truly committed to participate in Operation Arctic Endurance. Those joining Operation Arctic Endurance identified it as an exercise; Denmark had not invoked Article 42.7. The clause has only been invoked once before. In November 2015, France invoked it in response to terrorist attacks in Paris. Subsequently, it reinforced its own security forces with approximately 10,000 soldiers and 4,700 police officers.

But combatting terrorists is a far cry from confronting a major military attack, which might have been the scenario they would have faced in Greenland. Moreover, Article 42.7 states that commitments and cooperation shall be consistent with commitments under the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Yet the defense of Greenland could not be one that is consistent with commitments under NATO, since a Greenland scenario would pit one NATO member against the rest.

Apart from those who sent personnel to Greenland, few EU members have the wherewithal to contribute to a defense of the island in any meaningful way. Nevertheless, they all could have contributed as little as one solider to the so-called exercise, which was widely recognized as masking its real intent  to be a tripwire in case Trump made good on his threats. Indeed, several of the states that did contribute to the exercise sent only one or two soldiers.

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That the remaining EU states chose not to send even a single soldier invites questions about their commitment to the Lisbon Treaty, even if it was not formally invoked. Their behavior hardly demonstrates the French Foreign Ministers assertion of Europeans full and complete ability to ensure their own security. In particular, it raises doubts about the speed with which most of the European NATO states will act on their promises to increase defense spending.

Trumps withdrawal of his threats to deploy forces to Greenland prompted a sigh of relief throughout the EU. But it demonstrated that far too many NATO and EU members have yet to get serious not only regarding their NATO commitments but to supposedly even stronger undertakings when they signed the Lisbon Treaty. Whether they will get serious remains very much an open question.

Dov S. Zakheim is a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and vice chairman of the board for the Foreign Policy Research Institute. He was undersecretary of Defense (comptroller) and chief financial officer for the Department of Defense from 2001 to 2004 and a deputy undersecretary of Defense from 1985 to 1987.

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.
There he was, seated on stage with pen in hand, surrounded by other world leaders standing and applauding.

Normally this is the type of moment that President Donald Trump lives for.

But on this particular stage at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where Trump was hosting the signing ceremony for his newly launched Board of Peace, the 79-year-old president looked small, tired, and strangely alone.

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Snubbed en masse by the U.S.s long-standing allies and flanked by a group of strongmen and minor global players, it was a fitting end to arguably the most disastrous foreign trip of either of Trumps two terms in office.

During his first trip to Davos since 2020, the president flopped by nearly every metric.

His official remarks were rambling and low-energy, his attempts to bully Europe into handing over Greenland failed spectacularly, and his humiliating Board of Peace launch showed that other leaders are no longer willing to suck up and placate him in hopes of avoiding the fallout from his worst impulses.

Things got off to an abysmal start during his official remarks Wednesday, when a visibly exhausted Trump repeatedly confused Greenland with Iceland, repeated his goal of taking over the island, ranted about wind farms, attacked Somalis in Minneapolis, and repeated false claims that the 2020 election was stolen.

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Its time to take the keys away from Grandpa, one Democratic lawmaker said in response to his performance.

President Trump launched his

But just hours later, the president made an about-face on the topic of Greenland following a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

Based upon a very productive meeting that I have had with the Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte, we have formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland and, in fact, the entire Arctic Region, Trump wrote on this Truth Social platform.

While official details of the new deal have not been revealed, sources told both The Telegraph and Axios that Greenland will remain an autonomous region of Denmark.

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Trump had claimed repeatedly that the only way to protect Greenlandand the greater Arctic regionfrom Russia and China was if the U.S. had full ownership and control.

In Davos, President Trump found America's allies united against his bid to

The president also dropped his threat to impose tariffs from Feb. 1 on products from eight European alliesDenmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finlandthat had opposed his bid to acquire Greenland.

For months, European leaders have endured lectures from members of the Trump administration and tiptoed around the president in the hopes that if they only tried to appease him, he wouldnt declare crushing tariffs on their exports.

But Davos marked a distinct turning point in the relationship, as Europe and other American allies finally seemed ready to shake off the mantle of being Trumps whipping boy.

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Theyve stopped mincing words, with Norways Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre saying its unacceptable for Trump to try to take land from a NATO country, and French President Emmanuel Macron calling for an end to bullying and other crazy tactics.

Several leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, made pointed comments calling for an end to bullying and urging middle powers to unite against a

Theyre openly declaring that the time has come to work together to oppose an American-led might makes right world order, with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney receiving a standing ovation after he urged middle powers to work together instead of competing for favor in a world of great power rivalry.

And theyre making it clear what they think of Trumps lackies.

When U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick spoke at a VIP dinner shortly after declaring that Trump was the new sheriff in town, he was heckled and jeered. European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde reportedly made a beeline for the door as he began speaking.

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All of this was the prelude to Thursday, when not a single representative from Western Europe or North America attended Trumps peace board signing.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick was booed and jeered when he spoke during a VIP dinner. / Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images

Representatives from the G7 were conspicuously absent, as were the original BRICS countries, and most of the G20.

Instead, the president was joined on stage by leaders from the United Arab Emirates, Kosovo, Pakistan, Paraguay, and Bulgaria. Hungarys authoritarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban was there, along with Trump fanboy Javier Milei of Argentina and a representative for Turkeys Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Neyanhu wanted to be there but couldnt because hes wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes, the Financial Times reported.

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Israeli President Isaac Herzog was in Davos but skipped the ceremony, as did European leaders who are wary that the groupwhich according to its charter is chaired by Trump, who has the power to handpick the organizations members, approve the groups agenda, manage its finances, and designate his own successorwill undermine the United Nations.

President Donald Trump greeted Prime minister of Hungary Viktor Orban as he presented the Board of Peace. / Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

In the end, fewer than 20 nations made an appearance. Ahead of the signing ceremony, the White House had predicted that 35 countries would attend, and had said that Belgium was on the list of signatories. Belgiums deputy prime minister, however, refuted that claim.

The president sounded hoarse throughout his speech, and even his spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, who was emceeing the event, couldnt seem to muster her usual enthusiasm.

Toward the end of the program, she called up the first two signatories, Bahrains Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, to join Trump on stage to ratify the boards charter, which would enter into force once three countries signed on.

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Congratulations, President Trump. The charter is now in full force, and the Board of Peace is now an official international organization, she said as the three men held up the signed charters.

Even then, for several long moments, Leavitt was the only one clapping.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has said that Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban is overstating his ability to block Ukraine's European future after Orban vowed to keep Ukraine out of the EU for 100 years.

Source: Sybiha on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda

Details: Sybiha was responding to Orban's claims that the European Commission has a "secret plan" to support Ukraine and its EU accession, and his assertion that no Hungarian parliament over the next hundred years would ever vote for Ukraine's membership of the EU.

This plan is doomed to fail, Mr. Prime Minister. Your master in Moscow wont last 100 years even if you were ready to donate him all organs. And on the day Ukraine joins the EU, we will frame this headline in @ua_parliament to remember your lies for the next 100 years. https://t.co/vlMbbjWT2F  Andrii Sybiha  (@andrii_sybiha) January 23, 2026

Quote: "This plan is doomed to fail, Mr Prime Minister. Your master in Moscow won't last 100 years even if you were ready to donate him all your organs. And on the day Ukraine joins the EU, we will frame this headline in the Ukrainian parliament to remember your lies for the next 100 years."

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Background: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said the EU and the United States are close to an agreement on a "prosperity plan" for Ukraine based on five pillars: productivity, Ukraine's integration into the EU market, investment, strengthening donor coordination and reforms.

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BUDAPEST, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Hungary's Viktor Orban criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, describing him as "a man in a desperate position" whose "war efforts" he would not support, intensifying his anti-Ukrainian campaign ahead of pivotal April elections.

As Hungary's economy stagnates and Orban's Fidesz party trails the opposition Tisza party in most polls, the prime minister has framed the parliamentary election due on April 12 as a choice between war and peace, portraying Ukraine as undeserving of financial support.

In a Facebook post directly addressed to Zelenskiy, late on Thursday Orban said:

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"You are a man in a desperate position who, for the fourth year now, has been unable or unwilling to bring a war to an end - despite the fact that the President of the United States has provided every possible assistance to do so."

"Therefore, no matter how much you flatter me, we cannot support your war efforts," the nationalist leader added, again rejecting financial aid for Ukraine.

ZELENSKIY CRITICISES EUROPE FOR LACKING COURAGE

Zelenskiy on Thursday criticised Europe for being a "fragmented kaleidoscope of small and middle powers" lacking the courage to act decisively and facing a dark future unless it stood up to U.S. and Russian power.

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Orban, who has maintained close ties with Moscow and with Russian President Vladimir Putin, has sought to associate Hungarian opposition leader Peter Magyar with Brussels and Ukraine, and accused Ukraine of wanting a change in government.

"The Ukrainians will be active participants in the Hungarian campaign, because they have a vested interest in a change of government in Hungary," Orban told a briefing early on Friday in Brussels.

Ukraine's government could not immediately be reached for comment.

Orban said his government would launch a "national petition" that Hungarians can sign to "tell Brussels that Hungarians won't pay to Ukraine."

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This primarily targets rural voters and echoes Orban's past anti-migrant campaigns.

Magyar has said Tisza supports peace in Ukraine, rejects the idea of conscription, and will not support any escalation in the war.

(Reporting by Krisztina Than and Anita Komuves; editing by Barbara Lewis)
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  An Oregon City man was sentenced to nearly six years in prison on Thursday after stabbing a teen on a bike in Clackamas a year-and-a-half ago.

Earlier this month, 40-year-old Nicholas Lloyd Nash was found guilty by a Clackamas County jury for a number of charges related to the incident.

On Aug. 19, 2024, the teenage victim, who has autism, was riding his bicycle down Trolley Trail, a six-mile-long pedestrian and bike path that connects Milwaukie and Gladstone.

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I-5 bridge leaders give update amid price-tag problem

Nash then threw a rock at the teen on Southeast Naef Road, near his home. The teen told the man to stop. Nash slapped the boy in the face, stabbed him in the left arm with a knife, and fled, the Cackamas County District Attorneys Office said.

Several witnesses heard the boy crying, rendered aid and called 911. He was taken by ambulance to Oregon Health & Science University Hospital, the DAs office said in a press release.

Nash was later located by law enforcement at a nearby homeless camp, where he claimed to Clackamas County Sheriffs deputies that the boy had been throwing rocks at him, acting belligerently, and punched him in the face.

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Nash denied stabbing the victim and claimed the boy was injured when he fell off his bike, the DAs office said.

Nash, who has a lengthy criminal history including prior assault, was eventually found guilty of second-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon and harassment for the incident with the teen on the bike. He was sentenced to 70 months in prison.

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.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Friday denounced as "insulting" President Donald Trump's claim that troops from NATO allies avoided the front line in Afghanistan, as anger grows at the US president's remarks.

In an interview with Fox News aired on Thursday, Trump appeared unaware that 457 British soldiers were among NATO troops who died during the conflict in Afghanistan following the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.

"They'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan," Trump told the US outlet, referring to NATO allies.

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"And they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines," he added, triggering outrage across the political divide in Britain.

Trump also repeated his suggestion that NATO would not come to the aid of the US if asked to do so.

In fact, following the 9/11 attacks, the UK and several European countries joined the US in Afghanistan after it invoked NATO's collective security clause for the first and only time.

Soldiers from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Denmark and others also died in the conflict.

"Let me start by paying tribute to 457 of our armed services who lost their lives in Afghanistan," Starmer said in a video message.

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"There are many also who were injured, some with life-changing injuries, and so I consider President Trump's remarks to be insulting and frankly, appalling, and I'm not surprised they've caused such hurt to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured."

He said that if he had misspoken in such a way, he "would certainly apologise".

The White House rejected Starmer's comments and defended the president.

"President Trump is absolutely right  the United States of America has done more for NATO than any other country in the alliance has done combined," Taylor Rogers, a White House spokeswoman, said in a statement sent to AFP.

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- 'Heroes' -

Poland's Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said he expected respect for Polish veterans "who have proven how much they serve this country and our commitments to allies".

Poland lost 43 soldiers in the conflict in Afghanistan.

French armed forces minister Catherine Vautrin said 90 French soldiers died in Afghanistan on operations alongside NATO allies and "many others" were wounded.

"We remember their sacrifice, which commands respect."

UK defence minister John Healey posted on X that the British troops who died were "heroes who gave their lives in service of our nation".

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UK Armed forces minister Al Carns, who served five tours in Afghanistan, said Trump's comments were "utterly ridiculous".

The leader of the opposition Conservatives, Kemi Badenoch, said Trump's comments were "complete nonsense" which could weaken the NATO alliance.

Even Nigel Farage, leader of the anti-immigration Reform UK party and a long-time Trump supporter rebuked the American leader.

"Donald Trump is wrong," he said on X. "For 20 years our armed forces fought bravely alongside America's in Afghanistan."

Lucy Aldridge, whose son William died aged 18 in Afghanistan, told The Mirror newspaper that Trump's remarks were "extremely upsetting".

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Mark Atkinson, Director General of the veterans' charity, The Royal British Legion, said the service and sacrifice of British troops in Afghanistan "cannot be called into question".

Prince Harry, who undertook two frontline tours to Afghanistan with the Army Air Corps, also weighed in.

"I served there. I made lifelong friends there. And I lost friends there," he said.

"Thousands of lives were changed forever. Mothers and fathers buried sons and daughters. Children were left without a parent. Families are left carrying the cost. Those sacrifices deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect."

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According to official UK figures, 405 of the 457 British casualties who died in Afghanistan were killed in hostile military action.

The US reportedly lost more than 2,400 soldiers.

More than 150,000 UK armed forces personnel served in Afghanistan between September 2001 and August 2021, the Ministry of Defence said, making the UK the second-largest contributor to the US-led force there.

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Rusted nails hold used infusion tubes on the wall of a clinic run by one among hundreds of thousands of unqualified doctors operating across Pakistan.

Dozens of patients visit the small roadside shop each day in the southern Sindh province, where a few chairs are arranged around wooden tables used to lay patients down.

"These patients have faith in me. They believe I can treat them well," said Abdul Waheed, who opened the facility a few months ago outside Hyderabad city.

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During the day, the 48-year-old works at a private hospital in Hyderabad. In the evenings, he comes to the village of Tando Saeed Khan to see patients at his clinic, charging 300 rupees ($1) per consultation.

"I have spent so much time in this field. I have worked with several doctors. Thanks to God, I have confidence to diagnose a patient and treat the disease," Waheed told AFP.

There is no signboard, no registration number, and he has no legal authorisation to practise as a doctor.

Waheed, who has a diploma in homeopathy and has completed a four-year nursing course, speaks with confidence.

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After examining two young children, he insisted that patients come to him willingly and trust his abilities.

"No one has questioned me yet. If someone comes, I will see what to do," he said, reflecting the ease with which unqualified individuals practise medicine in Pakistan.

Such unlicensed clinics are often the first, and sometimes the only, point of care for poor communities.

- Dangerously reusing equipment -

Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, secretary general of the Pakistan Medical Association, said there are "more than 600,000 fake doctors" operating across Pakistan.

This nationwide figure has been confirmed by the Sindh Healthcare Commission (SHCC), based on estimates from the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council.

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Calling the practise a public health epidemic, Shoro said that such practitioners work with doctors, learn a few things there, and then open their own clinics.

"Unqualified doctors don't know the side effects and exact dosage of medicines. If a disease is not properly diagnosed, it can become dangerous," Shoro said.

"The instruments they use are not sterilised. They simply wash them with water and continue using them. They reuse syringes, which increases the spread of hepatitis and AIDS."

As AFP journalists visited Tando Saeed Khan, another unqualified doctor immediately closed his clinic and disappeared.

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Outside Waheed's shop, villager Ali Ahmed said there are multiple such clinics in the area.

"None of them have qualified doctors. People aren't educated and can't recognise qualified doctors," the 31-year-old told AFP.

- Lifelong damage -

Medical experts say this unchecked practise has a direct impact on Pakistan's already strained healthcare system, with tertiary care hospitals overwhelmed by patients whose conditions worsen after improper treatment.

Khalid Bukhari, the head of Civil Hospital Karachi, said the facility regularly receives such cases from across the country.

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"They misdiagnose and mistreat patients. Our hospital is overloaded. Most of the cases we receive are those ruined by them," said Bukhari, whose public hospital is one of the largest in the country.

"These people are playing with the lives of poor citizens. If people go to proper doctors and receive precise treatment, they will not need to come to us."

Regulatory authorities acknowledge their failure to control the problem.

"We have limited resources. This practise cannot be eliminated easily. If we shut down 25 outlets, 25 new ones open the very next day," said Ahson Qavi Siddiqi, the head of Sindh HealthCare Commission (SHCC).

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The commission recently sealed a bungalow in Karachi that had been operating as a hospital -- complete with intensive care units for children and adults -- because it was unregistered.

"The law against it is weak. We file cases, but the accused get bail the next day because it is a bailable offence," Siddiqi told AFP.

The official also described serious security threats faced by inspection teams.

"These people are influential in their areas. In many cases, our teams are taken hostage. We are fired upon. I don't have the force to take strong action," the SHCC head said.

Shoro said the practise also financially destroys families who are left with big hospital bills when something goes wrong.

"Many people die or become disabled, and their families suffer for the rest of their lives."

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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) teamed up with celebrity Paris Hilton to push once again for her bill to restrict nonconsensual deepfake pornography generated by AI.

Ocasio-Cortez and Hilton held a press conference with Ocasio-Cortezs Republican co-sponsor, Rep. Laurel Lee of Florida.

The legislation, called the DEFIANCE Act, would establish a civil cause of action for individuals who are the subject of deepfake AI porn created without consent.

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Since the public release of AI tools, we have seen an absolute explosion in AI generated images used to sexually harass victims and children, she said, pointing out how a vast majority of AI-generated deepfakes are nonconsensual pornography.

I as well as many others here have spoken about our experience being targeted by AI deepfake pornography, she said. Not only is this a coalition of legislators, this is a coalition of survivors of sexual harassment and in some cases, abuse and assault.

Paris Hilton, left, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at a bipartisan press conference in support of the Defiance Act (AP)

The legislation already passed the Senate earlier this month by unanimous consent with Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) leading the charge. House Speaker Mike Johnson has also gotten behind the legislation.

Hilton for her part relayed how similar deepfake AI pornography was to leak of the video of her having sex when she was 19 years old in the 2000s.

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People called it a scandal, Hilton told reporters. It wasn't. It was abuse. There were no laws at the time to protect me. There weren't even words for what had been done to me.

Hilton said that women and girls face much worse prospects than what she experienced at the time.

The legistlation would establish a civil cause of action for individuals who are the subject of deepfake AI porn created without consent ((Photo by Heather Diehl/Getty Images))

Before someone had to betray your trust and steal something real, she said. Now, all it takes is a computer and a stranger's imagination.

Hilton said that more than 100,000 deepfake images of her exist online. Ocasio-Cortez has also spoken about being a victim of deepfake AI porn.

But the proposed legislation has stalled in the past. In 2024, it passed the Senate by unanimous consent as well before the end of the last Congress.

Hilton spoke of her own experience after an explicit tape of her was leaked: People called it a scandal. It wasnt. It was abuse (AP)

Ocasio-Cortez has said that she has spoken with Johnson about the legislation and told reporters that they were running up against limited time in the last Congress.

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The press conference included advocates and other survivors as well as other female legislators from both parties, including MAGA members such as Reps. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, Claudia Tenney of New York and Nancy Mace of South Carolina.

The proposed legislation has attracted bipartisan support (Getty Images)

Luna and Ocasio-Cortez have also worked on other legislation including banning members of Congress and their spouses from trading stocks and capping credit card interest at 10 percent, a proposal supported by President Donald Trump.

I mean, you have to be able to put pressure on your own party, Luna told The Independent, saying Ocasio-Cortez did so the way that Luna does for Republicans.

Still, Ocasio-Cortez did not try to take major credit for the legislation.

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I think weve all worked together very well on this, I dont think its about individual credit but as a team, she said. I think bipartisanship has been tremendously important. Of course, Republicans hold the majority in the House.

But, the press conference could not avoid the ongoing fights in the House of Representatives.

Mace, who is perhaps the loudest anti-trans voice in Congress, posted a video of Rep. Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender person elected to Congress, saying McBride didnt belong and he will never be one of us.
Key Points

Medtronic and Abbott Laboratories have steady and reliable businesses.

They have increased their payouts for a combined 102 years.

10 stocks we like better than Abbott Laboratories 

There's nothing quite like making money while you sleep. And investing in dividend stocks is a great way to do that. However, with so many dividend payers, it can be hard to know which one to pick.

If you want passive dividend income for decades, it's important to pick dividend-paying companies that are unlikely to run into issues that will force them to suspend their dividend programs. Let's consider two stocks that fit the bill: Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) and Medtronic (NYSE: MDT).

Image source: Getty Images.

Boring sometimes gets the job done

Abbott Laboratories and Medtronic are among the largest medical device specialists. These aren't the best stocks to capitalize on the rapidly growing field of artificial intelligence or some other exciting tech trend, but what they lack in hype they make up for with steady, reliable businesses. Take Abbott Laboratories, whose businesses span medical devices, nutrition, pharmaceuticals, and diagnostics. The company has a large product portfolio, including some of the market leaders in its categories, particularly in its diabetes care unit and structural heart segment.

Abbott Laboratories' franchise of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems, the FreeStyle Libre, is among the best in its class. The company's MitraClip was a significant breakthrough in its field, advancing a minimally invasive approach to treating mitral valve regurgitation. And there are many more examples. Abbott Laboratories records consistent revenue and earnings, and has important long-term growth opportunities, particularly with its FreeStyle Libre.

Medtronic also boasts a deep lineup across several therapeutic areas. The company's breakthroughs have been helping it generate strong financial results recently. The company helped pioneer pulse field ablation technology, a relatively new technology to help treat some heart-related problems. The company's launches in this niche helped power strong revenue growth last year. It is also entering the robotic-assisted surgery market through the Hugo system, which received U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance in December for urologic procedures.

Medtronic and Abbott Laboratories have businesses that tend to withstand economic troubles, while their innovative abilities and deep portfolios mean they are consistently launching new products and generating higher revenue and earnings, all qualities we want in dividend stocks.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will invest $3.4 million in two rail improvement projects in Berks County that will enhance freight mobility.

The Berks County Redevelopment Authority will receive $2.6 million to replace 1,600 feet of existing track, construct 2,430 feet of new track and a siding to serve the Boyertown Foundry.

H&K Group Inc. will received $827,000 to rehabilitate and improve the track siding at the Birdsboro Quarry.

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PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said these investments  funded through the Rail Transportation Assistance Program and the Rail Freight Assistance Program  aim to improve the infrastructure that connects Pennsylvania businesses and communities.

Pennsylvanias rail freight network supports family sustaining jobs and connects Pennsylvania communities to the global economy while bolstering local economic development, Carroll said in a press release. These investments to expand and improve the network will create opportunities for generations of Pennsylvanians to come.

Pennsylvania is the only state with a dedicated rail freight grant program in the country.
One of the two Pensacola men charged with killing an elderly woman in a drive-by shooting before fleeing law enforcement and jumping over the Escambia River Bridge has been sentenced to mandatory life in prison without parole, followed by another consecutive 30 years in prison.

Terrance Lovelle Gross, Jr. was found guilty on Dec. 18, 2025, of first-degree premeditated murder, shooting into a dwelling and fleeing with lights and sirens activated after killing 70-year-old Myra Hayes on June 24, 2024. He was sentenced by Escambia Circuit Court Judge Amy Broderson on Jan. 21.

During the drive-by shooting, 40 rounds of ammunition was shot into Hayes' Erress Boulevard home. Hayes was sitting in her front yard with her family when she was shot in the neck and later died from her injuries. The shooting covered an entire block of a residential area and a family member witnessed a small white car and noticed a black gun extended from the window. Shell casings show there were at least two different firearms used during the shooting.

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Gross was also allegedly joined by then-19-year-old Jaquaris Ethridge and Trevion Moton, who died after jumping off the Escambia River Bridge to avoid capture.

Terrance Gross Jr. was sentenced to life in prison plus 30 years on Jan. 21, 2026, by Circuit Judge Amy Brodersen for the first-degree premeditated murder of 70-year-old Myra Hayes on June 24, 2024.

Gross eluded deputies after also jumping from the bridge and was found in Laredo, Texas, three days later trying to get to Mexico.

Ethridge, who was arrested immediately following the jump, was indicted in 2025 for first-degree premeditated murder, shooting at or into a building, fleeing or eluding a law enforcement officer at high speed and possession of a firearm by a convicted delinquent. He is still awaiting trial.

He is scheduled to next appear in court Feb. 25, 2026.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Terrance Gross guilty of killing Myra Hayes in Pensacola drive-by
Philadelphia is taking legal action against the Trump administration following the National Park Services decision to dismantle a long-established slavery-related exhibit at Independence National Historical park, which holds the former residence of George Washington.

The city filed its lawsuit in federal court on Thursday, naming the US Department of Interior and its secretary, Doug Burgum, the National Park Service, and its acting director, Jessica Bowron, as defendants. The lawsuit seeks a court order requiring the exhibits to be restored while the case proceeds.

The display stood at the Presidents House site, once home to George Washington and John Adams, and included information recognizing people enslaved by Washington, along with a broader chronology of slavery in the US.

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The interpretive displays relating to enslaved persons at Presidents House are an integral part of the exhibit and removing them would be a material alteration to the exhibit, city lawyers wrote in the legal filing. According to the suit, officials were not informed in advance that the exhibit would be changed.

The Democratic governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, sharply criticized the decision to take down the signs, arguing that Trump will take any opportunity to rewrite and whitewash our history.

But he picked the wrong city  and he sure as hell picked the wrong Commonwealth, Shapiro added in a message posted on X. We learn from our history in Pennsylvania, even when its painful.

Kenyatta Johnson, the Philadelphia city council president, said in a statement on Thursday: Removing the exhibits is an effort to whitewash American history. History cannot be erased simply because it is uncomfortable. Removing items from the Presidents House merely changes the landscape, not the historical record.

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Congress had encouraged the National Park Service in 2003 to formally acknowledge the enslaved people who lived and worked at the Presidents House. The lawsuit states that in 2006, the city and the agency agreed to collaborate on creating an exhibit for the site, which opened in 2010 with a memorial and informational panels focused on slavery.

The removal of the exhibit is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to eliminate cultural content that does not align with his policy agenda.

In an executive order issued last March, Trump accused the Biden administration of promoting improper, divisive, or anti-American ideology and instructed the interior secretary to alter materials under the departments control that have been improperly removed or changed in the last five years to perpetuate a false revision of history or improperly minimize or disparage certain historical figures or events.

Changes have already been made to Smithsonian Institution displays mentioning Trump since his return to office. Text discussing his impeachment and his role in the 6 January 2021, attack on the Capitol was removed from the area near his new official portrait at the National Portrait Gallery.




The northern lights made an appearance in the skies over Connecticut this week, just not on the night they were expected to.

Skies stayed dim on Monday night, but on Tuesday, they lit up with hues of blue, green and deep purple, a contrast to the red-tinted colors that appeared over the state when the lights, also known as the aurora borealis, last visited the state on Nov. 11.

The lights are caused by powerful solar storms that release bursts of energy, also known as coronal mass ejections, that erupt from the sun's surface amid a peak in the solar cycle.

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On Tuesday night, the northern lights were visible on the northern skyline, and viewers reported having particular success around 6:30 p.m., with several residents venturing out to capture the celestial phenomenon over the state's frozen lakes and reservoirs.

Across the state, residents turned their cameras skyward, capturing photos of the aurora. Here's what they saw:

Windham at 6:30 p.m.

The northern lights, photographed from the southern shore of Mansfield Hollow Lake in Windham, Conn. on Jan. 20, 2026. (Courtesy of Braden Lynn)





Stafford at 6:30 p.m.

The northern lights, photographed from the shore of Staffordville Reservoir in Stafford, Conn. on Jan. 20, 2026. (Courtesy of Bethany Holland )





The northern lights, photographed from the shore of Staffordville Reservoir in Stafford, Conn. on Jan. 20, 2026. (Courtesy of Bethany Holland )





West Hartford at 6:35 p.m.

The northern lights, photographed from the shore of the West Hartford Reservoir in West Hartford, Conn. on Jan. 20, 2026. (Courtesy of Dana Martin)

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Salem at 6:35 p.m.

The northern lights, photographed over Gardner Lake State Park in Salem, Conn. on Jan. 20, 2026. (Courtesy of James Crouch/The Eye of the Mind)





Fairfield at 6:45 p.m.

The northern lights, photographed from the shore of Lake Mohegan in Fairfield, Conn. on Jan. 20, 2026. (Courtesy of Tarang Desai )





The northern lights, photographed from the shore of Lake Mohegan in Fairfield, Conn. on Jan. 20, 2026. (Courtesy of Tarang Desai )





Windham at 11:45 p.m.

The northern lights, photographed from the southern shore of Mansfield Hollow Lake in Windham, Conn. on Jan. 20, 2026. (Courtesy of Braden Lynn)

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The northern lights, photographed from the southern shore of Mansfield Hollow Lake in Windham, Conn. on Jan. 20, 2026. (Courtesy of Braden Lynn)





This article originally published at Photos: Northern lights lit up Connecticut skies with purples and greens this week.
WARSAW  A Warsaw man was arrested on a charge of possession of child pornography after the Indiana State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force began a criminal investigation in November 2024, having received a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

The investigation resulted in the Kosciusko County Prosecutors Office granting a search warrant for a residence in Warsaw being used by Brandon L. Palmer, 27. The warrant was executed by members of the Indiana State Police ICAC Task Force, the Indiana State Police Bremen Post, and the Warsaw Police Department on Wednesday and resulted in the seizure of multiple electronic devices.

Palmer was arrested as a result of and taken to the Kosciusko County Jail on a charge of possession of child pornography, Level 5 felony.

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SEX CRIME

The Indiana Department of Child Services forwarded a report of child molesting to the Elkhart County Sheriffs Office at 11:26 a.m. Wednesday.

THEFTS

 A 36-year-old woman reported to Elkhart County deputies that between Oct. 1 and Jan. 19 someone stole a handgun.

 A 30-year-old man reported to Elkhart County deputies that between 9 p.m. Monday and 4:30 a.m. Tuesday someone took $2,700 of cash, a green and black Apple iPad 4th Gen, a black money savings book, a brown money savings box, a black and yellow DeWalt flashlight, and a black CoolCrazy vehicle dash camera from his truck in the 23551 block of Ironwood drive in Elkhart.

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 A 47-year-old man reported to Elkhart County deputies that between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Tuesday someone stole items from the 27000 block of C.R. 32 in Elkhart.

 A 23-year-old man reported to Elkhart County deputies that between Dec. 31 and Wednesday someone stole several packages from the 27000 block of Sentry Way.

FRAUD

Staff at 7-Eleven, 54543 C.R. 17, reported to Elkhart County deputies at 12:39 p.m. Wednesday, someone gave them a counterfeit $50 bill. No items were purchased with the counterfeit bill
Federal Way Police responding to a welfare check Thursday found two people dead inside a Federal Way home.

At 5:15 p.m., Federal Way police announced they had found 35-year-old Mick Brandon Carmichael, calling him a person of interest

Officers say they were called to the home near 27th Place Southwest and southwest 337th street just after noon on Jan. 22.

Police believe Carmichael boarded a bus near the home around 12:15 p.m., shortly after officers arrived in the area.

Background from court records

Court records obtained by KIRO 7 show Carmichael has a lengthy criminal history involving violence, including multiple cases related to assaults against his parents and other individuals.

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In May 2021, Carmichael pleaded guilty in King County Superior Court to two counts of fourth-degree assault involving domestic violence.

Prosecutors list Carmichaels parents as the victims in that case.

Court documents state that Carmichael struck his father repeatedly over the course of several hours, causing significant facial injuries.

When his mother arrived home, prosecutors said Carmichael also assaulted her, striking her in the face and slamming her head into a staircase.

Officers reported visible injuries to both parents, including swelling, bruising and cuts to the face.

Court records show the father suffered a broken nose and required stitches.

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Medical personnel were called to the scene, and both parents received treatment.

Prosecutors noted concerns at the time that Carmichael posed a danger to his parents and the community.

the home listed in those documents is the same address where Carmichaels parents were found dead Thursday.

In September 2015, Carmichael pleaded guilty in King County Superior Court to fourth-degree assault involving domestic violence after prosecutors said he assaulted his father during another incident at the same Federal Way home.

According to court records, the incident involved a fight that left his father injured.

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Earlier records show that in March 2009, Carmichaels parents sought and received protection orders in King County Superior Court.

In sworn court filings, his parents alleged repeated incidents of harassment, physical confrontations, and aggressive behavior.

Judges issued temporary and extended protection orders restricting Carmichaels contact with family members and the residence.

In July 2018, Carmichael was charged in Pierce County Superior Court with multiple counts of felony harassment after prosecutors said he threatened to kill several people while armed with a knife inside a Tacoma grocery store.

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According to a declaration for determination of probable cause, witnesses and employees reported being in fear for their lives after Carmichael allegedly made direct threats and said he would return with a gun.

Court documents across several cases also show a history of missed court appearances and repeated warrants for failure to appear.

Investigation ongoing

Federal Way police said the investigation into the deaths remains ongoing.
A pregnant woman with two American-born children  including a breastfeeding infant  is awaiting deportation in a Louisiana immigration detention facility. She has been separated from her family for more than three weeks.

Its just getting harder every day not to see my babies, Cecil Elvir-Quinonez said on a phone call from Richwood Correctional Center, a privately run immigration facility in Louisiana. Im worried about going back to a country that I dont have nobody there. All my life is here.

Elvir-Quinonez, who found out she was pregnant in government custody, said she has experienced heavy bleeding and cramps while detained, and once had to go to the emergency room. The 25-year-old Honduran national said she has received prenatal vitamins but has not seen a doctor outside of that emergency room visit. She has not been given a breastpump, she added; instead, she has had to manually express as much breastmilk as she can during showers.

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She has been in Florida since her mother brought her to the United States in 2014 seeking asylum and does not have an attorney.

The fact that parents arent with the kids, that shes breastfeeding an infant, pregnant and having complications  those kinds of things are not being looked at or considered as relevant  its inhumane from my perspective, said Kerry Doyle, a Boston-based immigration lawyer who led ICEs legal division under President Joe Biden. There are alternatives and discretions that have been exercised in the past to at least not have family separation.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not respond to requests for comment.

ICE has drawn scrutiny for detaining pregnant, postpartum and nursing people  a break from previous policy. Lawmakers, immigration rights activists and formerly detained people have also raised concerns about the conditions of detention facilities, saying many are not equipped to house pregnant and postpartum people.

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A December report from the Womens Refugee Commission, an advocacy group, identified several mothers who had been recently deported without their young children, despite their wishes to have their children sent with them if necessary.

The Trump administration says that immigration officials should remain cognizant of the impact enforcement actions may have on minor children, a step back from the Biden-era policy directing ICE to ensure the fundamental interests of parents, legal guardians, and their minor children. But government policy still requires that the agency give parents the option of bringing their children with them if they are deported. Its unclear if Elvir-Quinonez will be given that choice.

Elvir-Quinonez was stopped by law enforcement shortly before midnight on New Years Eve. Her two children  then 5 years old and 5 months old  were in the backseat. An officer told her shed been speeding, she said, and asked for her license and registration. She was then arrested for an outstanding warrant, which her family said was related to a misdemeanor charge for marijuana possession that was dropped in 2019. She was transferred to ICE custody on January 5.

In addition to the dropped marijuana charge, The 19th could only identify traffic violations on Elvir-Quinonezs criminal record. There is no public record of state charges against her. While in custody, Elvir-Quinonez learned that though she has a work permit  she hopes someday to be a nurse, but works as a cleaner at a local elementary school  the government in 2024 dismissed her familys appeal for asylum, which her mother submitted after their initial petition was declined in 2019.

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In custody, Elvir-Quinonez said she was given a pregnancy test. When it was positive, she estimated she was about eight weeks along.

On January 6, Elvir-Quinonez experienced heavy bleeding that required a visit to the emergency room, where she had two ultrasounds. Hospital staff confirmed she was still pregnant. She was flown the next day to a long-term detention center in Louisiana, said her cousin Genesis Turcio.

Cecil Elvir-Quinonez with her two children before being detained. (Courtesy LULAC) ((Courtesy LULAC))

Elvir-Quinonez has been told regularly that she will soon be deported to Honduras, where she has no close family or community. She is still regularly bleeding and having heavy cramps, she said; she is worried something is wrong with her pregnancy.

Ive been telling them Ive been having cramps and they told me I have to have a referral to see the doctor, Elvir-Quinonez said. Ive been telling them every day, and they just say I have to wait.

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Medical providers have raised concerns about the quality of health care pregnant people are receiving in detention.

Anybody who is detained, whether short- or long-term, needs access to prenatal care  its a human right. I worry she may not have access to the labs she needs, blood pressure surveillance, adequate food, aspirin if she needs it, said Dr. Lynn Yee, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Northwestern University. While things may be fine, it sounds like she needs some medical care to follow the status of the pregnancy.

Yee also said she worried that someone in Elvir-Quinonezs situation may not be counseled about all her reproductive options, including whether she wants to stay pregnant or have an abortion. Abortion is illegal in Louisiana and outlawed after six weeks in Florida. Turcio said Elvir-Quinonez had not been counseled about abortion as an option.

A 2023 report from the Department of Homeland Securitys Office of Inspector General found that Richwood, the facility where Elvir-Quinonez is detained, fell short of government cleanliness standards. The report identified dirty showers, rusty bunks, dusty air vents and dirty, damaged clothing provided to detainees. A 2025 investigation by USA Today singled out the facility for serving low-quality food that often left detainees hungry.

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While detained, Elvir-Quinonez has struggled to eat the meals served at the detention facility, going without food until her family could send her money to purchase food at the facilitys commissary, Turcios said. Turcios, also an aspiring nurse, said she has paused her schooling to save money so the family can hire an immigration lawyer. The League of United Latin American Citizens, an advocacy and litigation group that is working on issues such as birthright citizenship, voting rights and redistricting, is also working to raise money for Elvir-Quinonezs case.

Detaining a pregnant, breastfeeding mother  and then transferring her out of state without notice to her family  is not public safety. It is an alarming failure of basic humanity and accountability, said Juan Proano, LULACs CEO.

Turcios counts Elvir-Quinonez as her best friend. Her cousin is a talented baker, she said, singling out her flan, tres leches and chocolate-covered strawberries. Elvir-Quinonez loves to send her older child to school with treats in his lunch, slicing his apples into the shape of dinosaurs.

Good is not enough to say how amazing she is, Turcios said.

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Since Elvir-Quinonezs detention, her baby has been repeatedly sick, Turcios said. Her older son doesnt know where his mom is  his family has told him shes out at work. Turcios said that the last time she spoke with the boy, he told her, The police did something to my mom.

Im not happy that she is in that center, but Id rather her to be held in there for a minute to see if we can get her out, she said. The kids  its hard for them. Having a newborn, its way harder.

Elvir-Quinonez has not seen her children since January 1, but, she said, she speaks with them on the phone daily. Both are being cared for by her mother.

Its getting hard for my 5-year-old. Hes having trouble speaking, which, thats never happened to him before now, she said. He was there when the police arrested me and he was crying to the police, Dont take my mommy!

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Kim Bergman, a survivor of child sex abuse, speaks to reporters during a Jan. 17, 2024, news conference at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

TOPEKA  Advocates and survivors of child sexual abuse are urging legislators to pass Erins Law, which requires K-12 schools teach about body safety and sexual abuse prevention at an age-appropriate level once per school year.

Members of Protecting Kansas Children from Predators introduced the bill to members of the House Education Committee Thursday with hopes Kansas joins the 38 states with Erins Law on the books. Co-directors Kim Bergman and Tess Ramirez received support for the bill from both Republicans and Democrats on Thursday, with plans to continue talking to legislators.

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It became our mission for the year to focus on Erins Law to prevent children from being abused, Bergman said. Prevention is important. Kids start talking after these presentations. Getting kids comfortable reporting can prevent other children from being abused.

Erin Merryn, whom the law is named after, has traveled across the country for 15 years speaking to state legislators about implementing the law in schools. Merryn testified for Kansas legislators in 2013, but the law did not pass that year.

Its 2026 and Kansas has still not passed my law, yet 38 other states have, Merryn said. This is teaching kids the difference between safe and unsafe touch, safe and unsafe secrets. What youre teaching your first graders is not what youre teaching sixth graders.

Bergman and Ramirez said that legislators seem open to the bill this time, after having both Republicans and Democrats express support for a potential hearing.

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This is not a party-affiliated bill, Bergman said. We had support from both sides. I think this is more likely to pass if were not pointing a finger at one party or the other. This is the first year weve been pushing Erins Law in a while, and Republicans have been taking it really well.

Rep. Rebecca Schmoe, an Ottawa Republican, sees this bill as a way to ensure child predators have no safe haven within the state.

Erins Law represents an age-appropriate, proactive step in what is too often a reactive battle against child abuse, Schmoe said. Empowerment through education breaks the silence, prompts early disclosures to stop ongoing harm, and safeguards our most innocent and vulnerable before abuse occurs.

If passed in Kansas, school boards would have to select the curriculum for their district and teachers would be required to have special training in recognizing warnings signs of sexual abuse. The Erins Law foundation offers its own free curriculum as well as a list of other resources for parents and educators.

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We think the best choice for schools is to have a local child advocacy center come into schools and do a presentation themselves, Bergman said. Some places in western Kansas wont have that, but thats why Erins Law curriculum is a great option. Its free but also understands that every community is different.

While curriculum decisions are generally left to the Kansas Board of Education, House Minority Leader Brandon Woodard said the topic is too important for lawmakers to overlook.

If were not putting this in curriculum for teaching, the longer we act like its not happening, that is how you end up with people learning on their own or sex abuse happening because they dont know what boundaries and appropriate limits are, Woodard said.

Merryn said typically red state lawmakers criticize the law and its curriculum claiming its sex education. In reality, the curriculum focuses on creating boundaries, how to talk to a trusted adult and how to identify grooming, she says.

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This is not teaching kids about changing your gender, how to have sex. What an abortion is, you name it, Merryn said. Anyone that wants to look at it can view my curriculum, and its free. Theres no reason to not want kids to learn this. Anyone thats still skeptical, parents can opt their children out.

Merryn said that children who are abused often exhibit behavior signs that teachers can catch to get them the help they need. One lesson per year outweighs skepticism of the curriculum when you see the effect it can have on a childs life, she said.

Look at the consequences of what happens when a kid is abused, Merryn said. Nobody knows whats going on at home. Children that are being abused or taking up far more time in our classrooms, being a disruption and acting out. Just because you talk to your kids about this, doesnt mean your best friend or your childrens best friends parents talk to their kids about it.
NEED TO KNOW

Prince Harry reacted to President Donald Trump's comments about NATO allies staying "back" from the frontlines during the war in Afghanistan

Harry said, "I served there. I made lifelong friends there. And I lost friends there"

The Duke of Sussex served in the British Army for a decade, including two tours of Afghanistan

Prince Harry is reacting to President Donald Trump's comments that NATO allies "stayed a little back" from the frontlines during the war in Afghanistan.

In an interview with Fox News on Jan. 22, Trump questioned whether NATO allies would be there" if the United States "ever needed them."

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"We have never really asked anything of them. You know, theyll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan, or this or that. And they did  they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines," he said.

The Duke of Sussex  who served in the British Army for a decade, including two tours of Afghanistan  issued a strong statement via his spokesperson on Jan. 23 in response to the claim.

In 2001, NATO invoked Article 5 for the firstand onlytime in history," Harry said, referencing the alliances mutual defense clause following the Sept. 11 attacks. "It meant that every allied nation was obliged to stand with the United States in Afghanistan, in pursuit of our shared security. Allies answered that call."

"I served there. I made lifelong friends there. And I lost friends there," he continues. "The United Kingdom alone had 457 service personnel killed."

Matt Cardy/Getty Prince Harry in Afghanistan on Nov. 9, 2014 Prince Harry in Afghanistan on Nov. 9, 2014

Harry went on to underscore the lasting impact of the war. "Thousands of lives were changed forever. Mothers and fathers buried sons and daughters. Children were left without a parent. Families are left carrying the cost," he said. "Those sacrifices deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect, as we all remain united and loyal to the defence of diplomacy and peace."

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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also reacted to Trump's claim, calling it "insulting and frankly appalling."

Prince Harry, 41, relocated to the U.S. after stepping back from his working role within the royal family in 2020. He and Meghan Markle settled in her home state of California, where they are raising their two children.

While members of the royal family traditionally avoid public comment on political issues, Harry has continued to speak publicly about military service and veterans welfare since stepping back from royal life.

John Stillwell - WPA Pool/Getty Prince Harry in Afghanistan on Jan. 21, 2013 Prince Harry in Afghanistan on Jan. 21, 2013

King Charles and other members of the royal family hosted Trump, alongside first lady Melania Trump, during a state visit to Windsor Castle in September. More recently, there has been reporting that the monarch could travel to the United States in the coming months as the country approaches its 250th anniversary of independence.

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The Telegraph reported earlier this month that King Charles, 77, was expected to pay a state visit to the U.S. in April, echoing a Dec. 26 report from The Times that said advanced discussions were underway and that such a trip was considered highly likely.



Read the original article on People
During an interview with Fox News yesterday, President Donald Trump questioned if NATO allies would support the United States, and said that they stayed a little off the front lines during the war in Afghanistan. In response, Prince Harry, who served in the British Army and undertook two tours of Afghanistan, issued a strong statement in rebuke of the U.S. President.

In 2001, NATO invoked Article 5 for the firstand onlytime in history. It meant that every allied nation was obliged to stand with the United States in Afghanistan, in pursuit of our shared security. Allies answered that call, he said. I served there. I made lifelong friends there. And I lost friends there. The United Kingdom alone had 457 service personnel killed.

The Duke of Sussex continued, Thousands of lives were changed forever. Mothers and fathers buried sons and daughters. Children were left without a parent. Families are left carrying the cost. Those sacrifices deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect, as we all remain united and loyal to the defence of diplomacy and peace.

Matt Cardy - Getty Images

While members of the British royal family rarely comment on politics, Prince Harry, who is no longer a senior working member, has frequently spoken up in defense of veterans and on issues close to his heart. He served in the army for a decade, and rose to the rank of Captain; in his memoir Spare, Harry wrote about his two tours of Afghanistan.

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Harry is not the only one to condemn Trumps comments about NATO allies and Afghansitan; UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called Trumps remarks insulting and frankly appalling.

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Yinkas view

This week I moderated a conversation about the three great West African empires of the medieval period between 1100-1500 AD: Ghana, Mali, and Songhai, and the trans-Saharan trade routes through which gold moved before ultimately heading to southern Europe and the Middle East.

Those trade routes have been called the Gold Road. But while gold was the highest-value good that attracted much of the attention, particularly from outside Africa, the routes also carried other items that were valued at the time, including glass beads, ceramics, and copper alloys. That intra-African commerce, University of Pennsylvania historian Sarah Guerin explained in our conversation, laid the foundation of some of the earliest global trade routes in history.

Some 500 years later  in between which came the turpitude and disruption of the transatlantic slave trade and colonialism  African countries are seeking to once again prioritize building trade between themselves, seeing it as essential to boosting their collective role in the global economy. Hope is placed in the African Continental Free Trade Area, which was ratified in 2021. While far from being fully implemented, AfCFTA is credited with helping drive 3.2% growth in intra-African trade in 2023.

There are big bets being placed on the AfCFTAs impact: The UN forecasts a 35% increase in intra-African trade by 2045, while the World Bank expects it will lift at least 50 million Africans out of extreme poverty by 2035.

Theres much work to be done, note authors for the Brookings Institutions annual Foresight Africa report. They wrote that AfCFTA has established its legal and institutional groundwork, but implementation remains thin, fragmented, and overly focused on tariffs. For the trade pact to deliver on its promise of jobs, resilience, and structural change, policy makers need to focus on functionality and implementation.

But the intra-African trade figures reached in 2023 and 2024, are still under 15% of total African trade. Meanwhile, trade between Asian countries accounts for nearly 60% of Asias total.

AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene has repeatedly called for African countries to lower barriers, particularly by investing in cross-border infrastructure to ease the movement of goods: Achieving deeper integration demands strong political commitment from all member states, he has written.

Notable
South Dakota Department of Corrections Secretary Nick Lamb speaks during a press conference on Dec. 4, 2025, at the site of a women's prison under construction in Rapid City. (Photo by Seth Tupper/South Dakota Searchlight)

The South Dakota Department of Corrections aims to cut its turnover rate by 12 percentage points in the next year, in part by offering recruits a better idea of what theyre in for.

The number of open security staff positions has plummeted in recent years, Corrections Secretary Nick Lamb told the Legislatures Joint Appropriations Committee on Thursday at the Capitol in Pierre, from a high of 27% in late 2022 to 5% today.

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But security staff turnover has nearly doubled since 2020, from 17% to 33%. Around 70% of the departments 971 correctional employees work on the security side.

Reducing the turnover is one of what Lamb called the agencys wildly important goals for the coming year.

When asked by Sen. John Carley, R-Piedmont, why people are leaving, Lamb said age and prior experience are major factors.

This work is not for everyone, he said.

A graphic showing security staff turnover and staff vacancies at the South Dakota Department of Corrections. (Courtesy of SD DOC)

Increased starting pay for security staffers, from $17.89 a few years ago to $25.50 an hour today, has helped the agency recruit people to serve, he said, but were having a hard time retaining them.

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About 45% of those who leave officer positions do so within their first six months, he said.

The department plans to work through ways to give recruits a better sense of what the work might be like upfront, Lamb said, possibly through videos on day-to-day operations.

At the moment, officers have a four-week training academy in the classroom, 40 hours of orientation and 40 hours of on-the-job training.

Some moves in that direction began before Lambs arrival in November, Director of Operations Amber Pirraglia told the committee. The agency began to assign field training officers to follow new employees through their first six months of work and really through their first year.

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That is something weve implemented in the last year thats been very successful, and hopefully well see a better retention rate with those new officers, Pirraglia said.

Kids overseeing inmates

Gov. Larry Rhoden hired Lamb as secretary following the resignation of Kelli Wasko last fall. Lamb came from Iowa but also worked in prisons in New Mexico and Illinois.

He told the committee he more or less stumbled into a career in corrections because I needed a job. He was a high school dropout who made mistakes, he said, and earned his GED after completing basic training with the Army. He would eventually earn a masters degree in behavioral medicine.

Back in 1994, his GED and military training were just enough to qualify him for a prison job in southern Illinois, Lamb said. That was a win for him as a young father whod been making around $4 an hour in a factory that was set to close.

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He grew to love corrections, he said, because you can save a life by talking to and listening to inmates.

I got to realize that inmates are people, too, Lamb said. God does not make trash.

The big difference between Lambs experience and that of some current staff members at the penitentiary is that prison jobs didnt go to teenagers at the time in Illinois. There was too much demand for those positions for older adults.

The story is different for South Dakotas prisons in 2026, Lamb said.

Im here to tell you that Ive got 18-year-old kids working the galleries at night, with adults, said Lamb, using a term for the tiered floors of inmates at the penitentiary. God bless them. Theyre going to make mistakes, but thats what we have now.

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The security work being done by those younger officers is more difficult in some ways, as well, he said. He pointed to K2, a drug typically sprayed on pieces of paper that killed most of the eight men who died of drug overdoses in South Dakota prisons last year.

We didnt have the synthetic cannabinoids that we have now thats so hard to detect, Lamb said, using the technical term for K2 as he tapped a pad of paper. It could be on this piece of paper right now, and I wouldnt know it and you wouldnt know it.

Nursing shortage

There are fewer open security staff positions than the department has seen for years, but the story is different for correctional nurses.

The agency took over correctional health from the Department of Health in July 2023.

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Brittni Skipper, the director of finance for corrections, told the committee that 58 of the DOCs 175 clinical positions are open.

Thats clearly not covering the open shifts we have for clinical, so to cover those shifts we have to have existing staff work overtime, or we contract for nurses, Skipper said.

The state budgeted $4.6 million for traveling contract nurses for 2026. Thats up from $4.2 million in 2025 and $3.1 million in 2024. Another $279,000 was budgeted for overtime for clinical staff.

There are incentives in place for nurses, Skipper said, among them a student loan repayment plan and a $10,000 hiring bonus, paid in two $5,000 installments in a new correctional nurses first two paychecks. The nurses have to stay for two years to keep the bonuses.

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Nurses also get an extra $7.50 an hour at clinics that are below minimum staffing levels.

Last year, Skipper said, the state paid $10,000 bonuses to 29 employees, 15 of which are still employed. The state requests the $10,000 back if the nurse leaves before two years are up, and Skipper said the agency has been repaid in each case.

Rep. Jack Kolbeck, R-Sioux Falls, mentioned South Dakotas push to train nurses at public universities in recent years and asked Skipper if having more nurses in the state has made a difference.

Are you getting the applications? Kolbeck said.

The state hired a recruiting agency to look for nurses, Skipper said, a strategy that worked well with security staff recruitment. The same agency reached out to 400 nurses last year, got replies from 13, and only five of them were interested.

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The reason that they noted for that is because they dont want to work in a correctional facility when they could be in a hospital or a clinic, Skipper said.

Pay for nurses is similar to what a hospital might offer, Skipper said, but we just cant compete with what contract nurses pay.
Serial killers have been immortalized in dark popular culture in America. With the countrys fascination with true crime, its easy to believe that the U.S. has the highest number of the most well-known and deadliest serial killers. However, when looking at these monsters based on the total number of confirmed victims, big names like Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, and John Wayne Gacy dont even crack the top ten. As such, few people are aware of them, and they are rarely included in typical serial killer documentaries or podcasts. Weve put together a list of the top five killers of all time, and its a grim roster of those whose crimes are too often ignored.

The worst serial killers of all time (surprisingly) arent from the United States

With how fascinated Americans are with serial killers, youd think that the worst of the worst come from the United States. However, that country doesnt even make the top ten. Chances are, youve never even heard the names of the most vicious serial killers of all time.

Of course, in composing this list, we had to have some rules.

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We didnt include:

Mass murderers (people who kill a lot of people in a short amount of time),

Combatants (including war criminals)

Those who influenced homicides but didnt commit them personally (so no Hitler, Stalin, Mao Zedong, Pol Pot, etc).

With that in mind, these are (at least by the numbers) the worst serial killers of all time:

Mikhail Popkov

(Photo by ANTON KLIMOV/AFP via Getty Images)

Where: Russia

When: 1992-2010

Verified Victim Count: 83

Possible Victim Count: 86+

Mikhail Viktorovich Popkov is the most prolific serial killer from Russia; he was born on March 7, 1964, in Norilsk, Russia, and grew up in Angarsk, Irkutsk Oblast, where he experienced a poor childhood with an alcohol-addicted mother who abused him. Popkov graduated from a technical school and then worked as a police officer in the Irkutsk area; later, he worked as a security guard at various regional companies. He also married and had a single child, a daughter.

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Popkov murdered 83 women ranging in age from 16 to 50, mainly in Angarsk, Irkutsk, and Vladivostok. Popkov would lure women into cars while dressed in police uniforms and drive them to isolated spots to commit his crimes. The majority of Popkovs victims were women he believed to be immorally engaged in public activity, such as being out with friends without male chaperones. Popkov committed many of these murders on Wednesdays because he wished to purify the world through violence against women. Popkov typically used everyday household items to kill his victims, including knives, axes, and hammers.

Popkov eluded law enforcement for nearly 20 years before being arrested in 2012 after forensic experts compared over 3,500 police officers DNA samples. Popkov cooperated with law enforcement and directed investigators to the site where they found the bodies of many of his victims. He was sentenced to life in prison in 2015 for committing 22 murders and attempting 2 more. Subsequent confessions resulted in a second life sentence for 56 additional murders. During his sentence, Popkov was tried for further killings and received an additional 6 life sentences in 2021 and 2023.

Popkov currently resides in a Russian maximum-security prison and claims remorse for his crimes. He has expressed a desire for the death penalty, but Russia has been under a de facto moratorium on capital punishment since 1999.

Javed Iqbal

(Photo by AFP via Getty Images)

Where: Pakistan

When: 1998-1999

Verified Victim Count: 100

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Javed Iqbal Mughal is considered the worst serial child killer in history, having sexually abused and murdered over 100 children, aged 6-16 years old, in Lahore during 1998-1999. Most of the children murdered were homeless, runaways, or beggars.

At the end of 1999, Iqbal sent letters to the police and a local newspaper editor admitting to committing the murders, and included in the letters were packages containing evidence of the crimes. He gave a detailed confession, describing how he lured these children to his house, where he would sexually assault them and strangle them with an iron chain. After strangling the children, Iqbal would cut up their body parts, dissolve them in large vats of hydrochloric acid, and dump the acid remnants down the sewers or the Ravi River for disposal purposes. Iqbal maintained extremely accurate documentation of all of the murders, including victim names, victim ages, victim photographs, and the specific clothing worn by each victim.

Iqbal stated that his actions were a form of revenge for the physical beating he suffered while being arrested by police in the early 1990s, and that this beating caused his mothers death due to a heart attack. In fear of extrajudicial punishment, Iqbal turned himself in to the authorities at the offices of a major newspaper on December 30, 1999.

In March 2000, Iqbal was found guilty and received 100 death sentences. The judge unusually sentenced Iqbal to hanging using the same chain, after which his body would be cut up, and dissolved with acid in front of the victims family members. The Interior Minister blocked this method of execution as it was considered to be cruel and unusual.

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On October 8, 2001, Iqbal apparently took his own life by hanging, along with his accomplice Sajid, inside the walls of the Kot Lakhpat jail. Autopsy results indicated that both men had been physically abused during their incarceration.

Pedro Lopez

(Photo by Getty Images)

Where: Columbia, Ecuador, Peru

When: 1969-1980

Verified Victim Count: 110

Possible Victim Count: 300+

Pedro Alonso Lopez, commonly known as the Andean Monster and born on October 8, 1948, is among the worlds worst serial killers. The child of an extremely impoverished household of 13 siblings, Lopez experienced a challenging and unstable childhood. His early years were also marked by difficulty with the law.

Following a conviction for automobile theft in Colombia, Lopez was incarcerated for several years, where he participated in several violent incidents. Upon his release in the late 1970s, Lopez began a crime spree that spanned multiple countries, including Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. His target was largely poor, young girls who were often either homeless or members of indigenous communities. Lopez admitted to having sexually abused and murdered over 300 victims between the late 1970s and 1980. Officials confirmed a minimum of 110 murders via his own admission and the location of human remains.

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Arrested in Ecuador in March of 1980 after attempting to abduct a victim, Lopez assisted the police in locating several of the graves of his victims. Lopez was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 16 years, the maximum allowed under Ecuadorian law at the time, and was released early in 1994 for good behavior. Lopez was deported back to Colombia and subsequently evaluated psychiatrically. Lopez was initially committed for psychiatric treatment but was later released in 1998 when deemed mentally fit.

The last confirmed sighting of Lopez was in September 1999 in Bogota, where he renewed his identification documents. Although there have been some unconfirmed reports and speculation surrounding Lopez, including a possible connection to a 2012 Colombian case, Lopezs current whereabouts are unknown. Hes now in his late 70s and is still considered a fugitive by authorities.

Mariam Soulakiotis

(Photo by Getty Images)

Where: Greece

When: 1939 to 1951

Verified Victim Count: 177

Possible Victim Count: 500+

Unlike most serial killers, Abbess Mariam Soulakiotiss motivation was primarily monetary in nature. She became a Greek Orthodox nun and founded the Pangia Pefkovounogiatrissa Monastery in 1927. The convent was opened to provide a retreat for those with tuberculosis to be treated, and she became an abbess in 1950. She used this position to lure in potentially hundreds of victims.

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Many of Soulakiotiss victims were wealthy women she convinced to join the convent (mainly spinsters and widows). Once there, she would torture, starve, imprison, and beat the women until they agreed to turn over their fortunes to the monastery. She would then embezzle the money and often would kill the victim to cover her tracks. The only time doctors came to the convent was to sign death certificates, so she could blame the deaths on TB (or whatever she wanted).

Eventually, authorities raided the monastery on suspicion of black-market olive oil and tire smuggling. Once there, they found malnourished women tied up in basements and forcibly removed 36 children found on the premises. They arrested Soulakiotis, and evidence and witness statements against her started pouring out. At this point, she had acquired 300 properties across Greece and thousands of pounds of gold, jewels, and cash.

Eventually, she was accused of 27 murders and 150 negligent homicides of TB patients. However, authorities stated that the number could be closer to 500. Soulakiotis denied all charges and was sentenced to a total of 14 years in prison over the course of three trials. She only served a fraction of it before dying at age 71.

Despite all the evidence against her, Soulakiotis claimed innocence until her death, deriding the charges as satanic fiction. Surprisingly, some still proclaim that Soulakiotis was innocent and that she took the fall for crimes committed by others, and a select few even venerate her as a martyr.

Luis Garavito

(Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Where: Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela

When: 1992 to 1999

Verified Victim Count: 193

Possible Victim Count: 194-300+

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The most prolific serial killer when it comes to the number of verified victims is Luis Garavito, aka La Bestia (The Beast) and Tribilin (Goofy). Garavito experienced a traumatic childhood, which included physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. As he entered his teens, he displayed patterns of behavior common among serial killers, including animal cruelty, molestation, and physical violence against younger children.

Despite receiving psychiatric treatment in early adulthood, Garavito continued to struggle with alcoholism, psychosis, depression, and other issues. Between 1992 and 1999, he went on a spree during which he sexually assaulted over 200 minors and murdered a verified 193 victims (though the unverified total could have been 300+). Most of his victims were boys aged 6 to 16 from impoverished backgrounds.

Garavitos MO was to disguise himself as a trustworthy figure, such as a monk, priest, teacher, or elderly man, and lure them in with promises of jobs, money, candy, or alcohol. He would then lead them to a secluded area where he would bind, torture, rape, and kill them.

After seven years, Garavitos spree came to an end in 1999 when he was arrested for the attempted rape of a Colombian boy. After spending several months in custody, he confessed to his crimes and aided police in finding the bodies. He would later receive 1,853 years in prison, but Colombian law caps sentences to 40 years. Surprisingly, this was reduced to 22 years for cooperating with the police.

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When interviewed, Garavito expressed remorse for his crimes and blamed his abusive childhood for his actions. He described plans to potentially become a pastor or run for office. However, he would never leave prison. He died in 2023 at age 66 from a combination of heart attack, tuberculosis, leukemia, and eye cancer.

The post You Probably Dont Know Who The Worst Serial Killers of All Time Are appeared first on Mandatory.
I have seen firsthand that child abuse, domestic violence, elder abuse and animal cruelty rarely occur in isolation, said Kristina Pulsipher, co-founder of Ruff Haven, a nonprofit crisis pet shelter on Wednesday.

This commonly found link between different types of abuse is what inspired SB115, sponsored by Sen. Jen Plumb, D-Salt Lake City, this legislative session. The bill would promote communication between the Department of Child and Family Services and animal control in cross-reporting animal and child abuse.

These issues often overlap, and when one form of abuse is present, others are frequently occurring in the same household, said Pulsipher. Animal abuse is often one of the earliest and most visible warning signs that something much more serious is happening behind closed doors.

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She added that cross-reporting is a practical and evidence-based way that helps professionals in these fields respond effectively and share concerns appropriately to improve the safety of all people and animals involved.

According to statistics provided by Plumb, 60% of families under investigation for child abuse  including physical, sexual or mental abuse  have also been reported for animal cruelty. This number jumps to 88% when the child abuse is physical.

Beans hangs out on a cat tree in the Cat Courtyard at Ruff Haven Crisis Sheltering in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

There are also 11 other states that have previously passed similar legislation.

SB115 went before the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Wednesday and received a favorable recommendation. It will now go to a vote on the Senate floor.

What does the cross-reporting of child and animal abuse look like?

This bill isnt meant to add more responsibility to DCFS employees and animal control officers; its goal is to simply open up more communication.

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This bill does not create new mandates to investigate outside of ones role. It allows trained professionals to communicate when they see red flags that may indicate broader harm, Pulsipher said.

It would allow DCFS to notify animal services if there are concerns about a family with animals in the home. The bill would also work the other way; if animal services see extreme animal abuse cases with children in the home, they can let DCFS know.

Scooby backs cautiously away from the camera after hearing its shutter at Ruff Haven Crisis Sheltering in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

SB115 would also require the courts to report information about animal abuse convictions to DCFS. It would allow reports between DCFS and animal control to go to a central database so people dont have to spend time contacting multiple individuals.

It helps build that bridge, the senator said. Like theres no way that DCFS is able to call every single animal control entity across the state.

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Plumb said this bill would also provide a way for local entities to get involved by saying, Hey, were going to cooperate and figure out ways where we can cross paths with information.

How Ruff Haven is helping Utah families keep their pets

Blazey pokes their head out of the bottom of a chair in the Cat Courtyard at Ruff Haven Crisis Sheltering in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

Pulsipher is one of four co-founders of Ruff Haven Crisis Sheltering, and before starting the nonprofit, she worked as a social worker in the criminal justice field.

Ruff Haven provides short-term sheltering for pets of families who are in need. This can be for people who are leaving a domestic violence situation, going into rehab, going into temporary housing, or any other situation where they wont be able to have their pets with them for a period of time.

We just thought it was a need in our community that nobody in the animal welfare rescue community was meeting, Pulsipher said.

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The temporary sheltering makes it so people dont have to permanently surrender their animals and allows them time to get back on their feet.

According to the organizations website, they believe the future of animal welfare lies in pet retention, keeping pets and their people together whenever possible.

Pulsipher shared that on one occasion last year, Ruff Havens leadership attended a gala and shared about their mission. The next day, one of the performers from the gala showed up with her dog after learning about the nonprofit the night before.

The nonprofit does more than just shelter; it has the biggest pet pantry in the state and provides free grooming and vaccinations for cats and dogs. It is also connected to Dogs All Day, which provides pet boarding for profit and helps fund Ruff Haven.

Pamphlets with information for clients sit on a table at Ruff Haven Crisis Sheltering in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

The organization actually started during the COVID-19 pandemic, and at that time, they group would take in the pets of people who had to go to the hospital. Pulsipher said one man brought his five pugs to Ruff Haven when he had to go to the hospital; to this day, he still brings his pugs in to board at Dogs All Day.

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Ruff Haven was part of the group that put together the idea for SB115 and brought it to Plumb, with whom they had worked closely in the past.

Supporting veterinary professionals when they report abuse

Another provision of SB115 would prevent veterinary professionals from being retaliated against for reporting animal abuse. Plumb said this comes from some professionals saying their corporate bosses discourage reporting because they want to keep clients. Reporting their clients can disrupt the money they make.

When veterinarians have been told youre not allowed, thats really hard for them because their commitment is to the welfare of the families and the animals, Plumb said.

She added that these professionals know that if theres a problem with an animal, there can also be a problem with a child in that home, and they want to be able to say something.

Bean watches from a perch as Simba prowls toward the camera in the Cat Couryard at Ruff Haven Crisis Sheltering in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

Ruff Haven Crisis Sheltering in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

Archie poses for a photo in front of a tennis ball sign at Ruff Haven Crisis Sheltering in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

A television displays services offered at Ruff Haven Crisis Sheltering in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

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Awards, letters and photos of previous residents are hung on a wall at Ruff Haven Crisis Sheltering in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

Bean looks on from the windowsill of the Cat Courtyard at Ruff Haven Crisis Sheltering in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
A West Virginia woman told lawmakers Tuesday that her Obamacare premium jumped 323%, calling the increase a "punch in the gut" as Congress grilled health insurance CEOs over rising costs and the future of the Affordable Care Act.

"Last month, I did what millions of Americans and tens of thousands of West Virginians did. I went online to re-enroll through HealthCare.gov, the ACA marketplace," said Ellen Allen, a 64-year-old from French, West Virginia.

"When I saw my new premium, I felt a pit in my stomach. I expected an increase, but it was a punch in the gut to see my premium had jumped 323%," she told the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee.

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Expired Obamacare Subsidy Deal Inches Toward Senate Floor Vote Amid Bipartisan Talks

Ellen Allen, executive director of West Virginians for Affordable Health Care, told lawmakers that her insurance jumped more than 300%. (Getty Images)

Allen said she paid just under $500 a month last year for a bronze plan that included vision and dental coverage, which came out to about $6,000 annually.

"I liked that plan and it was somewhat affordable, even with a high deductible and a $9,200 maximum out-of-pocket cost," she said.

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But the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits sent her monthly premium soaring to nearly $2,000, without vision or dental insurance. Over a year, that eye-watering cost equals the price of a reliable used car.

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"Thats a lot to ask of a hardworking American who has worked every day of her adult and teen life," she told lawmakers.

Sen Jim Justice Says Republicans Are 'Lousy' At Knowing What Everyday Americans Think About Healthcare

The House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on lowering health care costs on Jan. 22, 2026, in Washington.

The tax credits, which expired at the start of the year, have driven higher health care costs for millions of Americans who buy coverage on their own  including self-employed workers, small business owners and ranchers who do not qualify for Medicaid or Medicare.

"Millions of Americans, including 67,000 West Virginians, have been able to afford market-based coverage thanks to the enhanced premium tax credits," Allen said, adding that the subsidies kept people insured, kept small business owners covered and kept families healthy.

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Allen warned that families are dropping health insurance altogether due to the rising costs.

Allen warned that the loss of those tax credits is forcing families to make painful financial trade-offs.

"Theres nothing fair about a system that makes us choose between saving for retirement or dipping into savings to pay for a life-preserving procedure or, as several people I know are doing, dropping health insurance altogether and rolling the dice."

She called on lawmakers to reverse course.

"This is fixable. Congress can act now to restore and make permanent the ACAs expanded premium tax credits. Doing so would save lives, protect families, and strengthen our economy."

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The loss of the enhanced ACA subsidies comes as the Trump administration pushes to rein in costs nationwide, with a high-stakes midterm election year sharpening the political stakes around health care affordability.





Original article source: Punch in the gut: West Virginia woman tells Congress her Obamacare premium jumped 323%
Tennessee officials are considering a policy to end access to a prenatal care program for pregnant immigrants without legal status . (Photo: Getty Images)

Thousands of legal immigrants will lose access to TennCare beginning in October as a result of new Trump administration policy, while Tennessee officials separately consider barring pregnant women without legal immigration status from accessing publicly-funded prenatal care.

TennCare Director Stephen Smith told lawmakers this week that, beginning Oct. 1, about 8,500 refugees and asylum seekers would be cut from TennCare, Tennessees Medicaid program. The cuts are a result of policy changes contained within the Trump Administrations One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law earlier this year. Refugees and asylum seekers are legal immigrants.

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State officials are currently examining whether a separate but related program in Tennessee, the Child Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, could begin to exclude pregnant immigrant women without legal status from prenatal care. Like TennCare, the CHIP program is a joint federal-state program; it provides low-cost health coverage for children and pregnant women whose families earn too much money to qualify for TennCare.

Were looking into whether, if for example you all decided, or we decided internally that we no longer wanted to cover services related to the unborn child, whether we could do that, Smith told lawmakers on the House Insurance Committee Tuesday.

About 5200 pregnant women fell into that category during fiscal year 2025, according to a response from TennCare provided after publication.

Smiths remarks came in response to questions by Republican lawmakers about whether immigrants without legal status qualified for TennCare benefits. Immigrants unlawfully present in the United States are not eligible for TennCare, Smith said.

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In 2024, the cost of TennCare benefits for asylum seekers and refugees was about $20 million annually with the state government picking up about $7 million of the tab while the federal government paid the rest, Smith said.

If you are a fertilized egg in Tennessee and considered a person, you are a Tennessean and entitled to healthcare. If thats what the Republicans are saying, they should be on board for prenatal care.

 Dr. Katrina Green

TennCare officials did not respond to questions about plans to eliminate pregnant immigrant women from prenatal care under the CHIP program.

Tennessee has offered prenatal services regardless of immigration status through the CHIP program for more than 20 years as part of a policy introduced by former President George W. Bush. States were given the option to provide prenatal care to immigrants without legal status, which Tennessee did under the administration of former Republican Gov. Don Sundquist, according to Michele Johnson, executive director of the Tennessee Justice Center.

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The program, Johnson said, has resulted in more healthy babies. Cutting off access to prenatal services for pregnant women without legal status would signal that we think these babies dont matter, she said.

Emergency physician Dr. Katrina Green, who has advocated for access to reproductive care in Tennessee, said she was disheartened by the discussion she observed during Tuesdays legislative hearing.

Green noted some Republican lawmakers have long advocated for fetal personhood legislation defining life as beginning at fertilization.

If you are a fertilized egg in Tennessee and considered a person, you are a Tennessean and entitled to healthcare, Green said. Green noted that was not her own opinion. If thats what the Republicans are saying, they should be on board for prenatal care. Im really concerned they would consider cutting off care for these women that would harm future citizens as a result.

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BUENOS AIRES, Jan 23 (Reuters) - The families of two Argentines detained in Venezuela on Friday appealed to the Vatican to intervene, urging it to help speed the release of their loved ones as Caracas has begun freeing some detainees.

The wife of Nahuel Agustin Gallo, a national security officer arrested on Dec 8, 2024, and the wife of German Giuliani, a lawyer imprisoned since May 2025, delivered a formal petition to the Catholic Church in Buenos Aires, calling for urgent action by the Holy See.

"There are still many innocent people missing, many who need to be released," said Alexandra Gomez, Gallo's wife. "These piecemeal releases only wear down the families," she added.

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Gomez said her husband had been "forcibly disappeared in Venezuela for 411 days."

In a letter seen by Reuters, addressed to Pope Leo and Cardinal Pietro Parolin, relatives appealed to "the humanitarian sensitivity and the permanent commitment of the Holy See to the defense of human dignity, freedom and fundamental rights."

The families also demanded immediate steps to safeguard the physical and psychological well-being of the detainees.

The women were joined by relatives and friends of Venezuelan political prisoners who demonstrated outside with photographs of the detained, national flags and placards reading "They took them alive, we want them back alive" and "Political prisoners are not bargaining chips.

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"We were glad they received us," said Virginia Rivero, wife of Giuliani. "But it felt a bit lukewarm. There were things they perhaps didnt know."

Venezuela's interim authorities have begun releasing political prisoners and other detainees, though many still remain behind bars amid ongoing political tension.

The wave of releases comes as Caracas seeks to ease domestic pressure and signal a possible thaw with Washington following heightened U.S.Venezuela confrontations.

(Report by Horacio Soria and Lucila Sigal; editing by Cassandra Garrison and Nick Zieminski)
On October 13, transgender civil rights icon Miss Major Griffin-Gracy passed away at 78 after time in hospice care. For over five decades, Griffin-Gracy fought for trans equality  and in a country that still wrestles with queer rights with as much temperament today as it did when she arrived in New York City in the 1960s. Nevertheless, she persevered as a torchbearer to brighten the lives of those who saw the world as grim and dismaying.

Griffin-Gracy, born in Chicago, spoke about her move to NYC in her youth on the LGBTQ&A podcast in 2021. The trans community was everywhere, she reflected, I went immediately to 42nd Street. Everybody went to 42nd Street: trans girls, everybody. Finding them was not a problem.... I found an apartment that I moved into. It was six floors of nothing but trans girls. It was fabulous. There were so many of us that it was a full life. Griffin-Gracy was a faithful witness to queer history. She navigated New Yorks anti-cross-dressing laws, which remained on the books well into the 21st century, and was at Stonewall in June 1969 when the riots began. In the podcast interview, she mentioned an early moment of violence as the infamous moments unfolded. So I spit in some guys face, and he knocked me out, she said. Other than that, I dont remember anything.

Laverne Cox and Miss Major Griffin-Gracy

Laverne Cox and Miss Major at a West Hollywood screening of 'The Trans List' in July of 2016. Greg Doherty/Getty Images

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After a robbery arrest, she spent several years in mens prisons and mental hospitals, where she was subjected to ill treatment. Yet she emerged with grit and determination to uplift her trans community, becoming an advocate for the rights of trans incarcerated individuals. In 2005, she joined the Transgender Gender-Variant & Intersex Justice Project, an organization dedicated to providing legal services for trans, gender-variant, and gender-nonconforming people, and she became its first executive director, a post she held from 2010 to 2015. In 2019, she founded the House of gg (the Griffin-Gracy Educational and Historical Center), an organization focused on uplifting trans lives by providing an oasis  and hope  for those in need of support.

Her passing was a blow to trans activists, artists, and others at a time when anti-trans hostility remains high. Still, her impact lives on, most especially with those she met and inspired over the years.

Majors fierce commitment and intersectional approach to justice brought her to care directly for people with HIV/AIDS in New York in the early 1980s, and later to drive San Franciscos first mobile needle exchange. Miss Major fought tirelessly for her people, her love as vast and enduring as the universe she knew herself to be a part of, says Muriel Tarver, managing director of the House of gg.

She was a world builder, a visionary, and unwavering in her devotion to making freedom possible for Black, trans, formerly and currently incarcerated people, as well as the larger trans and LGB community. We will forever honor her memory, her steadfast presence, and her enduring commitment to our collective liberation, Tarver says.

Miss Major as grand marshal at 2024 NYC Pride

Miss Major served as grand marshal at the 2024 NYC Pride parade. Gotham/Getty Images

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Activist Naiymah Sanchez says she appreciated the care Griffin-Gracy gave to everyone.

Miss Major embodied the spirit of community healing, while bringing the experience of community struggles from a time in our story in America  when language, resources, and support werent a reality, says Sanchez, who is the inaugural Bernadine Casseus Transgender Laureate.

For Kierra Johnson, president of the National LGBTQ Task Force, Griffin-Gracys impact is immeasurable.

There will never be enough words to fully describe the impact Miss Major had on the LGBTQ+ people, on leaders across movements, on those she loved and were touched by her work and her words. She was a revolutionary, a visionary, a legend  a foundational mother of our movement and an inspiration to those fighting for liberation, Johnson says, adding that Griffin-Gracy was a sharp and unyielding truth teller.

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She was also undeniably loving and generous to those who called her Mother, Auntie, colleague, and friend, Johnson adds. There will never be another like her. And the movement she mothered will keep walking, louder and stronger, because she walked first.

This article is part of OUTs Jan-Feb 2026 print issue, which hits newsstands January 27. Support queer media and subscribe  or download the issue through Apple News+, Zinio, Nook, or PressReader.

This article originally appeared on Advocate: Miss Major remembered: LGBTQ+ rights advocates honor her legacy
A US company controlled by a close confidant of President Donald Trump has reportedly acquired numerous German fuel depots and pipelines, meaning the US firm now oversees a crucial part of Germany's energy infrastructure.

German news magazine Der Spiegel reported on Friday that Sunoco LP, a subsidiary of US company Energy Transfer, which is led by billionaire Kelcy Warren, bought the company TanQuid following approval by the German Economy Ministry.

Warren is a donor to Trump's Make America Great Again movement and is said to have close ties to the US president.

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According to Sunoco LP, TanQuid operates 15 terminals in Germany and one terminal in Poland, making it the largest independent operator in Germany.

The German Economy Ministry said it had reviewed whether the TanQuid takeover was likely to affect public security in Germany or another EU member state before granting approval subject to "strict conditions," including regarding the continuous supply of tank storage capacity.

TanQuid's business activities consist of operating fuel depots in Germany and Poland and primarily supply the mineral industry, a ministry spokeswoman said.

She described Sunoco as a leading, experienced international company in the field of infrastructure and fuel distribution.

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According to Der Spiegel, Sunoco now controls one-fifth of Germany's fuel depot capacities following the takeover, as well as more than 1,000 kilometres of strategically important pipelines

The sale reportedly also includes a 49% stake in a pipeline operating company previously managed by TanQuid which supplies kerosene to German military airfields.

Among them is the Buchel airfield in western Germany that houses US nuclear weapons, as well as the Neuburg airfield in southern Germany where Eurofighters are scrambled when unidentified flying objects enter the country's airspace.
Republicans finally had their moment to take on the man who tried to put President Donald Trump in jail. But they didnt land any significant blows.

During Thursdays House Judiciary Committee hearing with Jack Smith, GOP members spent almost no time challenging the facts of the criminal case that the former special counsel brought against Trump: that he conspired to corrupt the results of the 2020 election and seize a second term he didnt win.

Instead, Republican committee members spent much of the hearing challenging the technical aspects of Smiths probe into Trumps election interference, including whether the veteran federal prosecutor properly signed his oath of office as special counsel and if he was sufficiently cognizant of the Constitutions speech or debate clause that protects Congress from executive branch overreach.

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They questioned whether Smith was too friendly with a Justice Department official who recommended him for the special counsel position and challenged his approval of a $20,000 payment to a confidential human source for the FBI who was reviewing video and photos for the bureau.

House Judiciary Committee chair Jim Jordan pressed Smith on his view of the Houses now-defunct select committee to investigate the events of Jan. 6, 2021, which also probed Trumps 2020 election gambit. He also questioned that panels reliance on former Trump White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson to implicate Trump in plans to overturn the results favoring Joe Biden.

Democrats have been going after President Trump for 10 years. For a decade. And the country should never, ever forget what they did, Jordan said.

This nibbling around the edges by Republicans underscores the GOPs lingering discomfort with Trumps bid to subvert the election  an effort that preceded a violent attack on the Capitol by a mob of the presidents supporters. Several Republicans on the Judiciary Committee were among those who fled the rioters that day and condemned the violence at the time, and none at the hearing suggested Trump actually prevailed against Biden.

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The posture of committee Republicans Thursday also gave Democrats ammunition to claim that Republicans had no legitimate argument with the substance of Smiths findings  both in the election interference case and in the case alleging mishandling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago.

Our Republican colleagues want to try to dirty up his investigation, but they want to try to avoid as much as possible the underlying facts, because it's all about what is incontrovertibly true: Donald Trump's determined plan to overthrow the 2020 presidential election, said Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, in an interview during a break in the hours-long hearing convened to receive Smiths first-ever public testimony.

Raskin and other Democrats feel so emboldened by Smith's testimony Thursday that they are now asking Jordan to hold a continuation of the hearing as soon as a report is unsealed that would allow Smith to go into more detail about the classified documents charges he sought to bring up against Trump.

The most forceful attack on Smith came from Trump himself who appeared to have watched or been briefed on aspects of the hearing during his trip to Europe.

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Jack Smith is a deranged animal, who shouldnt be allowed to practice Law, Trump said on Truth Social . Hopefully the Attorney General is looking at what hes done, including some of the crooked and corrupt witnesses that he was attempting to use in his case against me.

Smith, who later said he expected the Trump administration would pursue federal criminal charges against him because they have been ordered to by the president, forcefully defended his offices work throughout the hearing Thursday. He denied that politics played any role in his teams findings and calmly parried the attacks Republicans lobbed at him over his investigative tactics and decision to bring charges at all.

And he repeatedly suggested the failure to hold Trump accountable for his 2020 election maneuvering could invite future attacks.

I have seen how the rule of law can erode. My feeling is that we have seen the rule of law function in our country so long that many of us have come to take it for granted, Smith said. The rule of law is not self-executing.

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Smiths hearing, which came weeks after the public release of his closed-door deposition testimony to the panel late last year, also provided a venue for relitigating the events of Jan. 6  specifically who was responsible for the violent event. Rep. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.) called the hearing theater for Republican lawmakers seeking to rewrite the history of the attack, noting the presence in the audience of police officers who defended the Capitol that day.

Also in attendance at the hearing was Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the Oath Keepers, who was convicted of seditious conspiracy for his role in the Jan. 6 riot and sentenced to 18 years in prison before Trump commuted his sentence last year.

I want to see true transparency in our government, Rhodes said in an interview, adding that it was really kind of surreal to be back in the Capitol complex after being banned prior to his commutation.

At some points emotions ran high, such as when former Metropolitan Police Force officer Michael Fanone coughed  Fuck yourself  when Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) opined that police bore responsibility for the Jan 6. security breach at the Capitol. There was also a tense confrontation between Fanone and Ivan Raiklin, an activist and advocate for Jan. 6 defendants, that almost culminated in a physical altercation.

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Throughout the day Smith remained straight-faced and measured, offering little visible reaction as the occasionally irate Republicans repeatedly condemned his work and attacked his character in deeply personal terms.

He also appeared unmoved amid the effusive praise from Democrats, who repeatedly thanked him for his service to the country and urged him not to bow to intimidation from Trump and his allies.

Democrats eagerly teed up the evidence Smith amassed in his Trump investigations that underscored their view that Trump knew he lost the election but attempted to stay in power anyway.

Smith has said Trumps campaign of lies about election fraud fueled the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol that resulted in hundreds of assaults on law enforcement officers. He has also said Trump exploited the violence to try and pressure Congress to block Joe Bidens victory.

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Im so pleased youre here on national TV telling the American people that Trump was indicted, he was indicted lawfully and multiple grand juries secured those indictments, said Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) said during the hearing.

But Republicans spent little time questioning that narrative: Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas) asked whether Smiths subpoenas for GOP lawmakers phone data  revelations that reignited the partys determination to compel Smiths Capitol Hill testimony  violated the Constitutional speech and debate clause that protects correspondence about the legislative process.

Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (R-Wis.) suggested that Smith was appointed special counsel because of a friendship with another Justice Department staffer in the Biden administration.

Even when a handful of Republicans did question Smiths case against Trump, they focused largely on whether Trump could be excused for his conduct if he genuinely believed he won the election  even though he was defeated and the results were certified in Bidens favor.

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Ive talked to Donald Trump over a period of time. Donald Trump is 100 percent certain he won that election, said Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.). There is zero percent chance that he believes he lost.

Rep. Laurel Lee (R-Fla.) noted that Trump relied heavily on a team of legal advisers as he worked to reverse the election results and said Smith needed to prove Trump knowingly sought to subvert the outcome.

Smith, both in the indictment against Trump and his testimony Thursday, repeatedly argued that Trump knew he lost.

He was looking for ways to stay in power, Smith said. When people told him things that conflicted with staying in power, he rejected them.
Former special counsel Jack Smith appeared before Congress to answer questions about his high-profile investigations into President Donald Trump while he was out of office, marking the first time the Biden-era official has testified publicly before lawmakers.

The hourslong testimony was marked by tense exchanges with Republican members of the House Judiciary Committee followed by attempts to defend his work by the Democratic members of the panel. Smith detailed his inquiries into Trump, attempting to justify his decision to indict the president two separate times on possible criminal charges.

Those attempts, Republicans sought to argue, were politically motivated to thwart Trump from winning reelection.

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It was always about politics and to get President Trump, they were willing to do almost anything, Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, said in his opening remarks.

Trump appeared to tune into the high-profile testimony throughout the day, offering his reactions on his Truth Social account  at one point even suggesting that Republicans were DECIMATING Smith with their questions. By the time the hearing concluded, Trump then called for his prosecution.

Based on his testimony today, there is no question that Deranged Jack Smith should be prosecuted for his actions, Trump wrote. He destroyed the lives of many innocent people, which has been his history as a prosecutor. At a minimum, he committed large scale perjury!

Here are the major takeaways from Thursdays hearing.

Smith says Trump is most responsible for Jan. 6 riot

Former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith testifies before the House Judiciary Committee at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. | Mark Schiefelbein, Associated Press

Smith was first appointed by the Biden Department of Justice to lead a federal investigation into Trumps alleged involvement in the riot on Jan. 6, 2021, during which thousands of the presidents supporters breached the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to stop the certification of the 2020 election results.

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Smith was instructed to investigate the events leading up to the Capitol attack, Trumps actions during the riot, and the presidents efforts to pressure officials to overturn his electoral loss. Trump was ultimately indicted on several charges by a grand jury, including conspiring to defraud the United States and obstructing an official proceeding.

Our assessment of the evidence is that [Trump] is the person most responsible for what happened on Jan. 6, Smith said. He caused what happened, it was foreseeable to him  and then, when it happened, he tried to exploit it.

These crimes were committed for his benefit, he added. The attack that happened at the Capitol, part of this case, does not happen without him. The other co-conspirators were doing this for his benefit.

Republicans have sought to absolve Trump of blame for the attack, with some suggesting it was the failure of the Capitol Police to secure the building or even that FBI agents helped coordinate the attack.

Former Washington Metropolitan Police Department officer Michael Fanone, left, and Ivan Raiklin, second from right, stand up and argue during a recess of testimony of former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith before the House Judiciary Committee at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. | Mark Schiefelbein, Associated Press

Charges against Trump were later dropped after he was reelected in the 2024 election as federal law states a sitting president cannot be prosecuted.

Smith says Trump wouldve been prosecuted if he wasnt reelected

However, Smith testified on Thursday that he believed his team had gathered enough evidence that Trump would have been convicted if he wasnt reelected, including in his second investigation on whether Trump had mishandled classified documents after leaving office the first time. Those charges came about after an FBI raid at Trumps Mar-a-Lago home in 2022 where thousands of classified materials were found.

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Smith said that Trump was charged not because of political motivation but because he willfully broke the very laws he took an oath to uphold as sitting president at the time.

Grand juries in two separate districts reached this conclusion based on his actions as alleged in the indictments they returned, he said.

If asked whether to prosecute a former president based on the same facts today, I would do so regardless of whether that president was a Republican or a Democrat, Smith added. No one should be above the law in our country, and the law required that he be held to account. So that is what I did.

Former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith testifies before the House Judiciary Committee about his investigations into President Donald Trump, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, at the Capitol in Washington. | Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press

Republicans say Smith abused his position

While Smith defended the criminal charges and how he carried out the investigation, Republicans said the former special counsel abused his power.

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Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Calif., said Smith acted without humility and restraint as part of his position, instead alleging the former special counsel stretched criminal statutes beyond the breaking point in order to charge Trump.

I see a very different mode of operation  one that sought maximum litigation advantage at every turn, Kiley said.

Republicans also looked into reports that Smith had collected phone toll records of some of the top congressional Republicans, including former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, without their knowledge during his investigation. Accessing those records, Jordan said, was an act of spying on Bidens political opponents.

The guy is second in line to the president, the Judiciary chairman said. They know who he called, who called him, when the call took place and how long it lasted. You can pattern an individuals life.

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Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, engaged in a tense back-and-forth with Smith, during which the freshman Republican accused him of lying to obtain those records.

At the time you secured those non-disclosure orders, was Speaker McCarthy a flight risk? Gill asked.

He was not, Smith replied.

Why did your non-disclosure order refer to him as a flight risk? Gill asked. It says right here that the court finds reasonable grounds to believe that such disclosure will result in flight from prosecution. I think you are using clearly in reference to speaker McCarthy, and you were using clearly false information to secure a non-disclosure order to hide from speaker McCarthy and from the American people the fact that you were spying on his toll records.

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Smith defended obtaining those records, telling lawmakers that Trump allies were calling lawmakers inside the Capitol to pressure them to overturn the results.

Gill said Smith tried to skirt the Constitutions speech or debate clause, which gives congressional lawmakers added protections.

Republicans say they were spied on

Republicans pointed to other materials that Smith had seized as part of his investigation, including the subpoenas he used to obtain phone records of eight senators without their knowledge as part of his investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, riot.

Those senators include Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, Josh Hawley of Missouri, Dan Sullivan of Alaska, Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee.

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Smith defended those calls with the same justification, that the subpoenas were crucial to determine who Trump was contacting during the riot. Smith noted the log only provided information on the times and lengths of the calls and texts but did not disclose any contents of the conversations.

Despite being upset about Smith obtaining those records, House Republicans passed a spending bill on Thursday with a last-minute provision to repeal a law allowing senators to sue any federal department or agency for seizing phone records without prior notice  with each payment coming out to $500,000 per violation. That law was passed in response to Smiths investigation.

Smith says Trump is seeking revenge

Former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith, second from right, arrives before a hearing of the House Judiciary Committee at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. | Mark Schiefelbein, Associated Press

Although Smith offered few new details of his investigations during the hearing on Thursday, the former special counsel accused Trump of using his reclaimed power in the White House to exact revenge on federal prosecutors and others who played a part in his criminal investigations.

Smith told lawmakers he expected to be indicted by the Trump administration, claiming Republicans will push for charges because theyve been ordered to by the president.

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Smith has previously expressed concerns about testifying before Congress, acknowledging that he could risk prosecution if Republicans think he has lied or intentionally misled their efforts.

My fear is that we have seen the rule of law function in our country for so long that many of us have come to take it for granted, Smith said. The rule of law is not self-executing. It depends on our collective commitment to apply it. It requires dedicated service on behalf of others, especially when that service is difficult and comes with costs.
Key Points

Ford shifted away from electric vehicles, saying it would no longer make the F-150 Lightning.

A fire at a supplier led to a $1.5- billion-$2 billion production loss.

Policies under President Trump have favored combustion vehicles over EVs.

These 10 stocks could mint the next wave of millionaires 

Shares of Ford Motor (NYSE: F) were among the winners last year as the long-suffering legacy automaker gained traction through a pivot away from electric vehicles toward traditional combustion and hybrid vehicles.

The company also managed to overcome concerns around tariffs, and saw strength in the pro segment. Additionally, software and services were a bright spot for the company, and its pickup trucks and SUVs performed well.

According to S&P Global Market Intelligence data, the stock finished the year up 33%. As you can see from the chart below, the stock moved sideways for the first three months of the year before steadily rising over the rest of the year.

F data by YCharts

What happened with Ford last year

The biggest news from Ford last year was its pivot away from electric vehicles, which comes both as President Trump has made policy changes that favor combustion vehicles, and removed a key subsidy for EVs, and as growth in the electric vehicle sector was already slowing.

The company said it would discontinue its electric F-150 Lightning trucks and cancel plans for other large, fully electric trucks, focusing instead on hybrid vehicles and smaller, cheaper EVs.

That move, which Ford announced in December, will lead to a $19.5 billion non-cash impairment charge, but the move should boost profits over the foreseeable future, excluding that charge, as the EV business had been responsible for significant losses.

Through the first three quarters of the year, revenue rose 3% to $141.4 million, and adjusted operating income actually fell from $8.1 billion to $5.7 billion, though that was largely related to a fire at a Novelis plant, a key supplier, in upstate New York.

However, the company executed on key strategic initiatives, and investors believe it is positioned for solid profit growth in 2026.

Image source: Ford.

What's next for Ford

With the company having shifted its strategy to higher-margin combustion and hybrid vehicles and its efforts to put the Novelis fire in the past, Ford seems well-positioned for 2026.

Investors expect profit growth to return, forecasting adjusted earnings per share of $1.52, up from a projected $1.10 in 2025.

Based on that forecast, the stock trades at roughly 9 times earnings. While Ford is sensitive to macroeconomic conditions, if the economy remains steady, the automaker looks like it's in position for more gains this year.
A failed December effort to bring down parts of Polands energy grid was the work of Russian government hackers known for causing past energy disruptions, according to a security research firm that investigated the incident.

Last week, Polish Energy Minister Milosz Motyka told reporters that the attempted cyberattack on December 29 and 30 saw hackers targeting two heat and power plants, as well as trying to disrupt the communication links between renewable installations, such as wind turbines and power distribution operators.

Motyka called the incident the strongest attack on Polands energy infrastructure in years, with the Polish government blaming Moscow for the attempt. Local media reported that the attacks could have knocked out heat and power for at least half a million homes across the country.

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On Friday, cybersecurity firm ESET said it obtained a copy of the destructive malware, which it calls DynoWiper. This type of malware, known as wiper malware, is designed to irreversibly destroy data on computers to prevent them from working.

ESET attributed the malware with medium confidence to the hacking group known as Sandworm, a unit within Russias military intelligence agency GRU, based on a strong overlap with its previous research into Sandworms past malware, including the groups use of destructive malware to target Ukraines energy sector.

Independent journalist Kim Zetter first reported the news.

As noted by Zetter, the cyberattacks targeting Poland come almost exactly a decade after Sandworms first-known cyberattack on Ukraines energy infrastructure in 2015, which caused power outages for more than 230,000 homes around Kyiv, the countrys capital. A similar cyberattack hit Ukraines energy systems a year later.

Following the attempted hack, Polands prime minister, Donald Tusk, said that the countrys cybersecurity defenses worked, and at no point was critical infrastructure threatened.
A resident in Jacksonvilles Riverview neighborhood is recovering from injuries after being shot during a home invasion Thursday. The incident occurred at about 2:06 p.m. in the 9100 block of 6th Avenue.

Jacksonville police said three armed assailants wearing masks entered the residence and began firing at the victim. The victim returned fire striking one of the suspects, a Jacksonville police news release states.

The other two robbers ran from the residents. The one who was shot crawled out of the home and was found on the front yard by officers.

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The victim and the robber were in stable condition at the hospital Friday morning, police said.

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SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  Thursdays officer involved shooting in Savannah sent fear throughout the city, according to residents WSAV spoke to.

At 1:30 p.m. Savannah Police Department (SPD) responded to a report of a man with a gun near Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and West Bay Street.

After an SPD officer asked the man to put the gun down multiple times, the officer opened fire, officials said.

The suspect was shot and killed.

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WHAT WE KNOW: GBI investigating fatal Savannah PD officer-involved-shooting

One local, Kenya Hunt, recently moved from New York. She said its shocking to see the crime is not very different between the two cities.

My first reaction was that it was interesting that the police asked him to put his gun down, said Kenya. I feel like for African American, having a gun in your hand would have been immediate, immediate shooting. But I am happy to hear that they tried to at least de-escalate a little bit.

Hunt said everyone around town is talking about the assortment of crime Savannah has seen recently.

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A Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) student said she was in class when received the SCAD notification saying a shooting had occurred on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard.

She said the recent crime has had students on high alert.

With the acid attack and with this, its just seems like a lot of people are kind of getting away with it under like all under our noses, said Elyssa Broderick. Were just kind of scared. I mean, we dont walk alone at night. Its kind of changed our perspective on like how we can hang out as like people and just be normal even at night, especially.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is investigating the incident.

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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 WSAV-TV.
A cold weather advisory has been issued for all of Rhode Island from 10 p.m. Friday to 10 a.m. Saturday as temperatures are set to hit a dangerous chill.

"Very cold wind chills as low as 20 below expected," the National Weather Service advisory says. "The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 20 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes. Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin is exposed to these temperatures."

Hats and gloves are a must in these in temperatures.

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With how cold it is outside, what temperature should set the inside of your house to in order to stay cozy without being horrified by your energy bill. Low sixties? 68? In the 70s?

While there is certainly room for personal preference, the Department of Energy does have an official answer to the question.

What to set your thermostat to in winter

The Department of Energy's recommendation is to set your thermometer to 68 degrees during the winter. However, Ram Narayanamurthy, deputy director of the U.S. Department of Energy's Building Technologies Office, told USA TODAY that anywhere near 70 degrees is a safe bet.

68-70 is a good temperature for your thermostat during winter months, according to the Department of Energy.

More: #NoHeatNovember: How one RI man manages to avoid turning on the heat until December

How to avoid overheating your house in winter

No matter how cold it gets, it's still important to balance heat and cold while warming your house, for the sake of your health and your energy bill.

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The Department of Energy suggests dropping the temperature of your thermostat 7 to 10 degrees while you're out of the house. As heating systems (unlike air conditioners) generally don't work any harder to warm your home back up after you lower temperatures, it can't hurt to drop it even by significant amounts.

Still, make sure you don't drop your thermostat too low. Temperatures below 64 degrees could pose possible health risks for healthy people according to the World Health Organization. If you have very young or older people in your home, the minimum temperature should be higher at 68 degrees.

How to save on your energy bills this winter

Keeping your home warm during winter is important, but keeping the bills down is also a priority.

Things like space heaters, fireplaces, electric blankets and wood-burning stoves are all ways that people cut costs spent on heating homes. These items require less energy than a heating system, but while they are safer than they were in the past, they may require routine maintenance or replacement.

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Have your heating unit inspected annually to make sure it is running properly. If not, it could end up costing you more money in maintenance costs or overworking to produce heat costs.

Consider investing in a smart thermostat as you can control the temperature of your home throughout the day to save money. Many smart thermostats have scheduling options to set the temperature for certain times of the day.

Thick curtains, energy efficiency audits How to penny-pinch on heat costs this winter

How to keep pipes from freezing

Frozen pipes are a nightmare to deal with when the temperature drops, but it can be prevented. Frozen pipes can happen at any temperatures below freezing, depending largely on how insulated the pipes are, so it's always best to be cautious.

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Here are some tips from Providence Water on the best way to avoid it.

Run a trickle of water: Standing water in the pipes, which will expand if it freezes potentially causing the pipes to crack, is the enemy. The best way to prevent that is to run a trickle of water during freezing periods. The cost of running the water is far less than what it will cost to hire someone to repair the pipes.

Open the cabinet under your sink: To help keep the pipes under your sink and in the walls warm, it helps to open the cabinets allowing more heat from the rest of the house to get in there than if the doors were closed.

Know how to shut off your water: In the event a pipe does freeze or break, the first course of action should be shutting the water off. Then, you can try thawing it with a hair dryer or space heater. Go slow when turning the water back on, and be prepared to call a plumber.

More: Are you ready for winter weather in Rhode Island? Here's our checklist ahead of snow.

Average winter temperature in Rhode Island

How chilly it is outside in Rhode Island during the winter? Here's a look at the averages temperatures from 2023-2019, based on data.

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December - 36.74 degrees

January - 32.08 degrees

February - 32.92 degrees

March - 39.8 degrees

The average minimum temperatures for that time period was:

December - 28.62 degrees

January - 23.98 degrees

February - 24.36 degrees

March - 30.26 degrees

USA TODAY contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: What's best temperature to set your thermostat during bitter cold?
Rhode Island Public Transit Authority board director Normand Benoit, left, and Chair Peter Alviti Jr., right, discuss a resolution to support a proposed millionaire's tax on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. The resolution failed on a 3-2 vote. (Photo by Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authoritys (RIPTA) governing board would welcome a share of revenue from a millionaires tax if the state were to enact one this year.

But the agencys board of directors stopped short of formally endorsing Gov. Dan McKees proposed tax on top earners during its monthly meeting Thursday afternoon, with a 3-2 vote against a resolution drafted by its former chairman.

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This is the one way that we can fix the public transit system once and for all, board member Normand Benoit said when introducing the resolution.

Benoit admitted he has opposed tax-the-rich policies in the past. But he said he supports McKees fiscal 2027 budget proposal calling for a 3% surtax on state income over $1 million. Benoit anticipated such a proposal might surface this year when the board voted Dec. 17 to submit RIPTAs fiscal 2027 budget to McKees office with a $14 million deficit.

At the time, Benoit suggested a millionaires tax could be a solution to raise revenue to sustain the agency.

McKees proposed budget released Jan. 15 would fill RIPTAs $14 million deficit by tapping into additional highway maintenance account revenue and raising fees on cruise ship visitors landing in Newport. But its still not enough to restore service to what it was before last fall when RIPTA reduced service on 46 of its 67 bus lines  the most significant cuts in the agencys 59-year history.

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The service cuts were made after McKee declined to fill a $32.6 million deficit for fiscal 2026. The General Assembly eventually propped up RIPTA with nearly $15 million in annual revenue from upping the agencys share of the gas tax and highway maintenance fund. RIPTA administrators working with McKees office found other savings, but not enough to stave off service reductions.

Unless something dramatic takes place, were going to be up at the General Assembly with our tin cups asking if we can have a little bit of this or a little bit of that, Benoit said. And so far it hasnt been that successful.

A Rhode Island Public Transit Authority training bus is shown parked outside the agencys Melrose Street headquarters on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. (Photo by Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)

The boards chairman and Rhode Island Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti Jr. cautioned against the board delving into politics, particularly on a policy he foresees being debated heavily on Smith Hill.

Im concerned about RIPTA entering that debate prematurely, he said. We would be entering some unknown territory here by actively being proponents of a political viewpoint.

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But board member Patrick Crowley, the president of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO who has long advocated for raising the states top marginal individual income tax, said the agency often weighs in on legislation that would impact its finances.

I dont think this is any different, he said.

Crowley added that it would behoove the board to show solidarity with its mostly working class rider base. Survey results presented to the board in October found around 57% of riders polled had a household income less than $25,000 per year.

The reality is its the working-class community that were serving, he said.

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Unless something dramatic takes place, were going to be up at the General Assembly with our tin cups asking if we can have a little bit of this or a little bit of that. And so far it hasnt been that successful.

 Normand Benoit, member of the Rhode Island Public Transit Authoritys board of directors

Still, Alviti and the other opposing board members said the agency should wait until a hypothetical millionaires tax becomes reality.

While we can have subsequent deliberation, we can then suggest in our budgets as we go forward to include some of that new revenue if they decide to be allocated to transit, Alviti said.

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Joining Alviti against formally backing the millionaires tax were James Leach and Vincent Masino. Voting in favor of the resolution were Benoit and Crowley.

Board members Bernard Georges, James Lombardi, Marcy Reyes, and Heather Schey were not present for Thursdays meeting.

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SANTA BARBARA, Calif.  Republicans are one step closer to finalizing plans for a midterm convention later this year.

The Republican National Committee approved a rule change during its winter meeting on Friday that would allow the party to hold a convention during a midterm election year.

"I'm incredibly excited about the possibility of hosting midterm convention to highlight what President Trump and Republicans have been able to accomplish this year," RNC Chairman Joe Gruters said after the rule change was adopted. "If the president wants us to host a convention to highlight the great work this administration has done for the American people, we are doing the work now and will be ready to act when that time comes."

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The amendment was approved at the RNCs winter meeting with no objections. An unusually high number of RNC members had already left the meeting to catch early flights ahead of winter storms bearing down on much of the country by the time the vote was brought up.

The rule authorizes the RNC to conduct a special ceremonial convention between presidential conventions, such as a midterm convention, said Bill OBrien, the national committeeman from New Hampshire.

National party conventions have typically been held only during presidential elections in the modern era. But President Donald Trump announced in September that the party would be holding a Midterm Convention, leaving the party scrambling to execute.

The event would give Republicans an opportunity to message the administrations wins and platform candidates in battleground races across the country as they fight to hold onto congressional control.

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Democrats, who held a series of midterm-year national conventions in the 1970s, are also flirting with the possibility. At the Democratic National Committees winter meetings in Los Angeles last month, officials from Nebraska and Utah were among those jockeying to host the potential event .
CAMDEN, New Jersey  A Royse City man has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for his role in a romance fraud scheme that targeted elderly victims and funneled hundreds of thousands of dollars overseas, federal prosecutors said.

Felix Clark, 37, also known as Joseph Moore and Stanley Smith, was sentenced Jan. 15 to 60 months in prison and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud, according to court records. U.S. District Judge Renee Marie Bumb imposed the sentence in federal court in Camden and ordered Clark remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals to begin serving his term.

Prosecutors said Clark received money from victims and transferred the funds abroad, primarily to Ghana.

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Clarks girlfriend  Esther Amppiaw, 34, also of Royse City  was sentenced Jan. 7 to 18 months in prison and two years of supervised release for operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. She pleaded guilty May 23, 2025 to accepting and transmitting fraud proceeds for profit. Amppiaw is scheduled to report to prison at a later date.

According to court filings and statements made in court, the scheme operated from at least October 2021 through September 2022 while Clark was living in Delray Beach, Florida. Co-conspirators based in Ghana posed as romantic interests on online dating sites, using false identities to build relationships with elderly victims, many of whom had recently lost spouses.

The scammers persuaded victims to send money by claiming, among other things, that large quantities of gold were being held in Ghana and that taxes or fees were required to release it. Victims were directed to send payments to Clark and others acting at his direction, including Amppiaw.

Clark used false names and financial accounts opened in those names to receive and transfer the money overseas, prosecutors said. During his guilty plea, Clark admitted responsibility for $501,071 in victim losses.

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Court records also show that after law enforcement executed a search warrant at his home, Clark attempted to obstruct justice by arranging for a falsified death certificate and funeral notice. Prosecutors said the documents were submitted to falsely claim the death of a family member in an effort to recover a passport that had been lawfully seized.

Amppiaw admitted she operated an unlicensed money transmitting business from January 2022 through June 2023, also while living in Delray Beach. She acknowledged receiving checks, money orders and electronic payments totaling $317,290 from individuals she did not know and transmitting most of the funds to others, primarily in Ghana.

Prosecutors said Amppiaw also lied on four occasions to federal authorities and her bank about the nature and scope of her financial activities, including during interviews with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and federal law enforcement.
Members of the North Dakota House of Representatives participate in a special session of the Legislature on Jan. 22, 2026. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

The community hospital in southwest North Dakota in financial distress is one step closer to solvency after the Legislature voted to pass emergency legislation this week.

Senate Bill 2403 authorizes the state-owned Bank of North Dakota to issue a low-interest loan of up to $5 million to nonprofit hospitals in small communities in financial distress.

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Jacobson Memorial Hospital in Elgin, which is operating payroll to payroll and in danger of shutting down, is the only institution in the state that meets the programs eligibility requirements, according to the North Dakota Hospital Association.

Once a rural hospital closes, reopening it is extraordinarily difficult, if not impossible, said bill co-sponsor Rep. Karen Rohr, R-Mandan, whose district includes the hospital.

Hospitals must meet strict criteria to be eligible for a loan, including submitting financial documents to prove the business plan is sustainable.

Jacobson Memorial Hospital provides care to residents of Grant, Morton, Sioux, Hettinger and Adams counties. Those residents could face drives of 45 minutes or more to the nearest medical facility if the hospital closes.

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Critical access hospitals are not optional infrastructure in North Dakota, Rohr said. When minutes matter, there is no substitute for a nearby staffed facility of professionals who know their community.

The bill largely sailed through the Senate on Thursday 46-0. But it was the subject of vigorous debate in the House on Friday morning as skeptics questioned whether the hospital would be able to return to solvency.

Rep. Matt Ruby, R-Minot, speaks during a special session of the Legislature on Jan. 23, 2026. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

This is a facility that has been operating in the red for a few years, and so far what I havent heard is what they plan to do better, said Rep. Matthew Ruby, R-Minot, who ultimately voted in favor of the bill. Aside from poisoning the water, how do you get more people sick to get them to come in?

The hospitals administrator and a member of the board testified to lawmakers Wednesday that the hospital has worked with consultants to develop a strategic plan. The hospital has already begun implementing cost-cutting measures, collecting additional revenue by taking full advantage of a federal drug pricing program, and parted ways with the former CEO in November.

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This is going to work, said House Majority Leader Mike Lefor, R-Dickinson. This is a big deal for rural health care.

Other representatives expressed concerns the bill, designed for a single hospital as the intended recipient, may violate the state constitutions prohibition on gifting. Rep. Keith Kempenich, R-Bowman, said there is no constitutional question because its a loan, not a grant, and open to any hospital to apply. Rep. Ben Koppelman called it a shell game.

It seems a little disingenuous to say its open to everybody, but really only funded for the amount we want for that one hospital, said Koppelman, R-West Fargo.

The bill originally authorized $10 million and capped an individual loan at $5 million. It was amended in committee, cutting the funding to $5 million, enough for a single loan at the maximum amount.

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Other legislators pointed out this wouldnt be the first time the Legislature has authorized a loan with a particular target in mind.

Fifteen years ago, we were in a special session and we gave loans for flood victims in Minot under similar terms, said Rep. Scott Louser, R-Minot. So I would encourage a yes vote.

Rep. Alisa Mitskog, D-Wahpeton, said a loan application would be scrutinized by the Bank of North Dakota.

We cannot allow entire communities or regions of our state to face limited or delayed access to care, Mitskog said.

The House passed the legislation 80-12.

The Bank of North Dakota will examine how the hospital arrived at this point and review comprehensive financial documentation, said Kelvin Hullet, an executive with the state-owned bank.

Sen. Sean Cleary, R-Bismarck, speaks during a special session of the Legislature on Jan. 23, 2026. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

Well be going in depth with them through an application process. It will be treated like any other loan that we would review at the Bank of North Dakota, Hullet said.

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Sen. Michelle Powers, R-Fargo, emphasized the hospitals dire situation is the result of poor management in recent years and not because of fraud.

Sen. Sean Cleary, R-Bismarck, said the situation in Elgin should serve as notice to hospitals across the state. The boards, often composed of local community members, should check to ensure their business model is sustainable.

They should be asking tough questions because were not gonna be able to bail out every single hospital in the state, Cleary said. Theres only so many dollars we have available, and frankly in a situation like this, if this plan fails, thatll cast a pretty long shadow on other entities that are looking for support.

North Dakota Monitor reporter Jacob Orledge can be reached at jorledge@northdakotamonitor.com.
By Gleb Bryanski

MOSCOW, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Sberbank, Russia's biggest bank turned technology conglomerate, has taken a major stake in leading electronics producer Element, as Moscow pushes for sovereignty in the production of the high-tech components needed for the war in Ukraine.

Western nations have restricted Russia's access to critical technology, including semiconductors and microelectronics. But Ukraine has warned that Russia is increasingly able to replace smuggled Western components with its own technology.

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Sberbank said late on Thursday it had acquired a 41.9% stake in Element from private equity fund Sistema and unidentified minority shareholders for 27 billion roubles ($355.73 million).

All three companies are targeted by Western sanctions over the war.

LOOMING SHOWDOWN BETWEEN SBERBANK AND ROSTEC

Russian newspaper Kommersant, citing sources, reported that under the deal, Element's manufacturing assets will be integrated into Sberbank's tech arm. Sberbank, which rebranded as Sber in 2020, now calls itself a technology company.

Element manufactures integrated circuits, semiconductor devices, and microchips, accounting for about half of Russia's microelectronics production.

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Sberbank said it will make a buyout offer to minority shareholders.

But it now looks set for a showdown with state-owned defence and technology conglomerate Rostec, which owns 41.6% of Element and was quoted by Russian news outlets as saying it will not sell its stake.

Rostec - headed by Sergei Chemezov, a longtime friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin - helped create Element, merging its own electronics manufacturing assets with those of Sistema.

PUTIN CALLS FOR 'MADE IN RUSSIA' MILITARY SMART TECH

Moscow has stepped up long-range strikes on Ukraine, using drones and missiles, as it presses its position amid U.S.-brokered efforts to end the conflict.

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Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Thursday, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called for increased scrutiny on Russia's tech imports, saying it would not be able to produce missiles without "critical components sourced from China, Europe, the United States, and Taiwan."

Following Thursday's announcement of the Element stake purchase, Sberbank CEO German Gref took part in a meeting on the microelectronics industry chaired by Putin at the Kremlin.

"Leading countries and unions, such as the United States, China, and EU countries, are now focused on strengthening sovereignty over key elements of the production chain in electronics," Putin said in remarks released by the Kremlin.

Strengthening Russia's military capacity and advances in artificial intelligence and quantum computing were only possible with a domestic manufacturing base, he added.

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"It is obvious that the Russian army should be equipped with smart technology based on our own solutions. This fully applies to the civilian sector as well," Putin said.

Rostec's leadership did not attend the meeting.

($1 = 75.9000 roubles)

(Writing by Gleb Bryanski; Editing by Joe Bavier)
The multidecade fight to build a short, four-lane highway through a section of southern Utah just got another green light from the Trump administration. But the question remains: will lawyers for environmental groups succeed in slowing down construction again?

Federal reapproval of the Utah Department of Transportations proposal marks the eighth time the 4.5-mile highway has been considered. The road crosses through a small portion of the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, which is just north of St. George, Utah.

Environmental groups like Conserve Southwest Utah are opposed to the highway, largely over concerns it could further endanger the Mojave desert tortoise.

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Lisa Belenky, a California-based counsel for the Center for Biological Diversity, said the proposed highway would destroy some of the last best habitat for threatened desert tortoises and forever scar this rare natural refuge.

The long history of the proposed highway

Adam Snow, a Washington County commissioner, told the Deseret News that in 2009, former President Barack Obama signed a bill that directed the Interior Secretary to propose a route for a highway through Utahs Red Cliffs National Conservation Area.

There was a lot of pushback by the end of the Obama administration, Snow explained, so the road didnt make any progress. Then when President (Donald) Trump came into office in 2016, the highway started gaining momentum. Once a plan had been approved, it was immediately seized upon by Conserve Southwest Utah.

Lawsuits kept the highway from progressing, then former President Joe Biden entered office, and the project was halted for four years.

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As soon as President Trump came back into office, they looked at the decision to halt it again, and realized it was largely just a political decision, Snow explained.

The Bureau of Land Management then re-analyzed the road, the benefit to the tortoise and the benefit of habitat conservation, and they realized that, yes, the law gave a right of way. So they reissued a new decision yesterday, he said.

But Utahs fight for the highway precedes 2009. Gil Almquist, another Washington County commissioner, told the Deseret News that St. George always knew an east-west route across that area would be necessary.

Before becoming a Washington County commissioner, Almquist served on St. Georges Planning Commission and City Council for a combined 20 years. St. George had been discussing the route long before Obama signed the 2009 bill.

Environmental groups are still against the highway

Upon news of the highways federal approval Wednesday, seven environmental nonprofits from six states signed onto a press release expressing their concerns over the project.

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The highway could damage iconic red rock landscapes, disrupt treasured outdoor recreation opportunities and set a dangerous precedent for congressionally-protected public lands across the U.S., they wrote.

In another press release from the Center for Biological Diversity, the Arizona-based nonprofit referenced a Biden-era BLM report that concluded the highway would increase wildfire probability, permanently destroy the tortoises habitat, spread invasive plants and harm cultural and historical resources.

A desert tortoise in its native habitat in Washington County. | Jason Jones, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

Why Washington County leaders think the highway is necessary

Southwestern Utah is home to dozens of natural wonders that bring in millions of tourists annually. Zion National Park alone typically attracts about 5 million visitors a year.

Youve got huge state parks that get millions of visitors on one side of the county, and then two other state parks and a national park  the second busiest national park in the country  on the other side of the county," Snow said.

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The roadway is necessary because weve got to get traffic through east and west across the county, he said.

As the areas infrastructure currently stands, residents and tourists rely on I-15, which is at one point pinched between two stone walls.

There are no additional lanes we could add for more room without removing a mountain, Snow said. And weve got roads that go around the south side of that hill, but nobody goes eight miles out of their way. ... So were getting traffic failure at that point.

Bluff Street in St. George is pictured on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. | Ravell Call, Deseret News

7,000 acres of land offered to placate environmental groups

In an attempt to make the Northern Corridor more appealing to environmentalists, the Washington County Commission promised to add 7,000 acres of land to Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, in exchange for the less than 200 acres needed for the Northern Corridor Highway.

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Those 7,000 acres include several trails and climbing areas, which would remain accessible to the public and would likely receive better maintenance, if designated conservation land, Almquist said.

However, Conserve Southwest Utah has said it would like to conserve the 7,000 acres and prevent the highway from being constructed.

Stacey Wittek, the executive director of Conserve Southwest Utah, said, If there is a will to protect both, then there is a way.

She added, Not only is it an economic question, it is an emotional, moral and spiritual question for us. How do we build and make places that are preserved in perpetuity?

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Almquist countered, Whats ironic is were doing it for environmental reasons. If the Northern Corridor de-congests traffic elsewhere, it will offset carbon emissions, he explained, adding, I dont know why the environmentalists are hitting us over the head when were trying to preserve land for them.

Regardless of how long it takes, Snow and Almquist told the Deseret News they believe the highway will be built eventually, even if new environmental lawsuits come in.

We can put this road in, which is a benefit to the tortoise. Having worked for the federal government for so many years, Ive never seen a true win, win, win. If youre a conservationist, you can claim a victory. If you care about the tortoise, you can claim a big win there. If youre a recreationist, and you love open space, you can say we protected Moes Valley, which is another win, Snow said.

Utah Sen. Mike Lee, Rep. Celeste Maloy celebrate the Trump admins decision

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, described the BLMs reapproval of the Northern Corridor as great news for Washington County and a big win for a fast-growing community.

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Rep. Celeste Maloy, R-Utah, added in a press release that the reapproval is the result of decades of work, research, collaboration and dedication.

For Maloy, the decision came after working on it in varying capacities for over a decade, first as an attorney in Washington County and then as a congresswoman in Washington, D.C.
Key Points

Eldorado Gold announced progress at its project in Greece.

The company announced the start of a dividend program.

Investors interested in gold stocks and dividend stocks have other options besides Eldorado Gold.

10 stocks we like better than Eldorado Gold 

Beginning the shortened trading week on a positive note, Eldorado Gold (NYSE: EGO) stock ended Tuesday's trading session about 6% higher from the close of Friday's session. And the gold stock's momentum continued over the next couple of days, with shares closing higher on both Wednesday and Thursday than the previous day's close.

According to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence, shares of Eldorado Gold are up 12.1% from the end of trading last Friday through the close of Thursday's market session.

Image source: Getty Images.

The week began on a lustrous note

On Tuesday, Eldorado Gold reported positive developments regarding its operations in Greece, where the company's Skouries Project is nearing the start of copper-gold concentrate production. Management anticipates concentrate production beginning toward the end of the first quarter 2026, with commercial production projected to begin in the middle of the year.

Skouries is one of three projects that Eldorado Gold is developing in Greece. In the press release announcing the outlook for Skouries, Eldorado stated:

"Greece remains key to Eldorado's strategy, with three projects, Skouries, Olympias Expansion, and Perama Hill, advancing as planned, positioning the Company for significant production growth, improved margins, and enhanced cash flow."

The company gave investors another reason to click the buy button on Eldorado Gold stock yesterday when it announced the launch of a dividend program. Payable on March 13, 2026, the $0.075 per share quarterly dividend will be paid to shareholders of record as of the close of business on Feb. 27, 2026. Speaking to the program, George Burns, the company's CEO, said, "The introduction of a dividend underscores our confidence in Skouries as it transitions into production and begins generating significant cash flow."

Is Eldorado Gold stock a buy now?

Despite the company's encouraging news on its project in Greece and its dividend announcement, investors shouldn't feel any urgency to buy Eldorado Gold stock. The projects in Greece still represent some risk, and the dividend is nominal. Fortunately, both gold bugs and income investors have other options to consider.

Should you buy stock in Eldorado Gold right now?

Before you buy stock in Eldorado Gold, consider this:
As stores across the region run low on salt, the shortage is now straining suppliers, with demand surging ahead of an approaching winter storm.

Silvi Materials, a local salt distributor in Bristol Township, saw a steady stream of dump trucks coming in and out of its Riverside Industrial Complex location on Thursday. Video showed trucks lined up as early as 7 a.m., creating heavy traffic.

"It was blocked from here all the way past Randall Bridge - which we call Edgeley Bridge - bumper to bumper traffic," said Laura Wolfram, who lives nearby.

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Commercial customers rushed to secure salt as forecasts called for another winter system.

Larry Silvi, Silvi Materials' chief sales and marketing officer, said the early-season demand caught many buyers by surprise.

"With this early demand in January, I think people got caught off guard with their inventory, so we're one of the few people that still had salt on the ground," Silvi said.

Trucks arrived from across the tri-state area and from as far away as Virginia and North Carolina. Officials said heavy salt use in December depleted supplies earlier than usual, leaving many suppliers running low.

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In response, Silvi Materials increased its stockpile and boosted shipments from overseas.

"We were kind of preparing for this in advance. We made these decisions back after Christmas," Silvi said.

The shortage is also affecting private contractors, like American Property Solutions out of Allentown. The company services stores, malls, doctors' offices and hospitals.

"We put out a mass email to all our clients today to let them know that we have secured enough salt for this event, but after this event, going into February, we're uncertain," said owner Michael Piechota.

Piechota said contractors may be forced to use alternative materials, such as sand or cinders, which are made from coal ash.

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"The general public, I feel, should know it's not the private contractor that doesn't wanna do a good job. We just don't have the product available to us," Piechota said.

As traffic continued to mount Thursday, Silvi Materials turned away pickup customers, prioritizing deliveries for state agencies, municipalities, schools and similar contracts.

"The second we realized it was happening, we did everything we could to get rid of trucks and get rid of traffic, even at a cost to our business," said Silvi.

"We turned away all those pickup customers, or a vast majority of them, telling them we just can't load because we had very unusual amount of traffic, unmanageable amounts for our site," he added.

Silvi described the week as highly abnormal and said he hopes other suppliers receive shipments soon to ease the shortage. While there are salt mines in the United States, many shipments supplying the region come from overseas.
Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.

Caroline Ellison, former CEO of Alameda Research and ex-girlfriend of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, is scheduled to be released from U.S. federal custody on Wednesday after serving 440 days of a two-year sentence.

Ellison's Release

According to Bureau of Prisons records, Ellison will be released from a residential re-entry facility in New York City after receiving credit for good conduct and transitioning to re-entry custody in October.

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Ellison was among several former FTX and Alameda executives charged following the collapse of FTX in 2022, CoinTelegraph reported on Wednesday.

She testified against Bankman-Fried as part of a plea agreement, providing insider testimony on the fraud that contributed to an estimated $8 billion shortfall in customer funds.

Ellison and other convicted executives are permanently barred from holding leadership roles in crypto-related businesses.

Bankman-Fried is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence and is appealing his conviction, while other former executives received significantly lighter sentences.

See Also: If there was a new fund backed by Jeff Bezos offering a 7-9% target yield with monthly dividends would you invest in it?

FTX Fallout And Regulatory Impact

While Ellison's release marks the end of her custodial sentence, the broader fallout from FTX continues through bankruptcy proceedings, ongoing legal appeals, and heightened regulatory scrutiny of the crypto industry.

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The collapse of FTX has accelerated regulatory efforts globally.

In the United States, lawmakers have pushed for clearer oversight boundaries between the SEC and CFTC, while in Europe, the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework gained momentum in part due to the scandal.

The case remains a defining example of the risks posed by weak governance, limited transparency, and insufficient oversight in digital asset markets.

Image: Shutterstock

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This article Sam Bankman-Fried's Former Girlfriend Caroline Ellison Released After 440 Days In Federal Custody originally appeared on Benzinga.com

 2026 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
A man with paranoid schizophrenia who fatally stabbed a woman at a bus stop has been detained indefinitely.

Jala Debella, 24, attacked Anita Mukhey, 66, in front of passers-by in north London in May 2024. He stabbed her 18 times at about midday before he "casually" walked away while people rushed to help the victim.

Addressing his remarks to an empty dock as Debella had been too unwell to stand trial, Judge Philip Katz KC described Mukhey "as the heart of the family".

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At the Old Bailey, Debella was sentenced to a hospital order under the Mental Health Act with an accompanying restriction order - meaning he can be detained for the rest of his life.

Jala Debella will continue to live at a secure hospital [Metropolitan Police]

The judge added: "She was a wife, mother and grandmother, stabbed to death by a complete stranger on a busy main road in north London."

The court previously heard Debella was obsessed with gory online videos and had been able to buy a hunting knife over the internet, despite living in a residential home supporting people with mental health problems.

The knife was delivered to his home in Colindale, north London, around an hour before he used it to stab Mukhey to death, an act which mirrored violence he had watched.

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Mukhey's husband Hari said the grandmother-of-two was the "centre of our home".

"Her absence has left silence that nothing can fill."

He thanked "brave members of the public" who went to his wife's aid, but said the trial had forced him to confront "deeply troubling" facts about the psychological assessments of her killer.

In a statement issued after the jury found Debella committed the act of killing Mukhey, her family said: "The court has heard a man with a severe mental illness was known to services and assessed by consultant psychiatrists as psychologically stable and safe for the community.

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"At the same time, he was engaging in escalating behaviour outside those assessments, including acquiring weapons and researching extreme violence - behaviour that ultimately mirrored the violence he later carried out.

"That disconnect is hard to accept. It raises serious questions about how risk is assessed, and about whether current models are equipped to detect danger that develops beyond the spoken words of the consulting room."

The Mukhey family also questioned why Debella was able to purchase weapons online while living in a staffed and registered mental health rehabilitation home.

An inquest into Mukhey's death has been opened and adjourned.

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Judge Katz said he did not express an opinion on the "safety of the regime" at the residential home but added: "No doubt others will consider it, hopefully soon."

Debella's medical consultant confirmed he had been detained under the Mental Health Act on at least three occasions before the attack.

Debella will continue to be held at Ashworth High Secure Hospital in Merseyside.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk

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The National Weather Service issued an Extreme Cold Warning across parts of Illinois Thursday and Friday as wind chills dip as low as 35 degrees below zero.

But have Illinois schools canceled classes? Here's what we know.

How cold does it have to be for schools to close?

There is no one uniform temperature required for schools to close in Illinois. Instead, every school district sets its own guidelines, typically based on a combination of factors, including temperature, wind chill, safety and facility accessibility.

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For example, Chicago Public Schools bases its decisions on the following factors:

Air temperature and wind chill

The amount of snow and ice on the ground

The accessibility of buildings and roads

Potential issues with heating/cooling systems or power outages

The ability to transport students safely on buses

Air quality during periods of extreme heat

Are schools in Illinois closed on Friday?

You should check with your local school district to see if classes have been canceled Friday, Jan. 22.

So far, schools in Chicago and Peoria have canceled classes due to upcoming cold weather, while Springfield schools have scheduled an electronic learning day.

How cold will it get Friday in Illinois?

Here are the minimum wind chill forecasts for Friday in Illinois, provided by the NWS:

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Galesburg: -28

Peoria: -21

Bloomington: -24

Champaign: -21

Springfield: -18

Decatur: -18

Effingham: -10

Chicago: -40

CONTRIBUTING: Zach Roth, Peoria Journal Star; Tom Ackerman, Springfield State Journal-Register

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Are schools closed Friday? What districts in Peoria, Chicago are saying
California state Sen. Scott Wiener announced on Thursday that he is stepping down from his role as one of the co-chairs of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus, capping off nearly two weeks of controversy and frustration among Jewish leaders in the state after the San Francisco Democrat declared Israels actions in Gaza to be a genocide.



Wiener said in a statement, which was obtained by Jewish Insider, that the decision was prompted in part by the fallout of his genocide comments.



My campaign is accelerating, and my recent statements on Israel and Gaza have led to significant controversy in the Jewish community. The time to transition has arrived, Wiener said. He will remain in the role until Feb. 15.



Wiener, who is running for Congress in a competitive Democratic primary to fill the seat being vacated by retiring Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), has long declared himself a progressive Zionist while also criticizing the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israels actions in Gaza.



But after a candidate forum this month where his two competitors were quick to say Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, Wiener faced pressure from his left to use the word himself, and released a video a few days later changing his stance.



Ive stopped short of calling it genocide, but I cant anymore, Wiener said. A coalition of local and statewide Jewish advocacy groups responded with a statement saying his position is both incorrect and lacks moral clarity.



Wiener said Thursday that the American Jewish community is navigating an extremely difficult moment in time, and called for more dialogue.



As we move through this moment, it is even more important for Jews here and globally to foster open dialogue and acceptance of disagreement, even on the hardest of issues, Wiener said. Since I stated my view that the Netanyahu government committed a genocide in Gaza, I have had many in-depth conversations with members of the Jewish community with a range of perspectives. While many in the community strongly disagree with my view, I am grateful for their willingness to engage with me and hear my perspective, showing once again the deep respect for difference in our community.



In an interview with Politico this week, Wiener said he had avoided using the word genocide until now because of the harm and hurt it would cause the Jewish community.



Until now, I have not used the word genocide really for two reasons: First of all, it is an extremely sensitive issue in the Jewish community, Wiener said. And [second] particularly because the word genocide has been weaponized against Israel and against Jews for a long time. There are people who think Israels mere existence is genocide.



He said hes heard from Jewish voters and leaders in the days since who are unhappy with his statement, but asked them to remember his record.



If youre mad at me, if you feel betrayed, I respect and honor that. But just also remember how many times Ive gone to the mat for this community, and the bullets Ive taken for this community, Wiener said.




A second person has died following a deadly two-vehicle crash last weekend on West Ridge Road in Greece, New York.

Greece police confirmed Thursday that a passenger in one of the two involved vehicles died following the Jan. 17 crash at the intersection of West Ridge and Elmgrove roads.

Tyler Underwood, 28, of Hamlin, was a passenger in the car that was rear-ended at the intersection and died at Strong Memorial Hospital five days later, from injuries he suffered in the crash, according to Greece police.

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According to his family, Underwood's organs were donated on Thursday, Jan. 22.

Investigators said a westbound pickup driven by Craig Cavallaro, 42, of Hilton rear-ended another vehicle that was stopped at a red light around 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17.

Cavallaro was pronounced dead at the scene.

Tyler Underwood, 28, of Hamlin

The driver of the stopped vehicle, Riesen Kimmerly, 25, of Hamlin, and Underwood were taken to Strong Memorial Hospital with serious injuries. Kimmerly remained in guarded condition at Strong on Thursday.

According to an online fundraiser to assist Kimmerly, she and Underwood suffered traumatic head injuries and multiple broken bones. The couple's puppy, which was also in the vehicle, died in the crash.

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Kimmerly underwent surgery for her injuries, which reportedly include a collapsed lung and a brain bleed, according to her family.

Police said the investigation into the crash is ongoing.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Tyler Underwood dies days after deadly crash in Greece NY
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Seismologists with the University of Utah provided an update on the 4.7 magnitude earthquake Thursday morning.

Its not considered a big earthquake at all, Keith Koper, the University of Utahs Seismograph Stations director, said.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake shook at approximately 7:50 a.m. about 20 miles south of Evanston, and just five miles south of the Utah-Wyoming border. The earthquake was measured at a magnitude of 4.7.

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INITIAL COVERAGE: 4.7 magnitude earthquake rocks Uinta Mountains near Utah-Wyoming border

It is possible that you could feel more shaking later today, Koper said. The good news is we dont have any reports of injuries or damage.

Koper says there have already been roughly six aftershocks detected. The probability of a bigger earthquake is somewhere [between] 1 and 2%.

According to Koper, the quake was located further east of where earthquakes are more frequent. It was located kind of in a funny spot.

Local businesses near epicenter of 4.7 magnitude earthquake in Uinta Mountains describe scene

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The update will be shared live on ABC4.com and take place via Zoom. University of Utah seismograph directors will join the discussion and provide additional information.

It was still widely felt, Koper said adding that the quake has been felt all along the Wasatch Front.

According to Koper, the quake was a strike slip earthquake, meaning that the two sides of the fault line moved side to side, rather than vertically.

Ahead of the legislative session, Koper said their funding largely comes from the state. Seismologists have reportedly had discussions about having to pull back a number of seismograph stations due to lack of funding.

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I feel that I need to advocate that what were doing is public safety, Koper concluded. If some of the legislators felt the shaking this morning then maybe theyll be more aware.

Latest headlines:

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar has taken a large step toward a possible run for governor in Minnesota by filing paperwork to form a campaign committee.

The Jan. 22 filing to the state campaign finance board by the longtime Democratic lawmaker is the latest move towards a formal announcement of her candidacy, according to ABC News and MinnPost. Minnesota's precinct caucuses, traditionally the first step in the party endorsement process, begin on Feb. 3.

Klobuchar's action comes after current Gov. Tim Walz unexpectedly withdrew his re-election bid for a third term on Jan. 5 amid a widespread federal welfare fraud investigation. Several Minnesota Republican lawmakers asked Walz to step aside, citing reports from a U.S. attorney that at least half of the $18 billion paid through the state's 14 Medicaid waiver programs since 2018 could be fraudulent.

US Customs and Border Protection agents arrest a man after not providing documents proving he's a citizen of the United States while patrolling a neighborhood during immigration enforcement activity in Minneapolis in Minneapolis, Minn. on Jan. 11, 2026. A US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good on the streets of Minneapolis on Jan. 7, leading to huge protests and outrage from local leaders who rejected White House claims she was a domestic terrorist. U.S. Border Patrol agents smash a man's car window before dragging him out and taking him into custody when he failed to present citizenship documentation at a gas station on Jan. 11, 2026 in St. Paul, Minn. The Trump administration has sent an estimated 2,000 federal agents into the area as they make a push to arrest undocumented immigrants. Border Patrol agents deploy tear gas as they clash with residents in a residential neighborhood after a minor traffic accident Jan. 12, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minn. The Trump administration has sent an estimated 2,000 federal agents into the area in a push to arrest undocumented immigrants. Federal law enforcement agents clash with residents in a neighborhood following a minor traffic accident Jan. 12, 2026 in Minneapolis. The Trump administration has sent an estimated 2,000 federal agents into the area in a push to arrest undocumented immigrants. Federal law enforcement agents deploy tear gas as they clash with residents in a residential neighborhood after a minor traffic accident Jan. 12, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minn. The Trump administration has sent an estimated 2,000 federal agents into the area in a push to arrest undocumented immigrants. Federal law enforcement agents ask a women to produce citizenship documentation as she was walking down the street Jan. 12, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minn. The Trump administration has sent an estimated 2,000 federal agents into the area in a push to arrest undocumented immigrants. Federal law enforcement agents take a person who was standing in a residential neighborhood into custody when he was unable to produce citizenship documentation Jan. 12, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minn. The Trump administration has sent an estimated 2,000 federal agents into the area in a push to arrest undocumented immigrants. ICE agents in St. Cloud on Jan. 12. State Sen. Aric Putnam, DFL-St. Cloud, speaks with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents at around 12:30 p.m. Jan. 12 in front of a few businesses on Third Street North. Crowds gathered at the intersection of Third Street N and 33rd Avenue N in St. Cloud as ICE agents came through the area Jan. 12. Federal agents continue surge of immigration enforcement in Minnesota 1 of 10 US Customs and Border Protection agents arrest a man after not providing documents proving he's a citizen of the United States while patrolling a neighborhood during immigration enforcement activity in Minneapolis in Minneapolis, Minn. on Jan. 11, 2026. A US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good on the streets of Minneapolis on Jan. 7, leading to huge protests and outrage from local leaders who rejected White House claims she was a domestic terrorist.

Several congressional Republicans also called on Walz to testify about his failure to address the scandal.

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A four-term senator, Klobuchar, 65, has held her seat since 2007, racking up double-digit victories in each of her previous runs. Klobuchar met with Walz ahead of his departure from the governor's race. Walz was running uncontested and is expected to serve out the remainder of his term.

Klobuchar's possible run for governor also comes as her home state has become a focal point for the Trump administration's controversial immigration enforcement crackdown. Walz, along with other Minnesota leaders, including Attorney General Keith Ellison and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, were served grand jury subpoenas by the Justice Department, seeking whether they are obstructing federal law enforcement activities in the state.

Gov. Walz won't seek third term: Minnesota governor drops out of race amid fraud scandal

In a statement posted on X, Walz called the investigation "political theater."

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"This Justice Department investigation, sparked by calls for accountability in the face of violence, chaos, and the killing of Renee Good, does not seek justice," Walz's post said. "It is a partisan distraction."

In a Jan. 22 post on X, Klobuchar said the Trump administration's time would be better served by looking into the Jan. 7 fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an immigration officer in Minneapolis.

"Instead of investigating the shooting of Renee Good, the Trump administration is subpoenaing Minnesota's state and local leaders," Klobuchar said. "We need answers and accountability for Renee's death  not political games."

Crowded contest in Minnesota

More than a dozen Republican candidates are vying for Minnesota's governor job, including My Pillow founder and CEO Mike Lindell, Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, businessman Kendall Qualls, and state Rep. Kristin Robbins.

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Minnesota GOP Chair Alex Plechash said in a Jan. 22 post on X that he believes Klobuchar represents a third term for Walz and added that the senator shouldnt hold down one job while running for another.

"Minnesota needs a governor who is all in  not a Washington insider running a gutless political audition," Plechash said. "If Klobuchar cant even choose which job she wants, Minnesotans can be confident she wont have the backbone to fix the problems Democrats created."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Amy Klobuchar files paperwork for probable run for Minnesota governor
SEOUL, Jan 23 (Reuters) - U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for policy Elbridge Colby will visit South Korea from Sunday to Tuesday and discuss military alliance issues before travelling on to Japan, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported on Friday.

His talks with South Korean officials will likely touch on Seoul's proposed increase in defence spending and the modernisation of the two countries' military alliance, Yonhap said, citing an unnamed source.

South Korea's Defence Ministry declined to confirm the report, saying questions should be directed to the U.S. side.

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Colby, the Pentagon's top defence and foreign policymaker, leads the implementation of U.S. defence strategy.

The two countries have been discussing President Donald Trump's push for U.S. allies to shoulder a greater share of their defence cost and Washington's realignment of its military footprint to ready its troops stationed around the world for wider missions.

South Korea hosts about 28,500 U.S. troops in combined defence against North Korea's military threat. Seoul raised its defence budget by 7.5% for this year.

South Korea is pursuing the construction if its own nuclear-powered submarines, a plan Trump has backed.

(Reporting by Jack KimEditing by Ed Davies)
LAFAYETTE, IN  The Jan. 18 shootings of Tippecanoe Superior 2 Judge Steven Meyer and his wife, Kimberly Meyer, appear to be a gang hit on behalf of a Lafayette man who was scheduled to stand trial Jan. 20 in Meyer's court on gun, intimidation and domestic battery charges, according to court records.

Thomas Moss, 43, was one of five people either directly or indirectly involved in the shootings, according to prosecutors, and the investigation spanned Lafayette, Kentucky and Pennsylvania.

Raylen Ferguson, 38, of the 600 block of Ohio Street in Lexington, Kentucky, is the man police suspect actually pulled the trigger on the shotgun that wounded the Meyers.

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Ferguson used a distinctive cadence with his knock on the Meyers' door about 2:15 p.m. Jan. 18. The judge did not open the door, and Ferguson told Meyer that he was looking for his lost dog, according to the probable cause affidavit. Meyer told the man at the door that he did not have his dog.

Ferguson then fired rounds from the shotgun through the door, according to the affidavit, which referred to video surveillance at the home.

After the shooting, police recovered a mask with Ferguson's DNA, clothing and the shotgun with a partially obliterated serial number on it, according to the court document.

The Meyers reported that late Friday night, a man tried to deliver food to the house. He used the same distinctive cadence to his knock on Meyer's door as Ferguson did, according to the affidavit. Surveillance video from the day of the shooting and the errant food delivery show a man with the same clothing and with a similar gait.

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Additionally, police tracked down the food order to a Lafayette restaurant and watched surveillance video that indicated the man who bought the food for delivery to the Meyers' house appeared to be Ferguson, according to the affidavit.

Blake Smith, 32, of the 10100 block of East Tippecanoe County Road 350 South in rural Dayton, bought the shotgun used in the assault on the Meyers, according to the affidavit. Smith bought the gun at a local store on Jan. 5.

The Indiana State Police laboratory managed to identify some of the obliterated digits from the recovered gun's serial number. They match the sequence and numbers of the shotgun Smith bought, according to the affidavit.

Piecing together the puzzle

Moss is facing unrelated felony charges in Meyer's court. His trial was supposed to start Jan. 20. His attorney had requested a continuance, but Meyer denied that request on Jan. 7, according to the affidavit.

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Moss, Smith and Ferguson all are associated with each other in their alleged activity with an outlaw motorcycle gang, according to the affidavit.

Ferguson and Zenada R. Greer, of the 600 block of of Ohio Street in Lexington, Kentucky, share the same address.

Police suspect Ferguson drove Greer's car to the area of Mill Pond Lane to do the shooting, according to the affidavit. But that car included a license plate recently stolen from a local parking lot.

Greer's car was seen driving from Kentucky toward Lafayette on Jan. 16 and was identified as driving toward Smith's house on Jan. 18, shortly after the shootings.

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The day after the shooting, police began surveillance on Smith's house, which has been identified as a clubhouse for the motorcycle gang of which Moss and Smith allegedly are members.

While watching the house, they noticed a car, which Greer rented from a business in Lexington, Kentucky, and Ferguson returned to a Lafayette rental business on Jan. 19.

Moss and Ferguson are business partners in a limited liability trucking company. Ferguson left Lafayette on Jan. 20 in a vehicle that was parked at Smith's house and registered to the trucking company.

After the shooting, Kentucky police saw Greer driving her car on Jan. 20. It is the same car police believe was seen coming to Lafayette on Jan. 16, the same car police allege Ferguson used to pick up and deliver food to the Meyers' home on Jan. 16, and the same car police allege was seen parked near the Meyers' house on Jan. 18 at the time of the shooting.

The Pennsylvania connection

Moss allegedly battered a woman on June 21, 2024. This was the case he was scheduled for trial on Jan. 20.

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The victim of that case called Lafayette police after the assaults on the Meyers. On Jan. 12, a man wearing a mask similar to the one used in the Meyers' shootings came to the door of her Pennsylvania home. No one answered the door or responded to the man, who walked away.

The man appears to have the same gait as the gunman, the man who tried to deliver food to the Meyers and the man who bought the food to take to the Meyers. That man, police believe, is Ferguson, who police allege was driving Greer's car based on surveillance videos from Pennsylvania, according to the affidavit.

Earlier in the month, Amanda Milsap, 45  also known as Amanda Lee Moss  of 3900 block of Regal Valley Drive in Lafayette, reached out to the woman in Pennsylvania.

Milsap and Moss used to be married, but Milsap filed for divorce in February 2023. The divorce was finalized in April 2024, according to court records.

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Milsap filed in September 2024 to restrict Moss's visitation with their son because of his arrest on gun and domestic violence charges against the woman who now lives in Pennsylvania, according to court records.

Milsap told the woman in Pennsylvania that Moss and his gang wanted to pay her $10,000 if the woman would not testify against Moss, according to the affidavit. The woman declined the offer.

The charges

Moss, Smith and Milsap all were arrested late Thursday or early Friday. They have been booked into the Tippecanoe County Jail, according to jail records. Greer is an inmate at the Lexington, Kentucky, jail, according to records.

Ferguson is not yet an inmate in Lafayette or Lexington, according to online records.

Raylen Ferguson

Ferguson is wanted on a warrant for attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, aggravated battery, battery resulting in serious bodily injury and battery with a deadly weapon. He also is wanted on intimidation and obstruction of justice. Additionally, he faces sentence-enhancing charges of gang activity and use of a firearm in a crime.

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Moss was arrested on a warrant late Thursday on the same charges as Ferguson, according to police.

Thomas Moss

Lafayette police arrested Smith early Friday. He faces the charges of attempted murder, conspiracy to to commit murder, aggravated battery, battery resulting in serious bodily injury, battery with a deadly weapon, intimidation and assisting a criminal.

Blake Smith

Additionally, Smith faces sentence-enhancing charges of being a habitual offender, gang activity and use of a firearm in a crime.

Amanda Milsap

Police arrested Milsap late Thursday on a warrant charging her with bribery and obstruction of justice.

Kentucky police recently arrested Greer, and she is jailed in Lexington. She has a warrant in Tippecanoe County charging her with assisting a criminal and obstruction of justice.

Zenada Greer

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Court dates

A pro tem judge held a hearing Friday morning on Moss's pending case in Tippecanoe Superior 2. The hearing was to schedule a new trial date on the earlier charges.

Smith, Moss and Milsap are not scheduled for initial hearings on Friday. Typically, arrested defendants who are formally charged are scheduled for an initial hearing within 48 hours of their arrest, not including holidays and weekends. Typically, those initial hearings are in the magistrate's court.

Requests have been filed in all five cases asking the Indiana Supreme Court to appoint a special judge. Chief Justice Loretta Rush said a special judge will be announced Monday.

Reach Ron Wilkins at rwilkins@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Lafayette shootings of judge, wife allegedly a gang hit to derail defendant's trial
In the world of marketing, artificial intelligence tends to get the most attention when it is featured prominently in splashy creative advertising campaigns from big brands like Coca-Cola and Nike.

But at WPPwhose client roster includes Google, LOreal, LVMH, and MastercardChief Technology Officer Stephan Pretorius says the advertising giants big mic drop moment has been the soaring adoption of WPP Open, an AI-enabled operating system thats used by marketers to plan, create, and run campaigns. More than 85,000 of the agencys 108,000 employees are using WPP Open on a monthly basis today, up sharply from 30,000 in February 2024.

Getting that balance right and making sure that humans are in control of the output and that they evaluate and apply taste and judgment, but also that the thought process is expanded and augmentedso you dont become like a passive passenger in the processis really critical, says Pretorius.

Pretorius says WPP has embraced three levels of AI training to get the workforce ready for these AI tools. At the entry level, WPP runs a creative technology apprenticeship program, which it recently expanded under the companys five-year, $400 million partnership with Google. The program aims to train 1,000 creative technology apprentices over the next three years, helping college graduates learn about AI and other technologies before they join one of WPPs agencies.

WPP also offers AI learning programs for more senior staff, including courses that teach the basics of generative AI and the appropriate use of AI in media planning and creative ideation. At the senior level, executives are expected to take AI and business diploma courses.

Youve got to do it continuously and you have to do it very purposely, says Pretorius of the AI upskilling programs that he says need to be conducted on an ongoing basis. I think its a tall order to expect people to know how to work with AI. Everyones still figuring it out.

Ad agencies like WPP have increasingly embraced generative AI capabilities to support creative ideation, research, and to develop of content for their clients, with the hopes that the technology will both speed up production and ultimately lower costs. Three out of four ad industry executives say that their companies are using these tools in 2025, up from from 61% the prior year, according to a survey conducted by research firm Forrester.

But, like most other industries, these AI investments are for now a net cost for agencies. The cost of businesswhich Forrester defines as generative AI capabilities funded by a creative agency without passing those costs on to clientsgrew 83% in 2025. Only 7% were able to sell generative AI capabilities as a separate service outside what these agencies have traditionally offered.
Here's a look at how the Tennessee Department of Transportation, Nashville and several surrounding Middle Tennessee cities address snow and ice on streets.

Interstates and state routes

The Tennessee Department of Transportation's priorities start with interstates and heavily traveled state roads as crews target areas prone to freezing, such as hills, curves, ramps, bridges and interchanges.

Briley Parkway, Ellington Parkway and Mack Hatcher Parkway are examples of heavily traveled roads TDOT plows along with interstates.

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TDOT Commissioner Will Reid and city officials throughout Middle Tennessee emphasize the importance of staying off roads if at all possible, both for safety and to help crews remove snow faster and more effectively when snow and ice events occur.

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Nashville/Davidson County

Davidson County has nearly 2,500 miles of roadway designated as "primary roads," which are the top priority when it comes to snow removal in Nashville.

And Metro has more than 250 areas of roadway identified as primary roads that range from sections of Old Hickory Boulevard to Broadway and many more according to the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure.

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Secondary routes are next followed by post-secondary routes that can consist of many neighborhood and more residential streets, NDOT spokesperson Brendan Scully said.

Metro's snow removal plan has 80 identified snow removal routes with 45 snowplow trucks, 36 that are new.

Traffic on Lebanon Road in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, after snow fell on Feb. 19, 2025.

Lebanon

Primary routes like Hartmann Drive, West Main Street, 231 North and South, Sparta Pike, Maddox Simpson, Leeville Pike and the bypass are primary roads that are Lebanon's first priorities, Public Works Administrator Lee Clark said.

Secondary routes are next and include residential areas with "our goal being to have all residents within a few blocks of a treated street," Clark said.

Brentwood

The city uses five dump trucks with plows, two one-ton trucks with plows and four pickup trucks with plows for 11 total and approximately 1,500 tons of salt on hand.

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Crews focus on Brentwood's main roads, such as Franklin, Moores, Concord, Wilson Pike, Murray, Granny White, Maryland Way, Church Street, Holly Tree Gap, Crockett and others.

Secondary routes are the next priority depending on keeping the main roads open, city spokesperson Charles Booth said. Neighborhood roads can be plowed if crews have the ability and when primary and secondary roads are clear, Booth said.

White House

The growing city has been adding snow plows and now has four that are each dedicated to a specific zone, Mayor John Corbitt said.

Portions of Highways 31W and 76 in the city are maintained by TDOT. Priorities for White House crews are Pleasant Grove, Sage, Calista, Marlin roads and Indian Ridge Boulevard. Side streets are addressed as crews are able, Corbitt said.

Mt. Juliet

The city has five trucks that plow snow and spread salt and two brine trucks to pretreat road with dedicated routes in the city limits, officials said.

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Mt. Juliet salts and plows Lebanon Road and Mt. Juliet Road even though they are state roads and TDOTs responsibility. But because TDOT may be tied up with work on interstates first, the city treats those state roads in the city limits initially until TDOT crews can get to them, Mt. Juliet Director of Public Works Matthew White said.

Nonaville, North and South Greenhill, Devonshire Drive, East Division, Providence Trail, Providence Parkway and Adams Lane are some of the top tier roads Mt. Juliet salts and plows first. Then second tier roads are salted and plowed.

Franklin

The city prioritizes major arterial roads such as Downs Boulevard, Cool Springs Boulevard, Columbia Avenue, Carothers Parkway, Mallory Lane, South Royal Oaks Boulevard to salt and plow with some minor collector roads.

Franklin uses four brine trucks to pretreat roads. The city has nine snow plows and 2,400 tons of salt on hand with teams working through the weekend.

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Franklin also salts and plows hospital, fire hall, and police department accesses and several known hazardous areas such as steep hills and sharp curves.

Hendersonville

Hendersonville has five plow trucks with spreaders for road salt. Salt and plow removal priorities for the city are bridges, steep grades, multi-stop intersections, hospital access, police and fire stations, arterials and collectors and major intersections.

Residential streets are done after priorities are clear.

Gallatin

The city has seven dedicated routes for snow removal with main roads and thoroughfares needed for emergency vehicle access the top priority.

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Airport Road, East Main Street, South Water Avenue, Plantation Boulevard, Green Lea Boulevard, Big Station Camp Boulevard, Carellton Drive, Albert Gallatin Avenue, Gibbs Lane, North Water Avenue and Hancock Street, Lock 4 Road and Nichols Lane are some of the main roads covered on the routes.

Murfreesboro

The snow removal program is set up on a series of six total routes assigned to six trucks.

State routes and major city streets get priority along with critical areas such as St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital on Medical Center Parkway, steep grade and other problem areas that require attention. The city's street department has a stockpile of 1,200 tons of salt with snowplows and trucks.

Smyrna

State roads, arterials, collector roads, and routes around StoneCrest Medical Center and Smyrna's police and fire stations to support emergency services are priorities followed by collector streets that connect to state routes, hazardous intersections and steep roadways.

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Minor collector roads and neighborhood streets with steep slope conditions are next if snow or ice persists.

Clarksville

The city has more than 30 trucks for more than 1,400 roadway lane miles in Clarksville.

Major roads are salted and plowed first followed by primary streets with hills and the amount of traffic factors in their prioritization.

Mayor Joe Pitts and City Streets Director David Smith have asked that residents not park on streets beginning late Friday evening until the winter storm is finished and crews have completed their work.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: What are the snow removal plans for roads in Middle TN?
As the weekend begins, all of New England is bracing for what Accuweather is calling "the biggest storm of the winter so far."

Sweeping across the country from Texas to Maine, the winter storm will begin to dump heavy snow and ice on southern states on Saturday morning. However, the storm is not expected to reach New England until Sunday, bringing frigid temperatures and up to a foot of snow with it.

Want to know exactly when the snowstorm will hit New Hampshire? Here's the latest information on the timing of the storm, as well as predicted snowfall totals.

When will it snow in NH this weekend?

Two people trudge through snow at the train station on Lincoln Street in Exeter during the winter storm Tuesday, March 14, 2023.

After some snow showers and squalls throughout Friday afternoon, this weekend's snowstorm will last from Sunday, Jan. 25 into Monday, Jan. 26, says the National Weather Service (NWS) of Gray, Maine. Specifically, snow will start around 3-5 p.m. in most of New Hampshire, reaching the southerrnmost part of the state earlier than the rest, around 11 a.m. Snowfall will continue overnight and all day Monday, leaving the state around 7 p.m. Monday night.

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Due to the timing of the storm, the NWS warns that road conditions will be hazardous during the Monday morning and evening commutes.

How much snow will NH get this weekend?

While all of New Hampshire is expected to receive accumulating snowfall this weekend, the southern half of the state will see the greatest snowfall amounts, says the NWS.

Up north, Coos County can expect anywhere from three to six inches, with the northernmost tip of the state at the low end of the scale. Most of the state, stretching from Mt. Washington down to Manchester, Keene and Dover, can expect 8-11 inches.

The very bottom of the state, stretching through eastern Cheshire County, Hillsborough County and the Seacoast, could see up to a foot of snow or even more. Specifically, towns expecting a foot of snow include Jaffrey, Nashua, Portsmouth, Rye, Hampton, Exeter, Kittery and York.

Freezing temperatures expected in NH this weekend

According to the NWS, New Hampshire will see dangerously cold temperatures this weekend, with sub-zero temperatures expected from Friday night through Saturday morning. Wind chills as low as 40 degrees below are possible Friday night through Saturday.

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Due to the incoming Arctic air, the NWS has issued a cold weather advisory for the entire state of New Hampshire and an extreme cold watch for Coos, Grafton, Carroll and Belknap counties, warning that frostbite and hypothermia can happen in as little as 10 minutes if skin is exposed to these temperatures.

The NWS recommends the following safety precautions to keep warm:

Plan on staying indoors with heating, and limit time outdoors.

Dress in layers with a hat, face mask and gloves if you must go outside.

Keep pets indoors.

Wrap or drain water pipes to prevent from freezing.

New Hampshire weather warnings and watches

The NWS has issued various warnings to the state of New Hampshire concerning the upcoming snowstorm, including a winter storm watch and a cold weather advisory for the entire state. Off the Seacoast, the NWS has issued a gale warning and a freezing spray advisory, warning that hazardous seas will reduce visibility and damage vessels.

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This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: NH Weather: When will snow start Sunday? See forecast timing
A major winter storm heading toward the northeast is expected to bring several inches of snow, ice and dangerously cold temperatures to Washington, D.C., this weekend  raising the stakes for a partial government shutdown next week due to travel delays.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser declared a state of emergency for the nations capital on Friday morning, which is set to last through the weekend. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning from Saturday night through early Monday morning as it predicts about 12-18 inches of snow to fall as well as layers of ice on top.

Airlines are already issuing warnings to travelers of possible delays and cancellations, which could affect senators attempting to fly back to Washington next week to vote on must-pass spending bills to avert a government shutdown.

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The Senate canceled votes originally scheduled for Monday evening due to travel complications, Majority Leader John Thunes office said on Friday. Senators will reconvene on Tuesday evening instead, truncating the weeks schedule ahead of the shutdown deadline.

Senate votes canceled for Monday, Thunes office says. First votes will be 5:30pm on Tuesday https://t.co/VZ85v5S8Ja  Cami Mondeaux (@cami_mondeaux) January 23, 2026

The biggest item on the agenda is to pass the six-bill spending package that was approved by the House this week, the final tranche of funding legislation to complete the 2026 fiscal year budget. The government is scheduled to enter a partial shutdown after midnight on Jan. 30 if those bills are not passed, meaning the Senate must get the package to President Donald Trumps desk before then.

Even though the schedule is slightly delayed, sources familiar with Senate scheduling told the Deseret News the chamber will stay in session until the spending bill is passed.

Sunset against the U.S. Capitol, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Washington. | Allison Robbert, Associated Press

That could require some last-minute convincing from leaders of both parties due to disagreements with some of the bills contents.

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Some Democrats are upset with the Homeland Security portion, arguing it doesnt go far enough to rein in Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers who are conducting raids and deportation arrests throughout the country. The bill does include $20 million that must be used to purchase body cameras for ICE and Border Patrol officials while conducting operations, as well as another $2 million to provide de-escalation training for agents who regularly interact with the public.

However, Democratic senators such as Chris Murphy of Connecticut and Tim Kaine of Virginia say theyll vote against the package.

At least seven Democrats will need to support the bill to overcome the 60-vote threshold to end a filibuster. But that number could change as some Republicans are unhappy with the spending package as well.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., is a no on the funding legislation over objections to welfare funding for refugee programs. Other Republicans such as Sen. Rick Scott of Florida could push to strip out earmarks, referring to requests from lawmakers to go toward specific projects or organizations in their home states.

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, has also pushed to remove any earmark requests from spending packages, although its unclear if he will threaten to vote against the entire package to do so.
The mother of a Scottish soldier killed in Afghanistan has described Donald Trump's claim that allies stayed away from the front line as "soul-destroying".

Sean Binnie was a 22-year-old acting sergeant when he was killed while on patrol with the Black Watch in Helmand Province in May 2009.

Trump claimed that Nato sent "some troops" but "stayed a little back, a little off the front lines".

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Janette Binnie, 58, of Crimond in Aberdeenshire, told BBC Scotland News: "His comment are soul-destroying, for me personally as a mum, that's lost my only child in that war. How can you stand there and say this?"

Sean Binnie served with the Black Watch [Binnie family]

The UK was among several allies to join the US in Afghanistan after Nato's collective security clause was invoked for the first and only time in its history following the 9/11 attacks.

During the conflict, 457 British service personnel were killed.

Article 5 of Nato states that an attack on one member is considered an attack against all.

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But Trump told Fox News on Thursday that he was "not sure" the military alliance would be there for the US "if we ever needed them".

"We've never needed them," he said, adding: "We have never really asked anything of them."

"They'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan," he said, "and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines".

Janette said she was proud of her son [Binnie family]

Binnie joined the army in 2003 when he was 16.

He served in Iraq, The Falkland Islands and Northern Ireland before deployment to Afghanistan.

He was shot dead as he threw a grenade while fighting insurgents.

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He had been married to wife Amanda for just six months.

Of Trump's comments, the soldier's mother she had "never heard so much claptrap".

She said: "The man's got no idea about the logistics or the core of the military, the boys went to Afghanistan because they needed them.

"We were all there fighting the same war.

"My son worked alongside some of the Americans. He's just diminished everything that our children have done."

She said she was "angry, very angry, very very angry", adding: "How can he say they weren't on the front lines when they were out there fighting?"

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She added: "I'd love President Trump to come and see me.

"I'd soon tell him how it is being an army wife and an army mother, and what it is to lose a child in those circumstances, something that he knows nothing about."

The US president was "wrong" to diminish the role of Nato and British troops in Afghanistan, Downing Street said.

More on this story
The president of Somaliland has held separate talks with his Israeli counterpart and the second son of the US leader, as the breakaway region continues to seek international recognition and foreign investment.

Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi met Isaac Herzog and businessman Eric Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

''Our discussions focused on strengthening and advancing bilateral relations between the Republic of Somaliland and the State of Israel,'' Abdullahi said in a post on X about the meeting with Herzog.

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Last month, Israel became the first country to recognise Somaliland - 35 years after it declared independence from Somalia.

President "Cirro", as he is known in Somaliland, shared images on social media of the closed-door event, which was reportedly organised by the Greek House Davos programme, a private forum for discreet high-level gatherings.

Abdirahman Bayle, an adviser to Somaliland's leader, told the BBC that Eric Trump had ''expressed interest in Somaliland and the opportunities it offers''.

''Among the issues we discussed were global investors in the livestock and agriculture sectors, so that we can industrialise these sectors and export to the rest of the world," Bayle added.

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Livestock is the territory's main export, primarily to Saudi Arabia.

Eric Trump does not have any official US government position but holds a senior role at the Trump Organization, which runs the family's businesses. The BBC has approached his representatives for comment but has not received a response.

Somaliland sits in a strategic position on major Red Sea and Gulf of Aden shipping routes.

During the talks, the president emphasised Somaliland's openness to investment, pointing to the deep-water port of Berbera as a potential logistics hub for trade and energy infrastructure.

Bayle told the BBC that his government's approach had shifted.

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"For the first time, we are not asking the world for aid," he said. "We are offering our resources."

Israel's president described the talks as positive, posting on X: "I was pleased to meet here in Davos with the President of Somaliland.

"I welcome the establishment of diplomatic relations between us and look forward to deepening cooperation for the benefit of our two peoples."

Israel's president (R) said he looked forward to greater co-operation with Somaliland [Israeli presidents office / X]

Earlier this month, Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar visited Somaliland for the first time and said Israel was determined to advance relations with Somaliland "with momentum".

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Somaliland has governed itself since it broke away from Somalia in 1991 after the collapse of the central government in Mogadishu. It has held its own elections, issued its own currency and built its own security forces, maintaining relative stability compared with much of southern Somalia.

However, its declaration of independence had not been recognised internationally until Israel's move in December. The recognition drew criticism from Somalia, the African Union and countries including China and Turkey, which said it violated Somalia's territorial integrity.

The US defended Israel, accusing its critics of double standards.

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[Getty Images/BBC]

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The South Asian nation of Pakistan is the latest nation on the U.S. State Departments list of countries where immigrant visa processing will be paused.

According to The Washington Post, the Trump administration halted visas to 75 different nations as of Jan. 21, and Pakistan is one of them.

Pakistan responded by making it harder for Americans and some citizens of other countries to obtain visas before arrival online, according to Visas News.

READ MORE: U.S. citizens face visa bans in four West African nations

Here is why the U.S. State Department paused immigrant visas in Pakistan, and how Pakistan is restricting its visa process to Americans and citizens of other nations.

Why did the U.S. State Department pause immigrant visas in Pakistan?

According to the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Pakistan, starting Jan. 21, the State Department is pausing all immigrant visas from Pakistan until further notice.

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Secretary Rubio has instituted this pause until we can ensure that new immigrants have been vetted to the maximum degree to ensure their eligibility for a U.S. visa, including that they will not use public assistance, the U.S. Embassy in Pakistans website stated.

The embassy clarified that the visa pause does not apply to nonimmigrant visas, such as those for tourists, students, athletes, skilled workers and their families.

What is Pakistans latest move with its visa program?

Pakistan is pausing its visa prior to arrival program, which previously allowed citizens of 125 nations to apply for a visa online.

Under the old program, visa approvals could take 24 to 48 hours, according to Visas News.

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Now, travelers from the U.S., Canada and the U.K. have to pay a $60 USD fee for traditional paid eVisa, and tourist visas alone have processing times of up to seven business days.

The pause started Jan. 1, and affects citizens of 126 countries.

Have other countries enacted visa bans against the U.S.?

While Pakistans visa restrictions were not a retaliation against the Trump administrations travel ban, other countries have enacted similar bans against Americans as a direct response to the U.S.s actions.

The West African nations of Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali and Chad have enacted indefinite visa bans in direct response to the Trump administrations actions.

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Malis Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for example, said in a statement that it would impose the same conditions and requirements as those imposed by the American authorities on Malian citizens entering the United States.

Travel Advisories & News

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South Korea placed overseas travel bans on three people as part of an investigation into alleged drone flights over North Korea that have deepened animosities between the two countries, authorities in Seoul said on Friday.

North Korea threatened retaliation earlier this month after accusing South Korea of launching a surveillance drone flight in September and again in January.

The South Korean government denied operating any drones during the times specified by North Korea and began probing if civilians sent them.

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The three civilians put under travel bans include a man with the surname Oh who told South Korean media that he flew drones to check radiation levels at a North Korean uranium facility, according to a joint military and police investigation team.

The investigation team refused to give details about two other civilians except to say one was summoned for questioning in the past week.

Members of the Abductee's Family Union demonstrate the flying of leaflets carried by a drone near the Unification Bridge, 23 April, 2025 - AP Photo

South Korean media reported the trio has worked together for a drone manufacturer and that Oh and the person who was summoned worked as contract employees for the office of then conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol in 2022.

The investigation team declined to confirm the reports.

Talks with the North

The development threatens to further dampen prospects for a push by South Korea's liberal government to resume long-stalled talks with the North.

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President Lee Jae Myung has called for a thorough probe, saying unnecessary tensions with North Korea would have a negative impact on the economy.

Analysts say North Korea's drone accusations were likely driven by its efforts to dial up anti-South Korea sentiment ahead of the ruling Workers' Party congress expected in late January or February.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un delivers a speech at the Ryongsong Machine Complex in North Korea, 19 January, 2026 - AP Photo

North Korea could add leader Kim Jong-un's declaration of a hostile "two-state" system on the Korean Peninsula in the party constitution during the congress, the first of its kind in five years.

There have been no public talks between the two Koreas since 2019 and drone flights are a source of animosity between the rivals.

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North Korea accused South Korea in October 2024 of flying drones over its capital Pyongyang to drop propaganda leaflets.

Related

South Korea has accused North Korea of occasional drone flights over the border in the past decade.

In December 2022, South Korea fired warning shots, scrambled fighter jets and flew surveillance drones over North Korea in response to North Korea's first alleged drone flights across the border in five years.
SEOUL, Jan. 21 (UPI) -- South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said Wednesday that North Korea is producing enough nuclear fissile material to build between 10 and 20 nuclear weapons each year, warning that Pyongyang presents a growing danger to the world beyond the Korean Peninsula.

Lee made the remarks during a New Year press conference in Seoul, where he outlined his administration's foreign and security priorities amid heightened regional tensions and an accelerating North Korean weapons program.

"North Korea is assessed to be producing material sufficient for roughly 10 to 20 nuclear warheads annually," Lee said.

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The North also continues to develop intercontinental ballistic missile technology aimed at striking the U.S. mainland, he added.

"One day, North Korea will believe it has enough nuclear weapons to sustain its regime, as well as ICBM technology capable of threatening the entire world, including the United States," Lee said. "Once they have a surplus, the danger will overflow beyond their borders, posing a global risk."

Lee said the estimate highlights the need for pragmatic efforts to reduce tensions and prevent miscalculation.

He reiterated a call for a previously proposed three-stage plan for addressing North Korea's nuclear program, beginning with a halt to Pyongyang's nuclear weapons development, followed by a reduction of its arsenal and ultimately full dismantlement.

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"A halt to nuclear material production and further development of ICBM technology, as well as preventing overseas exports, would be beneficial," Lee said.

Lee also pledged renewed efforts for Seoul to act as a "pacemaker" in facilitating dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang, calling U.S. President Donald Trump a "unique figure."

"A Trump-style approach seems helpful in dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un," Lee said.

Trump met Kim three times during his first term -- in Singapore in 2018, in Hanoi in 2019 and briefly at the Demilitarized Zone later that year -- but the talks collapsed amid disagreements over sanctions relief and steps toward denuclearization.

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During a visit to South Korea in October, Trump said he wanted to meet Kim Jong Un, though the two sides were unable to coordinate timing.

Kim has also signaled a willingness to resume diplomacy with the United States but warned that any discussion of giving up his regime's nuclear arsenal would be off the table.

In a June report, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute estimated that North Korea currently possesses about 50 nuclear warheads and has enough fissile material for 40 more.
By Heejin Kim and Jack Kim

INCHEON, South Korea, Jan 23 (Reuters) - South Korea has repatriated 73 people suspected of involvement in online scam operations in Cambodia and will question them over allegations they had defrauded more than 800 South Koreans of about $33 million, officials said.

The plane carrying the suspects, the largest such group to be returned so far, landed at Incheon International Airport on Friday.

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Footage from South Korean broadcasters showed the suspected scammers, wearing masks and mostly clad in shorts and sandals, being escorted by police from the plane to a waiting bus.

"It's a big mistake if you think you can evade punishment if you commit a crime outside the country," a South Korean police official told a briefing at the airport.

"We will pursue crimes that harm our citizens to the end and demand that they take responsibility."

A foreign ministry official told the briefing that South Korea would continue to cooperate with Cambodia "until transnational scam crimes were eradicated".

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The return of the group follows a joint investigation by both nations, a spokesperson for the Korean presidential office, Kang Yu-jung, told a separate briefing on Thursday.

Investigators uncovered seven scam centres, where the suspects are accused of defrauding 869 South Koreans of 49 billion won ($33 million) online, Kang said.

Among the suspects are a couple accused of extorting about 12 billion won from 104 South Koreans using deepfake technology to disguise their identities in romance scams, she said.

The couple are believed to have undertaken plastic surgery in a bid to avoid being traced by police, she added.

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Another suspect is accused of being involved in extorting 19.4 billion won from retirees and entry-level employees by pretending to be a professional investor, according to the presidential office.

Cambodian authorities could not immediately be reached for comment.

In October, a group of 64 South Koreans was returned home over suspected scams, following the alleged murder of a South Korean college student tortured in Cambodia in August in a case linked to an employment scam.

($1=1,467.3100 won)

(Reporting by Heejin Kim and Jack Kim in Seoul and additional reporting by Dogyun Kim in Incheon; Editing by Ed Davies, Clarence Fernandez and Michael Perry)
A Plymouth woman has been indicted on multiple charges after she allegedly used a fake identity and falsified a death certificate to block court proceedings, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz announced.

44-year-old Shannon E. Wilson is facing one count each of the following charges:

Furnishing False Identifying Information

Obstruction of Justice

Forgery

Uttering of a Public Record

Failure to Appear After Release on Bail

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Wilson had been facing criminal charges in August 2022 for a traffic stop. When in court, the defense counsel had informed the court that Wilson had terminal cancer and that she only had a short time to live. Wilson was then let go after an acquaintance posted her $400 bail and was released on conditions.

In the following months, however, Wilson did not appear to comply with her conditions of release, prompting the Commonwealth seek bail revocation. Thats when Wilson claimed that she had been in the hospital, which led the court not to seek revocation, but to inform Wilson that her illness did not excuse her failure to communicate/comply with her conditions of bail.

Then, on September 12, 2022, Wilson again appeared in court on unrelated charges and again told the court that she suffered from terminal cancer.

In January 2023, the defense counsel showed the court a letter, allegedly from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, indicating that Wilson did have a terminal illness and was now in hospice care. The court dismissed the case. It was later determined that Wilson was never a patient at Dana-Farber

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Later that year, in May, the defense council reported that they had recieved messages informing them that Wilson had passed away and a screenshot of a death certificate; Despite no official certificate being filed, the court waived all fees and the case.

A document listed terminal brain cancer as the cause of death, named a Rhode Island physician as certifier, and identified a Boston funeral home. A later investigation revealed that no such information existed.

In August 2023, the individual who had posted Wilsons $400 bail had recieved the money back after being informed that Wilson passed away. Several weeks later, the individual was unexpectedly visited by Wilson, who came clean and admitted to faking her death.

It was revealed that in July 2023, Massachusetts State Police pulled Wilson over in Wareham for erratic driving. Wilson identified herself under a fake name, claimed to be visiting from Ireland, denied her true identity, and again asserted she was terminally ill. State police found items with her real name. Wilson was then taken into custody.

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Wilson is currently being held and will be arraigned at a later date.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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By Dmitry Zhdannikov

DAVOS, Jan 21 (Reuters) - U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright told oil company executives on Wednesday that Venezuela's output can rise 30% from its current level of 900,000 barrels per day in the short- to medium-term, three executives who attended the meeting said.

Raising crude output from Venezuela, which sits on the world's largest oil reserves, is a top objective for U.S. President Donald Trump after U.S. forces seized Venezuela's leader Nicolas Maduro in a raid earlier this month.

Wright's closed-door meeting with the executives took place on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Years of under-investment and sanctions have led Venezuela's oil output to plummet. It pumped 3.5 million bpd in the 1970s when it accounted for 7% of global supply, but today represents just 1% of the world's production.

Trump has said the U.S. plans to control Venezuela's oil resources indefinitely as it seeks to rebuild its dilapidated oil industry in a $100 billion plan. So far, his administration has taken 50 million barrels of oil out of Venezuela, and is selling some of it in the open market, Trump said on Tuesday.

Trump met with over 15 oil executives earlier this month at the White House, during which Exxon CEO Darren Woods told Trump that Venezuela would need to change its laws before it could be an attractive investment opportunity.

Oil analysts and executives have been skeptical about a quick revival of Venezuela's oil sector, pointing out that its degraded infrastructure would require billions of dollars and years to rebuild.

Venezuela's oil reserves are also among the world's costliest to develop, because its crude is so thick and heavy it requires specialised equipment to extract, transport and refine into usable fuels.

(Reporting by Dmitry Zhdannikov; Writing by Stephanie Kelly; Editing by Joe Bavier)
The head of South Sudan's armed forces has given soldiers seven days to "crush the rebellion" in the east that is a potential threat to the capital, Juba.

Recently, the Sudan People's Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) has attacked and captured several areas in Jonglei state, a local journalist told the BBC, though this could not be independently verified. The latest fighting has threatened Jonglei's capital, Bor, three hours' drive from Juba.

SPLA-IO's leader, suspended First Vice-President Riek Machar, is currently on trial on charges of murder, treason and crimes against humanity, which he denies.

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There are fears that the fighting could re-ignite a full-blown civil war in the country.

Conflict in South Sudan, the world's youngest nation, broke out in 2013, two years after independence, when President Salva Kiir accused Machar of plotting to overthrow him.

A 2018 peace deal ended the civil war that had killed nearly 400,000 people, but it has never been properly implemented and the relationship between Kiir and Machar has become increasingly strained amid ethnic tensions and sporadic violence.

Reinforcements from the South Sudanese army have now been deployed to Bor, which was the first place to be captured by opposition forces in the 2013-2018 conflict. The town is seen as a strategic staging post on the way to the capital.

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"We brought you here for a mission," chief of the defence force Gen Paul Nang Majok told his troops.

"I am giving you seven days only to finish the mission  to crush the rebellion in those areas and recapture them."

The South Sudanese army is being supported by soldiers from Uganda. Their exact number is not known. One report put the figure at 4,000, but this has not been confirmed.

The soldiers are now preparing to advance into the areas held by SPLA-IO forces, national broadcaster SSBC has reported.

Analysts believe the threats by the SPLA-IO forces to advance towards Juba with the aim of occupying it are meant to put pressure on the government to release Machar.

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Earlier this week, Kiir sacked Machar's wife, Angelina Teny, from her position as interior minister in the unity government and replaced her with someone from his own party. The move sparked criticism and worries that it could escalate the conflict.

The UN's peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, Unmiss, has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Jonglei and other areas experiencing violence in the country.

Unmiss acting head of mission Kiki Gbeho urged the leaders of South Sudan to commit to "immediately ceasing hostilities, de-escalating tensions, and advancing reconciliation and peace through inclusive dialogue under the framework of the peace agreement".

The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan also expressed alarm at the deteriorating political and security situation and had a similar message to Unmiss.

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Commission chair Yasmin Sooka expressed deep alarm at the reports of repeated airstrikes in parts of Jonglei, which have killed and injured civilians, destroyed homes, markets and medical facilities, and triggered large-scale displacement.

Earlier this month, SPLA-IO acting chief of staff, Lt Gen Peter Thok Chuol Luak, issued a warning to Juba's residents, saying its forces would launch attacks near the city.

"This warning precedes imminent military confrontations in Juba. We strongly recommend that all South Sudanese citizens in areas on the outskirts of Juba either evacuate or remain indoors," Gen Thok wrote.

The governor of the state that includes Juba, Emmanuel Adil Anthony, has urged residents to ignore the threats made by the SPLA-IO.

[BBC]

More about South Sudan from the BBC:

[Getty Images/BBC]

Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.

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By Joan Faus

MADRID, Jan 20 (Reuters) - Spain opposes a push by some European Union countries to control migration by opening camps for asylum-seekers outside the bloc, calling instead to focus on curbing irregular migration at the source, its interior minister said.

Fernando Grande-Marlaska told Reuters external processing centres, such as Italys plan to detain migrants in Albania, were "no magic solution" as they posed significant legal challenges and could strain relationships with third countries.

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Meanwhile, Spain's strategy of working with transit nations before arrivals occur was proving effective, he said.

In contrast to many EU states tightening their immigration policies amid the rise of the far right, Spain's leftist government has been an outlier by treating migration as an economic asset, promoting legal immigration pathways, while simultaneously reducing irregular migration.

Irregular arrivals to Spain fell 42% last year - to around 36,000 compared to Italys little-changed 66,000.

"I believe that our figures and migration policy overall doubtlessly ... greatly strengthen Spain's role in defining migratory policy within the European Union," Grande-Marlaska said.

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Denmark said last month that a majority of EU countries supported the processing of asylum requests "in safe third countries" to deter arrivals. The European Parliament is expected to restrict migration rules this year.

To bolster its strategy, Spain has increased its presence in West African nations Mauritania, Senegal and the Gambia deploying nearly 100 police officers and various surveillance assets.

Rights groups, however, have said Spain's and the EU's support to West African countries to prevent migrants from boarding precarious boats to Spain's Canary Islands has led to abuses, notably in Mauritania where Spanish police were allegedly present during abusive detention of migrants, according to Human Rights Watch.

Grande-Marlaska said Spain had "not seen any illegal action or action against refugees' fundamental rights" and said Spain was working on beefing up its teams in Mauritania and Senegal and delivering more drones and vehicles to local forces.

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Migrant arrivals to the Canaries fell 62% last year from record-breaking 2024 levels, Spanish data shows.

(Reporting by Joan Faus, additional reporting by Aislinn Laing; Editing by Andrei Khalip and Alison Williams)
A pastor who served churches in Stark and Wayne counties has been convicted of an abduction charge involving a minor.

The Rev. Jesse Santos, a Seventh-day Adventist minister and Canton resident, pleaded guilty in Ashland County Common Pleas Court to one count of abduction, a third-degree felony, as part of a plea agreement in his ongoing criminal case.

Santos was accused of the kidnapping and sexual abuse of a 14-year-old Lake Township girl during a camping trip in Ashland County in 2024.

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Santos initially faced charges of kidnapping, a first-degree felony; two counts of gross sexual imposition, a fourth-degree felony; sexual imposition, a third-degree misdemeanor; and endangering children, a first-degree misdemeanor.

Ashland County Assistant Prosecutor Matt Metcalf said the decision to drop several charges and amend one count to abduction was made following conversations with the child and her mother, and also to spare the girl from having to testify at a trial.

Santos was arrested by Stark County sheriff's deputies on Feb. 15, 2025.

His jury trial, which had been pushed back several times, had been scheduled to start on Jan. 27.

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Metcalf said the abduction conviction is serious because it is classified as a violent act under Ohio law, and Santos will not be able to remove it from his record.

"It also should prevent him from being a preacher again," he said.

Santos, who is out on bond with a GPS monitor, entered his guilty plea Jan. 22. He is scheduled to be sentenced March 5 and faces the possibility of nine to 36 months in prison.

Santos had been affiliated with Canton Seventh-Day Adventist Church on 38th Street NW in Plain Township. He also had ties to Adventist churches in Massillon and Wooster.

A message seeking comment from the church was left on Jan. 23.

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After his arrest last year, the Ohio Conference of Seventh-day Adventists issued a statement that it had acted quickly to put their employee on administrative leave.

"We take this matter extremely seriously and are working with the local police to address the situation. Our highest priority is the well-being of our members, our employees and the public," the statement read.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Rev. Jesse Santos convicted of child abduction in Ashland County
At the end of an exhausting week in which Donald Trump tried  and, seemingly, failed  to apply the methods of the Wild West to the future of the High North, what have we learnt?

I think Trump has showed us what, at bottom, he thinks about everything. Speaking of Greenland, he said, You need the ownership to defend it. That is the basic principle of Trumpism, which he applies to entire countries as well as to his casinos and condominiums.

Critics say his behaviour is un-American. Trump certainly does not go in for the shining-city-on-a-hill aspect of the American Republic. But in 2026, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, he does embody, in cartoonish form, that documents extreme sensitivity to what it calls repeated injuries and usurpations.

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Fed up with King George III, the Americans, the first great de-colonisers, wanted their country to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Natures God entitle them. They did so through war.

Americas geography meant it could then expand its separate and equal station by conquest and purchase from 13 states to 50 and from sea to shining sea. Once that was accomplished, those now United States could dominate their entire hemisphere.

That vision, as updated by Trump, includes Greenland and revives long-buried cravings to own Canada too. Not just Make America Great Again: make it greater still.

After weeks of demanding the transfer of Greenland to the ownership of the United States, the president suddnely U-turned - Simon Elbeck/AFP/Getty Images

You might ask why, if such is Trumps ambition, has he not made the most of Americas post-1945 and post-Cold War dominance of the entire world. Why has he preferred isolationism?

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The answer could be partly psychological. The unloveable boy, denied attention and respect, grows into the great big bully who grabs two state visits to Britain and tries to grab the Nobel Prize. Trumps resentment at exclusion and longing for recognition also make it impossible for him to admire anything which his recent predecessors have achieved.

Yet his analysis of the modern world is not completely wrong. American global political dominance is unsustainable, he believes. His country is being exploited by free riders and hostile institutions like the UN, the WHO and the EU and by hostile internationalist doctrines like net zero, feebly enforced by the COP. Its recovery will come from untrammelled money power, tariffs and unilateral action in what Trump sees as American interests.

In such a world view, allies are more annoying than enemies and democracies than dictators.

Enemies have motives Trump can respect. Like him, they want to own enormous amounts of land and accumulate vast piles of money. Like him, they are happy to achieve this by weaponising grievance. China is consumed by permanent rage at not possessing Taiwan, as is Putins Russia by not regaining control of Ukraine. Trump has his comparable resentments about Greenland and Canada, perhaps even Venezuela.

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He is not shocked by the dictators and not necessarily averse to letting them have what they want. That is explicit in how he favours Russia, and makes it impossible for him, as we are about to see yet again, to offer any deal which admits the justice of Ukraines cause. It is implicit in his hints that China could have its way with Taiwan if only it keeps the sea-lanes open and lets America continue to lay its hands on Taiwans semiconductors. In his first term, Trump raged against China. In his second, he is gradually writing that enmity out of his script.

Trump is not averse to letting dictators have what they want when it suits him - Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

It is allies that are such a bore for him. He is supposed to smile at them and listen to their here-today, gone-tomorrow leaders. In the case of Europeans, he has to endure their snooty sarcasms, their prissy legalisms which impede his actions, and their begging bowls.

The case of Greenland shows his utter impatience. It has a treaty relationship with the United States which goes back to 1941, and it permitted the stationing of many US aircraft and bases. As part of the Kingdom of Denmark, it is part of Nato and therefore open to military development through alliance agreement. If the security of the High North is really what motivates Trump, he could have achieved this via Nato-approved mechanisms, possibly including sovereign US bases, like the ones we have in Cyprus. He did not try. He went straight for ownership and now, without admitting it, has had to row back.

Have Britain, Canada and the European powers won, then? Things look better for them than they did a week ago. They said boo to the hissing American gander and have survived.

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The leader who most eloquently articulated their situation this week  at, of course, Davos  was Mark Carney, the Canadian prime minister. He described what was happening under Trump (whom he did not name) as a rupture not a transition. What he called the middle powers had become complacent about their virtue. They should now be more pragmatic: in Canada, We are no longer relying just on the strength of our values, but also on the value of our strength. More variable geometry (which, among other things, means getting closer to China), less preaching.

Mr Carney can speak with greater confidence than most Europeans because his country is not in the EU and can therefore make sovereign decisions. He did not address the question of how the EU  too powerful as a bureaucracy, too weak as a concerted actor  could allow the middle powers to act as flexibly as he wants. Nor did he distinguish between Europe, meaning the EU, and the European Nato powers on whom the reality of defending our continent falls.

Mark Carney, the Canadian prime minister, described what was happening under Trump as a rupture - Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images

Mr Carneys unspoken assumption is that the United States will never again be the great power which leads the Western world  in defence, money, international institutions, values, everything. He could be right, but it is worth remembering that Donald Trump has only three more years and, in practical effect, if he does badly in the mid-terms, less than one year. Might the European allies, previously too timid towards the United States, now be forsaking it prematurely? Are they ready? This week, President Zelensky, who speaks from experience, described any coalition of the willing as meaningless without US involvement.

This is the dilemma which our own dear less-than-middling Prime Minister of a middle power now faces in the acute and surprising form of the Chagos Islands.

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We finally learnt this week, because he told us so at Prime Ministers Questions, that Sir Keir will never yield on the principles and values which I uphold. With unwonted boldness, he accused President Trump of having deployed words on Chagos  for the express purpose of putting pressure on me  in relation to my values and principles in relation to Greenland.

Those words, lest we forget, were that Britains ceding of Chagos to Mauritius, and paying for the privilege, is an act of GREAT STUPIDITY and a sign of total weakness.

As our Government itself said before the latest blow-up, its Chagos manoeuvre depends on America  which has almost exclusive use of the base  approving. If it does not, what are Sir Keirs values and principles in relation to the Chagos Islands, beyond an unswerving devotion to helping human rights KCs in their perpetual lawfare against Britains colonial legacy? He will have sacrificed one of Britains highest cards with America, to no purpose.

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A significant winter storm is expected to impact Ohio this weekend, prompting state agencies to prepare for hazardous road conditions. Gov. Mike DeWine has directed state agencies to assist motorists and ensure roads remain safe.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is actively preparing by checking equipment and loading trucks with de-icing materials.

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Travel this weekend is highly discouraged due to the anticipated storm.

Conditions are expected to be hazardous, exacerbated by low temperatures, which will make snow removal particularly challenging for road crews.

ODOT crews will be deployed to pre-treat routes, clearing the roads ahead of, during, and after the storm.

TRENDING STORIES:

With salt becoming less effective once temperatures drop below 20 degrees, ODOT will use additives to activate the salt more effectively. However, roadways may take longer to clear after the snowfall stops.

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Our snowplow drivers will be working long hours to keep the roads safe and passable, said Pamela Boratyn, ODOT Director. Please do your part by driving for the conditions, putting your phone down, and giving crews room to work.

So far this winter, ODOT has reported 30 incidents of plows being struck, a statistic that highlights the dangers posed by drivers following too closely or attempting to pass snowplows. T

This compares to 54 such incidents reported last winter, demonstrating a continued risk for road safety during winter conditions.

Safe driving habits are your best defense against unpredictable winter weather, said Colonel Charles A. Jones, superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

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He emphasized the need for drivers to maintain safe speeds and increase their following distance in winter weather to avoid crashes, especially since 22% of winter crashes are attributed to unsafe speed, according to patrol statistics.

Drivers are reminded to winterize their vehicles, ensuring they are equipped with essential items such as an ice scraper, jumper cables, and a first aid kit.

If a vehicle becomes stuck, drivers should turn on their hazard lights, stay inside the vehicle, and call for assistance.

ODOT and the Ohio State Highway Patrol encourage the public to prioritize safety over travel during the storm.

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Drinks advertised as THC- and cannabis-infused are displayed on the shelves of a Rapid City, South Dakota, store in July 2024. (Photo by Seth Tupper/South Dakota Searchlight)

State senators voted against discussions on banning hemp-derived consumables and kratom on Thursday at the South Dakota Capitol in Pierre.

Separate bills to ban the use, possession, sale or consumption of those intoxicating substances advanced out of a Senate committee on Wednesday, but the committee voted to send them to the Senate floor with no recommendation, rather than a recommendation to pass them.

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By Senate rules, bills that land on the full chambers calendar without a recommendation need the support of a majority of senators before theyre eligible for a debate, and ultimately for a vote.

Sen. Kevin Jensen, R-Canton, moved to put the bills on the Senates calendar for Monday. He said both bills had drawn spirited debate and survived attempts by some committee members to defeat them.

On the bill to ban hemp-derived intoxicants for anyone without a medical marijuana card, Senate Bill 61, Jensen said there are amendments in the works to address its opponents concerns.

He offered similar comments, without referencing possible amendments, when he moved to place Senate Bill 77s ban on kratom products on the Senate calendar.

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Its a very important bill, Jensen said.

Sen. John Carley, R-Piedmont, the prime sponsor of the bills, pointed out that all members of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee had voted to send the bills to the floor to be considered.

Both moves failed. Senators voted down a debate for the hemp product prohibitions 19-14, with one member excused, and said no to a kratom debate on a vote of 20-13.

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Fort Collins may see a full weekend of winter weather with a chance of snow now in the forecast for Jan. 25, according to the National Weather Service.

A cold front moved into Colorado on Jan. 22, bringing a dusting of snow to parts of Fort Collins on Jan. 23. The cold will stick around through the weekend, with snow likely the night of Jan. 23, a 30% chance of snow the morning of Jan. 24 and a 30% chance of snow after 11 a.m. Jan. 25.

Sunny weather is expected to return during the week, with highs forecast in the mid-40s on Jan. 26-29, according to the weather service.

Colorado warns of increased avalanche danger

Widespread snowfall and strong winds are expected to increase the danger of avalanches in the mountains this weekend, according to an alert put out by the Colorado Avalanche Information Center on Jan. 23.

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Considerable avalanche danger is expected through the weekend in parts of the Front Range, Summit County, the Gore Range and Vail area, Elk Mountains, Grand Mesa, Monarch and most of San Juan Mountains and the Sangre de Cristo Range. Backcountry travelers can trigger avalanches in these areas, according to the center.

High avalanche danger is expected in the West Elk Mountains near Crested Butte and Marble, and "backcountry travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended in these areas" the night of Jan. 23 through Jan. 25, the center said.

The Colorado Avalanche Information Center urges all backcountry travelers to check the avalanche forecast regularly and adjust their plans accordingly.

Parts of US brace for potentially 'historic' winter storm

Much of the U.S. east of the Rocky Mountains started bracing this week for a potentially historic storm with major impacts to more than two dozen states, according to reporting in USA TODAY.

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As of Jan. 22, more than 130 million people were under weather alerts for snow, sleet and freezing rain, with 106 million under alerts for cold temperatures extending from the Southwest to parts of the South, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions, per the National Weather Service.

The storm is expected to produce "great swaths of heavy snow, sleet and treacherous freezing rain" beginning Jan. 23 and lingering through Jan. 26 in New England.

Why was Horsetooth Mountain area closed? Report of mountain lion activity temporarily shuttered open space

Coloradoan reporter Miles Blumhardt and USA TODAY reporter Saman Shafiq contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Snow in Fort Collins forecast through weekend. Here's what to expect
The Shenandoah Valley is preparing for a winter storm expected this weekend.

A winter storm watch is in effect from 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon through 4 a.m. Monday for central, northern, northwest, and western Virginia, according to the National Weather Service. Heavy snow mixed with sleet and freezing rain is possible. There is a high likelihood of at least 5 inches of snow, with over 10 inches possible, the watch said.

How are the localities preparing?

Staunton preps sidewalks and roads for winter storm

Staunton issued a press release on the winter storm watch. As of Jan. 22, the Staunton Public Library will be closed on Jan. 25 due to the weather and the Staunton City School Board's work session scheduled for Jan. 26 has been canceled, but no other closures or services delays have been announced. Potential delays will be considered by city administration on Sunday, when the situation is more clear.

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Public works crews are running approximately 30 trucks pre-treating roadways with a brine solution. Parks and recreation is pre-treating sidewalks and parking lots. They will be removing snow, with a focus on high-traffic areas first.

In order to make snow removal more efficient, the following downtown areas will be closed to street parking beginning at noon Jan. 24:

Beverley Street from Lewis Street to Market Street

New Street from Johnson Street to Frederick Street

Central Avenue from Frederick Street to Johnson Street

The city also reminded residents to sign up for emergency notifications if they arent already signed up. About 3,000 people have signed up for alerts.

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At the Jan. 22 Staunton City Council meeting, Councilmember Adam Campbell encouraged residents to work together.

"This is a significant event that's coming this weekend and, as a scout leader, I want to share the scout motto of everyone be prepared," said Campbell. "Make sure you're ready for this. Also, be patient. We only have so many city resources. They're going to be working around the clock to do the best they can, but with the magnitude of the storm and the low temperatures next week, in a lot of parts of the city you're going to be snowed in for a while. Finally, just be a good neighbors, work together, help each other out."

Waynesboro prepares for the winter storm

Waynesboros Facebook page began posting a snow event preparation series on Jan. 22. The first entry explains how residents can help public works crews collect trash:

Bag all trash (no loose items).

Alley customers: move your cart to the front before snow begins.

Refuse collection (especially in alleys) may be delayed or temporarily suspended if conditions create additional hazards for Public Works team members.

After snowfall ends and your street has been plowed: then place your can at the curb.

Keep cans clear of snow when possible.

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The second entry says crews are preparing the roads with brine.

"Brine is a mixture of salt and water used before winter weather begins to help prevent snow and ice from bonding to the road surface  making roads easier to treat once precipitation starts," explains the post.

The city warned that the brine and salt become less effective under 20 degrees, which is expected this weekend.

"If you must go out, slow down, increase following distance, and give snow equipment plenty of space," reads the post.

The city's emergency alert center can be found on its website.

On Jan. 23, the city announced the Jan. 26 Waynesboro City Council meeting was canceled due to the incoming storm.

Jan. 22 National Weather Service total snow accumulation weather map from the Blacksburg office.

Augusta County suggests how to weather the storm

Augusta County also posted a warning about the weather to its Facebook page, telling residents the Virginia Department of Transportation was preparing for the storm. The county encouraged residents to:

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Plan travel around the weather and prepare ahead of the storm so you can stay off the roads.

Have emergency supplies ready for your home and car.

Make sure devices are charged.

Sign up for alerts. www.AugustaCountyVA.gov/alerts

If you have to go outside, dress in layers. Dont forget a hat.

Keep pets warm and dry  bring them inside (if you are cold, they are cold).

Check on neighbors, especially those living alone or who might need assistance.

If you can, dont forget to make sure fire hydrants are clear of snow.

To sign up for emergency alerts from Augusta County, go to www.AugustaCountyVA.gov/alerts and click sign up.

Do I have to remove snow from the sidewalk outside?

Staunton City Council changed the sidewalk snow removal policies earlier this month, decriminalizing violations and lengthening the amount of time residents have to remove snow. The code changes included:

Decriminalization of violations of the snow ordinance. Violations are now a civil penalty and $50 fine.

The city manager will determine when a snowfall has ended.

The time limit to remove snow from the sidewalk has increased from six hours after the snowfall ends to 12 hours.

If there are between six to 12 inches of snow or ice, the time limit then extends to 24 hours.

If snowfall is over a foot, the city manager can further extend the time limit to 36 hours.

If the snowfall or icing occurs overnight, the snow must be removed by 6 p.m. the next day.

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Enforcement of the snow ordinance will be handled on a complaint basis. The policy was after city council discussed the changes in December.

Waynesboro also has a sidewalk snow removal requirement. According to Waynesboro City Code, accessible through the city's website, every occupant of every house or lot that comes up against a sidewalk or footway needs to remove the snow within 12 hours of the citys department of public works advising the city manager that street clearing has been completed.

More: How to prepare for a winter storm and precautions for older adults

More: What to expect with winter storm watch in effect for northwest Virginia

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Lyra Bordelon (she/her) is the public transparency and justice reporter at The News Leader. Do you have a story tip or feedback? Its welcome through email to lbordelon@gannett.com. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Winter storm preparations in Staunton, Waynesboro, Augusta County
NEWINGTON, Conn. (WTNH)  Around 900 Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) drivers and 650 trucks are ready to take on this weekends major snowstorm, agency officials said Friday.

The entire state is expected to see snowfall totals in the double digits Sunday, ranging anywhere from 10 to 18 inches, depending on the region.

THE LATEST FROM STORM TEAM 8

During a press conference with Gov. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.) and other top state officials on Friday, the overall message was clear: stay home on Sunday.

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We know were New Englanders, we know how to handle winter weather, but I strongly encourage people to stay home, CTDOT Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto said. Travel conditions are going to be treacherous and highly difficult on Sunday with a high rate of snowfall.

How much snow could CT get this weekend?

Everybodys talking about Greenland, Lamont said. Within about 48 hours, Connecticuts gonna look like Greenland. We know what were doing, weve been through this before.

CTDOT officials said they also have over 200 contractors on standby to help with clearing roadways, and their crews plan to work around the clock as needed to clear snow and ice until safe travel conditions are restored.

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Gov. Lamont activates severe cold weather protocol for Connecticut starting Friday

Anyone forced to travel is asked to slow down, maintain extra distance between vehicles, and never crowd or try to pass a snowplow.

These guys are gonna be going on 12-hour shifts, Lamont said. Leave em alone. Stay off the road.

The state will coordinate with neighboring states on travel bans, if necessary.

News 8 livestreamed the event. It can be watched in the video player above.

Officials reminded residents that the danger this weekend is not only the snow- its also an Arctic blast of freezing temperatures.

The snowfall is set to arrive just after an Arctic blast arrives Friday night into Saturday morning, bringing dangerous wind chills ranging from 10 to 25 below zero. A Cold Weather Advisory is in effect, and the states severe cold weather protocol has been activated.

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Brenda Bergeron, with the Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, said that even though widespread outages are not expected, utility companies have 250 crews on standby.

This does not look like its going to be a large power outage event, but its always good to be prepared just in case, she said.

Additional resources:

Winter driving safety and snowplow awareness: nhtsa.gov/winter-driving-tips

Subscribe to emergency alerts through the states CT Alert notification system, visit ct.gov/ctalert

For emergency management news and resources, visit the states CTPrepares website at ct.gov/ctprepares

Download the News 8 app to get breaking news and weather alerts.

Watch News 8 on WTNH.com or the free WTNH News 8 streaming app on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and select Samsung Smart TVs.

SEVERE WEATHER

JANUARY SNOWSTORM

MORE SEVERE WEATHER COVERAGE

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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 WTNH.com.
State officials are encouraging Ohioans to prepare for the major winter storm this weekend.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

As reported on News Center 7 at 6:00, a Winter Storm Warning is in effect for the entire region from 10 a.m. Saturday through 12 p.m. on Monday.

The warning is for heavy snow, amounting to eight to 12 inches.

TRENDING STORIES:

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>> RELATED: Major winter storm just 24 hours away

On Friday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (EMA), the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP), the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), and the Buckeye State Sheriffs Association gathered to provide tips ahead of the storm.

My main advice to everyone is to stay home if you can, DeWine said. By staying home, you and your family will be in the safest place to ride out the storm; you give ODOT and local road crews time to plow the roads; and you can help ensure that law enforcement resources arent taxed.

Across Ohio, snowplow crews plan to work around the clock.

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Highway patrol officials said during winter storms last year, they responded to a total of 15,000 crashes.

All of us can control how safe we are going to be this weekend. Its a serious time, with a serious danger. This weather can be a danger to all Ohioans all over the state, DeWine said.

For those who must be on the roads, the Ohio Department of Transportation and Ohio State Highway Patrol have the following advice:

Plan your route ahead of time and leave early

Slow down and increase the distance between you and the vehicle in front of you

Check tire pressure, car battery, and windshield fluid

Make sure to carry a winter emergency kit with the basics you may need if youre stranded

If you find yourself involved in a crash or your vehicle breaks down, turn on your hazard lights, move your vehicle as far off the roadway as safely possible, remain inside, and call #677 or 911 for help

If your vehicle becomes stuck in snow, clear the tailpipe to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning

Make sure to give snowplows plenty of space

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The Ohio Emergency Management Agency (EMA) shares the following advice:

Before the storm

Monitor local weather forecasts and sign up for emergency alerts

Have a supply of non-perishable food, bottled water (three days), medications, flashlights, batteries, a radio, warm clothing, and blankets

Insulate pipes, check heating systems, seal windows and doors, charge phones, and backup power sources

Identify a safe, warm place, make a family communication plan, and ensure pets and livestock have shelter and supplies

Keep snow shovels and ice melt in easy-to-access areas

During the storm

Close off unused rooms, use blankets and layers, and avoid ovens or grills for heat

When using generators, follow the manufacturers directions.

Do not leave space heaters unattended

Keep phones charged, use text messages to conserve your battery, and listen to official updates

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After the storm

Inspect your home for damage, leaks, or ice buildup, and clear snow carefully

Clear snow and debris from storm drains

Watch for downed power lines, report immediately, and be cautious of slippery surfaces

Check on neighbors, especially elderly or vulnerable individuals, and share resources

The Ohio Department of Aging has the following tips for caregivers and older adults:

Caregivers should have a plan in place in the event they cannot reach their loved ones by locating the nearest emergency shelter and identifying a trusted neighbor to serve as a backup caregiver

Wear boots or shoes with good traction to help prevent falls

Dress in layers and limit exposure to the outdoors during extreme cold temperatures

News Center 7 will continue to follow this story.

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Insiders were net buyers of Zephyr Energy plc's (LON:ZPHR ) stock during the past year. That is, insiders bought more stock than they sold.

While insider transactions are not the most important thing when it comes to long-term investing, we do think it is perfectly logical to keep tabs on what insiders are doing.

Trump has pledged to "unleash" American oil and gas and these 15 US stocks have developments that are poised to benefit.

Zephyr Energy Insider Transactions Over The Last Year

Notably, that recent purchase by Thomas Reynolds is the biggest insider purchase of Zephyr Energy shares that we've seen in the last year. That implies that an insider found the current price of UK0.029 per share to be enticing. While their view may have changed since the purchase was made, this does at least suggest they have had confidence in the company's future. If someone buys shares at well below current prices, it's a good sign on balance, but keep in mind they may no longer see value. In this case we're pleased to report that the insider bought shares at close to current prices. Thomas Reynolds was the only individual insider to buy shares in the last twelve months. We note that Thomas Reynolds was also the biggest seller.

You can see the insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year depicted in the chart below. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction!

See our latest analysis for Zephyr Energy

AIM:ZPHR Insider Trading Volume January 23rd 2026

Zephyr Energy is not the only stock insiders are buying. So take a peek at this free list of under-the-radar companies with insider buying.

Insiders At Zephyr Energy Have Bought Stock Recently

Over the last three months, we've seen a bit of insider buying at Zephyr Energy. Independent Non-Executive Director Thomas Reynolds bought UK42k worth of shares in that time. On the other hand, Independent Non-Executive Director Thomas Reynolds sold UK29k worth of shares. It is good to see that insiders have been buying, but they did not buy very many shares, in the scheme of things.

Does Zephyr Energy Boast High Insider Ownership?

I like to look at how many shares insiders own in a company, to help inform my view of how aligned they are with insiders. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. From what we can see in our data, insiders own only about UK439k worth of Zephyr Energy shares. However, it's possible that insiders might have an indirect interest through a more complex structure. We might be missing something but that seems like very low insider ownership.
Gov. Maura Healey is urging Massachusetts residents to stay indoors as the region is preparing for single-digit temperatures and the biggest snowstorm to hit the Bay State in years.

Stay indoors this weekend. Its just going to be way too cold, Healey said during a press conference on Friday afternoon.

Add to that: A whopping snowstorm Sunday into Monday that is expected to bring between 1 to 2 feet of snowfall across the state, Healey said.

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Long-duration winter storm could dump 1-2 feet of snow on Massachusetts 

The governor declared Monday a remote workday for non-essential state employees. She encouraged private businesses to allow employees to work remotely on Monday, as well.

The Boston 25 Weather team has issued a Weather Alert for extreme cold on Saturday, followed by impactful snowfall on Sunday into Monday.

Dangerous arctic air will push in Friday night, with wind chills of -10 to -30 peaking on Saturday morning, according to Meteorologist Shiri Spear. Highs will make it into just the teens.

SUNDAY-MONDAY SNOW UPDATE

We nudged totals upward today with additional moisture in the data. Otherwise, our forecast remains unchanged.



Snow will be the biggest factor of this storm. Unlike noreasters, power outages and coastal flooding will be isolated and minor. pic.twitter.com/TJ0ZUTDVYJ  Tucker Antico (@tuckerweather) January 23, 2026

If people need to go outdoors, Healey urged the public to dress in layers and not expose their skin to the elements.

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The risk of frostbite is great if you are outside for any amount of time, Healey said.

Pet owners should keep their pets indoors during the frigid temperatures and anticipated snowstorm, animal advocates said.

Bay State residents should also prepare for potential power outages, Healey said.

Get what you need right now, she said.

Winter storm warning issued across Mass. as heavy snow approaches

The governor also urged residents to test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in their homes to make sure they are working properly.

I ask people ... please take safety precautions in your own home. Be really careful about space heaters, fireplaces or woodburning stoves, Healey said.

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We dont want to see people injured, she added.

Healey and state transportation officials asked the public to stay off the roads and avoid travel when the snow hits.

We have over 3,200 pieces of equipment ready to go for the storm, MassDOT Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver said Friday afternoon.

MassDot crews have been preparing for this for some time, Gulliver said.

Drivers should minimize travel, Gulliver said.

If you must travel somewhere, Gulliver and other officials urged the public to be extra careful.

Slow down, Gulliver said. Watch what is around you, be cautious around the plows. Keep a safe distance.

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He said salt supplies to treat roads are in really good shape.

We are ready to go, Gulliver said.

For the latest weather updates, visit the Boston 25 Weather page.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
The Tennessee Registry of Election Finance fined former legislative staffer Cade Cothren $80,000 for lying to the organization about a political action committee. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tenessee Lookout)

Former Tennessee House staffer Cade Cothrens hopes of rising from the ashes of political despair took a dousing Thursday when the states campaign finance watchdog slapped him with an $80,000 civil penalty for misleading the state about a 2019 political action committee.

Attorneys for Cothren, who received a presidential pardon in December 2025 that cleared him of a separate conviction on federal fraud and bribery convictions, will appeal to an administrative law court or chancery court.

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The penalties could make Cothrens plans to run for the House District 71 seat held by Republican Rep. Kip Capley harder because if he refuses to pay the penalty he would be ineligible.

Timing is a factor, too, because it could take weeks for the Registry to issue an order, then Cothren would have to come up with the money to qualify for the election by the March 10 filing deadline. That is, unless he finds a way to wade through the courts before then.

The Registry of Election Finance issued penalties of $10,000 each for eight violations in connection with Cothrens secret formation of the Faith Family Freedom Fund political action committee by persuading a former girlfriend to form the PAC and list herself as treasurer so he could run it covertly. The Registry board subpoenaed Cothren in 2022 after the woman, Sydney Friedopfer, testified that in addition to asking her to set up the PAC, Cothren told her to ignore questions from the Registry.

Cothren declined to comply with the subpoena, invoking his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, and still hasnt appeared before the board to explain the situation.

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The PAC raised and spent about $7,000 in an effort to defeat now-former Rep. Rick Tillis of Lewisburg, who was beaten by Republican Rep. Todd Warner of Chapel Hill, a Cothren supporter. The committee listed a North Carolina restaurateur named Brandon Crawford as the only donor, but during its investigation that started three years ago, the Registry couldnt turn up such a person.

Instead of showing up to testify, Cothren enlisted the help of Nashville attorneys Rob Peal and Erik Lybeck of Sims Funk for a hearing to argue that the Registry board doesnt have the authority to penalize a person for inaccuracies about a campaign treasurer. The Registry can assess penalties only against a committee or candidate, and Cothren was neither of those, they said. Additionally, they said that in 2020 there was no definition for a campaign treasurer in state law dealing with the Registry board.

Following changes in state law, any attempt to impose new requirements retroactively would be unconstitutional, they added.

Peal and Lybeck also raised questions about proper notice and burden of proof.

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Look, this investigation is about a treasurer appointment form filed six years ago related to a political action committee that received a single contribution and spent something in the neighborhood of $7,000, Peal said.

It might have seemed insignificant when the Registry board dismissed a complaint filed by Tillis campaign coordinator alleging illegal collusion. Yet it referred the matter to the Williamson County District Attorneys Office for a criminal investigation before putting it on hold for three years as Cothren and his former boss, ex-House Speaker Glen Casada fought federal corruption charges. They were convicted on multiple counts of fraud and conspiracy in May 2025 but received a presidential pardon that cleared them.

I also understand from my review of the media stories on this matter and the minutes that some of you may not like Mr. Cothren. You built me a tiny record on that, Peal said.

But he said the General Assembly didnt delegate authority to the Registry to assess penalties against Cothren before making a veiled threat.

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This case, I promise you, is not the test case that you want us to bring in front of the appellate courts to determine the Registrys powers, Peal said.

Ultimately, though, Registry members Tom Lawless and Hank Fincher said the board would be gutted if it werent able to levy penalties against someone who misled the state and violated campaign finance rules.

Lawless pointed out that Friedopher was clueless about the matter and didnt create any bank accounts or raise and spend money. He added that transparency is critical to the public.

It means that someone who completely defies the statute, never files anything  never registers for anything, spends all sorts of money, theoretically violated the campaign limits as well, we dont have any authority. I dont think thats what was intended by the legislature.

 Henry Fincher, Tennessee Registry of Election Finance

Registry and ethics executive director Bill Young also told Peal and Lybeck during the hearing that under the 2020 law, which he read, treasurers also were considered liable for campaign activities, presenting a bit of a stumbling block for their argument.

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The boards final decision, in which it determined it gave proper notice for the hearing, found that Cothren was the political action committee and broke numerous state laws. In fact, he never contradicted the womans sworn testimony, and neither did his new attorneys, they said.

Cothren also told an FBI agent when his apartment was raided in 2022 that he formed the Faith Family Freedom Fund.

It means that someone who completely defies the statute, never files anything  never registers for anything, spends all sorts of money, theoretically violated the campaign limits as well, we dont have any authority, said Fincher, an attorney and former Democratic lawmaker. I dont think thats what was intended by the legislature. I dont think thats what the plain text of the statute is.

Despite the boards unanimity, if history teaches us anything, this case could drag on like a long, hot summer or, if the forecasters are correct, a foot-deep snowstorm.

Leaving the past behind

The new owners of Sen. Brent Taylors funeral homes in the Collierville area are distancing themselves from him and sent out a statement this week letting people know he is no longer connected with the company in any way.

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As part of our commitment to serving Collierville with compassion, professionalism and neutrality, we recognize the importance of clarity for the families who rely on us, the company said, noting it is rebranding the company. We understand that recent public statements and political commentary made by the former owner do not reflect the values, mission, or beliefs of our current leadership.

Amid mixed reviews, Taylor strongly supports the deployment of the Tennessee National Guard to Memphis as part of a Safe Task Force ordered by President Donald Trump, with support from Gov. Bill Lee. The Republican senator also supports creation of a state-appointed board with authority over the Memphis Shelby County School Board and has been calling for removal of District Attorney Steve Mulroy for a couple of years. In addition, hes known for making remarks that some might find pithy but others consider demeaning.

A Fox 13 Memphis report contained a statement from Taylor in which he said he sold his business four years ago for millions of dollars and signed a non-disparagement clause.

So, I will enjoy the money the out-of-state private equity firm paid me while I continue to Make Memphis Matter by Making Memphis Safe. The community can determine if they think the new owners run those businesses as well as I did.

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Taylor added that the company is off to a good start because the check to him cleared the bank.

Collecting the money, after all, is the most important thing. Always be closing.

Dont do it, Ron!

During the great  or not so great  voucher vote of 2019, House lawmakers called out to Republican Rep. Ron Gant not to flip his vote and support the bill. Dont do it, Ron! they cried.

To his credit, he didnt.

Just a year earlier, he dropped another great idea, renaming the Cordell Hull Building, meant to honor the nations longest-serving secretary of state, for former Gov. Winfield Dunn, whom he considers a political hero.

Rep. Ron Gant, a Republican, is making a second bid to name a state building for late Gov. Winfield Dunn. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee)

Dunn, though, said to this reporter that he asked Gant not to do it.

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Following a short news report, Gant decided against sponsoring the legislation and laid the blame on this reporter for killing his bill. It wasnt pretty.

Now comes a plan by Gant to name the old Legislative Plaza and War Memorial Plaza being renovated across the street from the Capitol for Dunn, according to the Tennessee Journal.

The former governor, who died in September 2024, is no longer around to express humility.

The late Sen. Douglas Henry and former Rep. Bill Purcell of Nashville sponsored the bill naming the War Memorial Plaza in 1995 saying it was done to appropriately honor the memory of those brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice of their lives to preserve the precious freedoms of democracy and to ensure the freedom and prosperity of future generations, the Tennessee Journal reported.

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No doubt, Dunn recognized his duty, signing up for the Navy at age 17 and serving in the Pacific in World War II before becoming a reserve lieutenant in the Air Force. Yet he lived to the ripe age of 97, which is pretty incredible for someone who fought in the war and served as governor.

The question is whether lawmakers will once again holler, Dont do it, Ron!

Schools out forever

The legislature declared Thursday that lawmakers wont hold committee meetings or floor sessions next week in light of the snow storm expected to hit Nashville Saturday and Sunday. The House could hold some meetings Wednesday.

Will lawmakers who dont go home sled down Capitol Hill again, endangering their lives? Will bourbon be served in the legislative library? The bigger question is: What will we do to fill the void in our lives?

Like a dog without a bone, an actor out on loan/ Riders on the storm/ Yeah. *

* The Doors, Riders on the Storm

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A mother and daughter charged with witness tampering, bribery and conspiracy in connection with the 2022 prosecution of Nicholas Bloed entered not guilty pleas Wednesday.

Mary Greenberg, 62, and Kramer Greenberg, 34, are licensed private investigators who worked on behalf of Bloed, according to the San Joaquin County District Attorneys Office. Bloed is a former Stockton Police Department sergeant who was sentenced to eight years in state prison earlier this year for sexually assaulting a woman while on duty.

The hearing marked the Greenbergs second court appearance since their arrest was announced in November 2025.

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Mary Greenberg is being represented by Melainee Collins, Kramer Greenbergs attorney is Kyle Knapp.

Deputy District Attorney Sean Collins is prosecuting the case.

Mary Greenberg is charged with preventing or dissuading a witness or victim from testifying, attempting to dissuade a witness from testifying, conspiracy to commit a crime, attending and giving testimony at a proceeding authorized by law, bribery of a witness and offering to bribe a witness.

Kramer Greenberg was charged with preventing or dissuading a witness or victim from testifying, conspiracy to commit a crime, and attending and giving testimony at a proceeding authorized by law.

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Prosecutors said the alleged events occurred from Jan. 1 to April 1, and the victim was a key witness in the prosecution of Bloed. The woman is also a victim of Bloeds, the DAs office said.

The women are alleged to have offered the victim an undisclosed amount of money, paid in installments, to ensure she would be unavailable to testify during the trial, the DAs office said.

Prosecutors said Mary Greenberg allegedly had her daughter arrange transportation for the woman to Southern California and took further measures to ensure she would not be available to testify.

Four overt acts were included in the filed complaint: Kramer Greenberg buying the bus ticket; Kramer Greenberg sending the bus ticket to Mary Greenberg via email; Mary Greenberg sending the ticket to Jane Doe, the victim in the case; and Mary Greenberg taking Jane Doe to the bus station and waiting with her to get on the bus, with Kramer Greenberg offering to take Mary Greenbergs place.

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The district attorneys office said the victim reached out and disclosed what had occurred, which was investigated and led to the arrest of the mother and daughter.

Before the start of Thursday's hearing, Judge Chrishna Martinez asked for all counsel in the case to approach her at the bench. Chief Deputy District Attorney Donald Vaughn also accompanied the attorneys, but did not speak during the hearing.

As the two defendants, who remain out of custody, stood behind their attorneys future court dates were discussed.

A preliminary hearing was set for 8:30 a.m. on April 8. Martinez told the mother and daughter that they were ordered present at 8:30 a.m. on March 23 for a pre-preliminary hearing conference.

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Record reporter Victoria Franco covers public safety in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at vfranco@gannett.com. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.

This article originally appeared on The Record: Mother, daughter plead not guilty to witness tampering in Stockton case
Weather warnings remain in place as Storm Ingrid batters the UK with 60mph gusts of wind expected and heavy rain to start the weekend.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning across parts of Wales, Scotland and the south of England, which is due to last until 9am on Saturday morning.

The forecaster warned that periods of heavy rain and strong winds are likely to cause flooding and travel disruption, with delays to road, rail, air and ferry services expected and a risk of power loss.

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Met Office chief forecaster Neil Armstrong said: An area of low pressure, named Storm Ingrid by the Portuguese national weather service, will bring spells of heavy rain and strong winds across much of southwest England on Friday before easing on Saturday morning, said Neil.

The system is slow-moving but will bring more than 20mm of rain for some which is falling on saturated ground, increasing the chances of impacts. In addition to rain, large waves and gusty winds are likely, especially along southern coasts, with 60mph peaks possible, with 45-50mph inland.

Friday morning brings strong winds and outbreaks of rain in southern parts of England and Wales with a rain & wind warning in place 



Outbreaks of rain and hill snow in Scotland continues 



A cloudy and chilly start elsewhere  pic.twitter.com/33rCi1EwuV  Met Office (@metoffice) January 22, 2026

Road closures are already in place in parts of Scotland while rail travel has been affected in parts of Perth and Kincross due to adverse weather conditions.

On the railways, ScotRail said speed restrictions will be in place on the Inverness to Edinburgh/Glasgow/Aberdeen, the Glasgow to Dumfries, the Stranraer to Ayr/Kilmarnock and the Glasgow to Mallaig/Oban lines.

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The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued 26 flood warnings and seven flood alerts.

Three people in Aberdeenshire had to be rescued from stranded vehicles by firefighters.

Two people were rescued from a minibus on the B977 near Kintore at around 8.30am on Thursday while one person was brought to safety from a car in a separate incident at around the same time near Banchory.

Heading into next week, the forecaster has warned that theres the possibility of snow in the north and east of the country, with wintry conditions expected.

Motorists are facing difficult driving conditions in some areas (Gareth Fuller/PA) (PA)

Storm Ingrid arrives less than two weeks after Storm Goretti caused widespread disruption across the UK, closing hundreds of schools and leaving 65,000 properties without power in the Midlands and southwest England.

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Heres a look at the five-day weather forecast:

Today:

Cloudy with showers or longer spells of rain for all areas, and some hill snow in Scotland. Brief drier and brighter intervals possible before another band of rain reaches the South West later. Windy, with coastal gales developing.

Tonight:

Unsettled with bands of rain moving north across much of the country, further hill snow likely across eastern Scotland. Frequent showers later in the southwest with coastal gales here.

Saturday:

Rain and hill snow across the northeast easing. Elsewhere, showers often merging into longer spells of rain at times, particularly across the southwest. Widely windy with coastal gales.

Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:

Remaining unsettled throughout, with bands of rain moving north and east across the country. Gradually turning colder from the northeast, with an increasing risk of snow, particularly over northern hills.
How stupid does Karoline Leavitt think we are?

The rise of Donald Trump and the MAGA movement was heavily dependent upon willful ignorance  people acknolwedged that a lot of what Trump was selling wasnt true, but believed that going along with his fictions was worth it. We have seen how that played out.

But now theyre counting on genuine stupidity. And thats the best-case scenario. Nothing else explains Leavitts bizarre actions on Wednesday, Jan. 21.

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Trump gave a speech to the World Economic Summit in Davos, Switzerland. It was weird, even for him, as he called out world leaders who were sitting in the room for not being grateful enough, falsely claimed (again) that the 2020 election was rigged against him, disparaged Somalis as low IQ and said he was not inclined to use force to take Greenland, but that he very badly wanted it anyway.

Did Trump mistakenly call Greenland 'Iceland?'

Except that he called it Iceland. And not just once, but four times. Yes, he had just been on a long flight. Yes, hes old. Yes, he goes off-script into uncharted territories when it comes to facts and truth. But four times? Youd think a country youre so obsessed with obtaining would be a country whose name you remembered.

Only it didnt happen.

Or so Leavitt would have you believe. Even though millions of people saw and heard it happen, time and again. Because when your first loyalty is to Trump, everything else takes a back seat. Or maybe another car.

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After the speech, Libbey Dean, the White House correspondent for NewsNation, posted on X that Trump "appeared to mix up Greenland and Iceland around three times."

To which Leavitt, from her official X account, responded, "No he didn't, Libby. His written remarks referred to Greenland as a "piece of ice" because that's what it is. You're the only one mixing anything up here."

Unbelievable. Who cares what his written remarks referred to? How about what he himself referred to, which was Greenland as Iceland, four times.

You can call it defending her boss. You can more accurately call it gaslighting. Most accurate of all, you can call it lying. (The community notes feature on X, a platform not exactly unfriendly to Trump, observed, "He clearly misidentified Greenland as Iceland several times.")

Leavitt's actions were Orwellian. Really

This is not the biggest or most important lie anyone has ever told. Trump told a worse one himself when he repeated his lies about the 2020 election. But it is a crucial one. This is the press secretary. Of course it is her job to put the best possible spin on whatever her boss says or does. That is the job definition. We've seen every press secretary for every president try to downplay mistakes and oversell accomplishments.

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This is different. This is telling us that we didn't see or hear what Trump said.

It didn't take long for everyone from X users to Jake Tapper to make the obvious observation, and quote the obvious reference: "The party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." This is, of course, a key line in George Orwell's "1984." You've probably heard it a lot since Trump took office, during both terms.

Typically, you shouldn't use words loosely. Don't call someone who isn't an actual Nazi a Nazi, or someone who isn't a real fascist a fascist. It diminishes the power of the word. Save it for when it's really true.

The same goes for calling something "Orwellian." That description has been tossed around a lot since Trump took office in 2016, and it's easy to see why. If you've read the book (and you definitely should before you start using it to describe things), Trump's insistence on never admitting that he is wrong, blaming his perceived enemies for every problem while taking credit for everything else and, especially, calling every true story that portrays him in a bad light "fake news," has an Orwellian ring. But it seems somehow imprecise. It's bad, but it's not quite that.

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What Leavitt did is Orwellian. It's the whole rejecting what you saw and heard aspect. She and everyone else who surrounds Trump have done everything they can to insulate him from anything but praise, like stocking the White House press pool with right-wing sycophants posing as reporters.

Sometimes the Orwellian aspects are implied. Sometimes they just aren't there. This time, they are impossible to ignore.

It's embarrassing, or would be if Leavitt were capable of shame. It's also unacceptable. If Trump wants an example of fake news, this is it.

Speaking of Orwell, the last line of "1984" is "He loved Big Brother." How long until Americans are expected to recite some version of that? It seems impossible. But so have so many other it-can't-happen-here things that have, in fact, come to pass.

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Twilight Zone: Trump's 'embarrassing' Davos speech was unreal TV

Reach Goodykoontz at bill.goodykoontz@arizonarepublic.com. Facebook: facebook.com/GoodyOnFilm. Media commentary with a side of snark? Sign up for The Watchlist newsletter with Bill Goodykoontz.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Yes, Karoline Leavitt, Trump did call Greenland 'Iceland' | Opinion
The Supreme Court on Thursday gave California Democrats a week to respond to the California Republican Partys request to block the new Democrat-drawn congressional district maps from being used in November.

The request for a response, issued by Justice Elena Kagan, who is handling the emergency-injunction request for the court, surprised many court watchers.

Given that the justices allowed Texas Republicans gerrymandered map to stand, most thought the Supreme Court would allow the Los Angeles district courts ruling earlier this month validating Californias new map to stand as well. California Republicans, however, argue that the new maps violate the Voting Rights Act because at least one of the districts was written to favor Latino voters.

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The California Republican Party, joined by the Justice Department, Tuesday filed an emergency application at the Supreme Court in hopes of blocking the state from using the newly approved district maps, which target four to six Republican members of Congress, in the 2026 elections.

The request for a response is just that, however. The Supreme Court could still decline to take up the case. The high court is already deliberating over a voting rights case in Louisiana, the decision in which could impact its decision on the California map. In October, arguments concluded in a landmark voting rights case, Louisiana v. Callais that will determine whether Louisianas 2024 congressional map, which includes a second majority black district, is an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. A high court decision is expected any day.

On Thursday, Mark Meuser, the election law attorney with the Dhillon Law Group who filed the challenge to the maps on behalf of the California Republican Party, celebrated Kagans order for California Democrats to respond by 4 p.m. Jan. 29.

"Supreme Court just ordered California to respond to our Emergency Application for an Injunction," Meuser said in an X.com post. "California must respond by Jan. 29."

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In his brief supporting California Republicans, Solicitor General John Sauer underscored their argument, writing that "Californias recent redistricting is tainted by an unconstitutional racial gerrymander."

The Supreme Court has allowed gerrymandering, and in the Texas case, approved mid-decade redistricting undertaken specifically to win more seats for Republicans purely for partisan gain. It has not, however, looked favorably on redistricting efforts undertaken to consolidate racial minorities power.

"But unlike Texass map, the [California] map suffers from a fatal constitutional flaw: one of the districts (District 13) was clearly drawn on the basis of race," Sauer wrote in his amicus brief.

The California GOP asked the Supreme Court to rule on its injunction request by Feb. 9, when congressional candidate filing in California begins. The party also asked the justices to schedule oral arguments in the underlying case.

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The Supreme Court approved Texas map, drawn with an eye toward winning Republicans five more seats in the Lone Star state, last month. California Democrats, led by California Gov. Newsom, aim to offset that with a map that could net Democrats five additional seats.

The national Democratic Congressional Campaign Committees and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries political action committees then paid consultant Paul Mitchell to redraw the states 52 congressional districts. Newsom, arguing that Democrats must fight President Trumps efforts to rewrite congressional maps in Republicans favor, then called a special election last November asking voters to approve it.

Proposition 50, as the ballot initiative was called, overwhelmingly passed with 64% of the vote.

Newsom on Thursday didnt address Kagans move but commented on the larger issue in a tweet posted Thursday.

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"Donald Trump called up [Texas Gov.] Greg Abbott and demanded more MAGA seats in Congress," Newsom posted on X.com from Davos, Switzerland. "He thought wed be good little Democrats and respond with an op-ed. Not this time, buddy."

"Im not naive. These guys are going to try to take me down - not just my state," Newsom added during an interview at the glitzy international economic gathering of world leaders.

A three-judge panel from the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California rejected Republicans racial claims in their Jan. 14 order denying the state GOPs petition.

"Challengers now seek to enjoin Californias use of the Proposition 50 Map, arguing that the predominant reason for its adoption was not politics but rather unconstitutional and unlawful racial gerrymandering," the judges wrote.

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"We have reviewed briefing from all parties, held a 3-day evidentiary hearing with 9 witnesses (including 6 experts), and reviewed a record that includes over 500 exhibits totaling thousands of pages ... We find that [the] challengers have failed to show that racial gerrymandering occurred, and we conclude that there is no basis for issuing a preliminary injunction."

Susan Crabtree is RealClearPolitics' national political correspondent.
By Emma Farge

GENEVA, Jan 24 (Reuters) - The owner of a Swiss bar that was engulfed in a deadly New Year's Day fire was released from detention on bail on Friday, court authorities said, prompting anger and incomprehension from victims' families and Italy's prime minister.

Jacques Moretti and his wife Jessica are under investigation for negligent homicide and other crimes linked to the blaze that killed 40 people and injured more than 100, many of them teenagers. Many of the survivors are still hospitalised with severe burns in hospitals across Europe.

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Jacques Moretti was detained on January 9. His bail arrangements include a 200,000 Swiss franc ($253,485) payment and an order to report daily to a police station, the court said.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the decision to release him "an affront to the memory of the victims of the New Year's Eve tragedy and an insult to their families, who are suffering from the loss of their loved ones."

"The Italian government will demand answers from the Swiss authorities about what happened," she wrote on X. Six of the dead were Italian as were 10 of those injured.

Lawyers for the victims and their families also said they were struggling to understand the court order and said their clients were concerned about evidence disappearing.

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"My clients note that once again no consideration has been given to the risk of collusion or the disappearance of evidence  a risk that greatly worries them and jeopardises the integrity of the proceedings," said Romain Jordan, a Swiss lawyer for over 20 families of victims.

The owners have both expressed grief over the tragedy and said they would cooperate with prosecutors.

"Jessica and Jacques Moretti will both continue to comply with all requests from the authorities," their lawyers said in a written statement after the release order.

Prosecutors said they had interviewed the bar owners about safety issues and renovations of Le Constellation bar during two hearings that had each lasted more than 10 hours.

They had also ordered searches, secured evidence and seized assets, they added.

(Reporting by Emma Farge; Editing by James Mackenzie, Andrew Heavens and Joe Bavier)
By Orhan Qereman and Khalil Ashawi

QAMISHLI, Syria, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Syria's government took over a prison in the north on Friday after the negotiated exit of Kurdish fighters from the facility in what a senior official said was a positive sign that a truce between the two forces could hold.

Government troops have seized swathes of northern and eastern territory in the last two weeks from the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in a rapid turn of events that has consolidated President Ahmed al-Sharaa's rule.

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Sharaa's forces were amassing around a last cluster of Kurdish-held cities in the northeast earlier this week when he abruptly announced a ceasefire, giving the SDF until Saturday night to come up with a plan to integrate with Syria's army.

The deadline is aimed at pushing through a sweeping deal agreed on January 18 that would see the semi-autonomous institutions run by Kurdish forces in the northeast over the last decade join the central state, something the SDF had resisted over the last year.

The agreement also stipulates that the government would take control of a string of SDF-run prisons and detention camps holding fighters and civilians linked to Islamic State, the ultra-conservative Sunni Islamist group that the SDF fought for years with U.S. backing.

This week, one prison and one detention camp fell to the government after chaotic withdrawals by the SDF, in which some IS-linked individuals briefly escaped. Seeking to avoid a security breach, the government negotiated the pull-out of Kurdish fighters from the al-Aqtan prison in the northern province of Raqqa overnight.

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A senior Syrian government official told Reuters on Friday the negotiations over al-Aqtan gave hope that Saturday's deadline would yield a political solution instead of renewed fighting.

However, he said the government had not yet received a response from the SDF on its integration plan or its candidate for deputy defence minister, a post for which Sharaa had asked the SDF to nominate someone.

MILITARY PREPARATIONS UNDERWAY IN CASE TALKS FAIL

SDF sources said on Friday the deadline for their response could be extended, but the Syrian official said there was no discussion of an extension at this time.

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Despite hope for a negotiated resolution, both sides have ramped up military preparations.

Syrian military officials say they are readying forces for a fight and Reuters reporters have seen army vehicles and buses of fighters arriving near the Kurdish-held city of Hasakeh, where Kurdish forces have also reinforced positions.

Senior officials from primary mediator the United States and France, which has also been coordinating ceasefire talks, have urged Sharaa not to send his troops into remaining Kurdish-held areas, diplomatic sources told Reuters.

"We are calling on the Syrian authorities to assume their full responsibility in protecting all civilians, including Kurdish civilians," French foreign ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux said.

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The U.S., which long backed the SDF but now sees Sharaa as its primary partner in Syria, has been helping transfer detained IS fighters from Syria to Iraq.

The SDF withdrew on Tuesday from al-Hol, which along with another camp, Roj, houses 28,000 civilians, mainly women and children who fled Islamic State's strongholds as the group's self-proclaimed caliphate collapsed. They include Syrians, Iraqis and 8,500 nationals of other countries.

The U.N. refugee agency UNHCR was able to access al-Hol camp on Friday with Syrian government officials and established contact with some camp residents, said deputy U.N. spokesperson Farhan Haq.

"Essential supplies have also resumed. Trucks carrying bread entered the camp today, facilitated by UNHCR following a three day interruption caused by the volatile security situation inside the camp. In addition, water trucking services organized by UNICEF ... were delivered yesterday, helping to partially restore access to basic services for the camp population," Haq said.

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The rapid loss of territory by the SDF in recent days is the most dramatic shift in Syria's control map since Sharaa's forces toppled longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in late 2024.

Sharaa vowed to rule for all Syrians but minorities, including Kurds in the northeast, Druze in the south and Alawites in the west, remain deeply distrustful of him.

In a bid to improve ties, Sharaa issued a decree on January 16 that designates Kurdish as a national language alongside Arabic.

(Reporting by Orhan Qereman in Qamishli, Khalil Ashawi in Deir al-Zor, Maya Gebeily in Beirut, Ece Toksabay in Ankara and Ahmed Elimam in Dubai and Michelle Nichols at the United Nations;Editing by Aidan Lewis, Gareth Jones and Alistair Bell)
By Ben Blanchard

TAIPEI, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Taiwan President Lai Ching-te on Friday offered talks with Ukraine to crack down on sanctions-busting after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy name-checked the island as a source of illicit missile components.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, semiconductor powerhouse Taiwan has successively updated export controls to stop high-tech goods being used for military purposes, and has joined wide-ranging Western-led sanctions against Moscow.

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Speaking in Davos on Thursday, Zelenskiy said Russia would not be able to produce missiles without "critical components sourced from China, Europe, the United States, and Taiwan", according to excerpts published on his website.

Responding on his X account in English, Lai said Taiwan has long worked with global partners to "staunchly support Ukraine through humanitarian aid & coordinated sanctions".

"We welcome further exchanges of information with President @ZelenskyyUa to further clamp down on illegal 3rd country transshipment & concealed end-use," he said, posting a picture of orchids in the colours of Ukraine's flag.

PLEDGE TO STRENGTHEN CONTROLS

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Lai said young Taiwanese volunteer soldiers had died fighting against Russia.

"We remain clear: any assistance to the aggressor or violations of int'l embargoes & export control regulations are unacceptable. We pray for peace to be restored to Ukraine soon."

Speaking to reporters later, Lai said he hoped Zelenskiy would pass any information to Taiwan about sanctions busting:

"We are willing to strengthen controls on goods that are routed through third countries while concealing their final destination, to prevent them from entering Russia and to protect Ukraine."

Ukraine's presidential office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Taiwan's economy ministry said no chips or machine tools had been exported to Russia since April 2024, and the government would prevent relevant components from going to Russia.

In November, Taiwan said it was revising export controls to comply with the Wassenaar Arrangement, an international agreement aimed at preventing weapons proliferation.

While senior Taiwan officials have spoken directly with some Ukrainian city mayors, there has been no publicly acknowledged direct contact between the two governments.

Like most countries, Ukraine has formal diplomatic relations only with Beijing, not Taipei.

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Taiwan has compared the Russian invasion of Ukraine to China's military threat against an island it claims as its own. Taiwan's government rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims.

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Christopher Cushing and Kevin Liffey)
WASHINGTON (AP)  Former special counsel Jack Smith testified Thursday about his investigation of President Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election, detailing how the defeated president sought to prey on his supporters and looked for ways to stay in power, culminating in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack.

It was Smith's first public hearing since he left the department last year, and the nearly five-hour session at the House Judiciary Committee delved into far-flung details  from former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson's blockbuster testimony before the Jan. 6 committee to the gag order slapped on Trump during the investigation over his efforts to intimidate witnesses.

Our investigation revealed that Donald Trump is the person who caused Jan. 6, it was foreseeable to him, and that he sought to exploit the violence, Smith testified.

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Trump, during the hearing, was live-posting his rage against Smith  suggesting the former career prosecutor should himself be prosecuted. In the room sat militant Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes, and a tense encounter erupted between one audience member and police who had defended the Capitol, reminding how Jan. 6 still divides the Congress, and the country.

Smith said he believes Trump officials now will do everything in their power to prosecute him, but he said he would not be intimidated by attacks from the president, adding that investigators gathered proof that Trump committed serious crimes.

Im not going to pretend that didnt happen because hes threatening me, Smith said.

Once Trump won reelection in 2024, Smith abandoned the cases against him, adhering to Justice Department protocol against prosecuting a sitting president. Trump faced a four-count indictment in the conspiracy to overthrow the election and, separately, Smiths team indicted Trump over holding classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago home.

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Throughout the session, Republicans highlighted new developments as they seek to sow doubt on Smiths now defunct-case against Trump, while Democrats warned that Trumps allies are trying to rewrite history after the defeated president sent his supporters to the Capitol to fight for his failed election against Democrat Joe Biden.

Far from done, Smith is expected to be called before the Senate, which is planning its own hearing, and he has been unable to discuss the documents case that lawmakers want to probe. Trump-appointed U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon halted the release of a report by Smiths team on that case with an injunction that is set to expire next month, but lawyers for Trump have asked to leave it permanently under seal.

One star witness under scrutiny, but Smith says there are so many more

Republicans have fixated for years on countering the gripping testimony that former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson gave to the Jan. 6 committee, trying to prove her wrong.

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The young aide recounted having been told that day about Trump lunging for the steering wheel in the presidential limousine as he demanded to join supporters at the Capitol. Its a story that others said did not happen.

Mr. Smith, is Cassidy Hutchinson a liar? asked Republican Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, the committee chairman.

Smith explained that Hutchinsons testimony was second hand, and as his team interviewed other witnesses, and the Secret Service agent in the car at the time did not confirm what happened.

Jordan pressed whether Smith would have brought Hutchinson forward to testify anyway, and Smith said he had not made any final determinations.

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Smith said, We had a large choice of witnesses.

That says it all, Jordan declared. You were still considering putting her on the witness stand because you had to get President Trump.

In fact, Smith said, one of the central challenges of the case was to present it in a concise way, because we did have so many witnesses  state officials, Trump campaign workers and advisers  to testify.

Some of the most powerful witnesses were witnesses who, in fact, were fellow Republicans who had voted for Donald Trump, who had campaigned for him and who wanted him to win the election, Smith said.

Smith defends his work, and subpoenas for lawmaker phone records

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A career prosecutor who worked for Republican and Democratic administrations, and worked on a range of cases, including war crimes overseas, Smith has presented himself as a straight arrow whose work stands for itself.

I am not a politician and I have no partisan loyalties, Smith said. Throughout my public service, my approach has always been the same  follow the facts and the law without fear or favor.

Republicans sought to portray Smith as a hard-charging prosecutor who had to be reined in by higher-ups as he pursued Trump ahead of the former presidents possible run for a second term.

They singled out the collecting of phone toll records of members of Congress, including the House speaker at the time, former GOP Rep. Kevin McCarthy.

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During one particularly sharp exchange, Republican Rep. Brandon Gill of Texas said Smith used nondisclosure agreements to hide subpoenas from the subjects, and the public.

Smith explained that collecting the phone records was a common practice and investigators wanted to understand the scope of the conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election.

My office didnt spy on anyone, he said.

Smith said he sought the nondisclosure agreements because of witness intimidation in the case. He cited Trumps comments at the time, particularly the warning that he would be coming after those who cross him.

I had grave concerns about obstruction of justice in this investigation, specifically with regards to Donald Trump, he said.

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Smith said its not incumbent on a prosecutor to wait until someone gets killed before they move for an order to protect the proceedings.

Threats to democracy  and to Smith himself  linger

One Democrat, Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington, asked how he would describe the toll on American democracy if the nation does not hold a president accountable for fraudulent actions, particularly in elections.

If we do not hold the most powerful people in our society to the same standards, the rule of law, it can be catastrophic, he said.

It can endanger our election process, it can endanger election workers and ultimately, our democracy.

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The attack on this Capitol on Jan. 6, Smith said, echoing an appeals court ruling, it was an attack on the structure of our democracy.

Democratic Rep. Joe Neguse of Colorado asked Smith if he was aware that Trump was live-posting social media comments during the hearing.

No, Smith said.

The congressman began reading what the president had posted.

'Jack Smith is a deranged animal, who shouldnt be allowed to practice Law,' Neguse read. 'Hopefully the Attorney General is looking at what hes done.

Smith looked on.

We have a word for this, the congressman said. Its called weaponization. Its called corruption.

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Democrats repeatedly asked if Smith had ever been approached by Bidens Justice Department to investigate or prosecute Trump. Smith said he had not.

In his own words, Smith lays out the case

Smith presented his case against Trump, publicly and in previous private testimony, in ways that have not wavered.

President Trump was charged because the evidence established that he willfully broke the law, Smith said in opening remarks.

Rather than accept his defeat in the 2020 election, President Trump engaged in a criminal scheme to overturn the results and prevent the lawful transfer of power.

Smith said, If asked whether to prosecute a former president based on the same facts today, I would do so.

No one should be above the law in this country.

Still, the special counsel said he stopped short of filing a charge of insurrection against Trump. That was pursued in the House impeachment of Trump in the aftermath of Jan. 6, though the president was acquitted of the sole count of incitement of an insurrection by the Senate.

He said the case had proof beyond a reasonable doubt that President Trump engaged in criminal activity, and remained confident had it gone to trial.

Asked about Trumps decision to pardon some 1,500 people convicted in the Jan. 6 attack, including those who assaulted police officers, Smith had almost no answer.

I don't get it, he said. I never will.

___

Associated Press writer Joey Cappelletti contributed to this report.
Zurich Insurance Group is set to introduce its inaugural Lloyds of London syndicate within weeks as it pursues speciality insurer Beazley.

Beazley is also a participant in the Lloyds market.

The move was first reported by the Financial Times (FT), which cited CEO Mario Greco as saying that the company is close to completing arrangements for the new syndicate, which would allow Zurich to utilise private capital for underwriting risks within the Lloyds market.

In an e-mailed statement to Life Insurance International, the insurer acknowledged the report as factual but refused to comment further.

The development comes as an alternative strategy should the insurer's ongoing bid for Beazley fail.

Recently, Zurich sweetened its buyout offer for rival Beazley to $10.2bn (SFr8.06bn).

According to Greco, the bid was the companys fifth proposal to purchase Beazley, a group known for offering insurance against risks such as cyber incidents.

Discussions between Zurich and Lloyds are reportedly in advanced stages, with a possible launch of the new entity as soon as 2 April.

When asked, Zurich did not clarify whether it will proceed with its syndicate if it manages to acquire Beazley, the news publication added.

According to a source, Zurichs planned syndicate is expected to target annual premium revenues running into several hundreds of millions of pounds.

The move could provide an additional route for Zurich to develop its speciality lines business, especially as more private capital enters the Lloyds marketplace.

Greco was quoted by the FT as saying: You can do deals on the Lloyds platform where you access private capital, which is different from capital offered by the reinsurance companies.

He noted that terms available through Lloyds are competitive with the best conditions you can find outside the market.

Private investment is playing a larger role in Lloyds, challenging traditional reinsurers such as Munich Re and Swiss Re, the news publication noted.

Blackstone has joined forces with AIG for a Lloyds syndicate, while Oaktree, majority owned by Brookfield, recently launched a syndicate in partnership with Allianz.

Zurich did not provide details about whether it would partner with other investors for its prospective Lloyds operation.

"Zurich plans Lloyds syndicate as backstop for Beazley deal" was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand.




Police have arrested a tattoo artist and a 50-year-old mother after her 14-year-old boy was illegally inked at a barbershop in west Macon, Georgia.

An incident report from the Bibb County Sheriff's Office stated that the father of the teen boy reported the matter to law enforcement on December 29, 2025. He said that his son's mother, Shamir Womack, took the boy to get a "very inappropriate" sleeve tattoo on his inner arm without his knowledge or consent, according to WGXA.

The father, who had full custody of his son at the time of the incident, told authorities that he wanted to file charges against both Womack and Walter Nesbitt Jr., who has been identified as the tattoo artist that gave his son the sleeve.

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BSO deputies then went to the tattoo shop to question Nesbitt, who initially denied working on the teenager. However, Nesbitt later came clean and allegedly admitted to giving the teen the tattoo after Womack brought him in.

Married Former Kansas Teacher Accused of Grooming and Having Unlawful Sexual Relations With Student, 17

It is not currently known what the tattoo was of or whose idea it was to give the teenager the sleeve.

While speaking to officers, Nesbitt said that Womack did not sign a consent form and admitted that he did not have a license to give the tattoo. He was then arrested and charged with unlawfully tattooing the body of a person under the age of 18, according to the incident report.

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A warrant was signed for Womack's arrest at the time the incident report was filed. BSO confirmed that she was later arrested on Saturday, January 17, and was charged with party to a crime, according to WGXA.

Authorities confirmed that both Nesbitt and Womack have been released from Bibb County Jail on bond. It is not currently clear if either Nesbitt and Womack entered pleas or retained legal representation in light of their arrests.

The Bibb County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to Us Weeklys request for comment when asked about the arrests.

Illegally tattooing someone under the age of 18 is a misdemeanor offense in Georgia. Anyone found guilty of the charge may be sentenced to serve up to a year in jail, be forced to pay a fine between $1,000 or $2,500 or both, according to Justia Law.

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16 and Pregnants Whitney Purvis Avoids Arrest for Child Support After Involuntary Manslaughter Case

It is always illegal to tattoo anyone under 18 years old in Georgia unless the tattoo artist is a licensed osteopath or technician and is acting under the direct supervision of a licensed physician or osteopath, according to law firm Lawson and Barrys website.

Meanwhile, being deemed a party to a crime is considered a severe offense in Georgia because the accused can be convicted of the actual crime charged, according to Lawson and Barrys website. Penalties for the charge can include prison or fines, based on the particular crime in question.

There is no set standard for what Georgia courts consider participation in a crime. The mere presence at the crime scene is not sufficient evidence to convict someone of being a party, so factors such as presence, companionship and conduct are considered when determining someones verdict and sentencing.
The search continues for missing people after a landslide hit a popular campsite in Mount Maunganui, on New Zealand's North Island.

Six people remain unaccounted for, and police are seeking information on another three. Two teenagers are among the missing, with the youngest aged 15 years old, police said.

Another landslide at the nearby Welcome Bay killed a grandmother and her grandchild, public service broadcaster Radio New Zealand (RNZ) reported. One of them was a Chinese national, police told reporters on Friday.

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The landslides come after heavy rain pummelled parts of the North Island for days.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who visited the disaster site on Friday, said it was "inspiring" to see the support pouring through the community, with neighbours and "friends of friends of friends" helping to clear debris in flood-hit areas.

He said despite the tragedy he was "incredibly impressed" by the professionalism in the wake of the disaster.

Key challenges remains, Luxon said, pointing to road access to isolated communities, continued risks of slips and flooding.

Thunderstorms and strong winds are expected this weekend in Gisborne, where floods have cut off communities, and Tauranga, where the landslides happened, according to New Zealand's meteorological service.

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Much of the focus remained on the search and rescue mission, Luxon said.

Besides the six people who are unaccounted for, police are appealing to the public for any information about another three people who might have been at the site.

They are believed to be international tourists who may have already departed from the area, police district commander Tim Anderson said on Friday. "We don't believe they're here, but we still got to do that inquiry."

Rescuers have not seen any signs of life under the rubble today, Anderson said. But he added that they were still "working 24/7" and "leaving no stone unturned".

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Footage from the campsite on Mount Maunganui shows rescuers and sniffer dogs combing through crushed caravans and flattened tents.

A tourist told broadcaster TVNZ that he had jumped out of the pool as he saw the huge landslide coming down.

The sacred Maori site is a popular tourist attraction, though it has seen several landslides in recent years.

At nearby Welcome Bay, police recovered two bodies in a house on Thursday after it was hit by a landslide. Another person at the scene was seriously injured, police said.

"We are sad to learn that two people are confirmed to have lost their lives, including a Chinese citizen, and a number of people remain unaccounted for" at Mount Maunganui, said Wang Xiaolong, China's ambassador to New Zealand, on X.

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"Our hearts are with the impacted families at this difficult moment."

Elsewhere on North Island, the search has resumed for a missing man who had been swept away into Mahurangi River, north of Auckland, on Wednesday.

His wife told RNZ that their family was still holding out hope for the 47-year-old, who had been a fisherman in Kiribati before moving to New Zealand in 2003. He knew how to swim and dive, and had seen big waves, she said.
GOSHEN  With the weather across northern Indiana becoming dangerously frigid this weekend, several locations are available as warming centers for those who need to come inside from the cold.

The National Weather Service of Northern Indiana is forecasting wind chills as low as 25 degrees below zero.

Several schools made the decision on Thursday afternoon to close on Friday, with some requiring e-learning from their students, including Goshen Community Schools, Wa-Nee Community Schools, Elkhart Community Schools, Middlebury Community Schools, Concord Community Schools and Fairfield Community Schools.

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Warming centers scheduled to be open include:

 Faith Mission of Michiana, 801 Benham Ave., Elkhart. The overnight shelter open daily from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m., arrival by 7 p.m. Its warming center is open 24 hours daily. Call 574-293-3406 for more information.

 Goshen Public Library, 601 S. Fifth St. offers a warming center during regular business hours., including Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Tuesdays 1-8 p.m.; Fridays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 574-533-9531 for more information.

 Guidance Ministries, 216 N. Second St., Elkhart offers a warming center on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Call 574-296-7192 for more information.

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 Combined Community Services, 1195 Mariners Drive, Warsaw, offers a warming center Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for extreme temperatures. Call 574-269-6019 for more information.

 Fellowship Missions, 1520 E. Winona Ave., Warsaw, is open for warming Mondays through Saturdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays 1-4 p.m. Call 574-268-9555 for more information.

 Parkview Hospital, 207 N. Townline Road, LaGrange, is available Mondays through Fridays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call 260-463-9000 for more information.

Elkhart County Emergency Management has offered several tips for staying safe in the bitter weather.

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For your car:

 Keep at least half a tank of gas

 Check your tire pressure

 Pack an emergency kit (blanket, water, flashlight, phone charger)

For your pets:

 Limit time outside  cold can cause frostbite on ears, paws, and tails

 If pets stay outside, give them a dry, insulated shelter with straw (not blankets  they freeze!)

 Use pet-safe salt and rinse paws after walks

 Make sure water bowls dont freeze  use heated bowls or change water often

For your home:

 Let faucets drip to prevent frozen pipes

 Seal drafty doors and windows

 Keep your thermostat steady  dont turn it way down at night

 Know where your water shut-off valve is in case a pipe bursts

 Be sure to check in on your extended family and neighbors.
Rep. Johnny Garrett, a Goodlettsville Republican and candidate for Congress in Tennessee's 6th District, has filed a bill that would bar some U.S. citizens from running for federal office. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

A Tennessee lawmaker is trying to disqualify some U.S. citizens from a shot at running for federal office, a move likely to face constitutional questions as Republicans target immigrants this session.

House Bill 2036 sponsored by state Rep. Johnny Garrett of Goodlettsville would prohibit people from seeking election to federal positions in the U.S. House and Senate if they hold dual citizenship or are not a natural-born citizen, meaning they were born in the United States or were born abroad to parents who are U.S. citizens. The measure is being sponsored in the Senate by state Sen. Brent Taylor of Shelby County.

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Garrett, who is running for Tennessees 6th Congressional District seat, filed the bill Friday, saying in a release it sets a clear and uniform eligibility standard matching the requirements to run for the presidency and designed to support citizenship principles and public confidence.

It is one of roughly a dozen bills Republicans have filed this session aimed at immigrants, though this one singles out U.S. citizens.

Tennesseans should have full confidence that those serving at the highest levels of government put America first. If you want to represent our state in Washington, being born in the United States should be a basic qualification. That standard already applies to the presidency, and it should apply to all federal offices. This legislation ensures Tennessee is represented by leaders with an unquestioned allegiance to our nation and do not hold dual citizenship from foreign adversary nations, Garrett, an attorney, said in a statement.

If you want to represent Tennesseans in Washington, you should be born in the United States. On my watch, Tennessee will never send an @IlhanMN to Congress. Im ready to take this fight in the State House- and I wont stop until we carry that momentum all the way to Congress. pic.twitter.com/IMjt5JkSmN  Johnny Garrett (@JohnnyGarrett) January 22, 2026

To serve in the U.S. House, a person must be at least 25 years old and a citizen for seven years, in addition to living in the state where elected. A person must be at least 30 and a citizen for nine years to serve in the Senate.

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Federal lawmakers determined that a seven-year citizenship would enable foreign-born citizens to take part in the government while making sure they had learned about the country and werent likely to be influenced by loyalty to their birth land, according to an overview of the House qualifications clause.

Vanderbilt University political science professor John Geer predicted such a bill would meet a court challenge if it becomes law because, while the Constitution says presidents must be natural-born citizens, that requirement doesnt apply to Senate and House members.

Nashville attorney Daniel Horwitz, a constitutional expert, also said Friday the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the framers intended the Constitution to be the exclusive source of qualifications for Members of Congress, and that the framers thereby divested states of any power to add qualifications.

MTSU political science professor John Vile said the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the qualifications for federal office are exclusive. In other words, additions and subtractions cant be made to them, he said.

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Vile cited Powell v. McCormack, a 1969 case in which the Supreme Court found that Rep. Adam Clayton Powell of New York should be seated in Congress as long as he met the constitutional requirements for being a member. The House voted to deny Powell from taking office in 1966 after he was charged with misappropriating funds and abusing the court system.

The fact that the Constitutions framers required the president to be a natural-born citizen, but not members of Congress, shows that they thought about the implications of citizenship when setting qualifications, Vile added.

A 1995 Supreme Court case out of Arkansas also found that states cant put term limits on federal candidates, according to Vile, showing that states cant set qualifications for federal positions.

Justice John Paul Stevens wrote in that case, U.S. Term Limits, Inc. v. Thornton, In the absence of a properly passed constitutional amendment, allowing the individuals states to craft their own congressional qualifications would erode the structure designed by the Framers to form a more perfect Union.

Tennessee House Democratic Caucus Leader John Ray Clemmons of Nashville said he is tired of these posturing radicals wasting our time and taxpayer resources with their political posturing and nonsense. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

Nashville attorney Daniel Horwitz, a constitutional expert, also said Friday the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the framers intended the Constitution to be the exclusive source of qualifications for Members of Congress, and that the framers thereby divested states of any power to add qualifications. Consequently, the legislature lacks the authority to impose more qualifications for congressional candidates, he said.

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It certainly cannot impose new qualifications that contravene the Constitutions unambiguous text, Horwitz said.

Asked about the constitutionality of his bill, Garrett said in a statement, It is fully within the bounds of the Constitution for states to decide on candidate qualifications for nominating parties in primary elections. This bill ensures that if you want to run as a party affiliated candidate for Congress or Senate, you must be a natural-born citizen of the United States and denounce any prior allegiance to another country. There will never be an Ilhan Omar representing the Volunteer State.

Omar, a U.S. House member of Minnesota who was born in Somalia, is being targeted by President Donald Trump, who called for an investigation this week into her accumulation of wealth.

Garretts bill doesnt mention primary elections or selection by parties for a congressional seat.

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State Rep. John Ray Clemmons of Nashville called Garretts bill unconstitutional and nuts.

Im frankly tired of these posturing radicals wasting our time and taxpayer resources with their political posturing and nonsense when we should be laser-focused on lowering costs of living, fixing our roads, increasing access to healthcare and balancing an inflated budget, Clemmons said in a statement to the Lookout.

Lisa Sherman Luna, executive director of TIRRC Votes, called the proposal another attempt to rewrite the rules to further limit and control who has a say in in our communities and who represents us and we arent falling for their power hungry attempts to divide and distract us as they continue to bend the rules and take away our rights. TIRRC Votes is the political arm of the Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition.

From Memphis to Knoxville, Tennessee is home to people of many races and backgrounds and its our right to choose who represents us, the statement said.

Anita Wadhwani contributed to this story.

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There have been more than 66,000 pest reports and complaints made to councils and housing authorities across Northern Ireland since 2020.

New figures obtained by BBC News NI show that the vast majority are related to rats and mice.

It comes as some business owners in County Tyrone are calling for action to be taken over the presence of rats near their shops in Dungannon town centre.

Phone shop owner Noel Stringer said some of the rats spotted near his premises were "the size of a small dog".

There have been repeated reports of rats in Wilson's Lane as well as continued problems with pigeon excrement [BBC]

Local politicians and business representatives said a main source of the rodent problem is a laneway which is covered with pigeon excrement and hasn't been cleaned in several months.

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Wilson's Lane, also known locally as Babe's Entry, has historically been a public right of way and is regularly used by shoppers to walk between two of Dungannon's main streets.

'It had a pigeon in its mouth'

Noel Stringer's shop is at the bottom of Wilson's Lane [BBC]

Noel Stringer of Tyrone Telecom, which is situated on Irish Street at the end of Wilson's Lane, said customers regularly tell him about seeing rats outside his shop.

"The filth of the entry is awful, I actually was walking up the entry one day and I saw a rat come down the size of a small dog, and it had a pigeon in its mouth, it was massive.

"There's a lot of passing the buck about whose responsibility it is to clean this area, but something needs to done, it has become a health and safety issue."

Barry Monteith has called for the lane to be adopted by the council [BBC]

'Filth and pest problem'

Mid Ulster Council said that because the lane is close to the town centre, it "periodically arranges cleansing of the area".

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Local independent councillor Barry Monteith organised for the lane to be cleaned with a power hose last year.

However, because of nesting pigeons within the entry, he said the filth and pest problem in the lane is worse than ever.

"To be honest that is just a sticking plaster, because fast forward a few months later, the lane is as bad as ever, pigeons are still nesting and it's not being maintained and the rats are still there.

"I've been calling for years that it should be adopted onto the footpath network in the town which would mean the council would integrate it into its town cleaning schedule."

Local representatives have also had reports of rodents in residential areas [BBC]

In recent years the redevelopment of buildings surrounding Wilson's Lane have been at the centre of a planning dispute.

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The site of the former Fort Bar, which runs alongside Wilson's Lane, had been earmarked for being redeveloped into 16 apartments and three retail units.

This is now subject to a legal challenge.

Who is responsible for the lane?

Planning documents refer to Wilson's Lane as "a public right of way", but Mid Ulster Council said the lane is under private ownership.

A spokesperson for the company Centum, which submitted plans to develop the area around Wilson's Lane said issues, such as rodents, were "entirely predictable given long-term disrepair linked to stalled development".

With progress being "repeatedly blocked", public-health issues will "inevitably rise", they added.

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"This is not neglect; it is the direct consequence of delay.

"We will continue to engage on environmental and safety concerns, but while redevelopment remains stalled we will have to reconsider how the area is managed in the interim to protect the public interest and safety."

In a statement, the Dungannon Traders' Association said its members "support regeneration" and want to see the site developed "properly and successfully".

The association said traders remained open to "constructive engagement" on the site, which they described as having "been allowed to fall into serious decline".

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"Delays to the development can not be attributed solely to local concerns," a spokesperson said, adding that "confirmed infrastructure constraints" had been a "key factor".

Wilson's Lane is also known locally as Babe's Entry [BBC]

'Very large rat outside back door'

Mid Ulster District Council said the responsibility for managing pests on private property "lies with the owner or occupier".

A council spokesperson added: "While the area in question is under private ownership, the council's environmental health and environmental services departments have been in contact with, and continue to actively engage with, the private owner to help resolve the issue by encouraging the use of robust pest control measures."

Local UUP representative Ian Irwin said the rodent problem in Dungannon wasn't confined to Wilson's Lane.

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"Unfortunately, in recent months there have been increasing reports of rat problems in residential areas of the town as well.

"I had one lady in particular who sent me videos of a very large rat right outside her back door, and that's very alarming and distressing."

Pest problems

Rat concerns in Mid Ulster come a week after some residents in Strabane described an ongoing rodent problem in their properties as "absolute hell".

Meanwhile new figures obtained by BBC News NI show there have been more than 66,000 pest-related reports.

The complaints were made to councils and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) since 2020.

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They include problems with insects and birds, but most of the reports related to rodents.

Figures were released through a series of Freedom of Information requests [BBC]

Information received through freedom of information (FOI) requests also shows that more than 4m was spent by councils and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive in dealing with pest problems.

Most of the expenditure by councils was for dealing with pest problems within their own properties and land.

Most councils only provide advice when it comes to pest control queries [BBC]

What can be done?

Belfast City Council is the only council to offer a free pest control service, focusing mainly on rats and mice.

Councillor Ruth Brooks said issues like shared yards and old drainage systems in the city mean there are additional problems which could attract more pests to the area.

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"To put it really simply if Belfast City Council didn't offer this service free at the point of use, without council intervention, we would have infestations and the consequences would ultimately cost the city much more," the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) councillor told BBC Radio Ulster's Evening Extra programme.

"So really prevention is much better than a crisis management situation."

The majority of councils in Northern Ireland only provide advice to members of the public on pest control matters.

In a statement Mid Ulster council said: "Councils are not legally required to provide a pest control service, however, to ensure our district is kept free from infestations so far as is reasonably practicable, our environmental health department provides advice, support and, where necessary, enforcement to address any reported issues."




Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 134 counties Thursday morning and offered reassurance about the states readiness levels ahead of a severe winter storm, which is forecast to begin Friday evening and last through the weekend.

"Whenever we go through any type of disaster, job number one is always protecting lives, said Abbott.

The storm is expected to bring freezing temperatures and hazardous precipitation, which could cause dangerous road conditions, pipe bursts and power outages. At a Thursday morning news conference, Abbott and other officials urged Texans to prepare for the storm in advance and to stay off roadways once temperatures drop.

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Roads will be dangerous, so staying off the roads is the safest option, said Mark Williams, executive director of the Texas Department of Transportation. Any amount of ice is a dangerous amount of ice.

If travel is necessary, Williams said drivers should slow down, increase following distance, brake slowly, and look out for downed trees and power lines. Stay away from downed power lines, as they may carry active electrical current. Vehicles should be stocked ahead of travel with fuel, food, water and blankets.

Residents can monitor the status of road closures at DriveTexas.org.

Gov. Greg Abbott signs a disaster declaration for an approaching winter storm at the State Operations Center in Austin on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. (Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman)





In the meantime, the governor said resources have been deployed statewide to attempt to get ahead of the freeze. Roads and highways are already being coated in a briny salt mixture to speed up the melting process, and around 5,000 TxDOT personnel are being sent to regions that will be most affected, primarily a large swath of the state north of San Antonio.

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Officials also reminded drivers to be aware of crews working to plow the roads and give them as much distance as possible. According to the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, road and bridge treatment operations will increase as needed over the weekend.

As a state, were not waiting, Abbott said. Were acting right now.

Abbott said if there are power outages, downed trees and power lines will be responsible, not the Texas power grid, as was the case during the deadly Winter Storm Uri in 2021.

The power grid system we have today is completely different than the power grid system we had back then, Abbott said. Just the amount of power added to the grid is more than 40,000 megawatts. We have abundant power, and the reliability of it has never been better.

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Pablo Vegas, CEO of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, said power demand is not expected to exceed the low-80,000 megawatts range, and the grid has capacity of more than 90,000 megawatts, making it well-equipped to handle higher demand.

This is a different type of weather event than Winter Storm Uri, Vegas said. The state was experiencing extremely cold weather leading into the storm coming through and had a long, long duration of cold weather following that. This storm is going to be more transient and its not going to be as long duration.

Electric Reliability Council of Texas CEO Pablo Vegas speaks at a news conference about an approaching winter storm at the State Operations Center in Austin on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. Listening is Public Utility Commission Chair Thomas Gleeson. (Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman)





Austin airport will remain open, but airline operations could vary

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport said in a statement that it will continue operating and has pre-staged equipment to handle ice, if necessary, but individual airline operations may vary.

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While our runways and terminal are expected to remain open, airlines are responsible for de-icing their aircraft and making decisions about delays or cancellations, an airport representative told the American-Statesman. Even minor ice in Austin can coincide with more severe weather elsewhere in Texas or across the country, which may impact flight schedules.

Delta Air Lines said it is offering flexibility to customers with existing bookings to change their travel with no fees, including in Austin. Delta flights have been canceled at select airports in North Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee, and Delta customers traveling on a U.S. domestic flight who experience a flight delay of three hours or more and choose not to fly are entitled to a full refund for the portion of the trip that they missed. Delta customers on international flights who experience a delay of six hours or more and choose not to fly are also eligible for a refund.

Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines, Frontier Airlines and others are also offering flexibility for ticket holders throughout the duration of the storm.

The Austin airport recommends travelers closely monitor the status of their trips before leaving home. In the event of severe ice, the airport said it may temporarily close the upper levels of the parking garage and rental car facility for safety reasons.

Gov. Greg Abbott listens to a briefing as he prepares for a winter storm at the State Operations Center in Austin on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. (Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman)





How to stay safe during a severe Texas winter storm

During a severe winter storm, the safest thing Texans can do is avoid unnecessary travel  but safety while hunkering down at home is just as important.

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In the event of a power outage, stay safe from fire or carbon monoxide poisoning by ensuring your home has working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

Follow these tips to stay safe while keeping your household and loved ones warm:

Open the chimney flue before using the fireplace.

Keep generators outside.

Dont leave your car running in a closed environment, like a garage.

Never use a grill indoors.

Dont use a gas stove to warm your space, unless using it to cook food. Even then, dont keep gas on for a prolonged duration.

Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from flammable materials and never place a space heater on a rug or other flammable surface.

Never use an extension cord or power strip to plug in a space heater; instead, plug in directly to the wall.

Unplug space heater, blow out candles and put out the fireplace if not in use. Never leave a space heater unattended.

Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services said in a statement that operations could look different during severe winter weather, including the way responders handle 9-1-1 calls. People who rely on prescription medications are advised to stock enough to last a few days.

What time will rain, freeze begin on Friday in Austin?

An Arctic blast is expected to move across Texas on Friday, reaching Central Texas late Friday evening. Ahead of the front, light showers are expected off and on through the afternoon, becoming more widespread and heavier Friday night. Freezing temperatures will lag behind the cold front and are expected to arrive in Austin sometime between noon and 6 p.m. Saturday. This is when rain will transition to freezing rain, leading to icy and slick road conditions.

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Temperatures will continue to fall Saturday night, with lows dipping into the 20s. Gusty winds will make it feel more like the teens. Wintry weather is expected to continue into Sunday morning, with hazardous travel lingering into the afternoon as temperatures remain below freezing, generally in the 20s to near 30 degrees. Frigid conditions will persist through Monday, with overnight lows in the teens and afternoon temperatures struggling to reach the freezing mark.

Staff writers Austin Sanders and Alex Driggars contributed to this report.
Two men aiming to break a Guinness World Record - by being the first to travel from Devon to Cape Town in a three-wheeled car - hope to continue their travels after a blown engine ground their journey to a halt.

Oliver Jenks, 34, of Newton Abbot, Devon, and Seth Scott, 31, from Canada, set off from London on 24 October in their Reliant Robin called "Sheila the three-wheeler".

Speaking from Cameroon in central Africa, Jenks said: "There was a big knocking come from the engine. As we were on our way to the Congo [the engine] then exploded and nearly took off my leg."

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Jenks thought the 10,000-mile (about 16,000km) journey had come to an end but said a replacement engine was being sent from Exeter.

'Gaping hole'

The pair are raising money for Yeovil-based charity School in a Bag.

Jenks said the incident had left "a gaping hole" in the side of the engine.

"[It was] literally like somebody had shot it," he added.

"We both knew it was over from there, really. We instantly accepted defeat."

Jenks said he and Scott were rescued by a group of people who picked them up in the back of a cattle truck.

"Getting the car in the back was very difficult indeed, it was absolutely crazy," he added.

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Jenks continued: "We had to take the doors off the back of the truck for Sheila to go up.

"We ended up being in the back of that truck for nine hours."

He said police stopped the cattle truck several times, and added "they were very confused with two men on the back of a cattle truck in a three-wheeled car".

"We had to explain ourselves six times in the middle of the night. Like, 'no we're not being taken hostage, they're just taking us back to the capital'," he said.

Jenks said the pair had managed to crowdfund money to pay for a new engine, which should arrive on Wednesday.

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The parent company of TikTok has finalized a deal to divest a majority stake in its U.S. operations to non-Chinese investors, allowing the company to continue to operate in America and finally escape the threat of a looming ban.

Under the deal, tech giant Oracle, Emirati state-backed investment firm MGX, and U.S. investment firm Silver Lake will each possess 15 percent of a new joint venture. Other backers include the investment firm of Dell Technologies founder Michael Dell.

TikToks parent company, ByteDance, retains a 19.9 percent stake in the new firm, which is officially called TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC.

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I am so happy to have helped in saving TikTok! President Trump wrote on Truth Social. It will now be owned by a group of Great American Patriots and Investors, the Biggest in the World, and will be an important Voice. Along with other factors, it was responsible for my doing so well with the Youth Vote in the 2024 Presidential Election. I only hope that long into the future I will be remembered by those who use and love TikTok.

He also thanked President Xi Jinping of China for approving the deal.

Under the terms of the deal, non-Chinese firms now own a majority of TikToks U.S. operations, while TikToks parent company ByteDance retains a nearly 20 percent share (AP)

He could have gone the other way, but didnt, and is appreciated for his decision, Trump wrote.

As part of the deal, U.S. user data will be protected in Oracles secure U.S. cloud environment, TikTok wrote on its website, assuaging domestic concerns over Chinas potential influence over the app. The new company will also retrain, test, and update the content recommendation algorithm on U.S. user data.

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U.S. users will still be able to interact with global TikTok users, the company said.

In September, President Trump announced a tentative deal between Washington and Beijing had been reached over the fate of TikTok, as the two countries squared off in trade negotiations.

That month, Trump also signed an executive order delaying the enforcement of a previously passed 2024 law threatening a U.S. TikTok ban.

President Trump repeatedly delayed enforcement of the looming TikTok ban as a deal to preserve the apps U.S. functionality was negotiated (REUTERS)

The order marked the fourth time he extended a looming deadline under the legislation for TikTok to sell its U.S. operations or face a ban.

TikTok agreed to the terms of the deal in December.

The new owners have political ties to Donald Trump.

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Billionaire Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison is an ally of the president, and another investor in the new entity, Revolution, previously employed Vice President JD Vance as a managing partner.

During his first term, President Trump signed an executive order supporting a TikTok ban.
Washington  A year after a federal law that effectively mandated a nationwide ban on TikTok went into effect, the platform announced the formation of a new U.S.-based entity to comply with the statute.

TikTok confirmed Thursday that a joint venture made up mostly of U.S.-based investors had officially been formed to take over the app's operations for American users.

A group of three firms  U.S.-based Oracle and Silver Lake and Abu Dhabi-based MGX  will serve as the venture's managing investors and own a combined 45% of the company, TikTok said in a statement late Thursday.

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Another 35% will be owned by eight other investors, including Dell CEO Michael Dell's personal investment office and the quantitative trading firm Susquehanna International Group. ByteDance will continue to own 19.9% of the company, just below the 20% cap allowed under the law.

"The majority American owned Joint Venture will operate under defined safeguards that protect national security through comprehensive data protections, algorithm security, content moderation, and software assurances for U.S. users," the company said in a statement.

China and the U.S. both signed off on the deal to sell the app's American operations, according to a White House official.

The bipartisan law, passed in 2024, required that TikTok's China-based parent company, ByteDance, sever ties with the social media platform's American operations or lose access to U.S. app stores and web-hosting services.

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The law, which was unanimously upheld by the Supreme Court, made it unlawful for app stores to offer updates or new downloads after Jan. 19, 2025. But President Trump has issued executive orders every few months directing the Justice Department not to penalize the tech companies who host TikTok on their platforms, keeping the app widely available in the U.S. despite the ban.

It's unclear how the Chinese government plans to move forward. Its statements about a forced sale have been vague, though it has said that any agreement would have to comply with Chinese laws and regulations. CBS News has reached out to the Chinese Embassy for comment.

Under the new structure, the app's U.S. operators will "retrain, test, and update" the content recommendation algorithm that powers TikTok using data from American users, TikTok said. Oracle will also "review and validate source code on an ongoing basis," according to TikTok.

TikTok also said the U.S. version of the app will be interoperable with the version used by the rest of the world, confirming the White House's previous comments that Americans will still have access to global content under the new deal.

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The board of directors overseeing the new venture will include representatives from several of the investors, as well as current TikTok CEO Shou Chew. The U.S.-based venture's CEO is Adam Presser, who has worked at TikTok since 2022, according to his LinkedIn profile.

The arrangement is likely to raise concerns about whether it reaches the threshold of separation from ByteDance that lawmakers intended when they wrote the law. The law says that there cannot be any operational relationship between the new owners and ByteDance, including any cooperation with respect to TikTok's algorithm and data sharing.

Congress ultimately left it up to the president to decide what constitutes a "qualified divestiture."

GOP Rep. John Moolenaar of Michigan, chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, told CBS News on Thursday that the panel will have a public hearing "in the coming months" focused on two questions about the TikTok deal.

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"One is: Does it make sure that the CCP does not have influence over the algorithm? And the other is: Can we assure Americans that their data is secure? Those are the two questions that need to be answered as we go forward," the lawmaker said.

Moolenaar added, "most of us are not knowledgeable about the internal workings of that deal."

For years, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and U.S. officials, including the first Trump administration, sounded the alarm about the risks they argued TikTok posed to national security. The Chinese government could use the immensely popular short-form video app to spy on Americans, collect vast amounts of their data and carry out influence operations, they said.

During the court battle over the law in 2024, the Justice Department rejected the notion that Oracle could have sufficient oversight of user data and the algorithm to alleviate the national security concerns. By that point, TikTok had proposed a plan to mitigate national security concerns  known as Project Texas  that included storing U.S. user data on Oracle's cloud infrastructure and third-party auditing of the algorithm. But the plan was dismissed by the U.S. government and lawmakers as inadequate.

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The Justice Department cited the billions of lines of source code that comprise TikTok's algorithm, as well as the three years Oracle had estimated it would take to review the code.

"Ensuring compliance would require resources far beyond what the U.S. government and Oracle possess," a July 2024 court filing from the Justice Department said.

Meanwhile, TikTok's lawyers said a sale was impossible because the app "would be a fundamentally different platform" if it was forced to cut ties with ByteDance because the new owner would have to rebuild the algorithm, which would take years. TikTok said the inability to share any data with ByteDance would mean that the app's 170 million American users would not be able to see videos shared by users from around the world and vice versa.

A source familiar with the deal told CBS News that Vice President JD Vance led the administration's efforts to prevent TikTok from going dark in the U.S. Vance, according to the source, encouraged Google and Apple to restore TikTok to their app stores. The app was not available in app stores for about a month after the law took effect.

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Vance also spoke regularly with ByteDance, both the vice president and Mr. Trump joined some of the negotiations by phone, the source said.

The source added that China was threatened with serious consequences if a deal did not materialize by the end of a meeting between U.S. and Chinese officials in Madrid in September.

"With this new entity under the control of U.S. investors, Americans can continue to enjoy TikTok safely and securely with their data protected in the United States," a spokesperson for Vance told CBS News.

Rep. Ro Khanna of California, who recently became the top Democrat on the China committee, said the deal is "causing uncertainty among many creators." Khanna previously tried to repeal the law, citing concerns about its effects on free speech and the livelihoods of creators.

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"I will be engaging with Americans and small business owners who depend on the app to find the best way forward and to prevent changes that could disrupt the rapidly growing creator economy while prioritizing data security," Khanna said in a statement.

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In the tiny Iowa town of Elk Horn, Danish and American flags flap side by side above Main Street. A bakery sells kringles and other Danish pastries. Down the block, a working windmill towers over the prairie.

Kitchens here are stocked with family recipes for dishes most Americans cant pronounce: frikadeller (Danish meatballs), bleskiver (Danish pancake balls) and medisterplse (Danish sausages).

This town of about 600 people and the nearby city of Kimballton are known as the Danish Villages, the largest rural Danish American settlement in the United States. Its an American farming community built by Danish immigrants more than a century ago that's still defined by that dual allegiance.

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A lot of us have more relatives in Denmark than we do here in the United States, said Lisa Steen Riggs, 70, a longtime community leader.

Were proud Americans  but were proud of our Danish heritage, too," said Lisa Steen Riggs, who managed the town's historic Danish Windmill for more than four decades. (Dan Brouillette for NBC News) (Dan Brouillette for NBC News)

But that affinity has been tested of late, creating a subtle tension in a town where many Danish Americans also express steadfast loyalty to President Donald Trump, whose demands for control of Greenland have strained the long-standing alliance between Denmark and the United States.

On Wednesday, Trump appeared to step back from the brink, saying at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, that he would not use military force to seize Greenland. Still, he repeated that the U.S. wants right, title and ownership of the Arctic territory, which is self-governing but remains part of the kingdom of Denmark. He later announced what he called a framework of a future deal on Greenland with NATO allies  though the plans contours remain unclear as Danish leaders insist the sprawling, sparsely populated island is not for sale.

In deep-red Elk Horn, some residents said they have been baffled by Trumps fixation on Greenland and his willingness to disparage Denmark, one of Americas oldest and closest allies. Trump carried the rural Iowa precinct that includes Elk Horn handily in 2024, winning about 68% of the vote.

Elk Horn is home to the Museum of Danish America, which preserves the story of Danish immigration to the U.S. (Dan Brouillette for NBC News) (Dan Brouillette for NBC News)

People voted for him because of immigration. People voted for him maybe because of the economy. This wasnt really brought up, said Steen Riggs, who for decades ran Elk Horns historic Danish Windmill and its gift shop until her retirement a few years ago.

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For many families here, Denmark is not an abstract ally but a place where siblings, cousins and grandparents still live  a reality that has made Trumps threats especially unsettling.

People are hurt, Steen Riggs said of her family members overseas. I dont want my relatives in Denmark to be scared of us.

Just a short walk from the windmill, that same tension surfaces more quietly over coffee and pastries at The Kringle Man, a bakery and coffee shop run by James Uren, a longtime Elk Horn resident who describes himself as a card-carrying Republican. Urens kringles  flaky, almond-topped Danish pastries  draw locals and tourists alike, but political debate is discouraged.

We have a rule in my shop, said Uren, 68. No politics. That ruins friendships and business as fast as anything.

Its a community that has an awful lot of pride in its heritage," said James Uren, who serves up traditional Danish pastries at The Kringle Man bakery. (Dan Brouillette for NBC News) (Dan Brouillette for NBC News)

Even so, he said Trumps focus on Greenland has been hard to ignore and hard to understand, including among people who otherwise support him.

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The one comment I heard at the coffee table was, We dont need to own it. Denmark will give us everything we want, Uren said, referring to a 1951 agreement that grants the U.S. latitude to operate military bases in Greenland. I dont understand why we need to own the country.

In a statement to NBC News, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly defended Trumps campaign for Greenland, calling him a visionary leader who was not elected to preserve the status quo.

As the president said, NATO becomes far more formidable and effective with Greenland in the hands of the United States, and Greenlanders would be better served if protected by the United States from modern threats in the Arctic region, Kelly said.

For longtime residents of Elk Horn, confusion over Trump's approach collides with a history in which Denmark and the U.S. were partners, not adversaries  a legacy that shapes how the town understands itself.

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Danish immigration to this part of the country dates back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when families left Denmark in waves and settled across the Midwest and the Great Plains, drawn by farmland that looked and felt familiar. Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota and Wisconsin became hubs of Danish American life, places where immigrants could farm, build churches and preserve customs that connected them to their country of origin.

Tens of thousands of visitors stop through Elk Horn each year from across the U.S. and abroad, local leaders say. (Dan Brouillette for NBC News) (Dan Brouillette for NBC News)

Elk Horn grew out of that movement, shaped by families who arrived with shared language, food and traditions. Back when telephone companies still distributed phonebooks, Elk Horns was filled with Andersens, Petersens, Christensens, Clausens and Madsens.

That connection was underscored more than a decade ago when Danish filmmakers traveled to Elk Horn to produce two documentaries about the community. The films aired widely in Denmark and cemented the towns reputation as a living outpost of Danish culture, helping turn Elk Horn into a destination for Danish tourists curious to see what some dubbed Little Denmark on the Prairie.

But by then, the towns ties to the old country had already begun to fray, worn down by the same economic and demographic shifts that have reshaped much of rural America  forces that also helped fuel Trumps rise. About half the towns population claims Danish ancestry, a percentage that has slowly shrunk as younger generations leave for opportunities elsewhere. As older residents die off, town leaders worry Danish traditions are fading with them.

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Trumps saber rattling over Greenland has brought a new challenge to the community, said Erik Andersen, the interim executive director of the Elk Horn-based Museum of Danish America. Founded in the 1980s, the museum preserves the story of Danish immigration while serving as a cultural bridge between Denmark and the U.S.

Elk Horn celebrates its Danish roots year-round, including at seasonal festivals like Tivoli Fest in May and Julefest after Thanksgiving. (Dan Brouillette for NBC News) (Dan Brouillette for NBC News)

You dont need to bully one of your longtime allies, Andersen said, noting that Denmark and America have worked side by side for more than two centuries, including in Greenland. While the museum remains nonpolitical, he said the rhetoric runs counter to the cooperative history many Danish Americans were raised with.

Our position really is that it needs to de-escalate and we need to be cooperative, Andersen said.

Those concerns arent merely symbolic. Shaun Sayres, a transplant from New York who took over running the Danish Windmill after Steen Riggs retired, said the controversy threatens the sites day-to-day operations. The functioning 178-year-old grain mill, transported in pieces from Denmark and reassembled in Elk Horn a half-century ago, operates as a living museum, offering tours and demonstrations. Keeping it running depends heavily on the gift shop stocked with imported Danish and other Scandinavian goods.

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Sayres worries the tone of the Greenland dispute could discourage Danish tourists. And already some of the gift shops suppliers have told him theyre no longer going to sell to the U.S., he said, citing uncertainty around Trumps trade policy. On Wednesday Trump backed off plans to impose new tariffs on several European allies, including Denmark, for resisting his push to acquire Greenland.

Thats the biggest existential threat to us, Sayres said. The gift shop has been the backbone of funding the organization for decades.

Danish plates line the shelves of the gift shop at Elk Horns historic Danish Windmill. (Dan Brouillette for NBC News) (Dan Brouillette for NBC News)

Steen Riggs has felt those ripples beyond Elk Horn through her work with the Rebild National Park Society, a century-old organization founded by Danish immigrants to celebrate the relationship between the two countries. Each year, the group hosts a Fourth of July celebration in Denmark  a symbol of the nations deep admiration for America.

This year, she said, organizers have decided to scale back the celebration, uncertain how ongoing tensions will shape the mood on both sides of the Atlantic.

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Steen Riggs said she was relieved to hear Trump step back from threats of force, but she remains uneasy. She hopes that diplomacy will prevail and that the bonds tying Elk Horn to Denmark will endure.

Presidents come and go, she said. But our friendship remains.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, together with the State Department and the U.S. Department of Commerce, is organizing a business mission to Azerbaijan. The mission will last two days (February 9-10) and will allow American companies to establish direct contacts with representatives of Azerbaijani government agencies, state-owned companies and leading private sector players. This is the first American mission of this format in the history of bilateral relations.

The program of the mission includes meetings with representatives of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan and the Cabinet of Ministers, relevant ministries, SOCAR, Gosneftefond, AZPROMO, PASHA Holding, the American Chamber of Commerce in Azerbaijan (AmCham), as well as other government agencies and key private sector players in the fields of energy, defense, agriculture, digital development, transport, healthcare., finance and investments.

On August 8, 2025, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed in Washington on the establishment of a Strategic Working Group (Task Force) to prepare a Charter for Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the United States of America. The document notes that the Task Force will focus on three areas. The first is regional ties, including energy, trade, and transit. The second is economic investments, including artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure. The third is security cooperation, including the sale of defense products and the fight against terrorism. The parties identified the expansion of investments in the energy sector, cooperation in the field of defense and counterterrorism, trade and economic cooperation, partnership in the field of AI, etc. as areas of cooperation.

Answering questions from business representatives at the "Breakfast with the Leadership of Azerbaijan" event at the Davos Forum, President Ilham Aliyev said that after the historic document on the establishment of the Strategic Working Group on the development of the Charter was signed in Washington, cooperation with American companies has become more intense than ever before. And we have almost completed work on the document, that is, on the strategic charter. The Head of State noted that the Charter of Strategic Partnership could be ready in February. "Since August 8, we have sent four delegations to Washington and other cities. They all returned with good results. Therefore, we believe that entering a new stage of relations with the United States in the political, economic, energy and even defense spheres will create great opportunities for Azerbaijan to attract direct investment from the United States. And, I hope, our European partners will also not stand aside," President Ilham Aliyev said.

Work on the Charter began last November, when U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Alison Hooker visited Baku. The official herself wrote about this on the social network X, pointing out that her first visit to Baku was productive and marked the beginning of work on the Charter of Strategic Partnership between the United States and Azerbaijan. Hooker held meetings with Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan Hikmet Hajiyev, after which she wrote on Twitter: "It was an honor for us to lay the foundation for the Charter of Strategic Partnership between the United States and Azerbaijan."

The first meeting of the Working Group was held in December. The Task Force was headed by Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Elnur Mammadov and US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Sonata Coulter. The sides exchanged views on various aspects of bilateral cooperation and discussed the text of the Charter of the strategic partnership.

The second meeting of the Task Force was held on January 21. The parties continued to discuss the text of the future Charter and other issues in an online format.

Earlier in January, Elnur Mammadov held talks with Karl Kress, Regional Director of the United States Agency for Trade and Development (USTDA) for the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and Eurasia. According to the Foreign Ministry, the sides exchanged views on the possibilities of familiarizing representatives of the US private sector with the infrastructural and logistical capabilities of Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan has quite wide opportunities both in energy and logistics. These opportunities are already being actively implemented and play an indispensable role in connectivity and energy security within our region and in the Eurasian space. Azerbaijan has built the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan export oil pipeline, laid the strategic Southern Gas Corridor, connected Asia and Europe with the BTK railway corridor, and now has achieved the implementation of an important branch of the Middle Corridor - the road through the Armenian Meghri with the participation of the American side. The participation of the United States significantly increases the prospect of the project and is a guarantor of its implementation. The Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) opens up new opportunities not only for transport exchange, but also for energy ties, as it also provides for energy communications. In particular, electricity flows between Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkiye, Central Asia and Europe will be provided. The day before, commenting on the advantages of the TRIPP project in Parliament, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced the connection of the energy systems of Armenia and Azerbaijan within the framework of the project in the future.

The volume of mutual trade turnover between Azerbaijan and the United States in 2025 amounted to $ 1.557 billion.

As Economy Minister Mikhail Jabbarov noted earlier, Azerbaijan retains its investment attractiveness for American companies. The head of the department noted that 300 commercial organizations with American investments in agriculture, industry, transport, construction and trade are registered in our country. Of these, 220 are active.

It should be noted that according to statistics, the share of investments from the United States in the total volume of foreign direct investment in Azerbaijan increased in 2025. In the first half of last year, it was 2.8 percent. In January-September 2025, the volume of direct investments from the United States to Azerbaijan amounted to $133.240 million.

In turn, Azerbaijan invested $77.621 million in the U.S. economy during the same period, which is 3.9 times more than in the same period of 2024. The share of investments in the United States in the total volume of foreign direct investment in Azerbaijan amounted to 5.8 percent. Thus, the United States ranked 4th among the countries in which Azerbaijan invests the most.

As for the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and the United States, it showed growth until October last year, reaching about 1.059 billion dollars in 10 months, and then the growth stopped, and by the end of the year this figure stopped at around 1.36 billion dollars.

Delays and time lapses can occur in any process. In general, they do not affect the bilateral agenda. Cooperation between Azerbaijan and the United States has recently demonstrated serious dynamics, covering both traditional energy issues and new technological and infrastructural spheres, strengthening economic ties between the two countries.

So the first American business mission in the history of bilateral relations will have something to do in Azerbaijan.
For centuries, Stonehenge has attracted all sorts of theoriesvarying widely in credibilityas to how it cropped up some 5,000 years ago.

Some explanations have leaned outlandish, pointing to aliens or Merlin the wizard, while scientists have squabbled over the more probable stone origin stories. For example, some teams have proposed that glaciers pushed some of these stones to the oft-visited site at Salisbury Plain in southern England because their makeup reflects far-off locales. But most researchers think that people brought the stones over via sea or land.

The stones at this iconic monument fall into three groups: the hulking, nearly 28-ton sarsen stones, most of which seem to have come from around 15 miles away; bluestones that appear to originate more than 140 miles away in Wales; and the Altar Stone, a 6-ton slab that may have been brought from an area of northeast Scotland thats more than 400 miles from the site.

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The bluestones and the Altar Stone in particular have sparked lively discussions on glacial versus human transport. Some claim that glaciers shepherded these foreign stones over hundreds of miles during the last Ice Age, which was more than 20,000 years ago. Until now, no studies have harnessed state-of-the-art geological techniques to test this glacial transport theory.

Read more: How AI Is Helping Archaeologists Make Discoveries

Along with these stones, ancient glaciers would have deposited millions of microscopic grains of minerals including apatite and zircon. When these two minerals form, they bottle up small concentrations of radioactive uranium that turns into lead at a specific rate. So studying the ratios of these elements enables the researchers to measure the age of each of these minerals bits. This is a crucial hint, as rocks throughout Britain vary widely in age.

If glaciers had carried rocks all the way from Scotland or Wales to Stonehenge, they would have left a clear mineral signature on the Salisbury Plain, explained Anthony Clarke, a geologist at Curtin University in Australia, in a statement.

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Clarke and his colleagues inspected sand at rivers near Stonehenge for these telltale mineral grains, and found no evidence that the bluestones came from Wales or that the Altar Stone hailed from Scotland. Most of the zircon gains they studied were 1.7 to 1.1 billion years old, suggesting they came from ancient sheets of sedimentary rocks once covering that area of England. And the apatite seems to have lingered at Salisbury Plain for tens of millions of years. The findings were recently reported in Communications Earth and Environment.

That makes the alternative explanationthat humans moved the stonesfar more plausible, Clarke said.

How exactly people schlepped these incredibly heavy stones, however, remains a mystery, much like the speculation over statues on Rapa Nui. The Stonehenge builders may have wielded rolling logs, but really we might never know, Clarke added.

Its not even known precisely why people constructed Stonehenge, but researchers have some ideas: The site seems to have been used in a variety of ways, serving as an observatory, burial site, and even a party spot. With all this ancient intrigue, its no wonder that the monument continues to draw more than a million visitors each year.

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Lead image: Rachelle Haun / Wikimedia Commons

This story was originally featured on Nautilus.
The LA Metro Board made a step forward in the Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project on Thursday, Jan. 22, bringing Southern California commuters closer to a reality where traveling between the San Fernando Valley to the Westside takes less than 20 minutes, officials said.

The Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project is intended to serve as another transit option in the highly trafficked Sepulveda Pass.

What will connect San Fernando Valley to west Los Angeles County? LA Metro proposal

There were several alternatives, essentially proposals, for the Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project, one which proposed an aerial monorail to another that proposed a combination of aerial and underground monorail, according to Metro documents last spring.

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On Jan. 22, the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authorities approved the staff-recommended Modified Alternative 5.

If this is realized, itll result in an underground heavy rail transit in the Sepulveda Pass, connecting the Van Nuys Metrolink Station to the Metro E Line, which runs east-west, according to the Metro. Itll also connect to the Van Nuys G Line Station and the future East San Fernando Valley Light Rail station at the G Line at Van Nuys Boulevard, said Metro. Also in the plan? An on-campus station at UCLA, a move that could benefit students, faculty and visitors to the university.

By moving forward with this plan, the Metro sets in motion further refining of the design for new transit connection, initiating more community engagement about it, including with the communities impacted by it, environmental analysis and addressing costs of the project, according to previous documents and the Jan. 22 meeting.

Its a critical project for an area thats long dealt with a congested Interstate 405, and a pillar project for the Metro.

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According to Metro, the preliminary capital cost for a different proposal  although elements of that proposal are incorporated into the one officials moved forward with on Jan. 22  was $24.2 billion in 2023.

Paris Barraza is a reporter covering Los Angeles and Southern California for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at pbarraza@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: LA Metro approves San Fernando Valley to Westside underground rail
White House communications director Steven Cheung and chief of staff James Blair teamed up to make some remarkably awkward remarks about Gen Z influencer Harry Sisson, suggesting that the 24-year-old Democrat might like being spanked.

The heated social media exchange stemmed from a recent X post in which Sisson took a swipe at Blair and panned President Donald Trumps appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, this week.

Politics: Donald Trump Gets Literally Dog-Walked In Gavin Newsom's Latest Troll

I can confirm that your orange daddy just got destroyed by Gavin Newsom at Davos after attempting to silence him, Sisson wrote.

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When Blair retorted, Why do you call every guy daddy? the California governors press office weighed in, reminding the Trump aide that Daddy is how the White House refers to Trump. Many of Trumps conservative followers have made it a point to use the term, and the administration has recently seemed to embrace it.

Sisson, meanwhile, traded barbs with Blair that ultimately devolved into the White House aide writing back: Quiet down or @StevenCheung will have to spank you. @harryjsisson.

Cheung then waded into the fray and reposted Blairs remark, telling followers, Harry Sissy might actually like that. Hes a sick freak.

Harry Sissy might actually like that. Hes a sick freak. https://t.co/CQSG6EfqM5  Steven Cheung (@StevenCheung47) January 22, 2026

The influencer fired back with multiple jabs at Cheung and his physical appearance. He also alluded to Trumps past relationship with the late ****** predator Jeffrey Epstein, claiming in one post, You look like a pedophile protector so it makes sense you work for Trump.

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Sisson, who was featured in an AI video of Trump dropping feces on him last year, addressed his latest online beef in an Instagram video, shouting out Newsom for appearing to take his side.

These losers that work for Donald Trump, they dont do anything all day. They dont have real jobs, Sisson said. All they do is scroll on social media and post **** like this.

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
Grooves were found on wheels of the Iryo train that had already passed over the track before the derailment [Spain's CIAF]

A fracture in a straight section of track "occurred prior to the passage" of a high-speed train that derailed, causing last Sunday's rail disaster in which 45 people died, an initial report has found.

A train run by private company Iryo derailed last Sunday and its rear carriages crossed on to the opposite track into the path of an oncoming train run by state-owned Renfe.

The CIAF rail investigation commission said not only did Iryo train's front carriages which stayed on the track have "notches" in their wheels, but three earlier trains that went over the track earlier did too.

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A gap of almost 40cm (15in) in the track has become the focus of the investigation into the crash.

Sunday's deadly collision occurred at around 19:45 local time (18:45 GMT), about an hour after the Iryo train left Malaga for Madrid.

The train's last three carriages - carriages six to eight - derailed and collided with the Huelva-bound Renfe train. "Carriage six derailed due to a complete lack of continuity in the track," the preliminary report finds.

Most of those killed and injured were in the front carriages of the state-operated train.

The 40cm gap in the track was clearly visible the day after the disaster at Adamuz [Guardia Civil]

Earlier this week, Spanish Transport Minister Oscar Puente confirmed reports that grooves were found on the wheels of the Iryo train's carriages, which had passed over the track safely.

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"These notches in the wheels and the deformation observed in the track are compatible with the fact that the track was cracked," the CIAF preliminary report said.

It added that three trains that had gone over the tracks at 17:21 on Sunday, 19:01 and then 19:09 had similar notches "with a compatible geometric pattern".

Similar grooves are found on carriages two, three and four of the Iryo train, the report says, but carriage five - the last that did not derail - had a groove on its outer edge, suggesting the rail was already tilting outwards before carriage six derailed.

The CIAF called its report a "working hypothesis", adding that it "must be corroborated by later detailed calculations and analysis".

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The transport minister appeared before reporters again on Friday to say that it was too early to have definitive answers, but that if the cause of the crash was the fracture, then it occurred in the minutes and hours before the derailment and could not have been detected.

The Adamuz disaster is is the country's worst rail crash in more than a decade.

In 2013, Spain suffered its worst high-speed train derailment in Galicia, north-west Spain, which left 80 people dead and 140 others injured.
As the Buddhist monks continue their Walk for Peace through North Carolina on their way to Washington, D.C., here are the best ways to track their movement and learn where you might see them.

The group of 19 monks passed through Pittsboro on Thursday, walking single file along the side of U.S. 64. Cars stretched for miles ahead of them as people lined the roadside to offer them flowers and fruit. Some lined the shoulder of the highway with rose petals to soften the monks path, The News & Observer reported. The monks accepted the gifts of flowers but passed them along to outstretched hands further down the road.

At one point, the monks stopped at a woman in a wheelchair, looped a bracelet of peace on her wrist and chanted as she wept.

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As of Friday morning, Jan. 23, the monks were approaching Apex along U.S. 64.

The group started their 2,300-mile journey on Oct. 26, 2025, from the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth, Texas. The walk to Washington to promote peace is expected to take about 120 days, ending in mid-February.

Buddhist monks walk along South Greensboro Street during the Walk for Peace on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026 in Liberty, N.C. (Robert Willett/rwillett@newsobserver.com)

You can donate to their cause at zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/support-the-walk-for-peace-2300-miles-of-hope.

Where else in North Carolina will the monks walk?

The monks Walk for Peace website includes maps and more information about the groups mission.

According to their overview map, their path is expected to take them through Cary, then southwest Raleigh, downtown Raleigh and east Raleigh, then taking a northward turn passing near Rolesville and Louisburg, then a sharper northward turn to pass near Warrenton on their way to Virginia.

A small procession of Buddhist monks walks along U.S. Highway 64 west of Pittsboro on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, as hundreds of onlookers line the highway to welcome them. The monks are making a 2,300-mile pilgrimage from Texas to Washington, D.C., as part of the Walk for Peace, an effort to promote peace, compassion and national unity.

How to see the monks in Raleigh

In Raleigh, the monks are estimated to start a public walk from N.C. States Poole Jr. All Faiths Chapel (1030 Richardson Dr., Raleigh, NC 27603) at 2 p.m. on Saturday and arrive at the NC State Capitol for a gathering at 3:30 p.m.

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The timing and exact path of their journey could be impacted by the severe ice storm arriving in the state Saturday. North Carolina is currently under a state of emergency because of the storm.

Raleigh Police Lt. David Davis told The News & Observer that its best for people to try to see the monks during their visit to the Capitol, instead of on roadsides.

We want to adhere to the state of emergency, said Davis said. We dont want people just driving through Raleigh just to get to a location where they can see them. If youre already downtown, if you can safely walk to the Capitol, thats what we want people to do.

The monks have vehicles in their convoy, and if people drive too closely to get a look at the monks it can cause vehicle accidents, he said.

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Will winter weather delay the monks arrival in Raleigh? What we know

You can view the live map at dhammacetiya.com/walk-for-peace/live-map and see the larger overview map at dhammacetiya.com/walk-for-peace/overview-map

In the case of the overview map, the green line is the estimated direction (not the actual route) and the orange icon represents their current location. You can see the actual route and planned stops in the Daily Live Map and in the nightly update posts on their Facebook page, facebook.com/walkforpeaceusa.

A small procession of Buddhist monks walks along U.S. Highway 64 west of Pittsboro on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, as hundreds of onlookers line the highway to welcome them. The monks are making a 2,300-mile pilgrimage from Texas to Washington, D.C., as part of the Walk for Peace, an effort to promote peace, compassion and national unity.

Staff writer Anna Roman contributed to this report.

Which roads will be closed for the monks in Raleigh? See their updated route

Monks welcomed in Pittsboro on walk for peace, bringing tears, flowers and hope
Severe cold temperatures hitting much of the country this week could branch out  literally.

As people brace for the winter weather, some social media posts in recent days have warned of the chance for exploding trees.

But experts say that's not entirely true.

A sudden drop in temperature can cause a break in a tree known as a frost crack, Bill McNee, a forest health specialist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, part of the USA TODAY Network.

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While frost cracks can be loud and cause branches to fall off, it would be extremely rare for a tree to fully explode because of it, McNee said.

Here's what we know about "exploding" trees.

See the maps: Extreme cold, major snow likely for millions across US

Can severe weather really cause exploding trees?

McNee said it's not uncommon for a sudden drop in temperature to cause "frost cracks" in trees. These longitudinal cracks can run the full length of a tree and are accompanied by a loud "bang."

"It's going to get cold enough that this sap may actually finally freeze. And when it does that, like ice cubes in your freezer, they expand very quickly," McNee told the Journal Sentinel. "That just creates a lot of physical pressure that can lead to the frost cracking appearing suddenly, branches can fall off, and people hear this really loud crack from their tree, almost like it's a gunshot."

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It would be unlikely for a tree to fully explode because of frost cracking; usually, the crack becomes part of the tree, McNee said.

"I've never seen the damage of it, but from what I have seen and what I read online is that it is rare for there just to be so much pressure that is suddenly released inside this tree that it almost does explode," McNee said.

McNee advised anyone who sees a severe crack in a tree to consult an arborist to evaluate if the tree is a safety hazard. Severe frost cracking could cause trees to fall.

A fallen tree is covered with fresh fallen snow, inviting hikers to cross the icy waters.

What are frost cracks? 'Exploding tree' phenomenon

Frost cracks are vertical openings that can extend deep into the wood of a tree. They are most often on the trunk, but branches can also be effected, according to the University of Connecticut.

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McNee said frost cracks occur because the thick sap inside a tree freezes at a colder temperature than water, and usually stays liquid even when temperatures are well below freezing  a state known as "supercooling."

Another factor that can lead to frost cracks, according to the Wisconsin DNR, is that when temperatures drop suddenly, the exterior of a tree can get much colder than a tree's inner wood, causing the cells of the tree's bark to shrink and lead to "unequal contraction" between the tissues of the tree's exterior and interior.

Frost cracks are most likely to occur in thin-barked trees like maples, lindens and sycamores, but can happen in other species, according to the DNR. McNee said any tree that has sap could have frost cracking in the right conditions.

Frost cracking is common for many trees every few winters, and some trees adapt by dehydrating themselves before winter, making it less likely for physical damage to occur, McNee said. For most trees that do get a crack, the living part of the tree typically heals over the "wound" over time, he said. However, a crack can expose a tree to fungal infection or decay, which could lead to the tree dying.

Other strange weather effects: Thundersnow, pancake ice

So-called exploding trees aren't the only strange weather phenomena out there.

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Thundersnow, a rare weather event, occurs when snow, rather than rain, accompanies a thunderstorm.

Pancake ice in Lake Michigan, seen Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in St. Joseph, Michigan.

Pancake ice, a type of ice that resembles the breakfast staple, forms in bodies of water in cold weather when waves are still churning the surface. Chunks of ice collide and clump together, forming round, flat disks that resemble pancakes floating on the waters surface, according to The Weather Channel.

Snow rollers, a kind of nature-made snowball, are a cylindrical forming of snow that happens when snow chunks roll down hills or are blown along the ground by wind, according to the Idaho State Department of Education.

And when it comes to cracks, another phenomenon known as a frost quake or cryoseism can create cracks in the ground caused by the freezing and expansion of water deep within the earth's crust, according to AccuWeather.

Forecast: Severe cold is on the way

An arctic front is expected to bring frigid temperatures to the middle and eastern part of the country from Jan. 22 through Jan. 26, according to the National Weather Service's latest forecast.

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Wind chills could fall as low as minus 60 across Illinois, Minnesota and North and South Dakota. From the northeast to states as far west as Colorado and Montana, wind chills are expected to hover around 10 degrees below zero. In the southern half of the country, from New Mexico to South Carolina, wind chills could be around 10-20 degrees.

Meanwhile, a winter storm will bring heavy snow from the Southern Rockies and Plains through the Mid-Atlantic and into the Northeast through the weekend, per the National Weather Service.

Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at melina.khan@usatoday.com.

(This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Do trees explode in severe cold? They're frost cracks
A sleep-dodging Donald Trump used his return to the White House to embark on a late-night Truth Social posting rampage.

Trump flew back from Switzerland on Thursday evening, after visiting the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he backed down on his plans to seize control of Greenland and was snubbed by major allies as he launched a multibillion-dollar peace grift.

Once home, the jet-lagged president made over 70 posts during a 50-minute period from 12:40 a.m to 1:30 a.m, with a slew of MAGA-friendly reposts clogging his feed. Many of the posts appeared in his feed twice in a row.

Trump's posting spree followed a difficult trip to Davos for the World Economic Forum. / FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP via Getty Images

Trump, 79, began his posting spree by claiming he had helped to save TikTok by announcing the Chinese social media company would now operate in the U.S. under a majority American-owned joint venture.

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Republican megadonor Larry Ellisons company Oracle will hold a 15 percent stake in TikTok U.S. Ellison, a close friend of Trump, will also steer Oracles retraining of TikToks trademark algorithm.

It will now be owned by a group of Great American Patriots and Investors, the Biggest in the World, and will be an important Voice, Trump wrote on Truth Social. I only hope that long into the future I will be remembered by those who use and love TikTok.

Donald Trump posts about TikTok on Truth Social. / supplied

Ironically, Trump had tried to ban TikTok in 2020, citing national security fears, but used the Chinese-owned app to broaden his appeal with younger voters during his 2024 election campaign.

Trumps dump of posts covered everything from a trailer for wife Melanias Amazon documentary to reposting video from Fox News and Joe Rogans podcast.

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There were also clips of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and uploaded PDF printouts of a NewsMax cover story on Trump from December.

Donald Trump shares NewsMax magazine on Truth Social. / screen grab

The president also shared negative posts towards his political foes, including Gov. Gavin Newsom of California, Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

His feed was also filled with doubled-up posts about the 2020 election being stolen, clips from UFC boss Dana White, and claims that he is having success with his handling of the American economydespite polls suggesting otherwise.

He also shared content from a fan account dedicated to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Unfortunately for Trump, one of the posts read American is back!!! rather than America is back!!!

Donald Trump shares MAGA posts on Truth Social. / screen shot

The Daily Beast has contacted the White House for comment.

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Trumps post-midnight Truth Social onslaught follows an earlier social media frenzy from Europe. He spent more than an hour firing off posts attacking his critics and sharing gushing posts after the embarrassment of world leaders snubbing his Board of Peace signing ceremony.

Between 10:38 am and 1:01 pm EST, Trump fired off 51 posts, several of which were screenshots of people agreeing with videos hed posted seconds earlier.

He included more conspiracy theories about the 2020 election fraud as well as questionable claims about ICE being allowed to use force against Minnesota protesters.
The Trump administration said it plans to rearrest Mahmoud Khalil, with the goal of deporting the Columbia University activist of Palestinian descent to Algeria  a move that Khalils lawyers panned Thursday as illegal.

Khalil was being held in Louisiana until a federal judge ordered him released last June. But last week, an appeals court dealt a major blow to Khalils legal challenge to his detention, reversing the lower court order, 2-1, and paving the way for him to be arrested again.

It looks like hell go to Algeria. Thats what the thought is right now, Tricia McLaughlin, a top Department of Homeland Security official, told NewsNation on Wednesday night. Khalil lived in Algeria, where he has citizenship, as a Syrian refugee, before relocating to the United States for his studies.

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Its a reminder for those who are in this country on a visa or on a green card, youre a guest in this country. Act like it, added McLaughlin, an assistant secretary for public affairs.

The plan also drew criticism from New York City Mayor Mamdani. Asked if he was in touch with President Trump directly about Khalils case, the mayor said he would make clear to everyone that efforts to deport the activist were part of a broader attack on free speech.

Mahmoud Khalil is a New Yorker. He should remain in New York, Mamdani said at an unrelated press conference Thursday. Khalil publicly supported Mamdanis bid for mayor and attended his inauguration.

We have seen this attack on him is part of a larger attack on the freedom of speech that is especially pronounced when it comes to the use of that speech to stand up for Palestinian human rights, and I will make that clear to everyone, Mamdani said.

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Khalils lawyers have questioned the legality of rearresting him before last weeks decision could be reviewed. The Daily News has reached out to his legal team for clarity.

Mahmoud cannot be legally detained or deported now because his appeals process has not concluded, they wrote in a statement Thursday to the Columbia Spectator. But its no surprise to hear the government reiterate what has always been its ultimate goal: to impose the extreme punishment of deportation on Mahmoud for his pro-Palestinian speech.

Khalil, who served as a negotiator between Columbia protesters and the school administration in spring 2024, became the public face of Trumps crackdown on pro-Palestinian advocacy after federal officials detained him in March. He is a green card holder and married to an American citizen, who recently gave birth in the U.S. to their first child.

The Trump administration has argued in court that Khalils presence in the United States is a threat to foreign policy interests, while accusing him in public of antisemitism and sympathies for Hamas. Khalil has denied the allegations and spoken out against antisemitism, including before his arrest.
Jan. 23 (UPI) -- The United States has completed its exit from the World Health Organization, the Trump administration said, one year since it began the withdrawal process.

"Like many international organizations, the WHO abandoned its core mission and acted repeatedly against the interests of the United States," Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in a joint statement on Thursday.

"Although the United States was a founding member and the WHO's largest financial contributor, the organization pursued a politicized, bureaucratic agenda driven by nations hostile to American interests."

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Trump initiated the process to withdraw the United States from the United Nations' intergovernmental health body on the first day of his second term in office via executive order.

Under U.S. law, the United States could withdraw from the WHO after a one-year notice. It also requires the United States, the WHO's largest financial contributor, to fulfill its financial obligations to the organization for the fiscal year in which the notice was given.

Rubio and Kennedy said the WHO has refused to return the American flag that hung outside its headquarters, asserting that the organization has not approved the United States' withdrawal due to outstanding payments.

The pair neither confirmed nor denied whether the United States was negligent on its bills but said that on its way out, "the WHO tarnished and trashed everything that American has done for it."

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"From our days as its primary founder, primary financial backer and primary champion until now, our final day, the insults to America continue," they said.

The U.S. engagement with the WHO will be limited to completing the withdrawal and "to safeguard the health and safety of the American people."

"All U.S. funding for, and staffing of, WHO initiatives has ceased," they said.

UPI has contacted the WHO for comment.

Trump originally withdrew the United States from the WHO during his first term in office, accusing the organization of allegedly enabling China to cover up the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic and its early outbreak of the disease.

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President Joe Biden reversed Trump's decision on his first day in office in January 2021.

Then, on his first day of his second term in the White House, Trump, via executive order, pulled the United States from the WHO, citing its "mishandling" of the pandemic as well as its seeking "unfairly onerous payments from the United States, far out of proportion with other countries' assessed payment."

Trump has sought to distance the United States from the United Nations and its affiliated agencies, and more broadly from multilateral institutions and forums and intergovernmental engagement, under his America First international policy.

Earlier this month, the White House announced the U.S. withdrawal from 35 non-U.N. entities and 31 entities under the U.N. umbrella. Rubio said the organizations affected were deemed "contrary to the interests of the United States."

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Critics and Democrats have chastised Trump and his administration for seeking to pull the United States from the greater global community.

Ronald Nahass, president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, called the U.S. withdrawal from the WHO "a shortsighted and misguided abandonment of our global health commitments."

"Withdrawing from the World Health Organization is scientifically reckless," Nahass said in a statement. "It fails to acknowledge the fundamental natural history of infectious disease. Global cooperation is not a luxury; it is a biological necessity."

On the other hand, Mike Waltz, the U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., celebrated the move.

"We stand proud in our commitment to American sovereignty," he said on X.
President Donald Trump has threatened war with Iran if the government harms its own people. But he's also planning to hand over Iranians, some of whom may face the death penalty, to that government. On Thursday, the nonprofit National Iranian American Council warned that it had learned about a planned deportation flight to Iran. On Friday, a lawyer for two gay Iranians set to be deported confirmed the story to MS NOW and CNN.

"The same administration that promised Iranians that 'help is on the way' amid a deadly crackdown is now forcibly sending Iranians back into danger," National Iranian American Council President Jamal Abdi said in a press release. "Words of solidarity against violence and repression ring especially hollow when you're rounding those same people up and forcing them on planes to deliver them back into the hands of their oppressors."

On January 8 and 9, massive unrest broke out inside Iran, followed by a bloody government crackdown. The Human Rights Activists News Agency, a nonprofit in Virginia that has been tracking the violence, has confirmed over 5,000 deaths and 26,000 arrests. While the uprising seems to have died down, the country is reportedly under unofficial martial law and a telecommunications blackout. Last year, before the unrest began, the Iranian government executed at least 975 people.

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The Iranian government is guilty of "the complete destruction of the country and the use of violence at levels never seen before," Trump told Politico last week, adding that Iran "is the worst place to live anywhere in the world because of poor leadership."

But as early as Sunday, the Trump administration plans to fly 40 Iranians back to the country, immigration lawyer Bekah Wolf and other sources confirmed to MS NOW and CNN. Two of Wolf's clients are a gay couple who fled their country in 2021 after being indicted for homosexuality. The couple showed up at the U.S. border and claimed asylum in early 2025, just before Trump's inauguration; they fear execution if they are returned to Iran.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Iranian foreign ministry did not respond to Reason's requests for comment.*

The deportation flight this weekend would be the third deportation flight sent by the Trump administration to Iran. The administration sent two deportation flights, each carrying 55 people, to Iran last September and December. The flights included Iranians who are gay and some who converted to Christianity, both of which are illegal in Iran. Two of the Christian deportees were later summoned for questioning by Iranian intelligence, the BBC reports.

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U.S. Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin told The New York Times in November that the administration was deporting "terrorists, human smugglers and suspected foreign agents." Meanwhile, Iranian diplomat Abolfazl Mehrabadi told the Times that the deportees were coming back to Iran voluntarily. "Iran's government does not like to see any Iranian in detention or lost in a third country, and they face no problems returning," he said.

The deportees themselves clearly feel differently. In July 2025, pastor Ara Torosian filmed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) dragging away a Christian Iranian while his wife had a panic attack. The man was later deported to a third country, but his wife was granted U.S. asylum, according to the BBC. Another Christian Iranian who was set to be deported to Iran via Turkey managed to escape the Turkish airport during his layover and is now in hiding.

Mehrdad Dalir, one of the deportees on the September flight, told the Times that he "did everything in my power to stop them, but the ICE officials didn't care. They told me, 'You are either getting on the plane on your own, or we will tie you and send you back.'"

*UPDATE: After this article was published, the Department of Homeland Security responded to Reason's request for comment, saying it could neither confirm nor deny the planned deportation flight due to "operational security."

The post The Trump Administration Plans To Deport Iranians Amid Deadly Crackdown in Iran appeared first on Reason.com.
Investing.com -- The Trump administration is considering new strategies to push for regime change in Cuba, including a complete blockade on oil imports to the island nation, according to a Politico report on Friday.

The potential escalation, which would go beyond President Donald Trumps previous announcement about stopping Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba, has reportedly gained support from some administration officials critical of the Cuban government, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

While no final decision has been made, a total oil blockade could be among several options presented to President Trump aimed at ending Cubas communist government.

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Last week, Trump stated that the U.S. would halt Cubas imports of oil from Venezuela, which has historically been Cubas primary crude supplier. The newly considered measures would represent a significant expansion of that policy by blocking all oil shipments to the Caribbean nation.

The administrations increasingly confrontational rhetoric on Cuba comes just weeks after the U.S. military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of the countrys authoritarian leader Nicolas Maduro.

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WASHINGTON  The Trump administration said it is coordinating with states and taking other steps to prepare for a monster winter storm expected to bring snow, ice and extreme cold from Texas to Maine.

President Donald Trump is getting briefed throughout the day on the storm and is in close contact with administration officials, a White House official said on Friday, Jan. 23.

The White House said its Office of Intergovernmental Affairs has communicated directly with officials from a dozen states expected to be affected by the storm to ensure pre-storm preparedness. Those states are Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and New Jersey. The White House also held a call with grid operators.

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The Trump Administration is proactively supporting states in the path of Winter Storm Fern to ensure a rapid and well-coordinated response. White House spokeswoman Liz Huston said in a statement to USA TODAY.

More: More than half of US facing winter storm. See the latest maps

Drivers navigate icy conditions on Briley Parkway in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. A winter storm brought snow and ice to Middle Tennessee starting on Saturday. Motorists travel along north bound lanes of Interstate 65 as a winter storm moved into the region Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 in Brentwood, Tenn. The storm is expected to bring snow, sleet, freezing temperatures and ice across multiple states this weekend. Pedestrians walk through the heavy snow in Columbus as Winter Storm Fern continues to dump snow on Central Ohio on Jan. 25, 2026. Mark Anstaett of Clintonville, Ohio cross country skis though Whetstone Park as Winter Storm Fern continues to dump snow on the Columbus area on Jan. 25, 2026. Vehicles make their way along I-95 southbound into Wilmington, Del. past the W. 18th Street overpass, early morning, Jan. 25, 2026. NES crews work on restoring power after a tree fell across Bluefield Ave. in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. A winter storm brought snow and ice to Middle Tennessee starting on Saturday. Snow is plowed on route 9 in Tarrytown, NY during the winter storm Jan. 25, 2026. The storm was predicted to drop up to a foot of snow on the lower Hudson Valley. A family sleds Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, at Unity Park in Greenville, SC. Cars travel Interstate 65 as snow falls Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Indianapolis. Ted Bieber of the Knolls walks across the SR-315 pedestrian bridge as Winter Storm Fern continues to dump snow on the Columbus, Ohio area on Jan. 25, 2026. Mark Bruce uses a snowblower Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, along the street in front of his Avon, Ind. home. A layer of snow blankets the back of two horses in Greenville on Jan. 25, 2026. Snow covers the ground of the Lower Brandywine Presbyterian Church in New Castle County, Del. on Jan. 25, 2026. Snow is plowed on route 9 in Tarrytown, N.Y. during the winter storm Jan. 25, 2026. The storm was predicted to drop up to a foot of snow on the lower Hudson Valley. A major winter storm is forecast to spread heavy snow, sleet and dangerous ice to tens of millions of Americans across two dozen states starting on Friday and continuing into the weekend.

See here, Keith Wilson, of Milwaukee, walks with frozen eyelashes down East State Street in Milwaukee on Jan. 23, 2026. The National Weather Service issued an extreme cold watch across Wisconsin with windchills between 30 and 40 below zero. Erie Downtown Partnership Ambassadors Derek Smith, right, and Rob Nelson clear ice and snow near a bus stop, with single-digit temperatures outdoors, in Erie, Pa., on Jan. 23, 2026. Smith said they try and keep paths clear during heavy snow events. American Red Cross shelter set up at the Civic Center of Anderson, SC, on Jan 24, 2026. A customer loads ice melt into their car at Lowes on Jan. 22, 2026 in Little Rock, Ark. Yahaira Rojas, of Milwaukee, shields her face from the cold as she walks down North 10th Street in from of the Milwaukee County Courthouse in Milwaukee on Jan. 23, 2026. An employee restocks a shelf with snow shovels at Keith's Hardware store on Jan. 23, 2026 in Louisville. Victoria Parker volunteers at The Store assisting customers before the winter storm in Nashville on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. The Store is a non-profit organization founded by Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley to support foodinsecure neighbors. A pedestrian walks to the grocery store for milk during a stretch of extreme cold weather, Jan. 23, 2026, in Menasha, Wisc. Joe Gegelbach loads his trunk with ice melt at the Home Depot as he potential winter storm Evansville, Ind., Jan. 23, 2026. Orangetown Highway Department crews load salt on snow plows in preparation for the snow storm at their facility in Orangeburg, N.Y., Jan. 23, 2026. Firewood, snow shovels and other items to help deal with the coming storm at s Home Depot in Gastonia, N.C. on Jan. 23, 2026. Lynn Batizy of Anderson volunteers setting up cots for American Red Cross warming center at the Civic Center of Anderson, S.C., Jan. 23 2026. On Jan. 23, 2026, Lynn Sealey (left) and Colby Coates (right) replenish produce after an increased number of customers visited the WNC Farmers Market vendor in Asheville, N.C., ahead of the winter storm. Large trucks are filled with a salt and sand mixture at the Easter Salt Co., in Quincy, Mass. on, Jan. 22, 2026. Overnight snowfall left the morning commute in downtown Rochester, NY a little slippery on Jan. 22, 2026. A nearly empty bread shelf is seen in Madison, Tenn., ahead of the storm on January 22, 2025. John Pickering looks over a new shovel at Curry Hardware in West Quincy, Massachusetts, on Jan. 22, 2026. A sun dog seen Jan. 22, 2026 near Pittsville, WI. Sun dogs are caused by refraction of sunlight by ice crystals. A "drive safely" sign is displayed in Greenville, SC as crews work on treating roads, Jan 22, 2026. People brace the cold temperatures while walking on the Brooklyn Bridge in the Manhattan borough of New York City on January 21, 2026. Bringing icy temperatures, Winter Storm Fern will slam a massive stretch of the United States this week, with more than 175 million people facing the prospect of heavy snowfall, power outages and travel disruption. Forecasters warned it could be 2,000 miles long, well over half the length of the continental US. Massive winter storm blankets nation. See photos 1 of 34 Drivers navigate icy conditions on Briley Parkway in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. A winter storm brought snow and ice to Middle Tennessee starting on Saturday.

Snowfall totals above 12 inches are likely across the Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, and will cause travel disruptions, according to the National Weather Service. Dangerous ice accumulation, through freezing rain and sleet, is expected in several states.

How the Trump administration responds to the storm will be under the microscope after hundreds of thousands of federal employees across departments were fired in 2025 through downsizing efforts steered by the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency.

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Trump, in his first public statement on the storm, seized on the grim forecast to counter scientists who have warned of climate change. "Record Cold Wave expected to hit 40 States. Rarely seen anything like it before. Could the Environmental Insurrectionists please explain  WHATEVER HAPPENED TO GLOBAL WARMING???" Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

More: Freezing rain begins to fall as millions brace for winter storm: Updates

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said she spoke with governors and emergency managers from states in the storm's path. She said the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other federal agencies are closely monitoring conditions and coordinating with state officials.

"Governors remain in the lead, and we stand ready to support," Noem said in a post on X. "Every American in the path of this storm should take steps to prepare and protect themselves from the elements."

Overnight snowfall left the morning commute a little slippery on Jan. 22, 2026. Downtown Rochester can be seen from Monroe Avenue.

FEMA said it has pre-positioned supplies  including meals, generators and shutter drivers  to distribution centers in Camp Minden, Louisiana; Greencastle, Pennsylvania; Forth Worth, Texas; and Atlanta.

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More than 20 FEMA staff members are dispersed at state emergency operations centers, three incident management assistance teams have been deployed and 28 urban search and rescue teams are on standby, according to the agency. FEMAs National Response Coordination Center and regional response centers are activated.

Energy secretary calls for availability of backup generation

Trump, who returned to Washington on Jan. 22 after attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, is expected to remain in Washington through the weekend rather than travel to his Mar-a-Lago resort home in Florida.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright, in a Jan. 22 letter, asked the nation's grid operators to be prepared to make backup generation resources at data centers and other facilities available in case of power outages.

"I expect the Reliability Coordinators and Balancing Authorities to work closely with the facilities within their service territories to deliberately prioritize the dispatch order of backup generation to achieve the greatest benefit to the bulk power system while balancing mission-essential functions," Wright wrote.

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More: Expecting Amazon packages? They may be delayed due to winter storm.

For forecasting, the National Weather Service is collecting storm data from aircraft operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Air Force. The aircraft are flying above both the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean, according to the White House.

"We're throwing everything at this because we've got to get that data into the models," NWS Director Ken Graham told Axios.

President Donald Trump steps down from Air Force One as he returns to Washington from the World Economic Forum on January 22, 2026 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.

The Department of Agriculture directed farmers, ranchers, families and small businesses in the path of the storm to available support through the USDA's disaster resource center and disaster assistance discovery tool.

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The Small Business Administration said it has put damage assessment and field deployment teams on "travel alert status" in preparation of quick deployment to affected states. The agency's Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience has also communicated with state and federal officials to discuss which areas could be most affected, according to the White House.

The Federal Highway Administration, which falls under the Department of Transportation, said it stands ready to coordinate with states on road closures, salt needs and other resources during the storm.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which oversees commercial trucking, issued a regional emergency declaration to provide temporary hours-of-service and relief efforts for 40 states impacted by the storm.

Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump administration braces for for monster winter storm
In the latest chapter of President Donald Trumps continued campaign to boost Americas presence in the Arctic, his administration has announced another diplomatic breakthrough on Greenland.

Following intense negotiations at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump announced on Truth Social that he and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte had agreed on the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland and, in fact, the entire Arctic Region.

This comes days after Trump threatened tariffs on eight European nations unless Denmark agreed to sell the strategically vital island.

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In his January 21 Truth Social post, Trump wrote: Based upon a very productive meeting that I have had with the Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte, we have formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland Based upon this understanding, I will not be imposing the Tariffs that were scheduled to go into effect on February 1st.

In a follow-up post on Thursday, Trump added, It was an incredible time in Davos. The Greenland structure is being worked on, and will be amazing for the U.S.A., and the Board of Peace is something that the World has never seen before.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is calling for a constructive dialogue on Arctic security  including any U.S. ideas for ramping up military presence there  but shes making it crystal clear that Greenlands status isnt up for grabs and sovereignty remains off the table, per Reuters.

The details of Trumps proposed framework for Greenland are still pretty vague right now, but in a Fox Business interview from Davos this week, he described it as giving the U.S. total access with no end, theres no time limit framing it as key hub for national security, military access, and tying the deal into his Golden Dome missile defense system, as previously covered by The Dallas Express.

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The recent Greenland statements and updates follow Trumps January 21 Davos speech, where he directly said that he would rule out forcefully taking the Island: I dont have to use force. I dont want to use force. I wont use force.

U.S. presidents have eyed Greenland for strategic reasons since the 19th century.

In 1867, Secretary of State William Seward explored the idea of purchasing Greenland along with Iceland. In 1910, Ambassador Maurice Egan also floated the idea of territorial swaps, per History.com.

One of the boldest offers came in 1946 under President Harry Truman, who proposed $100 million (about $1.5 billion today) for the island during the Cold War, at that time Denmark declined, but granted long-term U.S. military basing rights via the 1951 defense agreement.

As of the time of publication, negotiations over the vast island continue, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio expected to re-engage in negotiations with Danish leaders.
The mullahs have declared victory. Their thuggish Basij militiamen have retreated to their lairs. Municipal workers are scrubbing the blood from Tehrans pavements.

Yet even as Irans protesters abandon hope of US deliverance, evidence is mounting that Donald Trump may still be preparing to strike the country.

Naval assets are moving into position. The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its strike group, steaming towards the Arabian Sea from the Far East, have gone dark after ceasing to broadcast tracking data. A second carrier strike group has reportedly entered the Mediterranean, while a third is heading east across the Atlantic.

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The build-up is not just confined to the seas. Online flight-monitoring data indicate that a large number of US F-15 fighter jets normally stationed at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk have redeployed to Jordan.

Three weeks after Mr Trump promised protesters that US forces were locked and loaded and would come to their rescue, the help he pledged may finally be on its way.

For those who heeded his call to stay on the streets during the bloodiest uprising since the founding of the Islamic Republic in 1979, that help will feel too late. There are no protesters left to rescue. They are dead, maimed, imprisoned or sitting defeated in their homes.

Rights groups estimate several thousand people have been killed and more than 26,000 arrested. Many activists say those who risked their lives feel betrayed by Mr Trump, who urged them to KEEP PROTESTING in an all-caps Truth Social post.

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Iran has been waiting for the US to make the first move before pulling its trigger, having slowly rebuilt its arsenal after Junes 12-day war. Chemicals imported from China could fuel up to 500 ballistic missiles, intelligence analysts believe.

Mr Trump was reportedly on the cusp of ordering strikes last week before backing away at the last moment, arguing that the regime had heeded his warnings by cancelling plans to hang hundreds of detainees arrested during the unrest.

Diplomats and analysts say it is more likely he yielded to pressure from Gulf states fearful of Iranian missile retaliation against US bases on their territory, and from Israel, which judged that it lacked sufficient air defences to withstand a sustained Iranian assault.

Many assumed the moment for military action had closed, particularly after the US president turned his attention to Greenland. Yet in recent days he has pressed aides to present him with options that would have a decisive effect in Iran, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln is making its way to the Middle East from the Far East - Shutterstock

What decisive means remains unclear. Options reportedly range from limited strikes on Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps facilities to a prolonged campaign aimed at crippling the regime.

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Mr Trump may be bluffing, staging a show of might intended to coerce Tehran into abandoning its nuclear and ballistic missiles programme. But there are reasons to believe he may be serious. Toppling the regime, or forcing out its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would dwarf even the seizure of Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro.

He may also fear that failing to act after issuing explicit threats would damage his credibility. Barack Obamas failure to enforce his red line  the use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime  in Syria in 2013 remains a cautionary tale the current US president has repeatedly cited.

Trump fears that if he does nothing he opens himself up to charges of weakness, said a Western diplomat. That is something he wants to avoid.

Donald Trump could open himself up to charges of weakness if he doesnt strike Iran - Shutterstock/Laurent Gillieron

Others argue that Mr Trumps hesitation has been driven less by politics than by military realities. Gregory Brew, an Iran expert at the Eurasia Group in New York, says that while the US had ample offensive firepower in the region it initially lacked sufficient defences to protect regional bases and Israel from retaliation.

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1701 US bases in range of Iran\'s missiles

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Israels 12-day war with Iran in June degraded but did not eliminate Tehrans missile capability. Medium-range systems were hit, but Irans vast arsenal of short-range ballistic missiles  the weapons most capable of striking US and Gulf targets  remained largely intact.

Those concerns are now being addressed. Patriot and Terminal High-Altitude Area Defence (Thaad) air-defence systems have reportedly been deployed at Al Udeid, a US military base in Qatar, and elsewhere in the region. If Israel calculates that its defences have been sufficiently reinforced, it may again support strikes aimed at further eroding Irans missile force.

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The US is clearly preparing both to use force and to absorb Iranian retaliation, Mr Brew said. So I think its definitely a possibility. Whether it acts depends on what it wants to achieve. I think the administration has determined it has the will to strike Iran. Now its trying to determine what the goal would be.

Any military action would be fraught with risk. Even if bombing were to spark renewed protests  a big assumption given the repression already inflicted  air power alone rarely topples regimes.

It took months of Nato air strikes, combined with a rebel advance, to bring down Muammar Gaddafi in Libya. Iran has no such advancing rebels. And unlike Libya, it retains the capacity to retaliate well beyond its borders.

The regimes calculus has shifted. Having lost legitimacy and failed to co-opt its population, it has resorted to brute force to survive. That same ferocity could now be turned outward.

The war last June did not eliminate Tehrans missile capability and Iran remains capable of using brute force internationally - AFP/Atta Kenare

In June last year, weakened by Israels dismantling of its proxy network, Iran chose to ration its missile fire and spare its Gulf neighbours, save for a symbolic and well-telegraphed strike on Al Udeid. This time, it may see less reason to hold back.

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Despite recent setbacks, Iran retains a formidable missile force. Of the hundreds of missiles launched at Israel in June, dozens penetrated air defences, killing civilians. Even a small breach rate, military analysts say, can have outsized effects.

Since the war, Western intelligence assessments suggest Iran has prioritised rebuilding its missile programme, importing chemical precursors from China to produce solid-fuel propellants. Much of its arsenal survived, hidden in underground facilities built with North Korean assistance, according to Can Kasapoglu of the Hudson Institute, a US think-tank.

Intelligence assessments from last year suggest that Iran imported tonnes of sodium perchlorate to the port at Bandar Abbas. The quantities Iran is alleged to have imported should supply several hundred medium-range ballistic missiles. Maritime intelligence tracking has identified a small fleet of cargo vessels repeatedly plying routes between China and Iran.

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2401 Iran\'s ballistic missile programme

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Satellite images also suggest the Imam Khomeini Spaceport has been used for missile test launches, with a scorched launchpad indicating thermal exposure.

Having been caught so humiliatingly short in the decapitation strikes last year that killed dozens of top officials in their beds despite Chinese warnings that an Israeli attack was imminent, the first priority for Iran after the war was to step up protection of high-value targets, according to security analysts.

High-ranking officials now rotate through safe houses and switch vehicles. They have been told not to carry mobile phones, according to analysts who have spoken to IRGC sources.

Clearly, major efforts have been made to weed out infiltrators and we witnessed many executions of suspected spies after the war, but it is possible that Israels spy ring remains in place. Mike Pompeo, the former US secretary of state and ex-CIA director, and some Israeli officials have admitted that Israeli agitators did play a role in the protests, showing that Israel retains human capability in Iran.

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Iran has also been in discussion with China about purchasing the HQ-9B long-range air defence missile system. Despite media reports to the contrary, there is no evidence that China has delivered these to Iran.

Western intelligence assessments suggest Iran has prioritised rebuilding its missile programme - Reuters/Majid Asgaripour

Meanwhile, of the 21 ballistic missile sites struck by Israel last June, 16 have been rebuilt, according to Iranian officials, with repairs at the others continuing.

Senior Iranian officials said missiles and launchers have already been prepared in anticipation of a potential surprise strike by the US.

Underground missile units have also been on high alert for weeks. If Trump wants to strike for no reason, everything is ready for him, a senior Iranian official said.

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Tehrans Friday prayer leader Ali Akbari said in response to US threats that all your interests and bases are clear and precise targets of Iranian missiles.

The trillion dollars you have invested in the region is under the watch of our missiles, Mr Akbari said in his Friday sermon.

While US officials may be assembling a menu of military options, Gulf states remain wary. In their view, Iran no longer poses the existential threat it once did, having been badly weakened by Israel.

That has altered the regional calculus. Arab leaders who once sought to crush Iran now prefer uneasy cohabitation to a war whose consequences they would bear most directly.

Should Iran retaliate in full, the consequences could be devastating  not only for Israel but even more so for nearby states exposed to Irans large short-range missile arsenal.

Missile warfare, in many respects, favours the offence, Mr Kasapoglu said. The arithmetic is unforgiving: out of 100 missiles, an 80 per cent interception rate still leaves 20 to penetrate. For smaller states, the margin for error is thinner still.

This is why Israel and the Gulf Arab states view Irans missile programme with such concern. From desalination facilities to hydrocarbon infrastructure, Tehran can impose severe damage even with relatively low breach rates.

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By Steve Holland, Andrea Shalal and Bo Erickson

ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE, Jan 22 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday blamed a noticeable bruise on his left hand to his high intake of aspirin.

The bruise appeared after he bumped a table at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as he returned to the U.S. His aspirin dosage makes him bruise easily, Trump said.

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They say take aspirin if you like your heart, but dont take aspirin if you dont want to have a little bruising. I take the big aspirin, Trump said.

The doctor said, You dont have to take that, sir. Youre very healthy. I said, 'Im not taking any chances,' Trump added.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement Trump hit his hand on the corner of the signing table during his Board of Peace announcement.

Four doctors, two surgeons and two internists, who spoke to Reuters agreed it was possible that aspirin contributed to the bruising.

Trump said in a Wall Street Journal interview earlier this month that he takes a larger daily dose of aspirin than his doctors recommend because he wants nice, thin blood pouring through my heart.

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Last summer, Leavitt told reporters the hand bruising was from shaking so many hands.

Trump, 79, is the second-oldest person to ever hold the presidency, following his Democratic predecessor President Joe Biden, who dropped his 2024 reelection bid amid questions about his fitness for the job and left office a year ago at 82.

(Reporting by Steve Holland on Air Force One; additional reporting by Bo Erickson and Andrea Shalal in Washington, and Nancy Lapid in Tucson, Arizona; editing by Sergio Non and Diane Craft)
President Donald Trump on Thursday claimed the U.S. should have triggered NATOs mutual defense clause to advance his domestic agenda on immigration after provoking outrage with his comments that NATO troops stayed off the frontlines in Afghanistan.

Maybe we should have put NATO to the test: Invoked Article 5, and forced NATO to come here and protect our Southern Border from further Invasions of Illegal Immigrants, thus freeing up large numbers of Border Patrol Agents for other tasks, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform Thursday night.

Politics: Is This What JD Vance Meant By 'Absolute Immunity'?

Trump has indeed already tested the NATO alliance with his push to acquire Greenland, the Arctic island controlled by Denmark, a fellow NATO member.

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Article 5 states that if one NATO member is attacked, all members should come to its assistance. The clause has only been invoked once  on behalf of the U.S. after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. NATO troops fought in Afghanistan alongside U.S. soldiers against al Qaeda and the Taliban.

Earlier on Thursday, in an interview with Fox Business Maria Bartiromo, Trump questioned the sacrifice of NATO troops, claiming they stayed off the frontline.

We get along very well with NATO, I think, but Ive always said, will they be there if we ever needed them? And thats really the ultimate test, Trump said. Im not sure of that. I know that we would have been there or we would be there, but will they be there?

Trump added, Weve never needed them. We have never really asked anything of them. You know, theyll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan or this or that, and they did. They stayed a little back, a little off the frontlines.

Trump on NATO: "I've always said, will they be there if we ever needed them? That's really the ultimate test. I'm not sure of that. We've never needed them. They'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan and this or that. And they did. They stayed a little back, off the front pic.twitter.com/FEYFo7JYnn  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 22, 2026

Trump left out the fact that NATO troops put their lives at stake to support the U.S. Britain lost 457 soldiers, while Denmark lost over 40 service members, one of NATOs highest per capita death rates, to name a few.

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Ed Davey, a member of Britains parliament, slammed Trumps comments, noting that the U.S. president has never done military service.

Politics: 'Beyond Parody': Trump's 'Board Of Peace' Logo Is Already Under Attack

How dare he question their sacrifice? Davey asked.

Trump received five military deferments, four because of education and another for being diagnosed with bone spurs in his heels.

A British veteran who was injured in Afghanistan also skewered the president. Ben McBean lost his left arm and his right leg was amputated after stepping on a landmine while on foot patrol.

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McBean wrote on X, formerly Twitter, As I sit here with 2 limbs missing, friends gone, trying to keep it all together for my family, its infuriating to hear this come out of @realDonaldTrump mouth.

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
Belarusian Presidential Press Service via AP

The charter for President Donald Trumps newly formed Board of Peace claims the organization aims to secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict. Some of its member states seem less than committed to that goal.

The president faced widespread backlash for his highly controversial invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is reportedly still considering accepting a place on the board. But for all the scrutiny Trump received for inviting the nation still waging the deadly war to conquer Ukraine, another members role in the conflict has gone relatively unnoticed.

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Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko signed an agreement to join Trumps Board of Peace on Tuesday, saying he hoped to contribute toward peace in Ukraine. Yet Lukashenko has continuously aided Putin in his invasion from the very beginning.

When Russian troops invaded Ukraine in February of 2022, some of them entered from Belarus, located just 50 miles north of Kyiv.

Lukashenko allowed more than 30,000 Russian troops to gather in his country under the guise of joint training exercises, claiming the forces would return to Russia after the exercises were completed. Instead, Belarus became a crucial staging and training ground for the Russian military a role the nation has continued to play.

Trump has voiced his respect for Lukashenko in the past, calling the man long accused of egregious human rights abuses a highly respected president. The country was notably absent from his Liberation Day tariffs, as was Russia though Ukraine made the list.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Belarus of aiding Russian aggression numerous times, noting the two nations inclusion in the Board of Peace as a barrier to Ukraine joining the group.

Honestly, Russia is our enemy. Belarus is their ally. For me, its very hard to imagine how we could be together with Russia in one council. Russia is a war council, Zelensky told reporters on Messenger on Thursday. And Belarus is with them  specifically the Lukashenko regime.

A 2025 UN report on the situation in Belarus found that men and women in detention had been routinely subjected to torture and ill-treatment, including beatings, electric shocks and threats of rape not only detainees but their partners as well. Security forces displayed marked brutality towards LGBTIQ+ individuals, using physical violence and dehumanizing language.

Lukashenko has said he has no regrets about allowing his older brother Putin to use Belarus to invade Ukraine.

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I do not regret anything, he said in response to a question at a press conference last year.

The post Trumps Board of Peace Includes Country That Putin Used to Stage Invasion of Ukraine first appeared on Mediaite.
United States President Donald Trump has drawn criticism from British politicians after claiming that NATO forces stayed away from the front line during the war in Afghanistan.

The US president made the remarks in an interview with Fox News, a US broadcaster, where he again questioned the value of the military alliance and suggested that NATO allies would not come to Washingtons aid if requested.

Speaking on Thursday, Trump said the US had never needed NATO and claimed allied forces remained a little off the front lines during the Afghanistan conflict.

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The comments prompted a backlash across the UK political spectrum, with critics pointing to the scale of NATO casualties during the 20-year war and raising questions about Trumps own military record.

Allies losses

The United Kingdom lost 457 service personnel in Afghanistan. More than 150 Canadian soldiers were killed, along with 90 French soldiers. Denmark lost 44 soldiers  one of the highest per-capita death rates among NATO members  despite the country recently facing continued pressure from Trump to sell its semi-autonomous territory of Greenland to the US.

Stephen Kinnock, a junior British minister, described Trumps remarks as deeply disappointing and said European forces had paid a heavy price while backing US-led operations.

Many, many British soldiers and many soldiers from other European NATO allies gave their lives in support of American-led missions in places like Afghanistan and Iraq, Kinnock told the UKs Sky News broadcaster on Friday.

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I think anybody who seeks to criticise what [our armed forces] have done and the sacrifices that they make is plainly wrong, he added.

How dare he

Kinnock also noted that the US remains the only NATO member to have invoked Article 5, the alliances collective-defence clause, following the September 11, 2001 attacks, prompting allies to rally behind Washington.

He said NATO was the most successful international security alliance in the history of the world, with the US and its European partners, including the UK, playing a central role.

Other UK politicians highlighted Trumps history of avoiding military service during the Vietnam War. Trump received multiple draft deferments, including one based on a diagnosis of bone spurs in his heels  a medical claim that has previously been questioned.

Trump avoided military service 5 times, Ed Davey, leader of the UKs Liberal Democrats, wrote on X. How dare he question their sacrifice.
In January 2026, as U.S. President Donald Trump made threats about his country taking control of Greenland, he repeated a claim to supposedly bolster his administration's credibility in international affairs: that he had supposedly "stopped" multiple wars since the start of his second presidential term.

For instance, on Jan. 21, 2026, while speaking to a crowd at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, he asserted he had "settled eight wars plus."

Trump has made variations of the claim over months, citing six, seven or eight wars that he supposedly "ended."

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In September 2025, for instance, he said in a speech at the United Nations General Assembly that he had "ended 7 wars." On the same day, the State Department posted a graphic on social media listing the conflicts Trump had purportedly ended.

(X user @StateDept)

In August 2025, during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy while calling for an end to the Ukraine-Russia war, Trump said he had "ended" six wars. He made a similar claim in the days before the meeting, saying in an interview with Fox News, "I've solved six wars in six months" and repeating the claim during remarks in the Oval Office. And in July 2025, Trump said, "I'm averaging about a war a month" referring to the apparent wars he had helped end. Many people online have disputed Trump's claim.

Snopes listed the conflicts Trump was referencing below and assessed his role in solving each of them. We found that while the United States did play a part in brokering a form of a ceasefire in some cases, in most instances these issues were not permanently "solved" as Trump claimed. His part in brokering peace was also disputed by some of the countries involved. Furthermore, most of these ongoing conflicts were not formally declared as "wars" by the countries involved.

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Trump and his team at various times referred to the following seven conflicts: Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, India and Pakistan, Iran and Israel, Cambodia and Thailand, Armenia and Azerbaijan, Serbia and Kosovo, and Egypt and Ethiopia.

Some of the conflicts he was referring to also occurred during his first term. A White House spokesperson told us over email in August 2025:

President Trump is right  he cemented his role as Peacemaker-in-Chief by resolving conflicts around the world. Now, he has brought President Putin to the table for a peace deal. European leaders recognize that after three years of killing and deadlock under weak Joe Biden, there has been more progress towards peace than ever before because of this President's leadership.

As we have previously reported, on occasion, journalists and experts refer to a conflict as a war, even if the countries have not officially declared it as such. The Merriam-Webster definition of war includes any "open and declared armed hostile conflict between states and nations." The Associated Press style guideline, which is considered the standard for journalistic language, "considers the number of casualties, the intensity of fighting, the involvement of each party, and what each country was calling the conflict" to determine whether it describes a conflict as war. AP thus applied this standard to the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas war.

The White House also confirmed to us in August 2025 that Trump was referring to the subsequent list of countries: The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, India and Pakistan, Iran and Israel, Cambodia and Thailand, Armenia and Azerbaijan, Serbia and Kosovo, and Ethiopia and Egypt.

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As far as Trump's comment in Davos regarding an eighth war, it seems he was referencing the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal that he brokered in October 2025. We reached out to the White House to confirm this was the case, and will update this post accordingly.

Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda

Since the 1994 Rwandan genocide, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda have been mired in a 30-year conflict involving numerous armed groups, including the M23 rebels who escalated fighting in early 2025. Rwanda is widely believed to be backing these rebels and experts have said Rwandan troops were fighting alongside them. We should note that while the DRC called some of the M23 rebels actions a "declaration of war" in January 2025, the country of Rwanda did not declare such a war itself.

On June 27, 2025, Rwanda and the DRC signed what Trump called a "peace deal," which he said came with mineral rights for the U.S. The deal was signed between the two countries but not with the M23 rebels. Trump called the deal "a glorious triumph for the cause of peace."

However, despite Trump's claims, violence continued in the region. A Human Rights Watch report said M23 killed around 140 civilians in July alone. Both the DRC and M23 rebels accused each other of violating the U.S.-mediated ceasefire agreement.

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M23 walked away from peace talks with the DRC in mid-August, and even said its representatives were not present in Qatar for the resumption of negotiations and to sign a peace deal for a more permanent ceasefire. Trump's claim to broker peace in this case is widely off the mark.

India and Pakistan

The two South Asian countries have long fought over the territory of Kashmir and faced their latest conflict after an April 2025 attack by armed groups that killed 26 people in Indian-administered Kashmir. India accused Pakistan of being behind the attack, which Pakistan denied. In May 2025, Indian jets bombed what the Indian government called "terrorist infrastructure" in Pakistan. Pakistan retaliated, leading to four days of back-and-forth strikes with fighter jets, missiles and drones. Neither country has officially declared war in many of their major conflicts including this one.

Trump claimed the two countries agreed to a "full and immediate ceasefire" after talks mediated by the U.S. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked Trump "for his leadership and proactive role for peace in the region." However, India's foreign ministry said Trump played no role in mediation: "Talks for ceasing military action happened directly between India and Pakistan through existing military channels, and on the insistence of Pakistan. Prime Minister [Narendra] Modi emphasised that India has not accepted mediation in the past and will never do."

In June 2025, Trump hosted Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff Gen. Asim Munir  considered to be the most powerful figure in Pakistan  at the White House, and Munir reportedly called for Trump to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

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While Pakistan praised the U.S. for its mediation efforts, India denied U.S. involvement, leaving the full extent of Trump's role in question.

Iran and Israel

In mid-June 2025, Israel launched a surprise attack on a range of targets in Iran, sparking a barrage of missile attacks from Iran into Israel. The U.S. entered the conflict on June 21, with Trump authorizing airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. Iran retaliated on June 23 by firing missiles at a U.S. airbase in Qatar. However, soon after, Trump announced a ceasefire between Iran and Israel on his Truth Social account. Iran called Israel's attack a "declaration of war" and numerous experts referred to the conflict as a war.

Trump can be credited with pressuring both Israel and Iran to stop hostilities, though the U.S. was an active combatant in the hostilities. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the country stopped further attacks on Iran after a call with Trump. However, in late June 2025, Israel said that despite a ceasefire it could still strike Iran to counter any new threats.

Experts at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank said Trump's decision to carry out a focused attack on Iran was probably the "right call" because Iranian leadership was cautious and would focus on survival rather than all-out retaliation when faced with U.S. pressure. However, Iran and Israel's rhetoric suggests another war could break out again any day.

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While Trump did pressure the countries to stand down, the conflict itself is not over.

Cambodia and Thailand

In late July 2025, following several months of tension, border clashes broke out between Thailand and Cambodia. The Southeast Asian countries have made competing territorial claims for years. The latest skirmishes erupted months after a Cambodian soldier was killed, and just days after a landmine exploded and killed five Thai soldiers. We should note, neither Cambodia nor Thailand officially declared war against each other over the border conflict, as of this writing.

After Trump exerted pressure on both countries by threatening their trade deals, the two sides met in Malaysia and agreed to an unconditional ceasefire. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai held a meeting alongside Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and shook hands at the end. Soon after, Trump wrote on social media, "I am proud to be the president of PEACE."

Even though Trump pressured the two countries to agree to a ceasefire, the underlying conflict is still ongoing, including their competing claims over centuries-old Hindu temples along their borders.

Armenia and Azerbaijan

The two countries have been fighting since the 1980s, in a number of cross-border conflicts that left tens of thousands of people displaced or dead. In 2020, the countries engaged in a six-week war in which Azerbaijan retook large parts of the Nagorno-Karabakh territory, which was controlled for decades by ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia, finally taking it completely in 2023. Around 100,000 ethnic Armenians fled to Armenia as a result.

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Russia considers the region to be within its sphere of influence, which is why an August 2025 Trump-brokered peace agreement was considered a victory for the U.S. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan both came to the White House to sign the treaty that would boost economic ties and begin normalization of relations. The treaty also included exclusive U.S. development rights to a transit corridor, dubbed the "Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity" through the South Caucasus.

Iran has both welcomed the treaty and also criticized the transit corridor and threatened to block the project out of concern about a greater U.S. presence near Iranian borders. Russia cautiously welcomed the project but warned against more foreign interests in the region.

Aliyev and Pashinyan both praised Trump, saying he helped end the conflict and said they would nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize. Lasting peace in the region hinges on a range of factors including whether Russia continues to exert influence and over fears around Armenia and Azerbaijan's longer history of failed negotiations.

Serbia and Kosovo

The two countries have had territorial disputes since Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, a declaration Serbia still does not recognize. However, Trump's diplomatic efforts took place during a time when the countries were not fighting with each other. On June 27, 2025, Trump said Serbia and Kosovo were on the verge of war:

Serbia was  they were getting ready to go to war with a group. I won't even mention, because it didn't happen, we were able to stop it. But I have a friend in Serbia, and they said, "We're going to go to war again." And I won't mention that it's Kosovo, but it's Kosovo. But they were going to have a big time war, and we stopped it. We stopped it because of trade. They want to trade with the United States and I said we don't trade with people that go to war.

It is not clear what conflict Trump resolved in his second term as president. Kosovo's President Vjosa Osmani appeared to support Trump's statement that he averted a war, saying "we appreciate the role of President Trump as a peacemaker day and night for peace in the world." However Serbia denied any claims that they were planning military action against Kosovo.

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In 2020, during his first term, Trump brokered an economic normalization agreement between the two countries, dubbed The Washington Agreement. However, the two countries were not in active conflict at the time. Thus Trump's claim to have averted war in this case is dubious at best.

Egypt and Ethiopia

Like Serbia and Kosovo, there was no war between these two countries; rather, there were ongoing tensions over a dam in the Nile River. In July 2025, Ethiopia finished constructing the controversial Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which Egypt has long opposed over concerns it would deplete its share of river water. Numerous negotiations between Egypt and Ethiopia over the years led to no agreement over the dam.

In March 2020, Trump attempted and failed to broker an agreement between the two countries. Ethiopia did not join talks with Egypt in Washington. In September 2020 Trump temporarily suspended some aid to Ethiopia over the lack of progress. In October 2020, Ethiopia even accused Trump of inciting war after he said Egypt would "blow up" the dam.

In July 2025, Ethiopia denied Trump's claim that the U.S. funded the construction of the dam. Trump has emphasized the importance of the Nile River to Egyptians, saying, "This dam represents life itself for the Egyptian people" and said he was trying to reach a deal. Egypt has largely welcomed Trump's comments.

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Even though the White House confirmed to us that this was a war Trump helped resolve in his first term, neither country has reached a deal, nor is there an open war taking place, making this particular claim suspect.

Israel and Hamas

The eighth war Trump referenced in January 2026 is likely between Israel and Hamas. We will update this post once we receive confirmation from the White House.

In early October 2025, Trump announced that Israel and Hamas signed off on the first phase of a ceasefire deal proposed by the Trump administration, releasing aid into Gaza and commencing a hostage exchange process. That deal resulted in Hamas releasing all surviving hostages, and Israel releasing 250 prisoners and nearly 2,000 detainees it was holding without charges.

Less than two weeks later, Israel launched a wave of strikes on Gaza, killing at least 40 Palestinians.

In December 2025, United Nations Deputy Special Coordinator Ramiz Alakbarov, who helps oversee peace talks in the Middle East, said the ceasefire was fragile amidst Gaza's ongoing humanitarian crisis and Israel's continuing attacks. The ceasefire was ongoing, with the second phase under way, as of January 2026. Israeli attacks on Gaza have continued.

According to the Associated Press, the success of Trump's October 2025 deal depends on the reconstruction of Gaza, and whether Israel has improved relations with other Arab countries and Palestine can form path to independence.

In other words, the results of Trump's ceasefire deal may not be known for the foreseeable future.

In conclusion

Trump's record of preventing wars over his first year of his second presidential term is mixed. Numerous parties have disputed his role in the events, and most of the deals he has brokered appear to be temporary solutions to long-standing issues. Trump has also been unable to resolve current crises between Russia and Ukraine, as well as stop Israel's ongoing attacks on Gaza. As such, Trump's claims are highly exaggerated.

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Scribner, Herb. "What's Really Going on with the '6 Wars' Trump Says He Ended." Axios, 18 Aug. 2025, https://www.axios.com/2025/08/19/trump-ended-wars-stop-ukraine-israel-iran. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

"Security Council Briefing - 16 December 2025 (UNSCR 2334)." UNSCO, https://unsco.unmissions.org/en/news/security-council-briefing-16-december-2025-unscr-2334. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.

Shalal, Andrea. "Trump Announces Peace Agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia." Reuters, 9 Aug. 2025. www.reuters.com, https://www.reuters.com/world/trump-announces-peace-agreement-between-azerbaijan-armenia-2025-08-08/. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

Solomon, Erika, et al. "Israel Suggests It Could Strike Iran Again to Counter New Threats." The New York Times, 27 Jun. 2025, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/27/world/europe/israel-iran-enforcement-policy.html. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

Suter, Tara. "Netanyahu Says Israel 'Refrained from Additional Attacks' against Iran after Trump Call ." The Hill, 24 Jun. 2025, https://thehill.com/policy/defense/5366254-israel-iran-ceasefire-netanyahu-trump/. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

"Thailand and Cambodia Agree to a Ceasefire in Their Deadly Border Clashes." AP News, 28 Jul. 2025, https://apnews.com/article/thailand-cambodia-armed-clash-border-ceasefire-talks-6d8cc517df1be1ad0bf911fe1c81c765. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

"The Road to the Israel-Iran War." Brookings, https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-road-to-the-israel-iran-war/. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

"Tracking the Gaza Ceasefire." AP News, https://apnews.com/world-news/israel-hamas-war-tracking-the-gaza-ceasefire. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.

Trump Calls for Urgent Solution to Nile Dam Crisis: "The Dam Means Life for Egypt" - DNE Africa. 14 Jul. 2025, https://africa.dailynewsegypt.com/trump-calls-for-urgent-solution-to-nile-dam-crisis-the-dam-means-life-for-egypt/. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

"US Suspends Some Aid to Ethiopia over Dam Dispute with Egypt." AP News, 2 Sep. 2020, https://apnews.com/general-news-7ce2f23741eed4886a09e39c0064b894. Adrienne

Vogt, Adrienne and Aditi Sangal, Rhea Mogul, Sophia Saifi, Esha Mitra, Alex Stambaugh, James Legge, Sophie Tanno, Christian Edwards. "India-Pakistan Truce Appears to Hold despite Accusations of Violations." CNN, 10 May 2025, https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/india-pakistan-operation-sindoor-05-10-25. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

"'We Received the Information in May' - What Osmani Said Yesterday about Serbia's Actions on the Border with Kosovo." Gazeta Express, 18 Jul. 2025, https://www.gazetaexpress.com/en/I-received-the-information-in-May--what-Osman-said-yesterday-about-Serbia%27s-actions-on-the-border-with-Kosovo./. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

Wee, Sui-Lee. "Thailand and Cambodia Stepped Back From War, but Their Temple Fight Remains." The New York Times, 30 Jul. 2025, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/30/world/asia/thailand-cambodia-temples.html. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

"What to Know about the Shaky Truce after 5 Days of Combat between Thailand and Cambodia." AP News, 24 Jul. 2025, https://apnews.com/article/thailand-cambodia-border-conflict-explainer-0eb99510a4ea16ee769a5934e0c07383. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
President Donald Trump confirmed during an interview with NewsNations Katie Pavlich this week that the U.S. used a new kind of weapon during the raid that captured Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro earlier in the month.

Trumps stunning comment appeared to confirm a post from White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt from January 10 in which she shared a purported eyewitness account of the U.S. military using a very intense sound wave to disable Maduros bodyguards.

Pavlich asked Trump about the claim, In Venezuela, there was a weapon used, a sonic weapon, that took out many of the Cuban bodyguards that were used to defend Maduro. Lots of people saw the details about that weapon and were concerned. Is that something an American should be afraid of, something the United States is combating?

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Yeah, something I dont wanna Nobody else has it, Trump replied, appearing to confirm the U.S. has the weapon, adding:

We have weapons that nobody knows about, and I say its probably good not to talk about them, but we have some amazing weapons. That was an amazing attack. Dont forget, that house was in the middle of a fort, an army base, a big one, a lot of soldiers, and they came in and they did their job. We lost nobody.

Leavitts post from earlier in the month was a retweet of an influencer named Mike Netter that she captioned, Stop what you are doing and read this The lengthy post from the Netter begins, This account from a Venezuelan security guard loyal to Nicolas Maduro is absolutely chillingand it explains a lot about why the tone across Latin America suddenly changed. He then posts and exchange between a Security Guard and an Interviewer, which includes the guard saying:

Security Guard: Yes, but it was a massacre. We were hundreds, but we had no chance. They were shooting with such precision and speed it seemed like each soldier was firing 300 rounds per minute. We couldnt do anything. Interviewer: And your own weapons? Didnt they help? Security Guard: No help at all. Because it wasnt just the weapons. At one point, they launched somethingI dont know how to describe it it was like a very intense sound wave. Suddenly I felt like my head was exploding from the inside. We all started bleeding from the nose. Some were vomiting blood. We fell to the ground, unable to move. Interviewer: And your comrades? Did they manage to resist? Security Guard: No, not at all. Those twenty men, without a single casualty, killed hundreds of us. We had no way to compete with their technology, with their weapons. I swear, Ive never seen anything like it. We couldnt even stand up after that sonic weapon or whatever it was.

Trump and Leavitts claims of the U.S. using a sonic weapon in Venezuela have not been widely reported in the media. British outlets, the Independent and the Daily Mail, both covered Trumps comments to NewsNation. The Mail ran a headline that read, Trump reveals details of secret sonic weapon used in Venezuela raid: Nobody else has it.

However, a search of SnapStreams archive of cable news transcripts shows no mention of Trumps claim of a new weapon or the use of a sonic weapon on the big three cable news outlets: Fox News, MS NOW, and CNN.

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Pavlichs interview with Trump was a ratings dud, bringing in just 75,000 viewers on her new show, Katie Pavlich Tonight.

Watch the clip above.

The post Trump Confirms Karoline Leavitts Shock Claim the US Used a New Kind of Weapon in Venezuela first appeared on Mediaite.
(NewsNation)  Mike Huckabee, the U.S. ambassador to Israel, suggests Iran is playing a dangerous game if the regime lied to the Trump administration by saying it was not killing protesters.

President Trump previously threatened U.S. military action if Irans crackdown resulted in the deaths of citizens before saying the regime had halted executions.

Some observers dispute whether Iran has eased off. Asked if Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had double-crossed Trump, Huckabee said, Lets hope he didnt because the president doesnt handle double-crosses very well.

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Pentagon moving carrier strike group toward Middle East amid Iran tension

He noted the regime lied last year when it denied the country was developing nuclear weapons before the U.S. struck three sites in Iran last June. The operation came as Iran and Israel traded missile strikes.

Theres a saying we have in the South. You may have heard it before: There is no education in the second kick of a mule, Huckabee told On Balance on Thursday.

Trump said Thursday the U.S. has an armada heading toward Iran but hoped he would not have to use it.

U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, say the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and several guided-missile destroyers will arrive in the Middle East in the coming days.

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One official said additional air-defense systems were also being eyed for the Middle East, which could be critical to guard against any Iranian strike on U.S. bases in the region.

Iranian regime will fight to the death, former prisoner says

The deployments expand the options available to Trump, both to better defend U.S. forces throughout the region at a moment of tensions and to take any additional military action after striking Iranian nuclear sites in June.

We have a lot of ships going that direction, just in case  Id rather not see anything happen, but were watching them very closely, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on his way back to the United States after speaking to world leaders in Davos, Switzerland.

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Reuters contributed to this report.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
President Donald Trump has endorsed Alabama GOP Chairman John Wahl in the states lieutenant governor race.

Wahl, however, has not announced his candidacy.

As of Thursday, Wahl is not listed among the candidates who have qualified for the race on the state Republican Party website.

The deadline to qualify is Friday.

Efforts to reach Wahl were not successful.

Trump said in a Truth Social post that he is hearing that Wahl is contemplating entering the race and if so he would have the presidents complete and total endorsement.

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John has been with us from the very beginning, Trump said, and has been key to our many Republican Victories in the Great State of Alabama, a State that I won with the Highest Vote in Alabama History, including my HISTORIC WINS in 2016, 2020, and 2024!

As your next Lieutenant Governor, John would fight tirelessly to Grow the Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Support our Amazing Farmers and Fishermen, Unleash 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.

In June, Wahl told the State Republican Executive Committee that he may enter the lieutenant governor race.

I wanted to reach out personally to let you know that I am seriously considering a run for Lieutenant Governor, Wahl wrote in an email.

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Wahl, a butterfly farmer from north Alabama, has been chairman since 2021.

Wahl was also elected chairman of the Alabama Public Library Service Board in 2024 where he has been at the center of disputes concerning materials in public libraries.

Republicans that have already filed to run for lieutenant governor include Secretary of State Wes Allen, Alabama Agriculture and Industries Commissioner Rick Pate, Opelika pastor Dean Odle, Cullman County deputy Patrick Bishop and commercial real estate developer Nicole Wadsworth.

The primary is May 19, 2026.

AL.coms Mike Cason contributed to this report.

Read the original article on al.com.
Lawmakers and military families denounced President Donald Trumps shocking remarks denigrating NATO troops who were injured and died fighting for the U.S. in Afghanistan after the September 11 terror attacks.

Speaking to Fox Business on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum on Thursday, Trump questioned whether NATO will be there if we ever need them.

Weve never needed them, he told Maria Bartiromo. We have never really asked anything of them. You know, theyll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan, and they didthey stayed a little back, little off the front lines. But weve been very good to Europe and to many other countries.

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His message sparked outrage in the U.K., which sent more than 150,000 troops to Afghanistan in the years following the U.S.-led invasion in 2001.

The British contingency, which, after the U.S., was the second largest of the campaign, lost 457 soldiers, while thousands more were injured.

They were absolutely on the front lines, Lucy Aldridge, whose son William died in Afghanistan when he was 18, told The Mirror. And to ignore that because, lets face it, Trump isnt particularly hot on history He is so out of touch with the reality, and what it costs in human life. He has no compassion whatsoever for anyone who doesnt serve him.

Diane Dernie, whose son Ben Parkinson suffered horrific injuries in Afghanistan in 2006, said Trumps latest comments were the ultimate insult.

The response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks was the only time NATO has invoked the alliance's Article 5 collective defense requirement. / Sara K. Schwittek/Reuters

Starmers official spokesperson pointed out that the response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks was the only time NATO has invoked Article 5, the alliances collective defense principle that treats an attack on one member as an attack on all, The Telegraph reported.

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Their sacrifice and that of other Nato allies was made in the service of collective security and in response to an attack on our ally, Starmers spokesperson said of the soldiers who were wounded and killed. The president was wrong to diminish the role of NATO troops.

Starmer later called Trumps comments about NATO troops insulting and frankly appalling.

I will never forget their courage, their bravery and the sacrifice they made for their country, he said. I consider President Trumps remarks to be insulting and frankly appalling and I am not surprised they have caused such hurt to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured and, in fact, across the country.

Starmer said Trump should apologize for the comments.

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Even the Conservative Party blasted Trumps remarks, with Tory leader Kemi Badenoch calling them absolutely appalling and disgraceful, according to The Telegraph.

Conservative member of Parliament Ben Obese-Jecty, who served in Afghanistan as a captain in the Royal Yorkshire Regiment, said it was sad to see our nations sacrifice, and that of our NATO partners, held so cheaply by the president of the United States, according to ABC.

A spokesperson for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Trump was

The Daily Beast has reached out to the White House for comment.

The presidents dumping on NATO troops was reminiscent of his previous comments about Americans who died in combat being suckers and losers.

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During a trip to France in 2018, the president said American soldiers who died on French soil during WWI were losers, and that U.S. Marines who helped halt the 1918 German advance toward Paris were suckers for dying at the hands of the enemy.

The White House denied reports of the comments, which were revealed by The Atlantic magazine in 2020, but theyre just one example of the president disparaging military veterans and their families.

In December, he struggled to muster much sympathy for the families of Americansmany of them U.S. military veteranswho have died fighting in Ukraine.

He has mocked the late Sen. John McCains war injuries, publicly insulted the parents of a 27-year-old soldier who died in a car bombing in Iraq, and privately raged about the funeral costs for a female soldier who was murdered by a male soldier at Fort Hood.
By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON, Jan 22 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump is getting new transportation - on the ground and in the sky.

This week in Davos, Switzerland, the U.S. Secret Service began transporting Trump in newly delivered Cadillac SUVs, the agency confirmed in a social media post. The vehicles appear to be modified Cadillac Escalades, but the agency did not confirm that.

"We were excited to build upon our long-lasting relationship with General Motors as we introduced these vehicles to our protective fleet," Secret Service Director Sean Curran said in a statement.

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In March, following a meeting between Trump and GM CEO Mary Barra, Curran traveled to a GM facility in Warren, Michigan to discuss next-generation armored SUVs. Trump raised the idea of acquiring Cadillac SUVs in the discussion with Barra.

GM and the Secret Service on Thursday did not answer questions about the new SUVs. The president traditionally often travels in an armored Chevrolet Suburban when not in the presidential limousine.

In September 2024, the Homeland Security Department and Secret Service awarded GM a $14.8 million contract for development of the next-generation presidential limousine nicknamed "The Beast" that could be worth up to $40.8 million through 2029.

In August, the contract was modified to exercise an option covering $13.5 million in funding.

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The Secret Service in March posted a photo from the visit that included a Cadillac Escalade SUV outfitted with the presidential flag next to a large picture of the presidential seal. The vehicle appears similar to the one Trump traveled in this week.

The U.S. Air Force separately said on Thursday that Trump is on track to get a new airplane by summer after he was downgraded on Tuesday evening from a Boeing 747 to a smaller 757 for his Davos trip after a "minor electrical issue".

In May, Trump accepted a luxury Boeing 747 jetliner from the government of Qatar to temporarily fly as the new Air Force One until two planes arrive from Boeing after lengthy delays. The 13-year-old former Qatari jet, which has a luxurious interior, is getting retrofitted at a cost of hundreds of millions of dollars.

The Air Force said it sees "an anticipated delivery no later than summer 2026" and added it is "closely coordinating with the appropriate government entities to ensure the appropriate security measures and functional mission requirements are met."

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Last month, the Air Force said delivery of the first of two new Air Force One jets from Boeing had been delayed by another year to mid-2028, the latest in a series of setbacks.

(Reporting by David Shepardson in Washington; Editing by Jamie Freed)
Donald Trump spent two hours on Truth Social attacking his enemies and reposting praise after world leaders ignored his Board of Peace ceremony in Davos.

The 79-year-old president shared almost a post a minute on Thursday, hours after his Board of Peace initiative at the World Economic Forum attracted a motley crew of Trump-allied leaders from the Middle East and South America.

Trump was flanked by Argentinian President Javier Milei and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at the Board of Peace ceremony. / Benedikt von Loebell / Benedikt von Loebell/World Economic Forum

Between 10:38 am and 1:01 pm EST, Trump fired off 51 posts, several of which were screenshots of people agreeing with videos hed posted seconds earlier.

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Subjects covered in the posting barrage include a video of White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller bashing Trumps enemies, a court victory that will allow ICE to use force against protestors in Minnesota, 2020 election fraud conspiracies, threats to sue the New York Times for publishing polls that displease him, and rants against Special Counsel Jack Smith.

Trump called Jack Smith a

Smith was publicly testifying before Congress about the case he had built against Donald Trump for allegedly trying to overturn the 2020 election when the president wrote, Jack Smith is a deranged animal, who shouldnt be allowed to practice Law.

Former Special Counsel Jack Smith was testifying before the House Judiciary Committee when Trump posted about him. / Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

The presidents posting rampage comes at the end of a humiliating and widely criticized trip to the World Economic Forum.

After giving a speech on Wednesday in which he intimated the U.S. could take control of Greenland, Trump met with the Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte, who apparently talked him down. Trump walked away from the meeting claiming hed gotten the framework of a deal for the United States on Greenland, but didnt give any specifics.

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On Thursday, Trump suffered a fresh humiliation at the Board of Peace signing party.

The White House hyped the Board of Peace initiative, which nations can join for a $1 billion fee, as a coalition of nations that promote stability, restore dependable and lawful governance, and secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict.

Trump says he will sue the Times Siena Poll. / Truth Social / Donald Trump

Though the White House expected representatives from 35 countries at the ceremony, fewer than 20 showed up. World leaders otherwise in attendance at Davos, such as French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, all ignored Trumps endeavor.

Trump was left signing what critics called a MAGA-fied U.N. charter with the likes of Argentinian President Javier Milei and far-right Hungarian leader Viktor Orban.

President Trump launched his

Trump called every world leader who signed onto the Board of Peace a great friend of mine.

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Shortly after Trumps posting spree concluded, his account adopted a different, more optimistic tone.

Heading back to D.C. It was an incredible time in Davos, Trump posted at 1:45 pm. The Greenland structure is being worked on, and will be amazing for the U.S.A., and the Board of Peace is something that the World has never seen before  Very special. So many good things happening! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP."
There are any number of reasons why Donald Trump is obsessed with annexing Greenland, an autonomous territory that belongs to the Kingdom of Denmark. From a strategic perspective, the worlds largest island could serve as a perch to assert American military might in the Arctic Circle and establish trade routes in the region to compete with Russia and China. Plus, Greenland itself is rich in natural resources ranging from oil to iron ore to rare earth elements. Of course, one cant discount Trumps desire to expand U.S. empire for its own sake (while threatening NATO allies, of course).

Meanwhile, some of Trumps most influential allies  the Silicon Valley oligarchs who spent hundreds of millions of dollars to help him retake the White House in 2024  might see a different potential in turning Greenland into a satellite colony. For decades, libertarian-minded tech executives have dreamed of creating a sovereign territory free of regulatory oversight and tax structures, envisioning a free-market, stateless utopia where they can pursue their wildest ambitions and accrue even greater wealth. A MAGA-led takeover of Greenland could be exactly what theyre after, since it offers a vast, mostly untouched environment for all kinds of harebrained experiments they cant carry out on U.S. soil. Everything is on the table, from the testing of new AI networks and cryptocurrency-based economies to unchecked industrial transformation of the landscape and simulations of what it would take to support human life on other planets. To our tech overlords, it could be a playground without rules.

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Billionaire Peter Thiel, one of the first investor-entrepreneurs of his cohort to come out in support of Trump, has been one of the most reliable proponents of such schemes. In 2008, he became a founding investor in a San Francisco nonprofit called the Seasteading Institute, which aimed to develop the means to create artificial island micronations. The following year, Thiel wrote in an essay that the prospect of settling the oceans was tentative but much more realistic than space travel. He noted that the great task for libertarians is to find an escape from politics in all its forms, a view that informed his interest in building a truly free society from scratch. Thiel had been brought aboard the project by venture capitalist Joe Lonsdale; the pair are co-founders of the data and analytics software company and military contractor Palantir, and Lonsdale initially served as a chairman of the board at the Seasteading Institute.

Over the years, however, Thiel and others began to sour on the manmade island concept. Lonsdale wrote in a post on X last year that the financial and logistical hurdles are still too significant. My first TV interview 17 years ago was as chairman of the Seasteading Institute  which I had introduced to Thiel at the time to explore how we start new countries and innovate on [government], he said. Turns out it is very, very expensive, and we have to build and fix other things first.

By the end of the 2010s, the libertarian billionaire class had turned its attention to existing land, proposing ways of carving out vacant areas from various regions to construct tech-driven, self-run cities according to their own political idiosyncrasies. For them, the most obvious appeal of Greenland is that its already there and sparsely populated, saving them the trouble of trying to manufacture a floating platform to prop up massive buildings in international waters. It also doesnt hurt that the island geographically positioned between North America and Europe while offering increased access to China and Russia as polar ice continues to melt, making it a likely future crossroads for shipping routes, and therefore a hub of rapid commercial development, perhaps a boomtown not unlike Silicon Valley itself.

The test cases for libertarian sanctuaries on undeveloped territory, many of them tied to plans for decentralized cryptocurrency economies, have not been particularly fruitful. Akon City, a blockchain-powered project in Senegal led by and named for the musician, fell apart in 2025, eight years after it was first announced. Liberland, another crypto-focused micronation founded on a small patch of land in Croatia by the Czech libertarian activist Vit Jedlicka in 2015, remains an uninhabited forest more than a decade later. Its more than 1,000 theoretical citizens did, however, recently elect Justin Sun, a Chinese-born crypto billionaire, as prime minister of the unrecognized country. (The SEC paused a civil fraud enforcement action against Sun after he poured tens of millions of dollars into the Trump familys own cryptocurrency ventures.)

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In 2019, Patri Friedman, grandson of economist Milton Friedman and former executive director of the Seasteading Institute, incorporated the VC fund Pronomos Capital with the aim to raise independent cities on unused land in developing countries. Its investors included Thiel as well as crypto entrepreneur Balaji Srinivasan, the former Coinbase CTO who once gave a speech essentially advocating for Silicon Valleys secession from the U.S., or an ultimate exit, by way of an opt-in society, ultimately outside the United States, run by technology. Srinivasan has also published a book arguing that such privatized, business-friendly enclaves will eventually surpass nation-states. (He is currently listed as an adviser to Pronomos.) Another source of seed money for the fund was venture capitalist Marc Andreessen, now an enthusiastic Trump mouthpiece, who in his 2023 Techno-Optimist Manifesto advocated for an accelerationist model of material progress without government constraints on innovation. (Srinivasan was for a time a partner at Andreessens VC firm.)

One Pronomos-backed vision is Prospera, a charter city that broke ground on the Honduran island of Roatan in 2017, with Venezuelan wealth fund manager Erick Brimen as CEO. But despite the establishment of its own civil codes and administrative bodies for dozens of full-time inhabitants and some 2,000 paying e-residents, Prosperas long-term viability is threatened by its placement within the borders of Honduras, which in 2022 repealed the economic zoning law that allowed its architects to move in. For the moment, the city maintains that it is still entitled to the 50 years of autonomy guaranteed by that law.

Silicon Valleys ultra-rich isolationists have dabbled in tracts closer to home, too, with a proposed development called California Forever. In 2023, it was revealed that major industry players had helped a subsidiary company called Flannery Associates stealthily buy up tens of thousands of acres of relatively cheap farmland in Solano County, on the edge of the San Francisco Bay Area, for about $800 million over several years. Andresseen was among them, as were LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman and Laurene Powell Jobs, the widow of Steve Jobs and president of the investment group the Emerson Collective. The brainchild of Czech entrepreneur Jan Sramek  also the CEO of California Forever  the site is meant to become a walkable city of 400,000 (nearly the present population of the entire county), despite strong local opposition to the proposal. Sramek has claimed that building up the infrastructure of the city will provide thousands of construction jobs for the next 40 years.

The company Praxis launched the same year as Pronomos with much the same goals, pitching a new city on the Mediterranean coast. As of 2023, co-founder and CEO Dryden Brown, a college dropout and former hedge funder with no experience in real estate development, had raised more than $19 million with the concept, including from Pronomos, Paradigm Operations (the crypto-centric VC firm of Coinbase co-founder Fred Ehrsam and Matt Huang, a Sequoia Capital partner), Lonsdale, Srinivasan, and entities associated with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, crypto billionaires Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, and convincted crypto fraudster Sam Bankman-Fried. Former Praxis employees have said that Brown has the additional distinction of imagining his micronation modeled on the ideals of authoritarian fascism.

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And its Praxis that, like Trump, has since set its sights on Greenland as a zone of manifest destiny. In November 2024, a week after Trumps reelection (and five years after he first floated the fantasy of seizing Greenland), Brown posted a thread on X in which he said he had traveled to the island to discuss buying it, claiming that he now had $525 million in financing from his deep-pocketed investors. He framed Greenland as an ideal proving ground for interplanetary exploration. Greenland is an actual frontier, he wrote. Its hardcore. If humanity is going to build Terminus on Mars, we should practice in Greenland. It can serve as a sandbox for terraformation experiments, funded by realizing its potential as a mining and industrial hub. (Its not clear how Greenlands climate provides any meaningful comparison to that of Mars, which has a thin atmosphere almost entirely composed of carbon dioxide.)

Like others, Brown pointed out Greenlands rich mineral reserves, though he did not specifically mention rare earth elements. Billionaires Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, and Michael Bloomberg, and OpenAIs Altman, have reportedly invested in Greenland mining operations, recognizing its rare earth deposits as invaluable for the manufacturing everything from electric car batteries to military equipment to the chips and infrastructure for AI tech. China currently has a stranglehold on the supply of these crucial minerals, and has likewise invested in Greenlands mines. Tech companies and the moguls behind them no doubt see control of the islandss very foundation as a key advantage in the global marketplace.

Seemingly encouraged at every turn by those who stand to profit from it, Trump continues to peddle his belligerent expansionist rhetoric toward Greenland, indifferent to the populations hostile response and Denmarks attempts at reasonable diplomacy. (Notably, the U.S. ambassador to Denmark, Ken Howrey, is another longtime Thiel associate; the two are both PayPal co-founders.) But its entirely possible that, seeing only the riches and thrill of dominance that a conquest offers, the president is not fully aware of the more ideological motivations harbored by his libertarian donor class, and their yearning for a technocratic settlement somehow beyond U.S. influence.

Unlike others of his ilk, Elon Musk, nominally more interested in colonizing Mars than other parts of Earth, appears to see the annexation of Greenland as a purely nationalistic venture. If the people of Greenland want their territory to join America, we should accept them! he cheerfully posted a year ago on X, before the inauguration of a head of state he helped to install and then worked alongside for months as head of the failed, misleadingly named Department of Government Efficiency. There was no mention of the unregulated offshore haven that his peers have been trying to will into being for more than a generation, just the naive assumption that the islands approximately 56,000 inhabitants would gladly invite the Trump regime to invade and plunder their home.

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As for everyone else in Musks orbit, this clearly isnt about a symbolic MAGA win. Its a chance to forge a country of their own  with Trumps arrogance perhaps no more than a means to that end.

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Sir Keir Starmer has slammed Donald Trumps false claims that Nato troops stayed away from the front line in the conflict in Afghanistan as insulting and frankly appalling and demanded an apology.

The prime minister joined veterans and politicians from across the political spectrum in his condemnation of Mr Trump, who has enraged Nato allies by claiming he is not sure the alliance would be there if we ever needed them.

And he was joined by Prince Harry, who said the sacrifices of British soldiers who served and died in Afghanistan deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect.

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Sir Keir said: I consider President Trumps remarks to be insulting and frankly appalling, and I am not surprised they have caused such hurt to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured.

The US president has provoked condemnation from across the political spectrum after he made the comments in an interview on Thursday (Getty)

The White House responded to the criticism on Friday night, without issuing an apology.

President Trump is absolutely right  the United States of America has done more for NATO than any other country in the alliance has done combined, White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers told The Independent in a statement.

It came after the prime minister paid tribute to the 457 British personnel who died in the conflict, saying he would never forget their courage, their bravery and the sacrifice they made for their country.

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In response to comments from Diane Dernie, the mother of severely injured veteran Ben Parkinson, Sir Keir said: Ive made my position clear, and what I say to Diane is, if I had misspoken in that way or said those words, I would certainly apologise and Id apologise to her.

Earlier, No 10 said the US president was wrong to diminish the role of Nato troops, including British forces, in Afghanistan and said their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Sir Tony Blair, who was the UK prime minister who first sent British troops to support America in Afghanistan, also intervened.

Avoiding direct criticism of the US president, a spokesperson for Sir Tony said: Tony Blair knows  and will always remember with deep gratitude  the enormous contribution and sacrifice British troops made in Afghanistan on the front line of the fight against terrorism, following the 9/11 attacks on the US.

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Earlier, the former head of the Royal Navy led those criticising Mr Trumps claim, calling the comments disgraceful. Former first sea lord, Admiral Lord West, who coordinated the naval activity in Afghanistan, told The Independent: It is wrong and a disgraceful thing for anyone to say, let alone the head of state of an allied nation.

British soldiers in Nad-e-Ali district, Helmand province, 16 years ago (AFP/Getty)

Defence secretary John Healey said British troops killed in Afghanistan were heroes who gave their lives in service of our nation, while defence minister Al Carns, who himself served five tours in Afghanistan, invited anyone who believes Trumps claim to meet him and the bereaved families of the more than 400 British personnel who died in the conflict.

More than 1,100 non-US coalition fighters died in the conflict that began in 2001, according to veteran charity Help for Heroes, the overwhelming majority of them being from Nato countries, while more than 2,400 members of the US armed forces were killed.

But Mr Trump, who avoided the draft for the Vietnam war five times during the 1960s and 1970s due to a diagnosis of bone spurs in his heels, told Fox News: Theyll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan  and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.

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Mr Carns said: Id suggest whoever believes these comments, come have a whisky with me, my colleagues, their families, and importantly, the families of those that have made the ultimate sacrifice for both of our nations.

He also uploaded a video of himself during his time in uniform, calling it a small snapshot of what its like to be on the front line in Afghanistan.

Keir Starmer has condemned Trumps remarks (PA)

A former defence secretary, Sir Malcolm Rifkind, told The Independent: President Trump is either willing to make accusations without bothering to check the facts, or he is just lying and knows he is lying. Either way, he is destroying his reputation and that of the United States.

It just doesnt really add up what he said, because the fact of the matter is the only time that Article 5 has been invoked was to go to the aid of the United States after 9/11, care minister Stephen Kinnock told Sky News.

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He added: Many, many British soldiers and many soldiers from other European Nato allies gave their lives in support of American missions, American-led missions in places like Afghanistan and Iraq.

The United States remains the only country to have invoked the collective security provisions of Natos Article 5, which considers an attack on one Nato nation as an attack on all, with the alliance providing support to the US after the terrorist attacks of September 11.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch condemned Trumps claims as flat-out nonsense (AP)

Britain suffered the second-highest number of military deaths in the Afghanistan conflict, behind the US, which saw 2,461 deaths. In total, Americas allies suffered 1,160 deaths in the conflict, around a third of the total coalition deaths.

The mother of a young British rifleman killed in Afghanistan said the president had no compassion whatsoever for anyone who doesnt serve him. Lucy Aldridge, whose son William died aged 18, said the remarks were extremely upsetting.

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Tory leader Kemi Badenoch also condemned Mr Trumps claims as flat-out nonsense.

Defence minister Al Carns uploaded a video of himself, which he described as a small snapshot of what its like to be on the front line in Afghanistan (Al Carns)

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: Trump avoided military service five times. How dare he question their sacrifice?

Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty, who served in Afghanistan as a captain in the Royal Yorkshire Regiment, said it was sad to see our nations sacrifice, and that of our Nato partners, held so cheaply by the president of the United States.

Labour MP Calvin Bailey, a former RAF officer who served alongside US special operations units in Afghanistan and was awarded the Air Medal by the then US president Barack Obama in 2013, said: Political leaders are just like a hand in a bucket of water. They pass. I know that Trump is one man, but behind him are 300 million, most of whom disagree [with him]. I served with Americans; they are my friends. They told me to rise above those comments.
United States President Donald Trump has formally announced the charter of his so-called Board of Peace, a body for resolving international conflicts with a $1bn price tag for permanent membership.

The board, which Trump launched in a signing ceremony in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday, was originally conceived to oversee the rebuilding of Gaza after more than two years of Israels genocidal war on the strip.

But it appears the board, whose 11-page charter does not mention Gaza once, has morphed into something far more ambitious with the US leader saying it may extend its work to other global crises, a role traditionally performed by the United Nations.

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Once this board is completely formed, we can do pretty much whatever we want to do, Trump claimed on stage at the World Economic Forum before signing documents formally establishing the initiative. He was joined on stage by leaders, foreign ministers and other top officials representing 19 other countries, including Argentina, Qatar, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Hungary, Morocco, Bahrain, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

Some fear the Board of Peace will undermine the UN. Trump appeared to touch on those concerns in his opening remarks at the ceremony, saying the initiative would work with many others, including the United Nations, also listing other important diplomatic issues around the world.

Ive always said the United Nations has got tremendous potential, has not used it, Trump said.

He praised the work of US officials involved in the project for their efforts in establishing a ceasefire in Gaza. We have peace in the Middle East. Nobody thought that was possible.

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He added that the board was going to be very successful in Gaza and we can spread out to other things as we succeed with Gaza.

Trump says at the Board of Peace meeting during the World Economic Forum that the body will be very successful in Gaza [Mandel Ngan/AFP]

Board of action

In remarks after Trumps comments, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the boards priority was making sure the ceasefire in Gaza endures but the possibilities for the organisation were endless.

This is not just a Board of Peace. This is a board of action, just like President Trump is a president of action, he said.

This is a group of leaders that are about action.

Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, a senior White House adviser and real estate developer, outlined details about the Board of Peaces development plans in Gaza without mentioning plans for a path towards a Palestinian state.

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The number one thing is going to be security. Obviously, were working very closely with the Israelis to figure out a way to de-escalation, and the next phase is working with Hamas on demilitarisation, Kushner said.

Without security, nobodys going to make investments, nobodys gonna come build there. We need investments in order to start giving jobs, he said.

The Board of Peace wants to use free market principles to shift Gaza away from dependence on foreign aid, Kushner said, showing a map of the Gaza Strip divided into residential and coastal tourism mixed zones.

The plan includes building 100,000 housing units in Rafah as well as New Gaza, Kushner said, showing a rendering of high-rise coastal towers.

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In the Middle East, they build cities like this  two, three million people  in three years, so stuff like this is very doable if we make it happen, Kushner said.

He urged both sides in the Gaza conflict to do our best to try working together, calling for a change in mindset and behaviours in the region.

Everyone wants to live peacefully, he said. If we believe peace is possible, then peace really can be possible.

The event also featured Ali Shaath, the head of a future technocratic Palestinian government in Gaza, announcing that the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza will open in both directions next week.

Most prestigious board ever

The Board of Peace will be structured with Trump as its chairman and a founding executive council at the top, which includes Rubio, Kushner, former United Kingdom Prime Minister Tony Blair, US envoy Steve Witkoff, US Deputy National Security Adviser Robert Gabriel, World Bank Group President Ajay Banga and Marc Rowan, CEO of investment firm Apollo Global Management.

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According to reports, 50 to 60 countries have been invited to join the board, and up to 25 have agreed to sign on.

Permanent membership on the board, which Trump has billed as the most prestigious board ever formed, will require a contribution of $1bn. US officials have reportedly said such contributions are voluntary although countries would be expected to contribute to Gazas reconstruction efforts.

The foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Qatar said in a joint statement on Wednesday that they would be joining the board. Kuwaits Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said it had accepted Trumps invitation.

Other countries that have agreed to join include Morocco, Argentina, Hungary, Armenia, Bahrain, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Belarus. China, India, Japan, Thailand and many European nations have yet to respond to their invitations.

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British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the UK opted out of signing on Thursday, joining a growing list of European refusals that includes France, Norway, Sweden and Slovenia.





UKs concerns about Putin

The UK has concerns about President [Vladimir] Putin being part of something which is talking about peace when we have still not seen any signs from Putin that there will be a commitment to peace in Ukraine, Cooper told the BBC when asked about Trumps board.

Questions have been raised about why the Russian president  and other leaders wanted for war crimes like Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu  have been invited to join the board and the powers it would hand to Trump as inaugural chairman of the board.

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David Wearing, a lecturer in international relations at the University of Sussex, told Al Jazeera that the board was clearly an attempt to render the UN obsolete and position Trump in a kind of monarchical or imperial position as the chairman of this new UN.

Russian state media reported on Thursday that Putin was ready to send $1bn to the Board of Peace to support the Palestinian people and the idea of spending frozen Russian assets to fund the contribution had been discussed with Washington.

Putin, who was due to host Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas for talks in Moscow on Thursday, has said he is still consulting with Moscows strategic partners before deciding to commit.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu has agreed to join the board after his office had earlier criticised the composition of a subordinate Palestinian technocratic committee tasked with overseeing Gaza.

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However, there is no Palestinian representative on the Board of Peace.

Trump says everyone wants to be a part of the Board of Peace, but many US allies are not joining [Gian Ehrenzeller/EPA]

Palestinians in Gaza overlooked

As several countries get on board, Palestinians in Gaza are less optimistic about the initiative, Al Jazeeras Tareq Abu Azzoum said, reporting from Gaza on Thursday.

There is a sense that runs deep among Palestinians that Palestinians are being discussed as a problem to be managed, not as people with rights to be fully addressed, Abu Azzoum said.

People on the ground believe the formation of the new Board of Peace feels detached from their reality.

Palestinians felt that turning a new chapter does not sound as easy as the Americans think, he added.

In his remarks on Thursday, Trump praised the amount of aid that had flowed into Gaza since the ceasefire was agreed  comments that are starkly at odds with the reality on the ground amid repeated warnings from the UN and international aid organisations of dire shortages of food, water, medicines and other supplies entering the enclave.
Editor's note: The story was updated with additional details.

U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled his new Board of Peace during a signing ceremony in Davos on Jan. 22, in an event attended by leaders and officials from 19 signatory states.

The new body is launched primarily to oversee the ceasefire in Gaza, but U.S. officials said it would be expanded to other conflict regions.

A White House official confirmed to the Kyiv Independent that the Board could play a role in other situations, subject to the chairman's discretion and the consent of the relevant states, without ruling out engagement on Russia's war in Ukraine.

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"This is not just a 'Board of Peace,' this is a board of action," U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said after signing.

"It is going to be a successful effort, and you see it reflected here today among countries of different backgrounds from different parts of the world."

Countries represented at the opening ceremony included Turkey, Hungary, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Argentina, Pakistan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.

Others, including Belarus, Israel, and Vietnam, have also said they would join the Board, while France, Norway, and Sweden have rejected.

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Russia has been invited and said it was considering the option, while Trump claimed that Moscow had already accepted.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine had also received an invitation, but stressed that any such effort could only take place after the war ends.

"With Russians, we are enemies. Belarus  (they are) allies of the Russians. We can't be with them. I think so it will work with a monitor mission only after the war ends for us," he said.

While critics fear that the Board could become a competitor to the U.N., Trump claimed it would work in conjunction with the international organization. The U.S. president is chairing the body, which requires a $1 billion fee to secure a permanent seat.

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Addressing an audience during the ceremony in Switzerland, Trump hailed the coming "peace in the Middle East" and repeated his claim that he had settled eight conflicts, promising that "another one's coming pretty soon" in reference to Ukraine.

Trump, who is meeting Zelensky later in the day, acknowledged that the Russia-Ukraine war has been the most difficult to settle so far.

The ceremony took place the same day as Trump's envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, are scheduled to travel to Moscow to present Russian President Vladimir Putin with a 20-point peace framework for Ukraine.

Witkoff has been optimistic about the progress in negotiations, noting that the talks are "down to one issue."

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Zelensky previously said the peace deal is "90% ready," even as some of the most thorny issues  including Moscow's demand that Ukraine cede the entire Donbas region  remain unresolved.

Read also: Europes far-right parties face growing obstacle: Donald Trump

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The U.S. president appeared with yet another strange mark on his hands at the World Economic Forum in Davos, once again raising concerns that his health is not what he has claimed it to be.

Donald Trumpthe oldest person to ever be elected presidentwas photographed with what appeared to be another large bruise, this time marring the back of his left hand. Normally, his right hand is bruised.

Screenshot of a tweet (Screenshot)

The 79-year-old has repeatedly claimed that he is in pristine condition, brushing off public alarm over his deteriorating body, but several health scares over the last several months have sparked questions over his ability to remain in office.

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The large bruises on his handsoften covered with ill-matched makeuphave become a near routine fixture on the presidents aging body as they shift from hand to hand. The White House has blamed the superficial injuries on handshaking and aspirin, though doctors have suggested that the bruises could be the warning sign of something more serious.

Other symptoms of his deteriorating condition have been more concerning, such as the sagging mouth and drooping expression he sported in September during 9/11 memorial ceremonies, causing some onlookers to suggest that the president could have suffered a stroke.

The next month, Trump spent hours at Walter Reed Medical Center. The White House refused to disclose the reason, but eventually Trump let slip that he had received MRI scans, the results of which he said came back perfect. At least one former White House physician questioned the timeline of Trumps appointment, pointing out that his four-hour visit to the hospital was far longer than would be required by an MRI test. Trump later revealed he might not have gotten an MRI at all, but something less than that.

Trump has also appeared discombobulated and lethargic during critical meetings with world leaders. Over the course of the last year, Trump has fallen asleep roughly a dozen times during critical public appearances. It happened during Cabinet meetings, in the middle of bombastic military parades, while meeting leaders of critical allies, and even during the Popes funeral.

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Earlier this week, Trump aggressed relations with Europe, wrote to the leaders of Norway that he intended to pursue Greenland since they had not given him a Nobel Peace Prize last year (Norways government has no control over the award or its designees), and spent more than an hour on the dais in the White House press briefing room mumbling to himself about a stack of papers.

Responding to his recent behavior, Ty Cobb, a former White House attorney from Trumps first administration, said that the shift in Trumps psychological condition was palpable.
President Donald Trump and California Gov. Gavin Newsom reportedly had a friendly encounter at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, this week, despite exchanging bitter personal insults in public.

According to journalist Mark Halperin, The two men engaged in affable small talk backstage in a wide hallway area before the presidents speech, which he delivered Wednesday, reiterating his demands that Greenland become a U.S. territory.

No one who knows Donald Trump will be surprised to hear that he laid it on thick, deploying that super charming, winking manner that he uses in such cases, Halperin wrote on X (Twitter).

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There was friendly banter all around, and mutual laughter when the president announced, Gavin, were good.

Newsom, whom the journalist described as no stranger to faux towel snapping, is said to have given the president a little s*** in a jovial and jokey manner, before also sharing friendly words with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, her deputy James Blair, and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom looks on at members of President Donald Trumps cabinet watch his speech to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Wednesday (Reuters)

Only Homeland Security Adviser Stephen Miller is said to have been less enthusiastic about engaging.

Trump and Newsom sparred last year over the response to Californias deadly wildfires and the presidents deployment of ICE agents and the National Guard to Los Angeles. Also speaking on Wednesday, the former referred to the governor surprisingly warmly, saying he used to get along so great with Gavin and calling him a good guy.

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Those remarks drew an incredulous stare and a chuckle of bemusement from Newsom, watching on from the rear of the auditorium, and by Thursday evening, Trump was back to lashing out at him on Truth Social.

Gavin Newscum, as a Lame Duck Governor of a Failing State, should not be at Davos running around screaming for the attention of Foreign Leaders, and embarrassing our Country, the president wrote.

He should get the permits so that people can build their homes destroyed by the fire that he could have prevented if he would have allowed water to flow from the Pacific Northwest.

Trump, surprisingly, told Davos he previously had a good relationship with Newsom  only to then resume attacking him on Truth Social (AP)

He should finish his monstrously overbudget and behind schedule Railroad, from San Francisco to L.A., one of the Greatest Public Disasters in History, and focus on stopping Crime in the streets of California Cities  Then finish out his term, and GO HOME!

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He made a mockery of himself, and everybody, including his staff, knows it. With a record like hes got, the ruination of one of the most beautiful places on Earth, where people are leaving in droves, it is unimaginable that he could run for President but, who knows, its a very strange World!

Earlier in the day, the governor had taken part in an event hosted by Semafors editor-in-chief Ben Smith after a prior speaking engagement at USA House was abruptly cancelled, a development Newsom blamed on the Trump administration.

He used his 30-minute slot to label the president an invasive species and accuse him of caring only about personal enrichment and cosplaying on the world stage, saying he had been forced to conclude that the only way to take on Trumpism was to fight fire with fire.

Newsom also rebuked Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent for insulting him at the forum by saying: Gov. Newsom, who strikes me as Patrick Bateman meets Sparkle Beach Ken, may be the only Californian who knows less about economics than Kamala Harris.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also engaged in a lively exchange of insults with the governor in Switzerland (AP)

The Treasury Secretary talked about a Barbie doll, the governor responded. It was as if he was reading a diary and had just broken up with someone. I mean that was the Secretary of the Treasury using valuable time yesterday on the world stage.

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Bessent hit back again in an interview with Politico on Thursday, saying, I think Gavin Newsom may be cracking up, some of these things hes saying. I think he may be in over his hairdo.

He also went after the governor for saying strange things about the president, for brandishing satirical Trump-branded kneeling pads in Davos, and for posing for a photograph with Alex Soros, son of the billionaire philanthropist and conservative hate figure George Soros.

To say strange things like President Trump is a Tyrannosaurus rex, what the hell does that mean? Bessent asked. I can say Gavin Newsom is a brontosaurus with a brain the size of a walnut. And, if you brought the knee pads, maybe that was for his meeting with Alex Soros.
President Donald Trump speaks during a signing ceremony for the Board of Peace at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 22, 2026. Credit - Chip SomodevillaGetty Images

President Donald Trump is once again floating the idea of running for another term.

RECORD NUMBERS ALL OVER THE PLACE! SHOULD I TRY FOR A FOURTH TERM? he wrote on Truth Social on Thursday evening.

The Constitution prohibits Trump from serving another term; the 22nd Amendment reads: No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once.

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But Trump and his allies have repeatedly suggested the possibility of him running for office again. Last year, the Trump Organization started selling hats that say Trump 2028 and t-shirts that say Trump 2028 (Rewrite the Rules).

In October, the President told reporters that he would love to run for another term. When reporters questioned if he was ruling out the idea, he replied, Am I not ruling it out? I mean, youll have to tell me. Just days before that, his former chief strategist Steve Bannon, who has supported the idea of Trump serving another term, told The Economist that there is a plan to get around the 22nd Amendment. Bannon didnt share what the plan entailed, but said there are many different alternatives and the details would be shared at the appropriate time.

The President has also previously falsely suggested that a hypothetical third term would actually be his fourth term. Last year, he told reporters that in a way, a third term would be a fourth term because the other election, the 2020 election was totally rigged. Trump has repeatedly spread conspiracy theories about the 2020 election being stolen from him.

Despite Trumps claim that hes receiving record numbers all over the place, his approval rating is underwaterthough he continues to receive strong support from his base. Only about 4 in 10 U.S. adults approve of his performance in his second term, according to an AP-NORC poll from earlier this month. A majority of voters56%disapprove of how he has addressed several major issues, including the economy, immigration, managing the federal government, and the cost of living, according to a New York Times-Siena poll released on Thursday. And about 49% of respondents in the Times-Siena poll said that they believed the U.S. was worse off than it was a year ago, before Trump was sworn in for a second term. Less than a third felt that the country was faring better.

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Trump railed against the Times-Siena poll on social media, saying that he would include the poll in his lawsuit against The Failing New York Times and claiming, without providing evidence, that the results were fake.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Sen. Travis Holdman, R-Markle, speaks during a 2025 Senate committee meeting. (Photo by Whitney Downard/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

President Donald Trump has taken direct aim at a high-ranking Indiana state senator who voted against the congressional redistricting plan by endorsing a potential Republican primary challenger.

A social media post from Trump Thursday night blasted Sen. Travis Holdman as a RINO  Republican in name only  who, for whatever reason, voted against Redistricting in Indiana, in a District that I won by 39 points, which puts the United States Congress in jeopardy.

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Trumps post said he would give my Complete and Total Endorsement to Blake Fiechter, a Bluffton City Council member whom the post called a True America First Patriot.

Holdman, who has been in the Senate since 2008, is the chambers third-ranking member as majority caucus chair and also is chair of the influential Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee.

Holdman is seeking reelection in Senate District 19 that includes all or parts of Adams, Allen, Blackford, Jay and Wells counties in northeastern Indiana.

President Donald Trump speaks at the World Economic Forum on Jan. 21, 2026. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Gov. Mike Braun and other redistricting supporters have repeatedly threatened political vengeance against Republican legislators who opposed Trumps demand for a redrawing of Indianas U.S. House maps aimed at helping the GOP win all nine seats.

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We could have easily picked up two seats in Indiana, so Holdman, an America Last politician, put our Majority in the House of Representatives at risk, thereby putting our Country in a very dangerous position in losing some of the magnificent gains that we have made over the last year, Trumps post said.

Holdman did not immediately reply Friday to messages from the Indiana Capital Chronicle seeking comment.

Holdman made himself a Trump target in November by announcing: The message from my district has been clear  they do not support mid-cycle redistricting, and therefore I cannot support it.

He was among 21 Republicans who joined all 10 Democratic senators in opposing the redistricting plan when it failed in a 31-19 vote on Dec. 11.

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Trumps endorsement of Fiechter is the first the president has made since he started making his political threats months ago.

Fiechter is a real estate broker who is in his first term as an at-large member of Blufftons city council after winning election in 2023.

Fiechter did not immediately respond to email messages seeking comment about his political plans.

He had not filed a candidacy for the Senate seat or opened a state campaign fundraising committee by midday Friday, according to Indiana Election Division online records. The candidate filing deadline for the May primary is Feb. 6.
The Trump administration has stepped up pressure on Sir Keir Starmer after imposing sanctions on a Britain-based activist accused by U.S. intelligence of working on behalf of Hamas, according to reports.

The U.S. Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced Jan. 21 that it was "taking action against Hamass covert links to nonprofit organizations."

The statement went on to name six Gaza-based groups and the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA).

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U.S. officials said the PCPA operates as a front for Hamas overseas. OFAC also designated Zaher Birawi, 64, accusing him of being a "senior official" in Hamas through his leadership role in the PCPA.

Uk Prime Minister Slammed For Welcoming Home Freed Egyptian Prisoner After Social Media Posts Resurface

The Trump administration sanctioned Britain-based activist Zaher Birawi, who is accused of Hamas ties, pressuring Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to take similar action against the London resident. (Getty Images)

The Treasury Department said Birawi is a founding member of the organization and part of its general secretariat, alleging the group was used to "clandestinely expand" Hamas international influence and fundraising.

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This included backing flotillas that attempted to reach Gaza. Some have received public backing from prominent activists, including Greta Thunberg.

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"Hamas continues to show a callous disregard for the welfare of the Palestinian people," John K. Hurley, the U.S. Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, said in a statement.

Hurley added that "the Trump administration will not look the other way while Hamas leadership and enablers exploit the financial system to fund terrorist operations."

Trump Admin Weighs Terrorism Sanctions Against Un Palestinian Aid Agency Over Hamas Allegations

Greta Thunberg with Zaher Birawi (second from the left), who Israel says is linked to Hamas.

The sanctions have put pressure on the U.K., which has been reviewing possible counterterror measures against Birawi for weeks, according to The Times.

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U.K. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said it was "good to see" the U.S. take action, adding, "Under no circumstances should Britain be a place of sanctuary for anyone involved in or supportive of terrorist (organizations) like Hamas."

Alex Hearn of Labour Against Antisemitism said Birawi continued to broadcast from London and organize flotillas despite the U.S. designation.

Lord Austin of Dudley has urged the U.K. to examine the intelligence "very carefully."

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left, and U.S. President Donald Trump shake hands at a joint press conference in the East Room at the White House Feb. 27, 2025, in Washington.

Birawi, who lives in Barnet in north London, has been in the U.K. for more than 30 years.

He chairs the Palestine Forum in Britain and is a prominent organizer of pro-Palestinian demonstrations in the city.

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He has been named in Parliament as a security concern, and Israel designated him a Hamas member in 2013, allegations he has consistently denied.

In 2023, Birawi said he is a "law-abiding British citizen" and rejected claims of links to Hamas, saying his work focuses on "defending the national and human rights of Palestinians who survive under occupation."

Fox News Digital has reached out to Birawi and Sir Keir Starmer's office for comment.





Original article source: Trump pressures UK over Hamas-linked figure as US intel flags potential terror threat
WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump said he opposes a plan endorsed by one of his top economic advisers that would allow Americans to use retirement savings from their 401(k) accounts to make down payments on homes.

"I'm not a huge fan. Other people like it," Trump told reporters Thursday, Jan. 22, aboard Air Force as he returned to Washington from Davos, Switzerland, where he attended the World Economic Forum. "And one of the reasons I don't like it is that their 401(k)s are doing so well."

Trump's comments marked an abrupt shift in White House policy after Kevitt Hassett, director of the National Economic Council in the White House, last week said the Trump administration was finalizing a plan for some 401(K) funds to go toward home down payments, as part of a series of new White House initiatives on housing.

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More: Why does Trump want Fannie and Freddie to buy mortgage bonds?

"We're going to allow people to take money out of their 401(k)s and use that for down payment," Hassett told Fox Business in a Jan. 16 interview, adding that Trump planned to lay out the plan in Davos. "We're still talking about the mechanics of it," he added.

President Donald Trump arrives in Davos to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF), on January 21, 2026 in Davos, Switzerland. The annual meeting of political and business leaders comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Europe over a range of issues, including Trump's vow to acquire Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory. President Donald Trump (C-R) attends a bilateral meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (C-L) alongside U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright and U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting on January 21, 2026 in Davos, Switzerland. The annual meeting of political and business leaders comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Europe over a range of issues, including Trump's vow to acquire Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory. President Donald Trump applauds after his special address during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on Jan. 21, 2026. The World Economic Forum takes place in Davos from Jan. 19 to Jan. 23, 2026. President Donald Trump gestures as he leaves the congress centre during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 21, 2026. The World Economic Forum takes place in Davos from January 19 to January 23, 2026. President Donald Trump leaves a plenary session at the Congress Hall, walking past journalists after his speech on the sidelines of the 56th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos on Jan. 21, 2026. The World Economic Forum is taking place in Davos from Jan. 19 to Jan. 23, 2026. President Donald Trump (R) listens as NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte speaks during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting on January 21, 2026 in Davos, Switzerland. The annual meeting of political and business leaders comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Europe over a range of issues, including Trump's vow to acquire Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory. President Donald Trump looks on during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 21, 2026. The World Economic Forum takes place in Davos from January 19 to January 23, 2026. President Donald Trump speaks during a bilateral meeting with NATO's Secretary-General on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 21, 2026. The World Economic Forum takes place in Davos from January 19 to January 23, 2026. President Donald Trump leaves the congress centre during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 21, 2026. The World Economic Forum takes place in Davos from January 19 to January 23, 2026. President Donald Trump addresses the media as he leaves the congress centre during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 21, 2026. The World Economic Forum takes place in Davos from January 19 to January 23, 2026. President Donald Trump looks on as he leaves the congress centre during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 21, 2026. The World Economic Forum takes place in Davos from January 19 to January 23, 2026. President Donald Trump gives a speech at the World Economic Forum (WEF) on January 21, 2026 in Davos, Switzerland. The annual meeting of political and business leaders comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Europe over a range of issues, including Trump's vow to acquire Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory. President Donald Trump (R) speaks to Apple CEO Tim Cook (L) as he attends a reception for business leaders at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting on January 21, 2026 in Davos, Switzerland. The annual meeting of political and business leaders comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Europe over a range of issues, including Trump's vow to acquire Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory. President Donald Trump greets executives during a reception for business leaders at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting on January 21, 2026 in Davos, Switzerland. The annual meeting of political and business leaders comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Europe over a range of issues, including Trump's vow to acquire Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory. President Donald Trump speaks during a reception for business leaders at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting on January 21, 2026 in Davos, Switzerland. The annual meeting of political and business leaders comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Europe over a range of issues, including Trump's vow to acquire Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory. President Donald Trump appears on a large screen as he addresses the World Economic Forum (WEF) in the Davos Congress Center on January 21, 2026 in Davos, Switzerland. The annual meeting of political and business leaders comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Europe over a range of issues, including Trump's vow to acquire Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory. CEO of BlackRock Larry Fink (L) embraces U.S. President Donald Trump during an evening reception with business leaders at the World Economic Forum (WEF) at the Davos Congress Center on January 21, 2026 in Davos, Switzerland. The annual meeting of political and business leaders comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Europe over a range of issues, including Trump's vow to acquire Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory. President Donald Trump takes the stage before delivering a speech at the World Economic Forum (WEF) at the Davos Congress Center on January 21, 2026 in Davos, Switzerland. The annual meeting of political and business leaders comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Europe over a range of issues, including Trump's vow to acquire Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory. A Blackhawk helicopter, part of the U.S. Marine Corps HMX presidential helicopter squadron, travels between Zurich and Davos on its way to the World Economic Forum on January 21, 2026 near Liechtenstein. The annual meeting of political and business leaders comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Europe over a range of issues, including U.S. President Trump's vow to acquire Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory. President Donald Trump disembarks Marine One as he arrives in Davos to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF), on January 21, 2026 in Davos, Switzerland. The annual meeting of political and business leaders comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Europe over a range of issues, including Trump's vow to acquire Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory. Trump mingles with global leaders in Davos for World Economic Forum 1 of 20 President Donald Trump arrives in Davos to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF), on January 21, 2026 in Davos, Switzerland. The annual meeting of political and business leaders comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Europe over a range of issues, including Trump's vow to acquire Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory.

Trump never mentioned the plan, however, in his speech before the World Economic Forum. He instead touted a Jan. 20 executive order banning institutional investors from buying single-family homes in a push to lower housing costs for Americans.

Trump has been rolling out several policy proposals and actions aimed at addressing affordability concerns as Americans continue to express cost-of-living concerns. But he seemed to rule out the 401(k) proposal for home down payments.

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More: Trump says he wants to ban large-scale investors from buying homes

"The housing market's good, but the 401(k)s are doing much better than the housing market. I like keeping their 401(k)s in great shape," he said. "You've got people telling me they're up 88%. And over the period of a year, over a full year, it's going to be close to 100%."

President Donald Trump disembarks Air Force One en route to the World Economic Forum in Davos, at Zurich International Airport in Zurich, Switzerland January 21, 2026.

Housing prices in 2025 rose by 1.7% from October 2024 to October 2025, according to the U.S. Federal Housing Finance Agency's most recent monthly report in December. The median home price nationally rose to $433,000 in November 2025, according to the real estate company Redfin.

The United States faces a severe housing shortage and a stagnant housing market. Pending sales of homes dropped nearly 6% in December from the previous year.

Contributing: Reuters

Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump 'not a huge fan' of plan to use 401(k) funds for home down payments
The Duke of Sussex has called for the sacrifices of Nato troops to be "spoken about truthfully and with respect", after the US president claimed allies stayed "a little back" from the front lines in Afghanistan.

"I served there. I made lifelong friends there. And I lost friends there," Prince Harry, who was twice deployed to the country, said on Friday as he paid tribute to Nato troops killed in the conflict, including 457 UK service personnel.

The prince was reacting to controversial comments made by Donald Trump in an interview on Thursday.

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Trump's words have drawn condemnation from international allies, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer calling them "insulting and frankly appalling" .

The UK and other nations joined the US in Afghanistan after Nato's collective security clause was invoked following the 9/11 attacks.

Prince Harry said: "In 2001, Nato invoked Article 5 for the first - and only - time in history. It meant that every allied nation was obliged to stand with the United States in Afghanistan, in pursuit of our shared security. Allies answered that call."

He added: "Thousands of lives were changed forever. Mothers and fathers buried sons and daughters. Children were left without a parent. Families are left carrying the cost.

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"Those sacrifices deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect, as we all remain united and loyal to the defence of diplomacy and peace."

The duke's comments follow Trump's Fox News interview in which he said: "We've never needed them. We have never really asked anything of them.

"They'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan... and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines."

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The president also said he was "not sure" the military alliance would be there for the US "if we ever needed them".

In the UK, Trump's remarks were condemned across the UK's political divide.

Shortly before the prince's statement, Sir Keir gave his own reaction saying if he himself had "misspoken in that way" he would "certainly apologise".

Sir Keir said: "I will never forget their courage, their bravery and the sacrifice they made for their country.

"There were many also who were injured, some with life-changing injuries.

"I consider President Trump's remarks to be insulting and frankly appalling and I am not surprised they have caused such hurt to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured and, in fact, across the country."

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While Poland's foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski, who was among 33,000 Polish troops who served on the frontline in Afghanistan, said: "No one has the right to mock the service of our soldiers".

Starmer said he is not surprised Trump's comments have "caused such hurt" [Reuters]

Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, former secretary general of Nato during the Afghanistan War, told the BBC World Service: "No American president should have the liberty to belittle their legacy and to insult the ones who are still grieving the fact that they didn't come back alive from Afghanistan.

"What I would expect is a sincere apology from the president of the United States."

In October 2001 the US invaded Afghanistan to oust the Taliban, whom they said were harbouring Osama Bin Laden and other al-Qaeda figures linked to the 9/11 attacks. Nato nations contributed troops and military equipment to the US-led war.

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More than 3,500 coalition soldiers had died, about two-thirds of them Americans, as of 2021 when the US withdrew from the country. The UK suffered the second-highest number of military deaths in the conflict behind the US, which saw 2,461 fatalities.

Most of the 457 British troops who died serving in Afghanistan over a period of nearly 20 years were killed in Helmand - the scene of the heaviest fighting.

Hundreds more suffered injuries and lost limbs - including Cpl Andy Reid who lost both his legs and his right arm after stepping on an improvised explosive device (IED) in Afghanistan.

"Not a day goes by when we're not in some kind of pain, physically or mentally reflecting on that conflict," he told BBC Breakfast.

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Reid recalled working with American soldiers during his time in Afghanistan, adding: "If they were on the front line and I was stood next to them, clearly we were on the front line as well."

Former paratrooper Ben Parkinson has been regarded as the most severely injured British soldier to survive in Afghanistan [Getty]

Diane Dernie, whose son Ben Parkinson suffered severe injuries when an Army Land Rover hit a mine near Musa Qala in 2006, said Trump's words were "so insulting" and hard to hear.

The 41-year-old is currently recuperating after another operation, but Dernie told the BBC that Trump's comments showed "a childish man trying to deflect from his own actions".

Dernie called on Starmer to "stand up for his own armed forces" and call out the US president.

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Her comments were put to the prime minister who replied: "I've made my position clear, and what I say to Diane is, if I had misspoken in that way or said those words, I would certainly apologise and I'd apologise to her."

Giving a second interview to the BBC moments after Starmer's statement, Dernie said the prime minister's words were strong enough - but said he should go further.

"His words were exactly what we wanted to hear, but we need those words to be addressed directly to the president," Dernie said. "I appreciate what Starmer has said, but they need to be said to Donald Trump."

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Throughout Friday, the leaders of the main Westminster political parties gave their reaction to Trump's comments.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said: "I spoke to parents of young men who have lost their lives. It is a disgrace to denigrate their memory like that.

"There is too much careless talk from President Trump. He clearly doesn't know the history of what happened. We must not have these sorts of throwaway remarks."

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey criticised the US president's remarks and said: "Trump avoided military service five times. How dare he question their sacrifice."

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Trump received five deferments from a military draft during the Vietnam War - four for academic reasons and one for bone spurs, a calcium build-up in the heels.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said: "Donald Trump is wrong. For 20 years our armed forces fought bravely alongside America's in Afghanistan."

American political and military figures have also expressed their anger and frustration over Trump's Nato comments.

Former national security adviser Herbert Raymond McMaster, who served as senior US officer in Afghanistan, said British forces were engaged in counter-insurgency operations every day.

"I think it's insulting to those who were fighting alongside of us," McMaster told the BBC.

"What I would like him to say is to make amends by affirming our gratitude for our allies who fought alongside us, and especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice in a war that I think was important, obviously, to the future of all humanity."

During his second term in office, Trump has repeatedly criticised Nato, often accusing its member states of not spending enough on defence.

In the last few weeks, Trump has made comments about acquiring Greenland - a semi-autonomous territory of fellow Nato ally Denmark.

Trump's repeated remarks over ownership, threats of military action and tariffs against traditional European allies have rattled the transatlantic treaty.

The White House has remained pretty quiet on the outrage being expressed in Britain - partly because the story has not played big in the US, and because Trump has been otherwise occupied, not making his usual appearances in front of cameras to have questions thrown at him.

On Friday - before Starmer called on the US president to apologise - the White House released a statement sticking by Trump's long-held view on Nato.

The White House said: "President Trump is right  America's contributions to Nato dwarf that of other countries, and his success in delivering a 5% spending pledge from Nato allies is helping Europe take greater responsibility for its own defense.

"The United States is the only Nato partner who can protect Greenland, and the president is advancing Nato interests in doing so."

The White House is yet to comment on Starmer's suggestion for an apology.

[BBC]

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President Donald Trump has sparked global indignation by suggesting NATO troops avoided frontline combat, minimizing the sacrifice made by Americas allies during the war in Afghanistan.

Weve never needed them, Trump said of non-U.S. soldiers in a Fox Business interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday. We have never really asked anything of them. You know, theyll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan or this or that. And they did. They stayed a little back, little off the frontlines.

Trump cast doubt on NATOs commitment to the United States, questioning if the alliance would come to Americas defense under adverse circumstances. Article 5, NATOs collective security agreement, has only been triggered once in the existence of the alliance  in response to the Sept. 11 attacks.

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An estimated 3,500 American and NATO troops were killed in the subsequent 20-year war in Afghanistan.

That total included nearly 2,500 Americans; 457 British; 158 Canadians; 90 French; 60 Germans; and 44 Danes, the most per capita outside the U.S.

And other countries sacrificed, too.

NATOs Chief Mark Rutte, during a bilateral meeting with Trump in Davos, pushed back against the presidents criticism of the alliances contribution in Afghanistan.

There is one thing I heard you say yesterday and today, you were not absolutely sure that Europeans would come to the rescue of the U.S. if you will be attacked, Rutte said on Wednesday. Let me tell you, they will. And they did in Afghanistan.

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Rutte went on to remind Trump, As you know, for every two Americans who paid the ultimate price, there was one soldier from another NATO country who did not come back to his family.

A retired U.S. admiral who led troops on the frontlines in Afghanistan also rejected Trumps claim. James Stavridis, former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO from 2009 to 2013, said hundreds of allied troops were killed while serving under his command. I honor their memory every single day, he noted.

On the other side of the Atlantic, international leaders said Trumps remarks appeared to dismiss two decades of allied sacrifice by soldiers who fought and died alongside American forces.

United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in a Friday video message, called on Trump to apologize for what he described as insulting and frankly, appalling comments. He added: Im not surprised theyve caused such hurt to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured and, in fact, across the country.

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Polands Prime Minister Donald Tusk weighed in on the furor by pointing to a farewell ceremony he took part in on Dec. 22, 2011 to honor five fallen Polish soldiers in Afghanistan. Rebuking Trump, he said, The American officers who accompanied me then told me that America would never forget the Polish heroes. Perhaps they will remind President Trump of that fact.

And the sacrifice made by French soldiers in Afghanistan commands respect, Frances Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin asserted.

The White House on Friday stood by Trumps characterization of NATO, emphasizing the disparities within the transatlantic alliance.

President Trump is right  Americas contributions to NATO dwarf that of other countries, White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said in a statement to Military Times, without addressing the NATO death toll in Afghanistan.

His success in delivering a five percent spending pledge from NATO allies is helping Europe take greater responsibility for its own defense, she continued. The United States is the only NATO partner who can protect Greenland, and the President is advancing NATO interests in doing so.
Investing.com -- The alliance between Washington and Ottawa seemed to fracture further late Thursday as U.S. President Donald Trump formally withdrew Canadas invitation to join his nascent "Board of Peace." The move marks an escalation in tensions following a week of public sparring over Arctic sovereignty and global economic hegemony.

The snub was delivered via social media shortly after the presidents appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. "Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you," Trump wrote in a post addressed directly to Prime Minister Mark Carney.

The fallout follows a fundamental disagreement over Trumps calls to annex Greenland, a move Carney and NATO allies have vocally opposed. During his own address in Davos, Carney criticized the "weapons" of economic integration used by superpowers to disadvantage middle powers like Canada.

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Trump retaliated swiftly from the Davos stage, dismissing Carneys concerns and asserting that Canadas very existence depends on American largesse. "I watched your prime minister yesterday. He wasnt so grateful  they should be grateful to the U.S., Canada.," Trump told the forums attendees.

The "Board of Peace" was initially authorized by the UN Security Council to oversee Gazas reconstruction, but its new charter suggests a more expansive, permanent role. While the UN mandate focuses on regional recovery, the boards $1 billion permanent membership fee has fueled concerns that it is intended as a U.S.-led alternative to the world body.

To secure a permanent seat on the board, countries are expected to pay the fee; otherwise, they are limited to three-year terms. Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne rejected the requirement earlier this week, stating, "one thing which is clear is that Canada is not going to pay if we were to join the Board of Peace."

While Middle Eastern powers including Saudi Arabia and Qatar have signed onto the initiative, Canada now joins the U.K. and France in remaining outside the tent. Carney, speaking from a cabinet retreat in Quebec City, maintained that while the bilateral partnership is remarkable, "Canada doesnt live because of the United States."

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Donald Trump has made clear he covets Greenland.

Now he claims to have secured the "framework" of a future deal, to address defence on the island - a deal that he says includes rights to rare earth minerals.

So what natural resources does Greenland have?

Greenland is believed to sit on top of large reserves of oil and natural gas.

It is also said to be home to the vast majority of raw materials considered crucial for electronics, green energy and other strategic and military technologies  to which Trump has been pushing to secure America's access.

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Overall, 25 of 34 minerals deemed "critical raw materials" by the European Commission are found in Greenland, including graphite, niobium and titanium, according to the 2023 Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland.

Greenland's strategic importance is "not just about defence", Senator Ted Cruz, a Republican from Texas, said at a Senate hearing last year about the potential acquisition of Greenland, pointing to the island's "vast reserves of rare earth elements".

[BBC]

Trump has sometimes downplayed the importance of those resources, pointing to what he claims is rising Russian and Chinese influence in the region to justify his claims that the US has to "have" the island.

"I want Greenland for security - I don't want it for anything else," he told reporters at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday, pointing in part to the difficulty of exploring in the Arctic region. "You have to go 25ft down through ice to get it. It's not, it's not something that a lot of people are going to do or want to do."

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But access to the island's natural resources have loomed large in the background for the administration, which has put the US economy at the centre of its geopolitical vision and has made combatting China's dominance of the rare earths industry a priority.

Trump's interest in controlling Greenland is "primarily about access to those resources, and blocking China's access", according to Steven Lamy, professor of international relations at the University of Southern California.

Even before Trump's second term, the US had been tightening its ties with Greenland, including by reopening its consulate in the island's capital, Nuuk, in 2020, responding to Russia and China's expanding military presence in the Arctic.

Since Trump returned to office, his allies have talked up the island's commercial potential, as rising temperatures expand sea routes and opportunities to explore the region's fisheries and other natural resources, especially those related to defence, such as energy and critical minerals, that the administration sees as a priority.

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"This is about shipping lanes. This is about energy. This is about fisheries. And, of course, it's about your mission, which is keeping us safe and monitoring space, monitoring our adversaries, and making sure the American people can sleep safely in their homes, day in and day out," Mike Waltz, the current US ambassador to the United Nations and then Trump's national security adviser, told US troops stationed in Greenland last year.

And Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry told CNBC this month that Trump was a "business president" who believed the island represented "a more robust trading opportunity".

Over the summer, the Trump administration signed off on the possibility of backing an American company's mining project in Greenland, via $120m (90m) in financing from the Export-Import Bank of the United States.

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The plan built on other deals the Trump administration has agreed with Australia and Japan, as well as private firms, to secure US access to supply and production of rare earths, an industry now dominated by China.

Dr Patrick Schroder, a senior research fellow at Chatham House, said the scale of Greenland's critical minerals holdings had the potential to "shift the dial" for the US, allowing it to reduce its reliance on China - a key priority for the administration.

But critics of Trump's designs on the island, say it is not clear why US control would be necessary to access the island's resources.

Analysts also warn that tapping them is easier said than done.

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Among other challenges, mining in Greenland currently is expensive and hampered by severe weather conditions, a lack of infrastructure and a small labour force, Lamy said.

While exploration permits have been given for 100 blocs of the island, there are just two productive mines in Greenland.

"Greenland has been trying to attract outside investments into its extractive industries for a long time, and has not had a lot of luck because the business case just hasn't really been there," said Mikkel Runge Olesen, a senior researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies.

"It's true that there are huge quantities of minerals of various kinds in Greenland. However, it also costs a lot of money to extract those minerals."

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But Prof Andrew Shepherd, director of the Centre for Polar Observation and Modelling, said rapidly melting layers of ice are increasingly easing the process, exposing rock for potential mining and creating river runoff.

"Getting all the fieldwork done traditionally has been very hard to do because you have to get energy to remote regions," he told the BBC.

"With the melting ice, you get the potential for hydro power in the area where the land is being exposed so this presents itself as an interesting prospect."

Jennifer Spence, director of the Arctic Initiative at the Harvard Kennedy School, said when it came to mining in Greenland, "it's all still about potential".

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Still, she thinks the island's strategic shipping location and rare earths deposits were key factors drawing Trump's attention.

"His logic is that there's a national security imperative," Spence said. "My belief is that this is much more economically driven."

Additional reporting by Natalie Sherman
The RAF has deployed Typhoon fighter jets to Qatar as tensions between the US and Iran continue to mount.

The aircraft were sent to the Gulf state in a defensive capacity, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said on Friday.

Donald Trump warned Iran he was sending an armada towards the Middle East, raising expectations of a US strike on the Iranian regime and possible retaliation against US and allied bases, as well as Israel.

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Tensions have risen between Washington and Tehran after more than 5,000 people were killed during anti-regime protests in Iran, with the US president promising protesters help is on the way.

Four Typhoons were deployed to Qatar, just across the Persian Gulf from Iran. It was understood that the jets were not travelling to the main US air base at Al-Udeid, which was attacked by the regime in June.

The existing RAF presence in the country is at Dukhan air base, which is located to the west of the Qatari peninsula.

An MoD spokesman said: The deployment, upon invitation of the Qatari government, is in a defensive capacity and builds on the UKs established defence partnership with Qatar and reflects the UK Governments commitment to collaborating with international partners to maintain regional stability.

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The fighter jets attacking capabilities include short-to-long-range guided missiles, such as Storm Shadows, which can be launched from more than 150 miles off target, and a range of precision-guided bombs.

Their defensive capabilities include the ability to shoot down drones and, in some instances, non-ballistic missiles.

Mr Trump said he was watching Iran very closely and that the US would act if Tehran resumed its nuclear programme hours after establishing his Board of Peace at Davos.

Donald Trump told reporters a lot of ships were headed towards Iran on Thursday - Mandel Ngan

Travelling back from the World Economic Forum on Thursday, the US president told reporters on Air Force One that he had sent a massive fleet towards Iran.

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We have a lot of ships going that direction. Just in case, he said. We have a big flotilla going in that direction, and well see what happens. We have a big force going towards Iran.

Id rather not see anything happen, but were watching them very closely. We have an armada. And maybe we wont have to use it. We will see.

The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its strike group are believed to be in the Indian Ocean, putting it on course to arrive in the Middle East within days.

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Its presence will boost Americas options against Iran, which could include aiming to decapitate the Islamic Republics leadership or attacking nuclear facilities.

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USS Abraham Lincoln has a carrier air wing that comprises multiple squadrons and aircraft such as F-35s, Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers, E-2D Hawkeyes and Seahawks.

The destroyers escorting it, which include USS Ticonderoga and USS Mobile Bay, will improve their ability to intercept any retaliatory missiles fired by Iran at Israel or US bases in the Gulf.

Flight trackers have also reported C-17 Globemaster III cargo jets in the region.

The US is sending additional land-based anti-missile systems, including extra Patriot and Thaad systems to the Middle East, all of which could indicate a potential US attack.

The deployment of USS Abraham Lincoln will boost Americas options against Iran

Mr Trump threatened to attack Tehran over its violent treatment of protesters if it resumed its nuclear programme and if it threatened him with any assassination attempts.

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However, he appeared to back down 10 days ago, citing the regimes decision not to execute hundreds of imprisoned protesters, at least in the immediate term.

But analysts suggested the real reason may have been the relatively low amount of US military hardware in the region at the time, with no carrier battle groups and few combat aircraft.

More than 5,000 people have been killed in the regimes violent crackdown on anti-government demonstrations, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, with the toll likely to grow when the internet is restored to the country.

The protests  which began over economic hardship on Dec 28  spread widely across the country and prompted authorities to deploy the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and shut down the internet to stamp out dissent.

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Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has repeatedly blamed the US for fomenting unrest and has promised retaliation in the face of any attacks.

The IRGCs commander warned Washington on Thursday that the force had its finger on the trigger to carry out the supreme leaders commands.

Mr Trump said in Davos on Thursday that the US attacked Iranian uranium enrichment sites last year to prevent Tehran from making a nuclear weapon. Iran denied its nuclear programme was aimed at seeking the bomb.

Cant let that happen, Trump said, adding: And Iran does want to talk, and well talk.

But he again raised tensions this week, declaring he would wipe Iran off the face of the earth if there was any attack on his life in response to a strike targeting the ayatollah.

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IN DAVOS, DONALD TRUMP asked for a piece of land. Im seeking immediate negotiations to once again discuss the acquisition of Greenland by the United States, he told the World Economic Forum on Wednesday. Trump said his request was well founded in history, because many of the European nations had similarly acquired foreign territories.

One European nation, in particular, acquired a lot of territory about eighty-five years ago. A few minutes before he talked about taking Greenland, Trump recalled that in World War II, Denmark, which had sovereignty over Greenland, fell to Germany after just six hours of fighting.

Trumps reference to World War II Germany raises an awkward question. One of Germanys first land grabs in that period began with a request. On September 26, 1938, Adolf Hitler delivered a speech in the Berlin Sportpalast calling on England, France, and other European powers to give him the Sudetenland, part of what was then Czechoslovakia.

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Trump isnt Hitler, of course, and any attempt to compare Hitler with a current political figure can seem laughable or outrageous. Trump is an incipient fascist; Hitler was a full-fledged totalitarian dictator. Trump likes to sue, indict, and humiliate people; Hitler orchestrated historys worst mass murder. So lets stipulate up front that in any analogy to Nazism, the differences dwarf the similarities.

But with all that being said: Its disconcerting how much Trumps speech resembles Hitlers.

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HITLER SAID HE NEEDED the Sudetenland to protect Germany against a national security threat. He said this threat came from Bolshevism in Czechoslovakia. That was an allusion to Russia, the source of Bolshevism.

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Trump has invoked a similar threat. For months, he has said he needs Greenland to protect the United States against Russia and Communist China. Obviously, the world has changed since 1938: Russia is no longer officially Communist, and China wasnt on Hitlers mind. But Trump is trying the same tactic Germany used back then: playing up a Communist menace to justify his aggression.

Second, in his Sportpalast speech, Hitler claimed that based on its culture and geography, the Sudetenland belonged to a broader vision of Germany. Trump, in a similar way, argued in his Davos speech that Greenland was part of North America, on the northern frontier of the Western Hemisphere. Thats our territory. It is therefore a core national security interest of the United States of America.

Trumps argument is different in two respects. The Sudetenland was adjacent to Germany, whereas Greenland is not adjacent to the United States. And while most people in the Sudetenland had ethnic ties to Germany, most people in Greenland have no ethnic ties to the United States. These differences make Trumps argument even flimsier than Hitlers.

Third, Hitler demanded political control over the Sudetenland, as well as legal title over the territory. Trump, in his Davos speech, used almost the same phrase: All were asking for is to get Greenland, including right, title, and ownership.

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Fourth, Hitler disputed Czechoslovakias sovereignty over the Sudetenland, claiming that the Czechs simply took the land and its people. Trump, in a similar way, disputes Denmarks sovereignty over Greenland. A Danish boat went there five hundred years ago and then left, the president scoffed on Monday. That doesnt give you title to property.

Fifth, Hitler bragged that he had built a military so powerful that no one could stop it. I gave orders to rearm the German Wehrmacht and to bring it to the highest level possible, he declared. We rearmed to an extent the like of which the world had not yet seen. He said his army had the newest, most modern weapons that exist and was a force the world will respect whenever it shall be introduced.1

In light of this vast power, Hitler claimed that he had shown great restraint in choosing not to seize the Sudetenland. When someone displays such unending patience as we have demonstrated, he said, you cannot accuse him of being a warmonger.

Trump frames his power and forbearance in almost the same way. We probably wont get Greenland, he told the audience in Davos, unless I decide to use excessive strength and force where we would be frankly unstoppable. But I wont do that, okay? . . . I wont use force. He went on:

All the United States is asking for is a place called Greenland. . . . We are a much more powerful force now, after I rebuilt the military in my first term and continue to do so today. We have a budget of $1.5 trillion. Were bringing back battleships [that are] 100 times more powerful than the great battleships you saw in World War II.

In case anyone doubted Trumps willingness to use that arsenal, he pointed to his attack on Venezuela three weeks ago. Once the attack ended, he noted, Venezuelas leaders said, Lets make a deal. More people should do that.

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That sounded a bit like Hitlers praise, in his Sudetenland speech, for countries that had chosen to negotiate with Germany rather than risk war. Its a not-so-subtle way of dangling a threat.

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LOOKING AT THAT LIST OF PARALLELS, its perfectly reasonable to think: Sure, Trump is an aggressor, but hes not Hitler. Again, let me stress: Thats true. Nobody should diminish the unique enormity of Hitlers crimes.

But it should worry usand it should worry Europethat Trump has been taking on more and more of the behaviors that define a fascist. He has seized authorities from Congress, ordered prosecutions of his critics, led a violent coup to try to stay in power, and built a paramilitary force that kills civilians with absolute immunity. At a reception in Davos, he suggested that he wasnt really a dictator. But then he added, Sometimes you need a dictator.

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Trump is also wading into the cesspool that has led to atrocities in fascist countries: using state power to enforce the leaders bigotry.

In his Sudetenland speech, Hitler dismissed the idea of ethnic pluralismThere is no such thing as a Czechoslovakian nation, he sneeredand he accused other European leaders of failing to appreciate volkisch matters. He claimed to speak for his people, the German Volk, and he advised other politicians to fall in line. Some of the other statesmen might do well to consider if this is the case with their people as well, he warned.

Trump doesnt use the word Volk. He uses the word recognizable. The places where you come from can do much better by following what were doing in America, he told the European elites in Davos. Certain places in Europe are not even recognizable, frankly, anymore. Theyre not recognizable. He described what people in his social circle were saying about Europe: Friends come back from different places . . . and say, I dont recognize it.

As Trump continued, his meaning became clear. He lamented that European capitals had allowed unchecked mass migration and were importing new and entirely different populations from faraway lands. And he argued that welfare fraud by some Somali immigrants in the United States showed the West cannot mass-import foreign cultures which have failed to ever build a successful society.

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To purge this infestation, Trump recommended a solution he claimed to be pioneering in America: reverse migration. He named Somalis as his first target. They all ought to get the hell out of here, he declared from the White House podium on Tuesday. Theyre bad for our country.

You can tell yourself that all of this is okay because Trump hasnt called for putting Somalisor, as he refers to them, garbagein camps. You can tell yourself that he wont use force in Greenland because thats what he promised in Davos, right before he warned Greenland and Denmark that if they rejected his demands, We will remember. You can tell yourself that when he referred to his target four times as Iceland, it was just a slip of the tongue.

And you can tell yourself what Europe told itself in 1938: Just give him this one piece of land, and well have peace for our time.

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1

Hitlers rearming of the Wehrmacht was, as his audience well understood, in direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles.
Donald Trump was "wrong" to diminish the role of Nato and British troops in Afghanistan, Downing Street has said, after the US president claimed allies stayed away from the front line.

Trump claimed that Nato sent "some troops" but "stayed a little back, a little off the front lines", sparking outrage from veterans and their families.

The mother of severely injured soldier Ben Parkinson deemed it the "ultimate insult".

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The UK was among several allies to join the US in Afghanistan after Nato's collective security clause was invoked for the first and only time in its history following the 9/11 attacks. During the conflict, 457 British service personnel were killed.

Article 5 of Nato states that an attack on one member is considered an attack against all.

But Trump told Fox News on Thursday that he was "not sure" the military alliance would be there for the US "if we ever needed them".

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"We've never needed them," he said, adding: "We have never really asked anything of them."

"They'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan," he said, "and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines".

Responding on Friday, the prime minister's official spokesperson said: "The president was wrong to diminish the role of Nato troops, including British forces."

He added that Nato troops made sacrifices "in the service of collective security and in response to an attack on our ally".

Most of the 457 British troops who died serving in Afghanistan over a period of nearly 20 years were killed in Helmand.

US troops, part of the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force, stand by a roadside in August 2013 [Reuters]

Hundreds more suffered injuries and lost limbs - including Cpl Andy Reid who lost both his legs and his right arm after stepping on an improvised explosive device (IED) in Afghanistan.

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"Not a day goes by when we're not in some kind of pain, physically or mentally reflecting on that conflict," he told BBC Breakfast.

Reid recalled working with American soldiers during his time in Afghanistan, adding: "If they were on the front line and I was stood next to them, clearly we were on the front line as well."

The US invaded Afghanistan in October 2001 to oust the Taliban, whom they said were harbouring Osama Bin Laden and other al-Qaeda figures linked to the 9/11 attacks. Nato nations contributed troops and military equipment to the US-led war.

More than 3,500 coalition soldiers had died as of 2021, when the US withdrew from the country - about two-thirds of them Americans.

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The UK suffered the second-highest number of military deaths in the conflict behind the US, which saw 2,461 fatalities.

Defence Secretary John Healey said the UK and Nato allies had "answered the US call" in 2001 and that British troops who were killed should be remembered as "heroes who gave their lives in service of our nation".

Al Carns, minister for the armed forces who served several tours in Afghanistan, said Trump's comments were "utterly ridiculous" and that "the world rallied to the support of the US".

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Far from staying away from the front line, Britain and Canada placed troops in the most dangerous provinces of all - the Taliban heartlands of Helmand and Kandahar.

In Helmand, the scene of the heaviest fighting, British troops were joined by Danish and Estonian soldiers. All suffered casualties in the heat of battle.

Former paratrooper Ben Parkinson has been regarded as the most severely injured British soldier to survive in Afghanistan [Getty]

Diane Dernie, whose son Ben Parkinson suffered severe injuries when an Army Land Rover hit a mine near Musa Qala in 2006, said Trump's words were "so insulting" and hard to hear.

The 41-year-old is currently recuperating after another operation, but Dernie told the BBC that Trump's comments showed "a childish man trying to deflect from his own actions".

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Dernie has called on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to "stand up for his own armed forces" and call out the US president.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the sacrifice of British and Nato troops deserved respect and she pushed for Starmer to ask for an apology from Trump .

"It's complete nonsense," Badenoch said. "I spoke to parents of young men who have lost their lives. It is a disgrace to denigrate their memory like that.

"There is too much careless talk from President Trump. He clearly doesn't know the history of what happened. We mustn't have these sorts of throwaway remarks."

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Elsewhere, there has been a swathe of political reaction from across Westminster, including Foreign Affairs Committee chair and Labour MP Emily Thornberry.

She told BBC Question Time on Thursday that Trump "has deliberately been trying to undermine us, which has been trying to undermine Nato".

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey criticised the US president's remarks and said: "Trump avoided military service five times. How dare he question their sacrifice."

Trump received five deferments from a military draft during the Vietnam War - four for academic reasons and one for bone spurs, a calcium build-up in the heels.

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A Reform UK spokesman said: "Donald Trump's comments are plain wrong. For 20 years our armed forces fought bravely alongside America's in Afghanistan... Those men and women deserve our undying respect."

Former Conservative Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick, who recently defected to Reform UK, said the comments were "offensive and wrong".

During his second term in office, Trump has repeatedly criticised Nato, often accusing its member states of not spending enough on defence.

In the last few weeks, Trump has made comments about acquiring Greenland - a semi-autonomous territory of fellow Nato ally Denmark.

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Trump's repeated remarks over ownership, threats of military action and tariffs against traditional European allies have rattled the transatlantic treaty.

Later on Friday the White House released a statement sticking by the US president's view on Nato.

The White House said: "President Trump is right  America's contributions to Nato dwarf that of other countries, and his success in delivering a 5% spending pledge from Nato allies is helping Europe take greater responsibility for its own defense.

"The United States is the only Nato partner who can protect Greenland, and the president is advancing Nato interests in doing so."

[BBC]

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Prince Harry has taken aim at President Trump. He said the sacrifices of those he served with deserved to be spoken about "truthfully and with respect", as ITV News Royal Correspondent Chris Ship reports

Prince Harry is the latest to condemn US President Donald Trump's remarks about British troops in Afghanistan, saying troops who fought there deserve to be "spoken about truthfully and with respect."

Trump had made the widely criticised comments late Thursday, claiming that Nato troops "stayed a little back" from the front line in Afghanistan.

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Trump made the comments in an interview with Fox News, in which he reiterated his suggestion that Nato would not support America if asked.

Weve never needed them," he said. Theyll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan  and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.

Prince Harry, who served two tours in Afghanistan said: In 2001, NATO invoked Article 5 for the firstand onlytime in history. It meant that every allied nation was obliged to stand with the United States in Afghanistan, in pursuit of our shared security. Allies answered that call."I served there. I made lifelong friends there. And I lost friends there. The United Kingdom alone had 457 service personnel killed."Thousands of lives were changed forever. Mothers and fathers buried sons and daughters. Children were left without a parent. Families are left carrying the cost."Those sacrifices deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect, as we all remain united and loyal to the defence of diplomacy and peace.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the remarks insulting and frankly appalling and suggested the US president should apologise.

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Speaking from Downing Street on Friday, Starmer paid tribute to the 457 British personnel who died and those who were injured in Afghanistan.

I will never forget their courage, their bravery and the sacrifice they made for their country, he said.

There were many also who were injured, some with life-changing injuries.

I consider President Trumps remarks to be insulting and frankly appalling and I am not surprised they have caused such hurt to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured and, in fact, across the country.

But the prime minister also defended the UK's close relationship with the US, despite President Trump's comments.

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"We have a very close relationship with the US, and this is important for our security, for our defence and our intelligence, and it's very important we maintain that relationship.

"But it is because of that relationship that we fought alongside the Americans for our values in Afghanistan.

"And it was in that context that people who lost their lives or suffered terrible injuries fighting for freedom, fighting with our allies for what we believe in."

The UK, along with other allies, fought in Afghanistan after the US invoked the collective security provisions of Nato's article 5, following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The US remains the only country to have invoked the provision.

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The UK suffered the second-highest number of military deaths in the Afghanistan conflict, after the United States.

Condemnation of Trump's comments came from across the political spectrum, as well as from veterans and their families.

Ukraine, Russia and US to hold first trilateral peace talks

PM says hard yards can begin as he welcomes Trumps shift over Greenland

Armed forces minister Al Carns, who served five tours in Afghanistan, said UK troops shed blood, sweat and tears alongside US comrades.

The former Royal Marines colonel said: On Afghanistan, frankly, this is utterly ridiculous. Many courageous and honourable service personnel from many nations fought on the front line. Many fought way beyond it."

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He added: Id suggest whoever believes these comments come have a whisky with me, my colleagues, their families, and importantly, the families of those that have made the ultimate sacrifice for both of our nations.

Diane Dernie, whose son Ben Parkinson suffered horrific injuries when an Army Land Rover hit a mine near Musa Qala in 2006, said the US presidents comments were the ultimate insult and called on Sir Keir Starmer to stand up to Trump over them.

Ben Parkinson laying a wreath on Remembrance Day 2019. Credit: ITV News

Paratrooper Mr Parkinson, from Doncaster, is widely viewed as the most severely injured British soldier to have survived the war.

The blast left the former lance bombardier in 7 Para RHA with both legs amputated, a twisted spine and brain damage.

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His mother said: I can assure you, the Taliban didnt plant IEDs (improvised explosive devices) miles and miles back from the front line.

She said the prime minister has got to stand up for his own armed forces and hes got to absolutely refute what Donald Trump said.

Call him out, she said. Make a stand for those who fought for this country and for our flag, because its just beyond belief."

In response to her remarks, the prime minister said he would apologise if he had said the words used by Donald Trump. Ive made my position clear, and what I say to Diane is, if I had misspoken in that way or said those words, I would certainly apologise and Id apologise to her," he said.

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Foreign Affairs Committee chairwoman Dame Emily Thornberry described Trump's comments as so much more than a mistake and an insult to the families of those who had died.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said in a post on X: Trump avoided military service 5 times.

How dare he question their sacrifice. Farage and all the others still fawning over Trump should be ashamed.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said Donald Trumps comments about Nato troops staying away from the front line in Afghanistan were nonsense.

She said: Trump saying Nato allies werent on the front line in Afghanistan is flat-out nonsense.

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British, Canadian, and Nato troops fought and died alongside the US for 20 years.

This is a fact, not opinion. Their sacrifice deserves respect, not denigration.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage also disputed Trump's comments. Writing on social media platform X, he said: "Donald Trump is wrong. For 20 years our armed forces fought bravely alongside America's in Afghanistan."Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty, who served in Afghanistan as a captain in the Royal Yorkshire Regiment, said it was sad to see our nations sacrifice, and that of our Nato partners, held so cheaply by the president of the United States.

Tan Dhesi, chairman of the Commons Defence Committee, said the presidents comments were appalling and an insult to our brave British servicemen and women, who risked life and limb to help our allies, with many making the ultimate sacrifice.

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President Trump warned late Thursday that the U.S. is sending an armada toward Iran amid nationwide demonstrations against the regime, but he questioned whether the U.S. would actually take any action against Tehran.

We have a big flotilla going in that direction, Trump told reporters on Air Force One en route to Washington from Davos, Switzerland. We have a big force going toward Iran. Id rather not see anything happen, but were watching them very closely.

Trump went on to say he stopped Irans leadership from hanging 837 people on Thursday. The president has previously threatened to take action against Iran if they execute protesters.

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I said if you hang those people, youre going to be hit harder than youve ever been hit, the president said. They actually said they canceled it. They didnt postpone it, they canceled it. So that was a good sign.

But we have an armada. We have a massive fleet heading in that direction and maybe we wont have to use it, well see, he said.

The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is currently in the Indian Ocean and could be in the U.S. Central Command area in several days, as the Trump administration weighs launching strikes against Iran, a Navy official told The Hill on Thursday

Irans top prosecutor on Friday called Trumps repeated claims that he halted hangings there completely false.

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Weeks of antigovernment protests in Iran have resulted in more than 3,300 deaths following clashes with Irans security forces.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has accused the U.S. of plotting against the Iranian government and backing the protests, claiming the U.S. was attempting to devour Iran.

We do not intend to lead the country toward war, Khamenei wrote Saturday in one of several posts on the social platform X. 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.

Filip Timotija contributed

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-Updated at 11:21 a.m. EST

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Donald Trump said an American "armada" is heading toward Iran, as the death toll from the regime's crackdown on nationwide unrest rose past at least 5,000, activists said.

Tehran on Friday dismissed as "completely false" Trump's repeated suggestion that his threats had halted the planned executions of more than 800 protesters. Trump had said that such killings would be a trigger for him to launch military action.

"I said, 'If you hang those people, youre going to be hit harder than youve ever been hit,'" he told reporters on Air Force One as he returned from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. "And an hour before this horrible" event, they canceled it, he said. "That was a good sign."

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Trump added that "we have an armada heading that direction and maybe we wont have to use it." The United States has "a big force going to Iran. Id rather not see anything happen," he added, but "we have a lot of ships going that direction just in case."

People outside the burned East Tehran General Directorate of Tax Affairs headquarters in Iran on Wednesday. (Morteza Nikoubazl / via Reuters ) (Morteza Nikoubazl)

The U.S. has dispatched to the Middle East a carrier strike group, as well as additional aircraft and land-based air defense systems, a U.S. official said last week.

Iran claims to have restored order following the nationwide demonstrations that began spreading late last year over the country's collapsing currency and spiraling prices.

Experts watching the country, however, say the eruption remains an existential crisis for the Islamic Republic, whose latest crackdown is the deadliest since its establishment following the 1979 revolution, a United Nations fact-finding mission said Friday.

Damage to buses seen after protests in Tehran, Iran, on Wednesday. (Fatemeh Bahrami / Anadolu via Getty Images) (Fatemeh Bahrami)

On Thursday, the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said the confirmed death toll had now reached 5,002, including dozens under the age of 18.

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Among the dead were around 200 members of the security forces and others aligned with the government, HRANA said.

The human rights group has been accurate throughout the years on details of demonstrations and unrest in Iran, relying on a network of activists inside the country that confirms all reported fatalities.

Other groups have offered similarly high numbers, though activists fear the true toll is much higher as the weekslong internet blackout makes it hard to verify information from inside the country.

On Thursday, Iranian officials offered the first official death toll.

State TV quoted the Interior Ministry as saying that 3,117 people were killed. Officials have previously said most of those dead were killed by "terrorists," while blaming the United States and Israel for fomenting the unrest.

Iranian protesters demonstrate in Tehran on Jan. 10. (Social media / ZUMA Press via Reuters) (Social media)

A United Nations fact-finding mission said that despite the internet blackout, it had managed to gather victim accounts and other evidence regarding allegations of gross human rights violations. The crackdown resulted in arbitrary killings and severe injuries, torture, sexual and gender-based violence, arbitrary arrest and detention, and forced confessions, it said.

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Trump suggested that he would use military force against Iran if it shot protesters or went ahead with what human rights groups said were planned executions of some of the demonstrators.

However, he has not yet taken military action, crediting himself with stopping these killings. He reiterated this Thursday.

"I stopped 837 hangings on Thursday, would have been dead, every one of them, mostly young men," he said on Air Force One.

This was firmly denied by Iran's prosecutor general.

"The judiciary is an independent institution and does not take orders from foreigners" and "the claim by the American president about 800 executions in Iran is wrong," Mohammad Movahediv was quoted as saying by Iran's IRIB state broadcaster.

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Movahediv called Trump "irrational and arrogant," while calling his claim "completely false." He added, "There is no such number and the judiciary never made such a decision."

The president indicated Thursday that Tehran was nonetheless still open to negotiations, something it too has touted in the past.

Iran does want to talk, and we'll talk, Trump said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Trump added that he threatened Iran with US airstrikes if the Islamic Republic's regime carried out hangings of protesters and political dissidents as planned, and Tehran backed down as a result.

US President Donald Trump stated that his administration is watching Iran very closely during comments aboard Air Force One on Thursday.

The president added that he threatened Iran with US airstrikes if the Islamic Republic's regime carried out hangings of protesters and political dissidents as planned, and Tehran backed down as a result.

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Trump also warned the Iranian regime that the US has "a massive armada" heading in their direction.

He also threatened that the administration would set a 25% tariff on anyone dealing with Iran. This will take effect "very soon," he warned.

Trump calls for investigation into Ilhan Omar's wealth

Trump, in a post on Truth Social, called for authorities to investigate Rep. Ilhan Omar's wealth, alleging that she is "worth over $30 million," and that "there is no way such wealth could have been accumulated, legally, while being paid the salary of a politician."

"She should be investigated for Financial and Political Crimes, and that investigation should start, NOW!" he wrote.

Trump discusses Venezuela, Ukraine-Russia War, Gaza Board of Peace, China, US midterms

Trump also addressed other issues during the press conference aboard Air Force One, including Venezuela, Russia-Ukraine, the Gaza Board of Peace, and US midterms, which are scheduled for later this year.

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US oil companies will soon start drilling for oil in Venezuela, even as companies expressed concern about the viability of quickly returning to the country, he said, adding that he spoke with Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Venezuelan opposition figure, Maria Corina Machado, earlier in the day.

Italy needs approval from its legislative branch to join the Gazan Board of Peace initiative aimed at resolving global conflicts.

Trump also said Russian President Vladimir Putin will join the peace board and contribute $1 billion. "I think it's important to have everybody," he told reporters.

Both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have said they would like to make a deal to end the nearly four-year-old war, he added.

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Earlier in the day, Trump met Zelenskiy on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Switzerland.

Trump also said he would visit China in April, and Chinese President Xi Jinping would travel to the United States toward the end of 2026.

"I look forward to seeing President Xi," he said. "I've always had a great relationship (with) President Xi of China."

Trump said ties between the world's two largest economies became strained during the COVID pandemic, but had improved significantly since. He said China was now buying large quantities of US soybeans, which was good for US farmers.

He also said that he plans to hit the campaign trail extensively this year as Republicans gear up for the November midterm elections.

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"I'm gonna do a lot of campaign traveling," he told reporters.

The president also cautioned that "sitting presidents don't seem to do well during the midterms."

Trump attributes new bruise on hand to aspirin consumption

Trump blamed a noticeable bruise on his left hand on his high intake of aspirin.

The bruise appeared after he bumped a table at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as he returned to the US. His aspirin dosage makes him bruise easily, Trump said.

They say take aspirin if you like your heart, but dont take aspirin if you dont want to have a little bruising. I take the big aspirin, Trump said.

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The doctor said, You dont have to take that, sir. Youre very healthy. I said, 'Im not taking any chances,' Trump added.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that Trump hit his hand on the corner of the signing table during his Board of Peace announcement.

Four doctors, two surgeons, and two internists, who spoke to Reuters, agreed it was possible that aspirin contributed to the bruising.

Trump said in a Wall Street Journal interview earlier this month that he takes a larger daily dose of aspirin than his doctors recommend because he wants nice, thin blood pouring through my heart.

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Last summer, Leavitt told reporters the hand bruising was from shaking so many hands.

Trump, 79, is the second-oldest person to ever hold the presidency, following his Democratic predecessor, president Joe Biden, who dropped his 2024 reelection bid amid questions about his fitness for the job and left office a year ago at 82.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Donald Trump has withdrawn an invitation for Canada to join his Board of Peace after a public spat with Mark Carney.

The US president and the Canadian prime minister traded barbs at the World Economic Forum in Davos, with Mr Carney urging other middle powers to band together in the face of economic coercion by greater powers.

Mr Trump said Mr Carney was ungrateful and that Canada only lives because of the United States.

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Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements, he added.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Mr Trump continued: Please let this letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canadas joining, what will be, the most prestigious Board of Leaders ever assembled, at any time.

The organisation was initially intended to oversee the reconstruction of Gaza, but it is now expected to act as a global peacekeeping force.

Last week, Mr Carneys office said he had been invited to serve on the board and planned to accept.

Donald Trump launched his Board of Peace at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday - EPA/Shutterstock

Permanent members must help fund the board with a payment of $1bn each, according to Mr Trump.

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Once this board is completely formed, we can do pretty much whatever we want to do, he said in Switzerland on Thursday. And well do it in conjunction with the United Nations.

Member nations include Argentina, Bahrain, Morocco, Pakistan and Turkey.

Yvette Cooper, the Foreign Secretary, confirmed the UK had received an invitation to join the board, but would not yet do so because of the proposed involvement of Vladimir Putin.

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Should the UK join Trump\'s Board of Peace?

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Other allies, including France and Italy, have indicated they will not join for now.

Mr Carneys speech on Tuesday was widely viewed as a reference to Mr Trumps disruptive influence on international affairs, although he was not mentioned by name.

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He told Davos that middle powers like Canada who had prospered through the era of an American hegemon needed to realise that a new reality had set in, and that compliance would not shelter them from major power aggression.

Mr Carney said that Canada should serve as a model in an era of democratic decline.

Canada cant solve all the worlds problems, but we can show that another way is possible, that the arc of history isnt destined to be warped towards authoritarianism and exclusion, he said.

Mr Trump took umbrage and taunted Mr Carney during his own speech a day later.

I watched your prime minister yesterday. He wasnt so grateful, the US president said on Wednesday.

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While Mr Carney has not been shy of criticising Trump since he took office nine months ago, he heads a country that remains heavily reliant on trade with the United States, the destination for more than three quarters of Canadian exports.

Key Canadian sectors like cars, aluminium and steel have been hit hard by Mr Trumps global sectoral tariffs, but the impacts of the levies have been muted by the presidents broad adherence to an existing North American free trade agreement.

Negotiations on revising that deal are set for the start of this year and Mr Trump has repeatedly insisted the United States doesnt need access to any Canadian products  which would have sweeping consequences for its northern neighbour.

Trump has also repeatedly threatened to annex Canada, and this week posted an image on social media of a map with Canada  as well as Greenland and Venezuela  covered by the American flag.

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On Thursday, Mr Carney said Canada was not under any illusions about the precarious state of global relations.

The world is more divided, he said. Former alliances are being redefined and, in some cases, broken.

Citing his governments plans to ramp up defence spending, Mr Carney added: We must defend our sovereignty (and) secure our borders.

Canada, he further said, had a mandate to be a beacon, an example to a world thats at sea.

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Jan. 22 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump late Thursday announced he withdrew Canada's invitation to join the U.S.-led Board of Peace, as relations between the longtime allies continue to deteriorate during his second term.

"Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canada's joining, what will be, the most prestigious Board of Leaders ever assembled, at any time," Trump said in a statement posted to his Truth Social media platform.

The note was addressed to Prime Minister Mark Carney.

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Trump formally launched the Board of Peace initiative earlier Thursday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. More than 50 world leaders reportedly received invitations, with about 25 joining the board, though additional countries are expected to follow.

The board was initially conceived to aid in the peace process in Gaza, though questions over whether it has larger ambitions have been raised by the absence of mention of the Palestinian enclave in its charter. Controversy also swirls over those who have been invited to join, including President Vladimir Putin of Russia.

Tensions between Trump and Carney spiked during Davos, beginning with Carney giving a 16-minute special address that attracted international attention for emphasizing that the era of a rules-based international order was coming to an end and was being replaced by a world of "great power rivalry" where "the strong can do what they can, and the weak must suffer what they must."

Carney said that Canada was among the first nations to "hear the wake-up call" that the old world was over and began to shift its strategic posture, and called on middle powers to come together, "because if we're not at the table, we're on the menu."

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Trump, speaking at Davos on Wednesday, hit back at Carney, accusing him of being ungrateful.

"They should be grateful to U.S., Canada. Canada lives because of the United States," Trump said.

"Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements."

Carney then responded in a speech on Thursday.

"Canada doesn't live because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadian," he said.

"We choose to build a bright future worthy of the ground on which we stand. We choose Canada."

Trump issued his statement hours later.

Canada and the United States have seen their relationship sour amid the second Trump administration.

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Trump's threats to annex Canada and make it the 51st state and his imposition of tariffs on Canadian goods, which ignited a trade war, prompted Carney to foster relations with Europe and other nations while distancing itself from the United States.

Carney has previously said that Trump's stance toward Ottawa is a "betrayal" and his tariffs a "direct attack" on Canada, and has repeatedly signaled that he will seek to lessen Canada's dependency on Washington.

Canada had indicated a willingness to join, but said it would not pay the $1 billion Trump is requesting as a fee.

While many so-called middle powers have joined the board, notable U.S. allies and Western nations, including France, Britain and Germany, have either declined to join or are uncommitted.
US President Donald Trump has withdrawn an invitation for Canada to join his newly constituted Board of Peace, in the latest spat between the North American neighbours.

"Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canada's joining," Trump said on Truth Social in a post addressed to Prime Minister Mark Carney, who made headlines this week when he warned of a "rupture" in the US-led global order.

Canada had indicated that while it would not pay to be on the board, it would join.

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Meanwhile, EU chief Antonio Costa said European leaders have serious doubts about the scope of the board, but were willing to work with the body in Gaza.

The board, which gives Trump wide decision-making powers as chairman, is being billed by the US as a new international organisation for resolving conflicts.

Trump did not give a reason in Thursday evening's post as to why he had decided to revoke Canada's offer.

Carney's office did not immediately respond. The prime minster had indicated last week he would accept Trump's offer on principle.

But Ottawa had indicated in recent days that it would not pay the $1bn (740m) membership fee which Trump has said permanent members will be asked to pay to help fund the board.

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Trump's Board of Peace was originally thought to be aimed at helping end the two-year war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and oversee reconstruction.

But its proposed charter does not mention the Palestinian territory and appears to be designed to supplant functions of the UN. Trump would be chairman for life.

Some 60 nations have been invited to join the board and about 35 have already signed up, according to the White House.

Those who have agreed to join so far include Argentina, Belarus, Morocco, Vietnam, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kosovo, Hungary, Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, Jordan, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.

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But none of the other permanent members of the UN Security Council - China, France, Russia, and the UK - have committed to participation so far.

The UK has expressed concerns about the inclusion of Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose forces are fighting in Ukraine after invading in 2022. France said the charter as it currently stood was "incompatible" with its international commitments, especially its UN membership.

European Council president Antonio Costa said European leaders have doubts about the scope of the board, but were ready to work with the US and the newly founded body in Gaza.

Speaking on Friday after an EU leaders' summit in Brussels, Costa said, "We have serious doubts about a number of elements in the charter of the Board of Peace related to its scope, its governance and its compatibility with the UN Charter."

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But he said the EU was "ready to work together with the US on the implementation of the comprehensive Peace Plan for Gaza, with a Board of Peace carrying out its mission as a transitional administration".

After the EU leaders' summit, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told reporters that his country had "declined" the invitation to participate in the body.

Trump's withdrawal of Canada's invitation came after Carney appeared to irk Trump with a speech that won a rare standing ovation this week at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

The prime minister urged other "middle powers" to band together in the face of economic coercion by "greater powers", although he did not mention the US president by name.

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A day later Trump told the gathering in the Swiss Alpine resort that Canada gets many "freebies" from the US and it "should be grateful".

"Canada lives because of the United States," Trump said. "Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements."

On Thursday, Carney swiped back at Trump as he delivered another speech back on home turf.

Speaking in Quebec, he said: "Canada doesn't live because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadians."

[BBC]

Follow the twists and turns of Trump's second term with North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher's weekly US Politics Unspun newsletter. Readers in the UK can sign up here. Those outside the UK can sign up here.
Russian President Vladimir Putin told a U.S. delegation during talks in Moscow on Jan. 22 that without resolving the territorial question, there is "no point in hoping" for a settlement of Russia's war against Ukraine, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said.

"We are interested in resolving the (war) through political and diplomatic means," Ushakov said after the meeting. "But until that happens, Russia will continue to pursue its goals on the battlefield."

The comments followed more than three hours of talks between Putin and a U.S. delegation that included Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law and adviser.

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According to Ushakov, Putin reiterated that no settlement is possible without resolving the issue "according to the formula agreed upon in Anchorage," referring to the PutinTrump meeting held in August 2025.

Ahead of that Alaska summit, the Kremlin had demanded that Kyiv withdraw its forces from parts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts not fully occupied by Russia.

Russia's occupation of Donbas in eastern Ukraine, showing Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts and cities of Donetsk and Luhansk. (Nizar al-Rifai/The Kyiv Independent)

The Moscow talks unfolded as diplomatic activity intensified on multiple tracks.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said earlier that a two-day trilateral meeting involving Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia is set to begin on Jan. 23 in the United Arab Emirates.

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Ushakov later confirmed Russia's participation.

Under the plan outlined by the Kremlin, Russian and U.S. officials will also hold separate bilateral discussions focused on "economic affairs," while a separate working group concerning security will join the trilateral meeting.

"This bilateral group will include Kirill Dmitriev and Steve Witkoff," he said. "Our security negotiating team has already been formed and will depart for the Emirates soon."

According to Ushakov, the security delegation will include senior Defense Ministry representatives led by Admiral Military Intelligence Director Igor Kostyukov.

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Ushakov said Putin issued "specific instructions" ahead of the talks, emphasizing that no durable peace is possible without addressing territory under the Anchorage framework.

He added that the U.S. envoys briefed Moscow on their "firsthand impressions" of Trump's meeting with Zelensky in Davos earlier the same day, as well as their contacts with European allies.

The U.S. delegation also included White House staffer Josh Gruenbaum, who has participated in previous negotiations with Ukrainian officials. The Americans were received at the Kremlin by Putin alongside Ushakov and Dmitriev.

The Moscow meeting came as Witkoff, who spent much of the week in Davos for the World Economic Forum, signaled cautious optimism about the talks.

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Ahead of his trip to Russia, he said negotiations had reached their final phase and were "down to one issue," without publicly identifying the sticking point

"We are at the end now, and I actually am optimistic," Witkoff said.

The U.S. envoys were expected to present Putin with a 20-point peace framework drafted over the past weeks during a series of talks among Ukrainian and U.S. officials. The document was based on an initial 28-point plan co-drafted by Russia that favored Moscow.

According to Bloomberg, a draft of the revised peace plan was passed to the Kremlin earlier in January via Dmitriev, who met Witkoff in Davos on Jan. 20.

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Zelensky previously said the peace deal is "90% ready," even as some of the most thorny issues  including Moscow's demand that Ukraine cede the entire Donbas region  remain unresolved.

Zelensky met with Trump earlier on Jan. 22 in Davos, a meeting the U.S. president called "very good." The Ukrainian leader highlighted the need to strengthen air defenses amid Russian attacks on energy infrastructure.

Beyond Ukraine, the Kremlin talks may have also touched on Trump's invitation for Putin to join his newly announced Board of Peace, a body intended to oversee the situation in Gaza and potentially other conflict zones.

Dozens of countries, including Ukraine and Belarus, have been invited to join the Board, a body that, according to observers, could serve as Trump's alternative to the U.N., an organization he has repeatedly criticized.

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Putin, who, as the U.S. president claimed, accepted the invitation, floated the idea of paying $1 billion needed to secure a permanent seat on the Trump-chaired body with Russian frozen assets held by the United States.

Read also: Exclusive: American, European microchips found in Russias latest missile-like drone

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
By Sam Tabahriti and Magorzata Wojtunik

LONDON, Jan 23 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called U.S. President Donald Trump's comments about European troops staying off the front lines in Afghanistan insulting and appalling, joining a chorus of criticism from other European officials and veterans.

"I consider President Trump's remarks to be insulting and frankly appalling, and I'm not surprised they've caused such hurt for the loved ones of those who were killed or injured," Starmer told reporters.

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When asked whether he would demand an apology from the U.S. leader, Starmer said: "If I had misspoken in that way or said those words, I would certainly apologise."

Britain lost 457 service personnel killed in Afghanistan, its deadliest overseas war since the 1950s. For several of the war's most intense years it led the allied campaign in Helmand, Afghanistan's biggest and most violent province, while also fighting as the main U.S. battlefield ally in Iraq.

Starmer's remarks were notably strong coming from a leader who has tended to avoid direct criticism of Trump in public.

Trump told Fox Business Network's "Mornings with Maria" on Thursday the United States had "never needed" the transatlantic alliance and accused allies of staying "a little off the front lines" in Afghanistan.

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His remarks added to already strained relations with European allies after he used the World Economic Forum in the Swiss ski resort of Davos to again signal his interest in acquiring Greenland.

Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel condemned Trump's remarks on Afghanistan, calling them untrue and disrespectful.

Britain's Prince Harry, who served in Afghanistan, also weighed in. "Those sacrifices deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect," he said in a statement.

'WE PAID IN BLOOD FOR THIS ALLIANCE'

"We expect an apology for this statement," Roman Polko, a retired Polish general and former special forces commander who also served in Afghanistan and Iraq, told Reuters in an interview.

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Trump has "crossed a red line", he added. "We paid with blood for this alliance. We truly sacrificed our own lives."

Britain's veterans minister, Alistair Carns, whose own military service included five tours including alongside American troops in Afghanistan, called Trump's claims "utterly ridiculous".

"We shed blood, sweat and tears together. Not everybody came home," he said in a video posted on X.

Richard Moore, the former head of Britain's MI6 intelligence service, said he, like many MI6 officers, had operated in dangerous environments with "brave and highly esteemed" CIA counterparts and had been proud to do so with Britains closest ally.

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Under NATO's founding treaty, members are bound by a collective-defence clause, Article 5, which treats an attack on one member as an attack on all.

It has been invoked only once - after the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington, when allies pledged to support the United States. For most of the war in Afghanistan, the U.S.-led force there was under NATO command.

POLISH SACRIFICE 'MUST NOT BE DIMINISHED'

Some politicians noted that Trump had avoided the draft for the Vietnam War, citing bone spurs in his feet.

"Trump avoided military service 5 times," Ed Davey, leader of Britain's centrist Liberal Democrats, wrote on X. "How dare he question their sacrifice."

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Poland's sacrifice "will never be forgotten and must not be diminished", Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said.

Trump's comments were "ignorant", said Rasmus Jarlov, an opposition Conservative Party member of Denmark's parliament.

In addition to the British deaths, more than 150 Canadians were killed in Afghanistan, along with 90 French service personnel and scores from Germany, Italy and other countries. Denmark - now under heavy pressure from Trump to transfer its semi-autonomous region of Greenland to the U.S. - lost 44 troops, one of NATO's highest per-capita death rates.

The United States lost about 2,460 troops in Afghanistan, according to the U.S. Department of Defense, a figure on par per capita with those of Britain and Denmark.

(Reporting by Sam Tabahriti and Elizabeth Evans in London, Stine Jacobsen in Copenhagen and Terje Solsvik in Oslo, Malgorzata Wojtunik in Gdansk, additional reporting by Andrew MacAskill, Muvija M and James Davey in London and Bart Meijer in Amsterdam; Writing by Sam Tabahriti; editing by Gareth Jones, Andrew Heavens, Ros Russell and Diane Craft)
The Duke of Sussex has said British soldiers who served and died in Afghanistan deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect.

Prince Harry joined Sir Keir Starmer who earlier condemned Donald Trumps remarks about Nato troops in Afghanistan as insulting and frankly appalling.

The Prime Minister also suggested the US President should apologise for the comment which has sparked a huge backlash in Britain.

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Former soldier Harry, who carried out two frontline tours to Afghanistan, said in a statement on Friday evening: In 2001, Nato invoked Article 5 for the first  and only  time in history.

It meant that every allied nation was obliged to stand with the United States in Afghanistan, in pursuit of our shared security.

Prince Harry during his time in Afghanistan (PA Archive)

Allies answered that call.

I served there. I made lifelong friends there. And I lost friends there.

The United Kingdom alone had 457 service personnel killed.

Thousands of lives were changed forever.

Mothers and fathers buried sons and daughters.

Children were left without a parent. Families are left carrying the cost.

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Those sacrifices deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect, as we all remain united and loyal to the defence of diplomacy and peace.

Speaking in Downing Street Sir Keir paid tribute to the 457 British personnel who died and those who were injured during the two decades that UK forces were deployed to Afghanistan.

I will never forget their courage, their bravery and the sacrifice they made for their country, he said.

There were many also who were injured, some with life-changing injuries.

British soldiers in Helmand province (PA Media)

Donald Trump with Sir Keir Starmer (PA Wire)

I consider President Trumps remarks to be insulting and frankly appalling and I am not surprised they have caused such hurt to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured and, in fact, across the country.

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In response to comments from Diane Dernie, mother of severely injured veteran Ben Parkinson, the Prime Minister added: Ive made my position clear, and what I say to Diane is, if I had misspoken in that way or said those words, I would certainly apologise and I'd apologise to her."

Trump has been hit by a wave of condemnation after claiming Nato troops from European nations stayed away from the front line in Afghanistan.

The UK government dismissed the US president as plainly wrong in his comments about European armed forces.

A minister praised Britains military for their honour, valour and patriotism, stressing many UK soldiers gave their lives fighting in Afghanistan.

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The Prime Minister's spokesman added on Friday morning: "The President was wrong to diminish the role of NATO troops, including British forces, and their role in Afghanistan."

More than 450 members of Britains armed forces lost their lives in Afghanistan

Trump sparked a furious backlash among MPs and veterans following his comments in an interview with Fox News in which he reiterated his suggestion that Nato would not support America if asked.

He said: Weve never needed them. Theyll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan... and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.

Health minister Stephen Kinnock, on the media round for the Government, dismissed Trumps comments as deeply disappointing.

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He added: It just doesnt really add up what he said because the fact of the matter is the only time Article V (on NATO mutual defence) has been invoked was to go to the aid of the United States after 9/11.

He emphasised: Many many British soldiers and many soldiers from other European Nato allies gave their lives in support of American-led missions in places like Afghanistan and Iraq.

The only time Nato Article V mutual defence clause has been invoked is after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on America (Getty Images)

He stressed further: Im incredibly proud of our armed forces. They have put their lives on the line for our country.

They are the definition of honour and valour and patriotism.

Anybody who seeks to criticise what they have done and the sacrifices that they make is plainly wrong.

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President Trumps comments are deeply disappointing.

Defence Secretary John Healey said: "Nato's Article 5 has only been triggered once. The UK and NATO allies answered the US call. And more than 450 British personnel lost their lives in Afghanistan.

"Those British troops should be remembered for who they were: heroes who gave their lives in service of our nation."

Trump remarks drew condemnation from across the political spectrum, with critics pointing to the 457 British deaths in Afghanistan and highlighting Trumps avoidance of military service in Vietnam.

Calvin Bailey MP (left) (Calvin Bailey)

Leyton and Wanstead Labour MP Calvin Bailey, a former RAF officer who served alongside US special operations units in Afghanistan, said theUS presidents claim bears no resemblance to the reality experienced by those of us who served there.

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Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty, who served in Afghanistan as a captain in the Royal Yorkshire Regiment, added that it was sad to see our nations sacrifice, and that of our Nato partners, held so cheaply by the president of the United States.

457 British troops lost their lives in Afghanistan.



Trump avoided military service 5 times.



How dare he question their sacrifice. Farage and all the others still fawning over Trump should be ashamed. pic.twitter.com/4xmsAYnt76  Ed Davey (@EdwardJDavey) January 22, 2026

Tan Dhesi, chairman of the Commons Defence Committee, said the presidents comments were appalling and an insult to our brave British servicemen and women, who risked life and limb to help our allies, with many making the ultimate sacrifice.

And Foreign Affairs Committee chairwoman Dame Emily Thornberry described them as so much more than a mistake, and an insult to the families of those who had died.

Trump has previously been criticised for avoiding being conscripted to fight in Vietnam thanks to being diagnosed with bone spurs in his heels  a claim that has been subject to significant doubt.

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Former soldier, author and journalist Stephen Stewart said: Trumps comments are as offensive as they are inaccurate.

Its hugely ironic that someone who allegedly dodged the draft for the Vietnam War should make such a disgraceful statement.

He has desecrated the memory of hundreds of British soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan, people who we called friends and comrades.

If he was a man of honour, he would get down on bended knees to ask forgiveness from the families of the fallen.

Sir Ed Davey said the UK must never play midwife to American aggression against a Nato ally in the Greenland row (PA Wire)

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said in a post on X: Trump avoided military service 5 times.

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How dare he question their sacrifice. Farage and all the others still fawning over Trump should be ashamed.

The UK suffered the second highest number of military deaths in the Afghanistan conflict, behind the US, which saw 2,461 deaths.

In total, Americas allies suffered 1,160 deaths in the conflict, around a third of the total coalition deaths.

Mr Bailey also pointed to the high number of deaths per capita suffered by Denmark, which sent troops to fight alongside the British in Helmand province but has now had to fend off Trumps bid to annex Greenland.

He said: As I reminded the US forces I served with on the 4th of July in 2008, we were there because of a shared belief, articulated at Americas founding, that free people have inalienable rights and should not live under tyranny.

That belief underpinned the response to 9/11, and it is worth reflecting on now.

America remains the only country to have invoked the collective security provisions of NATOs Article 5, with the alliance to provide support to the US after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

During his decade-long full-time military career, the Harry fought the Taliban in 2007 and returned to Afghanistan for a second tour of duty in 2012, and qualified as an Apache aircraft commander.

He began training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in May 2005.

The duke became a Cornet in the Blues and Royals, joining the Household Cavalry regiment and, in May 2006, began training to become a troop leader of an armoured reconnaissance unit.

He spent four-and-a-half months learning how to be a recce soldier at Camp Bovington in Dorset.

In February 2007, the Ministry of Defence confirmed Harry would be heading to Iraq on a six-month deployment, making him the first royal for 25 years to serve in a conflict zone.

Yet three months later, just before Harry was due to leave, he was pulled out of the tour of duty after intelligence revealed insurgents were specifically planning to target him and it was too dangerous to allow him to go.

The duke was reportedly devastated and considered quitting, but the hope of going to Afghanistan in the future kept him in the Army.

In late 2007, he was able to undertake a 10-week tour of duty fighting the Taliban in dangerous Helmand Province, operating as a battlefield air controller behind enemy lines.

The secret mission, however, ended early after it was leaked on the internet.

Upon his return, Harry was dubbed the Warrior Prince, Harry the Brave, and One of Our Boys by the press for fighting for his country.

The duke was promoted from second lieutenant to lieutenant in April 2008.

Hoping to go back to Afghanistan, he retrained and qualified as an Apache helicopter pilot after rigorous training in Britain and America.

He was promoted to the rank of captain in April 2011 and and also awarded his Apache Badge from the officer in command of his Squadron at the same time.

In September 2012, he made it back to Afghanistan for a 20-week stint which gave him the chance to use his Apache flying skills and head out on operations in his role as co-pilot gunner.

Kensington Palace officially confirmed Harrys departure from the Army in March 2015, marking the end of 10 years of service.
Donald Trump's claim that Nato troops in Afghanistan stayed off the front line "picks the scab off wounds that never healed," a bereaved mother said.

Lucy Aldridge, whose 18-year-old son William died in a bomb blast in Afghanistan in 2009, said it would have upset the families of those who never came home as well as hurting every Nato member who sent troops to fight.

"The families of those who were lost to that conflict live the trauma every day. I'm not just deeply offended, I'm actually deeply disgusted," Aldridge, of Bromyard in Herefordshire, said.

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The UK was among several allies to join the US in Afghanistan. During the conflict, 457 British service personnel were killed.

Trump's words, recorded in an interview with Fox News, was not just misspeaking but has affected "I can imagine, every NATO member who sent troops to fight in Afghanistan and certainly the families of those who never came home," she said.

"He has no compassion for people that don't serve him personally and I don't think that's a great quality for a leader of a country."

Rifleman William Aldridge was one of five soldiers from the 2nd Battalion The Rifles who died in the same incident [PA Media]

Trump said on Thursday he was "not sure" the NATO military alliance would be there for the US "if we ever needed them".

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"We've never needed them," he said, adding: "We have never really asked anything of them."

"They'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan," he said, "and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines".

Trump made the comments in an interview with Fox News while in Davos [Reuters]

Government leaders have criticised the remarks with Health and Social Care minister Stephen Kinnock saying BBC he was "disappointed" by the remarks.

He told BBC Breakfast Trump's claim "doesn't really add up" and his remarks "don't really bear any resemblance to reality".

"They put their lives on the line to defend our country. I am disappointed by President Trump's comments," he said.

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Rifleman Aldridge joined the Army in December 2007 and died 47 days after his 18th birthday.

He was one of five soldiers from the 2nd Battalion The Rifles who died in the same incident after being caught in a series of explosions while on foot patrol in Helmand Province.

Despite being injured in the first explosion, Rifleman Aldridge continued to help his colleagues and assisted field medics before the second device exploded, killing him and three others.

Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.

More on this story
ISTANBUL, Jan 23 (Reuters) - A Turkish court rejected on Friday a lawsuit from jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu challenging the cancellation of his university degree, his legal team said, in a further blow to his plans to run for the presidency in the next election.

Imamoglu, who is President Tayyip Erdogan's main political rival, has been in jail since last March, pending trial on corruption charges. He received a separate prison sentence in July for insulting and threatening the citys chief prosecutor.

Without a university degree, Imamoglu cannot stand as a candidate for president. His legal team told Reuters that he would appeal against Friday's court ruling.

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His jailing has been criticised by Imamoglu's opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), other opposition parties, some Western leaders and rights groups as an anti-democratic move aimed at eliminating an electoral threat to Erdogan.

Imamoglu himself has denied all the accusations against him, saying they are politically motivated. Erdogan's government denies political pressure on the courts and says the judiciary is independent.

Istanbul University said last March it had annulled Imamoglus degree, days before the opposition picked him as its presidential candidate in the next election, which is scheduled to take place in 2028.

Imamoglu has said the university's decision was illegal and outside its jurisdiction.

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In a post on X, CHP Vice Chair Burhanettin Bulut said the court's dismissal of the diploma case amounted to a political decision that showed the judiciary was being used against rivals.

(Reporting by Daren ButlerEditing by Ece Toksabay and Gareth Jones)
27-year-old Anthony Barron of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, and 25-year-old Caleigh Kent of Whitinsville, Massachusetts, were arraigned in Wrentham District Court Friday for allegedly abusing two young children at the Bright Path Child Care Center in Medway.

Pleas of Not Guilty were entered for both on their behalf

The investigation began in November, when a parent told police their child came home from the Day Care Center with visible bumps, scratches, and bruises above the childs eyebrow up to the hairline.

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Kent and Barron were teachers in the toddlers class.

A prosecutor told the judge surveillance video showed Kent and Barron getting physically aggressive with the victims.

Your honor, there are several incidents of this, but just to give you a brief description, it did involve throwing one of the victims onto a bed or a cot and one into a bookshelf, resulting in injury, Prosecutor Katherine Marsh told the court.

Medway Police say one of the defendants filed a false injury report, while the other gave a false statement to a family member.

The prosecutor said neither Barron nor Kent tried to stop the abuse. Both victims are less than 2 years old.

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Medway police say video surveillance from inside the Day Care Center is critical to the investigation.

Fortunately for us, video surveillance really was integral in figuring out what happened and providing them a voice into what happened, Medway Police Det. Sgt. Lauren Swarthout told me.

Both Barron and Kent were released on personal recognizance. They did not speak to Boston 25.

Both defendants have been fired from their jobs and are facing a series of charges, including 2 counts each of assault and battery on a child under 14.

As a condition of their release, Barron and Kent are ordered to stay away from day care centers; they are also prohibited from working with children, the elderly, and the disabled.

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They are due back in court on March 13th.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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By Harold Isaac and Sarah Morland

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Two of Haiti's leaders said on Friday they aimed to proceed with a plan to remove Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime, despite U.S. warnings that such a move would face consequences.

"We are the ones who appointed Didier Fils-Aime in November 2024. We are the ones who worked with him for a year, and it is up to us to issue a new decree naming a new prime minister, a new government and a new presidency," Transitional Presidential Council member Leslie Voltaire told a press conference.

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The council, which sacked its first prime minister six months into the job, acts as the country's top executive. It was appointed in 2024 to oversee a move towards Haiti's first election in a decade, but this has been repeatedly pushed back due to a collapse in security amid a bloody conflict with powerful, heavily armed gangs.

Fils-Aime, speaking at a police event later on Friday said of the move to oust him that neither "criminals wearing ties or criminals wearing flip flops" would dictate the law and warned that anyone who stood against the police or the state would face a firm response "without weakness, without compromise."

At the event, U.S. Charge d'Affaires Henry Wooster said it was "essential" that Fils-Aime stay on to safeguard the fight against gangs.

The council's mandate is due to end on February 7, but as yet there is no official succession plan in place.

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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a call with Fils-Aime early on Friday, a U.S. government spokesperson said, during which he emphasized the importance of the prime minister remaining in his post to ensure stability. He also insisted on the council's dissolution by the end of its mandate, threatening "a steep cost" for politicians deemed to be corrupt.

Five of the nine council members have signed a resolution to remove Fils-Aime, four of those members told local outlets. But it has yet to be published in the country's official gazette, a necessary step before the decision becomes legally valid.

COUNCIL DISAGREEMENTS

Voltaire spoke alongside fellow council member Edgard Leblanc Fils, who said the plan was to replace Fils-Aime following established procedures within 30 days.

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Voltaire said there would be a "pause" to allow Haiti's political groups to come up with an acceptable solution for the succession, and that the council would decide on a governance structure if no consensus was reached.

Both Voltaire and Fils blasted the U.S. comments as disrespectful to the country's sovereignty.

Appointed in April 2024, the council's term has been marked by infighting, corruption allegations and worsening insecurity.

Last year, a Haitian court threw out a summons against three council members accused of corruption, saying they were protected by their governing status. Those three members, two of whom said they signed the resolution to oust Fils-Aime, kept their posts but were excluded from a rotating roster of council presidents.

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Speaking to Radio Kiskeya on Thursday, Louis Gerard-Gilles, one of the members supporting the ouster, said the prime minister could be replaced by Finance Minister Alfred Metellus, a public-sector veteran and former consultant at the Inter-American Development Bank.

(Reporting by Harold Isaac and Sarah Morland; Editing by Natalia Siniawski, Rosalba O'Brien and Tom Hogue)
London  A British man was to appear in court Friday accused of drugging and raping his ex-wife for over 13 years, alongside five other men also charged with sexual offenses against her.



Philip Young, 49, is facing 56 sexual offense charges for alleged abuse of his former wife Joanne Young, 48, including rape and administering a substance with the intent to stupefy or overpower to allow sexual activity.



Joanne Young has waived her legal right to anonymity, drawing parallels to the 2024 trial in France during which Gisele Pelicot waived her right to anonymity to raise awareness about sexual violence. She was drugged and raped by her husband, and dozens of men he invited to join in the abuse, for years in their home.



Voyeurism, possession of indecent images of children and possession of extreme images are among the other charges filed against Young. CBS News' partner network BBC reports that Young served as a local government councilor with the Conservative party between 2007 and 2010. Prosecutors say the alleged crimes took place between 2010 and 2023.

He is yet to enter a plea, and was remanded in custody after a hearing in December.



Young was to be joined by five other men, aged 31 to 61, also accused of various sexual offenses against his ex-wife, at Winchester Crown Court, a criminal court southwest of London.



Norman Macksoni, 47, pleaded not guilty to one count of rape and possession of extreme images. Dean Hamilton, 47, pleaded not guilty to one count of rape and sexual assault by penetration, as well as two counts of sexual touching.

The three others have not yet entered pleas.



They include Connor Sanderson-Doyle, 31, charged with sexual assault and sexual touching; Richard Wilkins, 61, charged with rape and sexual touching; and Mohammed Hassan, 37, charged with sexual touching.



Wiltshire Police detective superintendent Geoff Smith said in a statement in December that the case against Young and his co-defendants stemmed from a "complex and extensive investigation."

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A number of members of Congress are taking a stand for Haitis women and girls, warning that their bodies can no longer serve as a battleground for the countrys deepening crisis.

Forty-eight Democrats in the House have signed onto a resolution introduced by Democratic Rep. Yvette Clarke of New York condemning what it describes as the systematic sexual violence carried out by armed gangs and the lack of protection, services and accountability for survivors. The measure calls for urgent action by Haitis authorities and its international partners.

The failure to center womens leadership and women-specific needs and protections in Haitis transition threatens the effectiveness of the transition and the long-term security, democracy, and socioeconomic development of Haiti, the resolution states.

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The dire conditions faced by Haitian women and girls today are difficult to put into words. From widespread sexual and gender-based violence, to their near-total exclusion from the political power they need to overcome their desperate situation, the daily devastation they are experiencing cannot be overstated, and must not be ignored, Clarke said.

She noted that in just two weeks, more than 350,000 Haitians in the U.S. will face the end of their Temporary Protected Status and the possibility of being deported back home.

As we stand on the brink of Haitis TPS expiration on February 3rd that would condemn hundreds of thousands more to the same chaotic environment too many are already suffering, my colleagues and I are proud to introduce this resolution that makes our humanitarian and moral obligations clear., Clarke added. In a just and decent nation, these words would not have to pass through the halls of Congress to be accepted as a universal truth. But that is not what America is today under the brutal thumb of the Trump administration. And so, we will continue to call for justice for our Haitian sisters, and we will continue to demand the immediate extension of TPS for our Haitian neighbors. This president should know that the longer our calls go unanswered, the louder they will become.

Gang violence remains widespread across Haiti, where rape is routinely used as a tool of punishment and control. A Miami Herald investigation, Haitis Lost Generation, found that between January and September of last year the country recorded an average of 27 cases of gender-based violence a day, based on more than 7,400 cases reported to humanitarian organizations.

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Sexual assaults accounted for more than half of the reported cases of gender-based violence  a broad phrase that includes acts that inflict psychological, physical, mental or sexual abuse or suffering based on an individuals sex. Assaults involving several attackers accounted for 65% of the rapes. Fifteen of the victims were killed after they were raped, according to the Human Rights Service of the U.N. Integrated Office in Haiti, which has recently stepped up monitoring of sexual crimes.

In a report published this week, the U.N. office said that between Sept. 1 and Nov. 30, its Port-au-Prince office documented 449 incidents of sexual violence involving 430 women, 35 girls and a boy.

Collective rape remained the predominant violation, accounting for 74% of incidents, while sexual slavery, often linked to kidnappings and the exploitation of children by gang members, continued to be reported, the report said.

During the same period, the gender-based violence category recorded 1,692 cases, of which 70% involved rape or sexual assault. Access to survivor-centered support remained limited, with only 28% of rape survivors gaining access to medical care within the critical 72-hour window, the U.N. Integrated Office added.

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In addition to highlighting the violence women and girls continue to face in Haiti, the resolution calls for womens full participation in the countrys political life.

Read More: Haitis Lost Generation

Haiti is at a critical juncture. The Trump administration has ended temporary legal protections for more than 300,000 Haitians as of Feb. 3. Four days later, Haitis Transitional Presidential Council is scheduled to step down. The council, which has sought to remain in power, has been warned by Washington that it cannot do so and that an effort late Wednesday to remove Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime from office would run opposite to U.S. interests.

The Congress members described the situation as alarming. Among those who signed the resolution are Hakeem Jeffries, the House minority leader, and Democratic Reps. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Frederica Wilson of Florida.

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Human rights and feminists groups welcomed the resolution, which has a companion in the Senate thats being spearheaded by Democratid Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, the ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee..

The proposed resolution represents an extraordinary measure of solidarity with Haitian women and girls and with Haitian civil society, said Sasha Filippova, senior staff attorney for the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti. Members of Congress are saying that the U.S. government, Haitis international partners, and Haitis transitional government are violating womens rights, and in the process undermining their own efforts to establish peace and stable democracy in Haiti. The representatives have also aligned their calls for immediate measures with those that have been urged by Haitian womens rights and other civil society leaders  including what almost 200 organizations have put forward through the Policy Framework for an Effective and Equitable Transition.

Read More: What happens to a child born of rape? Grandma raises the baby her daughter rejects

The document notes the failings of the current transitional government when it comes to women and girls: There is just one woman on the nine-member presidential council  and she doesnt have a vote. The document also accuses the minister on the Status of Women and Womens Rights of trying to change and dilute the Ministrys mandate away from advancing the rights of women and girls.

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Deploring these persistent failures and deeply concerned with their impact on the success of Haitis transition, we, feminist and human rights organizations based in Haiti and throughout the world, demand urgent measures to secure the rights of women and girls as part of Haitis transition, the group said, providing recommendations for immediate policy changes.

Pascale Solages, co-director of Haiti-based feminist group Neges Mawon, said securing womens empowerment, addressing womens distinct needs and confronting gender-based violence are central and indispensable to securing lasting peace and prosperity in Haiti.

But we are instead seeing women left out of leadership; we are seeing womens distinct needs and safety being treated as marginal or ignored altogether; and we are seeing elections being planned without consideration of gendered political violence and structural exclusions that, if unaddressed, will entrench and deepen inequality and instability in Haiti, Solages said.

Lawyer Kattia Dorestant-Lefruy, co-director of the Haiti-based Bureau des Avocats Internationaux, said in the organizations daily encounters with survivors of sexual violence we are seeing horrific abuses and an absence of effective responses.

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Those on the front lines of trying to respond to the sexual violence crisis note that there is a lack of outrage inside Haiti and in the international community. For example, European nations have been frustrated in their negotiations with the U.S. as it seeks to deploy a new U.N.-backed Gang Suppression Force to help Haiti fight armed groups. U.S. officials refuse to recognize gender-based violence and foreign diplomats believe not enough attention is being paid to the rampant rape crisis as part of the forces operations.

On Wednesday, as members of the U.N. Security Council met in New York to discuss the deteriorating situation in Haiti, Denmarks permanent representative said his country remains alarmed by Haitis mounting humanitarian and human rights crises.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres shared a report with the council ahead of the meeting that said he remains deeply concerned by the continued use of sexual violence by gangs, which terrorizes communities, entrenches cycles of trauma and fear and systematically undermines the safety and dignity of women and girls.
NAIROBI, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Uganda's military chief said on Friday that authorities had detained 2,000 opposition supporters, killed 30, and were hunting for more following a disputed presidential election in which his father, Yoweri Museveni, won a seventh term.

The elder Museveni, 81, has led the East African nation for nearly four decades. He was declared to have resoundingly defeated Bobi Wine, leader of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), in the January 15 vote, held during an internet blackout.

Wine, a former musician whose legal name is Robert Kyagulanyi, rejected the result, alleging widespread irregularities including ballot stuffing, and went into hiding.

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ARMY CHIEF CONDEMNS OPPOSITION 'TERRORISTS'

In a series of overnight social media posts, military chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Museveni's son, gave the first details of the arrests and killings of NUP supporters, describing them as hooligans and terrorists.

"So far we have killed 30 NUP terrorists," Kainerugaba said on X, without explaining the circumstances of the deaths. "Most NUP terrorist leaders are in hiding. We shall get them all," he said in another post.

The government has accused Wine's supporters of violence during the election while the opposition says its members were attacked by security forces. Reuters has not been able to authenticate the allegations.

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A police spokesperson declined to give any further comment on the situation. Military spokesperson Chris Magezi could not be reached for comment.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern on Thursday over the arrests and violence involving opposition figures and supporters.

"He (the Secretary General) notes the importance of restraint by all actors and respect for the rule of law and Uganda's international human rights obligations," his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said.

Wine has alleged that hundreds of his supporters have been illegally detained in recent months for their political affiliation, and accused authorities of intimidation.

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Uganda's opposition parties and rights activists say some of those arrested are held in unofficial detention centres where some are tortured.

The crackdown intensified with the detention of Muwanga Kivumbi, a lawmaker and Wine's deputy in the NUP, on Thursday. Two other senior NUP figures have been reported missing for days.

On Friday, Kivumbi appeared in court in Butambala to be charged with terrorism. He was remanded in custody until February 3, the rights group Agora Discourse said in a post on X. It did not say how Kivumbi had pleaded and the identity of HIS lawyer was unclear.

Wine, 43, has said he fled his residence after a raid by security personnel shortly after the election.

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Museveni is widely believed to be grooming Kainerugaba, who has expressed presidential ambitions, as his successor.

(Writing by Nairobi newsroom; Additonal reporting by Michelle Nichols;Editing by Philippa Fletcher and Kevin Liffey)
A UK paper packaging manufacturer has been ordered to pay a 433,333 fine following an incident in which a worker sustained severe, permanent injuries when a heavy machine collapsed during relocation work.

The prosecution highlights serious failings in workplace safety planning, particularly for lifting operations and machinery hazards, raising concerns across the packaging sector about adherence to risk-management standards.

Worker critically injured during machinery repositioning

On 31 October 2023, a 39-year-old employee, identified as Matthew King, was involved in a machine-relocation task at the East Kilbride facility of Multi Packaging Solutions UK Limited.

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During the move of a 4.5-tonne paper packaging machine, it slipped off a forklift and struck Mr King on the head while he was positioned underneath it.

The worker suffered a severe skull fracture, nerve damage, double vision, loss of peripheral vision, facial palsy and hearing impairment. He has been left with lasting disabilities that have impacted his ability to drive and required multiple surgeries and ongoing support, according to the UK regulator.

The improvised relocation involved lifting the machinery with a forklift and placing skates underneath to pull it forward. The load had previously detached from the forklift on more than one occasion, signalling a lack of appropriate lifting planning and hazard assessment.

Inadequate lifting operations and safety planning

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) concluded that the lifting operation had not been properly planned or organised by a competent person.

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Inspectors found that the characteristics of the load, including weight, dimensions and centre of gravity, were not assessed, and there was no safe system of work for moving the heavy equipment.

Under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER), employers must ensure that all lifting activities are planned, supervised and carried out safely by competent personnel.

HSE pointed out that moving heavy machinery was not a routine task at the site and should have been treated as a special lifting operation requiring detailed risk assessment.

The court ruled that Multi Packaging Solutions UK Limited breached Regulation 8(1)(a) and (c) of LOLER. The company pleaded guilty and was fined at Hamilton Sheriff Court on 20 January 2026.

Implications for machinery safety and risk assessment

The sentencing serves as a reminder to companies in the packaging industry and beyond of the importance of comprehensive machinery safety risk assessments, especially for tasks involving heavy or irregular loads.

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According to recent UK safety guidance, lifting operations should be planned in advance, with all foreseeable risks eliminated or controlled and suitable equipment selected for the task.

HSE officials noted that the incident was entirely preventable had a proper safe system of work been in place, reflecting wider concerns about compliance with workplace safety legislation across manufacturing sectors.

The case underscores the need for firms handling industrial machinery and heavy equipment in packaging production to review their workplace risk management procedures and training, with a particular focus on machinery hazards and lifting operations.

"UK packaging company fined 433,000 over machinery accident" was originally created and published by Packaging Gateway, a GlobalData owned brand.




" " A focus on preventative healthcare goes a long way in Japan. BaLL LunLa / Shutterstock

If you are researching the best countries for healthcare, you are really comparing how well national systems deliver quality medical care, control costs, and produce strong health outcomes.

International rankings typically look at universal coverage, healthcare spending, patient safety, life expectancy, administrative efficiency, and access to primary care services.

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Based on recent international surveys from organizations like the World Health Organization and the Commonwealth Fund, these countries consistently stand out.
In December, as it often has during the ongoing war between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the British government urged accountability, expressing concerns about the mass-scale death and devastation that civilians have suffered.

But reporting has shown that, behind the scenes, the United Kingdom rejected more ambitious plans to prevent atrocities as violence escalated.

Further east, the UK has officially backed the territorial integrity of Somalia  while holding a stake in a strategic port in the breakaway region of Somaliland that it does not recognise.

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These decisions and moves by the UK, say analysts, raise doubts about whether its words are in keeping with its actions in the Horn of Africa.

Amgad Fareid Eltayeb, a Sudanese policy analyst, said the UKs credibility is increasingly judged by the risks it is willing, or unwilling, to take.

When people believe your words and your actions diverge, they stop treating you as a broker and start treating you as an interest manager, he told Al Jazeera.

Enabler of aggression in Sudan

That judgement, analysts argue, now colours how the UKs actions elsewhere in the region are being read.

In Sudan, earlier reports show how the UK government opted for what internal documents describe as the least ambitious approach to end the bloodshed, even as mass killings by the RSF mounted in Darfur, including around el-Fasher.

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Eltayeb argues that this has led the UK to be viewed not as a marginal or distracted actor, but as a central one whose diplomatic posture has helped shape how the war is framed internationally.

He referred to reports that the United Arab Emirates has armed or supported RSF  allegations documented by UN experts and international media and denied by Abu Dhabi  and said the UK had emerged as an enabler of the Emirati aggression in Sudan. The aim: To whitewash RSF atrocities in the diplomatic framing of the war.

Asked about its approach to Sudan, the UK Foreign Office told Al Jazeera: The crisis in Sudan is the worst we have seen in decades  the UK government is working with allies and partners to end the violence and prevent further atrocities from occurring.

We need both the parties to support a ceasefire; this means unrestricted humanitarian access and a peace process with transition to a civilian government.

Recognise Somalia, do business with Somaliland

The Foreign Office did not respond to questions about the UKs role in Somalia or its commercial engagement in Somaliland, where scrutiny has increasingly centred on the port of Berbera.

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The British government co-owns the port through its development finance arm, British International Investment (BII). The port is jointly owned by the UAE-based logistics firm DP World and the government of Somaliland  even though the UK does not officially recognise that government. The UAE, too, formally does not recognise Somaliland.

Berbera sits near one of the worlds most important maritime corridors linking the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. An impact assessment commissioned by the UK Foreign Office described it as a strategic gateway to Somaliland and a potential alternative trade corridor for Ethiopia, language that places it firmly within the regions geopolitical architecture.

The ports strategic value is not new. Matthew Benson-Strohmayer, a social and economic historian of Africa at the London School of Economics (LSE), noted that Berbera has repeatedly been treated by external powers as strategic infrastructure first, and a political community second. It has served at different points as a British coaling station, a Soviet naval base during the Cold War, and now a commercial logistics hub shaped by Gulf and Western interests.

The Sudan-Somaliland link

That wider architecture has become more politically charged as Sudans war has spilled across borders.

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Observers have suggested that Berbera is part of a broader Emirati logistics network that United Nations experts and international media have linked to alleged supply routes used to arm the RSF. The UAE has consistently denied these allegations.

For critics, the UKs commercial entanglement with that alleged network raises uncomfortable questions. While London publicly calls for accountability in Sudan, it remains financially tied, via the BII, to a port operated by the UAE, a close regional partner accused of backing one side in the war next door.

Abdalftah Hamed Ali, an independent Horn of Africa analyst, said this highlights what many critics see as a gap between principle and practice.

Even if London disputes those linkages, he said, the perception problem remains.

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The sensitivity has deepened as Somalilands political status has returned to the diplomatic spotlight. Last month, Israel became the only country to formally recognise Somalilands independence, a move condemned by Mogadishu and rejected by the wider international community.

For analysts, these developments underscore why claims that economic engagement can be kept separate from politics are increasingly difficult to sustain.

Ali said Berbera cannot be treated as a neutral commercial asset.

Ports in the region are not just economic assets; they are nodes in a security and influence ecosystem, he said. When investment touches ports, free zones, and long-term trade access, it becomes politically legible. People interpret it as strengthening one authoritys bargaining position, whether that is the intention or not.

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In Somalilands case, that political legibility cuts several ways: Reinforcing its de facto autonomy, reshaping regional alliances, and entangling external actors, the UK included, in a dispute London  officially  says should be resolved through dialogue rather than external alignment.

Ali described the UKs approach as a dual-track policy.

Britain maintains its formal diplomatic line with the recognised Somali state, but it also works with Somaliland as a de facto authority because it is stable and functions and controls territory, he said.

LSEs Benson-Strohmayer explained that after declaring independence in 1991, Somaliland was excluded from international recognition and large-scale foreign aid. Early governments were forced to rely on locally raised revenue, particularly taxation linked to Berbera port, a dependence that gave domestic actors leverage to demand representation and accountability.

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In 1992, when a transitional government attempted to seize control of Berbera by force, local clan authorities resisted. The standoff ended in compromise, helping to entrench Somalilands power-sharing system.

Benson-Strohmayer, who also serves as Sudan Research Director at LSE, described this dynamic as a revenue complex, in which fiscal control and political legitimacy are tightly intertwined.

Large external infrastructure investments, he warned, risk undermining that bargain.

When states can finance themselves through deals with external investors rather than negotiations with local constituencies, the fiscal contract changes, Benson-Strohmayer said.

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Such projects, he added, reconfigure who controls revenue flows, who benefits from the port economy, and who gains political leverage. In territories with unresolved political status, infrastructure investment can enable what he described as governance through commercial presence  allowing external actors to extract strategic value while avoiding explicit political responsibility.

Ambiguity by choice

The UKs position, Benson-Strohmayer argued, exemplifies this ambiguity.

British formal support for Somalias territorial integrity, paired with deepening commercial and security engagement with Somaliland, he said, gives it port access, counterterrorism cooperation and commercial returns, while avoiding the political costs of a clear position.

Over time, this can undermine institutional consolidation on both sides: Allowing Mogadishu to avoid meaningful negotiations over Somalilands status, while weakening Somalilands domestic accountability mechanisms by bypassing local political bargaining.

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The UKs posture in Somaliland has drawn scrutiny before. In 2023, Declassified UK reported that the British government suppressed the release of a report into the killing of civilians during clashes in Somaliland, a decision critics then said prioritised political relationships over transparency and accountability. British officials said at the time that decisions around the report were taken in line with diplomatic and security considerations.

Read together, analysts say the UKs decisions in Sudan and Somalia reflect a single approach applied in different contexts: Preserving access and partnerships while avoiding moves  diplomatic pressure, public confrontation or policy shifts  that would narrow its room for manoeuvre.

Ali argued that while this approach may secure short-term influence, it carries longer-term costs, particularly in a region as politically entangled as the Horn of Africa.

In the Horn, where alliances overlap with regional rivalries and the conflict economy, mixed signals can quickly become a liability, he said. You lose the moral authority to press for political compromise if local actors think your incentives lie elsewhere.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has suggested that Donald Trump should apologise for his claims that European troops were not on the front lines in the war in Afghanistan.

In a rare direct rebuke of the United States president, Starmer said on Friday that Trumps earlier comments to US broadcaster Fox News that NATO allies stayed a little off the front lines in Afghanistan were insulting and frankly appalling.

Asked whether he would demand an apology from Trump, Starmer said, If I had misspoken in that way or said those words, I would certainly apologise.

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Starmer also paid tribute to the 457 British personnel who died after joining the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 that followed the September 11 attacks on the US.

Later on Friday, the White House rejected the United Kingdom leaders criticism of President Trump.

President Trump is absolutely right  the United States of America has done more for NATO than any other country in the alliance has done combined, White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said in a statement sent to the AFP news agency.

Trumps comments came after he withdrew a threat to impose tariffs on several European countries that opposed his demands that the US take over Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark.

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Speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Trump said on Thursday that he was not sure NATO would be there to support the US if and when requested, saying, Weve never needed them, we have never really asked anything of them.





Mothers and fathers buried sons and daughters

More than 150,000 UK armed forces personnel served in Afghanistan, making the country the second-largest contributor to the US-led coalition that sought to destroy al-Qaeda and the armed groups Taliban hosts.

Alongside the US and UK forces were troops from dozens of countries, including from NATO, whose collective security clause, Article 5, had been triggered for the first time after the attacks on New York and Washington.

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More than 150 Canadians were killed in Afghanistan, along with 90 French service personnel and dozens from Germany, Italy and other countries.

Denmark, which remains under pressure from Trump over Greenland, lost 44 soldiers.

The US reportedly lost more than 2,400 soldiers.

At least 46,319 Afghan civilians died as a direct result of the 2001 invasion, according to a 2021 estimate by Brown Universitys Costs of War project.

The figure did not include indirect deaths caused by disease or lack of access to food, water and infrastructure.





Trumps comments provoked collective outrage across Europe, where patience with the US president appeared to be wearing thin at the end of a week when his threats to annex Greenland reached a crescendo.

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Transatlantic relations took a hit as the US president threatened to slap tariffs on European nations opposed to his ambitions to annex the territory, which raised questions over the future of NATO.

And though Trump appeared to back down after a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, in which they formed the framework for a deal over Arctic security, his comments about NATO troops in Afghanistan drew widespread criticism.

On Friday, Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel condemned Trumps remarks, calling them untrue and disrespectful.

And Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said his country was a reliable and proven ally, and nothing will change that.

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The UKs Prince Harry weighed in, saying the sacrifices of British soldiers during the war deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect.

Thousands of lives were changed forever, said Harry, who undertook two tours of duty in Afghanistan in the British Army.

Mothers and fathers buried sons and daughters, he said. Children were left without a parent. Families are left carrying the cost.




A handful of technicians closely monitor a wall of screens and dial in the control room at the Khmelnytsky nuclear plant  a vast facility in western Ukraine that's now vital to Ukraine's energy grid and its war effort.

Ukraine is facing an acute energy crisis after months of relentless Russian attacks on its infrastructure. At least 60% of the country's electricity comes from the giant turbine halls at Khmelnytskyi and two other nuclear plants.

Showing me around is Pavlo Kovtonyuk, the head of Energoatom - Ukraine's National Nuclear Energy Company. All these installations, he says, are under the very real threat of attack from Russia.

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"At present, Russia is trying to attack substations that connect nuclear power plants to the grid, to shut down nuclear energy," he tells me.

"This is nuclear terrorism, because the connection between the systems and the nuclear power plant is what ensures their safe and reliable operation."

Nuclear power stations are secure and sensitive installations where access to those not directly involved in their operation is heavily restricted. The BBC was given rare access to the plant to see how Ukraine is coping with Russia's intense attacks.

"Russia is trying to attack substations that connect nuclear power plants to the grid... This is nuclear terrorism", Source: Pavlo Kovtonyuk, Source description: Head of Energoatom, Image: Pavlo Kovtonyuk, the head of Energoatom, Ukraines National Nuclear Energy Company

Under nightly attack from hundreds of missiles and drones, Ukraine accuses Russia of targeting its critical energy infrastructure. President Volodymyr Zelensky says Moscow is deliberately exploiting the ferociously cold winter, leaving tens of thousands of people across Ukraine without power, heating or running water.

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Most of the country's conventional power plants have been hit or damaged in Russian airstrikes and that is why nuclear power plants like Khmelnytskyi are now providing most of the country's energy needs.

But Ukraine's biggest power plant, on the southern stretch of the Dnipro River near Zaporizhzhia, has been controlled by Russia since the start of the war.

Not only is it the biggest in Ukraine, it is also the largest nuclear power station in Europe, able to generate enough electricity to supply a country the size of Portugal. But Zaporizhzhia is now in "dormant" mode, not generating electricity and with Russian technicians and troops in charge of the plant.

That's why the future of the Zaporizhzhia site is one of the most critical points of any possible future peace deal between Ukraine and Russia. Recent reports suggest Ukraine wants to control the plant 50/50 with the US, with half the energy coming to them and the other half distributed by the US as it sees fit  perhaps even to Russia.

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On our tour of the Khmelnytskyi complex we met some staff, now employed here, who were working at Zaporizhzhia when Russia attacked on the night of 3 March 2022. Among them were Dariia Zhurba, a technician at the plant, and her engineer husband, Ihor.

"It was scary. It was really frightening when they occupied. We were at home that night," Dariia told me.

Dariia was a technician at the Zaporizhzhia plant, while her husband Ihor was an engineer [BBC]

"We heard explosions, shooting so we hid in our corridor, as the gunfire and explosions continued," said her husband. "In the morning, we realised we were occupied."

The couple continued to work at the plant for a few weeks until things became "unbearable", as the Russians gradually took control of the operation.

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They were eventually able to leave, via occupied Ukraine, Russia, Belarus and Poland on a journey where everything they had, including their phones and possessions, were first of all scrutinised by their Russian captors.

"They checked everything in our phones, connected them to special devices so they could search our contacts, all social media, even the things we'd 'liked'," said Dariia, now happy to be living in a small modular home provided by the Swedish government next to her new workplace.

"They even interrogated us about who are relatives were, who had served in the Ukrainian army and who didn't."

They escaped Zaporizhzhia. Others, less fortunate, did not.

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"We know cases where people were taken to the 'basement' where they were interrogated and things like that," says Ihor.

"Basement" is often a reference to where people in the occupied territories were tortured.

The power plant is vital for Ukraine's energy grid after relentless Russian assaults [BBC]

"There were also cases when other people were taken and then went missing," Ihor told me with a shrug of his shoulders. "I knew some of them - not close friends, but we worked at the same station."

We've also been in touch with Ukrainian workers, still working at the Zaporizhzhia plant under Russian direction and control.

Speaking over encrypted social media they paint a picture of a chaotic environment where "maintenance work on the equipment is practically not happening". Russian soldiers are present and military equipment is also being stored at the Zaporizhzhia complex, said our sources.

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Of most concern to plant workers, Energoatom managers and  ultimately  the wider world, is what happens if, as Moscow insists, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant remains under Russian control in the event of a ceasefire agreement.

Although the plant is not currently operational, its nuclear reactors still need to be maintained and cooled to prevent overheating and radiation levels rising.

However, electrical substations that provide power to the plant, to help with cooling, have been damaged by the war. Also, Energoatom officials say, ponds that supply water for the cooling process have sometimes been allowed to run dangerously low by the Russians.

Furthermore, four of Zaporizhzhia's energy blocks use American-made fuel systems  a transition begun by Ukraine in previous years. Yet Russian technicians are not trained nor would they able to operate those systems in the event of the plant being restarted, say Ukrainian officials.

Russia seized the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant at the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine [AFP via Getty Images]

The head of Russia's Rosatom nuclear agency, Alexei Likhachev, insists Russia is maintaining the plant, adding that under Russia law no other operator is entitled to run it: "It is currently ensuring the plant's safe operation under the most difficult combat conditions."

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It is important to point out that officials from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) do, on occasion, cross into Russian-occupied territory to inspect the Zaporizhzhia plant. Under the protection of temporary ceasefires, the IAEA says it also supervises repair work to damaged power lines and the maintenance of critical cooling systems.

In a statement released last week, the IAEA said it had sent a team from Vienna to the site to check on the latest repair works.

"A deterioration of Ukraine's power grid from persistent military activity has direct implications on the nuclear safety of its nuclear facilities," said Director General Rafael Grossi in the statement. "The IAEA will, as a priority, continue to assess the functionality of these critical substations."

Ukrainian officials, though, say Russia is dangerously neglecting the site and say a repeat of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster is a real threat.

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On 26 April 1986 a reactor at the Chernobyl nuclear plant in northern Ukraine exploded after a test went wrong. The disaster spread nuclear contaminants across Europe, and authorities have since built a giant dome to try to contain radioactive materials there.

"In my view, it could be much worse than Chernobyl, because at Chernobyl there was an explosion of a single reactor unit with fuel," says Energoatom director Pavlo Kovtonyuk.

The director is measured in his words because it a frightening prospect, adding "If Russia brings the situation to the point of core melting and melting of fuel in the spent fuel pools, the contamination could be greater [than Chernobyl]."

"It would not be explosive, and it could be stretched out over time, but the contamination could be greater!"

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It is a sobering thought on which to end our visit to Khmelnytskyi and it is obvious to see why the immediate and long-term future of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear complex is such a contentious issue.

There is evidence that Russia has already begun to build power lines away from Zaporizhzhia in the direction of occupied territories and Russia itself, in the event of the plant being restarted to generate electricity, under Moscow's control.

That simply cannot be allowed to happen, say Ukrainian leaders and nuclear officials.

Not only is Ukraine's own energy matrix and needs dependent on the Zaporizhzhia plant, but a nuclear accident along the lines predicted by some experts would have implications and repercussions far beyond these borders.
Ukraine is on the brink of "a humanitarian catastrophe" after months of Russian airstrikes on the energy system, and any future peace agreement must include a halt to attacks on energy infrastructure, Maksym Tymchenko, CEO of DTEK, the largest private energy company in Ukraine, has said.

Source: Reuters

Details: Tymchenko said Russia, which launched its full-scale invasion nearly four years ago, has conducted a campaign of "energy terror" since October 2025, striking power plants and overloading air defence systems.

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The authorities report that Kyiv and the surrounding regions have been hardest hit, and Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko has urged residents to temporarily leave if possible.

Quote from Tymchenko: "We need an energy ceasefire. A ceasefire on the energy assets. How can you talk about peace and [keep] attacking people, and knowing that people are freezing? How can these things go in parallel?"

Details: Tymchenko noted that Ukraine has experienced two weeks of temperatures between -15 and -20 degrees Celsius, during which Russia has targeted its gas transportation, storage and production facilities. Russia claims it is striking military and energy infrastructure supposedly used by Ukrainian forces.

Quote from Tymchenko: "We are close to a humanitarian catastrophe. People get power for 3-4 hours, then a 10- to 15-hour break. We have apartment blocks [that have been] without heat for weeks already."

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Details: He added that Ukraine is holding on thanks to gas imports, including from the US, as the attacks force its own gas, coal and hydropower plants to operate below capacity. DTEK has lost 60-70% of its generating capacity and suffered hundreds of millions of dollars of damage.

Tymchenko estimated the cost of rebuilding Ukraine's energy system at US$65-70 billion, citing World Bank assessments. He noted that in many cases entirely new assets are needed: "This is more about building a new energy system in Ukraine than just reconstruction."

He said US asset manager BlackRock has recently become a key player in preparing the US-Ukraine plan for recovery.

Tymchenko stressed the need to move faster on decentralising generation, including by introducing new solar projects, green energy parks and storage systems, as dispersed assets are harder to hit with drones and missiles. "We cannot count on a peace deal being signed. We need to start preparing today," he added, calling for critical equipment to be stockpiled and air defences strengthened.

Background:

As of 18:00 on 23 January, 1,200 apartment buildings in Kyiv remain without heating and are being reconnected for the second time following Russian attacks on 9 and 20 January.

On the morning of 23 January, 1,940 apartment buildings in Kyiv were still without heating.

Klitschko urged residents who can do so to leave the city and advised those who stay to stock up on food, water and medicines, saying the situation is difficult and could get worse.

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Peace talks between Ukraine, Russia and the United States began on Friday in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Gulf country said, as the meeting is set to focus on territorial issues, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The trilateral talks, being held in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi, is due to continue on Saturday, the Emirati Foreign Ministry added in a statement.

UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed hoped the talks would contribute to "tangible steps" to end the crisis of nearly four years.

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At the core of the talks is whether Ukraine will agree to Russia's condition for a ceasefire and withdraw from the part of Donbass that is still under Kiev's control.

The Donbass is an area in eastern Ukraine that is primarily focused on the provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk in the country's traditional coal-mining region.

"The Donbass issue is a key issue" for the talks, Zelensky told journalists earlier Friday.

There have been no direct official meetings between the two warring parties for several months, with Istanbul being the most recent venue.

However, Russian and Ukrainian military officials have used Abu Dhabi for informal meetings to discuss the exchange of prisoners of war.

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Washington has for months been leading efforts to get Russia and Ukraine to reach a peaceful solution, but the two sides still have conflicting positions.

Moscow claims the entire eastern Ukrainian province of Donetsk, and controls just under 80% of it. Kiev has so far refused to withdraw voluntarily.

The neighbouring Luhansk province is almost completely controlled by Russian troops.

Yuri Ushakov, a foreign policy adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, said Thursday that without a solution to the territorial issue, there would be no lasting peace, according to the Russian state news agency TASS.

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As long as there is no sustainable solution to the conflict, he added, Russia will continue the fighting.

Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday that the territorial issues should be clarified in accordance with the Anchorage agreements, referring to a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Putin in Alaska in August.

However, Peskov refused to specify what this meant - given there were no formal summit conclusions - saying only: "We don't think it's appropriate," according to the Interfax news agency.

"Russia's position is known: that Ukraine and the Ukrainian armed forces must leave the Donbass region," he said.

War set to enter fifth year

Ukraine has been defending itself against the Russian invasion for almost four years, since February 24, 2022.

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In recent months Ukraine has suffered major hits to its power generation capacity from Russian strikes, and Russian forces on the front lines have made slow advances.

Representatives of the Russian Defence Ministry have been sent to join a security working group, Peskov said.

These are known to include the head of the GRU military intelligence service, Igor Kostyukov.
LONDON (AP)  British Prime Minister Keir Starmer signaled Friday that U.S. President Donald Trump should apologize for his false assertion that troops from non-U.S. NATO countries avoided the front line during the Afghanistan war, describing Trump's remarks as insulting and frankly appalling.

Trump's comment that he wasn't sure the other 31 nations in NATO would be there to support the United States if and when requested, provoked outrage and distress across the United Kingdom. regardless of individuals' political persuasion.

Weve never needed them, we have never really asked anything of them," Trump said of non-US troops in an interview with Fox Business Network in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday. "You know, theyll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan, or this or that, and they did  they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.

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That view stands at odds with the reality that in October 2001, nearly a month after the Sept. 11 attacks, the U.S. led an international coalition in Afghanistan to destroy al-Qaida, which had used the country as its base, and the group's Taliban hosts. Alongside the U.S. were troops from dozens of countries, including from NATO, whose mutual-defense mandate had been triggered for the first time after the attacks on New York and Washington.

UK sacrifice

In the U.K., the reaction to Trump's comments was raw.

Starmer paid tribute to the 457 British personnel who died and to those have been left with profound life-long injuries.

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I will never forget their courage, their bravery and the sacrifice they made for their country, Starmer said. I consider President Trumps remarks to be insulting and frankly appalling and I am not surprised they have caused such hurt to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured and, in fact, across the country.

Without naming Trump, Prince Harry weighed in to the furor too, saying the sacrifices of British soldiers during the war deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect.

Thousands of lives were changed forever," said Harry, who undertook two tours of duty in Afghanistan in the British Army and who lost friends there. Mothers and fathers buried sons and daughters. Children were left without a parent. Families are left carrying the cost.

After 9/11, then Prime Minister Tony Blair said that the U.K. would stand shoulder to shoulder with the U.S. in response to the al-Qaida attacks. British troops took a key role in many operations during the Afghan war particularly in Helmand Province in the south of the country, until their withdrawal from combat operations in 2014. British troops remained, in a support role, alongside the U.S. military until the chaotic withdrawal in 2021 when the Taliban returned to power.

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More than 150,000 British troops served in Afghanistan in the years after the invasion, the largest contingent after the American one.

Ben Obese-Jecty, a lawmaker who served in Afghanistan as a captain in the Royal Yorkshire Regiment, said that it was sad to see our nations sacrifice, and that of our NATO partners, held so cheaply by the president of the United States."

Trump and Vietnam

Anger was further fueled by the fact that the comments came from someone who didn't serve in the Vietnam War at a time when he was eligible.

Its hugely ironic that someone who allegedly dodged the draft for the Vietnam War should make such a disgraceful statement," said Stephen Stewart, author of The Accidental Soldier, an account of his time embedded with British troops in Afghanistan.

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Trump received a deferment that allowed him to not serve in Vietnam because of bone spurs, but he has been unable to remember in which foot, leading to accusations of draft dodging.

Repeated NATO slights

It wasn't the first time that Trump downplayed the commitment of NATO countries over the past few days. It has been one of his pivotal lines of attack as he escalated his threats to seize Greenland, a semiautonomous territory belonging to Denmark.

Trumps allegation that NATO countries wont be there when requested stands in stark contrast to reality.

The only time Article 5 of NATOs founding treaty has been used was in response to the 9/11 attacks on the U.S. The article is the key mutual defense clause, obliging all member countries to come to the aid of another member whose sovereignty or territorial integrity might be under threat.

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When America needed us after 9/11 we were there, former Danish platoon commander Martin Tamm Andersen said.

Denmark has been a stalwart ally of the U.S. in Afghanistan, with 44 Danish soldiers killed there  the highest per capita death toll among coalition forces. Eight more died in Iraq.

The latest controversy surrounding Trump comes at the end of a week when he has faced criticism  and pushback  for his threats to Greenland.

Trump also threatened to slap tariffs on European nations opposed to his ambitions to annex Greenland, which raised questions over the future of NATO. And though Trump backed down after a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in which he said they formed the framework for a deal over Arctic security, trans-Atlantic relations have taken a hit.

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His latest comments are unlikely to improve relations.

Diane Dernie, whose son Ben Parkinson suffered horrific injuries when a British Army Land Rover hit a mine in Afghanistan in 2006, said that Trump's latest comments were the ultimate insult and called on Starmer to stand up to Trump over them.

Call him out, she said. Make a stand for those who fought for this country and for our flag, because its just beyond belief."

Taking her up on that, Starmer said what I say to Diane is, if I had misspoken in that way or said those words, I would certainly apologize and Id apologize to her.

___

Anders Kongshaug contributed to this report from Copenhagen, Denmark.
At least 21 United Nations staff members were deliberately killed in the line of duty last year - more than in the two previous years combined, a UN union committee reported on Thursday.

Of those, 12 were UN peacekeepers - personnel deployed to help maintain peace in many parts of the world, the committee said. The remainder were working as civilians.

The 21 deliberately killed is more than the some five killed in 2024 and at least 11 in 2023, the data showed.

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Those killed in 2025 came from Bangladesh, Sudan and South Sudan, South Africa, Uruguay, Tunisia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Kenya, Zambia and the Palestinian territories.

The highest number of deaths, six in total, occurred in the Abyei area on the border between Sudan and South Sudan, while there were three each in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic.

In addition, 119 staff members of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) were killed in the Gaza war last year, according to the figures, although they were not deliberately targeted.
In a deeply divided U.S. House in which practically every vote seems contentious, its good to know that some ideas can still pass with literally no opposition. The New York Times reported:

The House on Thursday voted unanimously to tuck language into a spending bill that would repeal a law that created a new avenue for senators to sue the government if federal investigators gained access to their phone records without notifying them. The 427-0 vote amounted to a bipartisan rebuke of the Senate after leaders in that chamber in November slipped the legal provision into legislation to reopen the government after the nations longest shutdown.

After Congress ended last falls government shutdown, the public learned of a provocative provision that Senate Republicans had slipped into the package. Under the language in the bill, GOP senators whose phone records were searched as part of special counsel Jack Smiths investigation into the Capitol riots of Jan. 6, 2021, would have the ability to file lucrative lawsuits. (Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas told Politico that it was Senate Majority Leader John Thune himself who made sure this provision was included in the final bill.)

Even by contemporary congressional standards, it was a brazen move  in part because the GOPs Arctic Frost claims appear baseless, in part because the provision was added to the legislation in secret, and in part because its rare to see senators empower themselves to file dubious lawsuits in which they would personally be rewarded with taxpayer money.

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A Roll Call report added, Congress flouted several legal principles with an unusual provision creating a streamlined path only for senators to file lawsuits and collect at least $1 million each for government actions in the previous administration, experts and critics say.

A variety of senators, including some of the GOP members whose phone records were subpoenaed, distanced themselves from the provision. But not Sen. Lindsey Graham, who was one of the eight GOP senators eligible for a possible payout. He boasted that he intended to take advantage of the opportunity and told Fox News in November that he plans to sue the hell out of these people, to the tune of tens of millions of dollars.

Theres still no evidence that these people did anything wrong.

None of this was well received in the House, including among some GOP members who were annoyed that they had been excluded from the potential payoffs.

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Shortly before Thanksgiving, the House approved a measure on a 426-0 vote designed to block GOP senators from cashing in on the faux controversy. Predictably, Republican leaders in the upper chamber ignored the effort.

So this week the House tried again, adding the same prohibition to a must-pass spending bill, which passed late Thursday.

For his part, the Senate majority leader has tried to defend the policy thats generated bipartisan rebuke, telling NBC News in November, What this does is enables people who are harmed  in this case, United States senators  to have a private right of action against the weaponization  by the Justice Department.

Reality, however, is stubborn: The senators were not actually harmed in any way, and theres literally no evidence to support the partys claim of weaponization.

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It remains unclear whether the amendment to the spending bill will survive when the Senate takes up the legislation. Watch this space.

This post updates our related earlier coverage.

The post In unanimous vote, House tries to block Senate Republicans from cashing in on faux scandal appeared first on MS NOW.

This article was originally published on ms.now
Patients and doctors denounce UnitedHealth on the steps of Wall Street as the company's record profits were announced on January 16, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for People's Action Institute)

An expensive therapy praised as the gold standard for helping autistic children gain the skills they need to become self-sufficient is being limited by insurance companies as autism diagnoses in America have more than doubled in the last decade.

In 2022, the Centers for Disease Control estimated the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder for 8 year-olds at 1 in 31, up from 1 in 69 a decade earlier.

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The costs associated with applied behavioral analysis (ABA), a widely-used, but expensive therapy that experts say improves outcomes for children with autism, is generally paid for by insurance.

According to providers and the Governors Council on Developmental Disabilities, since the beginning of the year, an unknown number of autistic children in Nevada have been denied ABA benefits, or were required to pay more for the services they need, such as one-on-one help from an aide  a registered behavior technician  during school hours. The technicians work under the supervision of a behavioral analyst, adding to the expense of the therapy.

Insurance companies determine the extent of ABA benefits, including reimbursement for one-on-one assistance, based on each childs individual challenges, says Amy Novak, the owner of a school that serves autistic children.

Novak says she began hearing rumblings before winter break from parents who said insurance providers intended to deny ABA benefits to children during school hours.

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Its a medical necessity, observes Novak. How can the insurance company decide when they receive it?

Many children on the autism spectrum lack the skills to attend school, says Novak. They go to ABA for six to eight hours per day. They go to speech, they go to occupational therapy or whatever recommended intervention, typically using their medical insurance.

Affected policies, according to providers and parents, are from UnitedHealth Care, one of the largest insurance companies in the nation, and its subsidiaries, including Health Plan of Nevada and Sierra Health.

Novak attributes the newly-imposed limitations on benefits to corporate greed and worries other providers will follow suit.

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In 2024, ProPublica reported that cutting ABA benefits is part of UnitedHealth Groups secret internal cost-cutting campaign that targets a growing financial burden for the company: the treatment of thousands of children with autism across the country.

In 2024, UnitedHealth reported record revenue of $400.3 billion. Net income for the year was down 36% from the previous year. The company announces its 2025 earnings next week.

UnitedHealth subsidiaries in Nevada also offer Nevadas public option, the Battle Born State plans, as well as Affordable Care Act-compliant insurance, and Medicaid plans.

A UnitedHealth Care representative said late Thursday the company would investigate the concerns of providers and the Governors Council.

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The Nevada Division of Insurance and the Silver State Exchange, which administers ACA plans, did not respond to inquiries.

Unsustainable financial hardship

While families reasonably anticipated premium increases for 2026, what they encountered instead were last-minute, undisclosed changes to coverage, Catherine Nielsen, executive director of the Governors Council on Developmental Disabilities, told state lawmakers at an interim meeting of the Health and Human Services Committees in early January.

Nielsen says the Governors Council is reviewing whether HPNs limitation on ABA benefits complies with state and federal requirements.

Employer-sponsored plans have remained comparatively insulated, Nielsen wrote in a letter to Nevadas state and federal lawmakers. The result is a two-tiered system in which childrens access to medically necessary care depends not on clinical need, but on how their parents obtain insurance.

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Interruptions in ABA therapy for young children can contribute to regression, delayed progress, and increased need for more intensive support later, Nielsen told lawmakers during the early January committee meeting. For families, sudden changes in coverage or costs may jeopardize employment stability and household financial security.

U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Mastos spokeswoman Lauren Wodarski said the senator believes this underscores the need for stronger oversight to prevent insurers from shifting costs in ways that effectively block access to care.

Nielsen wrote to lawmakers that families relying on government-subsidized plans, including Affordable Care Act marketplace plans and Medicaid, appear to be bearing a disproportionate share of these cost increases, network reductions, and access limitations. Families, she added, are reducing hours of medically necessary therapy or absorbing unsustainable financial hardship to maintain the care.

Nevada families currently pay an estimated $2,945 in annual out of pocket costs for an autistic child, according to ProPublica.

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Families in a number of states have had access to ABA compromised as states cut Medicaid benefits to save money. Nevada officials, however, contend Medicaid benefits for ABA remain intact.

Nevada Medicaid has a robust coverage policy for this service, which reflects feedback from provider and community stakeholders. There have been no recent changes to this coverage, and none are currently planned, Nevada Health Authority Chief of Staff Allison Genco Herzik said via email.

Herzik said there are currently no waitlists for Medicaid recipients to access authorized ABA benefits from managed care organizations. Families experiencing difficulty accessing service should reach out to their managed care plan or the states district offices, she said.

Nielsen of the Governors Council says Herziks statement does not fully reflect the documented realities families are experiencing, adding that families experiences and the states own internal acknowledgements indicate that meaningful access barriers still exist, even when formal waitlists are not captured in managed care reporting.

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State staff, she said, in response to requests for information from the Autism Treatment Assistance Program, disclosed:

There are currently 156 children on the program waitlist due to staffing capacity, with wait times under 90 days;

Caseload capacity is a significant constraint. Only one new Developmental Specialist was approved for the biennium and that position will not be available until year two;

The state does not track how many children are unable to secure an ABA provider or provider-level waitlists. As a result, the conclusion that there are no waitlists reflects a data gap rather than confirmed access; and,

State staff have confirmed a provider shortage driven primarily by workforce limitations. Some providers have paused or exited participation due to staffing challenges or administrative oversight requirements.

Experts estimate that around 37 million children in the United States rely on Medicaid for health care, therapy, and other services, the Nevada Autism Center wrote on its website last year. For most disabled children, Medicaid is the only option they have available to be able to afford their needs.

The cost of ABA services for Medicaid recipients have skyrocketed, according to Herzik, who says Nevada Medicaid paid $75 million to providers for ABA therapy in 2025, up nearly 350% since 2021.

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To be clear no changes have been made, Nevada Health Authority Director Stacie Weeks said Thursday night of Medicaid coverage. Such changes would require state public workshop/feedback and federal approval if we were to make changes. At this time, we are experiencing the opposite of what the Council is reporting which is a spike in utilization and costs for these services.

Nielsen cautions that increased utilization and spending do not necessarily indicate timely or equitable access, particularly for early intervention-aged children or families navigating provider scarcity and coordination delays.

Nielsen says shes working with the state to obtain answers, but has not received clarification. She says Gov. Joe Lombardos office is aware of the situation. He did not respond to requests for comment.
AMERICAN TOWNSHIP  The University of Northwestern Ohio recently purchased 8.1 acres of land on Eastown Road.

The university purchased the property at 2008 N. Eastown Road from McBrakin LLC for $325,000 on Jan. 13, according to a deed filed with the Allen County Recorders Office.

A four-bedroom home is located on the property.

Stephanie Malloy, vice president for marketing and public relations at UNOH, said there are no development plans for the property at this time.
By Andy Sullivan

WASHINGTON, Jan 22 (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department said on Thursday it had brought criminal charges against a man who allegedly shared classified military information with a Washington Post reporter, whose house was raided during the investigation.

Aurelio Perez-Lugones, 61, is accused of taking classified reports from his workplace at a government contractor and sharing them with the reporter, who cited them in news articles, according to the Justice Department. A grand jury approved an indictment that charges Perez-Lugones with unlawfully transmitting and retaining classified information, Justice Department officials said. He faces up to 10 years in prison.

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Lawyers for Perez-Lugones did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The case drew widespread attention after FBI agents last week raided the home of the reporter, Hannah Natanson. Press freedom groups said it was a highly unusual move that threatens journalistic freedom, and a federal judge on Wednesday temporarily blocked prosecutors from reviewing material that was seized during the raid. The Post said Natanson was told she is not a target of the investigation.

Under U.S. President Donald Trump, the Justice Department has reversed a policy that had barred prosecutors from seizing records from reporters in most circumstances.

(Reporting by Andy Sullivan; Editing by Sergio Non and Diane Craft)
12:30 Report is The Hills midday newsletter. Subscribe here.

Its Thursday! The forecast for this massive winter storm is looking gnarly. Fifty-five percent of the contiguous U.S. may feel its effects. Stock up on eggs, milk and bread (or more like hot chocolate, bagel bites and Cheetos for a good time).

In todays issue:

Trump launches peace board sans EU allies

Greenland tensions de-escalate

Jack Smith defends Trump charges

Sinners sets Oscar nomination record

 IN SWITZERLAND

Join my club. It only costs $1B to join! And Im the chair:

President Trump, center, sits on stage with international leaders after the signing of a Board of Peace charter during the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Trump unveiled a new international board for global peace and security and to promote stability. (That sounds an awful lot like the United Nations, doesnt it?)

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While Trumps Board of Peace initiative in Gaza has drawn parallels with the U.N., none of the U.S.s major European allies is involved.

Neither is Canada. In fact, several European leaders have voiced concerns this new board could attempt to replace the longstanding U.N. Security Council.

More than 20 countries have signed on so far, and Trump named himself the chair.

Which countries *did* agree to be a part of the Board of Peace?: The list includes Argentina, Belarus, Morocco, Vietnam, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kosovo, Hungary, Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, Jordan, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.

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The White House initially released a list that included Belgium, but Belgiums deputy prime minister quickly said otherwise. Trump also invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to join.

What will this board do?: Its purpose is to oversee the reconstruction of Gaza. To join, countries must agree to pay $1 billion. The presidents son-in-law Jared Kushner is on the founding Executive Board and so is Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

 Trumps new presidential cars in the motorcade

Related read, via The New York Times: Trumps Board of Peace Would Have Global Scope but One Man in Charge

The gist: The initiative is the latest example of the presidents dismantling the post-World War II international system and building a new one, with himself at the center.

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 Follow todays live blog

 TIDBIT FROM DAVOS:

At one point on Wednesday, the main venue for the World Economic Forum was evacuated by firefighters.  Footage of the evacuation

 WHEN IS TRUMP GETTING HIS NEW PLANE?:

The Wall Street Journal reports that the new Air Force One being donated by Qatar will be ready for Trump by this summer. It could be featured in the 250th anniversary celebrations in July.

Framework of a future deal is the new I have concepts of a plan:

Trump says he has reached the framework of a future deal with NATO on Greenland, and he will no longer impose the tariffs he threatened on European countries.

The de-escalation has allowed many leaders, both nationally and internationally, to breathe a sigh of relief. However, The Hills Sudiksha Kochi and Mike Lillis spoke with lawmakers in both parties, some of whom are worried that the damage to NATO and the transatlantic alliance has already been done.

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What we know about this framework: Its the ultimate long-term deal, and I think it puts everyone in a pretty good position, especially as it pertains to security and minerals and everything else, the president told reporters in Davos. Read more on what we know about the deal

For what its worth: Finlands president says its not over yet with regards to Greenland.

Related read, via The Wall Street Journal: Alarm Over Trumps Greenland Threat Gives Way to Uncertainty Around Future Deal

The gist: There was little clarity about what would happen next after the president made an abrupt U-turn in his push to take control of the island.

 INTERESTING ANALYSIS:

The New York Timess Ana Swanson published a new analysis of Trumps reversal on tariffs over Greenland.

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Excerpt: The president may have walked away from a brewing trade war with Europe as quickly as he began it, but what he left in his wake was another destabilizing moment in global trade. And as those moments pile up, they are having their own effects  including increasing doubts about the value of cooperating with the president and undermining some of the trading system he and his advisers have been working to create. His approach has also pushed countries away from the United States, toward one another and, more important, toward China.

Read: Trump Returns to a Familiar Role: Sowing Trade Chaos

 ON CAPITOL HILL

Hear from Jack Smith himself:

Former special counsel Jack Smith is publicly testifying today on his decision to bring charges against Trump.

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Its going exactly how you would expect. Republicans on the committee have been combative and skeptical of Smith, while Democrats have been supportive and friendly toward him.

Smith stood by his decision to investigate Trump over his efforts to overturn the 2020 election and his alleged mishandling of classified documents.

President Trump was charged because the evidence established that he willfully broke the law, the very laws he took an oath to uphold, Smith said.

Smith swarmed by cameras

 Watch Smiths public testimony

Will the government shut down at the end of January?:

Trump thinks so. He predicted this morning the U.S. is likely headed to a shutdown, already dubbing it another Democrat shutdown.

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The [prior] shutdown cost us a lot, and I think theyll probably do it again. Thats my feeling. Well see what happens, Trump told host Maria Bartiromo on Fox Businesss Mornings with Maria.

Where things stand: So far, six of the 12 government funding bills have been passed. The House passed two more. The Senate is out this week and will likely vote on them next week when senators return from recess.

So far, Democrats dont appear to have much of an appetite for another shutdown. But funding for the Department of Homeland Security has been hotly debated because it includes funding for the Trump administrations immigration policies.

 OTHER NEWS

 QUICK HITS:

 Prince Harry testified in a London court, telling the court that British tabloids made Meghan, the Duchess of Sussexslife absolute misery.

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 The newest immigration crackdown is in Maine, and its been named Operation Catch of the Day.

 Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) told CNN that he is seriously considering running for president in 2028.

 MORE READS:

The New York Times: Investigations and a Billion-Dollar Shakedown: How Trump Targeted Higher Education

The Washington Post: Can your health records be sold for profit? A lawsuit says its happening.

Op-ed in The New York Times: Ive Covered Police Abuse for 20 Years. What ICE Is Doing Is Different.

NewsNation: Will Trumps plan to limit institutional investors lower home prices?

Puck News: Baris Prison of Her Own Design

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COMING UP

The House is in. The Senate is out. President Trump is flying back to Washington from Switzerland. (All times EST)

2:30 p.m. Industry CEOs testify on health care affordability. Video

3:45 p.m. Last House votes of the day.  Todays agenda

This evening: Trump returns to the White House.

INTERNET BUZZ

 Celebrate: Today is National Blonde Brownie Day!

 Well, I know what movie Im watching when Im snowed in: Sinners set an Oscars record with 16 nominations.

AND FINALLY

Because Im here for the drama, watch this cat fake an injury for attention.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The United States has issued a strong warning to Haitis Transitional Presidential Council (TPC), cautioning the unelected body against altering the governments structure amid calls for the countrys first elections in nearly a decade.

The U.S. Embassy in Haiti declared: The United States would consider that any person who supports such a destabilizing initiative, which favors the gangs, would be acting against the interests of the United States, the region, and the Haitian people, and will take appropriate measures accordingly.

The embassy added that such efforts would undermine progress toward a minimal level of security and stability in Haiti, amid surging gang violence and deepening poverty, per the Associated Press.

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A separate U.S. letter to council members, reported by Caribbean National Weekly, stated: The U.S. objective for Haiti remains the establishment of baseline security and stability. The U.S. would regard any effort to change the composition of the government by the non-elected TPC at this late stage in its tenure to be an effort to undermine that objective and as such null and void. The U.S. would consider anyone supporting such a disruptive step favoring the gangs to be acting contrary to the interests of the United States, the region, and the Haitian people and will act accordingly.

The warning follows a failed motion on Wednesday to remove Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime, which initially had support from five council members but collapsed when Advisor Smith Augustin declined to back it. Analysts attribute the outcome partly to U.S. Embassy influence.

Council leader Laurent Saint-Cyr rejected destabilizing actions ahead of the councils provisional end date on February 7.

As major institutional deadlines for the Nation approach, any initiative likely to fuel instability, confusion or a breakdown of trust carries serious risks for the country, he wrote. Haiti cannot afford to make unilateral decisions or engage in short-sighted political calculations that would compromise the stability and continuity of the State, as well as the well-being of the already sorely tested population.

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The TPC, formed in April 2024 with Caribbean support after gang attacks forced former Prime Minister Ariel Henrys resignation, has appointed two confirmed prime ministers, with Fils-Aimea former Chamber of Commerce headtaking office in November 2024 after Garry Conilles removal.

Elections remain delayed by violence, tentatively set for August with a December runoff.

Gangs control about 90% of Port-au-Prince and have expanded centrally, with over 8,100 homicides recorded from January to November last year (likely undercounted). Haitian police, backed by an under-resourced U.N.-supported Kenyan-led mission (now shifting to a gang suppression force with arrest powers), struggle amid the crisis.

The government has used private contractors for drone strikes against suspected gang members, killing over 970 people from March to December, including 39 civilians (11 children killed, 9 children injured), per the U.N. human rights office.

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At a U.N. Security Council session, special representative Carlos Ruiz-Massieu urged: Haiti has entered a critical phase in its process of restoring democratic institutions. The country no longer has time to waste in prolonged infighting.

Panamanian Ambassador Eloy Alfaro de Alba called it a critical juncture with just days left in the councils mandate.

Haitis U.N. representative Ericq Pierre emphasized responsibility: Theres a need to approach this deadline with a sense of responsibility  to sustain continuity of state and avoid any disruptions that may undermine the operation of national institutions.

The U.S. Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs posted on X that Haitis turmoil stems from corrupt Haitian politicians who use gangs and other armed groups to create chaos in the streets and then insist on a role in government to turn down the chaos they themselves have created. It added: Real stability will come when political leaders get their power from the support of voters rather than their ability to sow chaos. The members of the (council) who have followed this path are not Haitian patriots. They are criminals like the gangs they conspire with.

The instability traces to the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise.
By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON, Jan 22 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday that Washington welcomed Iraq's initiative to detain Islamic State members in secure facilities in Iraq while also urging nations to repatriate their citizens in these facilities "to face justice."

"The United States welcomes the Government of Iraq's initiative to detain ISIS terrorists in secure facilities in Iraq, following recent instability in northeast Syria," Rubio said in a statement.

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"Non-Iraqi terrorists will be in Iraq temporarily; the United States urges countries to take responsibility and repatriate their citizens in these facilities to face justice."

Iraq's Supreme Judicial Council said on Thursday it would begin legal proceedings against Islamic State detainees transferred from Syria, a day after the U.S. military announced its forces had transferred 150 of the suspected militants from Syria to Iraq.

The U.S. military has said its operation could eventually see 7,000 detainees moved out of Syria.

The United Nations said it was taking management responsibility for vast camps in Syria housing tens of thousands of women and children associated with the Islamic State, after the rapid collapse of Kurdish-led forces who guarded them for years.

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Iraq has begun taking in detainees transferred from prisons in Syria as the Kurds retreat, and has called on other countries to help take them in.

"This is a critical part of a long-term framework to prevent an ISIS resurgence, in line with proper burden sharing among Coalition members," Rubio said on Thursday.

More than 10,000 members of the Islamic State, and tens of thousands of women and children associated with them, have been held for years in about a dozen prisons and detention camps guarded by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Syria's northeast.

The SDF has rapidly retreated this week after clashes with Syrian government forces, raising concern about security at prisons and humanitarian conditions at the camps.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by David Gregorio)
A House bill would expand ratemaking principles in Iowa. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Lawmakers advanced an energy policy bill Thursday from a House subcommittee, but asked for suggestions to improve the bill from utilities and ratepayer organizations who voiced concern about the bill.

House Study Bill 519 would expand the projects eligible for certain ratemaking principles in Iowa and encourage nuclear energy and energy storage projects.

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While major utilities MidAmerican Energy Company and Alliant Energy Corporation registered as undecided on the bill, lobbyists from both utilities expressed concerns with the bill.

Matt Hinch, speaking on behalf of MidAmerican Energy, said Iowa already has one of the best regulatory structures in the nation. Hinch said the proof of that is in the pudding as Iowans have some of the lowest rates in the country. According to MidAmerican figures, Iowa electricity rates are 44% below the national average.

Anytime youre looking at these policies, we would ask you to just do so cautiously, because what we have in place here in the state of Iowa is working, Hinch said. It is protecting customers, and the rates prove it out.

Bob Rafferty on behalf of Iowa Business for Clean Energy said the bill significantly enlarges the advanced ratemaking process. This process allows the Iowa Utilities Commission to preauthorize the recovered costs from eligible facilities as a means of addressing uncertainty from rate-regulated utilities toward certain generation projects.

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Rafferty said expanding the projects eligible for advanced ratemaking is not a bad idea but he said before that can be done, the state needs to reform the advanced ratemaking process. He the current process does not have strong standards to keep ratepayers from bearing the cost of new investments.

I would suggest if were going to expand advanced ratemaking, we make sure that investment, the standard, is its in the best interest of the ratepayer, Rafferty said.

Ted Stopulos, representing Alliant Energy, said while the company agreed with changes to ratemaking in the bill, it had concerns with a section of the bill that would tie a utilitys return on equity for wind and solar systems to the utilitys most recent rate proceeding.

Stopulos said this could cause a utilitys return on equity to be applied in an unjust manner or be unreflective of current and future market conditions. He asked the committee to remove the provision from the bill.

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We believe an all-of-the-above energy strategy is the best strategy, and putting the thumb on the scale one way or another hinders that policy objective, Stopulos said.

Robert Palmer, speaking on behalf of the Iowa Business Energy Coalition  a group advocating for business energy users  echoed the sentiments of Stopulos and suggested the Iowa Utilities Commission continue to evaluate utilities return on equity rather than tie it to a rate proceeding.

Palmer also highlighted a section of the bill that reads: It is also the intent of the general assembly to encourage the development of nuclear electric power generation within the state. He said the wording may lead to the IUC prioritizing nuclear projects, even in circumstances where other technologies may be valuable.

The bill is similar to a section of Gov. Kim Reynolds 2025 energy bill, which energy groups like Raffertys and several former members of the Iowa Utilities Commission opposed. Opponents of the bill argued last spring that it would give utilities freedom to add capital investments at the expense of ratepayers.

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The subcommittee chair, Rep. Hans Wilz, R-Ottumwa, said there was not an intentional move, on his part, to split apart sections of the governors bill into new bills this session.

I didnt go back and look at old bills, I look at whats in front of me, Wilz said. I think every one of those sections has ideas that have been past, present and soon to be future.

After briefly closing the meeting so lawmakers could confer in private, subcommittee members said they would advance the bill, but asked all of the interested and attending stakeholders to send the subcommittee representatives an email explaining suggestions that would make this better.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Six business school students at the University of Vermont are starting full-time, paid roles this month as part of a new undergraduate co-op program, according to a community announcement.

The announcement from UVM's Grossman business school explains that the program aims to add immersive, career-building learning experiences to students' classroom studies. It is backed by $15 million from the Grossman Family Foundation.

Students in the program work full time for four to six months in roles aligned with their academic focus. Afterward, the goal is for them to complete their degrees with real-world skills and insights.

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Unlike traditional internships, which typically last 8-12 weeks, co-op positions are longer-term, full-time and paid. The arrangement is meant to allow student to take on deeper responsibilities and contribute meaningfully to projects while employers evaluate talent, build pipelines and reduce recruitment costs.

University of Vermont Grossman School of Business has launched the Grossman Co-op Program.

UVM cited a figure from the National Association of Colleges and Employers that said 98.3% of surveyed employers hire co-op students for full-time roles.

The first cohort at UVM includes Grace Berry at Wayfair; Jordan Dawley at Beta Technologies; Domenic Denapoli at Gallagher Flynn & Company LLP; Lillian Girod and Zachary Neuman at National Life Group; and Michael Stockbridge at engageCFO.

Its a unique opportunity to step outside the typical classroom and build hands-on skills in the real world, Neuman said in the announcement. Being able to apply what I've learned in courses thus far to a longer-term, structured role was a significant draw. Its an opportunity to fully immerse myself in a real professional environment in a way that a typical 10-week internship may not.

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Craig Ross, founder and CEO of engageCFO, praised the program.

Students build skills, confidence and lasting relationships  whether its mastering debits and credits, developing financial models or sharpening Excel expertise, Ross said.

To date, the Grossman School of Business has conducted more than 130 employer conversations to cultivate relationships nationally and locally, align roles with curriculum and expand networks across major cities.

The new effort is the first undergraduate business co-op program in Vermont and joins a small but growing group of U.S. institutions offering structured, full-time career experiences while earning a degree. according to UVM. Nationally, about 60 colleges and universities have formal co-op programs, most concentrated in STEM fields.

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The program runs two cycles annually: January-June and July-December. Employers interested in hosting co-op students can learn more at uvm.edu/business/grossman-co-op. Students can join a hybrid info session by viewing dates and times online.

This story was created by reporter Beth McDermott, bmcdermott1@usatodayco.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: UVM launches Vermonts first business co-op to boost careers
Uzbekistan signalled ambitions for a more prominent international role on Thursday as President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed the founding charter of US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace in Davos.

The Uzbek leader held bilateral meetings with counterparts from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Serbia and Hungary on the sidelines of the event, alongside discussions with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and senior BlackRock officials.

By joining as a founding member, Uzbekistan committed to sustained participation in the board's work and contributing to implementation of its mandate in coordination with other founding states.

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The establishment of the Board of Peace aligns with Tashkent's foreign policy priorities emphasising dialogue, peaceful dispute resolution and strengthening multilateral cooperation.

Uzbekistan's President, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, signed the founding charter of the Board of Peace in Davos - Press Service of Uzbekistan's President

Bilateral meetings

Mirziyoyev met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Kazakh President Qasym-Jomart Tokayev, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban during the Davos gathering.

Discussions with Lutnick centred on trade relations, investment opportunities and prospects for deeper economic engagement between Uzbekistan and the United States amid shifting global supply chains.

US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev - Press Service of Uzbekistan's President

Mirziyoyev also met Blair, now chairman of the Institute for Global Change, to exchange views on global economic transformation, governance reforms and Uzbekistan's modernisation agenda.

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Separately, he held talks with Adebayo Ogunlesi, a BlackRock board member and senior managing director. The discussions focused on priority investment areas and implementing previously reached agreements, according to the presidency.

The sides explored potential BlackRock participation in priority Uzbek projects, including entry into domestic enterprise capital, development of joint investment mechanisms and deploying international expertise to improve the country's investment climate.

Senior managing director of BlackRock, Adebayo Ogunlesi, and Uzbek President, Shavkat Mirziyoyev - Press Service of Uzbekistan's President

Mirziyoyev met European Bank for Reconstruction and Development President Odile Renaud-Basso to discuss deepening strategic cooperation.

Cumulative EBRD investments in Uzbekistan have reached $7 billion dollars (around 6.5 billion), while 2025 operations alone exceeded $1 billion (920 million) including private sector financing.

The talks focused on cooperation in green energy, transport infrastructure, financial market reforms and entrepreneurship, alongside future priorities including private sector development, infrastructure projects and rail transport digitalisation.
Vice President JD Vance on Friday said the United States will stop funding any organization working on diversity and transgender issues abroad.

Vance called the policy, which has been widely expected, a historic expansion of the Mexico City Policy, which prevents foreign groups receiving U.S. global health funding from providing or promoting abortion, even if those programs are paid for with other sources of financing.

President Donald Trump reinstated the Mexico City Policy last year , following a tradition for Republican presidents that Ronald Reagan started in 1984. Democratic presidents have repeatedly rescinded the policy.

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Now we're expanding this policy to protect life, to combat [diversity, equity and inclusion] and the radical gender ideologies that prey on our children, Vance told people attending the March for Life in Washington, an annual gathering of anti-abortion activists on the National Mall.

The rule covers non-military U.S. foreign assistance, making the Mexico City Policy about three times as big as it was before, and we're proud of it because we believe in fighting for life, Vance said.

That means that any organizations receiving U.S. non-military funding will not be able to work on abortion, DEI and issues related to transgender people, even if that work is done with other funding sources.

POLITICO reported in October that the Trump administration was developing the policy. The State Department made the rule change Friday afternoon.

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Vance accused the Biden administration of exporting abortion and radical gender ideology all around the world. The Trump administration has used that argument to massively reduce foreign aid since it took office a year ago.

Vance said the Trump administration believes that every country in the world has the duty to protect life.

Its our job to promote families and human flourishing, he said, adding that the administration turned off the tap for NGOs whose sole purpose is to dissuade people from having kids.

Chris Smith, a New Jersey Republican who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee, called the new aid restrictions the best and most comprehensive iteration of the Mexico City Policy since Reagan. Smith, who opposes abortion, was also speaking at the March for Life.

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But domestic and international groups deplored the expanded policy, noting that it would make women and girls in some parts of the world more vulnerable.

History shows that the Mexico City policy not only diminishes access to essential services for women and girls, but also breaks down networks of organizations working on womens rights, and silences civil society, the International Crisis Group, which works to prevent conflicts, said in a statement.

This expansion will amplify those effects and is set to compound the global regression on gender equality that we have seen accelerate in the last year, the group added.

The expanded Mexico City Policy, which international groups have called the global gag rule because of the restrictions it imposes, will limit how humanitarian groups and other organizations can engage in advocacy, information dissemination and education related to reducing maternal mortality, sexual and reproductive health, and reducing stigma and inequalities anywhere in the world, with any funding they receive, said Defend Public Health, a network of volunteers fighting against the Trump administrations health policies.

This would effectively coerce them into denying that transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people exist, the group said.

Alice Miranda Ollstein contributed to this report.
By Heather Schlitz and Joseph Ax

MINNEAPOLIS, Jan 22 (Reuters) - Vice President JD Vance delivered a broad defense of the thousands of federal agents leading an aggressive immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis, saying that "far-left agitators" and uncooperative local officials are to blame for chaos on the streets.

Vance's visit to the city marked a renewed effort by President Donald Trump's administration to win public support for its immigration crackdown, amid signs that even some of the president's supporters are growing wary of the aggressive tactics on display in Minneapolis, where scores of heavily armed masked agents have flooded the streets.

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Flanked by federal officers and two Immigration and Customs Enforcement patrol cars bearing the slogan "Defend the Homeland," Vance repeated his assertion that Renee Good "rammed" her car into an ICE officer before he fatally shot the 37-year-old mother of three on January 7, sparking weeks of unrest.

"I think that Renee Good's death is a tragedy," he said. "I also think that she rammed an ICE officer with her car."

Analyses of bystander video by Reuters and other outlets show Good's wheels were turned away from the officer, Jonathan Ross, and that his legs were clear of the vehicle at the time he fired. It is unclear whether the car made contact with Ross, but he did not fall during the incident and can be seen walking afterward.

Democratic leaders in Minnesota have rejected Vance's account, and state authorities have launched an investigation into the shooting.

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FIVE-YEAR-OLD BOY DETAINED

In an incident that provoked new outrage, school officials in the suburb of Columbia Heights said on Wednesday that immigration officers had detained a 5-year-old boy on Tuesday.

Vance accused the media of misrepresenting that incident, saying the boy was left behind when his father tried to flee from agents.

"What are they supposed to do?" he said. "Are they supposed to let a 5-year-old child freeze to death?"

The child watched masked agents take his father from the driveway of their home before they pointed the boy to the back door of the house and motioned for him to knock, according to Rachel James, a city council member who said she witnessed the incident. The boy was eventually taken from the scene.

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A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said parents targeted by ICE operations are asked if they want their children taken with them or placed with a person they designate.

The department said the boy's father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, was in the country illegally but did not provide details or mention any criminal history. A lawyer for the family said his clients, who are from Ecuador, were in the U.S. legally and applied for asylum in 2024.

The lawyer denied that the father had tried to flee and said school officials had offered to take in the boy. The mother stayed inside the house at her husband's urging, the lawyer said, for fear that she, too, would otherwise be detained.

CITY ON EDGE

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Minneapolis has been on edge as roving federal officers have rounded up suspects they assert are dangerous criminal immigration violators, while sometimes ensnaring law-abiding U.S. citizens and immigrants. They have been met with throngs of demonstrators conducting their own patrols, blowing warning whistles and shouting at the agents, with some officers responding by deploying pepper spray and other chemical irritants.

Democratic officials, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, have accused the administration of deliberately trying to stoke unrest, and said the presence of federal officers is causing chaos.

Vance said local officials' refusal to aid immigration agents was to blame. "If we had a little cooperation from state and local law enforcement officers, I think the chaos would go way down," he said.

Speaking to reporters separately later in the day, Frey said city and state officials welcomed cooperation with federal law enforcement to catch violent criminals "no matter where they're from," but not "hunting down a guy, a dad, who did nothing wrong."

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"If we're looking for an antidote to many of the issues that we've faced over the last several weeks, there's a very easy answer. And it's for this huge influx of federal agents, ICE and Border Patrol, to go home," the mayor said.

He disputed Vance's assertion that local police were standing by to leave federal officers vulnerable to harassment and interference, saying: "We have responded. Where safety has been compromised our officers have stepped in to help."

Frey also defended city ordinances barring local police from directly assisting federal agents in immigration enforcement, a restriction he and other proponents of such "sanctuary city" policies have argued is vital to maintain the public's trust in local law enforcement.

Addressing Vance's call for improved communication with state and local authorities, Frey said he had received no invitation from the vice president to meet during his Minneapolis visit.

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"Give me a call," the mayor said. "JD Vance can feel free to reach out."

Vance has taken a leading role in defending the Good shooting. Less than 24 hours after Good's death, Vance made a rare appearance in the White House briefing room, where he defended the officer, blamed Good and said the incident should be a political test ahead of the 2026 midterm elections that will determine control of Congress.

THREE ARRESTED AFTER CHURCH PROTEST

The administration has shown no sign of backing down in Minneapolis. Officials said on Thursday they had arrested at least three people in connection with a demonstration that interrupted a Sunday service in a St. Paul church, where civil rights leaders alleged a pastor is also a top local ICE official.

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There are some 3,000 federal law enforcement officers in Minnesota, part of what the Department of Homeland Security has described as its largest immigration operation ever. The city is the latest Democratic-leaning jurisdiction that Trump has targeted with a federal show of force.

Vance said on Thursday that Trump does not see the need "right now" to follow through on his threat to invoke the Insurrection Act, a 19th-century law that gives the president the power to dispatch troops in the U.S. to put down uprisings.

Trump has said he launched the Minnesota operation in response to fraud allegations against some members of the state's sizable Somali American community. The president has described Somali immigrants as "garbage" and said they should be thrown out of the country.

(Reporting by Heather Schlitz in Minneapolis; Additional reporting by Doina Chiacu, Gram Slattery, Brad Brooks, Jasper Ward, Bo Erickson and Andrew Goudsward; Writing by Joseph Ax, Daniel Trotta and Steve Gorman; Editing by Scott Malone, Deepa Babington, Rod Nickel and Edmund Klamann)
Vice President JD Vance on Thursday sought to reframe the national conversation around the Trump administrations controversial immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota.

Appearing at a building in Minneapolis and flanked by ICE agents, Vance preached empathy for those protesting and allowed that ICE agents may make mistakes. Most of the conflict and consternation, he suggested, resulted from misunderstandings that could be solved if only local elected officials  and their police departments  would work with the federal government.

It was the second time Vance has addressed the public since an ICE agent shot and killed Renee Good earlier this month, and while some of the message was the same, Vances tone was markedly different. His message Thursday was less focused on scolding the media or berating protesters for encouraging assaults on federal agents, as he did during earlier remarks from the White House.

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Vance on Thursday focused on public safety and crime, and his desire to lower the temperature and support law enforcement. He acknowledged the viral videos circulating on social media could concern many Americans even as he said they often dont tell the whole story.

It doesnt mean there arent occasionally stories, there arent occasionally videos that suggest that these guys or at least some of the people who work for them are not doing everything right, but very often if you look at the context of whats going on, you understand these people are under an incredible amount of duress, an incredible amount of chaos, Vance said, blaming far-left agitators and local and state officials lack of cooperation with the federal government.

He added that the administration wants to enforce the countrys immigration laws, while also ensuring people in Minneapolis are able to go about their day. But, he said, some mayors and police officers refuse to help ICE agents under assault or federal officials locate allegedly violent criminals.

Spokespeople for Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who have repeatedly called for ICE to de-escalate their aggressive tactics or even leave the city, did not respond to requests for comment.

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Vances trip to Minneapolis comes as Republicans struggle to coalesce around a message that explains their tactics to an increasingly anxious public uneasy with armed agents patrolling communities.

The vice president billed the trip as an opportunity to better understand why Minneapolis has devolved into chaos, and comes as hundreds of military police troops remain on alert for potential deployment if President Donald Trump decides to invoke the Insurrection Act  a move that Democrats warn will spur more unrest in the city.

Right now, we dont think that we need that, Vance said. The president could change his mind, of course things could get worse, but right now we think that federal law enforcement officers can do the job of federal law enforcement.

His remarks also followed Trumps appearance in the White House briefing room this week, when the president said his administration needs to do more to highlight the criminals theyve arrested in Minnesota during their enforcement crackdowns. Trump, who said he felt sorry for Goods family, spent several minutes showing photos of immigrants who had committed violent crimes, including murder, saying people dont know who ICE is detaining.

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And a new POLITICO poll found that nearly half of all Americans  49 percent  say Trumps mass deportation campaign is too aggressive, including one in five voters who backed the president in 2024, the poll finds. And more than one in three Trump voters say that while they support the goals of the presidents mass deportation campaign, they disapprove of the way he is implementing it.

The Trump administrations surge in Minnesota has emerged as the focal point of the national conversation over ICEs aggressive enforcement tactics. The Trump administration has repeatedly had to explain why federal immigration agents have arrested U.S. citizens and attempt to justify agents actions captured in other captivating and controversial videos and photos, including one of a 5-year-old boy that circulated on the internet Thursday.

Vance, too, said he was struck by the image of the child, remarking that he is a father of a 5-year-old himself. But he said its a good example of the false narratives rippling through social media, and that when he did more research, he learned that the father was in the country illegally and ran from law enforcement, leaving the child behind. He said ICE stayed with the boy, though school officials claimed the boy was used as bait to lure in the father  a claim Democrats amplified and spread widely.

Many of the most viral stories of the past couple of weeks have turned out to be, at best, partially true, Vance said.
A Venezuelan national accused of threatening Arizona residents at gunpoint while claiming control over part of a Maricopa County community is facing multiple felony charges, including terrorism, authorities said.

Arizona Department of Public Safety investigators allege Javier Enrique Erazo-Zuniga, 27, claimed control over part of Maricopa and threatened residents with deadly weapons in an effort to extort money, according to reporting by InMaricopa and statements from state authorities.

DPS spokesperson Bart Graves told InMaricopa detectives began investigating Erazo-Zuniga in December after receiving information that he was "claiming Hidden Valley in Maricopa as his territory and demanding money from victims."

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Investigators allege Erazo-Zuniga was tied to a series of violent incidents involving residents who were targeted at their homes. In one 2024 incident, authorities say he put a victim in a headlock and held a knife to the persons neck, leaving a cut. Last month, investigators allege he waited at the end of another victims driveway and held the victim at gunpoint.

Javier Enrique Erazo-Zuniga, a Venezuelan national, was arrested in Maricopa, Arizona, for allegedly extorting residents and claiming control over part of the community. (Reuters)

Suspected Venezuelan Gangster In Portland Cbp Attack Tied To Shooting At Apartment Complex: Police

During a search of Erazo-Zunigas bedroom, detectives recovered a firearm believed to have been used in the December gunpoint incident, Graves said.

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Erazo-Zuniga was booked into the Pinal County Jail, where jail records show he remains in custody on a $250,000 secured bond. He was later indicted by a Pinal County grand jury.

Court records obtained by the outlet show the grand jury charged Erazo-Zuniga with aggravated assault involving a firearm, two counts of forgery and two counts of misconduct involving weapons, including possession of handguns while prohibited. Prosecutors allege the aggravated assault charge qualifies as a dangerous felony because it involved the use or threatened exhibition of a firearm.

Aurora Terrorized By Venezuelan Gang As Dictator Maduro Let Tren De Aragua Seize Power

DPS has also stated that Erazo-Zuniga is charged with assisting a criminal street gang and terrorism, though those allegations were outlined by the agency rather than detailed in the indictment documents released by the Pinal County Superior Court. Authorities have said additional charges could be forthcoming, potentially at the federal level.

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According to a minute entry filed in superior court, Erazo-Zuniga is scheduled to be arraigned Friday.

Graves said investigators believe there may be multiple additional victims, but that some have been afraid to come forward.

Doj Charges Illegal Immigrant With Tren De Aragua Ties After Border Patrol Shooting In Portland

"We encourage them to contact our tip line," Graves said. DPS asked anyone with information related to the case to call 602-644-5805.

Authorities have not confirmed whether the investigation could expand beyond Maricopa.

The case comes amid heightened national law enforcement scrutiny of Venezuelan criminal groups following a series of high-profile investigations in Colorado in 2024 and 2025.

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Federal prosecutors there indicted Venezuelan nationals accused of participating in organized robberies, kidnappings, extortion schemes and firearms offenses tied to the transnational gang Tren de Aragua. While some early claims of gang "takeovers" were later disputed or clarified, authorities have confirmed multiple violent cases involving coordinated criminal activity and armed suspects.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Homeland Security Investigations, the Pinal County Attorneys Office and the FBI for additional information.





Original article source: Venezuelan national accused of claiming control over Arizona community, threatening residents: report
Vice President JD Vance on Thursday defended the detainment of a 5-year-old boy by federal agents and said the Trump administration does not believe the Insurrection Act is needed amid unrest over immigration enforcement in Minnesota.

Vance's comments come as outrage swelled over Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents taking into custody four students under the age of 18 in the Minneapolis suburb of Columbia Heights. School officials said Liam Conejo Ramos, a preschooler, and his father were detained in their driveway after school on Tuesday.

When an adult known to the family offered to take Liam, ICE agents refused and instead led the boy to his front door and ordered him to knock  "essentially using a 5-year-old as bait," according to a news release from Columbia Heights Public Schools.

A photo showing 5-year-old Liam Ramos being detained by a federal immigration agent in Minnesota.

Vance on Thursday said ICE was targeting the boy's father, an undocumented immigrant from Ecuador, who federal officials accuse of trying to flee from immigration agents. The mans attorney vehemently denied federal officials' account of the arrest and said the man was in the country legally, awaiting asylum.

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"Are they supposed to let a five-year-old child freeze to death?" Vance said. "If the argument is that you cant arrest people who have violated the law because they have children, then every single parent is going to be completely given immunity from every being the subject of law enforcement."

The vice president gave those remarks after a closed-door meeting in Minneapolis with federal agents, business leaders, and others in an effort to "bring down the temperature," Vance said. More than two weeks after an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, daily protests continue to roil Minneapolis as state officials and the Trump administration square off in bitter legal fights.

Developments:

 The Department of Homeland Security on Thursday announced the arrests of three people accused of participating in a protest at a church in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Sunday. A federal magistrate judge declined to sign a complaint charging journalist Don Lemon in connection with the protest, CBS News and CNN reported.

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 ICE has conducted stops and arrests in Maine as part of an immigration operation that was launched over the objections of state and local leaders. The mayors of Lewiston and Portland, who said the operation was unnecessary, reported a surge of federal agents and asked residents to remain calm.

'How can you justify incarcerating a child"

Marc Prokosch, a Twin Cities immigration attorney representing Liams family, slammed immigration authorities for detaining the 5-year-old and his father.

"How can you justify incarcerating a child," Prokosch told reporters on Thursday. The Minnesota attorney said the boys father had no criminal record according to a search of state records, and that the family was in the country legally.

The family entered the U.S. in 2024 through the border in Brownsville, Texas, said Prokosch, adding the family used an immigration authorities app to apply for asylum.

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"These are not illegal aliens," the attorney said, responding to comments from Vice President Vance. "They came properly and are pursuing a legal pathway."

Prokosch said the family is currently being held at a family detention center in San Antonio. He said he has not been able to directly speak with his clients.

The attorney said he could not disclose what prompted the family to flee their home country of Ecuador. The South American nation is among the most violent in Latin America, according to Human Rights Watch.

Gov. Walz: ICE needs to turn the temperature down

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said immigration authorities in Minneapolis need to abandon their controversial tactics for calm to return to the city.

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"Im glad the Vice President agrees the temperature needs to be turned down, but actions speak louder than words," Walz said in a statement on X. "We dont need 3,000 ice agents in our streets  more than every local police department combined. Take the show of force off the streets and partner with the state on targeted enforcement of violent offenders instead of random, aggressive confrontation."

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey criticized federal authorities for detaining the 5-year-old boy and said the child is "not a threat of our community."

"When the federal government treats kids like criminals, something has gone seriously wrong," Frey said on social media.

The governor and mayor did not respond to USA TODAY's requests for additional comment.

Teachers ask authorities to stop targeting students

Zena Stenvik, the superintendent for Columbia Heights Public Schools, said Liam was the fourth child in the school district to be detained by immigration authorities.

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The first, Stenvik said, was a fourth grader who had been in the school district since kindergarten.

"All the teachers in that school were shattered," Stenvik said, "and then it happened again and again and again."

The other students immigration authorities detained were a 17-year-old girl arrested at her home and a 17-year-old boy arrested in his car on the way to school, the superintendent said.

"The kids just want to come to school, they want to be in school, we want them in school," Stenvik said. "They want to be in-person learning. They thrive. Theyre happy learning."

Immigration agents have repeatedly followed school buses and made appearances in school parking lots, the superintendent said.

Minneapolis police on how it responds to ICE-related 911 calls

The Minneapolis Police Department told USA TODAY that the agency has an official dedicated to answering 911 calls related to immigration enforcement incidents and determining whether a police response is warranted.

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"Calls that involve property damage and threats to life safety take priority," public information officer Sgt. Garrett Parten said. But "the presence of protestors alone is not sufficient reason for MPD to respond."

The police statement came in response to allegations that the agency ignored at least two calls for help from federal agents. According to Parten, police have no record of a call on Jan. 21 from agents asking for help recovering a gun magazine loaded with ammunition they left on a residential sidewalk in Minneapolis.

In the second incident on Jan. 19, federal agents called for help handling anti-immigration enforcement protesters.

"The agents expressed concern that the situation could become physical. MPD monitored the situation and determined that the federal agents had sufficient resources available to manage the incident," said Parten, adding police kept watch on a car the agents left behind.

Vance on Insurrection Act: 'We dont think we need that'

Vance said the Trump administration doesnt believe it needs to invoke the Insurrection Act in Minnesota, right now, amid tensions over immigration enforcement.

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"We dont think that we need that," Vance said. "Now the president could change his mind, of course, things could get worse."

In a social media post earlier this month, President Donald Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act in Minnesota, which gives him authority to deploy U.S. troops to suppress rebellions and civil unrest or when federal laws are being obstructed.

Vance blames 'chaos' in Minnesota on state and local officials

Speaking in Minneapolis on Thursday, Vance acknowledged the prevalence of videos and reports raising concerns about the aggressive tactics being used by immigration agents.

Vance said some videos and reports suggest some federal agents "are not doing everything right. He added: But if you look at the context of whats going on, you understand that these people are under an incredible amount of duress, an incredible amount of chaos.

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Vance placed the blame squarely on Minnesota's state and local officials.

"Do we want these things to happen? Do we want these arrests to be so chaotic? No, we dont," Vance said. "But if we had a little cooperation from local and state officials, I think the chaos would go way down."

'Incredible job' Vance backs ICE in Minneapolis

While kicking off his remarks in Minneapolis, Vance reiterated his support for ICE.

"The guys behind me are doing an incredible job," Vance said, speaking with uniformed individuals standing behind him, including one wearing an ICE jacket.

The vice president said he came to Minneapolis to better understand the situation so he can "tone down the temperature a bit, reduce the chaos." There has been a wave of anti-ICE demonstrations since an agent shot a killed a woman in Minneapolis. Vance said he sympathizes with ICE agents who are operating in a very, very tough environment.

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I wanted to show some support for these guys, Vance said.

Feds announce third arrest related to St. Paul church protest

A third person has been arrested in connection with the protest at a St. Paul church that interrupted a service on Sunday, Jan. 18.

Attorney General Pam Bondi on X named the third person as William Kelly.

Earlier in the day, Bondi announced the arrests of Nekima Levy Armstrong and Chauntyll Louisa Allen, a member of the St. Paul Public School board. Homeland Security Secretary said all three were being charged with conspiracy to deprive rights.

The arrests come after the DOJ said it was investigating the protest as a potential violation of the FACE Act, which protects access to religious worship under the First Amendment.

Protesters greet Vance in Minneapolis

Roughly a dozen protesters greeted Vance outside the Royalston Square event venue in Minneapolis, with two holding signs reading "ICE out."

Vance arrived at the Royalston and met with ICE agents before his speech. He is also held a roundtable discussion.

Minneapolis police not responding to feds' calls for help, official says

Border Patrol Commander-at-Large Gregory Bovino said the Minneapolis Police Department has not been responding to calls from federal agents amid heated protests in the city.

Minneapolis Police Department has been called on several situations that they have not responded to," Bovino said at a news conference on Thursday. He described an incident in which two off-duty agents were confronted by protesters at a restaurant. Bovino said the agents called police but had to be assisted by a federal tactical team after 40 minutes without a police response.

The Minneapolis Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The surge of immigration agents into Minnesota has strained the relationship between federal and local law enforcement. Local police chiefs have criticized the tactics employed by federal agents and accused agents of racially profiling off-duty police officers.

ICE faces backlash as agents enter homes without judge-signed warrants

Immigration and Customs Enforcement is facing intense scrutiny over its agents forcibly entering homes without a judge's warrant.

An internal ICE memo authorized agents to use force to enter residences with only administrative warrants, which are signed by ICE officers and do not require a judge's signature, multiple outlets reported, including the Associated Press and the Washington Post.

Marcos Charles, the executive associate director of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, confirmed that agents enter homes with only administrative warrants at a news conference on Thursday.

"We don't break into anybody's homes," Charles said. "We make entry either in a hot pursuit with a criminal arrest warrant or an administrative arrest warrant."

Image showing 5-year-old Liam Ramos with a federal immigration agent outside his home in Minnesota on Tuesday, Jan. 20.

School official: Immigration agents detained 4 students

At least four students under the age of 18 have been detained by immigration agents over the last two weeks in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, the school district said in a statement.

Liam Ramos, 5, was detained with his father on Tuesday, Jan. 20, and taken to a detention facility in Texas, according to the district. On the same day, a 17-year-old was detained on his way to school after agents removed him from his car.

Last week, a 17-year-old student was taken into custody after ICE agents pushed their way into an apartment, according to Columbia Heights Public Schools.

And two weeks ago, a 10-year-old student and her mother were detained while on their way to class. The father immediately came to the school to find that both his daughter and wife had been taken, the district said in a statement. By the end of the school day, they were already in a detention center in Texas, and they are still there.

The school district said it is working with an immigration lawyer to get the students back.

ICE agents have been roaming our neighborhoods, circling our schools, following our buses, coming into our parking lots and taking our children, the district said. The sense of safety in our community and around our schools is shaken and our hearts are shattered.

Vance wants more arrests after church protest

Ahead of his visit to Minneapolis, Vance touted the investigation into an anti-ICE protest at a St. Paul church. He said he wants to see more arrests after the Department of Justice announced two of the protesters had been apprehended.

I certainly want to see more arrests, Vance said. Because Ive seen the videos and there are very clearly more people who have violated the law.

The vice president predicted more prosecutions.

Theyre scaring little kids who are there to worship God on a Sunday morning, Vance said. Those people are going to be sent to prison.

DOJ announces 2 arrests in St. Paul church protest

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said federal agents arrested two people involved in a protest that interrupted Sunday service at a church in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Bondi identified those arrested as Nekima Levy Armstrong and Chauntyll Louisa Allen but did not describe any alleged charges. "More to come," Bondi said on X. "WE WILL PROTECT OUR HOUSES OF WORSHIP."

A group of protestors entered Cities Church on Jan. 18, alleging that Pastor David Easterwood serves as the ICE St. Paul Field Office acting director. Videos show dozens of protesters changing "Renee Good," and "don't shoot," as some verbally confronted churchgoers.

The DOJ launched an investigation into the protest as a potential violation of the FACE Act, a federal law that prohibits the use of force, threats, or physical obstruction to block people from reproductive health care or access to religious worship under the First Amendment right to religious freedom.

Vance says Good was in leftist network. Where's the evidence?

Vance says he wants to 'calm the tensions' in Minneapolis

As the Trump administrations immigration enforcement efforts continue to roil Minneapolis, Vance said he hopes his presence in the city Thursday will calm things down.

Certainly one of my goals is to calm the tensions, to talk to people, to try to understand what we can do better, Vance said during a speech in Toledo, Ohio, before flying to Minnesota.

At the same time, Vance blasted local officials for not cooperating with federal immigration authorities and blamed the lack of cooperation for chaos in the city. The vice president said he also wants to send a message to law enforcement that we stand with them and were not going to abandon them.

Were not going to do what the last administration did, Vance continued. Which is throw them under the bus to appease a bunch of left-wing radicals.

Appeals court freezes order limiting force against protesters in Minnesota

A federal appeals court on Jan. 21 paused a lower court's order that had ordered federal immigration agents in Minnesota not to use "intimidation tactics" against peaceful protesters.

The move by the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals delivered a win to the Trump administration, which had vowed to appeal the lower court's order that set up guardrails around the behavior of federal agents.

In the lower-court order, U.S. District Judge Kate Menendez said agents appeared to have engaged in "chilling conduct" and "intimidation tactics." She noted actions such as the "drawing and pointing of weapons," the "use of pepper spray and other non-lethal munitions," and "actual and threatened arrest and detainment of protesters and observers."

'ICE Out of Minneapolis' protest planned for Friday

Organizers in Minneapolis asked people to call out of work, skip school, and refrain from buying anything as part of a protest against the ongoing immigration operations.

"Faith leaders, business owners, workers, and concerned Minnesotans have called for a statewide day of public mourning and pause through 'No Work, No School and No Shopping' and a massive, peaceful march in downtown Minneapolis that afternoon," said a news release about the demonstration scheduled for Friday, Jan. 23.

Over the last two weeks, students at schools across Minnesota have held walkouts in protest of the immigration operation and Good's killing.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Immigration updates: Vance defends ICE detainment of 5-year-old
HANOI, Jan 22 (Reuters) - Vietnam's Communist Party shortened the planned voting process to select its general secretary, indicating there was broad consensus to reappoint current leader To Lam, as soon as on Friday.

Nearly 1,600 delegates elected on Thursday 200 members of the party's central committee, which will then choose the party chief and up to 17 to 19 members of the Politburo from a pre-arranged shortlist.

Incumbent Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and President Luong Cuong were not among the newly elected committee members, according to the official list, making it unlikely that they will retain their leadership roles.

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The congress of the ruling Communist Party, held once every five years to select leaders and set political and economic priorities, was initially planned to last until Sunday. Delegates voted on Wednesday, however, to wrap up the meeting as early as Friday, the government said on its news portal.

No official explanation was provided, but the shortened schedule likely indicates no divisions have emerged within the party over leadership positions and a probable smooth reappointment of Lam, who is seeking to extend his tenure as general secretary, Vietnam's most powerful post.

Some congresses in the past required longer debates to decide leadership positions, warranting the initial week-long schedule for this year's congress.

The final vote to select the general secretary is expected on Friday when the new central committee holds its first meeting.

(Reporting by Francesco Guarascio, Phuong Nguyen and Khanh Vu; Editing by Tom Hogue and Susan Fenton)
The ruling Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) on Friday said it has elected former police chief To Lam as general secretary for the next five years at the end of its week-long National Congress.

Lam, 68, was appointed to the country's most powerful position before the death of former leader Nguyen Phu Trong in July 2024, but his election at this weeks national congress marks his first full term.

Unlike other communist systems such as North Korea, where Kim Jong Un wields near-absolute authority, or China, where President Xi Jinping has consolidated power, Vietnam formally adheres to a model of collective leadership.

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For decades, the country has officially been led by four "pillars:" the general secretary, president, prime minister, and chairman of the National Assembly.

While the general secretary is formally elected at the National Congress, the latter three roles must be approved in May by the National Assembly, the country's rubber-stamp parliament.

Speculation has been rampant that Lam could potentially seek to take on both the general secretary and president roles in a Xi-style power grab.

Lam is already known as a hardliner, with numerous activists, dissidents and state critics jailed during his tenure as minister of public security.

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In 2017, Lam's agency was accused by Germany of kidnapping Vietnamese businessman and fugitive Trinh Xuan Thanh from a park in Berlin and taking him back to Vietnam to face trial.

The incident severely damaged diplomatic relations between Germany and Vietnam and prompted Berlin to suspend its strategic partnership with Hanoi.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is expected to retire, with Le Minh Hung, the former governor of the State Bank of Vietnam, set to replace him.

Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man is seen as likely to remain in his post.

The National Congress, held every five years, is the countrys most important political event.

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In the single-party communist state, voting rights are restricted to senior party members, with nearly 1,600 delegates from across the country convening in Hanoi for a series of closed-door meetings at the National Convention Centre.

Delegates elected a 200-person Central Committee, which oversees major state institutions and in turn selects the Politburo  the partys most powerful decision-making body.

The delegates also approved a resolution to propose an average annual gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of 10% over the next five years, aiming for GDP per capita to reach $8,500 by 2030.

In the run-up to the event, authorities arrested several critics, including well-known blogger and activist Hoang Thi Hong Thai.
Welcome to the new era of "national rise"!

That was the pitch made by Vietnam's most powerful figure, Communist Party General Secretary To Lam, as he faced the nearly 1,600 delegates at the party congress, which gathered this week to determine the country's path for the next five years, and who leads it.

On Friday it picked To Lam Vietnam to be party chief, the post he currently holds, for the next five years, giving him another term to achieve his ambitious targets for Vietnam's economy.

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The party congress, which was scheduled to end on Sunday, was cut short to Friday, signalling either a strong consensus or stifled opposition to To Lam's growing powers.

Communist Party congresses are strictly choreographed, and most of the leadership positions in the Politburo and the larger Central Committee are worked out behind closed doors well in advance.

To Lam's re-appointment to the top job was widely expected, but what remains to be seen is how this plays out in the congress, whose balance reflects the long-standing rivalry between To Lam's public security faction and the military.

What makes the congress this year "unusual" is that "this is the strongest concentration of power in one individual that I've seen since 1991", Edmund Malesky, a professor of political economy at Duke University, told the BBC.

Some 1,600 communist party delegates met this week to choose new leaders [EPA]

Dramatic change of direction

To Lam took over 18 months ago on the death of his predecessor Nguyen Phu Trong, an old-style communist ideologue who had presided over a sweeping and disruptive anti-corruption drive.

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As head of Vietnam's main security agency, the Ministry of Public Security, To Lam had led the purge of officials tainted by corruption allegations, but after he got the top job he announced a dramatic change of direction.

The new focus was on reform, and growth, and To Lam's plans were the boldest the country had seen for 40 years. First, he announced a complete overhaul of Vietnam's administration, slashing layers of bureaucracy, cutting the number of provinces from 63 to 34, and laying off at least 100,000 government employees.

Then came Resolution 68, passed on 4 May last year at a meeting of the politburo, the highest decision-making body between party congresses.

In another country, its statement that the private sector will be "the most important driving force of the national economy" would be unremarkable. It was a barely noticeable change from the government's previous stance that it was "one important driving force".

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But in officially socialist Vietnam it marked a sea change, for the first time putting privately-owned businesses on the same level as state-run companies, which in the past had always been extolled as the bedrock of the economy.

The meeting in May also announced breathtakingly ambitious targets for the economy: double digit annual growth, doubling the number of private businesses by 2030, and by 2045, the centenary of Vietnam's declaration of independence from French colonial rule, to have created an upper-income, knowledge- and technology-based economy.

In other words, to break out of the so-called "middle income trap". No other large South East Asian country has managed to do this.

Leading 'cranes'

A central part of his strategy is to back national champions in the private sector  "leading cranes" in the party's words  companies big enough to compete on the global stage. In the last Fortune 500 list of top companies in South East Asia 11 of the 100 largest were Vietnamese, and of those only four were privately-owned.

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Most private companies are very small; only 2% employ more than 200 people. To Lam's goal is to have 20 globally competitive private companies by 2030, somewhat like the South Korean model in the 1970s of state-supported conglomerates known as chaebol, which led to the creation of global giants like Hyundai and Samsung.

Vietnam's astonishing economic progress over the past 30 years has won it admiration around the world. Its record in poverty reduction is formidable. It turned an isolated, state-run economy which could barely feed its people into one of the world's manufacturing powerhouses. Yet behind these impressive achievements are some big limitations.

One is the size of the state-owned sector. Even today, after all this frenetic change and growth, as of 2024, there are 671 state-owned enterprises accounting for 29% of Vietnam's GDP. Their advantages, getting preferential access to licences, government funding and resources like land make it difficult for private companies to compete and thrive.

Even after Resolution 68 appeared to put them in second place, a new Resolution, number 79, was passed earlier this month, presumably after pushback by conservatives inside the party.

Vietnam's economy is fuelled by export-led manufacturing, which makes it especially vulnerable to Trump's tariffs [Getty Images]

This stated that state-owned enterprises could also be "leading cranes", and proposed a target of 50 from Vietnam, double the current number, reaching the Fortune 500 list for the region by 2030.

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Another is the dependence of many Vietnamese industries on foreign investment, foreign technology and overseas markets. Vietnam has become an efficient, low-cost manufacturer of other countries' products.

To Lam himself spoke of this in January last year: "What percentage of the value do we contribute here? Or are we at the lowest end of the value chain, mainly doing outsourcing for foreign companies? If a shirt is sold with the design, fabric, dye, thread and buttons all sourced from someone else, what do we get? Perhaps only labour costs and environmental pollution."

In fact the largest manufacturing company there is South Korean, Samsung, and it relies heavily on imported components and technology to make its phones and other electronic goods.

This is the challenge faced by most South East Asian countries. Like Vietnam, they saw their economies grow at breakneck speeds as they joined an increasingly complex global supply chain from the 1980s onwards. Poverty fell as people moved to the cities to take up low-end manufacturing jobs.

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Yet today countries like Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia are stuck, seemingly unable to move up the value chain and break out of economies dependent on natural resources and manufacturing components for foreign products.

Growth is stagnating, and in Thailand the population is aging quickly. Their largest home-grown companies are in banking, property, energy, telecoms and food. There is no Thai, Malaysian or Indonesian tech giant on the horizon.

Could Vietnam be different?

It does have one impressive tech company, FPT, which is now winning contracts with clients like Airbus and several large car manufacturers to help manage and upgrade software.

It is reporting revenue of more than $1bn a year, employs 80,000 people across 30 countries and has even built its own university to ensure it has enough graduates with coding and English-language skills to call on. FPT is one of the "leading cranes" To Lam is hoping will take Vietnam out of the middle income trap.

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Yet FPT is dwarfed by the biggest of the "leading cranes", Vingroup, Vietnam's largest private company, which is much more like the traditional, family-owned conglomerates that dominate the economies of other South East Asian countries.

Vingroup is massive. There are Vin homes, Vin hospitals, Vin schools and universities, Vin resorts and amusement parks, Vin solar farms. Vingroup builds expressways, and was the main bidder to build a new high-speed 1,500km (930-mile) railway from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, until it pulled out last month.

Then there is Vinfast, the company taking on China to build world-beating electric cars. So far its attempts to break into the US and European markets have been a flop, with its models dismissed as inferior to their competitors.

Vinfast is thought to have lost as much as $11bn since 2021, but Vingroup is so big, its founder Pham Nhat Vuong so rich, it is willing to keep subsidising its EV experiment.

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Vinfast does well at home, thanks to political support from the Communist Party, like the recent ban on all combustion-engined motorbikes in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City - Vinfast is the dominant player in electric two-wheelers.

Although Vinfast cars are yet to break into US or European markets, they are popular in Vietnam [Getty Images]

Vingroup will be the biggest of the national champions under To Lam's grand project. But it has so far done well only in its home market, where its political connections have given it significant advantages. As it has discovered with its cars, succeeding as a global player is much harder.

"The main challenge remains unchanged: how to create globally competitive firms without spawning politically-connected rent-seekers", says Nguyen Khac Giang at the ISEAS  Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore. "

"To Lam's approach risks replacing one form of rent-seeking with another. If poorly executed, Vietnam could transition from inefficient state-owned enterprises extracting resources through monopoly positions, to private conglomerates doing the same through political connections. This would crowd out the small-medium enterprises that generate the most employment and innovation."

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No-one doubts the extraordinary drive and industriousness of the Vietnamese people, nor To Lam's determination to break out of the middle income trap.

Without urgent reform we should expect failure, he said in June last year. Yet he is embarking on this journey at an especially difficult time.

No other South East Asian country is as reliant as Vietnam on access to the US market, which is now uncertain after President Donald Trump's tariffs.

Vietnam's famous "bamboo diplomacy", attempting to be friends to all, enemies to none, will also be sorely tested in the fraught international relations of the Trump II era.
Europeans were among 150 senior Islamic State group detainees transferred this week by the US military from Kurdish custody in Syria to neighbouring Iraq, whose premier urged EU countries to repatriate their nationals.

They were among an estimated 7,000 jihadists due to be moved to Iraq as the Kurdish-led force that has held them for years relinquishes swathes of territory to the advancing Syrian army.

In 2014, IS swept across Syria and Iraq, committing massacres and forcing women and girls into sexual slavery, but backed by a US-led coalition, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) ultimately defeated the jihadists in Syria five years later.

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This month, the United States said the purpose of its alliance with the Kurds had largely expired, as Syria's new authorities pressed an offensive to take back territory long held by the SDF, which agreed to withdraw from areas in the north and east.

An Iraqi security official said the 150 detainees, who the US military transferred to Iraq on Wednesday, were "all leaders of the Islamic State group, and some of the most notorious criminals", and included "Europeans, Asians, Arabs and Iraqis".

Another Iraqi security source said the group included "85 Iraqis and 65 others of various nationalities, including Europeans, Sudanese, Somalis and people from the Caucasus region".

They "all participated in IS operations in Iraq", including the major 2014 offensive that saw the jihadists seize large pieces of territory, he said, adding "are all at the level of emirs" within the group's hierarchy.

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They are now held at a prison in Baghdad.

- 'Take responsibility' -

Amnesty International said in a statement Friday that the group of 7,000 slated for transfer "likely includes Syrians, Iraqis & other foreign nationals, and approximately 1,000 boys and young men".

The rights group urged the US to "urgently put in place safeguards before making any further transfers", and called on Iraq to hold "fair trials, without recourse to the death penalty".

Iraq, where courts have handed down hundreds of sentences of death and life imprisonment to people convicted of terrorism, said it would launch legal proceedings against the transferred detainees.

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In a telephone call Friday with French President Emmanuel Macron, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani stressed the importance of European countries "assuming their responsibilities" by taking back and prosecuting their nationals.

The SDF jailed thousands of suspected jihadists and detained tens of thousands of their relatives in camps as it pushed out IS.

In a previous report, Amnesty estimated that around 10,000 IS suspects were held in Kurdish-run prisons as of August 2023.

Despite repeated Kurdish and US appeals, foreign governments have generally avoided repatriating their nationals, fearing security threats and political backlash.

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IS's onslaught came during the peak of Syria's civil war, which was sparked by longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad's crackdown on pro-democracy protests.

After toppling Assad just over a year ago, President Ahmed al-Sharaa is now seeking to consolidate government control over all of Syria, with tensions between his authorities and the de facto autonomous Kurdish administration recently boiling over into clashes.

The army has accused the SDF of releasing IS detainees from the Shadadi prison, while the Kurds said they lost control of the facility after an attack by Damascus.

Syrian authorities later said they had arrested "81 of the fugitives".

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The EU said Friday that alleged jailbreaks were of "paramount concern", adding it was monitoring the transfer of prisoners to Iraq, "including foreign terrorist fighters".

In north Syria's Raqa province, an AFP correspondent saw Kurdish forces who formerly controlled the Al-Aqtan prison for IS detainees being bussed out Friday under a deal with the government.

- Al-Hol camp -

UN refugee agency (UNHCR) spokesperson Celine Schmitt said Friday that the agency, accompanied by Syrian government officials, had entered Al-Hol camp -- the biggest facility housing relatives of suspected IS members -- after "a three-day interruption caused by the volatile security situation".

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Kurdish forces withdrew from Al-Hol on Tuesday and the following day Syria's army entered the camp, where thousands of men, women and children have lived in squalid conditions for years.

"The delivery of essential supplies has resumed," Schmitt said, adding that "trucks carrying bread entered the camp today".

The camp houses some 23,000 people -- mostly Syrians but also around 2,200 Iraqis and 6,200 other foreign women and children, according to its former administration.

Two former employees of organisations working at the site said an unspecified number of residents fled during an hours-long security vacuum between the SDF withdrawal and the army takeover.

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After recent clashes, Sharaa announced a deal Sunday with SDF chief Mazloum Abdi on the integration of the Kurds' administration into the state, which will take responsibility for IS prisoners.

A four-day ceasefire agreed on Tuesday after tensions reignited is set to expire on Saturday evening.

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Attorney General Nick Brown announced that they have reached an agreement to protect the confidential information of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients.

The Attorney Generals Office (AGO) sued Fidelity Information Services, a private vendor that dispenses SNAP benefits to Washington residents.

AGO claimed in the filing that the company wanted to disclose SNAP recipients personal information.

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The office accused Fidelity of handing the information over to federal agencies for immigration enforcement.

The lawsuit was filed in July 2025, after the company failed to respond to a request from the Washington Department of Health and Human Services (DSHS).

DSHS asked for confirmation that Fidelity would not turn over information to federal agencies.

A DSHS investigation found that Fidelity didnt give over the private information to the federal government.

Fidelity also agreed to continue to keep recipients personal and sensitive information.

This is one of several lawsuits filed by Attorney General Brown to block the U.S. Department of Agricultures attempts to gain access to SNAP recipients personal information.
As a historic ice storm approaches the Carolinas, many counties are opening warming shelters for those who need a safe place to stay.

Weve reached out to counties in North Carolina and South Carolina for their warming shelter plans, and well update this article as locations are announced.

Mecklenburg County -

For Men: Roof Above provides shelter for men and expanded capacity at its shelter locations. Men may arrive at Roof Above at 3410 Statesville Avenue, Charlotte beginning at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday.

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For Women and Families: The Salvation Army provides shelter for women and families with expanded capacity at its shelter location. Women and families may arrive at the shelter at 534 Spratt Street, Charlotte between 4 p.m.  7 p.m.

Transportation: Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) buses will offer rides to these shelter locations during this period. Riders must simply identify a designated shelter location to the driver.

Starting at 7:00 pm on Saturday, January 24th, Mecklenburg County and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management are opening a winter storm shelter at Grady Cole Recreation Center (310 N Kings Dr, Charlotte, NC 28204) in coordination with the Red Cross.

Alexander County -

Alexander County will open an emergency shelter to support residents impacted by this weekends winter storm. The shelter will open on Sunday, January 25, at 9:00 a.m. in the JV gymnasium at Alexander Central High School (223 School Dr., Taylorsville). Food, water, and basic necessities will be provided.

Anson County-

A warming shelter will open at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Wadesboro Primary School, located at 1542 US Highway 52 South. The shelter will remain open until the weather stabilizes. Officials ask that you bring identification and essentials. Any pets should be caged.

Ashe County -

There will be temporary emergency shelter open Saturday morning at 10 am at Ashe County High School.

Burke County -

Burke County will open a power-dependent medical and special needs shelter at the Collett Street Recreation Center in Downtown Morganton at 6:00 PM tonight. The shelter will remain open for the duration of the current weather emergency and is intended to serve residents who rely on powered medical equipment or have special needs.

Chester County-

Head to a safe location or a designated shelter immediately while roads are still clear.

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Shelter Information Below:

 Chester Middle School

 1014 McCandless Road | Chester, SC 29706

 Great Falls War Memorial Building

 401 Dearborn Street | Great Falls, SC 29055

Catawba County -

The Salvation Army of Greater Hickory is opening, for information call 828-322-8061.

First United Methodist Church of Newton at 300 N. Main Ave

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF NEWTON (300 N Main Ave, Newton, NC 28658)

Statesville -

Officials are currently working with the Salvation Army located at 1361 Caldwell Street.

Gaston County -

Unity Baptist Church at 482 N. Myrtle School Road at 8 p.m. Friday through 7 a.m. Tuesday.

Union County -

In response to the storm, Union County officials are opening a shelter in coordination with the American Red Cross to provide a warm, safe place for anyone in need. The shelter will be managed by the American Red Cross, with support from Union County employees and Red Cross volunteers. The shelter has a generator to ensure continuity of operations.

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Shelter Location: Monroe Middle School: 601 E. Sunset Drive, Monroe, NC 28112

RELATED >> Gaston County opens 24/7 warming center ahead of winter storm

Rowan County -

Rowan Helping Ministries is opening its warming station from Jan. 24 to Jan. 31 from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. nightly at 217 N. Long Street in Salisbury.

(VIDEO: AAA advises caution on roads this weekend)
A hurricane-like storm ravaged parts of southern Italy this week, prompting evacuations as businesses, roads and other infrastructure were severely damaged.

The storm, Cyclone Harry, brought heavy rain, strong winds and storm surges to Sicily, Sardinia and Calabria starting on Monday, Jan. 19. Cyclone Harry continued to hit the region on Tuesday, Jan. 20, as seen in a video capturing the storm surge engulfing the dining room of Andrew's Ristorante, a Mediterranean seaside restaurant located in Catania on the east coast of Sicily, just south of the Italian peninsula.

A surge of water invades the dining room  flowing under glass windows, which appear to be designed for that function  and as the water floods the restaurant, tables and chairs are propelled. The crashing of glasses and tableware can be heard.

Satellite view of Tropical Storm Melissa 10:30 a.m. Oct. 22, 2025. One of five homes that collapsed within 45 minutes on Sept. 30, 2025, as rough seas from two hurricanes pounded away at beaches along portions of North Carolina's Outer Banks. An image of the winds over the Atlantic Ocean, as seen on earth.nullschool.net on the morning of Sept. 30, 2025, as hurricanes Imelda and Humberto spin away from the United States. Hurricanes Imelda and Humberto swirl in the Atlantic Ocean on Sept. 30, 2025 in this image from NOAA's GOES 19 satellite. Hurricane Gabrielle spins in the Atlantic east of Bermuda, while two other potential storms are seen in the tropical Atlantic on the morning of Sept. 24, 2025. One is causing rain and storms over Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands and the other is east of the Leeward Islands. The National Hurricane Center is monitoring all three. Tropical Storm Chantal over the U.S. East Coast on the morning of July 5, 2025. Tropical Storm Andrea, the first storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, is seen via satellite on June 24, 2025. Barry made landfall on June 29, 2025, south of Tampico, Mexico as a tropical depression, after weakening from a tropical storm. Tropical Storm Chantal slammed North Carolina with heavy rain that caused extreme flooding to central parts of the state on Monday, July 7. Footage shared by Cassaundra Anderson, a Chapel Hill resident, shows rapidly rising floodwaters in her neighborhood, leaving cars partially submerged. The storm was dubbed a tropical depression upon landfall on Sunday, July 6, and further downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone on Monday, July 7, according to the National Hurricane Center. Tropical Storm Dexter on satellite on Aug. 4, 2025. Surfers take advantage of the swells coming from Hurricane Erin into Wrightsville Beach around Crystal Pier on Aug. 19, 2025, in Wrightsville Beach, N.C. Hurricane Erin crawls along the U.S. East Coast on the morning of Aug. 20, 2025. Hurricane Erin on a geocolor satellite image on August 16, 2025. Wave heights offshore could reach heights of 50 feet near the eye of Hurricane Erin as the storm passes the U.S. East Coast on Aug. 19-21. It's massive wind field is stirring up the ocean across an area hundreds of miles wide. An aerial view from a NOAA Aircraft along Highway 12 on the Outer Banks of North Carolina after Hurricane Erin's high surf surrounds homes on the beach in Buxton. Tropical Storm Fernand 2025 full track. Hurricane Gabrielle is seen via NOAA satellite as it moves eastward in the Atlantic Ocean east of Bermuda, on the morning of Sept. 24, 2025. On Oct 28, 2025, a Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite captured a vivid view of Hurricane Melissa's eye a few hours before landfall on Jamaica's southern coast. Dawn Jensen (from left) Leann Johnson, Denise Gjertson and Dean Gjertson traveled to Jamaica at the end of October and were stranded after Hurricane Melissa. They returned home Nov. 4. Flooded houses in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, in Black River, Jamaica, November 5, 2025. Hurricane Melissa's eye is captured by NOAA satellite as the sun rises, as the Category 5 storm, with peaked sustained winds of 185 mph and gusts of more than 200 mph, approaches the island of Jamaica. Gloria Hutchins, 70, is assisted by a member of the army medical staff in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in Darliston, Jamaica on Nov. 3, 2025. Dorothy Headley, 75, prepares a meal of cow liver over a wood fire as damaged property is seen in the background in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in the Watercress community of Westmoreland, Jamaica, on October 31, 2025. A woman is evacuated from her home by emergency personnel after the Cauto River flooded due to Hurricane Melissa, in Rio Cauto, Granma Province, Cuba October 31, 2025. Hurricane scientist Andy Hazelton with the University of Miami took this photo inside the eye of Hurricane Melissa aboard a flight on the NOAA WP-3D hurricane reconnaissance aircraft dubbed Kermit, for Kermit the Frog. A damaged house is pictured after Hurricane Melissa slammed Boca de Dos Rios village, in Santiago de Cuba province, Cuba, on Oct. 30, 2025. People walk through a flooded street following Hurricane Melissa in Petit-Goave, 68km southwest of Port-au-Prince, on October 30, 2025. Hurricane Melissa was moving towards Bermuda on Thursday after ripping a path of destruction through the Caribbean that left at least 20 people dead in Haiti, and parts of Jamaica and Cuba in ruins. A drone view shows an affected area after Hurricane Melissa made landfall, in Crane Road, Black River, Jamaica, October 30, 2025. REUTERS/Maria Alejandra Cardona Drone view of flooding after Hurricane Melissa made landfall in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica. A NOAA satellite captures the eye of deadly Hurricane Melissa at Jamaica's coast on Oct. 28, 2025. Storms of the 2025 hurricane season so far 1 of 30 Satellite view of Tropical Storm Melissa 10:30 a.m. Oct. 22, 2025.

Winter storm: More than half of US facing winter storm. See the latest maps

Cyclone Harry brings winds of up to 90 mph and 30-foot waves

Local authorities said the storm  called a medicane, or a Mediterranean hurricane  was the most powerful in the past six decades, producing winds of up to 150 kilometers per hour (about 90 mph) and waves up to 10 meters tall (more than 32 feet), reported news site Italianismo. Water began to recede early Wednesday, Jan. 21, on the Sicilian coast, the site reported.

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To the west across the Tyrrhenian Sea, flooding in Sardinia from the storm is expected to result in damage costs in the hundreds of millions of euros, Sardinia Governor Alessandra Todde estimated, according to Euronews. (Each euro is equal to $1.18, so 200 million Euros would equal more than $236 million.)

Across Sicily, the damage is already estimated at half a billion euros, said Sicilian President Renato Schifani, who had called regional and central government officials to declare a national emergency, according to Nova News, a daily politics and economics newsletter headquartered in Rome.

Sicily recorded the highest number of incidents with more than 1,013 interventions by first responders, Reuters reported.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Friday, Jan. 23, in a post on X that the country's Council of Ministers would meet on Monday, Jan. 26, to discuss a state of emergency declaration for the regions.

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In Meloni's post, she also thanked the departments and local agencies that helped respond following the storm, which she confirmed did cause casualties.

The storm also brought flooding and damage elsewhere in the Mediterranean, including to Catalonia, Corsica and Malta, Euronews reported. Flooding in southern Spain was also attributed to Cyclone Harry, according to the Interesting Engineering site, which collected storm video from across the Mediterranean over the last several days.

Mike Snider is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, X and email him at mikegsnider & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & msnider@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Watch waves from Cyclone Harry engulf Italian restaurant in Sicily
Less than a year after the Wauwatosa School Board decided not to renew its contract, Wauwatosa STEM will become an independent charter school in another location next school year.

In a Jan. 21 news release, WSTEM announced that the school will be authorized by the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. Starting in fall 2026, WSTEM will be open to students from four-year-old kindergarten through sixth grade for its first year. It then plans to add grades seven and eight in the following school years.

WSTEM Governance Board President Libby Woodard said that the school is looking at two options for its facility  one in Wauwatosa and one in West Allis  and hopes to finalize a lease with the location it chooses in the next few weeks.

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The Wauwatosa location, 10201 W. Innovation Drive, is inside the Milwaukee County Research Park. The West Allis location, 6753 W. Rogers St., is currently occupied by the Richardson School. Woodard said that school would vacate the building at the end of this school year.

An independent charter school is a charter school that is not authorized by a school district. These charter schools, which still get public funding, can be authorized by a number of other institutions under state law, including the chancellors of any institutions in the Universities of Wisconsin, formerly known as the UW system.

Woodard said in an interview that the school is "extremely grateful and excited" about UW-Parkside authorizing the school. She also said the partnership brings stability and ensures continuity for the school's families.

"We can preserve what makes our school so special, and we can even work to make it more innovative and more impactful for the community because we have more autonomy as an independent charter, but we have such great support through the UW-Parkside as well," Woodard said.

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The process for becoming an independent public charter school started after the Wauwatosa School Board voted in April to not offer the school another five-year contract. That meant the school was scheduled to close this June and that the district would not explore opening any future charter schools with WSTEM. Currently, WSTEM shares a building and principal with Wilson Elementary School and hosts students in kindergarten through fifth grade.

The Wauwatosa School Board's decision led WSTEM to figure out what it could do to keep the school open, according to Woodard.

"Really the only option at that point was to seek a new charter," Woodard said.

Both UW-Parkside, along with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, offered charter authorization to the school. Ultimately, WSTEM chose UW-Parkside as its authorizer, according to Woodard.

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"We chose to go with UW-Parkside because we really felt like they were really invested with us in our school. They were really flexible and open to our model that was working so well for us, and they were just so supportive, engaged," Woodard said.

Woodard said WSTEM received an offer of authorization from UW-Milwaukee in late September and an offer of authorization from UW-Parkside in late October. She said the school informed UW-Parkside and UW-Milwaukee of their decisions in November. She said the school waited to make the announcement to make sure it had things in place, such as getting leads on securing facilities and getting fundraising started.

"The offer of authorization was a huge first step, but we felt like we still had some hurdles to overcome before announcing. The school community has had so much uncertainty, we didn't want to make anything official until we felt very confident that all the pieces would fall into place," Woodard said.

UW-Parkside Teacher Education Department Outreach Coordinator and Charter Schools Liaison Nicole Meier confirmed the university has authorized WSTEM to operate as an independent charter school.

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In an email, Meier said it was clear from the school's application and meeting with UW-Parkside officials that the school has a clear vision and record of high achievement.

"In addition, UW-Parkside's team noted that many of the university's programs and resources could compliment the STEM-related programming goals that the school has set, and we could see how our university students could benefit from opportunities to engage with students and staff at WSTEM. We see this opportunity as a true partnership that can strengthen both institutions," Meier said.

Wauwatosa School District Director of Strategic Communications Jessie Tuttle did not immediately respond to a reporter's requests for comment.

WSTEM will start accepting enrollment applications Jan. 26. Those interested can visit WSTEM.org or email contact@wstem.org for more information about enrollment.

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Woodard said there will be open houses and information sessions at the two locations the school is considering:

Jan. 24 from 10 a.m. to noon at 6753 W. Rogers St., West Allis

Jan. 25 from 10 a.m. to noon at 10201 W. Innovation Drive, Wauwatosa

Bridget Fogarty contributed to this report.

Contact Alec Johnson at (262) 875-9469 or alec.johnson@jrn.com. Follow him on X (Twitter) at @AlecJohnson12.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wauwatosa STEM to become independent charter school under UW-Parkside
Watch the CBS 42 Weather Livestream Channel for more the latest LOCAL Forecast:

Friday will be cloudy and cool. Most stay rain free through the day. High temperatures will be in the upper 40s to lower 50s.

*Weather Aware Friday through Sunday for Weekend Winter Storm

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Forecast models continue to show rainy weather for Saturday and Sunday across much of Central Alabama. The low-pressure area responsible for the winter storm is now expected to track over Birmingham instead of the Alabama Coast. This will bring warmer air, allowing rain to develop. The exception will be Marion, Winston, and areas to the north, where freezing rain is likely to accumulate.

However, the freezing rain should change to rain Saturday night into Sunday morning, melting the ice.

Another area to watch is east and northeast Alabama as cold air moves in from the eastern mountains (cold air wedge), causing minor amounts of freezing rain Saturday night into Sunday morning. This should then change to rain by midday Sunday.

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A significant portion of Central Alabama could receive 2-4 inches of rain this weekend. Combine that with todays rain, and minor flooding could occur in streams, creeks, and low-lying areas. There is a low chance of strong to severe storms in Greene and Hale counties, as well as southern Alabama. Temperatures may reach the 60s, and the air will be unstable. There is a slight threat of gusty winds and possibly a brief tornado.

As the system moves out Sunday evening, all of Central Alabama will likely see the rain change briefly to freezing rain and snow showers with minor accumulations.

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Then, extremely cold air will move in for Monday morning, with lows in the teens and wind chills around 10. It will be breezy, so hopefully roads and bridges will dry out. If they remain wet, black ice could be a concern Monday morning.

Monday will be sunny and cold, with highs only around 32, meaning most of us will be below freezing for over 24 hours. This could cause pipe bursts, so protect any outdoor exposed pipes. Monday night will be clear and even colder, with lows in the single digits to teens.

Needless to say, it will be a messy weekend. The best plan is to stay home and check for updates. We have you covered at CBS 42! Stay safe and informed!

Looking ahead to the rest of next week: high pressure will dominate the Southeast U.S., keeping us cold. Tuesday through Thursday will be sunny with highs in the 40s. Models point toward another winter storm next Friday, with potential for more rain and wintry mix, and highs in the 30s. Stay tuned.

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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 CBS 42.
With what is being hyped as the biggest storm of winter so far coming to Rhode Island and much of the United States, you might be wondering what is it.

A noreaster? A blizzard? An Arctic blast? Just plain old snow?

While being a New Englander you are likely familiar with the various terms for snow and snow storms, you may not know the technical definition used by meteorologist.

Winter storms, like the one coming, tend to bring out all the technical terms. Here's what they mean.

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What is the polar vortex?: In-depth look at how it can affect winter weather in the US.

What is a blizzard?

National Weather Service defines a blizzard as a storm that contains large amounts of snow or blowing snow, with winds in excess of 35 mph and visibilities of less than 1/4 mile for an extended period of time (at least 3 hours).

The term originated in the 1870s when an Iowa newspaper refashioned the word, previously used to describe cannon fire, into a word for snow.

Blizzard are largely defined by the low visibility, and heavy snowfall and severe cold aren't actually required to create blizzard conditions. Strong wind blowing already fallen snow can create blizzard conditions.

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"Blizzard conditions often develop on the northwest side of an intense storm system," the NWS said. "The difference between the lower pressure in the storm and the higher pressure to the west creates a tight pressure gradient, or difference in pressure between two locations, which in turn results in very strong winds. These strong winds pick up available snow from the ground, or blow any snow which is falling, creating very low visibilities and the potential for significant drifting of snow."

Looking back: Blizzard of 78 remains a touchstone for New Englanders who lived through it

Thundersnow: What is thundersnow and how does it happen?

The strong winds and cold temperatures accompanying blizzards can combine to create another danger. The wind chill factor is the amount of cooling one "feels" due to the combination of wind and temperature. During blizzards, with the combination of cold temperatures and strong winds, very low wind chill values can occur. It is not uncommon in the Midwest to have wind chills below -60F during blizzard conditions.

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Blizzards also can cause a variety of other problems. Power outages can occur due to strong winds and heavy snow. Pipes can freeze and regular fuel sources may be cut off.

What is a Nor'easter?

Perhaps the most talked about type of storm in New England, a Nor'easter actually isn't a term you can use to describe just any major snowstorm.

A Noreaster is a storm along the East Coast of North America that typically blow over coastal areas. These storms can occur at any time of year but are most frequent and most intense between September and April, according to the National Weather Service.

Noreasters usually develop between Georgia and New Jersey, within about 100 miles of the coast, and generally move northeastward, reaching maximum intensity near New England and the Canadian Maritime Provinces. They often bring heavy precipitation  rain or snow  along with gale-force winds, rough seas and sometimes coastal flooding.

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Historic Snowstorms: Can you guess how much snow Providence got on its snowiest day? Here's a look at history

What does the meteorologist mean by heavy snow?

The NWS define heavy snow in New England as snow accumulating at least 6 inches in a 12 hour period.

In New England, heavy snow is defined by the National Weather Services as snow accumulating to at least 6 inches in 12 hours.

What does wind chill?

In extreme cold, meteorologist often talk about two numbers. The actual temperature and the wind chill.

Wind chill takes into account the combined effect of lowering temperatures and the rate of heat loss from a human body, caused by the wind. Think of it like blowing on a hot cup of tea to cool it down. The more cool air that passes over the hot liquid, the faster the tea cools.

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Meteorologists use a mathematical formula involving the speed of the wind and the actual temperature to determine who cold it actually "feels."

What is an extreme cold weather advisory

When weather is expected to be dangerously cold, the NWS issues warning and advisories.

A cold weather advisory is the mildest, warning of dangerous cold condition.

The next step up is an extreme cold watch, "sued when extremely dangerous cold conditions or wind chill values are possible, but the occurrence, location, and/or timing is still uncertain."

And the most severe is an extreme cold warning " when extremely dangerous cold conditions or wind chill values are expected or occurring."

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When this is issued, people are advised to dress in layers and cover exposed skin when going outside to prevent frostbite. The NWS also recommends you tell someone where you are going.

Another step to take is making sure that your gas tank is at least half full.

What is the coming storm?

The storm expected to hit Rhode Island Sunday is currently defined just a winter storm.

""It's not quite blizzard criteria, but you're going to have a lot of heavy snow, blowing sideways for at least 12 hours." Jordan Steele, a meteorologist with the Weather Channel said.

A cold weather advisory has been issued for all of Rhode Island.

Previous reporting contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: What's a blizzard? Nor'easter? Weather terms you need to know
The Trump Administration shared on social media what appears to be a digitally altered photo of one of the people arrested in connection to a recent protest at a Minnesota church.

The image, posted Jan. 22 to the official White House account on X, formerly called Twitter, shows activist and civil rights lawyer Nekima Levy Armstrong being detained by a law enforcement officer, with her mouth open and tears streaming down her face.

Less than an hour before, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's X account had posted a nearly identical photo of Armstrong but with a much more composed expression, with her mouth closed and no tears on her face.

Homeland Security Investigators and FBI agents arrested Nekima Levy Armstrong who played a key role in orchestrating the Church Riots in St. Paul, Minnesota.



She is being charged with a federal crime under 18 USC 241.



Religious freedom is the bedrock of the United States - pic.twitter.com/LHh994fXf3  Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) January 22, 2026

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed on social media that Armstrong was taken into custody by federal agents. In addition to Armstrong, Bondi announced two other people were arrested over their alleged involvement in a protest that interrupted a Sunday service at a church in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Jan. 18.

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On Jan. 22, White House Deputy Communications Director Kaelan Dorr appeared to confirm the picture was altered in a post on his official account on X.

"YET AGAIN to the people who feel the need to reflexively defend perpetrators of heinous crimes in our country I share with you this message: Enforcement of the law will continue. The memes will continue," Dorr wrote.

The White House did not immediately respond to USA TODAY for additional comment.

Who is Nekima Levy Armstrong?

Lawyer and activist Nekima Levy Armstrong speaks during a social-justice-oriented MLK Jr. Day event, one day after the Department of Justice said it had opened an investigation into Armstrong and other protesters, in St. Paul, Minnesota, January 19, 2026.

Armstrong, 49, is an American civil rights lawyer based in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. She is the former president of the Minneapolis NAACP, according to her website, and ran an unsuccessful campaign for mayor of Minneapolis in 2017.

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St. Paul church demonstration: Don Lemon not charged in Minnesota church protest that led to activists' arrest

Who was arrested during St. Paul church protest?

In addition to Armstrong, officials also arrested Chauntyll Louisa Allen, a member of the St. Paul Public School board. Willliam Kelly, an anti-ICE activist and Army veteran, was also arrested, Bondi said.

Noem alleged the three arrestees helped organize the protest and said the trio is being charged with conspiracy to deprive rights in connection with the demonstration at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota.

A group of protestors entered the church on Sunday, Jan. 18, alleging Pastor David Easterwood serves as the ICE St. Paul Field Office acting director. The protest was held less than two weeks after the fatal shooting of Renee Good, a 37-year-old American woman killed by an ICE officer on Jan. 7 in Minneapolis.

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The arrests come after the Department of Justice said it was investigating the protest as a potential violation of the FACE Act, which protects access to religious worship under the First Amendment.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: White House appears to alter photo of lawyer arrested in church protest
The White Houses decision to post a doctored photo of a woman arrested in Minneapolis on Thursday will probably be raised in court as her criminal case proceeds, though it is unlikely to derail the case entirely, legal experts said.

The woman in the image, Nekima Levy Armstrong, is one of three people who was arrested on Thursday in connection with a disruptive protest at a church service. About 30 minutes after Kristi Noem, the homeland security secretary, posted a picture of her arrest, the White House posted a digitally altered photo of Armstrong in which her skin appears to be darkened and with tears running down her face. Noem posted pictures of two other defendants arrested on Thursday in connection with the protest, but only posted an altered image of Armstrong.

Criminal defendants in the US are presumed to be innocent until they are proven guilty. As a result, prosecutors are supposed to refrain from making statements that could be prejudicial or lead a jury to be biased against a defendant.

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This is supposed to be a legal process, not a political circus, which theyve made it, Jordan Kushner, an attorney representing Armstrong, told CNN on Thursday evening. To do altered video, lets not sugarcoat this  this is the hallmark of a fascist regime, where they actually alter reality, in this case literally, in order to meet their narrative.

The White House has not disputed the image was digitally altered. Asked for comment on the image on Thursday, the White House sent a link to a post on X from Kaelan Dorr, the White House deputy director of communications. YET AGAIN to the people who feel the need to reflexively defend perpetrators of heinous crimes in our country I share with you this message: Enforcement of the law will continue. The memes will continue. Thank you for your attention to this matter, the post said.

The image could arm Armstrongs defense with an opportunity to question the governments credibility around video and photographic evidence as well as argue the case has been tainted by prejudice.

One of the arguments against perp walks, which is prohibited under DoJ policy, is that it could prejudice the potential jury pool, said Barbara McQuade, the former US attorney for the eastern district of Michigan. Most often such prejudice can be overcome during jury selection by choosing jurors who have not seen it, but it certainly creates an issue that prosecutors will have to litigate.

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The White Houses decision to post the image might not be enough on its own to doom the case.

This might have been done by non-attorneys in the government without prosecutors knowledge and they would not be subject of course to an attorney disciplinary process, which is how these rules are enforced, said Samuel Buell, a former federal prosecutor who is now a law professor at Duke University. I have no doubt defense counsel will raise this issue if there is an opportunity to do so.

Ken White, another former federal prosecutor who is now a defense lawyer in Los Angeles, said he did not think the image would affect the case.

Its very sleazy, and a good example of the juvenile and petulant ethos of the sort of people who work for the Trump administration, he said. Though contemptible it falls very far short of the sort of misconduct that federal courts require to find outrageous government misconduct that might trigger a remedy like dismissal. Its also significantly short of the kind of evidence that could support a motion to dismiss for vindictive prosecution.

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Still, he added, there may be other reasons for posting the picture.

The reason this prosecution is so appealing to the administration is that the parishioners were white and the defendants are Black, he said. The opportunity to degrade a Black woman thrills the kind of people who work in the Trump administration and appeals to the kind of people who support the Trump administration.
Even though President Donald Trump said there is now a "framework of a future deal" on Greenland, his wish to claim the Arctic island emanates in part from an ambitious plan for a "Golden Dome" missile defense system.

Trump has repeatedly said the US needs Greenland "from the standpoint of national security."

This occupation of the autonomous territory ruled by Denmark would include assembling sensors and interceptors to potentially defend North America (including Trump's newest foe, Canada) and other US territories from any possible foreign attacks, including from China and Russia, as the president has frequently mentioned.

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Inspired by Israels Iron Dome, the Trump administration envisions the United States' Golden Dome project as a futuristic system, consisting of space and ground technology that stretches across Greenland.

Here's what to know about Trump's proposed Golden Dome:

President Donald Trump arrives in Davos to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF), on January 21, 2026 in Davos, Switzerland. The annual meeting of political and business leaders comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Europe over a range of issues, including Trump's vow to acquire Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory. President Donald Trump (C-R) attends a bilateral meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (C-L) alongside U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright and U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting on January 21, 2026 in Davos, Switzerland. The annual meeting of political and business leaders comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Europe over a range of issues, including Trump's vow to acquire Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory. President Donald Trump applauds after his special address during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on Jan. 21, 2026. The World Economic Forum takes place in Davos from Jan. 19 to Jan. 23, 2026. President Donald Trump gestures as he leaves the congress centre during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 21, 2026. The World Economic Forum takes place in Davos from January 19 to January 23, 2026. President Donald Trump leaves a plenary session at the Congress Hall, walking past journalists after his speech on the sidelines of the 56th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos on Jan. 21, 2026. The World Economic Forum is taking place in Davos from Jan. 19 to Jan. 23, 2026. President Donald Trump (R) listens as NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte speaks during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting on January 21, 2026 in Davos, Switzerland. The annual meeting of political and business leaders comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Europe over a range of issues, including Trump's vow to acquire Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory. President Donald Trump looks on during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 21, 2026. The World Economic Forum takes place in Davos from January 19 to January 23, 2026. President Donald Trump speaks during a bilateral meeting with NATO's Secretary-General on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 21, 2026. The World Economic Forum takes place in Davos from January 19 to January 23, 2026. President Donald Trump leaves the congress centre during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 21, 2026. The World Economic Forum takes place in Davos from January 19 to January 23, 2026. President Donald Trump addresses the media as he leaves the congress centre during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 21, 2026. The World Economic Forum takes place in Davos from January 19 to January 23, 2026. President Donald Trump looks on as he leaves the congress centre during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 21, 2026. The World Economic Forum takes place in Davos from January 19 to January 23, 2026. President Donald Trump gives a speech at the World Economic Forum (WEF) on January 21, 2026 in Davos, Switzerland. The annual meeting of political and business leaders comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Europe over a range of issues, including Trump's vow to acquire Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory. President Donald Trump (R) speaks to Apple CEO Tim Cook (L) as he attends a reception for business leaders at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting on January 21, 2026 in Davos, Switzerland. The annual meeting of political and business leaders comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Europe over a range of issues, including Trump's vow to acquire Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory. President Donald Trump greets executives during a reception for business leaders at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting on January 21, 2026 in Davos, Switzerland. The annual meeting of political and business leaders comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Europe over a range of issues, including Trump's vow to acquire Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory. President Donald Trump speaks during a reception for business leaders at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting on January 21, 2026 in Davos, Switzerland. The annual meeting of political and business leaders comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Europe over a range of issues, including Trump's vow to acquire Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory. President Donald Trump appears on a large screen as he addresses the World Economic Forum (WEF) in the Davos Congress Center on January 21, 2026 in Davos, Switzerland. The annual meeting of political and business leaders comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Europe over a range of issues, including Trump's vow to acquire Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory. CEO of BlackRock Larry Fink (L) embraces U.S. President Donald Trump during an evening reception with business leaders at the World Economic Forum (WEF) at the Davos Congress Center on January 21, 2026 in Davos, Switzerland. The annual meeting of political and business leaders comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Europe over a range of issues, including Trump's vow to acquire Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory. President Donald Trump takes the stage before delivering a speech at the World Economic Forum (WEF) at the Davos Congress Center on January 21, 2026 in Davos, Switzerland. The annual meeting of political and business leaders comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Europe over a range of issues, including Trump's vow to acquire Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory. A Blackhawk helicopter, part of the U.S. Marine Corps HMX presidential helicopter squadron, travels between Zurich and Davos on its way to the World Economic Forum on January 21, 2026 near Liechtenstein. The annual meeting of political and business leaders comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Europe over a range of issues, including U.S. President Trump's vow to acquire Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory. President Donald Trump disembarks Marine One as he arrives in Davos to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF), on January 21, 2026 in Davos, Switzerland. The annual meeting of political and business leaders comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Europe over a range of issues, including Trump's vow to acquire Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory. Trump mingles with global leaders in Davos for World Economic Forum 1 of 20 President Donald Trump arrives in Davos to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF), on January 21, 2026 in Davos, Switzerland. The annual meeting of political and business leaders comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Europe over a range of issues, including Trump's vow to acquire Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory.

A deal in the making?: Whats in Trumps framework Greenland deal? Here's what we know

Trump's focus on a Greenland 'Golden Dome'

Trump initially mentioned such plans of a dome during his first term in 2019, and at the beginning of his second term last year, but they were largely dismissed.

However, that all changed on Jan. 3 after U.S. forces struck the Venezuelan capital and ousted the countrys leader, Nicolas Maduro. Now, Trump has renewed his vision for the dome and Greenland, which has led European leaders to say it could ruin the longstanding NATO alliance.

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Initially called the "Iron Dome for America" by the White House, the proposed U.S. system would mirror Israel's well-known, multi-layered defense system. Developed in partnership with the United States, Israel's defense system consists of a collection of interceptors of short-range rockets, shells and mortars.

President Donald Trump speaks during a charter announcement for his Board of Peace initiative aimed at resolving global conflicts, alongside the 56th annual World Economic Forum (WEF), in Davos, Switzerland, January 22, 2026.

Collectively, these form a web or "dome" of air defense around the Middle East nation's roughly 8,500 square miles, about the size of New Jersey.

Trump issued an executive order a week after taking office, ordering the development of the Golden Dome system, and announced on May 20, 2025, he had selected a design for the $175 billion missile defense shield, as well as an initial $25 billion investment and a Space Force leader for the ground- and space-based project.

Yet, independent projections from the Congressional Budget Office noted in a May 2025 report that the project could eventually cost more than $800 billion over the next 20 years.

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Trump said the system "should be fully operational before the end of my term," which will be in 2029.

U.S. President Donald Trump holds a bilateral meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, January 21, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

How would the 'Golden Dome' operate?

The Golden Dome plan aims to cover the country with three layers of air defenses, according to written Senate testimony by Northern Command leader Air Force Gen. Gregory Guillot. There are sensors to warn of incoming threats, ground-based interceptor missiles to target incoming ballistic missiles and additional systems to handle lower-altitude threats, including hypersonic missiles and enemy drones.

The Golden Dome is also intended to use a network of hundreds of satellites circling the globe to knock out incoming enemy missiles after they lift off from countries such as China, Russia, Iran or North Korea.

The proposal has drawn criticism from experts because of its feasibility and cost, while the aforementioned rivals, Russia and China, have condemned the project. North Korea has also weighed in to oppose the proposed missile shield.

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Contributing: Joey Garrison and Davis Winkie, USA TODAY; Reuters.

Terry Collins is a National Correspondent for USA TODAY. You can reach him at tcollins@usatoday.com and on X @terryscollins.

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 Donald Trump wants a 'Golden Dome' based partly in Greenland
One year ago, days before Donald Trump reclaimed power, the head of Denmark's People's Party took a trip to Mar-a-Lago. Morten Messerschmidt thought he and Trump shared a common view on the perils of European integration. Together, he told local media at the time, they could make the West great again.

In Europe, just as in the United States, Messerschmidt thought it was "nationale suvernitet"  national sovereignty  that over centuries had given countries large and small the tools to build their culture, traditions and institutions. Those were the values that conservative movements across the European continent are fighting to protect.

But Messerschmidt now finds himself on the defensive. The far-right politician is suddenly distancing himself from an American president who, off and on over the last year, has made aggressive plays to annex Greenland, targeting Danish borders that have existed for roughly 300 years.

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Trump pulled back from military threats against the island this week. "It's total access  there's no end," he said in an interview on Thursday with Fox Business. Asked whether he still intended on acquiring the island, Trump replied, "It's possible. Anything is possible."

Despite Trump's fixation on Greenland since his first term, he declined to meet with Messerschmidt at Mar-a-Lago last January. Instead, the Danish politician found himself discussing the matter with Marla Maples, the president's ex-wife.

"Portraying me as someone who serves a cause other than Denmark, and who would sympathize with threats to our kingdom, is unhealthy," Messerschmidt wrote on Facebook last weekend. "It is slander."

Read more: Trump hedges in the Arctic

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The Danish People's Party is one of many far-right groups across Europe, aligned with Trump's MAGA movement in their fervent opposition to immigration and related issues, suddenly in rebellion against an administration it once thought of as an ideological ally.

The president's moves are now compelling them to reconcile their alliance with Trump with a core tenet on the political right, that nationalism is largely defined by people and place over historic stretches of time  or as Trump often said on the campaign trail, "without a border, you don't have a country."

"Donald Trump has violated a fundamental campaign promise  namely, not to interfere in other countries," Alice Weidel, co-leader of Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany Party, or AfD, said in Berlin. Her colleague added: "It is clear that Wild West methods must be rejected."

The rupture could jeopardize the Trump administration's own stated goals for a future Europe that is more conservative and aligned with the Republican Party  a plan that relied on boosting the very same parties now questioning their ties to the president.

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In its national security strategy, published in November, the White House said it would "cultivate resistance to Europes current trajectory within European nations," hoping to restore "Europes civilizational self-confidence and Western identity."

And it is not clear whether the president's decision to walk back his most aggressive threats is enough to contain the diplomatic damage. "The process of getting to this agreement has clearly damaged trust amongst allies," Rishi Sunak, former prime minister of the United Kingdom and leader of its Conservative Party, told Bloomberg on Thursday.

Trumps pressure campaign urging Ukraine to accept borders redrawn by a revanchist Russia had already strained relations between his inner circle and Europes far-right movements. But several prominent right-wing leaders say his aggressive posture toward Greenland amounted to a bridge too far.

On Wednesday in Switzerland, addressing growing concerns over the plan, Trump still left threats lingering in the air, warning European leaders that he would "remember" if they blocked a U.S. takeover.

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"Friends can disagree in private, and thats fine  thats part of life, part of politics," Nigel Farage, leader of the far-right Reform UK party in Britain and a longtime Trump ally, told House Speaker Mike Johnson in London earlier this week. "But to have a U.S. president threatening tariffs unless we agree that he can take over Greenland by some means, without it seeming to even get the consent of the people of Greenland  I mean, this is a very hostile act."

Read more: Trump backs away from military force, says U.S. has 'framework' for Greenland's future

In France, the head of Marine Le Pens far-right party, National Rally, said the United States had presented Europe "with a choice: Accept dependency disguised as partnership or act as sovereign powers capable of defending our interests."

With overseas territories across the Pacific, Caribbean and Indian oceans, France has the second-largest maritime exclusive economic zone in the world after the United States. If Trump can seize Greenland by force, what is stopping him, or any other great power, from conquering France's islands?

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"When a U.S. president threatens a European territory while using trade pressure, it is not dialogue  it is coercion. And our credibility is at stake," said the party's young leader, Jordan Bardella.

"Greenland has become a strategic pivot in a world returning to imperial logic," he added. "Yielding today would set a dangerous precedent."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Spain has deployed a fighter wing to Lithuania to contribute to NATO air policing operations.

Business Insider visited the detachment and spoke to members involved in the mission.

The pilots say the variant of the US-made F/A-18 Hornet that they fly is well-suited for the job.

SIAULIAI AIR BASE, Lithuania  Lt. Col. Fernando Allen has logged over 1,000 hours flying the EF-18, an American-made fighter jet designed specifically for the Spanish air forces. He firmly believes it's the "best machine ever made."

Allen, the detachment commander of a Spanish Air Force wing deployed to Siauliai Air Base to support NATO air policing operations, says the EF-18 fighter is perfect for intercepting fast-moving jets  or slow-flying drones.

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"I think it's the best multi-role asset because it's very easy for the pilot to get all the info in the cockpit," he told Business Insider during a visit to the air base this week. The jet's screen layout, he explained, is what makes it simple.

Spain's 15th Wing deployed to Siauliai in Lithuania at the start of December for a four-month rotation to contribute to NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission, designed to protect the airspace above and around Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia  the Baltic nations on the front lines of the alliance.

Fighter jets are routinely scrambled on short notice from the Siauliai base and other bases in the region to intercept Russian military aircraft flying over the Baltic Sea that aren't using their transponders, haven't filed official flight plans, or aren't communicating appropriately with air traffic control.

Last year, NATO's Air Command recorded more than 500 scrambles across allied airspace as part of its air policing missions and other defensive operations.

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The 200-member Spanish detachment arrived at Siauliai with 11 EF-18M fighter jets, upgraded versions of the twin-engine F/A-18 Hornet, designed by former American defense contractor McDonnell Douglas (which later merged with Boeing).

The EF-18 is a variant of the American-made F/A-18 designed specifically for the Spanish Air Force. Joan Valls/Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images

The fourth-generation F/A-18 made its first flight in the late 1970s and entered service with the US military in the early 1980s. The fighter jet has seen extensive combat experience across the Middle East and southeastern Europe and is flown by roughly half a dozen countries today.

Spain operates its own specialized version of the F/A-18 Hornet. The airframe of the EF-18 ("E" for Espana) is made in America, but Madrid has been responsible for upgrading and modifying the jets in the decades since it first purchased them, modernizing features such as the software.

The jet's exterior may look the same as those flown by Finland or Canada, but the interior is completely different, with "all the latest technology," said Allen, the detachment commander.

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"It's very easy to fly an F-18," he said. "The most difficult part is to manage everything you have inside."

'You can fly very, very slow'

When the EF-18s deployed to Siauliai are scrambled, it is usually in response to a nearby aircraft flying without identification or failing to follow  intentional or not  international rules. While most interceptions occur without incident, the fighters are armed, ready for a threat scenario.

The Spanish EF-18s are armed with an M61A1 Vulcan 20mm cannon and can be equipped with IRIS-T short-range air-to-air missiles and AIM-120 medium-range air-to-air missiles. The two missiles use infrared and radar homing technology, respectively.

The utility of combat-proven air-to-air weapons such as these was underscored in September when NATO fighter jets shot down Russian drones that crossed into Polish airspace during an attack against Ukraine.

Spanish pilots say the EF-18 is perfect for NATO air policing operations. Joan Valls/Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images

The troubling incident sparked discussions among Western officials and military leaders about finding more cost-effective ways to shoot down cheap drones without relying solely on expensive jet-fired missiles.

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"We can carry many air-to-air weapons, air-to-ground weapons," Allen said. He praised the EF-18 fighter's thrust, saying that the fighter can travel at both high and low speeds, the latter coming into play for a growing area of concern affecting alliance air policing missions.

"You can fly very, very slow," Allen said. "For us, to intercept drones or small aircraft, it's not easy, but it's easier for us than any other aircraft."

The EF-18 is the only fighter Allen has ever flown, but others under his command have had the opportunity to experience the capabilities of other airframes firsthand.

Lt. Arturo Guitan, an EF-18 pilot with the 15th Wing, told Business Insider he prefers his jet to the fourth-generation Eurofighter Typhoon, developed by a consortium of European defense firms, even though the latter is a more technologically advanced aircraft.

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"We love it," Guitan said of the EF-18, adding that the fighter is capable of performing all the mission requirements.

Countries contribute to the Baltic Air Policing mission on four-month rotations; the 15th Wing will be replaced in March by Romania and France. The Spanish fighter pilots began training for the job long before they deployed to Lithuania, routinely practicing for scrambles.

"We are honored to be here, and we are very proud to be part of this kind of mission," said Lt. Jesus Ortin, another EF-18 pilot. "It's a peacetime mission, so we are highly trained for this."

Despite praise from pilots, Spain has gradually moved in recent years to replace its EF-18 fleet with orders for dozens of new Eurofighter jets. The country has also pivoted away from buying the stealth fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II, made by the US defense giant Lockheed Martin, opting instead for a European aircraft.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The historic, widespread, long-lasting winter storm has already blanketed parts of the South and Plains with ice and snow, and will target millions more in the Midwest and Northeast through Monday.

You've found an old version of this article. For the latest forecast on Winter Storm Fern, please click here.

Winter Storm Archive

The genesis of Winter Storm Fern came from an unusually low latitude off the coast of California and western Mexico around January 22. The low pressure system dipped southward and made landfall on Mexico's Baja California peninsula late on January 23 while spreading deep subtropical moisture across Mexico and the southern U.S.

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The Hurricane Hunters investigated the system in the Pacific to learn about its moisture, position and track before reaching Mexico.

So far, up to 8 inches of snow with sleet has been reported in and near the Little Rock, Arkansas, metro area, where cars have been sliding off the road over the last few hours. The highest snowfall totals so far surpass a foot in New Mexico.

Almost three-quarter inch of ice accumulation was reported near Hall Summit, Louisiana, southeast of Shreveport. Icing, with some downed tree limbs has been observed as far south as Fredericksburg, Texas, in the Hill Country.
NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  A strong winter storm is still on track to move into New Mexico starting Friday. The heaviest snow and biggest impacts will be Saturday, especially along and east of the central mountain chain.

Cold, arctic air will start moving into eastern New Mexico tonight as moisture from a Pacific low-pressure system will start moving into southern New Mexico. This will bring scattered rain showers to southern New Mexico on Friday morning, with rain making it as far north as I-40. Rain switches to snow above 9,000, with a mix of rain and snow in eastern New Mexico. Through the day Friday, temperatures will fall in eastern New Mexico behind the arctic cold front. Rain will still fall in southeast New Mexico, but that will switch over to light freezing rain near the Texas state line, and light snow in northeast New Mexico. The rest of the state will also see rain and mountain snow through the day on Friday.

We get a break in the precipitation for most of New Mexico Friday night into Saturday, before the heavier snow moves in Saturday. It will start Saturday morning with a mix of rain and snow in west, northwest, and northern New Mexico, along with rain in southern parts of the state, and freezing rain in far eastern New Mexico. Through the day Saturday, more moisture and colder air will move in. This will bring heavier snow for areas in northern and eastern New Mexico, with snow levels dropping as far south as Roswell by noon. The colder air is slower to move in, though, so it will stay as rain in the Albuquerque Metro through most of the day, until switching over to snow by 9 pm. Precipitation will be ending Saturday night from northwest to southeast. However, heavy snow will fall Saturday night along and east of the central mountain chain, where some of the biggest travel impacts will be felt. Snow will linger into Sunday morning across southern parts of the state, with light snow possible all the way down to Las Cruces. The storm completely clears out by noon on Sunday.

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The heaviest snow with this storm is still expected to fall along and east of the central mountain chain, where many areas will see more than 3 of snow. There will be pockets of 6+ of snow, though, creating hazardous driving conditions. Heavier snowfall is likely in the mountains, where over 12 may be possible. Sierra Blanca Peak will likely see over two feet of snow! Snow totals are lower now in the Albuquerque Metro, with 1-4 likely.

Bitterly cold air will move in with this storm system as well, bringing some of the coldest air so far this yearon Sunday. Wind chills Sunday morning may even dip below zero across much of the state. With high temperatures below freezing on Sunday for much of New Mexico, road conditions will not improve quickly. A warming trend starts Monday with highs climbing back up closer to average again around the middle of next week.

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.
Editor's note: Ice accumulation totals have been updated to reflect the most recent and accurate National Weather Service forecast.

The forecast continues to shift for Knoxville.

While the storm was originally supposed to dump half a foot of snow on East Tennessee, things have changed as the storm tracks farther northward. The storm, named Winter Storm Fern by the Weather Channel, should hit Knoxville with more ice than snow.

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The major storm will stretch through weekend, spreading snow and ice from the southern Plains to the Northeast, according to forecasters.

A significant amount of rain could fall Sunday, then temperatures will drop into Monday.

"Significant icing expected. Total snow and sleet accumulations of up to one inch and ice accumulations up to four tenths of an inch," the National Weather Service in Morristown warned.

Knoxville is under an ice storm warning from the National Weather Service.

All 95 Tennessee counties are under a state of emergency. Gov. Bill Lee announced the executive order ahead of the winter weather.

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National Weather Service meteorologists remained uncertain about exactly what type of precipitation and the exact amounts to expect. The temperature was expected to hover around freezing overnight and warm up Sunday.

"Fairly confident we won't get surprise massive snowstorm, but ice forecasting is not fun and comes down to very exact temperature prediction, how warm/cold the air aloft is, rain rates, and more. The snow is complicated by how much sleet will eat the snow away, and if there's any significant backside snow Sunday night," the NWS Morristown office posted on Jan. 23.

Here's what to know about the weather predictions.

Knoxville weather forecast: Get updates sent straight to you with Knox News alerts and texts

When will the snow start in Knoxville?

The winter storm started this morning in West and Middle Tennessee, according to the National Weather Service. The heavy winter precipitation is forecast to happen later today.

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The storm will continue through Sunday afternoon, when the wintry mix will transition to rain, according to NWS.

How much snow will Knoxville get?

In the winter storm forecast, Knoxville's snow totals have dwindled. Now the region is forecast to get a maximum of 1 inch of snow. However, the National Weather Service expressed "low confidence" in the forecast.

Here's the latest:

Knoxville: 0.5-1 inch

Gatlinburg: 0.5-1 inch

Morristown: 1-2 inches

Greeneville: 1-2 inches

Sunbright: 2-3 inches

Kingsport: 2-3 inches

Mountain City: 2-3 inches

Tazewell: 3-4 inches

Oneida: 4-6 inches

How much ice will Knoxville and East Tennessee get?

An ice storm warning is in place for Anderson, Bledsoe, Bradley, Cherokee, Clay, Hamilton, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Rhea, Roane and Sequatchie counties.

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The warning is in effect through 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, according to the National Weather Service. Totals have gone up and down for days.

While these ice accumulations seem small, they can cause big problems. Beware of black ice on roads and dangerous driving conditions. Ice can weigh down tree branches or power lines, potentially resulting in power outages.

Gatlinburg: 0.3 inches

Knoxville: 0.1 inch

Morristown: 0.2 inches

Greeneville: 0.5 inches

Kingsport: 0.11 inches

Tazewell: 0.18 inches

Mountain City: 0.35 inches

Knoxville weather radar

USA TODAY Network reporter Caroline Neal contributed to this report.

Allison Kiehl covers trending and breaking news from Knoxville for the Tennessee Connect Team. Email: allison.kiehl@knoxnews.com

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Support strong local journalism and unlock premium perks at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: How much snow and ice Knoxville will get as storm shifts north
Tsinghua math talent rivals top US peers, Yau says

10:14, January 23, 2026 By Zou Shuo ( China Daily

Shing-Tung Yau, a renowned mathematician, winner of the Fields Medal and dean of Tsinghua University's Qiuzhen College

World-renowned mathematician Shing-Tung Yau has praised Tsinghua University's special mathematics talent program, stating that it has "exceeded expectations", and that its students have "outperformed peers from top US universities in a prestigious competition".

In a recent exclusive interview with China Daily, Yau also called for a fundamental shift in the Chinese education system  from relentless exam preparation to nurturing genuine innovation.

Yau, a winner of the Fields Medal, which is regarded as the highest honor in mathematics, and dean of Tsinghua's Qiuzhen College, an institution dedicated to cultivating mathematics talent, highlighted the latest achievement of the Yau Mathematical Sciences Leaders Program, which was launched in October 2020 with the approval of the central authorities.

The program selects about 100 secondary school students nationwide each year, exempting them from the national college entrance exam, or gaokao, for an eight-year integrated bachelor's-to-PhD track.

"We are in our fifth year, with nearly 800 students in Qiuzhen College. Their performance has surpassed my expectations," Yau said. He highlighted the results of the Putnam Competition  a renowned and exceptionally challenging undergraduate mathematics contest held in the United States  where since 2022, Tsinghua students have performed on par with students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and fared better than students of other leading US universities.

Beyond competitions, Yau emphasized the program's interdisciplinary cultivation model. Students engage not only in mathematics and physics but also in artificial intelligence, biology and humanities. They visit historical sites to develop a sense of cultural belonging. Some of them have even written reflective travel notes in classical Chinese. "We aim to cultivate innovative and interdisciplinary talent with passion, not narrow specialists," Yau noted.

Youth development

The mathematician has also spearheaded the establishment of more than 50 Shing-Tung Yau Junior Classes across China, a youth program for gifted middle school students, enrolling about 3,000 students from age 12 each year. These classes focus on "learning, not drilling", aiming to inspire early interest in foundational science. "Many great mathematicians in history displayed talent from ages 12 or 13. We must guide them with real scholarship, not just exam prep," Yau stressed.

Commenting on the well-being of young students, Yau said the group-based admissions involving dozens of children from similar age groups help prevent loneliness and psychological pressure. They are supported and tutored by undergraduate and postdoctoral students, creating a healthy, collaborative environment, he said.

However, Yau does acknowledge challenges, particularly as more Leaders Program students advance to postgraduate studies.

"Their undergraduate training is strong. The real test is whether our students can produce world-leading research," he said, adding that this requires more top-tier scholars to guide them.

The Qiuzhen College has some of the best mathematicians in the world as chair professors, such as Fields Medalist Caucher Birkar and top symplectic geometry scholar Kenji Fukaya. "But we need more of them to guide our students to do research and write first-tier papers," Yau said.

Their research papers can already be considered excellent, but to determine whether they have reached the absolute top tier that could have international impacts takes time and effort, he said.

"What I mean by that is the ability to produce work that changes the tides of mathematics, like Shiingshen Chern. I should say, among Chinese scholars, such figures are rare. There are many outstanding Chinese researchers, but how many have truly been able to drive transformative shifts in mathematics? It is our hope that the students of Qiuzhen College will ultimately rise to that level."

Talking about the drawbacks of exam-oriented training, Yau said drill-and-practice is not a traditional method. It has grown over the past 20 years with the rise of the tutoring businesses. "We want students to focus on important problems that can change the related field  not small exercises solvable in an hour."

Yau was optimistic about the employability of math graduates. "With strong government support for basic science, there is high demand for doctorate holders in universities and industries." He urged young scholars not to chase "quick fame or hats" (professional titles) and instead "engage deeply with their field  success will follow".

"The sad truth is that many young scholars want to seek quick success and they want to be successful in three years through connections, rather than putting in efforts for 10 years," Yau said.

They should just enjoy the fun of math and be open to cooperation. That way they can grow and achieve great results, he said.

Humanities matter

Yau also defended the role of humanities in science education. "Great science grows from rich cultural soil. Literature, history and philosophy nurture the perspective and emotional depth that computers cannot replicate," he said.

Regarding the role of humanities in the age of AI, he said AI models can synthesize historical poetry and literature to produce well-written texts, but they cannot cultivate genuine personal emotion.

What literature and culture contribute to mathematics and science is largely emotional and perspectival.

"I write poems myself. When I feel inspired, I write. What I write may not be as polished as AI-generated work, but it is my own feeling, expressed in my own words. That kind of personal resonance is something only a human can experience. AI cannot truly hear or feel it."

When asked how to measure the success of the program, Yau said: "With solid backing, I believe our students can produce work that changes the direction of mathematics. That is our real goal: to cultivate thinkers, not just exam takers."

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Akbar Novruz



Russian, Ukrainian and United States negotiators are set to hold talks in the United Arab Emirates on Friday, marking the first known meeting involving all three sides since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly four years ago, Azernews reports.

Officials describe the meeting as a cautious but significant diplomatic step amid stalled peace efforts and continued fighting.

The Kremlin confirmed Russias participation following a late-night meeting in Moscow between President Vladimir Putin and US envoys, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said the discussions were substantive, constructive and very frank, while stressing that any long-term settlement remains impossible without resolving territorial disputes.

According to Ushakov, Putin reiterated that Russia is sincerely interested in a diplomatic solution but made clear that Moscow would continue pursuing the objectives of its special military operation until territorial issues are settled. He referenced the so-called Anchorage formula, agreed during last years TrumpPutin summit in Alaska, as the basis for any durable peace.

Ukraine, however, remains firm that territorial concessions cannot be one-sided. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, President Volodymyr Zelensky criticised European allies for a lack of political will in confronting Russia, while acknowledging that the future status of eastern Ukrainian territories remains the central obstacle.

Its all about the land. This is the issue which is not solved yet, Zelensky said, adding that the Russians have to be ready for compromises, not only Ukraine.

One of the key sticking points is Moscows demand that Kyiv relinquish control over the remaining 25 percent of the Donetsk region still held by Ukrainian forces. Zelensky has countered with a proposal to withdraw troops by up to 40 kilometres from parts of Donbas to create a demilitarised free economic zone, provided Russia does the same. The US-backed plan reportedly links such an arrangement to robust security guarantees for Ukraine.

The seriousness of the Abu Dhabi talks is reflected in the seniority of the delegations. Ukraines team includes National Security and Defence Council head Rustem Umerov, intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov, negotiator David Arakhamia, and Chief of the General Staff Andrii Hnatov. Russias delegation will be led by GRU Director General Igor Kostyukov, while investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev is expected to hold parallel discussions with US representatives on economic issues.

Another unresolved issue looming over the talks is the future of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, seized by Russian forces in March 2022 and regarded by Kyiv as non-negotiable. Zelensky has also confirmed that he reached a preliminary understanding with Trump on future US security guarantees for Ukraine, though any agreement would require approval by both the US Congress and Ukraines parliament.

While expectations of an immediate breakthrough remain low, the Abu Dhabi meeting signals a shift from indirect contacts to structured trilateral engagement. Analysts suggest the talks could lay the groundwork for a phased process, beginning with confidence-building measures, energy and infrastructure security, and limited demilitarisation, before addressing the most contentious territorial questions.

For Washington, the talks offer a chance to test whether Moscow is prepared to move beyond battlefield logic toward a negotiated framework. Donald Trump stated on Thursday that it would be an act of 'stupidity' if Ukraine stalls the next steps of the negotiations. For Kyiv, they provide an opportunity to anchor any future deal in firm security guarantees. For Russia, participation allows it to reassert its conditions while probing the limits of Western unity.

Whether the UAE talks become a turning point or merely another diplomatic waypoint will depend on whether the land question, the core of the conflict, can move from rigid positions to negotiated compromise.
The entire region is expected to see significant snowfall this weekend.

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for the entire region. It starts Saturday morning and will last until noon on Monday.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Storm Center 7 Weather app for alerts as news breaks]

The snow is expected to begin around 3 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, mainly south of Interstate 70.

It will be scattered and light to start. You will begin to experience slick spots on many roadways on Saturday evening.

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However, as the evening progresses, heavier, steadier snowfall will take over the entire southwestern side of Ohio.

Roadways will be completely snow-covered throughout the night.

The heaviest snow looks to begin Sunday morning and linger through the front part of the day. At this point, travel is not advised.

Even as the snow lightens during the evening on Sunday, blowing and drifting snow will become an issue as the winds pick up speed.

Any treated and plowed roads will quickly deteriorate. Travel will be difficult through Monday.

Snowfall totals are expected to range from 6 to 12 inches.

The last time Dayton International Airport picked up 12 inches of snow in one storm was back in 2008!

[WATCH Storm Center 7 Weather on the following devices]

Beyond this snowstorm, the bitter cold air takes over.

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Morning lows will drop below zero, and afternoon highs may not even make it into the teens.

Wind chill values will reach 15 to 25 degrees below zero at times.
This story has been updated with the most recent timeline for when snow will strike central Ohio.

Most of central and southern Ohio is under a winter storm warning as Winter Storm Fern threatens to bring disruptive snow and ice across much of the country.

The warning begins at 10 a.m. Jan. 24 and is expected to remain in effect through Monday, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington. The forecast calls for heavy snow, with potential accumulation of 8 to 12 inches.

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The weather service also issued a separate cold weather advisory that begins at 6 p.m. Jan. 23 until noon Jan. 24. Expect "very cold" wind chills as low as -12 degrees.

Related winter storm article: Winter storm: How much snow will central Ohio get?

"Travel could be very difficult to impossible," the NWS said in its warning, noting that Fern's impacts could stretch through the weekend and into the Jan. 26 commute.

An NWS map showing predicted snow and ice accumulation.

More than 160 million people nationwide are under winter weather hazards associated with the storm. Forecasters say heavy snowfall is likely from the Rockies to the Northeast, with dangerous ice possible from the ArkLaTex region to the Mid-Atlantic.

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State and local officials are urging residents to limit unnecessary travel, prepare for rapidly changing conditions and monitor forecasts as the storm develops. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is expected to give a public address at 3:30 p.m. Jan. 23 about the state's storm perpetration efforts, along with emergency and law enforcement officials. There is no current statewide snow emergency in effect.

More: How much snow will Columbus see this weekend? The 'arctic wave' is coming

Residents are urged to prepare for hazardous travel conditions, potential power outages and prolonged impacts as the storm moves east.

When will it start snowing in Columbus?

The NWS published an updated timeline for when the storm is expected to drop snow through central Ohio.

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The forecast calls for a 40% chance of snow to begin after 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24. Expect light snow to begin in earnest around 7 p.m. and continue through the following morning. Some parts of central Ohio could see heavier patches than others.

Those odds of snow increase to 100%, with a chance of 2 to 4 inches of heavy snow expected overnight into Sunday, Jan. 25.

Expect another 4 to 8 inches of snow throughout the day, with another 1 to 3 inches of light snow into the morning of Monday, Jan. 26. The NWS said it could affect the morning commute.

A timeline shows the possible impacts of Winter Storm Fern on Columbus and central Ohio. The worst of the storm should hit central Ohio after sundown on Saturday, Jan. 25.

Winter storm warnings, watches, blizzards. Whats the difference?

Sometimes, weather terminology can be confusing. The region is under a winter storm warning, which the NWS defines in a specific way.

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The NWS issues a winter storm warning when a combination of winter weather conditions is occurring or imminent and could be hazardous.

Those conditions include:

5 or more inches of snow/sleet within 12 hours or 7 inches or more of snow/sleet within 24 hours

Ice accumulation that could cause damage to trees and powerlines

Life-threatening or damaging accumulations of snow and/or ice with wind

Learn More: Winter weather watch vs. warning. What's the difference?

ODOT pleads with motorists to stay off Ohio roads and highways

The Ohio Department of Transportation is pleading with Ohioans to stay home and stay off the roads during the winter storm.

If the current forecast holds, it will be "very, very" challenging for Ohioans to get anywhere this weekend, ODOT spokesperson Matt Bruning said at a Jan. 22 press conference.

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"So, people just need to plan for that. If you had plans to take your kids to the park or something or do something fun this weekend, [this is] probably not the weekend to do that," Bruning said.

You can keep tabs on most highway and interstate conditions, and track traffic and crashes through OHGO, ODOT's statewide road surveillance system.

Read More: How ODOT and the Ohio Highway Patrol are preparing for Winter Storm Fern

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: When will snow hit Columbus? Winter storm warning issued for Ohio
A winter storm warning was issued by the National Weather Service in Mount Holly at 12:38 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 23. This warning applies to Sussex County including Inland Sussex, Delaware Beaches, Atlantic, Cape May, Atlantic Coastal Cape May and Coastal Atlantic counties.

The warning also includes New Castle and Kent counties.

The NWS warns: "If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1."

See weather radar for Sussex County

What are NWS meteorologists saying?

At 12:38 p.m., the NWS issued a statement including the following information:

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WHAT: Heavy snow with mixed precipitation expected. Total snow accumulations between 6 and 10 inches and ice accumulations around one tenth of an inch. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph.

WHERE: Portions of southern Delaware and southern New Jersey.

WHEN: From 7 p.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. EST Monday for Sussex and until 1 p.m. EST Monday for New Castle and Kent counties.

IMPACTS: Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute."

What is a winter storm warning?

The National Weather Service issues warnings based on local impacts. A winter storm in Texas might trigger a warning with far less snow than the same storm in Wisconsin, because local infrastructure, typical weather and public safety needs differ.

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A Winter Storm Warning means snow, sleet or ice is expected, so take action.

A Winter Storm Watch means those conditions are possible, so be prepared.

A Winter Weather Advisory means wintery weather is expected, so be careful.

Delaware weather watches and warnings

Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text.

This weather report was generated automatically using information from the National Weather Service and a story written and reviewed by an editor.

See the latest weather alerts and forecasts here

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Winter storm warning issued for Delaware by NWS
Get ready, the snow is on its way.

Delaware will be under a winter storm warning from 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, until 7 a.m., Monday, Jan. 26., according to the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, New Jersey.

While a major winter storm is still expected to hit most of the area, the latest forecast shows a slight reduction in snow totals across the Delmarva region into southeastern New Jersey because of the increasing sleet and freezing rain potential, according to the National Weather Service.

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But the weather warning remains in effect. But what does it mean? Here's the difference between a watch and a warning:

How much snow are we getting?: Snow storm on Sunday to bring a foot or more to Delaware

Winter storm watch

These involve conditions favorable for a winter storm event, which is a threat to life or property.

Watches are usually issued 24 hours before an event that has a 50% chance of occurring, but its occurrence, location and/or timing is still uncertain.

The NWS also classifies blizzard watches, which are conditions favorable for a blizzard event that features visibility of less than a quarter mile with wind gusts up to at least 35 mph.

Winter storm advisory

An Advisory indicates conditions pose a significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, could lead to situations that may threaten life and/or property, according to the NWS.

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These are issued for one or more of the following:

Snow to 3 feet to 5 feet in an hour;

Sleet up to a half inch;

Freezing rain with sleet or snow;

blowing snow.

Freezing rain advisories are issued following a quarter each of accumulation.

Winter storm warning

When conditions are at their worst, the NWS issues three types of warnings. These include:

Heavy storm warning: Heavy snow of 6 inches in 12 hours or 8 inches in 24 hours that could include sleet of a half inch or more.

Ice storm warning: Ice accumulation of a quarter inch or more.

Blizzard warning: Blizzard conditions for three hours or more.

What is a blizzard?

National Weather Service defines a blizzard as a storm that contains large amounts of snow or blowing snow, with winds in excess of 35 mph and visibilities of less than 1/4 mile for an extended period of time (at least 3 hours).

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The term originated in the 1870s when an Iowa newspaper refashioned the word, previously used to describe cannon fire, into a word for snow.

Blizzard are largely defined by the low visibility, and heavy snowfall and severe cold aren't actually required to create blizzard conditions. Strong wind blowing already fallen snow can create blizzard conditions.

What is a Nor'easter?

A Noreaster is a storm along the East Coast of North America that typically blow over coastal areas. These storms can occur at any time of year but are most frequent and most intense between September and April, according to the National Weather Service.

Noreasters usually develop between Georgia and New Jersey, within about 100 miles of the coast, and generally move northeastward, reaching maximum intensity near New England and the Canadian Maritime Provinces. They often bring heavy precipitation  rain or snow  along with gale-force winds, rough seas and sometimes coastal flooding.

How much snow are we getting in Delaware?

The storm is expected to bring widespread snowfall with amounts ranging from 8 to 18 inches likely in certain areas. Lower amounts will be farther south and close to the coast where it will turn into a wintry mix, according to forecasters.

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According to the National Weather Service, here are the projected snow totals in Delaware:

Wilmington: 12 to 18 inches

Dover: 8 to 12 inches

Bethany Beach: 6 to 8 inches

Katie Landeck contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Winter storm watch vs. warning as winter snow storm nears Delaware
The Brief

Ice, not snow, is the biggest danger across North Georgia and metro Atlanta.

Power outages and impassable roads are possible through early next week.

Officials urge residents to prepare now and stay home if conditions worsen.

ATLANTA - A major winter storm expected to move into North Georgia and metro Atlanta this weekend is shaping up to be a dangerous ice event, with forecasters warning that even small shifts in temperature could mean widespread power outages, impassable roads and impacts that linger for days.

When will it begin

What we know

Rain and chilly conditions will dominate through Friday, with temperatures starting in the 40s and climbing into the 50s both days. No wintry precipitation is expected during that time, but meteorologists say the calm before the storm should not be mistaken for reduced risk. Colder air will surge in late Friday night, setting the stage for freezing rain, sleet and limited snow beginning after midnight and ramping up significantly by Saturday afternoon.

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The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for much of North Georgia from late Friday through Monday, and officials say additional counties  including parts of metro Atlanta  could be added. The FOX 5 Storm Team stresses that this system is primarily an ice storm, not a snowstorm, making impacts harder to predict and potentially more severe.

How much ice can we expect?

Ice accumulation projections vary by location but paint a troubling picture.

What we know

Forecast estimates show between half an inch and more than an inch of ice possible in cities such as Gainesville, Athens and Cornelia, with Atlanta potentially seeing between 0.5 and 0.9 inches. Even a quarter-inch of ice can bring down tree limbs and power lines, and higher amounts dramatically increase the risk of long-lasting outages.

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The most dangerous period will be from Saturday night through Sunday, when freezing rain and sleet are expected to be most widespread, especially north of Interstate 20. Travel could become impossible in some areas as ice coats roads, bridges and overpasses. Forecasters warn residents not to discount the threat simply because snowfall totals may be low.

Compounding concerns, gusty winds are expected Monday, which could knock down ice-laden trees and power lines even after precipitation ends. Temperatures may remain below freezing through much of Monday, preventing ice from melting. A deep freeze is then expected Tuesday morning, with lows in the teens, which could further stress infrastructure and delay recovery efforts.

Prepare now

What they're saying

Georgia Power said it is monitoring the storm closely and has crews prepared to respond, but officials caution that restoration efforts can be slowed when roads are icy and conditions remain dangerous.

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Gov. Brian Kemp has urged Georgians to prepare now by securing food, filling gas tanks and planning for possible power loss. Forecasters echo that message, recommending residents stock up on nonperishable food, batteries and flashlights, charge devices and power banks, and stay off the roads if conditions deteriorate.

While forecast details may continue to change, officials agree on one message: ice poses a serious and potentially crippling threat, and this storm could affect daily life across North Georgia well into next week.

Possible ice totals in North Georgia

PREVIOUS STORIES




Those with weekend plans at parks or businesses across San Antonio may want to rain check, as some have announced temporary closures ahead of the "dangerously cold" winter storm that's headed for Texas.

First, it was SeaWorld San Antonio that announced in a Facebook post it would be closing temporarily on Saturday, January 24, and Sunday, January 25, due to extreme winter weather that's set to blast Texas with arctic air. But more businesses have decided to close for the expected duration of the storm, and others are expected to do the same. Meanwhile, San Antonio Independent School District shared they are canceling school events on Saturday, January 24.

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The University of Texas at San Antonio said they are closely monitoring weather conditions amid the arctic cold front for any cancelations that could impact faculty and students.

San Antonio businesses closing Saturday, Sunday due to winter storm

These are the businesses that have announced closures due to the winter weather:

SeaWorld San Antonio

In a Facebook post made Thursday, January 22, SeaWorld announced it would be closed Saturday and Sunday. The park said it looks forward to welcoming guests again on Saturday, January 31.

Six Flags Fiesta Texas

Shortly after SeaWorld announced its temporary closure, Six Flags Fiesta Texas followed suit. In a Thursday post on social media, the theme park said it would be closed Saturday and Sunday "due to winter weather." The park said those with tickets dated January 24 and 25 can use them during any other regular operating day in the 2026 season.

Weekend markets at Pearl in San Antonio

Just before 5 p.m. on Thursday, Pearl confirmed its weekly farmers market and makers market, typically held on Saturdays and Sundays, respectively, were being canceled this weekend due to the inclement weather. This means the farmers' market on Saturday, January 24, and the makers market on Sunday, January 25, have been canceled and will not take place.



"While we try our best to stay warm, our farmers are out protecting livestock and covering crops in freezing conditions," an emailed statement from Pearl said. "When we see you next time, come ready to stock up! Buy a little extra, try something new, and show our vendors the support they need to recover from this weekend's losses."

Screaming Goat Yard & Tap

A popular restaurant near San Antonio's Far Northside, Screaming Goat Yard & Tap, is moving this Saturday's goat yoga event to a later date as severe weather moves into the area. In a Friday, January 23 Instagram post, the eatery known for its friendly herd of goats, live music and beer list, announced that the event will now take place on Saturday, January 31, from 9:30 to 11 a.m.

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According to the post, tickets that have already been bought will be honored, and there are still spots available for the rescheduled event - "same place, same goats, same good vibes!"

"Thanks for rolling with us-we promise it'll be worth the wait," the restaurant wrote.

SAISD cancels Saturday events

The San Antonio school district gave a heads up to parents and students about cancelations for Saturday.



"We are closely monitoring weather conditions, and we will remain in regular communication with area emergency management throughout the weekend. At this time, the forecast is for harsh weather to begin on Saturday and end on Sunday. As a precaution, we are canceling school events on Saturday, January 24," they shared on social.

Boerne ISD cancels Saturday and Sunday events

Boerne ISD said in a message on on its website that "out of an abundance of caution and to reduce travel on our roads" it is rescheduling all district and campus events for Saturday and Sunday.

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The school district also said it is monitoring the winter weather and will provide another update on Sunday afternoon.

Frost Bank Center changes event times as winter storm looms

Times for events taking place at the Frost Bank Center Saturday and Sunday are starting to shift, as well. The following events have had time changes due to the weather:

New time set for LOVB match at Frost Bank Center

The Frost Bank Center has pushed the start time for a volleyball match between LOVB Austin and LOVB Houston on Saturday, January 24. The new schedule sees parking opening at 10 a.m., doors opening at noon and the match beginning at 1 p.m. According to an Instagram post from the venue, there is no action needed for current ticketholders.

This article originally published at Winter weather in San Antonio prompts cancellations, closures.
Jan. 23A Huntsville woman indicted last month in Limestone County on a trafficking fentanyl charge was arrested in Priceville on Wednesday and charged with trafficking cocaine after officers said they found the drug in her vehicle during a traffic stop.

Jail records show Crystal Denise Aguinaga, 41, was remained in the Morgan County Jail on Thursday in lieu of a $1 million bond.

According to court records, Aguinaga and Robert Young Jr., 40, were pulled over by a Priceville officer for allegedly impeding the flow of traffic, following too closely and having an obstructed windshield. Court records show the two list the same address in Huntsville.

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The officer wrote that Young appeared nervous and declined a request for a consensual search, according to an incident report. A K-9 was deployed and alerted to the presence of narcotics, the report said. Aguinaga and Young were detained and placed in separate patrol vehicles.

"Behind the passenger seat in a black bag under a purse, two black packages wrapped in gold wrap were found," the incident report said.

Young told officers the packages contained cocaine and that he had traveled to Birmingham to pick them up, the report said. Young said he paid $32,000 for the cocaine and was returning to their Huntsville residence on Pecan Grove Drive Northwest. Young also told officers there were 4 ounces of cocaine at the residence, the report states.

The two were then transported to the North Alabama Drug Task Force office while investigators sought search warrants, according to the report.

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The charges against Young were not available Thursday.

Aguinaga and Young have faced other drug-trafficking charges in north Alabama. Court records show Aguinaga was arrested April 15 and charged in Limestone County with trafficking fentanyl. A grand jury indicted her on Dec. 10.

According to a complaint filed in Limestone County District Court, Aguinaga is accused of possessing 1.54 grams of fentanyl at or near a residence on Kyle Lane in Athens.

Huntsville police reported in April that Young was arrested following a months-long narcotics investigation, with assistance from the Priceville Police Department and the Limestone County Sheriff's Office. Huntsville police said a BOLO was issued to Priceville officers for a vehicle Young was driving and that a K-9 alerted during a traffic stop.

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"A search of the vehicle revealed two kilograms of cocaine, which prompted the execution of three search warrants across Huntsville and Limestone County," Huntsville police said. "These searches uncovered significant quantities of illegal drugs and weapons."

Police said they found 1.3 pounds of methamphetamine, 1.03 pounds of fentanyl, $8,000 in cash and three handguns.

Young was booked into the Madison County Jail on charges of trafficking methamphetamine and trafficking fentanyl, with bond set at $1.25 million on each charge, Huntsville police said. Police said he would also face additional charges in Morgan and Limestone counties.

Court records show Young pleaded guilty in 2010 to unlawful distribution of a controlled substance in Madison County and received a split 10-year sentence, serving two years with the remainder suspended.

 wesley.tomlinson@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2442.
HOBBS, N.M. (KRQE)  The young mother who threw her newborn baby in a Hobbs dumpster in 2022 now wants the court to reduce her sentence, arguing she is going to college and doing well there. However, the district attorney said she wont let that happen.

The video went viral showing Alexis Avila on camera throwing her newborn in a Hobbs dumpster back in January of 2022. Three people digging through the dumpster found the baby alive, inside a trash bag.

Her intent was for the baby to die. I mean there was no question that the jury believed that. So, our office has taken a hard stance on this case that children are valued, said 5th Judicial District Attorney Dianna Luce.

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A jury convicted Avila of child abuse and attempted murder and sentenced her to 16 years. Now, she filed a motion this week to reconsider her sentence. The motion said she is graduating from college in March with an associates degree after testing out of and receiving credit on several required classes.

However, Luce said good people sometimes commit horrific crimes, but the state still seeks accountability for the actions of child abuse resulting in great bodily harm.

When I was contacted, I opposed on behalf of the state of New Mexico. We will file a response. We havent had a opportunity to do that yet, said Luce.

This isnt the first time Avilas tried getting out of her prison term. After her sentencing, she tried to get her conviction overturned, but the state court of appeals rejected it. She also tried taking her case to the state supreme court, but they refused to hear it, meaning her conviction will stand.

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Shes been on house arrest while her case moved through the appeals process, but now the district attorney is pushing to put her in prison to serve out her sentence and wants that sentence to remain as is.

Weve just taken the position that a childs life is worth something, said Luce.

The judge has not yet heard Avilas motion to reconsider her sentence. Avilas attorney declined to comment. The baby survived and is in the care of relatives.

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.
The humanitarian crisis in Yemen is set to get much worse in 2026 as food insecurity increases and international aid evaporates, the United Nations warned on Monday.

Julien Harneis, the UN resident and humanitarian coordinator for Yemen, said he feared the calamitous situation would go under the radar until the death toll mounts.

The picture in Yemen is "very, very concerning", he told reporters in Geneva.

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Last year, 19.5 million people in the country needed humanitarian aid -- and the UN's response plan for the country was only 28-percent financed, at $688 million.

"We are expecting things to be much worse in 2026," said Harneis, pointing out that 21 million Yemenis were now in need, and aid was drying up.

He said food insecurity was increasing, particularly on the Red Sea coast, while the health system, assisted by the United Nations and the World Bank for the last 10 years, was "not going to be supported in the way it has been in the past".

He said Yemenis would be "very vulnerable to epidemics" this year.

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"My fear is that we won't hear about it until the mortality and the morbidity significantly increases this next year," he added.

Under President Donald Trump, the United States has heavily slashed foreign aid and other key donor countries have been tightening their belts.

Harneis said that for many years, the United States was the biggest donor to Yemen, but "that's no longer the case".

"I am hoping that at least in parts of Yemen, the US government will come back to fund," he said, and also that Gulf countries would step up support.

"A humanitarian crisis in Yemen is a risk to the Arabian peninsula. Cholera, measles and polio cross borders," he warned.

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Harneis said the UN was trying to work with NGOs to see if they could plug any of the gaps.

"Children are dying -- and it's going to get worse," he said.

"For 10 years, the UN and humanitarian organisations were able to improve mortality and morbidity," he pointed out.

"With the conjunction we're seeing this year, that's not going to be the case. That is the simple story that everybody needs to understand."

- UN response 'hobbled' -

Yemen's internationally recognised government is a patchwork of groups held together by their opposition to the Iran-backed Houthis, who ousted them from the capital Sanaa in 2014 and now rule much of the country's north.

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The Houthis have been at war with the government, backed by a Saudi-led coalition since 2015, in a conflict that has killed hundreds of thousands of Yemenis and triggered a major humanitarian crisis.

Harneis said the lack of a solution to the conflict was driving needs.

"It's not active fighting, it's not massive displacement, it's not bombing," he said.

"It is the collapse of the economy," the damage to the ports and airports and the disruption of essential services.

"We can take the edge off it, we can save lives but we cannot stop the underlying dynamic which is creating all these needs," he said.

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Meanwhile 73 UN staff members are being held in detention in Yemen, some since 2021.

"With these detentions and the seizure of our offices, the UN does not have the conditions to be able to work," Harneis lamented.

"To see our humanitarian response so hobbled is terrifying."

rjm/nl/phz
After STC setbacks in the east, Saudi Arabia corrals southern factions into talks while allegations of secret prisons run by UAE forces in Yemen regain attention.

For much of the Yemen war, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) appeared aligned under the umbrella of the Saudi-led coalition, united by the declared objective of rolling back Houthi control and restoring Yemens internationally recognized government. Yet developments over the past months have brought into sharper relief a growing divergence between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi-one that has reshaped dynamics on the ground in southern Yemen and reopened long-suppressed debates over sovereignty, accountability, and the future balance of power in the country.

In addition to power shifts, accusations of human rights abuses involving UAE-backed forces have come back into focus, specifically regarding allegations of secret prisons in Yemen.

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The Southern Transitional Council (STC), a UAE-backed actor, has sought to consolidate control over southern governorates and advance a renewed secessionist project. Its recent military setbacks, the Emirati recalibration that followed, Saudi Arabias parallel push to convene Yemeni factions in Riyadh, and renewed scrutiny of human rights violations have together marked a turning point in the conflicts southern theater. At the same time, the Houthis, while not aligned with Riyadh, remain a central factor shaping Saudi calculations following the Gaza war and the collapse of earlier understandings.

Yemen today is governed not by a single center of power but by overlapping authorities, armed groups, and external sponsors. According to Abdulghani Al-Iryani, a senior researcher at the Sanaa Center for Strategic Studies, this fragmentation is the result of both internal rivalries and deliberate external strategies.

The Houthis took over the capital of Yemen, Sanaa, in 2014 and expelled the elected president, Al-Iryani told The Media Line. As a result, the government of Saudi Arabia enlisted the help of many countries in the region in a Saudi-led coalition to evict the Houthis from the capital and restore the legitimate government.

That objective was never achieved. When it became clear that theres no advance towards the objective, the members of the coalition withdrew and only the United Arab Emirates stayed with a sizable contribution of weapons and funds and fighters and soldiers, Al-Iryani explained.

Supporters of the UAE-backed separatist group, Southern Transitional Council, rally in Aden, Yemen January 10, 2026. (credit: REUTERS/Fawaz Salman TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

The UAEs continued involvement reshaped the south. The UAE managed to expel the Houthis from the port city of Aden in the south and from most of the south, he continued. And the forces that it has funded and supported, several, actually, nearly a dozen armed groups, took over the south.

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Among those groups, the STC emerged as the dominant political-military actor. The temporary capital was controlled by an armed group called the Southern Transitional Council, which is backed by the UAE, Al-Iryani said. And it seeks secession from Yemen and restoration of the old Peoples Democratic Republic of South Yemen, he added.

He stressed that the STCs internal makeup is inherently volatile. The Southern Transitional Council is a collection of socialist generals and activists from the Yemen Socialist Party, he said, and they are allied, they are joined by extreme Salafists, he added.

The combination is very strange, but that is, I think, intended, he noted. They believe that their religious duty is to exterminate the Houthis because the Houthis are Shia.

In late 2025, STC forces moved eastward toward Hadramawt and Al-Mahrah-an advance widely seen as an attempt to complete control over the territory of pre-1990 South Yemen.

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Tawfik Al-Hamidi, a Yemeni lawyer, human rights activist, and politician working with the SAM Organization for Rights and Liberties, told The Media Line that since Dec. 2025, Yemen has witnessed a major shift following the movement of forces affiliated with the STC toward the eastern governorates of Hadramawt and Al-Mahrah.

This move appeared aimed at completing control over all territories that previously constituted South Yemen before 1990, he said, adding that the advance was reportedly backed by the United Arab Emirates, which has financed and supported STC forces-estimated at over 100,000 personnel-and supplied them with advanced weapons, including armored vehicles.

Saudi Arabia reacted forcefully. Saudi Arabia viewed this step as a direct threat to its national security and strategic depth, Al-Hamidi said, particularly in light of the Bab al-Mandab strait and statements by senior STC leaders signaling readiness to normalize relations with Israel in the event of southern secession.

After the STC refused to withdraw, Saudi Arabia turned to military intervention, following an official mandate from the internationally recognized Yemeni government to protect civilians in Hadramawt, Al-Hamidi noted.

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Al-Iryani described the outcome starkly: It was a big defeat. The soldiers that withdrew from the east left all the heavy weaponry behind. And they became disorganized. It was a very hectic withdrawal, he said.

Saudi Arabia then moved to contain the crisis politically. The STC had no choice but to accept the ceasefire and was given instructions to come to Riyadh for south-south talks, Al-Iryani continued.

The delegation of the STC arrived in Riyadh, minus the chairman of the STC, General al-Zoubaidi, who was whisked by the UAE to Abu Dhabi, he noted. As it stands now, he is calling for resistance, while his delegation has, under Saudi pressure, dissolved itself, he added.

Al-Iryani placed the STC episode within a broader Emirati regional strategy. The UAE attached itself to the US and to Israel and attempts by all means to make itself useful to these two powers, he said. And since the US was worried about the Islamist uprising that started with the Arab Spring, the UAE made it its task to destroy Islamist parties throughout the region, he added.

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The UAE chose an extreme strategy of basically planning to exterminate the Muslim Brotherhood but supporting extremist groups in doing so as well, he noted.

Proxy war in Yemen

In Yemen, this translated into proxy warfare. That is why  instead of forming one strong militia in the south, they formed a dozen militias so that even if Saudi can control some, they cannot control them all, Al-Iryani said.

Currently, there are Yemeni mercenaries for the Emirates, he added. They have these armed groups that they have formed and supported and trained, and they can use them to destabilize the country and obstruct any peace aspects in the long run.

While Riyadh does not support the Houthis, Al-Iryani emphasized that Saudi-Houthi relations had entered a pragmatic phase before October 7.

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For the past three years, the Houthis were under the impression they had made a deal with Saudi Arabia, he said. They figured since were going to get all the land that we want on the negotiation table, why fight now as we used to? he added.

That understanding unraveled after the Gaza war. That has changed from the Saudi side by the strong, aggressive stance of the Houthis in support of the people of Gaza, he said.

The Saudis tolerated the losses that the Houthis activity in the Red Sea caused them, Al-Iryani noted. But when the fighting formally stopped in Gaza with the current ceasefire, it became clear to the Houthis that the Saudis have no interest in going back to the agreement that they had negotiated before October 7th, he explained.

He stressed that Saudi Arabia remains focused on limiting Houthi influence rather than accommodating it. I believe that the Saudis are committed to ending the war, Al-Iryani said. It is in their best interest to stop the fighting because it affects them directly as a neighboring country, he noted.

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As military and political dynamics shifted, long-standing allegations against UAE-backed forces resurfaced.

Regarding the secret prisons operated by the UAE in Yemen, this is not a new issue, a Yemeni journalist based in Sanaa told The Media Line under conditions of anonymity. It has been documented for years in reports issued by local and international human rights organizations, he said.

These reports did not receive sufficient attention due to the political and military alignment between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, he added, which has had severe repercussions on Yemeni civilians who have paid a heavy price as a result of the expansion of Emirati influence in several southern provinces, he continued.

UAE officials have denied accusations that it is running secret prisons in Yemen. The Media Line reached out to multiple sources for more details, but they did not respond.

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Al-Hamidi detailed the record. On May 25, 2017, SAM for Rights and Liberties announced the discovery of dozens of secret detention sites in Aden, Hadramawt, and Shabwa, operated by unlawful forces backed by the UAE, he said.

Most alarming, however, are reports revealing coordination between UAE-backed forces and elements linked to al-Qaida, Al-Hamidi added. This raises serious concerns about the nature of this coordination and its role in fueling extremism rather than combating it.

Al-Hamidi added that subsequent documentation by the SAM Organization for Rights and Liberties expanded on these findings. According to reports published by the organization in the years that followed, including investigations into enforced disappearances and a comprehensive report titled The Long Absence, the network of secret detention facilities was accompanied by systematic patterns of disappearance, with dozens of detainees remaining unaccounted for.

Dozens of victims remain missing to this day, Al-Hamidi said, warning that many cases have faded from public attention despite being fully documented by human rights organizations.

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From Sanaa, the Yemeni journalist warned of the broader consequences. What the UAE has done goes far beyond the framework of the Arab Coalition, constituting grave human rights violations, a breach of Yemeni sovereignty, and a violation of international law, he said.

Ultimately, the continued presence of the UAE in Yemen has contributed significantly to prolonging the conflict, strengthening Houthi influence, and creating an unstable environment in which the threat of terrorism is used as a political tool against opponents, he added.

Looking ahead, assessments of SaudiEmirati relations diverge sharply.

In my view, it is unlikely that we will see a further confrontation between Saudi Arabia and the UAE in Yemen, the Yemeni journalist said, despite the clear differences in their objectives and approaches, he added.

The relationship between the two countries is based on a broader strategic partnership that goes beyond the Yemeni file, he noted, which is why disagreements are usually managed behind the scenes rather than through open confrontation, he added.

Al-Iryani offered a far bleaker outlook. I think that the break between Saudi Arabia and the UAE is going to be permanent, he said, citing Abu Dhabis alignment with Israel, still seen as a hostile actor for Riyadh.

The current withdrawal of STC and formally with it of the Emirates doesnt end the fighting on the ground, it helps Riyadh to gain back control gradually, but for sure this is far from over, Al-Iryani said.

As Yemen enters yet another phase of recalibration, the retreat of the STC, Saudi Arabias renewed political initiative in Riyadh, the reassessment of the Houthi file after Gaza, and the resurfacing of long-documented human rights violations together underscore how unresolved the conflict remains.

What has changed is that the fault lines within the coalition itself, long present beneath the surface, are now shaping events as decisively as the wars original divisions, leaving Yemen caught between competing regional agendas, fragile local actors, and an elusive path toward stability.
Donald Trumps claims about Nato have caused some offence. He said that Nato troops stayed a little off the frontlines in Afghanistan and that he was not sure that the alliance would be there if we ever need them.

If we care to look past the statements of disapproval by British officials and veterans, there is a kernel of truth to the presidents comments about Nato allies in Afghanistan. From a strictly military perspective, it is true the US never needed their European and Canadian allies, as Trump says.

The campaign could have been fought, and lost, without us. The same applies to Italy, Spain, Denmark, Australia and other allies of the US who showed up in considerable numbers in Iraq, which was not even a Nato operation. Ukraine, often forgotten in these debates, contributed the third largest contingent in Iraq after the US and Britain.

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As for Trumps claim that Nato troops stayed a little off the frontlines there is a kernel of truth there too. This is despite Trump himself making sure he kept far from any front line (or indeed rear area) during the Vietnam War.

I remember some visiting German troops in the lunch queues in our Provincial Reconstruction Team base being on the receiving end of ribbing for their supposed war-dodging. It was an insult previously rarely applied to their nation. The province overseen by the German Army in the north was, we thought, an oasis of peace.

German casualties were relatively light (59 of their soldiers were killed) whereas our troops sustained them virtually every day. There were other provinces with limited Taliban presence. However, as Mark Rutte reminded Trump, nations such as Denmark, took proportionately even higher casualties than the US or Britain.

A German NH90 helicopter flies past a Boxer armoured fighting vehicle in Afghanistan, 2013 - Johannes Eisele/AFP

Notwithstanding our efforts in Helmand and indeed Iraq our Army was overcommitted, to put the case mildly. When the United States Marine Corps surged into Helmand in 2009, they found a campaign that had been under-resourced, under-supported and misunderstood.

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Their commanders, some of whom may have advised Trump, concluded that Britain had promised more than it could deliver. From the American perspective the complaint was not that British soldiers lacked courage  far from it  but that Britain had entered two wars it lacked the mass, logistics, or political clarity to sustain.

All of this draws us away from the most important element here. This concerns whether we or the other Nato allies would be there for America.

It is worth recalling that Afghanistan was the first and only time Natos collective defence clause, Article 5, has been invoked. The allies did not drag America into that war: America was attacked and the allies followed. That matters when discussing who would be there for whom. The answer is clear: we would be there.

British and American soldiers together guarding the Bagram air base near Kabul in 2001 - WEDA/AFP

There is no doubt that during the war, the British were confused about the supposed purposes for our being in Afghanistan. Pretexts ranged from counternarcotics, supporting a new democratic state and educating girls to fighting terrorism and regional security. These supposed purposes were recognised as variously specious, ill-advised, stupid or all three by most of our soldiers.

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Some of the other nations were very clear in their reasons for risking their lives and futures. The Estonians, for example, fought with our soldiers in Helmand as one British Brigade commander put it like tigers. They understood exactly why a Baltic State at no risk from international terrorism should make their small, brave but much-appreciated contribution.

An Estonian helicopter pilot I spoke to recently had served with us in Helmand. Unlike so many of us, there was no confusion as to why he was there: We were there for the Americans so that the Americans would be there for us. Thats it.

If only our generals and ministers had been as clear with us as the Estonians were with their people. They, and the others, would be there for the US again. Despite all that has happened, so would we. With us would come the Danes, Dutch and Swedes. I dare say the Italians, Spanish and the rest would do their bit.

Every US service comrade knows that, even if Trump doesnt.

Frank Ledwidge is a former military officer and the author of Losing Small Wars: British Military Failure in Iraq and Afghanistan

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By Lucy Craymer and Christine Chen

WELLINGTON, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Two teenagers were among six people missing after a landslide hit a busy campground on New Zealand's North Island, authorities said on Friday, as rescuers worked round the clock to locate survivors under the rubble.

Heavy rains triggered Thursday's landslide at Mount Maunganui on the island's east coast, bringing down soil and rubble at the site in the city of Tauranga, crowded by families on summer holidays, but no deaths have been confirmed.

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"We have 25 personnel working with contractors and their diggers and police dogs, as well as police operations to ensure that every inch of soil removed is worked through," said David Guard, a fire and emergency official.

The scale of the disaster and risks at the site could delay the rescue effort, however, New Zealand Police Commissioner Richard Chambers told the New Zealand Herald newspaper.

"It could be days, and we appreciate that everybody is anxious and waiting for their loved ones, and for some answers, but we also have to be very careful," Chambers said.

AUTHORITIES LOOKING TO REACH THREE MORE

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The youngest of the missing was aged 15, police commander Tim Anderson told a press conference, adding that authorities were scrambling to contact an additional three people.

"We don't believe they're here, but we've still got to do that inquiry," Anderson said.

No signs of life have been detected from the rubble since voices initially heard by first responders on Thursday, Anderson added.

Video images showed recreational vehicles and at least one structure crushed at the campsite.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon visited the site on Friday and met affected families. "They are grieving incredibly hard, and I know that New Zealand grieves with them," he said.

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Luxon promised government funds for affected areas once they reckoned up damages. Fielding reporters' questions why the campsite evacuation had not been swifter, he said there would be with a public review into the circumstances.

ANOTHER LANDSLIDE KILLS TWO

The heavy rain that lashed almost the entire eastern seaboard of the North Island unleashed another landslide in the neighbouring suburb of Papamoa, killing two.

One was a Chinese citizen, Chinese Ambassador Wang Xiaolong said on X on Friday.

Roads stayed closed in some of the worst-hit areas, cutting off some towns from contact by land.

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On social media, civil defence authorities in the district of Tairawhiti warned people seeking to collect emergency supplies of water and food not to pick their way over landslides as it risked triggering further movement of rock and soil.

(Reporting by Lucy Craymer in Wellington and Christine Chen in Sydney; Editing by Cynthia Osterman, Tom Hogue and Clarence Fernandez)
Kyiv and Washington still have work to do before signing a so-called "prosperity plan" to help Ukraines economic recovery initially expected to be signed at Davos, President Volodymyr Zelensky told reporters on Jan. 23.

Describing the plan, which was first floated in December, as a "bundle of documents," Zelensky said he expects progress to be made in the future. The documents must be "clear and transparent," he said, as the plan will be the "foundation" for Ukraines recovery.

"In the years ahead, it is crucial that everyone, not just our team but also the next one, understands where the money will come from, what the sources of funding will be, and what Ukraine can realistically count on," Zelensky said.

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The day before, Zelensky met U.S. President Donald Trump in the Swiss ski resort where the two spoke for an hour about Ukraines urgent needs, including security guarantees and economic cooperation.

Describing the meeting as "really positive," Zelensky said Trump confirmed a proposal to establish a free trade area between Ukraine and the U.S. Nothing has been signed just yet, as the Ukrainian leader said he will look at the details later.

The idea of a tariff-free zone was also backed by the U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, who called it "a game-changer" during an event at Ukraine House Davos on Jan. 22.

As Ukraine and the U.S. continue peace proposal talks, Kyiv is leveraging its economic opportunities to win Trumps support. The next round will take place over two days in the UAE, starting Jan. 23, attended by the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia.

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While details of the "prosperity plan" remain scarce, official statements describe a 10-year framework involving Ukraine, the U.S., EU, and G7 partners aimed at mobilizing that $800 billion through a mix of public and private investment.

The plan will rely on financial tools such as guarantees, risk-sharing, and blended public-private financing, Economy Minister Oleksii Sobolev said on Jan 3. Priority sectors include energy, infrastructure, industry, and human capital, all of which have been hard hit by Russias war.

Initially, Zelensky hoped to sign the deal on a trip to the White House in mid-January, but European allies instead suggested Davos was a more appropriate venue in order not to rush proceedings, according to the Telegraph.

Read also: A place for real investment and recovery  Ukraine House Davos 2026 sees key investment deals

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a scathing critique of European inaction at the World Economic Forum on Thursday, declaring that the continent "looks lost" and remains trapped in endless repetition of failing to defend itself or decisively support Ukraine.

"Everyone remembers the great American film Groundhog Day, but no one would want to live like that," Zelenskyy said. "Repeating the same thing for weeks, months, and of course, years. And yet that is exactly how we live now."

The Ukrainian leader expressed frustration with Europe's response to the crisis around Greenland, questioning the deployment of small troop contingents to the Arctic territory.

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"If you send 14 or 40 soldiers to Greenland, what is that for? What message does it send?" Zelenskyy asked. "What is the message to Putin, to China? And even more importantly, what message does it send to Denmark, your close ally? Forty soldiers will not protect anything."

Zelenskyy said a year had passed since his last Davos address warning Europe needed to learn self-defence, yet "nothing has changed".

"Everyone turned attention to Greenland and it's clear most leaders simply are not sure what to do about it," Zelenskyy said. "And it seems like everyone is waiting for America to cool down. But what if it will not? What then?"

Zelenskyy criticised Europe's fragmented response to global challenges, declaring the continent "still feels more like geography, history, tradition, not a great political power" and "remains a fragmented kaleidoscope of small and middle powers."

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"Europe looks lost trying to convince the US president to change. But he will not change," Zelenskyy said. "President Trump loves who he is. And he says he loves Europe but he won't listen to this Europe."

The Ukrainian leader offered his country's naval expertise to address concerns about Russian vessels near Greenland, noting Ukraine had successfully targeted ships near Crimea.

"We will solve this problem with Russian ships," he said. "They can sink near Greenland just like they sink near Crimea."

He expressed frustration over Western reluctance to provide Ukraine with advanced weapons systems, saying diplomats advised against mentioning Tomahawks to Americans "not to spoil the mood".

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"Today they target Ukraine. Tomorrow it could be any NATO country," Zelenskyy said of Russian missiles. "Wouldn't it be easier and cheaper to cut Russia off from components making missiles, or destroy factories making them?"

"Europe remains in Greenland mode: maybe someone somewhere will do something," Zelenskyy said.

A Ukrainian soldier is seen on his position at the frontline in the Druzhkivka direction, Donetsk region, 21 January 2026 - AP Photo

The Ukrainian president further criticised Europe's failure to respond to Iran's brutal crackdown on protesters that killed thousands, contrasting the Tehran regime's survival with Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro capture in Caracas on 3 January.

"If the (Tehran) regime survives, it sends a clear signal to every bully: kill enough people and stay in power," he said.

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"The fact remains, Maduro is on trial in New York. Sorry, but Putin is not on trial," Zelenskyy added. "The man who started it is not only free, he's still fighting for his frozen money in Europe."

He questioned why Trump could seize shadow fleet tankers and oil while Europe could not, noting that oil funds the war against Ukraine. "If Putin has no money, there's no war for Europe," Zelenskyy said.

Regarding peace negotiations, Zelenskyy said documents on postwar security guarantees were "nearly ready," but that Washington's involvement remained key.

"No security guarantees work without the US," he said. "The backstop of President Trump is needed."

'I want to stop it'

Zelenskyy arrived at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday morning for scheduled talks with US President Donald Trump, departing Ukraine where more than half of the capital Kyiv remained without power following sustained Russian bombardment.

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Zelenskyy nearly skipped coming to the Swiss Alps resort town, where he had planned to finalise documents with US officials relating to postwar security guarantees and economic recovery.

On Tuesday he remained in Kyiv to focus on restoring power, but arrived in Switzerland two days later as the crisis deepened.

FILE: People take shelter in a subway station during Russia's night missile and drone attack in Kyiv, 20 January 2026 - AP Photo

Approximately 4,000 buildings in Kyiv lacked heating on Wednesday, as temperatures plunged to -20C amid Ukraine's coldest winter in years, almost four years into Russia's full-scale invasion.

"I want to stop it. It's a horrible war," Trump said at Davos on Wednesday.

A yearlong Trump administration push to halt Russia's war has yielded no breakthrough despite repeated US deadlines, although efforts continued.

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Related

Trump's Greenland demands largely eclipsed Ukraine discussions at the forum, with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte warning on Wednesday the alliance risked losing focus on Ukraine's defence needs.

"The main issue is not Greenland now, the main issue is Ukraine," Rutte said, adding he was "a little bit worried that we might drop the ball focusing so much on these other issues."
President Trump backed down on Wednesday from his threats to acquire the whole of Greenland by force if necessary and impose new tariffs on any European allies who resist his expansionist efforts, saying instead that he had reached the framework of a deal with NATO over the future of the massive, largely uninhabited Arctic island.

Multiple reports say that framework does not include Greenland becoming part of the United States.

Based upon a very productive meeting that I have had with the Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte, we have formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland and, in fact, the entire Arctic Region, Trump wrote in a Truth Social post from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. This solution, if consummated, will be a great one for the United States of America, and all NATO Nations.

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But so far, neither Trump nor NATO has offered any details about this so-called solution  and leaders from both Denmark and Greenland have expressed concern about being cut out of negotiations.

When pressed by reporters in Davos about whether he still planned to acquire Greenland  a semiautonomous territory currently controlled by Denmark  the president would say only that its a really good deal for everybody. Asked whether the deal still involved the United States having ownership of Greenland like youve said you wanted, he declined to answer.

Um, Trump said as he paused to consider his words. Its a long-term deal. Its the ultimate long-term deal, and I think it puts everybody in a really good position.

On Thursday, the president told Fox Business I dont know if I could say that the U.S. would be acquiring Greenland, but argued that regardless, we're getting everything we want at no cost."

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Were going to have total access to Greenland, Trump insisted. Well have all the military access that we want.

Heres everything we know so far about Trumps emerging Greenland deal.

Report: Territorial compromise over small pockets of Greenland

Citing three senior Western officials familiar with the talks, the New York Times reported Wednesday evening that top military officers from NATOs member states had separately discussed a territorial compromise hours earlier in Brussels.

Alliance officials separately discussed the possibility of the United States obtaining sovereignty over land for military bases, the Times wrote, but they did not know if the concept of the United States having some sovereignty over small pockets of Greenland for military bases was part of the framework announced by Mr. Trump.

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Two of the Times sources likened the possible arrangement to the United Kingdoms bases on the Mediterranean island country of Cyprus, which are regarded as sovereign British territory.

A former prime minister of the Netherlands who has been described as a mild-mannered technocrat, Rutte has reportedly been pursuing a compromise this week in Davos and met with Trump immediately before the latter announced that hed agreed to the framework of a deal.

Speaking to Fox News, Rutte claimed that the question of who would control Greenland "did not come up" in his meeting with Trump. Instead, Rutte said he had outlined a proposal that involved all of NATO doing more to protect the Arctic region.

Axios reported on Thursday that Ruttes plan includes updating the 1951 Greenland Defense Agreement between the U.S. and Denmark, which allowed the U.S. to build military bases in the island and establish defense areas if NATO believed it necessary; increasing security in Greenland and NATO activity in the Arctic, as well as additional work on raw materials; and language on positioning [Trumps] Golden Dome [missile defense system] in Greenland and on countering malign outside influence by Russia and China.

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It does not include the transfer of overall sovereignty over Greenland from Denmark to the United States, according to Axioss sources.

A subsequent New York Times report added that the proposed framework would also restrict non-NATO member countries, particularly Russia and China, from obtaining rights to mine the rare-earth minerals that lie deep under Greenlands ice sheet.

In a statement, NATO declined to provide further details, saying only that negotiations between Denmark, Greenland and the United States will go forward aimed at ensuring that Russia and China never gain a foothold  economically or militarily  in Greenland.

The U.S. currently has one base in Greenland  a remote missile defense station with around 150 personnel. The American-Danish defense pact already grants the U.S. sweeping military access to the island.

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But Trump has repeatedly repeatedly insisted that the U.S. must own Greenland, for national security reasons, despite vehement opposition from leaders there and across Europe.

Are Denmark and Greenland on board?

It doesnt sound like it  at least not yet.

On Thursday, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told reporters that Rutte cannot negotiate on behalf of Denmark or Greenland  then added in a statement that Denmarks sovereignty would never be on the table.

We can negotiate on everything political; security, investments, economy. But we cannot negotiate on our sovereignty, Frederiksen said. Only Denmark and Greenland themselves can make decisions on issues concerning Denmark and Greenland.

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Greenlands prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, quickly agreed, telling reporters that he would not favor giving the U.S. sovereignty over military bases there.

We are ready to discuss a lot of things, Nielsen said. Sovereignty is a red line.

At the moment, part of the issue seems to be that neither leader has been looped in with Trump and Rutte. While Frederiksen said on Thursday that she has been coordinating with Nielsen and speaking with the NATO chief on an ongoing basis  including before and after his meeting with Trump  even they dont have any real details.

I dont know what there is in the agreement or the deal about my country, over some discussions I didnt attend, Nielsen said on Thursday. I dont know whats concrete in it.

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Posting to Facebook on Wednesday night, Aaja Chemnitz, one of the two Greenlandic members of the Danish parliament and a major political figure in Greenland, called Trumps deal announcement completely absurd.

Nothing about us, without us, she said. There is total confusion being created.

Why did Trump back down?

Trump has long mused about acquiring the whole of Greenland, saying it would be psychologically important for me.

But in recent weeks his rhetoric had become increasingly ominous. One way or the other, were going to have Greenland, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. If we dont do it the easy way, were going to do it the hard way, he vowed a few days earlier. At the same time, the White House confirmed that utilizing the U.S. military is always an option there, and Trump repeatedly refused to rule out the use of force.

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Then, last weekend, Trump announced that NATO allies who oppose his plan to acquire Greenland  Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland  would face new, escalating tariffs designed to remain in effect until Denmark hands over the island.

But Trumps trip to Davos seems to have changed his mind. Early Wednesday, the president said he "won't use force" to acquire Greenland; a few hours later, he backed off his threat to impose new tariffs.

The question now is why. According to Trump, Ruttes deal "gives us everything we needed (even though it doesnt appear to give the U.S. Greenland itself).

Were going to work together with something to do with the Arctic as a whole, but also Greenland, Trump told CNBC on Wednesday. It has to do with the security  great security, strong security, and other things.

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Trump went on to say the details around sovereignty are a little bit complex, but well explain it down the line.

The White House framed Trumps announcement as a big win for the president, implying that his tariff threats and bellicose rhetoric had just been negotiating tactics.

"If this deal goes through, and President Trump is very hopeful it will, the U.S. will be achieving all of its strategic goals with respect to Greenland, at very little cost, forever," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Axios. "President Trump is proving once again he's the Dealmaker in Chief.

But there may be other reasons why Trump was suddenly willing to compromise. A Yahoo/YouGov poll conducted earlier this month found that just 14% of Americans would favor U.S. forces intervening in Greenland, while a full 62% would oppose it. Even Republicans were more likely to oppose (36%) than favor (32%) taking military action there. By the same token, just 20% of Americans said they wanted the U.S. to annex the Arctic island in the first place.

Meanwhile, Wall Street posted its biggest daily drop in three months after Trump threatened to start a new trade war with Europe over Greenland  then recovered as soon as he reversed course on the tariffs.
Lucas Noe Martinez prepares to leave Yakima County Superior Court following closing arguments in his trial Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. Martinez was found guilty Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, of attempted first- and second-degree child rape after he was arrested in an "Operation Net Nanny" sting operation in 2019.
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Farms should be held accountable to the quality of the animals leaving the herd, not the quantity,

stated

Nigel Cook, MRCVS,

of the

University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine in a recent

Dairyland Initiative

podcast

.

Cook explained that we first need to look at definitions of lifespan and healthspan. Lifespan is simply the total duration of a cows life, which should be driven by profitability. However, healthspan is the period of a cows lifespan when she is in good health and free of illness or chronic conditions, which helps drive profitability. Our goal should be healthspan equals lifespan, he said.

Cook and his team recently completed a survey of 60 Wisconsin dairies, inquiring about challenges that farms face in selecting cows for removal from the herd, and why cows left the herd. The demographics of the dairies included an average herd size of 1,411 cows, 92 pounds per cow per day in production, mean turnover rate of 37%, and a mean death rate of 5%.

Regarding the most challenging factor when deciding to cull a cow was varied but rising to the top were the 38% of respondents who indicated their most difficult decision was culling good cows with higher milk production.

Additionally, as a part of the survey process, Cook and team downloaded the last four years of culled cows from 46 of the 60 herds in the study that used Dairy Comp 305 software. The total number of cows culled in the herds was nearly 86,000 in the evaluated time frame.

After evaluating the codes of culling reasons in the herds, there was no surprise that the breakdown of reasons for leaving the herd ranked in the following order: production, udder health, mortality, reproduction, illness, and sold for dairy.

Cook and team took a closer look at herds with high, medium, and low turnover rates. They found higher reproductive culls in lower to moderate turnover rate herds and more udder health culls in higher turnover rate herds.

They also examined milk production by herd and found a trend of higher reproduction culls in herds with higher milk production. They found udder health culls were highest in lower milk production herds.

Cooks overall summary of the Wisconsin study concluded that we are likely underestimating the true impact of health on removal risk. Some of this is due to limitations, yet the flexibility of dairy herd software programs and the ability to track culling reasons plays in as well. He stated that culling can be highly variable between farms, and a lot of culling decisions are made one cow at a time based on fairly short-term events. Very few herds are prospectively designating cows as do not breed and proactively culling. Health has a lot to do with culling reasons, even with production culls.

Cook wrapped up noting that as an industry, we must work on improving the healthspan of our dairy cows, which will strengthen the process of selecting cows for removal. Today, healthspan is not giving us the flexibility to remove a cow when we would like to.

To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com.
Hungary has once again taken a divergent path in European diplomacy, with PM Orban accepting an invitation to participate in a Trump's Board of Peace initiative.

While Budapest presents the move as a logical extension of its long-standing peace-first foreign policy, the decision stands in sharp contrast to the position taken by most EU member states and the UK  all of whom have so far chosen not to engage.



The split highlights deeper disagreements within Europe over how peace efforts should be framed, who should lead them, and where the political red lines lie.



What exactly is the Board of Peace?



The Board of Peace is an informal initiative associated with former US President Donald Trump and figures close to his political circle.



It positions itself as an alternative platform advocating negotiated settlements, ceasefires, and resistance to prolonged military conflicts  particularly those involving major powers.



It is not a recognised international body, nor is it linked to the United Nations, NATO, or the European Union. Supporters argue that this independence allows for freer discussion and unconventional solutions.



Critics, however, say the lack of structure, transparency, and accountability raises serious concerns.



Reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin is connected to, or represented within, the initiative have further complicated perceptions - especially in the UK and key European countries.



Why Hungary Accepted Trump's Invitation



For Orban, participation fits a clear and consistent narrative.



Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Orban has positioned Hungary as a proponent of ceasefires and negotiations, frequently warning against what he describes as war fatigue and economic self-harm caused by prolonged conflict.



Joining the initiative allows Budapest to:



* Reinforce its peace-centric messaging to both domestic and international audiences

* Signal independence from EU consensus, particularly on security and sanctions policy

* Maintain strong political links to Trump-aligned US circles, which Hungary sees as strategically important given the uncertainty of future US leadership



From the governments perspective, the symbolism matters as much as the substance.



Why Most EU Countries Are Saying No



While Hungary sees opportunity, most EU governments see risk.

The primary concern is legitimacy. European leaders generally prefer peace initiatives to operate within established frameworks such as the EU, NATO, or the UN. An informal body tied closely to a single political figure  especially one outside office  is viewed as unreliable and potentially destabilising.



Another key issue is Russias perceived involvement. With Vladimir Putin reportedly linked to the initiative, participation could be interpreted as tacit acceptance of Russian narratives on the war in Ukraine. For EU countries that have strongly backed Kyiv militarily and politically, this would be politically untenable.



There are also concerns about mixed messaging. EU leaders are keen to avoid parallel diplomatic tracks that could undermine collective pressure on Moscow or weaken the appearance of European unity.



The UKs Position



The UKs decision not to engage reflects similar calculations.

London remains firmly aligned with NATO strategy and has taken a leading role in military and financial support for Ukraine. Joining a Trump-linked initiative  particularly one associated with calls to scale back military involvement  could be seen as contradicting that stance.



Additionally, UK policymakers are wary of initiatives that blur the line between official diplomacy and political advocacy. With no clear mandate, membership criteria, or enforcement mechanisms, the Board of Peace does not fit the UKs preferred model of international engagement.



Potential Benefits  and Real Risks  for Hungary



Supporters of Hungarys participation point to several advantages:



* Increased diplomatic visibility

* Alignment with a peace narrative that resonates with parts of the electorate

* Stronger informal ties with influential political actors in the US



However, critics argue the risks are significant:



* Further strain on Hungarys relationship with EU partners

* Reputational damage through association with controversial figures

* Limited practical impact due to the initiatives informal nature



Much depends on how prominently the initiative develops  and how closely it becomes associated with Russias strategic interests.



A Broader European Divide



Hungarys involvement in the Board of Peace underlines a widening divide within Europe over how peace efforts should be pursued. While most EU states prioritise unity, institutional legitimacy, and coordinated pressure, Hungary continues to emphasise national sovereignty, bilateral channels, and political signalling.



Whether this approach enhances Hungarys influence or deepens its isolation remains an open question  one that will likely be shaped by developments in both Washington and Moscow in the months ahead.



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The capital's District I plans tighter restrictions on short-term rentals and could even roll out a ban on Airbnb-type accommodations, the Castle District's deputy mayor told MTI.

Csilla Fazekas said consultations on the subject with the mayors of neighbouring districts had been initiated. She noted that District VI had banned short-term rentals from January, following a referendum, and a number of other districts had weighed similar measures.



She said that rental fees in District VI had edged down 1pc in January from the same month a year earlier as the number of long-term rentals climbed 28pc, while rents in District I had risen 4pc.



Rising real estate prices in Budas Castle District



Real estate portal ingatlan.com found that in January 2026 the median monthly rent for second-hand flats in District I reached HUF 300,000 (EUR 784), 4% higher than a year earlier.



Meanwhile, the median price per square metre of second-hand flats for sale in the Castle District was up by 15%, reaching approx. HUF 1.9 million (EUR 4,966).



Source: MTI  Hungarys national news agency since 1881. While MTI articles are usually factual, some may contain political bias, and readers should be aware that such content does not reflect the position of XpatLoop, which is neutral and independent.



Since the goal of XpatLoop is to keep readers well briefed, right across the spectrum of opinions, MTI items are shared to ensure readers are aware of all narratives within the local media.



XpatLoop believes in empowering readers to form their own views through complete and comprehensive coverage. To facilitate this XpatLoop has a balanced range of news partners, as you can see when you surf around XpatLoop.com

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Gigamon, a leading deep observability company, announced its Catalyst Partner Program Award and Gigamon Technology Alliance Partner award winners at its annual sales kickoff event. Each of the recognized partners played a critical role in extending the companys leadership position in the deep observability market in 2025, with Gigamon achieving a 50 percent market share in the first half of 2025, according to market research firm 650 Group. The Gigamon Catalyst Partner Program Awards highlight the outstanding success of top-performing partners and distributors that have helped deliver the Gigamon Deep Observability Pipeline to its global customer base. Gigamon also recognized its top Technology Alliance partner, from partners that include leading security, observability, and cloud vendors that integrate with Gigamon network-derived telemetry to deliver deep observability to joint customers.

Our channel-first approach puts our global partners at the center of customer success, said John Giacomini, chief revenue officer at Gigamon. As trusted advisors and cybersecurity experts, they are empowering organizations with the deep observability needed to navigate in todays AI-driven world and increasingly complex threat landscape. Today, we celebrate our top-performing partners, whose domain expertise and services are delivering the full value of the Gigamon Deep Observability Pipeline to customers around the globe.

The Gigamon 2025 Catalyst Channel Award and Technology Alliance Award winners include:

Americas Partner of the Year - Enterprise, World Wide Technology: This year marks a decade of partnership with Gigamon, during which time weve continued to expand our strategic collaboration and the value we jointly deliver. With AI-powered deep observability, Gigamon offers a critical foundation for our Global Cyber practice, as we continue to advance cybersecurity strategies for some of the largest enterprises in the world. Were honored to be named Americas Partner of the Year and proud of our success, said Chris Konrad, vice president, Global Cyber of World Wide Technology. Americas Partner of the Year - Public Sector, GuidePoint Security: Our partnership with Gigamon plays a critical role in how we support public sector organizations, said Jim Quarantillo, regional partner, Federal, GuidePoint Security. Together, we help agencies meet security mandates and achieve mission objectives by providing the visibility and expertise needed to secure todays hybrid environments. We look forward to continuing this collaboration in 2026. APAC Partner of the Year, Prescient Solutions: Were honored to receive the Gigamon APAC Partner of the Year award, recognizing the collaboration and innovation it takes to deliver best-in-class cybersecurity solutions to our joint customers. With Gigamon, our customers gain the deep observability needed in todays AI-driven environmentsenabling security teams to secure and manage increasingly complex hybrid cloud infrastructure, said Nicholas Kirby, managing director of Prescient Solutions. EMEA Partner of the Year, Vizst: At Vizst Technology, weve always taken a deliberately focused approachbuilding long-term partnerships and going an inch thick and a mile deep on the technologies that genuinely move the needle for customers. Our collaboration with Gigamon allows us to design and deploy architectures that provide meaningful visibility, control, and resilience at scale. This recognition reflects the strength of that partnership and the outcomes were delivering together, and we look forward to continuing to grow our relationship with Gigamon as we support customers across EMEA, said Richard Betts, CEO at Vizst Technology. Technology Alliance Partner of the Year, Elastic: Being named Alliance Partner of the Year reflects the strength of our collaboration with Gigamon and the potential in our joint roadmap. The Elastic integration with Gigamon Insights, previewed at Visualyze Bootcamp, is designed to deliver network-derived telemetry into the Elastic platform. Together, this innovative approach can help customers improve threat detection and accelerate investigations across complex hybrid cloud environments, said Alyssa Fitzpatrick, GVP, Partner Sales, of Elastic. Innovation & Collaboration Partner of the Year, NTT Data Brazil: Our partnership with Gigamon helps us bring deep observability to customers across LATAM, supporting our focus on accelerating customer success. By integrating the Gigamon Deep Observability Pipeline into our regional offerings, we help organizations strengthen security operations and improve visibility across hybrid cloud environments. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Gigamon as we expand our joint impact across LATAM, said Thales Cyrino, cybersecurity sales director, of NTT DATA LATAM. Distributor of the Year, Americas, Carahsoft: Carahsoft partnered with Gigamon in 2013 as its first distributor in the U.S. federal market, laying the foundation for a deeply collaborative and innovative relationship. Over the years, our partnership has expanded to serve federal, state, and local government; higher education; and K12 organizations nationwide and in Canada. This recognition reflects the power of our continued collaboration and shared focus on innovation, as we work together to deliver the mission-critical deep observability our partners rely on to secure complex, hybrid cloud environments for their public sector customers, said Chris Clarke, sales director, of Carahsoft. Distributor of the Year, EMEA, Exclusive Networks: We continue to push boundaries with Gigamon, each year deepening our partnership across the EMEA region to deliver unparalleled value to our partners and customers. Were committed to continued growth and innovation together, and we share this award with our partner network as we expand access to the Gigamon Deep Observability Pipeline across the region, said Paul Eccleston, chief business innovation officer, of Exclusive Networks. Distributor of the Year, APAC, NextGen: Gigamon is a valued partner for us, and our relationship is built on shared trust, collaboration, and a common goal of helping organizations gain deeper visibility into their digital environments. This award is a reflection of the strong momentum weve created together and the impact our teams are having in our region. Were proud to support Gigamons continued growth and innovation, particularly as they bring powerful new AI-driven capabilities to market, said Wendy OKeeffe, managing director, of Australia & New Zealand NEXTGEN, an Exclusive Networks company. Top Gigamon Community Partner, Indera Budiman, Techdata Systems Malaysia: As cybersecurity continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, trusted community voices play a vital role in helping practitioners learn and adapt. The Gigamon VUE Community brings more than 30,000 leading security and IT professionals together to share perspectives on Gigamon products, technology and common challenges. I am incredibly proud for being recognized with the Gigamon Community Partner award, celebrating the thoughtful, educational content I try to consistently bring to this important and growing community, said Indera Budiman, solution consultant of Techdata Systems.



The Gigamon Catalyst Channel Program is a key component of the companys continued success in delivering hybrid cloud security solutions. Since its inception, the Gigamon Catalyst Partner Program has received seven consecutive five-star ratingsin CRN's Partner Program Guide. More information can be found here.
Travel with Huang Sun to Liannan: Ancient Village Codes, Poetry of the Land | Lingnan: Beauty Beyond Borders  A Literary Journey Through Qingyuan

Liannan Yao Autonomous County in Qingyuan is the only place in the world where the Pai Yao people live in concentrated communities.

2026-01-23 21:33:54
Directed by: Anurag Singh

Language: Hindi

Cast: Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, Ahaan Shetty, Mona Singh, Sonam Bajwa, Medha Rana, Anya Singh, Paramvir Singh Cheema

Duration: 199 minutes

Rating: 3.5/5

1971  woh saal jisne duniya ka naksha aur itihaas dono badal diya.

With this powerful line, Border 2 begins its tale, revisiting the Indo-Pak war not just as a military conflict but as a deeply personal and emotional experience. Anurag Singhs direction honours the sacrifice and valour of war heroes while focusing equally on the people behind the battlefield, an aspect that emerges as the films biggest strength.

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How Was the Cast?

Sunny Deol anchors the film with conviction. While his performance occasionally veers into over-the-top territory, it largely works for a film driven by patriotic fervour and hard-hitting dialogues. His training sequences with the three young soldiers are particularly impactful. Dialogues like We dont fight for kings or leaders, but for our brothers help propel the narrative forward.

Varun Dhawan, as Hoshiyar, is pleasantly surprising. His action sequences are solid, and his Haryanvi accent feels fairly convincing. He fits into the story without overpowering it.

Diljit Dosanjh emerges as a clear crowd favourite in the first half. With his dashing screen presence, heroic aura, and well-timed humour, he brings both charm and emotional depth. His lighter moments offer relief in an otherwise intense narrative. Diljit and Sonam Bajwa also add warmth to the film with their chemistry.

Ahaan Shetty delivers a decent performance but does not make as strong an impact as the others. Medha Rana makes a striking impression despite limited screen time, while Anya Singh, though in a small role, leaves a positive mark.

A special mention goes to Mona Singh, who appears in a brief yet powerful role. She embodies the strength of Indian mothers and wives who send their loved ones to the border to protect the nation.

What Stands Out in the Movie?

The film gains emotional depth by focusing on the people behind the frontlines, civilians and families affected by war. The first half establishes the story and characters, while the second half shifts toward the heroic and historic victory against Pakistan.

Anurag Singh not only showcases the valour of soldiers on the battlefield but also captures the emotions suppressed by them and their families, the anxieties they endure, and the resilience of those waiting back home. Since the film is inspired by real-life events, it largely stays true to realism without compromising on scale.

What Didnt Work?

The war and action sequences are gripping and well-executed, maintaining tension throughout. However, a few portions feel stretched and slightly overdramatic. Some VFX moments appear excessive, and the cinematography doesnt always elevate the storytelling.

The inclusion of Sandese Aate Hai as a dance sequence right before a tense moment feels slightly awkward and unrealisticbut then again, when has that ever-stopped in Bollywood?

Not all of the 199-minute runtime, especially towards the end, manages to hold attention.

Verdict

Border 2 is a well-crafted patriotic film and a good watch, focusing on emotion, spectacle, and heroic action. Despite a few flaws, strong performances, impactful dialogues, and emotional weight keep the film engaging, barring some uneven moments.

Emotionally charged and impactful, the film carries strong patriotic fervour while reminding viewers that war is as much about human cost as it is about heroism. The ending is particularly powerful, it ignites patriotic pride and leaves a lasting impression.
Recruiters across India are adopting intelligent technology to hire smartly and efficiently. According to research from LinkedIn, 63% of recruiters in India are turning to AI-powered tools to improve both speed and accuracy in hiring. This is because AIs impact on hiring has transcended mere automation  now, its about reshaping workflows, improving decision making, and delivering tangible output that adds value to the business.

This transformation is central to the second episode of Zee Medias special series Beyond AI, CVs & JDs with LinkedIn, featuring Ruchee Anand, APAC VP of Talent & Learning Solutions, LinkedIn, and Sanjeev Jain, Chief Operating Officer of Wipro. The episode explores how AI is enabling efficiency at scale with tools such as LinkedIn Hiring Assistant, which help recruiters deliver improved hiring outcomes without replacing human judgement.

Redefining roles through AI-powered, skills-based job design

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One of the most immediate ways AI is changing recruiter workflows is in how roles are defined and talent is discovered. As Jain explains in this episode, AI is being used to define roles based on skills and capabilities. By shifting away from rigid, experience-led job descriptions, recruiters are able to focus on what success in a role actually requires.

AI enables this by analysing role requirements and mapping them to skills, helping recruiters build sharper job descriptions and improving alignment at the onset of the hiring process. It also supports internal job matching by identifying role adjacencies and surfacing existing capabilities within the organisation, not just external talent. The result is more informed, efficient, and opportunity-led hiring decisions, without adding complexity to recruiter workflows.

AI improves hiring quality across the funnel

AIs impact extends across every stage of the hiring funnel, which strengthens as well as accelerates decision-making. Drawing from Wipros experience, Jain highlights how AI enhances job descriptions for clarity and relevance, screens profiles against defined skill requirements, and improves quality of shortlisted candidates through more data-based, intuitive, and unbiased evaluation. Today, 63% of recruiters in India use AI-powered screening tools, and 54% report improved skills-to-role alignment, resulting in higher-quality shortlists.

LinkedIn Hiring Assistant helps recruiters uncover talent they didnt know existed

With AI taking on routine work, recruiters are able to redirect their time toward what matters most: candidate experience. As Jain explains, Tools such as LinkedIn Hiring Assistant help recruiters move faster by reducing back-and-forth and simplifying early-stage hiring tasks. This reduction in manual effort gives recruiters valuable time back  which they can focus on tasks that no AI tool can do.

That time can now be focused toward higher-value work: advising hiring managers, building candidate relationships, and contributing to workforce and capability planning. These are areas where human judgement remains essential. Anand reinforces this perspective, noting that AI tools like LinkedIn Hiring Assistant help recruiters in being more intentional in decision-making rather than just processing more profiles.

LinkedIn Hiring Assistant is not automation for its own sake. It is an enabler of better recruiter judgement, stronger hiring outcomes, and a more impactful recruitment function - one that is equipped to hire smarter, faster, and at scale.

Watch the second episode of Beyond AI, CVs & JDs here:

(This article is from the Brand Desk. User discretion is advised.)
Recruiters today operate in a high-stakes environment. They are expected to build skilled talent pipelines, hire at scale, and demonstrate clear business impact  all while running against timeliness. Recruitment is no longer evaluated only through cost-per-hire, but is being linked to measures of business productivity.

This shift marks a transitional era for the recruitment function. Recruiter priorities are moving from execution to strategy, where working smarter has become as important as hiring fast. At the centre of the second episode of Beyond AI, CVs & JDs with LinkedIn, created in collaboration with Zee Media, Ruchee Anand, APAC VP of Talent & Learning Solutions, LinkedIn, and Sanjeev Jain, Chief Operating Officer of Wipro, explore how recruitment is changing amidst this evolution and why AI is becoming central to delivering more intelligent hiring outcomes.

Growing pressures on recruiters to define the right fit

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Amidst hiring pressures, recruiters realities shift in real time. What was earlier a streamlined process of matching job descriptions to resumes is now constantly rejigged by developments in technology, which impact business needs, therefore altering demands of the organisation. Moreover, high volumes of applications coupled with lack of relevant or qualified candidates takes a greater toll on recruiters. As Anand explains, recruiters are paying multiple taxes at once. There is a switch tax, where roles keep changing as business needs evolve, and a scroll tax, where recruiters are navigating large volumes of profiles to find relevance at scale, she notes.

Together, these pressures are pushing recruiters to become more intentional and skills-focused. LinkedIn data shows more than half of recruiters in India are focused on finding a cultural fit, while 64% say identifying candidates with the right mix of technical and human skills remains difficult.

Speed as a strategic priority

Hiring speed has moved beyond being an operational metric. It is now a competitive advantage. As per LinkedIns research, 58% of recruiters say faster hiring improves access to top talent, yet most delays in hiring are structural rather than intentional. In India, more than half recruiters cite multi-layered approval processes as a key reason for slow hiring, creating what Anand described the third tax as the stall tax. This is when hiring momentum pauses due to internal friction rather than candidate readiness. When hiring stalls, candidates disengage and organisations lose time and opportunity. Speed, therefore, is not about rushing decisions, but about removing friction so recruiters can sustain momentum without compromising quality.

How AI is helping recruiters meet these expectations

AI is creating a meaningful impact here. Not by replacing judgement, but by helping recruiters balance quality, speed, and scale. According to LinkedIns research, 45% of recruiters say AI improves hiring efficiency, and 42% say it frees them from repetitive tasks, allowing time to be redirected toward higher-value work.

As Sanjeev Jain explains in the episode, By reducing manual effort across job descriptions, screening, and candidate ranking, AI allows recruiters to focus on candidate engagement, experience, and thoughtful evaluation. The result is not just faster hiring, but better hiring. AI is helping recruiters move from managing complexity to creating impact, strengthening their role as strategic partners to the business.

Watch the second episode of Beyond AI, CVs & JDs here:

(This article is from the Brand Desk. User discretion is advised.)
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti 2026 will be observed on January 23 as Parakram Diwas, marking the 129th birth anniversary of one of Indias greatest freedom fighters. The day honours Netajis unmatched courage, leadership, and lifelong contribution to Indias independence movement.

What Is Parakram Diwas?

Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti, also known as Parakram Diwas, is celebrated every year on January 23. It commemorates the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, the iconic leader of the Indian National Army (INA). The day is dedicated to remembering his bravery, discipline, and unwavering commitment to freeing India from British rule.

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Parakram Diwas serves as a powerful reminder of Netajis belief that freedom comes through sacrifice, courage, and a strong national spirit. The occasion also inspires citizens, especially students, to learn from his life, values, and vision for the nation.

Parakram Diwas 2026: Date

Parakram Diwas in 2026 will be observed on Friday, January 23. This year holds special importance as it marks the 129th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

Parakram Diwas 2026: History and Significance

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was born on January 23, 1897, in Cuttack, Odisha, to Janakinath Bose and Prabhavati Dutt. He was an exceptional student and later cleared the Indian Civil Service (ICS) examination in England. However, driven by his passion for Indias freedom, he resigned from the prestigious service to fully dedicate himself to the independence movement.

Netaji went on to lead the Indian National Army, which aimed to liberate India through armed resistance against British rule. He also founded the Forward Bloc to unite people in the fight against colonialism. His bold leadership, revolutionary ideas, and fearless attitude made him one of the most influential figures in Indias freedom struggle.

The Government of India declared Parakram Diwas to honour his immense sacrifices and bravery. The word Parakram means valour, symbolising Netajis fearless approach and strong determination during the freedom movement.

Parakram Diwas 2026: How It Is Celebrated

Parakram Diwas is observed across the country with great respect and patriotic spirit. Schools, colleges, and universities organise activities such as essay writing, debates, quizzes, and poster-making competitions to help students understand Netajis life and ideals.

Several cities, including Kolkata, Delhi, and Cuttack, host seminars, cultural programmes, and patriotic events. People pay tribute by offering flowers at statues and memorials of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. At his birthplace in Cuttack, special programmes, flag hoisting, and remembrance ceremonies are organised.

Inspirational Quotes by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

Give me blood, and I shall give you freedom!

Freedom is not given, it is taken.

No real change in history has ever been achieved by discussions.

One individual may die for an idea, but that idea will, after his death, incarnate itself in a thousand lives.

We should have but one desire today - the desire to die so that India may live.

Parakram Diwas 2026 is not just a remembrance of Netaji Subhas Chandra Boses birth anniversary but a celebration of his fearless spirit and dedication to the nation. His life continues to inspire generations to stand for truth, courage, and national pride, reminding every Indian of the power of sacrifice and determination in shaping the countrys future.

(This article is intended for your general information only. Zee News does not vouch for its accuracy or reliability.)
New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 202627 on February 1, 2026, marking her ninth consecutive Budget and the third full Budget of the Narendra Modiled NDA 3.0 government. The Budget will be tabled on a Sunday, a relatively rare occurrence in recent years, adding to the significance of this much-anticipated economic announcement.

Budget Session 2026 to Run from January 28 to April 2

The Budget Session of Parliament will commence on January 28 and conclude on April 2, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has announced. Sharing the update on X, Rijiju said that President Droupadi Murmu has approved the summoning of both Houses of Parliament for the Budget Session 2026, following a recommendation from the Union government.

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With this Budget, Nirmala Sitharaman will set a new record by surpassing several former finance ministers including Manmohan Singh, Arun Jaitley, P. Chidambaram, Yashwant Sinha, and Morarji Desai in the number of Union Budgets presented. The decisions and policy announcements made during this session are expected to play a crucial role in shaping Indias economic direction for the next financial year.

Economic Survey 202627 to Be Presented on January 29

The Economic Survey for 202627 will be tabled in both Houses of Parliament on January 29, a day ahead of the Union Budget. The Survey will be presented by Chief Economic Adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran and is expected to outline the state of the economy, key challenges, and growth priorities that will set the context for the Budget announcements.

Union Budget 2026 Presentation Date and Time

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 202627 in Parliament on February 1, 2026, beginning at 11:00 AM. The Budget speech is one of the most closely watched events of the year, as it lays out the governments economic priorities and policy direction for the coming financial year.

How to Watch the Union Budget 2026 Live

Business enthusiasts and the general public can watch the Union Budget 2026 live on February 1 at 11:00 AM on the official Parliament channel, Sansad TV.

The live telecast will also be available across major news channels and on social media platforms such as YouTube and X (formerly Twitter).

Additionally, viewers can stream the Budget live on the official website: www.indiabudget.gov.in

What Is the Union Budget?

The Union Budget is an annual statement presented by the central government that outlines its proposed revenues and expenditures for the upcoming fiscal year, which runs from April 1 to March 31. Prepared and presented by the Finance Minister of India, currently Nirmala Sitharaman, the Budget is a comprehensive document detailing the governments policies, priorities, and financial plans.

As per Article 112 of the Constitution, the President of India is required to lay the Annual Financial Statement (the Budget) before Parliament. Closely watched by businesses, investors, and the general public, the Budget offers important insights into the governments focus areas and can have a major impact on the countrys economy.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday stepped in with an interim arrangement at the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex in Madhya Pradeshs Dhar district, clearing the way for both Hindu and Muslim communities to carry out their religious practices on Basant Panchami, which this year coincides with Friday prayers.

Hearing a plea that sought a ban on offering namaz (prayer) from sunrise to sunset on Basant Panchami to enable Hindu rituals at the site, a bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant directed the district administration to ensure that both communities are given separate and exclusive spaces to perform their observances peacefully.

Taking note of the submissions before it, the court recorded that members of the Muslim community were likely to arrive at the complex between 1 pm and 3 pm for Jummah prayers. It ordered that an exclusive space, along with separate entry and exit points, be arranged so that namaz could be offered at the prescribed time.

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At the same time, the court directed that a separate area be earmarked for the Hindu community to carry out Basant Panchami celebrations and associated rituals.

After knowing that persons from the Muslim community are likely to come tomorrow from 1-3 pm, an exclusive space, including separate entry and exit, will be made available so that namaz can be taken at the prescribed time. Similarly, a separate space shall be made available to the Hindu community to hold the celebration of Basant Panchami, the court ordered.

Appearing for the petitioner, Advocate Vishnu Jain told the bench that the auspicious period for Basant Panchami puja extends from sunrise to sunset. He suggested that namaz could be shifted to later in the evening, around 5 pm, after the completion of Hindu rituals.

Senior advocate Salman Khurshid, representing the mosque committee, responded that Jumma namaz is time-specific and would be offered only in the afternoon, between 1 pm and 3 pm.

Jain reiterated that the Hindu religious observance spans the entire day, with devotees performing prayers at different times until sunset. He argued that if namaz were moved to the evening, Hindus could continue long-standing practices such as Akhand Hawan without interruption.

Khurshid countered this by explaining that Friday prayers cannot be rescheduled as they are traditionally offered around noon.

After hearing submissions from Additional Solicitor General K M Nataraj and Madhya Pradesh Advocate General Prashant Singh, both of whom assured the court that law and order would be maintained, the bench reiterated its directions for strict administrative arrangements. The apex court said that an exclusive area would be provided for namaz during the 1 pm to 3 pm window, with clear segregation to avoid any overlap of gatherings.

The Madhya Pradesh government assured the court that the district administration would take all necessary steps to maintain peace during the religious observances.

Senior Advocate Salman Khurshid also informed the bench that the approximate number of Muslim worshippers expected during the prayer hours would be shared with the district magistrate in advance.

Emphasising the need for preventive measures, the court directed the local administration to remain vigilant. The district administration may ensure maintenance of law and order, issue passes for visitors or adopt any other fair means to ensure that no untoward incident happens, the bench said.

The Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India and holds religious significance for both communities. Hindus revere the site as Bhojshala, associated with Goddess Saraswati, while Muslims regard it as the Kamal Maula mosque.
New Delhi: The groundwork for Census 2027 has formally begun, with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday (January 22) notifying the full questionnaire for Phase I of the nationwide exercise. This is a crucial administrative step ahead of the countrys largest data collection effort.

Issued through the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, the notification lays out the questions that census officials will use during the houselisting and housing census stage. This phase focusses on mapping residential structures, household conditions and access to basic amenities across India.

The Central government invoked its authority under Section 8(1) of the Census Act, 1948, to replace an earlier notification issued in January 2020. The order safeguards all actions already taken under the previous arrangement while clearing the way for updated data collection for Census 2027.

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In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 8 of the Census Act, 1948 (37 of 1948), and in supersession of the notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Home Affairs (Office of the Registrar General, India) number S.O. 120(E), dated the 7th January,2020 published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (ii), dated the 9th January, 2020, except as respects things done or omitted to be done before such supersession, the Central Government hereby instructs that all the Census Officers may, within the limits of the local areas for which they have been respectively appointed, ask all such questions from all persons on the items enumerated below for collecting information through the houselisting and housing census schedule in connection with the Census of India 2027, the notification states.

According to the document, census officers will collect information using a standardised houselisting schedule within their assigned jurisdictions.

The questionnaire contains 33 items, covering building identification, materials used in floors, walls and roofs, condition and use of houses, household size, ownership status and the number of dwelling rooms.

The form also gathers details about the head of the household, including gender and social category, along with information on essential amenities such as drinking water, electricity supply, toilets, bathing facilities, kitchens, LPG and PNG connections, cooking fuel, waste water outlets and sanitation arrangements.

In keeping with the expanding role of digital infrastructure in everyday life, the questionnaire includes access to communication and transport facilities such as mobile phones, internet connectivity, computers, televisions and vehicles.

The notification clarifies that mobile numbers will be collected strictly for census-related communication.

The ministry has confirmed that the questionnaire for Phase II of Census 2027, which deals with population enumeration, will be notified separately at a later stage. Signed by Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India Mritunjay Kumar Narayan, the notification establishes the administrative framework for carrying out Phase I.

Earlier this month, on January 7, the MHA announced that houselisting operations for Census 2027 would be conducted between April 1 and September 30 across all states and Union Territories. Each state and UT will determine its specific 30-day enumeration window within this period.

The government has also retained the option of self-enumeration, allowing households to submit their information digitally during a 15-day window immediately before door-to-door houselisting begins.

During the recent Winter Session of Parliament, the MHA informed the Lok Sabha that Census 2027 will be conducted in two stages. The first stage involves houselisting and housing data collection in 2026, while the second stage, covering population enumeration, is scheduled for February 2027.

Responding to a question from Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai reiterated that March 1, 2027, at 00:00 hours will be the reference date for population enumeration nationwide.

For Ladakh and snow-bound areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, enumeration will be carried out earlier in September 2026, with October 1, 2026 set as the reference date.

Addressing concerns over methodology and inclusivity, Rai stated that the census process already incorporates lessons from earlier exercises and stakeholder consultations. He also clarified that census questions are finalised only after discussions with relevant ministries, user organisations and subject experts, followed by field testing to assess feasibility before official notification.

The ministry added that a nationwide pre-test for Census 2027 concluded on November 30, and the final questionnaire is expected to be released shortly. A pilot houselisting exercise conducted between November 10 and 30, 2025, tested the digital data collection model and enabled self-enumeration between November 1 and 7.

As per Rule 6 of the Census Rules, 1990, all census questionnaires and schedules are notified by the central government through the official gazette. The Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner is presently in the final stages of preparing the materials.

The MHA also informed Parliament that primary school teachers are typically appointed as enumerators, following long-standing practice. The timeline for Census 2027 has been kept same like the past practices followed in previous censuses, the ministry said.

On caste enumeration, the government confirmed that Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes will be recorded strictly according to the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, and the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950, as amended from time to time. It further stated that caste enumeration in Census 2027 will be carried out as decided by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs on April 30, 2025.

The census questions are notified after finalisation. Under sub-section (2) of section 8 of the Census Act, 1948, the respondent is required to answer questions to the best of his knowledge or belief, the ministry told Parliament.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched a scathing attack on Congress, saying that the party has become more communal than the Maoists or even the Muslim League in many ways.

Accusing Congress of lacking a development agenda, Prime Minister Modi said the CongressMuslim League alliance is trying to take control of Kerala for its own narrow interests.

Addressing a public rally in Thiruvananthapuram, Prime Minister Modi said, "This is Modis guarantee... Today, I have come to warn you about Congress as well. Congress has no agenda for development. Congress has become more communal than the Maoists or even the Muslim League in many ways. That is why, at the national level, Congress is now being referred to as 'MMC'  Muslim League Maoist Congress. You must remain extremely vigilant against Congress. The Congress and Muslim League alliance is trying to take control of Kerala for their own narrow interests."

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Claiming that corruption has put the brake on Keralas development, Prime Minister Modi urged the people to give the BJP a chance so that those who have looted them will be held accountable and every penny will be recovered.

"Corruption has put a brake on Keralas development. Under the rule of the LDF, even peoples savings in banks are not safe. People had saved money for their childrens education, for their daughters weddings, but the LDF and Congress leaders took it all. Such people must be punished. I urge you to give the BJP a chance. Those who have looted you will be held accountable, and every penny will be recovered," he said.

Emphasising that modern infrastructure construction drives employment, Prime Minister Modi said the LDF and Congress ignore infrastructure development and focus only on large-scale scams.

"The construction of modern infrastructure is a major driver of employment. Whether it is the LDF or the Congress, they do not focus on building infrastructure, they are only involved in large-scale scams. In contrast, the BJP works with a clear vision of infrastructure development linked to job creation. With the efforts of the BJP government, Keralas entire railway network has been electrified," he said.

Prime Minister Modi further accused the LDF of becoming an obstacle to Keralas progress by using its power to block initiatives of the central government. He said the LDF government in Kerala had delayed the implementation of the PM Awas Yojana and urban development projects, while schemes meant to provide piped water to every household were also being held up.

"The LDF claims to promote development, but BJP believes in driving Keralas growth as part of Indias overall development agenda. Unfortunately, the LDF has become an obstacle to Keralas progress. The LDF is using its power to block initiatives of the central government here. In Kerala, the LDF government has delayed the implementation of the PM Awas Yojana and urban development projects. Schemes meant to provide piped water to every household are being held up," he said.

Attacking both the LDF and the UDF, Prime Minister Modi said their flags and symbols might be different, but their politics and agendas were the same: full corruption, zero accountability, full communalism and zero responsibility.

"The LDF and UDF may have different flags and symbols, but their politics and agendas are the same. Different flag, same agenda; full corruption, zero accountability, full communalism, zero responsibility. Both LDF and UDF know that in 5 or 10 years they will get another chance, which is why the government changes but the system remains the same. Now, what Kerala truly needs is a new government in the real sense," he said.

Prime Minister Modi said, "The people of Kerala have placed immense trust in the Bharatiya Janata Party and joined hands with us... The BJPs victory is not ordinary, it is historic, unprecedented. Thiruvananthapuram has laid the foundation of the BJP in Kerala. In the city of Thiruvananthapuram, you have given the BJP an opportunity to serve."

Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off four new train services, including three Amrit Bharat Express trains in Kerala.
Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed concern over the condition of the country, describing it as being at the edge of an abyss. In a strongly worded statement, she said Bangladesh is passing through one of the most dangerous phases in its history, marked by violence, instability, and the growing influence of extremist communal forces.

Referring to the countrys founding history, Hasina invoked the legacy of the Liberation War and the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Father of the Nation.

Bangladesh stands today at the edge of an abyss, a nation battered and bleeding, navigating one of the most perilous chapters in its history. The homeland won through the supreme Liberation War under the leadership of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, is now ravaged by the monstrous onslaught of extremist communal forces and foreign perpetrators, Hasina was quoted by ANI as saying.

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Our once serene and fertile land has been reduced to a wounded, blood-soaked landscape. In truth, the entire country has become a vast prison, an execution ground, a valley of death, she added.

Sheikh Hasina accused Muhmmad Yunus of being "a usurer, a money launderer, a plunderer, and a corrupt, power-hungry traitor, has bled our nation dry with his all-consuming paradigms, staining the soul of our motherland".

She said that the entire nation must rise united and galvanized by the spirit of our great Liberation War "in this grave hour".

The former Prime Minister said that to overthrow "the foreign-serving puppet regime of this national enemy at any cost, the brave sons and daughters of Bangladesh must defend and restore the Constitution written in the blood of martyrs".

"The homeland won through the supreme Liberation War under the leadership of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, is now ravaged by the monstrous onslaught of extremist communal forces and foreign perpetrators. Our once serene and fertile land has been reduced to a wounded, blood-soaked landscape. In truth, the entire country has become a vast prison, an execution ground, a valley of death," she said.

(With ANI inputs)
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A Delhi court, on Thursday, acquitted former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in two cases filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seeking action against him for alleged non-compliance with the federal anti-money laundering agency's summons in connection with the Delhi excise policy case.

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Paras Dalal of the Rouse Avenue Courts passed the judgment.

A detailed copy of the court order is awaited.

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The ED had moved the magisterial court, accusing Kejriwal of deliberately skipping summons issued under Section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in relation to the probe into the alleged excise policy "scam".

According to the central probe agency, Kejriwal had failed to appear before it despite the issuance of five summons on different dates, prompting the ED to initiate prosecution for non-compliance.

The central agency had said that if a high-ranking public functionary like him disobeyed the law, it would set a wrong example for the common man.

The ED's complaint said that the then Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal intentionally did not want to obey the summons and gave "lame excuses".

In response to the ED's complaint, the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) of the Rouse Avenue Court had issued a summons to Kejriwal.

After the sessions court refused to grant a stay on the summons issued by the ACMM, Kejriwal moved the Delhi High Court, challenging the sessions court's decision rejecting his plea against the summons issued on the ED's complaint.

In addition, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo filed a separate plea questioning the maintainability of the complaints, contending that when summons were issued by one ED officer of Assistant Director rank, a complaint before a magisterial court could not have been filed by another ED officer of the same rank in view of Section 195 of the CrPC.

The money laundering investigation by the ED stems from a case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on August 17, 2022, over alleged irregularities in the Delhi Excise Policy for 2021-22.

Kejriwal was later arrested in the main money laundering case but was released on interim bail by the Supreme Court, which referred his plea to a larger bench for an authoritative pronouncement on the questions of law arising from his arrest and subsequent remand by the ED.

In a related development, the Rouse Avenue Court also acquitted the AAP leader and former Delhi Waqf Board Chairman Amanatullah Khan in a separate case filed by the ED over alleged non-compliance with summons in connection with the Delhi Waqf Board money laundering case.
PM Modi in Tamil Nadu: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday addressed a public gathering in Tamil Nadu, where he targeted the MK Stalin-led DMK government. He alleged that the state administration lacks democratic values and claimed it serves the interests of a single family. The Prime Minister further said that despite citizens placing their trust in the DMK government, it had failed to deliver on its promises.

While addressing a gathering in Tamil Nadu, the Prime Minister said, "You entrusted the DMK with a clear mandate twice, but they have broken the trust of the people. The DMK made numerous promises, yet failed to deliver on any of them. As a result, people now refer to the DMK government as the CMC governmenta government that promotes Corruption, Mafia, and Crime. The people of Tamil Nadu have decided to reject the DMK, and it is evident that the BJP and NDA are set to form the next government here."

The PM stated, "Today, Tamil Nadu is governed by an administration that lacks both democratic values and accountability."

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"The DMK government serves the interests of a single family rather than the people of the state. Opportunities for advancement within the DMK seem limited, often favouring those connected by dynasty or those willing to engage in corruption, mistreatment of women, or disrespect of our culture. As a result, only individuals who are willing to participate in such behaviours are being promoted within the party. This has had serious consequences for Tamil Nadu, as the state suffers from the effects of these actions," he added.

"It is widely known how pervasive corruption has become, and there is little doubt about who is benefiting from these corrupt practices," PM Modi added.

Also Check- PM Modi notices boy holding his portrait during Kerala rally, says this from stage

The comments come ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, due in the coming months, a high-stakes political battle that will decide who governs the state next.
An IndiGo flight bound from Delhi to Pune was thrown into security shock on Thursday night, January 22, after the crew found the airplanes lavatory to contain a written threat of an explosive. This is the second such threat against the carrier in the space of a week.

The flight, 6E 2608, landed safely at Pune airport around 9:24 PM, about 44 minutes behind schedule. All passengers and cabin crew were evacuated safely in accordance with security procedures.

Handwritten note triggers emergency procedure

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This threat was detected through a handwritten message discovered inside the toilet cabin. On receiving this alert, the Air Traffic Control (ATC) promptly alerted the Apron Control.

The aircraft was immediately relocated to an isolated hangar where a meeting of the Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC), whose members assessed this scenario, took place. The security organizations, including the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS), carried out a meticulous search of the planes cabin and cargo area.

IndiGo statement: 'Safety is topmost priority'

IndiGo confirmed the security threat in its statement and also commended the authorities on their cooperative efforts.

"A security threat was noticed onboard IndiGo flight 6E 2608 operating from Delhi to Pune on 22 January. Following the established protocol, we informed the relevant authorities immediately and are fully cooperating with them. All our customers and crew disembarked safely," an IndiGo spokesperson said.

After conducting the thorough inspection over the course of hours, the officials announced the case to be a hoax as suspicious objects were not found in the aircraft.

Second hoax in five days

This situation bears comparison to an earlier one that occurred when an IndiGo flight from Delhi to Bagdogra was forced to divert to Lucknow after a similar message was received; this message had also been scribbled on a tissue paper and found in the plane lavatory on January 18.

This message also proved to be a ruse. The authorities are now looking for possible links between the two cases and have also started to investigate who wrote the note on the Pune-bound aircraft.

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Republic Day 2026: President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will be the chief guests for the Republic Day Parade 2026 in New Delhi on January 26. The two EU leaders will undertake a three-day State Visit to India from January 25.

During the visit, the top global leaders will also co-chair the 16th India-EU Summit on January 27.

President Costa and President von der Leyen are scheduled to meet President Droupadi Murmu and will hold restricted as well as delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Modi.

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According to a New18 report, the intelligence sources have revealed that the presence of the European Union (EU) did not go down well with the Khalistani groups and Pakistani Inter-State Intelligence (ISI). This is because the attendance of key high-level leaders indicates that there is a growing belief in India's global standing.

The report further stated that EU diplomats visiting India have been briefed about how some Khalistani groups overlap with violent extremist outfits.

India-Europe Free Trade Agreement

Meanwhile, as India prepares to welcome the top European leadership to the Republic Day celebrations, EC President Ursula von der Leyen stated the European Union is close to finalising a Free Trade Agreement with New Delhi and noted that some describe it as "the mother of all deals".

Addressing the World Economic Forum in Davos, she stressed Europe's intent to expand trade and international cooperation. She also referred to the scale of the proposed trade deal with India.

ANI quoted von der Leyen as saying, "There is still work to do. But we are on the cusp of a historic trade agreement. Some call it the mother of all deals. One that would create a market of 2 billion people, accounting for almost a quarter of global GDP."

Also Read- Delhi Metro services to start early at 3 am on Republic Day

What is the theme of Republic Day 2026?

According to a release of the Ministry of Defence, the Republic Day celebrations this year at Kartavya Path on January 26, will be a blend of 150 years of the national song Vande Mataram, Indias military power and cultural diversity.

150 years of Vande Mataram will be the theme of the parade.

Special Guests on Republic Day 2026

The release further stated that nearly 10,000 individuals from different walks of life have been invited to witness the parade at Kartavya Path as Special Guests this year.

Meanwhile, a total of 30 Tableaux (17 from States/ UTs and 13 from Ministries/Departments/Services) will roll down the Kartavya Path.

(with ANI inputs)
Thiruvananthapuram: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday lauded the historic BJP victory in the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation, saying it marks the end of decades of neglect by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and United Democratic Front (UDF) and the beginning of a new era of development and good governance.

PM Modi also criticised the two fronts for perpetuating corruption and mismanagement.



"Both the LDF and UDF have, in various ways, driven Kerala into a cycle of corruption, mismanagement, and appeasement politics. Though they may use different flags and symbols, their underlying political approach and agendas are virtually identical: rampant corruption, a lack of accountability, and the promotion of divisive communalism. Both parties are well aware that their opportunity to govern resurfaces every five years, yet the core issues remain unaddressed," PM Modi said as he addressed a gathering in Kerala's capital city, Thiruvananthapuram.

"For decades, both the LDF and UDF have neglected Thiruvananthapuram, depriving the city of basic facilities and infrastructure. The Left and the Congress have consistently failed to address the needs of our people. However, our BJP team has already begun working towards a developed Thiruvananthapuram. To the people of this city, I say: have faith- the change that has long been overdue is finally on its way," he added.



Hailing victory in the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation polls, he said, "This victory is a victory for good governance. This victory is a victory for the resolve to build a developed Kerala. This victory is a victory for the commitment to free Kerala from the corruption of the LDF and UDF."



PM Modi drew parallels between the BJP's beginnings in Kerala and its early journey in Gujarat.



"The left-leaning groups present here may not view me favourably. However, allow me to present the facts. Prior to 1987, the BJP was a marginal party in Gujarat. In 1987, for the first time, the BJP won control of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation--much like the party's recent victory in Thiruvananthapuram. Since then, the people of Gujarat have entrusted us with opportunities to serve, and we have continued to do so for decades. Our journey began in one city in Gujarat, and similarly, in Kerala, our beginnings have started with a single city," he said.



The Prime Minister emphasised that Thiruvananthapuram will now serve as a model city for the rest of the country.



"To the people of this city, I say, have faith. Thiruvananthapuram, for the entire country, will become a model city. I extend my full support to make Thiruvananthapuram one of the best cities in India," he added.



The Prime Minister also discussed Kerala's broader political scenario ahead of the upcoming elections.



"When considering the future of Kerala, the political landscape is divided into just two predominant sides, the LDF and the UDF. Over the years, both groups have taken turns governing the state, contributing to Kerala's current challenges. However, there is a third alternative--one that prioritises development and good governance--represented by the BJP and NDA," he said.

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Furthermore, in an emotional moment, PM Modi also mentioned about a child waiting to meet him.



"I have been seeing a child standing for a long time with his hands up in the air. You will get tired. Bring me the picture, write your address on the back, and I will write to you. I urge the SPG to bring me this child's love," he said.



PM Modi concluded by congratulating the voters of Thiruvananthapuram for placing their trust in the BJP and reaffirmed the party's commitment to delivering development and good governance in the city.



Earlier today, PM Modi flagged off four new trains, including three Amrit Bharat Express trains, Nagercoil-Mangaluru, Thiruvananthapuram-Tambaram, Thiruvananthapuram-Charlapalli, and a new passenger train between Thrissur and Guruvayur. He also laid the foundation stone and inaugurated various developmental projects in Kerala's capital city, Thiruvananthapuram.



Addressing a public gathering here as Kerala heads into Assembly election mode, PM Modi began with the traditional greeting "Namaskaram!" and wished his long-time friend and PP Rajesh, who was sworn in as Mayor in Thiruvanthuparam after the BJP in the city's municipal elections for the first time came to power in any Corporation in Kerala.



PM Modi was felicitated at the event. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar were also present.
New Delhi: India is gearing up to celebrate its 77th Republic Day. Among those preparing for the grand parade on Kartavya Path is 26-year-old Assistant Commandant Simran Bala. On January 26, she will make history as the first woman officer to lead a fully male contingent of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) during the Republic Day parade on January 26.

Hailing from Naushera in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, she will lead over 140 male personnel of the CRPF. This unprecedented moment marks the first time a female officer will command a male CRPF contingent at the Republic Day celebrations, a position traditionally held by male officers in Indias largest paramilitary force.

A changing India

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Leading a contingent of over 140 personnel reflects a notable milestone for the CRPF and highlights the growing role of women in Indias security services. Her role in leading the parade is historic and sends a clear message that women are taking on bigger roles in Indias armed forces.

Simrans journey to this historic moment was influenced by her childhood experiences in the border areas of Jammu and Kashmir, where she witnessed cross-border firing. These experiences inspired her to serve the nation through Indias central armed police forces.

Selection in June 2023

In June 2023, she cleared the UPSC Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) assistant commandant examination. She was the only woman from Jammu and Kashmir to qualify that year and secured an All India Rank of 82 among 151 successful candidates.

Education background

Simran completed her schooling in Naushera up to class 10 and then moved to Jammu for higher secondary education. She later earned a bachelors degree in Political Science from the Government Womens College, Gandhinagar, Jammu. She began preparing for the UPSC CAPF exam during her final semester and successfully cleared it on her first attempt.

After passing the CAPF Assistant Commandant exam, she underwent training at the CRPF Academy in Gurugram, where she was recognised as the best officer in training and received an award for public lectures.

She joined the CRPF in April 2025, with her first posting in Chhattisgarhs Bastariya Battalion, taking charge of anti-Naxal operations.

Role of the CRPF

The Republic Day parade, held every January 26, shows Indias military strength and cultural diversity as it progresses from Raisina Hill through Kartavya Path to India Gate and the Red Fort.

The CRPF is Indias largest internal security force, with approximately 3.25 lakh personnel. Its key responsibilities include anti-Naxal operations, counter-terrorism efforts in Jammu and Kashmir and counter-insurgency operations in the northeast.
Although history books may lend credibility to the Indian freedom struggle as a result of civil disobedience movements, another seemingly mysterious story has been hiding in the corridors of 1946-47, now officially declassified. What could have been the compelling reasoning behind the British, after having successfully sailed safely through World War II, having a desperate need to exit India? The answer, as quoted by research author Kingshuk Nag and verified by high-ranking officials, revolves around a "top-secret" cabinet that the British desperately did not want Indians to open.

The 'top secret' discovery: Not for Indian eyes

One of the more interesting exposes on the British exit can be found in the experiences of Lt. Gen. Srinivas Kumar Sinha, one of the finest military leaders of India. In August 1946, Sinha was one of the three Indian officers of the elite Director of Military Operations (MOD).

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His British counterpart, in his haste to leave for home after the war, had given him the keys to his "Top Secret" cabinet. Upon opening it, he found two files marked "Top Secret: Not for Indian Eyes."

File 1: The Loyalty Report

The Loyalty Report was drawn up by Major General O'Brian of MI and had assessed the loyalty of Indian officers. This had revealed that an astounding number of Indian officers had increased from only 450 in 1939 to an impressive figure of 12,000 by 1945. They were categorised into three different kinds and were said to be "most unreliable," as they were all part of the newly budding nationalist movement.

File 2: Operation Gondola

Operation Gondola was the British "plan B." It was a well-thought-out evacuation plan to remove approximately 43,000 British citizens from India in the face of a sudden and violent uprising.

The Netaji factor: How the INA shook the British backbone

"Until well into the decades following Independence, conventional or 'mainstream' historyoften pursuing an agenda that reflected the views of those nearest to the first rulers of independent India-attributed the exodus almost solely to the non-violence and Satyagraha of the Congress party. Declassified records offer a rather different story."

The British also realised that the Indian National Army, led by Netaji, had done something that the British Indian army tried its best to stopovercoming religious and caste issues. In fact, the British divided its own army into "martial races" based on a combination of religious and caste criteria, while Netaji's INA:

Established the formation of mixed regiments in which all men ate out of the same kitchen.

Introduced a unified national greeting: "Jai hind."

Established the Rani of Jhansi Regiment, which was the first womens combat unit in the region.

The Ghost of 1857: Why Britain panicked

The British exit was sparked by a particular nightmare: a replay of the 1857 Mutiny on a much grander scale. They understood that if the 2.2 million Indian soldiers serving in the British Indian Army were inspired by the defiance of the INA, they would be asked, rather than told, to vacate Indiait would be a "kick out."

This fear was vindicated in the Red Fort trials. The British set out to try three officers of the INAa Hindu (Col. P.K. Sahgal), a Muslim (Lt Col Shah Nawaz Khan), and a Sikh (Col G.S Dhillon)at the Red Fort to demonstrate "impartiality." Instead, they did the opposite. The trials ensured that the heroes of the Indian National Army were celebrated in the country, so much so that even the most "loyal" of the British Indian troops felt ashamed of being on the wrong side of history.

The final blow: The Navy mutiny of 1946

The fear revealed by O'Brian's report became reality in February of the following year. Motivated by the Indian Navy mutiny's spirit, the Royal Indian Navy Revolt took place. 66 ships, with 10,000 sailors on board, from Karachi to Calcutta, strikes from the Royal Indian Air Force, as well as army columns in Jabalpur, followed suit.

Thus, though the British succeeded in putting down these particular mutinies, the message was clear: they no longer possessed the 'sword' required to keep India in line.

The confession of Clement Attlee

The most significant statement was that of Lord Clement Attlee, the then-Prime Minister of Britain at the time of independence. While visiting Calcutta in 1956, the then-CJ P. V. Chakravartti posed a question to him, saying, "When the Quit India Movement had died down years ago, why had the British left in a hurry?"

There were reasons enough, Attlee arranged, but his main motivation was the activities of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and the Indian National Army, which threatened the very foundations of the British Empire's military domination of India. Asked about the impact of the non-violence movement on their decision to leave, Attlee allegedly smiled and breathed the words "Min-i-mal."

ALSO READ | IndiGo Airlines receives bomb threat on Delhi-Pune flight; handwritten letter in lavatory
PM Modi in Kerala: Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a light-hearted moment during a public rally in Kerala on Tuesday when he noticed a young boy holding up a hand-drawn portrait of him. The moment, captured on video drew applause from supporters.

As PM Modi was speaking from the stage, his attention was drawn to the child standing among the crowd and holding the portrait high above his head.

Pausing his speech briefly, the Prime Minister pointed toward the boy and acknowledged him.

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After noticing the young boy, PM Narendra Modi said, "I have been seeing a child standing for a long time with his hands up in the air. You will get tired. Bring me the picture, write your address on the back, and I will write to you. I urge the SPG to bring me this child's love."

Watch video here:

#WATCH | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: At a BJP rally, PM Narendra Modi tells a young boy, "I have been seeing a child standing for long with his hands up in the air. You will get tired. Bring me the picture, write your address on the back, I will write to you. I urge the SPG to pic.twitter.com/DiAhts0TyZ  ANI (@ANI) January 23, 2026

Also Read- 'Congress more communal than Maoists': PM Modi attacks grand old party in Kerala

PM Modi in Kerala

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday welcomed the Prime Minister to Thiruvananthapuram and praised him for launching several key projects aimed at the state's development.

Prime Minister Modi flagged off four new trains, including three Amrit Bharat Express trains and one passenger train. and laid the foundation stone and inaugurated various developmental projects in Thiruvananthapuram.

Vijayan expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for approving several key projects for the state, calling it a "cherished moment of satisfaction" for the state government.

(with ANI inputs)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off four new train services, including three Amrit Bharat Express trains in Kerala.

The new services include the Nagercoil-Mangaluru Amrit Bharat Express, the Thiruvananthapuram-Tambaram Amrit Bharat Express, the Thiruvananthapuram-Charlapalli Amrit Bharat Express, and a new passenger train between Thrissur and Guruvayur.

Boost to inter-state connectivity

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The introduction of these trains is expected to significantly enhance long-distance and regional connectivity between Kerala and neighbouring states such as Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The improved rail links are expected to make travel more affordable, safe and time-bound, while also giving a boost to tourism, trade, education, employment and cultural exchange across the region.

Inaugural service and route details

As part of the launch, the Thiruvananthapuram North-Charlapalli Amrit Bharat Special will operate as an inaugural service on January 23, ahead of the commencement of the regular weekly train on this route.

The inaugural train will depart from Thiruvananthapuram North at 10.45 am and stop at several key stations, including Varkala Shivagiri, Kollam Junction, Kayamkulam Junction, Kottayam, Ernakulam Town, Thrissur, Palakkad Junction, Coimbatore Junction, Salem Junction, Katpadi Junction, Renigunta Junction, Nellore, Ongole, Guntur and Nalgonda, before reaching Charlapalli at 4.30 pm the next day.

Coach composition

The inaugural special will consist of eight sleeper class coaches, 11 general second class coaches, one pantry car and two divyangjan-friendly second class coaches.

According to a report by The Indian Express, the Thiruvananthapuram NorthCharlapalli Amrit Bharat Express will operate as a weekly service, departing from Thiruvananthapuram North every Wednesday and from Charlapalli every Tuesday. The formal notification for the regular weekly service is expected to be issued separately.

Route and Major Stoppages

The train connects Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, halting at 29 stations. Major halts include:

Kerala : Varkala Shivagiri, Kollam Jn, Kayamkulam Jn, Chengannur, Kottayam, Ernakulam Town, Aluva, Thrissur, and Palakkad Jn.



: Varkala Shivagiri, Kollam Jn, Kayamkulam Jn, Chengannur, Kottayam, Ernakulam Town, Aluva, Thrissur, and Palakkad Jn. Tamil Nadu : Coimbatore Jn, Tiruppur, Erode Jn, Salem Jn, Jolarpettai Jn, and Katpadi Jn.



: Coimbatore Jn, Tiruppur, Erode Jn, Salem Jn, Jolarpettai Jn, and Katpadi Jn. Andhra Pradesh/Telangana : Renigunta Jn, Nellore, Ongole, Guntur Jn, Sattenapalle, Miryalaguda, and Nalgonda.

PM Modi launches PM SVANidhi Credit Card

Prime Minister Modi on Friday launched the PM SVANidhi Credit Card, advancing financial inclusion for street vendors.

The PM SVANidhi Credit Card is a RuPay-enabled personal credit card aimed at street vendors who have successfully repaid their earlier PM SVANidhi loans, usually after the second tranche. The card offers on-demand, revolving credit to help vendors meet daily business expenses, providing up to 51 days of interest-free credit with an initial limit of Rs 10,000.
Spains decision to join Indias Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) quietly strengthens New Delhis long-term maritime strategy and expands the reach of cooperative security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). IPOI was launched in 2019 on Indias initiative, articulated at the East Asia Summit, as a flexible, non-military framework to promote maritime security, sustainable ocean governance, and practical cooperation across the Indo-Pacific. Spains entry adds a new dimension to that visionone that goes beyond geography and reflects shared values, experience and purpose.

For the Indian Navy, this is less about symbolism and much more about substance. Over the last decade, the Navy has steadily positioned itself as a reliable and resident security partner in the IOR using mission-based deployments, humanitarian operations, capacity building and persistent presence in critical sea lanes. Spains integration into IPOI reinforces this role by widening Indias network of trusted partners beyond Asia, without turning the region into an arena of rigid military blocs.

Spain brings with it deep operational experience from the Atlantic, Mediterranean and Red Sea theatres. These are regions which are shaped by piracy, instability as well as contested sea lines of communication. This background is directly relevant to the Indian Ocean Region's western approaches--especially around the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait--one of the worlds most sensitive maritime chokepoints. Disruption here has global consequences for trade, energy flows as well as maritime stability.

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India has already invested heavily in this space through deployments, information sharing and cooperative patrols. Spains inclusion opens the door for structured coordination such as carrying out of joint patrols, shared maritime domain awareness and interoperable procedures that strengthen presence without escalating tensions. It supports Indias long-standing approach of being a stabilising force: present, predictable, and partnership-driven rather than coercive.

The partnership is not limited to operations at sea. Spains experience in patrol vessels, naval systems and maritime surveillance technologies creates space for practical collaboration in co-development and co-production. For India, this aligns closely with its focus on indigenous capability building and defence industrial growth. Shared design, joint trials, and interoperable platforms do more than improve readinessthey make multinational task forces easier to assemble for disaster relief, anti-piracy missions, and regional security operations.

Equally important is the political signal. Spains entry broadens the democratic character of maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean. It reinforces the idea that the regions stability is a shared global interest and one that must be anchored by regional leadership. In this architecture, India is positioning itself not as a power that seeks to control instead as one which is a natural coordinatorconnecting partners, building trust and enabling cooperation.

The Indian Navys credibility in this role has been built through action, not rhetoric--evacuations during crises, disaster response operations, capacity-building missions with smaller littoral states, and sustained deployments that reassure rather than intimidate. Spains participation strengthens this ecosystem by adding a capable, like-minded partner that works within India-led regional frameworks rather than outside them.

Spain joining IPOI is a steady, practical step toward a more connected, cooperative maritime order in the Indian Ocean. It is where security is built through partnerships, not pressure. For India and its Navy, it is another confirmation that their model of inclusive, trust-based maritime leadership is gaining real traction.
IT and engineering leaders in this sector practice cautious innovation, with security, governance, risk, and compliance the primary driver of observability adoption, followed by AI adoption

New Relic, the Intelligent Observability company published its Observability Forecast for Financial Services, which uncovers how the industry is adopting observability in response to frequent IT outages, increasing enterprise AI usage, and regulatory, security, modernisation, and competitive pressures. Drawing insights from 156 IT and engineering leaders at financial services companiesincluding banks, financial technology, insurance companies, investment firms, and credit unionsthe report is based on data from New Relics 2025 Observability Forecast.

The innovation tax: Frequent downtime erodes revenue and productivity

Financial services companies report that high business impact outages cost US$1.8 million per hour on average, in line with the cross-industry average of $1.7 million per hour. Outages are also frequent in this industry, with 29% of respondents reporting high business impact outages at least weekly, only slightly lower than the all-industry average of 35%. Network failures are the most common culprit of outages (37%), followed by software deployment issues (34%) and changes made to the environment (32%). Beyond the financial drain, engineering teams spend on average 31% of their time addressing disruptionstaking their attention away from business innovation.

Modernisation with caution: AI, security and compliance require observability

While financial services companies are not traditionally first movers on new technology adoption, the data shows they are starting to leverage AI, which is driving observability adoption. AI monitoring deployment in this industry stands at 50%, just a few points shy of the cross-industry average of 54% using the capability. Thirty-eight percent of financial services organisations cite AI as a primary driver for observability adoption, the second most cited driver after security, governance, risk, and compliance. Nearly half of respondents (47%) said observability helps their organisation prepare for and manage AI application development and AI deployment.

Banking on trust: Financial services companies prioritise flawless digital experiences

Thirty-three percent of industry respondents, 8 points above the cross-industry average, say increasing demands on improving customer experiences make robust observability a priority. Recognising the link between customer loyalty, seamless mobile banking performance and digital interactions, financial services companies are prioritising digital experience monitoring (DEM) in future plans. In the next one to three years, 89% of respondents plan to deploy browser monitoring, 80% plan to deploy mobile monitoring, and 77% plan to deploy synthetic monitoring.

In an era where downtime is measured in millions, financial institutions can no longer afford to fly blind. The shift from experimental AI to production-grade intelligence requires a new level of operational rigour, said New Relic Chief Technology Strategist Nic Benders. Our latest data confirms that observability is a strategy to de-risk the sectors modernisation efforts. It provides the guardrails necessary to deliver seamless digital experiences and scale AI responsibly, ensuring that progress never comes at the expense of security or compliance.

Across the Asia Pacific, financial services organisations are operating in one of the most tightly regulated and digitally demanding environments in the world, said New Relic SVP & GM APJ Rob Newell. From real-time payments to always-on mobile banking, customers expect flawless performanceand regulators expect resilience. Our data shows that observability has become critical for financial institutions in the region, helping them reduce the impact of outages, modernise with confidence, and adopt AI responsibly. In 2026, its no longer just a technical capability; its a business imperative for protecting trust while enabling innovation at scale.

Other key findings include:

Observability is delivering business value. Forty-two percent of financial services companies report an ROI of 2x or more from their observability investments. Respondents also cited the business outcomes achieved with the technology. More than half say observability improves collaboration across teams for making software stack decisions (56%) and mitigates service disruptions and business risk (53%)ultimately helping shift developer time from reactive incident response towards higher-value work.

Forty-two percent of financial services companies report an ROI of 2x or more from their observability investments. Respondents also cited the business outcomes achieved with the technology. More than half say observability improves collaboration across teams for making software stack decisions (56%) and mitigates service disruptions and business risk (53%)ultimately helping shift developer time from reactive incident response towards higher-value work. Financial services companies lead the way in observability for DevOps. The report found that 66% are using observability to optimise continuous software delivery pipelines and improve code qualitywell above the cross-industry average of 55%. Additionally, 59% have automated their infrastructure provisioning and orchestration (compared to 49% cross-industry), while 53% have automated portions of their incident response (versus 41% cross-industry).

The report found that 66% are using observability to optimise continuous software delivery pipelines and improve code qualitywell above the cross-industry average of 55%. Additionally, 59% have automated their infrastructure provisioning and orchestration (compared to 49% cross-industry), while 53% have automated portions of their incident response (versus 41% cross-industry). Observability priorities mirror industry mandates around security and reliability. Examining which observability capabilities financial services companies most lean on, the industry leads the market in the deployment of network and security monitoring (72%), outpacing global benchmarks by double digits. Stronger-than-average adoption of database monitoring (69%) and log management (61%) further reinforces the sectors commitment to a high-uptime, highly secure digital environment.

The Observability Forecast for Financial Services is available today. Read the full report.

About New Relic

The New Relic Intelligent Observability Platform helps businesses eliminate interruptions in digital experiences. New Relic is the only AI-strengthened platform to unify and pair telemetry data to provide clarity over your entire digital estate. We move your problem solving past proactive to predictive by processing the right data at the right time to maximize value and control costs. Thats why businesses around the worldincluding Adidas Runtastic, Dominos, GoTo Group, Ryanair, Swiggy, Topgolf, and William Hillrun on New Relic to drive innovation, improve reliability, and deliver exceptional customer experiences to fuel growth.
Subhash Chandra Bose Jayanti: Emilie Schenkl was an Austrian-born German woman who is claimed to be closely connected with one of Indias most iconic freedom fighters, Subhash Chandra Bose. Though largely unknown for decades, her relationship with Bose has gained attention in recent years as historians revisit lesser-known chapters of Indias independence movement.

Emilie Schenkl was born on December 26, 1910, in Austria, to an Austrian father. She grew up in Europe at a time when the continent was undergoing political and social upheaval. In the 1930s, she worked as a secretary in Vienna for Subhash Chandra Boses book, The Indian Struggle, during which she came into contact with Bose, who was living in exile from British-ruled India.

How they met?

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Subhash Chandra Bose met Emilie Schenkl in 1934 when she was appointed as his secretary in Vienna. Bose was already a prominent Indian nationalist leader and was then seeking international support for Indias freedom struggle. Over time, their professional connection turned into a close personal relationship.

According to media reports, Bose and Emilie developed a deep bond and reportedly married in a private ceremony in 1937. However, Bose kept the relationship secret due to political pressures and concerns that personal ties could affect his mission for Indias independence.

(Also Read: Quote of the Day by Ruskin Bond: 'I have never been a fast walker, or a conqueror of mountain peaks...')

Daughter kept away from spotlight

In November 1942, Emilie Schenkl gave birth to a daughter, Anita Bose Pfaff, in Vienna. Bose never publicly acknowledged his family during his lifetime, as he was constantly on the move, leading the Indian National Army (INA) and working with Axis powers during World War II.

Emilie raised Anita as a single mother under difficult circumstances, especially during and after the war. She supported herself by working in factories and offices, leading a modest life in Austria and later in Germany, according to reports.

Life after Boses disappearance

After Subhash Chandra Bose reportedly died in a plane crash in 1945, Emilie continued to live quietly in Europe. She never visited India and avoided the public eye. Emilie Schenkl died in 1996 in Vienna, Austria.

Their daughter, Anita Bose Pfaff, later became an economist and academic in Germany and publicly acknowledged her parentage. Over the years, she shared documents and letters that confirm the relationship between Bose and Emilie.

Today, Emilie Schenkl is remembered as a woman who played a significant personal role in the life of Subhash Chandra Bose.
US President Donald Trumps foreign policy initiatives are increasingly being seen as isolating the United States from major global stakeholders, with India emerging as a key country maintaining a strategic distance. One such instance was Indias decision to stay away from the Trump-proposed Gaza Peace Board meeting held on January 22 in Davos, Switzerland.

The meeting, attended by several Arab nations and Pakistan, was also extended an invitation to India. However, New Delhi chose not to send any representative. The move is being viewed as a deliberate diplomatic signal reflecting Indias disagreement with Trumps approach to global conflict resolution.

One of the primary reasons behind Indias absence was Trumps decision to sideline the United Nations. Traditionally, ceasefires and post-conflict rehabilitation processes are overseen by the UN and its agencies. However, Trump kept the UN out of the Gaza ceasefire framework and instead promoted a parallel structure involving private entities. India, which has consistently upheld the primacy of multilateral global institutions, viewed this as undermining the UNs authority.

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Secondly, Trumps inclusion of Pakistan in the Gaza Peace Board raised serious concerns in New Delhi. India considers Pakistan a state sponsor of terrorism, and its presence in a so-called peace initiative was seen as diluting the credibility of the process. This further reinforced Indias decision to distance itself from the initiative.

Another major factor was the perceived bias within the Peace Board. While Israel was included, no senior representative from Gaza or the Palestinian Authority was given a seat at the table. Even rules and frameworks for the board were reportedly discussed only with Israel, sidelining Palestinian voices, an approach India does not endorse. India has long maintained that Gaza is a bilateral issue between Israel and Palestine, and any resolution must involve both parties equally.

Meanwhile, global resistance to Trumps assertive diplomacy appears to be coalescing around India. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is scheduled to visit India on January 26, followed by Brazils President Lula da Silva. Leaders from Russia and Germany have also engaged closely with New Delhi, indicating a broader alignment against unilateralism.

Indias refusal to join the Gaza Peace Board thus reflects not isolationism, but a principled stand, one that reinforces its commitment to multilateralism, balanced diplomacy, and global equity.
Border 2 Release Today: The much-anticipated movie of 2026 - Border 2 is the sequel to JP Duttas 1997 blockbuster Border set against the backdrop of the 1971 India-Pakistan War. Directed by Anurag Singh, Border 2 marks Sunny Deols return to the iconic war franchise in the titular role. With an ensemble star cast of Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh and Ahan Shetty - the movie is high on the buzz word. Ahead of the release on January 23, 2026, we spoke to Isha Koppikar, who has worked with Sunny Deol and Suniel Shetty in a couple of movies together and she shared how excitement for the war drama is palpabale.

ALSO READ: Border 2 movie X review: Sunny Deol-starrer declared 'BLOCKBUSTER' & 'OUTSTANDING'! Early honest reactions are here

Tell us about the iconic 1997 movie Border & its impact. Are you excited to watch its sequel Border 2 now?

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My debut year was 1998 and the year prior to it was such a significant year for Indian cinema and Border was a landmark film. I remember the impact it had when it released. The patriotism, the emotion, the scale of storytelling was so real, so resonating. And I am a patriot, through and through. So I recall feeling every emotion so deeply when I watched the film in theatres. Now, all these years later, to see Border 2 being made with the same passion and vision is truly exciting. I'm definitely looking forward to watching it. Films like these remind us of the sacrifices our soldiers make, and I think every generation needs to experience that through powerful cinema.

Which character touched you the most?

Suniel Shetty's character, Bhairon Singh, touched me deeply. The way he portrayed a soldier who's so rooted in his duty, yet so human in his emotions, was incredibly moving. That scene where he's writing letters home, knowing he might not return, it still gives me goosebumps. Every character in Border had such depth, but there was something about Bhairon Singh's quiet strength and his ultimate sacrifice that stayed with me long after the film ended.

Border 2 is a drama on the 1971 Indo-Pak war. Which other war drama did you like?

I've always been deeply moved by war dramas. Lakshya is one film that really stayed with me. The transformation of Hrithik's character and the Kargil war backdrop was handled beautifully. Internationally, I've been touched by films like Saving Private Ryan. But when it comes to Indian war cinema, Uri: The Surgical Strike was exceptional in how it brought a contemporary war story to audiences with such authenticity and impact. These films show battles, but they also show the heart and soul of the people fighting them.

Do you feel sequels of iconic movies bear a lot of pressure to match up?

Undoubtedly, yes. When you're making a sequel to any movie, much less an iconic film like Border, the expectations are sky-high, and rightfully so. The original holds such a special place in countless people's hearts that the sequel has to honor that legacy while also offering something fresh and relevant. But I also believe that pressure can be a catalyst for great cinema. When filmmakers approach sequels with respect for the original and also with a genuine desire to tell a meaningful story and not just capitalize on a brand name, it can all work out.

According to some reports, Border 2 also features cameos by the original cast members including Akshaye Khanna, Suniel Shetty and Sudesh Berry, which has been recreated using digital de-ageing technology.

Border 2 released in cinemas on January 23, 2026.
Ruskin Bond is one of Indias most beloved authors, whose stories and writings have shaped the values and life lessons of generations of readers.

Loved for his gentle storytelling, Bonds quotes often celebrate nature, simple joys, love, and the quiet wisdom found in solitude. His words consistently remind readers to slow down and appreciate lifes beauty through lived experiences rather than achievements.

Todays quote highlights the importance of moving at ones own pace, even when the world seems to be racing ahead.

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I have never been a fast walker, or a conqueror of mountain peaks, but I can plod along for miles. And that's what I've been doing all my lifeplodding along, singing my song, telling my tales in my own unhurried way. I have lived life at my own gentle pace, and if as a result I have failed to get to the top of the mountain (or of anything else), it doesn't matter. The long walk has brought its own sweet rewardsbuttercups and butterflies along the way.

Ruskin Bonds reflections are deeply relatable and profoundly human, resonating with anyone who has felt out of step with societys relentless push for speed and success.

Meaning Behind Ruskin Bonds Quote

In this quote, Bond reflects on his personal philosophy of life, emphasizing that he has never been driven by competition or the urge to conquer success as defined by society. Instead, he chooses to live and create at a slow, steady pace, staying true to himself. Even if this unhurried journey has kept him from reaching conventional markers of success, he does not consider it a failure. For Bond, the true reward lies in the journey itselfthe small, quiet joys and moments of beauty symbolised by buttercups and butterflies. Ultimately, the quote suggests that fulfillment comes not from recognition or status, but from authenticity and mindful living.

Ruskin Bonds Early Life

Ruskin Bond was born in Kasauli, in the Punjab States Agency of British India. His father, Aubrey Alexander Bond, was British and born in a military camp in Shahjahanpur, a small town in north India, while his mother, Edith Clarke, was Anglo-Indian.

His father worked as an English tutor to the princesses of the Jamnagar Palace, where Bond lived with his sister Ellen until the age of six. In 1939, his father joined the Royal Air Force, after which Bond moved with his mother and sister to his maternal family home in Dehradun. Soon after, he was sent to a boarding school in Mussoorie.

When Bond was eight, his mother separated from his father and later married a Punjabi Hindu man named Hari. Bond then moved to New Delhi to live with his father, a period he often described as one of the happiest times of his life. However, tragedy struck when his father died of malaria in Calcutta when Bond was just ten years old.

Despite these early hardships, Ruskin Bond went on to build a literary legacy that has touched millions, with his writing continuing to offer comfort, wisdom, and a gentle reminder to find joy in the ordinary.
New Delhi: As the countdown to Union Budget 2026 begins, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) are once again hoping for long-pending reforms in Indias tax system. Although HUFs are recognised as a separate person under the Income-tax Act, they continue to face gaps in tax relief when compared to individual taxpayers  particularly under the new tax regime.

At present, HUFs can choose between the old and new tax regimes, just like individuals. However, the benefits available under each system are not evenly balanced.

Old Regime: Limited Scope for Relief

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Under the old tax regime, HUFs can claim popular deductions such as Section 80C, Section 80D and others. But tax experts believe that Budget 2026 is unlikely to introduce any fresh benefits under the old system, as the government remains focused on gradually shifting taxpayers to the new regime.

New Regime: The Missing Rebate

The bigger concern for HUFs lies in the new tax regime, which offers lower tax slab rates but removes most exemptions and deductions. More importantly, HUFs are currently not eligible for the Section 87A rebate, which allows individuals earning up to Rs 7 lakh to pay zero tax.

This has created a clear disparity  two taxpayers with the same income can face very different tax outcomes, simply because one is an individual and the other is an HUF.

Expert View

Naveen Wadhwa, Vice President at Taxmann, explains:

A Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) is treated as a separate person under the Income-tax Act and can choose between the old and the new tax regimes. Under the old tax regime, HUFs can claim deductions under Sections 80C and 80D, etc., while under the new tax regime, they have to forego certain exemptions and deductions. It is unlikely that the Budget 2026 will offer any relief in the old tax regime for HUFs. However, under the new tax regime, one key recommendation is that the government extend the rebate under Section 87A to HUFs as well, which is currently available only to individuals. This move would make the new tax regime more attractive and equitable for HUF taxpayers.

Why This Matters

HUFs are widely used in India for managing ancestral income, family businesses, and investments. Without access to the 87A rebate, many small and middle-income HUFs end up paying higher tax than individuals with the same income.

Tax professionals argue that extending the rebate would help make the new regime fair, simple, and inclusive, while also encouraging a smoother transition away from the old tax structure.

Bottom Line

With Budget 2026 expected to further strengthen the new tax regime, extending the Section 87A rebate to HUFs could be a meaningful reform. While changes under the old regime appear unlikely, the new regime presents a real opportunity to address long-standing inequality for HUF taxpayers.
Raksha Bandhan 2023: Delhi Metro (DMRC) has increased the frequency of metro in view of Raksha Bandhan. Because of this, Delhi Metro will make 106 extra trips on Wednesday as compared to normal days. So that the passengers do not face any problem while traveling. DMRC says that some metro trains will be kept ready as backup and those trains will also be operated if needed.
The PM has visited the states several times in the past few months, mixing official work with temple trips and roadshows that coincide with the BJPs efforts to garner support in Southern India.
Indian smartphone brands: In a bold and expected move, India is moving closer to launching its own mobile phone brands within the next 12 to 18 months, according to Union Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. He made the announcement while speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

This development comes as India builds a strong electronics supply network capable of supporting the local production of high-end devices. Experts say this is a major step toward reducing dependence on foreign smartphone makers and boosting domestic innovation.

India has already become one of the global leaders in phone assembly and manufacturing. From just two mobile phone units in 2014, the country now has more than 300 production facilities. As of December 2024, more than 99% of phones sold in India were locally made, a sharp rise from 26% in 2014 -15.

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According to industry analysts, Indias electronics manufacturing sector could reach an estimated USD 300 billion by 2026, driven by government incentives and strong export growth. Indian mobile phone exports have surged significantly in recent years, reflecting rising global demand for Made in India devices.

(Also Read: US exits WHO: From COVID-19 to anti-American narrative, what caused Trump to abandon world body)

Government support for domestic brands

Union Minister Vaishnaw explained that Indias mature electronics ecosystem now includes many suppliers of phone components, making it possible to build more than just assembled products. He said the groundwork is nearly complete for India to support end-to-end mobile phone brands, from design to production. Officials say political and economic support, including incentives for manufacturing and semiconductor production, will help local companies launch competitive smartphones.

More choice for buyers

If successful, Indias own phone brands could offer more choices for consumers and reduce reliance on imported smartphones. Analysts also believe this would create new jobs in design, research, and manufacturing. A domestic brand could also improve Indias position in the global tech market and encourage innovation tailored to local needs.

This move supports Indias broader Make in India strategy and could give a strong boost to Indias developing technology sector.
New Delhi: At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Canadas Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered a strong address that many observers see as a mirror to the present US-dominated world order. He explained that countries with medium power face a tough choice of either competing with each other to gain support or coming together courageously to create a new path.

He suggested that countries, including India, are likely to be cautious for now, while Canada is willing to take risks to speak openly. Carney emphasised that the present global system is not just in transition but facing a destructive phase and that the illusion of stability is fading.

He argued that the old world order will not return and that instead of mourning its decline, nations should begin building a new and justice-oriented international system. He urged middle-power countries to step out of confusion and act decisively.

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Carney was aware of the risks in criticising US policies. The countrys economy relies heavily on trade, with 75 percent of its exports in 2024 going to the United States.

Trump Hits Back

The following day, US President Donald Trump arrived in Davos and responded to Carneys remarks. He criticised the Canadian leader for not showing sufficient gratitude toward the United States. He argued that Canada benefits extensively from Washington and should acknowledge it. Trump suggested that Carney had failed to do so in his Davos address.

Trump reminded people that he had previously joked or suggested that Canada might become the 51st state of the United States. Despite these pressures, Ottawa has responded, raising questions about why other nations, including India, are silent in the face of US policies that affect their interests.

During Trumps first term, he blocked India from buying oil from Iran. In his second term, he delayed projects at Irans Chabahar port and pressured India to cut oil imports from Russia.

The United States also engineered political change in Venezuela, imposed sanctions on Indias energy initiatives and during military conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, New Delhi refrained from condemning actions aligned with US interests.

India focusses on strategic independence, handling global pressures carefully without openly criticising US policies, unlike Canada, which has spoken out boldly.
New Delhi: Following a law passed last month, Germany has begun a historic military mobilisation by sending out mandatory questionnaires to 18-year-old men to assess their fitness for potential army service. While joining the army is voluntary for now, the legislation allows the government to introduce compulsory service to realise its goal of building what it claims will be Europes strongest conventional army since World War II.

Last November, the countrys active duty force reached 184,000 troops, an increase of 2,500 since May, when Chancellor Friedrich Merz first declared in parliament that the Bundeswehr must become Europes dominant conventional military force.

Experts said that this is the largest standing force Germany has had in decades and the strongest since 2021.

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The government is attracting recruits with 23-month contracts offering generous pay and benefits, including free housing and medical insurance, creating a net monthly income of around 2,300 ($2,700) after deductions. These contracts can then be extended into permanent professional service.

Germany has pledged to raise active duty personnel to 260,000 by 2035 and double its reserve force to 200,000, approaching the half-million-strong army it maintained at the end of the Cold War. Russia has expressed alarm at these plans, warning that Berlin appears to be preparing for a potential confrontation with Moscow.

From Germanys point of view, Russias refusal to leave Ukraine has pushed Berlin to spend 108 billion ($125bn) on defence this year, which is 2.5 percent of its GDP and more than twice the 2021 budget of 48 billion ($56bn). Defence support among Germans has surged from 58 percent to 65 percent in just one year. By 2030, the country plans to allocate 3.5 percent of GDP to military spending.

A December survey revealed that eight in 10 Germans now believe Russian President Vladimir Putin is not serious about pursuing peace in Ukraine and many accept warnings that Moscow may eventually expand hostilities to NATO nations. The year 2029 has been cited in public discourse as a potential point for a Russian attack on NATO, raising awareness about Europes precarious security situation.

Along with concerns over Russia, Germans waning trust in the United States has influenced military policy. Polling conducted by ZDF (Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen, which translates to Second German Television) in mid-2025 showed 73 percent doubted the United States would continue guaranteeing Europes security, rising to 84 percent by December.

The American political influence, particularly support for far-right parties sympathetic to Russia, has reinforced this perception. The publication of Trumps National Security Strategy, warning Europe of civilisational erasure due to EU policies, strengthened the belief that Washington cannot be relied upon.

As a result, six out of 10 Germans no longer trust the US nuclear deterrent, and three-quarters favour an Anglo-French or European nuclear deterrent. Support for a European army, historically limited, has climbed to 57 percent. Many Germans continue to value NATO as an institution but are increasingly interested in a European-led defence structure.

Merzs goal echoes promises from his predecessor Olaf Scholz, who in 2022 also vowed to build Europes strongest army during Russias invasion of Ukraine. While Scholz secured a one-time $120 billion increase in defence funding, bureaucratic delays and cultural resistance slowed its implementation.

Traditionally, the Bundeswehr was not a preferred career choice, especially among older and well-educated Germans wary of military resurgence.

However, public attitudes have changed since 2022. Merzs administration has suspended constitutional deficit limits, enabling permanent increases in defence spending, with parliament recently approving roughly $60 billion in new procurements.

Analysts caution that Russia may attempt to exploit domestic resistance to conscription in Germany as part of its propaganda efforts, portraying military service as a threat to German youth.

Experts point out that boosting the budget and political support does not instantly create a stronger military. Recruitment, training and equipment programmes are still in progress.

Observers say Germany now realises that depending only on Europe or NATO is not enough. Berlin is strengthening its own military to face threats from Russia and reduced US support, putting German forces at the centre of Europes security.
SORA Culture Festival (Illustration courtesy of Sora Culture Festival Executive Committee)



Its a new year and time for the Sora Culture Festival in Iwakuni City.

Take the time to experience traditional Japanese performing arts, like Yosakoi dancing, Kagura (sacred Shinto music and dancing), taiko drums and Koto (Japanese harp) and Rakugo (traditional Japanese comic storytelling) at the Iwakuni Kokusai Kanko Hotel on Jan. 25.

This is the sixth year of the festival and this years theme is matsuri traditional festival.

Yasuhiro Muneno, a Stars and Stripes Iwakuni office employee, said he enjoyed last years festivities.

For me, it was an overwhelming experience to enjoy a lot of different traditional performances, one after another, without break, Muneno said.

Ayumi Yonemoto, president of Sora Culture Festival Executive Committee worked for MCAS Iwakuni for 15 years, and while working on base, she noticed that, in general, both Americans and Japanese locals had a hard time explaining their regional traditions, arts and culture.

I think this is because the opportunity to see or experience our traditional arts is getting rarer and rarer these days, Yonemoto said. That experience inspired the Sora Culture Festival and the tradition continues.

Dont miss the event and enjoy a variety of activities, performances and booths in Iwakuni City!

(Photos courtesy of Sora Culture Festival Executive Committee)



Things to know

Sora Culture Festival Matsuri
A leaked audio conversation, as reported by Washington Post, has revealed private talks between a US diplomat and Jamaat leaders in Bangladesh, ahead of the crucial national elections. In the audio clip, the diplomat, who was not named by the Washington Post, described Yunus's interim leadership as 'genius', highlighting his economic handling post-2024 uprising. The US diplomat also praised Yunus' ability to pressure the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) into concessions, and his resistance to demands from the military, elites, or business interests.

The diplomat reportedly expressed a desire for 'friendship' with Jamaat as a potential stabilizing force ahead of the February 12, 2026, elections, predicting the party would 'do better than it's ever done before'. They also urged the journalists to normalize Jamaat in media coverage, including its student wing (Chhatra Shibir), and positioned the US as willing to use economic leverage (e.g., tariffs on garments) to prevent extreme policies like imposing Sharia law. Notably, the Chhatra Shibir leaders have been spewing venom against India and the US has expressed its intention to work with them as well.

The diplomat also advised Jamaat against closer ties with China and referenced using the European Union as a proxy for US interests, implying trade repercussions for non-compliance.

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The audio includes comments on the BNP weakening itself through internal corruption and infighting. The diplomat criticized the International Crimes Tribunal process against Sheikh Hasina as procedurally flawed but stated the evidence justified her guilt in the deaths of protesters during the 2024 uprising.

Critics argue that the audio conversation risks straining US-India ties due to Jamaat's history as a "unlawful group" in India, while US officials emphasize neutrality and support for fair elections. This leak has fueled polarized debates in Bangladesh and beyond. Pro-Awami League users accuse the US of enabling Hindu persecution and Islamist rise, tying it to anti-India protests and minority attacks post-2024.

The recent parliamentary election in Bangladesh took place on 7 January 2024 for the 12th Jatiya Sangsad (national parliament). This resulted in Sheikh Hasinas Awami League retaining power. However, the 2024 protests saw Hasina fleeing to India and later, Muhammad Yunus became interim chief of the Bangladesh government.
While several major policy announcements were made during the World Economic Forum, the unexpected focus was instead on a tell-tale blue-black mark, which became clearly noticeable on the left hand of President Donald Trump. A dark purple discoloration, clearly visible during a "Board of Peace" signing event, immediately led people to make assumptions regarding the health of the 79-year-old world leader.

The incident: A collision at the signing table

The mysterious case started when a camera snapped a photo of the back of the President's hand with a deep bruise. Trying to mitigate the whole health issue while en route to the Camp David summit on Air Force One, Trump explained the bruise as a small accident.

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"I'm perfectly fine. I smashed it on the table," Trump said to reporters. "I put a littlewhat do you call itcream on it. I just smashed it."

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also provided corroboration on this report when she said that "While signing a globe, the President's hand struck the corner of the signing table during the Davos event." To diminish speculations about what happened to his hand, White House officials showed pictures of the President from earlier in the morning when there were no marks on his hand to prove that this injury happened instantly to him.

The Aspirin connection: 'Heavy dose' strategy

President Trump pointed out a second factor contributing to the severity of the bruising: his habit of regularly taking large quantities of aspirin. The president stated he takes a 325 mg dosage four times a dayexactly double the usual heart-aiding "baby aspirin" 81 mg dose.

"If you like your heart, take the aspirin. But if you don't want a little blue mark, don't take the aspirin," Trump remarked. "I take the big one. When you take the big one, they say you get the blue marks."

For those aged 60 and older, medical guidelines all strongly recommend that, while under strict supervision, they use aspirin, notwithstanding increased bleeding risks.

Trump acknowledged that his own medical team advised against the high dosage, but he chose to ignore them. "The doctors told me, 'You don't need to take this, sir. You're very healthy.' I said, 'I don't want to take any risks. I don't want thick blood in my heart.'"

A history of hidden marks

This is not the first time the President's hands have come under scrutiny, as the markings, bandages, or makeup were used to cover skin discolored from other bumps. Blood thinners like aspirin can make the skin more fragile, leading to the formation of large black-and-blue marks from even slight bumps.

Although, according to the White House, the President is in good health, his admission that he has been self-prescribing high-dose medication against his physicians' advice will surely provoke a debate concerning his wellness routine.

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New Delhi: At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, US President Donald Trump addressed global leaders. His speech included several claims that have raised questions and drawn scrutiny from fact-checkers.

He spoke about his desire to acquire Greenland, which he described as a small demand, emphasising its importance for US national security. He also addressed Americas contributions to NATO and criticised wind energy developments in China.

Here is a fact-check of the major claims he made in the over-one-hour speech.

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Greenland

Trump stated that after World War II, the United States had returned Greenland to Denmark and questioned the wisdom of that decision. However, the Arctic island was never under US sovereignty, so it could not have been returned.

In 1933, an international court, predating todays International Court of Justice, had confirmed Greenland as part of Denmark. In 1941, following Denmarks surrender to Germany, the United States and Denmark signed an agreement allowing Washington to defend Greenland to prevent Nazi Germany from occupying it.

This agreement permitted American military presence and bases on the island but did not transfer sovereignty.

NATO spending

Trump also claimed that the United States covers nearly the entire NATO budget. He asserted that other member countries contribute only 2% and were now moving toward 5%.

Data shows that the United States historically covered around 70% of NATO defense spending in recent years, which declined to 65% in 2024 and an estimated 62% in 2025, as NATO members agreed to gradually reach 2% of their GDP on defense.

The 5% figure cited by Trump represents a long-term goal for 2035, not the present reality. Poland, the NATO country with the highest defense spending in 2025, allocated just under 4.5% of its GDP.

Returns from the organisation

Trump argued that the United States had received nothing from NATO and had never asked for anything. NATOs collective defense principle obligates members to consider an attack on one as an attack on all. The United States invoked this clause after the 9/11 attacks and benefited from allied troops and equipment during the Afghanistan campaign.

Denmark, in particular, suffered significant casualties while contributing to operations along with British forces.

Wind energy in China

Trump criticised wind energy as a green scam and claimed that despite China manufacturing many turbines, he could not find a single wind farm there.

In reality, China hosts some of the largest wind farms globally, including one in Gansu province visible from space. Data shows that China produced 997 terawatt-hours of wind energy in 2024, more than double the output of the second-ranking country, the United States.

North sea oil

Trump also targeted the United Kingdoms energy policies, claiming that it collects 92% of North Sea oil revenues and makes it difficult for oil companies to operate.

In fact, North Sea companies pay 30% corporate tax plus a 10% supplementary rate on profits. The government increased the windfall tax from 35% to 38% in 2024, resulting in a total of 78% tax on profits, not revenue. The windfall tax, introduced in 2022, is scheduled to end in 2030.

US investments

Trump claimed that his administration had secured record investments of $18 trillion for the United States, repeating the figure multiple times.

Publicly available data suggests that the total investment under his administration is closer to $9.6 trillion. The largest single commitment cited is $1.4 trillion from the United Arab Emirates, intended for manufacturing and industrial projects.

Analysts say that some of these pledges are conditional, and the full impact may take several years to materialise. The European Parliament recently suspended ratification of a US trade deal until Washington shows a preference for cooperation over confrontation.
US Exits WHO: The United States officially announced that it has formally withdrawn from the World Health Organisation (WHO). This move ends Washington's membership in the global health body.

Meanwhile, according to the Trump administration, the move fulfills a promise made on the presidents first day in office.

Also Read- Canada took on Trump in Davos, why is India staying silent?

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In a joint statement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated that the withdrawal was carried out through an executive order signed by US President Donald Trump and was aimed at freeing the United States from what they described as the organisations constraints.

Today, the United States withdrew from the World Health Organization (WHO), freeing itself from its constraints, as President Trump promised on his first day in office by signing E.O. 14155, the statement said. This action responds to the WHOs failures during the COVID-19 pandemic and seeks to rectify the harm from those failures inflicted on the American people.

According to IANS, the statement accused the global health organisation of abandoning its core mission and acting against the interests of the US, despite the country being a founding member and the organisations largest financial contributor.

As per the administration, the WHO pursued a politicised, bureaucratic agenda driven by nations hostile to American interests, and failed to ensure the timely and accurate sharing of information during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The statement stated that those failures may have cost American lives and were later concealed under the pretext of acting in the interest of public health.

'Refusal to hand over American flag'

The administration also criticised the WHOs conduct following US' decision to withdraw from the WHO.

The US administration said that the organisation refused to hand over the American flag displayed at its headquarters and claimed it had not approved the US withdrawal.

From our days as its primary founder, primary financial backer, and primary champion until now, our final day, the insults to America continue, the statement noted.

The administration said that the US engagement with the WHO will now be limited strictly to completing the withdrawal process and protecting the health and safety of Americans.

Notably, all US funding for and staffing of WHO initiatives have ended.

The statement said the US will continue to lead global public health efforts through direct, bilateral partnerships and cooperation with trusted health institutions.

We will continue to work with countries and trusted health institutions to share best practices, strengthen preparedness, and protect our communities, the statement said.

The administration said the withdrawal was intended to honor Americans affected by the pandemic, including those who died in nursing homes and businesses harmed by pandemic restrictions, IANS reported.

This move follows the long-standing criticism of the WHOs handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

US' history with WHO

The US was a founding member of the WHO in 1948 and has historically been its largest single contributor.

The decision marks a major shift in US engagement with international health institutions.

(with IANS inputs)
The vast, imposing stretch of pavement at the heart of Beijing, known globally as Tiananmen Square, has long served as the primary stage for the Chinese Communist Party to perform its grandest rituals of order and control. On most mornings, this theatre of the state follows a precise script where the rising sun meets the rhythmic and beautifully synchronised march of the Honour Guard, where simultaneously, a silent awe of tourists is curated to project an image of unshakeable stability. Yet in the grey pre-dawn hours of that fateful day in 1989, that carefully rehearsed choreography was violently interrupted. Security forces that assembled for the ceremony had to scramble for containment. They sealed the perimeter with a frantic urgency that betrayed a loss of control while surveillance drones buzzed overhead like a swarm of angry mechanical insects. The air was not filled with the celebratory smog of fireworks. It was filled with the acrid and undeniable scent of burning flesh. A self-immolation had occurred under the unblinking gaze of the state, shattering the curated silence and reviving ghosts that the leadership believed had been exorcised decades ago.

To understand the visceral terror this specific form of protest evokes within the leadership compound of Zhongnanhai, one must look back to the eve of the Lunar New Year on 23 January 2001. That afternoon transformed the square from a symbol of state power into a tableau of horrifying desperation. Five individuals, allegedly practitioners of the banned spiritual movement Falun Gong, set themselves on fire in broad daylight. The imagery was graphic and the impact was seismic. Wang Jindong sat cross-legged, engulfed in flames while shouting cryptic verses, and a twelve-year-old girl named Liu Siying succumbed to severe burns in a tragedy that captured global headlines. The incident provided the state with the ultimate propaganda weapon. Beijing seized upon the footage with zealous efficiency and broadcast the grisly images on a loop to the domestic audience. The narrative was swiftly pivoted from political suppression to public safety. The self-immolators were quickly cast fanatics driven to madness by an evil cult. This moment allowed the state to turn the tide of public opinion against Falun Gong and helped it in justifying a brutal crackdown that decimated the groups presence in mainland China. The 2001 incident taught the CCP that the visual spectacle of self-immolation is a double-edged sword that can either be weaponised to legitimise a purge or, if left unmanaged, can become a piercing symbol of resistance that no amount of censorship can ever fully obscure from the hearts and minds of people.

Now, decades later, the spectre has returned to haunt the same stones. This time, the state has dispensed with the pretence of a public safety campaign in favour of immediate, total erasure. The response to this fresh incident has been a ruthless exercise in silence. There are no looped broadcasts or interviews with survivors because the current doctrine of information warfare deems that the event simply did not happen. Over two hundred arrests were executed nationwide in the days following the fire. These detentions are not targeted merely at those present; they sweep up anyone whose digital footprint suggests knowledge of the event. The charges are uniform and vague--with inciting subversion serving as the catch-all justification for disappearing citizens into the labyrinth of the judicial system. This is a recalibration of the repression strategy. Where the state once sought to win the argument through propaganda, it now seeks to eliminate the argument entirely by removing the participants.

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The paranoia has extended far beyond the physical borders of the People's Republic. The Chinese diaspora, once viewed as a distant audience or a source of economic leverage, is now treated as an active theatre of conflict. Families of overseas dissidents living within China are visited by security agents who deliver veiled threats meant to travel across oceans. The message is unequivocal. Silence is the price of their safety. This transnational repression aims to sever the connection between the exile community and the mainland. It ensures that the memory of the fire does not find oxygen in foreign capitals. It is a blockade of information constructed on human vulnerability. Beijing understands that the diaspora serves as a repository of forbidden history, and thus the intimidation of these communities is a strategic necessity to maintain the integrity of the domestic firewall.

Technology has altered the geometry of this control. In 2001 the state relied on television cameras and the slow dissemination of print media to shape the narrative. Today the square is monitored by an integrated grid of facial recognition and aerial surveillance that anticipates dissent before it manifests. The drones hovering above the anniversary gatherings are not merely observing. They are enforcing a perimeter of fear. However, this technological omniscience creates its own vulnerability. The reliance on total surveillance implies a fragility in the states confidence. A regime that is truly secure in its legitimacy does not need to encircle its symbolic heart with robotic sentries or pre-emptively arrest hundreds of citizens in order to prevent a single spark of memory from catching hold. The very presence of such overwhelming force serves to validate the potency of the protest it seeks to crush.

The global community faces a choice in how it witnesses this erasure. The traditional methods of journalism are rendered nearly obsolete on the ground, where reporters are barred and witnesses are silenced. The responsibility to see now falls to the cold, objective eye of satellite imagery and open-source intelligence. High-resolution photographs from orbit can pierce the smog and the censorship, revealing the troop movements and the cordons that the state denies exist. This is the new frontier of narrative warfare. It is a battle between the view from the ground, which can be scrubbed and sanitized, and the view from above, which offers an unblinking record of the states anxieties.

The 2001 incident was manipulated to serve the state, but this modern recurrence resists such easy co-optation. The flames that briefly illuminated the square served as a signal fire in a darkening world. They signalled that despite the sophisticated apparatus of control and the ruthless efficiency of the security services, the human capacity for desperate defiance remains intact.

The Party may possess the power to scrub the pavement and imprison the mourners. It, however, cannot fully extinguish the combustion of historical memory. As long as the square remains a fortress guarded against its own people, the silence it enforces will be fragile, constantly threatened by the heat of remembered trauma. The shift is palpable. Beijing has moved from managing the narrative to warring against reality--a conflict where the only victory lies in the impossible task of making the world forget what it has already seen.
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Atlanta mom Mallerie Shirley loves seeing her son get himself around their kid-friendly neighborhood. So on Election Day last year, with the schools closed, of course she let him ride his scooter to the playground.

But as he scooted along the bike trail just outside his house, a lady approached and started asking him questions, including where his parents were.

The boy, who's 6, did not give the lady his name, age or where he lived. Slightly freaked out, he rode away. But the woman followed him home and must have written down the address, because two days later, a caseworker from the Division of Family & Children Services showed up at Shirley's door.

Shirley wasn't home, but her husband was. The caseworker told him their son had been seen unsupervised. She was going to go interview him and would be back.

At his school, the caseworker asked the boy if his parents loved him and if they did drugs. All because he'd taken a scooter ride to the playground!

On her return visit, the caseworker said the boy was too young to be outside on his own. Shirley and her husband cited the Reasonable Childhood Independence law that had recently been passed in Georgia, with the help of Let Grow (the nonprofit I helm). It gives parents the right to give their kids some unsupervised time, so long as they aren't putting the child in obvious and serious danger.

The caseworker replied that the boy could have broken his leg or been kidnapped. "Her coming up with these worst-case scenarios made us realize: Oh. She's not going to work with us," said Shirley.

A few weeks later, a letter arrived saying Shirley had a "substantiated" finding of neglect against her, "based on the preponderance of evidence."

Calls to the DFCS caseworker were not returned.

Shirley holds a master's in social work. She herself was a caseworker for four years before becoming a software engineer. She knows that the preponderance of evidence is actually on her side: She knows her neighborhood and her son's maturity level. He's a good student, loves school, cleans his room. He also knows his neighbors by name. "We sometimes call him Doogie Howser," says Shirley.

So her Election Day decision was deliberate and considered. What's more, she was letting her son do something that 6-year-olds have done for eons: Ride around the neighborhood.

David DeLugas, head of ParentsUSA, a nonprofit that provides pro bono legal help to parents in situations like this, has taken Shirley's case. He has filed a request for an administrative review to contest Shirley's substantiation of neglect. A donation page has been established to help ParentsUSA cover her legal expenses, as well as those of other parents facing similar difficulties.

In the meantime, Shirley and her husband are living with the DFCS "safety plan" they felt they had to sign, which says "both parents will ensure that both children are supervised at all time."

"It's another instance of the government using language that is so loose that it is impossible to comply with," said DeLugas. Are the kids allowed to be in the front yard, or on a playdate, if Shirley or her husband are not right there ensuring they are constantly supervised? The plan doesn't even say when it will expire.

The caseworker originally told the parents that she felt children shouldn't be going to the playground alone till age 13 (an age at which kids in my generation were already babysitting).

Now, obviously, DFCS has an important job to do: Save children who are truly being neglected and abused. When she was a caseworker, Shirley said, she saw "unthinkable things."

A kid riding his scooter on a day off school was not one of them.
Akbar Novruz



Iran has sharply responded to accusations voiced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the World Economic Forum in Davos, stressing that the country is fully capable of defending itself.

According to Azernews, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made the statement in a post on his official X account, directly addressing Zelenskys remarks and calls directed at the international community.

Zelensky has been rinsing American and European taxpayers to fill the pockets of his corrupt generals and to confront what he calls an unlawful aggression in violation of the UN Charter. At the same time, he openly and unashamedly calls for unlawful U.S. aggression against Iran in violation of the same UN Charter. The world has had enough of Confused Clowns, Mr. Zelensky. Unlike your foreign-backed and mercenary-infested military, we Iranians know how to defend ourselves and have no need to beg foreigners for help, Araghchi wrote.

The reaction followed Zelenskys speech at the World Economic Forum, where he accused the international community of remaining passive in the face of protests in Iran and failing to stand with the Iranian people.
They didn't need another car; they have three already and they don't plan on getting rid of any of them. They just saw this Vet and knew they had to have it. That's all there was to it. They're both retired and are mostly winding down. Their days are spent like so many of us of a certain age; going to the market, going to doctors, running errands, puttering around the house, watching the grandchildren, you know the routine. They tend not to be impulsive.

And that is why this was so wonderful. They did something that wasn't necessary, they did something just because it made them happy. And what's wrong with that? Not a damn thing. They broke out of their comfort zone and made an impulsive purchase for an item they certainly didn't need, especially at their age. But maybe, just maybe they did need it, maybe it was just exactly what they needed at that moment to goose up their lives a little and to open a window for some fresh air, so to speak.

My sister and brother-in-law put magic into their lives. They found a magic lamp that happens to be in the form of a Corvette. They found their laughing place, like Br'er Rabbit did in Disney's Song of the South. No matter what it cost them, it was money well spent. How many of us could use a little zip to our lives? It started me thinking about what form my magic lamp would take. In my case it wouldn't be a car, but then what would it be? Interesting question.

I don't know if my magic lamp of happiness would be a thing I would buy. Maybe it is, but for the life of me I can't think what it would be. I don't want a boat or a mountain cabin or a motorcycle. Boats and cabins require a great deal of maintenance and I'm not in the market for maintenance. Motorcycle? Even as a young man I never had any interest in motorcycles so I certainly have zero interest in motorcycles now.

I've never had really extravagant tastes in things. Expensive bottles of champaign or owning a huge mansion with 14 bedrooms and 10 baths doesn't excite me. And the thought of jumping on a plane and traveling to far off adventures actually nauseates me. Buying a new suit used to bring me happiness, but that was years ago when I had places to wear a suit. Where would I wear it today? To Trader Joe's?

Recently I've thought about getting a dog, but I don't know if I'm ready to commit myself to that right now. Yes, dogs are terrific but they require attention and care. And you've got to be home with them. I don't think I can manage that obligation. It isn't the magic lamp for me, at least not now.

Maybe the answer is, you don't know what your magic lamp is until you see it. It's like back in 1964 when United States Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart said that while he readily could not define the term hard core pornography he would know it when it saw it. So maybe finding one's key to happiness is like that. No, I don't mean hard core pornography is the key to happiness, I mean you'll know it when you see it.

Like the Br'er Rabbit song Everybody's got a Laughing Place, Br'er Rabbit finally found his laughing place. Maybe one day I'll find my laughing place too.

(COMMENT, BELOW)
While the U.S. Supreme Court was hearing oral arguments in Wolford v. Lopez, a challenge to Hawaii's carry restrictions, a panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit struck down Maryland's attempt to impose a sweeping "default ban" on lawful concealed carry on private property open to the public.

The case, Kipke v. Moore, is an NRA-supported case challenging Maryland's sweeping carry restrictions enacted as part of the Gun Safety Act of 2023.

Part of the ruling is an important reaffirmation that the Second Amendment is not a second-class right, as the Fourth Circuit struck down Maryland's "vampire rule." But, as NRA-ILA reported, "the court upheld Maryland's prohibitions on carrying firearms in state parks, state forests, government buildings, museums, public transportation, healthcare facilities, school grounds, stadiums, racetracks, amusement parks, casinos, locations that sell alcohol, and within 1,000 feet of a public demonstration."

As in New York and a handful of other states, in response to the NRA's landmark Supreme Court victory in NYSRPA v. Bruen, which affirmed the right of all Americans to carry firearms in public, Maryland prohibited firearms in numerous locations it deemed "sensitive places." The state also banned carrying firearms on private property held open to the public without the owner's express permissiona regulation commonly known as the "vampire rule," referencing the literary notion that vampires must obtain an owner's consent before entering a building.

Like Hawaii's, Maryland's law presumed that carrying a firearm on any private property open to the publicsuch as retail stores, restaurants or other businesseswas illegal unless the owner gave explicit permission. 
(File photo)



Seollal, Koreas Lunar New Year, is the countrys most important family holiday. Much like the Christmas and New Year season in the United States, its a time when families travel and gather. However, the customs for Seollal are uniquely Korean.

For those experiencing Seollal for the first time, understanding the cultural meaning and customs will make the holiday easier to navigate and more enjoyable to partake in.

Seollal foods (File photo)



What is Seollal?

Seollal is the Lunar New Year, and it falls on the first day of the new year on the lunar calendar, one many Asian countries traditionally follow. In Korea, the holiday is celebrated over three days. The dates vary each year. In 2026, Seollal falls on Feb. 17, and the holiday period runs Feb. 16-18.

Seollal is a tradition when families gather to welcome the new year and share wishes for good fortune. Families enjoy traditional holiday foods, perform ancestral rites to honor their roots and play traditional games for family bonding. Many Koreans also wear hanbok during the holiday.

While each family celebrates Seollal in its own way, the holiday is ultimately about remembering where one comes from and expressing love and gratitude toward family.

How Seollal is observed today

Seollal has deep traditional roots, but today it is observed in different ways depending on family beliefs and lifestyle.

In families that continue traditional customs, relatives gather under one roof, prepare food and take part in ancestral rites. The multi-generational company, long meals and conversations are a big part of this celebration.

That tradition, however, often comes with a heavy preparation process. Setting up an elaborate ritual table and cooking multiple dishes can take hours of work that has traditionally fallen on women in the family.

At the same time, many Christian families do not observe ancestral rites at all, and many younger generations choose to step away from formal rituals. Instead, they treat the holiday as a rare chance to travel together or simply enjoy time off.

What stays open during Seollal

Seollal Day, the day before and the day after are considered national holidays, so most public offices are closed during this period.

Business operations vary. Small businesses such as family-run restaurants and traditional market vendors may close for all three days or only on Seollal Day. However, many businesses, especially convenience and grocery stores, remain open throughout the holiday.

For many Koreans, Seollal is short vacation period for outings and family activities. Because of this, many travel-related destinations and leisure facilities stay open, and some operate extended hours to welcome more visitors.

Seollal is a peak travel season

Seollal is one of the busiest travel seasons of the year in Korea. Roads are heavily congested as people travel to their hometowns or take family trips. Travelers using trains or buses are strongly recommended to book tickets several weeks in advance.

Flight prices for nearby destinations such as Jeju Island and Japan also rise during the holiday period. If you plan to travel, you may find it easier to leave early in the morning to avoid delays. Peak traffic usually includes the day before Seollal and from morning through early evening on Seollal Day. Keep in mind that popular destinations may be crowded.

Enjoy free tolls and admission

Because Seollal is one of Koreas biggest national holidays, some government-run services and facilities are free during the holiday period. Expressway tolls are waived across Korea. Many museums and historic sites also offer free admission and host special Seollal programs and activities.

Cultural cues to know during Seollal

 New Year greetings

One phrase you will hear everywhere during Seollal is Saehae bok mani badeuseyo, which means Wishing you lots of luck in the New Year. It is the Korean equivalent of Happy New Year, and it works in almost any situation. You can say it to your friends, older people, neighbors, shop owners or coworkers around the holiday. Even if your pronunciation is not perfect, effort is always appreciated and brings a smile.

 Tteokguk (New Year food)

Tteokguk (File photo)

Tteokguk (File photo)



Tteokguk, a rice cake soup, is traditionally eaten during Seollal to welcome the new year and bring in good fortune. The white rice cakes symbolize renewal, long life and wealth. There is also a common saying that eating tteokguk marks becoming one year older. More than just the dish, sharing tteokguk is the moment to start the year together around the same table.

 Sebae (New Years bow)

Sebae (deep bow) (File photo)

Sebaetdon (File photo)



The deep bow (keunjeol ) is another key part of Seollal culture. Its a formal gesture lowering the body all the way to the floor to express respect and gratitude.

During Seollal, younger family members perform a deep bow called sebae (New Years bow) to elders such as parents, grandparents or teachers. In return, elders offer words of blessing and give sebaetdon (New Years cash gifts). Sebaetdon symbolizes blessings, encouragement and good wishes for the year ahead.

The number of bows also carries meaning. A single deep bow is used when greeting living elders while two deep bows are for honoring the deceased, including ancestors.

Visitors are not expected to participate in bowing rituals. However, it helps to know that a deep bow is considered a highly respectful gesture, expressing deep gratitude and honor. If you choose to offer one sincerely in an appropriate setting, keep in mind that a single deep bow is used for living elders.
Akbar Novruz



Germanys Federal Foreign Office announced on Thursday that it summoned Russias ambassador and informed him of the expulsion of a person accused of espionage in Germany, Azernews reports via Deutsche Welle.

The move follows the arrest of a woman suspected of providing information related to the war in Ukraine.

In a social media statement, the Foreign Office said the German government does not tolerate espionage on its soil, particularly under diplomatic cover, and confirmed that the individual was acting on behalf of Russia.

Separately, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said the person concerned at the Russian Embassy had been declared persona non grata with immediate effect.

The expulsion was said to relate to the arrested suspected spy's handler, the embassy's deputy military attache.

The detained German-Ukrainian national was named by the Federal Prosecutor General at the Federal Court of Justice as Ilona W., in accordance with German privacy rules. She was said to have been in contact with a man working for Russian intelligence at the Russian Embassy in Berlin since at least November 2023.

W. allegedly provided information about defense industry locations, drone tests and planned drone deliveries to Ukraine.

On several occasions, she allegedly helped her contact at the embassy attend political events in Berlin under a false identity in order to establish contacts there. She is also suspected of having compiled background information on participants in high-level political events.

The suspected Russian spy is in pretrial detention following her arrest in Berlin on Wednesday.

The expulsion will not go unanswered, the Russian ?Embassy said later on Thursday, claiming that Berlin "had ?chosen to further?escalate Russian-German relations, using clearly ?fabricated?pretexts to do ?so."
The vast field of over 5,800 electric and hybrid vehicles gleamed on the cargo deck of the BYD Changzhou, a Chinese container vessel unloading yesterday [Macau time] at a river port in eastern Argentina.

In other places, such a scene would not be noteworthy. Chinese automaker BYD has sped up its exports and undercut rivals the world over, alarming Washington, upsetting Western and Japanese auto giants and unnerving local industries across Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America.

But the sight of so many new Chinese EVs gliding onto a muddy river bank in Buenos Aires province was unprecedented for Argentina, its crisis-stricken economy dominated for years by a left-wing populist movement that protected local industry with stiff tariffs and import restrictions.

For decades people in Argentina had this vision that everything here must be manufactured here, said Claudio Damiano, a professor in the Institute of Transportation at Argentinas National University of San Martin. The boat has a symbolic value as the first step for BYD. Everyones wondering how far it will go.

The shipment also came in stark contrast to the news in Brussels, where on Wednesday European Union lawmakers voted to delay ratification of a landmark free trade deal with the Mercosur group of South American countries, including Argentina, which promises to tear down trade barriers for European industrial imports and supercharge consumption of German EVs.

For the Europeans, theres just no possibility of competing with the Chinese, Damiano said.

Argentina became one of the regions most closed economies under Kirchnerism  the movement formed by ex-President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and her late husband, former President Nestor Kirchner, which championed the rights of the downtrodden, defaulted on sovereign debt and disdained global trade as a destructive force.

A chronically depreciating peso and sky-high taxes constrained consumer choice, compelling well-heeled Argentines to smuggle iPhones and Zara hauls into the country when returning from vacations abroad.

Fed up with cycles of economic crisis, Argentines vaulted radical libertarian President Javier Milei to power in 2023. He railed against Kirchnerism, vowed to destroy the state and praised U.S. President Donald Trump as an ideological soulmate.

For the last two years, Milei has has done the exact opposite of his most powerful ally in Washington.

While Trump has waged trade wars, Milei has flung open Argentinas doors to imports, slashed trade barriers, unwound customs red tape and shored up the local currency to make foreign goods more affordable.

Last year Argentina logged a record 30% increase in imports compared to the year before  much of it in the form of $3 milk frothers and $10 dresses piling up on Argentines doorsteps from Asian online retailers such as Temu and Shein.

Now Chinese automakers  once choked by 35% levies on imports  are seizing on a new measure to allow 50,000 electric and hybrid cars into the country this year tariff-free. The first shipment arrived Monday at Zarate Port after a 23-day voyage from Singapore. ISABEL & VICTOR CAIVANO, ZARATE, MDT/AP

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The Judiciary Police arrested a 43-year-old local male employee of a jewelry shop inside a Cotai casino for suspected illegal money exchange activities. Police said the shop has allegedly been involved in unlawful remittance since February 2023 and are investigating the shop owner and the total amount involved. Acting on intelligence, officers observed a gambler transfer RMB19,200 to the employee in exchange for HKD20,000 in cash to buy chips. Police seized about HKD1.172 million in cash, HKD56,000 in chips, along with a tablet and mobile phones believed to be used in the operation.

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The Legislative Assemblys Second Standing Committee yesterday raised concerns over enrollment withdrawals at the three public universities, after government data showed that hundreds of students gave up their places despite having paid tuition fees.

According to supplementary information provided by the government, a total of 665 students withdrew from bachelors, masters, and doctoral programs in the 20242025 academic year after completing fee payments.

The University of Macau recorded the highest number of withdrawals, with 435 students, followed by the Macau Polytechnic University with 132 and the Macao University of Tourism with 98.

Committee chair Ip Sio Kai cited the government as explaining that the situation largely reflects a normal practice of students applying to multiple institutions before making a final choice.

Separately, the committee expressed satisfaction with the repayment performance of the Education Funds Student Loan Interest Subsidy Scheme.

Actual loan repayments in 2024 reached MOP270 million, exceeding the original budget estimate of MOP130 million. The improvement was attributed to new facilitation measures, including SMS repayment reminders and additional payment channels such as the Macao One Account.

The outstanding loan balance currently stands at about MOP980 million, with overdue repayments amounting to around MOP170 million.

The committee said overall implementation of the scheme was satisfactory.

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Following the recent roadworks at the junction of Rua de Ferreira do Amaral and Rua do Campo, the Transport Bureau (DSAT) has adjusted the road markings to facilitate traffic flow, the bureau said in a response to an inquiry from the Times.

According to the DSAT response, only the road markings were adjusted for the time being, not the traffic lane widths.

The junction has been seen as problematic by many road users due to the design of the junction between Rua de Ferreira do Amaral and Rua do Campo, which often leads vehicles  particularly buses and other heavy-duty vehicles  to overrun the traffic lane into the opposite direction.

This situation also leads to frequent stops in vehicle circulation on Rua do Campo in the direction of Avenida Conselheiro Ferreira de Almeida, due to concerns about oncoming traffic circulating too closely and posing a safety risk.

In some cases, the sudden stopping of vehicles due to fears of oncoming traffic has caused accidents on Rua do Campo, with drivers failing to stop in time and hitting stationary vehicles.

At peak hours, particularly when two buses need to cross the area, they often both stop to give way to each other at the turn, which causes traffic to back up on both streets.

Questioned on the matter, DSAT said it is continuously reviewing and listening to various views to improve traffic facilities at the junction and to strike a balance between driving safety and junction capacity.

DSAT also clarified that the recent roadworks at this location were intended to facilitate the installation of sewers and other utilities and were not related to road conditions.

The information surprised residents and shop owners in the area, who had previously said they expected the government would take this opportunity to fix the issue.

Talking to the Times, some of these people advocated trimming a portion of the sidewalk to facilitate turning, while others claimed there was enough space and that the overshooting of the traffic lane into the opposite direction was just due to lack of driving skills among some bus drivers.

As observed on site by the Times reporter, the large majority of buses manage to turn without disturbing the opposite-direction lane, although some take a wider path, which often involves riding over the diverging chevron road markings.

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Starting from scratch, Macau has undergone years of development and now boasts impressive progress in e-commerce integration and live-streaming sales, Jose Chan Rodrigues, president of the association told the Times.

He highlighted the surge in e-commerce, noting that live-streaming sales and product integration are blossoming. In the global e-commerce landscape, Macau is performing remarkably well, especially outside of China, he added.

Macaus cross-border e-commerce industry is accelerating its development, a topic that has garnered significant attention.

Legislators have specifically inquired about concrete policies and implementation plans for establishing a cross-border e-commerce hub.

In response, the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Anton Tai, said the government will work to create favorable conditions to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) expand into overseas markets via cross-border e-commerce.

Authorities also said they plan to promote high-quality products from Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking countries entering the mainland Chinese market, organize Macau enterprises to participate in European product selection events, and continue strengthening Macaus role as an economic and trade platform.

Rodrigues acknowledged that while online shopping habits are prevalent in many countries, the rapid rise of e-commerce and live streaming remains a significant trend, particularly in mainland China and parts of Southeast Asia.

He noted, The current e-commerce model encourages short video promotions and the opening of online stores, which were still in their infancy just five years ago. Compared with Hong Kong, Macau has already made some progress in its e-commerce development.

In recent years, the government has supported industry associations in establishing the Live-streaming Commerce center and providing one-stop cross-border e-commerce services for businesses.

This initiative encourages more Macau enterprises to leverage e-commerce for upgrading, transformation, and market expansion.

Moreover, collaborations with major mainland e-commerce platforms are helping local businesses tap into the vast mainland market.

However, Rodrigues pointed out that many SMEs face significant transformation challenges, particularly due to cost and human resource pressures. While the government has rolled out various plans and policies to encourage transformation, merchants still need time and resources to commercialize their products and cultivate a resilient corporate culture, he said.

Macau merchants still encounter considerable difficulties in meeting the standards required by e-commerce platforms. For instance, handmade food products often have shorter shelf lives than these platforms demand, raising concerns over preservation technologies and affecting their performance in e-commerce livestreaming, he continued.

He added that while some merchants may struggle to meet product standards, they can leverage short videos and social media for promotion, using creative formats such as short dramas to attract consumers and enhance brand awareness.

Notably, in July last year, the local government organized its first delegation of local and mainland cross-border e-commerce representatives to Portugal.

Through exchanges with local industry associations, live-streamed product origin tours and store visits, the initiative facilitated cross-border e-commerce connections between the mainland, Macau and international partners.

In September, the government also supported industry associations in organizing Macau brands to participate in a major e-commerce product selection event in Paris, helping bridge the gap for Macau brands entering the French and broader European markets.

Despite these efforts, Rodrigues believes the domestic market remains a challenge for most Macau businesses. Past pandemic restrictions prevented overseas market visits, making it necessary for businesses to consolidate their local foundations first.

Looking ahead, Rodrigues plans to lead businesses in exploring new markets, such as Malaysia.

While the government aims to attract more enterprises to utilize its services for upgrading and transformation, Rodrigues believes the acceleration of SME transformation ultimately depends on merchants willingness and capabilities.

He said embracing market changes and demand should become the new normal for businesses. By improving product quality and developing appropriate market strategies, merchants can gradually meet market needs and achieve success.

Stressing the importance of brand awareness, Rodrigues also suggested the government could further support SMEs by reducing entry costs and enhancing expansion through initiatives such as establishing Macau Pavilions and collaborating with key opinion leaders (KOLs).

Yuki Lei

S

tarting from scratch, Macau has undergone years of development and now boasts impressive progress in e-commerce integration and live-streaming sales, Jose Chan Rodrigues, president of the association told the Times.

He highlighted the surge in e-commerce, noting that live-streaming sales and product integration are blossoming. In the global e-commerce landscape, Macau is performing remarkably well, especially outside of China, he added.

Macaus cross-border e-commerce industry is accelerating its development, a topic that has garnered significant attention.

Legislators have specifically inquired about concrete policies and implementation plans for establishing a cross-border e-commerce hub.

In response, the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Anton Tai, said the government will work to create favorable conditions to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) expand into overseas markets via cross-border e-commerce.

Authorities also said they plan to promote high-quality products from Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking countries entering the mainland Chinese market, organize Macau enterprises to participate in European product selection events, and continue strengthening Macaus role as an economic and trade platform.

Rodrigues acknowledged that while online shopping habits are prevalent in many countries, the rapid rise of e-commerce and live streaming remains a significant trend, particularly in mainland China and parts of Southeast Asia.

He noted, The current e-commerce model encourages short video promotions and the opening of online stores, which were still in their infancy just five years ago. Compared with Hong Kong, Macau has already made some progress in its e-commerce development.

In recent years, the government has supported industry associations in establishing the Live-streaming Commerce center and providing one-stop cross-border e-commerce services for businesses.

This initiative encourages more Macau enterprises to leverage e-commerce for upgrading, transformation, and market expansion.

Moreover, collaborations with major mainland e-commerce platforms are helping local businesses tap into the vast mainland market.

However, Rodrigues pointed out that many SMEs face significant transformation challenges, particularly due to cost and human resource pressures. While the government has rolled out various plans and policies to encourage transformation, merchants still need time and resources to commercialize their products and cultivate a resilient corporate culture, he said.

Macau merchants still encounter considerable difficulties in meeting the standards required by e-commerce platforms. For instance, handmade food products often have shorter shelf lives than these platforms demand, raising concerns over preservation technologies and affecting their performance in e-commerce livestreaming, he continued.

He added that while some merchants may struggle to meet product standards, they can leverage short videos and social media for promotion, using creative formats such as short dramas to attract consumers and enhance brand awareness.

Notably, in July last year, the local government organized its first delegation of local and mainland cross-border e-commerce representatives to Portugal.

Through exchanges with local industry associations, live-streamed product origin tours and store visits, the initiative facilitated cross-border e-commerce connections between the mainland, Macau and international partners.

In September, the government also supported industry associations in organizing Macau brands to participate in a major e-commerce product selection event in Paris, helping bridge the gap for Macau brands entering the French and broader European markets.

Despite these efforts, Rodrigues believes the domestic market remains a challenge for most Macau businesses. Past pandemic restrictions prevented overseas market visits, making it necessary for businesses to consolidate their local foundations first.

Looking ahead, Rodrigues plans to lead businesses in exploring new markets, such as Malaysia.

While the government aims to attract more enterprises to utilize its services for upgrading and transformation, Rodrigues believes the acceleration of SME transformation ultimately depends on merchants willingness and capabilities.

He said embracing market changes and demand should become the new normal for businesses. By improving product quality and developing appropriate market strategies, merchants can gradually meet market needs and achieve success.

Stressing the importance of brand awareness, Rodrigues also suggested the government could further support SMEs by reducing entry costs and enhancing expansion through initiatives such as establishing Macau Pavilions and collaborating with key opinion leaders (KOLs).

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* On the e-map

 Macaus e-commerce development accelerates rapidly on a global scale, association tells the Times

* Transport | DSAT adjusts road markings at Rua do Campo junction

* Oscars

* Macau records sharp rise in casino self-exclusion applications in 2025, with regulator receiving record 950 requests

* Higher Education: AL committee flags rise in university dropout rates

* Trade: As Trump talks tariffs, Argentine ally welcomes first shipload of more than 5,800 Chinese electric and hybrid vehicles

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Friday, January 23, 2026  edition no. 4880

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Ryan Cooglers blues-steeped vampire epic Sinners led all films with 16 nominations to the 98th Academy Awards yesterday, setting a record for the most in Oscar history.

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences voters showered Sinners with more nominations than they had ever bestowed before, breaking the 14-nomination mark set by All About Eve, Titanic and La La Land. Along with best picture, Coogler was nominated for best director and best screenplay, and double-duty star Michael B. Jordan was rewarded with his first Oscar nomination, for best actor.

Paul Thomas Andersons father-daughter revolutionary saga One Battle After Another, the favorite coming into nominations, trailed in second with 13 nominations of its own. Four of its actors  Leonardo DiCaprio, Teyana Taylor, Benicio del Toro and Sean Penn  were nominated, though newcomer Chase Infiniti was left out in best actress.

In those two top nominees, the film academy put its full force behind a pair of visceral and bracingly original American epics that each connected with a fraught national moment. Cooglers Jim Crow-era film  the rare horror movie to win the academys favor  conjures a mythical allegory of Black life. In One Battle After Another, a dormant spirit of rebellion is revived in an out-of-control police state.

Both are also Warner Bros. titles. In the midst of a contentious sale to Netflix, the 102-year-old studio had its best Oscar nominations morning ever. As the fate of Warner Bros., which Netflix is buying for $72 billion, hangs in the balance amid a challenge from Paramount Skydance, Hollywood is bracing for potentially the largest realignment in the film industrys history.

The 10 films nominated for best picture are Bugonia, F1, Frankenstein, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, The Secret Agent, Sentimental Value, Sinners and Train Dreams.

Guillermo del Toros Frankenstein, Josh Safdies Marty Supreme and Joachim Triers Sentimental Value all scored nine nominations.

The nine for Marty Supreme included a third best actor nod for 30-year-old Timothee Chalamet, the favorite in the category he narrowly missed winning last year for A Complete Unknown. With Jordan and Chalamet, the nominees are Leonardo DiCaprio for One Battle After Another, Ethan Hawke for Blue Moon and Wagner Moura for The Secret Agent.

Nominated for best actress was the category favorite, Jessie Buckley (Hamnet), along with Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs Id Kick You), Kate Hudson (Song Sung Blue), Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value) and two-time winner Emma Stone, who landed her sixth nomination, for Bugonia.

The years most-watched movie, with more than half a billion views on Netflix, KPop Demon Hunters, scored nominations for both best song (Golden) and best animated feature. Sony Pictures developed and produced the film, but, after selling it to Netflix, watched it become a worldwide sensation.

The biggest box-office hit nominated for Hollywoods top award instead was F1, an Apple production. The streamer partnered with Warner Bros. to distribute the racing drama.

The first category read by presenters Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman was supporting actress. The nominees are Elle Fanning and Inga Ibsdotter LilIeaas for Sentimental Value, Amy Madigan for Weapons, Wunmi Mosaku for Sinners and Teyana Taylor for One Battle After Another.

For supporting actor, the nominees are Jacob Elordi for Frankenstein, Sean Penn for One Battle After Another, Stellan Skarsgard for Sentimental Value, Benicio del Toro, One Battle After Another and Delroy Lindo, Sinners. JAKE COYLE, MDT/AP Film Writer, MDT/AP

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A massacre of Rojava and the Kurds is being prepared in Syria. The Islamist regime, headed by Ahmed al-Sharaa and backed by the West, has launched an offensive into the north-east of the country and has surrounded the historic Kurdish fortress-city of Kobane on the northern border with Turkey. 

ISIS flags have been raised above Raqqa. Jihadist fighters have escaped from prison camps. Statues erected in memory of Kurdish fighters are being toppled. A nightmare reminiscent of the ISIS terror that swept Syria 10 years ago is being unleashed.

Having used the Kurds organised in the Syrian Defence Forces (SDF) as a pawn against Assad in the Syrian civil war, American imperialism under Donald Trump is now cynically abandoning them to their fate. At this juncture, it is crucial to explain how things ended up in this reactionary dead end and draw the lessons needed to advance the struggle for Kurdish freedom.

The Wests deceit

When Assad fell to Hayat-Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) at the end of 2024, the imperialists in the West were quick to assure the world that the new regime, headed by Abu Mohammad al-Jolani as he was then known, should be given the benefit of the doubt. The former al-Qaeda and ISIS commander was not only welcomed but paraded as a figurehead of Syrian democracy.

An enemy of an enemy must be a friend, said the Europeans and Americans. They celebrated the end of Assad and spoke in lofty terms about the possibilities of a free, stable, pluralistic, sovereign Syria. Of course, this was all nonsense. With Assad  and therefore Russia and Iran  out of the picture, the real reason for their sweet talk was to position themselves to assert their own imperialist interests in a keystone country of the Middle East. As usual, this was all done behind the mask of spreading democracy.

But the insurgency that overthrew Assad was not based on anything resembling democracy or the desire for peace and stability in Syria, as the West was well aware. It was their intervention, funding, and arms in the Syrian civil war that led to the complete collapse of Syrian society, preparing the way for the insurgency of HTS. The only possible result, as we see today, was a renewed sectarian struggle for power in the vacuum left behind after the fall of Assad.

Al-Jolani and HTS swept to power under the wing of Turkish imperialism. In spite of a lot of empty talk by the jihadi rebels about setting up an inclusive transitional government, al-Jolani has emerged as the sole ruler. He installed himself in all top government positions and appointed family members and his ex-ISIS allies to the remaining key posts.

Instead of putting demands on HTS or cutting ties, the West simply persuaded Jolani to ditch his turban for a well-ironed politicians suit, trim his beard and drop his former nom de guerre for the more moderate al-Sharaa. Sanctions were dropped and embassies reopened, while the carpet was rolled out for him at the UN General Assembly in September and later at the Oval Office.

But aside from optics, what has al-Sharaa actually done to Syria over the past year?

The West simply persuaded Jolani to ditch his turban for a well-ironed politicians suit / Image: Foreign Ministry of Oman, Wikimedia Commons

Far from extending an olive branch to his enemies, HTS have carried out multiple massacres against the ethnic minorities of Syria, first against the Alawites in March last year, followed by the Druze a few months later. The jihadist factions and other extremist groups that form the core of the new Syrian military have played a key role in carrying out these atrocities. They have slaughtered thousands of people. While al-Sharaa knows that he needs to pay lip service to a united Syria, he has done the exact opposite. His rule threatens to unravel Syria into horrifying sectarian violence.

The current offensive by the Syrian Armed Forces, alongside Arab tribal and clan militias, against the Kurdish-led SDF is the natural culmination of this process. The West installed and promoted a henchman who can serve their interests in the region. The price? Engulfing Syria in a new state of civil war and sacrificing the Kurds on the altar of imperialism.

Turkeys role

The fall of the Assad regime in late 2024 can be traced back to Turkey, whose ties with HTS run deep. Turkey has long backed and financed HTS  which now constitutes one of Erdogans central regional allies  because they provide them with an opportunity to advance their overall interests in the region.

One of these is Erdogans ambitions for a new Ottoman Empire. He aims to expand Turkeys economic control to the south by linking the country to the Persian Gulf through Iraq and the easternmost part of Syria. More important, however, is the prospect of having an arm extended into Damascus, which can fight the Kurds in Rojava. That is the grand prize.

Erdogan sees the Kurds  many of whom live in Turkey  as a fifth column within Turkish society. Because of their national aspirations, they represent one of the main threats to his rule and his aim of establishing a greater Turkey. For him and al-Sharaa, even a formally independent Kurdish state in Rojava would undermine their goal of complete control over all the religions and ethnicities in the territory.

When HTS pounced on the weak Assad regime at the end of 2024 and installed a fundamentalist Islamist regime  entirely reliant on Turkey to consolidate state power  it was first and foremost an opportunity to crush and disarm the Kurds. Turkey has spent $1.8 trillion on this pursuit over the past 40 years.

With the Syrian army now waging an offensive in the Kurdish autonomous areas and driving out the SDF militias linked to the PKK, the Turkish and Syrian regimes have undoubtedly come closer to that goal. Not only have the SDF been forced east of the Euphrates River, but the prospect of the disintegration of the US-backed coalition seems more likely by the day. Already non-Kurdish SDF units are defecting to the Syrian regime.

Trumps double cross

The actions of Donald Trump and US imperialism amidst these events highlight their crude cynicism, but they should not come as a surprise. It is no secret that US imperialism does not care much for loyalty in the pursuit of its interests around the world. Dropping the Kurds is but the latest cynical move in a long history of selling allies down the river when it becomes convenient.

According to the US administration, the need for the SDF, and by extension, US military presence in Syria, has expired. As Trumps envoy to Turkey, Tom Barrack callously wrote in a statement on Syria, the situation has fundamentally changed, which means that the US shifts the rationale for the US-SDF partnership. In reality, they are saying that they are putting their faith in al-Sharaa to police ISIS, and that the Kurds simply have to accept Americas new sheriff in town. Whatever the human cost might be for the Kurds in both the short and long term is to be considered collateral damage.

The actions of Donald Trump and US imperialism amidst these events highlight their crude cynicism / Image: public domain

In a moment of pure double-speak Barrack stated that the de facto dissolution of the SDF is not a kiss of death for the Kurds, but the greatest opportunity. This is while Kobane  the symbolic Kurdish city which held out against an ISIS encirclement in 2014  is being surrounded once more, this time by HTS. Food, water, and electricity have been cut off by Syrian government forces. The city is in a state of siege, with thousands of men, women, and children on the brink of a humanitarian crisis.

As for the thousands of ISIS fighters held in prison by the SDF and US forces in northeastern Syria, US Central Command is opting to transfer them to Iraq. According to them, 150 prisoners were transported there this week, with the US planning to relocate more than 7,000 in total. But this is no simple matter. Reports are already circulating of ISIS fighters successfully escaping prison in the midst of the chaos, helped along by the advance of HTS and the militias loyal to them.

Having used Kurdish fighters as the backbone of the SDF to fight ISIS  a Frankensteins monster of American imperialisms own creation  they now deem them a sacrificial lamb, shifting their support to, you guessed it a former leading member of ISIS in the form of al-Sharaa! You (almost) couldnt make it up

For al-Sharaa this is all good, as a strengthening of jihadist control in the north-east only serves to bolster his base and strengthen his grip over the state.

Trumps move has to be seen in the light of the recent National Security Document, which makes it clear that the Middle East is no longer the primary concern for US imperialism. As the document states, the days in which the Middle East dominated American foreign policy in both long-term planning and day-to-day execution are thankfully over.

But any American retrenchment to its own hemisphere is not going to bring peace to the peoples of the region. On the contrary, if the US chooses to pull out of Syria as Trump has advocated, they will simply leave behind the conditions for further chaos.

The US loosening their grip on the situation is clearly being recognised by players in the region who want to fill any partial vacuum, exploiting the sectarian divisions fostered by US intervention in the first place, to their own ends. This is the case for Turkey, but also Israel, which has been pursuing a more independent imperialist role in the region.

Since the fall of Assad, Netanyahu has consistently reminded al-Sharaa (and behind him, Turkey, which it sees as a rival for dominance of the Middle East) that any attempt to consolidate power will be met with military intervention. Israel has acted with its usual impunity to keep Syria in a state of weakness and foment every possible sectarian division. It has expanded its occupation of Syrian territory and bombed the country, including the military headquarters in Damascus, under the guise of protecting the Druze.

The Kurdish resistance

There can be no question that the prospects for the Kurds are extremely dire. But that is not just because of the coming to power of HTS and the USs betrayal.

Politically, the leadership of the Kurds, in the form of the PKK, has fought the Kurdish struggle on a purely national basis and posed the question of finding military allies as simply a tactical one. It was this that led them into the alliance with US imperialism during the Syrian civil war, a move that we warned against at the time. Today, it is shown to have been fatal.

The same approach was repeated in the spring, when the imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan announced that the PKK would dissolve itself and lay down its arms. This is not the place to delve into an analysis of the political shortcomings and evolution of the PKK, but suffice to say that Ocalans show of faith in Erdogan, in the belief that he would allow the Kurds to pursue their aims through democratic means, is now proving to have been a disastrous move.

Al-Sharaas message to the Kurds is unequivocal: Disband and integrate into my army under my command, or face an assault. The approach of SDF leader Mazloum Abdi  also known as Mazloum Kobani  has in effect been to capitulate, resorting to appeals to foreign powers.

The many thousands of Kurdish workers and soldiers in the YPG will not accept surrender in the face of an HTS offensive / Image: public domain

Abdi has consistently stated that anyone who can help support our rights can help defend the Kurds. This also goes for Israel, of whom Abdi has said assistance would be welcomed and appreciated. One only has to look at how Israel has crushed the Palestinian people for 80 years to see that that would be a critical mistake.

Israel does not care in the slightest about the Kurds, and would turn on them at a moments notice. More importantly, what effect does Abdis appeasement of the most reactionary western imperialists have on the Arab and non-Kurdish workers and poor across the region? In effect, it is telling them that the Kurds side with the enemy class  who have wrought destruction in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine  before their class brothers and sisters of different faiths and ethnicities. This is a fatal mistake that would only marginalise the Kurdish struggle in the region.

This unprincipled strategy is leading to a de facto surrender, as the ceasefire and integration agreement, agreed to by Abdi and published by the Syrian Government, shows. In it, almost all of the control of the Kurdish Autonomous Administration is reversed  a death warrant for Rojava.

The many thousands of Kurdish workers and soldiers in the YPG will not accept surrender in the face of an HTS offensive. But the fate of Rojava can ultimately only be secured by placing the struggle on a class-independent basis, dropping any illusions that a peaceful settlement of the Kurdish question can be found by striking deals with either American, Israeli or Turkish imperialism.

The need for a fightback

While Erdogan and al-Sharaa may be rubbing their hands, history shows that the Kurds will not simply march to the slaughter. Already, protests are erupting across the region and among the Kurdish diaspora across the world. But what is needed is not collaboration and appeasement of Turkey and HTS  whose aim it has always been to drive the Kurds into the ground  or indeed the imperialists, but the placing of the struggle on a revolutionary class basis.

The current situation is wholly a product of imperialism. There can be no peace in the Middle East, for the Kurds or any oppressed group, as long as the capitalist classes of the world and the region hold power. HTS is showing the world that any sort of democratic state with autonomy and equal rights for the Kurds  not to mention the idea of separation and a Kurdish state  will never be on the table as long as they hold power.

The only way out of this reactionary morass is to change course by acknowledging that the fight for a Kurdish homeland cannot be solved on the basis of a national-military struggle supported by imperialist so-called friends. A revolutionary struggle to overthrow Erdogan and the Islamists in Syria is the only way out. On the basis of a united revolutionary struggle of both Kurdish and non-Kurdish masses, their weak regimes would begin to feel the ground tremble under their feet.

There is the potential for such a revolutionary struggle not just in Syria and Turkey, but across the whole region. To advance this aim, it requires a complete break with imperialism and class collaborationism, which is once again proving to be the gravediggers of the Kurdish cause.
On a profoundly historic weekend, nearly 20 revolutionary communists and sympathisers from across Taiwan, together with comrades from the International Centre of the Revolutionary Communist International in London, gathered in Taipei for an intensive, tightly organised, and politically rich series of discussions. These discussions not only raised the comrades theoretical level, but also set out a clearer and more forward-looking direction for our work ahead internationally, and in Taiwan.

On the morning of the first day, greetings from over 20 sections of the International were read to the congress, especially heartwarming were the video messages from Britain, Denmark, and Finland. The comrades then watched a retrospective video of our own work together in Taiwan.

From the very beginning, when there were only two or three comrades, through patient organising, solid study, and relentless struggle, the organisation has grown to its present scale. This is an achievement of which every comrade can hold their head high with pride.

The congress opened with a powerful introduction to World Perspectives delivered by a representative of the International. He emphasised that World Perspectives is not about memorising daily news, but about identifying the forces behind it.

The increasing chaos of todays world is not due to a rise in accidental events, but because capitalism has reached an impasse. Profits are thinning, competition is intensifying, and the great powers are resorting to tariff wars, military threats, and proxy wars to seize markets and resources, exporting crises outward, and forcing the costs onto the working class. The so-called rules-based international order exists only insofar as it serves the interests of the strong.

This also reminds us that we cannot, like the mainstream bourgeois parties in Taiwan, reduce everything to cross-strait camp-choosing or diplomatic maneuvering. Rising prices, low wages, widening inequality, and even escalating risk of war have never been uniquely Taiwanese exceptions. They are the concrete result of the global capitalist crisis taking shape in Taiwan.

Only by placing Taiwan within a broader international context, through understanding how imperialist competition, trade conflicts, and war mobilisation penetrate our everyday lives, can we truly grasp Taiwans predicament and the possibilities emerging within it.

As comrades went on to note in the subsequent discussion on perspectives for Taiwan: in Taiwan, the social fabric is being torn apart. Crisis piles upon crisis, cost of living pressures continue to mount, and political turbulence is accelerating.

On the surface, daily disputes revolve around the Blue, Green, and White camps (the colours of the three principal political parties in Taiwan), unification versus independence, and electoral maneuvering. But beneath the surface, what is truly boiling are class contradictions: wages cannot keep up with prices, soaring housing costs devour an entire generations future, welfare systems edge toward collapse, and workers sense of security is drained away bit by bit.

So-called economic growth has not made life better for the majority of people. It has only allowed conglomerates and big corporations to reap enormous profits, while placing the costs and risks onto the shoulders of workers and youth.

The ruling Democratic Progressive Party wraps their inability to deliver for the masses in the language of national security and confrontation with China; the Kuomintang masks their impotence with parliamentary theatrics; and the third force myth of the Taiwan Peoples Party has collapsed amid scandals and parliamentary horse trading. Bourgeois politics as a whole resembles an endless circus: deafeningly loud, yet incapable of solving anyones real problems.

Yet, as one comrade incisively concluded in the final summary: what the masses want are not new empty slogans, but a way out of the current crisis. When the old order no longer has the capacity, let alone the willingness, to take responsibility in pushing society forwards, the dissatisfaction of the working class and youth cannot be suppressed indefinitely.

The question of the social explosion ahead is not whether it will erupt, but in what form it will erupt, and whether we are prepared to recognise it, participate in it, and give it direction. This was precisely the central theme of the discussion on building the organisation, held on the second day of the congress.

In these discussions, we reached a common conclusion: Taiwans crisis is not accidental, but a result of the impasse of the capitalist system  and furthermore, it is a crisis of revolutionary leadership and organisation, which alone can pose the way forwards. Although our membership has grown from a mere handful to double-digits, we must honestly acknowledge that in a society of 24 million people, we remain a drop in the ocean. There is still a long road ahead before we can play a decisive role in shaping events.

For this reason, the resolutions emphasised the need to break with the amateurism of small circles and make party-building the highest priority. We must expand our ranks, train cadres, deepen our understanding of Marxist theory, and establish disciplined and routine work. Whats more, we must hold more offline meetings, politicise finances, maintain regular paper sales, break with substitutionalism, and fight to secure our first full-time revolutionary. We have broken ground  but victory will not fall from the sky. It can only be built, brick by brick, and seized through struggle.

At the conclusion of the congress, all comrades unanimously raised an emergency motion, the final motion of The SparkTaiwan Revolutionary Communists: to formally reorganise as the Revolutionary Communist Party of Taiwan. In the presence of a representative of the RCI, this congress marked the rebirth of our organisation  transforming from a loose amateur collective into a revolutionary party determined to lead the masses in winning the class war. As the representative of the RCI said in their closing remarks: we do not aim to be spectators of history, but a subjective force of revolution.

In different languages, we passionately sang The Internationale. In Taiwans past, many students and workers faced brutal repression and were massacred by Chiang Kai-sheks dictatorial regime, for their devotion to the cause of proletarian revolution. The Revolutionary Communist Party of Taiwan will carry forward their legacy, fighting shoulder to shoulder with comrades of the Revolutionary Communist International to overthrow capitalism.

Bring the international revolution to Taiwan!

Bring Taiwan into the international revolution!

Workers of the world, unite!

We have a world to win!
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Perceptions of TL, as Indicated by Caregivers. Credit: OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying (2025). DOI: 10.1177/00302228251391552

There are records of several unusual experiences reported by people in a terminal state, occurring in the final days, hours, or minutes of life. One such experience, known as terminal lucidity (TL), is characterized by an unexpected surge of mental clarity, which may occur along with a brief recovery of cognitive abilities. TL can be considered a medical enigma which is difficult to explain, as those who experience it often, though not always, exhibit irreversible physiological decline.

Although research on TL has increased substantially over the past decade, most studies focus on reports from elderly adult populations. Some cases of TL in children have recently been documented in contemporary literature; however, no study has examined the caregivers' feelings when witnessing TL in children.

Recognizing this gap, an international team of researchers, led by Natasha Tassell-Matamua (Massey University, New Zealand), investigated the impact that witnessing TL in children may have on caregivers. The aim was to assess how caregivers perceived TL, how this experience might influence their belief systems, how they disclosed what they witnessed to others, and what reactions they received.

In the article "Impacts on Caregivers of Witnessing Terminal Lucidity in Children," published in OMEGAJournal of Death and Dying, the authors explain that, between 2023 and 2025, they conducted an online survey with seven caregivers to assess the impact of witnessing TL in 11 children aged between 3 and 16 years.

The findings revealed that witnessing TL in children was regarded as a transformative spiritual experience, influencing caregivers' belief systems and making them more spiritually inclined. All caregivers who participated in the study disclosed what they had witnessed to others, receiving a mix of accepting and skeptical responses.

Health care professionals were considered the most skeptical about TL, except for those who worked closely with the child and developed a sense of connection. Other colleagues of the caregivers reported feeling comforted and inspired upon learning about the TL their peer had witnessed. The results of this study highlight the need for greater education on end-of-life experiences among health care professionals, to reduce the stigma associated with disclosing TL to colleagues and to provide the peace and comfort necessary for caregivers of terminal patients.

"We can say that research on TL is still in its infancy," notes Tassell-Matamua, while emphasizing that "TL appears to be a profoundly moving experience for terminally ill patients and a potentially transformative experience for those who witness it."

In particular, the findings of the study "suggest that witnessing TL in children may initiate a spiritual transformation with implications similar to post-traumatic growth or to the changes often observed in individuals who have had a near-death experience (NDE) or who have been educated about NDEs training," reflects the researcher.

More information Karalee Kothe et al, Impacts on Caregivers of Witnessing Terminal Lucidity in Children, OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying (2025). DOI: 10.1177/00302228251391552

Key medical concepts Near-Death Experience

Provided by Bial Foundation
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Flavored nicotine pouches called Zyn could soon be legally advertised as a lower-risk option for adults who smoke, as federal regulators take a closer look at the popular product.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) held a public meeting Thursday to review whether Philip Morris International can market Zyn as a safer alternative to cigarettes.

Government documents released ahead of the meeting suggested FDA scientists may support the request, but outside health experts will also weigh in before a decision is made.

Zyn is a small pouch filled with nicotine powder that users place under their lip. It comes in 10 flavors, including mint, coffee and citrus. Unlike cigarettes, Zyn does not involve burning tobacco.

Philip Morris is asking the FDA for permission to say that switching from cigarettes to Zyn lowers the risk of serious diseases such as lung cancer, heart disease, stroke and mouth cancer.

The company already won FDA approval last January to keep Zyn on the market after years of review. At the time, FDA said the product appeared less harmful than cigarettes and other traditional tobacco products.

Zyn was the first nicotine pouch to receive that authorization.

If the FDA allows the new marketing claims, Philip Morris would be able to use the language in ads aimed at adults who currently smoke or use other tobacco products.

While fewer than 1% of U.S. adults use nicotine pouches, the products are the fastest-growing segment of the tobacco market. Cigarette use continues to fall as people quit, switch products or die from smoking-related illness.

Zyn dominates the nicotine pouch market in the U.S. Last year, the brand posted $3.24 billion in sales, more than two-thirds of the market, according to a Goldman Sachs analysis.

Philip Morris says most Zyn users are in their 30s and 40s and tend to earn more than people who smoke cigarettes or use e-cigarettes.

In a preliminary review posted earlier this week, the FDA said that, after reviewing all available data, the claim that Zyn lowers the risk of smoking-related diseases appears to be "scientifically accurate."

While Philip Morris did not run long-term studies, the company submitted other evidence, including research on snus, a similar oral tobacco product widely used in Sweden, FDA said.

Scandinavian studies have consistently found that snus users have much lower rates of lung and mouth cancers than cigarette smokers.

Philip Morris says Zyn may carry even fewer risks than snus, because it contains no tobacco leaves, only nicotine.

Company testing found that 36 of 42 known cancer-causing chemicals found in tobacco products were either not detected or present at extremely low levels in Zyn.

For the remaining six chemicals, FDA reviewers said amounts were "below the level that would be expected to pose a health risk."

The FDA must also consider whether allowing Zyn to make health claims could encourage use among young people or nonsmokers.

Public health groups have raised concerns about Zyn's popularity on social media, where videos from so-called "Zynfluencers" have received tens of millions of views.

A study by the nonprofit Truth Initiative found that spikes in viral TikTok videos about Zyn in 2022 and 2023 were followed by sales surges. However, researchers said it was unclear whether the videos caused the sales jumps or simply reflected growing interest.

Even so, teenage use remains relatively low. About 2.4% of high school students reported using nicotine pouches, according to recent federal survey data.

The FDA has no set deadline to make a final decision, the Associated Press reported.

More information The American Lung Association has more about Zyn.

 2026 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

From street-level measurements to long-term health studies, researchers are building a clearer picture of the impact of everyday exposure to 5G signals on human health.

As 5G antennas multiply across Europe, bringing faster downloads, better connectivity and more reliable streaming, public concern about potential health impacts has grown as well.

To address these concerns, EU researchers are investigating what everyday exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) from 5G actually looks likeand what it means for our health.

Their findings so far are reassuring.

Measuring exposure in real life

One of the scientists leading this work is Professor Monica Guxens, a doctor and public health researcher at the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal).

"We need to understand the current exposure levels of the European population," said Guxens, who is coordinating a five-year EU-funded international research initiative called GOLIAT that runs until June 2027.

GOLIAT is part of CLUEH, a cluster of EUfunded projects on electromagnetic fields and health that share methods and data to strengthen the overall evidence on health effects.

Guxens' team brings together researchers from 25 institutions in 10 European countries, with additional partners in the US, Japan and South Korea. They are examining exposure levels in different situations, possible physical and psychological health impacts, and how information about risk can be communicated clearly and effectively.

"Performing large-scale measurements across different countries will help us understand how and where people are most exposed to 5G RF-EMF now that these networks are being widely deployed," Guxens added.

Mapping 5G exposure across Europe

One of the first tasks has been to measure how much RF-EMF people encounter in daily life.

To find out what real-world exposure looks like, researchers in Belgium and Switzerland have carried out the most detailed assessment of 5G exposure to date. They used a portable "exposimeter" to measure radio waves in the environment, alongside new sensors attached to smartphones to track emissions.

More than 800 measurements were taken across urban and rural locations in eight EU countries, plus Switzerland and the UK. The team looked at scenarios from phones in flight mode to data-intensive activities, such as sharing attachments or watching livestreamed video.

The results show that exposure to RF-EMF in everyday environments remains well below international safety limits in all settings measured.

These limits, set by independent scientific bodies, define the maximum exposure levels considered safe for the general public and include large safety margins.

Exposure levels did vary, however, depending on how and where devices were used.

In dense urban areas, signals from mobile base stations tend to be higher. In rural locations, short-lived peaks in exposure can occur when phones upload large amounts of data, as weaker coverage causes devices to transmit at higher power.

Putting health effects to the test

Measuring exposure is only part of the picture. To investigate whether 5G signals have any immediate effects on the body, researchers in France have carried out the first coordinated human laboratory studies focusing on a key 5G frequency band: 3.5 gigahertz.

At INERIS, the French National Institute for Industrial Environment and Risks near Paris, 31 healthy volunteers were exposed to 5G signals for 26 minutes under controlled conditions designed to reflect real-world environmental exposure.

"We observed no measurable impact on heart function, stress levels, skin temperature or brain activity in healthy young adults," said Dr. Brahim Selmaoui, one of the researchers involved in the study.

"While more research is still needed on long-term and repeated exposures, our results provide reassuring evidence for this new 5G band under realistic exposure conditions," he said. "They also contribute to ongoing international safety assessments."

Helping people check their own exposure

Beyond laboratory results, researchers see clear value in helping people better understand their own exposure and in reducing unnecessary anxiety.

Professor Martin Roosli, head of the Environmental Exposures and Health Unit at the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, is leading the development of a freely accessible online "dose database" that will allow users to explore how everyday behaviors influence exposure levels.

"It is important for society that people feel informed and reassured," said Roosli. "People often ask very practical questions: is it safe to sleep with my phone on the bedside table? Should I keep it further away?"

Expected to launch in spring 2026, the tool will allow users to input how they use their mobile phones and other devices, and where they live, to get a clearer picture of typical exposure levels.

Early findings suggest that a phone placed 30 to 40 cm away overnight, with minimal activity, results in virtually no exposurefar less than that generated during even a very brief phone call.

What may matter more, researchers suggest, is human behavior. For example, sleep disrupted by notifications or late-night scrolling.

Behavior and well-being

This distinction is central to the long-term health research now under way. Scientists are examining links between digital communication devices and neuropsychological outcomes in children and young adults, including cognitive function, sleep quality and mental health.

"The phone doesn't only bring radio frequency electromagnetic fields exposure," Guxens explained. "It also brings screen light exposure, mental arousal or device dependency. Separating the effects of the different factors related to the use of the devices is challenging."

Unlike many earlier studies that captured only a snapshot in time, the current research follows participants over longer periods, helping scientists distinguish cause from correlation.

"If someone sleeps badly, is it because of radiation, or because they were scrolling late at night?" Guxens said. "You can't answer that without long-term data."

Closing the information gap

For the researchers involved, clear communication is as important as measurement and analysis. Persistent misinformation around 5G, they argue, has flourished in the gap between rapid technological change and public understanding.

Throughout their work, the scientists are engaging directly with citizens to understand concerns and misconceptions, and to tailor how findings are shared, including short, accessible social media-style videos designed to explain results simply and transparently.

"Giving people tools to understand exposure can reduce anxiety, even when the risk is low," said Guxens.

With the EU investing heavily in digital infrastructure through initiatives such as the Connecting Europe Facility, and with 6G networks expected from around 2030, researchers say ongoing monitoring will remain essential.

"Technology is changing so quickly that exposure assessment has to keep pace," Roosli said. "We need to understand what these developments mean for the populationnow and in the future."

Key medical concepts Cognitive functionSleep Quality
For the first time since the 1980s, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to claim the Mumbai mayors post, with several women corporators emerging as contenders. Party sources say the contest has narrowed to three frontrunners.



A draw of lots on Thursday reserved the post for a woman from the Open Category.



Ritu Tawde, a two-time corporator from Ghatkopar, is among the leading names. She joined the BJP from the Congress in 2012 and is currently serving her second term.



Sources indicate she faces little internal opposition.



Another contender is Alka Kerkar, a three-time corporator from Bandra West, who has close links with the RSS and previously served as deputy mayor during the Shiv SenaBJP alliance. Also in the top three is Rajeshree Shirwadkar, a third-term corporator from Sion.



According to insiders, the choice of mayor is expected to balance organisational considerations with electoral strategy, as the BJP returns to the mayors chair after nearly four decades  the last BJP mayor being Dr Prabhakar Pai in the 1980s.



The leadership is also keen on selecting a candidate capable of managing proceedings in the House.



Tejasvee Ghosalkar, a corporator from Dahisar who joined the BJP shortly before filing nominations, is also under consideration. A former Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator between 2017 and 2022, her inclusion is seen as a tactical move amid Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shindes push for the mayors post to mark the birth centenary of the late Bal Thackeray.



Other names doing the rounds include Harshita Narvekar, a two-time corporator from the Fort area. However, the BJPs one family, one post norm may pose a challenge, as she is the sister-in-law of Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar.



Priti Satam, a second-term corporator from Goregaon known for her long-standing work with womens self-help groups, and Yogita Koli, a two-time corporator from Malad with influence across the western suburbs, are also in the reckoning.



Shital Gambhir, a two-time corporator from Mahim who joined the BJP in 2017 along with her father, former MLA Suresh Gambhir, and Swapna Mhatre, a two-time corporator from Bandra West, are among the other possible candidates.



The contest follows a draw of lots held at the state secretariat to determine reservation of mayoral posts across 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra. The exercise finalised that 15 corporations will have women mayors in the upcoming term, including major urban centres such as Mumbai, Pune, Navi Mumbai, Nagpur and Nashik.



The draw was conducted by the Urban Development Department and presided over by minister Madhuri Misal, with proceedings telecast live.



However, the process triggered objections from Shiv Sena (UBT) representatives present at the venue, particularly over the reservation of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) mayors post. Former mayor and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Kishori Pednekar alleged that rotational reservation norms were not followed in Mumbais case.



While rotation was applied to other corporations, it was ignored for BMC. Had it been followed, Mumbai should have been reserved for the OBC category. Those in power conducted the draw to suit their convenience, Pednekar alleged.



Rejecting the charge, Misal said the process was conducted transparently and in accordance with rules. All procedures were communicated in advance and the entire draw was held live. Shiv Sena (UBT) is objecting only because the outcome did not align with their expectations, she said.



Beyond the political contestation, the reservation exercise underscores a broader shift in Maharashtras civic governance following the implementation of 50 per cent womens reservation. Of the 29 municipal corporations, 15 will now be headed by women, while the remaining 14 will go to general-category candidates.



Within the womens quota, nine corporations have been reserved for women from the open category and four for OBC women, reflecting the layered reservation framework. Major cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Navi Mumbai, Nagpur, Nashik and Malegaon will have general-category women mayors, while OBC women will head corporations including Akola, Chandrapur, Jalgaon and Ahilyanagar. Scheduled Caste women have secured mayoral posts in Latur and Jalna.



Corporations such as Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli and Ulhasnagar fall under open or OBC categories without gender reservation.



Taken together, the reservation matrix signals a decisive push towards women-led civic administration in Maharashtra, with potential implications for urban governance, political strategy and leadership pipelines across the state in the coming term.




Around Wednesday midnight, Chandivali corporator Dr Sarita Maske resurfaced at the residence of UBT chief Uddhav Thackerays close aide, MLC and party secretary Milind Narwekar, ending nearly two days of speculation triggered by her being unreachable while on a visit to a temple outside the city. The unexplained absence had fuelled rumours in Mumbais political circles about a possible defection.



I was with the party and will remain with it, Maske said, firmly rejecting claims that she was switching sides.



A first-time corporator, Maske had defeated BJP candidate Asha Tayde in Ward 157. Concerns arose after she failed to turn up when UBT corporators went to register their names with the Konkan Divisional Commissioner. Her mobile phone remained switched off through Wednesday, prompting the party leadership to go ahead with the registration of the remaining 64 corporators.



Early on Thursday morning, Maske arrived at Narwekars residence along with her husband and stayed there until morning, during which party leaders sought clarity on the developments. The couple later met party chief Uddhav Thackeray.



Explaining her absence, Maske said there had never been any intention to leave the party. I had gone to a temple outside the city, which is why my phone was not reachable. Once I received a message from the party, I informed the leadership where I was, she said. I later met Milind Narwekar. There was no question of switching parties. These rumours were spread by the defeated candidate.



Registration completed amid political links



Sources said Narwekar played a key role in coordinating with senior leaders and ensuring that the situation was resolved quickly. Drawing on his political experience, he helped facilitate communication during the episode. Maske later completed her registration with the Divisional Commissioner.



Maske had earlier gone with Deputy CM Eknath Shindes Shiv Sena and joined the UBT faction after Ward 157 went to the BJP and she was denied a ticket. Sources added that even if she had failed to register before the deadline, she could have faced disqualification, as she was elected on the party symbol.




The Bombay High Court (HC) has temporarily protected a group of major insurance companies from paying disputed GST on certain insurance-related transactions.



The companies involved include Aditya Birla Health Insurance, SBI General, ICICI Lombard, Oriental Insurance, TATA AIG, IFFCO Tokio, Generali, Universal Sompo, Zuno General, IndusInd General Insurance and Bharti Management Services.



Legal dispute over co-insurance payments



The dispute relates to co-insurance premiums and ceding commissions  payments insurers make to each other when sharing the risk of insuring large clients or policies. The GST authorities sought to tax these payments. However, the insurance companies argued that the demand contradicts official circulars issued by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) in October 2024 and January 2025. These circulars, based on decisions of the GST Council, clarified that such payments should not be treated as taxable under GST.



The insurers also pointed out that in similar cases in cities such as Meerut, Delhi, Pune and Mumbai, the government had already dropped GST demands, indicating inconsistent application of the rules.



Court directions and next steps



After hearing Senior Advocates Arvind Datar and Rohan Shah, the HC granted ad-interim protection, meaning the companies are not required to pay the disputed GST for now, until the matter is examined in detail. The next hearing is scheduled for February 18.



The court also directed the GST authorities and the Union of India to file their replies by February 12, ensuring that both sides have an opportunity to present their arguments before a final decision.



The case is significant as it concerns the taxation of insurance companies under GST, particularly co-insurance arrangements that are common across the industry. The final ruling could set a precedent for the treatment of such payments, with implications for insurers nationwide. For now, the high court has paused the GST demand, granting interim relief while the dispute awaits final adjudication in February 2026.




A 34-year-old doctor from Kalyan has been booked for allegedly stalking a 32-year-old doctor working at Nair Hospital.



The Agripada police have issued him a notice in the case, which is a bailable offence.



According to the police, the accused allegedly stalked the woman for nearly four years and visited Nair Hospital on January 21 in an attempt to meet her, prompting her to register an FIR.



Police said the two first came into contact after the woman registered on a matrimonial website, from where the accused obtained her contact details.



He approached her with a marriage proposal, which she declined. The accused has been identified as Shivkumar Vasant Girgante, an officer said.



Following the rejection, Girgante allegedly began stalking her. The victim informed her parents and blocked his number. However, in 2024, the accused noticed that she had updated her workplace details on Facebook and attempted to contact her again, the police said.



Last year, Girgante allegedly visited Nair Hospital to meet her. One of the victims colleagues informed her about his presence and sent her a photograph. She recognised him and refused to meet, the police added.



The accused allegedly returned to the hospital again in December and asked a doctor to deliver a letter to the victim. He went to the pathology department where the victim is posted and requested a male doctor to hand over a letter. The doctor refused and asked him to leave the premises, police said.



The matter was reported to the police after Girgante again visited Nair Hospital on January 21. When he reached the hospital, the victim informed the security staff and approached the police station, an officer said.



The victim is a resident of Mulund and is currently pursuing a degree in pathology at Nair Hospital. The accused, also a doctor, resides in Kalyan.



Girgante has been booked under Section 78 (stalking) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. A notice has been issued to him as the offence is bailable.




As Bangladesh prepares for a historic general election this Februarythe first since the seismic Monsoon Revolution of 2024the subcontinent finds itself in a state of profound transition. Across borders, from the recent Gen Z protests in Nepal that toppled a government to the ongoing cultural erasure in Afghanistan, South Asia has become a crucible of youth-led political upheaval. This decade has proved instrumental in realigning the regions socio-political identity, and a nuanced cinematic language has emerged from these shifts. Homegrown filmmakers are no longer just storytellers; they are witnesses striving to capture an evolving landscape through a sharp, contemporary lens.



The G5A Foundation for Contemporary Culture seeks to highlight this through Cinema Houses latest offering: South Asia Now. The three-day film programme takes place from 23 to 25 January and promises diverse cinematic voices from Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal and India, carefully selected by film producer and curator Anu Rangachar. The programme features Nuhash Humayuns Dui Shaw and Moshari; Arun Bhattarai and Dorottya Zurbos Agent of Happiness; Ibrahim Nashats Hollywoodgate; Deepak Rauniyars Pooja, Sir; Abdullah Mohammed Saads Rehana; and Tanushree Das and Saumyananda Sahis Baksho Bondi.



A curators vision



Spandita Behera, programmes and projects lead at G5A, credits Rangachar for bringing the vision together. Anu always has her finger on the pulse, she says. She has a very keen eye for emerging talent. While there isnt a singular thread tying these films together, all of them negotiate with authority in some way or the other, be it through family or through social, economic or political standpoints.



Housed in a repurposed warehouse in Mahalaxmi, G5A was founded by Anuradha Parikh and Ishan Benegal to champion convention-defying art forms. They have screened alternative shorts, feature films and documentaries spanning the country, alongside curating retrospectives on accomplished auteurs like Irrfan Khan, Mani Ratnam and Anand Patwardhan.



Beyond the screen



Every screening is followed by panel discussions with film-makers, cast and crew. While most film-makers will join virtually for South Asia Now, the format remains central to G5As ethos. This is one of the first times we are looking outside of India, Behera says. We have a lot of shared history and culture with South Asian countries. There is promising talent across borders.



Film-maker Nikkhil Advani helms the initiative as a member of G5As Advisory Council. He began collaborating with G5A to deliver independent cinema to the masses, starting with MS Sathyus Garm Hava (1974).



We used to show these films to a few cinephiles, reviewers and critics. Now film-makers call us and request to showcase their films. Im very happy about this progress, says Advani.



Bollywood to indie roots



Despite his commercially successful debut Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003), Advani asserts that his heart has always been beating for indie cinema. He started working alongside alternative directors like Saeed and Aziz Mirza, Sudhir Mishra and Kundan Shah. They were all very kind to take in this guy who had no idea about cinema and mentor him, he recalls. My friends, Anurag Kashyap, Hansal Mehta, Vikramaditya Motwane and I, used to work together at Sudhirs office. He and Renu Saluja were like my father and mother who introduced me to incredible cinema.



With films like Sabar Bonda and Baksho Bondi gaining audiences, Advani stays optimistic. I think it is important for distributors and national multiplex chains to create some kind of model to reach more people. We have the audience, but we need a better system of dissemination and distribution, he says.




There is an update to this story that can be found by clicking here.

Coulterville, CA  A manhunt that began on Wednesday afternoon in the Coulterville area of Mariposa County landed a suspected hit-and-run driver behind bars.

Residents were warned of the law enforcement activity in a public safety alert posted on social media and asked to please avoid the area. The search began for the male suspect around 3:15 p.m. Sheriffs officials relayed that they were assisting CHP and searching for the man along Highway 49, between Coulterville and Mary Harrison Mine Road. They also disclosed that the subject was part of a potential hit-and-run, as well as committing other damage to vehicles and a potential assault.

This morning, sheriffs officials updated the post, stating that the suspect had been located and taken into custody. The suspect was not identified, and no further details regarding those alleged crimes were released. The CHP is in charge of this investigation, and no additional information is being released at this time.
PARIS (AP)  In a hypothetical nuclear war involving Russia, China and the United States, the island of Greenland would be in the middle of Armageddon.

The strategic importance of the Arctic territory  under the flight paths that nuclear-armed missiles from China and Russia could take on their way to incinerating targets in the United States, and vice versa  is one of the reasons U.S. President Donald Trump has cited in his disruptive campaign to wrest control of Greenland from Denmark, alarming Greenlanders and longtime allies in Europe alike.

Trump has argued that U.S. ownership of Greenland is vital for his Golden Dome  a multibillion dollar missile defense system that he says will be operational before his term ends in 2029.

Because of The Golden Dome, and Modern Day Weapons Systems, both Offensive and Defensive, the need to ACQUIRE is especially important, Trump said in a Truth Social post on Saturday.

That ushered in another roller-coaster week involving the semiautonomous Danish territory, where Trump again pushed for U.S. ownership before seemingly backing off, announcing Wednesday the framework of a future deal on Arctic security thats unlikely to be the final word.

Heres a closer look at Greenlands position at a crossroads for nuclear defense.

ICBM flight paths

Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles, or ICBMs, that nuclear adversaries would fire at each other  if it ever came to that  tend to take the shortest direct route, on a ballistic trajectory into space and down again, from their silos or launchers to targets. The shortest flight paths from China or Russia to the United States  and the other way  would take many of them over the Arctic region.

Russian Topol-M missiles fired, for example, from the Tatishchevo silo complex southeast of Moscow would fly high over Greenland, if targeted at the U.S. ICBM force of 400 Minuteman III missiles, housed at the Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota, the Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana and the Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming.

Chinese Dong Feng-31 missiles, if fired from new silo fields that the U.S. Defense Department says have been built in China, also could overfly Greenland should they be targeted at the U.S. Eastern Seaboard.

If there is a war, much of the action will take place on that piece of ice. Think of it: those missiles would be flying right over the center, Trump said Wednesday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Pituffik Space Base

An array of farseeing early warning radars act as the Pentagons eyes against any missile attack. The northernmost of them is in Greenland, at the Pituffik Space Base. Pronounced bee-doo-FEEK, it used to be called Thule Air Base, but was renamed in 2023 using the remote locations Greenlandic name, recognizing the Indigenous community that was forcibly displaced by the U.S. outposts construction in 1951.

Its location above the Arctic Circle, and roughly halfway between Washington and Moscow, enables it to peer with its radar over the Arctic region, into Russia and at potential flight paths of U.S.-targeted Chinese missiles.

That gives the United States more time to think about what to do, said Pavel Podvig, a Geneva-based analyst who specializes in Russias nuclear arsenal. Greenland is a good location for that.

The two-sided, solid-state AN/FPS-132 radar is designed to quickly detect and track ballistic missile launches, including from submarines, to help inform the U.S. commander in chiefs response and provide data for interceptors to try and destroy warheads.

The radar beams out for nearly 5,550 kilometers (3,450 miles) in a 240-degree arc and, even at its furthest range, can detect objects no larger than a small car, the U.S. Air Force says.

Expert sees holes in Trumps arguments

Pitching the Golden Dome in Davos, Trump said that the U.S. needs ownership of Greenland to defend it.

You cant defend it on a lease, he said.

But defense specialists struggle to comprehend that logic given that the U.S. has operated at Pituffik for decades without owning Greenland.

French nuclear defense specialist Etienne Marcuz points out that Trump has never spoken of also needing to take control of the United Kingdom  even though it, like Greenland, also plays an important role in U.S. missile defense.

An early warning radar operated by the U.K.s Royal Air Force at Fylingdales, in northern England, serves both the U.K. and U.S governments, scanning for missiles from Russia and elsewhere and northward to the polar region. The units motto is Vigilamus  Latin for We are watching.

Trumps envisioned multilayered Golden Dome could include space-based sensors to detect missiles. They could reduce the U.S. need for its Greenland-based radar station, said Marcuz, a former nuclear defense worker for Frances Defense Ministry, now with the Foundation for Strategic Research think tank in Paris.

Trumps argument that Greenland is vital for the Golden Dome  and therefore that it has to be invaded, well, acquired  is false for several reasons, Marcuz said.

One of them is that there is, for example, a radar in the United Kingdom, and to my knowledge there is no question of invading the U.K. And, above all, there are new sensors that are already being tested, in the process of being deployed, which will in fact reduce Greenlands importance.

Golden Dome interceptors

Because of its location, Greenland could be a useful place to station Golden Dome interceptors to try to destroy warheads before they reach the continental U.S.

The highly complex system can only work at its maximum potential and efficiency  if this Land is included in it, Trump wrote in his post last weekend.

But the U.S. already has access to Greenland under a 1951 defense agreement. Before Trump ratcheted up the heat on the territory and Denmark, its owner, their governments likely would have readily accepted any American military request for an expanded footprint there, experts say. It used to have multiple bases and installations, but later abandoned them, leaving just Pituffik.

Denmark was the most compliant ally of the United States, Marcuz said. Now, its very different. I dont know whether authorization would be granted, but in any case, before, the answer was Yes.

By JOHN LEICESTER

Associated Press
A Texas border sheriff who is the brother of Democratic U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar has been indicted on charges of misusing public funds during the COVID-19 pandemic to run a private disinfecting business, the Justice Department announced Thursday.

Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar Jr. appeared in federal court in Texas on charges of fraud and conspiracy and was released on bond. He has pleaded not guilty, and his attorney denied that the sheriff was involved in the business.

Martin Cuellar has been the county sheriff since 2009, four years after Henry Cuellar was sworn into Congress. In December, President Donald Trump pardoned the congressman and his wife in a federal bribery and conspiracy case, citing what the president called a weaponized justice system.

Four days after the pardon, Trump criticized the congressman on Truth Social for a lack of LOYALTY because the congressman didnt switch parties to run for reelection this year.

Eric Reed, the sheriffs attorney who had also previously represented Henry Cuellar, called the charges against Martin Cuellar baseless.

Theyre, we believe, based on some untrue assumptions and narratives that have been fueled perhaps by politics and local rivalries, Reed said. My hope is that the decision to charge Sheriff Cuellar and the timing of the charges was not influenced by politics at any level.

A federal grand jury indicted the sheriff on five felony charges in November, and the indictment was unsealed Thursday when he made his first court appearance. He faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

The indictment alleges that the sheriff and two of his employees operated a local business, Disinfect Pro Master, that disinfected homes and businesses from 2020 to 2022 and that it received a $500,000 contract to disinfect the buildings of a local school district.

According to the indictment, Cuellar deemed himself a silent partner but devised the scheme to operate a for-profit business with resources from the county sheriffs office, including supplies, vehicles, equipment and personnel, without reimbursing the county.

The indictment alleges that Cuellar and the two other men each made more than $175,000 from the business, most of it from the school district contract.

The sheriff faces three counts of defrauding a local government that receives federal funds, one count of conspiracy and one count of making a financial transaction involving criminally derived property by using $71,000 in proceeds from the business to buy a 10-acre property.

Reed said prosecutors must show that he knew county property was being misappropriated and intended it to happen.

Our investigation reveals that just the opposite is true, that he didnt know, he said.

Henry Cuellar is a moderate Democrat who kept his seat in 2024 even though Trump carried his district by 7 percentage points. Martin Cuellar, also a Democrat, faced no opponent in his reelection campaign that same year.

Before Trumps pardon, Henry Cuellar and his wife had been charged with accepting thousands of dollars in exchange for the congressman advancing the interests of a bank in Mexico and an Azerbaijan-controlled energy company. The congressman has said they are innocent.

By JOHN HANNA

Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  An Illinois doctor indicted on murder charges in the December shooting deaths of his ex-wife and her dentist husband in their Columbus home pleaded not guilty to the killings in an Ohio courtroom on Friday.

Michael David McKee, 39, appeared remotely on camera from jail for his arraignment in Franklin County, where he faced four aggravated murder counts and one count of aggravated burglary while using a firearm suppressor in connection with the Dec. 30 double homicide of Monique Tepe, 39, and Dr. Spencer Tepe, 37. He was garbed in prison attire and did not speak during the brief hearing. Defense attorney Diane Menashe waived a request for bond, at least for now.

The mystery that first surrounded the case  which featured no forced entry, no weapon and no obvious signs of theft, additional violence or a motive  drew national attention. McKee, of Chicago, was arrested 11 days later near his workplace in Rockford, Illinois. He was returned to Ohio on Tuesday to face the charges against him.

Who is Michael David McKee?

McKee attended Catholic high school in Zanesville, a historic Ohio city about 55 miles (89 kilometers) east of the capital, according to the Diocese of Columbus. He enrolled at Ohio State University in September 2005  the same semester that his future wife, then Monique Sabaturski, enrolled, university records show. Both graduated with bachelors degrees in June 2009. Sabaturski earned a master of education degree from Ohio State in 2011, and McKee earned his medical degree there in 2014.

Sabaturski and McKee married in Columbus in August 2015 but were living apart by the time Monique filed to end in the marriage in May 2017, court records show. Their divorce was granted that June. McKee was living in Virginia at the time, court and address records show. He completed a two-year fellowship in vascular surgery at the University of Maryland Medical Center in October 2022, according to the school.

McKee also lived in and was licensed to practice medicine in both California and in Nevada, where he was among doctors named in a personal injury lawsuit in a Las Vegas court in 2023. OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, Illinois, where McKee was working at the time of his arrest, declined to provide specific information on the dates of his employment. His Illinois medical license became active in October 2024.

What is McKee accused of?

An Ohio grand jury indicted McKee in the double homicide last week.

McKee is accused of illegally entering the Tepes home with a firearm equipped with a silencer, shooting the Tepes  whose bodies were found in a second-floor bedroom  and leaving the property along a dark alley alongside the house.

Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant has said that McKee was the person seen walking down that alley in video footage captured the night of the killings. She also said a gun found in his Chicago apartment was a ballistic match to evidence at the scene and that his vehicles movements were tracked from Columbus back to Illinois.

A message seeking comment was left with McKees attorney.

McKee is charged with two aggravated murder counts for each homicide, one for prior calculation and design and one for committing the crime, as well as facing the aggravated burglary count. If convicted, he faces a minimum of life in prison with parole eligibility after 32 years and a maximum term of life in prison without parole.

How were the killings discovered?

Columbus police conducted a wellness check on Spencer Tepe at around 10 a.m. on Dec. 30, after his manager at a dental practice in Athens, Ohio, reported that he had not shown up to work on that day, saying tardiness was very worrying and out of character for Tepe, according to a 911 call.

Someone else called to request a wellness check before a distraught man who described himself as a friend of Spencer Tepe called police and said, Oh, theres a body. Theres a body. Oh my God. He said he could see Spencer Tepes body was off the side of a bed in a pool of blood.

The Franklin County Coroners Office deemed the killings an apparent homicide by gunshot wounds.

Who were the Tepes?

Family members said the Tepes were extraordinary people whose lives were filled with love, joy and deep connection to others.

They have described Monique as a joyful mother, avid baker and thoughtful planner. According to their obituaries, which were issued jointly, the pair were married in 2020.

Spencer Tepe got his bachelors degree from Ohio State University in 2012 and earned his doctor of dental surgery degree in 2017, according to school records. He was a member of the American Dental Association and had been involved with the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization.

They had two young children. Both were home at the time of the killings and left unharmed, as was the family dog.

By JULIE CARR SMYTH and PATRICK AFTOORA-ORSAGOS

Associated Press
Montana State Auditor James Brown announced Tuesday that his office had identified and worked to remedy a health care fraud scheme that targeted Native Americans.

In a Thursday phone interview with Montana Free Press, Brown and members of his staff said fraudsters visited reservations in Montana and pressured people, particularly those who appeared unhoused, to sign up for Affordable Care Act plans with the promise that theyd receive free rehab treatment at a high-end facility in another state, and in many cases, California. They also provided transportation.

Browns staff said people affected by the scam reported feeling immense pressure, almost amounting to coercion, to comply. Once people arrived at these fraudulent treatment centers, their condition was reported as needing emergency attention, which means insurance companies by law cannot deny treatment, according to Browns office. Fraudsters would then bill insurance companies for treatments that did not occur, were not needed or, according to a news release from Browns office, performed at greatly inflated prices. In one instance, Browns office told MTFP, fraudsters billed more than $900,000 for treatment for one person.

Brown and his staff said perpetrators took advantage of several gaps in the health care system. First, while non-Natives must enroll in Affordable Care Act plans during a specific time of year, provisions allow members of federally recognized tribes to sign up anytime. In the case of this fraud scheme, that provision meant fraudsters had more opportunity to approach and coerce Native Americans to enroll in Affordable Care Act plans.

Second, Montana has three Affordable Care Act insurance providers, and one of them, called PacificSource, covers Montanans for out-of-state treatment. That meant fraudsters in other states could bill a Montana insurance provider for care administered elsewhere.

Third, Browns staff said, people have figured out how to get around certain eligibility requirements in the federal system. They pointed to a recent Government Accountability Office report that found significant fraud risks in the advance premium tax credit, a program that lowers monthly health insurance costs for eligible people buying plans in the Health Insurance Marketplace. The report found that the federal Marketplace approved coverage for nearly all of GAOs fictitious applicants.

Brown said federal entities approved the rescission of 80 fraudulent insurance sign ups, allowing his office to claw back more than $23.3 million. His office has identified 207 total enrollments suspected of fraud, which they say could represent $54.7 million in unjustified claims.

In 2023, Native Americans in Montana were similarly targeted in a Medicaid fraud scheme in which treatment centers billed the state of Arizona thousands of dollars per patient for services that were never provided. The scam targeted Indigenous people because a loophole in Arizonas American Indian Health Program allowed individuals to serve as a treatment facility. Hundreds of people have been criminally charged for their alleged participation in that scheme.

Brown, who is in touch with other insurance commissioners nationwide, said he is warning leaders, particularly those who represent states with sizable Indigenous populations, to look out for similar scams.

His office said that because the scheme occurred on tribal land, it will be up to federal authorities to bring charges against perpetrators. Brown said his office has been in contact with the FBI and U.S. Attorneys Office.

The scheme, Brown said, could significantly change insurance coverage for Montanans in the future. Some companies could limit their coverage for out-of-state services, for example.

When scammers bill $10,000 a day in fake enrollments, premiums rise, provider networks shrink, and families pay more for worse care, he said in a Jan. 21 news release. Fighting fraud is how we protect affordability.

Browns staff encouraged Montanans to stay vigilant. If something sounds too good to be true, they warned, it probably is.

___

This story was originally published by Montana Free Press and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.

By NORA MABIE/Montana Free Press

Montana Free Press
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP)  Colombian President Gustavo Petro said Friday he was optimistic about a high-stakes White House meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump scheduled for Feb. 3. The announcement marks a significant de-escalation after months of hostility that saw the U.S. revoke Petros visa and impose sanctions on him and his family over unproven drug-trafficking allegations.

The talks are going well, Petro said in a brief message on X, after citing an announcement from the foreign ministry regarding preparations for the meeting.

In a significant diplomatic shift, Colombian Foreign Minister Rosa Villavicencio and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a cordial call to finalize preparations. According to Tommy Pigott, a State Department spokesman, Rubio confirmed during the exchange Friday that President Petro would receive full diplomatic guarantees  a sharp reversal from September, when Washington threatened to revoke Petros visa following his criticism of U.S. foreign policy at a New York rally.

According to both governments, the upcoming meeting will pivot from recent tensions toward common priorities, including trade, joint economic opportunities, and regional security. Discussions are also expected to focus on intensifying the fight against transnational organized crime.

Tensions between the presidents eased in early January when Trump took a phone call from Petro, who called to explain the drug situation and other disagreements weve had, according to the U.S. president.

U.S. deputy ambassador Jennifer Locetta told the U.N. Security Council Friday that even though Trump and Petro are engaging in productive conversations, the United States remains deeply concerned about instability, violence, and illicit drug cultivation and trafficking in Colombia.

She criticized Petros approach to negotiations with armed groups, saying experiments to pause combat operations and curb coca eradication while pursuing talks emboldened the groups and improved their negotiating position.

The Security Council reviews the implementation of the peace agreement between the former FARC guerrilla group and Colombia on a quarterly basis.

___

Associated Press writer Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report.

___

Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america

By ASTRID SUAREZ

Associated Press
Popular Kenyan entertainer DJ Brownskin, born Michael Njiiri, has walked free after a court dismissed all charges connected to his wife Sharon Njeris death in July 2022.

Milimani Magistrates Court delivered the acquittal on Thursday, with Magistrate Caroline Nyanguthi ruling that prosecutors failed to build a strong enough case against the DJ.

The court cannot safely convict on any of the counts, Magistrate Nyanguthi declared, acquitting Brownskin under Section 210 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Three Charges Dismissed Due to Insufficient Evidence

The entertainer faced three serious allegations: aiding suicide, failing to prevent a felony, and destroying evidence. The court found that none of these charges met the legal threshold needed to proceed to a full defense.

Magistrate Nyanguthi stressed that the case required sobriety, compassion and respect for human dignity, acknowledging the profound grief experienced by both families. She clarified that the courts role centered on evaluating evidence rather than making moral judgments.

Key Witness Testimonies Cleared DJ of Wrongdoing

While the court confirmed that Sharon Njeri died by suicide, prosecutors could not demonstrate that DJ Brownskin encouraged, facilitated, or deliberately contributed to her death.

Only two witnesses  a household employee and the couples daughter  were present during the tragic incident. Their accounts revealed that both the DJ and his wife had been drinking and argued before she consumed poison.

According to witness testimony, DJ Brownskin immediately attempted to help his wife by giving her milk, sought assistance from neighbors, and rushed her to the hospital.

There was no evidence that the accused supplied any instrument, issued instructions, encouraged the deceased, used threats or influenced her to commit the act, the magistrate ruled.

No Prior Knowledge of Suicide Intent Found

Regarding the charge of neglecting to prevent a felony, the court determined that prosecutors failed to prove DJ Brownskin knew about his wifes intentions beforehand.

Family members testified that Sharon Njeri had purchased the substance earlier for household purposes and stored it openly in their home.

The court dismissed the evidence destruction charge after finding that none of the seven prosecution witnesses connected DJ Brownskin to the alleged removal of his mobile phone.

Prosecutors notably failed to call the investigating officer to testify  a gap that led the court to conclude the missing evidence likely wouldnt have supported the states case.

Viral Video Never Presented as Court Evidence

Magistrate Nyanguthi addressed a controversial video that circulated online months after Sharon Njeris death. While the footage influenced public perception and led to DJ Brownskins arrest, prosecutors never submitted it as court evidence.

The defense suggested the video may have leaked during a family dispute over child custody.

Following established legal precedent, the court ruled that any evidentiary uncertainties must favor the accused.

Timeline of the Case

DJ Brownskin first appeared in court in June 2023 following investigations into his wifes death. Prosecutors had alleged he watched as Sharon Njeri ingested poison and later deleted suicide-related content from his phone, knowing it would be needed in legal proceedings.

However, Magistrate Nyanguthi concluded that the prosecution failed to provide adequate evidence to prove the essential elements of any of the charges brought against the entertainer.

The acquittal marks the end of a lengthy legal battle that has kept the popular DJ in the public spotlight for nearly two years.
More than 100 Kenyans remain trapped in Cambodia after fraudulent job offers lured them to the Southeast Asian nation under false pretenses.

Nancy Akinyi, 29, one of the victims, told media outlets that the stranded Kenyans are being held under strict restrictions and subjected to constant intimidation and threats.

We are not free to leave. We are constantly intimidated, and our lives are in danger. The situation is urgent and getting worse, she said in a message.

Akinyi traveled to Cambodia in May 2025 on a visitor visa after an agency promised her a cosmetology position. Upon arrival, she discovered that the job offer was entirely fake.

She alleged that some Kenyans have been sexually assaulted or beaten for refusing sexual advances, while others were injected with unknown substances and threatened with organ harvesting.

The 29-year-old also claimed that Kenyas mission in Bangkok, which oversees diplomatic matters in Cambodia, has not responded to repeated pleas for help.

Interviews conducted with victims reveal that recruiters lured them into Cambodia with promises of legitimate job opportunities offering good pay and favorable working conditions, only to subject them to torture across various sectors.

We were lured into Cambodia with promises of legitimate job opportunities offering good pay. Instead, they subjected us to forced labour and exploitation. We were used to generate income for the operators without receiving any payment, another survivor reported.

Other victims revealed that traffickers sold them from one company to another for as little as Ksh387,000, forcing them to work without receiving any payment.

Kenyas State Department for Diaspora Affairs has consistently warned citizens against accepting unverified job offers in Southeast Asia, a region increasingly linked to human trafficking, cyber fraud, and narcotics networks. However, these warnings have failed to deter desperate job-seekers.

The Cambodian case is just one example among many. Between February and April last year, the Awareness Against Human Trafficking (HAART) rescued 152 Kenyans from Myanmar.

Last week, another 51 Kenyans returned home after months trapped in scam centers. They were part of nearly 200 Kenyans freed during coordinated raids by Myanmar authorities in Karen State near the Thai border.

Cambodia sits on the edge of the Golden Triangle, a lawless corridor spanning parts of Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand, long associated with narcotics trafficking and organized crime.

In recent years, criminal syndicates have transformed the region into a hub for cyber scams and human trafficking, luring foreign workers with fake job offers and confining them in compounds guarded by armed groups.

Regional security analysts note that Cambodian cities such as Sihanoukville have become magnets for transnational criminal networks, exploiting weak regulation, corruption, and porous borders to operate with impunity.
Motorists in Nairobi can now enjoy a discount if they pay their seasonal parking fees by mid-February, the county government announced.

In a notice issued on Thursday, January 22, City Hall officials said motorists who settle their seasonal parking fees by February 14 will receive a 5 percent discount.

A seasonal parking fee is a prepaid charge allowing motorists to park in a designated area for a set period, such as a month, three months, six months, or a year. The fees vary based on vehicle type and duration of the permit.

For private cars, monthly permits cost around Ksh3,000, three-month permits approximately Ksh9,000, six-month permits Ksh18,000, and annual permits up to Ksh36,000. Vans, minibuses, lorries, and larger commercial vehicles pay higher fees, with monthly charges ranging from Ksh12,500 to Ksh25,000 due to their size.

The county government also announced incentives for property owners who pay their land rates early. A 5 percent discount applies to payments made between January 15 and 31, while a 3 percent reduction is available for payments settled in February. Residents can make payments conveniently via *647# or through the county governments online services portal.

Nairobi property owners were expected to clear arrears and update their land rates records by January 9, after the waiver period expired.

Tiras Njoroge, the countys Receiver of Revenue, warned that property owners who fail to update their records will be considered defaulters, with the county taking legal action to recover outstanding rates.

Njoroge noted that the failure of some landowners to settle arrears has severely affected the countys ability to provide essential services such as healthcare, waste management, and public lighting.

This waiver is the last soft landing. Once it ends, we will fully apply the law to recover outstanding land rates, including penalties and interest, Njoroge cautioned.

He added, It is not sustainable that only about 20 percent of landowners are paying rates. Roads, waste management, health services, and public lighting depend on this revenue. Everyone must contribute fairly.
The heartbeat of Kenyan digital culture just got a whole lot louder. In a historic move for the continents creative economy, Kenyan private organizers have officially announced the launch of the TikTok Awards Kenya, a first-of-its-kind celebration dedicated to the creators who have turned 60-second clips into a national movement.

The announcement, made at Hash Grill hotel, Nairobi, by Kennedy Omondi, Head of Operations for the TikTok Awards KE, marks a pivotal shift in how digital talent is recognized in East Africa.

Starting today, January 21, 2026, a dedicated voting portal has gone live on the TikTok platform. For the first time, fans across the country will have the final say in crowning the kings and queens of content, said Omondi.

The next generation of Kenyan icons will not be found on traditional stages alone, but on the screens in our hands.

While the glitz and glamour of a Nairobi-based live ceremony are guaranteed, the mission behind the awards is deeply rooted in the professionalization of the Creator Economy with the initiative aiming to validate talent by bridging the gap between viral creators and global brand partnerships, build community through encouraging collaboration over competition and preserving culture by way of highlighting content that champions Kenyan heritage and local languages.

From the culinary mastery of Roaming Chef Dennis Ombachi to the educational brilliance of @englishwithclem, the awards will shine a spotlight on the diversity of the Silicon Savannah.

Key categories will include: Creator of the Year: The ultimate crown for the platforms most impactful voice, Rising Star of the Year: Spotlighting the freshest faces on the FYP, Social Impact Creator: Dedicated to those driving climate action and education and Specialized Hubs: Celebrating excellence in Food, Sports, Animation, and more.

These awards will be a a celebration of the creators, trends, and moments that make TikTok the heartbeat of culture for millions of Kenyans, said Stella Charles, the head of communications at Tiktok Awards KE.

We intend to honor the creators who have inspired, entertained, and connected communities across the country, marking a milestone in our journey to recognize, celebrate, and empower the digital storytellers who have transformed 60-second clips into a national cultural movement.

Speaking at the same event, popular Tiktoker and content creator Nedy Parezo invited Kenyans to vote for their favorite creators, adding that this was a pivotal moment in the Tiktok dominion in Kenya.

He said: Our theme for this year, New Era, New Icons, is a testament to the fact that the next generation of Kenyan icons will not be found on traditional stages alone, but on the screens in our hands.

He added, Therefore, these Awards serve to champion the most memorable videos, the creative innovators, the breakthrough artists, and our communitys favorite storytellers as it marks the start of a new era for our country  honoring creators whove turned passion into purpose across every category.

The selection process wont just be a popularity contest: Nominees will be vetted through a rigorous blend of platform data (engagement and safety compliance) and expert editorial evaluation.

Once the shortlist is set, the community takes the wheel to vote for their favorites.

Besides merely winning a trophy, nominated creators will also get to benefit beyond the gala as the organisers plan to share a percentage of the Ksh. 10 collected for every vote, ensuring that this becomes an opportunity for creators to fatten their wallets too, not just win fleeting accolades.

Every vote on the voting portal will cost Ksh.10. We have designed a integrated system where, for every Ksh. 10 collected from a single voter, a 3% of that amount will go directly into the pockets of the creator who has been voted for. This ensures that we boost the sector not just by amplifying voices, but also enriching them too, said Kennedy Omondi.

Tiktok Awards KE aims to do more than just hand out trophies; they are a formal coronation of the storytellers who have turned smartphone screens into the most influential stages in the country.

This isnt just an awards showits a testament to the creators who make us laugh, teach us something new, and drive positive change from the palms of our hands, Stella Charles stated.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced that the National Police Service (NPS) is taking decisive action to address recent cases of police misconduct and alleged human rights violations, which have reportedly increased in recent weeks.

CS Murkomen stated that the government is committed to building a professional and accountable security sector that serves Kenyans effectively, operates free from corruption, and respects human rights and the constitution.

There have been various concerns about police brutality in recent times across different parts of the country, from Nandi to Nyeri and beyond, and I must say that the National Police Service (NPS) is addressing that matter, Murkomen said.

He added: We have engaged the Inspector General and the DIGs to ensure respective commanders are properly briefed to monitor officers who violate the law, including those involved in shooting citizens or even their colleagues.

The CS stated that investigations have revealed mental health challenges in some cases.

As we agreed during the Jukwaa la Usalama, commandants must understand that you cannot deploy an officer suspected of having mental health issues. It is important to protect officers who may be at risk from colleagues struggling with alcohol addiction or other mental challenges. Such officers must be given medical attention, and commanders must take the necessary steps, he explained.

Murkomen further assured Kenyans that neither the NPS nor the government condones human rights violations.

It is in our interest to ensure that those who break the law are punished, while those in need of medical care are moved from stations to rehabilitation centres or medical facilities. This will help prevent the situations we have witnessed in the recent past, he said.
President William Ruto has issued a firm directive ordering all learners to report to school starting Friday, whether or not they can afford school fees or uniforms.

The President announced the decision on Thursday while in Meru County during the disbursement of funds under the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) business support programme. He instructed chiefs, assistant chiefs, and other provincial administration officers to enforce the order and ensure that every child reports to school for the first term.

Ruto said the government has already released Ksh44 billion in education capitation, leaving no justification for learners to stay out of school because of financial challenges.

There is sufficient money for our children to be taught in the first term, so every child, with or without uniform and school fees, should report to school tomorrow morning, the President said.

I want all chiefs, assistant chiefs and members of provincial administration. Every child must report to school tomorrow morning because we have provided the money to teach our children.

The directive seeks to eliminate financial barriers that often lock children out of classrooms at the beginning of the academic term, a period when many households struggle to meet school-related costs.

President Ruto also addressed the transition under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), saying learners moving from primary school to junior secondary school must not face disruption due to lack of fees or uniforms. He said his administration remains focused on guaranteeing a smooth and inclusive transition for all learners.

According to the Ministry of Education, more than 930,000 learners who sat for the 2025 Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) have already reported to school out of the 1.13 million candidates registered. The figures were released as of Wednesday, January 22.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said the ministry has deployed teams nationwide to trace learners who have not yet reported to their assigned schools, as the government intensifies efforts to achieve full school attendance.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula has said the Luhya community will rally behind President William Ruto in his bid for re-election in 2027.

Wetangula pointed to an existing political understanding and what he described as clear national indicators suggesting Ruto will secure a second term.

Speaking on Thursday during an interview with Royal Media Services Luhya Cluster radio stations, the Speaker dismissed claims that the regions politics revolve around personal rivalries among leaders.

In our region, it is not a contest between Moses Wetangula and Musalia Mudavadi, it is the people who decide. What I know is that we have an arrangement with the President. We supported him in 2022; we are continuing to support him in 2027. And the signs are telling, if you live in this country and you have eyes to see and ears to hear, it is quite clear 2027 is going to be a ride back by President William Ruto, unless we dont live in Kenya, Wetangula said.

The Speaker described the communitys political direction as a strategic choice rooted in self-interest and urged voters to assess leadership based on tangible outcomes rather than political talk.

We, as the Luhya Community, where are our best interests served in a setup that will see us cross River Nzoia? Is it the one that will see our boat capsize in the middle of the river? It is up to you to take. In politics, anyone can announce anything, but the proof of the pudding is in the eating, he added.

Looking beyond the 2027 elections, Wetangula disclosed that his discussions with President William Ruto include a succession understanding that would position the Luhya community to produce Kenyas next president once Ruto completes his two constitutional terms.

We supported President Ruto in 2022, and we are going to support him in 2027. And we have agreed and talked that if he finishes his two terms, he also has a responsibility to support us (Luhya) to succeed him in becoming the head of state. I want to be president, Im sure Musalia wants to, and many others who want. And I usually say it clearly, when that opportunity is there, if I am the frontrunner, I will lead my brothers; if it is someone else, I will lead those who will follow him. I am not selfish, Wetangula said.

He added that although he has presidential ambitions, unity within the Luhya community will take priority over personal political interests.
Worldcoin, the US-based cryptocurrency project co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, has permanently deleted all biometric data previously collected from Kenyan citizens.

The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC), which regulates personal data in Kenya, confirmed that the data controller erased all information gathered from Kenyan users in September 2023.

This action follows a High Court ruling in May 2025, which found that Worldcoin had collected the biometric data unlawfully and ordered its permanent removal from the companys database.

The ODPC verified the deletion and reiterated its commitment to enforcing data protection laws. The office noted that it will continue to hold all data controllers and processors accountable for any violations.

Kenya banned Worldcoin operations after the company gathered biometric data from thousands of citizens, offering $50 in exchange for their personal information.

The global Worldcoin project launched on June 24, 2023, with the aim of creating a decentralized digital currency. However, the initiative sparked major privacy concerns, especially over the security and handling of biometric data collected from Kenyan participants.

As part of the verification process, participants were required to scan their eyes using a device called an Orb to receive a digital identity, known as a World ID. Concerns escalated when new users received 25 free Worldcoin tokens (WLD), worth roughly Ksh.8,256 at the time, after completing the verification.

The Kenyan government halted all Worldcoin activities pending assurances from relevant agencies that the platform posed no security risks to citizens personal information.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Orabelle emerged as a Christian name in the late 19th century, combining Latin and French linguistic elements to create a name that reflects both spiritual and natural beauty. The 'Ora' component connects to prayer and golden light in Christian tradition, while 'belle' emphasizes physical and spiritual beauty, making it popular among families seeking names that blended religious significance with poetic imagery. Throughout the 20th century, Orabelle maintained a presence in coastal Christian communities, particularly in regions where maritime life and faith were intertwined. The name often appeared in baptismal records of families living near seacoasts, symbolizing both their geographical connection and spiritual aspirations for their daughters to embody the beauty and serenity of their surroundings while maintaining strong Christian values.



The name's cultural significance extends to its representation of feminine grace within Christian contexts, where beauty is often associated with inner virtue and spiritual light. In many Christian families, choosing Orabelle reflected a desire to bless their daughter with both earthly beauty and heavenly grace, seeing the seacoast as a metaphor for the meeting point between divine creation and human experience. This dual significance made the name particularly meaningful in communities where faith and maritime livelihoods were deeply connected.
Veterans, politicians slam Trump's Afghan war remarks

Soldiers from the Royal Regiment of Scotland carry the coffin of Captain Walter Barrie who was killed in Helmand province in 2012. Critics denounce Donald Trump's remarks that US allies stayed "a little off the front lines" in Afghanistan. File photo: Reuters

Veterans from across Europe hit back at US President Donald Trump's suggestion that they had stayed "a little off the front lines" in Afghanistan, saying on Friday that hundreds of their comrades had died fighting alongside American forces.



Senior politicians joined the criticism, with the British prime minister's office saying Trump had been "wrong to diminish the role of Nato troops" during two decades of war.



Trump told Fox News on Thursday the United States had "never needed" the transatlantic alliance and accused allies of staying "a little off the front lines" in Afghanistan.



His remarks added to already strained relations with European allies after he used the World Economic Forum in the Swiss ski resort of Davos to again signal his interest in acquiring Greenland.



"We expect an apology for this statement," Roman Polko, a retired Polish general and former special forces commander who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, told Reuters in an interview.



Trump has "crossed a red line", he added. "We paid with blood for this alliance. We truly sacrificed our own lives."



Britain's veterans minister, Alistair Carns, whose own military service included five tours including alongside American troops in Afghanistan, called Trump's claims "utterly ridiculous".



"We shed blood, sweat and tears together. Not everybody came home," he said in a video posted on X.



Stuart Tootle, a retired British colonel who commanded the first British battle group sent to Helmand, Afghanistan's largest province, in 2006, said Trump should apologise.



He also said that while he had "some sympathy" for Trump's criticism of what he described as under-investment in Nato by Britain and other Western European nations, he had none for the president's "really unfortunate, inaccurate and totally unjustified" remarks.



Some politicians noted that Trump had avoided the draft for the Vietnam War, citing bone spurs in his feet.



"Trump avoided military service 5 times," Ed Davey, leader of Britain's centrist Liberal Democrats, wrote on X. "How dare he question their sacrifice."



Poland's sacrifice "will never be forgotten and must not be diminished", Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said.



"Poland is a reliable and proven ally, and nothing will change that," he said on X.



Trump's comments were "ignorant", said Rasmus Jarlov, an opposition Conservative Party member of Denmark's parliament.



The United States lost about 2,460 troops in Afghanistan, according to the US Department of Defense.



A total of 457 British military personnel were killed from the more than 150,000 who were deployed.



More than 150 Canadians were also killed along with 90 French service personnel, while Denmark  which has been under heavy pressure from Trump to sell its semi-autonomous region of Greenland to the US  lost 44 troops, one of Nato's highest per-capita death rates. (Reuters)
India has a vast reservoir of consumer and public data but lacks the frameworks needed to make it accessible and usable for artificial intelligence developers, creating a major untapped opportunity for the country's AI ecosystem, said Alok Agrawal, co-founder of AI4India. Speaking to ANI on the sidelines of a pre-summit conclave ahead of the AI India Impact Summit 2026, Agrawal said India must focus on enriching and structuring local data to build AI models relevant to its diverse population. The five-day India-AI Impact Summit 2026 will be held from February 16 to 20 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, covering policy, research, industry, and public engagement. "One very strong thing coming out is that there is a lot of data which is available... but we don't have the right framework to use it or make it available to model developers," Agrawal said. "This is one area where some of the other countries have taken a lead. India has access to it, and that's a huge upcoming opportunity," he said. The full-day conclave, themed "Building Inclusive AI for India and the World," featured a report launch on AI-driven employability, keynote addresses, startup demonstrations, and an expo showcasing more than 25 AI startups, including Orange Gen, along with presentations from Google and others. Agrawal said panel discussions highlighted the need for ethical, inclusive AI development that benefits all citizens rather than a few. "AI needs to develop. It needs to be ethically done... and they should be inclusive, they should be for the benefit of all," he said. He added that AI could help bridge India's linguistic, cultural and institutional barriers. "The big thing that AI can solve for is reducing barriers... Can AI help overcome those barriers and reduce friction between institutions, government, and common people?" he said. On India's position in the global AI race dominated by the United States and China, Agrawal said New Delhi is pursuing its own path focused on sovereign models and inclusive applications. "Our task, our approach is to get inclusive AI, sovereign models which are relevant for India... to empower our people and not displace them," he said, contrasting this with Western approaches that emphasise automation and job displacement. Agrawal acknowledged rising concerns over data privacy, fraud and deepfakes, citing image morphing and financial scams as growing risks. He also flagged unresolved copyright issues around AI-generated content. "If I today create something using AI, I don't have copyright or protection on it... there is no protection yet," he said. He said policymakers must move faster to address emerging risks. "Vigilance... has to move much faster than they used to in the past," he said, as AI technologies evolve rapidly. Agrawal praised government initiatives such as India's AI mission, data protection frameworks, and funding mechanisms, but urged private investors to step up. "The government has already done a significant amount... This is the time for investors, more importantly, to start betting on Indian AI development," he said. He also called on innovators to accelerate the deployment of AI applications, adding that India's goal should be to create jobs and economic opportunities rather than replacing human labour. (ANI)
PRNewswire Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], January 23: At Roast CCx, a quietly introduced French classic has turned into a daily sell-out - driven not by promotion, but by technique and consistency. Corporate Pastry Chef Joakim Prat, whose career has been shaped by Michelin-starred kitchens across Europe, has seen his traditional French Galette evolve from a measured introduction to one of the cafe's most in-demand offerings. When the Galette was first introduced, the response was gradual. True to Chef Joakim's approach, it was not positioned as a signature launch or seasonal highlight, but allowed time to find its audience organically. Over the weeks, as guests became familiar with its flavour profile and craftsmanship, demand built steadily. Today, the Galette sells out daily at Roast CCx. A Galette - a traditional French butter-based pastry known for its crisp, flaky layers and restrained sweetness -- reflects the discipline associated with Michelin-calibre kitchens. Built on precise lamination, high-quality butter, and controlled sweetness, the dessert focuses on execution rather than embellishment, staying true to its classical roots. Chef Joakim Prat's professional journey includes extensive experience in Michelin-starred establishments, where consistency, restraint, and respect for fundamentals are non-negotiable. That philosophy now shapes the pastry programme at Roast CCx, influencing not only individual products but also training standards and production processes within the bakery and pastry kitchen. Building on this foundation, Chef Joakim Prat is currently working on an expanded pastry and bakery range, with several new products expected to be introduced at Roast CCx in the coming weeks. "The Galette is a product that rewards patience," shares Mr. Bhanu, Restaurant Manager, Roast CCx. "It wasn't designed to be a trend. It was designed to be correct, and over time, guests responded to that." The Galette's steady rise also reflects a broader shift in guest preferences, as Hyderabad's dining audience shows increasing appreciation for classical, technique-driven pastry rooted in global standards rather than novelty-led formats. As Roast CCx continues to develop its coffee and pastry offering, the Galette has emerged as one of the cafe's most consistently sought-after items - now selling out daily and establishing itself as a staple within the menu. About Roast CCx Founded in 2019, Roast CCx has evolved from a boutique coffee shop in Hyderabad into one of India's most advanced multi-outlet cafe brands, known for its uncompromising focus on quality, craft, and specialty coffee. Entirely bootstrapped and valued at over 250 Cr, Roast CCx is built on a product-first philosophy--doing the classics right, from a clean, honest cup of coffee to globally inspired comfort food. Its flagship experience centre in Banjara Hills features India's first Loring S70 Peregrine air-roasting system, an expansive 15,000 sq. ft. pastry laboratory, a private theatre, and a dedicated coffee education and experience studio. These investments reinforce Roast CCx's commitment to world-class cafe experiences, modern French pastry, and innovation in India's evolving specialty coffee and culinary landscape. Media Contact:Name: Sudeep ReddyContact No: +91-9985864932Email ID: sudeep@roastcoffee.in Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2867929/Chef_JP_French_Galette.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2815852/5646357/ROAST_CCx_Logo.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Zoho, a global technology company headquartered in Chennai, today launched Zoho ERP, a comprehensive enterprise resource planning solution for Indian businesses, at Kumbakonam, a rural town in Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu. A part of the team building Zoho ERP operates out of Zoho's regional office in Kumbakonam, and as the product scales and is rolled out globally, the company will continue to hire local talent to support its growth, the company said in a statement. Zoho ERP, a made-in-India solution, helps fast-growing Indian businesses scale without rigid architectures or high costs typically associated with legacy ERP platforms, it said. Zoho ERP was purpose-built to address this persistent gap in the market. With powerful low-code and no-code capabilities, which are native to the ERP platform, the solution offers easier implementation, and supports customisations without third-party dependencies, reducing complexity and total cost of ownership. As per the statement released by the company, unlike traditional ERPs that add AI as a layer, Zoho ERP natively embeds continuous intelligence across the platform. It enables AI-driven customisations, voice-based assistance with Ask Zia, automation, predictive insights, anomaly detection, and end-to-end visibility across finance and operations. "With Zoho ERP, we have built a powerful, compliance-ready platform that serves as a strong homegrown alternative to global ERP solutions. This product, requiring deep-tech R&D, has been developed with the support of talent from Kumbakonam, and its future growth will also be driven from here. We have replicated our Tenkasi model successfully here. Zoho is investing in building the infrastructure, and in upskilling initiatives, apart from serving the local community through various programmes. By creating opportunities for local youth, we are helping reverse talent drain, strengthening the regional economy, and advancing our nation-building efforts by building swadeshi technology from rural India," Shailesh Davey, CEO, Zoho Corp. "Drawing on our proven expertise in building solutions across finance and operations, we've designed Zoho ERP, a new generation of ERP, keeping in mind how modern, fast-growing businesses actually operate," said Sivaramakrishnan Iswaran, Global Head of Finance and Operations BU at Zoho and CEO of Zoho Payment Technologies. "Aligned with our vision of connecting fintech, banking, and business software, Zoho ERP delivers a powerful platform with built-in local compliance through payroll and tax engines, and a role-based, intuitive user experience that improves productivity and operational efficiency." Zoho ERP brings together core financial management, billing management, spend management, supply chain management, in addition to omnichannel commerce and payroll management on a single platform. The solution also offers asset management, budgeting, and continuous financial close while providing strong financial controls and audit trail. The solution is GST and e-invoicing compliant, with built-in revenue recognition capability aligned with IFRS 15 and ASC 606 standards, simplifying compliance, while providing accurate revenue insights. Payroll capabilities are tailored for Indian businesses, with automated statutory compliance with Employees' Provident Fund (EPF), Employees' State Insurance (ESI), Tax Deducted at Source (TDS), Professional Tax (PT), Labour Welfare Fund (LWF) regulations, ensuring timely and accurate salary processing. The launch includes industry-specific capabilities with the ERP system, built for manufacturing, distribution, retail, and non-profit businesses, addressing their unique operational and compliance needs, with more industry-specific capabilities to be added in future releases. Manufacturing businesses can manage their entire production lifecycle, spanning material planning, procurement, production planning, shop-floor execution, and final sales. Additionally, businesses can manage bills of materials and job work while getting end-to-end visibility from raw materials to finished goods. Zoho ERP helps distribution businesses manage dealers, streamline inventory and order management, sales, and returns with insights across the value chain. (ANI)
Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) and Cine Artiste Welfare Trust (CAWT) on Friday honoured veteran actor Arun Govil, who became a Member of Parliament (MP) in 2024. Members of several film bodies gathered together for a meeting with Arun Govil, where everyone shared their views on how to make the Indian film industry more inclusive and worker-friendly. They also thanked Arun Govil for taking an active role in representing the interests of the Indian film and television industry in Parliament since his election in June 2024. Several issues faced by actors and technicians were discussed, along with suggestions on how the industry can be improved. Dignitaries such as Poonam Dhillon, Mukesh Rishi, Upasana Singh,and B. N. Tiwari were present. Speaking to ANI, Arun Govil said, " I would like to express my gratitude to our respected Prime Minister Narendra Modi and to the Union Minister for Labour and Employment, Mansukh Mandaviya. After I raised the concerns of the film industry in Parliament, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw took note of the issue. The Labour Minister also gave it due attention, and I have been consistently following up on this matter since then." BN Tiwari, President, Federation of Western lndia Cine Employees (FWICE) said, "I hope matters related to working hours, health and safety, and timely payments will all be taken care of." Corporater Gangeshwerlal Srivastava was also a part of the meeting. "Since joining the federation, we have supported everyone in our own way. We have 38 associations and extend our support to all....," he said. CINTAA President, Poonam Dhillon said, "We had a meeting today to convey the problems and challenges we are facing to Arun ji. He has already raised his voice on our behalf. Tiwari ji brought together all the associations and addressed the issues which have been prevailing in the industry." Poonam urged the government to introduce strict guidelines to improve the working conditions of other industry workers, especially those in one-day or two-day roles. "No actor is irreplaceable, except for the top stars, who don't face these issues and receive timely payments and proper working hours. The real concern is for the thousands of other workers in the industry. If they raise their voices, producers often replace them without hesitation, and there is no shortage of actors, especially for one-day or two-day roles. These actors face significant challenges. That's why we want the government to establish strict guidelines, with clear penalties for non-compliance. This is crucial to protect the rights of all industry workers," she emphasised. Upasana shared, "I am deeply grateful to the federation and CAWT for organizing this program and inviting Arun Govil ji. It provided a platform for actors and technicians to come together and voice their concerns." Filmmaker and IFTDA President Ashoke Pandit recounted the key highlights of the meeting. "Along with felicitating him, several members of the industry shared their concerns and posed questions to Arun Govil ji. He responded to each, explaining how they can be addressed and how the industry's overall well-being can be improved," Ashoke Pandit shared. (ANI)
The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) was closed on Friday due to heavy rain and snowfall, with movement also stopped at Jakhani Chowk in Udhampur. Snowfall also disrupted air travel, with Srinagar Airport and IndiGo Airlines announcing temporary suspension and cancellation of several flights. Several parts of Jammu witnessed rainfall, with chilly weather conditions prevailing across the city. Authorities said that in view of ongoing rains and snow accumulating up to Ramsoo, all types of traffic were halted at safer locations on NH-44 as a precautionary measure because of slippery road conditions. After nearly three months without rain or snow, snowfall began in both the plains and upper reaches of Doda's Bhalesa and surrounding areas from midnight. Locals expressed relief and happiness at witnessing the much-awaited snowfall. Further, IndiGo Airlines issued a travel advisory stating that flight operations in Srinagar have been temporarily suspended due to snowfall. The airline warned that delays may occur and urged travellers to check their latest flight status and use available options to rebook or request a refund. In a post on X, the Airlines shared, "Due to snowfall in Srinagar, flight operations, both take-offs and landings, have been temporarily put on hold. This may lead to extended wait times both onboard and on the ground. To ensure we are ready for departure as soon as we receive clearance, our team may complete boarding formalities in advance. We understand that delays can be inconvenient, and we assure you that our team remains fully committed to make your wait as comfortable as possible." https://x.com/IndiGo6E/status/2014504112315043884?s=20 "We are closely monitoring the weather and will get you on your way as soon as conditions allow. Customers are advised to check their latest flight status before heading to the airport via http://bit.ly/3ZWAQXd. If your flight is impacted, options to rebook or request a refund are available at: https://goindigo.in/plan-b.html," the post read. Srinagar Airport also announced that several flights to and from the airport have been cancelled due to ongoing snowfall and a NOTAM issued at Delhi Airport. Passengers have been advised to check their latest flight status before planning their journey. https://x.com/SrinagarAirport/status/2014521626692632820?s=20 "Please note that some flights to/from Srinagar Airport stand cancelled as of now today due to a NOTAM in force at Delhi Airport and ongoing snowfall conditions at Srinagar. Passengers are advised to check the latest flight status with their respective airlines before planning their journey. We regret the inconvenience caused," the official handle of Srinagar airport shared in a post on X. Meanwhile, several parts of Punjab and Haryana are also likely to witness thunderstorms with lightning, moderate rainfall, and gusty winds during the morning hours today, according to a tehsil-level nowcast issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The nowcast is valid from 6.25 am to 9.25 am for Punjab and from 6.24 am to 9.24 am for Haryana. (ANI)
The Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) in the institutional category and Lieutenant Colonel Seeta Ashok Shelke of the Indian Army in the individual category have been selected for the prestigious Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar 2026 for their outstanding contribution to disaster management. Shelke is awarded the honour for leading large-scale Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in Kerala's Wayanad district during the 2024 floods and landslides. She coordinated with civil authorities and local leaders to ensure rapid evacuation, relief distribution, and restoration of essential services. The Lieutenant Colonel directed multiple high-risk rescue missions under adverse weather conditions, saving hundreds of civilians. She supervised the swift construction of a 190-foot Bailey Bridge at Chooralmala, restoring vital connectivity to remote villages, and implemented innovative engineering solutions such as using a Komatsu PC210 excavator as a counterweight and building an improvised footbridge within four hours at night. By mobilizing 150 tons of equipment, Shelke led operations that benefited thousands through timely relief and recovery efforts. She also trained over 2,300 personnel in disaster response and humanitarian operations. She brings disaster risk reduction (DRR) into action through her engineering service. Using Corps of Engineers skills, she enabled quick construction of bridges, access routes, and shelters in remote disaster-hit areas, supporting relief and recovery. Her work reflects practical leadership and the growing role of women in operational DRR. However, SSDMA, which was established in 2005, is honoured with the award for significantly strengthening disaster preparedness and response in Sikkim by deploying 1,185 trained Aapda Mitras as Disaster Management officials in three tiers - Disaster Management Assistants at village level, Disaster Management Supervisors at block headquarters, and Disaster Management Coordinators at district headquarters. Disaster Management Assistants are posted in all Gram Panchayats. It has led to participatory planning, capacity-building initiatives, and Panchayat-level committees which have enhanced resilience to disasters and climate risks across all six districts. During critical events such as the 2016 Mantam landslide and the 2023 Teesta floods, SSDMA's real-time coordination and trained first responders enabled the rescue of 2,563 people and reduced loss of life and damage. The SSDMA has institutionalized a proactive, community-centred disaster risk reduction approach through Aapda Mitra, with a strong focus on early warning, preparedness, and local capacity building. Creating a sustainable, scalable, and replicable model of community-centered disaster resilience, particularly relevant for other Himalayan and North Eastern states. Instituted by the Central government, the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar is an annual award that recognises exemplary and selfless service by individuals and institutions in the field of disaster management. The award is announced every year on January 23, marking the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. The award recognize and honour the invaluable contribution and selfless service rendered by individuals and organizations in India in the field of disaster management. Under the guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the country has significantly improved its disaster management practices, preparedness, mitigation and response mechanisms resulting in significant reduction in mortalities during natural disasters. For the award of year 2026, nominations were solicited from May 1, 2025 onwards. In response, 271 nominations were received from institutions and individuals. (ANI)
Nazia Fatima, mother of Mir Sajjad Ali, a Hyderabad resident allegedly stranded at the Myanmar-Thailand border, appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday to bring her son back. Speaking to ANI, Fatima said, "I am Sajjad Ali's mother. Six months ago, he left from here and said that he was going abroad. After one and a half months, we were unable to contact him. Two months later, he called me. He said the Army reached here, and since then, I haven't had my phone or bag. He told me that they called us to Thailand and said they would provide us with job visas. They then blindfolded us and made us work forcefully." "I request from PM Modi, Asaduddin Owaisi and EAM Dr S Jaishankar to bring him back," she added. The appeal comes after Owaisi urged External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar to "urgently intervene to ensure the rescue" of all Indian citizens stranded at the Myanmar-Thailand border. Sharing an X post, Owaisi said he had received a "distressing message" and was informed that at least 16 Indian nationals, including three from Hyderabad, were promised jobs in Thailand but taken to the Myanmar-Thailand border and enslaved. "I have received a distressing message: at least 16 Indian nationals, including three from Hyderabad, were promised jobs in Thailand but taken to the Myanmar-Thailand border and enslaved. They are forced to work 18-20 hours daily, physically punished, and deprived of passports, phones, and medical facilities," Owaisi said in his post. He further said he got the information that Mir Sajjad Ali, a resident of Hyderabad's Osman Nagar currently incarcerated at the Myanmar-Thailand border. "@DrSJaishankar, kindly intervene urgently to ensure the rescue of all Indians. This information comes from Mir Sajjad Ali, a resident of Osman Nagar, Hyderabad, currently incarcerated at the Myanmar-Thailand border. Two others with him are from Maula Ali and Banjara Hills," Owaisi added. Further, speaking to ANI on the same issue, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader NV Subhash said that "human trafficking become a big business" and "people are lured" with promises of jobs and money. "Human trafficking has become a big business, where people are lured with promises of jobs and money and then sent abroad. We have heard that 16 people have been trapped, out of which 4 to 5 are from Hyderabad, currently stuck in Thailand and other countries," Subhash said. (ANI)
The S-400 air defence system, which shot down multiple Pakistani aircraft, would be showcased at the Department of Military Affairs tableau during the Republic Day 2026 parade by the Department of Military Affairs for the first time, according to Air Commodore Manish Sabharwal. The S-400 systems were successfully used to bring down multiple Pakistani fighter and spy planes during Operation Sindoor. The Indian Air Force's system brought down five to six Pakistani fighter aircraft and one spy plane at a distance of over 300 km deep inside Pakistan during the four-day conflict and has been termed as a game-changer by the Armed Forces. The Department of Military Affairs this year is showcasing the "Tri-Services Tableau - Operation Sindoor", focusing on the operational jointness and success of India's military forces. Meanwhile, Lt Gen Bhavnish Kumar will head the parade for the fourth time. A total of 6050 military personnel are taking part in the parade. Moreover, Bhairav, Shaktibaan, UGV and ATAGS are to take part in the parade. A total of 30 tableaux, including 17 from States and Union Territories (UTs) and 13 from Ministries, Departments, and Services, will roll down the Kartavya Path during the 77th Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26. According to a Ministry of Defence release, Republic Day celebrations will feature a grand display under the themes 'Swatantrata ka Mantra: a broad theme of 'Swatantrata ka Mantra: Vande Mataram' and 'Samriddhi ka Mantra: Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. The tableaux will showcase a unique mix of 150 years of the national song Vande Mataram and the nation's rapid progress on the back of the growing self-reliance across sectors, dipped in its rich and vibrant cultural diversity. The list of the participating tableaux includes Assam - Asharikandi - Terracotta Craft Village of Assam; Chhattisgarh - The Mantra of Freedom - Vande Mataram; Gujarat - Mantra of Swadeshi - Self-Reliance - Freedom: Vande Mataram; Kerala - Water Metro & 100 per cent Digital Literacy; Maharashtra - Ganeshotsav; Manipur - Towards Prosperity; Nagaland - The Hornbill Festival - Celebrating Culture, Tourism & Self-Reliance; Tamil Nadu - Mantra of Prosperity; Ministry of Culture - Vande Mataram - The Soul Cry of a Nation; Ministry of Information & Broadcasting - Bharat Katha. The Ministry of Defence will also be represented with its tableaux, including the veteran tableau, depicting the nation-building efforts through war, and the naval tableau, "Samudra Se Samriddhi", which will reflect the country's maritime strength. The Ministry of Culture's tableau will represent the soul of India through "Vande Mataram." (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday addressed the Shikshapatri Dwishatabdi Mahotsav through a video message, marking 200 years of Lord Swaminarayan's Shikshapatri, and described the bicentenary as a moment of pride and spiritual significance for the nation. Highlighting India's civilisational heritage, the Prime Minister said the country has always remained committed to the path of Jnanyoga, with the Vedas continuing to inspire humanity even after thousands of years. He noted that India's spiritual tradition evolved over time through the Upanishads, Puranas and other forms of oral and written transmission, shaped by saints and seers in line with the needs of different eras. PM Modi said Lord Swaminarayan's life was deeply rooted in public education and service. He underlined that the Shikshapatri offered simple yet profound guidance for righteous living and continues to remain relevant in everyday life. "Lord Swaminarayan's life was a symbol of both spiritual practice and service," the Prime Minister said, adding that his followers today are actively engaged in initiatives dedicated to society, the nation and humanity. The Prime Minister praised the Swaminarayan tradition for its contributions in areas such as education, healthcare, farmers' welfare and water conservation, calling these efforts a source of inspiration. He said the bicentenary celebrations provide an opportunity to reflect on the teachings of the Shikshapatri and assess how its ideals are being practised in contemporary times. Linking spiritual values with national movements, PM Modi said campaigns such as Swadeshi, Swachhata and "Vocal for Local," are resonating across the country. He added that aligning such initiatives with the Shikshapatri bicentenary would make the celebrations even more meaningful. The Prime Minister also urged greater participation in the Gyan Bharatam Mission, launched to preserve India's ancient manuscripts. He called upon enlightened organisations and spiritual institutions to cooperate in safeguarding the nation's ancient knowledge systems, saying this heritage forms a core part of India's identity. PM Modi further referred to the ongoing Somnath Swabhiman Parv, noting that it commemorates a thousand-year journey from the first destruction of the Somnath temple to the present day. He appealed to people to join the celebrations and spread awareness about its significance. The Prime Minister expressed confidence that with the continued efforts of Lord Swaminarayan's followers, India's development journey would keep receiving spiritual blessings and inspiration. (ANI)
Air India Express has been adjudged the winner in the airline category at Wings India 2026 for its contribution to enhancing domestic connectivity and improving passenger experience, according to an official announcement. The award, constituted by the Ministry of Civil Aviation in collaboration with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and industry body FICCI, recognises exemplary efforts that contribute to the growth, modernisation and sustainability of India's aviation sector. Air India Express was selected by a distinguished jury for expanding connectivity, leveraging technology and digital platforms, driving sustainability initiatives and delivering superior services. The award will be presented on January 28 during Wings India 2026, India's flagship aviation event, scheduled to be held in Hyderabad. Air India Express has emerged as the fastest-growing airline in the country, operating over 500 daily flights across a network of 45 domestic and 17 international destinations spanning South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Gulf region. The airline currently operates a fleet of more than 100 aircraft, with over two-thirds comprising new-generation Boeing and Airbus planes. In recent months, the airline has introduced upgraded cabins through linefit and retrofit programmes, featuring contoured seating, mood lighting, larger overhead bins and USB charging ports at every seat. In December, Air India Express topped the on-time performance rankings among all Indian carriers. The airline has also focused on enhancing onboard and digital offerings, including its 'Gourmair' hot meals inspired by regional flavours and customised fare options such as India's only Lite fare for cabin-bag-only travellers. Air India Express' domestic network is anchored by its major hubs in Bengaluru, Delhi and Mumbai, with nearly 80 per cent of its domestic capacity deployed on metro-to-non-metro routes. By the end of FY25, the airline operated over 1,260 weekly domestic flights across around 120 routes, carrying nearly 20 million passengers, the majority of them domestic travellers. The expansion has accelerated in FY26, with weekly domestic flights rising to around 2,700, alongside the launch of 12 new stations in 2025. Through its codeshare partnership with Air India, the airline also enables seamless international connectivity from non-metro cities to long-haul destinations across North America and Europe. At the previous edition of Wings India, Air India Express had won the 'Sustainability Champion' award, underlining its continued focus on responsible growth in the aviation sector. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday during his visit Kerala met with seers associated with the Sivagiri Mutt in Varkala. PM Modi was in Thiruvananthapuram today where he flagged off four trains and inagurated a slew of developmental projects In a message posted on his X social media platform, the Minister said that he met with the swamis from the Sree Narayana Dharma Sanghom Trust at Sivagiri Mutt and lauded their contributions to social service, education, spirituality, and community welfare. Describing their efforts as a lasting contribution to India's social fabric, the Prime Minister said their work, inspired by the timeless ideals of Sree Narayana Guru, continues to uphold values of equality, harmony, and human dignity. "Met Swamis associated with the Sree Narayana Dharma Sanghom Trust, Sivagiri Mutt, Varkala. Their dedicated work in the fields of social service, education, spirituality and community welfare has made a lasting contribution to our social fabric. Rooted in the timeless ideals of Sree Narayana Guru, their efforts continue to promote equality, harmony and dignity across society," PM Modi wrote on 'X'. Earlier in the day, PM Modi in his address in the capital city of Kerala lauded the historic BJP victory in the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation, saying it marks the end of decades of neglect by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and United Democratic Front (UDF) and the beginning of a new era of development and good governance. PM Modi also criticised the two political fronts for perpetuating corruption and mismanagement in the State. "Both the LDF and UDF have, in various ways, driven Kerala into a cycle of corruption, mismanagement, and appeasement politics. Though they may use different flags and symbols, their underlying political approach and agendas are virtually identical: rampant corruption, a lack of accountability, and the promotion of divisive communalism. Both parties are well aware that their opportunity to govern resurfaces every five years, yet the core issues remain unaddressed," PM Modi said in his address. "For decades, both the LDF and UDF have neglected Thiruvananthapuram, depriving the city of basic facilities and infrastructure. The Left and the Congress have consistently failed to address the needs of our people. However, our BJP team has already begun working towards a developed Thiruvananthapuram. To the people of this city, I say: have faith- the change that has long been overdue is finally on its way," he added. (ANI)
The Delhi Police Special Cell has registered an FIR against Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun for allegedly issuing threats to create unrest in the national capital ahead of Republic Day on January 26, officials said. The case has been registered under Sections 196 (promoting enmity), 197 (imputations prejudicial to national integration), 152 (acts endangering sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India), and 61 (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS). According to police sources, Pannun recently released a video on social media claiming that his "sleeper cells" had put up pro-Khalistan posters in Rohini and Dabri areas of the national capital. However, following verification, the Special Cell has so far not found any pro-Khalistani posters at the locations mentioned by Pannun. Earlier on Wednesday, the Delhi Police''s alert posters for Republic Day on January 26 featured a picture of a terrorist identified as Mohammed Rehan, an Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) terrorist from Delhi. The terrorist''s photo was included for the first time, an official stated According to the Delhi Police, Mohammed Rehan is a wanted terrorist by the Delhi Police and intelligence agencies. Ahead of the 77th Republic Day celebrations, Delhi Police has put in place an extensive, technology-driven security apparatus across Kartavya Path and the entire New Delhi district, in view of multiple terror-related threat inputs received from intelligence agencies. This year, the seating areas for the Republic Day celebrations have been named after Indian rivers. Several important changes have also been made to the security deployment pattern, keeping the guests'' convenience and safety in mind. According to Additional Commissioner of Police, New Delhi District, Devesh Kumar Mahala, a multi-layered security cordon comprising Delhi Police and paramilitary forces has been deployed in the Kartavya Path area. The entire area is under surveillance through an extensive network of CCTV cameras, integrated with an advanced facial recognition system (FRS). He further mentioned that around 10,000 police personnel will be deployed on this national day, and the briefings have been conducted nine times on the ground. "Republic Day is celebrated on a fixed time and is observed in Kartvaya Path. In view of this, there is a security standard protocol, which has been implemented. Around 10,000 police personnel will be on duty. We have conducted briefings and rehearsals 9 times on the ground," Mahala told ANI. In addition, anti-drone units have been deployed for aerial surveillance, and sniper teams have been positioned on high-rise buildings. To prevent any potential threats, an intensive verification drive of hotels, guest houses, tenants, and domestic helpers is being carried out across the district. Pedestrians will undergo at least three levels of security screening through Door Frame Metal Detectors (DFMDs) during the Republic Day celebrations. "Minimum three times, the pedestrians will undergo checking through (DFMDs). In four places, there is a provision of soft checking. Similarly, the vehicles will be checked. There will be a lot of pickets in the inner, middle and outer cordon. Border pickets and even district pickets will be checked," added Mahala. While discussing Republic Day preparations, SI Kuldeep Yadav from the control room stated that nearly 1,000 cameras have been installed to identify potential threats and challenges. "Nearly 1000 cameras have been installed to identify threats and challenges. An AI and FRS system has been used, which will alert if it detects any individual with a criminal background. If suspicious or stolen vehicles are detected, the high-resolution cameras will send an alert, and we will immediately detain them. Sufficient staff is constantly monitoring everything," Yadav told ANI. Moreover, the police have also appealed to all invited guests and ticket holders to carefully read the details on their invitation cards and to strictly use the designated routes. Complete information on routes, parking, and enclosures is available on the Ministry of Defence and Delhi Police websites. With the support of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), regular announcements are being made at all metro stations regarding entry and exit gates, routes, prohibited items, and other important instructions. Guests for Beas, Brahmaputra, Chambal, Chenab, Gandak, Ganga, Ghaghra, Godavari, Indus, and Jhelum enclosures will deboard at Udyog Bhawan Metro Station. Guests for Kaveri, Kosi, Krishna, Mahanadi, Narmada, Pennar, Periyar, Ravi, Son, Sutlej, Teesta, Vaigai, and Yamuna enclosures should use the Central Secretariat Metro Station. Special invited guests have been provided free travel on the Delhi Metro, subject to compliance with the instructions on the digital pass. Guests are requested to walk only within the designated channelisers, follow directional signage, and cooperate with security personnel at frisking points. To assist visitors, Delhi Police has set up help desks at prominent locations along Kartavya Path. For security reasons, carrying bags, briefcases, food items, electronic items other than mobile phones, power banks, water bottles, weapons, sharp objects, inflammable substances, umbrellas, perfumes, toy weapons, and any kind of explosive material inside the enclosures is strictly prohibited. New Delhi District Police have appealed to citizens to immediately report any suspicious activity to the nearest police personnel or by calling 112. (ANI)
Over 6,000 military personnel will take part in this year's Republic Day Parade, with Bhairav Battalion and Shaktibaan regiment to take part in the grand ceremony for the first time. Major General Navraj Dhillon, Chief of Staff, Delhi Area, who interacted with the media here, said Lt Gen Bhavnish Kumar, GOC, Delhi Area, will head the parade for the fourth time. "Bhairav Battalion, Shaktibaan regiment to take part in the parade for the first time, along with Ladakh Scouts. Kites, Zanskar ponies and Bactrian camel also will also take part in the Republic Day parade for the first time," he said. A full-dress rehearsal for the Republic Day parade was held at Kartavya Path in New Delhi on Friday. A few roads in Central Delhi were cordoned off for the full-dress rehearsal of Republic Day. A total of 30 tableaux, including 17 from States and Union Territories (UTs) and 13 from Ministries, Departments, and Services, will roll down the Kartavya Path during the 77th Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26. According to a Ministry of Defence release, Republic Day celebrations will feature a grand display under the themes 'Swatantrata ka Mantra: a broad theme of 'Swatantrata ka Mantra: Vande Mataram' and 'Samriddhi ka Mantra: Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. The tableaux will showcase a unique mix of 150 years of the national song Vande Mataram and the nation's rapid progress on the back of the growing self-reliance across sectors, dipped in its rich and vibrant cultural diversity. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will showcase some of its path-breaking innovations for national security during the Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path and Bharat Parv 2026. Apart from displaying Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-AShM), DRDO will have a tableau 'Naval Technologies for Combat Submarines'. This year, the Indian Air Force is the lead service for conducting all ceremonial events related to the Republic Day celebrations. (ANI)
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday launched a sharp attack on Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of indulging in "drama" over the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act and alleging that the Congress MP was unaware of even the name of the legislation. In a post on X, Chouhan shared a clip from Rahul Gandhi's address at the National MGNREGA Workers' Convention organised by the Rachnatmak Congress. In the video shared by Chouhan, Rahul Gandhi is heard saying that he does not know the name of the new Act. Taking a jibe at the Congress leader, Chouhan wrote that extensive discussions on the Bill took place late into the night in both Houses of Parliament, with active participation from both the ruling side and the Opposition, while the nation closely followed the debate. He alleged that the Leader of the Opposition was absent during these discussions and accused the Congress of now staging a "drama" over the legislation despite Rahul Gandhi's apparent unfamiliarity with it. "What a fountain of wisdom Rahul ji is! VB - On Shri Ram ji, there were hours of discussion late into the night in both Houses. The ruling side and opposition engaged in serious debate on every aspect. The country was watching, listening. But at that time, the Leader of the Opposition was busy on a foreign tour. Now, the Congress is putting on a drama of struggle over the Act, even though the Leader of the Opposition himself doesn't yet know even the name of the bill," the 'X' post from Shivraj Chouhan said. Chouhan further mocked Rahul Gandhi's recent public appearances, referring to reports that he had taken part in manual labour. In a sarcastic remark, he said that Rahul Gandhi was seen being guided on how to tie a gamchha and use a spade, and took another dig at what he called the Congress leader's "sharp intellect," asserting that such wisdom would ensure the party's future welfare. "I hear that yesterday, Rahul ji even became a day labourer for a day; someone else was tying the gamchha on him, and Kharge ji was explaining how to even pick up the spade. Blessed are you, Rahul ji, and blessed is your 'sharp intellect'! With the support of this very wondrous wisdom of yours, the ultimate welfare of the Congress is assured," the 'X' post said. 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 for removing the 60:40 share of funds between the Centre and states. (ANI)
Students stage walkout campaign in U.S. against ICE enforcement

Xinhua) 10:22, January 23, 2026

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- As part of a coordinated nationwide student demonstration, high school students across the Las Vegas Valley in the western U.S. state of Nevada walked out of classes on Wednesday to protest actions of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Students at Las Vegas high schools, Legacy High School, Cheyenne High School, Rancho High School and Desert Rose High School participated in walkouts from 10:30 a.m. to 1:11 p.m. local time (1830 to 2111 GMT), according to local media reports. The protests were organized through social media following the Jan. 7 fatal shooting of the U.S. citizen Renee Good in Minneapolis, the state of Minnesota.

Student walkouts have been reported in at least 13 states in the last two days, spanning diverse political and geographic regions, including California, Arizona, Washington and Nevada. Demonstrations goes on in major cities, suburbs and smaller towns, highlighting broad youth dissatisfaction with the federal immigration enforcement issue.

The Las Vegas walkouts followed a greater coordinated effort on Tuesday, when students at schools across the United States participated in a "Free America Walkout," marking one year of U.S. President Donald Trump's second term.

Protesters cited the killing of Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, who was shot by ICE agent Jonathan Ross while sitting in her vehicle. Federal authorities said the agent acted in self-defense, alleging that Good attempted to run him over. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, however, disputed the claim after reviewing video footage, calling the federal explanation inaccurate.

School district responses varied but generally supported students' constitutional rights, while some said absences were unexcused unless parents provided permission.

The demonstrations came amid intensifying ICE enforcement nationwide. Since September 2025, federal immigration officers have shot at least 11 people in enforcement operations, three of whom were killed, according to an NBC News investigation published on Jan. 16.

The incidents occurred across multiple states, including Illinois, California, Arizona, Texas, Maryland, Minnesota and Oregon.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The Delhi High Court on Friday extended by two months the time granted to the Lokpal of India to take a decision, in accordance with law, on whether sanction should be accorded to the Central Bureau of Investigation to file a chargesheet against Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra in the alleged cash-for-query case. A Division Bench of Justices Anil Kshetarpal and Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar allowed the extension while making it clear that no further request for additional time would be entertained. The Court noted that counsel appearing for both Moitra and the CBI did not oppose the Lokpal's request for an extension. The Lokpal had sought additional time to reconsider the issue after its earlier sanction order was set aside by the High Court. Earlier, the High Court had quashed the Lokpal's November 12 order granting sanction to the CBI to prosecute Moitra, holding that the decision-making process suffered from legal infirmities. The Court had directed the Lokpal to re-examine the matter afresh and pass a reasoned order within a stipulated time. In her petition, Moitra had argued that despite being granted an opportunity to submit written replies and make oral submissions, her contentions were not properly considered. She had also contended that the Lokpal had invoked an incorrect statutory provision while granting sanction for prosecution. The High Court, in its earlier ruling, had emphasised that the Lokpal was required to independently assess the material on record and determine whether the case warranted prosecution, closure, or any other course permissible under law. The case stems from a complaint filed in October 2023 by advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai, following which the Lokpal referred the matter to the CBI. The agency submitted a preliminary report in February 2024 and a detailed investigation report in June 2024, culminating in the sanction order that was later set aside. It was alleged that Moitra purportedly took bribes to ask questions in the Parliament. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey had made a complaint against her to Lok Sabha Speaker, alleging that she accepted "cash and gifts" from businessman Darshan Hiranandani to "ask questions in Parliament". Following which she was expelled from Lok Sabha in December 2023 after the House adopted the report of its ethics committee that held her guilty of allegations against her. Moitra has denied any wrongdoing and in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, she was again elected from the Krishnanagar parliamentary constituency in West Bengal. (ANI)
Congress General Secretary (Organisation), KC Venugopal, was also present in the meeting in New Delhi.

"A meeting of Bihar's leaders was held with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal and other senior leaders were also present in this meeting," the party wrote on X.

The meeting comes after a debacle in the Bihar Assembly elections last year. Congress won six of the 60 seats it contested in the Bihar elections with a conversion rate of less than 10 per cent, which turned out to be a setback for the party that was part of the Mahagathbandhan. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the largest opposition party in the alliance, also performed poorly in recent elections, winning only 25 seats out of 143 constituencies.

The NDA registered a historic landslide victory in the 2025 Bihar assembly polls, winning 202 of the 243 seats, while the Mahagathbandhan secured only 35 seats. The ruling alliance secured a three-fourths majority in the 243-member Bihar Assembly, marking the second time the NDA crossed the 200-seat mark in state polls. In 2010, it had won 206 seats.

In the NDA, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 89 seats, Janata Dal (United) won 85, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) (LJPRV) won 19, Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) (HAMS) won five, and Rashtriya Lok Morcha won four seats.

Back in November, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and KC Venugopal held a meeting at the party's headquarters to review the reasons behind the loss in the Bihar elections.

Meanwhile, Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi also chaired a meeting for the upcoming elections in five States and Union Territories, including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, West Bengal and Assam. (ANI)
Union Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday visited ASML's headquarters in Veldhoven, Netherlands, according to an official release from the Ministry of Electronics and IT. Speaking during the visit, the Minister said that India has started a new semiconductor industry and that lithography, which involves printing the circuit on the wafer, is the most complex and precision-intensive process in the entire semiconductor manufacturing chain. "Equipment manufacturers from all over the world are setting up a base in India, because of the design capabilities, huge talent pool and the consistent policies of PM Narendra Modi. ASML enables practically every chip manufactured in the world. Its entire senior leadership," sharing an 'X' post Ashwini Vaishnaw said. https://x.com/AshwiniVaishnaw/status/2014688487052603496?s=20 The Minister informed that ASML is the world's leading provider of lithographic tools and added that ASML enables the manufacture of practically every chip worldwide. "Our fab in Dholera will be using ASML equipment. So I have come here to visit and understand their technology," Vaishnaw said. The Minister emphasised that ASML coming to India would be a significant development, noting that several equipment manufacturers from across the world are now looking to establish a base in India due to the country's design capabilities, large talent pool, and the consistent policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. ASML is the world's leading supplier to the semiconductor industry. The Dutch multinational company specialises in the development and manufacturing of photolithography machines used to produce integrated circuits. It enables leading chipmakers to mass-produce patterns on silicon, helping to make smaller, faster, and more energy-efficient chips. An ASML delegation participated in SEMICON India 2025, where it expressed a strong interest in becoming a partner in India's semiconductor journey. (ANI)
As Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President KT Rama Rao appeared before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in connection with the phone-tapping probe, Hyderabad Police on Friday said that relevant aspects of the case were examined and are being analysed in light of the evidence on record. In a press statement released by the Hyderabad police, it was stated that Rama Rao was directed not to contact or influence any witnesses and that he may be summoned again if required. Th Hyderabad Police clarified that Rama Rao's examination was conducted solely in connection with a crime pertaining to allegations of widespread unauthorised and illegal phone surveillance and interception involving thousands of individuals from various walks of life, including politicians, businesspersons, journalists, members of the judiciary, and other eminent personalities. "In continuation of the further investigation in Crime No. 243 of 2024 of Panjagutta Police Station, and pursuant to the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT), a notice was issued to Sri K. T. Rama Rao, former Minister and MLA, Sircilla, on 23 January 2026, directing him to appear before the Investigation Officer at Jubilee Hills Police Station at 11:00 a.m. In compliance with the notice, Sri K. T. Rama Rao appeared before the SIT/Investigation Officer and was examined in detail. Relevant aspects of the case were elicited and are being analysed with the evidence on record. He was instructed not to contact or influence any witnesses and informed that he may be summoned again, if required," the press statement said. The police further noted that certain sections of the media and individuals have been circulating misleading and baseless claims suggesting that the phone interceptions were carried out on security grounds and that no illegality was involved. The Investigating Agency stated that it is not concerned with such false narratives and emphasised that the probe is being conducted strictly in accordance with the law, in a fair and professional manner. "It has been noticed that misleading and baseless information is being circulated by certain sections of the media and individuals, claiming that phone interception was done on security grounds and that no illegality was involved. The Investigating Agency is not concerned with such false narratives. The investigation is being conducted strictly in accordance with law, fairly and professionally," said the press release. Urging caution, the police appealed to the public not to propagate or circulate unverified or misleading information, and to rely only on facts recorded through lawful and official channels. "In view of the above, the public is requested not to propagate or circulate unverified or misleading information and to rely only on facts placed on record through lawful and official channels," said the press statement. Earlier, former DCP P Radhakrishna Rao alleged that telephones belonging to media industry bigwigs, retired cops, and politicians were monitored during the BRS government tenure. He alleged it was done to keep tabs on then Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's political rivals. During the 2023 assembly elections, officers in Telangana allegedly intercepted the communications of several political leaders, businessmen and Tollywood celebrities, he claimed. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to file status reports on their ongoing probe into an alleged bank fraud of nearly Rs 1.5 lakh crore linked to the Anil Ambani Group. The direction came while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a court-monitored investigation into the matter. A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi also granted Anil Ambani and the Anil Ambani Group the last opportunity to file their counter-affidavits. The court noted that notices had earlier been issued to the respondents, but no responses had been filed so far. "In the interest of justice, having lost the opportunity, respondents number 4 and 5 are permitted to enter appearance on so and so date and filed their counter affidavits. The registry may be directed to issue notice to the said respondents," the Court noted. The PIL plea has been filed by former IAS officer E.A.S. Sarma, who has alleged that the respondents have siphoned off public funds by declaring several group companies bankrupt, with the alleged connivance of government and banking officials. The apex court, which had previously issued notice in the matter, directed the investigating agencies to submit their status reports, permitting them to do so in a sealed cover if the investigation is still incomplete. The PIL petitioner EAS Sarma, a former IAS officer, has alleged in his petition that Anil Ambani has siphoned off nearly Rs 1.5 lakh crore by declaring bankruptcy of several of his companies with the tacit support of the government and bank officials. During the hearing, Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the petitioner, argued that loans exceeding Rs 1.5 lakh crore owed by companies had been written off, and that funds were allegedly diverted through a network of shell companies. Bhushan further submitted that the proceedings had received extensive media coverage and asserted that the respondents were well aware of the case and closely following it. The Solicitor General of India (SGI), Tushar Mehta, informed the court that he was not opposing Advocate Prashant Bhushan's submissions. He informed the bench that the FIR was registered following a forensic audit conducted by the State Bank of India, which found that funds had been diverted from their intended purpose. Based on the audit findings, SBI lodged an FIR with the CBI, he said. After hearing arguments, the bench granted a last opportunity to the respondents to file their response to the plea. (ANI)
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday expressed deep sorrow over the death of workers from Bihar in a blast at the Real Ispat and Steel plant in Bakulahi village of Chhattisgarh. "Conveying his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, the Chief Minister announced an ex-gratia assistance of 2 lakh each from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund to the families of the deceased, and 50,000 each to the injured workers. He wished the injured a speedy recovery and directed the Resident Commissioner, New Delhi, to coordinate with the Chhattisgarh government to ensure proper medical treatment for the injured. He also instructed officials to make necessary arrangements for bringing the mortal remains of the deceased to Bihar," Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said on X. He also instructed officials to make necessary arrangements for bringing the mortal remains of the deceased to Bihar. At least six people were killed and five others injured in an explosion at an iron plant in Chhattishgarh's Balodabazar district on Thursday, district administration officials said. Balodabazar Collector Deepak Soni confirmed the incident, adding that the injured workers have been referred to Bilaspur for further treatment. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic explosion at a sponge iron factory in the Bakulahi area of Baloda Bazar district, in which six workers lost their lives, and five others were injured. The injured have been referred to Bilaspur for advanced medical treatment. "The Chief Minister conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and assured that all possible assistance would be provided to them during this difficult time. He said clear instructions have been issued to the district administration to ensure proper treatment of the injured and to conduct a thorough and factual investigation into the causes of the accident. The Chief Minister reiterated that the Chhattisgarh government stands shoulder to shoulder with the affected families," Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai said on X. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has welcomed the Twenty20 party into the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), following his meeting with the party chief Sabu M Jacob in Thiruvananthapuram. He described the partnership as a shared commitment to transparent, people-centric governance. "Had a wonderful meeting with Shri Sabu M. Jacob Ji in Thiruvananthapuram. I warmly welcome Twenty20 to the NDA family. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to transparent, people-centric governance," PM Modi said in a X post after meeting Jacob on Friday. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/2014621295359754650 Earlier on Thursday, Twenty20 President Sabu M Jacob, in response to the upcoming formal joining with NDA in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's presence on Friday, said that his party has proven its potential through the implementation and said that the party has worked in the fields of education, agriculture, infrastructure and many other fields. The party's President said they are trying to implement their model, based on experiments and research, through NDA. Speaking to ANI, he said, "We are a proven political party through implementation, and we have learned a lot in practice. Right from education, agriculture, infrastructure and everywhere. We have conducted all the experiments and research, and proved that it is possible in Kerala. So, basically, we are trying to transfer that knowledge, and we are trying to implement that model through NDA." The Twenty20 party on Thursday announced its decision to join the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ahead of the upcoming Kerala assembly elections. The announcement was made by Kerala Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajeev Chandrasekhar during a press conference alongside Twenty20 president Sabu M Jacob. Chandrasekhar claimed that the move was an expansion of NDA's political footprint and its political heft vis-a-vis the coming elections. Speaking to the reporters here, the Kerala BJP president said that the aim was to spread the message of 'Viksit Keralam' (Developed Kerala), 'Vishwas Sanrakshanam' (Safeguarding Trust) and 'Surikshit Keralam' (Safe Kerala) through this alliance, which, according to him, has been put forth by the NDA in the previous 11 years of PM Modi's tenure. He said that the aim was to bring the same level of political development in Kerala. He said, "Look what is happening in Kerala is quite clear and obvious, the message of Viksit Keralam, the message of Vishwas Sanrakshanam, the message of Surikshit Keralam that the NDA has (been) put forth (in) the last 11 years of Prime Narendra Modi's development and transformation of India and our intention (is) to bring the same level of development and transformation. Our intention is to bring the same type of development politics to Kerala." Chandrasekhar claimed that the NDA has been receiving support, not just from the average Malayali voter, but also from many across the political spectrum, including traditional parties, MLAs, and ex-MLAs. He termed the alliance with the Twenty20 party "good fortune" and expressed happiness, claiming that the Twenty20 party is one of the few parties in Kerala that has steadfastly stood for development. Speaking to the reporters, he said, "NDA receiving support just not from the average Malayali voter but also from many in the political spectrum amongst traditional parties MLAs and ex MLAs, and today we have the absolute good fortune, and we are extremely happy to have the one party in Kerala that has steadfastly stood for development, which is Twenty20." "Our mission for the coming elections is very clear, we intent to bring a decisive transformation of the political culture in Kerala from the corruption, the appeasement and the Jamaat-type politics of the LDF and the Congress. From the stealing and the looting of gold from Sabrimala by the LDF and the Congress to a political system, where development is the only matter that is discussed," Chandrasekhar said while taking a jibe at the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Congress. In the end, he said the mission of the alliance is to ensure that every Malayali has an equal opportunity to become prosperous, and to give his or her children opportunities in jobs and entrepreneurship."And that every Malayali has an equal opportunity to become prosperous, to give his or her children opportunities, jobs and entrepreneurship. This is our mission, and I am extremely happy today, a party that shares the vision for Viksit Keralam that is Twenty20 is a part of the NDA," Chandrasekhar said. (ANI)
Egypt's Ambassador to India, Kamel Zayed Kamel Galal, after addressing the press here on Egypt-India bilateral relations, said that the real trade potential between India and Egypt is not less than $30 billion per year, adding that efforts were underway to raise bilateral trade to $12 billion from the current level of $5 billion. On Thursday, Galal told ANI, "The potential of our relationship, whether in trade or in any other field, is beyond the sky. This is what I'm going to work on during my tenure here. I have an objective of bringing trade to $12 billion, up from $5 billion. I'm much more ambitious than this. I will be working on that because the real potential for our two economies is not less than $30 billion per year." The ambassador also spoke about India's understanding of Egypt's positions on regional issues. "Our foreign minister was here in October and had a very clear discussion with Minister Jaishankar, the prime minister, and other officials, and he gave a complete explanation of the current situation in the Middle East to the Indian leadership. I'm sure the Indian leadership understands the Egyptian position, and they are largely in line with it regarding regional development," he added. Galal highlighted the significance of the upcoming 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting, scheduled to be held in New Delhi on January 30-31, 2026. "This is a very important opportunity for Arab countries and India to get together to speak in one language and to exchange views regarding the geopolitical and geoeconomic challenges that we are facing as well as the opportunities that is open for us together," he said. On January 16, Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh met Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and held wide-ranging discussions aimed at further strengthening the Strategic Partnership. "Pleased to meet H.E. Badr Abdelatty, Foreign Minister of Egypt, and held wide-ranging discussions on strengthening - Strategic Partnership. Discussions also covered forthcoming India-Arab Foreign Ministerial Meeting, strengthening of India-Egypt collaboration in pharmaceuticals and healthcare, trade, investments, technology & tourism," MoS Singh posted on X. India and Egypt, two of the world's oldest civilisations, have enjoyed a history of close contact from ancient times. The joint announcement of the establishment of diplomatic relations at the Ambassadorial level was made on 18 August 1947. Both countries have cooperated closely in multilateral fora and were the founding members of the Non-Aligned Movement in 1961. Since the 1980's, there have been regular high-level bilateral visits between India and Egypt. (ANI)
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) on Friday (local time) said that eleven sorties of PLA aircraft and five PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up to 6 am. In a statement, the MND said nine of the sorties crossed the median line into Taiwan's northern and southwestern air defence identification zone (ADIZ), prompting the MND to monitor and respond to the situation. https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/2014503349186658755?s=20 In a post on X, the MND said, "11 sorties of PLA aircraft and 5 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) Today. 9 out of 11 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded." On Thursday, Taiwan's MND detected two PLA aircraft sorties, five PLAN vessels, and five Chinese balloons operating around Taiwan until 6 am (UTC+8), adding that the situation was monitored and responded to accordingly. In a post on X, the MND said, "2 sorties of PLA aircraft and 5 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 5 PRC ballons were detected during this timeframe. We have monitored the situation and responded." On Wednesday, Taiwan's MND detected four sorties of Chinese military aircraft and six Chinese naval vessels operating around its territorial waters as of 6 am (local time) on Wednesday. All four sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ. In a post on X, the MND said, "4 sorties of PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 4 out of 4 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded." Earlier, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said he would continue safeguarding Taiwan and would not allow China to interfere, Focus Taiwan reported. It stated that President Lai, as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, pledged to protect the country and safeguard the lives and property of all citizens. "I will certainly safeguard the nation and absolutely not allow Chinese pressure or China's hand to reach into Taiwan," President Lai said. (ANI)
Amid the cold weather conditions, a large crowd gathered at the Parliament Square in London on Wednesday in a demonstration calling for international attention against the continued torture, persecution and killing of minorities in Bangladesh, a statement by the Bangladesh Hindu Association and Bengali Hindu Adarsh Sangha said. Organised by the Bangladesh Hindu Association (BHA) and supported by INSIGHT UK and the Bengali Hindu Adarsh Sangha (BHAS), this British Hindu diaspora event drew an audience of over 500 participants representing students, professionals, parents with children, elderly activists and interfaith leaders. Attendees included Baroness Sandeep Verma, Lord Dolar Popat, former MP Virendra Sharma, MP Navendu Mishra, MP Luke Murphy, MP Jim Dickson, Birmingham Cllr Andrew Hardie, and MP Andrew Mitchell. All dignitaries accepted the fact that this is no less than an ethnic cleansing happening in Bangladesh and assured their full support to the diaspora in bringing the matter to the UK government. As per the statement, a spokesperson of the event highlighted quite a few issues that the minority communities of Bangladesh are suffering. These include long-standing patterns of discrimination, targeted violence, killings and demographic decline suffered by the minority communities in Bangladesh and first-hand testimonies from families of victims, underscoring the human cost. Grave concerns over the arrest of interfaith religious voice Chinmaya Prabhu and the public lynching of Dipu Das, followed by 15 Hindus killed in a planned genocide. Social media platforms buzzed with photos and livestreams from the demonstration, amplifying reach beyond London and garnering support from global audiences, the statement said. It further noted that the organisers had the following 4-point demands, and regarding this, a memorandum was also submitted to PM Keir Starmer. These included immediate suspension of UK aid and trade with Bangladesh till it takes necessary action against the perpetrators; formal Parliamentary Action by issuing an urgent Ministerial Statement and enabling full parliamentary debate and scrutiny; targeted international accountability by pursuing international scrutiny and applying targeted sanctions against perpetrators and monitoring and engagement of the situation by appointing a designated UK ministerial lead or special envoy. The Bangladesh Hindu Association stated, "This protest is not against any nation or faith, but against injustice. Standing at Parliament Square is a call to conscience, urging the international community to recognise that Hindu lives matter and that silence is not an option." (ANI)
US President Donald Trump on Friday hinted at putting NATO to the test by invoking its Article 5 for the protection of America's southern border from illegal immigrants. He made the statement in a post on his Truth Social platform. The US President further said that this would also "free up" a large number of Border Patrol Agents for other tasks. "Maybe we should have put NATO to the test: Invoked Article 5, and forced NATO to come here and protect our Southern Border from further Invasions of Illegal Immigrants, thus freeing up large numbers of Border Patrol Agents for other tasks." The statement comes shortly after Trump in his speech at the World Economic Forum on Wednesday, questioned NATO's commitment to defending the United States, asking whether the transatlantic alliance would "be there for us". "The problem with NATO is that we'll be there for them 100%," Trump said. "But I'm not sure that they'll be there for us." The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) comprises of 32 members, known as NATO Allies. A political and military alliance, it came into being in 1949. The present Secretary-General is Mark Rutte, who was the former Prime Minister of the Netherlands. A key principle of the NATO alliance is Article 5, under which all members agree to come to the defence of any member state if it is attacked. Article 5 has been invoked once, by the United States after the September 11, 2001, terror attacks. Despite that history, Trump reiterated his doubts about whether allies would support the US in return. "I know them all very well, I'm not sure that they'd be there," he said. "With all the money we expend, with all the blood, sweat and tears, I don't know that they'd be there for us." Trump's comments on NATO came alongside renewed focus on Greenland, where he asserted he would not use force to acquire the Arctic island even as he pressed for US control during his address at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. Trump has increasingly questioned the alliance's reliability amid his push for ownership of Greenland and objections raised by European allies over the US taking over the Danish territory. The Trump 2.0 administration has seen a massive crackdown on illegal immigration into the United States. With Border security a top priority for the US President, second term has seen implementation of tougher enforcement restoring operational control of the southern border, with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement also doubling on the number of officers and agents from 10,000 to 22,000. (ANI)
US President Donald Trump is hopeful that the upcoming trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States in the UAE would "help save a lot of lives". Reiterating his claim of having resolved several wars, Trump said that his initiatives are aimed more towards Europe than the US. Trump made the remarks while speaking to the press on board Air Force One while returning from Davos. On his conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US President Donald Trump said, "We had a conversation. I've had numerous conversations on Ukraine. It would be nice to end the war... it costs us nothing. We make money. I don't want to make money, but we make money. Biden spent $350 billion stupidly and lost a lot of money. But it's not about the money. It's about 25,000 to 30,000 soldiers a month being killed...I've have numrous good meetings with President Zelenskyy. It's funny. I put out a 35-year war in a day, a 32-year war in two days. In other wars, the worst was like four days. But this one goes on and on forever. And actually, they may have been more complex..." Trump on Thursday held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, with the war in Ukraine remaining a key focus of discussions at the summit. According to CNN, the meeting concluded after lasting around an hour. After the closed-door interaction, Zelenskyy's communications advisor said he had a "good meeting" with Trump in Davos on Thursday. On the United States, Russia and Ukraine to hold trilateral talks in UAE, the US President added, "Anytime we meet, it's good. If we don't meet, nothing's going to happen. In the first three years, nobody met under Biden... So we are meeting, and we'll see what happens. I hope we can save a lot of lives, that's all." When asked about the kind of concessions Putin needs to make, Trump said, "Everybody's making concessions to get it done. Europe is going to be a part of it. It's more for Europe than for me. I mean, I'm doing this more for Europe than for me. I'm doing it to save lives. I'm doing it for Europe... It doesn't affect us very much... I have the ability to get things done like this, and we'll see if I can get it done... I thought Putin wanted the whole thing. Maybe he does, but he's not going to be going there unless we don't make a deal..." Speaking about his recent conversation with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado today, Trump praised Machado and said, "We have a very good relationship. She's a good woman, a very nice woman. She's been through a lot, and at the same time, I'll tell you, they're doing a very good job in Venezuela. So, it's interesting. I get along with both sides. I get along with everybody but the media. The fake news that I don't get along, but I get along with everybody..." (ANI)
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Friday dissolved the House of Representatives and announced a snap general election to be held on February 8, seeking public support for her economic and security policy agenda, Kyodo News reported. The 465-member lower house was dissolved by Takaichi's cabinet during the early hours of the regular parliamentary session. This is the first time this has happened at the start of a regular session in almost 60 years. The decision effectively launched a short and intense election campaign. Although the current term of lawmakers was set to expire in 2028, Takaichi defended her decision by stating that she has not yet received a direct public mandate for her leadership. She became prime minister in October, the same month her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) formed a new ruling coalition with the Japan Innovation Party. The election will also see the debut of a new opposition grouping. The Centrist Reform Alliance was recently launched by the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and the Komeito party, which had been the LDP's coalition partner for 26 years. Economic issues are expected to dominate the campaign, particularly the rising cost of living. Both the ruling coalition and opposition parties have raised the possibility of easing the consumption tax on food. While the ruling bloc is considering a temporary suspension of the tax, the opposition alliance has proposed scrapping it entirely on food items. Kyodo News reported that identifying alternative revenue sources will be a key issue during the campaign. Political funding is also likely to be a major topic, following a slush fund scandal that has affected the LDP in recent years. Issues related to foreign residents and tourism are expected to feature in election debates as well. Despite high approval ratings for Takaichi's Cabinet, the ruling coalition holds only a narrow majority in the House of Representatives and remains a minority in the House of Councillors. This has forced the government to rely on cooperation from opposition parties to pass legislation. Takaichi's decision to schedule the election just 16 days after dissolving the lower house has drawn criticism from opposition parties. Kyodo News noted that this is the shortest interval between dissolution and election in Japan's postwar history. Opposition parties have also criticised the prime minister for calling an election before parliament could enact the initial budget for fiscal 2026, which begins in April, accusing her of placing political interests ahead of governance. The previous House of Representatives election was held in October 2024. (ANI)
Weeks ahead of the national elections in Bangladesh, country's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday launched a blistering attack on Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the country's Interim Government, saying he is "a usurer, a money launderer, a plunderer, and a corrupt, power-hungry traitor, has bled our nation dry with his all-consuming paradigms, staining the soul of our motherland". In a speech here, Sheikh Hasina said that the entire nation must rise united and "galvanized by the spirit of our great Liberation War in this grave hour". She said that to overthrow "the foreign-serving puppet regime of this national enemy at any cost, the brave sons and daughters of Bangladesh must defend and restore the Constitution written in the blood of martyrs". The former Prime Minister said that Awami League is independent Bangladesh's oldest and most important political party, inexplicably interwoven with the country's culture and democracy, defender of proud traditions of political and religious pluralism. Sheikh Hasina said that Bangladesh stands today "at the edge of an abyss, a nation battered and bleeding, navigating one of the most perilous chapters in its history". "The homeland won through the supreme Liberation War under the leadership of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, is now ravaged by the monstrous onslaught of extremist communal forces and foreign perpetrators. Our once serene and fertile land has been reduced to a wounded, blood-soaked landscape. In truth, the entire country has become a vast prison, an execution ground, a valley of death," she said. "Everywhere one hears only the cries of people struggling to survive amid destruction. A desperate plea for life. Heart-rending screams for relief. The murderous fascist Yunus, a usurer, a money launderer, a plunderer, and a corrupt, power-hungry traitor, has bled our nation dry with his all-consuming paradigms, staining the soul of our motherland," she added. Bangladesh is set to undergo parliamentary elections on February 12. Bangladesh Election Commission had in May last year suspended the registration of the Awami League as a party. The Interim Government has banned all activities by the Awami League. In her remarks, Sheikh Hasina also referred to her leaving the country in August 2024 in the wake of violent protests. She said she was "forcibly ousted" by "murderous fascist Yunus, and his anti-state militant accomplices", noting that she is a directly elected representative of the people. "On August 5, 2024, in a meticulously engineered conspiracy, the national enemy, the murderous fascist Yunus, and his anti-state militant accomplices forcibly ousted me, though I am the people's representative directly elected. From that day forward, the nation has been plunged into an age of terror, merciless, relentless, and suffocating. Democracy is now in exile," she said. "In this grave hour, the entire nation must rise united and galvanized by the spirit of our great Liberation War. To overthrow the foreign-serving puppet regime of this national enemy at any cost, the brave sons and daughters of Bangladesh must defend and restore the Constitution written in the blood of martyrs, reclaim our independence, safeguard our sovereignty, and revive our democracy," she said. Sheikh Hasina said that all democratic and progressive forces should take a solemn oath to build a humane and welfare-oriented democratic state. "Let us, all democratic, progressive, and non-communal forces of the pro-Liberation camp, take a solemn oath to build a humane and welfare-oriented democratic state and to confront with early resolve the treacherous designs of the murderous fascist and his collaborators. The Awami League is independent Bangladesh's oldest and most important political party, inexplicably interwoven with our country's culture and democracy, defender of Bangladesh's proud traditions of political and religious pluralism, and the committed upholder of our laws and Constitution," she said. "At this darkest time for our countrymen and women, we reaffirm our determination to help you restore the thriving homeland that was snatched away from you," she added. (ANI)
Emphasising the long-standing civilisational and cultural ties between India and Iran, Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, Representative of Iran's Supreme Leader, has expressed confidence in progress on the Chabahar port in his country, in which India is a development partner. In an exclusive interview with ANI, Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi said that the history of the relationship and collaboration between Iran and India dates back 3,000 years before the emergence of Islam. "The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran always insists on good relations and collaboration between Iran and India...Till now Indian government never affected by sanction of other countries and two governments want to have good relationship and collaboration and I hope that in Chabahar they will work nicely," he said. He was asked about the fate of the strategically-located Chabahar port, where India has made investments. India said last week that it is engaging with the United States to ensure that work linked to India's projects at Iran's Chabahar Port continues under a time-bound sanctions waiver from Washington, which is set to expire on April 26 this year. "On the question of Chabahar, on 28 October, 2025, as you are aware, the US Department of Treasury had issued a letter outlining guidance, the guidance on the Conditional Sanctions Waiver, which is valid until 26 April, 2026. We remain engaged with the US side in working out this arrangement," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said in the weekly media briefing. India is also monitoring developments related to the 25 per cent additional tariffs announced by the United States for countries doing business with Iran. US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social earlier this month that any country doing business with Iran will face a 25 per cent tariff. The tariff will be applicable on "any and all business being done with the United States of America and is effective immediately," Trump said. Answering a query, Jaiswal said that India-Iran bilateral trade stands at USD 1.6 billion, with exports to Iran at USD 1.2 billion and imports at USD 0.4 billion. India proposed developing the Chabahar Port in 2003 to provide an alternative route for Indian goods to reach landlocked Afghanistan and Central Asia via road and rail connectivity under the International North-South Transport Corridor, bypassing Pakistan. The progress on the project had slowed earlier due to US sanctions on Iran linked to its suspected nuclear programme. To operationalise India's role at the port, a long-term agreement was signed between Indian Ports Global Limited (IPGL) and the Port & Maritime Organisation of Iran. The agreement replaces the initial 2016 pact covering India's role at the Shahid Beheshti terminal in Chabahar Port, which had been extended annually. Answering another query, Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi said the history of the relationship and collaboration between Iran and India dates back 3,000 years before the emergence of Islam. "Even at that time, we were using philosophical books of India. Even at the university, we studied philosophical books of India, and in mathematics, astronomy, and medicine, we were also using your civilisation, your knowledge, and we always learned through our schools the relationship between Iran and India," he said. He said Iran has economic problems due to sanctions against it and some people are angry "but other people use this opportunity to reach their target and achieve their aims" and noted that the situation at the moment "is very good, under control" and is not like what is being mentioned on some social media handles. Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi said that there is need to distinguish between "reality of the situation" and "imagination" about the situation in Iran. "Concerning the situation in Iran, actually we have two things which we have to divide and differentiate between them. The first one is the fact and the reality of the situation. The second one is imagination, which is created by the journalist's narration, by the enemies, or by other people. There is a very deep gap between these two realities," he said. "The first one is fact, reality, and the second one is imagination...Yes, we have economic problems; some are angry with the situation of the economy, which was created by some countries against Iran, based on the sanctions. But other people use this opportunity to reach their target and achieve their aims. Now, at the moment, the situation is very good, is under control and is not as much as mentioned on social media," he added. Asked about people killed in Iran during the crackdown on nationwide protests, Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, said there are some people who are killed, but the numbers are not clear.. "At first, these protesters attacked civilians, policemen, and businessmen and killed them as they wanted to benefit from this situation, and they mentioned that these people were killed by policemen, which is not true...Yes, the number of killings was mentioned by some organisations which are based in the UK, the US, and in European countries or other countries. But these numbers are incorrect and fake. They want to increase the number of killings to mention that the government killed them," he said. (ANI)
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman asserted that if his party comes to power, Bangladesh will remain Bangladesh and will not turn into Pakistan, Afghanistan, or Iran, Daily Star reported. Shafiqur Rahman made the statement while addressing an election rally as the chief guest at the Public Library Ground in Rangpur city on Friday night. "We want to rebuild Bangladesh as a more prosperous and humane state. In governing the country, we will follow the Charter of Madinah as a model, where justice and the rule of law will be established, and people of all religions and backgrounds will enjoy equal rights," Shafiqur Rahman said, quoted by Daily Star. The Jamaat ameer added, "We will not seek votes by making false promises. However, we promise to eliminate unemployment from Bangladesh. No family will suffer from the curse of unemployment." He further emphasised, "We do not want to establish a form of politics where corruption by party activists turns leaders and leadership into fascists. Jamaat-e-Islami will practice politics based on justice. Activists and leaders alike will be equal before the law. Justice will be the same for everyone." Commenting on former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Shafiqur Rahman stated, "She is not the 'mother of humanity', she is the 'mother of cruelty'." He added, "We do not want to see any new fascists again. Jamaat-e-Islami will establish transparent politics in Bangladesh." Speaking about the current situation, he expressed concern, saying, "After August 5, 2024, we expected to see a peaceful Bangladesh, but that did not happen. Anarchy has not stopped. The country has been flooded with false cases. Innocent people have been accused and extorted." Highlighting the need for regional development, Shafiqur said, "It is astonishing that even after 54 years, there has been no significant development in Rangpur. The northern region is the country's granary. Still, there has been no improvement in the lives of the farmers who produce the crops," quoted by the Daily Star. He promised, "If Jamaat comes to power, effective measures will be taken to ensure that farmers receive fair prices for their produce." Shafiqur Rahman also stressed the importance of water projects, saying "If Jamaat comes to power, the first and most important task will be the implementation of the Teesta project. If the Teesta can be saved, the northern region will survive." (ANI)
US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) slammed Canada for rejecting his proposed "Golden Dome" missile defence project over Greenland, warning that Beijing could "eat them up" within a year as the northern neighbour chooses closer ties with China over US-backed security. https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/115946254061477406 On Truth Social, Trump wrote, "Canada is against The Golden Dome being built over Greenland, even though The Golden Dome would protect Canada. Instead, they voted in favour of doing business with China, who will 'eat them up' within the first year!" Trump's outburst comes amid escalating tensions between the US and its northern neighbour, following recent remarks by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. On Wednesday, during his address at the 56th Annual Summit of the WEF, Trump criticised Carney, asserting that Canada should be more "grateful" to the US for the "freebies" it receives, including security protections. "Canada gets a lot of freebies from us, by the way. They should also be grateful, but they're not. I saw your Prime Minister yesterday; he wasn't so grateful. They should be grateful to us," Trump said, adding that his plan to build a "Golden Dome" missile defence system will also provide protection to Canada. "Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements," Trump said, underscoring the strategic and security role of the US in protecting its northern neighbour. Trump's remarks were aimed at Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who, in his WEF address, highlighted "an era of great power rivalry, where the rules-based order is fading," and also opposed tariff coercion, in a veiled reference to Washington's use of the financial tool to acquire Greenland. On January 17, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a new trade agreement with China. Carney said that the deal would open markets for Canadian businesses and workers. In a post on 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." In a statement by the Canadian Prime Minister's Office said, "In a more divided and uncertain world, Canada is building a stronger, more independent, and more resilient economy. To that end, Canada's new government is working with urgency and determination to diversify trade partnerships and catalyse massive new levels of investment. As the world's second-largest economy, China presents enormous opportunities for Canada in this mission." Canada has agreed to cut its 100 per cent tariff on Chinese electric cars in return for lower tariffs on Canadian farm products, CBS News reported. Carney said there would be an initial annual cap of 49,000 vehicles on Chinese EV exports to Canada, growing to about 70,000 over five years. China will reduce its total tariff on canola seeds, a major Canadian export, from 84 per cent to about 15 per cent, as per CBS News. Carney said China has become a more predictable partner to deal with than the US. "Our relationship has progressed in recent months with China. It is more predictable and you see results coming from that," Carney said, as quoted by CBS News. Canada faces 35 per cent levy on its goods. Canada is affected by the blanket 50 per cent levy on imported metals and 25 per cent on non-US automobiles. Meanwhile, China and US arm-twisted each other with threats of 100 per cent tariffs but after US President Donald Trump and Xi Jinping's meeting, the tariffs were exempted on a portion of Chinese products until November 10, 2026. (ANI)
OSAKA, Jan 23 (News On Japan) - A large-scale AI data center has begun operating on the site of a former factory in Sakai, Osaka, raising expectations that artificial intelligence will become even more embedded in everyday life while also highlighting the growing battle for dominance in AI infrastructure and its potential impact on Japans economy.

The location was once a plant that produced televisions, long regarded as one of Japans flagship industries, but has now been transformed into KDDIs next-generation data center equipped for advanced AI processing.

Rows of server racks fill the facility, with Atsushi Sakurai, head of KDDIs Service Platform Planning Office, explaining that the servers installed there are dedicated to AI computation. Sakurai said that in terms of processing power, a single rack can handle computing capacity thousands of times greater than a typical home PC.

At the center are Nvidias latest GPUs, high-performance image processing semiconductors widely used for developing AI models and running the systems that generate responses when users submit inquiries. Sakurai said GPU servers play a key role both in building AI foundations and in handling real-time AI processing.

However, he also pointed to challenges involved in operating AI data centers at scale, particularly the heat generated when large numbers of servers are packed into a confined space. The facility must remove massive amounts of heat, and cooling the servers requires substantial electricity.

Heat released during the cooling process can be seen on the rooftop, where some of it is emitted as water vapor. KDDI said the center consumes power equivalent to around 12,000 households when operating at full capacity, but it has still reduced electricity usage by roughly 60% compared with previous approaches, while also relying on renewable energy-based electricity to curb rising power demand.

KDDI plans to use the facility to support drug development and manufacturing operations, as well as to help advance the development of domestically produced AI.

KDDI President Hiromichi Matsuda said AI agents are expected to increasingly become part of corporate labor forces, reinforcing the belief that AI will reshape how businesses operate.

With a former television factory now repurposed into an AI data center, the transition from one leading industry to another is being closely watched as a test of whether Japans next growth driver can help lift the broader economy.

Source: TBS
Carriers and border controls increasingly prioritize clear right-of-entry proof over convenience travel choices

WASHINGTON, DC

The most common misconception among dual nationals is that citizenship status automatically solves travel friction. In 2026, that assumption is being tested by the operational realities of modern border security. For British citizens who hold another nationality, the challenge is rarely a courtroom dispute about rights. It is a frontline admissibility decision, often made first by an airline agent who is incentivized to avoid liability, disruption, and fines.

This shift is not driven by a sudden reversal of the UKs acceptance of dual nationality. It is driven by how modern borders operate. A passport is no longer treated as a standalone object. It is treated as a credential that must fit into a larger identity workflow that begins before the traveler reaches an officer. The UKs move toward more digital permissions and pre-departure screening has made document clarity the fastest path through the system. The same shift has made ambiguity more expensive.

For many British dual nationals, the friction appears in a familiar place, the check-in desk. The traveler who presents a non-UK passport may assume the rest can be explained later. In the current environment, later may never arrive. If the carrier cannot quickly confirm a clear right of entry, it often defaults to caution. That caution can mean denied boarding, delayed boarding while additional checks are performed, or a demand for standardized proof that fits the carriers workflow.

A second reality is that this is tightening on a timetable. The UK is moving from a transitional tolerance period to stricter enforcement of digital travel authorization requirements for visa-exempt visitors. For dual nationals, that digital framework creates a blunt operational rule: British and Irish dual citizens generally cannot rely on an electronic travel authorization as a workaround. The system expects them to evidence their status as citizens, not as visitors.

Why the airline check now matters as much as the border booth

In a high-security environment, the first gate is frequently the carrier. Airlines are not adjudicating citizenship in a legal sense, but they are making an admissibility risk decision in real time. Carriers face practical penalties when passengers are transported without appropriate documentation, and those incentives shape frontline outcomes.

In practice, the airline is asking a simple question: can this traveler be boarded with confidence that the UK will accept them on arrival? If the traveler presents a foreign passport, the carrier must determine whether the passenger needs a visa, a travel authorization, or other authorization. Even if a traveler is in fact British, the carriers system may still fail to recognize that entitlement if the traveler does not present the appropriate UK evidence.

The carriers logic is operational rather than personal. The agent is guided by checklists, automated document checks, and airline policies designed to prevent problems at the destination. When a traveler arrives with explanations instead of standardized proof, the workflow slows down. In security environments, slowing down tends to increase scrutiny. The traveler experiences that as skepticism. The system experiences it as a risk management issue.

For British dual nationals, this is the core change in 2026. The border is not only a booth. The border is an ecosystem, and the ecosystem begins before departure. A traveler who expects the UK Border Force officer to resolve ambiguities may not reach that officer if the carrier refuses boarding.

The rule that feels new to travelers is therefore less about citizenship doctrine and more about travel operations. The UK is increasingly expecting its citizens to travel as citizens, and carriers are increasingly required to enforce that expectation in pre-departure checks.

What changes on February 25, 2026, and why that date matters

A key point for British dual nationals living abroad is that Feb. 25, 2026, marks a practical shift in enforcement. Transitional arrangements that allowed many dual nationals to travel using a non-UK passport in some circumstances are being narrowed. The deadline is tied to the expansion of the UKs Electronic Travel Authorisation system for visa-exempt travelers, which increases pressure on airlines to make clear, standardized permission decisions before boarding.

This matters because many dual nationals have historically traveled on the passport that was most convenient at the moment. Convenience might have meant a passport that was in date, matched a booking profile, or was physically available while the UK passport was being renewed. Under tighter enforcement, those convenience choices can produce a failure at check-in.

Dual nationals can also run into a procedural dead end. If the traveler is British, they typically cannot obtain an electronic travel authorization intended for visitors. If the traveler is not carrying proof of British status that meets the UKs workflows, the carrier may see a passenger who cannot be processed as a visitor or confirmed as a citizen. That ambiguity is where friction lives.

The practical effect is that British dual nationals are being pushed toward one of two clean outcomes. Travel on a valid British passport, or travel with a non-UK passport that contains a recognized form of right-of-abode proof where applicable. Anything else is increasingly treated as an avoidable risk.

Common points of friction for British dual nationals

The friction points are predictable, and most are administrative rather than suspicious.

Expired or unavailable UK passport

The most common problem is simple: the travelers British passport has expired, is lost, is in the process of renewal, or is stored elsewhere. A traveler may still be British, but the system needs proof that fits a workflow. Without it, the traveler can be treated as a visitor, and if the visitor pathway is unavailable due to citizenship status, processing becomes more difficult.

Name differences across passports

Name mismatches remain among the most frequent triggers of delay. Many lawful dual nationals have differences caused by marriage, divorce, diacritics, transliteration, surname order, or inconsistent historical civil registry entries. Human beings can understand those differences. Automated tools often treat them as ambiguous. Ambiguity invites manual review, and manual review invites delay.

Unclear right-of-entry proof in a foreign passport

Some travelers have a legal right of abode but do not hold a current UK passport. In those cases, a certificate of entitlement in a valid foreign passport can function as standardized proof. The friction arises when the traveler has an entitlement but does not have the recognized documentary form endorsed in the passport being used for travel.

Booking and profile mismatches

Airline systems rely on structured data. If the booking name does not exactly match the passport presented at check-in, the airline may require re-ticketing or additional checks. A traveler with a frequent flyer profile under one passport who presents a different passport can trigger internal controls. None of this proves wrongdoing. It proves inconsistency, and inconsistency is what modern workflows are built to interrogate.

Travel patterns that look fragmented

Dual nationals who switch passports across trips can fragment travel histories across different identity records. That fragmentation can trigger additional questioning or more frequent secondary inspection, especially when combined with name differences or unusual itineraries.

Reliance on informal proof

Another recurring problem is reliance on evidence meaningful to the traveler but that does not fit standardized workflows. Screenshots of old documents, photocopies without certification, or verbal explanations about citizenship status are not designed for airline decision-making. Carriers generally need a document that can be checked quickly and defended internally if the boarding decision is later questioned.

In 2026, context is not assumed. It is proven, and the evidence is documented.

The right-of-abode proof problem that catches people off guard

There is a category of British status that often confuses travelers: the difference between being British, having the right of abode, and being treated as a visitor for travel purposes. Many travelers in Commonwealth countries have family histories that raise questions about entitlement. Some people are British citizens and should travel on a UK passport. Others have right-of-abode status, which can be evidenced by a certificate of entitlement endorsed in a foreign passport. The system expects the traveler to present the correct document for their status.

In practice, travelers often discover this distinction only when the airline asks for proof that the traveler cannot provide at the counter. The traveler may be legally entitled to enter the UK, yet still be denied boarding because the carrier cannot verify that entitlement through the documents presented.

The key operational point is that the carrier needs something that can be checked. A valid UK passport describing the holder as a British citizen is checkable. A certificate of entitlement endorsed in a valid passport is checkable. A story about why the traveler should be allowed in is not checkable, at least not in a way that fits airline liability controls.

This is why some dual nationals experience the process as arbitrary. The underlying rule is consistent. The practical enforcement depends on whether the traveler arrives with standardized, workflow-compatible proof.

Why I will sort it out at the border is a riskier plan in 2026

Many experienced travelers have relied on improvisation. If something goes wrong, they will explain it at the border, present supporting evidence, and rely on their discretion. In 2026, that strategy is less reliable for a simple reason: the airline can stop the journey before it begins.

Once an airline refuses boarding, the travelers options shrink. Rebooking can be expensive. Emergency documentation can be difficult to obtain quickly. Travel plans can collapse, and the traveler can be stuck negotiating with an airline operating under a compliance and liability framework rather than as a customer service concession.

Even if the traveler boards, the next stage can still carry friction. Border processes increasingly operate with prior data and internal record history. A traveler who has been delayed before may face repeated delays. A traveler who frequently changes identity presentation may be more likely to be questioned. In a digital environment, friction can become sticky.

What a compliance-forward travel posture looks like

The solution is not secrecy. It is clarity.

Maintain current passports

For most British dual nationals, the lowest-risk posture is to keep the UK passport current and physically available for travel. This is not only about the UKs expectations. It is about the carriers ability to process the traveler quickly with minimal ambiguity.

Enter the UK as a British citizen

Where possible, travel to the UK as a British citizen using a valid British passport. This aligns the travelers status with the systems expectations, reducing the need for explanation.

Carry a clean name-change trail

If names differ across passports, maintain certified evidence that links old and new identities. This often includes marriage certificates, divorce decrees, deed polls, or other legal instruments, depending on the jurisdiction. The goal is to show a standardized bridge between names without relying on narrative persuasion.

Standardize bookings to the passport used

Airline bookings should match the passport presented. That includes exact spelling and name order. Where a traveler has multiple passports, the traveler should avoid switching at check-in and instead align the booking to the passport they intend to use.

Avoid casual passport rotation

Switching passports can be lawful, but casual rotation can fragment records. In a tightening environment, consistency tends to reduce friction. For British dual nationals, the UK leg of travel is typically where consistency matters most.

Be realistic about urgent travel

If urgent travel is required and the UK passport is unavailable, the traveler should expect extra steps. Emergency travel documents may exist in some circumstances, but urgent solutions are not always available, and they may not fit airline workflows as smoothly as a full passport.

Build a travel-ready documentation packet

For high-frequency travelers, keeping a small, organized packet of certified supporting documents can reduce friction. The packet should be designed for presentation, not for storytelling. It should include documents explaining name changes and proof of right of entry in a standardized format.

The central operational question in 2026 is simple: Is this person who they say they are, and can the system confirm it fast? A dual citizen who can answer those questions with documents, not narratives, will typically experience less friction.

How digital permissions reshape dual citizen behavior

The UKs expansion of electronic travel authorization requirements for visa-exempt travelers is primarily aimed at visitors, not citizens. Yet the system changes the environment for citizens by sharpening criminal checks. If visitors must have a digital authorization, airlines must check for it. That creates a structured decision tree at the counter. Where a traveler is a British dual national, the traveler generally cannot use the visitor authorization route. The traveler must use the citizen route. The citizen route requires citizen proof.

This is where dual nationals are sometimes surprised. They assume dual nationality provides more options. Operationally, it can provide fewer. The visitor pathway becomes closed because the traveler is a citizen. The citizen pathway becomes mandatory because the traveler is a citizen. That citizen pathway can be frictionless when the traveler presents a valid UK passport. It can be high-friction when the traveler does not.

In effect, digital permissions reduce the space for informal exceptions. They encourage standardized decisions. Standardized decisions are efficient when the travelers documents align. They are harsh when the traveler expects flexibility.

The difference between lawful dual citizenship and identity inconsistency

A tightening border environment tends to blur distinctions that matter to travelers. Dual citizenship is lawful. Holding two passports is lawful. Traveling with the wrong passport is not necessarily unlawful in a moral sense, but it can be operationally problematic if it creates inconsistencies that the system is designed to treat as risk.

The key issue in 2026 is identity consistency. Systems are built to connect identity data across travel history, carrier submissions, and document verification checks. When those systems cannot connect records cleanly, they treat that as an anomaly. An anomaly triggers manual review. Manual review triggers a delay.

For the overwhelming majority of British dual nationals, the problem is not enforcement in the criminal sense. It is enforcement in the operational sense. Rules are applied through automated checks, carrier policies, and standardized workflows. That is why the story feels like higher friction rather than new laws.

Where friction can escalate into persistent scrutiny

Most delays end as delays. Still, there are circumstances where repeated inconsistencies can create a longer-term profile that travels with the person.

Repeated secondary screening

A traveler who frequently triggers manual review may be routed to secondary inspection more often, even if each instance ends without incident.

Carrier profile flags

Airline systems can record prior document issues, denied boarding events, or internal notes that lead to higher friction in future check-ins.

Increased questioning about residence and intent

A dual national living abroad may be asked to explain their residence history, travel purpose, and identity differences, especially if records appear fragmented.

Knock-on effects for family travel

Families traveling together can be affected by a single persons documentation issue, particularly when minors have different passports or name formats.

These are not punishments. They are consequences of how risk systems handle ambiguity. The best mitigation is consistency and preparation.

Practical scenarios British dual nationals face in 2026

The renewal timing trap

A traveler books a flight while the UK passport is valid, then sends it for renewal, then travels using the foreign passport, assuming citizenship will be enough. At check-in, the carrier asks for proof that fits the citizens route. The traveler cannot provide it. The result can be denied boarding and a scramble for emergency documentation.

The marriage name mismatch

A travelers foreign passport reflects a married name. The UK passport reflects a maiden name. The booking is made in the married name. The traveler presents the UK passport, and a mismatch appears. The traveler has a marriage certificate, but it is not certified or translated, or it is stored digitally in a way the airline will not accept. The check-in process slows. The traveler risks missing the flight.

The inherited status confusion

A traveler believes they have British status through a parent or grandparent and has traveled previously without issue. In 2026, the airline asks for standardized proof. The traveler does not have a UK passport or a certificate of entitlement in a foreign passport. The traveler may be legally entitled to enter the UK in the long run, but the outcome on the day of travel becomes uncertain.

The frequent flyer profile mismatch

A travelers airline profile is built around the format of the foreign passport and identity. The traveler attempts to switch to the UK passport at check-in due to tightening rules. The profile does not align. The agent must manually reconcile details. The traveler experiences delay and frustration that feels avoidable.

These scenarios share a theme. They are not legal disputes. They are workflow failures.

A border strategy that respects both rights and reality

British dual nationals do not need to abandon the benefits of dual citizenship. They need to treat travel as a compliance process, not a negotiation. That mindset shift is what reduces friction.

Use the UK passport for the UK journey

For the UK leg of travel, choose the document that the system expects. This is typically the UK passport for British citizens.

Keep a coherent identity record trail

Align names across documents where possible. When alignment is not possible due to local rules, ensure the bridging evidence is clear, certified, and accessible.

Think like a carrier, not only a traveler

Ask what the airline needs to see to board you confidently. If the answer is a UK passport, treat that as the baseline requirement rather than a suggestion.

Treat document gaps as problems to solve before travel

Name differences, expired passports, and unclear proof of right of entry do not improve under time pressure. They improve with preparation.

Respect the February enforcement shift

As February 25, 2026, approaches, dual nationals who have relied on flexibility should assume the environment becomes less forgiving. Travelers who plan for that reality will likely experience fewer surprises.

The goal is not to create bureaucracy. The goal is to remove ambiguity. Borders in 2026 are optimized for speed when the traveler is legible. They are optimized for delay when the traveler is not.

Amicus International Consultings professional services

Amicus International Consulting provides compliance-forward advisory services for lawful identity continuity planning, document readiness, and cross-border risk management in relocation and multi-jurisdiction residency matters.

Amicus International Consulting

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Bethenny Frankel has been diagnosed with stage two chronic kidney disease.

Bethenny Frankel /  TikTok

The Real Housewives of New York alum - who was struck down with skin inflammation while on holiday in Saint Barthelemy over New Year's - shared that her kidneys have mild damage and are not working as well as normal in a candid video shared to social media on Thursday (22.01.26).

Bethenny, 55, said: "So I have a medical announcement, not because I want you to worry, because I want you to take precautions in your own life, be mindful.

"Months ago, I decided that I was going to be very proactive about blood tests, bone density, all the things I had heard people talking about, and I started to take a series of blood tests. And each time, my kidney function was coming up low."

The reality TV star admitted she "didn't want to go" to her "doctor's appointment with a kidney specialist" on Thursday, but her team encouraged her to attend.

Bethenny then got told she has stage two chronic kidney disease.

She added: "And he said it could be a function of this traumatic experience I had years ago, and I almost died from an allergy attack. It could have done damage to the kidney.

"'It could be autoimmune. It's connected to urinary, which I do get UTI, not as much anymore."

The founder-and-CEO of lifestyle brand, Skinnygirl, admitted that she does not drink a lot of water - but has to now drink "a litre and a half a day" because it's her "medicine".

The doctor also told Bethenny that she can "put her hydration packets" in the water, but added that she "can't have ibuprofen or Aleve or Advil", but she can have Tylenol.

Bethenny added that she "can't have turmeric and one other thing" as she tucked into a scoop of ice cream, which the doctor said she can have.

The media personality then told her fans she has low blood pressure and has problems with POTS (Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome).

POTS is "a condition that causes a number of symptoms when you transition from lying down to standing up, such as a fast heart rate, dizziness and fatigue", according to Cleveland Clinic.

Bethenny said: "Then you're going to keep getting it tested. I've a very low blood pressure. My blood pressure today was, I think, 8/60. That's always been the case.

"I have had issues with POTS after the vaccine. Some of us discussed that. I have severe dehydration. So I'm trying to tell him everything so we can sort of try to be ahead of it and maybe get my levels back up. Maybe this is something I have to deal with forever."

The mom-of-one - daughter Bryn, 15, whom she has with her 55-year-old ex-husband, TV personality Jason Hoppy - then urged her supporters to "go get all your blood work done".

Bethenny added: "All of it, be thorough ,and then do the follow-ups for anything that seems like an outlier, and frankly, get your blood work done, maybe six months, and then six months later, because different stuff could come up, and sometimes it's an aberration, and sometimes it means something.

"In this case, it was a pattern, and I don't know exactly what it means. Many of you will, which is also why I'm sharing with you, because you guys are part-time doctors, and I love you guys, and I don't know. Bye."
Morocco and Ethiopia have strengthened their cooperation in the religious field through the signing of two agreements.

0The first agreement, which received the approval of King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, aims to train 200 Ethiopian imams at the Mohammed VI Institute for the Training of Imams, Morchidines, and Morchidates in Rabat over a period of five years. The training uses a rigorous scientific and pedagogical approach aimed at establishing moderation and balance, strengthening spiritual security, and spreading the values promoted by Islam.

The second agreement, a memorandum of understanding, aims at exchanging experiences and expertise in the field of religious affairs management and continuing education, and strengthening cooperation between the ulema of both countries, through the Mohammed VI Foundation of African Ulema and Ethiopias Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs. The MoU seeks to unify Ulemas efforts and disseminate the values of tolerance and coexistence.

The signing of these two agreements reflects the depth of the religious and scientific ties between the two countries.

In this context, Sheikh Haji Ibrahim Tufa, President of Ethiopias Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, highlighted the leading role played by the Kingdom, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, in serving the Islamic religion and strengthening African cooperation based on science, wisdom, unity, and shared values.

He noted that the Mohammed VI Foundation of African Ulema has become a genuine scientific and spiritual reference on the African continent.

For his part, Mohamed Rifki, Secretary General of the Mohammed VI Foundation of African Ulema, noted that the signing of these two agreements is part of efforts to strengthen religious and scientific cooperation between Morocco and Ethiopia, and is in line with the vision of King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful.

As for the memorandum of understanding, it will enable 60 Ethiopian executives to benefit from comprehensive training in Morocco in two phases and to learn about the experience accumulated by the Kingdom of Morocco over more than 13 centuries in the religious field, he added.
Italy has expressed readiness to train Libyan police as part of efforts to curb illegal migration and combat human trafficking, amid a sharp rise in migrants arriving on Italian shores from Libya. Italys Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the proposal was discussed with Libyas Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah during recent talks in Misrata, highlighting cooperation on migration, security risks and regional instability.

Tajani revealed that Italy recorded 58,408 migrants arriving from Libya last year, a 38 percent increase from 42,279 in 2024, accounting for 88 percent of all sea arrivals to the country. He also cited conflicts in sub-Saharan Africa and Sudan as key drivers of migration flows.

The Italian minister stressed that stability in Libya is crucial to tackling migration and supporting economic activity, while noting continued cooperation between the two countries. The talks coincided with the signing of a strategic partnership agreement involving Libyan, Qatari, Italian and Swiss companies to expand the Misrata Free Zone Port terminal.
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This week, due to the coldest temperatures of the year so far, I woke up to no running water and successfully thawed our homes frozen pipes with a space heater (please call a professional if this is actually happening to you). This weekend isnt supposed to be any warmer: a major winter storm is hitting the East Coast, and it looks like New York may get up to a foot of snow. If the impending cold weather is on your mind (or perhaps youre feeling ill-prepared), Ive rounded up especially warm clothing and gear, plus more items to get through this whiteout and the frigidly cold temperatures that will likely linger into next week. Most items below should arrive in time if you order soon, but remember the snowstorm may impact delivery times, so be sure to double-check as you place an order.

Womens cold-weather clothes From thermal base layers to waterproof boots, heres an assortment of reliable pieces that will keep you toasty if youre venturing out into the cold.

Mens cold-weather clothes Im a big fan of Yaktrax for icy sidewalks, and I also spotted our favorite affordable winter gloves for men. The best feature is the stretchy wrist Velcro strap, which makes getting them on and off a breeze, says our associate editor Jeremy Rellosa.

Kids cold-weather clothes Kamiks snow boots are a popular choice by several parents for chilly outdoor activities. There are also the 7AM Enfant scooter muffs, which will allow your kid to ride their scooter or bike outside (but only if the sidewalks are plowed).

Outdoor toys I grew up in Minnesota and have the fondest memories of playing outside on snow days with my siblings. If youre planning to get outside with your kids, consider these snow-ready toys, including a pack of snowball-makers and shovels for building a snow fort.

Indoor games and puzzles To pass the time indoors, Ive picked out a range of puzzles and games, including a 3-D plastic vase puzzle. Its less a puzzle than a feat of engineering, and getting the curved pieces to hang together was a challenge, says contributor Leah Finnegan. Still, its kind of cute.

Emergency items Given that it is the dead of winter, you may need to have some emergency gadgets on hand, such as a solar generator, a heated blanket, or a flashlight. And of course, Im going to recommend a space heater, especially if the heating in your apartment building isnt up to snuff.

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The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
8 items in this article 8 items on sale! Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers

In late December last year, the publication and retailer Food52 filed for bankruptcy. The company was acquired by private-equity firm the Chernin Group in 2019 and became one of several brands involved in the firms ill-fated strategy of merging e-commerce and outlets with niche, loyal audiences. In 2021, amid a COVID-era boom, the company acquired Portland, Oregonbased home-goods store Schoolhouse and Scandi cookware brand Dansk; now that the boom is over, the parent company is selling for $6.5 million to Americas Test Kitchen, and its unclear what will happen to either acquisition.

Most of Schoolhouses staff were laid off last month, and from its website, it seems like the store is unloading most of its stock. Everything is on steep sale, up to 70 percent off, but many popular items  the brands Stillwater quilts and Teig lamps  redirect to 404 pages with no indication that theyll return. Ive gone through the remaining items to find the best bets, including bedding, rugs, and elegant chrome hardware. RIP to another beloved brand.

Saved View Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale. Yes New! You can now save this product for later. Velvet + Wool Circle Pillow $59 $59 A pretty two-tone cotton velvet and wool pillow for just $18  $59 at Schoolhouse Buy

Saved View Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale. Yes New! You can now save this product for later. Schoolhouse Velvet Piped Pillow $99 $99  And a longer piped bolster pillow in burgundy or pumpkin velvet (cover only, no insert) for $59. $99 at Schoolhouse Buy

Saved View Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale. Yes New! You can now save this product for later. Schoolhouse Remy Pull From $29 From $29 Cute chrome drawer pulls that remind me of vintage Hewi hardware. (They also come in bronze, black, brown, and green.) From $29 at Schoolhouse Buy

Saved View Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale. Yes New! You can now save this product for later. Schoolhouse Andy Stool $499 $499 A diner-esque stool with a powder-coated steel base for your breakfast nook. $499 at Schoolhouse Buy

Saved View Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale. Yes New! You can now save this product for later. Schoolhouse Forma Rectangle Mirror $749 $749 Take 70 percent off a large vanity mirror with a chubby black frame. $749 at Schoolhouse Buy

Saved View Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale. Yes New! You can now save this product for later. Schoolhouse Paper Flower Duvet Cover - Full/Queen $249 $249 Lots of bedding is on sale, albeit in limited sizes, like this flower-print duvet cover, which is still available in queen/full. $249 at Schoolhouse Buy

Saved View Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale. Yes New! You can now save this product for later. Schoolhouse Channeled Cotton Quilt - King $349 $349 A brick-red cotton quilt for a king-size bed. $349 at Schoolhouse Buy

Saved View Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale. Yes New! You can now save this product for later. Schoolhouse Linen Shower Curtain $129 $129 If youre in the market for a linen shower curtain, nows your moment. (This one also comes in a pretty eucalyptus green.) $129 at Schoolhouse Buy

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The total number of active drilling rigs for oil and gas in the United States rose by 1 this week, according to new data that Baker Hughes published on Friday, bringing the total rig count in the US to 544 this week, down 32 from this same time last year.

The number of active oil rigs rose by 1 for the second week in a row during the latest reporting period, according to the data. Oil rigs are now at 411, which is 61 below this same time last year. The number of gas rigs stayed the same at 122, which is 23 more than this time last year. The miscellaneous rig count stayed at 11.

The latest EIA data showed that weekly U.S. crude oil production fell by another 21,000 bpd in the week ending January 16 to 13.732 million bpd on average, 131,000 bpd under the all-time high.

Primary Visions Frac Spread Count, an estimate of the number of crews completing wells, rose for the second week in a row during week ending January 16, gaining 4 to reach 160. This is 28 under the same time last year.

The number of active drilling rigs in the Permian Basin was unchanged at 244, which is 54 rigs under year-ago levels. The count in the Eagle Ford held steady at 40, which is 5 fewer than this same time last year.

Oil prices were trading higher on the day prior to the data release. Brent futures are trading at $65.80 per barrel (+2.72%). WTI was trading up $1.60 per barrel at $60.97.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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As U.S. shale production plateaus, Americas frackers are looking at opportunities abroad to tap new growth markets and develop emerging shale basins overseas, leveraging two decades of experience and technological innovation.

Opportunities aboundfrom Argentina to Australiaas oil and gas-producing nations look to unlock unconventional resources to increase domestic output and boost energy security.

U.S. expertise is the best chance these countries have to develop their shale industries, and American producers and oilfield service providers are seizing the opportunity.

U.S. Frackers Export Expertise

American shale drillers and producers are exporting expertise and experience to various projects in South America, the Middle East, and Australia, in search of growth opportunities beyond U.S. shale.

Americas crude oil production is set to plateau as the slowdown in drilling activity will outpace increases in drilling productivity, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said in its latest Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO) this month.

After reaching an annual record of 13.6 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2025, U.S. crude oil production will decrease this year and next, by less than 1% in 2026 and by 2% in 2027, the EIA reckons.

Low oil prices have already forced oil tycoon and wildcatter Harold Hamm to cease drilling operations in North Dakota for the first time in decades.

But the company Hamm founded, Continental Resources, is now looking to expand its unconventional field drilling in Turkey and Argentina.

Continental Resources said in March it had executed a Joint Venture Agreement to commence the commercial development of unconventional oil and gas resources in the Diyarbakir Basin of Southeast Turkey and the Thrace Basin of northwest Turkey.

Early evaluations suggest the Ultimate Recoverable Reserves could reach 6 billion barrels of oil and 12-20 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of gas in the Diyarbakir Basin, and 20-45 TCF in the Thrace Basin, Continental Resources said.

By harnessing the success pioneered by the American independent petroleum industry, this collaboration will allow for the rapid development of Turkiyes unconventional resources and pave the way for an Energy Renaissance, the largest private oil and gas producer in the United States said.

Continental Resources has also just expanded its position in Argentinas top shale play, Vaca Muerta, where oil and gas production is booming, thanks to frackinig technology and business-friendly policies under Argentinian President Javier Milei.

Vaca Muerta is one of the most compelling shale plays in the world, and we're thrilled to continue to invest in Argentina and build Continental's position through this agreement with Pan American Energy, Doug Lawler, president and CEO of Continental Resources, said.

In the Beetaloo Basin in Australias Northern Territory, Liberty Energythe U.S. shale firm founded by now U.S. Secretary of Energy, Chris Wrighthas provided modern stimulation equipment for the successful drilling of Tamboran Resources shale gas drilling program, the largest in the basin.

Americans will need to explore outside of America in the next three to five years and use their expertise to develop new shale basins, Bryan Sheffield, the biggest shareholder of Tamboran Resources and son of Pioneer Resources founder Scott Sheffield, told the Financial Times.

In the Middle East, Abu Dhabis oil and gas giant ADNOC has drilled some horizontal wells and tested oil to the surface at a shale play in the United Arab Emirates operated by EOG Resources.

EOG is looking to develop shale resources in the UAEs oil play, as well as a shale gas play in Bahrain, where the U.S. firm has signed a strategic exploration agreement with the national energy firm BAPCO.

The worlds top crude oil exporter, Saudi Arabia, is developing Jafurah, the largest unconventional gas field in the Kingdom and the biggest shale field outside the United States, estimated to cost $100 billion to develop.

The Kingdom has launched production at Jafurah, the Saudi Finance Ministry said in the 2026 Budget announcement at the end of 2025.

Around that time, Saudi oil giant Aramco awarded SLB, the worlds largest oilfield services provider, a five-year contract to drive innovation in stimulation, intervention, digital and frac automation at the Kingdoms unconventional gas fields.

Growing Pains

There will be a period of growing pains that non-U.S. shale development will have to overcome. This was the case in Argentinas Vaca Muerta, which was slow to take off but is now setting production records and is set to boost output further.

We need to approach it with a completely different mindset, an executive with knowledge of EOGs partnership with ADNOC in the UAE told the Financial Times.

We need to carve out some time and allow a different way of running the business.

Despite challenges, including higher costs compared to the Permian in the United States, the opportunities for U.S. shale producers are enormous.

We take a long-term view of resource development, regardless of geography, Continentals CEO Lawler said early this month when the U.S. producer announced it is expanding its Vaca Muerta presence.

As I like to say, 'The rock doesn't know what country it's in.'

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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The Azerbaijani state energy company SOCAR has announced it is selling natural gas to Austria and Germany. But it remains an open question whether Baku can hit its promised target of delivering 20 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas to the European Union in the near future.

Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev, speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, said the new export arrangements bring to 16 the number of countries Azerbaijan supplies with gas, 10 of which are EU members.

Yet the announcement sheds little light on whether Baku remains on track to meet its 2022 commitment to double gas exports to the EU within the next few years to 20 bcm. The original target for fulfillment was 2027, though Azerbaijan has already rolled back on that date.

SOCAR released few details about the supply deals with Austria and Germany: it is uncertain, then, if Baku is increasing EU-bound gas exports or merely redirecting gas already being exported to new buyers. The company has stated only that deliveries will be made via the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), the westernmost section of the Southern Gas Corridor that carries Azerbaijani gas to Europe.

The Austrian/German supplies may be linked to a recent announcement by the TAP operating company that it expanded pipeline capacity by 1.2 bcm per year, starting this January. Similarly, the exports to Germany may be part of a deal with SEFE, a state-owned German energy entity, announced in mid-2025. Under the terms of that deal, SOCAR is supposed to supply up to 1.5 bcm per year for 10 years.

Neither SOCAR, SEFE, nor TAP have confirmed details of SOCARs new exports, while Baku has also been silent on the identity of the Austrian importer and the volume it will import.

This lack of transparency from Baku seems par for the course. The past year has seen a marked reduction in the amount and quality of energy news and data released by both Azerbaijan government agencies and energy companies operating there.

Azerbaijans Energy Ministry used to release regular monthly bulletins on oil & gas production and exports. But since April 2025 only three bulletins have been issued.

The most recent data, released January 12, shows that Azerbaijans overall annual gas production in 2025 was 51.5 bcm, up just 2.4 percent on 2024s total, and a far lower rate of growth than needed if Baku hopes to significantly expand exports to Europe. Azerbaijani exports to the EU actually declined slightly in 2025, totaling 12.8 bcm, a 1 percent drop over the previous years volume.

The most recent data raises concerns that Azerbaijan will not only have trouble meeting its EU commitment but also have enough gas to meet fast-growing domestic demand.

Most of Azerbaijans gas exports come from one field, the BP-operated Shah Deniz, production from which is currently being expanded via a second phase of development. However, BP has never confirmed the anticipated expanded rate of Shah Deniz production or disclosed how much gas it expects to produce from the deep gas reserves identified below its ACG oil field. Less than 18 months ago the company was happily trumpeting the ACG discovery, and less than three months ago confirming it expects production to start during the first half of 2026.

The only operator offering clearer targets has been TotalEnergies, whose Absheron field produced 1.6 bcm in 2025. A second phase of Absheron development is planned that could raise annual production to 6 bcm, if TotalEnergies agrees to make the necessary investment. To date an investment decision has not been announced.

The uncertainty about timelines has not stopped Baku from promising a large part of the extra Absheron output to Turkey. Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced January 4 that Ankara had agreed a new deal to take 2.25 bcm per year of gas starting in 2029. With Ankara keen to reduce dependence on Russian gas, the deal is good news for Turkey, assuming the planned expansion of the Absheron field goes ahead.

The lack of information on reserves and future production is matched by a lack of clarity over plans to expand the three pipelines that make up the Southern Gas Corridor. Azerbaijan needs the corridors overall volume to expand to facilitate any additional exports to the EU.

News of the expansion of the TAP pipeline to facilitate an overall export volume of 11.5 bcm per year does offer some limited confirmation of Azerbaijans commitment to boost exports to Europe. Still, TAPs current capacity falls far short of the routes maximum potential of 20 bcm per year, the same volume Baku promised to Europe back in 2022.

There is no indication about when or if investments will be forthcoming to expand TAP to its maximum capacity. The same holds true for the TANAP and the South Caucasus Pipeline (SCP). Both routes require new compressor stations, with the SCP also requiring the laying of an additional pipeline, to enable Baku to increase EU-bound annual exports to even 16 bcm.

By Eurasianet

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Chris Pratt nearly made Christo his stage name.

Actor Chris Pratt

The 46-year-old actor - born Christopher Michael Pratt - said the moniker would have paid tribute to when the P-H-E-R got rubbed off his Bubba Gump Shrimp Company employee tag.

Appearing on the latest episode of Josh Horowitzs Happy Sad Confused podcast, Chris - who worked as a waiter at the seafood chain's Maui, Hawaii, restaurant - revealed: "I was going to be Christo.

"I had a name tag that said 'Christopher' - but this is at a Bubba Gump Shrimp Company. But the P-H-E-R part got rubbed off, so it said Christo, and everyone called me Christo for a long time while I was working at Bubba Gump, high turnover rate, the new employees thought my name was Christo."

However, the Guardians of the Galaxy star's nickname did not catch on in Hollywood.

Chris - whose first professional role was 2000's short film Cursed Part 3, and came about after director Rae Dawn Chong, 64, discovered him at the restaurant - said: "As I navigated being discovered and brought to Los Angeles to follow my dreams, part of me thought in earnest, 'Maybe Id go by just Christo.'"

The Jurassic World actor then joked: "Its never too late."

Meanwhile, Chris insists artificial intelligence (AI) actors end his acting career, as he hit out against AI 'actress' Tilly Norwood.

The star - who has been acting professionally for over two decades - told Variety: "I don't feel like someone's going to replace me that's AI. This Tilly Norwood thing, I think it's all bulls***. I've never seen her in a movie, I don't know who this b**** is. It's all fake, until it's something."

In 2025, Tilly's creator, Eline van der Velden, insisted that it had not been designed to replace humans, but is "a piece of art".

She said: "To those who have expressed anger over the creation of my AI character, Tilly Norwood: she is not a replacement for a human being, but a creative work - a piece of art.

"Like many forms of art before her, she sparks conversation, and that in itself shows the power of creativity. I see AI not as a replacement for people, but as a new tool, a new paintbrush.

"Just as animation, puppetry, or CGI opened fresh possibilities without taking away from live acting, AI offers another way to imagine and build stories. Im an actor myself, and nothing - certainly not an AI character - can take away the craft or joy of human performance.

"Creating Tilly has been, for me, an act of imagination and craftsmanship, not unlike drawing a character, writing a role or shaping a performance.

"It takes time, skill, and iteration to bring such a character to life. She represents experimentation, not substitution. Much of my work has always been about holding up a mirror to society through satire, and this is no different."
The European Union has proposed sanctions against Iran's interior minister and 14 other senior officials for their role in a violent crackdown on nationwide protests that erupted in late December, documents obtained by RFE/RL show.

Protests erupted on December 28 over economic woes, including currency collapse, but morphed into anti-regime demonstrations that were met with lethal force.

The bloc's foreign ministers could adopt the measures, which include asset freezes and visa bans, when they meet in Brussels on January 29. All member states must vote in favor of the sanctions to be adopted.

The proposal, dated January 20 and circulated within the EU Council, targets Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, who oversees Iran's Law Enforcement Forces (LEF), and security units of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) that are blamed for hundreds of protester deaths.

Prosecutor-General Mohammad Movahedi-Azad faces designation for threatening demonstrators with death penalties on charges of "enmity against God" during the unrest.

Momeni, also deputy commander-in-chief, commanded forces that "suppressed street protests," which saw thousands of casualties, according to the EU document.

Regional IRGC commanders, including Heydar Olfati in Ilam Province and Ahmad Ali Feyzollahi of the IRGC Ground Forces elite Saberin Brigade, are accused of ordering troops to open fire on peaceful crowds.

The town of Malekshahi in the western Ilam Province experienced some of the deadliest clashes, with video footage documenting security forces firing at protesters in broad daylight.

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) says that as of January 22, it had verified 4,902 deaths, including 201 security forces, with more than 9,300 deaths still under investigation.

The proposed EU measures also hit six entities enabling repression, from the Iranian Audio-Visual Media Regulatory Authority (SATRA) for censoring dissent to tech firms Yaftar and Douran developing VPN blockers and facial recognition tools. The Working Group for Determining Instances of Criminal Content (WGDICC), a judicial body filtering and censoring Internet access, is also being targeted.

Iranians have been cut off from the outside world since January 8, when the authorities imposed a near-total nationwide Internet shutdown as the crackdown on protests intensified. It remains unclear when services will resume, but even when they do, experts fear the authorities will force Iranians to use a domestically designed "intranet" that works independently from the world's Internet.

IRGC Designation Unlikely

The proposed asset freezes and visa bans come as the bloc has been under pressure for years -- both externally and internally -- to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization. However, no such measure will likely be adopted next week.

Unanimity is needed to blacklist the elite force, which is deeply embedded in Iran's economy and drives the Islamic republic's regional policies. However, Italy, France, and Spain are the three countries in the 27-member bloc opposed to the designation and there is no indication they will shift their position.

Sanctions For Helping Russia

A separate proposal dated January 16 targets four individuals and six firms tied to Iran's ballistic missile and drone programs supplying Moscow.

The entities include Sahara Thunder and Khojir Missile Development and Production Complex.

The document describes Sahara Thunder as a Defense Ministry front company acting as an import-export cover to ship drones, components, and technology to Russia, receiving payments in return.

The Khojir complex, meanwhile, is involved in the production of Fath-360 close-range ballistic missiles allegedly sent to Russia, where troops are being trained to use them. It is managed jointly by the IRGC and Defense Ministry and builds solid-propellant missiles used against Ukrainian targets, according to the document.

By RFE/RL

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Markets are not reacting to where U.S. policy is headed; rather, they are reacting to how quickly U.S. policy positions are adopted, amplified, and then walked back, or even abandoned. With the Trump administration, the distance between escalation and reversal has shortened to a single news cycle, turning geopolitics into a source of short-term volatility where it would normally be a longer-term indication of direction. This weeks Greenland episode captured that dynamic in real time. Tariff threats surfaced, markets sold off, those threats were withdrawn, force was ruled out, and the conversation shifted to vague frameworks and processes. It was simply confirmation that U.S. policy tools are being wielded about hastily, quite loosely, and often without clear endpoints. Thats what markets are left trying to price. After backing away from tariffs, Trump also moved to dial down the most extreme escalation risk by saying he wasnt planning to take Greenland by military force, removing an immediate fear of a hard security shock, which helped stabilize markets already rattled by the tariff episode. Still, intent remains unclear, for all that it is being made up as we go along. Trump reiterated this week that the U.S. wants Greenland, but offered no explanation of how that would be pursued, over what timeframe, or through what legal or diplomatic mechanism. Markets can quickly price out the risk of military action (at least until its

Politics, Geopolitics & Conflict



Markets are not reacting to where U.S. policy is headed; rather, they are reacting to how quickly U.S. policy positions are adopted, amplified, and then walked back, or even abandoned. With the Trump administration, the distance between escalation and reversal has shortened to a single news cycle, turning geopolitics into a source of short-term volatility where it would normally be a longer-term indication of direction. This weeks Greenland episode captured that dynamic in real time. Tariff threats surfaced, markets sold off, those threats were withdrawn, force was ruled out, and the conversation shifted to vague frameworks and processes. It was simply confirmation that U.S. policy tools are being wielded about hastily, quite loosely, and often without clear endpoints. Thats what markets are left trying to price. After backing away from tariffs, Trump also moved to dial down the most extreme escalation risk by saying he wasnt planning to take Greenland by military force, removing an immediate fear of a hard security shock, which helped stabilize markets already rattled by the tariff episode. Still, intent remains unclear, for all that it is being made up as we go along. Trump reiterated this week that the U.S. wants Greenland, but offered no explanation of how that would be pursued, over what timeframe, or through what legal or diplomatic mechanism. Markets can quickly price out the risk of military action (at least until its brought up again), as opposed to prolonged ambiguity around influence, access, and long-term control.

Iran is weaker than it was a year ago, and the easing of immediate U.S. strike risk has not changed that. Trump stepping back from direct military action reduces the chance of a near-term escalation, but it does not relieve pressure on the system. Protests that began over economic conditions have spread and persisted, while the clerical leadership is still dealing with the fallout from last years confrontation with Israel and the loss of leverage through its regional proxies. The concern raised by Gulf officials and former U.S. intelligence analysts is straightforward: sustained external military pressure would be more likely to shift power inside the regime than to produce its collapse. In that scenario, authority would move toward the IRGC, which already controls most of the coercive tools and much of the economy. That would not look like regime change. It would look like a harder, more security-driven version of the same system.

In Yemen this week, a string of targeted attacks hit commanders operating in areas nominally under anti-Houthi control. A car bomb killed three people, and a separate attack on a military convoy killed several more. The targets were local security leaders, not civilians, and the incidents took place in zones described as stabilized. The attacks landed in areas where Saudi-backed and UAE-backed forces overlap, at a time when Saudi Arabia has been pushing more aggressively against Emirati-aligned structures in the south. Riyadh has grown less willing to manage differences quietly, and that shift is starting to show on the ground. Local commanders tied to competing sponsors are operating with weaker coordination and uneven protection.

In Venezuela this week, officials confirmed that about $300 million from crude sales authorized and administered under U.S. licenses has been transferred to Venezuelan banks. The funds come from oil exports carried out under U.S. oversight, with revenue flows structured to limit direct state discretion. Government officials defended the arrangement as necessary to support liquidity and stabilize parts of the financial system, even as they are forced to acknowledge that access to oil income remains conditional and monitored.

Deals, Mergers & Acquisitions

A Civitas Resources SEC filing said it was facing shareholder lawsuits tied to its pending merger with SM Energy. Plaintiffs allege that the joint proxy statement failed to fully disclose key deal details. Civitas has denied the claims but acknowledged in an SEC filing that it made supplemental disclosures related to the transaction. The lawsuits seek to block or alter the merger or recover damages, and are focused on the deal process rather than company operations. Civitas Resources says it intends to defend the transaction while moving the merger forward.

Cenovus Energy is weighing a potential sale of Alberta conventional oil and gas assets that could fetch more than $2 billion as it looks to cut debt after its MEG Energy acquisition. The $6.2 billion cash-and-stock takeover of MEG Energy was approved in November after Cenovus twice raised its offer, swelling its balance sheet in the process. Cenovus has sounded out buyers but may still opt to keep the assets, with no deal guaranteed. The company plans to lift 2026 output by about 4% to 945,000985,000 boe/d, with most growth and capex focused on oil sands projects including Christina Lake, Foster Creek, and West White Rose.

Aluminum Corporation of China (Chinalco), which owns 14.55% of Rio Tintos London-listed shares, is expected to support a potential takeover of Glencore, Bloomberg reported, citing sources. Rio and Glencore confirmed earlier this month that they are in preliminary talks over a possible combination that could involve an all-share acquisition of Glencore by Rio via a court-sanctioned scheme. The proposed tie-up would create a mining giant worth about $260B and would combine Rios iron ore with Glencores copper and global trading business. Any deal would require Chinese regulatory approval and could trigger asset sales to address Beijings concerns over copper market concentration.

Discovery & Development

USGS released a new assessment of the deep Woodford and Barnett shales in the Permian, estimating 28.3 Tcf of technically recoverable gas and 1.6 billion bbl of oil. The formations sit as deep as 20,000 feet, are hotter, more gas-prone, and more technically complex than the zones most Permian drilling targets today, leaving commercial viability uncertain. The update comes as shale activity slows, with WTI near $60, Texas rig counts down about 15% YTD, and global supply pressure building as OPEC+ restores output and the U.S. moves to sell roughly 50 million bbl of seized Venezuelan crude. Decline rates remain steep7090% within three years for shale wells.

The Philippines has made its first natural gas discovery in more than a decade after gas and condensate were found at the MAE-1 well near the Malampaya field off Palawan. Initial tests showed flows of about 60 MMcf/d, with an estimated 98 Bcf of gas in place, equivalent to roughly 14 billion kWh of power generation for one year. The well sits about 5 km east of the existing Malampaya gas field, the countrys only domestic gas source, and is operated by the Service Contract 38 consortium led by Prime Energy. The find comes as Manila works to cut coal reliance, extend Malampaya output beyond earlier 2027 depletion forecasts, and reduce dependence on LNG imports.

Var Energi raised recoverable estimates for its Zagato oil discovery in the Barents Sea to 2125 MMboe. Appraisal well test flows exceeded 4,000 bpd per interval, with oil quality comparable to the nearby Goliat field, where a tie-back to the existing FPSO is being planned. Including Zagato, the Goliat Ridge now holds an estimated 35138 MMboe of discovered resources, with total gross potential exceeding 200 MMboe.

Equinor (operator) and partners Petoro AS, ConocoPhillips Skandinavia, and Var Energi made a new oil discovery at the Othello South prospect in the Norwegian Sea after drilling wildcat well 6507/8-12 S, the first exploration well in license PL124 B, according to the Norwegian Offshore Directorate. The well encountered multiple oil-bearing sandstone layers in the Are Formation, confirming a 14-meter oil column with good to very good reservoir quality. No flow test was conducted. Preliminary estimates put recoverable resources at 0.152.0 million standard cubic meters, or roughly 0.9512.6 MMboe. The discovery sits about 4 km north of the producing Heidrun field and will be evaluated for potential tie-back development.

Houston-based Beacon Offshore Energy brought first oil onstream at its Zephyrus field in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico after the initial well began flowing in late December. Zephyrus sits in Mississippi Canyon Block 759 in 3,1003,600 feet of water and is tied back to Shells West Boreas subsea system, feeding the Olympus platform. A second well has reached TD at 26,270 feet with 116 net feet of oil pay, with production expected by the end of Q1. Partners in the project include Houston Energy, HEQ II, Red Willow Offshore, Westlawn Americas Offshore, and Murphy Oil, alongside operator Beacon Offshore Energy.
AGI is here, now.

Thats Sequoia Capital this week, one of Silicon Valleys most legendary venture firms and a major OpenAI investor, declaring weve crossed the threshold into artificial general intelligence.

Their post also proclaims, in big bold letters, that they are Blissfully Unencumbered by the Details. When Sequoia speaks, the tech world listens. This post has dominated conversations across the AI builder community for days.

As a builder, venture investor, and AI scientist myself, I find their proclamation both deeply useful and profoundly dangerous.

Heres whats useful

Sequoia offers a functional definition of AGI: the ability to figure things out. Thats it. AI can now crawl through information, determine a path forward, and execute. The key shift, as they frame it, is AI moving from talking to doing. Harvey and Legora function as associates, Juicebox functions as a recruiter, OpenEvidences Deep Consult functions as a specialist. Those are their exact phrases, and Im skeptical of the framing, but well get to that.

Theyre throwing down the gauntlet for builders, and this matters. AI systems can actually redline contracts now, genuinely reach out to prospects today. Its a reminder to think bigger about whats possible and that the horizon has expanded dramatically in just the last year.

I sent this post to my own co-founders, not to debate the philosophy, but I wanted to push us on Sequoias doing versus talking framework. We need to rise to this challenge ourselves.

However, calling these systems AGI is profoundly damaging, both to the credibility of the AI revolution and to its safe deployment. It obscures what AI agents can actually do today (hint: not general superintelligence) and offers zero guidance on how humans should interact with them (hint: dont trust them blindly).

Let me give three examples that expose these systems real limitations.

AI systems cannot handle out-of-distribution situations

I wrote about this in my last column, but the Greenland crisis offers a live, unfolding example. I tested how GenAI tools, such as ChatGPT 5.2 with maximum thinking and research mode, would analyze the situation. Could these supposedly AGI systems help me understand a fast-moving geopolitical event?

They couldnt even conceive of it happening.

I shared a screenshot of the Wikipedia page documenting the crisis. Every model told me it was fabricated, bullshit, impossible. When I pushed further, citing real news sources, ChatGPT kept telling me to relax  insisting this is not a real crisis. The models are so anchored in the traditional norms of the Western Alliance, the system simply cannot output context that contradicts its training data, even when confronted with primary sources.

AI thinking fails when the situation sits outside its training distribution: gaslighting users instead of escalating uncertainty, refuses humility and keeps reasoning even when its wrong. If policymakers or politicians are using these tools to understand Greenland right now, thats genuinely dangerous.

AI systems reflect the beliefs of their builders

A Nature article published two weeks ago showed exactly this. Researchers found that LLMs reflected the ideology of their creators. Mainland Chinese models were extremely favorable toward the PRC; Western models were deeply unfavorable.

Even within Western LLMs, the bias is stark. Grok (Elon Musks XAI model) showed negative bias toward the EU and multiculturalism, reflecting a right-wing agenda. Googles Gemini, perceived as more liberal, was more favorable toward both.

The AI community now accepts this as fact: LLMs mirror the ideology of their labs. So how can we trust an AI agent has a blank slate to figure something out? Especially when it must trawl through vast, nuanced data?

Claims of AGI assume neutrality; or at least it should. The evidence says otherwise.

Deterministic versus non-deterministic systems

GenAI is deeply non-deterministic. The same prompt can produce slightly different outputs or vastly different ones.

Humans intuitively understand what should be fixed versus creative. My shirt size when ordering online? Deterministic. The pattern I choose today? Creative preference. Even the latest, most powerful models blur this line constantly. Youve seen it: GenAI treating deterministic facts as speculative, creative inputs.

This reveals a critical gap in meta-cognition  awareness of the thinking process itself. Without distinguishing whats fixed from whats generative, AI cannot reliably figure things out.

So what do we do?

We have tools at our disposal. First, choose narrower use cases where bias and out-of-distribution events are less likely. Second, ensure AI has full, personalised context anchored in reality  not agents running wild without grounding. As Ive written before, context is king when it comes to AI agents. This also clarifies what should be deterministic versus generative. Third, deploy rules-based filters and observer agents that trigger human review when needed.

Finally, accept a fundamental truth: LLMs will always reflect their training data and their creators ideology. LLMs (and their creators) are political actors, whether they want to be or not. As such, AI should be controlled by individual human users, not a system done to humans. Provenance matters  tracing every decision back to a human, no matter how many steps removed, is essential for governance and safety.

At the end of the day, I dont care what we call it  just not AGI. What we have right now is generationally powerful: AI that can talk and act efficiently within narrow, well-defined frameworks. Guided by critical guardrails, deterministic filters, and human-in-the-loop processes, these systems will add trillions of dollars of value to our global economy.

Call it Artificial Narrow Intelligence. Thats the trillion-dollar opportunity available today.

By CityAM

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Russian diesel has moved from being the main bullish factor in global middle-distillate markets in 2025 to an overwhelmingly bearish force by early 2026, reversing a year-long surge in refining margins. The European diesel crack spread rose from $16.7/bbl in early January 2025 to $34.17/bbl in November as Russian supply  already structurally weakened since the start of the war  slid into acute shortage. That squeeze has now eased with the diesel crack spread averaging $21.7/bbl in January 2026. Refinery repairs, recovering runs and a rebound in diesel exports  which returned to around 900,000 b/d in December  have pushed Russian diesel back into the market, softening cracks before the onset of EU sanctions on January 21 briefly firmed them again. The renewed Russian diesel flows have reshaped trade routes again, triggering a sharp revival of Russian diesel shipments to Brazil despite earlier pullbacks, underscoring both Russias growing resilience to refinery attacks and the limits of sanctions pressure when discounted fuel meets persistent demand.

The rise in diesel crack spreads through most of 2025 was driven in large part by a sharp contraction in Russian exports, which fell to a five-year low of 586,000 b/d in September. The tightening was shock-driven rather than gradual. It began in January with a Ukrainian drone strike on the Ryazan refinery  a 13.1 Mtpa plant accounting for about 5% of national refining capacity  and persisted through the year as repeated attacks disrupted refining. Pressure intensified in autumn, culminating in a record 14 drone strikes in November alone, including a hit on the Afipsky refinery near Krasnodar, a 9.1 Mtpa facility. In total, media reports indicate more than 20 refineries were affected in 2025, with some estimates suggesting around 20% of national capacity was offline at various points due to strikes or maintenance. Refinery runs reportedly fell to about 5 million b/d in September, prompting Russia to impose partial restrictions on diesel shipments and introduce a temporary export ban for non-producing companies in September 2025, later extended through March 2026.

Related: U.S. Natural Gas Prices Surge 45% in Two Days Due to Arctic Cold

That tightness, however, began to unwind in December. As a consequence, diesel cracks went down steadily, reaching $19.89/bbl by mid-January, as Russian refinery runs recovered faster than expected. Russias diesel output averaged 1.8 million b/d in the first half of January 2026  the highest level since January 2025  with ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) accounting for around 1.75 million b/d. Overall refinery runs rebounded from 5 million b/d in September to about 5.5 million b/d in December. The recovery came despite widespread expectations that repairs would be prolonged, particularly given restrictions on the sale of Western equipment and materials needed to restore damaged refining units. Instead, Russian operators appeared to be capable of restoring capacity more quickly than anticipated.

The rebound was visible not only in output but also in export flows. In December, the Tuapse refinery  a heavily export-oriented plant  was seriously damaged by a drone strike, yet loadings of ULSD resumed by mid-January. Kpler data show two cargoes were loaded on January 10 and January 14, heading to Turkey and Libya respectively. At the Primorsk oil terminal alone, the January loading program is set to reach 2.2 million tonnes, a 27% month-on-month increase, with volumes rising from 440,000 b/d in December to 528,000 b/d in January. This marks the highest loading level ever recorded at Primorsk, underscoring the growing importance of its Baltic Sea location, as exporters redirect additional volumes away from the Black Sea, where Ukrainian attacks on Russian tankers have become increasingly frequent. In total, Russian diesel exports went from roughly 590,000 b/d in September to around 900,000 b/d in December  a full year-on-year recovery.

Rising output has also translated into growing Russian diesel stocks: a reported 3-year high of 27.6 million barrels. In this context, Russian energy authorities are actively discussing the removal of the ban on diesel exports by non-producing companies, arguing that domestic supply is now sufficient to cover internal demand even during winter.

While the recovery initially weighed on margins, the diesel crack spread has since firmed again, climbing to $25.43/bbl by January 21 amid colder temperatures and seasonal demand. That rebound is likely to encourage further Russian exports, particularly to price-sensitive destinations where supply alternatives remain limited.

Brazil is a clear example. Chronic shortages in domestic refining capacity leave the country heavily dependent on imported diesel, making discounted Russian barrels economically attractive. Yet Brazilian purchases were sharply curtailed in the second half of 2025 as Russian supply shrank and political risk rose. Imports from Russia fell from 247,000 b/d in March  when US President Donald Trump first signalled possible new sanctions on Russian oil if a peace deal with Ukraine failed  to just 49,000 b/d in November, when those sanctions were put into effect. US diesel emerged as the primary substitute for the lost Russian volumes in the autumn of 2025. Those curbs, however, proved temporary. In December, Brazilian imports of Russian diesel rebounded to 181,000 b/d, suggesting that domestic supply gaps, favourable pricing and growing fatigue with sustained US pressure ultimately outweighed concerns about friction with Washington. Moreover, Indian diesel exports to Brazil since November 2025 have been sourced almost exclusively from Nayara Energys Vadinar refinery  a sanctioned facility partly owned by Rosneft and running exclusively on Russian crude.

Three conclusions stand out. First, Russia has shown far greater resilience to drone attacks on its refining infrastructure, with operators increasingly able to repair damage quickly. Considering that Ukraines long-haul strikes on refineries have tapered off, refinery utilisation is likely to remain stable, while softer post-winter diesel demand combined with steady Russian supply points to narrower diesel cracks in spring 2026. Second, as refining capacity continues to recover, Russias need to export crude should diminish, raising the likelihood of lower crude exports ahead. Third, Western pressure to curb purchases of Russian oil products remains structurally weak: as long as Russian diesel is discounted and demand stays firm, economic incentives continue to outweigh political risk  a reality that has repeatedly reasserted itself across global fuel markets.

By Natalia Katona for Oilprice.com

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China plans to launch LNG futures in yuan as it aims to hedge against volatile prices and have more power over global LNG pricing.

The futures could be launched on the Shanghai Futures Exchange (ShFE) as soon as February, Reuters reported on Friday, quoting sources familiar with the plans.

The Shanghai Futures Exchange has sought for years to launch yuan-denominated futures of key commodities, including LNG and nickel, to seek a role for China in the global pricing of the major Chinese commodity imports.

The biggest global LNG markets are linked to physical hubs for the commodity, including the U.S. benchmark Henry Hub, the European benchmark for gas trading, the Dutch Title Transfer Facility (TTF), and the Japan-Korea Marker (JKM) for the north Asian benchmark.

China needs a benchmark that reflects its own demand and supply. JKM can't do that as it caters mostly to Japan and Korea, a Chinese state gas trader involved in the discussions about the yuan LNG contract, told Reuters.

Major LNG traders and Middle Eastern exporters are likely to be interested in a yuan-denominated LNG contract, according to analysts.

Despite a late rebound in imports, overall Chinese LNG purchases fell last year. But Chinas imports of LNG are set to jump this year, by a double-digit percentage over 2025, according to some analysts.

New LNG export projects coming online and ramp-ups of recently commissioned facilities are expected to drive a 10% jump in global LNG supply this year. This, in turn, is set to incentivize additional demand, especially in Asia, where buyers have become more price sensitive to LNG imports, according to the analysts.

Over the past week, China has seen wild swings in LNG prices. These slumped in December to a five-year low. A month later, LNG prices in China jumped this week, due to a cold spell that is expected to extend into February.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Indian Oil Corp. has bought several crude oil cargos from Angola, Brazil, and the UAE to replace Russian barrels under sanctions, Reuters reported today, citing unnamed sources.

The purchases include 1 million barrels of Murban crude from the Emirates, sold by Shell, and 2 million barrels of Upper Zakum from Mercuria. IOC also bought 1 million barrels of Angolan Hungo and 1 million barrels of Clove crude from the West African producer, with Exxon as the seller. Lastly, the Indian major purchased 2 million barrels of Buzios crude from Brazils Petrobras.

Earlier this week, reports emerged that Indian state-run refiner Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited had awarded tenders to buy Iraqi and Omani crude on the spot market, as Indias refiners boost supply of crude from the Middle East to offset in part the volumes they lost from Russia following the U.S. sanctions.

BPCL has awarded one-year tenders to buy Iraqs Basrah Medium and Oman crude to global commodity trader Trafigura, unnamed sources told Reuters on Wednesday. Additionally, BPCL was scouring the market for spot cargoes of Murban crude from the United Arab Emirates in a separate tender.

Since 2022, Russia transformed from a minor supplier of crude to India to its biggest single supplier thanks to deep price discounts resulting from Western sanctions on Moscows oil industry. The latest U.S. sanctions, however, targeted specifically Russias two largest oil exporters, Rosneft and Lukoil, and were accompanied by 25% tariffs on Indian exports to the U.S. if Indian refiners continued to buy Russian oil - which they did, but at much lower volumes.

Russian oil flows to India dropped to the lowest since 2023 last month to 1.38 million barrels daily, down 22% on November. Still, the drop was not as significant as some expected because Indian refiners switched from Rosneft and Lukoil to non-sanctioned Russian oil companies as suppliers.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Indias state-owned refiner Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) is set to sign next week an oil supply deal with Brazilian state giant Petrobras for the delivery of 12 million barrels of crude, valued at about $780 million.

The signing of the agreement is expected to take place during the India Energy Week 2026 forum, which will be held between January 27 and January 30 in Goa, the Indian government said in a statement on Friday carried by Reuters.

Indian refiners, including BPCL, are looking to diversify their crude supply as the U.S. sanctions on Russias top oil producers, Rosneft and Lukoil, forced the worlds third-largest crude importer to seek alternatives to a large volume of the Russian crude it had previously bought.

In October, Petrobras signed an oil sales contract with another Indian state-owned refiner, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL). The contract provides for the delivery of up to six million barrels of oil and is valid for one year.

Earlier this week, refining and trade sources told Reuters that BPCL had awarded tenders to buy Iraqi and Omani crude on the spot market, as Indias refiners are raising supply of crude from the Middle East to offset in part the volumes they lost from Russia following the U.S. sanctions.

All Indian refiners have said they would comply with the U.S. sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, and Russian supply to India has now plunged to a three-year low.

Additionally, BPCL is scouring the market for spot cargoes of Murban crude from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a separate tender, according to Reuters sources.

Over the past weeks, Indias refiners have significantly raised purchases of non-Russian oil supplies as they want to avoid angering the United States amid difficult India-U.S. trade negotiations.

The biggest state refiner, Indian Oil Corporation, is also said to have bought several crude oil cargos from Angola, Brazil, and the UAE to replace Russian barrels under sanctions.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Remarks by President Donald Trump about a U.S. armada on its way to Iran reversed a Thursday drop in oil benchmarks, setting them for a weekly gain.

At the time of writing, Brent crude was trading at $64.50 per barrel, with West Texas Intermediate at $59.78 per barrel, after shedding 2% on Thursday following the latest developments in the U.S.-Europe rift over Greenland and President Trumps declaration that he would not impose tariffs on European countries after all.

As for the armada, Reuters quoted a U.S. official as saying that a number of warships, including an aircraft carrier and several guided missile destroyers, were en route to the Middle East, set to arrive in a few days. The news sparked worry that the threats against Iran may have substance, potentially threatening supply from one of the biggest OPEC oil producers.

Earlier this month, Trump announced 25% tariffs on any country doing business with Iran in a bid to pressure the government in Tehran amid large-scale protests in the country. Effective immediately, any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America, Trump said on Truth Social last week, prompting questions about the security of oil supply from Iran.

Then, later in the week, Trump downplayed the possibility of a direct military U.S. involvement in Iran, saying that violence against the protesters was subsiding. Oil prices immediately plunged, demonstrating yet again the whipsaw effect geopolitical news tend to have on the oil market, regardless of glut reports and forecasts.

In case of disruption in Iranian oil exports, China stands to lose the most, since it is the largest buyer of the commodity. That disruption wouldif it came to passcome on top of higher prices for Venezuelan crude now that the U.S. manages the exports of the South American nation.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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US naphtha has begun arriving in Venezuelan waters, marking an early and telling step in efforts to restart the countrys long-crippled heavy oil production. Ship tracking data showed a tanker chartered by Vitol reaching Venezuelan waters with the first naphtha cargo tied to a new oil deal between Washington and Caracas.

The shipment follows a flagship agreement struck earlier this month after the removal of Nicolas Maduro, allowing Venezuela to sell up to 50 million barrels of crude currently in storage under a $2 billion supply framework. Getting oil out of tanks, however, requires more than political permission.

Naphtha is not fuel for cars or power plants. It is a light petroleum product used as a diluent, blended with Venezuelas extra-heavy crude to thin it enough to flow through pipelines and load onto export tankers. Without it, Venezuelas crude behaves less like oil and more like asphalt. Production stalls without naphtha because the heavy crude physically cannot move.

That bottleneck has haunted Venezuela for years. As domestic refining collapsed and sanctions cut off imports, the country became dependent on foreign diluents. In 2025, Russia emerged as a key supplier of naphtha, but those shipments were increasingly vulnerable to U.S. enforcement actions targeting sanctioned tankers. Several cargoes were forced to divert, putting Venezuelan exports at risk.

The arrival of U.S.-linked naphtha changes that equation, at least temporarily. It gives PDVSA and its joint ventures the ability to blend, transport, and sell heavy crude again  a prerequisite for any sustained increase in output. Analysts have warned that without steady diluent supplies, Venezuela could lose hundreds of thousands of barrels per day of production.

This does not mean Venezuelas oil sector is fixed. Infrastructure remains degraded, investment needs are massive, and operational capacity is fragile. But naphtha shipments are a practical signal that the reset is moving from headlines to hardware.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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Kim Kardashian once "scammed" the paparazzi by pretending to visit Britney Spears in a ploy to get her picture taken.

Kim Kardashian once 'scammed' the paparazzi

The Kardashians star has opened up about the lengths she went to boost her profile at the start of her career and she revealed she fooled photographers who were waiting outside a hotel in New York with the help of her longtime pal Jonathan Cheban.

Kim explained the ruse during an appearance on her sister Khloe Kardashian's Khloe In Wonderland podcast, saying: "It [being famous] was all I wanted, I lived for it ...

"We were at a restaurant and we heard these people ... like: 'Oh Britney Spears is staying at this hotel in New York'.

"So this person at dinner had this crazy Phantom Rolls Royce. Jonathan and I could hardly even get a cab ...So, we were like: 'Can we get a ride to our hotel? and the guys like: 'Yeah.' And ... we were like we'll sit in the back.

"So, it looks like we got out with a driver at this hotel, and we got out. Paparazzi everywhere waiting for Britney. At her hotel. They werent following us at this point, and we got out and they were like: Kim, Kim, Kim are you here to visit Britney? and Jonathans like: 'Keep your head down and just like shut up'."

Kim went on to explain the pair then hid in the hotel for 20 minutes before reemerging in front of the waiting photographers - and she was thrilled the plan worked because her picture ended up on plenty of magazine covers.

She added: "So we go inside and we go in a phone booth because we don't know anyone at this hotel. We don't even know if there's like a hotel bar for us to walk in.

"So we go and like hang in the phone both in this hotel for 20 minutes. And we're like: 'Alright, let's go out'. And we come out and theyre like: 'Kim how was Britney? ... We took a cab I think because this Rolls Royce dropped us off ...

"We totally scammed the system, and it was on like every cover, and we thought we were killing it."

During the podcast, Kim revealed Jonathan also advised her to take inspiration from Victoria Beckham when dealing with photographers.

She added: "There was one time where Jonathon was like: 'You have got to stop smiling'. Like, Victoria Beckham never smiles.' And wed walk out of Intermix [clothing store] on Robertson [Boulevard in Los Angeles], he'd be like: 'Victoria, Victoria' and Id stop smiling ... Because [usually] I'd be like: 'Hi guys!' you know to the paps. And he'd be like: 'Victoria'."
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Credit: Anton Uniqueton from Pexels

When pistachio hulls split before the nuts are harvested, insects and fungi can get inside, damaging the nut, costing farmers money and contaminating the nuts. About 4% of the overall crop experiences hull split, but some cultivars can split as much as 40% under certain conditions. Now, for the first time, scientists at the University of California, Davis, are seeking solutions for California's $2-billion-a-year pistachio industry.

New research reveals how the hull is built and how cell walls in certain layers break down, along with the genes and corresponding mechanisms that spark and control those changes.

Pectin, a component of cell walls, makes fruit skin strong in part by keeping cells hitched to each other. In pistachio hulls, the composition of pectin changes as the hull ripens, causing the cells to come unhitched. This leads to cracks and tears in the hull.

In the Journal of Experimental Botany, recent Ph.D. graduate Shuxiao "Susan" Zhang, a student in the lab of Department of Plant Sciences Professor Georgia Drakakaki, identified genes that control how cell walls change as the fruit ripens, leading to the hull breaking down. The research will help breeders select for traits that will make the hulls less vulnerable to tearing and cracking.

Pistachios, with the greenish hull still on them, are placed on a dissecting microscope to observe the different layers of the hull. Credit: Trina Kleist/UC Davis

Cells come unhitched from each other in this image of a pistachio hull where it has split. Look at about three o'clock in this photo where it's violet; the cells look like they're all squished together. To get this image, scientist Shuxiao Zhang took advantage of the cells' autofluorescence and used a Zeiss LSM980 microscope with 20x objectives. Credit: Shuxiao Zhang/UC Davis

"This is the first time anyone has studied the pistachio hull at the anatomical and cellular level while also looking at gene expression and physiological data," Drakakaki said. "Susan really got into the details of how the hull is built with different layers and how the cells in those layers are of different sizes. The layers respond differently to changes in pectin, and that causes the hull to split in different ways."

Zhang built on the work of two more scientists in the department and their teams. Grey Monroe, an assistant professor, and Barbara Blanco-Ulate, an associate professor, assembled a reference genome of Pistacia vera "Kerman," the leading female pistachio cultivar in California. They also defined the stages of the nut's growth and the characteristics at each stage. Their work was published in 2025

A model for fruit split in a variety of crops

Over three years, the team took samples of pistachio hulls from trees in a commercial orchard near Fresno and at the Wolfskill Experimental Orchard, operated by UC Davis near Winters, Calif. They worked with the most common varieties grown in the state, including Kerman, Golden Hills and Lost Hills. They took samples from trees at different points late in the hulls' development, stretching over several months.

Using special imaging tools and techniques, Zhang and her team measured hull thickness and cell size, and they counted hulls that were intact, tattered, cracked or both. They also measured how well cells in the hull were sticking to each other, and in each sample counted the cells that had come unhitched.

Professor Georgia Drakakaki studies pistachios in the lab at UC Davis. Credit: Trina Kleist/UC Davis

Pistachios were harvested at various points during the later stages of fruit ripening, then placed in a solution to preserve them for later examination. Credit: Trina Kleist/UC Davis

Then the team pulled out RNA from the samples to learn which genes were being expressed at different stages as the hull develops and breaks down. They found that key genes express differently as that process unfolds.

Since all hulls were intact at 91 days after flowering, Zhang and the team reasoned that fruit ripening may be linked with hull split. So, the team also examined the genesincluding those involved in pectin modificationthat change the cell wall as the fruit ripens.

Researchers discovered that cells in the interior layer of the hull expand, while cells in the exterior layer tend to stay the same size. This, in combination with changes in the cell wall, led to different types of hull breakdown.

"This is one of the major novelty factors for our paper," Zhang said. "Loads of people have looked at pectin in all kinds of fruits, but not many people have observed that, depending on which cell layer you're in, the pectin, cell size and so on will change differently during ripening."

The physics of forces operating within the cell layers and humidity also influence degradation of the hull, Zhang found.

Because pistachio hulls are the fruit of the tree, even though we eat the seed, the research has applications for many non-berry fruit crops, Zhang concluded.

Publication details Shuxiao Zhang et al, Cell layer-specific cell wall modification is associated with exo-mesocarp split in pistachio (Pistacia vera L.), Journal of Experimental Botany (2025). DOI: 10.1093/jxb/eraf519 Journal information: Journal of Experimental Botany,
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Colorado will not release more wolves this winter to supplement its reintroduction program after federal officials stopped the planned relocation of wolves from Canada.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials confirmed Wednesday that they have no plans to release more wolves this season and are instead exploring options for next winter. They had been working toward an annual round of releases targeted for early 2026, around the same time of year as two earlier release cycles.

"During this intermediate time, CPW will continue to meet with producers and other stakeholders, including U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to explore how to maximize the restoration effort and achieve our plan of establishing a self-sustaining gray wolf population in Colorado," CPW acting Director Laura Clellan said in a news release.

CPW officials had struck a deal with Canada last year to capture up to 15 wolves from British Columbia and release them in Colorado this winter. The state captured and released 15 wolves from the Canadian province the prior winter.

But officials with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Trump administration said in October that bringing wolves from Canada would violate a legal agreement between CPW and the federal agency. The threat was an about-face for the federal agency, which approved the use of Canadian wolves under the Biden administration.

It's unclear how the lack of a wolf release this year could impact the state's goal of creating a self-sustaining wolf population.

CPW announced that there would be no releases a day after announcing that another reintroduced wolf had died. The female wolf was one of the 15 captured in Canada in 2025 and was found dead Friday in northwest Colorado.

Fish and Wildlife biologists will investigate the cause of death, CPW said on Jan. 20.

Eleven of the 25 wolves released as part of the reintroduction effort have since died.

"When populations are small, the contributions of each individual are especially significant," CPW Wolf Program Manager Eric Odell said in the news release announcing no releases this winter.

"It is not possible to predict the impact of foregoing a third year of translocations without knowing what may occur in the coming year. If mortality remains high, as observed in 2025, the risk of failing to achieve a self-sustaining wolf population in Colorado increases, potentially requiring additional resources to address."

The number of wolves in Colorado is unknown as biologists attempt to count the number of surviving pups born in the past year. Nineteen collared wolves currently roam Colorado, and at least 10 pups were born this summer in the state's four known packs.

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CPW has struggled to find states or tribes in the U.S. willing to provide the wild canines for the state's voter-mandated reintroduction program.

State wildlife officials released the first batch of wolves10 adults captured in Oregonin December 2023, three years after voters approved the reintroduction ballot measure. CPW officials had first asked Idaho, Montana and Wyoming for wolves but were rejected.

The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation in Washington state backed out of a 2024 agreement to supply the canines after speaking with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, which has reservation land in Colorado.

CPW then turned to Canada, where it captured 15 wolves in January 2025 and rereleased them in Colorado.

When federal officials this fall signaled opposition to the use of Canadian wolves, CPW turned to the state of Washington.

While that state's wildlife agency previously signaled a willingness to participate in Colorado's reintroduction, its wildlife commission in November voted against allowing the relocation of its wolves. The commission cited concerns about wolf mortalities in Colorado, about anti-wolf sentiment in some ranching communities here and about Washington's own declining wolf populations.

2026 MediaNews Group, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Total number of people put at increased risk of coastal flooding annually per kilometer by projected coral reef degradation for the (a) mean elevation and (b) mean erosion scenarios in the Florida Reef Tract study area. Credit: Earth's Future (2026). DOI: 10.1029/2025ef006255

It's no secret that Florida's iconic coral reefs are in trouble. Repeated body blows from hurricanes, pollution, disease, climate changeand a near-knockout punch from a 2023 marine heat wavehas effectively wiped several species off the map and shrunk the reefs that stretch from the Keys throughout South Florida.

Scientists, nonprofits, the state of Florida and the federal government are all scrambling to rescue and rebuild the reef tract. But a new study found that if Florida doesn't preserve what we have now, residents could see hundreds of millions of dollars of extra flooding damage in the futuremuch of it concentrated in Miami-Dade.

"We'd love to restore and enhance and make the reefs even better, but this is just saying 'my gosh, let's protect what we have,'" said Curt Storlazzi, a research geologist for the U.S. Geological Survey and lead author of the study, which is published in the journal Earth's Future.

As coral reefs break down, they get shorter and flatter, leaving less friction to slow incoming waves. Bigger waves can reach further inland, swamping more homes and businesses. A 2017 study by one of the co-authors of the paper, Kimberly Yates, found that reefs in the Florida Keys had already lost nearly three feet of height in the last few decades alone.

For this new study, a group of federal scientists ran an analysis comparing how much flooding South Florida's coast would see today in a hurricane versus after a century of eroding reefs.

The result: about $438 million in extra economic damages every year with no reefs for protection.

The study also zoomed in on Bal Harbour in particular, as an example of community where losing reef protection could lead to a hefty additional dose of flooding. "That shows how it's punching further inland," Storlazzi said.

Reef restoration makes economic sense

But this study is more than just another entrant into the steady drumbeat of doom-and-gloom predictions about the future of Florida's corals, Storlazzi said. It's a dollars-and-cents look at which spots of the reef could be most helpful to save.

The study identified "hot spots" where coral reefs provide the most physical protection from storm-driven waves and storm surge, which is the water that sloshes above land and floods coastal communities. Those spots, Storlazzi said, would have the greatest return on investment to protect them, and therefore the people and buildings that shelter behind them.

"There's a dozen good reasons to restore coral reefs. This is just saying hey, these are the areas that reduce coastal flooding," he said.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, all of those hot spots are near the most populated and developed barrier islands. Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale top the analysis as spots where coral reef preservation would have the most bang for its buck, storm-protection wise.

And that analysis doesn't even account for all the other economic benefits of coral reefs, which provide nursery habitat for fish that people like to catch and beautiful vistas for tourists to pay to visit.

Information like this has been the scientific backbone for a recent push for "nature-based" solutions to flooding, like a strip of mangroves along a shoreline instead of a gray, concrete sea wall.

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Miami-Dade famously made the pitch for more green flooding solutions to the federal government while in the midst of the Army Corps of Engineers Back Bay study a few years ago. The county rejected the Corps' initial suggestion of tall steel and concrete flood walls along the coast and instead asked for a more environmentally-based solution, like a new manmade, landscaped barrier island in Biscayne Bay, potentially in combination with some of the usual concrete-based fixes.

Since then, the Corps has agreed to re-study the issue. A final answer, much less funding for any kind of solution, is still years away.

Storlazzi points out that coral reefs are a great nature-based flood fix, both because they provide extra economic benefits for tourism and fisheries and because they can be self-repairing.

"Coral reefs, if not stressed by humans, can grow with rising sea levels and can repair themselves after storms. Those are things pure gray infrastructure cannot do," he said.

Puerto Rico used similar datacollected by Storlazzi and his co-authorson the economic benefits of reef restoration to snag a $38.6 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Hazard Mitigation Program, the first of its kind to restore natural systems instead of manmade ones.

Putting a dollar value on coral reefs also helped nonprofit The Nature Conservancy secure insurance policies on coral reefs in Mexico and Hawaii. In both spots, injuries to the reef kick off an insurance payout that funds divers to go repair the reef so it can stay in good shape to protect the nearby coast.

Storlazzi said he and his fellow scientists have repeatedly found that the numbers are in favor of protecting coral reefs around the world, and not just for the sake of preserving beautiful natural places.

"The analysis our group and others are doing shows the benefits are greater than the potential cost," he said.

Publication details Curt D. Storlazzi et al, Coral Reef Protection May Help Avert Risks to People, Property, and Economic Activity Caused by Projected Reef Degradation, Earth's Future (2026). DOI: 10.1029/2025ef006255 Journal information: Earth's Future

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Mechanism by which hydrogen generates free electrons via an interaction with the defect in silicon. Credit: Mitsubishi Electric, Institute of Science Tokyo, University of Tsukuba and Quemix

Researchers announced that they have achieved the world's first elucidation of how hydrogen produces free electrons through the interaction with certain defects in silicon. The achievement has the potential to improve how insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) are designed and manufactured, making them more efficient and reducing their power loss. It is also expected to open up possibilities for future devices using ultra-wide bandgap (UWBG) materials.

In the global drive toward carbon neutrality, efforts to make power electronics more efficient and energy-saving are accelerating worldwide. IGBTs are key components responsible for power conversion, so improving their efficiency is a major priority. While hydrogen ion implantation has been used for about half a century to control electron concentration in silicon, the underlying mechanism has remained unclear until now.

In 2023, Mitsubishi Electric and University of Tsukuba jointly discovered a defect complex in silicon that contributes to increasing electron concentration. They confirmed that this complex is formed when an interstitial silicon pair and hydrogen bind, but the reason why free electrons are newly generated in this process was still unclear.

By using advanced computational calculations, the four organizations have now uncovered how hydrogen exists inside the defect complex. They have also explained why hydrogen releases electrons and how these electrons become free within silicon. Furthermore, their findings suggest that this mechanism could also be applied to diamond, a promising material for future power semiconductors that is difficult to control in terms of electron levels.

The full details of this research were published online on January 13 in Communications Materials. The team includes Associate Professor Yuichiro Matsushita of Materials and Structures Laboratory, Institute of Science Tokyo, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Associate Professor Takahide Umeda of Institute of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba and Quemix Corporation.

Schematic of free electron generation from hydrogen via the synergetic interaction with the defect. Credit: Mitsubishi Electric, Institute of Science Tokyo, University of Tsukuba and Quemix

Mechanism by which a hydrogen-containing defect complex in silicon generates free electrons

For nearly half a century, hydrogen ion implantation into silicon was reported to produce free electrons at locations where hydrogen atoms are present. This technique is now used to form n-type layers containing free electrons inside power semiconductors such as IGBTs. However, an isolated hydrogen atom in silicon does not necessarily release a free electron, so the underlying mechanism remained unclear.

Starting from the hypothesis that hydrogen and crystal defects act together to generate free electrons, joint research by Mitsubishi Electric and University of Tsukuba applied electrical and optical measurements and electron spin resonance (ESR). In 2023, this work identified the I 4 defecta structural disturbance formed by extra silicon atoms inserted into the silicon crystalas being involved in free-electron generation.

To clarify hydrogen's role, Institute of Science Tokyo and Quemix performed first-principles calculations to models containing hydrogen atoms at multiple candidate sites around the I 4 defect to study the resultant structural stability and electronic states of defect complexes.

Structural configuration of a hydrogen atom within a diamond crystal. Credit: Mitsubishi Electric, Institute of Science Tokyo, University of Tsukuba and Quemix

The calculations showed that in defect-free silicon, a hydrogen atom forms electronic states that do not contribute to free-electron generation. However, when an I 4 defect is nearby, a hydrogen atom can reside in the center position of bonds between silicon atoms. In that configuration, the electronic states associated with the I 4 defect shift into a condition that favors electron release.

In further analysis based on molecular orbital theory, the computational calculation indicates a cooperative effect: an electron associated with a hydrogen atom moves to the I 4 defect, and the I 4 defect then releases an electron that functions as a free electron. This synergy between defect and hydrogen explains the observed free-electron generation.

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Technical demonstration: Up to 20% reduction in power loss in silicon IGBTs and diodes

Mitsubishi Electric has been reducing power loss in silicon IGBTs and diodes by combining hydrogen ion implantation for n-type layer formation and reducing the thickness of silicon substrates. For example, in a 1,200V-class device, the company has technically demonstrated reductions in total power loss of 10% in IGBTs and 20% in diodes compared with its 7th-generation products. The fundamental insights gained on hydrogen-related free-electron generation, which contributed to the present mechanism elucidation, have supported these power-loss reductions.

Roles. Credit: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Institute of Science Tokyo, University of Tsukuba and Quemix Corporation

Theoretical indication of applicability to UWBG materials

Materials such as diamond and aluminum nitride (AlN) are promising for use in future power semiconductors and quantum sensors, but practical implementation has been hampered by the extreme difficulty of controlling electron concentration via conventional methods. To examine whether the hydrogen-related free-electron generation mechanism found in silicon could operate in UWBG materials, initial first-principles calculations were performed.

The results indicate that in diamondwhich shares a covalent crystal structure similar to siliconhydrogen is energetically more stable when incorporated into bonds between carbon atoms rather than occupying interstitial gaps. When paired defects are present, this bond-center incorporation of hydrogen could enable the same kind of mechanism to function in diamond. This finding suggests a possible route to address electron-concentration control in certain UWBG materials, at least from a fundamental perspective.

Future development

By applying this mechanism to UWBG materials such as diamond, in which electron concentration traditionally has been difficult to control, this approach is aimed at advancing the development of semiconductor devices. These include power semiconductors, high-frequency devices and quantum sensors, all of which are expected to contribute significantly toward the achievement of a carbon-neutral world.

Publication details Akira Kiyoi et al, Advancing N-type doping in semiconductors through hydrogen-defect interactions, Communications Materials (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s43246-025-00955-4 Journal information: Communications Materials
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Even as NASA celebrated the rollout of the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft for Artemis II over the weekend, NASA's new administrator, Jared Isaacman, made sure to put an asterisk on the program's future.

"The architecture you see behind us here with SLS and the Orion spacecraft is just the beginning," he said on Jan. 17, appearing with the four astronauts set to fly past the moon. "Now, over time, launching missions like this, we are going to learn a lot, and the vehicle architecture will change. And as it changes, we should be able to undertake repeatable, affordable missions to and from the moon."

The second mission for the program could launch as early as Feb. 6, but must first make it through tests at KSC's Launch Pad 39-B. A wet dress rehearsal, during which NASA will fill the rocket and spacecraft up with propellant during a test countdown run, is slated to occur no later than Feb. 2.

The launch, though, comes more than three years since the uncrewed Artemis I launch. This is the first to fly with humans, which will fly four crew on a 10-day trip past the moon without landing. Its goal is to prove Orion can support a crew safely to set up the Artemis III mission that aims to return humans to the lunar surface for the first time since the end of the Apollo program.

"Now this is the start of a very long journey. Now we have ended our last human exploration of the moon, Apollo 17, the 17th mission. I hope someday my kids are gonna be watching, maybe decades into the future, the Artemis 100 mission," Isaacman said.

Artemis I had also seen years of delays and cost overruns before launch, and Artemis III, which during the first Trump administration was originally targeted to launch in 2024 , is under threat to not fly before the end of Trump's second administration.

"The cost to undertake a mission like we're going to undertake with Artemis II is not inexpensive, but where it'll go, as we learn and gradually incorporate reusability, is what's going to enable missions like Artemis 100 and beyond," Isaacman said.

In a 2023 audit by NASA's Office of the Inspector General that focused on the costs of SLS rockets, it stated the Artemis program through 2025 will have topped $93 billion. That's billions more than originally announced in 2012 as years of delays and cost increases plagued the leadup to Artemis I. The SLS rocket represented 26% of that cost to the tune of $23.8 billion.

Another big symbol of some of those rising costs stood in the background lit up adjacent to the VAB as the Artemis II rocket rolled on by. That's the mobile launcher 2, which is targeting the Artemis IV mission that's supposed to use a larger version of the SLS rocket.

A September 2024 audit from the OIG said ML's construction, which was originally awarded a $383 million contract in 2019 for delivery by 2023, could continue to see ballooning costs and delays so that once delivered it will cost taxpayers more than $2.7 billion and not be ready until 2029. Prime contractor Bechtel finished the majority of its construction last year, but it's still undergoing testing before it gets handed over to NASA.

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When originally tapped by President Trump to be the 15th head of NASA, Isaacman cited the costs and delays in the existing Artemis architecture to consider alternatives such as SpaceX's Starship and Blue Origin's New Glenn rockets to satisfy the country's plans for trips to the moon and Mars.

Trump's initial budget request, which looked to chop NASA funds from about $25 billion to less than $19 billion, echoed that with an intent to halt the use of SLS and Orion after Artemis III and end the planned lunar Gateway space station. It would have also meant the end of NASA's Exploration Ground Systems group based at KSC and leaving ML-2 with no use.

Those intentions raised the alarm for several members of Congress whose constituencies have contributed to the Artemis program. It led to Texas Sen. Ted Cruz spearheading an extra $10 billion outside the budget that was shoehorned into Trump's own One Big Beautiful Bill, guaranteeing funds for Artemis IV and V including Gateway.

Isaacman, whose nomination was pulled last spring but then was renominated in November, went through a second round of questions from Cruz and others during Senate confirmation hearings before ultimately being confirmed in December.

Isaacman reiterated support for missions through Artemis III and acquiesced to supporting the SLS and Orion through Artemis V since it was passed into law as part of Trump's bill.

He noted, though, that if Artemis III sticks to the moon landing, it will mean that either SpaceX's Starship or Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket, coupled with its Blue Moon lander, will have been successful as well.

"There's a lot that has to happen in between Artemis II and III," he said.

Artemis III looks to have Orion rendezvous with either of those lunar landers while orbiting the moon before they venture down to the surface. For both companies, it means solving a series of orbital propellant transfers between Earth and the moon using fuel way stations parked along the way.

"When we see American astronauts walk on the moon again, it means one or both of them were successful. So in doing so, after completing the Artemis V mission, which is already contemplated in the One Big, Beautiful Bill, we should have numerous options available to us to have routine and affordable missions to the lunar surface for continuity," he said.

He's still a big proponent of leaning on commercial help to get the job done once NASA has figured out how to do it.

"I think it's going to take the contributions of many to do the near-impossible now. Where NASA can play a role is consistent [with] the past, which is sharing its expertise and talent to help these new companies," he said. "When NASA does tend to figure out the near-impossible and it's mature enough technologically to hand it off to industry, where innovation can improve upon the capability and lower cost, that's a great outcome."

For NASA, though, Congress opted to keep funding the Artemis program on its current path. Just this month, it passed a minibus bill that covered NASA's new fiscal budget and mostly ignored Trump's diminished budget requests by giving NASA $24.4 billion to work with, including funds toward missions through Artemis V.

On Saturday, when asked if his stance on the current Artemis program architecture had shifted at all after a month on the job, Isaacman was steadfast.

"Not a whole lot has changed, from my perspective, other than getting, I guess, a lot of first-hand accounts of the people that are, and the effort that goes into, building a vehicle such as this," he said.

Key concepts The MoonOrbits

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Lab-cultivated liverwort. Credit: Ishizaki, Kobe University

Research on using Marchantia polymorpha, commonly known as liverwort, a plant closely related to moss, for food and as an ingredient in medicine and supplements is being conducted at Kobe University.

Not only can liverwort be cultivated quickly and in large amounts, it's also very nutritious, a trait which has gathered attention as the space food of the future. As its genes can be easily manipulated in experiments, liverwort also shows great potential to be used to produce various useful substances.

At the center of this research is Professor Ishizaki Kimitsune of the Graduate School of Science. He spoke about the hidden potential of liverwort and its future industrial applications.

Why did you start your research on liverwort?

Plants first emerged on land about 500 million years ago, and were then split into bryophytes and vascular plantsplants with a system of tubes for transporting water and nutrients. Those vascular plants then divided further into groups such as plants with seeds and flowers and ferns, spreading all around the world.

I research the evolution of plants, a field in which bryophytes are extremely important. Bryophytes contain a structure similar to the ancestor of land plants, making them quite useful for elucidating basic principles common to all land plants and for investigating the evolutionary process.

Among these bryophytes, liverwort is currently gathering worldwide attention as a model plant for various experiments. What's special about liverwort is that it grows extremely quickly, meaning that experimental results come just as fast, making it easy to conduct experiments involving gene introduction and modification.

Back when I was at Kyoto University in the early 2000s, they were starting to make liverwort into a model plant, so I began my research as a part of that work. Thanks to researchers from all over the world participating in this research, in 2017, we elucidated the liverwort genome, solidifying its position as a model plant.

Professor Ishizaki Kimitsune. Credit: Kobe University

Why did you begin research on industrial use?

My research involves fundamental research at the genetic level in the field of plant molecular biology. About five years ago, I had the opportunity to speak with Professor Mizutani Masaharu (an expert in plant metabolic engineering) of the Graduate School of Agricultural Science, which kicked off our joint research. Professor Mizutani is my senior at Kyoto University and is known for his research on producing various materials using the power of plants.

My research group is currently working on the production of a polyphenol using liverwort. Polyphenol, which has been gathering attention for disease prevention through its antioxidant effects, comes in thousands of different varieties, but most of the ones used in medicine and supplements are imported from regions like China and Africa. Thus, it's possible that polyphenols could spike in price or become depleted due to the effects of the political climate overseas.

Thus, we're trying to rearrange cells so that we can utilize liverwort's easily manipulatable DNA to produce rare and valuable polyphenols. Liverwort has always had a metabolic system for producing certain types of polyphenol, so we'll modify that system to produce valuable ones.

Liverwort can be quickly cultivated in large amounts, so if we use this method, we can extract a lot of high-value polyphenols. This will allow us to manufacture as much as we need without relying on imports. Gathering attention for its potential effects in treating pollen allergies and preventing dementia, we aim to extract polyphenol components from liverwort, which contains more of the substance than things like grape skins and citrus fruits.

Ishizaki holds a piece of liverwort he cultivated in his laboratory. Credit: Kobe University

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What have you focused on as far as potential for food?

During my research, I thought to myself, "Rather than just using liverwort to produce and extract useful substances, couldn't we just eat it as is?"

Working together with Assistant Professor Yuasa Masahiro of the Graduate School of Human Development and Environment, who performs research on unused food resources, we began investigating the potential of liverwort as food.

Wild liverwort is unsafe and not very tasty, so we don't use it as food, but the liverwort we grew in our laboratory was like a vegetable, with a lettuce-like crunch. After having a specialized agency that analyzes food take a look at our liverwort, we found that it had no toxicity and contained lots of vitamins and minerals.

In particular, we found that liverwort contains 25 times the iron of that found in spinach. Also, liverwort contains eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which is found in abundance in "blue-backed fish" such as sardines, herrings and mackerels.

Soil isn't required to grow liverwort; all you need is to apply the right amount of mist. You could even set up a liverwort factory and grow it in desert areas.

In the future, bringing all the food you would need from Earth would be difficult on a long trip to, say, Mars, so it could be possible to grow liverwort in a space station. It grows very quickly, so being able to grow a lot of it in a small space is a plus.

You could also have liverwort produce polyphenol and just eat it as is, like an edible supplement, thus eliminating the cost of extracting the polyphenol. Liverwort also dries out very easily, so you could use that trait to turn it into a powder and use it for all sorts of applications.

Tempura, salad and cookie samples made using liverwort. Credit: Ishizaki Kimitsune

I hear you've also been working on recipes for liverwort cuisine.

With help from Assistant Professor Yuasa, we had a cuisine specialist make us some dishes using edible liverwort. In addition to eating it uncooked in a salad, we discovered that you can use it for tempura, in simmered dishes and even in traditional Japanese sweets, and it tastes great. We also had the opportunity to make samples of cookies using dried liverwort powder, which were also quite delicious.

However, liverwort has never been used as food before, so people assume that it will taste awful. We need a way of getting people to overcome these preconceptions and try our liverwort cuisine. I think a lot of people have an aversion to the name "liverwort," so my research group and I are thinking of a new name for it to make it more approachable as food.

What is the outlook of your research in terms of social implementation?

We've got a basic patent for cultivating large amounts of liverwort, so I hope to be able to implement a cultivation system in society within the next two years or so. Once we're able to actually produce liverwort, I plan to start up a corporate organization. We've already begun joint research with food manufacturers and food ingredient manufacturers that produce rare compounds found in plants.

We know that as liverwort grows, it absorbs large amounts of carbon dioxide. If we can produce useful materials while contributing to carbon neutrality, it would provide huge benefits for the industrial use of liverwort.

In the field of biomanufacturing, research is being conducted using microorganisms, but not much research is done using plants. Moving forward, however, I think the use of liverwort will greatly expand the potential of research using plants.
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In an isolation stall at New Bolton Centers James M. Moran, Jr., Critical Care Center, the UV-C-emitting robot Tru-D is used to eliminate Salmonella and other resistant bacteria. Credit: University of Pennsylvania

Drug-resistant bacteria are one of the most urgent health challenges of our time, affecting people, animals, and the environments they share. The University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) is addressing this evolving challenge with comprehensive infection prevention and control measures, as well as biosecurity strategies, to protect the animals, people, and communities served by its hospitals and facilities.

Ryan Hospital and New Bolton Center each have dedicated infection prevention and control (IPC) leaders responsible for developing, monitoring, and implementing disease control protocols, as well as educating staff and students on veterinary infection prevention. They've even brought in high-tech big gunsrobots that zap microscopic offenders, eradicating them with blasts of ultraviolet germicidal (UV-C) light.

"Both Ryan Hospital and New Bolton Center have established robust infection prevention and control programs, striving to set the gold standard in veterinary medicine," said Donna Oakley, CVT, Ryan Hospital's director of clinical governance.

Ryan's Hospital's program got its start in response to an outbreak of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) at the hospital in 2018, which was among the first to ever be investigated in companion animals. Two of the leaders in forming a program to address antibiotic-resistant bacteria were Stephen D. Cole, VMD, DACVM, an assistant professor of clinical microbiology, who has extensively studied the emergence of CRE in pets, and Oakley.

CRE are listed as major antimicrobial resistance threats by both the World Health Organization and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Cole's research has focused on tracking the spread of CRE in companion animals across the United States, including the first national prevalence study in dogs and cats

In a 2025 study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases, Cole and fellow researchers found strong evidence that CRE can be transmitted between animals and humans, making it a firmly established One Health issue.

Moreover, they are on the rise. A recent CDC report found a 460% increase in the type of CRE most often found in pets, according to Cole's work, causing infections among people. "Much work still needs to be done to really determine what is driving this problem in people and pets," Cole said, "but it is clear that veterinary hospitals need to respond to cases and CRE rapidly and efficiently in order to prevent their spread."

The microbiologist has launched a resource program and lab, the CRE Animal Testing and Epidemiology (CREATE) Project, to help veterinarians respond to CRE. Cole, who collaborates with infectious disease researchers nationwide, believes Ryan Hospital has established one of the best IPC programs in the field.

"We implement evidence-based practices in an ever-changing environment to respond to concerns in real-time," Cole said. "I think what is best about our program, though, is that we are committed to constantly making it even better to protect our patients, our community, and, ultimately, the world by stemming the tide of antimicrobial resistance."

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Building a comprehensive infection prevention program

A significant step in building an IPC program was hiring Regina Wagner, JD, MSN, MHQS, RN, DNP Scholar, as Ryan Hospital's first full-time infection prevention officer in 2022. Wagner, who has conducted similar work in human facilities such as the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, has developed over 20 policies specific to veterinary medicine and is implementing them.

"Our comprehensive IPC program integrates surveillance, policy development, research, quality improvement initiatives, and environmental strategies," said Wagner. "As well as broader collaboration across our hospital units to prevent infections and safeguard patients, staff, and the community."

"My bottom line is safety," she said. "Of course, we have the best veterinarians in the world, and we have the most wonderful students and a wonderful hospital. We're supporting them by providing ways that they can provide safe care through knowledgeable, data-driven infection prevention and control."

Because animal hospitals aren't regulated in the way that human hospitals are, full-time infection preventionists like Wagner aren't the rule at veterinary facilities. Key elements of the rigorous program she has implemented include outreach and monitoring of hand hygiene. Posters, reminding staff about this basic but crucial step in infection prevention and control, are posted throughout Ryan.

In addition, Wagner collaborated with Penn Vet's technology team to develop a hand hygiene app. She and othersincluding students, staff, and supervisorsfunction as trained observers, recording hand hygiene compliance on the app via their mobile phones. Since the system was instituted, Wagner said hand hygiene compliance has increased sevenfold. The transmission of measurable CREs has also dropped dramatically.

Education and technology in infection control

Educating new and future clinicians is an important part of what Wagner does.

"I do educational sessions with our interns, residents, and students," she said. "Just recently, our V'27 class had to complete an online module and get an 80% or better on their exam in order to go into their clinical rotation. That's giving them IPC knowledge before they start working with patients."

Wagner also worked with Ryan Hospital's environmental services team to develop new policies and procedures.

"We're now doing over 1,000 cycles a year of UV-C disinfection (via robot), and those are not just in response to animals with an infection," she said, compared to 300 cycles several years ago. "We're also doing it prophylactically around the hospital on a scheduled basis."

New Bolton Center's arsenalfrom household mainstays to high-tech wonders

Preventing Salmonella infections is one of New Bolton Center's biggest challenges, although it is not the only resistant bacteria its IPC program does battle with.

Nevertheless, it was a 2004 Salmonella outbreak that led to a lengthy and challenging hospital closure as the entire facility was cleaned and disinfected repeatedly. Prior to that, the hospital had two partial closures. All in all, the facility wasn't back to full operating capacity until January 2005. Following that long and difficult chapter, a dedicated director of biosecurity position was created for Helen Aceto, Ph.D., VMD, professor emerita.

Aliza Simeone, VMD, DACVPM, assistant professor of clinical infectious diseases and biosecurity and now New Bolton Center's director of biosecurity, and Felicia Divito, biosecurity administrative coordinator, are at the forefront of implementing comprehensive protocols for cleaning and disinfection as well as maintaining an active environmental surveillance program, grouping patients according to their infectious risk category, and actively surveying the highest risk groups.

They also continuously utilize the data to refine their cleaning and disinfection protocols. Their tools range from mundane to futuristic.

"I use a Swiffer, and I go around, and I test various areas of the hospital on a routine schedule based on that area's risk category," Divito said. "Salmonella is ionically charged. It likes to attach itself to things, and that's the way a Swiffer works. It holds onto the Salmonella quite nicely."

"The reason it [Salmonella] is considered a problem in large animal hospitals is not necessarily because we do not have any other germs. It's that Salmonella can be very persistent in the environment," said Simeone.

Then there's Tru-D. That's the brand name of the UV-C-emitting robot the New Bolton Center crew has newly added to its arsenal of infection prevention. The robot, affectionately referred to as Trudy, offers pleasant banter unlike Ryan's strong but silent triplet robots, and is very effective in eliminating Salmonella and other challenging organisms. "Trudy has reduced the need for repeat cleanings, often requiring heavy-duty cleaning chemicals," Simeone said, emphasizing the benefits to cleaning personnel and the environment.

"[Using Tru-D] is better for morale for the whole team," Divito said. "Our team is so passionate here. Prior to having Trudy, if they were cleaning something and it came up Salmonella-positive, they'd take it to heart that they hadn't done a good job. Now we have a powerful backup."

Creative education and staff engagement

Simeone and Divito also provide education to students, clinicians, and personnel on infectious disease prevention, including everything from disease-specific precautions to general hand hygiene training.

They've gotten creative, too.

To help drive home a point playfully, they created an educational campaign centered on human food and beverage containers in patient care areas. "There was an issue with people having their personal food and drinks in patient care areas, which is a potential problem for personnel health," Simeone said.

Historically, they had always removed these items from clinical spaces. Then, in early 2024, they took it a step further by performing aerobic cultures on the beverage containers found in patient care areas to see what germs were on them. Then they posted the often-nasty results, along with a photo of the removed mug on their bulletin board.

The name of this initiative was Biosecurity's Most Wanted Mug Shots. It didn't have Tru-D's bright lights, but it got people's attention. It also led to a big decline in rogue coffee cups.

"It was a huge help," Divito said.

Publication details Ian M DeStefano et al, Human Cases of Carbapenemase-ProducingEscherichia coliLinked to Spread Between Animals and the Environment in a Veterinary FacilityMassachusetts, USA, 2023, Clinical Infectious Diseases (2025). DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaf541 Journal information: Clinical Infectious Diseases
Paris Hilton has called for an urgent clampdown on the use of deepfake porn online declaring "no amount of money or lawyers can stop it".

Paris Hilton is backing a bill to clampdown on deepfake porn

The 44-year-old hotel heiress headed to Washington, D.C. on Thursday (22.01.26) to voice her support for the Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits Act - known as the DEFIANCE Act - which would allow victims of deepfake porn to take legal action against those responsible for its creation and distribution and she opened up about her own experiences following the 2004 leak of a sex tape in which she featured with ex-boyfriend Rick Salomon.

Speaking on Capitol Hill, Paris explained: "Coming back to the Capitol, I feel something new, strength. When I was 19 years old, a private, intimate video of me was shared with the world without my consent.

"People called it a scandal. It wasn't. It was abuse. There were no laws at the time to protect me. There weren't even words for what had been done to me. The internet was still new, and so was the cruelty that came with it.

"They called me names. They laughed and made me the punchline. They sold my pain for clicks, and then they told me to be quiet, to move on, to even be grateful for the attention.

"These people didn't see me as a young woman who had been exploited. They didn't see the panic that I felt, the humiliation or the shame. No one asked me what I lost - I lost control over my body, over my reputation. My sense of safety and self-worth was stolen from me."

She went on to declare she's still being victimised by the use of deepfake porn online, adding: "I believed that the worst was behind me, but it wasn't.

"What happened to me then is happening now to millions of women and girls in a new and more terrifying way.

"Before, someone had to betray your trust and steal something real. Now all it takes is a computer and a strangers imagination. Deepfake pornography has become an epidemic."

Paris claimed there are more than "100,000 explicit deepfake images" of her that have been "made by AI" and she wants a change in the law to protect the next generation of women including her two-year-old daughter London.

She added: "Not one of them is real, not one of them is consensual. And each time a new one appears, that horrible feeling returns, that fear that someone somewhere is looking at it right now and thinking its real,.

"No amount of money or lawyers can stop it or protect me from more. It's the newest form of victimization happening at scale, to your daughters, your sisters, your friends and neighbors.

"Too many women are afraid to exist online or sometimes to exist at all, and I know how that feels, because I lived it.

"Now I have a daughter who's just two-and-a-half years old, and I would go to the ends of the earth to protect her. But I can't protect her from this, not yet.

"And that's why I'm here. This isn't just about technology, it's about power. It's about using someone's likeness to humiliate, silence and strip them of their dignity. Victims deserve more than after-the-fact apologies. We deserve justice."

Paris concluded her speech by saying: "I had the platform to reclaim my story, but so many others don't. And what I've learned is that when your image is violated, it doesn't disappear. It lives inside you, but so does your power.

"Telling the truth has helped me heal, and I am so proud that today I stand here without shame. I am Paris Hilton, a woman, a wife, a mom, a survivor, and what was done to me was wrong.

"And I will keep telling the truth to protect every woman, every girl, every survivor, now and for the future."
Marina personnel assist drifting dinghy off coast of Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres, Q.R.  Two people who found themselves drifting due to a failed motor were rescued in their dinghy. The Mexican Navy, acting as Coast Guard, were alerted to the need for assistance off the coast of Isla Mujeres Thursday afternoon.

The request for help was received through the Fifth Naval Region, who were quickly able to locate the small boat during a patrol. Once at the location, Marina personnel provided support, working to restart the motor.

Once restarted, the two young men were able to get themselves to the Bay of Isla Mujeres.

In a statement, the Marina said their rescue was carried out when personnel from the Isla Mujeres Naval Search, Rescue, and Maritime Surveillance Station (ENSAR), during a maritime surveillance patrol, detected a small vessel adrift due to outboard motor failure.

Therefore, naval personnel provided support to the individuals and the vessel, successfully restarting it so it could then continue its journey to Isla Mujeres Bay.

Riviera Maya News bringing you headline news for Isla Mujeres since 2014

Your official online newspaper
Police return fire during Puerto Morelos incident capturing involved gang members

Puerto Morelos, Q.R.  Two youths captured in Puerto Morelos on drug offences are now also facing firearm and attempted murder charges. On Thursday, authorities said Miguel Angel N and Benancio N are suspected criminal gang members involved in more than just area drug sales.

Both men were arrested Thursday afternoon from the federal highway in Puerto Morelos after an altercation with officers. Police said while conducting an investigation along the highway, their vehicle was fired at by three men inside the car.

All three youths were armed. Officers returned fire.

Once the car stopped along the highway, all three made a run for it. Two of the involved gang members were captured, however, one of them headed for the jungle while continuing to shoot at police.

Police chased him while shooting back resulting in one of the officers being hit by a bullet in the leg. He was taken to hospital for a non-life-threatening injury.

The two captured youths were taken into custody and are facing charges that include drug dealing, illegal firearm possession and attempted murder.

The incident happened when the officers were conducting investigative acts on the Cancun-Playa del Carmen federal highway and observed three subjects who, upon noticing the proximity of the official vehicle, fired their weapons at the police officers, who returned fire, police reported.

Shortly afterwards, agents managed to capture two subjects while a third entered the undergrowth and continued shooting, so he was pursued by police, resulting in one of them being injured in the leg; he was taken to a hospital where his health condition is reported as stable.

The State Attorney General (FGE) reported that the two men in custody are facing charges possibly constituting the crimes of drug dealing, possession of a firearm for the exclusive use of the Army, Navy and Air Force, as well as for attempted homicide in this municipality.

The detainees are identified as Miguel Angel N and Benancio N, from whom a .223 caliber long gun, a .38 caliber special revolver, magazines and live cartridges, as well as alleged narcotics, were seized.

Riviera Maya News bringing you crime headline news for Puerto Morelos since 2014

Your official online newspaper
Sea to shore sargassum collection strategy made permanent year round in Mexican Caribbean

Riviera Maya, Q.R.  Authorities say they are making sargassum removal along Cancun, Riviera Maya beaches permanent. The permanent removal will now be done year round after the recent arrival of out-of-season seaweed.

Earlier this month, strong winds left areas of the coast covered in seaweed, something that was considered out of season since sargassum does not typically start to arrive until the Spring.

The untimely arrival of seaweed was forced onto some state beaches due to weather conditions. The Mexican Navy, who are in charge of at-sea sargassum collection, said they removed 178 tons during those three days of strong winds.

That was on top of the 400 tons manually removed from Playa del Carmen and 220 tons forked off Isla Mujeres beaches by Zofemat staff, among other affected beaches from Cancun to Mahahual. The Navy says with this, they made the decision to make sargassum collection a permanent strategy rather than a seasonal one.

A Zofemat crew is seen here removing seaweed from Playa Norte on Isla Mujeres January 13, 2026.

Given the decision to maintain the strategy at the beginning of 2026, approximately 178.01 tons of sargassum have been collected this year in the municipalities of Isla Mujeres, Benito Juarez (Cancun), Puerto Morelos, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and along the beaches of Mahahual and Xcalak, in the municipality of Othon P. Blanco, they reported.

The government will move forward with the implementation of the Sargassum Response Strategy in coordination with the Navy with the objective of mitigating the negative effects of this seaweed on the environment, tourism and society along the coast of the state of Quintana Roo, the Secretaria de Marina added.

In a statement, they said it should be noted that the aforementioned strategy is implemented annually and, given the atypical arrival that occurred during 2025, it remains permanently implemented in 2026, so the different stages are maintained: collection, withdrawal to 50% for maintenance, currently the preparation phase and ready to move on to the deployment and collection stage, as soon as the weather conditions warrant it.

Sargassum masses are monitored on a daily basis and collected at sea before it can make landfall.

In this context, during 2025 the Secretariat of the Navy in coordination with the Government of the state of Quintana Roo, the business sector and the civilian population, joined efforts in a historic season, achieving the collection of approximately 92,783 tons of said algae, a record figure compared to previous years.

To continue these actions, 16 surface units are currently employed including one ocean-going Sargassum Vessel, 11 coastal Sargassum Vessels and four amphibious Sargassum Vessels. Additionally, 16 smaller support vessels are available along with 9,500 meters of containment barriers.

Riviera Maya beaches remain free of seaweed January 22, 2026.

An additional 6,000 meters of barriers are planned for implementation in coordination with the State Government. These barriers are removed in some areas during cold front season as a preventative measure and are currently being relocated for maintenance, cleaning, repairs, and component replacement to ensure their proper functioning.

At the end of the cold front season, they will be redeployed to the required areas.

The amount of seaweed off the coast is currently considered low January 22, 2026 report.

Meetings have been held with government officials and businesses in order to standardize the criteria for the preparation of the sargassum arrival and the reports of sargassum collection in the 2026 Season.

Similarly, meetings have also been held with staff from the State Center for Environmental Monitoring, the Executive Directorate of Oceanographic and Atmospheric Research and Monitoring and the Gulf and Caribbean Oceanographic Institute of the Secretariat of the Navy, in order to discuss issues related to improvements in the issuance of sargassum biomass monitoring bulletins in the Caribbean Sea.

It should be noted that they are currently employing preventive actions, monitoring weather conditions to ensure the deployment of surface units and the installation of barriers, in order to continue with the collection and containment of sargassum.

The union of coordinated efforts and commitment of the different entities involved from the municipal, state and federal levels has resulted in better coordination and improvement in the implementation of the strategy to mitigate the effects of this algae on the coasts of the Mexican Caribbean.

Riviera Maya News serving Quintana Roo Mexico since 2014

Your official online newspaper
Rose Byrne plans to name her bearded dragon in honour of her Oscar nomination.

Rose Byrne has been nominated for her first Oscar

The 46-year-old actress won the Golden Globe award for Best Female Actor in a Musical or Comedy thanks to her role in If I Had Legs I'd Kick You and during her acceptance speech, she explained her partner Bobby Cannavale - with whom she has sons Rocco, nine, and Rafael, eight - wasn't there because he was picking up a new family pet.

And now, after being nominated for her first ever Academy Award for her work on the same movie, Rose is contemplating naming the creature to mark the milestone.

Asked about the bearded dragon when she called Today to celebrate her Oscar nomination, she said: Hes so sweet. Hes so sweet.

Were all smitten. The kids are happy, such a sweetie.

And after revealing he didn't yet have a name, co-host Jenna Bush Hager suggested: Well, maybe you can name him Oscar."

Rose replied: Perfect, done!

The Australian actress "can't believe" she has been shortlisted for the Best Actress prize alongside Jessie Buckley (Hamnet) Kate Hudson (Song Sung Blue), Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value) and Emma Stone (Bugonia).

She said: The women are incredible in this category. I feel like Im the naughty kid that snuck in the back of the bus. I cant believe it.

While Bobby missed the Golden Globe awards, Rose confirmed he'll be at the Oscars.

She told The Hollywood Reporter: "Absolutely! Its the middle of the night in Australia, and he called me. So cute.

Although Rose has been nominated for a number of awards for If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, she admitted the Oscar nomination means a lot.

She said: The thought of the legacy and the pageantry and the scale of it, its impossible to not have that value.

All of these sort of experiences weve had, and acknowledgements and recognition that weve had, it definitely feels like a monumental moment to have this acknowledgement. Of course, that huge kind of legacy and tradition of this ceremony is just undeniable, so to be a small part of that is unbelievable.

"I love the Oscars. [When I was a] little girl from Sydney, Australia, I used to watch [the show]. The pageantry of it is so fun and theatrical.

The Bridesmaids star sparked laughter at the Golden Globes when she explained why Bobby wasn't there.

She ended her speech by saying: "I want to thank my husband, Bobby Cannavale, who couldnt be here because we are getting a bearded dragon and he went to a reptile expo in New Jersey."
A pet store in Singapore is an essential services retailer that sells animals and pet care resources to the public. Animal supplies and pet accessories are also sold in pet shops. These products include food, treats, toys, collars, leashes, cat litter, cages and aquariums.

pet store in singapore - petsmart

Check out our list of the 12 best pet stores in Singapore for you to find your furry pal.

Credit  CapitaLand

A household name in Singapore today, Pet Lovers Centre has been and continues to be the number one choice of pet owners since it opened in 1973. The pet store in Singapore sells a variety of pets. The pets range from hamsters, cats, rabbits, dogs and hermit crabs.

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You can also purchase products such as leashes, bedding, cages, food, treats and toys. Pet Lovers Centre holds clearance sales for pet owners to buy these items at discounted prices.

If your cat is suffering from a digestive disorder, get their Burp! Everyday Pampering Puff Snack for Cats for S$1.93 (u.p. S$3.85). It is made of Prebiotics Fructo-oligosaccharides and yeast cells to promote intestinal wellness. The store has free delivery above S$80.

For locations, operating hours and contact details, see here.

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Credit  SingMalls

Pets Station is one of Singapores most well-known and oldest pet shops, having opened its retail outlet in 1990. Equipped with decades of experience, they are passionate about making a difference in your pets lives, providing them with a variety of premium products.

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They stock accessories ranging from treats to bowls to leashes and pet food. The pet store in Singapore offers free delivery above S$55 and delivers within 2-5 working days.

They have a rewards programme for you to earn Pawpoints each time you buy from them. Get cashback from your next purchase with Pawpoints or use the points to claim rewards.

For locations, opening hours and contact details, see here.

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Credit  Woof Loof

At Woof Loof, their dedication to providing top-quality puppies for pet owners is fuelled by their ardent passion for pets. They maintain the highest standards in health, temperament, and overall welfare to ensure that their puppies are a perfect match for their new families.

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Their breeders are carefully selected to ensure they meet rigorous standards. All parents go through health and genetic testing to guarantee good health and the best offspring traits.

Their puppies also benefit from Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) and Early Scent Introduction (ESI). ENS stimulates strong stress responses and cardiovascular health, whereas ESI promotes scent recognition and mental development. Additionally, their puppies are socialised in diverse environments, making them well-rounded and confident.

148 Joo Chiat Rd, #01-01, Singapore 427426

+65 8090 0270

Mon  Fri: 11am  9pm

Sat & Sun: 10am  9pm

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Founded in 2004, Polypet is a pet retailer of food and supplies for the lifetime needs of pets. These include cats, dogs, guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters, chinchillas, birds and fish.

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The pet store has occasional bundle sales. If your cat needs potty training, get their Aristo-Cats Natural Pine Cat Litter (2 x 10kg) for S$26. It is chemical-free and safe for your cat.

The pet store neither engages in nor supports the sale of live animals. Instead, it promotes rehoming and adoption. It also launched the Save The Strays campaign by partnering with animal shelters and welfare groups to raise awareness of the rescue and adoption of strays.

Blk 109 Clementi Street 11, #01-27/29, Singapore 120109



+65 6779 5309 (Call) / +65 9438 8938 (WhatsApp)

Mon  Sat: 9am  7pm

Closed on Sun

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Mogale, which means The Brave One in Setswana, reflects their belief that every animal is brave in its unique way. It is the number one online pet food supplier and pet accessory store in Singapore. It stocks pet supplies that range from animal supplements to cat food.

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If you are working on a shoestring budget, you cant go wrong with their Sheba Can Cat Wet Food Tender Chicken Flake (S$1.55). It is made from top ingredients and does not contain corn, wheat, soy, or artificial flavours. Your felines wont fall sick after eating it!

The store offers ease of ordering. Place your orders via their website, email or WhatsApp.

12 Holland Ave, Singapore 272012

+65 8616 2204

Daily: 24 hours

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CreatureLand is your one-stop online pet store in Singapore that offers a repertoire of premium pet products and accessories for dogs and cats. These include treats, toys, pet food, bowls and placemats, travel essentials and grooming products. These products are from brands that include Natural Dog Company, Gotta Go Home, Nice Digs and Springer.

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CreatureLand has a rewards programme where you earn one point for every dollar spent. The points can be used to offset future purchases. The pet store in Singapore also has annual clearance sales. If your pet likes lazing at home, get the Round Shaggy Pet Bed  Light Grey for S$126.40 (u.p. S$158). They offer free delivery for purchases above S$68.

22 Sin Ming Ln, #08-86, Midview City, Singapore 573969 (By Appointment Only)

+65 8890 5339

Daily: 24 hours

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Credit  Good Dog People

Good Dog People is Singapores best online pet store for discerning and conscious pet owners with nearly 1,000 5-star reviews. It prides itself as a zero-waste pet store that has served 40,000 dog owners locally; it has published over 500 pet care resources since 2018.

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At Good Dog People, they do good for society to underscore the importance of responsible pet ownership through working with local animal shelters. These include aaisg, Singapores first animal social enterprise specialising in animal-assisted interactions and interventions.

Their Better Price Guarantee is part of their commitment to offer you a better price. If you find a product elsewhere thats cheaper than what you can buy from them, they will beat it.

240 MacPherson Rd, Singapore 348574 (By Appointment Only)

+65 3129 2266

Mon  Fri: 9am  6pm

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Credit  Pet Master

Pet Master is a pet store in Singapore specialising in everything dogs and cats, from food and treats to toys and furniture. They have a Pet Rewards programme where customers will have to spend a minimum of S$60 on a single receipt to become a lifetime member.

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When you spend online or in-store, you will get points that can be used to offset purchases.

Pet brands that they carry include Aatas, Fussie Cat, Hello Pet, Kala Health and Jerky Time. Their products include pet food, treats, hygiene products, supplements, litter and bedding.

They go the extra mile to ensure that your shopping experience is fuss-free and that their product catalogue is comprehensive. They deliver all days a week and as soon as possible.

920 #01-03/04/05/06/07/08 East Coast Park, Parkland Green C1 Carpark, Singapore 449875

+65 6908 9777 / 6565 6866 (Online)

Mon  Fri: 12pm  8.30pm

Sat & Sun: 9am  8.30pm

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Credit  Superpets

Superpets is your go-to pet store in Singapore for an extensive range of pet supplies at affordable prices. Opened in 2015, their mission is to provide exceptional service and convenience with 18 physical retail stores island-wide, including two that operate 24/7.

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Brands they carry include Accurate and Bunny Nature. They provide free delivery on online orders with a minimum spend of S$120. All orders are delivered within 3-5 working days.

Superpets also has sales where items are sold at a discounted price. If your dogs faeces are stinking up your place, purchase the Equilibrio Canine  Adult Small Breed (Indoor) for S$31.60 (u.p. S$39.50). The food improves intestinal blood flow and reduces faecal odour.

For locations and opening hours, see here.

+65 9367 7774 / 9765 8895

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Credit  Kohepets

Established in 2011, Kohepets is an online pet shop where you can buy dog food, cat food, treats, pet supplies, cat litter and accessories. They stock only the highest quality products.

Each product has been meticulously researched and many have been approved by their pets. Their philosophy? If its not good enough for their pets, it wont make it to the store.

When checking out, choose from various secure payment methods, including credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay and cash. You will receive your order via delivery within 3 business days.

39 Woodlands Cl, Singapore 737856

+65 8511 1605

Mon  Fri: 9am  5pm

Closed on Sat & Sun

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Credit  Bubble Pets

Bubblepets, set up in 2012, is one of the pioneer online pet shops. With over a decade of experience and being pet owners themselves, they want to give pets nothing but the best.

What makes them a cut above other pet stores is that they possess in-depth knowledge of pet care and the products they carry. Their founder is certified in Pet Care Management by Temasek Polytechnic and has a Diploma in Vet Clinical Practice from Ngee Ann Polytechnic.

The pet store in Singapore believes in giving back to society through adoptions, rehoming and donation drives. It even has a page dedicated to adoptions and rehoming. The page spotlights abandoned pets that need a loving home and features charities they work with.

1 Tampines North Dr. 1, Singapore 528559 (By Appointment)

+65 9186 8577

Mon  Fri: 10am  6pm

Closed on Sat & Sun

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Established in 1988, Petmart is one of the pioneers in the aquarium and pet industry in Singapore. The sky is the limit when you shop at Petmart. They have more than 8000 pets related products for you to pick from  from the latest in electronics to the nuts and bolts of aquarium pumps, fish food, dog food, reptile food, medications, cages, and accessories.

The pet store in Singapore stocks all major brands of pet products ranging from Angel to Friskies and Europet. Their spare parts list is comprehensive and covers most accessories.

151 Serangoon North Ave 2 #01-79, Singapore 550151

+65 9450 0947 (WhatsApp)

Daily: 11am  8pm

Closed on Wed

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The post 12 pet stores in Singapore to make your teachers pet look bad appeared first on SETHLUI.com.
Lets face it  your neck, chest and collarbones need skincare too. If youre looking to tighten and brighten the area between your head and shoulders, reviewers are raving about the Firm Intentions anti-aging neck cream, from the Portland, Maine-based company, Eight Saints. Users say the rich but not greasy formula absorbs quickly, working magic on saggy and crepey skin  and fast. After just a week, my neck looks smoother and [firmer], user Tonya Wallace writes.

Even better? You can currently treat yourself to the smoothing goodness for 23% off at Amazon. If youre looking to double-up or want to try some of the brands other offerings, you can also enjoy20% off your entire order when you buy two or more items from the Eight Saints website.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, the skin on your neck is often thinner and more sensitive, meaning it can be one of the first places to show signs of aging.

Add sun and air pollutant exposure, extended time hunched over a phone or computer it makes sense why neck skin can be more prone to lines and wrinkles. (Of course, an important reminder here that wrinkles dont mean anything is wrong with your skin or health.)

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Still, if youd like to smooth out the appearance of crepey skin, the Firm Intentions cream is made with potent ingredients intended to smooth, hydrate and protect this sensitive area.

Packed with collagen-boosting protein peptides, this fragrance-free formula is specially designed to boost firmness and elasticity on your neck.

As we age, the body naturally produces less collagen, a protein that helps with skin hydration and elasticity,per this study from the National Library of Medicine. This means products that boost collagen production can be especially handy for smoothing and firming.

Made with a protein peptide blend designed to increase your skins collagen production and Vitamin B5 for soothing and calming, the Eight Saints cream helps your skin stay firm and soft. Youll also get hyaluronic acid for plumping and moisture-binding and green tea antioxidant, for brightening and warding off premature signs of aging. How something can both firm up my neck while making my skin super soft is pure magic! Eri wrote. This is a must have!

Another reviewer calls the cream thick in a good way, celebrating that its not greasy, slimy, smelly and actually feels like its doing something.

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After about a week, my neck didnt look so tired. After a few weeks, the crepey situation that had quietly moved in started packing its bags, they wrote. My skin looks firmer, smoother, and way more alive. I am exhausted. I forget to drink water. My sleep is a joke. And still  this helped.

Fans say it feels instantly hydrating and even like using it on other body parts.

The brand recommends gently massaging a small amount of the cream to the clean, dry skin around your neck, in upward motions, morning and night. Still, fans seem to use it wherever they need a little firming.

Ive also started using it on my upper chest and theres already a noticeable difference in the look and feel of my skin in this area, which I have long neglected to moisturize, one reviewer wrote.

I also used it on my elbows and it helped a lot with the wrinkle/saggy skin in that area, another said. I just started to use it on my stomach/lower belly too and Im excited to see what this cream can do.

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The product arrives in a travel-friendly 2-ounces, though as many reviewers note, a little goes a long way, so the jar will last for quite some time.

This works miracles, the skin on my neck was saggy and its significantly improved now cant wait to use it for longer and see how much more it improves. I should have taken a before pic but I was (incorrectly) not expecting a huge difference. Its also very soothing and doesnt irritate my skin which is a huge plus since I have had some allergies to cosmetics in the past.  katie, Amazon cusomter I got this neck cream about a month ago and I have been using it every day at night and also in the morning. I am 55 and the skin in my neck area started to get a little crepey and lose its firmness. I see a difference using this cream every day... My neck area is more hydrated, and the crepey-ness has improved. I like that the cream does not have any scent, it is light weight and yet creamy.I also used it on my elbows and it helped a lot with the wrinkle/saggy skin in that area. I just started to use it on my stomach/lower belly too and Im excited to see what this cream can do :) I love Eight Saints products and this one can be easily one of my favorites along with their Seeking C Vitamin C and High Society face oil.  Natalie G., Amazon cusomter Wow! I thought this would just be another face moisturizer with a different label. But I was wrong. I have some crepey skin on my decolletage since crossing the 50 year mark, and deep lines across my neck from weight gain and looser skin that make a nearly double chin more noticeable. This stuff works quite quickly. I noticed improvement after the first week, and there was a definite difference after about a week of using nightly. Eight Saints Firm Intentions is thicker, like a night time moisturizer, but doesnt sit heavy or greasy on your skin. It soaks right in, smoothing thirsty, saggy skin, plumping up deep lines and crepey skin. I dont need to use much, a little goes a long way. I even use it on my dry old lady dishpan hands. I love how young it makes my hands look.  Kass Nelson, Amazon cusomter

Looking for more neck creams? Check out this reported list of dermatologist favorites by Senior Shopping Writer Tessa Flores.

RoC

A firming neck and face cream with SPF

Board-certified and New York City-based dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp suggests applying daily moisturizer that contains sunscreen. This is because the sun accelerates the aging process by breaking out collagen and elastin in our skin.



Though Camp didn't recommend a specific sun-protective moisturizer, Dorado Dermatology's Dr. Julia Schwartz, a board-certified dermatologist based in Puerto Rico and dermatology advisor for Ro, likes RoC's five-in-one multi-correction cream which includes broad spectrum SPF 30 and happens to be one of the most affordable items on our list. It's a lightweight day cream packed with well-known hydrators like glycerin and shea butter, antioxidants like vitamin E and a complex claiming to firm skin.

$28.49 at Amazon

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$29.99 at Ulta

Target

A multi-correction cream for crepey skin

Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, suggested this daily cream, also from RoC. The formula's secret notable ingredient is what the brand calls a Hexyl-R Complex, which is meant to target skin thinning, volume loss and the appearance of fine lines. The luxe cream also contains a bevy of seed oils and butters to nourish and deeply hydrate.

$24.99 at Target

$24.99 at RoC

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StiVectin

A popular neck-tightening cream

Schwartz recommended this well-known neck tightening cream by StriVectin, a targeted cream containing spilanthol, an ingredient meant to strengthen skin, along with a patented peptide that's exclusive to the brand.



"Peptides are skin care ingredients that act as building blocks of proteins. Improving levels of collagen and elastin can combat skin laxity," Camp said.



Additionally, this neck cream can help brighten and even skin tone, diminishing the appearance of sunspots.

$59 at Amazon

$59+ at Ulta

Amazon

A gentle pro-retinol cream

New York-based dermatologist Robyn Gmyrek previously suggested this affordable pro-retinol cream to HuffPost addressing the signs of aging on the neck. According to Gmyrek, this is a good option for anyone who wants to get the benefit of retinol  an ingredient that can promote collagen production  but is worried about experiencing irritation thanks to the inclusion of centella asiatica, a hydrating skin soother.

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$15.82 at Amazon

$19.99 at Walgreens

SkinStore

A peptide and retinol neck complex

Another peptide-infused formula approved by Camp is this daily cream that, in addition to a triple peptide blend, contains a 0.2% concentration of slow-release retinol, a time-honored ingredient that accelerates the skin's cellular turnover rate, promoting collagen production. Hydrating seed oils are supplemented with a 5% glaucine complex, a plant-derived ingredient that can support skin's natural resistance to premature aging.

$136 at Dermstore

The Real Deal: We use deal trackers and commerce experience to sift through fake hike-and-drop deals and other deceptive sales tactics. Products will usually be rated at least 4 stars with a minimum 15% discount. (And when theres an exception, well tell you why.)

Related...
Amazon Platform bed

Choosing your home decor is, ideally, a slow and deliberate process (youll be seeing the stuff every day, after all), but there are several valid reasons why you might need to overhaul your space in record time: Youre about to host a dinner party and just realized your several chairs short of a full table; your soon-to-arrive house guests would prefer an actual bed to a guest room futon; your downstairs neighbors may resort to legal action if you dont put a rug between the wood floor and your (very energetic) toddler; and the list goes on.

Luckily, you can quickly solve all of these problems and more with just a few quick clicks: Amazon has a slew of attractive, affordable, and customer-vetted home furnishings that can be at your door as soon as tomorrow. (Note that shipping times may vary depending on where you live.)

Weve selected 11 different items that will basically solve all of your urgent interior needs. Buy now, thank us later.

Amazon

A nightstand with drawer storage and charging ports

Former HuffPost contributor Haley Zovickianwrote, "This compact bedside table includes four charging outlets on its top shelve and two large fabric drawers that you can use for clothing, toys and medicine. Its two open shelves offer space for storing your current reads, photographs, plants and snacks. It comes in five different colors so you can choose the style that best complements the furniture you already have."

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$49.99 at Amazon

amazon.com

A storage stool that only looks expensive

This tufted ottoman has a basic-but-definitely-not-boring profile and 18 different color and material options, so itll work well with pretty much any type of decor. Customers rave about its quality, and say "it could be an expensive artsy piece. Its 1.3 cubic feet of interior storage is an added bonus.



Promising review: "This ottoman is really Classy, well made, perfect height for a recliner and love the textured material on the ivory one! I love it!!! It is worth every penny!!!"  CJB

$74.99+ at Amazon

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amazon.com

A chic sectional

Even two-day delivery is a tough ask for extra large objects, but if you find yourself in need of a sofa ASAP, this modern, modular three-seater, which comes in eight different colors, has you covered for both time and style.



Promising review: "I needed a new sofa in my small apartment as my old one needed to be tossed! Spent hours looking over Amazon. Chose this one for 1) COLOR 2) quick arrival. It arrived quicker than stated. The most fun of assembly was opening the vacuum packed cushions. [...] The hardest part of assembly was putting the long backrest into the base as the metal bars were not at the correct angle. Used a ballpane hammer, gave them a couple whacks and that's all it took!! It is comfortable enough, I've even slept on it. The color is accurately portrayed and was EXACTLY what I wanted. I would purchase this again. The customer service is a 10 star. And FedEx brought the boxes into my apartment. The rest I handled by myself - a 71 yr old lady with bad knees."  Anne from Illinois

$290 at Amazon

amazon.com

A great bed at an even better price

You can be snoozing on this beautifully simple, solid wood, and highly-rated bed frame in just a few days.



Promising review:



"For a fraction of the price of bed frames at furniture stores, this frame feels like about the same quality. The price actually had me worried that this frame was going to be low quality, but I'm glad I took the chance with the aide of all of the positive reviews here.



The frame was super easy to assemble by myself in about 20 minutes. If you're doing it alone you'll need to pile some books under the side pieces when you get to the part where you're connecting the full frame to keep the pieces lined up. The way that they package the slats made it so easy to install. In about two minutes the slats on both ends were done, meanwhile I had a friend complain to me about the hours it took her to install IKEA slats. This bed has anything in IKEA beat by a mile.



Other than a creak here or there when I'm getting up, the bed has been silent."  Cryz

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$122.99+ at Amazon

amazon.com

A solid wood dining table that's perfect for small spaces

This MCM-inspired table has a small footprint (it's sized for up to four people), but it doesnt skimp on style. And unlike most fast-furniture offerings, this ones not made from particle board  its solid pine! The natural color ships in as few as two days; the Espresso takes just a bit longer.



Promising review:



"I received my table today and had it unpacked and put together by myself in about 15 minutes (if it matters, I'm 60 + and female). All I had to do was attach the legs, since, unlike some other brands the support pieces had already been attached to the underside of the tabletop (nice!). I was also quite impressed with the protective packaging, the table corners were covered by two layers of foam plus cardboard. Styrofoam was sealed in plastic so I didn't have a mess to vacuum up afterwards, which my black lab appreciated as she had no static-filled white bits sticking to her coat. The table itself is a very nice quality (real wood!) and fit the corner I needed it for perfectly.

The bolts for assembly were well packaged, labeled, and some extras were provided. They included an Allen wrench that most companies provide for assembly BUT... they ALSO provided a little ratchet - it is SO nice! It's not a cheap one-time use thing and it made putting the leg bolts in extremely quick and easy (I've put it in my toolbox for future use). This company seems to really care about their customer's satisfaction, and they even included three nice cards, blank inside, for me to send to friends or family. Very thoughtful, and no ads on them whatsoever. If I need anything that they sell I'm going to look no further. Actually, I'm thinking of getting a mattress pad from them after the holidays, and will review that when it arrives. I can't be more happy with this purchase."  Swampkat







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$174+ at Amazon

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And some very cool dining chairs

If your dining table is minimal (like the one we mentioned earlier), your dining chairs definitely dont need to be. The rattan backing on these chairs already give it some great mid-century flair, but its the seats that really seal the deal: Choose from faux leather, faux shearling, or velvet material, in colors that range from goes-with-everything white to eye-catching emerald green.



Promising review: "These chairs are awesome. Way better in person and surprisingly very sturdy and comfortable. Assembly was a piece of cake. I was worried about the seat cushion flattening over time, but it is super thick and likely to hold it's shape for a very long time. If you're on the fence, just get em!"  Mallory Cripps

$139.99+ at Amazon

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And a designer-inspired desk chair

To sit at that minimalist-chic desk, youll of course need an equally minimalist-chic chair  like this faux leather and wood finish combo, which has an adjustable, swivel-able seat, smooth rolling wheels, and a distinctly Eames-ish vibe.



Promising review: "I can't say enough good things about this chair. Very solidly made. Lovely to look at. Comfortable to sit in. Incredibly inexpensive for what you get. And - important to me, at least - very easy and simple to put together. It doesn't lean back - which might be nice - but I would guess that at least two things that I say above - inexpensive and easy to assemble - wouldn't be as true if that were the case. And I will happily trade leaning back for both of those. A fabulous buy - and chair."  Bennett Cohen

$108+ at Amazon

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A shape-shifting bookcase

I love this little guy! Hes expandable (from 31.5 to 59.1), holds a lot of stuff, has a cool building block shape, and can sit flat against the wall or repositioned to fit into a corner.



Promising review:I bought this shelf for an oddly sized space in my office and I loved that it was able to slide in order to expand or become smaller. It's super cute and fits my space perfectly. Easy to assemble (made easier by using power tools instead of the included tools, but those would have worked too!), and is cute and unique. Definitely recommend.  Katelyn Brackney

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$120 at Amazon

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An affordable and durable area rug

Whether your trying to muffle footsteps for the sake of your downstairs neighbor, or youre just impatient to update your space, this area rug is a fantastic fast fix: Its washable, insanely affordable, available in a range of sizes, colors, and patterns, has a nonslip backing built in, and can be on your floor as soon as tomorrow.



Promising review: "First thing to note is the brown is not in fact brown, anywhere, its grey (unless I was accidentally sent grey). But its still very nice. I am a Ruggable girl so I was skeptical when I ordered this. I will say Im impressed. I have a toddler and a puppy and washability is beyond important and this has held up well so far. Its had grape jelly and cranberry juice spilled on it and puppy accidents galore but still looks new! Its soft, thin (like most washable rugs) and actually stays in place. I recommend this rug hands down."  KimberLee







6' x 9': $40+ at Amazon

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A multifunctional chest of drawers

This two- or three-drawer piece works equally well as a small dresser, large nightstand, entryway table, side table  you name it. Its textured drawers are eye-catching without being over-the-top; plus the body and drawers come fully assembled, so setup is quick and easy (just attach the legs). It also ships in as little as two days.



Promising review: "Well packed, arrived in perfect conditions. The color and shaped is even more gorgeous than how it looks in pictures. Easy to assemble ( just the legs is what needs to be assembled ) Is one of my favorites furniture piece of my living room. I bought the set and Im using as side tables. Just gorgeous. Recomended 100%. Is not a big dresser but is not too small either. The 3 drawers is a plus as a side table."  Yvonne Arce

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$130 at Amazon

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A mirror that looks as good as you do

I love what a large mirror can do for a room, and I firmly believe everyone needs at least one in their home. (The size of your space shouldnt be an issue  they say a well-placed mirror is great for tricking the eye into seeing additional square footage.) This one has a smooth, rounded frame, comes in four different finishes and five different sizes, and can be wall-mounted, leaning, or free-standing. Delivery times vary, but can be as fast as 48 hours.



Promising review: "Im obsessed with this mirror! Best purchase of 2024 probably (which is saying a lot because I bought a new house and a new car!). But seriously, this came perfectly packaged and quick. You can lean it against your wall or use the little kick-stand on the back and I think you can hang it but Im too lazy for that. It is leaning against my bedroom wall and is the envy of all who come visit!"  Jordan Czajkowski

$49.99+ at Amazon

Related...
CCTV: The World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026 is about to close. The event is held under the theme of A Spirit of Dialogue, yet parties expressed in their speeches concerns over greater division and more conflicts facing the world. Whats Chinas assessment on this years WEF annual meeting? How should dialogue be promoted under current circumstances? Is China willing to play a bigger role as a leader in international affairs?



Guo Jiakun: Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council He Lifeng attended and addressed this years World Economic Forum annual meeting. By sharing four observations on firmly supporting free trade, safeguarding multilateralism, pursuing win-win cooperation, and upholding mutual respect and equal-footed consultation, Vice Premier He Lifeng sent out a positive message to the world that China is committed to advancing high-quality development, expanding high-standard opening up, promoting a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and making the international economic and trade order more just and equitable.

Increasing uncertainties and instabilities facing the world calls for stronger solidarity, cooperation and joint effort in dealing with challenges through dialogue. History proved that confrontation and antagonism will only lead to damage and regression, and only dialogue and cooperation can spell prosperity and progress. No matter how the landscape may evolve, China will always act as the anchor in this uncertain world and provide opportunities, confidence and momentum for the common development of countries through its own development. China stands ready to work with all parties to bridge differences with dialogue, enhance mutual trust with cooperation, deliver on commitments with actions and jointly respond to global challenges and build a community with a shared future for humanity.

Reuters: Please could you confirm that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will visit China next week, that American President Donald Trump will visit China in April, and that Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit the U.S. at the end of this year?



Guo Jiakun: On your first question, in a turbulent and volatile world, China and the UK as permanent members of the UN Security Council will benefit the world and the two countries themselves by stepping up exchanges and cooperation. On the specific visits you mentioned, information will be released in due course.

On China-U.S. relations, a steady relationship serves the common interests of the two peoples and meets the expectation of the international community. Head-of-state diplomacy plays an irreplaceable role in providing strategic guidance to bilateral relations. On the specifics that you mentioned, I have no information to offer at the moment.

RT TV: President Putin in a meeting with the U.S. delegation confirmed that Russia, the U.S. and Ukraine will hold a trilateral meeting on security-related issues in the UAE on January 23 and 24. Whats Chinas comment?



Guo Jiakun: Chinas position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear. Dialogue and negotiation is the only right way out of the Ukraine crisis.

Reuters: UN experts yesterday expressed deep concern regarding persistent allegations of forced labor affecting Uyghur, Kazakh and Kyrgyz minority groups as well as Tibetans within the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and across other parts of China. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment on this report?



Guo Jiakun: The Chinese government has been committed to promoting and protecting human rights. Development and progress in Xinjiang and Xizang are there for all to see. This is an undeniable fact. The so-called concerns fabricated by certain experts are completely unfounded. We urge relevant special procedures experts to respect basic facts, adhere to the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures Mandate-holders of the Human Rights Council, fulfill their mandate in a just and objective manner, and avoid being used by or assisting anti-China forces.

AFP: TikTok announced yesterday the establishment of a majority American-owned joint venture to operate its business in the United States. Donald Trump has welcomed this move and thanked Chinese leader. What is Chinas comment on this?



Guo Jiakun: On what you mentioned, Id refer you to competent authorities. Chinas stance on TikTok is consistent and clear.

Folha de S.Paulo: President Xi Jinping and President Lula had a phone call in which they discussed the importance of maintaining the central role of the United Nations. The conversation took place after both countries were invited by President Donald Trumps peace council. Was the peace council itself specifically discussed during the call?



Guo Jiakun: President Xi Jinping talked to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on the phone this morning. They exchanged views on China-Brazil relations and issues of mutual interest. Weve released a readout, which you may refer to.

Reuters: The U.S. said it will allow China to buy Venezuelan oil but not at certain prices. Does China have to follow what the U.S. dictates here?



Guo Jiakun: Venezuela is a sovereign state and has the right to independently choose cooperation partners.

Antara: Eight Muslim-majority countries, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkiye, Indonesia, Jordan, the UAE, Egypt, and Pakistan, have agreed to join the Gaza Board of Peace. How optimistic is the Ministry that this board will be able to maintain peace in Gaza?



Guo Jiakun: We have answered questions regarding the Board of Peace and have nothing to add.

RT TV: ROK media outlets reported that the presidents of China and the ROK in their talks discussed four cooperation projects that may involve the DPRK, including a high-speed railway connecting Seoul and Beijing via Pyongyang. The reports also suggested Chinas mediation role concerning the relations between the ROK and the DPRK in relevant projects. Can you confirm that? If the reports can be confirmed, how does China view its role in the projects?



Guo Jiakun: China released information on the talks between the presidents of China and the ROK in early January. On other issues you mentioned, I have nothing to share.

Kyodo News: Japans House of Representatives was formally dissolved today. Whats Chinas comment?



Guo Jiakun: This is Japans internal affair. We dont have a comment on that.

AFP: President Donald Trump said today that the United States is sending a massive fleet toward Iran. This follows days of strong language between Washington and Tehran. What is Chinas comment on the situation?



Guo Jiakun: China hopes that Iran will maintain national stability and that all parties will cherish peace, exercise restraint, and resolve differences through dialogue.
On January 20, 2026, Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council He Lifeng attended the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, Switzerland and delivered a speech.

He Lifeng said that President Xi Jinping delivered an important speech at the WEF in January 2017. China has since walked the talk and remained steadfast in supporting multilateralism and free trade. In recent years, President Xi Jinping successively proposed four global initiatives, providing Chinese solutions to collective problems facing the world. In his speech at the forum, He Lifeng outlined four key recommendations. First, firmly support free trade and work together to promote a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. Second, firmly safeguard multilateralism, and make the international economic and trade order more just and equitable. Third, adhere to win-win cooperation, be committed to making the pie of cooperation bigger, and jointly solve development problems. Fourth, uphold mutual respect and equal-footed consultation, and properly manage differences and resolve issues through dialogue. He Lifeng also briefed the audience on the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, emphasizing that China's development will bring important opportunities to the world. He also had in-depth exchanges with participants from international industry and commerce sectors.

During his attendance at the WEF Annual Meeting, He Lifeng jointly met with President of the Swiss Confederation Guy Parmelin and Vice President of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis. He conveyed President Xi Jinping's cordial greetings and expressed China's willingness to strengthen high-level exchanges and deepen bilateral and multilateral cooperation with Switzerland. The Swiss side expressed the expectation to speed up negotiations on upgrading the free trade agreement with China and jointly support multilateralism and free trade. He Lifeng also held separate talks, at the invitation of both officials, with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who leads the U.S. side to the China-U.S. economic and trade consultation mechanism, and with British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, who leads the British side to the China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue. They exchanged views on relevant economic and trade issues between China and the United States, and between China and the United Kingdom.
Elle Fanning broke down in tears upon finding out she had received her first Oscar nomination.

Elle Fanning reacting to her first Oscar nomination on FaceTime call to Sentimental Value director Joachim Trier and his wife Helle Bendixen Trier /  Instagram

The 27-year-old actress is "in absolute shock" that her performance of Rachel Kemp in Sentimental Value has earned her a nod in the Best Supporting Actress category alongside Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas (Sentimental Value), Amy Madigan (Weapons), Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners) and Teyana Taylor (One Battle After Another) at the 98th Academy Awards on March 15.

Elle shared a screenshot of her on a FaceTime call with Sentimental Value's director, Joachim Trier, 51, and his wife, Helle Bendixen Trier, on Instagram on Thursday (22.01.26).

The post was captioned: "IS THIS REAL!?!?!?! IS THIS A DREAM!?!?!?! I cant catch my breath. I am in absolute shock.

"What an honour to have my first Academy Award nomination be for a film that acknowledges the power of moviemaking and family! My Mom, Grandma, Sister, and Aunt were here with me this morning to scream and hug and cry. Thank you thank you thank you.

"To be amongst the beautiful women in this category is truly overwhelming. (sic)"

Sentimental Value bagged nine nominations - Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Renate Reinsve, Best Supporting Actor, Stellan Skarsgard, Best Supporting Actress, Best Original Screenplay, Best International Feature, and Best Editing.

And Elle is "equally overjoyed to see our entire Sentimental Value family recognised".

She added: "The gorgeous Stellan, Inga, and Renate, I will forever be in awe of you!!!!! Joachim Trier, Eskil Vogt, our editor Olivier Bugge Coutte, Maria, Andrea, Lars, our Neon team, EVERYONE INVOLVED - cheers to you all!

"Or as you say in Norway, Skal!!!!!!!! I am filled with so much love. The whole house got nominated!!! (sic)"

Like Elle, Stellan, 74, is "deeply grateful and happy" that his performance as Gustav Borg in the Norwegian Drama-Tragicomedy film has earned him his first Oscar nomination.

According to E! News, he said: "Im deeply grateful and happy for this nomination, and for the extraordinary recognition the film has received.

"That no Norwegian film has ever been honoured with so many nominations is both humbling and moving.

"This was a small film made with great care, and to see it connect with a broader audience in this way means a great deal to all of us as we dont have the same budgets for marketing on a big scale.

"The traveling circus continues! I look forward to seeing everyone and celebrating together soon."

Inga, 36, is also in shock that her performance as Agnes Borg Pettersen in Sentimental Value has bagged her an Oscar nomination alongside Elle in the Best Supporting Actress category.

According to the outlet, Inga said: "I cant believe this has happened. I am so happy and proud of Elle, Stellan and Renate for this recognition of their amazing performances in our film, as well as for our wonderful editor Olivier."

She added: "None of this would be possible without Joachims vision and leadership as our director, and the script he wrote with Eskil  this beautiful story and these characters have enriched my life so much.

"This is a historic day for Norwegian cinema. This nomination means the world to me, and I have to thank my family for being so supportive and loving and patient, especially my husband and son, who I love more than life itself  thank you thank you thank you!

And Renate, 38, is "so honoured to receive this nomination" for her performance as Nora Borg in the movie.

According to E! News, she said: "I am so honoured to receive this nomination and to be home in Norway, celebrating alongside my cast and crew our 9 history-making nominations which makes it even more surreal.

"This film was created collectively with the most incredible group, lead by our maestro Joachim Trier. What an amazing day for us, for my fellow actors Stellan, Inga and Elle, our brilliant co-writer Eskil and Olivier, the editor who makes all our work better."

She added: "Im so grateful our story is being met with such generosity by the Academy."
On the morning of January 23, 2026, President Xi Jinping spoke with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on the phone.

President Xi noted that in 2024, President Lula and I jointly announced the elevation of the bilateral relationship to a China-Brazil community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet. For more than one year since then, the two countries have gained strong momentum in building a community with a shared future and made solid progress in synergizing development strategies, thus setting an example of solidarity and cooperation between Global South countries. This year marks the beginning of Chinas 15th Five-Year Plan. China will pursue high-quality development through high-standard opening up and provide more opportunities for cooperation with Brazil. China is ready to work with Brazil to comprehensively advance mutually beneficial cooperation across the board, and promote greater development and usher in a brighter future of China-Brazil relations.

President Xi stressed that facing the turbulent international landscape, China and Brazil, as important members of the Global South, are constructive forces for upholding world peace and stability and reforming and improving global governance. China and Brazil should firmly stand on the right side of history, better champion the common interests of both the two countries and the Global South, and jointly uphold the central position of the United Nations and international fairness and justice. China will always be a good friend and good partner of Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries, and continue promoting a China-LAC community with a shared future.

President Lula said that President Xis historic visit to Brazil in 2024 elevated the bilateral relationship to a new level of a Brazil-China community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet, and significant progress has been achieved in cooperation between the two countries in all areas. Brazil will work with China to promote greater development of bilateral and LAC-China relations. Brazil and China are important forces in upholding multilateralism and free trade. Given the worrying international situation, Brazil is willing to collaborate closely with China to defend the authority of the United Nations, strengthen BRICS cooperation, and safeguard regional and world peace and stability.
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Ever since my father passed away, leaving me the breadwinner for my family at age 15, Ive balanced multiple jobs and lived frugally. Since my teenage job at McDonalds, 25 years ago, Ive worked dozens of gigs. Ive been employed in every position in casual and fine-dining restaurants. Ive been a nanny, a tile installer, a freelance journalist, a ghostwriter, a creative writing teacher, and a speech-language pathologist. Ive always been terrified of wasting money. I spent my teens and 20s budgeting to pay off any credit card debt before the end of each month and taking extra shifts to pay off car loans within a year of purchase. Once I had children, I came up with a strategy: Instead of forking out loads of cash for day care, I found jobs I could do with my babies in tow. And for all my careful planning and sacrifice, as of this writing, I carry $100,000 in child-care and medical debt. Its a sum that once represented my dads dream salary. To me, it feels both insurmountable and, strangely, thrilling.

Let me explain.

I started a family in my early 20s, after working my way through college. I got a job as a full-time nanny, for which bringing my own young children along was a bonus for my employers. While all the kids sat together socializing, I zoomed around, cleaning and preparing food. At the same time, I was writing a column on sustainable food and farms for a local paper. I strapped my first child into a baby sling and traipsed through the wet dirt beside rows of vegetables, berries, and oats or into huge barns filled with dairy cows to interview farmers. Visiting local farms helped me with my grocery bills: I could buy produce, milk, and meat on the cheap by sourcing it directly after my interviews wrapped.

At the time, my then husband was in the Navy. Even though neither of us made a lot of money, we stayed out of debt for the first five years of our childrens lives. But medical bills started to mount after our second child was born with a genetic condition that required surgeries and multiple weekly visits to specialists in bursts throughout her childhood. Because I couldnt afford additional help at home, overseeing my childs medical care, appointment management, and at-home therapies was like working a double shift every day. Still, as the cost of raising kids was rising both for my family and across the country, I kept my job working remotely as a freelance writer and started taking prerequisites for a graduate degree.

By the time my third child was a year old, I had finished school and become a single parent. My kids had been in day care on and off for two years while I completed my degree and transitioned into two careers at the same time: a college instructor and speech-language pathologist. While I was able to cobble together child care from family members and friends for at least half of my working hours, I still incurred monthly expenses that ran twice my rent. Luckily, I often did my college teaching remotely or taught night classes after my kids went to bed. I also worked in public schools so I could make family memories during the holidays and summer vacation.

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What you do with your time tells a story, one of my stay-at-home-mom friends told me. If youre at work all the time, it sends a message to your children that money is your first love and they are your second.

The shame came from all directions, and I spent years trying to find ways to both earn enough money to pay for my childrens bills and engage with them wholeheartedly. Forget about dating, going out for coffee with a friend, self-care. My life was the slim, sharp space between a rock and a hard place. I often asked myself, Right now, am I being a good worker or a bad mother, a bad worker or a good mother?

Is it better to work tirelessly to pay off their medical and child-care debt and therefore ensure my childrens future financial freedom? Or should I just give in, quit my side gigs, and let the ominous pile of owed money grow so I dont miss their childhood?

Every day, I answer those questions differently.

Twenty-five years ago, I woke up at 4 a.m. to open the coffee shop across the street from my high school before heading to class. Now, as a single mother of three, I wake up at the same time to do paperwork, prep breakfast for my kids, and turn over a load of laundry before alarms go off and our dogs clatter down the stairs.

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Related From Slate The Most Obvious Thing That Would Make Sports Gambling Safer Read More

I go to work at my first job as a speech therapist while they catch the bus. When we all come home, we cook and eat dinner, do chores, and do homework. Then, I start my next job, teaching college classes, on the clock until bedtime. I take off work so I never miss my childrens extracurriculars and events. I watch my spending and teach my kids how to balance their checking accounts, save, and invest.

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Every month, I tick away at the debt, but I dont let it swallow me or define the family Ive worked so hard to build. Over the years, Ive tried dozens of budgeting systems. Most were successful, but they all fell short when they slammed into the reality of math: We live in one of the most expensive countries for child care.

The cost of my familys health care was greatly improved by the Affordable Care Act, but even with those supports, when kids have diagnoses, the bills add up. (And now that the subsidies are set to expire, prices will become astronomical for millions of families.) So while $100,000 might sound monstrous, Ive paid off four times that over the past 10 years all by myself. When I started speaking up and actually saying that number out louda hugely impolite no-no in the family where I was raisedI found out that many of my friends are in similar positions. In 2021, 40 percent of American parents reported that they had gone into debt to pay for child care, and 28 percent said they had had to choose between paying for child care or paying their rent or mortgage on time.

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My mom friend was more right than she realized, but the failure was more systemic than personal. In some ways, the story of parenting in the United States has become a story of tired, lonely people hustling from work to home and back again each day with a hidden mountain strapped to our backs.

Until something shifts and we can collectively agree that raising the next generation of the human race is as important as flipping burgers, cleaning bedpans, or answering phones at a dental office, Im committed to focusing on the wins. So far, my kids have never been homeless, wrecked by profound grief, or hungry, so in that way, their childhood is a huge improvement on both mine and my dads. Plus, $100,000 is way better than half a million.
This is part of a series of on-the-ground reports from Minneapolis.

I am a middle school music teacher in Minnesota. This past fall, many of us were starting to feel the effects of the pandemic loosen its grips on our students. Every conversation about student behavior or performance inevitably ended with calculating what grade they would have been in when the pandemic started. My sixth graders were in kindergarten, and most of their first grade year would have been online or hybrid.

I say I teach music, but I think what I really teach is empathy, perseverance, and how to exist in diverse spaces with sometimes more than 40 kids all equally goofy and immature. Even the baddest students want to be seen as good. They want to feel like they can contribute something, anything, to the space, even if that thing is becoming the class clown or leading some sort of resistance by refusing to sit in their assigned seats. My 11 years of experience makes it easy to see that behind every students behavior, good or bad, is a desire to feel like they belong.

President Donald Trump, and the occupation of Minneapolis by ICE, is making that very hard.

This January has felt a lot like March 2020. Back then, we were preparing for what ended up being almost an entire calendar year of distance learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This time, we are preparing for a flood of armed soldiers and immigration agents into Minnesota.

On Friday, Jan. 9, about half of our Spanish-speaking students and a quarter of our Somalian students called in absent to school. This was the Friday after the murder of Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent, and before Kristi Noem sent in hundreds more. By my calculations, that is more than 3,000 students calling in absent from our school district. Three thousand school-aged children literally hiding in their homes. What they face isnt a disease like COVID-19 but a system that treats their race as grounds for suspicion, a system they cant escape.

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The next Friday, I found myself waving goodbye to several of my Asian and Black students. Most of my Spanish-speaking students have transferred to online schooling, or had already been calling out, citing family emergencies as their clerical excuse. One of my Latina students warned me before winter break that she would not be able to make it to our orchestra concert because her family was afraid to go out at night. She did not return to school after winter break. She is still on my roster, accumulating absences as the rest of her friends play on. This is a student who is made of sugar and sunshine. I was once told, after she got pulled from my class to meet with another teacher, that she started crying because she hated missing orchestra class.

When I emailed her to check in, she responded that her family is OK but were still in the ICE situation and its not just us, its everyone like me. Were in our house so the ICE wouldnt take my parents away. She signed off the message with star emojis. Sugar and sunshine. And stars.

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What happens during childhood shapes resiliency, communication patterns, attachment styles, self-worth, and more. That makes me even more afraid for them. My students are growing up in a moment when the world is not only ignoring atrocities livestreaming on every device but completely denying them. This is producing a trauma I cant yet comprehend. This is not about citizenship. This is about villainizing Black and brown people, and in doing so, it creates a world that becomes less safe for my students every single day.

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In the upcoming school week, my district has declared two noninstructional days to allow teachers time to prepare a virtual option for students who feel unsafe coming to school. Our union and district keep reiterating that school is the safest space for children during the daybut I cant say I wholeheartedly agree. We already have examples in our communities of ICE showing up at dismissal to detain staff members. Of ICE agents pulling over a van of students receiving special education services and demanding to see documentation. Of a 12th grader getting called to pick up her 5-year-old sibling who witnessed their father get pulled out of the vehicle and detained because he fit the description. Not to mention the fear of students potentially returning home to raided houses, no parents in sight.

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After the murder of Renee Good, I found myself triggered back into old patterns like checking the People Over Papers website with as much frequency as I monitored the death count on the COVID-19 Worldometer. I am struggling with the idea of virtual learning because of the memories it conjures. Teaching into a void of blank screens while pleading, I cant help you fix your instrument unless you turn on your camera. And yet, I will do sobecause that is what must be done.

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The fact is armed soldiers will not be winning this war. It will be won by our communities who have already rallied in complex and magnificent ways. Rapid response networks are forming over group chats to alert neighbors of ICE presence in the area. Mothers are patrolling bus stops and school drop-off zones. Neighbors are offering neighbors rides to school and work. Mutual aid requests are being met and exceeded with ease. Bologna is being thrown at ICE vehicles. Silly String is getting sprung on Nazi agitators, who are later getting run out of town.

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There are now more than 6,000 students enrolled in temporary virtual learning. I do not yet know how this round of distance learning will impact my students, but I am glad to offer the option. I do not yet know how they will feel logging into a classroom to realize this is not a problem that is affecting everyone. I predict that it may feel silly for them at first, and banter will be exchanged in the chatbox. I predict that I may have to mute some of them so I can first deliver instructions. And as I consider disabling the chatbox, I will remind myself that this is not the pandemic. For them, it is worse.

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This time, they do not have the option of wearing a mask to go grocery shopping. Groceries are being delivered to their doors by people who understand that the real threat is being seen. This time, their cozy days at home may require tiptoeing to the door to see who is knocking while praying they dont have a warrant.

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Our immigrant friends must comply by carrying extra documentation, while I and other white Minnesotans wage a war on ideology. We will not change the minds of Trump and his administration, but there is a chance of changing the minds of regular people who keep voting them into power.

So, to those people, I will employ the same de-escalation strategy I use on my students. If you can excuse the ICE abductions happening in Minnesota, then you are either proudly racist or in profound denial about being so. And if the only thing I can do with you is take an open stance and calmly repeat facts and observations, then know I stand before you saying: They are going door to door. They are going door to door.
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This week, President Donald Trump suffered a string of defeats that exposed the real limits of his power at home and abroad. First, his Justice Department abandoned its efforts to illegally appoint Lindsey Halligan, his former personal lawyer, as U.S. attorney, yielding to a furious judicial rebuke of its dirty tactics. Then the president dropped his threat to seize Greenland through military force or ruinous tariffs in the face of stiff international resistance. At almost the same time, the Supreme Court threw cold water on his bid to fire Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve. Meanwhile, Minneapolis residents continue to protest, thwart, and document his violent assault on immigrant communities.

On this weeks Slate Plus bonus episode of Amicus, co-hosts Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern discussed the vital lessons to be gleaned from these victories against the presidents abuses of power. A preview of their conversation, below, has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Dahlia Lithwick: This story feels symbolic of the theme we wanted to talk about this week, which is that sometimes standing up to Trump really works. In November, a federal judge ruled that the Trump administration had illegally installed Lindsey Halligan as interim U.S. attorney in Virginia and threw out her sloppy indictments of James Comey and Letitia James. But somehow Halligan refused to leave the office and kept claiming the title. When a different judge, David Novak, told her to stop, she filed this seething reply, with full backing from Pam Bondis DOJ, calling him a partisan hack. Tell us how he responded this week.

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Mark Joseph Stern: This was one of the most incandescent judicial opinions I think I have ever seen. And, by the way, this is a Trump appointee; hes not a flaming liberal. But Novak accused Halligan of wildly unprofessional conduct and openly breaking the law. This was a master class in dressing down the class clown. He wrote that her brief contains a level of vitriol more appropriate for a cable news talk show and falls far beneath the level of advocacy expected from litigants in this Court, particularly the Department of Justice.

Novak also pointed out that the chief judge of the 4th Circuit has made the ruling against Halligans appointment binding across the district, so Halligan was simply flouting a judicial order because of a disagreement by pretending to still hold the office. He wrote: Ms. Halligans response asserts that she is free to act in an unlawful capacity, because she disagrees that she does so unlawfully. But thats not how our legal system works. And he went on: The Eastern District of Virginia has long enjoyed the service of experienced prosecutors who shared an unwavering commitment to the Rule of Law, putting the interests of the citizens of the District before their own personal ambitions, as true public servants do. Unfortunately, it appears that this ethos has come to an end.

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Obviously, Novak was not backing down. He struck Halligans title as U.S. attorney from all relevant filings. And he said that while professional disciplineincluding potential disbarmentwould have been appropriate, he would give Halligan the benefit of the doubt because of her unusual inexperience as a prosecutor. That was an extraordinary way to say: You are so unprofessional and inexperienced that Im not even going to discipline you because you never had any business in this position in the first place.

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The really important thing here is that, in a world in which these folks act as though they have boundless impunity to do what they want, it is incredibly important for judges to say no. Its the cornerstone of how we think about the judicial role. That said, I have to read one more smackdown. Novak wrote: No matter all of her machinations, Ms. Halligan has no legal basis to represent to this court that she holds the position.  This charade of Ms. Halligan masquerading as the United States Attorney for this District in direct defiance of binding court orders must come to an end.

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This is a historic dressing-down of somebody who thought they were made of Teflon. A few months ago, Halligan was asserting that she had the power to jail the presidents political foes on a pretext. And this humiliation is compounded by the fact that the chief judge of the district court posted a notice on Tuesday that the position of U.S. attorney was vacantbecause even if Halligan had been appointed legally, her 120 days in the office were officially up. How did Halligan react to these slights?

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She gave up, which is not what I expected. It was entirely possible that the Trump administration would attempt to reappoint her as interim U.S. attorney for another 120 days and try to fight this out till the end. Instead, it surrendered. Bondi announced on social media that Halligan would no longer seek to serve in the position. That is a victory for all the judges who stood up to this unlawful appointment. And it took me by surprise because the Justice Departments filing earlier sounded like the opening salvo of a major battle over the limits of a presidents power to install his crony as top prosecutor. Then, when the DOJ got shot down and embarrassed and threatened with actual consequences, it just tucked in its tail and limped away.

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Theres another topic I want to discuss in this same key. As late as Tuesday, Americas allies seem to be gearing up for a full-on confrontation with Trump over his deranged quest to seize Greenland. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney gave a stem-winder of a speech at Davos promising to defend Greenlands sovereignty and bemoaning Trumps rupture of the rules-based international order. Then, on Wednesday, in the face of all this, Trump just rolled over and gave up?

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He conceded defeat. He said he was not going to use military force to seize Greenland, which was the threat that he had been pushing for daystanking the markets, terrifying the allies, forcing Denmark and Greenland to prepare for possible battle with the United States. He just said: Never mind, Im not going to do that. Then he purported to secure a deal with NATO that would give the U.S. unlimited access to Greenland, something we already have under current agreements. So he didnt do anything at all. He imperiled the entire world order to end up with the status quo.

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Related From Slate Brett Kavanaugh Delivered the Most Chilling Warning About Trumps Attack on the Fed Read More

When Carney gave that speech, and world leaders gave him a standing ovation, I was worried. I wondered: Is this the provocation? Is this the moment we truly become a rogue nation? Are the tanks going to be rolling into Greenland? And instead, Trump gave up, just as he did with Halligan. The truth is that hes weak. He is not the muscular president he pretends to be on television. When someone says no, and uses tools at their disposal to enforce that boundary, he stands down, because he is terrified of being defeated in a way that he cant spin as a secret victory.

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Thats particularly salient in a week when so many horrors have befallen residents of Minnesota who are standing up to genuine tyranny. It may be tempting to slide into defeatism. But your point is that Donald Trump is a cartoon strongmans idea of a strongman, right? Hes not actually very strong. If people and institutions and businesses and government stand up to him, he crumples.

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Lets braid into that a conversation we had earlier in the week about the Supreme Court arguments over Trumps attempt to fire Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve. The justices were like: What? You cant do this. We cant have the Fed at the mercy of a president who goes on pretextual fishing expeditions to go after people he doesnt like. The point here seems to be: Dont cede all this power to him. And maybe if SCOTUS would grow a spine, this could end tomorrow.

You observed on Wednesday that a lot of the justices sounded pissed. They were like: How did we get to this point? And its their own fault! They gave Trump so much leeway in all of these earlier cases to break the law. Then they seemed irked when he crossed the line that they had tried to draw in the sand over the Federal Reserve. They seemed to wonder: How could this happen? Well, look in the mirror. When you capitulate, you empower Trump to push further past your limits. Thats the lesson that the international community seems to have learned, and that our more courageous judges in the lower courts have learned. Lets just hope that John Roberts, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett are learning it now, because its one of the few things that could turn around this catastrophe.

With Trump, youve got to hold the line, or else you just get bowled over. That is what everyone out in the streets in Minnesota is doing right now, and we are seeing the results. The average protester blowing a whistle on the streets of the Twin Cities has shown more courage than John Roberts has in maybe his entire career.
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This week, the Department of Justice forged ahead with criminal investigations into Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Freyjust a few days after Minnesota filed suit against Homeland Security over its surge of federal agents in and around the Twin Cities. State Attorney General Keith Ellison and Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty are also being roped in and face subpoenas. The federal government is considering whether to charge Minnesota officials with conspiracy to impede federal agents immigration enforcement duties, but the case is clearly doomed to the same failure that met President Donald Trumps efforts to prosecute political adversaries New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey. While those cases fell on technicalities, the investigations of the Minneapolis officials look likely to topple on more straightforward grounds: An administration that postures as fierce defenders of First Amendment rights is targeting these officials purely for their speech. While this effort is destined to fail, it still has the power to inflict long-term damage.

The government may not take action based on the viewpoint of the speaker. Period, full stop, former U.S. Attorney and Deputy Assistant Attorney General Harry Litman explained to Slate. Litman hosts the Talking Feds podcast, and he explained that the DOJ appears to be going after Walz and Frey through a federal statute that makes it a crime for local officials to conspire to prevent, force, intimidate, or threaten an officer who is required to perform their duties.

In order to prove Walz and Frey conspired against federal agents, the DOJ is likely going to attempt to use their public comments against them. For instance, Walz called the deployment of federal agents in Minnesota sensationalized operations and also put out a public statement urging people to speak out loudly, urgently, but also peacefully. Frey, during a separate press conference, made national waves when he said, To ICE: Get the fuck out of Minneapolis. We do not want you here.

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To almost anyone hearing those comments, Walzs and Freys statements would not amount to a conspiracy. The obvious reality is that the Trump administration simply has beef with the public statements Walz and Frey have made and is trying to intimidate them and any other critics of ICEs brutalarguably murderousrecent tactics.

The issue for the DOJ in this case is that these statements dont clear the bar of the federal statute its trying to invoke. It has to be an agreement to use force, threat, or intimidation to impede federal officials, Litman explained, and those threats have to produce imminent lawless actionknown as the Brandenburg standard. Previous Supreme Court jurisprudence has confirmed this, with the court ruling that even speech where someone is calling for unlawful action is protected under the First Amendment, until and unless it actually results in a tangible crime. The basic idea is that the First Amendment line is really robust and really extensive and it stops at the point, but only at the point, where some really bad shit is just about to go down because of your words, Litman explained.

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Another problematic element to the DOJs strategy is the fact that they have issued subpoenas to the state attorney general and the local prosecutor, both of whom have pledged to look into investigating Jonathan Ross, the ICE officer who shot and killed Renee Good. Litman said its highly irregular to subpoena a prosecutor, and particularly problematic in this instance when the federal statute the DOJ is using to investigate may not hold up to scrutiny in court. On top of that, grand jury rules dictate that prosecutors cannot just hand out subpoenas in order to dig around for new information or to harass someone; they must be in pursuit of a legitimate crime.

To Litman, the bottom line is that the president is clearly using the threat of criminal prosecution to further threaten our constitutional democracy. As he told me, the message to local officials across the country who are already experiencing federal agents in their cities and to those who may be next is: If you argue with me politically, Ill see your ass in courtand maybe in jail.
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After a year of nonstop backtracking, whiffed self-imposed deadlines, and straight-up Supreme Court defiance, it seems as if we finally, maybe, actually have a TikTok deal.

The tentative arrangement, between TikTok parent company ByteDance, Chinese officials, the United States government, and its handpicked institutional investors, had been teased as far back as September, but it wasnt until last month that the China-based ByteDance reportedly signed off on the arrangement, with a closing deadline of Jan. 22. On Thursday, Semafor reported (and Politico later confirmed) that the timeline was met, with the deal set to close this week.

Thank you to Vice President JD Vance, and all of the others within my Administration, who helped bring this Deal to a very dramatic, final, and beautiful conclusion, U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social. I would also like to thank President Xi, of China, for working with us and, ultimately, approving the Deal.

The Chinese government has not yet publicly commented on thisso assuming its the real thing this time and not just another promise that will again get put off indefinitely, the TikTok deal is almost assuredly not the big geopolitical and financial win that Donald Trump would like everyone to believe. Meanwhile, the app itself still faces an uncertain futureone that might result in a platform that is far more right-leaning, more hostile, and less secure than ever before.

For one thing, this is not so simple a move as ByteDance (of which the Chinese Communist Party directly holds a 1 percent stake) handing over the app to American investors. Per a December memo from TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, the corporate agreements signed last month will establish TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, a venture based in the U.S. and majority-owned by a consortium that includes the United Arab Emirates A.I. investment fund, as well as various American investors, among them software giant Oracle. ByteDance, however, remains a minority owner and the single largest individual shareholderdespite the United States yearslong push to cut it off from any control of an Americanized TikTok.

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Due to this new structure, the American stakeholders (including Trump pals Jeff Yass and Michael Dell) will determine how the platform recommends and surfaces content, reconfiguring ByteDances powerful and addictive secret sauce algorithm as something more U.S.-focused and -trained. The new TikTok USDS will now be segmented off from TikTok Internationalthe current app that global users know and have probably downloaded on their phone (unless they live in one of the countries that have banned TikTok outright). Per Chews declaration from last month, TikTok USDS is intended to operate as an independent entity when it comes to U.S. data protection, algorithm security, content moderation and software assurance, with oversight from a new seven-member majority-American board of directors. Now we know the CEO will be Adam Presser, formerly the head of TikToks head of operations as well as trust and safety; Chew will serve as a director.

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That being said, according to Chew, certain commercial activities related to TikToks lucrative advertising and commerce features will still be honed primarily by ByteDance. None of the investors in TikTok USDS are reported to be involved in that venture. On top of that, about half of TikTok USDSs earnings will ostensibly be directed to ByteDance, thanks to a special revenue-sharing agreement announced in September.

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Throughout the Biden administration, the Singapore-born Chew often attempted, unsuccessfully, to assure China-hawkish lawmakers that TikToks then-planned $1.5 billion Project Texas initiativean effort to transfer all American users data to Oracle-owned servers in the statewould shield Americans from invasive CCP cyber practices. Yet that project, originally a product of negotiations with Joe Bidens government, was not deemed sufficiently secure or safe by either Congress or the executive branch. Nevertheless, this Trump-brokered deal looks a heckuva lot like Project Texasthis time with more investors outside Oracle, plus the involvement of the Emirati government. (The USDS coinage even originated from Project Texas.) To quote Jay Sherman: It stinks!

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The overwhelming attention on TikTok also means that the many other popular apps produced by ByteDance and available stateside (e.g., the short-form video feed Lemon8 and the popular video-editing software CapCut) get passed over in these deliberations. Further, two of ByteDances five board members are Americans, including Susquehanna co-founder Arthur Dantchik. Two of the other directors are Chinese, and one is a Frenchman who replaced a different American board member in 2024. This, combined with the global investors who own most of the company, indicates how ByteDance has always been a worldly affair, despite the CCPs investment and undeniably concerning influence.

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But when ByteDance becomes the bete noire for political fearmongering over China, such distinctions go unnoticed. Which also means that the ways this TikTok deal benefits more unseemly actors arent earning proper skepticism from the authorities. The UAEa despotic and tyrannical Gulf petrostate with ample soft powernow gets as much control of American TikTok as Oracle does. Speaking of the latter: This all ends up as one more formal giveaway to presidential pal Larry Ellison, the 81-year-old Oracle founder and tech broligarch who has benefited more than anyone else from Trumps return to office. (Unsurprisingly, the Oracle stock value that makes Ellison so wealthy is seeing a nice increase.)

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Related From Slate Your TikTok Feed Might Get More MAGA. Thank Biden for That. Read More

With Oracle set to keep storing TikTok USDS data and maintain a copycat version of ByteDances powerful secret sauce algorithm (to be retrained on American user data only), the safety and security of American users are even less assured than before. It was just last year that a major cyberattack affected dozens of hospitals that contract with Oracle. Because of the amount of deals showered onto the company under Trump, from the ParamountSkydance merger to the yuge OpenAI agreements, it will be stretching itself to build out more data centers, cover more power-generation costs, and issue more insurance in case anything goes awrywhich it well could, between local resistance to new Oracle data centers and increasing financial jitters over a potential A.I. bubble.

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Meanwhile, TikTok users will likely see a change to their beloved content streams. Americans who valued the apps offering of worldly perspectives and on-the-ground films through their feed will be left with a far more MAGA-leaning algo, and a far less fun one. Questions around user privacy and security still remain, keeping the app still firmly under scrutiny; Republican Michigan Rep. John Moolenaar, a longtime TikTok skeptic who chairs the House of Representatives China Committee, has plenty of questions about remaining CCP influence and data insecurity thanks to ByteDances remaining, durable ties.

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Really, this deal is much more Biden-like than Republicans might prefernot least since theUSDS coinage originated with Project Texas. As a result, Trump is about to please some friends while pissing off quite a few others. Nothing is bound to change too drastically just yet, and for now conservatives will keep accusing TikTok of censoring their voices. All landing right after the president shrugged off the global panic over his Greenland aggression and appeared to settle for concessions that hew nowhere close to his original demands. The master dealmaker at work, everybody.
Fable could reportedly make its way to Nintendo Switch 2 at some point.

Fable could reportedly make its way to Nintendo Switch 2 at some point

The upcoming adventure-RPG - developed by Playground Games - was reintroduced in a major way during Xboxs recent Developer Direct, where Microsoft confirmed an Autumn 2026 release window for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PC, and showed extended gameplay for the first time.

While Fable is firmly locked in as a day-one release on Xbox, PS5 and PC, a potential Switch 2 version remains unannounced.

The speculation comes from Xbox insider Jez Corden, who said on social media that a Switch 2 port is under consideration, though not currently in active development.

According to Corden, discussions are still at the logistics stage, suggesting that technical feasibility, performance targets, and release timing are all being evaluated rather than any firm commitment being made.

If the port goes ahead, it would further underline Microsofts increasingly platform-agnostic strategy.

In recent years, the company has brought more of its first-party titles to rival systems, with PlayStation releases already confirmed for several former Xbox exclusives.

A Switch 2 version of Fable would be another notable step in that direction, especially given Nintendos historically limited access to large-scale Western RPGs.

Playground Games has recently spoken about the responsibility of reviving Fable, a franchise that has been dormant since 2018 and absent from mainline releases since Fable III in 2010.

Studio co-founder Ralph Fulton has said the reboot is built around three core pillars inherited from Lionhead Studios - those being a freedom of choice, a fairytale tone, and a distinctly British sensibility.

Those elements, he argues, are essential to preserving the series identity.

He told IGN: Those things combined are for us the DNA of Fable. If you dont hit those things, if youre not true to those things, youre not making a Fable game.

So, that was something that we decided right at the start.
Tesla has reportedly been fined more than 20,000 in the UK after repeatedly failing to help police identify drivers accused of committing road traffic offences, according to court records reviewed by the BBC.

Tesla has been fined more than 20,000 in the UK

The British arm of the EV company - owned by Elon Musk - has been convicted at least 18 times since the start of 2024 for failing to respond to formal police requests to name drivers suspected of speeding and other offences.

Those supposed failures meant the alleged drivers could not be prosecuted, leaving Tesla Financial Services liable instead.

Under UK law, companies that lease or hire out vehicles are required to identify the driver when police issue a notice relating to a traffic offence.

If they do not respond within the required timeframe, they can be prosecuted for failing to provide information, and magistrates can impose fines of up to 1,000 per offence.

One case highlighted by the BBC involved South Wales Police, who attempted to identify the driver of a Tesla caught travelling at 80mph on the M4 in July 2025.

After correspondence went unanswered, Tesla Financial Services pleaded guilty to the charge.

Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates Court fined the company 1,000, alongside 120 in costs and a 400 victim surcharge.

Similar cases have been brought by police forces including the Metropolitan Police, Hampshire Constabulary and Thames Valley Police.

In one instance, a driver recorded travelling close to 100mph on the A3 in Hampshire avoided prosecution after Tesla failed to respond to repeated requests.

In another, a single driver was allegedly caught speeding three times but was never identified, preventing a potential driving ban.

In total, 17 cases have already been sentenced, with a further guilty plea entered last week ahead of sentencing at Bath Magistrates Court.

Fines, court costs and surcharges across the cases amount to 20,686.

Tesla has previously suggested that some responses were sent but not received, citing technical or administrative issues.

However, magistrates have still issued convictions under the single justice procedure, which handles minor offences on the papers.

Tesla has been contacted for comment.
K-pop group TWICE returned to the Bay Area in Oakland for their fourth North American tour, an early stop on what is already shaping up to be a physically demanding schedule. Having gone to all their previous North American tours, I was excited to see them again from the pit on day 1.

The group adopted a 360-degree stage concept for this tour, shaped like an S with a front, center, and back stage. The members spent most of their time in the center. At times, individual members faced different sections of the arena and rotated among the stages, while other songs featured the full group performing together before collectively turning to another side. From my position in Pit 1, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Nayeon seemed to spend the most time on my side throughout the night. Unfortunately, my bias, Sana, spent much of the show positioned on the opposite side of the stage.

Sana

The stage design featured multiple platforms that rose and lowered independently during the set. A welcomed addition for fans seated farther back in the arena. Large LED screens facing all four sides descending and rising throughout the performance and occasionally forming themed set pieces, including visuals framed like a television screen. The production choices made it clear that this tour prioritizes scale and coverage across the entire venue.

Oaklands crowd responded strongly from the start, particularly during the groups more recognizable tracks. The floor sections remained engaged, with Candybong lightsticks waving to the beat of the music and fans singing along throughout the arena. Fan favorites such as Fancy and Feel Special played during the encore drew some of the loudest reactions of the night, though noticably, classics like "TT" and "Cheer Up" were omitted from the setlist. All of this was further elevated by a live band and a large cast of talented backup dancers.

Tzuyu

One of the more notable additions to the setlist was Takedown, which stood out for its darker tone and sharper choreography, probably best known for being featured in the hit Netflix animated movie, K-Pop Demon Hunters. The performance leaned into a heavier atmosphere compared to much of the groups brighter content, offering a striking contrast within the set. The Oakland crowd responded with heightened attention, making it one of the nights more memorable group performances.

Apart from the setlist, TWICE had a completely updated wardrobe from their Asia tour. Gone are the cuter outfits, and what we were left with were more mature earth tones and cohesive colors. While the Asia tour featured an all-white outfit, it was replaced with a white and blue costume reminiscent of a marching band uniform. Additionally, the group wore an updated set of Western outfits featuring tassels and fringes, designed by Kim Shui, that looked stunning in motion. (You can see her post about designing the costumes on her Instagram).

Momo

Midway through the show, the concert shifted into a solo segment, with each member performing shortened versions of their respective solo tracks from the groups most recent album, Ten: The Story Goes On. These condensed stages offered brief but focused spotlights on each members individual style and musical direction, while maintaining the fast pacing of the overall show. I particularly enjoyed Jeonyeouns country-themed Fix a Drink with her performing in a cowboy hat with a gaggle of cowgirl backup dancers. A contrast to Nayeons high energy Meeeeee. The crowd nearly lost it at Jihyos solo with ATM with her powerful voice, commanding visuals, and sharp dance moves, ending it with her unzipping her hoodie to reveal a pink fuzzy bra. My only critique was that from where I was standing, the backup dancers would often block my view of the members. Overall, the segment provided a refreshing break from the group choreography and highlighted the individuality of each member.

Jeongyeon

One of the biggest elephants of the night was Dahyun spending most of the show seated onstage with a visible tape on her leg. She later addressed the situation directly, reassuring fans that the issue was not serious. Before the Seattle dates, Dahyun had shared on the group's social media platform Bubble that she experienced ankle pain during the Vancouver show, which worsened after dancing. From where I was standing, she appeared visibly uncomfortable with having to remain seated, but as the night progressed, she loosened up and returned to her cheerful self, frequently waving and interacting with fans during moments when she was not singing and dancing with her arms. During the solo stage, she was also able to perform "Chess" while seated.

Dahyun

Among individual performances, Jihyo stood out unmistakably. Her stage presence was explosive, delivering consistent intensity regardless of where she was positioned on the stage. Vocally strong and visibly engaged, she commanded attention whether she was singing or not. Her performance often elevated the energy of the arena, particularly during moments when other members appeared to be more subdued.



Jihyo

That contrast was noticeable at times. Since the start of their North American tour, social media discussions have pointed to uneven energy throughout the show, and from the floor, those observations were at times noticeable. There were moments when a few members appeared less engaged when not actively singing, likely a reflection of fatigue rather than disinterest. I noticed this happened more often during the beginning of the show. Against that backdrop, Jihyos consistently dynamic delivery stood out even more.

Concerns about pacing remain. When the North American tour was first announced, the number of dates already raised eyebrows. Those concerns only grew as additional shows were added, with Los Angeles ultimately scheduled for four performances. The physical toll of such a schedule is becoming increasingly apparent.

Nayeon shared on Bubble after the Oakland shows that she has not been feeling well and is currently relying on over-the-counter medication. From the floor, there were moments where she appeared slightly uncomfortable, making her perseverance throughout the show all the more commendable.

The encore portion provided some of Oakland Day 1s most genuine moments. The members moved more freely around the stage, spending time along the edges and acknowledging fans across all sections of the arena. Sana continued the trend from the other stops and proceeded to playfully splash the audience with her water bottle. Throughout the night, Chaeyeong stood out to me as well, apart from Jihyo, especially during her interactions with fans and moments where she teased other members. During "Dance the Night Away", Nayeon ran over the Dahyun and spun her around in her chair, and later Jeongyeon snuck up behind Jihyo during her solo part and playfully jabbed her behind. These looser interactions drew some of the nights loudest cheers and reinforced the groups strong connection with the audience.

Chaeyoung

Regarding the VIP benefits, historically, K-pop VIP packages often included direct fan interactions such as hi-touch events, post-show meet-and-greets, or group photo opportunities. TWICEs first North American tour, TWICELIGHTS, offered hi-touch and group photo benefits. While the decision to discontinue these interactions post-pandemic is understandable for health reasons, the increase in VIP ticket availability without comparable interactive elements is hard to overlook. That said, I did enjoy the VIP soundcheck benefit, lasting about 15 minutes, even if the experience overall feels more oriented toward scale than intimacy.

From left to right: Chaeyoung, Dahyun, Tzuyu, Jeongyeon, Sana, Nayeon, Mina, Jihyo, and Momo

Overall, it was a fantastic show filled with the spectacle TWICE fans have come to love and expect. From the ambitious stage design to the live band, choreography, and moments of genuine fan interaction, Oakland Day 1 delivered an exciting and memorable experience, and I had an absolute blast being there.

There are understandable concerns about the demanding pace of the tour. TWICE has already completed six shows across three cities in just ten days, with roughly 30 dates still ahead. Given that history has shown how physically taxing these tours can be, the hope moving forward is that the schedule allows all nine members to stay healthy, energized, and able to perform at their best for fans across the remaining stops.

Setlist:

FOUR

THIS IS FOR

Strategy

MAKE ME GO

SET ME FREE

I CANT STOP ME

OPTIONS

MOONLIGHT SUNRISE

MARS

I GOT YOU

The Feels

Gone

Cry For Me

HELL IN HEAVEN

Right Hand Girl

Dive In (Tzuyu solo)

Stone Cold (Mina solo)

Meeeeee (Nayeon solo)

Fix a Drink (Jeongyeon solo)

Chess (Dahyun solo)

Shoot (Firecracker) (Chaeyoung solo)

ATM (Jihyo solo)

Decaffeinated (Sana solo)

Move Like That (Momo solo)

Takedown (Jeongyeon, Chaeyoung & Jihyo)

Fancy

What Is Love?

YES or YES

Dance the Night Away

One Spark

Scientist

Feel Special
Bhavesh Harjiram Solanki Vs DCIT (ITAT Mumbai)

Section 69 On-Money Additions in 153C Assessments Quashed for Violation of Natural Justice: ITAT Mumbai Follows Manish Mali Line

The Mumbai ITAT (B Bench) allowed the assessees appeals for AYs 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 and deleted additions made under section 69 on account of alleged cash on-money paid for purchase of a shop in Platinum Mall project of the Rub

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More than 15,000 Microsoft 365 users weren't able to use basic functions Jan. 22 after the company suffered problems.

Microsoft confirmed on X at 1:29 a.m. Jan. 23 the "impact has been resolved."

 Is Microsoft down? Outage reported by thousands of users

Services impacted during the outage range from Outlook to Microsoft Defender, the company posted on X.

Here's what we know.

Microsoft 365 users reported outages

According to according to downdetector, a website that keeps track of apps and websites, users began reporting problems with Microsoft 365 about 2 p.m. Jan. 22.

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At its peak, 15,996 users were reporting problems at 3:11 p.m.

What Microsoft services were affected by the outage?

Problems reported to downdetector included:

Exchange, which provides business-class email, calendars, contacts and tasks

M365 Admin Center, used primarily by IT teams

Server connection

Microsoft reported on X that Outlook, Microsoft Defender and Microsoft Purview were affected.

Is Microsoft back up Friday morning, Jan. 23?

Microsoft posted on X about 1:30 a.m. Jan. 23 that "impact has been resolved."

Earlier, the company said it had "restored access to the affected services and mail flow remains stable. While recovery efforts remain ongoing, we are methodically addressing the small number of remaining affected services to ensure full service stability."

Downdetector at 6 a.m. showed just over 100 users reporting problems and noted "It is common for some problems to be reported throughout the day."

What happened to Microsoft? Why was it down?

Microsoft reported it had identified a "portion of service infrastructure in North America that is not processing traffic as expected.

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"While we've restored the affected infrastructure to a heathy state, further load balancing is required to mitigate impact. We're directing traffic to alternate infrastructure to achieve recovery."

Full details were available to IT administrators in Microsoft 365's admin center but according to tomsguide.com, Microsoft said the problem was caused by a service load issue during maintenance.

"Weve identified elevated service load combined with temporary capacity constraints during maintenance resulted in impact."

"Essentially, this means that too many servers hosted in North America were shut down during maintenance," according to tomsguide.com. "This caused too much load, and all services were impacted across the globe as a result."

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 Find Microsoft status updates on X at x.com/MSFT365Status.

January marked by other outages

Microsoft isn't the only company that has experienced outages this month.

On Jan. 14, more than 1.5 million Verizon customers were unable to make calls or send/receive texts during an outage that left phones in "SOS Only" mode.

Verizon did not say what caused the service disruption, but did say it did not see an indication of a cyberattack.

The company is offering a $20 credit to customers.

On Jan. 16, X went down, with more than 51,000 users reporting problems. It was the second time in three days, following a problem experienced by more than 24,000 users on Jan. 13, according to downdetector.

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Cheryl McCloud is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida's service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Floridas best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at tallahassee.com/newsletters.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Microsoft services restored after outage
TikTok has announced a deal allowing it to continue operating in the US.

But with the platform's future in the country seemingly secured, its 200 million American users are expected to see some changes.

What is the US TikTok deal?

A majority-American board now owns and operates a separate entity controlling TikTok in the US.

Backed by mostly US investors, the newly established TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC is governed by a board of seven directors.

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TikTok chief executive Shou Zi Chew is among them, and its Chinese owner ByteDance will retain a 19.9% stake in the business.

The content recommendation algorithm at the heart of TikTok - determining which videos show up on the app's For You feed - has been licensed to tech firm Oracle.

Headed by Trump ally Larry Ellison, Oracle already oversees TikTok US user data under a previous arrangement set up over security concerns called Project Texas.

But the company will now secure more of the app, including by retraining and updating its recommendation algorithm based on US user data.

TikTok says both the algorithm and US user data will be protected in "Oracle's secure US cloud environment".

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The deal may be done, but it is likely to receive continued scrutiny. Some Democrats have already voiced concern that the ties between Trump and TikTok's new investor group could end up limiting what gets shared on the platform.

"Americans won't be any better off if a TikTok sale ends up with the company in the hands of Trump cronies backed by foreign funding," Democrat Senator Ron Wyden said in December ahead of the deal being finalised.

Meanwhile Senator Ed Markey reportedly said on Friday Congress should investigate the agreement, citing a "lack of transparency" and detail.

Will I have to download a new app?

Something TikTok and those behind its new US joint venture will be keen to avoid is too much disruption - so making users download a new app seems unlikely.

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The US is believed to be the platform's largest global market, with 200 million users, according to TikTok.

It faces growing competition from Instagram and its short form video feature Reels - which parent firm Meta has boosted within its apps used by billions.

And experts and analysts have warned changing TikTok too much or requiring users to move to a new app could put users and advertisers off.

"Behind the scenes, TikTok is likely working hard to assure advertisers it will remain business as normal," says Jasmine Enberg, co-CEO of Scalable, a media company and podcast focused on the creator economy.

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"While the need for users to download a new app seems unlikely, brand partners will want to know that their TikTok strategies won't be disrupted."

Have TikTok US terms and conditions changed?

TikTok updated its terms of service for US users as the deal closed on Thursday.

It says the contract users agree to is now between themselves and the platform's new US entity, TikTok USDS Joint Venture.

There are several changes. One new rule says children under the age of 13 cannot use TikTok outside of its specific "Under 13 Experience".

Another point says the new US entity "does not endorse any content" on the platform, nor does it reflect its views.

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US users who continue to use TikTok from 22 January also must agree to the limitations of generative AI - such as its potential to generate inaccurate, misleading, inappropriate or unlawful content.

"By using the platform, including its generative AI-enabled features, you recognise and assume this risk," it says.

Will the algorithm get worse for US TikTok users?

Exactly what changes US users will see to their TikTok app and feeds, as a result of the deal, remains unclear.

The BBC has asked TikTok what will change in its American experience, and when.

But we know its recommendation algorithm will be retrained on US user data - sparking concern for some over whether highly personalised content it serves could change.

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Enberg says algorithm tweaks could affect what people see or even create, potentially "leading to a different look and feel" for US users.

Dr Kokil Jaidka of the National University of Singapore previously said while the app is "unlikely to suddenly feel different" for most, "changes are plausible".

Differences that do appear to US users are likely to be "subtle and gradual" - such as weaker personalisation.

But locally-controlled, user-facing features such as TikTok's short videos, influencer culture and livestream shopping may not change, she said.

"There is a big incentive here to keep what works," social media expert Matt Navarra told the BBC.

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He said changes to an algorithm can bring "short-term tuning issues" such as less reach, repetitive content or random recommendations, and TikTok would want to maintain its algorithm as its "crown jewel".

"What's important here is you're still using the same app, the same account and broadly the same recommendation engine," he said

"I think the goal is continuity not reinvention."

Will I see less global content on TikTok?

Using a licensed version of TikTok's algorithm to power its US version could also present "constraints around data access, update frequency, and integration with TikTok's global systems," Jaika said.

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But she said changes could impact the For You feed - which "learns from massive, cross-regional feedback loops" to surface relevant content - as well as how videos are ranked and moderated.

However she said many unknowns remain, with much depending "on how ByteDance tweaks the weaker links - such as data separation, update frequency, and oversight mechanisms - without degrading performance".

TikTok meanwhile says the joint venture will be able to make the app compatible with other apps and regions to give US users "a global experience".

Its press release claims US creators will still be discoverable and businesses will be able to maintain global reach.

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"It's not that the world disappears, more that domestic content could crowd out international content over time," Navarra said.

"In other words, global content stays - but the balance may suddenly shift."

What about CapCut and Lemon8?

CapCut and Lemon8 are two other popular apps owned by ByteDance accessed by US users.

Previously, it was slightly unclear what the law requiring TikTok's sale or ban in the US could mean for its sister apps and their users.

But both "went dark" in the US alongside TikTok when the ban briefly took effect in January 2025.

Their future in the US now appears to be secured, with TikTok saying "safeguards provided by the Joint Venture will also cover CapCut, Lemon8, and a portfolio of other apps and websites in the US".

[BBC]

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LG Electronics India announced that it has successfully secured an eligibility certificate from the Directorate of Industries, Government of Maharashtra. The aforesaid certificate has been issued under the states Electronics Policy 2016, which validates an investment of 705.74 crore made by LGEIL between November 1, 2017, and October 30, 2024.

Tech News Of The Day

After completing the investment phase of its manufacturing journey in India, LGEIL has secured a comprehensive package of incentives worth 705.74 crore. This is equivalent to the approved investment amount for the expansion of its Ranjangaon manufacturing unit in Pune, Maharashtra.

Strategic Investment and Realization of Benefits

This milestone reinforces the companys alignment with the Make in India initiative and its commitment to the enhancing its manufacturing footprint in India. This will enable LGEIL to accrue an annual incentive of 47.04 crore over a 15-year period, from May 1, 2025, to April 30, 2040.

The incentive package includes:

Fiscal Benefits: Refunds on State Goods and Services Tax (SGST) paid on goods manufactured at LG Electronics Indias Pune unit and sold and consumed within Maharashtra.

Refunds on State Goods and Services Tax (SGST) paid on goods manufactured at LG Electronics Indias Pune unit and sold and consumed within Maharashtra. Operational Exemptions: Exemption from electricity duty and stamp duty for the facilitys operations.

Exemption from electricity duty and stamp duty for the facilitys operations. Subsidies: Power tariff subsidies and refunds on the employers contribution to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).

Power tariff subsidies and refunds on the employers contribution to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF). Property Tax Relief: Exemption from property tax.

Commenting on this development, Chief Accounting Officer, LG Electronics India Limited, Mr. Atul Khanna said, We are grateful to the Government of Maharashtra for this recognition. This eligibility certificate serves as a formal validation of our capital investments and also lays a strong foundation for LG Electronics continued growth story in India. It reinforces our unwavering commitment to the Indian market and the Make in India vision, along with yielding us the leverage to expand exports. This incentive will directly enhance our operational efficiency and cost competitiveness, allowing us to continue delivering world-class, innovative technology to Indian households, while deepening our contribution to the local economy.

Impact on Operations

This approval provides LGEIL with a long-term revenue predictability and enhanced operational margins. By validating the 705.74 crore infused into the Ranjangaon facility, the company is now strategically positioned to optimize its cost structure within the premium appliance segment while navigating external economic factors. The 15-year validity also ensure a sustained support from the Maharashtra Government for LGEILs manufacturing operations in the region.
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:

Manufactured air channels: (from left to right) C1, C2, C3, and C4. Credit: Energy (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.139370

Rising global temperatures are driving the need for more efficient cooling systems, one of today's key sustainability challenges. According to a Eurostat report, the need for air conditioning in buildings has nearly quadrupled since 1979, with Spain ranking as the fourth European country with the greatest increase. This translates into a significant rise in the demand for energy, not only directly impacting household bills, but extending far beyond the residential sector. Cooling needs at industrial facilities and data centers lead to increases in energy demands, with the environmental damage that this entails.

To address this problem, it is essential to devise alternative systems that cool air at lower ecological and economic costs. This is the focus of the Research in Applied Thermal Engineering (RATE) group, which is developing and optimizing new systems that cool air using a natural process: water evaporation. These evaporative cooling systems use only air and water as working fluids, require no refrigerants or compressors, and can reduce energy consumption by up to 70% compared to conventional air conditioning units.

University of Cordoba researcher Paula Conrat explained this work. Together with researchers Manuel Ruiz de Adana (Department of Applied Chemistry and Thermodynamics) and Francisco Comino (Department of Mechanics), and the Andaltec Plastics Technology Center, she has headed up a study focused on improving these systems' performance through material selection. The research is published in the journal Energy.

Material selection and system performance

Specifically, the researcher explained, "We selected polymeric materials in the form of films or thin sheets with different water retention capacities, porosity, and surface roughness." These materials are then processed using lamination techniques and used to manufacture what is known as a "wet channel"the element responsible for the heat and mass exchange that occurs in these systems and, therefore, constituting the "engine" for cooling.

By analyzing the performance of each channel manufactured with different materials, the team verified how their properties directly influence air cooling capacities. Testing showed that the best-performing channel was able to reduce air temperature by 16 degrees Celsius. According to the research group, these results represent a direct contribution to optimizing these systems, which are destined to replace or complement traditional cooling methods.

The broader impact of sustainable cooling

The search for more sustainable air cooling solutions is a key challenge on a planet suffering ever-higher temperatures and rising demand for energy: according to International Energy Agency (IEA) data, a 25% global increase is expected by 2050. In this context, science has begun exploring ways to reduce electricity consumption and CO 2 emissions associated with the need to survive heat, andthe most difficult partto do so without compromising the population's well-being or productive needs.

More information: Paula Conrat et al, Experimental and numerical analysis of wet channels for evaporative cooling systems manufactured with polymeric film materials, Energy (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.139370
China-Zambia joint textile firm begins test runs ahead of reopening

Xinhua) 10:31, January 23, 2026

LUSAKA, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- A Zambia-China textile joint venture has begun test operations in central Zambia, signaling a major step toward the reopening of the once-defunct Mulungushi Textiles plant following the installation of new machinery and equipment, a government official said on Thursday.

Everness Nankala, principal public relations officer at the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, said the ministry will soon invite members of the public to witness full test runs before the facility is officially commissioned later this year.

She said the revival of the textile firm represents a major step in Zambia's industrial development and underscores the importance of industrialization in driving economic growth.

"The project is a testament to the government's commitment to promoting industrial growth and creating employment opportunities for Zambians," she said in a statement.

"Once operational, Mulungushi Textiles is expected to contribute significantly to Zambia's economic growth, reduce reliance on imports, and promote inclusive development."

Nankala added that the factory has been undergoing a 140-million-U.S.-dollar rehabilitation, during which new machinery and equipment have been installed.

She said that the factory is expected to create more than 500 direct jobs and strengthen cotton out-grower systems.

Located in the town of Kabwe, Mulungushi Textiles began construction in 1978 and was once one of Zambia's largest textile companies before ceasing operations in 2007.

The consensus on redeveloping Mulungushi Textiles was noted in a joint statement on establishing a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership during Hakainde Hichilema's state visit to China in September 2023.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Thousands of secondary school pupils are set to take part in the largest study yet into the effects of social media on teenage mental health, as researchers prepare to place daily limits on how long young people can spend scrolling.

Thousands of schoolchildren to join study on social media use

The landmark trial will begin later this year and will involve around 4,000 students aged 12 to 15 across ten secondary schools in Bradford. The project is being co-led by Professor Amy Orben, a psychologist at the University of Cambridge's MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, alongside Dr Dan Lewer from the long-running Born in Bradford research programme.

The study aims to better understand whether limiting social media use improves mental health outcomes for youngsters.

As part of the trial, participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will have a bespoke app installed on their smartphones that caps total daily social media use and blocks access overnight, while the other group will continue using social media as normal. Under current plans, the app would limit use to one hour a day and block platforms between 9pm and 7am, although researchers say these limits may be adjusted as the trial progresses.

The restrictions will apply to popular social media platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram, but not to messaging apps like WhatsApp.

. Researchers will then compare outcomes between the two groups.

To measure impact, the team will use a combination of interviews, questionnaires and anonymised data collected by the app, with participants consent. They will track changes in anxiety levels, sleep quality, wellbeing, body image and social comparison, as well as time spent with friends and family, school absences and experiences of bullying.

Special attention will be paid to teenagers who already experience higher levels of anxiety, to see whether reducing social media use eases symptoms or creates new challenges.

Professor Orben said the trial aims to answer questions that parents, schools and policymakers have been grappling with for years.

She said: "Most scientists agree that we need to do more to keep children safe online and to ensure that the digital platforms they use are designed to support their wellbeing and development.

"What we currently lack is research on what interventions work to do just this."

Researchers expect to complete their data analysis by summer 2027, with findings likely to play a major role in shaping future guidance on screen time and social media use for young people.
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 icon for the TikTok video sharing app is seen on a smartphone in Marple Township, Pa., Feb. 28, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File

TikTok has finalized a deal to create a new American entity, avoiding the looming threat of a ban in the United States that has been in discussion for years on the platform now used by more than 200 million Americans.

The social video platform company signed agreements with major investors including Oracle, Silver Lake and the Emirati investment firm MGX to form the new TikTok U.S. joint venture. The new version will operate under "defined safeguards that protect national security through comprehensive data protections, algorithm security, content moderation and software assurances for U.S. users," the company said in a statement Thursday. American TikTok users can continue using the same app.

President Donald Trump praised the deal in a Truth Social post, thanking Chinese leader Xi Jinping specifically "for working with us and, ultimately, approving the Deal." Trump add that he hopes "that long into the future I will be remembered by those who use and love TikTok."

Adam Presser, who previously worked as TikTok's head of operations and trust and safety, will lead the new venture as its CEO. He will work alongside a seven-member, majority-American board of directors that includes TikTok's CEO Shou Chew.

The deal ends years of uncertainty about the fate of the popular video-sharing platform in the United States. After wide bipartisan majorities in Congress passedand President Joe Biden signeda law that would ban TikTok in the U.S. if it did not find a new owner in the place of China's ByteDance, the platform was set to go dark on the law's January 2025 deadline. For a several hours, it did. But on his first day in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to keep it running while his administration sought an agreement for the sale of the company.

"China's position on TikTok has been consistent and clear," Guo Jiakun, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson in Beijing, said Friday about the TikTok deal and Trump's Truth Social post, echoing an earlier statement from the Chinese embassy in Washington.

Apart from an emphasis on data protection, with U.S. user data being stored locally in a system run by Oracle, the joint venture will also focus on TikTok's algorithm. The content recommendation formula, which feeds users specific videos tailored to their preferences and interests, will be retrained, tested and updated on U.S. user data, the company said in its announcement.

The algorithm has been a central issue in the security debate over TikTok. China previously maintained the algorithm must remain under Chinese control by law. But the U.S. regulation passed with bipartisan support said any divestment of TikTok must mean the platform cuts tiesspecifically the algorithmwith ByteDance. Under the terms of this deal, ByteDance would license the algorithm to the U.S. entity for retraining.

The law prohibits "any cooperation with respect to the operation of a content recommendation algorithm" between ByteDance and a new potential American ownership group, so it is unclear how ByteDance's continued involvement in this arrangement will play out.

"Who controls TikTok in the U.S. has a lot of sway over what Americans see on the app," said Anupam Chander, a professor of law and technology at Georgetown University.

Oracle, Silver Lake and MGX are the three managing investors, each holding a 15% share. Other investors include the investment firm of Michael Dell, the billionaire founder of Dell Technologies. ByteDance retains 19.9% of the joint venture.

 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Vietnam Wafer JSC proposes semiconductor materials project in PPP investment form

By Dinh Duy, Thai Ha Fri, January 23, 2026 | 9:13 am GMT+7

Vietnam Wafer JSC has proposed developing a semiconductor materials project under a public-private partnership (PPP) model in Quang Tri province, central Vietnam, with a total investment of nearly VND400 billion ($15.23 million).

In a submission to the Quang Tri People's Committee, Vietnam Wafer outlined plans for a testing and R&D center for semiconductor-grade materials derived from silica (SiO) and silicon (Si), with applications in wafer manufacturing.

The project would initially be located at Vietnam Wafers existing plant in the Quan Ngang Industrial Park, before expanding research, testing and pilot production to other suitable sites in the province at a later stage (phase 2), according to the proposal.

Quan Ngang Industrial Park in Quang Tri province, central Vietnam. Photo by The Investor/Vu Phuong.

Vietnam Wafer said the project aims to develop testing and production technologies for semiconductor materials, serving as the first nucleus for semiconductor materials R&D in Quang Tri.

Planned activities include R&D and provision of science-technology services in refining of silica and high-purity natural quartz; development of crystal-growing technologies; wafer cutting, grinding and polishing; building of pilot R&D production lines ready for industrial application; and training of a high-skilled local workforce.

Under the proposal, total investment is estimated at VND400 billion (($15.23 million), with the investor contributing VND270 billion, or 67.5%, from its own and other legal sources. The state would provide about VND130 billion, equivalent to 32.5%, within the PPP framework.

Vietnam Wafer said the state contribution, capped at less than 50% of total investment, would support the transfer and adoption of advanced and high technologies from private investors, helping ensure the projects financial viability.

The company said it has been working with foreign partners from Japan, China, the United States and Australia to design and plan a semiconductor materials production complex, and has conducted a preliminary assessment of its ability to mobilize capital for the private investors-funded portion.

According to Vietnam Wafer, the project aligns with national priorities on science, technology and innovation, and implements the Politburo's Resolution 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in science and technology development, which positions enterprises at the center of R&D activities.

The project would also be considered under special incentive procedures for PPP projects in science and technology, in line with the amended Investment Law taking effect in 2025.

In Quang Tri, Vietnam Wafer is already developing a high-purity quartz materials plant at the Quan Ngang Industrial Park. The provincial government approved the investment in June 2025.

That project has an investment of more than VND96 billion ($3.66 million) and designed capacity of 1,500 tons per year. Construction and trial operations are scheduled for October 2025 to March 2026, with commercial production expected to begin in April 2026.

Vietnam Wafer was established in April 2024 and is headquartered in Ho Chi Minh City. At inception, the company had charter capital of VND2 billion, with founder Chau Hoang Long holding 85%.

By March 2025, charter capital had risen to VND6 billion ($228,520), and the company is currently represented by legal representative Chi Tri Duong.

The companys board includes Thomas Forsberg, a former senior director of global procurement at IBM, who serves as chairman.
Members of Batch 15 Registered Nurses of SVG at their all-white party.

Batch 15 Registered Nurses of SVG, celebrated their 42nd anniversary 2025 in Georgia USA.





Although the anniversary is 1st November, the celebration was held earlier from Sunday, 7th September-Saturday, 13th September. It was a joyous occasion full of fun and excitement.





The week of activities began with fellowship at the Christ our Hope Catholic Church in Lithonia on Sunday.

Also on the programme of activities was a bus tour to Atlanta during which members were able to visit many historical sites, including the Martin Luther King Museum.





Fun and laughter filled the air as activities continued with a games day, with Batch15 members participating in games such as sack and egg and spoon races.





The anniversary dinner followed and offered members an opportunity to reminisce about the good old days. The unanimous opinion was that it was a resounding success.





The week of activities culminated with an all-white party and celebration of one of our group members 60th birthday.





On our official anniversary Saturday 1st November, we had prayers offered up for the group from some SDA churches in SVG and the Diaspora, as members have fellowship with these churches.
The new diplomatic appointees and others (from left): Roland Matthews, Vynette Frederick, Brereton Horne, Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday, Minister of Foreign Affairs Fitzgeralf Bramble, Horne, Friday, Bramble, Angella Ideisha Jackson, Kenton Chance Jackson Chance and PS Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sandy Peters-Phillips.

The Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines officially announced Heads of Missions and Consulates at a ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Conference Room, on Thursday 22nd January 2025.





In early 2026, the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines recalled several senior overseas diplomats  including the Permanent Representative to the UN (Inga Rhonda King), High Commissioner to the UK (Cenio Lewis), Ambassador to Cuba (Ellsworth John), Ambassador to Taiwan (Andrea Bowman), and Consul General in New York (Rondy McIntosh)  as part of a strategic foreign policy realignment.





Their successors were appointed and officially announced at the ceremony held at the Ministry of

Foreign Affairs Conference Room, Thursday 22nd January, 2026.





Among those appointed is Roland Matthews, who replaces Rondy Luta McIntosh as Consul General in New York.





Rondy "Luta McIntosh served as Consul General in New York until he was recalled along with other senior diplomats as part of the Governments foreign policy realignment.





McIntosh had taken over the New York post in 2022 after Howie Princes tenure.





Roland Matthews, a former Member of Parliament representing the North Leeward constituency, now assumes the role as the official Consul General, representing Vincentian interests and supporting the Diaspora in the United States.





Also appointed is Vynette Frederick, a lawyer by profession.





She has been named Ambassador to the United Nations , replacing Inga Rhonda King.





Her Excellency Inga Rhonda King served as St. Vincent and the Grenadines Permanent Representative to the United Nations since September 2013, engaging in multilateral diplomacy and serving in leadership positions within the UN system. She was among the senior envoys recalled by the Government in early 2026, and Vynnette Frederick is now appointed to lead the mission at the UN in New York.





With Cenio Lewis bringing an extended tenure to an end, Brereton Horne has been named High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.





High Commissioner Lewis served as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, representing SVGs interests with the Commonwealth partner, and assisting Vincentians in the UK.





He was recalled in early 2026 as part of a diplomatic personnel reset.





Having to combat a perception that a New Democratic Party government would sever relations with the Republic of China (Taiwan), the new government has moved to consolidate the relationship between the two countries.





This is further entrenched with the appointment of Kenton Chance as Designate Ambassador to the Republic of China (Taiwan).





Chance, Taiwan trained and a practicing journalist, replaces Andrea Bowman who served as St. Vincent and the Grenadines first Ambassador to Taiwan from August 2019, strengthening diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties.





Bowman was recalled in early 2026.





The position as Ambassador to the Republic of Cuba is to be filled by Angella Ideisha Jackson (Designate) who replaces Ellsworth John.





His Excellency Ellsworth John served as Ambassador to Cuba, overseeing cooperative relations in key areas including health, education, and bilateral development.





He was among the ambassadors recalled in early 2026, and Angella Ideisha Jackson, the first women to do so, has been designated to lead the mission in Havana.





Still to be named is an ambassador to Caracas, Venezuela.




"That was quick.





That was the response from Principal Donnette Abbott-Ferdinand of the Questelles Government School, as Shafana Williams, Nyron Chance and Carlyle Douglas handed over a state of the art Multimedia Projector, to replace one that was lost in the recent fire, Monday 29th December, 2025, that gutted a complete section of the primary learning institution.





According to Douglas, the idea of making the donation morphed as he was hosting the CTVIEW Saturday Show (currently celebrating 14 years on NICE Radio) with co-host Orde Ballantyne, a former principal of the school, Douglas Howard, US-based philanthropist, and Dr. Alwayn Leacock, clinical teaching fellow in obstetrics and gynaecology at Dumfries and Galloway NHS Trust, UK, and regular commentator on issues affecting SVG.





The discussion revolved around what the incoming New Democratic Party government, can do for the school after the fire.





Douglas broaches the idea of doing something tangible for the school, and suggested that a donation of a projector be considered.





He thought initially of appealing to the 96.7 thousand pairs of ears to assist (the school), but remembered his Christmas Day programme with its listening audience base was already making that programme a success.





Douglas then moved to purchase the projector himself, for which for Nyiees Shipping forwarded to SVG free of cost.





Interestingly, Nyiees Shippings Nyron Chance, Owner/Managing Director, and Shafana Williams Operation Manager/SVG, are both alumni of the Questelles Government School.




Major Phillip Cambridge, Chairperson of the 90th Anniversary Committee, outlined the programme of activities for the year.

This year, 2026, will usher in a new era for the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Cadet Force, as the school-based institution celebrates its 90th anniversary with a year-long programme of activities.





The celebrations will be held under the theme 90 Years of Discipline Patriotism Honour: Celebrating Our Past, Strengthening Our Present and Shaping Our Future.





A Band Concert, Cadet Social, and Regimental Dinner in December 2026 will bring the birthday party to a climax.





Major Phillip Cambridge, Chairperson of the Anniversary Committee, highlighted plans on Monday January 19 at a Media Launch held at the National Insurance Services Conference Room.





A Church Parade and Service mark the February activity. Protocol and Etiquette Training along with National Heroes Day Parade are planned for March.





A Public Speaking competition is earmarked for May and Reunions are part of the commemoration - one Virtual in April, followed by a Face to Face in June.





The Kings Birthday Parade is also scheduled for June.





The 90th Anniversary Training Camp is set for July, and that will be followed by a Drill Competition, in August.

A Commandants Awards Parade in September embellishes the anniversary package. And there is no Independence Parade without the Cadets, and this years 47th Anniversary event is no exception.





The Armistice Day Parade (Remembrance Day Parade), and the D.S. Cozier Memorial Lecture are scheduled for November.
Prince Harry has hit out at Donald Trump's comments about British soldiers in Afghanistan.

Prince Harry has hit out at Donald Trump's remarks about the contribution of British soldiers in Afghanistan

The Duke of Sussex said that the "sacrifices" of British troops who served and died in the Afghanistan War "deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect", after the US President had suggested that Nato troops had "stayed a little back" during two decades of conflict against the Taliban.

Prince Harry - who served on two front-line tours in Afghanistan - stated that he had "lost friends" in the war and that "thousands of lives were changed forever" as a result of the conflict.

The 41-year-old royal said in a statement: "In 2001, Nato invoked Article 5 for the first - and only - time in history. It meant that every allied nation was obliged to stand with the United States in Afghanistan, in pursuit of our shared security. Allies answered that call.

"I served there. I made lifelong friends there. And I lost friends there. The United Kingdom alone had 457 service personnel killed.

"Thousands of lives were changed forever. Mothers and fathers buried sons and daughters. Children were left without a parent. Families are left carrying the cost.

"Those sacrifices deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect, as we all remain united and loyal to the defence of diplomacy and peace."

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also condemned Trump's "insulting and frankly appalling" remarks and called for the White House chief to apologise.

He said: "I consider President Trump's remarks to be insulting and frankly appalling and I am not surprised they have caused such hurt to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured, and, in fact, across the country."

Starmer added: "If I had misspoken in that way or said those words, I would certainly apologise."

However, the White House has doubled down in its defence of Trump's remarks.

A spokesman told the Daily Telegraph newspaper: "President Trump is right - America's contributions to Nato dwarf that of other countries, and his success in delivering a five per cent spending pledge from Nato allies is helping Europe take greater responsibility for its own defence."

Trump had made his controversial claims about Afghanistan as he suggested that Nato wouldn't support the United States if asked.

He said in an interview with Fox News: "We've never needed them. They'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan... and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front line."
Police are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred late Friday night in the Georgie Gutter area of Belair.





According to preliminary reports, officers responded to information that multiple gunshots were heard at a shop/bar in the area shortly before midnight on January 16.





Upon arrival, police found 22-year-old Anil Greaves, a vendor from Belair, suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene by a medical practitioner.





Two other men, Quinn Huncho Greaves, 23, son of radio personality Donnie Prince Collins, and Shamar Bulze, 24, both also from Belair, were injured during the incident and taken to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital for treatment.





Greaves later died from his injuries, while Bulze remains hospitalised in stable condition.





An eye witness shared that there were at least nineteen to twenty persons in the shop/bar which had a designated area (in the back) for gambling, when the gunmen entered and opened fire. The gunmen, the eye witness said, seemed to know who dey were looking for.





Post-mortem examinations are expected to be conducted at a later date as investigations continue.





In a statement following the fatal shootings, the Royal SVG Police Force assured that "..the offenders will be rigorously pursued, warned that "those responsible are not beyond reach, not beyond identification and accountability, and committed to pursuing the investigation relentless, "as the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force applies every lawful measure available to identify those involved and bring them to justice.





In this regard, the statement said, "The Commissioner of Police Mr. Enville Williams has established a special investigative team that is working assiduously on this matter, under the direct oversight of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Mr. Trevor Bailey, who holds responsibility for crime-related investigations.





In an added caution, the statement said, "Persons involved in violent crime should understand this: silence will not shield offenders, and time will not work in their favour.





The death of cousins Anil and Quinn Greaves, bring the homicide count for the year so fat to three. The other being the Earol Richards, a 69-year-old farmer of Park Hill, whose partially decomposed body was discovered around 7:02 p.m. on January 7, 2026.
St. Clair Leacock, Deputy Prime Minister and national Security has said that this country will not be rushed into making a decision on accepting asylum seekers.

Pressure is mounting on Caribbean governments after the US announced that it will suspend immigrant visa processing for 75 countries including several from the region.





The list, published by several international media outlets, includes Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, St Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, but notably excludes Trinidad and Tobago which has become a closer US ally in the ongoing US tensions with Venezuela.





The US State Department, under Secretary of State Marco Rubio, announced that as of 21 January, consular officers will pause immigrant visa processing for nationals deemed likely to become "public charges.





"The Trump administration is bringing an end to the abuse of Americas immigration system by those who would extract wealth from the American people, State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said. The pause will not apply to applicants seeking non-immigrant visas for temporary travel such as tourism or business.





Accepting asylum seekers





The move comes even as four Caribbean countriesAntigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis and St. Luciahave controversially agreed to accept asylum seekers and third-country migrants expelled from the US. Other countries such as Guyana are in talks with the US, while Barbados has not ruled out a similar agreement.





Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit acknowledged that his government "has entered into an agreement to facilitate third-country refugees to be sent to Dominica. He tied the decision to the 16 December executive order that placed Dominica under partial travel restrictions, saying, "This engagement is based on our responsibility to safeguard the well-being of our people while strengthening cooperation between our two governments.





Skerrit admitted that these are "careful deliberations, though opposition leader Joshua Francis strongly criticised the lack of transparency. "The UPP believes this agreement has the potential to further destabilise our nation economically, socially, and from a security standpoint, said Francis.





Antigua and Barbuda, meanwhile, framed its arrangement as a "non-binding Memorandum of Understanding. Prime Minister Gaston Browne stated his country would consider no more than 10 asylum seekers per year, with strict case-by-case assessments and rejection of individuals with criminal records. "This was not a concession, nor an attempt to trade people or curry favour. It was a measured diplomatic gesture, the government said.





St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Terrance Drew confirmed a limited agreementbut explicitly excluded Haitians. "This does not involve anybody outside of CARICOM, Drew said, adding that "because of security matters, it does not include Haiti at this time. His comments have sparked backlash, particularly as St Kitts currently chairs the CARICOM bloc.





Similarly, oil-rich Guyana is working toward a "unique framework to accept skilled migrants with no criminal records, to address what it said was a need for 70,000 to 80,000 skilled workers.





St. Lucias Prime Minister Philip Pierre also confirmed his government approved an MOU to potentially accept third-country nationals. However, the government stressed that no agreement had been signed and that the MOU is "non-binding and "does not trigger any immediate transfer.





As for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, it was confirmed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister responsible for National Security St. Clair Leacock, while speaking on radio that the country has been approached by the United States government, to accept refugees and migrants from third countries.





He, however, assured that this country had not yet made a decision on whether to accept United States deportees and refugees, and added that the matter will require a collective response from the OECS.





The CBI Issue





And as if that pressure of was not enough, Caribbean nations remain under mounting scrutiny. The US cited security concerns around Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programmes in countries like Dominica and Antiguaaccusing them of offering "golden passports to nationals of Russia, Iran, and China without proper vetting.





The US and the region will keep a close eye on St. Vincent and the Grenadines where the New Democratic Party, which has formed the government after the November 27, 2025 general election, had promised in its campaign to introduce a CBI programme.





As US deportations intensify, Caribbean nations are caught in a bind; forced to balance their economic and diplomatic ties to the US against internal public backlash and fears of destabilisation. With new agreements multiplying and visa restrictions deepening, the region must confront how to maintain sovereignty and stability while navigating an increasingly transactional US immigration policy. (Source: Caribbean Insight)




Jennings is a small settlement in Saint Mary Parish on the island of Antigua. It is located in the west of the island.

Police in Antigua and Barbuda are investigating what they said, preliminarily, was a suspected suicide of a 24-year-old woman from St. Vincent and the Grenadines.





The woman, whose named was given by sources in Antigua to be Makala Williams, was found unresponsive at a residence in Peas Alley, Jennings Village on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, when police responded to information regarding the residence.





The womans live-in male partner was questioned as the police mounted their investigation.





He is reported to have told the police that they had had an argument the night before.





He said that he left for work and during the day made several attempts to contact her by phone, to remind her about a job interview she was scheduled to have that day. All attempts to contact her failed.





According the Antigua Observer newspaper, the man returned home later that evening and found the woman unresponsive.





She was subsequently pronounced dead by a medical doctor and the body was transported to a Funeral Home.

Concern was expressed, following news of the suspected suicide, of the number of vulnerable young females in the country (KH).
In recent days, Douglas Mwonzora has once again spoken about unity, legitimacy and the future of the opposition. It is not the first time these themes have been raised, and it is unlikely to be the last. But it is precisely because we have lived through this cycle before that his position now rings hollow.

I am not a politician. I have never claimed to be one. But I do have a voice, and like many Zimbabweans, I have been part of the long struggle for a credible, democratic opposition. I was there through the battles over legitimacy, over names, over symbols, and over property. I watched as the opposition was deliberately fractured, not by popular will, but through legal manoeuvres and elite bargaining.

The so-called litmus test of opposition leadership was not about who controlled the MDC name or its assets. It was about who carried the trust of the people. Nelson Chamisa passed that test decisively. Not because of courts, titles or inheritance, but because Zimbabweans recognised in him a legitimate vehicle for challenging ZANU PF.

Mwonzora may have won the party name. He may still control the MDC brand and its properties. But he lost the people. And in politics, that loss is terminal.

The truth is simple. Zimbabweans did not rally behind a name or a constitution. They rallied behind a cause. They wanted a real opposition, not a legal shell. When Chamisa emerged, stripped of the MDC label but backed by popular support, it became clear that the MDC as an institution was no longer essential to opposition politics.

To now claim leadership of the opposition, or to speak of unity on the basis of a hollowed-out structure, is laughable. Unity cannot be built around something that has already lost relevance. It must be built around legitimacy, energy and public confidence.

There is also a generational reality that Mwonzora and others refuse to confront. Many young Zimbabweans have no emotional attachment to the MDC at all. For them, the MDC is history, not hope. If elections were held tomorrow, a significant number would be voting for the first time without any sense that the MDC represents their future.

That is why the insistence on reviving the MDC misses the point. The party has served its purpose. It played its role in Zimbabwes political evolution. But history does not pause out of sentiment.

Mwonzora is welcome to keep the MDC. He has earned the name, the buildings and the letterhead. But he should not confuse ownership with relevance. Chamisa has already demonstrated that the struggle against ZANU PF does not require the MDC brand to succeed.

Zimbabwes opposition does not need to look backwards. It needs to be honest enough to let what has died finally rest, and brave enough to build something new.
(TBTCO) - Chieu 2/2, tai tru so Bo Tai chinh, Bo truong Bo Tai chinh Nguyen Van Thang, Truong ban Ban chi ao Tong ieu tra kinh te nam 2026 trung uong a chu tri cuoc hop chuan bi cho Hoi nghi trien khai va ra soat, ieu chinh ke hoach Tong ieu tra kinh te nam 2026.
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Time may be up for the Czech Republics long-held aim of using its own post-1989 transition experience to help other societies strengthen democracy.

We may be witnessing the dismantling of one of Vaclav Havels greatest legacies right before our eyes.

Speaking on an online talk show on 20 January, in true Elon Musk fashion, new Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka of the far-right Motorists party (yes, thats their real name) railed against the vast waste in supporting nascent democracies abroad and said it would end now.

Macinka said that under the previous government the ministry splashed out foreign aid.

I want to let you know what my predecessor, Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Lipavsky, spent money on  so that you know what Lipavsky was throwing away millions on, tens of millions and perhaps hundreds of millions of the money that taxpayers are struggling to send to the state budget, he said. He listed organizations and names, pointing to the supposed absurdity of projects aimed at places like Myanmar, Bosnia, Vietnam, and Ukraine. A known skeptic of climate science, Macinka took particular aim at ecological projects (as well as several covering inclusivity).

Macinka said he had agreed with the finance minister to stop these money-grubbing activities. I will not give them the money anymore. Today, non-profit organizations are crying about projects we have terminated on so-called environmental and climate education, he said, adding that he would be happy to meet people from Czech NGOs so that they can explain to me why the Czech taxpayer should pay for a media ethics school in Bosnia, when we do not have money for our own needs.

None of this is really surprising since its coming from a longtime, close ally of Vaclav Klaus, the former president and prime minister, who practically founded the anti-NGO movement in the Czech Republic. And since the Motorists honorary chairman, Filip Turek, was reportedly one of the few Czechs to receive a personal invitation from Donald Trumps team to his inauguration. And since, on a later visit, Turek met Musk and said he had thanked him for revealing the USAID money flows, when  the Biden administration sent over 5 billion crowns [$240 million] to the Czech Republic alone to support mainstream media, journalists, and green and rainbow nonprofits in the last five years. (Turek has another thing in common with Musk  appearing to give the Nazi salute  but thats another story).

You can find a write-up of Macinkas appearance in this infamous Czech publication, along with a list of organizations the Foreign Ministry has financially supported. Or watch the video on YouTube, which has so far racked up over 122,000 views and almost 1,200 comments, many of them nasty rants against thieving, parasitic non-profits.

Transitions is proud to be among the NGOs blacklisted in the article for our work countering disinformation in Serbia, by the way.

For background, the support we and others receive is through the ministrys Transition Promotion Program, built around the core idea of the country using its own post-1989 transition experience to help other societies strengthen democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. As laid out in the ministrys own policy document, this approach builds largely on the legacy of former President Havel, during whose tenure the export of those principles became one of the main cornerstones of Czech foreign policy.

The elimination of the grant program isnt even the worst-case scenario: on the show, Macinka brought up a notion popular with the two far-right parties in the governing coalition, to create a register of foreign donors who support Czech non-profit organizations. If this becomes reality, many worry it could turn into a Russian-style foreign agent law, something unthinkable for this country just a few years ago.

Havel once wrote that hope is not the conviction that something will turn out well, but the certainty that something makes sense regardless of how it turns out. The work of supporting democratic transitions abroad made sense after 1989; it makes sense now; and it will make sense long after the Motorists have faded from memory.

What Musks wannabies frame as waste, others recognize as investment  in alliances, in credibility, in the kind of soft power that cant be bought. Dismantling this legacy may be easy. Rebuilding it, should the political winds shift again, will not be. In the meantime, those of us doing this work will need to find new ways to sustain it  and new partners willing to bet on democracys long game.

Jeremy Druker is the editor in chief and executive director of Transitions.
The World Bank Group has officially opened its new, energy-efficient offices here, which will serve as the hub for its Caribbean operations.

The building brings the Banks Caribbean team together in one physical space, which will strengthen the institutions presence and support in Jamaica and the wider region.
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.
Tesla has gone beyond their comfort zone when it unveiled their prized Optimus humanoid robot. For CEO Elon Musk, this is a breakthrough that the company needs, especially in an age where AI and robotics intertwine.

The business tycoon recently announced that the company is targeting public sales of its Optimus humanoid robot by the end of 2027. He also stressed that commercialization will only happen if the technology meets strict standards for safety, reliability, and real-world usefulness.

From Tesla Bot to Real Factory Work

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Musk made an important announcement about Optimus.

Optimus, originally unveiled as the Tesla Bot in 2021, has moved steadily from concept to early deployment. According to Musk, Tesla is already using early versions of the humanoid robot inside its own factories, where they currently perform basic, repetitive tasks.

Later this year, those responsibilities are expected to expand. Musk said the goal is to expose Optimus to more complex factory work, allowing Tesla to refine both its hardware and AI systems in tightly controlled environments before attempting broader use.

Why Humanoid Robots Are Still So Hard to Create

Despite Tesla's confidence, humanoid robotics remains one of the most technically demanding fields in modern engineering.

According to Digital Trends, creating robots that can move fluidly, interpret dynamic environments, and operate safely alongside humans requires breakthroughs across actuators, vision systems, artificial intelligence, and large-scale manufacturing.

Musk acknowledged these challenges directly, noting that Optimus will not be rushed to market simply to hit a timeline. Any commercial launch, he said, depends on whether the robots can function reliably outside controlled factory conditions.

Tesla's Bigger Bet on Everyday Robots

Looking beyond industrial use, Musk continues to paint an expansive vision for Optimus. He has repeatedly suggested that humanoid robots could eventually assist with household chores, elder care, and daily tasks, becoming as common and transformative as smartphones.

In Davos, Musk even reiterated his belief that robots could one day outnumber humans, underscoring how central robotics has become to Tesla's long-term strategy. This could potentially rival electric vehicles and energy storage in importance.

Skepticism Around Autonomy and Timelines

Still, skepticism remains widespread. Recent public demonstrations of Optimus revealed that some tasks were remotely operated rather than fully autonomous, raising questions about how close the robot truly is to independent operation.

Musk's history of ambitious and sometimes delayed timelines has also fueled caution among industry observers. While Tesla has suggested limited commercial deployments as early as 2026, analysts stress that public availability in 2027 will depend entirely on whether Optimus can prove itself safe, autonomous, and genuinely useful in real-world settings.

Originally published on Tech Times
Always Was Tonight

An Indigenous comedy that's as mad as hell, is exactly what the public broadcaster should be making.

If you took the script from Always Was Tonight, and you printed it out of context without the glint in the eye of the performer, some of it could look pretty offensive.

If you did the same with some of Shaun Micallefs Mad as Hell script, youd probably arrive at the same conclusion.

This week ABC unleashed its very irreverent comedy special, anchored by Tony Armstrong at a news desk shaped like a boomerang.

With a mission to decolonise the news one headline at a time, these were topical gags through a fearless First Nations lens ahead of January 26. As with Micallefs former show, these were sketches at the desk or pre-recorded, written by Yaraman Thorne, Megan Wilding (who also appeared on camera), Aaron Collins, Jay Wymarra and Dave Woodhead.

Like the former Indigenous sketch show Black Comedy, it was biting, cheeky, angry, and delivered more than a few LOL moments.

Armstrong, describing himself as the first black face fronting a comedy show on the ABC since Chris Lilley, reminded us about some disturbing facts around January 26. Such as being the same date as Ellen DeGeneres birthday.

No wonder she was cancelled, he quipped.

Then he thew to a Welcome to Country by Auntie Donna.

Brooke Blurton presented Past, Present and Emerging News around Gina Rinehart, Ikea, Sky News, the AFP, Barnaby Joyce, Bob Katter, Anthony Albanese and Heated Rivalry (how could it not get a mention?).

One of the more clever sketches about the arrival of the First Fleet riffed on I Was Actually There. Eye witness interviews to camera recalled, It started like any other day really, it was nice, not too hot.When I saw em I was like Bloody Hell they just showed up.

Teasing it on the Aboriginal Broadcasting Corporation reminded us even ABC is prepared to laugh at its own reputation.

There was Clancy Whitley, a black Ambassador for White Australia telling us white coroborees can all be found at the Adelaide Writers Festival or ABC staff meetings. Zinger! Megan Wilding was priceless as a lisping Rainbow Serpent and Tilly Oddly-Black scored as emerging ally Amber Smith finding her own black soul and singing Yothu Yindi.

There were plenty of laughs to be found for those ready to laugh at our shared history, and if good comedy comes from anger (as Seinfeld once reminded us) then this is a community with much to draw upon. Bringing levity and truth-telling to such topics is a great way to impart the message and shift the conversation.

Armstrong as comedy host isnt yet as polished as Micallef or Charlie Pickering just yet, relying heavily on the autocue. But he is a broadly-appealing talent, there to lure in a wider audience. If this were a weekly show I suspect he would adapt as quickly as he has from the footy field to become confident enough to improvise with his comedy colleagues. At the moment it needs a little more air, not just airtime.

A news strap running across the bottom of the screen could also be jettisoned without losing much. I found it difficult to listen to the gags while another was distracting me below. And Im not sure lines such as Stickler Historian wants you to remember Arthur Philip was also a c**t will do Hugh Marks any favours in the next Senate Estimates.

But Always Was Tonight did exactly what the public broadcaster should be doing. Nurturing new talent, using comedy to provoke (refer: The Gillies Report, Australia Youre Standing in It, Mad as Hell, The Chasers War on Everything), and entertaining us all at the same time. Safe comedy, whats the point?

And just before the credits rolled, this saved its best for last.

A sketch on Indigenous youth in incarceration drew upon ads with the Qantas childrens choir. Here it was more a gut punch than a punchline and there was abolutely no laughter to be heard when a final title card rolled. Powerful stuff.

Always Was Tonight replays 10am Sunday on ABC and screens on iview
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Acer unpacks MediaTek Kompanio 540 powered Chromebooks for Students

Acer has unveiled the Acer Chromebook Spin 311 and Acer Chromebook 311, its first two education Chromebooks powered by the newly available MediaTek Kompanio 540 processor

London: Acer has unveiled the Acer Chromebook Spin 311 and Acer Chromebook 311, its first two education Chromebooks powered by the newly available MediaTek Kompanio 540 processor.

The new Acer Chromebooks have the features and performance students need to embrace a tech-forward curriculum and develop crucial 21st-century skills.

Packaged in durable designs that can handle challenging school environments, the two new Acer Chromebooks help extend school districts' budgets and deliver a reduced total cost of ownership.

"Acer Chromebooks are acclaimed as a foundational technology to prepare K-12 students for a lifetime of learning," said James Lin, General Manager, Notebooks, Acer Inc.

"Their durability, flexibility and ease-of-use help students collaborate and embrace new concepts with enthusiasm. Plus, they help teachers more effectively implement personalized learning strategies for their students, while IT departments can effectively manage Chromebooks to ensure sustainable operation and uninterrupted student learning", James said.

Performance and Battery Life

The student-friendly Chromebooks are powered by the new MediaTek Kompanio 540 processor that enables smooth performance for everyday learning and even demanding applications such as STEM programs and Minecraft Education Edition.

In addition, the new Chromebooks provide up to 15 hours of battery life and have fast-charging capabilities, making them ideal for students in 1:1 programs that take their devices home for after-school enrichment, as well as for lab and classroom environments where students share devices. The new Acer Chromebooks have a power-efficient design resulting in fanless operation that is whisper-quiet.

The new Acer Chromebook Spin 311 (R725T) has a convertible design with 360-degree hinges that allow it to be used in four different modes, including tablet mode for reading, sketching and taking notes.

The Acer Chromebook 311 (C725) has a traditional clamshell design that is compact and lightweight, so young learners can easily use and transport it.

"Both models feature an 11.6-inch LED-backlit HD (1366x768) display with IPS technology, while the Chromebook Spin 311 also has the option for an Antimicrobial Corning Gorilla Glass display to meet the needs of students and school districts", Acer said.

"Both Chromebooks can also be purchased with an optional TUV Rheinland-certified display that offers low blue-light emissions", it added.

Full HD webcam, dual microphones

The two new Acer Chromebooks provide access to a range of features that enhance the student experience. Both feature a Full HD webcam supported by dual microphones for class projects, and have the option for a world-facing camera for engaging science and art projects.

The dedicated Quick Insert key on both new Acer Chromebooks encourages student creativity and efficiency by providing one-touch access to tools, menus, and other applications.

"In addition, both systems are offered with up to Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 for strong and reliable connections to the network and peripherals", Acer said.

The new Acer Chromebooks meet MIL-STD 810H testing standards and have durability features that protect schools' investments and reduce the total cost of ownership.

"Each Chromebook has an impact-resistant exterior, shock-absorbent bumpers, and internal honeycomb design that protects it from drops as high as 122 cm (48 inches), making them ideal for unpredictable K-12 classroom environments", Acer said.

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In his closing address to the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) on January 23 afternoon, General Secretary To Lam affirmed that the Congress marked a new historic milestone, reflecting the nations confidence, political resolve, and long-term vision for development in a rapidly changing world.



After five days of serious, disciplined and scientific deliberations under the guiding principle of Solidarity  Democracy  Discipline  Breakthrough  Development, the General Secretary declared the Congress a resounding success, underscoring its significance for both the Partys evolution and the countrys future trajectory.



He emphasised that the documents adopted at the Congress represent the crystallisation of collective wisdom, will, renewed thinking, and the strong aspiration and determination of the entire Party, people and armed forces to build, develop and firmly defend the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. These documents, he noted, embody important innovations and breakthroughs, fully incorporating constructive feedback from Party organisations and all social strata, and clearly reflecting the democratic nature of the Party and its people-centred approach.



According to the General Secretary, the Congress set forth major and far-reaching tasks that are both urgent and strategic in nature, demonstrating the unity of will and action in the entire Party, people and armed forces. At the core of these tasks is the unwavering determination to achieve the overarching goals outlined in the Political Report: maintaining a peaceful and stable environment; achieving rapid and sustainable development; firmly safeguarding national independence and sovereignty; comprehensively improving peoples livelihoods; strengthening strategic autonomy and self-resilience; and confidently advancing into a new era of national development.



He reaffirmed Vietnams long-term development objectives of becoming a developing country with modern industry and upper-middle income by 2030, and a developed, high-income nation by 2045, for a peaceful, independent, democratic, prosperous, civilised and happy Vietnam which will steadily advance toward socialism.



The Party chief emphasised that the guiding spirit of the 14th Party Congress term is strategic autonomy, seizing opportunities, fostering national unity, overcoming challenges, and strongly inspiring the aspiration for development, while at the same time translating determination into concrete action, decisions into tangible results, and commitments into effective implementation.



He underscored the necessity of upholding fundamental principles while remaining closely aligned with reality, innovating and reforming in order to ensure rapid and sustainable national development. The Congress, he said, once again affirmed the enduring truth that the Partys leadership is the decisive factor in all victories of the Vietnamese revolution, and that the Partys renewal path is correct, creative and consistent with objective laws.



Particular emphasis was placed on strengthening the building and rectification of the Party and the political system, enhancing the leadership capacity and combat strength of the Party, and developing a contingent of officials with sufficient integrity, competence and dedication. He highlighted the principle that the people are the roots, stressing that their happiness and satisfaction must be the ultimate measure of effectiveness for Party organisations and the entire political system.



General Secretary Lam noted that the Congress entrusted the 14th Party Central Committee with major strategic reviews, including a comprehensive assessment of 40 years of implementing the Platform for national construction during the transition to socialism, as well as a centennial review of the Partys leadership of the Vietnamese revolution (19302030), and orientations for national development toward 2130.



He called for resolute, action-oriented implementation of the Congress Resolution, firmly addressing weaknesses in execution. Party organisations, officials and especially leaders at all levels, he said, must move from correct awareness to effective organisation of implementation, from high determination to clear results, and combine leadership with inspection, supervision and accountability.



Concluding his address, the General Secretary expressed deep gratitude to Party members, the armed forces, intellectuals, entrepreneurs, overseas Vietnamese, and international friends for their valuable contributions and steadfast support. He reaffirmed Vietnams consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development; and standing ready to be a reliable partner and a responsible member of the international community, and to strengthen cooperation with countries and partners to jointly build peace, consolidate stability, expand collaboration, share prosperity, and work toward a sustainable future for the region and the world.



The Party leader showed his belief that with unity, resolve, and a shared vision, Vietnam will successfully implement the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress, building a stronger nation that continues to rise with confidence and responsibility on the global stage./. VNA
A short video titled My father lived with my husbands family recently gained 1.8 million views and nearly 50,000 likes just days after being posted. In the clip, the daughter recalls a moment in her life when her father made a decision that she would forever be grateful for.

She had married far from home, and six months after giving birth to her first child, she found herself in a bind - unable to find reliable childcare as she prepared to return to work.

In response, her father packed his bags and traveled 1,500 kilometers south to help raise his grandson. More remarkably, he agreed to live not with her, but in the home of her husbands family, despite the potential discomfort such an arrangement could bring. He did it solely so that his daughter could continue pursuing her career.

She describes her fathers act as "a love so great it overcame the pride of a man," adding: "No matter how turbulent the world is out there, I know I always have a strong shoulder to lean on."

The video sparked over 2,000 comments - some deeply moved, others more critical. While many praised the father's devotion, others questioned the decision:

"A father must love his daughter dearly to agree to live with her in-laws."

"If it were me, I couldnt let my father travel thousands of kilometers and live in someone elses home just to take care of my child."

"Couldnt you have asked the paternal grandparents for help or hired a nanny? That choice mustve put your father in an awkward position."

A story from six years ago

Mr. Du with his grandson.

The woman who shared the video is Le Thi Dung, born in 1993 and originally from Thanh Hoa. She said the story actually took place six years ago but decided to post about it on her fathers birthday to express her deep gratitude for his quiet sacrifice. She didnt expect the post to go viral.

Dung married in 2018 and moved to Dong Nai, where her husbands family lives. By late that year, she gave birth to her first son. By mid-2019, as her maternity leave ended, she faced the daunting question of who would care for her young child.

"My son was on baby-led weaning, and managing his meals wasnt easy. I didnt feel safe leaving him with a hired nanny," she said. "My father-in-law worked full-time. My mother-in-law was not in good health. My own mother had to juggle her job and take care of my younger brother, so she couldnt come either."

It was then that her father offered a solution: "Ill come help you."

Dung was stunned - and deeply grateful.

Dung with her parents and her son.

Her father, Du (born in 1969), is a slender man but quick and efficient in everything he does. He seamlessly took on the role of caregiver - tending to the baby and keeping the house in order. With him around, Dung could go to work with complete peace of mind.

Her in-laws welcomed the gesture warmly. When he arrived, her mother-in-law expressed sincere thanks and urged him to consider their home his own.

For more than a year, Mr. Du lived with his daughters in-laws. Far from awkward, the arrangement blossomed into a warm bond between both families.

Each day, Dung and her husband would leave for work early alongside his parents. Mr. Du took sole charge of the child throughout the day. In the evenings, the family gathered around the dinner table, sharing stories from their day.

After putting her son to bed, Dungs father would relax with a cup of tea or coffee, often joined by her father-in-law. Sometimes, the two men would go out for a drive together, exploring the area or simply enjoying the breeze.

"In the beginning, my dad wasn't used to the food in the South. So I adjusted our cooking, made dishes he liked, and he gradually got used to everything," Dung shared.

A bond strengthened by kindness

Dung and her husband (far right) with his family.

Photos provided by the characters.

Dungs in-laws went out of their way to make Mr. Du feel welcome. Every time he returned to Thanh Hoa to visit family, her mother-in-law would send gifts for him to bring home.

On one occasion, when Mr. Du fell ill, her father-in-law bought medicine and cooked him nourishing porridge. During regular dinners, her mother-in-law would often say: "Thanks to you, our grandchild is growing strong and healthy."

Simple words, but they warmed his heart.

When her son turned 19 months old, Dung enrolled him in preschool so her father could return home. On the day he left, both sides of the family were emotional.

"My mother-in-law kept thanking my dad for everything he had done," Dung recalled.

Years have passed since then. Her son is now seven years old, but the memory of that time still fills Dung with gratitude - for her fathers quiet, unwavering support, and for her in-laws generosity and warmth that made everything possible.

"I know this story stirred up different opinions, but Im not bothered," she said. "Every family has its own circumstances and choices. What matters most is that each member feels loved and respected."

Thanh Minh
Millions of Microsoft users encountered major disruptions as Outlook, Teams, Microsoft 365, and additional services experienced widespread outages.

The issues reportedly began around 11:37 a.m. PT and persisted into the evening, leaving businesses and employees struggling to access essential tools.

Microsoft has yet to provide an estimated time for full service restoration.

Which Services Are Affected

According to CNET, the outage impacts a range of Microsoft 365 applications, including:

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Defender

Microsoft Purview

Other core productivity apps

Users have reported degraded performance or complete inability to access these services, affecting remote work, corporate communication, and daily operations that rely on Microsoft's cloud infrastructure.

Microsoft's Response and Guidance

Microsoft acknowledged the problem via the Microsoft 365 admin center, describing it as a "potential issue impacting multiple Microsoft 365 services."

Administrators can follow updates under alert MO1221364 for ongoing guidance. The Service Health Status page also confirms service degradation, warning users about reduced functionality across affected platforms.

How to Stay Updated

While Microsoft has not shared a public timeline for resolution, users and IT teams can monitor the Microsoft 365 Admin Center for alerts and the Service Health Status Page for ongoing updates

Businesses are advised to notify employees and implement contingency workflows until services return to normal.

Originally published on Tech Times
With a desire to preserve a piece of his communitys cultural and historical identity, Ha Van Sy, a resident of Co Lung commune in Thanh Hoa province, traded his familys stilt house for a century-old bronze pot.

Located in Am Hieu village, Co Lung commune, Sys home has become a well-known stop for visitors traveling to the nearby Hieu Waterfall tourism site. Inside, theyll find a rare, giant bronze pot considered a local treasure - both for its physical size and cultural significance.

According to Sy, the pot once belonged to a local landlord. Over the years, it was used communally, loaned out for weddings, funerals, and other important village events.

In our mountain communities, large bronze pots like this werent just kitchen tools. They symbolized wealth, respect, and the standing of a family within the community, Sy explained.

In 2015, when the village needed funds to build a community hall, the pot was auctioned. Recognizing its historical value, Sy offered to trade one of his familys stilt houses - worth approximately USD 2,800 - for the artifact, a proposal that received widespread community support.

The bronze pot weighs nearly 100kg and was acquired in exchange for a stilt house. Photo: Le Duong

The pot measures about one meter in diameter. Photo: Le Duong

The year 1921 is still visible on the rim. Photo: Le Duong

Sy has tethered the pot to a support post to keep it safe. Photo: Le Duong

Elders in the village cannot pinpoint exactly when the pot was cast, but its rim still bears inscriptions - some in Latin script, others in Chinese characters - now faded with time. Among them are references to the year 1921 and Co Lung Tong, suggesting its origin and initial ownership.

The pot is about one meter in diameter and weighs nearly 100 kilograms. It now sits beneath Sys stilt house floor, secured by a cable to one of the support columns.

Over the years, many have tried to purchase the pot from Sy. At one point, it was valued at more than USD 16,000. Yet Sy has consistently declined all offers.

Ive turned down many buyers, he said. To me, this isnt just an antique - its a family heirloom and a cultural symbol that I want to preserve for my children and grandchildren.

According to officials from the Co Lung commune, Sys effort to preserve the pot is part of a broader movement to protect the areas cultural heritage. Local leaders are encouraging residents to cherish and safeguard historic artifacts as a shared legacy and a means of educating younger generations about their roots.

Le Duong
Photo: Appleinsider

200MP iPhone could debut in 2028 - but dont expect it soon

Recent reports suggest Apple is considering a 200MP camera sensor for a future iPhone model, with the earliest possible launch timeline set for 2028.

If true, it would represent a significant leap in hardware specs - especially considering Apples historically cautious stance in the megapixel race. Unlike Android competitors that quickly adopted high-resolution sensors, Apple has preferred to focus on image processing and real-world photography performance.

However, according to renowned leaker Digital Chat Station on Weibo, Apple hasnt even begun prototype testing of the 200MP sensor. No iPhone models have yet been fitted with such a component inside Apples labs.

Given Apples notoriously long product development cycles, this is not surprising. The company typically tests hardware innovations years in advance, often refining materials and component supply before reaching the prototype stage.

iPhone 2026 will focus on 48MP and variable aperture

Rather than joining the megapixel race immediately, Apple engineers are reportedly concentrating on perfecting the next generation of 48MP cameras for the iPhone series expected in 2026.

According to Digital Chat Station, the iPhone 2026 camera system may feature variable aperture - an innovation that would bring the iPhone experience closer to professional photography. Additionally, Apple is said to be upgrading the telephoto lens with a wider aperture, enabling better low-light performance.

This direction is consistent with Apples long-standing philosophy: rather than boosting numbers, the company prioritizes actual improvements in image quality, dynamic range, low-light capture, and depth perception.

Currently, most smartphone cameras - including the iPhone - use fixed apertures due to space constraints. With variable aperture, the camera can physically adjust to match different shooting conditions: opening wide for shallow depth of field or low light, and narrowing down for sharp landscapes or bright scenes.

If confirmed, these upgrades could mark one of Apples most significant camera overhauls in years - perhaps even more impactful than a resolution jump.

200MP project still in early material testing

While prototype development has yet to begin, sources say Apples 200MP camera is currently in the materials testing phase. That includes evaluating critical components like sensors, lenses, camera modules, and supply chain logistics.

This aligns with earlier reports that Apple is seeking to diversify its camera component suppliers, rather than relying solely on a handful of longstanding partners. With a complex, high-resolution sensor like 200MP, ensuring stable quality and manufacturing yield is essential.

Still, theres no guarantee that Apple will proceed with the 200MP project. The company could delay - or even cancel - it if the technology fails to meet its stringent standards for user experience and consistency.

Its also worth noting that while Digital Chat Station has a credible track record, especially with Chinese tech manufacturers, its Apple-related leaks are not always definitive.

More than just megapixels

Separately, other sources have speculated that the iPhone 18 Pro, expected in 2026, might also feature under-display Face ID. However, many believe this technology will only be ready in time for Apples 20th anniversary iPhone in 2027.

Altogether, these leaks suggest Apple is maintaining its familiar strategy: developing technologies gradually and focusing on delivering user-centric improvements rather than chasing specs for headlines.

If and when the 200MP camera arrives, Apple will likely position it as more than a numbers game. The feature would need to offer noticeable advances in photo quality, not just bigger file sizes.

In the meantime, users may find more meaningful upgrades in the iPhone 2026 - where a new 48MP camera system, enhanced telephoto performance, and variable aperture could bring the next real breakthrough in mobile photography.

Hai Phong
Each winter afternoon, as the tide recedes along the shoreline of Giao Ninh commune in Ninh Binh, clusters of villagers wade into the frigid sea. Armed with basic tools, they comb through concrete wave barriers for baby clams - a modest gift from nature that can yield hundreds of thousands of dong in just a few hours.

The final months of the lunar year bring biting winds and water cold enough to sting the skin. But that hasnt slowed the footsteps of those who rely on the sea for their living. Around 2 p.m. daily, as the tide begins to retreat, the beach comes alive with people in raincoats and scarves, hunched over in the wind, prying clams from the concrete structures jutting into the coastal flats.

Many choose to go barefoot, despite the cold, as rubber boots sink into the wet sand and make movement difficult. The chill is intense. Faces flush red, legs go numb, and the wind cuts across the wide tidal flat.

Nguyen Thi Dung, 54, a longtime resident of Giao Ninh, said this small clam - called vem - is most plentiful in the 11th and 12th lunar months, when cold air encourages dense clusters to form on the wave-breaking blocks.

The harvest depends entirely on the tide, she said. When the water recedes and exposes the concrete blocks, we head out to collect. When the tide returns, we pack up and go home. I usually work from 2 to 6 p.m. and can gather around 10 sacks. This season lasts only about two months, so everyone makes the most of it.

To dislodge the clams, workers use a tool called a nay - a flat blade for prying the shells loose. They sift out the sand and gather the clams into mesh bags. Traders often buy the catch right on the beach, using it as feed for lobsters and other aquaculture species.

A quick-handed collector can gather dozens of bags in a single afternoon, each weighing 40 to 60 kilograms. With each bag selling for 60,000 to 70,000 VND (about $2.50 to $3), many walk away with up to a million dong in a few short hours.

Cao Minh Huy, 34, has been doing this for years. To make the most of each low tide, he heads out with the tools he needs and braces himself for the discomfort.

It might look easy, but its extremely hard work, Huy said. You have to bend over constantly and use a lot of force to break the clams free from the concrete. By evening, my arms and back ache from the effort.

On the coldest days, stepping into the water is a shock to the body, he added. But once you start working, you sweat so much that your clothes get soaked - even in the cold wind. And then, when you stop, the chill hits harder. Still, its worth it. With a little effort, you can earn good money before the New Year.

As darkness falls and the sea begins to rise again, the beach empties out. Workers haul their wet, heavy bags ashore, trading them for cash and heading home with aching limbs - but also with the quiet satisfaction of another productive afternoon.

Each winter, residents of Giao Ninh commune brave freezing waters to collect clams from concrete blocks exposed at low tide.

Collected clams are sold on-site to traders as aquaculture feed, with some workers earning over $40 in a single afternoon.

Trong Tung
Doctors at Thach Han Regional Medical Center in Quang Tri Province were startled to find multiple parasitic cysts in the body of a male patient who had long suffered from fatigue and muscle pain. The man, identified as T.T.H, had a regular habit of eating raw food.

X-ray scan reveals multiple cysts embedded in the leg muscles of a man who regularly consumed raw food. Photo: BVCC

On January 22, the center reported receiving the patient in a state of prolonged exhaustion, accompanied by pain in his legs and lower back, and limited mobility. After conducting a clinical examination, doctors ordered an X-ray scan to investigate further.

The X-ray results were shocking: multiple cysts, each about the size of a grain of rice, were scattered throughout the soft tissue of the patients thighs and calves. Doctors confirmed the findings as classic signs of parasitic cyst infection.

T.T.H admitted to frequently consuming raw and undercooked food. Following the diagnosis, he was referred to a higher-level medical facility for further observation and specialized treatment.

Health professionals noted that the consumption of raw or partially cooked meat - especially blood pudding (tiet canh) and dishes served rare - provides a direct pathway for parasites like tapeworms to enter the human body. Once ingested, larvae can travel through the bloodstream to the brain, muscles, and other organs, posing serious health risks.

In particular, parasite larvae are often found residing in areas such as the diaphragm, tongue muscles, deltoids, limbs, torso, neck, and beneath the scalp.

Many people wrongly believe that meat from home-raised pigs, chickens, or ducks is safe, leading them to consume raw blood pudding and other undercooked dishes. However, these foods can harbor not only tapeworms but also a range of other dangerous pathogens, including those causing diarrhea, dysentery, cholera, and bacterial infections like Streptococcus suis.

Raw vegetables - especially aquatic varieties like water spinach and water celery - are also a common source of parasitic infection if not thoroughly cleaned and properly prepared.

Doctors warn the public to strictly follow food safety practices: cook all meat thoroughly, avoid raw vegetables unless properly washed, and absolutely avoid dishes like blood pudding.

They also advise maintaining a clean and well-ventilated living environment, deworming every six months, and undergoing regular medical checkups to detect and treat infections early.

Phuong Thuy
This marks a significant step as these instruments now carry an investment-grade rating, one notch above Vietnams current rating of BB+ for unsecured foreign currency long-term debt.

The upgrade follows Fitchs review under its newly issued Sovereign Rating Criteria, introduced in September 2025.

According to Fitch, the decision reflects its expectations of higher recovery prospects for sovereign-issued bonds, combined with additional recoverable value derived from guarantees or collateral associated with secured instruments. In Vietnams case, this specifically applies to the 30-year Brady Bonds issued in 1998, whose principal is partially or fully backed by zero-coupon U.S. Treasury bonds.

Fitch Ratings emphasized that the upgrade does not affect Vietnams overall sovereign credit rating, which remains at BB+ with a stable outlook, last affirmed in June 2025. However, the move is seen as a critical affirmation of the strength and credibility of Vietnams debt instruments in international financial markets.

The Ministry of Finance stated it is establishing a regular and proactive dialogue mechanism with major international rating agencies including Fitch, Moodys, and S&P. These discussions go beyond data provision, allowing Vietnam to directly explain and highlight institutional strengths, macroeconomic stability, and the countrys growth potential.

The ministry added that the upgrade to BBB- was the result of close coordination and timely communication with Fitch on the structure of the countrys Brady bond liabilities.

Looking ahead, the ministry will continue working closely with Fitch and other international organizations to ensure accurate and updated assessments of Vietnams credit profile.

Nguyen Le
The annual competition seeks to honor standout students who embody the values of the university - knowledge, professionalism, and the capacity to adapt and lead in the complex world of medicine.

To win the title, candidates must pass four rounds: preliminary screening, knowledge and debate, talent demonstration, and a final round involving foreign-language communication and simulated patient interaction.

For Quynh Anh, the moment her name was called was overwhelming. This title is more than just an award - its recognition of a long journey of effort and growth. It gives me motivation to keep moving forward, she said.

Nguyen Thi Quynh Anh, a sixth-year student at Hanoi Medical University, wins the Student of the Year title. Photo: Provided by subject

Quynh Anhs university life reflects a quiet but determined spirit. She previously served as both Deputy Secretary of her Party unit and Secretary of her student chapter. Known for her dedication and reliability, she was nominated for the contest by her peers and advanced to the final four.

To make it to the finals, I had to step far outside my comfort zone, she recalled. I trained myself in public speaking, debating, improved my foreign language skills, and learned to manage my time more efficiently. Most importantly, I learned to trust myself, to take risks, and to speak up.

In the final round, one of the most emotionally demanding tests required Quynh Anh to take on the role of a doctor delivering bad news to a pregnant woman - only to learn at the end that the case involved a psychiatric patient imagining a pregnancy.

Caught off guard, she admitted to a moment of hesitation. But thanks to the communication training from my professors and the real-life experience Ive had during clinical rounds, I was able to stay calm and respond appropriately, she said.

In just a few minutes on stage, Quynh Anh demonstrated grace under pressure - navigating the encounter with empathy and professionalism, earning high praise from the judges.

To Quynh Anh, a good doctor must be both technically proficient and emotionally attuned.

Professionalism isnt just about medical knowledge or clinical skills - its also reflected in how we treat people, in our sense of duty and care, she said.

She believes empathy plays a critical role in medical encounters. When patients feel seen, heard, and respected, they trust their doctors more, and that trust leads to better cooperation in treatment, she added. Its how we can truly support their healing - not just physically, but mentally.

A childhood dream, a lifelong pursuit

Quynh Anh hopes to become a compassionate, highly skilled doctor in the future. Photo: Provided by subject
That approach was highlighted during a working trip by a Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee delegation to the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, where the Vietnam International Financial Centre in Ho Chi Minh City (VIFC-HCMC) was introduced directly to the global policy and financial community.



The delegation, led by Vice Chairman of the municipal People's Committee Hoang Nguyen Dinh, attended the 56th WEF annual meeting, held from January 19 to 23, at the invitation of WEF President and CEO Brge Brende. This is the first time WEF has extended an invitation directly to leaders of a Vietnamese locality, showing the forum's recognition of Ho Chi Minh City's role as an economic locomotive of Vietnam.



Analysts said the presentation of VIFC-HCMC at Davos signalled the citys determination to integrate more deeply into the international financial network. More than a branding exercise, the move conveyed a clear message of policy commitment, institutional readiness and ambition to elevate Ho Chi Minh Citys standing on the regional and global financial map.



The strong turnout of major corporations, strategic investors and global billionaires at bilateral meetings and sidelines discussions further underscored the growing appeal of VIFC-HCMC, fuelling expectations of large-scale international capital inflows and laying the groundwork for long-term, sustainable partnerships.



Following its merger with Ba Ria  Vung Tau and Binh Duong, Ho Chi Minh Citys expanded economic  administrative entity now contributes roughly one quarter of national GDP and nearly one third of total state budget revenue. This scale offers vast development potential while also reinforcing the need for a financial centre capable of channelling capital, supporting economic restructuring and boosting competitiveness.



Against this backdrop, city leaders called for close cooperation from domestic and international partners, particularly financial institutions, infrastructure investors, technology firms, training providers and international experts, to jointly support the development and operation of VIFC-HCMC.



At a January 21 working luncheon themed VIFC-HCMC: Vision and investment opportunities, attended by nearly 100 businesses, municipal leaders further highlighted the centres development direction amid growing competition and connectivity among global financial hubs.



VIFC-HCMC aims to build a modern, transparent and integrated financial  technological ecosystem, with science  technology, data, artificial intelligence and fintech identified as key pillars. The city has pledged to translate this vision into concrete action plans while positioning itself as an institutional architect and long-term partner for businesses and investors.



Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Huu Huan, Vice Chairman of the VIFC-HCMC executive authority, said the centre is conceived as a capital engine prioritising support for the real economy before expanding into more sophisticated financial products.



Its three core pillars focus on mobilising and efficiently allocating long-term capital for infrastructure, green and digital transitions and innovation; upgrading market standards in line with international practices; and serving as a bridge enabling Vietnamese enterprises to access global financial markets and attracting long-term international capital into Vietnam.



Under this model, VIFC-HCMC is moving towards a hybrid financial centre that links traditional finance with the on-chain economy, balancing systemic safety with innovation. It is expected to emerge as an ASEAN gateway for financing the real economy, developing new financial products and advancing the fintech ecosystem.



According to VIFC-HCMC, numerous international partners have expressed interest in cooperation during the trip, reflecting growing market attention to the centre.

While in Davos, the delegation also held working sessions with the economic development board of Lugano, regarded as Switzerlands institutional laboratory for cryptocurrencies and digital assets. Luganos experiences in legal frameworks, local government coordination and public  private partnerships were seen as valuable lessons for VIFC-HCMC.



Representatives of the Swiss Asian Chamber of Commerce (SACC) shared insights into Switzerlands leading financial centres, stressing that success depends on market trust, close public  private coordination and a transparent, stable legal framework aligned with international standards.



Switzerland also signalled readiness to deepen cooperation with Vietnam through banking partnerships, knowledge exchange and technology transfer.



In technology and risk governance, Crystal Intelligence, a leading European blockchain analytics firm, highlighted Vietnams market potential and proposed public  private partnership models for long-term anti-money laundering initiatives, aimed at improving market transparency and strengthening investor confidence. The firm also signed an MoU with the Global On-chain Economic Alliance to develop cross-border payment infrastructure.



Separately, the Global On-chain Economic Alliance inked an MoU with Sumsub, a leading European verification solutions provider, focusing on cryptocurrency and stablecoin payment applications in the tourism sector.



The Ho Chi Minh City delegation also held discussions with Binance on potential cooperation in green finance, digital finance, cybersecurity and anti-money laundering.



Overall, observers said the Ho Chi Minh City leaderships engagement at the WEF went beyond investment promotion, reflecting strong political resolve to pursue institutional reform, pilot new development models and enhance national competitiveness. VIFC-HCMC is expected to play a pivotal role in attracting international resources, fostering long-term cooperation and supporting the citys fast and sustainable growth.



At the recent first meeting of the VIFC Steering Committee, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, head of the committee, set the target of officially launching VIFC-HCMC no later than February 9, 2026. Ho Chi Minh City is currently working closely with ministries and agencies to finalise operating regulations and establish the legal framework, after which the centre will open registration and licensing for members, paving the way for international financial institutions to formally participate and begin operations./. VNA
A humanoid robot built by two high school students in Ninh Binh has drawn widespread attention at the provinces recent STEM and science-technology showcase.

The event featured more than 460 entries from local secondary schools, with many focusing on real-world applications of artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT).

The humanoid robot built by high school students in Ninh Binh can recognize faces and perform lifelike hand movements.

The humanoid robot was created by Nguyen Tran Duc Luong and Nguyen Dinh Kien from Nguyen Khuyen High School B. Standing 1.3 meters tall and powered by a battery that lasts 810 hours, the robot was the result of 12 months of dedicated research, design, and assembly. The total cost of production reached 65 million VND (approximately USD 2,600).

From concept to interaction: A human-like machine built by teens

Unlike theoretical models, the students robot features realistic capabilities, including facial recognition and flexible arm movements. It was designed to interact directly with users or operate within smart production environments - offering potential uses in customer service and automated factory lines.

Accompanying the project was a second standout entry in the security category: the "GuardDog Robot AI," designed by Phan Duc Manh and Nguyen Ngoc Khanh from Nguyen Hue High School B. Developed over just three months with a budget of 16 million VND (around USD 640), this robot integrates AI-powered cameras and sensors for gas and temperature to detect fires and hazards in home settings.

The robotic dog was developed to assist the elderly and enhance household security. It moves autonomously, analyzes environmental data, and responds to voice commands - making it a promising solution for smart home applications.

From passive learning to digital innovation

According to the event organizers, the competition reflects a clear shift in Vietnams education sector - from passive theoretical learning toward hands-on digital innovation. Many student projects at this years event aimed to address practical challenges in agriculture, safety, and e-commerce using AI and IoT tools.

This transformation in mindset and execution aligns with national goals to foster digital literacy and technological creativity among younger generations.

Trong Tung
Speaking at the launch of the AI-powered enterprise model on January 22, Nguyen Quan noted that automation in Vietnam has traditionally focused on mechanical and electrical systems with basic repetitive tasks. However, in the digital age, automation must integrate artificial intelligence (AI) to interconnect the entire production process.

Citing insights from the CEO of Anthropic, Quan emphasized the rapidly shifting landscape: Within the next 6 to 12 months, AI platforms will be capable of performing all the tasks a software engineer currently does. Human engineers will be left only to review and edit the code generated by AI. This, he stressed, adds urgency to Vietnams need for rapid technological adaptation.

Domestically, the productivity challenge intensifies that urgency. Vu Thanh Thang, Chairman of AIZ, shared a telling paradox: Vietnamese workers rank high in global math and informatics competitions, yet labor productivity trails behind regional peers like Indonesia and Singapore.

Adding to the pressure, 98% of Vietnams nearly 1 million businesses are small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), contributing roughly 65% of GDP. Thang argued that raising SME productivity by just 10% could generate an additional USD 30 billion in economic value. AIZ aims to AI-empower every Vietnamese SME, enhancing efficiency and contributing to national growth.

From siloed data to a digital brain

One of the biggest barriers, Thang pointed out, is data fragmentation. While many businesses use various software tools, their data remains isolated, forming silos that prevent holistic decision-making. The solution, he proposed, is a made-in-Vietnam digital brain called BrainZ - a platform that not only stores data like traditional ERP systems but also unifies it with business logic and workflows.

From this core, companies can then develop AgentZ (digital personnel) and CollabZ (digital processes) to collaborate with human teams and optimize resources.

According to Vo Xuan Hoai, Deputy Director of the National Innovation Center (NIC), these are three foundational components for enterprises leveraging AI - enabling them to maximize human potential instead of increasing headcount.

Standing on giants shoulders and embracing open data

To ensure technological autonomy without falling behind, experts agreed that Vietnam should not attempt to reinvent the wheel in isolation. At this stage, we must stand on the shoulders of giants, Quan emphasized. We still need partnerships with major tech firms to build truly Vietnamese platforms that are locally owned and globally competitive.

One example of this approach is Qualcomms collaboration with AIZ and others to provide hardware infrastructure and software stacks tailored to hybrid AI - combining on-device and cloud computing. One of Qualcomms three global AI research centers is located in Vietnam, said Thieu Phuong Nam, General Director of Qualcomm Indochina. These collaborations aim to deliver stable, low-latency, energy-efficient, and cost-effective solutions for Vietnamese businesses.

But Quan stressed that even with advanced platforms, data remains the key. Alongside the typical standards of accuracy, completeness, cleanliness, and real-time availability, he added one more: openness.

Closed data is useless - it lacks intelligence, Quan said. We need to make data open, with maximum access rights, especially market data, so that our producers can fully leverage these platforms.

Looking ahead, the VAA chairman envisioned Vietnamese solutions becoming a Google for business - capable of answering any question about operations and markets, enabling local firms to take charge in the global value chain.

Vo Xuan Hoai echoed the urgency, stating that the question is no longer whether to use AI but how to use it effectively. The ultimate goal is to reduce cost, time, and redundant tasks. He praised Vietnamese tech companies for proactively offering solutions that shift the focus from labor-intensive to smart, tech-driven workflows.

NIC, he confirmed, will continue to provide maximum support for Vietnamese enterprises, especially in the AI sector, helping Made-in-Vietnam technologies go global.

Du Lam
14th National Party Congress:

Xinhua, the South China Morning Post, the Laotian Times, Bloomberg and AFP, among others, highlighted the 14th Party Central Committees unanimous election of To Lam, General Secretary of the 13th Central Committee, to continue serving as Party chief in the 14th tenure.

This was widely viewed as a clear demonstration of strong internal unity within the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), helping to ensure stability and continuity in national leadership.



Cubas Prensa Latina news agency reported that the announcement was made at the closing session of the 14th National Congress, noting that the Congress was guided by the motto Solidarity  Democracy  Discipline  Breakthrough  Development, which sets the direction for Vietnam to enter a new stage of development.



International community also focused on the Congresss completion of the new-term Politburo, whose structure has been assessed as striking a balanced combination of continuity and renewal, meeting leadership requirements as Vietnam moves into a new development phase aimed at national modernisation and deeper international integration.



The Laotian Times underscored that the 14th National Party Congress was Vietnams top political event in the five-year cycle, playing a decisive role in setting the direction, policies and leadership of the Party. The newspaper reported that To Lam won unanimous support, securing all 180 votes during the first plenary session of the newly elected 14th Party Central Committee (PCC).



The US-based Associated Press (AP) observed that under the leadership of General Secretary Lam, Vietnam has launched its most extensive round of administrative and economic reforms since the late 1980s, when the country embarked on its Doi moi (renewal) policy and liberalised its economy.



According to AP, these efforts include streamlining the public sector, adjusting administrative boundaries and governance models to improve efficiency, while accelerating the implementation of large-scale infrastructure projects.



AFP also commented that To Lams re-election as General Secretary of the 14th Central Committee reflects the CPVs strong support for the growth-oriented change direction it has pursued. The agency noted that during his tenure as General Secretary of the 13th Central Committee, To Lam advanced a series of reforms aimed at improving governance and administrative efficiency, described as comprehensive and far-reaching.



Bloomberg remarked that General Secretary Lam has driven major organisational apparatus and governance reforms, considered the most significant in decades, to enhance state management efficiency and create momentum for economic growth.



South China Morning Post quoted the Party chief at the 14th National Congress as saying that he will maintain unity of the Party while also highlighting the heavy workload in the new term. The newspaper said his re-election as Party chief sends a reassuring message to foreign investors who regularly cite political stability as a major factor in Vietnams appeal.



Media outlets also reported that the 14th National Congress elected a 19-member Politburo for the new term, thereby ensuring continuity in national leadership and governance in the period ahead.



Overall, international press agencies assessed that the completion of the Congresss agenda, the consolidation of the leadership apparatus and the adoption of the Resolution of the 14th National Congress conveyed a strong message of political stability, internal unity and consistent development orientation of the CPV in the new term./.




Elon Musk turned heads in Davos this week after publicly mocking US President Donald Trump's newly announced Board of Peace, using humour to question its intent and credibility.

The comments were made during the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, where global leaders gathered to discuss diplomacy, security and economic cooperation.

Musk, a former Trump ally, chose a light but pointed tone while addressing an audience of politicians and executives. The remarks mattered not only for what was said, but also for who said them and where.

They came at a moment when Trump was promoting the board as a centrepiece of his foreign policy vision.

Musk Mocked Trump's Board of Peace

Musk made his comments on 22 January 2026 while attending the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Trump had just formally unveiled the Board of Peace at the same event. Speaking from the stage, Musk questioned whether the initiative was truly about diplomacy, as per Euro News.

'I heard about the formation of the peace summit, and I was like, is that p-i-e-c-e? You know, a little piece of Greenland, a little piece of Venezuela,' Musk said, drawing subdued laughter from the audience. He followed with a shorter remark, saying, 'All we want is peace.'

The comments stood out because Musk is not an outside critic. He previously served during Trump's second term as head of the Department of Government Efficiency.

Their relationship has shifted since 2025, moving between cooperation and public disagreement. That history gave Musk's words added weight in Davos, where even brief remarks can shape wider narratives.

Why Board of Peace Faces Criticisms

Since its announcement, the Board of Peace has faced criticism from diplomats, analysts and several governments. One major concern is leadership. Trump is set to chair the board indefinitely, which has raised questions about the concentration of power.

The financial structure has also drawn attention. Member states can hold time-limited seats, while permanent membership is available for a payment of $1 billion (740 million).

Another issue is participation. Several invited or participating countries are led by authoritarian governments. That has fuelled doubts about whether the board can claim moral authority in global peace efforts.

Trump's description of the board as a possible alternative to existing institutions has further intensified scrutiny.

What is Trump's Board of Peace?

Trump announced the creation of the Board of Peace in Davos in January 2026. It is described as an international organisation designed to mediate conflicts and promote stability in regions affected by war.

The initiative was first conceived as part of a plan to oversee the Gaza ceasefire and reconstruction. Its remit has since expanded, with Trump inviting dozens of countries to join. He has also suggested that the board could operate alongside, or even replace, the United Nations.

Trump will act as chairman, with members serving limited terms unless they secure permanent status through financial contribution. The board's signing ceremony took place on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum. Fewer countries attended than expected, and most Western European leaders were absent.

The launch at Davos was notable. Musk has previously criticised the forum as elitist and disconnected from the public. His remarks there highlighted how Trump's Board of Peace is already facing scepticism, even before it begins its work.

Originally published on IBTimes UK
This marks the first official foreign visit that General Secretary To Lam will host in 2026, and his first in his new term as head of the 14th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

The visit comes shortly after both Vietnam and Laos successfully concluded their respective National Party Congresses - Vietnams 14th and Laos 12th - laying strategic directions for national development in the new era.

General Secretary To Lam and his spouse with Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith and his spouse during a visit to Laos in December 2025. Photo: VNA

A long-standing friend, comrade, and revolutionary ally, Laos holds a unique place in Vietnams foreign relations. The two nations have stood side by side through every chapter of their history.

The VietnamLaos relationship is described as a sacred and invaluable legacy, painstakingly nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane, President Souphanouvong, and successive generations of Party and State leaders from both countries. This bond is a treasured heritage passed down to todays and future generations.

Forged through both wartime and peace, this relationship is not only vital to each nations revolutionary cause but is also seen as a shared strategic asset of enduring value.

The close cooperation between the two Parties, States, and peoples continues to play a decisive role in safeguarding national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political stability. It also contributes to socio-economic development and the building of socialism in both nations.

Moreover, this partnership significantly bolsters peace, stability, cooperation, and development across the region and the world.

Tran Thuong
As a result, the Congress has received a total of 898 congratulatory letters and messages from 167 political parties, 17 international organisations, 78 individuals, 242 foreign political, friendship, and mass organisations and localities, and 394 associations of overseas Vietnamese.

Congratulatory messages came from political parties across AsiaOceania, Europe, the Americas, and the Middle EastAfrica, as well as from major international and regional organisations such as the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).



There were 62 congratulatory messages from individuals, including President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan, Prime Minister Adylbek Kasymaliev of Kyrgyzstan; Wang Huning, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China and Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference; Chairman of the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group MP Mark Hendrick, along with leaders of state agencies, governments, and parliaments, as well as ambassadors, senators, Honorary Consuls of Vietnam, and prominent friends from various countries.



The messages conveyed profound interest and warm sentiments toward the Communist Party of Vietnam, the Vietnamese State and people. They delivered positive and comprehensive assessments, reflecting growing political support for the CPVs leadership role, and the countrys development orientation in the new period.

They praised Vietnams achievements over 40 years of Doi Moi (Renewal), reaffirmed confidence in the leadership of the CPV, and expressed belief that the country will continue to achieve new successes in the new development era.

Singapores Peoples Action Party (PAP) praised Vietnams recent achievements, reflecting the vision and resilience of the CPV and the Vietnamese people. The PAP reaffirmed the long-standing and close friendship between the two Parties and countries, and expressed its desire to further strengthen Party-to-Party cooperation, including through the establishment of a VietnamSingapore Strategic Dialogue to promote high-level exchanges and deepen discussions on governance, public administration, and transformation.

Malaysias Peoples Justice Party (PKR) described the 14th National Party Congress as a major milestone in Vietnams political life and expressed confidence that its outcomes would continue to contribute to the countrys development, prosperity, and international role. Meanwhile, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) congratulated the Congress on its success and voiced its wish to further promote friendly relations between the two parties.

The Democrat Party of Thailand wished the Congress great success and the Vietnamese people prosperity and happiness, expressing hope that ThailandVietnam relations and ASEAN cooperation would continue to be strengthened as the two countries approach the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026.

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle noted that the world has witnessed the CPVs leadership in guiding the Vietnamese people throughout history toward todays modern development. Under the Partys steadfast leadership, Vietnam has made remarkable progress in promoting national prosperity, social harmony, stability, and peoples well-being.

Timor-Lestes National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT) highly valued the CPVs leadership, affirming that Vietnam has achieved major socio-economic accomplishments on the foundation of national independence and sovereignty, demonstrating long-term strategic vision, sound leadership, and the resilience of the Vietnamese people.

The A Just Russia Party emphasised the CPVs significant role in building a developed and equitable society, achieving notable successes in economic, scientific, cultural, and social fields. It expressed confidence that Vietnam would remain stable, successful, and prosperous, and that RussiaVietnam relations and Party-to-Party cooperation would continue to deepen on the basis of trustful dialogue and mutual understanding.

The Swiss Party of Labour highlighted Vietnams major achievements throughout different periods under the Partys leadership, stating that the country has entered a new era of upward development following the successful Congress, and remains an important model for progressive forces and communist parties worldwide.

The United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) expressed firm belief that the 14th National Party Congress would further affirm the Vietnamese socialist model and help usher in a prosperous era for the nation, while contributing to a multipolar, multicenter world for peace, independence, and self-determination.

The Communist Party of Bolivia (PCB) stated that the Congress would strengthen unity and public confidence, while laying foundations for further progress in socio-economic development, science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, and the Partys combative capacity.

The Communist Party of Colombia noted that 40 years of Doi moi vividly demonstrate the creative application of MarxismLeninism to Vietnams specific conditions, showing that socialism is a dynamic and innovative process closely linked to the needs of working people.

The Communist Party of Ecuador (PCE) stressed that the Congress embodies historical lessons of the Vietnamese peoples resilience, affirming that perseverance in struggle is the path toward peace, freedom, and happiness within socialism.

The Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) expressed confidence that the 14th National Congress of the CPV will set out a new vision for the countrys development, further strengthening the role and prestige of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the region and the world.

The Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) expressed its profound gratitude for Vietnams support over many decades, and voiced confidence that the new leadership will achieve further successes in the coming term.

The Nations Future Party of Egypt wrote it takes pride in the longstanding friendship and cooperation between the people of Egypt and Vietnam, and expressed its wish to strengthen channels of contact and coordination between the two parties for their mutual benefit, while upholding the principles of peace and development for the two countries.

Germanys Left Party highly valued Vietnams active political and diplomatic efforts in pursuit of peace, multilateralism and a rules-based international order. It expressed deep admiration for Vietnams achievements in economic development, agriculture and digital transformation, noting that peoples interests are safeguarded and that innovation goes hand in hand with green growth.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) congratulated Vietnam on its outstanding socio-economic achievements, improved living standards and increasingly deep international integration. It highlighted that sustainable growth and structural reforms have helped make Vietnam one of Southeast Asias most dynamic economies, and underscored the growing partnership with Vietnam and the countrys substantive contributions to shaping the OECDs agenda and promoting regional cooperation.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) noted that the major orientations set out by the Congress align closely with UNCTADs principles and mission, including strategic autonomy, enhanced resilience, and the central role of science, technology and innovation as key drivers of development. It affirmed the organisations readiness to continue working alongside and supporting Vietnam in achieving its long-term development goals, including the target of becoming a high-income country by 2045.

Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Daren Tang sent a video message congratulating the 14th National Congress, recognising Vietnams sustained strong growth and high ranking in the Global Innovation Index. He underscored the central role of science, technology, innovation and intellectual property in Vietnams national development strategy, particularly the strong political commitment reflected in Politburo Resolution No. 57. He reaffirmed WIPOs readiness and commitment to continue accompanying and supporting Vietnam in unlocking its innovation potential linked to intellectual property, contributing to the countrys long-term development goals, including becoming a modern industrial economy by 2030 and a high-income country by 2045./. VNA
Following the re-election of General Secretary To Lam by the 14th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, several heads of state and party leaders from neighboring countries have sent messages of congratulations, underscoring their admiration and confidence in Vietnams leadership.

General Secretary To Lam and his spouse with Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith and his spouse during a visit to Laos in December 2025. Photo: VNA

Lao President and General Secretary Thongloun Sisoulith congratulated Mr. To Lam on being elected for another term, calling it a reflection of the Vietnamese Party, State, and peoples deep trust and high regard for his intellect, experience and significant contributions.

He also extended congratulations on the successful conclusion of the 14th National Party Congress, a milestone political event that will shape Vietnams development in the new era, especially through its strategic thinking and long-term vision.

He expressed strong belief that under the wise and talented leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, led by General Secretary To Lam, the Vietnamese people will successfully realize all the goals set by the 14th Congress.

Mr. Thongloun affirmed that, together with General Secretary To Lam and the new leadership of the Vietnamese Party, Laos will continue to preserve and nurture the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, making the LaosVietnam strategic partnership ever stronger and more fruitful.

He also expressed his eagerness to meet General Secretary To Lam soon in Vietnam to discuss how to deepen strategic coordination between the two countries in the new era of development.

General Secretary To Lam with Chinese General Secretary and President Xi Jinping during a visit to Vietnam in April 2025. Photo: VNA

Chinese President and General Secretary Xi Jinping sent a message of warm congratulations, expressing his delight at Mr. To Lams re-election. On behalf of the Communist Party of China and in his personal capacity, Xi extended his best wishes to both Mr. To Lam and the newly elected leadership of the Vietnamese Party.

Mr. Xi Jinping noted that since the 13th Party Congress, the Communist Party of Vietnam has remained steadfast in its path toward socialist modernization tailored to national realities. He praised the Party for strengthening its leadership and uniting the people to achieve major accomplishments, with Vietnams international influence continuing to rise.

He emphasized that the success of the 14th Congress has opened a new chapter for Vietnams national development and will help inspire global socialist movements.

He voiced his confidence that the Communist Party of Vietnam, under Mr. To Lams leadership, will lead the country to even greater achievements, successfully fulfilling the goals set for this new term.

He reaffirmed the shared vision between Vietnam and China as friendly socialist neighbors and a community of shared future with strategic significance.

Mr. Xi Jinping also pledged to work closely with Mr. To Lam to strengthen strategic exchanges, uphold the traditional friendship, advance socialist causes, and jointly guide the comprehensive strategic partnership and future-oriented cooperation between China and Vietnam to new heights.

General Secretary To Lam and Cambodian People's Party President Hun Sen. Photo: VNA

Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, on behalf of the Cambodian people and in his own name, extended his heartfelt congratulations to Mr. To Lam. The King expressed his strong belief that under Mr. To Lams insightful leadership, Vietnam will achieve great successes across all sectors while maintaining its vital regional and international role.

He expressed hope that the friendship between Vietnam and Cambodia will continue to flourish in the spirit of peace, stability and mutual development.

Cambodian Peoples Party Chairman Hun Sen also sent warm congratulations on behalf of the Partys Central Committee and in a personal capacity. He stated that Mr. To Lams re-election reflects the strong trust and confidence of both the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Vietnamese people in his leadership.

Mr. Hun Sen praised Mr. To Lams leadership for guiding the nation toward sustainable peace, stability and prosperity, while elevating Vietnams regional and global profile.

Mr. Hun Sen expressed confidence that under Mr. To Lams integrity, vision and future-oriented mindset, the Vietnamese Communist Party will continue to win strong support from the people and achieve even greater success in implementing the 14th Congresss resolutions.

He affirmed that the deep-rooted, time-honored friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties and countries will continue to grow in both depth and breadth.

Tran Thuong
Ho Chi Minh City received over $10.34 billion in remittances in 2025. Photo: NK

On January 22, Tran Thi Ngoc Lien, Deputy Director of the State Bank of Vietnams Region 2 Branch (overseeing HCMC and Dong Nai), announced that the remittances were channeled through both financial institutions and economic organizations operating in the city.

According to consolidated data, nearly $7.43 billion of the remittances were transferred via economic organizations, accounting for 71.8% of the total. Transfers via financial institutions reached about $2.92 billion, or 28.2%.

Geographically, Asia remained the dominant source, contributing nearly $5.06 billion, which equaled 48.9% of the total. This marked a 3.2% year-on-year increase, reflecting the continued stability of remittance flows from key labor-export markets such as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan (China), and Southeast Asian countries where many Vietnamese work under long-term contracts.

Despite modest growth compared to other regions, Asia continued to serve as the main pillar in the citys remittance structure, thanks to its stable and sizable inflows.

The second-largest source was the Americas, with over $3.3 billion, accounting for 31.9% of the total. This represented an 11.8% rise from 2024, indicating a recovery in income levels among the Vietnamese diaspora in the U.S. and Canada, as well as an increasing trend of money transfers for investment, consumption, and family support in Vietnam.

Europe contributed $921.46 million (8.9%), a 16% increase year-on-year. This improvement reflects better economic conditions for Vietnamese living in EU countries, particularly those engaged in services, skilled labor, and small businesses.

Remittances from Oceania totaled $893.62 million, making up 8.6% of the total and showing a 15.1% increase compared to 2024. This robust growth reflects the steady transfer habits of the long-settled Vietnamese community in the region.

Though still modest in size, Africa recorded the highest growth rate among all regions. Remittances from African countries totaled $173.35 million, or 1.7% of the total, but surged 39.3% year-on-year. This sharp increase highlights the expanding presence of Vietnamese workers and entrepreneurs across the continent in recent years.

According to Ms. Lien, HCMC maintained its position as Vietnams top remittance-receiving locality, with a stable structural distribution across regions.

"Remittances continue to grow steadily, reinforcing their role as a key source of foreign currency that helps balance foreign exchange supply and demand, and stabilize the monetary market not only in the city but nationwide," she noted.

Tran Chung
Nestled at the base of Sam Mountain in An Giang province, Ba Chua Xu Temple is among the most revered spiritual landmarks in southern Vietnam. Located in Vinh Te ward, formerly part of Chau Doc City, the temple attracts millions of pilgrims each year with its sacred ambiance and mysterious origin story.

Ba Chua Xu Temple. Photo: Sam Mountain National Tourist Site Management Board

The temple is best known for its statue of Ba Chua Xu (Lady of the Realm), enshrined at the heart of the main hall. According to legend passed down through generations, the statue was originally discovered over 200 years ago atop the mountain - some 280 meters above sea level - and believed to possess divine powers.

Many strong men attempted to carry the statue down, but all failed. It wasnt until nine young, unmarried women were chosen - following the guidance of a spirit medium - that the statue was successfully moved. Yet when it reached the current temple site, it became immovable. Locals believed that Ba Chua Xu had chosen the spot as her rightful place of worship.

What began as a humble shrine made of bamboo and thatch, overlooking the vast rice fields and backed by the mountains cliff, has over time transformed into a grand temple complex. Major reconstructions were carried out in 1870 and again in 1972, with the current architecture reflecting an ornate East Asian style.

The statue itself stands over a meter tall and is carved from rose-hued sandstone. French archaeologist Malleret once speculated that it may represent a Hindu deity - possibly Vishnu - and could date as far back as the late 6th century CE. Regardless of its true origin, the statue is now deeply embedded in Vietnamese spiritual life, venerated as Ba Chua Xu.

Each year, from the 22nd to the 27th of the fourth lunar month, the temple hosts the Via Ba Chua Xu Festival - one of the largest spiritual gatherings in the Mekong Delta. The celebration is a rich convergence of cultures, blending Kinh, Chinese, Khmer, and Cham traditions, and offers a moment of communal reverence, gratitude, and prayer.

In December 2024, the festival was officially recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity - the first traditional festival in the Mekong Delta to receive this prestigious honor.

Whether shrouded in incense or glowing under temple lights at night, Ba Chua Xu Temple continues to be a place where belief, beauty, and legend meet - a spiritual anchor for millions of Vietnamese and visitors alike.

The stone pedestal where the statue originally stood atop Sam Mountain. Photo: M.T

Annual ceremonial reenactment of the sacred procession of Ba Chua Xu. Photo: M.T

The statue of Ba Chua Xu, carved from rose sandstone, enshrined in the main hall. Photo: Sam Mountain National Tourist Site Management Board

Pilgrims performing traditional offerings at the temple.

Devotees pray for peace and health behind the sacred statue. Photo: T.T

The temple illuminated at night, glowing with sacred elegance. Photo: M.T

Tran Tuyen
The 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam convened at a pivotal moment, as the country enters a new phase of development marked by greater ambition - higher growth targets, deeper reforms, and a demand for a leaner, more efficient state apparatus.

At the heart of this turning point is a powerful message delivered by General Secretary To Lam in his opening speech: The people are the root - a principle that must guide and measure every policy and decision.

This declaration signals that 14th Congress is not merely charting the path for a single term. It is recalibrating the standard of governance itself: all power and policy must be justified by the trust and consensus of the people.

What stands out this time is how The people are the root is no longer treated as a moral truism, but as a strategic and operational centerpoint. Its not about which policy is issued faster or more frequently. Its about whether peoples lives are improved, social trust strengthened, and citizens made to feel respected and protected.

Lessons from history: Trust as strength

Vietnamese history offers sharp lessons on the power of public trust. In the 13th century, when the Mongols threatened the nation, Tran Hung Dao did not focus on fortifications. He simply said that victory came from unity from top to bottom, the whole nation pulling together. In essence, the strength of a country begins with its people.

In contrast, at the dawn of the 15th century, reformist Ho Quy Ly - with modern ideas ahead of his time - collapsed within a year despite a strong military and fortified strongholds. As his son Ho Nguyen Trung reflected, A general fears not battle, only the loss of the peoples support.

One won because the people stood behind him. The other failed because they didnt. That rule has never gone out of relevance.

This philosophy was embedded in President Ho Chi Minhs doctrine of close to the people, and now reemerges at the center of 14th Congress official documents - not just in rhetoric, but in practical terms.

When the General Secretary stated that public trust stems not from words, but from deeds - from the integrity of officials, the performance of the state, and fairness in shared benefits - it became clear: implementation is the new benchmark.

Governance as felt, not spoken

Citizens do not read policy resolutions. They experience policy through daily interactions - bureaucratic paperwork, land ownership certificates, school fees, job opportunities, and how they're treated at government offices.

Ultimately, every system boils down to people. The people are the root only becomes meaningful when it shapes the behavior of every public servant - from top policymakers to the clerk processing a citizens file.

Thats why the call to build a socialist rule-of-law state of the people, by the people, for the people is no longer just a slogan.

Reform, disruption, and the price of progress

The current institutional framework has long been seen as a bottleneck. Now, it is also seen as a frontier for breakthrough.

Reform becomes real when the time and cost for citizens and businesses become the main metric. When the ask-give mechanism is eliminated, and digitalized public services reduce friction, reform begins to touch daily life.

The sweeping overhaul of the administrative apparatus - including the removal of the intermediate district level - now serves as a critical litmus test.

The proposed two-tier local government model is expected to shorten procedures and speed up decisions, bringing government closer to the people. Provincial-level authorities will focus on strategy and coordination, while communes and wards will gain stronger autonomy to directly handle citizen and business needs, under the principle of local decision, local action, local accountability.

Yet meaningful reform does not mean painless change. Many citizens express genuine concerns:

Will ID renewals, land titles, vehicle registrations, and school enrollment for their children be interrupted?

Businesses worry about changes to investment permits, business licenses, tax filings, legal addresses, and compliance costs.

These concerns are legitimate. Without unified coordination and strong implementation capacity, the early phase of reform could lead to delays and unease.

It is precisely here that the people are the root principle must be tested in practice:

Will the state anticipate these costs and actively minimize transition burdens for citizens and businesses?

Redefining the role of the state

This institutional reform also opens up a broader conversation: redefining the role of the state in the economy.

So long as the mindset remains that there is much to distribute, power will be fragmented and public resources misallocated.

This reform is an opportunity to shift the state toward a role of transparent, fair guidance - empowering the market and the people to unlock their full potential.

From vision to daily life

The for the people mindset is reflected not just in speeches, but in specific policies. Hundreds of thousands of substandard homes have been replaced in a short time. Tuition fees have been waived for children from preschool through high school. The private sector is officially recognized as a key engine of economic growth.

These are not just numbers or resolutions. These are decisions that directly affect peoples daily lives.

A policy only lives when it begins with the people, serves the people, and is supported by the people.

The distance that remains

Yet the gap between policy intent and real-life experience still exists. In rural and mountainous areas, poverty and job insecurity remain constant concerns. Land disputes often disadvantage the weak. Small and medium enterprises still struggle against procedural hurdles and tax burdens.

Such realities remind us that social trust cannot be measured by performance reports - it must be felt by citizens through safety, dignity, and opportunity.

The 14th Congress sets a new course for national development. The goals may be higher, and the reforms deeper. But the ultimate measure will remain unchanged: the peoples trust and their ability to partake in the nations progress.

History has shown that fortresses can be built quickly, but public trust cannot. Any policy that goes against the peoples will - sooner or later - must pay the price.

To hold the peoples trust is to hold everything. This is not a slogan - it is a historical truth. And it is the foundation on which Vietnam must rise and stand firm in the new era defined by the 14th Congress.

Tu Giang
On a recent trip from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi for business and leisure, Tran Viet Phuong - known online as Travip - stumbled upon a food lovers dream just over 70km from the capital. It wasnt a place making waves on social media, but it captivated him enough to visit not once, but three times.

Phuong, the creator of YouTube channel Yeu May Bay with nearly 500,000 followers, has since introduced this hidden gem to his viewers: the former Hai Duong City area, now part of wards like Le Thanh Nghi, Thanh Dong, and Hai Duong (under Hai Phong administration).

"Its not just a city of historical landmarks," he said. "Old Hai Duong is also home to charming eateries offering delicious, unique street food. The owners are friendly, and the prices are unbelievably affordable."

Breakfast with fried vermicelli bread and egg cream sponge cake

Banh mi mien stands out with its sweet, crispy crust and flavorful vermicelli filling. Photo: Tran Viet Phuong

One of the dishes Phuong was eager to try was banh mi mien - fried bread stuffed with vermicelli. Unlike traditional Vietnamese banh mi filled with grilled pork, pate or sausage, this version features stir-fried glass noodles with wood ear mushrooms and bean sprouts, finished with herbs, cucumber, shredded pork floss, and optionally, a fried egg.

Its an unlikely combination - vermicelli is typically used in soups or stir-fries - but it comes together beautifully as a warm, crispy, flavorful morning snack.

Phuong sampled the dish at a stall on Pham Ngu Lao Street in Le Thanh Nghi Ward, and another on Pham Hong Thai Street in Hai Duong Ward.

"The bread is dipped in sugar water before being fried, which gives it a subtle sweetness and a light crunch," he described. "The filling reminds me of spring roll stuffing, with vermicelli, chopped carrots, wood ear mushrooms, and herbs. Its well-seasoned, rich but not greasy, and just the right size for a satisfying start to the day."

Another breakfast item he recommended is the sponge cake with egg cream, served at a modest street stall on Mac Thi Buoi Street in Le Thanh Nghi Ward.

The custom-made mixer used by the shop owners to whip up their signature egg cream. Photo: Tran Viet Phuong

The egg cream here costs around $0.40 per cup, and the sponge cake is also priced at $0.40 each. Photo: Tran Viet Phuong







Run by an elderly couple, the shop has no signage and minimal setup - just a display case and a few basic tables and chairs.

For the egg cream, the couple uses only egg yolks, whipping them with a bit of sugar using a handmade electric mixer. When the mixture thickens, they add a touch of condensed milk for richness and continue whisking until its smooth and airy.

"The cream is so thick you can turn the cup upside down and it wont spill," Phuong said. "The sponge cake is soft and light, and when dipped into the egg cream, its aromatic, not too sweet, and not at all eggy."

Each cup of egg cream costs around $0.40, and a sponge cake is about the same.

Afternoon bites: steamed rice cakes and crispy fried bao

Banh beo makes for a satisfying and affordable afternoon snack. Photo: Tran Viet Phuong

Golden, crispy fried bao with savory filling and pickled veggies on the side. Photo: Tran Viet Phuong

For his afternoon snack, Phuong highlighted two favorites: banh beo and fried bao.

At a street stall on Mac Thi Buoi Street, banh beo is sold in banana leaf-wrapped square parcels, unlike the round versions common in central and southern Vietnam.

There are two types: one with fried shallots for around $0.12, and another with minced pork and wood ear mushrooms for about $0.20. The cakes are kept warm in a steamer box and served with a rich shallot-flavored dipping sauce.

Also memorable were the fried bao from a vendor on Nguyen Trai Street in Thanh Dong Ward. These feature a thin, crispy shell filled with minced pork, glass noodles, and egg, seasoned to perfection. They're served with pickled vegetables to balance the flavors, and priced at just $0.35 each.

Dinner with duck vermicelli soup or banh cuon with snail sausage

A hearty bowl of duck vermicelli soup for just $0.80. Photo: Tran Viet Phuong

The variety of sausages adds excitement to every bite of the steamed rice rolls. Photo: Tran Viet Phuong

A quaint cafe built from an old train car, tucked inside Hai Duong Station. Photo: Tran Viet Phuong

For dinner, Phuong visited mien Huong, a busy eatery on Bui Thi Cuc Street in Le Thanh Nghi Ward. When he arrived around 6pm, customers were already lining up, grabbing trays and bowls, and placing their orders directly.

The signature duck vermicelli soup costs just $0.80 but comes generously portioned, with soft noodles, tender duck, and even giblets in a flavorful broth.

But Phuongs favorite dish from the entire trip was the banh cuon at Ba Do restaurant in Bac Son, Hai Duong Ward.

The steamed rice rolls were silky and fresh, paired with an impressive range of sausages: pork sausage ($0.30), beef, crab, snail, and la lot (wild betel leaf), each around $0.50.

He especially loved the snail sausage for its chewy, crunchy texture and deep flavor. The beef version, seasoned with dill, was also a standout.

The restaurant earned extra points for cleanliness, attractive presentation, and warm, honest service.

An easy day trip by train with a surprise cafe at the station

Phuong recommends taking the train from Hanoi to Hai Duong station - a convenient and scenic route. He noted a charming little cafe inside the station compound, built from a repurposed train car, where visitors can sip coffee while watching the trains come and go.

For travelers starting in Hanoi or eastern Hai Phong, this destination is easily accessible in a day. There are four daily train pairs between Hanoi and Hai Phong that stop in Hai Duong. From Long Bien Station, only LP-class trains make this stop, while travelers can also depart from Gia Lam Station.

From Hai Phong, trains depart from both Hai Phong and Thuong Ly stations.

Linh Trang
President Trump and 19 heads of state or government representatives from countries and territories including Bahrain, Morocco, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Hungary, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Pakistan, Paraguay, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Uzbekistan, UAE, and Mongolia officially signed the Peace Council Charter.

Deputy PM Bui Thanh Son and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Photo: MOFA

At the ceremony, Deputy PM Bui Thanh Son met with key members of President Trumps cabinet, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, and Jared Kushner, a member of the Peace Councils executive board.

Deputy PM Bui Thanh Son affirmed that Vietnam values President Donald Trumps efforts to advance peace, cooperation, and global prosperity, and expressed Vietnams readiness to join the Gaza Peace Council as a founding member.

Vietnam looks forward to working with other Council members to implement the Gaza Peace Plan, which was approved under UN Security Council Resolution 2803 on November 17, 2025. Vietnams approach is grounded in its consistent position on the Palestine issue, aligned with international law and the UN Charter.

Deputy PM Bui Thanh Son also conveyed the message of General Secretary To Lam, expressing appreciation for President Trumps continued support for VietnamUS relations and for backing a strong, independent, self-reliant and prosperous Vietnam.

He also extended General Secretary To Lams invitation for President Trump and the First Lady to visit Vietnam at an appropriate time.

Members of the Trump cabinet expressed appreciation for Vietnams decision to join the Peace Council, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening the VietnamUS Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. They supported accelerating talks on reciprocal tax agreements and welcomed Vietnams participation as a founding member of the Gaza Peace Council. President Trump, they said, looks forward to visiting Vietnam when conditions permit.

On the sidelines of the event, Deputy PM Bui Thanh Son also met with President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, who conveyed warm greetings to General Secretary To Lam and congratulated the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Deputy PM Bui Thanh Son meets Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Photo: MOFA

President Aliyev expressed his desire to visit Vietnam in 2026 to further promote the strategic partnership and expand on the high-level agreements reached during General Secretary To Lams official visit to Azerbaijan in May 2025 - especially in energy, technology, and other key sectors.

President Aliyev also welcomed Vietnams decision to co-found the Peace Council, saying both countries should collaborate closely and share development experience to contribute to the reconstruction of Gaza and other conflict-affected regions.

Deputy PM Bui Thanh Son also held talks with foreign ministers from several countries and senior representatives of the Gaza Peace Council, including former UN Special Envoy for the Middle East Nickolay Mladenov, to explore areas of cooperation under the Peace Council framework and in bilateral relations.

International partners welcomed Vietnams decision to join the Gaza Peace Council, expressing confidence that the countrys resilient post-war recovery experience and consistent foreign policy will be a meaningful contribution to regional peace and reconstruction.

The 2026 WEF Annual Meeting, themed A Spirit of Dialogue, took place in Davos, Switzerland from January 19 to 23, drawing nearly 3,000 delegates from over 130 countries. It was one of the largest global gatherings of leaders outside the UN system since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Held amid a complex and challenging global landscape, the forum served as a platform for governments and businesses to identify common interests and pursue practical solutions for a better shared future.

Over four days, the WEF hosted more than 400 discussion sessions, with over 200 made publicly accessible through live streams on social media platforms.

Deputy PM Bui Thanh Son and the Vietnamese delegation took part in several discussions, making active and constructive contributions to the dialogue.

Tran Thuong
Vietnams new General Secretary will chair an international press conference to announce the outcomes of the Congress.

Earlier this morning, the 14th Central Committee convened its first plenary meeting to elect the Politburo, the General Secretary, the Secretariat, the Central Inspection Commission, and its chairperson for the new term.

At 2 p.m. today, the closing session of the 14th Party Congress will be held, broadcast live on national television.

As per tradition, the newly elected leadership - including the Party Central Committee, Politburo, Secretariat, and Inspection Commission - will officially present themselves to the Congress during the closing session.

According to the Press Center, immediately after the closing, a press conference will be held to announce the official results of the Congress. The newly elected General Secretary will preside over the event.

Yesterday afternoon, the Congress completed its voting process, electing 200 members to the new 14th Central Committee. This includes 180 full members and 20 alternate members.

Among those elected, 10 members of the outgoing 13th Politburo retained their seats on the Central Committee. These include three of the top leaders of the Party and State: General Secretary To Lam, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, and Permanent Member of the Secretariat Tran Cam Tu.

Seven other members of the 13th Politburo also secured re-election to the 14th Party Central Committee. They are:

Bui Thi Minh Hoai, Chairwoman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front

Do Van Chien, Standing Vice Chairman of the National Assembly

Le Minh Hung, Head of the Party Central Committees Organization Commission

General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defense

General Luong Tam Quang, Minister of Public Security

General Nguyen Trong Nghia, Director of the General Department of Political Affairs of the Vietnam Peoples Army

Nguyen Duy Ngoc, Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee

From the 13th Secretariat, nine members have been re-elected to the 14th Party Central Committee, including:

To Lam, General Secretary

Tran Cam Tu, Permanent Member of the Secretariat

Bui Thi Minh Hoai, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front

Le Minh Hung, Head of the Organization Commission

Trinh Van Quyet, Head of the Central Committee for Propaganda and Mass Mobilization

Le Hoai Trung, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Tran Luu Quang, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee

Nguyen Trong Nghia, Director of the General Department of Political Affairs

Le Minh Tri, First Deputy Head of the Party Central Committee for Internal Affairs

Additionally, Tran Sy Thanh, the current Chair of the Central Inspection Commission, has also been re-elected to the 14th Party Central Committee.

Tran Thuong
Two years ago, Vietnam had only 184 operational 5G base stations nationwide. Today, that number has skyrocketed to over 35,000 - an almost 200-fold increase - marking a rapid acceleration in the countrys digital infrastructure. Among Vietnams major telecom providers, Viettel has emerged as the dominant player, accounting for more than 80% of all 5G base stations deployed.

These figures were released at the annual review conference for the postal and telecommunications sector on January 10. The expansion from under 1% 5G coverage to approximately 90% within such a short span underscores Vietnams digital leap forward, especially considering that 5G is the foundational technology for next-gen applications such as automation, IoT, and smart cities.

Viettel leads the charge

Lieutenant General Tao Duc Thang, Chairman and CEO of Viettel Group, highlighted how infrastructure breakthroughs directly boosted Viettels 2025 subscriber base and revenue. Photo: Viettel

In 2025 alone, Vietnam rolled out more than 26,000 new 5G base stations. On December 22, the Ministry of Science and Technology confirmed that Viettel had completed the deployment of over 20,000 of these stations. By years end, the company had pushed its total number of 5G stations to 30,000 - further cementing its position as the countrys 5G trailblazer.

According to independent network analytics firm Ookla, Viettels 5G network was also ranked the best in Vietnam. Testing showed that 97.4% of speed samples on the network met or exceeded the thresholds of 5 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload. These results were driven by Viettels relentless expansion efforts throughout 2025.

Infrastructure breakthroughs are driving subscriber growth and service revenues for Viettel, said Lieutenant General Tao Duc Thang, Chairman and CEO of Viettel Group. In 2025, the company achieved a 13.8% growth rate - its highest in recent years - and now boasts nearly 13 million 5G subscribers.

Bringing 5G to everyone is a promise Viettel made to the Party, the Government, the military, and the people, a company spokesperson added, reaffirming their goal to roll out another 20,000 stations in 2026.

Unlocking future technologies

Images of self-driving cars, automated factories, smart homes, urban surveillance systems, and remote surgeries have long represented the vanguard of modern technology. In reality, each of these applications demands distinct connectivity capabilities.

Autonomous vehicles require ultra-low latency and hyper-accurate data transmission at high speeds. Smart factories must manage millions of interconnected devices - robots, cranes, assembly lines - all communicating in real time. Environmental sensors and land monitoring tools demand minimal bandwidth but maximum energy efficiency. Meanwhile, remote surgery systems call for ultra-fast connections that can transmit ultra-clear visuals in real time for surgical precision from afar.

5G is the key to enabling a wave of transformative technologies, including autonomous vehicles, automated factories, and smart homes. Photo: Viettel

These vastly different demands simply cannot be met by pre-5G networks. However, achieving 5Gs promise of high-speed, low-latency performance often means deploying more base stations than previous network generations.

This is because 5G relies on high-frequency spectrum bands, which have shorter range and lower ability to penetrate obstacles compared to the lower-frequency bands used by 4G. For 5G networks to perform reliably, especially at scale, a denser distribution of base stations is essential.

A national strategic priority

Resolution 57-NQ/TW - on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation - outlines Vietnams goal to build modern digital infrastructure and achieve nationwide 5G coverage by 2030. 5G and next-gen telecom networks are identified as foundational strategic technologies for national advancement.

Globally, achieving deep 5G coverage typically takes 47 years, as seen in countries like the U.S., China, and South Korea. Vietnams ambition to popularize 5G within a shorter timeline demands strong commitment and heavy investment from digital infrastructure enterprises.

In 2026, the Department of Telecommunications aims to elevate Vietnams digital infrastructure to the level of advanced nations, targeting 170 Mbps mobile speeds, 300 Mbps fixed broadband speeds, and 99% population coverage with 5G, a department representative said at the January 10 meeting.

In tandem with building infrastructure, Viettel has also mastered the design and manufacturing of a complete ecosystem of 5G network equipment.

Viettel aims to lead in 5G infrastructure by focusing on AI integration and sustainable green services, supporting national digital transformation and enhancing Vietnams global competitiveness, stated a representative from Viettel Networks.

Quang Pham
Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) - More than a million people in northeast Nigeria could lose emergency food and nutrition assistance unless funding can be found within weeks, the World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Thursday
JACKSON, Miss., Jan. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- EastGroup Properties, Inc. (NYSE: EGP) (the "Company" or "EastGroup") announced today the income tax treatment of its 2025 distributions as described below. Shareholders are encouraged to consult with their personal tax advisors as to their specific tax treatment of EastGroup distributions.

Common Stock:

Ticker Symbol EGP, CUSIP #277 276 101

Record

Dates Payment

Dates Total

Distributions

Per Share (1) Ordinary

Dividends Capital Gain

Distributions Unrecaptured

Sec. 1250

Gain (2) Nondividend

Distributions (3) Section 199A

Dividends (4) 12/31/24 01/15/25 $0.40314 $0.40314 $0.00000 $0.00000 $0.00000 $0.40314 03/31/25 04/15/25 1.40000 1.40000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 1.40000 06/30/25 07/15/25 1.40000 1.40000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 1.40000 09/30/25 10/15/25 1.55000 1.55000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 1.55000 12/31/25 01/15/26 1.15805 1.15805 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 1.15805

















TOTALS $5.91119 $5.91119 $0.00000 $0.00000 $0.00000 $5.91119 Form 1099-DIV box

1a 2a 2b 3 5





(1) Pursuant to Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, Section 857(b)(9), cash distributions made on

January 15, 2026, with a record date of December 31, 2025 are treated as received by shareholders on

December 31, 2025 to the extent of 2025 undistributed earnings and profits. (2) Unrecaptured Sec. 1250 Gain (box 2b) is a subset of, and is included in, the Capital Gain Distributions

amount reported in box 2a of Form 1099-DIV. (3) Return of Capital (4) Represents qualified REIT dividends that may be eligible for the 20% qualified business income deduction

under Section 199A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, that is available for non-

corporate taxpayers and is included in "Ordinary Dividends."

The Company did not incur any foreign taxes in 2025. Of the total distributions during 2025, none are considered qualified dividends that may be eligible for reduced capital gains rates.

About EastGroup Properties, Inc.

EastGroup, a member of the S&P Mid-Cap 400 and Russell 2000 Indexes, is a self-administered equity real estate investment trust focused on the development, acquisition and operation of industrial properties in high-growth markets throughout the United States with an emphasis in the states of Texas, Florida, California, Arizona and North Carolina. The Company's goal is to maximize shareholder value by being a leading provider in its markets of functional, flexible and quality business distribution space for location sensitive customers (primarily in the 20,000 to 100,000 square foot range). The Company's strategy for growth is based on ownership of premier distribution facilities generally clustered near major transportation features in supply-constrained submarkets. EastGroup's portfolio, including development projects and value-add acquisitions in lease-up and under construction, currently includes approximately 65 million square feet.

EastGroup Properties, Inc. press releases are available at www.eastgroup.net.

Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE EastGroup Properties
BJ's Restaurants, Inc, an American restaurant chain which operates locations throughout California, allegedly failed to provide required meal periods and rest periods to employees. This allegedly resulted in employees missing out on wages they should have been paid.

**THIS IS AN ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT**

SAN MATEO, Calif., Jan. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The San Francisco employment law attorneys, at Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP, filed a class action complaint alleging that BJ's Restaurants, Inc. violated the California Labor Code. The BJ's Restaurants, Inc. class action lawsuit, Case No. 25-CIV-09240, is currently pending in the San Mateo County Superior Court of the State of California. A copy of the Complaint can be read here .

The Law Office of Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP Speed Speed

According to the lawsuit filed, BJ's Restaurants, Inc allegedly (a) failed to pay minimum wages, (b) failed to pay overtime wages, (c) failed to provide legally required meal and rest periods , (d) failed to provide accurate itemized wage statements, (e) failed to reimburse for required expenses, (f) failed to pay sick wages, and (g) failed to provide wages when due, all in violation of the applicable Labor Code sections listed in California Labor Code Sections 201-203, 226, 226.7, 233, 246, 510, 512, 1194, 1197, 1197.1, 2802, and the applicable Wage Order(s), and thereby gives rise to civil penalties as a result of such alleged conduct.

The Complaint further alleges employees were required from time to time to work in excess of four (4) hours without being provided ten (10) minute rest periods. Additionally, these employees were denied their first rest periods of at least ten (10) minutes for some shifts worked of at least two (2) to four (4) hours from time to time, a first and second rest period of at least ten (10) minutes for some shifts worked of between six (6) and eight (8) hours from time to time, and a first, second and third rest period of at least ten (10) minutes for some shifts worked for ten (10) hours or more from time to time. The wage statements allegedly failed to identify the accurate total hours worked each pay period. When the hours shown on the wage statement were added up, they did not equal the actual total hours worked during the pay period in alleged violation of Cal. Code 226 (a)(2) .

For more information about the class action lawsuit against BJ's Restaurants, Inc., call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today.

Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP is an employment law firm with offices located in San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Riverside and Chicago that dedicates its practice to helping employees, investors and consumers fight back against unfair business practices, including violations of the California Labor Code and Fair Labor Standards Act. If you need help in collecting unpaid overtime wages, unpaid commissions, being wrongfully terminated from work, and other employment law claims, contact one of their attorneys today.

**THIS IS AN ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT**

Media Contact

Nicholas De Blouw

Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP

(800) 568-8020

[email protected]

https://www.bamlawca.com/

SOURCE Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP
The Ministry of Finance is working to establish a mechanism for regular and ongoing dialogue with international credit rating agencies, including Fitch, Moodys and S&P. (Illustrative image: VNA)

Hanoi  Fitch Ratings has upgraded Vietnams senior secured long-term debt instruments from BB+ to BBB-, according to the Ministry of Finance.

In a statement released on January 22, the ministry said the rating for Vietnams secured long-term debt was raised to BBB-, equivalent to investment grade, one notch higher than the countrys long-term foreign-currency rating on unsecured debt, which remains at BB+. The upgrade followed Fitchs review under its revised Sovereign Rating Criteria issued in last September.

The decision reflects its expectations regarding recovery prospects on unsecured sovereign bonds, combined with additional recovery benefits arising from the secured or guaranteed portions of the debt instruments.

The rating agency stressed that the move does not alter Vietnams sovereign credit rating, which was affirmed at BB+ with a stable outlook in June last year. Nevertheless, the upgrade is seen as an important step in reinforcing the standing and credibility of Vietnams debt instruments in international capital markets.

According to the ministry, it is working to establish a mechanism for regular and ongoing dialogue with international credit rating agencies, including Fitch, Moodys and S&P. This engagement goes beyond the provision of requested data, involving close coordination with ministries and agencies to proactively explain and demonstrate the countrys institutional strengths, macroeconomic stability and growth potential. The recent upgrade by Fitch was also attributed to timely information sharing and close cooperation between the ministry and the rating agency.

The finance body said it will continue to work closely with Fitch and other credit rating agencies, as well as international organisations, to ensure comprehensive and up-to-date assessments of Vietnams credit profile.
Vincent Boulet, head of external relations of the French Communist Party. (Photo: mairie13.paris.fr)

Paris  The 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) is a strategically significant milestone for the Southeast Asian countrys future amid an increasingly volatile international context, Vincent Boulet, head of external relations of the French Communist Party (PCF), told Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Paris.

Boulet said that since gaining independence and under the leadership of the CPV, Vietnam has undergone an exceptionally impressive development journey. The country eradicated extreme poverty as early as the 2010s and is now recognised by international organisations as a model for economic development combined with high human welfare indicators.

The PCF official also expressed particular admiration for Vietnams achievements in education, infrastructure modernisation, the building of a modern healthcare system, as well as its well-planned approach to ecological policy, institutional reform and economic modernisation.

He stressed that the PCF highly values these accomplishments, describing them as truly exemplary and heroic, and looks forward to the CPV entering a new stage of socio-economic development as it moves towards the centenary milestones of the Partys founding and the nations establishment.

According to Boulet, the participation of 1,586 delegates representing more than 5.6 million Party members at the 14th National Congress is vivid evidence of the strength and unity of the CPV. He voiced confidence that the sound decisions adopted at the congress will practically serve the interests and the lives of the Vietnamese people.

At a time when international law and the United Nations Charter face numerous challenges, he underscored the emphasis on strategic autonomy in the congress documents as the foundation for deeper integration without dependence. This represents a new development in Vietnams foreign policy thinking, demonstrating the CPVs ability to renew its perspectives and propose appropriate solutions in response to global risks and crises.

Touching on relations between the two parties, Boulet affirmed that the PCF has always stood side by side with the CPV in the struggle to gain and safeguard Vietnams independence and unity. The two sides share a special history of solidarity forged and strengthened through the fight against colonialism, for peace and for the rights of peoples. Today, this solidarity continues to be reinforced and has become even more meaningful in the new international context, marked by risks and uncertainties facing the Vietnamese people, the French people and nations worldwide.

He noted that the shared commitment of the two parties to peace, collective security and human security, as well as to multilateralism in international relations, was clearly reaffirmed at their theoretical seminar held in October 2024. On that basis, decentralised cooperation will continue to be promoted, alongside efforts to encourage economic cooperation aimed at sustainable development and the effective implementation of the goals of the Vietnam-France comprehensive strategic partnership.

Boulet stressed that theoretical cooperation between the PCF and the CPV plays an important role in identifying requirements and shaping the content of a new model of international cooperation among communist parties. This model, grounded in respect for each Partys specific characteristics in the current global context, will help enhance the effectiveness of parties contributions to the interests of independent, sovereign and united nations.
The 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) continues a full-day session on January 22, chaired by Party General Secretary To Lam  President of the Presidium. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi  The 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) continued a full-day session on January 22, chaired by Party General Secretary To Lam  President of the Presidium, focusing on personnel matters of the 14th Party Central Committee.

Le Minh Hung, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Chairman of its Organisation Commission, presented on behalf of the Presidium a report of the 13th Party Central Committee on personnel of the 14th Party Central Committee.

The Congress discussed and approved the number of the members of the 14th Party Central Committee, consisting of 180 official and 20 alternate members.

Delegates worked within their delegations to review and discuss the personnel report, consider self-nominations and nominations, and examine personnel documents and profiles. The Presidium then heard reports from the heads of the delegations on discussion results.

The Presidium reported to the Congress and voted to approve a list of candidates for the 14th Party Central Committee, and elected the Vote Counting Committee. The Vote Counting Committee guided the election process. The Congress proceeded with recording votes, casting ballots, announcing the results, and approving the list of the members of the 14th Party Central Committee.

On January 23, delegates will have a morning recess while the 14th Party Central Committee holds its first plenary session. The Congress will convene its closing session in the afternoon.
The strong acceleration of state-owned enterprise (SOE) stocks in the early days of 2026 suggests that the market is rapidly pricing in expectations of a more substantive transformation cycle.

After years of subdued performance, SOEs have resumed the stock markets burgeoning attention, buoyed by the recent issuance of Resolution No.79-NQ/TW on the development of the state-owned economy, which not only reaffirms its leading role but also introduces a new institutional framework to unlock resources, reposition operational efficiency and trigger a shift in capital flows.

The banking sector, which holds the largest weight in the stock market, saw clear divergence in 2025 between private joint-stock banks and state-owned commercial banks.

Efficient management of land resources, particularly rubber companies, serves as a key driver for SOEs

While state-owned bank stocks underperformed the broader market, private banks involved in mandatory transfers of weak lenders posted stronger gains thanks to credit growth exceeding the industry average.

However, the tide has turned since the start of the year. Following the issuance and effect of Resolution 79 on January 6, shares of major state-owned banks such as Vietcombank, BIDV, and VietinBank surged sharply, each reaching new all-time highs.

In BIDVs trading history since its 2014 listing, investors have never witnessed a rally of such magnitude. From January 6 to January 14, the stock rose for seven consecutive sessions, gaining 43 per cent and repeatedly breaking its own records, with liquidity surging as several sessions recorded trading value exceeding VND1 trillion ($40 million).

Vietcombank also posted a seven-session winning streak, including two sessions with trading value above $80 million each. Rising more than 30 per cent over the same period, the bank climbed to peak territory, approaching $3.2 per share.

Although VietinBank did not sustain as long a rally as BIDV or Vietcombank, it still stood out, gaining over 11 per cent in the first half of January 2026, with its share price at times exceeding $1.6, the highest level in its listing history.

Alongside state-owned banks, many other SOEs also recorded sharp gains. Petrovietnam Gas Corporation (PV GAS) had already signalled an uptrend in the final sessions of 2025, which continued into early 2026.

Throughout 2025, PV GAS largely moved sideways around $2.4-$2.6 per share, but from December 24, the stock found new momentum.

Resolution 79 has been widely seen as a powerful catalyst, pushing PV GAS above the $4 mark, double its level at the end of 2025.

Similarly, strong gains were recorded among other major SOE representatives.

In the first half of January 2026, Vietnam Rubber Group rose 42 per cent, Becamex Investment and Industrial Development Group gained 25 per cent, while Viettel Global Investment Corporation surged as much as 77 per cent.

When outlining market prospects for 2026, many experts have placed SOEs at the heart of their scenarios. Commenting on Resolution 79, analysts from MB Securities (MBS) noted that once resources are effectively unlocked, state-owned enterprises are likely to accelerate.

Drawing parallels with the stimulus from Resolution No.68-NQ/TW on private sector development, MBS expects listed SOEs to become a new focal point in 2026, particularly driven by notable divestment deals in the 2026-2027 period.

Providing more in-depth analysis of the resolutions impact on the stock market, Nguyen The Minh, head of Research and Development at Yuanta Vietnam Securities, said Resolution 79 influences the market through several key mechanisms.

For the first time, Resolution 79 allows all proceeds from equitisation and divestment to be used to increase charter capital at state-owned enterprises instead of being remitted to the state budget. This directly addresses the core capital shortage faced by state-owned banks such as BIDV and VietinBank, Minh said.

In addition, the requirement that the state holds no more than 50 per cent of charter capital in non-strategic commercial enterprises is expected to trigger a new wave of divestments in 2026-2027 period.

Next is the mechanism for unlocking land resources. Clear direction on the efficient management of land resources serves as a key driver for state-owned enterprises  particularly rubber companies  to convert agricultural land into industrial zones, unlocking the potential for a sharp surge in net asset growth.

According to Yuanta Vietnam expert, before 2025, state capital management primarily focused on capital preservation and loss prevention.

Resolution 79 has fundamentally reshaped this approach by defining the state-owned economy as a material instrument to orient, lead and regulate the broader economy, while its innovative financial mechanisms remove long-standing structural impediments, Minh said.

Defining SOE priorities vital To achieve remarkable achievements in nearly 40 years of renovation, the Vietnamese business community as a whole, and state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in particular, have made relentless efforts, overcoming numerous challenges. They have reaffirmed their role in guiding the economy.

PM urges SOEs to pioneer digital shift Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a conference on April 15 in Hanoi with leaders of state-owned groups and corporations under the theme 'State-owned Enterprises Leading Digital Transformation and Driving Growth'.
View of the opening session of the 14th National Party Congress. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi - The 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) has received warm sentiments and strong encouragement from political parties, partners, overseas Vietnamese communities, and international friends.

The congratulatory letters and messages reflect high appreciation for Vietnams historic achievements over 40 years of the Doi moi (Renewal) process, while expressing confidence that the Congresss strategic decisions will continue to steer the country toward prosperity and happiness.

In its message, the Communist Party of India said it has closely followed and admired the comprehensive achievements of Vietnam under the leadership of the CPV, noting that these accomplishments have significantly improved living standards and reinforced Vietnams socialist-oriented development path.

The German Communist Party expressed its admiration for the CPVs overcoming challenges, demonstrating strong leadership, and strengthening Party building in order to continue to build socialism. It voiced confidence that Vietnam will meet its targets of becoming a modern industrial, upper-middle-income country by the Partys centenary, laying the groundwork to become a developed socialist-oriented nation.

In its message, the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia highly valued the 13th-tenure Political Report as an important foundation guiding strategic tasks toward sustainable development and socialism, with milestones set for 2030 and 2045. The Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia's leaders attached importance to traditional ties with the CPV, supported upgrading the Czech Republic  Vietnam relations to a strategic partnership, and acknowledged the positive role of the more than 100,000-strong Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic.

The Communist Party of Brazil (PCdoB) said the Congresss theme reflects the sound leadership and correctness of Vietnams chosen path, noting that Doi moi (Renewal) has enabled the country to harmoniously combine rapid economic growth with social equity, poverty reduction, and continuous improvements in the people's living conditions.

The Communist Party of Chile described Vietnams historical experience in national liberation and socialism building as an enduring source of inspiration for revolutionary forces in the Americas, stressing the political and strategic significance of the close historical ties between the two parties.

The Communist Party of Argentina expressed confidence that, amid a rapidly changing global landscape, the CPV will continue to advance renewal and development, place the people at the centre, and safeguard national independence and sovereignty.

In its message to the CPV, the Communist Party of Canada (MarxistLeninist) underlined the historic significance of the 14th National Congress, saying it paves the way for new victories in Vietnams socialism building in a new era.

The Communist Party of Bangladesh voiced its belief that the Congress will further consolidate the CPVs leadership role, strengthen socialist democracy, and set out sound strategic orientations to build a prosperous, independent, and socialist Vietnam, contributing positively to global peace and progress.

The Communist Party of Norway said the historic achievements of the CPV and the Vietnamese people continue to inspire communists and progressive forces worldwide, expressing confidence that decisions adopted at the 14th Congress will further strengthen the Party to fulfil its historic mission of serving the people and building socialism.

In its message, Japans Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) noted that, based on the VietnamJapan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world, closer coordination between the LDP and the CPV is important for expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest such as security, economy, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.

The Communist Party of Belarus praised Vietnams historic achievements under CPV leadership, reaffirmed its commitment to fostering friendly relations and constructive dialogue with the CPV, and wished the Congress success in adopting decisions of importance to the countrys future.

AMANAT political party of Kazakhstan welcomed the CPVs achievements in renewal, socio-economic development, improved living standards, and enhanced international standing, expressing confidence that the 14th Congress will mark a milestone in promoting growth and national modernisation.

Hungarys Fidesz party congratulated Vietnam on its recent achievements and voiced confidence in the success of the CPVs 20262031 tenure, particularly in implementing Vietnams national development vision to 2045. The Fidesz party said it stands ready to cooperate with the CPV to promote friendship and multifaceted collaboration between the two countries in areas of shared concern.

The People Power Party of the Republic of Korea (RoK) highlighted Vietnams strategic position in the Indo-Pacific and its role as a close comprehensive strategic partner of the RoK, noting that close party-to-party ties have contributed to advancing bilateral relations.

The Mongolian Democratic Party said Vietnams socio-economic development and improvements in peoples living standards under CPV leadership during the renewal process have been remarkable, expressing confidence that the VietnamMongolia Comprehensive Partnership will continue to grow stronger on the basis of traditional friendship, trust, and mutual understanding.

The Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) of Tanzania said the 14th National Congress marks an important milestone in the CPVs political process, with its outcomes expected to further consolidate Vietnams development path and enhance the Partys leadership in promoting prosperity and improving peoples livelihoods.

Turkiyes Justice and Development Party (AKP) said the success of the 14th Congress will contribute to Vietnams stability, prosperity, and sustainable development, affirming its high regard for the CPVs leadership and its commitment to further strengthening cooperation between the two parties and countries.

In its message, Nigerias All Progressives Congress party praised Vietnams growing dynamism and resilience under the leadership of Party General Secretary To Lam, noting the countrys global admiration for its progress and people-centred development, and commended the CPVs efforts in building socialism, promoting inclusive and sustainable growth, and contributing to peace and cooperation in the region and the world.

The Secretary-General of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) sent a congratulatory letter, stressing that the 14th National Party Congress holds profound significance for the region, helping strengthen regional unity and realise the shared aspiration of building a cohesive, resilient and people-centred ASEAN.

The AsiaEurope Political Forum (AEPF) also conveyed its congratulations to the Party Central Committee, expressing confidence that the outcomes of the 14th Congress will further enhance Vietnams role and standing in the region and on the international stage, while making positive and responsible contributions to peace, stability and cooperation in Asia.
Healthier Capital, a leading health-tech venture capital firm, joins as a co-founder and sole external investor in seed round

LA JOLLA, Calif., Jan. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Diploid Genomics, Inc. (DGI), an AI-driven advanced genomics analytics company, launches in partnership with Healthier Capital, a leading health-tech venture capital firm, under the leadership of genomics pioneer J. Craig Venter, Ph.D.

DGI is developing the nextgeneration discovery and diagnostics platform for complex and deadly diseases, making future health outcomes more predictable, measurable, and actionable. DGI plans to employ advanced AI models, along with the latest genomic sequencing technology combined with advanced imaging and health data, to deliver diagnostic insights with higher precision for life science companies, health systems, researchers, and patients.

"At Healthier Capital, we are inspired by the pioneering spirit of J. Craig Venter and the DGI leadership team and are enthusiastic to serve as co-founders in delivering transformative impacts to better preventing, diagnosing, treating and innovating care," said Healthier Capital partner, Aman Mahajan M.D., Ph.D.

"We believe that DGI's proprietary, AI-driven approach to combining genomics sequencing with advanced imaging and additional data sources, will transform the way treatments are developed, diseases are diagnosed, and therapies are delivered," said Healthier Capital founder and managing partner, Amir Dan Rubin.

DGI has been designed as a high-leverage platform from day one, powered by a high-performance partner ecosystem. Through access to the latest sequencing technology from PacBio and Oxford Nanopore, unique computing infrastructure, and proprietary genomics and imaging data from the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI, a not-for-profit research institute), and select collaborators, DGI is launching with unusually deep data assets and immediate technical advantages. The company is exploring strategic partnerships across leading academic medical centers, AI organizations, and life sciences companies.

DGI is building its own sequencing center in a new San Diego waterfront location and will seek CLIA certification (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendmentsthe certification needed for laboratories to provide clinical data to patients) to provide AI-enhanced, next generation clinical grade sequencing.

DGI has been formed using know-how and expertise from JCVI, and is helmed by Dr. Venter, along with multimodal imaging expert Anders Dale, Ph.D., and computational sciences expert Gene Myers, Ph.D.

Dr. Venter is JCVI founder and founder of its precursor organization, The Institute for Genomic Research (TIGR) where he and his team decoded the genome of the first free-living organism and hundreds of other microbial genomes. He is a serial entrepreneur and founder of Celera Genomics, the company which raced to sequence the first human genome, a feat which was announced at the White House by President Bill Clinton. He also founded Synthetic Genomics, SGI-DNA, and Human Longevity, Inc.

Dr. Dale is JCVI's president and a professor. He is professor emeritus of neurosciences, radiology, and data science at University of California, San Diego, and founder of Cortechs Labs, Inc. Dr. Dale's research has been focused on the development and application of advanced techniques for acquisition and analysis of multimodal structural and functional imaging data, as well as the integration of quantitative imaging with genomic and health information for the prediction of health outcomes. He is also the founder of several AI-focused startups.

Eugene "Gene" Myers, Ph.D. previously served as vice president of informatics research at Celera Genomics, was founding director of a new systems biology center at the Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG), a group leader at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), and computer science faculty at UC Berkeley. He is best known for the development of BLAST (one of the most widely used tools in bioinformatics) and for the paired-end whole genome shotgun sequencing protocol and the assembler he developed at Celera that delivered the fly, human, and mouse genomes in a three-year period.

Healthier Capital partnered with these genomics pioneers to serve as a DGI co-founder and sole external investor in DGI's series seed round that closed in January. Initial equity holders also include DGI's founders, and JCVI. Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP acted as counsel to DGI.

Dr. Venter noted, "We are excited to have Healthier Capital as a co-founder and lead investor in our funding round. Their deep experience in healthcare delivery, scientific and clinical enterprises, and their wide network across the health-tech ecosystem will be of great advantage to DGI and should position us well as we seek to finally realize the full potential of genomics to change healthcare."

About Diploid Genomics, Inc.

DGI, a spinoff of the J. Craig Venter Institute, is developing the nextgeneration discovery and diagnostics platform for complex and deadly diseases, designed to make future health outcomes more predictable, measurable, and actionable. DGI plans to use advanced AI models along with cuttingedge genomic sequencing, advanced imaging, and comprehensive health data to deliver more precise diagnostic insights for life science companies, health systems, researchers, and patients.

About Healthier Capital

Healthier Capital seeks to advance healthier outcomes for all, partnering with technology-powered healthcare innovators for transformative impact and significant value creation. For more information, visit www.healthiercapital.com .

SOURCE J. Craig Venter Institute
North Wales council declares health emergency over third world conditions in regions hospitals

A council has declared a health emergency in North Wales over third world conditions for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) patients.

Conwy County Council leader Julie Fallons backed a blistering notice of motion at a meeting today which comes as all six of the regions county councils raised concerns about the spread of corridor care throughout North Wales hospitals.

Cllr Fallon said the health boards chief executive, Carol Shillabeer, and the Welsh Government Health Minister, Jeremy Miles, failed to respond to a letter sent on behalf of all six authorities, raising concerns about the standard of healthcare in North Wales.

The letter was signed by all six North Wales council leaders and sought clarification over whether a new policy has been introduced placing patients in corridors all night on wards in North Waless three major hospitals.

The move piles on pressure on the Welsh Government and the health board.

Conwy county councillors backed the notice of motion declaring the emergency, which was tabled by Cllr Cheryl Carlisle at a full council meeting today.

It warned that health services in the region are in crisis and demanded urgent action.

The motion calls for community hospital beds to be reopened, an end to corridor care in emergency departments, an immediate halt to premature patient discharges, and the reinstatement of the stalled Conwy West Health Centre project and its funding.

The letter stated: The reasons for this Notice of Motion are as follows: Care in North Wales is in crisis with BCUHB now having the highest numbers of preventable deaths in Wales  Section 28 Coroners Reports  of which many are directly attributed to prolonged waits in BCUHB A&E departments.

The strain being put on Conwy Social Care department is unsustainable, and health outcomes for our Conwy residents are deteriorating unacceptably. The residents of Conwy deserve safe and timely care in our hospitals and secondary care settings, and for Primary Care to get the resources our GPs need to deliver care in our communities.

Cllr Fallon addressed the chamber saying the situation had worsened as there appeared to be a policy change by the health board, placing patients in the corridors of wards at the major hospitals.

This situation, she said, led to discussions by all six council leaders. Cllr Fallon added: It is completely unacceptable to think that they are moving one significant issue in an emergency department and actually then moving that to the wards around the hospital. Patients being treated in corridors when they are unwell is humiliating.

She added: This is a loss of dignity, and its stripping patients of their self-respect, if this is happening, and its completely unfair to our amazing staff. Im going to stand up and be counted and jump up and down about this.

She also urged the health board to address the concerns of local authority leaders: I call upon Betsi to actually respond to the six North Wales leaders that have written to you asking for clarity on this. I think theyve had a week now, and the fact that weve had no response, its really shocking. The fact that the Health Minister hasnt responded, its incredibly disappointing.

Enough is enough. We cant have patients lying in corridors dying, which I know is what has happened in emergency departments, and that will happen on the wards as well.

She added: In all the 15 years Ive been a councillor, I dont think anything has made me quite as unhappy, cross, frustrated. Im just generally sad that this is the state of affairs. We are not in a third world country.

Introducing the motion, Conwy carers champion Cllr Cheryl Carlisle said: We represent the people of Conwy, and the Betsi board and the Welsh Government need to know that we will no longer put up with this dangerous and substandard care for our residents.

The motion put forward by Cllr Carlisle was seconded by Cllr Jo Nuttall and backed unanimously.

By Richard Evans  BBC Local Democracy Reporter
Ruabon Station advances in Access for All programme

A campaign to improve accessibility at Ruabon Station has taken a step forward.

The station is one of two in North Wales to progress to the detailed design stage of the Access for All (AfA) programme, a UK Government initiative supported by Welsh Government match funding to improve station accessibility.

The AfA programme aims to deliver step-free routes and better access for passengers with reduced mobility, including the installation of lifts and improved facilities.

Campaigners from across the political divide have been calling for accessibility improvements at the station for several years, citing long-standing access issues between the platforms.

Ruabon Station only has step access between platforms meaning disabled, those with young children or travellers with luggage are not access the Chester platform. It is the only station on the Chester to Shrewsbury route that does not meet passengers expectations of a modern, accessible train station.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates said: Im pleased to welcome this good news. The Access for All programme is delivering vital accessibility improvements to UK Government-owned railway stations in Wales.

Backed by our match-funding commitment, this announcement is a major step forward for the AfA schemes at Shotton and Ruabon and paves the way for more UK Government investment into our Welsh railways.

These stations are key for passengers travelling in north Wales and central to our ambitious plans for Network North Wales  underlining the importance of our continued partnership working with the UK Government.

We will continue to work closely with the UK Government, local leaders and wider rail industry in Wales to improve the accessibility of our railway.

The news has been welcomed by local politicians, who said the finish line is now in sight.

Ruabon councillor, Dana Davies, said: This is fantastic news for Ruabon and everyone who uses the station. I must recognise the drive and determination of our local community groups, who have supported the Access for All campaign relentlessly in Ruabon.

Id also like to thank Susan Elan Jones, our past MP, who first took our fight to Westminster and to the Welsh Labour Government for the match funding  which the previous UK Government ignored repeatedly.

Im delighted that the new Labour Government has stepped up and chosen to invest in Ruabon instead of ignoring it. A proper team effort with the finish line now in sight.

Steve Witherden, MP for Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr, added: I am over the moon at the news of progress in the campaign to get a disabled ramp built at Ruabon Station.

It must be one of the only stations in the country without full disabled access  a disgrace, and the reason I have spent a lot of time pushing for this.

Having raised Ruabon Station to the Welsh Affairs Committee in March and November last year, held two meetings with Ken Skates, submitted a Written Question to the UK Government, and personally written to the Chancellor ahead of the Autumn Budget, I am very pleased it will progress to the next stage of the governments Access for All programme.

I will continue to strongly make the case for Ruabon Station at every opportunity I get.
It started with concern for a small group of wild horses spotted struggling in deep snow and quickly grew into a race to save many more as winter tightened its grip.

According to the U.S. Forest Service Inyo National Forest online post with the latest information, the USDA Forest Service has completed an emergency operation to rescue wild horses stranded by severe winter conditions on the Inyo National Forest.

The situation first came to light on January 15, when the Forest Service said nine snowbound wild horses had been identified outside the Montgomery Pass Wild Horse Territory.

Officials warned the animals were in critical jeopardy due to snow impact, limited water, and extremely limited forage.

As crews continued monitoring the area and conditions worsened, Forest Service staff determined additional horses had moved into the same snowbound terrain.

The agency then expanded the scope of the operation, announcing plans to trap and move up to 25 wild horses to prevent further losses.

Severe winter conditions left the horses with no access to food or water after they became stranded outside their normal range. Many of the animals were visibly emaciated and in poor body condition and would not have survived without intervention, the Forest Service said.

To support the expanded rescue effort, the Forest Service announced a temporary closure of the Bald Mountain area of the Inyo National Forest. An updated release on January 17 said the closure would be effective from January 17 at 9 a.m. through January 27. Going into or being within the closure area was prohibited.

The agency said the bait and water trap method required limited activity because wild horses are reluctant to approach trap sites when there is too much disturbance. Only essential personnel were allowed at the site, and the public was asked not to interfere.

Multiple over-snow vehicle routes were affected by the closure, including portions of Trail I, Trail D, and the I and D Connector Trail. Travel within the closure area was prohibited, and a map was provided showing the affected area.

The post says that over the weekend, Forest Service crews worked in snowbound terrain using bait and water traps to reach the animals. A total of 24 horses were rescued and transported to a temporary holding facility in Bishop, California, where emergency care was provided to stabilize them.

Despite those efforts, one horse later died due to extreme emaciation. Three horses were humanely euthanized because of critically poor body condition. Crews also found six horses dead in the forest, with starvation and prolonged exposure cited as the cause.

In the final update released January 21, the Forest Service said staff had stabilized the remaining horses and transported 20 surviving animals to a better-equipped rehabilitation facility on the Modoc National Forest.

The Forest Service said recovery for the horses is expected to take up to 10 months.

The horses are associated with the Montgomery Pass herd, and officials said their movement well outside the herds typical range before heavy snowfall contributed to the emergency.

The Bald Mountain closure was expected to be lifted on Thursday, January 22, and the Forest Service said this would be the final update on the emergency wild horse welfare operation.

(The U.S. Forest Service Inyo National Forest contributed to this story.)
A Susanville man has been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of first-degree attempted murder and assault with a firearm.

Corey Jay Cutler was convicted in October of last year, according to a Facebook post from the Lassen County District Attorney.

The jury also found true that he personally discharged a firearm in the commission of the offense and that he inflicted great bodily injury to the victim.

In July of 2023, Cutler shot the victim around five times at the Frontier Inn in Susanville.

He then fled California and was later arrested in Nevada, where he faced other charges until being extradited back to California to stand trial for attempted murder.

In a split proceeding, Cutler was found to have sustained a prior strike conviction and to have served two other prison terms.

Cutler is currently serving a 5 to 12-year prison term in Nevada, and upon completion will return to California to begin his life sentence.

According to the court, he should be eligible for parole after serving approximately 17 years of that sentence.
Nevada will participate in a new federal education program that allows taxpayers to receive tax credits for donations that fund school scholarships.

Governor Joe Lombardo announced the state will opt into the Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Program, a provision created under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed last summer.

The decision allows Nevada to take part in a nationwide program designed to support K through 12 education scholarships.

I thank President Trump for delivering a historic federal school choice program that puts families first, Lombardo said. I enrolled Nevada into the Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Program to empower families with the freedom to choose education options that best fit their childrens needs. This program marks a historic milestone for parental freedom and economic opportunity. In Nevada, we have expanded educational freedom through initiatives like open enrollment, increased transportation funding, and higher pay for charter school teachersgiving parents more control over their childrens future. By opting into this program, were accelerating that progress, and were just getting started.

The program applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026. Under the plan, individual taxpayers can receive a non-refundable dollar-for-dollar federal income tax credit for cash donations made to approved scholarship-granting organizations, known as SGOs.

The credit is capped at $1,700 per taxpayer each year. Those donated funds are used to provide K through 12 scholarships for students, covering expenses such as private school tuition, tutoring, special education services, and other qualified education costs. Scholarships are generally intended for students from households earning at or below 300% of the area median income.

Nevadas role is largely administrative. Federal law sets the core rules, while the state is responsible for creating the application process for SGOs, verifying required information, and submitting a list of approved organizations to the U.S. Treasury Department by January 1 each year. Only SGOs on that list can receive donations that qualify for the tax credit. The state said more details will be released once additional federal guidance is issued.

Scholarship-granting organizations must be tax-exempt nonprofit groups under federal law, including educational nonprofits, universities, and religious organizations. SGOs may keep up to 10% of scholarship funds for administrative costs.

For donors, the process works differently from a typical charitable deduction. A $1,700 contribution to a qualified SGO reduces federal income taxes owed by the same amount. If the credit exceeds what a taxpayer owes in a given year, the unused portion can be carried forward for up to five years. Donors do not have to live in Nevada to contribute, as long as the SGO operates in a participating state.

Families seeking scholarships must meet income requirements and have a child eligible to enroll in a public elementary or secondary school. Priority may go to children who previously received a scholarship or who have a sibling already in the program.

The program is scheduled to begin January 1, 2027, with qualifying contributions made during 2027 and credits claimed on that years federal tax return.
CHARLESTON, N.C., Jan. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- What financial incentives are available to South Carolina homeowners considering solar energy in 2025? HelloNation Magazine features Shaun Magwood of Primitive Success Group, LLC explaining how 2025 solar tax credit programs at both the state and federal levels are making residential solar adoption more affordable and financially strategic than ever.

Shaun Magwood, Owner of Primitive Success Group, LLC Speed Speed

South Carolina residents can currently access two major tax credits. The federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) allows homeowners to deduct 30 percent of the total cost of a solar installationincluding equipment like panels, inverters, and batteriesfrom their federal income taxes. In parallel, the South Carolina Solar Energy Tax Credit provides an additional 25 percent credit at the state level, which can be carried forward over several years.

Magwood emphasizes how these incentives lower installation costs while enabling long-term utility savings, particularly under net metering South Carolina policies that credit homeowners for excess power returned to the grid. Depending on utility provider, additional rebates or incentives may apply, especially for systems with battery storage.

2025 Solar Tax Credits and Incentives in South Carolina highlights how these overlapping programs create a rare opportunity: a home upgrade that offers both environmental impact and measurable financial return.

About HelloNation

HelloNation is a premier media platform that connects readers with trusted professionals and businesses across various industries. Through its innovative "edvertising" approach that blends educational content and storytelling, HelloNation delivers expert-driven articles that inform, inspire, and empower. Covering topics from home improvement and health to business strategy and lifestyle, HelloNation highlights leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

SOURCE HelloNation
Drivers in Sparks are in for longer waits starting Monday, as lane closures along a key stretch of Sparks Boulevard shift to around-the-clock work.

Beginning January 26, the inside northbound and southbound lanes on Sparks Boulevard between Baring Boulevard and Prater Way will be closed 24/7 as part of the Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe Countys ongoing roadway project.

The change extends the closures about three-quarters of a mile and will remain in place through May 2026.

The extended work hours are designed to allow crews to widen the road while reducing the overall construction timeline by several months.

This change allows us to work more efficiently and shorten the overall construction timeline, said RTC Project Manager Garrett Rodgers. We know this is an adjustment for drivers, but these extended closures will help deliver the project sooner while maintaining safety for both workers and the traveling public.

Drivers should plan for delays and allow extra travel time while the work continues.
HANOI, Vietnam (AP)  To Lam was reelected Friday as general secretary of Vietnams ruling Communist Party and appears poised to become the countrys most powerful figure in decades, with analysts expecting him to assume the presidency in a break from Vietnams tradition of collective leadership.

Lam, 68, pledged to accelerate economic growth and was reappointed unanimously by the 180-member Central Committee at the conclusion of the National Party Congress that ran from Monday through Friday.

No formal announcement was made about the presidency. But the composition of the newly elected 19-member Politburo, the partys top decision-making body, strongly suggests Lam will further concentrate his power with the presidency, said Le Hong Hiep, a fellow at Singapores ISEASYusof Ishak Institute.

Such consolidation could speed decisions and push through reforms, he said, but risks weakening intra-party checks and complicating succession. The model mirrors power structures in China under Xi Jinping and neighboring Laos.

The Congress was shaped by the central question of whether Vietnam can transform itself into a high-income economy by 2045, setting a target of 10% or higher annual growth from 2026 to 2030.

Party leaders say this will require moving beyond cheap labor and export-led growth toward productivity, technology and a stronger private sector.

We must achieve double-digit growth to reach the set goals, Lam said.

How To Lam rose to the top

Lams reappointment caps the rise of a career policeman who climbed from the security services to the apex of Vietnams political system.

His ascent was propelled by a sweeping anti-corruption campaign launched under his predecessor, Nguyen Phu Trong, which Lam oversaw as head of the powerful Ministry of Public Security. That sidelined or removed dozens of senior officials including two former presidents and Vietnams parliamentary head, dramatically reshaping the party's balance of power.

Lam oversaw Vietnams most ambitious bureaucratic overhaul since the late 1980s, cutting tens of thousands of public-sector jobs, merging ministries, redrawing provincial boundaries and pushing through major infrastructure projects.

Unlike his predecessor Nguyen Phu Trong, an ideologue who prioritized party discipline, Lam has focused on economic performance and repeatedly emphasized the need to empower the private sector and move Vietnam beyond a growth model built on cheap labor, exports and foreign investment. The model saw Vietnam becoming a manufacturing hub, lifted millions out of poverty and fueled a growing middle class.

But challenges loom including the need for deeper reforms, an aging population, climate risks, weak institutions and U.S. pressure over its trade surplus. Hanoi also is balancing ties with major powers including China, its largest trading partner and rival claimant in the South China Sea.

He is a pragmatic reformer, said Nguyen Khac Giang of Singapores ISEASYusof Ishak Institute.

He noted Lam's near-immediate acceptance of U.S. president Donald Trumps offer to join the Board of Peace, an unusually fast decision for Vietnam, where foreign policy moves are typically calibrated with an eye on Beijing's possible interpretation.

We are ready to contribute even more as mediators and bridges to build peace, Lam said at a post-Congress news conference.

That pragmatism has unsettled the partys conservative faction, led by the military, which is wary of his reform agenda and intent on preserving socialist discipline.

Lams expansion of the state security apparatus with broader police authority over legislation and businesses also has sharpened a long-running rivalry with the military, which controls extensive commercial interests, analysts said.

His expected power consolidation also heightens human rights concerns in a nation that has intensified crackdowns on activists, journalists and environmental advocates.

Vietnam makes high stakes push for growth

Vietnam has set an ambitious target of 10% or higher annual economic growth over the next five years, placing the private sector at the center of its development strategy in a notable shift for the communist state.

The country fell short of its earlier aim of 6.5% to 7% growth in the first half of the decade, despite posting a robust 8% expansion in 2025. Policymakers are recalibrating the growth model to give a leading role to private enterprise and emphasize higher-value industries, modernized production and greater use of science, technology and digital tools.

What stands out this cycle is not just the direction, which is broadly consistent, but the sense of urgency, said Richard McClellan, founder of consultancy RMAC Advisory. Vietnams window of strategic opportunity wont stay open forever.

Policy documents adopted at the Congress describe the private sector as one of the economy's most important driving forces and elevate foreign affairs and international integration alongside national defense and security, highlighting dependence on global trade, investment and geopolitics.

The shift could give major private conglomerates a bigger role in infrastructure, energy and industrial projects long dominated by the state. Critics warn it risks further entrenching powerful business groups.

Those firms seek to diversify away from the U.S. market amid tariff uncertainty, with companlies including Vingroup, Hoa Phat and Masan increasingly looking to Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

The party's updated platform also raised environmental protection to a central task alongside economic and social development, a notable shift in Vietnam where rapid growth has fueled worsening air pollution and other environmental pressures.

The environmental shift is significant in intent, but uneven in impact so far, said McClellan, who noted Vietnam has stepped up its rhetoric on green growth but faces a challenge in translating that intent into concrete policy trade-offs.

To Lam's reliance on state security creates other tensions. Efforts to formalize the economy, expand the tax base and curb informal payments collide with entrenched practices at the local level, where corruption has long lubricated everyday commerce.

Hoa, a Hanoi cafe owner who used one name for fear of government reprisal, said her business relies on allowing customers to park motorbikes on the pavement outside, which is technically illegal but permitted through bribes. Stricter tax enforcement without addressing those practices, she warned, would be damaging.

I support the partys reforms," she said. "But businesses dont just run on paperwork.

Hiep, the analyst, said Lams continued leadership would preserve Vietnams political stability and signal economic and foreign policy continuity.

But he cautioned the 10% growth target for the next five years will be tremendously challenging given Vietnams limited new growth engines and continued reliance on exports, foreign investment and infrastructure spending in a hostile global environment.

If Vietnam isnt careful, the country may face significant economic problems within the next few years, he said.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  Irans top prosecutor on Friday called U.S. President Donald Trumps repeated claims that he halted the hangings of 800 detained protesters there completely false. Meanwhile, the overall death toll from a bloody crackdown on nationwide demonstrations rose to at least 5,032, activists said.

Activists fear many more are dead. They struggle to confirm information as the most comprehensive internet blackout in Iran's history has crossed the two-week mark.

Tensions remain high between the United States and Iran as an American aircraft carrier group moves closer to the Middle East, something Trump likened to an armada in comments to journalists late Thursday.

Analysts say a military buildup could give Trump the option to carry out strikes, though so far he's avoided that despite repeated warnings to Tehran. The mass execution of prisoners had been one of his red lines for military force  the other being the killing of peaceful demonstrators.

While President Trump now appears to have backtracked, likely under pressure from regional leaders and cognizant that airstrikes alone would be insufficient to implode the regime, military assets continue to be moved into the region, indicating kinetic action may still happen, New York-based think tank the Soufan Center said in an analysis Friday.

Prosecutor denies Trump claim

Trump has repeatedly said Iran halted the execution of 800 people detained in the protests, without elaborating on the source of the claim. On Friday, Irans top prosecutor Mohammad Movahedi strongly denied that in comments carried by the judiciarys Mizan news agency.

This claim is completely false; no such number exists, nor has the judiciary made any such decision, Movahedi said.

His remarks suggested Irans Foreign Ministry, led by Abbas Araghchi, may have offered that figure to Trump. Araghchi has had a direct line to U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and conducted multiple rounds of negotiations over Irans nuclear program with him.

We have a separation of powers, the responsibilities of each institution are clearly defined, and we do not, under any circumstances, take instructions from foreign powers, Movahedi said.

A White House official disputed Movahedi's assertion later Friday, and reasserted that planned executions were called off as a result of Trumps warnings. The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, underscored that Trump was watching the situation in Iran closely and all options are on the table if the regime executes protesters.

But the official did not provide any evidence or details backing Trumps claim.

Iranian judiciary officials have called some of those being held mohareb  or enemies of God. That charge carries the death penalty. It had been used along with others to carry out mass executions in 1988 that reportedly killed at least 5,000 people.

At a U.N. Human Rights Council special session on Iran held in Geneva Friday, Volker Turk, the U.N.'s high commissioner for human rights, expressed concern over contradictory statements from the Iranian authorities about whether those detained in connection with the protests may be executed.

He said Iran remains among the top executioner states in the world, with at least 1,500 people reportedly executed last year  a 50% increase over 2024.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Javad Haji Ali Akbari, the Friday prayer leader in Tehran, mocked Trump as a yellow-faced, yellow-haired and disgraced man" who is "like a dog that only barks.

That foolish man has resorted to threatening the nation, especially over what he said about Irans leader, the cleric said in comments aired by Iranian state radio. If any harm were to occur, all your interests and bases in the region would become clear and precise targets of Iranian forces.

Iran's foreign ministry lashed out at a European Parliament resolution adopted Thursday which slammed repression and mass murders being perpetrated by the Iranian regime against protesters in Iran. The resolution called for the release of those detained and urged the European Council to designate Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, which was key in putting down the nationwide protests, as a terrorist organization.

The foreign ministry expressed its strong revulsion at the insulting assertions of the resolution. In a statement issued Friday, it stressed that "any illegal or interventionist decision or position concerning the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the countrys security defenders will be met with reciprocal action by Iran, and responsibility for the consequences will rest with those who initiate such actions.

Death toll rises

The latest death toll was given by the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which reported that more than 4,700 of the dead were demonstrators. It added that more than 27,600 people had been detained.

The group's figures have been accurate in previous unrest and rely on a network of activists in Iran to verify deaths. That death toll exceeds that of any other round of protest or unrest there in decades, and recalls the chaos surrounding Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Irans government offered its first death toll Wednesday, saying 3,117 people were killed. It added that 2,427 of the dead in the demonstrations that began Dec. 28 were civilians and security forces, with the rest being terrorists. In the past, Irans theocracy has undercounted or not reported fatalities from unrest.

The Associated Press has been unable to independently assess the death toll, in part because of authorities cutting access to the internet and blocking international calls into the country.

US warships on the move

The American military meanwhile has moved more military assets toward the Mideast, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and associated warships traveling with it from the South China Sea.

A U.S. Navy official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military movements, said Thursday the Lincoln strike group is in the Indian Ocean.

Trump said Thursday aboard Air Force One that the U.S. is moving the ships toward Iran just in case he wants to take action.

We have a massive fleet heading in that direction and maybe we wont have to use it, Trump said.

Trump also mentioned the multiple rounds of talks American officials had with Iran over its nuclear program prior to Israel launching a 12-day war against the Islamic Republic in June, which saw U.S. warplanes bomb Iranian nuclear sites. He threatened Iran with military action that would make earlier U.S. strikes against its uranium enrichment sites look like peanuts.

They should have made a deal before we hit them, Trump said.

The U.K. Defense Ministry separately said its joint Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet squadron with Qatar, 12 Squadron, deployed to the (Persian) Gulf for defensive purposes noting regional tensions.

Konstantin Toropin and Aamer Madhani in Washington, Geir Moulson in Berlin and Elena Becatoros in Dubai contributed to this report.
Trump says U.S. wants "total access" to Greenland

Xinhua) 10:36, January 23, 2026

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- The White House is negotiating a deal to secure U.S. "total access" to Denmark's Greenland with no time limit, President Donald Trump told Fox Business on Thursday.

"I mean, we're talking about, it's really being negotiated now, the details of it, but essentially it's total access. There's no end, there's no time limit," Trump said in an interview.

One day earlier, Trump said that since his talks with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Mark Rutte produced "the framework of a future deal" concerning Greenland and the broader Arctic region, he would not proceed with tariffs on eight European countries that were scheduled to take effect on Feb. 1.

In response, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Thursday that Rutte does not have a mandate to negotiate on behalf of Denmark or Greenland, reaffirming that Greenland's future should be decided by Greenland and sovereignty is not negotiable.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The 5th annual Seed to Spoon Summit in Sugarcreek, Ohio, features Dr. Julian Douwes, who has successfully treated over 20,000 Lyme disease patients, offering groundbreaking insights and solutions for healthier living.

SUGARCREEK, Ohio, Jan. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The 5th annual Seed to Spoon Summit, co-founded by John Miller of Superb Sealing Solutions LLC, will convene from June 17th to June 18th, 2026, in Walnut Creek, Ohio, offering a comprehensive experience for individuals seeking to enhance their health and well-being. This event is designed for anyone interested in taking charge of their health, exploring nutritious foods, embracing holistic living practices, and addressing critical health concerns such as Lyme Disease. An exclusive Premier Event is also scheduled for the evening of Wednesday, June 17th.

Tickets for this transformative event are currently available for purchase. Secure your participation to gain valuable insights and connect with a like-minded community dedicated to improving health and lifestyle. Visit seedtospoon.life to reserve your spot today.

Attendees can anticipate an enriching program featuring inspiring speakers and opportunities to acquire vital lifestyle skills. The summit provides a platform to connect with a community focused on nutritious foods and holistic living. The agenda includes:

Groundbreaking insights on effective treatments for Lyme Disease.

Invaluable information on evidence-based approaches to eradicate the disease.

Actionable insights and solutions for fostering a healthier life.

A notable highlight of this year's summit is the return of Julian Douwes, MD, a highly regarded scientist from Clinicum St. Georg, Bad Aibling, Germany, who has successfully treated over 20,000 patients globally for Lyme Disease. His return was prompted by significant interest and concern expressed by attendees at last year's event regarding the increasing prevalence of Lyme Disease in communities. Dr. Douwes will share his extensive expertise on effective treatments and evidence-based strategies. The summit also features presentations from Del Bigtree, of The HighWire, and Kelly McKenna, CEO of End Chronic Disease, who will address pressing health topics with practical guidance. This comprehensive, hands-on experience aligns with the mission of empowering individuals to take decisive steps toward food independence and health empowerment, championing homegrown and local foods, and equipping families to lead healthier lives.

The Seed to Spoon Summit aims to equip participants and their families with the knowledge and tools necessary to lead healthier lives, fostering a proactive approach to personal and familial well-being.

Media Contact: Wanda Angel, Brand Marketing Manager, Superb Canning Email: [email protected]

Rooted in eight generations of superior craftsmanshipfrom farming and blacksmithing to clockmaking and precision metal manufacturingSuperb Sealing responded to the 2021 supply chain crisis by leveraging its engineering prowess to design a state-of-the-art canning lid. The product features an enhanced seal, rigorous quality assurance, and improved corrosion resistance. Learn more at www.superbcanning.com

SOURCE Superb Sealing Solutions LLC
People love Fog Design + Art, one of San Franciscos biggest art fairs, for a lot of reasons: the quality of the galleries, the work, the scalewhich is more intimate than sprawling fairs such as Art Basel Miamiand the location, spread over two piers at Mason.

I mean, were not under a tent in South Beach, says Mariah Nielson, the founder of the gallery and research center Blunk Space, who appreciates the light in the exhibition hall and the view of Alcatraz and the bay.

Blunk Space's booth at 'Fog' includes salvaged wood furniture by @riokobayashi_d (Courtesy of @jbblunkestate)

Nelson, a visitor to Fog for years, likes that the fair is not just art or design, but both. This year, she wanted to introduce what they do to more people.

We're in Point Reyes Station, so we're a destination gallery, and although we are fairly well known in the Bay Area, we thought this would be an interesting opportunity to test the waters, she said at the preview gala on Wednesday night, a benefit for SFMOMAs education programs. We were excited about the visibility the fair would offer us as a gallery that's situated outside of the city.

This year more than 60 exhibitors are at the fair, which runs through January 25th. Blunk Space is one of 19 to appear for the first time. Along with galleries from places like Tokyo, Mexico City, Sao Paolo, and Glasgow, 16 come from the Bay Area, including some reliable showstoppers.

Anthony Meier s booth is displaying Barbara Stauffacher Solomons Supergraphics, along with new works by gallery artists like Saif Azzuz and Libby Black. The theme of Jessica Silvermans presentation is Out of the Blue, and the artists, including Sadie Barnette (who recently won a Creative Capital award), David Huffman, and Beverly Fishman, made work that bathed her booth in that color. Catherine Clark Gallerys In Between Spaces shows pieces by Arlene Correa Valencia (whose work was recently acquired by the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive ), Alejandro Cartagena, and Lehuauakea.

Fog Design + Art is part of what is now officially SF Art Week , which includes numerous events around the Bay Area held during the third week of January. One of the shows named a must-see for the week by Cultured Magazine is I Dreamt of This and There Will be More by Guanyu Xu at re.riddle , a gallery at San Franciscos Minnesota Street Project. At their Fog debut, re.riddle has a solo presentation of the Mongolian artist based in Paris, Odonchimeg Davaadorj, Where the Infinite Leans Intimacy, at Pier 2, an area generally reserved for smaller galleries with emerging artists.

Jessica Silverman Gallery is presenting 'Out of the Blue' at this year's 'Fog' (Courtesy of Jessica Silverman Gallery)

Candace Huey, director of re.riddle, says she chose Davaadorj for the prestigious art fair because of her visual presence and conceptual rigor.

I think in this current moment when we are kind of feeling so disassociated, so displaced and disembodied, her work is very embodied, Huey says. It's dealing with sensualness. It's dealing with a kind of life force, and it reminds us of what it's like to feel aliveness through the sun and through our bodies.

Its the third year at Fog for Kimberly Johansson, the director of Johansson Projects , who praised the fairs curation and appreciates the short trip over from Oakland. The two artists in her booth both work with different styles of textiles. One, Susie Taylor, is a master loom weaver who invented a form of weaving with pleats called Origami. The other artist is Miguel Arzabe, who paints acrylic on canvas.

'Isla del Lago' by MiguelArzabe, woven acrylic on canvas, 2025 is on display at the Johansson Projects booth (Shaun Roberts)

He cuts them into strips, and he weaves one into the other using Andean weaving patterns over the top of these modernist renditions that he's painted, Johansson says. He doesn't plan it out either. It comes to him as he's weaving, so it's kind of mind-boggling.

Morgann Trumbull, the director of Morgann Trumbull Projects in Palo Alto, previously participated in Fog when working with the Berggruen Gallery . She likes the interactive nature of Fog Focus and, like Nelson, appreciates that the fair has both design and artsomething she considered when choosing two artists to show.

Nathan Lynch, a ceramicist, deals with these ideas of form and function a lot, and hes playing with utility and interaction, so it felt like a really good fit for Fog, she says. And Rebekah [Goldstein]s paintings are just so delightful. Their shapes are stunning and a wonderful counterpoint to Nathan's work.

Olivia Gauthier, the director of Los Angeles gallery Vielmetter , another new exhibitor at Fog, has a long relationship with curators and collectors in the Bay Area. Her booth presents two textile artists originally from the Bahamas, Gio Swaby and April Bey, the latter of whom was part of a group show earlier this year at Jonathan Carver Moore in SF.

One of the pieces on display at Gallery Fumi's booth at 'Fog' (Courtesy of @fogfair)

We wanted to kind of do something that was really a big statement, Gauthier says. April in particular really loves to do bright, beautiful, bold installations. Both artists collaborated with us on the entire design of the booth and the wall colors. We wanted to really make a splash at Fog.

Just a few hours into the fair, Gauthier was already having a fabulous time.

We're finding that everyone is incredibly easy to work with, super hospitable, and we love the size of the fair and the quality of it, she told 7x7 at the preview. It's great to see so many of our colleagues that we see at other fairs, but in a less overwhelming environment, and we're getting a lot more time to talk to people so far, which has been wonderful.

// Fog Design + Art is on view 11am to 7pm Thursday, January 22nd through Saturday, January 24th, and 11am to 5pm on Sunday, January 25th at Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture, Piers 2 and 3 (Marina), fogfair.com
Last fall, travel guide guru Moon put out a new version of the San Francisco Bay Area edition of its 101 Great Hikes series.

It was author Ann Marie Brown who laced up her boots to sleuth out the dozens of local trails that appear in the book, from the best dog-friendly hikes to the best summit vistas.

The Bay Area has a wealth of natural diversity, which means hikers can pick a landscape to suit their mood: redwood groves, coastal dunes, oak woodlands, tidal marshes, grassland prairies, pine-studded ridges, and more, says Brown. But what astounds her most is how much terrain is still relatively wildabout 29 percent of the Bay Areas land is protected open space. Thats an amazing gift for anyone who hikes or lives here.

In the guide, Brown not only provides a map and elevation profile for each hike; she breaks them down mile-by-mile, noting nice spots for views and snack breaks, and where the sirens call of sneaky spur trails might throw you off course. The end of each entry offers an added bonus: the best nearby cafe, brewery, market, or restaurant to refuel and toast to the miles completed.

A bona fide expert on Bay Area hiking, we asked Brown to share some of the most overlooked, under-the-radar trails in the books new edition. She selected seven of them from Napa to Santa Cruz and told 7x7 why theyre well worth seeking out in 2026.

Big Rock Ridge Trail, Lucas Valley Open Space Preserve (7.4 miles out-and-back) (Ann Marie Brown) When I need a fresh perspective, I hike to a summit or high point, says Brown. Big Rock Ridge is Marin Countys second highest peak, and it offers dramatic views of Mount Diablo, Mount Tam, San Francisco, and three graceful bridges (Golden Gate, Bay, and Richmond-San Rafael). When the fog rolls in, the high ridge towers above the puffy marshmallow layer and delivers an even dreamier vista. Difficulty: Moderate Dogs Allowed: No Best Nearby Bites + Brews: Big Rock Deli Cafe (1500 Lucas Valley Rd., San Rafael) // More info on page 121 of the Moon 101 Great Hikes Guide ; Lucas Valley Rd. (San Rafael), parks.marincounty.gov

Old Cove Landing Trail, Wilder Ranch State Park (2.4 mile loop) (Ann Marie Brown) Its easy to love this easy trail for its mesmerizing ocean views, carved sandstone formations, and a hidden fern cave tucked into the back of a pocket beach, Brown explains. On top of all that, moments of wonder occur frequently on these coastal bluffs: A bobcat slips through the grasses, a gray whale rises from the sea, or a squadron of pelicans flies past at eye level. Difficulty: Easy Dogs Allowed: No Best Nearby Bites + Brews: Davenport Roadhouse (1 Davenport Ave., Davenport) // $10 day-use fee per vehicle; more info on page 338 of the Moon 101 Great Hikes Guide ; 1401 Coast Rd. (Santa Cruz), parks.ca.gov

Coast, Fire Lane, Laguna Loop, Point Reyes National Seashore (6 mile loop) (Ann Marie Brown) My favorite beaches are the ones you cant drive to, and Santa Maria Beach is one of several delightful hike-in beaches at Point Reyes, Brown explains. Laguna Trails single-track leads through dense foliage to a broad stretch of sand, where I like to break out a picnic or a book. The loops return leg on Coast Trail often reveals tule elk grazing on the grasslands. Difficulty: Easy-moderate Dogs Allowed: No Best Nearby Bites + Brews: Side Street Kitchen (60 40th St., Point Reyes Station) // More info on page 101 of the Moon 101 Great Hikes Guide ; Laguna Rd. (Point Reyes Station), nps.gov

Flag Hill Loop, Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve (3.8 mile loop) (Ann Marie Brown) A trip to Sunol always feels like a trip to the country, even though Interstate 680 is only a short distance away, muses Brown. This loop hike delivers a breathtaking show of California poppies in spring and lush grasslands year-round. If I can take my eyes off the long-distance views, I look for fossilized seashells in Flag Hills sandstone boulders. Difficulty: Moderate Dogs Allowed: Yes for a $2 fee Best Nearby Bites + Brews: Freewheel Brewing Co. (44536 S. Grimmer Blvd., Fremont) // More info on page 247 of the // More info on page 247 of the Moon 101 Great Hikes Guide ; 1895 Geary Rd. (Sunol), ebparks.org

Franklin Ridge Loop, Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline (3.5 mile loop) (Ann Marie Brown) I have always been fascinated by the Carquinez Straits eight-mile-long waterway, which links Suisun Bay and San Pablo Bay, says Brown. This loop trail circles a grassland-covered ridge high above the strait, offering sweeping blue-water views and a chance to see catamarans, barges, and cargo ships sailing by. Difficulty: Easy Dogs Allowed: Yes Best Nearby Bites + Brews: Del Cielo Brewing Company (701 Escobar St., Martinez) // More info on page 196 of the Moon 101 Great Hikes Guide ; Hillside Pl. (Martinez), ebparks.org

Table Rock, Robert Louis Stevenson State Park (4.6 mile out-and-back) (Ann Marie Brown) Volcanic landscapes capture my imagination, and this trail leads through an otherworldly tableau of igneous rock outcrops, Brown says. Wildfires have taken a toll on the forest, but the fascinating geology and lofty Napa Valley vistas remain. Two spiraling labyrinths make a good place to pause for introspection. Difficulty: Moderate Dogs Allowed: No Best Nearby Bites + Brews: Napa Valley Brewing Company (1250 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga) // More info on page 42 of the Moon 101 Great Hikes Guide ; Hwy 29 (Calistoga), parks.ca.gov
RESOLUTION TO ADVANCE & DEVELOP THE PASTPRODUCING GOLDEN GATE TUNGSTEN MINE & STOCKPILES



Resolution to Advance Golden Gate Tungsten Mine Stockpiles

Adelaide, Jan 23, 2026 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Resolution Minerals Ltd ( ASX:RML ) ( NC3:FRA ) ( RLMLF:OTCMKTS ) provided an update to the announcement lodged as "Resolution to Advance Golden Gate Tungsten Mine & Stockpiles" on 19 January 2026 and "RML to Acquire Processing Mill and Tungsten Stockpiles" on 31 October 2025. This updated announcement includes additional disclosures in Appendix A related to historical estimates and should be read in conjunction with both announcements.



Resolution Minerals is pleased to provide an update as it advances its tungsten exploration and development activities at its Horse Heaven Gold-AntimonyTungsten-Silver Project ("Horse Heaven") in Idaho, USA. This advancement follows positive evaluation of historical data from the site, discussions with a prior operator of the Golden Gate Tungsten Mine ("Golden Gate") and results from recent drilling.



To accelerate these efforts, Resolution Minerals has retained Mr. David R. Hembree, CPG, a former Mine Geologist at Resolution's past-producing Golden Gate Tungsten Mine who is extremely familiar with the tungsten at Golden Gate and a tungsten expert, to accelerate exploration and development activities. This will include analysis of historical tungsten exploration data, ground-based fieldwork, a drill program to commence in June 2026, and metallurgical test work on existing tungsten stockpiles.



HIGHLIGHTS



Resolution Minerals has engaged the services of Mr. David R. Hembree, CPG, a seasoned geologist with direct experience at Resolution's historic Golden Gate Tungsten Mine, to fast-track tungsten exploration and development activities.



Mr. Hembree, who has 45 years' experience in geology in the western USA, was the last Mine Geologist to have worked at Golden Gate Tungsten Mine in 1980 and 1981 while employed with TRV Minerals Corp. In addition to being a highly accomplished explorationist, his experience as Mine Geologist with several operating mines in the United States, including Mount Hamilton, French Gulch and Mineral Ridge, will be invaluable to Resolution as it moves to rapidly develop Horse Heaven.



Mr. Hembree will support RML's tungsten exploration and development activities at both the Golden Gate Target and other emerging targets within Resolution's 100%-owned Horse Heaven Gold-Antimony-Tungsten-Silver Project ("Horse Heaven Project"). His knowledge of past exploration and production of tungsten at Horse Heaven is expected to be invaluable in identifying additional tungsten resources.



The Golden Gate Tungsten Mine produced tungsten ore intermittently from approximately 1952 to 1980. Ore from Golden Gate was processed at the nearby Stibnite Mill in the 1950s, and then at the Johnson Creek Mill, a custom milling facility which processed tungsten ore from Golden Gate intermittently until approximately 1980.



In parallel, Resolution is acquiring the historic Johnson Creek Mill (the "Acquisition"), which comprises a past-producing processing facility and stockpiles of an estimated 2,000 tonnes of tungsten ore (see ASX announcement 31 October 2025), and is located immediately adjacent to Horse Heaven.



Ongoing due diligence on the Johnson Creek acquisition is nearing completion.



Resolution believes that additional potential exists to expand tungsten mineralisation at and around the historic Golden Gate Tungsten Mine, along strike to the north and south parallel to the north-south oriented Golden Gate Fault and, potentially, at other targets at the Horse Heaven Project. A combination of groundbased exploration, geophysics, historical records and other tools will be used to develop an exploration plan to test these theories.



Resolution 100%-owned Horse Heaven Project is located in the Boise National Forest, covering ~ 59km2 of land immediately adjacent to the fully-permitted A$5 billion Stibnite Gold Project operated by Perpetua Resources Corp ( NYSE:PPTA ).



Tungsten (APT) prices are currently at a record high $900/mtu and expected to rise significantly in 2026 on the back of increased global conflict, and rising demand from clean energy and high-tech applications including AI chips and lithium-ion batteries.



History of Tungsten Production at Golden Gate



Tungsten exploration and development at Golden Gate began in the late 1940s, when scheelite-bearing veins were discovered, and open pit tungsten mining began at Golden Gate in the early 1950s. Ore was initially processed at the Stibnite Mine, mill and smelter until its closure in 1952. Following the closure of the Stibnite Mill, a custom milling operation, known as the Johnson Creek Mill, was built on 15 acres of land immediately adjacent to what is now known as the Horse Heaven Project.



In 1979 and 1980, underground mining at Golden Gate was undertaken, and a reported 1,905 tons of mill feed was produced and stockpiled. These tungsten stockpiles remain on-site and are part of the proposed Johnson Creek Mill site acquisition.



Open pit mining continued intermittently until 1979, when a portal was opened and ore was mined underground until 1980 (see image of Golden Gate Tungsten Mine - circa May 1980).



Records indicate that 1,814 tons of tungsten was mined and milled in the 1950s, with an average grade of 1.5% WO3. In 1973, 227 tons of tungsten ore was mined and processed at the Johnson Creek Mill having an average grade of 2.03% WO3. In 1977, a further 456.6 tons of ore were mined and stockpiled with an average grade of 1.8% WO3.



The estimate is both a Historical Estimate and a Foreign Estimate and is not reported in accordance with the JORC (2012) Code. A Competent Person has not done sufficient work to classify the Historical Estimate and the Foreign Estimate as a mineral resource or mineral reserve in accordance with the JORC (2012) Code. It is uncertain that following evaluation and/or further exploration work (as described above) that the Historical Estimate and the Foreign Estimate will be able to be reported as a mineral resource or mineral reserve in accordance with the JORC (2012) Code.



When two subsequent drilling campaigns were undertaken at Golden Gate, as well as what is known as Antimony Ridge, in 1986/87 and 1994, the focus was on gold exploration; no tungsten assays were ever recorded as the operators were focused on near-surface gold targets. However, due to historic records, discussions with prior operators and recent drilling, Resolution feels significant potential exists to discover additional tungsten mineralisation at and around the historic Golden Gate Tungsten Mine, along approximately 3km of strike of the well-defined Golden Gate Fault and at other emerging targets at Horse Heaven.



Proposed Acquisition of Johnson Creek Mill and Tungsten Stockpiles



As announced to the ASX on 31 October 2025, Resolution has entered into a binding agreement to acquire the formerly operational Johnson Creek Tungsten & Antimony Mill, and Antimony Camp properties. This includes approximately 2,000 tonnes of tungsten ore mined from the Golden Gate Tungsten Mine located on the Horse Heaven Project, as well as industrial water rights. The processing mill and stockpiles sit on 15 acres of private land directly adjacent to the Horse Heaven Project.



The Acquisition offers RML several potential material strategic advantages including:



Private land on which to potentially undertake processing and milling activities;



The ownership of private land, which is in short supply locally, offering additional flexibility from a permitting perspective relative to permitting on public lands;



Positions Horse Heaven as a potential U.S. hub for critical metal production;



Enables RML to seek partnerships for further downstream integration, such as smelting, refining, and product offtakes for both military and industrial uses; and



Secures a strategic location for base camp to facilitate anticipated expansion in exploration, mining and processing activities at Horse Heaven.



Resolution is nearing completion of its due diligence on the Acquisition and will advise the market of next steps in due course. The Acquisition of this mill site will significantly enhance Resolution's ability to aggressively advance its efforts to play a major nearterm role in meeting the United States' demand for domestic critical metals production.



Tungsten Uses & Market Outlook



Tungsten is a critical metal due to its strategic military importance and is essential to defense applications such as armour plating, artillery, ammunition and high-tech weaponry. Tungsten also has a broad range of industrial uses including clean energy storage, AI semiconductors, circuit boards, cutting tools, aerospace components, construction, lighting and high-performance electronics.



Through late 2025 into early 2026, tungsten prices (typically referenced via APT - Ammonium Paratungstate) have remained elevated and relatively firm compared to the long-term average.



Tungsten pricing is expected to increase in 2026, driven mainly by:



- China's export controls;



- Limited new mine development; and



- Rising strategic demand, particularly from defence, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing.



Tungsten is increasingly becoming a strategic metal rather than a cyclical commodity, with the majority of production and processing currently controlled by China. The U.S. Administration is actively looking to secure Western supplies of tungsten to meet its defense and national security needs.



Craig Lindsay CEO of U.S. Operations, commented:



"We are fortunate to have connected with Mr. Hembree, who has a strong knowledge of historic tungsten exploration and production at Horse Heaven, and will be invaluable as Resolution begins the process of targeting additional tungsten resources at Horse Heaven. Based on our work to date, we are confident additional ore remains at the historic Golden Gate Tungsten Mine, as was as at other emerging targets at Horse Heaven. Dave, with his understanding of the historic workings and mineralisation, has already provided excellent insight into where we should be focusing future tungsten-oriented drilling activities."



Dave Hembree commented:



"I am very excited to be back working at the Horse Heaven Project and am eager to put my knowledge on the project's tungsten potential to work. There is a clear path to resource growth at the historic mine, and I am aware of other targets that have yet to be explored. For instance, to the south of the historic mine there is a significant tungsten anomaly identified through a historic soil sampling program that has never been drilled. The broader project, beyond Golden Gate, is a target-rich environment."



Next Steps



Near term work on tungsten at the Horse Heaven Project includes data compilation and assessment, metallurgical testing on historic stockpiles of tungsten mined at the Golden Gate Tungsten Mine, ground based sampling, geophysics and a drill program to be initiated in June 2026.



*To view Appendix A: Inclusion of Data Pertaining to a Historical and a Foreign estimate, please visit:

https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/E2G7FZX5





About Resolution Minerals Ltd





Resolution Minerals Ltd (ASX:RML) (OTCMKTS:RLMLF) (FRA:NC3) is a mineral exploration company engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of precious and battery metals - such as antimony, gold, copper, and uranium.

Resolution Minerals Ltd Listed on the ASX in 2017 and has a broad portfolio of assets, such as the Drake East Antimony-Gold Project in north-eastern NSW and George Project prospective for silica sand and uranium.

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AceShowbiz - The anticipation surrounding Boruto: Two Blue Vortex is mounting, especially with chapter #30 on the horizon. As the Hidden Leaf village grapples with chaos, the situation intensifies with Mamushi's assault leading to a surge of wild clones. This turmoil raises the stakes for one character, Kawaki, who is facing dire consequences.

First introduced in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations chapter #23, Kawaki has become tightly entwined with the Uzumaki family and the looming threat posed by the ?tsutsuki. Like Boruto, he possesses a K?ma, but with the demise of the associated ?tsutsuki member, Isshiki, Kawaki now contends with an even more formidable adversary: Momoshiki ?tsutsuki, who has declared intentions to eliminate him.

In the latest developments from chapter #29, it becomes clear that Momoshiki is eager to end Kawaki's life if he can seize control of Boruto's body, a deal contingent on Jura's defeat. Unlike his previous ambitions to cultivate the Divine Tree and absorb the world's chakra, Momoshiki now appears driven by a primal need for survival, aiming to eliminate threats to his existence.

While Boruto's commitment to protect Kawaki may not be a foolproof assurance, he is likely to devise a strategy employing Koji Kashin's Prescience for insights. The potential for dark scenarios looms large where Momoshiki could fully take over, especially if Kawaki seeks to neutralize Boruto and his inner ?tsutsuki after confronting the Divine Trees.

As the story unfolds, Kawaki's fate in Boruto hinges significantly on the outcome of Jura's defeat. With powerful K?ma techniques at his disposal, Kawaki must navigate treacherous waters, for the battle against Momoshiki could determine not just his survival, but also the future of the Hidden Leaf village itself.
AceShowbiz - Ben Affleck found himself at the center of a curious celebrity encounter debate after admitting he couldn't recall a supposed meeting with Lisa Barlow, star of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. The reality television personality had previously shared with her castmates that she prioritized a work event alongside Ben Affleck, even foregoing a group trip, a claim that later sparked a public clarification from the Oscar winner.

In an interview with Access Hollywood published on January 16, Ben Affleck addressed the swirling rumors. When questioned about the supposed meeting, the 53-year-old actor appeared genuinely perplexed. "I don't want to get anybody in trouble," he stated, adding, "I don't know what this isan event in Salt Lake City?" Affleck further elaborated on his lack of memory regarding the location itself, admitting, "I haven't been in Utah in, I don't know, eight, nine, 10 years?" Upon being shown a photo of Barlow, his recollection remained unchanged: "It doesn't look familiar to me and I don't remember anything, and I dont want to embarrass her."

Despite his inability to recall the specific interaction, Affleck was quick to emphasize that he wasn't outright contradicting Barlow's account. He pointed to the frequent nature of celebrity encounters, where brief introductions can often fade from memory. "I meet a lot of people, I say hi to a lot of people," he explained, clarifying, "I don't want to be the jerk whos like, I did meet you. You don't remember everyone you meet." His diplomatic response aimed to avoid any direct confrontation while still being honest about his memory.

However, Lisa Barlow, 51, offered a much more precise recollection of the event in question. Taking to Instagram, she provided exact details that clarified the context of their meeting. "SXSW [for] The Accountant 2," Barlow wrote in a comment, specifying the location and occasion. She was referring to the renowned South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, where Afflecks action thriller, The Accountant 2, had its premiere in March. Barlow enthusiastically added, "and it was a great movie and party," reinforcing her positive experience of the event.

This clarification provided crucial context to a storyline that had unfolded during the sixth season premiere of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City in September. Barlow had initially alluded to her attendance at a significant professional event as the reason for her absence from an RV road trip with her fellow housewives. While she didn't explicitly name SXSW or Affleck at the time, she hinted at prioritizing her career commitments. During a conversation with costar Angie Katsanevas, Barlow cryptically stated, "I think what people forget is I have a very full life because I keep it kinda private. And Im not gonna drop names, but Ill be with Ben and Blake [Lively]." This casual name-dropping, while initially vague, now aligned perfectly with her later clarification about the SXSW event, where both Ben Affleck and Blake Lively could have potentially been in attendance.

The incident highlights the often-disparate experiences of celebrity interactions. For a reality television star like Lisa Barlow, meeting a major Hollywood figure such as Ben Affleck at a high-profile event like SXSW is a memorable career moment, worthy of sharing with castmates and fans. For an A-list actor like Ben Affleck, who encounters countless individuals at various events globally, such a brief interaction might not register with the same significance. His candid admission underscores the reality that even prominent figures cannot remember every single person they meet, regardless of the other person's status or their personal memory of the encounter.

This public back-and-forth, playing out across reality TV and celebrity interviews, ultimately offered a glimpse into the different worlds that celebrities and reality stars inhabit, and how their paths occasionally cross in ways that are deeply significant to one, and perhaps merely a fleeting moment for the other. Lisa Barlow's detailed recollection ultimately provided clarity, ensuring her story stood firm, even if the memory didn't quite resonate with the Hollywood star himself. The episode serves as a reminder that while memories can be subjective, the digital age ensures that details, once shared, can always be revisited and confirmed.
A new report calls for an overhaul of pensions policy and financial advice to address the current pensions gap, which sees men accumulating a whopping 75 per cent more in their pension pots by age 60 than women. The report, from the University of Edinburgh, supported by Evelyn Partners, the UK wealth manager entrusted with 67 billion of its clients assets, calls on the financial services sector to recognise the hidden systemic, social and situational factors preventing women from saving and planning for later life, rather than focusing on their perceived lack of confidence in financial planning. Nearly 15 million people in the UK are not saving enough for retirement, according to analysis by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), signalling a system-wide engagement crisis - and women are disproportionally affected. The DWP figures show that men hold a median amount of 75,000 in Defined Contribution (DC) pension wealth - the most common type of private workplace pension - by age 59, compared to 19,000 for women. Womens lower earnings (the gender pay gap), employment gaps and part-time work due to child rearing, and their disproportionate burden of unpaid care for family members, all play a role, as do gender stereotypes and the mental load, the report says. And, as we live and work for longer, often in multiple careers, the financial system must evolve to accommodate these changes and prevent a pensions timebomb, the authors say. Office of National Statistics figures show that women on average spend an extra hour a day on visible childcare and housework, and carry out 73% of cognitive labour  the mental load of organising family life - compared to their male partners, related research has found. The author of the report Its Not About Confidence: The Hidden Forces Shaping Womens Financial Futures is Emily Shipp, a psychologist and Associate of the Edinburgh Futures Institute (EFI). Shipp said: For too long, the confidence gap narrative we see in financial advice and media reports has masked the real systemic, situational and social factors that result in the pensions gulf. Mental load and time scarcity operate together. Women are more likely to carry the ongoing cognitive labour of anticipating and coordinating care, while also spending significantly more time on unpaid work. These pressures reduce both the mental bandwidth and the available time needed for sustained engagement with long-term financial planning. Historically, financial advice and pensions policy have centred on typically male, linear career trajectories and financial goals, rather than the multi-phase, care-interrupted lives many women navigate. Redesigning pensions policy and financial environments to better serve more varied priorities and life courses would better serve all genders as we move towards longer, multi-phase lives. DC pensions require decision making around fund choice, contribution levels and consolidation that demands active engagement beyond a 'set and forget' approach, which is little understood by the general population, the report highlights, and contributes to lower overall pensions wealth. Emma Sterland, Chief Financial Planning Officer at Evelyn Partners, said: We welcome this important new report from the University of Edinburghs Futures Institute. Its thought-provoking insights challenge entrenched narratives around women and wealth, shining a light on the complex structural barriers that women face as they build their financial security over a lifetime. As the founding partner of EFIs Compassion in Financial Services Hub, which launched early last year, Evelyn Partners is proud to support research that helps to foster a more inclusive, sustainable and compassionate financial system. The report was produced by the Compassion in Financial Services Hub (CFSH) at Edinburgh Futures Institute, supported by Edinburgh Innovations, the University of Edinburghs commercialisation service. Tobi Schneider, fintech sector lead at Edinburgh Innovations and CFSH co-director, is convening additional research around women and wealth: This is an important report, recognising that society is changing, and that financial planning is becoming more and more necessary. With an ageing population, without action, we are sleepwalking into financial disaster for a large proportion of people.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- ZERO Prostate Cancer welcomes Marcus Blassingame, one of the fashion industry's most influential celebrity stylists, as the newest ambassador. Known for shaping the visual identities of stars across music, film, television, and sports, Blassingame is stepping into a new role, using his creative voice and cultural influence to encourage more men to get screened for prostate cancer and to spark life-saving conversations in communities at highest risk.

Blessingame's career spans decades of impact across luxury fashion, editorial storytelling, and celebrity image consulting. From leading high-profile campaigns to collaborating with icons such as Clive Davis, to styling for brands including Ralph Lauren, Roberto Cavalli, and Hugo Boss, his work has helped define modern men's fashion. As the founding fashion editor of Word Up, the first Hip-Hop magazine, he pioneered the fusion of Hip-Hop culture with high-fashion editorial, shaping a visual movement that still resonates today.

"Style has always been my way of helping people express who they are. But prostate cancer is a story too many men never tell until it's too late. If my voice, my platform, or my work can help even one man get screened earlier or feel less alone, then this is the most meaningful project I can be part of," said Blassingame.

Blessingame currently styles actor Ricco Ross, a standout in Tyler Perry's Netflix series Beauty in Black, and will be styling him at Frederick Anderson's Blue Jacket Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week. Blessingame's ability to translate personal journeys into powerful visual narratives, combined with his commitment to elevating men's stories, will help ZERO reach audiences who have historically been excluded from the prostate cancer conversation.

For more information about Marcus Blessingame's ambassadorship and ZERO Prostate Cancer's mission to save lives and break barriers, visit ZEROCancer.org/blitz.

About ZERO Prostate Cancer

ZERO Prostate Cancer (ZERO) is on a mission to improve and save lives from prostate cancer through advocacy, awareness, education, and support. Formerly known as the National Prostate Cancer Coalition, ZERO was founded in 1996 to stand up for people impacted by prostate cancer. Today, ZERO serves as the nation's leading prostate cancer organization, advancing a future where prostate cancer detection is early, support is unwavering, and care is accessible to all. For nearly 30 years, ZERO has led the way in prostate cancer advocacy, screenings, and partnerships, successfully unlocking funding toward breakthrough discoveries, treatments, and lifesaving access to care.

As the nation's #1 provider of prostate cancer resources, programs, and services, ZERO has supported millions of people at-risk or diagnosed, and their families. As the voice of the prostate cancer community, ZERO's urgent focus on breaking barriers to survivalby closing gaps in diagnosis, treatment, and carebrings critical attention to those most likely to be impacted by this disease. Learn more at ZEROcancer.org

MEDIA CONTACT

Milayo Olufemi, Health Communications Manager

[email protected]

SOURCE ZERO Prostate Cancer
A Delaware-based manufacturer of large-scale cooling and air-handling equipment is building a $118.8 million facility in Huntsville.

The company, SPX Technologies, will employ 350 at the facility, according to an agreement approved by the Huntsville City Council on Thursday. The employees will make at least $26.10 an hour.

The company is renovating a 460,000-square foot facility at 7700 Gunters Way. It is in the Huntsville Logistics Park in Limestone County.

They are a well-established company, City Urban and Economic Development Director Shane Davis said. They were established in 1912. They are in 16 countries with over 4,400 employees. They have annual revenues exceeding $2 billion.

The company produces HVAC systems for data centers and manufacturers the size of nearby Mazda Toyota Manufacturing.

These are highly sophisticated, a lot of engineering for these types of systems, Davis said. They are not our residential or commercial-type scale HVAC equipment or heat exchangers.

Under the agreement approved by the City Council, the city will make payments up to $250,000 based on full-time employment numbers above or at the wage required in the agreement.

Davis said the company must achieve full staffing at 350 full-time employees by Dec. 31, 2029.

It will be a ramped-up schedule as most industries do, he said.

Davis said the citys commitment is similar to its agreement on the same night with Blue Origin for workforce training. The company must maintain the 350 jobs for five years. If the jobs are not maintained, the city will be reimbursed.

Davis said the citys return on investment includes over $650,000 in permitting fees, $1.6 million in taxes on construction materials and equipment, an annual payroll of $19 million and an annual property tax of more than $1.2 million.

Davis said the competition of the site selection took about seven months. He said speed to market, infrastructure and closeness to the interstate were factors in landing the company.
NEW YORK, Jan. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ --

Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces a New York State class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers or acquirers of senior notes by Oracle Corporation (NYSE: ORCL) issued pursuant and/or traceable to the Shelf Registration Statement filed with the SEC on March 15, 2024, and as supplemented on September 25, 2025 (together, the "Offering Documents"). A class action lawsuit has already been filed.

So What: If you purchased or acquired Oracle senior notes you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

What to do next: To join the Oracle class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=51135 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed.

Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved, at that time, the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

Details of the case: According to the lawsuit, the Offering Documents contained false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that at the time of the Offering, Oracle would require a significant amount of additional debt to build the AI infrastructure. In addition, Oracle was organizing to raise that additional debt, which would ultimately bring the creditworthiness of these bonds into question. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Oracle class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=51135 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

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SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A.
Whether youre a Trump loyalist or someone who thinks Trumps the devil, in Iran, were on the cusp of an incredible opportunity not seen since the end of WWII, and this is true despite the regimes past survival in the face of uprisings.

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Historically, Irans internal security forces have brutally salvaged the regime. Beginning with Obamas first term, the IRGC suppressed the 2009 Green Movement, the 20172018 economic protests, the November 2019 fuel protests, the September 2022 Woman, Life, Freedom protests, and the current December 2025January 2026 unrest. The latest casualties are estimated at tens of thousands killed and wounded, and tens of thousands arrested.

The million-dollar question: Can America somehow force a different outcome this time, eliminating the greatest threat to safety and security in the Middle East, and not be drawn into another debacle? I think the reasonable answer is yes.

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Heres where we are:

Iran is weaker now than at any time since the revolution:

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According to the Hudson Institute, Analysts argue that the Islamic Republic is dying it will not emerge from 2026 with its authority, cohesion, or capacity preserved and that collapse or severe decline is inevitable, making Iran weaker now than at any time since the 1979 revolution.

Big Think reports describe 2025 as Irans worst-ever annus horribilis, citing destroyed nuclear facilities, assassinated commanders, currency collapse, and loss of key regional allies, leaving the regime more vulnerable than at any time in decades.

Al Jazeera writes, A timeline of crises highlights that the current protests and economic collapse are among the most destabilizing events Iran has faced since 1979.

What holds Trump back are polling and talking heads spreading a message that America is tired of foreign adventurism and wants us to take care of the myriad problems we face at home, leaving the rest of the world to its own devices. Weve gone through periods of isolationism before. American isolationism isnt a single episode  its a recurring strategic posture that surfaces whenever the United States feels overextended, disillusioned with global commitments, or internally preoccupied. Prior periods include:

1780s through 1820avoid entangling alliances, especially with Europe. Washingtons farewell address warned against involvement in European wars.

1815 through the start of the Civil Waragain, fear of foreign entanglements and the national idea embodied in the Monroe Doctrine of 1823.

1870-1890swhat has been termed national exhaustion and a continuing belief that distance would protect us.

1919-1939the euphoria period after WWI and a never again belief that staying out of foreign politics would isolate us from world events. Congress passes the Neutrality Act.

1975-1980sVietnam trauma sees the American people shell-shocked and believe that we were safe behind our bastions protected by the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

1991-2001a belief that we had defeated the Soviet Union and that major threats to the world were over. Americans demanded a peace dividend.

2008-presentIraq and Afghanistan fatigue dominate the American mind. General loss of confidence in Americas ability to lead the world through the threat of force, as demonstrated by our military results after WWII.

After each period, many politicians and ordinary Americans had the same concerns. People suffer from war fatigue, a distrust of the elites, economic stressors, a focus on domestic welfare over funding the military, geographic isolation, and a belief that America can or should go it alone. Too many believe we do not need to exert influence beyond our own hemisphere, and even then, some think we should only defend our own soil. The pre-WWII view of isolationism is strong among those who dont understand history and its tendency to repeat itself.

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Like birds on a wire, Russia, China, North Korea, and our many other competitors and outright enemies are watching to see whether we maintain a coherent response to the many balls we have in the air. Our history is replete with crossed redlines, empty threats, dysfunctional statements, lack of follow-through, and endless, always endless, empty rhetoric crafted for this or that audience.

We dont have to be passive. There are things we can do short of military intervention. Heres just a short list:

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Nonviolent, multilateral pressure (targeted sanctions, diplomatic isolation, isolating Iran financially), public and sustained support for Iranian civil society and independent media, and covert nonlethal assistance (intelligence sharing, secure communications, and, yes, even weapons and tactical advice) while avoiding direct military overthrow.

It is ethically and morally essential to publicly support regime change by using every lever at our disposal, short of direct military action. We should not be afraid to speak trutha free Iran matters, we must not shy away from our core beliefs. After laying down a marker, we must then leave it up to the Iranian people to decide their fate, even if it must be bloody, albeit with as much moral and material assistance from the free world as possible. Even if we do nothing, well be blamed for stoking a revolution in Iran; better that it be a successful one.

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The world is watching whether we fall on our faces or pull a rabbit out of our hat. Trumps high-wire act will likely set the table for our international relations for the next 20 years, or it will be declared an absolute failure. Internally, through Trumps forceful strategy, the American people are poised to regain their vigor, swagger, and sense of self, or will retreat to the pathetic post-Vietnam posture weve endured for the last fifty years.

Image created using AI.

A lot is on the line.

God Bless America!

Author, Businessman, Thinker, and Strategist. Read more about Allan, his background, and his ideas to create a better tomorrow.
American foreign policy has a recurring weakness: the temptation to manufacture a safe, western-approved exile as the future leader of a country Americans barely understand. It is a mistake Americans have paid dearly for, one that Washington appears poised to repeat.

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There is a reason the name Chalabi still carries a warning in serious foreign-policy circles. And there is a reason it now rhymes with Pahlavi.

Reza Pahlavi, sometimes derisively referred to by Iranians as the baby shah, is increasingly presented in Western media as a ready-made alternative to Irans clerical regime. He is English-speaking, media-savvy, pro-western, and, perhaps most importantly to some in Washington, perceived as controllable.

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That last attribute should alarm us. When U.S. policymakers prioritize manageability over legitimacy and credibility, they stop serving the interests of the people they claim to help and start serving their own desire. That is precisely how the United States ended up backing Ahmed Chalabi in Iraq, a decision whose consequences still reverberate today.

Start with legitimacy: Reza Pahlavi has none inside Iran.

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He has no meaningful grassroots base, no organizational network on the ground, and no sustained connection to the activists risking their lives inside the country. He has not set foot in Iran since 1978, when he was 17 years old. Among many Iranian dissidents, he is not viewed as one of them, but as a distant exile whose prominence exists largely in western media. He is not merely unpopular, but openly resented.

This is not a minor flaw. It is disqualifying.

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Ahmed Chalabi suffered from the same defect. An Iraqi exile for decades, fluent in English and comfortable in Washington, he told U.S. officials exactly what they wanted to hear. He promised that Iraqis would welcome U.S. intervention and that he could lead afterward. When the invasion came, Chalabi had little real support inside Iraq. Iraqis viewed him as a foreign-imposed figure (a.k.a. puppet). He failed politically, and the United States paid a staggering price.

That price was measured in blood and treasure. Credible estimates suggest hundreds of thousands of Iraqis died, with some studies placing the toll well above 500,000 when indirect deaths are included. The cost in blood and treasure for the U.S. was mind-boggling. Hundreds of young Americans lost their lives. The financial cost to U.S. taxpayers exceeded $4 trillion. Those are not abstract figures; they represent a historic failure whose consequences we are still living with.

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Reza Pahlavi compounds the Chalabi problem by open dependence on foreign backing. His courting of western governments, particularly during moments of crisis, reinforces Iranian fears of external manipulation. Iranians have long memories and deep suspicions when it comes to foreign involvement in their politics.

The Shahs regime is part of that memory. Reza Pahlavis father ruled Iran through repression, censorship, secret police, and thousands of executions. The Shahs government was brutal and authoritarian. Very telling, Reza Pahlavi has never disavowed his fathers repressive policies, crimes, and notorious secret police, SAVAK.

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This is why protesters inside Iran chant, Down with oppressor, be it the Shah or the Supreme leader.

They are rejecting the false choice between clerical dictatorship and royal restoration. The Iranian people, who are overwhelmingly Persian, Indo-European, not Arab, seek a republican form of government, not a throne. Their cultural and historical identity aligns far more closely with western constitutional traditions than with either theocracy or monarchy.

And yet, some in Washington appear willing to impose a familiar name rather than allow an indigenous outcome.

Allowing Reza Pahlavi to oversee free and fair elections would be viewed inside Iran as appointing the fox to guard the henhouse. His personal stake in the outcome makes him inherently unfit to supervise a democratic transition. Iranians would not see such elections as legitimate -- they would see them as rigged before the first ballot was cast.

The recent protests in Iran further expose this problem. These uprisings were organized without Pahlavi, inspired without Pahlavi, and sustained by people who faced prison, torture, and death. He did not build the networks. He did not mobilize the crowds.

Yet late in the process, he appeared in western media calling on protesters, whom he neither organized nor led, to demonstrate.

To many Iranians, it looked like a carpetbagger commandeering headlines abroad while others bore the cost at home.

The credibility problems deepen when examining Pahlavis inner circle, which includes numerous former Islamic Republic insiders. Many defected late, raising serious trust issues. Even many traditional constitutional monarchists have largely turned against him. Ethnic and religious minorities including Kurds, Arabs, and Baluchis, who have bitter memories of his father and grandfathers repressive policies, see him not as a unifier, but as a source of another round of double repression and discrimination.

Equally troubling are claims of support from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the mullah regimes elite military and intelligence arm. Pahlavi has asserted that tens of thousands of IRGC members back him. These claims were exposed as fabrications during recent uprisings. There was not a sign of even a handful of IRGC defections. Even if it were true, that affinity would be the antithesis of a badge of honor.

The IRGC functions as the ayatollahs enforcers and executioners. It is responsible for crushing dissent, carrying out executions, and maintaining the regimes grip on power. It would be profoundly unpopular with the Iranian people even after regime change.

If the United States falls into the trap of advocating a Chalabi-making campaign strategy in Iran, manufacturing a leader who looks good on western television but lacks an iota of legitimacy among the Iranians at home and in exile, the cost could be catastrophic. Iran is not Iraq. The stakes are higher, the region more volatile, and the consequences potentially far worse.

There is a better path. Rather than coronating an exile, the United States should support free, internationally supervised elections, overseen by credible opposition organizations with genuine roots inside Iran. That way the Iranian people can choose their own leaders, openly, transparently, and without foreign preselection.

America should stand for principles, not puppets.

History has already shown us what happens when Washington mistakes familiarity for legitimacy. Ignoring that lesson now would not be strategy. It would be willful blindness.

Image: Gage Skidmore
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From Wikimedia Commons: Stockholm by Moonlight (Peder Balke, 1850)

For decades, Sweden prided itself on embodying fairness, equality, and humanitarian compassiona model welfare state and moral beacon to the world. Its courts were seen as guardians of justice and its asylum system as a triumph of civilized conscience. Yet today, those very institutions stand accused of betraying the people that they were created to protect. The case of Yazied Mohamed, an 18-year-old Eritrean refugee, who raped 15-year-old Meya Aberg in a pedestrian tunnel in Skelleftea, exposes this moral collapse with chilling clarity.

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Mohamed was convicted and sentenced to three years in prison. Yet the Swedish Court of Appeal ruled that he should not be deported. It reasoned that the rape, which lasted a few seconds to a few minutes, because of its relatively short duration, was not particularly serious. That justification, as cold as it is bureaucratic, has provoked an outrage that transcends law and enters the realm of moral reckoning.

(For additional reading on this topic, see Checking in on Sweden: When ejaculation during a rape happens quickly, the migrant gets to stay by Olivia Murray.)

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It is worth dwelling on the deeper meaning of that decisionnot only its legal reasoning, but also what it reveals about a state and a judiciary that have lost their moral compass. Arguably, Swedens welfare state, once rooted in Christian-humanist ideals of duty, compassion, and justice, has decayed into a system that protects the abuser before the abused, defending imported barbarism in the name of tolerance while abandoning its own citizensespecially its womento violence and humiliation.

Swedish deportation law, under the Aliens Act (Utlanningslagen), allows the expulsion of foreign nationals who commit crimes serious enough to threaten public order or safety. Yet deportation is not automatic: courts must consider proportionality, the offenders ties to Sweden, and potential human-rights violations upon return. Refugees, under the 1951 UN Convention, are further protected from deportation to states where they risk persecution.

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Legally, this framework appears rational. In practice, however, it has become a moral labyrinth in which justice fades into abstraction. In Mohameds case, the Court of Appeal acknowledged the rape but concluded it was not particularly serious because it was brief. This chilling reasoning reduces the horror of sexual violation to the stopwatchas though a minutes rape were a lesser evil than ten.

Here lies the heart of Swedens crisis: law has been severed from moral meaning. The Courts obsession with temporal duration reflects a bureaucracy that has lost all intuitive sense of right and wrong. By measuring rape in minutes, it not only trivializes the victims trauma but also betrays the very idea of justice as moral truth.

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From a feminist perspective, the ruling is a catastrophe. As scholars like Catharine MacKinnon have shown, patriarchal law has long minimized sexual violence by cloaking it in procedural neutrality. Swedens legal reasoning extends that blindness to absurdity. Whether the act lasted seconds or hours, the violation of a young girls body and dignity is absolute. To suggest otherwise is to deny her humanity.

Yet the betrayal runs deeper still. The Swedish statewhich preaches gender equality as a national creedhas become complicit in the very subjugation of women that it claims to oppose. By refusing to expel a rapist from a culture, where women are treated as second-class beings, the judiciary effectively declares that Swedish womens safety is secondary to the comfort of imported male aggressors.

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This is not compassion; it is cowardice masquerading as virtue. The welfare state that once defended the vulnerable now defends the violent. Its courts, social services, and political class have become a machinery of moral abdicationanxious not to appear intolerant, even as tolerance becomes complicity in barbarism.

Mohameds origin complicates the matter legally: under the non-refoulement principle, he cannot be deported to a country where he might face persecution. Eritreas repressive regime and indefinite conscription make deportation difficult. Yet this technical constraint has become an alibi for moral paralysis.

Swedens judiciary hides behind international law to justify outcomes that offend the conscience of ordinary citizens. The public sees what the legal elite refuses to acknowledge: that the humanitarian system now protects perpetrators at the expense of victims. When the law shields a rapist because his homeland is cruel, it converts compassion into absurdity.

Worse, this legalistic piety erodes public faith in the rule of law itself. When citizens watch their daughters violated by men from cultures that treat women as propertyand then see those men defended by their own courtsthe social contract fractures. Trust, the cornerstone of the welfare state, disintegrates.

Judges insist that they must apply the law, not public emotion. Truebut law divorced from morality is tyranny by another name. As Ronald Dworkin argued, legal reasoning must be guided by moral principles, not mere textualism. The Court of Appeals sterile focus on the briefness of a rape betrays precisely this moral blindness.

The decision was, in a narrow sense, lawful. In a broader, more profound sense, however, it was unjustand therefore illegitimate. When the law protects the aggressor and alienates the citizenry, it ceases to serve the common good. Swedens judiciary, once the conscience of the nation, now speaks in a dead moral languageone that prizes procedure over principle, abstraction over humanity.

Apart from a legal order, what is collapsing in Sweden is a moral civilization. The Swedish welfare state was built upon Christian-humanist values: that every person bears inherent dignity, that the strong must defend the weak, that justice must be tempered by compassionnot replaced by it.

In its zeal to prove its tolerance, however, Sweden has renounced discernment. The same state that once sought to elevate humanity now relativizes evil. It refuses to name barbarism for what it is, fearing that truth itself may offend. In protecting the cultural sensitivities of the abuser, it abandons the rights of the victimand with them, the very foundations of moral law.

The ruling in the Mohamed-Aberg case thus symbolizes a broader spiritual decay: the collapse of a moral hierarchy that once recognized that some crimesrape, violence against the innocent, contempt for womenstand out as offenses against civilization itself. When the state ceases to defend these boundaries, it ceases to be civilized.

The outrage following the ruling was immediate and widespread. Migration Minister Johan Forssell called it a system error. Across Sweden, citizens asked how a nation could protect a rapist yet fail a child. International observers, from conservative commentators to feminists, echoed the same question: Has Swedens humanitarianism become moral self-destruction?

The ruling has also deepened political polarization. The rise of the Sweden Democrats (SD)long dismissed as populistreflects both immigration concerns and a desperate plea for moral sanity. When liberal elites refuse to draw lines, populists will draw them instead. Thus, the Courts attempt to uphold proportionality has only fueled the perception of a state more devoted to foreign criminals than to its own people.

Swedens legal framework must be reformed to reflect qualitative harm, not exclusively quantifiable factors like duration or physical injury. A rape is not measured in minutes but in the annihilation of trust, safety, and dignity. The law must recognize sexual violence as a civilizational crimean assault on an individual and the moral order itself.

Statutory clarity is needed: the phrase particularly serious crime must explicitly encompass any act of sexual violence, especially against minors. Courts must be trained to understand trauma, power dynamics, and the symbolic weight of such crimes. Judicial independence should never mean moral indifference.

Sweden should rediscover the moral foundation of civilization. Compassion cannot mean blindness; tolerance cannot mean surrender. A welfare state refusing to protect its daughters from imported misogyny has lost the right to call itself humane.

The Mohamed-Aberg case goes beyond a legal scandal. It is the mirror in which Sweden confronts its own decaya nation that built paradise and now trembles before its own conscience. The Court of Appeals decision was as much a misreading of law as a symptom of a deeper moral exhaustion: a post-Christian welfare state ashamed of defending itself, a judiciary terrified of moral judgment, a civilization alienated from its Judeo-Christianand humanistroots.

Whatever became of the social democratic thousand-year empire, the Peoples Home (Folkhemmet)?
This week, the World Economic Forum is hosting its 56th Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland. At the lavish conference, close to 3,000 cross-sector leaders from over 130 countries will convene to address global issues and set priorities.

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Concurrently, the World Prosperity Forum is hosting its first-ever meeting in nearby Zurich, where the attendees will advance a prosperity-focused, freedom-focused vision rooted in free markets, individual liberty, and rising living standards.

The World Prosperity Forum (WFP), which includes former UK prime minister Liz Truss and former Czech Republic president Vaclav Klaus, will also challenge the globalist, leftist agenda advanced each year at the World Economic Forum.

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Frankly, in my opinion, the World Economic Forums (WEF) globalist agenda is floundering more than ever.

The globalists overplayed their hand during the COVID-19 pandemic, mandating massive shutdowns, forced vaccinations, and other tyrannical edicts. Perhaps more importantly, the public has wised up to the climate-change charade as the need for abundant, affordable, and reliable energy has come to the forefront with the advancement of AI.

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Unexpectedly, but very providentially, the reality of datacenters has made globalists like Bill Gates change their mind on the existential crisis of climate change and support for a green transition to solar panels and windmills.

While this is positive news for those of us who value freedom, it would be foolish to believe that globalism has entered the dust bin of history, never to return.

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Since the demise of the Great Reset and the decline of the climate change narrative, the globalists have changed tactics.

On January 21, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen gave a special address at Davos where she announced, We will soon put forward our new 28th Regime. The ultimate aim is to create a new, truly European company structure -- we call it. EU, Inc. -- with a single and simple set of rules that will apply seamlessly across the EU, so that businesses can operate across member states much more easily.

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What von der Leyen did not announce is that the European Union (EU) is also seeking to enforce its rules and regulations upon the United States at the same time via the EUs innocuous sounding Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive.

The aim of this Directive is to foster sustainable and responsible corporate behaviour in companies operations and across their global value chains and ensure that companies in scope identify and address environmental impacts of their actions inside and outside Europe, says the EU.

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Dont get fooled by the flowery language; this is an authoritarian declaration by the EU.

According to a 2025 Heartland Institute Policy Study, It is not hyperbolic to say the CSDDD is one of the most economically restrictive and nakedly authoritarian laws in the history of western democratic civilization. The directive attempts to globally institutionalize sweeping ESG objectives by mandating practices for large companies doing business in the European Union, regardless of whether those companies are headquartered in the EU.

Even worse, the CSDDD forces those companies to impose the same standards on many of the businesses operating within their global supply chains -- fundamentally transforming all social and economic activity around the world. It is one of the gravest threats to freedom that Americans face today.

In effect, globalists are using the economic might of the European Union to strongarm how business is regulated worldwide.

Essentially, they are saying that if you want to do business in the EU, you will play by their rules.

This is not coming from a position of strength. Rather, it is a desperate attempt to enforce a failed agenda.

The WEF/EU/UN vision has failed.

As Heartland Institute President James Taylor put it, The World Economic Forum has always mapped out a road to stagnation and human misery.

The reason that the WEF/EU/UN vision failed is because it seeks to enact socialistic centralized, command-and-control style governance. Top-down governance is doomed to fail because it is antithetical to human nature, which desires individual choice and liberty.

What the globalist experts fail to realize is that no matter what technology or talking points they employ, they are selling socialism, something that all humans on the planet do not want to buy.

On the other hand, the reason I think that the future is bright are the ideas espoused at the World Prosperity Forum: Freedom, Markets, and Human Flourishing.

Chris Talgo ([email protected]) is editorial director at The Heartland Institute.

Image: The Heartland Instittute
There is only one possible reason why Democrats do not want people to have to present an ID when voting. It is the same reason they are so fond of mail-in voting  and perhaps voting via the internet soon. (Click here if you are 18 or older, an American citizen, and are eligible to vote!)

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The vast majority of American citizens are in favor of requiring an ID to vote. In fact, 69% of black folks are in favor of this, and a majority of other minorities, too. Therefore ... one would think the people's representatives would honor their wishes. Why wouldn't they?

Think about it.

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Yet, instead, Democrats are essentially saying, Black folk used to be our slaves, so we know how dense and incapable they are. That is incredibly disgusting and obviously not true. Nor is it the real reason for the Democrats intransigence.

If an ID is required, as in almost all other civilized societies, and mail-in voting is limited to military personnel serving overseas, Democrat electoral victories would be far fewer and farther between.

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And leftists, who comprise the entirety of the party today, will do anything to prevent that from happening.

Lies, fraud, and power are a few of their favorite things, and, to them, the greatest of these is power. Period. California and New York have actually made it illegal to show an ID when voting! Rape or murder someone? Not to worry, youll likely be back out on the street in no time  without bail! Tried to show your current, valid ID when voting? You might want to get your affairs in order.

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So, even if it takes fomenting a civil war to cover up their corruption and protect their voting base, so be it  as Minnesotas Tim Walz, Jacob Frey, and Ilhan Omar have recently made abundantly clear.

Which is one reason why the SAVE Act, or its equivalent, must be passed and enacted ASAP. If no such voter integrity act is passed, the U.S. will soon become a one-party stateand pass into history, along with individual liberty.

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Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License
Research shows pharmaceutical manufacturers face a growing market and will need OEMs and suppliers to overcome operational issues and support growth.

HERNDON, Va., Jan. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The pharmaceutical industry is in a period of sustained expansion, experiencing mid-single-digit compound annual growth rates for the past several years, a trend that is projected to continue through 2030, according to a white paper entitled 2025 Trends and Challenges in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing from PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies. The full study is expected to be released in February 2026.

View PDF 2025 Pharma Packaging and Processing

A preview of the upcoming white paper is now available in infographic format, featuring a machinery purchase outlook, top manufacturing and packaging challenges, regulatory challenges and requirements, and sustainability priorities.

Growth Comes with Obstacles

Even with steady market growth, pharmaceutical manufacturers face numerous challenges, including regulatory burdens and throughput demands. The top six manufacturing and packaging challenges identified in the 2025 Pharma Packaging & Processing Key Trends & Insights Infographic include:

Keeping up with regulatory challenges

Expanding automation/reducing manual processes

Space/footprint constraints

Serialization and aggregation

Supply chain management

Machine monitoring (including remote)

"Breakthrough new drugs such as specialized oncology treatments as well as new applications for existing drugs  like GLP-1 prescriptions for weight management  are leading the charge on industry growth," says Jorge Izquierdo, vice president, market development at PMMI.

Although steady growth is expected, the industry faces several challenges, including balancing packaging sustainability with operational and regulatory needs. Despite this issue, 78% of manufacturers report they have incorporated sustainability features into their packaging.

For those pursuing more sustainable packaging, making future material changes is the most common strategy, including:

27% seeking to reduce material usage with lightweighting

24% planning to use more recycled materials

24% pursuing compostable materials

20% incorporating biodegradable materials into packaging

Material and barrier properties pose particular challenges for pharmaceutical manufacturers. Since products often are sensitive to environmental factors such as temperature and humidity, any sustainable material choices must first meet the required barrier needs. This often limits the range of materials and formats that manufacturers can pursue, making it more challenging to meet their sustainability goals.

Future pharmaceutical packaging will also incorporate more connectivity features and ways for consumers to interact with products and brands, such as radio frequency identification tags, wireless packaging sensors, and additional augmented reality features.

Meanwhile, reporting and documentation also pose challenges, with 71% of those surveyed reporting these as their top issues. To address regulatory requirements, end users are expanding employee training, purchasing new equipment, and using predictive/preventive maintenance to ensure compliance.

"OEM [original equipment manufacturer] services to support regulatory compliance are largely in line with end needs, but OEMs and suppliers should consider offering additional assistance around reporting requirements, such as building out digital infrastructures to digitize the reporting process," Izquierdo states.

PMMI's research shows that OEMs plan to add machinery features such as artificial intelligence (AI)-supported processing (including machine learning), data gathering sensors and tools, remote troubleshooting, and upgrade capability.

OEMs and suppliers that offer a diverse portfolio of machine options, can integrate specialized digitization and automation features, and can support manufacturer processes through tools like remote monitoring, training, and education, will be well-positioned to address end user needs.

With so many leading pharmaceutical manufacturing companies located in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions of the U.S., attending PACK EXPO East 2026 (Feb. 1719; Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia) is a smart move for nearby packaging and processing professionals. At the comprehensive event, attendees can explore a wide array of solutions to fast-track projects and make informed business decisions  all without leaving the East Coast.

PACK EXPO East 2026 is the East Coast's premier packaging and processing show. With 500 exhibitors showcasing solutions for over 40 vertical markets, including over 100 with targeted solutions for the pharmaceutical industry, free educational sessions, and many networking opportunities, it's the place to jump-start your 2026 projects. Discover cutting-edge solutions, explore the latest technologies, learn from industry experts, and make valuable connections  all in a convenient, accessible location perfect for teams.

Learn more and register today at packexpoeast.com.

Download the 2025 Pharma Packaging & Processing infographic here.

About PMMI

PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, represents more than 1,100 manufacturers and suppliers of equipment, components, and materials as well as providers of related equipment and services to the packaging and processing industry. We work to advance a variety of industries by connecting consumer goods companies with manufacturing solutions through the world-class PACK EXPO portfolio of trade shows, leading trade media, and a wide range of resources to empower our members. The PACK EXPO trade shows unite the world of packaging and processing to advance the industries they serve: PACK EXPO International, PACK EXPO Las Vegas, PACK EXPO East, PACK EXPO Southeast, EXPO PACK Mexico, and EXPO PACK Guadalajara. PMMI Media Group connects manufacturers to the latest solutions, trends and innovations in packaging and processing year-round through brands including Packaging World, ProFood World, Healthcare Packaging, OEM, Contract Manufacturing and Packaging, and Mundo EXPO PACK. PMMI Business Drivers assist members in pursuing operational excellence through workforce development initiatives, deliver actionable business intelligence on economic, market, and industry trends to support members' growth strategies, and actively connect the supply chain throughout the year.

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As you may have heard, we have a primary in March here in Texas. You also probably heard that Rep. Crockett lost her seat in the recent configuration of district maps. Furthermore, she is hoping to win the Democrat nomination in the aforementioned primary. The latest in that Rep. Crockett is trying to convince Texans that she is electable. This is the story:

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The controversy is part of a larger Democratic disagreement about what makes a candidate electable, a term many party leaders have used in recent years to describe scripted, vetted, broadly acceptable contenders poised to capitalize on centrists anger with President Donald Trump. After a dismal 2024 performance, Democrats are deciding whether they should embrace more tempered candidates or more pugnacious firebrands in primaries from Maine to Michigan this year. The long-running debate about whether the party should focus more on turning out its base or persuading the middle was scrambled in 2024, when Democrats alienated young, non-White and irregular voters who defected to Trump. Large Democratic constituencies acted like swing voters and would not have voted Democratic even if they had turned out to the polls, according to an analysis by the Pew Research Center. Advertisement Theres always been a fight about who is electable and who is not, Democratic pollster Celinda Lake said. I dont remember a time when there was such a debate about what electability is. Is it creating and mobilizing a base? Is it a record of accomplishments? Is it change? The tensions, which at times encompass race and gender, have been on display in Texas, a conservative state that underdog Democrats are hoping to put into play in their long-shot attempt to retake control of the Senate. The March 3 Democratic primary between Crockett and state lawmaker James Talarico, a 36-year-old Presbyterian seminarian who has amassed a large social media following in his own right, has divided Democrats across the country as they remain torn over how the party can rebound from its losses. It will pose an early test of which direction Democratic voters want to go. Advertisement

Jas vs. the preacher! Talk about a primary.

Rep. Crockett has two big problems:

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She is not that well-known, unless you watch MS NOW or catch lefty podcasts. She has avoided serious interviews, and her platform is basically anti-Trump. Maybe she is a serious person, but if so, shes kept that to herself. Instead, she is known for rants that say nothing. Texas Hispanics are not fond of her comments about their support for the presidents tough immigration policies. Crockett called it a slave mentality, but most Hispanics call it common sense to secure your borders.

My guess is that no one will top 50% in the primary, and the runoff is going to be brutal. Her opponent, State Rep. James Talarico, quotes the Bible in every other speech. I cant wait for these two to have a debate on foreign policy, or the kind of serious stuff that they do in the U.S. Senate.

Nevertheless, Jasmine wants you to think that she is okay, or the one Democrat who can win in Texas. I dont think so.

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P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos.

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New York Police officers injured in the line of duty were abused and refused treatment by New York University Lagone-Cobble Hill staff, after they were mistaken for ICE officers in Brooklyn, New York. The hospital issued an apology, but ....

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According to the Washington Examiner:

New York City Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch is demanding that a Brooklyn hospital retrain all of its staff after emergency room personnel mistreated NYPD officers whom they mistook for Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. The hospital said it regret[s] the conduct. Advertisement Several NYPD detectives were met with rudeness, disrespect, and a lack of basic professional courtesy at the Home Depot Emergency Department at New York University Langone HealthCobble Hill last week, according to the NYC Detectives Endowment Association. The staff initially mistook the officers for federal immigration officers and suggested they go somewhere else for treatment, according to multiple reports.

No word yet if they will get it. Meanwhile, nobody got fired. Nobody got even sanctioned, let alone re-educated as the police union calls for. Nobody got anything.

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We thought professionalism required all patients to be treated with respect and with due response in the name of first-world medical care. This is the sort of thing that goes on in some place like Cuba or China, where social credit scores are determinational.

Sure the hospital apologized -- when the press spotlight was placed on them, and very likely, they considered that they might actually need cops next time a spray-shooting happens at the hospital. Having police enmity is kind of an open invitation to the monsters out there who follow these things closely. Maybe it dawned on them.

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But it was a cheap apology given the lack of consequences for any of the wokesters at the publicly funded hospital who are clearly getting away with it, rewriting the rules of professionalism to include a social credit score such as these commissars determine it.

Not only was the initial professionalism problem ignored, the bigger issue is still unaddressed: What if the injured patients really were ICE officers? What if one of them were dying?

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Would it still be O.K. for these Che Guevara-style doctors to refuse to treat them? They didn't say, not even in their public statement.

Are they fine with behaving the same way so long as the patient works for ICE? ICE needs an even bigger apology from this hospital.

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I hope the feds get involved here and if necessary, President Trump pulls funds. I hope patients pull out, too. How is it that cops can get sanctioned and fired for any derogatory post about a perpetrator or any politically incorrect social media statement, but hospital personnel, in whose hands lives are placed, get away saying and doing whatever they want?

It's an important issue because standards are falling sharply in the medical profession with the introduction of DEI which prioritizes perceived victimhood status above merit in hiring.

Apparently, they've already had problems with Gaza war statements from their staff, according to Google AI:

Israel-Hamas War-Related Firings: NYU Langone suspended and fired doctors for social media posts about the conflict, sparking controversy and lawsuits alleging discrimination. Perceived Inconsistency: Doctors noted inconsistencies in how the hospital handled posts, with some pro-Israel voices facing consequences while others (like a young resident) were reinstated after public outcry.

They fired staff for being pro-Israel?

I would have thought they would have problems with staff being pro-Hamas, as has been seen at other hospitals, including a few staffers such as this one in Australia and this one in the Netherlands, and this one and this one in the U.K. who vowed to not treat Jewish patients.

There also was this charmer in the U.S., one Lara Kollab, who vowed to give Jewish patients the wrong medicine. She was fired in 2019 and her Ohio license revoked in 2020. That was back when there were residual medical standards. Apparently, there aren't any now in wokester New York City. home of Islamo-Marxist Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

It's just disgusting, and more apologies from that place -- and consequences -- can't come soon enough. I hope the feds get involved. It's high time the medical field embraced professional standards after this long slide downward.

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President Trump has once again condemned sanctuary cities, particularly regarding their irresponsible actions to ignore immigration law. Protestors have attacked, spit on, and screamed at ICE agents, convinced that their own violations of federal law are justified.

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But the Democrats approach in Minneapolis against ICE is patently illegal, as they should have learned when they tried to nullify federal tariffs within their boundaries in 1832, fundamentally trying to nullify federal law:

What the Democrats of South Carolina did back then is essentially what the Democrats of Minneapolis are doing today, fomenting a 21st century nullification crisis by making it nearly impossible to enforce federal immigration law in the territory under their jurisdiction. Trump, who has ordered 1,500 active-duty troops stationed in Alaska to prepare for a possible deployment to Minnesota, is well within his rights (and within historical precedent) to respond in the same vein as [President] Jackson did to what amounts to a nullification crisis. Advertisement Indeed, the whole point of so-called sanctuary laws is to make it difficult or impossible to enforce federal immigration laws  to nullify them. Sanctuary policies like the ones operative in Minneapolis (and many other Democrat-controlled cities) prohibit state and local law enforcement from working with federal immigration authorities.

President Trumps position against the chaos is clear; last year, he issued an executive order which laid out the (il)legality of such behavior:

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[S]ome State and local officials nevertheless continue to use their authority to violate, obstruct, and defy the enforcement of Federal immigration laws. This is a lawless insurrection against the supremacy of Federal law and the Federal Governments obligation to defend the territorial sovereignty of the United States. Beyond the intolerable national security risks, such nullification efforts often violate Federal criminal laws, including those prohibiting obstruction of justice (18 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.), unlawfully harboring or hiring illegal aliens (8 U.S.C. 1324), conspiracy against the United States (18 U.S.C. 371), and conspiracy to impede Federal law enforcement (18 U.S.C. 372). Assisting aliens in violating Federal immigration law could also violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (18 U.S.C. 1961 et seq.).

Democrats are guilty of insurrection, and they may even be violating the RICO Act.

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Trumps order directed federal agencies to take decisive action against such lawlessness, and a few months later in August, Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote to 32 sanctuary jurisdictions to let them know that she intended to use the power of the purse to compel lawfulness: the E.O. directed the DOJ to identify funds that could be denied to those jurisdictions for their non-compliance. Although the federal governments ability to deny funds are limited, they do exist:

The federal government does have a mechanism for getting states and cities to voluntarily do what they cant be forced to do. Its called money. Congress could deny states or cities certain funds unless they abolish their sanctuary policies. There are limits to this strategy: Washington cant shut off unrelated funds that states or cities need to keep functioning. But immigrant-related federal fundingfor example, money devoted to sheltering new, legal immigrantscould presumably be denied to states and cities that maintain sanctuary policies. Advertisement

The blue states may still pursue attacks on federal law, refusing to cooperate with ICE, and creating mayhem; three people were already arrested for allegedly violating the FACE Act, as they protested inside a church that was holding services this past Sunday.

The lawless encouragement by Democrat leaders reflects a blatant disregard for managing our borders, for removing criminal illegal aliens from the street, and for protecting ICE and our citizens from the agitators hysterical behavior.

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Adopting the position of sanctuary cities is an abuse of the federalist system; our federal sovereignty and national security are at stake. The federal government must be allowed to implement immigration law, and take actions against any state to stop this abhorrent, illegal, and unconstitutional mayhem.

Maybe its time for state leaders to be charged with obstruction of justice, or worse.

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If were to believe Donald Trump, Marco Rubio, and J.D. Vance, the Greenland deal is effectively in the bag. Pres. Trump speaks of a framework arrived at with the EU that will give the U.S. much of what he was asking for. While the details remain vague, theres no reason to doubt this. Once again, Trump has triumphed through his customary mixture of bluster, shrewd manipulation, and sheer stubbornness.

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But you wouldnt think so to look at the media, which is still caught up in near-hysteria, predictions of doom, speculations as to how long Denmark could hold out under an all-out U.S. military attack, comparisons to Hitler, and so on. Just yesterday morning, a video appeared featuring Sarah Paine, who is usually whip-smart about anything not having to do with Donald Trump. She was shaking her head over Trumps pivotal error regarding Greenland, predicting it would put him in the same position as Putin. Its as if Trump never spoke at Davos at all. And thats just one example.

Its funny in a sardonic kind of way, but at the same time its both annoying and depressing because it reveals how simple, obtuse, and sheer godforsaken dumb the elites are -- particularly the media. The fact is, today, a year into his second term, none of them seems to be able to read Donald Trump. I dont mean to predict his actions -- that would be asking too much. I mean understanding him on the very simplest level.

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Regarding Greenland, Trump came out with a blunt demand: Denmark was going to sell the island to the U.S. No ifs, ands, or buts. Then the hysteria started.

Donald Trump has been the president of the United States for five years. By this time, his methods should be transparent. When he began talking about Greenland, he wasnt doing anything he hadnt done before, a dozen times or more. He even wrote a book about it. People should be used to this by now. But instead, theyre acting as if hed entered the White House last week.

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When Trump sets out to negotiate a deal, he starts with an outrageous demand. This has clear advantages. It wrong-foots the other side, knocking them off balance. It wrecks whatever strategy they might have had in hand. It forces them into second-guessing. It increases uncertainty. It informs them that its not going to be easy, that they are going to have to give up something.

So its perfectly obvious that Trump followed this strategy regarding Greenland. Hes done it ever since he came into office. He did it with NATO, he did it with the shutdown, and he did it with tariffs. Its in his book.

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And yet, every last time, the media, the politicians, the distinguished retired government figures, all respond with pure shock. As if theyd never heard of such a thing. As if its never happened before. And then, when its all over, when Donald Trump gets exactly what he wanted in the first place, does the penny drop? Do the light bulbs go off? No. They do no such thing.

Their opinion of Trump hasnt changed one iota. Hes still the Queens lout, and theyre still the Ivy League inner circle with all the brains and all the answers. That is the way it will forever remain. In a way, this is a good thing. It clearly shows why Trump wins and keeps on winning -- because his opposition is a pack of ninnies. But its also gotten pretty tiresome.

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Mark Carney and his Liberal government sold Canada out to the Chinese communists with their recent trade deal. Highlights include opening the door to Chinas state owned media, a promise of uranium exports, reducing tariffs on Chinese E.V.s to 6.1%, down from 100%, and initially allowing 49,000 of them into Canada per annum, with year-by-year increases. In return, China pledges to reduce duties on Canadian canola from 85% to 6.1% effective March 1 and have anti-discrimination tariffs removed from seafood and peas. And all of this while Carney speaks glowingly of a strategic partnership with Beijing and a new world order.

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What is lost in this whole mess is the fact that China spies on us, interfered in our 2019 and 2021 elections (What about the one in 2025? Has anyone asked that question?), and operate illegal police stations on our soil so as to harass their diaspora. And lets not forget the fentanyl that China is smuggling into our country.

Additionally, moving deeper into Chinas socioeconomic orbit will further undermine our relations with traditional allies in NATO and the Five Eyes, who will cease to trust us  and who can blame them? Intelligence will leak like a sieve.

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This is an unmitigated disaster, with consequences for our economy and our freedoms, which will invariably be compromised when we find ourselves at the mercy of a totalitarian regime.

Instead of China, lets look to the U.K., Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, and India for increased economic cooperation. Also, Donald Trump will be gone in three years, and we do approximately 80% of our trade with the U.S., some of which may now be jeopardized.

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It is unbelievable that Carney and his ilk think this communist superpower can be trusted in spite of all the evidence to the contrary. He should talk to the people in Hong Kong or, for that matter, the Ugyhurs, Tibetans, and Taiwanese. And then there are the two Michaels, Kovrig (a diplomat) and Spavor (an entrepreneur and consultant), who were based in China when they were apprehended by Chinese authorities and each imprisoned for approximately one thousand days in retaliation for Canada appropriately detaining Meng Wanzhou, a Chinese Huawei executive, in Vancouver, British Columbia at the behest of the United States, where she was wanted for fraud and conspiracy to commit fraud.

Indeed, Michael Kovrig has been nothing if not outspoken in his warnings against getting too close to the CCP. Our experts must think he has nothing to contribute to the conversation. Or maybe its the dialogue. I really must get up to scratch on the woke lingo. Dialogue was one of the favorite words bandied about in my workplace when I retired sixteen years ago.

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Anyway, trade with China will not be fair. Chinas cheap and inferior (and subsidized) products, produced by exploited, underpaid workers and slave labor (Ugyhurs), will be dumped into the Canadian market, thereby undercutting domestic competitors. Chinese E.V.s, anyone? Boy, wont they be wonderful on the prairies when the temperature is forty below!

Bottom line: the Chinese communists are not our friends, but their increased influence will ultimately condemn us to a socioeconomic climate not unlike theirs.

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Finally, we will be much better off getting additional pipelines from Alberta through British Columbia to the Pacific, and getting a pipeline from Ontario through Quebec to the Irving refinery in St John, New Brunswick, on Canadas east coast. This positions us to export our oil and natural gas to Europe and Asia (excluding China). Sorry, Quebec and British Columbia, but you have no constitutional right to veto interprovincial commerce, which falls under federal jurisdiction.

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Image via Pxfuel.
Garmin makes some of the most advanced and full-featured smartwatches and wearables on the market, and its latest, the Tactix 8 Cerakote, is the watch you want if youre looking for something to satisfy your tactical desires. Garmins YouTube video goes full tilt into the military-style theme, resulting in something that seems like its a watch pulled straight out of a Call of Duty game. It features a kill switch, a stealth mode, and access to a ballistics feature that can tell you everything from wind speed to elevation to help you hit your shots down range.

The watch also comes with a ceramic coating called Cerakote thats typically used on firearms to help with wear and tear and longevity. Garmin says the coating is sprayed onto the case and baked on to help with durability. Its all pretty snazzy tech. Thats also precisely why it retails for a whopping $1,599.

The Garmin Tactix 8 Cerakote comes with a kill switch to wipe your data

Youre probably familiar with a kill switch for things like vehicles, which would simply kill the engine. The kill switch on the Tactix 8 Cerakote doesnt work anything like that. It deletes all of your data, and to be quite honest, in todays world, thats not a bad thing. Its peace of mind knowing that if you ever needed to, you could hit the kill switch on this watch and wipe the data from it.

The watch also features a Stealth Mode. This turns off wifi capabilities while also halting the storing and sharing of your GPS location. It also turns off communication capabilities. Theres even a night vision mode that makes the watch compatible with night vision goggles. Of course, it also has Garmins excellent topographical maps access, as well as the standard features youd expect from a smartwatch, like phone notifications, calling capabilities, and apps like Garmin Pay. It also has a built-in flashlight and is designed for recreational diving up to a 40-meter depth. Plus, it has up to 29 days of battery life in smartwatch mode.
Google Maps will soon get a much-needed feature, allowing its users to delete all of their incident reports at once. It is arguably the worlds most popular navigation app, and the new feature is set to improve user control over shared navigation data. The app depends heavily on community input to show crashes, hazards, and road issues in real time. However, until now, the users did not have any option to manage submissions after posting them. That finally seems to be changing now.

Google Maps is testing a new delete option for incident reports

An APK teardown done by Android Authority of the Google Maps Android app version 26.04.01 suggests the company is working on a much-awaited feature. The string code reveals a new hidden setting that would allow users to remove all active contributions linked to their account. This includes incident alerts, road conditions, transit delays, and trip-related problems. Instead of editing single entries, the users could use the option to perform a full reset.

As of right now, Google Maps doesnt let its users manually remove reported incidents. The reports vanish only when other users confirm or deny them over time. This can become frustrating, especially when someone submits a report by mistake. A wrong tap while driving could leave an incorrect alert visible and potentially disturb traffic. The under-development delete option finally seems to be addressing the issue. However, it has its own limits.

The tech giant is also exploring profile section changes

One of the biggest downsides of the under-development delete option is that it doesnt yet allow users to remove individual reports. The lack of flexibility may still concern users who value accuracy. The new option would appear under Settings, within Location and Privacy. Once selected, all live contributions from that user would no longer be tied to their profile. However, the reports will remain visible until they expire.

Moreover, Google is also working on small profile updates in the Contribute tab. The updated UI page brings a new header design. Furthermore, do note that none of the features are live yet, and teardown discoveries do not always reach stable release.
HONOR has confirmed that it will be there at the MWC 2026, where it will be unveiling its latest foldable, the Magic V6, and the much-anticipated ROBOT Phone. MWC 2026 will be held in Barcelona, Spain, between March 2nd and 5th. This means the flagship foldable is coming way sooner than initially expected. Besides phones, the company will also reveal its plans regarding its AI advancements for the future.

HONOR Magic V6 and ROBOT Phone will debut at MWC 2026

The HONOR foldable is now arriving much earlier than its predecessor. To jog your memory, the HONOR Magic V5 foldable debuted in China in July last year, and the global announcement happened in August. However, it isnt clear whether the HONOR Magic V6 will launch in China first or debut directly at MWC 2026. HONOR foldables usually launch in China first, and then expand to the global regions gradually.

Besides the Magic V6 foldable and the ROBOT Phone, HONOR also mentions the global premier of its latest all-scenario flagship devices, hinting that there will be more product announcements at MWC 2026. HONOR has reportedly scheduled its launch announcement for March 1st at 1 PM CET.

The big battery upgrade

In separate news, the HONOR Magic V6 has reportedly received Chinas 3C certification. This shows the top-end variant of the foldable may pack a large 7,000mAh rated dual-cell battery (7,150mAh typical battery). If true, this is a significant upgrade over the predecessor, which rocked a 6,150mAh battery. Meanwhile, other variants may house a 6,700mAh-rated battery (6,850mAh typical cell). This is again an improvement over the 5,820mAh cell on the predecessor.

If the leak pans out, HONOR Magic V6 will have the largest battery on a foldable. Despite that, the HONOR phone will reportedly be lighter and slimmer than its predecessor. The leaked specs suggest that it could house a 200MP primary camera and be one of the first foldables to feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip.

Meanwhile, the HONOR ROBOT Phone features a gimbal camera attached to its robotic arm. The camera retracts from a dedicated area in the rear camera module. The gimbal can track and interact with moving objects. The company previewed it back in November. We will finally learn more about it at MWC 2026 in March.
Last summer the organization received its fourth consecutive Milwaukee's Best & Brightest Companies To Work For award, giving them the opportunity to receive this additional Elite designation. After a rigorous selection process, Zeigler was selected as one of only three Elite organizations to be honored for its innovative and bench-setting employee practices.

"This award embodies our D.R.I.V.E. missionDevelop, Reputation, Integrity, Vision, and Executionand reflects our ongoing commitment to empowering our team members with the tools, trust, and freedom to lead," said Aaron Zeigler, president of Zeigler Auto Group. "It's an honor to be recognized again and a tribute to the passion, purpose, and dedication of every person at Zeigler who continues to raise the bar for workplace culture and employee experience."

The Elite Winners will be celebrated at a Winner's Reception in Milwaukee, WI in 2026. This event will gather industry leaders, HR professionals, and executives to share & best practices, celebrate successes, and explore the future of workplace excellence.

"Earning the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For Elite Award in our Wisconsin region for the second time is an incredibly meaningful milestone for Zeigler Auto Group,' said Mike Van Ryn, VP of talent development. "Our Wisconsin team membersmany of whom are among the newest to our organizationhave fully embraced our values and consistently live out our mission every day, both with one another and with our loyal customers. This recognition is a true testament to their dedication, and we are sincerely grateful to be honored once again."

About the National Association for Business Resources' Best and Brightest Programs

The National Association for Business Resources offers an array of recognition programs that celebrate excellence in various aspects of business, including workplace culture, wellness initiatives, and leadership. These programs include the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For, Best and Brightest in Wellness, Best and Brightest CEOs and Leadership Teams which are presented in several markets that include Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Milwaukee, Nashville, New England, New York, Northern California, Pacific Northwest, Southern California, South Florida, West Michigan and Nationally.

About Zeigler Auto Group

Zeigler Automotive Group is one of the largest privately-owned dealer groups in the U.S. with 88 franchises across 41 locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. Vehicle brands represented include all of the domestic and the majority of the imported manufacturers.

Besides its extensive automotive portfolio, the organization owns and operates Zeigler Motorsports, an 85,000-square-foot motorsports dealership and action park, offering 19 different powersports brands, plus its own onsite restaurant: Trak Houz Bar & Grill. Additionally, Zeigler Motorsports houses the Elevate Leadership & Team Building Academy, an executive training company.

The Kalamazoo-based dealer group also owns and operates Zeigler Pre-Owned of Chicago, three Byrider franchises, three finance companies, several insurance firms, and a leasing firm. Founded in 1975, the organization employs over 2,500 people, ranking among the top 1% of automotive dealers in the nation with estimated annual sales of $2.2 billion for 2025.

The family-owned and operated company is well known for its commitment to both customer service and employee satisfaction. Zeigler is regularly recognized as one of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work for in the Nation, also earning similar accolades in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan. Besides these prestigious accolades, Zeigler is also one of Glassdoor's 100 Best Places to Work in the U.S. for 2024, and among Glassdoor's top 10 U.S. companies for work-life balance.

SOURCE Zeigler Automotive Group
Not all animals are sweet. Some are sassssssyyy, which can be a ton of fun too. One woman was getting exasperated listening to her African Grey Parrot rage-bait her early one morning. He was really riling her up too! The Parrot was having too much fun teasing his mom, much to her chagrin.

Cruz, Cruz, Cruz. The African Grey Parrot was really pushing it in the clip his mama shared. The bird got up bright and early to start beef with the woman. Heres hoping that she has a good sense of humor!

Is it just me or does it seem like the African Grey Parrot knew exactly what he was doing? The bird was definitely trolling his mama, and the worst part is that she probably taught him how to talk!

The bird was really feeling saucy that day based on the way he greeted his human. She got an earful!

Im just going to have a cup of tea and start doing some work, the woman warned her bird. So I need you to be good. I need to trust you not to go in my cupboards, she added.

Yeahthat wasnt going to happen. Not on Cruzs watch.

Shut up! the bird replied. How rude! Whats even worse was the parrot kept giving his mama tude. Shut up! he repeated.

I just want a peaceful morning without being told to shut up, the woman said.

Sadly for mom, it seems like the entire internet is on Cruzs side.

Im here for his sass, admitted one commenter.

This has made my morning, someone else agreed.

Can Cruz be a pain in the backside sometimes? one person wondered.

I wonder what his favourite word is, teased another person.

How Many Words Can an African Grey Parrot Learn?

Obviously, this little guy had a lot on his mind and he wasnt afraid to speak! How many words can African Grey Parrots learn anyway? African Grey Parrots are very smart birds. They can learn up to 1,000 new words and use them in the right context! Thats pretty cool!

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This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Jan 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Animal rescue rushes to save over 200 dogs before winter storm hits the US

Animal welfare advocates are in a desperate race against time to rescue over 200 dogs from a squalid rural property in Mississippi before a severe winter storm sweeps across the country on Friday.

Paws of War, a New York-based non-profit specialising in rehoming animals with veterans and first responders, is spearheading the urgent operation.

Robert Misseri, co-founder of Paws of War, described the scene at the Tupelo, Mississippi, property, which his team reached on Wednesday, as a "house of horrors.

He recounted finding skeletal remains of dogs decomposing in the yard, widespread faeces, and animals living both inside and outside the residence in appalling conditions.

"It's rewarding seeing them come off the property for the first time, knowing that they will ultimately wind up on someone's couch. But to think that they suffered up there for all these years in silence," Misseri said, his voice trailing off.

The org found skeletal remains of dogs decomposing in the yard, widespread faeces, and animals living both inside and outside the residence in appalling conditions (Stephen Smith)

The Lee County Sheriff's Office enlisted the assistance of Paws of War in rehoming the neglected animals. By Thursday evening, approximately 60 dogs had been taken in by nine different shelters, while Paws of War dispatched several trucks to transport 45 dogs back to New York.

Further support arrived from the Northshore Humane Society in Louisiana, whose team traveled over 300 miles (483 kilometres) to the Tupelo area on Wednesday for what they named "Operation: Tupelo Tails.

Thirteen dogs are now under their care. Scott Bernier, the societys CEO, highlighted the grim reality: "A lot of these dogs have scars on their faces, which is evidence that they were probably sparring with the other dogs for food," he stated. "So its a bad condition. Not something we ever like to see."

Veterinary technician Scout Cannizzaro noted that some dogs presented with upper respiratory infections and skin conditions, with Bernier anticipating heartworm in others.

The org found skeletal remains of dogs decomposing in the yard, widespread faeces, and animals living both inside and outside the residence in appalling conditions (Stephen Smith)

The Northshore Humane Society is now urgently seeking foster homes, as its facility struggles with heating. However, Bernier assured that any animals remaining at the shelter during the storm would be kept warm and safe.

Paws of War continues its overnight efforts to secure shelter for the remaining dogs before the storm hits. Misseris team is also searching for any skittish animals that may have fled, estimating the total number of dogs needing rescue could reach 300. He vowed that no dog would be left outside during the impending storm, appealing to other shelters for help. "We weren't prepared for this," he admitted. The Lee County Sheriffs Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Thursday.
Exit: Cameron Norrie was the sole British player left in singles action at the Australian Open (Getty Images)

Cameron Norrie suffered a familiar defeat to Alexander Zverev to end British singles hopes at the Australian Open.

Norrie was the only British player to make the third round and knew he would have his work cut out against third seed Zverev, who has now beaten him in all seven of their tour-level meetings.

Two years ago Norrie pushed the German all the way to a fifth-set tie-break in the last 16 at Melbourne Park, and he gave himself a chance by taking the second set here only to fade badly in a 7-5 4-6 6-3 6-1 defeat.

Norrie's game plan was apparent from the start, the 26th seed stepping into the court and attacking Zverev at every opportunity.

It brought him a break to love in just the second game but Norrie was unable to cement it, and the metronomic German took the opening set after breaking serve again in the 11th game.

Norrie did not let his head drop, though, continuing to take an aggressive approach and keeping Zverev off balance by sprinkling in drop shots and rushes to the net.

He saved three break points in a long fifth game and tried to feed off the energy of the packed crowd on John Cain Arena.

A shot drilled at the face of Zverev in the eighth game appeared to rattle the German, who reached his third Grand Slam final here last year, and two games later Norrie got his chance.

Two big returns rushed Zverev, who netted a forehand to put Norrie back on level terms.

Parity did not last long, though, a poor service game from the British No2 at 1-1 in the third game handing Zverev the initiative again, and from there he tightened his grip.

Norrie prides himself on his physical capabilities but he had played two long, demanding matches, beating Benjamin Bonzi in five sets and then Emilio Nava in four, and his capacity to match Zverev from the baseline began to diminish.

The third seed was relentless in the fourth set, with Norrie only ending a run of seven games in a row against him when he was 5-0 down.

Norrie is certainly trending in the right direction again despite the defeat and will hope for more luck of the draw in the Grand Slams to come.

It is the second major in a row where Britain has had a first-week wipeout, and Jack Draper's return - hopefully in the Davis Cup next month - cannot come soon enough.
Defence giant Babcock International has picked its head of nuclear to run the business after announcing the retirement of boss David Lockwood.

The London-based company, which is a major contractor for the Ministry of Defence, said Mr Lockwood would be stepping down as its chief executive by the end of 2026.

Harry Holt, current chief executive of the businesss nuclear division, has been appointed as his replacement.

Mr Lockwoods decision to retire ends a more than five-year tenure at the helm of the business, having steered a turnaround that aimed to streamline its operations.

During his tenure, Babcock sold a raft of its assets in a bid to generate cash, and cut jobs across the business.

Mr Holt, who was formerly an executive at Rolls-Royce and an officer in the British Army, will become deputy chief executive and work alongside Mr Lockwood before stepping into the top job.

During his leadership, Babcocks nuclear sector has grown its revenues by about 54% over the past two financial years, with both the defence and civil businesses within the division growing significantly, according to the firm.

Babcock has said nuclear is a burgeoning sector with strong demand for spending from governments around the world.

Mr Holt said he was deeply honoured to have the opportunity to lead Babcock through its next chapter, adding: In these uncertain times, our collective purpose to create a safe and secure world has never been more important.

Babcock also revealed its revenues had continued to grow in recent months, particularly within its nuclear business which was being driven by new-build clean energy projects and submarine support work.

The company is involved in various global projects, including the development of a 4 billion maritime programme in Indonesia which aims to strengthen the regions navy and fishing fleets and boost food security.

It also supports the US Virginia Class nuclear submarine programme in Rosyth, Scotland.
Sir Keir Starmer has endured another gruelling week - ANDY RAIN/EPA/Shutterstock

The last seven days should have dispelled any remaining complacency about Britains place in the world.

Sir Keir Starmer spent the week buffeted between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. The Prime Minister gave ground on the Chinese super-embassy to the fury of the United States, worked to talk Mr Trump down from his aggressive rhetoric on Greenland, and then last night pulled a House of Lords vote on the Chagos deal scheduled for Monday.

This may foreshadow another U-turn by Sir Keirs Government. It is now uncertain whether Britains relinquishing of sovereignty over the archipelago will in fact go ahead. This would be a reversal that should be welcomed, but it is tragic if it has only occurred because of foreign pressure.

Earlier yesterday, Sir Keir found himself in the position of responding to the US presidents grotesque implication that Britains war dead in Afghanistan had hidden a little off the front lines. The Prime Minister was right to condemn Mr Trumps comments as insulting and frankly appalling.

The families of the 457 British troops who died in the conflict can attest to the price paid by the forces who answered Americas call when the United States invoked Natos Article 5 provisions for collective defence; the British wounded can educate Mr Trump about the personal toll of giving his country the assistance which was never needed.

Abandoning the Chagos vote suggests that a more conciliatory tone will soon follow. As Sir Keir said yesterday, our very close relationship with the US is important for our security, for our defence, and our intelligence. Whether we can fully secure our own national interests is somewhat dubious given the state of our armed forces, but it seems undeniable that we are unable to secure the continent working with European allies alone.

We are reliant on American forces, and American weapons sales, to provide the military threat that still holds back Vladimir Putins imperial ambitions. Sir Keir is notably quiet on the issues of Chinese espionage and influence in the United Kingdom. This has again been confirmed by the approval of the new embassy despite warnings from MI5 and GCHQ that the risks posed by its construction cannot be wholly eliminated.

Turn one way, and face the ire of the Americans; turn the other, and antagonise Beijing. It is an unenviable position. Sir Keirs unwillingness to speak frankly about the threat posed by China  or indeed the brutality of the Iranian regime beyond a call to exercise restraint  may partly be explained by ideological and party management constraints.

Many MPs on the Left of the Labour Party instinctively seem to believe that the West, or those forces aligned with the West, are automatically in the wrong in every conflict. It is hard to shake the impression that the ultimate cause of our inability to stand squarely for our own national interests and pride is weakness.

The decision to give way to Chinas demands comes as Sir Keir prepares to visit Beijing next week, seeking investment in Britain, inviting further economic and financial dependence in the process. This will make it harder still to disentangle ourselves from the Chinese Communist Party.

If Britain had the military means to guarantee its own security, and the monetary firepower to fund its own infrastructure projects, then we would be able to take a far stronger stand. Our dependence on American military might, and Chinese investment, create situations where our weakness can be leveraged against us. Overcoming this is now a matter of national security, particularly when the United States can no longer be automatically relied upon to take a similar view of the Wests interests.

In turn, the ultimate cause is Britains relative economic decline; the bill for our complacent attitude is now due. If we continue on our current path  failing to create the conditions for growth, piling up spending obligations  then we will continue to be at the mercy of nations where economic growth is prioritised. Those countries put a premium on hard power rather than the comforting notion that international law alone will see justice prevail.

This will require a national effort to promote prosperity, and a renewed mindset that seeks allies among other middle powers, rather than a lopsided reliance on the United States. It is unlikely to be easy. It is certain that it will not be cheap. But it will come at a far lower cost than business as usual.
Emily Damari gets down on one knee to propose to Danielle Amit at a party with friends

A British-Israeli hostage forced to hide her sexuality from Hamas has become engaged a year to the day after being freed.

Emily Damari proposed to Danielle Amit, her influencer girlfriend, in scenes that became headline news in Israel.

The 29-year-old has become a symbol of hope since her release from Gaza, owing to her optimistic outlook on life.

After spending 471 days as a Hamas hostage, she said that as far as her captors were concerned, being openly gay would have been worse than them knowing I was Jewish or Israeli.

Emily Damaris relationship with food influencer Danielle Amit was played out on social media

Ms Damari, whose mother is from London, was shot in the hand on Oct 7 and subsequently lost her third and fourth fingers, as well as sustaining shrapnel wounds to her leg.

The distinctive outline of her injured hand has become a symbol of resistance to the Hamas massacre, appearing on posters, T-shirts and online memes.

Ms Damari got down on one knee and proposed to her partner at a party to mark her release from Gaza as part of a temporary truce on Jan 19 2025.

The event featured a cake with a single candle, to mark the one-year anniversary.

The pair became engaged following a six-month romance which played out on social media.

On Friday morning, the couple posted a picture from the anniversary party with the caption: I went captive for her.

Yair Golan, leader of the opposition Democrats party, posted a message of congratulation, saying: Your engagement is far more than a private joy  it is the complete victory of spirit and hope.

Unlike other former hostages, Ms Damari has embraced the high profile that has come with her release.

However, she has not been immune from controversy. Last year she launched a chocolate cake priced at more than 30 and has produced a clothing range featuring an embroidered image of her injured hand.

Before proposing at the party, Ms Damari paid tribute to Gali and Ziv Berman, twin brothers and friends, who were also abducted from the Kfar Aza kibbutz and later freed as part of the ceasefire that took effect in October.

Before they came back, everything was different. I was torn up, sad and weak, she said.
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David Lammy has warned Andy Burnham and others not to rock the boat by making moves to challenge Sir Keir Starmers leadership of the Labour Party.

It comes as the mayor of Greater Manchester faces a deadline of 5pm Saturday to throw his hat in the race to become Labours candidate in the Gorton and Denton by-election.

As a directly elected mayor he must seek the express permission of Labours ruling body to stand, as vacating his current job would also trigger an election.

Calling Mr Bunham a dear friend, the deputy prime minister said he would not give him advice, amid speculation a Commons comeback could pave the way for a leadership challenge, but cautioned that parties that air their dirty linen in public  usually are a huge turnoff to the electorate.

He said any change of leader would probably mean Labour, which is currently trailing Nigel Farages Reform UK in the polls, would be forced to call an early election.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham could attempt to make his bid to return to Westminster as an MP (PA)

His comments come amid threats from Labour backbenchers that Sir Keir will face a severe backlash that could hasten his departure if he tries to block Mr Burnham from running in the upcoming by-election in his political backyard.

Mr Burnham, who has yet to comment, could stand to become an MP, a prerequisite for the job of prime minister, after a Greater Manchester MP announced he would quit the Commons on Thursday.

Andrew Gwynne said he would stand down as the MP for Gorton and Denton, citing significant ill health.

However, for Mr Burnham to become the candidate, he would have to be approved by Labours national executive committee (NEC), widely viewed as under the control of Sir Keirs supporters.

David Lammy has urged would-be leadership rivals not to rock the boat (PA)

Asked about Mr Burnhams potential return to Westminster, Mr Lammy said: What I would say is this, and I do feel this very strongly: all of us are in the business of Labour politics and all of us have got to be seen to be getting on with serving working people. And parties that air their dirty linen in public, that fight and bitch and moan, usually are a huge turnoff to the electorate...

Please let us not rock the boat and blow it, which Labour governments have done throughout their history. That was why Labour was only in power in the 20th century for 22 years. Lets not make that mistake.

He added: I dont know if Andy really wants to get back into Westminster politics. He may do, and theres much merit to him. But I would caution those often around folk that start to destabilise the ship and say that we can have a new leader. No, we cant. Because immediately youd be forced to have an election, premature probably...

Labour MPs and union leaders have warned against using the partys ruling national executive committee to block Mr Burnham from standing.

Jo White, who chairs the red-wall group of Labour MPs, said: Let the North decide who their Labour candidate should be for the Gorton and Denton by-election. A London stitch-up will be a disaster for Labour.

And Crewe and Nantwich MP Connor Naismith said: Gorton and Denton deserves the best possible choice of candidates. I agree with the prime minister that our attention should be on delivering for the public, not speculating about future leadership contests. Any decision made to limit the choice would be wrong.

Unisons Andrea Egan said weve seen enough control-freakery in the Labour Party and it has done our movement nothing but harm, while Steve Wright, of the Fire Brigades Union, said it would be a democratic outrage if Andy Burnham was blocked from seeking selection.

On Friday, health minister Stephen Kinnock insisted the process would be the same as any other candidate selection.
Cameron Norrie suffered a familiar defeat to Alexander Zverev to end British singles hopes at the Australian Open.

Norrie was the only British player to make the third round and knew he would have his work cut out against third seed Zverev, who has now beaten him in all seven of their tour-level meetings.

Two years ago Norrie pushed the German all the way to a fifth-set tie-break in the last 16 at Melbourne Park, and he gave himself a chance by taking the second set here only to fade badly in a 7-5 4-6 6-3 6-1 defeat.

Cam Norrie is beaten in the third round by the No.3 seed at the @AustralianOpen #BackTheBrits  | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/9dd6N89sMQ  LTA (@the_LTA) January 23, 2026

Norries game plan was apparent from the start, the 26th seed stepping into the court and attacking Zverev at every opportunity.

It brought him a break to love in just the second game but Norrie was unable to cement it, and the metronomic German took the opening set after breaking serve again in the 11th game.

Norrie did not let his head drop, though, continuing to take an aggressive approach and keeping Zverev off balance by sprinkling in drop shots and rushes to the net.

He saved three break points in a long fifth game and tried to feed off the energy of the packed crowd on John Cain Arena.

Alexander Zverev beat Cameron Norrie for the seventh time (Aaron Favila/AP) (Aaron Favila)

A shot drilled at the face of Zverev in the eighth game appeared to rattle the German, who reached his third grand slam final here last year, and two games later Norrie got his chance.

Two big returns rushed Zverev, who netted a forehand to put Norrie back on level terms.

Parity did not last long, though, a poor service game from the British number two at 1-1 in the third game handing Zverev the initiative again, and from there he tightened his grip.

Norrie prides himself on his physical capabilities but he had played two long, demanding matches, beating Benjamin Bonzi in five sets and then Emilio Nava in four, and his capacity to match Zverev from the baseline began to diminish.

Cameron Norrie changes his shirt (Aaron Favila/AP) (Aaron Favila)

The third seed was relentless in the fourth set, with Norrie only ending a run of seven games in a row against him when he was 5-0 down.

Norrie is certainly trending in the right direction again despite the defeat and will hope for more luck of the draw in the grand slams to come.

It is the second major in a row where Britain has had a first-week wipeout, and Jack Drapers return  hopefully in the Davis Cup next month  cannot come soon enough.
The lawsuit is the first UK legal challenge to Apples conduct regarding Apple Pay. Photograph: Ascannio/Alamy (Photograph: Ascannio/Alamy)

The financial campaigner James Daley has launched a 1.5bn class action lawsuit against Apple over its mobile phone wallet, claiming the US tech company blocked competition and charged hidden fees that ultimately harmed 50 million UK consumers.

The lawsuit takes aim at Apple Pay, which they say has been the only contactless payment service available for iPhone users in Britain over the past decade.

Daley, who is the founder of the advocacy group Fairer Finance, claims this situation amounted to anti-competitive behaviour and allowed Apple to charge hidden fees, ultimately pushing up costs for banks that passed charges on to consumers, regardless of whether they owned an iPhone.

It is the first UK legal challenge to the companys conduct in relation to Apple Pay, and takes place months after regulators like the Competition and Markets Authority and the Payments Systems Regulator began scrutinising the tech industrys digital wallet services.

The case has been filed with the Competition Appeal Tribunal, which will now decide whether the class action case can move forward.

Daley said: People will have no idea theyve been paying more for everyday banking because of the way Apple has operated Apple Pay.

By shutting out competition and charging hidden fees, Apple has pushed up costs for millions of consumers. Shockingly, this doesnt just affect Apple Pay users or iPhone owners. Banks have passed these costs on to all customers, meaning everyone is paying the price.

Apple said in a statement that the lawsuit was misguided and should be dismissed, adding: Apple Pay is a seamless and secure way for users to make contactless payments, and one of many payment options available to consumers. Apple does not charge fees to consumers or merchants for using Apple Pay, and banks see meaningful benefits from offering Apple Pay to their customers  most notably fraud reduction.

The company said it had recently added tech capabilities, including near-field technology (NFC) and secure element (SE) application interfaces, which give third-party developers a way to enable contactless transactions from their own apps, including in the UK. We will continue to ensure that UK customers have access to the payment options of their choice in a safe and secure environment.

Daleys lawsuit alleges that Apple refused to give other app developers and outside businesses access to the contactless payment technology on its iPhones, which meant it could charge banks and card issuers fees on Apple Pay transactions that his lawyers say are not in line with industry practice.

The lawsuit notes that similar fees are not charged on equivalent payments on Android devices, which are built by Google.

It says that the additional costs were borne by UK consumers, having been passed on through charges on a range of personal banking products ranging from current accounts, credit cards, to savings and mortgages.

The lawsuit says that about 98% of consumers are exposed to banks that listed cards on Apple Pay, meaning the vast majority of the UK population may have been affected.

While the case may only result in an average 26 payout for consumers, Daley said: Im bringing this claim because consumers have been treated unfairly, and I want to help them get back what theyre owed. Its also important that big firms like Apple are held to account for this kind of anti-competitive behaviour.

The way it has run Apple Pay has quietly increased banking costs for consumers over many years. I want to put a stop to that  and secure compensation for the millions of people who have been affected.
Police are looking to speak to the man in this photo (British Transport Police)

An investigation has been launched after a woman was reportedly sexually assaulted on an escalator in a major London train station.

British Transport Police has released a photo of a man they wish to speak to following the alleged attack at St Pancras station.

Officers say the woman was assaulted on an escalator in the station at around 7.30am on Saturday, November 22 last year.

The man followed the woman out of the station to a nearby building, British Transport Police said.

He then attempted to follow the woman inside but was prevented from doing so.

Police are looking to identify the man in this CCTV image who they believe may have information that could help their investigation.

Anyone who recognises him is asked to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 152 of 22 November.

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Markets have whipsawed this week, driven by US president Donald Trump's rapid shift in tone over his ambitions for Greenland.

Stocks sold off at the start of the week, following Trump's the threat of new tariffs over opposition to his proposed takeover of the semi-autonomous Danish territory. The president threatened to impose 10% tariffs on Denmark and seven other European countries from 1 February, and said that this levy would rise to 25% on 1 June, unless a deal was reached for the US to acquire Greenland.

However, Trump softened his tone on the dispute in a speech at the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Wednesday, as he ruled out using force to take Greenland.

Later that day, Trump then said in a social media post he was dropping his threat of tariffs, saying that the "framework of a future deal" in regards to Greenland had been formed based on a meeting with Nato secretary general Mark Rutte.

Read more: How to navigate market swings as Trump's Greenland pivot gives investors whiplash

Markets rebounded on Trump's tariff U-turn, in a relief rally that saw investors pivot back into risk-on mode.

However, details on this framework for an agreement are still unclear and gold prices (GC=F) have continued to move higher, signalling that there is still some nervousness over the geopolitical situation.

Neil Wilson, investor strategist at Saxo UK, said that looking ahead, "we can expect more [market] swings  nothing is going away now the genie is out the bottle".

"More specifically, we are yet to see exactly how the EU-US trade relationship evolves in the wake of the last few days, which I feel has created a new rift in relations," he said.

At the start of the week, before Trump dropped his tariff threat, we asked Yahoo Finance readers if they were concerned about potential new levies. We received 2,432 votes, with 69% of respondents saying that they were worried, while 25% were not and 6% were undecided on the matter.

Are you concerned about Trump's tariff threat over Greenland?

Read more:

Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android.
Maines senate race is undergoing upheaval as Donald Trump and his administration put a thumb on the scale in a manner that could cost one of the most senior Republicans in Congress their seat.

Sen. Susan Collins, a five-term Republican, is hoping to once again secure victory for her party and help them protect the majority in the upper chamber this fall. Typically, shed be doing so in her usual fashion: As a maverick but reliably red centrist Republican known for breaking with her party on some issues but generally remaining a loyal member of the Senate GOP caucus.

This year, however, things are different. After spurning the president on a War Powers resolution meant to constrain further hostilities with Venezuela, Collins finds herself running with Trumps anti-endorsement: He urged his Republican voters to leave Collins and four other GOP senators at the altar this election season and beyond, in a Truth Social post. Days after the Senate GOP leader insisted he didnt mean it, Trump doubled down, calling her a disaster.

And this week, Homeland Security officials confirmed that a surge of ICE operations will soon begin in Collinss home state  provoking a furious response from her two declared Democratic opponents, one of whom is the states current governor, Janet Mills.

Dubbed Operation Catch of the Day, it will target Maines Somali-American community based largely in Lewiston, according to CBS News, as well as other locations in the state where the administration says undocumented immigrants from other African nations are located. It follows the Trump administration and the president leaning into a wave of targeted enforcement against Minnesotas Somali-American community and Trumps own heavy criticism of Somali-Americans, which has been called overtly racist by Democrats. A DHS official who spoke to Fox News said that the administration wanted to arrest 1,400 people in the state.

Sen. Susan Collins found herself on the wrong end of Donald Trump's ire after a vote on Venezuela (Getty Images)

Across the country, a larger-scale ICE surge in Minneapolis has become the site of rising tensions and angry demonstrations after an ICE agent shot and killed a woman in her car, Renee Good, during a confrontation on a street. Thousands of people have begun protesting the ICE presence, including in Maine.

On Thursday, both Mills and Collinss Democratic-caucusing independent colleague in the U.S. Senate, Angus King, briefed reporters in Portland, Maine, about the ICE surge. Both raised concerns about reports of an ICE memo supposedly rationalizing agents entering homes and businesses without warrants to detain suspected targets for immigration enforcement. Collins was conspicuously absent and has been since the enforcement surge was announced.

Mills said that she was also concerned that the surge would not target individuals with criminal backgrounds, and would instead involve broad sweeps to pick up anyone with problems in their immigration background.

"We take allegations of criminal activity seriously, no matter who the person is. I don't sense that there's any greater incidence of crime among non-citizens than there is among citizens; in fact, I think probably the opposite," Mills said at a news conference. "But that's not what we're hearing about.

King issued a forceful statement on Wednesday, condemning what he called the most dangerous assault on our economy, our democratic system, and our people since the Civil War, perpetrated (he said) by the White House. He pledged to vote against ICE funding once it reaches the Senate.

Janet Mills, Maines governor, now has the opportunity to respond to Donald Trumps ICE surge in the spotlight as she runs for Senate against Susan Collins (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Collins also released a statement with a notable amount of nuance to it on Wednesday, her first on the situation since telling HuffPost a week ago that she didnt see the rationale for a large number of ICE agents to come in.

There are people in Maine and elsewhere who have entered this country illegally and who have engaged in criminal activity. They could be subject to arrest and deportation pursuant to the laws of the United States, and people who are exercising the right to peacefully gather and protest their government should be careful not to interfere with law enforcement efforts while doing so, said the senator.

I have advocated for providing body cameras and de-escalation training for ICE personnel. At this time of heightened tensions, these steps could help improve trust, accountability, and safety, Collins went on. Our proposed funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security includes $20 million for body cameras and $2 million for de-escalation training, which could help protect both ICE agents and the general public. I hope that Congress will adopt these measures quickly.

As a centrist Republican, Collins has always been in a tough spot  one that grew immeasurably tougher under the rise of Donald Trump. But before now, Republican leaders and Trump himself have always been willing to give her some slack on the rope to work outside of the party lines. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has said that Collins is the only Republican who can win in the state, and the Senate Leadership Fund (Thunes Senate GOP campaign PAC) said this week that it is dumping $42m into Collinss race to boost her, meaning that Washington has far from given up her seat.

Donald Trump lashed out and called Susan Collins a disaster after her vote to invoke the War Powers Act over his strike on Venezuela (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Shell be running against powerful anti-Trump headwinds in her home state, where, according to an Economist/YouGov tracking poll, the presidents net approval rating is more than 18 points underwater.

And Donald Trump has made very, very clear in recent days that, despite Thunes insistence to the direct contrary, he actually does not care if Collins wins her seat again this year. His ICE raids in her home state, weeks after a tough vote that comforted Democrats with her drift from GOP doctrine, signal that the president is completely fine with centering an uncomfortable national fight in Collinss backyard, and giving her opponents ammunition at a very bad time.
Mirza Shahzad Akbar in 2012. Akbar is a former member of Imran Khans cabinet and a critic of Pakistans current regime. Photograph: W Khan/EPA (Photograph: W Khan/EPA)

Scotland Yards counter-terrorism command is investigating a series of highly targeted attacks on two Pakistani dissidents living in Britain which may bear the hallmarks of states using criminal proxies to silence their critics.

One person has been arrested after a series of four attacks which began on Christmas Eve. One of the attacks involved a firearm.

The attacks took place in Cambridgeshire and Buckinghamshire against two prominent supporters of the jailed former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan.

One of the victims told the Guardian that his attackers had appeared to be fair-skinned, white or wearing masks, and that he feared for his life.

Britains Foreign Office has been criticised for failing to speak out about the attacks, with one victim saying those behind the attack were mocking the UK.

The first two attacks took place on Christmas Eve. One occurred in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, when two men broke into a home of a dissident just after 8am and vandalised it.

The other occurred at the Cambridgeshire home of human rights lawyer Mirza Shahzad Akbar, a former member of Imran Khans cabinet, who is a critic of Pakistans current regime.

Akbar, 48, told the Guardian he was attacked just after 8am on Christmas Eve: I opened the door and then a masked man started punching me, after asking are you Shahzad Akbar? I must have got 25-30 punches on my face.

The man seemed trained to do what he was doing: proper footwork like a boxer, going only for my face 

My children and wife  were terrorised and screaming.

Akbar says he managed to push the attacker out of his house.

Counter-terrorism officers took over the investigation from local police. Akbar says that on police advice he and his family moved out of their home and have gone into hiding. On 31 December, Akbar returned to the house for a short visit. Minutes after he left, the second attack took place.

Akbar said: Six minutes after my departure, two men were seen on the CCTV, faces covered. One man with a firearm shot straight into the front window; three shots were fired and the window was pierced through.

Another man tried to set the house ablaze by throwing a burning rag through the window, but neighbours came out of their houses to investigate the disturbance, causing the attackers to flee.

There was a third attack on Akbars home on 10 January. Akbar said: One man again entered the house perimeter, sprayed some chemicals on the outer wall and then broke windows with an iron bar. After the alarms started, he ran away.

Police say racist graffiti was sprayed on the homes exterior.

Akbar said he fears he was targeted because of his politics. I am a Pakistani dissident living in exile here, he said. I am an open critic of the Pakistani regime, which is backed by the military.

I cannot say who did it. However, one thing is certain: it was a targeted attack and the people who attacked were probably hired by someone. It is a question of the UK police and governments political will to find out who did it, and why.

Despite one arrest being made in this investigation, there was another attack on 10 January, which seems to give the impression that those behind it are mocking the UK police and government and their resolve to deal with such matters.

Akbar was the victim of an unsolved acid attack at his home in 2023. They are trying to scare and intimidate me, and I am pretty scared, he said. I fear for my life and for my familys lives.

Counter-terror officials have warned of increasing attacks in the UK by criminal proxies acting on behalf of states such as Russia, Iran and China, targeting people opposed to their regimes.

Sources say Pakistan has not previously featured in such investigations, and neither have they involved the use of a firearm.

In a statement, counter-terrorism policing London said: Due to the apparently highly targeted nature of all three incidents they are being investigated by officers from CTP London.

On Monday, 5 January, a 34-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident that took place on 31 December. He was arrested on suspicion of attempted arson and possession of a firearm. He was arrested at an address in Great Dunmow, Essex and has subsequently been released on bail until a date in April, pending further inquiries.

At this stage, detectives retain an open mind as to any potential motivation behind any of the three incidents. Officers are also keeping an open mind as to whether the incidents are directly linked, and this remains an active line of inquiry being considered.

The Foreign Office said that because of the ongoing police investigation it would not comment.

The human rights group Reprieve, which is supporting Akbar, said: The government should publicly condemn these appalling attacks and make clear there is no space for violent intimidation on UK soil.

The silence so far is deafening, and risks sending a dangerous signal that this kind of thing will be tolerated. 














































More than 15 years ago, Danish platoon commander Martin Tamm Andersen was leading his countrymen and U.S. Marines through the heat and sand of southern Afghanistan after a Taliban attack.

As Andersens vehicle moved at the rear of the column, everything was normal  until in one instant the world turned sand-colored. His body shook violently. I had no idea what was going on, he recalled. He ran his hands over his arms and legs to make sure they were still there.

When the dust settled, he saw one of his soldiers bleeding heavily from his face. Another had been hurled from the turret and lay on the ground, groaning in pain, his back broken in two places. The blast had torn the vehicle apart.

Andersen called in help from the U.S. Marines, who halted a firefight with the Taliban, returned to secure the site, treated the wounded and helped prepare them for evacuation.

At the time, American and Danish troops were comrades in arms who risked their lives for each other in a common cause.

Former Platoon Leader Martin Tamm Andersen poses for a photo at the Danish War Museum in Copenhagen (AP)

Andersen can barely believe what has come of the U.S.-Danish alliance today as President Donald Trump escalates his threats to seize Greenland, a semiautonomous territory belonging to Denmark. Trump has repeatedly said the United States must take control of the strategically located and mineral-rich island, and views force as one way to get it.

When America needed us after 9/11 we were there, the 46-year-old veteran said.

As a veteran and as a Dane, you know, you feel sad and very surprised that the U.S. wants to take over part of the Kingdom of Denmark," he said.

Its a betrayal of the loyalty of our nation to the U.S. and to our common alliance, NATO.

He spoke from the Danish War Museum in Copenhagen, where his armoured personnel carrier that hit the improvised explosive device in 2010 in Helmand Province is on display.

Before his deployment to Afghanistan, Andersen had also served in Iraq. Good friends were killed and wounded in both wars. He believed his service in the U.S. wars served the cause of freedom and democracy.

It feels surreal

As the U.S. intensifies its threats to seize Greenland, that initial shock felt by many across Europe has evolved into a profound sense of sadness, betrayal and fear of what such a move could mean for Europes security at a time of Russian aggression. Denmarks prime minister has said it would mean the end of NATO.

For Danish veterans, it feels profoundly personal.

Then Colonel Soren Knudsen poses for a photo on the outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan, in 2012 (Soren Knudsen)

A NATO member since 1949, Denmark has been a stalwart ally to America. Forty-four Danish soldiers were killed in Afghanistan, the highest per capita death toll among coalition forces. Eight more died in Iraq.

It feels surreal. It feels like its a bad joke somehow, Andersen said. " I mean, you cant really fathom that this is actually something that is being said out loud. It just seems too crazy.

Packing away a medal and a U.S. flag

Sren Knudsen, a Danish veteran who served twice in Afghanistan, was watching television last year when he heard U.S. Vice President JD Vance say on Fox News that Denmark was not being a good ally.

Vance was making Trumps argument that the United States needed to take more territorial interest in Greenland for the sake of U.S. security, and accusing Denmark of not doing its job."

He could not believe it. In his Copenhagen home, the 65-year-old Knudsen keeps a photo of himself flanked by children in the Afghan city of Qalat. The mission, as Knudsen understood it at the time, was to help the Americans safeguard the future of Afghanistan's youth. At the end of his second tour, U.S. service members gave him an American flag as a parting gift.

For years, he proudly displayed the framed flag and a U.S. Bronze Star honouring his service in Afghanistan alongside other medals from his military service.

Former Colonel Soren Knudsen and his wife, Gina Schaar (AP)

He removed the medal and the flag in anguish and packed them away.

He told his wife that he would take them out of storage only when the U.S.-Danish alliance is restored.

Knudsen, who is the deputy president of the Danish Veterans Association, said he hears daily from other veterans who express sorrow and hurt at how the U.S. administration has turned against Denmark.

Many veterans who have wounds, whether on their souls or their body, certainly feel this as an offence straight to their heart, he said.

Understanding U.S. security needs

Danish veterans are furious at how the White House rhetoric disregards the right to self-determination of Greenland and Denmark. They also strongly object to Trumps claim that Denmark, after fighting alongside U.S. forces in wartime, is incapable of protecting the Wests security interests in the Arctic.

Both Andersen and Knudsen say they understand concerns about security in the region, but are convinced that Denmark is ready to continue doing whatever it takes within the NATO alliance to defend the region.

Both men describe maintaining a bond and friendship with American troops they served with. Knudsen's wife is American-born, and his brother-in-law is a U.S. Marine. They are convinced that their onetime comrades do not share Trump's views about the Danes.

Martin Tamm Andersen, a former Platoon Leader of the US Marines, shows a destroyed Army vehicle in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in 2010 (Martin Tamm Andersen)

Danes often note that the U.S. already has access to Greenland under a 1951 defense agreement, and northwestern Greenland already houses the U.S. Pituffik military base that falls under the Pentagons Space Force. It is the U.S. that has chosen to reduce its military footprint in Greenland in recent years  and Denmark and Greenland say they would accommodate a beefed-up American military presence.

But Trump told The New York Times last week that ownership gives you things and elements that you cant get from just signing a document.

Knudsen says a U.S. invasion of Greenland would probably bring me to tears.

I would be very sorry if it happened, because I would also see this as the final moments of the NATO alliance, he said. And I would probably see it as the final moment of my admiration and love of what has been the American experiment for 250 years.
Elizabeth Warren speaks at an event at the National Press Club in Washington DC on 12 January. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters (Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)

Senator Elizabeth Warren and fellow Democrats have accused Donald Trump of letting white-collar criminals off the hook by diverting crucial resources to his sweeping immigration crackdown.

In a letter to federal watchdogs, the Democrats demand an investigation into the US president for shifting more than 25,000 personnel away from investigating fraud, tax evasion and money laundering in favour of his immigration enforcement agenda.

The Trump Administration is letting white-collar criminals off the hook for all kinds of wrongdoing, Warren, from Massachusetts, said in a statement. Instead of protecting American families from fraud and predatory behavior, the Administration is diverting resources to pursue its inhumane immigration agenda.

Nobody is above the law, and the Trump Administration needs to stop treating white-collar criminals with kid gloves.

Related: House approves homeland security bill despite Democrats opposition over ICE

In the letter to inspectors general of the justice department, state department, homeland security, the postal service and the treasurys tax division, the Democrats allege that the administration is diverting critical federal law enforcement personnel and resources away from corporate crime and into what they describe as Trumps civil immigration dragnet.

The letter  signed by Democrats including Warren, Senator Richard Blumenthal and Representatives Dan Goldman, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Madeleine Dean  demands a formal evaluation of the extent of the transfers and their impact on US financial crime enforcement.

It cites a deep concern that entire investigative units have been gutted as agents are sent to bolster Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.

According to the Democrats, more than 25,000 federal agents across multiple departments have been reassigned since January 2025, including specialists in financial fraud, sanctions enforcement, money laundering and cybercrime.

The authors warn that the shift has already stalled complex investigations and risks emboldening corporate criminals who believe the federal government has in effect stood down.

The most dramatic allegation concerns the FBI, where the letter claims nearly a quarter of agents nationwide, and up to 40% in major field offices, have been diverted to support ICE enforcement. Staff who once pursued public corruption cases, cyber-enabled fraud and organised financial crime are now reportedly guarding detention facilities and performing immigration checks.

Other agencies appear similarly affected. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), long regarded as one of the governments most effective financial crime units, is said to have reassigned 1,700 criminal-investigation staff, compared with just 250 last summer.

Diplomatic Security Service agents normally tasked with cross-border fraud and international corruption cases have likewise been detailed to ICE, while Homeland Security Investigations  historically the home of complex global fraud cases  has, according to one estimate, shifted 90% of its workforce to removal operations.

Even the US Postal Inspection Service, better known for policing mail fraud, has reportedly loaned officers to track down immigration targets.

The letter paints the shift as part of a broader pattern under Trumps second administration, accusing the White House of a failure to enforce the law against corporate criminals and lambasting a string of controversial presidential pardons. Citing congressional analyses, the authors say Trumps clemency decisions have erased an estimated $1.3bn in fines and restitution owed to taxpayers and victims.

They warn that the combined effect has left ordinary Americans more vulnerable to fraud schemes, market manipulation, predatory financial practices, and corruption.

The Democrats cite reports of corruption and financial-fraud cases being delayed or abandoned as investigators are pulled off long-running inquiries. One justice department investigation into a financial services firm has allegedly stalled because key staff were moved to immigration work, while the FBIs white-collar unit in Houston was reportedly decimated in 2025.

They also highlight a dramatic shrinking of the justice departments public integrity section, responsible for prosecuting corruption among elected officials. The unit has allegedly fallen from 36 lawyers to just two, with staff reassigned to a new sanctuary cities enforcement team, where some have complained of having so little to do that they completed jigsaw puzzles to pass the time.

The letter asks watchdogs across the federal government to disclose how many personnel have been reassigned since January 2025, how many white-collar cases have been opened, closed or suspended during the period, and how many investigations have been derailed due to staffing shortages.

The Democrats also request details of any whistleblower complaints relating to the transfers and ask what safeguards, if any, remain to ensure statutory duties on financial and corruption cases are still being met.

Related: Deportations up, job growth down: Trumps second term so far  in charts

They conclude with a stark warning that the safety of American families and the integrity of our financial system depend on restoring the governments ability to investigate corporate wrongdoing.

Blumenthal, a senator for Connecticut, said: The Trump administrations diversion of critical resources and personnel away from white-collar crime undermines our countrys ability to combat fraud schemes, market manipulation, and corruption seriously threatening the security of American families and leaving them vulnerable to predatory practices.

These staff and resource diversions exemplify this administrations reckless decision-making in service of Trumps brutal, ruthless immigration enforcement agenda. I call on the inspectors general to fulfill their duty as nonpartisan watchdogs and illuminate this administrations abuse of power.

Goldman, a congressman from New York, added: Trump is letting white collar criminals run rampant without consequences so he can shift law enforcement to violently attack immigrants  the overwhelming majority of whom have no criminal record.

Having 25,000 fewer law enforcement personnel investigating and prosecuting white collar crime enables fraud, tax evasion, money laundering, and other crimes that hurt the American people. Federal inspectors general must conduct a thorough investigation of the impact of these diversions.
Hakeem Jeffries, the House minority leader, on Capitol Hill on Thursday. Photograph: Nathan Posner/Shutterstock (Photograph: Nathan Posner/Shutterstock)

House Republicans overcame widespread Democratic opposition on Thursday to approve a bill funding the Department of Homeland Security, the federal agency spearheading Donald Trumps immigration crackdown.

The 220-207 vote, with seven Democrats joining nearly all Republicans, came amid mounting outrage over its heavy-handed and violent tactics in Minnesota and elsewhere.

Democrats opposition to the DHS funding measure had grown in recent weeks since an Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) agent shot and killed Renee Good, a 37-year-old US citizen, in Minneapolis earlier this month.

Taxpayer dollars are being misused to brutalize US citizens, including the tragic killing of Renee Nicole Good, the Democratic leader, Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic whip, Katherine Clark, and Democratic caucus chair, Pete Aguilar, said in a joint statement on Wednesday. This extremism must end.

The House on Thursday also approved a package of three measures to fund the defense, labor, health, education, transport and housing departments through 30 September. The broader package was approved with strong bipartisan support, on a 341-88 tally. The funding measures now move to the Senate, which must act by 30 January to avoid a partial government shutdown.

The speaker, Mike Johnson, hailed the votes to approve the years final batch of spending bills as another monumental achievement.

Republicans have delivered once again in making the America First agenda a reality, he said in a statement. We have finally turned the page, and we are not turning back.

Party leaders told a closed-door meeting on Capitol Hill on Wednesday that they would vote against the homeland security funding bill, citing insufficient provisions to rein in ICE. However, they did not whip their caucus against the funding bill.

In the Senate, the outstanding funding bills are expected to be stitched together into one big package, putting pressure on Senate Democrats who want to use the measure as leverage to constrain ICE.

Several Democrats have already announced their opposition, including the Arizona senator Ruben Gallego, who announced on Wednesday: Yeah, I am not voting to give whatever ICE has become more taxpayer money. Its no longer an immigration enforcement arm of the US government.

Still, other Democrats are unlikely to reject spending for the defense department and other key domestic agencies.

The Democratic thumbs-down in the House came despite provisions in the bill that keep the agencys $10bn annual budget flat, reduces ICE enforcement and removal operations, and imposes a 5,500 reduction to its number of detention beds. The legislation also secured $20m for the procurement, deployment, and operations of body worn cameras to be worn by ICE agents, thanks to Democrats efforts.

Such palliatives are unlikely to placate anger in the party over the agencys operations in Minnesota.

In the last 24 hours, weve heard our members speak loudly that ICE isnt doing enough, these reforms arent doing enough. This lawlessness has to stop, Aguilar told reporters after a Wednesday meeting on Capitol Hill. They are only doing this because the president of the United States wants to use them to terrorize communities, to terrorize US citizens.

Rosa DeLauro, a representative from Connecticut and the ranking Democrat on the appropriations committee, said it was still better for the bill to pass rather than run the risk of a renewed government shutdown that could affect other agencies. I understand that many of my Democratic colleagues may be dissatisfied with any bill that funds ICE, she said.

I share their frustration with the out-of-control agency. I encourage my colleagues to review the bill and determine what is best for their constituents and communities.

But she added: The homeland security funding bill is more than just ICE. If we allow a lapse in funding, TSA [transportation security administration] agents will be forced to work without pay, Fema [federal emergency management agency] assistance could be delayed, and the US Coast Guard will be adversely affected. All while ICE continues functioning without any change in their operations due to $75 billion it received in the One Big Beautiful Bill.

DeLauro ultimately ended up voting against the bill.
Don Lemon taunted Attorney General Pam Bondi after a judge dismissed prosecutors efforts to charge him in connection with an anti-immigration enforcement protest in Minnesota.

On Sunday, protesters entered the Cities Church in St. Paul, where a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement official serves as a pastor.

Lemon, an independent broadcaster since his departure from CNN in 2023, was interviewing one of the participants during a livestream before they entered the church. He then followed the group inside as they chanted ICE out and accused a pastor of collaborating with the agency.

This is not a victory lap for me, because its not over. Theyre gonna try again, Lemon told his Instagram followers Thursday after the judges ruling.

Guess what, here I am. Keep trying, thats not gonna stop me from being a journalist. Youre not gonna diminish my voice, he added. Go ahead, make me into the new Jimmy Kimmel, if you want.

Don Lemon said he was not taking a victory lap after a judge dismissed efforts to charge him in connection to an anti-ICE protest (donlemonofficial/Instagram)

The Independent has contacted the DOJ for comment.

Lemons attorney, Abbe Lowell, said in a statement that the judges action confirms the First Amendment protected Lemons work as a reporter.

Kimmel made headlines last year after his show was abruptly suspended. The show was pulled after the Trump Administration took umbrage with a joke about the presidents mourning of Charlie Kirk, but was later put back on the air following a huge surge of support for Kimmel.

Three people were arrested Thursday in connection with the controversial church protest, Bondi said on social media.

Listen loud and clear: WE DO NOT TOLERATE ATTACKS ON PLACES OF WORSHIP, the Attorney General wrote on X.

Levy Armstrong, a prominent local activist and lawyer who previously led Minneapoliss NAACP chapter, defended the demonstration before her arrest.

You cannot lead a congregation while directing an agency whose actions have cost lives and inflicted fear in our communities, she told the Associated Press. When officials protect armed agents, repeatedly refuse meaningful investigation into killings like Renee Goods, and signal they may pursue peaceful protesters and journalists, that is not justice  it is intimidation.

Anti-ICE protests have erupted in Minnesota after the fatal shooting of 37-year-old mother Renee Good by an ICE agent on January 7. President Donald Trump and others in his administration have defended the agent, identified as Jonathan Ross, saying his life was in danger and that Good weaponized her vehicle against him. Some Democratic lawmakers and others have described Goods killing as murder and called for the agent to be prosecuted.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who has echoed protesters criticisms of ICE tactics in the state, nonetheless called on activists to remain peaceful and his office told reporters that he in no way supports interrupting a place of worship.
A senior Labour politician has accused Donald Trump of double standards after he claimed British troops did not fight on the Afghan War front line, despite having avoided fighting in the Vietnam War himself.

Dame Emily Thornberry, chair of the foreign affairs select committee, joined widespread condemnation of Mr Trumps statement that British troops were a little off the front line in the war in Afghanistan.

It was an absolute insult to the 457 [British] families who lost someone in Afghanistan, she said. How dare he say we werent on the front line. How dare he.

She also added that the comments came from a man who had never seen any action himself.

President Trump famously avoided the draft for the Vietnam War five times in the 1960s and 1970s, including for a bone spur in his heel.

Dame Emily said: We have always been there whenever the Americans have wanted us.

How dare this man who has never seen any action, who somehow or other when there was a draft for everybody else in the US, managed to avoid it and yet is now commander in chief and knows nothing about how it is that America has been defended.

Trumps statement that British troops in Afghanistan were a little off the front line has been widely condemned (Getty)

I mean, seriously, it is an absolute insult.

Dame Emily won loud applause for her remarks from the audience on BBCs Question Time.

The controversy over Mr Trumps own military record first emerged nearly a decade ago when it was revealed that he was granted five deferrals from the Vietnam War draft.

Mr Trump said at the time he could not recall which heel had been affected, stating the issue had been temporary and minor and over a period of time, it healed up.

He was challenged over the matter in a 2019 interview by Piers Morgan, who asked him: You were not able to serve because of a bone spur condition in your feet. Do you wish you'd been able to serve? Would you like to have served your country?

It is an absolute insult: Britain lost 457 troops during the conflict (PA Media)

Mr Trump responded: I was never a fan of that war. I thought it was a terrible war, it was very far away. Nobody had heard of Vietnam this wasnt like fighting against Nazi Germany or Hitler. I wasnt out on the streets marching or saying I would move to Canada, but I wasnt a fan.

Mr Trump argued he would have been honoured to have served in the US military and had since made up for not having done so by boosting defence spending.

Dame Emily accused Mr Trump of trying to bully the UK and the rest of Nato: You wonder where this will end. It is as if he has no anchor, no off button.

She was proud that Britain and its allies had joined forces and said no Donald Trump, enough, no more of this, you are not getting Greenland, you are not introducing tariffs, you are not going to take military action, this is the line, do not cross it.
Philip Young, who now lives in Enfield, was a Conservative councillor on Swindon borough council from 2007 to 2010 (handout )

A former Conservative councillor has admitted to drugging and raping his now ex-wife over a 13-year period.

Philip Young, from north London, pleaded guilty to multiple charges in front of his former spouse, Joanne, at Winchester Crown Court on Friday.

He took 27 minutes to enter guilty pleas to offences including rape, sexual assault, assault by penetration and voyeurism.

Young admitted 48 of the charges, pleading guilty to 14 counts of voyeurism, 11 of rape, seven of assault by penetration, four of sexual assault and one of publishing obscene articles.

Philip Young (right) pleaded guilty at Winchester Crown Court on Friday (PA Wire)

The 49-year-old, formerly of Swindon, but now of Amberley Road, Enfield, also admitted multiple counts of administering a substance to his then-wife in a bid to incapacitate her.

All of the offences took place between 2010 and 2023. Young was a Conservative councillor on Swindon borough council from 2007 to 2010.

He denied eight charges, including three of making indecent images of children, alleged to have occurred in July 2024, possessing a prohibited image and four charges of possessing an extreme pornographic image between January 2019 and January 2024.

Ms Young, 48, previously waived her right to anonymity in connection with the case.

She sat in the court to listen to the guilty pleas, supported by family and a member of witness support.

Four other men also appeared in court on Friday, charged with sexual offences against Ms Young.

A fifth will appear at another date to face charges of rape, assault by penetration and sexual assault

Young, who is orginally from Enfield and attended the University of Westminster, was a Conservative councillor on Swindon borough council from 2007 to 2010.

He resigned as the cabinet member for culture, regeneration and economic development in May 2010 to devote more time to his family and business, the Swindon Advertiser reported.

Trying to juggle all of that, family and work, I dont think it is fair on my family to put them bottom of that priority list, he told the local newspaper at the time.
President Donald Trump has warned that an armada of US military ships is sailing towards Iran, as the death toll from the regimes brutal crackdown on protesters surpassed 5,000, according to a human rights group.

We have a lot of ships going that direction, just in case, the American leader told reporters on Air Force One on his return from the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Id rather not see anything happen, but were watching them very closely... We have an armada... heading in that direction, and maybe we wont have to use it.

The US military moved more assets towards the Middle East after protests began in Iran late last month. These included the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and associated warships travelling with it from the South China Sea, according to the Associated Press.

Human rights groups shared an alarming update on the death toll from the protests on Friday. The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), a US-based group, said that the 5,002 people killed in protests comprised 4,716 protesters, 203 government-affiliated individuals, 43 children and 40 civilians not taking part in demonstrations.

Donald Trump speaks to reporters on Air Force One after leaving the World Economic Forum in Davos (AP)

The group added that at least 26,541 people had been arrested. The country is under the most comprehensive internet blackout in its history, with almost no coverage for over two weeks.

Mr Trump, who has been busy with negotiations over the acquisition of Greenland after backing down on threats to invade the territory, said that he had engaged with multiple rounds of talks with Iran over its nuclear programme prior to its attacks on facilities in June last year conducted alongside Israel.

He threatened the Islamic Republic with military action that would make the 12-day war look like peanuts. They should have made a deal before we hit them, he added.

Mr Trump has repeatedly said he prevented the execution of 800 people detained in the protests. On Friday, Iran's top prosecutor Mohammad Movahedi strongly denied that in comments carried by the judiciary's Mizan news agency. "This claim is completely false; no such number exists, nor has the judiciary made any such decision," Mr Movahedi said.

Protesters, including 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, were reported to have been sentenced to death by hanging. The president had previously promised demonstrators that help is on its way as he urged them to continue protesting.

Iranian state TV has suggested that the death toll reported by activists is exaggerated and released the first official death toll from recent protests, saying that 3,117 people were killed in the unrest.

In an opinion piece for the Wall Street Journal, Irans foreign minister Abbas Araghchi promised a powerful response if the country came under attack.

Unlike the restraint Iran showed in June 2025, our powerful armed forces have no qualms about firing back with everything we have if we come under renewed attack, he wrote.
Clues emerge after five are arrested in shooting of Indiana judge

Five people are in custody in connection with the shooting of an Indiana judge and his wife at their home.

The arrests were made in a coordinated, multi-state law enforcement operation across parts of Indiana and Kentucky, law enforcement said Thursday.

Tippecanoe Superior Court Judge Steve Meyer and his wife, Kim Meyer, both 66, were shot at their Lafayette home on January 18 after someone came to their door claiming he had found their dog. Both were injured but survived.

Three people were arrested in Lafayette, Indiana and two in Lexington, Kentucky, and are facing a range of felony charges. Thomas Moss, 43, of Lafayette, faces several charges, including suspicion of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

While law enforcement has not commented on a motive behind the shooting, online court records show that Moss had a January 20 court date before Judge Meyer on charges including illegal firearm possession, intimidation, criminal recklessness and domestic battery.

A man allegedly shot Tippecanoe Superior Court Judge Steve Meyer and his wife, Kim, at the front door of their Lafayette, Indiana, home on January 18 (Lafayette Police Department/Fox News)

Thomas Moss, 43, of Lafayette, Indiana, is a suspect in the shooting of the Meyers and has a separate case that was scheduled before Judge Meyer (Lafayette Police Department)

Moss is being held in the Tippecanoe County Jail without bond and a hearing in his earlier case is set for Friday morning, according to WTHR.

Raylen Ferguson, 38, of Lexington, Kentucky, and Lafayette resident Blake Smith, 32, are facing charges of attempted murder, aggravated battery, firearms offenses and gang-related offenses.

Raylen Ferguson, 38, of Lexington, Kentucky, is facing attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, aggravated battery and other enhancements (Lafayette Police Department)

Two additional suspects face obstruction-related counts. Amanda Milsap, 45, of Indiana, has been charged with bribery and obstruction of justice. Zenada Greer, 61, of Lexington, Kentucky, is accused of assisting a criminal and obstructing justice.

The shooting took place at around 2:15 p.m. Sunday, when an unidentified man allegedly lured the couple to the front door of their Mill Pond Lane home by claiming hed found their dog. He then opened fire, striking the judge in the arm and his wife in the hip, then fled, NBC Chicago reported.

Zenada Greer, 61, of Lexington, Kentucky, has been charged with assisting a criminal and obstruction of justice (Lafayette Police Department)

The couple was taken to the hospital and is recovering. Judge Meyer issued a statement Wednesday on behalf of the couple, thanking the community and law enforcement for their support.

I am so grateful for the outpouring of support from friends, the community, court colleagues, and law enforcement. I want to express my heartfelt thanks to my medical team. I am receiving excellent care and I am improving. Kim is also deeply appreciative for the community support, and she too is healing, he said.

Amanda Milsap, 45, of Lafayette, Indiana, has been charged with bribery and obstruction of justice (Lafayette Police Department)

I want the community to know that I have strong faith in our judicial system. This horrific violence will not shake my belief in the importance of peacefully resolving disputes. I remain confident we have the best judicial system in the world, and I am proud to be a part of it.

Authorities urge anyone with information on this case to contact the Lafayette Police Department at 765-807-1200.
A former Tory councillor has admitted to drugging and raping his ex-wife for more than 10 years.

Philip Young, 49, pleaded guilty to 48 offences against Joanne Young, who has waived her right to anonymity, including 11 counts of rape and administering a substance with intent to stupefy.

Appearing at Winchester Crown Court wearing a grey sweatshirt on Friday, he clasped his hands together and spoke clearly and calmly as the charges were put to him. Ms Young was present in court for the hearing.

Philip Young appeared at Winchester Crown Court on Friday (Pracedo)

Mr Young, of Enfield in north London, admitted to administering a substance and raping his ex-wife on 11 occasions.

He also pleaded guilty to seven counts of assault by penetration, four counts of sexual touching and voyeurism by recording Ms Young without her consent on at least 200 occasions between 2010 and 2024.

He further admitted to publishing an obscene article, namely non-consensual intimate photographs and videos of Ms Young, on at least 500 occasions in the same period.

However, he denied three counts of possessing indecent images of children, one charge of possessing prohibited images of children and four counts of possessing extreme pornography.

Mr Young served as a Conservative Swindon borough councillor for Covingham and Nythe between 2007 and 2010. He was remanded in custody by Judge Angela Morris, the Recorder of Winchester.

Norman Macksoni, Connor Sanderson Doyle, Richard Wilkins, Mohammed Hassan and Dean Hamilton at Swindon Magistrates Court in December (PA)

Five other men appeared in court accused of sexual offences against Ms Young, 48. They were released on bail for a further case management hearing on 5 May.

Norman Macksoni, 47, from Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, pleaded not guilty to one count of rape and possession of extreme images

Dean Hamilton, 47, of Compton Dundon, Somerset, did not enter pleas to one count of rape and sexual assault by penetration and two counts of sexual touching

Conner Sanderson Doyle, 31, from Swindon, pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual assault by penetration and sexual touching

Richard Wilkins, 61, from Swindon, pleaded not guilty to charges of one count of rape and assault by penetration

Mohammed Hassan, 37, from Swindon, pleaded not guilty to a charge of sexual touching

A trial lasting six weeks has been scheduled for 5 October.

James Foster, specialist prosecutor of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: Philip Young has pleaded guilty to 48 serious sexual offences committed against his former wife, Joanne Young.

We worked closely with Wiltshire Police to build a thorough and compelling case that resulted in him pleading guilty to dozens of offences today.

Police previously appealed for help to identify another man in connection with the case. The man, seen in images taken in 2022, is of large build and has a distinctive tattoo on the left side of his chest.

Police want to identify this man in connection with the case (Wiltshire Police)

Senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Geoff Smith said: This is a significant investigation with multiple suspects. We appreciate the graphic nature of these images and that they may be triggering to some people, however, we need the publics help to identify this man.

It is unknown whether he lives in Swindon or is from outside the county, which is why we request that this is shared as widely as possible to assist our bid to identify him.

Anyone who recognises the man should call 101 and quote reference number 54240080286.
Nick Gratwick previously spied on UK environmental and animal rights activists. Photograph: handout (Photograph: handout)

A dangerous paedophile who had worked as a police informer spying on environmental and animal rights activists has been jailed for life.

Nick Gratwick had been found guilty of 38 offences, including arranging to rape children as young as six in the UK and abroad.

On Friday, Judge Harden-Frost, jailing him, described his offending as utterly depraved and manipulative, and the stuff of nightmares.

The 68-year-old from Mitcham, south London, had exchanged hundreds of encrypted messages with other abusers.

He had arranged to pay a Romanian mother to allow him to rape her 10-year-old daughter, discussed harming children for sexual pleasure, and advised others on how to drug and abuse children, between 2023 and 2025.

He had been caught with more than 1,300 photographs and videos of children being abused.

The judge said he would not be able to apply for parole for 19 years, adding he was a dangerous paedophile who had not admitted his guilt.

His trial revealed how he had been a police informer in the 1990s and 2000s, spying on environmental and animal rights groups.

For six years, Gratwick had pretended to be an activist but surreptitiously slipped information about campaigners to police.

One of the protests he infiltrated was the high-profile campaign to prevent the destruction of thousands of trees in an ancient landscape to pave the way for the construction of a nine-mile bypass around Newbury, Berkshire.

The protests in the 1990s had entailed many activists setting up 30 camps along the planned route, erecting treehouses, digging a tunnel and climbing trees to disrupt the construction of the road.

Activists have told the Guardian that Gratwick had been a key part of organising the protests. This, it appears, enabled him to gather information about the campaigners to pass on to police.

He helped supervise the acquisition and distribution of equipment, such as rope and harnesses.

The radio engineer also helped to set up a network of CB radios so that activists camped at different points along the planned route could warn each other about likely moves by the police. He was nicknamed Radio Nick.

Police have previously disclosed that, in an apparently unprecedented move, they paid a private security firm to infiltrate the Newbury campaigners. They believed that this was necessary as the cost of policing the protest was escalating.

It is understood that in turn the private security firm hired Gratwick to spy on the protesters. Thames Valley police, which policed the protests, declined to comment.

Gratwick also infiltrated animal rights groups, including the campaign to shut a laboratory run by a commercial firm, Huntingdon Life Sciences.

After he was arrested last March on suspicion of the paedophile charges, Gratwick, whose full name is Edward Nicholas Gratwick, had hinted at his previous covert role during interviews with the National Crime Agency.

His work as an informer was subsequently confirmed at his six-week trial at Guildford crown court in Surrey.

Court papers disclosed that records show that during the eight-year period between 1995 and 2003, [Gratwick] provided information to police for a total period of approximately six years. He provided information on animal rights and environmental matters.

Kathryn Hirst, defending Gratwick, said that in the past he had proved very useful to investigating authorities, without specifying how.

He had been arrested at Stansted airport as he was about to fly to Bucharest to rape the 10-year-old girl.

The jury dismissed his claim that he had created a false identity to ingratiate himself with paedophiles, with the aim of gathering information to help convict them. The judge said the jury had seen through his claim and unmasked him.

 Information and support for anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse issues is available from the following organisations. In the UK, Rape Crisis offers support on 0808 500 2222 in England and Wales, 0808 801 0302 in Scotland, or 0800 0246 991 in Northern Ireland. In the US, Rainn offers support on 800-656-4673. In Australia, support is available at 1800Respect (1800 737 732). Other international helplines can be found at ibiblio.org/rcip/internl.html
Heathrow estimates that its new scanners will save almost 16m plastic bags a year. Photograph: Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images (Photograph: Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images)

Heathrow has released travellers from the tyranny of tiny toiletries after the UKs biggest airport finally scrapped the 100ml limit on liquids in cabin bags.

The long-awaited rollout of a 1bn tech upgrade, with new scanners, means travellers no longer need to remove liquids or electronics from their hand luggage, or juggle plastic bags at security, and each container can hold up to two litres.

The restrictions have been in place since 2006 when the maximum size for liquids, pastes and gels in hand baggage was first introduced, after a foiled transatlantic bomb plot. The rules required passengers to put their micro-toiletries in clear plastic bags and remove large electrical devices such as tablets and laptops for checking.

Related: Heathrow airports 33bn third runway plan chosen by government

Heathrow has installed the latest CT (computed tomography) scanners, which provide a 3D image of the contents of passengers bag. Birmingham, Bristol, Gatwick and Edinburgh are among the other UK airports to have already installed the technology.

Every Heathrow passenger can now leave their liquids and laptops in their bags at security as we become the largest airport in the world to roll out the latest security scanning technology, said Heathrows chief executive, Thomas Woldbye. That means less time preparing for security and more time enjoying their journey.

However, the rule change applies only to flights leaving Heathrow. So if you take bigger toiletries in hand luggage on an outbound flight, there is no guarantee of bringing them back through security abroad. Travel experts said passengers should check an airports restrictions before boarding return flights to the UK.

Travellers failure to heed the rules on liquids has been one of the biggest causes of delays at airport security. Heathrow estimates that its new scanners will save almost 16m plastic bags a year.

The original deadline for large UK airports to install the new scanners was December 2022. However, after the aviation industry suffered huge disruption during the pandemic, the deadline was pushed back to June 2024.

That deadline also came and went, even though a number of smaller airports had managed to make the switch ahead of schedule. Indeed, instead of ending the restrictions that summer, the government backtracked and ordered the airports that had dropped the 100ml limit on liquids to reinstate it. The EU did the same.

After that, passengers were subjected to a confusing patchwork, with airports at different stages of ending restrictions. Last summer, the transport secretary was still telling Britons to assume that the liquid limit stands.

Some British airports such as London City, Luton and Teesside, have the new scanners allowing passengers to keep liquids in bags, but only in containers holding up to 100ml, pending regulatory approval of the systems they are using.
Passengers flying from Heathrow will no longer have to remove liquids and laptops from their bags when passing through security.

The airport said on Friday it had completed a 1bn upgrade of its security systems that will enable all items to be scanned while remaining in bags.

The roll-out of next generation CT scanners should help passengers to pass more quickly through security checks before boarding a flight  a bonus ahead of upcoming peak travel periods such as the February half-term school break and the Easter holidays.

Heathrow is one of the last UK airports to make the changes - others such as Gatwick, Stansted and London City already allow passengers to keep liquids in their hand luggage.

Heathrow has also lifted the 100ml restriction that previously applied to liquids carried in hand luggage.

Now it allows passengers to take bottles or containers with up to two litres of liquid on board.

However, refillable metal or double walled or vacuum containers must be emptied, but can be refilled once through security.

Stansted and Luton airports both allow liquids to remain in hand luggage but restrict the quantity to 100ml.

The west London airport estimates that the changes will avoid the use of 16 million plastic bags a year  previously used to ensure toiletries and other liquids were visible to security staff.

Heathrow chief executive Thomas Woldbye said: Every Heathrow passenger can now leave their liquids and laptops in their bags at security as we become the largest airport in the world to roll out the latest security scanning technology.

That means less time preparing for security and more time enjoying their journey  and millions fewer single-use plastic bags.

This billion pound investment means our customers can be confident they will continue to have a great experience at Heathrow."

Heathrow said the new rules would apply across all four of its terminals - T2, T3, T4 and T5.

It says the changes should mean that thousands of passengers an hour should be able to pass through security with significantly greater efficiency but while maintaining security.

The new technology provides 3D images of cabin baggage, making it easier to spot suspicious items.

Last year, the vast majority of passengers queued for less than five minutes before being able to pass through security, the airport said.

When passing through security, passengers will be required to place coins, keys, mobile phones and other small items in a tray, along with any coats and cabin baggage.
A charity boss fears some hospice staff and volunteers may resign if the assisted dying bill becomes law, as the sector braces for profound changes.

In an already under-resourced workforce, Hospice UKs chief executive Toby Porter fears the passing of the controversial legislation could see workers who disagree with the bill exit the sector.

He said there were many complicated, unanswered questions around the future of end-of-life and palliative care, but he is certain all aspects of hospices would be significantly impacted.

Mr Porter, who runs the charity representing more than 200 hospices across the country, told The Independent: It is unquestionable that there is a major risk of an already under-resourced workforce saying, I can't hack this, this is too controversial, I'm gonna go off and work somewhere else.

Toby Porter believes hospices could risk losing staff if the assisted dying bill becomes law (Hospice UK)

He admitted there could be complications around workers not wanting to engage with an assisted death, but said staff and volunteers would not make any final decisions until there was more clarity around what the legislation could look like for hospices.

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which was first introduced in October 2024, would allow terminally ill adults who are expected to die within six months to have the option of an assisted death.

The deeply controversial bill is currently being considered by the Lords and must be approved by both Houses of Parliament by early May to become law.

However, the Lords have heard that the bill risks being tabled as peers have put forward a record high of more than 1,000 amendments.

Kim Leadbetter, the Labour MP behind the bill, accused peers opposed to the legislation of attempting to sabotage it, as campaigners including Dame Esther Rantzen accused peers of filibustering by trying to "talk out" the bill. But many insisted they are doing their job of scrutinising legislation they currently think is unsafe.

The House of Lords during the debate for the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (PA Wire)

Peers have since been granted a further 25 hours of sitting time, with longer sessions being held on Fridays to "meet the will of the House".

If passed, charities would have to make huge investments in talking to their staff, patients and volunteers, Mr Porter said, as a law change would cut across wellbeing, religious, ethical, and political beliefs and issues.

Different team members will feel very differently, there could be divisions within teams that have never experienced that before, he added. Some people might feel demoralised, some people might feel rather pleased at a change in the law.

Mr Porter has also questioned how assisted dying could jeopardise the reputation of hospices and public donations.

He said: Hospices benefit from really uncontroversial status within communities In this one instance, we may find ourselves on the front line of the new and very potentially polarising legal right.

Whatever the position and the outcome that a hospice board eventually takes, there will be people who will be disappointed and who will publicly criticise the hospice.

Hospice UK has taken no collective view on the bill.

Kim Leadbeater MP with Dignity in Dying campaigners (David Parry/PA)

Mr Porter said the sector could also face financial pressures if it does not receive the required funding.

He said: You could see a problem with the commitment that's been made in principle that the introduction of assisted dying wouldn't impact on existing palliative care services, because if a hospice had to spend more and more management, attention and time on this stuff, it would directly pull away from their other work.

Dignity in Dying is one of the UKs main campaigners for assisted dying and believes that a blanket ban on choice at the end of life is dangerous and unpopular, and must change.

Throughout the bills debate, the group has advocated for improved end-of-life care, which it says must go hand in hand with assisted dying to give dying people choice and control.

Anti-assisted dying group Care not Killing has also advocated for earlier access and better palliative care, but with a goal of ensuring that existing laws against euthanasia and assisted suicide are not weakened or repealed.

The groups argue that a law change would put pressure on vulnerable people to end their lives and subject them to abuse.

Sue Ryder chief executive James Sanderson said it was crucial the sector saw reform regardless of the outcome of the bill (Sue Ryder)

James Sanderson, chief executive of the palliative care and bereavement charity Sue Ryder, said the possibility of the bill passing into law accelerates the need for reform in the sector, in which issues of inequality and increased demand for care must be addressed.

There is a very real fear, both among people with terminal illness and the wider public, that if people cant access all the care they need, which is the current reality for one in four people at the end-of-life, they may view an assisted death as a better option for them, he said.

In a polarised debate on assisted dying, I am willing to bet that all people, all parties and all sides of the debate would agree that this is wrong.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: Hospices do incredible work to support people and families when they need it most, and we recognise the extremely tough pressures they are facing.

This government has made the biggest investment in hospices in a generation - 125 million in capital funding  to improve hospice facilities, freeing other funding for patient care, and has also committed 80 million for childrens and young peoples hospices over three years.
January 20, 2026: Last year a ceasefire agreement in Thailands war with Cambodia went into effect on July 28. This conflict was brief with 350 dead and wounded. With all the shooting between soldiers and armed civilians, it is difficult to obtain accurate casualty figures. Thai forces, better trained, organized, and led, experience far fewer casualties. So far Thailand has reported about 300 killed or wounded, mostly military personnel, with approximately fifty civilians killed or injured. Earlier this year the United States sent $58 million to help implement the peace agreement with Thailand.

What triggered this years violence was a February incident when Thai soldiers entered Cambodia and ordered Cambodian tourists to stop singing the Cambodian national anthem at the Prasat Ta Muen Thom temple. In late May, Cambodian and Thai soldiers briefly exchanged fire, resulting in the death of one Cambodian soldier. Attempts to halt the fighting failed, and continued tensions led to the closure of border checkpoints. Talks between Thai and Cambodian officers took place on May 29. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet responded to the May 28 incident by seeking a ruling from the International Court of Justice (ICJ), stating that he did not want conflict with Thailand. Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said neither side wanted to escalate the conflict and that it had been resolved.

Fourteen years ago, fighting on the Cambodian border continued over a weekend. The action was not intense, mostly involving assault rifle fire. Local villagers reported hearing machine guns, artillery, or mortars. There were approximately twenty casualties. This was a sharp break from recent peace efforts. Three months ago, after two years of armed stalemate, Thailand and Cambodia agreed to reopen border crossings at the site of the ancient Preah Vihear Hindu temple on the border. The two countries have long disputed ownership of parts of the ancient site. In 1962, an international court declared the temple Cambodian, but Thailand continues to claim adjacent areas that Cambodians insist are part of the temple complex. Each side maintains about 3,000 troops near the temple, and there have been a few shooting incidents since 2008, though none were serious. The two countries have been negotiating the withdrawal of soldiers.

The most recent fighting damaged portions of the temple, which Cambodians occupied, and caused over 20,000 local civilians to flee the area. This dispute is one of many similar conflicts. The fundamental issue is that the current 730-kilometer-long border, defined in 1907 by the placement of only 73 border markers, leaves the exact border location open to interpretation. Occasionally, these interpretations clash, as is happening now. Neither side wants a full-scale war, even though Thailand has a larger and better-equipped military. In recent years, Cambodia doubled its annual military budget to $500 million. Thailand spends more than six times that amount and has done so for decades. Thailand has 300,000 troops, while Cambodia has only 100,000. However, Thailand faces distractions, including Muslim terrorists in the south, rebellious populists in the north, and unrest across the northwest border with Burma. The Preah Vihear temple is 340 kilometers east of the capital. The government believes that a major war with Cambodia would soon become unpopular and strengthen Thailands anti-army red shirt faction, potentially allowing them to take power.

The red shirt populists claim they have proof that the army planned a violent crackdown in 2010. This elicited surprise among military and police planners, who consider it standard to prepare plans for all imaginable contingencies. The attack on the red shirts last year was similar to the 1989 Chinese response to the massive demonstrations in Tiananmen Square.

The government has asked the army to be more flexible and effective in the south. Senior officials believe that Islamic radicals and Muslim gangsters are adapting their tactics more innovatively. The generals are being urged to be more creative and quicker to adapt. The military is asked, not ordered, because in Thailand, the generals wield significant political power and are not easily pushed around. The army believes its tactics are effective and that the Islamic terror groups are being gradually defeated.

Royalist yellow shirts continue to occupy Ratchadamnoen Road, a historic district in the capital, to pressure the government to take a more aggressive stance against Cambodia. The yellow shirts are also threatening to occupy key locations in the capital.

Earlier this year, Thai and Cambodian troops agreed to a ceasefire at the Preah Vihear temple. It lasted less than 24 hours. Elsewhere in the area, three policemen were killed, and five Buddhists were shot dead, apparently by Islamic terrorists seeking to drive all non-Muslim infidels out of the region.
President Donald Trump has been pictured with a large bruise on his left hand while delivering a speech about his Gaza board of peace in Davos, Switzerland.

Trump sustained the bruise on Thursday during a signing ceremony for the peace board at the World Economic Forum after the president hit his hand on the corner of the signing table, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement to The Independent.

A White House official added that Trump, 79, and his physicians have previously noted he is susceptible to hand bruising due to his daily aspirin routine.

President Donald Trump has been pictured with a large bruise on his left hand while delivering a speech about his board of peace in Davos, Switzerland (Getty)

Pictures taken at the conference yesterday and this morning, before the peace board signing, showed no bruising, but the markings were prominent in later photos.

Trump often applies heavy makeup to cover bruising on his hands, which the White House previously explained is due to the president meeting more Americans and [shaking] their hands on a daily basis than any other president in history.

He addressed his health in a recent interview with The Wall Street Journal and acknowledged that he applies makeup to his hands for when he gets whacked again by someone.

Trump, pictured the day before sustaining the bruise, hit his hand on the corner of the signing table Thursday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said (Getty)

I have makeup thats, you know, easy to put on, takes about 10 seconds, he said.

The president also told the outlet that he takes 325 milligrams of aspirin a day  much higher than the more common, daily low dose of 81 milligrams  and had done so for years.

Im a little superstitious, Trump said. They say aspirin is good for thinning out the blood, and I dont want thick blood pouring through my heart. I want nice, thin blood pouring through my heart. Does that make sense?

The bruising to Trumps left hand was prominent in photos taken on Thursday at the World Economic Forum (Getty)

Dr. Jonathan Reiner, a cardiologist who treated the late vice president Dick Cheney, explained that anticoagulants do not actually thin blood. So that makes no sense, that actually makes nonsense, he said on CNN.

It's not like changing something from gumbo to chicken soup, it doesn't make it doesn't make it thinner. It makes you less likely to clot, he added.

Trump is the oldest person to assume the presidency, a job thats constant and has countless stressors. But the presidents doctor, Navy Capt. Sean Barbabella, said that he is in exceptional health and perfectly suited to execute his duties as Commander in Chief.

Eric Garcia contributed to this report
Jalil Dabit and Oz Ben David said Kanaans closure was due to economic factors, German bureaucracy and the fraught political environment. Photograph: Hannibal Hanschke/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock (Photograph: Hannibal Hanschke/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)

An Israeli-Palestinian restaurant in Berlin conceived as an island of peace will close in the spring, but its Jewish and Arab owners say their dream will live on in a television series based on their unlikely partnership.

Kanaan, a decade-old casual eatery in the Prenzlauer Berg district of the German capital, gained an international profile for its message of unity over hate after the 7 October attacks on Israel by Hamas and the outbreak of the Gaza war.

Now as the owners Oz Ben David, an Israeli, and Jalil Dabit, a Palestinian, say they will wind down operations, the German production company Traumfabrik Babelsberg has announced plans for a miniseries based on Kanaan.

Called Breaking the Binary, it is described as a politically charged dramedy with echoes of The Bear, the hit US series set in a hectic restaurant kitchen.

The German show will tackle the difficulties faced by the two protagonists between social expectations, economic pressure and personal contradictions, the producers said.

Participants will include the author and journalist Mirna Funk, who was born in East Berlin to a Jewish father and a non-Jewish mother, the Arab-Israeli actor Yousef Sweid, whose credits include Game of Thrones and Unorthodox, and the screenwriter and director Thomas Mielmann.

Kanaan, German for Canaan, was founded in 2015 and boasts a multi-ethnic team, serving up remixed specialities like shakshuka lasagne. Its slogan is: Make Hummus Not War.

The 120-seat restaurant became a neighbourhood mainstay and a potent symbol of dining across religious and political divides.

Germanys president, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, invited the owners to his Berlin palace in late 2023 to share their thoughts on how best to address the tensions sparked locally by the conflict in the Middle East.

Ben David used the occasion to call out the countrys often hardline on pro-Palestinian rallies and expressions of support for the Palestinian people.

The restaurants premises were ransacked in 2024 after it hosted a queer Jewish-Muslim brunch and the owners have faced persistent anonymous threats.

Soon after the attack, Berlins mayor, Kai Wegner, visited Kanaan in a show of support that coincided with its regular drag brunch, calling the restaurant exemplary in trying to conquer seemingly intractable divisions. An online fundraising campaign to help rebuild drew nearly 30,000 (26,000).

Ben David and Dabit told the Guardian Kanaan would now shut its doors probably in March owing to economic factors, the bite of German bureaucracy but also the fraught political environment.

People say: Unless we have a good reason to go out from the house and to spend some money, we want to do it in some quiet Italian place, a Japanese place, without the whole story behind it, Ben David said, describing a political overdose among patrons over the Middle East conflict.

Dabit, speaking by telephone from Ramla, a mixed Israeli city of Arabs and Jews, called the impending end of Kanaan bittersweet. But he is excited about the television series, which he and Ben David are helping to shape with input on the writing and character development.

It was hard but after I talked with Oz we understood it is the best thing to do, he said of closing the restaurant. Its like if you have a child and release him to the world  its a good thing.

Ben David agreed the next step felt like a new beginning, with a chance to spread their message of mutual understanding to a wider audience with the TV series and a Germany-wide cooking tour beginning in April.

Its no longer (just) a story of Israelis and Palestinians but about people who disagree and still can dream and envision something together, he said. Hopefully we will reach more hearts.
JD Vance claims European allies are really behind Trumps desires on Greenland

JD Vance has claimed that European allies are more reasonable about Donald Trumps covert interest in Greenland.

His comments come as European leaders made unprecedented attacks on the U.S. government at the World Economic Forum in Davos, suggesting that the trans-Atlantic relationship between the U.S. and the E.U. might be more strained than ever.

Despite the anger from some of the U.S.s closest allies, the vice president, who remains a controversial figure in Europe, boasted to the Washington Examiner that defiance of Trump was simply posturing.

JD Vance has claimed that Europe is secretly reasonable when it comes to US plans to take over Greenland (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Theyve been incredibly hostile in public, and a lot of this is posturing, right? If youre a European leader, they have to seem like a tough guy against Donald J. Trump, Vance said. So a lot of this, what weve seen, is more symbolic posturing for the Europeans. Behind the scenes, theyre much more reasonable.

Like Trump, Vance has long claimed that a U.S. seizure of Greenland was necessary to ensure the national security of the United States. Both men have openly coveted the Danish territorys wealth of rare-earth minerals and claimed that Russian and Chinese aggression was already threatening the island's sovereignty.

According to Vance, Danish officials privately admitted that the United States would need to play a significant role in defending Greenland.

Theyve also acknowledged that, God forbid, something significant happened in Greenland, the United States would have to play the leading role in defending it, he continued.

So theres a broad recognition that much of what we said about Greenland is actually true, and its interesting to juxtapose the public posturing with the very reasonable private negotiations that weve had with the Europeans.

Meanwhile, European leaders have closed ranks in defending the Danish territory (PA Wire)

In contrast to Vances claims, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has publicly called for Europe to play a greater role in defending the region. She has already mobilized more troops on the island.

Vance, though, doubled down on his claims while speaking to the Washington Examiner, repeating disputed claims of an imminent threat from Russian or Chinese forces.

If Greenland were to fall into the hands of the Russians and the Chinese, something that even the Danes themselves have admitted could happen at least over the medium and long term, it would make our security weaker, Vance claimed. It would give them power projection abilities.

It would make our missile defense weaker, and so these things all counsel in favor of us shoring up that area, making sure its properly secure.

Despite Vances suggestion that European leaders have been cooperative in private, they have been excoriating about the Trump administration in public.

French President Emmanuel Macron even accused the US of new imperialism (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Speaking at Davos, French President Emmanuel Macron accused the U.S. Government of useless aggressivity over Greenland and railed against new imperialism and colonialism.

President Ursula Von Der Leyen, who leads the European Unions executive branch, also threatened an "unflinching, united and proportional retaliation against the United States if it moved against Greenland.

Even British Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned that the U.K. will not yield to the U.S. president.

In recent days, Trump has rolled back some of his incendiary rhetoric about Greenland after he allegedly agreed on a framework for the future of the Danish territory.

Trump says a framework has been agreed on Greenland, but more details have not yet been released (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

In a public statement, Prime Minister Frederiksen doubled down on her assertions that the island will never fall under total U.S. control.

NATO is fully aware of the Kingdom of Denmarks position. We can negotiate about everything politically  security, investments, the economy. But we cannot negotiate about our sovereignty, she declared.

And, of course, only Denmark and Greenland themselves can make decisions on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland, she continued.

The Kingdom of Denmark continues to seek a constructive dialogue with allies on how we can strengthen security in the Arctic, including the United States Golden Dome, provided that this takes place with respect for our territorial integrity.

The Independent has contacted the U.K. Foreign Office, the Danish Foreign Office, the Nalaakkersuisut, and the United Nations for comment.
Luigi Mangione attends an evidentiary hearing in New York on 18 December 2025. Photograph: Shannon Stapleton/Reuters (Photograph: Shannon Stapleton/Reuters)

Luigi Mangiones federal murder trial in the killing of the United HealthCare CEO Brian Thompson is scheduled to start with jury selection on 8 September, a judge said on Friday, triggering one of the most eagerly anticipated criminal trials in recent US history.

Judge Margaret Garnett announced the trial date to a packed Manhattan federal courtroom shortly before an evidence-related hearing in his case.

The gunning down of Thompson on a Manhattan street triggered an intense manhunt for his killer. At the same time the shooting saw a wave of public anger at the practices of the for-profit US healthcare industry, and since his arrest Mangione has attracted a cult following of supporters.

Related: Luigi Mangione lawyers fight death penalty, saying Pam Bondi is biased

Mangione entered the courtroom at 11.05am in khaki jail garb. He had scruffy facial hair. When Mangione walked into court, some of the approximately two dozen supporters in attendance craned their necks to get a better look.

Many of his supporters in attendance sported green, a nod to the Nintendo character with whom Mangione shares a first name. The hues ranged from olive to hunter to emerald to pine. One woman wore a pink flower crown and a coordinating furry coat.

After jury selection, the next major trial date hinges on whether Garnett decides Mangione will face the death penalty.

Donald Trumps attorney general, Pam Bondi, is pushing for the death penalty. Lawyers for Mangione, who has pleaded not guilty, are fighting to take that off the table.

If Mangione does not face the death penalty at trial, openings would kick off on 13 October. If Mangione does face a capital trial, openings would be expected on 11 January 2027.

Following Garnetts scheduling announcement, Nathan Snyder, the deputy police chief of Altoona, Pennsylvania, was called to testify about search procedures during Mangiones arrest in the town.

Garnett decided to hear testimony about search procedures following a 9 January conference, citing the seriousness of the charges the defendant is facing.

Altoona police encountered Mangione at a McDonalds on 9 December 2024. Police cuffed Mangione after he provided a false ID, and an officer started searching his backpack. The officer encountered a firearm, loaded gun magazine and notebook.

Mangiones team contends that his backpack was illegally searched upon arrest. They contend that police were wrong to go through his bag without a warrant and are asking for that evidence to be barred from his trial.

Garnett is expected to rule on the evidence issue at a later date.
Connections of LHomme Presse are full of excitement ahead of his Betfair Cotswold Chase defence on Festival Trials day at Cheltenham.

Some of the Festival winners finest hours have come at Prestbury Park  including when storming home in this race 12 months ago  and Venetia Williams 11-year-old has his owners relishing another visit to jump racing HQ after an intended run in Warwicks Classic Chase was curtailed by the weather.

Were looking forward to it and its a home game for us which is a big plus, said Andy Edwards, who owns the horse under the DFA Racing banner in partnership with Pam Sharman, Ray Sharman and Peter and Patricia Pink.

Hes proven over this trip on the New course and the others will have to bring their best game, were ready.

I saw him on the gallops on Tuesday and he looked in top form, was moving nicely and we couldnt he happier with him.

LHomme Presse and Charlie Deutsch winning at the 2022 Cheltenham Festival (Tim Goode/PA) (Tim Goode)

LHomme Presse has won three of his five starts at Cheltenham, with his only defeats coming when an honourable fourth in the 2024 Gold Cup and second on his reappearance last month under a big weight.

Having also finished ahead of rivals Grey Dawning and Spillanes Tower when third in the 2024 King George, Edwards believes another bold bid is possible.

He added: For a four-runner race its a competitive race and they are Grade One animals in a Grade Two. Weve got to have a go for it and well enjoy it.

The others will need to prove they stay on this ground over this trip and its like the new kids on the block coming to have a go at the old boy, but theyve got to prove themselves to get past him, so we will see if they can get up that hill.

Were excited about it and you have to be when you have a great horse like him. If you look at his performances, hes very consistent and were really looking forward to it. Were revved up, Charlie (Deutsch) is revved up and most importantly the horse is revved up.

That was something else pic.twitter.com/PHvUfgOFWf  Nick Robson (@ValueRacingPlus) November 22, 2025

Since finishing behind LHomme Presse at Kempton just over a year ago, Dan Skeltons Grey Dawning has won twice in three outings and was imperious in landing the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November.

Skelton is hoping his charge can now cement his status as one of Britains leading contenders for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

He said: We have to go and put up a big run, but I feel like we can.

He does have to prove his stamina at Cheltenham a little, but I think he answered that question quite well at Haydock and hes an older horse and a strong horse and relaxes quite well, so I dont have any fears about that.

He is taking on good opposition around a tough track and its not going to be an easy race, they never are.

Regarding the ground, which on Friday afternoon was described as soft, heavy in places, Skelton said: I think well be all right. I wouldnt run if it was really heavy, but its drying. Were running until were not.

Spillanes Tower will run at Cheltenham for the first time (Niall Carson/PA) (Niall Carson)

There is a dual Irish challenge with Jimmy Mangans Spillanes Tower making his first Cheltenham start searching for a revival after some below-par displays this term.

Jimmy seems very happy with him, said owner JP McManus racing manager Frank Berry. Hes lost his way a little bit and had a few disappointing runs, so we would love to see him get back on track with a good run.

The other raider is Gavin Cromwells Flooring Porter, who like LHomme Presse has a fine record at the Gloucestershire track.

Flooring Porter returns to action on Saturday (Michael Steele/PA) (Michael Steele)

The dual Stayers Hurdle hero has also won over fences at Cheltenham, back in October 2023, and after 486 days off the track will put his Grand National aspirations to the test.

It will be a small field, but a good race. Conditions should suit him and its great to have him back and hopefully he can run well, said Cromwell.

Hes won over fences around Cheltenham before and in the back of our heads he needs one more run over fences to qualify for the Grand National, so that will tick that box.

Well see how he gets on in this and see where that leaves us.
At least two crew members were reported dead after a cargo vessel carrying 21 Filipino sailors capsized near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, triggering search-and-rescue operations on Friday.

The Chinese military said it received a report at around 1.30am on Friday that a foreign cargo vessel was in distress in waters near the shoal. It said 17 crew members were rescued, and two of them later died. Four are still unaccounted for.

The military deployed an aircraft to search the area, while the Chinese coast guard sent two vessels to support the rescue operation.

The Philippines coast guard (PCG) said it had sent two ships and two aircraft to assist the Filipino crew members aboard the Singapore-flagged cargo ship carrying iron ore and bound for the southern Chinese port of Yangjiang.

The vessel overturned about 55 nautical miles (101km) northwest of Scarborough Shoal.

The PCG command centre acquired information from the Hong Kong Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre that 10 of the 21 Filipino crew members were rescued by a passing China Coast Guard vessel, it said earlier.

At least two crew members were reported dead after a cargo vessel carrying 21 Filipino sailors capsized near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea (Chinese embassy/Manila)

Scarborough Shoal is among the most hotly disputed maritime features in the region and has long been a flashpoint over sovereignty claims and fishing rights in the South China Sea. The waters around the shoal are where Chinese and Philippine vessels regularly confront each other. Both countries assert claim and maintain patrols in the area, which is also claimed by Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.

The PCG said it continued to closely monitor the situation and remains fully committed to ensuring the safety of the remaining crew members, according to spokesperson, Captain Noemie Cayabyab.

This comes after China summoned the Philippine ambassador in Beijing, Jaime Florcruz, over a social media post made by the Philippine coast guard officer Commodore Jay Tarriela. The social media post allegedly included cartoonish images of Chinese president Xi Jinping, according to reports.

It must be stressed that the Philippine side has long turned a blind eye to its coast guard spokesperson making inflammatory, confrontational, misleading and baseless remarks against China on maritime issues. China does not accept that.

Time for the Philippine side to undo the negative impact as soon as possible and stop tolerating the smear campaign and provocations, lest they disrupt normal diplomatic communication or further harm bilateral relations, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said in a 21 January briefing, according to Rappler.

In response, Mr Tarriela said, "threatening a public servant for telling the truth will not intimidate us".
Liza Minnelli has pushed back at criticism over the use of AI in her new single and clarified that the technology was used for musical arrangements, not to replicate her voice.

Minnellis new track, Kids Wait Till You Hear This, was released this week as part of The Eleven Album, a compilation by AI voice platform ElevenLabs.

The song, which also shares its title with Minnellis forthcoming memoir, features an AI-created dance and deep-house arrangement, with Minnelli contributing spoken lines and shout-outs rather than sung vocals.

On Thursday, Minnelli said in a statement on Facebook that she had received backlash for the track, but she would never allow great company ElevenLabs to copy my voice.

Im happy as a clam, laughing like hell and losing my mind! Its all goin on at the time, the Broadway icon began.

She goes on to describe the ElevenLabs as a six billion dollar techno behemoth that does amazing things.

What I will not allow this great company to do? Create, clone or copy my voice! On this dance track, Kids Wait Till You Hear This which is a tease for my book, we used AI arrangements. Not AI vocals. A few trolls didnt bother to read the truth, check with me or my partners. The shout outs are all mine! she wrote.

Go listen, enjoy, and shake your pretty buns to the music, as we glide down the runway to send my book into the world and your very own hot hands.

In a press release accompanying the album, Minnelli explained her reasons for participating in the project.

Ive always believed that music is about connection and emotional truth. What interested me here was the idea of using my voice and new tools in service of expression, not instead of it, she said.

I grew up watching my parents create wonderful dreams that were owned by other people, Minnelli said, referring to her parents, Judy Garland and Vincente Minnelli.

ElevenLabs makes it possible for anyone to be a creator and owner. That matters.

Minnelli last released new music in 2013, when she recorded A Love Letter from the Times for the second season of the NBC musical drama Smash. Her most recent studio album, Confessions, was released in 2010.

Liza Minnelli attends a press conference ahead of her tour Lizas at the Palace on 13 October, 2009 in Sydney (Getty Images)

The album also includes contributions from other artists, including Art Garfunkel, whose track Authorship includes a spoken excerpt from his memoir What Is It All But Luminous set to an AI-generated piano backing.

The album, according to ElevenLabs, uses its AI system to help artists spark new ideas and accelerate their creative workflows and helps them co-create original music.

Both Minnelli and Garfunkel, along with Oscar winners Matthew McConaughey and Michael Caine, are part of ElevenLabs Iconic Voice Marketplace, which allows the company to create licensed synthetic versions of their voices for authorised commercial use.

Last week, McConaughey filed to trademark his signature catchphrase alright, alright, alright to protect his likeness from unauthorised AI misuse, including his voice, his smile, and the famous phrase, which he first improvised in Richard Linklaters 1993 comedy Dazed and Confused.

In September last year, multiple stars spoke out after a Deadline report that said several Hollywood talent agents had shown interest in signing AI actress Tilly Norwood. Norwood is a white, brunette, and brown-eyed entirely virtual AI creation owned by Xicoia, a talent studio attached to the AI production company Particle6.

In April last year, Australian Radio Networks CADA station faced heavy backlash after using ElevenLabs to create an AI-generated host named Thy for six months.
Virginia Ginny Oliver, Maines legendary Lobster Lady, who spent nearly a century working in the states lobster fishing community and built an international fan base that included Star Wars icon Mark Hamill, has died at age 105.

Oliver passed on Wednesday, her close friend and author, Barbara Walsh, who wrote a childrens book about her titled The Lobster Lady in 2023, announced Friday. No cause of death was revealed.

I will miss how her blue eyes crinkled when she smiled, how her laughter filled the room. How each morning she put on her red lipstick and a pair of earrings because you never know who you are going to see. Walsh said in a Facebook post. Sail on, sweet Ginny. May your spirit forever soar above the sea.

Oliver earned international admiration for her over 91-year career hauling lobster traps off the coast of Rockland and for her sassy, spirited approach to life. She was the oldest active lobster trapper in Maine, continuing to work up until her death, renewing her commercial lobster license at age 104 with plans to keep going.

Often asked when she would retire from lobstering, Oliver replied, "When I die, both Walsh and News Center Maine reported on different occasions.

Virginia 'Ginny' Oliver, Maines oldest lobster trapper who hauled lobsters right up until her final days, died Wednesday at the remarkable age of 105 (Getty Images)

In August 2021, Star Wars legend Hamill, who often reposted feel-good stories at the time, shared a photo of Oliver with his millions of followers, joking that, The Force is strong with this lobsterwoman, which then inspired fans to add lightsabers to images of her and the lobster.

Born on June 6, 1920, Oliver grew up between the Rockland mainland and the Andrews Islands in a lobstering family. She began hauling traps at age eight with her brother, and later raised four children who all followed the family tradition, as did her late husband.

Olivers son, Max, now in his 80s, also fished for lobsters for decades before retiring (AFP via Getty Images)

Olivers son, Max, now in his 80s, continued fishing into his later years before retiring, Gray said, according to NCM. Beyond her long career at sea, Oliver earned international recognition, including an invitation to join the Cardiff Royal Naval Association in Great Britain, which Gray said meant a great deal to her.

Oliver's passion for the sea never waned. In 2021, Oliver told NCMs 207 that what she loved most about lobstering was being the boss, valuing the independence and freedom the life on the water gave her and her family.

Born in 1920, Oliver grew up lobstering, started at age 8, and raised a family that continued the tradition (AFP via Getty Images)

At the time, Max credited Olivers strong work ethic and sense of independence for helping fuel her long, healthy life.

"You just have to keep going, otherwise you would be in a wheelchair or something," Oliver said.

Maine Governor Janet Mills paid tribute to Oliver on Friday, posting to social media, I am saddened to hear of the passing of my friend, Ginny Oliver -- but what an amazing life Maine's 'Lobster Lady' led! A few years ago, I presented her with a special State recognition in honor of her birthday.

Oliver was know for her sassy, unshakable optimism, often joking that shed quit lobster trapping 'when Im dead' (AFP via Getty Images)

May Ginny's extraordinary life inspire the next century of hardworking Maine fishermen, Mills concluded.

The Maine Lobstermen's Association also addressed Olivers passing, writing on Facebook, Sad news from the Midcoast. Ginny was an amazing ambassador for our industry and exemplified the incredible work ethic that defines our industry and all Mainers! Our thoughts are with her family.
A London-based activist who helped organise pro-Palestine marches in the capital has been sanction by the US after Donald Trumps administration alleged he was working on behalf of Hamas.

Zaher Birawi, from Barnet, is said to have held a leadership role within the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA), which set up the aid flotilla that Greta Thunberg was on.

Mr Birawi is the chairman of Palestine Forum in Britain (PFB), one of six organisations that make up the Palestine Coalition, which arranged more than 20 protests in London last year.

The British Palestinian, who has lived in the UK for more than 30 years, was targeted as part of a package by the US designed to hit organisations and individuals with secret ties to Hamas.

Pro-Palestine protesters march in Westminster (Yui Mok/PA Wire)

Bury South Christian Wakeford MP Christian Wakeford has previously used parliamentary privilege to name Mr Birawi as one of four Hamas operatives living in London.

US Treasury officials On Wednesday night issued sanctions against Mr Birawi and alleged he held a leadership role in the PCPA.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control accused the PCPA of being a Hamas front organisation and claimed the groups late leader, Ismail Haniyeh, had proclaimed that the group be used as a vehicle to clandestinely expand Hamass influence abroad.

John Hurley, under-secretary of the US Treasury for terrorism and financial intelligence, said: Hamas continues to show a callous disregard for the welfare of the Palestinian people.

The Trump administration will not look the other way while Hamas leadership and enablers exploit the financial system to fund terrorist operations.

Mr Birawi, who is originally from the West Bank, has always denied links to the terror group and described the accusations as baseless.

Greta Thunberg was taken into Israeli custody after her detention and removal from a flotilla carrying aid to Gaza (@IsraelMFA)

The 64-year-old has argued against the UKs proscription of Hamas as a terror group, writing that it would exclude an essential section of the Palestinian community from the peace process.

In 2021 he successfully sued the financial database blacklist World-Check after a claim that falsely linked him to terrorism and resulted in his NatWest bank account being frozen.

He said at the time the database had wrongly and without justification or evidence classified him on a terrorism list.

But following the move by the US, British ministers are now under increasing pressure to place sanctions on Mr Birawi, who works for an Arabic-language TV station in London.

If they did, he would be subject to his assets being frozen and a potential travel ban.

Tory shadow home secretary Chris Philp, called on the government to sanction Mr Birawi.

He told the Times: Under no circumstances should Britain be a place of sanctuary for anyone involved in or supportive of terrorist organisations like Hamas.
Some Londoners feel unsafe in their own city due to the level of phone thefts, says a Labour MP and ally of Sir Sadiq Khan.

Brent East MP Dawn Butler also advised Londoners leaving a Tube or rail station to go into a nearby shop before getting out their phone as these areas are hotspots for thefts.

She highlighted phone thefts in the capital as a serious problem, stressing it was being driven by organised crime gangs, with many of the devices taken abroad to be sold.

She told how just days ago another MP had her phone stolen and when she called the number someone answered and said it would be returned for a sum of money.

Ms Butler also explained that when her handbag was stolen a decade ago, including her phone, the police initially declined to respond when she called them despite her explaining she was tracking the thieves.

Two figures on a moped snatch a woman's phone on a London street (PA Media)

She eventually got it back after officers intervened.

Former minister Ms Butler posted on X: Phone theft in London is a serious problem.

In my latest Policy In Focus video, I break down what the police are doing to tackle it, why this crime makes people feel unsafe in their own city and why phone companies must take more responsibility for the role they play.

In the short video, Ms Butler gave more details of phone thefts facing London.

Now there has been a serious rise in organised crime, which means that mobile phone thefts have become prevalent in major cities around the world, she said.

In the UK and in London, there was a mobile phone theft about every eight minutes or so.

On places targeted by phone thieves, she added: In Westminster, people have got their phones. They've got it out. They're looking at Big Ben and they're looking at the Houses of Parliament and somebody comes by and slashes it out of their hands.

Lots of people, constituents, tourists, MPs have had their phone stolen.

Just last week, an MP told me how she called her phone, her stolen phone, the thief picked it up and said, If she wants the phone back, they're willing to take some money for it.

Given the scale of phone thefts in the capital, she advised Londoners: If you're coming out of a station, go into your nearest shop before you check where you are or where you're going, because that is one of the hotspots where people steal mobile phones.

Ms Butler also urged mobile phone companies to do more to deal with the theft of devices by making them harder to use after being stolen, or being able to be more easily disabled.

The Labour MP, who was first elected to Parliament in 2005, has campaigned on crime for years to make Londons streets safer.

Reform UK mayoral candidate Laila Cunningham and Brent East MP Dawn Butler (Standard/Parliament)

I'm very passionate about this, not just because I had mine stolen, but got it back, but because it's one of those things where it makes people feel less safe, and what we want is a city where people feel safe, she said.

The number of mobile phone thefts in London soared from 91,481 in 2019 to 117,211 in 2024, according to a Freedom of Information request, with hotspots being the West End and around Pall Mall, Clarence House and St James Palace, at the border of Piccadilly and Haymarket.

Just one per cent of phone thefts result in a charge or conviction.

Police have recently cut the number of phone offences in parts of the capital with targeted operations including in the City.

Ms Butler also branded as dangerous and divisive Reform UK mayoral candidate Laila Cunninghams call for women wearing the burka to face being stop and searched by the police.

She added: London is built on freedom, fairness and respect, not profiling people because of their faith or appearance.

Ms Butlers comments came after Ms Cunningham said in an interview for the Standard podcast: I would look to ban face coverings, if I could, but I would like to make it a reason for stop and search.

London Mayor Sir Sadiq rejected Ms Cunninghams comments on face coverings.

In relation to burkas, or the nikab or the hijab, as a man, its just wrong for me to tell women what to wear or what not to wear, he said.

Ms Cunningham has made law and order a centrepiece of Reforms campaign for the May local elections in London, as well as for her bid for City Hall.

She claimed that the capital is unsafe and has heavily criticised Sir Sadiq over crime levels in London.

She also called for Met Police chief Sir Mark Rowley to be fired.

Days later he published figures showing homicides in London in 2025 were at a record low per capita, and below that of cities across America and some in mainland Europe.

Crime is expected to be a major issue at the May elections when voters will go to the polls in all 32 boroughs.

Labour is expected to suffer heavy losses, with support for the party at a record low of 31 per cent of voting intention for Parliament, according to the latest Savanta UK survey.

This figure was down from 50 per cent shortly before the 2022 local elections, according to a YouGov survey, when the borough contests were last fought.

Nigel Farage has set the target for Reform UK to win councils in the capital, particularly focusing on east Outer London.

Green leader Zack Polanski is calling for higher wealth taxes and cuts to inequality to make London a better place to live.
January 23, 2026: The capital, Sanaa, is experiencing an environmental catastrophe with water shortages, air pollution, deforestation and infrastructure collapse. The city is in need of foreign aid to prevent starvation and deaths from disease.

The year began with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates/UAE ending their cooperation in Yemen. They are now acting on their different views on what kind of government Yemen should have and what to do about the Houthi rebels who control the northern half of Yemen.

The UAE supported the southern tribes and their Southern Transitional Council/STC association of Sunni tribes. The STC wanted to partition Yemen, leaving the northern half to the Houthi rebels and continue to fight Houthi efforts to take control of all of Yemen. The Houthis recently got bad news from Iran, which is currently in chaos with most of the populations demanding the end of Islam and religious rule. The Houthis will get no more weapons or any other support from Iran.

Saudi Arabia supports efforts to keep Yemen a united country. Saudi warplanes are bombing weapons shipments from the UAE that arrived in Yemen for the STC. The Saudis armed and supplied Yemeni forces to fight the STC militias and prevent the STC from taking control of southern Yemen. Since the Saudi Air Force is the strongest in the Arabian Peninsula, they control the air and the UAE can do nothing about that. Currently it appears that the Saudis will prevail and Yemen will revert to its situation in the 1990s.

When the British left Yemen in 1967, their former colony in Aden became one of two countries called Yemen. The two Yemens finally united in 1990 but another civil war in 1994 was needed to seal the deal. That fix didn't really take and the north and south have been pulling apart ever since. This comes back to the fact that Yemen has always been a region, not a country. Like most of the rest of the Persian Gulf and Horn of Africa region, the normal form of government until the 20th century was wealthier coastal city states nervously coexisting with interior tribes that got by on herding or farming or a little of both plus smuggling and other illicit sidelines. This whole nation idea is still looked on with some suspicion by many in the region. This is why the most common forms of government are the more familiar ones of antiquity like kingdom, emirate or their modern variation in the form of a hereditary secular dictatorship.

Yemen had plenty of other problems. Last year people were coming down with the deadly Ebola virus brought into the country by refugees from the war in Sudan. Most of those refugees were living in special camps. There has been violence in those camps over Sudanese politics. There have also been clashes on the South Sudan border, leaving soldiers on both sides injured.

There was a major controversy over the politics of coffee and tribal politics. There were also disputes over how government employees should be paid. There were significant improvements in farming and livestock management. Ugandan participation in a growing number of peacekeeping operations in Africa continues to make Uganda the major supplier of peacekeepers in Africa.

In 2024 the Iran-backed Shia Houthi militia began hijacking passing merchant ships, as the Al Shabab militants in nearby Somalia have been doing for decades. CMF 151, the international maritime patrol off Somalia was created in 2009. For the last seven years CMF 151 hasnt had much to do, but now the pirates are back, in Yemen and Somalia. The Houthis also fired some missiles at Israel, causing damage and casualties. The Israelis responded with air and naval attacks on the main Yemeni port of Hodeidah and the capital city Saana. The United States also launched a series of airstrikes across Yemen.

The Houthis are also accused of cutting underwater cables in the Red Sea, disrupting internet access in the Middle East and parts of Asia. Throughout all this refugees from Africa were crossing from Somalia or Ethiopia, some of these boats dont make it and hundreds of refugees have died this way in 2025,

At the end of the year the tribal militias of the Southern Transitional Council took control of eight provinces in southern Yemen, including Aden, the largest port in Yemen. This new entity will become another independent entity in Yemen.

The Houthi militia is losing but refuses to make peace out of fear of the consequences. They used their Iran-supplied rockets and missiles to fire at merchant ships heading up the Red Sea to the Suez Canal, and occasionally at Israel and Saudi Arabia. One of those missiles landed in Israel. Because of all this Houthi mischief both Israel and the United States launched air strikes on Houthi operations as well as economic targets in Yemen. Iran is no longer able to resupply the Houthis with missiles and UAVs because Israeli air strikes destroyed key elements of the Iranian missile production industry. Its been a bad year for the Houthi militia and several countries plan to make 2026 an even worse year.

A century ago, before oil income dominated Arabian politics, Yemen was the land of promise as it is the only portion of the Arabian Peninsula that receives enough rain for crops. Since World War II Iran has become wealthy and powerful because of oil wealth but made so much trouble that since 2015 economic sanctions have crippled the economy and military adventurism has brought devastating armed reprisals.

Yemen proved to be an embarrassment for Iran and the Saudi/UAE-backed Yemen government. The other Arabs are not willing to suffer the heavy casualties a quick victory would require over militant Yemen. The war dragged on into 2025 but is now faltering because Iran is no longer sending missiles to Yemen. Iranian withdrawal from Houthi support occurred this year because Iran was overwhelmed by sanctions, Israeli reprisals, and the current internal chaos and rebellion against the religious dictatorship.

Yemen unrest evolved into a full-scale civil war in 2015. That was when Shia Houthi rebels sought to take control of the entire country. Neighboring Arab states, led by Saudi Arabia, quickly formed a military coalition to halt the Yemeni rebel advance. The Arab coalition succeeded and by 2016 pro-government forces were closing in on the rebel-held capital. The coalition did not go after the capital itself because of the expected heavy casualties and property damage in the city. The coalition concentrated on rebuilding the Yemeni armed forces, recruiting allies from the Sunni tribes in the south and eliminating al Qaeda and ISIL groups that had grown stronger as the Shia rebels gained more power. As the fighting intensified in early 2015 Iran admitted it had been quietly supporting the Shia rebels for a long time but now was doing so openly, and that support was increasing.

For a long time, the most active Yemeni rebels were the Shia Islamic militants in the north. They have always wanted to restore local Shia rule in the traditional Shia tribal territories, led by the local imam religious leader. This arrangement, after surviving more than a thousand years, was ended by the central government in 1962. After 2007 Yemen became the new headquarters of AQAP/Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula when Saudi Arabia was no longer safe for the terrorists. Now there is ISIL and an invading army composed of troops from oil-rich neighbors. By late 2017 the rebels were slowly losing ground to government forces who, despite Arab coalition air support and about five thousand ground troops, were still dependent on Yemeni Sunni tribal militias to fight the Shia tribesmen on the ground. While the Shia are only a third of the population, they are united while the Sunni tribes are divided over the issue of again splitting the country in two and with no agreement on who would get the few oil fields in central Yemen. Many of the Sunni tribes tolerate or even support AQAP and ISIL. The Iranian smuggling pipeline continued to operate, and the Yemen rebels were able to buy additional weapons from other sources because they received cash from nations or groups hostile to the Arab Gulf states, especially Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

The Shia rebels live in northern Yemen and control the border with Saudi Arabia. Over the last decade the rebels launched more and more attacks on Saudi targets. The rebels obtained more powerful weapons as well, including Iranian ballistic missiles, which were disassembled so they could be smuggled from Iran to Yemen, where Iranian technicians supervised the missiles being assembled and launched into Saudi Arabia. In the last few years, the rebels have received longer range ballistic missiles that could hit Saudi and UAE oil production facilities on the Persian Gulf coast. The rebels also fired more missiles at targets passing the Yemen Red Sea coast controlled by the rebels. This has always been a potential threat to ships using the Red Sea to reach the Suez Canal in Egypt, at the north end of the Red Sea. Transit fees from ships using the canal are a major source for Egypt, bringing in nearly $10 billion a year. Egypt and Iran are enemies and reducing Suez Canal income is a win for Iran, which supported the Yemen rebels for more than a decade to make that success possible. At the end of 2023 Iran ordered the Yemen rebels to open fire on shipping in the Red Sea, which moves along the Yemen coast on its way to or from Saudi ports or the Suez Canal. Ships unable to use the canal must take the longer route around the southern tip of Africa. This takes more time and increases costs for the shipping company and their customers. In 2024 Americans and Israeli airstrikes devastated ports on the west coast of Yemen and destroyed most of the missiles smuggled in from Iran. Meanwhile Iran was running out of missiles and a tighter naval blockade reduced the number of weapons reaching the Shia Houthi militia in Yemen.
Three of the UKs largest supermarkets are investigating allegations of excessive food waste at their stores after an enterprising activist drew attention to the issue on social media.

Waitrose, Lidl, and M&S have all confirmed they are following up on issues raised by the self-styled Food Waste Inspector, who began posting videos online in September 2025.

The anonymous campaigner has uploaded several videos showing piles of in-date food deposited in waste bins outside of supermarkets, which he argues should be donated to food banks instead. Some videos also show goods such as crockery or other household decorations in waste piles.

One video of a Lidl waste bin taken at 2pm showed items like sausages, potatoes, and strawberries, all within date, had been discarded, seemingly without being reduced in price first. Another sees cans of tuna, not set to expire until 2030, taken from a bin.

Footage from an M&S store taken on 14 January shows products like sliced meat, whole chicken, and bakery items wasted, despite some not expiring until 17 January.

The uploaded footage is often taken late at night from usually off-limits areas at supermarkets, such as delivery courtyards and warehouses.

The so-called inspector, who now has more than 70,000 followers on Instagram, also alleged several locations had started making efforts to conceal their levels of food waste after he began drawing attention to the issue.

In an online petition, he wrote: Every day, countless individuals and families across our nation find themselves struggling to make ends meet. Bills pile up, and many are forced to make heart-wrenching choices between paying for utilities or putting food on the table.

Meanwhile, supermarkets are discarding perfectly edible food in massive quantities every day. Imagine the impact if all that good food went to people who desperately need it, instead of ending up in landfills. Not only would it help alleviate hunger, but it would also be a significant step towards sustainability and responsible resource use.

An M&S spokesperson said: We have a clear process to manage food waste in store (PA)

The three stores against which allegations have been made have all said that the footage shared does not reflect the company-wide procedures which are in place.

A Waitrose spokesperson said: We have strict procedures to ensure edible surplus food reaches those who need it. We have established that the fresh produce shown in one of the two films was not fit for human consumption and therefore was to be collected to be converted into either animal feed or energy for use in the agriculture sector using anaerobic digestion. We continue to investigate the other film.

The store added that it has donated 31 million meals to help redistribute surplus food waste through its partnership with FareShare.

A Lidl spokesperson said: Lidl is investigating videos showing potential compliance issues with our food waste procedures at several of our stores as a matter of high priority. We are grateful to the Food Waste Inspector for drawing attention to this issue and are working closely with regional management teams and Neighbourly to ensure all colleagues are briefed and aware of the steps they need to take to donate surplus items.

They added that the videos shared are not representative of Lidls broader food redistribution work, through which 18.5 million meals have been donated to support more than 4 million people.

Lidl said it is investigating videos showing potential compliance issues with our food waste procedures (PA)

M&S confirmed it is looking into the claims against specific stores. A spokesperson said: We have a clear process to manage food waste in store. It starts with the right stock in the right place at the right time. Our stores check products regularly, and where theres a surplus, they should be reducing the price in good time to help sell it before the date is up.

Food thats still unsold and edible, we donate to local community groups through our partner Neighbourly. We can also give it to colleagues or surprise our customers with a treat. Its clear that in a small number of stores, something has gone wrong, and were looking into that right now.

They added that more than 100 million meals have been donated through the partnership, and that unusable food does not go to a landfill but is sent for anaerobic digestion for renewable energy.

While supermarkets are encouraged to partner with schemes like Neighbourly and FareShare to donate unsold food, there is currently no legislation requiring them to do so.

Commenting on the issue, the Waste and Resources Action Programme (Wrap), a charity which works to reduce global food waste, said: Redistribution of surplus food from the retail, food manufacturing, and the hospitality and food service sector has improved over recent years.

Retailers have reduced food waste within their operations by 26 per cent per kg per capita between 2007 and 2021. Now, most have links with charities and can redistribute more food, and clearly there will be times when more can be done. Its good that the retailers are taking steps to address this, as no good food should ever go to waste.
A military-style crossing should be built over the Thames in west London to allow Hammersmith Bridge to be repaired, say the local Conservatives.

They believe it could be put up in months, slightly north of the existing bridge, and enabling engineers more leeway to fix it while not being used by cyclists or pedestrians.

Another possibility, they say, is that the 139-year-old bridge, which has been closed to motor vehicles since April 2019 when cracks appeared in its pedestals, could be dismantled and then repaired on dry land.

The plan for the second, temporary bridge, which would have a toll, is expected to cost between 10 million and 20 million but it could speed up work on the existing Thames crossing in this part of the capital.

Hammersmith Bridge reopened to pedestrians, cyclists and river traffic in July 2021 (Jonathan Brady/PA) (PA Archive)

Fixing Hammersmith Bridge is expected to cost at least 300 million and take at least five years.

The military-style bridge would have to be sufficiently strong to carry buses under the Tory proposal.

It would require the temporary use of a small section of the playing fields of St Pauls School.

Re-opening Hammersmith Bridge to traffic is set to become a key issue at the May local elections, with Labour facing heavy losses in the capital.

Setting out a key plank of his partys election platform, Councillor Jose Afonso, Hammersmith and Fulham Conservative Opposition Leader, said: The costs for reopening Hammersmith Bridge have soared, while the Department for Transport, TfL and Hammersmith and Fulham Council are locked in squabbles over who pays.

Given the national fiscal situation we should admit the current solution is dead in the water and look at an alternative.

It is unacceptable that over the timeframe that Notre Dame burnt down and was rebuilt, we still cant get an ambulance to cross the Thames at Hammersmith.

Councillors Jose Afonso and Adrian Pascu-Tulbure (Conservatives)

Opposition Deputy Leader Cllr Adrian Pascu-Tulbure added: A military-style bridge built immediately upstream of the existing bridge could have been operational in months and saved tens of millions while the old bridge was comprehensively repaired.

The Tories say that if they win the council in May, they will launch a fair and open competition for engineering firms to propose schemes to get a bridge crossing open to traffic.

Fleur Anderson, Labour MP for Putney (PA)

As the local elections loom, Putney Labour MP Fleur Anderson is seeking to step up pressure for Hammersmith Bridge to be re-opened to traffic, with a rally this weekend to get local people to voice their views on the delay in repairing it.

She raised the issue in Parliament earlier this month, stressing: Commuter services are extensively disrupted in Putney by the six-year closure of Hammersmith Bridge.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, a former Deputy Mayor for Transport in London, replied: I recognise how disruptive the closure of Hammersmith bridge has been to people.

She added that the Hammersmith Bridge taskforce would meet in the near future to discuss how to push ahead with plans to fully re-open it.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander (PA Wire)

Hopes rose recently that finance to fix the bridge could be found from a new 1 billion infrastructure fund earmarked to repair bridges and crossovers.

Hammersmith & Fulham Council owns the bridge, and has met most of the cost of stabilising it, but funding for the required major reconstruction is expected to be needed from the Department for Transport and City Hall as well.

Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan has urged the Government to step in to get the bridge fixed.
Molly Cuddihy, who was 15 when she was first diagnosed with a rare bone cancer. Photograph: Family handout (Photograph: Family handout)

All Molly Cuddihy wanted was recognition of what she had gone through. That was what she told the Scottish hospitals inquiry in 2021, where she described the frightening fits and rigors she had suffered after contracting a bacterial infection at Glasgows Queen Elizabeth university hospital while undergoing chemotherapy. I was made sicker by the environment, the 19-year-old said in her evidence.

Molly had been 15 and revising for her National 5 exams when she was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer. She was treated at the Royal hospital for children and the adjacent QEUH, which are both part of a six-year public inquiry that reached its final stages and heard devastating new admissions this week.

You had a critically ill teenager who could see what was materially wrong with the hospital building in 2018, said her father, John. He said the clinical care his daughter received was world-class  a sentiment echoed by all the families affected by this scandal  but the basic principles of providing a safe and secure environment in which those clinicians could operate were simply absent.

After years of denial, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde finally admitted this week that serious infections in 84 child cancer patients, two of whom died, were probably caused by a contaminated water system at its flagship hospital.

The arduous delay in accepting what patients, families and whistleblowers had been telling hospital and health board management since the 842m super-hospital first opened in 2015 piled avoidable distress and harm on already suffering families, John says. The fact that Molly never got to hear those words is even more painful.

Molly Cuddihy died last August, her organs irreparably weakened by the powerful drugs used to combat the infections as well as her cancer treatment.

For the past week, her father has attended in her stead to hear the concluding submissions to the public inquiry, which was ordered by the former Scottish health secretary Jeane Freeman after a number of deaths and high infection rates  as well as whistleblowers raising repeated concerns about infection control in its water and ventilation systems. Like other family members whose loved ones died or became seriously ill, John was left reeling by dramatic U-turns in the health boards position.

Another staggering 11th-hour admission was that the building was simply not ready to open when it did in April 2015  just before the general election and with the SNP boasting about Scotlands biggest ever publicly funded NHS construction project.

The health board admitted that pressure was applied to open the hospital on time and on budget  despite tests carried out in December 2014 having highlighted the presence of microbes in the water supply  and that they did not have adequate staffing to maintain the sprawling new campus.

And having previously downplayed evidence from whistleblowers who repeatedly raised the alarm with managers, the board acknowledged this was unfair.

Responding on Thursday, the three senior microbiologists who had tried to expose the failings pointed out that this belated and partial apology did not address the behaviour of senior management who had dismissed them as attention-seeking and sensationalising and failed to investigate their concerns properly, openly or respectfully for more than a decade.

The health board has insisted no individual should be held responsible for institutional failings.

As the week progressed, the families shock at the latest admissions hardened into fury and, in a coruscating closing statement also delivered on Thursday, they described being lied to, disbelieved, demeaned and smeared by the health board.

Some of these were the first parents to have spoken out about the inadequate answers they got when they asked why their children were being given bottled water, or why their specialist paediatric cancer ward was suddenly shut.

We cannot overstate the level of deceit and conniving cowardice displayed by GGCH during the whole unfolding of this awful scandal, they said. As men, women and children fell ill and died, we were all told: There is nothing to see here.

They called for the past and present leadership of GGCH to face a reckoning and issued a chilling warning that the QEUH is not a safe hospital and the current leadership of GGCH cannot be trusted to make it safe.

This echoed the whistleblowers, who said on the same day they still had significant concerns about the extent to which necessary changes had been instigated by senior management.

The Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, has described it as the biggest scandal in the history of the Scottish parliament. He has suggested the cover-up goes right to the top, and this week he called for criminal investigations into Scottish government ministers responsible at the time, including Nicola Sturgeon and John Swinney.

Sarwar has campaigned for years alongside Kimberly Darroch, whose 10-year-old daughter, Milly Main, died in August 2017 after contracting an infection as she recovered from leukaemia treatment.

With the inquirys final report anticipated later this year, other proceedings will continue: NHSGCC has been named as a suspect in a corporate homicide investigation looking into the deaths of Milly, two other children and a 73-year-old woman at the hospital campus, while prosecutors are also investigating Mollys death.

At a ferocious session of first ministers questions on Thursday, Sarwar demanded that Swinney tell him who applied the pressure and why to open the childrens hospital on the QEUH campus weeks after an internal report warned of high infection risk for immunocompromised children.

Swinney responded that the Scottish government had not been made aware until March 2018, but he committed to releasing any further cabinet minutes or ministerial correspondence and said he had every confidence that the inquiry chair, Lord Brodie, will provide the open scrutiny and truth required by families and everybody else.

This week, NHSGCCs lawyer, Peter Gray KC, insisted that the health board was a very different organisation than the one involved in the design and construction of the hospital a decade ago, and he offered an unreserved apology on its behalf for the distress and trauma experienced by patients and families during this time.

But John Cuddihy said it was too easy for the board to talk about change. Where are the tangible outcomes? And if we make recommendations today, then who will be around to ensure that those are fulfilled? he said. This is where he wants the Scottish government to step in, so that this never happens again.

What Molly said very clearly, and it was read out at her funeral, was that the clinicians treated her as somebody who counted, he said. When it came to the institution, they didnt see her. And that was the most hurtful thing for Molly. She wasnt looking to apportion blame to any one individual. She just wanted them to recognise what had happened because that enables you to implement meaningful change.
The weather system over the US on Friday. Photograph: NOAA (Photograph: NOAA)

The dangerous monster storm threatening half of the US was on Friday bearing down, with 16 states and Washington DC already declaring emergencies and areas typically unused to prolonged Arctic temperatures bracing for power failures and supply shortages.

At least 230 million people are likely to be affected by the huge winter weather system as it forms in parts of the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains and surges across southern and midwestern areas from Friday, blowing up the east coast on Saturday and as far north as Maine by Sunday.

State governors have declared emergencies ahead of time that warn of mortal danger but also free up financial reserves to deal with the conditions. By early Friday, states of emergency had been announced in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina in the southern US.

Emergency declarations were also made in Missouri, Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. New York added itself to the list later on Friday morning, as did Arkansas, Kansas and Kentucky. And Muriel Bowser, the mayor of Washington DC, declared a state of emergency in the district.

Related: Trump says the big US winter storm is proof of climate hoax  heres why hes wrong

Meanwhile, Donald Trump on Friday morning posted on his social media platform: Record Cold Wave expected to hit 40 States. Rarely seen anything like it before. Could the Environmental Insurrectionists please explain  WHATEVER HAPPENED TO GLOBAL WARMING???

In fact, the climate crisis is causing more instability in weather systems and patterns, disrupting the polar vortex and bringing more extremes amid rapidly rising global temperatures. Arctic temperatures are more frequently and persistently sweeping across parts of the US not accustomed to prolonged deep chills. Trump has long been a climate crisis skeptic and is determinedly pulling the US back from domestic climate action and international treaties to curb global heating driven by human-caused emissions, while spinning inaccurate information.

The American Red Cross said on its website: Winters are getting warmer and shorter because of the climate crisis. But, because a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, heavier snowfalls are more likely to occur.

Lines have been forming at stores in several states, with residents hurriedly stocking up on supplies ranging from bottled water and electricity generators to food, toilet paper and blankets. The American Red Cross warned the public to prepare, while many local media outlets posted images on social media of empty retail shelves.

Meteorologists forecast snow, sleet and, treacherously, much freezing rain that is expected to leave thick layers of ice in many areas, potentially turning roads deadly and bringing down power lines while making clearance efforts more difficult. Authorities in southern areas are warning residents to brace for prolonged electricity outages.

Temperatures will plummet well below freezing in southern states, where such cold conditions are not typical, as well as in more northerly states that are more used to dealing with bitter and fierce winter storms.

The National Weather Service said: Snowfall totals exceeding 12in are likely across the Ohio valley, mid-Atlantic and north-east.

More than 100 million people across the US can expect to endure temperatures below freezing until at least next Wednesday.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) has abruptly stopped firing people, with staff being told the agency would cease off-boarding workers who assist in times of disaster and whose contracts were due to expire, CNN reported on Friday, citing unnamed sources.

Fema has reportedly drafted plans to eliminate thousands of staff this year, with the agency repeatedly under attack from the White House in the second Trump administration.

Fema send the following statement to the Guardian on Friday morning in response to CNNs reporting: This is a mischaracterization of how Femas CORE program works. The CORE program consists of term-limited positions that are designed to FLUCTUATE based on disaster activity, operational NEED, and available funding. Femas National Response Coordination Center has been activated in response to a historic winter storm, in line with this mission Fema is following standard protocol to ensure mission functions are being met. We urge the media to report on how Americans can stay safe this weekend, not create manufactured drama while a winter storm looms.

US airlines have already canceled 1,400 domestic flights scheduled for Saturday, according to the site FlightAware, and transportation in all modes is expected to be severely affected by the storm.

Delta urged passengers traveling this weekend to reschedule their flights as the storm threatens to disrupt operations and potentially force widespread cancellations.

The airline said customers should expect flight cancellations across the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys, including Nashville and RaleighDurham, as the storm threatens to disrupt weekend travel. They added that they expect additional schedule adjustments for Atlanta and the north-east regions on Saturday morning.

Related: Three affordable ways to keep your house running during a power outage

Delta canceled flights at several airports in five states on Thursday, warning that slow operations could trigger more delays and cancellations, and complicate rebooking during one of the busiest winter travel periods.

Airlines are encouraging passengers to keep a close watch over their flight status and use mobile apps or airline websites for the quickest rebooking options as the storm advances.

Snow-removal equipment was being urgently tested out at Charlottes airport in North Carolina on Friday morning.

Further north, the New York state governor, Kathy Hochul, declared a state of emergency for the entire state and said she was coordinating with the new mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani.

He took office on 1 January and is facing the first big test of his skills in managing operational logistics for a possible 18in of snow in a storm of a scale the city has not seen in several years.
Donald Trump said the US has been very good to Europe but it has to be a two-way street - Getty Images

Donald Trump has provoked outrage among MPs and veterans after claiming that Nato troops stayed away from the front line in Afghanistan.

The Government led condemnation of his deeply disappointing assertion that British troops who fought alongside the US stayed a little back.

Between 2001 and the withdrawal of coalition troops 20 years later, 457 British troops were killed in combat and other operations in Afghanistan.

Britain became involved in the country after the US invoked the collective security provisions of Natos Article 5 following the terrorist attacks of Sept 11 2001.

Mr Trump made his claims in an interview with Fox News in which he reiterated his suggestion that Nato would not support America if asked.

He said: Weve never needed them. Theyll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan... and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.

Plainly wrong

Stephen Kinnock, the care minister, said the presidents comments were plainly wrong.

Mr Kinnock told Sky News: It just doesnt really add up, what he said, because the fact of the matter is that the only time Article 5 has been invoked was to go to the aid of the United States after 9/11.

And many, many British soldiers and many soldiers from other European Nato allies gave their lives in support of American missions, the American-led missions in places like Afghanistan and Iraq.

I am incredibly proud of our Armed Forces. They have put their lives on the line for our country. They are the definition of honour and valour and patriotism and I think anybody who seeks to criticise what they have done and the sacrifices that they make is plainly wrong, and I think the reaction to President Trumps comments are very clear from right across the political spectrum.

Mr Kinnock was then asked whether he agreed with Lucy Aldridge, whose son William was the youngest Briton to die in combat in Afghanistan. He was killed aged 18 in 2009.

On Thursday night, Ms Aldridge had called Mr Trumps comments extremely upsetting and said she would be traumatised for the rest of her life by the loss of her son.

Mr Kinnock said: President Trumps comments are deeply disappointing. There is no other way to say that. I dont know why he said them, I dont think theres any basis for him to make those comments.

Its clear that the mother of that brave soldier is absolutely right when she talks about the sacrifice that her child, the child she loves so much, made in the interests of our own country, the interests of our national security.

British troops in Helmand in 2007. There were 457 British deaths in Afghanistan - Getty Images

Calvin Bailey, a Labour MP and former RAF officer who served alongside US special operations units in Afghanistan, said Mr Trumps claim bears no resemblance to the reality experienced by those of us who served there.

Ben Obese-Jecty, a Tory MP who served in Afghanistan as a captain in the Royal Yorkshire Regiment, said it was sad to see our nations sacrifice, and that of our Nato partners, held so cheaply by the president of the United States.

Tan Dhesi, the chairman of the Commons defence committee, said the presidents comments were appalling and an insult to our brave British servicemen and women, who risked life and limb to help our allies, with many making the ultimate sacrifice.

Dame Emily Thornberry, the foreign affairs committee chairman, described Mr Trumps remarks on the BBCs Question Time as so much more than a mistake and an insult to the families of those who had died.

"How dare he say we weren't on the frontline, how dare he?"



Labour's Emily Thornberry says Donald Trump's claim European soldiers in Afghanistan avoided the frontlines was an "absolute insult", and is "proud" the UK helped stand up to him over Greenland#bbcqt pic.twitter.com/BnkuNLWayj  BBC Question Time (@bbcquestiontime) January 22, 2026

Mr Trump has previously been criticised for avoiding conscription to fight in Vietnam thanks to being diagnosed with bone spurs in his heels  a claim that has been subject to significant doubt.

Stephen Stewart, a former soldier, author and journalist, said: Trumps comments are as offensive as they are inaccurate.

Its hugely ironic that someone who allegedly dodged the draft for the Vietnam War should make such a disgraceful statement.

He has desecrated the memory of hundreds of British soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan, people who we called friends and comrades.

If he was a man of honour, he would get down on bended knees to ask forgiveness from the families of the fallen.

Sir Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat leader, said in a post on X: Trump avoided military service 5 times.

How dare he question their sacrifice. Farage and all the others still fawning over Trump should be ashamed.

The US is the only Nato member to have invoked the collective security provisions of its Article 5 clause that dictates that an attack against one member is an attack on all.

On Thursday night, Mr Trump suggested he should have invoked Article 5 to compel Americas allies to defend its borders from immigrants:

The UK suffered the second highest number of military deaths in the Afghanistan conflict, behind the US, which had 2,461 deaths. In total, Americas allies suffered 1,160 deaths in the conflict.

Mr Bailey also pointed to the high number of deaths per capita suffered by Denmark, which sent troops to fight alongside the British in Helmand province but has now had to fend off Mr Trumps bid to annex Greenland.

He said: As I reminded the US forces I served with on the 4th of July in 2008, we were there because of a shared belief, articulated at Americas founding, that free people have inalienable rights and should not live under tyranny.

That belief underpinned the response to 9/11, and it is worth reflecting on now.
Ms. Rachel has issued an apology after fans pointed out that she liked an antisemitic Instagram comment.

The popular childrens YouTuber, whose real name is Rachel Griffin Accurso, addressed a now-deleted post she shared that read Free Palestine, Free Sudan, Free Congo, Free Iran. However, there was a comment underneath that post which read, Free america from the Jews, that she appeared to like, prompting some of her loyal followers to screenshot and share with her privately.

The childrens entertainer acknowledged liking the comment by posting a screenshot of a direct message she was sent. Im sure thats an accident so wanted to let you know, the direct message from a follower read.

Deleted  how horrible  oh wait let me check  I did delete one like that  Ya I believe I deleted that earlier right when I saw it! I hate antisemitism, Accurso replied to the Instagram user.

Yesterday, I accidentally liked a hateful comment on my social media while trying to delete it. I have always been completely clear on this; I do not support language that targets or harms the Jewish community or any community, Accurso wrote in a statement shared with The Independent.

The childrens YouTuber explained she liked the comment by mistake and is against all forms of hate including antisemitism (Getty Images for Glamour)

Antisemitism and hate of any kind have no place in my life or my work. Everything I do is rooted in kindness, inclusion, and care for all humanity. Those values guide me every day, and I remain firmly committed to them.

Accurso also posted a video on Instagram where she apologized for the mistake.

I thought I deleted a comment and I accidentally hit like, she clarified to her followers as she started to cry. Im a human who makes mistakes.

I feel like we cant be human anymore online.  Everyone who knows me knows I would never like that.

Many people responded to both social media posts to let the YouTuber know that they were not offended and understood that she made a mistake. Everyone has done it. Please dont beat yourself up, one commenter wrote, while another agreed, writing, Girl it was a mistake. We love you!!!!

Accurso has built an audience of nearly 15 million subscribers on YouTube with her mix of educational videos and songs for young children. She has also become a fierce advocate for the children suffering in Gaza, and previously told The Independent she was motivated to speak out after seeing videos and images of children being killed, injured and malnourished on social media.

I couldnt look away from the scale and gravity of suffering I was seeing every day, she said in the interview published last year.

I know how crucial the first few years are for brain development and the lifelong effects trauma and malnutrition have on the brain. Its a failure of humanity to deny children food, water, medical care, shelter and education, and to not protect children from violence, she added.

The educator has also featured a child from Gaza on her show, and recently wore a custom gown embroidered with drawings from children in Gaza to Glamours Women of the Year 2025 Awards as part of her activism efforts.
The first few weeks of the year have been marked by rapid shifts in geopolitical relations, which has driven some major moves in markets.

At the very start of January, the US captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, after president Donald Trump ordered the military to carry out strikes on the country.

Trump then turned his attention to Greenland, ramping up his push for the US to take over the semi-autonomous Danish territory. Stock markets sold off after Trump threatened to impose new tariffs on Denmark and seven other European countries over opposition to his plans to acquire Greenland.

However, markets then rebounded on Wednesday after Trump ruled out using force to acquire Greenland, in a speech at the World Economic Forum.

Read more: Morgan Stanley upgrades EU chip sector to overweight and highlights top-rated stocks

Later in the day, Trump then dropped his threat to impose new tariffs, saying in a social media post that a "framework of a future deal" in regards to Greenland had been formed based on a meeting with Nato secretary general Mark Rutte.

"Further information will be made available as discussions progress," Trump said, but did not offer further details.

Stocks extended gains on Thursday, following this de-escalation in geopolitical tensions. The UK's FTSE 100 (^FTSE) is currently trading 2.4% in the green year-to-date, while the pan-European STOXX 600 (^STOXX) is up 2.8% and the US S&P 500 (GSPC) has advanced 1%.

Neil Wilson, investor strategist at Saxo UK, said: "It looks like a classic TACO [Trump Always Chickens Out] trade as far as the market is concerned but it's also classic Trumpian politics and he's got things moving in the direction he wants, even if he had to whip up the threats to a pretty absurd level."

"It's a pivot but not really  classic Trump basically  by using threats he's got what he wants at likely far less cost and far quicker than doing so the normal diplomatic way (in days not years)  this is the incredible speed at which he is charging to remake the world order."

Wilson said that more market swings are to be expected, as "nothing is going away now the genie is out the bottle".

"More specifically, we are yet to see exactly how the EU-US trade relationship evolves in the wake of the last few days, which I feel has created a new rift in relations," he said.

With that in mind, experts share some tips on how investors can navigate bouts of market volatility.

Don't panic

Andrew Prosser, head of investments at InvestEngine, said that short-term volatility becomes less significant over long timeframes of five, 10 or 20 years.

"History shows that markets are more likely to rise over the long term, and some of the strongest days often follow the sharpest declines," he said.

For example, Prosser said that while markets initially dropped on the back of Trump's unveiling of sweeping tariffs on "Liberation Day" on 2 April, US stocks then recorded their biggest one-day gain since the 2008 financial crisis.

He added that they then went onto deliver their strongest May in more than 30 years, with other global markets following suit.

"While it can be tempting to react, blocking out short-term noise and focusing on long-term goals is often what separates successful investors from those who miss out on recoveries," he said. "Sometimes its best to just sit on your hands, as hard as it might be, and think about your time horizon  after all, time in the market is much more important than trying to time it."

Diversify

In moments of uncertainty, Laith Khalaf, head of investment analysis at AJ Bell (AJB.L), said that it's "important to keep a cool head when it comes to your investments".

He said that investors should focus on ensuring that their portfolios are diversified and reflect the level of risk that they are willing to take.

"Your investments can become unbalanced over time if they arent brought to heel every now and again," he explained. "In todays climate its easy to fall into the trap of regulating your portfolio according to Donald Trumps posts on Truth Social, and while these are clearly important, its worth bearing in mind your investments are a long-term project which will outlast the current presidential term."

Similarly, Wealth Club chief investment strategist Susannah Streeter said that it's worth investors checking that they haven't put all their "eggs in one basket", in terms of portfolio exposure to certain sectors or geographies.

For instance, she said that some global passive funds can still be overweight in certain sectors, such as US tech due to the valuations of these companies, which can "make portfolios more vulnerable to turns in sentiment".

Read more: $100K bitcoin? Prediction markets now say odds are better

"Multi-asset funds, can provide in-built diversification by spreading money across a range of investments, including bonds, gold (GC=F) and equities focused on infrastructure for example," said Streeter. "This built-in diversification can help smooth returns, if one type of investment sells off, others may hold their value or rise."

Streeter said that investments focused on generating income can also be attractive in periods of volatility.

"This could be via investments in a range of established companies which have more reliable dividends, or through funds which offer in-built diversification by including bonds for income generation, as well as shares," she said.

Streeter added that precious metals "can also be a sensible addition to portfolios to add ballast and diversification. However, its worth bearing in mind that gold (GC=F) and silver (SI=F) keep surpassing record levels this year amid the uncertain economic environment, and that historically prices have been cyclical."

Check risk

InvestEngine's Prosser suggested that investors keep in mind their investment time horizon when considering the level of risk in their portfolio.

He said: "Investors with shorter time horizons will naturally hold different portfolios to those investing for 30 years or more. If market swings feel overwhelming, it may be a sign youre taking on too much risk and should consider rebalancing into less volatile investments."

"But if youre comfortable with your risk level and investing for the long term, stepping back and letting compounding do the work can often be the best approach.

Read more:

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What is Nipah virus? Symptoms to watch out for as India races to contain deadly outbreak

India is moving quickly to contain a Nipah virus outbreak in the eastern state of West Bengal after two cases were confirmed by the federal health ministry.

Nearly 200 people have been quarantined after they were identified as contacts of the infected patients, according to officials. All were found to be asymptomatic and tested negative for the virus, the ministry said.

But the West Bengal cases have sparked concern across Asia, with several countries introducing new Covid-style health checks at airports receiving flights from the region.

Nipah is a deadly virus with no vaccine or cure and is considered a high-risk pathogen by the World Health Organization. Experts say human infections are rare and usually occur when the virus spills over from bats, often through contaminated fruit.

Here is everything you need to know about this virus:

Nipah virus (NiV) infection: What are the symptoms?

Nipah virus (NiV) infection most often begins with non-specific symptoms, making early detection difficult.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the incubation period is generally believed to range from four to 21 days, though longer delays between exposure and illness have been reported in rare cases during previous outbreaks.

Patients typically develop a sudden flu-like illness marked by fever, headache, muscle pain and fatigue. In some cases, respiratory symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath or pneumonia also occur, although the timing and severity of these symptoms can vary widely.

The most serious and defining complication of Nipah infection is inflammation of the brain, known as encephalitis. Neurological symptoms, including confusion, altered consciousness, seizures or coma, usually appear several days to weeks after the initial onset of illness.

Some patients may also develop meningitis.

File. An official directs traffic while another fogs the area of Seelong in the southern state of Johor, 10 May 1999. - Malaysia extended its pig culling operation to Johor and the eastern state of Kelantan after tests showed positive results of the deadly Nipah virus in 40 pigs (AFP via Getty Images)

How deadly is the Nipah virus?

Nipah virus is associated with a high death rate, with fatality levels reported between 40 and 75 per cent depending on the outbreak and the viral strain involved.

Survivors may experience long-term neurological effects, such as persistent seizures or changes in personality, according to the UK Health Security Agencys update.

In rare cases, encephalitis has been reported to recur months or even years after the initial infection, either due to relapse or reactivation of the virus.

How does the Nipah virus spread?

Nipah virus is a zoonotic pathogen that can be transmitted from animals to humans and from person to person, according to the World Health Organization.

The primary natural carriers are fruit bats (Pteropus species); humans can become infected through direct contact with infected bats or other animals, or by consuming food contaminated with bat saliva, urine or faeces.

Humantohuman transmission has also been reported, particularly through close contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person.

Where was the Nipah virus first found?

Nipah virus (NiV) was first identified in 1999 after an outbreak of encephalitis and respiratory illness among pig farmers and others who had close contact with infected pigs in Malaysia and Singapore. The episode led to the recognition of NiV as a serious zoonotic pathogen capable of crossing from animals to humans.

Since then, repeated outbreaks have been recorded in South Asia. Parts of northeast India and several districts in Bangladesh have reported cases, with Bangladesh experiencing outbreaks almost every year since 2001.

In southern India, the state of Kerala reported its first Nipah outbreak in 2018, followed by sporadic cases in subsequent years.

Beyond South Asia, infections have also been reported in the Philippines, with investigations suggesting they were caused by the Nipah virus or a closely related Nipah-like strain.

File. Health workers wearing protective gear shift a man with symptoms of Nipah virus to an isolation ward at a government hospital in Kozhikode in the south Indian state of Kerala on 16 September 2023 (AFP via Getty Images)

Scientific studies have identified fruit bats as the natural reservoir of the virus. Nipah virus has been isolated from bat urine in Malaysia, and antibodies have been detected in at least 23 bat species across Asia as well as in parts of Africa, including Ghana and Madagascar.

Despite this wide animal reservoir, confirmed human outbreaks have so far been limited to South and Southeast Asia, typically occurring in rural or semi-rural settings where contact between humans, bats and domestic animals is more likely, WHO says.

Human-to-human transmission of Nipah virus has also been reported among family and caregivers of infected patients, according to WHO.

Is there any treatment?

There is currently no proven, targeted treatment for Nipah virus (NiV) infection and no approved vaccine to prevent it.

Care for patients remains largely supportive, focusing on managing symptoms and complications as they arise.

Follow these essential precautions to prevent Nipah Virus infection. Stay alert, stay informed, and follow advisories issued by local health authorities.#NipahVirus #PublicHealth #HealthForAll pic.twitter.com/itTuZA18ev  Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) January 22, 2026

The virus is listed by the WHO as a priority pathogen under its Research and Development Blueprint, which identifies epidemic threats that require urgent research.

Reducing the risk of Nipahinfection

With no vaccine available, preventing Nipah virus infection relies on awareness and simple protective measures, global health agencies recommend. Public health advice focuses on reducing contact with the virus, whether from bats, animals, or infected people.

Bats are the main carriers of Nipah. People should avoid consuming raw date palm sap or fruits that might have been contaminated by bats, WHO guidelines advise.

Boiling fresh date palm juice and thoroughly washing or peeling fruits can reduce risk. Any fruit showing signs of bat bites should be discarded, the health agency advises.

People handling sick animals, their tissues, or during slaughter should wear gloves and protective clothing. Contact with infected pigs should be minimised, and pig farms in areas with fruit bats should take steps to protect feed and enclosures from bats.

Symptoms of Nipah Virus in humans can range from fever and headache to respiratory distress and neurological complications.

Early recognition of these symptoms and timely medical care are critical to reducing severity and preventing complications.#NipahVirus #HealthAwareness pic.twitter.com/odW9baGomD  Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) January 20, 2026

Avoid close, unprotected contact with people infected with Nipah. Regular hand washing after caring for or visiting sick individuals is essential to stop the virus from spreading.

Nipah virus in popular culture

The 2011 film Contagion, which depicts a fast-spreading global virus, was partly inspired by real-life pathogens like the Nipah virus, a bat-borne virus first identified in Malaysia in 1999, according to global health non-profit Paths website.

Nipah causes severe respiratory illness and brain inflammation (encephalitis) and can spread from animals to humans, contaminated food, or infected people.

Its high fatality rate, potential for outbreaks, and lack of a vaccine made it a model for how a zoonotic virus could trigger a pandemic, which filmmakers used to shape the realistic global crisis in Contagion, Path noted.
Animal rescue volunteers are urgently seeking new homes for hundreds of pet rats discovered running wild in a condemned, filthy house in a New York City suburb.

A dedicated team of ten volunteers has spent the past two weeks rounding up the domesticated white rodents from the property in Rocky.

The Strong Island Animal Rescue League is racing to rescue approximately 30 more rats before a major winter storm hits the region. President Frankie Floridia estimates the group has already collected over 450 rats.

What makes it challenging catching rats is that theyre in the walls, theyre everywhere, Floridia said as he wrapped up a day trying to wrangle rodents at the home on Thursday. This is a unique situation. We havent had something like this ever.

The group has been working with a local animal hospital to nurse the rats back to health.

Hundreds of rescued rats are suffering from a range of ailments, including mite infestations, eye infections, and bite wounds, according to Erica Kutzing, vice president of the rescue group. Despite their poor condition, only around 10 have tragically been euthanised so far.

Over 200 have already found permanent or temporary homes through fostering or adoption by local families. Ms Kutzing also commended rescue organisations in Virginia, Connecticut, and other states for taking in over 50 of the animals, with volunteers now working to safely transport these rats to their new out-of-state homes.

The group has been working with a local animal hospital to nurse the rats back to health (iStock)

Despite their often-maligned reputation, Ms Kutzing highlighted the compassion shown: "A lot of people find them to be less desirable animals or pets, and kind of outcasts of the animal world. And so when you love the underdog and you care about the underdog, you tend to be a kinder person."

With more than 200 rats still awaiting placement, the group encourages prospective owners to adopt two or three, as rats are not solitary creatures. "These rats deserve a second chance," added Floridia. "Theyre clean animals and can be friendly, like a hamster. They make wonderful pets."

Ms Kutzing clarified that the rodent infestation appears to have been a case of circumstances spiralling rapidly out of a homeowners control, rather than a deliberate breeding operation. She explained that rats reproduce quickly, giving birth to litters of almost a dozen babies roughly every 20 days and reaching maturity in mere weeks, despite their relatively short two-to-three-year lifespan.

It snowballs fast, so if people are struggling with something like hoarding, for example, its going to send you deeper into that hole, Kutzing said.

The homeowner, meanwhile, has been charged with animal cruelty, neglect and endangering the welfare of a child.

Police say a three-year-old child had been living at the house for at least several weeks in unsanitary conditions where the floors were covered in rat feces and urine, and rodents were freely roaming around.

The homeowner pleaded not guilty at her arraignment earlier this month, according to prosecutors. Her lawyer didnt immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
Prince Harry has hit out at Donald Trump over the US presidents false claims made against British troops who fought in Afghanistan.

The Duke of Sussex, a former Army Air Corps co-pilot gunner who undertook two frontline tours to Afghanistan, said the sacrifices of Britons who fought and died in the country deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect.

Among the remarks that have enraged Nato allies, Trump claimed that allies stayed away from the frontline in the conflict and suggested he is not sure the alliance would be there if we ever needed them.

Harry joined veterans and politicians from across the political spectrum in his condemnation of the US presidents false claims, with Sir Keir Starmer earlier calling them appalling and demanding an apology.

Critics have pointed to both the number of non-US coalition deaths in Afghanistan and Trumps own avoidance of military service in Vietnam.

The duke paid tribute to the 457 British personnel who died in the conflict, after the prime minister earlier said he would never forget their courage, their bravery and the sacrifice they made for their country".

The Duke of Sussex said the sacrifices of British soldiers who fought and died in Afghanistan deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect (PA)

In a statement released on Friday afternoon, Harry said: In 2001, Nato invoked Article 5 for the first  and only  time in history. It meant that every allied nation was obliged to stand with the United States in Afghanistan, in pursuit of our shared security. Allies answered that call.

I served there. I made lifelong friends there. And I lost friends there.

The United Kingdom alone had 457 service personnel killed.

Thousands of lives were changed forever. Mothers and fathers buried sons and daughters. Children were left without a parent. Families are left carrying the cost.

Those sacrifices deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect, as we all remain united and loyal to the defence of diplomacy and peace.

Prince Harry, or Captain Wales as he was known in the British Army, making his early morning pre-flight checks in the cockpit at Camp Bastion in southern Afghanistan (PA)

During his decade-long full-time military career, the duke fought the Taliban in 2007 and returned to Afghanistan for a second tour of duty in 2012, and qualified as an Apache aircraft commander.

Harry  who was dubbed the Warrior Prince, Harry the Brave, and One of Our Boys by the press for fighting for his country  left the Army in March 2015.

His comments come after Trump, who famously avoided the draft for the Vietnam War five times in the 1960s and 1970s, suggested in an interview with Fox News that Nato allied troops stayed a little off the front lines in Afghanistan.

More than 1,100 non-US coalition fighters died in the conflict that began in 2001, according to veteran charity Help for Heroes, the overwhelming majority of them being from Nato countries, while more than 2,300 members of the US armed forces were killed. The UK suffered the second-highest number of military deaths, behind the US.

Trump also claimed America had never needed its Nato partners, despite being the only member state to have ever invoked the alliances all for one, and one for all clause, in the wake of 9/11.

Donald Trump famously avoided the draft for the Vietnam War five times in the 1960s and 1970s (Getty)

Hitting back at the US presidents comments, Sir Keir said earlier on Friday: I consider President Trump's remarks to be insulting and frankly appalling, and I am not surprised they have caused such hurt to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured.

Earlier, No 10 said the US president was wrong to diminish the role of Nato troops, including British forces, in Afghanistan and said their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Sir Tony Blair, who was the UK prime minister who first sent British troops to support America in Afghanistan, also intervened.

Avoiding direct criticism of Trump, a spokesperson for Sir Tony said: Tony Blair knows  and will always remember with deep gratitude  the enormous contribution and sacrifice British troops made in Afghanistan on the front line of the fight against terrorism, following the 9/11 attacks on the US.

Earlier, the former head of the Royal Navy led those criticising Trumps claim, calling the comments disgraceful. Former first sea lord, Admiral Lord West, who coordinated the naval activity in Afghanistan, told The Independent: It is wrong and a disgraceful thing for anyone to say, let alone the head of state of an allied nation.

British soldiers with the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) pictured prior to a night patrol in Kabul in 2008 (AFP/Getty)

Defence secretary John Healey said British troops killed in Afghanistan were heroes who gave their lives in service of our nation, while defence minister Al Carns, who himself served five tours in Afghanistan, invited anyone who believes Trumps claim to meet him and the bereaved families of the more than 400 British personnel who died in the conflict.

Mr Carns took to X to say: Id suggest whoever believes these comments, come have a whisky with me, my colleagues, their families, and importantly, the families of those that have made the ultimate sacrifice for both of our nations.

He also uploaded a video of himself during his time in uniform, which he described as a small snapshot of what its like to be on the frontline in Afghanistan to LinkedIn, warning viewer discretion advised.

Reacting to Trumps comments, the mother of a young British rifleman killed in Afghanistan said the president had no compassion whatsoever for anyone who doesnt serve him.

Sir Keir Starmer has demanded an apology from Trump over his false claims (AFP/Getty)

Lucy Aldridge, whose son William died aged 18, told The Mirror the US presidents remarks were extremely upsetting.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch also condemned Mr Trumps claims as flat-out nonsense.

British, Canadian, and Nato troops fought and died alongside the US for 20 years, she wrote on X. This is a fact, not opinion. Their sacrifice deserves respect, not denigration.

And Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: Trump avoided military service five times. How dare he question their sacrifice?
Commemorating the Centenary of Flints Discovery

The second Neanderthal skull to have been found in Gibraltar was excavated by Dorothy Garrod from Devils Tower Cave one hundred years ago, 1926.

The skull belonged to a four-year-old Neanderthal boy. In recent years, after the wonderful forensic reconstruction done for the Gibraltar National Museum by the Dutch brothers Kennis & Kennis, leaders in this field, the Neanderthal child has been known as Flint. Flint has become a household name, popular in particular with school children visiting the museum.

The Gibraltar National Museum will be marking this landmark year with a series of events which will culminate with a milestone Calpe Conference to be held in Gibraltar from the 1st to the 6th of September. Major researchers and speakers in the field of human evolution, and Neanderthals in particular, will be presenting the latest findings at the conference, which is also seen as marking a pivotal moment in which we will be able to reflect on how our understanding of these ancient humans has changed in recent years. In this respect, the work carried out in Gibraltar has been critical in changing our views of the Neanderthals and their cognitive capacities.

This year also marks the tenth anniversary of the inscription of the Gorhams Cave Complex on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the first and only time that a site in Gibraltar has received such a major international accolade. The celebration of this particular anniversary, for a site that is the only World Heritage Site to be exclusively dedicated to the Neanderthals, will fit in well into the overall centenary theme.

A series of events are being organized for the year, and details of these will be released during the course of the year. They will include a special themed museum open day on the 9th of May and a specific highlighting of the day of the discovery itself  the 11th June. A new set of displays is also expected for the museum. The commemoration of the inscription of the Gorhams Cave Complex will be marked during the Calpe Conference, which will guarantee the presence of an international, as well as local, audience.

A special book, detailing the discovery of the skull and its historical background  Dorothy Garrod and the Devils Tower Skull - which has been written by Dr Alex Menez of the Gibraltar National Museum, will be released during the course of the year. A childrens story book- Flint wants to play - written by Professor Geraldine Finlayson, will also be published this year.

To commence the years activities, a four-part public lecture series has been arranged in which different aspects of Neanderthals, with special reference to the work being carried out in Gibraltar, will be presented by members of the museum team. These lectures will be held at the John Mackintosh Hall and are free and open to all those interested. The programme is as follows:

Thursday 19th February @ 18:00, Charles Hunt Room, John Mackintosh Hall, Professor Clive Finlayson, Neanderthals and Hyaenas  Exploring the Natural History of the First Gibraltarians

Tuesday 17th March @ 18:00, Charles Hunt Room, John Mackintosh Hall, Professor Geraldine Finlayson, Neanderthals  Behaviour, Culture, and Emerging Humanity

Wednesday 8th April @ 18:00, Charles Hunt Room, John Mackintosh Hall, Dr Alex Menez, Dorothy Garrod and the Devils Tower Skull

Thursday 7th May @ 18:00, Charles Hunt Room, John Mackintosh Hall, Dr Stewart Finlayson, The Last Neanderthal  The World Through Flints Eyes

Minister for Heritage John Cortes said:

It is fitting that we should mark the hundredth anniversary of the discovery of these Neanderthal remains and celebrate the extraordinary work that has been done since then by the team from the Gibraltar National Museum and their associates. I am very much looking forward to what they have in store for us this significant year!.
The Duke continues to demands a fair press while presenting a relentlessly one-sided narrative - Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Is that the last weve heard from the Ginger Whinger? I wouldnt ever bet on it but the Duke of Sussexs star turn at the High Court this week may well mark the beginning of the end of his long-running crusade against the filthy gutter press that once dutifully amplified his every charitable gesture and palace-approved appearance.

Having already won against the Mirror Group and settled with News Group Newspapers  the publishers of The Sun and The Times  Hacked-Off Harrys final claim hangs on 14 articles published by the Mail and the Mail on Sunday between 2001 and 2013, which he insists were obtained by unlawful information gathering including through private investigators, blagging and phone hacking.

As part of a high-profile claimant group that includes Sir Elton John, Elizabeth Hurley, Sadie Frost and Baroness Doreen Lawrence, the prince alleges he was targeted through improper practices such as private investigators blagging confidential information. It is a serious charge, and if proven, a serious breach.

During an impassioned two-hour appearance in the witness box, the Duke, 41, appeared less interested in the finer legal points than in rehashing familiar grievances. He vehemently denied that either he or his friends were leaky sources, bristling at suggestions he had undermined his own privacy by communicating with reporters via Facebook under the pseudonym Mr Mischief.

Insisting he was not friends with any of these journalists, he claimed he had been forced to perform for reporters he despised knowing full well the kind of stories they had written about me and how they have commercialised my private life.

We will return to his tearful rant about the tabloids making his wife Meghans life an absolute misery, My Lord but first, an objection. The claim that the media commercialised Harrys private life deserves closer scrutiny.

Would this be the same Duke, who along with the Duchess of Sussex, gave a tell-all interview about highly personal matters to Oprah Winfrey, before a prime-time audience of millions?

The Duke  whose Oprah interview with the Duchess was watched by over 17 million  objects to the medias commercialisation of his private life - Harpo Productions/Joe Pugliese/Reuters

Although the couple insist they werent paid for spilling the beans, Winfreys Harpo productions pocketed a hefty $7m (5.1m) from CBS in one of the most commercially successful exposes in recent memory. Indeed, so commercialised was the confessional that the network sought $325,000 (241,000) for 30 seconds of commercial advertising time during the broadcast.

That interview followed hot on the heels of the Sussexes five-year deal with Netflix, reportedly worth around $100m (78m), struck in 2020 after they stepped back from royal duties in pursuit of financial independence. The result was an explosive, self-titled documentary series in which they once again opened their hearts  and their family wounds  for a substantial pay cheque.

Three years later came Spare. Harrys autobiography was published under a four-book deal with Penguin Random House, rumoured to be worth between $35-$40m (25-29m). No intimate detail was spared. Readers were treated to a graphic account of a physical altercation with his brother William, unflattering portrayals of his sister-in-law Catherine, claims of killing 25 Taliban fighters during military service, and even a surreal anecdote involving thoughts of his late mother Diana while applying cream to a frostbitten penis.

If that is not the commercialisation of ones private life, it is difficult to know what would qualify.

Harry will no doubt argue that it is different when he chooses to invade his own privacy for profit. But this is a distinction without a meaningful difference. It is particularly hard to swallow when the Sussex brand has expanded to include lifestyle ventures so lucrative that With Love, Meghan has reportedly enabled the Duchess to flog 27m worth of jam.

He could not resist invoking his wife as he continued to complain about being commercialised. This was a moment he had apparently waited three years for, and he was not about to waste it. Time and again, he sparred with Associated Newspapers softly-spoken barrister, Antony White KC.

Meghan has flogged over 860,000 boxes of her signature fruit spread - Netflix via AP

At one point, the Prince grew so indignant that Mr Justice Nicklin was forced to intervene. Part of Mr Whites job is to put allegations to you, the judge explained patiently. This is a big moment. You are doing exactly what lots of litigants do  you tend to argue back about what he is putting to you.

Reminding Harry that he did not have to bear the burden of arguing the case, the judge urged him simply to answer the questions.

The Duke insisted he felt no pressure. He merely wanted the court to have an idea of what it is like living in this world under what he described as 24-hour surveillance. Leaving aside the sheer implausibility of that claim; how, precisely, could reporters and photographers have monitored him around the clock while he lived behind palace walls? Is this not the same Harry who has lobbied for taxpayer-funded 24-hour security whenever he visits Britain?

Moreover, much of the scrutiny endured by Harry and Meghan over the past five years has been entirely self-generated. The Duke frequently demands a fair press while continuing to present a relentlessly one-sided narrative. What of the misery endured by William and Catherine? Or the distress inflicted on his late grandparents during their final years? What of the anguish caused to his father, the King, still undergoing cancer treatment, and to Queen Camilla  sullied by Harry as a villain who left bodies in the street?

And what of the palace staff who accused Meghan of bullying? That story, which the couple would much rather have buried, only emerged because of leaked emails alleging the Duchess was able to bully two PAs out of the household in the past year and had sought to undermine the confidence of a third. The full findings of the internal investigation remain secret.

If it is ultimately proven that Harry was the victim of phone hacking or other illegal information-gathering methods, then he absolutely deserves his day in court and a victory. The rule of law must apply equally, whether one is a prince or a private citizen.

But let us be clear about one thing. No newspaper in this country has ever cashed in on Prince Harrys private life more effectively, more relentlessly, or more profitably than Prince Harry himself.
Victoria Beckham owns the trademarks to the names of Brooklyn and her three other children, according to legal documents.

Brooklyn, 26, said in a blistering online statement earlier this week that Victoria and David repeatedly pressured and attempted to bribe me into signing away the rights to my name before his 2022 wedding to Nicola Peltz, 31.

He claimed his holdout affected the payday and his parents have never treated me the same since.

The budding chef added that his family values endorsements above all else, saying: Brand Beckham comes first.

Amid his claims, its been revealed that Victoria has owned the brand name Brooklyn Beckham since December 2016, according to Intellectual Property Office documents obtained by the Times.

Brooklyn launched a scathing online attack on Victoria (Getty Images for YouTube)

She also owns the trademarks to the names of Romeo, 23, Cruz, 20, and Harper, 14. They all expire in December.

A person must be able to own property to own a trademark - so Brooklyn, as well as adults Romeo and Cruz could request that the legal rights to their names be transferred to them.

The trademarks cover a range of products and services, including make-up, massage oils, sunglasses, ballpoint pens, holdalls, electric train sets, leather goods, shoes, tote bags and music.

The Beckham children must have Victorias permission to use their names for any deals that sell those products or services.

A legal expert told the Times its a wildly long list of items and services and that it was rare for parents to trademark their childrens names.

Sarah Williams, director of intellectual property, trademarks & designs at Walker Morris, said Brooklyn could challenge the registration on the grounds of non-use by his mother.

The move would be made public and likely go through the IPO rather than a court.

Victoria would have to show that the products and services listed under the trademark had been used. If they had not, she could be made to give up her control.

She could, however, argue that [Brooklyns] name only means something because of [her] and that she trademarked Brooklyns name to protect him as a 16-year-old.

Brooklyn with wife Nicola Peltz (PA Archive)

If the fashion designer challenged the ruling then the dispute could end up in court - which would be a terrible idea PR-wise.

If this is all in the news, people dont know about trademarks, and hell be seen as the innocent little kid pushed out of the family, and it would just look so bad on the rest of the them, Hayleigh Bosher, a lecturer in intellectual property law at Brunel University London, told the Times.

From a PR perspective it would be a terrible idea, but legally they would have an argument.

Brooklyn wrote on his Instagram Stories earlier this week: [David and Victoria] were adamant on me signing before my wedding date because then the terms of the deal would be initiated.

My holdout affected the payday, and they have never treated me the same since.

He added: My family values public promotion and endorsements above all else. Brand Beckham comes first.

Family love is decided by how much you post on social media, or how quickly you drop everything to show up and pose for a family photo op even if its at the expense of our professional obligations.

Brooklyn and Nicola reportedly signed a prenuptial agreement before their wedding.

The eldest Beckham child signed a rigid pre-nup, meaning Brooklyn wont gain any wealth from Peltzs billionaire family if they split, the Sun reported.

The Beckham family has a wealth of their own, with an estimated net worth of 500 million, but this is dwarfed by Nicolas father, Nelson, and his $1.6 billion estimated net worth.

Brooklyn with David and Victoria (PA Archive)

If they ever did break up, Brooklyn would be completely ostracised and without much cash to show for it, a source close to David and Victoria told the paper.

Brooklyn shared a scathing statement blasting his controlling parents and accusing them of trying to ruin his marriage to Nicola following months of rumours about a family feud.

He claimed Victoria danced inappropriately on him at his and Nicolas wedding, leaving his humiliated.

Sources later claimed she wrapped her arms around him and nuzzled his neck.

The Standard contacted Victorias representative for comment at the time.

Brooklyn also criticised his father, claiming that despite travelling to the UK for Sir Davids 50th birthday, repeated requests to meet beforehand were ignored. Brooklyn said he was eventually offered a meeting on the condition that Nicola was not invited.

David appeared to fire back at Brooklyns claims hours later, by saying in a TV interview that children are allowed to make mistakes.

Victoria has remained silent on her sons claims, although fans have launched a campaign to get her 2001 solo song Not Such An Innocent Girl to number one in the charts in support of her.
Robert Jenrick and Nigel Farage at a Reform UK rally in Newark on Monday. Photograph: Temilade Adelaja/Reuters (Photograph: Temilade Adelaja/Reuters)

Boris Johnsons election victory in 2019 was so sweeping you could walk from Lands End to Hadrians Wall without ever leaving a Tory constituency. You could also have walked between two constituencies where More in Common ran focus groups with 2019 Conservative voters this week  Warrington South and Godalming and Ash. These are two seats that tell the story of the breadth and collapse of the Conservatives 2019 coalition.

Warrington South, a north-west marginal that has flipped between Labour and the Conservatives, sits just outside the red wall. It voted leave in 2016, backed Johnson in 2019 and swung to Labour in 2024. Today, More in Commons MRP (multi-level regression and post-stratification) modelling suggests it would be won comfortably by Reform UK.

Godalming and Ash, by contrast, is deep in the blue wall. An affluent commuter seat in Surrey, it voted remain, and in a rare bright spot for the Conservatives in 2024, Jeremy Hunt managed to fend off the Liberal Democrats to hold the seat.

These very different seats are now central to the battle for the right that exploded back on to the political scene this week with Robert Jenricks defection/dismissal. How did voters in these seats react to the latest skirmish?

It is fair to say that even 14 months into her leadership, views of Kemi Badenoch remain fuzzy. But when played a clip of the video Badenoch filmed announcing her dismissal of Jenrick, the groups were unusually approving. Sarah, an admin officer from Godalming, said she was blown away, while James, an IT engineer from Warrington, described Badenoch as decisive. In both groups, the participants said they wanted to see more like that from Badenoch and wondered why they had not seen it before.

But while Badenoch personally impressed, for some it brought back memories of why they had booted the Conservatives out of office in the first place  their tendency to infighting. I think shes one to watch, Allie said, but its all a bit risky, isnt it? James said it could feel like a return to the chaos inside the party of the last government.

Neither of these groups took to Jenrick. Shown clips of his defection speech. George, a Warrington service engineer, thought Jenrick seemed primed or scripted, Jenna said he was not very convincing, and Helen said: He said words but there was no substance to them. This feedback mirrored what we heard during the Conservative leadership election, when voters struggled to warm to Jenrick and questioned his authenticity.

What about Jenricks broken Britain claim, now at the centre of a three-way debate between Labour, the Conservatives and Reform? In Godalming, some felt it a tad hyperbolic. He was a bit of a drama queen, Allie said, a bit sensationalist. Did she think Britain was broken? Breaking, yeah. Not broken yet. Even so, the group worried about the direction of travel: crime, the cost of living, small boats, government waste.

In Warrington, the mood was darker. Derek reeled off examples: NHS, definitely broken. Police force, officers leaving in droves. Pensions being affected. Valerie, a receptionist in her 70s, told us: I thought now Id be enjoying life, going out during the day, socialising, but Im having to work  The price of everything, whether its heating, your utilities, plus food  prices have just gone up so high.

For George, the cost of living was eroding solidarity. Its becoming a bit selfish now because its got to the point where everybody is struggling. Youre kind of thinking: how is it going to benefit me and my immediate family? he said.

Is Nigel Farage the answer? Valerie earned nods of approval when she said: I dont like him but he stands by his convictions. Rachel agreed: Hes a bit like Thatcher. He might not be right but he stands by what he does.

Even in Godalming, hardly Reforms home turf, some were tempted. Jenna said he seems more positive and proactive about stuff. And, I dont know, you sort of seem to have a bit more faith in an individual like that.

Leaving aside their antipathy for Jenrick, the groups tended not to think it mattered that Reform were taking in Tory defectors. Asked whether they felt it undermined Reforms claim to be something new, Tom from Godalming replied that they could be becoming like the Globetrotters, taking the best players from the other teams. Likewise, Valerie from Warrington was not concerned about Reforms talent being diluted. Is he [Farage] trying to cherrypick the best just like a company would? Pick from the opposition so that your company ends up better? she said.

Nor did accusations against Farage of racism at school move the groups. Presented with the accusations and the Reform leaders response, almost everyone felt it was unfair to judge Farage by what he had said as a schoolboy, and added that most people would have said things they regretted in school. Helen said: As you grow up, you go: actually, no, that was ridiculous. That was awful. Why did we do that stuff?

Hanging over both groups was another name. Westminsters obsession with the US does not normally extend to our focus groups but this past week has been an exception. Whatever they thought of Farage, their attitudes to Donald Trump were sulphurous. I feel hes pushing us towards world war three, Valerie said. Kerry said: Hes just going to make things 10 times worse.

For many voters on the right, it is Farages Trump problem above all else that puts them off. Matthew, a travel agent in Godalming, said Farage was very much a mini Trump  hes going to take the country down the wrong path. Bill, a retiree from Ash, saw it a bit differently: while not a fan of Trump, he wondered whether Britain needed a shock to get us kicked in the right places, because were just going nowhere at the moment.

Britain may feel broken but the right is far from united on how to fix it, split between traditional conservatism and Reforms insurgence. Most recoil from Trumps style of disruption and upheaval, and ties to him remain a top liability for Farage. But one thing that did unite the two groups was their sense that Keir Starmer was struggling as prime minister. Allie summed it up by saying Starmer was floating over it all without going very deep into anything.

That sense of a prime minister adrift, after the failures of the last Tory government, was driving these voters to contemplate something more radical. Or as Derek put it: Weve tried Conservative, weve tried Labour, they didnt work. Why not try Reform? Weve got nothing to lose. If that doesnt work  he chuckled, then its definitely broken.

(Participants names have been changed)

Luke Tryl is the UK director of the research group More in Common
A medical professional prepares the hepatitis B vaccine. Photograph: The Washington Post/Getty Images (Photograph: The Washington Post/Getty Images)

US health officials insisted it was still on. African health leaders said it was cancelled. At the heart of the controversy is the west African nation of Guinea-Bissau  one of the poorest countries in the world and the proposed site of a hotly debated US-funded study on vaccines.

The study on hepatitis B vaccination, to be led by Danish researchers, became a flashpoint after major changes to the US vaccination schedule and prompted questions about how research is conducted ethically in other countries.

On Thursday, Quinhin Nantote, a military doctor and the recently appointed minister of health in Guinea-Bissau, confirmed to journalists that the trial had been cancelled or suspended because the science was not well-reviewed. Guinea-Bissau experienced a coup in November, and top leaders were recently replaced.

A team of research experts at the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, at Nantotes request, will travel to Guinea-Bissau to help officials review the study. Officials from Denmark and the US have also been invited to review the trial, Jean Kaseya, director-general of the Africa CDC, said at the press meeting.

The decision to halt the trial is not for international organizations or foreign countries to determine, Kaseya said.

Its the sovereignty of the country, he said. I dont know what will be this decision, but I will support the decision that the minister will make.

Officials with the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have called into question the credibility of the Africa CDC, after officials with the organization confirmed the study was cancelled.

To be clear, the trial will proceed as planned, Andrew Nixon, an HHS spokesperson, said in a statement on Wednesday. He said the Africa CDC was waging a public-relations campaign aimed to shape public perception rather than engaging with the scientific facts. When asked by the Guardian, he offered no proof of either claim.

An HHS official also called the Africa CDC a powerless, fake organization attempting to manufacture credibility by repeating its claims publicly, adding that the organization was not a reliable source.

Kaseya said he had spoken to senior HHS officials, who were unaware of the statement, and he pointed to the Africa CDCs key role in responding to outbreaks with global implications.

Its very important to fund research that Africans actually want, said Abdulhammad Babatunde, a medical doctor and global health researcher in Nigeria. Africans want to solve Africas problems, not satisfy the curiosity of the funders.

The researchers would have given hepatitis B vaccines to 7,000 infants at birth and withheld the vaccines for another 7,000 infants until six weeks of age in order to study the overall health effects of giving the vaccines alongside other shots. Nearly one in five adults and about 11% of young children in Guinea-Bissau have hepatitis B  putting them at high risk of severe illness and death.

This is not acceptable, said Babatunde of the studys design. To prevent things like the Tuskegee study and others, the control group has to get the standard of care, and the intervention group should get [potentially] better care.

The World Health Organization recommends giving the hepatitis B vaccine to all newborns within 24 hours of birth. Infants in Guinea-Bissau currently receive the shot at six weeks of age, but the doses will roll out to all newborns in 2028 in order to close gaps in care standards. The current reason why the vaccine is not achieving coverage in Guinea-Bissau is because theres no funding, and the funding should try to promote the vaccine, not use children as lab rats, Babatunde said.

Officials in an imbalanced power structure might be intimidated, he said. It might be a very tough call for the officials in Guinea-Bissau, depending on what they stand to lose if they restrict the study. At this moment, its [time] for other African member states to come support Guinea-Bissau, to maintain their sovereignty and protect the children of Guinea-Bissau.

When deciding whether a revised version of the study will move forward, the most important voice was that of Guinea-Bissaus ministry of health, which is responsible for protecting the health of all Bissau-Guineans, said Gavin Yamey, professor of global health at the Duke Global Health Institute. So hearing from ministry officials today is hugely important.

The confusion in Guinea-Bissau comes back to how the trial was given the green light, said Nantote, who spoke in Portuguese through a translator.

An early version of the study was approved by Guinea-Bissaus six-person ethics committee, Comite Nacional de Etica em Pesquisa em Saude (CNEPS), on 5 November, according to the Danish researchers. The researchers have since made updates that have not been approved by the committee.

The Guinea-Bissau ethics committee, CNEPS, initially approved the study, according to an individual who identified himself to the Guardian as the interim director of CNEPS. The study did not mention that infants would go unvaccinated, he said  but the ethical concern is that the vaccine would be withheld from some newborns at birth, when it is most needed. No further changes have been made to the design of the trial because it was suspended by the countrys ministry of health, he said.

We think that they did not meet and they did not address this issue adequately, Nantote said of the ethics committee.

The Danish researchers did not appear to seek approval from ethics boards in Denmark or the US, though the Helsinki declaration requires approval from research ethics committees in both the sponsoring and host countries.

The HHS said in a statement to the Guardian after publication on Friday that the trial was paused, but did not respond to the Guardians questions on ethical concerns and its characterization of the Africa CDC. The researchers did not respond to inquiries about the trials cancellation or questions about their research. The HHS, the researchers and the University of Southern Denmark did not respond to inquiries about whether US or Danish ethical committees were consulted.

Nantote and Kaseya both highlighted the challenges to health in Guinea-Bissau. Less than a quarter of the country has access to basic services such as water and sanitation. Poverty and food insecurity are persistent. With limited access to healthcare, maternal mortality is high, and malaria is a leading cause of death.

The authorities of Guinea-Bissau, they know that, Kaseya said. They are doing their best to address that.
I spent six months with Nato troops in Afghanistan  Trumps wrong, they were the front line

Donald Trump doesnt like heroes. Not real men and women who have made the kind of sacrifice he avoided when he swerved the Vietnam draft on medical grounds. For he cannot stand to be seen as less of a global superstar than Volodymyr Zelensky.

In February 2022, the Ukrainian president stayed on with his wife and young family in Kyiv, certain in the knowledge that Vladimir Putin had sent his finest assassins to kill them all. Whether Trump would have hung around is harder to tell.

And there should be no surprise when he disparages the war dead from the UK and other Nato countries who were killed as a result of the ill-fated war on terror that was prompted by an American call to arms answered by Nato.

US marines in Helmand province, 2008 (AFP/Getty)

Trump, after all, has scorned Americas own war dead on numerous occasions and openly sneered at its most celebrated heroes of combat.

I saw US marines race over notoriously dangerous roads and choke points, riddled with hidden bombs, without a moments hesitation to aid British troops in Musa Qala, Helmand  a front line Nato operation.

They were there because Afghanistan had harboured al-Qaeda, which had plotted the 9/11 atrocities. From day one of the US-led invasion of Afghanistan and later of Iraq, British troops were there.

Men like Sergeant Major Gaz ODonnell, who won a George Medal for diffusing bombs in Iraq. He shuttled around Helmand, painting the sand with a household brush to expose trip wires and hidden weapons rigged to kill.

He was good-looking, a former musician, a gym fanatic and an iconic member of the bomb disposal teams in Britain who sported a Felix the Cat badge. I saw him crunching mountains of salad in Camp Bastion between helicopter trips into the front lines and dust of Helmand to clear paths and roads for Natos troops.

Then he was dead. A bomb-disposal expert has to score 100 per cent 100 per cent of the time. His friend, Mike Webb, had to crawl to his remains in full view of the Taliban to retrieve Gazs body in the dusty river valley close to Musa Qala.

Sam Kiley during his six month assignment with 16 Air Assault Brigade in Helmand (Sam Kiley/The Independent)

So much for Trumps remarks that Nato troops stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.

In Helmand in 2008, the Nato mission to close down the ungoverned spaces in Afghanistan being used by militant groups had mutated into a war that no Nato officers could accurately explain.

Were they there, having toppled the Taliban in 2001, to protect the new government, get female children into schools, eradicate opium poppies? Maybe all of the above  but they were not there because any Nato country was still in any danger from whoever remained in Afghanistan.

But Nato stayed alongside America.

Its members also fought alongside the US in the ill-fated and stupid mission to invade Iraq in 2003 on the falsified premise that Saddam Hussein was building a nuclear weapon.

British intelligence, foreign office and military officials argued against the mission because they knew it would end in disaster, but they followed orders and went anyway.

Those who did not come back were, in Trumps view, obviously losers.

In 2018, thats how he described American war dead buried near Paris when he shrugged off a trip there because of the rain.

Donald Trump speaks to the press before departing the White House for Paris in November 2018 (AFP/Getty)

Why should I go to that cemetery? Its full of losers, he was reported to have said.

He also called the 1,800 US marines killed at Belleau Wood during the First World War suckers.

According to The Atlantic magazine, on the same trip to France, he asked aides: Who were the good guys in this war? He also said that he didnt understand why the United States would intervene on the side of the Allies.

Trump avoided the Vietnam draft due to bone spurs in his feet. In contrast, senator John McCain served his country. He was shot down there in 1967, held as a prisoner and tortured until 1973.

McCain won the Silver Star, three Bronze Stars, the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Legions of Merit for valour in combat, and was awarded two Purple Hearts for wounds he sustained, which left him with lifelong pain to manage.

In 2015, Trump said: Hes not a war hero. I like people who werent captured.

A Taliban roadside bomb explodes in Mian Poshteh, Helmand, in 2009 (Peter van Agtmael/Thames&Hudson)

He would never have heard of Jay Bateman and Jeff Doherty. They were killed when Taliban snipers triggered an ambush against them in the Helmand Valley as they were patrolling back to a British fort known as Forward Operating Base (FOB) Gibraltar in June 2008.

The rest of their platoon fought off the ambush, dragging the bodies of their dead comrades while several others were wounded. They carried Jeff and Jay in wheelbarrows and heaved them into the back of a stolen station wagon to get them home to the base.

For C Bruneval Company of the 2nd Parachute Regiment in FOB Gibraltar, the fighting and dying went on for six months and a third of the men and women there were killed or injured.

When they were not fighting, they played like puppies in the sand in the base, scavenging joy wherever they could  bombarding their officers with flour-soaked water bombs fired from catapults made of jock-straps and surgical tube.

Sam Kiley in Helmand, Afghanistan, in 2008 (Sam Kiley/The Independent)

They fought alongside Danish artillery experts and Nato forces from all over the alliance. One senior British officer, who has seen an Estonian platoon in action, said they were such ferocious warriors in assault that once they were unleashed I thought we might never be able to call them back.

It would be naive to say these men and women fought with such ferocity simply for Nato. And British troops have long been celebrated as the attack dogs of the alliance, even if the armed forces are much diminished.

Trumps contempt for their efforts, though, now means that the US president should avoid British garrison towns.

British soldiers wont hurt the US president, but theyre good with catapults and hed be lucky if theyre loaded with only flour.
Sir Keir Starmers allies are planning to block potential leadership rival Andy Burnhams route back to Westminster, according to reports.

Former Labour minister Andrew Gwynne, who had the whip removed over offensive WhatsApp messages, stood down as an MP on Thursday.

His departure creates a route for Mr Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, to make a Commons comeback that would allow him to challenge Sir Keirs position, following speculation that he could stand in the upcoming by-election for Gorton and Denton.

However, the prime ministers allies on Labours national executive committee (NEC) have vowed to try to block Mr Burnham from standing in the May by-election, The Times has reported.

There is an overwhelming anti-Burnham coalition that spans left and right on the NEC, according to one of its members.

It has even been reported that No 10 is toying with the idea of imposing a loyalty pledge in which candidates would have to confirm their allegiance to Sir Keir (PA Wire)

Another told the newspaper that the prospect of a Manchester mayoral election is worrying even the most anti-leadership members.

A third said they would support a Burnham leadership in a utopia but conceded the reality is itll be so bad in areas we are already bleeding votes.

It has even been reported that No 10 is toying with the idea of imposing a loyalty pledge in which candidates would have to confirm their allegiance to Sir Keir. Consequently, if Mr Burnham launched a leadership bid, he could be painted as a traitor.

Despite repeatedly declining to rule out a Commons comeback or leadership challenge, the Manchester mayor urged people not to rush to conclusions following Mr Gwynnes resignation.

If successful, Mr Burnham could return to parliament just as the prime minister reaches his lowest ebb, with Scottish and Welsh elections and English council elections in May expected to be disastrous for Labour.

Just hours after the by-election was confirmed, Sir Keir warned his MPs to stop talking about potential leadership challenges, saying in an interview with Channel 4 News that every minute we waste talking about anything other than the cost of living and stability in Europe and across the globe is a wasted minute.

Speculation is mounting in Westminster that Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham could use an upcoming by-election in Gorton and Denton to return to parliament (PA Wire)

Mr Gwynne, who has been away from parliament on sick leave, had previously denied that he was intending to vacate the seat, saying in September that the route to No 10 was not going to be through his seat.

He was sacked as health minister and suspended from the Labour Party in February last year over comments made in a WhatsApp group. He reportedly posted sexist comments about Angela Rayner, racist remarks about the Labour MP Diane Abbott and joked in a closed group chat with Labour figures based around Manchester about an elderly woman dying. At the time, he publicly apologised and said he regretted the badly misjudged remarks.

On Thursday afternoon, he confirmed he would stand down from his Gorton and Denton constituency, citing health reasons.

In a post on Facebook, the MP wrote: I havent got everything right and Ive certainly made mistakes, but Ive always tried my very best and I have helped tens of thousands of constituents with their issues along the way. Indeed its been helping people thats given me the greatest pleasure in these jobs."

Mr Gwynne said he had suffered significant ill-health over most of the 21 years I've served as an MP, which had been greatly exacerbated by the impact of last years events regarding leaked text messages.

Before the by-election was confirmed, Sir Keir would not say whether he supported the idea of Mr Burnham standing as an MP if a vacancy were to arise, but added that Mr Burnham was doing an excellent job as mayor.

Andrew Gwynnes decision to leave parliament has paved the way for a possible Westminster return for Andy Burnham (PA Archive)

Meanwhile, there has been widespread speculation over Mr Burnhams leadership ambitions, with the mayor regularly tipped as the leading candidate to take over should Sir Keirs position as prime minister become untenable.

Mr Burnham was the focus of such rumours at the Labour Party conference in September, when he revealed that MPs were privately urging him to challenge Sir Keir.

But he later criticised reports of a leadership bid, and wrote on X in December: Quite a lot of rubbish in the papers today. Reminds me why I left Westminster in the first place!

On Thursday afternoon, he said he was in the dark over a potential by-election. He said: Its not been confirmed to me. Ive had no contact on this issue with Andrew or anyone close to him. I know him of old, of course, but Im as in the dark about this as anyone.

He added: People shouldnt rush to conclusions.

Any by-election looks likely to be called to coincide with Mays elections. That would give Labour a greater chance of keeping the seat, and potentially the Greater Manchester mayoralty, against Nigel Farages Reform UK, currently riding high in nationwide opinion polls.

Mr Farages outfit, which does not have the infrastructure of larger parties, is already expected to be spread thin fighting for votes in Scotland, Wales and across English councils on 7 May.

But the timing raises the prospect that Mr Burnham could become an MP, a prerequisite for getting the top job, just as Sir Keir suffers his most significant blow in office.

There are fears Labour could face a wipeout in some areas at the upcoming local elections, in what could be a key moment in Sir Keirs time as prime minister.

The most recent YouGov MRP, which was carried out in September 2025, projected a Labour hold in the constituency with Labour on 30 per cent and Reform UK on 24.

Earlier this month, the leading pollster Professor Sir John Curtice said Mr Burnham represented Labours best hope of keeping Nigel Farage out of No 10.

Sir John told The Independent he believed only Mr Burnham had the support within the Labour Party, and appeal to the wider electorate, to be an effective replacement for Sir Keir, who he said doesnt have the skill set for Downing Street.

A YouGov poll last month also showed Mr Burnham was the clear frontrunner among the candidates tipped to succeed Sir Keir, ahead of former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and Mr Streeting. But there was a backlash among some Labour MPs against the idea of Mr Burnham standing. One Labour MP told The Independent that it would be nothing more than a distraction that can roll on for months that we frankly dont f***ing need.

The Independent has contacted both Mr Gwynne and Mr Burnham for comment.
Sir Keir Starmer has insisted the Chagos deal with Mauritius is needed for security reasons. Donald Trump has criticised the PMs plans - Leon Neal/Getty Images

Sir Keir Starmer has been forced to pull his Chagos Islands bill in the wake of a US backlash over the deal.

The legislation was expected to be debated in the House of Lords on Monday, but was delayed on Friday night after the Conservatives warned it could violate a 60-year-old treaty with the US that enshrines British sovereignty over the archipelago.

Donald Trump turned against the Chagos deal earlier this week, saying that Britains plan to hand the Indian Ocean territory to Mauritius was an act of great stupidity.

Donald Trump posted a rebuke of Sir Keirs plans on Truth Social on Jan 20

Under the terms of Sir Keirs deal, the UK would hand over the archipelago to Mauritius and lease back the Diego Garcia military base, a facility built there in the 1970s that has been used by UK and US forces.

The Tories had warned this agreement would break a 1966 treaty between the UK and the US, that asserts Britains sovereignty over the islands and is meant to ensure they remain available to both sides for defence purposes.

Ministers said in late December that the two nations were engaging in talks about updating this treaty in light of the new Chagos deal, but the talks have not been completed.

Asked last night if Mr Trump would be willing to tear up the 1966 treaty and allow the transfer of Chagos to go ahead, the US state department referred back to the presidents criticism on Tuesday when he said: The UK giving away extremely important land is an act of GREAT STUPIDITY.

Foreign Office insiders were scrambling to understand the significance of the treaty on Friday night.

One source played down its relevance, saying while conversations with US administration figures about the issue were ongoing, the Americans were broadly supportive.

The legal significance of the old treaty and whether the new legislation would effectively override it was also unclear.

Much depends on whether Mr Trumps position on the Chagos deal has genuinely changed or  as Sir Keir has claimed  that this was only being used to force a change in Britains Greenland stance.

If Downing Street tried to press ahead without Washingtons approval, it could face a bruising battle with the US state department.

A government spokesman insisted that the claims the Chagos deal broke international law were complete nonsense.

The Chagos Islands are home to the Diego Garcia military base, a facility built there in the 1970s that has been used by UK and US forces. - U.S. Navy via AP, File

Relations between Sir Keir and President Trump have soured dramatically this week.

On Monday, the Prime Minister held an emergency press conference to criticise Mr Trumps attempts to take control of Greenland, saying that alliances endure because they are built on respect, and partnership, not pressure.

He later added that he would not yield to Mr Trump over the issue.

On Friday a new row erupted between the two men, when Mr Trump claimed that Americas Nato allies had stayed a little back off the front lines when serving in Afghanistan.

Sir Keir said the president should apologise for the insulting and frankly appalling remarks, paying tribute to the 457 British troops who died and those who were injured in the conflict.

Mr Trumps comments were also condemned by Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, as well as Prince Harry, who himself fought in the conflict.

On Friday morning the Conservatives tabled a motion in the House of Lords calling for the new Chagos deals ratification to be delayed to allow talks on the 1966 treaty to conclude, with the aim of avoiding a breach of international law.

Legislation underpinning the agreement was expected to return to the Lords on Monday for further scrutiny.

But The Telegraph can reveal that it will no longer be returning to the upper chamber as planned.

Ms Badenoch said the deal could not progress while this issue remains unsolved.

She said: Throughout the Chagos debates, Keir Starmer has tried to hide behind the cover of international law, now the Conservatives are exposing that his shameful surrender may be illegal.

The Telegraph understands that Scott Bessent, the US treasury secretary, and Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, discussed the Chagos Islands deal at a dinner at Davos.

Mrs Badenoch had also raised concerns with US representatives. She met Mike Johnson, the Republican House speaker, on Monday night during his visit to Parliament and discussed the issue.

Dame Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, said: He is happy to hand over British sovereign territory and 35bn of taxpayers money to an ally of China  even if it conflicts with international law.

As a lawyer he should know better. But his desire to appease Beijing clouds his judgment, as we saw with his decision to approve the Chinese spy hub super embassy this week.

Both the US and British militaries use the Diego Garcia base on the Chagos Islands to project power in the Indian Ocean

The Government has repeatedly insisted that an agreement with Mauritius is needed for security reasons and would avoid a costly legal battle over the territory.

Sir Keir has pointed to a 2019 ruling in the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which was non-binding, stating Britain should relinquish sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius.

The agreement struck in December 1966 between the UK and the US said the Chagos Islands shall remain under United Kingdom sovereignty.

The treaty, registered with the United Nations a year after the archipelago became British Indian Ocean Territory, was agreed as part of discussions around the use of Diego Garcia by the UK and US for defence purposes.

Asked about the effect of the previous deal on Sir Keirs new agreement, Baroness Chapman, the Foreign Office minister, said the UK and US were discussing the matter.

She said in December: The agreement between the UK and Mauritius secures the important UK-US military base on Diego Garcia.

The agreement was tested at the highest levels of the United States security establishment, across multiple agencies, and it has been backed by our key allies and international partners, including the US and all our Five Eyes partners.

Talks are ongoing to update the UK-US Exchange of Letters on the operation of the Diego Garcia Base.

Lord Callanan, the shadow Foreign Office spokesman in the House of Lords, wrote to Lady Chapman on Friday asking whether the Chagos deal would be legal if the 1966 treaty remained unchanged.

A government spokesman said: This is complete nonsense. The deal fully complies with international law.

The Government remains fully committed to the deal to secure the joint UK-US base on Diego Garcia, which is vital for our national security.

This is irresponsible and reckless behaviour by peers, whose roles is to check legislation, not interfere with our national security priorities.
Sir Keir Starmer has withdrawn his Chagos Islands bill in the face of a shock backlash over the deal from the US, days after Donald Trump labelled it an act of great stupidity.

The legislation, which was set to be debated in the House of Lords on Monday, has now been delayed, amid warnings it could breach a treaty with the US that asserts the UKs sovereignty over the archipelago.

In response, ministers have furiously accused peers of interfering with Britains national security and irresponsible and reckless behaviour.

While sources insist the bill will return, opponents claim it cannot move forward without support from the US.

The US president sent shockwaves through Downing Street this week with his attack on Sir Keirs plans to hand the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, in a deal the government says is necessary to secure the future of the crucial UK-US Diego Garcia military base.

Starmer withdrew the Chagos Islands bill in the face of backlash over the deal from Donald Trump, according to reports (PA)

Ministers secured US backing for the deal last year. And in February, the president told Sir Keir during a visit to the White House that he was inclined to go with your country and that he had a feeling its going to work out very well.

But earlier this week, the US president dramatically U-turned, using a post on his Truth Social platform to call it an act of great stupidity. In return, Sir Keir accused him of trying to pressure the UK to back Americas plans to take over Greenland.

The new delay follows warnings that the handover of the islands could breach a treaty with the US that asserts the UKs sovereignty over the archipelago.

But the government has furiously accused peers of interfering with Britains national security, and irresponsible and reckless behaviour.

The legislation is intended to provide a firm legal basis for the operation of the strategically important Diego Garcia Military Base, which has been used by UK and US forces since it was built on the islands in the 1970s. Ministers have claimed the deal is necessary because international court rulings in favour of Mauritian claims to sovereignty had threatened the future of the facility.

The proposed deal would lead Britain to give up the territory and lease back the base  a move the Conservatives have suggested would break a UK-US treaty signed in 1966, which enshrines the UKs sovereignty over the archipelago.

With promised updates to the 1966 agreement yet to materialise, the Tories tabled a motion in the Lords on Friday morning, demanding a delay in the treatys ratification for fear of otherwise breaking international law.

The legislation underpinning the deal had been set to go back to the upper chamber for further scrutiny on Monday, but that will no longer happen.

The Chagos Islands house the strategically important Diego Garcia Military Base (PA)

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused Keir Starmer of trying to hide behind the cover of international law, now the Conservatives are exposing that his shameful surrender may be illegal.

Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel said: He is happy to hand over British sovereign territory and 35bn of taxpayers money to an ally of China  even if it conflicts with international law.

As a lawyer, he should know better. But his desire to appease Beijing clouds his judgement, as we saw with his decision to approve the Chinese spy hub super embassy this week.

A government spokesperson told The Independent: The government remains fully committed to the deal to secure the joint UK-US base on Diego Garcia, which is vital for our national security.

This is irresponsible and reckless behaviour by peers, whose role is to check legislation, not interfere with our national security priorities.
Stephen Colbert taunts network bosses while mocking Trumps Board of Peace fee: CBS got to do it for just $16 million

Stephen Colbert took a pointed shot at his networks leadership Thursday night while also mocking Donald Trump over the so-called Board of Peaces billion-dollar membership fee, quipping that CBS paid just $16 million to obey the president.

Colbert, who is signing off as The Late Shows host in May after Paramount decided to cancel his show just days before the Trump administration approved its merger with David Ellisons Skydance, has spent the past few months zinging his corporate bosses on his way out the door. And he let his audience know on Thursday that he wouldnt be slowing down as his last day approaches.

During his opening monologue, Colbert riffed on the presidents recently launched Board of Peace, which he bills as a charter to resolve a series of global conflicts and he will chair personally.

While more than 20 countries have said they will join the board and leaders of those nations were on hand at a signing ceremony in Davos this week, major Western allies have indicated they will not be taking part at this time due to a series of concerns  especially as tensions escalate between the United States and Europe over Greenland. Meanwhile, the president has already disinvited Canada following Prime Minister Mark Carneys blistering rebuke of American hegemony  but has extended invitations to both China and Russia.

Trumps next mission in Davos was debuting a new international club that he calls the Board of Peace, where nations can pay $1 billion for a permanent seat. No surprise that peace has a price, Colbert began.

Stephen Colbert took aim at his corporate bosses while ridiculing the Board of Peace launched by Donald Trump, referencing the $16 million settlement CBS paid to the president. (CBS)

Members nations on the board shall serve a term of no more than three years, unless they contribute more than $1 billion, according to the charter. The White House has since said there is not a minimum membership fee to join the Board of Peace, and that the billion-dollar contribution simply offers permanent membership to partner countries who demonstrate deep commitment to peace, security, and prosperity.

Right now, its unclear where the funds collected from the Board of Peace members would be held. My guess is Trumps personal piggy bank, the Canklebankle. According to the charter, the board will have one man in charge, the Late Show star added. And Ill give you a hint. Hes in the diaper.

After further ridiculing the Board of Peace as nothing more than Trump literally just doing model U.N., Colbert then took aim at his networks parent company, reminding viewers that Paramount paid Trump to settle a meritless lawsuit over a 60 Minutes interview just weeks before the FCC signed off on the Skydance-Paramount merger.

Now, admittedly, the idea of paying a billion dollars to obey Donald Trump seems a little steep; after all, CBS got to do it for just $16 million, the comic cracked, prompting applause and laughter from the studio audience.

Colbert, who has long been a Trump antagonist, was highly critical of the Paramount settlement with the president immediately after it was announced in July, calling it big, fat bribe and noting that legal experts called Trumps lawsuit frivolous and without merit.

Prior to CBS canceling Stephen Colberts top-rated show, Donald Trump had made no secret about his desire to see the late-night host booted from the air. (Getty)

Days later, CBS revealed that it was canceling the Late Show and Colbert would be leaving the network in May  something that the president had repeatedly called for over the years. While the network said the decision was purely a financial one due to declining ad revenues for late-night television, CBS staffers claimed it was a continuation of the Trump shakedown that began with the settlement.

Elsewhere on Thursday nights broadcast, Colbert also reacted to FCC chairman Brendan Carrs push to enforce long-dormant guidance on political candidates appearing on talk shows, which appears to be aimed squarely at late-night hosts who have been vocal critics of the president.

This is clearly an attempt to silence me, Jimmy and Seth, Colbert said, referencing fellow late-night stars Jimmy Kimmel and Seth Meyers, who have both been frequently targeted by Trump  and in Kimmels case, briefly pulled from the air following a warning from Carr.

Ive got one thing to say to the [Federal Communications Commission], Colbert added. Im flattered you think that appearing on my show has the power to affect politics in any way, but Ive been doing this job for 21 years, and let me tell you something, buddyif our government had turned out the way I had chosen, you would not have the power to make this announcement.

Carrs mission to enforce the equal time rules, however, could have unintended consequences. As public interest lawyer Andrew Jay Schwartzman told the New York Times, while Carr is looking to trim the sails of certain talk shows, this could also raise the question of whether conservative talk radio hosts would also have to provide equal time to candidates.
Ben Pauling and Harry Redknapp already have a major Cheltenham contender on their hands and Taurus Bay could add his name to the list when he steps up both in trip and grade for the AIS Novices Hurdle on Saturday.

While Gold Cup hope The Jukebox Man has been garnering headlines, Taurus Bay has quietly impressed in his own right and now gets his own chance to step into the spotlight, with only testing conditions concerning his trainer ahead of a visit to Prestbury Park.

Pauling said: I think Taurus Bay is very smart, but we are going from two miles to two and a half miles on what will be very testing ground and hopefully he will stay.

Hes in very good order and looks a million dollars and were keen to see how he progresses at this level.

I think hell handle the ground, but its whether he really wants this trip in a bog. Theres a difference between somewhere like Aintree on soft ground and then Cheltenham in soft ground, but hes a classy horse and I would hope he can take it in his stride.

Its obviously a very decent race and Im excited to get him out again.

John McConnells Champion Bumper runner-up Heads Up looks the pick of two Irish raiders in the field, returning to the Cotswolds after chasing home No Drama This End at Cheltenham in November.

McConnell, who has booked Danny Mullins, said: Hes in good shape and has had a nice break since the last day, were hopeful.

I think his form is right up there and were hopeful hes better than his last run, so hopefully he shows it on Saturday.

You wont get better than Danny, so we just decided to do that and hopefully it works.

Also bumping into Paul Nicholls stable star on their most recent outing was Olly Murphys Blue Room, one of two in the race for the Warren Chase handler alongside the unbeaten Adonedeal.

The Blue Room hasnt done as lot wrong, hes been freshened up since Sandown and hes been aimed at the race, said Murphy.

It looks a very strong contest but hes got an each-way chance. No Drama This End beat us well, but we made a mistake at the wrong time.

Well know if we go down the handicap route or stay in graded races after this.

He went on: Adonedeal has done absolutely nothing wrong at all and while he looks a little bit wrong at the weights, were keen to dip our toe in and see where we stand and then well know a little bit more the route well go down.

The likely favourite is Nicky Hendersons Act Of Innocence who impressed at Newbury on his debut but now heads up in distance after narrowly failing to concede a hefty weight burden to Nicholls youngster Minella Yoga back at the track over the Christmas period.

That Ditcheat runner looks to have leading claims in the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle earlier on the card as the exciting prospect crosses swords with Dan Skeltons taking Kempton winner Maestro Conti.

Nicholls told Betfair: We are still learning about him after he surprised us a little with the manner of his win at Newbury in December. The way he travelled and stayed on strongly to put the race to bed in the last furlong impressed me.

He can only keep learning. I think the softer ground wont hurt him  he won on heavy at Fairyhouse in November  and, based on the way he stayed on strongly, I think he will gallop up that Cheltenham hill. It is a learning curve, we are learning all about him.

Dan Skeltons horse in this race, Maestro Conti, has won two from two, and there are other smart horses in there, so this is going to be a good race. But we are very happy with Minella Yoga and how he performs on Saturday will tell us whether he is going to go to the Triumph Hurdle.

Hoping to mix it with those two star names is Chester Williams who send his easy Chepstow Grade Two winner Tenter Le Tout into battle hoping her professionalism can help her remain on an upward curve in conditions that will suit.

Shes been an absolute professional in both her hurdling runs and she jumps very well, said Williams.

She stays well and she is probably todays horse rather than tomorrows horse and that might be the key at the moment against some other juveniles who are still weak and still developing.

Her jumping stands out and she is so good once she gets on track. The soft ground wont bother her either and to be honest I didnt even want to run her at Chepstow on the day as it was clear after the first race it was good ground and I do think she will enjoy getting her toe in.

Had there been options the next week and rain forecast she might have gone there but thankfully that wasnt a possibility and it paid off.
Chinese embassy donates dignity kits to support women in South Sudan

Xinhua) 10:57, January 23, 2026

JUBA, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy in South Sudan on Thursday donated dignity kits to vulnerable women and girls in the capital, Juba, reaffirming China's commitment to supporting women's development in the country.

The donation, implemented in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and South Sudan's Ministry of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare, aims to improve the living conditions and dignity of women and girls in need.

Ma Qiang, Chinese ambassador to South Sudan, said the dignity kits contain essential daily and hygiene items, including sanitary pads, soaps, and solar flashlights, which will be distributed through UNFPA's network.

"They are important contributors to human civilization, and advancing women's rights and welfare is a shared responsibility of the international community," Ma said during the donation ceremony.

He underlined China's long-term commitment to women's development, including additional financial contributions to UN Women, expanded South-South cooperation funding, livelihood programs, training and exchange opportunities, and the establishment of a global center for women's capacity building.

Ma said China will continue to support women's development in South Sudan, strengthen cooperation with international partners, including UNFPA, and promote gender equality and women's holistic development, contributing to building a community with a shared future for humanity.

Nuna Rhoda Rudolf Ndefu, South Sudan's minister of gender, child, and social welfare, expressed appreciation to the Chinese government and UNFPA for the donation, describing the dignity kits as a meaningful contribution to protecting vulnerable women and girls and a reflection of the strong partnership between South Sudan and China.

"These dignity kits are not just items in a bag; they are a gift of dignity, safety, and comfort for women and girls in vulnerable situations, and a practical step in our shared mission to end gender-based violence," the minister said.

Kidane Abraha, UNFPA officer in charge in South Sudan, said the donation provides timely and essential support to women and girls affected by displacement and humanitarian crises, particularly in meeting basic health and hygiene needs.

"The value of these dignity kits is not in the money, but in their importance and timing, as they provide basic support to women and girls who lack access to essential hygiene during crisis," Abraha added.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
by Kyle Munkittrick

Thanks to the failure of bioethics and billionaires going full Genghis Khan, a radical Marxist feminists dream is about to come true.

In her 1970 polemic The Dialectic of Sex Shulamith Firestone makes a radical argument even by radical Marxist feminist standards: Liberation from patriarchy requires liberation from biology. The cornerstone of her cybernetic communist utopia? Artificial wombs.

Now, of course, this was over fifty years ago and that other classic text of artificial wombs, Brave New World, was already forty years old when Firestone was writing. While making them a reality will require some serious capital-S Science, the problem has never, really, been one of technology. Its that idea of artificial wombs is so repellent that, in a There is No Anti-Memetics Division kind of way, they are a self-defeating concept. Outside the most extreme thinkers like Firestone, the technology is so off-putting that little to no effort has been put into pursuing it, let alone banning it. We havent even made it past debating the precursorsstem cell research, animal cloning, IVF, surrogates, and designer babies.

Or we hadnt. Ours is an era of leap-frogging. But in the few years, everything changed. Its so early you cant quite see it, but the market for artificial wombs is now here, without debate or discussion. Just as the once-science-fictional shot for obesity is here today, there will be push-button babies in a tomorrow closer than you think.

To understand how this has happened, you have to ask yourself not why artificial wombs now, but why dont we have them already? And to answer that, you need to answer a stranger question still:

Why dont billionaires have way more kids?

The Billionaire Baby Boom

When I say more kids I mean way more. Billionaires are a good test case for fertility crisis. If you think you know what will make people have more kids, just ask yourself, Well, is that a problem for billionaires? No, ok then thats probably not actually it.

Billionaires are utterly price insensitive. They are happily iconoclastic and engage in bizarre behaviors. Theyre global and relocate with ease. Many are foreign and have extremely different value sets. Many already have larger than average families. Theyre not worried about any opportunity costs of doing so. They can hire an army to deal with the most annoying parts. Many of them regularly get divorced and remarry, some several times, often to much younger women. Some, if not most, often seem gleefully selfish and amoral.

And, despite all this, most only have three or four kids, five or six for big families.

Except for Elon Musk. The details are semi-private and disputed, but its not unreasonable to claim Musk has at least fourteen kids with four womenlikely more with more. Musk is, even among billionaires, a weird guy. And no, this isnt going where you think. Musk is not starting a new company for artificial wombs. Yes, he has posted about this being a good idea, but, for once, he didnt immediately start another company to pursue it.

I had written off his behavior as a one-off, until the news broke that a Chinese billionaire, Xu Bo, has already had at least one-hundred children via surrogates. I also wrote this off, but then a second billionaire, Pavel Durov, said he had 106 children. This has already happened. The kids exist. Some of them are teenagers.

While Bo and Durov might be the only ones doing this, I doubt it. My intuition has flipped. Its more plausible that they are just the first to admit having over 100 kids. Given that neither of these guys are in the top 100 wealthiest people in the world and Bo is barely in the top 1000, well there are a lot of people who could be doing what theyre doing.

Ok, well, geeze. I guess the billionaires are starting to have way more kids. Despite this apparently being a thing for years now, it was, if not a secret, not public until about a month ago. Why? Even with lawsuits, billionaires have a way of keeping things quiet if they need to. They certainly dont need to go on Lex Friedmans podcast to talk about details they dont want aired, the way Durov did. Its simple. Now they can.

Because nobody cares if they do.

The Failure of Bioethics

Well, maybe you care.

How do you feel thinking about billionaires using surrogates to have hundreds of kids all over the planet?

Are you grossed out? Feeling the ick? Bioethicists used to think there was wisdom in that. Leon Kass, famous for heading up the Presidential Council on Bioethics that banned stem cell research, described this reaction as the Wisdom of Repugnance.

Kass is a conservative bioethicist, who, along with more liberal and centrist bioethicists like Art Caplan and Ezekiel Emanuel, was ascendent in the early 2000s. Stem cells, the human genome, Terri Schiavo, organ transplants, HIV, and host of other medical and biotech topics were the hot topics of debate. Every time an issue came up around a new drug or a medical breakthrough, there would be a blizzard of op-eds and think pieces. If you were about to do something spicy, you can be sure a bioethicist was there to chime in, pro or con.

And yet, here we are, years into the furious debates over mRNA vaccines and the reversal of Roe. Biohacking has reached an all time high with peptides, legal and less-so, podcasters and tech millionaires explicitly embracing extreme longevity. Add into that mix billionaires having swarms of kids via surrogates. But nary an op-ed to be seen. Certainly not from bioethicists by trade. Not even The New Atlantis, which seems tailor-made for the moment and recognizes the failure of science commentary, is rising to it.

Had anyone even suggested having over twenty kids a decade ago, we would have been drowning in bioethics opinion pieces. But not any longer. The gatekeepers and hand-wringers of academic bioethics have gone quiet.

What happened to all the bioethics?

COVID, is what. Mainstream bioethicists spent every cent of credibility on COVID, and they spent it badly. Dogmatically certain, brutally dismissivethen quietly memory-holing their prior certainty when the consensus shifted, hoping no one would notice. These were the people who rejected a simple polio-style vaccine campaign for convoluted layers of who was most deserving, creating waste and confusion, then flipped to mandates when uptake stalled. January 2021: you want the vaccine? How dare you!? June 2021: you dont want it? How dare you!? Arguments for half doses, first doses first, challenge trialsdismissed and condemned. Bioethicists got lapped by economists and tech people willing to actually look at the numbers.

The field that should have been asking hard questions about trade-offs between distribution and efficacy was too busy policing pronoun usage in medical journals and calling skeptics dangerous. The people whose job was to be the intellectual guardrails and spear-points revealed themselves as either captured or cowards.

Weve all realized this. No one wonders what they think anymore. We dont even remember to ask.

Normative Collapse

But even without bioethics, artificial wombs are one of the rare topics where left and right agree: gross! Not cool! Do not do that!

The religious right hate the idea of artificial wombs for violating something ineffable about the soul. They are already uncomfortable with IVF and hostile to preimplantation genetic testing. Artificial wombs are obviously DOA. The progressive left see them as degrading capitalist behaviorbodies for rent, babies as outputs. They already make similar claims about surrogates. Both sides find the productization of the person and the optimization of life viscerally offensive.

But I dont think even this matters anymore. The utter non-reaction to those billionaire stories is, to me, telling. Youve probably already moved on yourself.

Stigma doesnt really work anymore. The Trump/Musk era has unleashed a very weird set of behaviors. Grok generating nudes. Bryan Johnson publicly posting what amounts to an erotic journal entry. All the canceled are uncanceled. All the cancelers are inept and toothless.

The conservative Christians who might have objected now tolerate Trumps behavior because the alternative is political exile. JD Vance subtweets the Pope. The moral high ground has eroded because to take a stand is to become an instant hypocrite. Pearl clutching is now something that is done in rage so as to mask just how unbelievably cringe it is to be offended by anything. Only seething, tribal, moral outrage is tolerated, and only then as a kind of not even vice-signaling, but psycho-signaling, proving youre loyal to the cause by saying something so un-retractable and belligerent as to finally trigger a response; only to then retreat to a motte so obviously non-sequitor that the cravenness stuns ones opponents into a gobsmacked kind of silence.

With this, American moral hegemony has largely evaporated. Have you ever stopped to think how weird it is that if something isnt allowed in the US, its basically not allowed anywhere? When the US bans or de-funds some promising or potent branch of science, its almost a global death sentence. For all of Europes back-patting on their liberalism, theyre rarely more than five years ahead or behind of the US on any given regulation. India, China, Russia, and other countries could wantonly thumb their nose at many American norms should they so choose. They do not so choose.

Or did not. What shreds of influence we have left we are not interested in wieldingneither Trump nor congress nor our various peddlers of soft power. Its okay to be profane and sacrilegious in ways that would have ended careers even a few years ago.

Into this world, people are doing what theyve always wanted to do. Theyre going full Genghis Khan.

Status Markets in Everything

So here we are: Billionaires from China, Russia, and America, are creating shah-style throngs of progeny via surrogacy harems. There is no longer even the mask of serial-wives or hushed mistresses. Just blatant use of dozens of surrogates, all impregnated with eggs of various sources, some wives, some donor, some who knows. Industrial reproduction is here not as a dystopia, but a luxury for the wealthy and powerful.

Too many children is now a status symbol; one harder to get than the latest hypercar.

The problem, even for billionaires, is that surrogates are bottlenecked. Sure, hundreds of millions of women could be surrogates, but the ones who are willing, sufficiently healthy, the right age, trustworthy, and who meet every criterion a hyper-wealthy person would want for carrying one of their heirs? Vanishingly rare. Even the good ones are massive risks. They might want to keep the baby. They might get sick. They expose your carefully PGT-screened embryo to an epigenetic environment you cant control.

Surrogates are human. Humans are expensive, risky, and dont scale.

The moment you have cost-insensitive buyers who encounter a symbol of wealth and power they cannot easily attain and are unashamed of openly pursuing, well, now you have a market. Get the billionaires their babies! Artificial wombs become the obvious solution. A market opportunity now exists that wasnt there even this time last year.

Build a Better Surrogate, Birth a Better Baby

And once you let yourself not think of artificial wombs as horrific and you start wondering what would the world be like if these were real?, you have a second realization: Firestone was more than right. Artificial wombs wont just make things better for women, they make things better for everyone.

Consider: The fourth trimester could finally happen inside the womb.

Human babies are born too early because evolution had to compromise between large heads and narrow birth canals. Eleven to thirteen months of gestation would produce babies who are dramatically more developed at birth. Vaccines could be introduced with no needles, all before the baby is born. Peak SIDs risk skipped over. No more premies, ever.

The womb could be transparent, constantly monitored, allowing assessment and intervention within minutes, or hours. Nutrient control, environment standardization, early detection of problemsall become trivial.

Of course, the tech isnt here yet. Thats why the unleashing of the market is such a big deal. As with so many technologies, not much seems to change in a year, but everything can change in a decade. In the last ten years alone weve proliferation of EVs, drone warfare, AI that shreds the Turing test, a vaccine created in six months and a shot that fixes not just obesity, but almost everything else as well. This is not the era in which to bet against an exponential progress curve.

The first artificial womb baby might cost tens of millions. Then the next few, just millions. But within a decade and some change, artificial wombs could be high quality, cost effective, and easily accessed. They could become the default.

The Coming Ironies

The fertility discourse isnt ready for this.

Ross Douthat wants everyone to have more kids, but is he willing to accept artificial wombs if theyre safer for babies, better for mothers, and more affordable than natural gestation? The MAHA movement is afraid of seed oils and vaccinescan you imagine their response to growing babies in machines?

Meanwhile, the progressive left thinks degrowth is good and GMOs are evil. But recall, the radical Marxist feminist who wrote The Dialectic of Sex, argued that artificial wombs were required for true gender equality. No policy could overcome the biological differences between the sexes. Only by defeating biology could women be free.

In the strangest twist, the capitalist oligarchical patriarchy may be about to invent the means of feminist liberation. Firestone may just have her utopia delivered by the very forces she despised.

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Mozambique is grappling with devastating floods, which have led to a terrifying new threat: crocodiles appearing in submerged towns, responsible for at least three fatalities.

Authorities in Xai-Xai, the capital of Gaza province and one of the hardest-hit southern regions, have issued urgent warnings to residents about increased crocodile dangers as floodwaters continue to rise and evacuations proceed.

Across southern Africa, torrential rains and severe flooding over the past month have claimed more than 100 lives in Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

The deluge has also destroyed thousands of homes and severely damaged vital infrastructure, including roads, bridges, schools, and health facilities.

Of the 13 flood-related deaths reported in Mozambique, officials confirm that three were caused by crocodile attacks.

The river levels are rising and are reaching urban areas or heavily populated areas, Paola Emerson, head of the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Mozambique, said this week after visiting the town.

So the crocodiles that are in the Limpopo river in this case are able to get into populated areas that are now submerged under water and that is the concern.

Torrential rains and severe flooding across parts of southern Africa over the past month have killed more than 100 people in Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe, destroying thousands of homes and damaging infrastructure such as roads, bridges, schools and health facilities (Associated Press)

The Limpopo river flows from South Africa through Mozambique on its way into the Indian Ocean.

Two people were killed in an attack that left three others injured in the Gaza region earlier this month. A man was swallowed by a crocodile in Moamba, a small town in Maputo province, local media quoted Henriques Bongece, the provinces secretary, as saying this week. Maputo is the impoverished countrys capital.

Authorities said in Maputo that the crocodiles appeared to have been driven into the area by floodwaters from a park in neighboring South Africa.

We want to urge everyone not to approach still waters because crocodiles are drifting in these waters. The rivers have connected with all areas where there is water, local media quoted Bongece as saying this week.

Beyond the immediate danger posed by wildlife, the floods have triggered a deepening humanitarian crisis.

Weeks of heavy rainfall, compounded by dam releases to prevent structural failure, have affected more than 700,000 people, more than half of them children, leaving a trail of destruction across vast farmland, according to humanitarians bodies such as the World Food Program and UNICEF.

Children wade through floodwaters in a neighborhood in Maputo, Mozambique (Carlos Uqueio)

On Friday, the World Health Organisation warned of severe disruptions to health services in Gaza and Maputo provinces following the destruction of at least 44 health facilities, leaving tens of thousands without access to care.

The U.N. agency said that damage to critical infrastructure has interrupted service delivery, while more than 50,000 people who have been forced to relocate to temporary shelters face limited or nonexistent basic health services.

It warned that displaced people on long-term medication face life-threatening interruptions, and said that urgent action is needed to restore essential services, deploy mobile health teams and ensure continuity of care for people with chronic conditions.

Across the three countries, humanitarian agencies say hunger and disease risks are rising, with extreme weather wiping out crops that millions of small-scale farmers rely on to feed themselves, while the threat of water-borne diseases such as cholera looms large.
TikToks future in the US had been unclear, with Congress passing a law to ban the app unless it found a US buyer. Photograph: Matt Slocum/AP (Photograph: Matt Slocum/AP)

TikTok announced on Thursday it had closed a deal to establish a new US entity, allowing it to sidestep a ban and ending a long legal battle.

The deal finalized by ByteDance, TikToks Chinese owner, sets up a majority American-owned venture, with investors including Larry Ellisons Oracle, the private-equity group Silver Lake and Abu Dhabis MGX owning 80.1% of the new entity, while ByteDance will own 19.9%.

The announcement comes five years after Donald Trump first threatened to ban the popular platform in the US during his first term.

TikToks future in the US had been unclear, a saga that began after Congress overwhelmingly voted to pass a law banning the social media app in 2024 unless it found a US buyer. The supreme court upheld the law in January 2025, but on Trumps first day in office, he signed an executive order postponing the ban.

He has since repeatedly continued to delay its enforcement while the US, the company and potential American partners were negotiating over an agreement.

In September, Trump signed another executive order, which outlined a plan for US investors to take over the majority of the companys operations and for the new version of TikTok to be controlled by a seven-member, majority-American board of directors of cybersecurity and national security experts.

Adam Presser, who previously served as TikToks general manager and global head of operations and trust & safety, would serve as CEO of the new venture, the company said on Thursday.

The US joint venture is overseen by a seven-member board of directors, including executives from Oracle, Silver Lake and MGX, a senior advisor to TPG, and Shou Zi Chew, TikToks chief executive.

The US entity will operate under defined safeguards that protect national security through comprehensive data protections, algorithm security, content moderation, and software assurances for US users, the announcement said. The content recommendation algorithm will be retrained, tested and updated based on US user data, the firm added.

A White House official said the Chinese and US governments had signed off on the deal. A Chinese embassy spokesperson told Politico his countrys position on TikTok has been consistent and clear and that he had no new information to share at the moment.

In a post on social media Thursday night, Trump thanked Chinas president, Xi Jinping, for working with us and, ultimately, approving the Deal. I am so happy to have helped in saving TikTok! It will now be owned by a group of Great American Patriots and Investors, the Biggest in the World, and will be an important Voice, the president wrote.

Concerns from US lawmakers and officials about TikTok center around user data security, with fears that the Chinese government could use the platform to harvest data from American users, claims which the company has repeatedly denied.

The legislation passed in 2024 under Joe Biden barred ByteDance from retaining operational ties with a US TikTok venture, but the law gave the president authority to decide if a deal complies with its requirements.

The threat of a ban had caused widespread backlash in the US from influencers and creators who depend on the app.

Silver Lake, Oracle and MGX will each hold 15% in the new venture, the company said. The investment firm of Michael Dell, the billionaire founder of Dell Technologies, is also an investor.

Under the arrangement, Oracle will oversee the algorithm that recommends videos in US users. The system will be retrained using US data to ensure the content feed is free from outside manipulation, Chew said.

China will retain control of the algorithm, with the countrys cybersecurity regulator previously saying it had agreed that any TikTok US deal would include licensing  and other intellectual property rights.
Tiktok ban off the table after Bytedance secures deal with US government

The parent company of TikTok has finalized a deal to divest a majority stake in its U.S. operations to non-Chinese investors, allowing the company to continue to operate in America and finally escape the threat of a looming ban.

Under the deal, tech giant Oracle, Emirati state-backed investment firm MGX, and U.S. investment firm Silver Lake will each possess 15 percent of a new joint venture. Other backers include the investment firm of Dell Technologies founder Michael Dell.

TikToks parent company, ByteDance, retains a 19.9 percent stake in the new firm, which is officially called TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC.

I am so happy to have helped in saving TikTok! President Trump wrote on Truth Social. It will now be owned by a group of Great American Patriots and Investors, the Biggest in the World, and will be an important Voice. Along with other factors, it was responsible for my doing so well with the Youth Vote in the 2024 Presidential Election. I only hope that long into the future I will be remembered by those who use and love TikTok.

He also thanked President Xi Jinping of China for approving the deal.

Under the terms of the deal, non-Chinese firms now own a majority of TikToks U.S. operations, while TikToks parent company ByteDance retains a nearly 20 percent share (AP)

He could have gone the other way, but didnt, and is appreciated for his decision, Trump wrote.

As part of the deal, U.S. user data will be protected in Oracles secure U.S. cloud environment, TikTok wrote on its website, assuaging domestic concerns over Chinas potential influence over the app. The new company will also retrain, test, and update the content recommendation algorithm on U.S. user data.

U.S. users will still be able to interact with global TikTok users, the company said.

In September, President Trump announced a tentative deal between Washington and Beijing had been reached over the fate of TikTok, as the two countries squared off in trade negotiations.

That month, Trump also signed an executive order delaying the enforcement of a previously passed 2024 law threatening a U.S. TikTok ban.

President Trump repeatedly delayed enforcement of the looming TikTok ban as a deal to preserve the apps U.S. functionality was negotiated (REUTERS)

The order marked the fourth time he extended a looming deadline under the legislation for TikTok to sell its U.S. operations or face a ban.

TikTok agreed to the terms of the deal in December.

The new owners have political ties to Donald Trump.

Billionaire Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison is an ally of the president, and another investor in the new entity, Revolution, previously employed Vice President JD Vance as a managing partner.

During his first term, President Trump signed an executive order supporting a TikTok ban.
TikTok has finalised a deal to keep operating in the US, securing its future in the country after it faced the threat of a nationwide ban.

The popular video-sharing app has established a new majority American-owned joint venture that it says will operate under defined safeguards that protect national security.

It follows US President Donald Trump signing an executive order last September allowing it to keep operating and paving the way for the spin-off.

Previous president Joe Biden had signed legislation in 2024 calling for TikToks Chinese owner ByteDance to sell the platforms assets to an American company by early 2025, or face a nationwide ban.

Mr Trump, who came into office a year ago, repeatedly signed orders that allowed the app to remain while his administration tried to reach a permanent agreement.

TikTok said on Friday that its US users will have their data, apps and content recommendation algorithms secured through comprehensive data privacy and cybersecurity measures.

Cloud software platform Oracle will be responsible for storing the data of TikToks more than 200 million American users.

The joint venture is owned by a consortium of investors including Larry Ellisons Oracle, tech investment giant Silver Lake, the investment firm of Dell founder Michael Dell, and Abu Dhabis AI and tech investor MGX.

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One after leaving the World Economic Forum in Davos for Washington (Evan Vucci/AP) (Evan Vucci)

ByteDance will retain 19.9% of the spin-off.

It will be run as an independent entity steered by a seven-member board of directors, including Shou Chew, TikToks chief executive, and Oracle and Silver Lake executives.

Adam Presser, the former vice president of Warner Bros and TikToks head of operations and trust and safety, will become chief executive of the joint venture.

The deal ends years of uncertainty about the future of the social media platform in the US, which feeds its users a stream of video content tailored to their interests and watch history.

The algorithm has been a central issue in the security debate over TikTok, with US officials warning it is vulnerable to manipulation by Chinese authorities, although no evidence had been presented to show that China had attempted to do so.
Early last year, Americans in South Carolina protested against the TikTok ban outside the Supreme Court - Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

TikTok has finalised a deal with the White House that will allow the video-sharing app to continue operating in the US, ending a years-long dispute over its Chinese ownership.

The agreement creates a new joint venture to run TikToks US operations separately from its global business.

It will be majority American-owned, with equal 15pc stakes for Oracle, the US tech giant, MGX, the UAE investment firm, and Silver Lake, the private equity group. ByteDance, TikToks Chinese parent company, will retain a 19.9pc minority share.

Oracle, which is led by Larry Ellison, the billionaire Republican donor, will serve as a key partner. Mr Ellison has close ties to Donald Trump and a reported net worth of $227bn (168bn). His family has also backed a bid by Paramount Skydance to acquire Warner Bros Discovery in a hostile takeover battle with Netflix.

Larry Ellison, the multibillionaire owner of Oracle, is a close ally of Donald Trump - Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

In a press release, TikTok said the new venture, TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, will operate under safeguards that protect national security through data protections, algorithm security, content moderation and software assurances for US users.

Donald Trump praised the deal on Truth Social, writing: I am so happy to have helped in saving TikTok! It will now be owned by a group of great American patriots and investors, the biggest in the world, and will be an important voice.

He added that TikTok had been responsible for my doing so well with the youth vote in the 2024 presidential election and expressed hope that he would long into the future  be remembered by those who use and love TikTok.

Trump also acknowledged president Xi Jinping of China, saying: He could have gone the other way, but didnt, and is appreciated for his decision.

Data on American users will be stored in Oracles secure cloud and overseen by an audited cybersecurity programme. The apps recommendation algorithm will be retrained and updated using only US data.

The joint venture will also manage trust and safety policies and moderation, covering other TikTok-owned apps in the US, including CapCut and Lemon8.

Adam Presser, a former WarnerMedia and TikTok executive, will lead the venture as chief executive, with Will Farrell as chief security officer. A seven-member board, including Shou Chew, TikToks chief executive, and executives from Oracle, Silver Lake and MGX, will oversee the company.

US TikTok users received an unavailable message following the brief shutdown in 2025 - Erik S Lesser/Shutterstock

The deal resolves a saga that began under Trumps first presidency, when the administration attempted to ban TikTok over concerns it could allow Chinese authorities access to US user data or manipulate the apps algorithm.

A law, passed by Congress in April 2024 and upheld by the US Supreme Court in early 2025, required ByteDance to divest TikToks American operations or face removal from app stores.

The Court cited well-supported national security concerns despite TikToks argument that the ban violated First Amendment free speech protections.

Critics argue the new arrangement does not fully meet the requirements of the Biden-era national security law passed in April 2024.

There remains a disconnect between the agreement and the spirit of what the statute required, said Brett Freedman, former chief of staff of the national security division at the Department of Justice.
The amendment being passed in the House of Lords would mark a victory for The Telegraphs Campaign for Democracy

The Tories will seek to strip Sir Keir Starmer of his power to cancel elections in the Lords after 4.5 million people were denied a vote in May.

The Conservative Party has signalled its support for a Liberal Democrat amendment in the House of Lords that would guarantee MPs the power to block any future attempts to delay elections.

The Telegraphs Campaign for Democracy is calling for ministers to be stripped of their legal powers to cancel local elections.

The Prime Minister was labelled a dictator after Labour cancelled 29 elections, due to take place on May 7, using a clause in the 2000 Local Government Act. This gives ministers the power to delay votes under exceptional circumstances.

In the Commons on Thursday, Steve Reed, the Local Government Secretary, told MPs that pushing ahead with the polls would be costly for taxpayers.

In an interview with GB News, Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative Party leader, accused Labour of trying to bully councils into not holding their elections.

She said: I have said very clearly that these elections should go ahead and what Ive seen is Labour trying to bully councils into not holding elections. I wouldnt be surprised if thats played a part in it.

But Im somebody who believes that the electorate should get a chance to have their say and what is interesting is how some people are quite happy to delay elections if they think theyre going to lose and then complain that elections are being delayed if they think theyre going to win.

Kemi Badenoch said she was struck by how some people are quite happy to delay elections if they think theyre going to lose - Stefan Rousseau

While no party has an overall majority in the Lords, the Conservatives hold the largest number of seats, with 282 peers. The Liberal Democrats have 75 peers, a total of 357 votes.

Labour has 230 peers in the Lords. To stave off a defeat, the vast majority of the Lords 177 crossbench peers would need to back the Government in the critical March vote.

If the amendment, tabled by Lord Pack, were passed, it would not be able to prevent current delays to local election votes but would require an act of parliament in the future to delay any more local elections. This would shift the power away from ministers and back to MPs.

Sir Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leader, wrote to Mrs Badenoch last week, urging her Tory peers to back Lord Packs amendment.

He wrote: Liberal Democrats oppose the cancellation of local elections, which has left voters unable to exercise their democratic right to vote.

Voters rightly deserve the chance to decide who runs the vital local services that they rely on, whether its adult social care or special educational needs.

The government of the day must never be allowed the power to simply delay elections and deny voters their right without the proper scrutiny of Parliament.

Sir Ed added: Failing to back this amendment would be failing millions of voters.

Sir Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leader, urged Tory peers to back Lord Packs amendment - House of Commons/UK Parliament

A senior Tory source said the party was holding active and ongoing discussions about how it could stifle the Governments attempt to deny millions of people the right to vote and said it would 100 per cent support the best option.

A Conservative spokesman added: Last year, we used every tool at our disposal in Parliament to stop the cancellation of the elections, and we will continue to do so.

On Thursday, Mr Reed said he had approved requests from 29 councils to delay elections  15 of which are Labour-run.

The Tory-controlled Suffolk and Norfolk county councils, which represent 1.4 million voters, made an eleventh-hour declaration that they would be cancelling their vote despite repeated public statements that the May 7 poll would go ahead.

Mr Reed told MPs: This Government was elected on a promise to repair the broken foundations of local government. In 2024, councils were on the brink financially, while a third of the country was left paying for the wasteful duplication of two tiers of councils for their area.

This cannot be acceptable after years of underfunding have led to a crisis in social care, decline in our town centres, and rubbish piling up on our streets.

To those who say we have cancelled all the elections, we havent. To those who say its all Labour councils, it isnt.

Ive asked, Ive listened and Ive acted. No messing about, no playing politics, just getting on with the job of making politics work better for local people.

Ministers have conceded the new unitary councils will not be operational until 2028 at the earliest, even on the most ambitious timelines. This would leave Suffolk and Norfolk voters under the same council for at least seven years.

As well as the Lords amendment, Reform UK  which stands to be the biggest winner from Mays elections  has launched a judicial review against the postponements.

The legal case is expected to be heard on Feb 19 and Feb 20 with a decision expected before Mays polls.
Donald Trump is sending more military hardware, including fighter jets, to the Middle East - US Air Force/Staff Sgt Aaron Allmon

The mullahs have declared victory. Their thuggish Basij militiamen have retreated to their lairs. Municipal workers are scrubbing the blood from Tehrans pavements.

Yet even as Irans protesters abandon hope of US deliverance, evidence is mounting that Donald Trump may still be preparing to strike the country.

Naval assets are moving into position. The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its strike group, steaming towards the Arabian Sea from the Far East, have gone dark after ceasing to broadcast tracking data. A second carrier strike group has reportedly entered the Mediterranean, while a third is heading east across the Atlantic.

The build-up is not just confined to the seas. Online flight-monitoring data indicate that a large number of US F-15 fighter jets normally stationed at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk have redeployed to Jordan.

Three weeks after Mr Trump promised protesters that US forces were locked and loaded and would come to their rescue, the help he pledged may finally be on its way.

For those who heeded his call to stay on the streets during the bloodiest uprising since the founding of the Islamic Republic in 1979, that help will feel too late. There are no protesters left to rescue. They are dead, maimed, imprisoned or sitting defeated in their homes.

Rights groups estimate several thousand people have been killed and more than 26,000 arrested. Many activists say those who risked their lives feel betrayed by Mr Trump, who urged them to KEEP PROTESTING in an all-caps Truth Social post.

Iran has been waiting for the US to make the first move before pulling its trigger, having slowly rebuilt its arsenal after Junes 12-day war. Chemicals imported from China could fuel up to 500 ballistic missiles, intelligence analysts believe.

Mr Trump was reportedly on the cusp of ordering strikes last week before backing away at the last moment, arguing that the regime had heeded his warnings by cancelling plans to hang hundreds of detainees arrested during the unrest.

Diplomats and analysts say it is more likely he yielded to pressure from Gulf states fearful of Iranian missile retaliation against US bases on their territory, and from Israel, which judged that it lacked sufficient air defences to withstand a sustained Iranian assault.

Many assumed the moment for military action had closed, particularly after the US president turned his attention to Greenland. Yet in recent days he has pressed aides to present him with options that would have a decisive effect in Iran, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln is making its way to the Middle East from the Far East - Shutterstock

What decisive means remains unclear. Options reportedly range from limited strikes on Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps facilities to a prolonged campaign aimed at crippling the regime.

Mr Trump may be bluffing, staging a show of might intended to coerce Tehran into abandoning its nuclear and ballistic missiles programme. But there are reasons to believe he may be serious. Toppling the regime, or forcing out its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would dwarf even the seizure of Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro.

He may also fear that failing to act after issuing explicit threats would damage his credibility. Barack Obamas failure to enforce his red line  the use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime  in Syria in 2013 remains a cautionary tale the current US president has repeatedly cited.

Trump fears that if he does nothing he opens himself up to charges of weakness, said a Western diplomat. That is something he wants to avoid.

Donald Trump could open himself up to charges of weakness if he doesnt strike Iran - Shutterstock/Laurent Gillieron

Others argue that Mr Trumps hesitation has been driven less by politics than by military realities. Gregory Brew, an Iran expert at the Eurasia Group in New York, says that while the US had ample offensive firepower in the region it initially lacked sufficient defences to protect regional bases and Israel from retaliation.

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1701 US bases in range of Iran\'s missiles

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Israels 12-day war with Iran in June degraded but did not eliminate Tehrans missile capability. Medium-range systems were hit, but Irans vast arsenal of short-range ballistic missiles  the weapons most capable of striking US and Gulf targets  remained largely intact.

Those concerns are now being addressed. Patriot and Terminal High-Altitude Area Defence (Thaad) air-defence systems have reportedly been deployed at Al Udeid, a US military base in Qatar, and elsewhere in the region. If Israel calculates that its defences have been sufficiently reinforced, it may again support strikes aimed at further eroding Irans missile force.

The US is clearly preparing both to use force and to absorb Iranian retaliation, Mr Brew said. So I think its definitely a possibility. Whether it acts depends on what it wants to achieve. I think the administration has determined it has the will to strike Iran. Now its trying to determine what the goal would be.

Any military action would be fraught with risk. Even if bombing were to spark renewed protests  a big assumption given the repression already inflicted  air power alone rarely topples regimes.

It took months of Nato air strikes, combined with a rebel advance, to bring down Muammar Gaddafi in Libya. Iran has no such advancing rebels. And unlike Libya, it retains the capacity to retaliate well beyond its borders.

The regimes calculus has shifted. Having lost legitimacy and failed to co-opt its population, it has resorted to brute force to survive. That same ferocity could now be turned outward.

The war last June did not eliminate Tehrans missile capability and Iran remains capable of using brute force internationally - AFP/Atta Kenare

In June last year, weakened by Israels dismantling of its proxy network, Iran chose to ration its missile fire and spare its Gulf neighbours, save for a symbolic and well-telegraphed strike on Al Udeid. This time, it may see less reason to hold back.

Despite recent setbacks, Iran retains a formidable missile force. Of the hundreds of missiles launched at Israel in June, dozens penetrated air defences, killing civilians. Even a small breach rate, military analysts say, can have outsized effects.

Since the war, Western intelligence assessments suggest Iran has prioritised rebuilding its missile programme, importing chemical precursors from China to produce solid-fuel propellants. Much of its arsenal survived, hidden in underground facilities built with North Korean assistance, according to Can Kasapoglu of the Hudson Institute, a US think-tank.

Intelligence assessments from last year suggest that Iran imported tonnes of sodium perchlorate to the port at Bandar Abbas. The quantities Iran is alleged to have imported should supply several hundred medium-range ballistic missiles. Maritime intelligence tracking has identified a small fleet of cargo vessels repeatedly plying routes between China and Iran.

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2401 Iran\'s ballistic missile programme

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Satellite images also suggest the Imam Khomeini Spaceport has been used for missile test launches, with a scorched launchpad indicating thermal exposure.

Having been caught so humiliatingly short in the decapitation strikes last year that killed dozens of top officials in their beds despite Chinese warnings that an Israeli attack was imminent, the first priority for Iran after the war was to step up protection of high-value targets, according to security analysts.

High-ranking officials now rotate through safe houses and switch vehicles. They have been told not to carry mobile phones, according to analysts who have spoken to IRGC sources.

Clearly, major efforts have been made to weed out infiltrators and we witnessed many executions of suspected spies after the war, but it is possible that Israels spy ring remains in place. Mike Pompeo, the former US secretary of state and ex-CIA director, and some Israeli officials have admitted that Israeli agitators did play a role in the protests, showing that Israel retains human capability in Iran.

Iran has also been in discussion with China about purchasing the HQ-9B long-range air defence missile system. Despite media reports to the contrary, there is no evidence that China has delivered these to Iran.

Western intelligence assessments suggest Iran has prioritised rebuilding its missile programme - Reuters/Majid Asgaripour

Meanwhile, of the 21 ballistic missile sites struck by Israel last June, 16 have been rebuilt, according to Iranian officials, with repairs at the others continuing.

Senior Iranian officials said missiles and launchers have already been prepared in anticipation of a potential surprise strike by the US.

Underground missile units have also been on high alert for weeks. If Trump wants to strike for no reason, everything is ready for him, a senior Iranian official said.

Tehrans Friday prayer leader Ali Akbari said in response to US threats that all your interests and bases are clear and precise targets of Iranian missiles.

The trillion dollars you have invested in the region is under the watch of our missiles, Mr Akbari said in his Friday sermon.

While US officials may be assembling a menu of military options, Gulf states remain wary. In their view, Iran no longer poses the existential threat it once did, having been badly weakened by Israel.

That has altered the regional calculus. Arab leaders who once sought to crush Iran now prefer uneasy cohabitation to a war whose consequences they would bear most directly.

Should Iran retaliate in full, the consequences could be devastating  not only for Israel but even more so for nearby states exposed to Irans large short-range missile arsenal.

Missile warfare, in many respects, favours the offence, Mr Kasapoglu said. The arithmetic is unforgiving: out of 100 missiles, an 80 per cent interception rate still leaves 20 to penetrate. For smaller states, the margin for error is thinner still.

This is why Israel and the Gulf Arab states view Irans missile programme with such concern. From desalination facilities to hydrocarbon infrastructure, Tehran can impose severe damage even with relatively low breach rates.
After nearly blowing up more than 80 years of friendship with Americas closest allies by threatening tariffs against them in a fit of pique over his desire to acquire Greenland, President Donald Trump closed out his visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos this week by trying to replace the United Nations with something more like his Florida social club  membership dues included.

At a signing ceremony emceed by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and featuring stagecraft reminiscent of the television reality show that cemented Trump as a pop culture figure years before he mounted his first campaign for the presidency, Trump and a ragtag group of autocrats, representatives of Middle East monarchies, and other leaders from a group of seemingly random nations seeking his favor  plus ex-British prime minister Tony Blair  inked documents launching the Board of Peace that had been teased since he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a U.S.-brokered deal for a ceasefire in Israels two-year-old war against Hamas in Gaza.

Seated in front of a large screen showing a logo that appeared to be ripped off from the United Nations own branding but with North America centered on it, the president and his new friends took turns putting their signatures on what was described as the groups charter before each of them held their documents up for the cameras in Trumpian fashion.

Trump, who the organizations charter lists as its chairman  a position he can hold for the rest of his life if he so desires  said it has the chance to be one of the most consequential bodies ever created and end decades of suffering, stop generations of hatred and bloodshed, and forge a beautiful, everlasting, and glorious peace in the Middle East region.

In theory, the ceremony was yet another step in implementing the deal hammered out between American, Israeli and Hamas negotiators over months of talks. The organization, as originally envisioned and endorsed by the U.N. Security Council, is supposed to spearhead implementation of the ceasefire agreement and set up a new civilian administration in Gaza.

Trump applauds himself at the launch of his Board of Peace in Davos on Thursday (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Had Trump simply gone along with the plan he and Netanyahu rolled out last year, his Board of Peace might have gotten a better reception from traditional American allies.

But in the months since it was unveiled, as he has continued to bully his countrys closest friends with threats of tariffs  and in the case of Greenland, invasion  he has expanded the groups supposed remit to something more in line with his outsized ambitions to position himself as a transformational American leader and an indispensable man of world history.

Rather than a purpose-built body to oversee the Gaza ceasefire and reconstruction as intended by the U.N., the charter signed by Trump and his new friends make no mention of the Gaza conflict or the fact that the boards mandate is limited to Gaza and expires at the end of 2027.

Instead, it describes itself 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 that is composed only of States invited to participate by the Chairman  thats Trump  and willing to donate $1 billion for a permanent membership (unless Trump decides to kick a member out later on).

Trump will also serve as the first American representative to the board  a position that will pass to his successor as president  but hell remain the boards chairman for life, which could well give him the ability to remove the United States from the organization in the event he is succeeded by someone he doesnt particularly like.

If the groups mission statement sounds decidedly similar to the United Nations, its because thats what Trump has been envisioning in the months since his Gaza ceasefire triumph.

According to people close to him, he truly sees himself as a peacemaker nonpareil who should have been a no-brainer decision for last years Nobel Peace Prize  an honor he covets largely because it was once awarded to his forever nemesis Barack Obama.

Trumps Board of Peace charter membership does not included any traditional American allies (AFP/Getty)

And had Trump simply gotten on with the task of setting up the Board of Peace as initially envisioned  for Gaza and Gaza alone  he might have had a shot at next years award had he not spent months upon months openly lusting for it.

But having alienated the Norwegian Nobel Committee by engaging in an uncouth campaign for the prize that has been given to some of the worlds most renowned statesmen, the president is now embarked on a quest to render it  and other organizations that have rejected him  irrelevant.

Thats why the traditional U.S. allies and fellow U.N. Security Council members such as France and the United Kingdom have bowed out of Trumps new group, citing fears that hes positioning it as an alternative to the U.N. itself.

And though Canada never appeared to be much interested in the new body, Trump made a show of rescinding Ottawas invitation in a Truth Social post on Thursday after Canadian prime minister Mark Carneys pointed speech at Davos earlier in the week.

Trump disinvited Canadas Mark Carney in a fit of pique after the Canadian leaders speech to the World Economic Forum tacitly criticized him (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Instead, hes now surrounded himself with he called the most prestigious Board of Leaders ever assembled, at any time, consisting of leaders from Argentina, Turkey, Hungary, Bulgaria, Bahrain, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Qatar, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Morocco, Paraguay and Pakistan.

He also invited Chinese and Russian dictators Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin for good measure, with Putin indicating this week that hed accept if he can pay Trumps billion-dollar initiation fee with funds that have been frozen to punish him for the extremely not-board-of-peace-like act of launching an unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in 2021.

While several of the countries are NATO members, none are nuclear powers (though hes invited Russia and China to join if they pay the billion-dollar fee). And none are counted among traditional world powers or even as close allies of the U.S.

But for Trump, that doesnt matter. What matters is that the leaders who are joining his new club say nice things about him and share his disdain for woke concerns such as human rights  as well as his disdain for elections (when he loses).

They will praise him and support whatever efforts he undertakes to bully countries into ending conflicts he can take credit for ending, Nobel Peace Prize be damned.

Whether this new organizations plan for Gaza succeeds or not is yet to be seen. But as long as Trump can continue to take credit for whatever it does, hell be happy to participate surrounded by his dues-paying autocratic friends. And after alienating most of Americas closest allies even further this past week, his new paying customers may be all he has left.
The mother of a British soldier who suffered horrendous injuries in Afghanistan has described Donald Trumps comments about the role of Nato troops in the war as the ultimate insult.

The US president made his comments in an interview with Fox News in which he reiterated his suggestion that Nato would not support America if asked, before making false claims about the role of Nato troops in the conflict.

He said: Weve never needed them. Theyll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan  and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.

More than 1,100 non-US coalition fighters died in the conflict that began in 2001, according to veteran charity Help for Heroes, the overwhelming majority of them being Nato countries, while more than 2,300 members of the US armed forces were killed.

Diane Dernie, the mother of Ben Parkinson, who is regarded as the most severely injured British soldier to survive in Afghanistan, said: I can assure you, the Taliban didnt plant IEDs miles and miles back from the front line.

To say that British troops, Nato forces, were not involved on the front lines  its just a childish man trying to deflect from his own actions, and its just beyond belief.

I mean, it is so insulting, its so hard to hear. Wed be very interested to see what our own prime ministers response is to this, because this is just disgraceful.

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One after leaving the World Economic Forum in Davos for Washington (AP)

About the presidents comments, Ian Sadler, whose son, Trooper Jack Sadler, 21, was killed in Afghanistan in 2007, while serving with the 4/73 Special Observation Battery, Brigade Reconnaissance Force, said: Trump is just ill-advised by his military aides and the people around him.

Some of the Nato troops were not on the front line in the same way the British and US troops were, thats true.

Mr Sadler, from Exeter, Devon, added: The British certainly were in the hot spots, they were on the front line, 457 of them were lost and there was probably three times as many seriously injured as deaths.

Ms Dernie added: In 2008, General [David] Petraeus, who was head of the American forces, actually came and met with Ben and with several of the wounded. He gave them all a medal, and he commented what an incredible ally the British forces were and what an amazing job theyd done, and the incredibly high price theyd had to pay.

Ben Parkinson survived a landmine in Musa Qala, Afghanistan, which left him with severe injuries (Alamy)

She said: For Trump then to come up with this statement is just, its insulting.

Mr Parkinson suffered severe injuries when an Army Land Rover hit a landmine near Musa Qala in 2006. The blast left the former lance bombardier with both legs amputated, a twisted spine and brain damage.

Asked what Keir Starmer should do in response to Mr Trumps comments, Ms Dernie said: Hes got to refute whats said. Hes got to come out.

Hes got to stand up for his own armed forces, and hes got to absolutely refute what Donald Trump said.

Call him out. Make a stand for those who fought for this country and for our flag, because its just beyond belief.

Come and look at us, the life that Ben leads  19-and-a-half years on, still fighting for his care, still fighting for him to have a decent life, recovering from a recent operation.

Ben Parkinson and his parents, Andrew and Diane, meeting the then-Prince Charles (Getty)

To hear this man say, Oh, well, you just fannied about behind the front lines. Its the ultimate insult.

Sir Keirs spokesperson hit back at the comments on Friday, saying: Many hundreds suffered life-changing injuries from their service alongside the US and our allies in Afghanistan. Their sacrifice and that of other Nato forces was made in the service of collective security and in response to an attack on our ally. We are incredibly proud of our armed forces and their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Defence secretary John Healey said: Natos Article 5 has only been triggered once. The UK and Nato allies answered the US call. And more than 450 British personnel lost their lives in Afghanistan.

Those British troops should be remembered for who they were: heroes who gave their lives in service of our nation.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said Donald Trumps comments were nonsense.

She said: Trump saying Nato allies werent on the front line in Afghanistan is flat-out nonsense.

British, Canadian, and Nato troops fought and died alongside the US for 20 years. This is a fact, not opinion. Their sacrifice deserves respect, not denigration.
Sir Keir Starmer has slammed Donald Trumps false claims that Nato troops stayed away from the front line in the conflict in Afghanistan as insulting and frankly appalling and demanded an apology.

The prime minister joined veterans and politicians from across the political spectrum in his condemnation of Mr Trump, who has enraged Nato allies by claiming he is not sure the alliance would be there if we ever needed them.

And he was joined by Prince Harry, who said the sacrifices of British soldiers who served and died in Afghanistan deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect.

Sir Keir said: I consider President Trumps remarks to be insulting and frankly appalling, and I am not surprised they have caused such hurt to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured.

The US president has provoked condemnation from across the political spectrum after he made the comments in an interview on Thursday (Getty)

The White House responded to the criticism on Friday night, without issuing an apology.

President Trump is absolutely right  the United States of America has done more for NATO than any other country in the alliance has done combined, White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers told The Independent in a statement.

It came after the prime minister paid tribute to the 457 British personnel who died in the conflict, saying he would never forget their courage, their bravery and the sacrifice they made for their country.

In response to comments from Diane Dernie, the mother of severely injured veteran Ben Parkinson, Sir Keir said: Ive made my position clear, and what I say to Diane is, if I had misspoken in that way or said those words, I would certainly apologise and Id apologise to her.

Earlier, No 10 said the US president was wrong to diminish the role of Nato troops, including British forces, in Afghanistan and said their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Sir Tony Blair, who was the UK prime minister who first sent British troops to support America in Afghanistan, also intervened.

Avoiding direct criticism of the US president, a spokesperson for Sir Tony said: Tony Blair knows  and will always remember with deep gratitude  the enormous contribution and sacrifice British troops made in Afghanistan on the front line of the fight against terrorism, following the 9/11 attacks on the US.

Earlier, the former head of the Royal Navy led those criticising Mr Trumps claim, calling the comments disgraceful. Former first sea lord, Admiral Lord West, who coordinated the naval activity in Afghanistan, told The Independent: It is wrong and a disgraceful thing for anyone to say, let alone the head of state of an allied nation.

British soldiers in Nad-e-Ali district, Helmand province, 16 years ago (AFP/Getty)

Defence secretary John Healey said British troops killed in Afghanistan were heroes who gave their lives in service of our nation, while defence minister Al Carns, who himself served five tours in Afghanistan, invited anyone who believes Trumps claim to meet him and the bereaved families of the more than 400 British personnel who died in the conflict.

More than 1,100 non-US coalition fighters died in the conflict that began in 2001, according to veteran charity Help for Heroes, the overwhelming majority of them being from Nato countries, while more than 2,400 members of the US armed forces were killed.

But Mr Trump, who avoided the draft for the Vietnam war five times during the 1960s and 1970s due to a diagnosis of bone spurs in his heels, told Fox News: Theyll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan  and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.

Mr Carns said: Id suggest whoever believes these comments, come have a whisky with me, my colleagues, their families, and importantly, the families of those that have made the ultimate sacrifice for both of our nations.

He also uploaded a video of himself during his time in uniform, calling it a small snapshot of what its like to be on the front line in Afghanistan.

Keir Starmer has condemned Trumps remarks (PA)

A former defence secretary, Sir Malcolm Rifkind, told The Independent: President Trump is either willing to make accusations without bothering to check the facts, or he is just lying and knows he is lying. Either way, he is destroying his reputation and that of the United States.

It just doesnt really add up what he said, because the fact of the matter is the only time that Article 5 has been invoked was to go to the aid of the United States after 9/11, care minister Stephen Kinnock told Sky News.

He added: Many, many British soldiers and many soldiers from other European Nato allies gave their lives in support of American missions, American-led missions in places like Afghanistan and Iraq.

The United States remains the only country to have invoked the collective security provisions of Natos Article 5, which considers an attack on one Nato nation as an attack on all, with the alliance providing support to the US after the terrorist attacks of September 11.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch condemned Trumps claims as flat-out nonsense (AP)

Britain suffered the second-highest number of military deaths in the Afghanistan conflict, behind the US, which saw 2,461 deaths. In total, Americas allies suffered 1,160 deaths in the conflict, around a third of the total coalition deaths.

The mother of a young British rifleman killed in Afghanistan said the president had no compassion whatsoever for anyone who doesnt serve him. Lucy Aldridge, whose son William died aged 18, said the remarks were extremely upsetting.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch also condemned Mr Trumps claims as flat-out nonsense.

Defence minister Al Carns uploaded a video of himself, which he described as a small snapshot of what its like to be on the front line in Afghanistan (Al Carns)

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: Trump avoided military service five times. How dare he question their sacrifice?

Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty, who served in Afghanistan as a captain in the Royal Yorkshire Regiment, said it was sad to see our nations sacrifice, and that of our Nato partners, held so cheaply by the president of the United States.

Labour MP Calvin Bailey, a former RAF officer who served alongside US special operations units in Afghanistan and was awarded the Air Medal by the then US president Barack Obama in 2013, said: Political leaders are just like a hand in a bucket of water. They pass. I know that Trump is one man, but behind him are 300 million, most of whom disagree [with him]. I served with Americans; they are my friends. They told me to rise above those comments.
Donald Trump sits while holding a signed founding charter at the board of peace meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday. Photograph: Gian Ehrenzeller/EPA (Photograph: Gian Ehrenzeller/EPA)

Donald Trump has claimed the world is richer, safer and much more peaceful than it was just one year ago as he hosted a launch event for his board of peace initiative at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

At a signing ceremony for the new organisation, the US president said it would be one of the most consequential bodies ever created in the history of the world.

The board, to be chaired by Trump, was initially mooted as part of his plan for a ceasefire in Gaza.

However, more recently he has suggested the board could take on a much broader geopolitical role. When asked by a reporter on Tuesday whether the fledgling body should replace the UN, Trump said: It might.

Leaders from 19 countries signed on to the presidents plan during a ceremony Thursday, including Argentina, Kosovo, Morocco, Hungary, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan and more nations are expected to join the effort.

Trump has also invited the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, whose military is still attacking Ukraine, to join his board. Putin has said Moscow is still consulting with strategic partners before deciding whether to commit to the plan.

That ruffled the feathers of some dignitaries, including the British foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, who said the UK would not be joining Trumps board of peace for now. Other nations not joining at the moment include France, Germany and Norway.

Some diplomats had warned that Trump might hope the organisation would supplant the United Nations, but the US president claimed the two could work together.

Canada had also been considering joining  that is before Trumps Thursday night Truth Social post addressed to the Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney.

Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canadas joining, what will be, the most prestigious Board of Leaders ever assembled, at any time, the US president wrote. Thank you for your attention to this matter!

Trump claims world richer, safer than year ago at launch of his board of peace

The board, to be chaired by Trump, was initially mooted as part of his plan for a ceasefire in Gaza. However, more recently he has suggested the board could take on a much broader geopolitical role. When asked by a reporter on Tuesday whether the fledgling body should replace the UN, Trump said: It might.

Read the full story

Greenland says red lines must be respected as Trump says US will have total access to island

Greenland has demanded its red lines on sovereignty be respected after Trump claimed an agreement with Nato would give the US full and permanent access to the Arctic island, the object of an increasingly bitter months-long dispute.

Jens-Frederik Nielsen, Greenlands prime minister, said on Thursday he did not know what was in the deal but the largely self-governing territory wanted a peaceful dialogue with the US, and its sovereignty was non-negotiable.

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House rejects resolution that would bar Trump from sending troops to Venezuela

The US House has rejected a resolution that would have prevented Trump from sending US military forces to Venezuela, after a vote on the legislation fell just short of the majority needed for passage.

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Get out of Greenland mode and stand up for yourself, Zelenskyy tells Europe

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has taken aim at Europe in a fiery speech at Davos, accusing leaders of being in Greenland mode as they waited for leadership from Trump on Ukraine and other geopolitical crises rather than taking action themselves.

The Ukrainian presidents call-to-arms, targeting some of Kyivs top allies, capped a week of extraordinary diplomatic drama at the World Economic Forum in the Swiss ski resort, where European leaders scrambled to end a standoff with the White House over Greenland, and several western leaders  led by Canadas Mark Carney  called for stronger pushback against Trumps territorial ambitions and political whims.

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Venezuelas Delcy Rodriguez assured US of cooperation before Maduros capture

Before the US military snatched Venezuelas president, Nicolas Maduro, earlier this month, Delcy Rodriguez and her powerful brother pledged to cooperate with the Trump administration once the strongman was gone, four sources involved at high levels with the discussions told the Guardian.

Rodriguez, who was sworn in on 5 January as acting president to replace Maduro, and her brother Jorge, the head of the national assembly, secretly assured US and Qatari officials through intermediaries ahead of time that they would welcome Maduros departure, according to the sources.

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Democrats condemn ICE after five-year-old detained with father in US raid

Democratic lawmakers are lashing out at Immigration and Customs Enforcement after agents detained a five-year-old Minnesota boy with his father and transported them to Texas, with one congressman calling for the agency to be disbanded.



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White House posts digitally altered image of woman arrested at ICE protest

The White House posted a digitally altered image of a woman who was arrested on Thursday in a case touted by the US attorney general, Pam Bondi, to make it seem as if she was dramatically crying, a Guardian analysis of the image has found.

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Trump sues JPMorgan Chase and Jamie Dimon for at least $5bn

Donald Trump has reportedly sued JPMorgan Chase and its CEO, Jamie Dimon, for at least $5bn after accusing Americas largest bank of declining to offer him banking services in the wake of the Capitol riot on 6 January 2021.

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Analysis: Whats in Trumps Greenland deal and will it last?

The outline deal struck by Mark Rutte and Donald Trump to step up Natos presence in the Arctic  so long as it does not undermine the sovereignty of Greenland or Denmark  has been available to the US for some time, but it will require new resources being devoted to the central task of monitoring Russian ship movements in the region.

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Jack Smith testifies on Trump cases at Republican-led House panel

Jack Smith, the former special counsel, has defended his decision to seek criminal charges against Donald Trump for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election in his first and perhaps only public appearance to discuss the cases after they were dropped last year.

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What else happened today:

Catching up? Heres what happened 21 January 2026.
Snow piles up on the ground near a picture Donald Trump outside a home in West Des Moines, Iowa, on 3 February 2016. Photograph: Scott Morgan/Reuters (Photograph: Scott Morgan/Reuters)

Donald Trump has erroneously cited an enormous winter storm that is set to deliver freezing temperatures and heavy snow to half of the US as supposed proof that the world is not heating up due to the burning of fossil fuels.

Trump, who has repeatedly questioned and mocked established climate science in the past, posted of the storm on Truth Social: Rarely seen anything like it before. Could the Environmental Insurrectionists please explain  WHATEVER HAPPENED TO GLOBAL WARMING???

The winter storm will surge from the Rockies across the midwest and southern US on Friday, ending up on the east coast over the weekend. At least 230 million people are expected to be affected in some way by the storm with roads set to become dangerously icy and power blackouts expected in multiple locations.

This storm is being caused by a mass of frigid air from the Arctic hitting warmer, moister air in the US. Colder Arctic air is usually confined to the far northern latitudes by the polar vortex, a vast circular ribbon of wind. When the polar vortex weakens or stretches out, the freezing Arctic air can spill out south into the US, a bit like when you open the front door on a very cold day. This is what is happening now.

Research published last year found that the stretching of the polar vortex in this way is contributing to extreme weather in the US and that global heating, counterintuitively, could be playing a role in accelerating this process.

The Arctic is heating up as much as four times as quickly as the rest of the planet, with these elevated temperatures causing a series of knock-on impacts that may be altering the polar vortex. For example, the loss of sea ice in the Arctic region is amplifying the heating that can lead to these polar vortex disruptions.

Also, scientists point out that a single winter storm in one region of one country tells us very little about longer-term, global climate trends. Not only is the world undeniably heating up, in countries like the US winters are warming at a faster rate than other seasons, causing the loss of glaciers and the shifting of seasonal norms.

Even amid the current winter storm, parts of the western US have been affected by a severe lack of snow, which has hamstrung many ski resorts. Longer term, the trend is clear  winter cold snaps have got shorter, by six days on average, across much of the US since 1970, according to Climate Central, a research non-profit.

Cold days are still occurring but are being significantly outnumbered by record hot days. Across the US, since 1970 there has been an average temperature rise of at least 2.5C (4.6F) in the coldest temperatures people experience each year.
Donald Trump says the huge, dark bruise on his left hand seen at Davos was caused by the big aspirin as he continues to defy medical advice.

The president is often seen with extensive bruising on his right hand, which he tries to conceal with thick layers of makeup. However, yesterdays bruise at the World Economic Forum appeared to be on his other hand.

Speaking to reporters on Air Force One as he returned to the United States, he insisted that he remains very good.

I clipped it on the table. So I put a littlewhat do they call itcream on it, he told reporters, according to Reuters. I clipped it. I would say take aspirin if you like your heart, but dont take aspirin if you dont want to have a little bruising.

I take the big aspirin, he continued. When you take the big aspirin, they tell you that you bruise.

Donald Trump was seen with extensive bruising on his hand at Davos, which he says was caused by the big Aspirin (Getty)

The doctors said, You dont have to take that, sir. You are very healthy. I said, Im not taking any chances. Thats one of the side effects.

Trump has admitted that he regularly defies medical advice and takes a copious amount of aspirin, which is a blood-thinning drug. His physician, Navy Captain Sean Barbabella, revealed that the president takes a daily dose of 325mg of the medication, despite doctors recommending a daily dose of just 80 mg.

The president told The Wall Street Journal that he takes the massive daily dose in order to stave off heart disease, although medics have questioned this as a preventative method.

Taking too much of the medication can lead to an aspirin overdose, which causes headaches, dizziness, and can even lead to death, according to MedlinePlus.

The bruising was particularly noticeable as the charter for the Board of Peace was signed (Reuters)

"They say aspirin is good for thinning out the blood, and I don't want thick blood pouring through my heart," Trump said, previously, explaining why he takes the massive dose. "I want nice, thin blood pouring through my heart. Does that make sense?"

Previously, Trump has said that the bruising was caused by handshakes - something he likely did many times at the WMF. His extensive bruising was spotted when he took the stage on Thursday to sign the Board of Peace charter, ratifying the controversial international body.

Prominent world powers, including Canada, Britain, France, Japan and Germany, abstained from joining Trumps new board, which was initially formed to maintain peace in Gaza but has now been accused of trying to supplant the United Nations.

Trump was pictured with his bruised hand and a slew of other prime ministers and presidents, though, including the leaders of Bulgaria, Argentina, Israel, Hungary and Azerbaijan.
Four Typhoons were deployed to Qatar, just across the Persian Gulf from Iran - Ministry of Defence

The RAF has deployed Typhoon fighter jets to Qatar as tensions between the US and Iran continue to mount.

The aircraft were sent to the Gulf state in a defensive capacity, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said on Friday.

Donald Trump warned Iran he was sending an armada towards the Middle East, raising expectations of a US strike on the Iranian regime and possible retaliation against US and allied bases, as well as Israel.

Tensions have risen between Washington and Tehran after more than 5,000 people were killed during anti-regime protests in Iran, with the US president promising protesters help is on the way.

Four Typhoons were deployed to Qatar, just across the Persian Gulf from Iran. It was understood that the jets were not travelling to the main US air base at Al-Udeid, which was attacked by the regime in June.

The existing RAF presence in the country is at Dukhan air base, which is located to the west of the Qatari peninsula.

An MoD spokesman said: The deployment, upon invitation of the Qatari government, is in a defensive capacity and builds on the UKs established defence partnership with Qatar and reflects the UK Governments commitment to collaborating with international partners to maintain regional stability.

The fighter jets attacking capabilities include short-to-long-range guided missiles, such as Storm Shadows, which can be launched from more than 150 miles off target, and a range of precision-guided bombs.

Their defensive capabilities include the ability to shoot down drones and, in some instances, non-ballistic missiles.

Mr Trump said he was watching Iran very closely and that the US would act if Tehran resumed its nuclear programme hours after establishing his Board of Peace at Davos.

Donald Trump told reporters a lot of ships were headed towards Iran on Thursday - Mandel Ngan

Travelling back from the World Economic Forum on Thursday, the US president told reporters on Air Force One that he had sent a massive fleet towards Iran.

We have a lot of ships going that direction. Just in case, he said. We have a big flotilla going in that direction, and well see what happens. We have a big force going towards Iran.

Id rather not see anything happen, but were watching them very closely. We have an armada. And maybe we wont have to use it. We will see.

The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its strike group are believed to be in the Indian Ocean, putting it on course to arrive in the Middle East within days.

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Its presence will boost Americas options against Iran, which could include aiming to decapitate the Islamic Republics leadership or attacking nuclear facilities.

USS Abraham Lincoln has a carrier air wing that comprises multiple squadrons and aircraft such as F-35s, Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers, E-2D Hawkeyes and Seahawks.

The destroyers escorting it, which include USS Ticonderoga and USS Mobile Bay, will improve their ability to intercept any retaliatory missiles fired by Iran at Israel or US bases in the Gulf.

Flight trackers have also reported C-17 Globemaster III cargo jets in the region.

The US is sending additional land-based anti-missile systems, including extra Patriot and Thaad systems to the Middle East, all of which could indicate a potential US attack.

The deployment of USS Abraham Lincoln will boost Americas options against Iran

Mr Trump threatened to attack Tehran over its violent treatment of protesters if it resumed its nuclear programme and if it threatened him with any assassination attempts.

However, he appeared to back down 10 days ago, citing the regimes decision not to execute hundreds of imprisoned protesters, at least in the immediate term.

But analysts suggested the real reason may have been the relatively low amount of US military hardware in the region at the time, with no carrier battle groups and few combat aircraft.

More than 5,000 people have been killed in the regimes violent crackdown on anti-government demonstrations, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, with the toll likely to grow when the internet is restored to the country.

The protests  which began over economic hardship on Dec 28  spread widely across the country and prompted authorities to deploy the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and shut down the internet to stamp out dissent.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has repeatedly blamed the US for fomenting unrest and has promised retaliation in the face of any attacks.

The IRGCs commander warned Washington on Thursday that the force had its finger on the trigger to carry out the supreme leaders commands.

Mr Trump said in Davos on Thursday that the US attacked Iranian uranium enrichment sites last year to prevent Tehran from making a nuclear weapon. Iran denied its nuclear programme was aimed at seeking the bomb.

Cant let that happen, Trump said, adding: And Iran does want to talk, and well talk.

But he again raised tensions this week, declaring he would wipe Iran off the face of the earth if there was any attack on his life in response to a strike targeting the ayatollah.
Donald Trump signs for the Gaza Peace Council at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday. Photograph: World Economic Forum/Jason Alden/UPI/Shutterstock (Photograph: World Economic Forum/Jason Alden/UPI/Shutterstock)

Donald Trump withdrew on Thursday an invitation for Canada to join his board of peace initiative aimed at resolving global conflicts.

Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canadas joining, what will be, the most prestigious Board of Leaders ever assembled, at any time, Trump wrote in a Truth Social post directed at the Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney.

Trump launched his board of peace initiative at the World Economic Forum in Davos, claiming it would be one of the most consequential bodies ever created in the history of the world. The board, which will be chaired by Trump, was originally described as a temporary body to oversee the governance and reconstruction of Gaza.

Permanent members must help fund the board with a payment of $1bn each, according to Trump.

While the leaders of many liberal democracies declined to sign on to Trumps new international organization, Carney had, before Davos, accepted in principle, though he said on Sunday his officials had not yet gone through all the details of the structure, how its going to work, what the financing is for, etcetera.

Canada wants money to have maximum impact, Carney told reporters.

Canadas finance minister, Francois-Philippe Champagne, then said on Tuesday that the Canadians did not plan to pay the $1bn countries were asked to hand over to Trump for a permanent seat on the board that was originally described as a temporary body to oversee the governance and reconstruction of Gaza.

In a frank address to world leaders at Davos on Tuesday, Carney described what he called a rupture in the previous rules-based world order overseen by the United States caused by Trumps aggressive behavior.

When he arrived in Davos, Trump made it clear that he had heard or at least heard of Carneys viral speech.

Canada lives because of the United States, Trump said in his own address on Wednesday. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements.

Canada doesnt live because of the United States, Carney responded on Thursday. Canada thrives because we are Canadian.

Neither Carneys office nor the White House immediately responded to Reuters requests for comment on Thursday evening.

Once this board is completely formed, we can do pretty much whatever we want to do, Trump said in Switzerland on Thursday. And well do it in conjunction with the United Nations.

The boards establishment was endorsed by a UN security council resolution as part of Trumps Gaza peace plan, and a UN spokesperson, Rolando Gomez, said on Thursday that UN engagement with the board would only be in that context.

Member nations include Argentina, Bahrain, Morocco, Pakistan and Turkey. Other US allies, such as Britain, France and Italy, have indicated they will not join for now.
The Duke of Sussex has said British soldiers who served and died in Afghanistan deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect.

Prince Harry joined Sir Keir Starmer who earlier condemned Donald Trumps remarks about Nato troops in Afghanistan as insulting and frankly appalling.

The Prime Minister also suggested the US President should apologise for the comment which has sparked a huge backlash in Britain.

Former soldier Harry, who carried out two frontline tours to Afghanistan, said in a statement on Friday evening: In 2001, Nato invoked Article 5 for the first  and only  time in history.

It meant that every allied nation was obliged to stand with the United States in Afghanistan, in pursuit of our shared security.

Prince Harry during his time in Afghanistan (PA Archive)

Allies answered that call.

I served there. I made lifelong friends there. And I lost friends there.

The United Kingdom alone had 457 service personnel killed.

Thousands of lives were changed forever.

Mothers and fathers buried sons and daughters.

Children were left without a parent. Families are left carrying the cost.

Those sacrifices deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect, as we all remain united and loyal to the defence of diplomacy and peace.

Speaking in Downing Street Sir Keir paid tribute to the 457 British personnel who died and those who were injured during the two decades that UK forces were deployed to Afghanistan.

I will never forget their courage, their bravery and the sacrifice they made for their country, he said.

There were many also who were injured, some with life-changing injuries.

British soldiers in Helmand province (PA Media)

Donald Trump with Sir Keir Starmer (PA Wire)

I consider President Trumps remarks to be insulting and frankly appalling and I am not surprised they have caused such hurt to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured and, in fact, across the country.

In response to comments from Diane Dernie, mother of severely injured veteran Ben Parkinson, the Prime Minister added: Ive made my position clear, and what I say to Diane is, if I had misspoken in that way or said those words, I would certainly apologise and I'd apologise to her."

Trump has been hit by a wave of condemnation after claiming Nato troops from European nations stayed away from the front line in Afghanistan.

The UK government dismissed the US president as plainly wrong in his comments about European armed forces.

A minister praised Britains military for their honour, valour and patriotism, stressing many UK soldiers gave their lives fighting in Afghanistan.

The Prime Minister's spokesman added on Friday morning: "The President was wrong to diminish the role of NATO troops, including British forces, and their role in Afghanistan."

More than 450 members of Britains armed forces lost their lives in Afghanistan

Trump sparked a furious backlash among MPs and veterans following his comments in an interview with Fox News in which he reiterated his suggestion that Nato would not support America if asked.

He said: Weve never needed them. Theyll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan... and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.

Health minister Stephen Kinnock, on the media round for the Government, dismissed Trumps comments as deeply disappointing.

He added: It just doesnt really add up what he said because the fact of the matter is the only time Article V (on NATO mutual defence) has been invoked was to go to the aid of the United States after 9/11.

He emphasised: Many many British soldiers and many soldiers from other European Nato allies gave their lives in support of American-led missions in places like Afghanistan and Iraq.

The only time Nato Article V mutual defence clause has been invoked is after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on America (Getty Images)

He stressed further: Im incredibly proud of our armed forces. They have put their lives on the line for our country.

They are the definition of honour and valour and patriotism.

Anybody who seeks to criticise what they have done and the sacrifices that they make is plainly wrong.

President Trumps comments are deeply disappointing.

Defence Secretary John Healey said: "Nato's Article 5 has only been triggered once. The UK and NATO allies answered the US call. And more than 450 British personnel lost their lives in Afghanistan.

"Those British troops should be remembered for who they were: heroes who gave their lives in service of our nation."

Trump remarks drew condemnation from across the political spectrum, with critics pointing to the 457 British deaths in Afghanistan and highlighting Trumps avoidance of military service in Vietnam.

Calvin Bailey MP (left) (Calvin Bailey)

Leyton and Wanstead Labour MP Calvin Bailey, a former RAF officer who served alongside US special operations units in Afghanistan, said theUS presidents claim bears no resemblance to the reality experienced by those of us who served there.

Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty, who served in Afghanistan as a captain in the Royal Yorkshire Regiment, added that it was sad to see our nations sacrifice, and that of our Nato partners, held so cheaply by the president of the United States.

457 British troops lost their lives in Afghanistan.



Trump avoided military service 5 times.



How dare he question their sacrifice. Farage and all the others still fawning over Trump should be ashamed. pic.twitter.com/4xmsAYnt76  Ed Davey (@EdwardJDavey) January 22, 2026

Tan Dhesi, chairman of the Commons Defence Committee, said the presidents comments were appalling and an insult to our brave British servicemen and women, who risked life and limb to help our allies, with many making the ultimate sacrifice.

And Foreign Affairs Committee chairwoman Dame Emily Thornberry described them as so much more than a mistake, and an insult to the families of those who had died.

Trump has previously been criticised for avoiding being conscripted to fight in Vietnam thanks to being diagnosed with bone spurs in his heels  a claim that has been subject to significant doubt.

Former soldier, author and journalist Stephen Stewart said: Trumps comments are as offensive as they are inaccurate.

Its hugely ironic that someone who allegedly dodged the draft for the Vietnam War should make such a disgraceful statement.

He has desecrated the memory of hundreds of British soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan, people who we called friends and comrades.

If he was a man of honour, he would get down on bended knees to ask forgiveness from the families of the fallen.

Sir Ed Davey said the UK must never play midwife to American aggression against a Nato ally in the Greenland row (PA Wire)

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said in a post on X: Trump avoided military service 5 times.

How dare he question their sacrifice. Farage and all the others still fawning over Trump should be ashamed.

The UK suffered the second highest number of military deaths in the Afghanistan conflict, behind the US, which saw 2,461 deaths.

In total, Americas allies suffered 1,160 deaths in the conflict, around a third of the total coalition deaths.

Mr Bailey also pointed to the high number of deaths per capita suffered by Denmark, which sent troops to fight alongside the British in Helmand province but has now had to fend off Trumps bid to annex Greenland.

He said: As I reminded the US forces I served with on the 4th of July in 2008, we were there because of a shared belief, articulated at Americas founding, that free people have inalienable rights and should not live under tyranny.

That belief underpinned the response to 9/11, and it is worth reflecting on now.

America remains the only country to have invoked the collective security provisions of NATOs Article 5, with the alliance to provide support to the US after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

During his decade-long full-time military career, the Harry fought the Taliban in 2007 and returned to Afghanistan for a second tour of duty in 2012, and qualified as an Apache aircraft commander.

He began training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in May 2005.

The duke became a Cornet in the Blues and Royals, joining the Household Cavalry regiment and, in May 2006, began training to become a troop leader of an armoured reconnaissance unit.

He spent four-and-a-half months learning how to be a recce soldier at Camp Bovington in Dorset.

In February 2007, the Ministry of Defence confirmed Harry would be heading to Iraq on a six-month deployment, making him the first royal for 25 years to serve in a conflict zone.

Yet three months later, just before Harry was due to leave, he was pulled out of the tour of duty after intelligence revealed insurgents were specifically planning to target him and it was too dangerous to allow him to go.

The duke was reportedly devastated and considered quitting, but the hope of going to Afghanistan in the future kept him in the Army.

In late 2007, he was able to undertake a 10-week tour of duty fighting the Taliban in dangerous Helmand Province, operating as a battlefield air controller behind enemy lines.

The secret mission, however, ended early after it was leaked on the internet.

Upon his return, Harry was dubbed the Warrior Prince, Harry the Brave, and One of Our Boys by the press for fighting for his country.

The duke was promoted from second lieutenant to lieutenant in April 2008.

Hoping to go back to Afghanistan, he retrained and qualified as an Apache helicopter pilot after rigorous training in Britain and America.

He was promoted to the rank of captain in April 2011 and and also awarded his Apache Badge from the officer in command of his Squadron at the same time.

In September 2012, he made it back to Afghanistan for a 20-week stint which gave him the chance to use his Apache flying skills and head out on operations in his role as co-pilot gunner.

Kensington Palace officially confirmed Harrys departure from the Army in March 2015, marking the end of 10 years of service.
Cameron Smotherman was involved in a frightening scene on Friday, as he collapsed onstage during his weigh-in ahead of UFC 324.

Smotherman was scheduled to face Ricky Turcios in a bantamweight contest on Saturday night, with the fight taking place at Las Vegass T-Mobile Arena.

However, the bout was cancelled after Smotherman fainted while trying to walk off the stage, following a successful weigh-in.

The American, 28, was 0.5lb inside the 136lb limit, but he appeared dazed and stumbled as he stepped off the scales, before he fell face first onto the floor.

A panel of presenters was hosting the UFCs live stream of the weigh-in, with UFC champion-turned-commentator Daniel Cormier exclaiming, Oh, no!, while colleague Laura Sanko said, Oh, s***. Oh, my God.

The visual feed immediately cut to Cormier, Sanko, ex-UFC champion Chris Weidman and their co-host Dan Hellie. Meanwhile, Smotherman was aided by a member of his team, a UFC medical staff member, and other personnel.

After cutting away again, the visual feed soon revisited Smotherman, who was lying on his back and awake, before he was able to sit up. The next time the camera cut to the stage, Smotherman was on his side in the recovery position and still conscious. Before long, Smotherman was helped to his feet and off the stage.

Heading into UFC 324, Smotherman was hoping to snap a two-fight losing streak, having come up short against Serhiy Sidey in May and Ricky Simon in a quick turnaround in June. Both fights were lost on points, and Smothermans only previous UFC outing was a decision win over Jake Hadley in 2024.

UFC bantamweight Cameron Smotherman after fainting during his UFC 324 weigh-in (UFC/YouTube)

Meanwhile, Turcios is 2-3 in the UFC and is also on a two-fight losing streak. The American, 32, lost to Benardo Sopaj last time out, suffering a points defeat in January 2025.

Also at the UFC 324 weigh-in, Deiveson Figueiredo and Alex Perez missed weight for their respective fights.

Perez weighed in at 128.5lb for his scheduled clash with Charles Johnson at flyweight, where Figueiredo is a former champion. However, Figueiredo has fought at bantamweight in recent years, and he similarly missed his limit by 2.5lb on Friday, ahead of a planned bout with Umar Nurmagomedov.

Figueiredo accepted a 20 per cent fine, with that money going to Nurmagomedov, and their fight will go ahead as planned. It is expected that the same will apply to Perez and Johnson.

In better news, the main event was made official after Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje both made weight for their interim title fight at 155lb.

Liverpools Paddy The Baddy tipped the scales at 154lb, before former interim champion Gaethje weighed in at 155lb. The winner of their clash is expected to be next for regular champion Ilia Topuria, a bitter rival of Pimblett.
The UK Independence Party has been banned from holding a mass deportations tour protest in east London because of fears there could be clashes with locals.

Metropolitan Police officers imposed Public Order Act conditions preventing the Whitechapel march going ahead on January 31, telling the party to find a less provocative location in the capital.

Protestors involved in the march were banned from entering the whole of Tower Hamlets.

The ban on the Ukip march covers the whole of Tower Hamlets (Met Police)

It is the second time in three months that a UKIP march has been stopped.

In October, supporters were due to gather in Tower Hamlets but were banned from doing so because of what Scotland Yard called a realistic prospect of serious disorder due to the areas large Muslim population.

Around 75 UKIP demonstrators instead gathered in front of the London Oratory, a Catholic church in Kensington, west London.

People take part in earlier march in Knightsbridge, west London (Sam Hall/PA Wire)

The demonstration was part of a series of events taking place across the UK promoted as a mass deportations tour, with organisers calling on attendees to reclaim Whitechapel from the Islamists, UKIPs X profile said.

For the second time in recent months, UKIP has announced its intention to protest in Whitechapel, James Harman, deputy assistant commissioner for Met operations told reporters at a press briefing.

When this was proposed in October last year, just two months ago, we imposed public order conditions within the law to prevent that taking place in Tower Hamlets due to a clear risk of serious disruption.

We have attempted to engage with UKIP in recent weeks but weve had only a limited response.

We encourage them to consider the very real likelihood that their presence in Whitechapel could result in serious disruption, and consider an alternative location.

We are not saying that all UKIP protests in isolation will necessarily be disorderly, but, we reasonably believe that there will be a hostile local reaction to their presence, which many may see as provocative.

As police, we just cant allow that to happen.

The senior officer said there could be clashes if the protest went ahead in Whitechapel.

The force has imposed Public Order Act conditions ahead of the protest, and those who defy the conditions and turn up in Whitechapel will be arrested, he said.

I will stress, we are not doing so on the grounds of politics, he said, adding: This is not a ban it can still take place elsewhere.

Geographical restrictions were also imposed by the police on people taking part in the Central London Anti-Fascists and affiliated parties protest in Whitechapel on Saturday.

Hundreds of protests are taking place in London each year, piling pressure on Scotland Yard and its resources.

Officers regularly have to keep demonstrations and rival protests apart.

A pro-Palestine march in London (John Stillwell/PA) (PA Archive)

After the killings on Bondi Beach, Sydney, the Met Police warned that protestors at pro-Gaza marches would face arrest if they chanted globalise the intifada.

Some arrests have already taken place of individuals shouting this comment during protests in the capital.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russians have to be ready for compromises as his envoys rushed to Abu Dhabi for two days of trilateral meetings bringing together the US, Ukraine and Russia. The peace talks simultaneously involving Russia and Ukraine mark one of a handful of times the warring parties have convened in one forum since 2022 and the early days of the war. I hope [the] Emirates know about it. Sometimes, we have such surprises from the American side, Zelenskyy said of the talks, suggesting they were called by the US at short notice. It will be the first trilateral meeting in the United Arab Emirates, said Ukraines president, who spoke at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has advised the Irish public that Danone is recalling specific batches of its formulas (AFP via Getty Images)

Batches of infant and follow-on formula distributed across the UK and Europe are being recalled over concerns about the potential presence of a harmful toxin.

Danone has initiated the recall of specific products manufactured in Ireland, following advice from the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) regarding the potential for cereulide contamination.

While the implicated formulas were produced in Ireland, the FSAI confirmed that none were distributed within the country. However, they have been exported to numerous EU nations, the UK, and other international markets.

The FSAI has since informed the European Commission about the recall.

An ingredient, ARA oil, which was manufactured in China, was contaminated with cereulide and added as an ingredient in base powder used to make infant formula and follow-on formula.

Cereulide is a toxin produced by some strains of the bacterium Bacillus cereus, which can cause food poisoning.

This recall is associated with a contaminated raw ingredient which was also implicated in the recent recall of some batches of infant formula and follow-on formula by Nestle in its SMA product line earlier this month.

Cereulide is a toxin produced by some strains of the bacterium Bacillus cereus, which can cause food poisoning (AFP via Getty Images)

The FSAI and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine who regulate the Danone manufacturing facilities in Ireland, continue to engage with Danone to ensure that all food safety measures are being taken to protect consumers.

Danone said it never compromises on food safety.

In a statement, the company said: In light of the current situation in the industry, some local food safety authorities are evolving their guidance.

This is a targeted recall, mainly in Europe, of only a very limited number of specific batches of infant formula products.

This does not impact any Danone products in the Irish market and our infant formula products can be purchased and used as normal.

It added: As a responsible manufacturer, and to comply with the latest guidance, we have voluntarily recalled an isolated batch of Aptamil First Infant Milk in the UK. This affects batch number/expiry 31-10-2026, which was on shelf in the UK for approximately two weeks in July 2025.
Retrospective: a week of turning points that shaped the world (The Independent)

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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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.
The government is set to expand cancer specialist training in England's most deprived areas in a bid to tackle the "postcode lottery" in care.

This initiative, part of the forthcoming National Cancer Plan, will also see new diagnostic technologies scrutinised for wider NHS rollout by the health service's spending watchdog.

The comprehensive strategy seeks to prevent the disease, accelerate diagnosis, and improve treatment outcomes across the country.

Under the proposals, additional training places for medics will be introduced at under-served NHS trusts, particularly targeting rural and coastal communities, to ensure more equitable access to specialist care.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said patients in these communities deserve the same shot at survival and quality of life as everyone else.

Ministers will also work with the royal colleges to entice more doctors to specialise in clinical and medical oncology in a bid to boost numbers.

Meanwhile, from April 2027, new tests and devices that help spot cancer sooner will be assessed by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice).

The move will help roll out these technologies in the NHS faster, according to the Department of Health and Social Care.

Mr Streeting said: For too long, your chances of seeing a doctor and catching cancer early have depended on where you live. Thats not fair and has to stop.

The move will help roll out these technologies in the NHS faster, according to the Department of Health and Social Care (Jeff Moore/Pancreatic Cancer UK/PA Wire)

I am determined to end the health inequalities that have grown across England over the last 15 years. Were training more doctors in the communities that need them most and making sure the latest cancer detection technology reaches every corner of the country.

Faster diagnosis doesnt just save lives  it gets people back to work and back to their families sooner.

Whether you live in a coastal town or a rural village, you deserve the same shot at survival and quality of life as everyone else. This government will turn that promise into a reality.

The first tests and devices to be assessed by Nice under the new model include artificial intelligence that reads chest X-rays to help medics spot lung cancer, software that analyses tissue samples for prostate and breast cancer to speed up diagnosis, and new techniques to help women get answers about unexplained vaginal bleeding.

Nice will also assess the sponge on a string test for oesophageal cancer.

It involves patients swallowing a small capsule attached to a string, which dissolves in the stomach to leave a small sponge about the size of a 1p coin.

This is then pulled out after a few minutes, collecting cells from the oesophageal lining for analysis.

Professor Jonathan Benger, chief executive of Nice, said: When Nice was founded 26 years ago, it set out to end the postcode lottery in access to medicines. Were now extending that same clarity and fairness to health tech.

These reforms mean that clinically and cost-effective medical devices, diagnostics and digital tools will start to be reimbursed and made available consistently across the NHS.

This will give patients faster access to proven technologies and ensure NHS resources are spent where they make the greatest difference.

There continues to be a large difference between the proportion of patients having the disease ruled out and those having it confirmed. (Jeff Moore/PA Wire)

Last week, NHS Englands monthly performance figures showed that 76.5 per cent of patients urgently referred for suspected cancer were diagnosed or had cancer ruled out within 28 days in November, up from 76.1 per cent in October and above the current target of 75 per cent.

However, there continues to be a large difference between the proportion of patients having the disease ruled out and those having it confirmed.

Some 78.0 per cent of those patients ruled out of having cancer were told within 28 days in November but just 55.1 per cent of patients had their cancer confirmed within 28 days.

The proportion of patients who had waited no longer than 62 days in November from an urgent suspected cancer referral, or consultant upgrade, to their first definitive treatment for cancer was 70.2 per cent, up from 68.8 per cent in October.

The government and NHS England have set a target of March 2026 for this figure to reach 75 per cent.

Steven McIntosh, chief partnerships officer at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: Right now, cancer care isnt fair.

Too many arent getting the treatment and care they need because of who they are and where they live, and rural and coastal communities often have the worst outcomes.

The National Cancer Plan for England is a huge opportunity to break down the barriers to everyone accessing world class cancer care.

Prof Peter Johnson, national clinical director for cancer at NHS England, said the National Cancer Plan will tackle differences in care head-on.
This is the moment that residents in Rio de Janeiro joined forces to thwart a thief who attempted to rob a Nova Iguacu City store.

Surveillance footage from Tuesday (20 January) shows a man in a motorcycle helmet approaching the cashier and gesturing to the register. When the woman tries to force him out, the robber pushes her to the back of the store and a struggle ensues. The suspect flees after another woman comes in from the back, but is chased out by the cashier.

The man tries to escape on his motorcycle, but bystanders swarm from all directions and begin attacking the man.
Harder cheeses tend to be better for teeth than softer varieties, say dental experts. (jirkaejc via Getty Images)

Theres nothing more ominous than feeling a twinge of pain in your tooth and wondering if youll need to make an emergency trip to the dentist.

New issues with your teeth can spell an expensive afternoon in the dental chair, with the cost of oral inspections, fillings and X-rays quickly adding up.

According to statistics from the National Oral Foundation, almost one in three (31%) adults in the UK has tooth decay, and cavities are one of the most common health problems.

But what if a simple after-dinner snack could help to keep cavities at bay?

According to dental experts, rounding off your meals with a small slice of cheese could help to naturally strengthen your tooth enamel, protecting your pearly whites from the acids that gradually wear them down.

Why do cavities form in the first place?

Dental cavities are holes, or patches of tooth decay, that form on the hard surface of your teeth  otherwise known as enamel.

"They typically develop when the bacteria in plaque feed on sugars and starches, kick-starting a process that produces mouth acids that demineralise your enamel," explains Dr Kabir Bhogal, dentist at Revive Clinic.

"When you eat sugary foods regularly, the acidity in your saliva increases, which softens enamel and makes teeth more prone to cavities over time."

How does cheese protect teeth?

Few of us need an excuse to whip out a block of Stilton after a long day at work, but, if youre looking for some encouragement, Bhogal says that cheese is unique, as it helps to balance the PH levels in your mouth.

"Cheese stimulates saliva, which neutralises harmful mouth acids after you've eaten a meal," he explains. "It also contains calcium, phosphate and proteins that help strengthen and protect enamel."

Because its low in sugar and non-acidic, Dr Abdul Dalghous, dentist at Yorkshire Dental Suite, adds that cheese is most helpful for teeth when it's eaten at the end of a meal.

"That said, it should always be treated as a helpful add-on, and not as a replacement for regular brushing and flossing," he notes.

Are particular types of cheese better than others?

When it comes to protecting your teeth, not all supermarket cheeses are made equal. "Hard or aged varieties are better than softer ones," says Bhogal, "as theyre low in sugar and they require more chewing, which helps to remove plaque that sticks to the surface of your teeth."

One thing to bear in mind is that cheese can be high in saturated fat, which isn't great for your heart in large quantities. So, the British Heart Foundation recommends sticking to a daily limit of no more than 30 grams  roughly the size of a small matchbox or half the length of your index finger.

Are there any other foods that have a similar effect?

If youre worried about your teeth, its a good idea to head to the dairy aisle in the supermarket.

"Foods with similar benefits are things like milk and unsweetened yoghurt, which supply enamel-strengthening minerals, as well as nuts and leafy greens, which are low in sugar and support oral health," says Dalghous.

He adds that crunchy fruits and vegetables like carrot sticks and apples can stimulate saliva and help clean teeth, while sugar-free gum (especially packs containing xylitol) can help to limit harmful bacteria in your mouth.

What other steps can people take to avoid cavities?

Brush your teeth before eating your breakfast in the morning. (Sally Anscombe via Getty Images)

Brushing regularly, flossing often and keeping sugars to a minimum are the steps to a healthy smile  but the order of your morning routine can have a big impact too.

"After youve eaten, we dont recommend you brush your teeth straight away," says Bhogal. "There should be at least half an hour gap before you brush.

"Theres a common misconception that you should eat breakfast first and then brush your teeth, when in fact it should be the other way around; eating produces harmful acids that soften tooth enamel, making it more vulnerable to damage during brushing."

Another key tip? If you do fancy nibbling on something sweet like chocolate, make sure you tuck into a bar straight after dinner, rather than waiting for your food to digest.

"After dinner, therell already be lots of saliva in the mouth that will help to rinse away the sugars and acid," says Bhogal. "Essentially, the worst thing you can do for teeth is snack constantly throughout the day, as it puts your smile in regular contact with sugary foods and acids, giving it little time to recover."

Read more on dental health:
The issue of sustainable flowers was first floated at Synod in 2022 - iStockphoto

The Church of England will debate how to reduce the carbon footprint of flowers as part of its net zero ambitions.

Proposals to reduce the environmental impact of wedding decorations and wreaths include a ban on foreign blooms, as well as ending the use of floral foam which contains microplastics.

Officials hope that they will enable the Church to use the beauty in creation to glorify God without harming creation along the way, and help achieve its target of net zero emissions by 2030.

The plans will be formally allotted time at the General Synod, the Church of Englands legislative body, when it convenes in London next month. They are being spearheaded by the Bishop of Dudley, the Rt Rev Martin Gorick.

As well as a ban on imported flowers and non-compostable floral foam, the bishops motion suggests that churches could work with local growers and farmers markets in a bid to have a smaller carbon footprint.

Church flower arrangers use beauty in creation to glorify God - Peter Orr

The bishop, who is a patron of the Sustainable Church Flowers campaign group, said: Flowers have long held a cherished place in church life. From adorning altars to celebrating weddings and marking seasonal festivals, floral arrangements bring beauty, symbolism, and a sense of reverence to sacred spaces.

Yet, behind their elegance lies an often-overlooked reality: traditional floristry can carry significant environmental costs.

Imported blooms, single-use plastics, chemical preservatives and non-compostable floral foam all contribute to waste and carbon emissions. As awareness of ecological responsibility grows, many congregations are asking an important question: how can we honour tradition while caring for creation?

Floral foam has become controversial amid a backlash against microplastics - iStockphoto

The issue of sustainable flowers was first floated at Synod in 2022, amid calls to ban non-biodegradable floral foam, which is often used to spell out names of the deceased at funerals or is cut into elaborate shapes for wedding celebrations.

Floral foam is extremely hard to dispose of, with microparticles of green dust released when handling it. It damages marine and wildlife and a single block of foam uses the same amount of plastic as ten carrier bags and has a lifespan of up to 500 years.

The Royal Horticultural Society officially banned all plastic-based floral foam from its shows and events in 2021 to improve sustainability.

The motion also offers practical tips for churches. These include repurposing floral arrangements from Sunday services for midweek gatherings or delivering them to care homes and hospitals, and starting a compost bin.

The Bishop of Dudley added: This is about making choices that respect the environment, support local communities and reduce harm.

For churches, this means rethinking how flowers are sourced, arranged and disposed of. Instead of relying on flowers flown in from thousands of miles away, sustainable practices prioritise locally grown, seasonal blooms.

These not only reduce carbon footprints but also celebrate the natural rhythms of the region  bringing authenticity and a deeper connection to Gods creation into worship spaces.

Jo Chamberlain, the Church of Englands national environment officer, added: Churches can develop new relationships with local florists and learn new skills for creating floral displays over time, while reducing pollution and lowering the carbon footprint of their floral displays.

That way we can use the beauty in creation to glorify God without harming creation along the way.

Church flowers are an expression of our worship and an important part of our welcome to people in our churches.

Like all our worship and welcome, we would expect them to be inline with our faith and how it is worked out in practice. This Synod has already made the connection between faith and creation care by endorsing several previous motions about the environment.

This motion makes explicit the link between creation care and the churchs practice when it comes to church flowers.

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As one pub a day closes across the country, a landlord has laid bare the staggering costs of running a pub in Sir Keir Starmers Britain.

As part of The Telegraphs Save Our Pubs campaign, Camilla Tominey and Tim Stanley took The Daily T down to Dorset to meet landlord Andy Lennox.

He explained how, as an example, a pub landlord could turn over 1.6m but due to costs and rising taxes, be left with a take-home salary of just 50,000.

Speaking from his own pub, The Goods Yard, Mr Lennox told The Daily T and a live audience of Telegraph subscribers: If my pub is an award-winning pub and ... I do 400 roasts on a Sunday, every Sunday, every week, every month, and we turn over about 1.6 million, but I only make 50 grand. Ah, is that my fault or is that someone elses fault?

He added that because of a combination of VAT, National Insurance and alcohol duties, his pubs make just 14p on a pint costing 5.50. The last time we made any real money was about 2017. You are essentially just operating now to pay HMRC.

In addition, he explained how the increase in minimum wage  which also happened under the Conservatives  has made employing young people more difficult.

 I love seeing those young people, those 15- 16-year-olds having their first job and learning their first social skills.

We cant afford to employ them anymore, which is really, really frustrating.

Meanwhile, Mr Lennox expects business rates at another of his pubs, The Old Thatch, in Dorset, to rise from 32,500 to 82,000. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to U-turn on plans to end Covid-era business rates relief as soon as this week, but that alone wont save struggling pubs.

We must get a VAT cut. We must bring it down in line with Europe, said Mr Lennox.

Labour is also considering lowering the drink driving limit in line with Scotlands, which would prevent some people from having one pint before driving home. Mr Lennox describes the plans as idiotic.

The decision to ban Labour MPs is industrial action, he added.  I cant close, I cant afford to. I cant go and march on Westminster. I dont have a tractor.

 So essentially for us, its just like, were going to bar 404 people and they cant go into the pub, so they cant then get those photo opportunities.

We are hoping they have listened.

Watch episodes of The Daily T here. You can also listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Acid attack victim Danny Cahalane with his ex-wife Paris Wilson, who is on trial for his murder and manslaughter

A mother conspired with a drug dealer to murder her ex-husband in an acid attack to get rich, a court heard.

Paris Wilson helped plot the murder of her ex-partner Danny Cahalane, a fitness instructor and drug dealer, after the acrimonious breakdown of their marriage, prosecutors said.

Ms Wilson, 35, a probation worker from Plymouth, allegedly fed information about Mr Cahalanes whereabouts to a drugs gang leader who he owed 120,000.

She is also accused of setting up Mr Cahalane to be ambushed the month before the fatal attack, in exchange for a couple of grand and because she thought he deserved to get hurt, it was alleged.

Mr Cahalane, 38, was doused in acid at his home in Plymouth, Devon, last year and died in hospital from his injuries 10 days later.

Drug dealer Danny Cahalane, 38, died in hospital 10 days after being doused in acid in Plymouth

Winchester Crown Court was told the hit on Mr Cahalane was orchestrated by a Dubai drugs lord called Ryan Kennedy and known as Frost. Mr Kennedy has not been charged with any crimes.

Ms Wilson is on trial after pleading not guilty to murder, manslaughter, participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group, attempted kidnap and attempted grievous bodily harm with intent.

Jo Martin KC, prosecuting, told the jury: [Ms Wilson] was to tell the police that she first had contact with Danny when he was in prison for supplying drugs.

They married after that, and then in about 2022 the relationship broke down. By 2025, the relationship between Paris and Danny was pretty acrimonious.

Paris Wilson, was, this is our case, Frosts go-to contact in Plymouth ... Through her, Frost could get information about Dannys whereabouts. Paris Wilson, as you will hear, was seemingly happy to give up all that information on the understanding Frost would make her wealthy.

Probation worker Paris Wilson, 35, is said to have first met her ex-husband when he was in prison

The court heard Ms Wilson was in contact with Frost, who wanted to find Mr Cahalane because he owed him 120,000 in unpaid drugs profits, having lost money gambling.

On Jan 8, she is said to have sent her mother a message saying: Like Frost is losing his mind....Frost is saying he will pay me if I find where he is today...he said he will pay me a few grand and double what Dan owes you and give you an oz...so 600 and a oz.

Ms Wilson is also alleged to have said: Im worried about my karma, but at least nobody but Dan gets hurt, and he did f--k massively with my life...and he deserves it.

The prosecutor added that there was no doubt she set up her ex-husband because she told Frost exactly where Danny would be at about 10am on Sunday 19th January, and only she could have known that he was dropping off their daughter that morning at her house.

Mr Cahalane was threatened on Jan 19, 2025 by men who tried to rip his car door open as he shut it. They were, according to Ms Martin, acting on Frosts orders.

I aint stopping until your [sic] dead

Frost is said to have told Mr Cahalane: Your mums house going a light tonight as well. And your girls. And your gonna die. Im a millionaire I aint stopping until your dead.

The court had heard that two men broke into the victims home on Feb 21, and by the time they had driven off, sulphuric acid had been thrown on [Mr Cahalane], burning into his whole body. He was treated in hospital for 10 weeks before dying on May 3.

Co-defendants Abdulrasheed Adedoja, 23, Ramarnee Bakas-Sithole, 23, Israel Augustus, 26, Isanah Sungum, 22, Brian Kalemba, 23, and Jude Hill, 43, deny murder and manslaughter.

Mr Adedoja, Mr Bakas-Sithole, Mr Augustus, Mr Sungum, Mr Kalemba, Jean Mukuna, 23, Arrone Mukuna, 25, and Jenna Said, 39, deny participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group.

Mr Adedoja, Mr Bakas-Sithole, Jean Mukuna and Arrone Mukuna have pleaded not guilty to the attempted kidnap and attempted grievous bodily harm with intent of Mr Cahalane.

The trial continues.
A Tapanuli orangutan  the species, with a population of about 800, is limited to the Batang Toru forests of North Sumatra, Indonesia. Photograph: Nature Picture Library/Alamy (Photograph: Nature Picture Library/Alamy)

The floods and landslides that tore through Indonesias fragile Batang Toru ecosystem in November 2024  killing up to 11% of the worlds Tapanuli orangutan population  prompted widespread scrutiny of the extractive companies operating in the area at the time of the ecological catastrophe.

For weeks, investigators searched for evidence that the companies may have damaged the Batang Toru and Garoga watersheds before the disaster, which washed torrents of mud and logs into villages, claiming the lives of more than 1,100 people.

Now, the government is taking action. Over the past week, Indonesias president, Prabowo Subianto, has announced a number of measures to hold companies accountable over what scientists say was an extinction-level disturbance for the worlds rarest ape.

This is the news we have been waiting for, and the deep breath the Batang Toru ecosystem desperately needed, said Amanda Hurowitz, the forest commodities lead at conservation nonprofit Mighty Earth, which has long been fighting threats to the Tapanuli.

On Tuesday, the Indonesian government said it would revoke the permits of 28 companies, halting their operations in the area. This includes the permits for mining company PT Agincourt Resources, behind the Martabe goldmine, as well as the permit for PT North Sumatera Hydro Energy, the developer of a large hydropower project being built along the Batang Toru River. The other permits were largely focused on timber harvesting and oil palm plantations.

The decision follows the results of an investigation by the countrys Forest Area Regulation Task Force.

Earlier this week, the countrys environment ministry also sued six companies  identified only by their initials  for 4.8tn rupiah (211m) over alleged links to the environmental damages in the Batang Toru ecosystem.

Related: Its the worlds rarest ape. Now a billion-dollar dig for gold threatens its future

The ministry said the six companies were responsible for unspecified damages spanning 2,500 hectares (6,200 acres) in the regions watersheds.

PT Agincourt Resources said it had only learned about the revocation of its permit from media reports. We are following up with the regulators, the company said in a statement to the Guardian. The company respects every government decision and maintains its rights in accordance with applicable regulations. Operations at the mine have been paused since 6 December.

Scientists and environmental advocates have long urged the government to strengthen protections for the Batang Toru region, considering that the critically endangered Tapanuli orangutan can be found only in this patch of forest.

Preliminary findings after the Sumatra floods suggest that between 6.2% and 10.5% of the Tapanuli orangutan population  which numbered about 800  probably perished in just a few days.

Biological anthropologist Erik Meijaard said a team would soon visit the area to fully assess effects on the orangutans in the area. But he noted that most of the landslides that had occurred in the western portion of the ecosystem, known as West Block, had little to do with the six companies that were being sued.

As far as we can see, these were primarily caused by extreme rainfall that affected forests on steep slopes in the interior of the West Block.

Of course, the hydro dam and goldmine have impacted Tapanuli orangutan habitat, but the relationship with the landslides is tentative, he added.

Still, environmental campaigners took the governments actions as a win for the Tapanuli.

The Indonesian government must now act to permanently end any further deforestation, Hurowitz said. And to begin work, as it has indicated, to restore the damage that has been done, prevent any further loss of human life and offer a future for the Tapanuli orangutan.

Find more age of extinction coverage here, and follow the biodiversity reporters Phoebe Weston and Patrick Greenfield in the Guardian app for more nature coverage
Flags flying at half-mast are a symbol of disrespect, councillors say - Peterborough Telegraph

A Labour-led council has suggested campaigning patriots should pay for dishevelled Union flags.

Shabina Qayyam, Peterborough city councils leader, said officers would remove English or British flags that were significantly damaged or worn.

The councillor added that it was really important that those who attached the flags to lampposts have the means to maintain them.

The fact that many of these flags that have been put up have been put up at half mast, which actually commemorates the death of someone, she said. Its not a way to treat our flag and I think that its really important that those who have put it up should also have the means to maintain it as well.

Where flags are significantly damaged or worn, or where its thought they may fall, officers will endeavour to remove them as swiftly as possible.

Councillor Shabina Qayyam says that flags that are not being well looked after will be removed - Jacob King/PA Images

Operation Raise the Colours, the online patriotism campaign, encouraged people to hang patriotic flags across England last summer, with many raised from August onwards.

Peterborough First councillor John Fox said at the city council meeting that the flags that had been tied to lampposts with cable ties had not been maintained, cleaned or replaced when necessary.

Operation Raise the Colours led to a wave of flags being raised throughout the UK last August - Anita Maric/SWNS

The Royal Navy veteran, who served from 1966 to 1977, told the meeting: I have the utmost respect and honour for all our service personnel who have stood under our nations flag past and present.

I also have nothing but a deep and utter respect for our nations flag and I would love to see it flown from every public building and every home.

What I personally find completely unpatriotic is when I see our nations flag tied to lampposts with cable ties while not being maintained, cleaned or replaced when necessary.

Especially if it is torn, dirty, flying upside down or flying from only one grommet.

Councillor John Fox says not looking after flags is a show of disrespect - Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

He said flying the flag in such a disrespectful way was unpatriotic, adding: Those who say they are truly patriotic should also be prepared to pay the bill for the maintenance, cleaning or replacement of these flags  not the taxpayers of this city.

In his written submission, he said: I am deeply troubled by the seemingly arbitrary and possibly quasi-political manner in which our national flag has been attached to lamp posts and other street furniture in our city without permission or a proper ceremony and left to deteriorate over time, in some cases hanging disrespectfully from one grommet.

Cllr Fox asked that officers locate and remove these unauthorised and dishevelled flags that exhibit disregard for their true meaning, as a mark of respect for all those who have served and continue to serve our country.

In response, Cllr Qayyam said: Peterborough is home to many diverse communities and nobody should be made to feel unsafe or face racism under the symbolism of the flag.

She added that taking pride in the flag shouldnt come at the expense of respecting and honouring it.

Responding to Cllr Foxs request, she said: The councils current position is that we will generally not be removing any of the flags unless theyre a clear health and safety risk to the public.

Unfortunately, where they do become a hazard in terms of health and safety we will have to take action where they are reported.

In November, a YouGov poll found that ethnic minorities now view the England flag as a racist symbol.

Ethnic minority groups view the St Georges Cross as a racist symbol, according to a recent survey - James Bell/Alamy Live News

Since the patriotism movement began, councils across Britain sparked outrage by removing flags or painting over markings.

In Dorset, a number of mini-roundabouts were painted to resemble the St Georges Cross, which the council described as targeted vandalism.

In Birmingham, the Labour-run council  which declared effective bankruptcy in 2023 and has been grappling with bin strikes  claimed the flags put the lives of pedestrians and motorists at risk. The authority removed hundreds of the flags from lamp posts and other street furniture.

Critics accused the councils of two-tier bias because Palestinian flags were not taken down for months after popping up in the aftermath of the start of the Israel-Hamas war.

Raise the Colours was approached for comment.
Sixteen of Robbie Williamss albums have topped UK charts - Official Charts Company

Robbie Williams has upstaged The Beatles to become the artist with the most UK hit albums.

His latest album, Britpop, is his 16th album to top the charts, surpassing the Fab Fours tally of 15.

Williams, 51, is back at the top of the charts one year after his last album, Better Man, took him level with Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr and George Harrison.

The former Take That star said at the time: It doesnt make sense, in my soul or my heart, but I will grasp it with both hands.

It feels like The Matrix is real, and there is me with a computer console playing a game and making nice things happen to me.

Its absurd and wonderful and surreal. Half of me cant understand how this can happen, and the other half of me that is incredibly competitive going, I want more.

Beatlemania means the group have had more than twice the amount of UK number one singles than Robbie Williams - Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

The Stoke-born star first achieved solo success with his 1997 album Life Thru a Lens, which included the popular singles Angels and Let Me Entertain You, which reached four and three in the singles charts, respectively.

He followed his debut solo artist success with the 1998 album Ive Been Expecting You, which featured his first solo number one single, Millennium.

His fame at the turn of the century was such that when he performed a three-day residence at Knebworth in 2003, his shows attracted crowds of almost 400,000. It remains the largest ever outdoor music event in British history.

Williamss record is followed closely by Taylor Swift who has released 14 chart-topping albums - Official Charts Company

But Williams has failed to translate his enormous domestic popularity into global appeal, unlike The Beatles.

While Williams has also sold more than 75 million albums worldwide, The Beatles total album sales is thought to exceed 600 million.

Beatlemania also means the group have more than twice the amount of UK number one singles.

The latest Williams album is a nod to the 1990s, and is the album he wanted to write and release after I left Take That in 1995, he said, which he described as a golden age for British music.

Martin Talbot, chief executive of the Official Charts Company, said: There are chart records and there are chart records, and Robbie Williams achievement today in securing his record 16th UK Number 1 album is simply extraordinary.

He added: Not even the confident young 16-year-old from Stoke-on-Trent would have believed this were possible when he joined Take That back in 1990, but here he is, on top of the world, the UKs number 1 album artist of all time.

The UK album record held by The Beatles had stood since 2000, when the album 1 earned top spot in the charts, despite Lennons death 20 years prior. Harrison died the year following its release.

Their first hit release came in 1963 with Please Please Me, and global sales have been estimated above one billion, although certified sales are likely lower.

Williams has competition for his album record, with US star Taylor Swift having released 14 albums that have topped the UK charts, thanks to a legion of devoted Swifties.

She is tied with The Beatless more bluesy contemporaries, the Rolling Stones, who released their last hit album, Hackney Diamonds, in 2023.

There is little else in the way of contemporary competition, with Elvis Presley next in the list with 13 top albums.

The list of artists that have topped the UK album charts more than ten times also includes Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, Eminem, and Kylie Minogue. The pop hit-makers ABBA achieved 10 top albums.
5NEWS/Youtube Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge welcomes three new lions after historic international rescue

NEED TO KNOW

Three rescued African lions from Honduras were relocated permanently to the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas on Jan. 15

The lions traveled by car and air to reach the U.S. in the milestone mission

"This mission represents everything sanctuary work stands for," said Scott Smith, TCWR vice president

Three rescued African lions have relocated to an animal refuge in a historic journey from Honduras to Arkansas.

On Jan. 15, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR) welcomed lions Cyrus, Zephora and Juancito, from Honduras, as part of the first international wildlife relocation effort in the countrys history.

The lions are three of eight large felines that made the historic journey from Honduras to wildlife sanctuaries in the U.S., with five tigers also transferred to Carolina Tiger Rescue (CTR), where they will stay permanently in spacious habitats designed to cater to their physical, behavioral and psychological needs, TCWR announced.

The lions were transported across multiple countries using various modes of transport by ship and air, before finally reaching the U.S. in what has been an incredible milestone journey.

This mission represents everything sanctuary work stands for  international cooperation, compassion in action and a future where rescued animals are given the lives they deserve, said Scott Smith, TCWR vice president, who helped with the rescue.



Cyrus, Zephora, and Juancito were previously cared for by the team at Little French Key Resort in Honduras. Team leader, Leo Lahijani, who made the relocation possible, aimed to provide the "best possible future" for the lions with the move, said TCWR.

Founder and President of TCWR, Tanya Smith, planned the relocation for about two years before traveling with her team to Honduras to bring the lions over to Arkansas, per local outlet 5News.

There was a lot of challenges  it just got so frustrating because we wanted those animals to get here before the cold came in so they could get a nice winter coat," Smith told the outlet. "What these cats have had to go through is more than I've ever had to put any other animals in my entire life.

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge welcomes three lions rescued from Honduras

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TCWR was assisted by Honduran environmental authorities and international partners, including the Honduran Institute of Forest Conservation (ICF), CITES and veterinary professionals, in ensuring the relocation went smoothly.

Environmental officials in Honduras have described the operation as a national milestone, setting a precedent for responsible wildlife management and reinforcing the countrys commitment to conservation and the fight against illegal wildlife trade, said the TCWR.

The rescued lions are now able to enjoy their lives in full protection at the refuge thanks to the relocation efforts.



Read the original article on People
A 5-year-old boy was taken into custody with his father by ICE agents in Minnesota on Tuesday in what some local officials say is the latest instance of heightened federal immigration enforcement in the state.

The family of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, who was detained on Tuesday as part of the federal government's ongoing immigration crackdown, has a pending asylum case but no order of deportation directing that they be removed from the United States, officials at Conejo Ramos' school said in a statement.

The 5-year-old was apprehended by immigration officials shortly after arriving home from preschool while his father was in their driveway, officials said.

Lawyers allege Dept. of Homeland Security is denying legal counsel to Minnesota detainees

"Another adult living in the home was outside and begged the agents to let them take care of the small child, but was refused," officials from Conejo Ramos' school said. "Instead, the agent took the child out of the still-running vehicle, led him to the door, and directed him to knock -- asking to be let in to see if anyone else was home -- essentially using a 5-year-old as bait."

The father and child are both government custody, school officials said.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said, "ICE did NOT target a child. The child was ABANDONED."

"On January 20, ICE conducted a targeted operation to arrest Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, an illegal alien from Ecuador who was RELEASED into the U.S. by the Biden administration," the statement said. "As agents approached the driver, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, fled on foot -- abandoning his child. For the child's safety, one of our ICE officers remained with the child while the other officers apprehended Conejo Arias."

Ali Daniels via AP - PHOTO: Liam Conejo Ramos, 5, is detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers after arriving home from preschool, Jan. 20, 2026, in a Minneapolis suburb.

"Parents are asked if they want to be removed with their children, or ICE will place the children with a safe person the parent designates. This is consistent with past administration's immigration enforcement," the DHS statement said.

The family's attorney, at a press conference Thursday, said the 5-year-old and his father "did everything right."

"Liam and his dad did enter the United States at a port of entry to seek asylum through the CBP One app," attorney Marc Prokosch said. "They used the app, they made an appointment. They came to the border and presented themselves to Customs and Border Protection. They were just trying to secure safety from persecution for their family from their home country."

"These are not illegal aliens," Prokosch said. "They came properly."

Prokosch said that boy and his father are at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas.

Zena Stenvik, the superintendent of Columbia Heights Public Schools, said the ICE activity in the community is "inducing trauma."

Rachel James/Reuters - PHOTO: ICE agents stand next to Liam Conejo Ramos, a five-year-old that school officials said was detained in Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 20, 2026.

"ICE agents have been roaming our neighborhoods, circling our schools, following our buses, and coming into our parking lots multiple times and taking our kids," she said.

Mary Granlund, the chair of the Columbia Heights Public Schools Board of Education, said during the presser that Conejo Ramos' mother was in the house at the time he was detained.

"She wanted her child," Granlund said.

School officials said that three other students from their district have been recently detained by immigration authorities.

According to the officials, two weeks ago, a 10-year-old fourth grader was detained by ICE agents on her way to elementary school with her mother. During the arrest, officials said, the child called her father to tell him the ICE agents were bringing her to school.

"The father immediately came to the school to find that both his daughter and wife had been taken," officials said. "By the end of the school day, they were already in a detention center in Texas, and they are still there."

On Wednesday, a 17-year-old high school student was detained by "armed and masked agents," school officials said.

"Our children should not be afraid to come to school or wait at the bus stop," Board Chair Mary Granlund said in a statement. "Their families should not be afraid to drop off or pick up their children from school."
Gov. Greg Abbott provides an update on Texas response to severe winter weather at the State Operations Center in Austin, Jan. 22, 2026.Photo: Texas Office of the Governor via Facebook / Used with Permission

(The Center Square)  Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday issued a disaster declaration for 134 counties in Texas ahead of a winter storm that is supposed to plunge most of the state into subfreezing temperatures for several days.

Whenever we go through any type of disaster, job number one is always protecting lives, Abbott said at a weather briefing in Austin. "Because of the severity of this storm, right now I am making a disaster declaration covering 134 counties across the state of Texas to make sure that every possible resource can be made available to those communities so the state can respond quicker, faster, and better than ever before. We have an outstanding team that is already prepared, already responding, to make sure that, even though we're going to go through a harsh winter storm, we're going to make it through this process."

The National Weather Service has forecast a large, long-duration winter storm expected to bring widespread heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain from the Southern Rockies/Plains into the Mid-South beginning Friday, spreading eastward to the Mid-Atlantic and New England this weekend. An Arctic front will bring frigid temperatures and gusty winds that will lead to dangerous wind chills from the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest,

Abbott encouraged Texans to stay off the roads over the next few days unless it is absolutely necessary.

He also directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to increase the readiness level of the Texas State Operations Center to Level II after already directing the agency to activate state emergency response resources earlier this week.

The Texas Department of Public Safety also issued a waiver allowing commercial truck drivers transporting goods like propane, groceries, and other essential products, to operate outside maximum driving hour requirements to ensure the delivery and availability of critical resources. The waiver will be active for five days; drivers are still subject to all commercial vehicle laws and regulations.

Abbott also said that with additional natural gas capabilities, Texas electrical grid is prepared to handle the storm.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), which manages the Texas grid, issued a Weather Watch from January 24-27 due to forecasted below-freezing temperatures with the possibility of frozen precipitation, higher electrical demand, and the potential for lower reserves.

Grid conditions are expected to be normal, it said.

ERCOT says it is closely monitoring weather conditions and will deploy all available tools to manage the grid. It says it already began coordinating preparation efforts with the Texas Energy Reliability Council, the Public Utility Commission of Texas, TDEM and other state agencies.

The NWS has issued an extreme cold watch and winter storm watch for most regions in Texas except the Rio Grande Valley and some areas in far west Texas.

It issued a winter storm warning for all of West Central Texas beginning Friday through Sunday, where moderate to heavy accumulations of snow, sleet and ice are likely across the region.

The Hill Country and Austin/San Antonio regions are projected to get up to half an inch of ice in some areas. A winter storm warning is in effect for portions of South-Central Texas from Saturday morning through Sunday morning, it said.

An Arctic cold front arrives late Friday night, plunging temperatures well below average this weekend and bringing precipitation. Freezing temperatures start to spread across the area Saturday morning, leading to freezing rain and sleet. Icing from freezing rain and sleet may impact road surfaces, making them slick and hazardous. Temperatures will likely remain below freezing through the weekend over most of the Winter Storm Warning area, so there could be residual ice impacts on road surfaces even after the precipitation stops, the NWS said.

A winter storm watch is in effect for Southeast Texas, Houston and Galveston where freezing rain and sleet is expected, the NWS said.

Several free resources are available to Texans, including the TDEM Disaster Portal, which includes winter weather information. Winter weather safety tips can be found at TexasReady.gov. Texans can find warming centers that are open and operated by local officials at tdem.texas.gov/warm. They can also check road conditions at DriveTexas.org.

Texans are encouraged to sign up for grid condition notifications through the Texas Advisory and Notification System (TXANS). They can also monitor real-time and extended grid conditions at ercot.com.
Alex Honnold is preparing to put his life on the line as he attempts his most perilous free solo ascents yet  this time on one of the worlds tallest skyscrapers.

Without safety ropes or gear, the professional rock climber, 40, known for completing similarly dangerous stunts, will try his hand at scaling Taipei 101, a 1,667-foot-tall tower located in Taiwans capital.

Speaking to CNN ahead of his daring climb, which will be streamed live Friday on Netflix, Honnold confirmed that were he to fall, it would likely be fatal.

If something happens, I would die, though actually, on this particular building, thats not even totally true because there are balconies every few floors, he said of the 101-storied building. The geometry of the building, the shape of the building is such that you actually could fall in tons of places and not actually die, which makes it in some ways safer than a lot of rock-climbing objectives.

Built in 2004, the skyscraper features mostly glass curtain walls, with balconies near the top that taper to a pointed peak. It was once the worlds tallest building until the construction of Dubais Burj Khalifa in 2010, which stands at a staggering 2,717 feet.

Alex Honnold is preparing to climb one of the world's tallest skyscrapers, Taipei 101 (pictured in the background) (Netflix)

Honnold is considered to be one of the world's greatest climbers (COREY RICH/NETFLIX A 2025)

I think the hardest part of the climb will be what were calling the bamboo boxes, which are eight segments in the middle of the building that are overhanging, Honnold previously explained to Netflixs Tudum.

Each one is eight floors, so it represents 64 floors in the middle of the building, and theyre all the same. They overhang, I dont know, 10 or 15 degrees  its kind of steep  and then theres a balcony every eight floors... The boxes are definitely the most physically demanding part.

In a recent trailer for Skyscraper Live, Honnolds wife, Sanni McCandless, acknowledged peoples concerns about her husband free-soloing now that hes a father to two young children. This is who Alex is, McCandless said.

Honnold rose to global fame in 2017 when he became the first person to free solo a full route on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. His accomplishment was the subject of the 2018 Oscar-winning documentary Free Solo.

Despite being considered one of the worlds greatest climbers, Honnold still has some apprehension toward his next feat.

Alex Honnold will climb Taipei 101 in a live-streamed Netflix special this Friday (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Im sure Ill feel a little nervous at the bottom, just because its something totally new and I dont know how its going to feel, he added to Tudum. Ive spent 30 years climbing rock faces; this is going to be my first big handmade structure, so Im sure itll feel a little different.

As to whether he is nervous about performing the death-defying stunt with millions watching, Honnold admitted that aspect was not at all concerning.

Just because the feeling of being witnessed is nothing compared to the feeling of trying to do something challenging and do it well, he said. My life is on the line  I dont really care whos watching. I care about doing what Im doing and doing it well.

Skyscraper Live will stream Friday at 8pm E.T./ 5pm P.T. on Netflix.
While President Donald Trump began his new year opening Venezuela to U.S. oil companies and pining over Greenlands potential oil and critical mineral reserves, American shale producers became increasingly miffed over the commander-in-chiefs focus on international energy as opposed to their declining domestic profits.



Although the U.S. is, in fact, churning out barrels of oil near all-time highs, Trumps Drill, baby, drill ethos is ringing hollow amid weaker oil prices and waning drilling activity. The presidents fixation on lower prices at the pump is working in his favorlargely because of higher OPEC output, as he desired. But cheap fuel proves a detriment to U.S. oil producers struggling to turn a profit for their crude.



I think everyone feels a bit slighted here, the CEO of one big U.S. oil producer told Fortune, requesting confidentiality to avoid any potential reprisal from the Trump administration.

The U.S. benchmark for crude oil is sitting at just under $60 per barrel, the threshold below which American oil producers struggle to profit and justify new activity. And the number of active oil-drilling rigs has plunged about 15% for the year as of Jan. 16. Despite all that, previous drilling activity and oilfield efficiency gains have pushed domestic oil production near world-leading, all-time highs of 13.8 million barrels a daya stubbornly high level thats contributing to lower oil prices. U.S. producers are at least pleased that Trump has expedited green-lighting energy projects and rolled back environmental protections.

At the same time, Trump is urging U.S. companies to move into Venezuela and spend more than $100 billion to rebuild its dilapidated infrastructure and pump more heavy Venezuelan crude oil.

Venezuela is going to make more money in the next six months than theyve made in the last 20 years. Every major oil company is coming in with us, Trump said Jan. 21 at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

In the U.S., Trump said, well soon be averaging less than $2 a gallon. The U.S. average for a gallon of regular unleaded fuel is $2.76 per gallon this week, down 32 cents in a year.

White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said, Thanks to President Trumps energy dominance agenda, oil and gas production is at an all-time high. President Trumps historic energy deal with Venezuela has unlocked a new, unprecedented opportunity for oil companies to invest in the worlds largest oil reserve.

Marshall Adkins, head of energy for Raymond James, said U.S. shale producers are frustrated by low oil prices and Trumps eagerness to press every button with OPEC and countries around the world, including in Venezuela, to produce more oil.

Trump has been unequivocal. He wants lower prices, Adkins said, and thats bad for U.S. producers.

The CEO of a smaller U.S. oil producer in Midland, Texas, said Trumps oil rhetoric is frustrating and his emphasis on crude oil as a primary reason for forcibly removing Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro was disgraceful.

[Trumps] messaging is annoying, but its just noise, the CEO said, asking for confidentiality, arguing that increasing Venezuelan oil production enough to notably impact pricing would take years. Oil pricing is already at harmful levels, he said.

Its miserable, he said of West Texass Permian Basin. The fundamentals are negative to keep drilling for oil.

Crude Venezuelan dreams

While there may be some smaller, fast-moving companies going into Venezuela, Adkins said, Trump really needs the Big Oil giants to invest many billions of dollars there to move the needle. And Exxon Mobil CEO Darren Woods hit the nail on the head when he recently told Trump that Venezuela is currently uninvestable.

So, who will go into Venezuela?

Chevron, for one, because the oil giant is the only U.S. company currently pumping out oil there thanks to its special license. Chevron vice chairman Mark Nelson told Trump it could hike its oil flows by 50% in less than two years. But that would equate to raising the countrys overall volumes from almost 1 million barrels of oil daily to more than 1.1 million barrels for a countrywith the worlds largest proven oil reservesthat peaked decades ago with an output of nearly 4 million barrels.

And oilfield services drillers also are eager to go backpartly because theyre contractors and not the ones investing many billions of dollars.

Halliburton CEO Jeff Miller said on a Jan. 21 earnings call that he can scale up very quickly there as needed.

My phone is ringing off the hook in terms of interest in Venezuela, Miller said, calling it a small market compared with the industry just a decade ago.

Duane Germenis, president of the Intelligent Water Solutions oilfield services firm, used to work in Venezuela periodically before oil assets were expropriated by the government almost two decades ago, but he wont go back. He said hes happy to sell equipment to U.S. oil companies going there, but not to operate there.

Theres a lot of oil to find, but how safe are you going to be? Germenis told Fortune. The country already owes many vendors lots of money that theyll never see.

The leaders of some privately held U.S. oil producers, such as Hilcorp and Armstrong Oil & Gas, told Trump theyre eager to invest in Venezuela, but those companies did not respond to repeated requests for comment by Fortune.

Instead of U.S. producers, major European players may prove to be key investors in Venezuela. Shell CEO Wael Sawan said at a White House meeting that the Big Oil giant has a few billion dollars worth of opportunities to invest.

Likewise, Spains Repsol and Italys Eni already operate in Venezuela under a joint venture to produce natural gas for much of the countrys domestic electricity. And they said theyd love to produce more crude oil as well with U.S. permission.

Repsol CEO Josu Jon Imaz said the company could triple its relatively small output of 45,000 barrels of oil daily in three years.

We are also ready to join with American companies in our assets to develop and go faster with good investors and good know-how from the U.S. companies, Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi told Trump.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
Australians have been disappointed by the politicisation of the Bondi tragedy [Steven Markham/ Mick Tsikas/ EPA]

Thursday had been earmarked for Australians to mourn the victims of last month's Bondi shootings.

Those who had lost loved ones in the antisemitic attacks wanted it to be a chance to remember the dead, and spread light and kindness in their honour.

Instead, it was a day dominated by a political row resulting in the collapse of the opposition coalition.

"I mean, you would have thought they could have put this off for 24 hours," veteran political commentator Malcolm Farr told the BBC.

"It's at the very least unfortunate timing and shows a certain amount of self-indulgence."

The fight - which centred around reforms sparked by the tragedy - looks set to sink two leaders and trash their parties' electoral chances, and caps off what many Australians say has been a disappointing month of politics.

When two gunmen opened fire on an event marking the Jewish festival of Hanukkah at Bondi Beach, killing 15 people - including a 10-year-old child - the recriminations began almost immediately.

"The turnaround was amazing in the way they [politicians] politicised it," says Bondi local Kass Hill, 52. "The fingerpointing isn't solving anything."

Heckles and blame

Bondi was covered with a sea of floral tributes in the days after the attack [Getty Images]

While families were waiting to bury their loved ones, a conveyer belt of politicians - including the opposition leader - visited the scene to apportion blame. Populist leaders came to rail against immigration. Prominent businesspeople popped by to pose with flowers.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, accused by many Jewish Australians of ignoring their concerns ahead of the attack, spent the weeks after it dismissing calls from many in the community for a national inquiry into antisemitism.

He was repeatedly heckled in public, arriving at a memorial to a tidal wave of boos and cries of "You're not welcome". "You might as well go to a jihadist nation where you can fit in," one person shouted. Looming over the crowd, a large screen read "a night of unity".

Criticised as being overly defensive and slow to listen, Albanese has in turn rebuked his parliamentary rivals for "playing politics" with tragedy.

The 14 December Bondi attack was Australia's worst mass shooting since the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, when 35 people were killed, but the responses to the tragedies couldn't be more different.

Then Prime Minister John Howard visited the scene of the shooting in Tasmania to lay wreaths together with opposition leaders, who shortly afterwards united to help him pass firearms laws that made Australia a world leader on gun control.

"Australian society and politics is very different than it was 30 years ago and we're just a far more divided society," says John Warhurst, an emeritus professor of political science at the Australian National University.

Political leaders presented a united front in the wake of the Port Arthur massacre in 1996 [Getty Images]

A society already fractured over Israel-Gaza war

There are a number of reasons why this attack has divided people in ways Port Arthur didn't - including the already fraught debate raging in Australia over Israel, Gaza and antisemitism, according to Mark Kenny, a political columnist and host of the Democracy Sausage podcast.

"Then this event lobs into that, [and] I think it led to it being immediately politicised," he told the BBC.

Since the 7 October 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas and protests in Australia against Israel's war on Gaza which followed, Albanese has consistently been accused of failing to do enough to stamp out antisemitism. The Executive Council of Australian Jewry says antisemitic incidents have increased from an average of 342 before the 7 October attacks in 2023 to 1,654 last year.

Likewise, he's been accused of not doing enough to call out Israel's actions in Gaza, which UN experts have called genocide and Israel denies.

Hours after the Bondi shooting, the antisemitism commissioner appointed by Albanese linked it to the pro-Palestinian protests that have regularly taken place in Sydney and which Jewish leaders have lobbied against.

"It began on 9 October 2023 at the Sydney Opera House," Jillian Segal said in a statement. "Now death has reached Bondi Beach."

Investigators have not said there is any link between the alleged gunmen and the pro-Palestinian movement, instead alleging the pair were inspired by the jihadist group Islamic State, with the younger of the father-son duo on intelligence agencies' radars for a period in 2019.

Tens of thousands of Pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched across the Sydney Harbour Bridge in August [Getty Images]

No simple solutions and 'either-or-ism'

As it was after Port Arthur, gun reform was the first thing on the legislative agenda after the Bondi attack.

"We know that one of these terrorists held a firearm licence and had six guns, in spite of living in the middle of Sydney's suburbs... There's no reason why someone in that situation needed that many guns," Albanese said as he announced a suite of changes in the following days.

Unlike Port Arthur, when the measures were broadly popular, Albanese's focus on gun laws was immediately attacked by the Liberal opposition and parts of the Jewish community as a distraction from what they view as the real cause of the attack  antisemitism. Even Howard, the architect of the 1996 reforms, came out to suggest they were an "attempted diversion".

Tensions were on display at a memorial services a week after the attacks [Getty Images]

"That kind of 'either or ism' is a feature about politics these days probably everywhere in the West. Everything becomes supercharged and divisive," says Kenny.

"There's just this fundamental lack of trust that's almost like we're in the grip of a toxic cynicism that means that motives of political leaders the first instinct is to question them, to regard them as disingenuous."

The recent decision by a festival in Adelaide to disinvite a Palestinian-Australian author  leading ultimately to the collapse of the entire writers' week portion of the event  due to "sensitivities" after Bondi and her "past statements" is also a sign of how tense the current circumstances are, adds Kenny.

Demands for immediate action on antisemitism were loud in the days after the attack, and Albanese did soon announce a crackdown on hate speech, backed by the antisemitism commissioner.

But some critics said the measures would impinge on free speech, including the right to criticise Israel, and on protest, while others argued they did not go far enough in protecting other minorities.

"[It's] a can of worms," says Warhurst, noting that there has never been "an easy agreement on finding where that balance lies" between free speech and hate speech.

"Now is the worst time, I think, to be trying to resolve those sorts of issues because you are doing it fairly quickly and you're doing it in a heated environment."

The hate speech laws had the backing of the Jewish community, but many felt it was not enough - with several of the victims' families pushing Albanese to call a royal commission, Australia's most powerful form of independent inquiry.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was booed when he arrived at a memorial for the victims of the Bondi shooting [EPA]

For weeks, Albanese argued the measures already announced were enough and that a royal commission would be the wrong tool to unpick what had happened. It could give a platform to antisemites, he said.

Royal commissions had not been launched into previous tragedies like Port Arthur, Albanese pointed out, comments which were widely dismissed. Promised reviews of intelligence agencies and law enforcement similarly did nothing to dissuade those calling for the inquiry.

Their pleas were mirrored by a coordinated campaign of letter writing that featured on the front pages of right-wing newspapers. "I don't think it's controversial to say that the News Limited and other parts of the media were certainly stirring the pot," says Warhurst.

Albanese's arguments against a royal commission were "really hard to make in these circumstances", says Kenny, and it backfired on him when he was ultimately forced to reverse course on the issue.

Analysts have also suggested his reluctance may have been down to fears it could become complex, controversial and divisive. It could invite discussion of the war in Gaza, while potentially excluding examination of Islamophobia  which exploded after Bondi, with The Islamophobia Register Australia recording a 740% rise in incidents by early January - when many Labor MPs have large Muslim electorates.

There was likely also a "reluctance to cave to the opposition", Farr believes: opposition leader Sussan Ley had vociferously demanded the royal commission, asking what Albanese was "hiding", and revelled in his backflip.

A political opportunity

It is fair to say that, before December's attack, Ley had been struggling to land a punch on the government and assert authority over her own party. In the weeks before the shooting, some pundits were even predicting her imminent ousting.

"The Bondi attacks offered her an opportunity to prosecute a very strong case against the government," says Kenny.

But any momentum she gained over the royal commission collapsed this week when she failed to rally her Coalition behind the very hate speech laws she had so loudly demanded Albanese quickly implement.

By Thursday - the national day of mourning for the Bondi attacks - things had fallen apart.

The National Party announced they were leaving the coalition, having refused to vote for the legislation despite a shadow cabinet agreement. They, despite earlier calls for haste, said they had not been given enough time to examine the proposals which they said could threaten free speech.

David Littleproud on Thursday said his National Party would not work with Sussan Ley [Australian Broadcasting Corporation]

On his way out the door, Nationals leader David Littleproud suggested the only way his party would consider returning to the fold was if Ley was dumped, leaving her already shaky leadership hanging by a thread.

"I'm quite sure there are people... who are polishing their shoes and tightening the knot on their ties to step forward should that vacancy occur or be forced," says Farr.

However, Littleproud's bold ultimatum could be an overstep which costs him his own job, with mutterings that Liberals wouldn't accept him as a leader in any future coalition either.

But then, it seems all of Australia's politicians may be on shakier ground.

The posturing of the main parties over the past month has left a bitter taste in the mouths of many Australians. In a poll released earlier this week, Albanese's net approval rating had plunged to minus 11 from his previous score of zero in November, while Ley's approval rating - never high - barely budged at minus 28.

The repeated calls for unity by politicians who simultaneously fail to heed their own statements will not have gone unnoticed, and Thursday's display of political infighting is unlikely to improve the fortunes of any party, says Farr.

"It will reinforce the view of so many Australians who already are cynical about what politicians, no matter their party, actually represent and will reinforce the belief that politicians, MPs, just stand for themselves rather than the national good."
Tommy Lee Walker was declared "innocent" by a Dallas court on Wednesday, 70 years after he was executed for the rape and murder of Venice Parker. The court said his 1954 conviction and 1956 execution were "profound miscarriage[s] of justice."

Walker, a Black man who was 19 years old at the time of his conviction, was found guilty in the rape and murder of Parker, a white woman who was killed in 1953 near Dallas Love Field airport.

Dallas County DA - PHOTO: Dallas County Commissioners Court formally approved a resolution declaring Tommy Lee Walker innocent and recognizing that his 1956 conviction and execution were wrongful.

In the Wednesday order, which was reviewed by ABC News, the Commissioners Court of Dallas County affirmed Walker's "innocence" and acknowledged "the harm caused to him, his family, and the community by this wrongful conviction."

Parker -- a store clerk and mother of a young son -- was raped and fatally stabbed while she waited at a bus stop on her way to get back home, according to The Innocence Project.

A police officer who arrived on the scene claimed that he heard Parker identify her attacker as a Black man, the legal advocacy organization said. In the wake of her murder -- and without forensic evidence or new leads -- hundreds of Black men were detained and interrogated, according to The Innocence Project. Months later, the organization said, police got a tip identifying Walker as a suspect.

Walker, who had no criminal record, maintained his innocence and said that when Parker was killed he was witnessing his girlfriend give birth to his only son -- Edward Smith -- an alibi corroborated during the trial by 10 witnesses, The Innocence Project noted.

Uvalde victim's dad reacts to acquittal: 'We had a little hope, but it wasn't enough'

In the absence of forensic and circumstantial evidence, prosecutors relied on an alleged confession that Walker made, according to the group. Walker later recanted his confession, according to the Innocence Project.

"The only direct evidence connecting Tommy Lee Walker to this offense is a confession obtained through the use of coercive tactics," the court's declaration stated.

Wednesday's declaration was attended by Smith and Parker's son Joseph Parker, who embraced and met for the first time, according to the office of Dallas County Criminal District Attorney John Creuzot, which released photos of the encounter.

Dallas County DA - PHOTO: Tommy Lee Walker's son, Edward Smith, left, embraces Venice Lorraine Parker's son Joseph Parker during a meeting in Dallas, Texas, on Jan. 21, 2026.

"In a moment that transcended generations of pain, Tommy Lee Walker's son and Venice Parker's son were both present and met for the first time. Parker's son affirmed what the evidence makes clear: Tommy Lee Walker was innocent," Creuzot's office said in a statement.

Creuzot noted that injustices must be addressed regardless of how long ago they occurred.

"Justice does not expire with time," he said.

ABC News has reached out to Parker's family for comment.

He was exonerated in the killing of Malcolm X but his fight for justice is not over

The court declared in the order that Walker's arrest, prosecution, conviction and subsequent execution were marred with prosecutorial misconduct; that he was denied a jury of his peers and that the case was "fundamentally compromised by false or unreliable evidence, coercive interrogation tactics, and racial bias."

This came at a time when the U.S. was "marked by racial segregation, systemic injustice and inequality within the criminal justice system," the order said.

The declaration of Walker's innocence by the court was the culmination of a review of Walker's case that was collaboratively launched by the Conviction Integrity Unit of the Dallas County District Attorney's Office in partnership with the Innocence Project of New York and the Northeastern University School of Law's Civil Rights and Restorative Justice Project.

The findings of the review, including evidence and testimony, were presented to the Dallas County Commissioners Court during a meeting on Wednesday

Dallas County DA - PHOTO: Tommy Lee Walker's son, Edward Smith, left, speaks with Venice Lorraine Parker's son Joseph Parker during a meeting in Dallas, Texas, on Jan. 21, 2026.

Smith -- Walker's son -- is represented by attorneys at the Innocence Project and Margaret A. Burnham, who is the director of the Civil Rights and Restorative Justice Project (CRRJ) at Northeastern University School.

"It was hard growing up without a father," Smith said in a statement released by the Innocence Project on Wednesday. "When I was in school, kids talked about their dads, and I had nothing to say. This won't bring him back, but now the world knows what we always knew -- that he was an innocent man. And that brings some peace."

According to the Innocence Project, the review was initiated after Chris Fabricant, one of Smith's attorneys, and Burnham discussed the case in 2022 and then utilized the expertise of Northeastern Law students and staff. In the years since, they conducted "meticulous historical research" and found evidence of prosecutorial misconduct, constitutional violations and coercive interrogation tactics that led to Walker's conviction and execution.

In a statement, Fabricant said Smith "carried the generational trauma" of what happened to his father.

"Acknowledging what we know to be truth -- that false evidence, misconduct, and overt racism led to the execution of an innocent man -- albeit 70 years later, is essential to the integrity of our legal system, the historical fabric of this country, and most importantly it is an acknowledgment of the unspeakable burden Mr. Smith and his family have carried for decades," he said.

ABC News reached out to the Innocence Project and the DA's office for further comment.
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney delivers a speech during the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos on Jan. 20. Credit - Fabrice COFFRINI / AFPGetty Images

For the first few days of the World Economic Forum in Davos, politicians, civil society leaders, and business executives waited in nervous anticipation of President Donald Trumps address to the conferenceand any potential signal that he might try to make good on his promise to annex Greenland.

Trumps speech came and went, but it wasnt the most significant moment of the week-long confab. Instead, the biggest splash may have come the day before from the U.S.s northern ally turned rival Canada. In a speech bound for the history books, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney described a rupture in the world order and called for middle powers like Canada to stand up to bullies. He described the emergence of new coalitions of the willing to address issues aligned with their interests and valuesrather than all nations following signals from the U.S. as they have been. Were pursuing variable geometry, in other words, said Carney, different coalitions for different issues based on common values and interests.

This reshaping will touch every aspect of the economyand importantly it will have profound effects for energy and climate.

The most obvious impact is the divergent approach to energy technologies. In Davos, Trump Administration officials touted fossil fuels while panning renewables. Economically, its been a failure, Energy Secretary Chris Wright said of global investment in renewable energy in a fireside chat. That stance will come as no surprise to anyone who has even loosely followed Trumps approach to energy, but in Davos the contrast to the rest of the worlds thinking was striking.

Ursula Von Der Leyen, the head of the European Commission, said the European Union would double down on nuclear and renewables to free the bloc from manipulation by other countriesa group which might now reasonably be interpreted to include the U.S. Homegrown, reliable, resilient, and cheaper energy will drive our economic growth and secure our independence, she told a plenary session.

French President Emmanuel Macron said he would welcome more Chinese investment in key sectorspresumably including renewable energy where the country is a key player. The week before Davos, Carney traveled to China and agreed to all but eliminate Canadas steep tariffs on Chinese EVs, opening his country to Chinas cheap and popular automobiles to the detriment of U.S. automakers.

The U.S., however, has allies in its push to entrench fossil fuels. The CEO of Saudi Aramco, Saudi Arabias state-owned oil company, touted continued demand for oil as he made a case to leaders at Davos for the long-term future of his countrys key export. (Though it is also investing in renewable energy.)

Climate change wasnt exactly the main subject for top government officials this week, with pressing geopolitical concerns taking up most of the oxygen. But its easy to see how Carneys coalition of the willing approach might unfold once leaders return from Davos and, one day, turn their attention to cutting global emissions. Indeed, before becoming Canadas prime minister, Carney had championed the idea of carbon clubs, where countries would join together to reduce emissionswith trade penalties for laggards outside the club. This year, the E.U.s border carbon adjustment mechanismwhich taxes emissions from some products at the bordertook effect. Other countries like Brazil are considering related policies.

The response to Trumps energy posturing from the executives gathered in Davos was mixed. Behind the scenes, many insisted that their sustainability work would continue regardless of the Trump Administrationeven as they avoid talking about it publicly. The long-term signal remains clear, they argue. But theres no question that at the very least this new global realignment increases the complexity of managing energy and climate work.

When the dust settles on this moment of chaotic and rapid change, the international climate regime will look dramatically different with new alliances and international relationships. The U.S. wont necessarily be alone, but it may find that standing apart comes at a cost.

To get this story in your inbox, subscribe to the TIME CO2 Leadership Report newsletter here.

This story is supported by a partnership with Outrider Foundation and Journalism Funding Partners. TIME is solely responsible for the content.

Write to Justin Worland at justin.worland@time.com.
EL PASO, TX  A Cuban migrants death at a Texas detention center earlier this month was officially ruled a homicide, according to an autopsy report released on Jan. 21 by the county medical examiners office.

Geraldo Lunas Campos, 55, died on Jan. 3 at Camp East Montana, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in East El Paso near the U.S.-Mexico border. The detention center is located on Fort Bliss property.

At the time of his death, Lunas Campos had been held at the facility for nearly four months. In a Jan. 9 news release, ICE said Lunas Campos was pronounced dead after "experiencing medical distress."

ICE officials later alleged that Lunas Campos attempted suicide and security staff tried to save him. But in the autopsy report released by the El Paso County Office of the Medical Examiner, his cause of death was "asphyxia due to neck and torso compression."

See ICE protests around country sparked after Minnesota shooting death People take part in a protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in New York on Jan. 7, 2026 after an ICE officer shot dead a woman in Minneapolis.

"Based on the investigative and examination findings, it is my opinion that the cause of death is asphyxia due to neck and torso compression," the report states. "The manner of death is homicide."

Camp East Montana, which opened in August 2025, is the largest ICE detention center in the United States and is projected to hold 5,000 detainees for deportation. The facility's capacity grew to 3,250 people as of Dec. 19, 2025.

The detention center has drawn repeated allegations of inhumane conditions and inadequate oversight.

ICE detention centers: Five key ways ICE detention centers are booming under Trump

Autopsy report: Cuban migrant became unresponsive while being restrained

In the Jan. 9 news release, ICE said Lunas Campos became "disruptive" while in line for medication. He was placed in segregation where "staff observed him in distress and contacted on-site medical personnel for assistance," the release states.

But according to the autopsy report released by the county medical examiners office, Lunas Campos became "unresponsive while being physically restrained by law enforcement." He had "scattered superficial abrasions" all over his body, the report states.

The medical examiner also found a hemorrhage involving the strap muscles and connective tissues of the neck. Lunas Campos also had "petechial hemorrhages" in the eyelids and in the front and side of his neck, along with fractured ribs, according to the report.

Lunas Campos medical history included suffering from bipolar disorder and anxiety, the report states. The medical examiner wrote that a toxicology report found that Lunas Campos had trazodone, an antidepressant, and hydroxyzine, an antihistamine, in his system.

Though the report states his cause of death is homicide, it is not a legal finding and does not mean criminal charges will be filed against those involved in the incident.

ICE previously said the death was under investigation, but has not commented further. The Federal Bureau of Investigation said it cannot confirm or deny if an investigation is underway because of U.S. Department of Justice policy. Typically, the FBI investigates homicides at federal facilities and on federal property.

Geraldo Lunas Campos

ICE response to reports of homicide ruling

On Jan. 15, The Washington Post first reported that Lunas Campos' death was being investigated as a "likely homicide." Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, later confirmed in a statement that officials have "learned that another detainee has died, and the El Paso County Medical Examiner is likely to rule it a homicide."

ICE responded to The Post's report in a social media post on Jan. 16, alleging that Lunas Campos was attempting to commit suicide and "violently resisted the security staff."

"On January 3rd, Geraldo Lunas Campos, a criminal illegal alien and convicted child sex predator, attempted to take his own life while he was detained at the Camp East Montana detention facility," ICE said in the post. "The security staff immediately intervened to save his life. Campos violently resisted the security staff and continued to attempt to take his life."

The agency said Lunas Campos stopped breathing and lost consciousness during the struggle. Medical staff made "repeated attempts to resuscitate him," but he was pronounced dead at the detention center, according to ICE.

"ICE takes seriously the health and safety of all those detained in our custody," the agency added. "This is still an active investigation, and more details are forthcoming. ICE investigates the circumstances of all deaths in custody."

Lunas Campos was arrested by immigration authorities in July 2025 "during a planned enforcement operation" in Rochester, New York, according to ICE. He was moved to El Paso on Sept. 6.

The agency said Lunas Campos had a lengthy criminal record, including convictions for criminal possession of a weapon, sexual contact with a child under 11, reckless driving, possession of a controlled substance, and sale of a controlled substance.

Exclusive: ICE is freeing some detained families despite vowing 'zero releases'

El Paso mayor calls for independent investigation into migrant's death

On Jan. 22, El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson called for a "full, independent investigation" into the death of Lunas Campos. Johnson said transparency, accountability, and human dignity are non-negotiable values for the city.

"Recent immigration enforcement activity has also created understandable concern among families in our region," the mayor said. Johnson noted that public safety depends on residents feeling safe accessing services, reporting crimes, and sending their children to school without fear.

Following The Post's report, the American Civil Liberties Union renewed calls for the closure of Camp East Montana. Citing the report, the civil rights organization said Lunas Campos' death will "likely be ruled a homicide due to asphyxiation after a witness at the facility claims they saw guards choke him to death."

"The death of Geraldo Lunas Campos is the latest in a string of preventable deaths by ICE and illustrates a broader pattern of unchecked violence and abuse carried out by ICE against members of our communities on the taxpayers dime, Haddy Gassama, senior policy counsel at the ACLU, said in a statement.

In December 2025, the ACLU and other human rights groups sent a letter to ICE demanding the closure of Camp East Montana. The letter described allegations of abuse by officers against detained immigrants, medical neglect, and other human rights violations.

Federal agents continue surge of immigration enforcement in Minnesota US Customs and Border Protection agents arrest a man after not providing documents proving he's a citizen of the United States while patrolling a neighborhood during immigration enforcement activity in Minneapolis in Minneapolis, Minn. on Jan. 11, 2026. A US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good on the streets of Minneapolis on Jan. 7, leading to huge protests and outrage from local leaders who rejected White House claims she was a domestic terrorist.

Deaths at migrant ICE detention center in Texas

At least 30 people died in ICE custody last year, the highest level in two decades, agency figures show. In the first 10 days of 2026, four immigrants, including Lunas Campos, died while in federal immigration custody.

Lunas Campos was the second migrant to die at the El Paso detention center. There have been at least three deaths at the center since it opened in August 2025.

The most recent death was 36-year-old Victor Manuel Diaz, a Nicaraguan immigrant, on Jan. 14. Diaz "died of a presumed suicide," ICE said in a Jan. 18 news release.

The first death at the detention center was Francisco Gaspar Cristobal Andres, 48, a Guatemalan immigrant. He was taken to the hospital on Nov. 16 and died of liver and kidney failure on Dec. 3, according to ICE.

Contributing: Aaron A. Bedoya and Jeff Abbott, El Paso Times; Reuters

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Autopsy finds Cuban migrant in ICE custody died of homicide
At 19, Jessie Blodgett was just a college freshman with her whole life ahead of her.

The music education student at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee loved playing instruments, singing and acting, until her life was brutally cut short in 2013.

A new "20/20" episode, "Her Last Note" airing Friday, Jan. 23, at 9 p.m. ET on ABC and streaming the next day on Disney+ and Hulu, examines the case.

You can also get more behind-the-scenes of each week's episode by listening to "20/20: The After Show" weekly series right on your 20/20 podcast feed on Mondays, hosted by "20/20" co-anchor Deborah Roberts.

Courtesy of Amelia Callies-Rolefson - PHOTO: Jessie Blodgett was a 19-year-old student at the University of WisconsinMilwaukee.

On July 15, 2013, Blodgett's mother, Joy, found her dead in her bedroom in Hartford, Wisconsin. Her hands appeared to have been bound together and there was blood on her sheets and pillows, investigators said.

"My daughter is blue. I went to wake her up and I just got home from, for lunch and she won't wake up," Joy Blodgett said when she called 911 that day.

Just three days earlier, there had been a violent attack on another woman, Melissa Etzler, in nearby Richfield Historical Park.

Courtesy of Melissa Etzler - PHOTO: Melissa Etzler survived a violent knife attack just days before Blodgetts death.

The then-20-year-old was tackled by a man wielding a knife, she said. To save herself, Etzler said she grabbed the knife by the blade, causing deep injuries to her hands as she wrestled it away from her assailant. He then fled the scene in a van, she said.

"There was just blood everywhere," Etzler told "20/20." "I think that was like my fight or flight."

Etzler provided a description of her attacker to the police. Police started trying to track down the van the attacker was driving, and the investigation led them to Daniel Bartelt -- Blodgett's ex-boyfriend.

Blodgett and Bartelt dated for about three months during their freshman year of high school, until he broke up with her, according to Blodgett's father. They stayed friends and participated in musicals together throughout high school, he said, and they continued to write music together after graduating.

Courtesy of Buck Blodgett - PHOTO: Jessie Blodgett loved to perform, which was one of her many passions, before her death in July 2013.

"Dan was just over the week before [her death], playing music in Jessie's music room with her," Buck Blodgett told "20/20."

The day after Blodgett's death, her parents hosted some of her friends in their home in a vigil for their daughter. Moriah Boehlen, a friend of Blodgett and Bartelt's, remembered him comforting her at the vigil.

READ MORE: Professors brutal murder leads to decade-long manhunt

"I was holding his hand, and I had my head on his shoulder crying," Boehlen told "20/20." "He squeezed my hand in comfort."

At that vigil, Bartelt got a call from police asking him to come in for an interview relating to the attack days earlier in the park. During questioning, police said he confessed to being the one that attacked Etzler.

"I wanted to scare someone else, because everyone else looks so comfortable," Bartelt told authorities at the time.

He was charged with attempted murder and reckless endangerment before authorities began asking him about Blodgett's murder once he told police he was at her house when investigators called him.

"I think someone raped and murdered her," Bartelt told authorities, which raised alarm bells since the detail about the suspected rape was not public information yet.

READ MORE: California cold cases solved after DNA helped 'badass detective' to identify teens' killers

Police then found a key piece of evidence in a garbage can in a park near the one where Etzler was attacked. Bartelt said hed been there the morning Blodgett was murdered.

In a discarded Frosted Mini-Wheats box, investigators found rope, alcohol wipes and tape that had DNA, along with traces of Blodgett and Bartelt's DNA. Police said they also found suspicious search histories about serial killers on Bartelts computer.

Bartelt was then charged with first-degree intentional homicide, to which he pleaded not guilty. He was not charged with rape.

Courtesy of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections - PHOTO: Daniel Bartelt, Blodgetts former boyfriend, was convicted of her murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Bartelt was found guilty in Blodgett's death, and sentenced to life in prison without parole, despite his defense maintaining his innocence. Bartelt tried to appeal his conviction in 2018 but was denied.

In the attack of Etzler, Bartelt took a plea deal. He pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment while the charge for her attempted murder was dismissed, according to authorities.

Courtesy of Buck Blodgett - PHOTO: Jessie Blodgett is pictured with her parents, Joy and Buck Blodgett.

Shortly after Blodgett's death, her father started the "LOVE>hate" project in her memory. Its goal is ending interpersonal violence and promoting forgiveness.

"We believe that violence tends to happen a lot less in the presence of love and a lot more in the absence of love," Buck Blodgett told "20/20."
By Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen and Soren Jeppesen

NUUK, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen visited Greenland on Friday in a show of support for the Arctic island that U.S. President Donald Trump wants to annex.

Walking off her plane at the airport in Greenland's capital Nuuk, Frederiksen was greeted by Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen. The two were seen embracing on the tarmac before driving away.

Frederiksen flew straight to Nuuk from Brussels after meeting with NATO chief Mark Rutte earlier in the day to discuss how the military alliance can boost security in the wider Arctic region.

Greenland is an autonomous territory of the Danish kingdom. The two governments say the island is not for sale and its sovereignty is not up for discussion, but they are open to talks on other topics, such as security and economic development.

"We are preparing the next steps," Frederiksen told reporters while walking alongside Nielsen in central Nuuk. "I'm first and foremost here to show our strong support for Greenland's people as a difficult time."

Trump said on Thursday he had secured total and permanent U.S. access to Greenland after talks with Rutte, who said allies would have to step up efforts to ward off threats from Russia and China. The U.S. military is already permitted wide access to Greenland under treaties, although Washington has scaled back its presence there since the Cold War to a single small base.

The island's future has prompted a crisis in transatlantic relations after Trump demanded Greenland become U.S. territory, refused to rule out military force to obtain it and announced new tariffs on European countries that objected.

The crisis subsided after he lifted the threat to use force on Wednesday and withdrew the proposed tariffs on Thursday.

"We agree that NATO must increase its engagement in the Arctic. Defence and security in the Arctic is a matter for the entire alliance," Frederiksen said in a social media post, along with a photo of herself and Rutte in Brussels.

Rutte said he was working with the Danish leader to enhance deterrence and defence.

Denmark's foreign minister said on Friday that diplomats from Denmark and the United States had met in Washington on Thursday, establishing a plan for how to proceed.

"We will not communicate when those (future) meetings are, because what is needed now is to take the drama out of this... we need a calm process," Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said.

A source familiar with the matter said Rutte and Trump had agreed on further talks between the U.S., Denmark and Greenland on updating a 1951 agreement that governs U.S. military access and presence on the Arctic island.

(Reporting by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen and Janis Laizans in Nuuk, and Soren Jeppesen and Stine Jacobsen in Copenhagen, editing by Terje Solsvik and Toby Chopra)
An apartment building in Druzhkivka in the Donetsk region is burning after a Russian strike on January 21, 2026. - Iryna Rybakova/Ukrainian Armed Forces/Reuters

The United States, Russia and Ukraine rarely agree on anything. But as their delegations meet in Abu Dhabi for their first trilateral meeting since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the three parties seem to have come to the same conclusion: Only one issue remains to be resolved.

That issue is territory, namely the eastern Ukrainian region known as the Donbas. And based on their comments coming into the meeting, it is unlikely to be resolved.

Its all about the eastern part of our country, its all about the land, Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky said, pointing to Russias long-standing  and previously rejected  demand that Kyiv gives up the parts of the Donbas it still controls.

While US President Donald Trump has touted a deal being close, Zelensky reiterated Thursday that Ukraine was not ready to hand over parts of its territory to Russia. And speaking after a meeting with Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff on Thursday, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov made it clear Russia was also not willing to compromise.

He warned that there wouldnt be any long-term settlement without resolving the territorial issue, repeating the threat that Russia would continue to pursue its goals on the battlefield until an agreement is reached.

What is the Donbas region?

Collectively known as the Donbas, the two coal-rich eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk used to be Ukraines industrial heartland.

A steel manufacturing powerhouse, the region is well connected to the Sea of Azov by rivers and man-made canals. It is also known for its fertile agricultural ground and rich mineral deposits.

A woman from Konstyantinivka waits in a bus to be evacuated further west in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine, on June 2, 2025. - Florent Vergnes/AFP/Getty Images

Why does Putin want it?

Russian President Vladimir Putin has made no secret of the fact that he doesnt believe Ukraine has the right to exist as an independent country  dismissing the sovereignty it gained in 1991 following the break-up of the Soviet Union.

He has claimed that Ukraine and Ukrainians are part of a larger historical Russia and has repeatedly  without any evidence  accused Kyiv of conducting genocide against Russian speakers in Ukraine.

Historically the Donbas was the most Russian part of Ukraine, with a significant Russian-speaking population living there. And it was in the Donbas that Putins mission to destabilize and conquer Ukraine started in 2014.

How did the conflict start?

In 2014, Russia illegally annexed the southern Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea, following a covert military operation led by highly trained Russian soldiers who were not wearing any insignia.

At the same time, Russia began backing and supplying pro-Russian separatists in the Donbas, helping them seize control of parts of Luhansk and Donetsk, including their regional capitals, from what was then an ill-prepared and poorly motivated Ukrainian military.

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Leonid Pasechnik, Moscow-installed leader of the Russian-controlled parts of the Luhansk Region on September 23, 2025. - Alexander Kazakov/Sputnik/Reuters

Russia has long maintained that it had no soldiers on the ground there, but United States, NATO and Ukrainian officials all say the Russian government supplied the separatists, provided them with advisory support and intelligence, and embedded its own officers in their ranks.

In one particularly horrific incident, the separatists used a Russian-provided Soviet-era Buk surface-to-air missile to shoot down a civilian flight MH17, killing 298 people. Moscow has repeatedly denied responsibility, but a Dutch court found two Russians and a separatist Ukrainian guilty of mass murder for their involvement in MH17s destruction.

For almost eight years a low-intensity war simmered along the frontlines in the Donbas, claiming the lives of some 14,000 people, according to Ukrainian figures.

Then, in February 2022, Putin announced that Russia would recognize the so-called Donetsk Peoples Republic (DPR) and Luhansk Peoples Republic (LPR) as independent states.

Three days later, he launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

How has Russia tried to take over the Donbas?

Putin has spent almost 12 years trying to take control of the Donbas by military means.

But while the Russian military vastly outmans and outguns the Ukrainians, Moscow has so far failed to seize the region in its entirety. While Russian troops control almost all of Luhansk region, theyve only managed to seize 70% of Donetsk, despite committing huge resources to the fight.

It is the remaining portion of Donetsk that Russia is determined that Ukraine relinquishes. About two-thirds of that land is controlled by Ukraine, while one third is a no-mans land where fighting continues.

Putin and his aides have repeatedly threatened to take the territory by force if Kyiv doesnt give it up. But the progress along the front line has been very slow and costly. NATOs Secretary General Mark Rutte said last week that an estimated 20,000 to 25,000 Russian soldiers are being killed every month. Russia does not disclose its casualty figures.

The Institute for the Study of War, a US-based conflict monitor, estimates that at the current rate of gains it would take Russia another year and half to take over the remaining parts of the Donbas under Kyivs control.

A woman cries as pro-Russia militants parade to mark Donetsk and Luhansk regions' independence from Ukraine in Donetsk on May 25, 2014. - Alexander Khudoteply/AFP/Getty Images

What would losing the Donbas mean for Ukraine?

Zelensky has repeatedly stressed that permanent territorial concessions are non-negotiable. Even if the Ukrainians were to vote in favor of giving up their land  which they are unlikely to do, according to public opinion polls  the agreement would still be illegal under international law, which prohibits the use of force to conquer another states territory.

Instead, Kyiv, backed by the Europeans, has indicated that it would be willing to recognize the current reality on the ground in a potential ceasefire deal, in order to stop the killing.

This would likely mean freezing the conflict along the existing front lines and essentially giving up on trying to regain its land while the ceasefire is in place.

But losing the rest of the Donbas would also make Ukraine much more vulnerable toward any future Russian aggression. The area contains the fortress belt of industrial cities, railways and roads that form the backbone of Ukraines defense and supply the frontline.

Kyiv has spent years fortifying this area and losing it would leave the rest of eastern Ukraine wide open.

What has been proposed?

Details of the latest proposal have not been made public, with Zelensky saying the meeting in Abu Dhabi could provide variants.

But the Ukrainian leader said in December that one proposal put forward by the US was to create a free economic zone in the parts of the Donbas region that are still under Ukraines control. He said that the proposal would see Ukraine withdrawing from those areas in exchange for security guarantees.

The US has not revealed any details about the proposal, and it is unclear whether Russia would accept it  Ushakovs words about territory ahead of the meeting in Abu Dhabi did not indicate a willingness to compromise.

What is life like under Russian occupation in the Donbas?

International human rights organizations and survivors who have managed to escape, as well as Ukrainian authorities and media organizations, including CNN, have chronicled numerous human rights abuses across Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine.

The allegations include arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, torture, sexual violence and a complete clampdown on civil rights. Russia denies the accusations, despite ample evidence.

The latest United Nations report on the human rights situation in Ukraine, published in November, assessed that the Russian occupying authorities continued to restrict civilians rights and violate fundamental provisions of international humanitarian law.

Ukrainians living under Russian occupation have told CNN they are being forced to accept Russian passports or risk losing their homes, that their children are being indoctrinated in schools and special re-education camps, and that any attempt to resist is punished with violence.

CNNs Tim Lister contributed to this report.

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University student Usama Ghanem (center) faces deportation from Britain after Kings College London launched disciplinary action following his involvement in pro-Palestinian protests. - Ali Khadr

Usama Ghanem learned the stifling censorship that shrouded public spaces in Egypt early in life, and still recalls criticizing the stupid regime under former President Hosni Mubarak in elementary school. Immediately, his teacher hushed him.

Nobody was allowed to say anything, Ghanem, now a 22-year-old student in London, told CNN in December. When you are in opposition to the regime, everyone makes you feel that youre a crazy person.

A child of the Arab Spring, Ghanem grew up under the shadow of authoritarianism in Cairo. He remembers witnessing first-hand the horrifying Rabaa massacre in 2013 and says he was politically persecuted by Egyptian authorities before moving to the United Kingdom in 2022 to study. Now, he faces what he describes as Egypt, take two at a prestigious academic institution in Britain after he took part in pro-Palestinian protests, prompting disciplinary action which could see him deported within days.

In May, senior leadership at Kings College London (KCL) indefinitely suspended Ghanem and moved to revoke his visa sponsorship, following three reviews over his involvement in student-led protests calling for the liberation of the Palestinian people from Israels bombing and siege in Gaza. KCL has leveled allegations of non-academic misconduct against Ghanem, outlining regulatory and procedural breaches, health and safety concerns, offensive or abusive behaviour and operational obstruction, according to a letter sent by senior leadership.

University officials advised Ghanem to return to your Home country until they review his suspension in August of this year, in a letter seen by CNN. Their decision came into effect on November 28, when the UK Home Office sent formal notice of his visa cancellation, in email correspondence seen by CNN. We advise you to be prepared to leave within 60 days from today, the memo reads  that is, January 27. No criminal charges have been brought against Ghanem, according to his legal team in Britain.

When asked about Ghanems visa cancellation, the UK Home Office told CNN: It is our longstanding policy to not comment on individual cases.

Ghanem does not have lawful immigration status in a third country, making it likely that he will be deported within days to Egypt. He fears he could be imprisoned upon his return to the country  where he alleges that in 2020 security forces detained him, then aged 16, along with his brother and their father, who has since passed away, over their political dissent. Ghanem alleges he was beaten, electrocuted and starved in detention, according to the legal case he has filed against the university.

A King's College London spokesperson said students there are not disciplined for lawful affiliations, including support for pro-Palestine views, nor for participating in lawful protests." - Geography Photos/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

Those who are openly critical of the Egyptian government are likely to be at risk of persecution or serious harm, according to country guidance published by the UK Home Office, including arbitrary arrests and detention.

KCL leadership are aware of the alleged abuse Ghanem faced in Egypt, and his post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis, his legal case says. The case claims breaches of human rights, assault, personal injury, discrimination and harassment on the part of KCL.

A university spokesperson told CNN that students at KCL are not disciplined for lawful affiliations, including support for pro-Palestine views, nor for participating in lawful protests, in a statement on January 13. It is incorrect to suggest students with different perspectives are treated differently, the spokesperson said.

Hundreds of staff and students have rallied behind Ghanems case, his lawyers say, warning that university officials risk endangering his life and demanding they reverse course. Among his supporters are more than 40 academics from the Kings Race Research Network (KRRN)  an internal network of 80 scholars based at the university  who formally wrote to senior management and accused them of being institutionally racist in their actions, in a November letter seen by CNN.

Ghanem told CNN his family had faced continuous distress in recent weeks  adding that the prospect of him being deported to Egypt was incredibly disheartening and awful but that he was determined to press his case.

Ive seen what happens when people dont challenge authority, he said. I left an authoritarian regime in Egypt to find one in Kings College London. And I believe that dictators and authoritarianism are to be challenged, not accepted.

In pursuit of political education

As a teenager, Ghanem set his sights on studying abroad to improve his political literacy after watching his father, a microbiology professor at Ain Shams University, Cairo, use academic spaces to mobilize opinion.

Those ambitions sharpened in March 2020, when Ghanem says Egyptian authorities unleashed an appalling dawn raid on his family home in Cairo.

(Forces) were all ballied (balaclava-ed) up, weapons, guns in their hands You have this masked man whos telling you to get on the ground as a 16-year-old, Ghanem told CNN. I never wanted my story to be seen through the lens of the torture survivor.

Police and security forces have a track record of detaining critics of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on charges that appear to be solely based on their social media posts and peaceful activism, international rights group Human Rights Watch reported in 2018.

Ghanem, pictured during his childhood in Cairo, Egypt in March 2011, was raised under the shadow of the Arab Spring, a period he recalls as a complete political awakening. - Usama Ghanem

Ghanem says his father, seen with him as a child in Cairo, Egypt, in May 2012, inspired his desire to improve his political literacy. - Usama Ghanem

Authorities later imprisoned and tortured Ghanem, his brother and father for their opposition to the regime, he alleged. CNN has reached out to the Egyptian foreign ministry and the Egyptian governments Foreign Press Center for comment.

After they were released, family members dispersed from Cairo in search of safety, according to Ghanem. That journey led Ghanem to KCL, where he started an undergraduate international relations degree in 2022  in the hope, he told CNN, of returning to the Arab region to work towards sustainable human rights frameworks, and freedom of assembly.

The Middle East region desperately needs this political education, he said.

Campus activism

But everything changed after October 7, 2023, Ghanem said, when Israel launched its campaign in Gaza following the Hamas-led attacks.

As the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in the enclave spiralled, Ghanem and hundreds of other KCL students felt compelled to act. They circulated petitions, formed an on-campus encampment in May 2024, staged sit-ins and called on KCL to strip funds from several weapons manufacturers and tech companies tied to Israel  broadly replicating campus activism around the world.

In the ensuing months, KCL launched disciplinary reviews against Ghanem over his alleged actions on three separate occasions  deliberately disrupting an alumni dinner in June 2024; demonstrating against a talk hosted by a pro-Israel, Iranian speaker in February 2025; and then, in May, demanding that the university divest from companies profiting from Israels miliary actions, at the London Defence Conference. The head of security at KCL also claimed that Ghanem was one of the main organisers of the encampment on campus, which he denied.

KCL leadership has launched disciplinary action against 28 students in total over their pro-Palestinian activism, Ghanems lawyers told CNN. KCL told CNN the claim was factually inaccurate but did not provide details when pressed further.

Usama Ghanem, right, took part in pro-Palestinian campus activism at KCL which included circulating petitions, establishing a campus encampment and staging sit-ins. - Ali Khadr

Disciplinary action is taken only when behaviour breaches our policies and regulations, the KCL spokesperson told CNN last week. In this instance, that includes forcible entry into private events, injury to security staff, and denying fellow students their own right to freedom of speech, the spokesperson added. Decisions regarding visa status in the UK rest solely with the Home Office. CNN has reached out to Ghanems lawyers for comment on the allegations.

Finally, we want to emphasise that many peaceful protests, vigils, and contentious debates that reflect our diverse student body have been  and will continue to be  held at Kings, the KCL spokesperson said.

British universities have jurisdiction over the issuance of visa sponsorships for international scholars. Students must be attending and actively engaging with their studies to meet the conditions of their stay, according to KCL guidance.

If a student is suspended, the university notifies the UK Home Office, leading to a deadline by which they must leave the UK, or apply for a new visa under a different immigration category, the guidance says.

Academic fears repression

One British lecturer  Lewis Turner, the co-vice president of the British Society for Middle Eastern Studies (BRISMES)  says the case underscores what he describes as an authoritarian crackdown by US and UK universities that he argues has disproportionately targeted Muslim students and students of color for lawful expressions of Palestinian solidarity. In the United States, the Trump administration has used its powers to revoke student visas and instigate deportations and even detentions of foreign scholars who have condemned Israels military actions in Gaza, among them Mahmoud Khalil, Rumeysa Ozturk, and Momodou Taal.

And in the UK, Ghanems case is playing out against the background of a politically charged climate in which the ruling Labour Party has drawn fire from rights groups over hardened immigration policies in response to a surge in anti-migrant rhetoric.

Over the past two years, universities have increasingly penalized scholars for voicing lawful opinions about Palestine and Israel, according to Turner, fitting into a much wider pattern of repression of student activism and protest on campuses.

Pro-Palestinian university students march through central London to mark two years since Israel's war in Gaza, on October 7, 2025. - Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Demonstrators gather at the University Of Sydney in support of a pro-Palestinian encampment on May 3, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. - Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Turner, who chairs the BRISMES Committee on Academic Freedom, was co-signatory of a letter the body sent to KCL leadership in November regarding Ghanems case. He added that complaints over political disagreement have been reframed around safety or harassment, which can restrict freedom of expression.

Against the backdrop of war in the Middle East, occurrences of both antisemitism and anti-Muslim hate around the world have increased sharply, according to advocacy groups, including lethal attacks.

In December, two gunmen targeted Jewish families celebrating Hannukah on a beach in Sydney, Australia, killing 15 people. Weeks earlier, two Jewish worshippers were killed in an attack outside a synagogue in Manchester, northern England.

And near the US city of Chicago, a six-year-old Palestinian-American boy was fatally stabbed in October 2023 for being Muslim.

Some Jewish student groups say campus protests have fuelled intimidation and antisemitism. But others say accusations of antisemitism have been used to suppress legitimate criticism of Israels government. Ghanems case has prompted some condemnation online from pro-Israel commentators.

The UK-based Jewish Voice for Liberation (JVL) does not feel threatened by pro-Palestinian protests, the groups membership secretary Mike Cushman told CNN last week. Students actions are overwhelmingly not aimed at Jews as Jews but at supporters of Israeli genocide and apartheid, whether or not they are Jewish, said Cushman, who added that the group was distressed by Ghanems suspension.

Turner, the BRISMES academic, urged universities to facilitate nuanced discussions, instead of conflating hate speech with criticism of Israel, or Israeli government policies and thereby fostering a chilling culture of self-censorship  especially among international students from marginalized communities. That chimes with warnings from the UN special rapporteur for freedom of opinion and expression, Irene Khan, who previously said, Criticising Israel is perfectly legitimate under international law.

Having universities as open spaces of dialogue and criticism and debate is foundational to a democratic society, said Turner. And thats much more important than whether you agree with or disagree with any individual.

Clarification: This story has been amended for clarity and updated with additional responses from KCL.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, greets U.S. President Donald Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff, center, and Jared Kushner at the Senate Palace of the Kremlin, in Moscow, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. (Alexander Kazakov/Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) (Alexander Kazakov/AP)

Representatives from the U.S., Ukraine and Russia on Friday held the first trilateral negotiations since Russia invaded Ukraine.

A White House official called the new talks "productive" and said they would continue into the weekend.

But officials downplayed the possibility of quickly arriving at any significant breakthroughs.

The nations' leaders are not attending the talks.

Ukraine sent military and intelligence officials, including the secretary of Ukraine's National Security Council.

Russia's delegation is made up entirely of military officials led by their military intelligence chief.

Representing the U.S. is special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump' son-in-law Jared Kushner, as well as several military members from the Pentagon including Army Secretary Gen. Dan Driscoll and Supreme Allied Commander in Europe Gen. Alexus Grynkewich.

RELATED NEWS | Inside daily life in Ukraine as war and brutal winter collide

Steve Witkoff on Thursday before he left for Moscow indicated some optimism about how talks were going, suggesting that they had "got it down to one issue" remaining for negotiation  disputes over who controls what territory if and when the conflict ends.

The Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine remains a central concern for Russia. Ukraine continues to fortify and maintain about a quarter of the territory there. Russia says that Ukraine must turn over all of that territory to bring an end to the fighting.

Russian officials have also indicated it will "continue to consistently pursue the objectives of the special military operation on the battlefield where the Russian armed forces hold strategic initiative until an engagement as or an agreement is reached."

MORE FROM UKRAINE | Drone strikes cut power to over 200,000 homes in Russian-occupied Ukraine, local official says

In a recent address, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Ukrainians that he'd monitored the negotiations. He said it's still too early to draw any conclusions from Friday's talks and that it's not just Ukraine who needs to show willingness to end this war, but also Russia.
A Florida couple is suing a fertility clinic in the state after they say the clinic implanted the wrong embryo in the mother, who went on to give birth to a child that was not her own.

According to a lawsuit filed in the Palm Beach County Circuit Court and obtained by USA TODAY, the couple, identified under the pseudonyms Jane and John Doe, underwent in vitro fertilization treatment at the Fertility Center of Orlando, Florida.

In March 2025, the mother was implanted with an embryo, which resulted in the birth of a baby girl in December, the lawsuit says. Shortly after, questions began to arise after the document says the baby appeared to be a different race than the woman and her husband, who are both white.

Trump wants more US babies. This is his plan to lower costs, expand access to IVF.

Further testing confirmed that the baby had "no genetic relationship to either of the Plaintiffs," the lawsuit reads, adding that the couple developed a deep emotional bond with their baby.

According to the lawsuit, the couple believes the child should legally and morally be united with her genetic parents, and that another woman could be carrying their biological child.

In a statement to Florida Today, part of the USA TODAY Network, the Fertility Center of Orlando acknowledged the mistake and said it was cooperating with the investigation.

"Multiple entities are involved in this process, and all parties are working diligently to help identify when and where the error may have occurred," the center said. "Our priority remains transparency and the well-being of the patient and child involved. We will continue to assist in any way that we can, regardless of the outcome of the investigation."

In an emailed statement to USA TODAY, the couple's attorney, Mara Hatfield, said her clients hope "to introduce their daughter, Baby Doe, to her genetic parents and to find their genetic child soon."

"Our clients love this little girl but are every day aware that they have a moral obligation to find and notify her biological parents, as it is in the best interest of the child that her genetic parents are provided the option to raise her as their own," Hartfield said.

Another embryo mix-up case in Georgia

The case in Florida is not the only recent case of an embryo mix-up.

Back in February 2025, a Georgia woman, who gave birth to and raised a baby boy for months, filed a lawsuit against a fertility clinic claiming it implanted the wrong embryo in her, resulting in her giving birth to another couples biological child.

Krystena Murray, 38, of Savannah, filed the civil suit against Coastal Fertility Specialists, saying the mistake left her emotionally broken from the experience.

"Despite the clinics misconduct, Krystena wanted to keep her baby, and she was heartbroken when she lost custody five months after giving birth," her attorneys with Peiffer Wolf said in a statement at the time.

This story was updated to add new information.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Florida IVF clinic sued for implanting the wrong embryo
Getty File photo

NEED TO KNOW

A nurse in Germany convicted of murdering 10 patients and attempting to murder 27 others is currently serving a life sentence for his crimes

Two inquiries have now been opened by prosecutors in regions where the nurse previously worked

One prosecutor plans to exhume 60 bodies and have new autopsies performed after noticing "a correspondingly high number of suspicious cases"

In November 2025, a nurse in Germany was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of murdering 10 patients and attempting to murder 27 others.

Those deaths all occurred between December 2023 and May 2024 at the Rhein-Maas hospital in Wurselen, a town located 50 miles west of Bonn near the country's border with the Netherlands.

The chief public prosecutor in the nearby city of Aachen, Katja Schlenkermann-Pitts, is now telling the BBC that there may be other victims  as many as 100.

In her interview with the outlet, the prosecutor said that "a correspondingly high number of suspicious cases" were currently being examined and a number of bodies exhumed so that autopsies could be performed.

Prosecutors alleged during the trial that the nurse had killed his victims by administering large doses of sedatives and painkillers while working the night shift, often targeting patients who were seriously ill.



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The nurse had worked at the hospital since 2020, and according to the BBC, the cases which are being reexamined are largely from before that period.

Around 60 bodies are set to be exhumed as part of this new inquiry, and while that process is underway authorities are still awaiting autopsy reports for others.

A separate inquiry was launched by prosecutors in Cologne, where the nurse had also previously worked, according to the outlet.

It's unclear whether prosecutors plan to file additional charges against the man, who continues to maintain his innocence.

He has claimed that he did not realize he was administering fatal doses of medication to his patients  a claim that was rejected by hospital administrators, police, prosecutors and a jury of his peers.

Read the original article on People
Immigration and Customs Enforcement is facing scrutiny over its assertion that federal officers can forcibly enter a home without a judicial warrant  a move constitutional scholars, immigration experts and a federal judge say is a clear violation of the Fourth Amendment.

An internal ICE memo from May 2025 directs agents to use force to enter a residence with only an administrative warrant, which are signed by ICE officials and do not require a judge's approval, according to a whistleblower complaint reviewed by USA TODAY and first reported by The Associated Press.

The memo upends longstanding precedent and law enforcement policy, including at the Department of Homeland Security, which relied on warrants signed by impartial members of the judicial branch to enter homes or businesses for searches and arrests.

News of the directive comes amid the Trump administrations expanding deportation campaign thats seen aggressive enforcement operations nationwide and a hiring blitz that more than doubled ICE's workforce.

It remains unclear how often the new policy has been used in ICE operations. On Jan. 18, federal agents with guns drawn broke down the front door of the home of ChongLy Thao, a naturalized U.S. citizen, in St. Paul, Minnesota. Relatives and local officials said he was temporarily detained and never shown a judicial warrant. Images of Thao being led shirtless outside in the snow prompted outrage and calls for an independent investigation.

ICE pulls Minnesota man from house, barely clothed. Later returned. ChongLy Thao looks out the window with his son Chris Thao as several vehicles with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents idle in the street outside of their home in St Paul, Minnesota, U.S., January 19, 2026.

Federal authorities have downplayed constitutional concerns and said the agency is acting in accordance with the law. Marcos Charles, the executive associate director of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, said on Jan. 22 that agents can enter homes with only administrative warrants.

"We don't break into anybody's homes," Charles said at a news conference. "We make entry either in a hot pursuit with a criminal arrest warrant or an administrative arrest warrant. The thing to remember is these administrative arrest warrants have been deemed justified by courts in immigration purposes.

During a visit to Minneapolis, Vice President JD Vance said federal law enforcement will not enter someones home without some kind of warrant, but noted that could include the less stringent administrative document.

ChongLy Thao is detained after ICE agents and other law enforcement officers conducted an immigration raid at his home, days after an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, in St. Paul, Minnesota, Jan. 18, 2026.

Nobody is talking about doing immigration enforcement without a warrant, he said, acknowledging the likely legal battles ahead. Its possible I guess that the courts will say no, and, of course, if the courts say no we will follow that law.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin did not deny the authenticity of the memo, but said in a statement to USA TODAY that "For decades, the Supreme Court and Congress have recognized the propriety of administrative warrants in cases of immigration enforcement."

"Every illegal alien who DHS serves administrative warrants/I-205s have had full due process and a final order of removal from an immigration judge," she said. "The officers issuing these administrative warrants also have found probable cause."

Fourth Amendment scholars and immigration law experts said ICE's new policy flies in the face of the U.S. Constitution. In 2024, a federal judge in California reached the same conclusion, banning ICE agents from entering homes without a judges warrant and declaring that such actions "violate the Fourth Amendment."

This is essentially authorizing a violation of fundamental rights weve had as Americans since the Bill of Rights was passed, said Ric Simmons, a law professor at Ohio State University. It goes against literally 250 years of case law on what the Fourth Amendment allows.

Administrative warrants are not judicial warrants

The directive says ICE agents can use a Form I-205 to enter a residence without consent. A Form I-205, which authorizes the arrest of immigrants with final deportation orders, are not reviewed by a judge. The forms are instead signed by an ICE official  potentially the agent conducting the arrest.

A judicial warrant, on the other hand, is approved by an impartial judge outside the executive branch who must weigh evidence before allowing the government to forcibly enter someones home.

The determination that ICE agents can force their way into residences without seeking a judges approval usurps one of the nations most fundamental checks on law enforcement, experts said.

The whole point of the Fourth Amendment is a check on police, Simmons said. Police want to find violations of the law, which is what theyre supposed to do. But before theyre allowed to enter a home, they need to go to a member of a different branch and prove its a reasonable thing to do.

Federal officers from ICE and other agencies stand guard during an immigration raid of a home in St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S. Nov. 25, 2025.

Lindsay Nash, a professor at Yeshiva Universitys Cardozo School of Law, said its dangerous to conflate judicial warrants with administrative warrants.

These forms filled out by ICE officers, potentially even the arresting officer, are really a far cry from the judicial warrants required for entry into a home, she said.

Are there exceptions?

The Supreme Court has allowed very few exceptions for law enforcement to enter a home without a judges warrant or voluntary consent. Those mainly include emergencies such as an imminent risk to officers or civilians in the area or risk of immediate loss of evidence.

Simmons said theres also a special needs doctrine suggesting that if the government is not conducting a search for criminal law purposes, then its not subject to all the requirements of the Fourth Amendment.

But the Supreme Court repeatedly limited entries into homes to emergencies, such as when authorities believe someone is seriously injured or is at risk of serious injury, including suicide.

Theres no emergency for ICE, Simmons said. Theyre not claiming its an emergency. Its a civil law violation. I dont see a way they can do that legally.

People record with their phones, and one of them gestures and argues with a police officer, while ICE agents and other law enforcement officers conduct an immigration raid at a home in St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S., days after an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, Jan. 18, 2026.

The memo, according to a copy shared publicly by U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, makes a clear exception to the new policy for the Central District of California, where a federal judge in 2024 ruled that ICE agents needed judicial approval to force their way into a residence.

The order by U.S. District Court Judge Otis D. Wright says the court vacates any policies or practices allowing ICE agents to enter a home to arrest someone absent a judicial warrant.

Thats the only time a court has taken up this specific issue, Simmons said, speaking about Wrights decision.

What does Department of Homeland Security policy say?

The ICE memo appears to conflict with longstanding procedures and policy at the Department of Homeland Security, including materials used to train ICE agents.

The whistleblower complaint included a copy of an ICE training guide from 2021 that says, A warrant of removal/deportation does NOT alone authorize a 4th Amendment search of any kind.

The May 12 memo, signed by Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons, acknowledges the directive represents a shift in policy.

Although the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not historically relied on administrative warrants alone to arrest aliens subject to final orders of removal in their place of residence, the DHS Office of General Counsel has recently determined that the U.S. Constitution, the immigration and Nationality Act, and the immigration regulations do not prohibit relying on administrative warrants for this purpose, the memo says.

A copy of a memo signed by Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons included in a disclosure to members of Congress from Whistleblower Aid, a legal group representing two anonymous government officials.

Neither the memo nor any federal officials have laid out how this determination was made or presented a detailed legal argument.

Nash said the federal government faces an uphill battle if it attempts to prove the memo is constitutional.

ICE has repeatedly recognized it its own manuals that administrative warrants dont authorize it to forcibly enter a home, she said. ICE doesnt have that kind of authority, so this will be very hard to justify in court.

Whistleblowers allege memo was kept secret

The directive was not widely shared in the agency and instead was verbally communicated, including to new recruits, according to a disclosure received by members of Congress from Whistleblower Aid, a legal group representing two anonymous government officials.

The May 12 Memo has been provided to select DHS officials who are then directed to verbally brief the new policy for action, the disclosure said. Those supervisors then show the Memo to some employees, like our clients, and direct them to read the Memo and return it to the supervisor.

An ICE agent stands at the door of a home after conducting an immigration raid there, days after an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, in St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S., Jan. 18, 2026.

The whistleblowers allege that newly hired ICE agents, many whom do not have a law enforcement background, have been told to rely on the I-205 form to enter homes without consent to arrest undocumented immigrants with final deportation orders.

Potentially, scores of ICE Agents will be emboldened to unlawfully enter private residences, which include the private residences of U.S. citizens, the disclosure states.

Nash questioned why ICE did not publicly announce the policy change described in the memo.

This is not the behavior of an agency that believes what it's doing is lawful or would stand up in court, she said.

(This story was updated to add comment from the Department of Homeland Security.)

Christopher Cann is a national breaking news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact him via email at ccann@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Experts say new ICE policy on home entries violates Fourth Amendment
Lula Lahfah/Instagram Lula Lahfah

NEED TO KNOW

Lula Lahfah, a popular Indonesian internet personality, died on Jan. 23 at age 26

The influencer was found dead in an apartment in South Jakarta, Indonesia, according to local police

Lahfah maintained a combined following of over 3.3 million across Instagram and TikTok, where she shared lifestyle and beauty content

Lula Lahfah, a popular Indonesian internet personality, died on Jan. 23. She was 26.

The content creator was found dead in an apartment building in the Dharmawangsa neighborhood of South Jakarta, Indonesia, by security officers in the evening of Jan. 23, said Metro Jaya Polices Head of Public Relations Kombes Budi Hermanto, per CNN Indonesia.

"Currently, South Jakarta Police Criminal Investigation Unit officers are still processing the crime scene (TKP) to investigate the incident and are coordinating with the family," Hermanto added, the outlet reported.

Lahfah  who had a combined following of over 3.3 million across Instagram and TikTok  was known for sharing lifestyle and beauty content online. She first rose to fame online by posting covers of popular songs to the music site SoundCloud, eventually releasing a few original songs of her own.

According to CNN Indonesia, Lahfah had several health issues and spent New Years in the hospital for physical discomfort she was experiencing.

Lahfah continued to post regularly on social media until a few days before her death, last sharing posts to Instagram and TikTok on Jan. 21.

Weird Genius, a music group that includes Lahfahs boyfriend, Reza Oktovian, cancelled its Jan. 23 show hours before the news of Lahfahs death was widely reported, citing the unfortunate news of one of our members, noting that said member was not currently in a prime condition and shape to be on the stage.

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This situation is beyond our control, and we apologize for the inconvenience, the band added in a statement shared on Instagram.

Read the original article on People
Ben Parkinson's mother says Trump's comments were "the ultimate insult" [Getty]

Former paratrooper Ben Parkinson, regarded as the most severely injured British soldier to survive in Afghanistan, has been left "stunned" by Donald Trump's claim America's allies avoided the front lines, his mother said.

The Doncaster soldier, 41, was injured when an Army Land Rover hit a mine near Musa Qala in 2006 and is currently recuperating after another operation.

His mother Diane Dernie said she had spoken to him after the US president provoked outrage by claiming Nato troops "stayed a little back, a little off the front lines".

The US president made his comments in an interview with Fox News and Dernie urged Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to call out Trump and "make a stand."

Trump's remarks drew condemnation from across the political spectrum, with critics pointing to the 457 British deaths in Afghanistan and highlighting Trump's avoidance of military service in Vietnam.

Dernie said: "You never cease to be surprised by things that people can come up with and say after the event, people who weren't there, but this is a new low."

The only time Nato's mutual defence arrangement has been invoked was after the 11 September terrorist attack on the US in 2001, when allies aided US forces in response to the atrocities planned by the Islamist extremist network al-Qaeda from Afghanistan.

Ben Parkinson took part in the Queen's Baton relay in Birmingham 2022 to mark the Commonwealth Games. [Nick England/Getty]

Lance Bombardier Parkinson had both legs amputated and suffered a twisted spine and brain damage.

His mother said: "I can assure you, the Taliban didn't plant IEDs [improvised explosive devices] miles and miles back from the front line."

She said Sir Keir should stand up for his own armed forces and refute what Trump had said.

"Come and look at us, the life that Ben leads - 19-and-a-half years on, still fighting for his care, still fighting for him to have a decent life, recovering from a recent operation," she said.

"To hear this man say: 'Oh, well, you just fannied about behind the front lines'... it's the ultimate insult."

She told the BBC: "He and his family lost everything.

"He lost his career, he lost his chance at a normal life, but Ben was proud and happy to do it and we were proud of him."

She went on to say that to have that experience "negated" was "absolutely disgraceful".

She said her son, who left the Army in 2019, had further surgery in December.

"He's still recovering, but full of beans. Can't wait to get going again.

"He can't start walking until the end of February, but then a full programme for this year and waiting to go."

Asked if he had plans for further fundraising, she said: "Absolutely, for guess what? Others injured and suffering after the wars that we supported America with in Iraq and Afghanistan."

Parkinson was made an MBE in 2013 for his work with veterans and other charities.

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
East African striped hyena gather in an aviary, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in zoo in Kyiv, Ukraine January 22, 2026. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

East African striped hyena gather in an aviary, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in zoo in Kyiv, Ukraine January 22, 2026. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

By Yurii Kovalenko

KYIV, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Staff at Kyiv's zoo are toiling around the clock to keep Tony the gorilla and other animals warm as Russian air strikes target Ukraine's energy infrastructure amid freezing winter temperatures.

Kyiv's Mayor Vitali Klitschko repeated his appeal on Friday to citizens to seek temporary shelter outside the city amid fears of further strikes. That is not an option for 51-year-old Tony, however, or the zoo's other long-suffering residents.

"You can tell people to go to the countryside but I can't say that to Tony," said zoo chief Kyrylo Trantin of Ukraine's oldest gorilla.

"He doesn't have a grandmother in the countryside... where he could stay."

Five times a day, staff deliver firewood to a constantly burning stove to keep the primate's cage at a comfortable 20 degrees Celsius.

Repeated Russian air attacks on Ukraine's energy system in recent weeks have thrown millions of people in Kyiv and other cities into sometimes lengthy periods of darkness and cold.

Emergency outages, worsened by temperatures as low as -18 degrees Celsius (-0.4 degrees Fahrenheit), have also disrupted water supplies.

At the zoo, generators rumble day and night to provide warmth to the animals, which include horses, bison and an elephant.

Staffer Viktoriia Sluzhenko said the zoo keeps enough water reserves to cover the elephant's need of 150 litres per day.

"We constantly fill the tanks so that we can survive in autonomous mode for three days," she said.

The responsibility of keeping other living creatures alive takes a heavy toll on staff also preoccupied with their own survival, said Trantin, as Russia's war nears its four-year mark with no signs of abating.

"Every day is a battle for warmth and power," Trantin added.

(Writing by Dan PeleschukEditing by Gareth Jones)
Vietnams Communist Party General Secretary To Lam speaks ahead of the voting session of the 14th National Party Congress in Hanoi, Vietnam, January 22, 2026. VNA/Handout via REUTERS

By Phuong Nguyen, Khanh Vu and Francesco Guarascio

HANOI, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Vietnam's top leader To Lam was unanimously reappointed on Friday as head of the ruling Communist Party for the next five years by its central committee, as he pledged reforms to turbocharge growth in the export-reliant nation.

In a largely expected decision, 68-year-old Lam was re-elected to the most powerful job in the one-party state by all 180 members of a newly formed committee at the end of a congress held every five years to set key targets and make leadership decisions, the party said.

Viewed as a bold reformist, Lam told the congress he wants more reforms - including within the party which has ruled Vietnam unopposed for decades - to foster a system based on "integrity, talent, courage, and competence".

Earlier this week, addressing congress delegates in a red-carpeted conference hall under a towering statue of party founder Ho Chi Minh, Lam promised annual growth above 10% through the decade, a goal adopted in a party resolution on Friday.

LAM'S 10% GROWTH TARGET 'QUITE AMBITIOUS'

Echoing other investors and diplomats, Craig Martin, chairman of Dynam Capital, which manages a Vietnam-based fund, called the target "quite ambitious", but praised Lam's business-friendly approach.

The World Bank forecasts an average 6.5% yearly expansion this year and next.

Vietnam's benchmark stock market index rose nearly 40% last year and is up 5.5% so far this year, though it fell 0.6% on Friday.

Since he took over as party chief in mid-2024, Lam has presided over fast growth underpinned by sweeping reforms and cuts to bureaucracy that won him both support and criticism, as tens of thousands of civil servants lost their jobs.

Aware of the discontent, Lam moved early to secure backing from rival factions within the party, including the powerful military, according to officials familiar with the process.

As concerns mounted about his plans to bolster private conglomerates at the expense of state-owned firms, Lam issued a directive ahead of the party congress underscoring the "leading role" of state enterprises, which include army-controlled telecom and defence giant Viettel.

"He normally meticulously prepares for his moves," said Le Hong Hiep, senior fellow at the ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute, noting that Lam, as state security minister, had manoeuvred deftly to reach the apex of Vietnam's political system in 2024 when his late predecessor Nguyen Phu Trong was facing prolonged health issues.

PRESIDENTIAL BID

Addressing the congress after his re-election, Lam said he would maintain party unity. He is also seeking to become Vietnam's president, a job currently held by an army general, with a decision expected to be announced later.

Hiep said Lam's re-election as party chief sends a reassuring message to foreign investors who value political stability. However, his bid to combine the top two roles, the way Xi Jinping has done in neighbouring China, could pose risks to Vietnams political system, which has traditionally depended on collective leadership and internal checks, he said.

Shortly after Lam's election, Xi sent a congratulatory message describing the two nations as a "community with a shared future".

The party also appointed the 19 members of the Politburo, its decision-making body.

Lam, 68, tops the list, published on the government website, followed by the current head of parliament Tran Thanh Man, party heavyweight Tran Cam Tu, and former central bank governor Le Minh Hung, who is seen as a candidate for prime minister.

Lower on the list is army general and Defence Minister Phan Van Giang, viewed as the second-most powerful person in the country, while incumbent Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and President Luong Cuong are absent.

(Reporting by Khanh Vu, Phuong Nguyen and Francesco Guarascio; Additional reporting by Gregor Hunter; Editing by Martin Petty, Gareth Jones and Tomasz Janowski)
Louisiana's House Appropriations committee meets to hear proposed bills for the 2025 regular session, April 22, 2025. Photo: Nolan McKendry / The Center Square

(The Center Square)  An expansion of Louisiana's school voucher program pushed by Gov. Jeff Landry and voucher advocates is meeting resistance in the state Legislature again this year.

Louisiana Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, said Friday he remains skeptical of spending more taxpayer dollars on the states LA GATOR program, warning that lawmakers should take a good look at how money flows through the system.

I think GATOR as a whole just needs to be scrapped and you need to come up with a different system to help these kids out, Henry told The Center Square.

Louisiana's voucher program, similar to those passed in other Republican-led states in recent years, sends public education dollars to eligible students who want to attend private schools or be homeschooled. It pays for tuition, tutoring, education materials and more.

In a Friday hearing at the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget, Henry raised concerns about the program's funding and oversight. Similar concerns led the Senate last year to scale back Gov. Jeff Landry's $100 million request to $50 million.

Landry's budget recommendation for the upcoming fiscal year includes $44.2 million for LA GATOR in addition to the programs existing $43.5 million, bringing the total to nearly $88 million.

Henry said he would favor narrowing the program to focus on students leaving failing schools for higher-performing schools, and eliminating funding for what he described as supplemental services.

"Giving them the ability to buy school supplies online is not a priority right now," Henry said. "Its very convoluted how the money flows, and no one really seems to be able to answer the question."

The program is administered by the third-party contractor Odyssey, which secured a $2 million state contract in June. Odyssey operates the online portal parents use to access and spend LA GATOR funds, a system Henry argues the Legislature should have more control over. Prior to Odyssey's contract, Cade Brumley, the state's education superintendent, had said the program "is a much broader sense of educational freedom than a simple voucher." Brumley said the intent was to provide families with "an array of services" so those costs could be deducted from the overall cost to attend a non-public school.

"As the state agency responsible for administering LA GATOR, we will continue to operate this program in alignment with state law, the state education department told The Center Square.

School choice advocates welcomed Landry's proposed increase, saying it could help address long waitlists and unmet demand. Erin Bendily, senior vice president of the conservative Pelican Institute for Public Policy, said the additional funding would nearly double the size of the program.

Last year, nearly 40,000 families applied for LA GATOR but fewer than 1,000 new students received awards, according to the Pelican Institute. Much of the program's initial $43.5 million appropriation was used to cover more than 5,000 students from a prior voucher program, leaving only a small number of new slots available.

Families have made it clear that they want these options for their children, and we certainly hope the legislature will retain this amount of funding in the budget," Bendily said.

Bendily pushed back on criticism of the purchasing portal, saying it operates under a state contract authorized and funded by the Legislature and is subject to oversight.

She said the portal is not limited to supplies or tutoring and that it provides access to hundreds of academic and elective courses, including offerings from Louisiana colleges, universities and industry-based training providers.
FILE PHOTO: Luigi Mangione attends an evidentiary hearing in the murder case of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, at the Manhattan Supreme Court in New York, U.S., December 18, 2025. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton/Pool/File Photo

By Jack Queen

NEW YORK, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Luigi Mangione, the man accused of gunning down a health insurance executive outside a hotel in Manhattan, appeared in federal court on Friday as his lawyers sought to convince a judge to exclude key evidence from his death penalty case.

Mangione, 27, has pleaded not guilty to murder, stalking and weapons charges in connection with the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Public officials condemned the shocking assassination, but Mangione became a folk hero of sorts to some Americans who decry steep healthcare costs and insurance practices.

He arrived in court on Friday wearing prison garb and shackled at the feet before U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett in Manhattan, who called an evidentiary hearing over whether police who arrested Mangione in Pennsylvania legally searched his backpack.

Mangiones lawyers argue prosecutors with the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York should be barred from using evidence found in the backpack -- including a 9-millimeter pistol, silencer, and journal entries -- because police illegally searched it without a warrant.

Prosecutors have argued that police officers in Altoona, Pennsylvania did not need a warrant because they had lawfully arrested Mangione for providing fake identification and were legally permitted to search the bag for dangerous items before transporting it.

On Friday, defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo questioned the deputy chief of the Altoona, Pennsylvania, Police Department about its procedures for searching a suspect's property after arresting them.

The deputy chief, Nathan Snyder, testified that if officers found something illegal like drugs or a firearm, they would "probably go get a search warrant." Under questioning by a prosecutor, however, Snyder said that if officers found a gun they would continue searching for other dangerous items.

Garnett concluded the hearing without ruling. She has scheduled jury selection for Sept 8.

Mangiones lawyers are separately asking Garnett to throw out an indictment against Mangione over purported legal deficiencies, or block prosecutors from seeking the death penalty over alleged violations of Mangiones constitutional rights.

Mangione has pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges in a separate case brought by the office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

The judge overseeing that case is also weighing a request by Mangiones lawyers to suppress evidence from the backpack. A trial date has not been set.

(Reporting by Jack Queen in New York, Editing by Franklin Paul, Deepa Babington and Nick Zieminski)
A McDonalds worker from Texas got caught with his hands inside the fry bag after officials said he allegedly engaged in a fraudulent scheme which targeted customers who were using their credit cards to pay for their food.

According to a post from the Springtown Police Department, Giovanni Primo Blount, 19, of Poolville, Texas, was arrested on Sunday, Jan. 18, after police said he allegedly charged customers twice while buying food at the McDonalds he worked in.

Poolville is located some 60 miles west of Dallas.

In their post, police allege that Blount would charge customers for their McDonalds food before then tapping customers' cards onto a personal device, "fraudulently charging an additional $10$20 per transaction, with the funds routed to an account under his control."

Officials said they believe Blount made out with about $680 before being arrested. Police said that Blount was being held at the Parker County Jail under charges of fraudulent use or possession of identifying information on more than 50 items with a bond of $30,000, but has since posted bail.

In a statement to local news station WFAA, Veronica Ruano, the owner-operator of the McDonalds where Blount worked, said his actions do "not reflect the standards we hold for our restaurant."

"We worked closely with local authorities and completed a thorough internal review. All affected customers have been fully refunded, and the individual involved is no longer employed at the restaurant. Our commitment to integrity and the trust of our customers remains our top priority," Ruano said.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Texas McDonald's worker arrested after alleged fraudulent charges
A Nevada judge announced her retirement on Thursday just days after a court granted a protective order to an attorney she was accused of stalking for more than a year.

Washoe County Judge Bridget Robb, 63, was allegedly stalking Gaming and Administrative Law attorney Kelci Binau at different locations around Reno, including residences and workplaces, according to court documents, News 4 reported.

The documents describe dozens of alleged encounters and suggested there could have been hundreds of such incidents.

The attorney alleges Robb had displayed a "willful, repeated and patterned" course of conduct between May 2024 and the issuance of a temporary protective order last week that caused fear, intimidation and concern for personal safety.

Fired Michigan Football Coach Sherrone Moore Faces Stalking, Home Invasion Charges

A hearing is scheduled for February 13 to determine whether the protective order will be extended.

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Binau said the behavior continued despite repeated requests for her to stop, eventually leading her to seek help from law enforcement.

After the order was issued, Chief District Judge Egan Walker temporarily removed Robb from all cases and committee assignments, and a court spokesperson told News 4 that the Second Judicial District Court is conducting an internal investigation.

Robb then announced her retirement on Thursday, saying it was "in the best interest of the court, my family, and the community." The judge also said she was withdrawing her candidacy for Second Judicial District Court, Department 10.

Wisconsin Judge Convicted Of Obstructing Ice Resigns, Vows To Keep Fighting Case

The attorney said the stalking continued despite repeated requests for the judge to stop. (Getty Images)

"After careful consideration, I have made the decision to retire from my position as a judge. At this time, I believe stepping away from my judicial role and the election is in the best interest of the court, my family, and the community. I ask for respect and understanding for all involved during this transition," Robb said in a statement to The Nevada Independent.

She was up for re-election to her Department 13 family court seat, but chose to run against District Judge Kathleen Sigurdson in Department 10 instead.

The judge has served on the bench for nearly two decades after she was appointed in 2006 by then-Gov. Kenny Guinn.

The Reno Police Department opened an investigation into the judge last year and observed a fitness studio Binau visited frequently. Detectives spotted Robb loitering around the shopping center where the gym was located as Binau was working out, according to the court documents, News 4 reported.

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Earlier this month, police pulled Robb over after they saw her cruising through the area. The detectives followed her to her home and interviewed her. Binau alleges Robb admitted to the stalking during that interview, which was recorded on the detectives body cameras.

Robb claimed she was "collecting information" during her routine drives and described her actions as a coping mechanism linked to a previous personal relationship.





Original article source: Nevada judge retires after court grants protective order to attorney she was accused of stalking
AP

As the Somali fraud scandal in Minnesota continues to grow, Americans are asking: Why was such blatant abuse of taxpayers allowed to fester unchecked?

A big part of the answer is that Somali immigrants are now a core constituency in Minnesota Democrats political coalition, so politicians turned a blind eye to the obvious fraud transpiring in the state. The same woke political considerations at the federal level have allowed grifters to use a massive DEI contracting program for Indian tribes to steal millions from American taxpayers.

The parallels between the Minnesota scandal and tribal contracting are eerily familiar. In the Midwestern state, Somali fraudsters took advantage of a massive increase in welfare spending. In tribal communities, the taxpayer deluge has also grown dramatically. A decade ago, the federal government awarded $9.5 billion in contracts to tribal entities. By 2023, the total had more than doubled, to $23 billion. That doesnt include the billions of dollars in grants and other support that taxpayers send to tribal lands - including $32 billion in the Biden-era American Rescue Plan alone.

The massive increase in federal funding has not been accompanied by a corresponding increase in scrutiny and accountability. Multiple investigations by the Government Accountability Office found shortcomings in the Small Business Administrations management of the (8)a Business Development Program. The program is designed specifically for "socially and economically disadvantaged groups," and tribal businesses get enormous contracts with fewer strings attached. Remarkably, GAO found no formal procedure for verifying whether applicants were federal or state-recognized tribal members, as required by federal law. GAO also found that "SBA has not addressed key GAO recommendations" for program integrity related to tribal contract awardees.

These shortcomings are obvious invitations to fraud and abuse. Last year, a private investigation alleged massive fraud at ATI Government Solutions, which is an entity owned by a federally recognized Indian community in California. The investigators argued that the company had obtained more than $100 million in no-bid contracts under the SBA 8(a) program, yet deliberately failed to uphold its end of the bargain. A company official said it simply passed money to other groups, in violation of the requirement that it perform at least 50% of the contracts work. The SBA has since suspended ATI Government Solutions from participating in its funding programs.

In another apparent case of clear-cut fraud, a whistleblower alleged that the Hawaiian Native Corporation bilked the same funding stream. The nonprofit was supposed to serve native Hawaiians - hence its name - but instead it funneled millions of dollars toward its owners lavish lifestyle. Taxpayers helped fund private jets, Porsches, luxury homes, even horse breeding in Argentina.

The list goes endlessly on. Federal prosecutors pursued a $30 million bribery scandal in the SBA program, leading to four guilty pleas. As Civil Beat reports, other controversies "have included large corporations using Indigenous firms to access big contracts," as well as "white contractors pretending to be Native to win federal work."

A $550 million fraud scheme involving USAID uncovered by the Department of Justice led the SBA to announce a full-scale audit of the entire program last June. In December, the agency sent letters to some 4,300 recipients of taxpayer funds, demanding their financial and employee records. Congress and the Trump administration would do better by shutting down the whole thing. As even the SBA administrator said, "Like every other government program rooted in DEI, the 8(a) Program is rife with grift and fraud."

Why did it take so long to investigate fraud that was widely suspected, and even reported by whistleblowers, going back to the 2010s, if not earlier? And why, with billions of dollars flowing to tribal communities through other programs, is SBA the only federal entity thats seriously investigating tribal fraud and abuse? From Somali daycares to USAID slush funds to tribal business rackets - where DEI-fueled political patronage starts, fraud follows.

Our leaders in D.C. should take a hard look at every dollar flowing to Indian tribes and their ostensible members, just as Minnesota leaders should have examined why so much money was going to Somali daycare centers. With an administration thats unafraid to slaughter the sacred cows of the leftist DEI-industrial complex, theres no excuse not to act now.

Chase Martin is chairman of American Resolve.
Nicole Pardo/Instagram Nicole Pardo

NEED TO KNOW

Nicole Pardo Molina was abducted at a shopping center in Mexico on Jan. 20

In a video of the incident, the content creator appeared to struggle as she was forced into a vehicle at a parking lot, which promptly sped away after she was inside

Sinaloas Attorney General's Office has activated the Alba Protocol, a state-level mechanism to search for missing women, and released a missing persons poster with details about her physical appearance

Mexican authorities are searching for an Arizona-based content creator after a video showed her getting abducted at gunpoint by multiple men in Mexico on Jan. 20.

Nicole Pardo Molina  a 20-year-old Mexican American internet personality  appeared to be getting out of her truck when another vehicle pulled up next to her. Two men exited the vehicle, and they engaged in a brief struggle as she was forced into their vehicle and they sped away, as seen in footage that circulated online.

According to El Pais, a prominent Spanish newspaper, the incident occurred in the parking lot of a shopping center in Culiacan, a mid-sized city in the Sinaloa region of Mexico.

Shortly after Molinas abduction, Sinaloas Attorney General's Office activated the Alba Protocol, a state-level mechanism to search for missing women, and released a missing persons poster with details about her physical appearance. The poster notes that Molina was last seen on Jan. 20, her safety may be at risk, and she may be the victim of a crime.

Molina maintains a following of over 180,000 on Instagram, where she posts about her travels throughout Mexico, and has a prominent profile on OnlyFans, a site known for creators sharing adult content. Molina also operated Nicholette Shop, an online store where she sold bracelets and clothing, some of which included references to cartel leader Joaquin Guzman, commonly referred to as El Chapo.

In a statement released on Jan. 21, Sinaloa authorities acknowledged the possibility that the creators kidnapping was linked to ongoing tensions between cartel groups.

According to initial investigations, three armed men in a stolen white vehicle threw tire spikes at the SUV the victim was traveling in, intercepted it, and then forced the victim into the car, read the statement, reported El Pais. Versions circulating on social media, particularly TikTok, point to the Los Mayos faction as responsible for the incident; this is part of the ongoing investigation.

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Per El Pais, Molina was born and raised in Phoenix, Ariz. At the time of her kidnapping, she was a resident of El Salado, a town roughly 25 miles from where she was kidnapped, though she frequently travelled back to Phoenix.

Pardo seemingly last updated her Instagram account on Dec. 22, sharing a video inside a restaurant.

Read the original article on People
Paris Hilton says her advocacy efforts at the Capitol have been the most meaningful work of her life, but she is remaining tight-lipped on whether shed jump into the political ring herself.

Coming here to the Capitol, to D.C., and doing my advocacy work  its truly been the most meaningful work of my life. And Im so proud to stand with this cause with these incredible women who are so strong, Hilton told ITK on Thursday, when asked if she would ever consider launching a bid for public office.

Im just happy to give support, and I love that I can come and shine my spotlight on so many causes that are in need of it, the 44-year-old multi-hyphenate media personality said.

Hiltons remarks came as she stood alongside Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Laurel Lee (R-Fla.) as they championed the Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits (DEFIANCE) Act.

The legislation would allow victims of nonconsensual deepfake pornography to sue individuals who produce and distribute the AI-generated content. The legislations supporters urged Speaker Johnson to put the bill on the House floor for a vote after it passed by unanimous consent in the Senate last week.

When I was 19 years old, a private, intimate video of me was shared with the world without my consent. People called it a scandal. It wasnt  it was abuse, Hilton said at a news conference outside the Capitol.

There were no laws at the time to protect me. There werent even words for what had been done to me. The internet was still new, and so was the cruelty that came with it, she said.

Too many women are afraid to exist online, or sometimes to exist at all. And I know how that feels because Ive lived it, Hilton said.

The DEFIANCE Act is a bipartisan bill that gives survivors a path to justice, Hilton said during sometimes-emotional remarks. She was later overheard saying she sported sunglasses because she was teary-eyed during the event.

Hilton has been a familiar sight on Capitol Hill in recent years. In 2024, she helped advocate for the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act, a youth welfare measure. That bill was signed into law by then-President Biden in 2024.

That year, Hilton said she could potentially see herself running for office.

After coming here so many times over the past couple of years and seeing that my voice really can make a difference, and I can really shine a spotlight on things that are important around the world to make it a better place and safer for children, I can maybe see that happening, the author and entrepreneur said at the time.

Lee, one of the co-sponsors of the DEFIANCE Act, praised Hiltons efforts and ability to build consensus and collaboration. So would Lee support Hilton adding representative to her resume?

I am always thrilled when we have smart, talented, capable women running for the House of Representatives, Lee said as Ocasio-Cortez grinned and nodded.

A number of them are here with us today, and so I would be thrilled to add another one to our ranks, Lee said.

Hilton was eyed being swarmed by press and fans following the conference, before her husband, Carter Reum, seemingly doubled as a wrangler and guided her through the throng.

Before she exited to another area of the Capitol, Hilton held up a DEFIANCE Act sign to deliver a message to a camera.

Legislations hot, she said, in a nod to her signature catchphrase, Thats hot.

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A roadside sign reads "Welcome to Illinois, The Land of Lincoln," next to highway signs for Chicago and Indianapolis. Photo: Sarah Roderick-Fitch / The Center Square

(The Center Square)  A proposed Illinois bill, the Let the People Lift the Ban Act," SB2884, would let local voters approve rent control, drawing sharp debate between tenant advocates and landlords over its potential impact on housing and the economy.

Supporters of the bill say it empowers municipalities to protect tenants from soaring rents and gives residents a voice in shaping housing policy. Critics, including state Sen. Andrew Chesney, R-Freeport, argue rent control discourages investment in rental properties and may ultimately worsen housing affordability.

If rent control is implemented in any town or in the state, it will automatically reduce the value of everybodys rental properties, said Chesney. You cant have the government entering into private industry and telling somebody what they can charge. That discourages investment and, ironically, encourages higher overall rents over time.

Chesney, who opposes the bill, cited examples from cities such as New York and San Francisco, where rent stabilization policies have, in his view, led to higher costs and strained housing markets.

What you find is these landlords will take the maximum allowed each and every year by state law, he said. Which always leads to higher overall rents and overall costs.

The Illinois Rental Property Owners Association echoed that concern, noting that limiting rent revenue inherently reduces property value and discourages maintenance and new construction.

There is a short-term win for tenants who have their rent capped, but over the long term there will be fewer housing options available to new renters and the quality of existing housing will decline, Paul Arena, Illinois Rental Property Owners Association director of legislative affairs, told TCS.

The association recommended the state focus on incentives to increase housing supply rather than imposing rent limits.

Chesney explained such a patchwork of rent control policies could discourage private investment in rental properties, ultimately harming the market.

Theyre pretty much trying to make it a local control issue, and of course they always start at local control and then they want to go beyond local control, Chesney. The problem is 10 different sets of rules, with different nuances throughout the entire state, that just simply doesnt work.

Proponents of SB 2884 argue letting local voters decide could address rising rents in high-cost areas without imposing a statewide mandate. The bill would allow municipalities to hold referendums on rent control measures, leaving the decision to residents rather than legislators.

The bills sponsor state Sen. Graciela Guzman, D-Chicago, did not immediately respond to The Center Squares request for comment.

Chesney emphasized that broader economic factors drive housing affordability challenges in Illinois.

Wage growth consistently falls behind national averages, and population loss compounds the problem, he said. Throwing money at the issue wont solve it. The real solution is lowering barriers to home ownership.

He also criticized targeted state incentives like enterprise zones and Tax Increment Financing districts, which he said favor politically connected developers.

Rather than picking winners and losers, we should lower the overall tax burden so everybody can compete on a level playing field, Chesney said.

Assembly committee hearings are expected in the coming months.
The Wisconsin State Capitol dome rises under a blue sky in Madison. Photo: Connor Betts / Unsplash

(The Center Square) - Wisconsin state Sen. Rob Hutton, R-Brookfield, will not be running for another term in the Senate.

Hutton said while this decision was very difficult, increasing personal and professional obligations have made it clear that stepping aside is the right decision at this time.

Hutton owns two industrial coatings firms that serve manufacturers and is a partner in a metal fabricating firm in southeastern Wisconsin, according to a bio on his campaign website.

Huttons District 5 includes Brookfield, Elm Grove, parts of Pewaukee and part of West Allis.

He was a Waukesha County supervisor from 2005-2012 before joining the Wisconsin Assembly.

Hutton and his wife recently won a $3.46 billion award from a Waukesha County jury related to a dehumidifier made by a Chinese manufacturer that spontaneously combusted and caused their Brookfield home to catch fire, according to the Waukesha Freeman.

Hutton did not cite the award in his announcement.

I look forward to continuing to work hard in this final year and beyond to push for more needed reforms that streamline government, address affordability for families, support law enforcement, and increase access to quality education, healthcare, and economic opportunity for all Wisconsinites, Hutton said.

Huttons lawyer told the paper that the award was likely the highest ever awarded in the county but said the number was largely symbolic as punitive damages in the case amounted to just more than $1.3 million.
Ukraine and Russia held joint peace talks Friday with the United States, the first trilateral meeting since the Kremlin's full-scale invasion nearly four years ago.

The talks in Abu Dhabi follow marathon overnight discussions at the Kremlin between President Donald Trumps envoys and Vladimir Putin. Trump met earlier Thursday with Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The two-day meeting in the United Arab Emirates signals a renewed effort to strike a deal after months of stop-start diplomacy.

A White House official told NBC News: Todays trilateral meeting in Abu Dhabi between the United States, Ukraine, and Russia was productive. Conversations will continue tomorrow.

Zelenskyy said Friday that the talks were "important, as there have been no such trilateral formats for a long time," but warned, "it is still too early to draw conclusions."

But the key sticking point remains the future of territory in Ukraine's east, with Moscow showing little sign of budging on its hardline demands.

The Kremlin said Friday that Kyiv's military would have to pull out of the area for any deal to end the war.

Putin welcomed Witkoff and Kushner during a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow on Thursday. (Alexander Kazakov / AFP via Getty Images) (Alexander Kazakov)

Zelenskyy announced the trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi after meeting with Trump on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Trump said Thursday a deal might be getting close.

Hours later, Putin met with Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Putins foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, told reporters the meeting was an exceptionally substantive, constructive, and, I would say, extremely frank and trusting conversation, one that was beneficial in every way for both our and the American sides.

A Ukrainian serviceman fires a self-propelled howitzer toward Russian troops near the frontline town of Chasiv Yar in Donetsk. (Oleg Petrasiuk/Ukrainian Armed Forces / via Reuters) (Oleg Petrasiuk/Ukrainian Armed Forces)

Witkoff said in Davos on Thursday that the negotiations were down to one issue. While he did not elaborate, many took it to mean territorial concessions by Ukraine.

Russia has been clear that it wants the entire eastern Donbas region, which Ukraine still partially controls. Kyiv has refused to cede any territory that it still holds there, leading to an impasse that appears to have stalled negotiations.

Speaking with reporters via WhatsApp on Friday morning, Zelenskyy called the Donbas issue key, adding that it will be discussed by the trilateral group in Abu Dhabi in the days to follow.

The trilateral meeting was a step toward ending the war, Zelenskyy said, adding: We are not standing still.

But Ushakov reiterated after the meeting at the Kremlin that Putins territorial demands remain the same, and that without resolving the territorial issue, there is no hope of achieving a long-term settlement.

Asked if Russia wants full control over the Donbas, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russias position is well known  Ukraine and the Ukrainian Armed Forces must leave the territory of Donbas and withdraw from there. This is a very important condition. There are also other nuances that remain on the negotiating agenda.

Trump has previously pushed of the idea of a free economic zone in the Donbas.

Asked if the trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi could lead to a trilateral meeting between Putin, Zelenskyy and himself, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One late Thursday: "Anytime we meet is good. If you dont meet, nothing is going to happen."

He said he expects Putin to make concessions, because "everybodys making concessions to get it done." Both the Russian and Ukrainian leaders want a deal, Trump added.

Zelenskyy delivered a fiery speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos. (Krisztian Bocs / Bloomberg via Getty Images) (Krisztian Bocs)

Zelenskyy said the Ukrainian delegation will feature his top negotiator, Rustem Umerov, and his new Chief of Staff Kyrylo Budanov.

They head into the meeting with many residents of their country's capital still in the grip of power and heat blackouts in freezing temperatures weeks after a massive Russian attack.

While Zelenskyy sent his top officials to Abu Dhabi, Russia's delegation didn't seem to carry quite so much heft.

Ushakov said Friday's three-way talks will focus on security issues, and said the Russian delegation there will thus be led by by the chief of military intelligence, Adm. Igor Kostyukov. Putins economic envoy Kirill Dmitriev will separately meet with Witkoff, he said.

Peskov told NBC News in his daily news briefing Friday that unnamed military personnel will also be part of the Russian delegation.
Former Canadian Olympic snowboarder and alleged drug kingpin Ryan Wedding has been arrested in Mexico and will be extradited to the US after years on the run, FBI Director Kash Patel has said.

Wedding, who had been on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, is accused of running a transnational drug trafficking operation that moved tonnes of cocaine across international borders.

Wedding, 44, was also wanted on murder charges. US officials had said they believed Wedding was living in Mexico under the Sinaloa drug cartel's protection.

The head of Canada's federal police force, which assisted in the investigation, spoke alongside Patel on Friday to praise the law enforcement operation.

"No single agency or nation can combat transnational organised crime alone," said Mike Duheme, Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

"We can finally say that our communities, our countries, are much safer with the arrest of Ryan Wedding," he added.

Wedding is expected to make his first court appearance in Los Angeles on Monday.

Wedding, seen in an undated photo released by the FBI [FBI]

Wedding is accused of running a vast drug trafficking operation responsible for importing some 60 metric tonnes of cocaine a year.

The organisation operated across North America, as well as several countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, and was also the largest supplier of cocaine to Canada, bringing in an estimated $1bn a year.

Before he was arrested, Wedding was accused of killing a federal witness in a case against him. Officials say he has also ordered the murders of several others.

Wedding is now facing a slew of felony charges, including witness tampering and intimidation, murder, money laundering and drug trafficking.

The FBI had previously placed a $15m (11m) reward for information leading to his arrest. Patel declined to comment on whether anyone would be claiming the reward money.

US officials have released limited details regarding how Wedding was captured, except to say that his arrest took place on Thursday night in Mexico City.

Mexico's top security official, Omar Garcia Harfuch, said in a post on X that Patel had visited Mexico City on Thursday, and departed with two fugitives on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted list.

He did not name the men arrested, but said one was a "Canadian citizen who voluntarily surrendered" at the US embassy in Mexico.

The Associated Press, citing an unnamed Mexican Security Cabinet member, reported that Wedding is the Canadian who turned himself in at the US embassy.

In his remarks at a news conference, Patel described Wedding as a "modern-day Pablo Escobar", referring to the Colombian cartel leader. US officials have also compared him to Mexican drug dealer Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman.

"When you go after a guy like Ryan Wedding, it takes a united front," Patel said, thanking Canadian and Mexican authorities for their help in the investigation.

Patel also thanked the FBI Hostage Rescue Team, who participated in taking Wedding into custody.

In an interview with Vanity Fair, Patel praised the team, which had also been involved in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro weeks earlier.

"This was a complex, high-stakes operation with zero margin for error," Patel told the magazine.

"I was on the ground with our team in Mexico and witnessed extraordinary teamwork, precision, and trust between our agents and partners in Mexico."

Wedding's aliases include "El Jefe," "Giant," "Public Enemy," "James Conrad King," and "Jesse King", the FBI said. He has reportedly had plastic surgery to change his appearance while on the run.

Officials allege that he launched his criminal enterprise following his release from a US federal prison in 2011, where he was serving a sentence for cocaine distribution.

Authorities allege he has ordered dozens of murders across the globe, including in the US, Canada and Latin America.

The FBI had offered a $15m reward for Ryan Wedding [Getty Images]

Officials say he had been living in luxury in Mexico. In December, Mexican authorities announced that they had seized $40m in racing motorcycles owned by Wedding. They also seized other valuable items, including luxury paintings, artworks, drugs and two Olympic gold medals.

It is unclear to whom the medals belong. Wedding competed for Canada in the 2002 Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, but did not win any medals. He came in 24th place in the men's giant parallel slalom ski event.

In November, the FBI seized his rare 2002 Mercedes CLK-GTR, which had been valued at $13m.

Patel also spoke about the recent arrest of another man in Mexico who had been on the FBI's most wanted list.

American man Alejandro Castillo was wanted for the murder of his ex-girlfriend. According to the FBI, he has been in hiding in Mexico for nearly 10 years, and will now be extradited back to North Carolina for trial.
Julie Inman Grant told the BBC the ban was exceeding expectations [BBC]

Social media platforms do not want Australia's landmark social media ban to be successful in case it incentivises other countries to follow suit, the nation's internet regulator has told the BBC.

"These companies have come to this regime, if you will, kicking and screaming - very very reluctantly," eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said.

Australia began forcing social media firms to block users aged under 16 from having accounts on their platforms in December, a policy being closely watched by other world governments.

The UK is considering similar legislation; this week, the House of Lords voted to support a ban for under-16s via an amendment to the government's schools bill.

Australia's ban was justified by campaigners and the government as necessary to protect children from harmful content and algorithms on platforms like Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok.

Companies including Meta have said they agree more is needed to keep young people safe online, but do not think a blanket ban is the answer, with some experts raising similar concerns.

In an update earlier this month, the Australian government said 4.7 million accounts identified as belonging to children had already been shut down, declaring the policy a huge success.

Inman Grant told the BBC children had proved to be an "incredibly lucrative" market for social media platforms, noting the addictive properties of platforms that were initially designed for adults.

"They're building a pipeline for the future, and they do not want this to be the first domino," she said, adding that they do not have a "huge incentive" to "perfectly" comply with the ban.

"We've always had to play a bit of a dance with the tech companies, clearly they don't like to be regulated."

With the legislation coming into effect just over a month ago, Inman Grant said researchers were still carefully monitoring the resulting shifts in behaviour among young people.

One criticism had been that under-16s would simply migrate to other platforms following the ban, but Inman Grant said the data indicated otherwise. While there was an initial spike in downloads of other social media applications, she claimed there has been no sustained uptick in their usage.

Another concern had been that children would circumvent the ban with relative ease - either by tricking the technology that is performing the age checks, or by finding other, potentially less safe, places on the net to gather.

Under the law, firms face fines of up to A$49.5m ($33m, 24.5m) if they fail to take "reasonable steps" to keep children off their platforms, and Inman Grant said a second series of concerns notices is about to be sent to companies, naming the platform Snapchat as a key focus.

"We're starting to see some anomalies and weaknesses and I will probe those," she said.

"There are some kids that are getting through Snapchat, which is one that has been a primary focus for now," she said, adding that she needed to probe whether the platform had implemented its settings in the right way.

"[The policy] is certainly exceeding our expectations, but we are playing the long game here," she said, adding that regulators will always have to take a dynamic approach to the safety of young people online.

Inman Grant also told the BBC that Australia was working with "like-minded" countries such as the UK to take a stand against platforms where "terrorist violent content is openly available to young children".

She gave the example of Southport killer Axel Rudakubana who was found to have accessed graphic footage of the stabbing of Australian bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel on X, before leaving home to carry out the attack.

"When terrorist violent content is so openly available to young children it normalises, it desensitises and it sometimes radicalises - at some point you have to take a stand."

Australia is not the first country to experiment with limiting children's use of social media. But, along with a higher age limit of 16, it is the first jurisdiction to deny an exemption for parental approval in a policy like this - making its laws the world's strictest.

Ten platforms are currently included in the ban: Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit and streaming platforms Kick and Twitch.

It currently does not include dating websites, gaming platforms such as Roblox and Discord, or AI chatbots, which have recently made headlines for allegedly encouraging children to kill themselves and for having "sensual" conversations with minors.

Social media platforms have regularly pushed back on the legislation, with Meta arguing that age verification should happen at an app store level - something they suggested lowers the burden of compliance on both regulators and the apps themselves - and that exemptions for parental approval should be created.

Though Reddit has complied with the ban, it has also launched a challenge in Australia's highest court, where it will argue that the policy has serious implications for privacy and political rights.

Australia's Communications Minister Anika Wells has previously said the government will not be swayed by legal threats.

"We will not be intimidated by big tech. On behalf of Australian parents, we will stand firm," she told parliament in November.
The driver was sentenced to 17 years in prison, according to the Department of Justice.  Jillian Pikora

A Virginia truck driver who knocked up a missing teenage girl will spend nearly two decades in prison, federal authorities announced.

David Romero Reyes, 55, of Stafford, has been sentenced in Rhode Island to 17 years in prison for engaging in sexual contact with a minor who traveled with him in his tractor-trailer.

According to court documents, in April 2021, Romero Reyes was detained by Naval Station Newport Police during a background check to enter the Navy base to make a delivery.

While in custody, it was determined that he was wanted in Texas for felony assault of a child.

Prosecutors say that the young girl was found inside the sleeping compartment of the truck during a routine inspection.

The girl was taken to Hasbro Childrens Hospital for a medical examination, where it was learned that she was approximately five months pregnant after being reported missing from her Virginia home in July 2020, when she was 14 years old.

An investigation determined that Romero Reyes was known to the girl and to her family prior to her disappearance.

Romero Reyes pleaded guilty in September 2025 to transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.

The sentence imposed in this case reflects the defendants monstrous actions. There is no place in our federal district or in our society for such egregious abuse of a child, US Attorney Charles Calenda said. This office will use every available resource to ensure that those who prey on the most vulnerable will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

In addition to his prison term, a judge also ordered that Romero Reyes serve 20 years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has condemned President Donald Trump's false claims that non-American NATO troops stayed a little back from the front line during the war in Afghanistan.

I consider President Trump's remarks to be insulting and, frankly, appalling, said Starmer on Friday, adding he was not surprised the comments had caused such hurt across the country.

Starmer paid tribute to the 457 [members] of our armed services who lost their lives in Afghanistan and vowed to never forget the sacrifice they made to the United Kingdom. He also paid respect to the many more who were injured, some with life-changing injuries.

When told that some are calling for an apology from Trump, the U.K. Prime Minister appeared to be in agreement, although he stopped short of telling the President to apologize.

If I had misspoken in that way, or said those words, I would certainly apologize, he said.

As he did earlier in the week when denouncing Trump's tariffs threat, Starmer doubled down on the importance of the very close relationship between the U.K. and U.S., but said it's because of that alliance that the U.K. fought alongside the Americans for our values in Afghanistan.

According to British veterans charity Help for Heroes, around 3,486 troops among the coalition forces died in the Afghanistan war. Over 2,300 of those were members of the U.S. armed forces.

TIME has reached out to the White House for comment.

Read More: Starmer Breaks With Trump Over Completely Wrong Greenland Tariff Threats and Urges Avoiding a Trade War

During an interview with Fox News on Thursday, Trump said he was unsure if NATO would be there to support the U.S. if it were needed.

Weve never needed them, we have never really asked anything of them. You know, theyll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan, or this or that, and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines, he claimed.

Trump has repeatedly aired his grievances with NATO and recently refused to ruled out leaving the alliance over his contentious push to annex Greenland.

NATOs Article 5, in which all members consider an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all, has only been activated once, in the aftermath of the 9/11 terror attacks in the U.S. in 2001.

Former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair, after 9/11, pledged to stand shoulder to shoulder with the U.S. in its response to the al-Qaida attacks. British troops went on to play a role in the Afghanistan war until their withdrawal in 2014. The U.S. stayed on until August 2021.

Blair, who was recently appointed to serve on the Executive Board overseeing Trumps Gaza Board of Peace, responded to the Presidents remarks on Friday, although he didnt mention Trump by name.

A spokesperson for the former Labour Party leader told TIME via email: Tony Blair knowsand will always remember with deep gratitudethe enormous contribution and sacrifice British troops made in Afghanistan on the front line of the fight against terrorism, following the 9/11 attacks on the U.S.

Read More: Trump Refuses to Rule Out Leaving NATO Over Greenland TussleCan He Legally Do That?

Many British lawmakers issued stronger statements, directly denouncing Trumps false claims.

British Defence Secretary John Healey said: The U.K. and NATO allies answered the U.S. call. Those British troops should be remembered for who they were: heroes who gave their lives in service of our nation.

Alistair Carns, the U.K. Minister of State for the Armed Forces who himself served five tours in Afghanistan, referred to Trumps claims as utterly ridiculous.

Many courageous and honorable service personnel from many nations fought on the front line, he said. We shed blood, sweat, and tears together. And not everybody came home.

He later shared a video of himself serving on the front line in Afghanistan.

Leader of the opposition Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, called Trumps remarks flat-out nonsense and said the sacrifice of NATO troops deserves respect not denigration.

Earlier on Friday, Downing Street had said that Trump was wrong to diminish the role of troops, including British forces.

Prince Harry, who returned to the U.K. this week to give evidence in his case against Associated Newspapers Limited, remembered how allies answered [the] call in support of the U.S.

Thousands of lives were changed forever. Mothers and fathers buried sons and daughters. Children were left without a parent. Families are left carrying the cost. Those sacrifices deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect, as we all remain united and loyal to the defence of diplomacy and peace, he is quoted as saying.

Outside of the U.K., other NATO allies also took a firm stance against Trumps remarks.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk recalled a ceremony he attended in 2011 that paid tribute to five Polish soldiers who were killed in Afghanistan.

The American officers who accompanied me then told me that America would never forget the Polish heroes, he said. Perhaps they will remind President Trump of that fact.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Volunteers transport an injured victim of suicide bombing at a wedding, Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, at a hospital in Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan. (AP Photo/Kashif Naveed)

DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan (AP)  A suicide bomber detonated an explosive vest among guests at a wedding ceremony in northwestern Pakistan on Friday, killing at least seven people and wounding 25, police said.

The attack took place at the home of Noor Alam Mehsud, a pro-government community leader in Dera Ismail Khan, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, said local police chief Adnan Khan. He said officers transported the victims to a hospital, where some of the wounded were listed in critical condition.

The ceremony was underway, with guests dancing to the beat of drums, when the bomber struck.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. However, suspicion is likely to fall on the Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP, who have carried out numerous attacks in the country in recent years. The group is separate from but allied with the Afghan Taliban.

TTP has been emboldened since the Afghan Taliban retuned to power in neighboring Afghanistan in 2021 when U.S. and NATO troops left the country after 20 years of war. Many TTP leaders and fighters have found sanctuaries in Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover there.
Elk Horn, Iowa, is a small prairie town steeped in Danish history and culture. (Dan Brouillette for NBC News)

In the tiny Iowa town of Elk Horn, Danish and American flags flap side by side above Main Street. A bakery sells kringles and other Danish pastries. Down the block, a working windmill towers over the prairie.

Kitchens here are stocked with family recipes for dishes most Americans cant pronounce: frikadeller (Danish meatballs), bleskiver (Danish pancake balls) and medisterplse (Danish sausages).

This town of about 600 people and the nearby city of Kimballton are known as the Danish Villages, the largest rural Danish American settlement in the United States. Its an American farming community built by Danish immigrants more than a century ago that's still defined by that dual allegiance.

A lot of us have more relatives in Denmark than we do here in the United States, said Lisa Steen Riggs, 70, a longtime community leader.

Were proud Americans  but were proud of our Danish heritage, too," said Lisa Steen Riggs, who managed the town's historic Danish Windmill for more than four decades. (Dan Brouillette for NBC News) (Dan Brouillette for NBC News)

But that affinity has been tested of late, creating a subtle tension in a town where many Danish Americans also express steadfast loyalty to President Donald Trump, whose demands for control of Greenland have strained the long-standing alliance between Denmark and the United States.

On Wednesday, Trump appeared to step back from the brink, saying at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, that he would not use military force to seize Greenland. Still, he repeated that the U.S. wants right, title and ownership of the Arctic territory, which is self-governing but remains part of the kingdom of Denmark. He later announced what he called a framework of a future deal on Greenland with NATO allies  though the plans contours remain unclear as Danish leaders insist the sprawling, sparsely populated island is not for sale.

In deep-red Elk Horn, some residents said they have been baffled by Trumps fixation on Greenland and his willingness to disparage Denmark, one of Americas oldest and closest allies. Trump carried the rural Iowa precinct that includes Elk Horn handily in 2024, winning about 68% of the vote.

Elk Horn is home to the Museum of Danish America, which preserves the story of Danish immigration to the U.S. (Dan Brouillette for NBC News) (Dan Brouillette for NBC News)

People voted for him because of immigration. People voted for him maybe because of the economy. This wasnt really brought up, said Steen Riggs, who for decades ran Elk Horns historic Danish Windmill and its gift shop until her retirement a few years ago.

For many families here, Denmark is not an abstract ally but a place where siblings, cousins and grandparents still live  a reality that has made Trumps threats especially unsettling.

People are hurt, Steen Riggs said of her family members overseas. I dont want my relatives in Denmark to be scared of us.

Just a short walk from the windmill, that same tension surfaces more quietly over coffee and pastries at The Kringle Man, a bakery and coffee shop run by James Uren, a longtime Elk Horn resident who describes himself as a card-carrying Republican. Urens kringles  flaky, almond-topped Danish pastries  draw locals and tourists alike, but political debate is discouraged.

We have a rule in my shop, said Uren, 68. No politics. That ruins friendships and business as fast as anything.

Its a community that has an awful lot of pride in its heritage," said James Uren, who serves up traditional Danish pastries at The Kringle Man bakery. (Dan Brouillette for NBC News) (Dan Brouillette for NBC News)

Even so, he said Trumps focus on Greenland has been hard to ignore and hard to understand, including among people who otherwise support him.

The one comment I heard at the coffee table was, We dont need to own it. Denmark will give us everything we want, Uren said, referring to a 1951 agreement that grants the U.S. latitude to operate military bases in Greenland. I dont understand why we need to own the country.

In a statement to NBC News, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly defended Trumps campaign for Greenland, calling him a visionary leader who was not elected to preserve the status quo.

As the president said, NATO becomes far more formidable and effective with Greenland in the hands of the United States, and Greenlanders would be better served if protected by the United States from modern threats in the Arctic region, Kelly said.

For longtime residents of Elk Horn, confusion over Trump's approach collides with a history in which Denmark and the U.S. were partners, not adversaries  a legacy that shapes how the town understands itself.

Danish immigration to this part of the country dates back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when families left Denmark in waves and settled across the Midwest and the Great Plains, drawn by farmland that looked and felt familiar. Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota and Wisconsin became hubs of Danish American life, places where immigrants could farm, build churches and preserve customs that connected them to their country of origin.

Tens of thousands of visitors stop through Elk Horn each year from across the U.S. and abroad, local leaders say. (Dan Brouillette for NBC News) (Dan Brouillette for NBC News)

Elk Horn grew out of that movement, shaped by families who arrived with shared language, food and traditions. Back when telephone companies still distributed phonebooks, Elk Horns was filled with Andersens, Petersens, Christensens, Clausens and Madsens.

That connection was underscored more than a decade ago when Danish filmmakers traveled to Elk Horn to produce two documentaries about the community. The films aired widely in Denmark and cemented the towns reputation as a living outpost of Danish culture, helping turn Elk Horn into a destination for Danish tourists curious to see what some dubbed Little Denmark on the Prairie.

But by then, the towns ties to the old country had already begun to fray, worn down by the same economic and demographic shifts that have reshaped much of rural America  forces that also helped fuel Trumps rise. About half the towns population claims Danish ancestry, a percentage that has slowly shrunk as younger generations leave for opportunities elsewhere. As older residents die off, town leaders worry Danish traditions are fading with them.

Trumps saber rattling over Greenland has brought a new challenge to the community, said Erik Andersen, the interim executive director of the Elk Horn-based Museum of Danish America. Founded in the 1980s, the museum preserves the story of Danish immigration while serving as a cultural bridge between Denmark and the U.S.

Elk Horn celebrates its Danish roots year-round, including at seasonal festivals like Tivoli Fest in May and Julefest after Thanksgiving. (Dan Brouillette for NBC News) (Dan Brouillette for NBC News)

You dont need to bully one of your longtime allies, Andersen said, noting that Denmark and America have worked side by side for more than two centuries, including in Greenland. While the museum remains nonpolitical, he said the rhetoric runs counter to the cooperative history many Danish Americans were raised with.

Our position really is that it needs to de-escalate and we need to be cooperative, Andersen said.

Those concerns arent merely symbolic. Shaun Sayres, a transplant from New York who took over running the Danish Windmill after Steen Riggs retired, said the controversy threatens the sites day-to-day operations. The functioning 178-year-old grain mill, transported in pieces from Denmark and reassembled in Elk Horn a half-century ago, operates as a living museum, offering tours and demonstrations. Keeping it running depends heavily on the gift shop stocked with imported Danish and other Scandinavian goods.

Sayres worries the tone of the Greenland dispute could discourage Danish tourists. And already some of the gift shops suppliers have told him theyre no longer going to sell to the U.S., he said, citing uncertainty around Trumps trade policy. On Wednesday Trump backed off plans to impose new tariffs on several European allies, including Denmark, for resisting his push to acquire Greenland.

Thats the biggest existential threat to us, Sayres said. The gift shop has been the backbone of funding the organization for decades.

Danish plates line the shelves of the gift shop at Elk Horns historic Danish Windmill. (Dan Brouillette for NBC News) (Dan Brouillette for NBC News)

Steen Riggs has felt those ripples beyond Elk Horn through her work with the Rebild National Park Society, a century-old organization founded by Danish immigrants to celebrate the relationship between the two countries. Each year, the group hosts a Fourth of July celebration in Denmark  a symbol of the nations deep admiration for America.

This year, she said, organizers have decided to scale back the celebration, uncertain how ongoing tensions will shape the mood on both sides of the Atlantic.

Steen Riggs said she was relieved to hear Trump step back from threats of force, but she remains uneasy. She hopes that diplomacy will prevail and that the bonds tying Elk Horn to Denmark will endure.

Presidents come and go, she said. But our friendship remains.
President Donald Trump gives a speech at the World Economic Forum on Jan. 21, 2026 in Davos, Switzerland. Credit - Chip SomodevillaGetty Images

President Donald Trump, who has long expressed skepticism of the scientific consensus on climate change, again brushed aside concerns on Friday by falsely implying that the massive winter storm set to hit much of the U.S. this weekend contradicts the evidence that the planet is getting warmer.

Record Cold Wave expected to hit 40 States. Rarely seen anything like it before, Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Friday. Could the Environmental Insurrectionists please explain  WHATEVER HAPPENED TO GLOBAL WARMING???

The storm is forecasted to bring damaging ice, heavy snowfall, and gusty winds that could impact more than 230 million people across the country from Friday through Monday. At least 14 states, as well as Washington, D.C., have declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm, which has been named Winter Storm Fern by The Weather Channel. The coming inclement weather has raised alarms about dangerous cold, prolonged power outages, and travel disruptions, with forecasters warning that the storm could prove catastrophic.

Read More: How To Stay Safe and Warm In Extreme Cold Weather

But the idea that brutal winter conditions of this kind mean that climate change isnt happening, as Trump suggested, is a misconception.

As a proud environmental insurrectionist, its frustrating to have to explain this every winter, says Christopher Callahan, a professor of climate science at Indiana University Bloomington. The Earth still has seasons, and were going to have winter weather no matter what happens with climate change.

As Callahan explains, the planet is titled on its axis, which is why we get seasonsthere are periods of the year when the northern hemisphere is facing away from the sun, which is when that hemisphere experiences winter, while the southern hemisphere experiences summer. And even amid climate change, the Earth still has day-to-day weather events.

Because climate change is ultimately a longer-term phenomenon, you can have blips around that trend; you can have ups and downs around a longer-term increase in temperature, Callahan says. So its totally reasonable for us to still have individual storms or individual weather events even though, overall, the planets climate is warming.

Experts agree that, on average, climate change is leading to shorter and milder winters. Research also indicates that climate change can make some extreme weather eventsincluding heat waves, heavy rainfall, severe floods, droughts, extreme wildfires, and hurricanesmore intense and more frequent. Some experts have hypothesized that climate change may be making winter storms more intense as well, though theres still a genuine scientific debate on that, according to Callahan.

But what scientists do agree on, he says, is that, as the planets atmosphere gets warmer, it carries more moisture, which leads to more precipitation being released, including snow.For every degree warmer, you get about 7% more moisture holding capacity in the air, and so we certainly see this happening in summer (with) extreme rain, Callahan says. So you could imagine situations in which winter storms have more precipitation and, therefore, more snow than they did before.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
President Donald Trump indulged in a midnight Truth Social spree shortly after returning from Davos, Switzerland, where he railed against familiar political foes and promoted the first ladys upcoming documentary.

Trump shared a flurry of more than 70 posts and reposts from midnight to 1 a.m. ET having arrived back in Washington, D.C. after traveling some 4,200 miles from the World Economic Forum.

Truth Social is often the first port of call for the president to share major policy news that impacts Americans, although only 3 percent use the platform, according to a Pew Research Center study.

In between launching attacks at longtime targets, including Minnesota congresswoman Ilhan Omar, former President Joe Biden, California Governor Gavin Newsom and former presidential Democratic opponent Kamala Harris, Trump took the time to promote the trailer for MELANIA, the $40 million Amazon documentary centered on his wife.

In the early hours of Friday, the president repeated false claims about 2020 election fraud, and also took credit for saving TikTok after a deal was reached Thursday to allow the Chinese-owned social media giant to operate in the U.S.

President Donald Trump indulged in a midnight Truth Social-posting spree, where he shared a flurry of more than 70 posts and reposts in just over an hour (AFP via Getty Images)

I only hope that long into the future I will be remembered by those who use and love TikTok, the president wrote.

Other posts shared by the president were clips from pro-Trump news channels including Fox, NewsMax and Breitbart. He also shared an article from news site The Hill titled, The Trump Obsession.

After a few hours of online silence, the president was posting again at 7 a.m. ET.

House Speaker Mike Johnson told The Independent that the president, 79, sleeps about three hours a night when questioned about Trumps slurring of words and appearing to mix up Greenland with Iceland in Davos.

Is this a serious question? This president sleeps about three hours a night, Johnson said. He outwears everybody in this building by a factor of two or three. He's gotten more done in the first year of his presidency than anybody in history. I cannot even believe you asked me that question.

Trump was rapidly posting on Truth Social shortly after arriving back in Washington, D.C. from Davos, Switzerland (Getty Images)

While delivering a speech about his Gaza board of peace at the conference, Trump was spotted with a large bruise on his left hand.

I clipped it on the table. So I put a littlewhat do they call itcream on it, he told reporters. I clipped it. I would say take aspirin if you like your heart, but dont take aspirin if you dont want to have a little bruising.
President Trump has set off a firestorm in the United Kingdom and among NATO allies whose troops fought and died in Afghanistan by claiming NATO forces stayed a little back from the front lines.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and leaders across the political spectrum, along with former soldiers and the parents of fallen military members, slammed Trump for dismissing the sacrifice allies made in the more than 20-year war.

Trump was wrong to diminish the role of NATO troops in Afghanistan, the spokesperson for the British prime ministers office said in a statement.

Kemi Badenoch, the opposition leader in Britain, called Trumps comments a disgrace, according to the BBC.

We mustnt have these sort of throwaway comments that actually weaken the strong relationship between those countries in the alliance, she said.

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey called Trumps comments a huge insult to our brave soldiers and said the prime minister should demand an apology from Trump.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, generally a strong ally of the U.S. president, said: Donald Trump is wrong.

The BBC interviewed Diane Dernie, the mother of former British paratrooper Ben Parkinson who served in Afghanistan, saying her son and his family lost everything from the trauma he suffered in the war.

She called Trumps statements inappropriate, and said it is absolutely disgraceful to have her sons sacrifices negated.

White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly doubled down on Trumps comments in a statement to the BBC, saying the U.S. contributions to NATO dwarf those of other countries.

Earlier this week, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte confronted Trumps claims that he didnt believe NATO allies would come to the aid of the U.S., pointing out the commitment and sacrifices NATO made after 9/11.

I heard you say yesterday and today you were not absolutely sure that the Europeans would come to the rescue of the U.S. if you will be attacked. Let me tell you they will and they did in Afghanistan, Rutte said to Trump during a meeting on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

As you know, for every two Americans who paid the ultimate price, there was one soldier from another NATO country who did not come back to his family  from the Netherlands, from Denmark, particularly from other countries.

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.
Afghan security forces and a British soldier with NATO-led Resolute Support Mission stand guard at the site of a suicide attack in Kabul, Afghanistan May 31, 2019. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

Afghan security forces and a British soldier with NATO-led Resolute Support Mission stand guard at the site of a suicide attack in Kabul, Afghanistan May 31, 2019. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

By Sam Tabahriti and Magorzata Wojtunik

LONDON, Jan 23 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called U.S. President Donald Trump's comments about European troops staying off the front lines in Afghanistan insulting and appalling, joining a chorus of criticism from other European officials and veterans.

"I consider President Trump's remarks to be insulting and frankly appalling, and I'm not surprised they've caused such hurt for the loved ones of those who were killed or injured," Starmer told reporters.

When asked whether he would demand an apology from the U.S. leader, Starmer said: "If I had misspoken in that way or said those words, I would certainly apologise."

Britain lost 457 service personnel killed in Afghanistan, its deadliest overseas war since the 1950s. For several of the war's most intense years it led the allied campaign in Helmand, Afghanistan's biggest and most violent province, while also fighting as the main U.S. battlefield ally in Iraq.

Starmer's remarks were notably strong coming from a leader who has tended to avoid direct criticism of Trump in public.

Trump told Fox Business Network's "Mornings with Maria" on Thursday the United States had "never needed" the transatlantic alliance and accused allies of staying "a little off the front lines" in Afghanistan.

His remarks added to already strained relations with European allies after he used the World Economic Forum in the Swiss ski resort of Davos to again signal his interest in acquiring Greenland.

Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel condemned Trump's remarks on Afghanistan, calling them untrue and disrespectful.

Britain's Prince Harry, who served in Afghanistan, also weighed in. "Those sacrifices deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect," he said in a statement.

'WE PAID IN BLOOD FOR THIS ALLIANCE'

"We expect an apology for this statement," Roman Polko, a retired Polish general and former special forces commander who also served in Afghanistan and Iraq, told Reuters in an interview.

Trump has "crossed a red line", he added. "We paid with blood for this alliance. We truly sacrificed our own lives."

Britain's veterans minister, Alistair Carns, whose own military service included five tours including alongside American troops in Afghanistan, called Trump's claims "utterly ridiculous".

"We shed blood, sweat and tears together. Not everybody came home," he said in a video posted on X.

Richard Moore, the former head of Britain's MI6 intelligence service, said he, like many MI6 officers, had operated in dangerous environments with "brave and highly esteemed" CIA counterparts and had been proud to do so with Britains closest ally.

Under NATO's founding treaty, members are bound by a collective-defence clause, Article 5, which treats an attack on one member as an attack on all.

It has been invoked only once - after the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington, when allies pledged to support the United States. For most of the war in Afghanistan, the U.S.-led force there was under NATO command.

POLISH SACRIFICE 'MUST NOT BE DIMINISHED'

Some politicians noted that Trump had avoided the draft for the Vietnam War, citing bone spurs in his feet.

"Trump avoided military service 5 times," Ed Davey, leader of Britain's centrist Liberal Democrats, wrote on X. "How dare he question their sacrifice."

Poland's sacrifice "will never be forgotten and must not be diminished", Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said.

Trump's comments were "ignorant", said Rasmus Jarlov, an opposition Conservative Party member of Denmark's parliament.

In addition to the British deaths, more than 150 Canadians were killed in Afghanistan, along with 90 French service personnel and scores from Germany, Italy and other countries. Denmark - now under heavy pressure from Trump to transfer its semi-autonomous region of Greenland to the U.S. - lost 44 troops, one of NATO's highest per-capita death rates.

The United States lost about 2,460 troops in Afghanistan, according to the U.S. Department of Defense, a figure on par per capita with those of Britain and Denmark.

(Reporting by Sam Tabahriti and Elizabeth Evans in London, Stine Jacobsen in Copenhagen and Terje Solsvik in Oslo, Malgorzata Wojtunik in Gdansk, additional reporting by Andrew MacAskill, Muvija M and James Davey in London and Bart Meijer in Amsterdam; Writing by Sam Tabahriti; editing by Gareth Jones, Andrew Heavens, Ros Russell and Diane Craft)
By Steve Holland, Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali

ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE, Jan 22 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the United States has an "armada" heading toward Iran but hoped he would not have to use it, as he renewed warnings to Tehran against killing protesters or restarting its nuclear program.

U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, say the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and several guided-missile destroyers will arrive in the Middle East in the coming days.

One official said additional air-defense systems were also being eyed for the Middle East, which could be critical to guard against any Iranian strike on U.S. bases in the region.

The deployments expand the options available to Trump, both to better defend U.S. forces throughout the region at a moment of tensions and to take any additional military action after striking Iranian nuclear sites in June.

"We have a lot of ships going that direction, just in case I'd rather not see anything happen, but we're watching them very closely," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on his way back to the United States after speaking to world leaders in Davos, Switzerland.

At another point, he said: "We have an armada ... heading in that direction, and maybe we won't have to use it."

The warships started moving from the Asia-Pacific last week as tensions between Iran and the United States soared following a severe crackdown on protests across Iran in recent months.

Trump had repeatedly threatened to intervene against Iran over the recent killings of protesters there but protests dwindled last week. The president backed away from his toughest rhetoric last week, claiming he had stopped executions of prisoners.

He repeated that claim on Thursday, saying Iran canceled nearly 840 hangings after his threats.

"I said: 'If you hang those people, you're going to be hit harder than you've ever been hit. It'll make what we did to your Iran nuclear (program) look like peanuts,'" Trump said.

"At an hour before this horrible thing was going to take place, they canceled it," he said, calling it "a good sign."

The U.S. military has in the past periodically surged forces to the Middle East at times of heightened tensions, moves that were often defensive.

However, the U.S. military staged a major buildup last year ahead of its June strikes against Iran's nuclear program.

Trump has said the United States would act if Tehran resumed its nuclear program after the June strikes on key sites.

"If they try to do it again, they have to go to another area. We'll hit them there too, just as easily," he said on Thursday.

Iran must report to the U.N. nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, on what happened to sites struck by the United States and the nuclear material thought to be there. That includes an estimated 440.9 kg of uranium enriched up to 60% purity which, if enriched sufficiently, could be enough for 10 nuclear bombs, according to an IAEA yardstick.

The agency has not verified Iran's stock of highly enriched uranium for at least seven months, which the watchdog advises should be done monthly.

IRAN PROTESTS SPREAD

It is unclear whether protests in Iran could also surge again. The protests began on December 28 as modest demonstrations in Tehrans Grand Bazaar over economic hardship and quickly spread nationwide.

The U.S.-based HRANA rights group said it has so far verified 4,519 unrest-linked deaths, including 4,251 protesters, and has 9,049 additional deaths under review.

An Iranian official told Reuters the confirmed death toll until Sunday was more than 5,000, including 500 members of the security forces.

Asked how many protesters were killed, Trump said: "Nobody knows... I mean, it's a lot, no matter what."

(Reporting by Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali and Nandita Bose in Washington, Steve Holland aboard Aif Force One; writing by Phil Stewart and Andrea Shalal; Editing by Matthew Lewis and Cynthia Osterman)
An exhibit about slavery outside Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, shown here in Oct. 2025, was removed by the National Park Service on Jan. 22, 2026. Credit - Michael YanowNurPhoto via Getty Images

On Jan. 22, National Park Service staff tore down an outdoor exhibit on the history of slavery at the Presidents House in Philadelphia, part of Independence National Historical Park. The removal comes after months of conjecture and protest over whether and how the sitewhich tells the story of the nine people George Washington enslaved while presidentwould reconcile its content with President Donald Trumps 2025 executive order demanding the removal of history that might inappropriately disparage famous Americans.

This latest act of historical erasure comes amid heightened scrutiny of slaverys place in Washingtons legacy in recent years. During the demonstrations for racial justice in 2020, protestors across the country defaced and tore down statues of Washington, arguing that enslavers should be reviled, not honored. Predictably, others pushed back, demanding that we continue to celebrate him as our national hero.

Though many Americans emphasize that we must acknowledge Washingtons involvement with slavery to fully understand his legacy, the Trump administration and many of his conservative allies remain unwilling to even acknowledge Washingtons flaws. In 2024, Trump told an audience, You know, they thought he had slaves. Actually, I think he probably didnt.

Yet for all their intensity, todays arguments about Washington are hardly new. In fact, disputes over how to acknowledge our first presidents relationship with slavery are as old as the nation itself. For the last 250 years, Americans have treated Washington as an endlessly flexible symbol, one they could celebrate, distort, or wield to serve the needs of their own moment.

Despite efforts to simplify or ignore it, Washingtons involvement with slavery was complicated. He enslaved more people than any of his fellow founders, and he was actively, intimately involved in every aspect of the institution. Yet Washington also privately expressed uneasiness over his entanglements with slavery, and a desire to see it gradually abolished, though he never shared those views publicly.

On his deathbed, Washington used his last will and testament to free the people he enslaved. Although that emancipation came with conditions, it remains true that at the end of his life, Washington freed 123 people from slavery.

This ambiguous legacy as both enslaver and emancipator has troubled Americans ever since.

Even during his lifetime, Washington faced criticism for holding slaves. In 1775, British essayist Samuel Johnson criticized Americas founders, many of whom held slaves: How is it we hear the loudest yelps for liberty among the drivers of Negroes?

In 1797, British abolitionist Edward Rushton wrote a letter directly to Washington, crying Shame! Shame! That man should be deemed the property of man, or that the name of Washington should be found among such proprietors. Yet Rushton also understood why many Americans couldnt recognize Washingtons hypocrisy: Man does not readily perceive defects in what he has been accustomed to venerate.

Shortly after Washingtons death in 1799, it was Richard Allena preacher born into slavery who later became the founder of the African Methodist Episcopal churchwho first told Americans that Washington had freed the people he enslaved. Weeks before the will became public, Allen urged his Philadelphia congregation to mourn Washingtons passing, praising him for having dared to do his duty, and wipe off the only stain with which man could ever reproach him.

Yet even as Washingtons will was published hundreds of times in pamphlets and newspapers and the nation learned of its remarkable emancipation provisions, few Americans highlighted it in the way Allen had. In the dozens of biographies of Washington published in the decade after his death, few bothered to mention slavery at all. This silence opened space for future generations to cherry-pick from Washingtons history with slavery as they saw fit.

Indeed, few of todays comments about Washington and slavery are more vitriolic than the criticisms levied by his nineteenth-century critics. In 1841, for example, abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison reminded Americans that Washington was a slaveholder to the day of his death, a charge other antislavery activists repeated frequently in both speeches and print.

Likewise, in 1853, radical abolitionist Parker Pillsbury reminded Americans that Washington was not only a slaveholder, but a slave hunter!! because of his attempts to recapture Ona Judge, a woman who fled from the Presidents House in Philadelphia.

Proslavery white southerners also invoked Washington, insisting theynot abolitionistswere carrying on his legacy. Washington was a slaveholder and had fought a revolution to overthrow British tyranny. Seceding from the United States to establish a slaveholding republic, they argued, was what Washington himself would have done.

They put Washingtons image on the official seal of the Confederacy, and on Confederate money, and at the top of Confederate newspapers. Most notably, when the Confederacy inaugurated its permanent government in Richmond, Va. in 1862, President Jefferson Davis delivered his remarks beneath a towering statue of Washington on George Washingtons birthday, declaring that their causethe cause of slaverywas fitly associated with the day and setting.

These competing claims persisted well after the Civil War. In 1932, as the nation prepared to celebrate Washingtons 200th birthday, the all-white federal planning body worried that, for most Americans, Washington had become a rather imaginary character.

Determined to revive the real Washington, the George Washington Bicentennial Commission launched a year-long educational campaign. They published books and newspaper columns. They produced teacher training courses, radio broadcasts, and films. They mailed 900,000 posters to American schools. They put Washington on the quarter.

None of this material explored slavery. For all their talk of reviving the real Washington, most white Americans still refused to acknowledge one of the central facts of his life and legacy.

Black Americans refused to accept that erasure. Black newspaper editors and activists presented a rival account of who the real Washington was, emphasizing his involvement with slavery. The Baltimore Afro-American, one of the nations most prominent Black newspapers, ran stories declaring Washington, on Horseback, Whipped Women Slaves until Blood Ran. In headlines, they described him as GEORGE WASHINGTON, SLAVE DRIVER.

Nearly a century before todays debates about monuments, the paper argued that statues of Washington should all include explanatory text acknowledging his involvement with slavery.

On Feb. 22, 1932Washingtons 200th birthdayrenowned scholar W. E. B. Du Bois praised Black Americans efforts to reveal Washingtons role as an enslaver. In an address in Philadelphia, Du Bois condemned Washington for failing to take a public stand against slavery, accusing him of having the same ordinary attitude with which modern white men weakly face the issue of race when it is placed before them.

Americans arguments about George Washington and slavery have never been only about him. Rather, Washington has served as a stand-in for the nation itself. His history as both enslaver and emancipator has allowed generations of Americans to selectively cite evidence, wielding the past in service of contemporary debates, rather than trying to understand or reckon with it.

The uncomfortable truth is that Americans have mostly been having the same argument about Washington and slavery for nearly 250 years. Should we condemn him, redeem him, or avoid the question altogether?

Americans have never had one answer, largely because weve never agreed on what liberty, justice, democracy, or America itself should mean, either.

Attempting to silence the issue by removing an exhibit in Philadelphia will not resolve these tensions. Each generation must confront Washingtons legacy anew, grappling with its discomfort and ambiguity.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Evan Agostini/Getty Elizabeth Smart and her parents, Ed and Lois Smart, in 2005.

NEED TO KNOW

Elizabeth Smart was kidnapped from her Utah home on June 5, 2002, by Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Barzee

She was reunited with her parents nine months later in 2003

Ed and Lois Smart divorced in 2019 after Ed came out as gay

In 2002, Elizabeth Smart's parents, Ed and Lois Smart, were thrust into a nightmare.

Elizabeth was just 14 when Brian David Mitchell threatened her at knifepoint and abducted her from her childhood bedroom in Salt Lake City on June 5, 2002. Smart was held captive by Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee, for nine months before she was rescued by police officers on March 12, 2003, in Sandy, Utah.

Elizabeth credits her parents with helping her stay strong during her kidnapping.

From as far back as I can remember, my parents have always tried to teach me whats right and what's wrong ... theyve always said, well, youll know a person by their actions, Elizabeth shared in a 2013 interview with NPR. So when I was kidnapped and [Mitchell] was telling me all of these things, I remembered what my parents said  youll know a person by their actions.

Following several trials, Barzee pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison in May 2010. She was eventually released in 2018. Meanwhile, Mitchell was convicted of kidnapping Elizabeth in December 2010 and was sentenced to life in prison.

Elizabeth has since gone on to become an activist, using her platform and harrowing time in captivity to spread awareness of violent crimes against children. Most recently, she and Ed participated in Netflix's documentary Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart, which premiered on Jan. 21. Her mother, Lois, chose not to take part in the project.

"My mom played a huge part in helping me process what happened. But now, shes ready to leave it in the past," Elizabeth said in the doc.

So, where are Elizabeth Smarts parents now? Heres everything to know about Ed and Lois Smarts lives 23 years after their daughters abduction.

Who are Elizabeth Smarts parents?

Mauricio Menjivar/Getty Ed and Lois Smart speak to the media about their daughter Elizabeth's kidnapping on June 17, 2002 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Ed and Lois Smart welcomed Elizabeth, their second-oldest child, on Nov. 3, 1987. They share six children together in total, including four sons and two daughters.

Ed, a real estate and mortgage broker, and Lois, now a public speaker, went on to co-author a 2003 book on Elizabeths kidnapping called Bringing Elizabeth Home: A Journey of Faith and Hope. They have both been been outspoken on the dangerous realities of child abuse and kidnapping following their daughter's horrific experience.

Ed and Lois were also members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and raised their children to uphold a similar faith. However in August 2019, Ed announced that he no longer felt comfortable being part of the church after coming out as gay. That year, Lois filed for divorce after 34 years of marriage, according to records obtained by The Salt Lake Tribune.

What did Elizabeth Smarts parents do after she was kidnapped?

Danny Chan La/Getty Elizabeth Smart's parents Lois and Ed Smart during a celebration at Liberty Park March 14, 2003 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

In their 2003 book, Ed and Lois went into painful detail on Elizabeths kidnapping, recalling the harrowing series of events that unfolded the day they realized she was missing.

Shes gone. Elizabeth is gone, they remembered their daughter Mary Katherine, Elizabeths younger sister, telling them. A man came and took her. He had a gun.

The pair proceeded to run through their home, switching on every light in hopes of finding Elizabeth.

Loiss eyes fell on the cut screen in the kitchen window, and she screamed in utter disbelief and shock, Ed and Lois wrote in the book. Thats when we both realized that Mary Katherines words had quickly become our worst nightmare. Our daughter Elizabeth was gone.

Ed and Lois never stopped looking for their daughter during the nine months she was gone, frequently doing media appearances to raise awareness.

"There's a big hole in our family," Ed told DeseretNews in July 2002. "I really thought this would be over long ago, and I don't know how long it's going to go on."

In his book, Ed remembered the moment he received a call from police officers in March 2003 telling him they might have found Elizabeth.

She looked like a homeless girl... I wasnt certain at first that it was her, he wrote. "I went over and put my arms around her and just started bawling. I held her back, looked her in the eyes, and said, Is it really you, Elizabeth? "

What have Elizabeth Smart's parents said about her case?

Alex Wong/Getty Ed Smart stands with his daughter Elizabeth Smart and wife Lois at the White House April 30, 2003 in Washington, DC.

In the 23 years that have followed since Elizabeths abduction, Ed and Lois have spoken out on the trauma their family endured on numerous occasions.

Shortly after Mitchell was found guilty of kidnapping Elizabeth in December 2010, Ed reflected on his daughters harrowing testimonies in an interview with CBS News, where he revealed that Elizabeth had shared more about her time in captivity during the trial.

I dont know how she had the dignity, the grace to be able to say it in the matter that shed said, he said. When Elizabeth came home, we wanted her to know that this was not her fault.

Like their daughter, Ed and Lois have gone into advocacy work. Lois is a public speaker who uses her platform "to inspire and educate others," according to her All American Speakers bio.

Ed previously served as the executive director of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, an organization that offers several healing programs for survivors and self-defense classes. He also successfully lobbied Congress for the passage of the 2003 PROTECT Act and the 2006 Adam Walsh Act, per his Youth Futures Utah bio.

Now, Ed volunteers with Youth Futures Utah, a shelter for vulnerable and homeless youth based in Ogden, Utah.

Where are Elizabeth Smarts parents now?

AP Photo/Colin E Braley Elizabeth Smart, mother Lois Smart and father Ed Smart outside federal court following a guilty verdict in the Brian David Mitchell trial on December 10, 2010 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

In 2019, Ed publicly came out as gay and announced that he and Lois had divorced after 34 years of marriage.

Speaking to CBS' Gayle King, Ed revealed that he had individually called each of his children to inform them of the news. He remembered their reactions ranging from, Well, dad if youre gay, youre gay. I still want you in my life, to Youre what? Youre what?

I wanted each one of them to hear this from me, Ed said. That grenade had been building for so many years that when it had an opportunity of going off, it was ready to.

Though Ed acknowledged that his children were still processing and probably struggling with his coming out at the time, he added that he still does feel their love, and Im very, very grateful for that.

In an August 2019 statement to Today, Elizabeth said, My parents taught me as a young child that they would love me unconditionally no matter what happened.

While I am deeply saddened by their separation, nothing could change my love and admiration for them both, she continued. Their decisions are very personal. As such, I will not pass judgment and rather am focusing on loving and supporting them and the other members of my family.

Now, Ed says he's focusing on his personal fulfillment.

I plan on being happy. And I plan on having a very full life, Ed told CBS. And I want each one of my children to be happy. And I want Lois very much to be happy.

Ed and Lois are also now grandparents to Elizabeth's three children: daughters Chloe and Olivia and son James.

Read the original article on People
For the latest winter storm updates on Saturday, Jan. 24, follow this link.

A major winter storm is forecast to spread heavy snow, sleet and dangerous ice to tens of millions of Americans across two dozen states starting on Friday and continuing into the weekend.

The storm was moving in Friday night, with freezing rain falling in Lubbock, Texas, the National Weather Service reported.

"This is expected to be an unusually large and severe winter storm," the weather service said. "Dangerously cold air remains in the forecast for more than half of the U.S. population through the weekend and into early next week."

The storm started in Texas and Oklahoma with conditions forecast to worsen by Friday evening. The system is expected to spread from New Mexico to Virginia on Saturday before pushing into the Northeast on Sunday.

A combination of significant snow, ice accumulation and frigid conditions could cause power outages and icy roads to "linger longer than usual after a typical winter storm," according to the weather service. The system is forecast to bring cold temperatures not seen since 2021, according to AccuWeather.

More than 230 million people are at risk of impacts from the storm or the bitter cold, the weather service said. Disruptive snowfall is expected from the Southern Rocky Mountains to the Northeast and two corridors from the South to the southern Mid-Atlantic will be hit with heavy ice.

Keep up with live updates from the USA TODAY Network.

Massive winter storm blankets nation. See photos Drivers navigate icy conditions on Briley Parkway in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. A winter storm brought snow and ice to Middle Tennessee starting on Saturday.

'Exceptional' sleet totals possible

Sleet and freezing rain will be making news during this storm, forecasters warned Friday.

The layer where sleet can refreeze as it falls to the surface is so deep in some areas that the National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center said some locations "will experience exceptional sleet accumulations."

Major sleet accumulations are likely from southern Oklahoma and northern Texas into central Arkansas and the Mid-South, with more than a few inches possible. The center said theres high confidence in an extreme event, leading to long-lasting impacts both to travel and infrastructure because of the bitter cold that will linger after the storm.

In southern Arkansas, northern Louisiana and parts of northern Mississippi, the probability is high for more than a half-inch of freezing rain over 72 hours, the Weather Prediction Center warned in a Jan. 23 forecast.

That ice accumulation "could be crippling" and exceed more than 3/4 of an inch of ice, "which would almost certainly lead to widespread long-lasting damage to infrastructure, including power outages and tree damage, according to an afternoon forecast from the prediction center.

Salt shortages reported in some states

States from Michigan to Vermont are facing salt shortages ahead of the upcoming storm, according to reports by local and national outlets.

Shortages in Vermont result from the frequency of storms this season, according to reporting by Vermont Public. The lack of salt has forced some towns to scale back ice removal.

State officials in Michigan also attributed shortages to the severe winter season, CBS News reported. An official from Monroe County, located between Detroit and Ohio, told the news station that local crews used more salt in December than in the past four Decembers combined.

Officials in Cleveland are telling residents that they may not have enough salt for residential streets. Plows will still be assigned to clear neighborhoods, the city said.

Avoiding Saturday airport chaos

Around 2,800 flights within the U.S. or headed into the country on Saturday were already scrapped by Friday evening, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware.

Airlines often start preemptively canceling flights ahead of bad weather to ensure airplanes and crews are positioned to get things moving as soon as possible after the storm clears. The goal is to keep airports clear, get snow removed and line up pilots, flight attendants and aircraft for a smoother recovery, Deltas chief of operations John Laughter has previously told USA TODAY.

As snow and ice move in, cancellations are likely to rise  and some will probably linger even after the skies clear, as airlines work to untangle aircraft and crew schedules. Travelers are advised to plan ahead and take advantage of the airline waivers available.

 Zach Wichter

Shoppers facing empty grocery store shelves ahead of storm

Shoppers have been panic-buying this week in anticipation of forecasts of extreme cold and a major winter storm. News reports and social media posts have been showing empty grocery shelves across the country.

USA TODAY talked to grocery and food experts to find out how prepared stores are for this influx of demand, how retailers handle getting more product to restock shelves and how long shoppers may need to wait.

"With a (storm) system this large, once road conditions start to deteriorate, it becomes much harder for stores to stay ahead. Even wellprepared retailers can only restock as long as trucks are able to run," said David Ortega, a food economist and professor at Michigan State University. "If deliveries are disrupted across multiple states, some shelves could remain empty until conditions improve."

 Betty Lin-Fisher

Can Southerners handle snow? These famous winter storms hit the South.

Forecasters are projecting over 6 inches of snow to fall on areas from New Mexico through the Texas Panhandle and Mississippi Valley while freezing rain and sleet are expected to pound the Southern Plains, the Mid-South, Tennessee Valley and the southern Mid-Atlantic.

For southern states less equipped for the cold, the forecast sparks fears of a repeat of the 2021 Texas freeze or the bitterly cold winter storm that battered New Orleans in January 2025.

Meteorologists have, luckily, said they don't expect this weekend's storm to be as devastating as others in recent Southern history. But as thousands of people have taken to prepping for the worst-case scenario, buying out stores and fortifying their homes, here's a look back at how the U.S. South has endured major winter storms of the past.

Reading more here about past disasters, from the New Year's Snowstorm of 1964 which dropped more than 17 inches of snow on Huntsville, Alabama to the Christmas Coastal Snowstorm of 1989 that saw all-time low temperatures hit coastal North Carolina.

 Mary Walrath-Holdridge

More than half of US facing winter storm. See the latest maps

Which areas face the greatest risk of snow and ice? What places are expecting subzero temperatures? How many inches of snow can you expect or whats the probability of freezing rain in your area?

Read here to see the latest maps on what to expect in terms of snowfall, wind chill and falling temperatures.

Wind chill values  what the temperature feels like  are forecast to drop to incredible lows as the storm moves across the nation, as low as 50 degrees below zero in the darkest pink areas.

Ice storm triggers power outage concerns

Power outages are an increasing concern across the regions set to be hit with the "catastrophic" ice storms that can down trees and power lines.

Electric companies have pre-positioned equipment, resources and more than 50,000 mutual assistance workers from at least 36 states and the District of Columbia, the Edison Electric Institute said Friday morning. Those workers will be ready to begin damage assessment and response efforts as soon as it is safe, the Institute said.

In Texas, the state hopes to avoid a replay of the 2021 disaster that occurred when a winter storm blanketed the state in snow, ice and bitter cold. A grid outage left up to 4 million without power.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) issued a weather watch earlier this week because of the risky combination of freezing temperatures, precipitation and high energy demand.

ERCOT, which manages the electrical grid for most of the state, asked Texans to conserve power and asked government agencies to reduce energy use at their facilities. The councils President and CEO Pablo Vegas met with state officials on Thursday to discuss preparations for the powerful storm expected to deliver ice and snow across a wide portion of the state.

ICF, an energy power markets analyst, shared in a post on LinkedIn on Friday morning that the extreme cold conditions could put the states power grid to the test. The key will be storage and demand-side response availability during critical hours, the analysis stated. Other variables such as outages, forecasted demand, and wind output could also play important roles.

Demand is forecast to be highest during the early evening hours on Jan. 26 to Jan. 28, according to ICF.

More: Texas improved power grid after catastrophic 2021 Texas storm. Here's how

Polar plunge: Below-zero wind chills to spread

Cold air has blasted into the central United States, sending wind chills plunging to as low as minus 58 degrees in Brooks, Minnesota, and Langdon, North Dakota, on Friday morning.

A combination of cold temperatures and windy conditions were conspiring to produce widespread wind chill readings in the negative 50s across parts of Minnesota and North Dakota, the weather service reported. Wind chills in the minus 15 to minus 21 range occurred across Kansas and west into Colorado. In the Aberdeen, South Dakota, region, wind chill values of more than 45 degrees below zero, were reported, including a minus 48 in Summit, South Dakota. Wind chills Minnesota and North Dakota also were reported at minus 40, including in Fargo and Grand Forks.

Even as far south as Lubbock, Texas, wind chills and temperatures plummeted on Friday morning.

The weather service reports wind chills also will plunge into the sub zero range farther east by Monday morning, including in Kentucky, where wind chills could be minus 15 to minus 20 on Tuesday.

People brace the cold temperatures while walking on the Brooklyn Bridge in the Manhattan borough of New York City on January 21, 2026.

Extreme cold in Chicago could lead to 'icequakes' this week

Locals in the greater Chicago area may hear a sudden "boom" over the weekend  the result of what meteorologists call a frost quake, a weather phenomenon that takes place when temperatures plummet and groundwater freezes quickly.

According to AccuWeather, frost quakes, also sometimes called icequakes, are seismic events caused by a sudden cracking action in frozen soil or rock saturated with water or ice.

"Since water expands when it freezes, it can basically push apart dirt and rocks. If this expansion happens all at once, say a rock under pressure gives way and breaks, it can lead to the sound and earthquake like sensation," AccuWeather senior meteorologist Adam Douty wrote in an AccuWeather report.

Frost quakes are often mistaken for earthquakes, since initial indicators may appear similar, but meteorologists said they have nothing to do with tectonic plates.

The phenomenon takes place frequently in Alaska and the northeastern United States, AccuWeather reported, as well as Canada and Iceland.

-Natalie Neysa Alund

How can it sleet when temperatures are 20 degrees?

It might seem counterintuitive that sleet can fall when temperatures near the surface are 20 degrees, but the weather service explains it is possible. When theres a warm layer above the surface thats just above freezing, it can melt the snow, even though temperatures at the ground are in the low 20s, the weather service office in Mount Holly, New Jersey explained on Friday morning.

On its fall to the ground, that melted snow falls through a deep layer of well below freezing air temperatures that refreeze it into sleet.

Airlines cancel flights, offer waivers as winter storm nears

Airlines often start preemptively cancelling flights ahead of bad weather to ensure airplanes and crews are positioned to get things moving as soon as possible after the storm clears. Nearly 1,700 are already scrapped for Saturday, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware, as carriers work to position planes and crews to quickly restart once the weather passes.

The goal is to keep airports clear, get snow removed, and line up pilots, flight attendants, and aircraft for a smoother recovery, Deltas chief of operations John Laughter has previously told USA TODAY. As snow and ice move in, cancellations are likely to rise  and some will probably linger even after the skies clear, as airlines work to untangle aircraft and crew schedules.

Airlines began offering travel waivers to help customers avoid flight disruptions earlier in the week and have since expanded which flights are covered. Terms vary, but these waivers generally allow travelers to rebook without penalty or get flight credit if they cancel their trips.

-Zach Wichter and Eve Chen

Millions under extreme weather alerts

Friday afternoon, much of the eastern half of the country was blanketed by some form of extreme winter weather alert from the weather service.

Roughly 180 million Americans were under some kind of watch, warning or advisory for snow, sleet or freezing rain. When coupled with the states that were under advisories for cold or extreme cold temperatures, more than 220 million people could be affected, said Jacob Asherman, a meteorologist with the Weather Prediction Center.

Winter storm warnings extended from New Mexico and Texas, through parts of Tennessee and into the Midwest, West Virginia and surrounding states. Extreme cold warnings were declared in states including the Dakotas, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois.

'Be prepared to be stuck at home'

Forecasters warned that the overwhelming snow and ice in some areas in the path of the storm could make recovery a lengthy process, with plows making slow progress on covered roads. Lingering freezing temperatures will also mean ice and snow won't melt after the storm passes.

"Everyone in the path of this storm should have emergency supplies, food, bottled water and a plan to charge their cell phone and stay warm with emergency heating options if the power goes out," AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter said. "Be prepared to be stuck at home for several days."

Storm to bring heavy snow and 'catastrophic' ice

The far-reaching winter storm will last from Friday through Monday, according to the weather service. Heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain will be widespread from the Southern Rocky Mountains to New England.

Snowfall totals above 12 inches are likely across the Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, and will cause travel disruptions, the weather service said.

"Extremely cold air will follow, prolonging dangerous travel and infrastructure impacts into next week," the weather service warned. "In wake of the storm, communities from the Southern Plains to the Northeast will contend with bitterly cold temperatures and dangerously cold wind chills."

Forecasters also warned of "catastrophic" ice accumulation with freezing rain and sleet impacting parts of the Southern Plains, Lower Mississippi Valley, Tennessee Valley, the Southeast and southern Virginia. The weather service said significant to local ice accumulations could cause long-duration power outages, extensive tree damage, and extremely dangerous or impassable travel conditions.

More than 19 million people across the south are under an ice storm warning.

More: A look at some of the biggest snowstorms as winter storm set to hit US

Over 15 states issue disaster or emergency declarations

At least 16 states have issued emergency declarations ahead of the major storm, including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.

Alabama issued a state of emergency for 19 northern counties in anticipation of the "wintery and icy forecast for the state," according to a news release.

Maryland declared a state of preparedness with the storm expected to bring accumulating snow and potential ice to the state.

The storm will likely affect roads and transportation centers and could cause significant snow accumulation in some parts of the state, a news release said. Marylanders are cautioned to avoid travel if possible, to follow local forecasts, and to stay prepared for winter storm hazards.

West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey also declared a "state of preparedness," noting that the weather service has issued a winter storm watch for most of the state from Saturday morning through Monday morning.

Which states will be hit hardest?

While snow is expected all the way from the Southwest to the Northeast, and everywhere in between, AccuWeather meteorologist Bob Larson told USA TODAY there is potential for portions of Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia to receive up to 24 inches of snow or more.

"This will be a large and potentially historic storm, with major impacts over a very large area (more than 2 dozen states)," Larson said in an email, noting that "the greatest risk of a major ice storm will extend from Texas to the Carolinas."

Local officials in these areas have urged residents to avoid traveling and prepare for possible power outages. The weather service has advised the public to stay home and off the roads during this time due to the hazardous weather conditions.

A view of downtown Rochester, New York, from Monroe Avenue after overnight snowfall on Jan. 22, 2026.

Winter storm causes rare phenomenon in upstate New York

A winter storm packing strong winds and newly fallen snow caused dozens of "snow rollers" to appear overnight in the Rochester suburb of Chili, according to a local video.

Snow rollers are nature's own snowballs that grow ever larger as wind, gravity and very specific weather conditions cause these winter equivalents to tumbleweeds to start rolling around. Snow rollers can be the size of a small snowball or grow as large as a car, according to the Idaho Department of Education.

For snow rollers to form, there must be a light dusting of snow on top of an icy layer on the ground, sometimes a hill or other flat expanse with no little vegetation. The snow needs to be wet enough so that it can adhere to itself but not stick to the ground. The wind must be around 30 miles per hour to coax the snow into its cylindrical shape, and the temperature must be three to five degrees above freezing.

That level of cold allows the balls to form in cool shapes, but doesn't let the snow melt completely. Read more.

-Bill Wolcott, the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

See snowfall totals nationwide

Stay up-to-date on how much snow falls by checking USA TODAY's snowfall tracker:

Contributing: Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Winter storm live updates: Latest forecast, news as snow and ice brew
The Callaway Nuclear Power Plant in Missouri. Photo: Michael Gattorna / Pexels

(The Center Square)  A bill that would incentivize nuclear energy by providing credits and allowing companies to charge customers for developing the nuclear energy in Wisconsin passed the Assembly with an 86-11 vote despite opposition from multiple groups.

Clean Wisconsin and Americans for ProsperityWisconsin opposed the bill following discussions with Rep. Shae Sortwell, R-Gibson, who called AFP and Clean Wisconsins opposition dishonest opposition after he worked with both to amend the bill to their liking.

The bill creates a $1.21 per megawatt-hour of generation credit for companies for the first 10 years after 2030 and then a gradually reduced credit for the next 10 years.

Despite making the exact changes that they requested, these interest groups moved the goalposts, showing dishonest opposition, Sortwell said in a statement. I can understand Clean Wisconsins position because they only want expansion of wind and solar energy, but AFP lobbied aggressively against what they thought were energy monopolies earlier this session. Yet now they oppose energy source diversity. However, with their organization being primarily funded by those with a large stake in fossil fuels, their opposition makes more sense.

AFPWisconsin reiterated that it supports nuclear energy development but believes that shouldnt come from the pocketbooks of ratepayers.

Charging ratepayers upfront and guaranteeing a rate of return before any energy is produced is a model that utilities are looking to implement across the country, AFP-WI Legislative Director Jerry Ponio said in a statement. But our organization is under no obligation to protect or advocate for the interests of investor-owned utilities; our organization will continue to advocate for all Wisconsin ratepayers. We believe that effort is more crucial now as families and businesses have seen energy rates in Wisconsin increase over $2 billion since 2019.

The bill also authorizes the Public Service Commission to approve electric tariffs to large customers so that residential customers dont pay for the electricity demand from large customers.

Assembly Bill 472 will next head to the Senate, where it must be approved before it can be sent to Gov. Tony Evers.
Rashawn Bedeau was jailed for two years at Leeds Crown Court [West Yorkshire Police]

A woman who fled to Barbados with a shooting suspect and helped bankroll him for several months has been jailed.

Rashawn Bedeau, 28, left the UK with Ellis Thornton in January 2023, while the latter was wanted by police in connection with an incident in Halifax.

West Yorkshire Police said Bedeau then went on to fund Thornton as he moved to Suriname and then Mexico.

Bedeau, of Arley Street in Leeds, was jailed for two years at Leeds Crown Court on Friday for assisting an offender, having previously been found guilty at trial.

Det Sgt Andrew Ellis said: "Bedeau helped Ellis Thornton leave the country and continued to fund his lifestyle for several months despite knowing he was a wanted suspect for a serious offence here in West Yorkshire."

"I hope today's sentence sends a message out to anyone who is in two minds about hindering a police inquiry in this manner. There is a penalty to pay."

A force spokesperson said while Thornton remains a wanted man in the UK, he is currently in custody in the United States in connection with separate allegations.

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.

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A nurse pushes a patient in a wheelchair down a hospital hallway. Photo: Shopify Partners / Burst

(The Center Square)  Thousands of nurses at several major New York City medical centers striking amid stalled contract negotiations dont have to abandon their patients, but rather their union, to avoid paying fines for continuing to work.

This is according to the National Right to Work Foundation, a nonprofit legal firm that represents disgruntled workers seeking constitutional protections from unions who released special legal notice for 15,000 nurses told to strike across the city.

On Jan. 12, the New York State Nurses Association, representing 15,000 unionized nurses at Mount Sinai, Montefiore and NewYork-Presbyterian hospitals, hit the picket lines shortly after 6 a.m. after union leaders say talks with hospital officials failed to make "meaningful progress" on core demands. Those range from improved pay and health care benefits to staffing levels and workplace violence protections.

Unfortunately, greedy hospital executives have decided to put profits above safe patient care and force nurses out on strike when we would rather be at the bedsides of our patients," NYSNA President Nancy Hagans said in a statement. "Hospital management refuses to address our most important issues  patient and nurse safety. It is shameful that the citys richest hospitals refuse to continue healthcare benefits for frontline nurses, refuse to staff safely for our patients, and refuse to protect us from workplace violence. Nurses do not want to strike, but our bosses have forced us out on strike."

The foundation says nurses who want to keep working should leave the union and any fines they may face for breaking the picket lines would be unconstitutional.

Despite often-misleading claims by union officials, no employee can be required to be a member of a union, the foundation said in its memo. If an employee is not a member of a union, union officials have no power to fine or discipline him or her. In this way, employees have the right to rebuff union strike demands.

Representatives for the medical centers say the unions proposed salary and benefit packages would drive up hospital costs by billions of dollars in the coming years as they face financial pressures over cuts in Medicaid funding and other federal support.

"The planning and personnel costs required to responsibly run our hospitals for what we anticipate could be a long strike are substantial, but we are prepared to maintain these operations," Brendan G. Car, Mount Sinai's CEO, said in a statement Sunday night. "We have explained to NYSNA that given the extreme financial pressures facing health care, we have a fixed budget that can be used either for nurse wages and benefits or to prepare and operate during a strike."

The union's existing contract expired at the end of 2025 and both sides have been meeting to hammer out details of a new collective bargaining agreement. NYSNA's bargaining teams say the union wants higher pay and safer working conditions for its members.

Chris Wade contributed to this report.
American rock climber Alex Honnold, the death-defying star of the 2018 Academy Award-winning documentary Free Solo, will try to scale one of the tallest buildings in the world on Saturday: Taiwans Taipei 101 skyscraper. He will tackle all 1,667 feet of Taipei 101 the same way he tackled El Capitan, the sheer granite monolith he summited in Free Solo: without a single rope, harness or safety net.

And he will do it live on Netflix.

The climb was initially scheduled to take place on Friday, but was postponed for 24 hours shortly before Honnold was set to begin his ascent due to wet weather.

No one has ever free soloed Taipei 101 before  just as, before Honnold, no one had ever free soloed Yosemites El Capitan. (Urban climber Alain Robert, better known as the French Spider-Man, scaled the skyscraper when it opened in 2004, but Taiwans government insisted that he use a rope.)

Nor has anyone ever streamed such a risky endeavor in real time, as its happening.

So one way or another, history will be made on Skyscraper Live, Saturdays global event. Notoriously, inexplicably fearless, Honnold himself doesnt sound spooked. I dont think itll be that extreme, he recently told Robert on the latters climbing podcast. Well see. I think its the perfect sweet spot where its hard enough to be engaging for me and obviously an interesting climb.

But the rest of us? Well be on the edge of our seats. Heres everything you need to know about Honnold and what hes attempting to accomplish.

How hard is it to climb Taipei 101?

It isnt easy. For one thing, buildings go straight up  unlike even the most extreme rocks. Buildings are steeper than most rock faces, Honnold told Netflixs Tudum. Most rock faces, even the ones that look vertical, arent actually vertical, or theyre not vertical for the whole way  whereas the building is vertical the whole way, so its cool.

Glass and steel are also slippery. Those seem to be the more cruxy moments of the medium, just trusting the glass with your climbing shoe, Colorado climber and YouTuber Noah Kane recently told Slate. There are a couple clips of Alain Robert slipping on a building. He doesnt fall, but his foot slips off the glass, and his heart flutters for a second.

Finally, buildings are consistent and repetitive in ways no natural formation could ever be  which means Honnold will have to execute the same tiring moves over and over again.

That has its pluses and minuses. Its not like youre going to forget one of the key footholds or something, whereas on rock faces sometimes its hard to remember exactly how to climb something, Honnold told Tudum. On a building, you know how to climb it, but its physically more taxing because youre doing the same thing over and over, so your muscles get tired.

What will the climb actually involve?

Taipei 101 has 101 floors  hence the name. The hardest part will be the 64 floors in the middle, which resemble bamboo boxes. Each box is eight stories high, and each one tapers outward, creating a challenging overhang for Honnold to navigate. Once he does, hell be able to rest on a balcony before tackling the next box.

They overhang, I dont know, 10 or 15 degrees  its kind of steep, Honnold told Tudum. This means you do quite a hard effort for almost 100 feet and then theres a balcony, and then you do hard effort for 100 feet and theres a balcony.  The boxes are definitely the most physically demanding part.

Will there be any safety measures at all?

James Smith of Plimsoll Productions told the Associated Press that he will be able to communicate with Honnold throughout the event. Plus, there will be cameramen positioned inside the building, various hatches and places to bail during the climb and four high-angle camera operators suspended on ropes, according to the AP.

These people all know Alex. They trust Alex. Theyre going to be close to him throughout the whole climb, Smith said. Theyre going to get us kind of amazing shots, but theyre also there just to keep an eye on him, and if theres any problems, they can kind of help.

The weather has to be right for such a risky feat. It wasnt on Friday, so Honnold will try his luck on Saturday.

If theres been a light shower and the buildings drying off, the temperature here is pretty good, theres often a light breeze, so the building will dry relatively quickly, Smith said in an interview with Variety. If it is deemed too wet, if theres too much moisture on the building, we will probably delay to the next day, which would be a Saturday night transmission in the U.S. We could even delay another day if we needed to. Obviously Alex has to be 100% comfortable and happy in himself and in the conditions.

The climb will also stream with a 10-second delay, in case anything goes wrong.

You can imagine what well do in a worst-case scenario, Netflix unscripted series vice president Jeff Gaspin told Variety. Well cut away. We have a 10-second delay. Nobody expects or wants to see anything like that to happen.

But again, there wont be any ropes, harnesses or safety nets. Just Honnolds hands, feet, body and brain (along with some climbing gloves and shoes).

Why is Honnold climbing Taipei 101?

Why not? he said when Tudum asked the same question.

Among the other reasons Honnold has cited:

Opportunity : Its really hard to get permission to climb a building and [because] I have permission, I have to take advantage of it and climb the building. Basically, its just rare to get this kind of opportunity, so you gotta jump when you can. [Tudum]

Novelty: I think Ive always had curiosity about what it would feel like to climb a building this big. Ive climbed tons of huge walls in the world but never something man-made like that. [Tudum]

Joy: My hope is that people watching it will at least see the joy in it. Like when youre a kid and look around and think, Itd be amazing to climb up there. As an adult, that gets hammered out of you. Why would you do that? Thats dangerous. Do you have insurance? You know, all that type of stuff. But theres something to be said for maintaining that childlike joy of just looking at it, like, That is amazing. I want to do that. [New York Times]

One reason that doesnt factor in, according to Honnold? Money.

I would do it for free, he told the Times. If there was no TV program and the building gave me permission to go do the thing, I would do the thing because I know I can, and itd be amazing. I mean, just sitting by yourself on the very top of the spire is insane.

Is Honnold getting paid?

Of course. Citing two people with direct knowledge of the arrangement, the Times reports that Honnold will be paid in the mid-six figures for the climb.

What about Honnolds wife and kids? Are they OK with this?

Not really. In 2020, Honnold married writer and climber Sanni McCandless, who was his girlfriend during the filming of Free Solo. McCandlesss concern for Honnolds safety  her fear that she could lose him  was perhaps the most affecting part of the film.

But that didnt stop Honnold then, and its not stopping him now.

Honestly, I dont think the calculus has changed that much, Honnold told the Times. Because I never wanted to die. Which is why I put so much effort into the preparation and training. I mean, implicit in the question is that I have more to live for, and, yeah, I have more to live for, and Im still doing my very best to not die.

Honnold and McCandless also have two daughters under 4, Alice and June. What about them?

I mean, baby Alice wouldnt remember if he died, Honnold told the Times. Baby June probably wouldnt remember. Shell be 4 in another month. Itd be felt, and obviously itd be super hard for Sanni, but theyd be well provided for. I dont feel like Id be leaving them in the lurch. They wouldnt even necessarily be traumatized their whole lives.

To be fair, though, Honnold said McCandless is less worried about the actual climbing of Taipei 101 than the event side of it, like the spectacle. Shes worried about all the public commentary.

What other crazy things has Honnold climbed?

In addition to El Cap, Honnold has free soloed the Phoenix (a notoriously difficult crack climb) and the Regular Northwest Face of Half Dome (another huge wall), both in Yosemite, as well as the long and technically demanding Moonlight Buttress in Zion. Hes also climbed Synthetic Happiness in Red Rock, known for its very thin, slippery holds, and completed the first-ever traverse of Fitz Roy massif in Patagonia, which involved seven distinct peaks.

How to watch Skyscraper Live?

Tune in to Netflix on Saturday, Jan. 24, at 8 p.m. ET for the two-hour live event.

If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission.
A Korean social media profile page displays a user holding a card, profile details, recent news, and a pixel art virtual room. On the right, chat and profile icons are visible. The interface has blue and white colors.

Before Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok became the giants of our digital lives, there was a vast ecosystem of social media platforms that once defined how people connected online. From odd niche communities to networks that shaped the idea of sharing and socializing on the web, these platforms were innovators in their time, only to fade into obscurity as trends shifted and technology evolved. In this list of 20 forgotten social media platforms that once ruled the internet, we will revisit the rise and fall of these digital pioneers, exploring how they captured millions of users attention, influenced online culture and ultimately cemented the way for the social networks we know today.

1. Friendster

animonafolder/reddit.com

Friendster launched in 2002 and became one of the first mainstream social networks, connecting millions of users worldwide. It introduced the concept of online friends and profile-based communities, laying the groundwork for future platforms. Unfortunately, technical issues and slow innovation caused users to migrate elsewhere.

2. MySpace

Saurkraut00/reddit.com

In the mid-2000s, MySpace was the undisputed king of social networking, famous for customizable profiles and music. It gave rise to countless bands and internet personalities, shaping pop culture in ways Facebook never did. But cluttered design and poor management led to its downfall.

3. Orkut

Deleted/reddit.com

Googles Orkut was a massive hit in Brazil and India, where it became the dominant social network for years. It offered communities, scrapbooks, and testimonials, fostering close online friendships. Despite its popularity abroad, Google shut it down in 2014 after failing to expand globally and losing ground to Facebook.

4. Hi5

Wikimedia Commons

Hi5 was a colorful, customizable platform that thrived in Latin America and Asia during the mid-2000s. It blended social networking with games and discovery features, making it fun and interactive. Over time, it pivoted into a dating-focused site, losing its original charm and mainstream audience.

5. Bebo

rambo_elite/reddit.com

Bebo, launched in 2005, was especially popular in the UK and Ireland, offering playful features like whiteboards for doodles. It briefly rivaled MySpace and Facebook, attracting millions of users with its quirky design. However, after AOL acquired it, mismanagement and competition led to its quick decline.

6. Xanga

Anonymous5/reddit.com

Xanga was a blogging-centered social network where users shared journal entries, photos, and comments. It thrived among teens and young adults who wanted a creative outlet for personal expression. As blogging evolved and platforms like Tumblr and WordPress rose, Xanga disappeared.

7. LiveJournal

AdSpecialist6598/reddit.com

LiveJournal combined blogging with community forums, creating a hub for writers, artists, and fandoms. It was beloved for its tight-knit groups and long-form storytelling culture. Eventually, newer platforms with sleeker interfaces stole its audience.

8. Bolt

Deleted9/reddit.com

Bolt was one of the earliest teen-focused social networks, dating back to the late 1990s. It offered chat rooms, message boards, and personal pages, making it a pioneer in online youth culture. Despite its innovation, it shut down in 2008 as newer competitors dominated the scene.

9. SixDegrees

Dryden79/reddit.com

SixDegrees, launched in 1997, is often considered the first true social network. It allowed users to list friends and connect through them, introducing the six degrees of separation concept online. Ahead of its time, it closed in 2001 due to limited internet adoption and monetization challenges.

10. Tagged

Wikimedia Commons

It began as a teen social network but later pivoted toward social discovery and dating. It offered games, profiles, and ways to meet new people, carving out a niche audience. While never mainstream, it survived longer than many peers before merging into the MeetMe app.

11. iWiW

Wikimedia Commons

iWiW, short for International Whos Who, was Hungarys most popular social network in the 2000s. It dominated locally, connecting millions of Hungarian users before Facebook arrived. Unable to compete globally, it shut down in 2014, remembered fondly as Hungarys digital meeting place.

12. Mixi

Wikimedia Commons

Mixi was Japans leading social network in the mid-2000s, focused on diary entries and community groups. It thrived in a culture that valued privacy and smaller circles of friends. Though overshadowed by Facebook and Twitter, Mixi still exists today as a niche platform.

13. Cyworld

justcallmejan/reddit.com

Cyworld was a South Korean social network where users decorated virtual mini-hompy rooms. It blended socializing with digital creativity, becoming a cultural phenomenon in Asia. As mobile apps and Facebook grew, its popularity declined, though it remains a nostalgic memory for many.

14. Habbo Hotel

Jackinplastic31/reddit.com

Habbo Hotel was a virtual world where teens created avatars, decorated hotel rooms, and socialized. It was wildly popular in the early 2000s, blending gaming with social networking. Over time, newer platforms and games stole its audience, but Habbo remains iconic in internet history.

15. Second Life

Anonymous10/reddit.com

Second Life wasnt just a social network, it was a virtual universe where users built avatars, businesses, and communities. It had its peak in the mid-2000s, attracting media attention and even real companies.

16. FriendFeed

Wikimedia Commons

FriendFeed aggregated updates from multiple social networks, offering a one-stop feed for online activity. It was beloved by tech enthusiasts for its real-time sharing and integration. Acquired by Facebook in 2009, it was eventually shut down, but its influence shaped Facebooks news feed.

17. App.net

Wikimedia Commons

App.net launched in 2012 as a subscription-based, ad-free alternative to Twitter. It attracted developers and early adopters who wanted a cleaner, more open platform. Despite its noble mission, it never gained enough traction and shut down in 2017.

18. Ello

ArdNd/reddit.com

Ello emerged in 2014 as a minimalist, ad-free social network for creatives. It gained hype as the anti-Facebook, attracting artists and designers. However, it struggled to retain users and eventually pivoted into a niche community for digital art.

19. Google+

Wikimedia Commons

Google+ launched in 2011 with features like circles and hangouts, aiming to rival Facebook. Despite heavy promotion, it failed to attract sustained engagement from users. Security issues and declining activity led to its shutdown in 2019.

20. Vine

Ok-Following6886/reddit.com

Vine revolutionized short-form video with its six-second clips, sparking memes and launching internet stars. It became a cultural phenomenon, influencing how people consumed video online. Despite its impact, Twitter shut it down in 2017, paving the way for TikToks rise.

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Binance, the worlds biggest cryptocurrency exchange, has formally applied for a pan-European license known as MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) that digital asset firms operating in the continent must obtain before July 1. The European Union introduced the MiCA regime in 2023 as a way to standardize the regulatory and compliance regime for crypto companies, while also streamlining the process for those firms to set up shop across different EU jurisdictions.

Despite earlier speculation that Binance would seek its license in Malta or Latvia, the exchange opted to file in Greece, where it has also set up a holding company. The Binance application was first reported by the countrys English-language news site D News. The site reported that the process is on a fast-track under the Hellenic Capital Market Commission (HCMC), and that the regulator has asked major accounting firms, including Ernst & Young and KPMG, to help it review the proposal.

A Binance spokesperson confirmed in a statement that the company had sought a MiCA license in Athens, and that it was in active discussions with the HCMC. They added that Binance views the MiCA regime as offering regulatory clarity and a clear framework for innovation.

Greece is perhaps a surprising choice for the application given that Athens is not known as a major financial center, and its regulators are not known as overtly crypto-friendly as is the case with Malta. If the application is approved, it would likely result in Binance creating a significant footprint in the country in the form of a major corporate office and a sizable number of staff.

Greece is an important contributor to the EUs economic framework, with an economy growing above the EU average and a strong regulatory environment that promotes financial stability, transparency, and investor protection, said the Binance spokesperson.

The HCMC did not reply to a request to comment on the application or its timeline. According to D News, Binances Greek holding company has been incorporated for an indefinite duration, suggesting a long-term strategic presence rather than a temporary arrangement.

Key deadline looms

When the European Union introduced MiCA, many crypto observers hailed it as a first-of-its kind regime that effectively combined consumer protection and regulatory clarity. At the time MiCA went into force in 2023, EU member countries gave firms with existing crypto operations until the end of June to obtain a license. Firms that fail to obtain one in time could be forced to shut down operations in various countries.

This deadline puts pressure on Binance, which currently operates in at least six European countries through licenses issued by various national regulators. The company has offices in several European countries, including France, where it has had a tangled relationship with authorities over compliance policies. In October, Binance, which in 2022 agreed to settle a major criminal probe in the United States, confirmed that it has been subject to onsite inspections by JUNALOC, the Paris division of the French Public Prosecutors Office.

In recent months, a handful of countries led by France have expressed unease over the MiCA regime, which lets firms with a license passport into every EU country, and pushed to hand crypto regulation over to a central authority, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). Crypto industry lawyers and others, however, have warned it would be disruptive to upend the MiCA regime at this stage. Its unclear for now if the ESMA proposal has meaningful traction.

Barring a major change to the MiCA regime, Binance is likely well-positioned to receive a license from the Greek regulators. According to a person familiar with the process, companies typically engage with regulators for months before applying for a MiCA license, and only do so when they have a reasonable confidence it will be approved. When a license is granted, crypto companies can operate and engage in marketing across the EU, though they are still subject to certain national laws, including those related to consumer protection.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
President Donald Trumps push to bring Greenland under U.S. control has triggered a backlash in Denmark, boosting user numbers for a U.S. product boycott app by 1,400%.

As Trump revived the idea of acquiring Greenland, Made OMeter, available on iOS, Android, and desktop, joined the list of the most downloaded apps in Denmark, with an estimated 11,000 downloads across iOS and Android in January, according to mobile analytics and intelligence platform Appfigures.

For context, the Denmark iOS App Store sees about 200,000 downloads per day, Appfigures notes.

Made OMeter allows users to scan everyday products from cotton swabs to cereal boxes and uses AI to identify whether the product is linked to a U.S. company. If the product is tied to the U.S., the app will give you more details about the company that produced it and where it was manufactured. It will also suggest alternative products with no U.S. link.

The apps programmer, Ian Rosenfeldt, said he saw a huge spike in users over the past several days, with users uploading just over 20,000 photos to the browser version of Made OMeter, with similar upload numbers for the apps iOS and Android versions, as Trump resurrected the issue of securing Greenland for the U.S. this week.

Trump seemed to back away from the brink of catastrophe in his Wednesday speech at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, by saying he would not use military force to take Greenland. Still, he didnt drop the idea entirely, insisting he was seeking immediate negotiations to once again discuss the acquisition of Greenland by the United States.

In the midst of this controversy, Rosenfeldt said he wasnt surprised the app gained traction this week.

[Danish citizens] love the American people, but we dont like the way that the government is treating Europe and Denmark, and especially not when theyre threatening on stealing Greenland, he told Fortune.

Rosenfeldt, who is also cofounder of Copenhagen-based digital marketing agency InboundCPH, said he created Made OMeter last March after joining a Facebook group dedicated to identifying and boycotting U.S. products. The app surged in popularity at the time, he said, as he promoted it in the Facebook group, but later user numbers fell off. It wasnt until this week that interest once again exploded as it did before.

The apps increased popularity is partly the result of Rosenfeldts choosing to make it free, despite the heavy costs associated with the tokens processed by the apps AI. Users can donate through the app to support its operations.

After Trump revived his long-running push for increased U.S. control of Greenland at Davos this week, Greenlands Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, responded. While the president touted a framework for a future deal on Greenland, reportedly struck with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Nielsen insisted the countrys sovereignty is a red line. While Trump hinted that the deal with NATO involved U.S. mineral rights as well as his proposed Golden Dome missile defense system, he did not provide full details of the agreement, CNBC reported.

While Rosenfeldt doesnt believe Trump will change his mind on the Greenland issue just because of a boycott on American products, he is still hopeful it will have an impact.

I just think that if we make a choice to not buy too much American tech products and so forth, and be a bit less naive and think everything is just fine, then we will be better off, he said.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
The annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, was dominated by one topic this year: AI.

From medical device makers to bankers to tech executives, artificial intelligence was the hot topic among the global elite gathered in the Swiss Alps.

And while the promise of robots and AIs future was certainly top of mind, the biggest discussions revolved around the technologys potential impact on the broader labor market.

BlackRock (BLK) CEO and interim co-chair of the World Economic Forum, Larry Fink, referenced the danger of job losses caused by AI during his discussion with Nvidia (NVDA) CEO Jensen Huang, while JPMorgan (JPM) CEO Jamie Dimon said plans need to be put in place for potential government intervention to prevent companies from enacting mass AI-driven layoffs.

Dimon predicted there would be civil unrest if, for instance, self-driving trucks replaced an estimated 2 million US truckers at the press of a button, leaving them with far lower salaries than theyre used to.

How do you have plans in place to make it work better if in fact [AI] does something terrible  and that's the only way to do it, he said.

Read more: Are we in an AI bubble? How to protect your portfolio if your AI investments turn against you.

Fears of job losses

Concerns that AI will lead to large-scale layoffs across various economic sectors have been bubbling for years. But as generative AI continues to advance, leading to multimodal language models and agentic AI, the alarm bells are getting louder.

Anthropic (ANTH.PVT) CEO Dario Amodei said during a conversation at Davos that the tech industry is six to 12 months away from an AI model that can perform most, if not all, of the job functions of a software engineer.

During the same chat, Google (GOOG, GOOGL) DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis predicted that well begin to see AI impacting internships as well as entry-level and junior-level jobs this year.

BlackRock CEO Larry Fink talks during the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Fink raised similar concerns about AI supplanting humans in analyst positions at legal and financial institutions.

Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, provided a dire view of the impact of AI on the job market saying that, On average 40% of jobs are touched by AI, either enhanced or scrapped, or changed quite significantly without implications for better pay.

Georgieva described AI expansion as a tsunami hitting the labor market.

Even in the best prepared countries, I don't think we are prepared enough, she added.

While job losses were a major topic during the weeklong forum, there was also a good deal of pontification about how AI will help jobs.

Read more: Worried about job security? Take these 5 steps now to protect your finances.

Huang and Roy Jakobs, CEO of Royal Philips, separately pointed to how radiologists are using AI to help augment their jobs, with Huang adding that while the number of radiologists was initially expected to decline, the amount has instead increased.

And while Hassabis said he expects lower-level jobs to take a hit from AI, he also explained that he believes the technology will lead to new, even more valuable, perhaps more meaningful jobs.

Still, Fink issued a stark warning to the crowd during his opening remarks at Davos.

If AI does to white-collar workers what globalization did to blue-collar workers, we need to confront that reality directly. Not with abstractions about the jobs of tomorrow, but with a credible plan for broad participation in these gains, he said.

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Email Daniel Howley at dhowley@yahoofinance.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DanielHowley.

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The traditional world is embracing crypto, Ben Zhou, who leads the worlds second-largest crypto exchange by trading volume, tells Fortune. (COURTESY OF BYBIT)

When Ben Zhou founded Bybit in 2018, he first had to convince his team that Bitcoin wasnt a scam.

Eight years later, digital assets are now mainstream. Governments and traditional finance institutions are warming to cryptocurrencies, perhaps most dramatically shown by the U.S.s passage of the GENIUS Act last year.

The traditional world is embracing crypto, Zhou, who leads the worlds second-largest crypto exchange by trading volume, tells Fortune. If they dont embrace it, they will be obsolete, especially with crypto wallet adoption growing 20 to 30% each year.

Currencies like stablecoins are becoming increasingly regulated, and can now be used for things like remittances and payments, Zhou adds. In 2025, over $18 trillion in transactions was settled in stablecoins, eclipsing total transactions on traditional payment platforms like Visa and Mastercard, according to crypto research firm Delphi Digital.

Cryptocurrency transactions are faster and cheaper than traditional bank transfers, Zhou argues. If you rely on the existing infrastructure and transfer via SWIFT, its just too slow.

Investment banks like Goldman Sachs are working to integrate tokenized assets in their trading and advisory operations, while payment providers like Visa and Mastercard are building partnerships with crypto exchanges like Bybit to issue payment cards which enable users to spend crypto holdings as fiat in real-time.

Crypto is going to be the main driving force behind traditional financial instruments like stocks and credit-default swaps within the next decade, Zhou argues. Accessibility, connectivity and unification is really the beauty of this technology.

Building Bybit

Before entering the crypto industry, Zhou worked as a Forex trader at financial brokerage XM, where he spent seven years as its China general manager. Back then, crypto was still niche. Many investors viewed it as a pump and dump scam, he recalls.

Zhou had an early interest in crypto, but found that platforms at the time were often overloaded whenever Bitcoin moved. He started Bybit in Shanghai, recruiting a team of about 15 software engineers from major Chinese tech firms like Tencent and Alibaba.

After China banned crypto mining and trading in 2021, Zhou relocated his team to Singapore; a year later, he moved again to Dubai, drawn by the UAEs crypto-friendly regulations, including no taxation on crypto income or capital gains, and a clear regulatory framework for digital assets.

Today, Bybit operates globally in over 180 countries, though the platform doesnt offer services in several others, including the U.S., Canada, China and Singapore.

Yet, safety challenges remain

Despite the finance industrys overall optimism on cryptocurrency, challenges in ensuring safe transactions remain.

On Feb. 21, 2025, North Korean hackers stole $1.4 billion worth of Ethereum from Bybit in the largest crypto theft in history. The hack spooked Bybits customers, leading to massive withdrawals, Zhou said at the time.

The exchange launched an industry-first Recovery Bounty Program, which called on the global cybersecurity community to help trace and recover the stolen currency, offering 10% of the stolen funds as a reward. Bybit wasnt able to recover the stolen funds, but it was able to secure financing to effectively restore its reserves.

Zhou says that, since the hack, Bybit has tightened its security measures, including using hardware security modules (HSMs), tamper-resistant physical devices that securely generate, stores, and manages cryptographic keys. Unless theres a physical break-in, no one will be able to touch tokens, Zhou explains.

Still, the Bybit CEO admits that the fast pace of cryptocurrency transactions means that its hard to stop scams and thefts from happening. If you lose money or get scammed, and are a customer of a bank, you can call the bank and they will be able to trace it, he explains. Tracing stolen funds is still possible in crypto, but everything moves so fast that by the time you get to it, the money is already gone.

He remains upbeat, however, about the future of safety in the crypto industry. Crypto infrastructure and technology are only increasing in abundance, and many more cybersecurity companies are joining the space.

More countries have laid out regulatory frameworks for crypto companies like Bybit. For example, the EU rolled out the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license in late 2024, which allows certified crypto providers to operate legally across the whole continent, instead of forcing companies to seek separate licenses from each individual country.

Zhou believes that enhanced regulation will pave the way for mainstream crypto adoption. Hes focused on European markets this year, as well as developing markets like Argentina, Brazil, Nigeria, Turkey and India, where demand for crypto is booming due to weak local currencies.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
Armed forces minister and former Marine Al Carns has slammed Donald Trump's false suggestion that Nato troops stayed away from the front lines in Afghanistan.

Mr Carns, who served and led during four tours in Afghanistan and was awarded the Military Cross in 2011, branded the US president's claim "utterly ridiculous."

"Alongside my American colleagues, we shed blood, sweat, and tears together, and not everybody came home, he added.

Mr Carns also invited whoever believes Mr Trump's claims to meet him and some of the bereaved families of the more than 400 British personnel who died in Afghanistan.

Around 1,061 non-American Nato troops died in the conflict that began in 2001, according to Help for Heroes. More than 2,300 members of the US armed forces were killed.
Donald Trump and Keir Starmer at the conclusion of the US president's state visit to the UK in September of last year [Reuters]

The prime minister's condemnation of Donald Trump's remarks about the war in Afghanistan are his strongest public criticisms of the president yet.

They come in a week where circumstances have led Sir Keir Starmer to conclude three times that it was necessary to publicly rebuke a man he has ploughed so much effort into building a strong relationship with.

I am told Sir Keir, on returning to Downing Street on Friday afternoon, saw it as essential to make his views clear in the most direct terms.

His tone and body language conveyed his anger, as did his words, in which he said what President Trump had said was "insulting and frankly appalling".

The president had claimed that the Nato defence alliance, of which the UK is a member, had sent "some troops" to Afghanistan, but they "stayed a little back, a little off the front lines."

The comments, which are factually inaccurate, have been widely seen as crass and deeply offensive.

Four hundred and fifty-seven British service personnel died in the conflict and many more suffered life changing injuries.

The prime minister's team tell me Sir Keir sees standing up for and defending the armed forces as a first order duty of his role, as both those serving and those killed in conflict can't speak publicly for themselves.

Incidentally, it is not the first time the Prime Minister has felt the need to stand up for the British military after remarks from the Trump administration.

In March of last year, Sir Keir pointedly paid tribute to UK troops in the Commons after the US Vice-President JD Vance was accused of disrespecting them.

But on that occasion, he made no reference to the vice-president by name.

Sir Keir's response to the president is the third time in five days he has had to reach a quick judgement on how to calibrate a public response in defending what he sees as first principles under attack from the White House.

The first came on Monday morning, with his case for the sanctity of the sovereignty of Greenland and a plea for "calm discussion".

Within 24 hours, the president was lobbing around insults about the government's deal over the Chagos Islands.

Little wonder, perhaps, that No 10 approached Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday with a sense that what he planned to say there wasn't without risk.

His language and tone on the president's then ambitions for Greenland hardened, as he said the UK "will not yield" to pressure from Washington.

While the prime minister's interventions on Monday and Wednesday were seen by officials through the prism of diplomacy and the reaction they might provoke, his remarks on Friday were approached with a different mindset.

I'm told the judgement was more simple: it was categorically the right thing to do, the prime minister concluded, given the gravity of offence the president had caused.

If Sir Keir manages a moment over the weekend to reflect on the last seven days, you have to wonder if he may judge it was a turning point in his relationship with President Trump.

It is a relationship he prizes and cherishes. Plenty have praised him for pulling it off, others have criticised him for hugging a deeply controversial President too close.

His argument has long been a close relationship is in the national interest.

The question now is how typical weeks like the last one might become, if the president's penchant for what many see as outrage, insult and provocation becomes ingrained.

[BBC]

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Lisa Burtenshaw was sworn in as the new mayor of Idaho Falls on Jan. 8. In the video above, she discusses her goals and priorities for the next four years. | Rett Nelson, EastIdahoNews.com

EDITORS NOTE: This is the third story in our Looking Ahead series featuring candid interviews with east Idahos new mayors. Read our previous story with Ammon Mayor Brian Powell here. We also spoke with Blackfoot Mayor Scott Stufflebeam here.

IDAHO FALLS  As Lisa Burtenshaw gets acclimated to her new role as mayor of Idaho Falls, she says its helpful to have a city staff she trusts.

With the exception of one new City Council member, Brandon Lee  who was victorious in Decembers runoff election and inaugurated on the same day as Burtenshaw  shes familiar with everyone. Shes gotten to know employees and elected officials over the last four years while serving on the council.

RELATED | New Idaho Falls mayor, city council members sworn in to a packed house Thursday night

As she takes over the mayors office, Burtenshaw tells EastIdahoNews.com shes appreciative to have them in place during this transition.

Being able to understand their strengths has been very helpful to me, she said. Its really been an honor to work with this council.

Her predecessor, Rebecca Casper, stepped down after three terms in office. Casper says she has multiple coals on the fire as she determines what her next career path will be.

Burtenshaw speaks highly of Caspers abilities and says she is happy to cheer her on for whatever comes next.

You will not find someone who will work harder, Burtenshaw said of Casper. She really gave her blood, sweat and tears to work on behalf of city residents. We have a lot of appreciation for Rebecca and for the effort that she put into the city.

EastIdahoNews.com sat down with Burtenshaw in the mayors office on Wednesday afternoon to discuss her goals and priorities over the next four years. The conversation comes on the heels of her first State of the City address, which she delivered hours earlier to a crowded room inside the Holiday Inn.

RELATED | New Idaho Falls mayor focused on building community for next generation in State of the City address

She began her remarks by discussing ways to enhance and improve communication with residents. An internal review is underway to look at how the city currently interacts with locals. During Wednesdays remarks, she expressed a commitment to make sure residents have pleasant and beneficial interactions with city officials and that theyre getting the information they need when they need it.

Going forward, Burtenshaw says one of her priorities is to ensure shes accessible to voters  not just through text or email, but for face-to-face conversations.

Im going to be out in the community, so please come and talk to me, she says. Thats what I love. I love meeting residents of Idaho Falls and hearing what they like and what we can do better.

Making it easier for business owners to apply for permits was the initial driver behind this point. Burtenshaw says the citys department heads are committed to making this happen, and ideas about improvements are already being discussed.

During the campaign, Burtenshaw said she learned communication was a much broader issue that needed to be addressed.

There was general lack of understanding or communication (between residents and) the city, and some surprises when it came to traffic  what we were doing to mitigate traffic, what we were doing with road construction. We just can be better (at communicating about) that.

EastIdahoNews.com reporter Rett Nelson, right, speaks with Mayor Lisa Burtenshaw on Wednesday. | Rett Nelson, EastIdahoNews.com

Road construction

Road construction was another major talking point during the mayors State of the City address. She noted that growth has had a huge impact on the flow of traffic. Traffic congestion amid numerous construction projects is an ongoing challenge, and Burtenshaw says communication with surrounding cities and the county is the way to solve it.

A collaborative effort in progress with the city of Ammon aims to better coordinate traffic signals and traffic flow, she said.

The State of the City (address) is going to be a blueprint for me for communication, (to show people) heres what I said were going to do and heres how were doing it. (Well) keep trying to close those loops so it doesnt feel like empty promises, Burtenshaw said.

During Wednesdays address, Burtenshaw cited multiple upcoming road projects designed to improve traffic flow. Those include East River Road (5th West) near the Idaho National Lab campus, expansions to the St. Leon exit and Iona Road, and the installation of traffic lights on 49th South.

Burtenshaw elaborated on each of these projects with EastIdahoNews.com later, explaining that the former two are in the preliminary stages and he installation of traffic signals on 49th South is happening this summer.

Burtenshaw says theres a lot of development on East River Road right now, and its causing delays. Pedestrian access is one factor thats slowing things down.

Its an issue the city is trying to resolve with the county because its a county road.

Its becoming more and more incorporated into town, and we dont have any ability (to put in) a safe pedestrian way, Burtenshaw said. Were going to coordinate with them  to get that road built out. Its not going to happen overnight, but were starting on it.

Similarly, the St. Leon and Iona Road project is also a collaborative effort with the county. A four-way stop at that intersection is being evaluated for future improvement.

Additionally, the city is collaborating with the Idaho Transportation Department on another long-term project. Its a proposal aimed at improving the Interstate 15/U.S. Highway 20 interchange.

While Burtenshaw referenced these projects in her address, she says there is ongoing collaboration with Bonneville County and Ammon for other road work in the future.

When were finished, Im going to go into a meeting and well talk about all the roadways (that need fixed), she said.

Ultimately, Burtenshaw says improving communication between residents and partners is about customer service, and thats her main priority.

Shes planning to travel around the city and do a series of videos highlighting the work of different departments to show residents what it takes to get things done and how to improve.

Idaho Falls Mayor Lisa Burtenshaw in an interview with EastIdahoNews.com | Rett Nelson, EastIdahoNews.com

This is our city

During Wednesdays speech, the crowd applauded when Burtenshaw mentioned bringing a multigenerational wellness center to Idaho Falls. Its something shes wanted for years, and she says its a project shes particularly passionate about as mayor.

The idea stems from her concerns about social media and its potential negative effects on society. She wants to help people disconnect from digital devices and reconnect with people.

Were losing that sense of community, and there is some loneliness and isolation that Id like to see disappear in our town, Burtenshaw said.

Bringing a wellness center to town has been a topic of conversation for years. The terms wellness center and rec center are often used interchangeably, but Burtenshaw says her vision for this space goes far beyond a traditional rec center. She wants it to be a building with an indoor track, lazy river, courts and other amenities to help families interact.

We have a lot to offer people when they come to visit Idaho Falls, Burtenshaw explained. We just need something thats more recreational-based; its the one truly missing piece.

She said she looks forward to continuing this conversation and advancing the idea.

Burtenshaw also said she feels that growth remains the citys greatest challenge. As she looks ahead to the next four years, shes optimistic about her vision and invites citizens to be involved.

Knowing what has been and what can be have to be able to mix together, and I think Im good at that kind of vision, she said. This is our city. Lets make it what we want it to be.

WATCH OUR INTERVIEW WITH BURTENSHAW IN THE VIDEO ABOVE.

The post Communication, customer service are Lisa Burtenshaws priorities as new Idaho Falls mayor appeared first on East Idaho News.
Donald Trump has angered veterans and families of those who died in Afghanistan after claiming that allies stayed away from the front line in the conflict.

Around 1,061 non-American Nato troops died in the conflict that began in 2001, according to Help for Heroes. 457 British service personnel died.

The US president made the false statement in an interview with Fox News in which he reiterated his suggestion that Nato would not support America if asked.

His remarks drew condemnation from across the political spectrum  here's why they are false.
Kids YouTuber and Zohran Mamdani-ally Ms. Rachel is being slammed for offering a crocodile-tear apology for liking a vile antisemitic Instagram comment  after she endorsed a pro-Hamas account that appeared to blame the Jews for the scandal.

Mayor Mamdani has been urged by Jewish groups to distance himself from Ms. Rachel in the wake of the scandal by one antisemitism watchdog.

The social media star, who won millions of toddler fans with her sing-song-voice videos, had already admitted to liking a comment calling for America to be free from the Jews. She said it was an innocent mistake.

Ms. Rachel, whose real name is Rachel Griffin Accurso, insisted on Wednesday she had accidentally hit like while scrolling, and that she had meant to click hide on the comment instead.

YouTuber Ms. Rachel has been slammed for crying victim over her antisemitism apology. Instagram/msrachelforlittles

She later appeared to double down after responding to a post critics said was an antisemitic dogwhistle.

But the Maine-born influencer then appeared to endorse another antisemitic trope that was put forward by a pro-Hamas Instagram account, which claimed that a pro-Israel or Jewish group had posted the original antisemitic comment to trap her.

Spoiler alert: They left the comment themselves, posted an account called thepalestinenewsnetwerk, which pushes antisemitic influencers such as Sneako and Andrew Tate.

Oooooo00000hhhhh, replied Ms. Rachel.

Ms. Rachels non-apology and further comments have been attacked by civil rights and Jewish groups.

Ms. Rachel doesnt answer the criticism, she cries and plays the victim. She ignores Jewish concerns, Jewish constituents, and blows off antisemitism for a publicity stunt, Liora Rez, Founder and Executive Director of StopAntisemitism, told The Post.

Pushing one-sided political narratives, and then calls accountability bullying. Thats not leadership. Thats exactly why she shouldnt be anywhere near a mayors office, Rez added.

Ms. Rachel was appointed to newly-elected Mayor Mamdanis inauguration committee, and also appeared alongside him at a Manhattan pre-K center earlier this week.

StopAntisemitism nominated Ms. Rachel for their Antisemite of the Year list last year over her Gaza posts.

The childrens influencer is part of Zohran Mamdanis inauguration committee. ABC7NY

She was originally called out for the post by a follower. Instagram/@msrachelforlittles

The organization accused her of using Hamas-aligned language and inflated casualty figures in her frequent posts to her personal social media mages about the conflict in Gaza.

She was found to have posted about children in Gaza nearly 50 times, compared to almost no posts about children from Israel or other conflict zones such as Ukraine or Sudan.

Ms. Rachel also faced stinging attacks on social media.

Apologizes for accidentally liking a comment that says Free America from Jews. Immediately comments supportively of a comment from a pro-Hamas account claiming that Jews set her up. Just incredible stuff, a writer for the conservative political blog Red State wrote on X.

Sharing a doctored picture of Ms. Rachel with a Hitler mustache, Israeli activist Uri Cohen quipped, I accidentally grew a mustache, by mistake, in a post on X.

A third X user, calling herself The Persian Jewess, also poured scorn on Ms. Rachels claims that she had made a simple mistake on Instagram by liking the antisemitic comment.

The like button and hide button are nowhere near one another and are clearly different. Even a child wouldnt be confused distinguishing a heart symbol from the word hide. Ms. Rachel is gaslighting all of you, she wrote.

Ms. Rachel, 43, has more than 18 million subscribers on Instagram. YouTube/@msrachel

The incident started when Ms. Rachel, who originally found fame with viral YouTube content aimed at young children before becoming increasingly political, made an Instagram post out of a screenshot from her Notes app, reading, Free Palestine, Free Sudan, Free Congo, Free Iran.

After her blunder in the comments section, the YouTuber made a non-apology before saying she was only human, as an apparent defense.

I would never agree with an antisemitic thing like the comment. We have Jewish family, a lot of my friends are Jewish. I delete antisemitic comments, Ms. Rachel said.

I want to say that its OK to be human and its OK to make mistakes and Im old, so I am not as good with touching things online, I guess. I have liked things by accident before, she added.

This is the latest alleged incident of antisemitism involving Ms. Rachel, who boasts more than 18 million YouTube subscribers.

After the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks, when Hamass murderous militants slaughtered hundreds of Israeli men, women and children, Ms. Rachel was noticeably silent, before speaking out only to share anti-Israel content.

She has frequently shared her support for Palestine. FilmMagic

Last year, she also sat down with former Qatari-paid shill Mehdi Hasan to talk about Palestinian children.

And Ms. Rachels inclusion in Mayor Mamdanis inauguration committee also sparked disgust from many prominent Jewish New Yorkers.

She brings false charges against Jews. She smears Jews. What a disgrace, former CUNY trustee Jeffrey Wiesenfeld told The Post in December.

She also collaborated on Instagram with terrorist sympathizer and Palestinian photojournalist, Motaz Azaiza.

Representatives for Ms. Rachel did not respond to requests for comment on Thursday.
TOPSHOT-US-POLITICS-VOTE (Photo by REBECCA DROKE/AFP via Getty Images)

Tenacious Ds Kyle Gass expressed deep regret after joking about the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump at a concert in 2024.

He admitted to causing a shitstorm after making an ill-timed comment on stage soon after a bullet grazed Trump and left him bloodied.

On July 14, 2024, Tenacious D, the comedy rock group Gass co-founded with Jack Black, performed at the ICC Sydney Theatre. It also happened to be Gass birthday.

Gass said he had heard the news of the attempted assassination, but he admitted the reality of the situation didnt sink in, according to an interview with Rolling Stone published Wednesday.

A cake was brought to the stage during the concert and when asked to make a wish, Gass said, Dont miss Trump next time!

It was a very low moment for me, Gass admitted.

Ive felt terrible ever since, he later added.

Gass got a few laughs that night, but his comment circulated quickly and gained traction online. He quickly realized the depth of his error. He told the publication that the outrage sparked concerns about his safety.

Gas was far removed from the assassination attempt and performing on a stage in Sydney, Australia.

I didnt feel like I was in touch with it. If I was over there, I think I would have gotten more the gravity of an assassination attempt, he told the outlet.

Im on the other side of the world here. Im in a different hemisphere, Im in a different continent. And Im naively forgetting about cameras and such, he said.

I just decided to quip about what happened. And it was terrible. It was terrible judgment, obviously. Ive felt terrible ever since, because its such a responsibility to not screw up like that, he said.

BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA  JULY 13: Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is rushed offstage by U.S. Secret Service agents after being grazed by a bullet during a rally on July 13, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. Butler County district attorney Richard Goldinger said the shooter is dead after injuring former U.S. President Donald Trump, killing one audience member and injuring another in the shooting. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

His remarks prompted responses from high-profile figures, including Elon Musk and Charlie Kirk. The band canceled its remaining tour dates, and Black issued a public comment distancing himself from Gass.

Gass issued an apology on Instagram, and he deleted it days later.

I was naive, of course  people are gonna pick that up, he said about his joke. But I just felt it was kind of a private moment. I thought I was safe in the bubble. And it was so fast.

Reflecting on the error, he told the outlet, Five one-syllable words that brought down the empire.

BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA  JULY 13: Secret Service tend to republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump onstage at a rally on July 13, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. Butler County district attorney Richard Goldinger said the shooter is dead after injuring former U.S. President Donald Trump, killing one audience member and injuring another in the shooting. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Gass noted the impact of that singular moment and the widespread backlash that followed.

I wouldnt wish it on anybody. Its one of those things, once it was picked up, it just got worse and worse.

It was hard to take responsibility for it, but it was my f*ck-up. When youre in it, its hard to even think straight. Its just this thing flooding and coming at you, he told Rolling Stone.

Im human, I made a mistake. I was going for a joke. But timing is everything. If there was ever a too soon, it was this, he said.

TOPSHOT  Republican candidate Donald Trump is seen with blood on his face surrounded by secret service agents as he is taken off the stage at a campaign event at Butler Farm Show Inc. in Butler, Pennsylvania, July 13, 2024. Republican candidate Donald Trump was evacuated from the stage at todays rally after what sounded like shots rang out at the event in Pennsylvania, according to AFP. The former US president was seen with blood on his right ear as he was surrounded by security agents, who hustled him off the stage as he pumped his first to the crowd. (Photo by REBECCA DROKE/AFP via Getty Images)

Gass claimed that his agent dropped him, and his tour with Black came to an abrupt halt, although he admitted he doesnt blame his friend for making that decision.

Hes back on tour again with a different group, but Gass admitted he still carries the weight of that moment with him. (RELATED: I Was Blindsided: Jack Black Addresses Bandmates Trump Comment, Suspends Rock Tour)

HONOLULU, HI  OCTOBER 22: Musicians Kyle Gass (L) and Jack Black of Tenacious D perform onstage during Spikes Rock the Troops event held at Joint Base Pearl Harbor  Hickam on October 22, 2016 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Spikes Rock the Troops will premiere on December 13 at 9 PM, ET/PT on Spike. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Spike)

Its overwhelming. Its like a tsunami of shit rolling over you. And then theres the regret. Like, Why would I do that? I just didnt put it together. And the ramifications were so huge, he told the outlet.
British soldiers of the 1st batallion of the Royal Welsh patrol in the streets of Showal in Nad-e-Ali district, Southern Afghanistan, in Helmand province (AFP via Getty Images)

US president Donald Trump has provoked anger among British politicians and veteran fighters by claiming Nato soldiers avoided the front lines in the war in Afghanistan.

Over 1,100 non-US coalition fighters died in the conflict that began in 2001, according to veteran charity Help for Heroes, the overwhelming majority of them being Nato countries, while more than 2,300 members of the US armed forces were killed.

But Mr Trump ramped up tensions with Nato on Thursday, saying he was not sure the alliance would be there if we ever needed them.

He told Fox News: Theyll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan  and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.

Lord Sedwill, a former British ambassador to Afghanistan, told Times Radio that Mr Trumps claim was offensive and simply wrong, and that Afghanistan veterans and the families of those who died would be right to feel deeply offended.

Mr Trump saw US Afghanistan veterans bodies repatriated (Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

He said: The Americans took the burden but the UK and Denmark, for example, had a higher rate of casualties than the Americans.

I was in Afghanistan, that was certainly the case there, and [they] were engaged in some of the most vicious fighting in some of the most dangerous areas. And so he is completely wrong to be dismissive.

British families of soldiers killed in Afghanistan told The Times there was no front line in Helmand because the Taliban planted improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and hid among the public.

Ian Wright, whose son, Gary Wright, 22, a Royal Marine from Scotland, was killed in 2006, when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device in Lashkar Gah, Helmand province, said: There was no such thing as a front line in Afghanistan. The Taliban were not in any form of unit and not identifiable. They relied on IEDs and mixing with the public.

He said normally people would be shocked at the lack of diplomacy and factual accuracy shown by a president of the USA. Sadly this is not the case in respect of the current incumbent.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: Trump avoided military service five times. How dare he question their sacrifice.

Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty, who served in Afghanistan as a captain in the Royal Yorkshire Regiment, said it was sad to see our nations sacrifice, and that of our Nato partners, held so cheaply by the president of the United States.

He said: I saw first hand the sacrifices made by British soldiers I served alongside in Sangin where we suffered horrific casualties, as did the US Marines the following year.

I dont believe US military personnel share the view of President Trump; his words do them a disservice as our closest military allies.
Lucy Aldridge said she was "deeply disgusted" by the comments made by US President Donald Trump [BBC]

Donald Trump's claim that Nato troops in Afghanistan stayed off the front line "picks the scab off wounds that never healed," a bereaved mother said.

Lucy Aldridge, whose 18-year-old son William died in a bomb blast in Afghanistan in 2009, said it would have upset the families of those who never came home as well as hurting every Nato member who sent troops to fight.

"The families of those who were lost to that conflict live the trauma every day. I'm not just deeply offended, I'm actually deeply disgusted," Aldridge, of Bromyard in Herefordshire, said.

The UK was among several allies to join the US in Afghanistan. During the conflict, 457 British service personnel were killed.

Trump's words, recorded in an interview with Fox News, was not just misspeaking but has affected "I can imagine, every NATO member who sent troops to fight in Afghanistan and certainly the families of those who never came home," she said.

"He has no compassion for people that don't serve him personally and I don't think that's a great quality for a leader of a country."

Rifleman William Aldridge was one of five soldiers from the 2nd Battalion The Rifles who died in the same incident [PA Media]

Trump said on Thursday he was "not sure" the NATO military alliance would be there for the US "if we ever needed them".

"We've never needed them," he said, adding: "We have never really asked anything of them."

"They'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan," he said, "and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines".

Trump made the comments in an interview with Fox News while in Davos [Reuters]

Government leaders have criticised the remarks with Health and Social Care minister Stephen Kinnock saying BBC he was "disappointed" by the remarks.

He told BBC Breakfast Trump's claim "doesn't really add up" and his remarks "don't really bear any resemblance to reality".

"They put their lives on the line to defend our country. I am disappointed by President Trump's comments," he said.

Rifleman Aldridge joined the Army in December 2007 and died 47 days after his 18th birthday.

He was one of five soldiers from the 2nd Battalion The Rifles who died in the same incident after being caught in a series of explosions while on foot patrol in Helmand Province.

Despite being injured in the first explosion, Rifleman Aldridge continued to help his colleagues and assisted field medics before the second device exploded, killing him and three others.

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